The Greatness of Nanda-Prachi Sarasvati

Verse 1 (padma.1.18.1)

भीष्म उवाच। अत्यद्भुतमिदं ब्रह्मन्श्रुतवानस्मि तत्त्वतः। अभिषेकं तु गायत्र्याः सदस्यत्र तथा कृतम्

bhīṣma uvāca atyadbhutamidaṁ brahmanśrutavānasmi tattvataḥ abhiṣekaṁ tu gāyatryāḥ sadasyatra tathā kṛtam

Bhishma said: 'O Brahmin, this is truly wondrous — I have heard in full truth of the consecration of Gayatri that was performed there in the assembly,

Verse 2 (padma.1.18.2)

विरोधं चैव सावित्र्या शापदानं तथा कृतम्। विष्णुना च यथा देवी सर्वस्थानेषु कीर्तिता

virodhaṁ caiva sāvitryā śāpadānaṁ tathā kṛtam viṣṇunā ca yathā devī sarvasthāneṣu kīrtitā

and the conflict that arose with Savitri, and the curses that were given; and how the goddess was celebrated by Vishnu in every sacred place,

Verse 3 (padma.1.18.3)

गायत्री चापि रुद्रेण स्तुता च वरवर्णिनी। तं श्रुत्वा प्रतिमात्मानं विस्तरेण पितामहम्

gāyatrī cāpi rudreṇa stutā ca varavarṇinī taṁ śrutvā pratimātmānaṁ vistareṇa pitāmaham

and how Gayatri, the fair one, was also praised by Rudra. Having heard all this at length about the Grandsire, as if reflecting upon myself,

Verse 4 (padma.1.18.4)

प्रहृष्टानि च रोमाणि प्रशांतं च मनो मम। श्रुत्वा मे परमा प्रीतिः कौतूहलमथैव हि

prahṛṣṭāni ca romāṇi praśāṁtaṁ ca mano mama śrutvā me paramā prītiḥ kautūhalamathaiva hi

my hair stood on end, and my mind became tranquil. Hearing this has given me supreme delight, and along with it, curiosity —

Verse 5 (padma.1.18.5)

नारायणस्तु भगवान्कृत्वा तां परमां च वै। ब्रह्मपत्न्याः स्तुतिं भक्त्या न्यस्यतां पर्वतोपरि

nārāyaṇastu bhagavānkṛtvā tāṁ paramāṁ ca vai brahmapatnyāḥ stutiṁ bhaktyā nyasyatāṁ parvatopari

The Lord Narayana, having offered that supreme hymn of praise, with devotion, to Brahma's wife as she sat upon the mountain,

Verse 6 (padma.1.18.6)

उवाच वचनं विष्णुस्तुष्टिपुष्टिप्रदायकम्। श्रीमति ह्रीमती चैव या च देवीश्वरी तथा

uvāca vacanaṁ viṣṇustuṣṭipuṣṭipradāyakam śrīmati hrīmatī caiva yā ca devīśvarī tathā

spoke a word bestowing contentment and nourishment — to Shrimati and Hrimati, and to her who is also the Goddess-Ishvari —

Verse 7 (padma.1.18.7)

एतदेव श्रुतं ब्रह्मंस्तव वक्त्राद्विनिःसृतम्। उत्तरं तत्र यद्भूतं यच्च तस्मिन्स्थले कृतम्

etadeva śrutaṁ brahmaṁstava vaktrādviniḥsṛtam uttaraṁ tatra yadbhūtaṁ yacca tasminsthale kṛtam

This much I have heard, O Brahmin, coming from your own mouth. What followed after that, and whatever was done at that place,

Verse 8 (padma.1.18.8)

आनुपूर्व्या च तत्सर्वं भगवान्वक्तुमर्हति। श्रुतेन मे देहशुद्धिर्भविष्यति न संशयः

ānupūrvyā ca tatsarvaṁ bhagavānvaktumarhati śrutena me dehaśuddhirbhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

all of that, the Lord ought to tell me in due order. By hearing it my body shall surely be purified — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 9 (padma.1.18.9)

पुलस्त्य उवाच। यजतः पुष्करे तस्य देवस्य परमेष्ठिनः। शृणुराजन्निदं चित्रं पूर्वमेव यथाकृतम्

pulastya uvāca yajataḥ puṣkare tasya devasya parameṣṭhinaḥ śṛṇurājannidaṁ citraṁ pūrvameva yathākṛtam

Pulastya said: 'As the Supreme Lord was performing the sacrifice at Pushkara, listen, O king, to this wondrous event, exactly as it happened of old.

Verse 10 (padma.1.18.10)

आदौ कृतयुगे तस्मिन्यजमाने पितामहे। मरीचिरंगिराश्चैव पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः

ādau kṛtayuge tasminyajamāne pitāmahe marīciraṁgirāścaiva pulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ

In the beginning, in that Krita Yuga, when the Grandsire was performing the sacrifice, Marichi, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu —

Verse 11 (padma.1.18.11)

दक्षः प्रजापतिश्चैव नमस्कारं प्रचक्रिरे। विद्योतमानाः पुरुषाः सर्वाभरणभूषिताः

dakṣaḥ prajāpatiścaiva namaskāraṁ pracakrire vidyotamānāḥ puruṣāḥ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitāḥ

and Daksha Prajapati too, offered salutation. Radiant beings, adorned with every kind of ornament,

Verse 12 (padma.1.18.12)

उपनृत्यंति देवेशं विष्णुमप्सरसां गणाः। ततो गंधर्वतूर्यैस्तु प्रतिनंद्य विहायसि

upanṛtyaṁti deveśaṁ viṣṇumapsarasāṁ gaṇāḥ tato gaṁdharvatūryaistu pratinaṁdya vihāyasi

the hosts of Apsaras began to dance before Vishnu, the Lord of the gods. Then, welcomed in the sky by the instruments of the Gandharvas,

Verse 13 (padma.1.18.13)

बहुभिः सह गंधर्वैः प्रगायति च तुंबरुः। महाश्रुतिश्चित्रसेन ऊर्णायुरनघस्तथा

bahubhiḥ saha gaṁdharvaiḥ pragāyati ca tuṁbaruḥ mahāśrutiścitrasena ūrṇāyuranaghastathā

Tumburu sang, together with many Gandharvas; Mahashruti, Chitrasena, Urnayu, and Anagha too,

Verse 14 (padma.1.18.14)

गोमायुस्सूर्यवर्चाश्च सोमवर्चाश्च कौरव। युगपच्च तृणायुश्च नंदिश्चित्ररथस्तथा

gomāyussūryavarcāśca somavarcāśca kaurava yugapacca tṛṇāyuśca naṁdiścitrarathastathā

Gomayu, Suryavarchas, and Somavarchas, O Kaurava; and along with them Trinayu, Nandi, and Chitraratha too,

Verse 15 (padma.1.18.15)

त्रयोदशः शालिशिराः पर्जन्यश्च चतुर्दशः। कलिः पंचदशश्चात्र तारकश्चात्र षोडशः

trayodaśaḥ śāliśirāḥ parjanyaśca caturdaśaḥ kaliḥ paṁcadaśaścātra tārakaścātra ṣoḍaśaḥ

the thirteenth, Shalishira; the fourteenth, Parjanya; here the fifteenth, Kali; and here the sixteenth, Taraka,

Verse 16 (padma.1.18.16)

हाहाहूहूश्च गंधर्वो हंसश्चैव महाद्युतिः। इत्येते देवगंधर्वा उपगायंति ते विभुम्

hāhāhūhūśca gaṁdharvo haṁsaścaiva mahādyutiḥ ityete devagaṁdharvā upagāyaṁti te vibhum

the Gandharva Haha-Huhu, and Hansa too, of great splendor — thus these divine Gandharvas sang praises to that all-pervading Lord.

Verse 17 (padma.1.18.17)

तथैवाप्सरसो दिव्या उपनृत्यंति तं विभुं। धातार्यमा च सविता वरुणोंशो भगस्तथा

tathaivāpsaraso divyā upanṛtyaṁti taṁ vibhuṁ dhātāryamā ca savitā varuṇoṁśo bhagastathā

In the same way the celestial Apsaras danced before that all-pervading one. Dhatri, Aryaman, Savitri, Varuna, Amsha, and Bhaga likewise,

Verse 18 (padma.1.18.18)

इंद्रो विवस्वान्पूषा च त्वष्टा पर्जन्य एव च। इत्येते द्वादशादित्या ज्वलंतो दीप्ततेजसः

iṁdro vivasvānpūṣā ca tvaṣṭā parjanya eva ca ityete dvādaśādityā jvalaṁto dīptatejasaḥ

Indra, Vivasvan, Pushan, Tvashta, and Parjanya too — these twelve Adityas, blazing and radiant,

Verse 19 (padma.1.18.19)

चक्रुरस्मिन्सुरेशाश्च नमस्कारं पितामहे। मृगव्याधश्च शर्वश्च निर्ऋतिश्च महायशाः

cakrurasminsureśāśca namaskāraṁ pitāmahe mṛgavyādhaśca śarvaśca nirṛtiśca mahāyaśāḥ

offered their salutations to the Grandsire at this sacrifice, O lords of the gods; and Mrigavyadha, Sharva, and Nirriti of great renown,

Verse 20 (padma.1.18.20)

अजैकपादहिर्बुध्न्यः पिनाकी चापराजितः। भवो विश्वेश्वरश्चैव कपर्दी च विशांपते

ajaikapādahirbudhnyaḥ pinākī cāparājitaḥ bhavo viśveśvaraścaiva kapardī ca viśāṁpate

Ajaikapad, Ahirbudhnya, Pinaki, and Aparajita, Bhava and Vishveshvara too, and Kapardin, O protector of the people,

Verse 21 (padma.1.18.21)

स्थाणुर्भगश्च भगवान्रुद्रास्तत्रावतस्थिरे। अश्विनौ वसवश्चाष्टौ मरुतश्च महाबलाः

sthāṇurbhagaśca bhagavānrudrāstatrāvatasthire aśvinau vasavaścāṣṭau marutaśca mahābalāḥ

Sthanu, and the Lord Bhaga — these Rudras stood there. The two Ashvins, the eight Vasus, and the mighty Maruts,

Verse 22 (padma.1.18.22)

विश्वेदेवाश्च साध्याश्च तस्मै प्रांजलयः स्थिताः। शेषाद्यास्तु महानागा वासुकिप्रमुखाहयः

viśvedevāśca sādhyāśca tasmai prāṁjalayaḥ sthitāḥ śeṣādyāstu mahānāgā vāsukipramukhāhayaḥ

the Vishvedevas and the Sadhyas too stood before him with joined hands. The great serpents headed by Shesha, led by Vasuki,

Verse 23 (padma.1.18.23)

काश्यपः कंबलश्चापि तक्षकश्च महाबलः। एते नागा महात्मानस्तस्मै प्रांजलयः स्थिताः

kāśyapaḥ kaṁbalaścāpi takṣakaśca mahābalaḥ ete nāgā mahātmānastasmai prāṁjalayaḥ sthitāḥ

Kashyapa, Kambala, and the mighty Takshaka too — these great-souled Nagas stood before him with joined hands.

Verse 24 (padma.1.18.24)

तार्क्ष्यश्चारिष्टनेमिश्च गरुडश्च महाबलः। वारुणिश्चैवारुणिश्च वैनतेया व्यवस्थिताः

tārkṣyaścāriṣṭanemiśca garuḍaśca mahābalaḥ vāruṇiścaivāruṇiśca vainateyā vyavasthitāḥ

Tarkshya, Arishtanemi, and the mighty Garuda, along with Varuni and Aruni — these sons of Vinata were present there as well.

Verse 25 (padma.1.18.25)

नारायणश्च भगवान्स्वयमागत्य लोकवान्। प्राह लोकगुरुं श्रीमान्सहसर्वैर्महर्षिभिः

nārāyaṇaśca bhagavānsvayamāgatya lokavān prāha lokaguruṁ śrīmānsahasarvairmaharṣibhiḥ

And the Lord Narayana himself, protector of the worlds, having come there, together with all the great sages, said this to the Guru of the worlds —

Verse 26 (padma.1.18.26)

त्वया ततमिदं सर्वं त्वया सृष्टं जगत्पते। तस्माल्लोकेश्वरश्चासि पद्मयोने नमोस्तु ते

tvayā tatamidaṁ sarvaṁ tvayā sṛṣṭaṁ jagatpate tasmāllokeśvaraścāsi padmayone namostu te

'By you all this has been spread out, by you this universe has been created, O Lord of the world; therefore you are the ruler of the worlds, O lotus-born one — salutation to you.

Verse 27 (padma.1.18.27)

यदत्र ते मया कार्यं कर्तव्यं च तदादिश। एवं प्रोवाच भगवान्सार्धं देवर्षिभिः प्रभुः

yadatra te mayā kāryaṁ kartavyaṁ ca tadādiśa evaṁ provāca bhagavānsārdhaṁ devarṣibhiḥ prabhuḥ

Whatever task I am to perform here, command it.' Thus spoke the mighty Lord, together with the divine sages,

Verse 28 (padma.1.18.28)

नमस्कृत्य सुरेशाय ब्रह्मणेऽव्यक्तजन्मने। स च तत्रस्थितो ब्रह्मा तेजसा भासयन्दिशः

namaskṛtya sureśāya brahmaṇe'vyaktajanmane sa ca tatrasthito brahmā tejasā bhāsayandiśaḥ

having bowed to the Lord of the gods, Brahma, of unmanifest birth. And Brahma, remaining there, illumining the directions with his splendor,

Verse 29 (padma.1.18.29)

श्रीवत्सलोमसंच्छन्नो हेमसूत्रेण राजता। सुरर्षिप्रतिमः श्रीमान्स्वयंभूर्भूतभावनः

śrīvatsalomasaṁcchanno hemasūtreṇa rājatā surarṣipratimaḥ śrīmānsvayaṁbhūrbhūtabhāvanaḥ

covered with hair marked like the Shrivatsa, radiant with a golden sacred thread, resembling the gods and sages, glorious, self-born, the nurturer of beings,

Verse 30 (padma.1.18.30)

शुचिरोमा महावक्षाः सर्वतेजोमयः प्रभुः। यो गतिः पुण्यशीलानामगतिः पापकर्मणां

śuciromā mahāvakṣāḥ sarvatejomayaḥ prabhuḥ yo gatiḥ puṇyaśīlānāmagatiḥ pāpakarmaṇāṁ

with pure body-hair, a broad chest, wholly composed of splendor, the Lord — who is the refuge of the virtuous and beyond the reach of the sinful,

Verse 31 (padma.1.18.31)

योगसिद्धा महात्मानो यं विदुर्लोकमुत्तमं। यस्याष्टगुणमैश्वर्यं यमाहुर्देवसत्तमम्

yogasiddhā mahātmāno yaṁ vidurlokamuttamaṁ yasyāṣṭaguṇamaiśvaryaṁ yamāhurdevasattamam

whom yoga-perfected great souls know as the supreme world/goal, whose lordship has eight powers, whom they call the greatest among the gods,

Verse 32 (padma.1.18.32)

यं प्राप्य शाश्वतं विप्रा नियता मोक्षकांक्षिणः। जन्मनो मरणाच्चैव मुच्यंते योगभाविताः

yaṁ prāpya śāśvataṁ viprā niyatā mokṣakāṁkṣiṇaḥ janmano maraṇāccaiva mucyaṁte yogabhāvitāḥ

attaining whom, the eternal one, disciplined Brahmins seeking liberation, matured through yoga, are freed from both birth and death,

Verse 33 (padma.1.18.33)

यदेतत्तप इत्याहुः सर्वाश्रमनिवासिनः। सेवंसेवं यताहारा दुश्चरं व्रतमास्थिताः

yadetattapa ityāhuḥ sarvāśramanivāsinaḥ sevaṁsevaṁ yatāhārā duścaraṁ vratamāsthitāḥ

whom all dwellers of every ashrama call 'austerity' itself — practicing it again and again with regulated food, having taken up hard vows,

Verse 34 (padma.1.18.34)

योनंत इति नागेषु प्रोच्यते सर्वयोगिभिः। सहस्रमूर्द्धा रक्ताक्षः शेषादिभिरनुत्तमैः

yonaṁta iti nāgeṣu procyate sarvayogibhiḥ sahasramūrddhā raktākṣaḥ śeṣādibhiranuttamaiḥ

whom, among the serpents, all yogis call 'Ananta, the Endless One' — thousand-headed and red-eyed, together with Shesha and the other peerless serpents,

Verse 35 (padma.1.18.35)

यो यज्ञ इति विप्रेंद्रैरिज्यते स्वर्गलिप्सुभिः। नानास्थानगतिः श्रीमानेकः कविरनुत्तमः

yo yajña iti vipreṁdrairijyate svargalipsubhiḥ nānāsthānagatiḥ śrīmānekaḥ kaviranuttamaḥ

whom the finest Brahmins, desiring heaven, worship as 'the Sacrifice' itself — present in many places, glorious, the one peerless seer,

Verse 36 (padma.1.18.36)

यं देवं वेत्ति वेत्तारं यज्ञभागप्रदायिनं। वृषाग्निसूर्यचंद्राक्षं देवमाकाशविग्रहं

yaṁ devaṁ vetti vettāraṁ yajñabhāgapradāyinaṁ vṛṣāgnisūryacaṁdrākṣaṁ devamākāśavigrahaṁ

the god whom the wise know as the Knower and the giver of the sacrificial portion, whose eyes are the bull, fire, sun, and moon, whose body is the sky —

Verse 37 (padma.1.18.37)

तं प्रपद्यामहे देवं भगवन्शरणार्थिनः। शरण्यं शरणं देवं सर्वदेवभवोद्भवं

taṁ prapadyāmahe devaṁ bhagavanśaraṇārthinaḥ śaraṇyaṁ śaraṇaṁ devaṁ sarvadevabhavodbhavaṁ

in that god we take refuge, O Lord, as seekers of shelter; that god worthy of granting refuge, who is the source and origin of all the gods,

Verse 38 (padma.1.18.38)

ऋषीणां चैव स्रष्टारं लोकानां च सुरेश्वरं। प्रियार्थं चैव देवानां सर्वस्य जगतः स्थितौ

ṛṣīṇāṁ caiva sraṣṭāraṁ lokānāṁ ca sureśvaraṁ priyārthaṁ caiva devānāṁ sarvasya jagataḥ sthitau

the creator of the sages, and the lord of the gods over the worlds; for the pleasure of the gods, and for the maintenance of the whole universe,

Verse 39 (padma.1.18.39)

कव्यं पितॄणामुचितं सुराणां हव्यमुत्तमं। येन प्रवर्तितं सर् तं नतास्मस्सुरोत्तमं

kavyaṁ pitṝṇāmucitaṁ surāṇāṁ havyamuttamaṁ yena pravartitaṁ sar taṁ natāsmassurottamaṁ

the proper offering for the ancestors, and the excellent oblation for the gods — to him by whom all this was set in motion, that greatest of gods, we bow.

Verse 40 (padma.1.18.40)

त्रेताग्निना तु यजता देवेन परमेष्ठिना। यथासृष्टिः कृता पूर्वं यज्ञसृष्टिस्तथा पुनः

tretāgninā tu yajatā devena parameṣṭhinā yathāsṛṣṭiḥ kṛtā pūrvaṁ yajñasṛṣṭistathā punaḥ

With the Treta fire, as that Supreme Lord performed the sacrifice, just as creation had been made in the beginning, so once again the sacrificial creation was made.

Verse 41 (padma.1.18.41)

तथा ब्रह्माप्यनंतेन लोकानां स्थितिकारिणा। अन्वास्यमानो भगवान्वृद्धोप्यथ च बुद्धिमान्

tathā brahmāpyanaṁtena lokānāṁ sthitikāriṇā anvāsyamāno bhagavānvṛddhopyatha ca buddhimān

Thus Brahma too, attended by Ananta, the sustainer of the worlds' order, the Lord, though ancient, yet wise,

Verse 42 (padma.1.18.42)

यज्ञवाटमचिंत्यात्मा गतस्तत्र पितामहः। धनाढ्यैर्ऋत्विजैः पूर्णं सदस्यैः परिपालितम्

yajñavāṭamaciṁtyātmā gatastatra pitāmahaḥ dhanāḍhyairṛtvijaiḥ pūrṇaṁ sadasyaiḥ paripālitam

the Grandsire, of inconceivable nature, went to the sacrificial enclosure, filled with wealthy officiating priests and guarded by the assembly-members.

Verse 43 (padma.1.18.43)

गृहीतचापेन तदा विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना। दैत्यदानवराजानो राक्षसानां गणाः स्थिताः

gṛhītacāpena tadā viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā daityadānavarājāno rākṣasānāṁ gaṇāḥ sthitāḥ

Then, as the mighty Vishnu took up his bow, the kings of the Daityas and Danavas, and the hosts of Rakshasas, standing there,

Verse 44 (padma.1.18.44)

आत्मानमात्मना चैव चिंतयामास वै द्रुतं। चिंतयित्वा यथातत्वं यज्ञं यज्ञः सनातनः

ātmānamātmanā caiva ciṁtayāmāsa vai drutaṁ ciṁtayitvā yathātatvaṁ yajñaṁ yajñaḥ sanātanaḥ

quickly began to reflect, each within himself. Having reflected on the truth of the matter, that eternal, sacrifice-embodied Lord

Verse 45 (padma.1.18.45)

वरणं तत्र भगवान्कारयामास ऋत्विजाम्। भृग्वाद्या ऋत्विजश्चापि यज्ञकर्मविचक्षणाः

varaṇaṁ tatra bhagavānkārayāmāsa ṛtvijām bhṛgvādyā ṛtvijaścāpi yajñakarmavicakṣaṇāḥ

there had the selection of the officiating priests made. Bhrigu and the other priests, skilled in the rites of sacrifice,

Verse 46 (padma.1.18.46)

चक्रुर्बह्वृचमुख्यैश्च प्रोक्तं पुण्यं यदक्षरं। शुश्रुवुस्ते मुनिश्रेष्ठा वितते तत्र कर्मणि

cakrurbahvṛcamukhyaiśca proktaṁ puṇyaṁ yadakṣaraṁ śuśruvuste muniśreṣṭhā vitate tatra karmaṇi

together with the chief reciters of the Rig hymns, began uttering the proclaimed, sacred, imperishable syllables; the finest sages listened as that rite unfolded there.

Verse 47 (padma.1.18.47)

यज्ञविद्या वेदविद्या पदक्रमविदां तथा। घोषेण परमर्षीणां सा बभूव निनादिना

yajñavidyā vedavidyā padakramavidāṁ tathā ghoṣeṇa paramarṣīṇāṁ sā babhūva ninādinā

The knowledge of the sacrifice, the knowledge of the Vedas, and of those learned in the word-sequence too, resounded there with the echoing recitation of the great sages.

Verse 48 (padma.1.18.48)

यज्ञसंस्तरविद्भिश्च शिक्षाविद्भिस्तथा द्विजैः। शब्दनिर्वचनार्थज्ञैः सर्वविद्याविशारदैः

yajñasaṁstaravidbhiśca śikṣāvidbhistathā dvijaiḥ śabdanirvacanārthajñaiḥ sarvavidyāviśāradaiḥ

By Brahmins learned in the sacrificial arrangement and in the science of phonetics, who knew the meaning of words and their etymology, skilled in every branch of knowledge,

Verse 49 (padma.1.18.49)

मीमांसा हेतुवाक्यज्ञैः कृता नानाविधा मुखे। तत्र तत्र च राजेंद्र नियतान्संशितव्रतान्

mīmāṁsā hetuvākyajñaiḥ kṛtā nānāvidhā mukhe tatra tatra ca rājeṁdra niyatānsaṁśitavratān

and by those who knew the arguments of logic, Mimamsa was expounded there in various ways. O Indra among kings, and here and there,

Verse 50 (padma.1.18.50)

जपहोमपरान्मुख्यान्ददृशुस्तत्रवै द्विजान्। यज्ञभूमौ स्थितस्तस्यां ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः

japahomaparānmukhyāndadṛśustatravai dvijān yajñabhūmau sthitastasyāṁ brahmā lokapitāmahaḥ

they saw disciplined Brahmins of severe vows there, devoted chiefly to recitation and fire-offering. Brahma, the grandfather of the worlds, remained present upon that sacrificial ground,

Verse 51 (padma.1.18.51)

सुरासुरगुरुः श्रीमान्सेव्यमानः सुरासुरैः। उपासते च तत्रैनं प्रजानां पतयः प्रभुं

surāsuraguruḥ śrīmānsevyamānaḥ surāsuraiḥ upāsate ca tatrainaṁ prajānāṁ patayaḥ prabhuṁ

The guru of both gods and asuras, glorious, served by both — the lords of creatures too attended there upon that mighty Lord.

Verse 52 (padma.1.18.52)

दक्षो वसिष्ठः पुलहो मरीचिश्च द्विजोत्तमः। अंगिरा भृगुरत्रिश्च गौतमो नारदस्तथा

dakṣo vasiṣṭhaḥ pulaho marīciśca dvijottamaḥ aṁgirā bhṛguratriśca gautamo nāradastathā

Daksha, Vasishtha, Pulaha, and Marichi, finest of the twice-born; Angiras, Bhrigu, Atri, Gautama, and Narada likewise,

Verse 53 (padma.1.18.53)

विद्यामानमंतरिक्षं वायुस्तेजो जलं मही। शब्दः स्पर्शश्च रूपं च रसो गंधस्तथैव च

vidyāmānamaṁtarikṣaṁ vāyustejo jalaṁ mahī śabdaḥ sparśaśca rūpaṁ ca raso gaṁdhastathaiva ca

the manifest sky, air, fire, water, and earth; sound, touch, form, taste, and smell too,

Verse 54 (padma.1.18.54)

विकृतश्च विकारश्च यच्चान्यत्कारणं महत्। ऋग्यजुः सामाथर्वाख्या वेदाश्चत्वार एव च

vikṛtaśca vikāraśca yaccānyatkāraṇaṁ mahat ṛgyajuḥ sāmātharvākhyā vedāścatvāra eva ca

the modification and its cause, and whatever other great causal principle exists; the four Vedas called Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva,

Verse 55 (padma.1.18.55)

शब्दः शिक्षा निरुक्तं च कल्पश्च्छंदः समन्विताः। आयुर्वेद धनुर्वेदौ मीमांसा गणितं तथा

śabdaḥ śikṣā niruktaṁ ca kalpaścchaṁdaḥ samanvitāḥ āyurveda dhanurvedau mīmāṁsā gaṇitaṁ tathā

phonetics, etymology, ritual science, and meter together; Ayurveda and Dhanurveda, Mimamsa and mathematics too,

Verse 56 (padma.1.18.56)

हस्त्यश्वज्ञानसहिता इतिहाससमन्विताः। एतैरंगैरुपांगैश्च वेदाः सर्वे विभूषिताः

hastyaśvajñānasahitā itihāsasamanvitāḥ etairaṁgairupāṁgaiśca vedāḥ sarve vibhūṣitāḥ

together with the knowledge of elephants and horses, and accompanied by the histories — with these limbs and sub-limbs all the Vedas are adorned;

Verse 57 (padma.1.18.57)

उपासते महात्मानं सहोंकारं पितामहं। तपश्च क्रतवश्चैव संकल्पः प्राण एव च

upāsate mahātmānaṁ sahoṁkāraṁ pitāmahaṁ tapaśca kratavaścaiva saṁkalpaḥ prāṇa eva ca

together with the syllable Om, they worshipped that great-souled Grandsire; austerity, the rites of sacrifice, resolve, and the vital breath too —

Verse 58 (padma.1.18.58)

एते चान्ये च बहवः पितामहमुपस्थिताः। अर्थो धर्मश्च कामश्च द्वेषो हर्षश्च सर्वदा

ete cānye ca bahavaḥ pitāmahamupasthitāḥ artho dharmaśca kāmaśca dveṣo harṣaśca sarvadā

these and many others attended upon the Grandsire; wealth, righteousness, desire, hatred, and joy always,

Verse 59 (padma.1.18.59)

शुक्रो बृहस्पतिश्चैव संवर्तो बुध एव च। शनैश्चरश्च राहुश्च ग्रहाः सर्वे तथैव च

śukro bṛhaspatiścaiva saṁvarto budha eva ca śanaiścaraśca rāhuśca grahāḥ sarve tathaiva ca

Shukra and Brihaspati, Samvarta and Budha too; Shanaishchara, Rahu, and all the planets likewise,

Verse 60 (padma.1.18.60)

मरुतो विश्वकर्मा च पितरश्चापि भारत। दिवाकरश्च सोमश्च ब्रह्माणं पर्युपासते

maruto viśvakarmā ca pitaraścāpi bhārata divākaraśca somaśca brahmāṇaṁ paryupāsate

the Maruts, Vishvakarma, and the ancestral spirits too, O Bharata; the sun and the moon — all attended upon Brahma.

