Prasnottara Rathnamaalikaa

Prasnottara Rathnamaalikaa  

प्रश्नोत्तररत्नमालिका            

Prasnottara Rathna Maalikaa

By Sri Shankaraachaarya

186-254

Who will not, indeed, accept, and adorn one’s own neck with, a precious diamond necklace, when it is offered as a gift?

Who will not, indeed, accept such a gift when it comes from none other than Shankara?

The gift from Shankara  is in the form of a series of questions and answers which are comparable to precious diamonds. One should study, memorize and keep them at one’s fingertips, as precious possession.  

Shankara uses wordplay with kanthasthita and kantastha to describe both ‘the decoration of the neck’ and ‘memorizing of the questions and answers’.

In our Sanatana Dharma, guru-sishya relationship flourishes as the sishya reverentially approaches the guru with his questions and the guru enlightens the sishya with appropriate answers.

In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna describes how the transfer of gnaana takes plece between the guru and the sishya:

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन शेवया।

उपदेश्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्वदर्शिनः॥४.३४ll

tadviddhi pranipaatena pariprashnena sevayaa/

 upadekshyanti te jnaanam jnaaninas tattwadarshinah // 4.34 // 

“Arjuna,

Know how to acquire the Knowlwdge of Brahman.

It is from the Gnanis, the Knowers of the Ultimate Truth —

Approach them with all humility;

make obeisance to them;

question them exhaustively;

and render service to them.”

In Prasnottara Rhathna Maalikaa, Shankara goes one step further and shows how to frame the appropriate questions also before giving their answers. This is to ensure that the sishya gets the required guidance for the proper growth of his character and personality.

Shankara does a piece of counselling too!

Shankara’s Prasnottara Rhathna Maalikaa consists of 67 slokas. In the first sloka the ‘vishaya’ or the subject-matter of the poem is introduced in a very poetic fashion.

कः खलु नालङ्क्रियते दृष्टादृष्टार्थसाधनपटीयान् ।

अमुया कण्ठस्थितया प्रश्नोत्तररत्नमालिकया ॥ १॥

kaH khalu nAla~Nkriyate dR^iShTAdR^iShTArthasAdhanapaTIyAn |

amuyA kaNThasthitayA prashnottararatnamAlikayA || 1||

“Who will not adorn his own neck with this Prasnottara Rhathna Maalikaa, this diamond necklace of questions and answers, which enablies its wearer to reach the desired goals both here and hereafter, both materially and spiritually?”

This is a rhetorical question that is used to lay emphasis on a particular point the author wants to make. It does not require a separate answer. It is implied in the question itself.

Shankara also uses word- play  with Kanthasthita and kanthastha, meaning ‘ornament on the neck’ and ‘memorisation of the questions and answers’, respectively.

In the last sloka, Shankara describes the ‘prayojana’ or benefit one would get from memorizing the questions and answers:  

इत्येषा कण्ठस्था प्रश्नोत्तररत्नमालिका येषां ।

ते मुक्ताभरणा इव विमलाश्चाभान्ति सत्समाजेषु ॥ ६७॥

ityeShA kaNThasthA prashnottararatnamAlikA yeShAM |

te muktAbharaNA iva vimalAshchAbhAnti satsamAjeShu || 67||

“With the wisdom acquired from this poem of questions and answers, one would shine forth with radiance, like an ornament of pearls, in the company of wise people.”

In between these two slokas come some 175 questions with answers, running through 65 slokas.

Prasnottara Rhathna Maalikaa can be taken as a text-book that teaches, through the method of questions and answers, values that promote right perception and proper understanding of the objectives of human life.

By studying this Poem, one would certainly develop ‘viveka’ or dicriminating power.  Learning to discriminate the real from the unreal is, indeed, the first step  in Spiritual Saadhana!

प्रश्नोत्तररत्नमालिका

 Prasnottara Rathna Maalikaa 

                              Sloka  Two

भगवन्, किमुपादेयं गुरुवचनं, हेयमपि  किमकार्यं l

को गुरुः अधिगततत्त्वः शिष्यहितायोद्यतः सततं ॥

bhagavan kimupAdeyaM guruvachanaM heyamapi kimakAryaM |

ko guruH adhigatatattvaH shiShyahitAyodyataH satataM || 2||

Q 1 – भगवन्,  किमुपादेयं ?

bhagavan kimupAdeyaM?

Bhagavan, What deserves total acceptance?

Ans –  गुरुवचनं  

guruvachanaM

The Instruction given by the Guru.

 Q. 2 –  हेयमपि किम् ?

heyamapi kim?

What is it that we should give up?

Ans –  अकार्यं

akAryaM

Actions which are not to be done.

Q 3 –  को गुरुः ? 

ko guruH?

Who is the Guru? 

Ans – अधिगततत्त्वः शिष्यहितायोद्यतः सततं

adhigatatattvaH shiShyahitAyodyataH satataM

A Guru is one who has realised the Truth

and who always acts for the benefit of the Sishya.

Sloka Three

त्वरितं किं कर्तव्यं विदुषां संसारसन्ततिच्छेदः ।

किं मोक्षतरोर्बीजं सम्यक्ज्ञानं क्रियासिद्धं ॥ ३॥

tvaritaM kiM kartavyaM viduShAM sa.nsArasantatichChedaH |

kiM moxatarorbIjaM samyakj~nAnaM kriyAsiddhaM || 3||

Q 4 –  त्वरितं किं कर्तव्यं विदुषां ?

tvaritaM kiM kartavyaM viduShAM?

What is the immediate duty of a truly learned person?

Ans – संसारसन्ततिच्छेदः

sa.nsArasantatichChedaH

To work for the termination of the recurring cycle of birth and death.

 Q 5 –   किं मोक्षतरोर्बीजं ?

kiM moxatarorbIjaM?

What is the seed or the source of Liberation?

Ans – सम्यक्ज्ञानं क्रियासिद्धं

samyakj~nAnaM kriyAsiddhaM

The acquisition of perfect knowledge and

its application in life.

Sloka Four

कः पथ्यतरो धर्मः कः शुचिरिह यस्य मानसं शुद्धं ।

कः पण्डितो विवेकी किं विषमवधीरणा गुरुषु ॥ ४॥

kaH pathyataro dharmaH kaH shuchiriha yasya mAnasaM shuddhaM |

kaH paNDito vivekI kiM viShamavadhIraNA guruShu || 4||

Q 6 –  कः पथ्यतर😕

kaH pathyataraH?

What is most beneficial?

Ans – धर्मः

dharmaH

It is Dharma

Q 7 –   कः शुचिरिह?

kaH shuchiriha?

Who is clean and pure in this world?

 Ans – यस्य मानसं शुद्धं

yasya mAnasaM shuddhaM

One who has a clean and pure mind.

Q 8 –  कः पण्डित😕

kaH paNDitaH?

Who is known to be wise and learned?

Ans – विवेकी

vivekI

Who is endowed with the power of discrimination.

Q 9 –   किं विषम्?

kiM viSham?

What is poison?

अवधीरणा गुरुषु

avadhIraNA guruShu

Disrespecting the advice of Gurus and elders.

 Sloka Five

 किं संसारे सारं बहुशोऽपि विचिन्त्यमानमिदमेव ।

किं मनुजेष्विष्टतमं स्वपरहितायोद्यतं जन्म ॥ ५॥

kiM sa.nsAre sAraM bahusho.api vichintyamAnamidameva |

kiM manujeShviShTatamaM svaparahitAyodyataM janma || 5||

Q 10.   किं संसारे सारं ?

kiM sa.nsAre sAraM?

What is the essence of this material and transmigratory life?

Ans.  बहुशोऽपि विचिन्त्यमानमिदमेव

bahusho.api vichintyamAnamidameva

Something on which we should meditate again and again.

 11.   किं मनुजेष्विष्टतमं ?

kiM manujeShviShTatamaM?

What is the dearest thing for human beings?

स्व पर हितायोद्यतं  जन्म

svaparahitAyodyataM janma

A life that is entirely devoted to the good

of oneself and others.

Sloka Six

मदिरेव मोहजनकः कः स्नेहः के च दस्यवो विषयाः ।

का भववल्लि तृष्णा को वैरी यस्त्वनुद्योगः ॥ ६॥

madireva mohajanakaH kaH snehaH ke cha dasyavo viShayAH |

kA bhavavalli tR^iShNA ko vairI yastvanudyogaH || 6||

Q12.   मदिरेव मोहजनकः कः ?

madireva mohajanakaH kaH?

Ans. स्नेहः

snehaH

Q 12. What causes delusion like liquor?

Ans. Attachment.

Q 13.   के च दस्यव😕

ke cha dasyavo?

Ans. विषयाः

viShayAH

Q 13 Who are the thieves?

Ans. The sense objects.

Q 14.   का भववल्ली?

kA bhavavalli?

Ans. तृष्णा

tR^iShNA

Q 14. What is the nature of the creeper of bhava or

entanglement in the cycle of birth and death?

Ans. It is the thirst for pleasures.

Q 15.   को वैरी ?

ko vairI?

Ans. यस्तु अनुद्योगः

yastvanudyogaH

Q 15. Who is to be considered as the enemy?

It is the idle disposition.

SLOKA 7

कस्माद्भयमिह? मरणात्, अन्धादिह को विशिष्यते? रागी।

कः शूरो? यो ललनालोचनबाणैर्नव्यथितः|| 7 ||

kasmAdbhayamiha maraNAdandhAdiha ko vishiShyate rAgI |

kaH shUro yo lalanAlochanabANairna cha vyadhitaH || 7||

16.   कस्मात् भयम् इह ?

kasmAt bhayam iha ?

What is the cause of fear in this world?

मरणात्

maraNAt

It is death.

17.   अन्धादिह को विशिष्यते ?

andhAdiha ko vishiShyate?

Who is the blindest person?

रागी

rAgI

Who is prone to attachments.

18.   कः शूर: ?

kaH shUraH?

Who may be considered a brave person?

यो ललनालोचनबाणैर्न च व्यधितः

yo lalanAlochanabANairna cha vyadhitaH

He who is not struck by the arrow-like glances of lusty women.

Sloka Eight

पातुं कर्णाञ्जलिभिः किममृतमिह युज्यते सदुपदेशः ।

किं गुरुताया मूलं यदेतदप्रार्थनं नाम ॥ ८॥

pAntuM karNA~njalibhiH kimamR^itamiha yujyate sadupadeshaH |

kiM gurutAyA mUlaM yadetadaprArthanaM nAma || 8||

19.   पातुं कर्णाञ्जलिभिः किममृतमिह युज्यते ?

pAntuM karNA~njalibhiH kimamR^itamiha yujyate?

 सदुपदेशः

sadupadeshaH |

What kind of words gives to the ears the experience

of tasting Amruta?

The advice given by holy men.

20.   किं गुरुताया मूलं ?

kiM gurutAyA mUlaM?

What makes one respectable?

यदेतदप्रार्थनं नाम

yadetadaprArthanaM nAma

The character that makes one not ask for favours.

