The Glory of the Cow

Verse 1 (padma.1.48.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच। अतः परं तु विप्रर्षे चांडालपतितो द्विजः। प्रलप्य च बहून्शोकान्जगाम कश्यपं मुनिम्

brahmovāca ataḥ paraṁ tu viprarṣe cāṁḍālapatito dvijaḥ pralapya ca bahūnśokānjagāma kaśyapaṁ munim

Brahma said: After this, O sage among brahmins, the twice-born who had fallen among chandalas, having lamented much sorrow, went to the sage Kashyapa.

Verse 2 (padma.1.48.2)

गत्वोवाच मुनिश्रेष्ठ वदास्माकं हितं वचः। यथा पापाद्विमुच्येहं मुनिश्रेष्ठ तथा कुरु

gatvovāca muniśreṣṭha vadāsmākaṁ hitaṁ vacaḥ yathā pāpādvimucyehaṁ muniśreṣṭha tathā kuru

Going there, he said: 'O best of sages, tell me a word for my good; do that, O best of sages, by which I may be freed from sin.'

Verse 3 (padma.1.48.3)

तमुवाच महातेजा ईषद्धास्यः समंततः। कश्यप उवाच। संदर्शनाच्च म्लेच्छानामुपशांतोसि वै स्वयम्

tamuvāca mahātejā īṣaddhāsyaḥ samaṁtataḥ kaśyapa uvāca saṁdarśanācca mlecchānāmupaśāṁtosi vai svayam

The greatly splendrous one, smiling slightly, said to him. Kashyapa said: 'By the very sight of the barbarians you released, you have yourself already been calmed.'

Verse 4 (padma.1.48.4)

गायत्र्याश्च जपैर्होमैर्व्रतैश्चांद्रायणदिभिः। स्मर नित्यं हरेः पादमुपोष्य हरिवासरम्

gāyatryāśca japairhomairvrataiścāṁdrāyaṇadibhiḥ smara nityaṁ hareḥ pādamupoṣya harivāsaram

'By recitations and offerings of the Gayatri, and by vows such as the Chandrayana, remember always the feet of Hari, fasting on Hari's day.'

Verse 5 (padma.1.48.5)

अहर्निशं हरेर्ध्यानं प्रणामं कुरु तं प्रभुम्। तीर्थस्नानेन मंत्रेण पंकस्यांतं गमिष्यसि

aharniśaṁ harerdhyānaṁ praṇāmaṁ kuru taṁ prabhum tīrthasnānena maṁtreṇa paṁkasyāṁtaṁ gamiṣyasi

'Meditate on Hari day and night, and bow to that Lord. By bathing at sacred fords with mantra, you will reach the end of the mire of sin.'

Verse 6 (padma.1.48.6)

ततः पापक्षयादेव ब्राह्मणत्वं च लप्स्यसे। व्रतैर्वृषाधिकैर्मोक्षं नाशयन्कल्मषं द्विज

tataḥ pāpakṣayādeva brāhmaṇatvaṁ ca lapsyase vratairvṛṣādhikairmokṣaṁ nāśayankalmaṣaṁ dvija

'Then, through the very destruction of sin, you will attain brahminhood. By vows even greater than ordinary dharma, destroying your taint, O twice-born, you will attain liberation.'

Verse 7 (padma.1.48.7)

मुनेस्तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा कृतकृत्योऽभवत्तदा। पुण्यं स विविधं कृत्वापुनर्ब्रह्मत्वमाप्तवान्

munestasya vacaḥ śrutvā kṛtakṛtyo'bhavattadā puṇyaṁ sa vividhaṁ kṛtvāpunarbrahmatvamāptavān

Hearing the sage's words, he then felt his purpose fulfilled. Having performed manifold merit, he again attained brahminhood.

Verse 8 (padma.1.48.8)

ततस्तप्त्वा तपस्तीव्रंस्वर्लोकं चिरमभ्यगात्। सद्वृत्तस्याखिलं पापं क्षयं याति दिने दिने

tatastaptvā tapastīvraṁsvarlokaṁ ciramabhyagāt sadvṛttasyākhilaṁ pāpaṁ kṣayaṁ yāti dine dine

Then, having performed intense austerity, he went for long to the world of heaven. All the sin of one of good conduct diminishes day by day.

Verse 9 (padma.1.48.9)

असद्वृत्तस्य पुण्यं हि क्षयं यात्यंजनोपमम्। अनाचाराद्धतो विप्र आचारात्सुरतां व्रजेत्

asadvṛttasya puṇyaṁ hi kṣayaṁ yātyaṁjanopamam anācārāddhato vipra ācārātsuratāṁ vrajet

But the merit of one of bad conduct diminishes like collyrium wearing away. A brahmin is ruined by bad conduct; by good conduct he attains a divine state.

Verse 10 (padma.1.48.10)

ततः कंठगतैः प्राणैराचारं कुरुते द्विजः। कर्मणा मनसांगेन सदाचारं सदा कुरु

tataḥ kaṁṭhagataiḥ prāṇairācāraṁ kurute dvijaḥ karmaṇā manasāṁgena sadācāraṁ sadā kuru

Therefore, even with life clinging to his very throat, a twice-born should maintain good conduct. Always practise good conduct in deed, mind, and body.

Verse 11 (padma.1.48.11)

कश्यपस्योपदेशेन स विनीतोऽभवद्द्विजः। आचारं तु पुनः कृत्वा तपस्तप्तत्वा दिवं गतः

kaśyapasyopadeśena sa vinīto'bhavaddvijaḥ ācāraṁ tu punaḥ kṛtvā tapastaptatvā divaṁ gataḥ

By Kashyapa's instruction, that twice-born became humble; having again taken up good conduct and having performed austerity, he went to heaven.

Verse 12 (padma.1.48.12)

अनाचारी हतो विप्रः स्वर्गलोकेषु गर्हितः। आचारं तु पुनः कृत्वा सुरलोके महीयते

anācārī hato vipraḥ svargalokeṣu garhitaḥ ācāraṁ tu punaḥ kṛtvā suraloke mahīyate

A brahmin without good conduct is ruined and censured even in the heavenly worlds; but having again taken up good conduct, he is exalted in the world of the gods.

Verse 13 (padma.1.48.13)

नारद उवाच। प्राप्नुवंति गतिं लोकाः पूजयित्वा द्विजोत्तमान्। द्विजानां पीडनं कृत्वा गतिं गच्छति कां प्रभो

nārada uvāca prāpnuvaṁti gatiṁ lokāḥ pūjayitvā dvijottamān dvijānāṁ pīḍanaṁ kṛtvā gatiṁ gacchati kāṁ prabho

Narada said: 'People attain a good state by worshipping the best of brahmins. By persecuting brahmins, to what state does one go, O Lord?'

Verse 14 (padma.1.48.14)

ब्रह्मोवाच। क्षुधा संतप्तदेहानां ब्राह्मणानां महात्मनाम्। नार्चयेच्छक्तितो भक्त्या स याति नरकं नरः

brahmovāca kṣudhā saṁtaptadehānāṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ mahātmanām nārcayecchaktito bhaktyā sa yāti narakaṁ naraḥ

Brahma said: 'The man who does not worship, to the best of his ability and with devotion, great-souled brahmins whose bodies are afflicted with hunger, goes to hell.'

Verse 15 (padma.1.48.15)

परुषेण क्रोशयित्वा क्रोधाद्यस्तु विसर्जयेत्। स याति नरकं घोरं महारौरवकृच्छ्रकम्

paruṣeṇa krośayitvā krodhādyastu visarjayet sa yāti narakaṁ ghoraṁ mahārauravakṛcchrakam

'Whoever makes them cry out with harsh words, and sends them away out of anger, goes to a terrible hell, the harsh Maharaurava.'

Verse 16 (padma.1.48.16)

सन्निवृत्तस्ततः कीटाद्यन्त्यजातिषु जायते। ततो रोगी दरिद्रस्तु क्षुधया परिपीडितः

sannivṛttastataḥ kīṭādyantyajātiṣu jāyate tato rogī daridrastu kṣudhayā paripīḍitaḥ

'Returning from there, having been an insect, he is born among the outcaste peoples; then, diseased and poor, tormented by hunger,'

Verse 17 (padma.1.48.17)

नावमन्येत्ततो विप्रं क्षुधया गृहमागतम्। न ददामीति यो ब्रूयाद्देवाग्निब्राह्मणेषु सः

nāvamanyettato vipraṁ kṣudhayā gṛhamāgatam na dadāmīti yo brūyāddevāgnibrāhmaṇeṣu saḥ

'one should never disdain a brahmin who comes to one's house hungry. He who says "I will not give" to gods, sacred fire, or brahmins —'

Verse 18 (padma.1.48.18)

तिर्यग्योनिशतं गत्वा चांडाल्यमुपगच्छति। पादमुद्यम्य यो विप्रं हंति गां पितरौ गुरुम्

tiryagyoniśataṁ gatvā cāṁḍālyamupagacchati pādamudyamya yo vipraṁ haṁti gāṁ pitarau gurum

'— such a one, having passed through a hundred animal wombs, comes to be born a chandala. He who raises his foot to strike a brahmin, a cow, his parents, or his guru,'

Verse 19 (padma.1.48.19)

रौरवे नियतो वासस्तस्य नास्तीह निष्कृतिः। यदि पुण्याद्भवेज्जन्म स एव पंगुतां व्रजेत्

raurave niyato vāsastasya nāstīha niṣkṛtiḥ yadi puṇyādbhavejjanma sa eva paṁgutāṁ vrajet

'dwells fixed in the Raurava hell; for him there is no atonement here. Even if, through some past merit, he is born again, he becomes lame.'

Verse 20 (padma.1.48.20)

अतिदीनो विषादी च दुःखशोकाभिपीडितः। एवं जन्मत्रयं प्राप्य भवेत्तस्य च निष्कृतिः

atidīno viṣādī ca duḥkhaśokābhipīḍitaḥ evaṁ janmatrayaṁ prāpya bhavettasya ca niṣkṛtiḥ

'Extremely wretched and despondent, afflicted by sorrow and grief — having undergone three such births, only then does he find atonement.'

Verse 21 (padma.1.48.21)

मुष्टिचपेटकीलैश्च हन्याद्विप्रं तु यः पुमान्। तापने रौरवे घोरे कल्पांतं सोपि तिष्ठति

muṣṭicapeṭakīlaiśca hanyādvipraṁ tu yaḥ pumān tāpane raurave ghore kalpāṁtaṁ sopi tiṣṭhati

'The man who strikes a brahmin with fist, slap, or blows, dwells for a whole kalpa in the terrible Tapana or Raurava hell.'

Verse 22 (padma.1.48.22)

अथ जन्म समासाद्य कुक्कुरः क्रूरचंडकः। अंत्यजातिषु जातोपि दरिद्रः कुक्षिशूलवान्

atha janma samāsādya kukkuraḥ krūracaṁḍakaḥ aṁtyajātiṣu jātopi daridraḥ kukṣiśūlavān

'Then, having taken birth as a fierce and vicious dog, and, even when born among outcastes, poor and afflicted with stomach ailments,'

Verse 23 (padma.1.48.23)

पादमुद्यच्छते वा यस्तस्य पादे शिलीपदः। खंजो वा मंदजंघो वा खण्डपादो भवेन्नरः

pādamudyacchate vā yastasya pāde śilīpadaḥ khaṁjo vā maṁdajaṁgho vā khaṇḍapādo bhavennaraḥ

'and whoever raises his foot against a brahmin — on his foot comes elephantiasis; the man becomes lame, or slow of leg, or crippled of foot.'

Verse 24 (padma.1.48.24)

पक्षवातेन चांगानि प्रकंपंते सदैव हि। मातरं पितरं विप्रं स्नातकं च तपस्विनम्

pakṣavātena cāṁgāni prakaṁpaṁte sadaiva hi mātaraṁ pitaraṁ vipraṁ snātakaṁ ca tapasvinam

'His limbs shake constantly with paralysis. He who strikes mother, father, a brahmin, a snataka, or an ascetic,'

Verse 25 (padma.1.48.25)

हत्वा गुरुगणं क्रोधात्कुंभीपाके चिरं भवेत्। उषित्वा चैव जायेत कीटजातिषु तत्परम्

hatvā gurugaṇaṁ krodhātkuṁbhīpāke ciraṁ bhavet uṣitvā caiva jāyeta kīṭajātiṣu tatparam

'having struck the ranks of gurus in anger, remains long in the Kumbhipaka hell; and having dwelt there, is thereafter born among the classes of insects.'

