Narada Regains His Own Form

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.6.29.1)

नारद उवाच । इत्युक्तोऽहं तदा तेन राज्ञा तालध्वजेन च । विमृश्य मनसात्यर्थं तमुवाच विशाम्पते

nārada uvāca | ityukto'haṁ tadā tena rājñā tāladhvajena ca | vimṛśya manasātyarthaṁ tamuvāca viśāmpate

Narada said: Thus addressed by that king Taladhvaja, I, having reflected deeply in my mind, spoke to him, O lord of men —

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.6.29.2)

राजन्नाहं विजानामि पुत्री कस्येति निश्चयम् । पितरौ क्व च मे केन स्थापिता च सरोवरे

rājannāhaṁ vijānāmi putrī kasyeti niścayam | pitarau kva ca me kena sthāpitā ca sarovare

'O king, I do not know for certain whose daughter I am, where my parents are, or by whom I was placed here at this lake.'

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.6.29.3)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि कथं मे सुकृतं भवेत् । निराधारास्मि राजेन्द्र चिन्तयामि चिकीर्षितम्

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi kathaṁ me sukṛtaṁ bhavet | nirādhārāsmi rājendra cintayāmi cikīrṣitam

'What shall I do, where shall I go, how might good come to me? O king, I am without support, and I am pondering what to do.'

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.6.29.4)

दैवमेव परं राजन्नास्त्यत्र पौरुषं मम । धर्मज्ञोऽसि महीपाल यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु

daivameva paraṁ rājannāstyatra pauruṣaṁ mama | dharmajño'si mahīpāla yathecchasi tathā kuru

'O king, fate alone rules here — I have no power of my own in this. You know dharma, O lord of the earth; do as you wish.'

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.6.29.5)

तवाधीनास्म्यहं भूप न मे कोऽप्यस्ति पालकः । न पिता न च माता च न स्थानं न च बान्धवाः

tavādhīnāsmyahaṁ bhūpa na me ko'pyasti pālakaḥ | na pitā na ca mātā ca na sthānaṁ na ca bāndhavāḥ

'O king, I am dependent upon you; I have no protector — no father, no mother, no home, no kinsmen.'

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.6.29.6)

इत्युक्तोऽसौ मया राजा बभूव मदनातुरः । मां निरीक्ष्य विशालाक्षीं सेवकानित्युवाच ह

ityukto'sau mayā rājā babhūva madanāturaḥ | māṁ nirīkṣya viśālākṣīṁ sevakānityuvāca ha

So addressed by me, the king was overcome with desire; gazing at me, the large-eyed one, he spoke to his servants —

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.6.29.7)

नरयानमानयध्वं चतुर्वाह्यं मनोहरम् । आरोहणार्थमस्यास्तु कौशेयाम्बरवेष्टितम्

narayānamānayadhvaṁ caturvāhyaṁ manoharam | ārohaṇārthamasyāstu kauśeyāmbaraveṣṭitam

'Bring a lovely palanquin, borne by four men and wrapped in silken cloth, for her to mount.'

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.6.29.8)

मृद्वास्तरणसंयुक्तं मुक्ताजालविभूषितम् । चतुरस्रं विशालं च सुवर्णरचितं शुभम्

mṛdvāstaraṇasaṁyuktaṁ muktājālavibhūṣitam | caturasraṁ viśālaṁ ca suvarṇaracitaṁ śubham

'—fitted with soft cushions, adorned with a net of pearls, four-cornered, spacious, wrought of gold, and splendid.'

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.6.29.9)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा भृत्याः सत्वरगामिनः । आनिन्युः शिबिकां दिव्यां मदर्थे वस्त्रवेष्टिताम्

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā bhṛtyāḥ satvaragāminaḥ | āninyuḥ śibikāṁ divyāṁ madarthe vastraveṣṭitām

Hearing his words, the servants, moving swiftly, brought a divine palanquin, draped in cloth, for me.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.6.29.10)

आरूढाऽहं तदा तस्यां तस्य प्रियचिकीर्षया । मुदितोऽसौ गृहे नीत्वा मां तदा पृथिवीपतिः

ārūḍhā'haṁ tadā tasyāṁ tasya priyacikīrṣayā | mudito'sau gṛhe nītvā māṁ tadā pṛthivīpatiḥ