Sloka Nine

किं गहनं स्त्रीचरितं कश्चतुरो यो न खण्डितस्तेन ।

किं दुःखं असन्तोषः किं लाघवमधमतो याच्ञा ॥ ९॥

kiM gahanaM strIcharitaM kashchaturo yo na khaNDitastena |

kiM duHkhaM asantoShaH kiM lAghavamadhamato yAch~nA || 9||

Q 21.   किं गहनं ?

kiM gahanaM ?

Ans. स्त्रीचरितं

strIcharitaM

Q 21. What is too deep to understand?

Ans. The nature of women.

Q 22.    कश्चतुर😕

KashchaturaH?

Ans. यो न खण्डितस्तेन

yo na khaNDitastena

Q 22. Who is clever?

Ans. Who is not confused by them.

Q 23.    किं दुःखं ?

kiM duHkhaM?

Ans. असन्तोषः

asantoShaH

Q 23. What is misery?

Ans. Inability to get satisfied.

Q 24.    किं लाघवम् ?

kiM lAghavam?

Ans. अधमतो याच्ञा

adhamato yAch~nA

Q 24. What causes dishonor?

Ans.  Asking for faours from degraded persons.

Sloka Ten

किं जीवितमनवद्यं किं जाड्यं पाठतोऽप्यनभ्यासः ।

को जागर्ति विवेकी को निद्रा मूढता जन्तोः ॥ १०॥

kiM jIvitamanavadyaM kiM jADyaM pAThato.apyanabhyAsaH |

ko jAgarti vivekI ko nidrA mUDhatA jantoH || 10||

Q 25.   किं जीवितम् ?

kiM jIvitam?

Ans. अनवद्यं

anavadyaM

Q 25. What is life?

Ans. That which stands above all criticism.

Q 26.   किं जाड्यम् ?

kiM jADyaM?

Ans. पाठतोऽप्यनभ्यासः

pAThato.apyanabhyAsaH

Q 26.  What is dullness?

Ans. It consists in not practicing what one has learnt.

Q 27.  को जागर्ति ?

ಕೋ ಜಾಗರ್ತಿ?

ko jAgarti?

Ans. विवेकी

vivekI

Q 27.  Who is vigilant ?

Ans. One who has the power of discrimination.

Q 28.   कl निद्रा ?

ko nidrA?

Ans. मूढता जन्तोः

mUDhatA jantoH

Q 28.  What is sleep?

Ans. It is complete ignorance of one’s predicament.

Sloka  Eleven

नलिनीदलगतजलवत्तरलं किं यौवनं धनं चायुः ।

कथय पुनः के शशिनः किरणसमाः सज्जना एव ॥ ११॥

nalinIdalagatajalavattaralaM kiM yauvanaM dhanaM chAyuH |

kathaya punaH ke shashinaH kiraNasamAH sajjanA eva || 11||

Q 29.   नलिनी दल गत जल वत्तरलं किं ?

 nalinIdalagatajalavattaralaM kiM?

Q 29. What is fickle and changing like water drops on lotus petals?

Ans. यौवनं धनं च आयुः

yauvanaM dhanaM chAyuH

Ans. Youth, wealth and life-span.

Q 30.   कथय पुनः के शशिनः किरणसमाः?

kathaya punaH ke shashinaH kiraNasamAH?

Ans. सज्जना एव

sajjanA eva

Q 30. Tell me again, what is similar to the cool rays of the Moon?

Ans. Surely,  the saintly people.

Sloka Twelve

को नरकः परवशता किं सौख्यं सर्वसङ्गविरतिर्या ।

किं सत्यं भूतहितं प्रियं च किं प्राणिनामसवः ॥ १२॥

ko narakaH paravashatA kiM saukhyaM sarvasa~NgaviratiryA |

kiM satyaM bhUtahitaM priyaM cha kiM prANinAmasavaH || 12||

Q 31.   को नरकः ?

ko narakaH?

Ans. परवशता

paravashatA

Q 31 What is Hell?

Ans. Being under the control of someone else.

Q 32.  किं सौख्यं ?

kiM saukhyaM

Ans. सर्वसङ्ग विरतिर्या

Q. What is happiness?

Ans. The state of complete non-attachment.

Q 33.  किं सत्यं ?

kiM satyaM?

Ans. भूतहितं

bhUtahitaM

Q 33. What is truth?

Ans. That which is beneficial to all living beings.

Q 34.  प्रियं च किं प्राणिनाम् ?

priyaM cha kiM prANinAm?

Ans. असवः

asavaHQ 34. What is dear to all creatures?

Ans. Life.

Sloka  Thirteen

कोऽनर्थफलो मानः का सुखदा साधुजनमैत्री ।

सर्वव्यसनविनाशे को दक्षः सर्वथा त्यागी ॥ १३॥

ko.anarthaphalo mAnaH kA sukhadA sAdhujanamaitrI |

sarvavyasanavinAshe ko daxaH sarvathA tyAgI || 13||

Q 35.  कोऽनर्थफल: ?

ko.anarthaphalam?

Ans. मानः

mAnaH

Q 35. What leads to disappointment?

Ans. Pride.

Q 36.  का सुखदा ?

kA sukhadA?

Ans. साधुजन मैत्री

sAdhujanamaitrI

Q 36. What brings happiness?

Ans. Friendship with good and saintly persons.

Q 37.  सर्वव्यसन विनाशे को दक्षः ?

sarvavyasanavinAshe ko daxaH?

Ans. सर्वथा त्यागी

sarvathA tyAgI

Q 37. Who is skillful in destroying every form of sorrow?

Ans. One who has renounced in all respects.

Sloka  Fourteen

किं मरणं मूर्खत्वं किं चानर्घं यदवसरे दत्तं ।

आमरणात् किं शल्यं प्रच्छन्नं यत्कृतं पापं ॥ १४॥

kiM maraNaM mUrkhatvaM kiM chAnarghaM yadavasare dattaM |

AmaraNAt kiM shalyaM prachChannaM yatkR^itaM pApaM || 14||

Q 38.   किं मरणं ?

kiM maraNaM?

Ans. मूर्खत्वं

mUrkhatvaM

Q 38. What is death?

Ans The state of utter ignorance.

39.   किं चानर्घं ?

kiM chAnarghaM?

Ans. यदवसरे दत्तं

yadavasare dattaM

Q 39. What is priceless?

Ans. That which is given at the proper time and

to the proper person.

Q 40.   आमरणात् किं शल्यं ?

AmaraNAt kiM shalyaM?

Ans. प्रच्छन्नं यत्कृतं पापं

prachChannaM yatkR^itaM pApaM ||

Q 40 What pricks us until death?

Ans. Sins committed knowingly and in secrecy.

Sloka  Fifteen

कुत्र विधेयो यत्नो विद्याभ्यासे सदौषधे दाने ।

अवधीरणा क्व कार्या खलपरयोषित्परधनेषु ॥ १५॥

kutra vidheyo yatno vidyAbhyAse sadauShadhe dAne |

avadhIraNA kva kAryA khalaparayoShitparadhaneShu || 15||

Q 41.   कुत्र विधेयो यत्न😕

kutra vidheyo yatno?

Ans. विद्याभ्यासे सदौषधे दाने

vidyAbhyAse sadauShadhe dAne

Q 41. What is it that one should strive for?

Ans. Towards the acquisition of knowledge,

for getting health-giving medicines

and for making charity.

42.   अवधीरणा क्व कार्या ?

avadhIraNA kva kAryA?

Ans. खल परयोषित्परधनेषु

khalaparayoShitparadhaneShu

Q 42. What deserves rejection?

Ans. Association with unscrupulous people,

showing interest in another’s woman

and wanting others’ wealth.

Sloka  Sixteen

काहर्निशमनुचिन्त्या संसारासारता न तु प्रमदा ।

का प्रेयसी विधेया करणा दीनेषु सज्जने मैत्री ॥ १६॥

kAharnishamanuchintyA sa.nsArAsAratA na tu pramadA |

kA preyasI vidheyA karaNA dIneShu sajjane maitrI || 16||

Q 43.   काहर्निशम्  अनुचिन्त्या ?

kAharnishamanuchintyA?

Ans. संसारासारता न तु प्रमदा   

sa.nsArAsAratA na tu pramadA

Q 43. What should we think about day and night?

Ans.   We should always think about the futility

  of material life and not certainly about thoughts

   of sexual excitement.

का प्रेयसी विधेया ?

kA preyasI vidheyA

Ans. करणा दीनेषु  सज्जने मैत्री

 karaNA dIneShu sajjane maitrI

Q 44.  What should be one’s favourite duty in life?

 Ans. Showing compassion and kindness towards

 those who suffer and cultivating friendship

 with good people.

 Sloka  Seventeen

कण्ठगतैरप्यसुभिः कस्य ह्यात्मा न शक्यते जेतुं ।

मूर्खस्य शङ्कितस्य च विषादिनो वा कृतघ्नस्य ॥ १७॥

 kaNThagatairapyasubhiH kasya hyAtmA na shakyate jetuM |

mUrkhasya sha~Nkitasya cha viShAdino vA kR^itaghnasya || 17||

Q 45.   कण्ठगतैरप्यसुभिः कस्य ह्यात्मा न शक्यते जेतुं ?

kaNThagatairapyasubhiH kasya hyAtmA na shakyate jetuM?

Ans. मूर्खस्य शङ्कितस्य च विषादिनो वा कृतघ्नस्य

mUrkhasya sha~Nkitasya cha viShAdino vA kR^itaghnasya

Q 45. What kind of people cannot be reformed and put

in the right course of life even by using force?

Ans. The fool, the doubter, the morose person and the ungrateful one.

Sloka  Eighteen

कः साधुः सदवृत्तः कमधममाचक्षते त्वसद्वृत्तं ।

केन जितं जगदेतत्सत्यतितिक्षावता पुंसा ॥ १८॥

kaH sAdhuH sadavR^ittaH kamadhamamAchaxate tvasadvR^ittaM |

kena jitaM jagadetatsatyatitixAvatA pu.nsA || 18||

46.   कः साधुः ?

kaH sAdhuH?

Ans. सदवृत्तः

sadavR^ittaH

Q 46. Who is a virtuous person?

Ans. A man of good character.

Q 47.   कम्  अधमम् अlचक्षते ?

kamadhamamAchaxate?

Ans. त्वसद्वृत्तं ।

tvasadvR^ittaM

Q 47 Who is the most inferior one?

Ans. One who commits evil actions.

Q 48.   केन जितं जगदेतत् ?

kena jitaM jagadetat?

Ans. सत्य तितिक्षावता पुंसा

satyatitixAvatA pu.nsA

Q 48. Who can conquer this world?

Ans. One who is truthful and tolerant.

Sloka  Nineteen

कस्मै नमांसि देवाः कुर्वन्ति दयाप्रधानाय ।

कस्मादुद्वेगः स्यात्संसारारण्यतः सुधियः ॥ १९॥

kasmai namA.nsi devAH kurvanti dayApradhAnAya |

kasmAdudvegaH syAtsa.nsArAraNyataH sudhiyaH || 19||

Q 49.   कस्मै नमांसि देवाः कुर्वन्ति ?

kasmai namA.nsi devAH kurvanti?

