Vision of the Sannyasi

Verse 1 (padma.5.21.1)

सुमतिरुवाच। एतन्माहात्म्यमतुलं गंडक्याः कर्णगोचरम् । कृत्वा कृतार्थमात्मानममन्यत नृपोत्तमः

sumatiruvāca etanmāhātmyamatulaṁ gaṁḍakyāḥ karṇagocaram kṛtvā kṛtārthamātmānamamanyata nṛpottamaḥ

Sumati said: Having heard this incomparable glory of the Gandaki with his own ears, that finest of kings considered himself fulfilled.

Verse 2 (padma.5.21.2)

स्नात्वा तीर्थे पितॄन्सर्वान्संतर्प्य जहृषे महान् । शालग्रामशिलापूजां कुर्वन्वाडववाक्यतः

snātvā tīrthe pitṝnsarvānsaṁtarpya jahṛṣe mahān śālagrāmaśilāpūjāṁ kurvanvāḍavavākyataḥ

Bathing at the ford, offering tarpana to all his ancestors, that great one rejoiced, worshipping the shalagrama stone at the brahmin's instruction.

Verse 3 (padma.5.21.3)

चतुर्विंशच्छिलास्तत्र गृहीत्वा स नृपोत्तमः । पूजयामास प्रेम्णा च चंदनाद्युपचारकैः

caturviṁśacchilāstatra gṛhītvā sa nṛpottamaḥ pūjayāmāsa premṇā ca caṁdanādyupacārakaiḥ

Taking up twenty-four stones there, that finest of kings worshipped them with love, using sandal-paste and other offerings.

Verse 4 (padma.5.21.4)

तत्र दानानि दत्त्वा च दीनांधेभ्यो विशेषतः । गंतुं प्रचक्रमे राजा पुरुषोत्तममंदिरम्

tatra dānāni dattvā ca dīnāṁdhebhyo viśeṣataḥ gaṁtuṁ pracakrame rājā puruṣottamamaṁdiram

Having given gifts there, especially to the poor and the blind, the king set out to go to the temple of Purushottama.

Verse 5 (padma.5.21.5)

एवं क्रमेण संप्राप्तो गंगासागरसंगमम् । कृत्वाक्षिगोचरं तं च ब्राह्मणं पृष्टवान्मुदा

evaṁ krameṇa saṁprāpto gaṁgāsāgarasaṁgamam kṛtvākṣigocaraṁ taṁ ca brāhmaṇaṁ pṛṣṭavānmudā

Thus, in due course, he reached the confluence of the Ganga and the sea; having brought that brahmin within sight, he joyfully asked him —

Verse 6 (padma.5.21.6)

स्वामिन्वद कियद्दूरे नीलाख्यः पर्वतो महान् । पुरुषोत्तमसंवासः सुरासुरनमस्कृतः

svāminvada kiyaddūre nīlākhyaḥ parvato mahān puruṣottamasaṁvāsaḥ surāsuranamaskṛtaḥ

"My lord, tell me — how far is the great mountain called Nila, dwelling-place of Purushottama, worshipped by gods and demons?"

Verse 7 (padma.5.21.7)

तदा श्रुत्वा महद्वाक्यं रत्नग्रीवस्य भूपतेः । उवाच विस्मयाविष्टो राजानं प्रति सादरम्

tadā śrutvā mahadvākyaṁ ratnagrīvasya bhūpateḥ uvāca vismayāviṣṭo rājānaṁ prati sādaram

Then, hearing this great speech of King Ratnagriva, he, filled with wonder, spoke respectfully to the king —

Verse 8 (padma.5.21.8)

राजन्नेतत्स्थलं नीलपर्वतस्य नमस्कृतम् । किमर्थं दृश्यते नैव महापुण्यफलप्रदम्

rājannetatsthalaṁ nīlaparvatasya namaskṛtam kimarthaṁ dṛśyate naiva mahāpuṇyaphalapradam

"O king, this very place is worshipped as belonging to the blue mountain — why then is it not seen, this giver of the fruit of great merit?"

