The Descent of the Tirtha

Verse 1 (padma.1.32.1)

भीष्म उवाच। केन कर्मविपाकेन प्रेतत्वं जायते पुनः। केन वात्र प्रमुच्येत तन्मे ब्रूहि महामते।

bhīṣma uvāca kena karmavipākena pretatvaṁ jāyate punaḥ kena vātra pramucyeta tanme brūhi mahāmate

Bhishma said: By the ripening of what karma does one become a preta (ghost)? And by what is one freed from this? Tell me this, O wise one.

Verse 2 (padma.1.32.2)

पुलस्त्य उवाच। अहं ते कथयिष्यामि सर्वमेतदशेषतः। यच्छ्रुत्वा न पुनर्मोहं यास्यते नृपसत्तम।

pulastya uvāca ahaṁ te kathayiṣyāmi sarvametadaśeṣataḥ yacchrutvā na punarmohaṁ yāsyate nṛpasattama

Pulastya said: I shall tell you all of this in full; having heard it, O best of kings, you will not again fall into delusion.

Verse 3 (padma.1.32.3)

येन जायेत प्रेतत्वं येन चास्मात्प्रमुच्यते। प्राप्नोति नरकं घोरं दुस्तरं त्रिदशैरपि।

yena jāyeta pretatvaṁ yena cāsmātpramucyate prāpnoti narakaṁ ghoraṁ dustaraṁ tridaśairapi

By what one becomes a preta, and by what one is freed from it — he attains a terrible hell, hard to cross even for the gods.

Verse 4 (padma.1.32.4)

सतां संभाषणे चैव पुण्यतीर्थानुकीर्त्तने। मानवास्तु प्रमुच्यंत आपन्नाः प्रेतयोनिषु।

satāṁ saṁbhāṣaṇe caiva puṇyatīrthānukīrttane mānavāstu pramucyaṁta āpannāḥ pretayoniṣu

By conversing with the virtuous and by praising sacred tirthas, men who have fallen into the preta-condition are freed.

Verse 5 (padma.1.32.5)

श्रूयते हि पुरा भीष्म ब्राह्मणः संशितव्रतः। पृथुस्सर्वत्र विख्यातः संतोषे च सदा स्थितः।

śrūyate hi purā bhīṣma brāhmaṇaḥ saṁśitavrataḥ pṛthussarvatra vikhyātaḥ saṁtoṣe ca sadā sthitaḥ

It is heard, O Bhishma, that formerly there was a brahmin of firm vows, widely renowned, ever established in contentment.

Verse 6 (padma.1.32.6)

स्वाध्याययुक्तो गेहेषु नित्ययोगश्च योगवित्। जपयज्ञविधानेन युक्तं कालं क्षिपेच्च सः।

svādhyāyayukto geheṣu nityayogaśca yogavit japayajñavidhānena yuktaṁ kālaṁ kṣipecca saḥ

Devoted to Vedic study in his home, constantly engaged in yoga and a knower of yoga, he spent his time properly in the practice of japa and sacrifice.

Verse 7 (padma.1.32.7)

युक्तः क्षमादयाभ्यां च क्षांत्यायुक्तश्च तत्त्ववित्। अहिंसाहितचित्तश्च मार्द्दवे च तथास्थितः।

yuktaḥ kṣamādayābhyāṁ ca kṣāṁtyāyuktaśca tattvavit ahiṁsāhitacittaśca mārddave ca tathāsthitaḥ

Endowed with forgiveness and compassion, patient, and a knower of truth, his mind was devoted to non-violence, and he was established in gentleness.

Verse 8 (padma.1.32.8)

ब्रह्मचर्यसमायुक्तस्तपोयोगसमन्वितः। युक्तः स पितृकार्येषु युक्तो वैदिककर्मसु।

brahmacaryasamāyuktastapoyogasamanvitaḥ yuktaḥ sa pitṛkāryeṣu yukto vaidikakarmasu

Devoted to celibacy, endowed with austerity and yoga, engaged in ancestral rites and in Vedic rituals.

Verse 9 (padma.1.32.9)

परलोकभयेयुक्तो युक्तस्सत्यवचः प्रति। युक्तो मधुरवाक्येषु युक्तश्चातिथिपूजने।

paralokabhayeyukto yuktassatyavacaḥ prati yukto madhuravākyeṣu yuktaścātithipūjane

Mindful of the fear of the other world, devoted to truthful speech, given to sweet words, and devoted to the worship of guests.

Verse 10 (padma.1.32.10)

इष्टापूर्तसमायुक्तो युक्तो द्वंद्वविवर्जने। स्वकर्मविधिसंयुक्तो युक्तः स्वाध्यायकर्मसु।

iṣṭāpūrtasamāyukto yukto dvaṁdvavivarjane svakarmavidhisaṁyukto yuktaḥ svādhyāyakarmasu

Engaged in ishta and purta rites, devoted to avoiding the pairs of opposites, engaged in his own prescribed duties, devoted to the practice of Vedic study.

Verse 11 (padma.1.32.11)

एवं कर्माणि कुर्वंतस्संसारविजिगीषया। बहून्यब्दान्यतीतानि ब्राह्मणस्य गृहे सतः।

evaṁ karmāṇi kurvaṁtassaṁsāravijigīṣayā bahūnyabdānyatītāni brāhmaṇasya gṛhe sataḥ

Performing such deeds, desiring to conquer worldly existence, many years passed for that brahmin while he remained a householder.

Verse 12 (padma.1.32.12)

तस्य बुद्धिरियं जाता तीर्थाभिगमनं प्रति। पुण्यैस्तीर्थजलैरेतत्क्लिन्नं कुर्यां कलेवरम्।

tasya buddhiriyaṁ jātā tīrthābhigamanaṁ prati puṇyaistīrthajalairetatklinnaṁ kuryāṁ kalevaram

This thought arose in his mind, regarding going on pilgrimage: 'Let me moisten this body with the sacred waters of the tirthas.'

Verse 13 (padma.1.32.13)

प्रयतः पुष्करे स्नात्वा भास्करस्योदयं प्रति। कृतजप्यनमस्कारोप्यद्ध्वानं प्रत्यपद्यत।

prayataḥ puṣkare snātvā bhāskarasyodayaṁ prati kṛtajapyanamaskāropyaddhvānaṁ pratyapadyata

Having bathed with purity at Pushkara at sunrise, and having performed his prayers and salutations, he then set out upon the road.

Verse 14 (padma.1.32.14)

अग्रतः पंचपुरुषानपश्यत्सोति भीषणान्। वने कंटकवृक्षाढ्ये निर्जने पक्षिवर्जिते।

agrataḥ paṁcapuruṣānapaśyatsoti bhīṣaṇān vane kaṁṭakavṛkṣāḍhye nirjane pakṣivarjite

Ahead he saw five extremely terrifying figures, in a forest full of thorny trees, deserted, devoid of birds.

Verse 15 (padma.1.32.15)

तान्दृष्ट्वा विकृताकारान्सुघोरान्पापदर्शनान्। ईषत्संत्रस्तहृदयो व्यतिष्ठन्निश्चलाकृतिः।

tāndṛṣṭvā vikṛtākārānsughorānpāpadarśanān īṣatsaṁtrastahṛdayo vyatiṣṭhanniścalākṛtiḥ

Seeing them of distorted form, most terrible, of sinful appearance, his heart somewhat trembled, and he stood there motionless.

Verse 16 (padma.1.32.16)

अवलंब्य ततो धैर्य्यं भयमुत्सृज्य दूरतः। पप्रच्छ मधुराभाषी के यूयं विकृताः कुतः।

avalaṁbya tato dhairyyaṁ bhayamutsṛjya dūrataḥ papraccha madhurābhāṣī ke yūyaṁ vikṛtāḥ kutaḥ

Then, taking hold of courage and casting off fear far away, he asked, speaking sweetly: 'Who are you, so distorted, and from where?'

Verse 17 (padma.1.32.17)

किं वा चैव कृतं कर्म ये नप्राप्ताश्च वैकृतम्। कथमेवंविधाः सर्वे प्रस्थिताः कुत्र चाध्वनि।

kiṁ vā caiva kṛtaṁ karma ye naprāptāśca vaikṛtam kathamevaṁvidhāḥ sarve prasthitāḥ kutra cādhvani

'And what deed have you done, by which you have attained this deformity? How have you all become such, and where are you journeying on this road?'

Verse 18 (padma.1.32.18)

प्रेता ऊचुः। क्षुत्पिपासान्विता नित्यं महादुःखसमावृताः। हृतप्रज्ञा वयं सर्वे नष्टसञ्ज्ञाविचेतसः।

pretā ūcuḥ kṣutpipāsānvitā nityaṁ mahāduḥkhasamāvṛtāḥ hṛtaprajñā vayaṁ sarve naṣṭasañjñāvicetasaḥ

The pretas said: 'Always afflicted with hunger and thirst, enveloped in great suffering, all of us have lost our understanding, our awareness and mind destroyed.'

Verse 19 (padma.1.32.19)

न जानीमो दिशं चापि प्रदिशं चापि कां च न। नांतरिक्षं महीं चापि न जानीमो दिवं तथा।

na jānīmo diśaṁ cāpi pradiśaṁ cāpi kāṁ ca na nāṁtarikṣaṁ mahīṁ cāpi na jānīmo divaṁ tathā

'We know not any direction, nor any intermediate direction; we know not the sky, nor the earth, nor heaven either.'

Verse 20 (padma.1.32.20)

यदेतद्दुःखमाख्यातमेतदेव सुखं भवेत्। प्रभातमिदमाभाति भास्करोदयदर्शनात्।

yadetadduḥkhamākhyātametadeva sukhaṁ bhavet prabhātamidamābhāti bhāskarodayadarśanāt

'Whatever suffering has been described — even that would become happiness. This dawn shines forth from the sight of the sun's rising.'

