The Nature of Knowledge and Hari's Promise to Vena

Verse 1 (padma.2.123.1)

सिद्ध उवाच । श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि ज्ञानरूपं तवाग्रतः । ज्ञानस्य नास्ति वै देहो हस्तौ पादौ च चक्षुषी

siddha uvāca śrūyatāmabhidhāsyāmi jñānarūpaṁ tavāgrataḥ jñānasya nāsti vai deho hastau pādau ca cakṣuṣī

The siddha said: Listen, I shall relate to you the true nature of knowledge. Knowledge has no body, no hands, no feet, no eyes,

Verse 2 (padma.2.123.2)

नासाकर्णौ न ज्ञानस्य नास्ति चैवास्थिसंग्रहः । केन दृष्टं तु वै ज्ञानं कानि लिंगानि तस्य वै

nāsākarṇau na jñānasya nāsti caivāsthisaṁgrahaḥ kena dṛṣṭaṁ tu vai jñānaṁ kāni liṁgāni tasya vai

no nose, no ears — knowledge has no framework of bones either. Who then has ever seen that knowledge, and what are its marks?

Verse 3 (padma.2.123.3)

आकारैर्वर्जितं नित्यं सर्वं वेत्ति स सर्ववित् । दिवाप्रकाशकः सूर्यो रात्रौ प्रकाशयेच्छशी

ākārairvarjitaṁ nityaṁ sarvaṁ vetti sa sarvavit divāprakāśakaḥ sūryo rātrau prakāśayecchaśī

It is ever devoid of every form, and it alone, all-knowing, knows everything. The sun gives light by day, the moon by night,

Verse 4 (padma.2.123.4)

गृहं प्रकाशयेद्दीपो लोकमध्ये स्थिता अमी । तत्पदं केन वै धाम्ना दृश्यते शृणु सत्तम

gṛhaṁ prakāśayeddīpo lokamadhye sthitā amī tatpadaṁ kena vai dhāmnā dṛśyate śṛṇu sattama

a lamp illumines a house — all these exist only within this world. By what splendor is that supreme state (of knowledge) seen — hear this, worthy one.

Verse 5 (padma.2.123.5)

न विंदंति हि मूढास्ते मोहिता विष्णुमायया । कायमध्ये स्थितं ज्ञानं ध्यानदीप्तमनौपमम्

na viṁdaṁti hi mūḍhāste mohitā viṣṇumāyayā kāyamadhye sthitaṁ jñānaṁ dhyānadīptamanaupamam

Fools, deluded by Vishnu's own illusion, cannot attain it — that incomparable knowledge, dwelling within the body, kindled by meditation.

Verse 6 (padma.2.123.6)

तत्पदं तेन दृश्येत चंद्रसूर्यादिभिर्न च । हस्तपादौ विना ज्ञानमचक्षुः कर्णवर्जितम्

tatpadaṁ tena dṛśyeta caṁdrasūryādibhirna ca hastapādau vinā jñānamacakṣuḥ karṇavarjitam

That supreme state can be seen only by that very knowledge itself, not by the moon or sun or any such thing. Knowledge is without hands or feet, without eyes or ears too,

Verse 7 (padma.2.123.7)

तस्य सर्वत्र गतिरस्ति सर्वं गृह्णाति पश्यति । सर्वमाघ्राति विप्रेंद्र शृणोत्येवं न संशयः

tasya sarvatra gatirasti sarvaṁ gṛhṇāti paśyati sarvamāghrāti vipreṁdra śṛṇotyevaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

yet its movement is everywhere; it grasps everything, sees everything. O foremost brahmin, it smells everything, hears everything, of this there is no doubt.

Verse 8 (padma.2.123.8)

नास्ति ज्ञानसमो दीपः सर्वांधकारनाशने । स्वर्गे भूमौ च पाताले स्थाने स्थाने च दृश्यते

nāsti jñānasamo dīpaḥ sarvāṁdhakāranāśane svarge bhūmau ca pātāle sthāne sthāne ca dṛśyate

There is no lamp equal to knowledge in destroying every darkness. In heaven, on earth, and in the netherworld — in every place it is seen.

Verse 9 (padma.2.123.9)

कायमध्ये स्थितं ज्ञानं न विंदंति कुबुद्धयः । ज्ञानस्थानं प्रवक्ष्यामि यस्माज्ज्ञानं प्रजायते

kāyamadhye sthitaṁ jñānaṁ na viṁdaṁti kubuddhayaḥ jñānasthānaṁ pravakṣyāmi yasmājjñānaṁ prajāyate

That knowledge, dwelling within the body, the ill-witted cannot attain. Now I shall tell you the seat of knowledge, from which knowledge itself arises.

Verse 10 (padma.2.123.10)

प्राणिनां हृदये नित्यं निहितं सर्वदा द्विज । कामादीन्सुमहाभोगान्महामोहादिकांस्तथा

prāṇināṁ hṛdaye nityaṁ nihitaṁ sarvadā dvija kāmādīnsumahābhogānmahāmohādikāṁstathā

Brahmin, it dwells ever within the very heart of living beings. Whoever, with the fire of discernment —

Verse 11 (padma.2.123.11)

विवेकवह्निना सर्वान्दिधक्षति सदैव यः । सर्वशांतिमयोभूत्वा इंद्रियार्थं प्रमर्द्दयेत्

vivekavahninā sarvāndidhakṣati sadaiva yaḥ sarvaśāṁtimayobhūtvā iṁdriyārthaṁ pramarddayet

— ever desires to burn away desire and the other great enjoyments, and all forms of great delusion, and, becoming wholly at peace, subdues the objects of the senses,

Verse 12 (padma.2.123.12)

ततस्तु जायते ज्ञानं सर्वतत्त्वार्थदर्शकम् । तत्त्वमूलमिदं ज्ञानं निर्मलं सर्वदर्शकम्

tatastu jāyate jñānaṁ sarvatattvārthadarśakam tattvamūlamidaṁ jñānaṁ nirmalaṁ sarvadarśakam

— in him alone does knowledge arise, that which reveals the meaning of every principle. This knowledge is the very root of truth, pure, revealing everything.

Verse 13 (padma.2.123.13)

तस्माच्छांतिं कुरुष्व त्वं सर्वसौख्यप्रवर्द्धिनीम् । समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च यथात्मनि तथापरे

tasmācchāṁtiṁ kuruṣva tvaṁ sarvasaukhyapravarddhinīm samaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca yathātmani tathāpare

Therefore cultivate that peace, which increases every happiness. Be equal toward foe and friend alike, just as toward yourself, so too toward others.

Verse 14 (padma.2.123.14)

भव स्वनियतो नित्यं जिताहारो जितेंद्रियः । मैत्रं नैव प्रकर्तव्यं वैरं दूरे परित्यजेत्

bhava svaniyato nityaṁ jitāhāro jiteṁdriyaḥ maitraṁ naiva prakartavyaṁ vairaṁ dūre parityajet

Ever hold yourself in check, conquer both appetite and the senses. Neither special friendship nor enmity should be formed — abandon both, far away.

Verse 15 (padma.2.123.15)

निःसंगो निःस्पृहो भूत्वा एकांतस्थानमाश्रितः । सर्वप्रकाशको ज्ञानी सर्वदर्शी भविष्यसि

niḥsaṁgo niḥspṛho bhūtvā ekāṁtasthānamāśritaḥ sarvaprakāśako jñānī sarvadarśī bhaviṣyasi

Free of attachment, free of craving, take refuge in a solitary place. Then you shall become one of all-revealing knowledge, one who sees everything.

Verse 16 (padma.2.123.16)

एकस्थानस्थितो वत्स त्रैलोक्ये यद्भविष्यति । वृत्तांतं वेत्स्यसि त्वं तु मत्प्रसादान्न संशयः

ekasthānasthito vatsa trailokye yadbhaviṣyati vṛttāṁtaṁ vetsyasi tvaṁ tu matprasādānna saṁśayaḥ

My child, even remaining established in one single place, whatever happens throughout the three worlds — you shall know its every account, by my grace, without doubt.

Verse 17 (padma.2.123.17)

कुंजल उवाच । सिद्धेन तेन मे विप्र ज्ञानरूपं प्रकाशितम् । तस्य वाक्ये स्थितो नित्यं तद्भावेनापि भावितः

kuṁjala uvāca siddhena tena me vipra jñānarūpaṁ prakāśitam tasya vākye sthito nityaṁ tadbhāvenāpi bhāvitaḥ

Kunjala said: Brahmin, that siddha thus revealed to me the very nature of knowledge. Ever established in his word, imbued with that same understanding,

Verse 18 (padma.2.123.18)

त्रैलोक्ये वर्त्तते यद्यदेकस्थाने स्थितो ह्यहम् । तत्तदेव प्रजानामि प्रसादात्तस्य सद्गुरोः

trailokye varttate yadyadekasthāne sthito hyaham tattadeva prajānāmi prasādāttasya sadguroḥ

whatever happens throughout the three worlds, remaining established in one single place, by that true guru's grace I come to know it all, without doubt.

Verse 19 (padma.2.123.19)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातमात्मवृत्तांतमेव हि । अन्यत्किं ते प्रवक्ष्यामि तद्ब्रूहि द्विजसत्तम

etatte sarvamākhyātamātmavṛttāṁtameva hi anyatkiṁ te pravakṣyāmi tadbrūhi dvijasattama

This is all that I have related to you — my own very account. O foremost brahmin, what more shall I tell — you tell me now.

Verse 20 (padma.2.123.20)

च्यवन उवाच । कीरयोनिं कथं प्राप्तो भवाञ्ज्ञानवतां वरः । तन्मे त्वं कारणं ब्रूहि सर्वसंदेहनाशनम्

cyavana uvāca kīrayoniṁ kathaṁ prāpto bhavāñjñānavatāṁ varaḥ tanme tvaṁ kāraṇaṁ brūhi sarvasaṁdehanāśanam

Chyavana said: O finest among the knowing, how did you come to obtain this birth as a parrot? Tell me that reason, one that shall destroy every doubt of mine.

Verse 21 (padma.2.123.21)

कुंजल उवाच । संसर्गाज्जायते पापं संसर्गात्पुण्यमेव हि । तस्माद्विवर्जयेच्छुद्धो भव्यं विरुद्धमेव च

kuṁjala uvāca saṁsargājjāyate pāpaṁ saṁsargātpuṇyameva hi tasmādvivarjayecchuddho bhavyaṁ viruddhameva ca

Kunjala said: From association alone is sin born, and from association alone is merit born too. Therefore the pure one should avoid every association, both the auspicious and the contrary.

Verse 22 (padma.2.123.22)

लुब्धकेनापि पापेन केनाप्येकः शुकः शिशुः । बंधयित्वा समानीतो विक्रयार्थं समुद्यतः

lubdhakenāpi pāpena kenāpyekaḥ śukaḥ śiśuḥ baṁdhayitvā samānīto vikrayārthaṁ samudyataḥ

A certain sinful hunter caught and bound a baby parrot chick, and set out to sell it.

Verse 23 (padma.2.123.23)

चाटुकांर सुरूपं तं पटुवाक्यं समीक्ष्य च । गृहीतो ब्राह्मणैकेन मम प्रीत्या समर्पितः

cāṭukāṁra surūpaṁ taṁ paṭuvākyaṁ samīkṣya ca gṛhīto brāhmaṇaikena mama prītyā samarpitaḥ

Seeing his flattering, beautiful and sweet speech, a certain brahmin took him — and, out of love, offered him to me.

Verse 24 (padma.2.123.24)

ज्ञानध्यानस्थितो नित्यमहमेव द्विजोत्तम । समे बालस्वभावेन कौतुकात्करसंस्थितः

jñānadhyānasthito nityamahameva dvijottama same bālasvabhāvena kautukātkarasaṁsthitaḥ

O best of the twice-born, I was ever established in knowledge and meditation, but out of childlike playfulness he would settle upon my very hand.

Verse 25 (padma.2.123.25)

तस्य कौतुकवाक्यैर्वा मुग्धोऽहं द्विजसत्तम । शुकस्य पुत्ररूपस्य नित्यं तत्परमानसः

tasya kautukavākyairvā mugdho'haṁ dvijasattama śukasya putrarūpasya nityaṁ tatparamānasaḥ

O best of the twice-born, by his playful chatter I became enchanted — my mind became ever absorbed in that son-like parrot.

Verse 26 (padma.2.123.26)

मामेवं वदते सोपि ताततातेति आस्यताम् । स्नातुं गच्छ महाभाग देवमर्चय सांप्रतम्

māmevaṁ vadate sopi tātatāteti āsyatām snātuṁ gaccha mahābhāga devamarcaya sāṁpratam

He would say to me, 'Father, father' — 'Blessed one, go and bathe now, now worship the god.'

Verse 27 (padma.2.123.27)

इत्यादिचाटुकैर्वाक्यैर्मामेवं परिभाषयेत् । तस्यवाक्यविनोदेन विस्मृतं ज्ञानमुत्तमम्

ityādicāṭukairvākyairmāmevaṁ paribhāṣayet tasyavākyavinodena vismṛtaṁ jñānamuttamam

With such flattering words as these he would beguile me. By the delight of his chatter I forgot even my own supreme knowledge.

Verse 28 (padma.2.123.28)

पुष्पार्थं फलभोगार्थं गतोहं वनमेव च । नीतः शुको बिडालेन मम दुःखस्य हेतवे

puṣpārthaṁ phalabhogārthaṁ gatohaṁ vanameva ca nītaḥ śuko biḍālena mama duḥkhasya hetave

Once I went into the forest for flowers and fruit; then a cat carried off that parrot — this became the cause of my sorrow.

Verse 29 (padma.2.123.29)

मम संसर्गिभिः सर्वैर्वयस्यैः साधुचारिभिः । बिडालेन हतः पक्षी तेनैव भक्षितो हि सः

mama saṁsargibhiḥ sarvairvayasyaiḥ sādhucāribhiḥ biḍālena hataḥ pakṣī tenaiva bhakṣito hi saḥ

All my companions, my well-conducted acquaintances, told me that the cat had killed that bird and devoured him.

Verse 30 (padma.2.123.30)

श्रुत्वा मृत्युं गतं विप्र शुकं तं चाटुकारकम् । महता दुःखभावेन असुखेनातिदुःखितः

śrutvā mṛtyuṁ gataṁ vipra śukaṁ taṁ cāṭukārakam mahatā duḥkhabhāvena asukhenātiduḥkhitaḥ

Hearing, brahmin, of the death of that flattering parrot, I was overcome with a heavy sorrow, most unhappy, most sorely grieved.

Verse 31 (padma.2.123.31)

तस्य दुःखेन मुग्धोस्मि तीव्रेणापि सुपीडितः । महता मोहजालेन बद्धोऽहं द्विजपुंगव

tasya duḥkhena mugdhosmi tīvreṇāpi supīḍitaḥ mahatā mohajālena baddho'haṁ dvijapuṁgava

By grief for him I became bewildered, sorely afflicted with the most intense pain. O foremost of brahmins, I became bound in a great net of delusion.

Verse 32 (padma.2.123.32)

प्रालपं रामचंद्रेति शुकराजेति पंडित । श्लोकराजेति तं विप्र मोहाच्चलितमानसः

prālapaṁ rāmacaṁdreti śukarājeti paṁḍita ślokarājeti taṁ vipra mohāccalitamānasaḥ

O wise one, I began to lament — 'O Ramachandra!', 'O king of parrots!', 'O king of verse!' — brahmin, thus, through delusion, my mind was utterly shaken.

Verse 33 (padma.2.123.33)

ततोऽहं दुःखसंतप्तः संजातः स्वेनकर्मणा । वियोगेनापि विप्रेंद्र शुकस्य शृणु सांप्रतम्

tato'haṁ duḥkhasaṁtaptaḥ saṁjātaḥ svenakarmaṇā viyogenāpi vipreṁdra śukasya śṛṇu sāṁpratam

Then, through my own deed, I became consumed with sorrow. Foremost brahmin, from separation from that parrot too — hear this now —

Verse 34 (padma.2.123.34)

विस्मृतं तन्मया ज्ञानं सिद्धेनापि प्रकाशितम् । संस्मरञ्छोकसंतप्तस्तं शुकं चाटुकारकम्

vismṛtaṁ tanmayā jñānaṁ siddhenāpi prakāśitam saṁsmarañchokasaṁtaptastaṁ śukaṁ cāṭukārakam

I forgot even that very knowledge, which that siddha had revealed within me. Remembering that flattering parrot, consumed with grief,

Verse 35 (padma.2.123.35)

वत्सवत्सेति नित्यं वै प्रलपञ्छृणु भार्गव । गद्यपद्यमयैर्वाक्यैः संस्कृताक्षरसंयुतैः

vatsavatseti nityaṁ vai pralapañchṛṇu bhārgava gadyapadyamayairvākyaiḥ saṁskṛtākṣarasaṁyutaiḥ

O son of Bhrigu, I lamented on, ever crying 'My child, my child!' — in words of prose and verse, fashioned with Sanskrit syllables —

Verse 36 (padma.2.123.36)

त्वां विना कश्च मां वत्स बोधयिष्यति सांप्रतम् । कथाभिस्तु विचित्राभिः पक्षिराजप्रसाद्य माम्

tvāṁ vinā kaśca māṁ vatsa bodhayiṣyati sāṁpratam kathābhistu vicitrābhiḥ pakṣirājaprasādya mām

'My child, without you, who now shall enlighten me? With such wondrous tales, O king of birds, it was you who pleased me —'

Verse 37 (padma.2.123.37)

अस्मिन्सुनिर्जनोद्याने विहाय क्व गतो भवान् । केन दोषेण लिप्तोस्मि तन्मे कथय सांप्रतम्

asminsunirjanodyāne vihāya kva gato bhavān kena doṣeṇa liptosmi tanme kathaya sāṁpratam

'— having left me alone in this lonely garden, where have you gone? What fault am I tainted with — tell me that now.'

Verse 38 (padma.2.123.38)

एवंविधैरहं वाक्यैः करुणैस्तैस्तु मोहितः । एवमादि प्रलप्याहं शोकेनापि सुपीडितः

evaṁvidhairahaṁ vākyaiḥ karuṇaistaistu mohitaḥ evamādi pralapyāhaṁ śokenāpi supīḍitaḥ

Thus, deluded by such words full of pathos, lamenting on in this way, I became sorely afflicted by grief.

Verse 39 (padma.2.123.39)

मृतोहं तेन मोहेन तद्भावेनापि मोहितः । मरणे यादृशो भावो मतिश्चासीच्च यादृशी

mṛtohaṁ tena mohena tadbhāvenāpi mohitaḥ maraṇe yādṛśo bhāvo matiścāsīcca yādṛśī

By that very delusion I died, deluded by that same state of mind. Whatever the state of mind, whatever the thought, at the moment of death,

Verse 40 (padma.2.123.40)

तादृशेनापि भावेन जातोऽहं द्विजसत्तम । गर्भवासो मया प्राप्तो ज्ञानस्मृतिविधायकः

tādṛśenāpi bhāvena jāto'haṁ dvijasattama garbhavāso mayā prāpto jñānasmṛtividhāyakaḥ

— foremost of the twice-born, with just that same state of mind was I born again. I entered a womb, one that brought about the recollection of knowledge.

Verse 41 (padma.2.123.41)

स्मृतं पूर्वकृतं कर्म स्वयमेव विचेष्टितम् । मया पापेन मूढेन किं कृतं ह्यकृतात्मना

smṛtaṁ pūrvakṛtaṁ karma svayameva viceṣṭitam mayā pāpena mūḍhena kiṁ kṛtaṁ hyakṛtātmanā

I remembered the deed done before, my own past conduct — 'What have I done, sinful and foolish, my mind so ungoverned?'

Verse 42 (padma.2.123.42)

गर्भयोगसमारूढः पुनस्तं चिंतयाम्यहम् । तेन मे निर्मलं ज्ञानं जातं वै सर्वदर्शकम्

garbhayogasamārūḍhaḥ punastaṁ ciṁtayāmyaham tena me nirmalaṁ jñānaṁ jātaṁ vai sarvadarśakam

Established again in that state within the womb, I fell to pondering upon it once more; from that, pure and all-revealing knowledge arose in me.

Verse 43 (padma.2.123.43)

गुरोस्तस्य प्रसादाच्च प्राप्तं वै ज्ञानमुत्तमम् । तस्यवाक्योदकैः स्वच्छैः कायस्य मलमेव च

gurostasya prasādācca prāptaṁ vai jñānamuttamam tasyavākyodakaiḥ svacchaiḥ kāyasya malameva ca

By that guru's very grace I obtained this supreme knowledge. Brahmin, by the pure waters of his very words, the impurity of my body —

Verse 44 (padma.2.123.44)

सबाह्याभ्यंतरं विप्र क्षालितं निर्मलं कृतम् । तिर्यक्त्वं च मया प्राप्तं शुकजातिसमुद्भवम्

sabāhyābhyaṁtaraṁ vipra kṣālitaṁ nirmalaṁ kṛtam tiryaktvaṁ ca mayā prāptaṁ śukajātisamudbhavam

— was washed clean, both outer and inner, made pure. And yet I obtained the birth of an animal, one born into the very species of the parrot,

Verse 45 (padma.2.123.45)

शुकस्य ध्यानभावेन मरणे समुपस्थिते । तस्मिन्काले मृतो विप्र तद्भावेनापि भावितः

śukasya dhyānabhāvena maraṇe samupasthite tasminkāle mṛto vipra tadbhāvenāpi bhāvitaḥ

because, when death arrived, my meditation was fixed upon that very parrot. At that time, brahmin, I died, possessed by that same state of mind,

Verse 46 (padma.2.123.46)

तादृशोऽस्मि पुनर्जातः शुकरूपो महीतले । मरणे यादृशो भावः प्राणिनां परिजायते

tādṛśo'smi punarjātaḥ śukarūpo mahītale maraṇe yādṛśo bhāvaḥ prāṇināṁ parijāyate

and so, in accordance with it, was I born again upon this earth in the very form of a parrot. Whatever state of mind arises in a living being at the moment of death —

Verse 47 (padma.2.123.47)

तादृशाः स्युस्तु सत्वास्ते तद्रूपास्तत्परायणाः । तद्गुणास्तत्स्वरूपास्ते भावभूता भवंति हि

tādṛśāḥ syustu satvāste tadrūpāstatparāyaṇāḥ tadguṇāstatsvarūpāste bhāvabhūtā bhavaṁti hi

— of just that nature do those beings become, of that very form, wholly devoted to it; of that quality, of that essence, they come to take on that very state.

Verse 48 (padma.2.123.48)

मृत्यकालस्य विप्रेंद्र भावेनापि न संशयः । अतुलं प्राप्तवाञ्ज्ञानमहमत्र महामते

mṛtyakālasya vipreṁdra bhāvenāpi na saṁśayaḥ atulaṁ prāptavāñjñānamahamatra mahāmate

Foremost brahmin, by that very state of mind at death, without doubt — great-minded one, I have here obtained this incomparable knowledge as well.

Verse 49 (padma.2.123.49)

तेन सर्वं विपश्यामि यद्भूतं यद्भविष्यति । वर्तमानं महाप्राज्ञ ज्ञानेनापि महामते

tena sarvaṁ vipaśyāmi yadbhūtaṁ yadbhaviṣyati vartamānaṁ mahāprājña jñānenāpi mahāmate

By it I see everything — whatever has been, and whatever is yet to come. And the present too, great-minded one, by that very knowledge,

Verse 50 (padma.2.123.50)

सर्वं विदाम्यहं ह्यत्र संस्थितोपि न संशयः । तारणाय मनुष्याणां संसारे परिवर्तताम्

sarvaṁ vidāmyahaṁ hyatra saṁsthitopi na saṁśayaḥ tāraṇāya manuṣyāṇāṁ saṁsāre parivartatām

— even remaining established here, I know everything, without doubt — for the deliverance of men who wander through this world.

Verse 51 (padma.2.123.51)

नास्ति तीर्थं गुरुसमं बंधच्छेदकरं द्विज । एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं शृणु भार्गवनंदन

nāsti tīrthaṁ gurusamaṁ baṁdhacchedakaraṁ dvija etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ śṛṇu bhārgavanaṁdana

Brahmin, there is no sacred ford equal to the guru in cutting away bondage. This is all that I have told you — hear it, son of Bhrigu.

Verse 52 (padma.2.123.52)

यत्त्वया पृच्छितं विप्र तत्ते सर्वं प्रकाशितम् । स्थलजाच्चोदकात्सर्वं बाह्यं मलं प्रणश्यति

yattvayā pṛcchitaṁ vipra tatte sarvaṁ prakāśitam sthalajāccodakātsarvaṁ bāhyaṁ malaṁ praṇaśyati

Brahmin, whatever you asked, all of it has now been revealed to you. By earth and water, only outer impurity is destroyed,

Verse 53 (padma.2.123.53)

जन्मांतरकृतान्पापान्गुरुतीर्थं प्रणाशयेत् । संसारतारणायैव जंगमं तीर्थमुत्तमम्

janmāṁtarakṛtānpāpāngurutīrthaṁ praṇāśayet saṁsāratāraṇāyaiva jaṁgamaṁ tīrthamuttamam

but the sins committed across other births, only the guru's own ford destroys. For crossing beyond this world of transmigration, this living, moving ford is the most excellent of all.

Verse 54 (padma.2.123.54)

विष्णुरुवाच । शुक एवं महाप्राज्ञश्च्यवनाय महात्मने । तत्त्वं प्रकाशयित्वा तु विरराम नृपोत्तम

viṣṇuruvāca śuka evaṁ mahāprājñaścyavanāya mahātmane tattvaṁ prakāśayitvā tu virarāma nṛpottama

Vishnu said: Thus that greatly wise parrot, having revealed the truth to the great-souled Chyavana, fell silent, O best of kings.

Verse 55 (padma.2.123.55)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं जंगमं तीर्थमुत्तमम् । वरं वरय भद्रं ते यत्ते मनसि वर्त्तते

etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ jaṁgamaṁ tīrthamuttamam varaṁ varaya bhadraṁ te yatte manasi varttate

This is all that I have told you — this excellent, living pilgrimage-ford. Now choose a boon, may good befall you — whatever is in your mind.

Verse 56 (padma.2.123.56)

वेन उवाच । नाहं राज्यस्य कामार्थी नान्यत्किंचित्प्रकामये । सदेहो गंतुमिच्छामि तव कायं जनार्दन

vena uvāca nāhaṁ rājyasya kāmārthī nānyatkiṁcitprakāmaye sadeho gaṁtumicchāmi tava kāyaṁ janārdana

Vena said: I have no desire for a kingdom, nor do I long for anything else at all. Janardana, I wish, with this very body, to enter into your own body.

Verse 57 (padma.2.123.57)

एवं वरमहं मन्ये यदि दातुमिहेच्छसि । विष्णुरुवाच । यज त्वमश्वमेधेन राजसूयेन भूपते

evaṁ varamahaṁ manye yadi dātumihecchasi viṣṇuruvāca yaja tvamaśvamedhena rājasūyena bhūpate

If you wish here to grant a boon, this alone I consider it. Vishnu said: O king, perform sacrifice by the Ashvamedha and the Rajasuya,

Verse 58 (padma.2.123.58)

गो भू स्वर्णाम्बुधान्यानां कुरु दानं महामते । दानान्नश्यति वै पापं ब्रह्मवध्यादिघोरकम्

go bhū svarṇāmbudhānyānāṁ kuru dānaṁ mahāmate dānānnaśyati vai pāpaṁ brahmavadhyādighorakam

great-minded one, give gifts of cows, land, gold, water and grain. By giving alone, even the terrible sin of killing a brahmin and the like is destroyed.

Verse 59 (padma.2.123.59)

चतुर्वर्गस्तु दानेन सिद्ध्यत्येव न संशयः । तस्माद्दानं प्रकर्तव्यं मामुद्दिश्य च भूपते

caturvargastu dānena siddhyatyeva na saṁśayaḥ tasmāddānaṁ prakartavyaṁ māmuddiśya ca bhūpate

By giving alone the fourfold goal — dharma, artha, kama and moksha — is accomplished, without doubt. Therefore, O king, giving should be performed with me as its object.

Verse 60 (padma.2.123.60)

यादृशेनापि भावेन मामुद्दिश्य ददाति यः । तादृशं तस्य वै भावं सत्यमेवं करोम्यहम्

yādṛśenāpi bhāvena māmuddiśya dadāti yaḥ tādṛśaṁ tasya vai bhāvaṁ satyamevaṁ karomyaham

Whoever gives to me, dedicated to me, in whatever state of mind — that very state of his I make true and real.

Verse 61 (padma.2.123.61)

ऋषीणां दर्शनात्स्पर्शाद्भ्रष्टस्ते पापसंचयः । आगमिष्यसि यज्ञांते मम देहं न संशयः

ṛṣīṇāṁ darśanātsparśādbhraṣṭaste pāpasaṁcayaḥ āgamiṣyasi yajñāṁte mama dehaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

Freed from your accumulated sin by the sight and touch of the sages, you shall come, at the end of the sacrifice, into my very body, without doubt.

Verse 62 (padma.2.123.62)

एवमाभाष्य तं वेनमंतर्द्धानं गतो हरिः

evamābhāṣya taṁ venamaṁtarddhānaṁ gato hariḥ

Having spoken thus to Vena, Hari vanished from sight.