The Story of Brihadratha

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.11.18.1)

नारद उवाच । पूजाविशेषं श्रीदेव्याः श्रोतुमिच्छामि मानद । येनाश्रितेन मनुजः कृतकृत्यत्वमावहेत् ॥

nārada uvāca pūjāviśeṣaṁ śrīdevyāḥ śrotumicchāmi mānada yenāśritena manujaḥ kṛtakṛtyatvamāvahet

Narada said: O bestower of honor, I wish to hear of the special worship of the Blessed Goddess, by resorting to which a person attains the state of having accomplished all that is to be accomplished.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.11.18.2)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । देवर्षे शृणु वक्ष्यामि श्रीमत्सु पूजनक्रमम् । भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं साक्षात्समस्तापन्निवारणम् ॥

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca devarṣe śṛṇu vakṣyāmi śrīmatsu pūjanakramam bhuktimuktipradaṁ sākṣātsamastāpannivāraṇam

Shri Narayana said: O divine sage, listen — I shall declare the order of worship among the auspicious rites, which directly bestows enjoyment and liberation, and averts every calamity.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.11.18.3)

आचम्य मौनी सङ्कल्प्य भूतशुद्।ह्ध्यादिकं चरेत् । मातृकान्यासपूर्वं तु षडङ्गन्यासमाचरेत् ॥

ācamya maunī saṅkalpya bhūtaśud hdhyādikaṁ caret mātṛkānyāsapūrvaṁ tu ṣaḍaṅganyāsamācaret

Having sipped water, and in silence having made the ritual resolve, one should perform the purification of the elements and the like; preceded by the placement of the matrika letters, one should perform the six-limb placement.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.11.18.4)

शङ्खस्य स्थापनं कृत्वा सामान्यार्घ्यं विधाय च । पूजाद्रव्याणि चास्त्रेण प्रोक्षयेन्मतिमान्नरः ॥

śaṅkhasya sthāpanaṁ kṛtvā sāmānyārghyaṁ vidhāya ca pūjādravyāṇi cāstreṇa prokṣayenmatimānnaraḥ

Having installed the conch, and having prepared the general water-offering, the wise person should sprinkle the articles of worship with the weapon-mantra.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.11.18.5)

गुरोरनुज्ञामादाय ततः पूजां समारभेत् । पीठपूजां पुरा कृत्वा देवीं ध्यायेत्ततः परम् ॥

guroranujñāmādāya tataḥ pūjāṁ samārabhet pīṭhapūjāṁ purā kṛtvā devīṁ dhyāyettataḥ param

Having received the guru's permission, one should then begin the worship. Having first performed the worship of the seat, one should thereafter meditate on the Goddess.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.11.18.6)

आसनाद्युपचारैश्च भक्तिप्रेमयुतः सदा । स्नापयेत्परदेवीं तां पञ्चामृतरसादिभिः ॥

āsanādyupacāraiśca bhaktipremayutaḥ sadā snāpayetparadevīṁ tāṁ pañcāmṛtarasādibhiḥ

With the offerings of a seat and the like, ever filled with devotion and love, one should bathe that Supreme Goddess with the essence of the five nectars and the like.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.11.18.7)

पौण्ड्रेक्षुरसपूर्णैस्तु कलशैः शतसङ्ख्यकैः । स्तापयेद्यो महेशानीं न स भूयोऽभिजायते ॥

pauṇḍrekṣurasapūrṇaistu kalaśaiḥ śatasaṅkhyakaiḥ stāpayedyo maheśānīṁ na sa bhūyo'bhijāyate

Whoever bathes the Great Goddess with a hundred vessels filled with the juice of Pundra sugarcane is never born again.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.11.18.8)

यश्च चूतरसैरेवं स्नापयेज्जगदम्बिकाम् । वेदपारायणं कृत्वा रसेनेक्षूद्भवेन वा ॥

yaśca cūtarasairevaṁ snāpayejjagadambikām vedapārāyaṇaṁ kṛtvā rasenekṣūdbhavena vā

And whoever, having performed a recitation of the Vedas, bathes the Mother of the world with mango-juice, or with the juice derived from sugarcane —

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.11.18.9)

