The Bhagavadgîtâ, with the Sanatsugâtîya and the Anugîtâ — SBE Vol. 8 (trans. K. T. Telang, 1882)
The translator’s English as printed (K. T. Telang). The original-language text is not held; names are romanised as the translator printed them.
CHAPTER XXIX.
Brahman said:
I will state truly all about that which has a beginning, middle, and end, and about the means for its comprehension, together with names and characteristics, It is stated that day was first and then night; that months have the bright* first, the Nakshatras Sravana® as the first (among them), and the seasons the winter as the first (among them). The earth is the source’ of smells, water of tastes, the light (of) the sun is the source of colours, the wind is stated to be the source of (the feelings of) touch; likewise space is the source of sound. These are the qualities of the elements. Now I shall proceed to state the highest and first of all entities. The sun is the first among shining bodies*; fire is said to be the first of the elements*; SAvitrt? of all branches of learning; Pragâpati* of deities; the syllable Om of all the Vedas; and the Prâṇa life-wind, of all words*; whatever is prescribed in this world, all that is called Savitri®, The Gâyatrt is the first among metres; among (sacrificial) animals, the goat* is mentioned (as the first). Cows are the first among quadrupeds, and the twice-born among men’. The Syena is first among birds; among sacrifices, the offering (into the fire) is the best; and among all reptiles, O best of the twice-born! the snake* is the highest. Of all ages the Kṛita is the first, there is no doubt of that. Among all precious things, gold (is the first), and among vegetable (products) likewise the barley seed’. Among all things to be eaten or swallowed food is the highest; and of
* See p. 324 supra.
* See Gita, p. ror. Unmoving probably means ‘not perturbed by the qualities’ (Gita, p. 110), or perhaps the same thing as ‘of steady mind’ at Gita, p. ror. The sense is pretty much the same in both places.
* Which has birth &c., Nîlakaṇṭha, i. e. all the creation, I presume.
* The names, that is to say, of the various elements, and their qualities. ® This must mean fortnights.
* This is specified, says Arguna Misra, as the six months of the northern solstice are caused by the sun being at this Nakshatra. As to those six months, cf. Gîtâ, p. 81. For the same reason, Arguna Misra adds, the winter season is mentioned as the best. " The word Adi, literally beginning, is used in the whole of this passage in different senses ; it means the source, it means the best, and it means the first in order.
CHAPTER XXIX.
Brahman said:
I will state truly all that concerns that which has a beginning, middle, and end, and the means by which it may be understood, together with its names and characteristics. It is said that day came first and then night; that months begin with the bright fortnight; that Sravana is the first among the Nakshatras, and winter the first among the seasons. The earth is the source of smells, water of tastes, the light of the sun is the source of colours, the wind is said to be the source of the feelings of touch; likewise space is the source of sound. These are the qualities of the elements. Now I shall go on to state the highest and first of all entities. The sun is the first among shining bodies; fire is said to be the first of the elements; SAvitrt the first of all branches of learning; Prajâpati the first of deities; the syllable Om the first of all the Vedas; and Prâṇa, the life-wind, the first of all words. Whatever is prescribed in this world, all of it is called Savitri. The Gâyatrt is the first among metres; among sacrificial animals, the goat is mentioned as the first. Cows are the first among quadrupeds, and the twice-born are the first among men. The Syena is first among birds; among sacrifices, the offering into the fire is the best; and among all reptiles, O best of the twice-born, the snake is the highest. Of all ages the Kṛita is the first — of that there is no doubt. Among all precious things gold is the first, and among vegetable products likewise the barley seed. Among all things to be eaten or swallowed food is the highest; and of
* See p. 324 supra.
* See Gita, p. 101. "Unmoving" probably means "not perturbed by the qualities" (Gita, p. 110), or perhaps the same thing as "of steady mind" at Gita, p. 101. The sense is pretty much the same in both places.
* Which has birth &c., Nîlakaṇṭha, i.e. all the creation, I presume.
* The names, that is, of the various elements, and their qualities. ® This must mean fortnights.
* Arjuna Misra explains that this refers to the six months of the northern solstice, which are caused by the sun being at this Nakshatra. For those six months, cf. Gîtâ, p. 81. For the same reason, Arjuna Misra adds, the winter season is cited as the best. The word Adi, which literally means beginning, is used throughout this passage in different senses: it means the source, it means the best, and it means the first in order.