Devi Bhagavata Purana — Skandha 1 — Chapter 16
DB 1 16.1
व्यासोपदेशवर्णनम् दृष्ट्वा तं विस्मितं देवं शयानं वटपत्रके । उवाच सस्मितं वाक्यं विष्णो किं विस्मितो ह्यसि
vyāsopadeśavarṇanam dṛṣṭvā taṃ vismitaṃ devaṃ śayānaṃ vaṭapatrake | uvāca sasmitaṃ vākyaṃ viṣṇo kiṃ vismito hyasi
The description of Vyāsa's instruction. Seeing that god astonished, lying on the banyan leaf, she spoke words with a smile: "Viṣṇu, why are you astonished?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.2
महाशक्त्याः प्रभावेण त्वं मां विस्मृतवान्पुरा । प्रभवे प्रलये जाते भूत्वा भूत्वा पुनः पुनः
mahāśaktyāḥ prabhāveṇa tvaṃ māṃ vismṛtavānpurā | prabhave pralaye jāte bhūtvā bhūtvā punaḥ punaḥ
"By the power of the Great Śakti you formerly forgot me, when creation and dissolution occurred, (you) coming into being again and again."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.3
निर्गुणा सा परा शक्तिः सगुणस्त्वं तथाप्यहम् । सात्त्विकी किल या शक्तिस्तां शक्तिं विद्धि मामिकाम्
nirguṇā sā parā śaktiḥ saguṇastvaṃ tathāpyaham | sāttvikī kila yā śaktistāṃ śaktiṃ viddhi māmikām
"That supreme Śakti is without qualities; you are with qualities, and so am I. That Śakti which is indeed of the sattva nature—know that Śakti to be mine."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.4
त्वन्नाभिकमलाद्ब्रह्मा भविष्यति प्रजापतिः । स कर्ता सर्वलोकस्य रजोगुणसमन्वितः
tvannābhikamalādbrahmā bhaviṣyati prajāpatiḥ | sa kartā sarvalokasya rajoguṇasamanvitaḥ
"From the lotus of your navel Brahmā, the lord of creatures, will come to be; he, endowed with the quality of rajas, is the maker of all the world."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.5
स तदा तप आस्थाय प्राप्य शक्तिमनुत्तमाम् । रजसा रक्तवर्णञ्च करिष्यति जगत्त्रयम्
sa tadā tapa āsthāya prāpya śaktimanuttamām | rajasā raktavarṇañca kariṣyati jagattrayam
"He then, undertaking austerity and obtaining unsurpassed power, will make the three worlds red-coloured with rajas."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.6
सगुणान्पञ्चभूतांश्च समुत्पाद्य महामतिः । इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियेशांश्च मनःपूर्वान्समन्ततः
saguṇānpañcabhūtāṃśca samutpādya mahāmatiḥ | indriyāṇīndriyeśāṃśca manaḥpūrvānsamantataḥ
"And that one of great intellect, having produced the five elements with their qualities, and the senses and the lords of the senses, beginning with mind, on all sides—"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.7
करिष्यति ततः सर्गं तेन कर्ता स उच्यते । विश्वस्यास्य महाभाग त्वं वै पालयिता तथा
kariṣyati tataḥ sargaṃ tena kartā sa ucyate | viśvasyāsya mahābhāga tvaṃ vai pālayitā tathā
"—will then perform the creation; therefore he is called the maker. And you, greatly fortunate one, are indeed the protector of this universe."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.8
तद्भुवोर्मध्यदेशाच्च क्रोधाद्रुद्रो भविष्यति । तपः कृत्वा महाघोरं प्राप्य शक्तिं तु तामसीम्
tadbhuvormadhyadeśācca krodhādrudro bhaviṣyati | tapaḥ kṛtvā mahāghoraṃ prāpya śaktiṃ tu tāmasīm
"And from the region between his brows, out of anger, Rudra will come to be; having performed most terrible austerity and obtained the power of tamas—"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.9
