The Praises of Vishnu by Indra and the Company of Sages

Verse 1 (garuda.2.56.1)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । पार्वत्यानन्तरोत्पन्न इन्द्रो वचनमब्रवीत् । इन्द्र उवाच । तव स्वरूपं हृदि संविजानन् समुत्सुकः स्यात्स्तवने यस्तु मूढः । अजानतः स्तवनं देवदेव तदेवाहुर्हेलनं चक्रपाणे

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca pārvatyānantarotpanna indro vacanamabravīt indra uvāca tava svarūpaṁ hṛdi saṁvijānan samutsukaḥ syātstavane yastu mūḍhaḥ ajānataḥ stavanaṁ devadeva tadevāhurhelanaṁ cakrapāṇe

Shri Krishna said: Indra, born next after Parvati, spoke these words. Indra said: One who, though truly knowing your form in his heart, is yet, being foolish, eager for praise —

Verse 2 (garuda.2.56.2)

तथापि तद्वै तव नाम पूर्वं भवेत्तदा पुण्यकरं भवेदिति । रुद्रादिकानां स्तवने नास्ति शक्तिस्तदा वक्तव्यं मम नास्तीति किं वा

tathāpi tadvai tava nāma pūrvaṁ bhavettadā puṇyakaraṁ bhavediti rudrādikānāṁ stavane nāsti śaktistadā vaktavyaṁ mama nāstīti kiṁ vā

and yet, it is said, even that prior utterance of your name becomes meritorious. When Rudra and the rest have no power to praise you, what need is there for me even to say that I have none?

Verse 3 (garuda.2.56.3)

गुणांशतो दशभी रुद्रतो वै सदा न्यूनो मत्समः कामदेवः । ज्ञाने बले समता सर्वदास्ति तथाः कामः किं च दूतः सदैव

guṇāṁśato daśabhī rudrato vai sadā nyūno matsamaḥ kāmadevaḥ jñāne bale samatā sarvadāsti tathāḥ kāmaḥ kiṁ ca dūtaḥ sadaiva

I fall short of Rudra by ten measures of qualities, always; Kamadeva is equal to me. In knowledge and strength there is parity between us, and Kama, likewise, is ever but your messenger.

Verse 4 (garuda.2.56.4)

एवं स्तुत्वा देवदेवो हरिं च तूष्णीं स्थितः प्राञ्जलिर्नम्रभूर्धां । तदनन्तरजो ब्रह्मा अहङ्कारिक ऊचिवान्

evaṁ stutvā devadevo hariṁ ca tūṣṇīṁ sthitaḥ prāñjalirnamrabhūrdhāṁ tadanantarajo brahmā ahaṅkārika ūcivān

Thus having praised Hari, the god of gods, Indra stood silent, hands folded, head bowed low. Then Ahankarika, born next after him, a form of Brahma, spoke.

Verse 5 (garuda.2.56.5)

अहङ्कारिक उवाच । नमस्ते गणपूर्णाय नमस्ते ज्ञानमूर्तये । नमोऽज्ञानविदूराय ब्रह्मणेनंतमूर्तये

ahaṅkārika uvāca namaste gaṇapūrṇāya namaste jñānamūrtaye namo'jñānavidūrāya brahmaṇenaṁtamūrtaye

Ahankarika said: Salutation to you, full of all the hosts of being; salutation to you, the very form of knowledge. Salutation to you, O Brahman, whose form is infinite and utterly beyond all ignorance.

Verse 6 (garuda.2.56.6)

इन्द्रादहं दशगुणैः सर्वदा न्यून उक्तो न जनि त्वां सर्वदा ह्यप्रमेय । तथापि मां पाहि जगद्गुरो त्वं दत्त्वा दिव्यं ह्यायतनं च विष्णो

indrādahaṁ daśaguṇaiḥ sarvadā nyūna ukto na jani tvāṁ sarvadā hyaprameya tathāpi māṁ pāhi jagadguro tvaṁ dattvā divyaṁ hyāyatanaṁ ca viṣṇo

I, O immeasurable one, am declared ever ten measures lesser than Indra; I have never given you birth — and yet, O teacher of the world, grant me a divine abode and protect me, O Vishnu.

Verse 7 (garuda.2.56.7)

आहङ्कारिक एवं तु स्तुत्वा तूष्णीं बभूव ह । तदनन्तरजा स्तोतुं शची वचनमब्रवीत्

āhaṅkārika evaṁ tu stutvā tūṣṇīṁ babhūva ha tadanantarajā stotuṁ śacī vacanamabravīt

Having thus praised, Ahankarika fell silent. Then Shachi, born next after him, set about speaking her words of praise.

Verse 8 (garuda.2.56.8)

शच्युवाच । संचिन्तयामि अनिशं तव पादपद्मं वज्राङ्कुशध्वजसरोरुहलाञ्छनाढ्यम् । वागीश्वरैरपि सदा मनसापि धर्तुं नो शक्यमीश तव पादरजः स्मरामि

śacyuvāca saṁcintayāmi aniśaṁ tava pādapadmaṁ vajrāṅkuśadhvajasaroruhalāñchanāḍhyam vāgīśvarairapi sadā manasāpi dhartuṁ no śakyamīśa tava pādarajaḥ smarāmi

Shachi said: I meditate ceaselessly upon your lotus feet, marked with the thunderbolt, the goad, the banner, and the lotus — which even the lords of speech can never fully hold in mind; O Lord, I hold only the memory of the dust of your feet.

Verse 9 (garuda.2.56.9)

आहङ्कारिकप्राणाच्च गुणैश्च दशभिः सदा । न्यूनभूतां च मां पाहि कृपालो भक्तवत्सल

āhaṅkārikaprāṇācca guṇaiśca daśabhiḥ sadā nyūnabhūtāṁ ca māṁ pāhi kṛpālo bhaktavatsala

I fall short of the life-breath of Ahankarika by ten measures, always. Knowing me to be lesser, protect me, O merciful one, O lover of your devotees.