Verse 9 (padma.5.21.9)

पुनःपुनरुवाचेदं स्थलं नीलस्य भूभृतः । कथं न दृश्यते राजन्पुरुषोत्तमवासभृत्

punaḥpunaruvācedaṁ sthalaṁ nīlasya bhūbhṛtaḥ kathaṁ na dṛśyate rājanpuruṣottamavāsabhṛt

Again and again he said this: "This is the place of the blue mountain-lord — why is it not seen, O king, bearer of Purushottama's dwelling?"

Verse 10 (padma.5.21.10)

अत्र स्नातं मया सम्यगत्र भिल्लाक्षिगोचराः । अनेनैव पथा राजन्नारूढं पर्वतोपरि

atra snātaṁ mayā samyagatra bhillākṣigocarāḥ anenaiva pathā rājannārūḍhaṁ parvatopari

"Here I bathed properly; here the Bhils were within eyesight; by this very path, O king, I climbed atop the mountain."

Verse 11 (padma.5.21.11)

इति तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य विव्यथे मानसे नृपः । नीलभूधरदर्शाय कुर्वन्नुत्कंठितं मनः

iti tadvākyamākarṇya vivyathe mānase nṛpaḥ nīlabhūdharadarśāya kurvannutkaṁṭhitaṁ manaḥ

Hearing these words, the king was troubled at heart, his mind filled with longing for the sight of the blue mountain.

Verse 12 (padma.5.21.12)

उवाच तत्कथं विप्र दृश्येत पुरुषोत्तमः । कथं वा दृश्यते नीलस्तदुपायं वदस्व नः

uvāca tatkathaṁ vipra dṛśyeta puruṣottamaḥ kathaṁ vā dṛśyate nīlastadupāyaṁ vadasva naḥ

He said: "Then how, brahmin, may Purushottama be seen? How is the blue mountain seen? Tell us the means to it."

Verse 13 (padma.5.21.13)

तदा वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य रत्नग्रीवस्य भूपतेः । तापसो ब्राह्मणो वाक्यमुवाच नृप विस्मितः

tadā vākyaṁ samākarṇya ratnagrīvasya bhūpateḥ tāpaso brāhmaṇo vākyamuvāca nṛpa vismitaḥ

Then, hearing the words of King Ratnagriva, the ascetic brahmin, himself astonished, O king, spoke these words —

Verse 14 (padma.5.21.14)

गंगासागरसंयोगे स्नात्वास्माभिर्महीपते । स्थातव्यं तावदेवात्र यावन्नीलो न दृश्यते

gaṁgāsāgarasaṁyoge snātvāsmābhirmahīpate sthātavyaṁ tāvadevātra yāvannīlo na dṛśyate

"Having bathed at the confluence of the Ganga and the sea, we must remain right here, O lord of the earth, until the blue mountain is seen."

Verse 15 (padma.5.21.15)

गीयते पापहा देवः पुरुषोत्तमसंज्ञितः । करिष्यते कृपामाशु भक्तवत्सलनामधृक्

gīyate pāpahā devaḥ puruṣottamasaṁjñitaḥ kariṣyate kṛpāmāśu bhaktavatsalanāmadhṛk

"The god known as Purushottama, destroyer of sin, is sung of; he who bears the name 'beloved of his devotees' will surely show his grace."

Verse 16 (padma.5.21.16)

त्यजत्यसौ न वै भक्तान्देवदेवशिरोमणिः । अनेके रक्षिता भक्तास्तद्गायस्व महामते

tyajatyasau na vai bhaktāndevadevaśiromaṇiḥ aneke rakṣitā bhaktāstadgāyasva mahāmate

"He, crest-jewel of the gods of gods, never forsakes his devotees; many devotees has he protected — sing of that, O greatly wise one."

Verse 17 (padma.5.21.17)

इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य राजा व्यथितचेतसा । स्नात्वा गंगाब्धिसंयोगे ततोनशनमादधात्

iti vākyaṁ samākarṇya rājā vyathitacetasā snātvā gaṁgābdhisaṁyoge tatonaśanamādadhāt

Hearing these words, the king, his heart troubled, bathed at the confluence of the Ganga and the sea, and then undertook a fast.