कल्पान्ते सोऽपि संहर्ता भविष्यति महामते । तेनाहं त्वामुपायाता सात्त्विकीं त्वमवेहि माम्
kalpānte so'pi saṃhartā bhaviṣyati mahāmate | tenāhaṃ tvāmupāyātā sāttvikīṃ tvamavehi mām
"—he too, O greatly wise one, will be the destroyer at the end of the aeon. Therefore I have come to you; know me as the sattva one."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.10
स्थास्येऽहं त्वत्समीपस्था सदाहं मधुसूदन । हृदये ते कृतावासा भवामि सततं किल
sthāsye'haṃ tvatsamīpasthā sadāhaṃ madhusūdana | hṛdaye te kṛtāvāsā bhavāmi satataṃ kila
"I shall abide always staying near you, O slayer of Madhu; having made my dwelling in your heart, I am there constantly indeed."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.11
विष्णुरुवाच श्लोकस्यार्धं मया पूर्वं श्रुतं देवि स्फुटाक्षरम् । तत्केनोक्तं वरारोहे रहस्यं परमं शिवम्
viṣṇuruvāca ślokasyārdhaṃ mayā pūrvaṃ śrutaṃ devi sphuṭākṣaram | tatkenoktaṃ varārohe rahasyaṃ paramaṃ śivam
Viṣṇu said: "Half of a verse was heard by me before, O goddess, in distinct syllables. By whom was that spoken, O fair-hipped one—that supreme, auspicious secret?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.12
तन्मे ब्रूहि वरारोहे संशयोऽयं वरानने । निर्धनो हि यथा द्रव्यं तत्स्मरामि पुनः पुनः
tanme brūhi varārohe saṃśayo'yaṃ varānane | nirdhano hi yathā dravyaṃ tatsmarāmi punaḥ punaḥ
"Tell me that, O fair-hipped one; this is my doubt, O fair-faced one. For, as a poor man (remembers) wealth, so I remember it again and again."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.13
व्यास उवाच विष्णोस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा महालक्ष्मीः स्मितानना । उवाच परया प्रीत्या वचनं चारुहासिनी
vyāsa uvāca viṣṇostadvacanaṃ śrutvā mahālakṣmīḥ smitānanā | uvāca parayā prītyā vacanaṃ cāruhāsinī
Vyāsa said: Having heard that speech of Viṣṇu, Mahālakṣmī, her face smiling, spoke words with the greatest affection, laughing charmingly.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.14
महालक्ष्मीरुवाच शृणु शौरे वचो मह्यं सगुणाहं चतुर्भुजा । मां जानासि न जानासि निर्गुणां सगुणालयाम्
mahālakṣmīruvāca śṛṇu śaure vaco mahyaṃ saguṇāhaṃ caturbhujā | māṃ jānāsi na jānāsi nirguṇāṃ saguṇālayām
Mahālakṣmī said: "Hear my words, O Śauri: I am with qualities, four-armed. You know me, (yet) you do not know (me) as the quality-less one who is the abode of the qualified."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.15
त्वं जानीहि महाभाग तया तत्प्रकटीकृतम् । पुण्यं भागवतं विद्धि वेदसारं शुभावहम्
tvaṃ jānīhi mahābhāga tayā tatprakaṭīkṛtam | puṇyaṃ bhāgavataṃ viddhi vedasāraṃ śubhāvaham
"Know, O greatly fortunate one, that it was made manifest by her; know the meritorious Bhāgavata, the essence of the Veda, the bringer of good."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.16
कृपां च महतीं मन्ये देव्याः शत्रुनिषूदन । यया प्रोक्तं परं गुह्यं हिताय तव सुव्रत प्रथमस्कन्धे शुकं प्रति व्यासोपदेशवर्णनं नाम षोडशोऽध्यायः
kṛpāṃ ca mahatīṃ manye devyāḥ śatruniṣūdana | yayā proktaṃ paraṃ guhyaṃ hitāya tava suvrata prathamaskandhe śukaṃ prati vyāsopadeśavarṇanaṃ nāma ṣoḍaśo'dhyāyaḥ
"And I consider it a great grace of the Goddess, O slayer of foes, by which the supreme secret was declared for your benefit, O you of good vows." — In the first book, the sixteenth chapter, called the description of Vyāsa's instruction, addressed to Śuka.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.17
