उपदेशसाहस्री (आदि शङ्कराचार्य - गद्य व पद्य भाग)

80 A THOUSAND TEACHINGS [CHAP. I
2. Now¹ then² the Vedas begin to describe the
knowledge of Brahman after dealing with all actions³
preceded by marriage and the installation of sacred
fire.⁴
कर्माणि देहयोगार्थं देहयोगे प्रियाप्रिये ।
ध्रुवे स्यातां ततो रागो द्वेषश्चैव ततः क्रियाः ॥ ३ ॥
धर्माधर्मौ ततोऽज्ञस्य देहयोगस्तथा पुनः ।
एवं नित्यप्रवृत्तोऽयं संसारश्चक्रवद्धृशम् ॥ ४ ॥
3, 4. Actions, (both enjoined and prohibited), bring
about one’s connection with the body ; when the con-
nection with the body has taken place pleasure⁵ and
pain⁵ most surely follow ; thence come attraction and
repulsion, from them actions⁶ follow again, as the results
of which merit and demerit appertain to an ignorant⁷
man, which again are similarly followed by the con-
nection with the body. This transmigratory existence
is thus going on continually for ever like a wheel.
अज्ञानं तस्य मूलं स्यादिति तद्धानमिष्यते ।
ब्रह्मविद्यात आरब्धा ततो निःश्रेयसं भवेत् ॥ ५ ॥
¹ In the knowledge portion of the Vedas (for the benefit of seekers
after liberation).
² After one has acquired the qualifications such as, self-control
etc., in order to be able to gain the knowledge of Brahman.
³ Both enjoined and prohibited.
⁴ Sacred fire is established at the time of marriage. It burns
continuously throughout one’s life and with it one’s body is burnt
at death.
⁵ The effects of merit and demerit. The Bliss of Brahman
is not such an effect.
⁶ All efforts of the body, mind and speech. ⁷ One who was
not got the knowledge of Brahman.