The Shudra's Freedom from Greed

Verse 1 (padma.1.53.1)

द्विज उवाच- तुलाधारस्य चरितं प्रभावमतुलं प्रभो। वक्तुमर्हस्यशेषेण यदि मय्यस्त्यनुग्रहः

dvija uvāca tulādhārasya caritaṁ prabhāvamatulaṁ prabho vaktumarhasyaśeṣeṇa yadi mayyastyanugrahaḥ

The brahmin said: O Lord, please tell in full the deeds and unparalleled power of Tuladhara, if you have grace toward me.

Verse 2 (padma.1.53.2)

श्रीभगवानुवाच - सत्यभावादलोभाच्च दद्याद्यो वै त्वमत्सरात्। नित्यं यज्ञशतं तस्य सुनिष्पन्नं सुदक्षिणम्

śrībhagavānuvāca satyabhāvādalobhācca dadyādyo vai tvamatsarāt nityaṁ yajñaśataṁ tasya suniṣpannaṁ sudakṣiṇam

The blessed Lord said: He who gives, out of truthfulness and freedom from greed, without envy — for him it is as if a hundred sacrifices, well-accomplished, with excellent sacrificial fees, are ever performed.

Verse 3 (padma.1.53.3)

सत्येनोदयते सूरो वाति वातस्तथैव च। न लंघयेत्समुद्रस्तु वेलां कूर्मो धरां तथा

satyenodayate sūro vāti vātastathaiva ca na laṁghayetsamudrastu velāṁ kūrmo dharāṁ tathā

By truth the sun rises, and the wind blows likewise; by truth the ocean does not transgress its shore, and the tortoise bears the earth likewise.

Verse 4 (padma.1.53.4)

सत्येन लोकास्तिष्ठंति सर्वे च वसुधाधराः। सत्याद्भ्रष्टोथ यः सत्वोप्यधोवासी भवेद्ध्रुवम्

satyena lokāstiṣṭhaṁti sarve ca vasudhādharāḥ satyādbhraṣṭotha yaḥ satvopyadhovāsī bhaveddhruvam

By truth all the worlds stand, and all the mountains that bear the earth. He who falls from truth, even a great being, surely becomes a dweller below.

Verse 5 (padma.1.53.5)

सत्यवाचिरतोथस्तु सत्यकार्यरतः सदा। सशरीरेण स्वर्लोकमागत्याच्युततां व्रजेत्

satyavāciratothastu satyakāryarataḥ sadā saśarīreṇa svarlokamāgatyācyutatāṁ vrajet

He devoted to truthful speech, ever devoted to truthful action, comes to the world of heaven even with his body, and attains the state of imperishability.

Verse 6 (padma.1.53.6)

सत्येन मुनयः सर्वे मां च गत्वा स्थिरं गताः। सत्याद्युधिष्ठिरो राजा सशरीरो दिवं गतः

satyena munayaḥ sarve māṁ ca gatvā sthiraṁ gatāḥ satyādyudhiṣṭhiro rājā saśarīro divaṁ gataḥ

By truth, all the sages have gone to me and attained a fixed, eternal state. By truth, King Yudhishthira went to heaven with his very body.

Verse 7 (padma.1.53.7)

सर्वशत्रुगणं जित्वा लोको धर्मेण पालितः। अकरोच्च मखं शुद्धं राजसूयं सुदुर्लभम्

sarvaśatrugaṇaṁ jitvā loko dharmeṇa pālitaḥ akarocca makhaṁ śuddhaṁ rājasūyaṁ sudurlabham

Having conquered all his enemies, he ruled the world with dharma, and performed the pure, most difficult-to-attain Rajasuya sacrifice.

Verse 8 (padma.1.53.8)

चतुरशीतिसहस्राणि ब्राह्मणानां च नित्यशः। भोजयेद्रुक्मपात्रेषु राजोपकरणेषु च

caturaśītisahasrāṇi brāhmaṇānāṁ ca nityaśaḥ bhojayedrukmapātreṣu rājopakaraṇeṣu ca

He fed eighty-four thousand brahmins daily, in golden vessels, and with royal accoutrements.

Verse 9 (padma.1.53.9)

भोजयित्वोपकरणांस्तेभ्यो दत्वा विसर्जयेत्। यदभीष्टं द्विजातीनामतोन्यद्दापयेद्धनम्

bhojayitvopakaraṇāṁstebhyo datvā visarjayet yadabhīṣṭaṁ dvijātīnāmatonyaddāpayeddhanam

Having fed them, and given them the vessels as gifts, he sent them off; whatever else the twice-born desired, he gave them that wealth too.

