Janaka Frees the Souls in Hell

Verse 1 (padma.5.30.1)

शेष उवाच। अथ तेजःपुरं प्राप्तस्तुरगः पत्रशोभितः । यस्यां पालयते राजा प्रजाः सत्येन सत्यवान्

śeṣa uvāca atha tejaḥpuraṁ prāptasturagaḥ patraśobhitaḥ yasyāṁ pālayate rājā prajāḥ satyena satyavān

Shesha said: Then the horse, adorned with its leaf-mark, reached Tejahpura, the City of Splendor, where the truthful King Satyavan protected his subjects through truth.

Verse 2 (padma.5.30.2)

अथ कोटिपरीवारो रघुनाथानुजस्ततः । हयानुगो ययौ तस्य पुरतः पुरधर्षणः

atha koṭiparīvāro raghunāthānujastataḥ hayānugo yayau tasya purataḥ puradharṣaṇaḥ

Then, surrounded by tens of millions, the younger brother of the Lord of the Raghus, subduer of cities, following the horse, came before that city.

Verse 3 (padma.5.30.3)

तद्दृष्ट्वा नगरं रम्यं चित्रप्राकारशोभितम् । कांचनैः कलशैस्तत्र परितः प्रतिभासितम्

taddṛṣṭvā nagaraṁ ramyaṁ citraprākāraśobhitam kāṁcanaiḥ kalaśaistatra paritaḥ pratibhāsitam

Beholding that beautiful city, adorned with wondrous ramparts, shining all around with golden pinnacles,

Verse 4 (padma.5.30.4)

देवायतनसाहस्रैः सर्वतश्च विराजितम् । यतीनां तु मठास्तत्र शोभंते यतिपूरिताः

devāyatanasāhasraiḥ sarvataśca virājitam yatīnāṁ tu maṭhāstatra śobhaṁte yatipūritāḥ

resplendent everywhere with thousands of temples of the gods, where the monasteries of ascetics shone, filled with ascetics —

Verse 5 (padma.5.30.5)

वहत्यत्र महादेवी शिखिलोचनमूर्धगा । हंसकारंडवाकीर्णामुनिवृंदनिषेविता

vahatyatra mahādevī śikhilocanamūrdhagā haṁsakāraṁḍavākīrṇāmunivṛṁdaniṣevitā

there flowed the great river, resting upon the head of the flame-eyed lord, thronged with swans and karandava-ducks, and frequented by throngs of sages.

Verse 6 (padma.5.30.6)

ब्राह्मणानां प्रत्यगारमग्निहोत्रभवः पुनः । धूमस्तत्र पुनात्यंग पातकाप्लुतमानसान्

brāhmaṇānāṁ pratyagāramagnihotrabhavaḥ punaḥ dhūmastatra punātyaṁga pātakāplutamānasān

And there, from each house of the Brahmins, the smoke rising from the fire-offering purified, O gentle one, even those whose minds were steeped in sin.

Verse 7 (padma.5.30.7)

उवाच सुमतिं राजा शत्रुघ्नः शत्रुतापनः । तत्पुरप्रेक्षणोद्भूतहर्षविस्मितमानसः

uvāca sumatiṁ rājā śatrughnaḥ śatrutāpanaḥ tatpuraprekṣaṇodbhūtaharṣavismitamānasaḥ

Shatrughna, scorcher of foes, his mind filled with joy and wonder at the sight of that city, spoke to Sumati.

Verse 8 (padma.5.30.8)

शत्रुघ्न उवाच। मंत्रिन्कथय कस्येदं पुरं मे दृष्टिगोचरम् । करोति मानसाह्लादं धर्मेण प्रतिपालितम्

śatrughna uvāca maṁtrinkathaya kasyedaṁ puraṁ me dṛṣṭigocaram karoti mānasāhlādaṁ dharmeṇa pratipālitam

Shatrughna said: "O minister, tell me — whose is this city that has come within my sight, which delights my mind and is protected through righteousness?"

Verse 9 (padma.5.30.9)

शेष उवाच। इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य शत्रुघ्नस्य महीपतेः । उवाच सुमतिः सर्वं यथातथमनुद्धतम्

śeṣa uvāca iti vākyaṁ samākarṇya śatrughnasya mahīpateḥ uvāca sumatiḥ sarvaṁ yathātathamanuddhatam

Shesha said: Hearing these words of King Shatrughna, Sumati told everything just as it was, without exaggeration.

Verse 10 (padma.5.30.10)

सुमतिरुवाच। शृणुष्वावहितः स्वामिन्वैष्णवस्य कथाः शुभाः । याः श्रुत्वा मुच्यते पापाद्ब्रह्महत्यासमादपि

sumatiruvāca śṛṇuṣvāvahitaḥ svāminvaiṣṇavasya kathāḥ śubhāḥ yāḥ śrutvā mucyate pāpādbrahmahatyāsamādapi

Sumati said: "Listen attentively, my lord, to the auspicious tales of this devotee of Vishnu, hearing which one is freed even from a sin equal to killing a Brahmin.

