Matali's Summons and the Fire of Old Age

Verse 1 (padma.2.64.1)

। पिप्पलउवाच- पितुःप्रसादभावाद्वै यदुना सुखमुत्तमम् । कथं प्राप्तं सुभुक्तं च तन्मे विस्तरतो वद

pippalauvāca- pituḥprasādabhāvādvai yadunā sukhamuttamam kathaṁ prāptaṁ subhuktaṁ ca tanme vistarato vada

Pippala said: 'How did Yadu, through his father's grace, obtain and truly enjoy the highest happiness? Tell me this in full detail.'

Verse 2 (padma.2.64.2)

कस्मात्पापप्रभावं च रुरुर्भुंक्ते द्विजोत्तम । सकलं विस्तरेणापि वद मे कुंडलात्मज

kasmātpāpaprabhāvaṁ ca rururbhuṁkte dvijottama sakalaṁ vistareṇāpi vada me kuṁḍalātmaja

'And why does Ruru suffer the effect of sin, O foremost of brahmins? Tell me all of it in full detail too, O son of Kundala.'

Verse 3 (padma.2.64.3)

सुकर्मोवाच- श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि चरित्रं पापनाशनम् । नहुषस्य सुपुण्यस्य ययातेश्च महात्मनः

sukarmovāca- śrūyatāmabhidhāsyāmi caritraṁ pāpanāśanam nahuṣasya supuṇyasya yayāteśca mahātmanaḥ

Sukarma said: 'Listen, I shall relate the sin-destroying story of the greatly meritorious Nahusha and the great-souled Yayati.'

Verse 4 (padma.2.64.4)

सोमवंशात्प्रभूतो हि नहुषो मेदिनीपतिः । दानधर्माननेकांश्च चका रह्यतुलानपि

somavaṁśātprabhūto hi nahuṣo medinīpatiḥ dānadharmānanekāṁśca cakā rahyatulānapi

Nahusha, lord of the earth, born of the lunar dynasty, performed many incomparable acts of charity and dharma.

Verse 5 (padma.2.64.5)

मखानामश्वमेधानामियाज शतमुत्तमम् । वाजपेयशतं चापि अन्यान्यज्ञाननेकधा

makhānāmaśvamedhānāmiyāja śatamuttamam vājapeyaśataṁ cāpi anyānyajñānanekadhā

He performed a hundred excellent Ashvamedha sacrifices, a hundred Vajapeya sacrifices too, and many other sacrifices besides.

Verse 6 (padma.2.64.6)

आत्मनः पुण्यभावेन इंद्रलोकमवाप सः । पुत्रं धर्मगुणोपेतं प्रजापालं चकार सः

ātmanaḥ puṇyabhāvena iṁdralokamavāpa saḥ putraṁ dharmaguṇopetaṁ prajāpālaṁ cakāra saḥ

By his own merit he attained Indra's realm; and he made his son, endowed with dharma and virtue, the protector of his people.

Verse 7 (padma.2.64.7)

ययातिं सत्यसंपन्नं धर्मवीर्यं महामतिम् । एंद्रं पदं गतो राजा तस्य पुत्रः पदे स्वके

yayātiṁ satyasaṁpannaṁ dharmavīryaṁ mahāmatim eṁdraṁ padaṁ gato rājā tasya putraḥ pade svake

—Yayati, endowed with truth, mighty in dharma, wise; when the king went to Indra's own seat, his son remained in his own place.

Verse 8 (padma.2.64.8)

ययातिः सत्यसंपन्नः प्रजा धर्मेण पालयेत् । स्वयमेव प्रपश्येत्स प्रजाकर्माणि तान्यपि

yayātiḥ satyasaṁpannaḥ prajā dharmeṇa pālayet svayameva prapaśyetsa prajākarmāṇi tānyapi

Yayati, endowed with truth, protected his people through dharma; he himself personally attended to all the affairs of his people.

Verse 9 (padma.2.64.9)

याजयामास धर्मज्ञः श्रुत्वा धर्ममनुत्तमम् । यज्ञतीर्थादिकं सर्वं दानपुण्यं चकार सः

yājayāmāsa dharmajñaḥ śrutvā dharmamanuttamam yajñatīrthādikaṁ sarvaṁ dānapuṇyaṁ cakāra saḥ

That knower of dharma performed sacrifices, having heard the highest dharma; he performed all manner of sacrifice, pilgrimage, and merit-giving gifts.

Verse 10 (padma.2.64.10)

राज्यं चकार मेधावी सत्यधर्मेण वै तदा । यावदशीतिसहस्राणि वर्षाणां नृपनंदनः

rājyaṁ cakāra medhāvī satyadharmeṇa vai tadā yāvadaśītisahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṁ nṛpanaṁdanaḥ

That wise prince ruled his kingdom then by truth and dharma, for as long as eighty thousand years.

Verse 11 (padma.2.64.11)

तावत्कालं गतं तस्य ययातेस्तु महात्मनः । तस्य पुत्राश्च चत्वारस्तद्वीर्यबलविक्रमाः

tāvatkālaṁ gataṁ tasya yayātestu mahātmanaḥ tasya putrāśca catvārastadvīryabalavikramāḥ

That much time passed for the great-souled Yayati; and he had four sons, of valor, strength and prowess equal to his own.

Verse 12 (padma.2.64.12)

तेषां नामानि वक्ष्यामि शृणुष्वैकाग्रमानसः । तस्यासीज्ज्येष्ठपुत्रस्तु रुरुर्नाम महाबलः

teṣāṁ nāmāni vakṣyāmi śṛṇuṣvaikāgramānasaḥ tasyāsījjyeṣṭhaputrastu rururnāma mahābalaḥ

I shall tell you their names — listen with a one-pointed mind. His eldest son was named Ruru, of great strength.

Verse 13 (padma.2.64.13)

पुरुर्नाम द्वितीयोऽभूत्कुरुश्चान्यस्तृतीयकः । यदुर्नाम स धर्मात्मा चतुर्थो नृपतेः सुतः

pururnāma dvitīyo'bhūtkuruścānyastṛtīyakaḥ yadurnāma sa dharmātmā caturtho nṛpateḥ sutaḥ

The second was named Puru; another, the third, was Kuru; and the fourth son of the king was that righteous soul named Yadu.

Verse 14 (padma.2.64.14)

एवं चत्वारः पुत्राश्च ययातेस्तु महात्मनः । तेजसा पौरुषेणापि पितृतुल्यपराक्रमाः

evaṁ catvāraḥ putrāśca yayātestu mahātmanaḥ tejasā pauruṣeṇāpi pitṛtulyaparākramāḥ

Thus the great-souled Yayati had four sons, equal to their father in splendor, manliness, and valor.

Verse 15 (padma.2.64.15)

एवं राज्यं कृतं तेन धर्मेणापि ययातिना । तस्य कीर्तिर्यशो भावस्त्रैलोक्ये प्रचुरोभवत्

evaṁ rājyaṁ kṛtaṁ tena dharmeṇāpi yayātinā tasya kīrtiryaśo bhāvastrailokye pracurobhavat

Thus that kingdom was ruled by Yayati through dharma; his fame, renown, and greatness spread abundantly through the three worlds.

Verse 16 (padma.2.64.16)

विष्णुरुवाच- एकदा तु द्विजश्रेष्ठो नारदो ब्रह्मनंदनः । एंद्रं लोकं गतो राजन्द्रष्टुं चैव पुरंदरम्

viṣṇuruvāca- ekadā tu dvijaśreṣṭho nārado brahmanaṁdanaḥ eṁdraṁ lokaṁ gato rājandraṣṭuṁ caiva puraṁdaram

Vishnu said: Once, that foremost of brahmins, Narada, son of Brahma, O king, went to Indra's realm to see Purandara.

Verse 17 (padma.2.64.17)

सहस्राक्षस्ततोपश्यद्धुताशनसमप्रभम् । देवो विप्रं समायांतं सर्वज्ञं ज्ञानपंडितम्

sahasrākṣastatopaśyaddhutāśanasamaprabham devo vipraṁ samāyāṁtaṁ sarvajñaṁ jñānapaṁḍitam

Then the thousand-eyed god saw that brahmin arrive, radiant as fire, all-knowing, a master of wisdom.

Verse 18 (padma.2.64.18)

पूजितं मधुपर्काद्यैर्भक्त्या नमितकंधरः । निवेश्य चासने पुण्ये पप्रच्छ मुनिपुंगवम्

pūjitaṁ madhuparkādyairbhaktyā namitakaṁdharaḥ niveśya cāsane puṇye papraccha munipuṁgavam

He honored him with madhuparka and other offerings, bowing his neck in devotion; and seating him upon a sacred seat, he questioned that bull among sages.

Verse 19 (padma.2.64.19)

इंद्र उवाच- कस्मादागमनं तेद्य किमर्थमिह चागतः । किं ते हि सुप्रियं विप्र करोम्यद्य महामुने

iṁdra uvāca- kasmādāgamanaṁ tedya kimarthamiha cāgataḥ kiṁ te hi supriyaṁ vipra karomyadya mahāmune

Indra said: 'Why have you come today? For what purpose have you arrived here? What may I do today to please you, O brahmin, O great sage?'

Verse 20 (padma.2.64.20)

नारद उवाच- देवराज कृतं सर्वं भक्त्या यच्च प्रभाषितम् । संतुष्टोस्मि महाप्राज्ञ प्रश्नोत्तरं वदाम्यहम्

nārada uvāca- devarāja kṛtaṁ sarvaṁ bhaktyā yacca prabhāṣitam saṁtuṣṭosmi mahāprājña praśnottaraṁ vadāmyaham

Narada said: 'O king of the gods, all that you have done and said with devotion — with all this I am satisfied, O most wise one; I shall now answer your question.'

Verse 21 (padma.2.64.21)

महीलोकात्सुसंप्राप्तः सांप्रतं तव मंदिरम् । त्वामन्वेष्टुं समायातो दृष्ट्वा नाहुषमेव च

mahīlokātsusaṁprāptaḥ sāṁprataṁ tava maṁdiram tvāmanveṣṭuṁ samāyāto dṛṣṭvā nāhuṣameva ca

'I have come now, arriving from the earthly realm, to your very abode; I have come seeking you out, having seen the son of Nahusha as well.'

Verse 22 (padma.2.64.22)

इंद्र उवाच- सत्यधर्मेण को राजा प्रजाः पालयते सदा । सर्वधर्मसमायुक्तः श्रुतवाञ्ज्ञानवान्गुणी

iṁdra uvāca- satyadharmeṇa ko rājā prajāḥ pālayate sadā sarvadharmasamāyuktaḥ śrutavāñjñānavānguṇī

Indra said: 'What king ever protects his people through truth and dharma, joined with every dharma, learned, wise, and virtuous?'

Verse 23 (padma.2.64.23)

पृथिव्यामस्ति को राजा वेदज्ञो ब्राह्मणप्रियः । ब्रह्मण्यो वेदविच्छूरो यज्वा दाता सुभक्तिमान्

pṛthivyāmasti ko rājā vedajño brāhmaṇapriyaḥ brahmaṇyo vedavicchūro yajvā dātā subhaktimān

'What king is there on earth who is a knower of the Vedas, dear to brahmins, devoted to brahmins, learned in the Vedas, valiant, a performer of sacrifice, generous, deeply devout?'

Verse 24 (padma.2.64.24)

नारद उवाच- एभिर्गुणैस्तु संयुक्तो नहुषस्यात्मजो बली । यस्य सत्येन वीर्येण सर्वे लोकाः प्रतिष्ठिताः

nārada uvāca- ebhirguṇaistu saṁyukto nahuṣasyātmajo balī yasya satyena vīryeṇa sarve lokāḥ pratiṣṭhitāḥ

Narada said: 'Endowed with all these virtues is the mighty son of Nahusha, by whose truth and valor all the worlds stand firmly established.'

Verse 25 (padma.2.64.25)

भवादृशो हि भूर्लोके ययातिर्नहुषात्मजः । भवान्स्वर्गे स चैवास्ति भूतले भूतिवर्धनः

bhavādṛśo hi bhūrloke yayātirnahuṣātmajaḥ bhavānsvarge sa caivāsti bhūtale bhūtivardhanaḥ

'Yayati, son of Nahusha, is on earth just like you; as you are in heaven, so is he on earth, ever increasing prosperity.'

Verse 26 (padma.2.64.26)

पितुः श्रेष्ठो महाराज ह्यश्वमेधशतं तथा । वाजपेयशतं चक्रे ययातिः पृथिवीपतिः

pituḥ śreṣṭho mahārāja hyaśvamedhaśataṁ tathā vājapeyaśataṁ cakre yayātiḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ

'Excelling even his father, O great king, that lord of the earth, Yayati, performed a hundred Ashvamedhas and a hundred Vajapeyas.'

Verse 27 (padma.2.64.27)

दत्तान्यनेकरूपाणि दानानि तेन भक्तितः । गवां लक्षसहस्राणि गवां कोटिशतानि च

dattānyanekarūpāṇi dānāni tena bhaktitaḥ gavāṁ lakṣasahasrāṇi gavāṁ koṭiśatāni ca

'He gave, with devotion, gifts of many kinds — thousands of hundred-thousands of cows, and hundreds of millions of cows besides.'

Verse 28 (padma.2.64.28)

कोटिहोमांश्चकाराथ लक्षहोमांस्तथैव च । भूमिदानादि दानानि ब्राह्मणेभ्योददाच्च यः

koṭihomāṁścakārātha lakṣahomāṁstathaiva ca bhūmidānādi dānāni brāhmaṇebhyodadācca yaḥ

'He performed crore-fold homas, and lakh-fold homas as well; and he gave gifts of land and the like to brahmins.'

Verse 29 (padma.2.64.29)

सर्वं येन स्वरूपं हि धर्मस्य परिपालितम् । एवं गुणैः समायुक्तो ययातिर्नहुषात्मजः

sarvaṁ yena svarūpaṁ hi dharmasya paripālitam evaṁ guṇaiḥ samāyukto yayātirnahuṣātmajaḥ

'By whom the entire true form of dharma has been fully upheld. Thus is Yayati, son of Nahusha, endowed with all these virtues.'

Verse 30 (padma.2.64.30)

वर्षाणां तु सहस्राणि अशीतिर्नृपसत्तमः । राज्यं चकार सत्येन यथा दिवि भवानिह

varṣāṇāṁ tu sahasrāṇi aśītirnṛpasattamaḥ rājyaṁ cakāra satyena yathā divi bhavāniha

'For eighty thousand years, that best of kings ruled his kingdom through truth, just as you rule here in heaven.'

Verse 31 (padma.2.64.31)

सुकर्मोवाच- एवमाकर्ण्य देवेंद्रो नारदात्स मुनीश्वरात् । समालोच्य स मेधावी संभीतो धर्मपालनात्

sukarmovāca- evamākarṇya deveṁdro nāradātsa munīśvarāt samālocya sa medhāvī saṁbhīto dharmapālanāt

Sukarma said: Hearing this from Narada, that lord of sages, the lord of the gods, that wise one, reflecting upon it, grew fearful because of his own righteous rule —

Verse 32 (padma.2.64.32)

शतयज्ञप्रभावेण नहुषो हि पुरा मम । एंद्रं पदं गतो वीरो देवराजोभवत्पुरा

śatayajñaprabhāveṇa nahuṣo hi purā mama eṁdraṁ padaṁ gato vīro devarājobhavatpurā

—thinking: 'By the power of a hundred sacrifices, Nahusha himself, of old, that hero, attained my very seat, and became king of the gods before.'

Verse 33 (padma.2.64.33)

शची बुद्धिप्रभावेण पदभ्रष्टो व्यजायत । तादृशोयं महाराजः पितुस्तुल्यपराक्रमः

śacī buddhiprabhāveṇa padabhraṣṭo vyajāyata tādṛśoyaṁ mahārājaḥ pitustulyaparākramaḥ

'By the power of Shachi's wit, he was made to fall from that seat. This great king Yayati is of prowess equal to his father's.'

Verse 34 (padma.2.64.34)

प्राप्स्यते नात्र संदेहः पदमैंद्रं न संशयः । येन केनाप्युपायेन तं भूपं दिवमानये

prāpsyate nātra saṁdehaḥ padamaiṁdraṁ na saṁśayaḥ yena kenāpyupāyena taṁ bhūpaṁ divamānaye

'He will surely attain the seat of Indra, without any doubt. By whatever means possible, let that king be brought to heaven.'

Verse 35 (padma.2.64.35)

इत्येवं चिंतयामास तस्माद्भीतः सुरेश्वरः । भूपालस्य नृपश्रेष्ठ ययातेः सुमहद्भयात्

ityevaṁ ciṁtayāmāsa tasmādbhītaḥ sureśvaraḥ bhūpālasya nṛpaśreṣṭha yayāteḥ sumahadbhayāt

Thus reflecting, the lord of the gods, fearful of that great danger, O best of kings, from that king Yayati —

Verse 36 (padma.2.64.36)

तमानेतुं ततो दूतं प्रेषयामास देवराट् । नहुषस्य विमानं तु सर्वकामसमन्वितम्

tamānetuṁ tato dūtaṁ preṣayāmāsa devarāṭ nahuṣasya vimānaṁ tu sarvakāmasamanvitam

—then the king of the gods sent an envoy to bring him — Nahusha's own celestial chariot, endowed with the fulfillment of every desire.

Verse 37 (padma.2.64.37)

सारथिं मातलिं नाम विमानेन समन्वितम् । गतो हि मातलिस्तत्र यत्रास्ते नहुषात्मजः

sārathiṁ mātaliṁ nāma vimānena samanvitam gato hi mātalistatra yatrāste nahuṣātmajaḥ

—the charioteer named Matali, together with that chariot; Matali indeed went there, to where the son of Nahusha dwelt.

Verse 38 (padma.2.64.38)

प्रहितः सुरराजेन समानेतुं महामतिम् । सभायां वर्त्तमानस्तु यथा इंद्र प्रःशोभते

prahitaḥ surarājena samānetuṁ mahāmatim sabhāyāṁ varttamānastu yathā iṁdra praḥśobhate

Sent by the king of the gods to bring that wise one — just as Indra shines forth in his own assembly —

Verse 39 (padma.2.64.39)

तथा ययातिर्धर्मात्मा स्वसभायां विराजते । तमुवाच महात्मानं राजानं सत्यभूषणम्

tathā yayātirdharmātmā svasabhāyāṁ virājate tamuvāca mahātmānaṁ rājānaṁ satyabhūṣaṇam

—so did the righteous Yayati shine in his own assembly. He spoke to that great-souled king, adorned with truth —

Verse 40 (padma.2.64.40)

सारथिर्देवराजस्य शृणु राजन्वचो मम । प्रहितो देवराजेन सकाशं तव सांप्रतम्

sārathirdevarājasya śṛṇu rājanvaco mama prahito devarājena sakāśaṁ tava sāṁpratam

'—"I am the charioteer of the king of the gods; hear my words, O king. I have now been sent by the king of the gods into your very presence."'

Verse 41 (padma.2.64.41)

यद्ब्रूते देवराजस्तु तत्सर्वं सुमनाः कुरु । आगंतव्यं त्वया देव एंद्रं लोकं हि नान्यथा

yadbrūte devarājastu tatsarvaṁ sumanāḥ kuru āgaṁtavyaṁ tvayā deva eṁdraṁ lokaṁ hi nānyathā

'—"Whatever the king of the gods says, do it all gladly. You must come, O king, to Indra's very realm, and no other course."'

Verse 42 (padma.2.64.42)

पुत्रे राज्यं विसृज्यैव कृत्वा चांतेष्टिमुत्तमाम् । इलो राजा महातेजा वसते नहुषात्मज

putre rājyaṁ visṛjyaiva kṛtvā cāṁteṣṭimuttamām ilo rājā mahātejā vasate nahuṣātmaja

'—"Leaving your kingdom to your son, and performing the excellent final rites — O son of Nahusha, King Ila, of great splendor, dwells there."'

Verse 43 (padma.2.64.43)

पुरूरवा महावीर्यो विप्रचित्तिर्महामनाः । शिबिर्वसति तत्रैव मनुरिक्ष्वाकु भूपतिः

purūravā mahāvīryo vipracittirmahāmanāḥ śibirvasati tatraiva manurikṣvāku bhūpatiḥ

'—"Pururavas, of great valor, Vipracitti, of great mind, Shibi dwells there too, and Manu, and King Ikshvaku —"'

Verse 44 (padma.2.64.44)

सगरो नाम मेधावी नहुषश्च पिता तव । ऋतवीर्यः कृतज्ञश्च शंतनुश्च महामनाः

sagaro nāma medhāvī nahuṣaśca pitā tava ṛtavīryaḥ kṛtajñaśca śaṁtanuśca mahāmanāḥ

'—"the wise Sagara, and your own father Nahusha, Ritavirya, Kritajna, and the great-minded Shantanu —"'

Verse 45 (padma.2.64.45)

भरतो युवनाश्वश्च कार्तवीर्यो नरेश्वरः । यज्ञानाहृत्य बहुधा मोदंते दिवि भूभृतः

bharato yuvanāśvaśca kārtavīryo nareśvaraḥ yajñānāhṛtya bahudhā modaṁte divi bhūbhṛtaḥ

'—"Bharata, Yuvanashva, and King Kartavirya — these lords of the earth, having performed manifold sacrifices, rejoice now in heaven."'

Verse 46 (padma.2.64.46)

अन्ये चैव तु राजानो यज्ञकर्मसु तत्पराः । सर्वे ते दिवि चेंद्रेण मोदंते स्वेन कर्मणा

anye caiva tu rājāno yajñakarmasu tatparāḥ sarve te divi ceṁdreṇa modaṁte svena karmaṇā

'—"And other kings too, devoted to the rites of sacrifice — all of them rejoice in heaven with Indra, by their own deeds."'

Verse 47 (padma.2.64.47)

त्वं पुनः सर्वधर्मज्ञः सर्वधर्मेषु संस्थितः । शक्रेण सह मोदस्व स्वर्गलोके महीपते

tvaṁ punaḥ sarvadharmajñaḥ sarvadharmeṣu saṁsthitaḥ śakreṇa saha modasva svargaloke mahīpate

'—"You, moreover, are a knower of all dharma, established in every dharma; rejoice together with Shakra in the heavenly world, O lord of the earth."'

Verse 48 (padma.2.64.48)

ययातिरुवाच- किं मया तत्कृतं कर्म येन मय्यर्थिता तव । इंद्रस्य देवराजस्य तत्सर्वं मे वदस्व च

yayātiruvāca- kiṁ mayā tatkṛtaṁ karma yena mayyarthitā tava iṁdrasya devarājasya tatsarvaṁ me vadasva ca

Yayati said: 'What deed have I done, by which this request of Indra, king of the gods, has come to me? Tell me all of it.'

Verse 49 (padma.2.64.49)

मातलिरुवाच- यदशीतिसहस्राणि वर्षाणां हि त्वया नृप । दानपुण्यादिकं कर्म यज्ञैस्तु परिसाधितम्

mātaliruvāca- yadaśītisahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṁ hi tvayā nṛpa dānapuṇyādikaṁ karma yajñaistu parisādhitam

Matali said: 'O king, for eighty thousand years, whatever deeds of giving, merit, and the rest you have accomplished through sacrifices —'

Verse 50 (padma.2.64.50)

दिवं गच्छ महाराज कर्मणा स्वेन भूपते । सखित्वं देवराजेन कुरु गच्छ सुरालयम्

divaṁ gaccha mahārāja karmaṇā svena bhūpate sakhitvaṁ devarājena kuru gaccha surālayam

'—by that very deed of your own, O great king, go to heaven; become the friend of the king of the gods — go to the abode of the gods.'

Verse 51 (padma.2.64.51)

पंचात्मकं शरीरं च भूमौ त्यज महामते । दिव्यरूपं समास्थाय भुंक्ष्व भोगान्मनोनुगान्

paṁcātmakaṁ śarīraṁ ca bhūmau tyaja mahāmate divyarūpaṁ samāsthāya bhuṁkṣva bhogānmanonugān

'Leave your five-elemented body upon the earth, O most wise one; and, taking on a divine form, enjoy pleasures suited to your mind.'

Verse 52 (padma.2.64.52)

यथायथा कृता भूमौ यज्ञा दानं तपश्च ते । तथातथा स्वर्गभोगाः प्रार्थयंते नरेश्वर

yathāyathā kṛtā bhūmau yajñā dānaṁ tapaśca te tathātathā svargabhogāḥ prārthayaṁte nareśvara

'Just as sacrifices, gifts, and austerity have been performed by you upon the earth, so accordingly, O lord of men, do the pleasures of heaven now await you.'

Verse 53 (padma.2.64.53)

ययातिरुवाच- येन कायेन सिध्येत सुकृतं दुष्कृतं भुवि । मातले तत्कथं त्यक्त्वा गच्छेल्लोकमुपार्जितम्

yayātiruvāca- yena kāyena sidhyeta sukṛtaṁ duṣkṛtaṁ bhuvi mātale tatkathaṁ tyaktvā gacchellokamupārjitam

Yayati said: 'By that very body through which good and evil deeds are accomplished on this earth — how, Matali, having abandoned it, does one go to the world one has earned?'

Verse 54 (padma.2.64.54)

मातलिरुवाच- यत्रैवोपार्जितं कायं पंचात्मकमिदं नृप । तत्तत्रैव परित्यज्य दिव्येनैव व्रजंति तम्

mātaliruvāca- yatraivopārjitaṁ kāyaṁ paṁcātmakamidaṁ nṛpa tattatraiva parityajya divyenaiva vrajaṁti tam

Matali said: 'Wherever, O king, this five-elemented body has been earned — right there they abandon it, and go on in a divine body alone.'

Verse 55 (padma.2.64.55)

इतरे मानवाः सर्वे पापपुण्यप्रसाधकाः । तेऽपि कायं परित्यज्य अधऊर्ध्वं व्रजंति वै

itare mānavāḥ sarve pāpapuṇyaprasādhakāḥ te'pi kāyaṁ parityajya adhaūrdhvaṁ vrajaṁti vai

'All other men, whether accomplishing sin or merit, they too, abandoning the body, go either downward or upward, indeed.'

Verse 56 (padma.2.64.56)

ययातिरुवाच- पंचात्मकेन कायेन सुकृतं दुष्कृतं नराः । उत्पाद्यैव प्रयांत्येव अधऊर्ध्वं तु मातले

yayātiruvāca- paṁcātmakena kāyena sukṛtaṁ duṣkṛtaṁ narāḥ utpādyaiva prayāṁtyeva adhaūrdhvaṁ tu mātale

Yayati said: 'O Matali, men, having produced good and evil through their five-elemented body, do indeed go up or down —'

Verse 57 (padma.2.64.57)

को विशेषो हि धर्मज्ञ भूमौ कायं परित्यजेत् । पापपुण्यप्रभावाद्वै कायस्य पतनं भवेत्

ko viśeṣo hi dharmajña bhūmau kāyaṁ parityajet pāpapuṇyaprabhāvādvai kāyasya patanaṁ bhavet

'—but what is the difference, O knower of dharma? One abandons the body upon the earth; by the very power of sin and merit does the body's fall come about.'

Verse 58 (padma.2.64.58)

दृष्टांतो दृश्यते सूत प्रत्यक्षं मर्त्यमंडले । विशेषं नैव पश्यामि पापपुण्यस्य चाधिकम्

dṛṣṭāṁto dṛśyate sūta pratyakṣaṁ martyamaṁḍale viśeṣaṁ naiva paśyāmi pāpapuṇyasya cādhikam

'This example is seen directly, O charioteer, in the very circle of mortals; I see no special difference in this, whether of sin or of greater merit.'

Verse 59 (padma.2.64.59)

सत्यधर्मादिकं कर्म येन कायेन मानवः । समर्जयति वै मर्त्यस्तं कस्माद्विप्रसर्जयेत्

satyadharmādikaṁ karma yena kāyena mānavaḥ samarjayati vai martyastaṁ kasmādviprasarjayet

'By that very body with which a mortal earns deeds of truth, dharma, and the rest — why should he then be made to abandon it?'

Verse 60 (padma.2.64.60)

आत्मा कायश्च द्वावेतौ मित्ररूपावुभावपि । कायं मित्रं परित्यज्य आत्मा याति सुनिश्चितः

ātmā kāyaśca dvāvetau mitrarūpāvubhāvapi kāyaṁ mitraṁ parityajya ātmā yāti suniścitaḥ

'The self and the body — these two are both, as it were, friends to one another; yet the self, abandoning its friend the body, goes on, quite resolved.'

Verse 61 (padma.2.64.61)

मातलिरुवाच- सत्यमुक्तं त्वया राजन्कायं त्यक्त्वा प्रयाति सः । संबंधो नास्ति तेनापि समं कायेन चात्मनः

mātaliruvāca- satyamuktaṁ tvayā rājankāyaṁ tyaktvā prayāti saḥ saṁbaṁdho nāsti tenāpi samaṁ kāyena cātmanaḥ

Matali said: 'True is what you say, O king — the self, abandoning the body, goes on; there is no true bond between the self and the body at all.'

Verse 62 (padma.2.64.62)

यस्मात्पंचत्वरूपोऽयं संधिजर्जरितः सदा । जरया पीड्यमानस्तु व्याधिभिर्दूषितः सदा

yasmātpaṁcatvarūpo'yaṁ saṁdhijarjaritaḥ sadā jarayā pīḍyamānastu vyādhibhirdūṣitaḥ sadā

'For this body, of the very nature of the five elements, is ever worn out at its joints, ever afflicted by old age, ever tainted by diseases.'

Verse 63 (padma.2.64.63)

जरादोषैः प्रभग्नोऽसौ अत्र स्थातुं स नेच्छति । आकुलव्याकुलो भूत्वा जीवस्त्यक्त्वा प्रयाति सः

jarādoṣaiḥ prabhagno'sau atra sthātuṁ sa necchati ākulavyākulo bhūtvā jīvastyaktvā prayāti saḥ

'Broken by the faults of old age, it no longer wishes to remain here; and, becoming utterly distressed, the life-soul abandons it and departs.'

Verse 64 (padma.2.64.64)

सत्येन धर्मपुण्यैश्च दानैर्नियमसंयमैः । अश्वमेधादिभिर्यज्ञैस्तीर्थैः संयमनैस्तथा

satyena dharmapuṇyaiśca dānairniyamasaṁyamaiḥ aśvamedhādibhiryajñaistīrthaiḥ saṁyamanaistathā

'By truth, by acts of dharma and merit, by gifts, by observances and restraints, by sacrifices such as the Ashvamedha, by tirthas and by self-control —'

Verse 65 (padma.2.64.65)

सुपुण्यैः सुकृतैश्चान्यैर्जरा नैव प्रधार्यते । पातकैश्च महाराज द्रवते कायमेव सा

supuṇyaiḥ sukṛtaiścānyairjarā naiva pradhāryate pātakaiśca mahārāja dravate kāyameva sā

'—by these and other sacred merits, old age simply cannot be held back at all. And, O great king, through sins, it is that very body that dissolves.'

Verse 66 (padma.2.64.66)

ययातिरुवाच- कस्माज्जरा समुत्पन्ना कस्मात्कायं प्रपीडयेत् । मम विस्तरतस्त्वं च वक्तुमर्हसि सत्तम

yayātiruvāca- kasmājjarā samutpannā kasmātkāyaṁ prapīḍayet mama vistaratastvaṁ ca vaktumarhasi sattama

Yayati said: 'From what does old age arise? Why does it afflict the body? You should tell me this in full detail, O worthy one.'

Verse 67 (padma.2.64.67)

मातलिरुवाच- हंत ते वर्णयिष्यामि जरायाः परिकारणम् । यस्माच्चेयं समुद्भूता कायमध्ये नृपोत्तम

mātaliruvāca- haṁta te varṇayiṣyāmi jarāyāḥ parikāraṇam yasmācceyaṁ samudbhūtā kāyamadhye nṛpottama

Matali said: 'Well then, I shall describe to you the true cause of old age, O best of kings — from what it arises within the body.'

Verse 68 (padma.2.64.68)

पंचभूतात्मकः कायो विषयैः पंचभिः श्रितः । यदात्मा त्यजते राजन्स कायः परिधक्ष्यते

paṁcabhūtātmakaḥ kāyo viṣayaiḥ paṁcabhiḥ śritaḥ yadātmā tyajate rājansa kāyaḥ paridhakṣyate

'The body, of the nature of the five elements, is held together by the five sense-objects. When the self abandons it, O king, that body is consumed by fire.'

Verse 69 (padma.2.64.69)

वह्निना दीप्यमानस्तु सरसो ज्वलते नृप । तस्माद्विजायते धूमो धूमान्मेघाश्च जज्ञिरे

vahninā dīpyamānastu saraso jvalate nṛpa tasmādvijāyate dhūmo dhūmānmeghāśca jajñire

'Blazing with fire, O king, it burns while still full of moisture; from that arises smoke, and from smoke clouds are born.'

Verse 70 (padma.2.64.70)

मेघादापः प्रवर्तंते अद्भ्यः पृथ्वी प्रकल्पते । जलमायाति साध्वी सा यथा नारी रजस्वला

meghādāpaḥ pravartaṁte adbhyaḥ pṛthvī prakalpate jalamāyāti sādhvī sā yathā nārī rajasvalā

'From clouds, waters arise; from the waters, the earth is formed. Water comes, virtuous as it is, just as a woman comes into her season.'

Verse 71 (padma.2.64.71)

तस्मात्प्रजायते गंधो गंधाद्रसो नृपोत्तम । रसात्प्रभवते चान्नमन्नाच्छुक्रं न संशयः

tasmātprajāyate gaṁdho gaṁdhādraso nṛpottama rasātprabhavate cānnamannācchukraṁ na saṁśayaḥ

'From that arises fragrance, and from fragrance, O best of kings, arises taste; from taste comes food, and from food, without doubt, comes seed.'

Verse 72 (padma.2.64.72)

शुक्राद्धि जायते कायः कुरूपः काय एव च । यथा पृथ्वी सृजेद्गंधान्रसैश्चरति भूतले

śukrāddhi jāyate kāyaḥ kurūpaḥ kāya eva ca yathā pṛthvī sṛjedgaṁdhānrasaiścarati bhūtale

'From seed indeed is born the body — a body of ill form, that same body. Just as the earth produces fragrances, and moves about with its essences upon the ground —'

Verse 73 (padma.2.64.73)

तथा कायश्चरेन्नित्यं रसाधारो हि सर्वशः । गंधश्च जायते तस्माद्गंधाद्रसो भवेत्पुनः

tathā kāyaścarennityaṁ rasādhāro hi sarvaśaḥ gaṁdhaśca jāyate tasmādgaṁdhādraso bhavetpunaḥ

'—so does the body too ever function, wholly grounded in essence in every way; and from it fragrance arises, and from fragrance, taste arises again.'

Verse 74 (padma.2.64.74)

तस्माज्जज्ञे महावह्निर्दृष्टांतं पश्य भूपते । यथा काष्ठाद्भवेद्वह्निः पुनः काष्ठं प्रकाशयेत्

tasmājjajñe mahāvahnirdṛṣṭāṁtaṁ paśya bhūpate yathā kāṣṭhādbhavedvahniḥ punaḥ kāṣṭhaṁ prakāśayet

'From that arises the great fire — behold the example, O king: just as fire is born from wood, and that fire then illumines the wood again —'

Verse 75 (padma.2.64.75)

कायमध्ये रसादग्निस्तद्वदेव प्रजायते । तत्र संचरते नित्यं कायं पुष्णाति भूपते

kāyamadhye rasādagnistadvadeva prajāyate tatra saṁcarate nityaṁ kāyaṁ puṣṇāti bhūpate

'—so too, within the body, fire is born from essence in just the same way; and it moves about there constantly, nourishing the body, O king.'

Verse 76 (padma.2.64.76)

यावद्रसस्य चाधिक्यं तावज्जीवः प्रशांतिमान् । चरित्वा तादृशं वह्निः क्षुधारूपेण वर्तते

yāvadrasasya cādhikyaṁ tāvajjīvaḥ praśāṁtimān caritvā tādṛśaṁ vahniḥ kṣudhārūpeṇa vartate

'As long as there is abundance of essence, so long the living being remains at peace; but that fire, having consumed such essence, then manifests in the form of hunger.'

Verse 77 (padma.2.64.77)

अन्नमिच्छत्यसौ तीव्रः पयसा च समन्वितम् । प्रदानं लभते चान्नमुदकं चापि भूपते

annamicchatyasau tīvraḥ payasā ca samanvitam pradānaṁ labhate cānnamudakaṁ cāpi bhūpate

'That fierce fire then desires food, joined with liquid too; and, O king, it receives the food and water given to it.'

Verse 78 (padma.2.64.78)

शोणितं चरते वह्निस्तद्वद्वीर्यं न संशयः । यक्ष्मरोगो भवेत्तस्मात्सर्वकायप्रणाशकः

śoṇitaṁ carate vahnistadvadvīryaṁ na saṁśayaḥ yakṣmarogo bhavettasmātsarvakāyapraṇāśakaḥ

'That fire moves through the blood, and likewise through the vital seed, without doubt; from this arises the disease of consumption, the destroyer of the whole body.'

Verse 79 (padma.2.64.79)

रसाधिक्यं भवेद्राजन्नथ वह्निः प्रशाम्यति । रसेन पीड्यमानस्तु ज्वररूपोभिजायते

rasādhikyaṁ bhavedrājannatha vahniḥ praśāmyati rasena pīḍyamānastu jvararūpobhijāyate

'O king, when there is an excess of essence, then the fire subsides; but when afflicted by that very essence, it manifests instead in the form of fever.'

Verse 80 (padma.2.64.80)

ग्रीवा पृष्ठं कटिं पायुं सर्वास्वेव तु संधिषु । आरुध्य तिष्ठते वह्निः काये वह्निः प्रवर्तते

grīvā pṛṣṭhaṁ kaṭiṁ pāyuṁ sarvāsveva tu saṁdhiṣu ārudhya tiṣṭhate vahniḥ kāye vahniḥ pravartate

'That fire lodges itself in the neck, the back, the waist, the anus, and in all the joints of the body; the fire circulates thus through the body.'

Verse 81 (padma.2.64.81)

तस्याऽधिक्यं चरेन्नित्यं कायं पुष्णाति सर्वतः । रसस्तु बंधमायाति बलरूपो भवेत्तदा

tasyā'dhikyaṁ carennityaṁ kāyaṁ puṣṇāti sarvataḥ rasastu baṁdhamāyāti balarūpo bhavettadā

'Its excess ever functions, nourishing the body in every way; and the essence itself becomes bound, taking on then the form of strength.'

Verse 82 (padma.2.64.82)

अतिरिक्तो बलेनैव वीर्यान्मर्माणि चालयेत् । तेनैव जायते कामः शल्यरूपो भवेन्नृप

atirikto balenaiva vīryānmarmāṇi cālayet tenaiva jāyate kāmaḥ śalyarūpo bhavennṛpa

'That excess, through mere strength, sets the vital points astir with its vigor; and from that very thing desire is born, taking the form of a piercing dart, O king.'

Verse 83 (padma.2.64.83)

सकामाग्निः समाख्यातो बलनाशकरो नृप । मैथुनस्य प्रसंगेन विनाशत्वं कलेवरे

sakāmāgniḥ samākhyāto balanāśakaro nṛpa maithunasya prasaṁgena vināśatvaṁ kalevare

'This is declared to be the fire of desire itself, the destroyer of strength, O king; through the practice of union the body comes to ruin.'

Verse 84 (padma.2.64.84)

नारीं च संश्रयेत्प्राणी पीडितः कामवह्निना । मैथुनस्य प्रसंगेन मूर्छितः कामकर्शितः

nārīṁ ca saṁśrayetprāṇī pīḍitaḥ kāmavahninā maithunasya prasaṁgena mūrchitaḥ kāmakarśitaḥ

'A living being, afflicted by the fire of desire, takes refuge in a woman; through the act of union, worn down by desire, he becomes overcome and faint.'

Verse 85 (padma.2.64.85)

तेजोहीनो भवेत्कायो बलहानिश्च जायते । बलहीनो यदा स्याद्वै दुर्बलो वह्निनेरितः

tejohīno bhavetkāyo balahāniśca jāyate balahīno yadā syādvai durbalo vahnineritaḥ

'The body becomes bereft of splendor, and a loss of strength occurs; and when it becomes thus weakened, made feeble, driven on by that fire —'

Verse 86 (padma.2.64.86)

स वह्निः प्रचरेत्काये शोणितं शुक्रमेव च । शुक्रशोणितयोर्नाशाच्छून्यदेहोभिजायते

sa vahniḥ pracaretkāye śoṇitaṁ śukrameva ca śukraśoṇitayornāśācchūnyadehobhijāyate

'—that fire moves through the body, through the blood and the seed alike; and from the loss of seed and blood, the body becomes utterly hollow.'

Verse 87 (padma.2.64.87)

अतीव जायते वायुः प्रचंडो दारुणाकृतिः । विवर्णो दुःखसंतप्तः शून्यबुद्धिस्ततो भवेत्

atīva jāyate vāyuḥ pracaṁḍo dāruṇākṛtiḥ vivarṇo duḥkhasaṁtaptaḥ śūnyabuddhistato bhavet

'A fierce, terrible-formed wind then arises exceedingly; the man grows discolored, tormented with sorrow, and thereafter his mind grows vacant.'

Verse 88 (padma.2.64.88)

दृष्टा श्रुता तु या नारी तच्चित्तो भ्रमते सदा । तृप्तिर्न जायते काये लोलुपे चित्तवर्त्मनि

dṛṣṭā śrutā tu yā nārī taccitto bhramate sadā tṛptirna jāyate kāye lolupe cittavartmani

'His mind wanders ever toward any woman he has seen or heard of; no satisfaction arises in that body, so greedy in the ways of the mind.'

Verse 89 (padma.2.64.89)

विरूपश्च सुरूपश्च ध्यानान्मध्ये प्रजायते । बलहीनो यदा कामी मांसशोणितसंक्षयात्

virūpaśca surūpaśca dhyānānmadhye prajāyate balahīno yadā kāmī māṁsaśoṇitasaṁkṣayāt

'In the midst of such meditation, both the ugly and the beautiful arise alike; when the lustful man becomes weak from the wasting of flesh and blood —'

Verse 90 (padma.2.64.90)

पलितं जायते काये नाशिते कामवह्निना । तस्मात्संजायते कामी वृद्धो भूत्वा दिनेदिने

palitaṁ jāyate kāye nāśite kāmavahninā tasmātsaṁjāyate kāmī vṛddho bhūtvā dinedine

'—grey hair arises in the body, destroyed by the fire of desire; and thus the lustful man becomes, day by day, an old man.'

Verse 91 (padma.2.64.91)

सुरते चिंतते नारीं यथा वार्द्धुषिको नरः । तथातथा भवेद्धानिस्तेजसोऽस्य नरेश्वर

surate ciṁtate nārīṁ yathā vārddhuṣiko naraḥ tathātathā bhaveddhānistejaso'sya nareśvara

'O lord of men, just as a usurer constantly thinks of his interest, so, the more a man dwells upon a woman in thoughts of union, the more his splendor diminishes.'

Verse 92 (padma.2.64.92)

तस्मात्प्रजायते कायो नाशरूपं समृच्छति । अग्निः प्रजायते भूयो जरारूपो न संशयः

tasmātprajāyate kāyo nāśarūpaṁ samṛcchati agniḥ prajāyate bhūyo jarārūpo na saṁśayaḥ

'From this the body comes to a state of ruin; and that same fire arises again, without doubt, in the form of old age.'

Verse 93 (padma.2.64.93)

प्राणिनां क्षयरूपेण ज्वरो भवति दारुणः । स्थावरा जंगमाः सर्वे ज्वरेण परिपीडिताः

prāṇināṁ kṣayarūpeṇa jvaro bhavati dāruṇaḥ sthāvarā jaṁgamāḥ sarve jvareṇa paripīḍitāḥ

'For living beings, in the form of decay, a terrible fever arises; all beings, both unmoving and moving, are afflicted by that fever.'

Verse 94 (padma.2.64.94)

नाशमायांति ते सर्वे बहुपीडा प्रपीडिताः । एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातमन्यत्किं ते वदाम्यहम्

nāśamāyāṁti te sarve bahupīḍā prapīḍitāḥ etatte sarvamākhyātamanyatkiṁ te vadāmyaham

'All of them come to ruin, afflicted by manifold suffering. All this has now been told to you — what else shall I tell you?'

Verse 95 (padma.2.64.95)

एवमुक्तो महाराजो मातलिं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

evamukto mahārājo mātaliṁ vākyamabravīt

Thus addressed, the great king spoke these words to Matali.