6

Blossoms of every season are fascinating to a seeing, appreciative eye [cf 11].

Hamsa means any kind of goose or duck [p. 30n].

7

Don't give away more than you can handle [all of it].

8

Finding powerful friends speaks of sour conditions [13].

To be true is good [20, 41].

Some say wealth is proportionate to the skill, age, beauty and disposition of one's wife [55].

Shame on a sorry fool [70].

Everyone should consider riches insufficient [cf 73].

From a succession of misfortunes there may be no great-looking way out [cf all of it].

Supreme felicity seems hard-won [cf all, 244].

Refrain from abandoning the innocent adherent who ought not to be abandoned [251].

To ascend to heaven spells dying first [cf 237-262].

9

Not every guru or yogi around is a benefactor [cf all, and canto 7 and 8.].

10

A dead person experiences bad deeds from the life on earth [4].

The highest object of spiritual knowledge is the Supreme Being [12].

Mothers are of various kinds [Don't idolise and idyllise a mother, then] [17].

Those who are mature in wisdom, have often fallen into misery earlier, one may guess [cf 25, 28].

Perplexing curses do exist, and perplexing positions too [34-44].

A Truth of Being can be perceived more or less imperfectly, and in a variety of ways [46-55].

Who has not spoken much untruth in his life, may find death to be happy enough [cf 52].

A false witness, a liar and blasphemer die in delusion and proceed by an awful road afterwards [58].

According to Hindu custom, relatives who make gifts may nourish their dead thereby. One should not be a slave to ritualistic customs, though [62].

11

The foetus develops in a womb [7].

Bereft of much essential knowledge, a human enters on childhood [cf 20].

One turns cheerless from viewing hells [27].

Old age is quite akin to suffering [29].

12

Hellish conditions may last for a very long time, according to the Hindu faith [all of it.].

13

Heavenly beings can enjoy swelling bliss in their places [6].

14

Slain sinners encounter perils [21].

Vile ones of evil minds undergo torturing plights in the beyond [cf 39-44].

Base ones who cause dissention among friends, are later torn inside [45, 46].

It is no good to be puffed-up either [52].

Servants of Yama, death, are said to be exceedingly cruel and torturing to bad ones in the hereafter [66].

One is not to be too selfish and inconsiderate; it backfires in the afterlife, is the teaching [cf 67-95].

The backbiter of people is continually eaten by the wolves of heaven [in 85].

15

The outcaste is certainly not in in this work, as contrasted with poor and outcaste followers of Jesus in antiquity [cf 1].

Who destroys trust is reborn a fish [7].

You can enjoy delights that are won by your own merit [58].

A cruel mind toward children reveals a bad soul [62].

16

There was a wife who used to esteem her extremely loathful husband as a divinity [cf 18].

Faithful wives can be fit for high-souled men [cf 48,49].

There are debts a man must ever discharge: He must gather wealth and apply it well, observe truthfulness, and show compassion as fits, all according to ability [cf 56-59].

A husband is a wife's supreme happiness [62].

A woman gains happiness through her husband's favour [67].

17

Vishnu was born as Dattatreya, the third son of Brahma, in this Purana [11].

Although drinking and having plenteous sex, the accomplished yogi should not incur any fault, just as Dattatreya and wife [cf 15-24].

18

Improper practices gratify ungodly ones around [16-25].

Let learning bring about the knowledge of a purified heart [29].

The goddess who fulfils the thoughts of men, is a best fortune [50, 51].

19

The one who is bent on injuring others, could very well become a monarch [cf 19,23, canto 20,2 etc.].

Let the wise preserve the stability of truths that count [cf 32-36].

20

It is good to improve one's accomplishments as time goes by [cf 14].

There are evil-dispositioned men among the learned [24].

There are good-dispositioned men who are fools [24].

21

The fascinating-eyed solitary maiden among mountain trees could be full of love [cf 1-30].

Some patience attend the great [cf 57].

A wife is to be her husband's help-meet [68].

22

The learned and decent man's freedom from molestations must always be sought after [2].

In should help to consider how fleeting relations are [cf 28].

23

With many adversaries slain, one may live long [cf 4].

The wife whose gait is like the elephant's, indeed looks lovely! [cf 21].

The supreme deed could be to practice fit austerities very fitly [cf 23-27].