Ans. दयाप्रधानाय

dayApradhAnAya

Q 49. Whom do even the Devas honour?

Ans. Him who shows  mercy and compassion.

Q 50.   कस्मादुद्वेगः स्यात् ?

kasmAdudvegaH syAt?

Ans. संसारारण्यतः सुधियः

sa.nsArAraNyataH sudhiyaH

Q. 50 What should make us shudder?

Ans.  A person with a noble mind shudders at

 the fiercest forest called Samsaara.

Sloka  Twenty

कस्य वशे प्राणिगणः सत्यप्रियभाषिणो विनीतस्य ।

क्व स्थातव्यं न्याय्ये पथि दृष्टादृष्टलाभाढ्ये ॥ २०॥

kasya vashe prANigaNaH satyapriyabhAShiNo vinItasya |

kva sthAtavyaM nyAyye pathi dR^iShTAdR^iShTalAbhADhye || 20||

Q  51.   कस्य वशे प्राणिगणः ?

 kasya vashe prANigaNaH?

Ans. सत्य प्रिय भाषिणो विनीतस्य

satyapriyabhAShiNo vinItasya

Q 51. To whom do all living beings submit?

 Ans. To him whose speech is truthful and endearing

and who has humility. 

Q 52.   क्व स्थातव्यं ?

kva sthAtavyaM?

Ans. न्याय्ये पथि दृष्टादृष्ट लाभाढ्ये ॥ २०॥

nyAyye pathi dR^iShTAdR^iShTalAbhADhye

Q 52. Where should one establish oneself?

Ans. In the path that is righteous and

that which yields benefits both here and hereafter.

 Sloka  Twenty One

कोऽन्धो योऽकlर्यरतः को बधिरो यो हितानि न शृणोति ।

को मूको यः काले प्रियाणि वक्तुं न जानाति ॥ २१॥

ko.andho yo.akaryarataH ko badhiro yo hitAni na shR^iNoti |

ko mUko yaH kAle priyANi vaktuM na jAnAti || 21||

Q 53.  को अन्धः?

ko.andhaH?

Ans. यो  अकlर्यरतः  

yo.akaryarataH

Q 53. Who is blind?

Ans. He who takes delight in doing things that

are not to be done.

Q 54.  को बधिर😕

ko badhiraH?

Ans. यो हितानि न शृणोति

 yo hitAni na shR^iNoti

Q 54. Who is deaf?

 Ans. One who does not care to listen to

 the advice given for his good.

Q 55.  को मूक: ?

ko mUkaH?

Ans. यः काले प्रियाणि वक्तुं न जानाति ॥ २१॥

yaH kAle priyANi vaktuM na jAnAti

Q 55. Who is dumb?

Ans. He who does not know how to say

proper words at the right times.     

Sloka Twenty Two

किं दानमनाकाङ्क्षं किं मित्रं यो निवारयति पापात् ।

कोऽलङ्कारः शीलं किं वाचां मण्डनं सत्यं ॥ २२॥

kiM dAnamanAkA~NxaM kiM mitraM yo nivArayati pApAt |

ko.ala~NkAraH shIlaM kiM vAchAM maNDanaM satyaM || 22||

Q 56.  किं दानम् ?

kiM dAnam?

Ans. अनाकाङ्क्षम्

anAkA~NxaM

Q 56. What is daana?

Ans. That which is given unasked.

Q 57.  किं मित्रम् ?

kiM mitraM?

Ans. यो निवारयति पापात्

yo nivArayati pApAt

 Q 57. Who is a friend?

Ans. He who prevents us from doing wrong things.

Q 58.  को अलङ्कारः ?

ko.ala~NkAraH?

Ans. शीलम्

shIlaM

Q 58. What is an ornament.?

Ans. A good and blameless character.

Q 59.   किं वाचां मण्डनम् ?

kiM vAchAM maNDanaM?

Ans. सत्यम्

satyaM || 22||

Q 59. What acts as ornament to speech?

Ans. Truthfulness

Sloka Twenty Three

विद्युद्विलसितचपलं किं दुर्जनसङ्गतिर्युवतयश्च ।

कुलशीलनिष्प्रकम्पाः के कलिकालेऽपि सज्जना एव ॥ २३॥

vidyudvilasitachapalaM kiM durjanasa~Ngatiryuvatayashcha |

kulashIlaniShprakampAH ke kalikAle.api sajjanA eva || 23||

60. विद्युद्विलसित चपलं किम् ?

vidyudvilasitachapalaM kiM?

Ans. दुर्जनसङ्गति: युवतयश्च     

durjanasa~Ngatiryuvatayashcha

What kind of enjoyment is considered fickle

and short-lived like flashes of lightning?

 The company of bad people and association

 with young women.

61.कुल शील निष्प्रकम्पाः के कलिकाले अपि ?

kulashIlaniShprakampAH ke kalikAle.api?

Ans. सज्जना: एव

sajjanA eva

Q 61. What kind of people will remain un-shaken

in their state of noble character and great

family traditions, even in the Kali Yuga?

 Ans. Those who are essentially good-natured.

.

Slokas Twenty Four and Twenty Five

चिन्तामणिरिव दुर्लभमिह किं कथयामि तच्चतुर्भद्रं ।

किं तद्वदन्ति भूयो विधुततमसा विशेषेण ॥ २४॥

chintAmaNiriva durlabhamiha kiM kathayAmi tachchaturbhadraM |

kiM tadvadanti bhUyo vidhutatamasA visheSheNa || 24||

दानं प्रियवाक्सहितं ज्ञानमगर्वं क्षमान्वितं शौर्यं ।

वित्तं त्यागसमेतं दुर्लभमेतच्चतुर्भद्रं ॥ २५॥

dAnaM priyavAksahitaM j~nAnamagarvaM xamAnvitaM shauryaM |

vittaM tyAgasametaM durlabhametachchaturbhadraM || 25||

Q 62. चिन्तामणिरिव दुर्लभमिह किम् ?

chintAmaNiriva durlabhamiha kiM?

Ans. कथयामि तच्चतुर्भद्रम्

 kathayAmi tachchaturbhadraM

Q 62. What is rare in this world, like the Chintamani, the wish-fulfilling Gem?

Ans. I shall mention four auspicious entities in this respect.

Q 63. किं तद्वदन्ति भूयो विधूततमसा विशेषेण  ?

kiM tadvadanti bhUyo vidhutatamasA visheSheNa?

Ans. दानं प्रियवाक्सहितम्  

dAnaM priyavAksahitaM

ज्ञानमगर्वम्  

j~nAnamagarvaM

क्षमान्वितं शौर्यम्

xamAnvitaM shauryaM

वित्तं त्यागसमेतम्

vittaM tyAgasametaM

दुर्लभमेतच्चतुर्भद्रम्

durlabhametachchaturbhadraM

Q 63. What are they, according to enlightened people?

Ans. They are:

a.     Daana combined with the expression of sweet words,

b.    Scholarship without pride

c.     Bravery coupled with forgiveness, and

d.    Wealth spent in charity.

Sloka Twenty Six

किं शोच्यं कार्पण्यं सति विभवे किं प्रशस्तमौदार्यं ।

कः पूज्यो विद्वद्भिः स्वभावतः सर्वदा विनीतो यः ॥ २६॥ 

kiM shochyaM kArpaNyaM sati vibhave kiM prashastamaudAryaM |

kaH pUjyo vidvadbhiH svabhAvataH sarvadA vinIto yaH || 26||

Q 64. किं शोच्यम् ?

kiM shochyaM?

Ans. कार्पण्यम्

kArpaNyaM

Q 64. What deserves pity?

Ans. Miserliness

 Q 65. सति विभवे किं प्रशस्तम् ?

 sati vibhave kiM prashastam?

Ans. औदार्यम्

audAryaM

Q 65. What is praiseworthy in a person who is

blessed with abundance?

Ans. The quality of generosity.

Q 66. कः पूज्यो विद्वद्भिः?

kaH pUjyo vidvadbhiH?

Ans. स्वभावतः सर्वदा विनीतो यः

svabhAvataH sarvadA vinIto yaH

 Q 66. Who deserves respect from the learned people?

Ans. He who is endowed with humility  at all times.

Sloka Twenty Seven

कः कुलकमलदिनेशः सति गुणाविभवेऽपि यो नम्रः ।

कस्य वशे जगदेतत्प्रियहितवचनस्यधर्मनिरतस्य ॥ २७॥

kaH kulakamaladineshaH sati guNAvibhave.api yo namraH |

kasya vashe jagadetatpriyahitavachanasyadharmaniratasya || 27||

Q 67. कः कुलकमलदिनेशः ?

kaH kulakamaladineshaH?

Ans. सति गुणाविभवेऽपि यो नम्रः ।

sati guNAvibhave.api yo namraH

Q 67.  What enhances the reputation of a family just as the Sun  causes the blossoming of the lotus?

Ans. The presence of a person who, though endowed

with great merit, remains free from arrogance.

Q 68. कस्य वशे जगदेतत् ?

kasya vashe jagadetat?

Ans. प्रियहितवचनस्य धर्मनिरतस्य

priyahitavachanasyadharmaniratasya

Q 68. Who can win over the society in which he lives?

Ans. He who speaks what is true and beneficial at the same time and

remains faithful to Dharma.                                

Sloka Twenty Eight

विद्वन्मनोहरा का सत्कविता बोधवनिता च ।

कं न स्पृशति विपत्तिः प्रवृद्धवचनानुवर्तिनं दान्तं ॥ २८॥

vidvanmanoharA kA satkavitA bodhavanitA cha |

kaM na spR^ishati vipattiH pravR^iddhavachanAnuvartinaM dAntaM || 28||

Q 69.विद्वन्मनोहरा का ?

vidvanmanoharA Ka?

Ans. सत्कविता बोधवनिता च

satkavitA bodhavanitA cha

Q 69. What attracts the mind of the learned?

Ans. Poetry of high quality as well as the lady of great intelligence.

 Q 70. कं न स्पृशति विपत्तिः ?

kaM na spR^ishati vipattiH?

Ans. प्रवृद्ध वचनानुवर्तिनं दान्तम्

pravR^iddhavachanAnuvartinaM dAntaM

Q 70. Who remains unaffected by calamities?

Ans. He who follows the advice of the wise people and

exercises control over his senses.

Sloka Twenty Nine

कस्मै स्पृहयति कमला त्वनलसचित्ताय नीतिवृत्ताय ।

त्यजति च कं सहसा द्विजगुरुसुरनिन्दाकरं च सालस्यं ॥ २९॥

kasmai spR^ihayati kamalA tvanalasachittAya nItivR^ittAya |

tyajati cha kaM sahasA dvijagurusuranindAkaraM cha sAlasyaM || 29||

Q 71. कस्मै स्पृहयति कमला ?

kasmai spR^ihayati kamala?

