देवदूत उवाच महर्षे आर्यबुद्धिस्त्वं यः स्वर्गसुखमुत्तमम्। सम्प्राप्तं बहु मन्तव्यं विमृशस्यबुधो यथा॥
The celestial messenger said: O great Rishi, you are very simple, for having obtained that celestial bliss which brings great honour, you are still delebrating like an unwise person.
उपरिष्टादसौ लोको योऽयं स्वरिति संज्ञितः। ऊर्ध्वगः सत्पथः शश्वद् देवयानचरो मुने॥
O Rishi, that which is known in the world by the name of heaven exists above us. It is high, it is furnished with excellent paths and is always frequented by celestial cars.
नातप्ततपसः पुंसो नामहायज्ञयाजिनः। नानृता नास्तिकाश्चैव तत्र गच्छन्ति मुद्गल॥
O sage, atheists and untruthful persons, those that have not performed asceticism and those that have not performed great sacrifices, cannot go there.
धर्मात्मानो जितात्मानः शान्ता दान्ता विमत्सराः। दानधर्मरता मर्त्याः शूराश्चाहवलक्षणाः॥ तत्र गच्छन्ति धर्माग्र्यं कृत्वा शमदमात्मकम्। लोकान् पुण्यकृतां ब्रह्मन् सद्भिराचरितान् नृभिः॥
Only virtuous souls and those of subdued minds and those that have their faculties under control and those that have controlled their senses and those that are free from malice and persons intent on the practice of charity and heroes and men bearing marks of battle, after having subdued senses and faculties and performed the most meritorious rites, attain to those regions, O Brahmana, capable of beings obtained only by virtuous acts and inhabitatedd by pious men.
देवाः साध्यास्तथा विश्वे तथैव च महर्षयः। यामा धामाश्च मौद्गल्य गन्धर्वाप्सरसस्तथा।॥ एषां देवनिकायानां पृथक् पृथगनेकशः। भास्वन्त: कामसम्पन्ना लोकास्तेजोमयाः शुभाः॥
O Mudgala, there are established separately myriads of beautiful, shinning and respendent worlds bestowing every object of desire owned by those celestial beings, the gods, the Sadhyas, the Vishvadevas, the great sages, the Yamas, the Dhamas and the Gandharvas and the Apsaras.
त्रयस्त्रिंशत्सहस्राणि योजनानि हिरण्मयः। मेरुः पर्वतराट् यत्र देवोद्यानानि मुद्गल॥ नन्दनादीनि पुण्यानि विहाराः पुण्यकर्मणाम्। न क्षुत्पिपासे न ग्लानिर्न शीतोष्णे भयं तथा॥
There is that foremost of mountains, the golden Meru extending thirty-three thousand Yojanas. O Mudgala, there are also the celestial gardens. With Nandan at their head here sport the persons of meritorious acts. Neither hunger nor thirst nor heat or cold nor fear.
बीभत्समशुभं वापि तत्र किंचिन्न विद्यते। मनोज्ञाः सर्वतो गन्धाः सुखस्पर्शाश्च सर्वशः॥ शब्दाः श्रुतिमनोचाह्याः सर्वतस्तत्र वै मुने। न शोको न जरा तत्र नायासपरिदेवने।॥
Nor anything that is disgusting and inauspicious is there. Delightful fragrance is everywhere and breezes are delicious and sounds are captivating both to the ear and mind; there is no grief, no old age; nor labour nor repentance is there.
ईदृशः स मुने लोकः स्वकर्मफलहेतुकः। सुकृतैस्तत्र पुरुषाः सम्भवन्त्यात्मकर्मभिः॥
O Rishi, the world obtained as the fruit of one's (good) acts is like this. Men go there by virtue of their meritorious acts.
तैजसानि शरीराणि भवन्त्यत्रोपपद्यताम्। कर्मजान्येव मौद्गल्य न मातृपितृजान्युत॥
Men that live there look resplendant and O Mudgala, solely by virtue of their own acts and not through the me its of fathers or mothers.
