भीष्म उवाच स एवमुक्तो द्विपदां वरिष्ठो नारायणेनोत्तमपूरुषेण। जगाद वाक्यं द्विपदां वरिष्ठं नारायणं लोकहिताधिवासम्॥
Bhishma said "Addressed by Narayana, that foremost of beings, in these words, Narada, the foremost of men, then said these words to Narayana for the behoof of the world.
नारद उवाच यदर्थमात्रप्रभवेण जन्म कृतं त्वया धर्मगृहे चतुर्धा! तत्साध्यतां लोकहितार्थमद्य गच्छामि द्रष्टुं प्रकृतिं तवाद्याम्॥
Narada said Let that object be fulfilled for which you, O Self-born Being, have taken birth in four forms in the house of Dharma! I shall now go for seeing your original nature.
पूजां गुरूणां सततं करोमि परस्य गुह्यं न तु भिन्नपूर्वम्। वेदाः स्वधीता मम लोकनाथ तप्तं तपो नानृतमुक्तपूर्वम्॥
I always adore my elders. I have never given out the secrets of others. O lord of the universe, I have studied the Vedas carefully. I have practised austere penances. I have never spoken a falsehood.
गुप्तानि चत्वारि यथागमं मे शत्रौ च मित्रे च समोऽस्मि नित्यम्। तं चादिदेवं सततं प्रपन्न एकान्तभावेन वृणोम्यजस्रम्॥
As laid down in the scriptures, I have always protected the four that should be protected. I always treat impartially friends and enemies. Wholly and surely given to Him, that first of gods, viz., the Supreme Soul, I incessantly worship Him.
एभिर्विशेषैः परिशुद्धसत्त्व: कस्मान्न पश्येयमनन्तमीशम्। तत्पारमेष्ठ्यस्य वचो निशम्य नारायणः शाश्वतधर्मगोप्ता॥ गच्छेति तं नारदमुक्तवान् स सम्पूजयित्वाऽऽत्मविधिक्रियाभिः। ततो विसृष्टः परमेष्ठिपुत्रः सोऽभ्यर्चयित्वा तमृर्षि पुराणम्॥
Having purified my soul by these specially meritorious acts, why shall I not succeed in seeing that Infinite Lord of the universe?-Hearing these words of Parameshthi's son, Narayana, that protector of the scriptures, said to him, saying,-Go, O Narada!—Before sending him away, however, the great god adored the celestial Rishi with those rites and ceremonies which have been laid down in the scriptures by himself. Narada also duly honoured the ancient Rishi Narayana. After such honours had been exchanged, the son of Parameshthi left that spot.
स्ततोऽधिमेरौ सहसा निलिल्ये। मेकान्तमासाद्य गिरेः स शृङ्गे॥
Endued with high Yoga-power, Narada suddenly soared into the sky and reached the summit of the mountains of Meru. Proceeding to a secluded spot on that summit, the great ascetic took rest for a short time.
आलोकयन्नुत्तरपश्चिमेन ददर्श चाप्यद्भुतमुक्तरूपम्। क्षीरोदधेर्योत्तरतो हि द्वीपः श्वेतः स नाम्ना प्रथितो विशालः॥
He then caste his eyes towards the northwestern direction and saw an exceedingly wonderful spectacle. Towards the north, in the ocean of Milk, there is a large island named the White Island.
मेरोः सहस्रः स हि योजनानां द्वात्रिंशतोर्ध्वं कविभिनिरुक्तः। अनिन्द्रियाश्चानशनाश्च तत्र निष्पन्दहीनाः सुसुगन्धिनस्ते॥
The learned say that its distance from the mountains of Meru is greater than thirty-two thousands Yojanas. The inhabitants of that realin have no senses. They live without food. Their eyes are winkless. They always send forth excellent perfumes.
