The Savitri-Legend Concluded

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.9.38.1)

सावित्र्युवाच । देवीभक्तिं देहि मह्यं साराणां चैव सारकम् । पुंसां मुक्तिद्वारबीजं नरकार्णवतारकम्

sāvitryuvāca | devībhaktiṁ dehi mahyaṁ sārāṇāṁ caiva sārakam | puṁsāṁ muktidvārabījaṁ narakārṇavatārakam

Savitri said: Grant me devotion to the Goddess — the very essence of all essences, the seed that opens the door of liberation for men, the means of crossing the ocean of hell,

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.9.38.2)

कारणं मुक्तिसाराणां सर्वाशुभविनाशनम् । दारकं कर्मवृक्षाणां कृतपापौघहारणम्

kāraṇaṁ muktisārāṇāṁ sarvāśubhavināśanam | dārakaṁ karmavṛkṣāṇāṁ kṛtapāpaughahāraṇam

— the cause of the essence of every liberation, the destroyer of all misfortune; that which splits open the trees of karma, and washes away the accumulated flood of committed sins.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.9.38.3)

मुक्तिश्च कतिथाप्यस्ति किं वा तासां च लक्षणम् । देवीभक्तिं भक्तिभेदं निषेकस्यापि खण्डनम्

muktiśca katithāpyasti kiṁ vā tāsāṁ ca lakṣaṇam | devībhaktiṁ bhaktibhedaṁ niṣekasyāpi khaṇḍanam

How many kinds of liberation are there, and what is the nature of each? Please explain devotion to the Goddess, the different kinds of devotion, and also the doctrine of niṣeka, accumulated karma.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.9.38.4)

तत्त्वज्ञानविहीना च स्त्रीजातिर्विधिनिर्मिता । किञ्चिंज्ञानं सारभूतं वद वेदविदां वर

tattvajñānavihīnā ca strījātirvidhinirmitā | kiñciṁjñānaṁ sārabhūtaṁ vada vedavidāṁ vara

The female sex, as fashioned by the Creator, is devoid of the knowledge of truth. O foremost among the knowers of the Veda, tell me some small portion of that essential knowledge.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.9.38.5)

सर्वं दानं च यज्ञश्च तीर्थस्नानं व्रतं तपः । अज्ञानिज्ञानदानस्य कलां नार्हन्ति षोडशीम्

sarvaṁ dānaṁ ca yajñaśca tīrthasnānaṁ vrataṁ tapaḥ | ajñānijñānadānasya kalāṁ nārhanti ṣoḍaśīm

All giving, all sacrifice, bathing at sacred places, vows, and austerity do not equal even a sixteenth part of the merit of giving knowledge to one who is ignorant.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.9.38.6)

पितुः शतगुणा माता गौरवे चेति निश्चितम् । मातुः शतगुणः पूज्यो ज्ञानदाता गुरुः प्रभो

pituḥ śataguṇā mātā gaurave ceti niścitam | mātuḥ śataguṇaḥ pūjyo jñānadātā guruḥ prabho

The mother is a hundred times more to be honored than the father — this is certain. O Lord, the guru who gives knowledge is a hundred times more venerable even than the mother.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.9.38.7)

धर्मराज उवाच । पूर्वं सर्वो वरो दत्तो यस्ते मनसि वाञ्छितः । अधुना शक्तिभक्तिस्ते वत्से भवतु मद्वरात्

dharmarāja uvāca | pūrvaṁ sarvo varo datto yaste manasi vāñchitaḥ | adhunā śaktibhaktiste vatse bhavatu madvarāt

Dharmaraja said: Earlier I granted you every boon your heart desired. Now, my child, by my boon, may devotion to Shakti be yours.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.9.38.8)

श्रोतुमिच्छसि कल्याणि श्रीदेवीगुणकीर्तनम् । वक्तॄणां पृच्छकानां च श्रोतॄणां कुलतारणम्

śrotumicchasi kalyāṇi śrīdevīguṇakīrtanam | vaktṝṇāṁ pṛcchakānāṁ ca śrotṝṇāṁ kulatāraṇam

O auspicious one, you wish to hear the glorification of the qualities of Sri Devi — that which delivers the lineage of those who speak it, those who ask about it, and those who hear it.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.9.38.9)

शेषो वक्त्रसहस्रेण नहि यद्वक्तुमीश्वरः । मृत्युञ्जयो न क्षमश्च वक्तुं पञ्चमुखेन च

śeṣo vaktrasahasreṇa nahi yadvaktumīśvaraḥ | mṛtyuñjayo na kṣamaśca vaktuṁ pañcamukhena ca

Not even Shesha, with his thousand mouths, is capable of describing it; nor is Mrityunjaya, Shiva, able to tell it, even with his five faces.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.9.38.10)

धाता चतुर्णां वेदानां विधाता जगतामपि । ब्रह्मा चतुर्मुखेनैव नालं विष्णुश्च सर्ववित्

dhātā caturṇāṁ vedānāṁ vidhātā jagatāmapi | brahmā caturmukhenaiva nālaṁ viṣṇuśca sarvavit

Brahma, the bearer of the four Vedas, the ordainer of the worlds, is not equal to it even with his four faces; nor is Vishnu, the knower of all.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.9.38.11)

कार्तिकेयः षण्मुखेन नापि वक्तुमलं ध्रुवम् । न गणेशः समर्थश्च योगीन्द्राणां गुरोर्गुरुः

kārtikeyaḥ ṣaṇmukhena nāpi vaktumalaṁ dhruvam | na gaṇeśaḥ samarthaśca yogīndrāṇāṁ gurorguruḥ

Kartikeya, with his six faces, is surely not sufficient to tell it either; nor is Ganesha able, though he is the guru of the guru of the lords of yogis.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.9.38.12)

सारभूताश्च शास्त्राणां वेदाश्चत्वार एव च । कलामात्रं यद्गुणानां न विदन्ति बुधाश्च ये

sārabhūtāśca śāstrāṇāṁ vedāścatvāra eva ca | kalāmātraṁ yadguṇānāṁ na vidanti budhāśca ye