Verse 10 (garuda.2.56.10)

एवं स्तुत्वा शची देवी तूष्णीं भगवती ह्यभूत् । तदनन्तरजा स्तोतुं रतिः समुपचक्रमे

evaṁ stutvā śacī devī tūṣṇīṁ bhagavatī hyabhūt tadanantarajā stotuṁ ratiḥ samupacakrame

Having thus praised, the goddess Shachi, the exalted one, fell silent. Then Rati, born next after her, began her praise.

Verse 11 (garuda.2.56.11)

रतिरुवाच । संचिन्तयामि नृहरेर्वदनारविन्दं भृत्यानुकंपितधिया हि गृहीतमूर्तिम् । यच्छ्रीनिकेतमजरुद्ररमादिकैश्च संलालितं कुटिलङ्कुन्तलवृन्दजुष्टम्

ratiruvāca saṁcintayāmi nṛharervadanāravindaṁ bhṛtyānukaṁpitadhiyā hi gṛhītamūrtim yacchrīniketamajarudraramādikaiśca saṁlālitaṁ kuṭilaṅkuntalavṛndajuṣṭam

Rati said: I meditate upon the lotus face of Man-Lion, held in a form born of compassion for his servants — the very abode of Shri, cherished by Brahma, Rudra, and Rama, and adorned with a mass of curling locks.

Verse 12 (garuda.2.56.12)

एतादृशं तव मुखं नुवितुं न शक्तिः शच्या समापि भगवन्परिपाहि नित्यम् । कृत्वा स्तुतिं रतिरियं परमादरेण तूष्णीं स्थिता भगवतश्च समीप एव

etādṛśaṁ tava mukhaṁ nuvituṁ na śaktiḥ śacyā samāpi bhagavanparipāhi nityam kṛtvā stutiṁ ratiriyaṁ paramādareṇa tūṣṇīṁ sthitā bhagavataśca samīpa eva

I have no power to describe such a face of yours; though equal to Shachi, protect me ever, O Lord. Having offered this praise with utmost reverence, Rati stood silent, close beside the Lord.

Verse 13 (garuda.2.56.13)

रत्यनन्तरजो दक्षः स्तोतुं समुपचक्रमे

ratyanantarajo dakṣaḥ stotuṁ samupacakrame

Daksha, born next after Rati, set about to offer praise.

Verse 14 (garuda.2.56.14)

दक्ष उवाच । संचिन्तये भगवतश्चरणोदतीर्थं भक्त्या ह्यजेन परिषिक्तमजादिवन्द्यम् । यच्छौचनिःसृतमजप्रवरावतारं गङ्गाख्यतीर्थमभवत्सरितां वरिष्ठम्

dakṣa uvāca saṁcintaye bhagavataścaraṇodatīrthaṁ bhaktyā hyajena pariṣiktamajādivandyam yacchaucaniḥsṛtamajapravarāvatāraṁ gaṅgākhyatīrthamabhavatsaritāṁ variṣṭham

Daksha said: I meditate on that sacred water flowing from the Lord's feet, devotedly sprinkled by the unborn Shiva and revered even by Brahma and the rest — which, issuing from his own purification, became the foremost incarnation-stream named Ganga, greatest among all rivers.

Verse 15 (garuda.2.56.15)

रुद्रोपि तेन विधृतेन जटाकलापपूतेन पादरजसा ह्यशिवः शिवोभूत् । एतादृशं ते चरणं करुणेश विष्णो स्तोतुं शक्तिर्मम नास्ति कृपावतार । रत्या समः श्रुतिगतो न गतोस्मि मोक्षमेतादृशं च परिपाहि निदानमूर्ते

rudropi tena vidhṛtena jaṭākalāpapūtena pādarajasā hyaśivaḥ śivobhūt etādṛśaṁ te caraṇaṁ karuṇeśa viṣṇo stotuṁ śaktirmama nāsti kṛpāvatāra ratyā samaḥ śrutigato na gatosmi mokṣametādṛśaṁ ca paripāhi nidānamūrte

By bearing that very dust of your feet, purified by the mass of his matted locks, even the inauspicious Rudra became auspicious. O compassionate Vishnu, I have no power to praise such feet of yours, O incarnation of mercy. Though equal to Rati, I have reached only as far as the scriptures, not as far as liberation — O foundation of all origins, protect me ever, just as I am.

Verse 16 (garuda.2.56.16)

एवं स्तुत्वा स दक्षस्तु तूष्णीमेव बभूव ह । तदनन्तरजः स्तोतुं बृहस्पतिरुपाक्रमीत्

evaṁ stutvā sa dakṣastu tūṣṇīmeva babhūva ha tadanantarajaḥ stotuṁ bṛhaspatirupākramīt

Having thus praised, Daksha fell silent. Then Brihaspati, born next after him, came forward to offer praise.

Verse 17 (garuda.2.56.17)

बृहस्पतिरुवाच । संचिन्तयामि सततं तव चाननाब्जं त्वं देहि दुष्टविषयेषु विरक्तिमीश

bṛhaspatiruvāca saṁcintayāmi satataṁ tava cānanābjaṁ tvaṁ dehi duṣṭaviṣayeṣu viraktimīśa

Brihaspati said: I meditate ceaselessly upon your lotus face; grant me, O Lord, dispassion toward evil objects of the senses.

Verse 18 (garuda.2.56.18)

एतेषु शक्तिर्यदि वै स जीवो कर्ता च भोक्ता च सदा च दाता । योषां च पुत्रसुहृदौ च पशूंश्च सर्वमेवं विनश्यति यतो हि तदाशु छिन्धि

eteṣu śaktiryadi vai sa jīvo kartā ca bhoktā ca sadā ca dātā yoṣāṁ ca putrasuhṛdau ca paśūṁśca sarvamevaṁ vinaśyati yato hi tadāśu chindhi

If attachment to these objects remains, that very soul becomes the doer, the enjoyer, and ever the giver — through which wife, children, friends, and cattle, all of it, are destroyed; therefore, cut away that attachment at once.

