Devi Bhagavata Purana — Skandha 1 — Chapter 14
DB 1 14.1
व्यासेन गृहस्थधर्मवर्णनम् सूत उवाच दृष्ट्वा तामसितापाङ्गीं व्यासश्चिन्तापरोऽभवत् । किं करोमि न मे योग्या देवकन्येयमप्सराः
vyāsena gṛhasthadharmavarṇanam sūta uvāca dṛṣṭvā tāmasitāpāṅgīṃ vyāsaścintāparo'bhavat | kiṃ karomi na me yogyā devakanyeyamapsarāḥ
The description of the householder's duty by Vyāsa. Sūta said: Seeing her with her dark eye-corners, Vyāsa became absorbed in thought: "What shall I do? This apsaras, a daughter of the gods, is not suitable for me."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.2
एवं चिन्तयमानं तु दृष्ट्वा व्यासं तदाप्सराः । भयभीता हि सञ्जाता शापं मा विसृजेदयम्
evaṃ cintayamānaṃ tu dṛṣṭvā vyāsaṃ tadāpsarāḥ | bhayabhītā hi sañjātā śāpaṃ mā visṛjedayam
But seeing Vyāsa thinking in this way, that apsaras then became stricken with fear: "May he not cast a curse (on me)!"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.3
सा कृत्वाथ शुकीरूपं निर्गता भयविह्वला । कृष्णस्तु विस्मयं प्राप्तो विहङ्गीं तां विलोकयन्
sā kṛtvātha śukīrūpaṃ nirgatā bhayavihvalā | kṛṣṇastu vismayaṃ prāpto vihaṅgīṃ tāṃ vilokayan
Then she, taking the form of a female parrot, went out, overwhelmed with fear; and Kṛṣṇa (Dvaipāyana) was astonished as he gazed at that bird.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.4
कामस्तु देहे व्यासस्य दर्शनादेव सङ्गतः । मनोऽतिविस्मितं जातं सर्वगात्रेषु विस्मितः
kāmastu dehe vyāsasya darśanādeva saṅgataḥ | mano'tivismitaṃ jātaṃ sarvagātreṣu vismitaḥ
But desire took hold in Vyāsa's body from the mere sight (of her); his mind became greatly bewildered, and he was bewildered in all his limbs.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.5
स तु धैर्येण महता निगह्णन्मानसं मुनिः । न शशाक नियन्तुं च स व्यासः प्रसृतं मनः
sa tu dhairyeṇa mahatā nigahṇanmānasaṃ muniḥ | na śaśāka niyantuṃ ca sa vyāsaḥ prasṛtaṃ manaḥ
But that sage, restraining his mind with great firmness, yet Vyāsa was unable to check his mind that had run out (toward her).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.6
बहुशो गृह्यमाणं च घृताच्या मोहितं मनः । भावित्वान्नैव विधृतं व्यासस्यामिततेजसः
bahuśo gṛhyamāṇaṃ ca ghṛtācyā mohitaṃ manaḥ | bhāvitvānnaiva vidhṛtaṃ vyāsasyāmitatejasaḥ
And though held back again and again, the mind of Vyāsa of measureless splendour, bewildered by Ghṛtācī, was not held in check, because it was destined to be so.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.7
मन्धनं कुर्वतस्तस्य मुनेरग्निचिकीर्षया । अरण्यामेव सहसा तस्य शुक्रमथापतत्
mandhanaṃ kurvatastasya muneragnicikīrṣayā | araṇyāmeva sahasā tasya śukramathāpatat
As that sage was churning (the fire-sticks) with the wish to make fire, his semen suddenly fell upon the araṇi itself.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.8
सोऽविचिन्त्य तथा पातं ममन्थारणिमेव च । तस्माच्छुकः समुद्भूतो व्यासाकृतिमनोहरः
so'vicintya tathā pātaṃ mamanthāraṇimeva ca | tasmācchukaḥ samudbhūto vyāsākṛtimanoharaḥ
Without giving thought to its having fallen so, he went on churning the fire-stick; and from it arose Śuka, lovely, in the likeness of Vyāsa.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.9
विस्मयं जनयन्बालः सञ्जातस्तदरण्यजः । यथाध्वरे समिद्धोऽग्निर्भाति हव्येन दीप्तिमान्
vismayaṃ janayanbālaḥ sañjātastadaraṇyajaḥ | yathādhvare samiddho'gnirbhāti havyena dīptimān
