The Tale of the Pretas: The Hymn of Sin's Cessation (Papa-Prashamana Stotra)

Verse 1 (padma.5.94.1)

अंबरीष उवाच- पापप्रशमनं स्तोत्रं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तद्विभो । यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण पापराशिर्विलीयते

aṁbarīṣa uvāca- pāpapraśamanaṁ stotraṁ śrotumicchāmi tadvibho yasya śravaṇamātreṇa pāparāśirvilīyate

Ambarisha said: O lord, I wish to hear that hymn called "Papa-prashamana" (Cessation of Sin), by whose mere hearing a mass of sin dissolves.

Verse 2 (padma.5.94.2)

धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि श्रावितोऽस्मि शुभं विधिम् । विकर्मोपार्जितं यस्य श्रवणादेव हीयते

dhanyo'smyanugṛhīto'smi śrāvito'smi śubhaṁ vidhim vikarmopārjitaṁ yasya śravaṇādeva hīyate

Blessed am I, favored am I, to have been made to hear this auspicious rite — by the mere hearing of which sin acquired through wrong deeds is destroyed.

Verse 3 (padma.5.94.3)

चित्रं किमत्र मधुसूदन दैवतस्य मासस्य पुण्यसवनैरिह माधवस्य । स्नानैरवश्यविहितैरघराशिनाशः स्याद्यस्य नामपठनादपि तस्य लोकः

citraṁ kimatra madhusūdana daivatasya māsasya puṇyasavanairiha mādhavasya snānairavaśyavihitairagharāśināśaḥ syādyasya nāmapaṭhanādapi tasya lokaḥ

What wonder is there that, in this month whose deity is Madhusudana, called Madhava, through its meritorious rites and its ordained bathings the whole mass of sin is destroyed — he by the mere utterance of whose name a world is purified?

Verse 4 (padma.5.94.4)

तदेव पुण्यं परमं पवित्रं हृद्यं च लोके सुकृतैकलभ्यम् । यदुच्यते केशवनामधेयं मन्ये मुने माधवमासि भव्यम्

tadeva puṇyaṁ paramaṁ pavitraṁ hṛdyaṁ ca loke sukṛtaikalabhyam yaducyate keśavanāmadheyaṁ manye mune mādhavamāsi bhavyam

That alone I consider the highest merit, pure and dear to the heart, attainable in this world only through good deeds — O sage, the utterance of Keshava's name, most auspicious in the month of Madhava.

Verse 5 (padma.5.94.5)

धन्यास्तु ते माधवमासि नाम स्मरंति येऽहो मधुसूदनस्य । तस्यैव मे किंचिदहो चरित्रं पुनः पवित्रं वद विश्वजन्यम्

dhanyāstu te mādhavamāsi nāma smaraṁti ye'ho madhusūdanasya tasyaiva me kiṁcidaho caritraṁ punaḥ pavitraṁ vada viśvajanyam

Blessed indeed are they who, in the month of Madhava, remember the name of Madhusudana. Tell me once more, O sage, some pure account of him, beneficial to all the world.

Verse 6 (padma.5.94.6)

सूत उवाच- वचः समाकर्ण्य हरिप्रियस्य प्रीतो मुनिस्तस्य नृपोत्तमस्य । स माधवस्नानसमुत्सुकोऽपि कथारसेनाह स माधवस्य

sūta uvāca- vacaḥ samākarṇya haripriyasya prīto munistasya nṛpottamasya sa mādhavasnānasamutsuko'pi kathārasenāha sa mādhavasya

Suta said: Hearing the words of that best of kings, dear to Hari, the pleased sage — though himself eager for the bath of Madhava — spoke, drawn in by the relish of the tale, about Madhava.

Verse 7 (padma.5.94.7)

नारद उवाच- सत्यं महीपाल मिथो मुकुंदकथारसालापविधिर्विशुद्धः । त्वया समं माधवमासधर्मस्नानाधिकोऽयं हरिदैवतेन

nārada uvāca- satyaṁ mahīpāla mitho mukuṁdakathārasālāpavidhirviśuddhaḥ tvayā samaṁ mādhavamāsadharmasnānādhiko'yaṁ haridaivatena

Narada said: True it is, O king; this practice of mutually relishing the tale of Mukunda is utterly pure. With you, this exchange, presided over by Hari himself, surpasses even the merit of the ritual bath of Madhava's month.

Verse 8 (padma.5.94.8)

जीवितं यस्य धर्मार्थं धर्मो हर्यर्थमेव च । अहोरात्राणि पुण्यार्थं तं मन्ये वैष्णवं भुवि

jīvitaṁ yasya dharmārthaṁ dharmo haryarthameva ca ahorātrāṇi puṇyārthaṁ taṁ manye vaiṣṇavaṁ bhuvi

Him whose very life exists for dharma, whose dharma exists only for Hari, and whose days and nights pass for the sake of merit — him I consider a true Vaishnava upon this earth.

Verse 9 (padma.5.94.9)

किंचिद्वक्ष्यामि ते राजन्वैशाखस्नानजं फलम् । अस्मत्पितापि नो वक्तुमलं विस्तरतोऽखिलम्

kiṁcidvakṣyāmi te rājanvaiśākhasnānajaṁ phalam asmatpitāpi no vaktumalaṁ vistarato'khilam

I shall tell you, O king, something of the fruit born of bathing in Vaishakha; even our own father was not able to tell it in its entire extent.

Verse 10 (padma.5.94.10)

यत्र मज्जनमात्रेण प्रेता मुक्तिमुपागताः । माधवे मासि ते पापा नर्मदासलिले परे

yatra majjanamātreṇa pretā muktimupāgatāḥ mādhave māsi te pāpā narmadāsalile pare

A fruit through which, by mere immersion alone, in the supreme waters of the Narmada during the month of Madhava, even sinful pretas attained liberation.

Verse 11 (padma.5.94.11)

पुरातीर्थप्रसंगेन भ्रमन्कोपि महीसुरः । मुनिशर्मेति विख्यातो धर्मात्मा सत्यवाञ्छुचिः

purātīrthaprasaṁgena bhramankopi mahīsuraḥ muniśarmeti vikhyāto dharmātmā satyavāñchuciḥ

Long ago, wandering on pilgrimage to sacred fords, there lived a renowned Brahmin named Munisharma — righteous of soul, truthful, and pure.

Verse 12 (padma.5.94.12)

युक्तः शमदमाभ्यां च क्षांतिसंतोषसंयुतः । युक्तः स पितृकार्येषु श्रुतिस्मृतिविधानवान्

yuktaḥ śamadamābhyāṁ ca kṣāṁtisaṁtoṣasaṁyutaḥ yuktaḥ sa pitṛkāryeṣu śrutismṛtividhānavān

He was endowed with tranquility and self-restraint, possessed of forbearance and contentment, devoted to the rites for the ancestors, and versed in the ordinances of Shruti and Smriti.

Verse 13 (padma.5.94.13)

युक्तो मधुरवाक्येषु संयुक्तो हरिपूजने । युक्तो वैष्णवसंसर्गे त्रिकालज्ञानवान्मुनिः

yukto madhuravākyeṣu saṁyukto haripūjane yukto vaiṣṇavasaṁsarge trikālajñānavānmuniḥ

He was given to sweet speech, devoted to the worship of Hari, fond of the company of Vaishnavas, and a sage versed in the knowledge of the three times.

Verse 14 (padma.5.94.14)

स्वकर्मणि रतो धीरो हृदयालुः प्रियाप्रियः । दयालुरतिमेधावी तत्त्वविद्ब्राह्मणप्रियः

svakarmaṇi rato dhīro hṛdayāluḥ priyāpriyaḥ dayāluratimedhāvī tattvavidbrāhmaṇapriyaḥ

Devoted to his own duties, resolute, tender-hearted toward friend and foe alike, compassionate, highly intelligent, a knower of truth, and dear to Brahmins.

Verse 15 (padma.5.94.15)

माधवे मासि रेवायां स्नानार्थं प्रतिसंचरन् । अग्रतः पंचपुरुषान्ददर्शातीव दुःखितान्

mādhave māsi revāyāṁ snānārthaṁ pratisaṁcaran agrataḥ paṁcapuruṣāndadarśātīva duḥkhitān

Journeying to bathe in the Reva during the month of Madhava, he saw before him five exceedingly afflicted men.

Verse 16 (padma.5.94.16)

परस्परमसंसर्गकारिणः कृष्णविग्रहान् । वटच्छायामुपाश्रित्य समासीनानवस्थितान्

parasparamasaṁsargakāriṇaḥ kṛṣṇavigrahān vaṭacchāyāmupāśritya samāsīnānavasthitān

They shunned contact with one another, their bodies were dark, and they sat restlessly beneath the shade of a banyan tree.

Verse 17 (padma.5.94.17)

पश्यंतो दिक्षु सर्वासु दुरितोद्विग्नचेतसः । तानालोक्य द्विजश्रेष्ठश्चिंतयामास विस्मितः

paśyaṁto dikṣu sarvāsu duritodvignacetasaḥ tānālokya dvijaśreṣṭhaściṁtayāmāsa vismitaḥ

Their minds agitated by sin's distress, they looked about in every direction. Seeing them, that foremost of Brahmins, astonished, began to wonder.

Verse 18 (padma.5.94.18)

अत्रैते के नरा भीता विपिने दीनचेष्टिताः । चौरा वा विकृताकारा दृश्यंते संगभागिनः

atraite ke narā bhītā vipine dīnaceṣṭitāḥ caurā vā vikṛtākārā dṛśyaṁte saṁgabhāginaḥ

"Who are these frightened, pitiable men here in the forest? Are they thieves, of such deformed appearance, keeping company together?"