Verse 19 (garuda.2.56.19)

संसारचक्रभ्रमणेनैव देव संसारदुःखमनुभूयेहागतोस्मि । शक्तिर्न चास्ति नवने मम देवदेव सत्या समं च सततं परिपाहि नित्यम्

saṁsāracakrabhramaṇenaiva deva saṁsāraduḥkhamanubhūyehāgatosmi śaktirna cāsti navane mama devadeva satyā samaṁ ca satataṁ paripāhi nityam

Wandering in the wheel of worldly existence, I have come to know here, O god, the sorrow of this world. O god of gods, I have no power in praise — knowing me as equal to Satya, protect me constantly, always.

Verse 20 (garuda.2.56.20)

एवं श्रुत्वा च परमं तूष्णीमेव स्थितो मुनिः । तदनन्तरजस्तोतुं ह्यनिरुद्धोपचक्रमे

evaṁ śrutvā ca paramaṁ tūṣṇīmeva sthito muniḥ tadanantarajastotuṁ hyaniruddhopacakrame

Hearing this, the sage stood in utter silence. Then Aniruddha, born next after Brihaspati, came forward to offer praise.

Verse 21 (garuda.2.56.21)

अनिरुद्ध उवाच । एवं हरेस्तव कथां रसिकां विहाय स्त्रीणां भगे च वदने परिमुह्य नित्यम् । विष्ठान्त्रपूरितबिले रसिको हि नित्यं स्थायी च सूकरवदेव विमूढबुद्धिः

aniruddha uvāca evaṁ harestava kathāṁ rasikāṁ vihāya strīṇāṁ bhage ca vadane parimuhya nityam viṣṭhāntrapūritabile rasiko hi nityaṁ sthāyī ca sūkaravadeva vimūḍhabuddhiḥ

Aniruddha said: Thus abandoning Hari's delightful story, ever infatuated with women's secret parts and faces, the man of dull mind stays fixed forever, like a hog savoring a hole filled with filth.

Verse 22 (garuda.2.56.22)

मज्जास्थिपित्तकफरक्तमलादिपूर्णे चर्मान्त्रवेष्टितमुखे पतितं ह पीतम् । आस्वादने मम च पापगतेर्मुरारे मायाबलं तव विभो परमं निमित्तम्

majjāsthipittakapharaktamalādipūrṇe carmāntraveṣṭitamukhe patitaṁ ha pītam āsvādane mama ca pāpagatermurāre māyābalaṁ tava vibho paramaṁ nimittam

In relishing that which falls into and is drunk from a mouth wrapped in skin and gut and filled with marrow, bone, bile, phlegm, blood, and filth — O Murari, the cause of my sinful course lies in the supreme power of your own maya.

Verse 23 (garuda.2.56.23)

संसारचक्रे भ्रमतश्च नित्यं सुदुःखरूपे सुखलेशवर्जिते । मलं वमन्तं नवभिश्च द्वारैः शरीरमारुह्य सुमूढबुद्धिः

saṁsāracakre bhramataśca nityaṁ suduḥkharūpe sukhaleśavarjite malaṁ vamantaṁ navabhiśca dvāraiḥ śarīramāruhya sumūḍhabuddhiḥ

Ever wandering in the wheel of worldly existence, that man of utter folly, mounted upon this body — utterly sorrowful, devoid of even a trace of happiness, ceaselessly discharging filth through its nine gates —

Verse 24 (garuda.2.56.24)

नमामि नित्यं तव तत्कथामृतं विहाय देव श्रुतिमूलनाशनम् । कुटुंबपोषं च सदा च कुर्वन्दानाद्यकुर्वन्निवसन् गृहे च

namāmi nityaṁ tava tatkathāmṛtaṁ vihāya deva śrutimūlanāśanam kuṭuṁbapoṣaṁ ca sadā ca kurvandānādyakurvannivasan gṛhe ca

abandoning your nectar-story, O god — that abandonment which destroys the very root of the scriptures — sustains his family always, and dwells in his house making no offerings; to him, ever thus, I bow (in pity for his plight).

Verse 25 (garuda.2.56.25)

दूरे च संसारमलं त्विदं कुरु देहि ह्यदो दिव्यकथामृतं सदा । एतादृशोहं तव सद्गुणौघं स्तोतुं समर्थो नास्मि शचीसमश्च

dūre ca saṁsāramalaṁ tvidaṁ kuru dehi hyado divyakathāmṛtaṁ sadā etādṛśohaṁ tava sadguṇaughaṁ stotuṁ samartho nāsmi śacīsamaśca

Drive far away this taint of worldly existence, and grant, always, that divine nectar-story alone. I, such as I am, have no capacity to praise the full array of your excellent qualities — I am equal to Shachi.

Verse 26 (garuda.2.56.26)

एवं स्तुत्वानिरुद्धस्तु तूष्णीमास खगेश्वर । तदनन्तरजः स्तोत्रं मनः स्वायंभुवोब्रवीत्

evaṁ stutvāniruddhastu tūṣṇīmāsa khageśvara tadanantarajaḥ stotraṁ manaḥ svāyaṁbhuvobravīt

Having thus praised, O lord of birds, Aniruddha fell silent. Then Svayambhuva, born next after him, spoke his hymn of praise.

Verse 27 (garuda.2.56.27)

स्वायंभुव उवाच । स्तोतुं ह्यनुप्रविशतोपि न गर्भदुःखं तस्मादहं परमपूज्यपदं गतस्ते

svāyaṁbhuva uvāca stotuṁ hyanupraviśatopi na garbhaduḥkhaṁ tasmādahaṁ paramapūjyapadaṁ gataste

Svayambhuva said: Even in entering to praise you, one is spared the suffering of the womb; for that very reason have I attained your supremely worshipful state.

