121 - The absence of birth

Varäha said:

1. O Earth, listen to me. I shall tell you the essence of all dharma by which one can remain without entering into birth.

2. One is not able to realise the self even after performing the prescribed rites with purity of mind.

3. But he who performs the duties by me, becomes blessed and able to distinguish between right and wrong.

4. He who bears heat and cold alike, overcomes thirst and hunger, speaks the truth, is not jealous, persevering even if poor.

5. Is devoted to his own wife and discards the women of others, is honest and dedicated to the Lord.

6. Sets on the good from the bad, is well disposed towards Brahmins, speaks endearingly to them, and is attached to my service.

7. Such a person never goes to a cursed womb, but reaches my abode.

8. O Earth, I shall tell you another thing regarding my devotee’s never going to a bad womb.

9. He who refrains from all sorts of injury, is kindly disposed towards all beings, is pure-hearted, considers alike a stone and gold.

10. Never keeps in mind any insult received, is always aware of his duties and speaks only the truth.

11. Turns away from all falsehood, is firm in truth, never speaks ill of any one even privately,

12. Cohabits with his wife for the sake of progeny soon after her period, and is steadfast in my devotion.

13. Never goes to a bad womb, but reaches me.

O Earth, I shall tell you another thing. Please listen.

14. The eternal dharma of man is seen in one way by Manu, in another way by Äñgirasa.

15. In yet another way by Šhukra and still another way by Gautama, in a different way by Soma, still differently by Rudra.

16. Yet differently by Šhañkha and more differently by Likhita, similarly by Käšhyapa and so too by Dharma.

17. Agni and Väyu found dharma differently; so also Yama, Indra and Varuna. 

18. Kubera found it in one way and Šhändilya in another; Pulastya and Äditya still differently.

19. Pitris found it yet differently and Svayambhü too. Each propounder found it according to himself.

20. Each man should follow dharma according to his faith and should not dispute about it with others.

21. He should stand in the path of righteousness and should not despise virtuous deeds.

  22. Such a person never falls into a heinous womb, but reaches my world.

Listen, O Earth, I shall now tell you about another thing.

23. By which people are able to cross this ocean of births.

24. He who has control of his senses, has overcome anger and is free from desire and delusion, helps himself by always worshipping god, guests and preceptors, abstains from injury and docs not partake of meat or liquor.

25. Who never even thinks of cohabiting with a Brahmin woman, makes gift of Kapilä cow to the Brahmin and attends on old men.

26. Does not discriminate among his own sons, consoles a Brahmin when he is angry.

27. Who touches the Kapilå cow in devotion, never outrages the modesty of a virgin, docs not cross fire, and docs not dispute with the son.

28. Docs not pass urine in water, is respectful towards the teacher, is not talkative.

29. And endowed with such qualities (like these) resorts to me; he never goes to a womb, but reaches my world.