If the ruler of the universe is without name, it is not happiness and bliss either [cf 40-49].

Kriya is [also] the clapping hands [p131n].

24

When wealth is wanting, men's minds become prone to petitions [9].

Those who ruin their taste for happiness while caring for their family, are most likely tricked by God [cf 11].

Let not working righteousness depart from a heart [cf 19].

Gems, women, tasteful things, some music as fit - are the fruit of the tree of good works [cf 21].

A man is to start from bottom and exert himself, relying on righteousness [cf 22,23].

Mindful of the relevant past, wise men mind clearly what is at stake [cf 23,30].

25

The greatly beloved is enjoyed with pride and other passions [cf 1-18].

26

An unselfish distance understands things far better [cf 3].

Unselfish understanding hardly turns toward family life and problems [cf 3].

A good intellect is for acquiring handy knowledge [cf 5].

27

What to do in this world and in the next world, do as much as you can for happiness [cf 3].

Enemies are made through greed too [cf 13-15].

To fight enemies the king subdues his citizens and ministers [cf 10].

A king should be impartial and fair [cf 24].

The supervisor should keep foolish men within their duties [and at a distance too] [cf 28].

28

The priest's duty is threefold: liberality, study, and sacrifice. [3]

The student is supposed to read intently, with his mind withdrawn from anything else, and free from self-conceit. [13, 17]

One should marry a wife of equal standing, free from disease and not deformed. [18]

A householder is to gain wealth by his own toil to the utmost of his power, so that he can nourish all who resort to him. ]

Having sex is one of the duties of the householder, just as being zealous. [21.]

A recluse may want to enjoy the forest and fields of life, and plant unguents, study deeper or better or more, carry out well-intended ceremonies, dress very simply and not ostentatiously at all, and take up a method of deep contemplation. When he can no longer do anything, he may gaze at his soul. [cf 25-26, 29-31]

To be truthful and free from envy are good virtues. [cf 32]

A king is supposed to punish all who behave contrary to their duties, and he must keep them within their occupations. [cf 36]

29

The man who causes cows to be destroyed, sinks into a hell. [cf 12]

The man who gives his cow drink in very good company at the proper time, gets to a heaven of delight. [cf 13]

A wise man should be on the outlook for guests. [cf 25]

A householder is to be intent and have his mind well composed. [cf 21]

The householder who has enough food, should feed another consumed with hunger as well. [cf 39]

A burden (of sustaining many) is placed on the shoulders of one who undertakes family life. [cf 42]

31

Silver is for use which increases affection. [cf 65]

32

One should let a ceremony be well secluded. [cf 22]

34

A wise man must practice righteousness (Dharma) in order to withstand sin. [16]

Righteousness is not destructive to one's own wealth (Artha). [16]

Look in a mirror in order to dress (and so on). [21]

A man should eat, facing the east or the north. [cf 27]

An intelligent man should not divulge another's fault except in the event of injury. [28]

An intelligent man should cease his own reading when everyone is abstaining from reading. [cf 36]

A wise man should not disgrace those who have deficient limbs, the deformed or insane persons (etc). [cf 46-47]

A wise man should shun jealously. [cf 78]

One should neither dress unbecomingly or speak unbecomingly. [cf 86]

Never make friends with the mighty or ever-timid. [cf 89-90]

Contract friendship with good men, the wise, and those resolute in action. [cf 90]

The residence bestows happiness where folk are charitable. [cf 116]

A sensible man should dwell where all medicinal herbs are procurable. [cf 116-17.]

A wise man should always dwell among good-tempered neighbours. [118]

37

Association with the good is a panacea. [24]

39

A man should burn up his faults by pranayama of soul. [cf 10]

The yogi should practice his yoga. [47]

One should avoid any sight of evil during the practice of yoga. [cf 51]

A yogi should fix his mind on a mountain as it is steady. [56]

He who is not injured by fears, may reach perfection [* cf 64]

40

Final emancipation equals supreme bliss. [* cf 25]

41

Disrespect is ambrosia, but respect is a dire poison. [3]

The yogi should not move about spoiling the path of the good, so that people should despise him or treat him with disrespect. [cf 7-8]

A muni should use fine articles of food with the most perfect meditation. [12]

The yogi should always have due recourse to profound contemplation. [21]

42

A and U and M. [4]

By uttering the word OM (AUM), everything . . . may be grasped. [cf 13]

