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.