न संस्वेदो न दौर्गन्ध्यं पुरीषं मूत्रमेव च। तेषां न च रजो वस्त्रं बाधते तत्र वै मुने॥
O Rishi, there is neither sweat nor stench, nor exeretion nor urine. There dust does not soil one's clothes.
न म्लायन्ति स्रजस्तेषां दिव्यगन्धा मनोरमाः। संयुज्यन्ते विमानैश्च ब्रह्मन्नेवंविधैश्च ते॥
There excellent garments full of celestial fragrance never fade. O Brahmana, there are such cars as this (one I have brought).
ईर्ष्याशोकक्लमापेता मोहमात्सर्यवर्जिताः। सुखं स्वर्गजितस्तत्र वर्तयन्ते महामुने॥
O great Rishi, being free from envy and grief and fatigue and ignorance and malice, men, who have gone to heaven, live in that region in great happiness.
तेषां तथाविधानां तु लोकानां मुनिपुङ्गवा उपर्युपरि लोकस्य लोका दिव्या गुणान्विताः॥
O foremost of Rishis, higher and higher over such regions, there are others possessing higher celestial virtues.
पुरस्ताद् ब्राह्मणास्तत्र लोकास्तेजोमयाः शुभाः। यत्र यान्त्यषयो ब्रह्मन् पूताः स्वैः कर्मभिः शुभैः॥
Of these, the charming and effulgent region of Brahma is the highest. O Brahmana, there go the Rishis that have been purified by their meritorious acts.
ऋभवो नाम तत्रान्ये देवानामपि देवताः। तेषां लोकात् परतरे यान् यजन्तीह देवताः॥
There live certain beings called Ribhus, they are the gods of the gods. Their region is highly blessed and they are adored even by the celestials.
स्वयंप्रभास्ते भास्वन्तो लोका: कामदुधाः परे। न तेषां स्त्रीकृतस्तापो न लोकैश्वर्यमत्सरः॥
They shine in their own effulgence and they bestow every object of desire. They suffer no pangs arising from women. They do not possess worldly wealth and they are free from ill.
न वर्तयन्त्याहुतिभिस्ते नाष्यमृतभोजनाः। तथा दिव्यशरीरास्ते न च विग्रहमूर्तयः॥
They do not live on oblations or on ambrosia. They possess such celestial forms that they cannot be perceived by the senses.
न सुखे सुखकामास्ते देवदेवाः सनातनाः। न कल्पपरिवर्तेषु परिवर्तन्ति ते तथा॥
Those everlasting gods of the gods do not desire happiness for happiness sake, nor do they undergo any change at the change of a Kalpa.
जरा मृत्युः कुतस्तेषां हर्षः प्रीतिः सुखं न च। न दुःखं न सुखं चापि रागद्वेषौ कुतो मुने॥
Old, age, death they have none; for them there is neither ecstacy, nor joy nor happiness. They have neither happiness nor misery, O Rishi, anger and aversion they have none.
देवानामपि मौद्गल्य काक्षिता सा गतिः परा। दुष्प्रापा परमा सिद्धिरगम्या कामगोचरैः॥
O Mudgala, their supreme state is coveted even by the celestial. The great emancipation, which is very difficult to attain, can never be acquired by people subject to desire.
त्रयस्त्रिंशदिमे देवा येषां लोका मनीषिभिः। गम्यन्ते नियमैः श्रेष्ठैर्दानैर्वा विधिपूर्वकैः॥
The number of these gods is thirty-three. To their region go wise men after having observed excellent vows or bestowed gifts according to the ordiance.
