Why Brahmins and Others Worship Different Deities Apart from Gayatri

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.12.9.1)

व्यास उवाच । कदाचिदथ काले तु दशपञ्चसमा विभो । प्राणिनां कर्मवशतो न ववर्ष शतक्रतुः

vyāsa uvāca kadācidatha kāle tu daśapañcasamā vibho prāṇināṁ karmavaśato na vavarṣa śatakratuḥ

Vyasa said: Once, O Lord, for a period of fifteen years, on account of the karma of living beings, Indra did not send rain.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.12.9.2)

अनावृष्ट्यातिदुर्भिक्षमभवत्क्षयकारकम् । गहे गृहे शवानां तु सङ्ख्या कर्तुं न शक्यते

anāvṛṣṭyātidurbhikṣamabhavatkṣayakārakam gahe gṛhe śavānāṁ tu saṅkhyā kartuṁ na śakyate

Through the lack of rain, a terrible famine arose, bringing destruction; in house after house, the corpses could not even be counted.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.12.9.3)

केचिदश्वान्वराहान्वा भक्षयन्ति क्षुधार्दिताः । शवानि च मनुष्याणां भक्षयन्त्यपरे जनाः

kecidaśvānvarāhānvā bhakṣayanti kṣudhārditāḥ śavāni ca manuṣyāṇāṁ bhakṣayantyapare janāḥ

Some, tormented by hunger, ate horses or pigs; and other people ate the corpses of human beings.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.12.9.4)

बालकं बालजननी स्त्रियं पुरुष एव च । भक्षितुं चलिताः सर्वे क्षुधया पीडिता नराः

bālakaṁ bālajananī striyaṁ puruṣa eva ca bhakṣituṁ calitāḥ sarve kṣudhayā pīḍitā narāḥ

Men, afflicted by hunger, moved to devour a child, the child's own mother, a woman, or even a man.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.12.9.5)

ब्राह्मणा बहवस्तत्र विचारं चक्रुरुत्तमम् । तपोधनो गौतमोऽस्ति स नः खेदं हरिष्यति

brāhmaṇā bahavastatra vicāraṁ cakruruttamam tapodhano gautamo'sti sa naḥ khedaṁ hariṣyati

Many Brahmins there deliberated wisely: 'There is the sage Gautama, whose wealth is austerity; he will remove our distress.'

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.12.9.6)

सर्वैर्मिलित्वा गन्तव्यं गौतमस्याश्रमेऽधुना । गायत्रीजपसंसक्तगौतमस्याश्रमेऽधुना

sarvairmilitvā gantavyaṁ gautamasyāśrame'dhunā gāyatrījapasaṁsaktagautamasyāśrame'dhunā

'Let all of us gather together and go now to the hermitage of Gautama, who is devoted to the recitation of Gayatri.'

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.12.9.7)

सुभिक्षं श्रूयते तत्र प्राणिनो बहवो गताः । एवं विमृश्य भूदेवाः साग्निहोत्राः कुटुम्बिनः

subhikṣaṁ śrūyate tatra prāṇino bahavo gatāḥ evaṁ vimṛśya bhūdevāḥ sāgnihotrāḥ kuṭumbinaḥ

'It is heard that there is abundant food there.' Many living beings went there. Having thus deliberated, the earthly gods, with their sacred fires and families,

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.12.9.8)

सगोधनाः सदासाश्च गौतमस्याश्रमं ययुः । पूर्वदेशाद्ययुः केचित्केचिद्दक्षिणदेशतः

sagodhanāḥ sadāsāśca gautamasyāśramaṁ yayuḥ pūrvadeśādyayuḥ kecitkeciddakṣiṇadeśataḥ

together with their cattle and servants, went to Gautama's hermitage; some came from the eastern land, some from the southern,

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.12.9.9)

पाश्चात्या औत्तराहाश्च नानादिग्भ्यः समाययुः । दृष्ट्वा समाजं विप्राणां प्रणनाम स गौतमः

pāścātyā auttarāhāśca nānādigbhyaḥ samāyayuḥ dṛṣṭvā samājaṁ viprāṇāṁ praṇanāma sa gautamaḥ

and those from the west and the north came together from every direction. Seeing the great assembly of Brahmins, Gautama bowed to them.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.12.9.10)

आसनाद्युपचारैश्च पूजयामास वाडवान् । चकार कुशलप्रश्नं ततश्चागमकारणम्

āsanādyupacāraiśca pūjayāmāsa vāḍavān cakāra kuśalapraśnaṁ tataścāgamakāraṇam

He honored the Brahmins with seats and other courtesies, and then inquired after their welfare, and then the reason for their coming.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.12.9.11)

ते सर्वे स्वस्ववृत्तान्तं कथयामासुरुत्स्मयाः । दृष्ट्वा तान्दुःखितान्विप्रानभयं दत्तवान्मुनिः

te sarve svasvavṛttāntaṁ kathayāmāsurutsmayāḥ dṛṣṭvā tānduḥkhitānviprānabhayaṁ dattavānmuniḥ

All of them, with troubled faces, told their own stories; seeing those grieving Brahmins, the sage gave them assurance.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.12.9.12)

युष्माकमेतत्सदनं भवद्दासोऽस्मि सर्वथा । का चिन्ता भवतां विप्रा मयि दासे विराजति

yuṣmākametatsadanaṁ bhavaddāso'smi sarvathā kā cintā bhavatāṁ viprā mayi dāse virājati

'This dwelling is yours; I am your servant in every way. O Brahmins, what worry can remain, while I, your servant, am here?'

