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ANUGITA
CHAPTER XX
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Arguna said :
Be pleased to explain to me the Brahman which is the highest object of knowledge; for by your favour my mind is much interested in (these) subtle 1 (subjects).
Vasudeva said :
On this, too, they relate an ancient story (in the shape of) a dialogue, connected with final emancipation, between a preceptor and a pupil. A talented pupil, O terror of your foes! asked a Brahmana preceptor of rigid vows, (when he was) seated, something about the highest good. 'I' (he said), 'whose goal is the highest good, am come to you (who are) venerable; I pray of you with (bowed) head, O Brahmana! that you should explain to me what I ask.' The preceptor, O son of Pritha! said to the pupil who spoke thus: 'I will explain to you everything, O twice-born one! on which you verily have any doubt.' Thus addressed by the preceptor, O best of the Kauravas! he who was devoted to the preceptor, put (his) questions with joined bands. Listen to that, O you of great intelligence!
The pupil said :
Whence am I 2, and whence are you? Explain that which is the highest truth. From what were the movable and immovable entities born? By what do entities live, and what is the limit of their life? What is truth, what penance, O Brahmana? What are called the qualities by the good? And what paths are happy? What is pleasure, and what sin? These questions of mine, O venerable Brahmana sage! O you of excellent vows! do you be pleased to explain 3 correctly, truly, and accurately. There is none else here who can explain these questions. Speak, O best of those who understand piety! I feel the highest curiosity (in this matter). You are celebrated in the worlds as skilled in topics connected with the piety (required for) final emancipation. And there exists none else but you who can destroy all doubts. And we 4, likewise, are afraid of worldly life, and also desirous of final emancipation.
Footnotes :
1. See supra. The last chapter closes what in some of the MSS. is called the Brahma Gita, or Brahmana Gita contained in the Anugita Parvan. See further as to this our Introduction, where the point is further dwelt on.
2. Compare the questions at the beginning of the Svetasvatara-upanishad.
3. A similar expression to that in the Sanatsugatiya, and elsewhere.
4. It is not easy to account for the change here from the singular to the plural.
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