The Birth of Lohitya

Verse 1 (padma.1.55.1)

श्रीभगवानुवाच- अपरं च प्रवक्ष्यामि कामेनाधिष्ठितस्य च। पुरा भागीरथी तीरे द्विजः परमहंसकः

śrībhagavānuvāca- aparaṁ ca pravakṣyāmi kāmenādhiṣṭhitasya ca purā bhāgīrathī tīre dvijaḥ paramahaṁsakaḥ

Shri Bhagavan said: I shall now tell another story, of one overpowered by desire. Long ago, on the bank of the Bhagirathi, there lived a brahmin, a paramahamsa ascetic—

Verse 2 (padma.1.55.2)

उपदेष्टा सहस्राणां द्विजानां शांतिदः परः। एकदंडधरः साक्षात्कूर्मवद्धरणी स्थितः

upadeṣṭā sahasrāṇāṁ dvijānāṁ śāṁtidaḥ paraḥ ekadaṁḍadharaḥ sākṣātkūrmavaddharaṇī sthitaḥ

—teacher of thousands of brahmins, supreme giver of peace, bearing a single staff, dwelling upon the earth motionless like a tortoise.

Verse 3 (padma.1.55.3)

एकाकिनः सतस्तस्य देवागारे विनिष्कृते। पत्युर्गृहात्परं गेहं गंतुं सायं समुद्यता

ekākinaḥ satastasya devāgāre viniṣkṛte patyurgṛhātparaṁ gehaṁ gaṁtuṁ sāyaṁ samudyatā

One time, as he sat alone in his secluded shrine-hut, a woman was setting out at evening from her husband's house toward another house—

Verse 4 (padma.1.55.4)

अकस्माद्युवती नारी मिलिता रूपधारिणी। दृष्ट्वा तां भगवान्विप्रो मन्मथस्य भयार्दितः

akasmādyuvatī nārī militā rūpadhāriṇī dṛṣṭvā tāṁ bhagavānvipro manmathasya bhayārditaḥ

—when suddenly a beautiful young woman met him there. Seeing her, the venerable brahmin, tormented by fear of Kama—

Verse 5 (padma.1.55.5)

अगारजठरे कृत्वा स चैनां प्राक्षिपत्क्षपाम्। अर्गलं सा दृढं कृत्वा देवागारे सुशोभने

agārajaṭhare kṛtvā sa caināṁ prākṣipatkṣapām argalaṁ sā dṛḍhaṁ kṛtvā devāgāre suśobhane

—drew her inside the hut and shut her in there for the night; she, in turn, firmly bolted the door of that beautiful shrine—

Verse 6 (padma.1.55.6)

कदाचिदपि तं द्वारादागंतुं न ददाति ह। एवंभूतः समाधिस्थः क्षपां क्षिप्त्वा विलप्य सः

kadācidapi taṁ dvārādāgaṁtuṁ na dadāti ha evaṁbhūtaḥ samādhisthaḥ kṣapāṁ kṣiptvā vilapya saḥ

—and would never let him come near the door at all. Thus confined, remaining fixed in meditation through the night, he then lamented,

Verse 7 (padma.1.55.7)

चिंतयंस्तां वरारोहां द्वारि किं वा कृतं मम। एवं संचिंत्यतामाह द्वारं देहीह नः प्रिये

ciṁtayaṁstāṁ varārohāṁ dvāri kiṁ vā kṛtaṁ mama evaṁ saṁciṁtyatāmāha dvāraṁ dehīha naḥ priye

thinking of that lovely woman at the door: 'What have I done?' Thus reflecting, he said to her: 'Open the door for us here, my dear—'

Verse 8 (padma.1.55.8)

पतिश्च वशगः कांते दयितस्ते भविष्यति। ततस्तं प्राह सा विप्रं वृद्धं कामप्रलालसम्

patiśca vaśagaḥ kāṁte dayitaste bhaviṣyati tatastaṁ prāha sā vipraṁ vṛddhaṁ kāmapralālasam

'—and, beloved, I your husband shall become obedient to your will, dear to you.' Then she spoke to that old brahmin, overwhelmed with desire:

Verse 9 (padma.1.55.9)

अनन्विता गिरःस्तात वक्तुं त्वं नार्हसि प्रभो। अथासौ भगवान्प्राह प्रचुरं चास्ति मे वसु

ananvitā giraḥstāta vaktuṁ tvaṁ nārhasi prabho athāsau bhagavānprāha pracuraṁ cāsti me vasu

'Father, it is not fitting for you to speak such incoherent words, my lord.' Then that venerable one said: 'I have abundant wealth—'

Verse 10 (padma.1.55.10)

तव दास्यामि कल्याणि प्रस्फोटय कपाटिकाम्। विप्रमाह पुनः सा च त्वं वै मे धर्मतः पिता

tava dāsyāmi kalyāṇi prasphoṭaya kapāṭikām vipramāha punaḥ sā ca tvaṁ vai me dharmataḥ pitā

'—I shall give it all to you, good lady; only open the door-panel.' Again she said to the brahmin: 'You are, by dharma, a father to me—'

Verse 11 (padma.1.55.11)

मा गच्छ पुत्रिकां मां च परयोषां च धार्मिक। मनसा स समालोच्य सुषिरेण पथा गृहान्

mā gaccha putrikāṁ māṁ ca parayoṣāṁ ca dhārmika manasā sa samālocya suṣireṇa pathā gṛhān

'—do not approach me, your own daughter, nor another's wife, O righteous one.' He, reflecting on this, tried through a narrow crevice to make his way in—

Verse 12 (padma.1.55.12)

बाहुनोद्धाट्यते नैव गंतुं चैव समुद्यतः। गच्छतश्चार्द्धमरर उत्तमांगं सुसंकटे

bāhunoddhāṭyate naiva gaṁtuṁ caiva samudyataḥ gacchataścārddhamarara uttamāṁgaṁ susaṁkaṭe

The door could not be forced open by strength of arm, yet he was determined to pass through. Halfway across, in that narrow strait, his head—

Verse 13 (padma.1.55.13)

प्रविष्टं न पुनश्चैति पंचत्वमगमत्तदा। उषःकाले समायाता रक्षिणो ये च किंकराः

praviṣṭaṁ na punaścaiti paṁcatvamagamattadā uṣaḥkāle samāyātā rakṣiṇo ye ca kiṁkarāḥ

—got wedged in, and he could go neither forward nor back; thus his life ended then and there. At dawn, when the guards and servants arrived,

Verse 14 (padma.1.55.14)

अद्भुतं तं शवं दृष्ट्वा तामुचुस्ते च विस्मिताः। कथं च निधनं त्वस्य संभूतं ब्रूहि सुंदरि

adbhutaṁ taṁ śavaṁ dṛṣṭvā tāmucuste ca vismitāḥ kathaṁ ca nidhanaṁ tvasya saṁbhūtaṁ brūhi suṁdari

—seeing that strange corpse, they asked her in astonishment: 'Tell us, O beautiful one, how did his death come about?'

Verse 15 (padma.1.55.15)

कथयित्वा तु तद्वृत्तमभीष्टं देशमागता। एवं कामस्य महिमा दुर्निवारो जनेषु च

kathayitvā tu tadvṛttamabhīṣṭaṁ deśamāgatā evaṁ kāmasya mahimā durnivāro janeṣu ca

Having recounted the whole event, she then went on her way to the place she desired. Such indeed is the power of desire — irresistible among people,

Verse 16 (padma.1.55.16)

सर्वेषामपि जंतूनां सुरासुरनृणां भवेत्। दृष्ट्वाऽमोघां वरारोहां सर्वलोकपितामहः

sarveṣāmapi jaṁtūnāṁ surāsuranṛṇāṁ bhavet dṛṣṭvā'moghāṁ varārohāṁ sarvalokapitāmahaḥ

—holding sway over all creatures, gods, demons and men alike. Now, having seen the lovely Amogha, Brahma, grandsire of all the worlds—

Verse 17 (padma.1.55.17)