Verse 19 (padma.5.94.19)

परस्परं च भाषंतः कृशाः कृष्णवपुः श्रियः । यावदेवं स विप्राग्र्यो विचारयति धीरधीः

parasparaṁ ca bhāṣaṁtaḥ kṛśāḥ kṛṣṇavapuḥ śriyaḥ yāvadevaṁ sa viprāgryo vicārayati dhīradhīḥ

They spoke among themselves, emaciated, their bodily splendor gone dark. While that steadfast, foremost Brahmin was pondering thus—

Verse 20 (padma.5.94.20)

तावदागम्यते सर्वे दूरस्था मुनिमादरात् । बद्धांजलिपुटा भूत्वा प्रणम्योचुरिति स्फुटम्

tāvadāgamyate sarve dūrasthā munimādarāt baddhāṁjalipuṭā bhūtvā praṇamyocuriti sphuṭam

—all of them, who had stood at a distance, approached the sage with reverence, and, joining their palms and bowing, spoke clearly as follows.

Verse 21 (padma.5.94.21)

पंचपुरुषा ऊचुः - भव्यं भवंतं पुरुषोत्तमं वै विभ्राजमानं चरितेन मान्यम् । मन्यामहे विप्र दयालुमुख्यं वाचं समाकर्णय नोसि मैत्रः

paṁcapuruṣā ūcuḥ - bhavyaṁ bhavaṁtaṁ puruṣottamaṁ vai vibhrājamānaṁ caritena mānyam manyāmahe vipra dayālumukhyaṁ vācaṁ samākarṇaya nosi maitraḥ

The five men said: O Brahmin, we consider you auspicious, excellent, resplendent and honorable through your conduct, foremost among the compassionate. Hear our words — you are our friend.

Verse 22 (padma.5.94.22)

संतः प्रतिष्ठा दीनानां दैवादुद्भूतपापिनाम् । आर्तानामार्तिहंतारो दर्शनादेव साधवः

saṁtaḥ pratiṣṭhā dīnānāṁ daivādudbhūtapāpinām ārtānāmārtihaṁtāro darśanādeva sādhavaḥ

The virtuous are the refuge of the wretched, of those who by fate became sinners; the good, merely by their sight, destroy the suffering of the afflicted.

Verse 23 (padma.5.94.23)

अहं पांचालदेशीयः क्षत्रियो वीरवाहनः । ब्राह्मणं हतवान्मोहाच्छरेण शब्दवेधिना

ahaṁ pāṁcāladeśīyaḥ kṣatriyo vīravāhanaḥ brāhmaṇaṁ hatavānmohācchareṇa śabdavedhinā

"I am a Kshatriya of the Panchala country, Viravahana. In delusion, I killed a Brahmin with an arrow that strikes by sound alone."

Verse 24 (padma.5.94.24)

शिखासूत्रविहीनस्तु तिलकेन विवर्जितः । अटामि जगतीमेनां ब्रह्मघ्नोऽहमिति ब्रुवन्

śikhāsūtravihīnastu tilakena vivarjitaḥ aṭāmi jagatīmenāṁ brahmaghno'hamiti bruvan

"Deprived of my tuft and sacred thread, without the mark of tilak, I wander this earth, proclaiming: 'I am a slayer of a Brahmin.'"

Verse 25 (padma.5.94.25)

ब्रह्मघ्नायातिपापाय भिक्षा मह्यं प्रदीयताम् । एवं सर्वेषु तीर्थेषु भ्रमन्नत्रास्मि चागतः

brahmaghnāyātipāpāya bhikṣā mahyaṁ pradīyatām evaṁ sarveṣu tīrtheṣu bhramannatrāsmi cāgataḥ

"'Give alms to this most sinful slayer of a Brahmin' — thus wandering to every sacred ford, I have come here as well."

Verse 26 (padma.5.94.26)

ब्रह्महत्या न मेद्यापि प्रयाति मुनिसत्तम । एवं मे वर्षमेकं हि व्यतीतं कुर्वतो विभो

brahmahatyā na medyāpi prayāti munisattama evaṁ me varṣamekaṁ hi vyatītaṁ kurvato vibho

"Yet, O foremost of sages, the sin of Brahmin-slaying has not left me even now. O lord, one full year has passed for me doing this."

Verse 27 (padma.5.94.27)

दह्यमानस्य पापेन शोकाकुलितचेतसः । चंद्रशर्मापरो विप्रो योयं संलक्ष्यते द्विज

dahyamānasya pāpena śokākulitacetasaḥ caṁdraśarmāparo vipro yoyaṁ saṁlakṣyate dvija

"Burning with sin, his mind afflicted with grief — this other Brahmin who is seen here, O twice-born, is Chandrasharma."

Verse 28 (padma.5.94.28)

गुरुघाती स तु ब्रह्मन्मोहाकुलितमानसः । मोहाकुलितचित्तत्वाद्गुरुघातक उच्यते

gurughātī sa tu brahmanmohākulitamānasaḥ mohākulitacittatvādgurughātaka ucyate

"He, O Brahmin, is a slayer of his guru, his mind confused by delusion; because his mind was overcome by delusion, he is called a 'guru-slayer.'"

Verse 29 (padma.5.94.29)

निवसन्मागधेदेशे संत्यक्तः स्वजनैस्ततः । दैवादसावपि मुने भ्रमन्निह समागतः

nivasanmāgadhedeśe saṁtyaktaḥ svajanaistataḥ daivādasāvapi mune bhramanniha samāgataḥ

"Dwelling in the Magadha country, abandoned by his own kinsmen, he too, O sage, has by fate come here, wandering."

Verse 30 (padma.5.94.30)

शिखासूत्रविहीनस्तु विप्रलिंगविवर्जितः । मया पृष्टस्तु वृत्तांतं सत्यमेवावदद्द्विजः

śikhāsūtravihīnastu vipraliṁgavivarjitaḥ mayā pṛṣṭastu vṛttāṁtaṁ satyamevāvadaddvijaḥ

"Deprived of tuft and sacred thread, bereft of every mark of a Brahmin — when I questioned him, this twice-born told me the true account."

Verse 31 (padma.5.94.31)

वसता यद्गुरोर्गेहे क्रोधाकुलितचेतसा । महामोहगतेनापि यथा वै घातितो गुरुः

vasatā yadgurorgehe krodhākulitacetasā mahāmohagatenāpi yathā vai ghātito guruḥ

"— how, while dwelling in his guru's house, his mind overcome with anger and sunk in great delusion, he had indeed slain his guru."

Verse 32 (padma.5.94.32)

तेन पापेन दग्धोऽसौ वर्तते शोकपीडितः । तृतीयोऽयं पुनः स्वामिन्वेदशर्मासमाहितः

tena pāpena dagdho'sau vartate śokapīḍitaḥ tṛtīyo'yaṁ punaḥ svāminvedaśarmāsamāhitaḥ

"Consumed by that very sin, he remains afflicted with grief. And this third one, O lord, composed of nature, is Vedasharma."

Verse 33 (padma.5.94.33)

सुरापो ब्राह्मणो जातो मोहाद्वेश्याप्रसंगतः । पृष्टो मयायमपि मे यथावृत्तं तथाब्रवीत्

surāpo brāhmaṇo jāto mohādveśyāprasaṁgataḥ pṛṣṭo mayāyamapi me yathāvṛttaṁ tathābravīt

"Through delusion and attachment to a courtesan, this Brahmin became a drinker of liquor. When I questioned him, he too told me exactly what had happened."

Verse 34 (padma.5.94.34)

आत्मनश्चेष्टितं सर्वं मनस्तापेन पीडितः । निरस्तः सर्वलोकैश्च भार्याबंधुजनैरपि

ātmanaśceṣṭitaṁ sarvaṁ manastāpena pīḍitaḥ nirastaḥ sarvalokaiśca bhāryābaṁdhujanairapi

Tormented by anguish of mind, he told all of his own conduct; he was cast off by everyone — even by his wife and kinsmen.

Verse 35 (padma.5.94.35)

तेन पापेन संलिप्तो भ्रमन्नत्रायमागतः । चतुर्थो विधुरो नाम वैश्योऽयं गुरुतल्पगः

tena pāpena saṁlipto bhramannatrāyamāgataḥ caturtho vidhuro nāma vaiśyo'yaṁ gurutalpagaḥ

"Tainted by that sin, he has come wandering here. And this fourth, O lord, is a Vaishya named Vidhura, who violated his guru's wife."

Verse 36 (padma.5.94.36)

मोहान्मासत्रयं यावद्वेश्याभूतां च मातरम् । बुभुजे स विदेहस्थां ज्ञाततत्त्वस्ततश्चरन्

mohānmāsatrayaṁ yāvadveśyābhūtāṁ ca mātaram bubhuje sa videhasthāṁ jñātatattvastataścaran

"Through delusion, for three months, he unknowingly enjoyed his own mother — who had become a courtesan — while dwelling in Videha; afterward, learning the truth, he departed from there."

Verse 37 (padma.5.94.37)

दुःखितोऽभ्यागमद्भूमिं भ्रमन्निह मुने पुनः । पंचमोऽयं महापापी पापिसंसर्गकारकः

duḥkhito'bhyāgamadbhūmiṁ bhramanniha mune punaḥ paṁcamo'yaṁ mahāpāpī pāpisaṁsargakārakaḥ

"Sorrowing, he came wandering again to this land, O sage. And this fifth is a great sinner, one who kept the company of sinners."

Verse 38 (padma.5.94.38)

प्रत्यहं धनलोभेन स्तेयादिकृतवानघम् । वैश्योतिपातकैः क्रांतस्ततस्त्यक्तो जनैः स्वयम्

pratyahaṁ dhanalobhena steyādikṛtavānagham vaiśyotipātakaiḥ krāṁtastatastyakto janaiḥ svayam

"Every day, out of greed for wealth, this Vaishya committed theft and similar sins; overwhelmed by grievous sins, he was cast off by people of his own accord."