Verse 10 (padma.1.53.10)

अदरिद्रं ततो ज्ञात्वा द्विजव्यूहं परित्यजेत्। तथैव स्नातकानां तु सहस्राणि तु षोडश। नित्यं संभोजयेद्राजा सत्येनैव विमत्सरः

adaridraṁ tato jñātvā dvijavyūhaṁ parityajet tathaiva snātakānāṁ tu sahasrāṇi tu ṣoḍaśa nityaṁ saṁbhojayedrājā satyenaiva vimatsaraḥ

Knowing them no longer poor, he then dismissed the assembly of brahmins. Likewise, the king daily fed sixteen thousand snatakas, without envy, purely out of truthfulness.

Verse 11 (padma.1.53.11)

अतिष्ठंत गृहे पूर्वं चिरं तस्य जिगीषया। जितं तेन जगत्सर्वं प्राणानुग्रहकारणात्

atiṣṭhaṁta gṛhe pūrvaṁ ciraṁ tasya jigīṣayā jitaṁ tena jagatsarvaṁ prāṇānugrahakāraṇāt

They had long stayed in his house before, out of a wish to win favour; by him the whole world was conquered, by the cause of grace toward all living beings.

Verse 12 (padma.1.53.12)

सत्येन चासुरो राजा बलिरिंद्रो भविष्यति। पातालस्थस्य तस्यैव भूयस्तिष्ठामि वेश्मनि

satyena cāsuro rājā baliriṁdro bhaviṣyati pātālasthasya tasyaiva bhūyastiṣṭhāmi veśmani

And by truth, the asura king Bali will become Indra. I dwell again and again in the house of that very one who now resides in Patala.

Verse 13 (padma.1.53.13)

निरंतरं च तिष्ठामि स्वांते पुण्यैककर्मणः। यद्वा पुरा मया बद्धो दैत्ययोनेर्विमोक्षणात्

niraṁtaraṁ ca tiṣṭhāmi svāṁte puṇyaikakarmaṇaḥ yadvā purā mayā baddho daityayonervimokṣaṇāt

I dwell constantly in the heart of one whose deeds are solely meritorious; and formerly I bound him for his eventual release from the daitya cycle of rebirth.

Verse 14 (padma.1.53.14)

तलं चैवामरत्वं हि शक्रत्वं प्रददाम्यहम्। हरिश्चंद्रो नृपस्सत्यात्सवाहनपरिच्छदः

talaṁ caivāmaratvaṁ hi śakratvaṁ pradadāmyaham hariścaṁdro nṛpassatyātsavāhanaparicchadaḥ

I grant him Talaloka, immortality, and the very status of Indra. King Harishchandra, by truth, together with his vehicles and retinue,

Verse 15 (padma.1.53.15)

स्वशरीरेण शुद्धेन सत्यलोके प्रतिष्ठितः। राजानो बहवश्चान्ये ये च सिद्धा महर्षयः

svaśarīreṇa śuddhena satyaloke pratiṣṭhitaḥ rājāno bahavaścānye ye ca siddhā maharṣayaḥ

is established in Satyaloka with his very pure body. Many other kings, and the siddhas and great sages,

Verse 16 (padma.1.53.16)

ज्ञानिनो यतयश्चैव सर्वे सत्येऽच्युताऽभवन्। तस्मात्सत्यरतो लोके संसारोद्धरणक्षमः

jñānino yatayaścaiva sarve satye'cyutā'bhavan tasmātsatyarato loke saṁsāroddharaṇakṣamaḥ

the knowers of wisdom, and the ascetics — all, through truth, became imperishable. Therefore, one devoted to truth in the world is capable of redeeming from samsara.

Verse 17 (padma.1.53.17)

तुलाधारो महात्मा वै सत्यवाक्ये प्रतिष्ठितः। लोके तत्सदृशो नास्ति सत्यवाक्यस्य कारणात्

tulādhāro mahātmā vai satyavākye pratiṣṭhitaḥ loke tatsadṛśo nāsti satyavākyasya kāraṇāt

The great soul Tuladhara is indeed established in truthful speech; there is none like him in the world, by reason of his truthful speech.

Verse 18 (padma.1.53.18)

अश्वमेधसहस्रेण सत्यं तु तुलया धृतम्। अश्वमेधसहस्राद्धि सत्यमेव विशिष्यते

aśvamedhasahasreṇa satyaṁ tu tulayā dhṛtam aśvamedhasahasrāddhi satyameva viśiṣyate

A thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices and truth were weighed on a balance; and truth alone was found superior to a thousand Ashvamedhas.

Verse 19 (padma.1.53.19)

सर्वं सत्याद्भवेत्साध्यं सत्यो हि दुरतिक्रमः। सत्यवाक्येन सा धेनुर्बहुला स्वर्गगामिनी

sarvaṁ satyādbhavetsādhyaṁ satyo hi duratikramaḥ satyavākyena sā dhenurbahulā svargagāminī

Everything becomes achievable through truth, for truth is indeed insurmountable. By truthful speech, that cow, abundant in yield, becomes one that leads to heaven,

Verse 20 (padma.1.53.20)

सर्वं राष्ट्रं समाधाय पुनरावृत्तिदुर्लभा। तथायं सर्वदा साक्षी मृषा नास्ति कदाचन

sarvaṁ rāṣṭraṁ samādhāya punarāvṛttidurlabhā tathāyaṁ sarvadā sākṣī mṛṣā nāsti kadācana

having sustained the entire realm, becoming a state where return to rebirth is hard to attain. And likewise, a witness who always tells the truth never speaks falsely.

