The Fruits of Occasional and Abhyudaya Charity, and Gifts on the Path of Yama

Verse 1 (padma.2.40.1)

वेन उवाच- नित्यदानफलं देव त्वत्तः पूर्वं मया श्रुतम् । नैमित्तिकस्य दानस्य दत्तस्यापि हि यत्फलम्

vena uvāca- nityadānaphalaṁ deva tvattaḥ pūrvaṁ mayā śrutam naimittikasya dānasya dattasyāpi hi yatphalam

Vena said: 'O god, the fruit of constant charity I have already heard from you before; the fruit of occasional charity, when given—'

Verse 2 (padma.2.40.2)

तत्फलं मे समाचक्ष्व त्वत्प्रसादात्प्रयत्नतः । महातृप्तिं न गच्छामि श्रोतुं श्रद्धा प्रवर्तते

tatphalaṁ me samācakṣva tvatprasādātprayatnataḥ mahātṛptiṁ na gacchāmi śrotuṁ śraddhā pravartate

'—tell me that fruit, by your grace, diligently. I am not reaching my fill; my faith in hearing this grows ever more.'

Verse 3 (padma.2.40.3)

विष्णुरुवाच- नैमित्तिकं प्रवक्ष्यामि दानमेव नृपोत्तम । महापर्वणि संप्राप्ते येन दानानि श्रद्धया

viṣṇuruvāca- naimittikaṁ pravakṣyāmi dānameva nṛpottama mahāparvaṇi saṁprāpte yena dānāni śraddhayā

Vishnu said: 'I shall now declare occasional charity indeed, O best of kings. When a great festival arrives, whatever gifts are given with faith—'

Verse 4 (padma.2.40.4)

सत्पात्रेभ्यः प्रदत्तानि तस्य पुण्यफलं शृणु । गजं रथं प्रदत्ते यो ह्यश्वं चापि नृपोत्तम

satpātrebhyaḥ pradattāni tasya puṇyaphalaṁ śṛṇu gajaṁ rathaṁ pradatte yo hyaśvaṁ cāpi nṛpottama

'—to worthy recipients, hear the fruit of merit of that. Whoever gives an elephant, a chariot, or even a horse, O best of kings,'

Verse 5 (padma.2.40.5)

स च भृत्यैस्तु संयुक्तः पुण्यदेशे नृपोत्तमः । जायते हि महाराज मत्प्रसादान्न संशयः

sa ca bhṛtyaistu saṁyuktaḥ puṇyadeśe nṛpottamaḥ jāyate hi mahārāja matprasādānna saṁśayaḥ

'—together with attendants, in a holy land, O great king — he becomes, by my grace, without doubt—'

Verse 6 (padma.2.40.6)

राजा भवति धर्मात्मा ज्ञानवान्बलवान्सुधीः । अजेयः सर्वभूतानां महातेजाः प्रजायते

rājā bhavati dharmātmā jñānavānbalavānsudhīḥ ajeyaḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ mahātejāḥ prajāyate

'—a righteous king, wise, mighty, of good intellect; unconquerable by all beings, and he becomes one of great splendor.'

Verse 7 (padma.2.40.7)

महापर्वणि संप्राप्ते भूमिदानं ददाति यः । गोदानं वा महाराज सर्वभोगपतिर्भवेत्

mahāparvaṇi saṁprāpte bhūmidānaṁ dadāti yaḥ godānaṁ vā mahārāja sarvabhogapatirbhavet

'Whoever, when a great festival arrives, gives the gift of land, or the gift of a cow, O great king, becomes the lord of every enjoyment.'

Verse 8 (padma.2.40.8)

ब्राह्मणाय सुपुण्याय दानं दद्यात्प्रयत्नतः । महादानानि यो दद्यात्तीर्थे पर्वणि पात्रवित्

brāhmaṇāya supuṇyāya dānaṁ dadyātprayatnataḥ mahādānāni yo dadyāttīrthe parvaṇi pātravit

'Charity should be given diligently to a meritorious brahmin. Whoever, at a tirtha, on a festival day, knowing the marks of a worthy recipient, gives a great gift,'

Verse 9 (padma.2.40.9)

तेषां चिह्नं प्रवक्ष्यामि भूपतित्वं प्रजायते । तीर्थे पर्वणि संप्राप्ते गुप्तदानं ददाति यः

teṣāṁ cihnaṁ pravakṣyāmi bhūpatitvaṁ prajāyate tīrthe parvaṇi saṁprāpte guptadānaṁ dadāti yaḥ

'—their mark I shall declare: sovereignty over a kingdom is obtained. When a tirtha and a festival coincide, whoever gives a secret gift,'

Verse 10 (padma.2.40.10)

निधीनामाशुसंप्राप्तिरक्षरा परिजायते । महापर्वणि संप्राप्ते तीर्थेषु ब्राह्मणाय च

nidhīnāmāśusaṁprāptirakṣarā parijāyate mahāparvaṇi saṁprāpte tīrtheṣu brāhmaṇāya ca

'—swift, imperishable attainment of treasures comes to him. When a great festival arrives, at the tirthas, to a brahmin—'

Verse 11 (padma.2.40.11)

सुचैलं च महादानं कांचनेन समन्वितम् । पुण्यं फलं प्रवक्ष्यामि तस्य दानस्य भूपते

sucailaṁ ca mahādānaṁ kāṁcanena samanvitam puṇyaṁ phalaṁ pravakṣyāmi tasya dānasya bhūpate

'—fine cloth and a great gift joined with gold — of that gift, O king of the earth, I shall declare the meritorious fruit:'

Verse 12 (padma.2.40.12)

जायंते बहवः पुत्राः सुगुणा वेदपारगाः । आयुष्मंतः प्रजावंतो यशः पुण्यसमन्विताः

jāyaṁte bahavaḥ putrāḥ suguṇā vedapāragāḥ āyuṣmaṁtaḥ prajāvaṁto yaśaḥ puṇyasamanvitāḥ

'—many sons of good qualities are born, versed in the Vedas; long-lived, blessed with offspring, endowed with fame and merit.'

Verse 13 (padma.2.40.13)

विपुलाश्चैव जायंते स्फीता लक्ष्मीर्महामते । सौख्यं च लभते पुण्यं धर्मवान्परिजायते

vipulāścaiva jāyaṁte sphītā lakṣmīrmahāmate saukhyaṁ ca labhate puṇyaṁ dharmavānparijāyate

'Abundant and flourishing wealth also arises, O great-minded one; happiness and merit are attained, and one becomes righteous.'

Verse 14 (padma.2.40.14)

महापर्वणि संप्राप्ते तीर्थे गत्वा प्रयत्नतः । कपिलां कांचनीं दद्याद्ब्राह्मणाय महात्मने

mahāparvaṇi saṁprāpte tīrthe gatvā prayatnataḥ kapilāṁ kāṁcanīṁ dadyādbrāhmaṇāya mahātmane

'When a great festival arrives, having gone to a tirtha diligently, whoever gives a golden Kapila cow to a great-souled brahmin—'

Verse 15 (padma.2.40.15)

तस्य पुण्यं प्रवक्ष्यामि दानस्य च महामते । कपिलादो महाराज सर्वसौख्यान्प्रभुंजति

tasya puṇyaṁ pravakṣyāmi dānasya ca mahāmate kapilādo mahārāja sarvasaukhyānprabhuṁjati

'—of that gift, O great-minded one, I shall declare the merit: the giver of a Kapila cow, O great king, enjoys every happiness—'

Verse 16 (padma.2.40.16)

यावद्ब्रह्मा प्रजीवेत्स तावत्तिष्ठति तत्र सः । महापर्वणि संप्राप्ते अलंकृत्य च गां तदा

yāvadbrahmā prajīvetsa tāvattiṣṭhati tatra saḥ mahāparvaṇi saṁprāpte alaṁkṛtya ca gāṁ tadā

'—as long as Brahma lives, so long does he abide there. When a great festival arrives, then, having adorned a cow,'

Verse 17 (padma.2.40.17)

कांचनेनापि संयुक्तां वस्त्रालंकारभूषणैः । तस्य दानस्य राजेंद्र फलभोगं वदाम्यहम्

kāṁcanenāpi saṁyuktāṁ vastrālaṁkārabhūṣaṇaiḥ tasya dānasya rājeṁdra phalabhogaṁ vadāmyaham

'—together with gold, and adorned with cloth, ornaments, and jewels — of that gift, O king of kings, I shall tell you the fruit and enjoyment:'

Verse 18 (padma.2.40.18)

विपुला जायते लक्ष्मीर्दानभोगसमाकुला । सर्वविद्यापतिर्भूत्वा विष्णुभक्तो भवेत्किल

vipulā jāyate lakṣmīrdānabhogasamākulā sarvavidyāpatirbhūtvā viṣṇubhakto bhavetkila

'—abundant wealth arises, full of charity and enjoyment; having become the lord of all learning, he becomes indeed devoted to Vishnu.'

Verse 19 (padma.2.40.19)

विष्णुलोके वसेन्मर्त्यो यावत्तिष्ठति मेदिनी । तीर्थं गत्वा तु यो दद्याद्ब्राह्मणाय विभूषणम्

viṣṇuloke vasenmartyo yāvattiṣṭhati medinī tīrthaṁ gatvā tu yo dadyādbrāhmaṇāya vibhūṣaṇam

'That mortal dwells in the world of Vishnu for as long as this earth endures. Whoever, having gone to a tirtha, gives ornaments to a brahmin,'

Verse 20 (padma.2.40.20)

भुक्त्वा तु विपुलान्भोगानिन्द्रेण क्रीडते सह । महापर्वणि संप्राप्ते वस्त्रं च द्विजपुंगवे

bhuktvā tu vipulānbhogānindreṇa krīḍate saha mahāparvaṇi saṁprāpte vastraṁ ca dvijapuṁgave

'—having enjoyed abundant pleasures, sports together with Indra. When a great festival arrives, and one gives cloth to an excellent brahmin,'

Verse 21 (padma.2.40.21)

दत्त्वान्नं भूमिसंयुक्तं पात्रे श्रद्धासमन्वितः । मोदते स तु वैकुंठे विष्णुतुल्यपराक्रमः

dattvānnaṁ bhūmisaṁyuktaṁ pātre śraddhāsamanvitaḥ modate sa tu vaikuṁṭhe viṣṇutulyaparākramaḥ

'—and, together with land, food too, given to a worthy recipient with faith — he rejoices in Vaikuntha, becoming mighty as Vishnu himself.'

Verse 22 (padma.2.40.22)

सवस्त्रं कांचनं दत्त्वा द्विजाय परिशांतये । स्वेच्छया अग्निसदृशो वैकुंठे स वसेत्सुखी

savastraṁ kāṁcanaṁ dattvā dvijāya pariśāṁtaye svecchayā agnisadṛśo vaikuṁṭhe sa vasetsukhī

'Having given cloth together with gold to a brahmin for the sake of peace, he, resembling fire by his own will, dwells happily in Vaikuntha.'

Verse 23 (padma.2.40.23)

सुवर्णस्य सुकुंभं च घृतेन परिपूरयेत् । पिधानं रौप्यं कर्तव्यं वस्त्रहारैरलंकृतम्

suvarṇasya sukuṁbhaṁ ca ghṛtena paripūrayet pidhānaṁ raupyaṁ kartavyaṁ vastrahārairalaṁkṛtam

'A fine golden pot should be filled entirely with ghee; its lid should be made of silver, adorned with garlands of cloth.'

Verse 24 (padma.2.40.24)

पुष्पमालान्वितं कुर्याद्ब्रह्मसूत्रेण शोभितम् । प्रतिष्ठितं वेदमंत्रैस्तं संपूज्य महामते

puṣpamālānvitaṁ kuryādbrahmasūtreṇa śobhitam pratiṣṭhitaṁ vedamaṁtraistaṁ saṁpūjya mahāmate

'It should be adorned with a garland of flowers, decorated with the sacred thread; consecrated with Vedic mantras — having thus duly worshipped it, O great-minded one,'

Verse 25 (padma.2.40.25)

उपचारैः पवित्रैश्च षोडशैः परिपूजयेत् । स्वलंकृत्य ततो दद्याद्ब्राह्मणाय महात्मने

upacāraiḥ pavitraiśca ṣoḍaśaiḥ paripūjayet svalaṁkṛtya tato dadyādbrāhmaṇāya mahātmane

'—it should be worshipped with the sixteen pure ceremonial offerings; having thus well adorned it, one should then give it to a great-souled brahmin.'

Verse 26 (padma.2.40.26)

षोडशैव ततो गावः सवस्त्राः कांस्यदोहनाः । कुंभयुक्ताश्च चत्वारो दक्षिणां च सकांचनाम्

ṣoḍaśaiva tato gāvaḥ savastrāḥ kāṁsyadohanāḥ kuṁbhayuktāśca catvāro dakṣiṇāṁ ca sakāṁcanām

'Then sixteen cows, together with cloth, with bronze milking-vessels; and four furnished with water-pots, together with a dakshina of gold—'

Verse 27 (padma.2.40.27)

तथा द्वादशका गावो वस्त्रालंकारभूषणाः । पृथग्भूताय विप्राय दातव्या नात्र संशयः

tathā dvādaśakā gāvo vastrālaṁkārabhūṣaṇāḥ pṛthagbhūtāya viprāya dātavyā nātra saṁśayaḥ

'—and likewise twelve cows, adorned with cloth and ornaments — should be given separately to a brahmin; there is no doubt about this.'

Verse 28 (padma.2.40.28)

एवमादीनि दानानि अन्यानि नृपनंदन । तीर्थकालं सुसंप्राप्य विप्रावसथमेव च

evamādīni dānāni anyāni nṛpanaṁdana tīrthakālaṁ susaṁprāpya viprāvasathameva ca

'Such gifts, and others besides, O prince, having duly attained the time of a tirtha, and likewise at the dwelling of a brahmin,'

Verse 29 (padma.2.40.29)

श्रद्धाभावेन दातव्यं बहुपुण्यकरं भवेत् । विष्णुरुवाच-। विष्णुमुद्दिश्य यद्दानं कामनापरिकल्पितम्

śraddhābhāvena dātavyaṁ bahupuṇyakaraṁ bhavet viṣṇuruvāca- viṣṇumuddiśya yaddānaṁ kāmanāparikalpitam

'—should be given with a state of faith, and they become great generators of merit.' Vishnu said: 'Whatever gift is given with Vishnu as its object, devised out of some desire—'

Verse 30 (padma.2.40.30)

तस्य दानस्य भावेन भावनापरिभावितः । तादृक्फलं समश्नाति मानुषो नात्र संशयः

tasya dānasya bhāvena bhāvanāparibhāvitaḥ tādṛkphalaṁ samaśnāti mānuṣo nātra saṁśayaḥ

'—by the disposition of that gift, imbued with that very intention, a man reaps just such a fruit; there is no doubt about this.'

Verse 31 (padma.2.40.31)

अभ्युदयं प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ञादिषु प्रवर्तते । तेन दानेन तस्यापि श्रद्धया च द्विजोत्तम

abhyudayaṁ pravakṣyāmi yajñādiṣu pravartate tena dānena tasyāpi śraddhayā ca dvijottama

'I shall now declare the abhyudaya gift, which occurs in connection with sacrifices and the like. By that gift, and by faith too, O best of the twice-born,'

Verse 32 (padma.2.40.32)

प्रज्ञावृद्धिं समाप्नोति न च दुःखं प्रविंदति । भोगान्भुनक्ति धर्मात्मा जीवमानस्तु सांप्रतम्

prajñāvṛddhiṁ samāpnoti na ca duḥkhaṁ praviṁdati bhogānbhunakti dharmātmā jīvamānastu sāṁpratam

'—one attains growth in wisdom, and does not encounter sorrow. The righteous one, even while yet living, enjoys pleasures at present—'

Verse 33 (padma.2.40.33)

ऐंद्रांस्तु भुंक्ते भोगान्स दाता दिव्यां गतिं गतः । स्वकुलं नयते स्वर्गं कल्पानां च सहस्रकम्

aiṁdrāṁstu bhuṁkte bhogānsa dātā divyāṁ gatiṁ gataḥ svakulaṁ nayate svargaṁ kalpānāṁ ca sahasrakam

'—that giver enjoys the pleasures of Indra, having attained a divine state; he leads his own family too into heaven for a thousand kalpas.'

Verse 34 (padma.2.40.34)

एवमाभ्युदयं प्रोक्तं प्राप्तं तेषु वदाम्यहम् । कायस्य च क्षयं ज्ञात्वा जरया परिपीडितः

evamābhyudayaṁ proktaṁ prāptaṁ teṣu vadāmyaham kāyasya ca kṣayaṁ jñātvā jarayā paripīḍitaḥ

'Thus has abhyudaya been declared, and what is attained through it I have told you. Knowing the body's decline, afflicted by old age—'

Verse 35 (padma.2.40.35)

दानं तेन प्रदातव्यमाशां कस्य न कारयेत् । मृते च मयि मे पुत्रा अन्ये स्वजनबांधवाः

dānaṁ tena pradātavyamāśāṁ kasya na kārayet mṛte ca mayi me putrā anye svajanabāṁdhavāḥ

'—he should give charity himself; who does not cherish some hope? [He thinks:] "When I have died, my sons and my other kinsmen and relatives—"'

Verse 36 (padma.2.40.36)

कथमेते भविष्यंति मां विना सुहृदो मम । तेषां मोहात्प्रमुग्धो वै न ददाति स किंचन

kathamete bhaviṣyaṁti māṁ vinā suhṛdo mama teṣāṁ mohātpramugdho vai na dadāti sa kiṁcana

'"—how will they fare without me, my dear ones?" Bewildered by this delusion for their sake, he gives nothing at all.'

Verse 37 (padma.2.40.37)

मृत्युं प्रयाति मोहात्मा रुदंति मित्रबांधवाः । दुःखेन पीडिताः सर्वे मायामोहेन पीडिताः

mṛtyuṁ prayāti mohātmā rudaṁti mitrabāṁdhavāḥ duḥkhena pīḍitāḥ sarve māyāmohena pīḍitāḥ

'Deluded in mind, he goes to his death; his friends and kinsmen weep. All, afflicted with sorrow and oppressed by the delusion of illusion—'

Verse 38 (padma.2.40.38)

संकल्पयंति दानानि मोक्षं वै चिंतयंति च । तस्मिन्मृते महाराज मायामोहे गते सति

saṁkalpayaṁti dānāni mokṣaṁ vai ciṁtayaṁti ca tasminmṛte mahārāja māyāmohe gate sati

'—resolve upon gifts of charity and think of liberation. But when he has died, O great king, once that delusion of illusion has passed—'

Verse 39 (padma.2.40.39)

विस्मरंति च दानानि लोभात्मानो ददंति न । योऽसौ मृतो महाराज यमपंथं सुदुःखितः

vismaraṁti ca dānāni lobhātmāno dadaṁti na yo'sau mṛto mahārāja yamapaṁthaṁ suduḥkhitaḥ

'—they forget those gifts, and, given over to greed, give nothing. That one who has died, O great king, on the path of Yama, greatly afflicted—'

Verse 40 (padma.2.40.40)

तृषाक्षुधासमाक्रांतो बहुदुःखैः प्रपीडितः । तस्माद्दानं प्रदातव्यं स्वयमेव न संशयः

tṛṣākṣudhāsamākrāṁto bahuduḥkhaiḥ prapīḍitaḥ tasmāddānaṁ pradātavyaṁ svayameva na saṁśayaḥ

'—overcome by thirst and hunger, oppressed by many sorrows, [suffers for want of it]. Therefore charity should be given by oneself, without doubt.'

Verse 41 (padma.2.40.41)

कस्य पुत्राश्च पौत्राश्च कस्य भार्या नृपोत्तम । संसारे नास्ति कः कस्य तस्माद्दानं प्रदीयते

kasya putrāśca pautrāśca kasya bhāryā nṛpottama saṁsāre nāsti kaḥ kasya tasmāddānaṁ pradīyate

'Whose are the sons and grandsons, and whose the wife, O best of kings? In this world no one truly belongs to another; therefore charity is given.'

Verse 42 (padma.2.40.42)

ज्ञानवता प्रदातव्यं स्वयमेव न संशयः । अन्नं पानं च तांबूलमुदकं कांचनं तथा

jñānavatā pradātavyaṁ svayameva na saṁśayaḥ annaṁ pānaṁ ca tāṁbūlamudakaṁ kāṁcanaṁ tathā

'The wise should give with his own hand, without doubt - food, water, betel, and gold as well,'

Verse 43 (padma.2.40.43)

युग्मं वस्त्रं च छत्रं च स्वयमेव न संशयः । जलपात्राण्यनेकानि सोदकानि नृपोत्तम

yugmaṁ vastraṁ ca chatraṁ ca svayameva na saṁśayaḥ jalapātrāṇyanekāni sodakāni nṛpottama

'—a pair of garments and an umbrella too, by his own hand, without doubt; many vessels filled with water, O best of kings,'

Verse 44 (padma.2.40.44)

वाहनानि विचित्राणि यानान्येव महामते । नानागंधान्सकर्पूरं यमपंथ सुखप्रदे

vāhanāni vicitrāṇi yānānyeva mahāmate nānāgaṁdhānsakarpūraṁ yamapaṁtha sukhaprade

'—varied conveyances and vehicles too, O great-minded one; various fragrances, together with camphor, for happiness on the path of Yama,'

Verse 45 (padma.2.40.45)

उपानहौ प्रदातव्ये यदीच्छेद्विपुलं सुखम् । एतैर्दानैर्महाराज यमपंथं सुखेन वै

upānahau pradātavye yadīcchedvipulaṁ sukham etairdānairmahārāja yamapaṁthaṁ sukhena vai

'—and sandals should also be given, if one desires abundant happiness. By these gifts, O great king, a man travels the path of Yama with ease—'

Verse 46 (padma.2.40.46)

प्रयाति मानवो राजन्यमदूतैरलंकृतम्

prayāti mānavo rājanyamadūtairalaṁkṛtam

'—honored by the messengers of Yama, O king, and so passes along it.'