Description of Prahlada's Pilgrimage

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.4.8.1)

सूत उवाच । इति पृष्टस्तदा विप्रो राज्ञा पारीक्षितेन वै । उवाच विस्तरात्सर्वं व्यासः सत्यवतीसुतः

sūta uvāca iti pṛṣṭastadā vipro rājñā pārīkṣitena vai uvāca vistarātsarvaṁ vyāsaḥ satyavatīsutaḥ

Suta said: Thus questioned by the king, the son of Parikshit, the brahmin Vyasa, son of Satyavati, then related everything in detail.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.4.8.2)

जनमेजयोऽपि धर्मात्मा निर्वेदं परमं गतः । चित्तं दुश्चरितं मत्वा वैराटीतनयस्य वै

janamejayo'pi dharmātmā nirvedaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ cittaṁ duścaritaṁ matvā vairāṭītanayasya vai

Janamejaya too, the righteous-souled one, fell into deep dejection, considering the evil conduct of the son of Virata's daughter —

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.4.8.3)

तस्यैवोद्धरणार्थाय चकार सततं मनः । विप्रावमानपापेन यमलोकं गतस्य वै

tasyaivoddharaṇārthāya cakāra satataṁ manaḥ viprāvamānapāpena yamalokaṁ gatasya vai

his mind constantly set upon the redemption of that very father, who, through the sin of insulting a brahmin, had gone to the world of Yama.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.4.8.4)

पुन्नामनरकाद्यस्मात्त्रायते पितरं स्वकम् । पुत्रेति नाम सार्थं स्यात्तेन तस्य मुनीश्वराः

punnāmanarakādyasmāttrāyate pitaraṁ svakam putreti nāma sārthaṁ syāttena tasya munīśvarāḥ

A son is one who saves his own father from the hell called Pum — thus, O lords of sages, is his very name rightly justified.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.4.8.5)

सर्पदष्टं नृपं श्रुत्वा हर्म्योपरि मृतं तथा । विप्रशापादौत्तरेयं स्नानदानविवर्जितम्

sarpadaṣṭaṁ nṛpaṁ śrutvā harmyopari mṛtaṁ tathā vipraśāpādauttareyaṁ snānadānavivarjitam

Hearing that the king, son of Uttara, had died — bitten by a serpent atop his palace through a brahmin's curse, and deprived of the rites of bathing and gift-giving —

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.4.8.6)

पितुर्गतिं निशम्यासौ निर्वेदं गतवान्नृपः । पारीक्षितो महाभागः सन्तप्तो भयविह्वलः

piturgatiṁ niśamyāsau nirvedaṁ gatavānnṛpaḥ pārīkṣito mahābhāgaḥ santapto bhayavihvalaḥ

hearing of his father's fate, that glorious king, son of Parikshit, fell into dejection, tormented and overcome with fear.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.4.8.7)

पप्रच्छाथ मुनिं व्यासं गृहागतमनिन्दितः । नरनारायणस्येमां कथां परमविस्मृताम्

papracchātha muniṁ vyāsaṁ gṛhāgatamaninditaḥ naranārāyaṇasyemāṁ kathāṁ paramavismṛtām

That blameless king then asked the sage Vyasa, who had come to his house, about this story of Nara-Narayana, which had been utterly forgotten.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.4.8.8)

व्यास उवाच । स यदा निहतो रौद्रो हिरण्यकशिपुर्नृप । अभिषिक्तस्तदा राज्ये प्रह्लादो नाम तत्सुतः

vyāsa uvāca sa yadā nihato raudro hiraṇyakaśipurnṛpa abhiṣiktastadā rājye prahlādo nāma tatsutaḥ

Vyasa said: O king, when that terrible Hiranyakashipu was slain, his son, named Prahlada, was then consecrated upon the kingdom.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.4.8.9)