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.12.9.13)

धन्योऽहमस्मिन्समये यूयं सर्वे तपोधनाः । येषां दर्शनमात्रेण दुष्कृतं सुकृतायते

dhanyo'hamasminsamaye yūyaṁ sarve tapodhanāḥ yeṣāṁ darśanamātreṇa duṣkṛtaṁ sukṛtāyate

'I am fortunate at this time — you are all rich in austerity, by the mere sight of whom evil deeds become good ones.'

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.12.9.14)

ते सर्वे पादरजसा पावयन्ति गृहं मम । को मदन्यो भवेद्धन्यो भवतां समनुग्रहात्

te sarve pādarajasā pāvayanti gṛhaṁ mama ko madanyo bhaveddhanyo bhavatāṁ samanugrahāt

'You all purify my home with the dust of your feet; who could be more fortunate than I, by your combined grace?'

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.12.9.15)

स्थेयं सर्वैः सुखेनैव सन्ध्याजपपरायणैः । व्यास उवाच । इति सर्वान्ममाश्वास्य गौतमो मुनिराट् ततः

stheyaṁ sarvaiḥ sukhenaiva sandhyājapaparāyaṇaiḥ vyāsa uvāca iti sarvānmamāśvāsya gautamo munirāṭ tataḥ

'Let all of you stay here in happiness, devoted to your sandhya-worship and japa.' Vyasa said: Having thus reassured everyone, King of sages Gautama then —

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.12.9.16)

गायत्रीं प्रार्थयामास भक्तिसन्नतकन्धरः । नमो देवि महाविद्ये वेदमातः परात्परे

gāyatrīṁ prārthayāmāsa bhaktisannatakandharaḥ namo devi mahāvidye vedamātaḥ parātpare

— prayed to Gayatri, his neck bowed in devotion: 'Salutation, O Devi, O Great Knowledge, O Mother of the Vedas, O transcendent beyond the transcendent.'

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.12.9.17)

व्याहृत्यादिमहामन्त्ररूपे प्रणवरूपिणि । साम्यावस्थात्मिके मातर्नमो ह्रीङ्काररूपिणि

vyāhṛtyādimahāmantrarūpe praṇavarūpiṇi sāmyāvasthātmike mātarnamo hrīṅkārarūpiṇi

'O you of the form of the great mantra beginning with the vyahritis, of the form of the syllable Om, of the nature of equilibrium, O Mother, salutation, O you of the form of Hrim.'

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.12.9.18)

स्वाहास्वधास्वरूपे त्वां नमामि सकलार्थदाम् । भक्तकल्पलतां देवीमवस्थात्रयसाक्षिणीम्

svāhāsvadhāsvarūpe tvāṁ namāmi sakalārthadām bhaktakalpalatāṁ devīmavasthātrayasākṣiṇīm

'O you of the form of Svaha and Svadha, I salute you, the giver of all that is desired, the Devi who is a wish-fulfilling creeper for her devotees, the witness of the three states.'

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.12.9.19)

तुर्यातीतस्वरूपां च सच्चिदानन्दरूपिणीम् । सर्ववेदान्तसंवेद्यां सूर्यमण्डलवासिनीम्

turyātītasvarūpāṁ ca saccidānandarūpiṇīm sarvavedāntasaṁvedyāṁ sūryamaṇḍalavāsinīm

'You, whose nature transcends even the fourth state, whose form is being-consciousness-bliss, knowable through all the Vedanta, dwelling in the orb of the sun,'

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.12.9.20)

प्रातर्बालां रक्तवर्णां मध्याह्ने युवतीं पराम् । सायाह्ने कृष्णवर्णां तां वृद्धां नित्यं नमाम्यहम्

prātarbālāṁ raktavarṇāṁ madhyāhne yuvatīṁ parām sāyāhne kṛṣṇavarṇāṁ tāṁ vṛddhāṁ nityaṁ namāmyaham

'a girl in the morning, red in color; at midday, a supreme young woman; in the evening, dark in color and aged — I ever bow to her.'

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.12.9.21)

सर्वभूतारणे देवि क्षमस्व परमेश्वरि । इति स्तुता जगन्माता प्रत्यक्षं दर्शनं ददौ

sarvabhūtāraṇe devi kṣamasva parameśvari iti stutā jaganmātā pratyakṣaṁ darśanaṁ dadau

'O Devi, O Supreme Goddess, in this affliction of all beings, forgive us.' Thus praised, the Mother of the world granted a visible manifestation.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.12.9.22)

पूर्णपात्रं ददौ तस्मै येन स्यात्सर्वपोषणम् । उवाच मुनिमम्बा सा यं यं कामं त्वमिच्छसि

pūrṇapātraṁ dadau tasmai yena syātsarvapoṣaṇam uvāca munimambā sā yaṁ yaṁ kāmaṁ tvamicchasi

She gave him a vessel of plenty, by which all could be nourished; the Mother said to the sage, 'Whatever desire you may wish for,'

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.12.9.23)

तस्य पूर्तिकरं पात्रं मया दत्तं भविष्यति । इत्युक्त्वान्तर्दधे देवी गायत्री परमा कला

tasya pūrtikaraṁ pātraṁ mayā dattaṁ bhaviṣyati ityuktvāntardadhe devī gāyatrī paramā kalā

'this vessel that I have given will fulfill it.' Having said this, the goddess Gayatri, the supreme power, vanished.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.12.9.24)

अन्नानां राशयस्तस्मानिर्गताः पर्वतोपमाः । षड्रसा विविधा राजंस्तृणानि विविधानि च

annānāṁ rāśayastasmānirgatāḥ parvatopamāḥ ṣaḍrasā vividhā rājaṁstṛṇāni vividhāni ca

From that vessel came forth heaps of grain like mountains, O king, food of six flavors of various kinds, and various kinds of fodder,

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.12.9.25)