Verse 26 (padma.1.48.26)

विरुद्धं परुषं वाक्यं यो वदेद्धि द्विजातिषु। अष्टौ कुष्ठाः प्रजायंते तस्य देहे दृढं सुत

viruddhaṁ paruṣaṁ vākyaṁ yo vadeddhi dvijātiṣu aṣṭau kuṣṭhāḥ prajāyaṁte tasya dehe dṛḍhaṁ suta

'He who speaks a hostile and harsh word against the twice-born — eight kinds of leprosy arise firmly on his body, my son:'

Verse 27 (padma.1.48.27)

विचर्चिकाथ दद्रूश्च मंडलः शुक्ति सिध्मकौ। कालकुष्ठस्तथा शुक्लस्तरुणश्चातिदारुणः

vicarcikātha dadrūśca maṁḍalaḥ śukti sidhmakau kālakuṣṭhastathā śuklastaruṇaścātidāruṇaḥ

'eczema, ringworm, the circular kind, the shell-like and the spotted, and black leprosy, and white, and a fresh, most terrible kind.'

Verse 28 (padma.1.48.28)

ततो भिषक्प्रयोगे च पापात्पुण्यं पलायते। अपुण्याज्जलरेखेव तेनैव निधनं व्रजेत्

tato bhiṣakprayoge ca pāpātpuṇyaṁ palāyate apuṇyājjalarekheva tenaiva nidhanaṁ vrajet

'Then, even in the physician's treatment, merit flees away because of sin; without merit, like a line drawn on water, by that very disease he goes to death.'

Verse 29 (padma.1.48.29)

एषां मध्ये महाकुष्ठास्त्रय एव प्रकीर्तिताः। कालकुष्ठस्तथा शुक्लस्तरुणश्चातिदारुणः

eṣāṁ madhye mahākuṣṭhāstraya eva prakīrtitāḥ kālakuṣṭhastathā śuklastaruṇaścātidāruṇaḥ

'Among these, three are proclaimed to be the great leprosies: the black, and the white, and the fresh, most terrible kind.'

Verse 30 (padma.1.48.30)

महापातकभावानां ज्ञानात्संसर्गतोपि वा। अतिपातकिनामेव त्रयो देहे भवंति वै

mahāpātakabhāvānāṁ jñānātsaṁsargatopi vā atipātakināmeva trayo dehe bhavaṁti vai

'From knowledge of, or even from association with, states of great sin — these three leprosies arise on the body of the greatest sinners.'

Verse 31 (padma.1.48.31)

संसर्गात्सहसंबंधाद्रोगः संचरते नृणाम्। दूरात्परित्यजेद्धीरः स्पृष्ट्वा स्नानं समाचरेत्

saṁsargātsahasaṁbaṁdhādrogaḥ saṁcarate nṛṇām dūrātparityajeddhīraḥ spṛṣṭvā snānaṁ samācaret

'Through association and close contact, disease spreads among men; the wise should avoid such people from afar, and if touched, should perform ablution.'

Verse 32 (padma.1.48.32)

पतितं कुष्ठसंयुक्तं चांडालं च गवाशिनम्। श्वानं रजस्वलां भिल्लं स्पृष्ट्वा स्नानं समाचरेत्

patitaṁ kuṣṭhasaṁyuktaṁ cāṁḍālaṁ ca gavāśinam śvānaṁ rajasvalāṁ bhillaṁ spṛṣṭvā snānaṁ samācaret

'If one touches a fallen person, one afflicted with leprosy, a chandala, a beef-eater, a dog, a menstruating woman, or a Bhil, one should perform ablution.'

Verse 33 (padma.1.48.33)

दुरितस्यानुरूपेण देहे कुष्ठा व्यवस्थिताः। इहलोके परत्रैवाप्यत्र नास्ति तु संशयः

duritasyānurūpeṇa dehe kuṣṭhā vyavasthitāḥ ihaloke paratraivāpyatra nāsti tu saṁśayaḥ

'In proportion to the sin, leprosies are established on the body, both in this world and the next — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 34 (padma.1.48.34)

न्यायेनोपार्जितां वृत्तिं ब्रह्मस्वं हरते तु यः। अक्षयं नरकं प्राप्य पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते

nyāyenopārjitāṁ vṛttiṁ brahmasvaṁ harate tu yaḥ akṣayaṁ narakaṁ prāpya punarjanma na vidyate

'He who seizes a livelihood rightly earned, or the property of a brahmin, attains an unending hell, and there is no further rebirth.'

Verse 35 (padma.1.48.35)

पिशुनो यस्तु विप्राणां रंध्रान्वेषणतत्परः। तं दृष्ट्वाप्यथवा स्पृष्ट्वा सचेलो जलमाविशेत्

piśuno yastu viprāṇāṁ raṁdhrānveṣaṇatatparaḥ taṁ dṛṣṭvāpyathavā spṛṣṭvā sacelo jalamāviśet

'He who is a slanderer, ever intent on finding the faults of brahmins — having seen or touched him, one should enter water fully clothed.'

Verse 36 (padma.1.48.36)

ब्रह्मस्वं प्रणयाद्भुक्तं दहत्यासप्तमं कुलम्। विक्रमेण तु भुंजानो दशपूर्वान्दशापरान्

brahmasvaṁ praṇayādbhuktaṁ dahatyāsaptamaṁ kulam vikrameṇa tu bhuṁjāno daśapūrvāndaśāparān

'Brahmin-property consumed even out of affection burns up seven generations of one's family; but consumed by force, it burns ten generations before and ten after.'

Verse 37 (padma.1.48.37)

न विषं विषमित्याहुर्ब्रह्मस्वं विषमुच्यते। विषमेकाकिनं हंति ब्रह्मस्वं पुत्रपौत्रकम्

na viṣaṁ viṣamityāhurbrahmasvaṁ viṣamucyate viṣamekākinaṁ haṁti brahmasvaṁ putrapautrakam

'They do not say ordinary poison is truly poison — brahmin-property is called poison. Poison kills only the one who takes it; brahmin-property kills sons and grandsons too.'

Verse 38 (padma.1.48.38)

मोहाच्च मातरं गत्वा ब्राह्मणीं च गुरोस्त्रियम्। पतित्वा रौरवे घोरे पुनरुत्पत्तिदुर्लभः

mohācca mātaraṁ gatvā brāhmaṇīṁ ca gurostriyam patitvā raurave ghore punarutpattidurlabhaḥ

'Having gone, out of delusion, to one's mother, or to a brahmin woman, or to the wife of one's guru — having fallen into the terrible Raurava, rebirth thereafter is hard to attain.'

Verse 39 (padma.1.48.39)

पतंति पितरस्तस्य कुंभीपाकेथ तापने। अवीचिकालसूत्रे च महारौरवरौरवे

pataṁti pitarastasya kuṁbhīpāketha tāpane avīcikālasūtre ca mahārauravaraurave

'His ancestors fall into the Kumbhipaka and Tapana hells, into Avichi, Kalasutra, and Maharaurava and Raurava,'

Verse 40 (padma.1.48.40)

कदाचिदपि वा तेषां निष्कृतिं नानुमेनिरे। प्राणं हत्वा द्विजातीनां स्वयं यात्यपुनर्भवम्

kadācidapi vā teṣāṁ niṣkṛtiṁ nānumenire prāṇaṁ hatvā dvijātīnāṁ svayaṁ yātyapunarbhavam

'and never at any time is atonement granted for them. Having taken the life of a twice-born, one himself goes to a state without further rebirth.'

Verse 41 (padma.1.48.41)

पतंति पुरुषास्तस्य रौरवे च सहस्रशः। नारद उवाच। सर्वेषामेव विप्राणां वधे च पातकं समम्

pataṁti puruṣāstasya raurave ca sahasraśaḥ nārada uvāca sarveṣāmeva viprāṇāṁ vadhe ca pātakaṁ samam

His followers fall into Raurava in their thousands. Narada said: "Is the sin equal in the killing of all brahmins,"

Verse 42 (padma.1.48.42)

विषमं वा कुतस्तिष्ठेत्तत्त्वतो वक्तुमर्हसि। ब्रह्मोवाच। हत्वा विप्रं ध्रुवं पुत्र पातकं यदुदाहृतम्

viṣamaṁ vā kutastiṣṭhettattvato vaktumarhasi brahmovāca hatvā vipraṁ dhruvaṁ putra pātakaṁ yadudāhṛtam

"or does it vary — please tell me truly." Brahma said: "Having killed a brahmin, my son — the sin that has been declared,"

Verse 43 (padma.1.48.43)

लभते ब्रह्महा घोरं वक्तव्यं चापरं शृणु। लक्षकोटिसहस्राणां ब्राह्मणानां वधं भजेत्

labhate brahmahā ghoraṁ vaktavyaṁ cāparaṁ śṛṇu lakṣakoṭisahasrāṇāṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ vadhaṁ bhajet

"the killer of a brahmin obtains that terrible sin; but hear what else must be said. Killing an ordinary brahmin incurs a sin equal to that of killing a hundred thousand crore brahmins,"

Verse 44 (padma.1.48.44)

वेदशास्त्रयुतं हत्वा श्रोत्रियं विजितेंद्रियम्। विप्रं च वैष्णवं हत्वा तस्माद्दशगुणोत्तरम्

vedaśāstrayutaṁ hatvā śrotriyaṁ vijiteṁdriyam vipraṁ ca vaiṣṇavaṁ hatvā tasmāddaśaguṇottaram

"if he kills one versed in the Vedas and scriptures, a shrotriya of conquered senses; and killing a brahmin devoted to Vishnu is tenfold worse than that,"

Verse 45 (padma.1.48.45)

स्ववंशान्पातयित्वा तु पुनर्जन्म न विंदते। त्रिवेदं स्नातकं हत्वा वधस्यांतं न विन्दते

svavaṁśānpātayitvā tu punarjanma na viṁdate trivedaṁ snātakaṁ hatvā vadhasyāṁtaṁ na vindate

"and by thereby bringing down his own lineage, he finds no rebirth. Having killed a snataka learned in the three Vedas, he finds no end to the consequence of that killing."

Verse 46 (padma.1.48.46)

श्रोत्रियं च सदाचारं तीर्थमंत्रप्रपूतकम्। ईदृशं ब्राह्मणं हन्तुः पापस्यांतो न विद्यते

śrotriyaṁ ca sadācāraṁ tīrthamaṁtraprapūtakam īdṛśaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ hantuḥ pāpasyāṁto na vidyate

"For the killer of such a brahmin — a shrotriya of good conduct, purified by sacred fords and mantras — there is no end of sin."

Verse 47 (padma.1.48.47)

अपकारं समुद्दिश्य द्विजः प्राणान्परित्यजेत्। दृश्यते येन चान्येन ब्रह्महा स भवेन्नरः

apakāraṁ samuddiśya dvijaḥ prāṇānparityajet dṛśyate yena cānyena brahmahā sa bhavennaraḥ

"If a brahmin, driven by another's injury done to him, abandons his life — that other person, because of whom he is seen to have died, becomes a killer of a brahmin."

Verse 48 (padma.1.48.48)

वचोभिः परुषैर्वृत्तैः पीडितस्ताडितो द्विजः। यमुद्दिश्य त्यजेत्प्राणांस्तमाहुर्ब्रह्मघातिनम्

vacobhiḥ paruṣairvṛttaiḥ pīḍitastāḍito dvijaḥ yamuddiśya tyajetprāṇāṁstamāhurbrahmaghātinam

"A brahmin afflicted and struck by harsh words and conduct, if he then abandons his life on account of that person — they call that person the killer of a brahmin."