तस्मिञ्छासति दैत्येन्द्रे देवब्राह्मणपूजके । मखैर्भूमौ नृपतयो यजन्तः श्रद्धयान्विताः

tasmiñchāsati daityendre devabrāhmaṇapūjake makhairbhūmau nṛpatayo yajantaḥ śraddhayānvitāḥ

While that lord of daityas, a worshipper of gods and brahmins, ruled, kings on earth performed sacrifices with faith,

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.4.8.10)

ब्राह्मणाश्च तपोधर्मतीर्थयात्राश्च कुर्वते । वैश्याश्च स्वस्ववृत्तिस्थाः शूद्राः शुश्रूषणे रताः

brāhmaṇāśca tapodharmatīrthayātrāśca kurvate vaiśyāśca svasvavṛttisthāḥ śūdrāḥ śuśrūṣaṇe ratāḥ

brahmins engaged in austerity, dharma, and pilgrimage; vaishyas remained established each in his own occupation, and shudras remained devoted to service.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.4.8.11)

नृसिंहेन च पाताले स्थापितः सोऽथ दैत्यराट् । राज्यं चकार तत्रैव प्रजापालनतत्परः

nṛsiṁhena ca pātāle sthāpitaḥ so'tha daityarāṭ rājyaṁ cakāra tatraiva prajāpālanatatparaḥ

And that lord of daityas had been established by Nrisimha in Patala; there he ruled his kingdom, devoted to the protection of his subjects.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.4.8.12)

कदाचिद् भृगुपुत्रोऽथ च्यवनाख्यो महातपाः । जगाम नर्मदां स्नातुं तीर्थं वै व्याहृतीश्वरम्

kadācid bhṛguputro'tha cyavanākhyo mahātapāḥ jagāma narmadāṁ snātuṁ tīrthaṁ vai vyāhṛtīśvaram

Once, the son of Bhrigu named Chyavana, of great austerity, went to bathe in the Narmada, at the sacred site presided over by the Vyahritis.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.4.8.13)

रेवां महानदीं दृष्ट्वा ततस्तस्यामवातरत् । उत्तरन्तं प्रजग्राह नागो विषभयङ्करः

revāṁ mahānadīṁ dṛṣṭvā tatastasyāmavātarat uttarantaṁ prajagrāha nāgo viṣabhayaṅkaraḥ

Seeing that great river Reva, he descended into it; and as he was crossing it, a venomous, fearsome serpent seized him.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.4.8.14)

गृहीतो भयभीतस्तु पाताले मुनिसत्तमः । सस्मार मनसा विष्णुं देवदेवं जनार्दनम्

gṛhīto bhayabhītastu pātāle munisattamaḥ sasmāra manasā viṣṇuṁ devadevaṁ janārdanam

Seized and terrified, that best of sages, being drawn into Patala, remembered in his mind Vishnu, Janardana, god of gods.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.4.8.15)

संस्मृते पुण्डरीकाक्षे निर्विषोऽभून्महोरगः । न प्राप च्यवनो दुःखं नीयमानो रसातलम्

saṁsmṛte puṇḍarīkākṣe nirviṣo'bhūnmahoragaḥ na prāpa cyavano duḥkhaṁ nīyamāno rasātalam

As soon as the lotus-eyed one was remembered, that great serpent became free of venom; and Chyavana, being carried down to Rasatala, suffered no harm.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.4.8.16)

द्विजिह्वेन मुनिस्त्यक्तो निर्विण्णेनातिशङ्किना । मां शपेत मुनिः कुद्धस्तापसोऽयं महानिति

dvijihvena munistyakto nirviṇṇenātiśaṅkinā māṁ śapeta muniḥ kuddhastāpaso'yaṁ mahāniti

He was released by that forked-tongued serpent, dejected and greatly fearful, thinking: this great ascetic, once angered, might curse me.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.4.8.17)