I mounted it then, wishing to please him; and that delighted lord of the earth brought me to his home.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.6.29.11)

विवाहविधिना राजा शुभे लग्ने शुभे दिने । उपयेमे च मां तत्र हुतभुक्सन्निधौ ततः

vivāhavidhinā rājā śubhe lagne śubhe dine | upayeme ca māṁ tatra hutabhuksannidhau tataḥ

With the rite of marriage, at an auspicious hour on an auspicious day, the king wedded me there before the sacred fire.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.6.29.12)

तस्याहं वल्लभा जाता प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी । सौभाग्यसुन्दरीत्येवं नाम तत्र कृतं मम

tasyāhaṁ vallabhā jātā prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasī | saubhāgyasundarītyevaṁ nāma tatra kṛtaṁ mama

I became his beloved, dearer to him than his very life; there I was given the name Saubhagyasundari.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.6.29.13)

रममाणो मया सार्धं सुखमाप महीपतिः । नानाभोगविलासैश्च कामशास्त्रोदितैस्तथा

ramamāṇo mayā sārdhaṁ sukhamāpa mahīpatiḥ | nānābhogavilāsaiśca kāmaśāstroditaistathā

Delighting with me, that lord of the earth found happiness through various pleasures and the dalliances taught in the science of love.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.6.29.14)

राजकार्याणि सन्त्यज्य क्रीडासक्तो दिवानिशम् । नासौ विवेद गच्छन्तं कालं कामकलारतः

rājakāryāṇi santyajya krīḍāsakto divāniśam | nāsau viveda gacchantaṁ kālaṁ kāmakalārataḥ

Abandoning the affairs of his kingdom, absorbed in pleasure day and night, given over to the arts of love, he did not even notice time passing.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.6.29.15)

उद्यानेषु च रम्येषु वापीषु च गृहेषु च । हर्म्येषु वरशैलेषु दीर्घिकासु वरासु च

udyāneṣu ca ramyeṣu vāpīṣu ca gṛheṣu ca | harmyeṣu varaśaileṣu dīrghikāsu varāsu ca

In lovely gardens, in step-wells and houses, in mansions and on fine hills, and in beautiful lakes —

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.6.29.16)

वारुणीमदमत्तोऽसौ विहरन्कानने शुभे । विसृज्य सर्वकार्याणि मदधीनो बभूव ह

vāruṇīmadamatto'sau viharankānane śubhe | visṛjya sarvakāryāṇi madadhīno babhūva ha

—intoxicated with wine, sporting in the auspicious groves, abandoning all his duties, he became wholly given over to intoxication.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.6.29.17)

व्यासाहं तेन संसक्ता क्रीडारसवशीकृता । स्मृतवान्पूर्वदेहं न पुम्भावं मुनिजन्म च

vyāsāhaṁ tena saṁsaktā krīḍārasavaśīkṛtā | smṛtavānpūrvadehaṁ na pumbhāvaṁ munijanma ca

O Vyasa, I too, attached to him, overpowered by the pleasure of that sport, could no longer remember my former body, my manhood, or my birth as a sage.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.6.29.18)

ममैवायं पतिर्योषाहं पत्नीषु प्रिया सती । पट्टराज्ञी विलासज्ञा सफलं जीवितं मम

mamaivāyaṁ patiryoṣāhaṁ patnīṣu priyā satī | paṭṭarājñī vilāsajñā saphalaṁ jīvitaṁ mama

'This is my husband; I am a woman, the beloved and virtuous chief queen among his wives, skilled in the arts of pleasure — my life has borne fruit,'

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.6.29.19)

इति चिन्तयती तस्मिन्प्रेमबद्धा दिवानिशम् । क्रीडासक्ता सुखे लुब्धा तं स्थिता वशवर्तिनी

iti cintayatī tasminpremabaddhā divāniśam | krīḍāsaktā sukhe lubdhā taṁ sthitā vaśavartinī

—thinking thus, bound to him by love day and night, absorbed in pleasure, greedy for happiness, I remained submissive to his will.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.6.29.20)

विस्मृतं ब्रह्मविज्ञानं ब्रह्मज्ञानं च शाश्वतम् । धर्मशास्त्रपरिज्ञानं तदासक्तमना स्थिता

vismṛtaṁ brahmavijñānaṁ brahmajñānaṁ ca śāśvatam | dharmaśāstraparijñānaṁ tadāsaktamanā sthitā