Verse 49 (padma.1.48.49)

ऋषयो मुनयो देवाः सर्वे ब्रह्मविदस्तथा। देशानां पार्थिवानां च स च वध्यो भवेदिह

ṛṣayo munayo devāḥ sarve brahmavidastathā deśānāṁ pārthivānāṁ ca sa ca vadhyo bhavediha

"The sages, the munis, the gods, and all knowers of Brahman — and among rulers of lands, such a person becomes liable to be slain here."

Verse 50 (padma.1.48.50)

अतो ब्रह्मवधं प्राप्य पितृभिः सह पच्यते। प्रायोपवेशकं विप्रं बुधः संमानयेद्ध्रुवम्

ato brahmavadhaṁ prāpya pitṛbhiḥ saha pacyate prāyopaveśakaṁ vipraṁ budhaḥ saṁmānayeddhruvam

"Thus, having incurred the sin of killing a brahmin, he is cooked in hell together with his ancestors. A wise man should surely honour a brahmin who undertakes a fast unto death,"

Verse 51 (padma.1.48.51)

दोषैश्चापि विनिर्मुक्तमुद्दिश्य प्राणमुत्सृजेत्। स प्रलिप्तो वधैर्घोरैर्न तु यं परिकीर्तयेत्

doṣaiścāpi vinirmuktamuddiśya prāṇamutsṛjet sa pralipto vadhairghorairna tu yaṁ parikīrtayet

"and if such a blameless one, because of someone, gives up his life on his account, that person becomes tainted with terrible sins of killing; but this does not apply to one who is not directly named as the cause."

Verse 52 (padma.1.48.52)

आत्मघातं द्रुमारोहं कोटरै रूपजीविनं। यः कुर्यादात्मनोघातं स्ववंशे ब्रह्महा भवेत्

ātmaghātaṁ drumārohaṁ koṭarai rūpajīvinaṁ yaḥ kuryādātmanoghātaṁ svavaṁśe brahmahā bhavet

"Self-destruction — by climbing a tree to fall, or in a hollow, or one living by selling one's beauty — whoever brings about his own death becomes, within his own lineage, like a brahmin-killer."

Verse 53 (padma.1.48.53)

भ्रूणं च घातयेद्यस्तु शिशुं वा आतुरं गुरुम्। ब्रह्महा स्वयमेव स्यान्न तु यं परिकीर्तयेत्

bhrūṇaṁ ca ghātayedyastu śiśuṁ vā āturaṁ gurum brahmahā svayameva syānna tu yaṁ parikīrtayet

"And whoever causes the killing of an embryo, or a child, or a sick person, or a guru, himself becomes a brahmin-killer; but this does not apply to one who is not directly the cause."

Verse 54 (padma.1.48.54)

मारयेच्च सगोत्रं वा ब्राह्मणं ब्राह्मणाधमः। तस्यैव तद्भवेत्पापं न तु यं परिकीर्त्तयेत्

mārayecca sagotraṁ vā brāhmaṇaṁ brāhmaṇādhamaḥ tasyaiva tadbhavetpāpaṁ na tu yaṁ parikīrttayet

"And if the lowest of brahmins kills a brahmin of his own gotra, the sin belongs to him alone; it does not apply to one not directly involved."

Verse 55 (padma.1.48.55)

पीडयित्वा द्विजं शूद्रः स्वकार्यं चापि साधयेत्। तत्रापापे च शूद्रस्य पातकं नान्यथा भवेत्

pīḍayitvā dvijaṁ śūdraḥ svakāryaṁ cāpi sādhayet tatrāpāpe ca śūdrasya pātakaṁ nānyathā bhavet

"If a shudra, having troubled a brahmin, thereby accomplishes his own task — if the brahmin was at fault, the shudra incurs no sin; otherwise he does."

Verse 56 (padma.1.48.56)

तात्कालिक वधं हत्वा हंतारमाततायिनं। न च हंता च तत्पापैर्लिप्यते द्विजसत्तम

tātkālika vadhaṁ hatvā haṁtāramātatāyinaṁ na ca haṁtā ca tatpāpairlipyate dvijasattama

"Having killed on the spot an assailant who is himself a killer, O best of the twice-born, the killer in self-defense is not tainted by that sin."

Verse 57 (padma.1.48.57)

आततायिनमायांतमपि वेदांतगं रणे। जिघांसंतं जिघांसेच्च न तेन ब्रह्महा भवेत्

ātatāyinamāyāṁtamapi vedāṁtagaṁ raṇe jighāṁsaṁtaṁ jighāṁsecca na tena brahmahā bhavet

"Even if an assailant, though learned in the Vedanta, comes in battle intending to kill — one who kills him in self-defense does not thereby become a brahmin-killer."

Verse 58 (padma.1.48.58)

अग्निदो गरदश्चैव धनहारी च सुप्तघः। क्षेत्रदारापहारी च षडेते ह्याततायिनः

agnido garadaścaiva dhanahārī ca suptaghaḥ kṣetradārāpahārī ca ṣaḍete hyātatāyinaḥ

"The arsonist, the poisoner, the robber of wealth, the one who kills a sleeping man, and the abductor of land or of a wife — these six are assailants."

Verse 59 (padma.1.48.59)

खलो राजवधोद्योगी पितॄणां च वधे रतः। अनुयायी नृपो राज्ञश्चत्वारश्चाततायिनः

khalo rājavadhodyogī pitṝṇāṁ ca vadhe rataḥ anuyāyī nṛpo rājñaścatvāraścātatāyinaḥ

"The wicked one who plots the king's murder, one intent on killing his elders, a king's follower, and the king himself — these four also are counted among assailants."

Verse 60 (padma.1.48.60)

तत्क्षणान्न मृतं विप्रं पुनर्हंतुं न युज्यते। पुर्नहत्वा वधं घोरं ज्ञानात्प्राप्नोति निश्चितं

tatkṣaṇānna mṛtaṁ vipraṁ punarhaṁtuṁ na yujyate purnahatvā vadhaṁ ghoraṁ jñānātprāpnoti niścitaṁ

"A brahmin who has not died instantly should not be struck again; killing him again, one certainly incurs terrible sin knowingly."

Verse 61 (padma.1.48.61)

लोके विप्रसमो नास्ति पूजनीयो जगद्गुरुः। हत्वा तं यद्भवेत्पापं तत्परं च न विद्यते

loke viprasamo nāsti pūjanīyo jagadguruḥ hatvā taṁ yadbhavetpāpaṁ tatparaṁ ca na vidyate

"In the world there is none equal to a brahmin, worthy of worship, the teacher of the universe; there is nothing worse than the sin of killing him."

Verse 62 (padma.1.48.62)

देववत्पूजनीयोसौ देवासुरगणैर्नरैः। ब्राह्मणस्य समो नास्ति त्रिषु लोकेषु निश्चितं

devavatpūjanīyosau devāsuragaṇairnaraiḥ brāhmaṇasya samo nāsti triṣu lokeṣu niścitaṁ

"He is to be worshipped like a god, by the hosts of gods and asuras and by men; there is certainly none equal to a brahmin in the three worlds."

Verse 63 (padma.1.48.63)

नारद उवाच। कां वृत्तिं समुपाश्रित्य जीवितव्यं द्विजेन हि। अपानेन सुरश्रेष्ठ तत्वतो वक्तुमर्हसि

nārada uvāca kāṁ vṛttiṁ samupāśritya jīvitavyaṁ dvijena hi apānena suraśreṣṭha tatvato vaktumarhasi

Narada said: "What livelihood should a twice-born rely upon to live properly, O best of gods? Please tell me truly."

Verse 64 (padma.1.48.64)

ब्रह्मोवाच। अयाचिता च या भिक्षा प्रशस्ता सा प्रकीर्तिता। उञ्छवृत्तिस्ततो भद्रा सुभद्रा सर्ववृत्तिषु

brahmovāca ayācitā ca yā bhikṣā praśastā sā prakīrtitā uñchavṛttistato bhadrā subhadrā sarvavṛttiṣu

Brahma said: "Alms that are unsolicited — that kind of begging is proclaimed to be praiseworthy. Next, gleaning is a good livelihood, most excellent among all livelihoods,"

Verse 65 (padma.1.48.65)

यामाश्रित्य मुनिश्रेष्ठा गच्छंति ब्रह्मणः पदम्। दक्षिणा यज्ञशेषाणां ग्राह्या यज्ञगतेन हि

yāmāśritya muniśreṣṭhā gacchaṁti brahmaṇaḥ padam dakṣiṇā yajñaśeṣāṇāṁ grāhyā yajñagatena hi

"relying on which the best of sages attain the state of Brahma. The sacrificial fee from the remnants of sacrifices should be accepted by one who has performed the sacrifice."

Verse 66 (padma.1.48.66)

पाठनं याजनं कृत्वा ग्रहीतव्यं धनं द्विजैः। पाठयित्वा पठित्वा च कृत्वा स्वस्त्ययनं शुभं

pāṭhanaṁ yājanaṁ kṛtvā grahītavyaṁ dhanaṁ dvijaiḥ pāṭhayitvā paṭhitvā ca kṛtvā svastyayanaṁ śubhaṁ

"Wealth should be received by the twice-born after teaching and officiating at sacrifices; after teaching, after studying, and after performing auspicious rites for well-being,"

Verse 67 (padma.1.48.67)

ब्राह्मणानामिदं जीव्यं शिष्टा वृत्तिः प्रतिग्रहः। शास्त्रोपजीविनो धन्या धन्या वृक्षोपजीविनः

brāhmaṇānāmidaṁ jīvyaṁ śiṣṭā vṛttiḥ pratigrahaḥ śāstropajīvino dhanyā dhanyā vṛkṣopajīvinaḥ

"this is the proper livelihood for brahmins; the remaining accepted livelihood is receiving gifts. Blessed are those who live by scripture, and blessed those who live by trees,"

Verse 68 (padma.1.48.68)

धन्या वृक्षलताजीव्या वाटीसस्योपजीविनः। अन्न जंतु वधे पापं तस्य दोषोपशांतये

dhanyā vṛkṣalatājīvyā vāṭīsasyopajīvinaḥ anna jaṁtu vadhe pāpaṁ tasya doṣopaśāṁtaye

"blessed are those who live by trees and creepers, and those who live by garden crops. There is sin in the killing of creatures involved in growing grain; for the pacification of that fault,"

Verse 69 (padma.1.48.69)

नवधान्यानि शस्तानि विप्रेभ्यः संप्रदापयेत्। न चेत्प्राणिवधे ह्यत्र क्षीयंते चायुषो ध्रुवं

navadhānyāni śastāni viprebhyaḥ saṁpradāpayet na cetprāṇivadhe hyatra kṣīyaṁte cāyuṣo dhruvaṁ

"the nine grains, being praiseworthy, should be given to brahmins. If not, then from the killing of creatures involved, one's lifespan certainly diminishes."

Verse 70 (padma.1.48.70)

तस्माद्दद्यात्सुबहूनि पितृदेवद्विजातिषु। अभावात्क्षत्त्रियावृत्तिर्ब्राह्मणैरूपजीव्यते

tasmāddadyātsubahūni pitṛdevadvijātiṣu abhāvātkṣattriyāvṛttirbrāhmaṇairūpajīvyate

"Therefore one should give much to ancestors, gods, and the twice-born. In the absence of other means, brahmins may resort to the livelihood of a kshatriya."