The four Vedas, though the very essence of the scriptures, do not know even a fraction of her qualities — nor do the wise who study them.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.9.38.13)

सरस्वती जडीभूता नालं तद्गुणवर्णने । सनत्कुमारो धर्मश्च सनन्दनः सनातनः

sarasvatī jaḍībhūtā nālaṁ tadguṇavarṇane | sanatkumāro dharmaśca sanandanaḥ sanātanaḥ

Sarasvati herself becomes stupefied, unable to describe her qualities; so too Sanatkumara, Dharma, Sanandana, and Sanatana;

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.9.38.14)

सनकः कपिलः सूर्यो येऽन्ये च ब्रह्मणः सुताः । विचक्षणा न यद्वक्तुं किञ्चान्ये जडबुद्धयः

sanakaḥ kapilaḥ sūryo ye'nye ca brahmaṇaḥ sutāḥ | vicakṣaṇā na yadvaktuṁ kiñcānye jaḍabuddhayaḥ

— Sanaka, Kapila, Surya, and the other sons of Brahma, however wise, are unable to tell it; what, then, of others of duller intellect?

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.9.38.15)

न यद्वक्तुं क्षमाः सिद्धा मुनीन्द्रा योगिनस्तथा । के चान्ये च वयं के वा श्रीदेव्या गुणवर्णने

na yadvaktuṁ kṣamāḥ siddhā munīndrā yoginastathā | ke cānye ca vayaṁ ke vā śrīdevyā guṇavarṇane

Neither siddhas, great sages, nor yogis are capable of telling it. Who then are others, and who indeed are we, to describe the qualities of Sri Devi?

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.9.38.16)

ध्यायन्ते यत्पदाम्भोजं ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादयः । अतिसाध्यं स्वभक्तानां तदन्येषां सुदुर्लभम्

dhyāyante yatpadāmbhojaṁ brahmaviṣṇuśivādayaḥ | atisādhyaṁ svabhaktānāṁ tadanyeṣāṁ sudurlabham

Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the others meditate upon her lotus feet; that state is most attainable for her own devotees, but exceedingly hard to reach for others.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.9.38.17)

कश्चित्किञ्चिद्विजानाति तद्गुणोत्कीर्तनं शुभम् । अतिरिक्तं विजानाति ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मविशारदः

kaścitkiñcidvijānāti tadguṇotkīrtanaṁ śubham | atiriktaṁ vijānāti brahmā brahmaviśāradaḥ

Some individual knows a small part of the auspicious glorification of her qualities. Brahma, expert in the knowledge of Brahman, knows more than that;

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.9.38.18)

ततोऽतिरिक्तं जानाति गणेशो ज्ञानिनां गुरुः । सर्वातिरिक्तं जानाति सर्वज्ञः शम्भुरेव सः

tato'tiriktaṁ jānāti gaṇeśo jñānināṁ guruḥ | sarvātiriktaṁ jānāti sarvajñaḥ śambhureva saḥ

— more than that, Ganesha, the guru of the wise, knows; and beyond all, the all-knowing Shambhu himself knows the most.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.9.38.19)

तस्मै दत्तं पुरा ज्ञानं कृष्णेन परमात्मना । अतीव निर्जनेऽरण्ये गोलोके रासमण्डले

tasmai dattaṁ purā jñānaṁ kṛṣṇena paramātmanā | atīva nirjane'raṇye goloke rāsamaṇḍale

To him, Shiva, that knowledge was given of old by Krishna, the Supreme Self, in an utterly solitary forest in Goloka, within the circle of the Rasa dance.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.9.38.20)

तत्रैव कथितं किञ्चित्तद्गुणोत्कीर्तनं शुभम् । धर्मं च कथयामास शिवलोके शिवः स्वयम्

tatraiva kathitaṁ kiñcittadguṇotkīrtanaṁ śubham | dharmaṁ ca kathayāmāsa śivaloke śivaḥ svayam

There, a small part of that auspicious glorification of her qualities was told. And Shiva himself related this dharma in Shivaloka —

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.9.38.21)

धर्मस्तु कथयामास भास्वते पृच्छते तथा । यामाराध्य मत्पितापि सम्प्राप तपसा सति

dharmastu kathayāmāsa bhāsvate pṛcchate tathā | yāmārādhya matpitāpi samprāpa tapasā sati

— and Dharma, myself, related it to the Sun, who had asked; her, by worshipping whom, O virtuous one, even my own father the Sun attained through austerity.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.9.38.22)

पूर्वं स्वं विषयं चाहं न गृह्णामि प्रयत्नतः । वैराग्ययुक्तस्तपसे गन्तुमिच्छामि सुव्रते

pūrvaṁ svaṁ viṣayaṁ cāhaṁ na gṛhṇāmi prayatnataḥ | vairāgyayuktastapase gantumicchāmi suvrate

(Recalling that time, Surya said:) "Formerly I would not readily take up my own duty; filled with dispassion, O faithful one, I wished instead to go for austerity."

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.9.38.23)

तदा मां कथयामास पिता तद्गुणकीर्तनम् । यथागमं तद्वदामि निबोधातीव दुर्गमम्

tadā māṁ kathayāmāsa pitā tadguṇakīrtanam | yathāgamaṁ tadvadāmi nibodhātīva durgamam

(Dharma continues:) Then my own father told me the glorification of her qualities. As it has come down through tradition, I shall tell it to you — understand it well, though it is exceedingly difficult to grasp.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.9.38.24)

तद्गुणं सा न जानाति तदन्यस्य च का कथा । यथाकाशो न जानाति स्वान्तमेव वरानने

tadguṇaṁ sā na jānāti tadanyasya ca kā kathā | yathākāśo na jānāti svāntameva varānane

O fair-faced one, she herself does not know the full extent of her own qualities — what then of anyone else? As even the sky does not know its own limit,

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.9.38.25)

सर्वात्मा सर्वभगवान् सर्वकारणकारणः । सर्वेश्वरश्च सर्वाद्यः सर्ववित्परिपालकः

sarvātmā sarvabhagavān sarvakāraṇakāraṇaḥ | sarveśvaraśca sarvādyaḥ sarvavitparipālakaḥ