The knowledge of Brahman, the eternal knowledge of the Absolute, and my thorough grasp of the dharma-shastras — all was forgotten; my mind remained wholly attached to that life.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.6.29.21)

एवं विहरतस्तत्र वर्षाणि द्वादशैव तु । गतानि क्षणवत्कामक्रीडासक्तस्य मे मुने

evaṁ viharatastatra varṣāṇi dvādaśaiva tu | gatāni kṣaṇavatkāmakrīḍāsaktasya me mune

O sage, thus, as I sported there absorbed in the pleasures of love, twelve years passed for me as though a mere instant.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.6.29.22)

जाता गर्भवती चाहं मुदं प्राप नृपस्तदा । कारयामास विधिवद्गर्भसंस्कारकर्म च

jātā garbhavatī cāhaṁ mudaṁ prāpa nṛpastadā | kārayāmāsa vidhivadgarbhasaṁskārakarma ca

I became pregnant, and the king was filled with joy; he had all the rites of pregnancy duly performed.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.6.29.23)

अपृच्छद्दोहदं राजा प्रीणयन्मां पुनः पुनः । नाब्रवं लज्जमानाहं नृपं प्रीतमना भृशम्

apṛcchaddohadaṁ rājā prīṇayanmāṁ punaḥ punaḥ | nābravaṁ lajjamānāhaṁ nṛpaṁ prītamanā bhṛśam

The king, seeking to please me, asked again and again about my pregnancy-cravings; overcome with modesty, I said nothing to him, though my heart was full of love.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.6.29.24)

सम्पूर्णे दशमे मासि पुत्रो जातस्ततो मम । शुभेऽह्नि ग्रहनक्षत्रलग्नताराबलान्विते

sampūrṇe daśame māsi putro jātastato mama | śubhe'hni grahanakṣatralagnatārābalānvite

When the tenth month was complete, a son was born to me, on an auspicious day endowed with favorable planets, constellation, ascendant, and stellar strength.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.6.29.25)

बभूव नृपतेर्गेहे पुत्रजन्ममहोत्सवः । राजा परमसन्तुष्टो बभूव सुतजन्मतः

babhūva nṛpatergehe putrajanmamahotsavaḥ | rājā paramasantuṣṭo babhūva sutajanmataḥ

A great celebration for the birth of a son took place in the king's house; the king was supremely delighted at his son's birth.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.6.29.26)

सूतकान्ते सुतं वीक्ष्य राजा मुदमवाप ह । अहं भूमिपतेश्चासं प्रिया भार्या परन्तप

sūtakānte sutaṁ vīkṣya rājā mudamavāpa ha | ahaṁ bhūmipateścāsaṁ priyā bhāryā parantapa

When the period of birth-impurity had passed, the king, seeing his son, was filled with joy; O scorcher of foes, I was the beloved wife of that lord of the earth.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.6.29.27)

ततो वर्षद्वयान्ते वै पुनर्गर्भो मया धृतः । द्वितीयस्तु सुतो जातः सर्वलक्षणसंयुतः

tato varṣadvayānte vai punargarbho mayā dhṛtaḥ | dvitīyastu suto jātaḥ sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutaḥ

Then, two years later, I conceived again, and a second son was born, endowed with every auspicious mark.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.6.29.28)

सुधन्वेति सुतस्याथ नाम चक्रे नृपस्तदा । वीरवर्मेति ज्येष्ठस्य ब्राह्मणैः प्रेरितस्त्वयम्

sudhanveti sutasyātha nāma cakre nṛpastadā | vīravarmeti jyeṣṭhasya brāhmaṇaiḥ preritastvayam

The king then named this son Sudhanva; the elder had been named Viravarma, at the urging of the Brahmins.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.6.29.29)

एवं द्वादश पुत्राश्च प्रसूता भूपसम्मताः । मोहितोऽहं तदा तेषां प्रीत्या पालनलालने

evaṁ dvādaśa putrāśca prasūtā bhūpasammatāḥ | mohito'haṁ tadā teṣāṁ prītyā pālanalālane

In this way twelve sons were born, all esteemed by the king; and I became utterly deluded then, absorbed in the love of raising and cherishing them.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.6.29.30)

पुनरष्ट सुताः काले काले जाताः स्वरूपिणः । गार्हस्थ्यं मे ततः पूर्णं सम्पन्नं सुखसाधनम्

punaraṣṭa sutāḥ kāle kāle jātāḥ svarūpiṇaḥ | gārhasthyaṁ me tataḥ pūrṇaṁ sampannaṁ sukhasādhanam

Eight more sons, each of fine form, were then born in due course; my household life thus became complete, a full source of happiness.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.6.29.31)

तेषां दारक्रियाः काले कृता राज्ञा यथोचिताः । स्नुषाभिश्च तथा पुत्रैः परिवारो महानभूत्

teṣāṁ dārakriyāḥ kāle kṛtā rājñā yathocitāḥ | snuṣābhiśca tathā putraiḥ parivāro mahānabhūt

In due time the king had their marriages performed as befitted them; and with daughters-in-law and sons, my household grew very large.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.6.29.32)

ततः पौत्रादिसम्भूतास्तेऽपि क्रीडारसान्विताः । आसन्नानारसोपेता मोहवृद्धिकरा भृशम्

tataḥ pautrādisambhūtāste'pi krīḍārasānvitāḥ | āsannānārasopetā mohavṛddhikarā bhṛśam

Then grandsons and their kind were born too, full of delight in play, bringing many pleasures near, and greatly increasing my delusion.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.6.29.33)

कदाचित्सुखमैश्वर्यं कदाचिद्दुःखमद्भुतम् । पुत्रेषु रोगजनितं देहसन्तापकारकम्

kadācitsukhamaiśvaryaṁ kadācidduḥkhamadbhutam | putreṣu rogajanitaṁ dehasantāpakārakam

At times there was happiness and prosperity, at times extraordinary sorrow — illness among the sons brought anguish of body.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.6.29.34)

परस्परं कदाचित्तु विरोधोऽभूत्सुदारुणः । पुत्राणां वा वधूनां च तेन सन्तापसम्भवः

parasparaṁ kadācittu virodho'bhūtsudāruṇaḥ | putrāṇāṁ vā vadhūnāṁ ca tena santāpasambhavaḥ

At times a most terrible discord arose among the sons, or among the daughters-in-law, and from that further affliction arose.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.6.29.35)

सुखदुःखात्मके घोरे मिथ्याचारकरे भृशम् । सङ्कल्पजनिते क्षुद्रे मग्नोऽहं मुनिसत्तम

sukhaduḥkhātmake ghore mithyācārakare bhṛśam | saṅkalpajanite kṣudre magno'haṁ munisattama

O best of sages, I remained sunk in that terrible, trivial round of joy and sorrow, so full of false conduct, born only of mental resolve.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.6.29.36)

विस्मृतं पूर्वविज्ञानं शास्त्रज्ञानं तथा गतम् । योषाभावे विलीनोऽहं गृहकार्येषु सर्वथा

vismṛtaṁ pūrvavijñānaṁ śāstrajñānaṁ tathā gatam | yoṣābhāve vilīno'haṁ gṛhakāryeṣu sarvathā

My former knowledge was forgotten, and my knowledge of the scriptures too was lost; in the state of a woman I was wholly absorbed in household affairs.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.6.29.37)

अहङ्कारस्तु सञ्जातो भृशं मोहविवर्धकः । एते मे बलिनः पुत्राः स्नुषाः सुकुलसम्भवाः

ahaṅkārastu sañjāto bhṛśaṁ mohavivardhakaḥ | ete me balinaḥ putrāḥ snuṣāḥ sukulasambhavāḥ

An egotism arose in me, greatly increasing my delusion — 'these are my strong sons, my daughters-in-law are well-born,'

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.6.29.38)

एते पुत्राः सुसन्नद्धाः क्रीडन्ति मम वेश्मसु । धन्याहं खलु नारीणां संसारेऽस्मिन्नहो भृशम्

ete putrāḥ susannaddhāḥ krīḍanti mama veśmasu | dhanyāhaṁ khalu nārīṇāṁ saṁsāre'sminnaho bhṛśam

'—these sons of mine play in my house, so well-provided for; truly, ah, I am the most blessed of women in this world!'

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.6.29.39)

नारदोऽहं भगवता वञ्चितो मायया किल । न कदाचिन्मयाप्येवं चिन्तितं मनसा किल

nārado'haṁ bhagavatā vañcito māyayā kila | na kadācinmayāpyevaṁ cintitaṁ manasā kila

The thought 'I am Narada, deceived by Bhagavan through maya' never once occurred to my mind.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.6.29.40)

राजपत्नी शुभाचारा बहुपुत्रा पतिव्रता । धन्याहं किल संसारे कृष्णैवं मोहितस्त्वहम्

rājapatnī śubhācārā bahuputrā pativratā | dhanyāhaṁ kila saṁsāre kṛṣṇaivaṁ mohitastvaham

'I am a queen, virtuous, blessed with many sons, devoted to my husband — truly I am fortunate in this world!' — thus, O Krishna, was I utterly deluded.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.6.29.41)

अथ कश्चिन्नृपः कामं दूरदेशाधिपो महान् । अरातिभावमापन्नः पतिना सह मानद

atha kaścinnṛpaḥ kāmaṁ dūradeśādhipo mahān | arātibhāvamāpannaḥ patinā saha mānada

O giver of honor, then a certain great king, ruler of a distant land, fell into enmity with my husband.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.6.29.42)

कृत्वा सैन्यसमायोगं रथैश्च वारणैर्युतम् । आजगाम कान्यकुब्जे पुरे युद्धमचिन्तयत्

kṛtvā sainyasamāyogaṁ rathaiśca vāraṇairyutam | ājagāma kānyakubje pure yuddhamacintayat

Having mustered his army, together with chariots and elephants, he came to the city of Kanyakubja, intent on war.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.6.29.43)

वेष्टितं नगरं तेन राज्ञा सैन्ययुतेन च । मम पुत्राश्च पौत्राश्च निर्गता नगरात्तदा

veṣṭitaṁ nagaraṁ tena rājñā sainyayutena ca | mama putrāśca pautrāśca nirgatā nagarāttadā

That king besieged the city with his army; my sons and grandsons then went forth from the city to meet him.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.6.29.44)

सङ्ग्रामस्तुमुलस्तत्र कृतस्तैस्तेन पुत्रकैः । हता रणे सुताः सर्वे वैरिणा कालयोगतः

saṅgrāmastumulastatra kṛtastaistena putrakaiḥ | hatā raṇe sutāḥ sarve vairiṇā kālayogataḥ

A tumultuous battle took place there between those sons and the enemy; by the working of Time, all my sons were slain in that battle by the foe.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.6.29.45)

राजा भग्नस्तु सङ्ग्रामादागतः स्वगृहं पुनः । श्रुतं मया मृताः पुत्राः सङ्ग्रामे भृशदारुणे

rājā bhagnastu saṅgrāmādāgataḥ svagṛhaṁ punaḥ | śrutaṁ mayā mṛtāḥ putrāḥ saṅgrāme bhṛśadāruṇe

That king, routed from the battle, returned once more to his own house; I heard that my sons had died in that most terrible war.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.6.29.46)

स हत्वा मे सुतान्पौत्रान्गतो राजा बलान्वितः । क्रन्दमाना ह्यहं तत्र गता समरमण्डले

sa hatvā me sutānpautrāngato rājā balānvitaḥ | krandamānā hyahaṁ tatra gatā samaramaṇḍale

Having slain my sons and grandsons, that king departed with his army; and I, wailing, went there to the battlefield.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.6.29.47)

दृष्ट्वा तान्पतितान्पुत्रान्पौत्रांश्चदुःखपीडिता । विललापाहमायुष्मञ्छोकसागरसम्प्लवे

dṛṣṭvā tānpatitānputrānpautrāṁścaduḥkhapīḍitā | vilalāpāhamāyuṣmañchokasāgarasamplave

Seeing my fallen sons and grandsons, overwhelmed with grief, O long-lived one, I lamented, sunk in an ocean of sorrow —

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.6.29.48)

हा पुत्राः क्व गता मेऽद्य हा हतास्मि दुरात्मना । दैवेनातिबलिष्ठेन दुर्वारेणातिपापिना

hā putrāḥ kva gatā me'dya hā hatāsmi durātmanā | daivenātibaliṣṭhena durvāreṇātipāpinā

'Alas, my sons! Where have you gone today? Alas, I am destroyed by this most powerful, irresistible, most sinful Fate!'

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.6.29.49)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र भगवान्मधुसूदनः । कृत्वा रूपं द्विजस्यागाद्वृद्धः परमशोभनः

etasminnantare tatra bhagavānmadhusūdanaḥ | kṛtvā rūpaṁ dvijasyāgādvṛddhaḥ paramaśobhanaḥ

Meanwhile Bhagavan Madhusudana, having taken the form of a Brahmin, came there — an old man, of the most splendid appearance,

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.6.29.50)

सुवासा वेदवित्कामं मत्समीपं समागतः । मामुवाचातिदीनां स क्रन्दमानां रणाजिरे

suvāsā vedavitkāmaṁ matsamīpaṁ samāgataḥ | māmuvācātidīnāṁ sa krandamānāṁ raṇājire

well-dressed, deeply versed in the Vedas; approaching me, wailing there on the battlefield, utterly wretched, he said to me —

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.6.29.51)

ब्राह्मण उवाच । किं विषीदसि तन्वङ्गि भ्रमोऽयं प्रकटीकृतः । मोहेन कोकिलालापे पतिपुत्रगृहात्मके

brāhmaṇa uvāca | kiṁ viṣīdasi tanvaṅgi bhramo'yaṁ prakaṭīkṛtaḥ | mohena kokilālāpe patiputragṛhātmake

The Brahmin said: 'Why do you grieve, O slender one? This is only delusion made manifest, arising from attachment to husband, sons, and home, sweet-voiced as a cuckoo though it seemed.'

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.6.29.52)

का त्वं कस्याः सुताः केऽमी चिन्तयात्मगतिं पराम् । उत्तिष्ठ रोदनं त्यक्त्वा स्वस्था भव सुलोचने

kā tvaṁ kasyāḥ sutāḥ ke'mī cintayātmagatiṁ parām | uttiṣṭha rodanaṁ tyaktvā svasthā bhava sulocane

'Who are you? Whose children are these? Reflect on the higher destiny of the self. Rise, O fair-eyed one, abandon your weeping, and be at peace.'

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.6.29.53)

स्नानं च तिलदानं च पुत्राणां कुरु कामिनि । परलोकगतानां च मर्यादारक्षणाय वै

snānaṁ ca tiladānaṁ ca putrāṇāṁ kuru kāmini | paralokagatānāṁ ca maryādārakṣaṇāya vai

'O lovely one, perform the bathing rite and the offering of sesame for your sons who have gone to the next world, for the sake of upholding due custom.'

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.6.29.54)

कर्तव्यं सर्वथा तीर्थे स्नानं तु न गृहे क्वचित् । मृतानां किल बन्धूनां धर्मशास्त्रविनिर्णयः

kartavyaṁ sarvathā tīrthe snānaṁ tu na gṛhe kvacit | mṛtānāṁ kila bandhūnāṁ dharmaśāstravinirṇayaḥ

'This bathing rite for deceased kin must always be performed at a holy tirtha, never at home — such is the settled ruling of the dharma-shastras.'

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.6.29.55)

नारद उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा तेन विप्रेण वृद्धेन प्रतिबोधिता । उत्थिताहं नृपेणाथ युक्ता बन्धुभिरावृता

nārada uvāca | ityuktvā tena vipreṇa vṛddhena pratibodhitā | utthitāhaṁ nṛpeṇātha yuktā bandhubhirāvṛtā

Narada said: Thus roused by that aged Brahmin, I rose up, surrounded by the king and my kinsmen.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.6.29.56)

अग्रतो द्विजरूपेण भगवान्भूतभावनः । चलिताहं ततस्तूर्णं तीर्थं परमपावनम्

agrato dvijarūpeṇa bhagavānbhūtabhāvanaḥ | calitāhaṁ tatastūrṇaṁ tīrthaṁ paramapāvanam

With Bhagavan, the origin of all beings, in Brahmin form leading the way, I set out swiftly for that most purifying tirtha.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.6.29.57)

हरिर्मां कृपया तत्र पुन्तीर्थे सरसि प्रभुः । नीत्वाह भगवान्विष्णुर्द्विजरूपी जनार्दनः

harirmāṁ kṛpayā tatra puntīrthe sarasi prabhuḥ | nītvāha bhagavānviṣṇurdvijarūpī janārdanaḥ

Hari, out of compassion, led me there to the lake called Puntirtha; and Bhagavan Vishnu, that Janardana in Brahmin form, said to me —

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.6.29.58)

स्नानं कुरु तडागेऽस्मिन्पावने गजगामिनि । त्यज शोकं क्रियाकालः पुत्राणां च निरर्थकम्

snānaṁ kuru taḍāge'sminpāvane gajagāmini | tyaja śokaṁ kriyākālaḥ putrāṇāṁ ca nirarthakam

'O one who moves with the gait of an elephant, bathe now in this purifying lake; give up your grief — this is the time for the rite for your sons, futile though it is.'

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.6.29.59)

कोटिशस्ते मृताः पुत्रा जन्मजन्मसमुद्भवाः । पितरः पतयश्चैव भ्रातरो जामयस्तथा

koṭiśaste mṛtāḥ putrā janmajanmasamudbhavāḥ | pitaraḥ patayaścaiva bhrātaro jāmayastathā

'Across birth after birth, crores of sons have already died for you — fathers, husbands too, brothers, and sisters as well.'

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.6.29.60)

केषां दुःखं त्वया कार्यं भ्रमेऽस्मिन्मानसोद्भवे । वितथे स्वप्नसदृशे तापदे देहिनामिह

keṣāṁ duḥkhaṁ tvayā kāryaṁ bhrame'sminmānasodbhave | vitathe svapnasadṛśe tāpade dehināmiha

'In this false, dream-like delusion, born only of the mind, which brings suffering to embodied beings, for whom then should you grieve?'

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.6.29.61)

नारद उवाच । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा तीर्थे पुरुषसंज्ञके । प्रविष्टा स्नातुकामाहं प्रेरिता तत्र विष्णुना

nārada uvāca | iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā tīrthe puruṣasaṁjñake | praviṣṭā snātukāmāhaṁ preritā tatra viṣṇunā

Narada said: Hearing his words, urged on by Vishnu and desiring to bathe, I entered that tirtha named Purusha-tirtha.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.6.29.62)

मज्जनादेव तीर्थेषु पुमाञ्जातः क्षणादपि । हरिर्वीणां करे कृत्वा स्थितस्तीरे स्वदेहवान्

majjanādeva tīrtheṣu pumāñjātaḥ kṣaṇādapi | harirvīṇāṁ kare kṛtvā sthitastīre svadehavān

By the very act of immersion in that tirtha, I became a man again in an instant; and Hari, holding my vina in his hand, stood on the bank in his own true form.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.6.29.63)

उन्मज्ज्य च मया तीरे दृष्टः कमललोचनः । प्रत्यभिज्ञा तदा जाता मम चित्ते द्विजोत्तम

unmajjya ca mayā tīre dṛṣṭaḥ kamalalocanaḥ | pratyabhijñā tadā jātā mama citte dvijottama

Rising up from the water, I saw the lotus-eyed one on the bank; O best of Brahmins, and then recognition dawned in my mind.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.6.29.64)

सञ्चिन्तितं मया तत्र नारदोऽहमिहागतः । हरिणा सह स्त्रीभावं प्राप्तो मायाविमोहितः

sañcintitaṁ mayā tatra nārado'hamihāgataḥ | hariṇā saha strībhāvaṁ prāpto māyāvimohitaḥ

I reflected there: 'I am Narada, who came here with Hari, and, deluded by maya, took on the state of a woman.'

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.6.29.65)

इति चिन्तापरश्चाहं यदा जातस्तदा हरिः । मामाह नारदागच्छ किं करोषि जले स्थितः

iti cintāparaścāhaṁ yadā jātastadā hariḥ | māmāha nāradāgaccha kiṁ karoṣi jale sthitaḥ

The moment I became absorbed in this reflection, Hari said to me: 'Narada, come — what are you doing, standing there in the water?'

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.6.29.66)

विस्मितोऽहं तदा स्मृत्वा स्त्रीभावं दारुणं भृशम् । पुनः पुरुषभावश्च सम्पन्नः केन हेतुना

vismito'haṁ tadā smṛtvā strībhāvaṁ dāruṇaṁ bhṛśam | punaḥ puruṣabhāvaśca sampannaḥ kena hetunā

I then, astonished, recalled that most dreadful state of womanhood — wondering by what cause I had come to be a man once again.