Verse 71 (padma.1.48.71)

न्याययुद्धेषु योद्धव्यं चरेद्वीरव्रतं शुभम्। स तया च द्विजो वृत्या यद्धनं लभते नृपात्

nyāyayuddheṣu yoddhavyaṁ caredvīravrataṁ śubham sa tayā ca dvijo vṛtyā yaddhanaṁ labhate nṛpāt

"One should fight in righteous battles, and follow the auspicious vow of a hero. The wealth that a brahmin obtains from a king by this warrior's livelihood,"

Verse 72 (padma.1.48.72)

पितृयज्ञादिदानेषु मेध्यं तद्धनमुच्यते। समभ्यसेद्धनुर्विद्यां वेदयुक्तां सदानघः

pitṛyajñādidāneṣu medhyaṁ taddhanamucyate samabhyaseddhanurvidyāṁ vedayuktāṁ sadānaghaḥ

"is called pure wealth for gifts in ancestral rites and the like. The sinless one should always practise the science of archery, joined with the Veda,"

Verse 73 (padma.1.48.73)

शक्तिकुंतगदाखड्ग परिघाणां समंततः। अश्वारोहं गजारोहमैंद्रजालममानकं

śaktikuṁtagadākhaḍga parighāṇāṁ samaṁtataḥ aśvārohaṁ gajārohamaiṁdrajālamamānakaṁ

"the use of javelin, lance, mace, sword, and iron club in every way; horsemanship, elephant-riding, illusion-warfare, and formal combat,"

Verse 74 (padma.1.48.74)

रथभूमिगतं युद्धं युक्तं सर्वत्र कारयेत्। द्विज देव ध्रुवाणां च स्त्रीणां वृत्तं तपस्विनाम्

rathabhūmigataṁ yuddhaṁ yuktaṁ sarvatra kārayet dvija deva dhruvāṇāṁ ca strīṇāṁ vṛttaṁ tapasvinām

"and combat on chariot and on foot, suitably, in every place. Conduct proper toward brahmins, gods, the fixed stars and ascetics, women, and ascetics —"

Verse 75 (padma.1.48.75)

साधु साध्वी गुरूणां च नृपाणां रक्षणाद्ध्रुवम्। यत्पुण्यं लभ्यते शूरैः कथं तद्ब्रह्मवादिभिः

sādhu sādhvī gurūṇāṁ ca nṛpāṇāṁ rakṣaṇāddhruvam yatpuṇyaṁ labhyate śūraiḥ kathaṁ tadbrahmavādibhiḥ

"good toward virtuous women, gurus, and surely through the protection of kings. The merit that heroes obtain — how could that be obtained by mere talkers of Brahman?"

Verse 76 (padma.1.48.76)

सर्वपापक्षयं कृत्वा सोक्षयं स्वर्गमश्नुते। सम्मुखे न्याययुद्धे च पतंति ब्राह्मणा रणे

sarvapāpakṣayaṁ kṛtvā sokṣayaṁ svargamaśnute sammukhe nyāyayuddhe ca pataṁti brāhmaṇā raṇe

"Having destroyed all his sins, he attains imperishable heaven. Brahmins who fall in battle, face to face, in a righteous fight,"

Verse 77 (padma.1.48.77)

ते व्रजंति परं स्थानं न गम्यं ब्रह्मवादिनां। धर्मयुद्धस्य यद्वृत्तं शृणु पुण्यं यथार्थतः

te vrajaṁti paraṁ sthānaṁ na gamyaṁ brahmavādināṁ dharmayuddhasya yadvṛttaṁ śṛṇu puṇyaṁ yathārthataḥ

"go to a supreme place not reachable by mere Brahman-talkers. Hear truly the meritorious conduct proper to righteous warfare:"

Verse 78 (padma.1.48.78)

संमुखेन प्रयुध्यंते न च गच्छंति कातरं। न भग्नं पृष्ठतो घ्नंति निःशस्त्रं प्रपलायितम्

saṁmukhena prayudhyaṁte na ca gacchaṁti kātaraṁ na bhagnaṁ pṛṣṭhato ghnaṁti niḥśastraṁ prapalāyitam

"they fight face to face, and do not act cowardly; they do not strike a broken foe from behind, nor one who is weaponless and fleeing,"

Verse 79 (padma.1.48.79)

अयुध्यमानं भीरुं च पतितं गतकल्मषं। असच्छूद्रं स्तुतिप्रीतमाहवे शरणागतम्

ayudhyamānaṁ bhīruṁ ca patitaṁ gatakalmaṣaṁ asacchūdraṁ stutiprītamāhave śaraṇāgatam

"nor one who is not fighting, nor a coward, nor one fallen, nor one blameless, nor a lowly shudra, nor one placated by praise, nor one who has taken refuge in battle."

Verse 80 (padma.1.48.80)

हत्वा च नरकं यांति दुर्वृत्ता जयकांक्षिणः। एषा च क्षत्त्रिया वृत्तिः सदाचारैस्तु गीयते

hatvā ca narakaṁ yāṁti durvṛttā jayakāṁkṣiṇaḥ eṣā ca kṣattriyā vṛttiḥ sadācāraistu gīyate

"Those of evil conduct, desiring victory by unfair means, having killed such persons, go to hell. This is the proper conduct of a kshatriya, as sung by the virtuous."

Verse 81 (padma.1.48.81)

यामाश्रित्य दिवं यांति सर्वक्षत्रियकुंजराः। धर्मयुद्धे शुभो मृत्युः संमुखे क्षत्त्रियस्य च

yāmāśritya divaṁ yāṁti sarvakṣatriyakuṁjarāḥ dharmayuddhe śubho mṛtyuḥ saṁmukhe kṣattriyasya ca

Relying upon which, all the noblest of kshatriyas go to heaven; auspicious is the death of a kshatriya in righteous battle, face to face,

Verse 82 (padma.1.48.82)

अत्र पूतो भवेत्सोपि सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते। स तिष्ठेत्स्वर्गलोके च प्रासादे रत्नभूषिते

atra pūto bhavetsopi sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate sa tiṣṭhetsvargaloke ca prāsāde ratnabhūṣite

here he becomes purified and freed from all sins; he dwells in the heavenly world in a palace adorned with jewels,

Verse 83 (padma.1.48.83)

जांबूनदमयस्तंभे रत्नभूषितभूतले। इष्टद्रव्यैः सुसंपूर्णे दिव्यवस्त्रोपशोभिते

jāṁbūnadamayastaṁbhe ratnabhūṣitabhūtale iṣṭadravyaiḥ susaṁpūrṇe divyavastropaśobhite

with pillars of gold, its floor adorned with jewels, filled with every desired object, resplendent with divine garments,

Verse 84 (padma.1.48.84)

पुरतः कल्पवृक्षाश्च तिष्ठंति सर्वदायिनः। वापीकूपतटाकाद्यैरुद्यानैरुपशोभिते

purataḥ kalpavṛkṣāśca tiṣṭhaṁti sarvadāyinaḥ vāpīkūpataṭākādyairudyānairupaśobhite

before which stand wish-fulfilling trees, granting everything, adorned with gardens with their step-wells, wells, and lakes,

Verse 85 (padma.1.48.85)

यौवनाढ्याश्च सेवंते तं देवपुरकन्यकाः। तस्याग्रतो मुदा नित्यं नृत्यंत्यप्सरसां गणाः

yauvanāḍhyāśca sevaṁte taṁ devapurakanyakāḥ tasyāgrato mudā nityaṁ nṛtyaṁtyapsarasāṁ gaṇāḥ

and celestial maidens rich in youth attend upon him; before him, hosts of apsaras dance joyfully day after day,

Verse 86 (padma.1.48.86)

गीतं गायंति गंधर्वा देवाश्च स्तुतिपाठकाः। एवं क्रमेण कल्पांते सार्वभौमो भवेन्नृपः

gītaṁ gāyaṁti gaṁdharvā devāśca stutipāṭhakāḥ evaṁ krameṇa kalpāṁte sārvabhaumo bhavennṛpaḥ

gandharvas sing songs, and gods recite hymns of praise. Thus, in due course, at the end of the kalpa, he becomes a universal monarch,

Verse 87 (padma.1.48.87)

सर्वभोगैककर्ता च नीरुङ्मन्मथविग्रहः। तस्य पत्न्यः प्ररूपाढ्याः सदैव यौवनान्विताः

sarvabhogaikakartā ca nīruṅmanmathavigrahaḥ tasya patnyaḥ prarūpāḍhyāḥ sadaiva yauvanānvitāḥ

the sole enjoyer of every pleasure, disease-free, with a form beautiful as the god of love. His wives are richly beautiful, ever endowed with youth,

Verse 88 (padma.1.48.88)

धर्मशीलाः सुताः शुभ्राः समृद्धाः पितृसंमताः। एवं क्रमेण भुंजंति सप्तजन्मसु क्षत्रियाः

dharmaśīlāḥ sutāḥ śubhrāḥ samṛddhāḥ pitṛsaṁmatāḥ evaṁ krameṇa bhuṁjaṁti saptajanmasu kṣatriyāḥ

his sons of righteous character, fair, prosperous, honoured by their forefathers. Thus, in due course, kshatriyas enjoy such things for seven births.

Verse 89 (padma.1.48.89)

अन्यायेन तु योद्धारस्तिष्ठंति नरके चिरम्। एवं च क्षत्रिया वृत्तिर्ब्राह्मणैरुपजीव्यते

anyāyena tu yoddhārastiṣṭhaṁti narake ciram evaṁ ca kṣatriyā vṛttirbrāhmaṇairupajīvyate

But those who fight unjustly dwell long in hell. Thus the kshatriya's livelihood may be resorted to by brahmins,

Verse 90 (padma.1.48.90)

वैश्यैः शूद्रैस्तथान्यैश्च अंत्यजैर्म्लेच्छजातिभिः। ये च योधाः प्रयुध्यंते न्याययुद्धेन सर्वदा

vaiśyaiḥ śūdraistathānyaiśca aṁtyajairmlecchajātibhiḥ ye ca yodhāḥ prayudhyaṁte nyāyayuddhena sarvadā

by vaishyas, shudras, and other outcastes and barbarian peoples too. Whichever warriors always fight with righteous warfare,

Verse 91 (padma.1.48.91)

तेपि यांति परं स्थानं सर्वे वर्णा द्विजातयः। न शूरो यो द्विजो भीरुरस्त्रशस्त्रविवर्जितः

tepi yāṁti paraṁ sthānaṁ sarve varṇā dvijātayaḥ na śūro yo dvijo bhīrurastraśastravivarjitaḥ

they too go to the supreme place, whatever caste they belong to. A brahmin who is a coward and devoid of weapons is no hero.

Verse 92 (padma.1.48.92)

विपत्तौ वैश्यवृतिं च कारयेद्द्विजसत्तमः। वैश्यवृत्तिं वणिग्भावं कृषिं चैव तथापरैः

vipattau vaiśyavṛtiṁ ca kārayeddvijasattamaḥ vaiśyavṛttiṁ vaṇigbhāvaṁ kṛṣiṁ caiva tathāparaiḥ

In adversity, the best of the twice-born may take up the vaishya's livelihood — the vaishya profession, that of a merchant, and agriculture likewise with others,

Verse 93 (padma.1.48.93)

कारयेत्कृषिवाणिज्यं विप्रकर्म न च त्यजेत्। वणिग्भावान्मृषात्युक्तौ दुर्गतिं प्राप्नुयाद्द्विजः

kārayetkṛṣivāṇijyaṁ viprakarma na ca tyajet vaṇigbhāvānmṛṣātyuktau durgatiṁ prāpnuyāddvijaḥ

he may engage in agriculture and trade, but should never abandon brahmin duties. Through the merchant's trade, if he speaks falsely, the twice-born attains misfortune.

Verse 94 (padma.1.48.94)

आर्द्रद्रव्यं परित्यज्य ब्राह्मणो लभते शिवम्। समुत्पाद्य ततो वृत्तिं दद्याद्विप्राय सर्वशः

ārdradravyaṁ parityajya brāhmaṇo labhate śivam samutpādya tato vṛttiṁ dadyādviprāya sarvaśaḥ

By abandoning wet goods that require killing, a brahmin attains auspiciousness. Having thereby earned a livelihood, he should give in every way to brahmins,

Verse 95 (padma.1.48.95)

पितृयज्ञे तथा चाग्नौ जुहुयाद्विधिवद्द्विजः। तुलेऽसत्यं न कर्त्तव्यं तुलाधर्मप्रतिष्ठिता

pitṛyajñe tathā cāgnau juhuyādvidhivaddvijaḥ tule'satyaṁ na karttavyaṁ tulādharmapratiṣṭhitā

and offer oblations duly at ancestral rites and in the sacred fire. Falsehood should never be practised on the scales of trade; dharma is established upon the balance,

Verse 96 (padma.1.48.96)

छलभावं तुले कृत्वा नरकं प्रतिपद्यते। अतुलं चापि यद्द्रव्यं तत्र मिथ्या परित्यजेत्

chalabhāvaṁ tule kṛtvā narakaṁ pratipadyate atulaṁ cāpi yaddravyaṁ tatra mithyā parityajet

and by practising deceit on the scale, one goes to hell. And whatever goods are unweighable, there too one should abandon falsehood,

Verse 97 (padma.1.48.97)

एवं मिथ्या न कर्त्तव्या मृषा पापप्रसूतिका। नास्ति सत्यात्परोधर्मो नानृतात्पातकं परम्

evaṁ mithyā na karttavyā mṛṣā pāpaprasūtikā nāsti satyātparodharmo nānṛtātpātakaṁ param

falsehood should thus never be practised, for lying is the mother of sin. There is no dharma higher than truth, and no sin worse than falsehood.