चचार नागकन्याभिः पूजितो मुनिसत्तमः । विवेशाप्यथ नागानां दानवानां महत्पुरम्

cacāra nāgakanyābhiḥ pūjito munisattamaḥ viveśāpyatha nāgānāṁ dānavānāṁ mahatpuram

That best of sages then wandered about, honored by the serpent-maidens, and entered the great city of the Nagas and Danavas.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.4.8.18)

कदाचिद्भृगुपुत्रं तं विचरन्तं पुरोत्तमे । ददर्श दैत्यराजोऽसौ प्रह्लादो धर्मवत्सलः

kadācidbhṛguputraṁ taṁ vicarantaṁ purottame dadarśa daityarājo'sau prahlādo dharmavatsalaḥ

Once, that son of Bhrigu, wandering in that excellent city, was seen by that lord of daityas, Prahlada, ever fond of dharma.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.4.8.19)

दृष्ट्वा तं पूजयामास मुनिं दैत्यपतिस्तदा । पप्रच्छ कारणं किं ते पातालागमने वद

dṛṣṭvā taṁ pūjayāmāsa muniṁ daityapatistadā papraccha kāraṇaṁ kiṁ te pātālāgamane vada

Seeing him, the lord of daityas then honored that sage, and asked him: tell me, what is the reason for your coming to Patala?

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.4.8.20)

प्रेषितोऽसि किमिन्द्रेण सत्यं ब्रूहि द्विजोत्तम । दैत्यविद्वेषयुक्तेन मम राज्यदिदृक्षया

preṣito'si kimindreṇa satyaṁ brūhi dvijottama daityavidveṣayuktena mama rājyadidṛkṣayā

Have you been sent by Indra, who bears hatred for the daityas, wishing to spy upon my kingdom? Tell me truly, O best of brahmins.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.4.8.21)

च्यवन उवाच । किं मे मघवता राजन् यदहं प्रेषितः पुनः । दूतकार्यं प्रकुर्वाणः प्राप्तवान्नगरे तव

cyavana uvāca kiṁ me maghavatā rājan yadahaṁ preṣitaḥ punaḥ dūtakāryaṁ prakurvāṇaḥ prāptavānnagare tava

Chyavana said: What business have I, O king, with Maghava, that I should be sent by him, performing the duty of an envoy, to come to your city?

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.4.8.22)

विद्धि मां भृगुपुत्रं तं स्वनेत्रं धर्मतत्परम् । मा शङ्कां कुरु दैत्येन्द्र वासवप्रेषितस्य वै

viddhi māṁ bhṛguputraṁ taṁ svanetraṁ dharmatatparam mā śaṅkāṁ kuru daityendra vāsavapreṣitasya vai

Know me to be that very son of Bhrigu, your own kinsman, devoted to dharma. Entertain no doubt, O lord of daityas, that I have been sent by Vasava.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.4.8.23)

स्नानार्थं नर्मदां प्राप्तः पुण्यतीर्थे नृपोत्तम । नद्यामेवावतीर्णोऽहं गृहीतश्च महाहिना

snānārthaṁ narmadāṁ prāptaḥ puṇyatīrthe nṛpottama nadyāmevāvatīrṇo'haṁ gṛhītaśca mahāhinā

O best of kings, I went to bathe at the sacred Narmada. I had only just descended into the river when a great serpent seized me —

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.4.8.24)

जातोऽसौ निर्विषः सर्पो विष्णोः संस्मरणादिव । मुक्तोऽहं तेन नागेन प्रभावात्स्मरणस्य वै

jāto'sau nirviṣaḥ sarpo viṣṇoḥ saṁsmaraṇādiva mukto'haṁ tena nāgena prabhāvātsmaraṇasya vai

that serpent became free of venom, as if by the mere remembrance of Vishnu; and by that same serpent I was released, through the power of that remembrance.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.4.8.25)