च्युतबीजोभवत्तत्र लौहित्यसंभवस्मृतः। पुनाति सकलान्लोकान्सर्वतीर्थमयो हि सः

cyutabījobhavattatra lauhityasaṁbhavasmṛtaḥ punāti sakalānlokānsarvatīrthamayo hi saḥ

—there let fall his seed, and from it was born he who is remembered as Lauhitya; he purifies all the worlds, for he is the very embodiment of all sacred fords,

Verse 18 (padma.1.55.18)

यमाश्रित्य नरो याति ब्रह्मलोकमनामयम्। द्विज उवाच- कथं च ब्रह्मणो मोहो ह्यमोघा का वरांगना

yamāśritya naro yāti brahmalokamanāmayam dvija uvāca- kathaṁ ca brahmaṇo moho hyamoghā kā varāṁganā

—taking refuge in whom a man goes to the untroubled world of Brahma. The brahmin said: But how did this delusion come upon Brahma, and who was this lovely lady Amogha?

Verse 19 (padma.1.55.19)

उद्भवं तीर्थराजस्य श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः। श्रीभगवानुवाच- मुनिर्देवैः समाराध्यः पद्मयोनिसमप्रभः

udbhavaṁ tīrtharājasya śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ śrībhagavānuvāca- munirdevaiḥ samārādhyaḥ padmayonisamaprabhaḥ

I wish to hear in full truth of the origin of the Tirtharaja. Shri Bhagavan said: There was a sage, worshipped even by the gods, radiant as the lotus-born Brahma himself—

Verse 20 (padma.1.55.20)

शंतनुश्चेति विख्यातः पत्नी तस्य पतिव्रता। अमोघेति समाख्याता रूपयौवनशालिनी

śaṁtanuśceti vikhyātaḥ patnī tasya pativratā amogheti samākhyātā rūpayauvanaśālinī

—known by the name Shantanu. His wife, devoted to her husband, was called by the name Amogha, endowed with beauty and youth.

Verse 21 (padma.1.55.21)

अस्याश्च पतिमन्वेष्टुं यातो ब्रह्मा च तद्गृहम्। तस्मिन्काले मुनिश्रेष्ठः पुष्पाद्यर्थं वनं गतः

asyāśca patimanveṣṭuṁ yāto brahmā ca tadgṛham tasminkāle muniśreṣṭhaḥ puṣpādyarthaṁ vanaṁ gataḥ

Seeking out her husband, Brahma went to her house. At that time the foremost of sages had gone to the forest to gather flowers and the like.

Verse 22 (padma.1.55.22)

सा तं दृष्ट्वा सुरश्रेष्ठमर्घ्यपाद्यादिकं ददौ। दूरेभिवादनं कृत्वा सा गृहं प्रविवेश ह

sā taṁ dṛṣṭvā suraśreṣṭhamarghyapādyādikaṁ dadau dūrebhivādanaṁ kṛtvā sā gṛhaṁ praviveśa ha

Seeing him, the foremost of gods, she offered him arghya and padya; and having made obeisance from a distance, she then withdrew into the house.

Verse 23 (padma.1.55.23)

तां च दृष्ट्वा नवद्यांगीं धाता कामवशं गतः। स्रष्टात्मानं समाधायाचिंतयत्तां पुरोगताम्

tāṁ ca dṛṣṭvā navadyāṁgīṁ dhātā kāmavaśaṁ gataḥ sraṣṭātmānaṁ samādhāyāciṁtayattāṁ purogatām

But seeing her, flawless in every limb, the Creator fell under the sway of desire; composing his creator-self, he began to think of her standing before him.

Verse 24 (padma.1.55.24)

बीजं पपात खट्वायां ब्रह्मणः परमात्मनः। ततो ब्रह्मा गतस्त्रस्तस्त्वरया परिपीडितः

bījaṁ papāta khaṭvāyāṁ brahmaṇaḥ paramātmanaḥ tato brahmā gatastrastastvarayā paripīḍitaḥ

The seed of Brahma, the Supreme Self, fell upon the couch there; then Brahma, alarmed and agitated, hastily departed.