Verse 98 (padma.1.48.98)

अतः सर्वेषु कार्येषु सत्यमेव विशिष्यते। अश्वमेधसहस्रं तु सत्यं च तुलया धृतम्

ataḥ sarveṣu kāryeṣu satyameva viśiṣyate aśvamedhasahasraṁ tu satyaṁ ca tulayā dhṛtam

Therefore, in all undertakings, truth alone is supreme. A thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices, and truth, being weighed on a scale against each other —

Verse 99 (padma.1.48.99)

अश्वमेधसहस्राद्धि सत्यमेव विशिष्यते। यो वदेत्सर्वकार्येषु सत्यं मिथ्या परित्यजेत्

aśvamedhasahasrāddhi satyameva viśiṣyate yo vadetsarvakāryeṣu satyaṁ mithyā parityajet

truth alone is found superior to a thousand Ashvamedhas. He who speaks truth in all his undertakings, abandoning falsehood,

Verse 100 (padma.1.48.100)

स निस्तरति दुर्गाणि स्वर्गमक्षयमश्नुते। वाणिज्यं कारयेद्विप्रो मिथ्याऽवश्यं परित्यजेत्

sa nistarati durgāṇi svargamakṣayamaśnute vāṇijyaṁ kārayedvipro mithyā'vaśyaṁ parityajet

crosses over all difficulties, and attains imperishable heaven. A brahmin who engages in trade should certainly avoid falsehood,

Verse 101 (padma.1.48.101)

वृद्धिं च निक्षिपेत्तीर्थे स्वयं शेषं तु भोजयेत्। देहक्लेशात्तत्सहस्रगुणं भवति सर्वदा

vṛddhiṁ ca nikṣipettīrthe svayaṁ śeṣaṁ tu bhojayet dehakleśāttatsahasraguṇaṁ bhavati sarvadā

and should deposit his profit at a sacred ford, and himself live on the remainder. From the toil of the body, that merit always becomes a thousandfold.

Verse 102 (padma.1.48.102)

अर्थार्जनविधौ मर्त्या विशंति विषमे जले। कांतारमटवीं चैव श्वापदैः सेवितां तथा

arthārjanavidhau martyā viśaṁti viṣame jale kāṁtāramaṭavīṁ caiva śvāpadaiḥ sevitāṁ tathā

In the pursuit of earning wealth, mortals enter treacherous waters, wildernesses and forests infested with beasts of prey,

Verse 103 (padma.1.48.103)

गिरिं गिरिगुहां दुर्गां म्लेच्छानां शस्त्रपातिनाम्। गृहं प्रतिभयं स्थानं धनलोभात्समंततः

giriṁ giriguhāṁ durgāṁ mlecchānāṁ śastrapātinām gṛhaṁ pratibhayaṁ sthānaṁ dhanalobhātsamaṁtataḥ

mountains, mountain-caves, difficult passes, the very homes of weapon-wielding barbarians, and fearful places on every side, out of greed for wealth.

Verse 104 (padma.1.48.104)

सुतदारान्परित्यज्य दूरं गच्छंति लोभिनः। स्कंधे भारं वहंत्यन्ये तर्यां चक्रे निपातनैः

sutadārānparityajya dūraṁ gacchaṁti lobhinaḥ skaṁdhe bhāraṁ vahaṁtyanye taryāṁ cakre nipātanaiḥ

The greedy, abandoning sons and wife, journey far; some carry loads on their shoulders, others on carts, facing mishaps,

Verse 105 (padma.1.48.105)

क्षेपणीभिर्महादुःखैस्सदा प्राणव्ययेन च। अर्थस्य संचयः पुत्र प्राणात्प्रियतरो महान्

kṣepaṇībhirmahāduḥkhaissadā prāṇavyayena ca arthasya saṁcayaḥ putra prāṇātpriyataro mahān

with great suffering, and always at the risk of their very lives. My son, the accumulation of wealth is regarded as dearer, even greater, than life itself.

Verse 106 (padma.1.48.106)

एभिर्न्यायार्जितं वित्तं वणिग्भावेन यत्नतः। पितृदेवद्विजातिभ्यो दत्तं चाक्षयमश्नुते

ebhirnyāyārjitaṁ vittaṁ vaṇigbhāvena yatnataḥ pitṛdevadvijātibhyo dattaṁ cākṣayamaśnute

Wealth rightly earned by these means, diligently, through the merchant's trade, when given to ancestors, gods, and the twice-born, bears imperishable fruit.

Verse 107 (padma.1.48.107)

एतौ दोषौ महांतौ च वाणिज्ये लाभकर्मणि। लोभानामपरित्यागो मृषा ग्राह्यश्च विक्रयः

etau doṣau mahāṁtau ca vāṇijye lābhakarmaṇi lobhānāmaparityāgo mṛṣā grāhyaśca vikrayaḥ

These are two great faults in the business of trade and profit: not giving up greed, and buying and selling by deceit.

Verse 108 (padma.1.48.108)

एतौ दोषो परित्यज्य कुर्यादर्थार्जनं बुधः। अक्षयं लभते दानाद्वणिग्दोषैर्न लिप्यते

etau doṣo parityajya kuryādarthārjanaṁ budhaḥ akṣayaṁ labhate dānādvaṇigdoṣairna lipyate

Having abandoned these two faults, the wise man should earn wealth; through giving he obtains imperishable merit, and is not tainted by the faults of a merchant.

Verse 109 (padma.1.48.109)

पुण्यकर्मरतो विप्रः कृषिं हि परिकारयेत्। वाहयेद्दिवसस्यार्धं बलीवर्दचतुष्टयम्

puṇyakarmarato vipraḥ kṛṣiṁ hi parikārayet vāhayeddivasasyārdhaṁ balīvardacatuṣṭayam

A brahmin devoted to meritorious deeds may indeed engage in agriculture; he should yoke four oxen and work them for half the day,

Verse 110 (padma.1.48.110)

अभावात्त्रितयं चैव अविश्रामं न कारयेत्। चारयेच्च तृणेऽच्छिन्नै चोरव्याघ्रविवर्जिते

abhāvāttritayaṁ caiva aviśrāmaṁ na kārayet cārayecca tṛṇe'cchinnai coravyāghravivarjite

or, if unavailable, three at least — and should never work them without rest. He should let them graze on unbroken grass, in a place free of thieves and tigers,

Verse 111 (padma.1.48.111)

दद्याद्घासं यथेष्टं च नित्यमातर्पयेत्स्वयम्। गोष्ठं च कारयेत्तस्य किंचिद्विघ्नविवर्जितम्

dadyādghāsaṁ yatheṣṭaṁ ca nityamātarpayetsvayam goṣṭhaṁ ca kārayettasya kiṁcidvighnavivarjitam

give them fodder as much as they need, and himself daily satisfy them fully. He should make for them a cowshed free from any obstruction,

Verse 112 (padma.1.48.112)

सदा गोमयमूत्राभ्यां विघसैश्च विवर्जितम्। न मलं निक्षिपेद्गोष्ठे सर्वदेवनिकेतने

sadā gomayamūtrābhyāṁ vighasaiśca vivarjitam na malaṁ nikṣipedgoṣṭhe sarvadevaniketane

always kept free of dung, urine, and leftover food; one should not throw filth in the cowshed, the abode of all the gods,

Verse 113 (padma.1.48.113)

आत्मनः शयनीयस्य सदृशं कारयेद्बुधः। समं निर्वापयेद्यत्नाच्छीतवातरजस्तथा

ātmanaḥ śayanīyasya sadṛśaṁ kārayedbudhaḥ samaṁ nirvāpayedyatnācchītavātarajastathā

the wise one should make it comparable to his own sleeping-place; he should diligently protect it equally from cold, wind, and dust,

Verse 114 (padma.1.48.114)

प्राणस्य सदृशं पश्येद्गां च सामान्यविग्रहम्। अस्य देहे सुखंदुःखं तथा तस्यैव कल्पते

prāṇasya sadṛśaṁ paśyedgāṁ ca sāmānyavigraham asya dehe sukhaṁduḥkhaṁ tathā tasyaiva kalpate

he should regard the cow as equal to his own life, her body as no different from his own; whatever happiness or sorrow is in his own body applies equally to hers.

Verse 115 (padma.1.48.115)

अनेन विधिना यस्तु कृषिकर्माणि कारयेत्। स च गोवाहनैर्दोषैर्न लिप्येत धनी भवेत्

anena vidhinā yastu kṛṣikarmāṇi kārayet sa ca govāhanairdoṣairna lipyeta dhanī bhavet

He who conducts his agricultural work by this rule is not tainted by the faults of working cattle, and becomes prosperous.

Verse 116 (padma.1.48.116)

दुर्बलं पीडयेद्यस्तु तथैव गदसंयुतम्। अतिबालातिवृद्धं च स गोहत्यां समालभेत्

durbalaṁ pīḍayedyastu tathaiva gadasaṁyutam atibālātivṛddhaṁ ca sa gohatyāṁ samālabhet

He who mistreats a weak ox, or one afflicted with disease, or one too young or too old, incurs a sin equal to killing a cow.

Verse 117 (padma.1.48.117)

विषमं वाहयेद्यस्तु दुर्बलं सबलं तथा। स गोहत्यासमं पापं प्राप्नोतीह न संशयः

viṣamaṁ vāhayedyastu durbalaṁ sabalaṁ tathā sa gohatyāsamaṁ pāpaṁ prāpnotīha na saṁśayaḥ

He who yokes together, unevenly, a weak ox with a strong one, incurs here a sin equal to killing a cow — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 118 (padma.1.48.118)

यो वाहयेद्विना सस्यं खादंतं गां निवारयेत्। मोहात्तृणं जलं वापि स गोहत्यासमं लभेत्

yo vāhayedvinā sasyaṁ khādaṁtaṁ gāṁ nivārayet mohāttṛṇaṁ jalaṁ vāpi sa gohatyāsamaṁ labhet

He who works an ox without feeding it from the crop, or restrains a cow eating out of confusion when she needs grass or water, incurs a sin equal to killing a cow.

Verse 119 (padma.1.48.119)

संक्रांत्यां पौर्णमास्यां चामावास्यायां तथैव च। हलस्य वाहनात्पापं गवामयुतहत्यया

saṁkrāṁtyāṁ paurṇamāsyāṁ cāmāvāsyāyāṁ tathaiva ca halasya vāhanātpāpaṁ gavāmayutahatyayā

On the day of Sankranti, on the full moon, and likewise on the new moon, the sin of working the plough is equal to the killing of ten thousand cows.

Verse 120 (padma.1.48.120)

अमूषु पूजयेद्यस्तु सितैश्चित्रादिभिर्नरः। कज्जलैः कुसुमैस्तैलैः सोक्षयं स्वर्गमश्नुते

amūṣu pūjayedyastu sitaiścitrādibhirnaraḥ kajjalaiḥ kusumaistailaiḥ sokṣayaṁ svargamaśnute

But he who on these days worships the cows with white and coloured decorations, with kajal, flowers, and oil, attains imperishable heaven.

Verse 121 (padma.1.48.121)

घासमुष्टिं परगवे यो ददाति सदाह्निकम्। सर्वपापक्षयस्यस्य स्वर्गं चाक्षयमश्नुते

ghāsamuṣṭiṁ paragave yo dadāti sadāhnikam sarvapāpakṣayasyasya svargaṁ cākṣayamaśnute

He who daily gives a handful of grass to another's cow, all his sins are destroyed, and he attains imperishable heaven.