Verse 18 (padma.5.21.18)

करिष्यति कृपां यर्हि दर्शने पुरुषोत्तमः । पूजां कृत्वाशनं कुर्यामन्यथानशनं व्रतम्

kariṣyati kṛpāṁ yarhi darśane puruṣottamaḥ pūjāṁ kṛtvāśanaṁ kuryāmanyathānaśanaṁ vratam

"When Purushottama shows me his grace at the sight of him, I shall break my fast having performed worship; otherwise, fasting shall be my vow."

Verse 19 (padma.5.21.19)

इति कृत्वा स नियमं गंगासागररोधसि । गायन्हरिगुणग्राममुपवासमथाचरत्

iti kṛtvā sa niyamaṁ gaṁgāsāgararodhasi gāyanhariguṇagrāmamupavāsamathācarat

Having made this resolve, on the bank of the Ganga-sea confluence, singing the host of Hari's virtues, he then observed his fast.

Verse 20 (padma.5.21.20)

राजोवाच। जय दीनदयाकरप्रभो जय दुःखापह मङ्गलाह्वय । जय भक्तजनार्तिनाशन कृतवर्ष्मञ्जयदुष्टघातक

rājovāca jaya dīnadayākaraprabho jaya duḥkhāpaha maṅgalāhvaya jaya bhaktajanārtināśana kṛtavarṣmañjayaduṣṭaghātaka

The king said: "Victory, lord, compassionate to the humble! Victory, remover of sorrow, named Auspicious! Victory, destroyer of the suffering of your devotees, taker of forms! Victory, slayer of the wicked!"

Verse 21 (padma.5.21.21)

अंबरीषमथ वीक्ष्य दुःखितं विप्रशापहतसर्वमङ्गलम् । धारयन्निजकरे सुदर्शनं संररक्ष जठराधिवासतः

aṁbarīṣamatha vīkṣya duḥkhitaṁ vipraśāpahatasarvamaṅgalam dhārayannijakare sudarśanaṁ saṁrarakṣa jaṭharādhivāsataḥ

"Seeing Ambarisha grieved, all his auspiciousness struck down by a brahmin's curse, bearing the discus Sudarshana in your own hand, you protected him even from within the womb of a demon."

Verse 22 (padma.5.21.22)

दैत्यराज पितृकारितव्यथः शूलपाशजलवह्निपातनैः । श्रीनृसिंहतनुधारिणा त्वया रक्षितः सपदि पश्यतः पितुः

daityarāja pitṛkāritavyathaḥ śūlapāśajalavahnipātanaiḥ śrīnṛsiṁhatanudhāriṇā tvayā rakṣitaḥ sapadi paśyataḥ pituḥ

"O king of demons' pain-inflicting father — struck by trident, noose, water, and fire — bearing the form of the glorious man-lion, you protected him at once, before his father's own eyes."

Verse 23 (padma.5.21.23)

ग्राहवक्त्रपतितांघ्रिमुद्भटं वारणेंद्रमतिदुःखपीडितम् । वीक्ष्य साधुकरुणार्द्रमानसस्त्वं गरुत्मति कृतारुहक्रियः

grāhavaktrapatitāṁghrimudbhaṭaṁ vāraṇeṁdramatiduḥkhapīḍitam vīkṣya sādhukaruṇārdramānasastvaṁ garutmati kṛtāruhakriyaḥ

"Seeing the mighty lord of elephants, his foot fallen into a crocodile's mouth, afflicted with the greatest pain, you, your heart melted with compassion, mounted upon Garuda to save him."

Verse 24 (padma.5.21.24)

त्यक्तपक्षिपतिरात्तचक्रको वेगकंपयुतमालिकांबरः । गीयसे सुभिरमुष्य न क्रतो मोचकः सपदि तद्विनाशकः

tyaktapakṣipatirāttacakrako vegakaṁpayutamālikāṁbaraḥ gīyase subhiramuṣya na krato mocakaḥ sapadi tadvināśakaḥ

"Abandoning the very lord of birds, taking up your discus, your garment trembling with the speed of your going, you are sung of as his deliverer, O sacrifice, and at once the destroyer of that crocodile."