Verse 21 (padma.1.32.21)

अहं पर्युषितो नाम सूचीमुखस्तथाऽपरः। शीघ्रगो रोहकश्चैव पंचमो लेखकस्तथा।

ahaṁ paryuṣito nāma sūcīmukhastathā'paraḥ śīghrago rohakaścaiva paṁcamo lekhakastathā

'I am named Paryushita; another is Suchimukha; a third Shighraga, and Rohaka; the fifth is Lekhaka.'

Verse 22 (padma.1.32.22)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। प्रेतानां कर्मजातानां नाम्ना वै संभवः कुतः। किं तत्कारणमुद्दिश्य यतो यूयं सनामकाः।

brāhmaṇa uvāca pretānāṁ karmajātānāṁ nāmnā vai saṁbhavaḥ kutaḥ kiṁ tatkāraṇamuddiśya yato yūyaṁ sanāmakāḥ

The brahmin said: 'For you pretas, born of your deeds, whence comes your naming? For what reason do you bear these names?'

Verse 23 (padma.1.32.23)

प्रेता ऊचुः। अहं स्वादु सदा भुंजे दद्यां पर्युषितं द्विजे। एतत्कारणमासाद्य नाम पर्युषितो मम।

pretā ūcuḥ ahaṁ svādu sadā bhuṁje dadyāṁ paryuṣitaṁ dvije etatkāraṇamāsādya nāma paryuṣito mama

The pretas said: 'I always ate the tasty food myself, and would give stale food to a brahmin — for this reason, my name is Paryushita.'

Verse 24 (padma.1.32.24)

सूचिता बहवोऽनेन विप्राश्चान्नाद्यकांक्षिणः। एतत्कारणमुद्दिश्य सूचीमुखाभिधो मतः।

sūcitā bahavo'nena viprāścānnādyakāṁkṣiṇaḥ etatkāraṇamuddiśya sūcīmukhābhidho mataḥ

'By this one, many brahmins desiring food were merely gestured toward it and given nothing — for this reason he is deemed named Suchimukha (needle-mouth).'

Verse 25 (padma.1.32.25)

शीघ्रं गतोऽस्मि विप्रेण याचितः क्षुधितेन च। एतत्कारणमुद्दिश्य शीघ्रगो द्विजसत्तम।

śīghraṁ gato'smi vipreṇa yācitaḥ kṣudhitena ca etatkāraṇamuddiśya śīghrago dvijasattama

'When a hungry brahmin begged of me, I went away quickly to avoid giving — for this reason, O best of brahmins, I am named Shighraga (swift-goer).'

Verse 26 (padma.1.32.26)

गृहोपरि सदा स्वादु भुंक्ते द्विजभयेन हि। उद्विग्नमानसस्तत्र तेनासौ रोहकः स्मृतः।

gṛhopari sadā svādu bhuṁkte dvijabhayena hi udvignamānasastatra tenāsau rohakaḥ smṛtaḥ

'Fearing brahmins, he would always eat tasty food up on the roof of the house, his mind ever anxious there — for this he is named Rohaka.'

Verse 27 (padma.1.32.27)

मौने चापि स्थितो नित्यं याचितो विलिखन्महीम्। अस्माकमपि पापिष्ठो लेखको नाम नामतः।

maune cāpi sthito nityaṁ yācito vilikhanmahīm asmākamapi pāpiṣṭho lekhako nāma nāmataḥ

'When begged of, he would always remain silent, merely scratching the ground — this most sinful one among us is named, by that very name, Lekhaka (writer).'

Verse 28 (padma.1.32.28)

कृच्छ्रेण लेखको याति रोहकस्तु अवाक्शिराः। शीघ्रगः पंगुतां प्राप्तः सूची सूचीमुखोऽभवत्।

kṛcchreṇa lekhako yāti rohakastu avākśirāḥ śīghragaḥ paṁgutāṁ prāptaḥ sūcī sūcīmukho'bhavat

Lekhaka walks only with great difficulty; Rohaka goes with his head hanging down; Shighraga has become lame; Suchi has become Suchimukha.

Verse 29 (padma.1.32.29)

पर्युषितो लम्बग्रीवो लंबोदर उदाहृतः। बृहद्वृषणलंबोष्ठः पापादस्मादजायत।

paryuṣito lambagrīvo laṁbodara udāhṛtaḥ bṛhadvṛṣaṇalaṁboṣṭhaḥ pāpādasmādajāyata

Paryushita became long-necked, described as pot-bellied, with huge testicles and hanging lips — this arose from that sin.

Verse 30 (padma.1.32.30)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातमात्मवृत्तं सहेतुकम्। पृच्छस्व यदि ते श्रद्धा पृष्टाश्च कथयामहे।

etatte sarvamākhyātamātmavṛttaṁ sahetukam pṛcchasva yadi te śraddhā pṛṣṭāśca kathayāmahe

'All this, our own account, with its causes, has been told to you. Ask further if you have faith, and, being asked, we shall tell you.'

Verse 31 (padma.1.32.31)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। ये जीवा भुवि तिष्ठंति सर्वेप्याहारमूलकाः। युष्माकमपि चाहारं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः।

brāhmaṇa uvāca ye jīvā bhuvi tiṣṭhaṁti sarvepyāhāramūlakāḥ yuṣmākamapi cāhāraṁ śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ

The brahmin said: 'All living beings who dwell on earth are rooted in food; I wish to hear truly of your food as well.'

Verse 32 (padma.1.32.32)

प्रेता ऊचुः। शृणुष्वाहारमस्माकं सर्वसत्वविगर्हितम्। यच्छ्रुत्वा निंदसे विप्र भूयोभूयश्च नित्यशः।

pretā ūcuḥ śṛṇuṣvāhāramasmākaṁ sarvasatvavigarhitam yacchrutvā niṁdase vipra bhūyobhūyaśca nityaśaḥ

The pretas said: 'Hear of our food, condemned by all beings; hearing it, O brahmin, you will condemn it again and again, forever.'

Verse 33 (padma.1.32.33)

श्लेष्ममूत्रपुरीषेण योषिदङ्गमलेन च। गृहाणि त्यक्तशौचानि प्रेता भुंजंति तत्र वै।

śleṣmamūtrapurīṣeṇa yoṣidaṅgamalena ca gṛhāṇi tyaktaśaucāni pretā bhuṁjaṁti tatra vai

'With phlegm, urine, and excrement, and with the bodily filth of women — in houses that have abandoned purity, there pretas feed.'

Verse 34 (padma.1.32.34)

स्त्रीभिर्दग्धानि कीर्णानि प्रकीर्णोच्छिष्टकानि च। मलेनापि जुगुप्स्यानि प्रेता भुंजंति तत्र वै।

strībhirdagdhāni kīrṇāni prakīrṇocchiṣṭakāni ca malenāpi jugupsyāni pretā bhuṁjaṁti tatra vai

'Foods burnt and scattered about by women, leftover scraps strewn around, filthy and repulsive — pretas feed on those there.'

Verse 35 (padma.1.32.35)

चित्तलज्जाविहीनानि होमहीनानि यानि च। व्रतैश्चैव विहीनानि प्रेता भुंजंति तत्र वै।

cittalajjāvihīnāni homahīnāni yāni ca vrataiścaiva vihīnāni pretā bhuṁjaṁti tatra vai

'Whatever is offered without shame of heart, without the fire-oblation, and devoid of vows — pretas feed on those there.'

Verse 36 (padma.1.32.36)

गुरवो नैव पूज्यंते स्त्रीजितानि गृहाणि च। क्रोधलोभगृहीतानि प्रेता भुंजंति तत्र वै।

guravo naiva pūjyaṁte strījitāni gṛhāṇi ca krodhalobhagṛhītāni pretā bhuṁjaṁti tatra vai

'In houses where elders are not honored, houses ruled by women, houses seized by anger and greed — pretas feed there.'

Verse 37 (padma.1.32.37)

त्रपा मे जायते तात कथ्यमाने स्वभोजने। अस्मात्परतरं चान्यन्न वक्तुमपि शक्यते।

trapā me jāyate tāta kathyamāne svabhojane asmātparataraṁ cānyanna vaktumapi śakyate

'Shame arises in me, O child, when telling of my own food; beyond this, nothing further can even be spoken.'

Verse 38 (padma.1.32.38)

निवृत्तिं प्रेतभावस्य पृच्छामस्त्वां दृढव्रत। यथा न भवति प्रेतस्तन्मे वद तपोधन।

nivṛttiṁ pretabhāvasya pṛcchāmastvāṁ dṛḍhavrata yathā na bhavati pretastanme vada tapodhana

'We ask you, O firm in vows, of the means of release from the preta-condition. Tell me, O rich in austerity, how one does not become a preta.'

Verse 39 (padma.1.32.39)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। एकरात्र द्विरात्रादि कृच्छ्रचांद्रायणदिभिः। व्रतैरन्यैः कृतैर्नित्यं न प्रेतो जायते नरः।

brāhmaṇa uvāca ekarātra dvirātrādi kṛcchracāṁdrāyaṇadibhiḥ vratairanyaiḥ kṛtairnityaṁ na preto jāyate naraḥ

The brahmin said: 'By one-night, two-night and other fasts, by the Kricchra and Chandrayana penances, and by other vows constantly performed, a man does not become a preta.'

Verse 40 (padma.1.32.40)

त्रीनग्नीन्पञ्च चैकं वा योऽहन्यहनि सेवते। स वै भूतदयापन्नो न प्रेतो जायते नरः।

trīnagnīnpañca caikaṁ vā yo'hanyahani sevate sa vai bhūtadayāpanno na preto jāyate naraḥ

'Whoever daily tends the three sacred fires, or the five, or even one, and is filled with compassion for beings, does not become a preta.'