Verse 122 (padma.1.48.122)

यथा विप्रस्तथा गौश्च द्वयोः पूजाफलं समम्। विचारे ब्राह्मणो मुख्यो नृणां गावः पशौ तथा

yathā viprastathā gauśca dvayoḥ pūjāphalaṁ samam vicāre brāhmaṇo mukhyo nṛṇāṁ gāvaḥ paśau tathā

As is the brahmin, so is the cow — the fruit of worshipping either is equal. In reflection, the brahmin is foremost among men, and the cow among animals likewise.

Verse 123 (padma.1.48.123)

नारद उवाच। विप्रो ब्रह्ममुखे जातः कथितो मे त्वयानघ। कथं गोभिः समो नाथ विस्मयो मे विधे ध्रुवम्

nārada uvāca vipro brahmamukhe jātaḥ kathito me tvayānagha kathaṁ gobhiḥ samo nātha vismayo me vidhe dhruvam

Narada said: "You have told me, O sinless one, that the brahmin was born from Brahma's mouth. How, O lord, is he equal to cows? I am truly astonished, O Vidhi."

Verse 124 (padma.1.48.124)

ब्रह्मोवाच। शृणु चात्र यथातथ्यं ब्राह्मणानां गवां यथा। एकपिंडक्रियैक्यं तु पुरुषैर्निर्मितं पुरा

brahmovāca śṛṇu cātra yathātathyaṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ gavāṁ yathā ekapiṁḍakriyaikyaṁ tu puruṣairnirmitaṁ purā

Brahma said: "Hear the truth of this matter regarding brahmins and cows. Their unity was fashioned from a single primal essence long ago —"

Verse 125 (padma.1.48.125)

पुरा ब्रह्ममुखोद्भूतं कूटं तेजोमयं महत्। चतुर्भागप्रजातं तद्वेदोग्निर्गौर्द्विजस्तथा

purā brahmamukhodbhūtaṁ kūṭaṁ tejomayaṁ mahat caturbhāgaprajātaṁ tadvedognirgaurdvijastathā

"of old, from Brahma's mouth arose a great mass of splendour; that, divided into four parts, became the Veda, Fire, the Cow, and the Twice-born likewise."

Verse 126 (padma.1.48.126)

प्राक्तेजः संभवो वेदो वह्निरेव तथैव च। परतो गौस्तथा विप्रो जातश्चैव पृथक्पृथक्

prāktejaḥ saṁbhavo vedo vahnireva tathaiva ca parato gaustathā vipro jātaścaiva pṛthakpṛthak

"First, born of that splendour, was the Veda, and Fire likewise; and after that, the Cow and the Brahmin, born separately."

Verse 127 (padma.1.48.127)

तत्र सृष्टा मया चादौ वेदाश्चत्वार एकशः। स्थित्यर्थं सर्वलोकानां भुवनानां समंततः

tatra sṛṣṭā mayā cādau vedāścatvāra ekaśaḥ sthityarthaṁ sarvalokānāṁ bhuvanānāṁ samaṁtataḥ

"There, in the beginning, the four Vedas were created by me, one by one, for the sake of the stability of all the worlds and realms, on every side."

Verse 128 (padma.1.48.128)

अग्निर्हव्यानि भुंजीत देवहेतोस्तथा द्विजः। आज्यं गोप्रभवं विद्धि तस्मादेते प्रसूतकाः

agnirhavyāni bhuṁjīta devahetostathā dvijaḥ ājyaṁ goprabhavaṁ viddhi tasmādete prasūtakāḥ

"Fire consumes the oblations for the sake of the gods, and so does the twice-born; know that ghee comes from the cow — from these four all things are born."

Verse 129 (padma.1.48.129)

न संति यदि लोकेषु चत्वारोमी महत्तराः। तदाखिलं च भुवनं नष्टं स्थावरजंगमम्

na saṁti yadi lokeṣu catvāromī mahattarāḥ tadākhilaṁ ca bhuvanaṁ naṣṭaṁ sthāvarajaṁgamam

"If these four great ones did not exist in the worlds, then the whole realm, moving and unmoving, would be destroyed."

Verse 130 (padma.1.48.130)

एभिर्धृताः सदा लोकाः प्रतिष्ठंति स्वभावतः। स्वभावो ब्रह्मरूपोसावेते ब्रह्ममयाः स्मृताः

ebhirdhṛtāḥ sadā lokāḥ pratiṣṭhaṁti svabhāvataḥ svabhāvo brahmarūposāvete brahmamayāḥ smṛtāḥ

"By these the worlds are ever sustained and stand established, naturally; that inherent nature is itself the form of Brahman — these are remembered as consisting of Brahman."

Verse 131 (padma.1.48.131)

तस्माद्गौः पूजनीयोसौ विप्र देवासुरैरपि। उदारः सर्वकार्येषु जातस्तथ्यो गुणाकरः

tasmādgauḥ pūjanīyosau vipra devāsurairapi udāraḥ sarvakāryeṣu jātastathyo guṇākaraḥ

"Therefore the cow, O brahmin, is to be worshipped even by gods and asuras; generous in every undertaking, born true, a mine of virtues."

Verse 132 (padma.1.48.132)

सर्वदेवमयः साक्षात्सर्वसत्वानुकंपकः। अस्य कार्यं मया सृष्टं पुरैव पोषणं प्रति

sarvadevamayaḥ sākṣātsarvasatvānukaṁpakaḥ asya kāryaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ puraiva poṣaṇaṁ prati

"Consisting of all the gods, actually, compassionate toward all beings — her role, regarding nourishment, was ordained by me long ago."

Verse 133 (padma.1.48.133)

अतएव मया दत्तं वरं चातिसुशोभनम्। एकजन्मनि ते मोक्षस्तवास्त्विति विनिश्चितम्

ataeva mayā dattaṁ varaṁ cātisuśobhanam ekajanmani te mokṣastavāstviti viniścitam

"Therefore a most excellent boon was granted by me: 'In a single birth, liberation shall be yours' — this was firmly decided."

Verse 134 (padma.1.48.134)

अत्रैव ये मृता गावस्त्वागच्छंति ममालयम्। पापस्य कणमात्रं तु तेषां देहेन तिष्ठति

atraiva ye mṛtā gāvastvāgacchaṁti mamālayam pāpasya kaṇamātraṁ tu teṣāṁ dehena tiṣṭhati

"Cows who die right here come to my very abode; only a mere particle of sin remains connected with their body."

Verse 135 (padma.1.48.135)

देवी गौर्धेनुका देवाश्चादिदेवी त्रिशक्तिका। प्रसादाद्यस्य यज्ञानां प्रभवो हि विनिश्चितः

devī gaurdhenukā devāścādidevī triśaktikā prasādādyasya yajñānāṁ prabhavo hi viniścitaḥ

"The cow is a goddess, a nurturer, dear to the gods, the primal goddess with threefold power; by whose grace the source of sacrifices arises."

Verse 136 (padma.1.48.136)

गवां सर्वपवित्राणि पुनंति सकलं जगत्। मूत्रं गोर्गोमयं क्षीरं दधिसर्पिस्तथैव च

gavāṁ sarvapavitrāṇi punaṁti sakalaṁ jagat mūtraṁ gorgomayaṁ kṣīraṁ dadhisarpistathaiva ca

"All the purifying substances of cows purify the entire world — the cow's urine, dung, milk, curd, and ghee likewise."

Verse 137 (padma.1.48.137)

अमीषां भक्षणे पापं न तिष्ठति कलेवरे। तस्माद्घृतं दधि क्षीरं नित्यं खादंति धार्मिकाः

amīṣāṁ bhakṣaṇe pāpaṁ na tiṣṭhati kalevare tasmādghṛtaṁ dadhi kṣīraṁ nityaṁ khādaṁti dhārmikāḥ

"In consuming these, no sin remains in the body; therefore the righteous always eat ghee, curd, and milk."

Verse 138 (padma.1.48.138)

विशिष्टं सर्वद्रव्येषु गव्यमिष्टं परं शुभम्। यस्यास्ये भोजनं नास्ति तस्य मूर्तिस्तु पूतिका

viśiṣṭaṁ sarvadravyeṣu gavyamiṣṭaṁ paraṁ śubham yasyāsye bhojanaṁ nāsti tasya mūrtistu pūtikā

"Among all substances, cow-products are distinguished, dear, supremely auspicious. He in whose mouth there is no such food — his very body is putrid."

Verse 139 (padma.1.48.139)

अन्नाद्यं पंचरात्रेण सप्तरात्रेण वै पयः। दधि विंशतिरात्रेण घृतं स्यान्मासमेककम्

annādyaṁ paṁcarātreṇa saptarātreṇa vai payaḥ dadhi viṁśatirātreṇa ghṛtaṁ syānmāsamekakam

"Abstaining from grain-food is equal to five nights of fasting; from milk, seven nights; from curd, twenty nights; from ghee, a whole month's fast."

Verse 140 (padma.1.48.140)

अगव्यैर्यस्तु भुंक्ते वै मासमेकं निरंतरम्। भोजने तस्य मर्त्यस्य प्रेताः खादंति चैव हि

agavyairyastu bhuṁkte vai māsamekaṁ niraṁtaram bhojane tasya martyasya pretāḥ khādaṁti caiva hi

"He who eats non-cow-products continuously for a whole month — at that mortal's meal, spirits themselves partake."

Verse 141 (padma.1.48.141)

परमान्नं परं शुद्धं स्विन्नं चातपतण्डुलैः। भुक्त्वा तु यत्कृतं पुण्यं कोटिकोटिगुणं भवेत्

paramānnaṁ paraṁ śuddhaṁ svinnaṁ cātapataṇḍulaiḥ bhuktvā tu yatkṛtaṁ puṇyaṁ koṭikoṭiguṇaṁ bhavet

"Having eaten supreme rice-pudding, most pure, cooked with sun-dried rice, whatever merit is thereby accrued becomes multiplied crores upon crores of times."

Verse 142 (padma.1.48.142)

अन्यच्चापि च यद्द्रव्यं हविष्यं शास्त्रनिर्मितम्। तद्भुक्तवा यत्कृतं कर्म सर्वं लक्षगुणं भवेत्

anyaccāpi ca yaddravyaṁ haviṣyaṁ śāstranirmitam tadbhuktavā yatkṛtaṁ karma sarvaṁ lakṣaguṇaṁ bhavet

"And whatever other sacred food ordained by scripture — having eaten that, whatever deed is done thereafter becomes a hundred-thousand-fold in merit."