अत्रागतेन राजेन्द्र मयाप्तं तव दर्शनम् । विष्णुभक्तोऽसि दैत्येन्द्र तद्भक्तं मां विचिन्तय

atrāgatena rājendra mayāptaṁ tava darśanam viṣṇubhakto'si daityendra tadbhaktaṁ māṁ vicintaya

Thus, O lord of kings, coming here, I have obtained sight of you. You are a devotee of Vishnu, O lord of daityas — consider me too as one of his devotees.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.4.8.26)

व्यास उवाच । तन्निशम्य वचः श्लक्ष्णं हिरण्यकशिपोः सुतः । पप्रच्छ परया प्रीत्या तीर्थानि विविधानि च

vyāsa uvāca tanniśamya vacaḥ ślakṣṇaṁ hiraṇyakaśipoḥ sutaḥ papraccha parayā prītyā tīrthāni vividhāni ca

Vyasa said: Hearing these gentle words, the son of Hiranyakashipu, with great affection, asked him about various sacred sites as well.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.4.8.27)

प्रह्लाद उवाच । पृथिव्यां कानि तीर्थानि पुण्यानि मुनिसत्तम । पाताले च तथाकाशे तानि नो वद विस्तरात्

prahlāda uvāca pṛthivyāṁ kāni tīrthāni puṇyāni munisattama pātāle ca tathākāśe tāni no vada vistarāt

Prahlada said: O best of sages, what are the sacred sites upon the earth, in Patala, and in the sky as well? Tell us of these in detail.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.4.8.28)

च्यवन उवाच । मनोवाक्कायशुद्धानां राजंस्तीर्थं पदे पदे । तथा मलिनचित्तानां गङ्गापि कीकटाधिका

cyavana uvāca manovākkāyaśuddhānāṁ rājaṁstīrthaṁ pade pade tathā malinacittānāṁ gaṅgāpi kīkaṭādhikā

Chyavana said: O king, for those pure in mind, speech, and body, there is a sacred site at every step; but for those of impure mind, even the Ganga is no better than the dust of Kikata.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.4.8.29)

प्रथमं चेन्मनः शुद्धं जातं पापविवर्जितम् । तदा तीर्थानि सर्वाणि पावनानि भवन्ति वै

prathamaṁ cenmanaḥ śuddhaṁ jātaṁ pāpavivarjitam tadā tīrthāni sarvāṇi pāvanāni bhavanti vai

If the mind first becomes pure and free of sin, then indeed all sacred sites truly become purifying.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.4.8.30)

गङ्गातीरे हि सर्वत्र वसन्ति नगराणि च । व्रजाश्चैवाकरा ग्रामाः सर्वे खेटास्तथापरे

gaṅgātīre hi sarvatra vasanti nagarāṇi ca vrajāścaivākarā grāmāḥ sarve kheṭāstathāpare

On the banks of the Ganga, everywhere, dwell cities, cattle-pens, mines, villages, and all the smaller towns as well,

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.4.8.31)

निषादानां निवासाश्च कैवर्तानां तथापरे । हूणबङ्गखसानां च म्लेच्छानां दैत्यसत्तम

niṣādānāṁ nivāsāśca kaivartānāṁ tathāpare hūṇabaṅgakhasānāṁ ca mlecchānāṁ daityasattama

and dwellings, too, of the Nishadas, and likewise of the Kaivartas, and of the Hunas, Bangas, Khasas, and other mlecchas, O best of daityas.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.4.8.32)

पिबन्ति सर्वदा गाङ्गं जलं ब्रह्मोपमं सदा । स्नानं कुर्वन्ति दैत्येन्द्र त्रिकालं स्वेच्छया जनाः

pibanti sarvadā gāṅgaṁ jalaṁ brahmopamaṁ sadā snānaṁ kurvanti daityendra trikālaṁ svecchayā janāḥ

They always drink that Ganga water, which is ever like Brahman itself, and, O lord of daityas, people bathe there three times a day as they wish —

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.4.8.33)

तत्रैकोऽपि विशुद्धात्मा न भवत्येव मारिष । किं फलं तर्हि तीर्थस्य विषयोपहतात्मसु

tatraiko'pi viśuddhātmā na bhavatyeva māriṣa kiṁ phalaṁ tarhi tīrthasya viṣayopahatātmasu

yet not even a single one among them, O worthy one, truly becomes pure of soul. What, then, is the fruit of a sacred site for those whose minds are ruined by sense-objects?

