Rama's Journey to Narayana's Abode; the Glory of Sacred Ash (Bhasma Mahatmya)

Verse 1 (padma.5.105.1)

मुनय ऊचुः - अतःपरं महाभागः किं चकार स राघवः । मुनयश्च महात्मानः किमकुर्वंस्ततः परम्

munaya ūcuḥ - ataḥparaṁ mahābhāgaḥ kiṁ cakāra sa rāghavaḥ munayaśca mahātmānaḥ kimakurvaṁstataḥ param

The sages said: After this, O greatly fortunate one, what did that Raghava do? And what did the great-souled sages then do?

Verse 2 (padma.5.105.2)

सूत उवाच- रामचंद्रे सुखासीने विभीषणे कपीश्वरे । शंभुमूचुर्मुनिवराः कथां पुण्यां वदस्व नः

sūta uvāca- rāmacaṁdre sukhāsīne vibhīṣaṇe kapīśvare śaṁbhumūcurmunivarāḥ kathāṁ puṇyāṁ vadasva naḥ

Suta said: While Ramachandra sat at ease, in the presence of Vibhishana and the lord of monkeys, the foremost sages said to Shambhu: "Tell us a sacred tale."

Verse 3 (padma.5.105.3)

तेषामाकर्ण्य वचनं पार्वतीमाह शंकरः । इदं कस्यापि विप्रस्य गृहं परमशोभनम्

teṣāmākarṇya vacanaṁ pārvatīmāha śaṁkaraḥ idaṁ kasyāpi viprasya gṛhaṁ paramaśobhanam

Hearing their words, Shankara said to Parvati: "This is the exceedingly beautiful house of some Brahmin."

Verse 4 (padma.5.105.4)

रम्योपवनवापीभिर्वीरुद्भिरुपशोभितम् । कूजन्मधुकरश्रेण्या आहूतकुसुमायुधम्

ramyopavanavāpībhirvīrudbhirupaśobhitam kūjanmadhukaraśreṇyā āhūtakusumāyudham

"Beautified with lovely groves and pools, adorned with creepers, its rows of humming bees as if inviting the god of love—"

Verse 5 (padma.5.105.5)

मध्याह्नसंध्यामारोढुमिव सूर्यः प्रवर्त्तते । छायावापीजलस्नातौ परिधाय सुवाससी

madhyāhnasaṁdhyāmāroḍhumiva sūryaḥ pravarttate chāyāvāpījalasnātau paridhāya suvāsasī

"—it seems the sun himself climbs here to reach midday. Bathed in the water of a shaded pool, wearing beautiful garments—"

Verse 6 (padma.5.105.6)

मृगनाभिसमुद्घृष्टघनसारसुचंदनम् । आलिप्य सल्लकीदामदृढधम्मिल्लसंयुतौ

mṛganābhisamudghṛṣṭaghanasārasucaṁdanam ālipya sallakīdāmadṛḍhadhammillasaṁyutau

"—anointed with thick sandal-paste rubbed with musk, adorned with a garland and a firm coiffure—"

Verse 7 (padma.5.105.7)

अनल्पघनसारं तु तांबूलं प्रतिखादितम् । आस्वाद्य माद्यन्मुदितौ यत्र धारागृहे शुभे

analpaghanasāraṁ tu tāṁbūlaṁ pratikhāditam āsvādya mādyanmuditau yatra dhārāgṛhe śubhe

"—having chewed betel rich with camphor, tasting it with delight — in that auspicious water-pavilion—"

Verse 8 (padma.5.105.8)

मयूरनादबहुले बहिर्मधुरगीतकैः । शय्यायामास्तृतायां च परस्परसुखस्थितौ

mayūranādabahule bahirmadhuragītakaiḥ śayyāyāmāstṛtāyāṁ ca parasparasukhasthitau

"—filled with the calls of peacocks, sweet songs sounding outside, seated together in mutual delight upon a spread bed—"

Verse 9 (padma.5.105.9)

विशालस्मितरक्तोष्ठमाननं चुंबितं यदि । संसारफलमाघ्रातमावयोस्तु भविष्यति

viśālasmitaraktoṣṭhamānanaṁ cuṁbitaṁ yadi saṁsāraphalamāghrātamāvayostu bhaviṣyati

"—if that face, with its broad smile and red lips, were kissed, we two should consider the very fruit of worldly existence attained."

Verse 10 (padma.5.105.10)

इतीरितमथ श्रुत्वा कुपिता मुनयस्तु ते । उक्तं वा सुशुभं वाक्यमस्मासु किमिदं त्वया

itīritamatha śrutvā kupitā munayastu te uktaṁ vā suśubhaṁ vākyamasmāsu kimidaṁ tvayā

Hearing this, those sages became angry: "Is this some auspicious word spoken to us?"

Verse 11 (padma.5.105.11)

विप्रलापः प्रियासक्तेः कृतो नोस्मद्वचः कृतम् । अथ कोपपराच्छंभोराननात्परमाद्भुता

vipralāpaḥ priyāsakteḥ kṛto nosmadvacaḥ kṛtam atha kopaparācchaṁbhorānanātparamādbhutā

"This is mere raving from attachment to one's beloved, not a word meant for us." Then, out of anger, from Shambhu's mouth a most wondrous—

Verse 12 (padma.5.105.12)

ज्वाला विनिर्गता सापि करालवदनाभवत् । कस्यचित्तु मुनेर्भार्यामाससादाथ सत्वरम्

jvālā vinirgatā sāpi karālavadanābhavat kasyacittu munerbhāryāmāsasādātha satvaram

—flame issued forth, which became terrible-faced. That flame swiftly reached the wife of some sage—

Verse 13 (padma.5.105.13)

पलायनपरा चासीद्रामं दृष्ट्वा च बिभ्यती । रामोऽपि ब्राह्मणीं शुद्धां मोचयामीत्यभाषत

palāyanaparā cāsīdrāmaṁ dṛṣṭvā ca bibhyatī rāmo'pi brāhmaṇīṁ śuddhāṁ mocayāmītyabhāṣata

—she began to flee, terrified upon seeing Rama. Rama too said: "I shall free this pure Brahmin woman."

Verse 14 (padma.5.105.14)

जगाम पुष्पकेणैव ब्रुवन्मुक्तिं पुनः पुनः । बाणं च धनुषा योक्तुं न च सस्मार राघवः

jagāma puṣpakeṇaiva bruvanmuktiṁ punaḥ punaḥ bāṇaṁ ca dhanuṣā yoktuṁ na ca sasmāra rāghavaḥ

Saying again and again that he would free her, he set out on the Pushpaka chariot; but Raghava did not think to fit an arrow to his bow.

Verse 15 (padma.5.105.15)

शंभुरप्यतिपुण्यानि वनान्यायतनानि च । पुराणि च विचित्राणि दृष्ट्वा रामं न चास्मरत्

śaṁbhurapyatipuṇyāni vanānyāyatanāni ca purāṇi ca vicitrāṇi dṛṣṭvā rāmaṁ na cāsmarat

Shambhu too, seeing most sacred forests, temples, and wondrous cities, did not remember Rama.

Verse 16 (padma.5.105.16)

क्षणेन च तदा प्राप्तो लोकालोकं महागिरिम् । दृष्ट्वाथ राघवः शैलं गृहमार्गसमाकुलम्

kṣaṇena ca tadā prāpto lokālokaṁ mahāgirim dṛṣṭvātha rāghavaḥ śailaṁ gṛhamārgasamākulam

In that moment they arrived at the great mountain called Lokaloka. Raghava, seeing that mountain crowded with pathways of dwellings—

Verse 17 (padma.5.105.17)

विप्रयोषिन्महाभागा क्व गता वदत द्विजाः । इतो गतेति ते प्रोचुस्तमोभागं गिरेरिति

viprayoṣinmahābhāgā kva gatā vadata dvijāḥ ito gateti te procustamobhāgaṁ gireriti

—asked: "O Brahmins, where has that most fortunate Brahmin woman gone? Tell me." They said: "She has gone toward the dark region of this mountain."

Verse 18 (padma.5.105.18)

रामो विवर्णवदनः कष्टमित्यभिचिंतयन् । अथ शंभुर्महातेजाः प्रकाशमतुलं ददौ

rāmo vivarṇavadanaḥ kaṣṭamityabhiciṁtayan atha śaṁbhurmahātejāḥ prakāśamatulaṁ dadau

Rama, his face pale, began to think, "This is a calamity." Then the greatly splendid Shambhu gave forth a matchless light.

Verse 19 (padma.5.105.19)

तत्प्रकाशप्रभावेण रामः कृत्यां ययावनु । तमोमयी महाभूमिः सर्वजंतुविवर्जिता

tatprakāśaprabhāveṇa rāmaḥ kṛtyāṁ yayāvanu tamomayī mahābhūmiḥ sarvajaṁtuvivarjitā

By the power of that light, Rama followed after that demoness. That great land of darkness was devoid of all beings—

Verse 20 (padma.5.105.20)

आब्रह्मांडकटाहांता शतयोजनकोटितः । महारजतभूमिश्च तमोमध्ये व्यवस्थिता

ābrahmāṁḍakaṭāhāṁtā śatayojanakoṭitaḥ mahārajatabhūmiśca tamomadhye vyavasthitā

—extending to the very shell of the cosmic egg, for a hundred crore yojanas; and amid that darkness lay a great silver ground.

Verse 21 (padma.5.105.21)

तत्र नारायणपुरं सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभम् । स राम मुनिवर्यास्तु तं दृष्ट्वा विस्मयं ययुः

tatra nārāyaṇapuraṁ sūryakoṭisamaprabham sa rāma munivaryāstu taṁ dṛṣṭvā vismayaṁ yayuḥ

There stood Narayanapura, radiant as ten million suns. O Rama, seeing it, the foremost sages were struck with wonder.

Verse 22 (padma.5.105.22)

किमेतदिति चाचिंत्य नः प्रवेशः कथं भवेत् । किमेष प्रलयाग्निः स्यान्मायया परमात्मनः

kimetaditi cāciṁtya naḥ praveśaḥ kathaṁ bhavet kimeṣa pralayāgniḥ syānmāyayā paramātmanaḥ

"What is this?" — thinking thus, they became anxious: "How shall we enter? Is this the fire of dissolution, born of the Supreme Self's illusion?"

Verse 23 (padma.5.105.23)

किंवा नो मरणं त्वद्य उत श्रेयो भविष्यति । इति चिंताकुलेष्वेव स रामेषु मुनिष्वथ

kiṁvā no maraṇaṁ tvadya uta śreyo bhaviṣyati iti ciṁtākuleṣveva sa rāmeṣu muniṣvatha

"Or shall death come to us today, or will some good fortune come?" Thus the sages, together with Rama, became troubled with anxiety.

Verse 24 (padma.5.105.24)

शंभुराह शृणुष्वाद्य राघवैतद्वदामि ते । प्रकल्पिता मया माया त्वत्कृते नैतदद्भुतम्

śaṁbhurāha śṛṇuṣvādya rāghavaitadvadāmi te prakalpitā mayā māyā tvatkṛte naitadadbhutam

Shambhu said: "Now listen, O Raghava, I shall tell you this. This illusion I have devised for your sake alone; there is nothing wondrous in it."

Verse 25 (padma.5.105.25)

नारायणीयमेतत्तु परमं धाम भास्वरम् । उष्णशीताद्यविच्छेद्यं ज्ञानगम्यं न चाक्षुषम्

nārāyaṇīyametattu paramaṁ dhāma bhāsvaram uṣṇaśītādyavicchedyaṁ jñānagamyaṁ na cākṣuṣam

"This is that supreme, radiant abode of Narayana himself, unaffected by heat, cold, and the like — attainable by knowledge, not by the eye."

Verse 26 (padma.5.105.26)

तत्तु पूजयतश्चोर्ध्वं पश्य ब्रह्मपुरोगमान् । दिक्षु सर्वासु च मुनीन्पश्य पूजयतोऽमलान्

tattu pūjayataścordhvaṁ paśya brahmapurogamān dikṣu sarvāsu ca munīnpaśya pūjayato'malān

"Look upward and see Brahma and the others worshipping it; see the pure sages worshipping it in every direction."

Verse 27 (padma.5.105.27)

चतुरो निगमान्पश्य स्तुवतः परमं पदम् । योगिनः सनकाद्यास्तु योगमास्थाय यत्नतः

caturo nigamānpaśya stuvataḥ paramaṁ padam yoginaḥ sanakādyāstu yogamāsthāya yatnataḥ

"See the four Vedas praising that supreme abode; the yogis, Sanaka and the rest, having applied themselves diligently to yoga—"

Verse 28 (padma.5.105.28)

ध्यायंति परमं तेजस्तदिदं पश्य राघव । अमुं च रोमशं पश्य प्रदक्षिणनमस्क्रियाः

dhyāyaṁti paramaṁ tejastadidaṁ paśya rāghava amuṁ ca romaśaṁ paśya pradakṣiṇanamaskriyāḥ

"—meditate upon that supreme splendor; behold this, O Raghava. And see this sage Romasha, performing circumambulation and prostration—"

Verse 29 (padma.5.105.29)

कुर्वाणं कोटिकोटीश्च वालखिल्यान्मुनीश्वरान् । लक्ष्म्यादिसर्ववनिता पूज्यमानं परं पदम्

kurvāṇaṁ koṭikoṭīśca vālakhilyānmunīśvarān lakṣmyādisarvavanitā pūjyamānaṁ paraṁ padam

"—see the crores upon crores of Valakhilya sages, and that supreme abode worshipped by Lakshmi and all the goddesses—"

Verse 30 (padma.5.105.30)

साकारं च निराकारं ब्रह्म यत्परिकीर्तितम् । अज्ञानिनो न पश्यंति पश्यंति ज्ञानचक्षुषः

sākāraṁ ca nirākāraṁ brahma yatparikīrtitam ajñānino na paśyaṁti paśyaṁti jñānacakṣuṣaḥ

"—which is declared to be Brahman, both with form and formless. The ignorant do not see it; only those with the eye of knowledge see it."

Verse 31 (padma.5.105.31)

शंभुवाक्यादतः सर्वे पूजयामासुरच्युतम् । गिरिकर्णीं च तुलसीं मल्लिकां मारुतं तथा

śaṁbhuvākyādataḥ sarve pūjayāmāsuracyutam girikarṇīṁ ca tulasīṁ mallikāṁ mārutaṁ tathā

At Shambhu's word, all of them then worshipped Achyuta — with girikarni, tulasi, jasmine, and the offering of a fan,

Verse 32 (padma.5.105.32)

नीलोत्पलैरंबुजैश्च कृष्णास्फुटजलैरपि । पूजयंतो महात्मानो महात्मानं जनार्दनम्

nīlotpalairaṁbujaiśca kṛṣṇāsphuṭajalairapi pūjayaṁto mahātmāno mahātmānaṁ janārdanam

with blue lotuses, lotuses, and clear water too — those great souls, worshipping the great soul Janardana—

Verse 33 (padma.5.105.33)

नारदं खेऽथ ददृशुर्जटिलं सविपंचिकम् । नारायणपदाघोषं लंबकूर्चोपवीतिनम्

nāradaṁ khe'tha dadṛśurjaṭilaṁ savipaṁcikam nārāyaṇapadāghoṣaṁ laṁbakūrcopavītinam

—saw in the sky Narada, matted-haired, with his vina, chanting the name of Narayana, with a hanging beard and sacred thread.

Verse 34 (padma.5.105.34)

स चापि मनसा दध्यौ क एष इति नारदः । स पपात प्रभोः पादे शंभोरानंदनिर्भरः

sa cāpi manasā dadhyau ka eṣa iti nāradaḥ sa papāta prabhoḥ pāde śaṁbhorānaṁdanirbharaḥ

Narada too thought in his mind, "Who is this?" Filled with joy, he fell at the feet of the Lord Shambhu.

Verse 35 (padma.5.105.35)

शैवीं पंचाक्षरीं विद्यां जजाप मनसा मुनिः । धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि जन्माद्यसफलं मम

śaivīṁ paṁcākṣarīṁ vidyāṁ jajāpa manasā muniḥ dhanyo'smyanugṛhīto'smi janmādyasaphalaṁ mama

That sage recited within his mind the Shaiva five-syllable mantra: "Blessed am I, favored am I, my birth and all else has borne fruit."

Verse 36 (padma.5.105.36)

ब्रह्मादिवंद्यं चागम्यं ज्ञातवानस्मि ते पदम् । नारदं तमथ प्राह शंभुर्मैवं वदेति हि

brahmādivaṁdyaṁ cāgamyaṁ jñātavānasmi te padam nāradaṁ tamatha prāha śaṁbhurmaivaṁ vadeti hi

"I have come to know that abode of yours, revered by Brahma and the rest, unattainable." Then Shambhu said to Narada: "Do not speak thus."

Verse 37 (padma.5.105.37)

यथा च मां न जानंति तथा मे कुरु वर्तनम् । गच्छ शीघ्रं हरिं ब्रूहि ममागमनमल्पतः

yathā ca māṁ na jānaṁti tathā me kuru vartanam gaccha śīghraṁ hariṁ brūhi mamāgamanamalpataḥ

"Act toward me as if others do not know me. Go quickly and tell Hari a little of my arrival."

Verse 38 (padma.5.105.38)

अथ स त्वरया गत्वा सर्वं व्यज्ञापयद्धरिम् । अथ सत्वरया विष्णोरादायार्घोदकं शुभम्

atha sa tvarayā gatvā sarvaṁ vyajñāpayaddharim atha satvarayā viṣṇorādāyārghodakaṁ śubham

Then he went swiftly and informed Hari of everything. Then Vishnu, taking auspicious arghya-water, swiftly—

Verse 39 (padma.5.105.39)

कमलासहितो योगी कोटिकोटिसमावृतः । निर्ययौ नारदं हस्ते गृहीत्वा गरुडध्वजः

kamalāsahito yogī koṭikoṭisamāvṛtaḥ niryayau nāradaṁ haste gṛhītvā garuḍadhvajaḥ

—that yogi bearing the Garuda banner, together with Lakshmi, surrounded by crores upon crores, came forth, taking Narada by the hand—

Verse 40 (padma.5.105.40)

नमोनमो नमोस्त्वस्मै शंकरायेत्युदीरयन् । अर्घपाद्यादिना सर्वान्पूजयामास केशवः

namonamo namostvasmai śaṁkarāyetyudīrayan arghapādyādinā sarvānpūjayāmāsa keśavaḥ

—saying "Homage, homage, homage to Shankara," Keshava honored all of them with arghya, padya, and the like.

Verse 41 (padma.5.105.41)

प्रावेशयदमेयात्मा नारायणपुरं शुभम् । गृहराजे ततः स्थित्वा नारायण उवाच ह

prāveśayadameyātmā nārāyaṇapuraṁ śubham gṛharāje tataḥ sthitvā nārāyaṇa uvāca ha

That immeasurable Self led them into the auspicious Narayanapura. Then, seated in the royal hall, Narayana said—

Verse 42 (padma.5.105.42)

कथमेते समायाताः कोऽयं राजा महायशाः । अमानुषप्रवेशोऽयं ब्रह्माद्यैरप्यगोचरः

kathamete samāyātāḥ ko'yaṁ rājā mahāyaśāḥ amānuṣapraveśo'yaṁ brahmādyairapyagocaraḥ

"How have these come here? Who is this king of great fame? This place, inaccessible to men, is beyond the reach even of Brahma and the rest."

Verse 43 (padma.5.105.43)

शंभुरुवाच- मुनिवेषा यथा प्राप्ता वयमेते नृपस्तथा । तवांशो नृपतिश्चायं रामचंद्रः प्रतापवान्

śaṁbhuruvāca- muniveṣā yathā prāptā vayamete nṛpastathā tavāṁśo nṛpatiścāyaṁ rāmacaṁdraḥ pratāpavān

Shambhu said: "As we have come disguised as sages, so too is this king. This is your own portion — the mighty King Ramachandra."

Verse 44 (padma.5.105.44)

एनां संवीक्षितुं पत्नीं तव केशव कांक्षति । नारायणस्तथेत्युक्त्वा प्रविशेत्याह राघवम्

enāṁ saṁvīkṣituṁ patnīṁ tava keśava kāṁkṣati nārāyaṇastathetyuktvā praviśetyāha rāghavam

"He desires to behold your wife, O Keshava." Narayana, saying "So be it," bade Raghava enter.

Verse 45 (padma.5.105.45)

अथ प्रविश्य भवनं लक्ष्मीं वीक्ष्य नमस्य च । विनयावनतो भूत्वा वाचमाह सुचारिणीम्

atha praviśya bhavanaṁ lakṣmīṁ vīkṣya namasya ca vinayāvanato bhūtvā vācamāha sucāriṇīm

Then, having entered the mansion, and having seen and bowed to Lakshmi, he, bowed low in humility, spoke sweet words.

Verse 46 (padma.5.105.46)

कृतार्थोऽस्मि न संदेहो वद त्वं किं तु मन्यसे । श्रीदेव्युवाच- त्वं युवा कामकृष्टश्च रूपवानसि राघव

kṛtārtho'smi na saṁdeho vada tvaṁ kiṁ tu manyase śrīdevyuvāca- tvaṁ yuvā kāmakṛṣṭaśca rūpavānasi rāghava

"I am fulfilled, there is no doubt; tell me, what do you think?" Shri Devi said: "You are young, O Raghava, drawn by desire, and handsome."

Verse 47 (padma.5.105.47)

सीता सा चारुसर्वांगी तव पत्नी तया भवान् । वियुक्तोऽस्ति पुरा चासीदतीव विरहाकुलः

sītā sā cārusarvāṁgī tava patnī tayā bhavān viyukto'sti purā cāsīdatīva virahākulaḥ

"That lovely-limbed Sita is your wife; you were once separated from her and were greatly troubled by that separation."

Verse 48 (padma.5.105.48)

ममापि वद सर्वं तदथवा न च लप्स्यसि । सहासान्यथ वाक्यानि यूनां चित्तहराणि च

mamāpi vada sarvaṁ tadathavā na ca lapsyasi sahāsānyatha vākyāni yūnāṁ cittaharāṇi ca

"Tell me too everything, or else you shall not obtain it" — thus, smiling, she spoke words that steal the hearts of the young.

Verse 49 (padma.5.105.49)

श्रुत्वा तु तानि सर्वाणि रामभद्रो यतात्मवान् । निर्गंतुं कांक्षते तत्र आनम्य तन्मुखांबुजम्

śrutvā tu tāni sarvāṇi rāmabhadro yatātmavān nirgaṁtuṁ kāṁkṣate tatra ānamya tanmukhāṁbujam

Hearing all this, self-controlled Ramabhadra wished to leave that place; having bowed to that lotus-face—

Verse 50 (padma.5.105.50)

स्मरबाणेन पद्मेन संपीड्य रघुशेखरम् । अन्वेव निर्ययौ देवी पद्मा पद्मवनप्रिया

smarabāṇena padmena saṁpīḍya raghuśekharam anveva niryayau devī padmā padmavanapriyā

—as if piercing that crest of the Raghus with Kama's lotus-arrow, the goddess Padma, lover of the lotus-grove, went out after him.

Verse 51 (padma.5.105.51)

एकपत्नीव्रतं ज्ञात्वा रामं ते समुपागमन् । अथवेपितसर्वांगं स्खलत्पदगतिं नृपम्

ekapatnīvrataṁ jñātvā rāmaṁ te samupāgaman athavepitasarvāṁgaṁ skhalatpadagatiṁ nṛpam

Recognizing his vow of one wife alone, they all approached Rama — seeing the king with every limb trembling, his gait faltering—

Verse 52 (padma.5.105.52)

शिवनारायणौ दृष्ट्वा विस्मयं परमं गतौ । अहोऽस्य द्रढिमाचित्ते मायिनोऽप्य वशात्मनः

śivanārāyaṇau dṛṣṭvā vismayaṁ paramaṁ gatau aho'sya draḍhimācitte māyino'pya vaśātmanaḥ

—seeing this, Shiva and Narayana both fell into the greatest astonishment: "Ah, behold the firmness of his mind, even beyond the sway of this Maya-worker!"

Verse 53 (padma.5.105.53)

धैर्यं पश्येह नियतं तेन रामः सुकीर्तिमान् । सर्वतः शिवमेवास्य नाशिवं विद्यते क्वचित्

dhairyaṁ paśyeha niyataṁ tena rāmaḥ sukīrtimān sarvataḥ śivamevāsya nāśivaṁ vidyate kvacit

"Behold this steadfastness indeed, by which Rama is of such fair renown. In him there is only auspiciousness on every side, nowhere any inauspiciousness."

Verse 54 (padma.5.105.54)

अथ रामो वचः प्राह गच्छेहं भगवन्प्रभो । अनुज्ञातोऽथ हरिणा पुष्पकेण स राघवः

atha rāmo vacaḥ prāha gacchehaṁ bhagavanprabho anujñāto'tha hariṇā puṣpakeṇa sa rāghavaḥ

Then Rama said: "O blessed Lord, I take my leave." Then, given leave by Hari, that Raghava, upon the Pushpaka chariot—

Verse 55 (padma.5.105.55)

स मुनिः सहशंभुश्च सहनारायणो ययौ । लोकालोकं गतः शीघ्रं ततः स्वादूदधिं गतः

sa muniḥ sahaśaṁbhuśca sahanārāyaṇo yayau lokālokaṁ gataḥ śīghraṁ tataḥ svādūdadhiṁ gataḥ

—that sage, together with Narayana, traveled with him. Having swiftly passed Lokaloka, they went then to the Ocean of Sweet Water.

Verse 56 (padma.5.105.56)

ततो द्वीपसमुद्रांश्च जंबूद्वीपं पुनर्गतः । भरद्वाजाश्रमपदे तस्थिवान्गौतमीतटे

tato dvīpasamudrāṁśca jaṁbūdvīpaṁ punargataḥ bharadvājāśramapade tasthivāngautamītaṭe

Then, having crossed the islands and oceans, they went again to Jambudvipa, and rested at the hermitage of Bharadvaja on the bank of the Gautami.

Verse 57 (padma.5.105.57)

अथ स्नात्वा महानद्यां भरद्वाजो मुनीश्वरः । शिष्यैः श्रीमान्परिवृतः पुष्पकं दृष्टवान्मुनिः

atha snātvā mahānadyāṁ bharadvājo munīśvaraḥ śiṣyaiḥ śrīmānparivṛtaḥ puṣpakaṁ dṛṣṭavānmuniḥ

Then, having bathed in the great river, the lordly sage Bharadvaja, surrounded by his disciples, saw the Pushpaka chariot.

Verse 58 (padma.5.105.58)

तत्र रामं महाबाहुं शिवनारायणावृषीन् । यथावत्पूजयित्वा तु तानुवाच महामुनिः

tatra rāmaṁ mahābāhuṁ śivanārāyaṇāvṛṣīn yathāvatpūjayitvā tu tānuvāca mahāmuniḥ

There, having duly honored the mighty-armed Rama, Shiva and Narayana, and the sages, that great sage spoke to them.

Verse 59 (padma.5.105.59)

ममाश्रमपदे यूयं भोक्तुमर्हथ सत्तमाः । रामस्तु मन्वाक्येन तथेत्याह कथंचन

mamāśramapade yūyaṁ bhoktumarhatha sattamāḥ rāmastu manvākyena tathetyāha kathaṁcana

"O excellent ones, you are worthy to eat at my hermitage." Rama too, respecting his word, somehow agreed.

Verse 60 (padma.5.105.60)

अथ स्नात्वा महानद्यां कृत्वा देवादितर्पणम् । भोक्तुकामं तदा रामं वसिष्ठो वाक्यमुक्तवान्

atha snātvā mahānadyāṁ kṛtvā devāditarpaṇam bhoktukāmaṁ tadā rāmaṁ vasiṣṭho vākyamuktavān

Then, having bathed in the great river and performed tarpana to the gods and the rest, as Rama desired to eat, Vasishtha spoke this word to him.

Verse 61 (padma.5.105.61)

धर्मत्यागो भवेद्राम न श्राद्धं क्रियते यदि । श्रीराम उवाच- अमायां ग्रहणे तीर्थे व्यतीपातेऽथ संक्रमे

dharmatyāgo bhavedrāma na śrāddhaṁ kriyate yadi śrīrāma uvāca- amāyāṁ grahaṇe tīrthe vyatīpāte'tha saṁkrame

"O Rama, if shraddha is not performed, that is an abandonment of dharma." Shri Rama said: "On the new moon, at an eclipse, at a sacred ford, at a Vyatipata, at a solstice—"

Verse 62 (padma.5.105.62)

व्यतीतं यदि चेच्छ्राद्धं भगवन्क्रियते पुनः । नित्यश्राद्धं पुनर्नैव कुर्यादिति वचस्तव

vyatītaṁ yadi cecchrāddhaṁ bhagavankriyate punaḥ nityaśrāddhaṁ punarnaiva kuryāditi vacastava

"—if the daily shraddha has already been performed, O lord, should it then be done again? It is your teaching that the daily shraddha should not be repeated."

Verse 63 (padma.5.105.63)

यथा ममैव मातॄणां मरणे समुपस्थिते । अशौचे च समायाते नित्यश्राद्धं न वै कृतम्

yathā mamaiva mātṝṇāṁ maraṇe samupasthite aśauce ca samāyāte nityaśrāddhaṁ na vai kṛtam

"As, when my own mothers died and impurity came upon me, I did not perform the daily shraddha—"

Verse 64 (padma.5.105.64)

व्यतीपातादिकालेषु कृतं तु वचनात्तव । वसिष्ठ उवाच- एते हि मुनयः सर्वे तथा शंभुरयं द्विजः

vyatīpātādikāleṣu kṛtaṁ tu vacanāttava vasiṣṭha uvāca- ete hi munayaḥ sarve tathā śaṁbhurayaṁ dvijaḥ

"—but performed it in the times of Vyatipata and the like, only in accordance with your teaching." Vasishtha said: "All these sages and this Brahmin Shambhu are present here—"

Verse 65 (padma.5.105.65)

एतन्मुखादशेषेण निर्णयस्तु भविष्यति । सह सर्वे विनिश्चित्य मुनयः शंभुमब्रुवन्

etanmukhādaśeṣeṇa nirṇayastu bhaviṣyati saha sarve viniścitya munayaḥ śaṁbhumabruvan

"—the full determination shall come from their very mouths." All the sages, together, having deliberated, said to Shambhu—

Verse 66 (padma.5.105.66)

वदास्माकमशेषं त्वं द्विजवर्य महानसि । शंभुरुवाच- त्यक्तव्यं यच्च वै श्राद्धं पुनः कर्तव्यमेव च

vadāsmākamaśeṣaṁ tvaṁ dvijavarya mahānasi śaṁbhuruvāca- tyaktavyaṁ yacca vai śrāddhaṁ punaḥ kartavyameva ca

—"Tell us everything; you are great among the best of Brahmins." Shambhu said: "That shraddha which should be omitted, and that which should indeed be performed again—"

Verse 67 (padma.5.105.67)

सूतके समनुप्राप्ते विघ्नेषु च वदाम्यहम् । मासिकान्युदकुंभानि श्राद्धानि सकलानिच

sūtake samanuprāpte vighneṣu ca vadāmyaham māsikānyudakuṁbhāni śrāddhāni sakalānica

"—when impurity from birth or death occurs, and when obstacles arise, I shall tell it: the monthly water-vessel shraddha, and all complete shraddhas—"

Verse 68 (padma.5.105.68)

प्रतिसांवत्सरं श्राद्धं सूतकानंतरं विदुः । त्यक्तान्यन्यानि यावंति सूतके विघ्नसंभवे

pratisāṁvatsaraṁ śrāddhaṁ sūtakānaṁtaraṁ viduḥ tyaktānyanyāni yāvaṁti sūtake vighnasaṁbhave

"—the yearly shraddha should be known to follow after the impurity period. Whatever, during the impurity, had to be omitted due to the obstacle—"

Verse 69 (padma.5.105.69)

अनंतरं हि कार्याणि सर्वाणीति न संशयः । मासिकानि समस्तानि श्राद्धं प्रात्यब्दिकं तथा

anaṁtaraṁ hi kāryāṇi sarvāṇīti na saṁśayaḥ māsikāni samastāni śrāddhaṁ prātyabdikaṁ tathā

"—all of these should indeed be performed afterward, without doubt. All monthly shraddhas, and the yearly shraddha too—"

Verse 70 (padma.5.105.70)

सूतकानंतरं कार्यं विघ्नेऽन्यस्मिन्यतोन्यथा । एकादश्यां कृष्णपक्षे कर्तव्यं शुभमिच्छता

sūtakānaṁtaraṁ kāryaṁ vighne'nyasminyatonyathā ekādaśyāṁ kṛṣṇapakṣe kartavyaṁ śubhamicchatā

"—should be performed only after the impurity period; for other obstacles this rule is different. One desiring auspiciousness should perform it on the eleventh of the dark fortnight—"

Verse 71 (padma.5.105.71)

तत्र व्यतिक्रमे हेतावमायां क्रियते तु तत् । यथोत्तरदिनेष्वेव कर्तव्यं यद्यविघ्नतः

tatra vyatikrame hetāvamāyāṁ kriyate tu tat yathottaradineṣveva kartavyaṁ yadyavighnataḥ

"—if there is a lapse there, it is performed on the new moon. As it should be done on the following days, if there is no obstacle."

Verse 72 (padma.5.105.72)

कृष्णपक्षे त्वमायां तु कर्तव्यं राम नो कृतम् । मृताहस्य यदा मासो न ज्ञायेत कथंचन

kṛṣṇapakṣe tvamāyāṁ tu kartavyaṁ rāma no kṛtam mṛtāhasya yadā māso na jñāyeta kathaṁcana

"O Rama, that which was not performed on the new moon of the dark fortnight — when the month of the deceased's day cannot be known in any way—"

Verse 73 (padma.5.105.73)

मार्गशीर्षेऽथवा माघे श्राद्धं तद्दिवसे स्मृतम् । यदा तु वासराज्ञानं मासस्य ज्ञानमेव च

mārgaśīrṣe'thavā māghe śrāddhaṁ taddivase smṛtam yadā tu vāsarājñānaṁ māsasya jñānameva ca

"—in Margashirsha or Magha, on that same day the shraddha is remembered as to be done. When the day is not known, but the month is known—"

Verse 74 (padma.5.105.74)

अमायामेव तन्मासे श्राद्धं सांवत्सरं भवेत् । दिनमासापरिज्ञाने प्रोषितस्य मृतस्य च

amāyāmeva tanmāse śrāddhaṁ sāṁvatsaraṁ bhavet dinamāsāparijñāne proṣitasya mṛtasya ca

"—the yearly shraddha falls on the new moon of that same month. When neither the day nor the month is known, and the deceased died away from home—"

Verse 75 (padma.5.105.75)

तत्तिथ्यां तद्दिनं ग्राह्यं तत्र ज्ञानं यदा भवेत् । आश्विनामा च मार्गामा माघामा च दिनत्रयम्

tattithyāṁ taddinaṁ grāhyaṁ tatra jñānaṁ yadā bhavet āśvināmā ca mārgāmā māghāmā ca dinatrayam

"—on that tithi, that day should be taken, whenever it becomes known. The new moon of Ashvin, of Margashirsha, and of Magha — of these three days—"

Verse 76 (padma.5.105.76)

तत्र वान्यतमं ग्राह्यं दिनमासाप्रतीतितः । वृद्धिसप्तमसीमंत प्रेतश्राद्धानुमासिकम्

tatra vānyatamaṁ grāhyaṁ dinamāsāpratītitaḥ vṛddhisaptamasīmaṁta pretaśrāddhānumāsikam

"—one of these should be taken, by inference of day and month. The Vriddhi-shraddha, the seventh-month Simantonnayana, the Preta-shraddha, and the monthly shraddha—"

Verse 77 (padma.5.105.77)

नित्योदकुंभश्राद्धं च मासे स्युरधिकेऽपि च । ग्रहणे पुत्रजन्मादौ कर्मण्यपि च शांतिके

nityodakuṁbhaśrāddhaṁ ca māse syuradhike'pi ca grahaṇe putrajanmādau karmaṇyapi ca śāṁtike

"—the daily water-vessel shraddha — these occur even in an intercalary month. In an eclipse, at a son's birth, in a rite, and in a peace-ceremony too—"

Verse 78 (padma.5.105.78)

संकल्पिते च सर्वस्मिन्नधिमासो न दुष्यति । रोगी यदा मनुष्यः स्याच्छ्राद्धकर्मण्युपस्थिते

saṁkalpite ca sarvasminnadhimāso na duṣyati rogī yadā manuṣyaḥ syācchrāddhakarmaṇyupasthite

"—in every undertaking resolved upon, the intercalary month is not a fault. When a man is ill at the time when the shraddha rite is due—"

Verse 79 (padma.5.105.79)

भार्यां वा भ्रातरं वापि शिष्यं वापि नियोजयेत् । तस्याभावे न हानिः स्यात्कर्मणः श्राद्धसंज्ञिनः

bhāryāṁ vā bhrātaraṁ vāpi śiṣyaṁ vāpi niyojayet tasyābhāve na hāniḥ syātkarmaṇaḥ śrāddhasaṁjñinaḥ

"—he should appoint his wife, or his brother, or his disciple. In their absence, there is no loss to the rite called shraddha."

Verse 80 (padma.5.105.80)

नित्यश्राद्धे यथाशक्ति भोक्तारं तु नियोजयेत् । अमावास्या मासिकं च मृताह व्यतिरेकि यत्

nityaśrāddhe yathāśakti bhoktāraṁ tu niyojayet amāvāsyā māsikaṁ ca mṛtāha vyatireki yat

"In the daily shraddha, one should appoint a diner according to one's means. That of the new moon, the monthly, and that other than the death-anniversary—"

Verse 81 (padma.5.105.81)

स्वयं कर्मण्यशक्तश्चेत्सुतं विप्रं नियोजयेत् । राजकार्यनियुक्तस्य दासग्रहणवर्तिनः

svayaṁ karmaṇyaśaktaścetsutaṁ vipraṁ niyojayet rājakāryaniyuktasya dāsagrahaṇavartinaḥ

"—if one is oneself incapable of the rite, one should appoint a son or a Brahmin. When engaged in royal service, or occupied in taking a pledge—"

Verse 82 (padma.5.105.82)

व्यसनेषु समस्तेषु श्राद्धं विप्रेण कारयेत् । प्रातःकाले तु न श्राद्धं प्रकुर्वंति द्विजोत्तमाः

vyasaneṣu samasteṣu śrāddhaṁ vipreṇa kārayet prātaḥkāle tu na śrāddhaṁ prakurvaṁti dvijottamāḥ

"—in every kind of difficulty, one should have a Brahmin perform the shraddha. Best Brahmins do not perform shraddha in the early morning."

Verse 83 (padma.5.105.83)

नैमित्तिकेषु श्राद्धेषु न कालनियमः स्मृतः

naimittikeṣu śrāddheṣu na kālaniyamaḥ smṛtaḥ

"In occasional shraddhas, no rule of time has been prescribed."

Verse 84 (padma.5.105.84)

गृहादिव्यतिरिक्तस्य प्रक्रमः कुतुपः स्मृतः । कुतुपादथवाप्यर्वागासन्नकुतुपो भवेत्

gṛhādivyatiriktasya prakramaḥ kutupaḥ smṛtaḥ kutupādathavāpyarvāgāsannakutupo bhavet

"In a place other than one's home, the time called Kutupa is held to be the [proper] beginning. It may also be before Kutupa, or near it—"

Verse 85 (padma.5.105.85)

मासेमासे यथाश्राद्धेऽपराह्णस्पृग्विधीयते । अपराह्णव्यापिनी स्यादुभयत्र यदा त्वमा

māsemāse yathāśrāddhe'parāhṇaspṛgvidhīyate aparāhṇavyāpinī syādubhayatra yadā tvamā

"—in each month's shraddha, touching the afternoon period is prescribed. When the new moon spans the afternoon on both days—"

Verse 86 (padma.5.105.86)

क्षये पूर्वा तु कर्तव्या वृद्धौ साम्ये परा स्मृता । अमावास्या तु या हि स्यादपराह्णद्वये समा

kṣaye pūrvā tu kartavyā vṛddhau sāmye parā smṛtā amāvāsyā tu yā hi syādaparāhṇadvaye samā

"—if there is contraction, the earlier tithi should be taken; in extension, when equal, the later is declared. The new moon that is equal in both afternoons—"

Verse 87 (padma.5.105.87)

क्षये पूर्वा परा वृद्धौ साम्येऽपि च परा भवेत् । क्षीणस्तु चंद्रमा यत्र तत्र श्राद्धं तु पार्वणम्

kṣaye pūrvā parā vṛddhau sāmye'pi ca parā bhavet kṣīṇastu caṁdramā yatra tatra śrāddhaṁ tu pārvaṇam

"—in contraction, the earlier; in extension, the later; and even in equality, the later. Where the moon is waning, there the shraddha is Parvana."

Verse 88 (padma.5.105.88)

अमाष्टभागे सूक्ष्मोऽसौ भूताष्टांशे स नास्ति चेत् । मध्याह्नव्यापिनी सा स्यादेकोद्दिष्टे तिथिर्भवेत्

amāṣṭabhāge sūkṣmo'sau bhūtāṣṭāṁśe sa nāsti cet madhyāhnavyāpinī sā syādekoddiṣṭe tithirbhavet

"In the eighth part of the new moon it becomes subtle; if not in the eighth part — if the tithi spans midday, then the Ekoddishta shraddha applies."

Verse 89 (padma.5.105.89)

सायाह्नव्यापिनी या स्यात्पार्वणे सा तिथिर्भवेत् । अल्पापराह्णगा यामा ग्राह्या श्राद्धादिके भवेत्

sāyāhnavyāpinī yā syātpārvaṇe sā tithirbhavet alpāparāhṇagā yāmā grāhyā śrāddhādike bhavet

"The tithi that spans the evening becomes the tithi for Parvana. The tithi that extends slightly into the afternoon is to be taken for shraddha and the like."

Verse 90 (padma.5.105.90)

मृताहे त्रिमुहूर्ता च सायंकाले तिथिर्भवेत् । परेह्यस्तंगता यत्र त्रिमुहूर्तं तु पूर्ववत्

mṛtāhe trimuhūrtā ca sāyaṁkāle tithirbhavet parehyastaṁgatā yatra trimuhūrtaṁ tu pūrvavat

"On the death-anniversary, in the evening, the tithi lasts three muhurtas. If it ends on the following day, there too, three muhurtas as before—"

Verse 91 (padma.5.105.91)

तत्रापरेद्युः श्राद्धं स्याज्ज्येष्ठपुत्रस्य नाशनम् । अमाश्राद्धं यथा कुर्यान्मृताहे समुपस्थिते

tatrāparedyuḥ śrāddhaṁ syājjyeṣṭhaputrasya nāśanam amāśrāddhaṁ yathā kuryānmṛtāhe samupasthite

"—performing the shraddha on the day after that destroys the eldest son. As the new-moon shraddha is performed, so, when the death-anniversary arrives—"

Verse 92 (padma.5.105.92)

मध्याह्नव्यापिनी तत्र ह्य द्विजस्य विधीयते । राम उवाच- श्राद्धक्रममशेषेण मर्त्यकर्मक्रमं तथा

madhyāhnavyāpinī tatra hya dvijasya vidhīyate rāma uvāca- śrāddhakramamaśeṣeṇa martyakarmakramaṁ tathā

"—for the Brahmin, only the tithi spanning midday is prescribed there." Rama said: "The entire order of shraddha, and likewise the order of human rites—"

Verse 93 (padma.5.105.93)

प्रासंगिकानां धर्माणां निर्णयं वक्तुमर्हसि । शंभुरुवाच- श्राद्धस्य दिवसे प्राप्ते पूर्वेद्युर्नियमान्वितः

prāsaṁgikānāṁ dharmāṇāṁ nirṇayaṁ vaktumarhasi śaṁbhuruvāca- śrāddhasya divase prāpte pūrvedyurniyamānvitaḥ

"—and the determination of the incidental duties, you should also tell." Shambhu said: "When the day of shraddha arrives, on the preceding day, observing the vow—"

Verse 94 (padma.5.105.94)

निमंत्रयीत विप्रेंद्रान्विप्रलक्षणसंयुतान् । एकभुक्तं ब्रह्मचर्यमंत्यजाद्यैरभाषणम्

nimaṁtrayīta vipreṁdrānvipralakṣaṇasaṁyutān ekabhuktaṁ brahmacaryamaṁtyajādyairabhāṣaṇam

"—one should invite excellent Brahmins possessed of the marks of a true Brahmin. Eating once, celibacy, not conversing with the low-born—"

Verse 95 (padma.5.105.95)

दंतधावनमभ्यंग नखकेशनिकृंतनम् । कर्ता कुर्वीत पूर्वेद्युस्त्यक्त्वा चैव परेऽहनि

daṁtadhāvanamabhyaṁga nakhakeśanikṛṁtanam kartā kurvīta pūrvedyustyaktvā caiva pare'hani

"—cleaning the teeth, oiling the body, cutting nails and hair — the performer should do these on the preceding day, and forgo them on the day itself."

Verse 96 (padma.5.105.96)

गृह्णीतनियमानुक्तान्सर्वमेतत्परित्यजेत् । त्रिकालं चैव पूजा चेत्प्रातर्देवं यजेत्स्वकम्

gṛhṇītaniyamānuktānsarvametatparityajet trikālaṁ caiva pūjā cetprātardevaṁ yajetsvakam

"He should follow the stated observances, giving up all these other things. If worship is thrice daily, he should worship his own deity in the morning—"

Verse 97 (padma.5.105.97)

अरुणोदयवेलायां करोति यदि पूजनम् । अधःशायी तथा भूतः प्रातरुत्थाय कर्मवित्

aruṇodayavelāyāṁ karoti yadi pūjanam adhaḥśāyī tathā bhūtaḥ prātarutthāya karmavit

"—if he worships at the time of dawn's first glow, he is as one who has remained lying down; the one who knows the rite should rise at dawn—"

Verse 98 (padma.5.105.98)

प्रातस्त्यमपि यत्कर्म तत्कृत्वा स्नानपूर्वकम् । ऋणत्रयविनिर्मुक्तो यास्यति ब्रह्मतत्परम्

prātastyamapi yatkarma tatkṛtvā snānapūrvakam ṛṇatrayavinirmukto yāsyati brahmatatparam

"—and, having performed the morning rite preceded by bathing, freed from the three debts, becomes devoted to Brahman."

Verse 99 (padma.5.105.99)

सूर्यस्योदयवेलायां शिवपूजां करोति यः । सूर्येणसम तेजस्वी शिवलोके महीयते

sūryasyodayavelāyāṁ śivapūjāṁ karoti yaḥ sūryeṇasama tejasvī śivaloke mahīyate

"He who performs Shiva-puja at the time of sunrise, becoming as radiant as the sun, attains glory in Shiva's world."

Verse 100 (padma.5.105.100)

उदिते भास्करे पश्चाद्धटिकांतरपूजनम् । रुद्रेणसम तेजस्वी शिवलोके महीयते

udite bhāskare paścāddhaṭikāṁtarapūjanam rudreṇasama tejasvī śivaloke mahīyate

"He who worships after sunrise, one ghatika later, becoming as radiant as Rudra, attains glory in Shiva's world."

Verse 101 (padma.5.105.101)

तृतीयघटिकायां तु शिवपूजां समाचरेत् । कुबेरसम तेजस्वी शिवलोके महीयते

tṛtīyaghaṭikāyāṁ tu śivapūjāṁ samācaret kuberasama tejasvī śivaloke mahīyate

"He who performs Shiva-puja in the third ghatika, becoming as radiant as Kubera, attains glory in Shiva's world."

Verse 102 (padma.5.105.102)

तृतीयघटिकायां तु शिवपूजां समाचरेत् । कुबेरसम तेजस्वी शिवलोके महीयते

tṛtīyaghaṭikāyāṁ tu śivapūjāṁ samācaret kuberasama tejasvī śivaloke mahīyate

"He who performs Shiva-puja in the third ghatika, becoming as radiant as Kubera, attains glory in Shiva's world."

Verse 103 (padma.5.105.103)

चतुर्थीपंचमीषष्ठीसप्तमी घटिकासु यः । शिवं पूजयते भक्त्या शिवलोके मरुत्समः

caturthīpaṁcamīṣaṣṭhīsaptamī ghaṭikāsu yaḥ śivaṁ pūjayate bhaktyā śivaloke marutsamaḥ

"He who worships Shiva with devotion in the fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh ghatika becomes, in Shiva's world, equal to the Maruts."

Verse 104 (padma.5.105.104)

तत्काल एव क्रियते पूजा यत्कालनोदिता । यथा प्रतिज्ञमथवा गृहीत नियमो यजेत्

tatkāla eva kriyate pūjā yatkālanoditā yathā pratijñamathavā gṛhīta niyamo yajet

"Worship should be performed at the very time declared for it; or according to one's vow, or according to the observance one has undertaken."

Verse 105 (padma.5.105.105)

उपचारेषु शक्त्या वै नियमं परिपालयेत् । नियमातिक्रमे वापि यागश्च स्याद्विभोर्यदि

upacāreṣu śaktyā vai niyamaṁ paripālayet niyamātikrame vāpi yāgaśca syādvibhoryadi

"In the offerings, one should observe the rule according to one's ability. Even if there is a transgression of the observance, it still remains worship of the Lord."

Verse 106 (padma.5.105.106)

श्रीराम उवाच- क्व पूजा देवदेवस्य शंकरस्यामितौजसः । स्मरणात्पापनाशस्य स्मरणान्मोक्षदस्य च

śrīrāma uvāca- kva pūjā devadevasya śaṁkarasyāmitaujasaḥ smaraṇātpāpanāśasya smaraṇānmokṣadasya ca

Shri Rama said: "Where is the worship of the infinitely splendid God of gods, Shankara — whose mere remembrance destroys sin and bestows liberation?"

Verse 107 (padma.5.105.107)

शिवस्य शिवरूपस्य शिवतत्त्वार्थवेदिनः । सोमस्य सोमभूषस्य सोमनेत्रस्य राजितुः

śivasya śivarūpasya śivatattvārthavedinaḥ somasya somabhūṣasya somanetrasya rājituḥ

"—of Shiva, of auspicious form, knower of the meaning of the truth of Shiva; of Soma, adorned with the moon, whose eye is the moon, resplendent—"

Verse 108 (padma.5.105.108)

वेदमूर्तेरमूर्तेश्च वेदसारस्य वेदिनः । वेदवेदांगवित्तस्य वेद्यावेद्यस्य योगिनः

vedamūrteramūrteśca vedasārasya vedinaḥ vedavedāṁgavittasya vedyāvedyasya yoginaḥ

"—embodied and unembodied in the Vedas, knower of the essence of the Veda; knower of the Vedas and Vedangas, the yogi who is both knowable and unknowable—"

Verse 109 (padma.5.105.109)

गोक्षीरसमदेहस्य गोक्षीरस्नानमोदिनः । गोपालिनस्त्रिनेत्रस्य त्रयीनेत्रस्य मायिनः

gokṣīrasamadehasya gokṣīrasnānamodinaḥ gopālinastrinetrasya trayīnetrasya māyinaḥ

"—of a body like cow's milk, delighting in the bath of cow's milk; the protector of cows, three-eyed, whose eyes are the triad of Vedas, the great illusionist — where is this worship?"

Verse 110 (padma.5.105.110)

प्रश्नमध्ये तथा रामं शिवज्ञानमथादिशत् । स्थाणुभूतइवासीनो नासाग्रन्यस्तलोचनः

praśnamadhye tathā rāmaṁ śivajñānamathādiśat sthāṇubhūtaivāsīno nāsāgranyastalocanaḥ

In the very midst of the question, the teaching of Shiva-jnana was given to Rama. He sat still as a pillar, his eyes fixed on the tip of his nose—

Verse 111 (padma.5.105.111)

आनंदनिष्यंदविलोचनाश्रु प्रवाहसंस्पृष्टकपोलदेशः । दधार देवं गिरिशं हृदंबुजे गोक्षीरसुस्निग्धसुचारुगात्रम्

ānaṁdaniṣyaṁdavilocanāśru pravāhasaṁspṛṣṭakapoladeśaḥ dadhāra devaṁ giriśaṁ hṛdaṁbuje gokṣīrasusnigdhasucārugātram

—his cheeks touched by the flow of tears of bliss — he held within the lotus of his heart the god Girisha, of a form as soft and lovely as cow's milk.

Verse 112 (padma.5.105.112)

प्रतिबिंबमथो गात्रे रामस्य समदृश्यत । दृष्ट्वैव बिंबितं शंभुं चतुर्बाहुं त्रिलोचनम्

pratibiṁbamatho gātre rāmasya samadṛśyata dṛṣṭvaiva biṁbitaṁ śaṁbhuṁ caturbāhuṁ trilocanam

Then a reflection of him became visible in Rama's very body. Seeing that reflected Shambhu, four-armed, three-eyed—

Verse 113 (padma.5.105.113)

विस्मयं परमं याताः सर्वे मुनिहरीश्वराः । शंभोर्वक्षःस्थितं रामं दृष्ट्वा दीप्ताकृतिं शुभम्

vismayaṁ paramaṁ yātāḥ sarve muniharīśvarāḥ śaṁbhorvakṣaḥsthitaṁ rāmaṁ dṛṣṭvā dīptākṛtiṁ śubham

—all the sages and the lord of monkeys fell into the greatest astonishment. Seeing Rama, seated on Shambhu's chest, in a radiant, auspicious form—

Verse 114 (padma.5.105.114)

तूष्णीं बभूवुर्यामार्द्धमथ राममुदैक्षत । स्वप्रश्नमनुसंधाय प्राह सर्वं वदेति च

tūṣṇīṁ babhūvuryāmārddhamatha rāmamudaikṣata svapraśnamanusaṁdhāya prāha sarvaṁ vadeti ca

—they remained silent for half a watch, then continued to gaze at Rama. Then, pursuing his own question again, he said: "Tell me everything."

Verse 115 (padma.5.105.115)

शंभुरुवाच- अचले या सदा पूजा चले वापि यथेच्छया । लिंगसंपूजनं मुख्यमलाभे प्रतिमादिषु

śaṁbhuruvāca- acale yā sadā pūjā cale vāpi yathecchayā liṁgasaṁpūjanaṁ mukhyamalābhe pratimādiṣu

Shambhu said: "That worship which is ever done for the fixed image, or, as one wishes, for the movable one — worship of the linga is foremost; in its absence, in an image and the like—"

Verse 116 (padma.5.105.116)

अधिकारविशेषेण तत्रतत्रापि पूजनम् । विगुणं सगुणं वापि सफलं लिंगपूजनम्

adhikāraviśeṣeṇa tatratatrāpi pūjanam viguṇaṁ saguṇaṁ vāpi saphalaṁ liṁgapūjanam

"—according to one's particular entitlement, worship there too takes place. Worship of the linga is fruitful whether performed as attributeless or with attributes."

Verse 117 (padma.5.105.117)

प्रतिमादिकृतापूजा विगुणा सफला नहि । अचले वा चले वापि पूजा लिंगे प्रशस्यते

pratimādikṛtāpūjā viguṇā saphalā nahi acale vā cale vāpi pūjā liṁge praśasyate

"Worship performed through an image and the like, if done as attributeless, is not fruitful. Whether fixed or movable, worship of the linga is esteemed the best."

Verse 118 (padma.5.105.118)

चलस्य पूजनं वक्ष्ये स्थापनोद्वासने तथा । ते उभेन विजानाति कश्चिन्मुनिरपि क्वचित्

calasya pūjanaṁ vakṣye sthāpanodvāsane tathā te ubhena vijānāti kaścinmunirapi kvacit

"Now I shall tell the rite of installation and dismissal for movable worship. Only some rare sage here or there knows both of these."

Verse 119 (padma.5.105.119)

स्थापयंति हृदब्जे वै गोपयंति यजंति च । उद्वासयंति देवेशं शंकरं योगिनः सदा

sthāpayaṁti hṛdabje vai gopayaṁti yajaṁti ca udvāsayaṁti deveśaṁ śaṁkaraṁ yoginaḥ sadā

"Yogis ever install the Lord of gods, Shankara, in the lotus of the heart, conceal him there, worship him, and then dismiss him."

Verse 120 (padma.5.105.120)

क्रिया चातीव होतॄणां वह्नौ देवं त्रियंबकम् । पूजकानामशेषाणां शिवलिंगे महेश्वरम्

kriyā cātīva hotṝṇāṁ vahnau devaṁ triyaṁbakam pūjakānāmaśeṣāṇāṁ śivaliṁge maheśvaram

"The rite of the fire-priests is directed toward the god Tryambaka in the fire; the rite of all worshippers is directed toward Maheshvara in the Shiva-linga."

Verse 121 (padma.5.105.121)

लिंगस्य स्थापनं पूजा उद्वासनमथैव च । धारणं शंकरस्यैव लिंगमेव महेश्वरम्

liṁgasya sthāpanaṁ pūjā udvāsanamathaiva ca dhāraṇaṁ śaṁkarasyaiva liṁgameva maheśvaram

"The installation of the linga, its worship, and its dismissal too — and likewise the wearing of Shankara's linga on the body — the linga itself is Maheshvara."

Verse 122 (padma.5.105.122)

सज्जिकं परमोत्कृष्टं स्वर्णं चैव विनिर्मितम् । राजतैर्वा दलैः कार्यं राजतैर्वैणवैस्तु यत्

sajjikaṁ paramotkṛṣṭaṁ svarṇaṁ caiva vinirmitam rājatairvā dalaiḥ kāryaṁ rājatairvaiṇavaistu yat

"The wearable linga-case should be of the finest, made of gold, or of silver leaves, or made of silver and bamboo—"

Verse 123 (padma.5.105.123)

लतासूत्रैरथो वापि रचितं दारुणाथवा । वस्त्रेण वाथ रचितं मृदाविरचितं भवेत्

latāsūtrairatho vāpi racitaṁ dāruṇāthavā vastreṇa vātha racitaṁ mṛdāviracitaṁ bhavet

"—or of woven creeper-fiber, or fashioned of wood; or made of cloth, or made of clay."

Verse 124 (padma.5.105.124)

तत्र संवेष्ट्य वस्त्रेण सुगंधेन समन्विते । धौतवस्त्रयुगे शुद्धे मृद्वासन समन्विते

tatra saṁveṣṭya vastreṇa sugaṁdhena samanvite dhautavastrayuge śuddhe mṛdvāsana samanvite

"Having wrapped it in a fragrant cloth, furnished with a pair of clean washed garments and a soft seat—"

Verse 125 (padma.5.105.125)

शीतोष्णरहिते पादचतुष्टयसमन्विते । प्रावृतिच्छेदनोपेते क्रिमिकीटविवर्जिते

śītoṣṇarahite pādacatuṣṭayasamanvite prāvṛticchedanopete krimikīṭavivarjite

"—free of heat and cold, provided with four legs, fitted with a cut-open covering, free of insects and worms—"

Verse 126 (padma.5.105.126)

धौतेन मृदुवस्त्रेण सर्वतो वेष्ट्य तं शिवम् । विन्यस्य सज्जिकामध्ये प्रावृत्य च पुनर्विभुम्

dhautena mṛduvastreṇa sarvato veṣṭya taṁ śivam vinyasya sajjikāmadhye prāvṛtya ca punarvibhum

"—having wrapped that Shiva-linga all around with a soft washed cloth, and placed it in the middle of the case, and wrapped the Lord again—"

Verse 127 (padma.5.105.127)

एषा हि सज्जिका राम देवस्याग्रेति कीर्तिता । तस्य च स्थापनं पाठो रहस्ये च महेशितुः

eṣā hi sajjikā rāma devasyāgreti kīrtitā tasya ca sthāpanaṁ pāṭho rahasye ca maheśituḥ

"—this, O Rama, is what is called the 'sajjika' before the deity. The recitation for its installation, and the secret teaching of Maheshvara too—"

Verse 128 (padma.5.105.128)

अथवा भित्तिमूले स्याद्देववेद्यामथापि वा । सुरक्षिते तथा देशे रक्षकं च नियोजयेत्

athavā bhittimūle syāddevavedyāmathāpi vā surakṣite tathā deśe rakṣakaṁ ca niyojayet

"—or it may be at the base of a wall, or upon the divine altar as well; in a secure place, a guardian should also be appointed."

Verse 129 (padma.5.105.129)

प्राणादेरविनाभावं कुर्वीत नियमैः सह । एतद्धि राजसं प्रोक्तं स्थापनं परमात्मनः

prāṇāderavinābhāvaṁ kurvīta niyamaiḥ saha etaddhi rājasaṁ proktaṁ sthāpanaṁ paramātmanaḥ

"An inseparable connection of one's very breath and life with it should be maintained, along with the observances. This is declared to be the Rajasic (kingly) mode of installing the Supreme Self."

Verse 130 (padma.5.105.130)

सात्विकं स्वसमीपस्थं धारणं तामसं पुनः । धारणं गात्रसंस्पर्शमशेषदेहगोपनम्

sātvikaṁ svasamīpasthaṁ dhāraṇaṁ tāmasaṁ punaḥ dhāraṇaṁ gātrasaṁsparśamaśeṣadehagopanam

"The Sattvic mode is keeping it near oneself, and the Tamasic, again, is wearing it upon the body. Wearing means concealing it upon the whole body, in touch with it."

Verse 131 (padma.5.105.131)

मस्तके धारणं मुख्यं ब्रह्मणा च तथा कृतम् । विन्यस्य मुकुटस्यांते धारणं शुभमुच्यते

mastake dhāraṇaṁ mukhyaṁ brahmaṇā ca tathā kṛtam vinyasya mukuṭasyāṁte dhāraṇaṁ śubhamucyate

"Wearing it upon the head is foremost, as Brahma too did; placed at the end of the crown, wearing it thus is declared auspicious."

Verse 132 (padma.5.105.132)

ललाटे धारणं शस्तं यथा लक्ष्म्या धृतं शुभम् । बाणेन च धृतं मूर्ध्नि दक्षिणोरसि वा पुनः

lalāṭe dhāraṇaṁ śastaṁ yathā lakṣmyā dhṛtaṁ śubham bāṇena ca dhṛtaṁ mūrdhni dakṣiṇorasi vā punaḥ

"Wearing it on the forehead is excellent, as Lakshmi auspiciously wore it; Bana wore it upon his head, or upon his right chest—"

Verse 133 (padma.5.105.133)

कर्णे च हरकर्णेन मुनिना परमर्षिणा । विनिर्भिद्य तथा गात्रं लोहस्थानं प्रकल्प्य च

karṇe ca harakarṇena muninā paramarṣiṇā vinirbhidya tathā gātraṁ lohasthānaṁ prakalpya ca

"—in the ear, following Hara's own ear, did the supreme sage; and, having pierced the body and made an iron socket—"

Verse 134 (padma.5.105.134)

धारयंति तथा लिंगं राक्षसाः केचिदुत्तमाः । अनिकेतन मर्त्यानामशक्तानां शिरोधृतिः

dhārayaṁti tathā liṁgaṁ rākṣasāḥ keciduttamāḥ aniketana martyānāmaśaktānāṁ śirodhṛtiḥ

"—likewise, some excellent rakshasas wear the linga in that manner too. For homeless, incapable men, wearing it on the head—"

Verse 135 (padma.5.105.135)

अधमाधममाख्यातं नीवीबंधादिधारणम् । तेषु तूच्छिष्टसंप्राप्तौ मस्तके धारणं भवेत्

adhamādhamamākhyātaṁ nīvībaṁdhādidhāraṇam teṣu tūcchiṣṭasaṁprāptau mastake dhāraṇaṁ bhavet

"—is declared the lowest of the low; and wearing it tied at the waist-knot is lower still. Among them, when a situation of receiving leftover food arises, wearing it on the head becomes necessary."

Verse 136 (padma.5.105.136)

अधमाधमवृत्तीनां सदा वै लिंगधारणम् । पापिनामपि चाश्चर्यं यमलोके न विद्यते

adhamādhamavṛttīnāṁ sadā vai liṁgadhāraṇam pāpināmapi cāścaryaṁ yamaloke na vidyate

"For those of the very lowest occupations, constant wearing of the linga is indeed fitting; and it is a wonder that, even for sinners, the world of Yama then ceases to exist for them."

Verse 137 (padma.5.105.137)

श्रीराम उवाच- चित्रगुप्तेन लिखिता ललाटे या लिपिर्दृढा । तया तु लिप्या नियतं नरकं कथमन्यथा

śrīrāma uvāca- citraguptena likhitā lalāṭe yā lipirdṛḍhā tayā tu lipyā niyataṁ narakaṁ kathamanyathā

Shri Rama said: "That firm writing which Chitragupta has inscribed upon the forehead — by that very writing, hell is certain — how could it be otherwise?"

Verse 138 (padma.5.105.138)

करोति पूजनं शंभोः पापं नाशयते कथम् । शंभुरुवाच- पापं नाशयते कृत्स्नमपि जन्मशतार्जितम्

karoti pūjanaṁ śaṁbhoḥ pāpaṁ nāśayate katham śaṁbhuruvāca- pāpaṁ nāśayate kṛtsnamapi janmaśatārjitam

"How, by worshipping Shambhu, does that sin come to be destroyed?" Shambhu said: "It destroys even the entire sin acquired over a hundred births—"

Verse 139 (padma.5.105.139)

भर्त्सनात्सर्वपापानां स्मरणाच्च महेशितुः । भस्मेति पदमाख्यातं तस्य धारणमुत्तमम्

bhartsanātsarvapāpānāṁ smaraṇācca maheśituḥ bhasmeti padamākhyātaṁ tasya dhāraṇamuttamam

"—through the condemnation of all sins, and through the mere remembrance of Maheshvara. The word 'bhasma' (ash) has been declared thus; wearing it is excellent—"

Verse 140 (padma.5.105.140)

यथाविधि ललाटे वै वह्निवीर्यप्रधारणात् । नाशयेल्लिखितां यामीं पटस्थामिव हव्यभुक्

yathāvidhi lalāṭe vai vahnivīryapradhāraṇāt nāśayellikhitāṁ yāmīṁ paṭasthāmiva havyabhuk

"—by duly bearing on the forehead the very fire's radiance, it destroys that written Yama-script just as fire destroys writing on a leaf."

Verse 141 (padma.5.105.141)

कर्णोपरिकृतं पापं नष्टं स्यान्मुखधारणे । कंठे च धारणात्कंठभोगादिकृतपातकम्

karṇoparikṛtaṁ pāpaṁ naṣṭaṁ syānmukhadhāraṇe kaṁṭhe ca dhāraṇātkaṁṭhabhogādikṛtapātakam

"Sin committed with the ears is destroyed by wearing it above the ear; sin committed with the mouth, by wearing it on the mouth; and sin committed through the throat and its pleasures, by wearing it on the throat."

Verse 142 (padma.5.105.142)

बाह्वोर्बाहुकृतं पापं वक्षसि मनसा कृतम् । नाभ्यां शिश्नकृतं पापं पृष्ठे गुदकृतं तथा

bāhvorbāhukṛtaṁ pāpaṁ vakṣasi manasā kṛtam nābhyāṁ śiśnakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ pṛṣṭhe gudakṛtaṁ tathā

"Sin committed with the arms, on the arms; sin committed with the mind, on the chest; sin committed with the genitals, on the navel; sin committed with the anus, on the back—"

Verse 143 (padma.5.105.143)

पार्श्वयोर्धारणाद्राम परस्त्र्यालिंगनादिजम् । तद्भस्मधारणं शस्तं सर्वत्रैव त्रिपुंड्रकम्

pārśvayordhāraṇādrāma parastryāliṁganādijam tadbhasmadhāraṇaṁ śastaṁ sarvatraiva tripuṁḍrakam

"—and, O Rama, on the flanks, sin arising from embracing another's wife and the like. Everywhere, wearing that same ash in the form of the triple line (tripundra) is best."

Verse 144 (padma.5.105.144)

ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशानां त्रय्यग्नीनां च धारणम् । गुप्त्यै लोकत्रयाणां च धारणं तेन वै कृतम्

brahmaviṣṇumaheśānāṁ trayyagnīnāṁ ca dhāraṇam guptyai lokatrayāṇāṁ ca dhāraṇaṁ tena vai kṛtam

"The wearing of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha, and of the three sacred fires — it was fashioned thus precisely for the protection of the three worlds."

Verse 145 (padma.5.105.145)

धृतं पंचदशस्थाने शुद्धं भस्माभिमंत्रितम् । कोष्ठयुग्मे बाहुयुग्मे कोष्ठोपरि युगे तथा

dhṛtaṁ paṁcadaśasthāne śuddhaṁ bhasmābhimaṁtritam koṣṭhayugme bāhuyugme koṣṭhopari yuge tathā

"Pure, consecrated ash is worn in fifteen places — upon both flanks, upon both arms, and above both flanks as well—"

Verse 146 (padma.5.105.146)

धारणं सर्वदेहानां पूजायै धर्मसंमतम् । भस्माशना भस्मशय्या भस्मोद्धूलितविग्रहाः

dhāraṇaṁ sarvadehānāṁ pūjāyai dharmasaṁmatam bhasmāśanā bhasmaśayyā bhasmoddhūlitavigrahāḥ

"—thus worn, as approved by dharma, upon all parts of the body, for the sake of worship. Those who eat ashes, who sleep on ash, whose bodies are smeared with ash—"

Verse 147 (padma.5.105.147)

भस्मस्नानाः सदापापैर्मुच्यंते नात्र संशयः । आदौ ब्राह्मणदीक्षायां त्रियायुषमिति स्मृतम्

bhasmasnānāḥ sadāpāpairmucyaṁte nātra saṁśayaḥ ādau brāhmaṇadīkṣāyāṁ triyāyuṣamiti smṛtam

"—and those who bathe in ash are ever freed from sin; there is no doubt of this. At the beginning of a Brahmin's initiation, it is called 'tri-ayusha' (thrice-life-giving)."

Verse 148 (padma.5.105.148)

प्रसवे च मनुष्याणां भूतावेशेऽपि रक्षकम् । सर्पादिविषहान्यर्थं सर्वेषां साधनं त्विदम्

prasave ca manuṣyāṇāṁ bhūtāveśe'pi rakṣakam sarpādiviṣahānyarthaṁ sarveṣāṁ sādhanaṁ tvidam

"At the time of childbirth for humans, and even in possession by evil spirits, it is protective; and for warding off the poison of serpents and the like, it is a means for all."

Verse 149 (padma.5.105.149)

अपि वा वैष्णवो मर्त्य अथवापीतरो जनः । भस्मस्नायी भस्मयुक्तः कर्मस्वधिकरोति वै

api vā vaiṣṇavo martya athavāpītaro janaḥ bhasmasnāyī bhasmayuktaḥ karmasvadhikaroti vai

"Whether a Vaishnava or a person of some other persuasion, only one bathed in ash, endowed with ash, holds the right to perform rites."

Verse 150 (padma.5.105.150)

श्रीराम उवाच- भस्ममाहात्म्यमादौ मे भस्मायुष्यं हि कस्य वै । कथं हि रक्षते ह्येतत्सर्वमेतद्वदस्व मे

śrīrāma uvāca- bhasmamāhātmyamādau me bhasmāyuṣyaṁ hi kasya vai kathaṁ hi rakṣate hyetatsarvametadvadasva me

Shri Rama said: "First tell me the greatness of ash — whose life-force is ash truly, and how does it protect? Tell me all of this."

Verse 151 (padma.5.105.151)

शंभुरुवाच- आयुष्यवर्द्धने हेतुस्त्रिविधस्यापि देहिनः । पापघ्नं शीतमुष्णं च स्पर्शाच्छिवपदप्रदम्

śaṁbhuruvāca- āyuṣyavarddhane hetustrividhasyāpi dehinaḥ pāpaghnaṁ śītamuṣṇaṁ ca sparśācchivapadapradam

Shambhu said: "This is the cause of the increase of life for all three types of beings; it is a destroyer of sin, whether in cold or heat, and, by mere touch, a bestower of the state of Shiva."

Verse 152 (padma.5.105.152)

अत्र ते कीर्तयिष्यामि चेतिहासं पुरातनम् । आसीद्वासिष्ठवंश्यस्तु धनंजय इति द्विजः

atra te kīrtayiṣyāmi cetihāsaṁ purātanam āsīdvāsiṣṭhavaṁśyastu dhanaṁjaya iti dvijaḥ

"On this matter I shall tell you an ancient history. In the lineage of Vasishtha there was a Brahmin named Dhananjaya."

Verse 153 (padma.5.105.153)

तस्य भार्याशतं चासीद्रूपलावण्यसंयुतम् । तासामेका तु सुषुवे शामाकाकरुणं मुने

tasya bhāryāśataṁ cāsīdrūpalāvaṇyasaṁyutam tāsāmekā tu suṣuve śāmākākaruṇaṁ mune

"He had a hundred wives, endowed with beauty and grace. O sage, of them, one gave birth to an unfortunate son, as pitiable as a grain of wild millet."

Verse 154 (padma.5.105.154)

भार्याणां संख्यया राम सुताश्चासंस्तपस्विनः । पित्रा विभागस्तेषां च विषमः परिकल्पितः

bhāryāṇāṁ saṁkhyayā rāma sutāścāsaṁstapasvinaḥ pitrā vibhāgasteṣāṁ ca viṣamaḥ parikalpitaḥ

"O Rama, his sons, ascetics all, were as many as his wives. Their father divided the wealth among them unequally—"

Verse 155 (padma.5.105.155)

भ्रातॄणां च तदा ह्येव वैरबंधो महानभूत् । नराणामेकजातीनां वैरं नियतमेव तु

bhrātṝṇāṁ ca tadā hyeva vairabaṁdho mahānabhūt narāṇāmekajātīnāṁ vairaṁ niyatameva tu

"—and thereupon a great enmity arose among the brothers. Among men of the same kin, enmity is indeed certain."

Verse 156 (padma.5.105.156)

अथासौ करुणो गत्वा भवनाशिनिका तटे । नानामुनिगणैः सार्द्धं नरसिंहदिदृक्षया

athāsau karuṇo gatvā bhavanāśinikā taṭe nānāmunigaṇaiḥ sārddhaṁ narasiṁhadidṛkṣayā

"Then that son, named Karuna, went to the bank of the river Bhavanashini, with many groups of sages, desiring to see Narasimha."

Verse 157 (padma.5.105.157)

नृसिंहदर्शनार्थं तु ब्राह्मणेन तु केनचित् । उत्कृष्टफलितंवीरमानीतं रूपगंधवत्

nṛsiṁhadarśanārthaṁ tu brāhmaṇena tu kenacit utkṛṣṭaphalitaṁvīramānītaṁ rūpagaṁdhavat

"For the sight of Narasimha, some Brahmin brought an excellent, fragrant, potent fruit."

Verse 158 (padma.5.105.158)

करुणस्तु तदादाय व्यजिघ्रत्फलमुत्तमम् । तत्रस्थिता द्विजगणाः शापेन तमयोजयन्

karuṇastu tadādāya vyajighratphalamuttamam tatrasthitā dvijagaṇāḥ śāpena tamayojayan

"Karuna, taking that excellent fruit, smelled it. The Brahmins present there, cursing him, thereby bound him—"

Verse 159 (padma.5.105.159)

मक्षिका भव पापात्मन्वर्षाणां शतमप्यतः । शापावसानं भविता दधीचेन महात्मना

makṣikā bhava pāpātmanvarṣāṇāṁ śatamapyataḥ śāpāvasānaṁ bhavitā dadhīcena mahātmanā

—"O sinful soul, become a fly, for a hundred years." "The end of the curse will come through the great soul Dadhichi."

Verse 160 (padma.5.105.160)

अथ मक्षिकतां प्राप्तो भार्यामिदमभाषत । मक्षिकात्वमहं प्राप्तो मां शुभे पालयस्व भोः

atha makṣikatāṁ prāpto bhāryāmidamabhāṣata makṣikātvamahaṁ prāpto māṁ śubhe pālayasva bhoḥ

Then, having become a fly, he said this to his wife: "I have become a fly; O auspicious one, take care of me."

Verse 161 (padma.5.105.161)

इत्युक्त्वा स तथा भूतो बभ्राम च ततस्ततः । अथैवंविधमाज्ञाय ज्ञातयः पापनिश्चयाः

ityuktvā sa tathā bhūto babhrāma ca tatastataḥ athaivaṁvidhamājñāya jñātayaḥ pāpaniścayāḥ

Saying this, he wandered about, flying here and there thus. Learning of this, his relatives, resolved on evil—

Verse 162 (padma.5.105.162)

तद्वधे यत्नमास्थाय तैलमध्ये ह्यपातयन् । मृतं पतिमथादाय दुःखिता सा कृशोदरी

tadvadhe yatnamāsthāya tailamadhye hyapātayan mṛtaṁ patimathādāya duḥkhitā sā kṛśodarī

—made an effort to kill him and dropped him into oil. Taking up her dead husband, that slender-waisted woman—

Verse 163 (padma.5.105.163)

तद्दुःखशमनार्थाय प्राह देवीत्वरुंधती । अमुं संजीवयाम्यद्य भस्मनैव शुचिस्मिते

tadduḥkhaśamanārthāya prāha devītvaruṁdhatī amuṁ saṁjīvayāmyadya bhasmanaiva śucismite

—to soothe that sorrow, spoke to the goddess Arundhati. "O pure-smiling one, I shall today revive him with ash alone."

Verse 164 (padma.5.105.164)

अथाग्निहोत्रजं भस्म अरुंधत्यै न्यवेदयत् । मृत्युंजयेन मंत्रेण मृतजंतौ तथाक्षिपत्

athāgnihotrajaṁ bhasma aruṁdhatyai nyavedayat mṛtyuṁjayena maṁtreṇa mṛtajaṁtau tathākṣipat

Then she gave to Arundhati the ash born of the fire-offering. With the Mrityunjaya mantra, she scattered it upon that dead creature—

Verse 165 (padma.5.105.165)

मंदवायुं तथा चक्रे व्यजनेन शुचिस्मिता । उदतिष्ठत्ततो जंतुर्भस्मनोऽस्य प्रभावतः

maṁdavāyuṁ tathā cakre vyajanena śucismitā udatiṣṭhattato jaṁturbhasmano'sya prabhāvataḥ

—and, pure-smiling, she also fanned him with a gentle breeze. Then, by the power of that ash, the creature rose up.

Verse 166 (padma.5.105.166)

ततो वर्षशते पूर्णे ज्ञातिरेको ह्यमारयत् । मृते भर्तरि सा साध्वी दुःखिता च शुचिस्मिता

tato varṣaśate pūrṇe jñātireko hyamārayat mṛte bhartari sā sādhvī duḥkhitā ca śucismitā

Then, when a hundred years had passed, one of his relatives killed him. Upon her husband's death, that virtuous, pure-smiling woman, grieving—

Verse 167 (padma.5.105.167)

दधीचं नाम विप्रेंद्रं महामाहेश्वरं मुनिम् । जगाम शरणं साध्वी प्राह विप्रस्तपोधनः

dadhīcaṁ nāma vipreṁdraṁ mahāmāheśvaraṁ munim jagāma śaraṇaṁ sādhvī prāha viprastapodhanaḥ

—that virtuous woman went for refuge to the great Maheshvara-devotee sage, the foremost Brahmin named Dadhichi. The Brahmin, rich in austerity, said—

Verse 168 (padma.5.105.168)

त्रियायुषा विहीनं तु जमदग्निं तपोनिधिम् । भस्मैव जीवयामास कश्यपं च तथाविधम्

triyāyuṣā vihīnaṁ tu jamadagniṁ taponidhim bhasmaiva jīvayāmāsa kaśyapaṁ ca tathāvidham

"As I once revived Jamadagni, that treasury of austerity, deprived of tri-ayusha, and likewise Kashyapa—"

Verse 169 (padma.5.105.169)

देवानपि तथाभूतान्मामप्येतादृशं पुरा । तस्मात्तु भस्मना जंतुं जीवयामि तवानघे

devānapi tathābhūtānmāmapyetādṛśaṁ purā tasmāttu bhasmanā jaṁtuṁ jīvayāmi tavānaghe

"—and the gods too, and I myself once likewise, ash alone revived — in that same way, O sinless one, I shall revive your creature by ash alone."

Verse 170 (padma.5.105.170)

इत्येवमुक्त्वा भगवान्दधीचो महेश्वरं वै शरणं जगाम । भस्माभिमंत्र्याथ करे गृहीत्वा संजीवयामास धवं सुसाध्व्याः

ityevamuktvā bhagavāndadhīco maheśvaraṁ vai śaraṇaṁ jagāma bhasmābhimaṁtryātha kare gṛhītvā saṁjīvayāmāsa dhavaṁ susādhvyāḥ

Saying this, the blessed Dadhichi took refuge in Maheshvara; having consecrated the ash and taken it in hand, he revived that virtuous woman's husband.

Verse 171 (padma.5.105.171)

महेशस्य करस्पर्शाद्विशापः करुणोऽभवत् । स्वरूपं च ततो गत्वा स्वमाश्रमपदं ययौ

maheśasya karasparśādviśāpaḥ karuṇo'bhavat svarūpaṁ ca tato gatvā svamāśramapadaṁ yayau

By the touch of Mahesha's hand, Karuna's curse was lifted. Then, restored to his true form, he went to his own hermitage.

Verse 172 (padma.5.105.172)

दधीचमपि सा साध्वी गृहमानीय भोजने । प्रार्थयामास विप्रर्षिं भुक्तवानथ स द्विजः

dadhīcamapi sā sādhvī gṛhamānīya bhojane prārthayāmāsa viprarṣiṁ bhuktavānatha sa dvijaḥ

That virtuous woman, bringing Dadhichi home as well, began to entreat him to eat. That sage among Brahmins then ate.

Verse 173 (padma.5.105.173)

भुक्तवत्यथ विप्रेंद्रे कोटिशिष्याः समागताः । अथ देवाः समायाता भस्मोद्धूलितविग्रहाः

bhuktavatyatha vipreṁdre koṭiśiṣyāḥ samāgatāḥ atha devāḥ samāyātā bhasmoddhūlitavigrahāḥ

When that foremost Brahmin had finished eating, crores of disciples arrived there. Then the gods too arrived, their bodies smeared with ash.

Verse 174 (padma.5.105.174)

नमस्कृत्य दधीचं तु पप्रच्छुः शिवकांक्षया । देवा ऊचुः - अस्माकं तु पुरा ज्ञानं नष्टमासीन्महामते

namaskṛtya dadhīcaṁ tu papracchuḥ śivakāṁkṣayā devā ūcuḥ - asmākaṁ tu purā jñānaṁ naṣṭamāsīnmahāmate

Bowing to Dadhichi, desiring auspiciousness, they asked. The gods said: "O great sage, formerly our knowledge was once destroyed."

Verse 175 (padma.5.105.175)

गौतमस्य तु भार्यां वै दृष्ट्वा कामातुरा वयम् । तथा च धर्षिता देवी विवाहकृतमंगला

gautamasya tu bhāryāṁ vai dṛṣṭvā kāmāturā vayam tathā ca dharṣitā devī vivāhakṛtamaṁgalā

"Seeing Gautama's wife, we became overcome by desire, and we violated that married, auspicious goddess."

Verse 176 (padma.5.105.176)

तां वै कामयमानानां नष्टं ज्ञानमभूच्च नः । ततः सर्वे वयं भूता गता दुर्वाससं मुनिम्

tāṁ vai kāmayamānānāṁ naṣṭaṁ jñānamabhūcca naḥ tataḥ sarve vayaṁ bhūtā gatā durvāsasaṁ munim

"Desiring her, our knowledge was destroyed. Then, all of us, thus bewildered, went to the sage Durvasa."

Verse 177 (padma.5.105.177)

स उवाचाधुना सर्वमपनेष्यामि वोमलम् । शतरुद्रियमंत्रेण मंत्रितं शंभुना स्वयम्

sa uvācādhunā sarvamapaneṣyāmi vomalam śatarudriyamaṁtreṇa maṁtritaṁ śaṁbhunā svayam

"He said: 'Now I shall remove all your impurity.' Consecrated with the Shatarudriya mantra by Shambhu himself—"

Verse 178 (padma.5.105.178)

ममापि दत्तं तेनैव ब्रह्महत्यादिशांतये । इत्येवमुक्त्वा दुर्वासा दत्तवान्भस्मचोत्तमम्

mamāpi dattaṁ tenaiva brahmahatyādiśāṁtaye ityevamuktvā durvāsā dattavānbhasmacottamam

"—it was given to me too by him, for the pacification of the sin of Brahmin-slaying and the like." Saying this, Durvasa gave that excellent ash.

Verse 179 (padma.5.105.179)

अथ तद्वचनात्सर्वे वयं विकृतचेतनाः । शतरुद्रियमंत्रेण भस्मोद्धूलितविग्रहाः

atha tadvacanātsarve vayaṁ vikṛtacetanāḥ śatarudriyamaṁtreṇa bhasmoddhūlitavigrahāḥ

"Then, at his word, all of us, our minds disturbed, having our bodies smeared with ash to the Shatarudriya mantra—"

Verse 180 (padma.5.105.180)

निर्धूतपातकाः सर्वे संवृत्तास्तत्क्षणेन हि । आश्चर्यमेतज्जानीमो भस्मसामर्थ्यमीदृशम्

nirdhūtapātakāḥ sarve saṁvṛttāstatkṣaṇena hi āścaryametajjānīmo bhasmasāmarthyamīdṛśam

"—became, that very instant, washed of all sin, purified. This wonder of ash's such power we now know."

Verse 181 (padma.5.105.181)

दधीच उवाच- शैवस्य भस्मनः शक्तिं संक्षेपेण वदामि वः । विस्तरेण न शक्येत वक्तुं वर्षशतैरपि

dadhīca uvāca- śaivasya bhasmanaḥ śaktiṁ saṁkṣepeṇa vadāmi vaḥ vistareṇa na śakyeta vaktuṁ varṣaśatairapi

Dadhichi said: "I shall tell you the power of Shaiva ash in brief; in full detail it could not be told even in a hundred years."

Verse 182 (padma.5.105.182)

अत्र वः कीर्तयिष्यामि पुरावृत्तं तु देवयोः । हरिशंकरयोः सर्वे ब्रह्महत्यादिनाशनम्

atra vaḥ kīrtayiṣyāmi purāvṛttaṁ tu devayoḥ hariśaṁkarayoḥ sarve brahmahatyādināśanam

"On this matter I shall tell you an ancient account of the two gods, Hari and Shankara — a tale that destroys even the sin of killing a Brahmin."

Verse 183 (padma.5.105.183)

पुरा चैकार्णवे घोरे ब्रह्मणः प्रलये सति । महाविष्णुस्तु भगवाञ्छेते स्म प्रलयांभसि

purā caikārṇave ghore brahmaṇaḥ pralaye sati mahāviṣṇustu bhagavāñchete sma pralayāṁbhasi

"Long ago, in the terrible single ocean, when Brahma's dissolution occurred, the blessed Mahavishnu lay sleeping upon the waters of dissolution."

Verse 184 (padma.5.105.184)

तस्य पार्श्वद्वयं प्राप्य ब्रह्मांडानां शतद्वयम् । विंशतिः पादयोः पार्श्वे विंशतिर्मस्तकांतरे

tasya pārśvadvayaṁ prāpya brahmāṁḍānāṁ śatadvayam viṁśatiḥ pādayoḥ pārśve viṁśatirmastakāṁtare

"In his two flanks were contained two hundred cosmic eggs; twenty near his feet, and twenty within his head—"

Verse 185 (padma.5.105.185)

नासामौक्तिकभावेन ब्रह्मांडमदधात्प्रभुः । तन्नाभिमंडले केचिल्लोमशाद्या मुनीश्वराः

nāsāmauktikabhāvena brahmāṁḍamadadhātprabhuḥ tannābhimaṁḍale kecillomaśādyā munīśvarāḥ

"—the Lord bore one cosmic egg like a pearl in his nostril. In the circle of his navel, some sages, Lomasha and the rest—"

Verse 186 (padma.5.105.186)

तपस्तपंतः सुमहदीश्वरं पर्युपासते । अथ विष्णुर्महातेजाश्चिंतामाप सिसृक्षया

tapastapaṁtaḥ sumahadīśvaraṁ paryupāsate atha viṣṇurmahātejāściṁtāmāpa sisṛkṣayā

"—were performing great austerities, worshipping that Lord. Then a great anxiety arose in the greatly splendid Vishnu, from the desire to create."

Verse 187 (padma.5.105.187)

ध्यानयोगपरो भूत्वा न किंचित्पर्यपश्यत । अथ दुःखेन महता रुरोदोच्चैः पुनः पुनः

dhyānayogaparo bhūtvā na kiṁcitparyapaśyata atha duḥkhena mahatā rurodoccaiḥ punaḥ punaḥ

"Absorbed in meditative yoga, he yet saw nothing at all. Then, in great sorrow, he wept aloud again and again."

Verse 188 (padma.5.105.188)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे दीप्तिः काचिल्लोकविलक्षणा । दृष्ट्वा च हरिणा भीत्या लोचने च निमीलिते

etasminnaṁtare dīptiḥ kācillokavilakṣaṇā dṛṣṭvā ca hariṇā bhītyā locane ca nimīlite

"Just then, some radiance, unlike anything of this world, appeared. Seeing it, Hari, in fear, closed both his eyes."

Verse 189 (padma.5.105.189)

आगम्यमानो गोक्षीरसमतेजाः स गात्रवान् । संग्रथ्य कोटिब्रह्मांडदामयुग्मं करद्वये

āgamyamāno gokṣīrasamatejāḥ sa gātravān saṁgrathya koṭibrahmāṁḍadāmayugmaṁ karadvaye

"One radiant as cow's milk, of vast body, was seen approaching — bearing in both hands a garland strung of crores of cosmic eggs—"

Verse 190 (padma.5.105.190)

दधानमुरसा धामकोटिब्रह्मांडकल्पितम् । ब्रह्मांडमेकं निपतदुत्पतच्च करद्वये

dadhānamurasā dhāmakoṭibrahmāṁḍakalpitam brahmāṁḍamekaṁ nipatadutpatacca karadvaye

"—and bearing upon his chest a splendor fashioned of crores of cosmic eggs — one egg falling and rising in his two hands—"

Verse 191 (padma.5.105.191)

सर्वाभरणसंयुक्तं तथाभूतं तमव्ययम् । विष्णुस्तुष्टाव चादृष्ट्वा दर्शनाय च तस्य वै

sarvābharaṇasaṁyuktaṁ tathābhūtaṁ tamavyayam viṣṇustuṣṭāva cādṛṣṭvā darśanāya ca tasya vai

"—endowed with every ornament, that same imperishable form — Vishnu, though not yet seeing him directly, praised him in order to behold him."

Verse 192 (padma.5.105.192)

विष्णुरुवाच- नमस्ते देवदेवेश नमस्ते शाश्वताव्यय । न जानेऽहं भवंतं भोस्त्वं च वेत्सि नमोनमः

viṣṇuruvāca- namaste devadeveśa namaste śāśvatāvyaya na jāne'haṁ bhavaṁtaṁ bhostvaṁ ca vetsi namonamaḥ

Vishnu said: "Homage to you, O God of gods, O Lord of gods; homage to you, eternal and imperishable one. I do not know you, O lord; you alone know. Homage, homage to you."

Verse 193 (padma.5.105.193)

जानामि न च ते भावं दुर्निरीक्ष्या च ते द्युतिः । माणिक्यकुंडलं हेमदामजालविभूषितम्

jānāmi na ca te bhāvaṁ durnirīkṣyā ca te dyutiḥ māṇikyakuṁḍalaṁ hemadāmajālavibhūṣitam

"I do not know your true nature; your splendor cannot be beheld. Adorned with ruby earrings, and a net of golden garlands—"

Verse 194 (padma.5.105.194)

रत्नांगुलीयं सुभगं बाहुकोष्ठविभूषणम् । तनुरक्तोत्तमाकीर्ण दीप्तायतविलोचनम्

ratnāṁgulīyaṁ subhagaṁ bāhukoṣṭhavibhūṣaṇam tanuraktottamākīrṇa dīptāyatavilocanam

"—with jeweled rings, adorned with ornaments on his arms and flanks; his red-hued body spread with radiant, wide eyes—"

Verse 195 (padma.5.105.195)

बाणलोचनसंकाशं भाललोचनमव्ययम् । कंदर्पकार्मुकभ्रांतिजनक भ्रुवमीश्वरम्

bāṇalocanasaṁkāśaṁ bhālalocanamavyayam kaṁdarpakārmukabhrāṁtijanaka bhruvamīśvaram

"—arrow-like eyes, imperishable, bearing an eye on his forehead; the Lord, whose brows create the illusion of Kama's very bow—"

Verse 196 (padma.5.105.196)

स्निग्धाधोन्नतचार्वंग नासमच्छकपोलकम् । मंदस्मितं प्रसन्नास्यं विभुं बालेंदुदर्शनम्

snigdhādhonnatacārvaṁga nāsamacchakapolakam maṁdasmitaṁ prasannāsyaṁ vibhuṁ bāleṁdudarśanam

"—of soft, gracefully proportioned limbs, with a nose set amid spotless cheeks; his face gentle with a soft smile, his sight like the crescent moon, the Lord—"

Verse 197 (padma.5.105.197)

विज्ञानरक्तवसनं वेदकल्पितभूषणम् । शरणं त्वां प्रपन्नोऽस्मि चक्षुर्मे दीयतां विभो

vijñānaraktavasanaṁ vedakalpitabhūṣaṇam śaraṇaṁ tvāṁ prapanno'smi cakṣurme dīyatāṁ vibho

"—clad in garments tinged with pure knowledge, adorned with ornaments fashioned of the Vedas — I have come to your refuge; O lord, grant me sight."

Verse 198 (padma.5.105.198)

दीनांधकृपणाज्ञाननष्टस्य शरणं भव । अथ दिव्यं ददौ चक्षुः स्वात्मदर्शनशक्तिमत्

dīnāṁdhakṛpaṇājñānanaṣṭasya śaraṇaṁ bhava atha divyaṁ dadau cakṣuḥ svātmadarśanaśaktimat

"Be the refuge of me, wretched, blind, destitute, ruined by ignorance." Then he granted a divine eye, endowed with the power to see his very own self.

Verse 199 (padma.5.105.199)

अथ दृष्ट्वा हरिः शंभुं त्रिनेत्रं पुरतः स्थितम् । को भवानित्युवाचाथ न जाने त्वां महायशः

atha dṛṣṭvā hariḥ śaṁbhuṁ trinetraṁ purataḥ sthitam ko bhavānityuvācātha na jāne tvāṁ mahāyaśaḥ

Then, seeing the three-eyed Shambhu standing before him, Hari said: "Who are you? O one of great fame, I do not know you."

Verse 200 (padma.5.105.200)

प्रणामं केवलं कर्तुं शक्तोऽस्मि न हि वेदितुम् । सदाशिव उवाच- तव ज्ञानं प्रदास्यामि कुरु स्नानं च वारुणम्

praṇāmaṁ kevalaṁ kartuṁ śakto'smi na hi veditum sadāśiva uvāca- tava jñānaṁ pradāsyāmi kuru snānaṁ ca vāruṇam

"I am capable only of prostration, not of knowing you." Sadashiva said: "I shall grant you knowledge; first perform the bath of Varuna (water)."

Verse 201 (padma.5.105.201)

भस्मस्नानं ततः पश्चात्ततो ज्ञानं वदाम्यहम् । श्रीभगवानुवाच- मत्स्नानयोग्यं सलिलं न चतिष्ठति कुत्रचित्

bhasmasnānaṁ tataḥ paścāttato jñānaṁ vadāmyaham śrībhagavānuvāca- matsnānayogyaṁ salilaṁ na catiṣṭhati kutracit

"Afterward, perform the ash-bath, and then I shall grant you knowledge." Shri Bhagavan (Vishnu) said: "Water fit for my bathing rests nowhere at all."

Verse 202 (padma.5.105.202)

इत्युक्तोथ निषण्णस्तु ब्रह्मांडासक्तविग्रहः । ऊरुदघ्नजले स्नातुं न योग्यमभवद्धरेः

ityuktotha niṣaṇṇastu brahmāṁḍāsaktavigrahaḥ ūrudaghnajale snātuṁ na yogyamabhavaddhareḥ

Thus addressed, he, whose vast body contained the cosmic eggs, sat down; even knee-deep water was not sufficient for Hari's bath.

Verse 203 (padma.5.105.203)

शंभुर्जहास स्नानाय जलमत्यधिकं त्वहो । दधीच उवाच- अथ देवः शिवो विष्णुं भालाक्षेण व्यलोकयत्

śaṁbhurjahāsa snānāya jalamatyadhikaṁ tvaho dadhīca uvāca- atha devaḥ śivo viṣṇuṁ bhālākṣeṇa vyalokayat

Shambhu laughed: "So much water for a mere bath! How strange!" Dadhichi said: Then the god Shiva looked at Vishnu with his forehead-eye—

Verse 204 (padma.5.105.204)

विलीनसूक्ष्मावयवं वामाक्षेण व्यलोकयत् । ततः सूक्ष्मतनुर्विष्णुः शीतदेहश्च शंभुना

vilīnasūkṣmāvayavaṁ vāmākṣeṇa vyalokayat tataḥ sūkṣmatanurviṣṇuḥ śītadehaśca śaṁbhunā

—by which his limbs became subtle and dissolved; and he looked with his left eye — then Vishnu's body became subtle and cool.

Verse 205 (padma.5.105.205)

उक्तश्च स्नाहि भो विष्णो ह्रद एष विकल्पितः । ततो ह्रदे हरिः स्नातुं हरांके कल्पिते तदा

uktaśca snāhi bho viṣṇo hrada eṣa vikalpitaḥ tato hrade hariḥ snātuṁ harāṁke kalpite tadā

Shambhu said: "Bathe, O Vishnu; this pool has been fashioned just for you." Then Hari, to bathe in that pool fashioned by Shiva—

Verse 206 (padma.5.105.206)

प्रवेष्टुं न शशाकाथ गंभीरे तद्ध्रदस्य तु । हरिराह च नो पंथा ह्रदस्यास्य प्रवेशने

praveṣṭuṁ na śaśākātha gaṁbhīre taddhradasya tu harirāha ca no paṁthā hradasyāsya praveśane

—could not enter, for it had become even deeper than that pool. Hari said: "There is no way to enter this pool—"

Verse 207 (padma.5.105.207)

मार्गो मे दीयतां देव तमथो शंभुरब्रवीत् । कोटियोजनगंभीरं जलमेतन्महत्पुरा

mārgo me dīyatāṁ deva tamatho śaṁbhurabravīt koṭiyojanagaṁbhīraṁ jalametanmahatpurā

"—O god, show me the way." Then Shambhu said: "Formerly this water was crores of yojanas deep—"

Verse 208 (padma.5.105.208)

निविष्टस्यैव भवत ऊरुदघ्नं जलं विभो । इदानीं तिष्ठतश्चापि न प्रवेशो ह्रदे कथम्

niviṣṭasyaiva bhavata ūrudaghnaṁ jalaṁ vibho idānīṁ tiṣṭhataścāpi na praveśo hrade katham

"—O lord, and yet, when you entered it, it was only knee-deep for you. Now, even standing, how is it that you cannot enter the pool?"

Verse 209 (padma.5.105.209)

अष्टांगुलप्रमाणोऽयमूरुस्तस्मिन्ह्रदे च मे । पश्यामि प्रविश त्वं च पादस्पर्शं ददामि ते

aṣṭāṁgulapramāṇo'yamūrustasminhrade ca me paśyāmi praviśa tvaṁ ca pādasparśaṁ dadāmi te

"This knee of mine is only eight fingers' measure, and it is in this very pool. See, enter — I offer you the touch of my foot."

Verse 210 (padma.5.105.210)

वाक्यमेकं तु सोपानं वेदं मद्वाक्यनिस्सृतम् । हरिरुवाच- शब्दारोहणसामर्थ्यं कस्यापीह न विद्यते

vākyamekaṁ tu sopānaṁ vedaṁ madvākyanissṛtam hariruvāca- śabdārohaṇasāmarthyaṁ kasyāpīha na vidyate

"A single word alone is the step; the Veda itself has issued from my word." Hari said: "No one here has the capacity to climb upon mere sound."

Verse 211 (padma.5.105.211)

मूर्तस्य ग्रहणं शक्यं ग्रहणं वा कथं श्रुतेः । शंभुरुवाच- पुंसः शक्तिर्न वस्तूनां धारणारोहणादिषु

mūrtasya grahaṇaṁ śakyaṁ grahaṇaṁ vā kathaṁ śruteḥ śaṁbhuruvāca- puṁsaḥ śaktirna vastūnāṁ dhāraṇārohaṇādiṣu

"A tangible object can be grasped — but how can Shruti be grasped?" Shambhu said: "A man's power lies not in the holding and climbing of mere physical things."

Verse 212 (padma.5.105.212)

गृहाणेमं महावेदं जग्राह हरिरप्यथ । नम्रकरश्चाशक्तेर्हि पतन्निव जनार्द्दनः

gṛhāṇemaṁ mahāvedaṁ jagrāha harirapyatha namrakaraścāśakterhi patanniva janārddanaḥ

"Take up this great Veda" — then Hari too took it up, his hands humbled, Janardana as if falling, unable—

Verse 213 (padma.5.105.213)

न च शक्यं मया धर्तुमिति प्राह शिवं हरिः । शिवः प्रहस्य निपती पात्यतीव महाह्रदे

na ca śakyaṁ mayā dhartumiti prāha śivaṁ hariḥ śivaḥ prahasya nipatī pātyatīva mahāhrade

"—said to Shiva, "I am not capable of holding it." Shiva, laughing, letting him fall, dropped him further into the great pool.

Verse 214 (padma.5.105.214)

तत्सोपानमथारुह्य स्नातुमर्हसि केशव । दधीच उवाच- वेदे सोपानभूते हि ऊरुदघ्नोपलब्धिनि

tatsopānamathāruhya snātumarhasi keśava dadhīca uvāca- vede sopānabhūte hi ūrudaghnopalabdhini

"Having climbed upon that step, O Keshava, you are fit to bathe." Dadhichi said: The Veda itself became the step, by which the water became knee-deep again.

Verse 215 (padma.5.105.215)

तत्र स्नात्वा स विधिना बहिरुत्तीर्य चोक्तवान् । स्नातोऽस्मि किमतः कार्यं शंभुराह हरिं ततः

tatra snātvā sa vidhinā bahiruttīrya coktavān snāto'smi kimataḥ kāryaṁ śaṁbhurāha hariṁ tataḥ

Having bathed there according to rule, and having come out, he said, "I have bathed; what now must be done?" Then Shambhu said to Hari—

Verse 216 (padma.5.105.216)

ध्यायसे हृदये किं त्वं न च किंचिद्वदस्व मे । हरिर्न किंचिदित्याह तमथो शंभुरुक्तवान्

dhyāyase hṛdaye kiṁ tvaṁ na ca kiṁcidvadasva me harirna kiṁcidityāha tamatho śaṁbhuruktavān

—"What do you meditate upon in your heart? Whatever it is, tell me." Hari said, "Nothing." Then Shambhu said—

Verse 217 (padma.5.105.217)

भस्मस्नानेन संशुद्धो वेत्स्यसे परमं शुभम् । दीक्षितस्य हि तच्छस्तं तद्रक्षां करवाण्यहम्

bhasmasnānena saṁśuddho vetsyase paramaṁ śubham dīkṣitasya hi tacchastaṁ tadrakṣāṁ karavāṇyaham

—"Purified by the ash-bath, you shall know the supreme good. For one initiated, this alone is declared excellent; I shall protect it."

Verse 218 (padma.5.105.218)

दधीच उवाच- स्ववक्षः स्थितभस्मैकं नखेनादाय शंकरः । प्रणवेनाभिमंत्र्याथ गायत्र्या ब्रह्मभूतया

dadhīca uvāca- svavakṣaḥ sthitabhasmaikaṁ nakhenādāya śaṁkaraḥ praṇavenābhimaṁtryātha gāyatryā brahmabhūtayā

Dadhichi said: Taking with his nail the ash from his own chest, Shankara, having consecrated it with the syllable Om and with the Gayatri, embodiment of Brahman—

Verse 219 (padma.5.105.219)

अंगुलिभ्यामुपादाय शिवः पंचाक्षरेण वै । हरिमस्तकगात्रेषु सर्वेष्वपि समाक्षिपत्

aṁgulibhyāmupādāya śivaḥ paṁcākṣareṇa vai harimastakagātreṣu sarveṣvapi samākṣipat

—taking it up with two fingers, Shiva, with the five-syllable mantra, sprinkled it upon Hari's head and all the limbs of his body.

Verse 220 (padma.5.105.220)

शांतदृष्ट्या निरीक्ष्याथ जीवेत्याह हरिं हरः । ध्यायस्व किं ते हृदये स च ध्यानपरोऽभवत्

śāṁtadṛṣṭyā nirīkṣyātha jīvetyāha hariṁ haraḥ dhyāyasva kiṁ te hṛdaye sa ca dhyānaparo'bhavat

Looking with a tranquil gaze, Hara said to Hari, "Live!" — "What do you meditate upon in your heart?" And he became absorbed in meditation.

Verse 221 (padma.5.105.221)

अपश्यद्धृदये दीपं दीर्घाकारमतिप्रभम् । हरिराह शिवं साक्षाद्दीपो दृष्टो मयेति च

apaśyaddhṛdaye dīpaṁ dīrghākāramatiprabham harirāha śivaṁ sākṣāddīpo dṛṣṭo mayeti ca

He saw within his heart a lamp of long form, most radiant. Hari said directly to Shiva, "I have seen a lamp."

Verse 222 (padma.5.105.222)

शिवः प्राह न ते ज्ञानं परिपक्वमथो हरे । भस्म भक्षय ते ज्ञानं समग्रं संभविष्यति

śivaḥ prāha na te jñānaṁ paripakvamatho hare bhasma bhakṣaya te jñānaṁ samagraṁ saṁbhaviṣyati

Shiva said, "O Hari, your knowledge has not yet fully ripened. Eat the ash, and your knowledge shall become complete."

Verse 223 (padma.5.105.223)

हरिरुवाच- भक्षयिष्ये शुभं भस्म स्नातोऽहं भस्मना पुरा । दृष्ट्वेश्वरं भक्तिगम्यं भस्माभक्षयदच्युतः

hariruvāca- bhakṣayiṣye śubhaṁ bhasma snāto'haṁ bhasmanā purā dṛṣṭveśvaraṁ bhaktigamyaṁ bhasmābhakṣayadacyutaḥ

Hari said, "I shall eat this auspicious ash; I have already bathed in it before." Beholding the Lord, attainable directly by devotion, Achyuta ate the ash.

Verse 224 (padma.5.105.224)

तत्राश्चर्यमतीवासीत्पक्वबिंबसमद्युतिः । वासुदेवः शुद्धमुक्ताफलवर्णोऽभवत्क्षणात्

tatrāścaryamatīvāsītpakvabiṁbasamadyutiḥ vāsudevaḥ śuddhamuktāphalavarṇo'bhavatkṣaṇāt

There occurred a most wondrous thing — Vasudeva, of a hue like a ripe red bimba-fruit, in an instant became the color of a pure pearl.

Verse 225 (padma.5.105.225)

ततःप्रभृति शुक्लोऽसौ वासुदेवः प्रसन्नवान् । पुनर्ध्यानपरो भूत्वा दीपमध्ये च पूरुषम्

tataḥprabhṛti śuklo'sau vāsudevaḥ prasannavān punardhyānaparo bhūtvā dīpamadhye ca pūruṣam

From then on, that Vasudeva became white and joyful. Then, absorbed again in meditation, he beheld, within the lamp, a Person—

Verse 226 (padma.5.105.226)

शुद्धस्फटिकसंकाशं त्रिनेत्रं द्विभुजं शिवम् । वरदं दक्षिणे हस्ते वामे चाभयदं विभुम्

śuddhasphaṭikasaṁkāśaṁ trinetraṁ dvibhujaṁ śivam varadaṁ dakṣiṇe haste vāme cābhayadaṁ vibhum

—clear as pure crystal, three-eyed, two-armed Shiva — the Lord, holding the boon-granting gesture in his right hand, the fearlessness-gesture in his left—

Verse 227 (padma.5.105.227)

पंचवर्षीयवपुषं शरच्चंद्रायुतद्युतिम् । माणिक्यकुंडलं हेम दामजालविभूषितम्

paṁcavarṣīyavapuṣaṁ śaraccaṁdrāyutadyutim māṇikyakuṁḍalaṁ hema dāmajālavibhūṣitam

—of a body like a five-year-old child, radiant as a multitude of autumn moons; adorned with ruby earrings, a net of golden garlands—

Verse 228 (padma.5.105.228)

रत्नांगुलीयसुभगं बाहुकोष्ठसुभूषणम् । तनुरक्तोष्ठमाकर्ण दीर्घायतविलोचनम्

ratnāṁgulīyasubhagaṁ bāhukoṣṭhasubhūṣaṇam tanuraktoṣṭhamākarṇa dīrghāyatavilocanam

—with a lovely jeweled ring, adorned with ornaments on his arms and flanks; his red lips spreading, his eyes long and wide—

Verse 229 (padma.5.105.229)

बाणलोचनसंकाशं भाललोचनमव्ययम् । कंदर्पकार्मुकभ्रांतिजनकभ्रुवमीश्वरम्

bāṇalocanasaṁkāśaṁ bhālalocanamavyayam kaṁdarpakārmukabhrāṁtijanakabhruvamīśvaram

—arrow-like eyes, imperishable, bearing an eye on the forehead; the Lord, whose brows create the illusion of Kama's bow—

Verse 230 (padma.5.105.230)

स्निग्धोन्नत सुचार्वंग नासमच्छकपोलकम् । मंदस्मितं प्रसन्नास्यं बालेंदुदर्शनं विभुम्

snigdhonnata sucārvaṁga nāsamacchakapolakam maṁdasmitaṁ prasannāsyaṁ bāleṁdudarśanaṁ vibhum

—of soft, raised, graceful limbs, with a nose amid spotless cheeks; his face gentle with a soft smile, his sight like the crescent moon, the Lord—

Verse 231 (padma.5.105.231)

विज्ञानरक्तवसनं वेदकल्पितनूपुरम् । वामांगुलीयमध्यस्थमतिप्रणवमव्ययम्

vijñānaraktavasanaṁ vedakalpitanūpuram vāmāṁgulīyamadhyasthamatipraṇavamavyayam

—clad in garments tinged with pure knowledge, wearing anklets fashioned of the Vedas; seated within the ring on his left finger, the very embodiment of the syllable Om, imperishable—

Verse 232 (padma.5.105.232)

दृष्टवानथ तं विष्णुः कृतकृत्योऽभवत्तदा । अथाह शंभुर्भो विष्णो हृदि दृष्टं त्वया किमु

dṛṣṭavānatha taṁ viṣṇuḥ kṛtakṛtyo'bhavattadā athāha śaṁbhurbho viṣṇo hṛdi dṛṣṭaṁ tvayā kimu

Vishnu beheld him, and then became fulfilled. Then Shambhu said: "O Vishnu, what have you seen in your heart?"

Verse 233 (padma.5.105.233)

हरिराह पुरा दृष्टः पुरुषः शांतविग्रहः । इत्युदीर्य महाविष्णुः शिवपादे पपात ह

harirāha purā dṛṣṭaḥ puruṣaḥ śāṁtavigrahaḥ ityudīrya mahāviṣṇuḥ śivapāde papāta ha

Hari said, "I saw earlier a Person of tranquil form." Saying this, Mahavishnu fell at Shiva's feet.

Verse 234 (padma.5.105.234)

हरिरुवाच- न शक्तिं भस्मनो जाने प्रभावं वा कुतस्तव । नमस्तेऽस्तु नमस्तेऽस्तु त्वामेव शरणं गतः

hariruvāca- na śaktiṁ bhasmano jāne prabhāvaṁ vā kutastava namaste'stu namaste'stu tvāmeva śaraṇaṁ gataḥ

Hari said: "I do not know the power of ash, nor your greatness. Homage to you, homage to you; I have come to your refuge alone."

Verse 235 (padma.5.105.235)

सदाशिव उवाच- वरं वृणु महाभाग मनसा यं त्वमिच्छसि । शिववाचमथाकर्ण्य हरिर्वव्रे वरोत्तमम्

sadāśiva uvāca- varaṁ vṛṇu mahābhāga manasā yaṁ tvamicchasi śivavācamathākarṇya harirvavre varottamam

Sadashiva said: "O greatly fortunate one, ask for whatever boon your heart desires." Hearing this word of Shiva, Hari asked for an excellent boon.

Verse 236 (padma.5.105.236)

हरिरुवाच- त्वत्पादयुगले शंभो भक्तिरस्तु सदा मम । अथ दत्वा वरं शंभुरिदमाह वचो हरिम्

hariruvāca- tvatpādayugale śaṁbho bhaktirastu sadā mama atha datvā varaṁ śaṁbhuridamāha vaco harim

Hari said: "O Shambhu, may my devotion to your pair of feet remain forever." Then, having granted the boon, Shambhu spoke this word to Hari—

Verse 237 (padma.5.105.237)

भस्मधारणसंपन्नो मम भक्तो भविष्यसि । दधीच उवाच- इत्थमुक्तं महाज्ञानं भस्मसंभवमादितः

bhasmadhāraṇasaṁpanno mama bhakto bhaviṣyasi dadhīca uvāca- itthamuktaṁ mahājñānaṁ bhasmasaṁbhavamāditaḥ

—"Endowed with the wearing of ash, you shall become my devotee." Dadhichi said: Thus, from the very beginning, this great knowledge, born of ash—

Verse 238 (padma.5.105.238)

तस्माद्यूयं सुराः सर्वे धारयध्वं तदादरात् । विस्मयोत्फुल्लनयना देवाश्चासंस्तदस्त्विति

tasmādyūyaṁ surāḥ sarve dhārayadhvaṁ tadādarāt vismayotphullanayanā devāścāsaṁstadastviti

—"—therefore, all you gods too, wear it reverently." The gods, their eyes wide with wonder, said, "So be it."

Verse 239 (padma.5.105.239)

य इदं शृणुयान्नित्यं पुण्याख्यानमनुत्तमम् । विमुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यो यात्यसौ शांकरं पदम्

ya idaṁ śṛṇuyānnityaṁ puṇyākhyānamanuttamam vimuktaḥ sarvapāpebhyo yātyasau śāṁkaraṁ padam

Whoever ever hears this incomparable, meritorious tale is freed from all sins and attains the abode of Shankara.