Verse 41 (padma.1.32.41)

तुल्यो मानेऽपमाने च तुल्यः कांचनलोष्टयोः। तुल्यः शत्रौ च मित्रे च न प्रेतो जायते नरः।

tulyo māne'pamāne ca tulyaḥ kāṁcanaloṣṭayoḥ tulyaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca na preto jāyate naraḥ

'One who is equal in honor and dishonor, equal toward gold and a clod of earth, equal toward foe and friend, does not become a preta.'

Verse 42 (padma.1.32.42)

देवताऽतिथिपूजासु गुरुपूजासु नित्यशः। रतो वै पितृपूजासु न प्रेतो जायते नरः।

devatā'tithipūjāsu gurupūjāsu nityaśaḥ rato vai pitṛpūjāsu na preto jāyate naraḥ

'One who is ever devoted to the worship of gods and guests, to the worship of elders, and to the worship of ancestors, does not become a preta.'

Verse 43 (padma.1.32.43)

शुक्लांगारकसंयुक्ता चतुर्थी जायते यदा। श्रद्धया श्राद्धकृत्तस्यां न प्रेतो जायते नरः।

śuklāṁgārakasaṁyuktā caturthī jāyate yadā śraddhayā śrāddhakṛttasyāṁ na preto jāyate naraḥ

'When the fourth tithi of the bright fortnight falls on a Tuesday, one who performs shraddha on it with faith does not become a preta.'

Verse 44 (padma.1.32.44)

जितक्रोधविमर्शोयस्तृष्णासंगविवर्जितः। क्षमावान्दानशीलश्च न प्रेतो जायते नरः।

jitakrodhavimarśoyastṛṣṇāsaṁgavivarjitaḥ kṣamāvāndānaśīlaśca na preto jāyate naraḥ

'One who has conquered anger through reflection, who is free from the attachment of craving, who is forgiving and given to charity, does not become a preta.'

Verse 45 (padma.1.32.45)

गोब्राह्मणांश्च तीर्थानि पर्वतांश्च नदीस्तथा। देवांश्चैव तु यो वन्द्यान्न प्रेतो जायते नरः।

gobrāhmaṇāṁśca tīrthāni parvatāṁśca nadīstathā devāṁścaiva tu yo vandyānna preto jāyate naraḥ

'One who bows to cows and brahmins, to sacred tirthas, mountains and rivers, and to the gods, does not become a preta.'

Verse 46 (padma.1.32.46)

प्रेता ऊचुः। श्रुताश्च विविधा धर्माः पृच्छामो दुःखिता मुने। येन वै जायते प्रेतस्तन्नो वद महामते।

pretā ūcuḥ śrutāśca vividhā dharmāḥ pṛcchāmo duḥkhitā mune yena vai jāyate pretastanno vada mahāmate

The pretas said: 'We have heard the various dharmas; but, being sorrowful, O sage, we ask: tell us, O wise one, by what a man becomes a preta.'

Verse 47 (padma.1.32.47)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। शूद्रान्नेन तु भुक्तेन ब्राह्मणेन विशेषतः। म्रियते ह्युदरस्थेन स वै प्रेतो भवेन्नरः।

brāhmaṇa uvāca śūdrānnena tu bhuktena brāhmaṇena viśeṣataḥ mriyate hyudarasthena sa vai preto bhavennaraḥ

The brahmin said: 'If a brahmin especially dies with the food of a shudra still lying in his stomach, having eaten it, he indeed becomes a preta.'

Verse 48 (padma.1.32.48)

मातरं पितरं भ्रातॄन्भगिनीं सुतमेव च। अदृष्टदोषांस्त्यजति स प्रेतो जायते नरः।

mātaraṁ pitaraṁ bhrātṝnbhaginīṁ sutameva ca adṛṣṭadoṣāṁstyajati sa preto jāyate naraḥ

'One who abandons mother, father, brothers, sister, and even son, though they are without any visible fault, becomes a preta.'

Verse 49 (padma.1.32.49)

अयाज्ययाजनाच्चैव याज्यस्य च विवर्जनात्। रतो वै शूद्रसेवासु स प्रेतो जायते नरः।

ayājyayājanāccaiva yājyasya ca vivarjanāt rato vai śūdrasevāsu sa preto jāyate naraḥ

'By officiating in sacrifice for those unfit to be sacrificed for, and by abandoning those rightfully entitled, and by being devoted to serving shudras, a man becomes a preta.'

Verse 50 (padma.1.32.50)

न्यासापहर्ता मित्रध्रुक्शूद्रपाकरतः सदा। विस्रंभघाती कूटस्थः स प्रेतो जायते नरः।

nyāsāpahartā mitradhrukśūdrapākarataḥ sadā visraṁbhaghātī kūṭasthaḥ sa preto jāyate naraḥ

'One who steals a deposit entrusted to him, who betrays a friend, who is ever devoted to eating food cooked by shudras, who betrays trust, who is deceitful, becomes a preta.'

Verse 51 (padma.1.32.51)

ब्रह्महा गोघ्नकः स्तेनः सुरापो गुरुतल्पगः। भूमिकन्यापहर्त्ता च स प्रेतो जायते नरः।

brahmahā goghnakaḥ stenaḥ surāpo gurutalpagaḥ bhūmikanyāpaharttā ca sa preto jāyate naraḥ

'The slayer of a brahmin, the killer of a cow, a thief, a drinker of liquor, one who defiles his guru's bed, and the one who seizes land or a maiden — such a one becomes a preta.'

Verse 52 (padma.1.32.52)

सामान्यां दक्षिणां लब्ध्वा एक एव निगूहति। नास्तिकीभावनिरतः स वै प्रेतोभिजायते।

sāmānyāṁ dakṣiṇāṁ labdhvā eka eva nigūhati nāstikībhāvanirataḥ sa vai pretobhijāyate

'One who, having received a fee due jointly to many, conceals it alone for himself, and one devoted to the attitude of a denier of faith — he becomes a preta.'

Verse 53 (padma.1.32.53)

एवं ब्रुवाणे विप्रेन्द्र आकाशे दुंदुभिस्वनः। पुष्पवृष्टिः पपातोर्व्यां देवैर्मुक्ता सहस्रशः।

evaṁ bruvāṇe viprendra ākāśe duṁdubhisvanaḥ puṣpavṛṣṭiḥ papātorvyāṁ devairmuktā sahasraśaḥ

As the foremost of brahmins spoke thus, a sound of drums arose in the sky, and a shower of flowers, released by the gods, fell upon the earth by the thousands.

Verse 54 (padma.1.32.54)

प्रेतानां तु विमानानि आगतानि समंततः। अस्य विप्रस्य संभाषात्पुण्यसंकीर्तनेन च।

pretānāṁ tu vimānāni āgatāni samaṁtataḥ asya viprasya saṁbhāṣātpuṇyasaṁkīrtanena ca

Celestial chariots came for the pretas from all directions, through the merit of conversing with this brahmin and through the recitation of sacred matters.

Verse 55 (padma.1.32.55)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन सतां संभाषणं कुरु। यदि ते श्रेयसा कार्यं गंगासुत अतंद्रितः।

tasmātsarvaprayatnena satāṁ saṁbhāṣaṇaṁ kuru yadi te śreyasā kāryaṁ gaṁgāsuta ataṁdritaḥ

Therefore, with all effort, converse with the virtuous, O son of Ganga, tirelessly, if you have any concern for your own welfare.

Verse 56 (padma.1.32.56)

तिलकं सर्वधर्मस्य पञ्चप्रेतकथामिमाम्। पठेल्लक्षं योऽस्य कुले न प्रेतो जायते नरः।

tilakaṁ sarvadharmasya pañcapretakathāmimām paṭhellakṣaṁ yo'sya kule na preto jāyate naraḥ

This tale of the five pretas is the mark of all dharma; whoever recites it a hundred thousand times, in his family no man becomes a preta.

Verse 57 (padma.1.32.57)

शृणोति वाप्यभीक्ष्णं वा श्रद्धया परयान्वितः। भक्त्या समन्वितो वापि न प्रेतो जायते नरः।

śṛṇoti vāpyabhīkṣṇaṁ vā śraddhayā parayānvitaḥ bhaktyā samanvito vāpi na preto jāyate naraḥ

Or one who hears it repeatedly with supreme faith, or endowed with devotion, does not become a preta.

Verse 58 (padma.1.32.58)

भीष्म उवाच। अंतरिक्षे किमर्थं तु पुष्करं परिकीर्त्यते। मुनिभिर्धर्मशीलैश्च लभ्यते तत्कथं त्विह।

bhīṣma uvāca aṁtarikṣe kimarthaṁ tu puṣkaraṁ parikīrtyate munibhirdharmaśīlaiśca labhyate tatkathaṁ tviha

Bhishma said: For what reason is Pushkara said to be in the sky, and how is it attained here by sages of righteous conduct?

Verse 59 (padma.1.32.59)

येन तल्लभ्यते लब्धं लब्धं चैव फलप्रदम्। तन्मे सर्वं समाचक्ष्व कौतुकादेव पृच्छतः।

yena tallabhyate labdhaṁ labdhaṁ caiva phalapradam tanme sarvaṁ samācakṣva kautukādeva pṛcchataḥ

By what means is it attained, and once attained, what fruit does it bestow? Tell me all of this, for I ask out of curiosity.

