The Merit of Ponds and Water-Tanks

Verse 1 (padma.1.58.1)

व्यास उवाच- शाखिनामेव सर्वेषां फलं वक्ष्यामि यादृशम्। तच्छृणुध्वं महाभागा रोपणे च पृथक्पृथक्

vyāsa uvāca- śākhināmeva sarveṣāṁ phalaṁ vakṣyāmi yādṛśam tacchṛṇudhvaṁ mahābhāgā ropaṇe ca pṛthakpṛthak

Vyasa said: I shall now tell of the merit of all manner of trees; hear this, O most fortunate ones, the merit of planting each, one by one.

Verse 2 (padma.1.58.2)

यस्तु रोपयते तीरे पुण्यवृक्षान्समंततः। तस्य पुण्यफलं ज्ञातुं कथितुं नैव शक्यते

yastu ropayate tīre puṇyavṛkṣānsamaṁtataḥ tasya puṇyaphalaṁ jñātuṁ kathituṁ naiva śakyate

He who plants meritorious trees all along a riverbank — the merit of his deed cannot even be known or described.

Verse 3 (padma.1.58.3)

अन्यत्र रोपणं कृत्वा शाखिनां यत्फलं लभेत्। ततो जलसमीपे तु लक्षकोटिगुणं भवेत्

anyatra ropaṇaṁ kṛtvā śākhināṁ yatphalaṁ labhet tato jalasamīpe tu lakṣakoṭiguṇaṁ bhavet

Whatever merit is gained from planting trees elsewhere, that same merit becomes a hundred-thousand-times-ten-million-fold greater when done near water.

Verse 4 (padma.1.58.4)

स्वयं पुष्करिणी तीरे त्वनंतं फलमश्नुते। तस्माच्छतगुणं ब्रूमः शाखिनां पुण्यकारिणाम्

svayaṁ puṣkariṇī tīre tvanaṁtaṁ phalamaśnute tasmācchataguṇaṁ brūmaḥ śākhināṁ puṇyakāriṇām

On the very bank of a pond itself, one obtains boundless merit; we declare it a hundredfold greater still for meritorious trees planted there.

Verse 5 (padma.1.58.5)

अश्वत्थरोपणं कृत्वा जलाशयसमीपतः। यत्फलं लभते मर्त्यो न तत्क्रतुशतैरपि

aśvattharopaṇaṁ kṛtvā jalāśayasamīpataḥ yatphalaṁ labhate martyo na tatkratuśatairapi

The merit a mortal obtains by planting an Ashvattha tree near a reservoir — that merit is not obtained even by a hundred sacrificial rites.

Verse 6 (padma.1.58.6)

पतंति यानि पत्राणि जले पर्वणि पर्वणि। तानि पिंडसमानीह पितॄणामक्षयं ययुः

pataṁti yāni patrāṇi jale parvaṇi parvaṇi tāni piṁḍasamānīha pitṝṇāmakṣayaṁ yayuḥ

Whatever leaves fall into the water, festival after festival, become for one's ancestors the equal of pinda-offerings, imperishable.

Verse 7 (padma.1.58.7)

खादंति पतगास्तत्र फलानि कामतो ध्रुवम्। ब्रह्मभक्ष्यसमं तस्य पुण्यं भवति चाक्षयम्

khādaṁti patagāstatra phalāni kāmato dhruvam brahmabhakṣyasamaṁ tasya puṇyaṁ bhavati cākṣayam

Birds surely eat its fruits there as they please; for the planter, the merit becomes equal to feeding a brahmin, and imperishable.

Verse 8 (padma.1.58.8)

अश्वत्थेनैव भक्ष्येण रोपणेनैव यत्फलम्। तद्वै क्रतुशतैर्नैव पुत्रैरेव शतैरपि

aśvatthenaiva bhakṣyeṇa ropaṇenaiva yatphalam tadvai kratuśatairnaiva putraireva śatairapi

The merit that comes from the very planting of an Ashvattha, from its fruit being eaten — that is not obtained even by a hundred sacrifices, nor even by a hundred sons.

