Passage 1
ब्रह्मणो विपुले सत्रे सङ्गता देवतागणाः। यजमानं पर्यपृच्छन् वृद्धं विश्वपितामहम्॥१॥
The hosts of gods had assembled at Brahmā’s great sacrificial session. They questioned the venerable grandsire of the universe, who was presiding as its sacrificer. The gods said
Passage 2
भगवन् देवदेवेश ब्रह्मन् लोकपितामह। त्वमेव जगतः कर्ता वेदस्य च समाश्रयः॥२॥
Blessed Lord, God of gods, Brahmā, grandsire of the worlds: you alone are the maker of the universe and the ground upon which the Veda rests.
Passage 3
त्वत्तो नान्योऽस्य जगतः प्रवर्तनविधिक्षमः। आदिमूर्तिः स्वयंभूस्त्वं स्वराट् चैव विराट् प्रभुः॥३॥
Apart from you, no one is able to set this universe in motion and order its course. You are the primal embodiment, self-born and self-ruling, the cosmic Sovereign Lord.
Passage 4
वेत्सि भूतं भवद् भाव्यं दिव्येन ज्ञानचक्षुषा। क आश्रयोऽस्य जगतः किं निमित्तं तथा प्रभो॥४॥
With the divine eye of knowledge you see what has been, what is, and what is yet to be. Lord, what is the support of this universe, and what is its efficient cause?
Passage 5
किं सारमत्र वेद्यं च बहुवल्गिनि चागमे। भवतः सम्मतं किं च लोकेशस्य विधेर्वद॥५॥
Within the vast and eloquent body of revelation, what is its essence and what must be known? Tell us what you, the ordainer and lord of the worlds, hold to be true.
Passage 6
क आदौ विनियोक्ता च कः स्वभावोऽस्य सन्ततम्। किं स्वरूपं क आकारो ब्रह्मापि वद कीदृशम्॥६॥
Who first appoints each being to its work, and what is his eternal nature? What is his essential form and what appearance does he bear? Tell us also: what is Brahman like?
Passage 7
कीदृशं तस्य संस्थानं किं स्थानं परमं पदम्। सगुणं निर्गुणं चापि ध्येयं ज्ञेयं च कीदृशम्॥७॥
What is his mode of being? What is his dwelling, his supreme abode? In what way is he with qualities and beyond qualities? How should he be meditated upon, and how is he to be known?
Passage 8
एतदुद्देशतः पृष्टं विरिञ्चे वद विस्तरात्। त्वत्तोऽन्यो नास्य प्रश्नस्य प्रतीकर्ता जगत्त्रये॥८॥
Viriñci, we have asked all this only in outline; now explain it fully. In the three worlds there is no one but you who can answer this question.
Passage 9
तस्माद् वद विधे सर्वं दीर्घसत्रेऽत्र तावके। श्रोतुं च सक्षणान् विद्धि सभ्यान् नो वेदवेदिनः॥९॥
Therefore, Ordainer, tell us everything here in the course of your long sacrificial session. Know that we who sit in this assembly, versed in the Veda, have ample time and readiness to listen.
Passage 10
भवांश्च दीक्षितो यज्ञे कं देवं यजसे पुनः। एतच्च नो वद ब्रह्मन् परात्परविदुत्तम॥१०॥
You yourself have taken consecration for this sacrifice—but which deity do you worship? Tell us that as well, Brahmā, foremost knower of the One beyond the highest.
Passage 11
सर्ववेदारविन्दानां मकरन्दरसं परम्। नित्यं श्रावय नो ब्रह्मन् सदस्यत्र हविर्भुजाम्॥११॥
Brahmā, let us hear forever the supreme nectar drawn from the lotus of all the Vedas, as we consumers of the oblation sit together in this assembly.
Passage 12
हवींषि भुञ्जते देवाः क एकः फलदायकः। मखेषु वापि यज्ञेषु तदिदं च वद प्रभो॥१२॥
The gods consume the offerings, but who is the one giver of their fruit? Lord, tell us this too concerning sacrificial rites and offerings. --- Thus ends the second chapter, “The Questions,” in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa in the Śrīmad Ādi Rāmāyaṇa.