Verse 60 (padma.1.32.60)

पुलस्त्य उवाच। ऋषिकोटिस्समायाता दक्षिणापथवासिनी। स्नानार्थं पुष्करे राजन्पुष्करं च वियद्गतम्।

pulastya uvāca ṛṣikoṭissamāyātā dakṣiṇāpathavāsinī snānārthaṁ puṣkare rājanpuṣkaraṁ ca viyadgatam

Pulastya said: A crore of sages, dwellers of the southern region, gathered at Pushkara to bathe, O king, and Pushkara had gone up into the sky.

Verse 61 (padma.1.32.61)

मत्वाते मुनयः सर्वे प्राणायामपरायणाः। ध्यायमानाः परं ब्रह्म स्थिता द्वादशवत्सरान्।

matvāte munayaḥ sarve prāṇāyāmaparāyaṇāḥ dhyāyamānāḥ paraṁ brahma sthitā dvādaśavatsarān

Thinking of this, all those sages, devoted to pranayama, meditating upon the supreme Brahman, remained there for twelve years.

Verse 62 (padma.1.32.62)

ब्रह्मा महर्षयस्तत्र देवास्सेन्द्रास्समागताः। ऋषयोंतर्हिताः प्रोचुर्नियमांस्ते सुदुष्करान्।

brahmā maharṣayastatra devāssendrāssamāgatāḥ ṛṣayoṁtarhitāḥ procurniyamāṁste suduṣkarān

Brahma, the great seers, and the gods with Indra assembled there; the hidden celestial seers declared to them most difficult observances.

Verse 63 (padma.1.32.63)

आकारणं पुष्करस्य मंत्रेण क्रियतां द्विजाः। आपोहिष्ठेति तिसृभिर्ऋग्भिः सांनिध्यमेष्यति।

ākāraṇaṁ puṣkarasya maṁtreṇa kriyatāṁ dvijāḥ āpohiṣṭheti tisṛbhirṛgbhiḥ sāṁnidhyameṣyati

'O brahmins, let the invocation of Pushkara be made by mantra; by the three Rig verses beginning "Apo hishtha," its presence will be attained.'

Verse 64 (padma.1.32.64)

अघमर्षणजप्येन भवेद्वै फलदायकम्। विप्रैर्वाक्यावसाने तु सर्वैस्तैस्तु तथा कृतम्।

aghamarṣaṇajapyena bhavedvai phaladāyakam viprairvākyāvasāne tu sarvaistaistu tathā kṛtam

'By the recitation of the Aghamarshana hymn it will become fruit-bestowing.' At the end of the sages' words, all of them did just so.

Verse 65 (padma.1.32.65)

कृतेन पुण्यतां प्राप्ता ये निदेशाच्च ते द्विजाः। गर्हिता धर्मशास्त्रेषु ते विप्रा दक्षिणोत्तराः।

kṛtena puṇyatāṁ prāptā ye nideśācca te dvijāḥ garhitā dharmaśāstreṣu te viprā dakṣiṇottarāḥ

By doing so, those brahmins who followed the instruction attained merit; but brahmins of the southern and northern lands who are censured in the dharma-shastras—

Verse 66 (padma.1.32.66)

ये चान्ये पार्वतीयाश्च श्राद्धेनार्हंति केतनम्। एतस्मात्कारणाद्राजन्वियत्येवं समास्थितम्।

ye cānye pārvatīyāśca śrāddhenārhaṁti ketanam etasmātkāraṇādrājanviyatyevaṁ samāsthitam

—and other mountain-dwelling ones, are worthy only of the abode gained through shraddha-offerings. For this reason, O king, it remains established thus in the sky.

Verse 67 (padma.1.32.67)

कार्तिक्यां पुष्करं स्नानात्पूततामभियच्छति। ब्रह्मणा सहितं राजन्सर्वेषां पुण्यदायकम्।

kārtikyāṁ puṣkaraṁ snānātpūtatāmabhiyacchati brahmaṇā sahitaṁ rājansarveṣāṁ puṇyadāyakam

On the full moon of Kartika, Pushkara, together with Brahma, attains purity through bathing, O king, and bestows merit upon all.

Verse 68 (padma.1.32.68)

तत्रागतास्तु ये वर्णाः सर्वे ते पुण्यभाजनाः। द्विजैस्तुल्या न संदेहो विना मंत्रेण ते नृप।

tatrāgatāstu ye varṇāḥ sarve te puṇyabhājanāḥ dvijaistulyā na saṁdeho vinā maṁtreṇa te nṛpa

All the varnas who come there become vessels of merit; without doubt, O king, they become equal to brahmins, even without mantras.

Verse 69 (padma.1.32.69)

आग्नेयं तु यदा ऋक्षं कार्तिक्यां भवति क्वचित्। महती सा तिथिर्ज्ञेया स्नाने दाने तथोत्तमा।

āgneyaṁ tu yadā ṛkṣaṁ kārtikyāṁ bhavati kvacit mahatī sā tithirjñeyā snāne dāne tathottamā

When, on the Kartika full moon, the nakshatra happens to be Krittika, that tithi should be known as most great, supreme for bathing and giving.

Verse 70 (padma.1.32.70)

यदा याम्यं तु भवति ऋक्षं तस्यां तिथौ क्वचित्। तिथिः सापि महापुण्या यतिभिः परिकीर्तिता।

yadā yāmyaṁ tu bhavati ṛkṣaṁ tasyāṁ tithau kvacit tithiḥ sāpi mahāpuṇyā yatibhiḥ parikīrtitā

When on that tithi the nakshatra happens to be Bharani, that tithi too is greatly meritorious, as declared by ascetics.

Verse 71 (padma.1.32.71)

प्राजापत्यं यदा ऋक्षं तिथौ तस्यां नराधिप। सा महाकार्तिकी प्रोक्ता देवानामपि दुर्लभा।

prājāpatyaṁ yadā ṛkṣaṁ tithau tasyāṁ narādhipa sā mahākārtikī proktā devānāmapi durlabhā

When, O king, on that tithi the nakshatra is Rohini, it is called the Great Kartiki, rare even for the gods.

Verse 72 (padma.1.32.72)

यदा चार्के गुरौ सोमे वारेष्वेतेषु वै त्रिषु। त्रीण्येतानि च ऋक्षाणि स्वयं प्रोक्तानि ब्रह्मणा।

yadā cārke gurau some vāreṣveteṣu vai triṣu trīṇyetāni ca ṛkṣāṇi svayaṁ proktāni brahmaṇā

And when, on these three days — Sunday, Thursday, or Monday — these same three nakshatras fall, they were themselves declared by Brahma.

Verse 73 (padma.1.32.73)

अत्राश्वमेधिकं पुण्यं स्नातस्य भवति ध्रुवम्। दानमक्षयतां याति पितॄणां तर्पणं तथा।

atrāśvamedhikaṁ puṇyaṁ snātasya bhavati dhruvam dānamakṣayatāṁ yāti pitṝṇāṁ tarpaṇaṁ tathā

Then the merit of an Ashvamedha certainly comes to one who bathes; gifts become imperishable, and likewise the tarpana to the ancestors.

Verse 74 (padma.1.32.74)

विशाखासु यदा भानुः कृत्तिकासु च चंद्रमाः। स योगः पुष्करो नाम पुष्करेष्वतिदुर्लभः।

viśākhāsu yadā bhānuḥ kṛttikāsu ca caṁdramāḥ sa yogaḥ puṣkaro nāma puṣkareṣvatidurlabhaḥ

When the sun is in Vishakha and the moon is in Krittika, that conjunction, called Pushkara, is exceedingly rare even at Pushkara itself.

Verse 75 (padma.1.32.75)

अंतरिक्षावतीर्णे तु तीर्थे पैतामहे शुभे। स्नानं येऽत्र करिष्यंति तेषां लोका महोदयाः।

aṁtarikṣāvatīrṇe tu tīrthe paitāmahe śubhe snānaṁ ye'tra kariṣyaṁti teṣāṁ lokā mahodayāḥ

In that auspicious tirtha of Brahma, descended from the sky, whoever shall bathe here — their worlds become greatly exalted.

Verse 76 (padma.1.32.76)

न स्पृहांतेन्यपुण्यस्य कृतस्याप्यकृतस्य च। करिष्यंति महाराज सत्यमेतदुदाहृतम्।

na spṛhāṁtenyapuṇyasya kṛtasyāpyakṛtasya ca kariṣyaṁti mahārāja satyametadudāhṛtam

They will feel no desire for any other merit, whether done or undone, O great king — this is spoken as truth.

Verse 77 (padma.1.32.77)

तीर्थानां प्रवरं तीर्थं पृथिव्यामिह पठ्यते। नास्मात्परं पुण्यतीर्थं लोकेषु नृप पठ्यते।

tīrthānāṁ pravaraṁ tīrthaṁ pṛthivyāmiha paṭhyate nāsmātparaṁ puṇyatīrthaṁ lokeṣu nṛpa paṭhyate

It is declared to be the foremost of tirthas upon this earth; no more meritorious tirtha than this, O king, is spoken of among the worlds.

Verse 78 (padma.1.32.78)

कार्तिक्यां तु विशेषेण पुण्या पापहरा शुभा। उदुंबरवनात्तस्मादागता च सरस्वती।

kārtikyāṁ tu viśeṣeṇa puṇyā pāpaharā śubhā uduṁbaravanāttasmādāgatā ca sarasvatī

Especially on Kartika it is meritorious, sin-destroying, and auspicious; and from that Udumbara forest Sarasvati came.

Verse 79 (padma.1.32.79)

तया तत्पूरितं तीर्थं पुष्करं मुनिसेवितम्। दक्षिणे शिखरं भाति पर्वतस्याविदूरतः।

tayā tatpūritaṁ tīrthaṁ puṣkaraṁ munisevitam dakṣiṇe śikharaṁ bhāti parvatasyāvidūrataḥ

By her that tirtha of Pushkara, served by sages, was filled; to the south a peak shines, not far from the mountain.