Verse 143 (padma.1.48.143)

निरामिषं च यत्किंचित्तस्माद्यद्यत्फलं लभेत्। तस्माद्गौः सर्वकार्येषु शस्त एको युगेयुगे

nirāmiṣaṁ ca yatkiṁcittasmādyadyatphalaṁ labhet tasmādgauḥ sarvakāryeṣu śasta eko yugeyuge

"And whatever meat-free food there is, whatever fruit one obtains from it — therefore the cow alone is praised in all matters, in every age,"

Verse 144 (padma.1.48.144)

सर्वदा सर्वकामेषु धर्मकामार्थमोक्षदः। नारद उवाच। केषु किं वा प्रयोगेण परं पुण्यं प्रकीर्तितं

sarvadā sarvakāmeṣu dharmakāmārthamokṣadaḥ nārada uvāca keṣu kiṁ vā prayogeṇa paraṁ puṇyaṁ prakīrtitaṁ

"always, in all desires, the giver of dharma, kama, artha and moksha." Narada said: "By what practices is the highest merit proclaimed,"

Verse 145 (padma.1.48.145)

वद तत्सर्वलोकेश यथा जानामि तत्वतः। ब्रह्मोवाच। सकृत्प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा गोधनं चाभिवंदयेत्

vada tatsarvalokeśa yathā jānāmi tatvataḥ brahmovāca sakṛtpradakṣiṇaṁ kṛtvā godhanaṁ cābhivaṁdayet

"tell me that, O lord of all worlds, that I may truly know it." Brahma said: "Having circumambulated once, one should bow reverently to the wealth of cows;"

Verse 146 (padma.1.48.146)

सर्वपापैर्विनिर्मुक्तः स्वर्गं चाक्षयमश्नुते। सुराचार्यो यथा वंद्यः पूज्योसौ माधवो यथा

sarvapāpairvinirmuktaḥ svargaṁ cākṣayamaśnute surācāryo yathā vaṁdyaḥ pūjyosau mādhavo yathā

"freed from all sins, one attains imperishable heaven. As the preceptor of the gods is to be revered, as Madhava is to be worshipped —"

Verse 147 (padma.1.48.147)

सप्तप्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा चैश्वर्यात्पाकशासनः। कल्य उत्थाय गोमध्ये पात्रं गृह्य सहोदकम्

saptapradakṣiṇaṁ kṛtvā caiśvaryātpākaśāsanaḥ kalya utthāya gomadhye pātraṁ gṛhya sahodakam

"so is the cow — having circumambulated seven times, one attains the very lordship of Indra. Rising early, taking a vessel with water among the cows,"

Verse 148 (padma.1.48.148)

निषिंचेद्यो गवां शृंगं मस्तकेनैव तज्जलम्। प्रतीच्छेत निराहारस्तस्य पुण्यं निबोधत

niṣiṁcedyo gavāṁ śṛṁgaṁ mastakenaiva tajjalam pratīccheta nirāhārastasya puṇyaṁ nibodhata

"whoever pours that water upon a cow's horn, and receives that same water upon his own head, fasting — know his merit:"

Verse 149 (padma.1.48.149)

श्रूयंते यानि तीर्थानि त्रिषु लोकेषु नारद। सिद्धचारणयुक्तानि सेवितानि महर्षिभिः

śrūyaṁte yāni tīrthāni triṣu lokeṣu nārada siddhacāraṇayuktāni sevitāni maharṣibhiḥ

"whatever sacred fords are renowned in the three worlds, O Narada, frequented by siddhas and charanas, and served by great sages —"

Verse 150 (padma.1.48.150)

अभिषेकस्समस्तेषां गवां शृंगोदकस्य च। प्रातरुत्थाय यो मर्त्यः स्पृशेद्गां च घृतं मधु

abhiṣekassamasteṣāṁ gavāṁ śṛṁgodakasya ca prātarutthāya yo martyaḥ spṛśedgāṁ ca ghṛtaṁ madhu

"the anointment with the water from a cow's horn is equal to bathing in all of them together. The mortal who, rising in the morning, touches a cow, and ghee, and honey,"

Verse 151 (padma.1.48.151)

सर्षपांश्च प्रियंगूंश्च कल्मषात्प्रतिमुच्यते। घृतक्षीरप्रदा गावो घृतयोन्यो घृतोद्भवाः

sarṣapāṁśca priyaṁgūṁśca kalmaṣātpratimucyate ghṛtakṣīrapradā gāvo ghṛtayonyo ghṛtodbhavāḥ

"and mustard seeds, and priyangu grains, is freed from taint. 'The cows, givers of ghee and milk, whose womb is ghee, born of ghee,'"

Verse 152 (padma.1.48.152)

घृतनद्यो घृतावर्तास्ता मे संतु सदा गृहे। घृतं मे सर्वगात्रेषु घृतं मे मनसि स्थितम्

ghṛtanadyo ghṛtāvartāstā me saṁtu sadā gṛhe ghṛtaṁ me sarvagātreṣu ghṛtaṁ me manasi sthitam

"'rivers of ghee, whirlpools of ghee — may they always be in my house. May ghee be in all my limbs, may ghee dwell in my mind,'"

Verse 153 (padma.1.48.153)

गावो ममाग्रतो नित्यं गावः पृष्ठत एव च। गावश्च सर्वगात्रेषु गवांमध्ये वसाम्यहम्

gāvo mamāgrato nityaṁ gāvaḥ pṛṣṭhata eva ca gāvaśca sarvagātreṣu gavāṁmadhye vasāmyaham

"'may cows always be before me, and cows behind me too; may cows be in all my limbs, and may I dwell in the midst of cows' —"

Verse 154 (padma.1.48.154)

इत्याचम्य जपेन्मंत्रं सायंप्रातरिदं शुचिः। सर्वपापक्षयस्तस्य स्वर्लोके पूजितो भवेत्

ityācamya japenmaṁtraṁ sāyaṁprātaridaṁ śuciḥ sarvapāpakṣayastasya svarloke pūjito bhavet

"having thus sipped water, one should recite this mantra evening and morning, purified; all his sin is destroyed, and he becomes honoured in the world of heaven."

Verse 155 (padma.1.48.155)

यथा गौश्च तथा विप्रो यथाविप्रस्तथा हरिः। हरिर्यथा तथा गंगा एतेन ह्यवृषाः स्मृताः

yathā gauśca tathā vipro yathāviprastathā hariḥ hariryathā tathā gaṁgā etena hyavṛṣāḥ smṛtāḥ

"As is the cow, so is the brahmin; as is the brahmin, so is Hari; as is Hari, so is the Ganga — by this reckoning they are remembered as sinless."

Verse 156 (padma.1.48.156)

गावो बंधुर्मनुष्याणां मनुष्या बांधवा गवाम्। गौश्च यस्मिन्गृहे नास्ति तद्बंधुरहितं गृहम्

gāvo baṁdhurmanuṣyāṇāṁ manuṣyā bāṁdhavā gavām gauśca yasmingṛhe nāsti tadbaṁdhurahitaṁ gṛham

"Cows are kin to humans, and humans are kin to cows. That house in which there is no cow is a house without kin."

Verse 157 (padma.1.48.157)

गोमुखे चाश्रिता वेदाः सषडंगपदक्रमाः। शृंगयोश्च स्थितौ नित्यं सहैव हरिकेशवौ

gomukhe cāśritā vedāḥ saṣaḍaṁgapadakramāḥ śṛṁgayośca sthitau nityaṁ sahaiva harikeśavau

"In the cow's mouth reside the Vedas with their six auxiliary limbs and their proper word-sequence; and on her two horns dwell, always together, Hari and Keshava."

Verse 158 (padma.1.48.158)

उदरेऽवस्थितः स्कंदः शीर्षे ब्रह्मा स्थितः सदा। वृषद्ध्वजो ललाटे च शृंगाग्र इंद्र एव च

udare'vasthitaḥ skaṁdaḥ śīrṣe brahmā sthitaḥ sadā vṛṣaddhvajo lalāṭe ca śṛṁgāgra iṁdra eva ca

"In her belly dwells Skanda; on her head Brahma ever abides; on her forehead is Vrishadhvaja, and at the tip of her horns is Indra himself."

Verse 159 (padma.1.48.159)

कर्णयोरश्विनौ देवौ चक्षुषोश्शशिभास्करौ। दंतेषु गरुडो देवो जिह्वायां च सरस्वती

karṇayoraśvinau devau cakṣuṣośśaśibhāskarau daṁteṣu garuḍo devo jihvāyāṁ ca sarasvatī

"In her two ears are the divine Ashvins; in her two eyes, the moon and the sun; in her teeth, the god Garuda; and on her tongue, Sarasvati."

Verse 160 (padma.1.48.160)

अपाने सर्वतीर्थानि प्रस्रावे चैव जाह्नवी। ऋषयो रोमकूपेषु मुखतः पृष्ठतो यमः

apāne sarvatīrthāni prasrāve caiva jāhnavī ṛṣayo romakūpeṣu mukhataḥ pṛṣṭhato yamaḥ

"In her anus are all the sacred fords; in her urine flows the Jahnavi; in the pores of her skin dwell the sages; before and behind her mouth dwells Yama."

Verse 161 (padma.1.48.161)

धनदो वरुणश्चैव दक्षिणं पार्श्वमाश्रितौ। वामपार्श्वे स्थिता यक्षास्तेजस्वंतो महाबलाः

dhanado varuṇaścaiva dakṣiṇaṁ pārśvamāśritau vāmapārśve sthitā yakṣāstejasvaṁto mahābalāḥ

Kubera and Varuna dwell resting on her right side; on her left side dwell the yakshas, splendid and mighty.

Verse 162 (padma.1.48.162)

मुखमध्ये च गंधर्वा नासाग्रे पन्नगास्तथा। खुराणां पश्चिमे पार्श्वेऽप्सरसश्च समाश्रिताः

mukhamadhye ca gaṁdharvā nāsāgre pannagāstathā khurāṇāṁ paścime pārśve'psarasaśca samāśritāḥ

In the middle of her mouth dwell the gandharvas, and on the tip of her nose, serpents; and near her hooves, the apsaras also dwell.

Verse 163 (padma.1.48.163)

गोमये वसते लक्ष्मीर्गोमूत्रे सर्वमंगला। पादाग्रे खेचरा वेद्या हंभाशब्दे प्रजापतिः

gomaye vasate lakṣmīrgomūtre sarvamaṁgalā pādāgre khecarā vedyā haṁbhāśabde prajāpatiḥ

In her dung dwells Lakshmi, and in her urine, Sarvamangala; at the tips of her feet dwell the sky-goers, and in her lowing, Prajapati.

Verse 164 (padma.1.48.164)

चत्वारः सागराः पूर्णा धेनूनां च स्तनेषु वै। गां च स्पृशति यो नित्यं स्नातो भवति नित्यशः

catvāraḥ sāgarāḥ pūrṇā dhenūnāṁ ca staneṣu vai gāṁ ca spṛśati yo nityaṁ snāto bhavati nityaśaḥ

The four oceans, full, reside in the udders of milch-cows; he who ever touches a cow is ever as if freshly bathed.

Verse 165 (padma.1.48.165)

अतो मर्त्यः प्रपुष्टैस्तु सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते। गवां रजः खुरोद्धूतं शिरसा यस्तु धारयेत्

ato martyaḥ prapuṣṭaistu sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate gavāṁ rajaḥ khuroddhūtaṁ śirasā yastu dhārayet

Thus a mortal is freed from all accumulated sins. He who bears upon his head the dust raised by a cow's hooves,

Verse 166 (padma.1.48.166)

स च तीर्थजले स्नातः सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते। नारद उवाच। गवां च दशवर्णानां कस्य दाने च किंफलम्

sa ca tīrthajale snātaḥ sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate nārada uvāca gavāṁ ca daśavarṇānāṁ kasya dāne ca kiṁphalam

he is as if bathed in the water of a sacred ford, and is freed from all sins. Narada said: "Of the ten colours of cows, what is the fruit of giving each?"

Verse 167 (padma.1.48.167)

ब्रूहि तत्त्वं गुरुश्रेष्ठ परमेष्ठिन्प्रियं यदि। ब्रह्मोवाच। श्वेतां गां ब्राह्मणे दत्वा मानवश्चेश्वरो भवेत्

brūhi tattvaṁ guruśreṣṭha parameṣṭhinpriyaṁ yadi brahmovāca śvetāṁ gāṁ brāhmaṇe datvā mānavaśceśvaro bhavet

"Tell me the truth, O best of gurus, O Parameshthin, if it pleases you." Brahma said: "Having given a white cow to a brahmin, a man becomes a lord;"

Verse 168 (padma.1.48.168)

प्रासादे वसते नित्यं भोगी च सुखमेधते। धूम्रा तु स्वर्गकांतार संसारे पापमोक्षिणी

prāsāde vasate nityaṁ bhogī ca sukhamedhate dhūmrā tu svargakāṁtāra saṁsāre pāpamokṣiṇī

"he dwells forever in a palace, enjoys pleasures, and prospers in happiness. The smoke-grey cow is the wilderness-crossing path to heaven, and frees one from sin;"

Verse 169 (padma.1.48.169)

अक्षयं कपिलादानं कृष्णां दत्वा न सीदति। पांडुरा दुर्लभा लोके गौरी च कुलनंदिनी

akṣayaṁ kapilādānaṁ kṛṣṇāṁ datvā na sīdati pāṁḍurā durlabhā loke gaurī ca kulanaṁdinī

"the gift of a tawny cow is imperishable; having given a black cow, one does not suffer misfortune. The pale-white cow is rare in the world, and the fair one is the joy of one's lineage;"

Verse 170 (padma.1.48.170)

रक्ताक्षी रूपकामस्य धनकामस्य नीलिका। एकां च कपिलां दत्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

raktākṣī rūpakāmasya dhanakāmasya nīlikā ekāṁ ca kapilāṁ datvā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

"the red-eyed cow is for one desiring beauty, and the dark-blue one for one desiring wealth. Having given even a single tawny cow, one is freed from all sins."

