The Great Journey

As the lotus blooms when the sun rises and closes when it sets, so too does this entire world—both the moving and the unmoving—dissolve and emerge through the rays of the Sun. || 1 || this gives For a king who strives to conquer his own mind as if it were a labor, || the elders have determined that a king's prosperity Varahamihira's Yoga comes through the transition of time, just as one knows the cattle by their movements. || 2 ||

A wise king, noble like a swan, should be elevated and brilliant like the sun. He should be loved by his subjects, firm in resolve, served by his ministers, victorious, and have a face like a god. || 3 || He should be a master of diplomacy, humble toward the virtuous, wise, independent, and of noble birth. || 4 || He must be clever, bold, faultless, and disciplined, even when dealing with his priests. || 5 ||

In this world of men, the attainment of results is a mixture of human action and divine will. Regarding this, some who are focused on the unseen say that Fate alone is the giver of fruits. || 5 || The numbering repeats in the original manuscript. "Only that which is to be gained is gained; only where one must go, one goes. One receives exactly what is to be received: both sorrows and joys." || 6 ||

of the master From the garden of effort, one might obtain some fruit Lord. In the cycle of day and night, the result of one's actions is seen through the lens of Fate. || 7 ||
Fate Like a bird bound by a string, a person is not their own master; they are governed by the ordinances of Fate and see only what is destined for them. || 8 || Therefore, since Fate is primary, one might think human action is useless; yet in this world, the highest prosperity attends those who act. || 9 ||

Those who are fickle with self-pride and disregard Fate while trying to overcome a tireless, invincible king will find that even if they conquer, their Fortune (Lakshmi) will eventually be snatched away like a sacrificial animal held in the hand. || 10 ||

Others, however, understand this world to be driven by human effort. Seeing success achieved through visible actions, they praise only exertion. || 11 || A king devoid of effort, even if he is prosperous, is always liable to be overcome by enemies, like a lion who has lost its strength. || 12 || A man who is brave in effort conquers even those who are not brave; Fortune herself approaches the man who is bold in his exertion. || 13 ||

Without superior knowledge, a dull man cannot generate human effort. Through the steps of one's own path, a king attains the face of Fortune. || 14 || Wise sages have determined that results appear immediately through effort, just as the roar of a lion terrifies the elephants, O King. || 14 || The manuscript repeats verse number 14. Some sages are seen to favor a combination of both. On this matter, Vyasa and other sages like Dvaipayana have spoken: || 15 ||

"Without human effort, Fate does not succeed, nor does human effort succeed without Fate. One alone cannot accomplish an objective, just as a single spark cannot create a great fire." || 16 || All undertakings succeed through the union of both Action and Fate. From Fate and human effort combined, how could success not be achieved? || 17 ||

Fate follows a man's previous human actions. Remembering this, one should apply effort; in the hand for how can fruit be placed in the hand of one who does not strive? || 18 || That which is accomplished by human effort provides the space for success. He who waits only for Fate, neglecting effort, will be touched by calamities that have no end. || 19 ||

and For the wise man, the fruit of karma conquered by courage comes easily, like the effort of an elephant. Why should one seek luck through the insults of others? || 20 ||

Thus ends the First Chapter, titled "The Chapter on Fate and Human Effort," in the Great Journey composed by the venerable Varahamihira. || 1 ||

Next, for one desiring to undertake a journey, after observing the omens, I shall describe the characteristics of the lords (kings) who are endowed with great qualities...