Verse 61 (padma.1.18.61)

गायत्री दुर्गतरणी वाणी सप्तविधा तथा। अक्षराणि च सर्वाणि नक्षत्राणि तथैव च

gāyatrī durgataraṇī vāṇī saptavidhā tathā akṣarāṇi ca sarvāṇi nakṣatrāṇi tathaiva ca

Gayatri, the ferry across misfortune, Speech in her sevenfold form, all the syllables, and the constellations likewise,

Verse 62 (padma.1.18.62)

भाष्याणि सर्वशास्त्राणि देहवंति विशांपते। क्षणा लवा मुहूर्ताश्च दिनं रात्रिस्तथैव च

bhāṣyāṇi sarvaśāstrāṇi dehavaṁti viśāṁpate kṣaṇā lavā muhūrtāśca dinaṁ rātristathaiva ca

the commentaries and all the treatises, taking on bodily form, O protector of the people! Moments, instants, muhurtas, day and night likewise,

Verse 63 (padma.1.18.63)

अर्द्धमासाश्च मासाश्च क्रतवः सर्व एव च। उपासते महात्मानं ब्रह्माणं दैवतैः सह

arddhamāsāśca māsāśca kratavaḥ sarva eva ca upāsate mahātmānaṁ brahmāṇaṁ daivataiḥ saha

fortnights, months, and all the sacrificial rites — all attended, together with the gods, upon the great-souled Brahma.

Verse 64 (padma.1.18.64)

अन्याश्च देव्यः प्रवरा ह्रीः कीर्तिर्द्युतिरेव च। प्रभा धृतिः क्षमा भूतिर्नीतिर्विद्या मतिस्तथा

anyāśca devyaḥ pravarā hrīḥ kīrtirdyutireva ca prabhā dhṛtiḥ kṣamā bhūtirnītirvidyā matistathā

And other excellent goddesses — Hri, Kirti, Dyuti; Prabha, Dhriti, Kshama, Bhuti, Niti, Vidya, and Mati too,

Verse 65 (padma.1.18.65)

श्रुतिः स्मृतिस्तथा क्षांतिः शांतिः पुष्टिस्तथा क्रिया। सर्वाश्चाप्सरसो दिव्या नृत्यगीतविशारदाः

śrutiḥ smṛtistathā kṣāṁtiḥ śāṁtiḥ puṣṭistathā kriyā sarvāścāpsaraso divyā nṛtyagītaviśāradāḥ

Shruti and Smriti, likewise Kshanti, Shanti, Pushti, and Kriya; and all the celestial Apsaras, skilled in dance and song,

Verse 66 (padma.1.18.66)

उपतिष्ठंति ब्रह्माणं सर्वास्ता देवमातरः। विप्रचित्तिः शिविः शंकुरयःशंकुस्तथैव च

upatiṣṭhaṁti brahmāṇaṁ sarvāstā devamātaraḥ vipracittiḥ śiviḥ śaṁkurayaḥśaṁkustathaiva ca

all attended upon Brahma together with the Mother-goddesses. Vipracitti, Shivi, Shanku, and Ayahshanku too,

Verse 67 (padma.1.18.67)

वेगवान्केतुमानुग्रः सोग्रो व्यग्रो महासुरः। परिघः पुष्करश्चैव सांबोश्वपतिरेव च

vegavānketumānugraḥ sogro vyagro mahāsuraḥ parighaḥ puṣkaraścaiva sāṁbośvapatireva ca

Vegavan, Ketuman, Ugra, Sogra, and the great Asura Vyagra; Parigha, Pushkara, and Samba and Ashvapati too,

Verse 68 (padma.1.18.68)

प्रह्लादोथ बलि कुंभः संह्रादो गगनप्रियः। अनुह्रादो हरिहरौ वराहश्च कुशो रजः

prahlādotha bali kuṁbhaḥ saṁhrādo gaganapriyaḥ anuhrādo hariharau varāhaśca kuśo rajaḥ

Prahlada, then Bali, Kumbha, Samhrada, Gaganapriya, Anuhrada, Hari and Hara, Varaha, Kusha, Raja,

Verse 69 (padma.1.18.69)

योनिभक्षो वृषपर्वा लिंगभक्षोथ वै कुरुः। निःप्रभः सप्रभः श्रीमांस्तथैव च निरूदरः

yonibhakṣo vṛṣaparvā liṁgabhakṣotha vai kuruḥ niḥprabhaḥ saprabhaḥ śrīmāṁstathaiva ca nirūdaraḥ

Yonibhaksha, Vrishaparvan, Lingabhaksha, then Kuru, Nihprabha, Saprabha, the glorious one, and likewise Nirudara,

Verse 70 (padma.1.18.70)

एकचक्रो महाचक्रो द्विचक्रः कुलसंभवः। शरभः शलभश्चैव क्रपथः क्रापथः क्रथः

ekacakro mahācakro dvicakraḥ kulasaṁbhavaḥ śarabhaḥ śalabhaścaiva krapathaḥ krāpathaḥ krathaḥ

Ekachakra, Mahachakra, Dvichakra, Kulasambhava; Sharabha, Shalabha, and Krapatha, Krapatha, Kratha,

Verse 71 (padma.1.18.71)

बृहद्वांतिर्महाजिह्वः शंकुकर्णो महाध्वनिः। दीर्घजिह्वोर्कनयनो मृडकायो मृडप्रियः

bṛhadvāṁtirmahājihvaḥ śaṁkukarṇo mahādhvaniḥ dīrghajihvorkanayano mṛḍakāyo mṛḍapriyaḥ

Brihadvanti, Mahajihva, Shankukarna, Mahadhvani; Dirghajihva, Arkanayana, Mridakaya, Mridapriya,

Verse 72 (padma.1.18.72)

वायुर्गरिष्ठो नमुचिश्शम्बरो विज्वरो विभुः। विष्वक्सेनश्चंद्रहर्ता क्रोधवर्द्धन एव च

vāyurgariṣṭho namuciśśambaro vijvaro vibhuḥ viṣvaksenaścaṁdrahartā krodhavarddhana eva ca

Vayu, Garishtha, Namuchi, Shambara, Vijvara, Vibhu; Vishvaksena, Chandrahartri, and Krodhavardhana too,

Verse 73 (padma.1.18.73)

कालकः कलकांतश्च कुंडदः समरप्रियः। गरिष्ठश्च वरिष्ठश्च प्रलंबो नरकः पृथुः

kālakaḥ kalakāṁtaśca kuṁḍadaḥ samarapriyaḥ gariṣṭhaśca variṣṭhaśca pralaṁbo narakaḥ pṛthuḥ

Kalaka, Kalakanta, Kundada, Samarapriya; Garishtha and Varishtha, Pralamba, Naraka, Prithu,

Verse 74 (padma.1.18.74)

इंद्रतापन वातापी केतुमान्बलदर्पितः। असिलोमा सुलोमा च बाष्कलि प्रमदो मदः

iṁdratāpana vātāpī ketumānbaladarpitaḥ asilomā sulomā ca bāṣkali pramado madaḥ

Indratapana, Vatapi, Ketuman, Baladarpita; Asiloma, Suloma, Bashkali, Pramada, Mada,

Verse 75 (padma.1.18.75)

सृगालवदनश्चैव केशी च शरदस्तथा। एकाक्षश्चैव राहुश्च वृत्रः क्रोधविमोक्षणः

sṛgālavadanaścaiva keśī ca śaradastathā ekākṣaścaiva rāhuśca vṛtraḥ krodhavimokṣaṇaḥ

Srigalavadana, and Keshi, and Sharada too; Ekaksha, and Rahu, Vritra, Krodhavimochana,

Verse 76 (padma.1.18.76)

एते चान्ये च बहवो दानवा बलवर्द्धनाः। ब्रह्माणं पर्युपासंत वाक्यं चेदमथोचिरे

ete cānye ca bahavo dānavā balavarddhanāḥ brahmāṇaṁ paryupāsaṁta vākyaṁ cedamathocire

These and many other Danavas, augmenters of strength, waited upon Brahma there, and they spoke this word:

Verse 77 (padma.1.18.77)

त्वया सृष्टाः स्म भगवंस्त्रैलोक्यं भवता हि नः। दत्तं सुरवरश्रेष्ठ देवेभ्यधिकाः कृताः

tvayā sṛṣṭāḥ sma bhagavaṁstrailokyaṁ bhavatā hi naḥ dattaṁ suravaraśreṣṭha devebhyadhikāḥ kṛtāḥ

'We were created by you, O Lord; the three worlds have been given to us by you, O finest of gods — we have been made superior even to the gods.

Verse 78 (padma.1.18.78)

भगवन्निह किं कुर्मो यज्ञे तव पितामह। यद्धितं तद्वदास्माकं समर्थाः कार्यनिर्णये

bhagavanniha kiṁ kurmo yajñe tava pitāmaha yaddhitaṁ tadvadāsmākaṁ samarthāḥ kāryanirṇaye

O Lord, O Grandsire, what shall we do here at your sacrifice? Tell us what would be beneficial to us — we are capable in deciding what must be done.

Verse 79 (padma.1.18.79)

किमेभिस्ते वराकैश्च अदितेर्गर्भसंभवैः। दैवतैर्निहतैः सर्वैः पराभूतैश्च सर्वदा

kimebhiste varākaiśca aditergarbhasaṁbhavaiḥ daivatairnihataiḥ sarvaiḥ parābhūtaiśca sarvadā

What use are these pitiable gods, born from Aditi's womb, who have always been defeated and overcome?

Verse 80 (padma.1.18.80)

पितामहोसि सर्वेषामस्माकं दैवतैः सह। तव यज्ञसमाप्तौ च पुनरस्मासु दैवतैः

pitāmahosi sarveṣāmasmākaṁ daivataiḥ saha tava yajñasamāptau ca punarasmāsu daivataiḥ

You are the grandfather of us all, together with the gods. At the completion of your sacrifice, once again between us and the gods,

Verse 81 (padma.1.18.81)

श्रियं प्रति विरोधश्च भविष्यति न संशयः। इदानीं प्रेक्षणं कुर्मः सहिताः सर्वदानवैः

śriyaṁ prati virodhaśca bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ idānīṁ prekṣaṇaṁ kurmaḥ sahitāḥ sarvadānavaiḥ

there shall be conflict over sovereignty — of this there is no doubt. For now let us all Danavas together simply watch.'

Verse 82 (padma.1.18.82)

पुलस्त्य उवाच। सगर्वं तु वचस्तेषां श्रुत्वा देवो जनार्दनः। शक्रेण सहितः शंभुमिदमाह महायशाः

pulastya uvāca sagarvaṁ tu vacasteṣāṁ śrutvā devo janārdanaḥ śakreṇa sahitaḥ śaṁbhumidamāha mahāyaśāḥ

Pulastya said: Having heard this arrogant speech of theirs, the god Janardana, together with Shakra, said this to Shambhu of great renown —

Verse 83 (padma.1.18.83)

विघ्नं प्रकर्तुं वै रुद्र आयाता दनुपुंगवाः। ब्रह्मणामंत्रिताश्चेह विघ्नार्थं प्रयतंति ते

vighnaṁ prakartuṁ vai rudra āyātā danupuṁgavāḥ brahmaṇāmaṁtritāśceha vighnārthaṁ prayataṁti te

'O Rudra, the foremost sons of Danu have come here to create obstruction. Though invited by Brahma, they now strive here to cause hindrance.

Verse 84 (padma.1.18.84)

अस्माभिस्तु क्षमाकार्या यावद्यज्ञः समाप्यते। समाप्ते तु क्रतावस्मिन्युद्धं कार्यं दिवौकसां

asmābhistu kṣamākāryā yāvadyajñaḥ samāpyate samāpte tu kratāvasminyuddhaṁ kāryaṁ divaukasāṁ

We should remain patient until the sacrifice is completed. Once this rite has ended, the dwellers of heaven will have to wage war.

Verse 85 (padma.1.18.85)

यथानिर्दानवा भूमिस्तथा कार्यं त्वया विभो। जयार्थं चेह शक्रस्य भवता च मया सह

yathānirdānavā bhūmistathā kāryaṁ tvayā vibho jayārthaṁ ceha śakrasya bhavatā ca mayā saha

Just as the earth was once freed of Danavas, so must it be done again by you, O mighty one. For Shakra's victory here, it shall be accomplished by you together with me.

Verse 86 (padma.1.18.86)

द्विजानां परिवेष्टारो मरुतः परिकल्पिताः। दानवानां धनं यच्च गृहीत्वा तद्यजामहे

dvijānāṁ pariveṣṭāro marutaḥ parikalpitāḥ dānavānāṁ dhanaṁ yacca gṛhītvā tadyajāmahe

The Maruts have been appointed as attendants to the Brahmins. Whatever wealth belongs to the Danavas, we shall take it and perform the sacrifice with it.

Verse 87 (padma.1.18.87)

अत्रागतेषु विप्रेषु दुःखितेषु जनेष्विह। व्ययं तस्य करिष्यामो दासभावे निवेशिताः

atrāgateṣu vipreṣu duḥkhiteṣu janeṣviha vyayaṁ tasya kariṣyāmo dāsabhāve niveśitāḥ

For the suffering Brahmins and people gathered here, we shall spend that wealth, having reduced them, the Danavas, to servitude.'

Verse 88 (padma.1.18.88)

वदंतमेवं तं विष्णुं ब्रह्मा वचनमब्रवीत्। एते दनुसुताः क्रुद्धा युष्माकं कोपनेप्सिताः

vadaṁtamevaṁ taṁ viṣṇuṁ brahmā vacanamabravīt ete danusutāḥ kruddhā yuṣmākaṁ kopanepsitāḥ

As Vishnu spoke thus, Brahma said this word to him: 'These sons of Danu are enraged, wishing to provoke your anger.

Verse 89 (padma.1.18.89)

भवता च क्षमा कार्या रुद्रेण सह दैवतैः। कृते युगावसाने तु समाप्तिं चक्रतौ गते

bhavatā ca kṣamā kāryā rudreṇa saha daivataiḥ kṛte yugāvasāne tu samāptiṁ cakratau gate

You, together with Rudra and the gods, should remain patient. When the age comes to its end, once the sacrifice reaches completion,

Verse 90 (padma.1.18.90)

मया च प्रेषिता यूयमेते च दनुपुंगवाः। संधिर्वा विग्रहो वापि सर्वैः कार्यस्तदैव हि

mayā ca preṣitā yūyamete ca danupuṁgavāḥ saṁdhirvā vigraho vāpi sarvaiḥ kāryastadaiva hi

you, sent by me, and these foremost of Danu's line — whether it be peace or war, that shall be decided by all at that very time.'

Verse 91 (padma.1.18.91)

पुलस्त्य उवाच। पुनस्तान्दानवान्ब्रह्मा वाक्यमाह स्वयंप्रभुः। दानवैर्न विरोधोत्र यज्ञे मम कथंचन

pulastya uvāca punastāndānavānbrahmā vākyamāha svayaṁprabhuḥ dānavairna virodhotra yajñe mama kathaṁcana

Pulastya said: Then Brahma, the self-luminous Lord, spoke this word again to those Danavas: 'There is no conflict whatsoever here with the Danavas at my sacrifice.

Verse 92 (padma.1.18.92)

मैत्रभावस्थिता यूयमस्मत्कार्ये च नित्यशः। दानवा ऊचुः। सर्वमेतत्करिष्यामः शासनं ते पितामह

maitrabhāvasthitā yūyamasmatkārye ca nityaśaḥ dānavā ūcuḥ sarvametatkariṣyāmaḥ śāsanaṁ te pitāmaha

You should remain always in a spirit of friendship in our undertaking.' The Danavas said: 'We shall do all this, O Grandsire — this is your command.

Verse 93 (padma.1.18.93)

अस्माकमनुजा देवा भयं तेषां न विद्यते। पुलस्त्य उवाच। एतच्छुत्वा तदा तेषां परितुष्टः पितामहः

asmākamanujā devā bhayaṁ teṣāṁ na vidyate pulastya uvāca etacchutvā tadā teṣāṁ parituṣṭaḥ pitāmahaḥ

The gods are our younger brothers; we have no fear of them.' Pulastya said: Hearing this, the Grandsire became pleased with them.

Verse 94 (padma.1.18.94)

मुहूर्तं तिष्ठतां तेषामृषिकोटिरुपागता। श्रुत्वा पैतामहं यज्ञं तेषां पूजां तु केशवः

muhūrtaṁ tiṣṭhatāṁ teṣāmṛṣikoṭirupāgatā śrutvā paitāmahaṁ yajñaṁ teṣāṁ pūjāṁ tu keśavaḥ

As they waited for a moment, a crore of sages arrived there. Having heard of the Grandsire's sacrifice, Keshava honored them,

Verse 95 (padma.1.18.95)

आसनानि ददौ तेषां तदा देवः पिनाकधृत्। वसिष्ठोर्घं ददौ तेषां ब्रह्मणा परिचोदितः

āsanāni dadau teṣāṁ tadā devaḥ pinākadhṛt vasiṣṭhorghaṁ dadau teṣāṁ brahmaṇā paricoditaḥ

and the god who bears the Pinaka then gave them seats. Vasishtha, urged on by Brahma, offered them the water of honor.

Verse 96 (padma.1.18.96)

गामर्घं च ततो दत्वा पृष्ट्वा कुशलमव्ययम्। निवेशं पुष्करे दत्वा स्थीयतामिति चाब्रवीत्

gāmarghaṁ ca tato datvā pṛṣṭvā kuśalamavyayam niveśaṁ puṣkare datvā sthīyatāmiti cābravīt

Then, having given the cow of honor, and asking after their welfare, and assigning them lodging at Pushkara, he said, 'Please stay here.'

Verse 97 (padma.1.18.97)

ततस्ते ऋषयः सर्वे जटाजिनधरास्तथा। शोभयंतः सरःश्रेष्ठं गङ्गामिव दिवौकसः

tataste ṛṣayaḥ sarve jaṭājinadharāstathā śobhayaṁtaḥ saraḥśreṣṭhaṁ gaṅgāmiva divaukasaḥ

Then all those sages, bearing matted locks and deerskins, adorned that finest of lakes just as the dwellers of heaven adorn the Ganga,

Verse 98 (padma.1.18.98)

मुंडाः काषायिणश्चैके दीर्घश्मश्रुधराः परे। विरलैर्दशनैः केचिच्चिपिटाक्षास्तथा परे

muṁḍāḥ kāṣāyiṇaścaike dīrghaśmaśrudharāḥ pare viralairdaśanaiḥ keciccipiṭākṣāstathā pare

some shaven-headed and clad in ochre, others bearing long beards; some with sparse teeth, and others with flattened eyes,

Verse 99 (padma.1.18.99)

बृहत्तनूदराः केपि केकराक्षास्तथापरे। दीर्घकर्णा विकर्णाश्च कर्णैश्च त्रुटितास्तथा

bṛhattanūdarāḥ kepi kekarākṣāstathāpare dīrghakarṇā vikarṇāśca karṇaiśca truṭitāstathā

some with large bodies and bellies, and others with squinting eyes; some with long ears, some with cropped ears, and some with torn ears,

Verse 100 (padma.1.18.100)

दीर्घफाला विफालाश्च स्नायुचर्मावगुंठिताः। निर्गतं चोदरं तेषां मुनीनां भावितात्मनां

dīrghaphālā viphālāśca snāyucarmāvaguṁṭhitāḥ nirgataṁ codaraṁ teṣāṁ munīnāṁ bhāvitātmanāṁ

some broad-browed, some without, their bodies wrapped in sinew and hide — the bellies of these sages of purified soul had sunk in from their austerities,

Verse 101 (padma.1.18.101)

दृष्ट्वा तु पुष्करं तीर्थं दीप्यमानं समंततः। तीर्थलोभान्नरव्याघ्र तस्य तीरे व्यवस्थिताः

dṛṣṭvā tu puṣkaraṁ tīrthaṁ dīpyamānaṁ samaṁtataḥ tīrthalobhānnaravyāghra tasya tīre vyavasthitāḥ

Seeing the sacred ford of Pushkara blazing on every side, out of longing for that sacred place, O tiger among men, they settled upon its shore —

Verse 102 (padma.1.18.102)

वालखिल्या महात्मानो ह्यश्मकुट्टास्तथापरे। दंतोलूखलिनश्चान्ये संप्रक्षालास्तथापरे

vālakhilyā mahātmāno hyaśmakuṭṭāstathāpare daṁtolūkhalinaścānye saṁprakṣālāstathāpare

the great-souled Valakhilyas, and others who pounded their food with stone, those who ground it with their teeth like a mortar, and others devoted to thorough purification,

Verse 103 (padma.1.18.103)

वायुभक्षा जलाहाराः पर्णाहारास्तथापरे। नाना नियमयुक्ताश्च तथा स्थंडिलशायिनः

vāyubhakṣā jalāhārāḥ parṇāhārāstathāpare nānā niyamayuktāśca tathā sthaṁḍilaśāyinaḥ

those who lived on air, those who took only water for food, and others who lived on leaves; bound by various vows, and those who slept upon the bare ground,

Verse 104 (padma.1.18.104)

सरस्यस्मिन्मुखं दृष्ट्वा सुरूपास्याः क्षणादभुः। किमेतदिति चिंत्याथ निरीक्ष्य च परस्परम्

sarasyasminmukhaṁ dṛṣṭvā surūpāsyāḥ kṣaṇādabhuḥ kimetaditi ciṁtyātha nirīkṣya ca parasparam

seeing their own faces in that lake, they instantly became beautiful of face. Wondering, 'What is this?' and looking at one another,

Verse 105 (padma.1.18.105)

अस्मिंस्तीर्थे दर्शनेन मुखस्येह सुरूपता। मुखदर्शनमित्येव नाम कृत्वा तु तापसाः

asmiṁstīrthe darśanena mukhasyeha surūpatā mukhadarśanamityeva nāma kṛtvā tu tāpasāḥ

'By the mere sight of oneself at this ford, the face becomes beautiful here' — recognizing this, the ascetics gave it the name 'Mukhadarshana,' Face-Seeing.

Verse 106 (padma.1.18.106)

स्नाता नियमयुक्ताश्च सुरूपास्ते तदाभवन्। देवपुत्रोपमा जाता अनौपम्य गुणान्विताः

snātā niyamayuktāśca surūpāste tadābhavan devaputropamā jātā anaupamya guṇānvitāḥ

Having bathed, and observing their vows, they then became beautiful; they became like the sons of gods, endowed with incomparable qualities,

Verse 107 (padma.1.18.107)

शोभमाना नरश्रेष्ठ स्थिताः सर्वे वनौकसः। यज्ञोपवीतमात्रेण व्यभजंस्तीर्थमंजसा

śobhamānā naraśreṣṭha sthitāḥ sarve vanaukasaḥ yajñopavītamātreṇa vyabhajaṁstīrthamaṁjasā

O finest of men, shining, all those forest-dwellers remained there. By merely wearing the sacred thread, they duly obtained their share of that sacred place.

Verse 108 (padma.1.18.108)

जुह्वतश्चाग्निहोत्राणि चक्रुश्च विविधाः क्रियाः। चिंतयंतो हि राजेंद्र तपसा दग्धकिल्बिषाः

juhvataścāgnihotrāṇi cakruśca vividhāḥ kriyāḥ ciṁtayaṁto hi rājeṁdra tapasā dagdhakilbiṣāḥ

Offering oblations in the fire, they performed various rites, reflecting, O Indra among kings, that their sins had been burned away by austerity —

Verse 109 (padma.1.18.109)

न यास्यामो परं तीर्थं ज्येष्ठभावेत्विदं सरः। ज्येष्ठपुष्करमित्येव नाम चक्रुर्द्विजातयः

na yāsyāmo paraṁ tīrthaṁ jyeṣṭhabhāvetvidaṁ saraḥ jyeṣṭhapuṣkaramityeva nāma cakrurdvijātayaḥ

'We shall go to no other sacred ford; because of its seniority, this very lake is supreme' — thus the twice-born named it 'Jyeshtha Pushkara.'

Verse 110 (padma.1.18.110)

तत्र कुब्जान्बहून्दृष्ट्वा स्थितांस्तीर्थसमीपतः। बभूवुर्विस्मितास्तत्र जना ये च समागताः

tatra kubjānbahūndṛṣṭvā sthitāṁstīrthasamīpataḥ babhūvurvismitāstatra janā ye ca samāgatāḥ

Seeing many hunchbacked people standing there near the sacred ford, all the people who had gathered were struck with astonishment.

Verse 111 (padma.1.18.111)

दत्वा दानं द्विजातिभ्यो भांडानि विविधानि च। श्रुत्वा सरस्वतीं प्राचीं स्नातुकामा द्विजागताः

datvā dānaṁ dvijātibhyo bhāṁḍāni vividhāni ca śrutvā sarasvatīṁ prācīṁ snātukāmā dvijāgatāḥ

Having given gifts and various vessels to the Brahmins, and hearing of the eastward-flowing Sarasvati, the twice-born came there wishing to bathe.