रक्षणीयं सदा चित्ते न विस्मार्यं कदाचन । सारं हि सर्वशास्त्राणां महाविद्याप्रकाशितम्
rakṣaṇīyaṃ sadā citte na vismāryaṃ kadācana | sāraṃ hi sarvaśāstrāṇāṃ mahāvidyāprakāśitam
"It must always be guarded in the mind, never to be forgotten—for it is the essence of all the scriptures, revealed by the Great Knowledge."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.18
नातः परं वेदितव्यं वर्तते भुवनत्रये । प्रियोऽसि खलु देव्यास्त्वं तेन ते व्याहृतं वचः
nātaḥ paraṃ veditavyaṃ vartate bhuvanatraye | priyo'si khalu devyāstvaṃ tena te vyāhṛtaṃ vacaḥ
"There is nothing beyond this to be known in the three worlds. You are surely dear to the Goddess; therefore the words were uttered to you."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.19
व्यास उवाच इति श्रुत्वा वचो देव्या महालक्ष्याश्चतुर्भुजः । दधार हृदये नित्यं मत्वा मन्त्रमनुत्तमम्
vyāsa uvāca iti śrutvā vaco devyā mahālakṣyāścaturbhujaḥ | dadhāra hṛdaye nityaṃ matvā mantramanuttamam
Vyāsa said: Having heard this speech of the Goddess, the four-armed (Lord) of Mahālakṣmī held it always in his heart, considering it the highest mantra.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.20
कालेन कियता तत्र तन्नाभिकमलोद्भवः । ब्रह्मा दैत्यभयात्त्रस्तो जगाम शरणं हरेः
kālena kiyatā tatra tannābhikamalodbhavaḥ | brahmā daityabhayāttrasto jagāma śaraṇaṃ hareḥ
After some time there, Brahmā, born from the lotus of his navel, terrified by fear of the demons, went to Hari for refuge.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.21
ततः कृत्वा महायुद्धं हत्वा तौ मधुकैटभौ । जजाप भगवान्विष्णुः श्लोकार्धं विशदाक्षरम्
tataḥ kṛtvā mahāyuddhaṃ hatvā tau madhukaiṭabhau | jajāpa bhagavānviṣṇuḥ ślokārdhaṃ viśadākṣaram
Then, having waged a great battle and slain those two, Madhu and Kaiṭabha, the Lord Viṣṇu murmured that half-verse of clear syllables.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.22
जपन्तं वासुदेवं च दृष्ट्वा देवः प्रजापतिः । पप्रच्छ परमप्रीतः कञ्जजः कमलापतिम्
japantaṃ vāsudevaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā devaḥ prajāpatiḥ | papraccha paramaprītaḥ kañjajaḥ kamalāpatim
And seeing Vāsudeva murmuring (it), the god Prajāpati, the lotus-born, exceedingly pleased, asked the husband of Kamalā:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.23
किं त्वं जपसि देवेश त्वत्तः कोऽप्यधिकोऽस्ति वै । यत्कृत्वा पुण्डरीकाक्ष प्रीतोऽसि जगदीश्वर
kiṃ tvaṃ japasi deveśa tvattaḥ ko'pyadhiko'sti vai | yatkṛtvā puṇḍarīkākṣa prīto'si jagadīśvara
"What are you murmuring, lord of the gods? Is there indeed anyone greater than you, by doing which, O lotus-eyed one, O lord of the world, you are pleased?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.24
हरिरुवाच मयि त्वयि च या शक्तिः क्रियाकारणलक्षणा । विचारय महाभाग या सा भगवती शिवा
hariruvāca mayi tvayi ca yā śaktiḥ kriyākāraṇalakṣaṇā | vicāraya mahābhāga yā sā bhagavatī śivā
Hari said: The power that is in me and in you, characterized as action and as cause — consider it, O greatly fortunate one: she is the Bhagavatī, the auspicious one.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.25
यस्याधारे जगत्सर्वं तिष्ठत्यत्र महार्णवे । साकारा या महाशक्तिरमेया च सनातनी