Ans. अनलसचित्ताय नीतिवृत्ताय

analasachittAya nItivR^ittAya

Q 71. Who is blessed by the Goddess of Wealth?

Ans. He who is industrious, honest and responsible.

Q 72. त्यजति च कं सहसा ?

tyajati cha kaM sahasA?

Ans. द्विज गुरु सुर निन्दाकरं च सालस्यम्

 dvijagurusuranindAkaraM cha sAlasyaM

Q 72. Whom does she, the Goddess of Wealth, desert  promptly?

 Ans. One who is lazy and shows no respect to the Brahmins, Gurus, Devas

and holy men.

Sloka Thirty

कुत्र विधेयो वासः सज्जननिकटेऽथवा काश्यां ।

कः परिहार्यो देशः पिशुनयुतो लुब्धभूपश्च ॥ ३०॥

kutra vidheyo vAsaH sajjananikaTe.athavA kAshyAM |

kaH parihAryo deshaH pishunayuto lubdhabhUpashcha || 30||

Q 73. कुत्र विधेयो वासः ?

kutra vidheyo vAsaH?

Ans. सज्जननिकटे अथवा काश्यां ।

sajjananikaTe.athavA kAshyAM

Q 73. Which is the most suitable place for one to stay?

Ans. In the neighbourhood of virtuous people or in Kaasi,

the City of Light.

 Q 74. कः परिहार्यो देशः ?

kaH parihAryo deshaH?

Ans. पिशुनयुतो लुब्धभूपश्च

pishunayuto lubdhabhUpashcha

Q 74. Which place shall one avoid?

Ans. A place full of wicked people and governed by a greedy ruler.

Sloka Thirty One

 केनाशोच्यः पुरुषः प्रणतकलत्रेण धीरविभवेन ।

इह भुवने कः शोच्यः सत्यपि विभवे न यो दाता ॥ ३१॥

kenAshochyaH puruShaH praNatakalatreNa dhIravibhavena |

iha bhuvane kaH shochyaH satyapi vibhave na yo dAtA || 31||

Q 75. केनाशोच्यः पुरुषः ?

kenAshochyaH puruShaH?

Ans. प्रणत कलत्रेण धीरविभवेन.

 praNatakalatreNa dhIravibhavena

Q 75. Who is free from sorrow?

 Ans.  One who has a devoted wife and sound financial status will be free from sorrow.

Q 76. इह भुवने कः शोच्यः?

iha bhuvane kaH shochyaH?

Ans. सत्यपि विभवे न यो दाता.

satyapi vibhave na yo dAtA

Q 76. Whom should we pity in this world?

Ans.  A person who, in spite of being rich and powerful,

 does not gift anything, deserves to be pitied.

Sloka Thirty Two

किं लघुताया मूलं प्राकृतपुरुषेषु या याच्ञा ।

रामादपि कः शूरः स्मरशरनिहतो न यश्चलति ॥ ३२॥

kiM laghutAyA mUlaM prAkR^itapuruSheShu yA yAch~nA |

rAmAdapi kaH shUraH smarasharanihato na yashchalati || 32||

77.  किं लघुताया मूलं ?

kiM laghutAyA mUlaM?

Ans. प्राकृत पुरुषेषु या याच्ञा.

 prAkR^itapuruSheShu yA yAch~nA

Q 77. What makes a person disgraceful?

Ans.  If one goes begging for favours from disrespectful people, he becomes disgraceful.

 Q 78. रामादपि कः शूरः ?

rAmAdapi kaH shUraH?

Ans.  स्मर शर निहतो न यश्चलति.

 smarasharanihato na yashchalati

Q 78. Who should be considered braver than Lord Rama?

Ans. One who is able to withstand the arrows of Manmatha, the god of Love..

Sloka Thirty Three

 किमहर्निशमनुचिन्त्यं भगवच्चरणं न संसारः ।

चक्षुष्मन्तोऽप्यन्धाः के स्युः ये नास्तिका मनुजाः ॥ ३३॥

 kimaharnishamanuchintyaM bhagavachcharaNaM na sa.nsAraH |

chaxuShmanto.apyandhAH ke syuH ye nAstikA manujAH || 33||

Q 79. किम् अहर्निशमनुचिन्त्यं ?

kimaharnishamanuchintyaM?

Ans. भगवच्चरणं न संसारः ।

bhagavachcharaNaM na sa.nsAraH

Q 79. What should we contemplate day and night?

 Ans. The Lord’s Lotus Feet but not the material worldly life.

Q 80. चक्षुष्मन्तोऽप्यन्धाः के स्युः ?

chaxuShmanto.apyandhAH ke syuH?

Ans.  ये नास्तिका: मनुजाः.

 ye nAstikA manujAH

Q 80 Who are blind though having eyes?

  Ans. People who have no faith in God.

Sloka Thirty Four

 कः पङ्गुरिह प्रथितो व्रजति च यो वार्द्धके तीर्थं ।

किं तीर्थमपि च मुख्यं चित्तमलं यन्निवर्तयति ॥ ३४॥

kaH pa~Nguriha prathito vrajati cha yo vArddhake tIrthaM |

kiM tIrthamapi cha mukhyaM chittamalaM yannivartayati || 34||

Q 81. कः पङ्गुरिह प्रथित: ?

kaH pa~Nguriha prathitaH?

Ans. व्रजति च यो वार्द्धके तीर्थं

vrajati cha yo vArddhake tIrthaM

Q 81.  Who must be considered lame in this world?

Ans. He who goes on pilgrimage after old age has set in.

Q 82. किं तीर्थमपि च मुख्यं ?

kiM tIrthamapi cha mukhyaM?

Ans. चित्तमलं यन्निवर्तयति.

 chittamalaM yannivartayati

Q 82.  What is the most important pilgrim centre?

Ans.  One that helps to wash away the mind’s impurities.

Sloka Thirty Five

किं स्मर्त्तव्यं पुरुषैः हरिनाम सदा न यावनी भाषा ।

को हि न वाच्यः सुधिया परदोषश्चानृतं तद्वत् ॥ ३५॥

kiM smarttavyaM puruShaiH harinAma sadA na yAvanI bhAShA |

ko hi na vAchyaH sudhiyA paradoShashchAnR^itaM tadvat || 35||

Q 83. किं स्मर्त्तव्यं पुरुषैः ?

kiM smarttavyaM puruShaiH?

Ans. हरिनाम सदा न यावनी भाषा.

harinAma sadA na yAvanI bhAShA

Q 83. What is fit to be remmbered always by people?

 Ans. It is the name of Lord Hari and not the useless speeches made by the materialistic people.

Q 84. को हि न वाच्यः सुधिया ?

ko hi na vAchyaH sudhiyA?

Ans. परदोषश्चानृतं तद्वत्.

 paradoShashchAnR^itaM tadvat

Q 84. What should an intelligent person desist from speaking about?

Ans. He should avoid talking about the defects in others and uttering lies.

Sloka Thirty Six

 किं सम्पाद्यं मनुजैः विद्या वित्तं बलं यशः पुण्यं ।

कः सर्वगुणविनाशी लोभः शत्रुश्च कः कामः ॥ ३६॥

kiM sampAdyaM manujaiH vidyA vittaM balaM yashaH puNyaM |

kaH sarvaguNavinAshI lobhaH shatrushcha kaH kAmaH || 36||

Q 85. किं सम्पाद्यं मनुजैः ?

kiM sampAdyaM manujaiH?

Ans.  विद्या वित्तं बलं यशः पुण्यं.

vidyA vittaM balaM yashaH puNyaM

Q 85. What should peoples’ earnings consist of ?

 Ans. Knowledge, wealth, strength, fame and holiness.

Q 86. कः सर्वगुणविनाशी ?

kaH sarvaguNavinAshI?

Ans. लोभः

lobhaH

 Q 86. What destroys all the good qualities in a person?

Ans. It is Greed.

Q 87. शत्रुश्च कः ?

shatrushcha kaH?

Ans. कामः

kAmaH

Q 87. What is one’s enemy?

Ans.  Lust.

 Sloka Thirty Seven

 का च सभा परिहार्या हीना या वृद्धसचिवेन ।

इह कुत्रावहितः स्यान्मनुजः किल राजसेवायां ॥ ३७॥

kA cha sabhA parihAryA hInA yA vR^iddhasachivena |

iha kutrAvahitaH syAnmanujaH kila rAjasevAyAM || 37||

Q 88. का च सभा परिहार्या ?

kA cha sabhA parihAryA?

Ans.  हीना या वृद्धसचिवेन .

hInA yA vR^iddhasachivena

Q 88. What kind of assemblies should one avoid?

Ans. One should avoid assemblies without good and experienced counselors.

Q 89. इह कुत्रावहितः स्यान्मनुजः ?

iha kutrAvahitaH syAnmanujaH?

 Ans.  किल राजसेवायां

kila rAjasevAyAM

 Q 89. What should a person be very careful about?

 Ans. Indeed, to be in the service of a King or a Ruler.

Sloka Thirty Eight

 प्राणादपि को रम्यः कुलधर्मः साधुसङ्गश्च ।

का संरक्ष्या कीर्तिः पतिव्रता नैजबुद्धिश्च ॥ ३८॥

prANAdapi ko ramyaH kuladharmaH sAdhusa~Ngashcha |

kA sa.nraxyA kIrtiH pativratA naijabuddhishcha || 38||

Q 90. प्राणादपि को रम्यः ?

prANAdapi ko ramyaH?

Ans.  कुलधर्मः साधुसङ्गश्च

kuladharmaH sAdhusa~Ngashcha

Q 90. What gives more joy than life itself?

Ans. Acting according to one’s family traditions and being in the company of saintly people.

Q 91.  का संरक्ष्या ?

kA sa.nraxyA?

Ans. कीर्तिः पतिव्रता नैजबुद्धिश्च

 kIrtiH pativratA naijabuddhishcha

Q 91. What should be protected at all costs?

Ans. One’s good name, one’s devoted and faithful wife and

one’s own intelligence and discrimination.

Sloka Thirty Nine

का कल्पलता लोके सच्छिष्यायार्पिता विद्या ।

कोऽक्षयवटवृक्षः स्यात्विधिवत्सत्पात्रदत्तदानं यत् ॥ ३९॥

kA kalpalatA loke sachChiShyAyArpitA vidyA |

ko.axayavaTavR^ixaH syAtvidhivatsatpAtradattadAnaM yat || 39||

Q 92. का कल्पलता लोके ?

kA kalpalatA loke?

Ans. सच्छिष्यायार्पिता विद्या

sachChiShyAyArpitA vidyA

Q 92. In this world, what is similar to the Kalpalatha, the fabled wish-granting Tree?

Ans. Knowledge transmitted to a worthy disciple.

Q 93.कोऽक्षयवटवृक्षः स्यात् ? 

ko.axayavaTavR^ixaH?

Ans. विधिवत् सत्पात्र दत्त दानं यत्

syAtvidhivatsatpAtradattadAnaM yat

Q 93. What resembles the Akshaya-Vata, the Banyan Tree at Gaya, which is fabled to shower favours unendingly?