Verse 39 (padma.5.94.39)

निर्विण्णमानसो दैवान्नंदनामेह संगतः । एवं पंचापि पापिष्ठाः स्थानमेकमुपागताः

nirviṇṇamānaso daivānnaṁdanāmeha saṁgataḥ evaṁ paṁcāpi pāpiṣṭhāḥ sthānamekamupāgatāḥ

"With a despondent mind, by fate he came here, known as Nandana, and met with the others. Thus all five of these great sinners came together in one place."

Verse 40 (padma.5.94.40)

कः कस्यापि न संपर्कं भोजनाच्छादनादिभिः । न करोति महाभाग विना वार्तां द्विजोत्तम

kaḥ kasyāpi na saṁparkaṁ bhojanācchādanādibhiḥ na karoti mahābhāga vinā vārtāṁ dvijottama

"O most fortunate, O best of Brahmins, none of them has any contact with another through food or clothing — save conversation alone."

Verse 41 (padma.5.94.41)

विशंत्येकासने नैव न स्वपंत्येकसंस्तरे । एवं दुःखसमाक्रांता नानातीर्थेषु वै गताः

viśaṁtyekāsane naiva na svapaṁtyekasaṁstare evaṁ duḥkhasamākrāṁtā nānātīrtheṣu vai gatāḥ

"They do not sit on one seat, nor sleep on one bed. Thus, overwhelmed by suffering, they have wandered among many sacred fords."

Verse 42 (padma.5.94.42)

नास्माकं पातकं घोरं प्रयाति मुनिसत्तम । दृष्ट्वा भवंतं दीप्यंतं प्रसन्नानि मनांसि नः

nāsmākaṁ pātakaṁ ghoraṁ prayāti munisattama dṛṣṭvā bhavaṁtaṁ dīpyaṁtaṁ prasannāni manāṁsi naḥ

"Yet, O foremost of sages, our terrible sin does not depart. Seeing you, radiant as you are, our minds have grown glad."

Verse 43 (padma.5.94.43)

वदंति दुरितप्रांतं साधोस्ते पुण्यदर्शनात् । उपायं वद नः स्वामिन्यथा पापक्षयो हि नः

vadaṁti duritaprāṁtaṁ sādhoste puṇyadarśanāt upāyaṁ vada naḥ svāminyathā pāpakṣayo hi naḥ

"They say the end of misfortune comes from the mere blessed sight of the virtuous. Tell us, O lord, the means by which our sin may be destroyed."

Verse 44 (padma.5.94.44)

ज्ञायते करुणोऽस्माभिर्विप्र वेदार्थवित्प्रभो । आर्तानां मार्गमाणानां पश्चात्तापमुपेयुषाम्

jñāyate karuṇo'smābhirvipra vedārthavitprabho ārtānāṁ mārgamāṇānāṁ paścāttāpamupeyuṣām

"We know you, O Brahmin who knows the meaning of the Veda, O lord, to be compassionate toward the afflicted who seek the way, who have come to feel remorse."

Verse 45 (padma.5.94.45)

मोहादवाप्तपापानां त्वमुद्धर्तासि निश्चितम् । नारद उवाच- तेषामिति वचः श्रुत्वा मुनिशर्मा मुनिस्ततः

mohādavāptapāpānāṁ tvamuddhartāsi niścitam nārada uvāca- teṣāmiti vacaḥ śrutvā muniśarmā munistataḥ

"You alone are surely the one who will deliver those who have obtained sin through delusion." Narada said: Having heard these words of theirs, Munisharma the sage—

Verse 46 (padma.5.94.46)

इदमाह विचार्येति करुणावरुणालयः । मुनिशर्मोवाच- यूयमज्ञानतः प्राप्तपातकाः सत्यभाषिणः

idamāha vicāryeti karuṇāvaruṇālayaḥ muniśarmovāca- yūyamajñānataḥ prāptapātakāḥ satyabhāṣiṇaḥ

—having reflected, spoke this, he who was an ocean of compassion. Munisharma said: You have become sinners through ignorance, yet you speak the truth—

Verse 47 (padma.5.94.47)

अनुतापयुतास्तस्मादनुग्राह्या मयाधुना । शृणुध्वं मे वचः सत्यमूर्ध्वबाहुर्वदाम्यहम्

anutāpayutāstasmādanugrāhyā mayādhunā śṛṇudhvaṁ me vacaḥ satyamūrdhvabāhurvadāmyaham

—therefore, being filled with remorse, you are now fit to receive my grace. Hear my true words; I speak them with arms raised.

Verse 48 (padma.5.94.48)

यन्मयांगिरसः पूर्वं श्रुतं मुनिसमागमे । दृष्टं वेदेषु शास्त्रेषु श्रुतं गुरुमुखात्तथा

yanmayāṁgirasaḥ pūrvaṁ śrutaṁ munisamāgame dṛṣṭaṁ vedeṣu śāstreṣu śrutaṁ gurumukhāttathā

What I once heard from Angiras in an assembly of sages, what I have seen in the Vedas and scriptures, and what I have likewise heard from my guru's mouth—

Verse 49 (padma.5.94.49)

विष्णुनाराधितेनादौ स्वयमुक्तं च तत्त्वतः । न तृप्तिरशनादन्या न गुरुर्जनकादपि

viṣṇunārādhitenādau svayamuktaṁ ca tattvataḥ na tṛptiraśanādanyā na gururjanakādapi

—and what Vishnu himself, when worshipped, once declared in very truth: there is no satisfaction other than food, no guru other than one's own father.

Verse 50 (padma.5.94.50)

न पात्रमन्यद्विप्रेभ्यो न देवः केशवात्परः । न गंगया समं तीर्थं न दानं सुरभीसमम्

na pātramanyadviprebhyo na devaḥ keśavātparaḥ na gaṁgayā samaṁ tīrthaṁ na dānaṁ surabhīsamam

There is no worthy recipient other than Brahmins, no god higher than Keshava; no sacred ford equal to the Ganga, no gift equal to that of a cow.

Verse 51 (padma.5.94.51)

न गायत्र्या समं जाप्यं न द्वादश्यासमं व्रतम् । न भार्यया समं मित्रं न धर्मो दयया समः

na gāyatryā samaṁ jāpyaṁ na dvādaśyāsamaṁ vratam na bhāryayā samaṁ mitraṁ na dharmo dayayā samaḥ

There is no recitation equal to the Gayatri, no vow equal to the Dvadashi; no friend equal to a wife, no dharma equal to compassion.

Verse 52 (padma.5.94.52)

न स्वातंत्र्यसमं सौख्यं गार्हस्थ्यान्नाश्रमो वरः । न सत्यात्परआचारो न संतोषात्परं सुखम्

na svātaṁtryasamaṁ saukhyaṁ gārhasthyānnāśramo varaḥ na satyātparaācāro na saṁtoṣātparaṁ sukham

There is no happiness equal to independence, no order of life better than the householder's; no conduct higher than truth, no joy higher than contentment.

Verse 53 (padma.5.94.53)

न माधवसमो मासो महापापहरः परः । विधिनानुष्ठितो भक्त्या मधुसूदनवल्लभः

na mādhavasamo māso mahāpāpaharaḥ paraḥ vidhinānuṣṭhito bhaktyā madhusūdanavallabhaḥ

There is no month equal to Madhava, supreme destroyer of great sins; when duly observed with devotion, it is most dear to Madhusudana.

Verse 54 (padma.5.94.54)

गंगादिषु च तीर्थेषु विशेषेण सुदुर्लभः । प्रायश्चित्तानि सर्वाणि द्वादशाब्दमुखानि च

gaṁgādiṣu ca tīrtheṣu viśeṣeṇa sudurlabhaḥ prāyaścittāni sarvāṇi dvādaśābdamukhāni ca

Even among sacred fords like the Ganga, it is especially rare to attain. All the various penances, even those lasting twelve years—

Verse 55 (padma.5.94.55)

तावद्गर्जंति पापानि यावन्नायाति माधवः । वैशाखमखिलं मासं यः स्नाति हरितत्परः

tāvadgarjaṁti pāpāni yāvannāyāti mādhavaḥ vaiśākhamakhilaṁ māsaṁ yaḥ snāti haritatparaḥ

—hold sway only so long as Madhava has not arrived. He who, devoted to Hari, bathes through the entire month of Vaishakha—

Verse 56 (padma.5.94.56)

हरिपादसमुद्भूते सलिले विमलाशयः । स एव सर्वपापानां हंता दृष्टस्तु पापिभिः

haripādasamudbhūte salile vimalāśayaḥ sa eva sarvapāpānāṁ haṁtā dṛṣṭastu pāpibhiḥ

—in the pure water sprung from Hari's foot, that pure-hearted man, merely seen by sinners, becomes the destroyer of all their sins.

Verse 57 (padma.5.94.57)

निजपापौघनिष्कृत्यै वक्तव्यं तस्य किन्नरैः

nijapāpaughaniṣkṛtyai vaktavyaṁ tasya kinnaraiḥ

For atonement of their own flood of sins, even the Kinnaras should proclaim his glory.

Verse 58 (padma.5.94.58)

मासे तु वै माधवसंज्ञकेऽस्मिन्यः स्नाति पापैः स विमुच्यते हि । मेषस्थिते संप्रति नर्मदायाः शर्मप्रदे वारिणि वारिताघे

māse tu vai mādhavasaṁjñake'sminyaḥ snāti pāpaiḥ sa vimucyate hi meṣasthite saṁprati narmadāyāḥ śarmaprade vāriṇi vāritāghe

Whoever bathes in this month called Madhava is indeed freed from sin — when the sun stands now in Aries, in the blessing-bestowing, sin-warding waters of the Narmada.