सेयं दानकृता व्युष्टिरनुप्राप्ता सुखं त्वया। तां भुक्ष्व सुकृतैर्लब्धां तपसा द्योतितप्रभः॥ एतत् स्वर्गसुखं विप्र लोका नानाविधास्तथा। गुणाः स्वर्गस्य प्रोक्तास्ते दोषानपि निबोध मे॥
You have easily acquired that success by your charities, your effulgence is displayed by virtue of your asceticism. (Now) enjoy that condition which is obtained by your meritorious acts. Such, O Brahmana, is bliss of heaven containing many worlds. Thus have I described to you the blessing of the celestial, region. Now hear some of its disadvantages.
कृतस्य कर्मणस्तत्र भुज्यते यत् फलं दिवि। न चान्यत् क्रियते कर्म मूलच्छेदेन भुज्यते॥ सोऽत्र दोषो मम मतस्तस्यान्ते पतनं च यत्। सुखव्याप्तमनस्कानां पतनं यच्च मुद्गल॥
O Mudgala, in the celestial region a person, while enjoying the fruits of acts he had already performed, cannot perform any other new acts. He must enjoy the fruits of the former life till they are completely exhausted and besides he is liable to fall after he has entirely exhausted his merit, these are in my opinion the disadvantages of heaven. The fall of persons whose minds have been once steeped in happiness must be called a great draw back (of heaven).
असंतोषः परीतापो दृष्ट्वा दीप्ततराः श्रियः। यद् भवत्यवरे स्थाने स्थितानां तत् सुदुष्करम्॥
The discontent and regret that must follow ones stay in an inferior place after he has enjoyed more auspicious and effulgent regions must be very difficult to bear.
संज्ञामोहश्च पततां रजसा च प्रधर्षणम्। प्रम्लानेषु च माल्येषु ततः पिपतिषोर्भयम्॥
The consciousness of those about to fall is stupified and it is also agitated by emotions. As the garlands of those about to fall fade away, fear possesses their hearts.
आब्रह्मभवनादेते दोषा मौद्गल्य दारुणाः। नाकलोके सुकृतिनां गुणास्त्वयुतशो नृणाम्॥
O Mudgala, these are the great draw backs that exist even in the region of Brahma. In the celestial region the virtues, of men who have performed righteous acts, are countless.
अयं त्वन्यो गुणः श्रेष्ठश्च्युतानां स्वर्गतो मुने। शुभानुशययोगेन मनुष्येषूपजायते॥
O Rishi, this is another of the attributes of the fallen that by reason of their merits, they take birth amongst men.
तत्रापि स महाभागः सुखभागभिजायते। न चेत् सम्बुध्यते तत्र गच्छत्यधमतां ततः॥ इह यत् क्रियते कर्म तत् परत्रोपभुज्यते। कर्मभूमिरियं ब्रह्मन् फलभूमिरसौ मता॥
O Rishi, then they obtain high fortune and happiness. If one however cannot acquire knowledge, he takes an inferior birth. The fruits of acts performed in this world are reaped in the next. O Brahmana, this worid has been declared to be one of acts.
मुद्गल उवाच महान्तस्तु अमी दोषास्त्वया स्वर्गस्य कीर्तिताः। निर्दोष एव यस्त्वन्यो लोकं तं प्रवदस्व मे॥
O Mudgala, thus have I, as asked by you, described all to you. Now, O virtuous Rishi, with your favour, we shall easily go with speed.
देवदूत उवाच ब्रह्मणः सदनादूर्ध्वं तद् विष्णोः परमं पदम्। शुद्धं सनातनं ज्योतिः परं ब्रह्मेति यद् विदुः॥
Vyasa said : Having heard those words, Mudgala reflected in his mind. Having reflected that foremost of Rishis thus spoke to the celestial Messenger.
न तत्र विप्र गच्छन्ति पुरुषा विषयात्मकाः। दम्भलोभमहाक्रोधमोहद्रोहैरभिद्रुताः॥
O celestial messenger, I bow to you. O sir, go back in peace. I have nothing to do with either happiness or heaven with such drawbacks.