Verse 80 (padma.1.32.80)

नीलांजनचयप्रख्यं वर्णतो नीलशाद्वलम्। तया तच्छिखरं तस्य खस्थितं पुष्करं यथा।

nīlāṁjanacayaprakhyaṁ varṇato nīlaśādvalam tayā tacchikharaṁ tasya khasthitaṁ puṣkaraṁ yathā

Resembling in color a mass of dark collyrium, dark-green with grass; by her, that peak appeared as if Pushkara itself, seated in the sky.

Verse 81 (padma.1.32.81)

प्रावृट्काले वियत्पूर्णं घनवृंदमिवोच्छ्रितम्। कदंबपुष्पगंधाढ्यं कुटजार्जुनभूषितम्।

prāvṛṭkāle viyatpūrṇaṁ ghanavṛṁdamivocchritam kadaṁbapuṣpagaṁdhāḍhyaṁ kuṭajārjunabhūṣitam

In the rainy season, rising up as if filling the sky like a mass of clouds, rich with the fragrance of kadamba flowers, adorned with kutaja and arjuna trees.

Verse 82 (padma.1.32.82)

रथमार्गमिवारोढुं रवेस्तच्छिखरं स्थितम्। वृत्तैस्सपुलकैस्स्निग्धैः स्त्रीणामिव पयोधरैः।

rathamārgamivāroḍhuṁ ravestacchikharaṁ sthitam vṛttaissapulakaissnigdhaiḥ strīṇāmiva payodharaiḥ

That peak stood as if ready to mount upon the very chariot-road of the sun, with its round, glossy, thrilled surfaces like the breasts of women.

Verse 83 (padma.1.32.83)

श्रीफलैः शिखरं भाति समन्तात्सुमनोहरैः। गुंजद्भिः षट्पदकुलैः समंतादुपशोभितम्।

śrīphalaiḥ śikharaṁ bhāti samantātsumanoharaiḥ guṁjadbhiḥ ṣaṭpadakulaiḥ samaṁtādupaśobhitam

The peak shines with wood-apples, most delightful all around, further adorned on all sides by humming swarms of bees.

Verse 84 (padma.1.32.84)

कोकिलारावरुचिरं शिखि केका रवाकुलम्। शृंगे मनोहरे तस्मिन्नुद्गतासु मनोरमा।

kokilārāvaruciraṁ śikhi kekā ravākulam śṛṁge manohare tasminnudgatāsu manoramā

Charming with the calls of the cuckoo, filled with the cries of peacocks — on that lovely peak, having risen there, the delightful river—

Verse 85 (padma.1.32.85)

पुण्यापुण्यजलोपेता नदीयं ब्रह्मणस्सुता। वंशस्तंबात्सुविपुला प्रवृत्ता चोत्तरामुखी।

puṇyāpuṇyajalopetā nadīyaṁ brahmaṇassutā vaṁśastaṁbātsuvipulā pravṛttā cottarāmukhī

—this river, daughter of Brahma, endowed with sacred, pure waters, flowed forth, vast, from a clump of bamboo, facing northward.

Verse 86 (padma.1.32.86)

गत्वा ततो नातिदूरात्पुनर्याति पराङ्मुखी। ततः प्रभृति सा देवी प्रसन्ना प्रकटास्थिता।

gatvā tato nātidūrātpunaryāti parāṅmukhī tataḥ prabhṛti sā devī prasannā prakaṭāsthitā

Having flowed thence not too far, she again turns and flows in the opposite direction; from then on, that goddess, gracious, remained manifest.

Verse 87 (padma.1.32.87)

अन्तर्धानं परित्यज्य प्राणिनामनुकम्पया। कनका सुप्रभा चैव नन्दा प्राची सरस्वती।

antardhānaṁ parityajya prāṇināmanukampayā kanakā suprabhā caiva nandā prācī sarasvatī

Abandoning her invisibility out of compassion for living beings — as Kanaka, Suprabha, Nanda, and Prachi Sarasvati—

Verse 88 (padma.1.32.88)

पंचस्रोताः पुष्करेषु ब्रह्मणा परिभाषिता। तस्यास्तीरे सुरम्याणि तीर्थान्यायतनानि च।

paṁcasrotāḥ puṣkareṣu brahmaṇā paribhāṣitā tasyāstīre suramyāṇi tīrthānyāyatanāni ca

—as the five-streamed one, she is described by Brahma at Pushkara. On her banks are most beautiful tirthas and shrines.

Verse 89 (padma.1.32.89)

संसेवितानि मुनिभिः सिद्धैश्चापि समंततः। तेषु सर्वेषु भविता धर्महेतुः सरस्वती।

saṁsevitāni munibhiḥ siddhaiścāpi samaṁtataḥ teṣu sarveṣu bhavitā dharmahetuḥ sarasvatī

—served on all sides by sages and Siddhas. Among all of these, Sarasvati becomes the cause of dharma.

Verse 90 (padma.1.32.90)

हाटकक्षितिगौरीणां तत्तीर्थेषु महोदयम्। दानं दत्तं नरैः स्नातैर्जनयत्यक्षयं फलम्।

hāṭakakṣitigaurīṇāṁ tattīrtheṣu mahodayam dānaṁ dattaṁ naraiḥ snātairjanayatyakṣayaṁ phalam

At those tirthas, the gift of gold, land, or a cow — of great merit — given by bathed men, produces imperishable fruit.

Verse 91 (padma.1.32.91)

धान्यप्रदानं प्रवरं वदंति तिलप्रदानं च तथा मुनींद्राः । यैस्तेषु तीर्थेषु नरैः प्रदत्तं तद्धर्महेतु प्रवरं प्रदिष्टम्।

dhānyapradānaṁ pravaraṁ vadaṁti tilapradānaṁ ca tathā munīṁdrāḥ yaisteṣu tīrtheṣu naraiḥ pradattaṁ taddharmahetu pravaraṁ pradiṣṭam

The foremost sages declare the gift of grain, and likewise the gift of sesame seeds, to be excellent; whatever men give at those tirthas is proclaimed the most excellent cause of dharma.

Verse 92 (padma.1.32.92)

प्रायोपवेशं प्रयतः प्रयत्नाद्यस्तेषु कुर्यात्प्रमदा पुमान्वा। तीर्थेपि संयोज्य मनोपि चेत्थं भुंक्ते फलं ब्रह्मगृहे यथेष्टम्।

prāyopaveśaṁ prayataḥ prayatnādyasteṣu kuryātpramadā pumānvā tīrthepi saṁyojya manopi cetthaṁ bhuṁkte phalaṁ brahmagṛhe yatheṣṭam

Whatever woman or man, purified, with effort, undertakes the fast unto death at those places, uniting mind with the tirtha, enjoys fruit at will in the abode of Brahma.

Verse 93 (padma.1.32.93)

तस्योपकंठे म्रियते हि यैस्तु कर्मक्षयात्स्थावरजंगमैश्च। ते चापि सर्वे सकलं प्रसह्य लभंति यज्ञस्य फलं दुरापम्।

tasyopakaṁṭhe mriyate hi yaistu karmakṣayātsthāvarajaṁgamaiśca te cāpi sarve sakalaṁ prasahya labhaṁti yajñasya phalaṁ durāpam

Those, whether moving or unmoving beings, who die near its banks when their karma is exhausted — all of them too forcibly obtain the entire, hard-to-attain fruit of sacrifice.

Verse 94 (padma.1.32.94)

ततस्तु सा धर्मफलारणी च जन्मादिदुःखार्दितचेतसां तु। सर्वात्मना चारुफला सरस्वती सेव्या प्रयत्नात्पुरुषैर्महानदी।

tatastu sā dharmaphalāraṇī ca janmādiduḥkhārditacetasāṁ tu sarvātmanā cāruphalā sarasvatī sevyā prayatnātpuruṣairmahānadī

Thus she, the kindler of the fruit of dharma, for those whose hearts are afflicted by the sufferings of birth and so on, Sarasvati, wholly of lovely fruit, that great river, should be served by men with effort.

Verse 95 (padma.1.32.95)

तत्र ये सलिलं पूतं पिबंति सततं नराः। न ते मनुष्या देवास्ते जगत्यामिह संस्थिताः।

tatra ye salilaṁ pūtaṁ pibaṁti satataṁ narāḥ na te manuṣyā devāste jagatyāmiha saṁsthitāḥ

Those men who constantly drink that pure water there are not mere men; they are gods established here in this world.

Verse 96 (padma.1.32.96)

यज्ञैर्दानैस्तपोभिश्च यत्फलं प्राप्यते द्विजैः। तदत्र स्नानमात्रेण शूद्रैरपि स्वभावजैः।

yajñairdānaistapobhiśca yatphalaṁ prāpyate dvijaiḥ tadatra snānamātreṇa śūdrairapi svabhāvajaiḥ

Whatever fruit is obtained by brahmins through sacrifices, gifts, and austerities, that same fruit is obtained here by mere bathing, even by those born as shudras.

Verse 97 (padma.1.32.97)

दर्शनात्पुष्करस्यापि महापातकिनोपि ये। तेपि तत्पापनिर्मुक्ताः स्वर्गं यांति तनुक्षये।

darśanātpuṣkarasyāpi mahāpātakinopi ye tepi tatpāpanirmuktāḥ svargaṁ yāṁti tanukṣaye

Merely by the sight of Pushkara, even those who are great sinners are freed from their sin and go to heaven when the body perishes.

Verse 98 (padma.1.32.98)

तत्रोपवासी यज्ञस्य पुंडरीकस्य यत्फलम्। तत्प्राप्नोति नरः क्षिप्रमल्पायासेन पुष्करे।

tatropavāsī yajñasya puṁḍarīkasya yatphalam tatprāpnoti naraḥ kṣipramalpāyāsena puṣkare

One who fasts there quickly obtains, with little effort, at Pushkara, the same fruit as that of the Pundarika sacrifice.