The boy born there from the fire-stick came into being causing amazement, as at a sacrifice the kindled fire shines blazing with the oblation.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.10
व्यासस्तु सुतमालोक्य विस्मयं परमं गतः । किमेतदिति सञ्चिन्त्य वरदानाच्छिवस्य वै
vyāsastu sutamālokya vismayaṃ paramaṃ gataḥ | kimetaditi sañcintya varadānācchivasya vai
But Vyāsa, beholding his son, was struck with the utmost amazement, reflecting, "What is this?"—(and knew it was) through the boon-giving of Śiva.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.11
तेजोरूपी शुको जातोऽप्यरणीगर्भसम्भवः । द्वितीयोऽग्निरिवात्यर्थं दीप्यमानः स्वतेजसा
tejorūpī śuko jāto'pyaraṇīgarbhasambhavaḥ | dvitīyo'gnirivātyarthaṃ dīpyamānaḥ svatejasā
Śuka was born in the form of radiance, though sprung from the womb of the fire-stick, blazing exceedingly with his own splendour like a second fire.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.12
विलोकयामास तदा व्यासस्तु मुदितं सुतम् । दिव्येन तेजसा युक्तं गार्हपत्यमिवापरम्
vilokayāmāsa tadā vyāsastu muditaṃ sutam | divyena tejasā yuktaṃ gārhapatyamivāparam
Then Vyāsa gazed at his delighted son, endowed with divine radiance, like another household fire.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.13
गङ्गान्तः स्नापयामास समागत्य गिरेस्तदा । पुष्पवृष्टिस्तु खाज्जाता शिशोरुपरि तापसाः
gaṅgāntaḥ snāpayāmāsa samāgatya girestadā | puṣpavṛṣṭistu khājjātā śiśorupari tāpasāḥ
Coming down from the mountain, he then bathed (him) in the waters of the Gaṅgā; and a rain of flowers fell from the sky upon the child, O ascetics.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.14
जातकर्मादिकं चक्रे व्यासस्तस्य महात्मनः । देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुर्ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः व्यासेन गृहस्थधर्मवर्णनं नाम चतुर्दशोऽध्यायः
jātakarmādikaṃ cakre vyāsastasya mahātmanaḥ | devadundubhayo nedurnanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ vyāsena gṛhasthadharmavarṇanaṃ nāma caturdaśo'dhyāyaḥ
Vyāsa performed the birth-rites and the rest for that great-souled one; the drums of the gods sounded and the hosts of apsarases danced. (Here ends) the fourteenth chapter, named "The Description of the Householder's Duty by Vyāsa."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.15
जगुर्गन्धर्वपतयो मुदितास्ते दिदृक्षवः । विश्वावसुर्नारदश्च तुम्बुरुः शुकसम्भवे
jagurgandharvapatayo muditāste didṛkṣavaḥ | viśvāvasurnāradaśca tumburuḥ śukasambhave
The lords of the gandharvas, delighted and eager to see (him), sang—Viśvāvasu, Nārada, and Tumburu—at the birth of Śuka.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.16
तुष्टुवुर्मुदिताः सर्वे देवा विद्याधरास्तथा । दृष्ट्वा व्याससुतं दिव्यमरणीगर्भसम्भवम्
tuṣṭuvurmuditāḥ sarve devā vidyādharāstathā | dṛṣṭvā vyāsasutaṃ divyamaraṇīgarbhasambhavam
All the gods, delighted, praised (him), and the Vidyādharas as well, on seeing Vyāsa's divine son, born from the womb of the fire-drill.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.17
अन्तरिक्षात्पपातोर्व्यां दण्डः कृष्णाजिनं शुभम् । कमण्डलुस्तथा दिव्यः शुकस्यार्थे द्विजोत्तमाः
antarikṣātpapātorvyāṃ daṇḍaḥ kṛṣṇājinaṃ śubham | kamaṇḍalustathā divyaḥ śukasyārthe dvijottamāḥ
From the sky there fell to the earth a staff, an auspicious black antelope skin, and likewise a divine water-pot, for Śuka's sake, O best of the twice-born.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.18
सद्यः स ववृधे बालो जातमात्रोऽतिदीप्तिमान् । तस्योपनयनं चक्रे व्यासो विद्याविधानवित्