yasyādhāre jagatsarvaṃ tiṣṭhatyatra mahārṇave | sākārā yā mahāśaktirameyā ca sanātanī
She upon whose support this whole world rests here in the great ocean — she who has form, the great power, immeasurable and eternal;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.26
यया विसृज्यते विश्वं जगदेतच्चराचरम् । सैषा प्रसन्ना वरदा नृणां भवति मुक्तये
yayā visṛjyate viśvaṃ jagadetaccarācaram | saiṣā prasannā varadā nṛṇāṃ bhavati muktaye
By whom this universe, this world with its moving and unmoving (beings), is sent forth — that very one, when pleased, becomes the giver of boons to men, for their liberation.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.27
सा विद्या परमा मुक्तेर्हेतुभूता सनातनी । संसारबन्धहेतुश्च सैव सर्वेश्वरेश्वरी
sā vidyā paramā mukterhetubhūtā sanātanī | saṃsārabandhahetuśca saiva sarveśvareśvarī
She is the supreme knowledge, the eternal one who is the cause of liberation; and she alone is the cause of bondage to the round of rebirth, the sovereign over all sovereigns.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.28
अहं त्वमखिलं विश्वं तस्याश्चिच्छक्तिसम्भवम् । विद्धि ब्रह्मन्न सन्देहः कर्तव्यः सर्वदानघ
ahaṃ tvamakhilaṃ viśvaṃ tasyāścicchaktisambhavam | viddhi brahmanna sandehaḥ kartavyaḥ sarvadānagha
I, you, and the entire universe arise from her power of consciousness. Know this, O Brahmā; no doubt should ever be entertained, O sinless one.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.29
श्लोकार्धेन तया प्रोक्तं तद्वै भागवतं किल । विस्तरो भविता तस्य द्वापरादौ युगे तथा
ślokārdhena tayā proktaṃ tadvai bhāgavataṃ kila | vistaro bhavitā tasya dvāparādau yuge tathā
What was spoken by her in half a verse — that indeed is the Bhāgavata; and its expansion will come about at the beginning of the Dvāpara age.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.30
व्यास उवाच ब्रह्मणा संगृहीतं च विष्णोस्तु नाभिपङ्कजे । नारदाय च तेनोक्तं पुत्रायामितबुद्धये
vyāsa uvāca brahmaṇā saṃgṛhītaṃ ca viṣṇostu nābhipaṅkaje | nāradāya ca tenoktaṃ putrāyāmitabuddhaye
Vyāsa said: And it was received by Brahmā on the navel-lotus of Viṣṇu, and by him it was told to his son Nārada of boundless intellect.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.31
नारदेन तथा मह्यं दत्तं हि मुनिना पुरा । मया कृतमिदं पूर्णं द्वादशस्कन्धविस्तरम्
nāradena tathā mahyaṃ dattaṃ hi muninā purā | mayā kṛtamidaṃ pūrṇaṃ dvādaśaskandhavistaram
And so it was given to me long ago by the sage Nārada; by me this has been made complete, extended into twelve books.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.32
तत्पठस्व महाभाग पुराणं ब्रह्मसम्मितम् । पञ्चलक्षणयुक्तं च देव्याश्चरितमुत्तमम्
tatpaṭhasva mahābhāga purāṇaṃ brahmasammitam | pañcalakṣaṇayuktaṃ ca devyāścaritamuttamam
So recite that Purāṇa, equal in measure to the Veda, endowed with the five marks, the excellent tale of the Goddess.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.33
तत्त्वज्ञानरसोपेतं सर्वेषामुत्तमोत्तमम् । धर्मशास्त्रसमं पुण्यं वेदार्थेनोपबृंहितम्
tattvajñānarasopetaṃ sarveṣāmuttamottamam | dharmaśāstrasamaṃ puṇyaṃ vedārthenopabṛṃhitam
Filled with the savor of the knowledge of reality, the very best of all, meritorious, on a par with the treatises on dharma, augmented by the meaning of the Vedas,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.34