भूषणानि च दिव्यानि क्षौमानि वसनानि च । यज्ञानां च समारम्भाः पात्राणि विविधानि च

bhūṣaṇāni ca divyāni kṣaumāni vasanāni ca yajñānāṁ ca samārambhāḥ pātrāṇi vividhāni ca

and divine ornaments, and silken garments, and the materials to begin sacrifices, and vessels of many kinds.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.12.9.26)

यद्यदिष्टमभूद्राजन् मुनेस्तस्य महात्मनः । तत्सर्वं निर्गतं तस्माद्गायत्रीपूर्णपात्रतः

yadyadiṣṭamabhūdrājan munestasya mahātmanaḥ tatsarvaṁ nirgataṁ tasmādgāyatrīpūrṇapātrataḥ

Whatever, O king, was desired by that great-souled sage, all of it came forth from that vessel of plenty given by Gayatri.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.12.9.27)

अथाहूय मुनीन्सर्वान्मुनिराड् गौतमस्तदा । धनं धान्यं भूषणानि वसनानि ददौ मुदा

athāhūya munīnsarvānmunirāḍ gautamastadā dhanaṁ dhānyaṁ bhūṣaṇāni vasanāni dadau mudā

Then, calling together all the sages, King of sages Gautama joyfully gave them wealth, grain, ornaments, and garments.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.12.9.28)

गोमहिष्यादिपशवो निर्गताः पूर्णपात्रतः । निर्गतान्यज्ञसम्भारान्स्रुक्स्रुवप्रभृतीन्ददौ

gomahiṣyādipaśavo nirgatāḥ pūrṇapātrataḥ nirgatānyajñasambhārānsruksruvaprabhṛtīndadau

Cattle, buffaloes, and other animals emerged from the vessel of plenty; and he gave the materials for sacrifice that had emerged, the sruk and sruva ladles and the rest.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.12.9.29)

ते सर्वे मिलिता यज्ञांश्चक्रिरे मुनिवाक्यतः । स्थानं तदेव भूयिष्ठमभवत्स्वर्गसन्निभम्

te sarve militā yajñāṁścakrire munivākyataḥ sthānaṁ tadeva bhūyiṣṭhamabhavatsvargasannibham

All of them, gathered together, performed sacrifices at the sage's word; that very place became abundant, resembling heaven itself.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.12.9.30)

यत्किञ्चित् त्रिषु लोकेषु सुन्दरं वस्तु दृश्यते । तत्सर्वं तत्र निष्पन्नं गायत्रीदत्तपात्रतः

yatkiñcit triṣu lokeṣu sundaraṁ vastu dṛśyate tatsarvaṁ tatra niṣpannaṁ gāyatrīdattapātrataḥ

Whatever beautiful thing is seen in the three worlds, all of it was produced there, from the vessel given by Gayatri.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.12.9.31)

देवाङ्गनासमा दाराः शोभन्ते भूषणादिभिः । मुनयो देवसदृशा वस्त्रचन्दनभूषणैः

devāṅganāsamā dārāḥ śobhante bhūṣaṇādibhiḥ munayo devasadṛśā vastracandanabhūṣaṇaiḥ

The wives, adorned with ornaments, shone like celestial women; the sages, with their garments, sandal-paste, and ornaments, resembled the gods themselves.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.12.9.32)

नित्योत्सवः प्रववृते मुनेराश्रममण्डले । न रोगादिभयं किञ्चिन्न च दैत्यभयं क्वचित्

nityotsavaḥ pravavṛte munerāśramamaṇḍale na rogādibhayaṁ kiñcinna ca daityabhayaṁ kvacit

A perpetual festival prevailed throughout the circle of the sage's hermitage; there was no fear of disease at all, nor any fear of demons anywhere.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.12.9.33)

स मुनेराश्रमो जातः समन्ताच्छतयोजनः । अन्ये च प्राणिनो येऽपि तेऽपि तत्र समागताः

sa munerāśramo jātaḥ samantācchatayojanaḥ anye ca prāṇino ye'pi te'pi tatra samāgatāḥ

That hermitage of the sage extended a hundred yojanas on every side; and whatever other living beings there were, they too gathered there.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.12.9.34)

तांश्च सर्वान्पुपोषायं दत्त्वाभयमथात्मवान् । नानाविधैर्महायज्ञैर्विधिवत्कल्पितैः सुराः

tāṁśca sarvānpupoṣāyaṁ dattvābhayamathātmavān nānāvidhairmahāyajñairvidhivatkalpitaiḥ surāḥ

He, the self-possessed one, having granted them all protection, nourished them; and the gods, through the many great sacrifices duly performed,

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.12.9.35)

सन्तोषं परमं प्रापुर्मुनेश्चैव जगुर्यशः । सभायां वृत्रहा भूयो जगौ श्लोकं महायशाः

santoṣaṁ paramaṁ prāpurmuneścaiva jaguryaśaḥ sabhāyāṁ vṛtrahā bhūyo jagau ślokaṁ mahāyaśāḥ

attained the highest contentment, and sang the sage's fame; and in the assembly, the slayer of Vritra sang this verse again:

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.12.9.36)

अहो अयं नः किल कल्पपादपो मनोरथान्पूरयति प्रतिष्ठितः । नोचेदकाण्डे क्व हविर्वपा वा सुदुर्लभा यत्र तु जीवनाशा

aho ayaṁ naḥ kila kalpapādapo manorathānpūrayati pratiṣṭhitaḥ nocedakāṇḍe kva havirvapā vā sudurlabhā yatra tu jīvanāśā

'Ah, this man is indeed our wish-fulfilling tree, firmly established, who fulfills every desire; otherwise, in such an untimely calamity, where would there be oblations for the fire, when even life itself was scarcely to be preserved?'

