In the Savitri-Legend: The Fruits of Karma

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.9.29.1)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । सावित्रीवचनं श्रुत्वा जगाम विस्मयं यमः । प्रहस्य वक्तुमारेभे कर्मपाकं तु जीविनाम्

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | sāvitrīvacanaṁ śrutvā jagāma vismayaṁ yamaḥ | prahasya vaktumārebhe karmapākaṁ tu jīvinām

Sri Narayana said: Having heard Savitri's words, Yama was filled with wonder. Smiling, he began to explain the ripening of karma for living beings.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.9.29.2)

धर्म उवाच । कन्या द्वादशवर्षीया वत्से त्वं वयसाधुना । ज्ञानं ते पूर्वविदुषां ज्ञानिनां योगिनां परम्

dharma uvāca | kanyā dvādaśavarṣīyā vatse tvaṁ vayasādhunā | jñānaṁ te pūrvaviduṣāṁ jñānināṁ yogināṁ param

Dharma said: My child, though by present age you are but a girl of twelve, your knowledge equals that of the sages of old, of the wise, supreme among yogis.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.9.29.3)

सावित्रीवरदानेन त्वं सावित्री कला सती । प्राप्ता पुरा भूभृता च तपसा तत्समा सुते

sāvitrīvaradānena tvaṁ sāvitrī kalā satī | prāptā purā bhūbhṛtā ca tapasā tatsamā sute

By Savitri's boon, you, virtuous one, are a portion of Savitri herself, obtained of old by the king through austerity — O daughter, you are her very equal.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.9.29.4)

यथा श्रीः श्रीपतेः क्रोडे भवानी च भवोरसि । यथादितिः कश्यपे च यथाहल्या च गौतमे

yathā śrīḥ śrīpateḥ kroḍe bhavānī ca bhavorasi | yathāditiḥ kaśyape ca yathāhalyā ca gautame

As Lakshmi rests in the embrace of Vishnu, and Bhavani upon the breast of Shiva; as Aditi dwells in Kashyapa, and Ahalya in Gautama;

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.9.29.5)

यथा शची महेन्द्रे च यथा चन्द्रे च रोहिणी । यथा रतिः कामदेवे यथा स्वाहा हुताशने

yathā śacī mahendre ca yathā candre ca rohiṇī | yathā ratiḥ kāmadeve yathā svāhā hutāśane

As Shachi dwells in great Indra, and Rohini in the Moon; as Rati dwells in Kamadeva, and Svaha in Fire;

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.9.29.6)

यथा स्वधा च पितृषु यथा सन्ध्या दिवाकरे । वरुणानी च वरुणे यज्ञे च दक्षिणा यथा

yathā svadhā ca pitṛṣu yathā sandhyā divākare | varuṇānī ca varuṇe yajñe ca dakṣiṇā yathā

As Svadha dwells among the ancestors, and Sandhya in the Sun; Varunani in Varuna, and Dakshina in the sacrifice;

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.9.29.7)

यथा वराहे पृथिवी देवसेना च कार्तिके । सौभाग्या सुप्रिया त्वं च तथा सत्यवतः प्रिये

yathā varāhe pṛthivī devasenā ca kārtike | saubhāgyā supriyā tvaṁ ca tathā satyavataḥ priye

As Prithvi dwells in the Boar, and Devasena in Kartikeya — so too are you, fortunate and beloved one, most dear to Satyavan.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.9.29.8)

अयं तुभ्यं वरो दत्तोऽप्यपरं च यथेप्सितम् । शृणु देवि महाभागे ददामि सकलेप्सितम्

ayaṁ tubhyaṁ varo datto'pyaparaṁ ca yathepsitam | śṛṇu devi mahābhāge dadāmi sakalepsitam

This boon has been granted to you, and another besides, whatever you desire — hear, O goddess, O most fortunate one: I shall grant you all that you wish.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.9.29.9)

सावित्र्युवाच । सत्यवत औरसानां पुत्राणां शतकं मम । भविष्यति महाभाग वरमेतन्मदीप्सितम्

sāvitryuvāca | satyavata aurasānāṁ putrāṇāṁ śatakaṁ mama | bhaviṣyati mahābhāga varametanmadīpsitam