— (so it is said of Krishna:) He is the Self of all, the Lord of all, the cause of every cause; the Lord of all, the origin of all, the all-knowing Protector,

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.9.38.26)

नित्यरूपी नित्यदेही नित्यानन्दो निराकृतिः । निरङ्कुशो निराशङ्को निर्गुणश्च निरामयः

nityarūpī nityadehī nityānando nirākṛtiḥ | niraṅkuśo nirāśaṅko nirguṇaśca nirāmayaḥ

— eternal in form, eternal in body, eternal bliss, formless; unrestrained, fearless, without material qualities, and free of affliction,

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.9.38.27)

निर्लिप्तः सर्वसाक्षी च सर्वाधारः परात्परः । मायाविशिष्टः प्रकृतिस्तद्विकाराश्च प्राकृताः

nirliptaḥ sarvasākṣī ca sarvādhāraḥ parātparaḥ | māyāviśiṣṭaḥ prakṛtistadvikārāśca prākṛtāḥ

— untouched, the witness of all, the support of all, supreme beyond the supreme; distinguished by his Maya, while Prakriti and her modifications belong to the natural order;

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.9.38.28)

स्वयं पुमांश्च प्रकृतिस्तावभिन्नौ परस्परम् । यथा वह्नेस्तस्य शक्तिर्न भिन्नास्त्येव कुत्रचित्

svayaṁ pumāṁśca prakṛtistāvabhinnau parasparam | yathā vahnestasya śaktirna bhinnāstyeva kutracit

— he himself is both Purusha and Prakriti; the two are not different from one another, just as fire's power is nowhere different from fire itself.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.9.38.29)

सेयं शक्तिर्महामाया सच्चिदानन्दरूपिणी । रूपं बिभर्त्यरूपा च भक्तानुग्रहहेतवे

seyaṁ śaktirmahāmāyā saccidānandarūpiṇī | rūpaṁ bibhartyarūpā ca bhaktānugrahahetave

This same Shakti is Mahamaya, of the nature of Existence-Consciousness-Bliss; though formless, she assumes form for the sake of showing grace to her devotees.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.9.38.30)

गोपालसुन्दरीरूपं प्रथमं सा ससर्ज ह । अतीव कमनीयं च सुन्दरं सुमनोहरम्

gopālasundarīrūpaṁ prathamaṁ sā sasarja ha | atīva kamanīyaṁ ca sundaraṁ sumanoharam

She first created the beautiful form of a cowherd — exceedingly lovely, beautiful, and enchanting.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.9.38.31)

नवीननीरदश्यामं किशोरं गोपवेषकम् । कन्दर्पकोटिलावण्यं लीलाधाममनोहरम्

navīnanīradaśyāmaṁ kiśoraṁ gopaveṣakam | kandarpakoṭilāvaṇyaṁ līlādhāmamanoharam

Dark as a fresh raincloud, youthful, clad as a cowherd; possessed of the beauty of ten million Kamadevas, the enchanting abode of divine play;

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.9.38.32)

शरन्मध्याह्नपद्मानां शोभामोचनलोचनम् । शरत्पार्वणकोटीन्दुशोभाप्रच्छादनाननम्

śaranmadhyāhnapadmānāṁ śobhāmocanalocanam | śaratpārvaṇakoṭīnduśobhāpracchādanānanam

— whose eyes surpass the beauty of the midday autumn lotus, whose face outshines the splendor of ten million autumn full moons;

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.9.38.33)

अमूल्यरत्ननिर्माणनानाभूषणभूषितम् । सस्मितं शोभितं शश्वदमूल्यपीतवाससा

amūlyaratnanirmāṇanānābhūṣaṇabhūṣitam | sasmitaṁ śobhitaṁ śaśvadamūlyapītavāsasā

— adorned with various ornaments crafted from priceless gems, gently smiling, ever resplendent in priceless yellow garments;

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.9.38.34)

परब्रह्मस्वरूपं च ज्वलन्तं ब्रह्मतेजसा । सुखदृश्यं च शान्तं च राधाकान्तमनन्तकम्

parabrahmasvarūpaṁ ca jvalantaṁ brahmatejasā | sukhadṛśyaṁ ca śāntaṁ ca rādhākāntamanantakam

— the very form of the Supreme Brahman, blazing with the radiance of Brahman; pleasant to behold, serene, the beloved of Radha, and infinite;

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.9.38.35)

गोपीभिर्वीक्ष्यमाणं च सस्मिताभिश्च सन्ततम् । रासमण्डलमध्यस्थं रत्नसिंहासनस्थितम्

gopībhirvīkṣyamāṇaṁ ca sasmitābhiśca santatam | rāsamaṇḍalamadhyasthaṁ ratnasiṁhāsanasthitam

— continually gazed upon by the smiling gopis, standing at the center of the Rasa-circle, seated upon a jeweled throne;

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.9.38.36)

वंशीं क्वणन्तं द्विभुजं वनमालाविभूषितम् । कौस्तुभेन्द्रमणीन्द्रेण शश्वद्वक्षःस्थलोज्ज्वलम्

vaṁśīṁ kvaṇantaṁ dvibhujaṁ vanamālāvibhūṣitam | kaustubhendramaṇīndreṇa śaśvadvakṣaḥsthalojjvalam

— playing the flute, two-armed, adorned with a forest garland, his chest ever radiant with the great Kaustubha gem;

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.9.38.37)

कुङ्कुमागुरुकस्तुरीचन्दनार्चितविग्रहम् । चारुचम्पकमालाक्तं मालतीमाल्यमण्डितम्

kuṅkumāgurukasturīcandanārcitavigraham | cārucampakamālāktaṁ mālatīmālyamaṇḍitam

— his form anointed with saffron, aloe-wood, musk, and sandal; adorned with a lovely champak garland, and decked with a jasmine wreath;

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.9.38.38)