Verse 11 (padma.5.30.11)

जीवन्मुक्तो वरीवर्ति रामांघ्र्यंबुजषट्पदः । सत्यवान्यज्ञयज्ञांग ज्ञाता कर्ताऽविता महान्

jīvanmukto varīvarti rāmāṁghryaṁbujaṣaṭpadaḥ satyavānyajñayajñāṁga jñātā kartā'vitā mahān

Liberated while yet living, this bee at the lotus feet of Rama abides here — Satyavan, O part of this sacrifice, a knower, a doer, a great protector.

Verse 12 (padma.5.30.12)

धेनुं प्रसाद्य बहुभिर्व्रतैर्यं प्राप तत्पिता । ऋतंभराख्यो जगति ख्यातः परमधार्मिकः

dhenuṁ prasādya bahubhirvratairyaṁ prāpa tatpitā ṛtaṁbharākhyo jagati khyātaḥ paramadhārmikaḥ

By propitiating the cow through many vows, his father — known in the world as Ritambhara, supremely righteous — obtained him.

Verse 13 (padma.5.30.13)

गौः प्रसन्ना ददौ पुत्रमनेकगुणसंस्कृतम् । सत्यवंतं सुशोभाढ्यं तं जानीहि नृपोत्तमम्

gauḥ prasannā dadau putramanekaguṇasaṁskṛtam satyavaṁtaṁ suśobhāḍhyaṁ taṁ jānīhi nṛpottamam

The pleased cow granted him a son endowed with many virtues; know that most excellent, richly resplendent king to be this very Satyavan.

Verse 14 (padma.5.30.14)

शत्रुघ्न उवाच। को वा ऋतंभरो राजा किमर्थं धेनुपूजनम् । कथं प्राप्तः सुतस्तस्य वैष्णवो विष्णुसेवकः

śatrughna uvāca ko vā ṛtaṁbharo rājā kimarthaṁ dhenupūjanam kathaṁ prāptaḥ sutastasya vaiṣṇavo viṣṇusevakaḥ

Shatrughna said: "Who then was King Ritambhara? For what reason did he worship the cow? How did he obtain this son, a devotee and servant of Vishnu?

Verse 15 (padma.5.30.15)

सर्वमेतत्समाचक्ष्व वैष्णवस्य कथानकम् । श्रुतं हरति जंतूनां महापातकपर्वतम्

sarvametatsamācakṣva vaiṣṇavasya kathānakam śrutaṁ harati jaṁtūnāṁ mahāpātakaparvatam

Relate to me the whole story of this devotee of Vishnu — for, once heard, it removes even a mountain of great sin from living beings."

Verse 16 (padma.5.30.16)

शेष उवाच। इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य शत्रुघ्नस्य महार्थकम् । कथयामास विशदं तदुत्पत्तिकथानकम्

śeṣa uvāca iti vākyaṁ samākarṇya śatrughnasya mahārthakam kathayāmāsa viśadaṁ tadutpattikathānakam

Shesha said: Hearing this weighty question of Shatrughna, she related in full detail the story of his birth.

Verse 17 (padma.5.30.17)

ऋतंभरो नरपतिरनपत्यः पुराऽभवत् । कलत्राणि बहून्यस्य न पुत्रं प्राप तेषु वै

ṛtaṁbharo narapatiranapatyaḥ purā'bhavat kalatrāṇi bahūnyasya na putraṁ prāpa teṣu vai

Long ago there was a king named Ritambhara who was without offspring. Though he had many wives, he obtained no son among them.

Verse 18 (padma.5.30.18)

तदा जाबालिनामानं मुनिं दैवादुपागतम् । प्रपच्छ कुशलोद्युक्तः सपुत्रोत्पत्तिकारणम्

tadā jābālināmānaṁ muniṁ daivādupāgatam prapaccha kuśalodyuktaḥ saputrotpattikāraṇam

Then, when by providence a sage named Jabali happened to arrive, the king, eager for his welfare, asked him the means of obtaining a son.

Verse 19 (padma.5.30.19)

ऋतंभर उवाच। स्वामिन्वंध्यस्य मे ब्रूहि पुत्रोत्पत्तिकरं वचः । यत्कृत्वा जायतेऽपत्यं मम वंशधरं वरम्

ṛtaṁbhara uvāca svāminvaṁdhyasya me brūhi putrotpattikaraṁ vacaḥ yatkṛtvā jāyate'patyaṁ mama vaṁśadharaṁ varam

Ritambhara said: "My lord, tell me, barren as I am, the word that brings forth a son — by doing what an excellent child, a bearer of my line, may be born to me.

