CHAPTER 68 — सर्व-प्राणि-प्रज्ञा | Wisdom of All Beings

सूक्ष्म-जीवाणुतः स्तन्य-पायिनं यावत् | From Microbe to Mammal

अस्मान् परितः विद्यमानानि विविध-जीव-रूपाणि विलोकय, सूक्ष्मतम-जीवाणोः महत्तम-स्तन्य-पायिनं यावत्। प्रत्येकस्मिन् महामार्गस्य रचना-प्रज्ञा प्रकटा, महामार्ग-पथिकेभ्यो गभीर-पाठान् ददत्॥१॥

asmān paritaḥ vidyamānāni vividha-jīva-rūpāṇi vilokaya, sūkṣmatama-jīvāṇoḥ mahattama-stanya-pāyinaṃ yāvat। pratyekasmin mahāmārgasya racanā-prajñā prakaṭā, mahāmārga-pathikebhyo gabhīra-pāṭhān dadat॥1॥

Behold the myriad forms of life that surround us, from the tiniest microbe to the mightiest mammal. In each, theWAY’s structural wisdom is manifest, offering profound lessons for those who walk theWAY.

अकशेरुक-कीट-वर्गाः, सूक्ष्माः अपि सन्तः, संख्यायां विविधतायां च विशालाः। तेषाम् अल्पायुषो जीवनानि अनुकूलन-शक्तेः सामूहिक-कर्म-प्रज्ञायाश्च साक्ष्यम्। पिपीलिकां पश्य, कथं सा स्व-कुलार्थं जीवति; तितलीं तस्या रूपान्तरणे; मधु-मक्षिकां तस्या दूर-व्यापि-प्रभावे॥२॥

akaśeruka-kīṭa-vargāḥ, sūkṣmāḥ api santaḥ, saṅkhyāyāṃ vividhatāyāṃ ca viśālāḥ। teṣām alpāyuṣo jīvanāni anukūlana-śakteḥ sāmūhika-karma-prajñāyāśca sākṣyam। pipīlikāṃ paśya, kathaṃ sā sva-kulārthaṃ jīvati; titalīṃ tasyā rūpāntaraṇe; madhu-makṣikāṃ tasyā dūra-vyāpi-prabhāve॥2॥

The invertebrates and insects, though minute, are vast in number and diversity. Their brief lives are testament to the power of adaptation and the wisdom of collective action. Observe the ant, how it lives for its colony; the butterfly, in its transformation; the bee, in its far-reaching impact.

तव दृष्टिं विशाल-समुद्रेषु अनन्त-व्योमसु च परिणामय, यत्र गभीर-लालित्य-प्राणिनो निवसन्ति। मत्स्यो जीवन-प्रवाहैः सह स्रवितुं नः शिक्षयति; शिशुमारो हर्षस्य महत्त्वं स्मारयति; अष्टभुजो सर्जनात्मक-समस्या-समाधानं दर्शयति॥३॥

tava dṛṣṭiṃ viśāla-samudreṣu ananta-vyomasu ca pariṇāmaya, yatra gabhīra-lālitya-prāṇino nivasanti। matsyo jīvana-pravāhaiḥ saha sravituṃ naḥ śikṣayati; śiśumāro harṣasya mahattvaṃ smārayati; aṣṭa-bhujo sarjanātmaka-samasyā-samādhānaṃ darśayati॥3॥

Turn your gaze to the vast oceans and boundless skies, where creatures of profound grace dwell. The fish teaches us to flow with life’s currents; the dolphin reminds us of joy’s importance; the octopus shows us creative problem-solving.

व्योम्नि पक्षिणः स्व-शिक्षाः ददति। श्येनो नः दृष्टिकोणं ददाति; प्रवासि-पक्षिणो महायात्रार्थं साहसं दर्शयन्ति; नम्र-कपोतो ऽपि असाधारण-बुद्धिं प्रकटयति॥४॥

vyomni pakṣiṇaḥ sva-śikṣāḥ dadati। śyeno naḥ dṛṣṭikoṇaṃ dadāti; pravāsi-pakṣiṇo mahāyātrārthaṃ sāhasaṃ darśayanti; namra-kapoto’pi asādhāraṇa-buddhiṃ prakaṭayati॥4॥

In the air, birds offer their own teachings. The eagle gives us perspective; migratory birds show us courage for great journeys; even the humble pigeon displays remarkable intelligence.

