Mahābhārata

Janamejaya said: How did that revered god, the lord who is the foremost recipient of offerings in sacrifices, who always upholds the sacrifice and knows the Vedas and Vedāṅgas ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

And when the cessation of the Dharma had taken place, he remained, dear to the devotees, the protector of the Dharma. The Lord Himself, the Master, established the Dharma of the active life ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

How are the gods who are worthy of a share in the Dharma of activity made? How are those who have turned away from the Dharma of cessation made, with minds turned away? ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

O Brāhmaṇa, please dispel this doubt of ours, the ancient secret. We have heard the story of Nārāyaṇa from you, the compendium of Dharma. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

All these worlds with Brahma, gods, demons, and men, are seen to be engaged in rites prescribed for prosperity. And you have declared, O Brahman, that liberation is the ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

And those who are liberated here, free from merit and demerit, We have heard that they enter the thousand-rayed god. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Alas, the eternal law of liberation is difficult to practice, By abandoning which all the gods became the enjoyers of oblations and offerings. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

What is the reason that Brahma, Rudra, Indra, the lord of strength, the sun, the lord of the stars, the wind, the fire, Varuna, the sky, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

They do not know the dissolution of their own creation. Therefore, they do not abide in the path that is firm, inexhaustible, and imperishable. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Those who have undertaken activity after remembering the measure of time The fault in the measure of time for those who act is great. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

This doubt of mine, O Brāhman, has been implanted in my heart like an arrow. Cut it off by telling the story of the past. For I am extremely curious. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

O twice-born one, how are the deities said to be sharers in the sacrificial offerings? For what purpose, O Brahman, are the gods of heaven worshipped in the sacrifice? ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Those best of Brahmins who take their share in the sacrifices, they, performing great sacrifices, give the share of whom? ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Vaishampāyana said: O lord of men, you have asked a question that is extremely profound. It cannot be easily explained by one who has not performed austerities, who does ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

I shall tell you what was told to me by my teacher in the past. The great sage Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa, the expounder of the Vedas, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Sumantu, Jaimini, Paila, and Sudridhavrata, and I, the fourth disciple, and the fifth is remembered as Shuka. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

All these five disciples, who have come here, along with their followers, who are endowed with purity and conduct, who have conquered anger and controlled the senses, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

He taught the Vedas to the five sons of the great Bharata, on the beautiful Meru mountain, frequented by Siddhas and Gandharvas. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

When they were studying the Vedas, they had some doubt. This is the one you asked about, and he told them. I heard it from him, and now I will tell it to ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Having heard the words of the disciples, the remover of the darkness of all ignorance, the glorious Vyasa, the son of Parashara, spoke these words: ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

For I have performed a very severe penance, O best of men, in order to know the past, the present and the future. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

By the grace of Narayana and the favor of the Milky Ocean, to me who had controlled my senses and performed austerities, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

This knowledge, which is of the three times, has arisen as desired. Listen to it as you know, I will tell you the supreme doubt. As it happened at the beginning of the ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

The people who know the Sāṃkhya and Yoga systems call him the Supreme Self. He attains the name of the Great Person by his own action. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Therefore, the wise know the unmanifest, which is the source of creation, to be the primordial nature. From the unmanifest, the manifest arose for the purpose of creating the world, from ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Aniruddha is said to be the great soul in the worlds, who, having become manifest, created the grandfather, he is said to be the ego, he is the essence of ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Earth, air, space, water, and light are the five great elements. O descendant of Bharata, these great elements are born from the ego. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Having created the great elements, he again created their qualities. And from the elements, the embodied ones were produced. Listen to those eight. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Marichi, Angiras, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, and the great-souled Vasishtha, and Manu, the self-existent, are ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

The Vedas, the Vedangas, the knowledge, the ancillary knowledge, Brahma, the grandfather of the world, created them for the success of the world. This world has arisen from the ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Rudra, born of anger, himself created ten more. These eleven Rudras are known as the Vikaras, the Purushas. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Those Rudras, Prakriti, and all the celestial sages, having arisen for the accomplishment of the world, approached Brahma. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

We have been created by you, O Lord, by the powerful one, By whom, in what authority, one should act, O Grandfather. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

How is that authority, which you have declared to be the thinker of the meaning, to be protected by that authority-holder? ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Grant him strength, who is the thinker of the purpose of authority. Thus addressed, the great god said this to the gods: ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Well, O gods, you have informed me. May good be to you. This thought has also arisen in me, which is in your mind. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