Verse 28 (garuda.2.56.28)

मनोर्भार्या मानवी च यमः संयमिनीपतिः । दिशाभिमानी चन्द्रस्तु सूर्यश्चक्षुर्नियामकः । परस्परसमा ह्येते मुक्त्वा संसारमेव च

manorbhāryā mānavī ca yamaḥ saṁyaminīpatiḥ diśābhimānī candrastu sūryaścakṣurniyāmakaḥ parasparasamā hyete muktvā saṁsārameva ca

The wife of Manu is Manavi; Yama is lord of the self-restrained; the moon presides over the directions, and the sun governs the sense of sight — leaving aside worldly existence, all these are equal to one another.

Verse 29 (garuda.2.56.29)

प्रवाहाद्विगुणोनश्चेत्येवं जानीहि चाण्डज । सूर्यानन्तरजः स्तोतुं वरुणः संप्रचक्रमे

pravāhādviguṇonaścetyevaṁ jānīhi cāṇḍaja sūryānantarajaḥ stotuṁ varuṇaḥ saṁpracakrame

This group, O egg-born one, is lesser than Pravaha by two measures — know it thus. Then Varuna, born next after the sun, began to offer praise.

Verse 30 (garuda.2.56.30)

वरुण उवाच । त्वद्विच्छया रचिते देहगेहे पुत्त्रे कलत्रेपि धने द्रव्यजातौ । ममाहमित्यल्पधिया च मूढा संसारदुःखे विनिमज्जन्ति सर्वे

varuṇa uvāca tvadvicchayā racite dehagehe puttre kalatrepi dhane dravyajātau mamāhamityalpadhiyā ca mūḍhā saṁsāraduḥkhe vinimajjanti sarve

Varuna said: In this house of the body fashioned by your will, and in son, wife, and heaps of wealth as well, all people, deluded by the shallow thought of 'I' and 'mine,' sink into the sorrow of worldly existence.

Verse 31 (garuda.2.56.31)

अतो हरे तादृशीं मे कुबुद्धिं विनाश्य मे देहि ते पाददास्यम् । अहं मनोः पादपादार्धभूतगुणेन हीनः सर्वदा वै मुरारे

ato hare tādṛśīṁ me kubuddhiṁ vināśya me dehi te pādadāsyam ahaṁ manoḥ pādapādārdhabhūtaguṇena hīnaḥ sarvadā vai murāre

Therefore, O Hari, destroy such evil-mindedness in me and grant me the servitude of your feet. I fall short, O Murari, ever by half the measure of Manu's foot.

Verse 32 (garuda.2.56.32)

एवं स्तुत्वा तु वरुणः प्राञ्जलिः समुपस्थितः । वरुणानन्तरोत्पन्नो नारदो ह्यस्तुवद्धरिम्

evaṁ stutvā tu varuṇaḥ prāñjaliḥ samupasthitaḥ varuṇānantarotpanno nārado hyastuvaddharim

Having thus praised, Varuna stood present with folded hands. Then Narada, born next after Varuna, praised Hari.

Verse 33 (garuda.2.56.33)

नारद उवाच । यन्नामधेयश्रवणानुकीर्तनात्स्वाद्वन्यतत्त्वं मम नास्ति विष्णो । पुनीह्यतश्चैव परोवरायान्यज्जिह्वाग्रे वर्तते नाम तस्य

nārada uvāca yannāmadheyaśravaṇānukīrtanātsvādvanyatattvaṁ mama nāsti viṣṇo punīhyataścaiva parovarāyānyajjihvāgre vartate nāma tasya

Narada said: I find, O Vishnu, no other savor anywhere equal to that gained by hearing and repeating your name; purify me, therefore, utterly, so that no name but this ever remains, before or after, on the tip of my tongue.

Verse 34 (garuda.2.56.34)

यज्जिह्वाग्रे हरिनामैव नास्ति स ब्राह्मणो नैव स एव गोखरः । अहं न जाने च तव स्वरूपं न्यूनो ह्यहं वरुणात्सर्वदैव

yajjihvāgre harināmaiva nāsti sa brāhmaṇo naiva sa eva gokharaḥ ahaṁ na jāne ca tava svarūpaṁ nyūno hyahaṁ varuṇātsarvadaiva

One on whose tongue-tip Hari's name is absent is no brahmin, nor different from a beast of burden. I do not know your true form; I am, always, lesser than Varuna.

Verse 35 (garuda.2.56.35)

एवं स्तुत्वा नारदो वै खगेन्द्रस्तूष्णीमभूद्देवदेवस्य चाग्रे । यो नारदानन्तरं संबभूव भृगुर्महात्मा स्तोतुमुपप्रचक्रमे

evaṁ stutvā nārado vai khagendrastūṣṇīmabhūddevadevasya cāgre yo nāradānantaraṁ saṁbabhūva bhṛgurmahātmā stotumupapracakrame

Having thus praised, Narada — O lord of birds, this is spoken to you, Garuda — fell silent before the god of gods. Then the great soul Bhrigu, born next after Narada, came forward to offer praise.

Verse 36 (garuda.2.56.36)

भृगुरुवाच । किमासनं ते गरुडासनाय किं भूषणं कौस्तुभभूषणाय । लक्ष्मीकलत्राय किमस्ति देयं वागीश किं ते वचनीयमस्ति । अतो न जाने तव सद्गुणांश्च ह्यहं सदा वरुणात्पादहीनः

bhṛguruvāca kimāsanaṁ te garuḍāsanāya kiṁ bhūṣaṇaṁ kaustubhabhūṣaṇāya lakṣmīkalatrāya kimasti deyaṁ vāgīśa kiṁ te vacanīyamasti ato na jāne tava sadguṇāṁśca hyahaṁ sadā varuṇātpādahīnaḥ

Bhrigu said: What seat is there fit to be a seat for one seated on Garuda? What ornament is there fit to adorn the wearer of the Kaustubha? What is there to give one whose consort is Lakshmi? O lord of speech, what words are worthy to be spoken of you? For this reason I do not know your excellent qualities; I fall short of Varuna, always, by one foot's measure.

