अनुगीता पर्व — ब्रह्मा के विशाल वन का वर्णन

The Brahmana said Having crossed that impassable fortress (of the world) which has purposes for its gadflies and mosquitoes, grief and joy for its cold and heat, heedlessness for its blinding darkness, cupidity and diseases for its reptiles, wealth for its own danger on the road, and lust and anger its robbers. I have entered the extensive forest (of Brahma).

The wife of the Brahmana said Where is that foremost, O you of great wisdom? What are its trces? What are its rivers? What its mountains and hills? How far is that forest?

The Brahmana said There exists nothing that is separate from it. There is nothing more delightful than it. There is nothing that is un-separated from it. There is nothing more afflicting than it.

There is nothing smaller than that. There is nothing huger than that. There is nothing minuter than that. There is no happiness that can resemble it.

Twice-born persons. entering into it, at once get over both joy and sorrow. They (then) never stand in fear of any creature, nor does any creature stand in fear of them.

In that forest are seven large trees, seven fruits, and seven guests. There are seven hermitages, (forms of) Yoga concentration, and seven (forms) of initiation. This is a description of that forest.

The trees which stand filling that forest yield excellent flowers and fruits of five colours. seven

The trees which stand there filling that forest, yield flowers and fruits which are of excellent colours and which are, besides of two kinds.

The trees which stand there filling that forest, yield flowers and fruits of two colours.

The trees which stand there filling that forest, yield fragrant flowers and fruits of one colour.

The two trces which stand filling that forest, produce many flowers and fruits which are of unmanifest colours.

There is one fire here, possessed of a good mind. That is connected with Brahmana. The five senses are the fuel here. The seven forms of Libcration originating from them are the seven forms of Initiation. The qualities are the fruits, and the guests eat those fruits.

There, in various places, the great Rishis accept hospitality. When they, having been adored become annihilated, then another forest shines forth.

In that forest, Intelligence is the tree; Liberation is the fruit. Tranquillity is the shade of which it is possessed. It has knowledge for its resting house, contentment for its water, and the Kshetrajna for its sun.

Its end cannot be determined upwards, downwards, or horizontally.

Seven females always live there, with faces downwards, endued with effulgence, and the cause of generation. They take up all the different tastes from all creatures, cven as inconstancy sucks up truth.

In that itself live, and from that emerge, the seven Rishis who are crowned with ascetic success, having Vasishtha for their foremost.

Glory, effulgence, greatness, enlightenment; victory, perfection, and energy, these seven always follow this same like rays following the sun.

Hills and mountains also exist there, in a body; and rivers and steams carrying waters in their course, waters that are born of Brahma.

And there is a confluence also of rivers in the secluded spot for sacrifice. Thence those who are contented with their own souls proceed to the Grandfather.

They whose wishes have been reduced, whose wishes have been directed to excellent vows, and whose sins have been consumed by penances, merging themselves in their souls, succeed in attain to Brahma.

Tranquillity is lauded by those who are conversant with the forest of knowledge. Keeping that forest in view, they take birth so as not to lose courage.

Such is that sacred forest that is understood by Brahmanas, and understanding it, they live as directed by the Kshetrajna.