अस्मद्-सहचर-स्तन्य-पायिनः पश्य, ये अस्माभिः सह न केवलम् उष्ण-रक्तं, अपितु भाव-गभीरतां च बिभ्रति। वृक-समूहो संयोगं दर्शयति; महा-वानराः अस्माकं संग्रामान् प्रतिबिम्बयन्ति; तिमयो विशाल-समुद्रेषु हर्ष-शोकयोः गीतं गायन्ति॥५॥

asmad-sahacara-stanya-pāyinaḥ paśya, ye asmābhiḥ saha na kevalam uṣṇa-raktaṃ, apitu bhāva-gabhīratāṃ ca bibhrati। vṛka-samūho saṃyogaṃ darśayati; mahā-vānarāḥ asmākaṃ saṅgrāmān pratibimbayanti; timayo viśāla-samudreṣu harṣa-śokayoḥ gītaṃ gāyanti॥5॥

Behold our fellow mammals, who share with us not only warm blood but depths of emotion. The wolf pack demonstrates solidarity; great apes mirror our struggles; whales sing of joy and grief across vast oceans.

उद्योगि-जल-शिल्पिनः, क्रीडाशील-उद्राः, पोषयन्त्यः स्तन्य-पायि-मातरः, कुतूहली-मार्जाराः — प्रत्येका जातिः अस्तित्व-स्वरूपे विशिष्ट-अन्तर्दृष्टिं ददाति॥६॥

udyogi-jala-śilpinaḥ, krīḍāśīla-udrāḥ, poṣayantyaḥ stanya-pāyi-mātaraḥ, kutūhalī-mārjārāḥ — pratyekā jātiḥ astitva-svarūpe viśiṣṭa-antardṛṣṭiṃ dadāti॥6॥

From the industrious beaver to the playful otter, from the nurturing mammalian mother to the curious cat, each species offers unique insights into the nature of existence.

एते प्राणिनो — महान्तो वा क्षुद्रा वा, भूमि-समुद्र-गगन-वासिनो — इन्द्रिय-शक्तीनां सामर्थ्यानां च विकासं कुर्वन्ति ये प्रायः अस्माकम् अतिक्रामन्ति। ते एतैः उपायैः व्यवहरन्ति यान् वयं केवलम् अधुना अवगन्तुं प्रारभामहे — रासायनिकैः, वर्णैः, कम्पनैः, अस्माकं प्रत्यक्ष-परम-शब्दैश्च॥७॥

ete prāṇino — mahānto vā kṣudrā vā, bhūmi-samudra-gagana-vāsino — indriya-śaktīnāṃ sāmarthyānāṃ ca vikāsaṃ kurvanti ye prāyaḥ asmākam atikrāmanti। te etaiḥ upāyaiḥ vyavaharanti yān vayaṃ kevalam adhunā avagantuṃ prārabhāmahe — rāsāyanikaiḥ, varṇaiḥ, kampanaiḥ, asmākaṃ pratyakṣa-parama-śabdaiśca॥7॥

These beings, whether small or large, of land, sea, or air, have developed senses and abilities that often surpass our own. They communicate in ways we are only beginning to comprehend, using chemicals, colors, vibrations, and sounds beyond our perception.

स्व-अल्पायुषु बहवो उत्क्रामन्ति अनुकूलयन्ते च मानवैः अवगन्तुं शक्यात् द्रुततरम्। तेषां सामाजिक-व्यवस्थाः, तेषां कुशलता, परिसरेण सह तेषां सामरस्यं च प्रायः मानव-समाजान् लज्जयन्ति॥८॥

sva-alpāyuṣu bahavo utkrāmanti anukūlayante ca mānavaiḥ avagantuṃ śakyāt drutataram। teṣāṃ sāmājika-vyavasthāḥ, teṣāṃ kuśalatā, parisareṇa saha teṣāṃ sāmarasyaṃ ca prāyaḥ mānava-samājān lajjayanti॥8॥

In their short lives, many evolve and adapt more rapidly than humans can fathom. Their social structures, their efficiency, their harmony with environment often put human societies to shame.

महत्त्व-भ्रान्तीनां वशं मा गच्छाम। मानवाः कोटिषु जातिषु एकैव जातिः। शोभेत यद् वयम् अस्मद्-सहचर-प्राणिभ्यो अध्ययनं शिक्षणं च कुर्याम, यतः तेषां मार्गेषु महामार्गस्य बहूनि रहस्यानि निहितानि॥९॥

mahattva-bhrāntīnāṃ vaśaṃ mā gacchāma। mānavāḥ koṭiṣu jātiṣu ekaiva jātiḥ। śobheta yad vayam asmad-sahacara-prāṇibhyo adhyayanaṃ śikṣaṇaṃ ca kuryāma, yataḥ teṣāṃ mārgeṣu mahāmārgasya bahūni rahasyāni nihitāni॥9॥

Let us not succumb to delusions of grandeur. Humans are but one species among millions. We would do well to study and learn from our fellow beings, for in their ways lie many secrets of theWAY.

