Krishjan

Chapter 1 — Putra Gita

Putra Gita

40 Shloka • Translation Only

King Yudhishthira asked - Grandfather! This time which destroys all the living creatures is passing by. In such a situation, what can a man do to attain salvation? Please tell me this.

Bhishmaji said - Yudhishthira! In this matter, wise men give the example of this ancient history in the form of a dialogue between father and son. You should listen to that dialogue carefully.

Kuntikumar! In ancient times there was a Brahmin who was always ready to study the Vedas and scriptures. He had a son who was not only brilliant in qualities but also by name.

He was skilled in Moksha, Dharma and Artha and was well versed in the worldly matters. One day that son said to his self-studying father thus:

The son said - Father! The lifespan of humans is passing by very fast. Knowing this, what should a patient man do? Father! Please advise me on the right way by which I can follow the path of righteousness (Dharma).

The father said - Son! A Brahmin should first study all the Vedas while observing celibacy; then enter the Grihasthashram and desire to have a son for the salvation of his ancestors. Establish the three types of fires according to the rules and perform the yagnas. After that, enter the Vanaprasthashram. After that, live in silence and desire to become a Sanyasi.

The son said - Father! When this world is being killed by death, surrounded by old age, days and nights are successfully passing by doing the work of shortening life span - in such a condition how are you talking like a patient person?

The father asked - Son! Why are you frightening me? Tell me, who is killing this world, who has surrounded it and who are the people here who are successfully doing their work and living?

The son said - Father! Look, this whole world is being killed by death. Old age has surrounded it from all sides and these are the people who are successfully spending their time day and night by kidnapping the life of living beings, why don't you understand this?

These infallible nights come and go every day. When I know that death cannot wait even for a moment and I am roaming around trapped in its net, then how can I wait even for a little while?

When life is getting shorter with each night that passes, who can find happiness like a fish living in shallow water?

A learned man should consider the day after the night, when he does not perform any auspicious deed, as wasted. Man's desires are not even fulfilled, and death comes to him.

Just as a tigress suddenly reaches a grazing sheep and catches it and takes it away, similarly, when a man's mind is focused somewhere else, death suddenly comes and takes him away.

Therefore, whatever welfare work you have, do it today itself. Don't let this time slip away from your hands; because all the work will remain incomplete and death will take you away.

The work to be done tomorrow should be completed today. What has to be done in the evening should be done in the morning; because death does not see whether its work is completed or not.

Who knows whose time of death will come today? When death, which has dominion over the entire world, wants to take someone away, it does not invite him beforehand. Just like fishermen come stealthily and catch fish, in the same way death also attacks while remaining unknown.

Therefore, everyone should follow the path of dharma in their youth itself; because life is undoubtedly temporary. By following the path of dharma, a person's fame increases in this world and he gets happiness in the next world as well.

A man who is drowned in attachment starts making efforts for his son and wife and supports them by doing things which should and should not be done.

Just like a tiger takes away a sleeping deer, similarly, death comes and takes away a man who is blessed with sons and animals and keeps his mind engrossed in them.

As long as a man is not satisfied with pleasures and keeps on collecting, death comes and takes him away. Just like a tiger takes away an animal.

Man thinks that this work is complete, this is yet to be done and this remains incomplete; in this way, time takes hold of the man who is addicted to the pleasures of effort.

A man remains trapped in his farm, shop and house; he does not even get the fruits of his deeds; before that, death takes away that karma-obsessed man.

Be it a person who is strong or weak, brave or coward, fool or wise, death takes him away before all his desires are fulfilled.

Father! When this body is constantly attacked by death, old age, disease and sufferings due to many reasons, then why are you sitting here looking healthy?

As soon as a mortal is born, death and old age start chasing him to end his life. All living and non-living creatures are bound by these two.

The attachment to wife, child etc. which is developed while living in a village or a city is the very face of death and the one who takes shelter in the forest is like a cowshed to tie the cows in the form of senses, this is the statement of Shruti.

While living in a village, the attachment that develops towards wife, children etc. is like a rope that binds the soul. Only virtuous men can cut it and get out. Sinful men cannot cut it.

The man who does not commit violence against creatures by the means of mind, speech and body, is also not harmed by the violent creatures who destroy his life and wealth.

Without truth no man can ever face the oncoming army of death; therefore, untruth must be abandoned, because immortality lies in truth.

Therefore, man should follow the vow of truth. He should remain dedicated to Satyayog and should always control his mind and senses with devotion by considering the words of the scriptures as truth. In this way, man can conquer death only through truth.

Amrit (nectar) and death both exist in this body. Man attains death through attachment and Amrit through truth.

Therefore, now I will stay away from violence and search for the truth, remove lust and anger from my heart and have equal feelings in sorrow and happiness, and by becoming benevolent to all, I will become free from the fear of death like the gods.

I will be devoted to peace and will be ready for sacrifices, I will engage myself in Brahma Yagya (self-study of Vedas and scriptures) by keeping my mind and senses under control and will live like a hermit. To go on the path of Uttarayan, I will perform verbal sacrifices in the form of chanting and self-study, mental sacrifice in the form of meditation and Karmayagya in the form of Agnihotra and service to the Guru.

How can a learned man like me perform the violent animal sacrifices which yield perishable results, and the Tamasic sacrifices which are performed using the flesh and blood of one's own body, like those of ghosts?

He whose speech and mind are always well concentrated and who is full of sacrifice, austerity and truth, can certainly achieve everything.

In this world there is no eye like knowledge, there is no penance like truth, there is no sorrow like attachment and there is no happiness like renunciation.

Even though I am childless, I am born from God and am situated in God. In future also I will be absorbed in it. Children will not help me cross over.

Unity and equality with the Supreme Being, truthfulness, good conduct, devotion to Brahman, non-violence, simplicity and detachment from all kinds of selfish activities - there is no wealth like these for a Brahmin.

Brahmindev, father! When you will die one day, what do you want from this wealth or what do you have to do with your brothers and relatives and what purpose will you get from women etc.? You should search for the God in the cave of your heart. Just think, where have your father and grandfather gone?

Bhishmaji said - O Lord of men! Just as the father had performed the duty of truth after hearing these words of his son, you should also remain devoted to truth and dharma and behave appropriately.