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.12.9.37)

इत्थं द्वादशवर्षाणि पुपोष मुनिपुङ्गवान् । पुत्रवन्मुनिराड् गर्वगन्धेन परिवर्जितः

itthaṁ dvādaśavarṣāṇi pupoṣa munipuṅgavān putravanmunirāḍ garvagandhena parivarjitaḥ

In this way, for twelve years, the King of sages nourished the foremost of the sages like his own sons, entirely free from even a trace of pride.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.12.9.38)

गायत्र्याः परमं स्थानं चकार मुनिसत्तमः । यत्र सर्वैर्मुनिवरैः पूज्यते जगदम्बिका

gāyatryāḥ paramaṁ sthānaṁ cakāra munisattamaḥ yatra sarvairmunivaraiḥ pūjyate jagadambikā

The best of sages built a supreme abode for Gayatri, where the Mother of the world is worshipped by all the excellent sages,

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.12.9.39)

त्रिकालं परया भक्त्या पुरश्चरणकर्मभिः । अद्यापि यत्र देवी सा प्रातर्बाला तु दृश्यते

trikālaṁ parayā bhaktyā puraścaraṇakarmabhiḥ adyāpi yatra devī sā prātarbālā tu dṛśyate

three times daily, with supreme devotion, through the rites of purashcharana; even to this day, that Devi is seen there as a girl in the morning,

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.12.9.40)

मध्याह्ने युवती वृद्धा सायङ्काले तु दृश्यते । तत्रैकदा समायातो नारदो मुनिसत्तमः

madhyāhne yuvatī vṛddhā sāyaṅkāle tu dṛśyate tatraikadā samāyāto nārado munisattamaḥ

a young woman at midday, and is seen as an old woman in the evening. There, once, the excellent sage Narada came,

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.12.9.41)

रणयन्महतीं गायन्गायत्र्याः परमान्गुणान् । निषसाद सभामध्ये मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम्

raṇayanmahatīṁ gāyangāyatryāḥ paramānguṇān niṣasāda sabhāmadhye munīnāṁ bhāvitātmanām

sounding his great vina and singing of Gayatri's supreme virtues; he sat down in the midst of the assembly of sages of purified mind,

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.12.9.42)

गौतमादिभिरत्युच्चैः पूजितः शान्तमानसः । कथाश्चकार विविधा यशसो गौतमस्य च

gautamādibhiratyuccaiḥ pūjitaḥ śāntamānasaḥ kathāścakāra vividhā yaśaso gautamasya ca

greatly honored by Gautama and the others, his mind at peace; he told various stories of Gautama's fame.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.12.9.43)

ब्रह्मर्षे देवसदसि देवराट् तव यद्यशः । जगौ बहुविधं स्वच्छं मुनिपोषणजं परम्

brahmarṣe devasadasi devarāṭ tava yadyaśaḥ jagau bahuvidhaṁ svacchaṁ munipoṣaṇajaṁ param

'O Brahmin sage, in the assembly of the gods, the king of the gods sang your fame in many ways, clear and pure, arising from your supreme nourishing of the sages.'

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.12.9.44)

श्रुत्वा शचीपतेर्वाणीं त्वां द्रष्टुमहमागतः । धन्योऽसि त्वं मुनिश्रेष्ठ जगदम्बाप्रसादतः

śrutvā śacīpatervāṇīṁ tvāṁ draṣṭumahamāgataḥ dhanyo'si tvaṁ muniśreṣṭha jagadambāprasādataḥ

'Having heard the words of Shachi's lord, I have come to see you. Blessed are you, O best of sages, by the grace of the Mother of the world.'

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.12.9.45)

इत्युक्त्वा मुनिवर्यं तं गायत्रीसदनं ययौ । ददर्श जगदम्बां तां प्रेमोत्फुल्लविलोचनः

ityuktvā munivaryaṁ taṁ gāyatrīsadanaṁ yayau dadarśa jagadambāṁ tāṁ premotphullavilocanaḥ

Having spoken thus to that excellent sage, he went to the abode of Gayatri, and beheld that Mother of the world, his eyes blossoming wide with love.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.12.9.46)

तुष्टाव विधिवद्देवीं जगाम त्रिदिवं पुनः । अथ तत्र स्थिता ये ते ब्राह्मणा मुनिपोषिताः

tuṣṭāva vidhivaddevīṁ jagāma tridivaṁ punaḥ atha tatra sthitā ye te brāhmaṇā munipoṣitāḥ

He duly praised the Devi, and returned again to heaven. Now, the Brahmins who dwelt there, nourished by the sage,

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.12.9.47)

उत्कर्षं तु मुनेः श्रुत्वासूयया खेदमागताः । यथास्य न यशो भूयात्कर्तव्यं सर्वथैव हि

utkarṣaṁ tu muneḥ śrutvāsūyayā khedamāgatāḥ yathāsya na yaśo bhūyātkartavyaṁ sarvathaiva hi

having heard of the sage's growing eminence, fell into distress out of envy: 'By all means, something must be done so that his fame does not increase.'