चारुचन्द्रकशोभाढ्यं चूडावङ्क्रिमराजितम् । एवम्भूतं च ध्यायन्ति भक्ता भक्तिपरिप्लुताः

cārucandrakaśobhāḍhyaṁ cūḍāvaṅkrimarājitam | evambhūtaṁ ca dhyāyanti bhaktā bhaktipariplutāḥ

— rich with the beauty of a lovely peacock-feather crest, resplendent with a curved crown-lock — such is the form upon which devotees, overflowing with devotion, meditate.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.9.38.39)

यद्भयाज्जगता धाता विधत्ते सृष्टिमेव च । कर्मानुसाराल्लिखितं करोति सर्वकर्मणाम्

yadbhayājjagatā dhātā vidhatte sṛṣṭimeva ca | karmānusārāllikhitaṁ karoti sarvakarmaṇām

In fear of him, the Creator of the worlds brings about creation, and, in accordance with karma, records the deeds of all beings.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.9.38.40)

तपसां फलदाता च कर्मणां च यदाज्ञया । विष्णुः पाता च सर्वेषां यद्भयात्पाति सन्ततम्

tapasāṁ phaladātā ca karmaṇāṁ ca yadājñayā | viṣṇuḥ pātā ca sarveṣāṁ yadbhayātpāti santatam

By his command, the giver of the fruits of austerities and deeds — myself, Dharma — carries out this office; Vishnu, the Preserver of all, protects continuously out of fear of him.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.9.38.41)

कालाग्निरुद्रः संहर्ता सर्वविश्वेषु यद्भयात् । शिवो मृत्युञ्जयश्चैव ज्ञानिनां च गुरोर्गुरुः

kālāgnirudraḥ saṁhartā sarvaviśveṣu yadbhayāt | śivo mṛtyuñjayaścaiva jñānināṁ ca gurorguruḥ

Kalagni Rudra is the destroyer of all the worlds, out of fear of him; and Shiva, the Conqueror of Death, guru of the guru of the wise, likewise acts out of fear of him;

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.9.38.42)

यज्ज्ञानाज्ज्ञानवानस्ति योगीशो ज्ञानवित्प्रभुः । परमानन्दयुक्तश्च भक्तिवैराग्यसंयुतः

yajjñānājjñānavānasti yogīśo jñānavitprabhuḥ | paramānandayuktaśca bhaktivairāgyasaṁyutaḥ

— by whose knowledge the lord of yogis, the knower of knowledge, becomes wise; filled with supreme bliss, endowed with devotion and dispassion —

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.9.38.43)

यद्भयाद्वाति पवनः प्रवरः शीघ्रगामिनाम् । तपनश्च प्रतपति यद्भयात्सन्ततं सति

yadbhayādvāti pavanaḥ pravaraḥ śīghragāminām | tapanaśca pratapati yadbhayātsantataṁ sati

— out of fear of him, the wind, foremost among swift-moving things, blows; and, O virtuous one, the sun too burns continually out of fear of him.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.9.38.44)

यदाज्ञया वर्षतीन्द्रो मृत्युश्चरति जन्तुषु । यदाज्ञया दहेद्वह्निर्जलमेवं सुशीतलम्

yadājñayā varṣatīndro mṛtyuścarati jantuṣu | yadājñayā dahedvahnirjalamevaṁ suśītalam

By his command Indra sends rain, and Death moves among creatures; by his command fire burns, and water likewise remains ever cool.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.9.38.45)

दिशो रक्षन्ति दिक्पाला महाभीता यदाज्ञया । भ्रमन्ति राशिचक्राणि ग्रहाश्च यद्भयेन च

diśo rakṣanti dikpālā mahābhītā yadājñayā | bhramanti rāśicakrāṇi grahāśca yadbhayena ca

By his command, the guardians of the directions, greatly fearful, protect the quarters; out of fear of him, the zodiacal cycles and the planets revolve.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.9.38.46)

भयात्फलन्ति वृक्षाश्च पुष्यन्त्यपि च यद्भयात् । यदाज्ञां तु पुरस्कृत्य कालः काले हरेद्भयात्

bhayātphalanti vṛkṣāśca puṣyantyapi ca yadbhayāt | yadājñāṁ tu puraskṛtya kālaḥ kāle haredbhayāt

Out of fear the trees bear fruit, and out of fear they blossom; heeding only his command, Time, in fear of him, carries all things away in due season.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.9.38.47)

तथा जलस्थलस्थाश्च न जीवन्ति यदाज्ञया । अकाले नाहरेद्विद्धं रणेषु विषमेषु च

tathā jalasthalasthāśca na jīvanti yadājñayā | akāle nāharedviddhaṁ raṇeṣu viṣameṣu ca

Likewise, creatures dwelling in water and on land do not live beyond their time without his command; even one wounded in fierce battle is not taken before his appointed hour.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.9.38.48)

धत्ते वायुस्तोयराशिं तोयं कूर्मं तदाज्ञया । कूर्मोऽनन्तं स च क्षोणीं समुद्रान् सा च पर्वतान्

dhatte vāyustoyarāśiṁ toyaṁ kūrmaṁ tadājñayā | kūrmo'nantaṁ sa ca kṣoṇīṁ samudrān sā ca parvatān

By his command, the wind bears the mass of waters; the waters bear the tortoise; the tortoise bears Ananta; he bears the earth; the earth bears the oceans; and she bears the mountains.