Savitri said: O most fortunate one, may a hundred sons, born of Satyavan's own body, be mine — this is the boon I desire.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.9.29.10)

मत्पितुः पुत्रशतकं श्वशुरस्य च चक्षुषी । राज्यलाभो भवत्वेवं वरमेतन्मदीप्सितम्

matpituḥ putraśatakaṁ śvaśurasya ca cakṣuṣī | rājyalābho bhavatvevaṁ varametanmadīpsitam

May my father have a hundred sons, and may my father-in-law regain his eyesight and likewise his kingdom — this too is the boon I desire.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.9.29.11)

अन्ते सत्यवता सार्धं यास्यामि हरिमन्दिरम् । समतीते लक्षवर्षे देहीदं मे जगत्प्रभो

ante satyavatā sārdhaṁ yāsyāmi harimandiram | samatīte lakṣavarṣe dehīdaṁ me jagatprabho

At the end, together with Satyavan, may I go to the abode of Hari, when a hundred thousand years have passed. Grant me this, O Lord of the worlds.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.9.29.12)

जीवकर्मविपाकं च श्रोतुं कौतूहलं मम । विश्वनिस्तारबीजं च तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि

jīvakarmavipākaṁ ca śrotuṁ kautūhalaṁ mama | viśvanistārabījaṁ ca tanme vyākhyātumarhasi

I am eager to hear of the ripening of the karma of living beings — the very seed of the world's deliverance. Please explain this to me.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.9.29.13)

धर्मराज उवाच । भविष्यति महासाध्वि सर्वं मानसिकं तव । जीवकर्मविपाकं च कथयामि निशामय

dharmarāja uvāca | bhaviṣyati mahāsādhvi sarvaṁ mānasikaṁ tava | jīvakarmavipākaṁ ca kathayāmi niśāmaya

Dharmaraja said: O most virtuous one, everything you desire in your heart shall come to pass. Now hear, as I tell of the ripening of the karma of living beings.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.9.29.14)

शुभानामशुभानां च कर्मणां जन्म भारते । पुण्यक्षेत्रे च नान्यत्र सर्वं च भुञ्जते जनाः

śubhānāmaśubhānāṁ ca karmaṇāṁ janma bhārate | puṇyakṣetre ca nānyatra sarvaṁ ca bhuñjate janāḥ

The birthplace of both good and bad karmas is Bharata, this sacred land, and nowhere else; and it is there that people experience the fruit of all of it.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.9.29.15)

सुरा दैत्या दानवाश्च गन्धर्वा राक्षसादयः । नराश्च कर्मजनका न सर्वे जीविनः सति

surā daityā dānavāśca gandharvā rākṣasādayaḥ | narāśca karmajanakā na sarve jīvinaḥ sati

Gods, Daityas, Danavas, Gandharvas, Rakshasas, and men — among these, only certain ones generate new karma; not all living beings do.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.9.29.16)

विशिष्टजीविनः कर्म भुञ्जते सर्वयोनिषु । शुभाशुभं च सर्वत्र स्वर्गेषु नरकेषु च

viśiṣṭajīvinaḥ karma bhuñjate sarvayoniṣu | śubhāśubhaṁ ca sarvatra svargeṣu narakeṣu ca

Only certain particular beings experience karma, both good and bad, across all wombs everywhere — in the heavens as well as in the hells.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.9.29.17)

विशेषतो जीविनश्च भ्रमन्ते सर्वयोनिषु । शुभाशुभं भुञ्जते च कर्म पूर्वार्जितं परम्

viśeṣato jīvinaśca bhramante sarvayoniṣu | śubhāśubhaṁ bhuñjate ca karma pūrvārjitaṁ param

Such distinguished beings wander through all the wombs, experiencing the good and bad karma they had earlier earned.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.9.29.18)

शुभेन कर्मणा याति स्वर्लोकादिकमेव च । कर्मणा चाशुभेनैव भ्रमन्ति नरकेषु च

śubhena karmaṇā yāti svarlokādikameva ca | karmaṇā cāśubhenaiva bhramanti narakeṣu ca