How can the whole world-system be protected? How can the loss of strength not occur for you and for my self? ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

From here let us all go to the refuge of the witness of the world, the great man, the unmanifest one. He will tell us what is beneficial. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Then the sages, together with Brahma, and the gods, went to the northern shore of the Milky Ocean, for the welfare of the world. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

They undertook the austerities prescribed by the Vedas, as taught by Brahma. That great vow, that practice of austerities, was extremely terrible. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Their eyes were raised, their arms were steady, and their minds were concentrated. Standing on one foot, they were perfectly absorbed, having attained the state of wood, fully concentrated. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Having performed that supreme penance for a thousand divine years, they heard a sweet voice adorned with the Vedas and Vedāṅgas. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

"O gods with Brahma, O sages, O you who are rich in austerities, Having honoured you all with welcome, I shall proclaim the supreme statement." ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

I have known your task, which is for the great welfare of the world. It should be undertaken, connected with activity, and nourishing your life. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

O gods, you have performed austerities with great fervor, desiring to propitiate me. You will enjoy the excellent fruit of this great austerity. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

This is Brahma, the preceptor of the world, the grandfather of all the worlds. You, the best of the gods, should worship me with concentration. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

All of you, always allot your shares in my sacrifices. And I shall arrange for your welfare, as you are the lords. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Having heard these words of the Lord of the gods, their bodies and hairs thrilled with joy. Then all those gods, Brahma and the great sages, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

By the method prescribed in the Vedas, they performed the sacrifice to Vishnu. In that sacrifice, Brahma himself assigned his share. The gods and the divine sages, all of them, assigned their ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Those who were the best of the best, who had the qualities of the Kṛta age, attained that Person, who is like the sun, beyond darkness, the great, all ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Then the bestower of boons, the god, to all those gods standing there, the bodiless Mahesvara, standing in the sky, spoke these words: ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

The portion that was allotted to each one by him has come to pass. I am pleased. I am now bestowing the fruit in the form of the cycle of births. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

This is your characteristic, O gods, arising from my grace. You, being worshipped with sacrifices, with excellent gifts at the end, will exist in every age, enjoying the fruits of worldly ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Those gods who will perform sacrifices in all the worlds, will arrange your shares, those men who are established in the Vedas. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

He who has allotted me a share in this great sacrifice, He alone is worthy of a share in the sacrifice, as I have made him in the Veda and the Sutra. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

You sustain the worlds, having arisen from the fruits of the share in the sacrifice. The thinkers of all purposes in the world, as created by the will. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

The activities that will be performed, honored with the fruits of progress, By those you will sustain the worlds, strengthened by them. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

You are the most revered in all the sacrifices performed by men in this world. Therefore, you should meditate on me. This is my meditation. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Thus the Vedas, sacrifices, and herbs were created for this purpose. When these are properly employed, the deities are pleased on earth. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

This creation of yours is imagined by the quality of your conduct. I have done it, O best of gods, until the end of the eon. Think about the welfare of the world ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Marīci, Aṅgiras, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, and Vasiṣṭha—these seven were created from the mind. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

These are the chief knowers of the Vedas, appointed as teachers of the Vedas, and those who are engaged in the practice of virtue, appointed by Prajapati. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

This is the eternal path of those who are active, manifested. He is called Aniruddha, the lord who creates the world. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanātana, Sanāt-sujata, Sanatkumāra, Kapila, and Sanātana are the seven sages. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

These seven are said to be the mental sons of Brahma, who have attained the cessation of dharma, having attained knowledge by themselves. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

These are the chief knowers of Yoga, and also knowers of the Dharma of Sāṃkhya, Teachers in the scriptures of liberation, propagators of the Dharma of liberation. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

From whom I was formerly emitted, the great one consisting of three qualities, from the unmanifest, From whom that one who is superior to him is conceived as the knower of the field, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

The creature is created in a certain way and is engaged in a certain action, whether it is in the state of activity or inactivity, it is powerless to enjoy the fruit of that. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

This is the teacher of the world, Brahma, the lord, the creator of the world. This is your mother, father, and grandfather. He will be instructed by me and will bestow ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

And his younger brother Rudra arose from his forehead, instructed by Brahma, he will be the bestower of all boons. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Go to your respective duties and think as per the rules. Let all the activities in all the worlds begin without delay. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

May the actions and destinies of beings be seen, and the life spans of the gods, O best of gods, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