श्चक्षुर्मुषः पापकृतां नराणाम्। वज्रास्थिकायाः सममानोन्माना दिव्यावयवरूपाः शुभसारोपेताः॥
Their complexions are white. They are purged off of all sins. They blast the eyes of those sinners that look at them. Their bones and bodies are as hard as adamant. They consider honour and dishonour equally. They all look as if they are of divine origin. All of them are endued with auspicious marks and great strength.
छत्राकृतिशीर्षा मेघौघनिनादाः सममुष्कचतुष्का राजीवच्छतपादाः। षष्ट्या दन्तैर्युक्ताः शुक्लैरष्टाभिर्दष्ट्राभिर्ये जिह्वाभिर्ये विश्ववक्त्रं लेलिह्यन्ते सूर्यप्रख्यम्॥११
Their heads seem to be like umbrellas. Their voices are deep like that of the clouds. Each of them have four testes. The soles of their feet have hundreds of lines. They had sixty white teeth, and eight small ones. They had many tongues. With those tongues they seemed to lick the very Sun whose face is turned towards all sides.
देवं भक्त्या विश्वोत्पन्न यस्मात् सर्वे लोकाः सम्प्रसूताः। वेदा धर्मा मुनयः शान्ता देवाः सर्वे तस्य निसर्गः॥
Indeed, they seemed to be capable of devouring that great god from whom has originated the entire universe, the Vedas, the duties, and the ascetics possessing the quality of tranquillity.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच अनिन्द्रिया निराहारा अनिष्पन्दाः सुगन्धिनः। कथं ते पुरुषा जाताः का तेषां गतिरुत्तमा॥
Yudhishthira said are “O grand-father, you have said that those beings have no senses, that they do not eat anything for maintaining their lives; that their eyes are winkless, and that they always emit excellent perfumes. I ask, how were they born? What also is the superior end which they acquire?
ये च मुक्ता भवन्तीह नरा भरतसत्तम। तेषां लक्षणमेतद्धि तच्छ्वेतद्वीपवासिनाम्॥
O chief of Bharata's race, the characteristics of those men that become liberated the same as those by which the inhabitants of the White Island are distinguished?
तस्मान्मे संशयं छिन्धि परं कौतूहलं हि मे। त्वं हि सर्वकथारामस्त्वां चैवोपाश्रिता वयम्॥
Do you remove my doubts! The curiosity I feel is very great. You are the repository of all histories and narratives. As regards ourselves, we entirely depend on you for knowledge and instruction.
भीष्म उवाच विस्तीर्णैषा कथा राजन् श्रुता मे पितृसंनिधौ। यैषा तव हि वक्तव्या कथासारो हि सा मता॥
Bhishma said "This narrative, O king, which I have heard from my father, is extensive. I shall now recite it to you. Indeed, it is considered as the cream of all narratives.
राजोपरिचरो नाम बभूवाधिपतिर्भुवः। आखण्डलसखः ख्यातो भक्तो नारायणं हरिम्॥
There was, in days of yore, a king on Earth, Uparichara, by name. He was known to be the friend, of Indra the king of gods. He was devoted to Narayana called also by the name of Hari.
धार्मिको नित्यभक्तश्च पितुर्नित्यमतन्द्रितः। साम्राज्यं तेन सम्प्राप्तं नारायणवरात् पुरा॥
He used to discharge all the duties laid down in the scriptures. Ever devoted to his father, was always ready for action. He acquired sovereignty of the world on account of a boon he had obtained from Narayana.
सात्वतं विधिमास्थाय प्राक् सूर्यमुखनिःसृतम्। पूजयामास देवेशं तच्छेषेण पितामहान्॥
Following the Satvata ritual that had been declared in days of yore by the Sun himself, king Uparichara used to adore the God of gods, and after his worship was over, to adore the Grandfather of the universe.