Verse 21 (padma.1.53.21)

बह्वर्घमल्पमर्घं च क्रयविक्रयणे सुधीः। सत्यवाक्यं प्रशस्तं च विशेषात्साक्षिणो भवेत्

bahvarghamalpamarghaṁ ca krayavikrayaṇe sudhīḥ satyavākyaṁ praśastaṁ ca viśeṣātsākṣiṇo bhavet

Whether of great value or small, in buying and selling, the wise one's truthful speech is praised; especially important is it for a witness.

Verse 22 (padma.1.53.22)

साक्षिणः सत्यमुक्त्वा च अक्षयं स्वर्गमाययुः। वावदूकः सभां प्राप्य सत्यं वदति वाक्पतिः

sākṣiṇaḥ satyamuktvā ca akṣayaṁ svargamāyayuḥ vāvadūkaḥ sabhāṁ prāpya satyaṁ vadati vākpatiḥ

Witnesses, having spoken the truth, attain imperishable heaven. An eloquent speaker, having come to an assembly, a master of words, speaks the truth —

Verse 23 (padma.1.53.23)

स याति ब्रह्मणो गेहं यज्ञैरन्यैश्च दुर्लभम्। सभायां यो वदेत्सत्यमश्वमेधफलं लभेत्

sa yāti brahmaṇo gehaṁ yajñairanyaiśca durlabham sabhāyāṁ yo vadetsatyamaśvamedhaphalaṁ labhet

he goes to the abode of Brahma, hard to attain by other sacrifices. He who speaks the truth in an assembly obtains the fruit of an Ashvamedha.

Verse 24 (padma.1.53.24)

लोभाद्द्वेषान्मृषोक्त्वा च रौरवं नरकं व्रजेत्। सर्वसाक्षी तुलाधारो जनानां शूर एव च

lobhāddveṣānmṛṣoktvā ca rauravaṁ narakaṁ vrajet sarvasākṣī tulādhāro janānāṁ śūra eva ca

Having spoken falsely out of greed or hatred, one goes to Raurava hell. Tuladhara, witness to all, is truly a hero among men,

Verse 25 (padma.1.53.25)

विशेषाल्लोभसंत्यागान्नाके निर्जरतां व्रजेत्। कश्चिच्छूद्रो महाभागो न लोभे वर्तते क्वचित्

viśeṣāllobhasaṁtyāgānnāke nirjaratāṁ vrajet kaścicchūdro mahābhāgo na lobhe vartate kvacit

especially through the total abandonment of greed, he attains agelessness in heaven. There once was a certain greatly fortunate shudra who never dwelt in greed at all;

Verse 26 (padma.1.53.26)

वृत्तिश्शाकेन दुःखेन तथा शिलोंछतो भृशम्। जर्जरं वस्त्रयुग्मं च करौ पात्रे च सर्वदा

vṛttiśśākena duḥkhena tathā śiloṁchato bhṛśam jarjaraṁ vastrayugmaṁ ca karau pātre ca sarvadā

his livelihood was from vegetables, obtained with hardship, and by gleaning grain very sparingly; a worn pair of garments, and always only his two hands as vessels,

Verse 27 (padma.1.53.27)

सदापि लाभविरहो न परस्वं गृहीतवान्। तस्य जिज्ञासयैवाहं गृहीत्वा वस्त्रयुग्मकम्

sadāpi lābhaviraho na parasvaṁ gṛhītavān tasya jijñāsayaivāhaṁ gṛhītvā vastrayugmakam

and always devoid of extra gain, he never took another's property. Out of curiosity about him, I myself, taking the form of a pair of garments,

Verse 28 (padma.1.53.28)

अवकोटे नदीतीरे स्थितस्संस्थाप्य सादरम्। स दृष्ट्वा वस्त्रयुग्मं तन्न लोभे कुरते मनः

avakoṭe nadītīre sthitassaṁsthāpya sādaram sa dṛṣṭvā vastrayugmaṁ tanna lobhe kurate manaḥ

placed that pair of garments with reverence at a bend of the riverbank. Seeing that pair of garments, he did not turn his mind to greed,

Verse 29 (padma.1.53.29)

इतरस्य परिज्ञाय तत्क्षांत्या स्वगृहं ययौ। ततो विचिंतयित्वा तु हृदा स्वल्पमिति द्विज

itarasya parijñāya tatkṣāṁtyā svagṛhaṁ yayau tato viciṁtayitvā tu hṛdā svalpamiti dvija

recognizing it as belonging to another, and with patience, he went to his own house. Then, O twice-born, having reflected — this was too little a test —

Verse 30 (padma.1.53.30)

उदुंबरं हेमगर्भं मया तत्रैव पातितम्। किंकरे च नदीतीरे विकोणे जनवर्जिते

uduṁbaraṁ hemagarbhaṁ mayā tatraiva pātitam kiṁkare ca nadītīre vikoṇe janavarjite

I placed there a udumbara fruit filled with gold, on the riverbank, in a corner, devoid of people.