यथा वयम् आध्यात्मिकतया उत्क्रामामः, तथैव एते प्राणिनो ऽपि निरन्तरं परिवर्तन्ते अनुकूलयन्ते च। ते स्वकीये अधिकारे अस्माकं यात्रया समान्तर-पथे सन्ति॥१०॥

yathā vayam ādhyātmikatayā utkrāmāmaḥ, tathaiva ete prāṇino’pi nirantaraṃ parivartante anukūlayante ca। te svakīye adhikāre asmākaṃ yātrayā samāntara-pathe santi॥10॥

As we evolve spiritually, so too do these creatures continue to change and adapt. They are, in their own right, on a path that parallels our own journey.

सदा स्मर यद् दिव्यस्य दृष्टौ पिपीलिका मानवात् न न्यून-महत्त्वा, तिमिः चूचुन्दरात् न अधिक-महत्त्वः। सर्वेषाम् अस्तित्वस्य महा-वस्त्र-पटे स्वकीयाः भूमिकाः॥११॥

sadā smara yad divyasya dṛṣṭau pipīlikā mānavāt na nyūna-mahattvā, timiḥ cūcundarāt na adhika-mahattvaḥ। sarveṣām astitvasya mahā-vastra-paṭe svakīyāḥ bhūmikāḥ॥11॥

Remember always that in the eyes of the Divine, the ant is no less significant than the human, the whale no more important than the shrew. All have their roles in the grand tapestry of existence.

अतः एतेषां प्राणिनाम् अध्ययनं विनयेन विस्मयेन च उपागच्छाम। तेषां मार्गाणाम् अवगमे ब्रह्माण्डस्य महत्तर-प्रक्रियासु तत्र अस्माकं स्थाने च अन्तर्दृष्टिं प्राप्नुमः॥१२॥

ataḥ eteṣāṃ prāṇinām adhyayanaṃ vinayena vismayena ca upāgacchāma। teṣāṃ mārgāṇām avagame brahmāṇḍasya mahattara-prakriyāsu tatra asmākaṃ sthāne ca antardṛṣṭiṃ prāpnumaḥ॥12॥

Therefore, let us approach the study of these beings with humility and wonder. For in understanding their ways, we gain insights into the greater workings of the universe and our place within it.

तेषां विविधतायां दिव्यस्य अनन्त-सर्जनात्मकतां पश्यामः। जीवि-रूपेण तेषाम् अविच्छिन्न-सम्बन्धे सर्व-अस्तित्वस्य मूल-परस्परकतां पश्यामः। सर्व-जीवेन सह स्वकीयं बन्धुत्वं प्रत्यभिजानीयाम, यतः तेषां विजयाः सङ्ग्रामाश्च अस्मद्-विजय-संग्रामेभ्यो न तावद् भिन्नाः॥१३॥

teṣāṃ vividhatāyāṃ divyasya ananta-sarjanātmakatāṃ paśyāmaḥ। jīvi-rūpeṇa teṣāṃ avicchinna-sambandhe sarva-astitvasya mūla-parasparakatāṃ paśyāmaḥ। sarva-jīvena saha svakīyaṃ bandhutvaṃ pratyabhijānīyāma, yataḥ teṣāṃ vijayāḥ saṅgrāmāśca asmad-vijaya-saṅgrāmebhyo na tāvad bhinnāḥ॥13॥

In their diversity, we see the infinite creativity of the Divine. In their unbroken connection as living beings, we see the fundamental mutual-relatedness of all existence. Let us recognize the kinship we share with all life, for their triumphs and struggles are not so different from our own.

सर्व-जीव-रूपेषु मूल्यं द्रष्टुं वयं शिक्षेम, कियद् क्षुद्राणि वा अमहत्त्व-दृश्यानि वा भवेयुः। एतस्यां प्रत्यभिज्ञायां सत्य-प्रज्ञायाः महामार्ग-सामरस्यस्य च पन्थाः॥१४॥

sarva-jīva-rūpeṣu mūlyaṃ draṣṭuṃ vayaṃ śikṣema, kiyad kṣudrāṇi vā amahattva-dṛśyāni vā bhaveyuḥ। etasyāṃ pratyabhijñāyāṃ satya-prajñāyāḥ mahāmārga-sāmarasyasya ca panthāḥ॥14॥

May we learn to see the value in all forms of life, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. For in this recognition lies the path to true wisdom and harmony with theWAY.