The gift given to a worthy person with

 proper attitude of mind.

Sloka Forty

Sloka 40

किं शस्त्रं सर्वेषां युक्तिः माता च का धेनुः ।

किं नु बलं यद्धैर्यं को मृत्युः यदवधानरहितत्वं ॥ ४०॥

kiM shastraM sarveShAM yuktiH mAtA cha kA dhenuH |

kiM nu balaM yaddhairyaM ko mR^ityuH yadavadhAnarahitatvaM || 40||

Q 94. किं शस्त्रं सर्वेषां ?

kiM shastraM sarveShAM?

Ans. युक्तिः

yuktiH

Q 94. What is the weapon available for all?

Ans.   It is the power of reasoning.

Q 95. माता च का ?

mAtA cha Ka?

Ans. धेनुः

dhenuH |

Q 95. Who is the mother for all?     

Ans. The cow.

Q 96. किं नु बलं ?

kiM nu balaM?

Ans. यद्धैर्यं

yaddhairyaM

Q 96. What is real strength?

Ans.        One’ own courage.

Q 97. को मृत्युः ?

ko mR^ityuH?

Ans.   यदवधानरहितत्वं

yadavadhAnarahitatvaM

Q 97. What causes destruction?

Ans. A lazy and careless attitude.

 Sloka Forty One

कुत्र विषं दुष्टजने किमिहाशौचं भवेतृणं नृणां ।

किमभयमिह वैराम्यं भयमपि किं वित्तमेव सर्वेषां ॥ ४१॥

kutra viShaM duShTajane kimihAshauchaM bhavetR^iNaM nR^iNAM |

kimabhayamiha vairAmyaM bhayamapi kiM vittameva sarveShAM || 41||

Q 98. कुत्र विषम् ?

kutra viShaM?

Ans. दुष्टजने

duShTajane

Q 98. Where is poison to be found?

Ans. In the minds of evil persons.

Q 99.  किमिह आशौचं भवेत् ?

kimihAshauchaM bhavet?

Ans.  ऋणं नृणां

kR^iNaM nR^iNAM |

Q 99. What causes impurity?

Ans. The state of indebtedness.

Q 100. किम् अभयमिह ?

Kimabhayamiha?

Ans.  वैराग्यम्

vairAmyaM

Q 100. What is fearlessness?

Ans. The state of non-attachment.

Q 101. भयमपि किम् ?

bhayamapi kiM?

Ans. वित्तमेव सर्वेषाम्  

vittameva sarveShAM

What causes fear?

Ans.  It is wealth, for everyone.

 Sloka Forty Two

का दुर्लभा नराणां हरिभक्तिः पातकं च किं हिंसा ।

को हि भगवत्प्रियः स्यात्योऽन्यं नोद्वेजयेदनुद्विग्नः ॥ ४२॥

kA durlabhA narANAM haribhaktiH pAtakaM cha kiM hi.nsA |

ko hi bhagavatpriyaH syAtyo.anyaM nodvejayedanudvignaH || 42||

Q 102. का दुर्लभा नराणाम् ?

kA durlabhA narANAM?

Ans.  हरिभक्तिः

haribhaktiH

Q 102. What is rarely obtained among human beings?

Ans. Devotion and Love for Hari.

Q 103. पातकं च किम् ?

Ans. हिंसा

pAtakaM cha kiM hi.nsA

Q 103. What is sinful?

Ans. Cruelty.

Q 104.को हि भगवत्प्रियः स्यात् ?

ko hi bhagavatpriyaH syAt?

Ans. यो अन्यं  न उद्वेजयेत्  अनुद्विग्नः

yo.anyaM nodvejayedanudvignaH

Q 104. Who is dear to the Lord?

Ans.  He who does not cause others to get angry

nor gets himself angry.

Sloka 43

कस्मात् सिद्धिः तपसः बुद्धिः क्व नु भूसुरे कुतो बुद्धिः ।

वृद्धोपसेवया के वृद्धा ये धर्मतत्त्वज्ञाः ॥ ४३॥

kasmAt siddhiH tapasaH buddhiH kva nu bhUsure kuto buddhiH |

vR^iddhopasevayA ke vR^iddhA ye dharmatattvaj~nAH || 43||

Q 105. कस्मात् सिद्धिः ?

kasmAt siddhiH?

Ans. तपसः

tapasaH

Q 105. What causes success or Siddhi?

Ans.  It is by means of concentrated effort.

Q 106. बुद्धिः क्व नु ?

buddhiH kva nu?

Ans. भूसुरे

bhUsure

Q 106. Where is intelligence found?

 Ans.  It is found in those who honour Bhusuras or the Brahmins.

Q 107. कुतो बुद्धिः?

kuto buddhiH?

Ans. वृद्धोपसेवया

vR^iddhopasevayA

Q 107. Where does intelligence come from?

Ans. Through respect for the advice of wise

and elderly people.

Q 108. के वृद्धा😕

ke vR^iddhA?

Ans. ये धर्मतत्त्वज्ञाः

ye dharmatattvaj~nAH

Q 108. Who are the elders?

Ans. Those who know the essence of Dharma.

Sloka 44

सम्भावितस्य मरणादधिकं किं दुर्यशो भवति ।

लोके सुखी भवेत्को धनवान्धनमपि च किं यतश्चेष्टं ॥ ४४॥

sambhAvitasya maraNAdadhikaM kiM duryasho bhavati |

loke sukhI bhavetko dhanavAndhanamapi cha kiM yatashcheShTaM || 44||

Q 109. सम्भावितस्य मरणादधिकं किम् ?

 sambhAvitasya maraNAdadhikaM kiM?

Ans. दुर्यशो भवति

duryasho bhavati |

Q 109. What is more dreadful than death

 to a respectable person?

Ans.  Getting bad reputation.

Q 110. लोके सुखी भवेत् कः?

loke sukhI bhavet kH?

Ans. धनवान्

dhanavAn

Q 110.  Who is considered to be happy in the worldly life?

Ans.  The wealthy man.

Q 111. धनमपि च किम् ?

dhanamapi cha kiM?

Ans. यतश्चेष्टम्

yatashcheShTaM

Q 111. What is meant by wealth?

Ans. That which enables one to obtain the objects one desires.

Sloka 45

सर्वसुखानां बीजं किं पुण्यं दुःखमपि कुतः पापात् ।

कस्यैश्वर्यं यः किल शङ्करमाराधयेद्भक्त्या ॥ ४५॥

sarvasukhAnAM bIjaM kiM puNyaM duHkhamapi kutaH pApAt |

kasyaishvaryaM yaH kila sha~NkaramArAdhayedbhaktyA || 45||

Q 112. सर्वसुखानां बीजं किम् ?

sarvasukhAnAM bIjaM kiM?

Ans.  पुण्यम्

puNyaM

Q 112.  What is the source of all happiness?

 Ans. The merit resulting from one’s good actions.

 Q 113. दुःखमपि कुतः ?

duHkhamapi kutaH?

Ans. पापात्

pApAt

Q 113. And what causes misery?

Ans. One’s sins.

Q 114. कस्यैश्वर्यम् ?

kasyaishvaryaM?

Ans.  यः किल शङ्करमाराधयेद्भक्त्या

yaH kila sha~NkaramArAdhayedbhaktyA

Q 114.  How does one get endowed with Aiswaryam or  Lordliness?

 Ans.  Indeed, it is through devotional worship of Lord Shiva.

Sloka 46

को वर्द्धते विनीतः को वा हीयेत यो दृप्तः ।

को न प्रत्येतव्यो ब्रूते यश्चानृतं शश्वत् ॥ ४६॥

ko varddhate vinItaH ko vA hIyeta yo dR^iptaH |

ko na pratyetavyo brUte yashchAnR^itaM shashvat || 46||

Q 115. को वर्द्धते ?

ko varddhate?

Ans. विनीतः

vinItaH

Q 115. Who reaches higher levels in life?

Ans.  One who is endowed with  humility.

Q 116. को वा हीयेते?

ko vA hIyete

Ans. यो दृप्तः

yo dR^iptaH

Q 116. Who faces downfall in life?

Ans.  One who is proud and arrogant.

Q 117. को न प्रत्येतव्य: ?

ko na pratyetavyo?

Ans.  ब्रूते यश्चानृतं शश्वत्

brUte yashchAnR^itaM shashvat

Q 117. Who should not be trusted?

Ans. One who is a habitual liar.

Sloka 47

कुत्रानृतेऽप्यपापां यच्चोक्तं धर्मरक्षार्थं ।

को धर्मोऽभिमतो यः शिष्टानां निजकुलीनानां ॥ ४७॥

kutrAnR^ite.apyapApAM yachchoktaM dharmaraxArthaM |

ko dharmo.abhimato yaH shiShTAnAM nijakulInAnAM || 47||

Q 118. कुत्र अनृतेऽपि अपापम्?

kutrAnR^ite.apyapApAM?

Ans. यच्चोक्तं धर्म रक्षार्थम्

 yachchoktaM dharmaraxArthaM

Q 118. In which context telling a lie is not considered sinful?

 Ans.  When there is no other way to protect one’s Dharma.

Q 119. को धर्म😕

ko dharmo?

Ans. अभिमतो यः शिष्टानां निजकुलीनानाम्  

abhimato yaH shiShTAnAM nijakulInAnAM

Q 119. What is Dharma?

Ans. Dharma constitutes all the traditions that one’s respected ancestors have followed.

Sloka 48

साधुबलं किं दैवं कः साधुः सर्वदा तुष्टः ।

दैवं किं यत्सुकृतं कः सुकृती श्लाघ्यते च यः सद्भिः ॥ ४८॥

sAdhubalaM kiM daivaM kaH sAdhuH sarvadA tuShTaH |

daivaM kiM yatsukR^itaM kaH sukR^itI shlAghyate cha yaH sadbhiH || 48||

Q 120. साधुबलं किम्?

sAdhubalaM kiM?

Ans. दैवम्

daivaM

Q 120. Who gives strength to a Saadhu?

Ans. God.

Q 121. कः साधुः ?

kaH sAdhuH?

Ans. सर्वदा तुष्टः

sarvadA tuShTaH

Q 121. Who is a Saadhu?

Ans. One who remains ever satisfied.

Q 122. दैवं किम्?

daivaM kiM?

Ans. यत्सुकृतम्

yatsukR^itaM

Q 122. What is Daivam or Fate?

Ans. One’s meritorious actions.

Q 123. कः सुकृती ?

kaH sukR^itI?

Ans. श्लाघ्यते च यः सद्भिः

shlAghyate cha yaH sadbhiH

Q 123. Who is he that has meritorious actions to his credit?

Ans. He who has the approval and admiration of virtuous people

Sloka 49

गृहमेधिनश्च मित्रं किं भार्या को गृही च यो यजते ।

को यज्ञो यः श्रुत्या विहितः श्रेयस्करो नृणां ॥ ४९॥

gR^ihamedhinashcha mitraM kiM bhAryA ko gR^ihI cha yo yajate |

ko yaj~no yaH shrutyA vihitaH shreyaskaro nR^iNAM || 49||

Q 124. गृहमेधिनश्च मित्रं किम् ?

gR^ihamedhinashcha mitraM kiM?