वृत्रासुरवधोपेतं नानाख्यानकथायुतम् । ब्रह्मविद्यानिधानं तु संसारार्णवतारकम्
vṛtrāsuravadhopetaṃ nānākhyānakathāyutam | brahmavidyānidhānaṃ tu saṃsārārṇavatārakam
Containing the slaying of the demon Vṛtra, joined with various narratives and stories, a treasury of the knowledge of Brahman, a means of crossing the ocean of worldly existence —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.35
गृहाण त्वं महाभाग योग्योऽसि मतिमत्तरः । पुण्यं भागवतं नाम पुराणं पुरुषर्षभ
gṛhāṇa tvaṃ mahābhāga yogyo'si matimattaraḥ | puṇyaṃ bhāgavataṃ nāma purāṇaṃ puruṣarṣabha
Receive it, O greatly fortunate one; you are fit (for it), being of superior intelligence — the meritorious Purāṇa named Bhāgavata, O bull among men.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.36
अष्टादशसहस्राणां श्लोकानां कुरु संग्रहम् । अज्ञाननाशनं दिव्यं ज्ञानभास्करबोधकम्
aṣṭādaśasahasrāṇāṃ ślokānāṃ kuru saṃgraham | ajñānanāśanaṃ divyaṃ jñānabhāskarabodhakam
Make a compilation of eighteen thousand verses, destroying ignorance, divine, awakening the sun of knowledge,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.37
सुखदं शान्तिदं धन्यं दीर्घायुष्यकरं शिवम् । शृण्वतां पठतां चेदं पुत्रपौत्रविवर्धनम्
sukhadaṃ śāntidaṃ dhanyaṃ dīrghāyuṣyakaraṃ śivam | śṛṇvatāṃ paṭhatāṃ cedaṃ putrapautravivardhanam
Bestowing happiness, bestowing peace, bringing fortune, producing long life, auspicious; and for those who hear and recite it, increasing sons and grandsons.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.38
शिष्योऽयं मम धर्मात्मा लोमहर्षणसम्भवः । पठिष्यति त्वया सार्धं पुराणीं संहितां शुभाम्
śiṣyo'yaṃ mama dharmātmā lomaharṣaṇasambhavaḥ | paṭhiṣyati tvayā sārdhaṃ purāṇīṃ saṃhitāṃ śubhām
This disciple of mine, righteous in nature, born of Lomaharṣaṇa, will recite together with you the auspicious ancient collection.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.39
सूत उवाच इत्युक्तं तेन पुत्राय मह्यं च कथितं किल । मया गृहीतं तत्सर्वं पुराणं चातिविस्तरम्
sūta uvāca ityuktaṃ tena putrāya mahyaṃ ca kathitaṃ kila | mayā gṛhītaṃ tatsarvaṃ purāṇaṃ cātivistaram
Sūta said: Thus it was spoken by him to his son, and it was told to me as well; and I took in all of that very extensive Purāṇa.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.40
शुकोऽधीत्य पुराणं तु स्थितो व्यासाश्रमे शुभे । न लेभे शर्म धर्मात्मा ब्रह्मात्मज इवापरः
śuko'dhītya purāṇaṃ tu sthito vyāsāśrame śubhe | na lebhe śarma dharmātmā brahmātmaja ivāparaḥ
But Śuka, having studied the Purāṇa and staying in Vyāsa's fair hermitage, that righteous one found no peace, like a second son of Brahmā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.41
एकान्तसेवी विकलः स शून्य इव लक्ष्यते । नात्यन्तभोजनासक्तो नोपवासरतस्तथा
ekāntasevī vikalaḥ sa śūnya iva lakṣyate | nātyantabhojanāsakto nopavāsaratastathā
Frequenting solitude, distracted, he appeared as though empty; not excessively attached to eating, nor given to fasting either.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.42
चिन्ताविष्टं शुकं दृष्ट्वा व्यासः प्राह सुतं प्रति । किं पुत्र चिन्त्यते नित्यं कस्माद्व्यग्रोऽसि मानद
cintāviṣṭaṃ śukaṃ dṛṣṭvā vyāsaḥ prāha sutaṃ prati | kiṃ putra cintyate nityaṃ kasmādvyagro'si mānada