पितृशेषेण विप्रांश्च संविभज्याश्रितांश्च सः! शेषान्नभुक् सत्यपरः सर्वभूतेष्वहिंसकः॥
After adoring the departed manes, he adored the Brahmanas. He then divided the offerings among those who depended on him. With the remnant after serving those, the king satisfied his own hunger. Given to truth, the king abstained from doing any injury to any creature.
सर्वभावेन भक्तः स देवदेवं जनार्दनम्। अनादिमध्यनिधनं लोककर्तारमव्ययम्॥
With his entire soul, the king was devoted to that God of gods, viz., Janardana, who is without beginning and middle and end, who is Creator of the universe, and who is without decay of any sort.
तस्य नारायणे भक्तिं वहतोऽमित्रकर्षिणः। एकशय्यासनं देवो दत्तवान् देवराट् स्वयम्॥
Seeing the devotion to Narayana of that destroyer of foes, the divine king of the gods himself shared with him his own seat and bed.
आत्मराज्यं धनं चैव कलत्रं वाहनं तथा। यत्तद्भागवतं सर्वमिति तत् प्रोक्षितं सदा॥
His kingdom and riches and wives and animals were all considered by him as obtained from Narayana. He, therefore, offered all his belongings to that great god.
काम्यनैमित्तिका राजन् यज्ञियाः परमक्रियाः। सर्वाः सात्वतमास्थाय विधि चक्रे समाहितः॥
Adopting the Satvata ritual, king Uparichara, with concentrated soul, used to perform all his sacrificial acts and observances, both optional and obligatory.
पाञ्चरात्रविदो मुख्यास्तस्य गेहे महात्मनः। प्रायणं भगवत्प्रोक्तं भुञ्जते वाग्रभोजनम्॥
Many foremost Brahmanas, well conversant with the Pancharatra ritual, used to eat before all others the food offered to the god Narayana in the palace of that illustrious king.
तस्य प्रशासतो राज्यं धर्मेणामित्रघातिनः। नानृता वाक् समभवन्मनो दुष्टं न चाभवत्॥
As long as that destroyer of enemies continued to rule his kingdom piously, no falsehood ever escaped his lips and no evil thought ever entered his mind.
न च कायेन कृतवान् स पापं परमण्वपि। ये हि ते ऋषयः ख्याताः सप्त चित्रशिखण्डिनः॥ तैरेकमतिभिर्भूत्वा यत् प्रोक्तं शास्रमुत्तमम्। वेदैश्चतुर्भिः समितं कृतं मेरौ महागिरौ॥ आस्यैः सप्तभिरुद्गीण लोकधर्ममनुत्तमम्। मरीचिरत्र्यङ्गिरसौ पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः। वसिष्ठश्च महातेजास्ते हि चित्रशिखण्डिनः॥ सप्त प्रकृतयो ह्येतास्तथा स्वायम्भुवोऽष्टमः। एताभिर्धार्यते लोकस्ताभ्यः शास्त्रं विनिःसृतम्॥
With his limbs he never perpetrated even the slightest crime. The seven celebrated Rishis, viz., Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, and Vashishtha, who passed by the name of Chitra-shikhandins, uniting together on the breast of that foremost of mountains, viz., Meru, promulgated an excellent work on duties and observances which were consistent with the four Vedas. The contents of that work were uttered by seven mouths, and fomed the best compendium of human duties and obsevances. Known, as already stated, by the name of ChitraShikhandins, those seven Rishis form the seven elements, and the Self-born Manu, who is the eighth in the number, formed original Nature. These eight keep up the universe, and it was these eight who promulgated the treatise referred to.
एकाग्रमनसो दान्ता मुनयः संयमे रताः। भूतभव्यभविष्यज्ञाः सत्यधर्मपरायणाः॥
With their senses and minds under complete subjugation and ever given to Yoga, these eight ascetics, with concentrated souls, fully know the Past, the Present and the Future, and are devoted to the Religion of Truth.
