Yayati's Discourse on Karma and Time, and His Refuge in Hari

Verse 1 (padma.2.81.1)

सुकर्मोवाच- यथेंद्रोसौ महाप्राज्ञः सदा भीतो महात्मनः । ययातेर्विक्रमं दृष्ट्वा दानपुण्यादिकं बहु

sukarmovāca- yatheṁdrosau mahāprājñaḥ sadā bhīto mahātmanaḥ yayātervikramaṁ dṛṣṭvā dānapuṇyādikaṁ bahu

Sukarma said: "Just as that very wise Indra remained ever fearful of that great soul, having seen Yayati's valor and his many gifts and acts of merit -"

Verse 2 (padma.2.81.2)

मेनकां प्रेषयामास अप्सरां दूतकर्मणि । गच्छ भद्रे महाभागे ममादेशं वदस्व हि

menakāṁ preṣayāmāsa apsarāṁ dūtakarmaṇi gaccha bhadre mahābhāge mamādeśaṁ vadasva hi

"- he sent the apsaras Menaka on a mission as messenger: 'Go, O most fortunate and gracious one, and convey my command.'"

Verse 3 (padma.2.81.3)

कामकन्यामितो गत्वा देवराजवचो वद । येनकेनाप्युपायेन राजानं त्वमिहानय

kāmakanyāmito gatvā devarājavaco vada yenakenāpyupāyena rājānaṁ tvamihānaya

"'Go from here to the daughter of Kama and tell her the words of the king of gods: By whatever means, bring the king here.'"

Verse 4 (padma.2.81.4)

एवं श्रुत्वा गता सा च मेनका तत्र प्रेषिता । समाचष्ट तु तत्सर्वं देवराजस्य भाषितम्

evaṁ śrutvā gatā sā ca menakā tatra preṣitā samācaṣṭa tu tatsarvaṁ devarājasya bhāṣitam

Hearing this, Menaka, sent there, went and reported the whole message spoken by the king of gods.

Verse 5 (padma.2.81.5)

एवमुक्ता गता सा च मेनका तत्प्रचोदिता । गतायां मेनकायां तु रतिपुत्री मनस्विनी

evamuktā gatā sā ca menakā tatpracoditā gatāyāṁ menakāyāṁ tu ratiputrī manasvinī

Thus instructed, Menaka, urged by that command, departed. When Menaka had gone, the wise daughter of Rati -

Verse 6 (padma.2.81.6)

राजानं धर्मसंकेतं प्रत्युवाच यशस्विनी । राजंस्त्वयाहमानीता सत्यवाक्येन वै पुरा

rājānaṁ dharmasaṁketaṁ pratyuvāca yaśasvinī rājaṁstvayāhamānītā satyavākyena vai purā

- the renowned one, spoke to that king, the very embodiment of dharma: "O king, you brought me here before with a promise of truth."

Verse 7 (padma.2.81.7)

स्वकरश्चांतरे दत्तो भवनं च समाहृता । यद्यद्वदाम्यहं राजंस्तत्तत्कार्यं हि वै त्वया

svakaraścāṁtare datto bhavanaṁ ca samāhṛtā yadyadvadāmyahaṁ rājaṁstattatkāryaṁ hi vai tvayā

"'You gave me your own hand and brought me to your palace. O king, whatever I say, that you must surely do.'"

Verse 8 (padma.2.81.8)

तदेवं हि त्वया वीर न कृतं भाषितं मम । त्वामेवं तु परित्यक्ष्ये यास्यामि पितृमंदिरम्

tadevaṁ hi tvayā vīra na kṛtaṁ bhāṣitaṁ mama tvāmevaṁ tu parityakṣye yāsyāmi pitṛmaṁdiram

"'Yet, O hero, you have not fulfilled what I said. Therefore I shall abandon you and go to my father's house.'"

Verse 9 (padma.2.81.9)

राजोवाच- यथोक्तं हि त्वया भद्रे तत्ते कर्त्ता न संशयः । असाध्यं तु परित्यज्य साध्यं देवि वदस्व मे

rājovāca- yathoktaṁ hi tvayā bhadre tatte karttā na saṁśayaḥ asādhyaṁ tu parityajya sādhyaṁ devi vadasva me

The king said: "As you have said, O gracious one, I shall surely do; leaving aside what is impossible, tell me, O goddess, what is possible."

Verse 10 (padma.2.81.10)

अश्रुबिंदुमत्युवाच- एतदर्थे महीकांत भवानिह मया वृतः । सर्वलक्षणसंपन्नः सर्वधर्मसमन्वितः

aśrubiṁdumatyuvāca- etadarthe mahīkāṁta bhavāniha mayā vṛtaḥ sarvalakṣaṇasaṁpannaḥ sarvadharmasamanvitaḥ

Ashrubindumati said: "For this very reason, O lord of the earth, I chose you here - one endowed with every mark, possessed of every dharma,"

Verse 11 (padma.2.81.11)

सर्वं साध्यमिति ज्ञात्वा सर्वधर्तारमेव च । कर्त्तारं सर्वधर्माणां स्रष्टारं पुण्यकर्मणाम्

sarvaṁ sādhyamiti jñātvā sarvadhartārameva ca karttāraṁ sarvadharmāṇāṁ sraṣṭāraṁ puṇyakarmaṇām

"- knowing you as one for whom all is possible, the upholder of all, the doer of every dharma, the creator of meritorious deeds -"

Verse 12 (padma.2.81.12)

त्रैलोक्यसाधकं ज्ञात्वा त्रैलोक्येऽप्रतिमं च वै । विष्णुभक्तमहं जाने वैष्णवानां महावरम्

trailokyasādhakaṁ jñātvā trailokye'pratimaṁ ca vai viṣṇubhaktamahaṁ jāne vaiṣṇavānāṁ mahāvaram

"- knowing you as accomplisher of the triple world, unmatched in all three worlds; I know you to be a devotee of Vishnu, greatest among Vaishnavas."

Verse 13 (padma.2.81.13)

इत्याशया मया भर्त्ता भवानंगीकृतः पुरा । यस्य विष्णुप्रसादोऽस्ति स सर्वत्र परिव्रजेत्

ityāśayā mayā bharttā bhavānaṁgīkṛtaḥ purā yasya viṣṇuprasādo'sti sa sarvatra parivrajet

"With this very hope I accepted you as my husband before. He who has Vishnu's grace may wander anywhere."

Verse 14 (padma.2.81.14)

दुर्लभं नास्ति राजेंद्र त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे । सर्वेष्वेव सुलोकेषु विद्यते तव सुव्रत

durlabhaṁ nāsti rājeṁdra trailokye sacarācare sarveṣveva sulokeṣu vidyate tava suvrata

"Nothing is hard to attain, O king of kings, in all the three worlds with their moving and unmoving beings; in every fine world it exists for you, O one of good vows."

Verse 15 (padma.2.81.15)

विष्णोश्चैव प्रसादेन गगने गतिरुत्तमा । मर्त्यलोकं समासाद्य त्वयैव वसुधाधिप

viṣṇoścaiva prasādena gagane gatiruttamā martyalokaṁ samāsādya tvayaiva vasudhādhipa

"By Vishnu's very grace you possess supreme access through the sky. Having come to the mortal world, O lord of the earth, you alone -"

Verse 16 (padma.2.81.16)

जरापलितहीनास्तु मृत्युहीना जनाः कृताः । गृहद्वारेषु सर्वेषु मर्त्यानां च नरर्षभ

jarāpalitahīnāstu mṛtyuhīnā janāḥ kṛtāḥ gṛhadvāreṣu sarveṣu martyānāṁ ca nararṣabha

"- have made people free of old age, grey hair, and death, O bull among men, at the very doors of every mortal's home."

Verse 17 (padma.2.81.17)

कल्पद्रुमा अनेकाश्च त्वयैव परिकल्पिताः । येषां गृहेषु मर्त्यानां मुनयः कामधेनवः

kalpadrumā anekāśca tvayaiva parikalpitāḥ yeṣāṁ gṛheṣu martyānāṁ munayaḥ kāmadhenavaḥ

"You alone have arranged many wish-fulfilling trees here; sages and wish-granting cows, in the homes of these mortals -"

Verse 18 (padma.2.81.18)

त्वयैव प्रेषिता राजन्स्थिरीभूताः सदा कृताः । सुखिनः सर्वकामैश्च मानवाश्च त्वया कृताः

tvayaiva preṣitā rājansthirībhūtāḥ sadā kṛtāḥ sukhinaḥ sarvakāmaiśca mānavāśca tvayā kṛtāḥ

"- have been sent by you, O king, and made permanent there forever; you alone have made men happy and fulfilled in all their desires."

Verse 19 (padma.2.81.19)

गृहैकमध्ये साहस्रं कुलीनानां प्रदृश्यते । एवं वंशविवृद्धिश्च मानवानां त्वया कृता

gṛhaikamadhye sāhasraṁ kulīnānāṁ pradṛśyate evaṁ vaṁśavivṛddhiśca mānavānāṁ tvayā kṛtā

"In a single household a thousand well-born kin are seen; thus has this increase of men's lineages come about through you."

Verse 20 (padma.2.81.20)

यमस्यापि विरोधेन इंद्रस्य च नरोत्तम । व्याधिपापविहीनस्तु मर्त्यलोकस्त्वया कृतः

yamasyāpi virodhena iṁdrasya ca narottama vyādhipāpavihīnastu martyalokastvayā kṛtaḥ

"In defiance of both Yama and Indra, O best of men, you alone have made the mortal world free of disease and sin."

Verse 21 (padma.2.81.21)

स्वतेजसाहंकारेण स्वर्गरूपं तु भूतलम् । दर्शितं हि महाराज त्वत्समो नास्ति भूपतिः

svatejasāhaṁkāreṇa svargarūpaṁ tu bhūtalam darśitaṁ hi mahārāja tvatsamo nāsti bhūpatiḥ

"By your own splendor and resolve, O great king, you have shown the earth to be heaven-shaped; there is no king equal to you."

Verse 22 (padma.2.81.22)

नरो नैव प्रसूतो हि नोत्पत्स्यति भवादृशः । भवंतमित्यहं जाने सर्वधर्मप्रभाकरम्

naro naiva prasūto hi notpatsyati bhavādṛśaḥ bhavaṁtamityahaṁ jāne sarvadharmaprabhākaram

"No man like you has been born, nor shall one ever be born. I know you thus to be the very illuminator of all dharma."

Verse 23 (padma.2.81.23)

तस्मान्मया कृतो भर्ता वदस्वैवं ममाग्रतः । नर्ममुक्त्वा नृपेंद्र त्वं वद सत्यं ममाग्रतः

tasmānmayā kṛto bhartā vadasvaivaṁ mamāgrataḥ narmamuktvā nṛpeṁdra tvaṁ vada satyaṁ mamāgrataḥ

"Therefore I made you my husband - tell me this to my face. O lord of kings, leaving aside jest, tell me the truth before me."

Verse 24 (padma.2.81.24)

यदि ते सत्यमस्तीह धर्ममस्ति नराधिप । देवलोकेषु मे नास्ति गगने गतिरुत्तमा

yadi te satyamastīha dharmamasti narādhipa devalokeṣu me nāsti gagane gatiruttamā

"'If truth is truly in you, O lord of men, if dharma is in you - then why do I have no access to the worlds of the gods, no supreme path through the sky?'"

Verse 25 (padma.2.81.25)

सत्यं त्यक्त्वा यदा च त्वं नैव स्वर्गं गमिष्यसि । तदा कूटं तव वचो भविष्यति न संशयः

satyaṁ tyaktvā yadā ca tvaṁ naiva svargaṁ gamiṣyasi tadā kūṭaṁ tava vaco bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

"'If, having abandoned truth, you shall never go to heaven, then your word shall surely prove false.'"

Verse 26 (padma.2.81.26)

पूर्वंकृतं हि यच्छ्रेयो भस्मीभूतं भविष्यति । राजोवाच- सत्यमुक्तं त्वया भद्रे साध्यासाध्यं न चास्ति मे

pūrvaṁkṛtaṁ hi yacchreyo bhasmībhūtaṁ bhaviṣyati rājovāca- satyamuktaṁ tvayā bhadre sādhyāsādhyaṁ na cāsti me

"'The good you have done before shall then turn to ashes.'" The king said: "You speak the truth, O gracious one; for me nothing is either possible or impossible -"

Verse 27 (padma.2.81.27)

सर्वंसाध्यं सुलोकं मे सुप्रसादाज्जगत्पते । स्वर्गं देवि यतो नैमि तत्र मे कारणं शृणु

sarvaṁsādhyaṁ sulokaṁ me suprasādājjagatpate svargaṁ devi yato naimi tatra me kāraṇaṁ śṛṇu

"- every fine world is fully accessible to me by his grace. O goddess, hear why I do not go to heaven."

Verse 28 (padma.2.81.28)

आगंतुं तु न दास्यंति लोके मर्त्ये च देवताः । ततो मे मानवाः सर्वे प्रजाः सर्वा वरानने

āgaṁtuṁ tu na dāsyaṁti loke martye ca devatāḥ tato me mānavāḥ sarve prajāḥ sarvā varānane

"While I remain in the mortal world, the gods will not permit me to come there; therefore, O fair one, all my subjects -"

Verse 29 (padma.2.81.29)

मृत्युयुक्ता भविष्यंति मया हीना न संशयः । गंतुं स्वर्गं न वाञ्छामि सत्यमुक्तं वरानने

mṛtyuyuktā bhaviṣyaṁti mayā hīnā na saṁśayaḥ gaṁtuṁ svargaṁ na vāñchāmi satyamuktaṁ varānane

"- shall, without me, become subject to death, without doubt. Therefore I do not wish to go to heaven - this truth I have told you, O fair one."

Verse 30 (padma.2.81.30)

देव्युवाच-। लोकान्दृष्ट्वा महाराज आगमिष्यसि वै पुनः । पूरयस्व ममाद्यत्वं जातां श्रद्धां महातुलाम्

devyuvāca- lokāndṛṣṭvā mahārāja āgamiṣyasi vai punaḥ pūrayasva mamādyatvaṁ jātāṁ śraddhāṁ mahātulām

The goddess said: "O great king, having seen the worlds, you shall surely return again. Fulfil now this great longing that has arisen in me."

Verse 31 (padma.2.81.31)

राजोवाच-। सर्वमेवं करिष्यामि यत्त्वयोक्तं न संशयः । समालोक्य महातेजा ययातिर्नहुषात्मजः

rājovāca- sarvamevaṁ kariṣyāmi yattvayoktaṁ na saṁśayaḥ samālokya mahātejā yayātirnahuṣātmajaḥ

The king said: "All that you have said, I shall surely do, without doubt." Having reflected thus, that greatly radiant Yayati, son of Nahusha -

Verse 32 (padma.2.81.32)

एवमुक्त्वा प्रियां राजा चिंतयामास वै तदा । अंतर्जलचरो मत्स्यः सोपि जाले न बध्यते

evamuktvā priyāṁ rājā ciṁtayāmāsa vai tadā aṁtarjalacaro matsyaḥ sopi jāle na badhyate

- having said this to his beloved, then began to reflect: "Even the fish that swims within the water is not caught in a net -"

Verse 33 (padma.2.81.33)

मरुत्समानवेगोपि मृगः प्राप्नोति बंधनम् । योजनानां सहस्रस्थमामिषं वीक्षते खगः

marutsamānavegopi mṛgaḥ prāpnoti baṁdhanam yojanānāṁ sahasrasthamāmiṣaṁ vīkṣate khagaḥ

"'- yet the deer, swift as the wind, falls into a snare. The bird spies its prey a thousand yojanas away -'"

Verse 34 (padma.2.81.34)

सकंठलग्नपाशं च न पश्येद्दैवमोहितः । कालः समविषमकृत्कालः सन्मानहानिदः

sakaṁṭhalagnapāśaṁ ca na paśyeddaivamohitaḥ kālaḥ samaviṣamakṛtkālaḥ sanmānahānidaḥ

"'- yet, deluded by fate, does not see the very snare fastened at its own neck. Time makes things equal or unequal; time gives honor and dishonor -'"

Verse 35 (padma.2.81.35)

परिभावकरः कालो यत्रकुत्रापि तिष्ठतः । नरं करोति दातारं याचितारं च वै पुनः

paribhāvakaraḥ kālo yatrakutrāpi tiṣṭhataḥ naraṁ karoti dātāraṁ yācitāraṁ ca vai punaḥ

"'- time brings disgrace, wherever it stands; it makes a man now a giver, now again a beggar.'"

Verse 36 (padma.2.81.36)

भूतानि स्थावरादीनि दिवि वा यदि वा भुवि । सर्वं कलयते कालः कालो ह्येक इदं जगत्

bhūtāni sthāvarādīni divi vā yadi vā bhuvi sarvaṁ kalayate kālaḥ kālo hyeka idaṁ jagat

"'All beings, unmoving and otherwise, whether in the sky or on earth - time alone governs all; time alone is this entire universe.'"

Verse 37 (padma.2.81.37)

अनादिनिधनो धाता जगतः कारणं परम् । लोकान्कालः स पचति वृक्षे फलमिवाहितम्

anādinidhano dhātā jagataḥ kāraṇaṁ param lokānkālaḥ sa pacati vṛkṣe phalamivāhitam

"'Without beginning or end, the ordainer, the supreme cause of the world - time ripens the worlds, just as a tree ripens the fruit it bears.'"

Verse 38 (padma.2.81.38)

न मंत्रा न तपो दानं न मित्राणि न बांधवाः । शक्नुवंति परित्रातुं नरं कालेन पीडितम्

na maṁtrā na tapo dānaṁ na mitrāṇi na bāṁdhavāḥ śaknuvaṁti paritrātuṁ naraṁ kālena pīḍitam

"'Neither mantra, nor austerity, nor gift, nor friend, nor kinsman is able to save a man afflicted by time.'"

Verse 39 (padma.2.81.39)

त्रयः कालकृताः पाशाः शक्यंते नातिवर्तितुम् । विवाहो जन्ममरणं यदा यत्र तु येन च

trayaḥ kālakṛtāḥ pāśāḥ śakyaṁte nātivartitum vivāho janmamaraṇaṁ yadā yatra tu yena ca

"'The three snares fashioned by time cannot be escaped: marriage, birth, and death - whenever, wherever, and by whomever they come.'"

Verse 40 (padma.2.81.40)

यथा जलधरा व्योम्नि भ्राम्यंते मातरिश्वना । तथेदं कर्मयुक्तेन कालेन भ्राम्यते जगत्

yathā jaladharā vyomni bhrāmyaṁte mātariśvanā tathedaṁ karmayuktena kālena bhrāmyate jagat

"'Just as clouds are driven about the sky by the wind, so is this world driven about by time, yoked to action.'"

Verse 41 (padma.2.81.41)

सुकर्मोवाच-। कालोऽयं कर्मयुक्तस्तु यो नरैः समुपासितः । कालस्तु प्रेरयेत्कर्म न तं कालः करोति सः

sukarmovāca- kālo'yaṁ karmayuktastu yo naraiḥ samupāsitaḥ kālastu prerayetkarma na taṁ kālaḥ karoti saḥ

Sukarma said: "This time, yoked to action, is what men worship; time impels action, but time itself does not perform it."

Verse 42 (padma.2.81.42)

उपद्रवा घातदोषाः सर्पाश्च व्याधयस्ततः । सर्वे कर्मनियुक्तास्ते प्रचरंति च मानुषे

upadravā ghātadoṣāḥ sarpāśca vyādhayastataḥ sarve karmaniyuktāste pracaraṁti ca mānuṣe

Calamities, the faults of violence, serpents, and diseases - all these, appointed by karma, move about among men.

Verse 43 (padma.2.81.43)

सुखस्य हेतवो ये च उपायाः पुण्यमिश्रिताः । ते सर्वे कर्मसंयुक्ता न पश्येयुः शुभाशुभम्

sukhasya hetavo ye ca upāyāḥ puṇyamiśritāḥ te sarve karmasaṁyuktā na paśyeyuḥ śubhāśubham

The causes of happiness, and the means mixed with merit - these too are all bound to karma; they cannot foresee what is good or ill.

Verse 44 (padma.2.81.44)

कर्मदा यदि वा लोके कर्मसंबधि बांधवाः । कर्माणि चोदयंतीह पुरुषं सुखदुःखयोः

karmadā yadi vā loke karmasaṁbadhi bāṁdhavāḥ karmāṇi codayaṁtīha puruṣaṁ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ

Whether they are the givers of karma in this world, or kinsmen bound by karma - it is karma alone that impels a man toward happiness or sorrow.

Verse 45 (padma.2.81.45)

सुवर्णं रजतं वापि यथा रूपं विनिश्चितम् । तथा निबध्यते जंतुः स्वकर्मणि वशानुगः

suvarṇaṁ rajataṁ vāpi yathā rūpaṁ viniścitam tathā nibadhyate jaṁtuḥ svakarmaṇi vaśānugaḥ

Just as gold or silver is cast into a fixed form, so is a creature bound, subject to its own karma.

Verse 46 (padma.2.81.46)

पंचैतानीह सृज्यंते गर्भस्थस्यैव देहिनः । आयुः कर्म च वित्तं च विद्यानिधनमेव च

paṁcaitānīha sṛjyaṁte garbhasthasyaiva dehinaḥ āyuḥ karma ca vittaṁ ca vidyānidhanameva ca

These five are ordained for the embodied being even while still in the womb: lifespan, karma, wealth, learning, and death.

Verse 47 (padma.2.81.47)

यथा मृत्पिंडतः कर्ता कुरुते यद्यदिच्छति । तथा पूर्वकृतं कर्म कर्तारमनुगच्छति

yathā mṛtpiṁḍataḥ kartā kurute yadyadicchati tathā pūrvakṛtaṁ karma kartāramanugacchati

Just as a potter, from a lump of clay, makes whatever he wishes, so does karma performed before follow after its doer.

Verse 48 (padma.2.81.48)

देवत्वमथ मानुष्यं पशुत्वं पक्षिता तथा । तिर्यक्त्वं स्थावरत्वं च प्राप्यते च स्वकर्मभिः

devatvamatha mānuṣyaṁ paśutvaṁ pakṣitā tathā tiryaktvaṁ sthāvaratvaṁ ca prāpyate ca svakarmabhiḥ

Godhood, then humanity, animality, the state of a bird, likewise that of beasts or of unmoving things - all are attained through one's own karma.

Verse 49 (padma.2.81.49)

स एव तत्तथा भुंक्ते नित्यं विहितमात्मना । आत्मना विहितं दुःखं चात्मना विहितं सुखम्

sa eva tattathā bhuṁkte nityaṁ vihitamātmanā ātmanā vihitaṁ duḥkhaṁ cātmanā vihitaṁ sukham

That same self ever enjoys what is ordained by itself; sorrow is ordained by the self, and happiness too is ordained by the self.

Verse 50 (padma.2.81.50)

गर्भशय्यामुपादाय भुंजते पूर्वदैहिकम् । संत्यजंति स्वकं कर्म न क्वचित्पुरुषा भुवि

garbhaśayyāmupādāya bhuṁjate pūrvadaihikam saṁtyajaṁti svakaṁ karma na kvacitpuruṣā bhuvi

Taking up residence in the womb, beings enjoy the karma of their previous body; nowhere on earth do men ever abandon their own karma.

Verse 51 (padma.2.81.51)

बलेन प्रज्ञया वापि समर्थाः कर्तुमन्यथा । सुकृतान्युपभुंजंति दुःखानि च सुखानि च

balena prajñayā vāpi samarthāḥ kartumanyathā sukṛtānyupabhuṁjaṁti duḥkhāni ca sukhāni ca

Though capable of doing otherwise, by strength or by wisdom, they still enjoy their own good deeds, and their sorrows and joys.

Verse 52 (padma.2.81.52)

हेतुं प्राप्य नरो नित्यं कर्मबंधैस्तु बध्यते । यथा धेनुसहस्रेषु वत्सो विंदति मातरम्

hetuṁ prāpya naro nityaṁ karmabaṁdhaistu badhyate yathā dhenusahasreṣu vatso viṁdati mātaram

Having found its cause, a man is ever bound by the bonds of karma; just as a calf finds its own mother among a thousand cows -

Verse 53 (padma.2.81.53)

तथा शुभाशुभं कर्म कर्तारमनुगच्छति । उपभोगादृते यस्य नाश एव न विद्यते

tathā śubhāśubhaṁ karma kartāramanugacchati upabhogādṛte yasya nāśa eva na vidyate

- so does good or ill karma follow its doer. Without experiencing it, there is never any destruction of it.

Verse 54 (padma.2.81.54)

प्राक्तनं बंधनं कर्म कोन्यथा कर्तुमर्हति । सुशीघ्रमपि धावंतं विधानमनुधावति

prāktanaṁ baṁdhanaṁ karma konyathā kartumarhati suśīghramapi dhāvaṁtaṁ vidhānamanudhāvati

Who else is capable of undoing a bond of karma fashioned in a former life? Even one running with the greatest speed, destiny still outruns him.

Verse 55 (padma.2.81.55)

शेते सह शयानेन पुरा कर्म यथाकृतम् । उपतिष्ठति तिष्ठंतं गच्छंतमनुगच्छति

śete saha śayānena purā karma yathākṛtam upatiṣṭhati tiṣṭhaṁtaṁ gacchaṁtamanugacchati

That karma done before lies down with him who lies down; it stands beside him who stands, and follows him who walks.

Verse 56 (padma.2.81.56)

करोति कुर्वतः कर्मच्छायेवानु विधीयते । यथा छायातपौ नित्यं सुसंबद्धौ परस्परम्

karoti kurvataḥ karmacchāyevānu vidhīyate yathā chāyātapau nityaṁ susaṁbaddhau parasparam

It acts with him who acts, following after like a shadow; just as shadow and sunlight are ever bound together -

Verse 57 (padma.2.81.57)

तद्वत्कर्म च कर्ता च सुसंबद्धौ परस्परम् । ग्रहा रोगा विषाः सर्पाः शाकिन्यो राक्षसास्तथा

tadvatkarma ca kartā ca susaṁbaddhau parasparam grahā rogā viṣāḥ sarpāḥ śākinyo rākṣasāstathā

- so are karma and its doer ever bound together. Planets, diseases, poisons, serpents, witches, and demons likewise -

Verse 58 (padma.2.81.58)

पीडयंति नरं पश्चात्पीडितं पूर्वकर्मणा । येन यत्रोपभोक्तव्यं सुखं वा दुःखमेव वा

pīḍayaṁti naraṁ paścātpīḍitaṁ pūrvakarmaṇā yena yatropabhoktavyaṁ sukhaṁ vā duḥkhameva vā

- afflict, afterward, a man already afflicted by his former karma. Wherever anyone must experience happiness or sorrow -

Verse 59 (padma.2.81.59)

स तत्र बद्ध्वा रज्ज्वा वै बलाद्दैवेन नीयते । दैवः प्रभुर्हि भूतानां सुखदुःखोपपादने

sa tatra baddhvā rajjvā vai balāddaivena nīyate daivaḥ prabhurhi bhūtānāṁ sukhaduḥkhopapādane

- he is bound there with a rope and led there forcibly by fate. Fate alone is the master of beings in the ordaining of happiness and sorrow.

Verse 60 (padma.2.81.60)

अन्यथा चिंत्यते कर्म जाग्रता स्वपतापि वा । अन्यथा स तथा प्राज्ञ दैव एवं जिघांसति

anyathā ciṁtyate karma jāgratā svapatāpi vā anyathā sa tathā prājña daiva evaṁ jighāṁsati

Karma is contemplated one way by one awake, another by one asleep; just so, O wise one, does fate too seek destruction in its own different way.

Verse 61 (padma.2.81.61)

शस्त्राग्नि विष दुर्गेभ्यो रक्षितव्यं च रक्षति । अरक्षितं भवेत्सत्यं तदेवं दैवरक्षितम्

śastrāgni viṣa durgebhyo rakṣitavyaṁ ca rakṣati arakṣitaṁ bhavetsatyaṁ tadevaṁ daivarakṣitam

What is meant to be protected from weapon, fire, poison, and danger, is protected; what is unprotected is, in truth, thus left unprotected by fate itself.

Verse 62 (padma.2.81.62)

दैवेन नाशितं यत्तु तस्य रक्षा न दृश्यते । यथा पृथिव्यां बीजानि उप्तानि च धनानि च

daivena nāśitaṁ yattu tasya rakṣā na dṛśyate yathā pṛthivyāṁ bījāni uptāni ca dhanāni ca

For what fate has destroyed, no protection is to be seen. Just as seeds are sown in the earth, and wealth is buried -

Verse 63 (padma.2.81.63)

तथैवात्मनि कर्माणि तिष्ठंति प्रभवंति च । तैलक्षयाद्यथा दीपो निर्वाणमधिगच्छति

tathaivātmani karmāṇi tiṣṭhaṁti prabhavaṁti ca tailakṣayādyathā dīpo nirvāṇamadhigacchati

- so too do deeds remain within the self and come to fruition. Just as a lamp, when its oil is exhausted, comes to extinction -

Verse 64 (padma.2.81.64)

कर्मक्षयात्तथा जंतुः शरीरान्नाशमृच्छति । कर्मक्षयात्तथा मृत्युस्तत्त्वविद्भिरुदाहृतः

karmakṣayāttathā jaṁtuḥ śarīrānnāśamṛcchati karmakṣayāttathā mṛtyustattvavidbhirudāhṛtaḥ

- so, from the exhaustion of karma, a creature comes to the destruction of its body; thus, from the exhaustion of karma, death itself has been declared by the knowers of truth.

Verse 65 (padma.2.81.65)

विविधाः प्राणिनस्तस्य मृत्यो रोगाश्च हेतवः । तथा मम विपाकोयं पूर्वं कृतस्य नान्यथा

vividhāḥ prāṇinastasya mṛtyo rogāśca hetavaḥ tathā mama vipākoyaṁ pūrvaṁ kṛtasya nānyathā

For beings, the various diseases are but the causes of that same death; so too this outcome of mine is but the ripening of what was done before, and not otherwise.

Verse 66 (padma.2.81.66)

संप्राप्तो नात्र संदेहः स्त्रीरूपोऽयं न संशयः । क्व मे गेहं समायाता नाटका नटनर्तकाः

saṁprāpto nātra saṁdehaḥ strīrūpo'yaṁ na saṁśayaḥ kva me gehaṁ samāyātā nāṭakā naṭanartakāḥ

There is no doubt this has come upon me; this woman's form too is no different from that. When did those actors and dancers come to my home? -

Verse 67 (padma.2.81.67)

तेषां संगप्रसंगेन जरा देहं समाश्रिता । सर्वं कर्मकृतं मन्ये यन्मे संभावितं ध्रुवम्

teṣāṁ saṁgaprasaṁgena jarā dehaṁ samāśritā sarvaṁ karmakṛtaṁ manye yanme saṁbhāvitaṁ dhruvam

- through association and contact with them alone, old age took hold of my body. I believe all this was surely brought about by karma.

Verse 68 (padma.2.81.68)

तस्मात्कर्मप्रधानं च उपायाश्च निरर्थकाः । पुरा वै देवराजेन मदर्थे दूतसत्तमः

tasmātkarmapradhānaṁ ca upāyāśca nirarthakāḥ purā vai devarājena madarthe dūtasattamaḥ

Therefore karma alone is supreme; all other means are futile. Formerly the king of the gods sent the excellent messenger Matali on my behalf -

Verse 69 (padma.2.81.69)

प्रेषितो मातलिर्नाम न कृतं तस्य तद्वचः । तस्य कर्मविपाकोऽयं दृश्यते सांप्रतं मम

preṣito mātalirnāma na kṛtaṁ tasya tadvacaḥ tasya karmavipāko'yaṁ dṛśyate sāṁprataṁ mama

- and I did not heed his words; this is the ripening of that very karma, now visible to me.

Verse 70 (padma.2.81.70)

इति चिंतापरो भूत्वा दुःखेन महतान्वितः । यद्यस्याहि वचः प्रीत्या न करोमि हि सर्वथा

iti ciṁtāparo bhūtvā duḥkhena mahatānvitaḥ yadyasyāhi vacaḥ prītyā na karomi hi sarvathā

Thus absorbed in anxious thought, overcome with great sorrow, he reflected: "Whatever her word may be, out of mere love I cannot fulfil it in any way -"

Verse 71 (padma.2.81.71)

सत्यधर्मावुभावेतौ यास्यतस्तौ न संशयः । सदृशं च समायातं यद्दृष्टं मम कर्मणा

satyadharmāvubhāvetau yāsyatastau na saṁśayaḥ sadṛśaṁ ca samāyātaṁ yaddṛṣṭaṁ mama karmaṇā

"'- for both truth and dharma will then surely be destroyed. What has been seen has come only in accordance with my own karma -'"

Verse 72 (padma.2.81.72)

भविष्यति न संदेहो दैवो हि दुरतिक्रमः । एवं चिंतापरो भूत्वा ययातिः पृथिवीपतिः

bhaviṣyati na saṁdeho daivo hi duratikramaḥ evaṁ ciṁtāparo bhūtvā yayātiḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ

"'- there shall be no doubt of it; fate indeed is exceedingly hard to overcome.'" Thus absorbed in thought, Yayati, lord of the earth -

Verse 73 (padma.2.81.73)

कृष्णं क्लेशापहं देवं जगाम शरणं हरिम् । ध्यात्वा नत्वा ततः स्तुत्वा मनसा मधुसूदनम्

kṛṣṇaṁ kleśāpahaṁ devaṁ jagāma śaraṇaṁ harim dhyātvā natvā tataḥ stutvā manasā madhusūdanam

- took refuge in Krishna, in Hari, the god who removes affliction; having meditated on him, bowed to him, and then praised Madhusudana within his mind -

Verse 74 (padma.2.81.74)

त्राहि मां शरणं प्राप्तस्त्वामहं कमलाप्रिय

trāhi māṁ śaraṇaṁ prāptastvāmahaṁ kamalāpriya

"'Save me! I have come to you for refuge, O beloved of Kamala!'"