Verse 59 (padma.5.94.59)

दुर्लभा हि महानद्यो माधवे मासि सर्वशः । ततोऽपि दुर्लभा गंगा रेवा च यमुना तथा

durlabhā hi mahānadyo mādhave māsi sarvaśaḥ tato'pi durlabhā gaṁgā revā ca yamunā tathā

Great rivers are indeed hard to attain in every way during the month of Madhava; and rarer still among them are the Ganga, the Reva, and the Yamuna.

Verse 60 (padma.5.94.60)

एतासु तिसृषु प्रायः प्राप्यैकामपि सादरम् । यः स्नाति माधवे मासि विपापः स हरिं व्रजेत्

etāsu tisṛṣu prāyaḥ prāpyaikāmapi sādaram yaḥ snāti mādhave māsi vipāpaḥ sa hariṁ vrajet

He who, having reverently attained even one of these three, bathes during the month of Madhava, becomes free of sin and attains Hari.

Verse 61 (padma.5.94.61)

तस्मादहो सह मया सुकृतैकसारे वैशाखमासि च भवंत उपेत्य रेवाम् । मज्जंतु पातककृतो मुनिवृंदजुष्टे रेवाजले निखिलपापभयापहत्यै

tasmādaho saha mayā sukṛtaikasāre vaiśākhamāsi ca bhavaṁta upetya revām majjaṁtu pātakakṛto munivṛṁdajuṣṭe revājale nikhilapāpabhayāpahatyai

Therefore, in this Vaishakha month, the very essence of merit, come with me to the Reva; let those who have sinned immerse themselves in the waters of the Reva, frequented by sages, for the removal of all fear of sin.

Verse 62 (padma.5.94.62)

एवमुक्तास्ततः सर्वे मुदिता मुनिना सह । जग्मुस्ते पापिनो रेवां शंसंतोऽद्भुतकारिणीम्

evamuktāstataḥ sarve muditā muninā saha jagmuste pāpino revāṁ śaṁsaṁto'dbhutakāriṇīm

Thus addressed, all those sinners, delighted, set out with the sage, praising the Reva as the worker of that wonder.

Verse 63 (padma.5.94.63)

मुनिशर्मा ततो गच्छंस्तैस्तथानुगतो नरैः । ददर्श पथिसंत्रस्तान्पिशाचानष्ट भीषणान्

muniśarmā tato gacchaṁstaistathānugato naraiḥ dadarśa pathisaṁtrastānpiśācānaṣṭa bhīṣaṇān

Munisharma, going along, followed by those men, saw upon the road eight terrifying, frightened pishachas.

Verse 64 (padma.5.94.64)

कुर्वंतो विविधाञ्छब्दान्भ्रमंतोऽपि ततस्ततः । ऊर्द्ध्वकेशोर्द्ध्वरक्तांश्च कृष्णदंतकृशोदरान्

kurvaṁto vividhāñchabdānbhramaṁto'pi tatastataḥ ūrddhvakeśorddhvaraktāṁśca kṛṣṇadaṁtakṛśodarān

They wandered here and there, making various sounds — their hair standing erect, their blood risen up, their teeth black, their bellies emaciated.

Verse 65 (padma.5.94.65)

अरण्ये कंटकाक्रांते वृक्षपानीयवर्जिते । सम्मुखं धावतो दृष्ट्वा भयसंविग्नमानसः

araṇye kaṁṭakākrāṁte vṛkṣapānīyavarjite sammukhaṁ dhāvato dṛṣṭvā bhayasaṁvignamānasaḥ

Seeing them running toward him in a thorny wilderness devoid of trees and water, his mind was seized with fear.

Verse 66 (padma.5.94.66)

नमोनारायणायेति रक्षरक्षेति चाब्रवीत्

namonārāyaṇāyeti rakṣarakṣeti cābravīt

He cried out: "Homage to Narayana! Protect me, protect me!"

Verse 67 (padma.5.94.67)

नारायणायेति नमोभिधानमाकर्ण्य धर्मैकनिधानमुच्चैः । भवांतरे ते मनसा पिशाचा ययुर्निजादृष्टवशेन लब्धाः

nārāyaṇāyeti namobhidhānamākarṇya dharmaikanidhānamuccaiḥ bhavāṁtare te manasā piśācā yayurnijādṛṣṭavaśena labdhāḥ

Hearing that aloud-spoken word of homage to Narayana — that sole treasury of dharma — those pishachas, by the power of their own past merit, attained another state of being.

Verse 68 (padma.5.94.68)

विनयान्वितमनसो मुनिशर्मा विलोक्य तान् । उवाच मधुराभाषी के यूयं विकृता नराः

vinayānvitamanaso muniśarmā vilokya tān uvāca madhurābhāṣī ke yūyaṁ vikṛtā narāḥ

Munisharma, his mind filled with humility, looking at them, spoke sweetly: "Who are you, men of such distorted form?"

Verse 69 (padma.5.94.69)

किं वा केन कृतं कर्म येन प्राप्ता च वैकृतिः । कथमेवं विधाः सर्वे दुःखिनोऽतीव भीषणाः

kiṁ vā kena kṛtaṁ karma yena prāptā ca vaikṛtiḥ kathamevaṁ vidhāḥ sarve duḥkhino'tīva bhīṣaṇāḥ

"What deed, by whom done, has brought this deformity? How have you all come to be so afflicted and so terrible?"

Verse 70 (padma.5.94.70)

प्रेता ऊचुः - क्षुत्पिपासार्दिता नित्यं नानादुःखचयाकुलाः । कृतबुद्धे हृदि क्रूरा नष्टसंज्ञा विचेतसः

pretā ūcuḥ - kṣutpipāsārditā nityaṁ nānāduḥkhacayākulāḥ kṛtabuddhe hṛdi krūrā naṣṭasaṁjñā vicetasaḥ

The pretas said: Ever tormented by hunger and thirst, afflicted by a mass of manifold sufferings, our hearts made cruel, our memory lost, our minds bewildered—

Verse 71 (padma.5.94.71)

न जानीमो दिशः क्वापि मूढा मानवघातिनः । तदेतद्दुःखमाख्यातमेतदेवासुखं पुनः

na jānīmo diśaḥ kvāpi mūḍhā mānavaghātinaḥ tadetadduḥkhamākhyātametadevāsukhaṁ punaḥ

—we, deluded slayers of men, know not even the directions. This has been our sorrow, and this alone, again, is our misery.

Verse 72 (padma.5.94.72)

प्रभातमिव संभाति भास्करोदयदर्शनात् । श्रुत्वा नारायणेत्युच्चैर्भाषितं तव कोमलम्

prabhātamiva saṁbhāti bhāskarodayadarśanāt śrutvā nārāyaṇetyuccairbhāṣitaṁ tava komalam

But, as dawn appears at the sight of the rising sun, so, hearing your gentle utterance of "Narayana," spoken aloud—

Verse 73 (padma.5.94.73)

दृष्ट्वा च दर्शनं विप्र शुद्धभावं गता वयम् । दर्शनेनैव ते विप्र नामश्रवणतो हरेः

dṛṣṭvā ca darśanaṁ vipra śuddhabhāvaṁ gatā vayam darśanenaiva te vipra nāmaśravaṇato hareḥ

—and having seen you, O Brahmin, we have attained a pure state of mind. By the mere sight of you, O Brahmin, and by hearing the name of Hari—

Verse 74 (padma.5.94.74)

भवांतरमनुप्राप्ता वयं प्राप्ता दयालवः । विनाशयत्यपयशो बुद्धिं विशदयत्यपि

bhavāṁtaramanuprāptā vayaṁ prāptā dayālavaḥ vināśayatyapayaśo buddhiṁ viśadayatyapi

—we have attained another state of being; we have found in you a compassionate one. The name of Hari destroys ill-fame and purifies the understanding.

Verse 75 (padma.5.94.75)

प्रतिष्ठापयति प्रायो नृणां वैष्णवदर्शनम् । अहं पर्युषितो नाम सूचकोऽयं द्वितीयकः

pratiṣṭhāpayati prāyo nṛṇāṁ vaiṣṇavadarśanam ahaṁ paryuṣito nāma sūcako'yaṁ dvitīyakaḥ

It is, for the most part, the sight of a Vaishnava that establishes men in good fortune. I am named Paryushita ('the Stale One'); this second one is the Informer.

Verse 76 (padma.5.94.76)

शीघ्रगो रोधकश्चान्यः पंचमोयं च लेखकः । षष्ठोयमिति वाग्दुष्टः सप्तमोयं विदैवतः

śīghrago rodhakaścānyaḥ paṁcamoyaṁ ca lekhakaḥ ṣaṣṭhoyamiti vāgduṣṭaḥ saptamoyaṁ vidaivataḥ

The third is Shighraga ('the Swift-Goer'), another is the Obstructor; this fifth is the Scribe; this sixth is called Foul-Tongued; this seventh is Vidaivata ('the Faithless One').

Verse 77 (padma.5.94.77)

नित्यंयाजनकश्चायमष्टमः कष्टदायकः । मुनिशर्मोवाच- प्रेतानां कर्मजातानां नामानि भवतां कुतः

nityaṁyājanakaścāyamaṣṭamaḥ kaṣṭadāyakaḥ muniśarmovāca- pretānāṁ karmajātānāṁ nāmāni bhavatāṁ kutaḥ

And this eighth, ever begging, is the Trouble-Giver. Munisharma said: O pretas, how did these names of yours arise from your deeds?

Verse 78 (padma.5.94.78)

किं तत्कारणमुद्दिश्य येन यूयं सनामकाः । प्रेता ऊचुः - मया स्वादु सदा भुक्तं दत्तं पर्युषितं द्विजे

kiṁ tatkāraṇamuddiśya yena yūyaṁ sanāmakāḥ pretā ūcuḥ - mayā svādu sadā bhuktaṁ dattaṁ paryuṣitaṁ dvije

"What is the reason you bear these names?" The pretas said: I always ate tasty food myself, while giving stale food to a Brahmin.

Verse 79 (padma.5.94.79)

आज्ये सति निराज्यं च तेन पर्य्युषितोऽस्म्यहम् । मिथ्यामिथ्यापरच्छिद्र मर्म्मान्वेषी स्वभावतः

ājye sati nirājyaṁ ca tena paryyuṣito'smyaham mithyāmithyāparacchidra marmmānveṣī svabhāvataḥ

Though ghee was available, I gave food without it; for that I am "the Stale One." The second, by nature, was one who falsely sought out others' faults and weaknesses—

Verse 80 (padma.5.94.80)

सूचयामास तेनासौ सूचकोऽशुचिरातुरः । शीघ्रं नश्यति विप्रेण याचितः क्षुभितेन वै

sūcayāmāsa tenāsau sūcako'śucirāturaḥ śīghraṁ naśyati vipreṇa yācitaḥ kṣubhitena vai

—and used to inform against them; for that he is the impure and afflicted "Informer." The third, when begged by an agitated Brahmin, would quickly vanish—

Verse 81 (padma.5.94.81)

एतत्कारणमुद्दिश्य शीघ्रगो द्विजसत्तम । गृहोपरि सदा स्वादुभुक्तमेतेन पापिना

etatkāraṇamuddiśya śīghrago dvijasattama gṛhopari sadā svādubhuktametena pāpinā

—for that reason, O best of Brahmins, he is "the Swift-Goer." The fourth, this sinner, always ate tasty food alone within his own house—

Verse 82 (padma.5.94.82)

एकाकिना कुमनसा तेनासौ रोधकः स्मृतः । मौनेनापि स्थितो नित्यं पादेन लिखते महीम्

ekākinā kumanasā tenāsau rodhakaḥ smṛtaḥ maunenāpi sthito nityaṁ pādena likhate mahīm

—evil-minded, never sharing; for that he is called "the Obstructor." He remains ever silent, only scratching the ground with his foot.

Verse 83 (padma.5.94.83)

अस्माकमपि पापिष्ठो लेखको लोकसंगतः । गुणिनोयं गुणान्द्वेष्टि निर्गुणे च गुणज्ञताम्

asmākamapi pāpiṣṭho lekhako lokasaṁgataḥ guṇinoyaṁ guṇāndveṣṭi nirguṇe ca guṇajñatām

Most sinful even among us is this well-known "Scribe"; he despises the virtues of the virtuous, and finds virtue in the virtueless.

Verse 84 (padma.5.94.84)

असंज्ञे ज्ञानयोगी च वाग्दुष्टोसौ ततः स्मृतः । नास्तिक्यभावादनिशं पितृदैवत मानवान्

asaṁjñe jñānayogī ca vāgduṣṭosau tataḥ smṛtaḥ nāstikyabhāvādaniśaṁ pitṛdaivata mānavān

He posed as one of spiritual knowledge even about the insensible; hence he is called "Foul-Tongued." Out of a spirit of unbelief, he constantly [scorned] ancestors, gods, and men—

Verse 85 (padma.5.94.85)

न मन्यते च सत्कर्म पापस्तेन विदैवतः । सदा याचनको मिथ्या मिथ्यादौर्गत्यदर्शकः

na manyate ca satkarma pāpastena vidaivataḥ sadā yācanako mithyā mithyādaurgatyadarśakaḥ

—and did not honor good deeds; for that sin he is "Faithless." One who ever begged, falsely feigning destitution—

Verse 86 (padma.5.94.86)

सभूतोद्वेजको लुब्धस्तेन याचनकस्त्वयम् । एभिः पूर्वकृतैः पापैर्भुक्त्वा नरकयातनाम्

sabhūtodvejako lubdhastena yācanakastvayam ebhiḥ pūrvakṛtaiḥ pāpairbhuktvā narakayātanām

—a distresser of living beings, and greedy — for that he is "the Beggar." Having suffered the torment of hell for these sins committed in a former life—

Verse 87 (padma.5.94.87)

प्रेतास्ते दर्शनादद्य पुनर्जाताः स्म सुस्थिताः । एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातमात्मवृत्तांतसंभवम्

pretāste darśanādadya punarjātāḥ sma susthitāḥ etatte sarvamākhyātamātmavṛttāṁtasaṁbhavam

—we, these pretas, have today, merely by seeing you, been born anew, now well-established. All this has been told to you, arising from our own story.

Verse 88 (padma.5.94.88)

प्रश्नं च यदि ते श्रद्धा पृच्छान्यत्कथयामि ते । ब्राह्मण उवाच- ये जीवा भुवि तिष्ठंति सर्वआहारमूलकाः

praśnaṁ ca yadi te śraddhā pṛcchānyatkathayāmi te brāhmaṇa uvāca- ye jīvā bhuvi tiṣṭhaṁti sarvaāhāramūlakāḥ

"And if you have the wish to ask, question further, and I shall tell you." The Brahmin said: All living beings that dwell on earth have food alone as their root.

Verse 89 (padma.5.94.89)

युष्माकमपि आहारं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः । प्रेता ऊचुः - शृणुष्वाहारमस्माकं सर्वसत्वविगर्हितम्

yuṣmākamapi āhāraṁ śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ pretā ūcuḥ - śṛṇuṣvāhāramasmākaṁ sarvasatvavigarhitam

"I wish to know, in truth, your food as well." The pretas said: Hear our food, condemned by every living being—

Verse 90 (padma.5.94.90)

यं श्रुत्वा निंदसे ब्रह्मन्भूयोभूयश्च नित्यशः । श्लेष्ममूत्रपुरीषेण योषिदंगमलेन च

yaṁ śrutvā niṁdase brahmanbhūyobhūyaśca nityaśaḥ śleṣmamūtrapurīṣeṇa yoṣidaṁgamalena ca

—hearing which, O Brahmin, you will condemn it again and again. From phlegm, urine, excrement, and the impurity of a woman's body—

Verse 91 (padma.5.94.91)

गृहाणित्यक्तशौचानि तानि भुंजंति तत्र वै । स्त्रीदग्धानि प्रकीर्णानि प्रकीर्णायस्कराणि च

gṛhāṇityaktaśaucāni tāni bhuṁjaṁti tatra vai strīdagdhāni prakīrṇāni prakīrṇāyaskarāṇi ca

—in households that have thereby lost their purity, they feed there indeed. Things scattered through contact with a burnt or menstruating woman, scattered ironwork—

Verse 92 (padma.5.94.92)

कुत्सितानि मलेनापि प्रेता वै तत्र भुंजते । माधवं यत्र नार्चंति स्त्रीजितानि गृहाणि च

kutsitāni malenāpi pretā vai tatra bhuṁjate mādhavaṁ yatra nārcaṁti strījitāni gṛhāṇi ca

—such contemptible, filth-defiled things the pretas eat there. Where, in households ruled by women, Madhava is not worshipped—

Verse 93 (padma.5.94.93)

दया क्षांतिविहीनानि प्रेतास्तत्रैव भुंजते । यत्राभद्रा गृहे वाचः शौचहीनाश्च योषितः

dayā kṣāṁtivihīnāni pretāstatraiva bhuṁjate yatrābhadrā gṛhe vācaḥ śaucahīnāśca yoṣitaḥ

—in households devoid of compassion and forbearance, the pretas feed there. Where in a house speech is ill and women are without purity—

Verse 94 (padma.5.94.94)

कलहो यत्र सततं प्रेतास्ते तत्र भुंजते । न यत्र जामयो गेहे पूज्यंते न वराः स्त्रियः

kalaho yatra satataṁ pretāste tatra bhuṁjate na yatra jāmayo gehe pūjyaṁte na varāḥ striyaḥ

—where quarrel is constant, there the pretas feed. Where sisters-in-law are not honored in the house, nor women of good conduct—

Verse 95 (padma.5.94.95)

यत्र दुर्जनसंसर्गस्तत्र भोक्ष्यामहे वयम् । न यत्र हरिसेवा वा न कथा यत्र वैष्णवी

yatra durjanasaṁsargastatra bhokṣyāmahe vayam na yatra harisevā vā na kathā yatra vaiṣṇavī

—where there is company of the wicked, there we feed. Where there is no service of Hari, no Vaishnava discourse—

Verse 96 (padma.5.94.96)

न यत्र वैष्णवी प्रीतिः प्रेता वै तत्र भुंजते । येषामेवं गृहे प्रीता भुंजते तेऽपि सत्वरम्

na yatra vaiṣṇavī prītiḥ pretā vai tatra bhuṁjate yeṣāmevaṁ gṛhe prītā bhuṁjate te'pi satvaram

—where there is no affection for Vaishnavas — the pretas feed there. Those in whose house we thus feed, pleased — they too swiftly—

Verse 97 (padma.5.94.97)

प्रेता भवंति पापेन निजवंशविनाशकाः । तस्य मे जायते ब्रह्मन्वदतो भोजनं निजम्

pretā bhavaṁti pāpena nijavaṁśavināśakāḥ tasya me jāyate brahmanvadato bhojanaṁ nijam

—become pretas through sin, and destroyers of their own lineage. In telling this, O Brahmin, my own food comes to mind.

Verse 98 (padma.5.94.98)

अस्मात्पापतरं चान्यत्किंचिद्वक्तुं न शक्यते । निर्विण्णः प्रेतभावेन पृच्छामि त्वां दृढव्रतम्

asmātpāpataraṁ cānyatkiṁcidvaktuṁ na śakyate nirviṇṇaḥ pretabhāvena pṛcchāmi tvāṁ dṛḍhavratam

Nothing more sinful than this can be told. Disgusted with this state of a preta, I ask you, steadfast in your vows—

Verse 99 (padma.5.94.99)

यथा न जायते प्रेतो मुक्तिः प्रेतत्वतो यथा । ब्राह्मण उवाच- एकादश्यादिभिः पुण्यैर्व्रतैरच्युतकीर्तनैः

yathā na jāyate preto muktiḥ pretatvato yathā brāhmaṇa uvāca- ekādaśyādibhiḥ puṇyairvratairacyutakīrtanaiḥ

—how one may not become a preta, and how liberation from the state of a preta comes about. The Brahmin said: Through the merit of vows like Ekadashi, through the chanting of Achyuta—

Verse 100 (padma.5.94.100)

देवतातिथिपूजाभिर्गुरुपूजादिभिस्तथा । आचारैः साधुचरितैः श्रुतिस्मृत्युदितैर्दिनैः

devatātithipūjābhirgurupūjādibhistathā ācāraiḥ sādhucaritaiḥ śrutismṛtyuditairdinaiḥ

—through the worship of gods and guests, the worship of one's guru, through good conduct and virtuous behavior, through observances proclaimed in Shruti and Smriti—

Verse 101 (padma.5.94.101)

एवं श्राद्धक्रियादानैर्यथाविधिविनिर्मितैः । दयादानदमक्षांतिशीलशिष्टाभिवादनैः

evaṁ śrāddhakriyādānairyathāvidhivinirmitaiḥ dayādānadamakṣāṁtiśīlaśiṣṭābhivādanaiḥ

—through shraddha rites and gifts duly performed, through compassion, giving, self-restraint, forbearance, good character, and salutation of the noble—

Verse 102 (padma.5.94.102)

इत्येवमादिभिर्धर्मैः प्रेता न स्युः कुलेऽपि वै । गोविप्रतीर्थामरपर्वताग्र्य नदीनदाश्वत्थतरूननेकशः

ityevamādibhirdharmaiḥ pretā na syuḥ kule'pi vai govipratīrthāmaraparvatāgrya nadīnadāśvatthatarūnanekaśaḥ

—through such virtues, no one in the family becomes a preta. Cows, Brahmins, sacred fords, gods, great mountains, rivers, and ashvattha trees—

Verse 103 (padma.5.94.103)

यो वंदते बंधुजने विनीतः प्रेतो न लोके भवतीह नूनम् । क्रमादर्च्चयते युक्तो विशेषादपि मानवः

yo vaṁdate baṁdhujane vinītaḥ preto na loke bhavatīha nūnam kramādarccayate yukto viśeṣādapi mānavaḥ

—he who, humbly, reveres, and honors his kinsfolk, certainly does not become a preta in this world; and the man who worships them in due order, and especially—

Verse 104 (padma.5.94.104)

गंगादिपुण्यतीर्थेषु तस्य पुण्यमनंतकम् । नाहं वर्षसहस्रेषु वक्तुं शक्तः स्वयं विभुः

gaṁgādipuṇyatīrtheṣu tasya puṇyamanaṁtakam nāhaṁ varṣasahasreṣu vaktuṁ śaktaḥ svayaṁ vibhuḥ

—at sacred fords like the Ganga, his merit is endless. Not even I myself, though a great lord, am able to tell it in a thousand years.

Verse 105 (padma.5.94.105)

दर्शनादेव तस्यापि मुक्तः प्रेतत्वतो भवेत् । ऊर्जमूर्जस्वलं मासमथ दामोदरप्रियम्

darśanādeva tasyāpi muktaḥ pretatvato bhavet ūrjamūrjasvalaṁ māsamatha dāmodarapriyam

By the mere sight of such a one, a man is freed from the state of a preta. Now let me speak of the mighty month called Urja, dear to Damodara—

Verse 106 (padma.5.94.106)

तपसामुत्तमं मासं तपो माधववल्लभम् । वैशाखं माधवं मासं मधुसूदनदैवतम्

tapasāmuttamaṁ māsaṁ tapo mādhavavallabham vaiśākhaṁ mādhavaṁ māsaṁ madhusūdanadaivatam

—the best of months for austerity, itself an austerity, beloved of Madhava — the month Vaishakha, called Madhava, whose deity is Madhusudana.

Verse 107 (padma.5.94.107)

उत्तमं सर्वमासानां यमेकं मुनयो विदुः । येनैव साधनेन स्यात्सर्वं कृत्यं हि साधितम्

uttamaṁ sarvamāsānāṁ yamekaṁ munayo viduḥ yenaiva sādhanena syātsarvaṁ kṛtyaṁ hi sādhitam

The sages know it as the one supreme among all months; by that single practice alone, every task is accomplished.

Verse 108 (padma.5.94.108)

ब्रह्मविद्यामताभ्येति सा लक्ष्मीर्विश्वकारिणी । तस्या वासो यतो मासो माधवोऽसौ ततः स्मृतः

brahmavidyāmatābhyeti sā lakṣmīrviśvakāriṇī tasyā vāso yato māso mādhavo'sau tataḥ smṛtaḥ

That Lakshmi, maker of the universe, approaches one who attains the wisdom of Brahman; since her abode is this very month, it is remembered as 'Madhava.'

Verse 109 (padma.5.94.109)

न माधवसमो देवो यथा देवेषु निश्चितम् । तथा मासेषु सर्वेषु न मासो माधवप्रियः

na mādhavasamo devo yathā deveṣu niścitam tathā māseṣu sarveṣu na māso mādhavapriyaḥ

As there is certainly no god equal to Madhava among the gods, so among all the months there is none so dear as Madhava.

Verse 110 (padma.5.94.110)

तस्य माधवमासस्य माहात्म्यमपि भक्तितः । श्रुत्वा विमुच्यते प्रेतयोनितः किं विधानतः

tasya mādhavamāsasya māhātmyamapi bhaktitaḥ śrutvā vimucyate pretayonitaḥ kiṁ vidhānataḥ

By merely hearing, with devotion, the glory of this month of Madhava, one is freed from the state of a preta — what need then of elaborate ritual?

Verse 111 (padma.5.94.111)

सतां संभाषणादेव पुण्यतीर्थनिषेवणात् । नारायणेति पठनात्तन्नामश्रवणादपि

satāṁ saṁbhāṣaṇādeva puṇyatīrthaniṣevaṇāt nārāyaṇeti paṭhanāttannāmaśravaṇādapi

By mere conversation with the good, by resorting to sacred fords, by reciting 'Narayana,' and even by merely hearing that name—

Verse 112 (padma.5.94.112)

मुच्यते पातकैः सर्वैर्जनो भक्तिपरायणः । यतिष्ये तदहं प्रेता भवतामपि मुक्तये

mucyate pātakaiḥ sarvairjano bhaktiparāyaṇaḥ yatiṣye tadahaṁ pretā bhavatāmapi muktaye

—a person devoted to bhakti is freed from all sins. Therefore, O pretas, I shall now strive for your liberation as well.

Verse 113 (padma.5.94.113)

परोपकारजं पुण्यं यतो न स्यान्मखैरपि । प्रेता यामि ततः स्नातुं रेवावारिणि माधवे

paropakārajaṁ puṇyaṁ yato na syānmakhairapi pretā yāmi tataḥ snātuṁ revāvāriṇi mādhave

For merit born of helping others cannot be gained even by sacrifices; therefore, O pretas, I now go to bathe in the waters of the Reva, in the month of Madhava.

Verse 114 (padma.5.94.114)

मासि मेषस्थिते भानावेतैरनुगतो नरैः । पंचैव ते पुनर्मोहाज्जातपातकसंचयाः

māsi meṣasthite bhānāvetairanugato naraiḥ paṁcaiva te punarmohājjātapātakasaṁcayāḥ

In this month, with the sun in Aries, followed by these men and also by those five who had again, through delusion, accumulated a mass of sin—

Verse 115 (padma.5.94.115)

स्नातुमायांति वचसा ममैव करुणावतः

snātumāyāṁti vacasā mamaiva karuṇāvataḥ

—they come to bathe at my word alone, moved by my very compassion.

Verse 116 (padma.5.94.116)

तावद्भवंतस्तु निदेशतो मे तिष्ठंतु तत्रैव वने विशोकाः । श्रीनर्मदावारिणि यावदेव गत्वा निजस्नानविधिं विहाय

tāvadbhavaṁtastu nideśato me tiṣṭhaṁtu tatraiva vane viśokāḥ śrīnarmadāvāriṇi yāvadeva gatvā nijasnānavidhiṁ vihāya

"Meanwhile, at my word, remain right there in that forest, free of sorrow, until I, having gone to the waters of the blessed Narmada and completed my own bathing rite—

Verse 117 (padma.5.94.117)

निर्माय पुरुषानपि नाम तस्मात्कुशस्वरूपानिह नर्मदा के । विधानतो माधवमासि दीनान्निमज्जयामीति दया निबद्धः

nirmāya puruṣānapi nāma tasmātkuśasvarūpāniha narmadā ke vidhānato mādhavamāsi dīnānnimajjayāmīti dayā nibaddhaḥ

—shall fashion, in your names, figures made of kusha grass, and duly immerse you wretched ones here in the Narmada, in the month of Madhava." Thus, bound by compassion, he spoke.

Verse 118 (padma.5.94.118)

एवं दिनत्रयेणैव मुक्तिर्वः प्रेतयोनितः । न दर्भबटुकस्नानमात्रेणैव न संशयः

evaṁ dinatrayeṇaiva muktirvaḥ pretayonitaḥ na darbhabaṭukasnānamātreṇaiva na saṁśayaḥ

"Thus, within just three days, your liberation from the state of a preta shall come — not by the mere bathing of a kusha-grass effigy alone; have no doubt of this."

Verse 119 (padma.5.94.119)

नारद उवाच- एवमुक्तस्ततस्तैस्तु प्रतीतैरपि पूजितः । मुनिशर्मा ययावेतैरनुयातस्तु पंचभिः

nārada uvāca- evamuktastatastaistu pratītairapi pūjitaḥ muniśarmā yayāvetairanuyātastu paṁcabhiḥ

Narada said: Thus addressed, and honored by them with trust, Munisharma set forth, followed by those five.

Verse 120 (padma.5.94.120)

तत्र गत्वा ततः प्रातः स्नात्वा कृत्वा तथाविधिम् । स्नापयामास तान्प्रेतान्नामतो दर्भनिर्मितान्

tatra gatvā tataḥ prātaḥ snātvā kṛtvā tathāvidhim snāpayāmāsa tānpretānnāmato darbhanirmitān

Having arrived there, then at dawn, having bathed and duly performed the rite, he had those pretas — fashioned of kusha grass, in their names — bathed.

Verse 121 (padma.5.94.121)

स्मृताश्च मुनिना तीर्थे स्नापिता नामतस्तथा । प्रेताः पुण्यवता तेन सद्यो मुक्ता दिवं ययुः

smṛtāśca muninā tīrthe snāpitā nāmatastathā pretāḥ puṇyavatā tena sadyo muktā divaṁ yayuḥ

Called to mind by the sage, and thus bathed by name at the sacred ford, those pretas, through that meritorious man, were instantly freed and went to heaven.

Verse 122 (padma.5.94.122)

ते पापिनः पंच यदैव रेवाजले निमग्ना वचसैव तस्य । श्रीमाधवे मासि विवर्णदेहाः सद्यः सुवर्णैकरुचो बभूवुः

te pāpinaḥ paṁca yadaiva revājale nimagnā vacasaiva tasya śrīmādhave māsi vivarṇadehāḥ sadyaḥ suvarṇaikaruco babhūvuḥ

The moment those five sinners were immersed, at his word alone, in the waters of the Reva during the blessed month of Madhava, their discolored bodies instantly turned to a single golden radiance.

Verse 123 (padma.5.94.123)

पापप्रशमनं स्तोत्रं श्राविता मुनिशर्मणा । समक्षं सर्वलोकानां जातास्ते वरकांतयः

pāpapraśamanaṁ stotraṁ śrāvitā muniśarmaṇā samakṣaṁ sarvalokānāṁ jātāste varakāṁtayaḥ

Made to hear the hymn 'Papa-prashamana' by Munisharma, they became, before the eyes of all, radiant with a splendid glow.

Verse 124 (padma.5.94.124)

तत्रस्था मानवास्तांस्तु विरजान्स्नानमात्रतः । न स्पृशंति च राजेंद्र पापिसंसर्गशंकथा

tatrasthā mānavāstāṁstu virajānsnānamātrataḥ na spṛśaṁti ca rājeṁdra pāpisaṁsargaśaṁkathā

O lord of kings, when the people present there saw them made pure by that bathing alone, no suspicion of association with sinners touched them any more.

Verse 125 (padma.5.94.125)

मुनिशर्मानुरोधेन ततो धर्मप्रमाणतः । सद्यो दिव्याभवद्वाणी यदेते विगतैनसः

muniśarmānurodhena tato dharmapramāṇataḥ sadyo divyābhavadvāṇī yadete vigatainasaḥ

Then, at the entreaty of Munisharma, by the authority of Dharma, a divine voice instantly proclaimed that they had become free of sin.

Verse 126 (padma.5.94.126)

स्नातानां माधवेमासि मुकुंदहृदयात्मनाम् । पापप्रशमनं स्तोत्रं शृण्वतामिह सादरम्

snātānāṁ mādhavemāsi mukuṁdahṛdayātmanām pāpapraśamanaṁ stotraṁ śṛṇvatāmiha sādaram

"For those who bathe in the month of Madhava, whose very heart is Mukunda, who reverently hear here this hymn 'Papa-prashamana'—"

Verse 127 (padma.5.94.127)

चित्रं किमत्र या शुद्धिर्जायते पापसंचयात् । सर्वेषामेव पापानां प्रायश्चित्तमिदं परम्

citraṁ kimatra yā śuddhirjāyate pāpasaṁcayāt sarveṣāmeva pāpānāṁ prāyaścittamidaṁ param

"—what wonder is it that they are purified of accumulated sin? This is the supreme atonement for all sins."

Verse 128 (padma.5.94.128)

यत्प्रातर्माधवे मासि भक्त्या तीर्थेऽवगाहनम् । यतः प्रेतास्तु ते पापाः स्नापिता नाममात्रतः

yatprātarmādhave māsi bhaktyā tīrthe'vagāhanam yataḥ pretāstu te pāpāḥ snāpitā nāmamātrataḥ

"—namely, the morning bath at a sacred ford with devotion in the month of Madhava — by which those sinful pretas, bathed by name alone—"

Verse 129 (padma.5.94.129)

स्मृताः पुण्यवता तेन मोचिता मुनिशर्मणा

smṛtāḥ puṇyavatā tena mocitā muniśarmaṇā

"—merely remembered by that meritorious Munisharma, were set free."

Verse 130 (padma.5.94.130)

इत्येवमाकर्ण्य गिरं नभःस्थामत्यद्भुतामाशु ततो मनुष्याः । शशंसुरेतानपि पंचपुण्यान्वैशाखमासं च मुनिं च रेवाम्

ityevamākarṇya giraṁ nabhaḥsthāmatyadbhutāmāśu tato manuṣyāḥ śaśaṁsuretānapi paṁcapuṇyānvaiśākhamāsaṁ ca muniṁ ca revām

Hearing thus this most wondrous voice from the sky, the people there straightway praised these five now-blessed ones, the month of Vaishakha, the sage, and the Reva.

Verse 131 (padma.5.94.131)

अथ चाकर्ण्य भूपालः स्तवं दुरितनाशनम् । यदाकर्ण्य नरो भक्त्या मुच्यते पापराशिभिः

atha cākarṇya bhūpālaḥ stavaṁ duritanāśanam yadākarṇya naro bhaktyā mucyate pāparāśibhiḥ

Narada continued: And then the king too heard this sin-destroying hymn — hearing which with devotion, a man is freed from masses of sin.

Verse 132 (padma.5.94.132)

यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण पापिनः शुद्धिमागताः । अन्येऽपि बहवो मुक्ताः पापादज्ञानसंभवात्

yasya śravaṇamātreṇa pāpinaḥ śuddhimāgatāḥ anye'pi bahavo muktāḥ pāpādajñānasaṁbhavāt

By the mere hearing of which even sinners attained purity, many others too were freed from sin born of ignorance.

Verse 133 (padma.5.94.133)

परदार परद्रव्य जीवहिंसादिके यदा । प्रवर्तते नृणां चित्तं प्रायश्चित्तं स्तुतिस्तदा

paradāra paradravya jīvahiṁsādike yadā pravartate nṛṇāṁ cittaṁ prāyaścittaṁ stutistadā

When the mind of men turns toward another's wife, another's wealth, the harming of living beings, and the like, then this very hymn of praise becomes the atonement.

Verse 134 (padma.5.94.134)

विष्णवे विष्णवे नित्यं विष्णवे विष्णवे नमः । नमामि विष्णुं चित्तस्थमहंकारगतं हरिम्

viṣṇave viṣṇave nityaṁ viṣṇave viṣṇave namaḥ namāmi viṣṇuṁ cittasthamahaṁkāragataṁ harim

To Vishnu, to Vishnu, ever to Vishnu, to Vishnu — homage. I bow to Vishnu, who dwells in the mind, to Hari, who pervades the sense of self.

Verse 135 (padma.5.94.135)

चित्तस्थमीशमव्यक्तमनंतमपराजितम् । विष्णुमीड्यमशेषाणामनादिनिधनं विभुम्

cittasthamīśamavyaktamanaṁtamaparājitam viṣṇumīḍyamaśeṣāṇāmanādinidhanaṁ vibhum

To the Lord who dwells in the mind, unmanifest, infinite, unconquered — to Vishnu, worthy of praise by all, without beginning or end, all-pervading.

Verse 136 (padma.5.94.136)

विष्णुश्चित्तगतो यन्मे विष्णुर्बुद्धिगतश्च यत् । यच्चाहंकारको विष्णुर्यो विष्णुर्मयि संस्थितः

viṣṇuścittagato yanme viṣṇurbuddhigataśca yat yaccāhaṁkārako viṣṇuryo viṣṇurmayi saṁsthitaḥ

That Vishnu who abides in my mind, that Vishnu who abides in my intellect, that Vishnu who is the very agent of self-sense, that Vishnu who dwells within me—

Verse 137 (padma.5.94.137)

करोति कर्तृभूतोऽसौ स्थावरस्य चरस्य च । तत्पापं नाशमायाति तस्मिन्नेव हि चिंतिते

karoti kartṛbhūto'sau sthāvarasya carasya ca tatpāpaṁ nāśamāyāti tasminneva hi ciṁtite

—he, becoming the true doer, acts in all that is unmoving and moving. That sin comes to destruction by meditation upon him alone.

Verse 138 (padma.5.94.138)

ध्यातो हरति यत्पापं स्वप्ने दृष्टस्तु भावनात् । तमुपेंद्रंमहं विष्णुं प्रणमामि नतिप्रियम्

dhyāto harati yatpāpaṁ svapne dṛṣṭastu bhāvanāt tamupeṁdraṁmahaṁ viṣṇuṁ praṇamāmi natipriyam

He who, when meditated upon, removes sin, and who, through mere devout contemplation, grants his sight even in dreams — to that Upendra, Vishnu, who loves reverence, I bow.

Verse 139 (padma.5.94.139)

जगत्यस्मिन्निरालंबे मधुसूदनमच्युतम् । हस्तावलंबनं स्तोत्रं विष्णुं वंदे परात्परम्

jagatyasminnirālaṁbe madhusūdanamacyutam hastāvalaṁbanaṁ stotraṁ viṣṇuṁ vaṁde parātparam

In this world devoid of any true support, I praise the undecaying Madhusudana — Vishnu, supreme beyond the highest — this hymn a steadying hand held out to us.

Verse 140 (padma.5.94.140)

सर्वेश्वरेश्वरविभो परमात्मन्नधोक्षज । हृषीकेश हृषीकेश हृषीकेश नमोस्तु ते

sarveśvareśvaravibho paramātmannadhokṣaja hṛṣīkeśa hṛṣīkeśa hṛṣīkeśa namostu te

O Lord of the lords of all, O mighty one, O Supreme Self, O Adhokshaja, O Hrishikesha, Hrishikesha, Hrishikesha — homage to you.

Verse 141 (padma.5.94.141)

नृसिंहानंत गोविंद भूतभावन केशव । दुरुक्तं दुष्कृतं ध्यातं शम पापं नमोस्तु ते

nṛsiṁhānaṁta goviṁda bhūtabhāvana keśava duruktaṁ duṣkṛtaṁ dhyātaṁ śama pāpaṁ namostu te

O Nrisimha, O Ananta, O Govinda, O source of all beings, O Keshava — pacify my harsh words, my evil deeds, and my sinful thoughts; homage to you.

Verse 142 (padma.5.94.142)

यन्मया चिंतितं दुष्टं स्वचित्तवशवर्तिना । अकार्य्यमघमत्युग्रं तच्छमं नय केशव

yanmayā ciṁtitaṁ duṣṭaṁ svacittavaśavartinā akāryyamaghamatyugraṁ tacchamaṁ naya keśava

Whatever evil, forbidden, most terrible sin I have thought, under the sway of my own mind — lead that, O Keshava, to peace.

Verse 143 (padma.5.94.143)

ब्रह्मण्यदेव गोविंद परमार्थपरायण । जगन्नाथ जगद्धातः पापं शमय मेऽच्युत

brahmaṇyadeva goviṁda paramārthaparāyaṇa jagannātha jagaddhātaḥ pāpaṁ śamaya me'cyuta

O god favoring the Brahmins, O Govinda, devoted to the highest truth, O Lord of the world, O sustainer of the world, O Achyuta — pacify my sin.

Verse 144 (padma.5.94.144)

यच्चापराह्णे सायाह्ने मध्याह्ने च तथा निशि । कायेन मनसा वाचा कृतं पापमजानता

yaccāparāhṇe sāyāhne madhyāhne ca tathā niśi kāyena manasā vācā kṛtaṁ pāpamajānatā

And whatever sin I have committed unknowingly — in the afternoon, at evening, at midday, or likewise at night — by body, mind, or speech—

Verse 145 (padma.5.94.145)

जानता च हृषीकेश पुंडरीकाक्ष माधव । नामत्रयोच्चारणतः सर्वे यांतु मम क्षयम्

jānatā ca hṛṣīkeśa puṁḍarīkākṣa mādhava nāmatrayoccāraṇataḥ sarve yāṁtu mama kṣayam

—or knowingly, O Hrishikesha, O Lotus-Eyed One, O Madhava — through the utterance of these three names, may all of it go to its destruction.

Verse 146 (padma.5.94.146)

शारीरं मे हृषीकेश पुंडरीकाक्ष मानसम् । पापं प्रशममायातु वाक्कृतं मम माधव

śārīraṁ me hṛṣīkeśa puṁḍarīkākṣa mānasam pāpaṁ praśamamāyātu vākkṛtaṁ mama mādhava

O Hrishikesha, O Lotus-Eyed One, may my bodily and mental sin come to rest; O Madhava, may my sin done through speech likewise come to rest.

Verse 147 (padma.5.94.147)

यद्भुंजानः पिबंस्तिष्ठन्स्वपञ्जाग्रद्यदास्थितः । अकार्षं पापमर्थार्थं कायेन मनसा गिरा

yadbhuṁjānaḥ pibaṁstiṣṭhansvapañjāgradyadāsthitaḥ akārṣaṁ pāpamarthārthaṁ kāyena manasā girā

Whatever sin I have committed for the sake of wealth — while eating, drinking, standing, sleeping, or waking — by body, mind, or word—

Verse 148 (padma.5.94.148)

महदल्पमपि प्रायो दुर्योनि नरकावहम् । तत्पापं प्रशमं यातु वासुदेवस्य कीर्तनात्

mahadalpamapi prāyo duryoni narakāvaham tatpāpaṁ praśamaṁ yātu vāsudevasya kīrtanāt

—whether great or small, generally leading to an evil birth or bringing on hell — may that sin come to rest through the chanting of Vasudeva's name.

Verse 149 (padma.5.94.149)

परं ब्रह्म परं धाम पवित्रं परमं च यत् । तस्मिन्प्रकीर्तिते विष्णौ यत्पापं तत्प्रणश्यतु

paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ ca yat tasminprakīrtite viṣṇau yatpāpaṁ tatpraṇaśyatu

He who is the supreme Brahman, the supreme abode, and the most sacred of all — when that Vishnu is glorified, may whatever sin exists utterly perish.

Verse 150 (padma.5.94.150)

यत्प्राप्य न निवर्त्तंते गंधस्पर्शादिवर्जिताः । सूरयस्तत्पदं विष्णोस्तत्सर्वं शमयत्वयम्

yatprāpya na nivarttaṁte gaṁdhasparśādivarjitāḥ sūrayastatpadaṁ viṣṇostatsarvaṁ śamayatvayam

That state, having reached which the wise, freed from scent, touch, and the rest, do not return — may that supreme abode of Vishnu bring all this to peace.

Verse 151 (padma.5.94.151)

पापप्रशमनं स्तोत्रं यः पठेच्छृणुयान्नरः । शारीरैर्मानसैर्वाग्जैः कृतैः पापैः स मुच्यते

pāpapraśamanaṁ stotraṁ yaḥ paṭhecchṛṇuyānnaraḥ śārīrairmānasairvāgjaiḥ kṛtaiḥ pāpaiḥ sa mucyate

Whatever man recites or hears this hymn 'Papa-prashamana' is freed from sins committed by body, mind, or speech.

Verse 152 (padma.5.94.152)

मुक्तः पापग्रहादिभ्यो याति विष्णोः परं पदम् । तस्मात्पापे कृतं जप्यं स्तोत्रं सर्वाघमर्दनम्

muktaḥ pāpagrahādibhyo yāti viṣṇoḥ paraṁ padam tasmātpāpe kṛtaṁ japyaṁ stotraṁ sarvāghamardanam

Freed from sin, from planetary afflictions and the like, he attains the supreme abode of Vishnu. Therefore, when sin has been committed, this all-sin-destroying hymn should be recited.

Verse 153 (padma.5.94.153)

प्रायश्चित्तमघौघानां पठितव्यं नरोत्तमैः । प्रायश्चित्तैः स्तोत्रवरैर्व्रतैर्नश्यति पातकम्

prāyaścittamaghaughānāṁ paṭhitavyaṁ narottamaiḥ prāyaścittaiḥ stotravarairvratairnaśyati pātakam

It is the atonement for a flood of sins, to be recited by the best of men. Through penances, this excellent hymn, and vows, sin is destroyed.

Verse 154 (padma.5.94.154)

ततः कार्याणि संसिद्ध्यै तानि वै भुक्तिमुक्तये । पूर्वजन्मार्जितं पापमैहिकं च नरेश्वर

tataḥ kāryāṇi saṁsiddhyai tāni vai bhuktimuktaye pūrvajanmārjitaṁ pāpamaihikaṁ ca nareśvara

Other rites thereafter serve for worldly enjoyment and for liberation, O lord of men; but sin acquired in a former birth, as well as in this life—

Verse 155 (padma.5.94.155)

स्तवस्य श्रवणादस्य सद्य एव विलीयते । पापद्रुमकुठारोऽयं पापेंधनदवानलः

stavasya śravaṇādasya sadya eva vilīyate pāpadrumakuṭhāro'yaṁ pāpeṁdhanadavānalaḥ

—melts away at once by the mere hearing of this hymn. It is an axe to the tree of sin, a forest-fire to the fuel of sin.

Verse 156 (padma.5.94.156)

पापराशितमः स्तोम भानुरेष स्तवो नृप । मया प्रकाशितस्तुभ्यं तथा लोकानुकंपया

pāparāśitamaḥ stoma bhānureṣa stavo nṛpa mayā prakāśitastubhyaṁ tathā lokānukaṁpayā

O king, this hymn is like the sun to the darkness of the mass of sin. I have revealed it to you out of compassion for the world as well.

Verse 157 (padma.5.94.157)

स्तवो योऽयं मया प्राप्तो रहस्यं पितुरादरात् । इतिहासमिमं पुण्यं यः शृणोति नराधिप

stavo yo'yaṁ mayā prāpto rahasyaṁ piturādarāt itihāsamimaṁ puṇyaṁ yaḥ śṛṇoti narādhipa

This hymn, which I received as a secret teaching out of reverence for my father — O lord of men, whoever hears this meritorious history—

Verse 158 (padma.5.94.158)

तस्यापि पुण्यमाहात्म्यं वक्तुं शक्तः स्वयं हरिः । स्वस्ति तेस्तु महाराज गंगायामथ सत्वरम्

tasyāpi puṇyamāhātmyaṁ vaktuṁ śaktaḥ svayaṁ hariḥ svasti testu mahārāja gaṁgāyāmatha satvaram

—the greatness of his merit even Hari himself alone can declare. May well-being be yours, O great king; now, swiftly, toward the Ganga—

Verse 159 (padma.5.94.159)

स्नातुं यामि समायातो मासोऽयं माधवो महान्

snātuṁ yāmi samāyāto māso'yaṁ mādhavo mahān

—I go to bathe, for this great month of Madhava has now arrived.