Ans. भार्या

bhAryA

Q 124. Who is the real friend and well-wisher of a house-holder?

Ans. A faithful wife.

Q 125. को गृही च ?

ko gR^ihI cha?

यो यजते

yo yajate

Q 125. Who is a house-holder?

Ans.  One who performs the ordained Yagnas.           

Q 126. को यज्ञ: ?

ko yaj~no yaH?

Ans. यः श्रुत्या विहितः श्रेयस्करो नृणाम्

shrutyA vihitaH shreyaskaro nR^iNAM

 Q 126. What is a Yagna?

 Ans. That which is set forth in the Vedas as a duty for people to achieve well-being and progress.

Sloka 50

कस्य क्रिया हि सफला यः पुनराचारवां शिष्टः ।

कः शिष्टो यो वेदप्रमाणवां को हतः क्रियाभ्रष्टः ॥ ५०॥

kasya kriyA hi saphalA yaH punarAchAravAM shiShTaH |

kaH shiShTo yo vedapramANavAM ko hataH kriyAbhraShTaH || 50||

Q 127. कस्य क्रिया हि सफला ?

kasya kriyA hi saphalA?

Ans.  यः पुनराचारवान् शिष्टः

yaH punarAchAravAM shiShTaH

Q 127. Whose actions will bear fruit?

Ans. Those actions that conform to rules of ritualistic purity performed by a Shista or virtuous person.

Q 128. कः शिष्ट: ?

kaH shiShTo?

Ans. यो वेदप्रमाणवान्

yo vedapramANavAM

Q 128. Who is a Shista?

Ans.  Who acts strictly according to Vedic injunctions.

 Q 129. को हतः ?

ko hataH?

Ans. क्रियाभ्रष्टः

kriyAbhraShTaH

Q 129. Who is considered to be dead even while living?

Ans. He who has given up the duties as ordained by the Vedas.

Sloka Fifty One

को धन्यः संन्यासी को मान्यः पण्डितः साधुः ।

कः सेव्यो यो दाता को दाता योऽर्थितृप्तिमातनुते ॥ ५१॥

ko dhanyaH saMnyAsI ko mAnyaH paNDitaH sAdhuH |

kaH sevyo yo dAtA ko dAtA yo.arthitR^iptimAtanute || 51||

Q 130. को धन्यः ?

ko dhanyaH?

Ans. संन्यासी

saMnyAsI

Q 130. Who is blessed with abundance?

Ans. A Sannyasi or one who has renounced everything.

Q 131. को मान्यः ?

ko mAnyaH?

Ans. पण्डितः साधुः

paNDitaH sAdhuH

Q 131. Who deserves to be honoured?

 Ans. One who is learned, wise and good.

Q 132. कः सेव्य😕

kaH sevyH?

Ans. यो दाता

yo dAtA

Q132. Who is fit to be served?

Ans. One who is generous in giving gifts.

Q 133. को दाता ?

ko dAtA

Ans. यो अर्थि तृप्तिमातनुते

yo.arthitR^iptimAtanute

Q 133. Who is said to be liberal in giving?

Ans. One who satisfies those who are in need.

Sloka Fifty-Two

किं भाग्यं देहवतामारोग्यं कः फली कृषिकृत् ।

कस्य न पापं जपतः कः पूर्णो यः प्रजावां स्यात् ॥ ५२॥

kiM bhAgyaM dehavatAmArogyaM kaH phalI kR^iShikR^it |

kasya na pApaM japataH kaH pUrNo yaH prajAvAM syAt || 52||

Q 134.किं भाग्यम् देहवताम् ?

kiM bhAgyaM dehavatAm?

Ans. अlरोग्यम्

ArogyaM

Q134. What is the greatest fortune for an embodied being?

Ans. Sound health.

Q 135. कः फली ?

kaH phalI?

Ans. कृषिकृत्

kR^iShikR^it

Q 135. Who reaps the fruits of his efforts?

Ans. He who puts all his efforts in his chosen field.

Q 136. कस्य न पापम् ?

kasya na pApaM?

Ans. जपतः

japataH

Q 136. Who is free from sin?

Ans. One who continuously repeats the names of the Lord.

Q 137. कः पूर्ण😕

kaH pUrNo?

Ans. यः प्रजावान् स्यात्

yaH prajAvAM syAt

Q 137. Who is said to have obtained fulfilment?

Ans. One who has virtuous progeny.      

 Sloka Fifty-Three

 किं दुष्करं नराणां यन्मनसो निग्रहः सततं ।

को ब्रह्मचर्यवां स्यात्यश्चास्खलितोर्ध्वरेतस्कः ॥ ५३॥ 

kiM duShkaraM narANAM yanmanaso nigrahaH satataM |

ko brahmacharyavAM syAtyashchAskhalitordhvaretaskaH || 53||

Q 138. किं दुष्करं नराणाम् ?

kiM duShkaraM narANAM?

Ans. यन्मनसो निग्रह: सततम्  

yanmanaso nigrahaH satataM

Q 138. What is the most difficult thing for a person to do?

Ans. To keep one’s  mind  always  under control. 

Q 139. को ब्रह्मचर्यवान् स्यात् ?

ko brahmacharyavAM syAtyat?

 Ans. यश्च अस्खलित उूर्ध्वरेतस्कः  

Yashch AskhalitordhvaretaskaH

Q 139. Who is a true Brahmachari, one who exercises restraint?

Ans. One whose libido or sex-drive has been sublimated.

Sloka Fifty-Four

 का च परदेवतोक्ता चिच्छक्तिः को जगत्भर्ता ।

सूर्यः सर्वेषां को जीवनहेतुः स पर्जन्यः ॥ ५४॥

kA cha paradevatoktA chichChaktiH ko jagatbhartA |

sUryaH sarveShAM ko jIvanahetuH sa parjanyaH || 54||

Q 140. का च परदेवतोक्ता ?

kA cha paradevatoktA?

Ans. चिच्छक्तिः

chichChaktiH

Q 140. Who is known as Paradevata or Supreme Goddess?

Ans. The Power of Pure Consciousness that is known as Bhagavati.

Q  141. को जगत्भर्ता ?

ko jagatbhartA?

Ans. सूर्यः

sUryaH

Q  141. Who rules the entire universe?

Ans. The Sun with his light and heat.

Q 142. सर्वेषां को जीवनहेतुः?

sarveShAM ko jIvanahetuH?

Ans. स पर्जन्यः

sa parjanyaH

Q 142. What is it that sustains and supports all living beings?

Ans.  It is Rain.

Sloka  Fifty-Five

कः शूरो यो भीतत्राता त्राता च कः सद्गुरुः ।

को हि जगद्गुरुरुक्तः शम्भुः ज्ञानं कुतः शिवादेव ॥ ५५॥

kaH shuro yo bhItatrAtA trAtA cha kaH sadguruH |

ko hi jagadgururuktaH shambhuH j~nAnaM kutaH shivAdeva || 55||

Q 143. कः  शूर: ?

kaH shurH?

Ans.  यो भीतत्राता

yo bhItatrAtA

Q 143. Who is a real hero?

Ans.  He who gives protection to the frightened ones.

Q 144. त्राता च कः? 

trAtA cha kaH?

Ans. सद्गुरुः

sadguruH

Q 144. Who is a true protector?

Ans.  The Guru, the spiritual teacher.

Q 145.  को हि जगद्गुरुरुक्तः ?

ko hi jagadgururuktaH?

Ans. शम्भुः  

shambhuH

Q 145. Who is known as the Universal Preceptor or Jagatguru?

Ans. It is Shambhu or Lord Shiva.

Q 146. ज्ञानं कुतः ?

j~nAnaM kutaH?

Ans. शिवादेव

shivAdeva

Q 146. From whom does one acquire Gnana or Knowledge?

Ans. From Lord Shiva indeed!

Sloka Fifty-Six

मुक्तिं लभेत कस्मान्मुकुन्दभक्तेः मुकुन्दः कः ।

यस्तारयेदविद्यां का चाविद्या यदात्मनोऽस्फूर्तिः ॥ ५६॥

muktiM labheta kasmAnmukundabhakteH mukundaH kaH |

yastArayedavidyAM kA chAvidyA yadAtmano.asphUrtiH || 56||

Q 147. मुक्तिं लभेत कस्मात् ?

muktiM labheta kasmAt?

Ans. मुकुन्दभक्तेः

mukundabhakte

Q 147. From whom will Liberation be obtained?

Ans. Through whole-hearted devotion to Mukunda.

Q 148.  मुकुन्दः कः ?

mukundaH kaH?

Ans. यस्तारयेत् अविद्याम्

yastArayedavidyAM?

Q 148. Who is Mukunda?

Ans. The Lord who takes us beyond Ignorance or avidya.

Q 149.  का चाविद्या ?

kA chAvidyA?

Ans. यदात्मनो अस्फूर्तिः

yadAtmano.asphUrtiH

Q 149. What is avidya or ignorance?

Ans. It is the absence of full knowledge of oneself.

Sloka Fifty-Seven

कस्य न शोको यः स्याद्क्रोधः किं सुखं तुष्टिः ।

को राजा रञ्चनकृत्कश्चश्वा नीचसेवको यः स्यात् ॥ ५७॥

kasya na shoko yaH syAdkrodhaH kiM sukhaM tuShTiH |

ko rAjA ra~nchanakR^itkashcha shvA nIchasevako yaH syAt || 57||

Q 150.  कस्य न शोक: ?

kasya na shokH?

Ans. यः स्याद् अक्रोधः

yaH syAdkrodhaH

Q 150. Who is free from sorrow?

Ans. One who never gets angry.

Q 151.  किं सुखं ?

kiM sukhaM?

Ans. तुष्टिः

tuShTiH

Q 151. What is happiness?

Ans. The state of contentment.

 Q 152.  को राजा ?

ko rAjA?

Ans. रञ्चनकृत्

ra~nchanakR^it

Q 152. Who is a king or a ruler?

Ans. One who gains the loyalty of his subjects.

Q 153.   कश्च श्वा ?

kashcha shvA?

Ans. नीचसेवको यः स्यात्

nIchasevako yaH syAt

Q 153. Who is dog-like?

Ans. One who seeks favours from a mean person.

Sloka Fifty-Eight

को मायी परमेशः क इन्द्रजालायते प्रपञ्चोऽयं ।

कः स्वप्ननिभो जाग्रद्व्यवहारः सत्यमपि च किं ब्रह्म ॥ ५८॥

ko mAyI parameshaH ka indrajAlAyate prapa~ncho.ayaM |

kaH svapnanibho jAgradvyavahAraH satyamapi cha kiM brahma || 58||

Q 154.  को मायी ?

ko mAyI?

Ans. परमेशः

parameshaH

Q 154. Who is the Lord of Maya?

Ans.The Supreme Lord

Q 155.  क: इन्द्रजालायते ?

ka indrajAlAyate?