Verse 20 (padma.5.30.20)

तज्ज्ञात्वा भवतो भव्यं प्रकुर्यां निश्चितं वचः । दानं व्रतं वा तीर्थं वा मखं वा मुनिसत्तम

tajjñātvā bhavato bhavyaṁ prakuryāṁ niścitaṁ vacaḥ dānaṁ vrataṁ vā tīrthaṁ vā makhaṁ vā munisattama

Knowing this from your gracious word, I shall surely carry out what is enjoined — whether gift, vow, pilgrimage, or sacrifice, O best of sages."

Verse 21 (padma.5.30.21)

इति राज्ञोवचः श्रुत्वा जगाद मुनिसत्तमः । सुतोत्पत्तिकरं वाक्यं प्रणतस्य सुतार्थिनः

iti rājñovacaḥ śrutvā jagāda munisattamaḥ sutotpattikaraṁ vākyaṁ praṇatasya sutārthinaḥ

Hearing these words of the king, the best of sages spoke the word that brings forth a son, to him who, bowed low, desired a son.

Verse 22 (padma.5.30.22)

अपत्यप्राप्तिकामस्य संत्युपायास्त्रयः प्रभो । विष्णोः प्रसादो गोश्चापि शिवस्याप्यथवा पुनः

apatyaprāptikāmasya saṁtyupāyāstrayaḥ prabho viṣṇoḥ prasādo gośchāpi śivasyāpyathavā punaḥ

"For one desiring the attainment of offspring, O lord, there are three means: the grace of Vishnu, or of the cow, or again of Shiva.

Verse 23 (padma.5.30.23)

तस्मात्त्वं कुरु वै पूजां धेनोर्देवतनोर्नृप । यस्याः पुच्छे मुखे शृंगे पृष्ठे देवाः प्रतिष्ठिताः

tasmāttvaṁ kuru vai pūjāṁ dhenordevatanornṛpa yasyāḥ pucche mukhe śṛṁge pṛṣṭhe devāḥ pratiṣṭhitāḥ

Therefore, O king, perform worship of the cow, whose very body is divine, in whose tail, mouth, horns, and back the gods themselves reside.

Verse 24 (padma.5.30.24)

सा तुष्टा दास्यति क्षिप्रं वांछितं धर्मसंयुतम् । एवं विदित्वा गोपूजां विधेहि त्वमृतंभर

sā tuṣṭā dāsyati kṣipraṁ vāṁchitaṁ dharmasaṁyutam evaṁ viditvā gopūjāṁ vidhehi tvamṛtaṁbhara

Pleased, she will swiftly grant your righteous desire. Knowing this, O Ritambhara, perform the worship of the cow.

Verse 25 (padma.5.30.25)

यो वै नित्यं पूजयति गां गेहे यवसादिभिः । तस्य देवाश्च पितरो नित्यं तृप्ता भवंति हि

yo vai nityaṁ pūjayati gāṁ gehe yavasādibhiḥ tasya devāśca pitaro nityaṁ tṛptā bhavaṁti hi

He who daily worships the cow in his home with fodder and the like — for him the gods and the ancestors are ever satisfied.

Verse 26 (padma.5.30.26)

यो वै गवाह्निकं दद्यान्नियमेन शुभव्रतः । तेन सत्येन तस्य स्युः सर्वे पूर्णा मनोरथाः

yo vai gavāhnikaṁ dadyānniyamena śubhavrataḥ tena satyena tasya syuḥ sarve pūrṇā manorathāḥ

He who, observing the rule with an auspicious vow, gives the cow her daily portion — by that truth all his desires are fulfilled.

Verse 27 (padma.5.30.27)

तृषिता गौर्गृहे बद्धा गेहे कन्या रजस्वला । देवता च सनिर्माल्या हंति पुण्यं पुराकृतम्

tṛṣitā gaurgṛhe baddhā gehe kanyā rajasvalā devatā ca sanirmālyā haṁti puṇyaṁ purākṛtam

A thirsty cow tied up in the house, a girl in her courses in the house, and a deity left with its stale offering — these destroy merit accumulated before.

Verse 28 (padma.5.30.28)

यो वै गां प्रतिषिद्ध्येत चरंतीं स्वं तृणं नरः । तस्य पूर्वे च पितरः कंपंते पतनोन्मुखाः

yo vai gāṁ pratiṣiddhyeta caraṁtīṁ svaṁ tṛṇaṁ naraḥ tasya pūrve ca pitaraḥ kaṁpaṁte patanonmukhāḥ

That man who forbids a cow grazing on his own grass — his forefathers tremble, on the verge of falling from their state.