Verse 37 (garuda.2.56.37)

एवं स्तुत्वा हरिं देवं भृगुस्तूष्णीं बभूव ह । तदनन्तरजो ह्यग्निरस्तावीत्पुरुषोत्तमम्

evaṁ stutvā hariṁ devaṁ bhṛgustūṣṇīṁ babhūva ha tadanantarajo hyagnirastāvītpuruṣottamam

Having thus praised the god Hari, Bhrigu fell silent. Then Agni, born next after Bhrigu, praised Purushottama.

Verse 38 (garuda.2.56.38)

अग्निरुवाच । यत्तेजसाहं सुसमिद्धतेजा हव्यं वहाम्यध्वरे आज्यसिक्तम्

agniruvāca yattejasāhaṁ susamiddhatejā havyaṁ vahāmyadhvare ājyasiktam

Agni said: By whose splendor I, blazing with well-kindled fire, carry the oblation drenched in clarified butter at the sacrifice.

Verse 39 (garuda.2.56.39)

यत्तेजसाहं जठरे संप्रविश्य पचन्नन्नं सर्वदा पूर्णशक्तिः । अतो न जाने तव सद्गुणांश्च भृगोरहं सर्वदैवं समोस्मि

yattejasāhaṁ jaṭhare saṁpraviśya pacannannaṁ sarvadā pūrṇaśaktiḥ ato na jāne tava sadguṇāṁśca bhṛgorahaṁ sarvadaivaṁ samosmi

and by whose splendor I enter the belly and, ever with full power, digest the food — for this reason I do not know your excellent qualities; I am, always, equal to Bhrigu.

Verse 40 (garuda.2.56.40)

तदनन्तरजा स्तोतुं प्रसूतिरुपचक्रमे

tadanantarajā stotuṁ prasūtirupacakrame

Then Prasuti, born next after Agni, came forward to offer praise.

Verse 41 (garuda.2.56.41)

प्रसूतिरुवाच । यन्नामार्थविचारणेपि मुनयो मुह्यंति वै सर्वदा त्वद्भीता अपि देवता ह्यविरतं स्त्रीभिः सहैव स्थिताः । मान्धातृध्रुवनारदाश्च भृगवो वैवस्वताद्याखिलाः प्रेम्णा वै प्रणमाम्यहं हितकृते तस्मै नमो विष्णवे

prasūtiruvāca yannāmārthavicāraṇepi munayo muhyaṁti vai sarvadā tvadbhītā api devatā hyavirataṁ strībhiḥ sahaiva sthitāḥ māndhātṛdhruvanāradāśca bhṛgavo vaivasvatādyākhilāḥ premṇā vai praṇamāmyahaṁ hitakṛte tasmai namo viṣṇave

Prasuti said: Even sages are bewildered in pondering the meaning of whose name; the gods, ever fearful of him, remain constantly bound to their own consorts; Mandhata, Dhruva, Narada, Bhrigu, and Vaivasvata and all the rest — I bow with love to that Vishnu, known as the benefactor of all.

Verse 42 (garuda.2.56.42)

अतो न जाने तव सद्गुणान्सदा एवं विधा का मम शक्तिरस्ति । स्तुत्वा ह्येवं प्रसूतिस्तु तूष्णीमासीत्खगेश्वर

ato na jāne tava sadguṇānsadā evaṁ vidhā kā mama śaktirasti stutvā hyevaṁ prasūtistu tūṣṇīmāsītkhageśvara

Therefore I never truly know your excellent qualities — what power is there in one such as me? Having thus praised, O lord of birds, Prasuti fell silent.

Verse 43 (garuda.2.56.43)

अग्निर्वागात्मको ब्रह्मपुत्रो भृगु ऋषिस्तथा । तद्भार्या वै प्रसूतिस्तु त्रय एते समाः स्मृताः

agnirvāgātmako brahmaputro bhṛgu ṛṣistathā tadbhāryā vai prasūtistu traya ete samāḥ smṛtāḥ

Agni is the son of Brahma in the form of speech, and Bhrigu is a rishi; his wife is Prasuti — these three are held to be equal.

Verse 44 (garuda.2.56.44)

वरुणात्पादहीनाश्च प्रवहाद्विगुणाधमाः । दक्षाच्छतावरा ज्ञेया मित्रात्तु द्विगुणाधिकाः

varuṇātpādahīnāśca pravahādviguṇādhamāḥ dakṣācchatāvarā jñeyā mitrāttu dviguṇādhikāḥ

They fall short of Varuna by one foot's measure, and of Pravaha by two measures; they are to be known as a hundredfold lesser than Daksha, and twofold greater than Mitra.

Verse 45 (garuda.2.56.45)

प्रसूत्यनन्तरं जातो वसिष्ठो ब्रह्मनन्दनः । विनयावनतो भूत्वा स्तोतुं समुपचक्रमे

prasūtyanantaraṁ jāto vasiṣṭho brahmanandanaḥ vinayāvanato bhūtvā stotuṁ samupacakrame

After Prasuti was born Vasishtha, son of Brahma. Bowing low in humility, he began to offer praise.

Verse 46 (garuda.2.56.46)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । नमोस्तु तस्मै पुरुषाय वेधसे नमोनमोऽसद्वृजिनच्छिदे नमः । नमोनमो स्वाङ्गभवाय नित्यं नतोस्मि हे नाथ तवाङ्घ्रिपङ्कजम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca namostu tasmai puruṣāya vedhase namonamo'sadvṛjinacchide namaḥ namonamo svāṅgabhavāya nityaṁ natosmi he nātha tavāṅghripaṅkajam

Vasishtha said: Salutation to that Purusha, the Ordainer; salutation again and again to him who severs base and sinful deeds. Salutation, again and again, to him who is ever born of his own limb; I bow, O Lord, to your lotus feet.