तद्गेहं न त्यजेन्नित्यं रमा चैव सरस्वती । यस्तु द्राक्षारसेनैव वेदपारायणं चरन् ॥

tadgehaṁ na tyajennityaṁ ramā caiva sarasvatī yastu drākṣārasenaiva vedapārāyaṇaṁ caran

his house is never abandoned by Lakshmi and Sarasvati. And whoever, while performing the recitation of the Vedas, with grape-juice,

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.11.18.10)

अभिषिञ्चेन्महेशानीं सकुटुम्बो नरोत्तमः । रसरेणुप्रमाणं च देवीलोके महीयते ॥

abhiṣiñcenmaheśānīṁ sakuṭumbo narottamaḥ rasareṇupramāṇaṁ ca devīloke mahīyate

anoints the Great Goddess — that best of men, together with his family, for as many particles as there are in that juice, is glorified in the world of the Goddess.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.11.18.11)

कर्पूरागुरुकाश्मीरकस्तूरीपङ्कपङ्किलैः । सलिलैः स्नापयेद्देवीं वेदपारायणं चरन् ॥

karpūrāgurukāśmīrakastūrīpaṅkapaṅkilaiḥ salilaiḥ snāpayeddevīṁ vedapārāyaṇaṁ caran

Whoever, while performing the recitation of the Vedas, bathes the Goddess with water thickened with the paste of camphor, agaru, saffron, and musk —

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.11.18.12)

भस्मीभवन्ति पापानि शतजन्मार्जितानि च । यो दुग्धकलशैर्देवीं स्तापयेद्वेदपाठतः ॥

bhasmībhavanti pāpāni śatajanmārjitāni ca yo dugdhakalaśairdevīṁ stāpayedvedapāṭhataḥ

his sins accumulated over a hundred births are reduced to ashes. Whoever, while reciting the Veda, bathes the Goddess with vessels of milk,

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.11.18.13)

आकल्पं स वसेन्नित्यं तस्मिन् वै क्षीरसागरे । यस्तु दध्नाभिषिञ्चेत्तां दधिकुल्यापतिर्भवेत् ॥

ākalpaṁ sa vasennityaṁ tasmin vai kṣīrasāgare yastu dadhnābhiṣiñcettāṁ dadhikulyāpatirbhavet

dwells constantly, for the duration of a kalpa, in that very ocean of milk. And whoever anoints her with curds becomes the lord of a river of curds.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.11.18.14)

मधुना च धृतेनैव तथा शर्करयापि च । स्नापयेन्मधुकुल्यादिनदीनां स पतिर्भवेत् ॥

madhunā ca dhṛtenaiva tathā śarkarayāpi ca snāpayenmadhukulyādinadīnāṁ sa patirbhavet

Whoever bathes her with honey, with ghee, and likewise with sugar, becomes the lord of rivers of honey and the like.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.11.18.15)

सहस्रकलशैर्देवीं स्नापयन्भक्तितत्परः । इह लोके सुखी भूत्वाप्यन्यलोके सुखी भवेत् ॥

sahasrakalaśairdevīṁ snāpayanbhaktitatparaḥ iha loke sukhī bhūtvāpyanyaloke sukhī bhavet

One devoted to bhakti who bathes the Goddess with a thousand vessels becomes happy in this world, and happy also in the other world.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.11.18.16)

क्षौमं वस्त्रद्वयं दत्त्वा वायुलोकं स गच्छति । रत्ननिर्मितभूषाणां दाता निधिपतिर्भवेत् ॥

kṣaumaṁ vastradvayaṁ dattvā vāyulokaṁ sa gacchati ratnanirmitabhūṣāṇāṁ dātā nidhipatirbhavet

Having offered a pair of linen garments, one goes to the world of Vayu; the giver of ornaments made of jewels becomes the lord of treasures.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.11.18.17)

काश्मीरचन्दनं दत्त्वा कस्तूरीबिन्दुभूषितम् । तथा सीमन्तसिन्दूरं चरणेऽलक्तपत्रकम् ॥

kāśmīracandanaṁ dattvā kastūrībindubhūṣitam tathā sīmantasindūraṁ caraṇe'laktapatrakam

Having offered saffron and sandal-paste adorned with drops of musk, and likewise vermilion for the parting of the hair, and red lac-dye for the feet —

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.11.18.18)

इन्द्रासने समारूढो भवेद्देवपतिः परः । पुष्पाणि विविधान्याहुः पूजाकर्मणि साधवः ॥

indrāsane samārūḍho bhaveddevapatiḥ paraḥ puṣpāṇi vividhānyāhuḥ pūjākarmaṇi sādhavaḥ

one who mounts the throne of Indra becomes the supreme lord of the gods. The wise declare various flowers to be offered in the rite of worship.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.11.18.19)

तानि दत्त्वा यथालाभं कैलासं लभते स्वयम् । बिल्वपत्राण्यमोघानि यो दद्यात्परशक्तये ॥

tāni dattvā yathālābhaṁ kailāsaṁ labhate svayam bilvapatrāṇyamoghāni yo dadyātparaśaktaye

Having offered these, as available, one himself attains Kailasa. Whoever offers the unfailing bilva leaves to the Supreme Shakti —

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.11.18.20)

तस्य दुःखं कदाचिच्च क्वचिच्च न भविष्यति । बिल्वपत्रत्रये रक्तचन्दनेन तु संल्लिखेत् ॥

tasya duḥkhaṁ kadācicca kvacicca na bhaviṣyati bilvapatratraye raktacandanena tu saṁllikhet

his suffering shall never occur, anywhere, at any time. On a set of three bilva leaves, one should draw, with red sandal-paste,

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.11.18.21)

मायाबीजत्रयं यत्नात्सुस्फुटं चातिसुन्दरम् । मायाबीजादिकं नाम चतुर्थ्यन्तं समुच्चरेत् ॥

māyābījatrayaṁ yatnātsusphuṭaṁ cātisundaram māyābījādikaṁ nāma caturthyantaṁ samuccaret

the three Maya-bijas, diligently, clearly, and very beautifully; and one should utter the name beginning with the Maya-bija, ending in the dative case,

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.11.18.22)

नमोऽन्तं परया भक्त्या देवीचरणपङ्कजे । समर्पयेन्महादेव्यै कोमलं तच्च पत्रकम् ॥

namo'ntaṁ parayā bhaktyā devīcaraṇapaṅkaje samarpayenmahādevyai komalaṁ tacca patrakam

ending in 'namah,' and, with supreme devotion, offer that tender leaf at the lotus feet of the Goddess, to the Great Goddess.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.11.18.23)

य एवं कुरुते भक्त्या मनुत्वं लभते हि सः । यस्तु कोटिदलैरेवं कोमलैरतिनिर्मलैः ॥

ya evaṁ kurute bhaktyā manutvaṁ labhate hi saḥ yastu koṭidalairevaṁ komalairatinirmalaiḥ

Whoever does this with devotion attains the rank of Manu. And whoever, with ten million such tender and exceedingly pure leaves,

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.11.18.24)

पूजयेद्भुवनेशानीं ब्रह्माण्डाधिपतिर्भवेत् । कुन्दपुष्पैर्नवीनैस्तु लुलितैरष्टगन्धतः ॥

pūjayedbhuvaneśānīṁ brahmāṇḍādhipatirbhavet kundapuṣpairnavīnaistu lulitairaṣṭagandhataḥ

worships the Sovereign of the worlds becomes the lord of the whole universe. With fresh kunda flowers, sprinkled with the eight fragrances,

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.11.18.25)

कोटिसङ्ख्यैः पूजयेत्तु प्राजापत्यं लभेद्ध्रुवम् । मल्लिकामालतीपुष्पैरष्टगन्धेन लोलितैः ॥

koṭisaṅkhyaiḥ pūjayettu prājāpatyaṁ labheddhruvam mallikāmālatīpuṣpairaṣṭagandhena lolitaiḥ

if one worships with ten million of them, one certainly attains the state of Prajapati. With mallika and malati flowers, sprinkled with the eight fragrances,

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.11.18.26)

कोटिसङ्ख्यैः पूजया तु जायते स चतुर्मुखः । दशकोटिभिरप्येवं तैरेव कुसुमैर्मुने ॥

koṭisaṅkhyaiḥ pūjayā tu jāyate sa caturmukhaḥ daśakoṭibhirapyevaṁ taireva kusumairmune

if one worships with ten million of them, one is born as the four-faced Brahma. And likewise, O sage, with a hundred million of those same flowers,

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.11.18.27)

विष्णुत्वं लभते मर्त्यो यत्सुरेष्वपि दुर्लभम् । विष्णुनैतद्व्रतं पूर्वं कृतं स्वपदलब्धये ॥

viṣṇutvaṁ labhate martyo yatsureṣvapi durlabham viṣṇunaitadvrataṁ pūrvaṁ kṛtaṁ svapadalabdhaye

a mortal attains the state of Vishnu, which is difficult to obtain even among the gods. This very vow was performed of old by Vishnu himself, for the attainment of his own station.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.11.18.28)

शतकोटिभिरप्येवं सूत्रात्मत्वं व्रजेद्ध्रुवम् । व्रतमेतत्पुरा सम्यक्कृतं भक्त्या प्रयत्नतः ॥

śatakoṭibhirapyevaṁ sūtrātmatvaṁ vrajeddhruvam vratametatpurā samyakkṛtaṁ bhaktyā prayatnataḥ

And likewise, with a hundred crore of such flowers, one certainly attains the state of the Sutratma. This vow was, of old, performed thoroughly, with devotion and diligence,

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.11.18.29)

तेन व्रतप्रभावेण हिरण्योदरतां व्रजेत् । जपाकुसुमपुष्पस्य बन्धूककुसुमस्य च ॥

tena vrataprabhāveṇa hiraṇyodaratāṁ vrajet japākusumapuṣpasya bandhūkakusumasya ca

and by the power of that vow, one attains the state of golden-wombed Hiranyagarbha. This same procedure has been declared for the hibiscus flower and the bandhuka flower,

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.11.18.30)

दाडिमीकुसुमस्यापि विधिरेष उदीरितः । एवमन्यानि पुष्पाणि श्रीदेव्यै विधिनार्पयेत् ॥

dāḍimīkusumasyāpi vidhireṣa udīritaḥ evamanyāni puṣpāṇi śrīdevyai vidhinārpayet

and also for the pomegranate flower. In this same manner, one should offer other flowers to the Blessed Goddess according to rule.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.11.18.31)

तस्य पुण्यफलस्यान्तं न जानातीश्वरोऽपि सः । तत्तदृतूद्भवैः पुष्पैर्नामसाहस्रसङ्ख्यया ॥

tasya puṇyaphalasyāntaṁ na jānātīśvaro'pi saḥ tattadṛtūdbhavaiḥ puṣpairnāmasāhasrasaṅkhyayā

Not even the Lord himself knows the limit of the meritorious fruit of this. With flowers born in each season, in the number of the Thousand Names,

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.11.18.32)

समर्पयेन्महादेव्यै प्रतिवर्षमतन्द्रितः । य एवं कुरुते भक्त्या महापातकसंयुतः ॥

samarpayenmahādevyai prativarṣamatandritaḥ ya evaṁ kurute bhaktyā mahāpātakasaṁyutaḥ

one should, without laziness, offer them to the Great Goddess every year. Whoever does this with devotion, even if burdened with great sins,

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.11.18.33)

उपपातकयुक्तोऽपि मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः । देहान्ते श्रीपदाम्भोजं दुर्लभं देवसत्तमैः ॥

upapātakayukto'pi mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ dehānte śrīpadāmbhojaṁ durlabhaṁ devasattamaiḥ

even if burdened with minor sins, is released from all sins. At the end of the body, he attains the lotus feet of the Goddess, difficult even for the best of gods to attain —

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.11.18.34)

प्राप्नोति साधकवरो मुने नास्त्यत्र संशयः । कृष्णागुरुं सकर्पूरं चन्दनेन समन्वितम् ॥

prāpnoti sādhakavaro mune nāstyatra saṁśayaḥ kṛṣṇāguruṁ sakarpūraṁ candanena samanvitam

such a foremost adept attains it, O sage; there is no doubt in this. Black agaru together with camphor, mixed with sandal-paste,

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.11.18.35)

सिल्हकं चाज्यसंयुक्तं गुग्गुलेन समन्वितम् । धूपं दद्यान्महादेव्यै येन स्याद्धूपितं गृहम् ॥

silhakaṁ cājyasaṁyuktaṁ guggulena samanvitam dhūpaṁ dadyānmahādevyai yena syāddhūpitaṁ gṛham

silhaka mixed with ghee, together with guggulu — one should offer this incense to the Great Goddess, by which the house becomes perfumed.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.11.18.36)

तेन प्रसन्ना देवेशी ददाति भुवनत्रयम् । दीपं कर्पूरखण्डैश्च दद्याद्देव्यै निरन्तरम् ॥

tena prasannā deveśī dadāti bhuvanatrayam dīpaṁ karpūrakhaṇḍaiśca dadyāddevyai nirantaram

By this the Goddess of gods, pleased, grants the three worlds. One should constantly offer to the Goddess a lamp with pieces of camphor.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.11.18.37)

सूर्यलोकमवाप्नोति नात्र कार्या विचारणा । शतदीपांस्तथा दद्यात्सहस्रान्वा समाहितः ॥

sūryalokamavāpnoti nātra kāryā vicāraṇā śatadīpāṁstathā dadyātsahasrānvā samāhitaḥ

One attains the world of the sun — there is no need to doubt this. One should, with a composed mind, likewise offer a hundred lamps, or a thousand.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.11.18.38)

नैवेद्यं पुरतो देव्याः स्थापयेत्पर्वताकृतिम् । लेह्यैश्चोष्यैस्तथा पेयैः षड्रसैस्तु समाहितैः ॥

naivedyaṁ purato devyāḥ sthāpayetparvatākṛtim lehyaiścoṣyaistathā peyaiḥ ṣaḍrasaistu samāhitaiḥ

One should place before the Goddess a food-offering shaped like a mountain, composed, with a composed mind, of things to be licked, chewed, and drunk, of the six flavors,

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.11.18.39)

नानाफलानि दिव्यानि स्वादूनि रसवन्ति च । स्वर्णपात्रस्थितान्नानि दद्याद्देव्यै निरन्तरम् ॥

nānāphalāni divyāni svādūni rasavanti ca svarṇapātrasthitānnāni dadyāddevyai nirantaram

of various divine fruits, sweet and full of flavor; one should constantly offer to the Goddess food placed in vessels of gold.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.11.18.40)

तृप्तायां श्रीमहादेव्यां भवेत्तृप्तं जगत्त्रयम् । यतस्तदात्मकं सर्वं रज्जौ सर्पो यथा तथा ॥

tṛptāyāṁ śrīmahādevyāṁ bhavettṛptaṁ jagattrayam yatastadātmakaṁ sarvaṁ rajjau sarpo yathā tathā

When the Blessed Great Goddess is satisfied, the three worlds become satisfied, since all this is of her very nature, just as a snake perceived upon a rope is nothing but the rope.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.11.18.41)

ततः पानीयकं दद्याच्छुभं गङ्गाजलं महत् । कर्पूरवालासंयुक्तं शीतलं कलशस्थितम् ॥

tataḥ pānīyakaṁ dadyācchubhaṁ gaṅgājalaṁ mahat karpūravālāsaṁyuktaṁ śītalaṁ kalaśasthitam

Then one should offer drinking water — auspicious, abundant Ganga water, mixed with camphor and vala root, cool, kept in a vessel.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.11.18.42)

ताम्बूलं च ततो देव्यै कर्पूरशकलान्वितम् । एलालवङ्गसंयुक्तं मुखसौगन्ध्यदायकम् ॥

tāmbūlaṁ ca tato devyai karpūraśakalānvitam elālavaṅgasaṁyuktaṁ mukhasaugandhyadāyakam

Then one should offer betel to the Goddess, containing pieces of camphor, joined with cardamom and cloves, bestowing fragrance to the mouth,

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.11.18.43)

दद्याद्देव्यै महाभक्त्या येन देवी प्रसीदति । मृदङ्गवीणामुरजढक्कादुन्दुभिनिःस्वनैः ॥

dadyāddevyai mahābhaktyā yena devī prasīdati mṛdaṅgavīṇāmurajaḍhakkādundubhiniḥsvanaiḥ

offering it to the Goddess with great devotion, by which the Goddess is pleased. With the resounding notes of mridangas, veenas, murajas, dhakkas, and dundubhis,

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.11.18.44)

तोषयेज्जगतां धात्रीं गायनैरतिमोहनैः । वेदपारायणैः स्तोत्रैः पुराणादिभिरप्युत ॥

toṣayejjagatāṁ dhātrīṁ gāyanairatimohanaiḥ vedapārāyaṇaiḥ stotraiḥ purāṇādibhirapyuta

one should please the Sustainer of the worlds with most enchanting songs, with recitations of the Vedas, with hymns of praise, and with the Puranas and the like.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.11.18.45)

छत्रं च चामरे द्वे च दद्याद्देव्यै समाहितः । राजोपचारान् श्रीदेव्यै नित्यमेव समर्पयेत् ॥

chatraṁ ca cāmare dve ca dadyāddevyai samāhitaḥ rājopacārān śrīdevyai nityameva samarpayet

With a composed mind, one should offer to the Goddess a parasol and two fly-whisks; one should constantly offer to the Blessed Goddess the royal honors.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.11.18.46)

प्रदक्षिणां नमस्कारं कुर्याद्देव्या अनेकधा । क्षमापयेज्जगद्धात्रीं जगदम्बां मुहुर्मुहुः ॥

pradakṣiṇāṁ namaskāraṁ kuryāddevyā anekadhā kṣamāpayejjagaddhātrīṁ jagadambāṁ muhurmuhuḥ

One should perform circumambulation and prostration to the Goddess in many ways, and repeatedly beg forgiveness of the Sustainer of the world, the Mother of the world.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.11.18.47)

सकृत्स्मरणमात्रेण यत्र देवी प्रसीदति । एतादृशोपचारैश्च प्रसीदेदत्र कः स्मयः ॥

sakṛtsmaraṇamātreṇa yatra devī prasīdati etādṛśopacāraiśca prasīdedatra kaḥ smayaḥ

When the Goddess is pleased by the mere remembrance of her but once, what wonder is there that she should be pleased by such offerings as these?

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.11.18.48)

स्वभावतो भवेन्माता पुत्रेऽतिकरुणावती । तेन भक्तौ कृतायां तु वक्तव्यं किं ततः परम् ॥

svabhāvato bhavenmātā putre'tikaruṇāvatī tena bhaktau kṛtāyāṁ tu vaktavyaṁ kiṁ tataḥ param

By her very nature, a mother is exceedingly compassionate toward her child; what more, then, need be said when devotion has been offered to her?

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.11.18.49)

अत्र ते कथयिष्यामि पुरावृत्तं सनातनम् । बृहद्रथस्य राजर्षेः प्रियं भक्तिप्रदायकम् ॥

atra te kathayiṣyāmi purāvṛttaṁ sanātanam bṛhadrathasya rājarṣeḥ priyaṁ bhaktipradāyakam

Here I shall relate to you an ancient, timeless account, dear and devotion-bestowing, concerning the royal sage Brihadratha.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.11.18.50)

चक्रवाकोऽभवत्पक्षी क्वचिद्देशे हिमालये । भ्रमन्नानाविधान्देशान्ययौ काशीपुरं प्रति ॥

cakravāko'bhavatpakṣī kvaciddeśe himālaye bhramannānāvidhāndeśānyayau kāśīpuraṁ prati

There once was a chakravaka bird in a certain region of the Himalayas; wandering through various lands, it came to the city of Kashi.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.11.18.51)

अन्नपूर्णामहास्थाने प्रारब्धवशतो द्विजः । जगाम लीलया तत्र कणलोभादनाथवत् ॥

annapūrṇāmahāsthāne prārabdhavaśato dvijaḥ jagāma līlayā tatra kaṇalobhādanāthavat

By the force of its destiny, the bird went, as if by chance, to the great shrine of Annapurna there, out of greed for grains, like a helpless creature.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.11.18.52)

कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणामेकां जगाम स विहायसा । देशान्तरं विहायैव पुरीं मुक्तिप्रदायिनीम् ॥

kṛtvā pradakṣiṇāmekāṁ jagāma sa vihāyasā deśāntaraṁ vihāyaiva purīṁ muktipradāyinīm

Having performed a single circumambulation, it flew off through the sky to another region, leaving that city which bestows liberation.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.11.18.53)

कालान्तरे ममारासौ गतः स्वर्गपुरीं प्रति । बुभुजे विषयान्सर्वान् दिव्यरूपधरो युवा ॥

kālāntare mamārāsau gataḥ svargapurīṁ prati bubhuje viṣayānsarvān divyarūpadharo yuvā

In time it died and went to the city of heaven, where, bearing a divine form as a youth, it enjoyed all manner of pleasures.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.11.18.54)

कल्पद्वयं तथा भुक्त्वा पुनः प्राप भुवं प्रति । क्षत्रियाणां कुले जन्म प्राप सर्वोत्तमोत्तमम् ॥

kalpadvayaṁ tathā bhuktvā punaḥ prāpa bhuvaṁ prati kṣatriyāṇāṁ kule janma prāpa sarvottamottamam

Having thus enjoyed itself for two kalpas, it came again to earth, and obtained birth in a kshatriya lineage, the very best among the best.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.11.18.55)

बृहद्रथेति नाम्नाभूत्प्रसिद्धः क्षितिमण्डले । महायज्वा धार्मिकश्च सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रियः ॥

bṛhadratheti nāmnābhūtprasiddhaḥ kṣitimaṇḍale mahāyajvā dhārmikaśca satyavādī jitendriyaḥ

Under the name Brihadratha, he became renowned throughout the earth — a performer of great sacrifices, righteous, truthful, and master of his senses,

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.11.18.56)

त्रिकालज्ञः सार्वभौमो यमी परपुरञ्जयः । पूर्वजन्मस्मृतिस्तस्य वर्तते दुर्लभा भुवि ॥

trikālajñaḥ sārvabhaumo yamī parapurañjayaḥ pūrvajanmasmṛtistasya vartate durlabhā bhuvi

a knower of the three times, a universal sovereign, self-controlled, conqueror of enemy cities — and he possessed the memory of his previous birth, a thing rare indeed upon this earth.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.11.18.57)

इति श्रुत्वा किंवदन्तीं मुनयः समुपागताः । कृतातिथ्या नृपेन्द्रेण विष्टरेषूषुरेव ते ॥

iti śrutvā kiṁvadantīṁ munayaḥ samupāgatāḥ kṛtātithyā nṛpendreṇa viṣṭareṣūṣureva te

Hearing this rumor, sages arrived there; having been received with hospitality by the lord of kings, they took their seats upon the seats provided.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.11.18.58)

पप्रच्छुर्मुनयः सर्वे संशयोऽस्ति महान्नृप । केन पुण्यप्रभावेण पूर्वजन्मस्मृतिस्तव ॥

papracchurmunayaḥ sarve saṁśayo'sti mahānnṛpa kena puṇyaprabhāveṇa pūrvajanmasmṛtistava

All the sages asked: 'O king, we have a great question — by the power of what merit do you possess the memory of your previous birth,

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.11.18.59)

त्रिकालज्ञानमेवापि केन पुण्यप्रभावतः । ज्ञानं तवेति तज्ज्ञातुमागताः स्म तवान्तिकम् ॥

trikālajñānamevāpi kena puṇyaprabhāvataḥ jñānaṁ taveti tajjñātumāgatāḥ sma tavāntikam

and likewise the knowledge of the three times — by the power of what merit do you have this knowledge? We have come into your presence to learn this.'

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.11.18.60)

वद निर्व्याजया वृत्त्या तदस्माकं यथातथम् । श्रीनारायण उवाच । इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा राजा परमधार्मिकः ॥

vada nirvyājayā vṛttyā tadasmākaṁ yathātatham śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca iti teṣāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā rājā paramadhārmikaḥ

'Tell us truly and without pretense, exactly as it happened.' Shri Narayana said: Having heard their words, the king, most righteous,

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.11.18.61)

उवाच सकलं ब्रह्मन् त्रिकालज्ञानकारणम् । श्रूयतां मुनयः सर्वे मम ज्ञानस्य कारणम् ॥

uvāca sakalaṁ brahman trikālajñānakāraṇam śrūyatāṁ munayaḥ sarve mama jñānasya kāraṇam

O brahmin, related the entire cause of his knowledge of the three times: 'Let all the sages hear the cause of my knowledge.'

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.11.18.62)

चक्रवाकः स्थितः पूर्वं नीचयोनिगतोऽपि वा । अज्ञानतोऽपि कृतवानन्नपूर्णाप्रदक्षिणाम् ॥

cakravākaḥ sthitaḥ pūrvaṁ nīcayonigato'pi vā ajñānato'pi kṛtavānannapūrṇāpradakṣiṇām

'I was formerly a chakravaka bird, having entered even into a lowly animal birth; yet, even unknowingly, I performed a circumambulation of Annapurna.'

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.11.18.63)

तेन पुण्यप्रभावेण स्वर्गे कल्पद्वयस्थितिः । त्रिकालज्ञानताप्यस्मिन्नभूज्जन्मनि सुव्रताः ॥

tena puṇyaprabhāveṇa svarge kalpadvayasthitiḥ trikālajñānatāpyasminnabhūjjanmani suvratāḥ

'By the power of that merit, I dwelt in heaven for two kalpas, and, O men of good vows, in this present birth I have gained the knowledge of the three times.'

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.11.18.64)

को वेद जगदम्बायाः पदस्मृतिफलं कियत् । स्मृत्वा तन्महिमानं तु पतन्त्यश्रूणि मेऽनिशम् ॥

ko veda jagadambāyāḥ padasmṛtiphalaṁ kiyat smṛtvā tanmahimānaṁ tu patantyaśrūṇi me'niśam

'Who can know how great is the fruit of even the mere remembrance of the feet of the Mother of the world? Remembering her greatness, tears constantly fall from my eyes.'

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.11.18.65)

धिगस्तु जन्म तेषां वै कृतघ्नानां तु पापिनाम् । ये सर्वमातरं देवीं स्वोपास्यां न भजन्ति हि ॥

dhigastu janma teṣāṁ vai kṛtaghnānāṁ tu pāpinām ye sarvamātaraṁ devīṁ svopāsyāṁ na bhajanti hi

'Shame indeed upon the birth of those ungrateful sinners who do not worship the Goddess, the universal Mother, who is their own rightful object of worship!'

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.11.18.66)

न शिवोपासना नित्या न विष्णूपासना तथा । नित्योपास्तिः परा देव्या नित्या श्रुत्यैव चोदिता ॥

na śivopāsanā nityā na viṣṇūpāsanā tathā nityopāstiḥ parā devyā nityā śrutyaiva coditā

'Neither the worship of Shiva nor that of Vishnu is an obligatory daily rite in the same way; it is the supreme daily worship of the Goddess that is enjoined as obligatory by the Shruti itself.'

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.11.18.67)

किं मया बहु वक्तव्यं स्थाने संशयवर्जिते । सेवनीयं पदाम्भोजं भगवत्या निरन्तरम् ॥

kiṁ mayā bahu vaktavyaṁ sthāne saṁśayavarjite sevanīyaṁ padāmbhojaṁ bhagavatyā nirantaram

'What more need I say, on a matter free of doubt? The lotus feet of the Blessed Goddess should be constantly served.'

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.11.18.68)

नातः परतरं किञ्चिदधिकं जगतीतले । सेवनीया परा देवी निर्गुणा सगुणाथवा ॥

nātaḥ parataraṁ kiñcidadhikaṁ jagatītale sevanīyā parā devī nirguṇā saguṇāthavā

'There exists nothing greater than this upon this earth. The Supreme Goddess, whether without qualities or with qualities, should be served.'

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.11.18.69)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा राजर्षेर्धार्मिकस्य च । प्रसन्नहृदयाः सर्वे गताः स्वस्वनिकेतनम् ॥

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā rājarṣerdhārmikasya ca prasannahṛdayāḥ sarve gatāḥ svasvaniketanam

Shri Narayana said: Having heard these words of the righteous royal sage, all of them, their hearts gladdened, went each to his own dwelling.

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.11.18.70)

एवम्प्रभावा सा देवी तत्पूजायाः फलं कियत् । अस्तीति केन प्रष्टव्यं वक्तव्यं वा न केनचित् ॥

evamprabhāvā sā devī tatpūjāyāḥ phalaṁ kiyat astīti kena praṣṭavyaṁ vaktavyaṁ vā na kenacit

Such is the power of that Goddess — how great, then, is the fruit of her worship? By whom should this be questioned, or by whom left unsaid?

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.11.18.71)

येषां तु जन्मसाफल्यं तेषां श्रद्धा तु जायते । येषां तु जन्मसाङ्कर्यं तेषां श्रद्धा न जायते ॥

yeṣāṁ tu janmasāphalyaṁ teṣāṁ śraddhā tu jāyate yeṣāṁ tu janmasāṅkaryaṁ teṣāṁ śraddhā na jāyate

Those whose birth has borne fruit — in them faith arises; those whose birth is marred by base mixture — in them faith does not arise.