Vasishtha Reveals Somasharma's Former Life as a Greedy Farmer

Verse 1 (padma.2.17.1)

सोमशर्मोवाच- सर्वं देवि समाख्यातं धर्मसंस्थानमुत्तमम् । कथं पुत्रमहं विंद्यां सर्वज्ञं गुणसंयुतम्

somaśarmovāca- sarvaṁ devi samākhyātaṁ dharmasaṁsthānamuttamam kathaṁ putramahaṁ viṁdyāṁ sarvajñaṁ guṇasaṁyutam

Somasharma said: 'All has been told, O goddess — this excellent structure of dharma. How, then, may I obtain an all-knowing son, endowed with every virtue?'

Verse 2 (padma.2.17.2)

वद त्वं मे महाभागे यदि जानासि सुव्रते । दानधर्मादिकं भद्रे परत्रेह न संशयः

vada tvaṁ me mahābhāge yadi jānāsi suvrate dānadharmādikaṁ bhadre paratreha na saṁśayaḥ

'Tell me, O greatly fortunate one, if you know, O one of good vows — the giving, the dharma, and the rest, here and in the world beyond, O gracious one, without doubt.'

Verse 3 (padma.2.17.3)

सुमनोवाच- वसिष्ठं गच्छ धर्मज्ञं तं प्रार्थय महामुनिम् । तस्मात्प्राप्स्यसि वै पुत्रं धर्मज्ञं धर्मवत्सलम्

sumanovāca- vasiṣṭhaṁ gaccha dharmajñaṁ taṁ prārthaya mahāmunim tasmātprāpsyasi vai putraṁ dharmajñaṁ dharmavatsalam

Sumana said: 'Go to Vasishtha, the knower of dharma; entreat that great sage. From him you shall surely obtain a son, knowing dharma, devoted to dharma.'

Verse 4 (padma.2.17.4)

सूत उवाच- एवमुक्ते तया वाक्ये सोमशर्मा द्विजोत्तमः । एवं करिष्ये कल्याणि तव वाक्यं न संशयः

sūta uvāca- evamukte tayā vākye somaśarmā dvijottamaḥ evaṁ kariṣye kalyāṇi tava vākyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

Suta said: When this word was thus spoken by her, Somasharma, best of brahmins, replied: 'So shall I do, O auspicious one; your word I shall heed, without doubt.'

Verse 5 (padma.2.17.5)

एवमुक्त्वा जगामाशु सोमशर्मा द्विजोत्तमः । वसिष्ठं सर्ववेत्तारं दिव्यं तं तपतां वरम्

evamuktvā jagāmāśu somaśarmā dvijottamaḥ vasiṣṭhaṁ sarvavettāraṁ divyaṁ taṁ tapatāṁ varam

Having said this, Somasharma, best of brahmins, went at once to Vasishtha, the all-knowing, divine, foremost of ascetics—

Verse 6 (padma.2.17.6)

गंगातीरे स्थितं पुण्यमाश्रमस्थं द्विजोत्तमम् । तेजोज्वालासमाकीर्णं द्वितीयमिव भास्करम्

gaṁgātīre sthitaṁ puṇyamāśramasthaṁ dvijottamam tejojvālāsamākīrṇaṁ dvitīyamiva bhāskaram

—dwelling on the bank of the Ganga, that meritorious brahmin established in his hermitage, filled with blazing splendor, like a second sun.

Verse 7 (padma.2.17.7)

राजमानं महात्मानं ब्रह्मण्यं च द्विजोत्तमम् । भक्त्या प्रणम्य विप्रेशं दंडवच्च पुनः पुनः

rājamānaṁ mahātmānaṁ brahmaṇyaṁ ca dvijottamam bhaktyā praṇamya vipreśaṁ daṁḍavacca punaḥ punaḥ

Shining forth, that great soul, devoted to Brahman, best of brahmins — bowing with devotion to that lord of brahmins, prostrate again and again like a staff—

Verse 8 (padma.2.17.8)

तमुवाच महातेजा ब्रह्मसूनुरकल्मषः । उपाविशासने पुण्ये सुखेन सुमहामते

tamuvāca mahātejā brahmasūnurakalmaṣaḥ upāviśāsane puṇye sukhena sumahāmate

—that greatly radiant, spotless son of Brahma said to him: 'Sit down comfortably on this blessed seat, O great-minded one.'

Verse 9 (padma.2.17.9)

एवमुक्त्वा स योगींद्रः पुनः प्राह तपोधनम् । गृहे पुत्रेषु ते वत्स दारभृत्येषु सर्वदा

evamuktvā sa yogīṁdraḥ punaḥ prāha tapodhanam gṛhe putreṣu te vatsa dārabhṛtyeṣu sarvadā

Having said this, that lord of yogis further said to that man rich in austerity: 'My son, at home, among your sons, your wife and servants always—'

Verse 10 (padma.2.17.10)

क्षेममस्ति महाभाग पुण्यकर्मसु चाग्निषु । निरामयोसि चांगेषु धर्मं पालयसे सदा

kṣemamasti mahābhāga puṇyakarmasu cāgniṣu nirāmayosi cāṁgeṣu dharmaṁ pālayase sadā

—'is all well, O greatly fortunate one, in your meritorious rites and your sacred fires? Are you free of illness in your limbs? Do you uphold dharma always?'

Verse 11 (padma.2.17.11)

एवमुक्त्वा महाप्राज्ञः पुनः प्राह सुशर्मणम् । किं करोमि प्रियं कार्यं सुप्रियं ते द्विजोत्तम

evamuktvā mahāprājñaḥ punaḥ prāha suśarmaṇam kiṁ karomi priyaṁ kāryaṁ supriyaṁ te dvijottama

Having said this, that greatly wise one further said to the good Sharma: 'What pleasing task shall I do, most dear to you, O best of brahmins?'

Verse 12 (padma.2.17.12)

एवं संभाषितं विप्रं विरराम स कुंभजः । तस्मिन्नुक्ते महाभागे वसिष्ठे मुनिपुंगवे

evaṁ saṁbhāṣitaṁ vipraṁ virarāma sa kuṁbhajaḥ tasminnukte mahābhāge vasiṣṭhe munipuṁgave

Having thus addressed the brahmin, that pot-born sage fell silent. When that greatly fortunate sage Vasishtha, bull among sages, had spoken—

Verse 13 (padma.2.17.13)

स होवाच महात्मानं वसिष्ठं तपतां वरम् । भगवञ्छ्रूयतां वाक्यं सुप्रसन्नेन चेतसा

sa hovāca mahātmānaṁ vasiṣṭhaṁ tapatāṁ varam bhagavañchrūyatāṁ vākyaṁ suprasannena cetasā

—he then said to that great soul Vasishtha, foremost of ascetics: 'O Lord, hear my word with a most gracious heart.'

Verse 14 (padma.2.17.14)

यदि मे सुप्रियं कार्यं त्वयैव मुनिपुंगव । मम प्रश्नार्थसंदेहं विच्छेदय द्विजोत्तम

yadi me supriyaṁ kāryaṁ tvayaiva munipuṁgava mama praśnārthasaṁdehaṁ vicchedaya dvijottama

'If a pleasing task for me is truly wanted by you, O bull among sages — dispel this doubt behind my question, O best of brahmins.'

Verse 15 (padma.2.17.15)

दारिद्र्यं केन पापेन पुत्रसौख्यं कथं नहि । एतन्मे संशयं तात कस्मात्पापाद्वदस्व मे

dāridryaṁ kena pāpena putrasaukhyaṁ kathaṁ nahi etanme saṁśayaṁ tāta kasmātpāpādvadasva me

'By what sin is this poverty? Why is there no joy of a son? Tell me this doubt, father — from what sin does it come?'

Verse 16 (padma.2.17.16)

महामोहेन संमुग्धः प्रियया बोधितो द्विज । तयाहं प्रेषितस्तात तव पार्श्वं समातुरः

mahāmohena saṁmugdhaḥ priyayā bodhito dvija tayāhaṁ preṣitastāta tava pārśvaṁ samāturaḥ

'Utterly bewildered by great delusion, I was instructed by my beloved wife, O brahmin; by her I was sent, father, to your side, distressed as I am.'

Verse 17 (padma.2.17.17)

तत्सर्वं हि समाचक्ष्व सर्वसंदेहनाशकम् । मुक्तिदाता भवस्व त्वं ममसंसारबंधनात्

tatsarvaṁ hi samācakṣva sarvasaṁdehanāśakam muktidātā bhavasva tvaṁ mamasaṁsārabaṁdhanāt

'Tell me all of it, dispelling every doubt; be the giver of my release from the bondage of this world.'

Verse 18 (padma.2.17.18)

वसिष्ठ उवाच- पुत्रा मित्राण्यथ भ्राता अन्ये स्वजनबांधवाः । पंचभेदास्तु संभेदात्पुरुषस्य भवंति ते

vasiṣṭha uvāca- putrā mitrāṇyatha bhrātā anye svajanabāṁdhavāḥ paṁcabhedāstu saṁbhedātpuruṣasya bhavaṁti te

Vasishtha said: 'Sons, friends, brothers, and other kinsmen and relatives — these come to a man through five distinct kinds of connection.'

Verse 19 (padma.2.17.19)

ते ते सुमनया प्रोक्ताः पूर्वमेव तवाग्रतः । ऋणसंबंधिनः सर्वे ते कुपुत्रा द्विजोत्तम

te te sumanayā proktāḥ pūrvameva tavāgrataḥ ṛṇasaṁbaṁdhinaḥ sarve te kuputrā dvijottama

'These have already been described to you before by Sumana; all those bound by relations of debt are bad sons, O best of brahmins.'

Verse 20 (padma.2.17.20)

पुत्रस्य लक्षणं पुण्यं तवाग्रे प्रवदाम्यहम् । पुण्यप्रसक्तो यस्यात्मा सत्यधर्मरतः सदा

putrasya lakṣaṇaṁ puṇyaṁ tavāgre pravadāmyaham puṇyaprasakto yasyātmā satyadharmarataḥ sadā

'Now I shall describe before you the meritorious mark of a true son: he whose soul is devoted to merit, ever delighting in truth and dharma—'

Verse 21 (padma.2.17.21)

शुद्धिविज्ञानसंपन्नस्तपस्वी वाग्विदां वरः । सर्वकर्मसुसंधीरो वेदाध्ययनतत्परः

śuddhivijñānasaṁpannastapasvī vāgvidāṁ varaḥ sarvakarmasusaṁdhīro vedādhyayanatatparaḥ

—'endowed with purity and discernment, an ascetic, foremost among the eloquent, steadfast in every rightful act, devoted to the study of the Veda—'

Verse 22 (padma.2.17.22)

स सर्वशास्त्रवेत्ता च देवब्राह्मणपूजकः । याजकः सर्वयज्ञानां दाता त्यागी प्रियंवदः

sa sarvaśāstravettā ca devabrāhmaṇapūjakaḥ yājakaḥ sarvayajñānāṁ dātā tyāgī priyaṁvadaḥ

—'a knower of every scripture, a worshipper of gods and brahmins, a performer of every sacrifice, a giver, one who renounces, sweet of speech—'

Verse 23 (padma.2.17.23)

विष्णुध्यानपरो नित्यं शांतो दांतः सुहृत्सदा । पितृमातृपरोनित्यं सर्वस्वजनवत्सलः

viṣṇudhyānaparo nityaṁ śāṁto dāṁtaḥ suhṛtsadā pitṛmātṛparonityaṁ sarvasvajanavatsalaḥ

—'ever devoted to meditation upon Vishnu, tranquil, self-controlled, ever a true friend; devoted to father and mother constantly, affectionate to all his kin—'

Verse 24 (padma.2.17.24)

कुलस्य तारको विद्वान्कुलस्य परिपोषकः । एवं गुणैश्च संयुक्तः सपुत्रः सुखदायकः

kulasya tārako vidvānkulasya paripoṣakaḥ evaṁ guṇaiśca saṁyuktaḥ saputraḥ sukhadāyakaḥ

—'a deliverer of his lineage, learned, the sustainer of his family — endowed with such virtues, such a son is the giver of true happiness.'

Verse 25 (padma.2.17.25)

अन्ये संबंधसंयुक्ताः शोकसंतापदायकाः । एतादृशेन किं कार्यं फलहीनेन तेन च

anye saṁbaṁdhasaṁyuktāḥ śokasaṁtāpadāyakāḥ etādṛśena kiṁ kāryaṁ phalahīnena tena ca

'Others, bound by mere karmic connection, are givers of grief and torment; what use is there in such a fruitless one?'

Verse 26 (padma.2.17.26)

आयांति यांति ते सर्वे तापं दत्वा सुदारुणम् । पुत्ररूपेण ते सर्वे संसारे द्विजसत्तम

āyāṁti yāṁti te sarve tāpaṁ datvā sudāruṇam putrarūpeṇa te sarve saṁsāre dvijasattama

'They come and go, all of them, having given most dreadful anguish; in the form of sons, all these appear in this world, O worthy brahmin.'

Verse 27 (padma.2.17.27)

पूर्वजन्मकृतं पुण्यं यत्त्वया परिपालितम् । तत्सर्वं हि प्रवक्ष्यामि श्रूयतामद्भुतं पुनः

pūrvajanmakṛtaṁ puṇyaṁ yattvayā paripālitam tatsarvaṁ hi pravakṣyāmi śrūyatāmadbhutaṁ punaḥ

'Whatever merit you upheld, done in a former birth — all of that indeed I shall now tell you; hear this wondrous thing once more.'

Verse 28 (padma.2.17.28)

वसिष्ठ उवाच- भवाञ्छूद्रो महाप्राज्ञ पूर्वजन्मनि नान्यथा । कृषिकर्त्ता ज्ञानहीनो महालोभेन संयुतः

vasiṣṭha uvāca- bhavāñchūdro mahāprājña pūrvajanmani nānyathā kṛṣikarttā jñānahīno mahālobhena saṁyutaḥ

Vasishtha said: 'You, O greatly wise one, were a shudra in your former life, and no other; a farmer, devoid of knowledge, joined with great greed.'

Verse 29 (padma.2.17.29)

एकभार्या सदा द्वेषी बहुपुत्रो ह्यदत्तवान् । धर्मं नैव विजानासि सत्यं नैव परिश्रुतम्

ekabhāryā sadā dveṣī bahuputro hyadattavān dharmaṁ naiva vijānāsi satyaṁ naiva pariśrutam

'You had a single wife whom you ever hated; you had many sons, yet gave nothing. You knew nothing of dharma; you had never even heard of truth.'

Verse 30 (padma.2.17.30)

दानं नैव त्वया दत्तं शास्त्रं नैव प्रतिश्रुतम् । कृता नैव त्वया तीर्थे यात्रा चैव महामते

dānaṁ naiva tvayā dattaṁ śāstraṁ naiva pratiśrutam kṛtā naiva tvayā tīrthe yātrā caiva mahāmate

'No gift was ever given by you; no scripture was ever heard by you; no pilgrimage to a holy tirtha was ever made by you, O great-minded one.'

Verse 31 (padma.2.17.31)

एवं कृतं त्वया विप्र कृषिमार्गं पुनः पुनः । पशूनां पालनं सर्व गवां चैव द्विजोत्तम

evaṁ kṛtaṁ tvayā vipra kṛṣimārgaṁ punaḥ punaḥ paśūnāṁ pālanaṁ sarva gavāṁ caiva dvijottama

'Thus did you, O brahmin, follow the path of farming, again and again; and you kept all manner of cattle, and cows too, O best of brahmins.'

Verse 32 (padma.2.17.32)

महिषीणां तथाऽश्वानां पालनं च पुनः पुनः । एवं पू र्वंकृतं कर्म त्वयैव द्विजसत्तम

mahiṣīṇāṁ tathā'śvānāṁ pālanaṁ ca punaḥ punaḥ evaṁ pū rvaṁkṛtaṁ karma tvayaiva dvijasattama

'You kept buffaloes and horses too, again and again. Such was the deed done before by you yourself, O worthy brahmin.'

Verse 33 (padma.2.17.33)

विपुलं च धनं तद्वल्लोभेन परिसंचितम् । तस्य व्ययं सुपुण्येन न कृतं तु त्वया कदा

vipulaṁ ca dhanaṁ tadvallobhena parisaṁcitam tasya vyayaṁ supuṇyena na kṛtaṁ tu tvayā kadā

'And you amassed abundant wealth through greed alone; yet you never once spent any of it on meritorious ends.'

Verse 34 (padma.2.17.34)

पात्रे दानं न दत्तं तु दृष्ट्वा दुर्बलमेव च । कृपां कृत्वा न दत्तं तु भवता धनमेव च

pātre dānaṁ na dattaṁ tu dṛṣṭvā durbalameva ca kṛpāṁ kṛtvā na dattaṁ tu bhavatā dhanameva ca

'No gift was given to a worthy recipient; even seeing one weak and needy, no compassion was shown, and no wealth was ever given by you.'

Verse 35 (padma.2.17.35)

गोमहिष्यादिकं सर्वं पशूनां संचितं त्वया । विक्रीय च धनं विप्र संचितं विपुलं त्वया

gomahiṣyādikaṁ sarvaṁ paśūnāṁ saṁcitaṁ tvayā vikrīya ca dhanaṁ vipra saṁcitaṁ vipulaṁ tvayā

'All the cattle, buffaloes, and other beasts amassed by you — selling them, O brahmin, you amassed abundant wealth.'

Verse 36 (padma.2.17.36)

तक्रं घृतं तथा क्षीरं विक्रयित्वा ततो दधि । दुष्कालं चिंतितं विप्र मोहितो विष्णुमायया

takraṁ ghṛtaṁ tathā kṣīraṁ vikrayitvā tato dadhi duṣkālaṁ ciṁtitaṁ vipra mohito viṣṇumāyayā

'Selling buttermilk, ghee, milk, and then curd, you thought only of hard times, O brahmin, bewildered by Vishnu's own maya—'

Verse 37 (padma.2.17.37)

कृतं महार्घमेवात्र अन्नं ब्राह्मणसत्तम । निर्दयेन त्वया दानं न दत्तं तु कदाचन

kṛtaṁ mahārghamevātra annaṁ brāhmaṇasattama nirdayena tvayā dānaṁ na dattaṁ tu kadācana

—'and made grain itself exorbitantly costly here, O worthy brahmin; merciless as you were, no gift was ever given by you at any time.'

Verse 38 (padma.2.17.38)

देवानां पूजनं विप्र भवता न कृतं कदा । प्राप्य पर्वाणि विप्रेभ्यो द्रव्यं न च समर्पितम्

devānāṁ pūjanaṁ vipra bhavatā na kṛtaṁ kadā prāpya parvāṇi viprebhyo dravyaṁ na ca samarpitam

'The worship of the gods, O brahmin, was never performed by you; even on holy occasions, no wealth was ever offered to brahmins.'

Verse 39 (padma.2.17.39)

श्राद्धंकालंतुसंप्राप्यश्रद्धयानकृतंत्वया । भार्या वदति ते साध्वी दिनमेनं समागतम्

śrāddhaṁkālaṁtusaṁprāpyaśraddhayānakṛtaṁtvayā bhāryā vadati te sādhvī dinamenaṁ samāgatam

'When the time for the funerary rites came, you performed them without any true faith. Your virtuous wife would say to you: "This is the day that has come—'

Verse 40 (padma.2.17.40)

श्वशुरस्य श्राद्धकालः श्वश्र्वाश्चैव महामते । त्वं श्रुत्वा तद्वचस्तस्या गृहं त्यक्त्वा पलायसे

śvaśurasya śrāddhakālaḥ śvaśrvāścaiva mahāmate tvaṁ śrutvā tadvacastasyā gṛhaṁ tyaktvā palāyase

—"the time for your father-in-law's rites, and your mother-in-law's too, O great-minded one." But you, hearing her word, would abandon the house and flee.'

Verse 41 (padma.2.17.41)

धर्ममार्गं न दृष्टं ते श्रुतं नैव कदा त्वया । लोभो मातापिता भ्राता लोभः स्वजनबांधवाः

dharmamārgaṁ na dṛṣṭaṁ te śrutaṁ naiva kadā tvayā lobho mātāpitā bhrātā lobhaḥ svajanabāṁdhavāḥ

'The path of dharma was never seen by you, never even heard of by you. Greed was your mother and father, greed your brother, greed your kinsmen and relatives.'

Verse 42 (padma.2.17.42)

पालितं लोभमेवैकं त्यक्त्वा धर्मं सदैव हि । तस्माद्दुःखी भवाञ्जातो दरिद्रेणातिपीडितः

pālitaṁ lobhamevaikaṁ tyaktvā dharmaṁ sadaiva hi tasmādduḥkhī bhavāñjāto daridreṇātipīḍitaḥ

'Greed alone was cherished, dharma abandoned always; therefore you have been born into sorrow, sorely afflicted by poverty.'

Verse 43 (padma.2.17.43)

दिनेदिने महातृष्णा हृदये ते प्रवर्द्धते । यदायदा गृहे द्रव्यं वृद्धिमायाति ते तदा

dinedine mahātṛṣṇā hṛdaye te pravarddhate yadāyadā gṛhe dravyaṁ vṛddhimāyāti te tadā

'Day after day, great craving grows in your heart; whenever wealth increases in your house, then—'

Verse 44 (padma.2.17.44)

तृष्णया दह्यमानस्तु तया त्वं वह्निरूपया । रात्रौ वा सुप्रसुप्तस्तु निश्चितो हि प्रचिंतसि

tṛṣṇayā dahyamānastu tayā tvaṁ vahnirūpayā rātrau vā suprasuptastu niścito hi praciṁtasi

—'burning with that craving, which takes the very form of fire, whether soundly asleep at night or awake, you keep thinking of it, ever fixed on it.'

Verse 45 (padma.2.17.45)

दिनं प्राप्य महामोहैर्व्यापितोसि सदैव हि । सहस्रं लक्षं मे कोटिः कदा अर्बुदमेव च

dinaṁ prāpya mahāmohairvyāpitosi sadaiva hi sahasraṁ lakṣaṁ me koṭiḥ kadā arbudameva ca

'When day comes, you are ever pervaded by great delusions: "When will I have a thousand, a hundred thousand, a crore, or even a hundred million—'

Verse 46 (padma.2.17.46)

भविष्यति कदा खर्वो निखर्वश्चाथ मे गृहे । एवं सहस्रं लक्षं च कोटिरर्बुदमेव च

bhaviṣyati kadā kharvo nikharvaścātha me gṛhe evaṁ sahasraṁ lakṣaṁ ca koṭirarbudameva ca

—"when will there be, in my house, still greater sums beyond counting?" Thus a thousand, a hundred thousand, a crore, a hundred million—'

Verse 47 (padma.2.17.47)

खर्वो निखर्वः संजातस्तृष्णा नैव प्रगच्छति । तव कायं परित्यज्य वृद्धिमायाति सर्वदा

kharvo nikharvaḥ saṁjātastṛṣṇā naiva pragacchati tava kāyaṁ parityajya vṛddhimāyāti sarvadā

—'even reaching such vast, uncountable sums, still your craving does not depart; without ever leaving your body, it only grows ever greater.'

Verse 48 (padma.2.17.48)

नैव दत्तं हुतं विप्र भुक्तं नैव कदा त्वया । खनितं भूमिमध्ये तु क्षिप्तं पुत्रानजानते

naiva dattaṁ hutaṁ vipra bhuktaṁ naiva kadā tvayā khanitaṁ bhūmimadhye tu kṣiptaṁ putrānajānate

'Nothing was ever given, nothing offered in sacrifice, O brahmin, nor even enjoyed by you yourself; digging into the earth, you buried it, unknown even to your sons.'

Verse 49 (padma.2.17.49)

अन्यमेवमुपायं तु द्रव्यागमनकारणात् । कुरुषे सर्वदा विप्र लोकान्पृच्छसि बुद्धिमान्

anyamevamupāyaṁ tu dravyāgamanakāraṇāt kuruṣe sarvadā vipra lokānpṛcchasi buddhimān

'For the sake of acquiring more wealth, you constantly pursued yet other schemes, O brahmin; wise as you thought yourself, you would question people—'

Verse 50 (padma.2.17.50)

खनित्रमंजनं वादं धातुवादमतः परम् । पृच्छमानो भ्रमस्येकस्तृष्णया परिमोहितः

khanitramaṁjanaṁ vādaṁ dhātuvādamataḥ param pṛcchamāno bhramasyekastṛṣṇayā parimohitaḥ

—'about digging, about magic ointments, about alchemy, and about metallurgy besides; ever asking, you wandered about alone, utterly deluded by craving.'

Verse 51 (padma.2.17.51)

स्पर्शंचिंतयसेनित्यंकल्पान्सिद्धिप्रदायकान् । प्रवेशं विवराणां तु चिंतमानः सु पृच्छसि

sparśaṁciṁtayasenityaṁkalpānsiddhipradāyakān praveśaṁ vivarāṇāṁ tu ciṁtamānaḥ su pṛcchasi

'You constantly thought of the philosopher's touchstone, of rites that grant occult powers; pondering entry into hidden caverns, you kept asking about it.'

Verse 52 (padma.2.17.52)

तृष्णानलेन दग्धेन सुखं नैव प्रगच्छसि । तृष्णानलेन संदीप्तो हाहाभूतो विचेतनः

tṛṣṇānalena dagdhena sukhaṁ naiva pragacchasi tṛṣṇānalena saṁdīpto hāhābhūto vicetanaḥ

'Burned by the fire of craving, you never attained any happiness; ablaze with the fire of craving, you cried out in anguish, bereft of awareness.'

Verse 53 (padma.2.17.53)

एवं मुग्धोसि विप्रेंद्र गतस्त्वं कालवश्यताम् । दारापुत्रेषु तद्द्रव्यं पृच्छमानेषु वै त्वया

evaṁ mugdhosi vipreṁdra gatastvaṁ kālavaśyatām dārāputreṣu taddravyaṁ pṛcchamāneṣu vai tvayā

'Thus deluded, O foremost of brahmins, you came under the sway of death; while your wife and sons kept asking about that wealth of yours—'

Verse 54 (padma.2.17.54)

कथितं नैव वृत्तांतं प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा गतो यमम् । एवं सर्वं मया ख्यातं वृत्तांतं तव पूर्वकम्

kathitaṁ naiva vṛttāṁtaṁ prāṇāṁstyaktvā gato yamam evaṁ sarvaṁ mayā khyātaṁ vṛttāṁtaṁ tava pūrvakam

—'you never told them a single word of it, and, giving up your life, you went to Yama. Thus have I told all of it — the account of your former life.'

Verse 55 (padma.2.17.55)

अनेन कर्मणा विप्र निर्धनोसि दरिद्रवान् । संसारे यस्य सत्पुत्रा भक्तिमंतः सदैव हि

anena karmaṇā vipra nirdhanosi daridravān saṁsāre yasya satputrā bhaktimaṁtaḥ sadaiva hi

'By this very deed, O brahmin, you are penniless and reduced to poverty. In this world, whoever has good, devoted sons always—'

Verse 56 (padma.2.17.56)

सुशीला ज्ञानसंपन्नाः सत्यधर्मरताः सदा । संभवंति गृहे तस्य यस्य विष्णुः प्रसीदति

suśīlā jñānasaṁpannāḥ satyadharmaratāḥ sadā saṁbhavaṁti gṛhe tasya yasya viṣṇuḥ prasīdati

—'well-conducted, endowed with knowledge, ever devoted to truth and dharma — such sons are born in the house of him with whom Vishnu is pleased.'

Verse 57 (padma.2.17.57)

धनं धान्यं कलत्रं तु पुत्रपौत्रमनंतकम् । स भुंक्ते मर्त्यलोके वै यस्य विष्णुः प्रसन्नवान्

dhanaṁ dhānyaṁ kalatraṁ tu putrapautramanaṁtakam sa bhuṁkte martyaloke vai yasya viṣṇuḥ prasannavān

'Wealth, grain, a wife, and endless sons and grandsons — he alone enjoys these in the world of mortals with whom Vishnu is truly pleased.'

Verse 58 (padma.2.17.58)

विना विष्णोः प्रसादेन दारापुत्रान्न चाप्नुयात् । सुजन्म च कुलं विप्र तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्

vinā viṣṇoḥ prasādena dārāputrānna cāpnuyāt sujanma ca kulaṁ vipra tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam

'Without the grace of Vishnu, one attains neither wife nor sons; a good birth and a good lineage, O brahmin — these too come from that supreme station of Vishnu.'