इदं श्रेय इदं ब्रह्म इदं हितमनुत्तमम्। लोकान् संचिन्त्य मनसा ततः शास्त्रं प्रचक्रिरे॥
This is good, This is Brahma,—-This is highly beneficial,-reflecting thus in their minds, those Rishis created the worlds, and the science of morality and duty that governs those worlds.
तत्र धर्मार्थकामा हि मोक्षः पश्चाच्च कीर्तितः। मर्यादा विविधाश्चैव दिवि भूमौ च संस्थिताः॥
In that work the authors discoursed on Religion and Profit and Pleasure, and subsequently on Liberation also. The various restrictions and limitations were also laid down in it for the Earth as also for Heaven.
आराध्य तपसा देवं हरिं नारायणं प्रभुम्। दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं वै सर्वे ते ऋषिभिः सह॥
They wrote that work after having adored with penances the powerful and illustrious Narayana called also Hari, for a thousand divine years, in company with many other Rishis.
नारायणानुशास्ता हि तदा देवी सरस्वती। विवेश तानृषीन् सर्वाल्लोकानां हितकाम्यया॥
Pleased with their penances and adoration, Narayana ordered the goddess of speech, viz., Sarasvati, to enter into the bodies of those Rishis. The goddess, for the behoof of the worlds, did what she ordered.
ततः प्रवर्तिता सम्यक् तपोविद्भिर्द्विजातिभिः। शब्दे चार्थे च हेतो च एषा प्रथमसर्गजा॥
On account of the entrance of the goddess of speech into their bodies, those Rishis, well conversant with penances, succeeded in composing that foremost of works in respect of words, senses and reason.
आदादेव हि तच्छास्त्रमोंकारस्वरपूजितम्। ऋषिभिः श्रावितं यत्र तत्र कारुणिको ह्यसौ॥
Having composed that work sanctified with the syllable OM, the Rishis first of all read it to Narayana, who heard them from kindness.
ततः प्रसन्नो भगवाननिर्दिष्टशरीरगः। ऋषीनुवाच तान् सर्वानदृश्यः पुरुषोत्तमः॥ कृतं शतसहस्रं हि श्लोकानादिमुत्तमम्। लोकतन्त्रस्य कृत्स्नस्य यस्माद् धर्मः प्रवर्तते।॥
The illustrious and bodiless Narayana became highly pleased with what he heard. That foremost of all Beings then addressed those Rishis in an incorporeal voice and said,-Excellent is this work that you have composed containing a hundred thousand verses. The duties and observances of all the worlds will originate from this your work.
प्रवृत्तौ च निवृत्तौ च यस्मादेतद् भविष्यति। यजुर्ऋक्सामभिर्जुष्टमथर्वांगिरसैस्तथा॥
Perfectly following the four Vedas, viz., the Yajushes, the Richs, the Samans, and the Atharvans of Angiras, this work of yours will be an authority in all the worlds with regard to both Work and Renunciation.
यथा प्रमाणं हि मया कृतो ब्रह्मा प्रसादतः। रुद्रश्च क्रोधजो विप्रा यूयं प्रकृतयस्तथा॥
According to the authority of the scriptures I have created Brahman from the attribute of Grace, Rudra from my anger, and yourselves, ye Brahmanas, as representing the elements.
सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ वायुभूमिरापोऽग्निरेव च। सर्वे च नक्षत्रगणा यच्च भूताभिशब्दितम्॥ अधिकारेषु वर्तन्ते यथास्वं ब्रह्मवादिनः। सर्वे प्रमाणं हि यथा तथा तच्छास्त्रमुत्तमम्॥ भविष्यति प्रमाणं वै एतन्मदनुशासनम्। तस्मात् प्रवक्ष्यते धर्मान् मनुः स्वायम्भुवः स्वयम्॥
The Sun, and the Moon, Wind, and Earth, and Water and Fire, all the stars and planets and constellations, all else that is called by the name of creatures, and utterers of Brahma, all live and act in their respective spheres and are all respected as authorities. This work which you have composed shall be regarded by all persons, as a work of the highest authority. This is my order. Guided by this treatise, the Self-created Manu himself will declare to the world its duties and observances.