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.9.38.49)

सर्वा चैव क्षमारूपा नानारत्नं बिभर्ति या । यतः सर्वाणि भूतानि स्थीयन्ते हन्ति तत्र हि

sarvā caiva kṣamārūpā nānāratnaṁ bibharti yā | yataḥ sarvāṇi bhūtāni sthīyante hanti tatra hi

The earth, wholly of the nature of forbearance, bears within her various gems; upon her all beings dwell, and there too they meet their destruction.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.9.38.50)

इन्द्रायुश्चैव दिव्यानां युगानामेकसप्ततिः । अष्टाविंशे शक्रपाते ब्रह्मणश्च दिवानिशम्

indrāyuścaiva divyānāṁ yugānāmekasaptatiḥ | aṣṭāviṁśe śakrapāte brahmaṇaśca divāniśam

(Regarding the reckoning of time:) the lifespan of an Indra is seventy-one divine yugas; at the twenty-eighth Manvantara comes that Indra's fall; and such cycles together make one day and night of Brahma.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.9.38.51)

एवं त्रिंशद्दिनैर्मासो द्वाभ्यामाभ्यामृतुः स्मृतः । ऋतुभिः षड्भिरेवाब्दं ब्रह्मणो वै वयः स्मृतम्

evaṁ triṁśaddinairmāso dvābhyāmābhyāmṛtuḥ smṛtaḥ | ṛtubhiḥ ṣaḍbhirevābdaṁ brahmaṇo vai vayaḥ smṛtam

Thus thirty such days make a month, and two months make a season; six seasons make a year of Brahma — his lifespan is reckoned in years of this kind.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.9.38.52)

ब्रह्मणश्च निपाते च चक्षुरुन्मीलनं हरेः । चक्षुरुन्मीलने तस्य लयं प्राकृतिकं विदुः

brahmaṇaśca nipāte ca cakṣurunmīlanaṁ hareḥ | cakṣurunmīlane tasya layaṁ prākṛtikaṁ viduḥ

At the fall (end of life) of Brahma, Hari opens his eyes; and at the opening of his eyes, the natural cosmic dissolution is understood to begin.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.9.38.53)

प्रलये प्राकृते सर्वे देवाद्याश्च चराचराः । लीना धाता विधाता च श्रीकृष्णनाभिपङ्कजे

pralaye prākṛte sarve devādyāśca carācarāḥ | līnā dhātā vidhātā ca śrīkṛṣṇanābhipaṅkaje

At the natural dissolution, all beings — gods and the rest, moving and unmoving — dissolve; both Dharma (myself) and the Creator merge into the lotus of Sri Krishna's navel.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.9.38.54)

विष्णुः क्षीरोदशायी च वैकुण्ठे यश्चतुर्भुजः । विलीना वामपार्श्वे च कृष्णस्य परमात्मनः

viṣṇuḥ kṣīrodaśāyī ca vaikuṇṭhe yaścaturbhujaḥ | vilīnā vāmapārśve ca kṛṣṇasya paramātmanaḥ

Vishnu, who reclines upon the Ocean of Milk, and the four-armed Vishnu of Vaikuntha, dissolve into the left side of Krishna, the Supreme Self.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.9.38.55)

यस्य ज्ञाने शिवो लीनो ज्ञानाधीशः सनातनः । दुर्गायां विष्णुमायायां विलीनाः सर्वशक्तयः

yasya jñāne śivo līno jñānādhīśaḥ sanātanaḥ | durgāyāṁ viṣṇumāyāyāṁ vilīnāḥ sarvaśaktayaḥ

Shiva, the eternal lord of knowledge, dissolves into his knowledge; and all powers dissolve into Durga, the Maya of Vishnu.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.9.38.56)

सा च कृष्णस्य बुद्धौ च बुद्ध्यधिष्ठातृदेवता । नारायणांशः स्कन्दश्च लीनो वक्षसि तस्य च

sā ca kṛṣṇasya buddhau ca buddhyadhiṣṭhātṛdevatā | nārāyaṇāṁśaḥ skandaśca līno vakṣasi tasya ca

She, the presiding deity of intellect, dissolves into Krishna's own intellect; and Skanda, a portion of Narayana, dissolves into his chest.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.9.38.57)

श्रीकृष्णांशश्च तद्बाहौ देवाधीशो गणेश्वरः । पद्मांशाश्चैव पद्मायां सा राधायां च सुव्रते

śrīkṛṣṇāṁśaśca tadbāhau devādhīśo gaṇeśvaraḥ | padmāṁśāścaiva padmāyāṁ sā rādhāyāṁ ca suvrate

Ganeshvara, lord of the gods, a portion of Sri Krishna, dissolves into his arm; O faithful one, the portions of Padma dissolve into Padma herself, and she in turn into Radha.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.9.38.58)

गोप्यश्चापि च तस्यां च सर्वाश्च देवयोषितः । कृष्णप्राणाधिदेवी सा तस्य प्राणेषु संस्थिता

gopyaścāpi ca tasyāṁ ca sarvāśca devayoṣitaḥ | kṛṣṇaprāṇādhidevī sā tasya prāṇeṣu saṁsthitā

The gopis, too, and all the goddesses, dissolve into her, Radha; she, the presiding deity of Krishna's very life-breath, abides within his life-breath.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.9.38.59)

सावित्री च सरस्वत्यां वेदाः शास्त्राणि यानि च । स्थिता वाणी च जिह्वायां यस्य च परमात्मनः

sāvitrī ca sarasvatyāṁ vedāḥ śāstrāṇi yāni ca | sthitā vāṇī ca jihvāyāṁ yasya ca paramātmanaḥ

Savitri dissolves into Sarasvati; the Vedas and whatever scriptures exist, and Speech itself, abide upon the tongue of that Supreme Self.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.9.38.60)

गोलोकस्य च गोपाश्च विलीनास्तस्य लोमसु । तत्प्राणेषु च सर्वेषां प्राणा वाता हुताशनाः

golokasya ca gopāśca vilīnāstasya lomasu | tatprāṇeṣu ca sarveṣāṁ prāṇā vātā hutāśanāḥ

The cowherds of Goloka dissolve into the pores of his body; and the vital breaths of all beings, the winds, and the fires dissolve into his own vital breath.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.9.38.61)

जठराग्नौ विलीनाश्च जलं तद्रसनाग्रतः । वैष्णवाश्चरणाम्भोजे परमानन्दसंयुताः

jaṭharāgnau vilīnāśca jalaṁ tadrasanāgrataḥ | vaiṣṇavāścaraṇāmbhoje paramānandasaṁyutāḥ

Fire dissolves into his digestive fire, and water at the tip of his tongue; and the Vaishnavas, filled with supreme bliss, dissolve into his lotus feet.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.9.38.62)