Verse 25 (padma.5.21.25)

यत्रयत्र तव सेवकार्दनं तत्र तत्र बत देहधारिणा । पाल्यते च भवता निजः प्रभो पापहारिचरितैर्मनोहरैः

yatrayatra tava sevakārdanaṁ tatra tatra bata dehadhāriṇā pālyate ca bhavatā nijaḥ prabho pāpahāricaritairmanoharaiḥ

"Wherever the affliction of your servant occurs, there, O lord, taking bodily form, you protect your own, through your enchanting, sin-removing deeds."

Verse 26 (padma.5.21.26)

दीननाथ सुरमौलिहीरकाघृष्टपादतल भक्तवल्लभ । पापकोटिपरिदाहक प्रभो दर्शयस्व निजदर्शनं मम

dīnanātha suramaulihīrakāghṛṣṭapādatala bhaktavallabha pāpakoṭiparidāhaka prabho darśayasva nijadarśanaṁ mama

"O lord of the humble, whose sole is rubbed by the diamonds of the gods' crowns, beloved of your devotees, burner of ten million sins, my lord, show me your very sight!"

Verse 27 (padma.5.21.27)

पापकृद्यदि जनोयमागतो मानसे तव तथा हि दर्शय । तावका वयमघौघनाशनं विस्मृतं नहि सुरासुरार्चित

pāpakṛdyadi janoyamāgato mānase tava tathā hi darśaya tāvakā vayamaghaughanāśanaṁ vismṛtaṁ nahi surāsurārcita

"If this man who has come is a sinner in your own mind, show that to me too — we are your own, destroyer of the mass of sin, worshipped by gods and demons; you have not forgotten us!"

Verse 28 (padma.5.21.28)

ये वदंति तव नाम निर्मलं ते तरंति सकलाघसागरम् । संस्मृतिर्यदि कृता तदा मया प्राप्यतां सकलदुःखवारक

ye vadaṁti tava nāma nirmalaṁ te taraṁti sakalāghasāgaram saṁsmṛtiryadi kṛtā tadā mayā prāpyatāṁ sakaladuḥkhavāraka

"Those who speak your spotless name cross the whole ocean of sin; if I have performed remembrance of you, then let it be attained by me, O remover of every sorrow."

Verse 29 (padma.5.21.29)

सुमतिरुवाच। एवं गायन्गुणान्रात्रौ दिवा वापि महीपतिः । क्षणमात्रं न विश्रांतो निद्रामाप न वै सुखम्

sumatiruvāca evaṁ gāyanguṇānrātrau divā vāpi mahīpatiḥ kṣaṇamātraṁ na viśrāṁto nidrāmāpa na vai sukham

Sumati said: Thus singing his virtues, whether by night or by day, the lord of the earth did not rest even for a moment, nor did he sleep, nor find any comfort.

Verse 30 (padma.5.21.30)

गायन्गच्छन्गृणंस्तिष्ठन्वदत्येतदहर्निशम् । दर्शयस्व कृपानाथ स्वतनुं पुरुषोत्तम

gāyangacchangṛṇaṁstiṣṭhanvadatyetadaharniśam darśayasva kṛpānātha svatanuṁ puruṣottama

Singing, walking, chanting, standing still, he spoke this day and night: "Show me your own form, compassionate lord, Purushottama!"

Verse 31 (padma.5.21.31)

एवं राज्ञः पंचदिनं गतं गंगाब्धिसंगमे । तदा कृपाब्धिः कृपया चिंतयामास गोपतिः

evaṁ rājñaḥ paṁcadinaṁ gataṁ gaṁgābdhisaṁgame tadā kṛpābdhiḥ kṛpayā ciṁtayāmāsa gopatiḥ

Thus five days passed for the king at the confluence of the Ganga and the sea. Then the ocean of mercy, the lord of cowherds, out of compassion, reflected —

Verse 32 (padma.5.21.32)

असौ राजा मदीयेन गानेन विगताघकः । पश्य तान्मामकीं प्रेष्ठां सुरासुरनमस्कृताम्

asau rājā madīyena gānena vigatāghakaḥ paśya tānmāmakīṁ preṣṭhāṁ surāsuranamaskṛtām