Verse 99 (padma.1.32.99)

माघमासे तिलान्यस्तु प्रयच्छति च स द्द्विजे। यथाशक्ति च भक्त्या च स विष्णुभवने वसेत्।

māghamāse tilānyastu prayacchati ca sa ddvije yathāśakti ca bhaktyā ca sa viṣṇubhavane vaset

Whoever, in the month of Magha, gives sesame seeds to a brahmin, according to his ability and with devotion, dwells in the abode of Vishnu.

Verse 100 (padma.1.32.100)

तत्रोपवासं स्नानं च पंचगव्याशनं तथा। यः करोति नरः सोपि देहांते स्वर्गमाप्नुयात्।

tatropavāsaṁ snānaṁ ca paṁcagavyāśanaṁ tathā yaḥ karoti naraḥ sopi dehāṁte svargamāpnuyāt

Whatever man performs fasting, bathing, and the eating of panchagavya there — he too attains heaven at the end of his body.

Verse 101 (padma.1.32.101)

वसंति तत्समीपस्था येपि तस्करजातयः। तेपि तस्यानुभावेन स्वर्यांति च न संशयः।

vasaṁti tatsamīpasthā yepi taskarajātayaḥ tepi tasyānubhāvena svaryāṁti ca na saṁśayaḥ

Even those born as thieves who dwell nearby also go to heaven by its power, without doubt.

Verse 102 (padma.1.32.102)

ये पुनः शूद्रवृत्तिस्थास्त्रिरात्रोपोषिता नराः। प्रयच्छंति द्विजेष्वर्थं ब्रह्मशक्तिसमन्विताः।

ye punaḥ śūdravṛttisthāstrirātropoṣitā narāḥ prayacchaṁti dvijeṣvarthaṁ brahmaśaktisamanvitāḥ

And those men, living by shudra livelihood, having fasted for three nights, endowed with the power of Brahman, give wealth to brahmins there—

Verse 103 (padma.1.32.103)

ते मृता यानमारूढाः पद्मासनचतुर्भुजाः। ब्रह्मणा सह सायुज्यं प्राप्नुवंत्यपुनर्भवम्।

te mṛtā yānamārūḍhāḥ padmāsanacaturbhujāḥ brahmaṇā saha sāyujyaṁ prāpnuvaṁtyapunarbhavam

—they, when dead, mounted on a celestial chariot, seated on a lotus, four-armed, attain union with Brahma, and are freed from rebirth.

Verse 104 (padma.1.32.104)

गंगोद्भेदं यत्र गंगा संप्राप्ता सरितां वराम्। सरस्वतीं द्रष्टुकामा सांत्वार्थे प्रोद्गतांऽबरात्।

gaṁgodbhedaṁ yatra gaṁgā saṁprāptā saritāṁ varām sarasvatīṁ draṣṭukāmā sāṁtvārthe prodgatāṁ'barāt

Where the source of Ganga is, Ganga, best of rivers, desiring to see Sarasvati, arose from the sky for the sake of consoling her.

Verse 105 (padma.1.32.105)

तत्र गत्वा पयःपूतं सुरसिद्धनिषेवितम्। सारस्वतं च विमलं विद्याधरगणार्चितम्।

tatra gatvā payaḥpūtaṁ surasiddhaniṣevitam sārasvataṁ ca vimalaṁ vidyādharagaṇārcitam

Going there, she found water made pure, served by gods and Siddhas, the Sarasvata water, spotless, worshipped by hosts of Vidyadharas.

Verse 106 (padma.1.32.106)

पीतमेकांजलिमितं येनाप्तं तेन तत्परं। अवलोक्य दिशं पूर्वामाह गंगे सखि त्वया।

pītamekāṁjalimitaṁ yenāptaṁ tena tatparaṁ avalokya diśaṁ pūrvāmāha gaṁge sakhi tvayā

Even a single handful drunk of it is supreme for the one who obtains it. Looking toward the eastern direction, Sarasvati said: 'O friend Ganga, you—'

Verse 107 (padma.1.32.107)

एकाकिनी वियुक्तास्मि क्व यास्येहमबांधवा। तां विज्ञाय ततो गंगा रुदंतीं शोककर्शिताम्।

ekākinī viyuktāsmi kva yāsyehamabāṁdhavā tāṁ vijñāya tato gaṁgā rudaṁtīṁ śokakarśitām

'—I am alone, separated from my kin; where shall I go, friendless as I am?' Knowing her thus, weeping and worn with grief, Ganga—

Verse 108 (padma.1.32.108)

पूर्वदेशात्समायाता द्रष्टुं तां दीनमानसाम्। दृष्ट्वा च तां महाभागां परिष्वज्य तु पीडिताम्।

pūrvadeśātsamāyātā draṣṭuṁ tāṁ dīnamānasām dṛṣṭvā ca tāṁ mahābhāgāṁ pariṣvajya tu pīḍitām

—came from the eastern land to see her, so downcast in mind. And seeing that greatly blessed one, so afflicted, she embraced her—

Verse 109 (padma.1.32.109)

नेत्रे प्रमृज्य चैतस्याः प्राह गंगा वचस्तदा। मा रोदीस्त्वं महाभागे दुःष्करं ते कृतं सखि।

netre pramṛjya caitasyāḥ prāha gaṁgā vacastadā mā rodīstvaṁ mahābhāge duḥṣkaraṁ te kṛtaṁ sakhi

—and wiping her eyes, Ganga then spoke these words: 'Do not weep, O greatly blessed one; you have done a most difficult thing, O friend.'

Verse 110 (padma.1.32.110)

देवकार्यं यदन्येन कर्तुं शक्येत नैव हि। एतस्मात्ते महाभागे द्रष्टुं देवाः समागताः।

devakāryaṁ yadanyena kartuṁ śakyeta naiva hi etasmātte mahābhāge draṣṭuṁ devāḥ samāgatāḥ

'A work of the gods that no other could ever accomplish — for this, O greatly blessed one, the gods have gathered to see you.'

Verse 111 (padma.1.32.111)

एषां च क्रियतां पूजा वाङ्मनः काय कर्मणा। सरस्वती सुरेंद्राणां कृत्त्वा पूजा विधिक्रमम्।

eṣāṁ ca kriyatāṁ pūjā vāṅmanaḥ kāya karmaṇā sarasvatī sureṁdrāṇāṁ kṛttvā pūjā vidhikramam

'Let their worship be performed with speech, mind, and body.' Sarasvati, having performed the worship of the lords of the gods according to due rite—

Verse 112 (padma.1.32.112)

क्रमेण ब्रह्मजा पश्चात्संगता तु सखीजनम्। ज्येष्ठमध्यमयोर्मध्ये संगमो लोकविश्रुतः।

krameṇa brahmajā paścātsaṁgatā tu sakhījanam jyeṣṭhamadhyamayormadhye saṁgamo lokaviśrutaḥ

—then, Brahma's daughter, in due order, joined her companions afterward; the confluence between the elder and middle streams is renowned in the world.

Verse 113 (padma.1.32.113)

पश्चान्मुखी ब्रह्मसुता जाह्नवी तु उदङ्मुखी। ततस्ते विबुधाः सर्वे पुष्करं ये समागताः।

paścānmukhī brahmasutā jāhnavī tu udaṅmukhī tataste vibudhāḥ sarve puṣkaraṁ ye samāgatāḥ

Brahma's daughter faces westward, while Jahnavi faces northward. Then all those gods who had gathered at Pushkara—

Verse 114 (padma.1.32.114)

विदित्वा दुष्करं कर्म तस्या स्तुतिमकारयन्। त्वं बुद्धिस्त्वं मतिर्लक्ष्मीस्त्वं विद्या त्वं गतिः परा।

viditvā duṣkaraṁ karma tasyā stutimakārayan tvaṁ buddhistvaṁ matirlakṣmīstvaṁ vidyā tvaṁ gatiḥ parā

—having recognized her difficult deed, offered her praise: 'You are intellect, you are understanding, you are Lakshmi, you are knowledge, you are the supreme goal—'

Verse 115 (padma.1.32.115)

त्वं श्रद्धा त्त्वं परा निष्ठा बुद्धिर्मेधा रतिः क्षमा। त्वं सिद्धिस्त्वं स्वधा स्वाहा त्वं पवित्रं मतं महत्।

tvaṁ śraddhā ttvaṁ parā niṣṭhā buddhirmedhā ratiḥ kṣamā tvaṁ siddhistvaṁ svadhā svāhā tvaṁ pavitraṁ mataṁ mahat

'—you are faith, you are supreme steadfastness, intellect, memory, delight, forgiveness; you are accomplishment, you are the offerings svadha and svaha, you are held to be the great and pure one—'

Verse 116 (padma.1.32.116)

संध्या रात्रिः प्रभा भूतिर्मेधा श्रद्धा सरस्वती। यज्ञ विद्या महाविद्या गुह्यविद्या च शोभना।

saṁdhyā rātriḥ prabhā bhūtirmedhā śraddhā sarasvatī yajña vidyā mahāvidyā guhyavidyā ca śobhanā

'—you are twilight, night, radiance, prosperity, memory, faith, Sarasvati; you are sacrificial knowledge, great knowledge, and beautiful secret knowledge—'

Verse 117 (padma.1.32.117)

आन्वीक्षिकी तु या वार्ता दंडनीतिश्च कथ्यते। नमोस्तु ते पुण्यजले नमः सागरगामिनि।

ānvīkṣikī tu yā vārtā daṁḍanītiśca kathyate namostu te puṇyajale namaḥ sāgaragāmini

'—you are called the logic of inquiry, the science of livelihood, and the science of statecraft. Salutation to you, of sacred waters! Salutation, O you who flow to the ocean!'