निर्ममा निरहङ्कारा निर्द्वन्द्वाः संयतेन्द्रियाः। ध्यानयोगपराश्चैव तत्र गच्छन्ति मानवाः॥
Men who enjoy heaven suffer great misery and extreme regret in this world. Therefore I do not desire (to go to) heaven.
एतत् ते सर्वमाख्यातं यन्मां पृच्छसि मुद्गल। तवानुकम्पया साधो साधु गच्छाम मा चिरम्॥
I seek that unfailing region, going where people have not to lament or to be pained or to be agitated.
व्यास उवाच एतच्छ्रुत्वा मौद्गल्यो वाक्यं विममृशे धिया। विमृश्य च मुनिश्रेष्ठो देवदूतमुवाच ह॥
You have described to me the great draw backs of the celestial region. Now describe to me a region which is free from fault.
देवदूत नमस्तेऽस्तु गच्छ तात यथासुखम्। महादेषेण मे कार्यं न स्वर्गेण सुखेन वा॥
The Celestial Messenger said: Above the abode of Brahma there is the supreme seat of Vishnu which is pure, eternal and effulgent. It is known by the name of Parabrahma. senses are
पतनान्ते महद् दुःखं परितापः सुदारुणः। स्वर्गभाजश्चरन्तीह तस्मात् स्वर्गं न कामये॥
O Brahmana, persons who are addicted to sensual objects or those who are subject to arrogance, coveteousness, ignorance, anger and envy, cannot go to that place.
यत्र गत्वा न शोचन्ति न व्यथन्ति चलन्ति वा। तदहं स्थानमत्यन्तं मार्गयिष्यामि केवलम्॥
Those men who are free from conflicting emotions and those that have restrained their and those that given to contemplation and Yoga can go there.
इत्युक्त्वा स मुनिर्वाक्यं देवदूतं विसृज्य तम्। शिलोच्छवृत्तिर्धर्मात्मा शममातिष्ठदुत्तमम्॥
O Mudgala, thus have I told you all that you asked me. O pious one, now without any further delay kindly come with me. Hearing those words that virtuous Rishi, leading unccha mode of life, assumed perfect contentment.
तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्भूत्वा समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः। ज्ञानयोगेन शुद्धेन ध्याननित्यो बभूव ह॥
Then praise and blame became equal to him. A brick,a stone and a piece of gold all became the same to him. By pure Jnana Yoga, he always became engaged in meditation.
ध्यानयोगाद् बलं लब्ध्वा प्राप्य बुद्धिमनुत्तमाम्। जगाम शाश्वती सिद्धिं परां निर्वाणलक्षणाम्॥
Having acquired power by means of knowledge. He acquired excellent understanding and obtained that supreme state of emancipation which is eternal.
तस्मात् त्वमपि कौन्तेय न शोकं कर्तुमर्हसि। राज्यात् स्फीतात् परिभ्रष्टस्तपसा तदवाप्स्यसि॥
Therefore, O son of Kunti, you ought not to grieve. You have been deprived of a great kingdom, but you will region it by your asceticism.
सुखस्यानन्तरं दुःखं दुःखस्यानन्तरं सुखम्। पर्यायेणोपसर्पन्ते नरं नेमिमरा इव॥
Misery after happiness and happiness after misery revolve by turns round a man like a wheel round its axile.
पितृपैतामहं राज्यं प्राप्स्यस्यमितविक्रम। वर्षात् त्रयोदशादूर्ध्वं व्येतु ते मानसो ज्वरः॥
O undeterioratingly powerful one, after the thirteenth year has passed away, you will get back the kingdom of your father and grandfather.
वैशम्पायन उवाच स एवमुक्त्वा भगवान् व्यासः पाण्डवनन्दनम्। जगाम तपसे धीमान् पुनरेवाश्रमं प्रति॥
Vaishampayana said : Having said thus to the Pandava, the severed Vyasa went back to his hermitage for performing asceticism.