Verse 9 (padma.1.58.9)

उष्णेच्छायां प्रगृह्णंति गावो देवद्विजातयः। कर्तुः पितृगणानां च स्वर्गो भवति चाक्षयः

uṣṇecchāyāṁ pragṛhṇaṁti gāvo devadvijātayaḥ kartuḥ pitṛgaṇānāṁ ca svargo bhavati cākṣayaḥ

In the heat, cows, gods and brahmins take shelter in its shade; for the planter and for his ancestors, imperishable heaven results.

Verse 10 (padma.1.58.10)

कर्तुं स्वस्थस्य वै विघ्नमक्षयत्वान्न शक्यते। तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन रोपयेद्वृक्षमाधवम्

kartuṁ svasthasya vai vighnamakṣayatvānna śakyate tasmātsarvaprayatnena ropayedvṛkṣamādhavam

No obstacle can befall one who is thus spiritually secure, because of the imperishable nature of this merit. Therefore, with all effort, one should plant this tree, dear to Madhava.

Verse 11 (padma.1.58.11)

एकं वृक्षं समारोप्य नरः स्वर्गान्न हीयते। तस्मादेव महावृक्षं रोपयध्वं द्विजोत्तमाः

ekaṁ vṛkṣaṁ samāropya naraḥ svargānna hīyate tasmādeva mahāvṛkṣaṁ ropayadhvaṁ dvijottamāḥ

By planting even a single such tree, a man is never deprived of heaven. Therefore, O best of brahmins, plant this great tree.

Verse 12 (padma.1.58.12)

जलानां निकटे रम्ये रसानां क्रयविक्रये। मार्गे जलाशये वृक्षान्रोपयेद्यो महाशयः

jalānāṁ nikaṭe ramye rasānāṁ krayavikraye mārge jalāśaye vṛkṣānropayedyo mahāśayaḥ

That noble-minded man who plants trees near delightful waters, at places of trade, along roads, and by reservoirs—

Verse 13 (padma.1.58.13)

अश्वत्थादीन्समारोप्य स्वर्गं याति मनोरमम्। अर्चयित्वा तु यत्पुण्यं प्रवक्ष्यामि द्विजातयः

aśvatthādīnsamāropya svargaṁ yāti manoramam arcayitvā tu yatpuṇyaṁ pravakṣyāmi dvijātayaḥ

—having planted Ashvattha and the like, goes to a most delightful heaven. Now, O brahmins, I shall tell you the merit that comes from worshipping such a tree.

Verse 14 (padma.1.58.14)

स्नात्वाश्वत्थं स्पृशेद्यस्तु सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते। अस्नातो यः स्पृशेन्मर्त्यो लभते स्नानजं फलम्

snātvāśvatthaṁ spṛśedyastu sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate asnāto yaḥ spṛśenmartyo labhate snānajaṁ phalam

Whoever, having bathed, touches an Ashvattha tree is freed from all sins. Even one who has not bathed, if he touches it, obtains the merit born of bathing.

Verse 15 (padma.1.58.15)

दृष्ट्वा च नाशयेत्पापं स्पृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मीं प्रपद्यते। प्रदक्षिणे भवेदायुः सदाश्वत्थ नमोस्तु ते

dṛṣṭvā ca nāśayetpāpaṁ spṛṣṭvā lakṣmīṁ prapadyate pradakṣiṇe bhavedāyuḥ sadāśvattha namostu te

By merely seeing it, sin is destroyed; by touching it, one attains Lakshmi; by circumambulating it, long life results. Salutations be to you always, O Ashvattha!

Verse 16 (padma.1.58.16)

चलद्दलाय वृक्षाय सदा विष्णुस्थिताय च। बोधिसत्वाय योग्याय सदाश्वत्थ नमोस्तु ते

caladdalāya vṛkṣāya sadā viṣṇusthitāya ca bodhisatvāya yogyāya sadāśvattha namostu te

To you, the tree of ever-trembling leaves, in whom Vishnu ever dwells, the very seat of enlightenment, worthy one — salutations be to you always, O Ashvattha!