Verse 25 (padma.1.55.25)

अथायातो मुनिर्गेहं शुक्रं पीठे ददर्श ह। तमपृच्छद्वरारोहां कश्चाप्यत्रागतः पुमान्

athāyāto munirgehaṁ śukraṁ pīṭhe dadarśa ha tamapṛcchadvarārohāṁ kaścāpyatrāgataḥ pumān

Then the sage came home and saw the seed upon the seat. He asked that lovely lady: 'What man has come here?'

Verse 26 (padma.1.55.26)

तमुवाच ततोऽमोघा ब्रह्मा ह्यत्रागतः पते। त्वामेवान्वेषितुं नाथ मया दत्तोत्र पीठकः

tamuvāca tato'moghā brahmā hyatrāgataḥ pate tvāmevānveṣituṁ nātha mayā dattotra pīṭhakaḥ

Then Amogha said to him: 'My lord, Brahma indeed came here, seeking you out; my lord, I gave him this seat.'

Verse 27 (padma.1.55.27)

शुक्रस्य कारणं चात्र तपसा ज्ञातुमर्हसि। ततो ध्यानात्परिज्ञातं तेनैव च द्विजन्मना

śukrasya kāraṇaṁ cātra tapasā jñātumarhasi tato dhyānātparijñātaṁ tenaiva ca dvijanmanā

'—as for the cause of this seed here, you should discern it by your austerity.' Then, by meditation, that foremost of brahmins himself came to know it fully—

Verse 28 (padma.1.55.28)

ब्रह्मरेतः परं साध्वी पालयस्व ममाज्ञया। उत्पद्यते सुतस्ते तु सर्वलोकैकपावनः

brahmaretaḥ paraṁ sādhvī pālayasva mamājñayā utpadyate sutaste tu sarvalokaikapāvanaḥ

'This is Brahma's own seed, O virtuous one; preserve it by my command. From it a son shall be born to you, the sole purifier of all the worlds—'

Verse 29 (padma.1.55.29)

आवयोः सर्वकल्याणं फलिष्यति मनोगतम्। ततः पतिव्रता तस्य आज्ञामागृह्य संभवात्

āvayoḥ sarvakalyāṇaṁ phaliṣyati manogatam tataḥ pativratā tasya ājñāmāgṛhya saṁbhavāt

'—it shall bring about all good fortune for us both, just as we wish.' Then the devoted wife, taking up his command, for the sake of that conception—

Verse 30 (padma.1.55.30)

पपौ रेतो महाभागा ब्रह्मणः परमात्मनः। आवर्त इव संजज्ञे रौद्रगर्भ इति स्फुरन्

papau reto mahābhāgā brahmaṇaḥ paramātmanaḥ āvarta iva saṁjajñe raudragarbha iti sphuran

—that most fortunate woman drank the seed of Brahma, the Supreme Self. It grew like a swirling whirlpool, gleaming, known as the 'fierce embryo.'

Verse 31 (padma.1.55.31)

प्रसोढुं नैव शक्ता सा शंतनुं चाब्रवीत्ततः। गर्भं धारयितुं नाथ न शक्नोम्यधुना प्रभो

prasoḍhuṁ naiva śaktā sā śaṁtanuṁ cābravīttataḥ garbhaṁ dhārayituṁ nātha na śaknomyadhunā prabho

Unable to bear it, she then said to Shantanu: 'My lord, I am unable now to carry this embryo, O lord—'

Verse 32 (padma.1.55.32)

किं करिष्यामि धर्मज्ञ प्राणो मे संचलत्यपि। आज्ञापय महाभाग गर्भं त्यक्ष्यामि यत्र च

kiṁ kariṣyāmi dharmajña prāṇo me saṁcalatyapi ājñāpaya mahābhāga garbhaṁ tyakṣyāmi yatra ca

'—what shall I do, O knower of dharma? Even my very life-breath trembles. Command me, O blessed one, where I should release this embryo.'