आचार्यो याङ् वदति: “पिपीलिकाभ्यः शिक्षस्व, कीटान् मित्रीकुरुष्व, लूताम् अनुसन्धत्स्व; सिन्धौ जीव-सहचराः सहस्रशः। अद्भुताः सर्वे प्राणिनः, त्वत्तो मत्तश्च बहु-श्रेष्ठाः। मानुषो ऽसि किल — न अधिकः न न्यूनः; उत्तमं संकल्पय — महामार्गः शेषं संरक्षिष्यति।”

ācāryo yāṅ vadati: “pipīlikābhyaḥ śikṣasva, kīṭān mitrīkuruṣva, lūtām anusandhatsva; sindhau jīva-sahacarāḥ sahasraśaḥ। adbhutāḥ sarve prāṇinaḥ, tvatto mattaśca bahu-śreṣṭhāḥ। mānuṣo’si kila — na adhikaḥ na nyūnaḥ; uttamaṃ saṅkalpaya — mahāmārgaḥ śeṣaṃ saṃrakṣiṣyati।”

Master Yang said, “Learn from the ants, befriend the beetles, study the spider, many soul mates in the sea; wondrous creatures they all be — so much more than you and me. Human that you are, you are not more or less — just endeavor to will the best, and theWAY shall take care of the rest.”

आचार्या यिन् वदति: “सादरं, मम महोदय, मानवाः परीक्षायां विफलाः। यमक-वचनैः मनोहर-पदैश्च मरुस्थलं न वनं भवति, न च नीडः तावत् पूर्यते यथा भवान् स्व-कुक्षिं पूरयति।”

ācāryā yin vadati: “sādaraṃ, mama mahodaya, mānavāḥ parīkṣāyāṃ viphalāḥ। yamaka-vacanaiḥ manohara-padaiśca marusthalaṃ na vanaṃ bhavati, na ca nīḍaḥ tāvat pūryate yathā bhavān sva-kukṣiṃ pūrayati।”

Master Yin said, “Respectfully, my dear sir, humans are failing the test. Rhyming and cute phrases do not make a desert a forest, nor does it fill a nest as well as you fill your vest.”

आचार्यो याङ् वदति: “सत्यं तत्, महोदये, अस्माकं काव्यं दुर्बलम् — तथापि सौष्ठव-पूर्णायां सत्येन, भवती सर्वोत्तमा।”

ācāryo yāṅ vadati: “satyaṃ tat, mahodaye, asmākaṃ kāvyaṃ durbalam — tathāpi sauṣṭhava-pūrṇāyāṃ satyena, bhavatī sarvottamā।”

Master Yang said, “It is true Madam, we say awful poetry but when it comes to filling a vest, by golly you surely are the best.”

व्याकरण टिप्पणियां | Grammatical Notes

Core Species Terminology:

Distinctive Wayist Features:

Modern and Coined Vocabulary:

Dialogue Translation Philosophy:

The Master Yang / Master Yin dialogue here follows the established corpus principle that dialogue passages translate the spirit of the teaching rather than the literal words. The English itself already modernises ancient teaching gestures (a strategy made famous when, e.g., a Farsi crotch-grabbing youth tease became “mooning” in English translation — the same teaching point landed via a different culturally legible gesture). Sanskrit needs the same freedom, especially because English end-rhyme has no natural Sanskrit equivalent.

The Sanskrit of Chapter 68 holds together two registers: the deeply theological verses on inter-species kinship and the Wayist refusal of human exceptionalism, and the affectionate domestic comedy of the closing exchange. The chapter’s central teaching — that the Divine spark animates the microbe as fully as the mammal, and that humans are one species among millions walking a parallel path — finds its emotional grounding precisely in the Yang-Yin dialogue, where two senior teachers can tease each other about bad poetry and well-filled vests without losing either their dignity or their love. The Sanskrit terminology (samāntara-patha, sarva-jīvena saha bandhutvam, jīvi-rūpeṇa ekatvam) keeps the chapter clear of Vedantic absorption-doctrine: the unity Wayism teaches is creaturely kinship under the same Divine eye, not metaphysical merger.

Colophon: This translation represents the collaborative restoration work of the Wayist collective Salvar Dàosenglu, based on the ancient mahāmārga teaching tradition, rendered into contemporary English and restored to classical Sanskrit for posterity.

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