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.12.9.48)

काले समागते पश्चादिति सर्वैस्तु निश्चितम् । ततः कालेन कियताप्यभूद्वृष्टिर्धरातले

kāle samāgate paścāditi sarvaistu niścitam tataḥ kālena kiyatāpyabhūdvṛṣṭirdharātale

'When the time comes, later' — thus all resolved. Then, after some time, rain fell upon the earth,

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.12.9.49)

सुभिक्षमभवत्सर्वदेशेषु नृपसत्तम । श्रुत्वा वार्तां सुभिक्षस्य मिलिताः सर्ववाडवाः

subhikṣamabhavatsarvadeśeṣu nṛpasattama śrutvā vārtāṁ subhikṣasya militāḥ sarvavāḍavāḥ

and there was abundant food in every land, O best of kings. Hearing the news of the abundant food, all the Brahmins gathered together

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.12.9.50)

गौतमं शप्तुमुद्योगं हा हा राजन् प्रचक्रिरे । धन्यौ तेषां च पितरौ ययोरुत्पत्तिरीदृशी

gautamaṁ śaptumudyogaṁ hā hā rājan pracakrire dhanyau teṣāṁ ca pitarau yayorutpattirīdṛśī

and made an effort — alas, O king — to curse Gautama! Blessed indeed are the parents of one born in such a way!

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.12.9.51)

कालस्य महिमा राजन् वक्तुं केन हि शक्यते । गौर्निर्मिता माययैका मुमूर्षुर्जरती नृप

kālasya mahimā rājan vaktuṁ kena hi śakyate gaurnirmitā māyayaikā mumūrṣurjaratī nṛpa

Who indeed, O king, is able to describe the power of Time? A single cow was fashioned by magical illusion, an old cow on the point of death, O king,

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.12.9.52)

जगाम सा च शालायां होमकाले मुनेस्तदा । हुंहुंशब्दैर्वारिता सा प्राणांस्तत्याज तत्क्षणे

jagāma sā ca śālāyāṁ homakāle munestadā huṁhuṁśabdairvāritā sā prāṇāṁstatyāja tatkṣaṇe

and it went into the sacred hall at the time of the sage's fire-offering; being driven off with cries of 'hum, hum!', it gave up its life at that very moment.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.12.9.53)

गौर्हतानेन दुष्टेनेत्येवं ते चुक्रुशुर्द्विजाः । होमं समाप्य मुनिराङ् विस्मयं परमं गतः

gaurhatānena duṣṭenetyevaṁ te cukruśurdvijāḥ homaṁ samāpya munirāṅ vismayaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ

'This wicked man has killed a cow!' — thus the Brahmins cried out. Having finished the fire-offering, the King of sages was struck with the greatest astonishment.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.12.9.54)

समाधिमीलिताक्षः संश्चिन्तयामास कारणम् । कृतं सर्वं द्विजैरेतदिति ज्ञात्वा तदैव सः

samādhimīlitākṣaḥ saṁścintayāmāsa kāraṇam kṛtaṁ sarvaṁ dvijairetaditi jñātvā tadaiva saḥ

With his eyes closed in meditation, he pondered the cause; and knowing at once that all of this had been done by the Brahmins themselves,

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.12.9.55)

दधार कोपं परमं प्रलये रुद्रकोपवत् । शशाप च ऋषीन्सर्वान्कोपसंरक्तलोचनः

dadhāra kopaṁ paramaṁ pralaye rudrakopavat śaśāpa ca ṛṣīnsarvānkopasaṁraktalocanaḥ

he bore a supreme anger, like the anger of Rudra at the time of dissolution; and, his eyes red with rage, he cursed all the sages:

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.12.9.56)

वेदमातरि गायत्र्यां तद्ध्याने तन्मनोर्जपे । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वथा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

vedamātari gāyatryāṁ taddhyāne tanmanorjape bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvathā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward the Mother of the Vedas, Gayatri, toward meditation upon her, toward the recitation of her mantra — may you become entirely averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.12.9.57)

वेदे वेदोक्तयज्ञेषु तद्वार्तासु तथैव च । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वदा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

vede vedoktayajñeṣu tadvārtāsu tathaiva ca bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvadā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward the Veda, toward the sacrifices enjoined by the Veda, and likewise toward discourse of them — may you ever be averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.12.9.58)

शिवे शिवस्य मन्त्रे च शिवशास्त्रे तथैव च । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वदा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

śive śivasya mantre ca śivaśāstre tathaiva ca bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvadā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward Shiva, toward Shiva's mantra, and likewise toward the scriptures of Shiva — may you ever be averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.12.9.59)

मूलप्रकृत्याः श्रीदेव्यास्तद्ध्याने तत्कथासु च । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वदा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

mūlaprakṛtyāḥ śrīdevyāstaddhyāne tatkathāsu ca bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvadā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward the Primordial Prakriti, the Glorious Devi, toward meditation upon her, and toward stories of her — may you ever be averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.12.9.60)

देवीमन्त्रे तथा देव्याः स्थानेऽनुष्ठानकर्मणि । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वदा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

devīmantre tathā devyāḥ sthāne'nuṣṭhānakarmaṇi bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvadā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward the Devi's mantra, and toward the Devi's shrines and the rites performed there — may you ever be averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.12.9.61)

देव्युत्सवदिदृक्षायां देवीनामानुकीर्तने । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वदा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

devyutsavadidṛkṣāyāṁ devīnāmānukīrtane bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvadā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward the desire to witness the Devi's festivals, and toward the recitation of the Devi's names — may you ever be averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.12.9.62)

देवीभक्तस्य सान्निध्ये देवीभक्तार्चने तथा । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वदा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

devībhaktasya sānnidhye devībhaktārcane tathā bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvadā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward the company of the Devi's devotee, and likewise toward the worship of the Devi's devotee — may you ever be averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.12.9.63)

शिवोत्सवदिदृक्षायां शिवभक्तस्य पूजने । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वदा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

śivotsavadidṛkṣāyāṁ śivabhaktasya pūjane bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvadā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward the desire to witness Shiva's festivals, and toward the worship of Shiva's devotee — may you ever be averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.12.9.64)