By good karma one attains the heavenly world and the like; and by evil karma alone, beings wander through the hells.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.9.29.19)

कर्मनिर्मूलने भक्तिः सा चोक्ता द्विविधा सति । निर्वाणरूपा भक्तिश्च ब्रह्मणः प्रकृतेरिह

karmanirmūlane bhaktiḥ sā coktā dvividhā sati | nirvāṇarūpā bhaktiśca brahmaṇaḥ prakṛteriha

Devotion alone uproots karma at its root; and this, O virtuous one, is said to be of two kinds — devotion whose form is liberation, and devotion here to Brahman-Prakriti.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.9.29.20)

रोगी कुकर्मणा जीवश्चारोगी शुभकर्मणा । दीर्घजीवी च क्षीणायुः सुखी दुःखी च कर्मणा

rogī kukarmaṇā jīvaścārogī śubhakarmaṇā | dīrghajīvī ca kṣīṇāyuḥ sukhī duḥkhī ca karmaṇā

By bad karma a being becomes diseased, and by good karma, free of disease. Long-lived or short-lived, happy or sorrowful — all this too by karma.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.9.29.21)

अन्धादयश्चाङ्गहीनाः कर्मणा कुत्सितेन च । सिद्ध्यादिकमवाप्नोति सर्वोत्कृष्टेन कर्मणा

andhādayaścāṅgahīnāḥ karmaṇā kutsitena ca | siddhyādikamavāpnoti sarvotkṛṣṭena karmaṇā

Blindness and the like, along with bodily impairment, come from base and contemptible karma; and siddhis and the like are attained through the most excellent karma.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.9.29.22)

सामान्यं कथितं देवि विशेषं शृणु सुन्दरि । सुदुर्लभं सुगोप्यं च पुराणेषु स्मृतिष्वपि

sāmānyaṁ kathitaṁ devi viśeṣaṁ śṛṇu sundari | sudurlabhaṁ sugopyaṁ ca purāṇeṣu smṛtiṣvapi

O goddess, the general principle has now been told; hear the particulars, O beautiful one — that which is exceedingly rare and secret, even within the Puranas and Smritis.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.9.29.23)

दुर्लभा मानुषी जातिः सर्वजातिषु भारते । सर्वेभ्यो ब्राह्मणः श्रेष्ठः प्रशस्तः सर्वकर्मसु

durlabhā mānuṣī jātiḥ sarvajātiṣu bhārate | sarvebhyo brāhmaṇaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ praśastaḥ sarvakarmasu

Among all births, human birth in Bharata is rare and hard to attain. Among all humans, the brahmin is foremost, esteemed in every rite.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.9.29.24)

ब्रह्मनिष्ठो द्विजश्चैव गरीयान् भारते सति । निष्कामश्च सकामश्च ब्राह्मणो द्विविधः सति

brahmaniṣṭho dvijaścaiva garīyān bhārate sati | niṣkāmaśca sakāmaśca brāhmaṇo dvividhaḥ sati

In Bharata, the twice-born who is devoted to Brahman is indeed the most exalted. The brahmin is of two kinds: the one free of desire, and the one still bound by desire.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.9.29.25)

सकामाज्ज प्रधानश्च निष्कामो भक्त एव च । कर्मभोगी सकामश्च निष्कामो निरुपद्रवः

sakāmājja pradhānaśca niṣkāmo bhakta eva ca | karmabhogī sakāmaśca niṣkāmo nirupadravaḥ

Superior to the one with desire is the devotee who is free of desire. The one with desire experiences the fruit of karma, while the one free of desire remains untroubled.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.9.29.26)

स याति देहं त्यक्त्वा च पदं यत्तन्निरामयम् । पुनरागमनं नास्ति तेषां निष्कामिनां सति

sa yāti dehaṁ tyaktvā ca padaṁ yattannirāmayam | punarāgamanaṁ nāsti teṣāṁ niṣkāmināṁ sati

Having left the body, he attains that state which is free of all affliction. For those who are free of desire, O virtuous one, there is no return to rebirth.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.9.29.27)

सेवन्ते द्विभुजं कृष्णं परमात्मानमीश्वरम् । गोलोकं प्रति ते भक्ता दिव्यरूपविधारिणः

sevante dvibhujaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ paramātmānamīśvaram | golokaṁ prati te bhaktā divyarūpavidhāriṇaḥ

They serve the two-armed Krishna, the Supreme Self, the Lord; those devotees, taking on divine forms, proceed toward Goloka.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.9.29.28)

सकामिनो वैष्णवाश्च गत्वा वैकुण्ठमेव च । भारतं पुनरायान्ति तेषां जन्म द्विजातिषु

sakāmino vaiṣṇavāśca gatvā vaikuṇṭhameva ca | bhārataṁ punarāyānti teṣāṁ janma dvijātiṣu

Vaishnavas who still harbor desire, though they go to Vaikuntha, return again to Bharata; their birth is among the twice-born.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.9.29.29)

काले गते च निष्कामा भवन्त्येव क्रमेण च । भक्तिं च निर्मलां तेभ्यो दास्यामि निश्चितं पुनः

kāle gate ca niṣkāmā bhavantyeva krameṇa ca | bhaktiṁ ca nirmalāṁ tebhyo dāsyāmi niścitaṁ punaḥ

With time's passing, they gradually become free of desire; and to them I shall surely grant pure devotion once again.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.9.29.30)

ब्राह्मणा वैष्णवाश्चैव सकामाः सर्वजन्मसु । न तेषां निर्मला बुद्धिर्विष्णुभक्तिविवर्जिताः

brāhmaṇā vaiṣṇavāścaiva sakāmāḥ sarvajanmasu | na teṣāṁ nirmalā buddhirviṣṇubhaktivivarjitāḥ

Brahmins who are Vaishnavas yet remain bound by desire, throughout all their births — their understanding is not pure, for they are devoid of true devotion to Vishnu.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.9.29.31)

तीर्थाश्रिता द्विजा ये च तपस्यानिरताः सति । ते यान्ति ब्रह्मलोकं च पुनरायान्ति भारते

tīrthāśritā dvijā ye ca tapasyāniratāḥ sati | te yānti brahmalokaṁ ca punarāyānti bhārate

Those twice-born who take refuge at sacred sites and are devoted to austerity, O virtuous one, go to Brahmaloka, and in time return again to Bharata.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.9.29.32)

स्वधर्मनिरता ये च तीर्थान्यत्रनिवासिनः । व्रजन्ति ते सत्यलोकं पुनरायान्ति भारते

svadharmaniratā ye ca tīrthānyatranivāsinaḥ | vrajanti te satyalokaṁ punarāyānti bhārate

Those devoted to their own dharma, dwelling at various sacred sites, go to Satyaloka, and return again to Bharata.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.9.29.33)

स्वधर्मनिरता विप्राः सूर्यभक्ताश्च भारते । व्रजन्ति ते सूर्यलोकं पुनरायान्ति भारते

svadharmaniratā viprāḥ sūryabhaktāśca bhārate | vrajanti te sūryalokaṁ punarāyānti bhārate

Brahmins in Bharata devoted to their own dharma and to the worship of the Sun go to the world of the Sun, and return again to Bharata.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.9.29.34)

मूलप्रकृतिभक्ता ये निष्कामा धर्मचारिणः । मणिद्वीपं प्रयान्त्येव पुनरावृत्तिवर्जितम्

mūlaprakṛtibhaktā ye niṣkāmā dharmacāriṇaḥ | maṇidvīpaṁ prayāntyeva punarāvṛttivarjitam

Those who are devotees of the Root Prakriti, free of desire, walking the path of dharma, attain Manidvipa itself, from which there is no return.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.9.29.35)

स्वधर्मे निरता भक्ताः शैवाः शाक्ताश्च गाणपाः । ते यान्ति शिवलोकं च पुनरायान्ति भारते

svadharme niratā bhaktāḥ śaivāḥ śāktāśca gāṇapāḥ | te yānti śivalokaṁ ca punarāyānti bhārate

Devotees devoted to their own dharma — Shaivas, Shaktas, and worshippers of Ganesha — go to Shivaloka, and return again to Bharata.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.9.29.36)

ये विप्रा अन्यदेवेज्याः स्वधर्मनिरताः सति । ते यान्ति सर्वलोकं च पुनरायान्ति भारते

ye viprā anyadevejyāḥ svadharmaniratāḥ sati | te yānti sarvalokaṁ ca punarāyānti bhārate

Those brahmins who worship other deities, while yet remaining devoted to their own dharma, go to that deity's world, and return again to Bharata.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.9.29.37)

हरिभक्ताश्च निष्कामाः स्वधर्मनिरता द्विजाः । ते च यान्ति हरेर्लोकं क्रमाद्भक्तिबलादहो

haribhaktāśca niṣkāmāḥ svadharmaniratā dvijāḥ | te ca yānti harerlokaṁ kramādbhaktibalādaho

Twice-born devotees of Hari, free of desire, devoted to their own dharma — by the strength of their devotion, they go by degrees to the world of Hari.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.9.29.38)

स्वधर्मरहिता विप्रा देवान्यसेवनाः सदा । भ्रष्टाचाराश्च कामाश्च ते यान्ति नरकं ध्रुवम्

svadharmarahitā viprā devānyasevanāḥ sadā | bhraṣṭācārāśca kāmāśca te yānti narakaṁ dhruvam

Brahmins devoid of their own dharma, ever engaged in serving other deities, fallen from proper conduct and driven by desire — they surely go to hell.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.9.29.39)

स्वधर्मनिरता एव वर्णाश्चत्वार एव च । भवन्त्येव शुभस्यैव कर्मणः फलभोगिनः

svadharmaniratā eva varṇāścatvāra eva ca | bhavantyeva śubhasyaiva karmaṇaḥ phalabhoginaḥ

All four varnas, when devoted to their own respective dharma, become enjoyers of the fruit of good karma alone.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.9.29.40)

स्वकर्मरहिता ये च नरकं यान्ति ते ध्रुवम् । भारते न भवन्त्येव कर्मणः फलभोगिनः

svakarmarahitā ye ca narakaṁ yānti te dhruvam | bhārate na bhavantyeva karmaṇaḥ phalabhoginaḥ

Those devoid of their own proper duty surely go to hell; in Bharata they do not become enjoyers of the fruit of good karma.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.9.29.41)

स्वधर्मनिरता एव वर्णाश्चत्वार एव च । स्वधर्मनिरता विप्राः स्वधर्मनिरताय च

svadharmaniratā eva varṇāścatvāra eva ca | svadharmaniratā viprāḥ svadharmaniratāya ca

The four varnas should remain devoted to their own dharma. Brahmins devoted to their own dharma who give — to one likewise devoted to his own dharma —

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.9.29.42)

कन्यां ददति विप्राय चन्द्रलोकं प्रयान्ति ते । वसन्ति तत्र ते साध्वि यावदिन्द्राश्चतुर्दश

kanyāṁ dadati viprāya candralokaṁ prayānti te | vasanti tatra te sādhvi yāvadindrāścaturdaśa

— give a daughter in marriage to a brahmin go to the world of the Moon. There, O virtuous woman, they dwell for the span of fourteen Indras.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.9.29.43)

सालङ्कृताया दानेन द्विगुणं फलमुच्यते । सकामा यान्ति तल्लोकं न निष्कामाश्च साधवः

sālaṅkṛtāyā dānena dviguṇaṁ phalamucyate | sakāmā yānti tallokaṁ na niṣkāmāśca sādhavaḥ

By giving her adorned with ornaments, the fruit is said to double. Only those with desire go to that world — not the desireless, virtuous ones.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.9.29.44)

ते प्रयान्ति विष्णुलोकं फलसङ्घातवर्जिताः । गव्यं च रजतं स्वर्णं वस्त्रं सर्पिः फलं जलम्

te prayānti viṣṇulokaṁ phalasaṅghātavarjitāḥ | gavyaṁ ca rajataṁ svarṇaṁ vastraṁ sarpiḥ phalaṁ jalam

They, the desireless, go to Vishnuloka, free from any accumulation of karmic fruit. As for other gifts: cow's products, silver, gold, cloth, ghee, fruit, water —

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.9.29.45)

ये ददत्येव विप्रेभ्यश्चन्द्रलोकं प्रयान्ति ते । वसन्ति ते च तल्लोके यावन्मन्वन्तरं सति

ye dadatyeva viprebhyaścandralokaṁ prayānti te | vasanti te ca talloke yāvanmanvantaraṁ sati

— those who give these to brahmins go to the world of the Moon. They dwell in that world for the span of one Manvantara.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.9.29.46)

सुचिरात्सुचिरं वासं कुर्वन्ति तेन ते जनाः । ये ददति सुवर्णांश्च गाश्च ताम्रादिकं सति

sucirātsuciraṁ vāsaṁ kurvanti tena te janāḥ | ye dadati suvarṇāṁśca gāśca tāmrādikaṁ sati

By this gift, those people dwell there for a very long span indeed. Those who give gold, cows, copper, and the like —

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.9.29.47)

ते यान्ति सूर्यलोकं च शुचये ब्राह्मणाय च । वसन्ति ते तत्र लोके वर्षाणामयुतं सति

te yānti sūryalokaṁ ca śucaye brāhmaṇāya ca | vasanti te tatra loke varṣāṇāmayutaṁ sati

— to a pure brahmin go to the world of the Sun. They dwell in that world for ten thousand years.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.9.29.48)

विपुले सुचिरं वासं कुर्वन्ति च निरामयाः । ददाति भूमिं विप्रेभ्यो धनानि विपुलानि च

vipule suciraṁ vāsaṁ kurvanti ca nirāmayāḥ | dadāti bhūmiṁ viprebhyo dhanāni vipulāni ca

They dwell there for a long and abundant span, free of affliction. He who gives land to brahmins, along with abundant wealth —

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.9.29.49)

स याति विष्णुलोकं च श्वेतद्वीपं मनोहरम् । तत्रैव निवसत्येव यावच्चन्द्रदिवाकरौ

sa yāti viṣṇulokaṁ ca śvetadvīpaṁ manoharam | tatraiva nivasatyeva yāvaccandradivākarau

— he goes to Vishnuloka, the lovely Shvetadvipa. There he dwells for as long as the sun and moon endure.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.9.29.50)

विपुले विपुलं वासं करोति पुण्यवान्मुने । गृहं ददति विप्राय ये जना भक्तिपूर्वकम्

vipule vipulaṁ vāsaṁ karoti puṇyavānmune | gṛhaṁ dadati viprāya ye janā bhaktipūrvakam

O sage, that meritorious one dwells for a vast span in that great realm. Those people who, with devotion, give a house to a brahmin —

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.9.29.51)

ते यान्ति विष्णुलोकं च सुचिरं सुखदायकम् । गृहरेणुप्रमाणं च विष्णुलोके महत्तमे

te yānti viṣṇulokaṁ ca suciraṁ sukhadāyakam | gṛhareṇupramāṇaṁ ca viṣṇuloke mahattame

— they go to Vishnuloka, which grants happiness for a very long span; and in that greatest of realms, for as many years as there are dust-grains in that house —

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.9.29.52)

विपुले विपुलं वासं कुर्वन्ति मानवाः सति । यस्मै यस्मै च देवाय यो ददाति गृहं नरः

vipule vipulaṁ vāsaṁ kurvanti mānavāḥ sati | yasmai yasmai ca devāya yo dadāti gṛhaṁ naraḥ

— those people dwell for an abundant span in that vast realm. Whichever deity a man gives a house to —

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.9.29.53)

स याति तस्य लोकं च रेणुमानाब्दमेव च । सौधे चतुर्गुणं पुण्यं देशे शतगुणं फलम्

sa yāti tasya lokaṁ ca reṇumānābdameva ca | saudhe caturguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ deśe śataguṇaṁ phalam

— he goes to that deity's world for as many years as there are dust-grains in the house. For a mansion the merit is fourfold; for a house in the countryside, the fruit is a hundredfold.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.9.29.54)

प्रकृष्टे द्विगुणं तस्मादित्याह कमलोद्भवः । यो ददाति तडागं च सर्वपापापनुत्तये

prakṛṣṭe dviguṇaṁ tasmādityāha kamalodbhavaḥ | yo dadāti taḍāgaṁ ca sarvapāpāpanuttaye

For an excellent site, twice that again — so says Brahma, the lotus-born. He who gives a pond, for the removal of all sin —

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.9.29.55)

स याति जनलोकं च रेणुमानाब्दमेव च । वाप्यां फलं दशगुणं प्राप्नोति मानवः सदा

sa yāti janalokaṁ ca reṇumānābdameva ca | vāpyāṁ phalaṁ daśaguṇaṁ prāpnoti mānavaḥ sadā

— he goes to Janaloka for as many years as there are dust-grains in it. For a stepwell, a man always obtains tenfold the fruit.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.9.29.56)

स तु वापीप्रदानेन तडागस्य फलं लभेत् । धनुश्चतुःसहस्रेण दर्श्यमानेन निश्चितम्

sa tu vāpīpradānena taḍāgasya phalaṁ labhet | dhanuścatuḥsahasreṇa darśyamānena niścitam

By the gift of a stepwell he certainly obtains the fruit equal to that of a pond, when it measures four thousand bow-lengths, as prescribed —

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.9.29.57)

न्यूना वा तावती प्रस्थे सा वापी परिकीर्तिता । दशवापीसमा कन्या यदि पात्रे प्रदीयते

nyūnā vā tāvatī prasthe sā vāpī parikīrtitā | daśavāpīsamā kanyā yadi pātre pradīyate

— or smaller, though of the same width — such is reckoned a proper stepwell. A daughter, if given to a worthy recipient, is equal in merit to ten stepwells.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.9.29.58)

फलं ददाति द्विगुणं यदि सालङ्कृता भवेत् । यत्फलं च तडागे च तदुद्धारे च तत्कलम्

phalaṁ dadāti dviguṇaṁ yadi sālaṅkṛtā bhavet | yatphalaṁ ca taḍāge ca taduddhāre ca tatkalam

If she is given adorned with ornaments, the fruit is doubled. Whatever fruit accrues from building a pond, a sixteenth part of that accrues from restoring one.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.9.29.59)

वाप्याश्च पङ्कोद्धरणे वापीतुल्यफलं लभेत् । अश्वत्थवृक्षमारोप्य प्रतिष्ठां यः करोति च

vāpyāśca paṅkoddharaṇe vāpītulyaphalaṁ labhet | aśvatthavṛkṣamāropya pratiṣṭhāṁ yaḥ karoti ca

In clearing the silt from a stepwell, one obtains fruit equal to that of building one. He who plants a pipal tree and consecrates it —

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.9.29.60)

स प्रयाति तपोलोकं वर्षाणामयुतं सति । पुष्पोद्यानं यो ददाति सावित्रि सर्वभूतये

sa prayāti tapolokaṁ varṣāṇāmayutaṁ sati | puṣpodyānaṁ yo dadāti sāvitri sarvabhūtaye

— he goes to Tapoloka for ten thousand years. O Savitri, he who gives a flower-garden for the welfare of all beings —

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.9.29.61)

स वसेद् ध्रुवलोके च वर्षाणामयुतं धुवम् । यो ददाति विमानं च विष्णवे भारते सति

sa vased dhruvaloke ca varṣāṇāmayutaṁ dhuvam | yo dadāti vimānaṁ ca viṣṇave bhārate sati

— he dwells for a certain ten thousand years in Dhruvaloka. He who, in Bharata, gives a vimana to Vishnu —

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.9.29.62)

विष्णुलोके वसेत्सोऽपि यावन्मन्वन्तरं परम् । चित्रयुक्ते च विपुले फलं तस्य चतुर्गुणम्

viṣṇuloke vasetso'pi yāvanmanvantaraṁ param | citrayukte ca vipule phalaṁ tasya caturguṇam

— he too dwells in Vishnuloka for a full Manvantara. If it is richly adorned with paintings and grand in scale, its fruit is fourfold.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.9.29.63)