Verse 17 (padma.1.58.17)

अश्वत्थाय तु हव्यं तु पयो नैवेद्यमेव च। पुष्पं धूपं दीपकं च दत्वा स्वर्गान्न हीयते

aśvatthāya tu havyaṁ tu payo naivedyameva ca puṣpaṁ dhūpaṁ dīpakaṁ ca datvā svargānna hīyate

Offering to the Ashvattha an oblation, milk, food-offering, flowers, incense and a lamp, one is never deprived of heaven.

Verse 18 (padma.1.58.18)

सपुत्रं चाक्षयं विद्धि धनवृद्धियशस्करम्। विजयं मानदं भद्रमश्वत्थस्य प्रपूजनम्

saputraṁ cākṣayaṁ viddhi dhanavṛddhiyaśaskaram vijayaṁ mānadaṁ bhadramaśvatthasya prapūjanam

Know that worship of the Ashvattha grants imperishable merit together with sons, increase of wealth and fame, victory, honor, and auspicious good fortune.

Verse 19 (padma.1.58.19)

यज्जप्तं च हुतं स्तोत्रं यन्त्रमंत्रादिकं च यत्। सर्वं कोटिगुणं प्रोक्तं मूले चलदलस्य च

yajjaptaṁ ca hutaṁ stotraṁ yantramaṁtrādikaṁ ca yat sarvaṁ koṭiguṇaṁ proktaṁ mūle caladalasya ca

Whatever japa, offering, hymn, yantra, mantra and the like is performed — all of it is declared to be ten million times more powerful at the root of this tree of trembling leaves.

Verse 20 (padma.1.58.20)

यस्य मूले स्थितो विष्णुर्मध्ये तिष्ठति शंकरः। अग्रभागे स्थितो ब्रह्मा कस्तं जगति नार्चयेत्

yasya mūle sthito viṣṇurmadhye tiṣṭhati śaṁkaraḥ agrabhāge sthito brahmā kastaṁ jagati nārcayet

At whose root Vishnu abides, in whose midst Shankara dwells, and at whose crown Brahma stands — who in this world would not worship it?

Verse 21 (padma.1.58.21)

सोमवारे त्वमायां च स्नानं यन्मौनिना कृतम्। दानस्य गोसहस्रस्य फलं चाश्वत्थवंदने

somavāre tvamāyāṁ ca snānaṁ yanmauninā kṛtam dānasya gosahasrasya phalaṁ cāśvatthavaṁdane

The bathing performed in silence on a Monday-Amavasya — that merit, equal to the gift of a thousand cows, comes from bowing to the Ashvattha.

Verse 22 (padma.1.58.22)

सप्तप्रदक्षिणेनैव गवामयुतजं फलम्। प्रचुराल्लक्षकोटिश्च तस्मात्कार्या हि सा सदा

saptapradakṣiṇenaiva gavāmayutajaṁ phalam pracurāllakṣakoṭiśca tasmātkāryā hi sā sadā

By seven circumambulations alone, the merit equal to the gift of ten thousand cows is gained, indeed abundantly, a hundred-thousand-times-ten-million-fold; therefore this should always be performed.

Verse 23 (padma.1.58.23)

यत्किंचिद्दीयते तत्र फलमूलजलादिकम्। सर्वं तच्चाक्षयफलं जन्मजन्मसु जायते

yatkiṁciddīyate tatra phalamūlajalādikam sarvaṁ taccākṣayaphalaṁ janmajanmasu jāyate

Whatever is offered there — fruit, root, water and the like — all of that becomes imperishable merit, arising birth after birth.

Verse 24 (padma.1.58.24)

अहोश्वत्थसमो नास्ति वृक्षरूपी हरिर्भुवि। यथा पूज्यो द्विजो लोके यथा गावो यथामराः

ahośvatthasamo nāsti vṛkṣarūpī harirbhuvi yathā pūjyo dvijo loke yathā gāvo yathāmarāḥ

Ah, there is none on earth equal to the Ashvattha, Hari himself in the form of a tree! As a brahmin is worshipped in this world, as cows are, as the immortals are—

Verse 25 (padma.1.58.25)

तथाश्वत्थवृक्षरूपी देवः पूज्यतमः स्मृतः। रोपणे रक्षणे स्पर्शे पूजाकर्मणि वै सदा

tathāśvatthavṛkṣarūpī devaḥ pūjyatamaḥ smṛtaḥ ropaṇe rakṣaṇe sparśe pūjākarmaṇi vai sadā

—so too the god in the form of the Ashvattha tree is remembered as most worthy of worship. In planting, in protecting, in touching, and in the act of worship, ever—

Verse 26 (padma.1.58.26)

ददाति वित्तं पुत्रांश्च स्वर्गं मोक्षं पुनः क्रमात्। किंचिच्छेदं तु यः कुर्यादश्वत्थस्य तनौ नरः

dadāti vittaṁ putrāṁśca svargaṁ mokṣaṁ punaḥ kramāt kiṁcicchedaṁ tu yaḥ kuryādaśvatthasya tanau naraḥ

—it grants wealth, sons, heaven, and finally, in due order, liberation. But that man who inflicts even a small wound upon the body of an Ashvattha—

Verse 27 (padma.1.58.27)

कल्पैकं निरयं भुक्त्वा चांडालादौ प्रजायते। मूलच्छेदेन तस्यैव स च यात्यपुनर्भवम्

kalpaikaṁ nirayaṁ bhuktvā cāṁḍālādau prajāyate mūlacchedena tasyaiva sa ca yātyapunarbhavam

—suffers hell for a full kalpa and is then born among chandalas and the like. And by the cutting of its very root, he meets a fate from which there is no return.

Verse 28 (padma.1.58.28)

पुरुषास्तस्य तिष्ठंति रौरवे घोरदर्शने। अश्वत्थस्यैकवृक्षस्य रोपणे यत्फलं भवेत्

puruṣāstasya tiṣṭhaṁti raurave ghoradarśane aśvatthasyaikavṛkṣasya ropaṇe yatphalaṁ bhavet

The men responsible for this remain in the terrible Raurava hell. Now hear what merit results from planting a single Ashvattha tree—

Verse 29 (padma.1.58.29)

तथैव चंपकेर्के च त्रयाणां रोपणेपि च। अष्टौ बिल्वस्य वृक्षाश्च न्यग्रोधाश्चैव सप्त च

tathaiva caṁpakerke ca trayāṇāṁ ropaṇepi ca aṣṭau bilvasya vṛkṣāśca nyagrodhāścaiva sapta ca

—likewise, for a champaka or an arka tree, the merit of planting three of these equals one Ashvattha; eight bilva trees, and seven banyan trees are likewise equal—

Verse 30 (padma.1.58.30)

निंबस्य दशवृक्षाश्च फलं चैषां समं भवेत्। एकैकस्य फलं चोक्तं वृक्षाणां रोपणे द्विजाः

niṁbasya daśavṛkṣāśca phalaṁ caiṣāṁ samaṁ bhavet ekaikasya phalaṁ coktaṁ vṛkṣāṇāṁ ropaṇe dvijāḥ

—and ten neem trees; the merit of these is thus equal. O brahmins, the merit of planting each single one of these trees has thus been declared.

Verse 31 (padma.1.58.31)

एवं बुध्वा तु धर्मात्मा यः कुर्यात्कृत्रिमं वनम्। कल्पकोटिसहस्राणि कल्पकोटिशतानि च

evaṁ budhvā tu dharmātmā yaḥ kuryātkṛtrimaṁ vanam kalpakoṭisahasrāṇi kalpakoṭiśatāni ca

Knowing this, that righteous soul who creates an artificial planted forest — for thousands of millions of kalpas, and for hundreds of millions of kalpas—

Verse 32 (padma.1.58.32)

नाकमेति स चूतस्य समारोप्य सहस्रकम्। ततो द्वित्रिगुणेनैव न्यूने वा प्रचुरेपि वा

nākameti sa cūtasya samāropya sahasrakam tato dvitriguṇenaiva nyūne vā pracurepi vā

—he attains heaven. Having planted a thousand mango trees, then, whether at double or triple that measure, or less, or even more—

Verse 33 (padma.1.58.33)

भुंक्ते भुक्त्वा पुनः कुर्यान्नृपो वाथ सदीश्वरः। स्वर्गं भोग्यं ततो राज्यं कल्याणं मंगलं शुभम्

bhuṁkte bhuktvā punaḥ kuryānnṛpo vātha sadīśvaraḥ svargaṁ bhogyaṁ tato rājyaṁ kalyāṇaṁ maṁgalaṁ śubham

—he enjoys heaven accordingly; and having enjoyed it, he becomes again either a king or a lord among men. Then heaven's enjoyment, and thereafter kingship, prosperity, good fortune, and auspiciousness—

Verse 34 (padma.1.58.34)

आरोग्यं शौर्यसंपन्नमारामादेव जायते। फलानि यस्य खादंति जंतवोथ सहस्रशः

ārogyaṁ śauryasaṁpannamārāmādeva jāyate phalāni yasya khādaṁti jaṁtavotha sahasraśaḥ

—health, and endowment with valor, arise from that very orchard. Its fruits are eaten by creatures in their thousands—

Verse 35 (padma.1.58.35)

आश्रिता विहगाः कीटाः पतगाः शलभादयः। छायाश्रिताश्च ये सत्वास्तत्संख्याताः पृथग्जनाः

āśritā vihagāḥ kīṭāḥ patagāḥ śalabhādayaḥ chāyāśritāśca ye satvāstatsaṁkhyātāḥ pṛthagjanāḥ

—birds, insects, flying creatures, moths and the like take shelter there; and whatever beings take refuge in its shade — for as many as there are, so many different people—

Verse 36 (padma.1.58.36)

तस्य किंकरतां यांति शतशो देवतार्चिताः। ये च वृक्षा महासत्वास्सर्वे ते देवरूपिणः

tasya kiṁkaratāṁ yāṁti śataśo devatārcitāḥ ye ca vṛkṣā mahāsatvāssarve te devarūpiṇaḥ

—by the hundreds become his servants, worshipped by the gods. And all those trees that are of great substance are themselves of divine form.

Verse 37 (padma.1.58.37)

तदर्चा पितृवत्कार्या शुश्रूषां जलपिंडकम्। मर्त्यलोके च ते पुत्रास्तस्य जन्मनि जन्मनि

tadarcā pitṛvatkāryā śuśrūṣāṁ jalapiṁḍakam martyaloke ca te putrāstasya janmani janmani

Their worship should be performed as one would for one's ancestors — attending to them, offering them water and pinda. In the mortal world, they become his sons, birth after birth—

Verse 38 (padma.1.58.38)

सुरूपाः सुविनीताश्च सदापुण्यक्रिया शुभाः। एवं गणेशतां यांति जंतवश्चूतलग्नकाः

surūpāḥ suvinītāśca sadāpuṇyakriyā śubhāḥ evaṁ gaṇeśatāṁ yāṁti jaṁtavaścūtalagnakāḥ

—well-formed, well-disciplined, ever engaged in meritorious and auspicious deeds. Thus even the creatures attached to a mango tree attain the state of ganas.

Verse 39 (padma.1.58.39)

धात्री हरीतकी चान्ये कटुतिक्ताम्लसंभवाः। सर्वे चारामतः शुद्धाः फलदाः शिवदाः सदा

dhātrī harītakī cānye kaṭutiktāmlasaṁbhavāḥ sarve cārāmataḥ śuddhāḥ phaladāḥ śivadāḥ sadā

The amalaki, the harītakī, and other trees bearing pungent, bitter, or sour fruit — all of them, from a well-tended orchard, are pure, fruit-bearing, and ever bestowers of auspiciousness.

Verse 40 (padma.1.58.40)

प्रासादा यत्र सौवर्णाः सर्वरत्नविभूषिताः। सर्वाभरणसंयुक्ता विमानाश्चानिलोपमाः

prāsādā yatra sauvarṇāḥ sarvaratnavibhūṣitāḥ sarvābharaṇasaṁyuktā vimānāścānilopamāḥ

There are palaces of gold, adorned with every kind of jewel; and celestial cars, fitted with every ornament, swift as the wind—

Verse 41 (padma.1.58.41)

शातकुंभमया वृक्षाः सदैव सर्वदायिनः। सर्वर्तुसुखदाः सौम्यकन्यका अप्सरस्समाः

śātakuṁbhamayā vṛkṣāḥ sadaiva sarvadāyinaḥ sarvartusukhadāḥ saumyakanyakā apsarassamāḥ

—trees made of pure gold, ever giving every good thing, bestowing happiness in every season; and gentle maidens there, like the Apsaras themselves—

Verse 42 (padma.1.58.42)

गीतनृत्यपराधीरास्तत्र तिष्ठंति वृक्षदाः। पुष्करिण्यो विशेषेण खातान्यन्यानि यानि च

gītanṛtyaparādhīrāstatra tiṣṭhaṁti vṛkṣadāḥ puṣkariṇyo viśeṣeṇa khātānyanyāni yāni ca

—devoted to song and dance, they remain there, granted by the merit of the trees. There are ponds especially, and other reservoirs as well,

Verse 43 (padma.1.58.43)

शुद्धोपलांतरचिता नद्यः पायसकर्द्दमाः। पुनर्दुग्धसफेनाश्च अन्नादिषड्रसान्विताः

śuddhopalāṁtaracitā nadyaḥ pāyasakarddamāḥ punardugdhasaphenāśca annādiṣaḍrasānvitāḥ

—paved within by pure stones; rivers whose very mud is sweet rice-pudding, foaming again with milk, endowed with food of all six flavors—

Verse 44 (padma.1.58.44)

मर्त्यलोके यथा भोग्यं पुनः स्वर्गे पुनर्भुवि। पुनरेव तदभ्यासात्खातमारामकं पुनः

martyaloke yathā bhogyaṁ punaḥ svarge punarbhuvi punareva tadabhyāsātkhātamārāmakaṁ punaḥ

—just as enjoyed in the mortal world, so too again in heaven, and again on earth. Again and again, through the practice of this, comes another reservoir, another orchard—

Verse 45 (padma.1.58.45)

यथा पुण्यादिकं कृत्वा स्वर्गमर्त्याधिपः पुमान्। अशक्तस्तु प्रपां कृत्वा पुष्करिण्याः फलं लभेत्

yathā puṇyādikaṁ kṛtvā svargamartyādhipaḥ pumān aśaktastu prapāṁ kṛtvā puṣkariṇyāḥ phalaṁ labhet

—thus, having performed such merit, a man becomes lord of both heaven and earth. But one who is unable to build a large pond, by building a water-shed instead, obtains the merit of a pond.

Verse 46 (padma.1.58.46)

प्रपाया लक्षणं चात्र सर्वपापहरं परं। सर्वभोगप्रदं शुद्धं स्वर्गापवर्गदं स्थिरं

prapāyā lakṣaṇaṁ cātra sarvapāpaharaṁ paraṁ sarvabhogapradaṁ śuddhaṁ svargāpavargadaṁ sthiraṁ

The character of such a water-shed is this: it removes all sin utterly; it is pure, granting every enjoyment, granting both heaven and final liberation, and lasting.

Verse 47 (padma.1.58.47)

लक्षणं च प्रवक्ष्यामि प्रपायाः कीर्तिवर्धनम्। निर्जलेऽध्वनि पृक्ते च स्थाने कृत्वा च मंडपम्

lakṣaṇaṁ ca pravakṣyāmi prapāyāḥ kīrtivardhanam nirjale'dhvani pṛkte ca sthāne kṛtvā ca maṁḍapam

I shall now tell the manner of a water-shed that increases fame: on a waterless road, at a busy junction, one should build a pavilion—

Verse 48 (padma.1.58.48)

बहुपान्थे समायाते ग्रीष्मवर्षाशरत्स्वपि। अगरुकादि सौगंध्यं जलं पूगं सचंद्रकम्

bahupānthe samāyāte grīṣmavarṣāśaratsvapi agarukādi saugaṁdhyaṁ jalaṁ pūgaṁ sacaṁdrakam

—where many travelers come, in summer, in the rains, and in autumn alike, offering water scented with agaru and the like, betel-nut, and sandal paste—

Verse 49 (padma.1.58.49)

आसनं चैव तांबूलं दत्वा स्वर्गान्न हीयते। एवं वर्षत्रयेणैव पुष्करिण्याः फलं लभेत्

āsanaṁ caiva tāṁbūlaṁ datvā svargānna hīyate evaṁ varṣatrayeṇaiva puṣkariṇyāḥ phalaṁ labhet

—a seat, and betel-leaf; by giving these, one is never deprived of heaven. Thus, in the course of just three years of such service, one obtains the merit of a pond.

Verse 50 (padma.1.58.50)

स्वर्गाच्चैवाच्युतो मर्त्यो देवैरपि प्रपूज्यते। मासमेकं तु यो दद्यात्प्रपां ग्रीष्मेथ निर्जले

svargāccaivācyuto martyo devairapi prapūjyate māsamekaṁ tu yo dadyātprapāṁ grīṣmetha nirjale

That mortal becomes imperishable in heaven, honored even by the gods. And whoever provides a water-shed for just one month, in summer, in a waterless place—

Verse 51 (padma.1.58.51)

कल्पैकं तु वसेत्स्वर्गे स्वर्गाद्भ्रष्टो महीयते। प्रपादास्तत्र तिष्ठंति यत्र पुष्करिणीप्रदाः

kalpaikaṁ tu vasetsvarge svargādbhraṣṭo mahīyate prapādāstatra tiṣṭhaṁti yatra puṣkariṇīpradāḥ

—dwells in heaven for a full kalpa, and even after falling from heaven is held in honor. The givers of water-sheds abide in that same realm where the givers of ponds dwell.

Verse 52 (padma.1.58.52)

नोचेद्धर्मघटो देयः पुण्यः पापक्षयाय च। एष धर्मघटो ज्ञेयो ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवात्मकः

noceddharmaghaṭo deyaḥ puṇyaḥ pāpakṣayāya ca eṣa dharmaghaṭo jñeyo brahmaviṣṇuśivātmakaḥ

Or otherwise, a dharma-pot should be given, meritorious, for the destruction of sin. This dharma-pot should be known as embodying Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva together.

Verse 53 (padma.1.58.53)

तवप्रसादात्सफलाः मम संतु मनोरथाः। स्वर्णमाषं चतुर्भागं दक्षिणार्थं घटस्य च

tavaprasādātsaphalāḥ mama saṁtu manorathāḥ svarṇamāṣaṁ caturbhāgaṁ dakṣiṇārthaṁ ghaṭasya ca

'By your grace, may my heart's wishes be fulfilled.' A quarter-masha of gold is given as dakshina for the pot.

Verse 54 (padma.1.58.54)

एवं वर्षत्रयेणैव प्रपादानफलं लभेत्। यः पठेच्छ्रावयेद्वापि पुष्करिण्यादिजं फलम्

evaṁ varṣatrayeṇaiva prapādānaphalaṁ labhet yaḥ paṭhecchrāvayedvāpi puṣkariṇyādijaṁ phalam

Thus, in the course of three years, one obtains the merit of the gift of a water-shed. And whoever reads or causes to be heard this account obtains the merit born of a pond and the like.

Verse 55 (padma.1.58.55)

साक्षात्पापाद्भवेन्मुक्तस्तत्प्रसादात्तु सद्गतिः। जनेषु श्रावयेद्यस्तु पुण्याख्यानमिदं शुभम्

sākṣātpāpādbhavenmuktastatprasādāttu sadgatiḥ janeṣu śrāvayedyastu puṇyākhyānamidaṁ śubham

He becomes truly freed from sin, and by that grace attains a good destiny. And whoever causes this auspicious, meritorious tale to be heard among people—

Verse 56 (padma.1.58.56)

कल्पकोटिसहस्राणि सुरलोके स तिष्ठति

kalpakoṭisahasrāṇi suraloke sa tiṣṭhati

—dwells in the world of the gods for thousands of millions of kalpas.