"This king has become free of sin through my own praise; behold — that beloved of mine, worshipped by gods and demons —"

Verse 33 (padma.5.21.33)

इति संचिंत्य भगवान्कृपापूरितमानसः । संन्यासिवेषमास्थाय ययौ राज्ञोंऽतिकं विभुः

iti saṁciṁtya bhagavānkṛpāpūritamānasaḥ saṁnyāsiveṣamāsthāya yayau rājñoṁ'tikaṁ vibhuḥ

"let him see." Reflecting thus, the Lord, his heart filled with compassion, taking on the guise of a renunciant, that all-pervading one, went near the king.

Verse 34 (padma.5.21.34)

तत्र गत्वा महाराज त्रिदंडियतिवेषधृक् । भक्तानुकंपया प्राप्तो वीक्षितस्तापसेन हि

tatra gatvā mahārāja tridaṁḍiyativeṣadhṛk bhaktānukaṁpayā prāpto vīkṣitastāpasena hi

Going there, great king, wearing the garb of a triple-staff ascetic, he arrived out of compassion for his devotee, and was seen by the ascetic brahmin.

Verse 35 (padma.5.21.35)

ॐनमो विष्णवेत्युक्त्वा नमश्चक्रे नृपोत्तमः । अर्घ्यपाद्यासनैः पूजां चकार हरिमानसः

oṁnamo viṣṇavetyuktvā namaścakre nṛpottamaḥ arghyapādyāsanaiḥ pūjāṁ cakāra harimānasaḥ

Saying "Om, salutation to Vishnu," that finest of kings bowed; his mind fixed on Hari, he performed worship with welcome-water, foot-water, and a seat.

Verse 36 (padma.5.21.36)

उवाच भाग्यमतुलं यद्भवानक्षिगोचरः । अतः परं दास्यते मे गोविंदो निजदर्शनम्

uvāca bhāgyamatulaṁ yadbhavānakṣigocaraḥ ataḥ paraṁ dāsyate me goviṁdo nijadarśanam

He said: "This is incomparable fortune, that you have come within my sight; after this, Govinda will surely grant me the sight of himself."

Verse 37 (padma.5.21.37)

इति श्रुत्वा तु तद्वाक्यं संन्यासी निजगाद तम् । राजञ्छृणुष्व कथितं मम वाक्यविनिःसृतम्

iti śrutvā tu tadvākyaṁ saṁnyāsī nijagāda tam rājañchṛṇuṣva kathitaṁ mama vākyaviniḥsṛtam

Hearing these words, the renunciant said to him: "O king, listen to what I say, spoken from my own mouth."

Verse 38 (padma.5.21.38)

अहं ज्ञानेन जानामि भूतं भव्यं भवच्च यत् । तस्मादहं ब्रुवे किंचिच्छृणुष्वैकाग्रमानसः

ahaṁ jñānena jānāmi bhūtaṁ bhavyaṁ bhavacca yat tasmādahaṁ bruve kiṁcicchṛṇuṣvaikāgramānasaḥ

"By knowledge I know what has been, what will be, and what is; therefore I shall say something — listen with a single-pointed mind."

Verse 39 (padma.5.21.39)

श्वो मध्याह्ने हरिर्दाता दर्शनं ब्रह्मदुर्ल्लभम् । पंचभिः स्वजनैः साकं यास्यसे परमं पदम्

śvo madhyāhne harirdātā darśanaṁ brahmadurllabham paṁcabhiḥ svajanaiḥ sākaṁ yāsyase paramaṁ padam

"Tomorrow, at midday, Hari will grant you the sight of himself, a sight hard to attain even for Brahma; together with five of your own people, you shall go to the supreme abode."