तस्यार्धं शिबिकादाने फलमेव लभेद् ध्रुवम् । यो ददाति भक्तियुक्तो हरये दोलमन्दिरम्

tasyārdhaṁ śibikādāne phalameva labhed dhruvam | yo dadāti bhaktiyukto haraye dolamandiram

By the gift of a palanquin one certainly obtains half that fruit. He who, filled with devotion, gives a swing-pavilion to Hari —

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.9.29.64)

विष्णुलोके वसेत्सोऽपि यावन्मन्वन्तरं शतम् । राजमार्गं सौधयुक्तं यः करोति पतिव्रते

viṣṇuloke vasetso'pi yāvanmanvantaraṁ śatam | rājamārgaṁ saudhayuktaṁ yaḥ karoti pativrate

— he too dwells in Vishnuloka for a hundred Manvantaras. O faithful wife, he who constructs a royal highway lined with mansions —

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.9.29.65)

वर्षाणामयुतं सोऽपि शक्रलोके महीयते । ब्राह्मणेभ्योऽथ देवेभ्यो दाने समफलं लभेत्

varṣāṇāmayutaṁ so'pi śakraloke mahīyate | brāhmaṇebhyo'tha devebhyo dāne samaphalaṁ labhet

— he too is honored in the world of Indra for ten thousand years. Giving to brahmins yields fruit equal to giving to the gods themselves.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.9.29.66)

यद्धि दत्तं च तद्भुङ्क्ते न दत्तं नोपतिष्ठते । भुक्त्वा स्वर्गादिजं सौख्यं पुण्यवाञ्जन्म भारते

yaddhi dattaṁ ca tadbhuṅkte na dattaṁ nopatiṣṭhate | bhuktvā svargādijaṁ saukhyaṁ puṇyavāñjanma bhārate

Whatever is given, that alone one enjoys; what is not given never comes to avail him. Having enjoyed the happiness born of heaven and the like, the meritorious one is born again in Bharata.

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.9.29.67)

लभेद्विप्रकुलेष्वेव क्रमेणैवोत्तमादिषु । भारते पुण्यवान्विप्रो भुक्त्वा स्वर्गादिकं फलम्

labhedviprakuleṣveva krameṇaivottamādiṣu | bhārate puṇyavānvipro bhuktvā svargādikaṁ phalam

He obtains birth, in due order, in the finest of brahmin families and so on. The meritorious brahmin in Bharata, having enjoyed the fruit of heaven and the rest —

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.9.29.68)

पुनः सोऽपि भवेद्विप्रश्चैवं च क्षत्रियादयः । क्षत्रियो वाथ वैश्यो वा कल्पकोटिशतेन च

punaḥ so'pi bhavedvipraścaivaṁ ca kṣatriyādayaḥ | kṣatriyo vātha vaiśyo vā kalpakoṭiśatena ca

— becomes a brahmin once more; and likewise the kshatriya and the rest. A kshatriya or a vaishya, even after a hundred crore kalpas —

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.9.29.69)

तपसा ब्राह्मणत्वं च न प्राप्नोति श्रुतौ श्रुतम् । नाभुक्तं क्षीयते कर्म कल्पकोटिशतैरपि

tapasā brāhmaṇatvaṁ ca na prāpnoti śrutau śrutam | nābhuktaṁ kṣīyate karma kalpakoṭiśatairapi

— does not attain brahminhood through austerity alone, as declared in the Shruti. Karma that has not yet been experienced does not wear away, even across a hundred crore kalpas.

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.9.29.70)

अवश्यमेव भोक्तव्यं कृतं कर्म शुभाशुभम् । देवतीर्थसहायेन कायव्यूहेन शुध्यति । एतत्ते कथितं किञ्चित् किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि

avaśyameva bhoktavyaṁ kṛtaṁ karma śubhāśubham | devatīrthasahāyena kāyavyūhena śudhyati | etatte kathitaṁ kiñcit kiṁ bhūyaḥ śrotumicchasi

Whatever karma, good or bad, has been performed must inevitably be experienced. With the help of the gods and sacred places, it is purified through the successive arrangement of the body. This much I have told you in brief — what more do you wish to hear?