Verse 47 (garuda.2.56.47)

मां पाहि नित्यं भगवन्वासुदेव ह्यग्नेरहं सर्वदा न्यून एव । मित्रादहं सर्वदा किञ्चिदूनः स्तुत्वा देव सोभवत्तत्र तूष्णीम्

māṁ pāhi nityaṁ bhagavanvāsudeva hyagnerahaṁ sarvadā nyūna eva mitrādahaṁ sarvadā kiñcidūnaḥ stutvā deva sobhavattatra tūṣṇīm

O Lord Vasudeva, protect me always; I am, always, lesser than Agni. I am also, always, slightly less than Mitra — having offered this praise, he fell silent there.

Verse 48 (garuda.2.56.48)

यो वसिष्ठानन्तरजो मरीचिर्ब्रह्मनन्दनः । हरिन्तुष्टाव परया भक्त्या नारायणं गुरुम्

yo vasiṣṭhānantarajo marīcirbrahmanandanaḥ harintuṣṭāva parayā bhaktyā nārāyaṇaṁ gurum

Marichi, son of Brahma, born next after Vasishtha, praised the supreme guru Narayana with the highest devotion.

Verse 49 (garuda.2.56.49)

मरीचिरुवाच । देवेन चाहं हतधीर्भवनप्रसङ्गात्सर्वाशुभोपगमनाद्विमुखेंद्रियश्च । कुर्वे च नित्यं सुखलेशलवादिना त्वद्दूरं मनस्त्वशुभकर्म समाचरिष्ये

marīciruvāca devena cāhaṁ hatadhīrbhavanaprasaṅgātsarvāśubhopagamanādvimukheṁdriyaśca kurve ca nityaṁ sukhaleśalavādinā tvaddūraṁ manastvaśubhakarma samācariṣye

Marichi said: Dulled in wit by attachment to household matters even amid divine occasions, my senses ever turned toward every kind of evil, occupied endlessly with mere fragments of pleasure, I, my mind far from you, keep committing unwholesome deeds.

Verse 50 (garuda.2.56.50)

एतादृशोहं भगवाननन्तः सदा वसिष्ठस्य समान एव

etādṛśohaṁ bhagavānanantaḥ sadā vasiṣṭhasya samāna eva

Such am I, O Lord — though called endless, a form of Ananta — yet always equal to Vasishtha.

Verse 51 (garuda.2.56.51)

एवं स्तुत्वा मरीचिस्तु तूष्णीमास तदा खग । तदतन्तरजोह्यत्रिरस्तावीत्प्राञ्जलिर्हरिम्

evaṁ stutvā marīcistu tūṣṇīmāsa tadā khaga tadatantarajohyatrirastāvītprāñjalirharim

Having thus praised, O bird, Marichi fell silent there. Then Atri, born next after him, praised Hari with folded hands.

Verse 52 (garuda.2.56.52)

आविर्भवज्जगत्प्रभवायावतीर्णं तद्रक्षणार्थमनवद्यञ्च तथाव्ययाय । तत्त्वार्थमूलमविकारि तव स्वरूपं ह्यानन्दसारमत एव विकारशून्यम्

āvirbhavajjagatprabhavāyāvatīrṇaṁ tadrakṣaṇārthamanavadyañca tathāvyayāya tattvārthamūlamavikāri tava svarūpaṁ hyānandasāramata eva vikāraśūnyam

Manifesting for the world's coming-to-be, descending for its protection, blameless and imperishable — your form, the root and meaning of all principles, unchanging, the very essence of bliss, and therefore utterly free of alteration,

Verse 53 (garuda.2.56.53)

त्रैगुण्यशून्यमखिलेषु च संविभक्तं तत्र प्रविश्य भगवन्न हि पश्यतीव । अतो मुरारेस्तव सद्गुणांश्च स्तोतुं न शक्नोमि मरीचितुल्यः

traiguṇyaśūnyamakhileṣu ca saṁvibhaktaṁ tatra praviśya bhagavanna hi paśyatīva ato murārestava sadguṇāṁśca stotuṁ na śaknomi marīcitulyaḥ

free of the three gunas and yet present, distributed through all things — even entering into it, O Lord, none can truly perceive it. Therefore, O Murari, though equal to Marichi, I am not able to praise your excellent qualities.

Verse 54 (garuda.2.56.54)

एवं स्तुत्वा ह्यत्रिरपितूष्णीमास तदा खग । तदनन्तरजः स्तोतुमङ्गिरा वाक्यमब्रवीत्

evaṁ stutvā hyatrirapitūṣṇīmāsa tadā khaga tadanantarajaḥ stotumaṅgirā vākyamabravīt

Having thus praised, O bird, Atri too fell silent there. Then Angiras, born next after him, spoke his words.

Verse 55 (garuda.2.56.55)

अङ्गिरा उवाच । द्रष्टुं न शक्नोमि तव स्वरूपं ह्यनन्तबाहूदरमस्तकं च । अनन्तसाहस्रकिरीटजुष्टं महार्हनानाभरणैश्च शोभितम् । एतादृशं रूपमनन्तपारं स्तोतुं ह्यशक्तस्तु समोस्मि चात्रेः

aṅgirā uvāca draṣṭuṁ na śaknomi tava svarūpaṁ hyanantabāhūdaramastakaṁ ca anantasāhasrakirīṭajuṣṭaṁ mahārhanānābharaṇaiśca śobhitam etādṛśaṁ rūpamanantapāraṁ stotuṁ hyaśaktastu samosmi cātreḥ

Angiras said: I cannot behold your form, endowed with endless arms, bellies, and heads, adorned with countless thousands of crowns, resplendent with manifold precious ornaments. Unable am I to praise a form so endless and boundless; I am equal to Atri.