रुद्राक्षं बिल्वपत्रे च तथा शुद्धे च भस्मनि । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वदा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

rudrākṣaṁ bilvapatre ca tathā śuddhe ca bhasmani bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvadā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward the rudraksha bead, toward the bilva leaf, and likewise toward pure sacred ash — may you ever be averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.12.9.65)

श्रौतस्मार्तसदाचारे ज्ञानमार्गे तथैव च । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वदा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

śrautasmārtasadācāre jñānamārge tathaiva ca bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvadā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward the right conduct taught by the Shruti and Smriti, and likewise toward the path of knowledge — may you ever be averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.12.9.66)

अद्वैतज्ञाननिष्ठायां शान्तिदान्त्यादिसाधने । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वदा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

advaitajñānaniṣṭhāyāṁ śāntidāntyādisādhane bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvadā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward steadfastness in the knowledge of non-duality, and toward the cultivation of peace, self-control, and the rest — may you ever be averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.12.9.67)

नित्यकर्माद्यनुष्ठानेऽप्यग्निहोत्रादिसाधने । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वदा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

nityakarmādyanuṣṭhāne'pyagnihotrādisādhane bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvadā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward the performance of the daily rites, and toward the practice of the agnihotra and the rest — may you ever be averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.12.9.68)

स्वाध्यायाध्ययने चैव तथा प्रवचनेऽपि च । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वदा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

svādhyāyādhyayane caiva tathā pravacane'pi ca bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvadā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward the study and recitation of one's own Veda, and likewise toward its teaching — may you ever be averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.12.9.69)

गोदानादिषु दानेषु पितृश्राद्धेषु चैव हि । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वदा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

godānādiṣu dāneṣu pitṛśrāddheṣu caiva hi bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvadā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward gifts such as the donation of cows, and likewise toward the ancestral offerings — may you ever be averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.12.9.70)

कृच्छ्रचान्द्रायणे चैव प्रायश्चित्ते तथैव च । भवतानुन्मुखा यूयं सर्वदा ब्राह्मणाधमाः

kṛcchracāndrāyaṇe caiva prāyaścitte tathaiva ca bhavatānunmukhā yūyaṁ sarvadā brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Toward the penances of Krichchhra and Chandrayana, and likewise toward expiatory rites in general — may you ever be averse, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.12.9.71)

श्रीदेवीभिन्नदेवेषु श्रद्धाभक्तिसमन्विताः । शङ्खचक्राद्यङ्किताश्च भवत ब्राह्मणाधमाः

śrīdevībhinnadeveṣu śraddhābhaktisamanvitāḥ śaṅkhacakrādyaṅkitāśca bhavata brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Endowed instead with faith and devotion toward gods other than the glorious Devi, and marked with the conch, discus, and the rest — become, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 72 (devibhagavatam.12.9.72)

कापालिकमतासक्ता बौद्धशास्त्ररताः सदा । पाखण्डाचारनिरता भवत ब्राह्मणाधमाः

kāpālikamatāsaktā bauddhaśāstraratāḥ sadā pākhaṇḍācāraniratā bhavata brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Attached to the doctrine of the Kapalikas, ever devoted to Buddhist scriptures, given over to heretical conduct — become, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 73 (devibhagavatam.12.9.73)

पितृमातृसुताभ्रातृकन्याविक्रयिणस्तथा । भार्याविकयिणस्तद्वद्भवत ब्राह्मणाधमाः

pitṛmātṛsutābhrātṛkanyāvikrayiṇastathā bhāryāvikayiṇastadvadbhavata brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Sellers of your fathers, mothers, sons, brothers, and daughters, and likewise sellers of your own wives — become, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 74 (devibhagavatam.12.9.74)

वेदविक्रयिणस्तद्वत्तीर्थविक्रयिणस्तथा । धर्मविक्रयिणस्तद्वद्भवत ब्राह्मणाधमाः

vedavikrayiṇastadvattīrthavikrayiṇastathā dharmavikrayiṇastadvadbhavata brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Sellers of the Veda, likewise sellers of sacred fords, and likewise sellers of dharma itself — become, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 75 (devibhagavatam.12.9.75)

पाञ्चरात्रे कामशास्त्रे तथा कापालिके मते । बौद्धे श्रद्धायुता यूयं भवत ब्राह्मणाधमाः

pāñcarātre kāmaśāstre tathā kāpālike mate bauddhe śraddhāyutā yūyaṁ bhavata brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Endowed with faith in the Pancharatra, in the Kamashastra, likewise in the Kapalika doctrine, and in Buddhism — become, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 76 (devibhagavatam.12.9.76)

मातृकन्यागामिनश्च भगिनीगामिनस्तथा । परस्त्रीलम्पटाः सर्वे भवत ब्राह्मणाधमाः

mātṛkanyāgāminaśca bhaginīgāminastathā parastrīlampaṭāḥ sarve bhavata brāhmaṇādhamāḥ

'Violators of your mothers and daughters, and likewise of your sisters, all of you lustful after the wives of others — become, O lowest of Brahmins!'

Verse 77 (devibhagavatam.12.9.77)

युष्माकं वंशजाताश्च स्त्रियश्च पुरुषास्तथा । मद्दत्तशापदग्धास्ते भविष्यन्ति भवत्समाः

yuṣmākaṁ vaṁśajātāśca striyaśca puruṣāstathā maddattaśāpadagdhāste bhaviṣyanti bhavatsamāḥ

'And those born in your lineage, women as well as men, shall be scorched by the curse I give, and shall become just like you.'