Verse 31 (padma.1.53.31)

तस्य यातस्य देशे तु दृष्टं तेन तदद्भुतम्। अलं विधानमेतत्तु कृत्रिमं चोपलक्ष्यते

tasya yātasya deśe tu dṛṣṭaṁ tena tadadbhutam alaṁ vidhānametattu kṛtrimaṁ copalakṣyate

When he went to that place, he saw that wondrous thing; and thought: 'This arrangement appears artificial — enough of this —'

Verse 32 (padma.1.53.32)

ग्रहणे वाधुना चास्य अलोभं नष्टमेव मे। अस्यैव रक्षणे कष्टमहंकारपदं त्विदम्

grahaṇe vādhunā cāsya alobhaṁ naṣṭameva me asyaiva rakṣaṇe kaṣṭamahaṁkārapadaṁ tvidam

'If I take it now, my very freedom from greed would be destroyed. In guarding it there is only hardship — this is merely a position of ego.'

Verse 33 (padma.1.53.33)

यतो लोभस्ततो लाभो लाभाल्लोभः प्रवर्तते। लोभग्रस्तस्य पुंसश्च शाश्वतो निरयो भवेत्

yato lobhastato lābho lābhāllobhaḥ pravartate lobhagrastasya puṁsaśca śāśvato nirayo bhavet

'Where there is greed, there is gain; from gain, greed proceeds further. For a man seized by greed, an eternal hell results.'

Verse 34 (padma.1.53.34)

यदि नो विगुणं वित्तं यदा वेश्मनि तिष्ठति। तदा मे दारपुत्राणामुन्मादो ह्युपपद्यते

yadi no viguṇaṁ vittaṁ yadā veśmani tiṣṭhati tadā me dāraputrāṇāmunmādo hyupapadyate

'If wealth beyond what is proper stays in the house, then madness arises in my wife and children.'

Verse 35 (padma.1.53.35)

उन्मादात्कामसंजात विकारान्मतिविभ्रमः। भ्रमान्मोहोप्यहंकारः क्रोधलोभावतः परं

unmādātkāmasaṁjāta vikārānmativibhramaḥ bhramānmohopyahaṁkāraḥ krodhalobhāvataḥ paraṁ

'From madness, born of desire, comes derangement, confusion of mind; from confusion, delusion; then ego; and beyond that, anger and greed —'

Verse 36 (padma.1.53.36)

एषां प्रचुरभावाच्च तपः क्षयं गमिष्यति। क्षीणे तपसि वर्तंते पंकाश्चित्तप्रमोहकाः

eṣāṁ pracurabhāvācca tapaḥ kṣayaṁ gamiṣyati kṣīṇe tapasi vartaṁte paṁkāścittapramohakāḥ

'— from the abundance of these, austerity will go to ruin. When austerity is diminished, the mires that delude the mind arise.'

Verse 37 (padma.1.53.37)

तैश्च शृंखलयोगैश्च बद्धो नैवोद्धृतिं व्रजेत्। एतद्विमृश्य शूद्रोऽसौ परित्यज्य गृहं गतः

taiśca śṛṁkhalayogaiśca baddho naivoddhṛtiṁ vrajet etadvimṛśya śūdro'sau parityajya gṛhaṁ gataḥ

'Bound by these chain-like fetters, one never attains liberation.' Reflecting on this, that shudra abandoned it and went home.

Verse 38 (padma.1.53.38)

स्वस्था देवा मुदा तत्र साधुसाध्विति चाब्रुवन्। निर्ग्रंथिरूपमादाय तस्यांतिक गृहं तथा

svasthā devā mudā tatra sādhusādhviti cābruvan nirgraṁthirūpamādāya tasyāṁtika gṛhaṁ tathā

The gods, at ease, joyfully exclaimed there, "Well done, well done!" Taking the form of a simple, unattached man, I then went to his house nearby,

Verse 39 (padma.1.53.39)

गत्वाहं दैवसंवादमवदं भूतवर्तनम्। ततोभ्यासप्रसंगाच्च जनानां च परिप्लवात्

gatvāhaṁ daivasaṁvādamavadaṁ bhūtavartanam tatobhyāsaprasaṁgācca janānāṁ ca pariplavāt

and having gone, I spoke of divine matters and the way of beings. Then, through habitual conversation and the gathering of people,

Verse 40 (padma.1.53.40)

तस्य योषा तदागत्य पप्रच्छ दैवकारणम्। ततोहमवदं तस्य यद्वा चेतोगतं द्रुतम्

tasya yoṣā tadāgatya papraccha daivakāraṇam tatohamavadaṁ tasya yadvā cetogataṁ drutam

his wife then came and asked about divine matters. Then I quickly told her whatever was on my mind.

