The Deeds That Lead to Hell and to Heaven

Verse 1 (padma.2.96.1)

सुबाहुरुवाच- कीदृशैः कर्मभिः प्रेत्य गच्छंति नरकं नराः । स्वर्गं तु कीदृशैः प्रेत्य तन्मे त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि

subāhuruvāca- kīdṛśaiḥ karmabhiḥ pretya gacchaṁti narakaṁ narāḥ svargaṁ tu kīdṛśaiḥ pretya tanme tvaṁ vaktumarhasi

Subahu said: "By what deeds do men go to hell after death, and by what deeds to heaven after death? You should tell me that."

Verse 2 (padma.2.96.2)

जैमिनिरुवाच- ब्राह्मण्यं पुण्यमुत्सृज्य ये द्विजा लोभमोहिताः । कुकर्माण्युपजीवंति ते वै निरयगामिनः

jaiminiruvāca- brāhmaṇyaṁ puṇyamutsṛjya ye dvijā lobhamohitāḥ kukarmāṇyupajīvaṁti te vai nirayagāminaḥ

Jaimini said: "Those brahmins who, abandoning meritorious brahminical conduct, deluded by greed, live by evil deeds - they indeed go to hell."

Verse 3 (padma.2.96.3)

नास्तिका भिन्नमर्यादाः कंदर्पविषयोन्मुखाः । दांभिकाश्च कृतघ्नाश्च ते वै निरयगामिनः

nāstikā bhinnamaryādāḥ kaṁdarpaviṣayonmukhāḥ dāṁbhikāśca kṛtaghnāśca te vai nirayagāminaḥ

"Unbelievers, those who break the bounds of propriety, those inclined toward lust and sense-objects, hypocrites, and ingrates - they indeed go to hell."

Verse 4 (padma.2.96.4)

ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रतिश्रुत्य न प्रयच्छंति ये धनम् । ब्रह्मस्वानां च हर्तारो नरा निरयगामिनः

brāhmaṇebhyaḥ pratiśrutya na prayacchaṁti ye dhanam brahmasvānāṁ ca hartāro narā nirayagāminaḥ

"Those who, having promised, do not give wealth to brahmins, and those who seize brahmin-property - such men go to hell."

Verse 5 (padma.2.96.5)

पुरुषाः पिशुनाश्चैव मानिनोऽनृतवादिनः । असंबद्धप्रलापाश्च ते वै निरयगामिनः

puruṣāḥ piśunāścaiva mānino'nṛtavādinaḥ asaṁbaddhapralāpāśca te vai nirayagāminaḥ

"Malicious men, the arrogant, speakers of falsehood, and those given to incoherent ranting - they indeed go to hell."

Verse 6 (padma.2.96.6)

ये परस्वापहर्तारः परदूषणसूचकाः । परस्त्रीगामिनो ये च ते वै निरयगामिनः

ye parasvāpahartāraḥ paradūṣaṇasūcakāḥ parastrīgāmino ye ca te vai nirayagāminaḥ

"Those who seize others' property, those who point out others' faults, and those who go to others' wives - they indeed go to hell."

Verse 7 (padma.2.96.7)

प्राणिनां प्राणहिंसायां ये नरा निरताः सदा । परनिंदारता ये वै ते वै निरयगामिनः

prāṇināṁ prāṇahiṁsāyāṁ ye narā niratāḥ sadā paraniṁdāratā ye vai te vai nirayagāminaḥ

"Men who are ever devoted to harming the lives of living beings, and those devoted to slandering others - they indeed go to hell."

Verse 8 (padma.2.96.8)

सुकूपानां तडागानां प्रपानां च परंतप । सरसां चैव भेत्तारो नरा निरयगामिनः

sukūpānāṁ taḍāgānāṁ prapānāṁ ca paraṁtapa sarasāṁ caiva bhettāro narā nirayagāminaḥ

"Those who destroy fine wells, tanks, drinking-fountains, and lakes, O scorcher of foes - such men go to hell."

Verse 9 (padma.2.96.9)

विपर्यस्यंति ये दाराञ्छिशून्भृत्यातिथींस्तथा । उत्सन्नपितृदेवेज्या नरा निरयगामिनः

viparyasyaṁti ye dārāñchiśūnbhṛtyātithīṁstathā utsannapitṛdevejyā narā nirayagāminaḥ

"Those who mistreat their wives, children, servants, and guests, and those who neglect worship of ancestors and gods - such men go to hell."

Verse 10 (padma.2.96.10)

प्रव्रज्यादूषका राजन्ये चैवाश्रमदूषकाः । सखीनां दूषकाश्चैव ते वै निरयगामिनः

pravrajyādūṣakā rājanye caivāśramadūṣakāḥ sakhīnāṁ dūṣakāścaiva te vai nirayagāminaḥ

"Those who corrupt renunciants, O king, and those who corrupt hermitages, and those who corrupt friendships too - they indeed go to hell."

Verse 11 (padma.2.96.11)

आद्यं पुरुषमीशानं सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम् । न चिंतयंति ये विष्णुं ते वै निरयगामिनः

ādyaṁ puruṣamīśānaṁ sarvalokamaheśvaram na ciṁtayaṁti ye viṣṇuṁ te vai nirayagāminaḥ

"Those who do not meditate on Vishnu, the primal Person, the Lord, the great overlord of all worlds - they indeed go to hell."

Verse 12 (padma.2.96.12)

प्रयाजानां मखानां च कन्यानां सुहृदां तथा । साधूनां च गुरूणां च दूषका निरयगामिनः

prayājānāṁ makhānāṁ ca kanyānāṁ suhṛdāṁ tathā sādhūnāṁ ca gurūṇāṁ ca dūṣakā nirayagāminaḥ

"Those who corrupt preliminary rites, sacrifices, maidens, friends, the virtuous, and gurus - such corrupters go to hell."

Verse 13 (padma.2.96.13)

काष्ठैर्वा शंकुभिर्वापि शून्यैरश्मभिरेव वा । ये मार्गानुपरुंधंति ते वै निरयगामिनः

kāṣṭhairvā śaṁkubhirvāpi śūnyairaśmabhireva vā ye mārgānuparuṁdhaṁti te vai nirayagāminaḥ

"Those who block roads with logs, or stakes, or useless things, or stones - they indeed go to hell."

Verse 14 (padma.2.96.14)

सर्वभूतेष्वविश्वस्ताः कामेनार्तास्तथैव च । सर्वभूतेषु जिह्माश्च ते वै निरयगामिनः

sarvabhūteṣvaviśvastāḥ kāmenārtāstathaiva ca sarvabhūteṣu jihmāśca te vai nirayagāminaḥ

"Those distrustful toward all beings, and likewise those afflicted by desire, and those crooked toward all beings - they indeed go to hell."

Verse 15 (padma.2.96.15)

आगतान्भोजनार्थं तु ब्राह्मणान्वृत्तिकर्शितान् । प्रतिषेधं च कुर्वंति ते वै निरयगामिनः

āgatānbhojanārthaṁ tu brāhmaṇānvṛttikarśitān pratiṣedhaṁ ca kurvaṁti te vai nirayagāminaḥ

"Those who refuse brahmins, worn down by need, who come seeking food - they indeed go to hell."

Verse 16 (padma.2.96.16)

क्षेत्रवृत्तिगृहच्छेदं प्रीतिच्छेदं च ये नराः । आशाच्छेदं प्रकुर्वंति ते वै निरयगामिनः

kṣetravṛttigṛhacchedaṁ prīticchedaṁ ca ye narāḥ āśācchedaṁ prakurvaṁti te vai nirayagāminaḥ

"Men who destroy another's field, livelihood, or home, who destroy affection, and who destroy another's hopes - they indeed go to hell."

Verse 17 (padma.2.96.17)

शस्त्राणां चैव कर्त्तारः शल्यानां धनुषां तथा । विक्रेतारश्च राजेंद्र नरा निरयगामिनः

śastrāṇāṁ caiva karttāraḥ śalyānāṁ dhanuṣāṁ tathā vikretāraśca rājeṁdra narā nirayagāminaḥ

"Makers of weapons, and of arrowheads and bows too, and sellers of them, O king of kings - such men go to hell."

Verse 18 (padma.2.96.18)

अनाथं विक्लवं दीनं रोगार्त्तं वृद्धमेव च । नानुकंपंति ये मूढास्ते वै निरयगामिनः

anāthaṁ viklavaṁ dīnaṁ rogārttaṁ vṛddhameva ca nānukaṁpaṁti ye mūḍhāste vai nirayagāminaḥ

"Those foolish ones who do not show compassion toward the helpless, the distressed, the wretched, the disease-afflicted, and the aged - they indeed go to hell."

Verse 19 (padma.2.96.19)

नियमान्पूर्वमादाय ये पश्चादजितेंद्रियाः । अतिक्रामंति चांचल्यात्ते वै निरयगामिनः

niyamānpūrvamādāya ye paścādajiteṁdriyāḥ atikrāmaṁti cāṁcalyātte vai nirayagāminaḥ

"Those who, having first taken up vows, later, of uncontrolled senses, transgress them out of fickleness - they indeed go to hell."

Verse 20 (padma.2.96.20)

इत्येते कथिता राजन्नरा निरयगामिनः । स्वर्गलोकस्य गंतारो ये जनास्तान्निबोध मे

ityete kathitā rājannarā nirayagāminaḥ svargalokasya gaṁtāro ye janāstānnibodha me

"Thus, O king, have I told you of the men who go to hell. Now learn from me of those people who go to the world of heaven."

Verse 21 (padma.2.96.21)

सत्येन तपसा क्षांत्या दानेनाध्ययनेन च । ये धर्ममनुवर्तंते ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

satyena tapasā kṣāṁtyā dānenādhyayanena ca ye dharmamanuvartaṁte te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who follow dharma through truth, austerity, patience, giving, and study of scripture - such men go to heaven."

Verse 22 (padma.2.96.22)

ये च होमपरा ध्यानदेवतार्चनतत्पराः । आददाना महात्मानस्ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

ye ca homaparā dhyānadevatārcanatatparāḥ ādadānā mahātmānaste narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"And those devoted to fire-offerings, to meditation and to worshipping the gods, those great souls who take up such practices - such men go to heaven."

Verse 23 (padma.2.96.23)

शुचयश्च शुचौ देशे वासुदेवपरायणाः । पठंति विष्णुं गायंति ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

śucayaśca śucau deśe vāsudevaparāyaṇāḥ paṭhaṁti viṣṇuṁ gāyaṁti te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"The pure, in a pure place, devoted wholly to Vasudeva, who recite of Vishnu and sing of him - such men go to heaven."

Verse 24 (padma.2.96.24)

मातापित्रोश्च शुश्रूषां ये कुर्वंति सदादृताः । वर्जयंति दिवास्वप्नं ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

mātāpitrośca śuśrūṣāṁ ye kurvaṁti sadādṛtāḥ varjayaṁti divāsvapnaṁ te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who ever, with respect, render service to father and mother, and who avoid daytime sleep - such men go to heaven."

Verse 25 (padma.2.96.25)

सर्वहिंसानिवृत्ताश्च साधुसंगाश्च ये नराः । सर्वस्यापि हिते युक्तास्ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

sarvahiṁsānivṛttāśca sādhusaṁgāśca ye narāḥ sarvasyāpi hite yuktāste narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those men who abstain from all violence, who keep the company of the virtuous, and who are devoted to the welfare of all - such men go to heaven."

Verse 26 (padma.2.96.26)

सर्वलोभनिवृत्ताश्च सर्वसाहाश्च ये नराः । सर्वस्याश्रयभूताश्च ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

sarvalobhanivṛttāśca sarvasāhāśca ye narāḥ sarvasyāśrayabhūtāśca te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those free from all greed, capable of enduring all things, and who become a refuge for all - such men go to heaven."

Verse 27 (padma.2.96.27)

शुश्रूषाभिस्तपोभिश्च गुरूणां मानदा नराः । प्रतिग्रहनिवृत्ता ये ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

śuśrūṣābhistapobhiśca gurūṇāṁ mānadā narāḥ pratigrahanivṛttā ye te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Men who honor their gurus through service and austerities, and who abstain from accepting gifts - such men go to heaven."

Verse 28 (padma.2.96.28)

सहस्रपरिवेष्टारस्तथैव च सहस्रदाः । त्रातारश्च सहस्राणां ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

sahasrapariveṣṭārastathaiva ca sahasradāḥ trātāraśca sahasrāṇāṁ te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who feed thousands, and likewise give to thousands, and who are the protectors of thousands - such men go to heaven."

Verse 29 (padma.2.96.29)

भयात्पापात्तपाच्छोकाद्दारिद्र्यव्याधिकर्शितान् । विमुंचंति च ये जंतूंस्ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

bhayātpāpāttapācchokāddāridryavyādhikarśitān vimuṁcaṁti ca ye jaṁtūṁste narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who free creatures afflicted by fear, sin, suffering, sorrow, poverty, and disease - such men go to heaven."

Verse 30 (padma.2.96.30)

आत्मस्वरूपवंतश्च यौवनस्थाश्च भारत । ये वै जितेंद्रिया धीरास्ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

ātmasvarūpavaṁtaśca yauvanasthāśca bhārata ye vai jiteṁdriyā dhīrāste narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those, O Bharata, of true self-nature, who, even in the prime of youth, have conquered their senses and are steadfast - such men go to heaven."

Verse 31 (padma.2.96.31)

सुवर्णस्य च दातारो गवां भूमेश्च भारत । अन्नानां वाससां चैव ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

suvarṇasya ca dātāro gavāṁ bhūmeśca bhārata annānāṁ vāsasāṁ caiva te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who give gold, cows, land, O Bharata, and food and clothing - such men go to heaven."

Verse 32 (padma.2.96.32)

ये याचिताः प्रहृष्यंति प्रियं दत्वा वदंति च । त्यक्तदानफलेच्छाश्च ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

ye yācitāḥ prahṛṣyaṁti priyaṁ datvā vadaṁti ca tyaktadānaphalecchāśca te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who rejoice when asked for something, and who speak kindly while giving, and who have abandoned any desire for the fruit of giving - such men go to heaven."

Verse 33 (padma.2.96.33)

निवेशनानां धान्यानां नराणां च परंतप । स्वयमुत्पाद्य दातारः पुरुषाः स्वर्गगामिनः

niveśanānāṁ dhānyānāṁ narāṇāṁ ca paraṁtapa svayamutpādya dātāraḥ puruṣāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who, O scorcher of foes, themselves produce dwellings and grain for men, and give them freely - such men go to heaven."

Verse 34 (padma.2.96.34)

द्विषतामपि ये दोषान्न वदंति कदाचन । कीर्तयंति गुणान्ये च ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

dviṣatāmapi ye doṣānna vadaṁti kadācana kīrtayaṁti guṇānye ca te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who never speak of the faults even of their enemies, and who proclaim their virtues instead - such men go to heaven."

Verse 35 (padma.2.96.35)

ये परेषां श्रियं दृष्ट्वा न वितप्यंति मत्सरात् । प्रहृष्टाश्चाभिनंदंति ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

ye pareṣāṁ śriyaṁ dṛṣṭvā na vitapyaṁti matsarāt prahṛṣṭāścābhinaṁdaṁti te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who, seeing the prosperity of others, are not tormented by envy, but rejoice and congratulate them - such men go to heaven."

Verse 36 (padma.2.96.36)

प्रवृत्तौ च निवृत्तौ च श्रुतिशास्त्रोक्तमेव च । आचरंति महात्मानस्ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

pravṛttau ca nivṛttau ca śrutiśāstroktameva ca ācaraṁti mahātmānaste narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those great souls who, in action and in restraint, act just as declared in the scriptures and the shruti - such men go to heaven."

Verse 37 (padma.2.96.37)

ये नराणां वचो वक्तुं न जानंति च विप्रियम् । प्रियवाक्यैकविज्ञातास्ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

ye narāṇāṁ vaco vaktuṁ na jānaṁti ca vipriyam priyavākyaikavijñātāste narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who do not know how to speak an unpleasant word to others, known only for kindly speech - such men go to heaven."

Verse 38 (padma.2.96.38)

ये नामभागान्कुर्वंति क्षुत्तृष्णा श्रमपीडिताः । हंतकारस्य कर्तारस्ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

ye nāmabhāgānkurvaṁti kṣuttṛṣṇā śramapīḍitāḥ haṁtakārasya kartāraste narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who set aside a portion of their food even while afflicted by hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and who are doers of good deeds - such men go to heaven."

Verse 39 (padma.2.96.39)

वापीकूपतडागानां प्रपानां चैव वेश्मनाम् । आरामाणां च कर्तारस्ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

vāpīkūpataḍāgānāṁ prapānāṁ caiva veśmanām ārāmāṇāṁ ca kartāraste narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who build step-wells, wells, tanks, drinking-fountains, houses, and gardens - such men go to heaven."

Verse 40 (padma.2.96.40)

असत्येष्वपि ये सत्या ऋजवो नार्जवेष्वपि । रिपुष्वपिहिता ये च ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

asatyeṣvapi ye satyā ṛjavo nārjaveṣvapi ripuṣvapihitā ye ca te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who are truthful even amid falsehood, upright even among the crooked, and who wish well even toward their enemies - such men go to heaven."

Verse 41 (padma.2.96.41)

यस्मिन्कस्मिन्कुले जाता बहुपुत्राः शतायुषः । सानुक्रोशाः सदाचारास्ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

yasminkasminkule jātā bahuputrāḥ śatāyuṣaḥ sānukrośāḥ sadācārāste narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Whatever family they are born into, those with many sons, who live a hundred years, who are compassionate and of good conduct - such men go to heaven."

Verse 42 (padma.2.96.42)

कुर्वंत्यवंध्यं दिवसं धर्मेणैकेन सर्वदा । व्रतं गृह्णंति ये नित्यं ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

kurvaṁtyavaṁdhyaṁ divasaṁ dharmeṇaikena sarvadā vrataṁ gṛhṇaṁti ye nityaṁ te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who always make each day fruitful through a single act of dharma, and who ever take up vows - such men go to heaven."

Verse 43 (padma.2.96.43)

आक्रोशंतं स्तुवंतं च तुल्यं पश्यंति ये नराः । शांतात्मानो जितात्मानस्ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

ākrośaṁtaṁ stuvaṁtaṁ ca tulyaṁ paśyaṁti ye narāḥ śāṁtātmāno jitātmānaste narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who look equally upon one who curses them and one who praises them, of peaceful and conquered self - such men go to heaven."

Verse 44 (padma.2.96.44)

ये चापि भयसंत्रस्तान्ब्राह्मणांश्च तथा स्त्रियः । सार्थान्वा परिरक्षंति ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

ye cāpi bhayasaṁtrastānbrāhmaṇāṁśca tathā striyaḥ sārthānvā parirakṣaṁti te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"And those who protect brahmins and women too, terrified by fear, or protect a company of travelers - such men go to heaven."

Verse 45 (padma.2.96.45)

गंगायां पुष्करे तीर्थे गयायां च विशेषतः । पितृपिंडप्रदातारस्ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

gaṁgāyāṁ puṣkare tīrthe gayāyāṁ ca viśeṣataḥ pitṛpiṁḍapradātāraste narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who give funeral offerings to their ancestors at the Ganga, at the sacred site of Pushkara, and especially at Gaya - such men go to heaven."

Verse 46 (padma.2.96.46)

न वशे चेंद्रियाणां च ये नराः संयमस्थिताः । त्यक्तलोभभयक्रोधास्ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

na vaśe ceṁdriyāṇāṁ ca ye narāḥ saṁyamasthitāḥ tyaktalobhabhayakrodhāste narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who, though not in control of their senses, remain established in self-restraint, having abandoned greed, fear, and anger - such men go to heaven."

Verse 47 (padma.2.96.47)

यूका मत्कुणदंशादीन्ये जंतूंस्तुदतस्तनुम् । पुत्रवत्परिरक्षंति ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

yūkā matkuṇadaṁśādīnye jaṁtūṁstudatastanum putravatparirakṣaṁti te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who protect, like their own sons, even creatures such as lice and bed-bugs that bite their body - such men go to heaven."

Verse 48 (padma.2.96.48)

अज्ञानाच्च यथोक्तेन विधिना संचयंति च । सर्वद्वंद्वसहा लोके ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

ajñānācca yathoktena vidhinā saṁcayaṁti ca sarvadvaṁdvasahā loke te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Even those who, out of ignorance, accumulate wealth by the prescribed rule, but who bear all opposites patiently in the world - such men go to heaven."

Verse 49 (padma.2.96.49)

ये पूताः परदारांश्च कर्मणा मनसा गिरा । रमयंति न सत्वस्थास्ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

ye pūtāḥ paradārāṁśca karmaṇā manasā girā ramayaṁti na satvasthāste narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who are pure in deed, mind, and speech, and who, though capable, do not take pleasure with others' wives - such men go to heaven."

Verse 50 (padma.2.96.50)

निंदितानि न कुर्वंति कुर्वंति विहितानि च । आत्मशक्तिं विजानंति ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

niṁditāni na kurvaṁti kurvaṁti vihitāni ca ātmaśaktiṁ vijānaṁti te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

"Those who do not do what is censured, and who do what is enjoined, and who know their own capacity - such men go to heaven."

Verse 51 (padma.2.96.51)

एवं ते कथितं सर्वं मया तत्त्वेन पार्थिव । दुर्गतिः सद्गतिश्चैव प्राप्यते कर्मभिर्यथा

evaṁ te kathitaṁ sarvaṁ mayā tattvena pārthiva durgatiḥ sadgatiścaiva prāpyate karmabhiryathā

"Thus, O king, I have told you all this in truth - how misfortune and good fortune are attained through deeds."

Verse 52 (padma.2.96.52)

नरः परेषां प्रतिकूलमाचरन्प्रयाति घोरं नरकं सुदारुणम् । सदानुकूलस्य नरस्य जीविनः सुखावहा मुक्तिरदूरसंस्थिता

naraḥ pareṣāṁ pratikūlamācaranprayāti ghoraṁ narakaṁ sudāruṇam sadānukūlasya narasya jīvinaḥ sukhāvahā muktiradūrasaṁsthitā

A man who acts against the interest of others goes to a terrible and most dreadful hell; for a man who lives always favorably disposed toward others, a happy liberation stands not far away.