Verse 78 (devibhagavatam.12.9.78)

किं मया बहुनोक्तेन मूलप्रकृतिरीश्वरी । गायत्री परमा भूयाद्युष्मासु खलु कोपिता

kiṁ mayā bahunoktena mūlaprakṛtirīśvarī gāyatrī paramā bhūyādyuṣmāsu khalu kopitā

'What use is there in saying more? May the Primordial Prakriti, the Ruler, the Supreme Gayatri herself, indeed be angered against you!'

Verse 79 (devibhagavatam.12.9.79)

अन्धकूपादिकुण्डेषु युष्माकं स्यात्सदा स्थितिः । व्यास उवाच । वाग्दण्डमीदृशं कृत्वाप्युपस्पृश्य जलं ततः

andhakūpādikuṇḍeṣu yuṣmākaṁ syātsadā sthitiḥ vyāsa uvāca vāgdaṇḍamīdṛśaṁ kṛtvāpyupaspṛśya jalaṁ tataḥ

'May your abode ever be in the blind well and other such hellish pits!' Vyasa said: Having thus delivered this punishment by word, he then touched water,

Verse 80 (devibhagavatam.12.9.80)

जगाम दर्शनार्थं च गायत्र्याः परमोस्तुकः । प्रणनाम महादेवीं सापि देवी परात्परा

jagāma darśanārthaṁ ca gāyatryāḥ paramostukaḥ praṇanāma mahādevīṁ sāpi devī parātparā

and, most eager, went to have the sight of Gayatri; he bowed to the Great Goddess, and she too, the transcendent Devi,

Verse 81 (devibhagavatam.12.9.81)

ब्राह्मणानां कृतिं दृष्ट्वा स्मयं चित्ते चकार ह । अद्यापि तस्या वदनं स्मययुक्तं च दृश्यते

brāhmaṇānāṁ kṛtiṁ dṛṣṭvā smayaṁ citte cakāra ha adyāpi tasyā vadanaṁ smayayuktaṁ ca dṛśyate

seeing the deed of the Brahmins, felt amusement in her heart; even to this day, her face is seen wearing that faint smile.

Verse 82 (devibhagavatam.12.9.82)

उवाच मुनिवर्यं तं स्मयमानमुखाम्बुजा । भुजङ्गायार्पितं दुग्धं विषायैवोपजायते

uvāca munivaryaṁ taṁ smayamānamukhāmbujā bhujaṅgāyārpitaṁ dugdhaṁ viṣāyaivopajāyate

With her lotus face smiling, she said to that excellent sage: 'Milk offered to a serpent turns to nothing but poison.'

Verse 83 (devibhagavatam.12.9.83)

शान्तिं कुरु महाभाग कर्मणो गतिरीदृशी । इति देवीं प्रणम्याथ ततोऽगात्स्वाश्रमं प्रति

śāntiṁ kuru mahābhāga karmaṇo gatirīdṛśī iti devīṁ praṇamyātha tato'gātsvāśramaṁ prati

'Be at peace, O fortunate one; such is the way of karma.' Having thus bowed to the Devi, he then went back toward his own hermitage.

Verse 84 (devibhagavatam.12.9.84)

ततो विप्रैः शापदग्धैर्विस्मृता वेदराशयः । गायत्री विस्मृता सर्वैस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्

tato vipraiḥ śāpadagdhairvismṛtā vedarāśayaḥ gāyatrī vismṛtā sarvaistadadbhutamivābhavat

Then, by the Brahmins scorched by the curse, the great bodies of the Vedas were forgotten; Gayatri was forgotten by all — it became as if a wonder.

Verse 85 (devibhagavatam.12.9.85)

ते सर्वेऽथ मिलित्वा तु पश्चात्तापयुतास्तथा । प्रणेमुर्मुनिवर्यं तं दण्डवत्पतिता भुवि

te sarve'tha militvā tu paścāttāpayutāstathā praṇemurmunivaryaṁ taṁ daṇḍavatpatitā bhuvi

Then all of them, gathering together, and filled with remorse, prostrated themselves flat upon the ground before that excellent sage.

Verse 86 (devibhagavatam.12.9.86)

नोचुः किञ्चन वाक्यं तु लज्जयाधोमुखाः स्थिताः । प्रसीदेति प्रसीदेति प्रसीदेति पुनः पुनः

nocuḥ kiñcana vākyaṁ tu lajjayādhomukhāḥ sthitāḥ prasīdeti prasīdeti prasīdeti punaḥ punaḥ

They spoke not a single word, standing with faces bowed in shame; 'Be gracious, be gracious, be gracious' — again and again —

Verse 87 (devibhagavatam.12.9.87)

प्रार्थयामासुरभितः परिवार्य मुनीश्वरम् । करुणापूर्णहृदयो मुनिस्तान्समुवाच ह

prārthayāmāsurabhitaḥ parivārya munīśvaram karuṇāpūrṇahṛdayo munistānsamuvāca ha

— they begged, surrounding the lord of sages on every side. The sage, his heart full of compassion, then said to them:

Verse 88 (devibhagavatam.12.9.88)

कृष्णावतारपर्यन्तं कुम्भीपाके भवेत्स्थितिः । न मे वाक्यं मृषा भूयादिति जानीथ सर्वथा

kṛṣṇāvatāraparyantaṁ kumbhīpāke bhavetsthitiḥ na me vākyaṁ mṛṣā bhūyāditi jānītha sarvathā

'Until the descent of Krishna's avatar, your abode shall be in the hell called Kumbhipaka; know for certain that my word cannot be false.'

Verse 89 (devibhagavatam.12.9.89)

ततः परं कलियुगे भुवि जन्म भवेद्धि वाम् । मदुक्तं सर्वमेतत्तु भवेदेव न चान्यथा

tataḥ paraṁ kaliyuge bhuvi janma bhaveddhi vām maduktaṁ sarvametattu bhavedeva na cānyathā

'After that, in the Kali Yuga, you shall be born again upon the earth; all that I have said shall come to pass, and not otherwise.'