Verse 112 (padma.1.18.112)

सरस्वतीतीर्थवरा नानाद्विजगणैर्युता। बदरेंगुदकाश्मर्य प्लक्षाश्वत्थविभीतकैः

sarasvatītīrthavarā nānādvijagaṇairyutā badareṁgudakāśmarya plakṣāśvatthavibhītakaiḥ

That excellent sacred ford of Sarasvati, thronged with various groups of Brahmins, adorned with jujube, ingudi, ashmarya, plaksha, ashvattha, and vibhitaka trees,

Verse 113 (padma.1.18.113)

पौलोमैश्च पलाशैश्च करीरैः पीलुभिस्तथा। सरस्वतीतीर्थरुहैर्धन्वनैः स्यंदनैस्तथा

paulomaiśca palāśaiśca karīraiḥ pīlubhistathā sarasvatītīrtharuhairdhanvanaiḥ syaṁdanaistathā

with pauloma and palasha trees, karira and pilu trees, and dhanvana and syandana trees native to Sarasvati's banks as well,

Verse 114 (padma.1.18.114)

कपित्थैः करवीरैश्च बिल्वैराम्लातकैस्तथा। अतिमुक्तकपंडैश्च पारिजातैश्च शोभिता

kapitthaiḥ karavīraiśca bilvairāmlātakaistathā atimuktakapaṁḍaiśca pārijātaiśca śobhitā

adorned with kapittha and karavira trees, with bilva and amlataka trees, and with atimuktaka creepers and parijata trees,

Verse 115 (padma.1.18.115)

कदंबवनभूयिष्ठा सर्वसत्वमनोरमा। वाय्वंबुफलपर्णादैर्दंतोलूखलिकैरपि

kadaṁbavanabhūyiṣṭhā sarvasatvamanoramā vāyvaṁbuphalaparṇādairdaṁtolūkhalikairapi

abounding chiefly in kadamba groves, delightful to every creature; frequented by those who fed on air, water, fruit, and leaves, and by the tooth-grinding ascetics too,

Verse 116 (padma.1.18.116)

तथाश्मकुट्टमुख्यैश्च वरिष्ठैर्मुनिभिर्वृता। स्वाध्यायघोषसंघुष्टा मृगयूथशताकुला

tathāśmakuṭṭamukhyaiśca variṣṭhairmunibhirvṛtā svādhyāyaghoṣasaṁghuṣṭā mṛgayūthaśatākulā

and surrounded by the finest sages who pounded their food with stone; resounding with the sound of Vedic recitation, thronged with hundreds of herds of deer,

Verse 117 (padma.1.18.117)

अहिंसैर्धर्मपरमैस्तथा चातीव शोभिता। सुप्रभा कांचनाख्या च प्राची नंदा विशालका

ahiṁsairdharmaparamaistathā cātīva śobhitā suprabhā kāṁcanākhyā ca prācī naṁdā viśālakā

and, exceedingly beautiful with harmless creatures devoted to dharma — that Sarasvati, known by the names Suprabha, Kanchana, Prachi, Nanda, and Vishalaka,

Verse 118 (padma.1.18.118)

स्रोतोभिः पंचभिस्तत्र वर्तते पुष्करे नदी। पितामहस्य सदसि वर्त्तमाने महीतले

srotobhiḥ paṁcabhistatra vartate puṣkare nadī pitāmahasya sadasi varttamāne mahītale

flows at Pushkara in five streams. As the assembly of the Grandsire went on upon the surface of the earth,

Verse 119 (padma.1.18.119)

वितते यज्ञवाटे तु स्वागतेषु द्विजादिषु। पुण्याहघोषैर्विततैर्देवानां नियमैस्तथा

vitate yajñavāṭe tu svāgateṣu dvijādiṣu puṇyāhaghoṣairvitatairdevānāṁ niyamaistathā

in that vast sacrificial enclosure, with the Brahmins and others warmly received, with widespread auspicious-day recitations and the observances of the gods,

Verse 120 (padma.1.18.120)

देवेषु चैव व्यग्रेषु तस्मिन्यज्ञविधौ तथा। तत्र चैव महाराज दीक्षिते च पितामहे

deveṣu caiva vyagreṣu tasminyajñavidhau tathā tatra caiva mahārāja dīkṣite ca pitāmahe

and with the gods themselves busily engaged in that sacrificial rite, and there, O great king, with the Grandsire remaining consecrated,

Verse 121 (padma.1.18.121)

यजतस्तस्य सत्रेण सर्वकामसमृद्धिना। मनसा चिंतिता ह्यर्था धर्मार्थकुशलास्तथा

yajatastasya satreṇa sarvakāmasamṛddhinā manasā ciṁtitā hyarthā dharmārthakuśalāstathā

as he performed the sacrifice through that rite abundant in every desire, whatever purposes were conceived in the mind by those skilled in dharma and artha,

Verse 122 (padma.1.18.122)

उपतिष्ठंति राजेंद्र द्विजातींस्तत्र तत्र ह। जगुश्च देवगंधर्वा ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः

upatiṣṭhaṁti rājeṁdra dvijātīṁstatra tatra ha jaguśca devagaṁdharvā nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ

came to fulfilment for the Brahmins there and there, O Indra among kings. The divine Gandharvas sang, and the hosts of Apsaras danced,

Verse 123 (padma.1.18.123)

वादित्राणि च दिव्यानि वादयामासुरंजसा। तस्य यज्ञस्य संपत्या तुतुषुदेर्वता अपि

vāditrāṇi ca divyāni vādayāmāsuraṁjasā tasya yajñasya saṁpatyā tutuṣudervatā api

and they duly played divine instruments. At the success of that sacrifice, even the gods became satisfied,

Verse 124 (padma.1.18.124)

विस्मयं परमं जग्मुः किमु मानुषयोनयः। वर्तमाने तथा यज्ञे पुष्करस्थे पितामहे

vismayaṁ paramaṁ jagmuḥ kimu mānuṣayonayaḥ vartamāne tathā yajñe puṣkarasthe pitāmahe

and felt supreme wonder — how much more so, then, human beings! As the sacrifice thus went on, with the Grandsire present at Pushkara,

Verse 125 (padma.1.18.125)

अब्रुवन्नृषयो भीष्म तदा तुष्टास्सरस्वतीम्। सुप्रभां नाम राजेंद्र नाम्ना चैव सरस्वतीम्

abruvannṛṣayo bhīṣma tadā tuṣṭāssarasvatīm suprabhāṁ nāma rājeṁdra nāmnā caiva sarasvatīm

O Bhishma, the sages, then pleased, spoke to Sarasvati — O Indra among kings, called by the name Suprabha, and by the name Sarasvati as well —

Verse 126 (padma.1.18.126)

ते दृष्ट्वा मुनयः सर्वे वेगयुक्तां सरस्वतीम्। पितामहं भासयंतीं क्रतुं ते बहु मेनिरे

te dṛṣṭvā munayaḥ sarve vegayuktāṁ sarasvatīm pitāmahaṁ bhāsayaṁtīṁ kratuṁ te bahu menire

Seeing that swift-flowing Sarasvati, all the sages, who found her illuminating the Grandsire's sacrifice, held that rite in great esteem.

Verse 127 (padma.1.18.127)

एवमेषा सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा पुष्करेषु सरस्वती। पितामहार्थं सम्भूता तुष्ट्यर्थं च मनीषिणाम्

evameṣā saricchreṣṭhā puṣkareṣu sarasvatī pitāmahārthaṁ sambhūtā tuṣṭyarthaṁ ca manīṣiṇām

Thus this finest of rivers, Sarasvati, arose at Pushkara for the sake of the Grandsire and for the satisfaction of the wise.

Verse 128 (padma.1.18.128)

पुण्यस्य पुण्यताकारि पंचस्रोतास्सरस्वती। सुप्रभा नाम राजेंन्द्र नाम्ना चैव सरस्वती

puṇyasya puṇyatākāri paṁcasrotāssarasvatī suprabhā nāma rājeṁndra nāmnā caiva sarasvatī

Sarasvati, five-streamed, who sanctifies even that which is already holy — known by the name Suprabha, O Indra among kings, and by the name Sarasvati as well,

Verse 129 (padma.1.18.129)

यत्र ते मुनयश्शान्ता नानास्वाध्यायवादिनः। ते समागत्य ऋषयस्सस्मरुर्वै सरस्वतीम्

yatra te munayaśśāntā nānāsvādhyāyavādinaḥ te samāgatya ṛṣayassasmarurvai sarasvatīm

in the place where those peaceful sages, reciters of various Vedic texts, had gathered, those sages then called Sarasvati to mind there.

Verse 130 (padma.1.18.130)

साभिध्याता महाभागा ऋषिभिः सत्रयाजिभिः। समास्थिता दिशं पूर्वां भक्तिप्रीता महानदी

sābhidhyātā mahābhāgā ṛṣibhiḥ satrayājibhiḥ samāsthitā diśaṁ pūrvāṁ bhaktiprītā mahānadī

Meditated upon in this way by the greatly blessed sages performing the sacrifice, that great river, pleased by their devotion, turned to face the eastern direction.

Verse 131 (padma.1.18.131)

प्राची पूर्वावहा नाम्ना मुनिवंद्या सरस्वती। इदमन्यन्महाराज शृण्वाश्चर्यवरं भुवि

prācī pūrvāvahā nāmnā munivaṁdyā sarasvatī idamanyanmahārāja śṛṇvāścaryavaraṁ bhuvi

Sarasvati thus became known by the names 'Prachi' and 'Purvavaha,' worthy of veneration by the sages. Now, O great king, hear this other most wondrous event that occurred on earth —

Verse 132 (padma.1.18.132)

क्षतो मंकणको विप्रः कुशाग्रेणेति नः श्रुतम्। क्षतात्किल करे तस्य राजन्शाकरसोस्रवत्

kṣato maṁkaṇako vipraḥ kuśāgreṇeti naḥ śrutam kṣatātkila kare tasya rājanśākarasosravat

We have heard that the Brahmin Mankanaka was wounded by the tip of a blade of kusha grass. From that wound, O king, sap like that of a plant is said to have flowed from his hand.

Verse 133 (padma.1.18.133)

स वै शाकरसं दृष्ट्वा हर्षाविष्टः प्रनृत्तवान्। ततस्तस्मिन्प्रनृत्ते तु स्थावरं जंगमं च यत्

sa vai śākarasaṁ dṛṣṭvā harṣāviṣṭaḥ pranṛttavān tatastasminpranṛtte tu sthāvaraṁ jaṁgamaṁ ca yat

Seeing that sap, overcome with joy, he began to dance. Then, as he danced, whatever was fixed and whatever was moving,

Verse 134 (padma.1.18.134)

प्रानृत्यत जगत्सर्वं तेजसा तस्य मोहितम्। शक्रादिभिस्सुरै राजन्नृषिभिश्च तपोधनैः

prānṛtyata jagatsarvaṁ tejasā tasya mohitam śakrādibhissurai rājannṛṣibhiśca tapodhanaiḥ

the whole world, bewildered by his power, began to dance too. Then, O king, by Shakra and the other gods, and by the sages rich in austerity,

Verse 135 (padma.1.18.135)

विज्ञप्तस्तत्र वै ब्रह्मा नायं नृत्येत्तथा कुरु। आदिष्टो ब्रह्मणा रुद्र ऋषेरर्थे नराधिप

vijñaptastatra vai brahmā nāyaṁ nṛtyettathā kuru ādiṣṭo brahmaṇā rudra ṛṣerarthe narādhipa

Brahma was informed there: 'He must not be allowed to dance like this — do something.' Instructed by Brahma, Rudra, for the sake of that sage, O lord of men,

Verse 136 (padma.1.18.136)

नायं नृत्येद्यथा भीम तथा त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि। गत्वा रुद्रो मुनिं दृष्ट्वा हर्षाविष्टमतीव हि

nāyaṁ nṛtyedyathā bhīma tathā tvaṁ vaktumarhasi gatvā rudro muniṁ dṛṣṭvā harṣāviṣṭamatīva hi

'He must not be allowed to dance thus, O Terrible One' — it is fitting for you alone to say this. Rudra, going there and seeing the sage utterly overcome with joy,

Verse 137 (padma.1.18.137)

भो भो विप्रर्षभ त्वं हि नृत्यसे केन हेतुना। नृत्यमानेन भवता जगत्सर्वं च नृत्यति

bho bho viprarṣabha tvaṁ hi nṛtyase kena hetunā nṛtyamānena bhavatā jagatsarvaṁ ca nṛtyati

said: 'O finest of sages, for what reason are you dancing? By your dancing, this entire world dances too.'

Verse 138 (padma.1.18.138)

तेनायं वारितः प्राह नृत्यन्वै मुनिसत्तमः। मुनिरुवाच। किं न पश्यसि मे देव कराच्छाकरसोस्रवत्

tenāyaṁ vāritaḥ prāha nṛtyanvai munisattamaḥ muniruvāca kiṁ na paśyasi me deva karācchākarasosravat

Thus restrained by him, the finest of sages, still dancing, said — the sage said: 'O god, do you not see that sap has flowed from my hand?

Verse 139 (padma.1.18.139)

तं तु दृष्ट्वाप्र नृत्तोहं हर्षेण महतावृतः। तं प्रहस्याब्रवीद्देवो मुनिं रागेण मोहितम्

taṁ tu dṛṣṭvāpra nṛttohaṁ harṣeṇa mahatāvṛtaḥ taṁ prahasyābravīddevo muniṁ rāgeṇa mohitam

Seeing that, I began to dance, overcome with great joy.' Laughing at this, the god spoke to the sage, who was deluded by passion —

Verse 140 (padma.1.18.140)

अहं न विस्मयं विप्र गच्छामीह प्रपश्य मां। एवमुक्तो मुनिश्रेष्ठो महादेवेन कौरव

ahaṁ na vismayaṁ vipra gacchāmīha prapaśya māṁ evamukto muniśreṣṭho mahādevena kaurava

'I feel no wonder at this, O Brahmin — look at me!' Thus addressed by Mahadeva, O Kaurava, that finest of sages,

Verse 141 (padma.1.18.141)

ध्यायमानस्तदा कोयं प्रतिषिद्धोस्मि येन हि। अंगुल्यग्रेण राजेंद्र स्वांगुष्ठस्ताडितस्तथा

dhyāyamānastadā koyaṁ pratiṣiddhosmi yena hi aṁgulyagreṇa rājeṁdra svāṁguṣṭhastāḍitastathā

pondering, 'Who is this who has restrained me?' — then, O Indra among kings, with the tip of his finger he struck his own thumb,

Verse 142 (padma.1.18.142)

ततो भस्मक्षताद्राजन्निर्गतं हिमपांडुरं। तद्दृष्ट्वा व्रीडितश्चासौ प्राह तत्पादयोः पतन्

tato bhasmakṣatādrājannirgataṁ himapāṁḍuraṁ taddṛṣṭvā vrīḍitaścāsau prāha tatpādayoḥ patan

and then, O king, from that wound came out ash, white as snow. Seeing this, he, ashamed, fell at his feet and said —

Verse 143 (padma.1.18.143)

नान्यद्देवादहं मन्ये रुद्रात्परतरं महत्। चराचरस्य जगतो गतिस्त्वमसि शूलधृत्

nānyaddevādahaṁ manye rudrātparataraṁ mahat carācarasya jagato gatistvamasi śūladhṛt

'I know no other god greater than Rudra. You, O bearer of the trident, are the refuge of the whole world, moving and unmoving.

Verse 144 (padma.1.18.144)

त्वया सृष्टमिदं सर्वं वदंतीह मनीषिणः। त्वामेव सर्वं विशति पुनरेव युगक्षये

tvayā sṛṣṭamidaṁ sarvaṁ vadaṁtīha manīṣiṇaḥ tvāmeva sarvaṁ viśati punareva yugakṣaye

By you all this was created — so the wise declare here. At the end of the age, everything enters back into you alone.

Verse 145 (padma.1.18.145)

देवैरपि न शक्यस्त्वं परिज्ञातुं मया कुतः। त्वयि सर्वे च दृश्यन्ते सुरा ब्रह्मादयोपि ये

devairapi na śakyastvaṁ parijñātuṁ mayā kutaḥ tvayi sarve ca dṛśyante surā brahmādayopi ye

Even the gods cannot fully know you — how then could I? In you alone are seen all the gods, even Brahma and the rest.

Verse 146 (padma.1.18.146)

सर्वस्त्वमसि देवानां कर्ता कारयिता च यः। त्वत्प्रसादात्सुराः सर्वे भवंतीहाकुतोभयाः

sarvastvamasi devānāṁ kartā kārayitā ca yaḥ tvatprasādātsurāḥ sarve bhavaṁtīhākutobhayāḥ

You are everything of the gods — the doer and the one who causes doing. By your grace alone do all the gods here become free of fear.'

Verse 147 (padma.1.18.147)

एवं स्तुत्वा महादेवमृषिश्च प्रणतोब्रवीत्। भगवंस्त्वत्प्रसादेन तपो न क्षीयते त्विह

evaṁ stutvā mahādevamṛṣiśca praṇatobravīt bhagavaṁstvatprasādena tapo na kṣīyate tviha

Having thus praised Mahadeva, the sage, bowing, said: 'O Lord, by your grace, may my austerity never diminish here.'

Verse 148 (padma.1.18.148)

ततो देवः प्रीतमनास्तमृषिं पुनरब्रवीत्। तपस्ते वर्द्धतां विप्र मत्प्रसादात्सहस्रधा

tato devaḥ prītamanāstamṛṣiṁ punarabravīt tapaste varddhatāṁ vipra matprasādātsahasradhā

Then the god, his mind pleased, spoke again to that sage: 'O Brahmin, by my grace may your austerity increase a thousandfold.

Verse 149 (padma.1.18.149)

प्राचीमेवेह वत्स्यामि त्वया सार्द्धमहं सदा। सरस्वती महापुण्या क्षेत्रे चास्मिन्विशेषतः

prācīmeveha vatsyāmi tvayā sārddhamahaṁ sadā sarasvatī mahāpuṇyā kṣetre cāsminviśeṣataḥ

I shall dwell right here in the Prachi always together with you. This greatly holy Sarasvati, especially in this sacred field,

Verse 150 (padma.1.18.150)

न तस्य दुर्लर्भं किंचिदिह लोके परत्र च। सरस्वत्युत्तरे तीरे यस्त्यजेदात्मनस्तनुम्

na tasya durlarbhaṁ kiṁcidiha loke paratra ca sarasvatyuttare tīre yastyajedātmanastanum

for whoever gives up his body on the northern bank of the Sarasvati, nothing shall remain difficult to attain, in this world or the next.'

Verse 151 (padma.1.18.151)

प्राचीतटे जाप्यपरो न चेह म्रियते पुनः। आप्लुतो वाजिमेधस्य फलमाप्स्यति पुष्कलं

prācītaṭe jāpyaparo na ceha mriyate punaḥ āpluto vājimedhasya phalamāpsyati puṣkalaṁ

One devoted to recitation on the bank of the Prachi does not die again here. Having bathed there, one obtains the abundant fruit of a horse-sacrifice.

Verse 152 (padma.1.18.152)

नियमैश्चोपवासैश्च कर्शयन्देहमात्मनः। जलाहारो वायुभक्षः पर्णाहारश्च तापसः

niyamaiścopavāsaiśca karśayandehamātmanaḥ jalāhāro vāyubhakṣaḥ parṇāhāraśca tāpasaḥ

Through vows and fasts, emaciating his own body — the ascetic who takes only water for food, who feeds on air, who eats leaves,

Verse 153 (padma.1.18.153)

तथा स्थंडिलशायी च ये चान्ये नियमाः पृथक्। करोति यो द्विजश्रेष्ठो नियमांस्तान्व्रतानि च

tathā sthaṁḍilaśāyī ca ye cānye niyamāḥ pṛthak karoti yo dvijaśreṣṭho niyamāṁstānvratāni ca

and who sleeps upon bare ground, and whatever other separate observances there are — the finest of the twice-born who follows these observances and vows,

Verse 154 (padma.1.18.154)

स याति शुद्धदेहश्च ब्रह्मणः परमं पदं। तस्मिंस्तीर्थे तु यैर्दत्तं तिलमात्रं तु कांचनं

sa yāti śuddhadehaśca brahmaṇaḥ paramaṁ padaṁ tasmiṁstīrthe tu yairdattaṁ tilamātraṁ tu kāṁcanaṁ

with a purified body, attains Brahma's supreme abode. In that sacred ford, whoever has given even a sesame-seed's worth of gold,

Verse 155 (padma.1.18.155)

मेरुदानसमं तत्स्यात्पुरा प्राह प्रजापतिः। तस्मिंस्तीर्थे तु ये श्राद्धं करिष्यंति हि मानवाः

merudānasamaṁ tatsyātpurā prāha prajāpatiḥ tasmiṁstīrthe tu ye śrāddhaṁ kariṣyaṁti hi mānavāḥ

that is equal to the gift of Mount Meru — so Prajapati declared of old. Whatever men shall perform shraddha at that sacred ford,

Verse 156 (padma.1.18.156)

एकविंशकुलोपेताः स्वर्गं यास्यंति ते नराः। पितॄणां च शुभं तीर्थं पिंडेनैकेन तर्पिताः

ekaviṁśakulopetāḥ svargaṁ yāsyaṁti te narāḥ pitṝṇāṁ ca śubhaṁ tīrthaṁ piṁḍenaikena tarpitāḥ

those men, together with twenty-one generations of their lineage, shall go to heaven. The ancestors, satisfied by even a single funeral rice-ball offered there,

Verse 157 (padma.1.18.157)

ब्रह्मलोकं गमिष्यंति स्वपुत्रेणेह तारिताः। भूयश्चान्नं न चेच्छंति मोक्षमार्गं व्रजंति ते

brahmalokaṁ gamiṣyaṁti svaputreṇeha tāritāḥ bhūyaścānnaṁ na cecchaṁti mokṣamārgaṁ vrajaṁti te

delivered here by even a single son of theirs, shall go to Brahmaloka. They shall no longer desire food, and shall proceed upon the path of liberation.

Verse 158 (padma.1.18.158)

प्राचीनत्वं सरस्वत्या यथा भूतं शृणुष्व तत्। सरस्वती पुरा प्रोक्ता देवैः सर्वैः सवासवैः

prācīnatvaṁ sarasvatyā yathā bhūtaṁ śṛṇuṣva tat sarasvatī purā proktā devaiḥ sarvaiḥ savāsavaiḥ

Now hear how Sarasvati's eastward flow came about, exactly as it happened. Long ago all the gods, together with Vasava, spoke to Sarasvati —

Verse 159 (padma.1.18.159)

तटं त्वया प्रयातव्यं प्रतीच्यां लवणोदधेः। वडवाग्निमिमं नीत्वा समुद्रे निक्षिपस्व ह

taṭaṁ tvayā prayātavyaṁ pratīcyāṁ lavaṇodadheḥ vaḍavāgnimimaṁ nītvā samudre nikṣipasva ha

'You must go to the western shore of the salt ocean. Take this submarine fire and cast it into the sea.

Verse 160 (padma.1.18.160)

एवं कृते सुराः सर्वे भवंति भयवर्जिताः। अन्यथा वाडवाग्निस्तु दहते स्वेन तेजसा

evaṁ kṛte surāḥ sarve bhavaṁti bhayavarjitāḥ anyathā vāḍavāgnistu dahate svena tejasā

By doing this all the gods shall become free of fear; otherwise this submarine fire shall burn everything with its own splendor.

Verse 161 (padma.1.18.161)

तस्माद्रक्षस्व विबुधानेतस्मादचिराद्भयात्। मातेव भव सुश्रोणि सुराणामभयप्रदा

tasmādrakṣasva vibudhānetasmādacirādbhayāt māteva bhava suśroṇi surāṇāmabhayapradā

Therefore protect the gods from this approaching danger. O fair-hipped one, become like a mother to the gods, the giver of fearlessness.'

Verse 162 (padma.1.18.162)

एवमुक्ता तु सा देवी विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना। आह नाहं स्वतंत्रास्मि पिता मे व्रियतां स्वराट्

evamuktā tu sā devī viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā āha nāhaṁ svataṁtrāsmi pitā me vriyatāṁ svarāṭ

Thus addressed by the all-powerful Vishnu, that goddess said: 'I am not independent — let my father, the sovereign, be consulted about this.

Verse 163 (padma.1.18.163)

तदाज्ञाकारिणी नित्यं कुमारीह धृतव्रता। पित्रादेशाद्विना नाहं पदमेकमपि क्वचित्

tadājñākāriṇī nityaṁ kumārīha dhṛtavratā pitrādeśādvinā nāhaṁ padamekamapi kvacit

I am a maiden here, ever obedient to his command, holding to my vow. Without my father's order I go not even a single step

Verse 164 (padma.1.18.164)

गच्छामि तस्मात्कोप्यन्य उपायश्चिंत्यतामहो। तदाशयं विदित्वाहुस्ते समेत्य पितामहं

gacchāmi tasmātkopyanya upāyaściṁtyatāmaho tadāśayaṁ viditvāhuste sametya pitāmahaṁ

anywhere — therefore, O Lord, some other means should be considered.' Knowing her intent, they went together to the Grandsire and said —

Verse 165 (padma.1.18.165)

नान्येन शक्यते नेतुं वडवाग्निः पितामह। अदृष्टदोषाम्मुक्त्वैकां कुमारीं तनयां तव

nānyena śakyate netuṁ vaḍavāgniḥ pitāmaha adṛṣṭadoṣāmmuktvaikāṁ kumārīṁ tanayāṁ tava

'O Grandsire, no one but your one faultless maiden daughter can carry the submarine fire.'

Verse 166 (padma.1.18.166)

सरस्वतीं समानीय कृत्वांके वरवर्णिनीं। शिरस्याघ्रायसस्नेहमुवाचाथसरस्वतीम्

sarasvatīṁ samānīya kṛtvāṁke varavarṇinīṁ śirasyāghrāyasasnehamuvācāthasarasvatīm

Having brought Sarasvati and seated the fair-complexioned one upon his lap, and, with affection, smelling her head, he then said to Sarasvati —

Verse 167 (padma.1.18.167)

मां च देवि सुराः प्राहुः स त्वं ब्रूहि यशस्विनीम्। नीत्वा विनिक्षिपेदेनं बाडवं लवणांबुनि

māṁ ca devi surāḥ prāhuḥ sa tvaṁ brūhi yaśasvinīm nītvā vinikṣipedenaṁ bāḍavaṁ lavaṇāṁbuni

'O goddess, the gods have spoken to me about you as well — O renowned one, say that you will carry this submarine fire away and cast it into the salt water.'

Verse 168 (padma.1.18.168)

पितुर्वाक्यं हि तच्छ्रुत्वा वियुक्ता कुररी यथा। पित्रा तदैव सा कन्या रुरुदे दीनमानसा

piturvākyaṁ hi tacchrutvā viyuktā kurarī yathā pitrā tadaiva sā kanyā rurude dīnamānasā

Hearing her father's word, like a curlew-bird separated from its mate, the maiden, told this by her father, wept at that very moment, her mind distressed.

Verse 169 (padma.1.18.169)

शोभते तन्मुखं तस्याः शोकबाष्पाविलेक्षणं। सितं विकसितं तद्वत्पद्मं तोयकणोक्षितम्

śobhate tanmukhaṁ tasyāḥ śokabāṣpāvilekṣaṇaṁ sitaṁ vikasitaṁ tadvatpadmaṁ toyakaṇokṣitam

Her face, its eyes clouded with the tears of grief, still shone beautiful — like a white, blossoming lotus sprinkled with drops of water.

Verse 170 (padma.1.18.170)

तत्तथाविधमालोक्य पितामहपुरस्सराः। विबुधाः शोकभावस्य सर्वे वशमुपागताः

tattathāvidhamālokya pitāmahapurassarāḥ vibudhāḥ śokabhāvasya sarve vaśamupāgatāḥ

Seeing her in that state, all the learned gods, headed by the Grandsire, were overcome by the feeling of grief.

Verse 171 (padma.1.18.171)

संस्तभ्य हृदयं तस्याः शोकसंतापितं तदा। पितामहस्तामुवाच मा रोदीर्नास्ति ते भयम्

saṁstabhya hṛdayaṁ tasyāḥ śokasaṁtāpitaṁ tadā pitāmahastāmuvāca mā rodīrnāsti te bhayam

Then, steadying her grief-stricken heart, the Grandsire said to her: 'Do not weep — there is no danger for you.

Verse 172 (padma.1.18.172)

मान लाभश्च भविता तव देवानुभावतः। नीत्वा क्षारोदमध्ये तु क्षिपस्व ज्वलनं सुते

māna lābhaśca bhavitā tava devānubhāvataḥ nītvā kṣārodamadhye tu kṣipasva jvalanaṁ sute

Through the power of the gods, honor and gain alone shall come to you. Carry this blazing fire into the midst of the salt waters and cast it there, my daughter.'

Verse 173 (padma.1.18.173)

एवमुक्ता तु सा बाला बाष्पाकुलितलोचना। प्रणम्य पद्मजन्मानं गच्छाम्युक्तवती तु सा

evamuktā tu sā bālā bāṣpākulitalocanā praṇamya padmajanmānaṁ gacchāmyuktavatī tu sā

Thus addressed, that maiden, her eyes filled with tears, bowed to the lotus-born one and said, 'I shall go.'

Verse 174 (padma.1.18.174)

मा भैरुक्ता पुनस्तैस्तु पित्रा चापि तथैव सा। त्यक्त्वा भयं हृष्टमनाः प्रयातुं समवस्थिता

mā bhairuktā punastaistu pitrā cāpi tathaiva sā tyaktvā bhayaṁ hṛṣṭamanāḥ prayātuṁ samavasthitā

'Do not fear,' they said to her again, and her father said likewise; casting off her fear, with a glad heart, she stood ready to set out.

Verse 175 (padma.1.18.175)

तस्याः प्रयाणसमये शंखदुंदुभिनिस्वनैः। मंगलानां च निर्घोषैर्जगदापूरितं शुभैः

tasyāḥ prayāṇasamaye śaṁkhaduṁdubhinisvanaiḥ maṁgalānāṁ ca nirghoṣairjagadāpūritaṁ śubhaiḥ

At the moment of her departure, with the sounds of conches and kettledrums, and with the auspicious clamor of festive music, the world was filled —

Verse 176 (padma.1.18.176)

सितांबरधराधन्या सितचंदनमंडिता। शरदंबुजसच्छाय तारहारविभूषिता

sitāṁbaradharādhanyā sitacaṁdanamaṁḍitā śaradaṁbujasacchāya tārahāravibhūṣitā

Fortunate, clad in white garments, adorned with white sandalwood, of the hue of an autumn lotus, decked with a pearl necklace,

Verse 177 (padma.1.18.177)

संपूर्णचंद्रवदना पद्मपत्रायतेक्षणा। शुभां कीर्तिं सुरेशस्य पूरयंती दिशो दश

saṁpūrṇacaṁdravadanā padmapatrāyatekṣaṇā śubhāṁ kīrtiṁ sureśasya pūrayaṁtī diśo daśa

her face like the full moon, her eyes broad as lotus petals, filling the ten directions with the auspicious glory of the Lord of the gods,

Verse 178 (padma.1.18.178)

स्वतेजसा तद्धृदयान्निःसृता भासयज्जगत्। अनुव्रजन्ती तां गंगा तयोक्ता वरवर्णिनी

svatejasā taddhṛdayānniḥsṛtā bhāsayajjagat anuvrajantī tāṁ gaṁgā tayoktā varavarṇinī

having emerged from his heart by her own splendor, illuminating the world — Ganga, following after her, said to the fair-complexioned one,

Verse 179 (padma.1.18.179)

द्रक्ष्यामि त्वां पुनरहं प्रयासि कुत्र मे सखि। एवमुक्ता तु सा गंगा प्रोवाच मधुरां गिरम्

drakṣyāmi tvāṁ punarahaṁ prayāsi kutra me sakhi evamuktā tu sā gaṁgā provāca madhurāṁ giram

'Shall I see you again? My friend, where are you going?' Thus addressed, Ganga spoke this sweet word —

Verse 180 (padma.1.18.180)

यदैवायास्यसि प्राचीं दिशं मां पश्यसे शुभे। विबुधैस्त्वं परिवृता दर्शनं तव संश्रये

yadaivāyāsyasi prācīṁ diśaṁ māṁ paśyase śubhe vibudhaistvaṁ parivṛtā darśanaṁ tava saṁśraye

'Whenever you come to the eastern direction, O auspicious one, you shall see me; surrounded by the learned ones, I shall take refuge in your sight.