उशना बृहस्पतिश्चैव यदोत्पन्नौ भविष्यतः। तदा प्रवक्ष्यतः शास्त्रं युष्मन्मतिभिरुद्धृतम्॥
When Ushanas and Brihaspati will be born, they also will promulgate their respective work on morality and religion, guided by and quoting from this your work.
स्वायम्भुवेषु धर्मेषु शास्त्रे चौशनसे कृते। बृहस्पतिमते चैव लोकेषु प्रतिचारिते॥ युष्मत्कृतमिदं शास्त्रं प्रजापालो वसुस्ततः। बृहस्पतिसकाशाद् वै प्राप्स्यते द्विजसत्तमाः॥
After the publication of his work by the Self-born Manu and of that by Ushanas, and after the publication of the work also by Brihaspati, this science composed by you will be acquired by king Vasu. Indeed, you foremost of twice-born ones, that king will acquire this knowledge of this work from Brihaspati.
स हि सद्भावितो राजा मद्भक्तश्च भविष्यति। तेन शास्त्रेण लोकेषु क्रियाः सर्वाः करिष्यति॥
Filled with all good thoughts, that king will become deeply devoted to me. Guided by this work, he will perform all his religious deeds and observance.
एतद्धि युष्मच्छास्त्राणां शास्त्रमुत्तमसंज्ञितम्। एतदर्थ्यं च धर्म्यं च रहस्यं चैतदुत्तमम्॥
Verily, this work composed by you will be the foremost of all works on morality and religion. Excellent as it is, this work is full of instructions for acquiring both Riches and Religious merit, and is full of mysteries.
अस्य प्रवर्तनाच्चैव प्रजावन्तो भविष्यथ। स च राजश्रिया युक्तो भविष्यति महान् वसुः॥
For the publication of this treatise, you will be progenitors of an extensive family! King Uparichara also will become endued with greatness and prosperity.
संस्थिते तु नृपे तस्मिशास्त्रमेतत् सनातनम्। अन्तर्धास्यति तत् सर्वमेतद् वः कथितं मया॥
Upon the death, however, of that king, this eternal work will disappear from the world. I all this.
एतावदुक्त्वा वचनमदृश्यः पुरुषोत्तमः। विसृज्य तानृषीन् सर्वान् कामपि प्रसृतो दिशम्॥
Having said these words to all those Rishis, the invisible Narayana left them and went to some place that was not known to them.
ततस्ते लोकपितरः सर्वलोकार्थचिन्तकाः। प्रावर्तयन्त तच्छास्त्रं धर्मयोनि सनातनम्॥
Then those progenitors of the world, those Rishis who conferred their thoughts on the worldly ends, duly promulgated that work which is the eternal origin of all duties and observances.
उत्पन्नेऽङ्गिरसे चैव युगे प्रथमकल्पिते। साङ्गोपनिषदं शास्त्रं स्थापयित्वा बृहस्पतौ॥
Subsequently, when Brihaspati was born in Angiras's family in the golden age, those seven Rishis charged him with the task of tell you promulgating their work which was consistent with the Upanishads and the several branches of the Vedas.
जग्मुर्यथेप्सितं देशं तपसे कृतनिश्चयाः। धारणाः सर्वलोकानां सर्वधर्मप्रवर्तकाः॥
The themselves who were upholders of the universe and the first promulgators of duties and religious observances, then went to the place they chose, determined to practise penances." promulgating their work which was consistent with the Upanishads and the several branches of the Vedas.
जग्मुर्यथेप्सितं देशं तपसे कृतनिश्चयाः। धारणाः सर्वलोकानां सर्वधर्मप्रवर्तकाः॥
The themselves who were upholders of the universe and the first promulgators of duties and religious observances, then went to the place they chose, determined to practise penances."