Seeing Śuka absorbed in brooding, Vyāsa spoke to his son: "What are you constantly pondering, son? Why are you agitated, O bestower of honour?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.43
आस्से ध्यानपरो नित्यमृणग्रस्त इवाधनः । का चिन्ता वर्तते पुत्र मयि ताते तु तिष्ठति
āsse dhyānaparo nityamṛṇagrasta ivādhanaḥ | kā cintā vartate putra mayi tāte tu tiṣṭhati
"You sit always intent on meditation, like a poor man seized by debt. What worry persists, son, while I, your father, am here?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.44
सुखं भुंक्ष्व यथाकामं मुञ्च शोकं मनोगतम् । ज्ञानं चिन्तय शास्त्रोक्तं विज्ञाने च मतिं कुरु
sukhaṃ bhuṃkṣva yathākāmaṃ muñca śokaṃ manogatam | jñānaṃ cintaya śāstroktaṃ vijñāne ca matiṃ kuru
"Enjoy happily as you wish; let go of the grief in your mind. Reflect on the knowledge taught in the scriptures, and set your mind on discernment.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.45
न चेन्मनसि ते शान्तिर्वचसा मम सुव्रत । गच्छ त्वं मिथिलां पुत्र पालितां जनकेन ह
na cenmanasi te śāntirvacasā mama suvrata | gaccha tvaṃ mithilāṃ putra pālitāṃ janakena ha
"But if there is no peace in your mind from my words, O you of good vows, then go, son, to Mithilā, which is ruled by Janaka.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.46
स ते मोहं महाभाग नाशयिष्यति भूपतिः । जनको नाम धर्मात्मा विदेहः सत्यसागरः
sa te mohaṃ mahābhāga nāśayiṣyati bhūpatiḥ | janako nāma dharmātmā videhaḥ satyasāgaraḥ
"That king will destroy your delusion, O greatly fortunate one — the righteous one named Janaka, the Videha, an ocean of truth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.47
तं गत्वा नृपतिं पुत्र सन्देहं स्वं निवर्तय । वर्णाश्रमाणां धर्मांस्त्वं पृच्छ पुत्र यथातथम्
taṃ gatvā nṛpatiṃ putra sandehaṃ svaṃ nivartaya | varṇāśramāṇāṃ dharmāṃstvaṃ pṛccha putra yathātatham
"Having gone to that king, son, put an end to your doubt; ask him, son, about the duties of the classes and life-stages as they truly are.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.48
जीवन्मुक्तः स राजर्षिर्बह्मज्ञानमतिः शुचिः । तथ्यवक्तातिशान्तश्च योगी योगप्रियः सदा
jīvanmuktaḥ sa rājarṣirbahmajñānamatiḥ śuciḥ | tathyavaktātiśāntaśca yogī yogapriyaḥ sadā
"That royal sage is liberated while living, his mind set on knowledge of brahman, pure, a speaker of truth, wholly tranquil, a yogin ever fond of yoga."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.49
सूत उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य व्यासस्यामिततेजसः । प्रत्युवाच महातेजाः शुकश्चारणिसम्भवः
sūta uvāca tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya vyāsasyāmitatejasaḥ | pratyuvāca mahātejāḥ śukaścāraṇisambhavaḥ
Sūta said: Hearing that speech of his, of Vyāsa of measureless splendour, the greatly splendid Śuka, born from the fire-drill, replied:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.50
दम्भोऽयं किल धर्मात्मन्भाति चित्ते ममाधुना । जीवन्मुक्तो विदेहश्च राज्यं शास्ति मुदान्वितः
dambho'yaṃ kila dharmātmanbhāti citte mamādhunā | jīvanmukto videhaśca rājyaṃ śāsti mudānvitaḥ
"Surely this seems to my mind now a fraud, O righteous one: he is liberated while living and bodiless (videha), and yet he rules a kingdom, filled with delight!