Verse 41 (padma.1.53.41)

निभृतोथ निनादस्य कारणं कथितं मया। हृद्गतं पतिना तेद्य विधिना दत्तमज्ञवत्

nibhṛtotha ninādasya kāraṇaṁ kathitaṁ mayā hṛdgataṁ patinā tedya vidhinā dattamajñavat

Then, in a whisper, I revealed to her the cause of the matter: 'That which today has been given by fate, unknowingly, to your husband, lies in his heart —'

Verse 42 (padma.1.53.42)

परित्यक्तं महाभागे पुनर्नास्तीह ते वसु। यावज्जीवति दौर्विध्यं तस्य भोक्ता न संशयः

parityaktaṁ mahābhāge punarnāstīha te vasu yāvajjīvati daurvidhyaṁ tasya bhoktā na saṁśayaḥ

'— it has been abandoned, O greatly fortunate one; there is no more wealth here for you. As long as he lives, he will be the enjoyer of misfortune, without doubt.'

Verse 43 (padma.1.53.43)

गच्छ मातर्गृहं शून्यमलब्धं तत्प्रपृच्छतम्। श्रुत्वा तद्वै शिवं सा च वचनं पत्युरंतिके

gaccha mātargṛhaṁ śūnyamalabdhaṁ tatprapṛcchatam śrutvā tadvai śivaṁ sā ca vacanaṁ patyuraṁtike

'Go, mother, and ask your husband about that lost opportunity.' Having heard that word, she, near her husband,

Verse 44 (padma.1.53.44)

गत्वा प्रोवाच दुर्वृत्तं तच्छ्रुत्वा विस्मयं गतः। स विचिंत्य तया सार्धमागतोसौ ममांतिकम्

gatvā provāca durvṛttaṁ tacchrutvā vismayaṁ gataḥ sa viciṁtya tayā sārdhamāgatosau mamāṁtikam

went and spoke of that unfortunate event; hearing it, he became astonished. Having reflected, he came together with her into my presence.

Verse 45 (padma.1.53.45)

निभृतं मामुवाचेदं क्षपणत्वं च कीर्तय। क्षपणक उवाच- चाक्षुषं चिरसंशुद्धं हेलया तृणवत्कथम्

nibhṛtaṁ māmuvācedaṁ kṣapaṇatvaṁ ca kīrtaya kṣapaṇaka uvāca cākṣuṣaṁ cirasaṁśuddhaṁ helayā tṛṇavatkatham

He said to me privately: 'Reveal your wisdom.' The ascetic said: 'That which was visible, pure by long standing, how, out of carelessness, like a blade of grass —'

Verse 46 (padma.1.53.46)

त्वया त्यक्तं यतस्तात नास्ति भाग्यमकंटकम्। ऐश्वर्यमतुलं शौर्यं शीर्यते भावुकं पुनः

tvayā tyaktaṁ yatastāta nāsti bhāgyamakaṁṭakam aiśvaryamatulaṁ śauryaṁ śīryate bhāvukaṁ punaḥ

'— was abandoned by you, my son? There is no fortune without thorns. Incomparable prosperity and valour crumble away, and yet may come again —'

Verse 47 (padma.1.53.47)

स्वबंधूनां महद्दुःखमाजन्ममरणांतिकम्। द्रक्ष्यसे चात्मना नित्यं मृतानां या गतिर्ध्रुवम्

svabaṁdhūnāṁ mahadduḥkhamājanmamaraṇāṁtikam drakṣyase cātmanā nityaṁ mṛtānāṁ yā gatirdhruvam

'— great suffering for your own kinsmen, from birth to the point of death. You will see for yourself constantly the sure fate of the dead —'

Verse 48 (padma.1.53.48)

तस्मात्तद्गृह्यतां तूर्णं भुंक्ष्व भोग्यमकंटकम्। ऐश्वर्यमतुलं शौर्यं लोकानां विस्मयं वरम्

tasmāttadgṛhyatāṁ tūrṇaṁ bhuṁkṣva bhogyamakaṁṭakam aiśvaryamatulaṁ śauryaṁ lokānāṁ vismayaṁ varam

'— therefore, take it up quickly; enjoy that enjoyment without thorns — incomparable prosperity, valour, the wonder and best of the worlds.'