sadyaḥ sa vavṛdhe bālo jātamātro'tidīptimān | tasyopanayanaṃ cakre vyāso vidyāvidhānavit
At once that boy grew, exceedingly radiant though only just born; and Vyāsa, who knew the rules of learning, performed his initiation.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.19
उत्पन्नमात्रं तं वेदाः सरहस्याः ससंग्रहाः । उपतस्थुर्महात्मानं यथास्य पितरं तथा
utpannamātraṃ taṃ vedāḥ sarahasyāḥ sasaṃgrahāḥ | upatasthurmahātmānaṃ yathāsya pitaraṃ tathā
As soon as he was born, the Vedas, together with their secret doctrines and their compendia, presented themselves to that great-souled one, just as they had to his father.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.20
यतो दृष्टं शुकीरूपं घृताच्याः सम्भवे तदा । शुकेति नाम पुत्रस्य चकार मुनिसत्तमः
yato dṛṣṭaṃ śukīrūpaṃ ghṛtācyāḥ sambhave tadā | śuketi nāma putrasya cakāra munisattamaḥ
Since a parrot's form had been seen then at Ghṛtācī's coming, the best of sages gave his son the name "Śuka" (parrot).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.21
बृहस्पतिमुपाध्यायं कृत्वा व्याससुतस्तदा । व्रतानि ब्रह्मचर्यस्य चकार विधिपूर्वकम्
bṛhaspatimupādhyāyaṃ kṛtvā vyāsasutastadā | vratāni brahmacaryasya cakāra vidhipūrvakam
Then Vyāsa's son, making Bṛhaspati his teacher, performed the vows of studentship according to the prescribed rules.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.22
सोऽधीत्य निखिलान्वेदान् सरहस्यान्ससंग्रहान् । धर्मशास्त्राणि सर्वाणि कृत्वा गुरुकुले शुकः
so'dhītya nikhilānvedān sarahasyānsasaṃgrahān | dharmaśāstrāṇi sarvāṇi kṛtvā gurukule śukaḥ
Having studied all the Vedas together with their secret doctrines and compendia, and all the treatises on dharma, in the teacher's house, Śuka —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.23
गुरवे दक्षिणां दत्त्वा समावृत्तो मुनिस्तदा । आजगाम पितुः पार्श्वं कृष्णद्वैपायनस्य च
gurave dakṣiṇāṃ dattvā samāvṛtto munistadā | ājagāma pituḥ pārśvaṃ kṛṣṇadvaipāyanasya ca
having given the fee to the teacher, the sage then, his studentship completed, came to the side of his father Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.24
दृष्ट्वा व्यासः शुकं प्राप्तं प्रेम्णोत्थाय ससम्भ्रमः । आलिलिङ्ग मुहुर्घ्राणं मूर्ध्नि तस्य चकार ह
dṛṣṭvā vyāsaḥ śukaṃ prāptaṃ premṇotthāya sasambhramaḥ | āliliṅga muhurghrāṇaṃ mūrdhni tasya cakāra ha
Seeing Śuka arrived, Vyāsa rose up in a rush out of love, embraced him and repeatedly smelled his head.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.25
पप्रच्छ कुशलं व्यासस्तथा चाध्ययनं शुचि । आश्वास्य स्थापयामास शुकं तत्राश्रमे शुभे
papraccha kuśalaṃ vyāsastathā cādhyayanaṃ śuci | āśvāsya sthāpayāmāsa śukaṃ tatrāśrame śubhe
Vyāsa asked after his well-being and about his pure study; and having comforted him, he settled Śuka there in the auspicious hermitage.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.26
दारकर्म ततो व्यासः शुकस्य पर्यचिन्तयत् । कन्यां मुनिसुतां कान्तामपृच्छदतिवेगवान्
dārakarma tato vyāsaḥ śukasya paryacintayat | kanyāṃ munisutāṃ kāntāmapṛcchadativegavān
Then Vyāsa considered the matter of a wife for Śuka, and, in great haste, asked for a lovely maiden, the daughter of a sage.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.27
शुकं प्राह सुतं व्यासो वेदोऽधीतस्त्वयानघ । धर्मशास्त्राणि सर्वाणि कुरु भार्यां महामते
śukaṃ prāha sutaṃ vyāso vedo'dhītastvayānagha | dharmaśāstrāṇi sarvāṇi kuru bhāryāṃ mahāmate