This is the age called Krita, the best age, is in operation. In this age, the sacrificial animals are not to be killed. This is not so in other ages. The ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Then there will be the age of Treta, in which the three Vedas will exist, where animals will be sprinkled and will attain death in the sacrifice. There, the fourth part of Dharma ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Then the age called Dvāpara will come, a mixed age. The Dharma will be deficient by two feet in that age. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Then, when the Tishya age arrived, in the Kali age, Dharma will be established on one foot, wherever it may be. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

The gods said: O Lord, please tell us what should be done by us, when the Dharma is established on one foot, going everywhere. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

The Blessed Lord said: Where the Vedas, sacrifices, austerities, truth, self-control, non-violence, and Dharma are practiced by the best of gods, That country should ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Vyasa said: The gods and the groups of sages, instructed by the Blessed One, having bowed to the Blessed One, went to the desired regions. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

When the gods had gone, Brahma alone remained, desiring to see the Lord who was in the body of Aniruddha. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

The god showed him, having made the great head of a horse, Reciting the Vedas with their limbs, holding a water-pot and a counting-stick, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Then, seeing that horse-headed god of immeasurable power, Brahma, the creator of the worlds, the lord, out of a desire for the welfare of the worlds, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Having bowed his head, he stood before the bestower of boons with folded hands. He was embraced by the god and addressed with these words: ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

You should think about all the activities of the world in accordance with the proper procedure. You are the sustainer of all beings, the lord, the teacher of the world. I, who ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

And when your work for the gods will be unbearable, I will appear as a teacher of the knowledge of the Self. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Having said this, Hayashira disappeared right there. Instructed by him, Brahma also soon went to his own world. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Thus this noble one, the eternal lotus-navelled one, is said to be the foremost recipient of offerings in sacrifices and the constant bearer of sacrifices. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

He established the Dharma of cessation, the destination of those with inexhaustible qualities, and having created the diversity of the world, he established the Dharma of engagement. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

He is the beginning, the middle, and the end of creatures; he is the creator, the created, the doer, and the deed. At the end of the age, he sleeps ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

We bow to that God, who is without qualities, yet the very essence of qualities, to the unborn, of universal form, the abode of all the gods. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

To the lord of the great elements, to the lord of the Rudras, To the lord of the Adityas, to the lord of the Vasus, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

To the lord of the Ashvins, to the lord of the Maruts, To the lord of the Vedas and sacrifices, to the lord of the limbs of the Vedas, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

To the Lord who dwells in the ocean, to the one with matted hair, To the one who teaches the Dharma of liberation for the peace of all beings, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

To the lord of austerities, of brilliance, of fame, To the lord of speech, always, to the lord of rivers, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

To Kapardin, to Varaha, to the intelligent One-horned One, To Vivasvat, to Ashvashira, to the one who always bears the four forms, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

To the secret one, to the one who is seen by knowledge, to the imperishable one, to the perishable one, This god moves everywhere, with an unchangeable course. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Thus this was seen by me in the past with the eye of knowledge. And that was told to you all by me, when asked, in truth. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

O disciples, let my words be followed, let Hari, the Lord, be served, let the Vedic words be sung, and let worship be done according to the prescribed method. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

Vaishampayana said: Thus addressed by the wise Vedavyasa, all the disciples and his son Shuka, the knower of the supreme Dharma, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

And he, our teacher, together with us, O lord of the people, praised him with the hymns uttered from the four Vedas. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

I have thus told you all that you asked me. Thus, O king, my teacher Dvaipāyana told me in olden times. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

He who always listens to this, he who proclaims this, Having bowed to the Blessed One, the man with a concentrated mind, ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

He becomes free from disease, radiant, endowed with strength and beauty. The sick is freed from disease, the bound is freed from bondage. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

One who desires sensual pleasures would obtain sensual pleasures, and would attain long life. A Brahmin would become one who knows all the Vedas, a Kshatriya would become victorious, A Vaish ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

A sonless one obtains a son, and a girl obtains a desired husband. A pregnant woman is freed from the womb, and a pregnant woman gives birth to a son. A barren woman ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

He who recites this on the road will travel safely. He who desires any object will certainly attain it. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.

This is the definite statement of the great sage, the glorification of the great soul, the best of men. Hearing this meeting of the sages and the gods, the devotees attain great happiness. ℹ︎This translation was generated by AI and may be inaccurate. More information about the AI-driven translations process can be found in the About page.