सारात्सारतरा भक्तिरसपीयूषपायिनः । विराडंशाश्च महति लीनाः कृष्णे महाविराट्

sārātsāratarā bhaktirasapīyūṣapāyinaḥ | virāḍaṁśāśca mahati līnāḥ kṛṣṇe mahāvirāṭ

— those who drink the nectar-juice of devotion, an essence beyond essence itself; and the portions of the Cosmic Being dissolve into Krishna, the Great Cosmic Being.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.9.38.63)

यस्यैव लोमकूपेषु विश्वानि निखिलानि च । यस्य चक्षुष उन्मेषे प्राकृतः प्रलयो भवेत्

yasyaiva lomakūpeṣu viśvāni nikhilāni ca | yasya cakṣuṣa unmeṣe prākṛtaḥ pralayo bhavet

Within whose very pores lie all the universes entire; at the mere opening of whose eyes the natural dissolution occurs,

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.9.38.64)

चक्षुरुन्मीलने सृष्टिर्यस्यैव पुनरेव सः । यावत्कालो निमेषेण तावदुन्मीलनेन च

cakṣurunmīlane sṛṣṭiryasyaiva punareva saḥ | yāvatkālo nimeṣeṇa tāvadunmīlanena ca

— and by whose very opening of the eyes creation occurs once more — as much time passes in his closing of the eyes as in his opening of them.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.9.38.65)

ब्रह्मणश्च शताब्दे च सृष्टेः सूत्रलयः पुनः । ब्रह्मसृष्टिलयानां च सङ्ख्या नास्त्येव सुव्रते

brahmaṇaśca śatābde ca sṛṣṭeḥ sūtralayaḥ punaḥ | brahmasṛṣṭilayānāṁ ca saṅkhyā nāstyeva suvrate

At the completion of a hundred years of Brahma, the thread of creation dissolves once again. O faithful one, there is truly no reckoning the number of Brahma's creations and dissolutions,

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.9.38.66)

यथा भूरजसां चैव सङ्ख्यानं नैव विद्यते । चक्षुर्निमेषे प्रलयो यस्य सर्वान्तरात्मनः

yathā bhūrajasāṁ caiva saṅkhyānaṁ naiva vidyate | cakṣurnimeṣe pralayo yasya sarvāntarātmanaḥ

— just as there is no reckoning the grains of dust upon the earth. In the closing of the eyes of him, the inner Self of all, dissolution occurs;

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.9.38.67)

उन्मीलने पुनः सृष्टिर्भवेदेवेश्वरेच्छया । स कृष्णः प्रलये तस्यां प्रकृतौ लीन एव हि

unmīlane punaḥ sṛṣṭirbhavedeveśvarecchayā | sa kṛṣṇaḥ pralaye tasyāṁ prakṛtau līna eva hi

— and at their opening, creation occurs once more, by the Lord's will alone. That Krishna, at the time of dissolution, indeed merges into that same Prakriti.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.9.38.68)

एकैव च परा शक्तिर्निर्गुणः परमः पुमान् । सदेवेदमग्र आसीदिति वेदविदो विदुः

ekaiva ca parā śaktirnirguṇaḥ paramaḥ pumān | sadevedamagra āsīditi vedavido viduḥ

There is but one supreme Shakti, and one supreme, attributeless Purusha. "In the beginning, this was verily Being alone" — so the knowers of the Veda declare.

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.9.38.69)

मूलप्रकृतिरव्यक्ताप्यव्याकृतपदाभिधा । चिदभिन्नत्वमापन्ना प्रलये सैव तिष्ठति

mūlaprakṛtiravyaktāpyavyākṛtapadābhidhā | cidabhinnatvamāpannā pralaye saiva tiṣṭhati

The Root Prakriti, unmanifest, called by the term "the Undifferentiated," attains oneness with Consciousness — she alone remains at dissolution.

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.9.38.70)

तद्गुणोत्कीर्तनं वक्तुं ब्रह्माण्डेषु च कः क्षमः । मुक्तयश्च चतुर्वेदैर्निरुक्ताश्च चतुर्विधाः

tadguṇotkīrtanaṁ vaktuṁ brahmāṇḍeṣu ca kaḥ kṣamaḥ | muktayaśca caturvedairniruktāśca caturvidhāḥ

Who, in all the universes, is capable of fully describing her qualities? The forms of liberation declared by the four Vedas are of four kinds:

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.9.38.71)

तत्प्रधाना देवभक्तिर्मुक्तेरपि गरीयसी । सालोक्यदा भवेदेका तथा सारूप्यदा परा

tatpradhānā devabhaktirmukterapi garīyasī | sālokyadā bhavedekā tathā sārūpyadā parā

— foremost among these is devotion to the Goddess, which is even greater than liberation itself. One kind of liberation grants sālokya, dwelling in the same world; another grants sārūpya, sameness of form;

Verse 72 (devibhagavatam.9.38.72)

सामीप्यदाथ निर्वाणप्रदा मुक्तिश्चतुर्विधा । भक्तास्ता न हि वाञ्छन्ति विना तत्सेवनं विभोः

sāmīpyadātha nirvāṇapradā muktiścaturvidhā | bhaktāstā na hi vāñchanti vinā tatsevanaṁ vibhoḥ

— another grants sāmīpya, nearness; and another grants nirvāṇa — thus liberation is fourfold. But devotees do not desire even these apart from the service of the Lord.

Verse 73 (devibhagavatam.9.38.73)

शिवत्वममरत्वं च ब्रह्मत्वं चावहेलया । जन्ममृत्युजराव्याधिभयशोकादिकं धनम्

śivatvamamaratvaṁ ca brahmatvaṁ cāvahelayā | janmamṛtyujarāvyādhibhayaśokādikaṁ dhanam

They regard even the status of Shiva, immortality, or Brahma with indifference. (Regarding Nirvana:) freedom from birth, death, old age, disease, fear, grief, and the like — this alone is true wealth.