Verse 49 (padma.1.53.49)

शूद्र उवाच- न मे वित्ते स्पृहा चास्ति धनं संसार वागुरा। तद्विधौ पतितो मर्त्यो न पुनर्मोक्षकं व्रजेत्

śūdra uvāca na me vitte spṛhā cāsti dhanaṁ saṁsāra vāgurā tadvidhau patito martyo na punarmokṣakaṁ vrajet

The shudra said: 'I have no craving for wealth; wealth is the trap of samsara. A mortal fallen into that snare never again attains liberation.'

Verse 50 (padma.1.53.50)

शृणु वित्तस्य यद्दोषमिहलोके परत्र च। भयं चोराच्च ज्ञातिभ्यो राजभ्यस्तत्करादपि

śṛṇu vittasya yaddoṣamihaloke paratra ca bhayaṁ corācca jñātibhyo rājabhyastatkarādapi

'Hear the fault of wealth, in this world and the next: fear from thieves, from relatives, from kings, and even from its own consequences —'

Verse 51 (padma.1.53.51)

सर्वे जिघांसवो मर्त्याः पशुमत्स्यविविष्किराः। तथा धनवतां नित्यं कथमर्थास्सुखावहाः

sarve jighāṁsavo martyāḥ paśumatsyaviviṣkirāḥ tathā dhanavatāṁ nityaṁ kathamarthāssukhāvahāḥ

'all mortals become eager to kill for it, like predators over cattle, fish, and scattered birds; likewise, for the wealthy, how can wealth ever bring constant happiness?'

Verse 52 (padma.1.53.52)

प्राणस्यांतकरो ह्यर्थस्साधको दुरितस्य च। कालादीनां प्रियं गेहं निदानं दुर्गतेः परम्

prāṇasyāṁtakaro hyarthassādhako duritasya ca kālādīnāṁ priyaṁ gehaṁ nidānaṁ durgateḥ param

'Wealth is indeed the destroyer of life, and the accomplisher of sin; it is the beloved home of Death and the like, and the supreme root-cause of misfortune.'

Verse 53 (padma.1.53.53)

क्षपणक उवाच- यस्यार्थास्तस्य मित्राणि यस्यार्थास्तस्य बांधवाः। कुलं शीलं च पांडित्यं रूपं भोग्यं यशः सुखम्

kṣapaṇaka uvāca yasyārthāstasya mitrāṇi yasyārthāstasya bāṁdhavāḥ kulaṁ śīlaṁ ca pāṁḍityaṁ rūpaṁ bhogyaṁ yaśaḥ sukham

The ascetic said: 'He who has wealth has friends; he who has wealth has kinsmen. Lineage, character, learning, beauty, enjoyment, fame, happiness —'

Verse 54 (padma.1.53.54)

धनेन तु विहीनस्य पुत्रदारोज्झितस्य च। कथं मित्रं कथं धर्मं दीनानां जन्मनः कथं

dhanena tu vihīnasya putradārojjhitasya ca kathaṁ mitraṁ kathaṁ dharmaṁ dīnānāṁ janmanaḥ kathaṁ

'— for one devoid of wealth, abandoned even by wife and sons, how can there be friendship? How dharma? How, for the wretched, can there be meaning to birth itself?'

Verse 55 (padma.1.53.55)

सत्वादिक्रतुकार्यं च पुष्करिण्युपकारकं। दानं नाकस्य सोपानं निःस्वस्य च न सिद्ध्यति

satvādikratukāryaṁ ca puṣkariṇyupakārakaṁ dānaṁ nākasya sopānaṁ niḥsvasya ca na siddhyati

'The performance of sacrifices and the like, the making of beneficial pools, and charity, the staircase to heaven — these do not succeed for the penniless one.'

Verse 56 (padma.1.53.56)

व्रतकार्यस्य रक्षा च धर्मादिश्रवणं भृशम्। पितृयज्ञादितीर्थं च निर्वित्तस्य न सिद्ध्यति

vratakāryasya rakṣā ca dharmādiśravaṇaṁ bhṛśam pitṛyajñāditīrthaṁ ca nirvittasya na siddhyati

'The observance and protection of vows, the constant hearing of dharma-discourses, ancestral sacrifices and pilgrimage — these do not succeed for one without wealth.'

Verse 57 (padma.1.53.57)

तथा रोगप्रतीकारः पथ्यमौषधसंचयं। रक्षणं विग्रहश्चैव शत्रूणां विजयो ध्रुवम्

tathā rogapratīkāraḥ pathyamauṣadhasaṁcayaṁ rakṣaṇaṁ vigrahaścaiva śatrūṇāṁ vijayo dhruvam

'Likewise, the remedy of disease, the accumulation of suitable medicines; protection, and confrontation, and certain victory over enemies —'

Verse 58 (padma.1.53.58)

स्त्रीणां च जन्मना वार्ता वसुयोगेन लभ्यते। भूतभव्यप्रवृत्तानां सुकृतं दुष्कृतं च यत्

strīṇāṁ ca janmanā vārtā vasuyogena labhyate bhūtabhavyapravṛttānāṁ sukṛtaṁ duṣkṛtaṁ ca yat

'— and even the marriage prospects of women — all are obtained through the possession of wealth. Whatever good or bad deed occurs, of things past and future —'

Verse 59 (padma.1.53.59)

तस्माद्बहुधनं यस्य तस्य भोग्यं यदृच्छया। स्वर्गं वितरणादेव लप्स्यसे ह्यचिरादितः

tasmādbahudhanaṁ yasya tasya bhogyaṁ yadṛcchayā svargaṁ vitaraṇādeva lapsyase hyacirāditaḥ

'— therefore, he who has much wealth has enjoyment as he pleases. Through giving alone, you will quickly attain heaven from this very wealth.'

