|
SANATSUGATIYA
CHAPTER I
Page1
Dhritarashtra said :
If, O Vidura! there is anything not (yet) said by you in (your) discourse, then do impart it to me who wish to hear, for you have spoken marvellous (things).
Vidura said :
O Dhritarashtra! the ancient youth Sanatsugata, (otherwise called) Sanatana 1, who declared that death exists not--he, O descendant of Bharata! the best of all talented men, will explain all the doubts of your mind, both those (which are) secret 2, and those openly declared.
Dhritarashtra said :
What, do you not yourself know more about this (subject), that Sanatana should explain (it) to me? Explain (it) yourself, O Vidura! if there is any remnant of intelligence (left) in you.
Vidura said :
I am born of a Sudra womb, and do not like to say more than what (I have said). But the intelligence of that youth, I believe to be eternal 3. He who has come of a Brahmana womb, even though he may proclaim a great mystery, does not thereby become liable to the censure of the gods. Therefore do I say this to you.
Footnotes :
1. So Nilakantha. Sankara says Sanatsugata is Sanatkumara, and the component parts of the name he paraphrases by 'born from Brahman.' For Sanatana, see Brihadaranyaka, and note 1 supra.
2. I. e. relating to subjects which may be freely discussed by all, and those which may not. Nilakantha adopts a different reading, which he interprets to mean 'doctrines exoteric and esoteric,' e. g. self-restraint, &c., and the acquisition of mystic power, &c., respectively. The expression 'doubts of the mind' occurs. however, further on.
3. I. e., I suppose, never-failing, and such as can deal with all sorts of topics. Sanatkumara, it need scarcely be stated, is the teacher of Narada in the famous dialogue in the Khandogyopanishad.
|