Verse 33 (padma.1.55.33)

पत्युराज्ञां समादाय मुक्तो गर्भो युगंधरे। पयस्तेजोमयं शुद्धं सर्वधर्मप्रतिष्ठितम्

patyurājñāṁ samādāya mukto garbho yugaṁdhare payastejomayaṁ śuddhaṁ sarvadharmapratiṣṭhitam

Taking her husband's command, she released the embryo at Yugandhara; the resulting fluid, full of radiance, pure, established in all dharma—

Verse 34 (padma.1.55.34)

तन्मध्ये पुरुषः शुद्धः किरीटी नीलवाससा। रत्नदाम्ना च विद्धांगो दुःप्रेक्ष्यो ज्योतिषां गणः

tanmadhye puruṣaḥ śuddhaḥ kirīṭī nīlavāsasā ratnadāmnā ca viddhāṁgo duḥprekṣyo jyotiṣāṁ gaṇaḥ

—in its midst was a pure being, crowned, clad in dark-blue garments, his limbs adorned with a garland of jewels, a mass of light hard to look upon.

Verse 35 (padma.1.55.35)

ततो देवगणाः स्वर्गात्पुष्पवर्षमवाकिरन्। प्रसूतः सर्वतीर्थेषु तीर्थराज इति स्मृतः

tato devagaṇāḥ svargātpuṣpavarṣamavākiran prasūtaḥ sarvatīrtheṣu tīrtharāja iti smṛtaḥ

Then the hosts of gods rained down flowers from heaven. Thus born, he is remembered among all sacred fords as Tirtharaja, King of the Sacred Fords.

Verse 36 (padma.1.55.36)

ततो राम इति ख्यातः प्रजातोहं भृगोः कुले। क्षत्रियान्पितृहंतॄंस्तु ससैन्यबलवाहनान्

tato rāma iti khyātaḥ prajātohaṁ bhṛgoḥ kule kṣatriyānpitṛhaṁtṝṁstu sasainyabalavāhanān

'Then, known as Rama, I was born in the lineage of Bhrigu. The kshatriyas who slew my father, together with their armies, forces and mounts—'

Verse 37 (padma.1.55.37)

हत्वा युद्धगतान्भीतान्पंकैः सर्वैर्युतो ह्यहम्। ब्रह्महत्यासमं घोरं मद्गेहे समुपस्थितम्

hatvā yuddhagatānbhītānpaṁkaiḥ sarvairyuto hyaham brahmahatyāsamaṁ ghoraṁ madgehe samupasthitam

'—having slain them all as they came to battle in fear, my weapon all smeared with gore, I returned. A sin as terrible as brahmin-slaying came upon my own house —'

Verse 38 (padma.1.55.38)

पंकयुक्तं कुठारं मे क्षालितं नैव शुद्ध्यति। ततः खे चाभवद्वाणी राम मद्वचनं कुरु

paṁkayuktaṁ kuṭhāraṁ me kṣālitaṁ naiva śuddhyati tataḥ khe cābhavadvāṇī rāma madvacanaṁ kuru

'—my axe, stained with gore, though washed, would not become pure. Then a voice arose in the sky: "Rama, do as I say —"'

Verse 39 (padma.1.55.39)

यत्र तीर्थे कुठारं ते निर्मलं च भवेदिह। तत्र ते सर्वपापानां जातानां च क्षयो भवेत्

yatra tīrthe kuṭhāraṁ te nirmalaṁ ca bhavediha tatra te sarvapāpānāṁ jātānāṁ ca kṣayo bhavet

'—at whatever sacred ford your axe becomes pure and stainless, there shall all the sins you have accrued be destroyed —'

Verse 40 (padma.1.55.40)

जनानां तत्र सर्वेषां हितार्थं तिष्ठ मानद। चपलं गच्छ तीर्थानि सर्वाणि सुमहांति च

janānāṁ tatra sarveṣāṁ hitārthaṁ tiṣṭha mānada capalaṁ gaccha tīrthāni sarvāṇi sumahāṁti ca

'—and there remain, for the benefit of all people, O honorer of others. Now go swiftly to all the great sacred fords —'

Verse 41 (padma.1.55.41)

तेषां मध्ये महातीर्थे पर्शुः शुद्धो भवेद्यदि। तं च जानीहि तीर्थेषु मुक्तिदं परिकीर्तितम्

teṣāṁ madhye mahātīrthe parśuḥ śuddho bhavedyadi taṁ ca jānīhi tīrtheṣu muktidaṁ parikīrtitam

'—and among them, wherever your axe becomes pure, know that ford to be proclaimed, among all sacred fords, as the bestower of liberation.'