Verse 60 (padma.1.53.60)

शूद्र उवाच- अकामाच्च व्रतं सर्वमक्रोधात्तीर्थसेवनम्। दया जप्यसमा शुद्धं संतोषो धनमेव च

śūdra uvāca akāmācca vrataṁ sarvamakrodhāttīrthasevanam dayā japyasamā śuddhaṁ saṁtoṣo dhanameva ca

The shudra said: 'All vows come from freedom from desire; pilgrimage-visiting comes from freedom from anger. Compassion equals recitation of mantras in purity, and contentment is itself wealth.'

Verse 61 (padma.1.53.61)

अहिंसा परमा सिद्धिः शिलोंछवृत्तिरुत्तमा। शाकाहारः सुधातुल्य उपवासः परंतप

ahiṁsā paramā siddhiḥ śiloṁchavṛttiruttamā śākāhāraḥ sudhātulya upavāsaḥ paraṁtapa

'Non-violence is the supreme attainment, gleaning is the best livelihood, a vegetable diet is equal to nectar, O scorcher of foes, and fasting is likewise excellent.'

Verse 62 (padma.1.53.62)

संतोषो मे महाभोग्यं महादानं वराटकम्। मातृवत्परदाराश्च परद्रव्याणि लोष्ठवत्

saṁtoṣo me mahābhogyaṁ mahādānaṁ varāṭakam mātṛvatparadārāśca paradravyāṇi loṣṭhavat

'Contentment is my great enjoyment; even a cowrie-shell given is a great gift. Other men's wives are to me like mothers, and others' property is like a mere clod of earth,'

Verse 63 (padma.1.53.63)

परदारा भुजंगाभाः सर्वयज्ञ इदं मम। तस्मादेनं न गृह्णामि सत्यं सत्यं गुणाकर

paradārā bhujaṁgābhāḥ sarvayajña idaṁ mama tasmādenaṁ na gṛhṇāmi satyaṁ satyaṁ guṇākara

'other men's wives are to me like venomous serpents; this is my complete sacrifice. Therefore I do not take this; it is true, truly true, O mine of virtues.'

Verse 64 (padma.1.53.64)

प्रक्षालनाद्धि पंकस्य दूरादस्पर्शनं वरं। इत्युक्ते तु नरश्रेष्ठ पुष्पवर्षं पपात ह

prakṣālanāddhi paṁkasya dūrādasparśanaṁ varaṁ ityukte tu naraśreṣṭha puṣpavarṣaṁ papāta ha

'Rather than washing off mud, it is better not to touch it at all, staying far away.' When this was said, O best of men, a shower of flowers fell,

Verse 65 (padma.1.53.65)

मूर्ध्रिदेशे तनौ तस्य सर्वदेवेरितं द्विज। देवदुंदुभयो नेदुर्नृत्यंत्यप्सरसां गणाः

mūrdhrideśe tanau tasya sarvadeveritaṁ dvija devaduṁdubhayo nedurnṛtyaṁtyapsarasāṁ gaṇāḥ

sent by all the gods, O twice-born, upon his head and body; the divine drums resounded, and the hosts of apsaras danced.

Verse 66 (padma.1.53.66)

जगुर्गंधर्वपतयो विमानं चापतद्दिवः। ऊचुर्देवगणास्तत्र विमानमिदमारुह

jagurgaṁdharvapatayo vimānaṁ cāpataddivaḥ ūcurdevagaṇāstatra vimānamidamāruha

The lords of the gandharvas sang, and a celestial chariot descended from heaven. The hosts of gods said there: 'Mount this chariot,'

Verse 67 (padma.1.53.67)

सत्यलोकं समासाद्य भुंक्ष्व भोग्यं महेंद्रवत्। संख्या तेनापि वर्तेत भोग्यकालस्य धार्मिक

satyalokaṁ samāsādya bhuṁkṣva bhogyaṁ maheṁdravat saṁkhyā tenāpi varteta bhogyakālasya dhārmika

'and, having reached Satyaloka, enjoy pleasures like great Indra. Even by that, O righteous one, the count of the time of enjoyment shall proceed.'