Ans. प्रपञ्चोऽयम्  

prapa~ncho.ayaM |

155. What is true magic?

Ans. The ever-changing world.

Q 156.  कः स्वप्ननिभ: ?

kaH svapnanibhaH

Q Ans. जाग्रद्  व्यवहारः

jAgradvyavahAraH

Q 156.  What resembles the dream experience?

Ans. The activities we perform in the waking state.

Q 157.  सत्यमपि च किम् ?

satyamapi cha kiM?

Ans. ब्रह्म

brahma

Q 157.  What is the True or Real Being?

Ans.  It is Brahman or the Supreme Being.

Sloka Fifty-Nine

 किं मिथ्या यद्विद्यानाश्यं तुच्छं तु शशविषाणादि ।

का चानिर्वाच्या माया किं कल्पितं द्वैतं ॥ ५९॥

kiM mithyA yadvidyAnAshyaM tuchChaM tu shashaviShANAdi |

kA chAnirvAchyA mAyA kiM kalpitaM dvaitaM || 59||

Q 158.  किं मिथ्या ?

kiM mithyA?

Ans. यद्विद्या नाश्यम्

yadvidyAnAshyaM

Q 158. What is Mithya  – that which is false and illusory?

 Ans. That which disappears when true knowledge dawns.

Q 159.  तुच्छं तु ?

tuchChaM tu?

Ans. शशविषाणादि

shashaviShANAdi

Q 159. What is thuccha or that which is considered as non-existent?

Ans.  Illusory ideas like ‘horn of a hare’ or the ‘sky-flower’.

Q 160.  का च अनिर्वाच्या ?

kA chAnirvAchyA?

Ans. माया

mAyA

Q 160. What is it that cannot be determined either as real or as unreal?

Ans. It is Maya.

Q 161.  किं कल्पितम् ?

kiM kalpitaM?

Ans. द्वैतम्

dvaitaM

Q 161. What is it that is super-imposed?

Ans. Duality or Dvaitam.

 Sloka Sixty

 किं पाtरमार्थिकं स्यादद्वैतं चाज्ञता कुतोऽनादिः ।

वपुषश्च पोषकं किं प्रारब्धं चान्नदायि किं चायुः ॥ ६०॥

kiM pAramArthikaM syAdadvaitaM chAj~natA kuto.anAdiH |

vapuShashcha poShakaM kiM prArabdhaM chAnnadAyi kiM chAyuH || 60||

Q 162. किं पारमार्थिकं स्यात् ?

kiM pAramArthikaM syAt?

Ans. अद्वैतम्

adadvaitaM

Q 162. What is real absolutely?

Ans. Advaitam or Nonduality.

Q 163. च अज्ञता  कुत😕

chAj~natA kutaH?

Ans. अनादिः

anAdiH |

Q 163. Wherefrom comes Ignorance?

Ans. It is beginning-less.

Q 164.  वपुषश्च पोषकं किम् ?

vapuShashcha poShakaM kiM?

Ans. प्रारब्धम्  

prArabdhaM

Q 164. What is it that sustains the body?

Ans. It is Prarabdha, the resultant of past Karma.

Q  165.   च अन्नदायि किम् ?

chAnnadAyi kiM?

Ans. च आयुः

chAyuH

Q  165. What gives us food to sustain ourselves?

Ans. Longevity or the span of life given by Prarabdha.

Sloka Sixty-One

को ब्रह्मणैरुपास्यो गायत्र्यर्काग्निगोचरः शम्भुः ।

गायत्र्यामादित्ये चाग्नौ शम्भ च किं नु तत्तत्त्वं ॥ ६१॥

ko brahmaNairupAsyo gAyatryarkAgnigocharaH shambhuH |

gAyatryAmAditye chAgnau shambha cha kiM nu tattattvaM || 61||

Q 166.  को ब्रह्मणै: उपास्य: ?

ko brahmaNairupAsyaH?

Ans. गायत्री अर्क अग्नि गोचर: शम्भुः

agAyatryarkAgnigocharaH shambhuH

Q 166. Whom should the Brahmana worship?

 Ans. Shambhu or Shiva as denoted by Gayatri, the Sun and Fire as symbols for worship.

Q 167.  गायत्र्याम् आदित्ये च अग्नौ  शम्भौ च किं नु ?

gAyatryAmAditye chAgnau shambha cha kiM nu?

Ans. तत् तत्त्वम्

tattattvaM

Q 167. What is common to all the Four: Gayatri, the Sun, Fire and Shambhu?

Ans. The Reality or the Essence of all the Four.

Sloka Sixty-Two

प्रत्यक्षदेवता का माता पूज्यो गुरुश्च कः तातः ।

कः सर्वदेवतात्मा विद्याकर्मान्वितो विप्रः ॥ ६२॥

prAtyaxadevatA kA mAtA pUjyo gurushcha kaH tAtaH |

kaH sarvadevatAtmA vidyAkarmAnvito vipraH || 62||

Q 168.  प्रत्यक्ष देवता का ?

prAtyaxadevatA kA?

Ans. माता

mAtA

Q 168.  Whom should we consider the Visible Deity?

Ans. The Mother..

Q 169.  पूज्यो गुरुश्च कः ?

pUjyo gurushcha kaH?

Ans. तातः

tAtaH

Q 169. Who is the Elder Person that should always be respected?

Ans. One’s Father.

Q 170.  कः सर्वदेवतात्मा ?

kaH sarvadevatAtmA?

Ans. विद्या कर्मान्वितो विप्रः

vidyAkarmAnvito vipraH

 Q 170. Who is the embodiment of all divinities?

Ans. The Brahmin that possesses all Knowledge and proper conduct.

Sloka Sixty-Three

कश्च कुलक्षयहेतुः सन्तापः सज्जनेषु योऽकारि ।

केषाममोघ वचनं ये च पुनः सत्यमौनशमशीलाः ॥ ६३॥

kashcha kulaxayahetuH santApaH sajjaneShu yo.akAri |

keShAmamogha vachanaM ye cha punaH satyamaunashamashIlAH || 63||

Q 171.  कश्च कुलक्षय हेतुः ?

kashcha kulaxayahetuH?

Ans. सन्तापः सज्जनेषु यो अकारि

santApaH sajjaneShu yo.akAri

Q 171. What leads to the decay and downfall of families and communities?

Ans. The persecution of holy and saintly people.

Q 172.   केषाम् अमोघ वचनं ?

keShAmamogha vachanaM?

Ans. ये च पुनः सत्य मौन शम शीलाः

ye cha punaH satyamaunashamashIlAH

Q 172. Whose words never fail?

Ans.  The words of those

a.  who always speak the truth.

b. who observe silence and

c.  who are always patient.

Sloka Sixty-Four

किं जन्म विषयसङ्गः किमुत्तरं जन्म पुत्रः स्यात् ।

कोऽपरिहार्यो मृत्युः कुत्र पदं विन्यसेच्च दृक्पूते ॥ ६४॥

kiM janma viShayasa~NgaH kimuttaraM janma putraH syAt |

ko.aparihAryo mR^ityuH kutra padaM vinyasechcha dR^ikpUte || 64||

Q 173.  किं जन्म ?

kiM janma?

Ans. विषयसङ्गः

viShayasa~NgaH

Q 173. What is the reason for taking birth?

Ans. Attachment to the objects of enjoyment.

Q 174.  किमुत्तरं जन्म ?

kimuttaraM janma?

Ans. पुत्रः स्यात्

putraH syAt |

Q 174. What is known as one’s second birth?

Ans. It is one’s own son.

Q 175.  को अपरिहार्य: ?

ko.aparihAryaH?

Ans. मृत्युः

mR^ityuH

Q 175. What is inevitable?

Ans. Death.

Q 176.  कुत्र पदं विन्यसेच्च ?

kutra padaM vinyasechcha?

Ans. दृक्पूते

dR^ikpUte

Q 176. Which place should we choose to stay?

Ans. At the place that is found to be pure and clean.

 Sloka Sixty-Five

 पात्रं किमन्नदाने क्षुधितं कोऽर्च्यो हि भगवदवतारः ।

कश्च भगवान्महेशः शङ्करनारायणात्मैकः ॥ ६५॥

 pAtraM kimannadAne xudhitaM ko.archyo hi bhagavadavatAraH |

kashcha bhagavAnmaheshaH sha~NkaranArAyaNAtmaikaH || 65||

Q 177.  पात्रं किम् अन्नदाने ?

pAtraM kimannadAne?

Ans. क्षुधितम्

xudhitaM

Q 177. Who is the proper person to receive the gift of food?

Ans. One who is hungry.

Q 178.  को अर्च्यो हि ?

ko.archyo hi

Ans. भगवदवतारः

bhagavadavatAraH

Q178. Who is worthy of being worshipped?

Ans. The Avatara or the descent of Bhagavan

 Q 179.कश्च भगवान् ?

kashcha bhagavAn

Ans. महेशः शङ्करनारायणात्मैकः

maheshaH sha~NkaranArAyaNAtmaikaH

Q 179.Who is Bhagavan?

Ans. The Supreme Being that is worshipped both as

Shankara and Narayana.

Sloka Sixty-Six

फलमपि भगवद्भक्तेः किं तल्लोकस्वरुपसाक्षात्त्वं ।

मोक्षश्च को ह्यविद्यास्तमयः कः सर्ववेदभूः अथ च ॐ ॥ ६६॥

phalamapi bhagavadbhakteH kiM tallokasvarupasAxAttvaM |

moxashcha ko hyavidyAstamayaH kaH sarvavedabhUH atha cha OM || 66||

Q 180.  फलमपि भगवद्भक्तेः किं ?

phalamapi bhagavadbhakteH kiM?

Ans. तल्लोक स्वरूपसाक्षात्त्वं

tallokasvarupasAxAttvaM

Q180. What is the reward for devotion to Bhagavan?

Ans. The direct realization of the Divine Reality and Presence.

Q 181.  मोक्षश्च क: ?

moxashcha kaH?

Ans. हि अविद्यास्तमयः

hyavidyAstamayaH

Q 181. What is meant by Moksha or Liberation?

Ans. It is becoming free from Ignorance.

Q 182.   कः सर्व वेदभूः ?

kaH sarvavedabhUH?

Ans. अथ च ॐ

atha cha OM

Q 182. What is the source of all the Vedas?

 Ans. It is the Sacred Syllable AUM.

Sloka Sixty-Seven           PHALASRUTI

 इत्येषा कण्ठस्था प्रश्नोत्तररत्नमालिका येषां ।

ते मुक्ताभरणा इव विमलाश्चा भान्ति सत्समाजेषु ॥ ६७॥

ityeShA kaNThasthA prashnottararatnamAlikA yeShAM |

te muktAbharaNA iva vimalAshchAbhAnti satsamAjeShu || 67||

With the wisdom acquired from this poem of questions and answers,

one would shine forth with radiance, like an ornament of pearls,

in the company of wise people.

