उमोवाच देशेषु रमणीयेषु नदीनां निझरेषु च। स्रवन्तीनां निकुञ्जेषु पर्वतेषु वनेषु च॥ देशेषु च पवित्रेषु फलवस्तु समाहिताः। मूलवत्सु च मध्येषु वसन्ति नियतव्रताः॥
Uma said Hermits live in charming regions, among the springs and fountains of rivers, in bowers by the sides of rivers and rills, on hills and mountains, in woods and forests, and in sacred places full of fruits and roots. With rapt attention and observing vows and rules, they live in even such places.
तेषामपि विधिं पुण्यं श्रोतुमिच्छामि शङ्कर। वानप्रस्थेषु देवेश स्वशरीरोपजीविषु॥
I wish, O Shankara, to hear the sacred ordinances which they follow. These hermits, O god of all gods, are persons who depend, for the protection of their bodies, upon themselves alone.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच वानप्रस्थेषु यो धर्मस्तं मे शृणु समाहिता। श्रुत्वा चैकमना देवि धर्मबुद्धिपरा भव॥
Maheshvara said Do you hear with rapt attention what are the duties of Hermits. Having listened to them with one mind. O goddess, do you fix your heart upon virtue.
संसिद्धैर्नियमैः सद्भिर्वनवासमुपागतैः। वानप्रस्थैरिदं कर्म कर्तव्यं शृणु यादृशम्॥
Listen then to what the acts are that should be practised by righteous hermits crowned with success, observant of rigid vows and rules, and living in woods and forests.
त्रिकालमभिषेकं च पितृदेवार्चनं तथा। अग्निहोत्रपरिस्यन्द इष्टिहोमविधिस्तथा।॥ नीवारग्रहणं चैव फलमूलनिषेवणम्। इङ्गुदैरण्डतैलानां स्नेहार्थं च निषेवणम्॥
Performing ablutions thrice a day, adoring the departed Manes and the celestial, pouring libations on the sacred fire, performing of those sacrifices and rites called Ishti-Homa, picking up the grains of Nivara-paddy, eating fruits and roots, and using oil that is pressed out from Inguda and castor seeds, form their duties.
योगचर्याकृतैः सिद्धैः कामक्रोधबिवर्जितैः। वीरशय्यामुपासद्भिीरस्थानोपसेविभिः॥
Having performed the practises of Yoga and become crowned with (ascetic) success and freed from lust and anger, they should seat themselves in the attitude called Virasana. Indeed, they should live in those places which are inaccessible to cowards.
युक्तैर्योगवहैः सद्भिीष्मे पञ्चतपैस्तथा। मण्डूकयोगनियतैर्यथान्यायं निषेविभिः॥ वीरासनरतैर्नित्यं स्थण्डिले शयनं तथा। शीततोयाग्नियोगश्च चर्तव्यो धर्मबुद्धिभिः॥
Observant of the excellent ordinances about Yoga, sitting in summer in the midst of four fires on four sides with the sun overhead, duly practising what is called Manduka-Yoga, and always seated in the attitude called Virasana, and lying on naked rocks or the earth, these men, with hearts fixed upon virtue, must expose themselves to cold and water and fire.
अब्भक्षैर्वायुभक्षैश्च शैवलोत्तरभोजनैः। अश्मकुट्टैस्तथा दान्तैः सम्प्रक्षालैस्तथापरैः॥
They live upon water or air or moss. They use two pieces of stone only for husking their corn. Some of them use their teeth only for such a purpose. They do not keep utensils of any sort.
चीरवल्कलसंवीतैर्मृगचर्मनिवासिभिः। कार्या यात्रा यथाकालं यथाधर्मे यथाविधि।॥
Some of them clothe themselves with rage and barks of trees or deer skins. Thus do they pass their lives for the time allotted to them, according to the ordinances.
वननित्यैर्वनचरैर्वनस्थैर्वनगोचरैः। वनं गुरुमिवासाद्य वस्तव्यं वनजीविभिः॥
Remaining in woods and forests, they wander within woods and forests, live within them, and are always to be found within them. Indeed, these hermits entering into woods and forests live within them as disciples, obtaining a preceptor, live with him.
तेषां होमक्रिया धर्मः पञ्चयज्ञनिषेवणम्। भागं च पञ्चयज्ञस्य वेदोक्तस्यानुपालनम्॥ अष्टमीयज्ञपरता चातुर्मास्यनिषेवणम्। पौर्णमासादयो यज्ञा नित्ययज्ञस्तथैव च।॥ विमुक्ता दारसंयोगैर्विमुक्ताः सर्वसंकरैः। विमुक्ताः सर्वपापैश्च चरन्ति मुनयो वन॥
The performance of the rites of Homa and the observance of the five sacrifices are their duties. A due observance of the rules about distribution of the fivefold sacrifices as ordained in the Vedas, devotion to sacrifices, forming the eighth, observance observance of the Chaturmasya, performance of the Paurnamasya and other sacrifices, and performance of the daily sacrifices, are the duties of these celibate men, freed from every attachment, and cleansed from cvery sin. Indeed, they should live thus in the forest.
उम्भाण्डपरमा नित्यं वेताग्निशरणाः सदा। सन्तः सत्पथनित्या ये ते यान्ति परमां गतिम्॥
The sacrificial ladle and the water vessel are their chief properties. They are always devoted to the three fires. Virtuous in their conduct and adhering to the path of virtue, they acquire the highest end.
ब्रह्मलोकं महापुण्यं सोमलोकं च शाश्वतम्। गच्छन्ति मुनयः सिद्धाः सत्यधर्मव्यपाश्रयाः॥
These Munis, crowned with success and ever given to the Religion of Truth, acquire the highly sacred region of Brahman, or the eternal region of Soma.
एष धर्मो मया देवि वानप्रस्थाश्रितः शुभः। विस्तरेणाय सम्पन्नो यथास्थूलमुदाहृतः॥
O auspicious goddess, I have thus recited to you, in brief, the outlines of the religion that is followed by hermits and that has many practices in detail.
उमोवाच भगवन् सर्वभूतेश सर्वभूतनमस्कृत। यो प्रर्मो मुनिसंघस्य सिद्धिवादेषु तं वद॥
Uma said O Holy One, O lord of all creatures, O you adored of all beings, I wish to hear what is the religion of those conclaves of ascetics who are followers of the scriptures describing ascetic success. Do you recite it to me.
सिद्धिवादेषु संसिद्धास्तथा वननिवासिनः। स्वैरिणो दारसंयुक्तास्तेषां धर्मः कथं स्मृतः॥
Living in woods and forest and well accomplished in the scriptures of success, some amongst them live and act as they like, without being controlled by particular practices; others have wives. How, indeed, have their practices been ordained.
महादेव उवाच स्वैरिणस्तपसा देवि सर्वे दारविहारिणः। तेषां मौण्ड्यं कषायश्च वासे रात्रिश्च कारणम्॥
Mahadeva said O goddess, the shaving of the head and the wearing of the brown robes are the characteristics of those recluses who rove about freely; while the characteristics of those who sport with wives consist in passing their nights at home.
त्रिकालमभिषेकश्च होत्रं त्वृषिकृतं महत्। समाधिसत्पथस्थानं यथोद्दिष्टनिषेवणम्॥
Performing ablutions three times a day is the duty of both the classes, while the Homa, with water and wild fruits, belongs to the married recluses as performed by the Rishis in general. Absorption in YogaMeditation, and performance of those duties which form righteousness and which have been laid down as such, are some of the other duties prescribed for them.
ये च ते पूर्वकथिता धर्मास्ते वनवासिनाम्। यदि सेवन्ति धर्मोस्तानाप्नुवन्ति तप:फलम्॥
All those duties also of which I have spoken to you before as belonging to recluses living in forests, are the duties of these also. Indeed, if those duties are observed, they who observe them acquire the rewards of severe penances.
ये च दम्पतिधर्माणः स्वदारनियतेन्द्रियाः। चरन्ति विधि दृष्टं तदनुकालाभिगामिनः॥
Those forest recluses who lead married lives should indulge in the gratification of their senses with these married wives of theirs. By indulging in sexual union with their wives at only those times when their seasons come, they perform the duties which have been laid down for thein.
तेषामृषिकृतो धर्मो धर्मिणामुपपद्यते। न कामकारात्कामोऽन्यः संसेव्यो धर्मदर्शिभिः॥
The religion which these virtuous men are to follow is the Religion that has been laid down and followed by the Rishis. With their eyes set upon the acquisition of virtue, they should never pursue any other object of desire from a sense of uncontrolled caprice.
सर्वभूतेषु यः सम्यग् ददात्यभयदक्षिणाम्। हिंसादोषविमुक्तात्मा स वै धर्मेण युज्यते॥
That man who gives promises of safety to all creatures, freed as his soul becomes from the stain of malice or harmfulness, becomes gifted with virtue.
सर्वभूतानुकम्पी यः सर्वभूतार्जवव्रतः। सर्वभूतात्मभूतश्च स वै धर्मेण युज्यते॥
Indeed, that person who shows mercy to all creatures, who adopts as a vow of sincere conduct towards all creatures, and who forms himself the soul of all creatures, becomes gifted with virtue.
सर्ववेदेषु वा स्नानं सर्वभूतेषु चार्जवम्। उभे एते समे स्यातामार्जवं वा विशिष्यते॥
A bath in all the shrines, and sincere conduct towards all crcatures, are regarded as equal in point of merit; or, perhaps, the latter is a little distinguished above the other in point of merit.
आर्जवं धर्ममित्याहुरधर्मो जिह्म उच्यते। आर्जवेनेह संयुक्तो नरो धर्मेण युज्यते॥
Sincerity, it has been said, is Virtue; while insincerity or crookedness is sin. That man who acts sincerely becomes indeed with Virtue.
आर्जवे तु रतो नित्यं वसत्यमरसंनिधौ। तस्मादार्जवयुक्तः स्याद् य इच्छेद् धर्ममात्मनः॥
The man who is always devoted to sincerity of conduct, succeeds in acquiring a residence among the celestials. Hence, he who wishes to achieve the merit of virtue, should be sincere.
क्षान्तो दान्तो जितक्रोधो धर्मभूतो विहिंसकः। धर्मे रतमना नित्यं नरो धर्मेण युज्यते॥
Gifted with a forgiving nature and selfcontrol, and with anger under complete subjection, one should transform himself into an embodiment of Virtue and become freed from malice. Such a man, who becomes devoted, besides, to the discharge of all the duties of religion, becomes indued with the merit of virtue.
व्यपेततन्द्रिर्धर्मात्मा शक्त्या सत्पथमाश्रितः। चारित्रपरमो बुद्धो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते।॥
Freed from drowsiness and procrastination, the righteous person, who follows the path of Virtue to the best of his power, and becomes possessed of pure conduct, and who is venerable in years, comes to be considered as equal to Brahma itself.
उमोवाच आश्रमाभिरता देव तापसा ये तपोधनाः। दीप्तिमन्तः कया चैव चर्ययाथ भवन्ति ते॥
Uma said By what course of duties, O god, do those ascetics who are attached to their respective retreats and have penances for wealth, succeed in becoming indued with great splendour?
राजानो राजपुत्राश्च निर्धना ये महाधनाः। कर्मणा केन भगवन् प्राप्नुवन्ति महाफलम्॥
By what acts, again, do kings and princes who are immensely rich, and others who are poor, succeed in getting high rewards?
नित्यं स्थानमुपागम्य दिव्यचन्दनभूषिताः। केन वा कर्मणा देव भवन्ति वनगोचराः॥
By what acts, O god, do dwellers of the forest succeed in acquiring that place which is eternal and in adoring their persons with celestial sandal paste.
एतन्मे संशयं देव तपश्चर्याऽऽश्रितं शुभम्। शंस सर्वमशेषेण त्र्यक्ष त्रिपुरनाशन॥
O illustrious god of three eyes, O destroyer of the triple city, do you remove this doubt of mine about the auspicious subject of the observance of penances by telling everything in full.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच उपवासव्रतैर्दान्ता ह्यहिंसाः सत्यवादिनः। संसिद्धाः प्रेत्य गन्धर्वैः सह मोदन्त्यनामयाः॥
The Illustrious Deity said Those who observe the vows of fasts and control their senses, who abstain from injury of any kind to any creature, and who practise truthfulness of speech, acquire success and ascending to the celestial region sport in happiness with the Gandharvas as as their companions, freed from every kind of evil.
मण्डूकयोगशयनो यथान्यायं यथाविधि। दीक्षां चरति धर्मात्मा स नागैः सह मोदते॥
That pious man who lies down in the attitude of Manduka Yoga, and who properly and according to the ordinance performs meritorious deeds after having been duly initiated, sports in happiness in the next world in the company of the Nagas.
शष्पं मृगमुखोच्छिष्टं यो मृगैः सह भक्षति। दीक्षितो वै मुदा युक्तः स सगच्छत्यमरावतीम्॥
That man who lives in the company of deer and lives upon such grass and vegetables as drop from their mouths and who was undergone the initiation and attends to the duties attached to it, succeeds in going to the capital of Indra.
शैवालं शीर्णपर्णं वा तद्वती यो निषेवते। शीतयोगवहो नित्यं स गच्छेत् परमां गतिम्॥
That man who lives upon the moss he gathers and the fallen leaves of trees that he picks up, and puts up with all the severities of cold, acquires a very high place.
वायुभक्षोऽम्बुभक्षो वा फलमूलाशनोऽपि वा। यक्षेष्वैश्वर्यमाधाय मोदतेऽप्सरसां गणैः॥
That man who lives upon either air or water or fruits and roots, acquires in the next life the affluence that belongs to the Yakshas and sports in happiness in the company of the various tribes of Apsaras.
अग्नियोगवहो ग्रीष्मे विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा। चीवा॑ द्वादशवर्षाणि राजा भवति पार्थिवः॥
Having practised practised for twelve years, according to the rites laid down in the ordinances, the vow relating to the endurance of the five fires in the summer season, one becomes in his next life a king.
आहारनियमं कृत्वा मुनिदशवार्षिकम्। मरूं संसाध्य यत्नेन राजा भवति पार्थितः॥
That man who, having observed vows about food, practises penances for twelve years, carefully abstaining from all interdicted food, and forbidden hours as well, during the period, becomes in his next life a king.
स्थण्डिले शुद्धमाकाशं परिगृह्य समन्ततः। प्रविश्य च मुदा युक्तो दीक्षां द्वादशवार्षिकीम्॥
That man who sits and lies on the bare ground with the canopy of heaven over his head, observes the course of duties of initiation, and then renounces his body by abstaining from all food, acquires great happiness in the celestial region.
देहं चानशने त्यक्त्वा स स्वर्गे सुखमेधते। स्थण्डिलस्य फलान्याहुर्यानानि शयनानि च॥ गृहाणि च महार्हाणि चन्द्रशुभ्राणि भामिनि। आत्मानमुपजीवन् यो नियतो नियताशनः॥ देहं वानशने त्यक्त्वा स स्वर्गे समुपाश्नुते। आत्मानमुपजीवन् यो दीक्षां द्वादशवार्षिकीम्॥ त्यक्त्वा महार्णवे देहं वारुणं लोकमश्नुते। आत्मानमुपजीवन् यो दीक्षां द्वादशवार्षिकीम्॥ अश्मना चरणौ भित्त्वा गृह्यकेषु स मोदते। साधयित्वाऽऽत्मनाऽऽत्मानं निर्द्वन्द्वो निष्परिग्रहः॥ ची। द्वादशवर्षाणि दीक्षामेतां मनोगताम्। स्वर्गलोकमवाप्नोति देवैश्च सह मोदते॥
The rewards of one who sits and lies down upon the naked ground are said to be excellent cars and beds, and rich palaces effulgent like the moon, O lady. That man who having lived upon abstemious diet and observed various excellent vows, lives depending upon his own self and then renounces his body by abstaining from all food, succeeds in ascending to Heaven and enjoying all its happiness. That man who having lived in entire dependence upon his own self, observes for twelve years the duties of initiation, and at last renounces his body on the great ocean, succeeds in attaining to the regions of Varuna after death. That man who living in entire dependence upon his own self observe the duties of initiation for twelve years, and pierces his own feet with a sharp stone, acquires the happiness of the region that belongs to the Guhyakas. He who cultivates self with the help of self, who frees himself from the influence of all pairs of opposites, who is freed from every sort of attachment, and who mentally observes for twelve years such a course of conduct after initiation, attains to Heaven and enjoys every happiness with the celestials as his companions.
आत्मानमुपजीवन् यो दीक्षां द्वादशवार्षिकीम्। हुत्वाग्नौ देहमुत्सृज्य वह्निलोके महीयते॥
He who lives in entire dependence upon his own self and observes for twelve years the duties of initiation and finally renounces his body on the fire as an oblation to the celestials, acquires the region of Brahman and is held in high esteem there.
यस्तु देवि यथान्यायं दीक्षितो नियतो द्विजः। आत्मन्यात्मानमाधाय निर्ममो धर्मलालसः॥ चीवा॑ द्वादशवर्षाणि दीक्षामेतां मनोगताम्। अरणीसहितं स्कन्धे बद्ध्वा गच्छत्यनावृतः॥ वीराध्वानगतो नित्यं वीरासनरतस्तथा। वीरस्थायी च सततं स वीरगतिमाप्नुयात्॥
That twiceborn man, goddess, who having properly performed initiation keeps his senses under control, and placing his Self on Self frees himself from the sense of mineness, desirous of achieving virtue, and sets out, without a covering for his body, after the due observance of the duties of initiation for twelve years and after having placed his sacred fire on a tree, and walks along the path of heroes and lies down in the attitude of heroes, and always acts like heroes, certainly acquires the end that is reserved for heroes.
स शक्रलोकगो नित्यं सर्वकामपुरस्कृतः। दिव्यपुष्पसमाकीर्णो दिव्यचन्दनभूषितः॥
Such a man goes to the eternal region of Shakra where he becomes crowned with the fruition of all his desires and where he sports in joy, his body decked with garlands of celestial flowers and celestial perfumes.
सुखं वसति धर्मात्मा दिवि देवगणैः सह। वीरलोकगतो नित्यं वीरयोगसहः सदा॥ सत्त्वस्थः सर्वमुत्सृज्य दीक्षितो नियतः शुचिः। वीराध्वानं प्रपद्येद् यस्तस्य लोकाः सनातनाः॥
Indeed, that pious person lives happily in Heaven, with the celestials as his companions. The hero, following the practices of heroes and devoted to that Yoga which belongs to heroes, living in the practice of Goodness, having renounced everything performed the initiation, controlled his senses, and observing purity of both body and mind, is sure to acquire that path which is reserved for heroes. Eternal regions of happiness are his.
कामगेन विमानेन स वै चरति च्छन्दतः। शक्रलोकगतः श्रीमान् मोदते च निरामयः॥
Riding on a car that moves at the will of the rider, he passes through all happy regions as he likes. Indeed living in the regions of Shakra, that blessed person always sports in joy, freed from every calamity.
कामगेन विमानेन स वै चरति च्छन्दतः। शक्रलोकगतः श्रीमान् मोदते च निरामयः॥
Riding on a car that moves at the will of the rider, he passes through all happy regions as he likes. Indeed living in the regions of Shakra, that blessed person always sports in joy, freed from every calamity.