Verse 56 (garuda.2.56.56)

एवं स्तुत्वा ह्यङ्गिराश्च तूष्णीमास खगेश्वर । तदनन्तरजः स्तोतुं पुलस्त्यो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

evaṁ stutvā hyaṅgirāśca tūṣṇīmāsa khageśvara tadanantarajaḥ stotuṁ pulastyo vākyamabravīt

Having thus praised, O lord of birds, Angiras fell silent. Then Pulastya, born next after him, spoke his words.

Verse 57 (garuda.2.56.57)

पुलस्त्य उवाच । यो वा हरिस्तु भगवान्स (स्व) उपासकानां संदर्शयेद्भुवनमङ्गलमङ्गलं च । (लश्च) यस्मै नमो भगवते पुरुषाय तुभ्यं यो वाविता निरयभागगमप्रसङ्गे

pulastya uvāca yo vā haristu bhagavānsa (sva) upāsakānāṁ saṁdarśayedbhuvanamaṅgalamaṅgalaṁ ca (laśca) yasmai namo bhagavate puruṣāya tubhyaṁ yo vāvitā nirayabhāgagamaprasaṅge

Pulastya said: Salutation to that Lord Hari, the Purusha, who grants his worshippers a vision auspicious and beneficent to all the worlds, and who guards them from ever falling upon the path to hell.

Verse 58 (garuda.2.56.58)

एतादृशांस्तव गुणान्नवितुं न शक्तं मां पाहि भगवन्सदृशो ह्यङ्गिरसा च

etādṛśāṁstava guṇānnavituṁ na śaktaṁ māṁ pāhi bhagavansadṛśo hyaṅgirasā ca

I am not capable of praising such qualities of yours; protect me, O Lord — I am equal to Angiras.

Verse 59 (garuda.2.56.59)

एवं स्तुत्वा पुलस्त्योपि स्तूष्णीमेव बभूव ह । तदनन्तरजः स्तोतुं पुलहो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

evaṁ stutvā pulastyopi stūṣṇīmeva babhūva ha tadanantarajaḥ stotuṁ pulaho vākyamabravīt

Having thus praised, Pulastya too fell silent. Then Pulaha, born next after him, spoke his words.

Verse 60 (garuda.2.56.60)

पुलह उवाच । निष्कामरूपरिहितस्य समर्पितं च स्नानावरोत्तमपयः फलपुष्पभोज्यम् । आराधनं भगवतस्तव सत्क्रियाश्च व्यर्थं भवेदिति वदन्ति महानुभावाः

pulaha uvāca niṣkāmarūparihitasya samarpitaṁ ca snānāvarottamapayaḥ phalapuṣpabhojyam ārādhanaṁ bhagavatastava satkriyāśca vyarthaṁ bhavediti vadanti mahānubhāvāḥ

Pulaha said: The bathing, choice water, fruit, flower, and food offered to one free of all desire, this worship of the Lord and these righteous rites — great souls say — become fruitless unless offered without any desire.

Verse 61 (garuda.2.56.61)

तस्मै सदा भगवते प्रणमामि नित्यं निष्कामया तव समर्पणमात्रबुद्ध्या । वैकुण्ठनाथ भगवन्स्तवने न शक्तिः सोहं पुलस्त्यसदृशोस्मि न संशयोत्र

tasmai sadā bhagavate praṇamāmi nityaṁ niṣkāmayā tava samarpaṇamātrabuddhyā vaikuṇṭhanātha bhagavanstavane na śaktiḥ sohaṁ pulastyasadṛśosmi na saṁśayotra

Therefore I bow to that Lord ever and always, with a mind fixed solely on desireless offering. O Lord of Vaikuntha, I have no power in praise — I am equal to Pulastya, and in this there is no doubt.

Verse 62 (garuda.2.56.62)

एवं स्तुत्वा तु पुलहस्तूष्णीमास तदा खग । तदनन्तरजः स्तोतुं क्रतुः समुपचक्रमे

evaṁ stutvā tu pulahastūṣṇīmāsa tadā khaga tadanantarajaḥ stotuṁ kratuḥ samupacakrame

Having thus praised, O bird, Pulaha fell silent. Then Kratu, born next after him, came forward to offer praise.

Verse 63 (garuda.2.56.63)

क्रतुरुवाच । प्राणप्रयाणसमये भगवंस्तवैव नामानि संसृतिजदुःखविनाशकानि । येनैकजन्मशमलं सहसैव हित्वा संयाति मुक्तिममलां तमहं प्रपद्ये

kraturuvāca prāṇaprayāṇasamaye bhagavaṁstavaiva nāmāni saṁsṛtijaduḥkhavināśakāni yenaikajanmaśamalaṁ sahasaiva hitvā saṁyāti muktimamalāṁ tamahaṁ prapadye

Kratu said: O Lord, at the hour of the breath's departure, your very names alone destroy the sorrow born of worldly existence; through them a man casts off at once the taint of a single birth and attains pure liberation — to you I resort.

Verse 64 (garuda.2.56.64)

ये भक्त्या विवशा विष्णो नाममात्रैकजल्पकाः । तेपि मुक्तिं प्रयान्त्याशु किमुत ध्यायिनः सदा

ye bhaktyā vivaśā viṣṇo nāmamātraikajalpakāḥ tepi muktiṁ prayāntyāśu kimuta dhyāyinaḥ sadā

O Vishnu, those overcome by devotion who utter even your name alone attain liberation swiftly — how much more, then, those who ever meditate upon you!

Verse 65 (garuda.2.56.65)

एवं स्तुत्वा क्रतुरपि तूष्णीमास खगेश्वर । तदनन्तरजः स्तोतुं मनुर्वैवस्वतोब्रवीत्

evaṁ stutvā kraturapi tūṣṇīmāsa khageśvara tadanantarajaḥ stotuṁ manurvaivasvatobravīt

Having thus praised, O lord of birds, Kratu too fell silent. Then Vaivasvata Manu, born next after him, spoke his words.