Vyāsa said to his son Śuka: "The Veda has been studied by you, O sinless one, and all the treatises on dharma; take a wife, O great-minded one."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.28
गार्हस्थ्यं च समासाद्य यज देवान्पितॄनथ । ऋणान्मोचय मां पुत्र प्राप्य दारान्मनोरमान्
gārhasthyaṃ ca samāsādya yaja devānpitṝnatha | ṛṇānmocaya māṃ putra prāpya dārānmanoramān
"And having entered the householder's state, sacrifice to the gods and then to the ancestors; free me from my debt, son, by taking a delightful wife."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.29
अपुत्रस्य गतिर्नास्ति स्वर्गो नैव च नैव च । तस्मात्पुत्र महाभाग कुरुष्वाद्य गृहाश्रमम्
aputrasya gatirnāsti svargo naiva ca naiva ca | tasmātputra mahābhāga kuruṣvādya gṛhāśramam
"For a man without a son there is no (good) course, and no heaven at all, none at all; therefore, son, O greatly fortunate one, enter today upon the household state."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.30
कृत्वा गृहाश्रमं पुत्र सुखिनं कुरु मां शुक । आशा मे महती पुत्र पूरयस्व महामते
kṛtvā gṛhāśramaṃ putra sukhinaṃ kuru māṃ śuka | āśā me mahatī putra pūrayasva mahāmate
"Having entered the household state, son, make me happy, Śuka; great is my hope, son — fulfil it, O great-minded one."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.31
तपस्तप्त्वा महाघोरं प्राप्तोऽसि त्वमयोनिजः । देवरूपी महाप्राज्ञ पाहि मां पितरं शुक
tapastaptvā mahāghoraṃ prāpto'si tvamayonijaḥ | devarūpī mahāprājña pāhi māṃ pitaraṃ śuka
"Having practised most terrible austerity, I obtained you, who were not born from a womb; you of divine form, greatly wise, protect me, your father, Śuka."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.32
सूत उवाच इति वादिनमभ्याशे प्राप्तः प्राह शुकस्तदा । विरक्तः सोऽतिरक्तं तं साक्षात्पितरमात्मनः
sūta uvāca iti vādinamabhyāśe prāptaḥ prāha śukastadā | viraktaḥ so'tiraktaṃ taṃ sākṣātpitaramātmanaḥ
Sūta said: To him who spoke thus, Śuka, who had come near, then replied — he who was detached, to that greatly attached man who was his own father in person.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.33
शुक उवाच किं त्वं वदसि धर्मज्ञ वेदव्यास महामते । तत्त्वेन शाधि शिष्यं मां त्वदाज्ञां करवाण्यलम्
śuka uvāca kiṃ tvaṃ vadasi dharmajña vedavyāsa mahāmate | tattvena śādhi śiṣyaṃ māṃ tvadājñāṃ karavāṇyalam
Śuka said: "What is this you say, O knower of dharma, Vedavyāsa, great-minded one? Instruct me, your disciple, according to the truth; I shall fully carry out your command."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.34
व्यास उवाच त्वदर्थे यत्तपस्तप्तं मया पुत्र शतं समाः । प्राप्तस्त्वं चातिदुःखेन शिवस्याराधनेन च
vyāsa uvāca tvadarthe yattapastaptaṃ mayā putra śataṃ samāḥ | prāptastvaṃ cātiduḥkhena śivasyārādhanena ca
Vyāsa said: "For your sake, son, austerity was practised by me for a hundred years, and you were obtained with much suffering and by the worship of Śiva."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.35
ददामि तव वित्तं तु प्रार्थयित्वाथ भूपतिम् । सुखं भुंक्ष्व महाप्राज्ञ प्राप्य यौवनमुत्तमम्
dadāmi tava vittaṃ tu prārthayitvātha bhūpatim | sukhaṃ bhuṃkṣva mahāprājña prāpya yauvanamuttamam
"I will give you wealth, having asked the king for it; enjoy pleasure happily, greatly wise one, now that you have attained excellent youth."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.36
शुक उवाच किं सुखं मानुषे लोके ब्रूहि तात निरामयम् । दुःखविद्धं सुखं प्राज्ञा न वदन्ति सुखं किल