Verse 74 (devibhagavatam.9.38.74)

दिव्यरूपधारणं च निर्वाणं मोक्षणं विदुः । मुक्तिश्च सेवारहिता भक्तिः सेवाविवर्धिनी

divyarūpadhāraṇaṁ ca nirvāṇaṁ mokṣaṇaṁ viduḥ | muktiśca sevārahitā bhaktiḥ sevāvivardhinī

The bearing of a divine form is known as Nirvana, as liberation. But liberation is devoid of service, whereas devotion is that which increases service.

Verse 75 (devibhagavatam.9.38.75)

भक्तिमुक्त्योरयं भेदो निषेकखण्डनं शृणु । विदुर्बुधा निषेकं च भोगं च कृतकर्मणाम्

bhaktimuktyorayaṁ bhedo niṣekakhaṇḍanaṁ śṛṇu | vidurbudhā niṣekaṁ ca bhogaṁ ca kṛtakarmaṇām

This is the difference between devotion and liberation. Now hear the explanation of niṣeka: the wise know niṣeka to mean the experience that must follow from deeds already performed.

Verse 76 (devibhagavatam.9.38.76)

तत्खण्डनं च शुभदं श्रीविभोः सेवनं परम् । तत्त्वज्ञानमिदं साध्वि स्थिरं च लोकवेदयोः

tatkhaṇḍanaṁ ca śubhadaṁ śrīvibhoḥ sevanaṁ param | tattvajñānamidaṁ sādhvi sthiraṁ ca lokavedayoḥ

The breaking of that chain of accumulated karma is auspicious — brought about through the supreme service of the glorious Lord. This, O virtuous one, is the knowledge of truth, firmly established in both worldly tradition and the Veda.

Verse 77 (devibhagavatam.9.38.77)

निर्विघ्नं शुभदं चोक्तं गच्छ वत्से यथासुखम् । इत्युक्त्वा सूर्यपुत्रश्च जीवयित्वा च तत्पतिम्

nirvighnaṁ śubhadaṁ coktaṁ gaccha vatse yathāsukham | ityuktvā sūryaputraśca jīvayitvā ca tatpatim

It is declared to be free of obstacles and to be auspicious. Now go, my child, as you wish. Having said this, the Sun's son, having restored her husband to life,

Verse 78 (devibhagavatam.9.38.78)

तस्यै शुभाशिषं दत्त्वा गमनं कर्तुमुद्यतः । दृष्ट्वा यमं च गच्छन्तं सा सावित्री प्रणम्य च

tasyai śubhāśiṣaṁ dattvā gamanaṁ kartumudyataḥ | dṛṣṭvā yamaṁ ca gacchantaṁ sā sāvitrī praṇamya ca

— giving her his auspicious blessing, prepared to depart. Seeing Yama about to leave, Savitri, having bowed to him,

Verse 79 (devibhagavatam.9.38.79)

रुरोद चरणौ धृत्वा साधुच्छेदेन दुःखिता । सावित्रीरोदनं श्रुत्वा यमश्चैव कृपानिधिः

ruroda caraṇau dhṛtvā sādhucchedena duḥkhitā | sāvitrīrodanaṁ śrutvā yamaścaiva kṛpānidhiḥ

— wept, holding his feet, distressed at the sorrow of this parting. Hearing Savitri's weeping, Yama, the very treasury of compassion —

Verse 80 (devibhagavatam.9.38.80)

तामित्युवाच सन्तुष्टः स्वयं चैव रुरोद ह । धर्मराज उवाव लक्षवर्षं सुखं भुक्त्वा पुण्यक्षेत्रे च भारते

tāmityuvāca santuṣṭaḥ svayaṁ caiva ruroda ha | dharmarāja uvāva lakṣavarṣaṁ sukhaṁ bhuktvā puṇyakṣetre ca bhārate

— pleased, spoke thus to her, and himself wept as well. Dharmaraja said: Having enjoyed happiness for a hundred thousand years in the sacred land of Bharata,

Verse 81 (devibhagavatam.9.38.81)

अन्ते यास्यसि तल्लोकं यत्र देवी विराजते । गत्वा च स्वगृहं भद्रे सावित्र्याश्च व्रतं कुरु

ante yāsyasi tallokaṁ yatra devī virājate | gatvā ca svagṛhaṁ bhadre sāvitryāśca vrataṁ kuru

— at the end you shall go to that world where the Goddess resides. Now, O gracious one, go to your own home, and observe the vow of Savitri —

Verse 82 (devibhagavatam.9.38.82)

द्विसप्तवर्षपर्यन्तं नारीणां मोक्षकारणम् । ज्येष्ठशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां सावित्र्याश्च व्रतं शुभम्

dvisaptavarṣaparyantaṁ nārīṇāṁ mokṣakāraṇam | jyeṣṭhaśuklacaturdaśyāṁ sāvitryāśca vrataṁ śubham

— for fourteen years, the cause of liberation for women, on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha — the auspicious vow of Savitri.

Verse 83 (devibhagavatam.9.38.83)

शुक्लाष्टम्यां भाद्रपदे महालक्ष्या यथा व्रतम् । द्व्यष्टवर्षं व्रतं चैव प्रत्यादेयं शुचिस्मिते

śuklāṣṭamyāṁ bhādrapade mahālakṣyā yathā vratam | dvyaṣṭavarṣaṁ vrataṁ caiva pratyādeyaṁ śucismite

O gently-smiling one, on the eighth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada, observe likewise the vow of Mahalakshmi; that vow too lasts sixteen years, and must be duly maintained.