Verse 181 (padma.1.18.181)

उदङ्मुखी तदा भूत्वा त्यज शोकं शुचिस्मिते। अहं चोदङ्मुखी पुण्या त्वं तु प्राची सरस्वति

udaṅmukhī tadā bhūtvā tyaja śokaṁ śucismite ahaṁ codaṅmukhī puṇyā tvaṁ tu prācī sarasvati

Then, becoming northward-facing, abandon your grief, O pure-smiling one. I am the holy northward-facing one, and you are the eastward Sarasvati.

Verse 182 (padma.1.18.182)

तत्र क्रतुशतं पुण्यं स्नानदानेन सुव्रते। श्राद्धदाने तथा नित्यं पितॄणां दत्तमक्षयम्

tatra kratuśataṁ puṇyaṁ snānadānena suvrate śrāddhadāne tathā nityaṁ pitṝṇāṁ dattamakṣayam

There, through bathing and giving, the merit of a hundred sacrifices; and through the daily offering of shraddha, the merit given to the ancestors remains imperishable —

Verse 183 (padma.1.18.183)

ये करिष्यंति मनुजा विमुक्तास्त्ते ऋणैस्त्रिभिः। मोक्षमार्गं गमिष्यंति विचारो नात्र विद्यते

ye kariṣyaṁti manujā vimuktāstte ṛṇaistribhiḥ mokṣamārgaṁ gamiṣyaṁti vicāro nātra vidyate

whatever men perform these, freed from the three debts, they shall proceed upon the path of liberation — there is no doubt in this.'

Verse 184 (padma.1.18.184)

तामुवाच ततो गंगा पुनर्दर्शनमस्तु ते। गच्छ स्वमालयं भद्रे स्मर्तव्याहं त्वयानघे

tāmuvāca tato gaṁgā punardarśanamastu te gaccha svamālayaṁ bhadre smartavyāhaṁ tvayānaghe

Then Ganga said to her: 'May we meet again. Go, O blessed one, to your own abode; remember me, O sinless one.'

Verse 185 (padma.1.18.185)

यमुनापि तथैवं सा गायत्री च मनोरमा। सावित्र्या सहिताः सर्वाः सखीं संप्रैषयंस्तथा

yamunāpi tathaivaṁ sā gāyatrī ca manoramā sāvitryā sahitāḥ sarvāḥ sakhīṁ saṁpraiṣayaṁstathā

Yamuna too spoke likewise, and the lovely Gayatri as well; together with Savitri, all of them bade farewell to their companion in the same way.

Verse 186 (padma.1.18.186)

ततो विसृज्य तान्देवान्नदी भूत्वा सरस्वती। उत्तंकस्याश्रमपद उद्भूता सा मनस्विनी

tato visṛjya tāndevānnadī bhūtvā sarasvatī uttaṁkasyāśramapada udbhūtā sā manasvinī

Then, taking leave of those gods, becoming a river, the wise Sarasvati arose at Uttanka's hermitage —

Verse 187 (padma.1.18.187)

अधस्तात्प्लक्षवृक्षस्य अवरोप्य च तां तनुम्। अवतीर्णा महाभागा देवानां पश्यतां तदा

adhastātplakṣavṛkṣasya avaropya ca tāṁ tanum avatīrṇā mahābhāgā devānāṁ paśyatāṁ tadā

descending her form beneath a Plaksha tree, that greatly blessed one came down there as the gods watched.

Verse 188 (padma.1.18.188)

विष्णुरूपस्तरुः सोत्र सर्वदेवैस्तु वंदितः। संसेव्यश्च द्विजैर्नित्यं फलहेतोर्महोदयः

viṣṇurūpastaruḥ sotra sarvadevaistu vaṁditaḥ saṁsevyaśca dvijairnityaṁ phalahetormahodayaḥ

That tree there, in the form of Vishnu, is venerated by all the gods, and constantly served by the twice-born for the sake of its fruit, of great glory,

Verse 189 (padma.1.18.189)

अनेकशाखाविततश्चतुर्मुख इवापरः। तत्कोटरकुटीकोटि प्रविष्टानां द्विजन्मनाम्

anekaśākhāvitataścaturmukha ivāparaḥ tatkoṭarakuṭīkoṭi praviṣṭānāṁ dvijanmanām

spread wide with many branches, as if another four-faced Brahma; in its hollow crevices, entered by the twice-born,

Verse 190 (padma.1.18.190)

श्रूयंते विविधा वाचः सुराणां रक्तचेतसाम्। वनस्पतिरपुष्पोपि पुष्पितश्चोपलक्ष्यते

śrūyaṁte vividhā vācaḥ surāṇāṁ raktacetasām vanaspatirapuṣpopi puṣpitaścopalakṣyate

many voices of gods with enraptured hearts are heard; that tree, though flowerless, appears as though in bloom.

Verse 191 (padma.1.18.191)

जातीचंपकवत्पुष्पैः शाखालग्नैः शुकैः शुभैः। केतकीभिः सुरभिभिरशोभत सरिद्वरा

jātīcaṁpakavatpuṣpaiḥ śākhālagnaiḥ śukaiḥ śubhaiḥ ketakībhiḥ surabhibhiraśobhata saridvarā

with flowers resembling jasmine and champaka clinging to its branches, with auspicious parrots and fragrant screw-pine blossoms, that finest of rivers grew beautiful,

Verse 192 (padma.1.18.192)

कोकिलाभिस्स मालेव फेनकैः पुष्पितेव सा। हरेणेव यथा गंगा प्लक्षेणैव हि सा तथा

kokilābhissa māleva phenakaiḥ puṣpiteva sā hareṇeva yathā gaṁgā plakṣeṇaiva hi sā tathā

as if garlanded with cuckoos, as if blossoming with foam — just as Ganga is to Hara, so was she to that Plaksha tree.

Verse 193 (padma.1.18.193)

तत्रांभस्था तदा देवं प्रोवाचाथ जनार्दनम्। समर्पयस्व तं वह्निं देवादेशं करोम्यहम्

tatrāṁbhasthā tadā devaṁ provācātha janārdanam samarpayasva taṁ vahniṁ devādeśaṁ karomyaham

Standing there in the water, she then said to the god Janardana: 'Hand over that fire to me; I shall carry out the gods' command.'

Verse 194 (padma.1.18.194)

एवमुक्तेन सा तेन प्रत्युक्ता विष्णुना तदा। न ते दाहभयं त्याज्यस्त्वयायं वह्निराट्स्वयम्

evamuktena sā tena pratyuktā viṣṇunā tadā na te dāhabhayaṁ tyājyastvayāyaṁ vahnirāṭsvayam

Thus addressed, Vishnu answered her: 'You should give up any fear of burning; this king of fires himself,

Verse 195 (padma.1.18.195)

पश्चिमं सागरं नेतुं वाडवज्वलनं शुभे। एवं क्रमेण गच्छंत्या तदापं प्राप्स्यते शुभे

paścimaṁ sāgaraṁ netuṁ vāḍavajvalanaṁ śubhe evaṁ krameṇa gacchaṁtyā tadāpaṁ prāpsyate śubhe

is to be carried to the western ocean and established as the submarine flame, O auspicious one. Thus proceeding by stages, you shall reach the blessed water.'

Verse 196 (padma.1.18.196)

ततस्तं शातकुंभस्थं कृत्वासौ वडवानलं। समर्पयत गोविंदः सरस्वत्या महोदरे

tatastaṁ śātakuṁbhasthaṁ kṛtvāsau vaḍavānalaṁ samarpayata goviṁdaḥ sarasvatyā mahodare

Then, having placed that submarine fire in a golden vessel, Govinda handed it over into the deep waters of Sarasvati.

Verse 197 (padma.1.18.197)

सा तं गृहीत्वा सुश्रोणी प्रतीच्यभिमुखी ययौ। अंतर्द्धानेन संप्राप्ता पुष्करं सा महानदी

sā taṁ gṛhītvā suśroṇī pratīcyabhimukhī yayau aṁtarddhānena saṁprāptā puṣkaraṁ sā mahānadī

That fair-hipped one, taking it, set out toward the west. By vanishing from sight, that great river reached Pushkara,

Verse 198 (padma.1.18.198)

मर्यादापर्वते तस्मिन्संभूता विमला सरित्। पुष्करारण्यं विपुलं सुरसिद्धनिषेवितम्

maryādāparvate tasminsaṁbhūtā vimalā sarit puṣkarāraṇyaṁ vipulaṁ surasiddhaniṣevitam

arising as a pure stream upon the Maryada mountain, entering the vast Pushkara forest, frequented by gods and siddhas,

Verse 199 (padma.1.18.199)

पितामहेन यत्रासीद्यज्ञसत्रं निषेवितम्। सिध्यर्थं मुनिमुख्यानामागतासौ महानदी

pitāmahena yatrāsīdyajñasatraṁ niṣevitam sidhyarthaṁ munimukhyānāmāgatāsau mahānadī

where the Grandsire's sacrificial session was in progress — that great river came there for the accomplishment of the foremost sages.

Verse 200 (padma.1.18.200)

येषु तत्र कृतो होमः कुंडेष्वासीद्विरिंचिना। तानि सर्वाणि संप्लाव्य तोयेनाप्युद्गता हि सा

yeṣu tatra kṛto homaḥ kuṁḍeṣvāsīdviriṁcinā tāni sarvāṇi saṁplāvya toyenāpyudgatā hi sā

Flooding with her waters all the fire-pits in which Virinchi had performed the oblation, she then rose up —

Verse 201 (padma.1.18.201)

तत्र क्षेत्रे महापुण्या पुष्करे सा तथोत्थिता। तेन तत्पूरणं प्रोक्तं वायुना जगदायुषा

tatra kṣetre mahāpuṇyā puṣkare sā tathotthitā tena tatpūraṇaṁ proktaṁ vāyunā jagadāyuṣā

There, in that greatly holy sacred field of Pushkara, she thus arose. Vayu, the life-breath of the world, proclaimed that this fulfilled the task.

Verse 202 (padma.1.18.202)

सापि तत्क्षेत्रमासाद्य पुण्यं पुण्या महानदी। सरस्वती स्थिता देवी मर्त्यानां पापनाशिनी

sāpi tatkṣetramāsādya puṇyaṁ puṇyā mahānadī sarasvatī sthitā devī martyānāṁ pāpanāśinī

Having reached that holy field, that holy great river, the goddess Sarasvati, took her place there as the destroyer of mortals' sins.

Verse 203 (padma.1.18.203)

तत्र ये शुभकर्माणः पुष्करस्थां सरस्वतीम्। पश्यंति ते न पश्यंति सुघोरां तामधोगतिं

tatra ye śubhakarmāṇaḥ puṣkarasthāṁ sarasvatīm paśyaṁti te na paśyaṁti sughorāṁ tāmadhogatiṁ

Those of virtuous deeds who behold Sarasvati present there at Pushkara never again see that most terrible downward path.

Verse 204 (padma.1.18.204)

यः पुनस्तत्र भावेन नरः स्नानं समाचरेत्। स ब्रह्मलोकमासाद्य ब्रह्मणा सह मोदते

yaḥ punastatra bhāvena naraḥ snānaṁ samācaret sa brahmalokamāsādya brahmaṇā saha modate

But whoever performs a bath there with true devotion, he, having attained Brahmaloka, rejoices there together with Brahma.

Verse 205 (padma.1.18.205)

यस्तु दद्यात्तत्र दधि ब्राह्मणाय मनोरमम्। सोप्यग्निलोकमासाद्य भुंक्ते भोगान्सुशोभनान्

yastu dadyāttatra dadhi brāhmaṇāya manoramam sopyagnilokamāsādya bhuṁkte bhogānsuśobhanān

And whoever gives delightful curd there to a Brahmin, he too, having attained the world of Agni, enjoys most beautiful pleasures.

Verse 206 (padma.1.18.206)

वरं प्रावरणं योपि भक्त्या दद्याद्द्विजातये। सोपि सद्वस्त्रदानस्य फलं दशगुणं लभेत्

varaṁ prāvaraṇaṁ yopi bhaktyā dadyāddvijātaye sopi sadvastradānasya phalaṁ daśaguṇaṁ labhet

Whoever, with devotion, also gives an excellent garment to a twice-born, he too obtains tenfold the fruit of giving fine clothing.

Verse 207 (padma.1.18.207)

ज्येष्ठकुंडे नरः स्नात्वा यः संतर्पयते पितॄन्। स तानुद्धरते सर्वान्नरकादपि शुद्धधीः

jyeṣṭhakuṁḍe naraḥ snātvā yaḥ saṁtarpayate pitṝn sa tānuddharate sarvānnarakādapi śuddhadhīḥ

The man who, having bathed in the Jyeshtha-kunda, satisfies his ancestors — he, of pure mind, delivers all of them even from hell.

Verse 208 (padma.1.18.208)

क्षेत्रे पैतामहे पूते पुण्यां प्राप्य सरस्वतीम्। नरः किं प्रार्थयेदन्यत्तीर्थं ब्रह्मसुतोब्रवीत्

kṣetre paitāmahe pūte puṇyāṁ prāpya sarasvatīm naraḥ kiṁ prārthayedanyattīrthaṁ brahmasutobravīt

Having attained the holy Sarasvati in this pure field of the Grandsire, what other sacred ford should a man ever seek? — so said Brahma's own son.

Verse 209 (padma.1.18.209)

तस्मात्सर्वेषु तीर्थेषु स्नातः प्राप्नोति यत्फलम्। तत्सर्वं प्राप्नुयान्मर्त्यो ज्येष्ठकुंडे सकृत्प्लुतः

tasmātsarveṣu tīrtheṣu snātaḥ prāpnoti yatphalam tatsarvaṁ prāpnuyānmartyo jyeṣṭhakuṁḍe sakṛtplutaḥ

Therefore, whatever fruit a mortal obtains by bathing at all the sacred fords, all of that a man obtains by bathing even once in the Jyeshtha-kunda.

Verse 210 (padma.1.18.210)

किमत्र बहुनोक्तेन क्षेत्रं तीर्थं गतिश्शुभा। येनैतत्त्रितयं प्राप्तं प्राप्ता तेन गतिः परा

kimatra bahunoktena kṣetraṁ tīrthaṁ gatiśśubhā yenaitattritayaṁ prāptaṁ prāptā tena gatiḥ parā

What need is there to say more here? The sacred field, the sacred ford, and the auspicious destination — whoever attains all three of these has attained the supreme goal.

Verse 211 (padma.1.18.211)

काले क्षेत्रे तथा तीर्थे स्नात्वा हुत्वापि तत्र यः। प्रयच्छते द्विजायार्थं सोनंतं सुखमश्नुते

kāle kṣetre tathā tīrthe snātvā hutvāpi tatra yaḥ prayacchate dvijāyārthaṁ sonaṁtaṁ sukhamaśnute

Whoever, having bathed at the proper time, in the field and at the sacred ford, and having also made an offering there, gives wealth to a Brahmin, he enjoys endless happiness.

Verse 212 (padma.1.18.212)

कार्त्तिके मासि शुक्ले च वैशाखे शशिभूषणे। चंद्रसूर्योपरागे च काले च कुरुजांगले

kārttike māsi śukle ca vaiśākhe śaśibhūṣaṇe caṁdrasūryoparāge ca kāle ca kurujāṁgale

In the month of Kartika, and in the bright fortnight of moon-adorned Vaishakha; at the time of a lunar or solar eclipse, and in the region of Kurujangala,

Verse 213 (padma.1.18.213)

क्षेत्रेष्वेतेषु तीर्थानि यान्युक्तानि मुनीश्वरैः। तेषां पुण्यतमं तीर्थमिदमाह पितामहः

kṣetreṣveteṣu tīrthāni yānyuktāni munīśvaraiḥ teṣāṁ puṇyatamaṁ tīrthamidamāha pitāmahaḥ

among the sacred fords declared by the lords of sages in these regions, the Grandsire declared this very ford to be the most meritorious of all.

Verse 214 (padma.1.18.214)

कुंडे तु मध्यमे स्नात्वा कार्तिक्यां यः पुमान्द्विजे। प्रयच्छते चापि द्रव्यं सोश्वमेधमवाप्नुयात्

kuṁḍe tu madhyame snātvā kārtikyāṁ yaḥ pumāndvije prayacchate cāpi dravyaṁ sośvamedhamavāpnuyāt

Whoever, having bathed in the middle pool on the Kartika day, also gives wealth to a Brahmin, that man obtains the fruit of an Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Verse 215 (padma.1.18.215)

एवं कनिष्ठकेप्यत्र कुंडे स्नात्वा समाधिना। यः प्रयच्छति विप्राय सुरूपामपि शालिकाम्

evaṁ kaniṣṭhakepyatra kuṁḍe snātvā samādhinā yaḥ prayacchati viprāya surūpāmapi śālikām

Likewise, whoever, having bathed even in the lesser pool with a concentrated mind, gives even beautifully cooked rice to a Brahmin,

Verse 216 (padma.1.18.216)

स प्रयाति नरः क्षिप्रमग्निलोकं मनोरमम्। त्रिःसप्तकुलसंयुक्तो भुंक्ते तत्र महाफलम्

sa prayāti naraḥ kṣipramagnilokaṁ manoramam triḥsaptakulasaṁyukto bhuṁkte tatra mahāphalam

that man swiftly attains the delightful world of Agni. Together with twenty-one generations of his family, he enjoys great fruit there.

Verse 217 (padma.1.18.217)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन गमनाय मतिः स्थिरा। पुरुषेण तु कर्तव्या पुष्करावाप्तये शुभा

tasmātsarvaprayatnena gamanāya matiḥ sthirā puruṣeṇa tu kartavyā puṣkarāvāptaye śubhā

Therefore a man should undertake the journey to attain Pushkara with every effort, with a firm and auspicious resolve.

Verse 218 (padma.1.18.218)

पुष्करारण्यमासाद्य प्राची यत्र सरस्वती। मतिः स्मृतिः शुभा प्रज्ञा मेधा बुद्धिर्दयापरा

puṣkarāraṇyamāsādya prācī yatra sarasvatī matiḥ smṛtiḥ śubhā prajñā medhā buddhirdayāparā

Having reached the Pushkara forest, where the eastward-flowing Sarasvati is — Mati, Smriti, auspicious Prajna, Medha, Buddhi, and compassionate Daya —

Verse 219 (padma.1.18.219)

सरस्वत्यास्तु पर्यायाष्षडेते संप्रकीर्तिताः। ततः प्रभृति यत्रासौ प्राचीभूता सरस्वती

sarasvatyāstu paryāyāṣṣaḍete saṁprakīrtitāḥ tataḥ prabhṛti yatrāsau prācībhūtā sarasvatī

these six are declared to be alternate names of Sarasvati herself. From that time, where this Sarasvati became eastward-flowing,

Verse 220 (padma.1.18.220)

तत्रस्थं तज्जलं येपि पश्यंति तटसंस्थिताः। तेप्यश्वमेधस्यफलं लभंते नात्र संशयः

tatrasthaṁ tajjalaṁ yepi paśyaṁti taṭasaṁsthitāḥ tepyaśvamedhasyaphalaṁ labhaṁte nātra saṁśayaḥ

whoever, standing on the bank there, merely beholds that water, they too obtain the fruit of an Ashvamedha sacrifice — there is no doubt in this.

Verse 221 (padma.1.18.221)

योवतीर्य पुनस्तत्र कश्चित्स्नानं समाचरेत्। नरः समाधियुक्तो वै ब्रह्मणोनुचरो भवेत्

yovatīrya punastatra kaścitsnānaṁ samācaret naraḥ samādhiyukto vai brahmaṇonucaro bhavet

Whoever descends into it there and bathes, that man, with a concentrated mind, becomes a follower of Brahma.

Verse 222 (padma.1.18.222)

शाकादिनापि हि पितॄन्यस्तत्रार्चयते नरः। सोप्येति विपुलान्भोगांस्तेषामेवानुभावतः

śākādināpi hi pitṝnyastatrārcayate naraḥ sopyeti vipulānbhogāṁsteṣāmevānubhāvataḥ

The man who worships his ancestors there even with mere vegetables, he too attains abundant enjoyments, by the very power of those ancestors.

Verse 223 (padma.1.18.223)

ये पुनर्विधिना तत्र श्राद्धं कुर्वंति मानवाः। ते नयंति पितॄन्स्वर्गं नरकादपि दुःखदात्

ye punarvidhinā tatra śrāddhaṁ kurvaṁti mānavāḥ te nayaṁti pitṝnsvargaṁ narakādapi duḥkhadāt

And those men who perform shraddha there according to proper rule lead their ancestors to heaven, even out of sorrow-giving hell.

Verse 224 (padma.1.18.224)

तृप्यंति पितरस्तस्य यस्तत्र कुशमिश्रितम्। स्नात्वा प्रयच्छते तोयं पूतं तेषां तिलान्वितम्

tṛpyaṁti pitarastasya yastatra kuśamiśritam snātvā prayacchate toyaṁ pūtaṁ teṣāṁ tilānvitam

The ancestors of him who, having bathed there, offers pure water mixed with kusha grass and sesame seeds, become satisfied by it.

Verse 225 (padma.1.18.225)

सर्वेषामेव तीर्थानामिदमेवाधिकं स्मृतम्। आदितीर्थमिदं तस्मात्तीर्थानां भुवि विश्रुतम्

sarveṣāmeva tīrthānāmidamevādhikaṁ smṛtam āditīrthamidaṁ tasmāttīrthānāṁ bhuvi viśrutam

This alone is held to be the foremost of all sacred fords. Therefore this, the primal sacred ford, is renowned on earth among all sacred fords.

Verse 226 (padma.1.18.226)

धर्मापवर्गयोःनक्रीडाननिधिभूतमवस्थितम्। सरस्वत्यानपुनश्चैवनसमेतंनगुणवत्तरम्

dharmāpavargayoḥnakrīḍānanidhibhūtamavasthitam sarasvatyānapunaścaivanasametaṁnaguṇavattaram

Established as the very treasury of the sport of dharma and liberation, never separated from Sarasvati, surpassing all others in its qualities,

Verse 227 (padma.1.18.227)

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां चतुर्णामपि दायकम्। येप्यत्र मलनाशाय पुमांसो विविशुर्जलम्

dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṁ caturṇāmapi dāyakam yepyatra malanāśāya pumāṁso viviśurjalam

the giver of all four — dharma, artha, kama, and moksha. Those men who have entered this water here for the destruction of their impurity,

Verse 228 (padma.1.18.228)

गोप्रदानसमं तेषां सुखेनैव फलं भवेत्। सुवर्णदानेन सममेवमाहुर्मनीषिणः

gopradānasamaṁ teṣāṁ sukhenaiva phalaṁ bhavet suvarṇadānena samamevamāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ

for them the fruit obtained is easily equal to that of giving a cow. The wise also declare it equal to the gift of gold.

Verse 229 (padma.1.18.229)

तर्पणात्पिण्डदानाच्च नरकेष्वपि संस्थिताः। स्वर्गं प्रयान्ति पितरस्तत्र पुत्रेण तारिताः

tarpaṇātpiṇḍadānācca narakeṣvapi saṁsthitāḥ svargaṁ prayānti pitarastatra putreṇa tāritāḥ

Through tarpana and the offering of pinda, even ancestors dwelling in hells, delivered there by a son, go to heaven.

Verse 230 (padma.1.18.230)

पुष्करेपि सरस्वत्यां ये पिबन्ति जलं जनाः। ते लभन्तेऽक्षयान्लोकान्ब्रह्मविश्वेशवंदितान्

puṣkarepi sarasvatyāṁ ye pibanti jalaṁ janāḥ te labhante'kṣayānlokānbrahmaviśveśavaṁditān

Those people who drink the water of Sarasvati even at Pushkara obtain imperishable worlds, worshipped by Brahma and Vishvesha.

Verse 231 (padma.1.18.231)

स्वर्गनिश्रेणिकाभूता पुष्करे च सरस्वती। सा पुण्यवद्भिस्संप्राप्तुं पुंभिश्शक्या महानदी

svarganiśreṇikābhūtā puṣkare ca sarasvatī sā puṇyavadbhissaṁprāptuṁ puṁbhiśśakyā mahānadī

Sarasvati at Pushkara has become like a ladder to heaven itself; that great river can be attained only by men of merit.

Verse 232 (padma.1.18.232)

मुनिभर्धर्मतत्त्वज्ञैस्तत्र तत्र निषेविता। तस्मात्सर्वत्र सा देवी पवित्रा सर्वतस्स्थिता

munibhardharmatattvajñaistatra tatra niṣevitā tasmātsarvatra sā devī pavitrā sarvatassthitā

Being served here and there by sages who know the truth of dharma, that goddess remains pure and present everywhere.

Verse 233 (padma.1.18.233)

पुष्करे तु विशेषेण पूतात्पूततमा हि सा। नदी सरस्वती पुण्या सुलभा जगति स्थिता

puṣkare tu viśeṣeṇa pūtātpūtatamā hi sā nadī sarasvatī puṇyā sulabhā jagati sthitā

But at Pushkara she is especially the purest even among the pure; that holy river Sarasvati stands in the world, easy to attain there.

Verse 234 (padma.1.18.234)

दुर्लभा सा कुरुक्षेत्रे प्रभासे पुष्करे तथा। तत्तीर्थं सर्वतीर्थानां प्रवरं विहितं भुवि

durlabhā sā kurukṣetre prabhāse puṣkare tathā tattīrthaṁ sarvatīrthānāṁ pravaraṁ vihitaṁ bhuvi

She is hard to attain at Kurukshetra, at Prabhasa, and likewise at Pushkara too; that sacred ford is ordained on earth as the foremost of all sacred fords,

Verse 235 (padma.1.18.235)

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां चतुर्णामपि साधकम्। प्राचीं सरस्वतीं प्राप्य योन्यत्तीर्थं हि मार्गते

dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṁ caturṇāmapi sādhakam prācīṁ sarasvatīṁ prāpya yonyattīrthaṁ hi mārgate

the accomplisher of all four — dharma, artha, kama, and moksha. Whoever, having attained the eastward Sarasvati, still seeks another sacred ford,

Verse 236 (padma.1.18.236)

स करस्थं समुत्सृज्य ह्यमृतं विषमिच्छति। ज्येष्ठे ज्येष्ठा प्रयागस्य मध्यमे मध्यमा स्मृता

sa karasthaṁ samutsṛjya hyamṛtaṁ viṣamicchati jyeṣṭhe jyeṣṭhā prayāgasya madhyame madhyamā smṛtā

he casts away the nectar already in his hand and desires poison instead. At the Jyeshtha pool is the elder portion, and at the middle of Prayaga the middle portion is remembered,

Verse 237 (padma.1.18.237)

प्रदक्षिणं ततो गच्छेत्कनीयांसं विचक्षणः। त्रिष्वप्येतेषु स्नायीत कुर्याच्चापि प्रदक्षिणम्

pradakṣiṇaṁ tato gacchetkanīyāṁsaṁ vicakṣaṇaḥ triṣvapyeteṣu snāyīta kuryāccāpi pradakṣiṇam

then the discerning one should proceed, circumambulating, toward the youngest pool. One should bathe in all three of these, and also perform circumambulation.