Verse 118 (padma.1.32.118)

नमस्ते पापनिर्मोके नमो देवि जगत्प्रिये। एवं स्तुता हि सा देवी दिव्या स्वार्थपरायणैः।

namaste pāpanirmoke namo devi jagatpriye evaṁ stutā hi sā devī divyā svārthaparāyaṇaiḥ

'Salutation to you, releaser from sin! Salutation, O goddess dear to the world!' Thus praised by the celestials, each intent on their own purpose, that divine goddess—

Verse 119 (padma.1.32.119)

एवं सा प्राङ्मुखी तत्र स्थिता देवी सरस्वती। सर्वतीर्थमयी देवी सर्वामरसमन्विता।

evaṁ sā prāṅmukhī tatra sthitā devī sarasvatī sarvatīrthamayī devī sarvāmarasamanvitā

—thus that goddess Sarasvati remained there, facing eastward; the goddess consisting of all tirthas, accompanied by all the immortals.

Verse 120 (padma.1.32.120)

प्राची सेति बुधैर्ज्ञेया ब्रह्मणो वचनं तथा। तत्र शुद्धावटंनाम तीर्थं पैतामहं स्मृतम्।

prācī seti budhairjñeyā brahmaṇo vacanaṁ tathā tatra śuddhāvaṭaṁnāma tīrthaṁ paitāmahaṁ smṛtam

She should be known by the wise as 'Prachi,' according to the word of Brahma; there, a tirtha named Shuddhavata, sacred to Brahma, is remembered.

Verse 121 (padma.1.32.121)

दर्शनेनापि वै तस्य महापातकिनोपि ये। भोगिभोगान्समश्नंति विशुद्धा ब्रह्मणोंतिके।

darśanenāpi vai tasya mahāpātakinopi ye bhogibhogānsamaśnaṁti viśuddhā brahmaṇoṁtike

Merely by the sight of it, even great sinners, purified, enjoy the enjoyments of the enjoyers, near Brahma.

Verse 122 (padma.1.32.122)

प्रायोपवेशं ये तत्र प्रकुर्वंति नरोत्तमाः। ते मृता ब्रह्मयानेन दिवं यांत्यकुतोभयाः।

prāyopaveśaṁ ye tatra prakurvaṁti narottamāḥ te mṛtā brahmayānena divaṁ yāṁtyakutobhayāḥ

Those best of men who perform the fast unto death there, when dead, go to heaven fearlessly, upon the chariot of Brahma.

Verse 123 (padma.1.32.123)

तत्राल्पमपि यैर्दानं दत्तं ब्रह्मविदात्मनाम्। जन्मांतरशतं तेषां तैर्दत्तं भावितात्मनाम्।

tatrālpamapi yairdānaṁ dattaṁ brahmavidātmanām janmāṁtaraśataṁ teṣāṁ tairdattaṁ bhāvitātmanām

By those pure-minded ones who, even a little, give gifts there to knowers of Brahman, it is as if given for a hundred future births.

Verse 124 (padma.1.32.124)

खण्डस्फुटितसंस्कारं तत्र कुर्वन्ति ये नराः। ते ब्रह्मलोकमासाद्य मोदन्ते सुखिनस्सदा।

khaṇḍasphuṭitasaṁskāraṁ tatra kurvanti ye narāḥ te brahmalokamāsādya modante sukhinassadā

Those men who perform there the repair of broken structures, having attained Brahmaloka, rejoice there always, happy.

Verse 125 (padma.1.32.125)

योऽत्र पूजाजपोहोमः कृतो भवति देहिनाम्। अनन्तं तत्फलं सर्वं ब्रह्मभक्तिरतात्मनाम्।

yo'tra pūjājapohomaḥ kṛto bhavati dehinām anantaṁ tatphalaṁ sarvaṁ brahmabhaktiratātmanām

Whatever worship, japa, or homa is performed here by embodied beings — all its fruit is infinite, for those whose souls are devoted to Brahma-bhakti.

Verse 126 (padma.1.32.126)

तत्र दीपप्रदानेन ज्ञानचक्षुरतींद्रियः। प्राप्नोति धूपदानेन स्थानं ब्रह्मनिषेवितम्।

tatra dīpapradānena jñānacakṣuratīṁdriyaḥ prāpnoti dhūpadānena sthānaṁ brahmaniṣevitam

By offering a lamp there, one attains the transcendent eye of knowledge; by offering incense, one attains the abode served by Brahma.

Verse 127 (padma.1.32.127)

अथ किं बहुनोक्तेन संगमे यत्प्रदीयते। तदनंतफलं प्रोक्तं जीवतो वा मृतस्य च।

atha kiṁ bahunoktena saṁgame yatpradīyate tadanaṁtaphalaṁ proktaṁ jīvato vā mṛtasya ca

What further need of many words? Whatever is given at the confluence — its fruit, for the living or the dead, is declared infinite.

Verse 128 (padma.1.32.128)

स्नानाज्जपात्तथा होमादनंतफलसाधकम्। रामेणागत्य वै तत्र पिंडं दशरथस्य च।

snānājjapāttathā homādanaṁtaphalasādhakam rāmeṇāgatya vai tatra piṁḍaṁ daśarathasya ca

From bathing, japa, and homa, infinite fruit is achieved; Rama himself came there and offered the pinda for Dasharatha.

Verse 129 (padma.1.32.129)

दत्तं श्राद्धं तत्र तेन मार्कंडेयेन दर्शिते। तत्र वापी चतुःकोणा तत्र पिंडप्रदा नराः।

dattaṁ śrāddhaṁ tatra tena mārkaṁḍeyena darśite tatra vāpī catuḥkoṇā tatra piṁḍapradā narāḥ

Shraddha was offered there by him, at the place shown by Markandeya; there is a four-cornered stepwell there, and men who offer pinda there—

Verse 130 (padma.1.32.130)

हंसयुक्तेन यानेन सर्वे यांति त्रिविष्टपम्। तस्यां वाप्यां तु वै ब्रह्मा पितृमेधं चकार ह।

haṁsayuktena yānena sarve yāṁti triviṣṭapam tasyāṁ vāpyāṁ tu vai brahmā pitṛmedhaṁ cakāra ha

—all go to heaven upon a swan-drawn chariot. And at that very stepwell, Brahma performed the pitri-medha sacrifice.

Verse 131 (padma.1.32.131)

यज्ञं यज्ञविदां श्रेष्ठः समाप्तवरदक्षिणम्। वसवः पितरो ज्ञेया रुद्राश्चैव पितामहाः।

yajñaṁ yajñavidāṁ śreṣṭhaḥ samāptavaradakṣiṇam vasavaḥ pitaro jñeyā rudrāścaiva pitāmahāḥ

That foremost of knowers of sacrifice completed the sacrifice with its excellent fees; the Vasus are to be known as the fathers, and the Rudras as the grandfathers.

Verse 132 (padma.1.32.132)

आदित्याश्च ततस्तेषां विहिताः प्रपितामहाः। त्रिविधा अपि आहूय पुनरुक्ता विरिंचिना।

ādityāśca tatasteṣāṁ vihitāḥ prapitāmahāḥ trividhā api āhūya punaruktā viriṁcinā

And the Adityas were thus designated as their great-grandfathers; all three kinds, having been invoked, were addressed again by Brahma.

Verse 133 (padma.1.32.133)

भवद्भिः पिंडदानाद्यं ग्राह्यमत्र स्थितैस्सदा। यत्कृतं पितृकार्यं च तदनंतफलं भवेत्।

bhavadbhiḥ piṁḍadānādyaṁ grāhyamatra sthitaissadā yatkṛtaṁ pitṛkāryaṁ ca tadanaṁtaphalaṁ bhavet

'By you all, established here, the pinda-offering and such should always be accepted; whatever ancestral rite is performed here becomes infinite in fruit.'

Verse 134 (padma.1.32.134)

वृत्यर्थं पितरस्तेषां तुष्टाश्चैव पितामहाः। लभंते तर्पणात्तृप्तिं पिंडदानात्त्रिविष्टपम्।

vṛtyarthaṁ pitarasteṣāṁ tuṣṭāścaiva pitāmahāḥ labhaṁte tarpaṇāttṛptiṁ piṁḍadānāttriviṣṭapam

For their sustenance, the fathers and grandfathers, satisfied, obtain contentment through tarpana, and heaven through pinda-offerings.

Verse 135 (padma.1.32.135)

तस्मात्सर्वं परित्यज्य प्राचीने पिंडदो भवेत्। दत्वा पुत्रः प्रयत्नेन पितॄन्सर्वांश्च तर्पयेत्।

tasmātsarvaṁ parityajya prācīne piṁḍado bhavet datvā putraḥ prayatnena pitṝnsarvāṁśca tarpayet

Therefore, abandoning all else, one should offer pinda at the Prachi; a son, having given the offerings with effort, should satisfy all his ancestors.

Verse 136 (padma.1.32.136)

प्राचीनेश्वरदेवस्य पुरोभूतं प्रतिष्ठितम्। आदितीर्थं तदित्युक्तं दर्शनादपि मुक्तिदम्।

prācīneśvaradevasya purobhūtaṁ pratiṣṭhitam āditīrthaṁ tadityuktaṁ darśanādapi muktidam

Established in front of the god Prachineshvara, that tirtha is called the Aditirtha, bestowing liberation even by sight.