Verse 29 (padma.5.30.29)

यो वै यष्ट्या ताडयति धेनुं मर्त्यो विमूढधीः । धर्मराजस्य नगरं स याति करवर्जितः

yo vai yaṣṭyā tāḍayati dhenuṁ martyo vimūḍhadhīḥ dharmarājasya nagaraṁ sa yāti karavarjitaḥ

The deluded mortal who strikes a cow with a stick goes, deprived of his hands, to the city of the Lord of Dharma.

Verse 30 (padma.5.30.30)

यो वै दंशान्वारयति तस्य पूर्वे ह्यधोगताः । नृत्यंति मत्सुतो ह्यस्मांस्तारयिष्यति भाग्यवान्

yo vai daṁśānvārayati tasya pūrve hyadhogatāḥ nṛtyaṁti matsuto hyasmāṁstārayiṣyati bhāgyavān

He who wards off the biting flies from a cow — his ancestors, fallen to the lower regions, dance for joy, saying: 'Our fortunate son will deliver us.'

Verse 31 (padma.5.30.31)

अत्रैवोदाहरंतीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । जनकस्य पुरावृत्तं धर्मराजपुरेऽद्भुतम्

atraivodāharaṁtīmamitihāsaṁ purātanam janakasya purāvṛttaṁ dharmarājapure'dbhutam

Here they cite this ancient tale — the wondrous event of old that befell Janaka in the city of the Lord of Dharma.

Verse 32 (padma.5.30.32)

एकदा जनको राजा योगेनासून्समत्यजत् । तदा विमानं संप्राप्तं किंकिणीजालभूषितम्

ekadā janako rājā yogenāsūnsamatyajat tadā vimānaṁ saṁprāptaṁ kiṁkiṇījālabhūṣitam

Once King Janaka gave up his life-breath through yoga; then a celestial chariot arrived, adorned with a network of tinkling bells.

Verse 33 (padma.5.30.33)

तदारुह्य गतो राजा सेवकैरूढदेहवान् । मार्गे जगाम धर्मस्य संयमिन्याः पुरोंऽतिके

tadāruhya gato rājā sevakairūḍhadehavān mārge jagāma dharmasya saṁyaminyāḥ puroṁ'tike

Mounting it, the king, his form borne by attendants, went forth; on the way he came near the city of Dharma, the Restrainer.

Verse 34 (padma.5.30.34)

तदा नरककोटीषु पीड्यंते पापकारिणः । जनकस्यांगपवनं प्राप्य सौख्यं प्रपेदिरे

tadā narakakoṭīṣu pīḍyaṁte pāpakāriṇaḥ janakasyāṁgapavanaṁ prāpya saukhyaṁ prapedire

There, in tens of millions of hells, sinners were being tormented; on receiving the breeze from Janaka's body, they attained relief.

Verse 35 (padma.5.30.35)

निरये दाहजापीडा जातैषां सुखकारिणी । महादुःखं तदा नष्टं जनकस्यांगवायुना

niraye dāhajāpīḍā jātaiṣāṁ sukhakāriṇī mahāduḥkhaṁ tadā naṣṭaṁ janakasyāṁgavāyunā

The torment of burning in hell became, for them, a source of comfort; their great suffering was destroyed by the breeze from Janaka's body.

Verse 36 (padma.5.30.36)

तदा तं निर्गतं दृष्ट्वा जंतवः पापपीडिताः । अत्यंतं चुक्रुशुर्भीतास्तद्वियोगमनिच्छवः

tadā taṁ nirgataṁ dṛṣṭvā jaṁtavaḥ pāpapīḍitāḥ atyaṁtaṁ cukruśurbhītāstadviyogamanicchavaḥ

Then, seeing him departing, the creatures tormented by sin, terrified and unwilling to be parted from him, cried out greatly.

Verse 37 (padma.5.30.37)

ऊचुस्ते करुणां वाचं मा गच्छ सुकृतिन्नितः । त्वदंगवायुसंस्पर्शात्सुखिनः स्यामपीडिताः

ūcuste karuṇāṁ vācaṁ mā gaccha sukṛtinnitaḥ tvadaṁgavāyusaṁsparśātsukhinaḥ syāmapīḍitāḥ

They spoke a piteous plea: "Do not go from here, O virtuous one! By the touch of the breeze from your body we are happy and free from pain."

Verse 38 (padma.5.30.38)

इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य राजा परमधार्मिकः । मानसे चिंतयामास करुणापूरपूरितः

iti vākyaṁ samākarṇya rājā paramadhārmikaḥ mānase ciṁtayāmāsa karuṇāpūrapūritaḥ

Hearing these words, the supremely righteous king, filled with a flood of compassion, pondered in his mind:

Verse 39 (padma.5.30.39)

चेन्मत्तः प्राणिनां सौख्यं भवेदिह तदा पुनः । अत्रैव च पुरे स्थास्ये स्वर्ग एष मनोरमः

cenmattaḥ prāṇināṁ saukhyaṁ bhavediha tadā punaḥ atraiva ca pure sthāsye svarga eṣa manoramaḥ

"If comfort for these beings comes from me here, then I shall remain right in this city — this itself is a delightful heaven for me."

Verse 40 (padma.5.30.40)

एवं कृत्वा नृपस्तस्थौ तत्रैव निरयाग्रतः । विदधत्प्राणिनां सौख्यमनुकंपितमानसः

evaṁ kṛtvā nṛpastasthau tatraiva nirayāgrataḥ vidadhatprāṇināṁ saukhyamanukaṁpitamānasaḥ

Having so resolved, the king remained there, right before the hells, his mind full of compassion, granting relief to the beings.

Verse 41 (padma.5.30.41)

तत्र धर्मस्तु संप्राप्तो निरयद्वारि दुःखदे । कारयन्यातनास्तीव्रा नानापातककारिणाम्

tatra dharmastu saṁprāpto nirayadvāri duḥkhade kārayanyātanāstīvrā nānāpātakakāriṇām

There, at the gate of that sorrowful hell, Dharma himself arrived, inflicting fierce torments upon the doers of many kinds of sin.

Verse 42 (padma.5.30.42)

तदा ददर्श राजानं जनकं द्वारिसंस्थितम् । विमानेन महापुण्यकारिणं दययायुतम्

tadā dadarśa rājānaṁ janakaṁ dvārisaṁsthitam vimānena mahāpuṇyakāriṇaṁ dayayāyutam

Then he saw King Janaka standing at the gate, in his celestial chariot, a doer of great merit, filled with compassion.

Verse 43 (padma.5.30.43)

तमुवाच प्रेतपतिर्जनकं सहसन्गिरा । राजन्कुतस्त्वं संप्राप्तः सर्वधर्मशिरोमणिः

tamuvāca pretapatirjanakaṁ sahasangirā rājankutastvaṁ saṁprāptaḥ sarvadharmaśiromaṇiḥ

The Lord of the Departed spoke to Janaka with a smiling voice: "O king, crest-jewel of all righteousness, whence have you come?

Verse 44 (padma.5.30.44)

एतत्स्थानं पातकिनां दुष्टानां प्राणघातिनाम् । नायांति पुरुषा भूप त्वादृशाः पुण्यकारिणः

etatsthānaṁ pātakināṁ duṣṭānāṁ prāṇaghātinām nāyāṁti puruṣā bhūpa tvādṛśāḥ puṇyakāriṇaḥ

This is the place of sinners, of the wicked, of those who take life; men who do meritorious deeds, like yourself, O king, do not come here.

Verse 45 (padma.5.30.45)

अत्रायांति नरास्ते वै ये परद्रोहतत्पराः । परापवादनिरताः परद्रव्यपरायणाः

atrāyāṁti narāste vai ye paradrohatatparāḥ parāpavādaniratāḥ paradravyaparāyaṇāḥ

Here come those men who are intent upon harming others, absorbed in slandering others, and devoted to others' wealth,

Verse 46 (padma.5.30.46)

यो वै कलत्रं धर्मिष्ठं निजसेवापरायणम् । अपराधादृते जह्यात्सनरोऽत्र समाव्रजेत्

yo vai kalatraṁ dharmiṣṭhaṁ nijasevāparāyaṇam aparādhādṛte jahyātsanaro'tra samāvrajet

he who, without any fault of hers, abandons a righteous wife devoted to his own service — such a man comes here too.

Verse 47 (padma.5.30.47)

मित्रं वञ्चयते यस्तु धनलोभेन लोभितः । आगत्यात्र नरः पीडां मत्तः प्राप्नोति दारुणाम्

mitraṁ vañcayate yastu dhanalobhena lobhitaḥ āgatyātra naraḥ pīḍāṁ mattaḥ prāpnoti dāruṇām

He who, blinded by greed for wealth, deceives a friend — that man, coming here, receives terrible torment from me.

Verse 48 (padma.5.30.48)

यो रामं मनसा वाचा कर्मणा दंभतोऽपि वा । द्वेषाद्वाचोपहासाद्वा न स्मरत्येव मूढधीः

yo rāmaṁ manasā vācā karmaṇā daṁbhato'pi vā dveṣādvācopahāsādvā na smaratyeva mūḍhadhīḥ

That deluded man who, whether through pride, hatred, or mockery in speech, never remembers Rama in mind, word, or deed,

Verse 49 (padma.5.30.49)

तं बध्नामि पुनस्त्वेषु निक्षिप्य श्रपयामि च । यैः स्मृतो न रमानाथो नरकक्लेशवारकः

taṁ badhnāmi punastveṣu nikṣipya śrapayāmi ca yaiḥ smṛto na ramānātho narakakleśavārakaḥ

him I bind, cast into the flames, and cook — those by whom the Lord of Lakshmi, the remover of hell's torment, is not remembered.

Verse 50 (padma.5.30.50)

तावत्पापं मनुष्याणामंगेषु नृप तिष्ठति । यावद्रामं न रसना गृणाति कलि दुर्मतेः

tāvatpāpaṁ manuṣyāṇāmaṁgeṣu nṛpa tiṣṭhati yāvadrāmaṁ na rasanā gṛṇāti kali durmateḥ

So long, O king, does sin remain in the limbs of men, as long as the tongue of the evil-minded, in this age of Kali, does not utter Rama's name.

Verse 51 (padma.5.30.51)

महापापकरा राजन्ये भवंति महामते । तानानयंति मद्भृत्यास्त्वादृशान्द्रष्टुमक्षमाः

mahāpāpakarā rājanye bhavaṁti mahāmate tānānayaṁti madbhṛtyāstvādṛśāndraṣṭumakṣamāḥ

Those who commit great sins, O king of great wisdom, my servants bring here — they who are incapable of beholding ones such as you.

Verse 52 (padma.5.30.52)

तस्माद्गच्छ महाराज भुंक्ष्व भोगाननेकशः । विमानवरमारुह्य भुंक्ष्व पुण्यमुपार्जितम्

tasmādgaccha mahārāja bhuṁkṣva bhogānanekaśaḥ vimānavaramāruhya bhuṁkṣva puṇyamupārjitam

Therefore go, great king, and enjoy manifold pleasures; mounting this excellent celestial chariot, enjoy the merit you have earned."

Verse 53 (padma.5.30.53)

इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य धर्मराजस्य तत्पतेः । उवाच धर्मराजानं करुणापूरपूरितः

iti vākyaṁ samākarṇya dharmarājasya tatpateḥ uvāca dharmarājānaṁ karuṇāpūrapūritaḥ

Hearing these words of Dharmaraja, Lord of that place, he, filled with a flood of compassion, said to the Lord of Dharma:

Verse 54 (padma.5.30.54)

जनक उवाच। अहं गच्छामि नो नाथ जीवानामनुकम्पया । मदंगवायुना ह्येते सुखं प्राप्ताः स्म संस्थिताः

janaka uvāca ahaṁ gacchāmi no nātha jīvānāmanukampayā madaṁgavāyunā hyete sukhaṁ prāptāḥ sma saṁsthitāḥ

Janaka said: "I will not go, my lord, out of compassion for these beings; by the breeze of my body these dwellers here have found comfort.

Verse 55 (padma.5.30.55)

एतान्मुंचसि चेद्राजन्सर्वान्वै निरयस्थितान् । ततो गच्छामि सुखितः स्वर्गं पुण्यजनाश्रितम्

etānmuṁcasi cedrājansarvānvai nirayasthitān tato gacchāmi sukhitaḥ svargaṁ puṇyajanāśritam

If you release all these, O king, who dwell in hell, then I shall go, happy, to the heaven inhabited by the virtuous."

Verse 56 (padma.5.30.56)

जाबालिरुवाच। इति वाक्यमथाश्रुत्य जनकं प्रत्युवाच सः । प्रत्येकं निर्दिशञ्जीवान्निरयस्थाननेकशः

jābāliruvāca iti vākyamathāśrutya janakaṁ pratyuvāca saḥ pratyekaṁ nirdiśañjīvānnirayasthānanekaśaḥ

Jabali said: Hearing these words, he replied to Janaka, pointing out, one by one, the many souls stationed in hell.

Verse 57 (padma.5.30.57)

धर्म उवाच। अयं मित्र कलत्रं वै विश्वस्तमनुजग्मिवान् । तस्मादेनं लोहशंकौ वर्षायुतमपीपचम्

dharma uvāca ayaṁ mitra kalatraṁ vai viśvastamanujagmivān tasmādenaṁ lohaśaṁkau varṣāyutamapīpacam

Dharma said: "This one, O friend, wronged a trusting wife; therefore I have cooked him upon an iron spike for ten thousand years.

Verse 58 (padma.5.30.58)

पश्चादेनं सूकराणां योनौ निक्षिप्य दोषिणम् । मानुषेष्ववतार्योऽयं षंढचिह्नेन चिह्नितः

paścādenaṁ sūkarāṇāṁ yonau nikṣipya doṣiṇam mānuṣeṣvavatāryo'yaṁ ṣaṁḍhacihnena cihnitaḥ

Afterward, casting this offender into the womb of swine, he was then made to descend among humans, marked with the sign of a eunuch.

Verse 59 (padma.5.30.59)

अनेन परदाराश्च बलादालिगिता मुहुः । तस्मादयं पच्यतेऽत्र रौरवे शतहायनम्

anena paradārāśca balādāligitā muhuḥ tasmādayaṁ pacyate'tra raurave śatahāyanam

By this one, other men's wives were repeatedly embraced by force; therefore he is being cooked here in Raurava for a hundred years.

Verse 60 (padma.5.30.60)

अयं तु परकीयं स्वं मुषित्वा बुभुजे कुधीः । तस्मादस्य करौ छित्त्वा पचेयं पूयशोणिते

ayaṁ tu parakīyaṁ svaṁ muṣitvā bubhuje kudhīḥ tasmādasya karau chittvā paceyaṁ pūyaśoṇite

This evil-minded one, having stolen what belonged to others as his own, enjoyed it; therefore, having severed his hands, I cook him in pus and blood.

Verse 61 (padma.5.30.61)

अयं सायंतने प्राप्तमतिथिं क्षुधयार्दितम् । वाण्यापि नाकरोत्तस्य पूजनं स्वागतं न च

ayaṁ sāyaṁtane prāptamatithiṁ kṣudhayārditam vāṇyāpi nākarottasya pūjanaṁ svāgataṁ na ca

This one, when a guest arrived in the evening, afflicted by hunger, did not even honor him with a kind word, nor welcome him.

Verse 62 (padma.5.30.62)

तस्मादयं पातनीयस्तामिस्रेंधनपूरिते । भ्रमरैः पीडितो यातु यातनां शतहायनम्

tasmādayaṁ pātanīyastāmisreṁdhanapūrite bhramaraiḥ pīḍito yātu yātanāṁ śatahāyanam

Therefore he must be cast into Tamisra, filled with fuel; tormented by bees, let him undergo torment for a hundred years.

Verse 63 (padma.5.30.63)

अयं तावत्परस्योच्चैर्निंदां कुर्वन्नलज्जितः । अयमप्यशृणोत्कर्णौ प्रेरयन्बहुशस्तु ताम्

ayaṁ tāvatparasyoccairniṁdāṁ kurvannalajjitaḥ ayamapyaśṛṇotkarṇau prerayanbahuśastu tām

This one, shameless, loudly slandered another; and this other one too listened to it, repeatedly inclining his ears to it.

Verse 64 (padma.5.30.64)

तस्मादिमावंधकूपे पतितौ दुःखदुःखितौ । अयं मित्रध्रुगुद्विग्नः पच्यते रौरवे भृशम्

tasmādimāvaṁdhakūpe patitau duḥkhaduḥkhitau ayaṁ mitradhrugudvignaḥ pacyate raurave bhṛśam

Therefore both of these have fallen into a blind well, afflicted with sorrow upon sorrow; and this betrayer of friends, distressed, is being cooked severely in Raurava.

Verse 65 (padma.5.30.65)

तस्मादेतान्पापभोगान्कारयित्वा विमोचये । त्वं गच्छ नरशार्दूल पुण्यराशिविधायकः

tasmādetānpāpabhogānkārayitvā vimocaye tvaṁ gaccha naraśārdūla puṇyarāśividhāyakaḥ

Therefore, having made them undergo the fruits of their sins, I shall release them. You, go now, O tiger among men, granter of stores of merit."

Verse 66 (padma.5.30.66)

जाबालिरुवाच। एवं स निर्दिशञ्जीवांस्तूष्णीमासाघकारिणः । प्रोवाच रामभक्तोऽसौ करुणापूरितेक्षणः

jābāliruvāca evaṁ sa nirdiśañjīvāṁstūṣṇīmāsāghakāriṇaḥ provāca rāmabhakto'sau karuṇāpūritekṣaṇaḥ

Jabali said: Thus pointing out the sinful souls, that devotee of Rama, his eyes filled with compassion, fell silent for a moment and then spoke.

Verse 67 (padma.5.30.67)

जनक उवाच। कथं निरयनिर्मुक्तिर्जीवानां दुःखिनां भवेत् । तदाशु कथय त्वं वै यत्कृत्वा सुखमाप्नुयुः

janaka uvāca kathaṁ nirayanirmuktirjīvānāṁ duḥkhināṁ bhavet tadāśu kathaya tvaṁ vai yatkṛtvā sukhamāpnuyuḥ

Janaka said: "How may these suffering souls be released from hell? Tell me quickly what must be done that they may attain happiness."