Verse 238 (padma.1.18.238)

प्रयच्छति पितृभ्यो यस्तोयं तेषां तिलान्वितम्। तेपि तुष्टाः पुनस्तस्य प्रयच्छंत्यमितं फलम्

prayacchati pitṛbhyo yastoyaṁ teṣāṁ tilānvitam tepi tuṣṭāḥ punastasya prayacchaṁtyamitaṁ phalam

Whoever offers water mixed with sesame to the ancestors, they too, pleased, grant him boundless fruit in return.

Verse 239 (padma.1.18.239)

यः स्नात्वा प्रयतो नित्यं ततः पश्येत्पितामहम्। अनुलोमविलोमाभ्यां तथा व्यस्तसमस्तयोः

yaḥ snātvā prayato nityaṁ tataḥ paśyetpitāmaham anulomavilomābhyāṁ tathā vyastasamastayoḥ

Whoever, purified, having bathed daily, beholds the Grandsire — in both forward and reverse order, and in both separate and combined forms,

Verse 240 (padma.1.18.240)

स्नातव्यं पुष्करे नित्यं ब्रह्मलोकमभीप्सिता। त्रीणि शृंगाणि शुभ्राणि त्रीणि प्रस्रवणानि च

snātavyaṁ puṣkare nityaṁ brahmalokamabhīpsitā trīṇi śṛṁgāṇi śubhrāṇi trīṇi prasravaṇāni ca

one desiring Brahmaloka should bathe daily at Pushkara. There are three white peaks, and three springs,

Verse 241 (padma.1.18.241)

पुष्कराणि प्रसिद्धानि न विद्मस्तत्र कारणं। कनीयांसं मध्यमं च तृतीयं ज्येष्ठपुष्करं

puṣkarāṇi prasiddhāni na vidmastatra kāraṇaṁ kanīyāṁsaṁ madhyamaṁ ca tṛtīyaṁ jyeṣṭhapuṣkaraṁ

by which the Pushkaras are famous — we do not know the reason for this; the youngest, the middle, and the third, the elder Pushkara,

Verse 242 (padma.1.18.242)

शृंगशद्बाभिधानानि शुभप्रस्रवणानि च। धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां संकल्पैरफलं नरः

śṛṁgaśadbābhidhānāni śubhaprasravaṇāni ca dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṁ saṁkalpairaphalaṁ naraḥ

known by the name 'peaks' and by the names of the auspicious springs. In his resolves for dharma, artha, kama, and moksha, a man does not remain unfruitful there,

Verse 243 (padma.1.18.243)

यस्तत्र संत्यजेद्देहं मोक्षं प्राप्नोत्यसंशयम्। प्रयतः संयतस्तस्यां स्नात्वा दद्याद्विजे शुभाम्

yastatra saṁtyajeddehaṁ mokṣaṁ prāpnotyasaṁśayam prayataḥ saṁyatastasyāṁ snātvā dadyādvije śubhām

whoever gives up his body there attains liberation without doubt. Pure and self-controlled, having bathed there, one should give to a Brahmin an auspicious

Verse 244 (padma.1.18.244)

गामेकां मंत्रपूतां च लोकानाप्नोतिमोक्षदान्। किमत्र बहुनोक्तेन रात्रावपि हि योर्थिने

gāmekāṁ maṁtrapūtāṁ ca lokānāpnotimokṣadān kimatra bahunoktena rātrāvapi hi yorthine

single cow, purified by mantra, and thereby attains the worlds that grant liberation. What need to say more here? Even at night, whoever, for a supplicant,

Verse 245 (padma.1.18.245)

अर्थं प्रयच्छते स्नात्वा सोनन्तं सुखमश्नुते। तत्र दानं प्रशंसंति तिलानां मुनिसत्तमाः

arthaṁ prayacchate snātvā sonantaṁ sukhamaśnute tatra dānaṁ praśaṁsaṁti tilānāṁ munisattamāḥ

gives wealth after bathing, he enjoys endless happiness. There the finest sages especially praise the gift of sesame seeds.

Verse 246 (padma.1.18.246)

कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दश्यां स्नानं च विहितं सदा। पिण्याकेन गुडेनापि पिंडं योत्र प्रयच्छति

kṛṣṇapakṣe caturdaśyāṁ snānaṁ ca vihitaṁ sadā piṇyākena guḍenāpi piṁḍaṁ yotra prayacchati

Bathing there is always ordained on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight. Whoever offers there a rice-ball mixed with oil-cake and jaggery,

Verse 247 (padma.1.18.247)

पितॄणां प्रयतो भूत्वा पितृलोकं स यछति। पुष्करारण्यमासाद्य पुनस्तस्मात्सरस्वती

pitṝṇāṁ prayato bhūtvā pitṛlokaṁ sa yachati puṣkarāraṇyamāsādya punastasmātsarasvatī

to the ancestors, with a pure mind, he brings them to the world of the ancestors. Having reached the Pushkara forest, from there Sarasvati once again

Verse 248 (padma.1.18.248)

अंतर्द्धानं गता गंतुं प्रवृत्तागपश्चिमामुखी। नातिदूरे ततस्तस्य पुष्करस्य सुशोभना

aṁtarddhānaṁ gatā gaṁtuṁ pravṛttāgapaścimāmukhī nātidūre tatastasya puṣkarasya suśobhanā

became invisible and set out westward-facing. Then, not very far from that Pushkara, that most beautiful river,

Verse 249 (padma.1.18.249)

खर्जूरवनमासाद्य फलपुष्पोपशोभितं। तत्रोषित्वा पुनर्देवी वने मुनिमनोरमे

kharjūravanamāsādya phalapuṣpopaśobhitaṁ tatroṣitvā punardevī vane munimanorame

having reached a date-palm grove adorned with fruit and flowers, dwelling there once more, that goddess, in that forest delighting the minds of sages —

Verse 250 (padma.1.18.250)

सर्वर्तुकुसुमाकीर्णे सिद्धचारणसेविते। नंदा नाम सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा त्रिषुलोकेषु विश्रुता

sarvartukusumākīrṇe siddhacāraṇasevite naṁdā nāma saricchreṣṭhā triṣulokeṣu viśrutā

filled with flowers of every season, frequented by Siddhas and Charanas — she became, under the name Nanda, the finest of rivers, renowned throughout the three worlds.

Verse 251 (padma.1.18.251)

मीननक्रझषोपेता विमलोदकपूरिता। सूत उवाच। अथ देवव्रतःप्राह किमन्या सा सरिद्वरा

mīnanakrajhaṣopetā vimalodakapūritā sūta uvāca atha devavrataḥprāha kimanyā sā saridvarā

Full of fish, crocodiles, and other creatures, filled with pure water. Suta said: Then Devavrata asked, 'What is this other finest of rivers?

Verse 252 (padma.1.18.252)

एतन्मे कौतुकं ब्रह्मन्नंदा शब्दा सरस्वती। यथाभूता येन कृता कारणेन सरिद्वरा

etanme kautukaṁ brahmannaṁdā śabdā sarasvatī yathābhūtā yena kṛtā kāraṇena saridvarā

This is my curiosity, O Brahmin — how did this river called Nanda-Sarasvati come to be, and for what reason did it become this finest of rivers?'

Verse 253 (padma.1.18.253)

एवमुक्ते पुलस्त्यः स भीष्मायैतत्पुरातनं। आख्यातुमुपचक्राम नंदा नाम यतस्स्मृतं

evamukte pulastyaḥ sa bhīṣmāyaitatpurātanaṁ ākhyātumupacakrāma naṁdā nāma yatassmṛtaṁ

Thus addressed, Pulastya began to relate to Bhishma this ancient tale, explaining why it is remembered by the name Nanda —

Verse 254 (padma.1.18.254)

क्षत्रव्रतधरो नित्यमासीद्राजा प्रभंजनः। प्रवृत्तोसौ मृगान्हंतुं वने तस्मिन्महाबलः

kṣatravratadharo nityamāsīdrājā prabhaṁjanaḥ pravṛttosau mṛgānhaṁtuṁ vane tasminmahābalaḥ

There once was a king named Prabhanjana, ever devoted to the warrior's vow. That mighty king set out into that forest to hunt deer.

Verse 255 (padma.1.18.255)

स ददर्श ततस्तस्मिन्मृगीं गुल्मांतरे स्थितां। मार्गणेन सुतीक्ष्णेन तां विव्याध पुरोगतां

sa dadarśa tatastasminmṛgīṁ gulmāṁtare sthitāṁ mārgaṇena sutīkṣṇena tāṁ vivyādha purogatāṁ

He saw there a doe standing amid a thicket; when she came before him, he pierced her with an extremely sharp arrow.

Verse 256 (padma.1.18.256)

सा विलोक्य दिशः सर्वास्तं दृष्ट्वा शरपाणिनं। आह किं ते कृतं मूढ त्वयैतत्कर्मदुष्करं

sā vilokya diśaḥ sarvāstaṁ dṛṣṭvā śarapāṇinaṁ āha kiṁ te kṛtaṁ mūḍha tvayaitatkarmaduṣkaraṁ

She looked in every direction, and seeing that king with bow in hand, said: 'What have you done, O fool? This deed of yours is a most terrible one.

Verse 257 (padma.1.18.257)

स्तनं तावत्प्रयच्छामि सुतस्याधोमुखी स्थिता। मांसलोभेन विद्धाहं तरसा ह्यकुतोभया

stanaṁ tāvatprayacchāmi sutasyādhomukhī sthitā māṁsalobhena viddhāhaṁ tarasā hyakutobhayā

I was standing with head bowed down, merely to give the breast to my son. Wounded out of greed for flesh, I, who feared no one—

Verse 258 (padma.1.18.258)

पिबंतं गुप्तवत्सं च गूढमैथुनमागतं। एवंविधं मृगं राजन्न हन्यात्प्राङ्मया श्रुतं

pibaṁtaṁ guptavatsaṁ ca gūḍhamaithunamāgataṁ evaṁvidhaṁ mṛgaṁ rājanna hanyātprāṅmayā śrutaṁ

I had heard before, O king, that one should not slay such a deer as is nursing its hidden young, or has come for a hidden mating.

Verse 259 (padma.1.18.259)

स्तनं तु तनयस्यास्य प्रयच्छंती त्वया हता। बाणेनाशनिकल्पेन निर्दोषा वनमागता

stanaṁ tu tanayasyāsya prayacchaṁtī tvayā hatā bāṇenāśanikalpena nirdoṣā vanamāgatā

While I was giving the breast to this my child, you have struck me with an arrow like a thunderbolt, though I, innocent, had merely come to this forest.

Verse 260 (padma.1.18.260)

तस्मात्त्वमपि दुर्बुद्धे क्रव्यादत्वमवाप्स्यसि। वनेस्मिन्कंटकाकीर्णे व्याघ्ररूपं त्वमाप्नुहि

tasmāttvamapi durbuddhe kravyādatvamavāpsyasi vanesminkaṁṭakākīrṇe vyāghrarūpaṁ tvamāpnuhi

Therefore, O evil-minded one, you too shall become a flesh-eater. In this very thorn-filled forest, you shall take the form of a tiger.'

Verse 261 (padma.1.18.261)

शापप्रदानं श्रुत्वैवं स राजापुरतः स्थितः। प्रोवाच प्रांजलिर्भूत्वा तां मृगीं व्यथितेन्द्रियः

śāpapradānaṁ śrutvaivaṁ sa rājāpurataḥ sthitaḥ provāca prāṁjalirbhūtvā tāṁ mṛgīṁ vyathitendriyaḥ

Hearing this curse, the king, standing before her, with joined hands and his senses in distress, spoke to that doe —

Verse 262 (padma.1.18.262)

स्तनं तु तनयस्येह प्रयच्छंती न मे मता। अज्ञानेन हता भद्रे प्रसीद सुसमाधिना

stanaṁ tu tanayasyeha prayacchaṁtī na me matā ajñānena hatā bhadre prasīda susamādhinā

'I did not intend to strike you here while you were giving the breast to your child. O gentle one, I struck you out of ignorance — be gracious to me, with a composed mind.

Verse 263 (padma.1.18.263)

व्याघ्ररूपमहं त्यक्त्वा प्राप्स्यामि मानुषं कदा। एवंविधस्य शापस्य विमोक्षं शंस मे मृगि

vyāghrarūpamahaṁ tyaktvā prāpsyāmi mānuṣaṁ kadā evaṁvidhasya śāpasya vimokṣaṁ śaṁsa me mṛgi

Having given up this tiger-form, when shall I regain my human state again? O doe, tell me the way to be released from such a curse.'

Verse 264 (padma.1.18.264)

एवमुक्ते मृगी तस्य प्रोवाच वचनं शुभम्। राजन्नब्दशतांते तु शापस्यागतया गवा

evamukte mṛgī tasya provāca vacanaṁ śubham rājannabdaśatāṁte tu śāpasyāgatayā gavā

Thus addressed, the doe spoke this auspicious word to him: 'O king, at the end of a hundred years, when the cow named Nanda arrives, having been released from her curse,

Verse 265 (padma.1.18.265)

नंदया सह संवादमासाद्यांतो भविष्यति। मृग्योक्ते वचने राजा व्याघ्र एवाभवत्तदा

naṁdayā saha saṁvādamāsādyāṁto bhaviṣyati mṛgyokte vacane rājā vyāghra evābhavattadā

and upon speaking with her, your curse too shall come to an end.' At the doe's words, the king became a tiger at once,

Verse 266 (padma.1.18.266)

नखदंष्ट्रायुधोपेतो व्याघ्ररूपोति भीषणः। तत्रासौ भक्षयन्नास्ते मृगान्हत्वा चतुष्पदः

nakhadaṁṣṭrāyudhopeto vyāghrarūpoti bhīṣaṇaḥ tatrāsau bhakṣayannāste mṛgānhatvā catuṣpadaḥ

armed with claws and fangs, in a terrifying tiger-form. There, four-footed now, he remained, killing deer and devouring them,

Verse 267 (padma.1.18.267)

द्विपदानपि तत्रस्थान्कालेन क्रमयोजितान्। एवं तत्र वने तस्य संवत्सरशतं गतम्

dvipadānapi tatrasthānkālena kramayojitān evaṁ tatra vane tasya saṁvatsaraśataṁ gatam

and also two-footed beings present there, who by the working of time came within his reach. Thus a hundred years passed for him in that forest,

Verse 268 (padma.1.18.268)

आत्मानं निंदमानस्य मृगमांसानि खादतः। कदाहं मानुषं भावं गमिष्यामीदृशं पुनः

ātmānaṁ niṁdamānasya mṛgamāṁsāni khādataḥ kadāhaṁ mānuṣaṁ bhāvaṁ gamiṣyāmīdṛśaṁ punaḥ

reviling himself, eating the flesh of deer — 'When shall I again attain such a human state?

Verse 269 (padma.1.18.269)

कुत्सितं न करिष्यामि वियोनिकरणं महत्। कुर्वता मांसलोभेन मृगयां परिधावता

kutsitaṁ na kariṣyāmi viyonikaraṇaṁ mahat kurvatā māṁsalobhena mṛgayāṁ paridhāvatā

I shall never again commit such a vile and degrading act' — it was I myself, roaming about in the hunt out of greed for meat, who did this,

Verse 270 (padma.1.18.270)

आपदासहितं प्राप्तं मानुषाणां भयावहम्। दर्शनं दुःखदं मह्यं मृगाणां मानुषैः सह

āpadāsahitaṁ prāptaṁ mānuṣāṇāṁ bhayāvaham darśanaṁ duḥkhadaṁ mahyaṁ mṛgāṇāṁ mānuṣaiḥ saha

and I fell into a calamity terrifying to men. This sight, of deer together with humans, is a sorrow to me.

Verse 271 (padma.1.18.271)

पापेन पापतां नीतो ह्यपापेऽपि सतां कुले। उत्पन्नो विकृतिं नीतः पश्य कालस्य पर्ययम्

pāpena pāpatāṁ nīto hyapāpe'pi satāṁ kule utpanno vikṛtiṁ nītaḥ paśya kālasya paryayam

By sin I have been brought to a sinful state, though born, sinless, in a family of the virtuous — brought to this degradation. See the reversal wrought by time!

Verse 272 (padma.1.18.272)

तस्मान्मे सुकृतं नास्ति हिंसाप्येका विगर्हिता। तया तु प्राप्यते दुःखं न च मोक्षो भविष्यति

tasmānme sukṛtaṁ nāsti hiṁsāpyekā vigarhitā tayā tu prāpyate duḥkhaṁ na ca mokṣo bhaviṣyati

Therefore I have no meritorious deed left; even a single act of violence is condemned. From it only sorrow is obtained, and liberation shall never come.

Verse 273 (padma.1.18.273)

कथं मे भविता मोक्षः कथं सत्या मृगी भवेत्। गते वर्षशते तस्य वसतस्तद्वने तदा

kathaṁ me bhavitā mokṣaḥ kathaṁ satyā mṛgī bhavet gate varṣaśate tasya vasatastadvane tadā

How shall my liberation come? How shall the doe's word prove true?' As he dwelt in that forest, when a hundred years had passed for him,

Verse 274 (padma.1.18.274)

आयातं गोकुलं काले यवसोदककारणात्। गोवाटवाटीसंस्थानं तत्तत्र समवस्थितम्

āyātaṁ gokulaṁ kāle yavasodakakāraṇāt govāṭavāṭīsaṁsthānaṁ tattatra samavasthitam

in time a herd of cattle came there for the sake of fodder and water. A cattle-shed and cow-enclosure came to be established at that place,

Verse 275 (padma.1.18.275)

वनोपकण्ठे मंथानरवेणापूरितं च यत्। क्षीबैर्गोपैः समाकीर्णं पादपैरपितद्वनम्

vanopakaṇṭhe maṁthānaraveṇāpūritaṁ ca yat kṣībairgopaiḥ samākīrṇaṁ pādapairapitadvanam

which, at the edge of the forest, was filled with the sound of churning; and that forest too was thronged with intoxicated cowherds and with trees.

Verse 276 (padma.1.18.276)

निशिवंशरवोपेतं गोपीनां च शुभप्रदम्। एवं तु वसतस्तस्य खर्जूरवनसंसदि

niśivaṁśaravopetaṁ gopīnāṁ ca śubhapradam evaṁ tu vasatastasya kharjūravanasaṁsadi

Filled at night with the sound of flutes, and auspicious for the cowherd women — that forest. As he thus dwelt in the settlement of that date-palm forest,

Verse 277 (padma.1.18.277)

हृष्टा तुष्टा च पुष्टा च नंदा वै नाम नामतः। गोमंडलस्य सामुख्या हंसवर्णा घटस्रवा

hṛṣṭā tuṣṭā ca puṣṭā ca naṁdā vai nāma nāmataḥ gomaṁḍalasya sāmukhyā haṁsavarṇā ghaṭasravā

there was, foremost of the herd of cattle, a joyful, contented, well-fed cow named Nanda — swan-colored, her udder streaming milk like a full jar,

Verse 278 (padma.1.18.278)

दीर्घघोणा विभक्तांगी बंधुरांगी तनुत्वचा। नीलकंठा शुभग्रीवा घंटाली मधुरस्वना

dīrghaghoṇā vibhaktāṁgī baṁdhurāṁgī tanutvacā nīlakaṁṭhā śubhagrīvā ghaṁṭālī madhurasvanā

long-muzzled, of well-proportioned limbs, of graceful body, thin-skinned, blue-throated, of beautiful neck, adorned with bells, and sweet-voiced.

Verse 279 (padma.1.18.279)

सा च यूथस्य सर्वस्य पुरश्चरति निर्भया। घासस्थानं चरेच्छन्नं गत्वैका च यथासुखम्

sā ca yūthasya sarvasya puraścarati nirbhayā ghāsasthānaṁ carecchannaṁ gatvaikā ca yathāsukham

She went about fearlessly at the front of the whole herd; alone, too, as she pleased, she would go and graze in some hidden pasture.

Verse 280 (padma.1.18.280)

यथेष्टकामा सुरभी छन्नं चरति वै तृणम्। रोहितो नाम तत्रान्यः पर्वतः सरितस्तटे

yatheṣṭakāmā surabhī channaṁ carati vai tṛṇam rohito nāma tatrānyaḥ parvataḥ saritastaṭe

That fine cow, wandering as she pleased, grazed in secret grassland. On the riverbank there was another mountain there, named Rohita,

Verse 281 (padma.1.18.281)

अनेककंदरदरी गुहासत्व निषेवितः। तस्य पूर्वोत्तरेभागे घोरे तृणसमाकुले

anekakaṁdaradarī guhāsatva niṣevitaḥ tasya pūrvottarebhāge ghore tṛṇasamākule

with many ravines and caves, frequented by cave-dwelling creatures. On its northeastern side, in a terrifying place overgrown with grass,

Verse 282 (padma.1.18.282)

संकटे विषमे दुर्गे भैरवे लोमहर्षणे। मृगसिंहसमाकीर्णे बहु श्वापद सेविते

saṁkaṭe viṣame durge bhairave lomaharṣaṇe mṛgasiṁhasamākīrṇe bahu śvāpada sevite

narrow, difficult of access and uneven, dreadful and hair-raising, teeming with deer and lions, frequented by many wild beasts,

Verse 283 (padma.1.18.283)

वल्लीवृक्षादिगहने शिवाशत निनादिते। दुर्गेस्मिन्वसते रौद्रः कामरूपी भयंकरः

vallīvṛkṣādigahane śivāśata ninādite durgesminvasate raudraḥ kāmarūpī bhayaṁkaraḥ

dense with creepers and trees, echoing with the howls of hundreds of jackals — in this difficult terrain there dwelt a fierce, shape-shifting, terrifying tiger —

Verse 284 (padma.1.18.284)

द्वीपी शोणित दिग्धांसो घोरदंष्ट्रानखायुधः। नंदो नाम स धर्मात्मा स च गोपीहिते रतः

dvīpī śoṇita digdhāṁso ghoradaṁṣṭrānakhāyudhaḥ naṁdo nāma sa dharmātmā sa ca gopīhite rataḥ

a leopard-tiger, its shoulders smeared with blood, armed with terrible fangs and claws — that same righteous-souled Nanda, once devoted to the welfare of cows,

Verse 285 (padma.1.18.285)

अच्छिन्नाग्रैस्तृणैर्दीर्घैर्गोधनं परिरक्षति। तस्य यूथपरिभ्रष्टा सानंदा तृणलिप्सया

acchinnāgraistṛṇairdīrghairgodhanaṁ parirakṣati tasya yūthaparibhraṣṭā sānaṁdā tṛṇalipsayā

who had protected the herds with long, untrimmed grass. Now, separated from her herd, that same cow Nanda, in search of grass,

Verse 286 (padma.1.18.286)

चरंती व्याघ्रपुरतः सा धेनुः प्रत्युपस्थिता। अभ्यद्रवच्च तां द्वीपी तिष्ठतिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

caraṁtī vyāghrapurataḥ sā dhenuḥ pratyupasthitā abhyadravacca tāṁ dvīpī tiṣṭhatiṣṭheti cābravīt

grazing, came to stand before that tiger. The tiger rushed at her and said, 'Stop, stop!

Verse 287 (padma.1.18.287)

त्वमद्य विहितो भक्षः स्वयं प्राप्तासि धेनुके। द्वीपिनश्च वचः श्रुत्वा निष्ठुरं रोमहर्षणं

tvamadya vihito bhakṣaḥ svayaṁ prāptāsi dhenuke dvīpinaśca vacaḥ śrutvā niṣṭhuraṁ romaharṣaṇaṁ

You have today been ordained as my food — you have come to me yourself, O cow!' Hearing the tiger's harsh, hair-raising words,

Verse 288 (padma.1.18.288)

शुक्लरूपान्वितं बालं भद्रमिंदुसमप्रभम्। वत्सं स्मरति सा धेनुः स्नेहाक्ता गद्गदाक्षरम्

śuklarūpānvitaṁ bālaṁ bhadramiṁdusamaprabham vatsaṁ smarati sā dhenuḥ snehāktā gadgadākṣaram

remembering her white-colored, gentle calf, radiant like the moon, that cow, overcome with affection, in a voice choked with emotion,

Verse 289 (padma.1.18.289)

दह्यंती पुत्रशोकेन नंदा सा पुत्रवत्सला। रुदंती करुणं चैव निराशा पुत्रदर्शने

dahyaṁtī putraśokena naṁdā sā putravatsalā rudaṁtī karuṇaṁ caiva nirāśā putradarśane

burning with grief for her son, that Nanda, devoted to her calf, weeping piteously, having lost hope of ever seeing her son again —

Verse 290 (padma.1.18.290)

द्वीपी दृष्ट्वा तु तां धेनुं क्रंदमानां सुदुःखिताम्। उवाच वचनं घोरं धेनुके किं प्ररुद्यते

dvīpī dṛṣṭvā tu tāṁ dhenuṁ kraṁdamānāṁ suduḥkhitām uvāca vacanaṁ ghoraṁ dhenuke kiṁ prarudyate

the tiger, seeing that cow weeping so sorrowfully, spoke this harsh word: 'Why do you weep, O cow?

Verse 291 (padma.1.18.291)

दैवात्सुखोपपन्नासि भक्षस्त्वं मे यदृच्छया। रुदंत्या वा हसंत्या वा तवात्तं जीवितं भवेत्

daivātsukhopapannāsi bhakṣastvaṁ me yadṛcchayā rudaṁtyā vā hasaṁtyā vā tavāttaṁ jīvitaṁ bhavet

By fate you have arrived here safely, you are by chance my food. Whether by weeping or by laughing, your life shall be taken all the same.

Verse 292 (padma.1.18.292)

विहितं भुज्यते लोके स्वयंप्राप्तासि धेनुके। मृत्युस्ते विहितोद्यैव वृथा किमनुशोचसि

vihitaṁ bhujyate loke svayaṁprāptāsi dhenuke mṛtyuste vihitodyaiva vṛthā kimanuśocasi

What is ordained is what is enjoyed in this world — you have come to me of your own accord, O cow. Your death is ordained this very day — why grieve in vain?'

Verse 293 (padma.1.18.293)

पप्रच्छ तां पुनर्द्वीपी किमर्थं रुदितं त्वया। कौतुकं चात्र मे जातं महन्मे कथयस्व वै

papraccha tāṁ punardvīpī kimarthaṁ ruditaṁ tvayā kautukaṁ cātra me jātaṁ mahanme kathayasva vai

The tiger asked her again, 'For what reason are you weeping? Great curiosity has arisen in me about this — tell me.'

Verse 294 (padma.1.18.294)

व्याघ्रस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा नंदा वाक्यमथाब्रवीत्। क्षंतुमर्हसि मे नाथ कामरूपिन्नमोस्तु ते

vyāghrasya vacanaṁ śrutvā naṁdā vākyamathābravīt kṣaṁtumarhasi me nātha kāmarūpinnamostu te

Hearing the tiger's words, Nanda then said this: 'You should forgive me, my lord; salutation to you, O shape-changer.

Verse 295 (padma.1.18.295)

त्वां समासाद्य लोकस्य परित्राणं न विद्यते। जीवितार्थं न शोचामि प्राप्तव्यं मरणं मया

tvāṁ samāsādya lokasya paritrāṇaṁ na vidyate jīvitārthaṁ na śocāmi prāptavyaṁ maraṇaṁ mayā

Having encountered you, there is no protection to be found for anyone in this world. I do not grieve for my life; death is something I must undergo.

Verse 296 (padma.1.18.296)

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च। तस्मादपरिहार्येर्थे न शोचामि मृगाधिप

jātasya hi dhruvo mṛtyurdhruvaṁ janma mṛtasya ca tasmādaparihāryerthe na śocāmi mṛgādhipa

For one who is born, death is certain, and for one who has died, birth again is certain. Therefore, O lord of beasts, over this unavoidable matter I do not grieve.

Verse 297 (padma.1.18.297)

देवैरपि यथा सर्वैर्मर्त्तव्यमवशैर्ध्रुवम्। तस्मात्तु नाहमेवैका व्याघ्र शोचामि जीवितम्

devairapi yathā sarvairmarttavyamavaśairdhruvam tasmāttu nāhamevaikā vyāghra śocāmi jīvitam

Just as even all the gods too must inevitably die, being powerless before it — therefore, O tiger, I alone do not grieve for my life.

Verse 298 (padma.1.18.298)

किंतु स्नेहेन वै साधो दुःखेन रुदितं मया। अस्ति मे हृदि संतापस्तं च त्वं श्रोतुमर्हसि

kiṁtu snehena vai sādho duḥkhena ruditaṁ mayā asti me hṛdi saṁtāpastaṁ ca tvaṁ śrotumarhasi

But, O good one, it was out of affection and sorrow that I wept. There is an anguish in my heart, which you ought to hear.