Verse 171 (padma.1.48.171)

यत्तु बाल्यकृतं पापं यौवने वार्धके कृतम्। वाचाकृतं कर्मकृतं मनसा यत्प्रचिंतितं

yattu bālyakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ yauvane vārdhake kṛtam vācākṛtaṁ karmakṛtaṁ manasā yatpraciṁtitaṁ

"Whatever sin was committed in childhood, in youth, or in old age, whatever done by speech, by deed, or thought of in the mind,"

Verse 172 (padma.1.48.172)

अगम्यागमनं चैव मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम्। मानकूटं तुलाकूटं कन्यानृतं गवानृतम्

agamyāgamanaṁ caiva mitradrohe ca pātakam mānakūṭaṁ tulākūṭaṁ kanyānṛtaṁ gavānṛtam

"and going to a forbidden woman, and the sin of betraying a friend, false measures and false weights, deceit regarding a girl or a cow,"

Verse 173 (padma.1.48.173)

सर्वं च नाशयेत्क्षिप्रं कपिलां यः प्रयच्छति। दशयोजनविस्तीर्णा महापारा महानदी

sarvaṁ ca nāśayetkṣipraṁ kapilāṁ yaḥ prayacchati daśayojanavistīrṇā mahāpārā mahānadī

"all this he who gives a tawny cow swiftly destroys. Like a great river, ten yojanas wide, with a far-off shore,"

Verse 174 (padma.1.48.174)

नारा च जलकांतारे प्रसृते चोदकार्णवे। यावद्वत्सस्य द्वौ पादौ मुखं यावन्न जायते

nārā ca jalakāṁtāre prasṛte codakārṇave yāvadvatsasya dvau pādau mukhaṁ yāvanna jāyate

"or like the boundless wilderness of water — as long as a calf's two forefeet and mouth have not yet emerged at birth,"

Verse 175 (padma.1.48.175)

तावद्गौः पृथिवी ज्ञेया यावद्गर्भं न मुंचति। सुवर्णशृंगीं वस्त्राढ्यां सर्वालंकारभूषिताम्

tāvadgauḥ pṛthivī jñeyā yāvadgarbhaṁ na muṁcati suvarṇaśṛṁgīṁ vastrāḍhyāṁ sarvālaṁkārabhūṣitām

"so long the cow is to be known as equal to the earth itself, as long as she has not released the calf from her womb. One should give a cow with golden-tipped horns, richly clothed, adorned with every ornament,"

Verse 176 (padma.1.48.176)

ताम्रपृष्ठीं रौप्यखुरां तथा कांस्योपदोहनाम्। शोभितां गंधपुष्पैश्च सर्वालंकारभूषितां

tāmrapṛṣṭhīṁ raupyakhurāṁ tathā kāṁsyopadohanām śobhitāṁ gaṁdhapuṣpaiśca sarvālaṁkārabhūṣitāṁ

"with a copper-plated back, silver hooves, and a bronze milking-vessel, adorned with scent and flowers, decorated with every ornament."

Verse 177 (padma.1.48.177)

ईदृशीं कपिलां दद्याद्द्विजातौ वेदपारगे। सर्वपापक्षयस्तस्य विष्णुलोकेऽच्युतो भवेत्

īdṛśīṁ kapilāṁ dadyāddvijātau vedapārage sarvapāpakṣayastasya viṣṇuloke'cyuto bhavet

"Such a tawny cow should be given to a twice-born versed in the Vedas; all his sin is destroyed, and he becomes imperishable in the world of Vishnu."

Verse 178 (padma.1.48.178)

तस्यां तु दुह्यमानायां भूमौ पतंति बिंदवः। आरामादि विजायंते बहुपुष्पफलोत्तमाः

tasyāṁ tu duhyamānāyāṁ bhūmau pataṁti biṁdavaḥ ārāmādi vijāyaṁte bahupuṣpaphalottamāḥ

"While she is being milked, the drops that fall upon the ground give rise to gardens and the like, excellent with many flowers and fruits,"

Verse 179 (padma.1.48.179)

यत्र कामफला वृक्षा नद्यः पायसकर्दमाः। प्रासादाश्चापि सौवर्णास्तत्र गच्छंति गोप्रदाः

yatra kāmaphalā vṛkṣā nadyaḥ pāyasakardamāḥ prāsādāścāpi sauvarṇāstatra gacchaṁti gopradāḥ

"where wish-granting trees grow, and rivers of milk-porridge flow, and golden palaces stand — there go those who have given cows."

Verse 180 (padma.1.48.180)

दशधेनूश्च यो दद्यादेकं चैव धुरंधरं। समानं तु फलं प्रोक्तं ब्रह्मणा समुदाहृतम्

daśadhenūśca yo dadyādekaṁ caiva dhuraṁdharaṁ samānaṁ tu phalaṁ proktaṁ brahmaṇā samudāhṛtam

"He who gives ten milch-cows, and he who gives a single draught-ox — an equal fruit has been declared by Brahma."

Verse 181 (padma.1.48.181)

एकं च दशभिर्दद्यात्सहस्राणां शतं फलम्। तस्यानुसारतो वेद्यं फलं नारद यत्नतः

ekaṁ ca daśabhirdadyātsahasrāṇāṁ śataṁ phalam tasyānusārato vedyaṁ phalaṁ nārada yatnataḥ

"Giving one ox equals giving ten cows; giving a hundred oxen equals giving a thousand cows. Its fruit, O Narada, should be diligently understood according to this proportion."

Verse 182 (padma.1.48.182)

पितॄनुद्दिश्य यः पुत्रो वृषं च मोक्षयेद्भुवि। पितरो विष्णुलोकेषु महीयंते यथेप्सितम्

pitṝnuddiśya yaḥ putro vṛṣaṁ ca mokṣayedbhuvi pitaro viṣṇulokeṣu mahīyaṁte yathepsitam

"The son who, in honour of his ancestors, releases a bull freely on earth — his ancestors are exalted in the worlds of Vishnu, as desired."

Verse 183 (padma.1.48.183)

चतस्रो वत्सतर्यश्च एकस्यैव वृषस्य च। मोक्ष्यंते सर्वतः पुत्र विधिरेष सनातनः

catasro vatsataryaśca ekasyaiva vṛṣasya ca mokṣyaṁte sarvataḥ putra vidhireṣa sanātanaḥ

"Four heifers, together with a single bull, are thereby released — this, my son, is the eternal rule."

Verse 184 (padma.1.48.184)

यावंति चैव रोमाणि तस्य तासां च सर्वशः। तावद्वर्षसहस्राणि स्वर्गं भुजंति मानवाः

yāvaṁti caiva romāṇi tasya tāsāṁ ca sarvaśaḥ tāvadvarṣasahasrāṇi svargaṁ bhujaṁti mānavāḥ

"For as many hairs as are on that bull and on those cows, for that many thousands of years men enjoy heaven."

Verse 185 (padma.1.48.185)

लांगूलेन वृषो यच्च जलं चोत्क्षिपति ध्रुवं। तत्तोयं तु सहस्राब्दं पितॄणाममृतं भवेत्

lāṁgūlena vṛṣo yacca jalaṁ cotkṣipati dhruvaṁ tattoyaṁ tu sahasrābdaṁ pitṝṇāmamṛtaṁ bhavet

"Whatever water the bull flicks up with its tail — that water becomes ambrosia for the ancestors for a thousand years."

Verse 186 (padma.1.48.186)

खुरेण कर्षयेद्भूमिं ततो लोष्ठं च कर्दमः। पितृभ्यश्च स्वधा तत्र लक्षकोटिगुणं भवेत्

khureṇa karṣayedbhūmiṁ tato loṣṭhaṁ ca kardamaḥ pitṛbhyaśca svadhā tatra lakṣakoṭiguṇaṁ bhavet

"Whatever clod of earth or mud the bull's hoof churns up — the ancestral offering there becomes a hundred-thousand-crore-fold in merit."

Verse 187 (padma.1.48.187)

विद्यमाने च जनके यदि माता विनश्यति। चंदनेनांकिता धेनुस्तस्याः स्वर्गाय दीयते

vidyamāne ca janake yadi mātā vinaśyati caṁdanenāṁkitā dhenustasyāḥ svargāya dīyate

"If, while the father still lives, the mother dies, a cow marked with sandalwood paste should be given for her attainment of heaven."

Verse 188 (padma.1.48.188)

दाता चैव पितॄणां च ऋणं चैव प्रमुंचति। अक्षयं लभते स्वर्गं पूजितो मघवा यथा

dātā caiva pitṝṇāṁ ca ṛṇaṁ caiva pramuṁcati akṣayaṁ labhate svargaṁ pūjito maghavā yathā

"The giver is thereby freed even from his debt to his ancestors; he obtains imperishable heaven, honoured like Indra himself."

Verse 189 (padma.1.48.189)

सर्वलक्षणसंयुक्ता तरुणा गौः पयस्विनी। समाप्रसूतिका भद्रा सा च गौः पृथिवी स्मृता

sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyuktā taruṇā gauḥ payasvinī samāprasūtikā bhadrā sā ca gauḥ pṛthivī smṛtā

"A young cow, endowed with every auspicious mark, giving milk, having recently calved, auspicious — such a cow is remembered as equal to the earth itself."

Verse 190 (padma.1.48.190)

तस्य दानेन मंत्रस्य पृथ्वीदानसमं फलं। शतक्रतुसमो मर्त्यः कुलमुद्धरते शतं

tasya dānena maṁtrasya pṛthvīdānasamaṁ phalaṁ śatakratusamo martyaḥ kulamuddharate śataṁ

"By giving such a cow with the proper mantra, the fruit is equal to the gift of the whole earth. The mortal becomes equal to Indra, and redeems a hundred generations of his lineage."

Verse 191 (padma.1.48.191)

गवां च हरणं कृत्वा मृते गोरथवत्सके। क्रिमिपूर्णे स कूपे च तिष्ठेदाभूतसंप्लवं

gavāṁ ca haraṇaṁ kṛtvā mṛte gorathavatsake krimipūrṇe sa kūpe ca tiṣṭhedābhūtasaṁplavaṁ

"Having stolen cows, if the cow, cart-ox, or calf dies because of it, he dwells in a worm-filled well until the dissolution of all beings."

Verse 192 (padma.1.48.192)

गवां चैव वधं कृत्वा पितृभिः सह पच्यते। रौरवे नरके घोरे तावत्कालं प्रतिक्रिया

gavāṁ caiva vadhaṁ kṛtvā pitṛbhiḥ saha pacyate raurave narake ghore tāvatkālaṁ pratikriyā

"And having killed a cow, he is cooked together with his ancestors, in the terrible Raurava hell, for as long as the sin remains without atonement."

Verse 193 (padma.1.48.193)

गोप्रचारप्रभग्नश्च षंडवाहनबंधनः। अक्षयं नरकं प्रायान्पुनर्जन्मनि जन्मनि

gopracāraprabhagnaśca ṣaṁḍavāhanabaṁdhanaḥ akṣayaṁ narakaṁ prāyānpunarjanmani janmani

"One who obstructs the grazing-path of cows, and one who wrongly yokes an ox to a cart, goes to an unending hell, birth after birth."

Verse 194 (padma.1.48.194)

सकृच्च श्रावयेद्यस्तु कथां पुण्यतमामिमां। सर्वपापक्षयस्तस्य देवैश्च सह मोदते

sakṛcca śrāvayedyastu kathāṁ puṇyatamāmimāṁ sarvapāpakṣayastasya devaiśca saha modate

"Whoever causes this most meritorious tale to be heard even once — all his sin is destroyed, and he rejoices together with the gods."

Verse 195 (padma.1.48.195)

य इदं शृणुयाद्वापि परं पुण्यतमं महत्। सप्तजन्मकृतात्पापान्मुच्यते तत्क्षणेन हि

ya idaṁ śṛṇuyādvāpi paraṁ puṇyatamaṁ mahat saptajanmakṛtātpāpānmucyate tatkṣaṇena hi

"He who hears this supremely meritorious and great tale is freed, in that very instant, from sins committed over seven births."