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Yet again, O you of mighty arms! listen to my excellent 1 words, which, out of a wish for your welfare, I speak to you who are delighted (with them). Not the multitudes of gods, nor the great sages know my source; for I am in every way 2 the origin of the gods and great sages. Of (all) mortals, he who knows me to be unborn, without beginning, the great lord of the world, being free from delusion, is released from all sins. Intelligence, knowledge, freedom from delusion, forgiveness, truth, restraint of the senses, tranquillity, pleasure, pain, birth, death, fear, and also security, harmlessness, equability, contentment, penance, (making) gifts, glory, disgrace, all these different tempers 3 of living beings are from me alone. The seven great sages, and likewise the four ancient Manus 4, whose descendants are (all) these people in the world, were all born from my mind 5, (partaking) of my powers. Whoever correctly knows these powers and emanations of mine, becomes possessed of devotion free from indecision; of this (there is) no doubt. The wise, full of love 6, worship me, believing that I am the origin of all, and that all moves on through me. (Placing their) minds on me, offering (their) lives to me, instructing each other, and speaking about me, they are always contented and happy. To these, who are constantly devoted, and who worship with love,, I give that knowledge by which they attain to me. And remaining in their hearts, I destroy, with the brilliant lamp of knowledge, the darkness born of ignorance in such (men) only, out of compassion for them.
Arguna said :
You are the supreme Brahman, the supreme goal, the holiest of the holy. All sages, as well as the divine sage Nârada, Asita 7, Devala, and Vyâsa, call you the eternal being, divine, the first god, the unborn, the all-pervading. And so, too, you tell me yourself, O Kesava! I believe all this that you tell me (to be) true; for, O lord! neither the gods nor demons understand your manifestation 8.
Foot Notes :
1. As referring to the supreme soul.
2. As creator, as moving agent in workings of the intellect, &c.
3. The names are not always names of 'tempers,' but the corresponding 'temper' must be understood.
4. The words are also otherwise construed, 'The four ancients (Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanâtana, Sanatkumâra) and the Manus.' According to the later mythology the Manus are fourteen.
5. By the mere operation of my thought. As to ancients, cf. Aitareya-âranyaka,
6. Sankara renders the word here by perseverance in pursuit of truth.
7. Ânandagiri calls Asita father of Devala. See also Davids' Buddhism, Müller's Anc. Sansk. Lit.,
8. Scil. in human form for the good of the gods and the destruction of demons.
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