Verse 299 (padma.1.18.299)

प्रथमे वयसि प्राप्ते प्रसूताहं मृगाधिप। इष्टः प्रथमजातश्च सुतस्तु मम बालकः

prathame vayasi prāpte prasūtāhaṁ mṛgādhipa iṣṭaḥ prathamajātaśca sutastu mama bālakaḥ

O lord of beasts, when I reached my first youth, I gave birth. My beloved firstborn son, a calf, was born to me.

Verse 300 (padma.1.18.300)

क्षीरपायी च मे वत्सस्तृणं नाद्यापि जिघ्रति। स च गोपकुले बद्धः क्षुधार्तो मामवेक्षते

kṣīrapāyī ca me vatsastṛṇaṁ nādyāpi jighrati sa ca gopakule baddhaḥ kṣudhārto māmavekṣate

My calf still drinks milk, and does not yet even sniff at grass. Tied up in the cowherd's dwelling, tormented by hunger, he watches for me,

Verse 301 (padma.1.18.301)

तमहं चानुशोचामि कथं जीविष्यते सुतः। तस्येच्छामि स्तनं दातुं पुत्रस्नेहवशं गता

tamahaṁ cānuśocāmi kathaṁ jīviṣyate sutaḥ tasyecchāmi stanaṁ dātuṁ putrasnehavaśaṁ gatā

I grieve for him alone — how shall my son live? Overcome by love for my son, I wish to give him the breast.

Verse 302 (padma.1.18.302)

पाययित्वा स्तनं वत्समवलिह्य च मूर्द्धनि। सखीनामर्पयित्वा तु संदिश्य च हिताहितम्

pāyayitvā stanaṁ vatsamavalihya ca mūrddhani sakhīnāmarpayitvā tu saṁdiśya ca hitāhitam

Having nursed him, and licked my calf upon the head, and entrusted him to my friends, and given instructions on what is good and harmful for him,

Verse 303 (padma.1.18.303)

पुनः प्रत्यागमिष्यामि यथेष्टं भक्षयिष्यसि। स नंदाया वचः श्रुत्वा मृगेंद्रः पुनरब्रवीत्

punaḥ pratyāgamiṣyāmi yatheṣṭaṁ bhakṣayiṣyasi sa naṁdāyā vacaḥ śrutvā mṛgeṁdraḥ punarabravīt

I shall come back again — then you may devour me as you wish.' Hearing Nanda's words, the lord of beasts spoke again —

Verse 304 (padma.1.18.304)

किं ते पुत्रेण कर्त्तव्यं मरणं किं न बुध्यसे। त्रस्यंति सर्वभूतानि म्रियंते मां निरीक्ष्य च

kiṁ te putreṇa karttavyaṁ maraṇaṁ kiṁ na budhyase trasyaṁti sarvabhūtāni mriyaṁte māṁ nirīkṣya ca

'What need have you of your son? Do you not understand death? All beings tremble and die at the very sight of me.

Verse 305 (padma.1.18.305)

त्वं पुनः कृपयाविष्टा पुत्रपुत्रेति भाषसे। न पुत्रा न तपो दानं न माता न पिता गुरुः

tvaṁ punaḥ kṛpayāviṣṭā putraputreti bhāṣase na putrā na tapo dānaṁ na mātā na pitā guruḥ

Yet you, overcome with compassion, keep saying "son, son." Neither sons, nor austerity, nor gifts, nor mother, nor father, nor guru,

Verse 306 (padma.1.18.306)

शक्नुवंति परित्रातुं नरं कालप्रपीडितम्। कथं त्वं गोकुलं गत्वा गोपीजनसमाकुलम्

śaknuvaṁti paritrātuṁ naraṁ kālaprapīḍitam kathaṁ tvaṁ gokulaṁ gatvā gopījanasamākulam

are able to protect a man afflicted by death. How will you, having gone to the cow-settlement, thronged with cowherd women,

Verse 307 (padma.1.18.307)

वृषभैर्नादितं दिव्यं बालवत्सविभूषितम्। भूषणं देवलोकस्य स्वर्गतुल्यं न संशयः

vṛṣabhairnāditaṁ divyaṁ bālavatsavibhūṣitam bhūṣaṇaṁ devalokasya svargatulyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

resounding with the bellowing of bulls, divine, adorned with young calves — an ornament of the world of the gods, equal to heaven without doubt,

Verse 308 (padma.1.18.308)

नित्यं प्रमुदितं दिव्यं सर्वदेवप्रपूजितम्। यत्पवित्रं पवित्राणां मंगलानां च मंगलम्

nityaṁ pramuditaṁ divyaṁ sarvadevaprapūjitam yatpavitraṁ pavitrāṇāṁ maṁgalānāṁ ca maṁgalam

ever joyful, divine, worshipped by all the gods — which is the purest of the pure, the most auspicious of auspicious things,

Verse 309 (padma.1.18.309)

यत्तीर्थं सर्वतीर्थानां धन्यानां धन्यमुत्तमम्। समस्तगुणसंपन्नमीश्वरायतनं महत्

yattīrthaṁ sarvatīrthānāṁ dhanyānāṁ dhanyamuttamam samastaguṇasaṁpannamīśvarāyatanaṁ mahat

which is the sacred ford of all sacred fords, most blessed among the blessed, and supreme, endowed with every virtue, the great abode of the Lord,

Verse 310 (padma.1.18.310)

यत्ख्यातं सर्वतीर्थानां भूमिस्वर्गमनुत्तमम्। गोपीमंथनशब्देन बालवत्सरवेण च

yatkhyātaṁ sarvatīrthānāṁ bhūmisvargamanuttamam gopīmaṁthanaśabdena bālavatsaraveṇa ca

which is renowned among all sacred fords, an unsurpassed heaven upon earth — where, by the sound of the cowherd women's churning and the calves' lowing,

Verse 311 (padma.1.18.311)

गवां हुंकारशब्देन अलक्ष्मीः प्रतिहन्यते। यत्र वत्साश्च हुंकारं करुणं मातृकांक्षया

gavāṁ huṁkāraśabdena alakṣmīḥ pratihanyate yatra vatsāśca huṁkāraṁ karuṇaṁ mātṛkāṁkṣayā

and by the cows' lowing, misfortune itself is driven away; where the calves low piteously, longing for their mothers,

Verse 312 (padma.1.18.312)

यद्गोपैः पालितं शूरैर्बाहुयुद्धकृतश्रमैः। प्रगीतनृत्यसंलापं नंदितास्फोटनादितम्

yadgopaiḥ pālitaṁ śūrairbāhuyuddhakṛtaśramaiḥ pragītanṛtyasaṁlāpaṁ naṁditāsphoṭanāditam

which is protected by brave cowherds, wearied from arm-wrestling contests, filled with song, dance, and talk, resounding with the claps and shouts of the joyful,

Verse 313 (padma.1.18.313)

इतस्ततः स्थितैर्वत्सैर्नर्द्यमानं समंततः। सरोवद्राजते गोष्टं चलद्भिरिव पंकजैः

itastataḥ sthitairvatsairnardyamānaṁ samaṁtataḥ sarovadrājate goṣṭaṁ caladbhiriva paṁkajaiḥ

echoing all around with calves standing here and there — that cow-pen shines like a lake with its lotuses gently swaying —

Verse 314 (padma.1.18.314)

तं श्रीनिकेतनं सौम्यं हृष्टपुष्टजनाकुलम्। गोलोकप्रतिमं दृष्ट्वा कथं प्रत्यागमिष्यसि

taṁ śrīniketanaṁ saumyaṁ hṛṣṭapuṣṭajanākulam golokapratimaṁ dṛṣṭvā kathaṁ pratyāgamiṣyasi

having seen that gentle abode of Shri, thronged with joyful and thriving people, resembling Goloka itself, how will you come back again?

Verse 315 (padma.1.18.315)

पंचभूतानि मे भद्रे पिबंतु रुधिरं तव। न निर्विण्णानि भूतानि वाङ्मात्रेण करोम्यहम्

paṁcabhūtāni me bhadre pibaṁtu rudhiraṁ tava na nirviṇṇāni bhūtāni vāṅmātreṇa karomyaham

Let my five elements drink your blood, O gentle one — I do not release beings by mere words.'

Verse 316 (padma.1.18.316)

नंदोवाच। एवं प्रथमवत्साया मृगेंद्र शृणु मे वचः। दृष्ट्वा सखीः सुतं बालं गोपांश्च प्रतिपालकान्

naṁdovāca evaṁ prathamavatsāyā mṛgeṁdra śṛṇu me vacaḥ dṛṣṭvā sakhīḥ sutaṁ bālaṁ gopāṁśca pratipālakān

Nanda said: 'O lord of beasts, hear the word of one who is a first-time mother — having seen my friends, my young son, and the cowherds who protect him,

Verse 317 (padma.1.18.317)

गोपीजनमुपामंत्र्य जननीं च विशेषतः। शपथैरागमिष्यामि मन्यसे यदि मुंच मां

gopījanamupāmaṁtrya jananīṁ ca viśeṣataḥ śapathairāgamiṣyāmi manyase yadi muṁca māṁ

having addressed the cowherd women, and especially my own mother, I shall return under solemn oath — if you trust this, release me.

Verse 318 (padma.1.18.318)

यत्पापं ब्रह्मवध्यायां मातृपितृवधेषु च। तेन पापेन लिप्येहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः

yatpāpaṁ brahmavadhyāyāṁ mātṛpitṛvadheṣu ca tena pāpena lipyehaṁ yadyahaṁ nāgame punaḥ

Whatever sin belongs to the slaying of a Brahmin, or to the killing of one's mother and father — may I be tainted with that very sin if I do not return again.

Verse 319 (padma.1.18.319)

यत्पापं लुब्धकानां तु म्लेच्छानां गरदायिनाम्। तेन पापेन लिप्येहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः

yatpāpaṁ lubdhakānāṁ tu mlecchānāṁ garadāyinām tena pāpena lipyehaṁ yadyahaṁ nāgame punaḥ

Whatever sin belongs to hunters, and to mlecchas who administer poison — may I be tainted with that very sin if I do not return again.

Verse 320 (padma.1.18.320)

गोषु विघ्नांश्च ये कुर्युः स्वपंतीं ताडयंति च। तेन पापे नलिप्येहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः

goṣu vighnāṁśca ye kuryuḥ svapaṁtīṁ tāḍayaṁti ca tena pāpe nalipyehaṁ yadyahaṁ nāgame punaḥ

Those who cause disturbance among cows, and who beat them as they sleep — may I be tainted with their sin if I do not return again.

Verse 321 (padma.1.18.321)

सकृद्दत्वा तु यः कन्यां द्वितीये दातुमिच्छति। तस्य पापेन लिप्येहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः

sakṛddatvā tu yaḥ kanyāṁ dvitīye dātumicchati tasya pāpena lipyehaṁ yadyahaṁ nāgame punaḥ

Whoever, having once given a daughter in marriage, wishes to give her a second time — may I be tainted with his sin if I do not return again.

Verse 322 (padma.1.18.322)

यस्त्वनर्हान्बलीवर्दान्विषमे वाहयेत्पुमान्। कथायां कथ्यमानायां विघ्नं कारयते तु यः

yastvanarhānbalīvardānviṣame vāhayetpumān kathāyāṁ kathyamānāyāṁ vighnaṁ kārayate tu yaḥ

Whoever makes unfit oxen haul loads over rough ground, and whoever, while a story is being told, causes a disruption to it,

Verse 323 (padma.1.18.323)

तेन पापेन लिप्येहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः। गृहे यस्यागतं मित्रं निराशं प्रतिगच्छति

tena pāpena lipyehaṁ yadyahaṁ nāgame punaḥ gṛhe yasyāgataṁ mitraṁ nirāśaṁ pratigacchati

may I be tainted with that sin if I do not return again. Whoever sends away, disappointed, a friend who has come to his house,

Verse 324 (padma.1.18.324)

तस्य पापेन लिप्येहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः। इत्येतैः पातकैर्घोरैरागमिष्याम्यहं पुनः

tasya pāpena lipyehaṁ yadyahaṁ nāgame punaḥ ityetaiḥ pātakairghorairāgamiṣyāmyahaṁ punaḥ

may I be tainted with his sin if I do not return again. Under the oath of these very terrible sins, I shall come back again.'

Verse 325 (padma.1.18.325)

बुध्वा संप्रत्ययं द्वीपी पुनर्वचनमब्रवीत्। व्याघ्र उवाच। संजातः प्रत्ययोस्माकं शपथैर्धेनुके तव

budhvā saṁpratyayaṁ dvīpī punarvacanamabravīt vyāghra uvāca saṁjātaḥ pratyayosmākaṁ śapathairdhenuke tava

Understanding her sincerity, the tiger spoke this word again. The tiger said: 'O cow, through your oaths, trust has arisen in us.

Verse 326 (padma.1.18.326)

कदाचिन्मन्यसे गत्वा मूर्खोयं वंचितो मया। अत्रापि केचिद्वक्ष्यंति शपथे नास्ति पातकम्

kadācinmanyase gatvā mūrkhoyaṁ vaṁcito mayā atrāpi kecidvakṣyaṁti śapathe nāsti pātakam

Perhaps you think, once gone, 'I have deceived this fool' — here too some will say there is no sin in breaking an oath,

Verse 327 (padma.1.18.327)

कामिनीषु विवाहेषु गवां मुक्तौ तथैव च। प्राणत्यागे समुत्पन्ने श्रद्धातव्यं न च त्वया

kāminīṣu vivāheṣu gavāṁ muktau tathaiva ca prāṇatyāge samutpanne śraddhātavyaṁ na ca tvayā

in love affairs, in marriages, and likewise in the release of cattle, or when the loss of life is at stake — you need not put faith in such things.

Verse 328 (padma.1.18.328)

लोकेस्मिन्नास्तिकाः केचिन्मूर्खाः पंडितमानिनः। भ्रामयिष्यंति ते चित्तं चक्रारूढमिव क्षणात्

lokesminnāstikāḥ kecinmūrkhāḥ paṁḍitamāninaḥ bhrāmayiṣyaṁti te cittaṁ cakrārūḍhamiva kṣaṇāt

In this world there are some atheists, fools who think themselves wise; they will bewilder your mind in an instant, like a wheel set spinning,

Verse 329 (padma.1.18.329)

कुतर्कहेतुवृत्तांतैरज्ञानावृतचेतसः। मोहयंति नराः क्षुद्रा आगमानविशारदाः

kutarkahetuvṛttāṁtairajñānāvṛtacetasaḥ mohayaṁti narāḥ kṣudrā āgamānaviśāradāḥ

with false arguments and deceptive reasonings, their minds covered by ignorance — those base men, unskilled in the scriptures, delude others.

Verse 330 (padma.1.18.330)

अतथ्यान्यपि तथ्यानि दर्शयंत्यतिपेशलाः। समे निम्नोन्नतानीव चित्रकर्मविदो जनाः

atathyānyapi tathyāni darśayaṁtyatipeśalāḥ same nimnonnatānīva citrakarmavido janāḥ

Being extremely clever, they show even untruths as truths — just as those skilled in painting make a flat surface appear raised or sunken.

Verse 331 (padma.1.18.331)

प्रायः कृतार्थो लोकोयं मन्यते नोपकारिणम्। वत्सः क्षीरक्षयं दृष्ट्वा परित्यजति मातरम्

prāyaḥ kṛtārtho lokoyaṁ manyate nopakāriṇam vatsaḥ kṣīrakṣayaṁ dṛṣṭvā parityajati mātaram

Mostly this world, once its purpose is achieved, does not remember its benefactor. The calf, seeing the milk run dry, abandons its mother.

Verse 332 (padma.1.18.332)

न तं पश्यामि लोकेस्मिन्कृते प्रतिकरोति यः। सर्वस्य हि कृतार्थस्य मतिरन्या प्रवर्तते

na taṁ paśyāmi lokesminkṛte pratikaroti yaḥ sarvasya hi kṛtārthasya matiranyā pravartate

I see no one in this world who repays a favor done to him. Once his purpose is achieved, everyone's mind turns to something else.

Verse 333 (padma.1.18.333)

ऋषिदेवासुरनरैः शपथाः कार्यसिद्धये। कृताः परस्परं पूर्वं तान्न मन्यामहे वयम्

ṛṣidevāsuranaraiḥ śapathāḥ kāryasiddhaye kṛtāḥ parasparaṁ pūrvaṁ tānna manyāmahe vayam

We do not give much weight to the oaths that sages, gods, asuras, and men have made to one another in the past, for the accomplishment of some purpose.

Verse 334 (padma.1.18.334)

सत्येनापि शपेद्यस्तु देवाग्निगुरुसन्निधौ। तस्य वैवस्वतो राजा धर्मस्यार्द्धं निकृंतति

satyenāpi śapedyastu devāgnigurusannidhau tasya vaivasvato rājā dharmasyārddhaṁ nikṛṁtati

Whoever swears even a truthful oath in the presence of a god, fire, or a guru, and breaks it — King Vaivasvata cuts away half of his dharma.

Verse 335 (padma.1.18.335)

मा ते बुद्धिर्भवेदेवं शपथैरेष वंचितः। त्वयैव दर्शितं सर्वं यथेष्टं कुरु सांप्रतं

mā te buddhirbhavedevaṁ śapathaireṣa vaṁcitaḥ tvayaiva darśitaṁ sarvaṁ yatheṣṭaṁ kuru sāṁprataṁ

Let your mind not become like this — even if this one has shown everything, having been beguiled by oaths, now do as you please.'

Verse 336 (padma.1.18.336)

नंदोवाच। एवमेव महासाधो कस्त्वां वंचयितुं क्षमः। आत्मैव वंचितस्तेन यः परं वंचयिष्यति

naṁdovāca evameva mahāsādho kastvāṁ vaṁcayituṁ kṣamaḥ ātmaiva vaṁcitastena yaḥ paraṁ vaṁcayiṣyati

Nanda said: 'Just so, O great and virtuous one — who could ever deceive you? He who would deceive another has only deceived himself.'

Verse 337 (padma.1.18.337)

द्वीप्युवाच। धेनुके पश्य गच्छ त्वं पुत्रकं पुत्रवत्सले। पाययित्वा स्तनं वत्समवलिह्य च मूर्द्धनि

dvīpyuvāca dhenuke paśya gaccha tvaṁ putrakaṁ putravatsale pāyayitvā stanaṁ vatsamavalihya ca mūrddhani

The tiger said: 'Go, O cow, go and see your son, O one devoted to your calf. Having nursed him and licked him upon the head,

Verse 338 (padma.1.18.338)

मातरं भ्रातरं दृष्ट्वा सखीस्वजनबांधवान्। सत्यमेवाग्रतः कृत्वा शीघ्रमागमनं कुरु

mātaraṁ bhrātaraṁ dṛṣṭvā sakhīsvajanabāṁdhavān satyamevāgrataḥ kṛtvā śīghramāgamanaṁ kuru

and having seen your mother, brother, friends, kinsfolk, and relatives, placing truth foremost, return quickly.'

Verse 339 (padma.1.18.339)

एवं सा शपथं कृत्वा धेनुर्वै सत्यवादिनी। अनुज्ञाता मृगेंद्रेण प्रयाता पुत्रवत्सला

evaṁ sā śapathaṁ kṛtvā dhenurvai satyavādinī anujñātā mṛgeṁdreṇa prayātā putravatsalā

Thus, having taken her oath, that truthful cow, given leave by the lord of beasts, set out, devoted to her calf,

Verse 340 (padma.1.18.340)

अश्रुपूर्णमुखीदीना वेपमाना सुदुःखिता। हंभारवं प्रमुंचंती पतिता शोकसागरे

aśrupūrṇamukhīdīnā vepamānā suduḥkhitā haṁbhāravaṁ pramuṁcaṁtī patitā śokasāgare

her face full of tears, wretched, trembling, deeply sorrowful, uttering the cry 'hambha,' sunk in an ocean of grief,

Verse 341 (padma.1.18.341)

करीव चरणग्राहं गृहीतः सलिलाशये। अशक्ता स्वपरित्राणे विलपंती मुहुर्मुहुः

karīva caraṇagrāhaṁ gṛhītaḥ salilāśaye aśaktā svaparitrāṇe vilapaṁtī muhurmuhuḥ

like an elephant caught by the foot in a pool of water, unable to save itself, lamenting again and again.

Verse 342 (padma.1.18.342)

सा तत्र गोकुलं प्राप्ता हरिन्नद्यास्तटे स्थितम्। श्रुत्वा वत्सं तु क्रोशंतं पर्यधावत संमुखी

sā tatra gokulaṁ prāptā harinnadyāstaṭe sthitam śrutvā vatsaṁ tu krośaṁtaṁ paryadhāvata saṁmukhī

She reached that cow-settlement, situated on the bank of the Harin river. Hearing her calf crying, she ran toward him.

Verse 343 (padma.1.18.343)

उपसृप्य च तं बालं बाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणम्। संप्राप्य मातरं वत्सः शंकितः परिपृच्छति

upasṛpya ca taṁ bālaṁ bāṣpaparyākulekṣaṇam saṁprāpya mātaraṁ vatsaḥ śaṁkitaḥ paripṛcchati

Approaching that young one, his eyes clouded with tears, the calf, having found his mother, anxiously asked her —

Verse 344 (padma.1.18.344)

न ते पश्याम्यहं स्वास्थ्यं धैर्यं नैवाद्य लक्षये। उद्विग्ना चापि ते दृष्टिर्भीता चातीव लक्ष्यसे

na te paśyāmyahaṁ svāsthyaṁ dhairyaṁ naivādya lakṣaye udvignā cāpi te dṛṣṭirbhītā cātīva lakṣyase

'I do not see your usual composure; I do not see any calmness in you today. Your gaze too seems troubled, and you appear exceedingly frightened.'

Verse 345 (padma.1.18.345)

नन्दोवाच। पिब पुत्र स्तनं मेद्य कारणं यदि पृच्छसि। अशक्ताहं तवाख्यातुं कुरु तृप्तिं यथेप्सिताम्

nandovāca piba putra stanaṁ medya kāraṇaṁ yadi pṛcchasi aśaktāhaṁ tavākhyātuṁ kuru tṛptiṁ yathepsitām

Nanda said: 'Drink my breast today, my son, if you are asking the reason. I am unable to tell you — take your fill as much as you wish.

Verse 346 (padma.1.18.346)

अपश्चिमं तु ते पुत्र दुर्लभं मातृदर्शनम्। एकाहमद्य मे पीत्वा प्रभाते कस्य पास्यसि

apaścimaṁ tu te putra durlabhaṁ mātṛdarśanam ekāhamadya me pītvā prabhāte kasya pāsyasi

My son, this is your last and rarest sight of your mother. Having drunk from me once today, whose milk will you drink at dawn?

Verse 347 (padma.1.18.347)

त्वां त्यक्त्वा पुत्र गंतव्यं शपथैरागता ह्यहम्। क्षुत्क्षामस्य च व्याघ्रस्य दातव्यमात्मजीवितम्

tvāṁ tyaktvā putra gaṁtavyaṁ śapathairāgatā hyaham kṣutkṣāmasya ca vyāghrasya dātavyamātmajīvitam

Leaving you, my son, I must go — I have come under solemn oath; I must give my own life to the hunger-weakened tiger.'

Verse 348 (padma.1.18.348)

नंदायाश्च वचः श्रुत्वा वत्सो वचनमब्रवीत्। वत्स उवाच। अहं तत्र गमिष्यामि यत्र त्वं गंतुमिच्छसि

naṁdāyāśca vacaḥ śrutvā vatso vacanamabravīt vatsa uvāca ahaṁ tatra gamiṣyāmi yatra tvaṁ gaṁtumicchasi

Hearing Nanda's words, the calf spoke this word. The calf said: 'I shall go wherever you wish to go.

Verse 349 (padma.1.18.349)

श्लाघ्यं ममापि मरणं त्वया सह न संशयः। एकाकिनापि मर्तव्यं मयार्तेन त्वया विना

ślāghyaṁ mamāpi maraṇaṁ tvayā saha na saṁśayaḥ ekākināpi martavyaṁ mayārtena tvayā vinā

My death together with you would be praiseworthy too, without doubt. It is better than dying alone in anguish, without you.

Verse 350 (padma.1.18.350)

यदि मां संहितं मातर्वने व्याघ्रो हनिष्यति। या गतिर्मातृभक्तानां ध्रुवं सा मे भविष्यति

yadi māṁ saṁhitaṁ mātarvane vyāghro haniṣyati yā gatirmātṛbhaktānāṁ dhruvaṁ sā me bhaviṣyati

Mother, if the tiger in the forest kills me along with you, then whatever fate belongs to those devoted to their mothers shall surely be mine.'

Verse 351 (padma.1.18.351)

तस्मादवश्यं यास्यामि त्वया सह न संशयः। अथवा तिष्ठ मातस्त्वं शपथाः संतु ते मम

tasmādavaśyaṁ yāsyāmi tvayā saha na saṁśayaḥ athavā tiṣṭha mātastvaṁ śapathāḥ saṁtu te mama

Therefore I shall surely go with you, without doubt. Or else, mother, you stay — let the oaths be mine instead.

Verse 352 (padma.1.18.352)

जनन्या च वियुक्तस्य जीविते किं प्रयोजनम्। अनाथस्य वने नित्यं को मे नाथो भविष्यति

jananyā ca viyuktasya jīvite kiṁ prayojanam anāthasya vane nityaṁ ko me nātho bhaviṣyati

What use is life to one separated from his mother? Who will be my protector, ever orphaned in the forest?

Verse 353 (padma.1.18.353)

नास्ति मातृसमो बंधुर्बालानां क्षीरजीविनाम्। नास्ति मातृसमो नाथो नास्ति मातृसमा गतिः

nāsti mātṛsamo baṁdhurbālānāṁ kṣīrajīvinām nāsti mātṛsamo nātho nāsti mātṛsamā gatiḥ

For young ones who live on milk, there is no kinsman equal to a mother. There is no protector equal to a mother, no refuge equal to a mother.

Verse 354 (padma.1.18.354)

नास्ति मातृसमः स्नेहो नास्ति मातृसमं मुखम्। नास्ति मातृसमो देव इहलोके परत्र च

nāsti mātṛsamaḥ sneho nāsti mātṛsamaṁ mukham nāsti mātṛsamo deva ihaloke paratra ca

There is no affection equal to a mother, no face equal to a mother's. In this world and the next, there is no deity equal to a mother.

Verse 355 (padma.1.18.355)

एवं वै परमो धर्मः प्रजापतिविनिर्मितः। ये तिष्ठंति सदा पुत्रास्ते यांति परमां गतिम्

evaṁ vai paramo dharmaḥ prajāpativinirmitaḥ ye tiṣṭhaṁti sadā putrāste yāṁti paramāṁ gatim

This indeed is the supreme dharma, ordained by Prajapati — the sons who remain thus devoted attain the supreme goal.'

Verse 356 (padma.1.18.356)

नंदोवाच। ममैव विहितो मृत्युर्न त्वं पुत्रागमिष्यसि। न चायमन्यजीवानां मृत्युः स्यादन्यमृत्युना

naṁdovāca mamaiva vihito mṛtyurna tvaṁ putrāgamiṣyasi na cāyamanyajīvānāṁ mṛtyuḥ syādanyamṛtyunā

Nanda said: 'Death has been ordained for me alone; you shall not come, my son. And the death fated for one life cannot be replaced by another's death.

Verse 357 (padma.1.18.357)

अपश्चिममिमं पुत्र मातृसंदेशमुत्तमम्। अत्रातिष्ठस्व मद्वाक्यात्ततः शुशूषणं पुनः

apaścimamimaṁ putra mātṛsaṁdeśamuttamam atrātiṣṭhasva madvākyāttataḥ śuśūṣaṇaṁ punaḥ

My son, this is my final and supreme maternal instruction — at my word, remain here, and thereafter serve your elders.

Verse 358 (padma.1.18.358)

जलेस्थले च विचरन्प्रमादं तात मा कुरु। प्रमादात्सर्वभूतानि विनश्यंति न संशयः

jalesthale ca vicaranpramādaṁ tāta mā kuru pramādātsarvabhūtāni vinaśyaṁti na saṁśayaḥ

Whether roaming on water or on land, my dear, do not be careless. Through carelessness all beings perish — there is no doubt in this.