43

Omens: Who sees departed persons, and gold-coloured bulls, lives. :) [5]

When the time arrives, wise men must understand. [* cf 37]

The yogi, feeling his soul, meditates so that his soul adds Supreme Soul. [cf 45]

Sublime absorption is beyond the sense. [cf 46]

The yogi that attains, ceases from the use of his everyday mind. [cf 46]

One is to go for the most sublime victory. [* cf 81-83]

44

Discern "Who am I?" [24-25]

45

Since the elements were governed by the Soul [Purusha] an egg came into being. The egg gradually increased by means of the things that existed. It lay on the water. The Soul inside the egg took the name Brahma, the first corporeal being, and the original maker of created beings. Within that egg was all this world. 62-67, passim.]

Brahma seems to have been born from water. [71]

The first stage of creation became manifest like the lightning. [cf 73]

46

Nature and soul subsist with sameness of character. [4]

In the character of Brahma the Supreme God-Soul creates the world and mankind, then he becomes the preserver Vishnu, lastly the destroyer Rudra (or Shiva). [9-16]

Brahma, the four-faced god of gods, is anterior to the universe. [20]

Brahma is adored as Hiranya-garbha. [21]

The krita age is . . . four thousand years; its commencing twilight . . . four hundred years, and the closing twilight . . . of the same duration [400 years]. [27-30]

Twelve thousand [years] is called a yuga. [31]

The Bhur-loka, the Bhuvar-loka, and the Svar-loka are perishable . . . the Mahar-loka stands. [39-40]

Brahma sleeks during the very long night when the three worlds have been dissolved into one ocean. When the night is over, creation begins again. [cf 40-42]

47

Lord Brahma awoke after sleeping through a long gone night. He gazed on the empty world. He assumed bodies of a fish, a tortoise and a boar and entered the water. He was everywhere. He made the earth level and pondered. While he meditated, beings of goodness came into being, abounding in pleasure, affection and clear knowledge, for they originated from an upward stream of life. The Supreme Being was satisfied in soul with these gods. [cf 1-24]

Then mankind engaged in actions and with abundant sufferings was made. They were attempts at the highest - [cf 24-27]

And then intellectual and tranquil, satisfied and contrary gods stood out with knowledge of the past and the present. [cf 28-29]

48

The wise God of gods wished to create four classes of beings: gods, asuras, the pitris, and mankind - and infused himself in the waters, rapt in contemplation. [4-5]

Out of his buttocks came the asuras. [5-6]

Gods of goodness came from delight. [cf 7-8]

The pitris were manifested by him while he deemed himself to be a pitri. [cf 9]

Mankind springs from passion. [cf 12]

At the beginning of the treta yuga (era) issued domestic cattle and the saman hymns. [cf 29-33]

Great and small created things were produced from his limbs. [cf 36]

The creator ordained diversity among created things as he woke up at the close of his deep night's sleep. [cf 41-45]

49

While Brahma was first creating, he created self-glorious beings marked by goodness. Those beings were produced in pairs, and rejoiced together. [cf 1-7]

Urged by mutual distress, pairs hastened to sexual intercourse. [cf 8]

The humans that were first born of Brahma and thus were of the creator-god's lineage, worshipped the earth, paid homage to rivers, lakes, seas, and the mountains. They delighted according to their natural dispositions. Their actions were unswayed by love, their minds always joyful. Time was always happy. As time passed by, they attained wonderful perfection. Perfection was merry with many a delight for them. They had lasting youth. All were equal, without inferiority or superiority. And the earth was blessed with good fortune everywhere. Also, the water was exquisite. [cf 12-25]

Then the treta yuga began, and people got their food from trees they lived in. They lived in trees and called them houses, and got clothing and ornament out of their fruits. Also, they got honey from trees. [cf 28-32]

Afterwards, in the course of time, passionate affection and monthly menstruation sprung up among them. And after that again, people grew covetous and selfish. Trees thus perished, and faces felt cold and heat and hunger. From here they made towns and resorted to fortresses man-made and otherwise, and made measures intended for measurement. They made lofty ramparts and fosses (ditches, moats), and peopled the town, pura, with noble families. [cf 33-44]

Dwelling places and houses made by men, different from cities and other abodes, are known as vasatis. It may be the populated parts of villages, and bamboo-built houses. And people made houses out of wood. [5-49]

