The Glory of the Ganga

Verse 1 (padma.1.62.1)

द्विजाऊचुः- मज्जनादखिलं पापं क्षयं यांति सुनिश्चितम्। महापातकमन्यच्च तदादेशं वदस्व नः

dvijāūcuḥ- majjanādakhilaṁ pāpaṁ kṣayaṁ yāṁti suniścitam mahāpātakamanyacca tadādeśaṁ vadasva naḥ

The brahmins said: By bathing, all sin is certainly destroyed — and also other great sins; tell us the instruction concerning this.

Verse 2 (padma.1.62.2)

पापात्पूतोऽक्षयं नाकमश्नुते दिवि शक्रवत्। सुरयोनेर्न हानिः स्यादुपदेशं वदस्व नः

pāpātpūto'kṣayaṁ nākamaśnute divi śakravat surayonerna hāniḥ syādupadeśaṁ vadasva naḥ

Purified from sin, one enjoys imperishable heaven, like Indra himself in the sky, and suffers no loss of his divine birth — tell us this teaching.

Verse 3 (padma.1.62.3)

अत्र भोग्यं परं सर्वं मृते स्वर्गे सुरोत्तमः। कलिपापहतानां च स्वर्गसोपानमुच्यते

atra bhogyaṁ paraṁ sarvaṁ mṛte svarge surottamaḥ kalipāpahatānāṁ ca svargasopānamucyate

Here all supreme enjoyment is attained, and at death, becoming the foremost of gods in heaven; for those struck down by the sins of the Kali age, it is called the very stairway to heaven.

Verse 4 (padma.1.62.4)

व्यास उवाच- गतिं चिंतयतां विप्रास्तूर्णं सामान्यजन्मनाम्। स्त्रीपुंसामीक्षणाद्यस्माद्गंगा पापं व्यपोहति

vyāsa uvāca- gatiṁ ciṁtayatāṁ viprāstūrṇaṁ sāmānyajanmanām strīpuṁsāmīkṣaṇādyasmādgaṁgā pāpaṁ vyapohati

Vyasa said: O brahmins, for those pondering the swift destiny of ordinary beings, of women and men — know that the Ganga removes sin by the very sight of her.

Verse 5 (padma.1.62.5)

गंगेति स्मरणादेव क्षयं याति च पातकम्। कीर्तनादतिपापानि दर्शनाद्गुरुकल्मषम्

gaṁgeti smaraṇādeva kṣayaṁ yāti ca pātakam kīrtanādatipāpāni darśanādgurukalmaṣam

By merely remembering the word 'Ganga,' sin is destroyed; by praising her, even great sins are destroyed; by seeing her, even the gravest of stains is destroyed.

Verse 6 (padma.1.62.6)

स्नानात्पानाच्च जाह्नव्यां पितॄणां तर्पणात्तथा। महापातकवृंदानि क्षयं यांति दिनेदिने

snānātpānācca jāhnavyāṁ pitṝṇāṁ tarpaṇāttathā mahāpātakavṛṁdāni kṣayaṁ yāṁti dinedine

By bathing in and drinking from the Jahnavi, and by offering tarpana to the ancestors there, whole hosts of great sins are destroyed day by day.

Verse 7 (padma.1.62.7)

अग्निना दह्यते तूलं तृणं शुष्कं क्षणाद्यथा। तथा गंगाजलस्पर्शात्पुंसां पापं दहेत्क्षणात्

agninā dahyate tūlaṁ tṛṇaṁ śuṣkaṁ kṣaṇādyathā tathā gaṁgājalasparśātpuṁsāṁ pāpaṁ dahetkṣaṇāt

As dry cotton or grass is burned by fire in an instant, so too the touch of Ganga water burns away a man's sin in an instant.

Verse 8 (padma.1.62.8)

संप्राप्नोत्यक्षयं स्वर्गं गंगास्नानेन केशवम्। यशो राज्यं लभेत्पुण्यें स्वर्गमंते परां गतिम्

saṁprāpnotyakṣayaṁ svargaṁ gaṁgāsnānena keśavam yaśo rājyaṁ labhetpuṇyeṁ svargamaṁte parāṁ gatim

By bathing in the Ganga, one attains imperishable heaven, and Keshava himself; through this merit one gains fame and kingship, heaven, and at the end, the supreme goal.

Verse 9 (padma.1.62.9)

पितॄनुद्दिश्य गंगायां यस्तु पिंडं प्रयच्छति। विधिना वाक्यपूर्वेण तस्य पुण्यफलं शृणु

pitṝnuddiśya gaṁgāyāṁ yastu piṁḍaṁ prayacchati vidhinā vākyapūrveṇa tasya puṇyaphalaṁ śṛṇu

Whoever, in the Ganga, offers the pinda-oblation directed toward his ancestors, according to rite, with the proper words — hear the fruit of merit that comes to him.

Verse 10 (padma.1.62.10)

अन्नैकेन तु साहस्रं वर्षं पूज्यः सुरालये। तिलेन द्विगुणं विद्धि तथा मेध्यफलेन च

annaikena tu sāhasraṁ varṣaṁ pūjyaḥ surālaye tilena dviguṇaṁ viddhi tathā medhyaphalena ca

With a single pinda of rice alone, he is honored in the abode of the gods for a thousand years; with sesame, know it to be double, and likewise with pure fruit.

Verse 11 (padma.1.62.11)

गव्येन विधिना विप्राः स्वर्गस्यांतो न विद्यते। एवं पिंडप्रदानेन नित्यं क्रतुशतं भवेत्

gavyena vidhinā viprāḥ svargasyāṁto na vidyate evaṁ piṁḍapradānena nityaṁ kratuśataṁ bhavet

With a pinda of cow's-milk preparation, O brahmins, there is no end to his stay in heaven. Thus, by such a gift of pinda, it is as if a hundred sacrifices were performed every day.

Verse 12 (padma.1.62.12)

पितरो निरयस्था ये धन्यास्ते मर्त्यवासिनः। धनपुत्रयुतारोग्यं सुखसंमानपूजिताः

pitaro nirayasthā ye dhanyāste martyavāsinaḥ dhanaputrayutārogyaṁ sukhasaṁmānapūjitāḥ

Even those ancestors who dwell in hell are freed by this; blessed indeed are those mortal dwellers who perform it — endowed with wealth, sons and health, honored with happiness and respect.

Verse 13 (padma.1.62.13)

रसातलगता ये च ये च कीटा महीतले। स्थावरे पक्षिसंघादौ ते मर्त्या धनिनो नृपाः

rasātalagatā ye ca ye ca kīṭā mahītale sthāvare pakṣisaṁghādau te martyā dhanino nṛpāḥ

Those who have gone to the netherworld, and those who have become insects upon the earth, or plants, or among flocks of birds — such ancestors, thus honored, become wealthy men and kings.

Verse 14 (padma.1.62.14)

तत्तत्पुत्रैश्च पौत्रैश्च गोत्रैर्दौहित्रकैस्तथा। जामातृभागिनेयैश्च सुहृन्मित्रैः प्रियाप्रियैः

tattatputraiśca pautraiśca gotrairdauhitrakaistathā jāmātṛbhāgineyaiśca suhṛnmitraiḥ priyāpriyaiḥ

By their own sons and grandsons, by their gotra-kin and grandsons through daughters, by sons-in-law and nephews, by well-wishers, friends, both dear and less dear—

Verse 15 (padma.1.62.15)

प्रदीयते जलं पिंडं यथोपकरणान्वितम्। गंगातोयेषु तीरेषु तेषां स्वर्गोऽक्षयो भवेत्

pradīyate jalaṁ piṁḍaṁ yathopakaraṇānvitam gaṁgātoyeṣu tīreṣu teṣāṁ svargo'kṣayo bhavet

—water and pinda are offered, together with the proper materials, on the banks of the Ganga's waters; for them, imperishable heaven results.

Verse 16 (padma.1.62.16)

पिंडादूर्ध्वं स्थिता ये च पितरो मातृगोत्रजाः। भवंति सुखिनः सर्वे मर्त्याश्शतसहस्रशः

piṁḍādūrdhvaṁ sthitā ye ca pitaro mātṛgotrajāḥ bhavaṁti sukhinaḥ sarve martyāśśatasahasraśaḥ

Those ancestors, born in the maternal line, who stand above in the line of the pinda-offering — all of them, hundreds and thousands of mortals, become happy.

Verse 17 (padma.1.62.17)

स्वर्गे तस्य स्थिताः सत्वा अधःस्था मध्यवासिनः। नित्यं वांञ्छंति सद्गंगां गच्छंतु सुरनिम्नगाम्

svarge tasya sthitāḥ satvā adhaḥsthā madhyavāsinaḥ nityaṁ vāṁñchaṁti sadgaṁgāṁ gacchaṁtu suranimnagām

Those beings established in his heaven, those below, and those dwelling in between — all constantly long: 'May they go to the true Ganga, the river that flows down from the gods!'

Verse 18 (padma.1.62.18)

एको गच्छति गंगां यः पूयंते तस्य पूरुषाः। एतदेव महापुण्यं तरते तारयत्यपि

eko gacchati gaṁgāṁ yaḥ pūyaṁte tasya pūruṣāḥ etadeva mahāpuṇyaṁ tarate tārayatyapi

If even one man goes to the Ganga, his forefathers are thereby purified. This alone is the great merit: it saves him, and it saves others too.

Verse 19 (padma.1.62.19)

गंगा कृत्स्नगुणं वक्तुं न शक्तश्चतुराननः। अतः किंचिद्वदाम्यत्र भागीरथ्या द्विजा गुणम्

gaṁgā kṛtsnaguṇaṁ vaktuṁ na śaktaścaturānanaḥ ataḥ kiṁcidvadāmyatra bhāgīrathyā dvijā guṇam

Even the four-faced Brahma is unable to describe the entire glory of the Ganga. Therefore, O brahmins, I shall tell here only a small part of the Bhagirathi's glory.

Verse 20 (padma.1.62.20)

मुनयः सिद्धगंधर्वा ये चान्ये सुरसत्तमाः। गंगातीरे तपस्तप्त्वा स्वर्गलोकेऽच्युताभवन्

munayaḥ siddhagaṁdharvā ye cānye surasattamāḥ gaṁgātīre tapastaptvā svargaloke'cyutābhavan

Sages, siddhas, gandharvas, and other greatest of gods, having performed austerities on the bank of the Ganga, became imperishable in the world of heaven.

Verse 21 (padma.1.62.21)

दिव्येन वपुषा सर्वे कामगेन रथेन च। अद्यापि न निवर्तंते रत्नपूर्णक्षयेषु वै

divyena vapuṣā sarve kāmagena rathena ca adyāpi na nivartaṁte ratnapūrṇakṣayeṣu vai

All of them, with divine bodies, in chariots that go wherever wished, even today do not return — dwelling in mansions filled with jewels.

Verse 22 (padma.1.62.22)

प्रासादा यत्र सौवर्णास्सर्वलोकोर्ध्वगाश्शिवाः। इष्टद्रव्यैः सुसंपूर्णाः स्त्रियो यत्र मनोरमाः

prāsādā yatra sauvarṇāssarvalokordhvagāśśivāḥ iṣṭadravyaiḥ susaṁpūrṇāḥ striyo yatra manoramāḥ

There, golden palaces rise above every other world, auspicious, filled fully with every desired thing; and there are lovely women—

Verse 23 (padma.1.62.23)

पारिजातः समाः पुष्पवृक्षाः कल्पद्रुमोपमाः। गंगातीरे तपस्तप्त्वा तत्रैश्वर्यं लभंति हि

pārijātaḥ samāḥ puṣpavṛkṣāḥ kalpadrumopamāḥ gaṁgātīre tapastaptvā tatraiśvaryaṁ labhaṁti hi

—flowering trees like the Parijata, equal to wish-fulfilling trees. Having performed austerities on the bank of the Ganga, they indeed attain such splendor there.

Verse 24 (padma.1.62.24)

तपोभिर्बहुभिर्यज्ञैर्व्रतैर्नानाविधैस्तथा। पुरुदानैर्गतिर्या च गंगां संसेवतां च सा

tapobhirbahubhiryajñairvratairnānāvidhaistathā purudānairgatiryā ca gaṁgāṁ saṁsevatāṁ ca sā

Whatever destiny is attained through many austerities, sacrifices, various kinds of vows, and abundant gifts — that same destiny belongs to those who devotedly serve the Ganga.

Verse 25 (padma.1.62.25)

जारजं पतितं दुष्टमंत्यजं गुरुघातिनम्। सर्वद्रोहेण संयुक्तं सर्वपातकसंयुतम्

jārajaṁ patitaṁ duṣṭamaṁtyajaṁ gurughātinam sarvadroheṇa saṁyuktaṁ sarvapātakasaṁyutam

Even one born of adultery, an outcaste, a wicked man, one born of the lowest class, a slayer of his own guru, one joined with every kind of treachery, one bound up with every sin—

Verse 26 (padma.1.62.26)

त्यजंति पितरं पुत्राः प्रियं पत्न्यः सुहृद्गणाः। अन्ये च बांधवाः सर्वे गंगा तु न परित्यजेत्

tyajaṁti pitaraṁ putrāḥ priyaṁ patnyaḥ suhṛdgaṇāḥ anye ca bāṁdhavāḥ sarve gaṁgā tu na parityajet

—sons abandon such a father, wives abandon even a beloved husband, friends and all other kinsmen abandon him too — but the Ganga alone never abandons him.

Verse 27 (padma.1.62.27)

यथा माता स्वयं जन्ममलशौचं च कारयेत्। क्रोडीकृत्य तथा तेषां गंगा प्रक्षालयेन्मलम्

yathā mātā svayaṁ janmamalaśaucaṁ ca kārayet kroḍīkṛtya tathā teṣāṁ gaṁgā prakṣālayenmalam

As a mother herself cleanses the birth-impurity of her child, taking it upon her lap, so too the Ganga washes away the impurity of such beings.

Verse 28 (padma.1.62.28)

भवंति ते सुविख्याता भोग्यालंकारपूजिताः। दर्शने क्रियते गंगा सकृद्भक्त्या नरैस्तु यैः

bhavaṁti te suvikhyātā bhogyālaṁkārapūjitāḥ darśane kriyate gaṁgā sakṛdbhaktyā naraistu yaiḥ

Those men by whom the Ganga is beheld even once, with devotion, become renowned, honored with every enjoyment and ornament.

Verse 29 (padma.1.62.29)

तेषां कुलानां लक्षं तु भवात्तारयते शिवा। स्मृतार्ति हर्त्री यैर्ध्याता संस्तुता साधुमोदिता

teṣāṁ kulānāṁ lakṣaṁ tu bhavāttārayate śivā smṛtārti hartrī yairdhyātā saṁstutā sādhumoditā

That auspicious goddess saves a hundred thousand of their kin from worldly existence. She removes distress upon being remembered; by whomever she is meditated upon and praised, she is delighted with the righteous.

Verse 30 (padma.1.62.30)

गंगा तारयते नॄणामुभौ वंशौ भवार्णवात्। संक्रांतिषु व्यतीपाते ग्रहणे चंद्रसूर्ययोः

gaṁgā tārayate nṝṇāmubhau vaṁśau bhavārṇavāt saṁkrāṁtiṣu vyatīpāte grahaṇe caṁdrasūryayoḥ

The Ganga saves both lineages of men from the ocean of worldly existence. At solstices, at vyatipata, at eclipses of the moon and sun—

Verse 31 (padma.1.62.31)

पुण्ये स्नात्वा तु गंगायां कुलकोटिं समुद्धरेत्। शुक्लपक्षे दिवामर्त्या गंगायामुत्तरायणे

puṇye snātvā tu gaṁgāyāṁ kulakoṭiṁ samuddharet śuklapakṣe divāmartyā gaṁgāyāmuttarāyaṇe

—bathing in the sacred Ganga at such times, one lifts up ten million of one's kin. Mortals who die in the bright fortnight, by day, in the Ganga, during Uttarayana—

Verse 32 (padma.1.62.32)

धन्या देहं विमुंचंति हृदिस्थे च जनार्दने। अनेन विधिना यस्तु भागीरथ्या जले शुभे

dhanyā dehaṁ vimuṁcaṁti hṛdisthe ca janārdane anena vidhinā yastu bhāgīrathyā jale śubhe

—blessed, cast off the body with Janardana enthroned in their heart. Whoever, by this rite, in the auspicious water of the Bhagirathi—

Verse 33 (padma.1.62.33)

प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा व्रजेत्स्वर्गं पुनरावृत्तिवर्जितम्। यो गंगानुगतो नित्यं सर्वदेवानुगो हि सः

prāṇāṁstyaktvā vrajetsvargaṁ punarāvṛttivarjitam yo gaṁgānugato nityaṁ sarvadevānugo hi saḥ

—gives up his life-breaths there, goes to a heaven from which there is no return. He who ever follows the Ganga follows, indeed, all the gods.

Verse 34 (padma.1.62.34)

सर्वदेवमयो विष्णुर्गंगा विष्णुमयी यतः। गंगायां पिंडदानेन पितॄणां वै तिलोदकैः

sarvadevamayo viṣṇurgaṁgā viṣṇumayī yataḥ gaṁgāyāṁ piṁḍadānena pitṝṇāṁ vai tilodakaiḥ

Vishnu is the very form of all the gods, and the Ganga is of the very form of Vishnu; therefore, by the offering of pinda in the Ganga, and by sesame-and-water for the ancestors—

Verse 35 (padma.1.62.35)

नरकस्था दिवं यांति स्वर्गस्था मोक्षमाप्नुयुः। परदारपरद्रव्य बाधा द्रोहपरस्य च

narakasthā divaṁ yāṁti svargasthā mokṣamāpnuyuḥ paradāraparadravya bādhā drohaparasya ca

—those ancestors in hell go to heaven, and those already in heaven attain liberation. For one who is devoted to violating others' wives, others' property, or harming others—

Verse 36 (padma.1.62.36)

गतिर्मनुष्यमात्रस्य गंगैव परमा गतिः। वेदशास्त्रविहीनस्य गुरुनिंदापरस्य च

gatirmanuṣyamātrasya gaṁgaiva paramā gatiḥ vedaśāstravihīnasya guruniṁdāparasya ca

—the Ganga alone is the supreme destiny for any mere human being. For one devoid of Vedic learning, and for one given to reviling his own guru—

Verse 37 (padma.1.62.37)

समयाचारहीनस्य नास्ति गंगासमा गतिः। किं यज्ञैर्बहुवित्ताढ्यैः किं तपोभिः सुदुष्करैः

samayācārahīnasya nāsti gaṁgāsamā gatiḥ kiṁ yajñairbahuvittāḍhyaiḥ kiṁ tapobhiḥ suduṣkaraiḥ

—and for one devoid of proper conduct, there is no destiny equal to the Ganga. What use are sacrifices rich with much wealth? What use the most difficult austerities?

Verse 38 (padma.1.62.38)

स्वर्गमोक्षप्रदा गंगा सुखसौभाग्यपूजिता। नियमैः परमैर्नित्यं किं योगैश्चित्तरोधकैः

svargamokṣapradā gaṁgā sukhasaubhāgyapūjitā niyamaiḥ paramairnityaṁ kiṁ yogaiścittarodhakaiḥ

The Ganga grants both heaven and liberation, and is honored with happiness and good fortune. What use the most extreme daily observances? What use yogas that restrain the mind?

Verse 39 (padma.1.62.39)

भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदा गंगा सुखमोक्षाग्रतः स्थिता। अनेकजन्मसंघात पापं पुंसां विनश्यति

bhuktimuktipradā gaṁgā sukhamokṣāgrataḥ sthitā anekajanmasaṁghāta pāpaṁ puṁsāṁ vinaśyati

The Ganga grants both worldly enjoyment and liberation; she stands foremost among the sources of happiness and liberation. The sin accumulated by men across many births is destroyed—

Verse 40 (padma.1.62.40)

स्नानमात्रेण गंगायां सद्यः स्यात्पुण्यभाङ्नरः। प्रभासे गोसहस्रस्य राहुग्रस्ते दिवाकरे

snānamātreṇa gaṁgāyāṁ sadyaḥ syātpuṇyabhāṅnaraḥ prabhāse gosahasrasya rāhugraste divākare

—by mere bathing in the Ganga; a man at once becomes a possessor of merit. The merit that comes from a gift of a thousand cows at Prabhasa, when the sun is seized by Rahu—

Verse 41 (padma.1.62.41)

लभते यत्फलं दाने गंगास्नानाद्दिनेदिने। दृष्ट्वा तु हरते पापं स्पृष्ट्वा तु लभते दिवम्

labhate yatphalaṁ dāne gaṁgāsnānāddinedine dṛṣṭvā tu harate pāpaṁ spṛṣṭvā tu labhate divam

—that same merit one obtains by bathing in the Ganga, day after day. By seeing her, sin is taken away; by touching her, one attains heaven.

Verse 42 (padma.1.62.42)

प्रसंगादपि सा गंगा मोक्षदा त्ववगाहिता। सर्वेन्द्रियाणां चापल्यं वासनाशक्तिसंभवम्

prasaṁgādapi sā gaṁgā mokṣadā tvavagāhitā sarvendriyāṇāṁ cāpalyaṁ vāsanāśaktisaṁbhavam

Even by mere incidental contact, the Ganga, once bathed in, grants liberation. The fickleness of all the senses, born of the power of old impressions—

Verse 43 (padma.1.62.43)

निर्घृणत्वं ततो गंगा दर्शनात्प्रविनश्यति। परद्रव्याभिकांक्षित्वं परदाराभिलाषिता

nirghṛṇatvaṁ tato gaṁgā darśanātpravinaśyati paradravyābhikāṁkṣitvaṁ paradārābhilāṣitā

—and cruelty too, are destroyed merely by the sight of the Ganga. The craving for others' wealth, the desire for others' wives—

Verse 44 (padma.1.62.44)

परधर्मे रुचिश्चैव दर्शनादेव नश्यति। यदृच्छालाभ संतोषस्स्वधर्मेषु प्रवर्तते

paradharme ruciścaiva darśanādeva naśyati yadṛcchālābha saṁtoṣassvadharmeṣu pravartate

—and delight in another's improper dharma — all are destroyed merely by her sight. Contentment with whatever is gained by chance, and devotion to one's own proper duties, arise instead—

Verse 45 (padma.1.62.45)

सर्वभूतसमत्वं च गङ्गायां मज्जनाद्भवेत्। यस्तु गंगां समाश्रित्य सुखं तिष्ठति मानवः

sarvabhūtasamatvaṁ ca gaṅgāyāṁ majjanādbhavet yastu gaṁgāṁ samāśritya sukhaṁ tiṣṭhati mānavaḥ

—and equanimity toward all beings arises from bathing in the Ganga. That man who, taking refuge in the Ganga, dwells there in happiness—

Verse 46 (padma.1.62.46)

जीवन्मुक्तस्स एवेह सर्वेषामुत्तमोत्तमः। गंगां संश्रित्य यस्तिष्ठेत्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते

jīvanmuktassa eveha sarveṣāmuttamottamaḥ gaṁgāṁ saṁśritya yastiṣṭhettasya kāryaṁ na vidyate

—he alone is jivanmukta, the very best among all men. For him who dwells taking refuge in the Ganga, no further ritual duty remains.

Verse 47 (padma.1.62.47)

कृतकृत्यस्स वै मुक्तो जीवन्मुक्तश्च मानवः। यज्ञो दानं तपो जप्यं श्राद्धं च सुरपूजनम्

kṛtakṛtyassa vai mukto jīvanmuktaśca mānavaḥ yajño dānaṁ tapo japyaṁ śrāddhaṁ ca surapūjanam

That man has accomplished all that need be accomplished; he is truly liberated, jivanmukta. Sacrifice, charity, austerity, japa, ancestral rites, and worship of the gods—

Verse 48 (padma.1.62.48)

गंगायां तु कृतं नित्यं कोटिकोटि गुणं भवेत्। अन्यस्थाने कृतं पापं गंगातीरे विनश्यति

gaṁgāyāṁ tu kṛtaṁ nityaṁ koṭikoṭi guṇaṁ bhavet anyasthāne kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ gaṁgātīre vinaśyati

—when performed daily in the Ganga, become ten million times ten million times more fruitful. Sin committed elsewhere is destroyed on the bank of the Ganga.

Verse 49 (padma.1.62.49)

गंगातीरे कृतं पापं गंगास्नानेन नश्यति। आत्मनो जन्मनक्षत्रे जाह्नवीसंगते दिने

gaṁgātīre kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ gaṁgāsnānena naśyati ātmano janmanakṣatre jāhnavīsaṁgate dine

Sin committed even on the bank of the Ganga is destroyed by bathing in the Ganga. On the day of one's own birth-nakshatra, when it coincides with a day associated with the Jahnavi—

Verse 50 (padma.1.62.50)

नरः स्नात्वा तु गंगायां स्वकुलं च समुद्धरेत्। आदरेण यथा स्तौति धनवंतं सदा नरः

naraḥ snātvā tu gaṁgāyāṁ svakulaṁ ca samuddharet ādareṇa yathā stauti dhanavaṁtaṁ sadā naraḥ

—a man, bathing in the Ganga, lifts up his entire lineage. Just as a man always praises a wealthy man with reverence—

Verse 51 (padma.1.62.51)

सकृद्गंगां तथा स्तुत्वा भवेत्स्वर्गस्य भाजनम्। अश्रद्धयापि गंगायां योसौ नामानुकीर्तनं

sakṛdgaṁgāṁ tathā stutvā bhavetsvargasya bhājanam aśraddhayāpi gaṁgāyāṁ yosau nāmānukīrtanaṁ

—so too, having praised the Ganga even once, one becomes fit for heaven. Even without faith, whoever recites the name of the Ganga—

Verse 52 (padma.1.62.52)

करोति पुण्यवाहिन्यास्स वै स्वर्गस्य भाजनम्। क्षितौ भावयतो मर्त्यान्नागांस्तारयतेप्यधः

karoti puṇyavāhinyāssa vai svargasya bhājanam kṣitau bhāvayato martyānnāgāṁstārayatepyadhaḥ

—that meritorious river makes him too fit for heaven. She saves mortals who meditate upon her on earth, and even the serpents below—

Verse 53 (padma.1.62.53)

दिवि तारयते देवान्गंगा त्रिपथगा स्मृता। ज्ञानतोज्ञानतो वापि कामतोऽकामतोपि वा

divi tārayate devāngaṁgā tripathagā smṛtā jñānatojñānato vāpi kāmato'kāmatopi vā

—and in heaven she saves the gods too; the Ganga is remembered as the one who flows in three paths. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, whether willingly or unwillingly—

Verse 54 (padma.1.62.54)

गंगायां च मृतो मर्त्यः स्वर्गं मोक्षं च विंदति। या गतिर्योगयुक्तस्य सत्वस्थस्य मनीषिणः

gaṁgāyāṁ ca mṛto martyaḥ svargaṁ mokṣaṁ ca viṁdati yā gatiryogayuktasya satvasthasya manīṣiṇaḥ

—a mortal who dies in the Ganga attains both heaven and liberation. Whatever destiny belongs to one accomplished in yoga, established in goodness, a sage—

Verse 55 (padma.1.62.55)

सा गतिस्त्यजतः प्राणान्गंगायां तु शरीरिणः। चांद्रायणसहस्राणि यश्चरेत्कायशोधनम्

sā gatistyajataḥ prāṇāngaṁgāyāṁ tu śarīriṇaḥ cāṁdrāyaṇasahasrāṇi yaścaretkāyaśodhanam

—that same destiny belongs to any embodied being who gives up his life-breaths in the Ganga. Whoever performs thousands of Chandrayana fasts for the purification of the body—

Verse 56 (padma.1.62.56)

पानं कुर्याद्यथेच्छं च गंगांभः स विशिष्यते। तावत्प्रभावस्तीर्थानां देवानां तु विशेषतः

pānaṁ kuryādyathecchaṁ ca gaṁgāṁbhaḥ sa viśiṣyate tāvatprabhāvastīrthānāṁ devānāṁ tu viśeṣataḥ

—or drinks Ganga water freely as he wishes, he is distinguished above others. So great is the power of sacred fords, and especially of the gods themselves—

Verse 57 (padma.1.62.57)

तावत्प्रभावो वेदानां यावन्नाप्नोति जाह्नवीम्। तिस्रः कोट्योर्धकोटी च तीर्थानां वायुरब्रवीत्

tāvatprabhāvo vedānāṁ yāvannāpnoti jāhnavīm tisraḥ koṭyordhakoṭī ca tīrthānāṁ vāyurabravīt

—and so great the power of the Vedas — all this holds only until it is compared to attaining the Jahnavi. 'Three and a half crore sacred fords,' the Wind-god declared—

Verse 58 (padma.1.62.58)

दिविभुव्यन्तरिक्षे च तानि ते सन्ति जाह्नवि। विष्णुपादाब्जसंभूते गंगे त्रिपथगामिनि

divibhuvyantarikṣe ca tāni te santi jāhnavi viṣṇupādābjasaṁbhūte gaṁge tripathagāmini

—'exist in heaven, on earth, and in the intermediate space, O Jahnavi.' O Ganga, born from the lotus-foot of Vishnu, flowing in three paths—

Verse 59 (padma.1.62.59)

धर्मद्रवेति विख्याते पापं मे हर जाह्नवि। विष्णुपादप्रसूतासि वैष्णवी विष्णुपूजिता

dharmadraveti vikhyāte pāpaṁ me hara jāhnavi viṣṇupādaprasūtāsi vaiṣṇavī viṣṇupūjitā

—renowned as the very flow of dharma, take away my sin, O Jahnavi! You are born from Vishnu's own foot, of Vishnu's nature, worshipped by Vishnu—

Verse 60 (padma.1.62.60)

त्राहि मामेनसस्तस्मादाजन्ममरणांतिकात्। श्रद्धया धर्मसंपूर्णे श्रीमता रजसा च ते

trāhi māmenasastasmādājanmamaraṇāṁtikāt śraddhayā dharmasaṁpūrṇe śrīmatā rajasā ca te

—save me from that sin, from birth until the very end of death. O you full of dharma, through faith, and by your own glorious, radiant essence—

Verse 61 (padma.1.62.61)

अमृतेन महादेवि भागीरथि पुनीहि मां। त्रिभिः श्लोकवरैरेभिर्यः स्नायाज्जाह्नवी जले

amṛtena mahādevi bhāgīrathi punīhi māṁ tribhiḥ ślokavarairebhiryaḥ snāyājjāhnavī jale

—with your very nectar, O great goddess Bhagirathi, purify me.' Whoever, reciting these three excellent verses, bathes in the water of the Jahnavi—

Verse 62 (padma.1.62.62)

जन्मकोटिकृतात्पापान्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः। मूलमंत्रं प्रवक्ष्यामि जाह्नव्या हरभाषितम्

janmakoṭikṛtātpāpānmucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ mūlamaṁtraṁ pravakṣyāmi jāhnavyā harabhāṣitam

—is freed from sins committed across ten million births, without doubt in this. I shall now declare the root mantra of the Jahnavi, spoken by Hara himself:

Verse 63 (padma.1.62.63)

सकृज्जपान्नरः पूतो विष्णुदेहे प्रतिष्ठति। मंत्रश्चायं- ॐनमो गंगायै विश्वरूपिण्यै नारायण्यै नमोनमः

sakṛjjapānnaraḥ pūto viṣṇudehe pratiṣṭhati maṁtraścāyaṁ- oṁnamo gaṁgāyai viśvarūpiṇyai nārāyaṇyai namonamaḥ

By reciting it even once, a man becomes pure and is established in the very body of Vishnu. And this is the mantra: 'Om, salutations to Ganga, of universal form, of Narayana's own nature — salutations, salutations!'

Verse 64 (padma.1.62.64)

जाह्नवीतीरसंभूतां मृदं मूर्ध्ना बिभर्ति यः। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो गंगास्नानं विना नरः

jāhnavītīrasaṁbhūtāṁ mṛdaṁ mūrdhnā bibharti yaḥ sarvapāpavinirmukto gaṁgāsnānaṁ vinā naraḥ

Whoever bears upon his head the clay that arises on the bank of the Jahnavi becomes freed from all sin, even a man who has not bathed in the Ganga.

Verse 65 (padma.1.62.65)

गंगाजलोर्मिनिर्धूत पवनं स्पृशते यदि। स पूतः कल्मषाद्घोरात्स्वर्गं चाक्षयमश्नुते

gaṁgājalorminirdhūta pavanaṁ spṛśate yadi sa pūtaḥ kalmaṣādghorātsvargaṁ cākṣayamaśnute

If a man merely touches the breeze that has been stirred by the waves of Ganga water, he becomes purified of even the most terrible stain and attains imperishable heaven.

Verse 66 (padma.1.62.66)

यावदस्थि मनुष्यस्य गंगातोये प्रतिष्ठति। तावद्वर्षसहस्राणि स्वर्गलोके महीयते

yāvadasthi manuṣyasya gaṁgātoye pratiṣṭhati tāvadvarṣasahasrāṇi svargaloke mahīyate

For as many years as a man's bone remains established in the water of the Ganga, for that many thousands of years he is honored in the world of heaven.

Verse 67 (padma.1.62.67)

पित्रोर्बंधुजनानां च अनाथानां गुरोरपि। गंगायामस्थिपातेन नरः स्वर्गान्न हीयते

pitrorbaṁdhujanānāṁ ca anāthānāṁ gurorapi gaṁgāyāmasthipātena naraḥ svargānna hīyate

By casting the bones of one's parents, of kinsmen, of the helpless, or even of one's guru into the Ganga, a man is never deprived of heaven.

Verse 68 (padma.1.62.68)

गंगां प्रतिवहेद्यस्तु पितॄणामस्थिखंडकम्। पदेपदेश्वमेधस्य फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः

gaṁgāṁ prativahedyastu pitṝṇāmasthikhaṁḍakam padepadeśvamedhasya phalaṁ prāpnoti mānavaḥ

Whoever carries even a small fragment of his ancestors' bones toward the Ganga obtains, at every step, the merit of an Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Verse 69 (padma.1.62.69)

धन्या जानपदा ये च पशवः पक्षिकीटकाः। स्थावरा जंगमाश्चान्ये गंगातीरसमाश्रिताः

dhanyā jānapadā ye ca paśavaḥ pakṣikīṭakāḥ sthāvarā jaṁgamāścānye gaṁgātīrasamāśritāḥ

Blessed are the people of the land, and the animals, birds, and insects, and other plants and creatures, mobile and immobile, who dwell upon the bank of the Ganga.

Verse 70 (padma.1.62.70)

क्रोशांतर मृता ये च जाह्नव्या द्विजसत्तमाः। मानवा देवतास्संति इतरे मानवा भुवि

krośāṁtara mṛtā ye ca jāhnavyā dvijasattamāḥ mānavā devatāssaṁti itare mānavā bhuvi

O foremost of brahmins, those who die within a krosha's distance of the Jahnavi are, among men, as good as gods; other men are merely men upon this earth.

Verse 71 (padma.1.62.71)

गंगास्नानाय संगच्छन्पथि संम्रियते यदि। स च स्वर्गमवाप्नोति गंगास्नानफलं लभेत्

gaṁgāsnānāya saṁgacchanpathi saṁmriyate yadi sa ca svargamavāpnoti gaṁgāsnānaphalaṁ labhet

If a man, journeying to bathe in the Ganga, dies upon the way, he too attains heaven and obtains the merit of bathing in the Ganga.

Verse 72 (padma.1.62.72)

गंगाजले प्रयास्यंति ते जीवाः पथि ये मृताः। कीटाः पंतंगाश्शलभाः पादाघातेन गच्छतां

gaṁgājale prayāsyaṁti te jīvāḥ pathi ye mṛtāḥ kīṭāḥ paṁtaṁgāśśalabhāḥ pādāghātena gacchatāṁ

Those beings who die upon that road go to the very waters of the Ganga in merit — even insects, flying creatures, and moths killed by the tread of the feet of those journeying there.

Verse 73 (padma.1.62.73)

ये वदंति समुद्देशं गंगां प्रति जनं द्विजाः। ते च यांति परं पुण्यं गंगास्नानफलं नराः

ye vadaṁti samuddeśaṁ gaṁgāṁ prati janaṁ dvijāḥ te ca yāṁti paraṁ puṇyaṁ gaṁgāsnānaphalaṁ narāḥ

Those brahmins who point out the way to the Ganga for people — those men too attain the highest merit, the fruit of bathing in the Ganga.

Verse 74 (padma.1.62.74)

जाह्नवीं ये च निंदंति पाषण्डैर्हतचेतसः। ते यांति नरकं घोरं पुनरावृत्तिदुर्लभम्

jāhnavīṁ ye ca niṁdaṁti pāṣaṇḍairhatacetasaḥ te yāṁti narakaṁ ghoraṁ punarāvṛttidurlabham

Those whose minds are corrupted by heretical teachings, and who revile the Jahnavi, go to a terrible hell from which return is hard to attain.

Verse 75 (padma.1.62.75)

दुस्थोवापि स्मरन्नित्यं गंगेति परिकीर्तयन्। पठन्स्वर्गमवाप्नोति किमन्यैर्बहुभाषितैः

dusthovāpi smarannityaṁ gaṁgeti parikīrtayan paṭhansvargamavāpnoti kimanyairbahubhāṣitaiḥ

Even one in the most wretched state, if he ever remembers, proclaims, or recites the word 'Ganga,' attains heaven — what need for much other talk?

Verse 76 (padma.1.62.76)

गंगागंगेति यो ब्रूयाद्योजनानां शतैरपि। मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति

gaṁgāgaṁgeti yo brūyādyojanānāṁ śatairapi mucyate sarvapāpebhyo viṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchati

Whoever utters 'Ganga, Ganga,' even from hundreds of yojanas away, is freed from all sins and goes to the world of Vishnu.

Verse 77 (padma.1.62.77)

अंधाश्च पंगवस्ते च वृथाभव समुद्भवाः। गर्भपाताद्विपद्यंते ये गंगां न गता नराः

aṁdhāśca paṁgavaste ca vṛthābhava samudbhavāḥ garbhapātādvipadyaṁte ye gaṁgāṁ na gatā narāḥ

Those men who never go to the Ganga are born in vain — blind and lame, they as good as perish through miscarriage even as they take birth.

Verse 78 (padma.1.62.78)

न कीर्तयंति ये गंगां जडतुल्या नराधमाः। परान्नोपदिशंति स्म वातूलाश्चित्तविभ्रमाः

na kīrtayaṁti ye gaṁgāṁ jaḍatulyā narādhamāḥ parānnopadiśaṁti sma vātūlāścittavibhramāḥ

Those base men who never praise the Ganga are equal to the inert; they teach nothing to others, deranged, their minds confused.

Verse 79 (padma.1.62.79)

न पठंति जना ये च तेषां शास्त्रं विनिष्फलम्। गंगापुण्यफलं विप्राः कुधियः पतिताधमाः

na paṭhaṁti janā ye ca teṣāṁ śāstraṁ viniṣphalam gaṁgāpuṇyaphalaṁ viprāḥ kudhiyaḥ patitādhamāḥ

Those people who never recite these praises — for them all scripture is fruitless. O brahmins, those of evil intellect, fallen, base, gain nothing of the merit of the Ganga.

Verse 80 (padma.1.62.80)

पाठयंति जना ये च श्रद्धया निपठंति च। गच्छंति ते दिवं धीरास्तारयंति पितॄन्गुरून्

pāṭhayaṁti janā ye ca śraddhayā nipaṭhaṁti ca gacchaṁti te divaṁ dhīrāstārayaṁti pitṝngurūn

Those people who teach these praises to others, and who recite them with faith — those steadfast ones go to heaven, and save their ancestors and their guru.

Verse 81 (padma.1.62.81)

पाथेयकं गच्छतां यो वसु शक्त्या प्रयच्छति। भागीरथ्या लभेत्स्नानं यः परान्नेन गच्छति

pātheyakaṁ gacchatāṁ yo vasu śaktyā prayacchati bhāgīrathyā labhetsnānaṁ yaḥ parānnena gacchati

Whoever gives provisions, according to his ability, to those journeying to the Ganga — and whoever journeys there living on others' food, sustained by charity—

Verse 82 (padma.1.62.82)

कर्तुः स्नानफलं विद्याद्द्विगुणं प्रेरकस्य च। इच्छयानिच्छया चापि प्रेरणेनान्यसेवया

kartuḥ snānaphalaṁ vidyāddviguṇaṁ prerakasya ca icchayānicchayā cāpi preraṇenānyasevayā

—know that the merit of bathing belongs to the doer, and double that to the one who inspired him. Whether willingly or unwillingly, whether by inspiring another or by serving another—

Verse 83 (padma.1.62.83)

जाह्नवीं यो गतः पुण्यां स गच्छेन्निर्जरालयम्। द्विजा ऊचुः- गंगायाः कीर्तनं व्यास श्रुतं त्वत्तो विनिर्मलम्

jāhnavīṁ yo gataḥ puṇyāṁ sa gacchennirjarālayam dvijā ūcuḥ- gaṁgāyāḥ kīrtanaṁ vyāsa śrutaṁ tvatto vinirmalam

—whoever goes to the sacred Jahnavi goes to the abode of the immortals. The brahmins said: O Vyasa, we have heard from you this stainless praise of the Ganga.

Verse 84 (padma.1.62.84)

गंगा कस्मात्किमाकारा कुतः सा ह्यतिपावनी। व्यास उवाच- शृणुध्वं कथयाम्यद्य कथां पुण्यां पुरातनीं

gaṁgā kasmātkimākārā kutaḥ sā hyatipāvanī vyāsa uvāca- śṛṇudhvaṁ kathayāmyadya kathāṁ puṇyāṁ purātanīṁ

'Whence does the Ganga come, of what form is she, and why is she so exceedingly purifying?' Vyasa said: Listen, I shall now tell this ancient, meritorious tale.

Verse 85 (padma.1.62.85)

यां श्रुत्वा मोक्षमार्गं च प्राप्नोति नरसत्तमः। ब्रह्मलोकं पुरा गत्वा नारदो मुनिपुंगवः

yāṁ śrutvā mokṣamārgaṁ ca prāpnoti narasattamaḥ brahmalokaṁ purā gatvā nārado munipuṁgavaḥ

By hearing it, the foremost of men attains the very path of liberation. Long ago, Narada, foremost among sages, went to the world of Brahma—

Verse 86 (padma.1.62.86)

नत्वा विधिं च पप्रच्छ पूतं त्रैलोक्यपावनम्। किं सृष्टं च त्वया तात संमतं शंभुकृष्णयोः

natvā vidhiṁ ca papraccha pūtaṁ trailokyapāvanam kiṁ sṛṣṭaṁ ca tvayā tāta saṁmataṁ śaṁbhukṛṣṇayoḥ

—and, bowing to Brahma, the pure one, purifier of the three worlds, asked him: 'What have you created, father, that is approved of by both Shambhu and Krishna—'

Verse 87 (padma.1.62.87)

सर्वलोकहितार्थाय भुवःस्थाने समीहितम्। देवी वा देवता का वा सर्वासामुत्तमोत्तमा

sarvalokahitārthāya bhuvaḥsthāne samīhitam devī vā devatā kā vā sarvāsāmuttamottamā

'—devised for the benefit of all the worlds, established in the realm of the earth? What goddess, or what deity, is the very best among all?'

Verse 88 (padma.1.62.88)

यां समासाद्य देवाश्च दैत्यमानुषपन्नगाः। अंडजाः स्वेदजा वृक्षा ये चान्य उद्भिज्जादयः

yāṁ samāsādya devāśca daityamānuṣapannagāḥ aṁḍajāḥ svedajā vṛkṣā ye cānya udbhijjādayaḥ

'—a deity attaining whom, gods, daityas, men, serpents, egg-born creatures, sweat-born creatures, trees, and other plant-born beings—'

Verse 89 (padma.1.62.89)

सर्वे यांति शिवं ब्रह्मन्समग्रं विभवं ध्रुवम्। ब्रह्मोवाच- सृजता च पुरा प्रोक्ता माया प्रकृतिरूपिणी

sarve yāṁti śivaṁ brahmansamagraṁ vibhavaṁ dhruvam brahmovāca- sṛjatā ca purā proktā māyā prakṛtirūpiṇī

'—all attain, O Brahman, complete and certain welfare and glory?' Brahma said: When I was creating the universe in ancient times, there arose the one called Maya, of the form of Prakriti—

Verse 90 (padma.1.62.90)

आद्या भव स्वलोकानां त्वत्तो भवं सृजाम्यहम्। एतच्छ्रुत्वा परा सा च सप्तधा चाभवत्तदा

ādyā bhava svalokānāṁ tvatto bhavaṁ sṛjāmyaham etacchrutvā parā sā ca saptadhā cābhavattadā

—to whom I said: 'Become the very first of your own worlds; from you I shall create existence.' Hearing this, that supreme goddess became sevenfold at that time—

Verse 91 (padma.1.62.91)

गायत्रीवाक्च स्वर्लक्ष्मीस्सर्वसस्य वसुप्रदा। ज्ञानविद्या उमादेवी शक्तिबीजा तपस्विनी

gāyatrīvākca svarlakṣmīssarvasasya vasupradā jñānavidyā umādevī śaktibījā tapasvinī

—as Gayatri, as Vak, as Svarlakshmi, as the giver of all crops and wealth, as Jnana-vidya, as the goddess Uma, as Shakti-bija, and as the ascetic goddess.

Verse 92 (padma.1.62.92)

वर्णिका धर्मद्रवा च एतास्सप्त प्रकीर्तिताः। गायत्रीप्रभवा वेदा वेदात्सर्वं स्थितं जगत्

varṇikā dharmadravā ca etāssapta prakīrtitāḥ gāyatrīprabhavā vedā vedātsarvaṁ sthitaṁ jagat

And also as Varnika, and as Dharmadrava — these seven are thus proclaimed. From Gayatri arise the Vedas; upon the Vedas the whole universe rests.

Verse 93 (padma.1.62.93)

स्वस्ति स्वाहा स्वधा दीक्षा एता गायत्रिजा स्मृताः। उच्चारयेत्सदा यज्ञे गायत्रीं मातृकादिभिः

svasti svāhā svadhā dīkṣā etā gāyatrijā smṛtāḥ uccārayetsadā yajñe gāyatrīṁ mātṛkādibhiḥ

Svasti, Svaha, Svadha, and Diksha — these are remembered as born of Gayatri. One should always utter the Gayatri in sacrifice, together with the Matrika letters.

Verse 94 (padma.1.62.94)

क्रतौ देवाः स्वधां प्राप्य भवेयुरजरामराः। ततस्सुधारसं देवा मुमुचुर्धरणीतले

kratau devāḥ svadhāṁ prāpya bhaveyurajarāmarāḥ tatassudhārasaṁ devā mumucurdharaṇītale

In sacrifice, the gods, receiving the Svadha-offering, become free of age and death. Then the gods released the essence of nectar upon the surface of the earth—

Verse 95 (padma.1.62.95)

अथ सस्यवती पृथ्वी ओषधीनां परा शुभा। फलमूलैरसैर्भक्ष्यैर्जनाः सुस्थतराभवन्

atha sasyavatī pṛthvī oṣadhīnāṁ parā śubhā phalamūlairasairbhakṣyairjanāḥ susthatarābhavan

—and thereupon the earth became rich with crops, supremely blessed with herbs; and people became more contented, through fruits, roots, juices, and food.

Verse 96 (padma.1.62.96)

भारती सर्वलोकानां चानने मानसे स्थिता। तथैव सर्वशास्त्रेषु धर्मोद्देशं करोति सा

bhāratī sarvalokānāṁ cānane mānase sthitā tathaiva sarvaśāstreṣu dharmoddeśaṁ karoti sā

Bharati dwells in the mouth and mind of all the worlds' beings; and likewise, in all the scriptures, she it is who expounds dharma.

Verse 97 (padma.1.62.97)

विज्ञानं कलहं शोकं मोहामोहं शिवाशिवम्। तया विना जगत्सर्वं यात्यतत्त्वमिति स्मृतम्

vijñānaṁ kalahaṁ śokaṁ mohāmohaṁ śivāśivam tayā vinā jagatsarvaṁ yātyatattvamiti smṛtam

Understanding, conflict, sorrow, delusion and its absence, the auspicious and the inauspicious — without her, it is remembered that the entire world would sink into untruth.

Verse 98 (padma.1.62.98)

कमलासंभवश्चैव वस्त्रभूषणसंचयः। सुखं राज्यं त्रिलोके तु ततः सा हरिवल्लभा

kamalāsaṁbhavaścaiva vastrabhūṣaṇasaṁcayaḥ sukhaṁ rājyaṁ triloke tu tataḥ sā harivallabhā

The very birth of Kamala, the accumulation of garments and ornaments, happiness, and kingship in the three worlds — all these come from her, since she is the beloved of Hari.

Verse 99 (padma.1.62.99)

उमया हेतुना शंभोर्ज्ञानं लोकेषु संततम्। ज्ञानमाता च सा ज्ञेया शंभोरर्धाङ्गवासिनी

umayā hetunā śaṁbhorjñānaṁ lokeṣu saṁtatam jñānamātā ca sā jñeyā śaṁbhorardhāṅgavāsinī

Through Uma, the knowledge of Shambhu is spread continuously among the worlds. She should be known as the very mother of knowledge, dwelling as the half-body of Shambhu.

Verse 100 (padma.1.62.100)

वर्णिकाशक्तिरत्युग्रा सर्वलोकप्रमोहिनी। सर्वलोकेषु लोकानां स्थितिसंहारकारिणी

varṇikāśaktiratyugrā sarvalokapramohinī sarvalokeṣu lokānāṁ sthitisaṁhārakāriṇī

Varnika-shakti is exceedingly fierce, bewildering all the worlds; in all the worlds she is the one who brings about the maintenance and dissolution of beings.

Verse 101 (padma.1.62.101)

देव्या च निहतौ पूर्वमसुरौ मधुकैटभौ। रुरुश्चापि हतो घोरः सर्वलोकपरिश्रुतः

devyā ca nihatau pūrvamasurau madhukaiṭabhau ruruścāpi hato ghoraḥ sarvalokapariśrutaḥ

By the Goddess were formerly slain the two asuras Madhu and Kaitabha; and the terrible Ruru too was slain, renowned throughout all the worlds.

Verse 102 (padma.1.62.102)

सर्वदेवैकजेतारं सा जघ्ने महिषासुरम्। निहता लीलया देव्या येऽसुरा दैत्यपुंगवाः

sarvadevaikajetāraṁ sā jaghne mahiṣāsuram nihatā līlayā devyā ye'surā daityapuṁgavāḥ

She slew Mahishasura, the sole conqueror of all the gods. Slain effortlessly by the Goddess were those asuras, the foremost of the daityas.

Verse 103 (padma.1.62.103)

एवं बलानि दैत्यानां निहत्य सर्वदा तया। पालितं मोदितं चैव कृत्स्नमेतज्जगत्त्रयम्

evaṁ balāni daityānāṁ nihatya sarvadā tayā pālitaṁ moditaṁ caiva kṛtsnametajjagattrayam

Thus, having always destroyed the armies of the daityas, by her this entire triple world has been protected and made joyful.

Verse 104 (padma.1.62.104)

धर्मद्रवस्वरूपा च सर्वधर्मप्रतिष्ठिता। महतीं तां समालोक्य मया कमंडलौ धृता

dharmadravasvarūpā ca sarvadharmapratiṣṭhitā mahatīṁ tāṁ samālokya mayā kamaṁḍalau dhṛtā

She, of the very form of Dharmadrava, established in all dharma — beholding her greatness, I took her up into my water-pot.

Verse 105 (padma.1.62.105)

विष्णुपादाब्जसम्भूता शंभुना शिरसा धृता। अस्माभिश्च त्रिभिर्युक्ता ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वरैः

viṣṇupādābjasambhūtā śaṁbhunā śirasā dhṛtā asmābhiśca tribhiryuktā brahmaviṣṇumaheśvaraiḥ

Born from the lotus-foot of Vishnu, borne by Shambhu upon his very head, she is joined with the three of us — Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara—

Verse 106 (padma.1.62.106)

धर्मद्रवा परिख्याता जलरूपा कमंडलौ। बलियज्ञेषु संभूता विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना

dharmadravā parikhyātā jalarūpā kamaṁḍalau baliyajñeṣu saṁbhūtā viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā

—renowned as Dharmadrava, in the form of water in my kamandalu. She arose at the sacrifices of Bali, through Vishnu, mighty and all-pervading—

Verse 107 (padma.1.62.107)

छद्मना छलितः पूर्वं बलिर्बलवतां वरः। ततः पादद्वयेनैव क्रांतं सर्वं महीतलम्

chadmanā chalitaḥ pūrvaṁ balirbalavatāṁ varaḥ tataḥ pādadvayenaiva krāṁtaṁ sarvaṁ mahītalam

—when formerly Bali, foremost of the mighty, was deceived by a disguise; then, with just two strides, the entire surface of the earth was traversed—

Verse 108 (padma.1.62.108)

नभः पादश्च ब्रह्माण्डं भित्वा मम पुरः स्थितः। मया संपूजितः पादः कमण्डलुजलेन वै

nabhaḥ pādaśca brahmāṇḍaṁ bhitvā mama puraḥ sthitaḥ mayā saṁpūjitaḥ pādaḥ kamaṇḍalujalena vai

—and with the third foot reaching the sky, piercing through the very cosmic egg, he stood before me. That foot I duly worshipped with the water of my kamandalu—

Verse 109 (padma.1.62.109)

प्रक्षाल्यैवार्चितात्पादाद्धेमकूटेऽपतज्जलम्। तत्कूटाच्छंकरं प्राप्य भ्रमते सा जटास्थिता

prakṣālyaivārcitātpādāddhemakūṭe'patajjalam tatkūṭācchaṁkaraṁ prāpya bhramate sā jaṭāsthitā

—and, having washed and worshipped that foot, the water fell upon Mount Hemakuta. From that peak, reaching Shankara, she wanders, held fast within his matted locks.

Verse 110 (padma.1.62.110)

ततो भगीरथेनैव समाराध्य शिवं भुवि। आनीयाराधितो नित्यं तपसा गजपुंगवः

tato bhagīrathenaiva samārādhya śivaṁ bhuvi ānīyārādhito nityaṁ tapasā gajapuṁgavaḥ

Then, by Bhagiratha alone, having propitiated Shiva upon the earth and brought her down, and ever worshipped through his austerity, the foremost of elephants—

Verse 111 (padma.1.62.111)

तेन भित्वा नगं वीर्यात्त्रिभिर्दंतैः कृतं बिलम्। ततस्त्रिबिलगा यस्मात्त्रिस्रोता लोकविश्रुता

tena bhitvā nagaṁ vīryāttribhirdaṁtaiḥ kṛtaṁ bilam tatastribilagā yasmāttrisrotā lokaviśrutā

—by his might, splitting the mountain, made a hole with his three tusks. Since she then flowed through the three openings, she is renowned in the world as the three-streamed one.

Verse 112 (padma.1.62.112)

हरिब्रह्महरयोगात्पूता लोकस्य पावनी। समासाद्य च तां देवीं सर्वधर्मफलं लभेत्

haribrahmaharayogātpūtā lokasya pāvanī samāsādya ca tāṁ devīṁ sarvadharmaphalaṁ labhet

Through her union with Hari, Brahma, and Hara, she became pure, the purifier of the world. Attaining that goddess, one obtains the fruit of all dharma.

Verse 113 (padma.1.62.113)

पाठयज्ञपरैः सर्वैर्मंत्र होम सुरार्चनैः। सा गतिर्न भवेज्जंतोर्गंगा संसेवया च या

pāṭhayajñaparaiḥ sarvairmaṁtra homa surārcanaiḥ sā gatirna bhavejjaṁtorgaṁgā saṁsevayā ca yā

Through all manner of recitation, sacrifice, mantra, oblation, and worship of the gods, a being does not attain that same destiny which is attained through devoted service to the Ganga alone.

Verse 114 (padma.1.62.114)

धर्मस्य साधनोपायो ह्यतः परो न विद्यते। त्रैलोक्यपुण्यसंयोगात्तस्मात्तां व्रज नारद

dharmasya sādhanopāyo hyataḥ paro na vidyate trailokyapuṇyasaṁyogāttasmāttāṁ vraja nārada

There exists no means for the accomplishment of dharma higher than this. Because of her union with the merit of all three worlds, therefore, O Narada, go to her.

Verse 115 (padma.1.62.115)

गंगातोयास्थिसंयोगात्सुतास्ते सगरस्य च। स्वर्गताः पितृभिश्चैव स्वपूर्वापरजैः सह

gaṁgātoyāsthisaṁyogātsutāste sagarasya ca svargatāḥ pitṛbhiścaiva svapūrvāparajaiḥ saha

By the union of their bones with the water of the Ganga, the sons of Sagara attained heaven, together with their forefathers and their own descendants.

Verse 116 (padma.1.62.116)

ततो ब्रह्ममुखाच्छ्रुत्वा नारदो मुनिपुंगवः। गंगाद्वारे तपः कृत्वा ब्रह्मणा सदृशोभवत्

tato brahmamukhācchrutvā nārado munipuṁgavaḥ gaṁgādvāre tapaḥ kṛtvā brahmaṇā sadṛśobhavat

Then Narada, foremost of sages, having heard this from the mouth of Brahma, performed austerities at Gangadwara and became equal to Brahma himself.

Verse 117 (padma.1.62.117)

सर्वत्र सुलभा गंगा त्रिषुस्थानेषु दुर्लभा। गंगाद्वारे प्रयागे च गंगासागरसंगमे

sarvatra sulabhā gaṁgā triṣusthāneṣu durlabhā gaṁgādvāre prayāge ca gaṁgāsāgarasaṁgame

Everywhere the Ganga is easily accessible, yet in three places she is hard to attain — at Gangadwara, at Prayaga, and at the confluence of the Ganga and the ocean.

Verse 118 (padma.1.62.118)

त्रिरात्रेणैकरात्रेण नरो याति परां गतिम्। तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन सद्यो मुक्तिं विचिंतयेत्

trirātreṇaikarātreṇa naro yāti parāṁ gatim tasmātsarvaprayatnena sadyo muktiṁ viciṁtayet

In three nights, or even in a single night at these places, a man attains the supreme goal. Therefore, with every effort, one should aspire to immediate liberation.

Verse 119 (padma.1.62.119)

ततो गच्छत धर्मज्ञाः शिवां भागीरथीमिह। अचिरेणैव कालेन स्वर्गं मोक्षं प्रगच्छथ

tato gacchata dharmajñāḥ śivāṁ bhāgīrathīmiha acireṇaiva kālena svargaṁ mokṣaṁ pragacchatha

Therefore, O knowers of dharma, go now to the auspicious Bhagirathi. In a short time you shall attain heaven and liberation.

Verse 120 (padma.1.62.120)

विशेषात्कलिकाले च गंगा मोक्षप्रदा नृणां। कृच्छ्राच्च क्षीणसत्वानामनंतः पुण्यसंभवः

viśeṣātkalikāle ca gaṁgā mokṣapradā nṛṇāṁ kṛcchrācca kṣīṇasatvānāmanaṁtaḥ puṇyasaṁbhavaḥ

Especially in the Kali age, the Ganga is the giver of liberation to men. For those of diminished strength, in difficulty, she is the source of boundless, infinite merit.

Verse 121 (padma.1.62.121)

ततस्ते ब्राह्मणा हृष्टाः श्रुत्वा व्यासाद्गिरं शुभाम्। गंगायां तु तपस्तप्त्वा मोक्षमार्गं ययुस्तदा

tataste brāhmaṇā hṛṣṭāḥ śrutvā vyāsādgiraṁ śubhām gaṁgāyāṁ tu tapastaptvā mokṣamārgaṁ yayustadā

Then those brahmins, delighted upon hearing this auspicious speech from Vyasa, performed austerities in the Ganga and thereupon attained the path of liberation.

Verse 122 (padma.1.62.122)

य इदं शृणुयान्मर्त्यः पुण्याख्यानमनुत्तमम्। सर्वं तरति दुःखौघ गंगास्नानफलं लभेत्

ya idaṁ śṛṇuyānmartyaḥ puṇyākhyānamanuttamam sarvaṁ tarati duḥkhaugha gaṁgāsnānaphalaṁ labhet

Whatever mortal hears this unsurpassed, meritorious account crosses over the entire flood of sorrow, and obtains the merit of bathing in the Ganga.

Verse 123 (padma.1.62.123)

सकृदुच्चारिते चैव सर्वयज्ञफलं लभेत्। दानं जप्यं तथा ध्यानं स्तोत्रं मंत्रं सुरार्चनम्

sakṛduccārite caiva sarvayajñaphalaṁ labhet dānaṁ japyaṁ tathā dhyānaṁ stotraṁ maṁtraṁ surārcanam

By its mere utterance even once, one obtains the fruit of all sacrifices. Giving, japa, meditation, hymn, mantra, and worship of the gods—

Verse 124 (padma.1.62.124)

तत्रैव कारयेद्यस्तु स चानंतफलं लभेत्। तस्मात्तत्रैव कर्त्तव्यं जपहोमादिकं नरैः

tatraiva kārayedyastu sa cānaṁtaphalaṁ labhet tasmāttatraiva karttavyaṁ japahomādikaṁ naraiḥ

—whoever performs these very acts there, on the Ganga's bank, obtains boundless merit. Therefore, japa, homa, and the like should be performed by men there alone.

Verse 125 (padma.1.62.125)

अनंतं च फलं प्रोक्तं जन्मजन्मसु लभ्यते

anaṁtaṁ ca phalaṁ proktaṁ janmajanmasu labhyate

And boundless merit, it is declared, is thereby obtained birth after birth.