śuka uvāca kiṃ sukhaṃ mānuṣe loke brūhi tāta nirāmayam | duḥkhaviddhaṃ sukhaṃ prājñā na vadanti sukhaṃ kila
Śuka said: What happiness is there in the world of men, father? Tell me of one free from affliction. The wise do not call a happiness pierced through with sorrow happiness at all.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.37
स्त्रियं कृत्वा महाभाग भवामि तद्वशानुगः । सुखं किं परतन्त्रस्य स्त्रीजितस्य विशेषतः
striyaṃ kṛtvā mahābhāga bhavāmi tadvaśānugaḥ | sukhaṃ kiṃ paratantrasya strījitasya viśeṣataḥ
Having taken a wife, great-fortuned one, I become subject to her will. What happiness is there for one dependent on another, and especially for one conquered by a woman?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.38
कदाचिदपि मुच्येत लोहकाष्ठादियन्त्रितः । पुत्रदारैर्निबद्धस्तु न विमुच्येत कर्हिचित्
kadācidapi mucyeta lohakāṣṭhādiyantritaḥ | putradārairnibaddhastu na vimucyeta karhicit
One bound with fetters of iron or wood might at some time be released, but one bound by sons and wife is never freed.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.39
विण्मूत्रसम्भवो देहो नारीणां तन्मयस्तथा । कः प्रीतिं तत्र विप्रेन्द्र विबुधः कर्तुमिच्छति
viṇmūtrasambhavo deho nārīṇāṃ tanmayastathā | kaḥ prītiṃ tatra viprendra vibudhaḥ kartumicchati
The body arises from excrement and urine, and the bodies of women are made of that too. What wise man, lord of brahmins, wishes to take delight there?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.40
अयोनिजोऽहं विप्रर्षे योनौ मे कीदृशी मतिः । न वाञ्छाम्यहमग्रेऽपि योनावेव समुद्भवम्
ayonijo'haṃ viprarṣe yonau me kīdṛśī matiḥ | na vāñchāmyahamagre'pi yonāveva samudbhavam
I am not born from a womb, O brahmin seer; what sort of inclination could I have toward a womb? I do not wish, even hereafter, for a birth from a womb.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.41
विट्सुखं किमु वाञ्छामि त्यक्त्वाऽऽत्मसुखमद्भुतम् । आत्मारामश्च भूयोऽपि न भवत्यतिलोलुपः
viṭsukhaṃ kimu vāñchāmi tyaktvā''tmasukhamadbhutam | ātmārāmaśca bhūyo'pi na bhavatyatilolupaḥ
Why should I desire the pleasure of filth, abandoning the wondrous happiness of the Self? And one who delights in the Self does not again become excessively greedy.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.42
प्रथमं पठिता वेदा मया विस्तारिताश्च ते । हिंसामयास्ते पतिताः कर्ममार्गप्रवर्तकाः
prathamaṃ paṭhitā vedā mayā vistāritāśca te | hiṃsāmayāste patitāḥ karmamārgapravartakāḥ
First I studied the Vedas, and I expounded them; but they are full of violence, they have fallen away, being promoters of the path of ritual action.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.43
बृहस्पतिर्गुरुः प्राप्तः सोऽपि मग्नो गृहार्णवे । अविद्याग्रस्तहृदयः कथं तारयितुं क्षमः
bṛhaspatirguruḥ prāptaḥ so'pi magno gṛhārṇave | avidyāgrastahṛdayaḥ kathaṃ tārayituṃ kṣamaḥ
Bṛhaspati was obtained as teacher, but he too is sunk in the ocean of household life. With a heart seized by ignorance, how is he able to carry (another) across?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.44
रोगग्रस्तो यथा वैद्यः पररोगचिकित्सकः । तथा गुरुर्मुमुक्षोर्मे गृहस्थोऽयं विडम्बना
rogagrasto yathā vaidyaḥ pararogacikitsakaḥ | tathā gururmumukṣorme gṛhastho'yaṃ viḍambanā
As a physician who is himself seized by disease treats the disease of another, so is this householder a teacher for me who seek release — a mockery.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.45
