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 XVII.
The Brâhmaṇa said:
On this, too, they relate this ancient story (in the shape of) a dialogue, O you of a pure heart! between a Brâhmaṇa and Ganaka. King Ganaka, by way of punishment, said to a Brâhmaṇa who had fallen into some offence: ‘You should not live within my dominions. Thus spoken to, the Brâhmaṇa then replied to that best of kings: ‘ Tell me, O king! how far (extend) the dominions which are subject to you. I wish, O Lord! to live in the dominions of another king, and, O master of the earth! I wish to do your bidding according to the Sâstras.. Thus spoken to by that glorious Brâhmaṇa, the king then heaved frequent and warm sighs, and said nothing in reply. While that king of unbounded power was seated, engaged in meditation, a delusion suddenly came upon him, as the planet* upon the sun. Then when the delusion had gone off, the king recovered himself, and after a short while spoke these words to the Brâhmaṇa.
Ganaka said:
Though this country, which is the kingdom of my father and grandfather, is subject (to me), I cannot find my domain¹, searching through the (whole) earth. When I did not find it on the earth, I looked for Mithilâ: when I did not find it in Mithila, I looked for my own offspring. When I did not find it among them, then came the delusion on me. Then on the expiration of the delusion, intelligence again came to me. Now I think that there is no domain (of mine), or that everything is my domain. Even this self is not mine, or the whole earth is mine. And as mine, so (is it) that of others too, I believe, O best of the twice-born! Live (here, therefore) while you desire, and enjoy while you live².
1 On getting rid of the notion that this, that, and the other thing is one’s own,—Arguna Misra, Nîlakaṇṭha agrees, and adds also on the subject of cutting off avarice.
2 That is to say, Rahu.
CHAPTER XVII.
The Brâhmaṇa said:
On this topic too, they tell an ancient story in the form of a dialogue, O you of a pure heart, between a Brâhmaṇa and Janaka. King Janaka, as a punishment, said to a Brâhmaṇa who had committed some offence: 'You must not live within my dominions.' The Brâhmaṇa then replied to that best of kings: 'Tell me, O king, how far the dominions subject to you extend. I wish, O Lord, to live in another king's dominions, and, O master of the earth, I wish to act according to your bidding as the Sâstras direct.' When that glorious Brâhmaṇa had spoken these words, the king heaved repeated and heavy sighs and said nothing in reply. As that king of unbounded power sat lost in meditation, a delusion suddenly came over him, as a planet* falls upon the sun. Then, when the delusion had passed, the king came back to himself, and after a little while spoke these words to the Brâhmaṇa.
Janaka said:
Though this country, which is my father's and grandfather's kingdom, is subject to me, I cannot find my domain¹ anywhere on earth, search as I may. When I failed to find it on earth, I looked for it in Mithilâ; when I failed to find it in Mithilâ, I looked for it among my own offspring. When I failed to find it among them either, delusion came over me. Then the delusion passed, and intelligence returned. Now I think either that I have no domain at all, or that everything is my domain. Either this self is not mine, or the whole earth is mine. And what is mine is equally that of others, I believe, O best of the twice-born! Stay here as long as you wish, and enjoy yourself while you stay².
1 On getting rid of the notion that this, that, and the other thing is one's own—Arjuna Misra, with whom Nîlakaṇṭha agrees, and who adds also that it is on the subject of cutting off avarice.
2 That is to say, Rahu.