Verse 84 (devibhagavatam.9.38.84)

करोति भक्त्या या नारी सा याति च विभोः पदम् । प्रतिमङ्गलवारे च देवीं मङ्गलदायिनीम्

karoti bhaktyā yā nārī sā yāti ca vibhoḥ padam | pratimaṅgalavāre ca devīṁ maṅgaladāyinīm

The woman who observes it with devotion goes to the abode of the Lord. Likewise, on every Tuesday, worship the Goddess who bestows auspiciousness;

Verse 85 (devibhagavatam.9.38.85)

प्रतिमासं शुक्लषष्ठ्यां षष्ठीं मङ्गलदायिनीम् । तथा चाषाढसङ्क्रान्त्यां मनसां सर्वसिद्धिदाम्

pratimāsaṁ śuklaṣaṣṭhyāṁ ṣaṣṭhīṁ maṅgaladāyinīm | tathā cāṣāḍhasaṅkrāntyāṁ manasāṁ sarvasiddhidām

— every month, on the sixth day of the bright fortnight, worship Shashthi, the bestower of auspiciousness; and, at the solstice of Ashadha, worship Manasa, the giver of all siddhis;

Verse 86 (devibhagavatam.9.38.86)

राधां रासे च कार्तिक्यां कृष्णप्राणाधिकप्रियाम् । उपोष्य शुक्लाष्टम्यां च प्रतिमासं वरप्रदाम्

rādhāṁ rāse ca kārtikyāṁ kṛṣṇaprāṇādhikapriyām | upoṣya śuklāṣṭamyāṁ ca pratimāsaṁ varapradām

— worship Radha, dearer even than Krishna's own life, at the Rasa festival in Kartika; and, fasting on the eighth day of the bright fortnight every month, worship her as the giver of boons;

Verse 87 (devibhagavatam.9.38.87)

विष्णुमायां भगवतीं दुर्गां दुर्गतिनाशिनीम् । प्रकृतिं जगदम्बां च पतिपुत्रवतीषु च

viṣṇumāyāṁ bhagavatīṁ durgāṁ durgatināśinīm | prakṛtiṁ jagadambāṁ ca patiputravatīṣu ca

— worship Vishnumaya, the divine Durga, destroyer of misfortune; Prakriti, the Mother of the world; among faithful wives blessed with husbands and sons,

Verse 88 (devibhagavatam.9.38.88)

पतिव्रतासु शुद्धासु यन्त्रेषु प्रतिमासु च । या नारी पूजयेद्भक्त्या धनसन्तानहेतवे

pativratāsu śuddhāsu yantreṣu pratimāsu ca | yā nārī pūjayedbhaktyā dhanasantānahetave

— among the pure and devoted, in yantras and in images — the woman who worships with devotion, for the sake of wealth and progeny,

Verse 89 (devibhagavatam.9.38.89)

इहलोके सुखं भुक्त्वा यात्यन्ते श्रीविभोः पदम् । एवं देव्या विभूतीश्च पूजयेत्साधकोऽनिशम्

ihaloke sukhaṁ bhuktvā yātyante śrīvibhoḥ padam | evaṁ devyā vibhūtīśca pūjayetsādhako'niśam

— having enjoyed happiness in this world, at last attains the abode of the glorious Lord. Thus should the devotee ceaselessly worship the manifold forms of the Goddess.

Verse 90 (devibhagavatam.9.38.90)

सर्वकालं सर्वरूपा संसेव्या परमेश्वरी । नातः परतरं किञ्चित्कृतकृत्यत्वदायकम्

sarvakālaṁ sarvarūpā saṁsevyā parameśvarī | nātaḥ parataraṁ kiñcitkṛtakṛtyatvadāyakam

At all times, in all her forms, the Supreme Goddess is to be served; there is nothing beyond this that grants the fullness of accomplishment.

Verse 91 (devibhagavatam.9.38.91)

इत्युक्त्वा तां धर्मराजो जगाम निजमन्दिरम् । गृहीत्वा स्वामिनं सा च सावित्री च निजालयम्

ityuktvā tāṁ dharmarājo jagāma nijamandiram | gṛhītvā svāminaṁ sā ca sāvitrī ca nijālayam

Having said this to her, Dharmaraja returned to his own abode; and Savitri, taking her husband, set out for her own home.

Verse 92 (devibhagavatam.9.38.92)

सावित्री सत्यवांश्चैव प्रययौ च यथागमम् । अन्यांश्च कथयामास स्ववृत्तान्तं हि नारद

sāvitrī satyavāṁścaiva prayayau ca yathāgamam | anyāṁśca kathayāmāsa svavṛttāntaṁ hi nārada

Savitri and Satyavan returned by the way they had come. O Narada, she told others of her own account as well.

Verse 93 (devibhagavatam.9.38.93)

सावित्रीजनकः पुत्रान् सम्प्राप्तः प्रक्रमेण च । श्वशुरश्चक्षुषी राज्यं सा च पुत्रान् वरेण च

sāvitrījanakaḥ putrān samprāptaḥ prakrameṇa ca | śvaśuraścakṣuṣī rājyaṁ sā ca putrān vareṇa ca

Savitri's father, in due course, obtained his sons; her father-in-law regained his eyesight and his kingdom; and she herself, by the boon granted, obtained sons.

Verse 94 (devibhagavatam.9.38.94)

लक्षवर्षं सुखं भुक्त्वा पुण्यक्षेत्रे च भारते । जगाम स्वामिना सार्धं देवीलोकं पतिव्रता

lakṣavarṣaṁ sukhaṁ bhuktvā puṇyakṣetre ca bhārate | jagāma svāminā sārdhaṁ devīlokaṁ pativratā

Having enjoyed happiness for a hundred thousand years in the sacred land of Bharata, that faithful wife went, together with her husband, to the world of the Goddess.

Verse 95 (devibhagavatam.9.38.95)

सवितुश्चाधिदेवी या मन्त्राधिष्ठातृदेवता । सावित्री ह्यपि वेदानां सावित्री तेन कीर्तिता

savituścādhidevī yā mantrādhiṣṭhātṛdevatā | sāvitrī hyapi vedānāṁ sāvitrī tena kīrtitā

She who is the presiding deity of the Sun, the presiding deity of the mantra — she is indeed also the Savitri of the Vedas; and for that reason she is celebrated by the name Savitri.

Verse 96 (devibhagavatam.9.38.96)

इत्येवं कथितं वत्स सावित्र्याख्यानमुत्तमम् । जीवकर्मविपाकं च किं पुनः श्रोतुमिच्छसि

ityevaṁ kathitaṁ vatsa sāvitryākhyānamuttamam | jīvakarmavipākaṁ ca kiṁ punaḥ śrotumicchasi

Thus, my child, has this excellent account of Savitri been told, together with the ripening of the karma of living beings. What more do you now wish to hear?