Verse 68 (padma.1.53.68)

इत्युक्तेषु च देवेषु शूद्रो वचनमब्रवीत्। कथं निर्ग्रंथकस्यास्य ज्ञानं चेष्टास्य भाषणम्

ityukteṣu ca deveṣu śūdro vacanamabravīt kathaṁ nirgraṁthakasyāsya jñānaṁ ceṣṭāsya bhāṣaṇam

When the gods had said this, the shudra spoke these words: 'How does this simple, unattached man have such knowledge, and such conduct of speech?'

Verse 69 (padma.1.53.69)

किं वा हरिहरौ ब्रह्मा किं वा शक्रो बृहस्पतिः। किं वा मच्छलनादेव साक्षाद्धर्म इहागतः

kiṁ vā hariharau brahmā kiṁ vā śakro bṛhaspatiḥ kiṁ vā macchalanādeva sākṣāddharma ihāgataḥ

'Is he Hari or Hara, or Brahma? Or is he Indra, or Brihaspati? Or has Dharma himself, testing me, come here directly?'

Verse 70 (padma.1.53.70)

इत्युक्ते क्षपणश्चासौ स्मितो वचनमब्रवीत्। विज्ञातुं चैव वो धर्ममहं विष्णुरिहागतः

ityukte kṣapaṇaścāsau smito vacanamabravīt vijñātuṁ caiva vo dharmamahaṁ viṣṇurihāgataḥ

When this was said, that ascetic, smiling, spoke these words: 'I, Vishnu, have come here indeed to know your dharma.'

Verse 71 (padma.1.53.71)

विमानेन दिवं गच्छ सकुटुंबो महामुने। मत्प्रसादाच्च युष्माकं सदैव नवयौवनम्

vimānena divaṁ gaccha sakuṭuṁbo mahāmune matprasādācca yuṣmākaṁ sadaiva navayauvanam

'Go to heaven by this celestial chariot, together with your family, O great sage. By my grace, you shall have ever-fresh youth,'

Verse 72 (padma.1.53.72)

भविष्यति महाप्राज्ञ भाग्यानंत्यं प्रलप्स्यथ। दिव्याभरणसंयुक्ता दिव्यवस्त्रोपशोभिताः

bhaviṣyati mahāprājña bhāgyānaṁtyaṁ pralapsyatha divyābharaṇasaṁyuktā divyavastropaśobhitāḥ

'O greatly wise one, and you shall attain endless good fortune.' Adorned with divine ornaments, resplendent with divine garments,

Verse 73 (padma.1.53.73)

गतास्ते सहसा नाकं सर्वैर्बंधुजनैर्वृताः। एवं द्विजवरश्रेष्ठ लोभत्यागाद्ययुर्दिवम्

gatāste sahasā nākaṁ sarvairbaṁdhujanairvṛtāḥ evaṁ dvijavaraśreṣṭha lobhatyāgādyayurdivam

they went at once to heaven, surrounded by all their kinsfolk. Thus, O best of the finest twice-born, by the abandonment of greed, they went to heaven —

Verse 74 (padma.1.53.74)

तुलाधारस्तथाधीमान्सत्यधर्म प्रतिष्ठितः। ये न जानाति तद्वृत्तं देशांतरसमुद्भवम्

tulādhārastathādhīmānsatyadharma pratiṣṭhitaḥ ye na jānāti tadvṛttaṁ deśāṁtarasamudbhavam

and likewise the wise Tuladhara, established in the dharma of truth. Those who do not know how he knows conduct that occurred in a distant land,

Verse 75 (padma.1.53.75)

तुलाधारसमो नास्ति सुरलोके प्रतिष्ठितः। तस्मात्त्वमपि भूदेव समं गत्वा दिवं व्रज

tulādhārasamo nāsti suraloke pratiṣṭhitaḥ tasmāttvamapi bhūdeva samaṁ gatvā divaṁ vraja

there is none equal to Tuladhara, established even in the world of the gods. Therefore you too, O earthly god, having gone and behaved likewise, go to heaven.

Verse 76 (padma.1.53.76)

य इदं शृणुयान्मर्त्यः सर्वधर्मप्रतिष्ठितः। जन्मजन्मार्जितं पापं तत्क्षणात्तस्य नश्यति

ya idaṁ śṛṇuyānmartyaḥ sarvadharmapratiṣṭhitaḥ janmajanmārjitaṁ pāpaṁ tatkṣaṇāttasya naśyati

Whatever mortal, established in all dharma, hears this — his sin, earned birth after birth, is destroyed in that very instant.

Verse 77 (padma.1.53.77)

सकृत्पठनमात्रेण सर्वयज्ञफलं लभेत्। लोकानां पुरतो विप्र देवानामर्च्यतां व्रजेत्

sakṛtpaṭhanamātreṇa sarvayajñaphalaṁ labhet lokānāṁ purato vipra devānāmarcyatāṁ vrajet

By mere recitation even once, one obtains the fruit of all sacrifices. Before the people, O brahmin, one attains worshipfulness even among the gods.