कृत्वा प्रणामं गुरवे त्वत्समीपमुपागतः । त्राहि मां तत्त्वबोधेन भीतं संसारसर्पतः
kṛtvā praṇāmaṃ gurave tvatsamīpamupāgataḥ | trāhi māṃ tattvabodhena bhītaṃ saṃsārasarpataḥ
Having made obeisance to my teacher, I have come near to you. Save me, frightened by the serpent of worldly existence, through the knowledge of reality.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.46
संसारेऽस्मिन्महाघोरे भ्रमणं नभचक्रवत् । न च विश्रमणं क्यापि सूर्यस्येव दिवानिशि
saṃsāre'sminmahāghore bhramaṇaṃ nabhacakravat | na ca viśramaṇaṃ kyāpi sūryasyeva divāniśi
In this most terrible round of existence there is wandering like the wheel of the sky, and nowhere any rest, as with the sun by day and night.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.47
किं सुखं तात संसारे निजतत्त्वविचारणात् । मूढानां सुखबुद्धिस्तु विट्सु कीटसुखं यथा
kiṃ sukhaṃ tāta saṃsāre nijatattvavicāraṇāt | mūḍhānāṃ sukhabuddhistu viṭsu kīṭasukhaṃ yathā
What happiness is there in worldly existence, father, when one reflects on one's own true nature? But fools have the notion of happiness (in it), as a worm has pleasure in dung.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.48
अधीत्य वेदशास्त्राणि संसारे रागिणश्च ये । तेभ्यः परो न मूर्खोऽस्ति सधर्मा श्वाश्वसूकरैः
adhītya vedaśāstrāṇi saṃsāre rāgiṇaśca ye | tebhyaḥ paro na mūrkho'sti sadharmā śvāśvasūkaraiḥ
Those who, having studied the Vedas and the scriptures, are (still) full of passion for the world — there is no greater fool than they; they share the nature of dogs, horses and pigs.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.49
मानुष्यं दुर्लभं प्राप्य वेदशास्त्राण्यधीत्य च । बध्यते यदि संसारे को विमुच्येत मानवः
mānuṣyaṃ durlabhaṃ prāpya vedaśāstrāṇyadhītya ca | badhyate yadi saṃsāre ko vimucyeta mānavaḥ
If, having obtained the hard-won state of a human being and having studied the Vedas and the scriptures, a man is (still) bound in worldly existence, what man could ever be released?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.50
नातः परतरं लोके क्वचिदाश्चर्यमद्भुतम् । पुत्रदारगृहासक्तः पण्डितः परिगीयते
nātaḥ parataraṃ loke kvacidāścaryamadbhutam | putradāragṛhāsaktaḥ paṇḍitaḥ parigīyate
There is nowhere in the world any wonder more marvellous than this: that one attached to sons, wife and home is celebrated as a learned man.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.51
न बाध्यते यः संसारे नरो मायागुणैस्त्रिभिः । स विद्वान्स च मेधावी शास्त्रपारं गतो हि सः
na bādhyate yaḥ saṃsāre naro māyāguṇaistribhiḥ | sa vidvānsa ca medhāvī śāstrapāraṃ gato hi saḥ
The man who is not bound in worldly existence by the three qualities of māyā — he is the knower, he is the wise one, he indeed has reached the far shore of the scriptures.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.52
किं वृथाध्ययनेनात्र दृढबन्धकरेण च । पठितव्यं तदेवाशु मोचयेद्भवबन्धनात्
kiṃ vṛthādhyayanenātra dṛḍhabandhakareṇa ca | paṭhitavyaṃ tadevāśu mocayedbhavabandhanāt
What use here is vain study, which makes the bondage firm? Just that should be studied at once which would release (one) from the bondage of existence.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.53
गह्णाति पुरुषं यस्माद्गृहं तेन प्रकीर्तितम् । क्व सुखं बन्धनागारे तेन भीतोऽस्म्यहं पितः
gahṇāti puruṣaṃ yasmādgṛhaṃ tena prakīrtitam | kva sukhaṃ bandhanāgāre tena bhīto'smyahaṃ pitaḥ
