The Brahmin, the Widow, and the Dog: Sin, Sati, and the Grace of Ash

Verse 1 (padma.5.106.1)

शुचिस्मितोवाच- आयुष्यवर्द्धनं भस्माशनं दृष्टं महामुने । परलोकगतिं दातुं शक्तमेतं वदस्व मे

śucismitovāca- āyuṣyavarddhanaṁ bhasmāśanaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ mahāmune paralokagatiṁ dātuṁ śaktametaṁ vadasva me

Shuchismita said: O great sage, I have seen that the eating of ash increases life; tell me whether it is also capable of granting a good state in the world beyond.

Verse 2 (padma.5.106.2)

दधीच उवाच- अत्र ते कथयिष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम् । चित्रगुप्तयमाभ्यां च यद्विख्यातं बभूव ह

dadhīca uvāca- atra te kathayiṣyāmi itihāsaṁ purātanam citraguptayamābhyāṁ ca yadvikhyātaṁ babhūva ha

Dadhichi said: On this I shall tell you an ancient history, one that became renowned through Chitragupta and Yama.

Verse 3 (padma.5.106.3)

मिथिलायां पुरा कश्चिच्छुनः पर्यटते क्षुधा । पुरा जन्मशतात्पूर्वं ब्राह्मणः पापनिश्चयः

mithilāyāṁ purā kaścicchunaḥ paryaṭate kṣudhā purā janmaśatātpūrvaṁ brāhmaṇaḥ pāpaniścayaḥ

Long ago in Mithila, a certain dog wandered about in hunger — one who, a hundred births before, had been a Brahmin resolved upon sin.

Verse 4 (padma.5.106.4)

पूर्वेवयसि वेदाढ्यः शास्त्राढ्यश्च सुबुद्धिमान् । स स्नातुं जाह्नवीं गत्वा स्नानं कृत्वा पितॄनपि

pūrvevayasi vedāḍhyaḥ śāstrāḍhyaśca subuddhimān sa snātuṁ jāhnavīṁ gatvā snānaṁ kṛtvā pitṝnapi

In his earlier life he had been rich in the Vedas and scriptures, highly intelligent. He went to bathe in the Ganga, and, having bathed and performed the ancestor-rites—

Verse 5 (padma.5.106.5)

देवानृषीन्समभ्यर्च्य ययौ प्रात्तलिकापुरम् । प्रतिश्रयमथो चक्रे ब्राह्मणस्य निवेशने

devānṛṣīnsamabhyarcya yayau prāttalikāpuram pratiśrayamatho cakre brāhmaṇasya niveśane

—having worshipped the gods and sages, he went to a town called Pratalika. There he took shelter at the dwelling of a Brahmin.

Verse 6 (padma.5.106.6)

तत्रैका क्षत्रियसुता यौवनस्था हतप्रिया । भ्रष्टराज्या च षट्कोटि निष्कद्रव्येण संयुता

tatraikā kṣatriyasutā yauvanasthā hatapriyā bhraṣṭarājyā ca ṣaṭkoṭi niṣkadravyeṇa saṁyutā

There, a certain Kshatriya woman, in the bloom of youth, whose beloved had been slain and whose kingdom had been lost, possessed of sixty million coins in wealth—

Verse 7 (padma.5.106.7)

भुक्त्वाथ शयितं विप्रं सर्वावयवसुंदरम् । रात्रौ चंद्रोदये शुद्धे ज्योत्स्नाहसितदिङ्मुखे

bhuktvātha śayitaṁ vipraṁ sarvāvayavasuṁdaram rātrau caṁdrodaye śuddhe jyotsnāhasitadiṅmukhe

—having eaten, she saw the Brahmin lying down, beautiful in every limb; at night, under a clear moonrise, when the directions seemed to smile with moonlight—

Verse 8 (padma.5.106.8)

ब्राह्मणाभ्याशमागत्य तमुदीक्ष्येदमब्रवीत् । कुतस्त्वमागतो विप्र कं वा देशं गमिष्यसि

brāhmaṇābhyāśamāgatya tamudīkṣyedamabravīt kutastvamāgato vipra kaṁ vā deśaṁ gamiṣyasi

—she came near the Brahmin, and, looking at him, said this: "From where have you come, O Brahmin, and to what country do you go?"

Verse 9 (padma.5.106.9)

ब्राह्मण उवाच- अकालचर्या सर्वेषां शंकामुत्पादयेद्ध्रुवम् । वयःस्थयोर्मिथोवादो रहस्ये हास्यमंदिरे

brāhmaṇa uvāca- akālacaryā sarveṣāṁ śaṁkāmutpādayeddhruvam vayaḥsthayormithovādo rahasye hāsyamaṁdire

The Brahmin said: "Untimely conduct always arouses suspicion in everyone; conversation, between two of an age for such things, in private, is likewise suspect."

Verse 10 (padma.5.106.10)

क्षत्रियोवाच- कथाप्रसंगे यात्रायां तीर्थे देशादि विप्लवे । दुर्भिक्षे ग्रामदहने रहोवादो न दूषितः

kṣatriyovāca- kathāprasaṁge yātrāyāṁ tīrthe deśādi viplave durbhikṣe grāmadahane rahovādo na dūṣitaḥ

The Kshatriya woman said: "In the course of a conversation, on a journey, at a sacred ford, amid a country's upheaval, in famine, or a village on fire — private conversation is not a fault."

Verse 11 (padma.5.106.11)

प्रतिश्रयस्तु मद्गेहे भवतैव पुरा कृतः । मद्गेहवासिनी चाहं न शंका त्विह कस्यचित्

pratiśrayastu madgehe bhavataiva purā kṛtaḥ madgehavāsinī cāhaṁ na śaṁkā tviha kasyacit

"Shelter has been taken by you yourself, before now, in my house; and I dwell in my own house — let there be no suspicion here on anyone's part."

Verse 12 (padma.5.106.12)

ब्राह्मण उवाच- तूष्णींभावो मया कार्यो गच्छ त्वं शीघ्रमग्रतः । इत्युक्ता ब्राह्मणेनासौ मनसेदमचिंतयत्

brāhmaṇa uvāca- tūṣṇīṁbhāvo mayā kāryo gaccha tvaṁ śīghramagrataḥ ityuktā brāhmaṇenāsau manasedamaciṁtayat

The Brahmin said: "I must remain silent; go quickly ahead." Thus addressed by the Brahmin, she thought this within her mind.

Verse 13 (padma.5.106.13)

अनेन संगमो मह्यं यथाभूयात्तथाविधि । रोदनं तु करिष्यामि तथा यास्यति सांत्वितुम्

anena saṁgamo mahyaṁ yathābhūyāttathāvidhi rodanaṁ tu kariṣyāmi tathā yāsyati sāṁtvitum

"By whatever means union with him might come to me — that is what I shall do. I shall weep, so that he will come to console me."

Verse 14 (padma.5.106.14)

मां च सांत्वयितुं प्राप्तो मां समुत्थापयिष्यति । अहमुत्तिष्ठमानैव दोर्लताकंठसंगिनी

māṁ ca sāṁtvayituṁ prāpto māṁ samutthāpayiṣyati ahamuttiṣṭhamānaiva dorlatākaṁṭhasaṁginī

"Having come to console me, he will raise me up; and I, as I rise, will entwine his neck with my creeper-like arms—"

Verse 15 (padma.5.106.15)

कुचयुग्मेन तद्गात्रं स्पर्शयंती विमूर्च्छिता । गतभानां हि मां दृष्ट्वा निषण्णः स्वयमेव सः

kucayugmena tadgātraṁ sparśayaṁtī vimūrcchitā gatabhānāṁ hi māṁ dṛṣṭvā niṣaṇṇaḥ svayameva saḥ

"—touching his body with my pair of breasts, feigning a swoon. Seeing me thus seemingly unconscious, he himself will sit down beside me—"

Verse 16 (padma.5.106.16)

उत्संगे मामकं देहं निधास्यति द्विजाग्रणीः । अचेतनेव वसनमपास्य रुदतीव च

utsaṁge māmakaṁ dehaṁ nidhāsyati dvijāgraṇīḥ acetaneva vasanamapāsya rudatīva ca

"—that foremost of Brahmins will place my body upon his lap. As though senseless, and as though weeping, I shall let my garment slip—"

Verse 17 (padma.5.106.17)

सुस्निग्धं रोमरहितं पक्वाश्वत्थदलाकृति । दर्शयिष्यामि तत्स्थानं कामगेहं सुगंधि च

susnigdhaṁ romarahitaṁ pakvāśvatthadalākṛti darśayiṣyāmi tatsthānaṁ kāmagehaṁ sugaṁdhi ca

"—and shall reveal that place, soft, hairless, shaped like a ripened ashvattha-leaf, the very home of desire, and fragrant."

Verse 18 (padma.5.106.18)

मयैव विलुठंत्यांगे तस्य वस्त्रमपास्यते । विलुप्यमानसं तस्य करिष्ये स्ववशं द्विजम्

mayaiva viluṭhaṁtyāṁge tasya vastramapāsyate vilupyamānasaṁ tasya kariṣye svavaśaṁ dvijam

"Writhing about, I myself shall loosen his garment. I shall make that Brahmin, his mind stolen away, come under my control."

Verse 19 (padma.5.106.19)

अदृष्टौ यादृशं चित्तं दृष्टौ नैतादृशं भवेत् । दर्शने यादृशं चित्तं संलापे नैव तादृशम्

adṛṣṭau yādṛśaṁ cittaṁ dṛṣṭau naitādṛśaṁ bhavet darśane yādṛśaṁ cittaṁ saṁlāpe naiva tādṛśam

"The mind, before sight of her, is one thing; upon seeing her, it is not the same. The mind, upon seeing her, is one thing; in conversation, it is not the same."

Verse 20 (padma.5.106.20)

संलापे यादृशं चित्तं हास्योक्तौ नैव तादृशम् । हास्योक्तौ यादृशं चित्तं स्पर्शने नैव तादृशम्

saṁlāpe yādṛśaṁ cittaṁ hāsyoktau naiva tādṛśam hāsyoktau yādṛśaṁ cittaṁ sparśane naiva tādṛśam

"The mind in conversation is one thing; in playful speech, it is not the same. The mind in playful speech is one thing; at touch, it is not the same."

Verse 21 (padma.5.106.21)

स्पर्शने यादृशं चित्तं योनिदृष्टौ न तादृशम् । तद्दृष्टौ यादृशं चित्तं योनिस्पर्शे न तादृशम्

sparśane yādṛśaṁ cittaṁ yonidṛṣṭau na tādṛśam taddṛṣṭau yādṛśaṁ cittaṁ yonisparśe na tādṛśam

"The mind at touch is one thing; at the sight of her womanhood, it is not the same. The mind at that sight is one thing; at the touch of it, it is not the same."

Verse 22 (padma.5.106.22)

बाहुमूलकुचद्वंद्व स्वयोनिस्पर्शदर्शनात् । कस्य न स्खलते चेतो रेतः स्कन्नं च नो भवेत्

bāhumūlakucadvaṁdva svayonisparśadarśanāt kasya na skhalate ceto retaḥ skannaṁ ca no bhavet

"At the sight and touch of her underarms, her paired breasts, and her own womanhood — whose mind does not falter, whose seed does not spill?"

Verse 23 (padma.5.106.23)

दधीच उवाच- इति संचिंत्य मनसा क्षत्रिया गृहमभ्यगात् । स्वगृहद्वारमासाद्य मंदं मंदं रुरोद वै

dadhīca uvāca- iti saṁciṁtya manasā kṣatriyā gṛhamabhyagāt svagṛhadvāramāsādya maṁdaṁ maṁdaṁ ruroda vai

Dadhichi said: Having thus resolved within her mind, the Kshatriya woman went to the house; reaching the door of her own home, she began to weep softly.

Verse 24 (padma.5.106.24)

चिरं कालं च रुदितं ब्राह्मणः करुणानिधिः

ciraṁ kālaṁ ca ruditaṁ brāhmaṇaḥ karuṇānidhiḥ

For a long time she wept, and that Brahmin, an ocean of compassion, heard her.

Verse 25 (padma.5.106.25)

स्त्रीबालवृद्धातुर राजयोगिनां विषाग्नितोयाद्रि निपातनादिना । दुःखस्य चैवोद्धरणं प्रशस्यते कूपस्यदानेन समं वदंति

strībālavṛddhātura rājayogināṁ viṣāgnitoyādri nipātanādinā duḥkhasya caivoddharaṇaṁ praśasyate kūpasyadānena samaṁ vadaṁti

To deliver from sorrow a woman, a child, an old man, a sick person, a king, or an ascetic, from poison, fire, water, or a fall from a mountain, and the like, is said to be equal in merit to the gift of a well.

Verse 26 (padma.5.106.26)

इत्थं विचार्य विप्रोऽसौ शुचिर्भूतः प्रसन्नधीः । तस्याः समीपमगमत्तामुवाच ततो द्विजः

itthaṁ vicārya vipro'sau śucirbhūtaḥ prasannadhīḥ tasyāḥ samīpamagamattāmuvāca tato dvijaḥ

Reflecting thus, that Brahmin, being pure and clear of mind, went near her, and then spoke to her.

Verse 27 (padma.5.106.27)

अलं शोकेन महता इहामुत्र विरोधिना । शरीरशोषणं ह्येतच्चित्तविध्वंसनं तथा

alaṁ śokena mahatā ihāmutra virodhinā śarīraśoṣaṇaṁ hyetaccittavidhvaṁsanaṁ tathā

"Enough of such great grief, which is harmful both here and hereafter! This only wastes away the body, and likewise destroys the mind."

Verse 28 (padma.5.106.28)

त्यज शोकमिमं बाले न चार्थः शोचितेन वै । शोकस्य कारणं किं वा येनेत्थं रुद्यते त्वया

tyaja śokamimaṁ bāle na cārthaḥ śocitena vai śokasya kāraṇaṁ kiṁ vā yenetthaṁ rudyate tvayā

"Give up this grief, my child; there is truly no benefit in grieving. What, indeed, is the cause of your sorrow, that you weep so?"

Verse 29 (padma.5.106.29)

दधीच उवाच- एवमुक्ता द्विजेनाथ न सा किंचिदुवाच ह । मूर्च्छितेवापतद्भूमौ तमदृष्ट्वेव वीक्षते

dadhīca uvāca- evamuktā dvijenātha na sā kiṁciduvāca ha mūrcchitevāpatadbhūmau tamadṛṣṭveva vīkṣate

Dadhichi said: Thus addressed by the Brahmin, she said nothing at all in reply; as though fainting, she fell to the ground, gazing as though not seeing him.

Verse 30 (padma.5.106.30)

तामथोत्थापयामास ब्राह्मणः परमार्थवित् । उत्थितोत्थापिता तेन निपपात पुनः पुनः

tāmathotthāpayāmāsa brāhmaṇaḥ paramārthavit utthitotthāpitā tena nipapāta punaḥ punaḥ

That Brahmin, knower of the supreme truth, then raised her up; but, though raised up by him, she fell down again and again.

Verse 31 (padma.5.106.31)

पतितां पतितां विप्रो निषद्योत्थाप्य तां पुनः । अंकमारोपयामास प्रममार्ज विलोचने

patitāṁ patitāṁ vipro niṣadyotthāpya tāṁ punaḥ aṁkamāropayāmāsa pramamārja vilocane

Sitting down, the Brahmin raised her up each time she fell, and then placed her upon his lap, and wiped her eyes.

Verse 32 (padma.5.106.32)

अथ सा मूर्च्छितेवाशु वसनं परिमुच्य तम् । दर्शयंती स्तनौ गुह्यं बाहुमूले विलोचने

atha sā mūrcchitevāśu vasanaṁ parimucya tam darśayaṁtī stanau guhyaṁ bāhumūle vilocane

Then, as though swiftly fainting, she let her garment slip, revealing her breasts, her private place, her underarms, and her eyes—

Verse 33 (padma.5.106.33)

आलंब्य कंठे बाहुभ्यां स्तनाभ्यामस्पृशद्द्विजम् । चंद्रातपश्च विशदो मंदमारुतसंभवः

ālaṁbya kaṁṭhe bāhubhyāṁ stanābhyāmaspṛśaddvijam caṁdrātapaśca viśado maṁdamārutasaṁbhavaḥ

—and, clasping his neck with both her arms, touched the Brahmin with her breasts; the moonlight was clear, and a gentle breeze was blowing.

Verse 34 (padma.5.106.34)

अथ चिंतापरो विप्रो नैव कार्यमिदं मम । पितुर्वा मातुरुचितं पत्युर्वाथ गुरोस्तथा

atha ciṁtāparo vipro naiva kāryamidaṁ mama piturvā māturucitaṁ patyurvātha gurostathā

Then the troubled Brahmin thought: "This is not fitting for me — not proper for father, mother, husband, or guru."

Verse 35 (padma.5.106.35)

असंबुद्धस्य मे सर्वं विपरीतं विभाति वै । अथ कामः समायातो रहस्ये स्थितयोस्तयोः

asaṁbuddhasya me sarvaṁ viparītaṁ vibhāti vai atha kāmaḥ samāyāto rahasye sthitayostayoḥ

"For me, unenlightened as I am, everything now appears reversed." Then, as the two of them remained together in private, Kama came upon them.

Verse 36 (padma.5.106.36)

विव्याध निशितैर्बाणैर्द्विजं कामो दुरात्मवान् । स्मरबाणातुरो विप्रश्चिंतयामास कामुकः

vivyādha niśitairbāṇairdvijaṁ kāmo durātmavān smarabāṇāturo vipraściṁtayāmāsa kāmukaḥ

Evil-minded Kama pierced the Brahmin with his sharp arrows. Afflicted by Kama's arrows, filled with desire, the Brahmin thought—

Verse 37 (padma.5.106.37)

इयं सुचारु सर्वांगी कामिनीव प्रदृश्यते । नोचेद्योनिमुखे ह्यस्याः कथं रोमांचसंभवः

iyaṁ sucāru sarvāṁgī kāminīva pradṛśyate nocedyonimukhe hyasyāḥ kathaṁ romāṁcasaṁbhavaḥ

"—this woman of lovely limbs appears indeed as though moved by desire; otherwise, how would this thrill of gooseflesh arise at the mouth of her womanhood?"

Verse 38 (padma.5.106.38)

तदेतस्याः कुचस्पर्शात्सर्वं व्यक्तं भविष्यति । इति संचिंत्य मनसा कुचौ योनिं द्विजोऽस्पृशत्

tadetasyāḥ kucasparśātsarvaṁ vyaktaṁ bhaviṣyati iti saṁciṁtya manasā kucau yoniṁ dvijo'spṛśat

"By the touch of her breasts, all this will become clear." Having thus resolved, the Brahmin touched her breasts and her womanhood.

Verse 39 (padma.5.106.39)

सापि मूर्च्छितरूपेव मंदस्मितमुखाभवत् । आलिलिंग द्विजं गाढमाननं च चुचुंब ह

sāpi mūrcchitarūpeva maṁdasmitamukhābhavat āliliṁga dvijaṁ gāḍhamānanaṁ ca cucuṁba ha

She too, seeming as though fainting, her face broke into a gentle smile; she embraced the Brahmin tightly and kissed his face.

Verse 40 (padma.5.106.40)

तयोरथ समायोगो वर्षाणां शतमप्यभूत् । गते वर्षशते पश्चादेकस्मिन्दिवसे द्विजः

tayoratha samāyogo varṣāṇāṁ śatamapyabhūt gate varṣaśate paścādekasmindivase dvijaḥ

Their union then continued for as long as a hundred years. When a hundred years had passed, on a certain day, the Brahmin—

Verse 41 (padma.5.106.41)

स्नातुं ययौ नदीं प्रातः सापि विप्रप्रसंगतः । स्नानं तत्र तथा चक्रे पुराणं श्रुतवानथ

snātuṁ yayau nadīṁ prātaḥ sāpi vipraprasaṁgataḥ snānaṁ tatra tathā cakre purāṇaṁ śrutavānatha

—went to a river at dawn to bathe, and she too went with him; there, having bathed, he heard a Purana—

Verse 42 (padma.5.106.42)

कौर्मं समस्तपापानां नाशनं शिवभक्तिदम् । इदं च पद्यं शुश्राव पुराणज्ञेन भाषितम्

kaurmaṁ samastapāpānāṁ nāśanaṁ śivabhaktidam idaṁ ca padyaṁ śuśrāva purāṇajñena bhāṣitam

—the Kaurma Purana, destroyer of all sins, bestower of devotion to Shiva. And he heard this verse spoken by the knower of the Purana—

Verse 43 (padma.5.106.43)

ब्रह्महा मद्यपः स्तेनस्तथैव गुरुतल्पगः । कौर्मं पुराणं श्रुत्वैव मुच्यते पातकात्ततः

brahmahā madyapaḥ stenastathaiva gurutalpagaḥ kaurmaṁ purāṇaṁ śrutvaiva mucyate pātakāttataḥ

"'The killer of a Brahmin, the drinker of liquor, the thief, and likewise the violator of his guru's bed — merely by hearing the Kaurma Purana, he is freed from that sin.'"

Verse 44 (padma.5.106.44)

श्रुत्वैतद्वचनं विप्रः पौराणिकमभाषत । मया कृतानां पापानां न च संख्यास्ति काचन

śrutvaitadvacanaṁ vipraḥ paurāṇikamabhāṣata mayā kṛtānāṁ pāpānāṁ na ca saṁkhyāsti kācana

Hearing this word, the Brahmin said to the reciter of the Purana: "There is no counting at all of the sins I have committed."

Verse 45 (padma.5.106.45)

अशेषपापसंदोहनाशनं तदिहोच्यताम् । पौराणिक उवाच- आराधय स्वदेवेशं शंकरं त्रिदशेश्वरम्

aśeṣapāpasaṁdohanāśanaṁ tadihocyatām paurāṇika uvāca- ārādhaya svadeveśaṁ śaṁkaraṁ tridaśeśvaram

"Tell me here of that which destroys the whole mass of sin." The reciter said: "Worship your own Lord of gods, Shankara, the Lord of the thirty gods."

Verse 46 (padma.5.106.46)

तस्य संपूजनाद्विप्र सर्वं पापं विनश्यति । पापमेव तमः प्रोक्तं ज्ञानदीपेन नश्यति

tasya saṁpūjanādvipra sarvaṁ pāpaṁ vinaśyati pāpameva tamaḥ proktaṁ jñānadīpena naśyati

"By worshipping him, O Brahmin, all sin is destroyed. Sin itself is declared to be darkness, and it is destroyed by the lamp of knowledge."

Verse 47 (padma.5.106.47)

अथवा पूजया विप्र समस्ताघविनाशनम् । ज्ञानपूजाविहीनानां नरके पतनं ध्रुवम्

athavā pūjayā vipra samastāghavināśanam jñānapūjāvihīnānāṁ narake patanaṁ dhruvam

"Or, O Brahmin, through worship alone comes the destruction of every sin. For those devoid of both knowledge and worship, a fall into hell is certain."

Verse 48 (padma.5.106.48)

दधीच उवाच- अथ द्विजो ह्यभिगतः शिवालयमनुत्तमम् । द्रोणपुष्पसहस्रेण पूजयामास शंकरम्

dadhīca uvāca- atha dvijo hyabhigataḥ śivālayamanuttamam droṇapuṣpasahasreṇa pūjayāmāsa śaṁkaram

Dadhichi said: Then the Brahmin went to that unsurpassed temple of Shiva, and worshipped Shankara with a thousand drona-flowers.

Verse 49 (padma.5.106.49)

गृहं जगाम च ततो भोजनं कृतवानथ । विहाय क्षत्रियां विप्रो जगामेष्टां भुवं ततः

gṛhaṁ jagāma ca tato bhojanaṁ kṛtavānatha vihāya kṣatriyāṁ vipro jagāmeṣṭāṁ bhuvaṁ tataḥ

He then went home and ate his meal; and then the Brahmin, leaving the Kshatriya woman, went to his desired destination.

Verse 50 (padma.5.106.50)

हविष्यमन्नमादाय भुक्त्यशक्तेः शिवालयम् । गत्वा दीपस्थिताज्येन भोजनं कृतवान्बहिः

haviṣyamannamādāya bhuktyaśakteḥ śivālayam gatvā dīpasthitājyena bhojanaṁ kṛtavānbahiḥ

Taking sanctified food, being unable to eat it there, he went to the Shiva-temple, and, using the ghee kept for the lamp, ate his meal outside.

Verse 51 (padma.5.106.51)

अथ मृत्युवशं प्राप्तो यमलोकं जगाम वै । यम उवाच- त्वया कृतानां पापानां केषांचिन्नाशनं पुरा

atha mṛtyuvaśaṁ prāpto yamalokaṁ jagāma vai yama uvāca- tvayā kṛtānāṁ pāpānāṁ keṣāṁcinnāśanaṁ purā

Then, having fallen under the sway of death, he went to the world of Yama. Yama said: "Of the sins committed by you, some have formerly been destroyed—"

Verse 52 (padma.5.106.52)

त्वयैकदिवसे पूजा शंकरस्य यतः कृता । तव पापसहस्रं च प्रणष्टं भवतो द्विज

tvayaikadivase pūjā śaṁkarasya yataḥ kṛtā tava pāpasahasraṁ ca praṇaṣṭaṁ bhavato dvija

"—since you performed worship of Shankara for one day; O Brahmin, a thousand of your sins have thereby been destroyed."

Verse 53 (padma.5.106.53)

स्थितानामपि पापानां फलं नरकपातनम् । वर्षकोटिद्वयं विप्र श्वानजन्मशतं पुनः

sthitānāmapi pāpānāṁ phalaṁ narakapātanam varṣakoṭidvayaṁ vipra śvānajanmaśataṁ punaḥ

"But for those sins that yet remain, the fruit is a fall into hell — for two crore years, O Brahmin, and thereafter a hundred births as a dog—"

Verse 54 (padma.5.106.54)

शिवदीपाज्यहरणात्फलं नरकसेवनम् । नरके च स्थितिस्तस्य शतवर्षं सुभीषणम्

śivadīpājyaharaṇātphalaṁ narakasevanam narake ca sthitistasya śatavarṣaṁ subhīṣaṇam

"—for stealing the ghee of Shiva's lamp, the fruit is a sojourn in hell, and his stay there shall be a hundred years, most terrible."

Verse 55 (padma.5.106.55)

कुंभीपाके च काष्ठत्वं भस्म भूत्वा पुनः पुनः । वर्षाणां दशकं त्वेवं कृमिभुक्तिः परं दश

kuṁbhīpāke ca kāṣṭhatvaṁ bhasma bhūtvā punaḥ punaḥ varṣāṇāṁ daśakaṁ tvevaṁ kṛmibhuktiḥ paraṁ daśa

"In the Kumbhipaka hell, he shall become firewood, becoming ash again and again, for ten years thus; and then ten more years as food for worms—"

Verse 56 (padma.5.106.56)

पुनश्च दीपवर्तित्वं वर्षाणां च तथा दश । श्लेष्मामेध्यपुरीषेषु मूत्ररेतोह्रदेषु च

punaśca dīpavartitvaṁ varṣāṇāṁ ca tathā daśa śleṣmāmedhyapurīṣeṣu mūtraretohradeṣu ca

"—and again, becoming a lamp-wick for ten years likewise; and in lakes of phlegm, filth, urine, and semen—"

Verse 57 (padma.5.106.57)

उन्मज्ज्य च निमज्ज्याथ श्लेष्मविण्मलभोजनम् । ततो नरकशेषेण श्वानजन्मशतं परम्

unmajjya ca nimajjyātha śleṣmaviṇmalabhojanam tato narakaśeṣeṇa śvānajanmaśataṁ param

"—rising and sinking, eating the filth of phlegm and excrement. Then, with the remainder of his hell-term, a further hundred births as a dog."

Verse 58 (padma.5.106.58)

यमवाक्यमिति श्रुत्वा ब्राह्मणो निपपात च । अथ तस्य प्रिया भार्या पतिचिंतापराभवत्

yamavākyamiti śrutvā brāhmaṇo nipapāta ca atha tasya priyā bhāryā paticiṁtāparābhavat

Hearing this word of Yama, the Brahmin fell down in dismay. Then his beloved wife became consumed with grief for her husband.

Verse 59 (padma.5.106.59)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे तस्याः समीपं नारदोऽभ्यगात् । नारदस्य पपातासौ पादयोरतिदुःखिता

etasminnaṁtare tasyāḥ samīpaṁ nārado'bhyagāt nāradasya papātāsau pādayoratiduḥkhitā

Just then, Narada approached her. She, greatly grieved, fell at Narada's feet.

Verse 60 (padma.5.106.60)

तामुत्थाप्य मुनिः शुद्धां गतायुषमभाषत । अयि मुग्धे विशालाक्षि भर्तारं गंतुमर्हसि

tāmutthāpya muniḥ śuddhāṁ gatāyuṣamabhāṣata ayi mugdhe viśālākṣi bhartāraṁ gaṁtumarhasi

The sage, raising up that pure woman, whose husband's life had ended, said: "O innocent one, wide-eyed one, you are fit to go to your husband."

Verse 61 (padma.5.106.61)

भर्ता ते हि विशालाक्षि मृतो बंधुविवर्जितः । न रोदितव्यं ते भद्रे ज्वलनं प्रविशस्व भोः

bhartā te hi viśālākṣi mṛto baṁdhuvivarjitaḥ na roditavyaṁ te bhadre jvalanaṁ praviśasva bhoḥ

"Your husband, O wide-eyed one, has died, bereft of kinsmen; you should not weep, O gracious one — enter into the fire."

Verse 62 (padma.5.106.62)

ब्राह्मण्युवाच- अशक्यं यदि वा शक्यं मया गंतुं मुने वद । अग्निप्रवेशकालो वै व्यतीतो न भवेद्यथा

brāhmaṇyuvāca- aśakyaṁ yadi vā śakyaṁ mayā gaṁtuṁ mune vada agnipraveśakālo vai vyatīto na bhavedyathā

The Brahmin's wife said: "Whether it be possible or impossible for me to go, tell me, O sage, so that the time for entering the fire may not pass."

Verse 63 (padma.5.106.63)

नारद उवाच- योजनानां शतं त्वेकमितः स्थानात्पुरं हितत् । श्वो दाहः किल विप्रस्य भविता गंतुमर्हसि

nārada uvāca- yojanānāṁ śataṁ tvekamitaḥ sthānātpuraṁ hitat śvo dāhaḥ kila viprasya bhavitā gaṁtumarhasi

Narada said: "That town is a hundred yojanas from this place; tomorrow, indeed, the Brahmin's cremation is to take place — you must go."

Verse 64 (padma.5.106.64)

अव्ययोवाच- दूरस्थितं कायनाथं गंतुमर्हामि हे मुने । तद्वचस्तु समाकर्ण्य नारदस्तामभाषत

avyayovāca- dūrasthitaṁ kāyanāthaṁ gaṁtumarhāmi he mune tadvacastu samākarṇya nāradastāmabhāṣata

Avyaya said: "I am fit to go to my body's lord, though he lies so far away, O sage." Hearing that word, Narada spoke to her—

Verse 65 (padma.5.106.65)

विपंची नालसंस्था त्वं भव गच्छाम्यहं क्षणात् । इत्युदीर्य तदा गत्वा त्वरां चक्रे गतं च तत्

vipaṁcī nālasaṁsthā tvaṁ bhava gacchāmyahaṁ kṣaṇāt ityudīrya tadā gatvā tvarāṁ cakre gataṁ ca tat

—"Become seated on the neck of my vina; I shall go there in an instant." Having said this, he then went swiftly, and covered that distance.

Verse 66 (padma.5.106.66)

देशं नष्टद्विजस्थानं तामुवाचाव्ययां मुनिः । रोदनं नेह कर्तव्यं यदि तत्राग्निमेष्यसि

deśaṁ naṣṭadvijasthānaṁ tāmuvācāvyayāṁ muniḥ rodanaṁ neha kartavyaṁ yadi tatrāgnimeṣyasi

Having reached the place of the dead Brahmin, the sage said to Avyaya: "Weeping is not to be done here, if you are to enter the fire there."

Verse 67 (padma.5.106.67)

पापं यदि कृतं भद्रे परपूरुषसेवनम् । एतद्विशुद्धये पुत्रि प्रायश्चित्तं समाचर

pāpaṁ yadi kṛtaṁ bhadre parapūruṣasevanam etadviśuddhaye putri prāyaścittaṁ samācara

"If any sin has been committed, O gracious one — the serving of another man — then, my daughter, for its purification, perform the atonement."

Verse 68 (padma.5.106.68)

तवोपपातकव्रात नाशो वह्निप्रवेशनात् । नान्यत्पश्यामि नारीणां सर्वपापोपशांतये

tavopapātakavrāta nāśo vahnipraveśanāt nānyatpaśyāmi nārīṇāṁ sarvapāpopaśāṁtaye

"The destruction of your host of minor sins comes through entering the fire; I see no other means for women to bring all sin to rest."

Verse 69 (padma.5.106.69)

अग्निप्रवेशं मुक्त्वैकं प्रायश्चित्तं जगत्त्रये । दधीच उवाच- अथ नारदवाक्येन नोदिता सा वचोऽब्रवीत्

agnipraveśaṁ muktvaikaṁ prāyaścittaṁ jagattraye dadhīca uvāca- atha nāradavākyena noditā sā vaco'bravīt

"Save for entering the fire, there is no other single atonement in all three worlds." Dadhichi said: Then, urged by Narada's words, she spoke this word.

Verse 70 (padma.5.106.70)

अग्निप्रवेशे नारीणां किं कर्तव्यं महामुने । नारद उवाच- स्नानं मंगलसंस्कारो भूषणांजनधारणम्

agnipraveśe nārīṇāṁ kiṁ kartavyaṁ mahāmune nārada uvāca- snānaṁ maṁgalasaṁskāro bhūṣaṇāṁjanadhāraṇam

"What, O great sage, must women do before entering the fire?" Narada said: "Bathing, the auspicious rites, the wearing of ornaments and eye-collyrium—"

Verse 71 (padma.5.106.71)

गंधपुष्पं तथा धूपं हरिद्राक्षतधारणम् । मंगलं च तथा सूत्रं पादालक्तकमेव च

gaṁdhapuṣpaṁ tathā dhūpaṁ haridrākṣatadhāraṇam maṁgalaṁ ca tathā sūtraṁ pādālaktakameva ca

"—sandal-paste and flowers, and incense, the applying of turmeric and unbroken rice; the mangalsutra likewise, and red lac-dye upon the feet—"

Verse 72 (padma.5.106.72)

शक्त्या दानं प्रियोक्तिश्च प्रसन्नास्यत्वमेव च । नानामंगलवाद्यानां श्रवणं गीतकस्य च

śaktyā dānaṁ priyoktiśca prasannāsyatvameva ca nānāmaṁgalavādyānāṁ śravaṇaṁ gītakasya ca

"—giving according to one's means, speaking kindly, keeping a serene face; the hearing of various auspicious instruments and of song—"

Verse 73 (padma.5.106.73)

व्यभिचारकृते पापे तत्पापस्य प्रशांतये । अतीतं पातकं स्पृष्ट्वा प्रायश्चित्तं तदीरितम्

vyabhicārakṛte pāpe tatpāpasya praśāṁtaye atītaṁ pātakaṁ spṛṣṭvā prāyaścittaṁ tadīritam

"—all this, for the sin committed through adultery, for the pacification of that sin. Having touched upon that past sin, the atonement for it has been declared."

Verse 74 (padma.5.106.74)

कुर्यादथ स्वकां भूषां विप्राय प्रतिपादयेत् । भूषाभावे स्वकीयेन प्रायश्चित्तं तु कारयेत्

kuryādatha svakāṁ bhūṣāṁ viprāya pratipādayet bhūṣābhāve svakīyena prāyaścittaṁ tu kārayet

"She should then give her own ornaments to a Brahmin. If she has no ornaments, she should have the atonement performed with what belongs to her."

Verse 75 (padma.5.106.75)

नान्यथा तस्य पापस्य नाशनं वेति कुत्रचित् । अव्ययोवाच- सर्वमेतत्करिष्यामि हरिद्रा मे न विद्यते

nānyathā tasya pāpasya nāśanaṁ veti kutracit avyayovāca- sarvametatkariṣyāmi haridrā me na vidyate

"Otherwise, there is truly no destruction of that sin at all." Avyaya said: "I shall do all this — but I have no turmeric."

Verse 76 (padma.5.106.76)

भूषणं किमुत ब्रह्मन्सर्वमेतत्प्रदीयताम् । नारद उवाच- न ह्यस्ति किंचित्सौभाग्यद्रव्यमन्यत्त्वपेक्षया

bhūṣaṇaṁ kimuta brahmansarvametatpradīyatām nārada uvāca- na hyasti kiṁcitsaubhāgyadravyamanyattvapekṣayā

"Nor, O Brahmin, do I have any ornament — let all this be provided." Narada said: "There is indeed no other article of good fortune for such a purpose, save this alone."

Verse 77 (padma.5.106.77)

दधीच उवाच- अथ क्षणेनाभ्यगमत्कैलासं शिवमंदिरम् । गिरिजामथ दृष्ट्वासौ प्रणिपत्येदमब्रवीत्

dadhīca uvāca- atha kṣaṇenābhyagamatkailāsaṁ śivamaṁdiram girijāmatha dṛṣṭvāsau praṇipatyedamabravīt

Dadhichi said: Then, in an instant, he arrived at the temple of Shiva on Kailasa; and, seeing Girija, he bowed and said this.

Verse 78 (padma.5.106.78)

हरिद्रा दीयतां मातर्भूषणानि च सूत्रकम् । पार्वत्युवाच- विधवायै मया किंचिद्भूषणं दीयतां कथम्

haridrā dīyatāṁ mātarbhūṣaṇāni ca sūtrakam pārvatyuvāca- vidhavāyai mayā kiṁcidbhūṣaṇaṁ dīyatāṁ katham

"Let turmeric be given, O mother, and ornaments, and the sacred thread." Parvati said: "How could I give any ornament to a widow?"

Verse 79 (padma.5.106.79)

मया दत्ते हि तस्मिन्वै वैधव्यं नोपपद्यते । नारद उवाच- मातर्न विधवा यावद्धवांगं वर्तते स्त्रियः

mayā datte hi tasminvai vaidhavyaṁ nopapadyate nārada uvāca- mātarna vidhavā yāvaddhavāṁgaṁ vartate striyaḥ

"For, once given by me, widowhood cannot then befall her." Narada said: "O mother, a woman is not a widow so long as her husband's body remains—"

Verse 80 (padma.5.106.80)

आदाहात्सूतकं नास्ति तिष्ठेत्सौभाग्यमुत्तमम् । पार्वत्युवाच- न चान्यदेहो मद्भूषां हरिद्रां धर्तुमर्हति

ādāhātsūtakaṁ nāsti tiṣṭhetsaubhāgyamuttamam pārvatyuvāca- na cānyadeho madbhūṣāṁ haridrāṁ dhartumarhati

"—until the cremation there is no impurity; her supreme good fortune should remain." Parvati said: "No other body but my own is worthy to wear my ornaments and turmeric."

Verse 81 (padma.5.106.81)

भूषणादौ मया दत्ते चिरंजीवितमिष्यते । दीयते हि जयंत्यैव सर्वमेतत्त्वयोदितम्

bhūṣaṇādau mayā datte ciraṁjīvitamiṣyate dīyate hi jayaṁtyaiva sarvametattvayoditam

"Once ornaments and the rest are given by me, long life is desired for the wearer. All that you have asked will be given through Jayanti instead."

Verse 82 (padma.5.106.82)

जयंतीं स जगामाथ तया दत्तमथाहरत् । स्नपंत्या अव्ययायास्तु हरिद्रां दत्तवान्मुनिः

jayaṁtīṁ sa jagāmātha tayā dattamathāharat snapaṁtyā avyayāyāstu haridrāṁ dattavānmuniḥ

He then went to Jayanti, and took what was given by her. To Avyaya, as she was bathing, the sage gave the turmeric.

Verse 83 (padma.5.106.83)

ततः स सूक्ष्मवसनभूषणानि मुनिर्ददौ । आह चैनां तवांतेष्टिं कः करोति नियुंक्ष्व तम्

tataḥ sa sūkṣmavasanabhūṣaṇāni munirdadau āha caināṁ tavāṁteṣṭiṁ kaḥ karoti niyuṁkṣva tam

Then the sage gave her fine garments and ornaments, and said to her: "Who will perform your final rites? Appoint him."

Verse 84 (padma.5.106.84)

अव्ययोवाच- त्वयैव मे समस्तानां क्रियाणां कारणं मुने । पितासि सर्वं कुर्वद्य नमस्ते मुनिसत्तम

avyayovāca- tvayaiva me samastānāṁ kriyāṇāṁ kāraṇaṁ mune pitāsi sarvaṁ kurvadya namaste munisattama

Avyaya said: "You alone, O sage, are the cause of all my rites; you are as a father to me. Perform everything today; homage to you, O best of sages."

Verse 85 (padma.5.106.85)

दधीच उवाच- अथ तं ब्राह्मणं दग्ध्वा नारदस्तामुवाच ह । अव्यये गच्छ दहनं प्रविश त्वं यदीच्छसि

dadhīca uvāca- atha taṁ brāhmaṇaṁ dagdhvā nāradastāmuvāca ha avyaye gaccha dahanaṁ praviśa tvaṁ yadīcchasi

Dadhichi said: Then, having cremated that Brahmin, Narada said to her: "O Avyaya, go — enter the fire, if you so wish."

Verse 86 (padma.5.106.86)

अथ सा भूषिता साध्वी त्रिःप्रदक्षिणपूर्वकम् । नारदं तु नमस्कृत्य गौरांगीमर्पयन्मनः

atha sā bhūṣitā sādhvī triḥpradakṣiṇapūrvakam nāradaṁ tu namaskṛtya gaurāṁgīmarpayanmanaḥ

Then, adorned, that virtuous, fair-limbed woman, having circumambulated the fire three times, and having bowed to Narada, offered her heart—

Verse 87 (padma.5.106.87)

सुसूक्ष्मं मंगलंसूत्रं हरिद्रामक्षतांस्तथा । कुसुमानि च वासांसि कस्तूरीचंदनं तथा

susūkṣmaṁ maṁgalaṁsūtraṁ haridrāmakṣatāṁstathā kusumāni ca vāsāṁsi kastūrīcaṁdanaṁ tathā

—her fine mangalsutra, her turmeric and unbroken rice, her flowers and garments, and likewise musk and sandal-paste—

Verse 88 (padma.5.106.88)

सौवर्णकंकतिकां च फलानि विविधानि च । स्वदक्षिणादिवस्त्रांतं स्पर्शयित्वा पृथक्पृथक्

sauvarṇakaṁkatikāṁ ca phalāni vividhāni ca svadakṣiṇādivastrāṁtaṁ sparśayitvā pṛthakpṛthak

—her golden comb, and various fruits — having touched them, along with her own gifts and garments, each separately—

Verse 89 (padma.5.106.89)

पार्वतीप्रीतिकामा सा पुरंध्रीभ्योऽखिलं ददौ । ज्वालामालाभिराकाशं दहंतमिव चानलम्

pārvatīprītikāmā sā puraṁdhrībhyo'khilaṁ dadau jvālāmālābhirākāśaṁ dahaṁtamiva cānalam

—desiring the favor of Parvati, she gave all of it to married women. Then, before that fire, which seemed as though burning the very sky with its garland of flames—

Verse 90 (padma.5.106.90)

त्रिःप्रदक्षिणमागत्य स्थित्वाग्नेः पुरतः सती । इदं प्राह तदा वाक्यं प्रांजलिः प्रहसन्मुखी

triḥpradakṣiṇamāgatya sthitvāgneḥ purataḥ satī idaṁ prāha tadā vākyaṁ prāṁjaliḥ prahasanmukhī

—having circumambulated it three times, standing before the fire, that faithful wife, her palms joined, her face smiling, spoke this word.

Verse 91 (padma.5.106.91)

अव्ययोवाच- इंद्रादयो दिशांपाला मातर्मेदिनि भास्कर । धर्मादयः सुराः सर्वे शृणुध्वं मम भाषितम्

avyayovāca- iṁdrādayo diśāṁpālā mātarmedini bhāskara dharmādayaḥ surāḥ sarve śṛṇudhvaṁ mama bhāṣitam

Avyaya said: "Indra and the other guardians of the directions, O mother earth, O sun, Dharma and all the other gods — hear what I say."

Verse 92 (padma.5.106.92)

पाणिपीडनमारभ्य चैतदंतमहर्निशम् । वाङ्मनःकर्मभिर्भर्ता सेवितो यदि भक्तितः

pāṇipīḍanamārabhya caitadaṁtamaharniśam vāṅmanaḥkarmabhirbhartā sevito yadi bhaktitaḥ

"From the time of my marriage until this very end, day and night, if my husband has been served with devotion, in word, mind, and deed—"

Verse 93 (padma.5.106.93)

व्यभिचारो यथा न स्यादवस्थात्रितये मम । तेन सत्येन मे पत्या सार्द्धं यानं प्रयच्छत

vyabhicāro yathā na syādavasthātritaye mama tena satyena me patyā sārddhaṁ yānaṁ prayacchata

"—such that no infidelity of mine occurred in any of the three states — by that very truth, grant me a vehicle to go together with my husband."

Verse 94 (padma.5.106.94)

इत्युक्त्वाथ स्वहस्ताग्रपुष्पकं द्रुतमाक्षिपत् । प्रविष्टा ज्वलनं दीप्तमथापश्यद्विमानकम्

ityuktvātha svahastāgrapuṣpakaṁ drutamākṣipat praviṣṭā jvalanaṁ dīptamathāpaśyadvimānakam

Having said this, she swiftly cast the flower from the tip of her own hand; and, entering the blazing fire, she then beheld a celestial car—

Verse 95 (padma.5.106.95)

सूर्येण सममुत्कृष्टमप्सरोगीतशोभितम् । आरुरोह विमानं सा भर्त्रा साकं दिवं ययौ

sūryeṇa samamutkṛṣṭamapsarogītaśobhitam āruroha vimānaṁ sā bhartrā sākaṁ divaṁ yayau

—excellent as the sun itself, resplendent with the songs of apsarases. She mounted that celestial car, and went together with her husband to heaven.

Verse 96 (padma.5.106.96)

यमः प्राहाथ संपूज्य वनितां तां पतिव्रताम् । अक्षयः स्वर्ग एवेह न च पापं तवास्ति वै

yamaḥ prāhātha saṁpūjya vanitāṁ tāṁ pativratām akṣayaḥ svarga eveha na ca pāpaṁ tavāsti vai

Yama then, having duly honored that devoted wife, said: "Imperishable heaven alone is now yours here; and you have no sin at all remaining."

Verse 97 (padma.5.106.97)

कोटिद्वयसमास्तत्र नरके हंत पातकम् । मृष्टमेव न संदेहः किंतु पातकमेव च

koṭidvayasamāstatra narake haṁta pātakam mṛṣṭameva na saṁdehaḥ kiṁtu pātakameva ca

"There was a sin equal to two crore years in hell — it has indeed been wiped away, without doubt; but one sin remains—"

Verse 98 (padma.5.106.98)

एकं शिवस्य दीपाज्यभक्षणेन समर्जितम् । न वापि नरके पातः श्वानजन्मशतं भवेत्

ekaṁ śivasya dīpājyabhakṣaṇena samarjitam na vāpi narake pātaḥ śvānajanmaśataṁ bhavet

"—one, acquired by eating the ghee of Shiva's lamp. Yet there is no fall into hell for that; only a hundred births as a dog."

Verse 99 (padma.5.106.99)

अव्ययोवाच- अग्निप्रवेशशुद्धानां पुनश्च नरकः कथम् । अग्निप्रवेशात्सर्वेषां पापानां नाशनं भवेत्

avyayovāca- agnipraveśaśuddhānāṁ punaśca narakaḥ katham agnipraveśātsarveṣāṁ pāpānāṁ nāśanaṁ bhavet

Avyaya said: "How can hell befall those already purified by entering the fire? By entering the fire, the destruction of all sins should occur."

Verse 100 (padma.5.106.100)

यम उवाच- शिवद्रव्यापहारस्य पातकं नैव नश्यति । इत्थमाहपुरा शंभुरन्येषां नाशनं भवेत्

yama uvāca- śivadravyāpahārasya pātakaṁ naiva naśyati itthamāhapurā śaṁbhuranyeṣāṁ nāśanaṁ bhavet

Yama said: "The sin of stealing an article belonging to Shiva is never destroyed. Shambhu himself declared this long ago; but destruction does occur for other sins."

Verse 101 (padma.5.106.101)

अथ स श्वानतामाप्य शताब्दं स्यात्ततः परम् । दधीचमंदिरं प्राप्तो मृत्योरास्य गतो हि सः

atha sa śvānatāmāpya śatābdaṁ syāttataḥ param dadhīcamaṁdiraṁ prāpto mṛtyorāsya gato hi saḥ

Then, having been a dog for a hundred years, after that, having reached the very jaws of death, he arrived at Dadhichi's dwelling.

Verse 102 (padma.5.106.102)

तस्य भित्तिसमीपे तु भस्मास्ते ह्यभिमंत्रितम् । भस्मनि श्वा पपाताथ ममार च गतो यमम्

tasya bhittisamīpe tu bhasmāste hyabhimaṁtritam bhasmani śvā papātātha mamāra ca gato yamam

Near the wall of that house lay consecrated ash. The dog fell upon that ash, and died, and went to Yama.

Verse 103 (padma.5.106.103)

यमः संपूज्यावनतो भवान्पुण्यतमो मुनिः । मद्गेहे भवतः स्थानं न योग्यं गम्यतां बहिः

yamaḥ saṁpūjyāvanato bhavānpuṇyatamo muniḥ madgehe bhavataḥ sthānaṁ na yogyaṁ gamyatāṁ bahiḥ

Yama, honoring him respectfully, said: "You are a most meritorious sage; your place is not fitting in my house — go outside."

Verse 104 (padma.5.106.104)

अथ गत्वा बहिस्तस्थौ सारमेयो यमोदितः । संतापावस्थितं तं च नारदो दृष्टवानमुम्

atha gatvā bahistasthau sārameyo yamoditaḥ saṁtāpāvasthitaṁ taṁ ca nārado dṛṣṭavānamum

Then, thus told by Yama, that dog went and remained outside. Narada saw him there, afflicted with distress.

Verse 105 (padma.5.106.105)

पप्रच्छ च किमर्थं त्वमिह तिष्ठसि दीप्तिमान् । शिवभस्मस्थितमृतं शैवं जाने महामते

papraccha ca kimarthaṁ tvamiha tiṣṭhasi dīptimān śivabhasmasthitamṛtaṁ śaivaṁ jāne mahāmate

He asked: "Why do you, though radiant, remain here?" Yama replied: "I know him, O great sage, as a Shaiva devotee, who died upon Shiva's ash."

Verse 106 (padma.5.106.106)

शैवानां पापिनां चापि साहसेन तनुत्यजाम् । यमलोको न चास्तीति शिवाज्ञा शिवनोदिता

śaivānāṁ pāpināṁ cāpi sāhasena tanutyajām yamaloko na cāstīti śivājñā śivanoditā

"For Shaivas, even sinful ones, who forcibly give up their bodies upon such ash — for them there is no world of Yama; this is Shiva's own command, declared by Shiva."

Verse 107 (padma.5.106.107)

दधीच उवाच- इत्थमाभाष्य तं श्वानं कैलासमगमन्मुनिः । दंडवत्प्रणिपत्येशं व्यज्ञापयदथो हरम्

dadhīca uvāca- itthamābhāṣya taṁ śvānaṁ kailāsamagamanmuniḥ daṁḍavatpraṇipatyeśaṁ vyajñāpayadatho haram

Dadhichi said: Having thus spoken to that dog, the sage went to Kailasa; prostrating like a rod, he informed Shiva.

Verse 108 (padma.5.106.108)

देव कश्चिद्यमपुराद्बहिरास्ते स कुक्कुरः । भस्मन्येव मृतस्तद्वद्भवलोकं स चार्हति

deva kaścidyamapurādbahirāste sa kukkuraḥ bhasmanyeva mṛtastadvadbhavalokaṁ sa cārhati

"O god, a certain dog remains outside the city of Yama; having died upon your very ash, he too is worthy of your world."

Verse 109 (padma.5.106.109)

अथ मुख्यगणाविष्टो वीरभद्रः शिवेरितः । आनयामास तं श्वानं दिव्यरूपधरं तदा

atha mukhyagaṇāviṣṭo vīrabhadraḥ śiveritaḥ ānayāmāsa taṁ śvānaṁ divyarūpadharaṁ tadā

Then Virabhadra, foremost of Shiva's attendants, sent by Shiva, brought that dog, now bearing a divine form.

Verse 110 (padma.5.106.110)

महेशपादप्रणतं देवायाथ व्यजिज्ञपत् । आह माहेश्वरो देवं गणमेनं कुरुष्व मे

maheśapādapraṇataṁ devāyātha vyajijñapat āha māheśvaro devaṁ gaṇamenaṁ kuruṣva me

He, bowed at Mahesha's feet, informed the god. [Dadhichi] said to the god: "Make this one your attendant."

Verse 111 (padma.5.106.111)

तथेति च शिवः प्राह गणः श्वानमुखोऽभवत् । दधीच उवाच-। अतुल्यं भस्ममाहात्म्यं मयोक्तं ते शुचिस्मिते

tatheti ca śivaḥ prāha gaṇaḥ śvānamukho'bhavat dadhīca uvāca- atulyaṁ bhasmamāhātmyaṁ mayoktaṁ te śucismite

"So be it," said Shiva; and he became an attendant with a dog's face. Dadhichi said: "Thus, O pure-smiling one, I have told you of the matchless greatness of ash."

Verse 112 (padma.5.106.112)

इतः परं हि किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि सुव्रते

itaḥ paraṁ hi kiṁ bhūyaḥ śrotumicchasi suvrate

"What more, then, do you wish to hear, O one of good vows?"