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.4.8.34)

कारणं मन एवात्र नान्यद्राजन्विचिन्तय । मनःशुद्धिं प्रकर्तव्या सततं शुद्धिमिच्छता

kāraṇaṁ mana evātra nānyadrājanvicintaya manaḥśuddhiṁ prakartavyā satataṁ śuddhimicchatā

The mind alone, O king, is the cause here — nothing else; reflect on this. One who desires purity must ever strive for purity of mind.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.4.8.35)

तीर्थवासी महापापी भवेत्तत्रात्मवञ्चनात् । तत्रैवाचरितं पापमानन्त्याय प्रकल्पते

tīrthavāsī mahāpāpī bhavettatrātmavañcanāt tatraivācaritaṁ pāpamānantyāya prakalpate

A dweller at a sacred site, if he deceives himself there, becomes a great sinner; and sin committed there itself becomes the cause of endless bondage.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.4.8.36)

यथेन्द्रवारुणं पक्वं मिष्टं नैवोपजायते । भावदुष्टस्तथा तीर्थे कोटिस्तातो न शुध्यति

yathendravāruṇaṁ pakvaṁ miṣṭaṁ naivopajāyate bhāvaduṣṭastathā tīrthe koṭistāto na śudhyati

Just as the ripe indravaruni fruit never turns sweet, so too one of corrupted inner nature is never purified, even after visiting ten million sacred sites.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.4.8.37)

प्रथमं मनसः शुद्धिः कर्तव्या शुभमिच्छता । शुद्धे मनसि द्रव्यस्य शुद्धिर्भवति नान्यथा

prathamaṁ manasaḥ śuddhiḥ kartavyā śubhamicchatā śuddhe manasi dravyasya śuddhirbhavati nānyathā

One who desires good must first of all purify his mind. Only when the mind is pure does the purity of one's material means come about — not otherwise.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.4.8.38)

तथैवाचारशुद्धिः स्यात्ततस्तीर्थं प्रसिध्यति । अन्यथा तु कृतं सर्वं व्यर्थं भवति तत्क्षणात्

tathaivācāraśuddhiḥ syāttatastīrthaṁ prasidhyati anyathā tu kṛtaṁ sarvaṁ vyarthaṁ bhavati tatkṣaṇāt

Likewise, purity of conduct must follow, and then the sacred site truly bears fruit; otherwise, everything done there becomes fruitless in that very instant.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.4.8.39)

(हीनवर्णस्य संसर्गं तीर्थे गत्वा सदा त्यजेत् ।)॥ भूतानुकम्पनं चैव कर्तव्यं कर्मणा धिया । यदि पृच्छसि राजेन्द्र तीर्थं वक्ष्याम्यनुत्तमम्

(hīnavarṇasya saṁsargaṁ tīrthe gatvā sadā tyajet ) bhūtānukampanaṁ caiva kartavyaṁ karmaṇā dhiyā yadi pṛcchasi rājendra tīrthaṁ vakṣyāmyanuttamam

One who goes to a sacred site should always shun the company of the base-natured. And compassion for all beings must be practiced, in deed and in thought. If you ask, O lord of kings, I shall tell you of the most excellent sacred site.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.4.8.40)

प्रथमं नैमिषं पुण्यं चक्रतीर्थं च पुष्करम् । अन्येषां चैव तीर्थानां सङ्ख्या नास्ति महीतले

prathamaṁ naimiṣaṁ puṇyaṁ cakratīrthaṁ ca puṣkaram anyeṣāṁ caiva tīrthānāṁ saṅkhyā nāsti mahītale