Since it seizes a man, it is therefore called a 'house' (gṛha). Where is happiness in a prison-house? Therefore I am afraid, father.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.54
येऽबुधा मन्दमतयो विधिना मुषिताश्च ये । ते प्राप्य मानुषं जन्म पुनर्बन्धं विशन्त्युत
ye'budhā mandamatayo vidhinā muṣitāśca ye | te prāpya mānuṣaṃ janma punarbandhaṃ viśantyuta
Those who are unwise, dull of mind, and those who have been robbed by fate — they, on obtaining human birth, enter bondage once again.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.55
व्यास उवाच न गृहं बन्धनागारं बन्धने न च कारणम् । मनसा यो विनिर्मुक्तो गृहस्थोऽपि विमुच्यते
vyāsa uvāca na gṛhaṃ bandhanāgāraṃ bandhane na ca kāraṇam | manasā yo vinirmukto gṛhastho'pi vimucyate
Vyāsa said: The house is not a prison, nor is it the cause of bondage. He who is wholly freed in mind is released even as a householder.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.56
न्यायागतधनः कुर्वन्वेदोक्तं विधिवत्क्रमात् । गृहस्थोऽपि विमुच्येत श्राद्धकृत्सत्यवाक् शुचिः
nyāyāgatadhanaḥ kurvanvedoktaṃ vidhivatkramāt | gṛhastho'pi vimucyeta śrāddhakṛtsatyavāk śuciḥ
Having wealth obtained by lawful means, performing what the Veda enjoins duly and in order, even a householder may be liberated — one who performs the śrāddha rites, speaks truth, and is pure.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.57
ब्रह्मचारी यतिश्चैव वानप्रस्थो व्रतस्थितः । गृहस्थं समुपासन्ते मध्याह्नातिक्रमे सदा
brahmacārī yatiścaiva vānaprastho vratasthitaḥ | gṛhasthaṃ samupāsante madhyāhnātikrame sadā
The student of sacred learning, the ascetic, the forest-dweller and the man engaged in a vow always wait upon the householder when midday has passed.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.58
श्रद्धया चान्नदानेन वाचा सूनृतया तथा । उपकुर्वन्ति धर्मस्था गृहाश्रमनिवासिनः
śraddhayā cānnadānena vācā sūnṛtayā tathā | upakurvanti dharmasthā gṛhāśramanivāsinaḥ
With faith, with the gift of food, and likewise with kindly true speech, those who dwell in the householder's stage of life, established in dharma, render help (to them).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.59
गृहाश्रमात्परो धर्मो न दृष्टो न च वै श्रुतः । वसिष्ठादिभिराचार्यैर्ज्ञानिभिः समुपाश्रितः
gṛhāśramātparo dharmo na dṛṣṭo na ca vai śrutaḥ | vasiṣṭhādibhirācāryairjñānibhiḥ samupāśritaḥ
No dharma higher than the householder's stage has been seen or heard of; it was resorted to by teachers such as Vasiṣṭha, who possessed knowledge.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.60
किमसाध्यं महाभाग वेदोक्तानि च कुर्वतः । स्वर्गं मोक्षं च सज्जन्म यद्यद्वाञ्छति तद्भवेत्
kimasādhyaṃ mahābhāga vedoktāni ca kurvataḥ | svargaṃ mokṣaṃ ca sajjanma yadyadvāñchati tadbhavet
What is unattainable, greatly fortunate one, for a man who performs what the Vedas enjoin? Heaven, liberation, and a good birth — whatever he wishes, that comes to be.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.61
आश्रमादाश्रमं गच्छेदिति धर्मविदो विदुः । तस्मादग्निं समाधाय कुरु कर्माण्यतन्द्रितः
āśramādāśramaṃ gacchediti dharmavido viduḥ | tasmādagniṃ samādhāya kuru karmāṇyatandritaḥ
"One should pass from one stage of life to the next" — thus the knowers of dharma understand. Therefore, having established the (sacred) fire, perform the rites untiringly.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.62
देवान्पितॄन्मनुष्यांश्च सन्तर्प्य विधिवत्सुत । पुत्रमुत्पाद्य धर्मज्ञ संयोज्य च गृहाश्रमे