These people ruined the trees by their strife, and next pondered on the means of livelihood. But they had rain according to their desire, and made water channels. [cf 55-58]

Cereals came into being as a special God-gift - the earth was milked for them by Brahma. Various kinds of rice, barley, wheat, sesame, and others are among the olden cultivated plants. [cf 64-69]

Brahma devised means of livelihood for people that needed it, and the perfection of the hands which results from work. From then on plants were produced, which must ripen after ploughing. [cf 74-75]

50

While the wise Brahma was meditating, mankind were begotten in his mind, together with their occupations and implements which were produced from his body. [cf 1]

Then He created other mind-born sons like himself: the nine sages Bhrigu, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Angiras, Marici, Daksha, Atri and Vasistha - the nine sons of Brahma. All these were all-wise. They all knew the future and were disinclined toward the world. [cf 4-6, 8-9]

Next He created Rudra, Sankalpa, and Dharma. [cf 7]

He created the woman Sata-rupa, who was cleansed from blemishes through austerities. The first Manu, Svayambhuva, took her for his wife. Both were created from Brahma by himself.. Getting sons and daughters began. [cf 13-39]

Dharma took twenty-four daughters of Daksha for his wives: Faith, Good Fortune, Constancy, Satisfaction, Nourishment, Mental Vigour, Action (Kriya), Intelligence, Modesty, Bodily Beauty, Tranquillity, Perfection (Siddhi) and Fame were the eldest. The eleven younger daughters were Celebrity, Truth (Sati), Fitness, Memory, Affection, Patience, Humility, Sincerity, Strength, Oblation to the gods, Oblation to the pitris (forefather spirits). [cf 19-23]

Rishis and the most illustrious munis took these daughters (in marriage). [cf 25]

• Faith gave rise (birth) to Love.
• Good Fortune gave birth to Pride.
• Constancy gave birth to her son Restraint.
• Satisfaction gave birth to Contentment.
• Nourishment gave birth to Covetousness.
• Mental Vigour gave birth to Revelation.
• Action (Kriya) gave birth to Punishment (Danda), Prudence, and Decorum.
• Intelligence (Buddhi) gave birth to Wisdom (Bodha).
• Modesty gave birth to Decorum.
• Bodily Beauty gave birth to her son Industry.
• Tranquillity (Shanti, [peace"]) gave birth to Ease.
• Perfection (Siddhi) gave birth to Happiness.
• Fame gave birth to Renown.

These are the offspring of Dharma (proper, fit conduct, etc). [cf 26-29]

A grandson of Dharma, Joy, brims over with joyousness. [cf 28]

Now Himsa (Injury) was the wife of Adharma (Unrighteousness), and Falsehood (Anrita) was born of Injury's Unrighteousness. [cf 29]

A daughter, Destruction, was also born of Injury's Unrighteousness, and the sons Hell and Fear, and Illusion and Pain. [cf 29-30]

Illusion gave birth to Death. [cf 30]

Pain gave birth to Misery (Duhkha) by Unendurable and Intolerable.

And illness, Old Age, Grief, Thirst, and Anger were begotten by Death (Mrityu). [cf 31-32]

All who have the hallmarks of Adharma (Unrigheousness) are traditionally declared to have spring from Duhkha (Suffering, Misery) and they all live in chastity. [cf 32]

Death also had Ill Fortune for his wife, and had fourteen sons by her. The sons work so that men suffer injury and other evils. [cf 33-36]

One takes possession of self-consciousness. [37]

Bewildered by folly, men strive to destroy women. [cf 37]

The Hunger Goblin

The goblin Ravenous Hunger set out to eat all beings.

Brahma said to him, "Keep calm."

Hunger answered, "Oh, how can I get satisfied, how can I grow strong?"

Brahma said, "Unrighteous men are to be your strength. Boils may be your raiment. I give you what is infested with vermin, the content of broken pots, what is unripe, what has been licked, polluted, and also damaged food and drink. These are to nourish you, besides what has been given away in anger or pain. You will always conquer among men who have been corrupted.

Your business is to create social dissentions. Men who fast vainly, who always delight in women, and religious hypocrites are for the taking.

However, abandon the house of him who eats only properly cooked food, who is pure within, and honours guests. Abandon that house, goblin, where the inmates are kind and busied in good deeds. And ever abandon that house where those who live there do not keep their seats while the aged are standing and they do not stand.