Verse 359 (padma.1.18.359)

न च लोभेन चर्तव्यं विषमस्थं तॄणं क्वचित्। लोभाद्विनाशः सर्वेषामिहलोके परत्र च

na ca lobhena cartavyaṁ viṣamasthaṁ tṝṇaṁ kvacit lobhādvināśaḥ sarveṣāmihaloke paratra ca

And out of greed one should never venture onto uneven ground even for the sake of grass. From greed comes the destruction of all, in this world and the next.

Verse 360 (padma.1.18.360)

समुद्रमटवीं पुत्र विशंति लोभमोहिताः। लोभादकार्यमत्युग्रं विद्वानपि समाचरेत्

samudramaṭavīṁ putra viśaṁti lobhamohitāḥ lobhādakāryamatyugraṁ vidvānapi samācaret

Deluded by greed, my son, creatures enter the ocean and the wilderness. Out of greed, even a wise man may commit an extremely terrible wrong.

Verse 361 (padma.1.18.361)

लोभात्प्रमादाद्विस्रंभात्त्रिभिर्नाशो भवेन्नॄणाम्। तस्माल्लोभं न कुर्वीत न प्रमादं न विश्वसेत्

lobhātpramādādvisraṁbhāttribhirnāśo bhavennṝṇām tasmāllobhaṁ na kurvīta na pramādaṁ na viśvaset

Through greed, through carelessness, and through excessive trust — by these three, the destruction of men comes about. Therefore one should indulge neither greed, nor carelessness, nor blind trust.

Verse 362 (padma.1.18.362)

आत्मा हि सततं पुत्र रक्षितव्यः प्रयत्नः। सर्वेभ्यः श्वापदेभ्यश्च म्लेच्छचोरादिसंकटात्

ātmā hi satataṁ putra rakṣitavyaḥ prayatnaḥ sarvebhyaḥ śvāpadebhyaśca mlecchacorādisaṁkaṭāt

My son, one must always, with effort, protect oneself — from all beasts of prey, and from the danger of mlecchas, thieves, and the like.

Verse 363 (padma.1.18.363)

तिरश्चां पापयोनीनामेकत्र वसतामपि। विपरीतानि चित्तानि विज्ञायंते न पुत्रक

tiraścāṁ pāpayonīnāmekatra vasatāmapi viparītāni cittāni vijñāyaṁte na putraka

Even among lower creatures of sinful birth, though dwelling together in one place, their hearts may turn against one another — this cannot always be known, my son.

Verse 364 (padma.1.18.364)

नखिनां च नदीनां च शृंगिणां शस्त्रधारिणाम्। न विश्वासस्त्वया कार्यः स्त्रीणां प्रेष्यजनस्य च

nakhināṁ ca nadīnāṁ ca śṛṁgiṇāṁ śastradhāriṇām na viśvāsastvayā kāryaḥ strīṇāṁ preṣyajanasya ca

You should not place your trust in creatures with claws, in rivers, in horned creatures and weapon-bearers — nor in women, nor in servants.

Verse 365 (padma.1.18.365)

न विश्वसेदविश्वस्ते विश्वस्तेनाति विश्वसेत्। विश्वासाद्भयमुत्पन्नं मूलान्यपि निकृंतति

na viśvasedaviśvaste viśvastenāti viśvaset viśvāsādbhayamutpannaṁ mūlānyapi nikṛṁtati

One should not trust the untrustworthy, nor over-trust even the trustworthy. Fear born of misplaced trust can cut away even one's very roots.

Verse 366 (padma.1.18.366)

न विश्वसेत्स्वदेहेपि बलिष्ठे भीतचेतसि। वक्ष्यंति गूढमत्यर्थं सुप्तं मत्तं प्रमादतः

na viśvasetsvadehepi baliṣṭhe bhītacetasi vakṣyaṁti gūḍhamatyarthaṁ suptaṁ mattaṁ pramādataḥ

Do not trust even your own strong body, when your mind is fearful. People will speak of even the deepest secrets to one who is asleep, intoxicated, or careless.

Verse 367 (padma.1.18.367)

गंधः सर्वत्र सततमाघ्रातव्यः प्रयत्नतः। गावः पश्यंति गंधेन राजानश्चारचक्षुषा

gaṁdhaḥ sarvatra satatamāghrātavyaḥ prayatnataḥ gāvaḥ paśyaṁti gaṁdhena rājānaścāracakṣuṣā

Scent should always be diligently sniffed everywhere. Cows perceive by scent, and kings by the eyes of their spies.

Verse 368 (padma.1.18.368)

नैकस्तिष्ठेद्वनेघोरे धर्ममेकं च चिंतयेत्। नचोद्वेगस्त्वयाकार्यः सर्वस्य मरणं ध्रुवं

naikastiṣṭhedvaneghore dharmamekaṁ ca ciṁtayet nacodvegastvayākāryaḥ sarvasya maraṇaṁ dhruvaṁ

One should not remain alone in a terrible forest, and should reflect on dharma alone. You should not feel anguish — death is certain for everyone.

Verse 369 (padma.1.18.369)

यथा हि पथिकः कश्चिच्छायामाश्रित्य तिष्ठति। विश्रम्य च पुनर्याति तद्वद्भूतसमागमः

yathā hi pathikaḥ kaścicchāyāmāśritya tiṣṭhati viśramya ca punaryāti tadvadbhūtasamāgamaḥ

Just as a traveler takes shelter beneath shade, and having rested, goes on his way again — so too is the meeting of living beings.

Verse 370 (padma.1.18.370)

पुत्र नित्यं जगत्सर्वं तत्रैकः शोचसे कथं। तावत्त्वं शोकमुत्सृज्य मद्वाक्यमनुपालय

putra nityaṁ jagatsarvaṁ tatraikaḥ śocase kathaṁ tāvattvaṁ śokamutsṛjya madvākyamanupālaya

My son, the whole world is ever thus — why do you grieve over it alone? So set aside your grief for now, and follow my word.'

Verse 371 (padma.1.18.371)

शिरस्याघ्राय तं पुत्रमवलिह्य च मूर्द्धनि। शोकेन महताविष्टा बाष्पव्याकुललोचना

śirasyāghrāya taṁ putramavalihya ca mūrddhani śokena mahatāviṣṭā bāṣpavyākulalocanā

Smelling her son's head and licking his crown, overwhelmed with great grief, her eyes clouded with tears,

Verse 372 (padma.1.18.372)

विनिःश्वसंती नागीव दीर्घमुष्णं मुहुर्मुहुः। पुत्रहीनं जगच्छून्यं प्रपश्यंतीव साऽभवत्

viniḥśvasaṁtī nāgīva dīrghamuṣṇaṁ muhurmuhuḥ putrahīnaṁ jagacchūnyaṁ prapaśyaṁtīva sā'bhavat

sighing long and hot, again and again, like a serpent-female, she seemed to look upon a world made empty, bereft of her son.

Verse 373 (padma.1.18.373)

महापंकनिमग्नेव तिष्ठंती चावसीदती। विलप्य नंदिनी पुत्रमुवाचेदं पुनर्वचः

mahāpaṁkanimagneva tiṣṭhaṁtī cāvasīdatī vilapya naṁdinī putramuvācedaṁ punarvacaḥ

As if sunk in a great mire, standing there yet sinking, having lamented, Nandini spoke this further word to her son —

Verse 374 (padma.1.18.374)

नास्ति पुत्रसमः स्नेहो नास्तिपुत्रसमं सुखं। नास्ति पुत्रसमा प्रीतिर्नास्ति पुत्रसमा गतिः

nāsti putrasamaḥ sneho nāstiputrasamaṁ sukhaṁ nāsti putrasamā prītirnāsti putrasamā gatiḥ

'There is no affection equal to a son, no happiness equal to a son. There is no love equal to a son, no refuge equal to a son.

Verse 375 (padma.1.18.375)

अपुत्रस्य जगच्छून्यमपुत्रस्य गृहेऽसुखम्। पुत्रेण लभते लोकमपुत्रो नरकं व्रजेत्

aputrasya jagacchūnyamaputrasya gṛhe'sukham putreṇa labhate lokamaputro narakaṁ vrajet

For one without a son, the world is empty; for one without a son, there is no happiness in the home. Through a son one attains the higher worlds; one without a son goes to hell.

Verse 376 (padma.1.18.376)

लोको वदति वाक्यानि चंदनं किल शीतलं। पुत्रगात्रपरिष्वंगश्चंदनादतिशीतलः

loko vadati vākyāni caṁdanaṁ kila śītalaṁ putragātrapariṣvaṁgaścaṁdanādatiśītalaḥ

The world says these words: that sandalwood is cool; but the embrace of a son's body is even cooler than sandalwood.

Verse 377 (padma.1.18.377)

इति पुत्रगुणानुक्त्वा निरीक्ष्य च पुनःपुनः। स्वमातरं सखीर्गोपीस्त्वरमाणा च पृच्छति

iti putraguṇānuktvā nirīkṣya ca punaḥpunaḥ svamātaraṁ sakhīrgopīstvaramāṇā ca pṛcchati

Having thus spoken of her son's virtues, and gazing at him again and again, she, hastening, began to ask her own mother and her friends, the cowherd women —

Verse 378 (padma.1.18.378)

यूथस्याग्रे चरंतीं मामाससाद मृगाधिपः। मुक्ताहं तेन शपथैः पुनर्यास्यामि तत्र वै

yūthasyāgre caraṁtīṁ māmāsasāda mṛgādhipaḥ muktāhaṁ tena śapathaiḥ punaryāsyāmi tatra vai

'The lord of beasts came upon me as I grazed at the front of the herd. I have been released by him through oaths — I must go there again.

Verse 379 (padma.1.18.379)

सुतं च मातरं चैव सखीर्द्रष्टुं च गोकुलं। आगता सत्यवाक्येन पुनर्यास्यामि तत्र वै

sutaṁ ca mātaraṁ caiva sakhīrdraṣṭuṁ ca gokulaṁ āgatā satyavākyena punaryāsyāmi tatra vai

I came to see my son, my mother, my friends, and the cow-settlement — because of my true word, I must go there again.

Verse 380 (padma.1.18.380)

मातः क्षमस्व तत्सर्वं दौःशील्यादि कृतं मम। बालस्तवायं दौहित्रः किमत्रान्यद्ब्रवीम्यहं

mātaḥ kṣamasva tatsarvaṁ dauḥśīlyādi kṛtaṁ mama bālastavāyaṁ dauhitraḥ kimatrānyadbravīmyahaṁ

Mother, forgive all this ill-conduct and the rest that I have committed. This grandson of yours is still a child — what more shall I say about him?

Verse 381 (padma.1.18.381)

विपुले चंपके मातर्भद्रे सुरभि मानिनि। वसुधारे प्रियानंदे महानंदे घटस्रवे

vipule caṁpake mātarbhadre surabhi mānini vasudhāre priyānaṁde mahānaṁde ghaṭasrave

O Vipula, O Champaka, my mother, O Bhadra, O Surabhi, O proud one, O Vasudhara, O Priyananda, O Mahananda, O Ghatasrava,

Verse 382 (padma.1.18.382)

अज्ञानाज्ज्ञानतो वापि यदुक्तं किंचिदप्रियं। तत्क्षमध्वं महाभागा यच्चान्यच्च कृतं मया

ajñānājjñānato vāpi yaduktaṁ kiṁcidapriyaṁ tatkṣamadhvaṁ mahābhāgā yaccānyacca kṛtaṁ mayā

whatever unpleasant word I have spoken, knowingly or unknowingly, forgive it, O greatly blessed ones, and whatever else I have done.

Verse 383 (padma.1.18.383)

सर्वाः सर्वगुणोपेताः सर्वा लोकस्य मातरः। सर्वाः सर्वप्रदा नित्यं रक्षध्वं मम बालकं

sarvāḥ sarvaguṇopetāḥ sarvā lokasya mātaraḥ sarvāḥ sarvapradā nityaṁ rakṣadhvaṁ mama bālakaṁ

All of you are endowed with every virtue, all of you are mothers to the world; all of you ever give everything — protect my child.

Verse 384 (padma.1.18.384)

अनाथं विकलं दीनं रक्षध्वं मम पुत्रकं। मातृशोकाभिसंतप्तं भगिन्यः पालयिष्यथ

anāthaṁ vikalaṁ dīnaṁ rakṣadhvaṁ mama putrakaṁ mātṛśokābhisaṁtaptaṁ bhaginyaḥ pālayiṣyatha

Protect my helpless, wretched, orphaned son. You will care for him, tormented by grief for his mother.

Verse 385 (padma.1.18.385)

यस्मादनाथमबलं पुत्रवत्पालयिष्यथ। क्षमध्वं च महाभागा यास्यामि सत्यसंश्रयात्

yasmādanāthamabalaṁ putravatpālayiṣyatha kṣamadhvaṁ ca mahābhāgā yāsyāmi satyasaṁśrayāt

Since you will care for this orphaned, helpless one as your own son, forgive me, O greatly blessed ones — I shall go, upheld by truth.

Verse 386 (padma.1.18.386)

न चिंता महती कार्या सखीभिश्च कथंचन। प्रथमस्यास्य जातस्य स्थितं मरणमग्रतः

na ciṁtā mahatī kāryā sakhībhiśca kathaṁcana prathamasyāsya jātasya sthitaṁ maraṇamagrataḥ

My friends need not entertain great worry in any way — for this firstborn one, death stood before him from the very start.'

Verse 387 (padma.1.18.387)

श्रुत्वा तु नंदावचनं माता सख्यश्च दुःखिताः। विषादं परमं जग्मुरिदमूचुश्च विस्मिताः

śrutvā tu naṁdāvacanaṁ mātā sakhyaśca duḥkhitāḥ viṣādaṁ paramaṁ jagmuridamūcuśca vismitāḥ

Hearing Nanda's words, her mother and friends grew sorrowful, and, falling into the deepest despair, said in astonishment —

Verse 388 (padma.1.18.388)

अहोऽत्र महदाश्चर्यं यद्व्याघ्रवचनं त्वया। प्रकर्तुमुद्यतं भीमं नंदा त्वं सत्यवादिनी

aho'tra mahadāścaryaṁ yadvyāghravacanaṁ tvayā prakartumudyataṁ bhīmaṁ naṁdā tvaṁ satyavādinī

'Ah, what a great wonder — that you, O truthful Nanda, are prepared to fulfil this terrible pledge given to the tiger!

Verse 389 (padma.1.18.389)

शपथैः सत्यवाक्येन वंचयित्वा महाभयं। नाशनीयं प्रयत्नेन न गंतव्यं कथंचन

śapathaiḥ satyavākyena vaṁcayitvā mahābhayaṁ nāśanīyaṁ prayatnena na gaṁtavyaṁ kathaṁcana

Having eluded this great danger with oaths and true speech, that pledge should be discarded through every effort — you should not go there in any way.

Verse 390 (padma.1.18.390)

नंदे न चैव गंतव्यमधर्मः क्रियते त्वया। यद्बालं स्वसुतं त्यक्त्वा सत्यलोभेन गम्यते

naṁde na caiva gaṁtavyamadharmaḥ kriyate tvayā yadbālaṁ svasutaṁ tyaktvā satyalobhena gamyate

Nanda, you should not go — you would be committing wrong, abandoning your own innocent son out of mere greed for truth.

Verse 391 (padma.1.18.391)

अत्र गाथा पुरा प्रोक्ता ऋषिभिर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः। प्राणत्यागे समुत्पन्ने शपथैर्नास्ति पातकं

atra gāthā purā proktā ṛṣibhirbrahmavādibhiḥ prāṇatyāge samutpanne śapathairnāsti pātakaṁ

On this matter, a verse was spoken of old by the sages who know Brahman — "When life is at stake, there is no sin in oaths.

Verse 392 (padma.1.18.392)

उक्त्वानृतं भवेद्यत्र प्राणिनां प्राणरक्षणं। अनृतं तत्र सत्यं स्यात्सत्यमप्यनृतं भवेत्

uktvānṛtaṁ bhavedyatra prāṇināṁ prāṇarakṣaṇaṁ anṛtaṁ tatra satyaṁ syātsatyamapyanṛtaṁ bhavet

Where speaking an untruth would save the lives of beings, there the untruth itself becomes truth, and even the truth becomes untruth.

Verse 393 (padma.1.18.393)

कामिनीषु विवाहेषु गवां मुक्तौ तथैव च। ब्राह्मणानां विपत्तौ च शपथैर्नास्ति पातकं

kāminīṣu vivāheṣu gavāṁ muktau tathaiva ca brāhmaṇānāṁ vipattau ca śapathairnāsti pātakaṁ

In love affairs, in marriages, and likewise in the release of cattle, and when calamity befalls Brahmins — there is no sin in oaths."'

Verse 394 (padma.1.18.394)

नंदोवाच। परेषां प्राणरक्षार्थं वदाम्येवानृतं वचः। नात्मार्थमुत्सहे वक्तुं जीवितार्थे कथंचन

naṁdovāca pareṣāṁ prāṇarakṣārthaṁ vadāmyevānṛtaṁ vacaḥ nātmārthamutsahe vaktuṁ jīvitārthe kathaṁcana

Nanda said: 'I speak untruth only for the sake of protecting others' lives; for my own purpose, for the sake of my own life, I would never dare to speak it.

Verse 395 (padma.1.18.395)

एकः संश्लिष्यते गर्भे मरणे भरणे तथा। भुंक्ते चैकः सुखं दुःखमतः सत्यं वदाम्यहम्

ekaḥ saṁśliṣyate garbhe maraṇe bharaṇe tathā bhuṁkte caikaḥ sukhaṁ duḥkhamataḥ satyaṁ vadāmyaham

One is joined alone in the womb, alone in death and alone in being sustained; alone one experiences happiness and sorrow — therefore I speak the truth alone.

Verse 396 (padma.1.18.396)

सत्ये प्रतिष्ठिता लोका धर्मः सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितः। उदधिस्सत्यवाक्येन मर्यादां न विलंघते

satye pratiṣṭhitā lokā dharmaḥ satye pratiṣṭhitaḥ udadhissatyavākyena maryādāṁ na vilaṁghate

The worlds are established upon truth alone; dharma too is established upon truth alone. The ocean, because of truthful speech, does not transgress its own bounds.

Verse 397 (padma.1.18.397)

विष्णवे पृथिवीं दत्वा बलि पातालमाश्रितः। छद्मनापि बलिर्बद्धः सत्यवाक्यं न चात्यजत्

viṣṇave pṛthivīṁ datvā bali pātālamāśritaḥ chadmanāpi balirbaddhaḥ satyavākyaṁ na cātyajat

Having given the earth to Vishnu, Bali withdrew into the netherworld; even though bound by deceit, Bali did not abandon his truthful word.

Verse 398 (padma.1.18.398)

प्रवर्धमानः शैलेंद्रः शतशृंगः समुत्थितः। सत्येन संस्थितो विंध्यः प्रबन्धं नातिवर्तते

pravardhamānaḥ śaileṁdraḥ śataśṛṁgaḥ samutthitaḥ satyena saṁsthito viṁdhyaḥ prabandhaṁ nātivartate

The ever-growing lord of mountains, the Hundred-Peaked Vindhya, which had risen up — remaining established in truth, the Vindhya does not transgress its bound.

Verse 399 (padma.1.18.399)

स्वर्गापवर्गनरकाः सत्यवाचि प्रतिष्ठिताः। यस्तु लोपयते वाचमशेषं तेन लोपितं

svargāpavarganarakāḥ satyavāci pratiṣṭhitāḥ yastu lopayate vācamaśeṣaṁ tena lopitaṁ

Heaven, liberation, and hell — all are established upon truthful speech. Whoever breaks his word entirely, by him everything is destroyed.

Verse 400 (padma.1.18.400)

योऽन्यथा संतमात्मानमन्यथा प्रतिपद्यते। किं तेन न कृतं पापं चोरेणात्मापहारिणा

yo'nyathā saṁtamātmānamanyathā pratipadyate kiṁ tena na kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ coreṇātmāpahāriṇā

Whoever, being one thing, presents himself as something else — what sin has he not committed, being a thief who steals his very own self?

Verse 401 (padma.1.18.401)

यास्यामि नरकं घोरं विलोप्यात्मानमात्मना। तस्य वैवस्वतो राजा धर्मस्यार्धं निकृंतति

yāsyāmi narakaṁ ghoraṁ vilopyātmānamātmanā tasya vaivasvato rājā dharmasyārdhaṁ nikṛṁtati

I shall go to terrible hell, having destroyed my own self by my own self, if I break my word. For such a one, King Vaivasvata cuts away half of his dharma.

Verse 402 (padma.1.18.402)

अगाधे सलिले शुद्धे सत्य तीर्थे क्षमा ह्रदे। स्नात्वा पापविनिर्मुक्तः प्रयाति परमां गतिं

agādhe salile śuddhe satya tīrthe kṣamā hrade snātvā pāpavinirmuktaḥ prayāti paramāṁ gatiṁ

Bathing in the unfathomable, pure water of the sacred ford of Truth, in the lake called Forbearance, one, freed from sin, attains the supreme goal.

Verse 403 (padma.1.18.403)

अश्वमेधसहस्रं च सत्यं च तुलया धृतं। अश्वमेधसहस्राद्धि सत्यमेव विशिष्यते

aśvamedhasahasraṁ ca satyaṁ ca tulayā dhṛtaṁ aśvamedhasahasrāddhi satyameva viśiṣyate

A thousand horse-sacrifices and truth, when weighed against each other on a scale — truth alone proves superior to a thousand horse-sacrifices.

Verse 404 (padma.1.18.404)

सत्यं साधुफलं श्रुतं च परमं क्लेशादिभिर्वर्जितं। साधूनां निकटं सतां कुलधनं सर्वाश्रमाणां फलं। यस्मात्तं समवाप्य गच्छति दिवं संत्यज्यतेऽसौ कथं। लोकैरत्र समागमे प्रतिदिनं सत्यं वदध्वं ध्रुवं

satyaṁ sādhuphalaṁ śrutaṁ ca paramaṁ kleśādibhirvarjitaṁ sādhūnāṁ nikaṭaṁ satāṁ kuladhanaṁ sarvāśramāṇāṁ phalaṁ yasmāttaṁ samavāpya gacchati divaṁ saṁtyajyate'sau kathaṁ lokairatra samāgame pratidinaṁ satyaṁ vadadhvaṁ dhruvaṁ

Truth is declared the fruit of the virtuous, supreme, free from afflictions and the rest; it is the refuge of good people, the ancestral wealth of the virtuous, and the fruit of every stage of life. Having attained it, one goes to heaven — how then could it ever be abandoned? In every meeting among people here, always speak the truth, without fail.

Verse 405 (padma.1.18.405)

सख्य ऊचुः। नंदे सा त्वं नमस्कार्या सर्वैरपि सुरासुरैः। या त्वं परमसत्वेन प्राणांस्त्यजसि दुस्त्यजान्

sakhya ūcuḥ naṁde sā tvaṁ namaskāryā sarvairapi surāsuraiḥ yā tvaṁ paramasatvena prāṇāṁstyajasi dustyajān

Her friends said: 'Nanda, you deserve salutation even from all gods and asuras — you who, with supreme fortitude, are giving up your life, so hard to give up.

Verse 406 (padma.1.18.406)

ब्रूमः किं तत्र कल्याणि या त्वं धर्मधुरंधरा। त्यागेनानेन नाऽप्राप्यं त्रैलोक्ये वस्तु किंचन

brūmaḥ kiṁ tatra kalyāṇi yā tvaṁ dharmadhuraṁdharā tyāgenānena nā'prāpyaṁ trailokye vastu kiṁcana

What can we say here, O auspicious one, who bear the very yoke of dharma? Through this sacrifice, is there anything in the three worlds that cannot be attained?

Verse 407 (padma.1.18.407)

अवियोगं च पश्यामस्त्यागादस्मात्सुतेन हि। नार्याः कल्याणचित्तायानापदः संति कुत्रचित्

aviyogaṁ ca paśyāmastyāgādasmātsutena hi nāryāḥ kalyāṇacittāyānāpadaḥ saṁti kutracit

We foresee that even through this sacrifice you will not be separated from your son. For a woman of virtuous mind, there are no calamities anywhere.'

Verse 408 (padma.1.18.408)

दृष्ट्वा गोपीजनं सर्वं परिक्रम्य च गोकुलं। नंदा संप्रस्थिता देवान्वृक्षांश्चापृच्छ्य सा पुनः

dṛṣṭvā gopījanaṁ sarvaṁ parikramya ca gokulaṁ naṁdā saṁprasthitā devānvṛkṣāṁścāpṛcchya sā punaḥ

Having seen all the cowherd women and circumambulated the cow-settlement, Nanda set out, and again took leave of the gods and the trees.

Verse 409 (padma.1.18.409)

क्षितिं वरुणमग्निं च वायुं चापि निशाकरं। दशदिग्देवतावृक्षान्नक्षत्राणि ग्रहैः सह

kṣitiṁ varuṇamagniṁ ca vāyuṁ cāpi niśākaraṁ daśadigdevatāvṛkṣānnakṣatrāṇi grahaiḥ saha

Earth, Varuna, Agni, Vayu, and the moon too, the deities of the ten directions, the trees, and the constellations together with the planets —

Verse 410 (padma.1.18.410)

सर्वान्विज्ञापयामास प्रणिपत्य मुहुर्मुहुः। ये संश्रिता वने सिद्धाः सर्वाश्च वनदेवताः

sarvānvijñāpayāmāsa praṇipatya muhurmuhuḥ ye saṁśritā vane siddhāḥ sarvāśca vanadevatāḥ

bowing to them again and again, she informed all of them: 'Whatever siddhas dwell in this forest, and all the forest deities,

Verse 411 (padma.1.18.411)

वने चरंतं च तृणं ते रक्षंतु सुतं मम। चंपकाशोक पुन्नागास्सरलार्जुनकिंशुकाः

vane caraṁtaṁ ca tṛṇaṁ te rakṣaṁtu sutaṁ mama caṁpakāśoka punnāgāssaralārjunakiṁśukāḥ

and the very grass that grows in the forest — let them protect my son. Champaka, Ashoka, Punnaga, Sarala, Arjuna, Kimshuka —

Verse 412 (padma.1.18.412)

शृण्वंतु पादपाः सर्वे संदेशं मम विक्लवं। वत्समेकाकिनं दीनं चरंतं विषमे वने

śṛṇvaṁtu pādapāḥ sarve saṁdeśaṁ mama viklavaṁ vatsamekākinaṁ dīnaṁ caraṁtaṁ viṣame vane

O all you trees, hear my anguished message — my calf, alone and wretched, wandering in this treacherous forest,

Verse 413 (padma.1.18.413)

रक्षध्वं वत्सकं बालं स्नेहात्पुत्रमिवौरसं। मात्रापित्राविहीनं च अनाथं दीनमानसं

rakṣadhvaṁ vatsakaṁ bālaṁ snehātputramivaurasaṁ mātrāpitrāvihīnaṁ ca anāthaṁ dīnamānasaṁ

protect that young calf out of affection, as if he were your own son. Bereft of mother and father, orphaned, with a wretched mind,

Verse 414 (padma.1.18.414)

विचरंतमिमां भूमिं क्रंदमानं सुदुःखितं। तस्येह क्रंदमानस्य मत्पुत्रस्य महावने

vicaraṁtamimāṁ bhūmiṁ kraṁdamānaṁ suduḥkhitaṁ tasyeha kraṁdamānasya matputrasya mahāvane

wandering over this ground, weeping, deeply sorrowful — that son of mine, weeping here in this great forest,

Verse 415 (padma.1.18.415)

महाशोकाभिभूतस्य क्षुत्पिपासातुरस्य च। शून्यस्यैकाकिनः सर्वं जगच्छून्यं प्रपश्यतः

mahāśokābhibhūtasya kṣutpipāsāturasya ca śūnyasyaikākinaḥ sarvaṁ jagacchūnyaṁ prapaśyataḥ

overwhelmed by great grief, tormented by hunger and thirst, alone and forsaken, seeing the whole world as empty,

Verse 416 (padma.1.18.416)

चरमाणस्य कर्तव्यं सानुक्रोशैस्तु रक्षणं। संदिश्य नंदा प्रीत्यैवं पुत्रस्नेहवशं गता

caramāṇasya kartavyaṁ sānukrośaistu rakṣaṇaṁ saṁdiśya naṁdā prītyaivaṁ putrasnehavaśaṁ gatā

as he wanders thus — his protection, given with compassion, is your very duty.' Having thus, with love, given this charge, Nanda, overcome by love for her son,

Verse 417 (padma.1.18.417)

शोकाग्निना च सन्दीप्ता विच्छिन्ना पुत्रदर्शने। वियुक्ता चक्रवाकीव लतेव पतिता तरोः

śokāgninā ca sandīptā vicchinnā putradarśane viyuktā cakravākīva lateva patitā taroḥ

ablaze with the fire of grief, cut off from the sight of her son, separated like a female Chakravaka bird, fallen like a creeper torn from its tree,

Verse 418 (padma.1.18.418)

अंधेव दृष्टिरहिता प्रस्खलंती पदे पदे। अगच्छत्सा पुनस्तत्र यत्रासौ पिशिताशनः

aṁdheva dṛṣṭirahitā praskhalaṁtī pade pade agacchatsā punastatra yatrāsau piśitāśanaḥ

sightless like one blind, stumbling at every step, she went again to that place where that flesh-eater

Verse 419 (padma.1.18.419)

आस्ते विस्फूर्जितमुखस्तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रो भयावहः। तावत्तस्याः सुतो वत्स ऊर्द्ध्वपुच्छोतिवेगवान्

āste visphūrjitamukhastīkṣṇadaṁṣṭro bhayāvahaḥ tāvattasyāḥ suto vatsa ūrddhvapucchotivegavān

sat, his face contorted with rage, sharp-fanged, terrifying. Just then her son, that calf, tail raised, with great speed,

Verse 420 (padma.1.18.420)

आगत्य मातुरग्रेसौ मृगेंद्रस्याग्रतोऽभवत्। आगतं तु सुतं दृष्ट्वा मृत्युं तमग्रतः स्थितं

āgatya māturagresau mṛgeṁdrasyāgrato'bhavat āgataṁ tu sutaṁ dṛṣṭvā mṛtyuṁ tamagrataḥ sthitaṁ

came and, going ahead of his mother, placed himself before the lord of beasts. Seeing her son thus arrived, standing there before death itself,

Verse 421 (padma.1.18.421)

व्याघ्रं दृष्ट्वा तु सा धेनुरिदं वचनमब्रवीत्। भोभो मृगेंद्रागताहं सत्यधर्मव्रते स्थिता

vyāghraṁ dṛṣṭvā tu sā dhenuridaṁ vacanamabravīt bhobho mṛgeṁdrāgatāhaṁ satyadharmavrate sthitā

and seeing the tiger, that cow spoke this word: 'O lord of beasts, I have come here, established in the vow of true dharma.