devānpitṝnmanuṣyāṃśca santarpya vidhivatsuta | putramutpādya dharmajña saṃyojya ca gṛhāśrame
Having satisfied the gods, the ancestors and men according to rule, my son, having begotten a son, O knower of dharma, and having joined (yourself) to the householder's stage,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.63
त्यक्त्वागृहं वनं गत्वा कर्तासि व्रतमुत्तमम् । वानप्रस्थाश्रमं कृत्वा संन्यासं च ततः परम्
tyaktvāgṛhaṃ vanaṃ gatvā kartāsi vratamuttamam | vānaprasthāśramaṃ kṛtvā saṃnyāsaṃ ca tataḥ param
then, abandoning the house and going to the forest, you will practise the highest vow: having carried out the forest-dweller's stage, and after that, renunciation.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.64
इन्द्रियाणि महाभाग मादकानि सुनिश्चितम् । अदारस्य दुरन्तानि पञ्चैव मनसा सह
indriyāṇi mahābhāga mādakāni suniścitam | adārasya durantāni pañcaiva manasā saha
The senses, greatly fortunate one, are intoxicating — this is quite certain; for a man without a wife the five, together with the mind, are hard to master.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.65
तस्माद्दारान्प्रकुर्वीत तज्जयाय महामते । वार्धके तप आतिष्ठेदिति शास्त्रोदितं वचः
tasmāddārānprakurvīta tajjayāya mahāmate | vārdhake tapa ātiṣṭhediti śāstroditaṃ vacaḥ
Therefore one should take a wife in order to conquer them, O great-minded one; in old age one should undertake ascetic practice — such is the word declared in the scriptures.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.66
विश्वामित्रो महाभाग तपः कृत्वातिदुश्चरम् । त्रीणि वर्षसहस्राणि निराहारो जितेन्द्रियः
viśvāmitro mahābhāga tapaḥ kṛtvātiduścaram | trīṇi varṣasahasrāṇi nirāhāro jitendriyaḥ
Viśvāmitra, greatly fortunate one, having performed exceedingly hard austerity for three thousand years, without food, his senses subdued,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.67
मोहितश्च महातेजा वने मेनकया स्थितः । शकुन्तला समुत्पन्ना पुत्री तद्वीर्यजा शुभा
mohitaśca mahātejā vane menakayā sthitaḥ | śakuntalā samutpannā putrī tadvīryajā śubhā
yet that man of great splendour was bewildered and dwelt in the forest with Menakā; and Śakuntalā was born, a lovely daughter sprung from his seed.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.68
दृष्ट्वा दाशसुतां कालीं पिता मम पराशरः । कामबाणार्दितः कन्यां तां जग्राहोडुपे स्थितः
dṛṣṭvā dāśasutāṃ kālīṃ pitā mama parāśaraḥ | kāmabāṇārditaḥ kanyāṃ tāṃ jagrāhoḍupe sthitaḥ
My father Parāśara, having seen Kālī the fisherman's daughter, pierced by love's arrow, took hold of that maiden while seated in a boat.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.69
ब्रह्मापि स्वसुतां दृष्ट्वा पञ्चबाणप्रपीडितः । धावमानश्च रुद्रेण मूर्च्छितश्च निवारितः
brahmāpi svasutāṃ dṛṣṭvā pañcabāṇaprapīḍitaḥ | dhāvamānaśca rudreṇa mūrcchitaśca nivāritaḥ
Brahmā too, seeing his own daughter, was afflicted by the five-arrowed one, and as he ran (after her) he was stopped by Rudra and fell into a swoon.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 14.70
तस्मात्त्वमपि कल्याण कुरु मे वचनं हितम् । कुलजां कन्यकां वृत्वा वेदमार्गं समाश्रय
tasmāttvamapi kalyāṇa kuru me vacanaṃ hitam | kulajāṃ kanyakāṃ vṛtvā vedamārgaṃ samāśraya
Therefore you too, blessed one, do my beneficial bidding: having chosen a maiden of good family, take up the path of the Veda.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition