The Subtlety of Dharma and the Tale of Devasharma

Verse 1 (padma.5.87.1)

सूतउवाच- इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा नारदस्य स भूपतिः । प्रणम्य विस्मितः प्राह चिन्तयन्मनसा हरिम्

sūtauvāca- iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā nāradasya sa bhūpatiḥ praṇamya vismitaḥ prāha cintayanmanasā harim

Suta said: "Hearing these words of Narada, that king, bowing, astonished, spoke, contemplating Hari in his mind."

Verse 2 (padma.5.87.2)

अंबरीष उवाच- कथमेतद्विमुह्यामः स्वल्पायासेन वै मुने । प्राप्यते स्नानमात्रेण फलं चैवातिदुर्ल्लभम्

aṁbarīṣa uvāca- kathametadvimuhyāmaḥ svalpāyāsena vai mune prāpyate snānamātreṇa phalaṁ caivātidurllabham

Ambarisha said: "How is it, O sage, that we are bewildered — that with such little effort, mere bathing, so exceedingly rare a fruit is obtained?"

Verse 3 (padma.5.87.3)

नारद उवाच- सत्यमुक्तं त्वया राजन्नल्पायासेन यन्महत् । फलं संप्राप्यते तत्र श्रद्धत्स्व विधिभाषितम्

nārada uvāca- satyamuktaṁ tvayā rājannalpāyāsena yanmahat phalaṁ saṁprāpyate tatra śraddhatsva vidhibhāṣitam

Narada said: "True is what you have said, O king — that with little effort, so great a fruit is obtained there; trust what is declared by the rule."

Verse 4 (padma.5.87.4)

धर्मस्य गतयः सूक्ष्मा दुर्ज्ञेया हीश्वरैरपि । मुह्यंते चात्र विद्वांसोऽचिंत्यशक्ति हरेः कृतौ

dharmasya gatayaḥ sūkṣmā durjñeyā hīśvarairapi muhyaṁte cātra vidvāṁso'ciṁtyaśakti hareḥ kṛtau

"The ways of dharma are subtle, hard to know even for the mighty; even the learned are bewildered here, at the inconceivable power of Hari's workings."

Verse 5 (padma.5.87.5)

विश्वामित्रादयो राजन्धर्माधिक्येन बाहुजाः । ब्राह्मण्यं समुपायाताः सूक्ष्मा धर्मगतिस्त्वतः

viśvāmitrādayo rājandharmādhikyena bāhujāḥ brāhmaṇyaṁ samupāyātāḥ sūkṣmā dharmagatistvataḥ

"Vishvamitra and others, O king, born of the arm, through the excess of their dharma, attained brahminhood — subtle indeed is the course of dharma from this."

Verse 6 (padma.5.87.6)

अजामिलोऽपि भूपाल दासीपतिरिति श्रुतः । धर्मपत्नीपरित्यागी नित्यं पापपथिस्थितः

ajāmilo'pi bhūpāla dāsīpatiriti śrutaḥ dharmapatnīparityāgī nityaṁ pāpapathisthitaḥ

"Ajamila too, O king, known as the husband of a slave-girl, who had abandoned his own righteous wife, ever established on the path of sin,"

Verse 7 (padma.5.87.7)

म्रियमाणः सुतस्नेहात्प्रोच्य नारायणेति च । तद्ध्याननामग्रहणात्पदं लेभे सुदुर्ल्लभम्

mriyamāṇaḥ sutasnehātprocya nārāyaṇeti ca taddhyānanāmagrahaṇātpadaṁ lebhe sudurllabham

"while dying, out of love for his son, uttered the name 'Narayana' — and merely by uttering that name, he attained an exceedingly rare state."

Verse 8 (padma.5.87.8)

अनिच्छयापि दहति स्पृष्टो हुतवहो यथा । तथा दहति गोविंद नामव्याजादपीरितम्

anicchayāpi dahati spṛṣṭo hutavaho yathā tathā dahati goviṁda nāmavyājādapīritam

"Even unintentionally, fire, once touched, burns; so too, even uttered by mistake, the name of Govinda burns away sin."

Verse 9 (padma.5.87.9)

कानीनस्य मुनेः पौत्रा भ्रातृजायाभिगामिनः । गोलकस्य च वै पंडोः पुत्राः कुंडाः स्वयं तथा

kānīnasya muneḥ pautrā bhrātṛjāyābhigāminaḥ golakasya ca vai paṁḍoḥ putrāḥ kuṁḍāḥ svayaṁ tathā

"The grandsons of a sage born of an unmarried girl, sons of a woman who went to her brother-in-law, called golaka, and self-born sons of Pandu, kunda,"

Verse 10 (padma.5.87.10)

ते पंचापि च भूपाल पांडवा द्रौपदीरताः । तेषां च पुण्यश्लोकत्वं सूक्ष्माधर्मगतिस्ततः

te paṁcāpi ca bhūpāla pāṁḍavā draupadīratāḥ teṣāṁ ca puṇyaślokatvaṁ sūkṣmādharmagatistataḥ

"those five, O king, were the Pandavas, devoted to Draupadi; their being renowned as men of pure fame arose from that same subtle course of dharma."

Verse 11 (padma.5.87.11)

विचित्राणि च कर्माणि विचित्रा भूतभावनाः । विचित्राणि च भूता निविचित्राः कर्मशक्तयः

vicitrāṇi ca karmāṇi vicitrā bhūtabhāvanāḥ vicitrāṇi ca bhūtā nivicitrāḥ karmaśaktayaḥ

"Manifold are deeds, manifold the dispositions of beings; manifold are creatures, manifold indeed the powers of karma."

Verse 12 (padma.5.87.12)

कदाचित्सुकृतं कर्म कूटस्थं यदवस्थितम् । केनचित्कर्मणा भूप शुभेन परिवर्धते

kadācitsukṛtaṁ karma kūṭasthaṁ yadavasthitam kenacitkarmaṇā bhūpa śubhena parivardhate

"Sometimes a meritorious deed, standing fixed like an anvil, is increased by some other auspicious deed, O king,"

Verse 13 (padma.5.87.13)

फलं ददाति सुमहत्कस्मिन्नपि च जन्मनि । सूक्ष्मो धर्मोऽतिगहनो मीयते न यथा तथा

phalaṁ dadāti sumahatkasminnapi ca janmani sūkṣmo dharmo'tigahano mīyate na yathā tathā

"and gives its great fruit in some particular birth; subtle and exceedingly deep is dharma, not measured in just any way."

Verse 14 (padma.5.87.14)

नैतस्य फलदानस्य श्रूयते भूपनिश्चयः । यत्किंचित्सुकृतं कर्मच्छन्नं पापांतरैरपि

naitasya phaladānasya śrūyate bhūpaniścayaḥ yatkiṁcitsukṛtaṁ karmacchannaṁ pāpāṁtarairapi

"No fixed rule of this fruit-giving is heard, O king; whatever meritorious deed, even hidden amid other sins,"

Verse 15 (padma.5.87.15)

तदागत्य कुतः क्वापि स्वं फलं च प्रयच्छति । कृतस्य नेह नाशोऽस्ति पुण्यस्य दुरितस्य च

tadāgatya kutaḥ kvāpi svaṁ phalaṁ ca prayacchati kṛtasya neha nāśo'sti puṇyasya duritasya ca

"having come from somewhere, at some point yields its own fruit. There is no destruction here of what is done, whether merit or sin;"

Verse 16 (padma.5.87.16)

तथापि बहुभिः पुण्यैर्दुरितं याति दारुणम् । यदुक्तं भवता राजन्नायासाधिक्यतो भवेत्

tathāpi bahubhiḥ puṇyairduritaṁ yāti dāruṇam yaduktaṁ bhavatā rājannāyāsādhikyato bhavet

"yet, through abundant merit, even terrible sin can pass away. What you said, O king, about a fruit that arises from an excess of effort —"

Verse 17 (padma.5.87.17)

महत्पुण्यं च तत्रापि कारणं मे निशामय । स्वल्पायासमहायासौ यद्यल्पत्व महत्त्वयोः

mahatpuṇyaṁ ca tatrāpi kāraṇaṁ me niśāmaya svalpāyāsamahāyāsau yadyalpatva mahattvayoḥ

"and great merit resulting from it — hear from me the reason for that too. Whether little or great effort corresponds to little or great merit —"

Verse 18 (padma.5.87.18)

महापुण्यास्ततस्ते स्युः संततं कर्षकादयः । मंत्रोच्चारं च सिंहादेरायासं बहुलं त्वतः

mahāpuṇyāstataste syuḥ saṁtataṁ karṣakādayaḥ maṁtroccāraṁ ca siṁhāderāyāsaṁ bahulaṁ tvataḥ

"if that were so, then farmers and the like would be the most meritorious, ever engaged in constant effort. And great effort in certain mantra-recitations, therefore —"

Verse 19 (padma.5.87.19)

पंचगव्यं प्रशस्तं हि व्रतांगत्वेन नो भवेत् । इति कर्तव्यबाहुल्यं महत्त्वं च तदल्पता

paṁcagavyaṁ praśastaṁ hi vratāṁgatvena no bhavet iti kartavyabāhulyaṁ mahattvaṁ ca tadalpatā

"the panchagavya, praised as it is, would not then qualify as a component of a vow. Thus the abundance of duties, and greatness, and their smallness —"

Verse 20 (padma.5.87.20)

जलाग्न्यादिप्रवेशस्य प्रसज्येत व्रतांतरात् । इदमल्पं महच्चैतदिति नैव नियामकम्

jalāgnyādipraveśasya prasajyeta vratāṁtarāt idamalpaṁ mahaccaitaditi naiva niyāmakam

"it would follow that entering water, fire, and the like would be greater, from a different vow; that this is small and that is great — this is not the determining rule."

Verse 21 (padma.5.87.21)

फलं यच्चोदितं शास्त्रे तदेव स्यान्महन्नृप । यथाल्पनाशो महता महन्नाशस्तथाल्पतः

phalaṁ yaccoditaṁ śāstre tadeva syānmahannṛpa yathālpanāśo mahatā mahannāśastathālpataḥ

"Whatever fruit is declared in scripture, that alone, O king, is the great one; just as a small thing can be destroyed by a great one, so too a great thing can be destroyed by a small one."

Verse 22 (padma.5.87.22)

किं त्वल्पविस्फुलिंगेन तृणराशिः प्रदह्यते

kiṁ tvalpavisphuliṁgena tṛṇarāśiḥ pradahyate

"For does not a heap of straw get burned down by even a tiny spark?"

Verse 23 (padma.5.87.23)

हत्यायुतं पापसहस्रमुग्रं गुर्वंगनाकोटिनिषेवणं च । स्तेयादि पापानि च कृष्णभक्तैरज्ञानजातानि लयं ह्रियंते

hatyāyutaṁ pāpasahasramugraṁ gurvaṁganākoṭiniṣevaṇaṁ ca steyādi pāpāni ca kṛṣṇabhaktairajñānajātāni layaṁ hriyaṁte

A myriad murders, a thousand terrible sins, the violation of millions of a guru's wives, theft and other sins born of ignorance — by devotees of Krishna, all these are brought to dissolution.

Verse 24 (padma.5.87.24)

विष्णुभक्तिमतावीर यत्किंचित्क्रियतेऽल्पकम् । सुकृतं साधुविदुषा तदक्षयफलं लभेत्

viṣṇubhaktimatāvīra yatkiṁcitkriyate'lpakam sukṛtaṁ sādhuviduṣā tadakṣayaphalaṁ labhet

"O hero, whatever little meritorious act is performed by one endowed with devotion to Vishnu, wise and virtuous — that obtains an imperishable fruit."

Verse 25 (padma.5.87.25)

संदेहो नात्र कर्त्तव्यो माधवेमासि माधवम् । समाराध्य नरो भक्त्या तत्तद्वांच्छितमाप्नुयात्

saṁdeho nātra karttavyo mādhavemāsi mādhavam samārādhya naro bhaktyā tattadvāṁcchitamāpnuyāt

"No doubt should be entertained in this: in the month of Madhava, a man who worships Madhava with devotion obtains whatever he desires."

Verse 26 (padma.5.87.26)

अपत्यं द्रविणं रत्नं दाराहर्म्यं हया गजाः । सुखानि स्वर्गमोक्षौ च न दूरे हरिभक्तितः

apatyaṁ draviṇaṁ ratnaṁ dārāharmyaṁ hayā gajāḥ sukhāni svargamokṣau ca na dūre haribhaktitaḥ

"Offspring, wealth, jewels, a wife, a mansion, horses, elephants, pleasures, heaven and liberation — none of these are far, through devotion to Hari."

Verse 27 (padma.5.87.27)

एवं शास्त्रोक्तविधिना स्वल्पेनापि न संशयः । पापस्य महतोऽपि स्यात्क्षयो वृद्धिः सुकर्मणः

evaṁ śāstroktavidhinā svalpenāpi na saṁśayaḥ pāpasya mahato'pi syātkṣayo vṛddhiḥ sukarmaṇaḥ

"Thus, by the rule declared in scripture, even a small one, without doubt, there can be the destruction of great sin, and the increase of good deeds."

Verse 28 (padma.5.87.28)

फलाधिक्यं भवेद्भूप त्वाधिक्याद्भावकर्मणोः । सूक्ष्मा धर्मस्य विज्ञेया गतिस्तु विविधैरपि

phalādhikyaṁ bhavedbhūpa tvādhikyādbhāvakarmaṇoḥ sūkṣmā dharmasya vijñeyā gatistu vividhairapi

"The abundance of fruit, O king, comes from the abundance of feeling and of action; the course of dharma should be understood as subtle, through manifold means."

Verse 29 (padma.5.87.29)

प्रियो माधवमासोऽयं माधवस्य महात्मनः । एकोप्यनुष्ठितो लोकैः समग्रेप्सितदायकः

priyo mādhavamāso'yaṁ mādhavasya mahātmanaḥ ekopyanuṣṭhito lokaiḥ samagrepsitadāyakaḥ

"Dear is this month of Madhava to the great-souled Madhava; even once observed by people, it grants their every desire completely."

Verse 30 (padma.5.87.30)

पुण्येन गांगेन जलेन काले देशेऽपि यः स्नानपरोऽपि भूप । आजन्मतो भावहतोऽपि दाता न शुद्धिमेतीति मतं ममैतत्

puṇyena gāṁgena jalena kāle deśe'pi yaḥ snānaparo'pi bhūpa ājanmato bhāvahato'pi dātā na śuddhimetīti mataṁ mamaitat

"With the merit-laden water of the Ganga, at the proper time and place, one devoted to bathing — even one who is deprived of feeling from birth, a mere giver — does not attain purity: this is my own opinion."

Verse 31 (padma.5.87.31)

गंगादितीर्थेषु वसंति जीवा देवालये पक्षिगणाश्च नित्यम् । विनाशमायांति कृतोपवासा भावोज्झिता नैव गतिं लभंते

gaṁgāditīrtheṣu vasaṁti jīvā devālaye pakṣigaṇāśca nityam vināśamāyāṁti kṛtopavāsā bhāvojjhitā naiva gatiṁ labhaṁte

"Living beings dwell in the Ganga and other holy waters; flocks of birds ever dwell in a temple; those who observe fasts but are devoid of feeling attain destruction, not the true goal."

Verse 32 (padma.5.87.32)

भावं ततो हृत्कमले निधाय श्रीमाधवं माधवमासि भक्त्या । यजेत यः स्नानपरो विशुद्धः पुण्यं न शक्ता वयमस्य वक्तुम्

bhāvaṁ tato hṛtkamale nidhāya śrīmādhavaṁ mādhavamāsi bhaktyā yajeta yaḥ snānaparo viśuddhaḥ puṇyaṁ na śaktā vayamasya vaktum

"Therefore, having placed feeling in the heart-lotus, whoever, devoted to bathing, purified, worships glorious Madhava with devotion in the month of Madhava — his merit we are unable to describe."

Verse 33 (padma.5.87.33)

प्रज्वाल्य वह्निं घृततैलसिक्तं प्रदक्षिणावर्तशिखं स्वकाले । प्रविश्य दग्धः किल भावदुष्टो न स्वर्गमाप्नोति फलं न चान्यत्

prajvālya vahniṁ ghṛtatailasiktaṁ pradakṣiṇāvartaśikhaṁ svakāle praviśya dagdhaḥ kila bhāvaduṣṭo na svargamāpnoti phalaṁ na cānyat

"Having kindled a fire, sprinkled with ghee and oil, its flame curling clockwise, at its proper time — one who enters it while corrupt in feeling is indeed burned, and attains neither heaven nor any other fruit."

Verse 34 (padma.5.87.34)

श्रद्धत्स्वभूप तस्मात्त्वं माधवस्य फलं प्रति । स्वल्पं चापि शुभं कर्म विकर्मशतनाशनम्

śraddhatsvabhūpa tasmāttvaṁ mādhavasya phalaṁ prati svalpaṁ cāpi śubhaṁ karma vikarmaśatanāśanam

"Therefore trust, O king, in the fruit of Madhava — even a small, auspicious deed destroys a hundred evil deeds."

Verse 35 (padma.5.87.35)

यथा हरेर्नामभयेन भूप नश्यंति सर्वे दुरितस्य वृंदाः । नूनं रवौ मेषगते विभाते स्नानेन तीर्थे च हरिस्तवेन

yathā harernāmabhayena bhūpa naśyaṁti sarve duritasya vṛṁdāḥ nūnaṁ ravau meṣagate vibhāte snānena tīrthe ca haristavena

"Just as, O king, through fear of Hari's very name, all the multitudes of sin perish, so too, surely, when the sun stands in Aries, at dawn, through bathing at a holy place and through praise of Hari —"

Verse 36 (padma.5.87.36)

तेजसा वैनतेयस्य पाप्मानः पन्नगा इव । विद्रवंति च वैशाखस्नानेनोषसि निश्चितम्

tejasā vainateyasya pāpmānaḥ pannagā iva vidravaṁti ca vaiśākhasnānenoṣasi niścitam

"sins, like serpents, flee before the very radiance of Garuda, through the Vaishakha bath at dawn, certainly."

Verse 37 (padma.5.87.37)

गंगायां नर्मदायां वा स्नात्वा मेषगते रवौ । पापप्रशमनस्तोत्रं यः पठेद्भक्तिभावतः

gaṁgāyāṁ narmadāyāṁ vā snātvā meṣagate ravau pāpapraśamanastotraṁ yaḥ paṭhedbhaktibhāvataḥ

"Having bathed in the Ganga or the Narmada, when the sun is in Aries, whoever recites the hymn for the pacification of sin with devotion and feeling,"

Verse 38 (padma.5.87.38)

एककालं द्विकालं वा त्रिसंध्यमपि भूपते । स याति परमं स्थानं सर्वपापविवर्जितः

ekakālaṁ dvikālaṁ vā trisaṁdhyamapi bhūpate sa yāti paramaṁ sthānaṁ sarvapāpavivarjitaḥ

"once, twice, or even at all three daily junctures, O king — he goes to the supreme place, freed from all sin."

Verse 39 (padma.5.87.39)

अंबरीष महत्पुण्यप्राप्तये कुरु वीक्षणम् । माधवेमासि वै स्नानं प्रातर्नियमसंस्थितः

aṁbarīṣa mahatpuṇyaprāptaye kuru vīkṣaṇam mādhavemāsi vai snānaṁ prātarniyamasaṁsthitaḥ

"O Ambarisha, undertake this observation for the attainment of great merit: bathing in the month of Madhava, at dawn, established in the discipline."

Verse 40 (padma.5.87.40)

यदानर्त्तपुरे प्रोक्तं वसतां वर्षकोटिभिः । तत्प्रातर्माधवे मासि स्नानेनैकेन लभ्यते

yadānarttapure proktaṁ vasatāṁ varṣakoṭibhiḥ tatprātarmādhave māsi snānenaikena labhyate

"What is declared to be obtained by those dwelling in the city of Anarta for a myriad years — that is obtained by a single morning bath in the month of Madhava."

Verse 41 (padma.5.87.41)

इहार्थे यत्पुरावृत्तं तदाकर्णय भूपते । भार्यया सह संवादं देवशर्मद्विजन्मनः

ihārthe yatpurāvṛttaṁ tadākarṇaya bhūpate bhāryayā saha saṁvādaṁ devaśarmadvijanmanaḥ

"On this matter, hear what happened formerly, O king — a dialogue between the twice-born Devasharma and his wife."

Verse 42 (padma.5.87.42)

रेवातीरे सुपुण्ये च तीर्थे चामरकंटके । कौशिकस्य सुतो जातो देवशर्मा द्विजोत्तमः

revātīre supuṇye ca tīrthe cāmarakaṁṭake kauśikasya suto jāto devaśarmā dvijottamaḥ

"On the bank of the Reva, at the most sacred holy place of Amarakantaka, was born the son of Kaushika, Devasharma, best of the twice-born."

Verse 43 (padma.5.87.43)

धनपुत्रविहीनस्तु बहुदुःखसमन्वितः । दारिद्रेण सुदुःखेन सर्वदैवप्रपीडितः

dhanaputravihīnastu bahuduḥkhasamanvitaḥ dāridreṇa suduḥkhena sarvadaivaprapīḍitaḥ

"Bereft of wealth and sons, beset with much sorrow, afflicted always by poverty and great distress,"

Verse 44 (padma.5.87.44)

पुत्रोपायं धनस्यापि दिवारात्रौ प्रचिंतयेत् । एकदा तु प्रिया तस्य सुमना नाम सुव्रता

putropāyaṁ dhanasyāpi divārātrau praciṁtayet ekadā tu priyā tasya sumanā nāma suvratā

"day and night he pondered a means to obtain sons and wealth. Once, his beloved wife, named Sumana, of good vows,"

Verse 45 (padma.5.87.45)

भर्तारं चिंतयोपेतमधोमुखमलक्षयत् । समालोक्य तदा कांतं तमुवाच यशस्विनी

bhartāraṁ ciṁtayopetamadhomukhamalakṣayat samālokya tadā kāṁtaṁ tamuvāca yaśasvinī

"beheld her husband, overcome with worry, his face downcast. Seeing her beloved thus, that renowned woman said to him:"

Verse 46 (padma.5.87.46)

दुःखजालैरसंख्यैस्तु तव चित्तं प्रकर्षितम् । व्यामोहेन प्रमूढोसि त्यज चिंतां महामते

duḥkhajālairasaṁkhyaistu tava cittaṁ prakarṣitam vyāmohena pramūḍhosi tyaja ciṁtāṁ mahāmate

"'Your mind is drawn away by countless webs of worry; you are utterly bewildered by delusion — abandon this anxiety, O great-minded one.'"

Verse 47 (padma.5.87.47)

मम दुःखं समाचक्ष्व स्वस्थो भव सुखं व्रज । नास्ति चिंतासमं दुःखं कायशोषणमेव हि

mama duḥkhaṁ samācakṣva svastho bhava sukhaṁ vraja nāsti ciṁtāsamaṁ duḥkhaṁ kāyaśoṣaṇameva hi

"'Tell me your sorrow; become composed and go toward happiness. There is no sorrow equal to anxiety — it truly withers the body.'"

Verse 48 (padma.5.87.48)

तां संत्यज्य प्रवर्तेत स सुखेन प्रमोदते । चिंतायाः कारणं विप्र कथयस्व मम प्रभो

tāṁ saṁtyajya pravarteta sa sukhena pramodate ciṁtāyāḥ kāraṇaṁ vipra kathayasva mama prabho

"'Having abandoned it, one proceeds happily and rejoices. Tell me, O brahmin, my lord, the cause of your anxiety.'"

Verse 49 (padma.5.87.49)

नारद उवाच-। प्रियावाक्यं स संश्रुत्य देवशर्मा महामतिः । उवाच वचनं प्रीतो दुःखितोऽपि सतीसखः

nārada uvāca- priyāvākyaṁ sa saṁśrutya devaśarmā mahāmatiḥ uvāca vacanaṁ prīto duḥkhito'pi satīsakhaḥ

Narada said: "Hearing his beloved's words, Devasharma, of great intelligence, though sorrowful, spoke, pleased, that companion of a chaste wife."

Verse 50 (padma.5.87.50)

देवशर्मोवाच-। यत्त्वया चिंतितं भद्रे किंचिद्दुःखस्य कारणम् । तत्सर्वं तु प्रवक्ष्यामि श्रुत्वा चैवावधार्यताम्

devaśarmovāca- yattvayā ciṁtitaṁ bhadre kiṁcidduḥkhasya kāraṇam tatsarvaṁ tu pravakṣyāmi śrutvā caivāvadhāryatām

Devasharma said: "'Whatever, O gracious one, you have wondered to be some cause of my sorrow — all of that I shall now tell; having heard it, let it be understood.'"

Verse 51 (padma.5.87.51)

न जाने केन पापेन धनहीनोऽस्मि सुव्रते । तथा पुत्रविहीनोऽस्मि एतद्दुःखस्य कारणम्

na jāne kena pāpena dhanahīno'smi suvrate tathā putravihīno'smi etadduḥkhasya kāraṇam

"'I do not know by what sin, O good-vowed one, I am deprived of wealth, and likewise deprived of sons — this is the cause of my sorrow.'"

Verse 52 (padma.5.87.52)

सुमनोवाच-। श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि सर्वसंदेहनाशनम् । स्वरूपमुपदेशस्य सर्वविज्ञानदर्शनम्

sumanovāca- śrūyatāmabhidhāsyāmi sarvasaṁdehanāśanam svarūpamupadeśasya sarvavijñānadarśanam

Sumana said: "'Listen, I shall declare it — the destroyer of every doubt, the very essence of instruction, the vision of all knowledge.'"

Verse 53 (padma.5.87.53)

संतोष एव परमं पुण्यं सौख्यादिकारणम् । असंतोषः परं पापमित्याह भगवान्हरिः

saṁtoṣa eva paramaṁ puṇyaṁ saukhyādikāraṇam asaṁtoṣaḥ paraṁ pāpamityāha bhagavānhariḥ

"'Contentment alone is the supreme merit, the cause of happiness and the rest; discontent is the supreme sin — thus says the Lord Hari.'"

Verse 54 (padma.5.87.54)

लोभः पापस्य बीजोऽयं मोहो मूलं च तस्य वै । असत्यं तस्य हि स्कंधो महाशाखा सुविस्तरात्

lobhaḥ pāpasya bījo'yaṁ moho mūlaṁ ca tasya vai asatyaṁ tasya hi skaṁdho mahāśākhā suvistarāt

"'Greed is the seed of that sin, and delusion its root; falsehood indeed is its trunk, its great branches spread wide from that,'"

Verse 55 (padma.5.87.55)

मदकौटिल्य पत्राणि कुबुद्ध्या पुष्पितः सदा । अनृतं तस्य सौगंध्यमज्ञानं फलमेव च

madakauṭilya patrāṇi kubuddhyā puṣpitaḥ sadā anṛtaṁ tasya saugaṁdhyamajñānaṁ phalameva ca

"'its leaves are pride and crookedness, ever flowering through evil intellect; falsehood is its fragrance, and ignorance indeed is its fruit.'"

Verse 56 (padma.5.87.56)

कुड्यं पाषंडचौराश्च क्रूराः कूटाश्च पापिनः । पक्षिणो मोहवृक्षस्य महाशाखासमाश्रिताः

kuḍyaṁ pāṣaṁḍacaurāśca krūrāḥ kūṭāśca pāpinaḥ pakṣiṇo mohavṛkṣasya mahāśākhāsamāśritāḥ

"'Hypocrites, thieves, cruel men, deceivers and sinners are the birds that dwell upon the great branches of the tree of delusion.'"

Verse 57 (padma.5.87.57)

अज्ञानं सुफलं तस्य रसो धर्मं फलस्य हि । भावोदकेन संवृद्धिस्तस्य श्रद्धा क्रतु प्रिया

ajñānaṁ suphalaṁ tasya raso dharmaṁ phalasya hi bhāvodakena saṁvṛddhistasya śraddhā kratu priyā

"'Ignorance is its fine fruit, and the taste of that fruit is unrighteousness indeed; it grows through the water of feeling, and faith is its beloved sacrifice.'"

Verse 58 (padma.5.87.58)

अधर्मेषु रसस्तस्य उत्क्लेदैर्मधुरायते । तादृशैश्च फलैश्चैवसफलो लोभपादपः

adharmeṣu rasastasya utkledairmadhurāyate tādṛśaiśca phalaiścaivasaphalo lobhapādapaḥ

"'Its taste, in deeds of unrighteousness, becomes sweet through fermentation; and with such fruits, the tree of greed becomes fruitful.'"

Verse 59 (padma.5.87.59)

तस्यच्छायां समाश्रित्य यो नरः परिवर्तते । फलानि तस्य सोऽश्नाति स्वपक्वानि दिनेदिने

tasyacchāyāṁ samāśritya yo naraḥ parivartate phalāni tasya so'śnāti svapakvāni dinedine

"'That man who, resorting to its shade, dwells there — he eats its fruits, ripened day by day of themselves.'"

Verse 60 (padma.5.87.60)

फलानां च रसेनापि अधर्मेण तु पोषितः । स संपुष्टो भवेन्मर्त्यः पतनाय प्रयच्छति

phalānāṁ ca rasenāpi adharmeṇa tu poṣitaḥ sa saṁpuṣṭo bhavenmartyaḥ patanāya prayacchati

"'And nourished by the taste of those fruits, by unrighteousness, that mortal, thus well-fed, hands himself over to his own fall.'"

Verse 61 (padma.5.87.61)

तस्माच्चिंतां परिश्रित्य स्वामि लोभं न कारयेत् । धनपुत्रकलत्राणां चिंतामेतां न कारयेत्

tasmācciṁtāṁ pariśritya svāmi lobhaṁ na kārayet dhanaputrakalatrāṇāṁ ciṁtāmetāṁ na kārayet

"'Therefore, having cast off anxiety, my lord, one should not cultivate greed; one should not cultivate this anxiety over wealth, sons, and wife.'"

Verse 62 (padma.5.87.62)

यो हि विद्वान्नचेत्कांत मूर्खाणां पथमेव हि । मृषा चिंतयते नित्यं दिवारात्रौ विमोहितः

yo hi vidvānnacetkāṁta mūrkhāṇāṁ pathameva hi mṛṣā ciṁtayate nityaṁ divārātrau vimohitaḥ

"'For is not the wise man, if he does not follow this, on the very path of fools — dear one, ever falsely brooding, day and night, utterly deluded?'"

Verse 63 (padma.5.87.63)

शुभार्थं च प्रविंदामि कथं पुत्रानहं लभे । एवं चिंतयते नित्यं दिवारात्रौ विमोहितः

śubhārthaṁ ca praviṁdāmi kathaṁ putrānahaṁ labhe evaṁ ciṁtayate nityaṁ divārātrau vimohitaḥ

"'For the sake of prosperity, I think: how shall I obtain sons? — thus he ponders constantly, day and night, utterly deluded.'"

Verse 64 (padma.5.87.64)

क्षणमेकं प्रपश्येत्स चिंतामध्ये महत्सुखम् । पुनश्चैतन्यमायाति महादुःखेन पीड्यते

kṣaṇamekaṁ prapaśyetsa ciṁtāmadhye mahatsukham punaścaitanyamāyāti mahāduḥkhena pīḍyate

"'For a single moment he seems to see great happiness in the midst of his anxiety; then consciousness returns again, and he is afflicted by great sorrow.'"

Verse 65 (padma.5.87.65)

चिंतामोहौ परित्यज्य अनुवर्तस्व तं द्विज । संसारे नास्ति संबंधः केन सार्धं महामते

ciṁtāmohau parityajya anuvartasva taṁ dvija saṁsāre nāsti saṁbaṁdhaḥ kena sārdhaṁ mahāmate

"'Abandoning anxiety and delusion, follow that path, O twice-born. In this worldly existence, with whom indeed is there any lasting relationship, O great-minded one?'"

Verse 66 (padma.5.87.66)

मित्राश्च बांधवाः पुत्राः पितामाता सुतास्तथा । स्वसंबंधा भवंत्येते कलत्रादि तथैव च

mitrāśca bāṁdhavāḥ putrāḥ pitāmātā sutāstathā svasaṁbaṁdhā bhavaṁtyete kalatrādi tathaiva ca

"'Friends and kinsmen, sons, father and mother, and children likewise — these become one's own relations, and one's wife and the rest, in just the same way.'"

Verse 67 (padma.5.87.67)

देवशर्मोवाच-। संबंधः कीदृशो भद्रे तन्मे विस्तरतो वद । येन जायंति ते सर्वे धनपुत्रादि बांधवाः

devaśarmovāca- saṁbaṁdhaḥ kīdṛśo bhadre tanme vistarato vada yena jāyaṁti te sarve dhanaputrādi bāṁdhavāḥ

Devasharma said: "'What sort of relationship is this, O gracious one? Tell me that in detail — by which all these, wealth, sons and the rest, kinsmen, come to be.'"

Verse 68 (padma.5.87.68)

सुमनोवाच-। भर्तः पंचविधाः पुत्रा जायंते तान्वदाम्यहम् । न्यासापहारकं चैकमृणसंबंधिनं परम्

sumanovāca- bhartaḥ paṁcavidhāḥ putrā jāyaṁte tānvadāmyaham nyāsāpahārakaṁ caikamṛṇasaṁbaṁdhinaṁ param

Sumana said: "'O husband, sons are born of five kinds; I shall tell you of them: one who is a thief of a trust, and another connected by debt,'"

Verse 69 (padma.5.87.69)

रिपुं लभ्यमुदासीनमिति कांत भवंति ते । लक्षणानि प्रवक्ष्यामि तेषामीश पृथक्पृथक्

ripuṁ labhyamudāsīnamiti kāṁta bhavaṁti te lakṣaṇāni pravakṣyāmi teṣāmīśa pṛthakpṛthak

"'one obtained as an enemy, and one indifferent — thus, my lord, they come to be. I shall tell their characteristics, my lord, each one separately.'"

Verse 70 (padma.5.87.70)

पुत्रा मित्राः प्रिया भार्या पिता माता च बांधवाः । स्वेनस्वेन हि जायंते संबंधेन महीतले

putrā mitrāḥ priyā bhāryā pitā mātā ca bāṁdhavāḥ svenasvena hi jāyaṁte saṁbaṁdhena mahītale

"'Sons, friends, a beloved wife, father, mother, and kinsmen — each is born through his or her own particular relationship, upon this earth.'"

Verse 71 (padma.5.87.71)

न्यासापहारभावेन यस्य येन हृतं भुवि । न्यासस्वामी भवेत्पुत्रो गुणवान्रूपवान्भुवि

nyāsāpahārabhāvena yasya yena hṛtaṁ bhuvi nyāsasvāmī bhavetputro guṇavānrūpavānbhuvi

"'Through the relation of a trust having been stolen, by whomever from whom it was taken away on earth — the owner of the trust becomes his son, virtuous and handsome upon earth;'"

Verse 72 (padma.5.87.72)

येन ह्यपहृतं न्यासं तस्य गेहे न संशयः । न्यासापहारणं दुःखं स दत्त्वा दारुणं गतः

yena hyapahṛtaṁ nyāsaṁ tasya gehe na saṁśayaḥ nyāsāpahāraṇaṁ duḥkhaṁ sa dattvā dāruṇaṁ gataḥ

"'and he by whom the trust was stolen — without doubt, in his very house. The theft of a trust is a sorrow; he, having given it back through suffering, departs in terrible pain.'"

Verse 73 (padma.5.87.73)

न्यासस्वामी सुपुत्रोऽभून्न्यासापहारकस्य च । गुणवान्रूपवांश्चैव सर्वलक्षणसंयुतः

nyāsasvāmī suputro'bhūnnyāsāpahārakasya ca guṇavānrūpavāṁścaiva sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutaḥ

"'The owner of the trust became the good son of the very man who had stolen the trust — virtuous and handsome, endowed with every auspicious mark.'"

Verse 74 (padma.5.87.74)

भक्तिं च दर्शयेत्तस्य पुत्रो भूत्वा दिनेदिने । प्रियवाङ्मधुरोवाग्मी बहुस्नेहं विदर्शयेत्

bhaktiṁ ca darśayettasya putro bhūtvā dinedine priyavāṅmadhurovāgmī bahusnehaṁ vidarśayet

"'And he shows devotion toward him, having become his son, day by day; sweet-spoken, eloquent, he displays abundant affection.'"

Verse 75 (padma.5.87.75)

स्वीयं द्रव्यं समुद्ग्राह्य प्रीतिमुत्पाद्य चातुलाम् । यथा तेन प्रदत्तं तन्न्यासापहरणात्परम्

svīyaṁ dravyaṁ samudgrāhya prītimutpādya cātulām yathā tena pradattaṁ tannyāsāpaharaṇātparam

"'Having caused him to gather his own wealth, having produced matchless affection, until what was given by him equals what was stolen through the theft of the trust —'"

Verse 76 (padma.5.87.76)

दुःखमेवं महाभाग दारुणं प्राणनाशनम् । तादृशं तस्य सो दद्यात्पुत्रो भूत्वा महागुणः

duḥkhamevaṁ mahābhāga dāruṇaṁ prāṇanāśanam tādṛśaṁ tasya so dadyātputro bhūtvā mahāguṇaḥ

"'that same terrible, life-destroying sorrow, O greatly blessed one, he then gives back to him, having become his son, of great virtue.'"

Verse 77 (padma.5.87.77)

अल्पायुषस्तथा भूत्वा मरणं चोपगच्छति । दुःखं दत्वा प्रयात्येवं प्रहृत्यैवं पुनःपुनः

alpāyuṣastathā bhūtvā maraṇaṁ copagacchati duḥkhaṁ datvā prayātyevaṁ prahṛtyaivaṁ punaḥpunaḥ

"'And then, having become short-lived, he meets with death; having thus given sorrow, he departs, having struck him thus, again and again.'"

Verse 78 (padma.5.87.78)

यदाह पुत्रपुत्रेति प्रलापं हि करोति यः । तदा हास्यं करोत्येष कस्तु पुत्रो हि कस्य च

yadāha putraputreti pralāpaṁ hi karoti yaḥ tadā hāsyaṁ karotyeṣa kastu putro hi kasya ca

When the father, crying 'my son, my son,' laments, this one laughs — for who indeed is son to whom?

Verse 79 (padma.5.87.79)

अनेनापहृतं न्यासं मदीयं पापचारिणा । द्रव्यापहारणेनापि मम प्राणागताः किल

anenāpahṛtaṁ nyāsaṁ madīyaṁ pāpacāriṇā dravyāpahāraṇenāpi mama prāṇāgatāḥ kila

'By this sinful man, my trust was stolen; and by that very theft of wealth, my life itself was taken away,' he thinks.

Verse 80 (padma.5.87.80)

दुःखेन महता चैव असह्येन च वै पुरा । तदा दुःखं मया दत्वाद्रव्यमुद्ग्राह्यमुत्तमम्

duḥkhena mahatā caiva asahyena ca vai purā tadā duḥkhaṁ mayā datvādravyamudgrāhyamuttamam

'formerly, through great and unbearable suffering — therefore, having given him sorrow, I have taken back that excellent wealth.'