Verse 40 (padma.5.21.40)

त्वममात्यश्च महिला तव तापस वाडवः । पुरे तव करंबाख्यः साधुश्च तं तु वायकः

tvamamātyaśca mahilā tava tāpasa vāḍavaḥ pure tava karaṁbākhyaḥ sādhuśca taṁ tu vāyakaḥ

"You, and your minister, and your wife, and your ascetic brahmin, and, in your city, one named Karamba, a good man, a weaver by trade —"

Verse 41 (padma.5.21.41)

एतैः पंचभिरेतस्मिन्नीले पर्वतसत्तमे । यास्यसे ब्रह्मदेवेंद्र वंदितं सुरपूजितम्

etaiḥ paṁcabhiretasminnīle parvatasattame yāsyase brahmadeveṁdra vaṁditaṁ surapūjitam

"with these five, you shall go, to this very finest of blue mountains, worshipped by Brahma and Indra, revered by the gods."

Verse 42 (padma.5.21.42)

इत्युक्त्वाऽदृश्यतां प्राप्तो यतिः क्वापि न दृश्यते । तदाकर्ण्य नृपो हर्षं प्राप चाशु सविस्मयम्

ityuktvā'dṛśyatāṁ prāpto yatiḥ kvāpi na dṛśyate tadākarṇya nṛpo harṣaṁ prāpa cāśu savismayam

Having said this, the ascetic vanished from sight and was seen nowhere. Hearing this, the king was filled with joy and wonder at once.

Verse 43 (padma.5.21.43)

राजोवाच। स्वामिन्कोऽसौ समागत्य संन्यासी मां यदूचिवान् । न दृश्यते पुनः कुत्र गतोऽसौ चित्तहर्षदः

rājovāca svāminko'sau samāgatya saṁnyāsī māṁ yadūcivān na dṛśyate punaḥ kutra gato'sau cittaharṣadaḥ

The king said: "My lord, who was this renunciant who came and spoke thus to me? He is seen no more — where has he gone, he who gave such joy to my heart?"

Verse 44 (padma.5.21.44)

तापस उवाच। राजंस्तव महाप्रेम्णा कृष्टचित्तः समभ्यगात् । पुरुषोत्तमनामायं सर्वपापप्रणाशनः

tāpasa uvāca rājaṁstava mahāpremṇā kṛṣṭacittaḥ samabhyagāt puruṣottamanāmāyaṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśanaḥ

The ascetic said: "O king, drawn by your great love, he came to you of his own accord — this one bearing the name Purushottama, destroyer of every sin."

Verse 45 (padma.5.21.45)

श्वोमध्याह्ने तव पुरो भविष्यति महान्गिरिः । तमारुह्य हरिं दृष्ट्वा कृतार्थस्त्वं भविष्यसि

śvomadhyāhne tava puro bhaviṣyati mahāngiriḥ tamāruhya hariṁ dṛṣṭvā kṛtārthastvaṁ bhaviṣyasi

"Tomorrow at midday, before you, there shall appear a great mountain; climbing it, having seen Hari, you shall become fulfilled."

Verse 46 (padma.5.21.46)

इतिवाक्यसुधापूर नाशितस्वांत संज्वरः । हर्षं यमाप स नृपो ब्रह्मापि न हि वेत्ति तम्

itivākyasudhāpūra nāśitasvāṁta saṁjvaraḥ harṣaṁ yamāpa sa nṛpo brahmāpi na hi vetti tam

Hearing this flood of nectar-like words, his inner fever extinguished, the king attained joy — for even Brahma does not truly know him.

Verse 47 (padma.5.21.47)

तदा दुंदुभयो नेदुर्वीणापणवगोमुखाः । महानंदस्तदा ह्यासीद्राजराजस्य चेतसि

tadā duṁdubhayo nedurvīṇāpaṇavagomukhāḥ mahānaṁdastadā hyāsīdrājarājasya cetasi

Then kettledrums resounded, along with vinas, tabors, and horns; then great bliss arose in the heart of that king of kings.

Verse 48 (padma.5.21.48)

गायन्हरिं क्षणं तिष्ठन्हसञ्जल्पन्ब्रुवन्नमन् । आनंदं प्राप सुघनं सर्वसंतापनाशनम्

gāyanhariṁ kṣaṇaṁ tiṣṭhanhasañjalpanbruvannaman ānaṁdaṁ prāpa sughanaṁ sarvasaṁtāpanāśanam

Singing of Hari, standing a moment, laughing, speaking, uttering praise, bowing — he attained a dense joy that destroys every affliction.