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.51
वन्ध्यापुत्र इवाभाति राजासौ जनकः पितः । कुर्वन् राज्यं विदेहः किं सन्देहोऽयं ममाद्भुतः
vandhyāputra ivābhāti rājāsau janakaḥ pitaḥ | kurvan rājyaṃ videhaḥ kiṃ sandeho'yaṃ mamādbhutaḥ
"That king Janaka appears like the son of a barren woman, father: how can he be 'bodiless' while carrying on a kingdom? This doubt of mine is astonishing.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.52
द्रष्टुमिच्छाम्यहं भूपं विदेहं नृपसत्तमम् । कथं तिष्ठति संसारे पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसि
draṣṭumicchāmyahaṃ bhūpaṃ videhaṃ nṛpasattamam | kathaṃ tiṣṭhati saṃsāre padmapatramivāmbhasi
"I wish to see that lord of the earth, the Videha, best of kings — how he stands in the round of existence like a lotus-leaf in water.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.53
सन्देहोऽयं महांस्तात विदेहे परिवर्तते । मोक्षः किं वदतां श्रेष्ठ सौगतानामिवापरः
sandeho'yaṃ mahāṃstāta videhe parivartate | mokṣaḥ kiṃ vadatāṃ śreṣṭha saugatānāmivāparaḥ
"This great doubt, father, turns about the Videha: is his liberation, O best of speakers, another (empty thing) like that of the Buddhists?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.54
कथं भुक्तमभुक्तं स्यादकृतं च कृतं कथम् । व्यवहारः कथं त्याज्य इन्द्रियाणां महामते
kathaṃ bhuktamabhuktaṃ syādakṛtaṃ ca kṛtaṃ katham | vyavahāraḥ kathaṃ tyājya indriyāṇāṃ mahāmate
"How can what is eaten be as good as not eaten, and how what is done as not done? How is the activity of the senses to be given up, O great-minded one?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.55
माता पुत्रस्तथा भार्या भगिनी कुलटा तथा । भेदाभेदः कथं न स्याद्यद्येतन्मुक्तता कथम्
mātā putrastathā bhāryā bhaginī kulaṭā tathā | bhedābhedaḥ kathaṃ na syādyadyetanmuktatā katham
"Mother, son, and likewise wife, sister, and a wanton woman — how could there be no distinction and non-distinction? And if there is (distinction), how is there liberation?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.56
कटु क्षारं तथा तीक्ष्णां कषायं मिष्टमेव च । रसना यदि जानाति भुंक्ते भोगाननुत्तमान्
kaṭu kṣāraṃ tathā tīkṣṇāṃ kaṣāyaṃ miṣṭameva ca | rasanā yadi jānāti bhuṃkte bhogānanuttamān
"Pungent, salty, sharp, astringent, and sweet — if the tongue knows these, it enjoys the finest pleasures.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.57
शीतोष्णुसुखदुःखादिपरिज्ञानं यदा भवेत् । मुक्तता कीदृशी तात सन्देहोऽयं ममाद्भुतः
śītoṣṇusukhaduḥkhādiparijñānaṃ yadā bhavet | muktatā kīdṛśī tāta sandeho'yaṃ mamādbhutaḥ
"When there is full awareness of cold, heat, pleasure, pain and the rest, what sort of liberation is that, father? This doubt of mine is astonishing.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.58
शत्रुमित्रपरिज्ञानं वैरं प्रीतिकरं सदा । व्यवहारे परे तिष्ठन्कथं न कुरुते नृपः
śatrumitraparijñānaṃ vairaṃ prītikaraṃ sadā | vyavahāre pare tiṣṭhankathaṃ na kurute nṛpaḥ
"There is awareness of enemy and friend, of enmity and of what gives pleasure, always; standing in the midst of ordinary dealings, how does the king not act (accordingly)?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.59
चौरं वा तापसं वापि समानं मन्यते कथम् । असमा यदि बुद्धिः स्यान्मुक्तता तर्हि कीदृशी
cauraṃ vā tāpasaṃ vāpi samānaṃ manyate katham | asamā yadi buddhiḥ syānmuktatā tarhi kīdṛśī
How can (a king) regard a thief and an ascetic as equal? And if (his) judgment is not equal (toward them), then what sort of liberation is that?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.60
दृष्टपूर्वो न मे कश्चिज्जीवन्मुक्तश्च भूपतिः । शङ्केयं महती तात गृहे मुक्तः कथं नृपः
dṛṣṭapūrvo na me kaścijjīvanmuktaśca bhūpatiḥ | śaṅkeyaṃ mahatī tāta gṛhe muktaḥ kathaṃ nṛpaḥ
I have never before seen any king who was liberated while living; great is my doubt, father — how can a king be liberated (while dwelling) in a house?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 1 16.61
दिदृक्षा महती जाता श्रुत्वा तं भूपतिं तथा । सन्देहविनिवृत्त्यर्थं गच्छामि मिथिलां प्रति
didṛkṣā mahatī jātā śrutvā taṃ bhūpatiṃ tathā | sandehavinivṛttyarthaṃ gacchāmi mithilāṃ prati
A great desire to see that king has arisen in me from hearing of him thus; to have my doubt removed I shall go to Mithilā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition