The Liberation of Gunanidhi, in the Glory of the Rudraksha

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.11.6.1)

ईश्वर उवाच । महासेन कुशग्रन्थिपुत्राजीवादयः परे । रुद्राक्षस्य तु नैकोऽपि कलामर्हति षोडशीम्

īśvara uvāca mahāsena kuśagranthiputrājīvādayaḥ pare rudrākṣasya tu naiko'pi kalāmarhati ṣoḍaśīm

Ishvara said: O Mahasena, kusha-grass knots, putrajiva seeds, and other such beads — not even one of them is worth a sixteenth part of the rudraksha.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.11.6.2)

पुरुषाणां यथा विष्णुर्ग्रहाणां च यथा रविः । नदीनां तु यथा गङ्गा मुनीनां कश्यपो यथा

puruṣāṇāṁ yathā viṣṇurgrahāṇāṁ ca yathā raviḥ nadīnāṁ tu yathā gaṅgā munīnāṁ kaśyapo yathā

As Vishnu is the foremost among men, the Sun among the planets, the Ganga among rivers, and Kashyapa among sages,

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.11.6.3)

उच्चैःश्रवा यथाश्वानां देवानामीश्वरो यथा । देवीनां तु यथा गौरी तद्वच्छ्रेष्ठमिदं भवेत्

uccaiḥśravā yathāśvānāṁ devānāmīśvaro yathā devīnāṁ tu yathā gaurī tadvacchreṣṭhamidaṁ bhavet

as Uchchaihshravas is foremost among horses, Ishvara among the gods, and Gauri among goddesses — even so is this rudraksha the foremost among all beads.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.11.6.4)

नातः परतरं स्तोत्रं नातः परतरं व्रतम् । अक्षय्येषु च दानेषु रुद्राक्षस्तु विशिष्यते

nātaḥ parataraṁ stotraṁ nātaḥ parataraṁ vratam akṣayyeṣu ca dāneṣu rudrākṣastu viśiṣyate

There is no hymn higher than this, no vow higher than this; and among imperishable gifts, the rudraksha is especially distinguished.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.11.6.5)

शिवभक्ताय शान्ताय दद्याद्रुद्राक्षमुत्तमम् । तस्य पुण्यफलस्यान्तं न चाहं वक्तुमुत्सहे

śivabhaktāya śāntāya dadyādrudrākṣamuttamam tasya puṇyaphalasyāntaṁ na cāhaṁ vaktumutsahe

One should give an excellent rudraksha to a peaceful devotee of Shiva; even I am unable to describe the full extent of the merit that results.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.11.6.6)

धृतरुद्राक्षकण्ठाय यस्त्वन्नं सम्प्रयच्छति । त्रिसप्तकुलमुद्धृत्य रुद्रलोकं स गच्छति

dhṛtarudrākṣakaṇṭhāya yastvannaṁ samprayacchati trisaptakulamuddhṛtya rudralokaṁ sa gacchati

He who gives food to one wearing a rudraksha at the throat, having delivered twenty-one generations of his lineage, goes to the world of Rudra.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.11.6.7)

यस्य भाले विभूतिर्न नाङ्गे रुद्राक्षधारणम् । न शम्भोर्भवने पूजा स विप्रः श्वपचाधमः

yasya bhāle vibhūtirna nāṅge rudrākṣadhāraṇam na śambhorbhavane pūjā sa vipraḥ śvapacādhamaḥ

That brahmin who bears no sacred ash on his forehead, no rudraksha on his body, and offers no worship in the house of Shambhu — he is lower even than an outcaste.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.11.6.8)

खादन्मांसं पिबन्मद्यं सङ्गच्छन्नन्त्यजानपि । पातकेभ्यो विमुच्येत रुद्राक्षं शिरसि स्थिते

khādanmāṁsaṁ pibanmadyaṁ saṅgacchannantyajānapi pātakebhyo vimucyeta rudrākṣaṁ śirasi sthite

Even while eating meat, drinking liquor, or consorting with outcastes, one is released from sins so long as a rudraksha rests upon the head.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.11.6.9)

सर्वयज्ञतपोदानवेदाभ्यासैश्च यत्फलम् । तत्फलं लभते सद्यो रुद्राक्षस्य तु धारणात्

sarvayajñatapodānavedābhyāsaiśca yatphalam tatphalaṁ labhate sadyo rudrākṣasya tu dhāraṇāt

Whatever fruit accrues from all sacrifices, austerities, gifts, and Vedic recitation, that same fruit one immediately obtains simply by wearing the rudraksha.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.11.6.10)

वेदैश्चतुर्भिर्यत्पुण्यं पुराणपठनेन च । यत्तीर्थसेवनेनैव सर्वविद्यादिभिस्तथा

vedaiścaturbhiryatpuṇyaṁ purāṇapaṭhanena ca yattīrthasevanenaiva sarvavidyādibhistathā

Whatever merit comes from the four Vedas, from the reading of the Puranas, from the visiting of sacred fords, and from every branch of learning —

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.11.6.11)

तत्पुण्यं लभते सद्यो रुद्राक्षस्य तु धारणात् । प्रयाणकाले रुद्राक्षं बन्धयित्वा म्रियेद्यदि

tatpuṇyaṁ labhate sadyo rudrākṣasya tu dhāraṇāt prayāṇakāle rudrākṣaṁ bandhayitvā mriyedyadi

that merit one immediately obtains simply by wearing the rudraksha. If, at the time of death, one dies having bound on a rudraksha,

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.11.6.12)

स रुद्रत्वमवाप्नोति पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते । रुद्राक्षं धारयेत्कण्ठे बाह्वोर्वा म्रियते यदि

sa rudratvamavāpnoti punarjanma na vidyate rudrākṣaṁ dhārayetkaṇṭhe bāhvorvā mriyate yadi

he attains the state of Rudra, and there is no further rebirth for him. If one dies wearing a rudraksha at the throat or on the arms,

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.11.6.13)

कुलैकविंशमुत्तार्य रुद्रलोके वसेन्नरः । ब्राह्मणो वापि चाण्डालो निर्गुणः सगुणोऽपि च

kulaikaviṁśamuttārya rudraloke vasennaraḥ brāhmaṇo vāpi cāṇḍālo nirguṇaḥ saguṇo'pi ca

having delivered twenty-one generations of his lineage, that man dwells in the world of Rudra — whether he be a brahmin or an outcaste, devoid of virtue or possessed of virtue.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.11.6.14)

भस्मरुद्राक्षधारी यः स देवत्वं शिवं व्रजेत् । शुचिर्वाप्यशुचिर्वापि तथाभक्ष्यस्य भक्षकः

bhasmarudrākṣadhārī yaḥ sa devatvaṁ śivaṁ vrajet śucirvāpyaśucirvāpi tathābhakṣyasya bhakṣakaḥ

Whoever wears both the sacred ash and the rudraksha attains the auspicious state of Shiva — whether he be pure or impure, or even an eater of forbidden food,

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.11.6.15)

म्लेच्छो वाप्यथ चाण्डालो युतो वा सर्वपातकैः । रुद्राक्षधारणादेव स रुद्रो नात्र संशयः

mleccho vāpyatha cāṇḍālo yuto vā sarvapātakaiḥ rudrākṣadhāraṇādeva sa rudro nātra saṁśayaḥ

whether a barbarian or an outcaste, or joined with every kind of sin — simply by wearing the rudraksha he becomes Rudra himself; of this there is no doubt.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.11.6.16)

शिरसा धारिते कोटिः कर्णयोर्दशकोटयः । शतकोटिर्गले बद्धो मूर्ध्नि कोटिसहस्रकम्

śirasā dhārite koṭiḥ karṇayordaśakoṭayaḥ śatakoṭirgale baddho mūrdhni koṭisahasrakam

When worn on the head, the merit is one crore-fold; on both ears, ten crore-fold; bound at the throat, a hundred crore-fold; on the crown of the head, a thousand crore-fold;

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.11.6.17)

अयुतं चोपवीते तु लक्षकोटिर्भुजे स्थिते । मणिबन्धे तु रुद्राक्षो मोक्षसाधनकः परः

ayutaṁ copavīte tu lakṣakoṭirbhuje sthite maṇibandhe tu rudrākṣo mokṣasādhanakaḥ paraḥ

on the sacred thread, ten-thousand-fold; placed on the arm, a hundred-thousand-crore-fold; and on the wrist, the rudraksha is the supreme means to liberation.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.11.6.18)

रुद्राक्षधारको भूत्वा यत्किञ्चित्कर्म वैदिकम् । कुर्वन्विप्रः सदा भक्त्या महदाप्नोति तत्फलम्

rudrākṣadhārako bhūtvā yatkiñcitkarma vaidikam kurvanvipraḥ sadā bhaktyā mahadāpnoti tatphalam

Being a wearer of rudraksha, whatever Vedic rite a brahmin performs, always with devotion, he obtains for it a greatly magnified fruit.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.11.6.19)

रुद्राक्षमालिकां कण्ठे धारयेद्भक्तिवर्जितः । पापकर्मा तु यो नित्यं स मुक्तः सर्वबन्धनात्

rudrākṣamālikāṁ kaṇṭhe dhārayedbhaktivarjitaḥ pāpakarmā tu yo nityaṁ sa muktaḥ sarvabandhanāt

Even one devoid of devotion, who habitually commits sinful acts, if he wears a rudraksha rosary at the throat, is freed from every bondage.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.11.6.20)

रुद्राक्षार्पितचेता यो रुद्राक्षस्तु न वै धृतः । असौ माहेश्वरो लोके नमस्यः स तु लिङ्गवत्

rudrākṣārpitacetā yo rudrākṣastu na vai dhṛtaḥ asau māheśvaro loke namasyaḥ sa tu liṅgavat

He whose mind is devoted to the rudraksha, even if he does not actually wear one, is still a follower of Maheshvara, to be revered in the world just like one who bears the linga.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.11.6.21)

अविद्यो वा सविद्यो वा रुद्राक्षस्य तु धारणात् । शिवलोकं प्रपद्येत कीकटे गर्दभो यथा

avidyo vā savidyo vā rudrākṣasya tu dhāraṇāt śivalokaṁ prapadyeta kīkaṭe gardabho yathā

Whether unlearned or learned, simply by wearing the rudraksha one attains the world of Shiva — just as happened to a donkey in the land of Kikata.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.11.6.22)

स्कन्द उवाच । रुद्राक्षान्सन्दधे देव गर्दभः केन हेतुना । कीकटे केन वा दत्तस्तद्ब्रूहि परमेश्वर

skanda uvāca rudrākṣānsandadhe deva gardabhaḥ kena hetunā kīkaṭe kena vā dattastadbrūhi parameśvara

Skanda said: O God, for what reason did that donkey come to wear rudrakshas, and who gave them to it, in Kikata? Tell me this, O Supreme Lord.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.11.6.23)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । शृणु पुत्र पुरावृत्तं गर्दभो विन्ध्यपर्वते । धत्ते रुद्राक्षभारं तु वाहितः पथिकेन तु

śrībhagavānuvāca śṛṇu putra purāvṛttaṁ gardabho vindhyaparvate dhatte rudrākṣabhāraṁ tu vāhitaḥ pathikena tu

The Blessed Lord said: Listen, my son, to what happened long ago. On Mount Vindhya, a donkey, being driven along by a traveler, was carrying a load of rudraksha beads.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.11.6.24)

श्रान्तोऽसमर्थस्तद्भारं वोढुं पतितवान्भुवि । प्राणैस्त्वक्तस्त्रिनेत्रस्तु शूलपाणिर्महेश्वरः

śrānto'samarthastadbhāraṁ voḍhuṁ patitavānbhuvi prāṇaistvaktastrinetrastu śūlapāṇirmaheśvaraḥ

Exhausted and unable to carry that load, it fell to the ground and gave up its life. And then, the three-eyed Maheshvara, the trident-bearer —

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.11.6.25)

मत्प्रसादान्महासेन मदन्तिकमुपागतः । यावद्वक्त्रस्य सङ्ख्यानं रुद्राक्षाणां सुदुर्लभम्

matprasādānmahāsena madantikamupāgataḥ yāvadvaktrasya saṅkhyānaṁ rudrākṣāṇāṁ sudurlabham

O Mahasena, through my grace, that donkey came into my very presence. For as many facets as the number of those rare rudrakshas it had carried,

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.11.6.26)

तावद्युगसहस्राणि शिवलोके महीयते । स्वशिष्येभ्यस्तु वक्तव्यं नाशिष्येभ्यः कदाचन

tāvadyugasahasrāṇi śivaloke mahīyate svaśiṣyebhyastu vaktavyaṁ nāśiṣyebhyaḥ kadācana

for that many thousand yugas it remains exalted in the world of Shiva. This teaching should be told only to one's own disciples, never to non-disciples,

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.11.6.27)

अभक्तेभ्योऽपि मूर्खेभ्यः कदाचिन्न प्रकाशयेत् । अभक्तो वास्तु भक्तो वा नीचो नीचतरोऽपि वा

abhaktebhyo'pi mūrkhebhyaḥ kadācinna prakāśayet abhakto vāstu bhakto vā nīco nīcataro'pi vā

and it should never be revealed to non-devotees or to fools. Whether one be a non-devotee or a devotee, of low birth or even lower —

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.11.6.28)

रुद्राक्षान्धारयेद्यस्तु मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः । रुद्राक्षधारणं पुण्यं केन वा सदृशं भवेत्

rudrākṣāndhārayedyastu mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ rudrākṣadhāraṇaṁ puṇyaṁ kena vā sadṛśaṁ bhavet

whoever wears rudrakshas is freed from all sins. With what indeed could the merit of wearing rudraksha be compared?

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.11.6.29)

महाव्रतमिदं प्राहुर्मुनयस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः । सहस्रं धारयेद्यस्तु रुद्राक्षाणां धृतव्रतः

mahāvratamidaṁ prāhurmunayastattvadarśinaḥ sahasraṁ dhārayedyastu rudrākṣāṇāṁ dhṛtavrataḥ

The sages who perceive the truth declare this to be a great vow. He who, keeping his vow, wears a thousand rudrakshas —

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.11.6.30)

तं नमन्ति सुराः सर्वे यथा रुद्रस्तथैव सः । अभावे तु सहस्रस्य बाह्वोः षोडश षोडश

taṁ namanti surāḥ sarve yathā rudrastathaiva saḥ abhāve tu sahasrasya bāhvoḥ ṣoḍaśa ṣoḍaśa

to him all the gods bow down just as they do to Rudra himself — he is verily like Rudra. But in the absence of a thousand, sixteen and sixteen on the two arms,

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.11.6.31)

एकं शिखायां करयोर्द्वादश द्वादशैव तु । द्वात्रिंशत्कण्ठदेशे तु चत्वारिंशच्च मस्तके

ekaṁ śikhāyāṁ karayordvādaśa dvādaśaiva tu dvātriṁśatkaṇṭhadeśe tu catvāriṁśacca mastake

one on the tuft of hair, twelve and twelve on the two hands, thirty-two at the throat, and forty on the head,

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.11.6.32)

एकैकं कर्णयोः षट् षट् वक्षस्यष्टोत्तरं शतम् । यो धारयति रुद्राक्षान् रुद्रवत्स तु पूज्यते

ekaikaṁ karṇayoḥ ṣaṭ ṣaṭ vakṣasyaṣṭottaraṁ śatam yo dhārayati rudrākṣān rudravatsa tu pūjyate

six and six at each of the two ears, and one hundred and eight on the chest — he who wears rudrakshas thus is honored just like Rudra.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.11.6.33)

मुक्ताप्रवालस्कटिकरौप्यवैदूर्यकाञ्चनैः । समेतान्धारयेद्यस्तु रुद्राक्षान्स शिवो भवेत्

muktāpravālaskaṭikaraupyavaidūryakāñcanaiḥ sametāndhārayedyastu rudrākṣānsa śivo bhavet

He who wears rudrakshas set together with pearl, coral, crystal, silver, cat's-eye, and gold, becomes Shiva himself.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.11.6.34)

केवलानपि रुद्राक्षान्यद्यालस्याद्बिभर्ति यः । तं न स्पृशन्ति पापानि तमांसीव विभावसुम्

kevalānapi rudrākṣānyadyālasyādbibharti yaḥ taṁ na spṛśanti pāpāni tamāṁsīva vibhāvasum

Even one who, out of mere indifference, wears plain rudrakshas — sins do not touch him, just as darkness cannot touch fire.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.11.6.35)

रुद्राक्षमालया मन्त्रो जप्तोऽनन्तफलप्रदः । यस्याङ्गे नास्ति रुद्राक्ष एकोऽपि बहुपुण्यदः

rudrākṣamālayā mantro japto'nantaphalapradaḥ yasyāṅge nāsti rudrākṣa eko'pi bahupuṇyadaḥ

A mantra recited with a rudraksha rosary bestows boundless fruit. He on whose body there is not even a single such merit-giving rudraksha —

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.11.6.36)

तस्य जन्म निरर्थं स्यात्त्रिपुण्ड्ररहितं यथा । रुद्राक्षं मस्तके धृत्वा शिरःस्नानं करोति यः

tasya janma nirarthaṁ syāttripuṇḍrarahitaṁ yathā rudrākṣaṁ mastake dhṛtvā śiraḥsnānaṁ karoti yaḥ

his birth is as meaningless as that of one devoid of the tripundra mark. He who, having placed a rudraksha upon the head, performs a head-bath,

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.11.6.37)

गङ्गास्नानफलं तस्य जायते नात्र संशयः । एकवक्त्रः पञ्चवक्त्र एकादशमुखाः परे

gaṅgāsnānaphalaṁ tasya jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ ekavaktraḥ pañcavaktra ekādaśamukhāḥ pare

obtains the fruit of bathing in the Ganga — of this there is no doubt. One-faced, five-faced, some eleven-faced,

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.11.6.38)

चतुर्दशमुखाः केचिद्रुद्राक्षा लोकपूजिताः । भक्त्या सम्पूज्यते नित्यं रुद्राक्षः शङ्करात्मकः

caturdaśamukhāḥ kecidrudrākṣā lokapūjitāḥ bhaktyā sampūjyate nityaṁ rudrākṣaḥ śaṅkarātmakaḥ

and some fourteen-faced — such rudrakshas are worshipped throughout the world. The rudraksha, being of the very nature of Shankara, when constantly worshipped with devotion,

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.11.6.39)

दरिद्रं वापि पुरुषं राजानं कुरुते भुवि । अत्र ते कथयिष्यामि पुराणं मतमुत्तमम्

daridraṁ vāpi puruṣaṁ rājānaṁ kurute bhuvi atra te kathayiṣyāmi purāṇaṁ matamuttamam

makes even a poor man a king upon this earth. In this regard, I shall tell you an excellent, ancient account:

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.11.6.40)

कोसलेषु द्विजः कश्चिद्गिरिनाथ इति श्रुतः । महाधनी च धर्मात्मा वेदवेदाङ्गपारगः

kosaleṣu dvijaḥ kaścidgirinātha iti śrutaḥ mahādhanī ca dharmātmā vedavedāṅgapāragaḥ

In the land of Kosala there was a certain twice-born, known by the name Girinatha, exceedingly wealthy, righteous of soul, and thoroughly versed in the Vedas and their auxiliary sciences.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.11.6.41)

यज्ञकृद्दीक्षितस्तस्य तनयः सुन्दराकृतिः । नाम्ना गुणनिधिः ख्यातस्तरुणः कामसुन्दरः

yajñakṛddīkṣitastasya tanayaḥ sundarākṛtiḥ nāmnā guṇanidhiḥ khyātastaruṇaḥ kāmasundaraḥ

He performed sacrifices and was ritually consecrated. His son, of beautiful form, was known by the name Gunanidhi, a youth handsome as the god of love.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.11.6.42)

गुरोः सुधिषणस्याथ पत्नीं मुक्तावलीमथ । मोहयामास रूपेण यौवनेन मदेन च

guroḥ sudhiṣaṇasyātha patnīṁ muktāvalīmatha mohayāmāsa rūpeṇa yauvanena madena ca

He beguiled Muktavali, the wife of his teacher Sudhishana, through his beauty, his youth, and his intoxicating charm.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.11.6.43)

सङ्गतस्तु तया सार्धं कञ्चित्कालं ततो भिया । विषं ददौ च गुरवे येभे पश्चात्तु निर्भयः

saṅgatastu tayā sārdhaṁ kañcitkālaṁ tato bhiyā viṣaṁ dadau ca gurave yebhe paścāttu nirbhayaḥ

Having consorted with her for some time, he then, out of fear, gave poison to his guru, and afterward, without fear, continued the affair.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.11.6.44)

यदा माता पिता कर्म किञ्चिज्जानाति यत्क्षणे । मातरं पितरं चापि मारयामास तद्विषात्

yadā mātā pitā karma kiñcijjānāti yatkṣaṇe mātaraṁ pitaraṁ cāpi mārayāmāsa tadviṣāt

Whenever his mother and father came to know something of this deed, he killed both his mother and his father with that same poison.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.11.6.45)

नानाविलासभोगैश्च जाते द्रव्यव्यये ततः । ब्राह्मणानां गृहे चौर्यं चकार स तदा खलः

nānāvilāsabhogaiśca jāte dravyavyaye tataḥ brāhmaṇānāṁ gṛhe cauryaṁ cakāra sa tadā khalaḥ

Then, when his wealth had been squandered on manifold pleasures and indulgences, that wicked man took to committing theft in the houses of brahmins.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.11.6.46)

सुरापानमदोन्मत्तस्तदा ज्ञातिबहिष्कृतः । ग्रामान्निष्कासितः सर्वैस्तदा सोऽभूद्वनेचरः

surāpānamadonmattastadā jñātibahiṣkṛtaḥ grāmānniṣkāsitaḥ sarvaistadā so'bhūdvanecaraḥ

Maddened with drinking liquor, he was cast out by his own kinsmen; expelled from the village by everyone, he then became a wanderer in the forest.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.11.6.47)

मुक्तावल्या तया सार्धं जगाम गहनं वनम् । मार्गे स्थितो द्रव्यलोभाज्जघान ब्राह्मणान्बहून्

muktāvalyā tayā sārdhaṁ jagāma gahanaṁ vanam mārge sthito dravyalobhājjaghāna brāhmaṇānbahūn

Together with that Muktavali, he went into the dense forest. Stationed along the road, out of greed for wealth, he slew many brahmins.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.11.6.48)

एवं बहुगते काले ममार स तदाधमः । नेतुं तं यमदूताश्च समाजग्मुः सहस्रशः

evaṁ bahugate kāle mamāra sa tadādhamaḥ netuṁ taṁ yamadūtāśca samājagmuḥ sahasraśaḥ

Thus, after a long time had passed, that vile man died. Then the messengers of Yama came there, by the thousands, to lead him away,

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.11.6.49)

शिवलोकाच्छिवगणास्तथैव च समागताः । तयोः परस्परं वादो बभूव गिरिजासुत

śivalokācchivagaṇāstathaiva ca samāgatāḥ tayoḥ parasparaṁ vādo babhūva girijāsuta

and likewise, from the world of Shiva, the attendants of Shiva also arrived. O son of Girija, between the two groups a dispute arose.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.11.6.50)

यमदूतास्तदा प्रोचुः पुण्यमस्य किमस्ति हि । ब्रुवन्तु सेवकाः शम्भोर्यद्येनं नेतुमिच्छथ

yamadūtāstadā procuḥ puṇyamasya kimasti hi bruvantu sevakāḥ śambhoryadyenaṁ netumicchatha

The messengers of Yama then said: 'What merit does this man possess at all? If you wish to take him away, let the servants of Shambhu declare it.'

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.11.6.51)

शिवदूतास्तदा प्रोचुरयं यस्मिन्स्थले मृतः । दशहस्तादधो भूमे रुद्राक्षस्तत्र चास्ति हि

śivadūtāstadā procurayaṁ yasminsthale mṛtaḥ daśahastādadho bhūme rudrākṣastatra cāsti hi

The messengers of Shiva then said: 'At the very spot where this man died, ten hands' depth below the ground, there lies a rudraksha.'

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.11.6.52)

तत्प्रभावेण हे दूता नेष्यामः शिवसन्निधिम् । ततो विमानमारुह्य दिव्यरूपधरो द्विजः

tatprabhāveṇa he dūtā neṣyāmaḥ śivasannidhim tato vimānamāruhya divyarūpadharo dvijaḥ

'By the power of that alone, O messengers, we shall lead him into the presence of Shiva.' Then, mounting a celestial chariot, the twice-born, now bearing a divine form,

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.11.6.53)

गतो गुणनिधिर्दूतैः सहितः शङ्करालयम् । इति रुद्राक्षमाहात्म्यं कथितं तव सुव्रत

gato guṇanidhirdūtaiḥ sahitaḥ śaṅkarālayam iti rudrākṣamāhātmyaṁ kathitaṁ tava suvrata

Gunanidhi went, together with the messengers, to the abode of Shankara. Thus, O one of excellent vows, has the glory of the rudraksha been told to you.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.11.6.54)

एवं रुद्राक्षमहिमा समासात्कथितो मया । सर्वपापक्षयकरो महापुण्यफलप्रदः

evaṁ rudrākṣamahimā samāsātkathito mayā sarvapāpakṣayakaro mahāpuṇyaphalapradaḥ

Thus has the greatness of the rudraksha been told by me in brief — the destroyer of all sin, and the bestower of the fruit of great merit.