॥ इति श्रीमद् शङ्कराचार्यविरचिता प्रश्नोत्तररत्नमालिका समाप्ता ॥

|| iti shrImad sha~NkarAchAryavirachitA prashnottararatnamAlikA samAptA ||

 ಪ್ರಶ್ನೋತ್ತರ ರತ್ನ ಮಾಲಿಕೆ

 प्रश्नोत्तररत्नमालिका

 Prasnottara Rathna Maalikaa 

                              Sloka  Two

भगवन्, किमुपादेयं गुरुवचनं, हेयमपि  किमकार्यं l

को गुरुः अधिगततत्त्वः शिष्यहितायोद्यतः सततं ॥

ಭಗವನ್ ಕಿಮುಪಾದೇಯಂ ಗುರುವಚನಂ ಹೇಯಮಪಿ ಕಿಮಕಾರ್ಯಂ l

ಕೋ ಗುರುಃ ಅಧಿಗತತತ್ತ್ವಃ ಶಿಷ್ಯಹಿತಾಯೋದ್ಯತಃ ಸತತಂ ॥ 2 ॥

2ನೇ ಶ್ಲೋಕ

Q 1 –  भगवन्,  किमुपादेयं ?

ಭಗವನ್, ಕಿಮುಪಾದೇಯಂ? 

ಭಗವನ್, ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಸ್ವೀಕಾರರ್ಹವಾಗಿರುವುದು

ಯಾವುದು?

Ans – गुरुवचनं  

ಗುರುವಚನಂ                                                                                

ಗುರುವಿನಿಂದ ನೀಡಲಾದ ಬೋಧನೆ.

Q 2 –  हेयमपि किम् ?

ಹೇಯಮಪಿ ಕಿಮ್ ?

ನಾವು ಯಾವುದನ್ನು ತೊರೆಯಬೇಕು?

Ans – अकार्यं

ಅಕಾರ್ಯಂ

ಮಾಡಬಾರದ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಅಂದರೆ ಅಕಾರ್ಯವನ್ನು ತೊರೆಯಬೇಕು.

Q 3 –    को गुरुः ?

ಕೋ ಗುರುಃ?

ಯಾರು ಗುರುವು?

Ans – अधिगततत्त्वः शिष्यहितायोद्यतः सततं

ಅಧಿಗತತತ್ತ್ವಃ ಶಿಷ್ಯಹಿತಾಯೋದ್ಯತಃ ಸತತಂ

ಯಾರು ಸತ್ಯವನ್ನು ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟವಾಗಿ ಗ್ರಹಿಸಿರುತ್ತಾರೆಯೋ ಮತ್ತು ಯಾರು ಸತತವಾಗಿ ಶಿಷ್ಯನ ಹಿತಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಕಾರ್ಯ ನಿರ್ವಹಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆಯೋ ಅವನೇ ಗುರುವು.

Sloka Three

त्वरितं किं कर्तव्यं विदुषां संसारसन्ततिच्छेदः ।

किं मोक्षतरोर्बीजं सम्यक्ज्ञानं क्रियासिद्धं ॥ ३॥

ತ್ವರಿತಂ ಕಿಂ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಂ ವಿದುಷಾಂ ಸಂಸಾರಸಂತತಿಚ್ಛೇದಃ l

ಕಿಂ ಮೋಕ್ಷತರೋರ್ಬೀಜಂ ಸಮ್ಯಕ್ಜ್ಞಾನಂ ಕ್ರಿಯಾಸಿದ್ಧಂ ॥ 3 ॥

3ನೇ ಶ್ಲೋಕ

Q 4 –  त्वरितं किं कर्तव्यं विदुषां ?

ತ್ವರಿತಂ ಕಿಂ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಂ ವಿದುಷಾಂ?

ನಿಜವಾದ ವಿದ್ವಾಂಸನ ತ್ವರಿತವಾದ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯವೇನು?

Ans – संसारसन्ततिच्छेदः

 ಸಂಸಾರಸಂತತಿಚ್ಛೇದಃ           

 ಹುಟ್ಟು ಮತ್ತು ಸಾವಿನ ಪುನರಾವರ್ತನದಿಂದ ಮುಕ್ತಿ ಹೊಂದುವ ಸಲುವಾಗಿ ಶ್ರಮಿಸುವುದು.

Q 5 –   किं मोक्षतरोर्बीजं ?

ಕಿಂ ಮೋಕ್ಷತರೋರ್ಬೀಜಂ?

ಮೋಕ್ಷದ ಮೂಲಸ್ಥಾನ ಅಥವಾ ಆಕರ ಬೀಜವು ಯಾವುದು? 

Ans – सम्यक्ज्ञानं क्रियासिद्धं

ಸಮ್ಯಕ್ಜ್ಞಾನಂ ಕ್ರಿಯಾಸಿದ್ಧಂ      

ಪರಿಪೂರ್ಣವಾದ ಸಮ್ಯಕ್ ಜ್ಞಾನದ ಆರ್ಜನೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅದನ್ನು ಕ್ರಿಯಾರೂಪಕ್ಕೆ ತರುವ ಅನ್ವಯತೆ.

Sloka Four

कः पथ्यतरो धर्मः कः शुचिरिह यस्य मानसं शुद्धं ।

कः पण्डितो विवेकी किं विषमवधीरणा गुरुषु ॥ ४॥

ಕಃ ಪಥ್ಯತರೋ ಧರ್ಮಃ ಕಃ ಶುಚಿರಿಹ ಯಸ್ಯ ಮಾನಸಂ ಶುದ್ಧಂ l

ಕಃ ಪಂಡಿತೋ ವಿವೇಕೀ ಕಿಂ ವಿಷಮವಧೀರಣಾ ಗುರುಷು ॥ 4 ॥

 4ನೇ ಶ್ಲೋಕ

Q 6 – कः पथ्यतर😕

ಯಾವುದು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಪ್ರಯೋಜನಕಾರಿಯಾದುದು

Ans – धर्मः

ಧರ್ಮ

Q 7 – कः शुचिरिह?

ಕಃ ಶುಚಿರಿಹ?

ಈ ಪ್ರಪಂಚದಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾರು ಪರಿಶುದ್ಧರು ಮತ್ತು ನಿಷ್ಕಳಂಕರು?

Ans –  यस्य मानसं शुद्धं

ಯಸ್ಯ ಮಾನಸಂ ಶುದ್ಧಂ

ಪರಿಶುದ್ಧ ಮತ್ತು ನಿಷ್ಕಳಂಕ ಮನಸ್ಸುಳ್ಳವರು.

Q 8 –   कः पण्डित😕

ಕಃ ಪಂಡಿತಃ?

ಯಾರು ಪಂಡಿತರು ಮತ್ತು ಜಾಣರು?

Ans – विवेकी

ವಿವೇಕೀ

ವಿವೇಚನಾ ಶಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಸಂಪನ್ನನಾದ ವಿವೇಕಿ.

Q 9-   किं विषम्?

ಕಿಂ ವಿಷಮ್?

ಯಾವುದು ವಿಷ?

Ans – अवधीरणा गुरुषु

ಅವಧೀರಣಾ ಗುರುಷು

ಗುರುಹಿರಿಯರ ಉಪದೇಶವನ್ನು ಅನಾದರಣೆ ಮಾಡುವುದು. 

Sloka Five

 किं संसारे सारं बहुशोऽपि विचिन्त्यमानमिदमेव ।

किं मनुजेष्विष्टतमं स्वपरहितायोद्यतं जन्म ॥ ५॥

ಕಿಂ ಸಂಸಾರೇ ಸಾರಂ ಬಹುಶೋಽಪಿ ವಿಚಿಂತ್ಯಮಾನಮಿದಮೇವ l

ಕಿಂ ಮನುಜೇಷ್ವಿಷ್ಟತಮಂ ಸ್ವಪರಹಿತಾಯೋದ್ಯತಂ ಜನ್ಮ ॥ 5 ॥

Q 10.   किं संसारे सारं ?

ಕಿಂ ಸಂಸಾರೇ ಸಾರಂ?

Ans.  बहुशोऽपि विचिन्त्यमानमिदमेव

ಬಹುಶೋಽಪಿ ವಿಚಿಂತ್ಯಮಾನಮಿದಮೇವ

Something on which we should meditate again and again.

 11.   किं मनुजेष्विष्टतमं ?

ಕಿಂ ಮನುಜೇಷ್ವಿಷ್ಟತಮಂ? 

स्व पर हितायोद्यतं  जन्म

ಸ್ವಪರಹಿತಾಯೋದ್ಯತಂ ಜನ್ಮ

Q.10.   ಈ ಐಹಿಕ ಮತ್ತು ದೇಹಾಂತರ ಜೀವನದ ಸಾರವು ಏನು?

 Ans. ಅದನ್ನು ಕುರಿತು ನಾವು ಮತ್ತೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಚಿಂತನೆ ಮತ್ತು ಧ್ಯಾನ ಮಾಡಬೇಕಾದುದು.

 Q 11.  ಮನುಜರಿಗೆ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಪ್ರಿಯಕರವಾದುದು ಯಾವುದು?

Ans. ಸ್ವಹಿತಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಮತ್ತು ಪರಹಿತಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಜನ್ಮವನ್ನು ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಮುಡಿಪಾಗಿಡುವುದು.

Sloka Six

मदिरेव मोहजनकः कः स्नेहः के च दस्यवो विषयाः ।

का भववल्लि तृष्णा को वैरी यस्त्वनुद्योगः ॥ ६॥

ಮದಿರೇವ ಮೋಹಜನಕಃ ಕಃ ಸ್ನೇಹಃ ಕೇ ಚ ದಸ್ಯವೋ ವಿಷಯಾಃ l

ಕಾ ಭವವಲ್ಲಿ ತೃಷ್ಣಾ ಕೋ ವೈರೀ ಯಸ್ತ್ವನುದ್ಯೋಗಃ ॥ 6 ॥

Q12.   मदिरेव मोहजनकः कः ?

Ans. स्नेहः

6ನೇ ಶ್ಲೋಕ

12.   ಮದಿರೇವ ಮೋಹಜನಕಃ ಕಃ ?

ಮದಿರೆಯಂತೆ ಮೋಹವನ್ನುಂಟುಮಾಡುವುದು ಯಾವುದು?

ಸ್ನೇಹಃ 

ಅನುರಾಗ.

Q 13.   के च दस्यव😕

Ans. विषयाः

13.   ಕೇ ಚ ದಸ್ಯವಃ?

ಚೋರರು ಯಾರು?

ವಿಷಯಾಃ

ವಿಷಯೇಂದ್ರಿಯಗಳು.

Q 14.   का भववल्ली?

Ans. तृष्णा

 14. ಕಾ ಭವವಲ್ಲಿ ?

ಹುಟ್ಟು ಮತ್ತು ಸಾವೆಂಬ ಆವರ್ತನದಲ್ಲಿನ ಭವ ಅಥವಾ ಬಂಧನವೆಂಬ ಬಳ್ಳಿಯ ಸ್ವಭಾವ ಏನು?

ತೃಷ್ಣಾ