Verse 68 (padma.5.30.68)

धर्म उवाच। नैभिराराधितो विष्णुर्नैभिस्तस्य कथाः श्रुताः । कथं निरयनिर्मुक्तिर्भवेद्वै पापकारिणाम्

dharma uvāca naibhirārādhito viṣṇurnaibhistasya kathāḥ śrutāḥ kathaṁ nirayanirmuktirbhavedvai pāpakāriṇām

Dharma said: "By these, Vishnu was never worshipped, nor were his stories ever heard by them; how then could release from hell come for these sinners?

Verse 69 (padma.5.30.69)

यदि त्वं मोचयस्येतान्महापापकरानपि । तर्ह्यर्पय महाराज पुण्यं तत्कथयामि यत्

yadi tvaṁ mocayasyetānmahāpāpakarānapi tarhyarpaya mahārāja puṇyaṁ tatkathayāmi yat

If you would release even these doers of great sin, then, great king, bestow upon them the merit that I shall now tell you of.

Verse 70 (padma.5.30.70)

एकदा प्रातरुत्थाय शुद्धभावेन चेतसा । ध्यातः श्रीरघुनाथोऽसौ महापापहराभिधः

ekadā prātarutthāya śuddhabhāvena cetasā dhyātaḥ śrīraghunātho'sau mahāpāpaharābhidhaḥ

Once, rising in the morning, with a pure heart, you meditated upon glorious Raghunatha, he whose very name removes great sin —

Verse 71 (padma.5.30.71)

रामरामेति यच्चोक्तं त्वया शुद्धेन चेतसा । तत्पुण्यमर्पयैतेभ्यो येन स्यान्निरयाच्च्युतिः

rāmarāmeti yaccoktaṁ tvayā śuddhena cetasā tatpuṇyamarpayaitebhyo yena syānnirayāccyutiḥ

and whatever merit arose from your uttering 'Rama, Rama' with a pure heart — bestow that merit upon these, that they may fall away from hell."

Verse 72 (padma.5.30.72)

जाबालिरुवाच। एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य धर्मराजस्य धीमतः । पुण्यं ददौ महाराज आजन्मसमुपार्जितम्

jābāliruvāca etacchrutvā vacastasya dharmarājasya dhīmataḥ puṇyaṁ dadau mahārāja ājanmasamupārjitam

Jabali said: Hearing these words of the wise Dharmaraja, the great king bestowed the merit he had accumulated from birth —

Verse 73 (padma.5.30.73)

यदा जन्मकृतैः पुण्यै रघुनाथार्चनोद्भवैः । एतेषां निरयान्मुक्तिर्भवत्वत्र मनोरमा

yadā janmakṛtaiḥ puṇyai raghunāthārcanodbhavaiḥ eteṣāṁ nirayānmuktirbhavatvatra manoramā

"By the merit earned in this life, arising from the worship of Raghunatha, let a delightful release from hell come to these souls here."

Verse 74 (padma.5.30.74)

एवं कथयतस्तस्य जीवा निरयसंस्थिताः । तत्क्षणान्निरयान्मुक्ता जाता दिव्यवपुर्धराः

evaṁ kathayatastasya jīvā nirayasaṁsthitāḥ tatkṣaṇānnirayānmuktā jātā divyavapurdharāḥ

As he spoke thus, the souls dwelling in hell were, that very instant, released from hell and took on divine forms.

Verse 75 (padma.5.30.75)

ऊचुस्ते जनकं राजंस्त्वत्प्रसादाद्वयं क्षणात् । दुःखदान्निरयान्मुक्ता यास्यामः परमं पदम्

ūcuste janakaṁ rājaṁstvatprasādādvayaṁ kṣaṇāt duḥkhadānnirayānmuktā yāsyāmaḥ paramaṁ padam

They said to King Janaka: "By your grace, in an instant we are freed from sorrowful hell, and we shall now go to the supreme abode."

Verse 76 (padma.5.30.76)

तान्दृष्ट्वा सूर्यसंकाशान्नरान्निरयनिःसृतान् । तुतोष चित्ते सुभृशं सर्वभूतदयापरः

tāndṛṣṭvā sūryasaṁkāśānnarānnirayaniḥsṛtān tutoṣa citte subhṛśaṁ sarvabhūtadayāparaḥ

Seeing those men, radiant as the sun, emerged from hell, he, ever compassionate to all beings, rejoiced greatly in his heart.

Verse 77 (padma.5.30.77)

ते सर्वे प्रययुर्लोकं दिवं देवैरलंकृतम् । जनकं तु प्रशंसंतो महाराजं दयानिधिम्

te sarve prayayurlokaṁ divaṁ devairalaṁkṛtam janakaṁ tu praśaṁsaṁto mahārājaṁ dayānidhim

All of them went on to the heavenly world, adorned by the gods, all the while praising King Janaka, that great ocean of compassion.