The Hymn of Vasudeva and the King's Ascent

Verse 1 (padma.2.99.1)

विष्णुरुवाच । स्तोत्रं पवित्रं परमं पुराणं पापापहं पुण्यमयं शिवं च । धन्यं सुसूक्तं परमं सुजाप्यं निशम्य राजा स सुखी बभूव

viṣṇuruvāca stotraṁ pavitraṁ paramaṁ purāṇaṁ pāpāpahaṁ puṇyamayaṁ śivaṁ ca dhanyaṁ susūktaṁ paramaṁ sujāpyaṁ niśamya rājā sa sukhī babhūva

Vishnu said: This hymn is pure, supreme, ancient, a destroyer of sins, meritorious and auspicious — blessed, a beautiful hymn, most worthy of recitation. Hearing it, that king became happy.

Verse 2 (padma.2.99.2)

गतासु तृष्णा क्षुधया समेता देवोपमो भूमिपतिर्बभूव । भार्या च तस्यापि विभाति रूपैर्युक्तावुभौ पापविबंधमाप्तौ

gatāsu tṛṣṇā kṣudhayā sametā devopamo bhūmipatirbabhūva bhāryā ca tasyāpi vibhāti rūpairyuktāvubhau pāpavibaṁdhamāptau

His thirst and hunger were gone; that lord of the earth became god-like. His wife too shone with beauty — both of them, united, were freed from the bondage of sin.

Verse 3 (padma.2.99.3)

देवः सुदेवैः परिवारितोसौ विप्रैः सुसिद्धैर्हरिभक्तियुक्तैः । आगत्य भूपं गतकल्मषं तं श्रीशंखचक्राब्जगदासिधर्ता

devaḥ sudevaiḥ parivāritosau vipraiḥ susiddhairharibhaktiyuktaiḥ āgatya bhūpaṁ gatakalmaṣaṁ taṁ śrīśaṁkhacakrābjagadāsidhartā

The Lord, bearer of conch, discus, lotus and mace, surrounded by resplendent gods and accomplished brahmins devoted to Hari, came himself to that king who was now free of sin.

Verse 4 (padma.2.99.4)

श्रीनारदो भार्गव व्यास पुण्या समागतस्तत्र मृकंडसूनुः । वाल्मीकि नामा मुनिर्विष्णुभक्तः समागतो ब्रह्मसुतो वसिष्ठः

śrīnārado bhārgava vyāsa puṇyā samāgatastatra mṛkaṁḍasūnuḥ vālmīki nāmā munirviṣṇubhaktaḥ samāgato brahmasuto vasiṣṭhaḥ

There came Sri Narada, Bhrigu, the virtuous Vyasa, the son of Mrikandu, the sage Valmiki devoted to Vishnu, and Vasishtha, son of Brahma.

Verse 5 (padma.2.99.5)

गर्गो महात्मा हरिभक्तियुक्तो जाबालिरैभ्यावथ कश्यपश्च । आजग्मुरेते हरिणा समेता विष्णुप्रिया भागवतां वरिष्ठाः

gargo mahātmā haribhaktiyukto jābāliraibhyāvatha kaśyapaśca ājagmurete hariṇā sametā viṣṇupriyā bhāgavatāṁ variṣṭhāḥ

The great soul Garga, devoted to Hari, along with Jabali, Aibhya and Kashyapa — these foremost devotees, dear to Hari, arrived there together with him.

Verse 6 (padma.2.99.6)

पुण्याः सुधन्या गतकल्मषास्ते हरेः सुपादांबुजभक्तियुक्ताः । श्रीवासुदेवं परिवार्य तस्थुः स्तुवंति भूपं विविधप्रकारैः

puṇyāḥ sudhanyā gatakalmaṣāste hareḥ supādāṁbujabhaktiyuktāḥ śrīvāsudevaṁ parivārya tasthuḥ stuvaṁti bhūpaṁ vividhaprakāraiḥ

Blessed, fortunate, sinless, and devoted to the lotus feet of Hari, they all sat surrounding Sri Vasudeva and began to praise the king in various ways.

Verse 7 (padma.2.99.7)

देवाश्च सर्वे हुतभुङ्मुखाश्च ब्रह्मा हरिश्चापि सुदिव्यदेव्यः । गायंति दिव्यं मधुरं मनोहरं गंधर्वराजादिसुगायनाश्च

devāśca sarve hutabhuṅmukhāśca brahmā hariścāpi sudivyadevyaḥ gāyaṁti divyaṁ madhuraṁ manoharaṁ gaṁdharvarājādisugāyanāśca

All the gods, for whom fire is the mouth, along with Brahma and Hari and the divine goddesses, and the king of the Gandharvas with the finest singers, sang a sweet, enchanting, divine song.

Verse 8 (padma.2.99.8)

सुवेद युक्तैः परमार्थसंमितैः स्तवैः सुपुण्यैर्मुनयः स्तुवंति । दृष्ट्वा पतिं भूपतिमेव देवो हरिर्बभाषे वचनं मनोहरम्

suveda yuktaiḥ paramārthasaṁmitaiḥ stavaiḥ supuṇyairmunayaḥ stuvaṁti dṛṣṭvā patiṁ bhūpatimeva devo harirbabhāṣe vacanaṁ manoharam

The sages, versed in the Vedas, praised him with pure hymns full of supreme meaning. Seeing that king, his devotee, before him, Hari spoke a captivating word.

Verse 9 (padma.2.99.9)

वरं यथेष्टं वरयस्व भूपते ददाम्यहं ते परितोषितो यतः । हरेस्तु वाक्यं स निशम्य राजा दृष्ट्वा मुरारिं वदमानमग्रे

varaṁ yatheṣṭaṁ varayasva bhūpate dadāmyahaṁ te paritoṣito yataḥ harestu vākyaṁ sa niśamya rājā dṛṣṭvā murāriṁ vadamānamagre

O king, ask for whatever boon you desire — pleased with you, I shall grant it. Hearing this word of Hari, and seeing Murari speaking before him, the king —

Verse 10 (padma.2.99.10)

नीलोत्पलाभं मुरघातिनं प्रभुं तं शंखचक्रासिगदाप्रधारिणम् । श्रियासमेतं परमेश्वरं तं रत्नोज्ज्वलं कंकणहारभूषितम्

nīlotpalābhaṁ muraghātinaṁ prabhuṁ taṁ śaṁkhacakrāsigadāpradhāriṇam śriyāsametaṁ parameśvaraṁ taṁ ratnojjvalaṁ kaṁkaṇahārabhūṣitam

He beheld that Supreme Lord, hued like a blue lotus, slayer of the demon Mura, bearing conch, discus, sword and mace, accompanied by Sri, radiant with jewels, adorned with bracelets and garlands —

Verse 11 (padma.2.99.11)

रविप्रभं देवगणैः सुसेवितं महार्घहाराभरणैः सुभूषितम् । सुदिव्यगंधैर्वरलेपनैर्हरिं सुभक्तिभावैरवनीं गतो नृपः

raviprabhaṁ devagaṇaiḥ susevitaṁ mahārghahārābharaṇaiḥ subhūṣitam sudivyagaṁdhairvaralepanairhariṁ subhaktibhāvairavanīṁ gato nṛpaḥ

— radiant as the sun, well served by hosts of gods, adorned with costly garlands and ornaments, anointed with divine fragrances and fine unguents — seeing that Hari, the king fell to the earth in devotion.

Verse 12 (padma.2.99.12)

दंडप्रणामैः सततं नमाम जयेति वाचाथ महानृपस्तदा । दासोस्मि भृत्योस्मि पुरः स ते सदा भक्तिं न जाने न च भावमुत्तमम्

daṁḍapraṇāmaiḥ satataṁ namāma jayeti vācātha mahānṛpastadā dāsosmi bhṛtyosmi puraḥ sa te sadā bhaktiṁ na jāne na ca bhāvamuttamam

That great king, prostrating again and again, bowed continually crying 'Victory!' — 'I am your slave, I am your servant, I have always stood before you, and yet I know neither true devotion nor the finest feeling.'

Verse 13 (padma.2.99.13)

जायान्वितं मामिह चागतं हरे प्रपाहि वै त्वां शरणं प्रपन्नम् । धन्यास्तु ते माधव मानवा द्विजाः सदैव ते ध्यानमनोविलीनाः

jāyānvitaṁ māmiha cāgataṁ hare prapāhi vai tvāṁ śaraṇaṁ prapannam dhanyāstu te mādhava mānavā dvijāḥ sadaiva te dhyānamanovilīnāḥ

O Hari, protect me, who have come here with my wife, taking refuge in you. O Madhava, blessed indeed are those men and brahmins whose minds are ever dissolved in meditation on you.

Verse 14 (padma.2.99.14)

समुच्चरंतो भव माधवेति प्रयांति वैकुंठमितः सुनिर्मलाः । तवैव पादांबुजनिर्गतं पयः पुण्यं तथा ये शिरसा वहंति

samuccaraṁto bhava mādhaveti prayāṁti vaikuṁṭhamitaḥ sunirmalāḥ tavaiva pādāṁbujanirgataṁ payaḥ puṇyaṁ tathā ye śirasā vahaṁti

Those who continually utter 'Madhava' go from here to Vaikuntha, made pure; and those who bear upon their heads the sacred water that issues from your very lotus feet —

Verse 15 (padma.2.99.15)

समस्ततीर्थोद्भव तोय आप्लुतास्ते मानवा यांति हरेः सुधाम

samastatīrthodbhava toya āplutāste mānavā yāṁti hareḥ sudhāma

— and who bathe in the waters born of all the sacred fords, those men attain the supreme abode of Hari.

Verse 16 (padma.2.99.16)

नास्ति योगो न मे भक्तिर्ज्ञानं नास्ति न मे क्रिया । कस्य पुण्यस्य संगेन वरं मह्यं प्रयच्छसि

nāsti yogo na me bhaktirjñānaṁ nāsti na me kriyā kasya puṇyasya saṁgena varaṁ mahyaṁ prayacchasi

I have neither yoga, nor devotion, nor knowledge, nor ritual action — by the merit of what virtue do you wish to grant me this excellent boon?

Verse 17 (padma.2.99.17)

हरिरुवाच । वासुदेवाभिधानं यन्महापातकनाशनम् । भवता विज्वलात्पुण्याच्छ्रुतं राजन्विकल्मषः

hariruvāca vāsudevābhidhānaṁ yanmahāpātakanāśanam bhavatā vijvalātpuṇyācchrutaṁ rājanvikalmaṣaḥ

Hari said: O king, the name Vasudeva, which destroys the greatest sins, you have heard with merit from Vijvala, and so you are free of sin.

Verse 18 (padma.2.99.18)

तेन त्वं मुक्तिभागी च संजातो नात्र संशयः । मम लोके प्रभुंक्ष्व त्वं दिव्यान्भोगान्मनोनुगान्

tena tvaṁ muktibhāgī ca saṁjāto nātra saṁśayaḥ mama loke prabhuṁkṣva tvaṁ divyānbhogānmanonugān

Through this you have without doubt become a partaker of liberation. Now enjoy, in my world, the divine pleasures that your heart desires.

Verse 19 (padma.2.99.19)

राजोवाच । यदिदेववरोदेयोममदीनस्यवैत्वया । विज्वलायप्रयच्छत्वंप्रथमंवरमुत्तमम्

rājovāca yadidevavarodeyomamadīnasyavaitvayā vijvalāyaprayacchatvaṁprathamaṁvaramuttamam

The king said: O Lord, if a boon is indeed to be granted by you to me, who am not unworthy — then grant first this excellent boon to Vijvala.

Verse 20 (padma.2.99.20)

हरिरुवाच । विज्वलस्य पिता पुण्यः कुंजलो ज्ञानमंडितः । वासुदेवमहास्तोत्रं नित्यं पठति भूपते

hariruvāca vijvalasya pitā puṇyaḥ kuṁjalo jñānamaṁḍitaḥ vāsudevamahāstotraṁ nityaṁ paṭhati bhūpate

Hari said: Vijvala's father, the virtuous Kunjala, adorned with knowledge, O king, recites daily the great hymn of Vasudeva.

Verse 21 (padma.2.99.21)

पुत्रैः प्रियासमेतोऽसौ मम गेहं प्रयास्यति । एतत्तु जपते स्तोत्रं सदा दास्याम्यहं फलम्

putraiḥ priyāsameto'sau mama gehaṁ prayāsyati etattu japate stotraṁ sadā dāsyāmyahaṁ phalam

He, together with his sons and wife, shall attain my abode. Whoever recites this hymn, to him I shall always give its fruit.

Verse 22 (padma.2.99.22)

एवमुक्ते शुभे वाक्ये राजा केशवमब्रवीत् । इदं स्तोत्रं महापुण्यं सफलं कुरु केशव

evamukte śubhe vākye rājā keśavamabravīt idaṁ stotraṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ saphalaṁ kuru keśava

Hearing this auspicious word, the king said to Keshava: 'O Keshava, make this greatly meritorious hymn fruitful.'

Verse 23 (padma.2.99.23)

हरिरुवाच-। कृते युगे महाराज यदा स्तोष्यंति मानवाः । तदा मोक्षं प्रयास्यंति तत्क्षणान्नात्र संशयः

hariruvāca- kṛte yuge mahārāja yadā stoṣyaṁti mānavāḥ tadā mokṣaṁ prayāsyaṁti tatkṣaṇānnātra saṁśayaḥ

Hari said: O great king, in the Krita Yuga, when men shall praise with this hymn, they shall attain liberation that very instant — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 24 (padma.2.99.24)

त्रेतायां मासमात्रेण षड्भिर्मासैस्तु द्वापरे । वर्षेणैकेन च कलौ ये जपंति च मानवाः

tretāyāṁ māsamātreṇa ṣaḍbhirmāsaistu dvāpare varṣeṇaikena ca kalau ye japaṁti ca mānavāḥ

In the Treta age within one month, in Dvapara within six months, and in Kali within a single year — those men who recite it —

Verse 25 (padma.2.99.25)

स्वर्गं प्रयांति राजेंद्र वैष्णवं गतिदायकम् । त्रिकालमेककालं वा स्नातो जपति ब्राह्मणः

svargaṁ prayāṁti rājeṁdra vaiṣṇavaṁ gatidāyakam trikālamekakālaṁ vā snāto japati brāhmaṇaḥ

— O king of kings, attain the Vaishnava heaven that grants liberation. A brahmin who, having bathed, recites it three times a day or even once —

Verse 26 (padma.2.99.26)

यं यं तु वांछते कामं स स तस्य भविष्यति । क्षत्रियो जयमाप्नोति धनधान्यैरलंकृतः

yaṁ yaṁ tu vāṁchate kāmaṁ sa sa tasya bhaviṣyati kṣatriyo jayamāpnoti dhanadhānyairalaṁkṛtaḥ

— whatever desire he wishes for, that becomes his. The kshatriya obtains victory, adorned with wealth and grain.

Verse 27 (padma.2.99.27)

वैश्यो भविष्यति श्रीमान्सुखी शूद्रो भविष्यति । अंत्यजं श्रावयेद्योयं पापान्मुक्तो भविष्यति

vaiśyo bhaviṣyati śrīmānsukhī śūdro bhaviṣyati aṁtyajaṁ śrāvayedyoyaṁ pāpānmukto bhaviṣyati

The vaishya becomes prosperous and happy, the shudra too becomes happy. Whoever causes even an outcaste to hear it, he too becomes freed from sin.

Verse 28 (padma.2.99.28)

श्रावको नरकं घोरं कदाचिन्नैव पश्यति । मम स्तोत्रप्रसादाच्च सर्वसिद्धो भविष्यति

śrāvako narakaṁ ghoraṁ kadācinnaiva paśyati mama stotraprasādācca sarvasiddho bhaviṣyati

He who hears it never at any time beholds the terrible hell; by the grace of this hymn of mine, he becomes accomplished in all things.

Verse 29 (padma.2.99.29)

ब्राह्मणैर्भोज्यमानैश्च श्राद्धकाले पठिष्यति । पितरो वैष्णवं लोकं तृप्ता यास्यंति भूपते

brāhmaṇairbhojyamānaiśca śrāddhakāle paṭhiṣyati pitaro vaiṣṇavaṁ lokaṁ tṛptā yāsyaṁti bhūpate

Whoever recites it while brahmins are being fed at the time of shraddha — O king, his ancestors, satisfied, go to the Vaishnava world.

Verse 30 (padma.2.99.30)

तर्पणांते जपं कुर्याद्ब्राह्मणो वाथ क्षत्रियः । पिबंति चामृतं तस्य पितरो हृष्टमानसाः

tarpaṇāṁte japaṁ kuryādbrāhmaṇo vātha kṣatriyaḥ pibaṁti cāmṛtaṁ tasya pitaro hṛṣṭamānasāḥ

If a brahmin or kshatriya recites the japa at the end of tarpana, his ancestors, glad at heart, drink of that nectar.

Verse 31 (padma.2.99.31)

होमेषु यज्ञमध्ये च भावाज्जपति मानवः । तत्र विघ्ना न जायंते सर्वसिद्धिर्भविष्यति

homeṣu yajñamadhye ca bhāvājjapati mānavaḥ tatra vighnā na jāyaṁte sarvasiddhirbhaviṣyati

If a man recites it with devotion during a homa or in the midst of a sacrifice, no obstacle arises there — every success is attained.

Verse 32 (padma.2.99.32)

विषमे दुर्गसंस्थाने हिंस्रव्याघ्रस्य संकटे । चौराणां संकटे प्राप्ते तत्र स्तोत्रमुदीरयेत्

viṣame durgasaṁsthāne hiṁsravyāghrasya saṁkaṭe caurāṇāṁ saṁkaṭe prāpte tatra stotramudīrayet

In a difficult, impassable place, in the peril of a savage tiger, or when beset by the danger of thieves, one should utter this hymn there —

Verse 33 (padma.2.99.33)

तत्र शांतिर्महाराज भविष्यति न संशयः । अन्येष्वेव सुभव्येषु राजद्वारे गते नरे

tatra śāṁtirmahārāja bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ anyeṣveva subhavyeṣu rājadvāre gate nare

— then, O great king, peace shall surely come there. Likewise in other auspicious circumstances too, when a man goes to a king's gate —

Verse 34 (padma.2.99.34)

वासुदेवाभिधानस्य अयुतं जपते नरः । ब्रह्मचर्येण संस्नातः क्रोधलोभविवर्जितः

vāsudevābhidhānasya ayutaṁ japate naraḥ brahmacaryeṇa saṁsnātaḥ krodhalobhavivarjitaḥ

— then, purified through brahmacharya, free from anger and greed, a man should recite the name Vasudeva ten thousand times.

Verse 35 (padma.2.99.35)

तिलतंडुलकैर्होमं दशांशमाज्यमिश्रितम् । वासुदेवं प्रपूज्यैव दद्यात्प्रयतमानसः

tilataṁḍulakairhomaṁ daśāṁśamājyamiśritam vāsudevaṁ prapūjyaiva dadyātprayatamānasaḥ

Mixing sesame and rice grains with a tenth part of ghee, having duly worshipped Vasudeva, one of purified mind should offer that in homa.

Verse 36 (padma.2.99.36)

श्लोकं प्रति ततो देयं होमं ध्यानेन मानवैः । तेषां सुभृत्यवन्नित्यं पार्श्वं नैव त्यजाम्यहम्

ślokaṁ prati tato deyaṁ homaṁ dhyānena mānavaiḥ teṣāṁ subhṛtyavannityaṁ pārśvaṁ naiva tyajāmyaham

For each verse, men should offer homa with meditation. I never abandon their side, like a devoted servant who never leaves his master.

Verse 37 (padma.2.99.37)

कलौ युगे सुसंप्राप्ते स्तोत्रे दास्यं प्रयास्यति । वेदभंगप्रसंगेन यस्य कस्य न दीयते

kalau yuge susaṁprāpte stotre dāsyaṁ prayāsyati vedabhaṁgaprasaṁgena yasya kasya na dīyate

In the age of Kali this hymn shall come into servitude; even in circumstances where Vedic norms have lapsed, to whomsoever it is given —

Verse 38 (padma.2.99.38)

सर्वकामसमृद्धार्थः स चैव हि भविष्यति । एवं हि सफलं स्तोत्रं मया भूप कृतं शृणु

sarvakāmasamṛddhārthaḥ sa caiva hi bhaviṣyati evaṁ hi saphalaṁ stotraṁ mayā bhūpa kṛtaṁ śṛṇu

— he too shall become one whose every desire is fulfilled. Thus, O king, I have made this hymn fruitful — hear further.

Verse 39 (padma.2.99.39)

ब्रह्मणा निर्मितं तेन जप्तं रुद्रेण वै पुरा । ब्रह्महत्याविनिर्मुक्त इंद्रो मुक्तश्च किल्बिषात्

brahmaṇā nirmitaṁ tena japtaṁ rudreṇa vai purā brahmahatyāvinirmukta iṁdro muktaśca kilbiṣāt

It was composed by Brahma, and by it Rudra of old performed his recitation; Indra too, freed from the sin of Brahmahatya, was released from his guilt.

Verse 40 (padma.2.99.40)

देवाश्च ऋषयो गुह्याः सिद्धविद्याधरामराः । नागैस्तु पूजितं स्तोत्रमापुः सिद्धिं मनीप्सिताम्

devāśca ṛṣayo guhyāḥ siddhavidyādharāmarāḥ nāgaistu pūjitaṁ stotramāpuḥ siddhiṁ manīpsitām

Gods, sages, the secret guhyakas, siddhas, vidyadharas and immortals — and even the nagas — having worshipped this hymn, obtained the accomplishment they desired.

Verse 41 (padma.2.99.41)

पुण्यो धन्यः स वै दाता पुत्रवान्हि भविष्यति । जपिष्यति मम स्तोत्रं नात्र कार्या विचारणा

puṇyo dhanyaḥ sa vai dātā putravānhi bhaviṣyati japiṣyati mama stotraṁ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

He who recites this hymn of mine shall be blessed, fortunate, generous, and blessed with sons — of this there need be no question.

Verse 42 (padma.2.99.42)

आगच्छ त्वं स्त्रिया सार्धं मम स्थानं नृपोत्तम । हस्तावलंबनं दत्तं हरिणा तस्य भूपतेः

āgaccha tvaṁ striyā sārdhaṁ mama sthānaṁ nṛpottama hastāvalaṁbanaṁ dattaṁ hariṇā tasya bhūpateḥ

'Come, O best of kings, together with your wife, to my abode' — so saying, Hari gave that king his own hand in support.

Verse 43 (padma.2.99.43)

नेदुर्दुंदुभयस्तत्र गंधर्वा ललितं जगुः । ननृतुश्चाप्सरः श्रेष्ठाः पुष्पवृष्टिं प्रचक्रिरे

nedurduṁdubhayastatra gaṁdharvā lalitaṁ jaguḥ nanṛtuścāpsaraḥ śreṣṭhāḥ puṣpavṛṣṭiṁ pracakrire

There kettledrums resounded, gandharvas sang sweetly, the finest apsarases danced, and all showered down flowers.

Verse 44 (padma.2.99.44)

देवाश्च ऋषयः सर्वे वेदस्तोत्रैः स्तुवंति ते । ततो दयितया सार्द्धं जगाम नृपतिर्हरिम्

devāśca ṛṣayaḥ sarve vedastotraiḥ stuvaṁti te tato dayitayā sārddhaṁ jagāma nṛpatirharim

All the gods and sages praised them with Vedic hymns. Then that king, together with his beloved wife, went to Hari.

Verse 45 (padma.2.99.45)

तं स्तूयमानं सुरसिद्धसंघैः स विज्वलः पश्यति हृष्टमानसः । समागतस्तिष्ठति यत्र वै पिता माता च वेगेन महाप्रभावः

taṁ stūyamānaṁ surasiddhasaṁghaiḥ sa vijvalaḥ paśyati hṛṣṭamānasaḥ samāgatastiṣṭhati yatra vai pitā mātā ca vegena mahāprabhāvaḥ

That Vijvala, glad at heart, beheld him being praised by the hosts of gods and siddhas — the place where his own father and mother, mighty and glorious, had swiftly come and now stood.