Verse 137 (padma.1.32.137)

स्पृष्ट्वा तु सलिलं तत्र मुच्यते जन्मबंधनात्। अवगाहनाद्ब्रह्मणोऽसौ भवत्यनुचरः सदा।

spṛṣṭvā tu salilaṁ tatra mucyate janmabaṁdhanāt avagāhanādbrahmaṇo'sau bhavatyanucaraḥ sadā

By touching its water there, one is freed from the bondage of birth; by immersion in it, one becomes forever an attendant of Brahma.

Verse 138 (padma.1.32.138)

आदितीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा यः प्रदद्यात्समाधिना। अन्नमल्पमपि प्रायः प्रायशस्स्वर्गमाप्नुयात्।

āditīrthe naraḥ snātvā yaḥ pradadyātsamādhinā annamalpamapi prāyaḥ prāyaśassvargamāpnuyāt

A man who, having bathed at Aditirtha, gives food with a composed mind, even a little, generally attains heaven for the most part.

Verse 139 (padma.1.32.139)

यस्तत्र ब्रह्मभक्तानां नरः स्नात्वा ददेद्धनम्। कृसेरणापि हेम्ना च स स्वर्गे मोदते सुखी।

yastatra brahmabhaktānāṁ naraḥ snātvā dadeddhanam kṛseraṇāpi hemnā ca sa svarge modate sukhī

Whatever man, having bathed, gives wealth there to devotees of Brahma, even with a small quantity of gold, rejoices happily in heaven.

Verse 140 (padma.1.32.140)

प्राचीसरस्वती तत्र नरैः किं मृग्यते परम्। तस्यां स्नानात्फलं तृप्त्यै तपोयज्ञादिलक्षणम्।

prācīsarasvatī tatra naraiḥ kiṁ mṛgyate param tasyāṁ snānātphalaṁ tṛptyai tapoyajñādilakṣaṇam

What more is to be sought there by men, than Prachi Sarasvati herself? From bathing in her, the fruit for satisfaction is of the nature of austerity, sacrifice, and the like.

Verse 141 (padma.1.32.141)

ये पिबंति नराः पुण्यां प्राचीं देवीं सरस्वतीम्। न ते नराः सुरा ज्ञेया मार्कंडेयर्षिरब्रवीत्।

ye pibaṁti narāḥ puṇyāṁ prācīṁ devīṁ sarasvatīm na te narāḥ surā jñeyā mārkaṁḍeyarṣirabravīt

Those men who drink of the sacred, eastward-flowing goddess Sarasvati are not mere men — they should be known as gods, said the sage Markandeya.

Verse 142 (padma.1.32.142)

सरस्वती नदीं प्राप्य न स्नाने नियमः क्वचित्। भुक्ते वा न च वा भुक्ते दिवा वा यदि वा निशि।

sarasvatī nadīṁ prāpya na snāne niyamaḥ kvacit bhukte vā na ca vā bhukte divā vā yadi vā niśi

Having reached the river Sarasvati, there is no restriction whatsoever on bathing — whether one has eaten or not eaten, whether by day or by night.

Verse 143 (padma.1.32.143)

तत्तीर्थं सर्वत्तीर्थानां प्राचीनं प्रवरं स्मृतत्। पापघ्नं पुण्यजननं प्राणिनां परिकीर्तितम्।

tattīrthaṁ sarvattīrthānāṁ prācīnaṁ pravaraṁ smṛtat pāpaghnaṁ puṇyajananaṁ prāṇināṁ parikīrtitam

That tirtha is remembered as the most ancient and excellent of all tirthas, declared as destroying sin and generating merit for living beings.

Verse 144 (padma.1.32.144)

ये पुनर्भावितात्मानस्तत्र स्नात्वा जनार्दनम्। पूजयन्ति यथाशक्ति ते प्रयांति त्रिविष्टपम्।

ye punarbhāvitātmānastatra snātvā janārdanam pūjayanti yathāśakti te prayāṁti triviṣṭapam

And those pure-souled ones who, having bathed there, worship Janardana according to their ability, go to heaven.

Verse 145 (padma.1.32.145)

देवानां प्रवरो विष्णुस्तेन यत्र सरस्वती। सेविता तत्परं तीर्थं क्षितौ ब्रह्मसुतोऽब्रवीत्।

devānāṁ pravaro viṣṇustena yatra sarasvatī sevitā tatparaṁ tīrthaṁ kṣitau brahmasuto'bravīt

Vishnu is the foremost of gods; therefore, wherever Sarasvati is served by him, that is the supreme tirtha on earth — thus Brahma's son declared.

Verse 146 (padma.1.32.146)

ततस्तस्मान्महातीर्थं मन्यमाना महोदयम्। मंदाकिनीमुदीक्षंती स्थिता तत्र सरस्वती।

tatastasmānmahātīrthaṁ manyamānā mahodayam maṁdākinīmudīkṣaṁtī sthitā tatra sarasvatī

Then, considering that a great tirtha of great glory, Sarasvati remained there, gazing toward the Mandakini.

Verse 147 (padma.1.32.147)

तत्तीर्थं सर्वतीर्थानां परं स्वायंभुवोऽब्रवीत्। मंदाकिन्यासमं यत्र प्राप्य पुण्यसमागमम्।

tattīrthaṁ sarvatīrthānāṁ paraṁ svāyaṁbhuvo'bravīt maṁdākinyāsamaṁ yatra prāpya puṇyasamāgamam

Brahma declared that tirtha supreme among all tirthas, where, attaining a meritorious meeting equal to that of the Mandakini—

Verse 148 (padma.1.32.148)

तत्रस्थाने स्थिता देवैः स्तुता देवी सरस्वती। मत्वा चैकाकिनीं तां तु दीनास्यां दीनमानसां।

tatrasthāne sthitā devaiḥ stutā devī sarasvatī matvā caikākinīṁ tāṁ tu dīnāsyāṁ dīnamānasāṁ

—the goddess Sarasvati remained established in that place, praised by the gods. Considering her alone, downcast of face and mind—

Verse 149 (padma.1.32.149)

सखीं तदाऽसृजद्ब्रह्मा रूपिणीं विमलेक्षणाम्। हरिणीं हरिरप्याशु जज्ञे कमललोचनाम्।

sakhīṁ tadā'sṛjadbrahmā rūpiṇīṁ vimalekṣaṇām hariṇīṁ harirapyāśu jajñe kamalalocanām

—Brahma then created for her a beautiful companion of spotless eyes; and Hari too swiftly created Harini, lotus-eyed.

Verse 150 (padma.1.32.150)

वज्रिणीमपि देवेशो वज्रपाणिर्विसृष्टवान्। सुकुरंगरुचिं देवो नीलकंठो वृषध्वजः।

vajriṇīmapi deveśo vajrapāṇirvisṛṣṭavān sukuraṁgaruciṁ devo nīlakaṁṭho vṛṣadhvajaḥ

The lord of gods, wielder of the thunderbolt, likewise created Vajrini; and the blue-throated god, whose banner bears the bull—

Verse 151 (padma.1.32.151)

सखीं संजनयामास सरस्वत्यास्त्रिलोचनः। विलोक्यमाना सा राजन्सखीभिः सुरसुंदरी।

sakhīṁ saṁjanayāmāsa sarasvatyāstrilocanaḥ vilokyamānā sā rājansakhībhiḥ surasuṁdarī

—the three-eyed one, created for Sarasvati a companion of the loveliness of a fine deer. Being gazed upon by her companions, O king, that beautiful goddess—

Verse 152 (padma.1.32.152)

प्रहृष्टा यातुमारब्धा देवादेशान्महानदी। ततः सखीभिः सार्द्धं सा प्राचीनागंतुमुद्यता।

prahṛṣṭā yātumārabdhā devādeśānmahānadī tataḥ sakhībhiḥ sārddhaṁ sā prācīnāgaṁtumudyatā

—greatly delighted, that great river began to go forth at the command of the gods. Then, together with her companions, she prepared to come as the Prachi.

Verse 153 (padma.1.32.153)

सरस्वती समस्तानां तासां श्रेष्ठतमा स्मृता। प्राचीसरस्वतीतोयं ये पिबंति मृगा भुवि।

sarasvatī samastānāṁ tāsāṁ śreṣṭhatamā smṛtā prācīsarasvatītoyaṁ ye pibaṁti mṛgā bhuvi

Sarasvati is remembered as the most excellent of all of them. Even the deer on earth who drink the water of Prachi Sarasvati—

Verse 154 (padma.1.32.154)

तेपि स्वर्गं गमिष्यंति यज्ञैर्द्विजवरा यथा। चिंतामणिरिवात्रैषा प्राची ज्ञेया सरस्वती।

tepi svargaṁ gamiṣyaṁti yajñairdvijavarā yathā ciṁtāmaṇirivātraiṣā prācī jñeyā sarasvatī

—even they shall go to heaven, just as the best of brahmins do through sacrifices. Here, this Prachi Sarasvati should be known as if a wish-fulfilling jewel.

Verse 155 (padma.1.32.155)

तथा कामफलस्येयं हेतुभूता महानदी। दक्षिणां दिशमालोक्य पुनः पश्चान्मुखी गता।

tathā kāmaphalasyeyaṁ hetubhūtā mahānadī dakṣiṇāṁ diśamālokya punaḥ paścānmukhī gatā

Thus this great river is the cause of the fulfillment of desired fruit. Having looked toward the southern direction, she then again turned to flow westward.

Verse 156 (padma.1.32.156)

उक्ता तया तथा गंगा दिशं प्राचीं व्रजस्व ह। विस्मर्तव्या न चाहं ते व्रज देवि यथागतम्।

uktā tayā tathā gaṁgā diśaṁ prācīṁ vrajasva ha vismartavyā na cāhaṁ te vraja devi yathāgatam

By her, Ganga was thus told: 'Go now to the eastern direction; I am not to be forgotten by you. Go, O goddess, as you came.'