Verse 422 (padma.1.18.422)

कुरु तृप्तिं यथाकाममस्मन्मांसेन सांप्रतम्। संतर्पय स्वभूतानि पिब त्वं शोणितं मम

kuru tṛptiṁ yathākāmamasmanmāṁsena sāṁpratam saṁtarpaya svabhūtāni piba tvaṁ śoṇitaṁ mama

Now satisfy yourself as you please with our flesh. Nourish your own being, drink my blood.

Verse 423 (padma.1.18.423)

मृतायां तु मयि त्वं भो भक्षयेमं तु बालकम्। द्वीप्युवाच। स्वागतं तव कल्याणि धेनुके सत्यवादिनी

mṛtāyāṁ tu mayi tvaṁ bho bhakṣayemaṁ tu bālakam dvīpyuvāca svāgataṁ tava kalyāṇi dhenuke satyavādinī

Once I am dead, sir, you may eat this child too.' The tiger said: 'Welcome to you, O auspicious one, O truthful cow!

Verse 424 (padma.1.18.424)

न हि सत्यवतां किंचिदशुभं भवति क्वचित्। त्वयोक्तं धेनुके पूर्वं सत्यं प्रत्यागमे पुनः

na hi satyavatāṁ kiṁcidaśubhaṁ bhavati kvacit tvayoktaṁ dhenuke pūrvaṁ satyaṁ pratyāgame punaḥ

Nothing ill ever befalls those devoted to truth. O cow, what you spoke before, that true word that you would return,

Verse 425 (padma.1.18.425)

तेन मे कौतुकं प्राप्तं प्राप्ता गच्छेत्कथं पुनः। तव सत्यपरीक्षार्थं प्रेषितासि मया पुनः

tena me kautukaṁ prāptaṁ prāptā gacchetkathaṁ punaḥ tava satyaparīkṣārthaṁ preṣitāsi mayā punaḥ

that gave rise to my curiosity: "Having gone free, how will she come back again?" It was only to test your truthfulness that I sent you back again.

Verse 426 (padma.1.18.426)

अन्यथा मां समासाद्य जीवंती यास्यसे कथम्। यच्च नः कौतुकं जातं सत्यमन्वेषणं मम

anyathā māṁ samāsādya jīvaṁtī yāsyase katham yacca naḥ kautukaṁ jātaṁ satyamanveṣaṇaṁ mama

Otherwise, having met me, how would you have returned alive? The curiosity that arose in me was in fact my own search into your truthfulness.

Verse 427 (padma.1.18.427)

तस्मादनेन सत्येन मुक्तासि च मयाऽधुना। भगिनी भवती मह्यं भागिनेयः सुतस्तव

tasmādanena satyena muktāsi ca mayā'dhunā bhaginī bhavatī mahyaṁ bhāgineyaḥ sutastava

Therefore, by this very truth, you are now freed by me. You have become my sister, and your son is my nephew.

Verse 428 (padma.1.18.428)

दत्तोपदेशस्य शुभे मम पापिष्ठकर्मणः। सत्ये प्रतिष्ठिता लोका धर्मः सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितः

dattopadeśasya śubhe mama pāpiṣṭhakarmaṇaḥ satye pratiṣṭhitā lokā dharmaḥ satye pratiṣṭhitaḥ

Having given this teaching, O auspicious one, to me, a doer of the most sinful deeds — the worlds are established upon truth, and dharma too is established upon truth.

Verse 429 (padma.1.18.429)

सत्येन गौः क्षीरधारां प्रमुंचति हविः प्रियाम्। स वै धन्यतमो गोपो यस्त्वत्क्षीरेण जीवति

satyena gauḥ kṣīradhārāṁ pramuṁcati haviḥ priyām sa vai dhanyatamo gopo yastvatkṣīreṇa jīvati

By truth alone the cow releases her stream of milk, that beloved oblation. Truly most blessed is that cowherd who lives on your milk.

Verse 430 (padma.1.18.430)

भूमिप्रदेशा धन्यास्ते सतृणा वीरुधः शुभे। ते धन्याश्च कृतार्थाश्च तैरेव सुकृतं कृतम्

bhūmipradeśā dhanyāste satṛṇā vīrudhaḥ śubhe te dhanyāśca kṛtārthāśca taireva sukṛtaṁ kṛtam

Blessed are those regions of earth, with their grass and creepers, O auspicious one; blessed and fulfilled are they, for by them alone has this merit been achieved.

Verse 431 (padma.1.18.431)

तैराप्तं जन्मनः सारं ये पिबंति पयस्तव। मृगेंद्रः प्रत्ययं गत्वा विस्मयं परमं गतः

tairāptaṁ janmanaḥ sāraṁ ye pibaṁti payastava mṛgeṁdraḥ pratyayaṁ gatvā vismayaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ

They alone have attained the very essence of birth, who drink your milk.' The lord of beasts, having gained this conviction, was overcome with supreme wonder —

Verse 432 (padma.1.18.432)

प्रत्यादेशोऽयमस्माकं सत्यं देवैः प्रदर्शितः। सत्यमिष्टं गवां दृष्ट्वा न मे वाञ्छास्ति जीवितुम्

pratyādeśo'yamasmākaṁ satyaṁ devaiḥ pradarśitaḥ satyamiṣṭaṁ gavāṁ dṛṣṭvā na me vāñchāsti jīvitum

'This is a revelation to us — truth has been shown to me by the gods. Having witnessed such truthfulness in a cow, I have no wish to live any longer.

Verse 433 (padma.1.18.433)

तत्करिष्याम्यहं कर्म येन मुच्येय किल्बिषात्। मया जीवसहस्राणि भक्षितानि शतानि च

tatkariṣyāmyahaṁ karma yena mucyeya kilbiṣāt mayā jīvasahasrāṇi bhakṣitāni śatāni ca

I shall perform that deed by which I might be freed from this sin. I have devoured thousands, hundreds of living beings.

Verse 434 (padma.1.18.434)

गतिं कामिह गच्छामि दृष्ट्वा गोः सत्यमीदृशम्। अहं पापो दुराचारो नृशंसो जीवघातकः

gatiṁ kāmiha gacchāmi dṛṣṭvā goḥ satyamīdṛśam ahaṁ pāpo durācāro nṛśaṁso jīvaghātakaḥ

Having seen such truthfulness in a cow, to what destination shall I now go? I am sinful, of evil conduct, cruel, a slayer of living beings.

Verse 435 (padma.1.18.435)

कांस्तु लोकान्गमिष्यामि कृत्वा कर्म सुदारुणम्। गमिष्ये पुण्यतीर्थानि करिष्ये पापशोधनम्

kāṁstu lokāngamiṣyāmi kṛtvā karma sudāruṇam gamiṣye puṇyatīrthāni kariṣye pāpaśodhanam

Having done such terrible deeds, to what worlds shall I go? I shall go to holy sacred fords, and I shall purify myself of my sins.

Verse 436 (padma.1.18.436)

पतिष्ये गिरिमारुह्य प्रवेक्ष्ये वा हुताशनम्। धेनोऽद्य यन्मया कार्यं तपः पापाद्विशुद्धये

patiṣye girimāruhya pravekṣye vā hutāśanam dheno'dya yanmayā kāryaṁ tapaḥ pāpādviśuddhaye

I shall climb a mountain and fall from it, or enter into fire. O cow, what austerity should I now perform for purification from sin —

Verse 437 (padma.1.18.437)

तदादिशस्व संक्षेपान्न कालो विस्तरस्य तु। धेनुरुवाच। तपः कृते प्रशंसंति त्रेतायां ज्ञानमेव च

tadādiśasva saṁkṣepānna kālo vistarasya tu dhenuruvāca tapaḥ kṛte praśaṁsaṁti tretāyāṁ jñānameva ca

tell me that in brief, there is no time for lengthy discourse.' The cow said: 'In the Krita age austerity is praised, and in Treta, knowledge itself;

Verse 438 (padma.1.18.438)

द्वापरे यज्ञमित्याहुर्दानमेकं कलौ युगे। सर्वेषामेव दानानामिदमेवैकमुत्तमम्

dvāpare yajñamityāhurdānamekaṁ kalau yuge sarveṣāmeva dānānāmidamevaikamuttamam

in Dvapara they speak of sacrifice, and in the Kali age, giving alone. Of all forms of giving, this one alone is the supreme —

Verse 439 (padma.1.18.439)

अभयं सर्वभूतानां नास्ति दानमतः परम्। चराचराणां भूतानामभयं यः प्रयच्छति

abhayaṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ nāsti dānamataḥ param carācarāṇāṁ bhūtānāmabhayaṁ yaḥ prayacchati

the gift of fearlessness to all beings; there is no gift greater than this. Whoever grants fearlessness to all creatures, moving and unmoving,

Verse 440 (padma.1.18.440)

स च सर्वभयान्मुक्तः परं ब्रह्माधिगच्छति। नास्त्यहिंसा समं दानं नास्त्यहिंसा समं तपः

sa ca sarvabhayānmuktaḥ paraṁ brahmādhigacchati nāstyahiṁsā samaṁ dānaṁ nāstyahiṁsā samaṁ tapaḥ

he, freed from all fear, attains the Supreme Brahman. There is no gift equal to non-violence, no austerity equal to non-violence.

Verse 441 (padma.1.18.441)

यथा हस्तिपदेष्वन्यत्पदं सर्वं प्रलीयते। सर्वे धर्मास्तथा व्याघ्र प्रलीयंते ह्यहिंसया

yathā hastipadeṣvanyatpadaṁ sarvaṁ pralīyate sarve dharmāstathā vyāghra pralīyaṁte hyahiṁsayā

Just as all other footprints dissolve within the footprint of an elephant, so too, O tiger, do all dharmas dissolve within non-violence.

Verse 442 (padma.1.18.442)

योगवृक्षस्य छाया या तापत्रयविनाशिनी। धर्मज्ञाने च पुष्पाणि स्वर्गमोक्षौ फलानि च

yogavṛkṣasya chāyā yā tāpatrayavināśinī dharmajñāne ca puṣpāṇi svargamokṣau phalāni ca

The shade of the tree of yoga, which destroys the three kinds of suffering — its flowers are the knowledge of dharma, and its fruits are heaven and liberation.

Verse 443 (padma.1.18.443)

दुःखत्रयाभितप्तस्य छाया योगतरोः स्मृता। न बाध्यते पुनर्दुःखैः प्राप्य निर्वाणमुत्तमम्

duḥkhatrayābhitaptasya chāyā yogataroḥ smṛtā na bādhyate punarduḥkhaiḥ prāpya nirvāṇamuttamam

For one afflicted by threefold suffering, this very shade of the tree of yoga is held to be the refuge. Having attained supreme nirvana, he is no longer tormented by sorrows.

Verse 444 (padma.1.18.444)

इत्येतत्परमं श्रेयः कीर्तितं ते समासतः। ज्ञातं चैव त्वया सर्वं केवलं मां तु पृच्छसि

ityetatparamaṁ śreyaḥ kīrtitaṁ te samāsataḥ jñātaṁ caiva tvayā sarvaṁ kevalaṁ māṁ tu pṛcchasi

This supreme good I have thus declared to you in brief. All this you already know — you merely ask me to confirm it.'

Verse 445 (padma.1.18.445)

द्वीप्युवाच। अहं मृग्या पुरा शप्तो व्याघ्ररूपेण संस्थितः। ततः प्राणिवधात्सर्वमशेषं मम विस्मृतम्

dvīpyuvāca ahaṁ mṛgyā purā śapto vyāghrarūpeṇa saṁsthitaḥ tataḥ prāṇivadhātsarvamaśeṣaṁ mama vismṛtam

The tiger said: 'I was once cursed by a doe and made to remain in the form of a tiger. Since then, through the killing of living beings, everything had been forgotten by me.

Verse 446 (padma.1.18.446)

त्वत्संपर्कोपदेशाभ्यां संजातं स्मरणं पुनः। त्वं चाप्यनेन सत्येन गमिष्यसि परां गतिं

tvatsaṁparkopadeśābhyāṁ saṁjātaṁ smaraṇaṁ punaḥ tvaṁ cāpyanena satyena gamiṣyasi parāṁ gatiṁ

Through contact with you and your teaching, memory has come back to me again. And you too, through this very truthfulness, shall attain the supreme goal.

Verse 447 (padma.1.18.447)

तदहं त्वां पुनः पृच्छे प्रश्नमेकं हृदि स्थितम्। साग्रं वर्षशतं जातं चिंतयानस्य मे शुभे

tadahaṁ tvāṁ punaḥ pṛcche praśnamekaṁ hṛdi sthitam sāgraṁ varṣaśataṁ jātaṁ ciṁtayānasya me śubhe

Therefore I ask you again the one question that has remained in my heart — for more than a hundred years, O auspicious one, I have been pondering,

Verse 448 (padma.1.18.448)

भवत्या भाग्ययोगेन कदाचित्स्वर्गशोभने। कृतं धर्मस्य संस्थानं सतां मार्गे प्रतिष्ठितम्

bhavatyā bhāgyayogena kadācitsvargaśobhane kṛtaṁ dharmasya saṁsthānaṁ satāṁ mārge pratiṣṭhitam

whether, by your good fortune, O one lovely as heaven, the foundation of dharma might at last be established, set upon the path of the virtuous.

Verse 449 (padma.1.18.449)

किं तेऽभिधानं कल्याणि ब्रूहि मेऽज्ञस्य सुव्रते। नंदोवाच। मम नंदेति संज्ञा तु कृता नंदेन स्वामिना

kiṁ te'bhidhānaṁ kalyāṇi brūhi me'jñasya suvrate naṁdovāca mama naṁdeti saṁjñā tu kṛtā naṁdena svāminā

What is your name, O auspicious one? Tell me, ignorant as I am, O you of noble vows.' Nanda said: 'My name is Nanda — it was given to me by my master, Nanda.'

Verse 450 (padma.1.18.450)

सांप्रतं भक्षयामीति ह्यतिष्ठः केन हेतुना। नंदेति श्रुत्वा तन्नाम मुक्तशापः प्रभंजनः

sāṁprataṁ bhakṣayāmīti hyatiṣṭhaḥ kena hetunā naṁdeti śrutvā tannāma muktaśāpaḥ prabhaṁjanaḥ

'For what reason do I now stand here, when you are about to devour me?' Hearing the name 'Nanda,' Prabhanjana, released from his curse,

Verse 451 (padma.1.18.451)

पुनर्नृपत्वमापन्नो बलरूपसमन्वितः। एतस्मिन्नंतरे धर्मस्तां ज्ञात्वा सत्यवादिनीम्

punarnṛpatvamāpanno balarūpasamanvitaḥ etasminnaṁtare dharmastāṁ jñātvā satyavādinīm

regained kingship, endowed once more with strength and beauty. Meanwhile Dharma, the god, having learned of that truthful cow,

Verse 452 (padma.1.18.452)

द्रष्टुं समागतस्तत्र प्राब्रवीच्च पयस्विनीम्। तव सत्यव्रताद्धृष्टो धर्मोहमिह चागतः

draṣṭuṁ samāgatastatra prābravīcca payasvinīm tava satyavratāddhṛṣṭo dharmohamiha cāgataḥ

came there to see the milk-giving cow, and said to her: 'Pleased by your vow of truth, I, Dharma, have come here.

Verse 453 (padma.1.18.453)

नंदे वृणीष्व भद्रं ते वरं वरतमं हि यत्। एवमुक्ता हि सा देवी नंदा तं प्रार्थयद्वरम्

naṁde vṛṇīṣva bhadraṁ te varaṁ varatamaṁ hi yat evamuktā hi sā devī naṁdā taṁ prārthayadvaram

O Nanda, blessings upon you — ask whatever boon is best.' Thus addressed, that goddess Nanda requested this boon —

Verse 454 (padma.1.18.454)

तवानुभावात्ससुता गच्छामि पदमुत्तमम्। भवेदिदं शुभं तीर्थं मुनीनां धर्मदायकम्

tavānubhāvātsasutā gacchāmi padamuttamam bhavedidaṁ śubhaṁ tīrthaṁ munīnāṁ dharmadāyakam

'By your grace may I, together with my son, go to the supreme abode. May this become a holy sacred ford, a giver of dharma to sages.

Verse 455 (padma.1.18.455)

मन्नाम्ना च सरिदियं नंदा नाम सरस्वती। वरप्रदानाद्देवेश तदेतत्प्रार्थितं मया

mannāmnā ca saridiyaṁ naṁdā nāma sarasvatī varapradānāddeveśa tadetatprārthitaṁ mayā

And may this river, by my very name, be called "Nanda Sarasvati." O Lord of the gods, through this boon, this alone is what I have requested.'

Verse 456 (padma.1.18.456)

पुलस्त्य उवाच। सा तत्क्षणाद्गता देवी स्थानं सत्यवतां शुभम्। प्रभंजनोपि तद्राज्यं संप्राप्तः प्रागुपार्जितम्

pulastya uvāca sā tatkṣaṇādgatā devī sthānaṁ satyavatāṁ śubham prabhaṁjanopi tadrājyaṁ saṁprāptaḥ prāgupārjitam

Pulastya said: That goddess went at that very instant to the auspicious abode of the truthful. Prabhanjana too regained the kingdom he had earlier acquired.

Verse 457 (padma.1.18.457)

नंदा येन गता स्वर्गं नंदां प्राप्य सरस्वतीम्। तेनाख्यया बुधैस्तस्याः प्रोक्ता नंदा सरस्वती

naṁdā yena gatā svargaṁ naṁdāṁ prāpya sarasvatīm tenākhyayā budhaistasyāḥ proktā naṁdā sarasvatī

Because Nanda went to heaven by attaining the Sarasvati named Nanda, by that same name the wise called her 'Nanda Sarasvati.'

Verse 458 (padma.1.18.458)

सरस्वती पुनस्तस्माद्वनात्खर्जूरसंज्ञितात्। दक्षिणेन पुनर्याता प्लावयंती धरातलम्

sarasvatī punastasmādvanātkharjūrasaṁjñitāt dakṣiṇena punaryātā plāvayaṁtī dharātalam

Sarasvati then, from that forest called Kharjura, turned toward the south, flooding the surface of the earth as she went.

Verse 459 (padma.1.18.459)

आगच्छन्नपि यस्तस्या नाम गृह्णाति मानवः। जीवन्सुखं स आप्नोति मृतो भवति खेचरः

āgacchannapi yastasyā nāma gṛhṇāti mānavaḥ jīvansukhaṁ sa āpnoti mṛto bhavati khecaraḥ

Even a man who, merely arriving there, utters her name — living, he attains happiness; dead, he becomes a sky-wanderer.

Verse 460 (padma.1.18.460)

तत्र ये शुभकर्माणस्त्यजंति स्वां तनुं नराः। ते विद्याधरराजानो भवंति सुखिनो जनाः

tatra ye śubhakarmāṇastyajaṁti svāṁ tanuṁ narāḥ te vidyādhararājāno bhavaṁti sukhino janāḥ

Those men of virtuous deeds who give up their bodies there become kings among the Vidyadharas, joyful beings.

Verse 461 (padma.1.18.461)

नराणां स्वर्गनिःश्रेणी स्नानात्पानात्सरस्वती। तत्र स्नानं प्रकुर्वन्ति येष्टम्यां सुसमाहिताः

narāṇāṁ svarganiḥśreṇī snānātpānātsarasvatī tatra snānaṁ prakurvanti yeṣṭamyāṁ susamāhitāḥ

Through bathing and drinking, Sarasvati is the very ladder to heaven for men. Those who bathe there, well-composed, on the day of sacrifice,

Verse 462 (padma.1.18.462)

ते मृताः स्वर्गमासाद्य मोदंते सुमनोरमाः। सरस्वती सदा स्त्रीणां तत्र सौभाग्यदायिका

te mṛtāḥ svargamāsādya modaṁte sumanoramāḥ sarasvatī sadā strīṇāṁ tatra saubhāgyadāyikā

having died, attain heaven, and rejoice, most delightful. Sarasvati there is ever the bestower of good fortune upon women.

Verse 463 (padma.1.18.463)

उपोषिता तृतीयायामपि सौभाग्यभाजना। तत्र तद्दर्शनेनापि मुच्यते पापसंचयात्

upoṣitā tṛtīyāyāmapi saubhāgyabhājanā tatra taddarśanenāpi mucyate pāpasaṁcayāt

Fasting on the third lunar day too makes one a vessel of good fortune. There, by the mere sight of her, a person is freed from accumulated sin.

Verse 464 (padma.1.18.464)

स्पृशंति ये नराः केचित्तेपि ज्ञेया मुनीश्वराः। रजतस्य प्रदानेन रूपवान्जायते नरः

spṛśaṁti ye narāḥ kecittepi jñeyā munīśvarāḥ rajatasya pradānena rūpavānjāyate naraḥ

Those men who merely touch her waters there should also be regarded as equal to the lords of sages. By the gift of silver, a man is born with a beautiful form.

Verse 465 (padma.1.18.465)

पुण्या पुण्यजलोपेता नदीयं ब्रह्मणः सुता। नंदा नामेति विपुला प्रवृत्ता दक्षिणामुखी

puṇyā puṇyajalopetā nadīyaṁ brahmaṇaḥ sutā naṁdā nāmeti vipulā pravṛttā dakṣiṇāmukhī

This holy river, filled with sacred water, the daughter of Brahma, named Nanda, vast, flows on, facing southward.

Verse 466 (padma.1.18.466)

गत्वा ततो नातिदूरं पुनर्याता पराङ्मुखी। ततः प्रभृति सा देवी प्रसभं प्रकटा स्थिता

gatvā tato nātidūraṁ punaryātā parāṅmukhī tataḥ prabhṛti sā devī prasabhaṁ prakaṭā sthitā

Having gone thence a short distance, she turned again in the opposite direction. From that point onward, that goddess remained there, openly and forcefully manifest.

Verse 467 (padma.1.18.467)

तस्यास्तटेषु पुण्येषु तीर्थान्यायतनानि च। संसेवितानि मुनिभिः सिद्धैश्चापि समंततः

tasyāstaṭeṣu puṇyeṣu tīrthānyāyatanāni ca saṁsevitāni munibhiḥ siddhaiścāpi samaṁtataḥ

On her holy banks are sacred fords and temples, constantly served on every side by sages and by siddhas as well.

Verse 468 (padma.1.18.468)

तेषु सर्वेषु भवति धर्महेतुस्सरस्वती। स्नानात्पानात्प्रदानाद्वा हिरण्यस्य महानदी

teṣu sarveṣu bhavati dharmahetussarasvatī snānātpānātpradānādvā hiraṇyasya mahānadī

In all of these, Sarasvati alone becomes the cause of dharma — that great river, through bathing, through drinking, or through the gift of gold.

Verse 469 (padma.1.18.469)

हाटकक्षितिगौरीणां नंदातीर्थे महोदयं। दानं दत्तं नरैः स्नातैर्जनयत्यक्षयं फलं

hāṭakakṣitigaurīṇāṁ naṁdātīrthe mahodayaṁ dānaṁ dattaṁ naraiḥ snātairjanayatyakṣayaṁ phalaṁ

At the Nanda ford, the great gift of gold, land, and cows, given by bathed men, produces imperishable fruit.

Verse 470 (padma.1.18.470)

धान्यप्रदानं प्रवदंति शस्तं वसुप्रदानं च तथा मुनींद्राः । यैस्तेषु तीर्थेषु नरैः प्रदत्तं तद्धर्महेतुः प्रवरं प्रदिष्टम्

dhānyapradānaṁ pravadaṁti śastaṁ vasupradānaṁ ca tathā munīṁdrāḥ yaisteṣu tīrtheṣu naraiḥ pradattaṁ taddharmahetuḥ pravaraṁ pradiṣṭam

The finest sages declare the gift of grain, and likewise the gift of wealth, to be praiseworthy; whatever is given by men at these sacred fords is proclaimed the foremost cause of dharma.

Verse 471 (padma.1.18.471)

प्रायोपवेशं प्रयतः प्रयत्नाद्यस्तत्र कुर्यात्प्रमदा पुमान्वा। तीर्थेषु सायुज्यमवाप्य सोऽयं भुङ्क्ते फलं ब्रह्मगृहे यथेष्टं

prāyopaveśaṁ prayataḥ prayatnādyastatra kuryātpramadā pumānvā tīrtheṣu sāyujyamavāpya so'yaṁ bhuṅkte phalaṁ brahmagṛhe yatheṣṭaṁ

Whatever man or woman, with self-restraint and effort, performs there the fast unto death, attaining union with the divine at these sacred fords, enjoys the fruit he desires in Brahma's own abode.

Verse 472 (padma.1.18.472)

तस्योपकंठे तु मृतास्तु ये वै कर्मक्षयात्स्थावरजंगमाश्च। तैश्चापि सर्वैः सहसा प्रसह्य लभ्येत यज्ञस्य फलं दुरापम्

tasyopakaṁṭhe tu mṛtāstu ye vai karmakṣayātsthāvarajaṁgamāśca taiścāpi sarvaiḥ sahasā prasahya labhyeta yajñasya phalaṁ durāpam

And those stationary or moving beings too who die on her banks through the exhaustion of their karma, all of them, suddenly and easily, obtain the rare fruit of a sacrifice.

Verse 473 (padma.1.18.473)

ततस्तु सा धर्मफलप्रदा भवेज्जन्मादि दुःखार्दित चेतसां नृणाम्। सर्वात्मना पुण्यफला सरस्वती सेव्या प्रयत्नात्पुरुषैर्महानदी

tatastu sā dharmaphalapradā bhavejjanmādi duḥkhārdita cetasāṁ nṛṇām sarvātmanā puṇyaphalā sarasvatī sevyā prayatnātpuruṣairmahānadī

Therefore this Sarasvati becomes the giver of the fruit of dharma to men whose minds are afflicted by the sorrows of birth and the rest; wholly the bestower of meritorious fruit, this great river Sarasvati should be diligently served by men.