The Glory of the Krishna-Janmashtami Vow

Verse 1 (padma.4.13.1)

शौनक उवाच । कृष्णजन्माष्टमी सूत तस्या माहात्म्यमुत्तमम् । कथयस्व महाप्राज्ञ चोद्धरस्व महार्णवात् ।

śaunaka uvāca kṛṣṇajanmāṣṭamī sūta tasyā māhātmyamuttamam kathayasva mahāprājña coddharasva mahārṇavāt

Shaunaka said: O Suta, tell me the supreme glory of Krishna-Janmashtami, O greatly wise one, and lift me up out of this great ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 2 (padma.4.13.2)

सूत उवाच । कृष्णजन्माष्टमीं ब्रह्मन्भक्त्या करोति यो नरः । अंते विष्णुपुरं याति कुलकोटियुतो द्विज ।

sūta uvāca kṛṣṇajanmāṣṭamīṁ brahmanbhaktyā karoti yo naraḥ aṁte viṣṇupuraṁ yāti kulakoṭiyuto dvija

Suta said: O Brahmin, whatever man observes Krishna-Janmashtami with devotion goes, at the end, to Vishnu's realm together with a hundred million of his lineage.

Verse 3 (padma.4.13.3)

अष्टमी बुधवारे च सोमे चैव द्विजोत्तम । रोहिणीऋक्षसंयुक्ता कुलकोटिविमुक्तिदा ।

aṣṭamī budhavāre ca some caiva dvijottama rohiṇīṛkṣasaṁyuktā kulakoṭivimuktidā

When the eighth falls on a Wednesday or a Monday, O best of the twice-born, joined with the Rohini asterism, it grants liberation to a hundred million of one's family.

Verse 4 (padma.4.13.4)

महापातकसंयुक्तः करोति व्रतमुत्तमम् । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तश्चांते याति हरेर्गृहम् ।

mahāpātakasaṁyuktaḥ karoti vratamuttamam sarvapāpavinirmuktaścāṁte yāti harergṛham

Even one burdened with great sins, by performing this excellent vow, is freed from every sin and goes, at the end, to the abode of Hari.

Verse 5 (padma.4.13.5)

कृष्णजन्माष्टमीं ब्रह्मन्न करोति नराधमः । इह दुःखमवाप्नोति स प्रेत्य नरकं व्रजेत् ।

kṛṣṇajanmāṣṭamīṁ brahmanna karoti narādhamaḥ iha duḥkhamavāpnoti sa pretya narakaṁ vrajet

O Brahmin, the basest of men who does not observe Krishna-Janmashtami suffers here, and after death goes to hell.

Verse 6 (padma.4.13.6)

न करोति च या नारी कृष्णजन्माष्टमीव्रतम् । वर्षे वर्षे तु सा मूढा नरकं याति दारुणम् ।

na karoti ca yā nārī kṛṣṇajanmāṣṭamīvratam varṣe varṣe tu sā mūḍhā narakaṁ yāti dāruṇam

Whatever woman does not perform the vow of Krishna-Janmashtami — that foolish woman goes, year after year, to a terrible hell.

Verse 7 (padma.4.13.7)

जन्माष्टमीदिने यो वै नरोऽश्नाति विमूढधीः । महानरकमश्नाति सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम् ।

janmāṣṭamīdine yo vai naro'śnāti vimūḍhadhīḥ mahānarakamaśnāti satyaṁ satyaṁ vadāmyaham

On the day of Janmashtami, whatever deluded man takes food is, in effect, eating the fare of a great hell — I speak the truth, the very truth.

Verse 8 (padma.4.13.8)

दिलीपेन पुरा पृष्टो वसिष्ठो मुनिसत्तमः । तच्छृणुष्व महाप्राज्ञ सर्वपातकनाशनम् ।

dilīpena purā pṛṣṭo vasiṣṭho munisattamaḥ tacchṛṇuṣva mahāprājña sarvapātakanāśanam

Formerly Dilipa asked this of Vasishtha, foremost among sages; hear now, O greatly wise one, that account which destroys every sin.

Verse 9 (padma.4.13.9)

दिलीप उवाच । भाद्रे मास्यसिताष्टम्यां यस्यां जातो जनार्द्दनः । तदहं श्रोतुमिच्छामि कथयस्व महामुने ।

dilīpa uvāca bhādre māsyasitāṣṭamyāṁ yasyāṁ jāto janārddanaḥ tadahaṁ śrotumicchāmi kathayasva mahāmune

Dilipa said: I wish to hear of the dark eighth of Bhadrapada, the day on which Janardana was born; tell me, O great sage.

Verse 10 (padma.4.13.10)

कथं वा भगवान्जातः शंखचक्रगदाधरः । देवकीजठरे विष्णुः किं कर्तुं केन हेतुना ।

kathaṁ vā bhagavānjātaḥ śaṁkhacakragadādharaḥ devakījaṭhare viṣṇuḥ kiṁ kartuṁ kena hetunā

How was the Lord, bearer of conch, discus and mace, born? For what purpose, and for what reason, did Vishnu take birth in Devaki's womb?

Verse 11 (padma.4.13.11)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि कस्माज्जातो जनार्द्दनः । पृथिव्यां त्रिदिवं त्यक्त्वा भवते कथयाम्यहम् ।

vasiṣṭha uvāca śṛṇu rājanpravakṣyāmi kasmājjāto janārddanaḥ pṛthivyāṁ tridivaṁ tyaktvā bhavate kathayāmyaham

Vasishtha said: Listen, O king, I shall tell you for what reason Janardana, leaving the heavens, took birth on this earth; I shall relate it to you.

Verse 12 (padma.4.13.12)

पुरा वसुंधरा ह्यासीत्कंसादिनृपपीडिता । स्वाधिकारप्रमत्तेन कंसदूतेन ताडिता ।

purā vasuṁdharā hyāsītkaṁsādinṛpapīḍitā svādhikārapramattena kaṁsadūtena tāḍitā

Formerly this earth was oppressed by Kamsa and other kings, struck by the messenger of Kamsa, who was intoxicated with his own power.

Verse 13 (padma.4.13.13)

क्रंदती क्रंदती सा तु ययौ घूर्णितलोचना । यत्र तिष्ठति देवेश उमाकांतो वृषध्वजः ।

kraṁdatī kraṁdatī sā tu yayau ghūrṇitalocanā yatra tiṣṭhati deveśa umākāṁto vṛṣadhvajaḥ

Weeping and weeping, her eyes rolling in distress, the Earth went to where the lord of gods, Uma's beloved, bearer of the bull-banner, was seated —

Verse 14 (padma.4.13.14)

कंसेन ताडिता नाथ इति तस्मै निवेदितुम् । बाष्पवारीणि वर्षंति विवर्णा साविमानिता ।

kaṁsena tāḍitā nātha iti tasmai niveditum bāṣpavārīṇi varṣaṁti vivarṇā sāvimānitā

— to tell him, "O Lord, I have been struck by Kamsa," shedding tears, pale and dishonored.

Verse 15 (padma.4.13.15)

क्रंदंतीं तां समालोक्य कोपेन स्फुरिताधरः । उमयासहितः सर्वैर्देववृंदैरनुव्रतः ।

kraṁdaṁtīṁ tāṁ samālokya kopena sphuritādharaḥ umayāsahitaḥ sarvairdevavṛṁdairanuvrataḥ

Seeing her weeping, his lip quivering with anger, accompanied by Uma and surrounded by all the hosts of gods —

Verse 16 (padma.4.13.16)

आजगाम महादेवो विधातृभवनं रुषा । गत्वा चोवाच ब्रह्माणं कंसध्वंसनहेतवे ।

ājagāma mahādevo vidhātṛbhavanaṁ ruṣā gatvā covāca brahmāṇaṁ kaṁsadhvaṁsanahetave

— Mahadeva went, in fury, to the abode of the Creator. Arriving there, he spoke to Brahma about the destruction of Kamsa —

Verse 17 (padma.4.13.17)

उपायः सृज्यतां ब्रह्मन्भवता विष्णुना सह । ऐश्वरं तद्वचः श्रुत्वा गंतुं प्राह कृतात्मभूः ।

upāyaḥ sṛjyatāṁ brahmanbhavatā viṣṇunā saha aiśvaraṁ tadvacaḥ śrutvā gaṁtuṁ prāha kṛtātmabhūḥ

"O Brahma, devise a plan together with Vishnu." Hearing that lord's words, the self-born Brahma, saying he would go —

Verse 18 (padma.4.13.18)

क्षीरोदे यत्र वैकुंठः सुप्तोऽस्ति भुजगोपरि । हंसपृष्ठं समारुह्य हरेरंतिकमाययौ ।

kṣīrode yatra vaikuṁṭhaḥ supto'sti bhujagopari haṁsapṛṣṭhaṁ samāruhya hareraṁtikamāyayau

— to where, in the Ocean of Milk, Vaikuntha lay sleeping upon the serpent, mounted his swan and came into Hari's presence.

Verse 19 (padma.4.13.19)

तत्र गत्वा च तं धाता देववृंदैर्हरादिभिः । संयुक्तः स्तूयते वाग्भिः कोमलं वाग्विदांवरः ।

tatra gatvā ca taṁ dhātā devavṛṁdairharādibhiḥ saṁyuktaḥ stūyate vāgbhiḥ komalaṁ vāgvidāṁvaraḥ

Going there, that Creator, joined with the hosts of gods headed by Hara, foremost among the eloquent, began to praise Hari in gentle words —

Verse 20 (padma.4.13.20)

नमः कमलनेत्राय हरये परमात्मने । जगतः पालयित्रे च लक्ष्मीकांत नमोऽस्तु ते ।

namaḥ kamalanetrāya haraye paramātmane jagataḥ pālayitre ca lakṣmīkāṁta namo'stu te

"Salutations to the lotus-eyed one, to Hari, the supreme soul, protector of the world; O beloved of Lakshmi, salutations to you."

Verse 21 (padma.4.13.21)

इति तेभ्यः स्तुतिं श्रुत्वा प्रत्युवाच जनार्द्दनः । देवान्क्लिष्टमुखान्सर्वान्भवद्भिरागतं कथम् ।

iti tebhyaḥ stutiṁ śrutvā pratyuvāca janārddanaḥ devānkliṣṭamukhānsarvānbhavadbhirāgataṁ katham

Hearing this praise, Janardana replied: "Why have all you gods, your faces so troubled, come here?"

Verse 22 (padma.4.13.22)

ब्रह्मोवाच । शृणु देव जगन्नाथ यस्मादस्माकमागतम् । कथयामि सुरश्रेष्ठ तदहं लोकभावन ।

brahmovāca śṛṇu deva jagannātha yasmādasmākamāgatam kathayāmi suraśreṣṭha tadahaṁ lokabhāvana

Brahma said: "O god, O lord of the universe, listen — I shall tell you why we have come, O best of gods, sustainer of the worlds."

Verse 23 (padma.4.13.23)

शूलिदत्तवरोन्मत्तः कंसो राजा दुरासदः । वसुधा ताडिता तेन करघातेन पीडिता ।

śūlidattavaronmattaḥ kaṁso rājā durāsadaḥ vasudhā tāḍitā tena karaghātena pīḍitā

"King Kamsa, maddened by a boon granted by Shiva, unassailable, has struck and oppressed the earth with blows of his own hand."

Verse 24 (padma.4.13.24)

वरं दत्वा पुराप्यग्रे मायया तु प्रवंचितः । भागिनेयं विना शंभो मरणं भविता न मे ।

varaṁ datvā purāpyagre māyayā tu pravaṁcitaḥ bhāgineyaṁ vinā śaṁbho maraṇaṁ bhavitā na me

"Having once granted that boon, Shiva himself was deceived by illusion — 'except at a nephew's hand there shall be no death for me' — and, receiving it, Kamsa grew arrogant."

Verse 25 (padma.4.13.25)

तस्माद्गच्छ स्वयं देव कंसं हंतुं दुरासदम् । देवकीजठरे जन्म लब्ध्वा गत्वा च गोकुलम् ।

tasmādgaccha svayaṁ deva kaṁsaṁ haṁtuṁ durāsadam devakījaṭhare janma labdhvā gatvā ca gokulam

"Therefore, O god, go yourself and slay that unassailable Kamsa; taking birth in Devaki's womb, and going then to Gokula —"

Verse 26 (padma.4.13.26)

ब्रह्मणा प्रेरितो देवः प्रत्युवाच च शूलिनम् । पार्वतीं देहि देवेश अब्दं स्थित्वा गमिष्यति ।

brahmaṇā prerito devaḥ pratyuvāca ca śūlinam pārvatīṁ dehi deveśa abdaṁ sthitvā gamiṣyati

Impelled by Brahma, the Lord said to the trident-bearing Shiva: "O lord of gods, grant me Parvati's aid; after a year I shall go —"

Verse 27 (padma.4.13.27)

उमया रक्षया सार्द्धं शंखचक्रगदाधरः । उद्दिश्य मथुरां चक्रे प्रयाणं कमलासनः ।

umayā rakṣayā sārddhaṁ śaṁkhacakragadādharaḥ uddiśya mathurāṁ cakre prayāṇaṁ kamalāsanaḥ

"— with Uma's protection." Then he who bears conch, discus and mace set out with this purpose toward Mathura.

Verse 28 (padma.4.13.28)

देवकीजठरे जन्म लेभे तत्र गदाधरः । यशोदाकुक्षिमध्यास्ते शर्वाणी मृगलोचना ।

devakījaṭhare janma lebhe tatra gadādharaḥ yaśodākukṣimadhyāste śarvāṇī mṛgalocanā

There the mace-bearer took birth in Devaki's womb; and the deer-eyed Sharvani (Parvati) entered the womb of Yashoda.

Verse 29 (padma.4.13.29)

नवमासांश्च विश्रम्य कुक्षौ नवदिनांतकान् । भाद्रे मास्यसिते पक्षे चाष्टमीसंज्ञका तिथिः ।

navamāsāṁśca viśramya kukṣau navadināṁtakān bhādre māsyasite pakṣe cāṣṭamīsaṁjñakā tithiḥ

Having rested nine months and nine days in the womb, on the tithi called the eighth, in the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada —

Verse 30 (padma.4.13.30)

रोहिणीतारकायुक्ता रजनीघनघोषिता । तस्यां जातो जगन्नाथः कंसारिर्वसुदेवजः ।

rohiṇītārakāyuktā rajanīghanaghoṣitā tasyāṁ jāto jagannāthaḥ kaṁsārirvasudevajaḥ

— joined with the star Rohini, in that deep and thundering night, the Lord of the universe, the foe of Kamsa, was born as the son of Vasudeva.

Verse 31 (padma.4.13.31)

वैराटी नंदपत्नी च यशोदाऽजीजनत्सुताम् । पुत्रं पद्मकरं पद्मनाभं पद्मदलेक्षणम् ।

vairāṭī naṁdapatnī ca yaśodā'jījanatsutām putraṁ padmakaraṁ padmanābhaṁ padmadalekṣaṇam

And Nanda's wife, Vairati, Yashoda, gave birth to a daughter; while to Devaki was born a son with lotus-marked hands, a lotus navel, and eyes like lotus petals.

Verse 32 (padma.4.13.32)

तदा हर्षितुमारेभे दृष्ट्वा ह्यानकदुंदुभिः । कंसासुरभयत्रस्ता प्रोवाच देवकी तदा ।

tadā harṣitumārebhe dṛṣṭvā hyānakaduṁdubhiḥ kaṁsāsurabhayatrastā provāca devakī tadā

Seeing him, Anakadundubhi (Vasudeva) began to rejoice. Then Devaki, terrified by fear of Kamsa, said —

Verse 33 (padma.4.13.33)

वैराटीं गच्छ भो नाथ सुतं प्रत्यर्पितं किल । पुत्रं दत्वा यशोदायै सुतां तस्याः समानय ।

vairāṭīṁ gaccha bho nātha sutaṁ pratyarpitaṁ kila putraṁ datvā yaśodāyai sutāṁ tasyāḥ samānaya

"O lord, go to Vairati (Yashoda); exchange our son for her daughter. Give the son to Yashoda and bring back her daughter."

Verse 34 (padma.4.13.34)

तस्या वचः समाकर्ण्य वसुदेवोऽपि दुःखितः । अंके कुमारमादाय वैराट्यभिमुखंययौ ।

tasyā vacaḥ samākarṇya vasudevo'pi duḥkhitaḥ aṁke kumāramādāya vairāṭyabhimukhaṁyayau

Hearing her words, Vasudeva too, grieving, took the child in his arms and set out toward Vairati's home.

Verse 35 (padma.4.13.35)

यमुनाजलसंपूर्णा तत्पथे मध्यवर्त्मनि । आसीद्घोरा महादीर्घा गम्भीरोदकपूरभाक् ।

yamunājalasaṁpūrṇā tatpathe madhyavartmani āsīdghorā mahādīrghā gambhīrodakapūrabhāk

On the way, in the midst of the path, the river Yamuna lay full of water — terrible, exceedingly long, filled with a deep, surging flood.

Verse 36 (padma.4.13.36)

एवं दृष्ट्वा तटे स्थित्वा यमुनामवलोकयन् । वसुदेवोऽपि दुःखार्तो विललापातिचिंतया ।

evaṁ dṛṣṭvā taṭe sthitvā yamunāmavalokayan vasudevo'pi duḥkhārto vilalāpāticiṁtayā

Seeing this, standing on the bank and gazing at the Yamuna, Vasudeva, overcome with sorrow, lamented in great anxiety —

Verse 37 (padma.4.13.37)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि विधिनापि हि वंचितः । कथमत्र गमिष्यामि वैराटीं नंदमंदिरम् ।

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi vidhināpi hi vaṁcitaḥ kathamatra gamiṣyāmi vairāṭīṁ naṁdamaṁdiram

"What shall I do, where shall I go? Even fate has thwarted me. How shall I reach Vairati's home, Nanda's dwelling, from here?"

Verse 38 (padma.4.13.38)

हरिणा तत्र सानंदं मायया वंचितः पिता । क्षणमात्रं तटे स्थित्वा यमुनामवलोकयन् ।

hariṇā tatra sānaṁdaṁ māyayā vaṁcitaḥ pitā kṣaṇamātraṁ taṭe sthitvā yamunāmavalokayan

There, the father, unknowingly beguiled by Hari's own illusion, stood joyfully a moment on the bank, gazing at the Yamuna.

Verse 39 (padma.4.13.39)

तेन दृष्टा पुनः सापि क्षणाज्जानुवहाभवत् । तां दृष्ट्वा हृष्ट उत्तस्थौ प्रस्थानमकरोद्यथा ।

tena dṛṣṭā punaḥ sāpi kṣaṇājjānuvahābhavat tāṁ dṛṣṭvā hṛṣṭa uttasthau prasthānamakarodyathā

Even as he watched, the river grew shallow in an instant, only knee-deep. Seeing this, he rose up in delight and set out to cross.

Verse 40 (padma.4.13.40)

मायां कृत्वा जगन्नाथः पितुरंकाज्जलेऽपतत् । तं पुत्रं पतितं दृष्ट्वा हाहाकृत्वा सुदुःखितः ।

māyāṁ kṛtvā jagannāthaḥ pituraṁkājjale'patat taṁ putraṁ patitaṁ dṛṣṭvā hāhākṛtvā suduḥkhitaḥ

Then, working his own illusion, the Lord of the universe fell from his father's arms into the water. Seeing his son fallen, crying out in anguish, deeply grieved —

Verse 41 (padma.4.13.41)

महोपायं पुनः कर्तुं विधिना तेन वंचितः । त्राहि मां जगतां नाथ सुतं रक्ष सुरोत्तम ।

mahopāyaṁ punaḥ kartuṁ vidhinā tena vaṁcitaḥ trāhi māṁ jagatāṁ nātha sutaṁ rakṣa surottama

— Vasudeva, thwarted once more by fate, cried out: "O Lord of the worlds, save me; O best of gods, protect my son!"

Verse 42 (padma.4.13.42)

जनकक्रंदितं दृष्ट्वा कंसारिः कृपया मुहुः । जलक्रीडां समाचर्य पितुःक्रोडमगात्पुनः ।

janakakraṁditaṁ dṛṣṭvā kaṁsāriḥ kṛpayā muhuḥ jalakrīḍāṁ samācarya pituḥkroḍamagātpunaḥ

Seeing his father's lament, the foe of Kamsa, out of repeated compassion, sported a while in the water and then returned once more to his father's arms.

Verse 43 (padma.4.13.43)

यथा तेन यदुश्रेष्ठो जगाम नंदमंदिरम् । सुतं दत्त्वा यशोदायै सुतां तस्याः समानयत् ।

yathā tena yaduśreṣṭho jagāma naṁdamaṁdiram sutaṁ dattvā yaśodāyai sutāṁ tasyāḥ samānayat

Thus that best of the Yadus went on to Nanda's home; giving the son to Yashoda, he brought back her daughter.

Verse 44 (padma.4.13.44)

निजागारं ततः प्राप्य पत्न्यै प्रत्यर्पिता सुता । देवकी च प्रसूतेति वार्ता प्राप्ता सुरारिणा ।

nijāgāraṁ tataḥ prāpya patnyai pratyarpitā sutā devakī ca prasūteti vārtā prāptā surāriṇā

Then, reaching his own home, he handed the daughter over to his wife Devaki. And news reached the foe of the gods, Kamsa, that Devaki had given birth.

Verse 45 (padma.4.13.45)

आनेतुं प्रस्थिता दूताः सुतं दुहितरं तदा । आगत्य कंसदूतास्ते सुतां नेतुं प्रचक्रमुः ।

ānetuṁ prasthitā dūtāḥ sutaṁ duhitaraṁ tadā āgatya kaṁsadūtāste sutāṁ netuṁ pracakramuḥ

Then messengers were sent to fetch the daughter. Kamsa's messengers, arriving there, set about taking her away.

Verse 46 (padma.4.13.46)

बलादेनां समाकृष्य देवकी वसुदेवयोः । कंसदूतैर्गृहीत्वा सा अर्पिता तु सुरारये ।

balādenāṁ samākṛṣya devakī vasudevayoḥ kaṁsadūtairgṛhītvā sā arpitā tu surāraye

Wrenching her forcibly from Devaki and Vasudeva, Kamsa's messengers seized her and delivered her to the foe of the gods.

Verse 47 (padma.4.13.47)

स धृत्वा तां महाराजः सभयोऽभूद्दुरासदः । शुद्धकांचनवर्णाभां पूर्णेंदुसदृशाननाम् ।

sa dhṛtvā tāṁ mahārājaḥ sabhayo'bhūddurāsadaḥ śuddhakāṁcanavarṇābhāṁ pūrṇeṁdusadṛśānanām

That great king, unassailable though he was, grew afraid the instant he held her — seeing her of the hue of pure gold, her face like the full moon.

Verse 48 (padma.4.13.48)

कंसो हसंतीं तां दृष्ट्वा विद्युत्स्फुरितलोचनाम् । आदिदेशासुरश्रेष्ठो जहि नीत्वा शिलोपरि ।

kaṁso hasaṁtīṁ tāṁ dṛṣṭvā vidyutsphuritalocanām ādideśāsuraśreṣṭho jahi nītvā śilopari

Seeing her laughing, her eyes flashing like lightning, Kamsa, foremost of demons, commanded: "Take her and dash her upon a rock — kill her!"

Verse 49 (padma.4.13.49)

आज्ञां लब्ध्वाऽसुरास्ते वै निष्पेष्टुं तां प्रवर्तिताः । विद्युच्छीघ्रतया गौरी जगाम शंकरांतिकम् ।

ājñāṁ labdhvā'surāste vai niṣpeṣṭuṁ tāṁ pravartitāḥ vidyucchīghratayā gaurī jagāma śaṁkarāṁtikam

Receiving the order, those demons moved to crush her. But swift as lightning, that goddess Gauri went to Shankara's presence instead.

Verse 50 (padma.4.13.50)

गौर्युवाच । शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि यत्रास्ते शत्रुरुत्तमः । नंदस्य निलये गुप्तस्तव हंताऽसुरोत्तम ।

gauryuvāca śṛṇu rājanpravakṣyāmi yatrāste śatruruttamaḥ naṁdasya nilaye guptastava haṁtā'surottama

The goddess said: "Listen, O king, I shall tell you where your supreme enemy is — O foremost of demons, your slayer lies hidden in Nanda's home."

Verse 51 (padma.4.13.51)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । एवमुक्त्वा तु सा देवी जगाम निजमंदिरम् । श्रुत्वा वाक्यं ततो देव्याः कंसो राजा सुदुःखितः ।

vasiṣṭha uvāca evamuktvā tu sā devī jagāma nijamaṁdiram śrutvā vākyaṁ tato devyāḥ kaṁso rājā suduḥkhitaḥ

Vasishtha said: Having said this, the goddess returned to her own abode. Hearing her words, King Kamsa was thrown into great distress,

Verse 52 (padma.4.13.52)

भगिनीं पूतनामाह गच्छ त्वं नंदमंदिरम् । छद्मना तं सुतं हत्वा गच्छ ते वांच्छितं बहु ।

bhaginīṁ pūtanāmāha gaccha tvaṁ naṁdamaṁdiram chadmanā taṁ sutaṁ hatvā gaccha te vāṁcchitaṁ bahu

and said to his sister Putana: "Go to Nanda's home; kill that son by trickery and return — I shall grant you your many desires —"

Verse 53 (padma.4.13.53)

दास्यामि शत्रुं हंतुं मे व्रज शीघ्रतरं शुभे । आज्ञां प्राप्य राक्षसी सा गोकुलाभिमुखं गता ।

dāsyāmi śatruṁ haṁtuṁ me vraja śīghrataraṁ śubhe ājñāṁ prāpya rākṣasī sā gokulābhimukhaṁ gatā

"— in exchange for the slaying of my enemy; go swiftly, O auspicious one." Receiving this command, that demoness set out toward Gokula.

Verse 54 (padma.4.13.54)

मायया सुंदरी रूपा प्रविष्टा तत्र गोकुले । पयोधरे गरं सा तु धृत्वा हंतुमुपागता ।

māyayā suṁdarī rūpā praviṣṭā tatra gokule payodhare garaṁ sā tu dhṛtvā haṁtumupāgatā

Assuming a beautiful form through illusion, she entered Gokula. Smearing poison on her breast, she came to kill the child —

Verse 55 (padma.4.13.55)

पशुपानां गृहद्वारि प्रविष्टालक्षितेति च । गत्वांतरुत्थाप्य शिशुं स्तनं दत्वापसद्गतिम् ।

paśupānāṁ gṛhadvāri praviṣṭālakṣiteti ca gatvāṁtarutthāpya śiśuṁ stanaṁ datvāpasadgatim

— entering unrecognized at the door of the cowherds' house. Going within, she lifted the infant and gave him her breast, and thereby met her own evil end.

Verse 56 (padma.4.13.56)

ततस्तु शकटं क्षिप्त्वा तृणावर्तादिमर्दनम् । कालीयदमनं कृत्वा गतो मधुपुरीं ततः ।

tatastu śakaṭaṁ kṣiptvā tṛṇāvartādimardanam kālīyadamanaṁ kṛtvā gato madhupurīṁ tataḥ

Then, after overturning the demon-cart, crushing Trinavarta and others, and subduing the serpent Kaliya, he went on to the city of Mathura.

Verse 57 (padma.4.13.57)

गत्वा कंसो हतः क्रूरः कंसमल्लानजीजयत् । एतत्ते कथितं राजन्विष्णोर्जन्मदिनव्रतम् ।

gatvā kaṁso hataḥ krūraḥ kaṁsamallānajījayat etatte kathitaṁ rājanviṣṇorjanmadinavratam

Going there, cruel Kamsa was slain, and he vanquished Kamsa's wrestlers as well. This, O king, is the vow of Vishnu's birthday that I have told you.

Verse 58 (padma.4.13.58)

श्रुत्वा पापानि नश्यंति कुर्यात्किं वा भविष्यति । य इदं कुरुते मर्त्यो या च नारी हरेर्व्रतम् ।

śrutvā pāpāni naśyaṁti kuryātkiṁ vā bhaviṣyati ya idaṁ kurute martyo yā ca nārī harervratam

By hearing it, sins are destroyed — what then would performing it not accomplish? Whatever man, or whatever woman, performs this vow of Hari,

Verse 59 (padma.4.13.59)

ऐश्वर्यमतुलं प्राप्य जन्मन्यत्र यथेप्सितम् । पूर्वविद्धा न कर्त्तव्या तृतीयाषष्ठिरेव च ।

aiśvaryamatulaṁ prāpya janmanyatra yathepsitam pūrvaviddhā na karttavyā tṛtīyāṣaṣṭhireva ca

obtains, in this very life, unequaled prosperity as they desire. This vow should not be shifted onto the third or sixth tithi —

Verse 60 (padma.4.13.60)

अष्टम्येकादशीभूता धर्मकामार्थवांच्छुभिः । वर्जयित्वा प्रयत्नेन सप्तमीसंयुताष्टमी ।

aṣṭamyekādaśībhūtā dharmakāmārthavāṁcchubhiḥ varjayitvā prayatnena saptamīsaṁyutāṣṭamī

— those who seek dharma, desire and prosperity should hold the eighth in the same special regard as the eleventh. Diligently avoiding the eighth when joined with the seventh —

Verse 61 (padma.4.13.61)

विना ऋक्षेऽपि कर्तव्या नवमीसंयुताष्टमी । उदये चाष्टमी किंचित्सकला नवमी यदि ।

vinā ṛkṣe'pi kartavyā navamīsaṁyutāṣṭamī udaye cāṣṭamī kiṁcitsakalā navamī yadi

— one should observe the eighth when joined with the ninth, even without the Rohini asterism. If the eighth prevails only briefly at sunrise and the rest of the day belongs to the ninth —

Verse 62 (padma.4.13.62)

मुहूर्तरोहिणीयुक्ता संपूर्णा चाष्टमी भवेत् । अष्टमी बुधवारेण रोहिणीसहिता यदि ।

muhūrtarohiṇīyuktā saṁpūrṇā cāṣṭamī bhavet aṣṭamī budhavāreṇa rohiṇīsahitā yadi

— and it is joined with Rohini for even a single muhurta, that eighth is deemed complete. If the eighth, together with Rohini, falls on a Wednesday —

Verse 63 (padma.4.13.63)

सोमेनैव भवेद्राजन्किंकृतैर्व्रतकोटिभिः । नवम्यामुदयात्किंचित्सोमे सापि बुधेऽपि च ।

somenaiva bhavedrājankiṁkṛtairvratakoṭibhiḥ navamyāmudayātkiṁcitsome sāpi budhe'pi ca

— or on a Monday, O king, then of what use are countless other vows by comparison? If, on the ninth, the eighth prevails even slightly at sunrise, whether on a Monday or a Wednesday —

Verse 64 (padma.4.13.64)

अपि वर्षशतेनापि लभ्यते वा न लभ्यते । विना ऋक्षं न कर्तव्या नवमीसंयुताष्टमी ।

api varṣaśatenāpi labhyate vā na labhyate vinā ṛkṣaṁ na kartavyā navamīsaṁyutāṣṭamī

— such a combination may be found, or not found, even in a hundred years. Without the Rohini asterism, the eighth joined with the ninth should not be observed.

Verse 65 (padma.4.13.65)

कार्याविद्धापि सप्तम्यां रोहिणीसंयुताष्टमी । कलाकाष्ठामुहूर्तेऽपि यदा कृष्णाष्टमीतिथिः ।

kāryāviddhāpi saptamyāṁ rohiṇīsaṁyutāṣṭamī kalākāṣṭhāmuhūrte'pi yadā kṛṣṇāṣṭamītithiḥ

Even when touched by the seventh, the eighth joined with Rohini is still to be observed, if the dark eighth tithi is present for even a fraction of a moment —

Verse 66 (padma.4.13.66)

नवम्यां सैव वा ग्राह्या सप्तमीसंयुता न हि । किं पुनर्बुधवारेण सोमेनापि विशेषतः ।

navamyāṁ saiva vā grāhyā saptamīsaṁyutā na hi kiṁ punarbudhavāreṇa somenāpi viśeṣataḥ

— that same eighth is acceptable even falling on the ninth, but one joined with the seventh is never acceptable. What then need be said of its falling on a Wednesday, and especially a Monday!

Verse 67 (padma.4.13.67)

किं पुर्नर्नवमीयुक्ता कुलकोट्यास्तु मुक्तिदा । पलवेधेन राजेंद्र सप्तम्या अष्टमीं त्यजेत् ।

kiṁ purnarnavamīyuktā kulakoṭyāstu muktidā palavedhena rājeṁdra saptamyā aṣṭamīṁ tyajet

And when it is joined also with the ninth, it grants liberation to a hundred million of one's lineage! O lord of kings, even for the difference of a single moment, one should abandon the eighth that touches the seventh —

Verse 68 (padma.4.13.68)

सुरायाबिंदुनास्पृष्टं गंगांभः कलशं यथा । दिलीप उवाच । केन चादौ कृतं चेदं केन वा तत्प्रकाशितम् । किं पुण्यं किं फलं देव कथयस्व महामुने ।

surāyābiṁdunāspṛṣṭaṁ gaṁgāṁbhaḥ kalaśaṁ yathā dilīpa uvāca kena cādau kṛtaṁ cedaṁ kena vā tatprakāśitam kiṁ puṇyaṁ kiṁ phalaṁ deva kathayasva mahāmune

— just as a jar filled with Ganga-water must remain untouched even by a single drop of liquor. Dilipa said: By whom was this vow first performed, and by whom was it first made known? What is its merit, what its fruit, O god, O great sage — tell me.

Verse 69 (padma.4.13.69)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । चित्रसेनो महाराजा महापापपरो महान् । अगम्यागमनं कृत्वा स्वर्णस्तेयं द्विजस्य च ।

vasiṣṭha uvāca citraseno mahārājā mahāpāpaparo mahān agamyāgamanaṁ kṛtvā svarṇasteyaṁ dvijasya ca

Vasishtha said: There was a great king named Chitrasena, mighty and given to great sin — he had committed union with the forbidden, theft of a Brahmin's gold,

Verse 70 (padma.4.13.70)

सुरायां च सदा तृप्तो वृथामांसे सदा रतः । एवं पापसमायुक्तो नित्यं प्राणिवधे रतः ।

surāyāṁ ca sadā tṛpto vṛthāmāṁse sadā rataḥ evaṁ pāpasamāyukto nityaṁ prāṇivadhe rataḥ

was ever sated with liquor and ever given to needless meat-eating; thus laden with sin, he remained constantly given to killing living beings.

Verse 71 (padma.4.13.71)

चांडालैः पतितैः सार्द्धमालापं सर्वदाकरोत् । एतदेवं विधो राजा मृगयायां मनो दधे ।

cāṁḍālaiḥ patitaiḥ sārddhamālāpaṁ sarvadākarot etadevaṁ vidho rājā mṛgayāyāṁ mano dadhe

He conversed constantly with outcastes and fallen men. That king, of such a nature, once set his mind on a hunting expedition.

Verse 72 (padma.4.13.72)

अरण्ये द्वीपिनं ज्ञात्वा वेष्टयित्वा च सर्वतः । सावधानं भटान्सर्वान्वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह ।

araṇye dvīpinaṁ jñātvā veṣṭayitvā ca sarvataḥ sāvadhānaṁ bhaṭānsarvānvākyametaduvāca ha

Having tracked a tiger in the forest and surrounded it on every side, he spoke this word, bidding all his soldiers be alert —

Verse 73 (padma.4.13.73)

अहमेव निहन्म्येनं योऽन्योस्मिन्प्रहरिष्यति । स वध्यो नात्र संदेहो व्याघ्रो राज्ञः पथा ययौ ।

ahameva nihanmyenaṁ yo'nyosminprahariṣyati sa vadhyo nātra saṁdeho vyāghro rājñaḥ pathā yayau

"I alone shall slay it; whoever else strikes at it shall be put to death, without doubt." The tiger then made off along the king's own path.

Verse 74 (padma.4.13.74)

सलज्जोऽपि ततो राजा व्याघ्रं पश्चाज्जगाम ह । अनेकक्लेशदुःखेन व्याघ्रं हंतुं समाहितः ।

salajjo'pi tato rājā vyāghraṁ paścājjagāma ha anekakleśaduḥkhena vyāghraṁ haṁtuṁ samāhitaḥ

Then the king, though ashamed, went on after the tiger. Enduring many hardships and sufferings, resolved to kill it,

Verse 75 (padma.4.13.75)

क्षुत्पिपासाकुलक्लेशः संध्यायां यमुनातटे । अष्टमीरोहिणीयुक्ता तद्दिनं जन्मवासरम् ।

kṣutpipāsākulakleśaḥ saṁdhyāyāṁ yamunātaṭe aṣṭamīrohiṇīyuktā taddinaṁ janmavāsaram

tormented by hunger and thirst, he arrived at twilight on the bank of the Yamuna — that day being the eighth joined with Rohini, the very day of Janmashtami.

Verse 76 (padma.4.13.76)

श्वःकन्या यमुनायां वै व्रतं चक्रुर्नराधिप । नानोपहारैर्द्रव्यैश्च धूपदीपैः सुशोभनैः ।

śvaḥkanyā yamunāyāṁ vai vrataṁ cakrurnarādhipa nānopahārairdravyaiśca dhūpadīpaiḥ suśobhanaiḥ

There, O king, some maidens were performing a vow to the Yamuna, adorned with various offerings, with incense and lamps —

Verse 77 (padma.4.13.77)

गंधपुष्पं तथा द्रव्यं कुंकुमादिमनोहरम् । अन्नं बहुगुणं दृष्ट्वा भोक्तुं तन्मानसंकुलम् ।

gaṁdhapuṣpaṁ tathā dravyaṁ kuṁkumādimanoharam annaṁ bahuguṇaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhoktuṁ tanmānasaṁkulam

— together with fragrance, flowers, and delightful articles like vermilion. Seeing the rich, plentiful food, his mind grew restless with the wish to eat.

Verse 78 (padma.4.13.78)

राजोवाच । अन्नाभावान्ममाद्याशु प्राणा यास्यंति निश्चितम् । स्त्रिय ऊचुः । जन्माष्टम्यां हरे राजन्न भोक्तव्यं त्वयानघ ।

rājovāca annābhāvānmamādyāśu prāṇā yāsyaṁti niścitam striya ūcuḥ janmāṣṭamyāṁ hare rājanna bhoktavyaṁ tvayānagha

The king said: "For want of food, my life will surely depart this very moment." The women said: "O sinless king, on Hari's Janmashtami one must not eat."

Verse 79 (padma.4.13.79)

गृध्रमांसं खरं काकं गोमांसमन्नमेव च । भुक्तवान्नात्र संदेहो यो भुंक्ते कृष्णजन्मनि ।

gṛdhramāṁsaṁ kharaṁ kākaṁ gomāṁsamannameva ca bhuktavānnātra saṁdeho yo bhuṁkte kṛṣṇajanmani

"Whoever eats on the day of Krishna's birth eats, in effect, the flesh of a vulture, a donkey, a crow, or a cow — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 80 (padma.4.13.80)

किं किं छिद्रं न संजातं संसारे वसतां नृणाम् । येन देहेस्थिते प्राणे जयंती न कृता नृप ।

kiṁ kiṁ chidraṁ na saṁjātaṁ saṁsāre vasatāṁ nṛṇām yena dehesthite prāṇe jayaṁtī na kṛtā nṛpa

"O king, what fault has not befallen the men who dwell in this world! Whoever, while life still remains in the body, does not observe the birth-festival —"

Verse 81 (padma.4.13.81)

तत्राकृतोपवासस्य शासनं यममंदिरम् । यद्दत्तं पितरो नित्यं न गृह्णंति यथाविधि ।

tatrākṛtopavāsasya śāsanaṁ yamamaṁdiram yaddattaṁ pitaro nityaṁ na gṛhṇaṁti yathāvidhi

"— for him, who has failed to keep the fast, the punishment is the abode of Yama. The ancestors no longer properly accept what is daily offered to them,"

Verse 82 (padma.4.13.82)

पितरः पातिताः सर्वे जयंत्यां भोजने कृते । इति श्रुत्वा ततो राजा व्रतं चक्रे नराधिप ।

pitaraḥ pātitāḥ sarve jayaṁtyāṁ bhojane kṛte iti śrutvā tato rājā vrataṁ cakre narādhipa

"— if food is eaten on the day of the Jayanti, all the forefathers fall from their state." Hearing this, O lord of men, the king performed that vow —

Verse 83 (padma.4.13.83)

किंचित्पुष्पं कियद्गंधं वस्त्रं चानीय हर्षितः । एतद्व्रतं समायुक्तं तिथिभांते च पारणम् । व्रतस्यास्य प्रभावेण चित्रसेनो हरेर्गृहम् ।

kiṁcitpuṣpaṁ kiyadgaṁdhaṁ vastraṁ cānīya harṣitaḥ etadvrataṁ samāyuktaṁ tithibhāṁte ca pāraṇam vratasyāsya prabhāveṇa citraseno harergṛham

— bringing a little flower, a little fragrance, and cloth, rejoicing. Having thus completed the vow, he broke the fast at the end of the tithi. By the power of this vow, Chitrasena —

Verse 84 (padma.4.13.84)

दिव्यं विमानमारुह्य गतवान्पितृभिः सह । यत्फलं मथुरां गत्वा दृष्ट्वा कृष्णमुखांबुजम् ।

divyaṁ vimānamāruhya gatavānpitṛbhiḥ saha yatphalaṁ mathurāṁ gatvā dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇamukhāṁbujam

— mounted a divine celestial chariot and went, with his ancestors, to the abode of Hari. Whatever merit is gained by going to Mathura and beholding Krishna's lotus-face,

Verse 85 (padma.4.13.85)

तत्फलं प्राप्यते पुंसाकृष्णजन्माष्टमीव्रतात् । यत्फलं द्वारकां गत्वा दृष्टे विश्वेश्वरे हरौ । तत्फलं प्राप्यते दीनैः कृत्वा जन्माष्टमीव्रतम् ।

tatphalaṁ prāpyate puṁsākṛṣṇajanmāṣṭamīvratāt yatphalaṁ dvārakāṁ gatvā dṛṣṭe viśveśvare harau tatphalaṁ prāpyate dīnaiḥ kṛtvā janmāṣṭamīvratam

that same merit is obtained by a man through the vow of Krishna-Janmashtami. Whatever merit is gained by going to Dvaraka and beholding Hari, lord of the universe — that same merit is obtained, even by the poor, by performing the vow of Janmashtami.