116 - Happiness and unhappiness

Varåha said:

1. O blessed one, now listen to the benefits that accrue to those that perform actions in the manner stated above.

2. With full concentration of mind, free from ego, always devoted to me, full of forbearance, tranquil and with senses controlled.

3. Taking in roots and fruits and leaves at times on the Dvädashi day, feeding mainly on milk and abstaining from meat.

4. Observing continence on Shashthi, Ashtami, Amävasyä and Chaturdašhî, particularly on dvädašhi.

5. He who performs rites according to the rules of yoga, gets purified, acquires merit and goes to the world of Vishnu.

6. For him there is no fatigue, no decay, no stupor, no illness. gets eighteen hands endowed with bow, arrow, sword, mace and the like:

7. The benefit that accrues as a result of actions in this manner and worship of mine, is the residence in my world for sixty thousand and sixty hundred years.

8. O Earth, I shall now tell you what is unhappiness. Please

listen.

9. Is there anything more unhappy than a man being unable to attain me because of his ego and delusion enveloping him?

10. Is there anything more unhappy than a man being unable to attain me because of his eating anything and trading on anything and not prostrating before me?

11. Is there anything more sorrowful than being the man who at the time of Vaišhvadeva sees a guest coming but, without giving him food, himself eats.

12. Is there anything more unhappy than the man whose food Devas do not partake of because of differentiation in preparation?

13. Is there anything more despicable than a person who is unhappy in adversity, establishes illicit contact with another’s wife, torments Others and is slow-witted?

14. Is there anything more pitiable than a person who spends all his life till death grasps him, in his house without doing righteous deeds in profusion?

15. Is there anything more contemptible than the person who runs after elephants, horses, chariots and other vehicles?

16. Is there anything more sorrowful than this that some eat meat, some eat it with grain and others eat dry food?

17. Is there anything more disquieting than the fact that, some sleep in ornamental beds of costly cloth and others sleep on the grass in the floor?

18. Is there anything more disturbing than the fact that some people are handsome and some ugly although this may be the result of their own deeds?

19. Is there anything more distressing than the fact that some are virtuous and learned in all šhästras while others are seen dumb?

20. Is there anything more annoying than the fact that wealthy personal are niggardly while poor people are generous?

21. Is there anything more condemnable than the man who, having married two wives, favours one and discards the other?

22. If the three castes, Brähmana, Kshatriya and Vaišhya, are engaged in sinful actions, can there be anything more detestable?

23. Having got human birth, if one does not strive to attain me, can there be anything more deplorable?

24. I have thus told you about the actions leading to unhappiness which you asked me.

25. Now I shall tell you about the actions leading to happiness which you asked me.

26. Let all actions be dedicated to me. Those that are other Wise lead to unhappiness.

27. Is there anything more happy than eating the food remaining after offering it to me?

28. Is there anything more happy than observing rites in the morning, noon and evening, particularly the last?

29. Is there anything more happy than offering food to the gods, guests and men in general and then oneself taking it?

30. Is there anything more happy than giving a supplicant something instead of sending him away disappointed?

31. Is there anything more happy than propitiating the manes on Amâväsyà day every month?

32. Is there anything more happy than giving food of barley to those that have come seeking food, without a trace of unwillingness on the face?

33. If a person with two wives looks upon both alike, is there anything more happy for him?

34. He, who with pure mind, always observes non-violence, attains happiness.

35. If, on seeing the beautiful wife of another, the mind does not flutter, can there be greater happiness?

36. Can there be greater happiness for a person if he is able to see as merc stones gold and gems like pearl?

37. Can there be anything more happy than giving up life in the midst of the battle which delights the horses and elephants?

38. He who lives contented condemning wrong actions for attaining the ends, is prone to be happy.

39. Can there be greater happiness for a woman who pleases her husband considering him to be everything for her in life?

40. Can there be anything more gratifying if a man, in spite of his being rich, is learned and has full control of the senses?

41. If one is forbearing of an offence, is not dispirited in adversity, and knows everything well, can there be a greater cause for pleasure?

42. He who leaves off his mortal coil in my temples, be that with any desire or without any desire, can there be anything more happy for him?

43. Is there anything more happy than honouring the parents like gods?

44. Can there be anything more happy than cohabiting with the wife with full attention every month after the course?

45. He who worships me like this, never ceases to be mine and I never cease to be his.

46. Thus have I told you the directions for the good for the sake of the world in reply to your question.