Verse 66 (garuda.2.56.66)

वैवस्वत उवाच । सोहं हि कर्मकरणे निरतः सदैव स्त्रीणां भोगे च निरतश्च गुदे प्रमत्तः । जिह्वेन्द्रिये च निरतस्तव दर्शने च सम्यग्विरागसहितः परमोदरेण

vaivasvata uvāca sohaṁ hi karmakaraṇe nirataḥ sadaiva strīṇāṁ bhoge ca nirataśca gude pramattaḥ jihvendriye ca niratastava darśane ca samyagvirāgasahitaḥ paramodareṇa

Vaivasvata said: I am ever engrossed in the doing of deeds, ever devoted to the pleasures of women and of the body; ever fixed upon the sense of taste, and yet, in beholding you, I am truly detached, endowed with the greatest largeness of heart.

Verse 67 (garuda.2.56.67)

मांसास्थिमज्जरुधिरैः सहिते च देहे भक्तिं सदैव भगवन्नपि तस्करे च । गुर्वग्निबाडबगवादिषु सत्सु दुःखात्सम्यग्विरक्तिमुपयामि सहस्व नित्यम्

māṁsāsthimajjarudhiraiḥ sahite ca dehe bhaktiṁ sadaiva bhagavannapi taskare ca gurvagnibāḍabagavādiṣu satsu duḥkhātsamyagviraktimupayāmi sahasva nityam

In this body composed of flesh, bone, marrow, and blood, O Lord, may your devotion abide ever, even in the thief; and having attained true detachment from suffering even among the worthy, such as one's teacher, the sacrificial fire, and the great ocean, I ever bear it patiently.

Verse 68 (garuda.2.56.68)

लोकानुवादश्रवणे परमा च शक्तिर्नारायणस्य नमने न च मेस्ति शक्तिः । लोकानुयानकरणे परमा च शक्तिः क्षेत्रादिमार्गगमने परमा ह्यशक्तिः

lokānuvādaśravaṇe paramā ca śaktirnārāyaṇasya namane na ca mesti śaktiḥ lokānuyānakaraṇe paramā ca śaktiḥ kṣetrādimārgagamane paramā hyaśaktiḥ

In listening to worldly gossip I have supreme power, but I have no power to bow before Narayana; in following the ways of common folk I have supreme power, but toward the path of pilgrimage I have utter powerlessness.

Verse 69 (garuda.2.56.69)

वैश्यादिकेषु धनिकेषु परा च शक्तिः सद्ब्राह्मणेष्वपि न शक्तिरहो मुरारे

vaiśyādikeṣu dhanikeṣu parā ca śaktiḥ sadbrāhmaṇeṣvapi na śaktiraho murāre

Toward the wealthy such as the Vaishyas I have supreme power, but toward true brahmins, O Murari, I have none at all.

Verse 70 (garuda.2.56.70)

वैवस्वतमनुर्देवं स्तुत्वा तूष्णीं बभूव ह । तदनन्तरजः स्तोतुं विश्वामित्रोपचक्रमे

vaivasvatamanurdevaṁ stutvā tūṣṇīṁ babhūva ha tadanantarajaḥ stotuṁ viśvāmitropacakrame

Having thus praised the god, Vaivasvata Manu fell silent. Then Vishvamitra, born next after him, began his praise.

Verse 71 (garuda.2.56.71)

विश्वामित्र उवाच । न ध्याते चरणांबुजे भगवतो संध्यापि नानुष्ठिता ज्ञानद्वारकपाटपाटनपटुर्धर्मोपि नोपार्जितः । अन्तर्व्याप्तमलाभिघातकरणे पट्वी श्रुता ते कथा नो देव श्रवणेन पाहि भगवन्मामत्रितुल्यं सदा

viśvāmitra uvāca na dhyāte caraṇāṁbuje bhagavato saṁdhyāpi nānuṣṭhitā jñānadvārakapāṭapāṭanapaṭurdharmopi nopārjitaḥ antarvyāptamalābhighātakaraṇe paṭvī śrutā te kathā no deva śravaṇena pāhi bhagavanmāmatritulyaṁ sadā

Vishvamitra said: I have not meditated upon the Lord's lotus feet, nor performed the twilight rites, nor won the virtue skilled at flinging open the door to knowledge; nor have we even heard your story, so skilled at striking down the taint pervading within — yet, O god, protect me always, through hearing alone, counting me equal to Atri.

Verse 72 (garuda.2.56.72)

विश्वामित्रऋषिस्त्वेवं स्तुत्वा तूष्णीं बभूव ह । भृगुनारदक्षांश्च विहाय ब्रह्मपुत्रकाः

viśvāmitraṛṣistvevaṁ stutvā tūṣṇīṁ babhūva ha bhṛgunāradakṣāṁśca vihāya brahmaputrakāḥ

Having thus praised, the sage Vishvamitra fell silent. Leaving aside Bhrigu, Narada, and Daksha, the sons of Brahma —

Verse 73 (garuda.2.56.73)

सप्तसंख्या वसिष्ठाद्या विश्वामित्रस्तथैव च । वैवस्वतमनुस्त्वेते परस्परसमाः स्मृताः

saptasaṁkhyā vasiṣṭhādyā viśvāmitrastathaiva ca vaivasvatamanustvete parasparasamāḥ smṛtāḥ

Vasishtha and the rest, seven in number, and Vishvamitra likewise; these, together with Vaivasvata Manu, are all remembered as equal to one another.

Verse 74 (garuda.2.56.74)

वह्नेरप्यवरा नित्यं किञ्चिन्मित्राद्गुणाधिकाः । तदनन्तजस्तोत्रं वक्ष्ये शृणु खगेश्वर

vahnerapyavarā nityaṁ kiñcinmitrādguṇādhikāḥ tadanantajastotraṁ vakṣye śṛṇu khageśvara

They are, always, slightly lesser than Agni, and slightly greater in quality than Mitra. Now I shall speak of the praise offered by those born next after them — hear it, O lord of birds.