The Five Narratives

Verse 1 (padma.1.50.1)

भीष्म उवाच। यत्पुण्यमधिकं लोके सर्वदा सर्वसंमतम्। तद्वदस्वेच्छया विप्र यत्कृतं पूर्वपूर्वकैः

bhīṣma uvāca yatpuṇyamadhikaṁ loke sarvadā sarvasaṁmatam tadvadasvecchayā vipra yatkṛtaṁ pūrvapūrvakaiḥ

Bhishma said: Tell me, O brahmin, whatever merit is greatest in the world, always agreed upon by all, and what was done by those of old, as you wish.

Verse 2 (padma.1.50.2)

पुलस्त्य उवाच। एकदा तु द्विजाः सर्वे व्यासशिष्यास्सहादरात्। व्यासं प्रणम्य पप्रच्छु धर्मं मां च यथा भवान्

pulastya uvāca ekadā tu dvijāḥ sarve vyāsaśiṣyāssahādarāt vyāsaṁ praṇamya papracchu dharmaṁ māṁ ca yathā bhavān

Pulastya said: Once, all the twice-born disciples of Vyasa, with reverence, having bowed to Vyasa, asked about dharma — just as you have asked me.

Verse 3 (padma.1.50.3)

द्विजा ऊचुः। पुण्यात्पुण्यतमं लोके सर्वधर्मेषु चोत्तमम्। किं कृत्वा मानवा स्वर्गं भुंजते चाक्षयं वद

dvijā ūcuḥ puṇyātpuṇyatamaṁ loke sarvadharmeṣu cottamam kiṁ kṛtvā mānavā svargaṁ bhuṁjate cākṣayaṁ vada

The twice-born said: "What is the most meritorious of merits in the world, the best among all dharmas? What must men do to enjoy imperishable heaven? Tell us."

Verse 4 (padma.1.50.4)

लभ्यं चाकष्टकं शुद्धं वर्णानां मर्त्यवासिनाम्। गुरूणां च लघूनां च साध्यमेकं क्रतुं वद

labhyaṁ cākaṣṭakaṁ śuddhaṁ varṇānāṁ martyavāsinām gurūṇāṁ ca laghūnāṁ ca sādhyamekaṁ kratuṁ vada

"Tell us of one attainable rite, not difficult, pure, for all the castes of mortal dwellers — accomplishable by both the great and the humble."

Verse 5 (padma.1.50.5)

यद्यत्कृत्वा च देवानां पूज्यो नाके भवेन्नरः। तत्तद्वद च नो ब्रह्मन्प्रसादी भव धर्मतः

yadyatkṛtvā ca devānāṁ pūjyo nāke bhavennaraḥ tattadvada ca no brahmanprasādī bhava dharmataḥ

"Whatever, having done, a man becomes worthy of worship by the gods in heaven — tell us all that, O Brahman, and be gracious to us in accordance with dharma."

Verse 6 (padma.1.50.6)

व्यास उवाच। पंचाख्यानं वदिष्यामि शृणुध्वं तत्र पूर्वतः। पंचानामेककं कृत्वा विंदेन्मोक्षं दिवं यशः

vyāsa uvāca paṁcākhyānaṁ vadiṣyāmi śṛṇudhvaṁ tatra pūrvataḥ paṁcānāmekakaṁ kṛtvā viṁdenmokṣaṁ divaṁ yaśaḥ

Vyasa said: "I shall tell the Five Narratives; listen to them from the beginning. By performing even one of the five, one attains liberation, heaven, and fame."

Verse 7 (padma.1.50.7)

पित्रोरर्चाऽथ पत्युश्च साम्यं सर्वजनेषु च। मित्राद्रोहो विष्णुभक्तिरेते पंच महामखाः

pitrorarcā'tha patyuśca sāmyaṁ sarvajaneṣu ca mitrādroho viṣṇubhaktirete paṁca mahāmakhāḥ

"Worship of one's parents; a wife's devotion to her husband; equanimity toward all people; freedom from betrayal of a friend; and devotion to Vishnu — these are the five great sacrifices."

Verse 8 (padma.1.50.8)

प्राक्पित्रोरर्चया विप्रा यद्धर्मं साधयेन्नरः। न तत्क्रतुशतैरेव तीर्थयात्रादिभिर्भुवि

prākpitrorarcayā viprā yaddharmaṁ sādhayennaraḥ na tatkratuśataireva tīrthayātrādibhirbhuvi

"O brahmins, the dharma that a man accomplishes by the worship of his parents — that is not accomplished even by a hundred sacrifices, or by pilgrimages and the like, on earth."

Verse 9 (padma.1.50.9)

पिता धर्मः पिता स्वर्गः पिता हि परमं तपः। पितरि प्रीतिमापन्ने प्रीयंते सर्वदेवताः

pitā dharmaḥ pitā svargaḥ pitā hi paramaṁ tapaḥ pitari prītimāpanne prīyaṁte sarvadevatāḥ

"The father is dharma, the father is heaven, the father indeed is the highest austerity. When the father is pleased, all the gods are pleased."

Verse 10 (padma.1.50.10)

पितरो यस्य तृप्यंति सेवया च गुणेन च। तस्य भागीरथी स्नानमहन्यहनि वर्तते

pitaro yasya tṛpyaṁti sevayā ca guṇena ca tasya bhāgīrathī snānamahanyahani vartate

"He whose parents are satisfied through service and through virtue — for him, it is as if he bathes in the Bhagirathi day after day."

Verse 11 (padma.1.50.11)

सर्वतीर्थमयी माता सर्वदेवमयः पिता। मातरं पितरं चैव यस्तु कुर्यात्प्रदक्षिणम्

sarvatīrthamayī mātā sarvadevamayaḥ pitā mātaraṁ pitaraṁ caiva yastu kuryātpradakṣiṇam

"The mother consists of all sacred fords, the father consists of all the gods. He who circumambulates both mother and father —"

Verse 12 (padma.1.50.12)

प्रदक्षिणीकृता तेन सप्तद्वीपा वसुंधरा। जानुनी च करौ यस्य पित्रोः प्रणमतः शिरः

pradakṣiṇīkṛtā tena saptadvīpā vasuṁdharā jānunī ca karau yasya pitroḥ praṇamataḥ śiraḥ

"by him the whole earth with its seven continents has been circumambulated. He whose knees, hands, and head, in bowing to his parents,"

Verse 13 (padma.1.50.13)

निपतंति पृथिव्यां च सोक्षयं लभते दिवं। तयोश्चरणयोर्यावद्रजश्चिह्नानि मस्तके

nipataṁti pṛthivyāṁ ca sokṣayaṁ labhate divaṁ tayoścaraṇayoryāvadrajaścihnāni mastake

"touch the earth, he attains imperishable heaven. As long as the marks of the dust from their feet remain"

Verse 14 (padma.1.50.14)

प्रतीके च विलग्नानि तावत्पूतः सुतस्तयोः। पादारविंदसलिलं यः पित्रोः पिबते सुतः

pratīke ca vilagnāni tāvatpūtaḥ sutastayoḥ pādāraviṁdasalilaṁ yaḥ pitroḥ pibate sutaḥ

"clinging on the forehead, so long that son remains pure. The son who drinks the water from washing his parents' lotus feet —"

Verse 15 (padma.1.50.15)

तस्य पापक्षयं याति जन्मकोटिशतार्जितं। धन्योसौ मानवो लोके पूतोसौ सर्वकल्मषात्

tasya pāpakṣayaṁ yāti janmakoṭiśatārjitaṁ dhanyosau mānavo loke pūtosau sarvakalmaṣāt

"his sin, earned over hundreds of crores of births, is destroyed. Blessed is that man in the world, purified from all taint,"

Verse 16 (padma.1.50.16)

विनायकत्वमाप्नोति जन्मनैकेन मानवः। पितरौ लंघयेद्यस्तु वचोभिः पुरुषाधमः

vināyakatvamāpnoti janmanaikena mānavaḥ pitarau laṁghayedyastu vacobhiḥ puruṣādhamaḥ

"a man attains the state of a Vinayaka in a single birth. But the vilest of men, who transgresses against his parents with words,"

Verse 17 (padma.1.50.17)

निरये च वसेत्तावद्यावदाभूतसंप्लवं। पित्रोरनर्चनं कृत्वा भुंक्ते यस्तु सुताधमः

niraye ca vasettāvadyāvadābhūtasaṁplavaṁ pitroranarcanaṁ kṛtvā bhuṁkte yastu sutādhamaḥ

"dwells in hell until the dissolution of all beings. The vile son who eats without having worshipped his parents,"

Verse 18 (padma.1.50.18)

क्रिमिकूपेथ नरके कल्पांतमुपतिष्ठति। रोगिणं चापि वृद्धं च पितरं वृत्तिकर्शितम्

krimikūpetha narake kalpāṁtamupatiṣṭhati rogiṇaṁ cāpi vṛddhaṁ ca pitaraṁ vṛttikarśitam

"remains in the worm-filled well, that hell, until the end of the kalpa. He who abandons his sick and aged father, worn down by poor livelihood,"

Verse 19 (padma.1.50.19)

विकलं नेत्रकर्णाभ्यां त्यक्त्वा गच्छेच्च रौरवम्। अंत्यजातिषु म्लेच्छेषु चांडालेष्वपि जायते

vikalaṁ netrakarṇābhyāṁ tyaktvā gacchecca rauravam aṁtyajātiṣu mleccheṣu cāṁḍāleṣvapi jāyate

"or impaired in eyes and ears, goes to Raurava hell. He is born among the outcastes, the barbarians, and even among the chandalas —"

Verse 20 (padma.1.50.20)

पित्रोरपोषणं कृत्वा सर्वपुण्यक्षयो भवेत्। नाराध्य पितरौ पुत्रस्तीर्थदेवान्भजन्नपि

pitrorapoṣaṇaṁ kṛtvā sarvapuṇyakṣayo bhavet nārādhya pitarau putrastīrthadevānbhajannapi

"having failed to support his parents, all his merit is destroyed. A son who worships pilgrimage-places and gods, without honouring his parents,"

Verse 21 (padma.1.50.21)

तयोर्न फलमाप्नोति कीटवद्रमते महीम्। कथयामि पुरावृत्तं विप्राः शृणुत यत्नतः

tayorna phalamāpnoti kīṭavadramate mahīm kathayāmi purāvṛttaṁ viprāḥ śṛṇuta yatnataḥ

"obtains no fruit from those; he wanders the earth like a worm. I shall tell an ancient event, O brahmins; listen diligently,"

Verse 22 (padma.1.50.22)

यं श्रुत्वा न पुनर्मोहं प्रयास्यथ पुनर्भुवि। पुरासीच्च द्विजः कश्चिन्नरोत्तम इति स्मृतः

yaṁ śrutvā na punarmohaṁ prayāsyatha punarbhuvi purāsīcca dvijaḥ kaścinnarottama iti smṛtaḥ

"having heard which, you shall not again fall into delusion in this world. There was once a certain twice-born, remembered as Narottama."

Verse 23 (padma.1.50.23)

स्वपितरावनादृत्य गतोसौ तीर्थसेवया। ततः सर्वाणि तीर्थानि गच्छतो ब्राह्मणस्य च

svapitarāvanādṛtya gatosau tīrthasevayā tataḥ sarvāṇi tīrthāni gacchato brāhmaṇasya ca

Disregarding his own parents, he went off in devotion to pilgrimage. Then, as that brahmin visited all the sacred fords,

Verse 24 (padma.1.50.24)

आकाशे स्नानचेलानि प्रशुष्यंति दिने दिने। अहंकारोऽविशत्तस्य मानसे ब्राह्मणस्य च

ākāśe snānacelāni praśuṣyaṁti dine dine ahaṁkāro'viśattasya mānase brāhmaṇasya ca

his bathing-garments dried in the sky day after day. Pride entered into the mind of that brahmin —

Verse 25 (padma.1.50.25)

मत्समो नास्ति वै कश्चित्पुण्यकर्मा महायशाः। इत्युक्ते चानने तस्य अहदच्च बकस्तदा

matsamo nāsti vai kaścitpuṇyakarmā mahāyaśāḥ ityukte cānane tasya ahadacca bakastadā

"There is truly none equal to me, so meritorious and greatly renowned." As this was said, a crane defecated on his face.

Verse 26 (padma.1.50.26)

क्रोधाच्चैवेरितस्तस्य स शशाप द्विजो बकम्। पपात च बकः पृथ्व्यां स भस्मीभूतविग्रहः

krodhāccaiveritastasya sa śaśāpa dvijo bakam papāta ca bakaḥ pṛthvyāṁ sa bhasmībhūtavigrahaḥ

Provoked by anger, that twice-born cursed the crane. The crane fell to the earth, its body reduced to ashes.

Verse 27 (padma.1.50.27)

भीर्द्विजेंद्रं महामोहः प्राविशच्चांतकर्मणि। ततः पापाच्च विप्रस्य चेलं खं च न गच्छति

bhīrdvijeṁdraṁ mahāmohaḥ prāviśaccāṁtakarmaṇi tataḥ pāpācca viprasya celaṁ khaṁ ca na gacchati

Fear and great delusion entered the lord of the twice-born at seeing this deadly deed. Then, because of that sin, the brahmin's garment did not fly into the sky as before.

Verse 28 (padma.1.50.28)

विषादमगमत्सद्यस्ततः खं तमुवाच ह। गच्छ बाडव चांडालं मूकं परमधार्मिकम्

viṣādamagamatsadyastataḥ khaṁ tamuvāca ha gaccha bāḍava cāṁḍālaṁ mūkaṁ paramadhārmikam

He at once fell into despair; then a voice from the sky said to him: "Go, O brahmin, to a mute chandala, most righteous,"

Verse 29 (padma.1.50.29)

तत्र धर्मं च जानीषे क्षेमं ते तद्वचो भवेत्। खाच्च तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा गतोसौ मूकमंदिरम्

tatra dharmaṁ ca jānīṣe kṣemaṁ te tadvaco bhavet khācca tadvacanaṁ śrutvā gatosau mūkamaṁdiram

"there you will learn dharma; that word will be for your welfare." Hearing that word from the sky, he went to the mute one's dwelling.

Verse 30 (padma.1.50.30)

शुश्रूषंतं च पितरौ सर्वारंभान्ददर्श सः। ददतं शीतकाले च सम्यगुष्णं जलं तयोः

śuśrūṣaṁtaṁ ca pitarau sarvāraṁbhāndadarśa saḥ dadataṁ śītakāle ca samyaguṣṇaṁ jalaṁ tayoḥ

He saw him serving his parents in every undertaking — giving them, in the cold season, properly warmed water,

Verse 31 (padma.1.50.31)

तैलतापनतांबूलं तथा तूलवतीं पटीम्। नित्याशनं च मिष्टान्नं दुग्धखंडं तथैव च

tailatāpanatāṁbūlaṁ tathā tūlavatīṁ paṭīm nityāśanaṁ ca miṣṭānnaṁ dugdhakhaṁḍaṁ tathaiva ca

warmed oil, betel-leaf, and a cotton-padded quilt likewise; daily food of sweet dishes, and milk with sugar as well,

Verse 32 (padma.1.50.32)

दापयंतं वसंते च मधुमालां सुगंधिकां। अन्यानि यानि भोग्यानि कृत्यानि विविधानि च

dāpayaṁtaṁ vasaṁte ca madhumālāṁ sugaṁdhikāṁ anyāni yāni bhogyāni kṛtyāni vividhāni ca

and in spring, giving them a fragrant honey-garland; and all other enjoyable things, and various duties,

Verse 33 (padma.1.50.33)

उष्णे चावीजयत्सोपि नित्यं च पितरावपि। ततस्तयोः प्रचर्यां च कृत्वा भुंक्तेथ सर्वदा

uṣṇe cāvījayatsopi nityaṁ ca pitarāvapi tatastayoḥ pracaryāṁ ca kṛtvā bhuṁktetha sarvadā

and in the heat he would fan them, always, his parents too; and only after tending to them would he himself eat, always.

Verse 34 (padma.1.50.34)

श्रमस्य वारणं कुर्यात्संतापस्य तथैव च। एभिः पुण्यैः स्थितो विष्णुस्तस्य गेहोदरे चिरम्

śramasya vāraṇaṁ kuryātsaṁtāpasya tathaiva ca ebhiḥ puṇyaiḥ sthito viṣṇustasya gehodare ciram

He would prevent their weariness, and their distress likewise. By these merits, Vishnu dwelt long within the interior of his house,

Verse 35 (padma.1.50.35)

अंतरिक्षे च क्रीडंतमाधारस्तंभवर्जिते। तस्यापि भवने नित्यं स्थितं त्रिभुवनेश्वरं

aṁtarikṣe ca krīḍaṁtamādhārastaṁbhavarjite tasyāpi bhavane nityaṁ sthitaṁ tribhuvaneśvaraṁ

playing in the sky, without any supporting pillar. In that man's house, ever present, dwelt the lord of the three worlds,

Verse 36 (padma.1.50.36)

विप्ररूपधरं कांतं नान्यैर्भूतं च सत्परम्। तेजोमयं महासत्वं शोभयंतं च मंदिरं

viprarūpadharaṁ kāṁtaṁ nānyairbhūtaṁ ca satparam tejomayaṁ mahāsatvaṁ śobhayaṁtaṁ ca maṁdiraṁ

in the beautiful form of a brahmin, unmatched by any other being, supremely real, luminous, a great presence, adorning the dwelling.

Verse 37 (padma.1.50.37)

दृष्ट्वा विस्मयमापन्नो विप्रः प्रोवाच मूककम्। विप्र उवाच। आसन्नं च ममागच्छ त्वयैवेच्छामि शाश्वतं

dṛṣṭvā vismayamāpanno vipraḥ provāca mūkakam vipra uvāca āsannaṁ ca mamāgaccha tvayaivecchāmi śāśvataṁ

Seeing this, the astonished brahmin spoke to the mute one. The brahmin said: "Come near to me; I wish, through you, for the eternal truth,"

Verse 38 (padma.1.50.38)

हितं मे सर्वलोकानां तत्वतो वक्तुमर्हसि। मूक उवाच। पित्रोरर्चां करोम्यद्य कथमायामि तेंतिकं

hitaṁ me sarvalokānāṁ tatvato vaktumarhasi mūka uvāca pitrorarcāṁ karomyadya kathamāyāmi teṁtikaṁ

"— what is good for all the worlds — please tell me truly." The mute one said: "Today I am performing the worship of my parents; how could I come to you now?"

Verse 39 (padma.1.50.39)

अर्चयित्वा तु पितरौ कृत्यं ते करवाणि वै। तिष्ठ मे द्वारदेशे च आतिथ्यं ते करोम्यहम्

arcayitvā tu pitarau kṛtyaṁ te karavāṇi vai tiṣṭha me dvāradeśe ca ātithyaṁ te karomyaham

"Having finished worshipping my parents, I shall surely do what you need. Wait at my door, and I shall show you hospitality."

Verse 40 (padma.1.50.40)

इत्युक्ते चैव चांडाले चुकोप ब्राह्मणस्तदा। ब्राह्मणं मां परित्यज्य किं कार्यमधिकं तव

ityukte caiva cāṁḍāle cukopa brāhmaṇastadā brāhmaṇaṁ māṁ parityajya kiṁ kāryamadhikaṁ tava

When the chandala said this, the brahmin became angry: "Abandoning me, a brahmin, what task of yours could be more important?"