Verse 42 (padma.1.55.42)

तच्छ्रुत्वा जामदग्न्यस्तु तीर्थानि प्रययौ तदा। गंगां सरस्वतीं शुभ्रां कावेरीं सरयूं तथा

tacchrutvā jāmadagnyastu tīrthāni prayayau tadā gaṁgāṁ sarasvatīṁ śubhrāṁ kāverīṁ sarayūṁ tathā

Hearing this, Jamadagnya then set out to the sacred fords — to the Ganga, the bright Sarasvati, the Kaveri, and likewise the Sarayu —

Verse 43 (padma.1.55.43)

गोदावरीं च यमुनां कद्रूं च वसुदां तथा। अन्यां च पुण्यदां रम्यां गौरीं पूर्वां स्थितां शुभाम्

godāvarīṁ ca yamunāṁ kadrūṁ ca vasudāṁ tathā anyāṁ ca puṇyadāṁ ramyāṁ gaurīṁ pūrvāṁ sthitāṁ śubhām

—to the Godavari, the Yamuna, the Kadru, and likewise the Vasuda, and other merit-giving, delightful rivers, and to the auspicious Gauri in the east —

Verse 44 (padma.1.55.44)

गच्छतस्तस्य धीरस्य सदागतिसमस्य च। क्षालितः सर्वतीर्थेषु न पुनर्निर्मलोऽभवत्

gacchatastasya dhīrasya sadāgatisamasya ca kṣālitaḥ sarvatīrtheṣu na punarnirmalo'bhavat

—as that resolute one traveled, swift as the wind. Washed at all these sacred fords, the axe yet did not become pure.

Verse 45 (padma.1.55.45)

ततो गिरिगुहां दुर्गां महारण्यं च पर्वतम्। गिरिकूटं च दुर्लभ्यं ययौ तीर्थमसौ हरिः

tato giriguhāṁ durgāṁ mahāraṇyaṁ ca parvatam girikūṭaṁ ca durlabhyaṁ yayau tīrthamasau hariḥ

Then he, called here Hari, went through an impregnable mountain cave, a great forest, a mountain, and a hard-to-reach peak, toward that sacred ford.

Verse 46 (padma.1.55.46)

न च निर्मलतामेति कुठारस्तस्य तेन च। विषादमगमत्तत्र रामः परपुरंजयः

na ca nirmalatāmeti kuṭhārastasya tena ca viṣādamagamattatra rāmaḥ parapuraṁjayaḥ

But even there his axe did not attain purity; and Rama, conqueror of enemy cities, fell into despair.

Verse 47 (padma.1.55.47)

हाहेति विविधं कृत्वा चोपविश्य धरातले। प्रचिंतामगमद्वीरस्तमुवाच पुनस्तथा

hāheti vividhaṁ kṛtvā copaviśya dharātale praciṁtāmagamadvīrastamuvāca punastathā

Crying out 'alas, alas!' again and again, and sitting down upon the ground, that hero fell into deep thought; then the voice spoke to him again —

Verse 48 (padma.1.55.48)

पूर्वस्यां दिशि देवेश तीर्थं चास्ति गुहोदरे। तच्छ्रुत्वा नरशार्दूलो गत्वा कुंडं ददर्श सः

pūrvasyāṁ diśi deveśa tīrthaṁ cāsti guhodare tacchrutvā naraśārdūlo gatvā kuṁḍaṁ dadarśa saḥ

'—in the eastern direction there is a sacred ford within a cave.' Hearing this, that tiger among men went there and beheld a pool —

Verse 49 (padma.1.55.49)

प्रदक्षिणं जलावर्तं शुभ्रं पापहरं शुभम्। तज्जलस्पर्शमात्रेण कुठारः शुद्धतां गतः

pradakṣiṇaṁ jalāvartaṁ śubhraṁ pāpaharaṁ śubham tajjalasparśamātreṇa kuṭhāraḥ śuddhatāṁ gataḥ

—a whirlpool of water, circling clockwise, bright, sin-removing, auspicious. By the mere touch of that water, his axe attained purity.

Verse 50 (padma.1.55.50)

ततो रामोभिषेकं तु कृतवान्प्रमुदान्वितः। शुद्धात्मनस्त्वपापस्य बुद्धिर्जाता प्रपाविनी

tato rāmobhiṣekaṁ tu kṛtavānpramudānvitaḥ śuddhātmanastvapāpasya buddhirjātā prapāvinī

Then Rama, filled with great joy, performed his ritual bathing there. His mind, now pure and sinless, became truly purified.

Verse 51 (padma.1.55.51)

स रामः सुचिरं स्थित्वा तीर्थराजं प्रसाद्य तम्। ततस्ततोऽचलात्प्राप्य पुरं वेगसमन्वितः

sa rāmaḥ suciraṁ sthitvā tīrtharājaṁ prasādya tam tatastato'calātprāpya puraṁ vegasamanvitaḥ

That Rama, remaining there a long while, propitiated that King of Sacred Fords; then from that mountain, with great speed, he returned to his own city.

Verse 52 (padma.1.55.52)

ख्यातं कृत्वा ततश्चोर्व्यां गतोसौ लवणार्णवम्। अयं तीर्थवरः साक्षात्पितामहकृतो भुवि

khyātaṁ kṛtvā tataścorvyāṁ gatosau lavaṇārṇavam ayaṁ tīrthavaraḥ sākṣātpitāmahakṛto bhuvi

Having made it famous throughout the earth, he then went to the salt ocean. This foremost of sacred fords was verily made by the Grandsire Brahma himself on earth —

Verse 53 (padma.1.55.53)

सुखदः सर्वतः शुद्धो मुक्तिमार्गप्रदः किल। एवं कामप्रभावं च विद्धि दुर्वारदुःसहम्

sukhadaḥ sarvataḥ śuddho muktimārgapradaḥ kila evaṁ kāmaprabhāvaṁ ca viddhi durvāraduḥsaham

—bestowing happiness in every way, pure, and indeed a giver of the path to liberation. Thus know the power of desire to be irresistible and unbearable.

Verse 54 (padma.1.55.54)

कामाज्जातं वृषं पापं पुण्यं पुण्यप्रयोगतः। स जातश्चैव लौहित्यो विरंचेश्चैव चौरसः

kāmājjātaṁ vṛṣaṁ pāpaṁ puṇyaṁ puṇyaprayogataḥ sa jātaścaiva lauhityo viraṁceścaiva caurasaḥ

From desire is born both the bull of sin, and, through merit's own working, merit as well. Thus he was born as Lauhitya, the very son of Virinchi, Brahma himself,

Verse 55 (padma.1.55.55)

शंतनो क्षेत्र संजातस्त्वमोघागर्भसंभवः। विरिञ्चिना जितः कामः शांतनोरप्यमत्सरात्

śaṁtano kṣetra saṁjātastvamoghāgarbhasaṁbhavaḥ viriñcinā jitaḥ kāmaḥ śāṁtanorapyamatsarāt

—born in Shantanu's field, arising from Amogha's womb. Thus Brahma's desire found its fulfilment, and Shantanu too, free of jealousy, accepted it.

Verse 56 (padma.1.55.56)

तस्याः पतिव्रतात्वाच्च तीर्थात्तीर्थवरो हि सः। एवं यस्तु पठेन्नित्यं पुण्याख्यानमिदं शिवम्

tasyāḥ pativratātvācca tīrthāttīrthavaro hi saḥ evaṁ yastu paṭhennityaṁ puṇyākhyānamidaṁ śivam

By his mother's wifely devotion, that sacred ford became the very foremost among sacred fords. Thus, whoever daily recites this auspicious, meritorious tale —

Verse 57 (padma.1.55.57)

शृणुयाद्वा मुदा पृथ्व्यां मुक्तिमार्गं स गच्छति

śṛṇuyādvā mudā pṛthvyāṁ muktimārgaṁ sa gacchati

—or hears it with joy upon this earth, attains the path of liberation.