Verse 90 (devibhagavatam.12.9.90)

मच्छापस्य विमोक्षार्थं युष्माकं स्याद्यदीषणा । तर्हि सेव्यं सदा सर्वैर्गायत्रीपदपङ्कजम्

macchāpasya vimokṣārthaṁ yuṣmākaṁ syādyadīṣaṇā tarhi sevyaṁ sadā sarvairgāyatrīpadapaṅkajam

'If you should have a desire for release from my curse, then the lotus feet of Gayatri must ever be served by all of you.'

Verse 91 (devibhagavatam.12.9.91)

व्यास उवाच । इति सर्वान्विसृज्याथ गौतमो मुनिसत्तमः । प्रारब्धामिति मत्वा तु चित्ते शान्तिं जगाम ह

vyāsa uvāca iti sarvānvisṛjyātha gautamo munisattamaḥ prārabdhāmiti matvā tu citte śāntiṁ jagāma ha

Vyasa said: Having thus dismissed them all, the excellent sage Gautama, considering it their fate through prarabdha karma, attained peace in his heart.

Verse 92 (devibhagavatam.12.9.92)

एतस्मात्कारणाद्राजन् गते कृष्णे तु धीमति । कलौ युगे प्रवृत्ते तु कुम्भीपाकात्तु निर्गताः

etasmātkāraṇādrājan gate kṛṣṇe tu dhīmati kalau yuge pravṛtte tu kumbhīpākāttu nirgatāḥ

For this reason, O king, when the wise Krishna had departed, and the Kali Yuga had begun, those who had emerged from Kumbhipaka —

Verse 93 (devibhagavatam.12.9.93)

भुवि जाता ब्राह्मणाश्च शापदग्धाः पुरा तु ये । सन्ध्यात्रयविहीनाश्च गायत्रीभक्तिवर्जिताः

bhuvi jātā brāhmaṇāśca śāpadagdhāḥ purā tu ye sandhyātrayavihīnāśca gāyatrībhaktivarjitāḥ

— were born on earth as Brahmins, those who had formerly been scorched by the curse; devoid of the threefold sandhya, bereft of devotion to Gayatri,

Verse 94 (devibhagavatam.12.9.94)

वेदभक्तिविहीनाश्च पाखण्डमतगामिनः । अग्निहोत्रादिसत्कर्मस्वधास्वाहाविवर्जिताः

vedabhaktivihīnāśca pākhaṇḍamatagāminaḥ agnihotrādisatkarmasvadhāsvāhāvivarjitāḥ

devoid of devotion to the Veda, followers of heretical doctrines, devoid of the agnihotra and other sacred rites, of svadha and svaha,

Verse 95 (devibhagavatam.12.9.95)

मूलप्रकृतिमव्यक्तां नैव जानन्ति कर्हिचित् । तप्तमुद्राङ्किताः केचित्कामाचाररताः परे

mūlaprakṛtimavyaktāṁ naiva jānanti karhicit taptamudrāṅkitāḥ kecitkāmācāraratāḥ pare

they never at all know the unmanifest Primordial Prakriti; some are branded with hot seals, others are given to lustful practices,

Verse 96 (devibhagavatam.12.9.96)

कापालिकाः कौलिकाश्च बौद्धा जैनास्तथापरे । पण्डिता अपि ते सर्वे दुराचारप्रवर्तकाः

kāpālikāḥ kaulikāśca bauddhā jaināstathāpare paṇḍitā api te sarve durācārapravartakāḥ

Kapalikas and Kaulikas, Buddhists and Jains, and others still; even the learned among them all became propagators of ill conduct,

Verse 97 (devibhagavatam.12.9.97)

लम्पटाः परदारेषु दुराचारपरायणाः । कुम्भीपाकं पुनः सर्वे यास्यन्ति निजकर्मभिः

lampaṭāḥ paradāreṣu durācāraparāyaṇāḥ kumbhīpākaṁ punaḥ sarve yāsyanti nijakarmabhiḥ

lustful after others' wives, devoted to wrongdoing; all of them will go once more to Kumbhipaka, by their own deeds.

Verse 98 (devibhagavatam.12.9.98)

तस्मात्सर्वात्मना राजन् संसेव्या परमेश्वरी । न विष्णूपासना नित्या न शिवोपासना तथा

tasmātsarvātmanā rājan saṁsevyā parameśvarī na viṣṇūpāsanā nityā na śivopāsanā tathā

Therefore, O king, the Supreme Goddess must be served with one's whole being; the worship of Vishnu is not the daily obligation, nor likewise the worship of Shiva.

Verse 99 (devibhagavatam.12.9.99)

नित्या चोपासना शक्तेर्यां विना तु पतत्यधः । सर्वमुक्तं समासेन यत्पृष्टं तत्त्वयानघ

nityā copāsanā śakteryāṁ vinā tu patatyadhaḥ sarvamuktaṁ samāsena yatpṛṣṭaṁ tattvayānagha

Only the worship of Shakti is the daily obligation, without which one falls downward. O sinless one, all that you asked has been told to you in brief.

Verse 100 (devibhagavatam.12.9.100)

अतः परं मणिद्वीपवर्णनं शृणु सुन्दरम् । यत्परं स्थानमाद्याया भुवनेश्या भवारणेः

ataḥ paraṁ maṇidvīpavarṇanaṁ śṛṇu sundaram yatparaṁ sthānamādyāyā bhuvaneśyā bhavāraṇeḥ

Now, beyond this, hear the beautiful description of Manidvipa, that supreme abode of the primordial Bhuvaneshvari, the queller of worldly existence.