Further, it will not be an excellent abode for you where the house-door is not penetrated by trees, shrubs or other things. [cf 70]

Abandon the house of the man who supports his guests with the remnants of his food. Abandon the men who are true in word, and quite harmless.

Abandon the woman who is devoted to her husband's service and who feeds on the food which has been left by her family and husband.

Abandon the higher learner (dvija) whose mind is engrossed with study, discipline, and giving alms. And abandon the energetic business-minded one, and the stainless trader (vaisya) who keeps cattle and trade and cultivates crops and lands.

Abandon the home where the wife is rightfully obedient and shows due reverence to her husband.

But that home is your temple, goblin, where thorny trees grow, where the wife is a remarried widow and ant-hills are found, and where corn and scriptures are disdained.

Abandon the house where the lotus and the white lotus are found, where a maiden dwells who feeds on sweetmeats and - where a fine bull is kept. And do not roam in the house where the great festivals that were famous of old, are celebrated.

Do not join yourself with the man who establishes the country customs and maintains good life according to the precepts," Brahma finally said. [cf 38-97]

51

In an evil matter, delay and the abandonment of the undertaking are best; in a good matter one should act very speedily. (17-18)

For the sake of protection against her who takes the fluid and the milk out of cows' udders and women's breasts, the thread out of cotton clothes, one should make a pair of peacocks and an artificial woman. (31-38)

In order to vanquish false and corrupt talk, let the wise householder ponder . . . and preserve his self-control. (50-51)

He, on whose head a vulture should alight, should take effectual pacificatory measures for his safety. (67-70)

One should strenuously guard against the terrible one who feeds on flesh in the lying-in chamber. (107)

The offspring of the goblin Duktsaha have overspread the whole world. (p. 268).

"Sprites are about," is the teaching. "Do what you can to avoid and get rid of them," follows. Lots of haunts of such sprites are told to be the minds of people who are made vulnerable to them. Thus, "It may pay to take care and guard one's mind and conduct with tact" has a wider range than some believe. By way of example, there are signs in nature - signs with mystical meanings, teaches Markandeya.

Markandeya warns against an alighting pidgeon, and cautions that safety might be at stake in times to come - unless solid fit measures are found and undertaken (Canto 51, verses 66-73, Extracts). Further, few think that pigeons strutting on the roof are bad signs apart from the fact that they carry several dozens of germs and can make people ill. [◦The Norwegian Institute of Public Health counsels]

Either signs or omens give solid hints of something - up to effective, fair counsels -, or they do not. In most cases it often pays to be careful, guarded anyway. Maybe some worrisome effects may be averted? [Making a bad day pay]

Bible passages deal with omens explicitly. [Omens in the Bible]

We are free to compare a tenet with main experiences. For example, is an alighting pigeon a good or bad sign or none? Do we have clues? How valid, relevant or trustworthy might the best of them be? Now, let us see . . . After a dove or pigeon seemingly had alighted on Jesus (Luke 3:22) he scared away most of his disciples by what he said, advocating self-maiming and many other wrong things. Just a few handfuls of his first seventy disciples stayed with him afterwards (cf. Matthew 5:30; cf. John 6:53-68). Later, he might perhaps have avoided a crucifiction if he had taken other measures than he actually did, for example being more polite and well enough guarded - Who knows? Is it possible that the serious happenings "after the dove" had no bearing on how whippingly, upsettingly rash he was in a crucial moment in the years left to him? The Jesus scholar Geza Vermes writes about him:

The only event that can explain his arrest by the Jewish authorities of Jerusalem is the upheaval he caused when he attacked the merchants in the Temple. This happened in the midst of the preparations for Passover with a surcharged atmosphere of the city which was under Roman occupation . . . he incited trouble . . . The provocative attitude he displayed before the priestly authorities - "I will answer you if you tell me what you think of John the Baptist" - did not help the situation. (Vermes 2010, 38)

54

In Bhadráshva Vishnu is figured with a horse's head; in Bharata he has the shape of a tortoise; and he is like a boar in Ketu-mála; and he has a fish's form in the north.

In all those four countries, worldly affairs are governed by the arrangement of the constellations, O bráhman; (the people there) study the influence of the planets. (31-32)