Verse 41 (padma.1.50.41)

मूक उवाच। किं कुप्यसि वृथा विप्र न बकोहं तवाधुना। कोपस्सिद्ध्यति ते तावद्बकेनान्यत्र किंचन

mūka uvāca kiṁ kupyasi vṛthā vipra na bakohaṁ tavādhunā kopassiddhyati te tāvadbakenānyatra kiṁcana

The mute one said: "Why are you angered in vain, O brahmin? I am not a crane to you now. Your anger will accomplish nothing else with a crane elsewhere."

Verse 42 (padma.1.50.42)

गगने स्नानशाटी ते न शुष्यति न तिष्ठति। वचनं खात्ततः श्रुत्वा मद्गृहं चागतो भवान्

gagane snānaśāṭī te na śuṣyati na tiṣṭhati vacanaṁ khāttataḥ śrutvā madgṛhaṁ cāgato bhavān

"Your bathing-cloth does not dry, does not stay in the sky. Having heard the word from the sky, you have come to my house."

Verse 43 (padma.1.50.43)

तिष्ठ तिष्ठ वदिष्यामि नोचेद्गच्छ पतिव्रतां। तां च दृष्ट्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठ दयितं ते फलिष्यति

tiṣṭha tiṣṭha vadiṣyāmi nocedgaccha pativratāṁ tāṁ ca dṛṣṭvā dvijaśreṣṭha dayitaṁ te phaliṣyati

"Wait, wait, I shall tell you; if not, go to a devoted wife. Having seen her, O best of the twice-born, your beloved desire will be fulfilled."

Verse 44 (padma.1.50.44)

ततस्तस्यगृहाद्विष्णुर्द्विजरूपधरो विभुः। विनिस्सृत्य द्विजं प्राह गेहं तस्याः प्रयाम्यहं

tatastasyagṛhādviṣṇurdvijarūpadharo vibhuḥ vinissṛtya dvijaṁ prāha gehaṁ tasyāḥ prayāmyahaṁ

Then, from that house, Vishnu, the all-pervading Lord in the form of a brahmin, came out and said to the brahmin: "I am going to her house."

Verse 45 (padma.1.50.45)

स विमृश्य द्विजश्रेष्ठस्तेन सार्धं चचाल ह। गच्छंतं तमुवाचेदं हरिं विप्रेति विस्मितः

sa vimṛśya dvijaśreṣṭhastena sārdhaṁ cacāla ha gacchaṁtaṁ tamuvācedaṁ hariṁ vipreti vismitaḥ

That best of the twice-born, reflecting, walked along with him. Astonished, he said this to Hari, thinking him a brahmin, as they went:

Verse 46 (padma.1.50.46)

किर्थं च त्वया विप्र चांडालस्य गृहोदरे। सदा संस्थीयते तात योषाजनवृते मुदा

kirthaṁ ca tvayā vipra cāṁḍālasya gṛhodare sadā saṁsthīyate tāta yoṣājanavṛte mudā

"Why, O brahmin, do you always stay joyfully in the interior of that chandala's house, my father, surrounded by women?"

Verse 47 (padma.1.50.47)

हरिरुवाच। इदानीं मानसं शुद्धं न भूतं भवतो ध्रुवम्। पतिव्रतादिकं दृष्ट्वा पश्चाज्ज्ञास्यसि मां किल

hariruvāca idānīṁ mānasaṁ śuddhaṁ na bhūtaṁ bhavato dhruvam pativratādikaṁ dṛṣṭvā paścājjñāsyasi māṁ kila

Hari said: "Right now your mind is certainly not pure. Having seen the devoted wife and the rest, afterward you will surely come to know me."

Verse 48 (padma.1.50.48)

विप्र उवाच। पतिव्रता च का तात किं वा तस्याश्श्रुतं महत्। येनाहं तत्र गच्छामि कारणं वद मे द्विज

vipra uvāca pativratā ca kā tāta kiṁ vā tasyāśśrutaṁ mahat yenāhaṁ tatra gacchāmi kāraṇaṁ vada me dvija

The brahmin said: "Who, father, is this devoted wife, and what great thing is heard of her, that I should go there? Tell me the reason, O twice-born."

Verse 49 (padma.1.50.49)

हरिरुवाच। नदीनां जाह्नवी श्रेष्ठा प्रमदानां पतिव्रता। मनुष्याणां प्रजापालो देवानां च जनार्दनः

hariruvāca nadīnāṁ jāhnavī śreṣṭhā pramadānāṁ pativratā manuṣyāṇāṁ prajāpālo devānāṁ ca janārdanaḥ

Hari said: "Among rivers, the Jahnavi is foremost; among women, the devoted wife; among men, the protector of subjects; and among gods, Janardana."

Verse 50 (padma.1.50.50)

पतिव्रता च या नारि पत्युर्नित्यं हिते रता। कुलद्वयस्य पुरुषानुद्धरेत्सा शतं शतं

pativratā ca yā nāri patyurnityaṁ hite ratā kuladvayasya puruṣānuddharetsā śataṁ śataṁ

"A devoted wife who is ever intent on her husband's welfare — she redeems a hundred men of each of her two families."

Verse 51 (padma.1.50.51)

स्वर्गं भुनक्ति तावच्च यावदाभूतसंप्लवं। स्वर्गाद्भ्रष्टो भवेद्वास्याः सार्वभौमो नृपः पतिः

svargaṁ bhunakti tāvacca yāvadābhūtasaṁplavaṁ svargādbhraṣṭo bhavedvāsyāḥ sārvabhaumo nṛpaḥ patiḥ

"She enjoys heaven until the dissolution of all beings. If her husband, a universal monarch, falls from heaven,"

Verse 52 (padma.1.50.52)

अस्यैव महिषी भूत्वा सुखं विंदेदनंतरं। पुनः पुनः स्वर्गराज्यं तस्य तस्या न संशयः

asyaiva mahiṣī bhūtvā sukhaṁ viṁdedanaṁtaraṁ punaḥ punaḥ svargarājyaṁ tasya tasyā na saṁśayaḥ

"she, becoming his queen again, immediately attains happiness. Again and again they both attain the kingdom of heaven — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 53 (padma.1.50.53)

एवं जन्मशतं प्राप्य अंते मोक्षो भवेद्ध्रुवम्। विप्र उवाच। पतिव्रता भवेत्कावा तस्याः किं वा च लक्षणं

evaṁ janmaśataṁ prāpya aṁte mokṣo bhaveddhruvam vipra uvāca pativratā bhavetkāvā tasyāḥ kiṁ vā ca lakṣaṇaṁ

"Thus, having attained a hundred births, at the end liberation surely occurs." The brahmin said: "Who becomes a devoted wife, and what is her mark?"

Verse 54 (padma.1.50.54)

ब्रूहि मे द्विजशार्दूल यथा जानामि तत्त्वतः। हरिरुवाच। पुत्राच्छतगुणं स्नेहाद्राजानं च भयादथ

brūhi me dvijaśārdūla yathā jānāmi tattvataḥ hariruvāca putrācchataguṇaṁ snehādrājānaṁ ca bhayādatha

"Tell me, O tiger among the twice-born, that I may truly know it." Hari said: "A hundred times more than the love for a son, out of affection; and with the reverence given to a king, out of fear,"

Verse 55 (padma.1.50.55)

आराधयेत्पतिं शौरिं या पश्येत्सा पतिव्रता। कार्ये दासी रतौ वेश्या भोजने जननीसमा

ārādhayetpatiṁ śauriṁ yā paśyetsā pativratā kārye dāsī ratau veśyā bhojane jananīsamā

"she who worships her husband as if he were Shauri — she is the devoted wife. In duty, she is a servant; in intimacy, a courtesan; in feeding him, like a mother;"

Verse 56 (padma.1.50.56)

विपत्सु मंत्रिणी भर्तुः सा च भार्या पतिव्रता। भर्तुराज्ञां न लंघेद्या मनो वाक्कायकर्मभिः

vipatsu maṁtriṇī bhartuḥ sā ca bhāryā pativratā bharturājñāṁ na laṁghedyā mano vākkāyakarmabhiḥ

"in adversity, a counselor to her husband — such a wife is the devoted wife. She who never transgresses her husband's command in mind, speech, body, or deed —"

Verse 57 (padma.1.50.57)

भुक्ते पत्यौ सदा चात्ति सा च भार्या पतिव्रता। यस्यां यस्यांतु शय्यायां पतिः स्वपिति यत्नतः

bhukte patyau sadā cātti sā ca bhāryā pativratā yasyāṁ yasyāṁtu śayyāyāṁ patiḥ svapiti yatnataḥ

"and who eats only after her husband has eaten, always — she is a devoted wife. On whatever bed her husband diligently sleeps —"

Verse 58 (padma.1.50.58)

तत्र तत्र च साभर्तुरर्चां करोति नित्यशः। नैव मत्सरमायाति न कार्पण्यं न मानिनी

tatra tatra ca sābharturarcāṁ karoti nityaśaḥ naiva matsaramāyāti na kārpaṇyaṁ na māninī

"there she always performs reverence to her husband. She never becomes envious, never miserly, never conceited;"

Verse 59 (padma.1.50.59)

मानेऽमाने समानं च या पश्येत्सा पतिव्रता। सुवेषं या नरं दृष्ट्वा भ्रातरं पितरं सुतं

māne'māne samānaṁ ca yā paśyetsā pativratā suveṣaṁ yā naraṁ dṛṣṭvā bhrātaraṁ pitaraṁ sutaṁ

"she who regards honour and dishonour equally — she is a devoted wife. She who, seeing a well-adorned man, regards him as brother, father, or son,"

Verse 60 (padma.1.50.60)

मन्यते च परं साध्वी सा च भार्या पतिव्रता। तां गच्छ द्विजशार्दूल वदकामं यथा तव

manyate ca paraṁ sādhvī sā ca bhāryā pativratā tāṁ gaccha dvijaśārdūla vadakāmaṁ yathā tava

"and regards another man with such non-lustful eyes — such a virtuous one is the devoted wife. Go to her, O tiger among the twice-born, and say your desire, as you wish."

Verse 61 (padma.1.50.61)

तस्य पत्न्योऽष्ट तिष्ठंति तन्मध्ये वरवर्णिनी। रूपयौवनसंपन्ना दयायुक्ता यशस्विनी

tasya patnyo'ṣṭa tiṣṭhaṁti tanmadhye varavarṇinī rūpayauvanasaṁpannā dayāyuktā yaśasvinī

"He has eight wives; among them is one of excellent complexion, endowed with beauty and youth, full of compassion, renowned,"

Verse 62 (padma.1.50.62)

शुभा नामेति विख्याता गत्वा तां पृच्छ ते हितं। एवमुक्त्वा तु भगवांस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत

śubhā nāmeti vikhyātā gatvā tāṁ pṛccha te hitaṁ evamuktvā tu bhagavāṁstatraivāṁtaradhīyata

"famed by the name 'Shubha' — go to her, and ask her what is good for you." Having said this, the Lord vanished right there.

Verse 63 (padma.1.50.63)

तस्यैवादृश्यतां दृष्ट्वा विस्मितोभूद्द्विजस्तदा। स च साध्वीगृहं गत्वा पप्रच्छाथ पतिव्रतां

tasyaivādṛśyatāṁ dṛṣṭvā vismitobhūddvijastadā sa ca sādhvīgṛhaṁ gatvā papracchātha pativratāṁ

Seeing him vanish, the brahmin was then astonished. He then went to the house of that virtuous woman and asked the devoted wife.

Verse 64 (padma.1.50.64)

अतिथेर्वचनंश्रुत्वागृहान्निःसृत्यसंभ्रमात्। दृष्ट्वा द्विजं सती तत्र द्वारदेशे स्थिताभवत्

atithervacanaṁśrutvāgṛhānniḥsṛtyasaṁbhramāt dṛṣṭvā dvijaṁ satī tatra dvāradeśe sthitābhavat

Hearing the guest's words, hastily coming out of the house, that virtuous woman, seeing the brahmin, stood there at the doorway.

Verse 65 (padma.1.50.65)

तां च दृष्ट्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठ उवाच वचनं मुदा। प्रियं ममहितं ब्रूहि यथादृष्टं त्वमेव हि

tāṁ ca dṛṣṭvā dvijaśreṣṭha uvāca vacanaṁ mudā priyaṁ mamahitaṁ brūhi yathādṛṣṭaṁ tvameva hi

Seeing her, the best of the twice-born spoke joyfully: "Tell me what is dear and good for me, just as you have seen it truly."

Verse 66 (padma.1.50.66)

पतिव्रतोवाच। सांप्रतं पत्युरर्चास्ति न चास्माकं स्वतंत्रता। पश्चात्कार्यं करिष्यामि गृहाणातिथ्यमद्य वै

pativratovāca sāṁprataṁ patyurarcāsti na cāsmākaṁ svataṁtratā paścātkāryaṁ kariṣyāmi gṛhāṇātithyamadya vai

The devoted wife said: "Right now it is time for my husband's worship, and I have no independence to leave that duty. Afterward, I shall do what you need; accept my hospitality today."

Verse 67 (padma.1.50.67)

विप्र उवाच। मम देहे क्षुधा नास्ति पिपासाद्य न च श्रमः। अभीष्टं वद कल्याणि नोचेच्छापं ददामि ते

vipra uvāca mama dehe kṣudhā nāsti pipāsādya na ca śramaḥ abhīṣṭaṁ vada kalyāṇi nocecchāpaṁ dadāmi te

The brahmin said: "In my body there is no hunger, no thirst today, and no fatigue. Tell me what I desire, O auspicious one, or else I shall curse you."

Verse 68 (padma.1.50.68)

तमुवाच तदा सापि न बकोहं द्विजोत्तम। गच्छ धर्मतुलाधारं पृच्छ तं ते हितं द्विज

tamuvāca tadā sāpi na bakohaṁ dvijottama gaccha dharmatulādhāraṁ pṛccha taṁ te hitaṁ dvija

She then said to him: "I am not a crane, O best of the twice-born. Go to Dharma-Tuladhara; ask him what is good for you, O twice-born."

Verse 69 (padma.1.50.69)

इत्युक्त्वा सा महाभागा प्रययौ च गृहोदरम्। तत्रापश्यद्द्विजो विप्रं यथा चांडालवेश्मनि

ityuktvā sā mahābhāgā prayayau ca gṛhodaram tatrāpaśyaddvijo vipraṁ yathā cāṁḍālaveśmani

Having said this, that greatly fortunate woman went into the interior of her house. There the brahmin saw the same brahmin, just as he had at the chandala's dwelling.

Verse 70 (padma.1.50.70)

विमृश्य विस्मयापन्नस्तेन सार्धं ययौ द्विजः। तिष्ठंतं च द्विजं तं च सोपश्यद्धृष्टमानसम्

vimṛśya vismayāpannastena sārdhaṁ yayau dvijaḥ tiṣṭhaṁtaṁ ca dvijaṁ taṁ ca sopaśyaddhṛṣṭamānasam

Reflecting, astonished, the brahmin went along with him. He saw that brahmin standing there, his mind joyful.

Verse 71 (padma.1.50.71)

स चोवाच मुदा विप्रं दृष्ट्वा तं तां सतीं च सः। देशांतरे च यद्वृत्तं तया च कथितं किल

sa covāca mudā vipraṁ dṛṣṭvā taṁ tāṁ satīṁ ca saḥ deśāṁtare ca yadvṛttaṁ tayā ca kathitaṁ kila

Seeing him and that virtuous woman, he joyfully spoke to the brahmin: whatever had happened in another place had, it seems, been told by her.

Verse 72 (padma.1.50.72)

कथं जानाति मद्वृत्तं चांडालोपि पतिव्रता। अतो मे विस्मयस्तात किमाश्चर्यं परं महत्

kathaṁ jānāti madvṛttaṁ cāṁḍālopi pativratā ato me vismayastāta kimāścaryaṁ paraṁ mahat

"How does even a chandala, and a devoted wife, know of my doings? Therefore, father, I am astonished — what a great and supreme wonder is this!"

Verse 73 (padma.1.50.73)

हरिउवाच। ज्ञायते कारणं तात सर्वेषां भूतभावनैः। अतिपुण्यात्सदाचाराद्यतस्त्वं विस्मयं गतः

hariuvāca jñāyate kāraṇaṁ tāta sarveṣāṁ bhūtabhāvanaiḥ atipuṇyātsadācārādyatastvaṁ vismayaṁ gataḥ

Hari said: "The reason is known, father, by those who bring beings into existence; it is due to their exceeding merit and good conduct that you have become astonished."

Verse 74 (padma.1.50.74)

किमुक्तश्च तया त्वं च वद तत्सांप्रतं मुने। विप्र उवाच। प्रष्टुं धर्मतुलाधारं सा च मां समुपादिशत्

kimuktaśca tayā tvaṁ ca vada tatsāṁprataṁ mune vipra uvāca praṣṭuṁ dharmatulādhāraṁ sā ca māṁ samupādiśat

"And what did she say to you? Tell me that now, O sage." The brahmin said: "She directed me to go ask Dharma-Tuladhara."

Verse 75 (padma.1.50.75)

हरिरुवाच। आगच्छ मुनिशार्दूल अहं गच्छामि तं प्रति। गच्छंतं च हरिं प्राह तुलाधारः क्व तिष्ठति

hariruvāca āgaccha muniśārdūla ahaṁ gacchāmi taṁ prati gacchaṁtaṁ ca hariṁ prāha tulādhāraḥ kva tiṣṭhati

Hari said: "Come, O tiger among sages, I am going toward him." As Hari went, the brahmin asked: "Where does Tuladhara dwell?"

Verse 76 (padma.1.50.76)

हरिरुवाच। जनानां निकरो यत्र बहुद्रव्यसुविक्रये। विक्रीणाति च क्रीणाति तुलाधारस्ततस्ततः

hariruvāca janānāṁ nikaro yatra bahudravyasuvikraye vikrīṇāti ca krīṇāti tulādhārastatastataḥ

Hari said: "Where there is a crowd of people, in the fine selling of many goods — there, here and there, Tuladhara sells and buys."

Verse 77 (padma.1.50.77)

जनो यवान्रसं स्नेहं कूटमन्नस्य संचयं। सर्वं तस्य मुखादेव गृह्णाति च ददात्यपि

jano yavānrasaṁ snehaṁ kūṭamannasya saṁcayaṁ sarvaṁ tasya mukhādeva gṛhṇāti ca dadātyapi

"People take grains, juices, oils, various measures, and stores of food, all from his very word, and he also gives to them likewise."

Verse 78 (padma.1.50.78)

सत्यं त्यक्त्वानृतं किंचित्प्राणांते समुपस्थिते। नोक्तं नरवरश्रेष्ठस्तेनधर्मतुलाधरः

satyaṁ tyaktvānṛtaṁ kiṁcitprāṇāṁte samupasthite noktaṁ naravaraśreṣṭhastenadharmatulādharaḥ

"Having abandoned truth, not the slightest falsehood has he spoken, even when death itself stood before him — that best of men is therefore called Dharma-Tuladhara."