First of all is the sacred Naimisha, and Chakratirtha, and Pushkara. Of the other sacred sites upon this earth there is no counting at all.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.4.8.41)

पावनानि च स्थानानि बहूनि नृपसत्तम । व्यास उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं राजा नैमिषं गन्तुमुद्यतः

pāvanāni ca sthānāni bahūni nṛpasattama vyāsa uvāca tacchrutvā vacanaṁ rājā naimiṣaṁ gantumudyataḥ

There are many purifying places, O best of kings. Vyasa said: Hearing these words, King Prahlada grew ready to set out for Naimisha.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.4.8.42)

नोदयामास दैत्यान्वै हर्षनिर्भरमानसः । प्रह्लाद उवाच । उत्तिष्ठन्तु महाभागा गमिष्यामोऽद्य नैमिषम्

nodayāmāsa daityānvai harṣanirbharamānasaḥ prahlāda uvāca uttiṣṭhantu mahābhāgā gamiṣyāmo'dya naimiṣam

His mind full of joy, he urged on all the daityas. Prahlada said: Rise up, O glorious ones — let us go this very day to Naimisha.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.4.8.43)

द्रक्ष्यामः पुण्डरीकाक्षं पीतवाससमच्युतम् । व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्ता विष्णुभक्तेन सर्वे ते दानवास्तदा

drakṣyāmaḥ puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ pītavāsasamacyutam vyāsa uvāca ityuktā viṣṇubhaktena sarve te dānavāstadā

We shall behold the lotus-eyed, yellow-robed, imperishable Lord. Vyasa said: Thus addressed by that devotee of Vishnu, all those danavas then —

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.4.8.44)

तेनैव सह पातालान्निर्ययुः परया मुदा । ते समेत्य च दैतेया दानवाश्च महाबलाः

tenaiva saha pātālānniryayuḥ parayā mudā te sametya ca daiteyā dānavāśca mahābalāḥ

went forth from Patala together with him, with the utmost joy. Those daityas and danavas of great strength, having assembled together,

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.4.8.45)

नैमिषारण्यमासाद्य स्नानं चक्रुर्मुदान्विताः । प्रह्लादस्तत्र तीर्थेषु चरन्दैत्यैः समन्वितः

naimiṣāraṇyamāsādya snānaṁ cakrurmudānvitāḥ prahlādastatra tīrtheṣu carandaityaiḥ samanvitaḥ

reached the Naimisha forest and bathed there with great joy. Prahlada, wandering there among the sacred sites, accompanied by the daityas,

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.4.8.46)

सरस्वतीं महापुण्यां ददर्श विमलोदकाम् । तीर्थे तत्र नृपश्रेष्ठ प्रह्लादस्य महात्मनः

sarasvatīṁ mahāpuṇyāṁ dadarśa vimalodakām tīrthe tatra nṛpaśreṣṭha prahlādasya mahātmanaḥ

beheld the greatly sacred Sarasvati, her waters pure. At that sacred site, O best of kings, the mind of the great-souled Prahlada —

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.4.8.47)

मनः प्रसन्नं सञ्जातं स्नात्वा सारस्वते जले । विधिवत्तत्र दैत्येन्द्रः स्नानदानादिकं शुभे

manaḥ prasannaṁ sañjātaṁ snātvā sārasvate jale vidhivattatra daityendraḥ snānadānādikaṁ śubhe

having bathed in the waters of the Sarasvati, became deeply serene. There, in that auspicious place, that lord of daityas duly performed bathing, gift-giving, and the like —

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.4.8.48)

चकारातिप्रसन्नात्मा तीर्थे परमपावने

cakārātiprasannātmā tīrthe paramapāvane

performing all this with a deeply contented mind, at that most purifying of sacred sites.