Verse 79 (padma.1.50.79)

इत्युक्ते तु तमद्राक्षीद्विक्रीणंतं रसान्बहून्। मलपंकधरं मर्त्यं दंतकुड्मलपंकिलम्

ityukte tu tamadrākṣīdvikrīṇaṁtaṁ rasānbahūn malapaṁkadharaṁ martyaṁ daṁtakuḍmalapaṁkilam

As this was said, he saw him selling many kinds of goods — a mortal covered with dirt and grime, his teeth stained and grimy,

Verse 80 (padma.1.50.80)

तत्र वस्तुधनोत्थां च भाषंतं विविधां गिरम्। वृतं बहुविधैर्मर्त्यैः स्त्रीभिः पुंभिश्च सर्वतः

tatra vastudhanotthāṁ ca bhāṣaṁtaṁ vividhāṁ giram vṛtaṁ bahuvidhairmartyaiḥ strībhiḥ puṁbhiśca sarvataḥ

speaking there various words arising from goods and money, surrounded by many kinds of people, women and men, on every side.

Verse 81 (padma.1.50.81)

कथं कथमिति प्राह स तं मधुरया गिरा। धर्मस्य मे समुद्देशं वद प्राप्तोंऽतिकं हि ते

kathaṁ kathamiti prāha sa taṁ madhurayā girā dharmasya me samuddeśaṁ vada prāptoṁ'tikaṁ hi te

"How, how is this so?" he said to him in a sweet voice. "Tell me the teaching of dharma for me; I have come near to you."

Verse 82 (padma.1.50.82)

तुलाधार उवाच। यावज्जनाः प्रतिष्ठंति ममैव सन्निधौ द्विज। तावन्मे स्वस्थता नास्ति यावच्च रात्रियामकः

tulādhāra uvāca yāvajjanāḥ pratiṣṭhaṁti mamaiva sannidhau dvija tāvanme svasthatā nāsti yāvacca rātriyāmakaḥ

Tuladhara said: "As long as people are present in my vicinity, O twice-born, I have no peace of mind — until the night-watch."

Verse 83 (padma.1.50.83)

तच्चोपदेशमादाय गच्छ धर्माकरं प्रति। बकस्य मरणे दोषं खे च वस्त्राविशोषणम्

taccopadeśamādāya gaccha dharmākaraṁ prati bakasya maraṇe doṣaṁ khe ca vastrāviśoṣaṇam

"Take this teaching and go toward the mine of dharma. The fault in the crane's death, and the non-drying of the garment in the sky —"

Verse 84 (padma.1.50.84)

सर्वं तत्र च जानीषे सज्जनाद्रोहकं व्रज। तत्र तस्योपदेशेन तव कामः फलिष्यति

sarvaṁ tatra ca jānīṣe sajjanādrohakaṁ vraja tatra tasyopadeśena tava kāmaḥ phaliṣyati

"you will know all of it there; go to the 'non-betrayer of the good.' There, by his teaching, your desire will be fulfilled."

Verse 85 (padma.1.50.85)

इत्युक्त्वा तुलाधारः करोति क्रयविक्रयौ। तथा तात गमिष्यामि सज्जनाद्रोहकं प्रति

ityuktvā tulādhāraḥ karoti krayavikrayau tathā tāta gamiṣyāmi sajjanādrohakaṁ prati

Having said this, Tuladhara resumed his buying and selling. The brahmin said: "Then, father, I shall go to the 'non-betrayer of the good,'"

Verse 86 (padma.1.50.86)

तुलाधारसमुद्देशान्न जानामि तदालयम्। हरिरुवाच। एह्यागच्छ गमिष्यामि त्वया सार्द्धं च तद्गृहम्

tulādhārasamuddeśānna jānāmi tadālayam hariruvāca ehyāgaccha gamiṣyāmi tvayā sārddhaṁ ca tadgṛham

"but from Tuladhara's directions, I do not know his dwelling." Hari said: "Come here, come; I shall go together with you to that house."

Verse 87 (padma.1.50.87)

अथ वर्त्मनि गच्छंतमुवाच ब्राह्मणो हरिं। विप्र उवाच। तुलाधारे च न स्नानं न देवपितृतर्पणम्

atha vartmani gacchaṁtamuvāca brāhmaṇo hariṁ vipra uvāca tulādhāre ca na snānaṁ na devapitṛtarpaṇam

Then, as they went along the way, the brahmin said to Hari. The brahmin said: "In Tuladhara there was no bathing, no offering of water to gods or ancestors,"

Verse 88 (padma.1.50.88)

मलदिग्धं च गात्रं तु सर्वं चेलमलक्षणम्। कथं जानाति मद्वृत्तं देशांतरसमुद्भवम्

maladigdhaṁ ca gātraṁ tu sarvaṁ celamalakṣaṇam kathaṁ jānāti madvṛttaṁ deśāṁtarasamudbhavam

"his body was smeared with dirt, his garment entirely soiled — how does he know of my conduct, which occurred in a different land?"

Verse 89 (padma.1.50.89)

अतो मे विस्मयस्तात सर्वं त्वं वद कारणम्। हरिरुवाच। सत्येन समभावेन जितं तेन जगत्त्रयम्

ato me vismayastāta sarvaṁ tvaṁ vada kāraṇam hariruvāca satyena samabhāvena jitaṁ tena jagattrayam

"Therefore, father, I am astonished; tell me the whole reason." Hari said: "By truth, and by equanimity, he has conquered the three worlds."

Verse 90 (padma.1.50.90)

तेनातृप्यंत पितरो देवा मुनिगणैः सह। भूतभव्य प्रवृत्तं च तेन जानाति धार्मिकः

tenātṛpyaṁta pitaro devā munigaṇaiḥ saha bhūtabhavya pravṛttaṁ ca tena jānāti dhārmikaḥ

"By him, the ancestors and gods, together with the hosts of sages, are satisfied. That righteous man knows what has been and what will be,"

Verse 91 (padma.1.50.91)

नास्ति सत्यात्परो धर्मो नानृतात्पातकं परम्। विशेषे समभावस्य पुरुषस्यानघस्य च

nāsti satyātparo dharmo nānṛtātpātakaṁ param viśeṣe samabhāvasya puruṣasyānaghasya ca

"There is no dharma higher than truth, and no sin worse than falsehood. Regarding the distinction of a sinless man of equanimity —"

Verse 92 (padma.1.50.92)

अरौ मित्रेप्युदासीने मनो यस्य समं व्रजेत्। सर्वपापक्षयस्तस्य विष्णुसायुज्यतां व्रजेत्

arau mitrepyudāsīne mano yasya samaṁ vrajet sarvapāpakṣayastasya viṣṇusāyujyatāṁ vrajet

"he whose mind remains equal toward enemy, friend, and the indifferent — all his sin is destroyed, and he attains union with Vishnu."

Verse 93 (padma.1.50.93)

एवं यो वर्तते नित्यं कुलकोटिं समुद्धरेत्। सत्यं दमः शमश्चैव धैर्यं स्थैर्यमलोभता

evaṁ yo vartate nityaṁ kulakoṭiṁ samuddharet satyaṁ damaḥ śamaścaiva dhairyaṁ sthairyamalobhatā

"He who ever conducts himself thus redeems crores of his lineage. Truth, self-control, and tranquility, courage, steadfastness, freedom from greed,"

Verse 94 (padma.1.50.94)

अनाश्चर्यमनालस्यं तस्मिन्सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्। तेन वै देवलोकस्य नरलोकस्य सर्वशः

anāścaryamanālasyaṁ tasminsarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam tena vai devalokasya naralokasya sarvaśaḥ

"freedom from false wonder, and freedom from laziness — all this is established in him. By him, the conduct of the world of gods and the world of men —"

Verse 95 (padma.1.50.95)

वृत्तं जानाति धर्मज्ञस्तस्यदेहे स्थितो हरिः। लोके तस्य समो नास्ति समः सत्यार्जवेषु च

vṛttaṁ jānāti dharmajñastasyadehe sthito hariḥ loke tasya samo nāsti samaḥ satyārjaveṣu ca

"the knower of dharma knows, for Hari dwells within his body. In the world there is none equal to him, none equal in truth and integrity."

Verse 96 (padma.1.50.96)

स च धर्ममयः साक्षात्तेनैव धारितं जगत्। द्विज उवाच। ज्ञातं मे त्वत्प्रसादाच्च तुलाधारस्य कारणम्

sa ca dharmamayaḥ sākṣāttenaiva dhāritaṁ jagat dvija uvāca jñātaṁ me tvatprasādācca tulādhārasya kāraṇam

"He is dharma incarnate; by him alone is the world sustained." The brahmin said: "By your grace I have understood the reason for Tuladhara."

Verse 97 (padma.1.50.97)

अद्रोहकस्य यद्वृत्तं तद्ब्रूहि त्वं यदीच्छसि। हरिरुवाच। पुरैव राजपुत्रस्य कुलस्त्रीनवयौवना

adrohakasya yadvṛttaṁ tadbrūhi tvaṁ yadīcchasi hariruvāca puraiva rājaputrasya kulastrīnavayauvanā

"If you wish, tell me the story of the non-betrayer." Hari said: "Long ago, a prince had a wife of good family, freshly come to youth,"

Verse 98 (padma.1.50.98)

पत्नीव कामदेवस्य शचीव वासवस्य च। तस्य प्राणसमा भार्या सुन्दरी नाम सुन्दरी

patnīva kāmadevasya śacīva vāsavasya ca tasya prāṇasamā bhāryā sundarī nāma sundarī

"like the wife of the god of love, or like Shachi, wife of Indra. His wife, dear to him as his own life, beautiful, named Sundari,"

Verse 99 (padma.1.50.99)

अकस्मात्पार्थिवस्यैव कार्ये गन्तुं समुद्यतः। मनसालोचितं तेन प्राणेभ्योपि गरीयसीम्

akasmātpārthivasyaiva kārye gantuṁ samudyataḥ manasālocitaṁ tena prāṇebhyopi garīyasīm

"suddenly he was called to go on the king's business. He reflected in his mind about her, who was dearer to him even than his own life:"

Verse 100 (padma.1.50.100)

कस्मिन्स्थाने स्थापयामि यतो रक्षा भवेद्ध्रुवम्। इत्यालोच्यैव सहसा त्वागतोस्य गृहं प्रति

kasminsthāne sthāpayāmi yato rakṣā bhaveddhruvam ityālocyaiva sahasā tvāgatosya gṛhaṁ prati

"'In what place shall I place her, so that her protection is assured?' Having thus reflected, he suddenly came to this man's house."

Verse 101 (padma.1.50.101)

उक्तं च तादृशं वाक्यं श्रुत्वा स विस्मयंगतः। न तातस्ते न च भ्राता न चाहं तव बान्धवः

uktaṁ ca tādṛśaṁ vākyaṁ śrutvā sa vismayaṁgataḥ na tātaste na ca bhrātā na cāhaṁ tava bāndhavaḥ

Hearing such words spoken, he was astonished: "I am not your father, nor your brother, nor am I your kinsman,"

Verse 102 (padma.1.50.102)

पितृमातृकुलस्यैव तस्या न हि सुहृज्जनः। कथं च मद्गृहे तात स्थित्या स्वस्थो भविष्यसि

pitṛmātṛkulasyaiva tasyā na hi suhṛjjanaḥ kathaṁ ca madgṛhe tāta sthityā svastho bhaviṣyasi

"nor am I even a friend of her paternal or maternal family. How then, my son, will you be at peace by leaving her to stay in my house?"

Verse 103 (padma.1.50.103)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तेन चोक्तं वाक्यं यथोचितम्। लोके त्वत्सदृशो नास्ति धर्मज्ञो विजितेन्द्रियः

etasminnantare tena coktaṁ vākyaṁ yathocitam loke tvatsadṛśo nāsti dharmajño vijitendriyaḥ

Meanwhile, the prince spoke fitting words: "There is none in the world like you, a knower of dharma, self-controlled,"

Verse 104 (padma.1.50.104)

स चाह तं च सर्वज्ञं वक्तुं नार्हसि दूषणम्। त्रैलोक्यमोहिनीं भार्यां कः पुमान्रक्षितुं क्षमः

sa cāha taṁ ca sarvajñaṁ vaktuṁ nārhasi dūṣaṇam trailokyamohinīṁ bhāryāṁ kaḥ pumānrakṣituṁ kṣamaḥ

and he said to that all-knowing prince: "You should not speak such a blameworthy thing to me. What man is capable of guarding a wife who bewitches the three worlds?"

Verse 105 (padma.1.50.105)

राजपुत्र उवाच। धरण्यां परिविज्ञाय त्वागतोहं तवान्तिकम्। एषा तिष्ठतु तेऽगारे व्रजामि निजमन्दिरम्

rājaputra uvāca dharaṇyāṁ parivijñāya tvāgatohaṁ tavāntikam eṣā tiṣṭhatu te'gāre vrajāmi nijamandiram

The prince said: "Having searched throughout the earth, I have come to you. Let her stay in your house; I shall go to my own dwelling."

Verse 106 (padma.1.50.106)

इत्युक्ते स पुनः प्राह नगरेऽस्मिन्प्रशोभने। बहुकामुक संपूर्णे कथं रक्षा भवेत्स्त्रियाः

ityukte sa punaḥ prāha nagare'sminpraśobhane bahukāmuka saṁpūrṇe kathaṁ rakṣā bhavetstriyāḥ

When this was said, he again said: "In this beautiful city, full of many lustful men, how could a woman's protection be assured?"

Verse 107 (padma.1.50.107)

स चोवाच पुनस्तं च कुरु रक्षां व्रजाम्यहम्। गृहस्थस्सङ्कटादाह धर्मस्य राजपुत्रकम्

sa covāca punastaṁ ca kuru rakṣāṁ vrajāmyaham gṛhasthassaṅkaṭādāha dharmasya rājaputrakam

He again said to him: "Provide her protection; I am going." The householder, out of this predicament, said to the prince, out of concern for dharma:

Verse 108 (padma.1.50.108)

करोम्यनुचितं कार्यं स्वदास्यमुचितं हितम्। सदा चैवेदृशी भार्या स्थातव्या मद्गृहे पितः

karomyanucitaṁ kāryaṁ svadāsyamucitaṁ hitam sadā caivedṛśī bhāryā sthātavyā madgṛhe pitaḥ

"I am doing an improper task; my own servitude would be the fitting benefit instead. Sir, must such a wife always remain in my house?"

Verse 109 (padma.1.50.109)

अरक्षारक्षणे देव वदाभीष्टं कुरु प्रियम्। मम तल्पे मया सार्धं शयानं भार्यया सह

arakṣārakṣaṇe deva vadābhīṣṭaṁ kuru priyam mama talpe mayā sārdhaṁ śayānaṁ bhāryayā saha

"O lord, tell me your wish regarding this protection of the unprotected." The householder proposed: "Let her sleep in my own bed, together with me, alongside your wife —"

Verse 110 (padma.1.50.110)

मन्यसे दैवतं स्वं चेत्तिष्ठेन्नोचेत्तु गच्छतु। क्षणं विमृश्य तं प्राह राजपुत्रः पुनस्तदा

manyase daivataṁ svaṁ cettiṣṭhennocettu gacchatu kṣaṇaṁ vimṛśya taṁ prāha rājaputraḥ punastadā

"if you consider this acceptable, let her stay; otherwise, let her go." Reflecting for a moment, the prince then said again:

Verse 111 (padma.1.50.111)

बाढमेतद्वचस्तात यथाभीष्टं तथा कुरु। ततो भार्यां जगादाथ अस्य वाक्याच्छिवाशिवम्

bāḍhametadvacastāta yathābhīṣṭaṁ tathā kuru tato bhāryāṁ jagādātha asya vākyācchivāśivam

"Very well, this proposal, father; do as you see fit." Then he spoke to his wife, of the good and ill of this proposal —

Verse 112 (padma.1.50.112)

कर्तव्यं च न ते दोष आज्ञया मम सुंदरि। एतदुक्त्वा गतः सोपि भूपतेः शासनात्पितुः

kartavyaṁ ca na te doṣa ājñayā mama suṁdari etaduktvā gataḥ sopi bhūpateḥ śāsanātpituḥ

"There is no fault for you, O beautiful one, in doing this by my command." Having said this, he too departed, by his father the king's command.

Verse 113 (padma.1.50.113)

अनंतरं क्षपायां च यदुक्तं च तथाकृतम्। योषितोर्मध्यगः सोपि नित्यं स्वपिति धार्मिकः

anaṁtaraṁ kṣapāyāṁ ca yaduktaṁ ca tathākṛtam yoṣitormadhyagaḥ sopi nityaṁ svapiti dhārmikaḥ

Afterward, at night, what had been said was done accordingly. That righteous man, lying between the two women, always slept there;

Verse 114 (padma.1.50.114)

धर्मान्न चलते सोपि स्वभार्यापरभार्ययोः। संस्पर्शात्स्वस्त्रियश्चास्य कामाभिलषितं मनः

dharmānna calate sopi svabhāryāparabhāryayoḥ saṁsparśātsvastriyaścāsya kāmābhilaṣitaṁ manaḥ

he did not waver from dharma regarding his own wife or another's wife; and from the touch of his own wife, his mind held no desire born of lust,

Verse 115 (padma.1.50.115)

तस्याः संसर्गतश्चैव दुहितैव प्रमन्यते। स्तनौ तस्यास्तु पृष्ठे च लगन्तौ च पुनःपुनः

tasyāḥ saṁsargataścaiva duhitaiva pramanyate stanau tasyāstu pṛṣṭhe ca lagantau ca punaḥpunaḥ

and from contact with the other woman, he came to regard her exactly as if she were his own daughter. Her breasts, pressing against his back again and again,

Verse 116 (padma.1.50.116)

बालकस्येव पुत्रस्य स्तनौ मातुः समन्यते। तस्या अंगानि चांगेषु लगंति च पुनःपुनः

bālakasyeva putrasya stanau mātuḥ samanyate tasyā aṁgāni cāṁgeṣu lagaṁti ca punaḥpunaḥ

he considered it just as a mother's breasts pressing against her young son. Her limbs touching his limbs again and again,

Verse 117 (padma.1.50.117)

ततो मातुस्सुतस्येव सोमन्यत दिने दिने। तस्य योषासुसंसर्गो निवृत्तस्त्वभवत्ततः

tato mātussutasyeva somanyata dine dine tasya yoṣāsusaṁsargo nivṛttastvabhavattataḥ

he regarded it, day after day, just as the touch between a mother and her son. His association with that woman thus continued without incident. Thus, at the half-year mark, her husband returned to the city.

Verse 118 (padma.1.50.118)

एवं संवत्सरस्यार्द्धे तत्पतिश्चागतः पुरं। अपृच्छत्तं च लोकेषु तस्या वृत्तमथोदितम्

evaṁ saṁvatsarasyārddhe tatpatiścāgataḥ puraṁ apṛcchattaṁ ca lokeṣu tasyā vṛttamathoditam

He asked among the people, and her conduct was then told to him. Some, informing him of the good, were themselves astonished, even the young men;

Verse 119 (padma.1.50.119)

केचिद्भद्रं बोधयन्तो युवानोपि सुविस्मिताः। केचिदाहुस्त्वया दत्ता तया सार्द्धं स्वपित्यसौ

kecidbhadraṁ bodhayanto yuvānopi suvismitāḥ kecidāhustvayā dattā tayā sārddhaṁ svapityasau

some said: "The one you entrusted her to — he sleeps together with her!" But how could there be propriety from the union of a man and a woman sharing a bed?

Verse 120 (padma.1.50.120)

स्त्रीपुंसोरेकसंसर्गात्शांतता तु कथं भवेत्। तस्यां यस्याभिलाषोस्ति न पृष्टस्स वदेद्युवा

strīpuṁsorekasaṁsargātśāṁtatā tu kathaṁ bhavet tasyāṁ yasyābhilāṣosti na pṛṣṭassa vadedyuvā

That young man, if he had desire for her, would not speak of it even if asked.

Verse 121 (padma.1.50.121)

लोकानां कुश्रुतिर्वार्ता तेन पुण्यबलाच्छ्रुता। जनापवादमोक्षार्थं बुद्धिस्तस्याभवच्छुभा

lokānāṁ kuśrutirvārtā tena puṇyabalācchrutā janāpavādamokṣārthaṁ buddhistasyābhavacchubhā

The evil rumour of the people was heard by him through the power of his own merit. To free himself from public censure, his resolve became firm:

Verse 122 (padma.1.50.122)

दारूणि स्वयमाहृत्याजिज्वलत्स महानलम्। एतस्मिन्नंतरे तात राजपुत्रः प्रतापवान्

dārūṇi svayamāhṛtyājijvalatsa mahānalam etasminnaṁtare tāta rājaputraḥ pratāpavān

gathering wood himself, he kindled a great fire. Meanwhile, my son, the mighty prince,

Verse 123 (padma.1.50.123)

आगमत्तद्गृहं सद्यः सोपश्यत्तं च योषितम्। प्रोत्फुल्लवदनां नारीं प्रविषादगतं नरं

āgamattadgṛhaṁ sadyaḥ sopaśyattaṁ ca yoṣitam protphullavadanāṁ nārīṁ praviṣādagataṁ naraṁ

arrived at that house at once; he saw that woman, her face joyful, and the man sunk in despair.

Verse 124 (padma.1.50.124)

अनयोर्मानसं ज्ञात्वा राजपुत्रोवदद्वचः। किं न संभाषसे मां च मित्रकं चिरमागतम्

anayormānasaṁ jñātvā rājaputrovadadvacaḥ kiṁ na saṁbhāṣase māṁ ca mitrakaṁ ciramāgatam

Not knowing their true state of mind, the prince spoke these words: "Why do you not speak to me, your friend, who has come back after so long?"

Verse 125 (padma.1.50.125)

अब्रवीत्सोपि धर्मात्मा राजपुत्रमनष्टधीः। यत्कृतं दुष्करं कर्म मया त्वद्धितकारणात्

abravītsopi dharmātmā rājaputramanaṣṭadhīḥ yatkṛtaṁ duṣkaraṁ karma mayā tvaddhitakāraṇāt

That righteous, unclouded-minded man said to the prince: "The difficult deed that I performed for your benefit —"

Verse 126 (padma.1.50.126)

सर्वं व्यर्थमहं मन्ये जनानां च प्रवादतः। अद्य वह्निमहं यास्ये प्रपश्यंतु नरास्सुराः

sarvaṁ vyarthamahaṁ manye janānāṁ ca pravādataḥ adya vahnimahaṁ yāsye prapaśyaṁtu narāssurāḥ

"— I consider it all in vain, because of the rumours of the people. Today I shall enter the fire; let men and gods witness."

Verse 127 (padma.1.50.127)

इत्युक्त्वा स महाभागः प्रविवेश हुताशनम्। विशतस्तस्य वह्नौ न कुसुमं चिकुरालये

ityuktvā sa mahābhāgaḥ praviveśa hutāśanam viśatastasya vahnau na kusumaṁ cikurālaye

Having said this, that greatly fortunate man entered the fire. As he entered the fire, not even the flowers in his hair-knot,

Verse 128 (padma.1.50.128)

नांगमस्यानलोधाक्षीन्न च वस्त्रं न कुंतलम्। खे च देवा मुदा सर्वेसाधुसाध्विति चाब्रुवन्

nāṁgamasyānalodhākṣīnna ca vastraṁ na kuṁtalam khe ca devā mudā sarvesādhusādhviti cābruvan

nor his body did the fire burn, nor his garment, nor his hair. And in the sky, all the gods joyfully cried out, "Well done, well done!"

Verse 129 (padma.1.50.129)

अपतन्पुष्पवर्षाणि तस्य मूर्ध्नि समंततः। यैर्यैश्च दुष्कृतं वाक्यं गदितं तावुभौ प्रति

apatanpuṣpavarṣāṇi tasya mūrdhni samaṁtataḥ yairyaiśca duṣkṛtaṁ vākyaṁ gaditaṁ tāvubhau prati

Showers of flowers fell upon his head from all sides. And whoever had spoken evil words against those two —

Verse 130 (padma.1.50.130)

तेषां मुखे प्रजायंते कुष्ठानि विविधानि च। तत्रागत्य च देवाश्च वह्नेराकृष्यतं मुदा

teṣāṁ mukhe prajāyaṁte kuṣṭhāni vividhāni ca tatrāgatya ca devāśca vahnerākṛṣyataṁ mudā

upon their mouths various kinds of leprosy arose. And the gods, coming there, joyfully drew him out of the fire,

Verse 131 (padma.1.50.131)

अपूजयन्सुपुष्पैश्च मुनयो विस्मयं गताः। सर्वैर्मुनिवरैरेवं मनुष्यैर्विविधैस्तदा

apūjayansupuṣpaiśca munayo vismayaṁ gatāḥ sarvairmunivarairevaṁ manuṣyairvividhaistadā

and worshipped him with fine flowers; the sages were astonished. By all the best of sages, and by various men then,

Verse 132 (padma.1.50.132)

अर्च्यते तु महातेजाः स च सर्वानपूजयत्। सज्जनाद्रोहकं नाम कृतं देवासुरैर्नृभिः

arcyate tu mahātejāḥ sa ca sarvānapūjayat sajjanādrohakaṁ nāma kṛtaṁ devāsurairnṛbhiḥ

that greatly splendorous one was worshipped, and he in turn worshipped all of them. The name 'Sajjanadrohaka' was given to him by gods, asuras, and men.

Verse 133 (padma.1.50.133)

तस्य पादरजः पूता सस्यपूर्णा धराभवत्। सुराश्चाहुश्च तं तत्र भार्या ते संप्रगृह्यताम्

tasya pādarajaḥ pūtā sasyapūrṇā dharābhavat surāścāhuśca taṁ tatra bhāryā te saṁpragṛhyatām

The dust of his feet purified, and the earth became full of crops. The gods said to him there: "Let this wife now be received back by her husband,"

Verse 134 (padma.1.50.134)

एतस्य सदृशो लोके न भूतो न भविष्यति। नास्तीति सांप्रतं पृथ्व्यां कामलोभाजितः पुमान्

etasya sadṛśo loke na bhūto na bhaviṣyati nāstīti sāṁprataṁ pṛthvyāṁ kāmalobhājitaḥ pumān

"there has never been, nor will there ever be, one like him in the world. There is no man now on earth unconquered by lust and greed except him."

Verse 135 (padma.1.50.135)

देवासुरमनुष्याणां रक्षसां मृगपक्षिणाम्। कीटादीनां च सर्वेषां काम एष सुदुर्जयः

devāsuramanuṣyāṇāṁ rakṣasāṁ mṛgapakṣiṇām kīṭādīnāṁ ca sarveṣāṁ kāma eṣa sudurjayaḥ

"For gods, asuras, and men, for rakshasas, beasts and birds, and for insects and all others — this desire is exceedingly hard to conquer."

Verse 136 (padma.1.50.136)

कामाल्लोभात्तथाक्रोधान्नित्यं सत्त्वेषु जायते। संसारबंधकः कामो ह्यकामो न क्वचिद्भवेत्

kāmāllobhāttathākrodhānnityaṁ sattveṣu jāyate saṁsārabaṁdhakaḥ kāmo hyakāmo na kvacidbhavet

"From desire, from greed, and likewise from anger — bondage is ever born among beings. Desire is the binder of samsara; one free of desire is found nowhere."

Verse 137 (padma.1.50.137)

अनेनैव जितं सर्वं भुवनानि चतुर्दश। अमुष्य हृदये नित्यं वासुदेवो मुदास्थितः

anenaiva jitaṁ sarvaṁ bhuvanāni caturdaśa amuṣya hṛdaye nityaṁ vāsudevo mudāsthitaḥ

"By this very man, all fourteen worlds have been conquered. In his heart, Vasudeva ever dwells joyfully."

Verse 138 (padma.1.50.138)

एवं स्पृष्ट्वाथ दृष्ट्वा तं मनुष्याः सर्वकल्मषात्। पूयंते ह्यनघाश्चैव लभंते चाक्षयां दिवम्

evaṁ spṛṣṭvātha dṛṣṭvā taṁ manuṣyāḥ sarvakalmaṣāt pūyaṁte hyanaghāścaiva labhaṁte cākṣayāṁ divam

"Thus, by touching or seeing him, men are purified from all taint, become sinless, and attain imperishable heaven."

Verse 139 (padma.1.50.139)

एवमुक्त्वा गता देवा विमानैश्च दिवं मुदा। मनुष्याः प्रययुस्तुष्टा दंपती स्वगृहं तथा

evamuktvā gatā devā vimānaiśca divaṁ mudā manuṣyāḥ prayayustuṣṭā daṁpatī svagṛhaṁ tathā

Having said this, the gods departed joyfully to heaven in their chariots; the people, satisfied, departed, and the couple went likewise to their own home.

Verse 140 (padma.1.50.140)

दिव्यं चक्षुस्तदा तस्य चासीद्देवान्स पश्यति। त्रैलोक्यस्य च वार्त्तां च जानाति लीलया भृशम्

divyaṁ cakṣustadā tasya cāsīddevānsa paśyati trailokyasya ca vārttāṁ ca jānāti līlayā bhṛśam

He then obtained divine sight, and he could see the gods; and he came to know the affairs of the three worlds, easily, as if in play.

Verse 141 (padma.1.50.141)

ततस्तस्य च वीथ्यां च दृष्टस्तेन सहैव सः। स पप्रच्छ मुदा तं च धर्मोद्देशं हितं वद

tatastasya ca vīthyāṁ ca dṛṣṭastena sahaiva saḥ sa papraccha mudā taṁ ca dharmoddeśaṁ hitaṁ vada

Then he was seen by that original brahmin along the street, together with Hari. He joyfully asked him: "Tell me the teaching of dharma, what is good."

Verse 142 (padma.1.50.142)

सज्जनाद्रोह उवाच। गच्छ बाडव धर्मज्ञ वैष्णवं पुरुषोत्तमम्। तं च दृष्ट्वा त्वभीष्टं ते सांप्रतं च फलिष्यति

sajjanādroha uvāca gaccha bāḍava dharmajña vaiṣṇavaṁ puruṣottamam taṁ ca dṛṣṭvā tvabhīṣṭaṁ te sāṁprataṁ ca phaliṣyati

Sajjanadroha said: "Go, O brahmin knower of dharma, to the great Vaishnava, Purushottama; having seen him, your wish will now be fulfilled."

Verse 143 (padma.1.50.143)

बकस्य निधनं यद्वा वस्त्रस्याशोषणं तथा। जानीषे चापरो यश्च कामस्तेऽस्ति हृदिस्थितः

bakasya nidhanaṁ yadvā vastrasyāśoṣaṇaṁ tathā jānīṣe cāparo yaśca kāmaste'sti hṛdisthitaḥ

"You will know the death of the crane, or the non-drying of the garment, and whatever other desire dwells in your heart."

Verse 144 (padma.1.50.144)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनमागतो वैष्णवं प्रति। विष्णुरूपद्विजेनैव सार्द्धं तेन मुदा ययौ

etacchrutvā tu vacanamāgato vaiṣṇavaṁ prati viṣṇurūpadvijenaiva sārddhaṁ tena mudā yayau

Hearing these words, he came toward the great Vaishnava; joyfully, he went along together with that same brahmin who was Vishnu in form.

Verse 145 (padma.1.50.145)

अपश्यत्पुरुषं शुद्धं ज्वलंतं च पुरःस्थितम्। सर्वलक्षणसंपूर्णं दीप्यमानं स्वतेजसा

apaśyatpuruṣaṁ śuddhaṁ jvalaṁtaṁ ca puraḥsthitam sarvalakṣaṇasaṁpūrṇaṁ dīpyamānaṁ svatejasā

He saw a pure man, blazing, standing before him, complete with every auspicious mark, shining with his own splendour.

Verse 146 (padma.1.50.146)

अब्रवीत्स च धर्मात्मा ध्यानस्थं च हरेः प्रियम्। वदनो यद्यद्वृत्तं वै दूरात्त्वां चागतो ह्यहम्

abravītsa ca dharmātmā dhyānasthaṁ ca hareḥ priyam vadano yadyadvṛttaṁ vai dūrāttvāṁ cāgato hyaham

That righteous man addressed him, who was absorbed in meditation, dear to Hari: "Please tell me whatever has occurred; I have come to you from afar."

Verse 147 (padma.1.50.147)

वैष्णव उवाच। प्रसन्नस्ते सुरश्रेष्ठो दानवारीश्वरः सदा। दृष्ट्वा त्वां च मनोऽस्माकं हृष्यतीवाधुना द्विज

vaiṣṇava uvāca prasannaste suraśreṣṭho dānavārīśvaraḥ sadā dṛṣṭvā tvāṁ ca mano'smākaṁ hṛṣyatīvādhunā dvija

The Vaishnava said: "The best of gods, the lord and enemy of the danavas, is always pleased with you. Seeing you, our mind now truly rejoices, O twice-born."

Verse 148 (padma.1.50.148)

कल्याणं चातुलं तेद्य फलिष्यति मनोरथः। सुरवर्त्मनि ते नित्यं चेलं शुष्यति नान्यथा

kalyāṇaṁ cātulaṁ tedya phaliṣyati manorathaḥ suravartmani te nityaṁ celaṁ śuṣyati nānyathā

"Today unparalleled good fortune, your heart's desire, will be fulfilled for you. Ever, on the path of the gods, your garment dries; not otherwise,"

Verse 149 (padma.1.50.149)

दृष्ट्वा देवं सुरश्रेष्ठं मम गेहे हरिं स्थितम्। इत्युक्ते वैष्णवेनाथ स तु तं पुनब्रवीत्

dṛṣṭvā devaṁ suraśreṣṭhaṁ mama gehe hariṁ sthitam ityukte vaiṣṇavenātha sa tu taṁ punabravīt

"— this is because you have seen the divine best of gods, Hari, dwelling in my house." When the Vaishnava said this, he then said again to him:

Verse 150 (padma.1.50.150)

क्वासौ विष्णुः स्थितो नित्यं दर्शयाद्य प्रसादतः। वैष्णव उवाच। अस्मिन्देवगृहे रम्ये प्रविश्य परमेश्वरम्

kvāsau viṣṇuḥ sthito nityaṁ darśayādya prasādataḥ vaiṣṇava uvāca asmindevagṛhe ramye praviśya parameśvaram

"Where does that Vishnu dwell always? Show him to me today, graciously." The Vaishnava said: "Entering this lovely house of the god, the Supreme Lord —"

Verse 151 (padma.1.50.151)

तं दृष्ट्वा किल्बिषाद्धोरान्मुच्यसे जन्मबंधानत्। तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रविश्य सदनं प्रति

taṁ dṛṣṭvā kilbiṣāddhorānmucyase janmabaṁdhānat tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā praviśya sadanaṁ prati

"having seen him, you shall be freed from terrible sin and the bonds of birth." Hearing his words, entering toward the dwelling,

Verse 152 (padma.1.50.152)

अपश्यत्तं द्विजं विष्णुं तिष्ठंतं पद्मतल्पके। शिरसैव प्रवंद्याथ जग्राह चरणौ मुदा

apaśyattaṁ dvijaṁ viṣṇuṁ tiṣṭhaṁtaṁ padmatalpake śirasaiva pravaṁdyātha jagrāha caraṇau mudā

he saw that brahmin, Vishnu, resting upon a lotus-couch. Bowing with his very head, he then joyfully grasped his two feet.

Verse 153 (padma.1.50.153)

प्रसादी भव देवेश न ज्ञातस्त्वं पुरा मया। इहामुत्र च देवेश तवाहं किंकरः प्रभो

prasādī bhava deveśa na jñātastvaṁ purā mayā ihāmutra ca deveśa tavāhaṁ kiṁkaraḥ prabho

"Be gracious, O lord of gods; I did not know you before. Here and hereafter, O lord of gods, I am your servant, O master."

Verse 154 (padma.1.50.154)

अनुग्रहश्च मे दृष्टो भवतो मधुसूदन। रूपं ते द्रष्टुमिच्छामि यदि चास्ति कृपा मयि

anugrahaśca me dṛṣṭo bhavato madhusūdana rūpaṁ te draṣṭumicchāmi yadi cāsti kṛpā mayi

"Your grace toward me has now been seen, O Madhusudana. I wish to see your true form, if you have compassion for me."

Verse 155 (padma.1.50.155)

विष्णुरुवाच। अस्ति मे त्वयि भूदेव प्रियत्वं च सदैव हि। स्नेहात्पुण्यवतामेव दर्शनं कारितं मया

viṣṇuruvāca asti me tvayi bhūdeva priyatvaṁ ca sadaiva hi snehātpuṇyavatāmeva darśanaṁ kāritaṁ mayā

Vishnu said: "I have always had affection for you, O earthly god. Out of love, I have caused myself to be seen only by the meritorious."

Verse 156 (padma.1.50.156)

दर्शनात्स्पर्शनाद्ध्यानात्कीर्तनाद्भाषणात्तथा। सकृत्पुण्यवतामेव स्वर्गं चाक्षयमश्नुते

darśanātsparśanāddhyānātkīrtanādbhāṣaṇāttathā sakṛtpuṇyavatāmeva svargaṁ cākṣayamaśnute

"By seeing, by touching, by meditating, by praising, and by speaking of me — even once, only the meritorious attain imperishable heaven."

Verse 157 (padma.1.50.157)

नित्यमेव तु संसर्गात्सर्वपापक्षयो भवेत्। भुक्त्वा सुखमनंत च मद्देहे प्रविलीयते

nityameva tu saṁsargātsarvapāpakṣayo bhavet bhuktvā sukhamanaṁta ca maddehe pravilīyate

"By constant association, all sin is destroyed. Having enjoyed endless happiness, one dissolves into my very body."

Verse 158 (padma.1.50.158)

स्नात्वा च पुण्यतीर्थेषु दृष्ट्वा मां चैव सर्वतः। दृष्ट्वा पुण्यवतां देशान्मम देहे विलीयते

snātvā ca puṇyatīrtheṣu dṛṣṭvā māṁ caiva sarvataḥ dṛṣṭvā puṇyavatāṁ deśānmama dehe vilīyate

"Having bathed at sacred fords, and having seen me everywhere, having seen the lands of the meritorious, one dissolves into my body."

Verse 159 (padma.1.50.159)

कथयित्वा कथां पुण्यां लोकानामग्रतः सदा। स चैव नरशार्दूल मद्देहे प्रविलीयते

kathayitvā kathāṁ puṇyāṁ lokānāmagrataḥ sadā sa caiva naraśārdūla maddehe pravilīyate

"O tiger among men, whoever ever recites this meritorious tale before the people, that very man dissolves into my body."

Verse 160 (padma.1.50.160)

उपोष्य वासरेस्माकं श्रुत्वा मच्चरितं ध्रुवम्। रात्रौ जागरणं कृत्वा मद्देहे प्रविलीयते

upoṣya vāsaresmākaṁ śrutvā maccaritaṁ dhruvam rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ kṛtvā maddehe pravilīyate

"Having fasted on my day, having surely heard of my deeds, and having kept a night-vigil, one dissolves into my body."

Verse 161 (padma.1.50.161)

अत्यंतघोषणो नृत्यगीतवाद्यादिकैस्सदा। नामस्मरन्द्विजश्रेष्ठ मद्देहे प्रविलीयते

atyaṁtaghoṣaṇo nṛtyagītavādyādikaissadā nāmasmarandvijaśreṣṭha maddehe pravilīyate

Amid great festive proclamation, with dance, song, music and the like always — remembering my name, O best of the twice-born, one dissolves into my body.

Verse 162 (padma.1.50.162)

मद्भक्तस्तीर्थभूतश्च त्वमेव बकमारणात्। यत्पापं तस्य मोक्षाय सखे स्थित्वा उवाच ह

madbhaktastīrthabhūtaśca tvameva bakamāraṇāt yatpāpaṁ tasya mokṣāya sakhe sthitvā uvāca ha

You yourself are my devotee, a sacred ford, despite the crane's killing. For the sake of that sin's release, O friend, having remained, he spoke thus:

Verse 163 (padma.1.50.163)

गच्छ मूकं महात्मानं तीर्थं पुण्यवतां वरम्। मूकस्य दर्शनात्तात सर्वे दृष्टा महाजनाः

gaccha mūkaṁ mahātmānaṁ tīrthaṁ puṇyavatāṁ varam mūkasya darśanāttāta sarve dṛṣṭā mahājanāḥ

"Go to the mute great soul, a sacred ford, the best among the meritorious. By the mere sight of the mute one, my son, all great persons are as if seen."

Verse 164 (padma.1.50.164)

तेषां च दर्शनादेव तथा संभाषणान्मम। ममसंपर्कभावाच्च मद्गृहं चागतो भवान्

teṣāṁ ca darśanādeva tathā saṁbhāṣaṇānmama mamasaṁparkabhāvācca madgṛhaṁ cāgato bhavān

"By the very sight of them, and by conversing with me, and by association with me — you have come to my house."

Verse 165 (padma.1.50.165)

जन्मकोटिसहस्रेभ्यो यस्य पापक्षयो भवेत्। स मां पश्यति धर्मज्ञो यथा तेन प्रसन्नता

janmakoṭisahasrebhyo yasya pāpakṣayo bhavet sa māṁ paśyati dharmajño yathā tena prasannatā

"He whose sin from thousands of crores of births is destroyed — such a knower of dharma sees me; by that comes my favour."

Verse 166 (padma.1.50.166)

ममैवानुग्रहाद्वत्सअहंदृष्टस्त्वयानघ। तस्माद्वरं गृहाण त्वं यत्ते मनसि वर्तते

mamaivānugrahādvatsaahaṁdṛṣṭastvayānagha tasmādvaraṁ gṛhāṇa tvaṁ yatte manasi vartate

"By my very grace, my child, I have been seen by you, O sinless one. Therefore take a boon, whatever is in your mind."

Verse 167 (padma.1.50.167)

विप्र उवाच। अस्माकं सर्वथा नाथ मानसं त्वयि तिष्ठतु। त्वदृते सर्वलोकेश कदाचिन्न तु रोचताम्

vipra uvāca asmākaṁ sarvathā nātha mānasaṁ tvayi tiṣṭhatu tvadṛte sarvalokeśa kadācinna tu rocatām

The brahmin said: "O Lord, let my mind always remain fixed on you. Without you, O lord of all worlds, may nothing else ever please me."

Verse 168 (padma.1.50.168)

माधव उवाच। यस्मादेतादृशी बुद्धिः स्फुरते ते सदानघ। तस्मान्मत्सदृशान्भोगान्मद्गेहे संप्रलप्स्यसे

mādhava uvāca yasmādetādṛśī buddhiḥ sphurate te sadānagha tasmānmatsadṛśānbhogānmadgehe saṁpralapsyase

Madhava said: "Since such a resolve ever shines in you, O sinless one, therefore in my house you shall obtain enjoyments equal to my own."

Verse 169 (padma.1.50.169)

किंतु ते पितरौ पूजामाप्नुतो न त्वयानघ। पूजयित्वा तु पितरौ पश्चाद्यास्यसि मत्तनुम्

kiṁtu te pitarau pūjāmāpnuto na tvayānagha pūjayitvā tu pitarau paścādyāsyasi mattanum

"But, O sinless one, your parents have not received worship from you. Having worshipped your parents, afterward you shall come to my very body."

Verse 170 (padma.1.50.170)

तयोर्निश्श्वासवातेन मन्युना च भृशं पुनः। तपः क्षरति ते नित्यं तस्मात्पूजय तौ द्विज

tayorniśśvāsavātena manyunā ca bhṛśaṁ punaḥ tapaḥ kṣarati te nityaṁ tasmātpūjaya tau dvija

"By the breath of their sighs, and by their grief, again and again, your merit constantly drains away; therefore worship them, O twice-born."

Verse 171 (padma.1.50.171)

मन्युर्निपतते यस्मिन्पुत्रे पित्रोश्च नित्यशः। तन्निरयं नाबाधेहं न धाता न च शंकरः

manyurnipatate yasminputre pitrośca nityaśaḥ tannirayaṁ nābādhehaṁ na dhātā na ca śaṁkaraḥ

"Upon whatever son the grief of his parents constantly falls — that hell which neither I, nor Brahma, nor even Shankara can hold back."

Verse 172 (padma.1.50.172)

तस्मात्त्वं पितरौ गच्छ कुरु पूजां प्रयत्नतः। ततस्त्वं हितयोरेव प्रसादान्मत्पदं व्रज

tasmāttvaṁ pitarau gaccha kuru pūjāṁ prayatnataḥ tatastvaṁ hitayoreva prasādānmatpadaṁ vraja

"Therefore go to your parents, and diligently perform their worship. Then, by the grace of those two who wish you well, go to my abode."

Verse 173 (padma.1.50.173)

इत्युक्ते तु द्विजश्रेष्ठः पुनराह जगद्गुरुम्। प्रसन्नो यदि मे नाथ रूपं स्वं दर्शयाच्युत

ityukte tu dvijaśreṣṭhaḥ punarāha jagadgurum prasanno yadi me nātha rūpaṁ svaṁ darśayācyuta

When this was said, the best of the twice-born again said to the teacher of the universe: "If you are pleased with me, O lord, show me your true form, O Achyuta."

Verse 174 (padma.1.50.174)

ततो द्विजप्रणयतः प्रसन्नहृदयो वशी। रूपं स्वं दर्शयामास ब्रह्मण्यो ब्रह्मकर्मणे

tato dvijapraṇayataḥ prasannahṛdayo vaśī rūpaṁ svaṁ darśayāmāsa brahmaṇyo brahmakarmaṇe

Then, out of love for the brahmin, the self-controlled one, his heart pleased, that friend of brahmins showed his own form, for the sake of the brahminical act performed —

Verse 175 (padma.1.50.175)

शंखचक्रगदापद्मधारणं पुरुषोत्तमम्। कारणं सर्वलोकस्य तेजसा पूरयज्जगत्

śaṁkhacakragadāpadmadhāraṇaṁ puruṣottamam kāraṇaṁ sarvalokasya tejasā pūrayajjagat

bearing conch, discus, mace, and lotus, Purushottama, the cause of all the worlds, filling the universe with his splendour.

Verse 176 (padma.1.50.176)

प्रणम्य दंडवद्विप्र उवाच पुनरच्युतम्। अद्य मे सफलं जन्म अद्य मे चक्षुषी शिवे

praṇamya daṁḍavadvipra uvāca punaracyutam adya me saphalaṁ janma adya me cakṣuṣī śive

Prostrating full-length, the brahmin again said to Achyuta: "Today my birth has become fruitful; today my two eyes are truly auspicious."

Verse 177 (padma.1.50.177)

अद्य मे च करौ श्लाघ्यौ धन्योहं जगदीश्वर। अद्य मे पुरुषा यांति ब्रह्मलोकं सनातनम्

adya me ca karau ślāghyau dhanyohaṁ jagadīśvara adya me puruṣā yāṁti brahmalokaṁ sanātanam

"Today my two hands are praiseworthy; I am blessed, O lord of the universe. Today my forefathers go to the eternal world of Brahma."

Verse 178 (padma.1.50.178)

नंदंति बांधवा मेद्य त्वत्प्रसादाज्जनार्दन। इदानीं च प्रसिद्धा मे सर्वे चैव मनोरथाः

naṁdaṁti bāṁdhavā medya tvatprasādājjanārdana idānīṁ ca prasiddhā me sarve caiva manorathāḥ

"My kinsmen rejoice today, O Janardana, by your grace. And now all my heart's desires are fulfilled."

Verse 179 (padma.1.50.179)

किंतु मे विस्मयो नाथ मूकादि ज्ञानिनो भृशम्। कथं जानंति मद्वृत्तं देशांतरमुपस्थितम्

kiṁtu me vismayo nātha mūkādi jñānino bhṛśam kathaṁ jānaṁti madvṛttaṁ deśāṁtaramupasthitam

"But, O lord, I am greatly astonished at the mute one and the other knowing ones — how do they know of my conduct, which occurred in a distant land,"

Verse 180 (padma.1.50.180)

तस्य गेहोदराकाशे स्थितो विप्रोतिशोभनः। तथा पतिव्रता गेहे तुलाधारशिरस्यपि

tasya gehodarākāśe sthito viprotiśobhanaḥ tathā pativratā gehe tulādhāraśirasyapi

"you, most beautiful brahmin, dwelling in the space within his house; and likewise in the devoted wife's house, and even at the head of Tuladhara,"

Verse 181 (padma.1.50.181)

तथा मित्राद्रोहकस्य त्वं च वैष्णवमंदिरे। अनुग्रहाच्च मे विप्र तत्त्वतो वक्तुमर्हसि

tathā mitrādrohakasya tvaṁ ca vaiṣṇavamaṁdire anugrahācca me vipra tattvato vaktumarhasi

"and likewise at the non-betrayer of friends', and you in the Vaishnava's dwelling — please, O brahmin, tell me the truth of this."

Verse 182 (padma.1.50.182)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। पित्रोर्भक्तः सदा मूकः पतिव्रता शुभा च सा। सत्यवादी तुलाधारः समः सर्वजनेषु च

śrībhagavānuvāca pitrorbhaktaḥ sadā mūkaḥ pativratā śubhā ca sā satyavādī tulādhāraḥ samaḥ sarvajaneṣu ca

The blessed Lord said: "The mute one is ever devoted to his parents; that auspicious woman is a devoted wife; Tuladhara is a truth-speaker, equal-minded toward all people;"

Verse 183 (padma.1.50.183)

लोभकामजिदद्रोहो मद्भक्तो वैष्णवः स्मृतः। संप्रीतोहं गुणैरेषां तिष्ठाम्यावसथे मुदा

lobhakāmajidadroho madbhakto vaiṣṇavaḥ smṛtaḥ saṁprītohaṁ guṇaireṣāṁ tiṣṭhāmyāvasathe mudā

"the non-betrayer has conquered greed and desire; the Vaishnava is remembered as my devotee. Pleased by the virtues of these, together with Bharati and Kamala,"

Verse 184 (padma.1.50.184)

भारतीकमलाभ्यां च सहितो द्विजसत्तम। विप्र उवाच। महापातकिसंसर्गान्नराश्चैवातिपातकाः

bhāratīkamalābhyāṁ ca sahito dvijasattama vipra uvāca mahāpātakisaṁsargānnarāścaivātipātakāḥ

"O best of the twice-born, I dwell joyfully in their dwellings." The brahmin said: "Men become great sinners through association with great sinners —"

Verse 185 (padma.1.50.185)

इति जल्पंति धर्मज्ञाः स्मृतिशास्त्रेषु सर्वदा। पुराणागमवेदेषु कथं त्वं तिष्ठसे गृहे

iti jalpaṁti dharmajñāḥ smṛtiśāstreṣu sarvadā purāṇāgamavedeṣu kathaṁ tvaṁ tiṣṭhase gṛhe

"— so declare the knowers of dharma always, in the scriptures of Smriti, in the Puranas, Agamas, and Vedas. How then do you dwell in a chandala's house?"

Verse 186 (padma.1.50.186)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। कल्याणानां च सर्वेषां कर्त्ता मूको जगत्त्रये। वृत्तस्थो योपि चाण्डालस्तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः

śrībhagavānuvāca kalyāṇānāṁ ca sarveṣāṁ karttā mūko jagattraye vṛttastho yopi cāṇḍālastaṁ devā brāhmaṇaṁ viduḥ

The blessed Lord said: "The mute one is the doer of all good deeds in the three worlds. Even one born a chandala, if established in right conduct, is known by the gods to be a brahmin."

Verse 187 (padma.1.50.187)

मूकस्य सदृशो नास्ति लोकेषु पुण्यकर्मतः। पित्रोर्भक्तिपरे नित्यं जितं तेन जगत्त्रयम्

mūkasya sadṛśo nāsti lokeṣu puṇyakarmataḥ pitrorbhaktipare nityaṁ jitaṁ tena jagattrayam

"There is none in the worlds equal to the mute one in meritorious deeds. Ever devoted to his parents, by him the three worlds have been conquered."

Verse 188 (padma.1.50.188)

तयोर्भक्त्या त्वहं तुष्टः सर्वदेवगणैः सह। तिष्ठामि द्विजरूपेण तस्य गेहोदरे च खे

tayorbhaktyā tvahaṁ tuṣṭaḥ sarvadevagaṇaiḥ saha tiṣṭhāmi dvijarūpeṇa tasya gehodare ca khe

"By their devotion, I am pleased, together with all the hosts of gods; I dwell in the form of a brahmin, within the interior of his house, in the sky above it."

Verse 189 (padma.1.50.189)

तथा पतिव्रता गेहे तुलाधारस्य मंदिरे। अद्रोहकस्य भवने वैष्णवस्य च वेश्मनि

tathā pativratā gehe tulādhārasya maṁdire adrohakasya bhavane vaiṣṇavasya ca veśmani

"Likewise in the devoted wife's house, in Tuladhara's dwelling, in the non-betrayer's home, and in the Vaishnava's house,"

Verse 190 (padma.1.50.190)

सदा तिष्ठामि धर्मज्ञ मुहूर्तं न त्यजाम्यहम्। तेन पश्यंति मां नित्यं ये त्वन्ये पापकृज्जनाः

sadā tiṣṭhāmi dharmajña muhūrtaṁ na tyajāmyaham tena paśyaṁti māṁ nityaṁ ye tvanye pāpakṛjjanāḥ

"O knower of dharma, I always dwell; I never abandon them even for a moment. Therefore other sinful people never see me,"

Verse 191 (padma.1.50.191)

पुण्यत्वाच्च त्वया दृष्टो ममानुग्रहकारणात्। पित्रोर्भक्तिपरः शुद्धश्चांडालो देवतां गतः

puṇyatvācca tvayā dṛṣṭo mamānugrahakāraṇāt pitrorbhaktiparaḥ śuddhaścāṁḍālo devatāṁ gataḥ

"but through your merit, you have seen me, by the cause of my grace. The chandala, devoted to his parents, pure, attained divinity,"

Verse 192 (padma.1.50.192)

तस्मात्तेन सह प्रीत्या तिष्ठामि तस्य मंदिरे। पुनः पुनः कथालापं करोमि द्विजनंदन

tasmāttena saha prītyā tiṣṭhāmi tasya maṁdire punaḥ punaḥ kathālāpaṁ karomi dvijanaṁdana

"therefore, with affection for him, I dwell in his house; again and again, O joy of the twice-born, I converse with him."

Verse 193 (padma.1.50.193)

तस्य वै मानसे नित्यं वर्तेऽहतभावनः। स तज्जानाति त्वद्वृत्तं तथा पतिव्रतादयः

tasya vai mānase nityaṁ varte'hatabhāvanaḥ sa tajjānāti tvadvṛttaṁ tathā pativratādayaḥ

"I ever dwell in his mind, with pure contemplation. He therefore knows of your conduct, and likewise the devoted wife and the others."

Verse 194 (padma.1.50.194)

तेषां वृत्तं वदिष्यामि शृणु त्वं चानुपूर्वशः। यच्छ्रुत्वा सर्वथा मर्त्यो मुच्यते जन्मबंधनात्

teṣāṁ vṛttaṁ vadiṣyāmi śṛṇu tvaṁ cānupūrvaśaḥ yacchrutvā sarvathā martyo mucyate janmabaṁdhanāt

"I shall tell of their conduct; listen in due order. Hearing which, a mortal is entirely freed from the bondage of birth."

Verse 195 (padma.1.50.195)

पितुर्मातुः परं तीर्थं देवदेवेषु नैव हि। पित्रोरर्चा कृता येन स एव पुरुषोत्तमः

piturmātuḥ paraṁ tīrthaṁ devadeveṣu naiva hi pitrorarcā kṛtā yena sa eva puruṣottamaḥ

"There is no sacred ford higher than father and mother, not even among the gods of gods. He by whom the worship of his parents has been performed is himself Purushottama."

Verse 196 (padma.1.50.196)

पित्रोराज्ञा च देवस्य गुरोराज्ञा समं फलं। आराधनाद्दिवो राज्यं बाधया रौरवं व्रजेत्

pitrorājñā ca devasya gurorājñā samaṁ phalaṁ ārādhanāddivo rājyaṁ bādhayā rauravaṁ vrajet

"The command of one's parents and the command of one's guru bear equal fruit. By worship of them comes the kingdom of heaven; by hurting them one goes to Raurava."

Verse 197 (padma.1.50.197)

स चास्माकं हृदिस्थोऽपि तस्याहं हृदये स्थितः। आवयोरंतरं नास्ति परत्रेह च मत्समः

sa cāsmākaṁ hṛdistho'pi tasyāhaṁ hṛdaye sthitaḥ āvayoraṁtaraṁ nāsti paratreha ca matsamaḥ

"He too dwells in my heart, and I dwell in his heart; there is no difference between us. In this world and the next, he is equal to me."

Verse 198 (padma.1.50.198)

मदग्रे मत्पुरे रम्ये सर्वैश्च बांधवैः सह। सभुंजीताक्षयं भोगमंते मयि च लीयते

madagre matpure ramye sarvaiśca bāṁdhavaiḥ saha sabhuṁjītākṣayaṁ bhogamaṁte mayi ca līyate

"Before me, in my lovely city, together with all his kinsmen, he enjoys imperishable pleasure, and at the end dissolves into me."

Verse 199 (padma.1.50.199)

अतएव हि मूकोसौ वार्त्तां त्रैलोक्यसंभवाम्। जानाति नरशार्दूल एष ते विस्मयः कुतः

ataeva hi mūkosau vārttāṁ trailokyasaṁbhavām jānāti naraśārdūla eṣa te vismayaḥ kutaḥ

"Therefore that mute one knows the news arising throughout the three worlds, O tiger among men — why then this astonishment of yours?"

Verse 200 (padma.1.50.200)

द्विज उवाच। मोहादज्ञानतो वापि न कृत्वा पितुरर्चनं। ज्ञात्वा वा किं च कर्तव्यं सदसज्जगदीश्वर

dvija uvāca mohādajñānato vāpi na kṛtvā piturarcanaṁ jñātvā vā kiṁ ca kartavyaṁ sadasajjagadīśvara

The brahmin said: "O lord of the universe, if, out of delusion or ignorance, one has not performed the worship of one's father — knowingly or unknowingly, what then should be done, good or bad?"

Verse 201 (padma.1.50.201)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। दिनैकं मासपक्षौ वा पक्षार्धं वाथ वत्सरं। पित्रोर्भक्तिः कृता येन स च गच्छेन्ममालयं

śrībhagavānuvāca dinaikaṁ māsapakṣau vā pakṣārdhaṁ vātha vatsaraṁ pitrorbhaktiḥ kṛtā yena sa ca gacchenmamālayaṁ

The blessed Lord said: "Whoever has performed devotion to his parents for even a single day, or a month, or a fortnight, or half a fortnight, or a year, he goes to my abode."

Verse 202 (padma.1.50.202)

कारयित्वा मनः कष्टमवश्यं नरकं व्रजेत्। न कृता वाकृता वा स्यात्पित्रोरर्चा परं पुरा

kārayitvā manaḥ kaṣṭamavaśyaṁ narakaṁ vrajet na kṛtā vākṛtā vā syātpitrorarcā paraṁ purā

"Having caused distress to their minds, one certainly goes to hell — whether the worship of parents was performed or not, previously."

Verse 203 (padma.1.50.203)

वृषोत्सर्गं नरः कृत्वा पितृभक्ति फलं लभेत्। अन्नं वस्त्रं तथा गव्यं सामिषं च निरामिषम्

vṛṣotsargaṁ naraḥ kṛtvā pitṛbhakti phalaṁ labhet annaṁ vastraṁ tathā gavyaṁ sāmiṣaṁ ca nirāmiṣam

"A man, having performed the release of a bull, obtains the fruit of filial devotion. Food, clothing, and cow-products, meat and non-meat foods,"

Verse 204 (padma.1.50.204)

सर्वं लक्षगुणं प्रोक्तं ज्ञातिभ्यो यत्प्रदीयते। सर्वस्वेन कृतं श्राद्धं येन पुत्रेण धीमता

sarvaṁ lakṣaguṇaṁ proktaṁ jñātibhyo yatpradīyate sarvasvena kṛtaṁ śrāddhaṁ yena putreṇa dhīmatā

"whatever is given to relatives is said to bear a hundred-thousand-fold fruit. The shraddha performed with all one's wealth, by whatever wise son does so,"

Verse 205 (padma.1.50.205)

जातिस्मरत्वं प्राप्नोति पितृभक्तिफलं लभेत्। श्राद्धात्परो महायज्ञस्त्रैलोक्ये तु न विद्यते

jātismaratvaṁ prāpnoti pitṛbhaktiphalaṁ labhet śrāddhātparo mahāyajñastrailokye tu na vidyate

"attains the memory of past births, and obtains the fruit of filial devotion. There exists no greater sacrifice than the shraddha in the three worlds."

Verse 206 (padma.1.50.206)

अत्र यद्दीयते किंचित्सर्वं चाक्षयमश्नुते। अन्यस्मिंश्चायुतं विद्धि ज्ञातिभ्यो लक्षमुच्यते

atra yaddīyate kiṁcitsarvaṁ cākṣayamaśnute anyasmiṁścāyutaṁ viddhi jñātibhyo lakṣamucyate

"Whatever, however little, is given here becomes wholly imperishable. Know that elsewhere it is worth ten thousand-fold; when given to relatives, it is said to be a hundred-thousand-fold."

Verse 207 (padma.1.50.207)

पिण्डे कोटिगुणं प्रोक्तं द्विजायानन्तमुच्यते। गंगाजले गयायां च प्रयागे पुष्करे तथा

piṇḍe koṭiguṇaṁ proktaṁ dvijāyānantamucyate gaṁgājale gayāyāṁ ca prayāge puṣkare tathā

"In the pinda-offering it is said to be crore-fold; given to a brahmin it is said to be infinite. In the water of the Ganga, at Gaya, at Prayaga, and at Pushkara likewise,"

Verse 208 (padma.1.50.208)

वाराणस्यां सिद्धकुंडे गंगासागर संगमे। अन्नपिंडं प्रदद्याद्यस्तस्य मुक्तिर्भवेद्ध्रुवम्

vārāṇasyāṁ siddhakuṁḍe gaṁgāsāgara saṁgame annapiṁḍaṁ pradadyādyastasya muktirbhaveddhruvam

"at Varanasi, at Siddhakunda, and at the confluence of the Ganga and the sea — whoever gives a rice-ball offering there, his liberation is certain."

Verse 209 (padma.1.50.209)

पितरश्चाक्षयं स्वर्गं लभंते जन्मनः फलम्। भागीरथ्यां विशेषेण यस्तु दद्यात्तिलोदकम्

pitaraścākṣayaṁ svargaṁ labhaṁte janmanaḥ phalam bhāgīrathyāṁ viśeṣeṇa yastu dadyāttilodakam

"His ancestors obtain imperishable heaven, the fruit of his birth. And especially he who offers sesame-water at the Bhagirathi,"

Verse 210 (padma.1.50.210)

मुक्तिमार्गं स चाप्नोति पिंडदाने तु किं पुनः। नदीतीरेषु साहस्रं नदे त्वयुतमिष्यते

muktimārgaṁ sa cāpnoti piṁḍadāne tu kiṁ punaḥ nadītīreṣu sāhasraṁ nade tvayutamiṣyate

"he obtains the path of liberation; how much more so in the giving of the pinda! On the banks of ordinary rivers, merit is a thousandfold; on a great river, it is said to be ten thousandfold,"

Verse 211 (padma.1.50.211)

सामान्यफलसंसर्गाच्छ्राद्धं शतगुणं भवेत्। अमायां च युगाद्यायां ग्रहणे सूर्यचंद्रयोः

sāmānyaphalasaṁsargācchrāddhaṁ śataguṇaṁ bhavet amāyāṁ ca yugādyāyāṁ grahaṇe sūryacaṁdrayoḥ

"and, through association with the general merit of the occasion, the shraddha becomes a hundredfold. On the new moon, on the first day of a yuga, and at an eclipse of the sun or moon,"

Verse 212 (padma.1.50.212)

पार्वणं कुरुते यस्तु सोक्षयं लोकमश्नुते। पितरस्तस्य तुष्यंति सर्वे समायुतं प्रति

pārvaṇaṁ kurute yastu sokṣayaṁ lokamaśnute pitarastasya tuṣyaṁti sarve samāyutaṁ prati

"whoever performs the parvana-shraddha attains an imperishable world. His ancestors, all together, become satisfied by the offering equal to ten thousand ordinary offerings."

Verse 213 (padma.1.50.213)

आशिषं दयितं दत्वा भोग्यं चानंतमात्मजे। ततः पर्वणि पुत्रैश्च कर्त्तव्यं पार्वणं मुदा

āśiṣaṁ dayitaṁ datvā bhogyaṁ cānaṁtamātmaje tataḥ parvaṇi putraiśca karttavyaṁ pārvaṇaṁ mudā

"Having given a beloved blessing, and endless enjoyment, to their offspring — therefore, on the sacred occasions, sons should joyfully perform the parvana-shraddha."

Verse 214 (padma.1.50.214)

पित्रोर्यज्ञमिमं कृत्वा मुच्यते जन्मबंधनात्। अहन्यहनि यच्छ्राद्धं नित्यश्राद्धमिति स्मृतम्

pitroryajñamimaṁ kṛtvā mucyate janmabaṁdhanāt ahanyahani yacchrāddhaṁ nityaśrāddhamiti smṛtam

"Having performed this sacrifice for one's parents, one is freed from the bonds of birth. The shraddha performed day after day is remembered as the daily shraddha."

Verse 215 (padma.1.50.215)

श्रद्धया कारयेद्यस्तु सोऽक्षयं लोकमश्नुते। तथैवापरपक्षे च काम्यश्राद्धं विधानतः

śraddhayā kārayedyastu so'kṣayaṁ lokamaśnute tathaivāparapakṣe ca kāmyaśrāddhaṁ vidhānataḥ

"Whoever performs it with faith attains an imperishable world. Likewise, in the dark fortnight, the desired shraddha, performed according to rule,"

Verse 216 (padma.1.50.216)

कृत्वा कामं स चाप्नोति यद्वा मनसि वर्तते। आषाढीमवधिं कृत्वा यस्तु पक्षस्तु पंचमः

kṛtvā kāmaṁ sa cāpnoti yadvā manasi vartate āṣāḍhīmavadhiṁ kṛtvā yastu pakṣastu paṁcamaḥ

"having performed it, one obtains one's desire, whatever is in the mind. Taking the full moon of Ashadha as the limit, in the fifth fortnight —"

Verse 217 (padma.1.50.217)

तत्र श्राद्धं प्रकुर्वीत कन्यां गच्छतु वा न वा। कन्यां गते सवितरि यान्यहानि तु षोडश

tatra śrāddhaṁ prakurvīta kanyāṁ gacchatu vā na vā kanyāṁ gate savitari yānyahāni tu ṣoḍaśa

"there one should perform the shraddha, whether the sun has entered Virgo or not. When the sun has entered Virgo, for the sixteen days that follow,"

Verse 218 (padma.1.50.218)

क्रतुभिस्तानि तुल्यानि समाप्त वरदक्षिणैः। काम्यश्राद्धं महापुण्यमिदं तस्यागतं शिवम्

kratubhistāni tulyāni samāpta varadakṣiṇaiḥ kāmyaśrāddhaṁ mahāpuṇyamidaṁ tasyāgataṁ śivam

"those days are equal to sacrifices completed with excellent sacrificial fees. This desired shraddha is greatly meritorious; this auspicious benefit comes to him."

Verse 219 (padma.1.50.219)

अभावात्कृष्णपक्षादौ तुलायां कर्तुमर्हति। अमावृश्चिकमायाति नैराश्यं पितरो गताः

abhāvātkṛṣṇapakṣādau tulāyāṁ kartumarhati amāvṛścikamāyāti nairāśyaṁ pitaro gatāḥ

"In the absence of that time, one may perform it in the dark fortnight, when the sun is in Libra. When the new moon comes with the sun in Scorpio, the ancestors, having become disappointed,"

Verse 220 (padma.1.50.220)

पुनःस्वभवनं यांति शापं दत्वा सुदारुणम्। पितृशापेन पुत्रस्य नष्टं सर्वमिति स्मृतम्

punaḥsvabhavanaṁ yāṁti śāpaṁ datvā sudāruṇam pitṛśāpena putrasya naṣṭaṁ sarvamiti smṛtam

"return again to their own abode, having given a most terrible curse. By the curse of the ancestors, it is remembered that everything of the son is destroyed —"

Verse 221 (padma.1.50.221)

धनं पुत्रा यशः काम्यमभीष्टमायुरेव च। सर्वाण्येतानि लभ्यंते जन्मजन्मसु मानवैः

dhanaṁ putrā yaśaḥ kāmyamabhīṣṭamāyureva ca sarvāṇyetāni labhyaṁte janmajanmasu mānavaiḥ

"wealth, sons, desired fame, cherished wishes, and even lifespan. All these are obtained by men, birth after birth,"

Verse 222 (padma.1.50.222)

पितॄणां च वरेणैव तस्मान्मैनं परित्यजेत्। विवाहव्रतयज्ञादौ कृत्वा नांदीमुखं द्विजः

pitṝṇāṁ ca vareṇaiva tasmānmainaṁ parityajet vivāhavratayajñādau kṛtvā nāṁdīmukhaṁ dvijaḥ

"only by the boon of the ancestors; therefore one should never neglect this. In marriage, vows, sacrifices and the like, a twice-born, having performed the Nandimukha,"

Verse 223 (padma.1.50.223)

अक्षयं लभते पुण्यं गोत्रं तस्य प्रवर्द्धते। एतद्विपर्ययो यस्य स याति नरकं नरः

akṣayaṁ labhate puṇyaṁ gotraṁ tasya pravarddhate etadviparyayo yasya sa yāti narakaṁ naraḥ

"obtains imperishable merit, and his lineage flourishes. He for whom the reverse of this occurs goes to hell as a man;"

Verse 224 (padma.1.50.224)

कुलक्षयो भवेत्तस्य स जीवो दुःखितो भवेत्। ततस्तु पूजयेदग्रे गणेशं शंभुनंदनम्

kulakṣayo bhavettasya sa jīvo duḥkhito bhavet tatastu pūjayedagre gaṇeśaṁ śaṁbhunaṁdanam

"the destruction of his lineage occurs, and that soul becomes sorrowful. Then one should first worship Ganesha, the son of Shambhu,"

Verse 225 (padma.1.50.225)

परं षोडशमातॄश्च तत्पश्चात्पितृसंचयम्। नांदीमुखेषु सर्वेषु प्रपितामहपूर्वकम्

paraṁ ṣoḍaśamātṝśca tatpaścātpitṛsaṁcayam nāṁdīmukheṣu sarveṣu prapitāmahapūrvakam

"and then the sixteen Mothers, and after that the whole host of ancestors. In all the Nandimukha rites, starting with the great-grandfather —"

Verse 226 (padma.1.50.226)

नांदीमुखे द्विजान्सर्वान्स्थापयेत्प्राङ्मुखान्सुधीः। उच्चारयेन्नमोवाक्यं स्वधा चान्यत्र योजयेत्

nāṁdīmukhe dvijānsarvānsthāpayetprāṅmukhānsudhīḥ uccārayennamovākyaṁ svadhā cānyatra yojayet

"in the Nandimukha, the wise should seat all the brahmins facing east; he should utter the word 'namah' for the gods, and employ 'svadha' elsewhere for the ancestors."

Verse 227 (padma.1.50.227)

ग्रहणे चंद्रसूर्यस्य दत्वा पिंडोदकं नरः। अक्षयं लभते स्वर्गं पितॄणां पुष्टिवर्द्धनम्

grahaṇe caṁdrasūryasya datvā piṁḍodakaṁ naraḥ akṣayaṁ labhate svargaṁ pitṝṇāṁ puṣṭivarddhanam

"A man who, at an eclipse of the moon or sun, gives the pinda and water offering, obtains imperishable heaven, and increases the nourishment of his ancestors."

Verse 228 (padma.1.50.228)

तत्र स्नानं न कुर्याद्यः शक्त्या पिंडोदकं नरः। न ददाति पितॄणां तु चांडालत्वं स गच्छति

tatra snānaṁ na kuryādyaḥ śaktyā piṁḍodakaṁ naraḥ na dadāti pitṝṇāṁ tu cāṁḍālatvaṁ sa gacchati

"A man who does not bathe there, and does not give the pinda-water offering to his ancestors according to his ability, goes to the state of a chandala."

Verse 229 (padma.1.50.229)

सर्वं भूमिसमं दानं सर्वे व्याससमा द्विजाः। सर्वं गंगासमं तोयं राहुग्रस्ते निशाकरे

sarvaṁ bhūmisamaṁ dānaṁ sarve vyāsasamā dvijāḥ sarvaṁ gaṁgāsamaṁ toyaṁ rāhugraste niśākare

"All gifts become equal to the gift of the earth, all brahmins become equal to Vyasa, and all water becomes equal to the Ganga, when the moon is seized by Rahu."

Verse 230 (padma.1.50.230)

इंदोर्लक्षगुणं प्रोक्तं दशलक्षं तु भास्करे। गंगातोये तु संप्राप्त इंदोः कोटी रवेर्दश

iṁdorlakṣaguṇaṁ proktaṁ daśalakṣaṁ tu bhāskare gaṁgātoye tu saṁprāpta iṁdoḥ koṭī raverdaśa

"At a lunar eclipse it is said to be a hundred-thousand-fold, and at a solar eclipse, ten hundred-thousand-fold. In the waters of the Ganga, at the lunar eclipse it is crore-fold, at the solar, ten times that."

Verse 231 (padma.1.50.231)

गवां शतसहस्रस्य सम्यग्दत्तस्य यत्फलम्। तत्फलं जाह्नवीस्नाने राहुग्रस्ते निशाकरे

gavāṁ śatasahasrasya samyagdattasya yatphalam tatphalaṁ jāhnavīsnāne rāhugraste niśākare

"The fruit of properly giving a hundred thousand cows — that same fruit is obtained by bathing in the Jahnavi when the moon is seized by Rahu."

Verse 232 (padma.1.50.232)

चंद्रसूर्यग्रहे चैव अवगाहति जाह्नवीं। स स्नातस्सर्वतीर्थेषु किमर्थमटते महीम्

caṁdrasūryagrahe caiva avagāhati jāhnavīṁ sa snātassarvatīrtheṣu kimarthamaṭate mahīm

"And he who, at an eclipse of the moon or sun, immerses himself in the Jahnavi, is as if bathed in all sacred fords — for what purpose then would he wander the earth?"

Verse 233 (padma.1.50.233)

सूर्यग्रहः सूर्यवारे सोमे सोमग्रहस्तथा। चूडामणिरिति ख्यातस्तत्रानंतफलं स्मृतम्

sūryagrahaḥ sūryavāre some somagrahastathā cūḍāmaṇiriti khyātastatrānaṁtaphalaṁ smṛtam

"A solar eclipse on Sunday, and likewise a lunar eclipse on Monday, is famed as 'Chudamani'; there, infinite fruit is remembered."

Verse 234 (padma.1.50.234)

समुपोष्य तयोः पूर्वे पुण्यतीर्थे तु यः पुमान्। दत्वा पिंडोदकं दानं सत्यलोके प्रतिष्ठितः

samupoṣya tayoḥ pūrve puṇyatīrthe tu yaḥ pumān datvā piṁḍodakaṁ dānaṁ satyaloke pratiṣṭhitaḥ

"A man who fasts before either of these eclipses, at a sacred ford, and gives the pinda-water offering, becomes established in Satyaloka."

Verse 235 (padma.1.50.235)

द्विज उवाच। पितुरेव महायज्ञः श्राद्धं च भवतेरितं। ताता पश्चिमकालादौ किं कर्त्तव्यं सुतेन हि

dvija uvāca pitureva mahāyajñaḥ śrāddhaṁ ca bhavateritaṁ tātā paścimakālādau kiṁ karttavyaṁ sutena hi

The brahmin said: "You have declared that shraddha for the father is indeed the great sacrifice. Father, at the time of one's final approach, what must a son do?"

Verse 236 (padma.1.50.236)

किं कृत्वा च परं श्रेयो जन्मजन्मसु लभ्यते। पुत्रेण धीमता देव यत्नतो वक्तुमर्हसि

kiṁ kṛtvā ca paraṁ śreyo janmajanmasu labhyate putreṇa dhīmatā deva yatnato vaktumarhasi

"And what, having done, does a wise son obtain the highest good, birth after birth? O god, please diligently tell me."

Verse 237 (padma.1.50.237)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। पूर्वे वयसि संप्राप्ते पिता पुत्र इति स्मृतः। उत्तरे च सुतस्तातः पालनान्न तु पूजनात्

śrībhagavānuvāca pūrve vayasi saṁprāpte pitā putra iti smṛtaḥ uttare ca sutastātaḥ pālanānna tu pūjanāt

The blessed Lord said: "In earlier age, the father is remembered as caring for the child like a son; and in later age, the son becomes as a father to him, through caring for him, not merely through worship."

Verse 238 (padma.1.50.238)

देववत्पूजयेत्तातं स्नेहं कुर्याच्च पुत्रवत्। न लंघयेद्वचस्तस्य मनसापि कदाचन

devavatpūjayettātaṁ snehaṁ kuryācca putravat na laṁghayedvacastasya manasāpi kadācana

"One should worship one's father as a god, and show him affection as one would a son; one should never transgress his word, even in thought."

Verse 239 (padma.1.50.239)

आतुरस्य पितुः पुत्रो यस्तु कुर्यात्प्रतिक्रियां। सोक्षयं लभते स्वर्गं सदा देवैः प्रपूज्यते

āturasya pituḥ putro yastu kuryātpratikriyāṁ sokṣayaṁ labhate svargaṁ sadā devaiḥ prapūjyate

"The son who provides care for his sick father obtains imperishable heaven, and is ever worshipped by the gods."

Verse 240 (padma.1.50.240)

मुमूर्षोरपिता तस्य पश्यतो मृत्युलक्षणम्। कृत्वा च यजनं पुत्रो देवानां तुल्यतां व्रजेत्

mumūrṣorapitā tasya paśyato mṛtyulakṣaṇam kṛtvā ca yajanaṁ putro devānāṁ tulyatāṁ vrajet

"For his father who is dying, witnessing the signs of death, the son, having performed the proper rites, attains equality with the gods."

Verse 241 (padma.1.50.241)

विधिनानशने नैव पितुः स्वर्गं ददाति यः। पुत्रस्य तस्य धीरस्य शृणु वक्ष्यामि यद्गुणम्

vidhinānaśane naiva pituḥ svargaṁ dadāti yaḥ putrasya tasya dhīrasya śṛṇu vakṣyāmi yadguṇam

He who, by the rule of fasting at the point of death, grants heaven to his father, and by no other means — hear, O steadfast one, I shall tell you the merit of that.

Verse 242 (padma.1.50.242)

अश्वमेधसहस्राणि राजसूयशतानि च। भवेदनशने पुण्यं तीर्थकोटिगुणं तयोः

aśvamedhasahasrāṇi rājasūyaśatāni ca bhavedanaśane puṇyaṁ tīrthakoṭiguṇaṁ tayoḥ

Thousands of Ashvamedha sacrifices, and hundreds of Rajasuya sacrifices — such merit belongs to the fast unto death; it is crore-fold the merit of both.

Verse 243 (padma.1.50.243)

भागीरथ्या जले चैव यो मृतः पुरुषोत्तमः। पयोधररसं मातुर्न पिबेन्मुक्ततां व्रजेत्

bhāgīrathyā jale caiva yo mṛtaḥ puruṣottamaḥ payodhararasaṁ māturna pibenmuktatāṁ vrajet

And he who dies in the water of the Bhagirathi attains the state of Purushottama; such a one is not reborn, and attains liberation.

Verse 244 (padma.1.50.244)

वाराणस्यां त्यजेद्यस्तु प्राणांश्चैव यदृच्छया। अभीष्टं च फलं भुक्त्वा मद्देहे प्रविलीयते

vārāṇasyāṁ tyajedyastu prāṇāṁścaiva yadṛcchayā abhīṣṭaṁ ca phalaṁ bhuktvā maddehe pravilīyate

And he who gives up his life-breaths in Varanasi, of his own accord, having enjoyed his desired fruit, dissolves into my very body.

Verse 245 (padma.1.50.245)

या गतिर्योगयुक्तानां मुनीनामूर्द्ध्वरेतसां। सा गतिस्त्यजतः प्राणान्ब्रह्मपुत्रेषु सप्तसु

yā gatiryogayuktānāṁ munīnāmūrddhvaretasāṁ sā gatistyajataḥ prāṇānbrahmaputreṣu saptasu

The state attained by sages united in yoga, of upward-flowing seed, that same state belongs to one who gives up his life-breaths at the seven sons of Brahma.

Verse 246 (padma.1.50.246)

लोहितस्य विशेषेण तीरोत्तरसमाश्रितः। विधिना यस्त्यजेत्प्राणान्स च मत्समतां व्रजेत्

lohitasya viśeṣeṇa tīrottarasamāśritaḥ vidhinā yastyajetprāṇānsa ca matsamatāṁ vrajet

Especially, one who, resorting to the northern bank of the Lohita river, duly gives up his life-breaths, attains equality with me.

Verse 247 (padma.1.50.247)

तस्यैव चोर्वशीकेशे पुण्यतीर्थे द्विजोत्तम। मृतोत्पन्नः समाप्नोति सर्वं दोषैर्न लिप्यते

tasyaiva corvaśīkeśe puṇyatīrthe dvijottama mṛtotpannaḥ samāpnoti sarvaṁ doṣairna lipyate

And at that same sacred ford, Urvashikesha, O best of the twice-born, one who dies and is thus reborn attains everything, untainted by any fault.

Verse 248 (padma.1.50.248)

गृहस्याभ्यंतरे यस्य प्राणत्यागो भवेद्ध्रुवम्। यावद्ग्रंथिर्गृहे तिष्ठेत्तावद्बंधो भवे तनौ

gṛhasyābhyaṁtare yasya prāṇatyāgo bhaveddhruvam yāvadgraṁthirgṛhe tiṣṭhettāvadbaṁdho bhave tanau

He whose abandonment of life certainly occurs within the house — as long as the remnant stays in the house, so long there is bondage in another body.

Verse 249 (padma.1.50.249)

हायनेहायने चापि एकैकं परिहीयते। पश्यतां पुत्रबंधूनां वंधने नास्ति निष्कृतिः

hāyanehāyane cāpi ekaikaṁ parihīyate paśyatāṁ putrabaṁdhūnāṁ vaṁdhane nāsti niṣkṛtiḥ

Year after year, one by one, kin diminish; before the eyes of sons and kinsmen, in that bondage, there is no release.

Verse 250 (padma.1.50.250)

पर्वते कानने दुर्गे स्थाने वा जलवर्जिते। मृतो दुर्गतिमाप्नोति कीटादौ जायते पुनः

parvate kānane durge sthāne vā jalavarjite mṛto durgatimāpnoti kīṭādau jāyate punaḥ

One who dies on a mountain, in a forest, in a difficult place, or a place devoid of water, attains misfortune, and is born again among insects and the like.

Verse 251 (padma.1.50.251)

संस्कारश्च भवेद्यस्य मृतस्य परवासरे। षष्टिर्वर्षसहस्राणि कुंभीपाके प्रतिष्ठति

saṁskāraśca bhavedyasya mṛtasya paravāsare ṣaṣṭirvarṣasahasrāṇi kuṁbhīpāke pratiṣṭhati

And he whose funeral rites are performed on a day other than the proper one after death remains established in Kumbhipaka hell for sixty thousand years.

Verse 252 (padma.1.50.252)

अस्पृश्यस्पर्शनादेव उच्छिष्टः पतितो मृतः। सुचिरं नरके स्थित्वा म्लेच्छजातिषु जायते

aspṛśyasparśanādeva ucchiṣṭaḥ patito mṛtaḥ suciraṁ narake sthitvā mlecchajātiṣu jāyate

By the touch of an untouchable, if one dies unpurified or fallen — having dwelt in hell for a very long time, one is born among barbarian peoples.

Verse 253 (padma.1.50.253)

तथैव बहुकीटेषु जायते सत्त्वजातिषु। तस्मान्न चिरकालेषु जानीयात्पुण्यपातकम्

tathaiva bahukīṭeṣu jāyate sattvajātiṣu tasmānna cirakāleṣu jānīyātpuṇyapātakam

And likewise one is born among the many kinds of insects. Therefore, over a long time, one should never forget to distinguish merit from sin.

Verse 254 (padma.1.50.254)

पुण्यात्पुण्यप्रयोगैश्च सर्वेषां मर्त्यवासिनाम्। मरणे या गतिः पुंसां गतिर्भवति तादृशी

puṇyātpuṇyaprayogaiśca sarveṣāṁ martyavāsinām maraṇe yā gatiḥ puṁsāṁ gatirbhavati tādṛśī

By merit, and by meritorious practices, for all dwellers among mortals — whatever state a man is in at the moment of death, that becomes his subsequent state.

Verse 255 (padma.1.50.255)

पुण्यतीर्थे मृतो यस्तु विष्णोर्नामानि चिंतयन्। पापात्पूतो व्रजेत्स्वर्गं सर्वदोषैर्न लिप्यते

puṇyatīrthe mṛto yastu viṣṇornāmāni ciṁtayan pāpātpūto vrajetsvargaṁ sarvadoṣairna lipyate

He who dies at a sacred ford, contemplating the names of Vishnu, purified from sin, goes to heaven, untainted by any fault.

Verse 256 (padma.1.50.256)

पितुर्मृतस्य देहं तु वहेद्यस्तु सुतो बली। पदेपदेश्वमेधस्य फलं प्राप्नोत्यसंशयम्

piturmṛtasya dehaṁ tu vahedyastu suto balī padepadeśvamedhasya phalaṁ prāpnotyasaṁśayam

The strong son who carries the body of his dead father obtains, without doubt, the fruit of an Ashvamedha sacrifice at every step.

Verse 257 (padma.1.50.257)

प्राक्चितौ च पितुर्देहे मुखाग्निं कारयेत्सुतः। विधिना मंत्रपूतेन पश्चाद्देहं दहेत्पुनः

prākcitau ca piturdehe mukhāgniṁ kārayetsutaḥ vidhinā maṁtrapūtena paścāddehaṁ dahetpunaḥ

Before the pyre, on the father's body, the son should apply the mouth-fire; then, according to rule, purified with mantra, he should afterward burn the body.

Verse 258 (padma.1.50.258)

लोभमोहसमायुक्तं पापपुण्यसमावृतम्। दहेयं सर्वगात्राणि दिव्यान्लोकान्स गच्छतु

lobhamohasamāyuktaṁ pāpapuṇyasamāvṛtam daheyaṁ sarvagātrāṇi divyānlokānsa gacchatu

"This body, joined with greed and delusion, enveloped with sin and merit — let me burn all its limbs; may he go to the divine worlds."

Verse 259 (padma.1.50.259)

दग्ध्वा च लंघयेत्पुत्रोप्यस्थिसंचयनं प्रति। दशाहे समनुप्राप्ते चार्द्रवस्त्रं परित्यजेत्

dagdhvā ca laṁghayetputropyasthisaṁcayanaṁ prati daśāhe samanuprāpte cārdravastraṁ parityajet

Having burned it, the son should proceed toward the gathering of the bones. When the tenth day has been reached, he should discard his wet garment,

Verse 260 (padma.1.50.260)

छित्वा च लोहितं चेलं वह्नौ चाथ जले क्षिपेत्। ततश्चैकादशाहे च श्राद्धं कुर्याद्विचक्षणः

chitvā ca lohitaṁ celaṁ vahnau cātha jale kṣipet tataścaikādaśāhe ca śrāddhaṁ kuryādvicakṣaṇaḥ

and having cut the reddened cloth, throw it into fire, or into water. Then, on the eleventh day, the discerning one should perform the shraddha.

Verse 261 (padma.1.50.261)

प्रेतस्य देहपुष्ट्यर्थं ब्राह्मणैकं तु भोजयेत्। दानं दद्याच्च विधिवद्वस्त्रं पीठं च पादुकाम्

pretasya dehapuṣṭyarthaṁ brāhmaṇaikaṁ tu bhojayet dānaṁ dadyācca vidhivadvastraṁ pīṭhaṁ ca pādukām

For the nourishment of the body of the departed, he should feed a single brahmin; and he should give gifts according to rule — clothing, a seat, and sandals,

Verse 262 (padma.1.50.262)

सर्वोपकरणैस्तुल्यं धरादिगजवाजिकम्। कृष्णां गां च प्रदद्यात्तु सर्वपापविमुक्तये

sarvopakaraṇaistulyaṁ dharādigajavājikam kṛṣṇāṁ gāṁ ca pradadyāttu sarvapāpavimuktaye

together with all equipment — land, elephants, and horses. He should give a black cow, for release from all sin.

Verse 263 (padma.1.50.263)

चतुर्थाहे त्रिपक्षे च षण्मासे चाब्दिके तथा। द्वादश प्रतिमास्यानि श्राद्धान्ये तानि षोडश

caturthāhe tripakṣe ca ṣaṇmāse cābdike tathā dvādaśa pratimāsyāni śrāddhānye tāni ṣoḍaśa

On the fourth day, at three fortnights, at six months, and at the yearly anniversary; twelve monthly shraddhas — these sixteen are the total shraddhas.

Verse 264 (padma.1.50.264)

यस्यैतानि न संतीह यथाशक्ति च श्रद्धया। पिशाचत्वं स्थिरं तस्य दत्तैः श्राद्धशतैरपि

yasyaitāni na saṁtīha yathāśakti ca śraddhayā piśācatvaṁ sthiraṁ tasya dattaiḥ śrāddhaśatairapi

He for whom these are not performed, to the best of one's ability and with faith, his state as a pishacha remains fixed, even with a hundred shraddhas given otherwise.

Verse 265 (padma.1.50.265)

अब्दमंबुघटं दद्यादन्नं चामिषसंयुतं। नित्यानित्यमभावाच्च क्षपन्मासं क्षमापयेत्

abdamaṁbughaṭaṁ dadyādannaṁ cāmiṣasaṁyutaṁ nityānityamabhāvācca kṣapanmāsaṁ kṣamāpayet

For a year, one should give a water-pot; food together with suitable provisions. If one cannot do it daily, at the end of the month one should perform the atonement.

Verse 266 (padma.1.50.266)

सपिंडीकरणश्राद्धं गते संवत्सरे बुधः। पार्वणस्य विधानेन कारयेद्द्विजसत्तमः

sapiṁḍīkaraṇaśrāddhaṁ gate saṁvatsare budhaḥ pārvaṇasya vidhānena kārayeddvijasattamaḥ

When a year has passed, the wise, best of the twice-born, should perform the Sapindikarana shraddha, according to the rule of the parvana rite.

Verse 267 (padma.1.50.267)

पितुरब्दमशौचं स्यान्मातुः षण्मासमेव च। त्रिमासं तु स्त्रियश्चैव तदर्द्धं भ्रातृपुत्रयोः

piturabdamaśaucaṁ syānmātuḥ ṣaṇmāsameva ca trimāsaṁ tu striyaścaiva tadarddhaṁ bhrātṛputrayoḥ

Impurity for the father is a year; for the mother it is six months; for one's wife, three months; and half that for a brother or son.

Verse 268 (padma.1.50.268)

सपिंडानामशौचं स्याद्यावद्गेहे स तिष्ठति। पुत्रस्य यन्निषिद्धं तु शृणु तात वदाम्यहम्

sapiṁḍānāmaśaucaṁ syādyāvadgehe sa tiṣṭhati putrasya yanniṣiddhaṁ tu śṛṇu tāta vadāmyaham

For close relatives, impurity lasts as long as the remains stay in the house. Hear, my son, what is forbidden for the son; I shall tell you.

Verse 269 (padma.1.50.269)

ब्रह्मचारी सदाचारी न गच्छेच्च स्त्रियं क्वचित्। सप्तघट्याः परं चैव नवघट्याश्च पूर्वतः

brahmacārī sadācārī na gacchecca striyaṁ kvacit saptaghaṭyāḥ paraṁ caiva navaghaṭyāśca pūrvataḥ

He should observe celibacy and good conduct, and never approach a woman during mourning. Seven ghatikas before sunrise, and nine ghatikas before sunset —

Verse 270 (padma.1.50.270)

स कालः कुतपो ज्ञेयः पितॄणां दत्तमक्षयम्। श्राद्धे त्रीणि पवित्राणि दौहित्रं कुतपस्तिलाः

sa kālaḥ kutapo jñeyaḥ pitṝṇāṁ dattamakṣayam śrāddhe trīṇi pavitrāṇi dauhitraṁ kutapastilāḥ

that time is to be known as 'Kutapa'; what is given to ancestors at that time is imperishable. In the shraddha, there are three purifying things: the daughter's son, the Kutapa hour, and sesame seeds.

Verse 271 (padma.1.50.271)

त्रीणि चात्र प्रशंसंति सत्यमक्रोधमत्वराम्। सायं संध्यां परान्नं च पुनर्भोजनमैथुनम्

trīṇi cātra praśaṁsaṁti satyamakrodhamatvarām sāyaṁ saṁdhyāṁ parānnaṁ ca punarbhojanamaithunam

And here three things are praised: truthfulness, freedom from anger, and unhurriedness. The evening twilight rite, another's food, repeated eating, and sexual intercourse —

Verse 272 (padma.1.50.272)

दानं प्रतिग्रहं चैव श्राद्धं कृत्वा विवर्जयेत्। अकर्तव्यशतं कृत्वा श्राद्धं कुर्याद्विचक्षणः

dānaṁ pratigrahaṁ caiva śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā vivarjayet akartavyaśataṁ kṛtvā śrāddhaṁ kuryādvicakṣaṇaḥ

giving and accepting gifts — one should avoid these having performed shraddha. Even having done a hundred forbidden things, the discerning one should still perform the shraddha,

Verse 273 (padma.1.50.273)

तच्च कर्तव्यतामेति स्वयमुक्तं विरिंचिना। शृणु पुत्र पुरावृत्तं बहूनां च वदाम्यहम्

tacca kartavyatāmeti svayamuktaṁ viriṁcinā śṛṇu putra purāvṛttaṁ bahūnāṁ ca vadāmyaham

and that becomes obligatory, as declared by Brahma himself. Hear, my son, an ancient event; I shall tell you of many such things.

Verse 274 (padma.1.50.274)

गुरोर्गोहननं कृत्वा ददुः श्राद्धं ययुर्दिवम्। तेषां च कीर्त्तनादेव श्राद्धं भवति चाक्षयम्

gurorgohananaṁ kṛtvā daduḥ śrāddhaṁ yayurdivam teṣāṁ ca kīrttanādeva śrāddhaṁ bhavati cākṣayam

Having killed their guru's cow, they performed the shraddha, and went to heaven. By the mere recitation of their story, the shraddha becomes imperishable.

Verse 275 (padma.1.50.275)

वसिष्ठस्य मुनेः शिष्या ब्राह्मणास्सप्त सुव्रताः। पितृश्राद्धे समायाते होमधेनुं गुरोः प्रियाम्

vasiṣṭhasya muneḥ śiṣyā brāhmaṇāssapta suvratāḥ pitṛśrāddhe samāyāte homadhenuṁ guroḥ priyām

The seven disciples of the sage Vasishtha, brahmins of good vows, when the ancestral shraddha had arrived, needed the sacrificial cow dear to their guru,

Verse 276 (padma.1.50.276)

प्रार्थयित्वा गृहं नीत्वा सप्तभिर्भ्रातृभिर्मुदा। गव्यार्थं पितृयज्ञे तां धेनुं हत्वा विमृश्य च

prārthayitvā gṛhaṁ nītvā saptabhirbhrātṛbhirmudā gavyārthaṁ pitṛyajñe tāṁ dhenuṁ hatvā vimṛśya ca

having requested it and brought it home, the seven brothers, joyfully, for the sake of milk-products in the ancestral sacrifice, having reflected, killed that cow,

Verse 277 (padma.1.50.277)

ददुर्मांसं च विप्रे च शेषं विप्रांस्त्वभोजयन्। समाप्य पितृकर्माणि वत्सं संगृह्यते द्विजाः

dadurmāṁsaṁ ca vipre ca śeṣaṁ viprāṁstvabhojayan samāpya pitṛkarmāṇi vatsaṁ saṁgṛhyate dvijāḥ

and gave its meat to a brahmin, and fed other brahmins with the rest. Having completed the ancestral rites, the twice-born took in the calf,

Verse 278 (padma.1.50.278)

गुरौ समर्पयामासुर्धेनुर्व्याघ्रेण भक्षिता। ततस्तपोर्बलादेव ज्ञात्वा तेषां च कारणम्

gurau samarpayāmāsurdhenurvyāghreṇa bhakṣitā tatastaporbalādeva jñātvā teṣāṁ ca kāraṇam

and offered it to their guru, saying the cow had been eaten by a tiger. Then, by the power of his own austerity, knowing the true reason for what they had done,

Verse 279 (padma.1.50.279)

स शशाप ततः शिष्यांश्चाडालाश्च भविष्यथ। वेपमानास्ततो विप्राः कृतांजलिपुटाः स्थिताः

sa śaśāpa tataḥ śiṣyāṁścāḍālāśca bhaviṣyatha vepamānāstato viprāḥ kṛtāṁjalipuṭāḥ sthitāḥ

he then cursed his disciples: "You shall become chandalas." Trembling then, the brahmins stood with joined palms,

Verse 280 (padma.1.50.280)

धेनोर्मांसंप्रदातारः पितृकृत्ये सदानघ। अकर्तव्यसहस्राणि महांति पातकानि च

dhenormāṁsaṁpradātāraḥ pitṛkṛtye sadānagha akartavyasahasrāṇi mahāṁti pātakāni ca

"We gave the flesh of the cow for the sake of the ancestral rite always, O sinless one." Even having committed thousands of forbidden acts and great sins —

Verse 281 (padma.1.50.281)

कुर्वंतः पितृकार्येषु पापात्पूता दिवं गताः। श्रुतं बहुविधं नाथ मुखात्ते च पुरातनम्

kurvaṁtaḥ pitṛkāryeṣu pāpātpūtā divaṁ gatāḥ śrutaṁ bahuvidhaṁ nātha mukhātte ca purātanam

"By performing our duties toward our father, purified from sin, we have gone to heaven — we have heard much of this ancient teaching, O lord, from your own mouth."

Verse 282 (padma.1.50.282)

क्षंतुमर्हसि धर्मज्ञ शापस्यांतो विधीयताम्। वसिष्ठ उवाच। शापो वोथ यथा पाप्मा न तु धर्मविचारणात्

kṣaṁtumarhasi dharmajña śāpasyāṁto vidhīyatām vasiṣṭha uvāca śāpo votha yathā pāpmā na tu dharmavicāraṇāt

"O knower of dharma, forgive us; let the curse be brought to an end." Vasishtha said: "The curse upon you was indeed like a sin, but was not given without due consideration of dharma."

Verse 283 (padma.1.50.283)

चांडालादौ समुत्पन्नाः पुरावृत्तं स्मरिष्यथ। न च वो ज्ञानलोपश्च स्मृतिशास्त्रमनष्टकम्

cāṁḍālādau samutpannāḥ purāvṛttaṁ smariṣyatha na ca vo jñānalopaśca smṛtiśāstramanaṣṭakam

"Though born among chandalas and the like, you will remember the events of before; your knowledge will not be lost, nor your knowledge of the Smriti scriptures destroyed."

Verse 284 (padma.1.50.284)

पापयोनिं समुत्तीर्य पश्चान्मोक्षं गमिष्यथ। ततः प्राणान्परित्यज्य गुरुशापात्तु ते द्विजाः

pāpayoniṁ samuttīrya paścānmokṣaṁ gamiṣyatha tataḥ prāṇānparityajya guruśāpāttu te dvijāḥ

"Having passed beyond that sinful womb, you shall afterward attain liberation." Then, giving up their lives, by the guru's curse, those twice-born,

Verse 285 (padma.1.50.285)

जाताश्चांडालयोनौ तु सर्वे ज्ञानसमन्विताः। स्तन्यं तैस्तु न पीतं वै स्मरद्भिः पूर्वजन्म तत्

jātāścāṁḍālayonau tu sarve jñānasamanvitāḥ stanyaṁ taistu na pītaṁ vai smaradbhiḥ pūrvajanma tat

were born in the chandala womb, but all endowed with full knowledge; remembering their former birth, they did not drink their mother's milk.

Verse 286 (padma.1.50.286)

मृता जाता मृगाः सर्वे चक्रवाकाः पुनर्वने। हंसास्तु मानसे तीर्थे शुक्ला जाताः पुनर्द्विजाः

mṛtā jātā mṛgāḥ sarve cakravākāḥ punarvane haṁsāstu mānase tīrthe śuklā jātāḥ punardvijāḥ

Having died, they were all born again as deer, then as chakravaka birds again in the forest; then as swans at the sacred lake Manasa; then, white, they were born again as twice-born.

Verse 287 (padma.1.50.287)

मुमूर्षवो महाभागा मृतास्ते खेदकारणात्। तस्मिन्काले महाराजो धर्मकेतुरिति स्मृतः

mumūrṣavo mahābhāgā mṛtāste khedakāraṇāt tasminkāle mahārājo dharmaketuriti smṛtaḥ

Those greatly fortunate ones, on the verge of death, died from a cause of sorrow. At that time there was a great king remembered by the name Dharmaketu,

Verse 288 (padma.1.50.288)

ययौ स्नातुं ततस्तीर्थं सदारः सपरिच्छदः। ततो हंसास्त्रयो मोहाद्राज्यं भोग्यं तु योषितः

yayau snātuṁ tatastīrthaṁ sadāraḥ saparicchadaḥ tato haṁsāstrayo mohādrājyaṁ bhogyaṁ tu yoṣitaḥ

who went to bathe at that sacred ford, together with his wife and retinue. Then, three of the reborn swans, out of delusion, thought of a kingdom, of pleasures, and of women,

Verse 289 (padma.1.50.289)

भक्ष्याणि चिंतयंतश्च लोकांतरमयुस्तदा। ज्ञात्वा वेदं च वेदांगं मोक्षं यास्यामहे वयम्

bhakṣyāṇi ciṁtayaṁtaśca lokāṁtaramayustadā jñātvā vedaṁ ca vedāṁgaṁ mokṣaṁ yāsyāmahe vayam

and thinking of desired foods, went then to another world. The other four thought: "Having mastered the Veda and its auxiliary sciences, we shall attain liberation,"

Verse 290 (padma.1.50.290)

चिंतयंतो गता अन्ये ततो लोकांतरं प्रति। अथ त्रयो नृपा जाताश्चत्वारो विप्रसत्तमाः

ciṁtayaṁto gatā anye tato lokāṁtaraṁ prati atha trayo nṛpā jātāścatvāro viprasattamāḥ

and thinking thus, they too went toward another world. Then three were born as kings, and four as the best of brahmins.

Verse 291 (padma.1.50.291)

कुरुक्षेत्रे ततो वेदान्वेदांगानि समंततः। तपोबलाद्विदंति स्म वार्तां चामुत्र चेह च

kurukṣetre tato vedānvedāṁgāni samaṁtataḥ tapobalādvidaṁti sma vārtāṁ cāmutra ceha ca

In Kurukshetra, then, by the power of their austerity, they came to know the Vedas and Vedangas fully, and the news of both this world and the next.

Verse 292 (padma.1.50.292)

त्रयो राजकुले जाता राजानो मदमोहिताः। ज्ञानलोपात्परं लोकं न जानंति हिताहितम्

trayo rājakule jātā rājāno madamohitāḥ jñānalopātparaṁ lokaṁ na jānaṁti hitāhitam

The three born into royal families, as kings, deluded by pride, having lost their prior knowledge, did not know what was beneficial or harmful for the world beyond.

Verse 293 (padma.1.50.293)

ते च विप्राश्च संदेहादाहूय चेटकं स्वकम्। राज्ञो गच्छ स्वकार्पण्यात्पत्रं देहि च संभ्रमात्

te ca viprāśca saṁdehādāhūya ceṭakaṁ svakam rājño gaccha svakārpaṇyātpatraṁ dehi ca saṁbhramāt

Those brahmins, out of concern, summoning their own servant, said: "Go, out of compassion, to the king; deliver a letter to him quickly —"

Verse 294 (padma.1.50.294)

सप्त व्याधा दशार्णेषु मृगाः कालंजरे गिरौ। चक्रवाकाः शरद्वीपे हंसाः सरसि मानसे

sapta vyādhā daśārṇeṣu mṛgāḥ kālaṁjare girau cakravākāḥ śaradvīpe haṁsāḥ sarasi mānase

"The seven hunters in Dasharna, then deer on Mount Kalanjara, then chakravaka birds on Sharadvipa, then swans on Lake Manasa —"

Verse 295 (padma.1.50.295)

तेपि जाताः कुरुक्षेत्रे ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः। प्रस्थिता दूतमध्वानं यूयं किमवसीदथ

tepi jātāḥ kurukṣetre brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ prasthitā dūtamadhvānaṁ yūyaṁ kimavasīdatha

"— they too have been born in Kurukshetra as brahmins learned in the Vedas; the messenger has set out on his journey — why do you remain sunk in delusion?"

Verse 296 (padma.1.50.296)

गृहीत्वा चेटको लेखं राज्ञस्तु समदर्शयत्। दृष्ट्वा लेखं तु राजानो राज्यं त्यक्त्वा ययुर्द्विजान्

gṛhītvā ceṭako lekhaṁ rājñastu samadarśayat dṛṣṭvā lekhaṁ tu rājāno rājyaṁ tyaktvā yayurdvijān

The servant took the letter and showed it to the kings. Seeing the letter, the kings abandoned their kingdom and went to the brahmins.

Verse 297 (padma.1.50.297)

श्रुत्वा वाक्यं ततस्तेषां गतास्ते च तपोधनाः। अचिरेणैव कालेन मोक्षं याताश्च तैस्सह

śrutvā vākyaṁ tatasteṣāṁ gatāste ca tapodhanāḥ acireṇaiva kālena mokṣaṁ yātāśca taissaha

Hearing their words, they went with those rich in austerity, and in no long time, they attained liberation together with them.

Verse 298 (padma.1.50.298)

य इदं शृणुयाच्छ्राद्धे सप्तव्याधादिकं द्विज। अक्षयं चान्नपानं च पितॄणामुपतिष्ठति

ya idaṁ śṛṇuyācchrāddhe saptavyādhādikaṁ dvija akṣayaṁ cānnapānaṁ ca pitṝṇāmupatiṣṭhati

He who, at a shraddha, hears this tale of the seven hunters and the rest, O twice-born — imperishable food and drink becomes present for his ancestors.

Verse 299 (padma.1.50.299)

द्विज उवाच। वित्तहीनस्य विप्रस्य पितृकार्यं कथं भवेत्। तपस्विनो वनस्थस्य गृहस्थस्य च केशव

dvija uvāca vittahīnasya viprasya pitṛkāryaṁ kathaṁ bhavet tapasvino vanasthasya gṛhasthasya ca keśava

The brahmin said: "How can the ancestral rite be performed by a brahmin without wealth — an ascetic, a forest-dweller, or a householder, O Keshava?"

Verse 300 (padma.1.50.300)

भगवानुवाच। तृणकाष्ठार्जनं कृत्वा प्रार्थयित्वा वराटकम्। करोति पितृकार्याणि ततो लक्षगुणं भवेत्

bhagavānuvāca tṛṇakāṣṭhārjanaṁ kṛtvā prārthayitvā varāṭakam karoti pitṛkāryāṇi tato lakṣaguṇaṁ bhavet

The Lord said: "Having gathered grass and firewood, and having begged for even a cowrie shell, if one performs the ancestral rites, it becomes a hundred-thousand-fold."

Verse 301 (padma.1.50.301)

अकर्तव्यं शतं कृत्वा पितृश्राद्धं करोति यः। सर्वपापक्षयस्तस्य स्वर्गं याति च मानवः

akartavyaṁ śataṁ kṛtvā pitṛśrāddhaṁ karoti yaḥ sarvapāpakṣayastasya svargaṁ yāti ca mānavaḥ

"He who, even having done a hundred forbidden things, performs the ancestral shraddha — all his sin is destroyed, and that man goes to heaven."

Verse 302 (padma.1.50.302)

सर्वाभावे पितृतिथौ गोभ्यो घासं ददाति यः। फलं च पिंडदानस्य संप्राप्नोत्यधिकं नरः

sarvābhāve pitṛtithau gobhyo ghāsaṁ dadāti yaḥ phalaṁ ca piṁḍadānasya saṁprāpnotyadhikaṁ naraḥ

"In total absence of means, he who, on the ancestral tithi, gives grass to cows, that man obtains even more than the fruit of a pinda-offering."

Verse 303 (padma.1.50.303)

पुरा वैराटविषये रुरोदातीव दीनकः। पितृतिथौ स्वयं प्राप्ते सर्वाभावाच्च रोदिति

purā vairāṭaviṣaye rurodātīva dīnakaḥ pitṛtithau svayaṁ prāpte sarvābhāvācca roditi

Long ago, in the region of Virata, a poor man wept exceedingly. When the ancestral tithi arrived on its own, he wept from having nothing at all.

Verse 304 (padma.1.50.304)

रुदित्वा सुचिरं सोपि पप्रच्छ कोविदं द्विजं। ब्रह्मन्पितृतिथावद्य किंस्वित्कृत्वा हितं भवेत्

ruditvā suciraṁ sopi papraccha kovidaṁ dvijaṁ brahmanpitṛtithāvadya kiṁsvitkṛtvā hitaṁ bhavet

Having wept for a long time, he asked a learned brahmin: "O Brahman, today, on the ancestral tithi, what indeed, having done, would be beneficial?"

Verse 305 (padma.1.50.305)

वराटकश्च मे नास्ति धनं ब्रह्मविदांवर। उपदेशं च मे देहि येन धर्मे स्थितो ह्यहम्

varāṭakaśca me nāsti dhanaṁ brahmavidāṁvara upadeśaṁ ca me dehi yena dharme sthito hyaham

"O best of the knowers of Brahman, I do not even have a cowrie shell of wealth. Give me instruction, by which I might remain established in dharma."

Verse 306 (padma.1.50.306)

द्विज उवाच। गच्छ शीघ्रं वने तात मुहूर्ते कुतपेऽधुना। घासं पितरमुद्दिश्य गवे देहीति सत्वरम्

dvija uvāca gaccha śīghraṁ vane tāta muhūrte kutape'dhunā ghāsaṁ pitaramuddiśya gave dehīti satvaram

The brahmin said: "Go quickly to the forest, my son, right now, in the Kutapa hour; gather grass, dedicate it to your father, and quickly give it to a cow."

Verse 307 (padma.1.50.307)

ततस्तस्योपदेशेन गृहीत्वा घासपूलकम्। गवे दत्वा यथाहृष्टः पुष्ट्यर्थं पितुरेव च

tatastasyopadeśena gṛhītvā ghāsapūlakam gave datvā yathāhṛṣṭaḥ puṣṭyarthaṁ pitureva ca

Then, by his instruction, having gathered a bundle of grass, giving it to a cow, joyfully, for the nourishment of his father,

Verse 308 (padma.1.50.308)

एतत्पुण्यप्रसादेन गतोसौ सुरमंदिरम्। स्वर्गं च सुचिरं भुक्त्वा उत्पन्नो धनिनां कुले

etatpuṇyaprasādena gatosau suramaṁdiram svargaṁ ca suciraṁ bhuktvā utpanno dhanināṁ kule

by the grace of this merit, he went to the abode of the gods; and having enjoyed heaven for a very long time, he was born into a family of wealthy people.

Verse 309 (padma.1.50.309)

धनवान्स पुरा पुण्यात्पितृयज्ञस्य कारणात्। स ददाति पितुः पिंडं सर्वस्वेन धनेन च

dhanavānsa purā puṇyātpitṛyajñasya kāraṇāt sa dadāti pituḥ piṁḍaṁ sarvasvena dhanena ca

He, wealthy from that former merit and the ancestral sacrifice, gives the pinda offering to his father with all his wealth.

Verse 310 (padma.1.50.310)

तत्रैकजन्मनोभ्यासाद्गतोसौ विष्णुमंदिरम्। भुक्त्वानन्तसुखं तत्र सार्वभौमोभवन्नृपः

tatraikajanmanobhyāsādgatosau viṣṇumaṁdiram bhuktvānantasukhaṁ tatra sārvabhaumobhavannṛpaḥ

There, from the practice of a single subsequent birth, he went to the abode of Vishnu; having enjoyed endless happiness there, he became a universal monarch.

Verse 311 (padma.1.50.311)

पितृयज्ञात्परो यस्माद्धर्मो नास्ति कथंचन। तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन शक्त्या कुर्यादमत्सरः

pitṛyajñātparo yasmāddharmo nāsti kathaṁcana tasmātsarvaprayatnena śaktyā kuryādamatsaraḥ

Since there is no dharma higher than the ancestral sacrifice, therefore, with every effort, without envy, one should perform it to the best of one's ability.

Verse 312 (padma.1.50.312)

यः पठेद्धर्मसंतानं जनानामग्रतो नरः। विष्णुपद्या जले स्नानं प्रति लोके च लभ्यते

yaḥ paṭheddharmasaṁtānaṁ janānāmagrato naraḥ viṣṇupadyā jale snānaṁ prati loke ca labhyate

The man who recites this lineage of dharma before the people obtains, in this world, merit equal to bathing in the water flowing from Vishnu's foot.

Verse 313 (padma.1.50.313)

जन्मजन्मकृतो येन महापातकसंचयः। तत्सर्वं प्रलयं याति सकृदुच्चरिते श्रुते

janmajanmakṛto yena mahāpātakasaṁcayaḥ tatsarvaṁ pralayaṁ yāti sakṛduccarite śrute

By hearing this recited even once, whatever accumulation of great sins has been committed birth after birth — all of it goes to destruction.