King Mahiratha and the Priest Kashyapa: The Conquest of Desire

Verse 1 (padma.5.99.1)

यम उवाच- बभूव भूपतिः पूर्वं ख्यातो नाम्ना महीरथः । पूर्वपुण्यफलावाप्त प्रभूतैश्वर्यसंपदः

yama uvāca- babhūva bhūpatiḥ pūrvaṁ khyāto nāmnā mahīrathaḥ pūrvapuṇyaphalāvāpta prabhūtaiśvaryasaṁpadaḥ

Yama said: There was formerly a king, renowned by the name Mahiratha, who had obtained abundant wealth and prosperity as the fruit of merit from a former life.

Verse 2 (padma.5.99.2)

केवलं कामकलना ललना ललितस्थितः । तदेकव्यसनासक्तिर्न धर्मार्थ व्यवस्थितः

kevalaṁ kāmakalanā lalanā lalitasthitaḥ tadekavyasanāsaktirna dharmārtha vyavasthitaḥ

Given wholly to the art of desire, absorbed in the charming company of women, addicted to that single vice alone, he was not established in dharma or artha.

Verse 3 (padma.5.99.3)

मंत्रिणि न्यस्य राज्यश्रीर्बुभुजे विषयान्नृपः । स कामिनी सहचरो राज्यकार्यपराङ्मुखः

maṁtriṇi nyasya rājyaśrīrbubhuje viṣayānnṛpaḥ sa kāminī sahacaro rājyakāryaparāṅmukhaḥ

Having entrusted the glory of the kingdom to his minister, the king indulged in sense pleasures; a companion of women, he was turned away from the affairs of the kingdom.

Verse 4 (padma.5.99.4)

न प्रजा न धनं धर्मं नार्थं कार्यं च पश्यति । केवलं कामिनीकेलि कलनोचितवासनः

na prajā na dhanaṁ dharmaṁ nārthaṁ kāryaṁ ca paśyati kevalaṁ kāminīkeli kalanocitavāsanaḥ

He gave no thought to his subjects, to wealth, to dharma, or to matters of state — his desire was fixed solely on the sport of dalliance with women.

Verse 5 (padma.5.99.5)

अथ कालेन महता पुरोधास्तस्य कश्यपः । वचः प्रोवाच तं धर्म्यमिति चेतस्यचिंतयत्

atha kālena mahatā purodhāstasya kaśyapaḥ vacaḥ provāca taṁ dharmyamiti cetasyaciṁtayat

Then, after a great length of time, his family priest, Kashyapa, thought within his mind, and spoke to him a word grounded in dharma.

Verse 6 (padma.5.99.6)

न वारयति यो मोहादधर्मान्नृपतिं गुरुः । सोपि तत्पापभुक्तस्माद्बोधनीयः पुरोधसा

na vārayati yo mohādadharmānnṛpatiṁ guruḥ sopi tatpāpabhuktasmādbodhanīyaḥ purodhasā

That guru who, out of negligence, does not restrain the king from adharma, he too shares in that very sin; therefore the king must be instructed by his priest.

Verse 7 (padma.5.99.7)

बोधितोऽप्यवजानाति स चेद्वाक्यं पुरोधसः । पुरोधास्तत्र निर्दोषो राजा स्यात्सर्वदोषभाक्

bodhito'pyavajānāti sa cedvākyaṁ purodhasaḥ purodhāstatra nirdoṣo rājā syātsarvadoṣabhāk

If, though so instructed, he disregards the priest's word, then the priest is blameless in the matter, and the king becomes the bearer of every fault.

Verse 8 (padma.5.99.8)

शृणु राजन्मम गुरोर्वचो धर्मार्थसंहितम् । अभिन्नार्थमुपेतार्थमिच्छारागादि वर्जितम्

śṛṇu rājanmama gurorvaco dharmārthasaṁhitam abhinnārthamupetārthamicchārāgādi varjitam

"Hear, O king, this word of mine, my guru's teaching, joined with dharma and artha, of undivided purpose, well-founded, free from desire and passion."

Verse 9 (padma.5.99.9)

अयमेव परो धर्मो यद्गुरोर्वचसि स्थितिः । गुर्वाज्ञायालवो राज्ञामायुः श्री सौख्यवर्द्धनः

ayameva paro dharmo yadgurorvacasi sthitiḥ gurvājñāyālavo rājñāmāyuḥ śrī saukhyavarddhanaḥ

"This alone is the supreme dharma — to abide in the word of one's guru. Diligence in the guru's command increases a king's life, glory, and happiness."

Verse 10 (padma.5.99.10)

न विप्रास्तर्पिता दानैर्विष्णुर्नाराधितस्त्वया । न व्रतं न तपः किंचिन्न तीर्थं हि कृतं त्वया

na viprāstarpitā dānairviṣṇurnārādhitastvayā na vrataṁ na tapaḥ kiṁcinna tīrthaṁ hi kṛtaṁ tvayā

"You have not satisfied Brahmins with gifts, nor worshipped Vishnu; no vow, no austerity, no sacred ford has been undertaken by you at all."

Verse 11 (padma.5.99.11)

हरिनाम त्वया कामवशगेन न चिंतितम् । हा त्वया भीरुसंगत्या न विद्वत्संगतिः कृता

harināma tvayā kāmavaśagena na ciṁtitam hā tvayā bhīrusaṁgatyā na vidvatsaṁgatiḥ kṛtā

"Overcome by desire, you have not even thought of Hari's name. Alas, through the company of cowards you have not kept the company of the learned."

Verse 12 (padma.5.99.12)

स्मरचामरवाहिन्यो वल्लभाः कस्य न प्रियाः । किंतु ताः पवनोल्लोलकदलीदलवच्चलाः

smaracāmaravāhinyo vallabhāḥ kasya na priyāḥ kiṁtu tāḥ pavanollolakadalīdalavaccalāḥ

"Beloved women, bearers of the fly-whisk of Kama — to whom are they not dear? But they are as fickle as a plantain leaf tossed by the wind."

Verse 13 (padma.5.99.13)

तरंगतरलैरर्थैर्भोगैर्भ्रूभंगभंगुरैः । मुहूर्तपेयैस्तारुण्यैर्न तृप्यंते महाशयाः

taraṁgataralairarthairbhogairbhrūbhaṁgabhaṁguraiḥ muhūrtapeyaistāruṇyairna tṛpyaṁte mahāśayāḥ

"Great-minded men are never satisfied by wealth, unstable as a wave, by pleasures fragile as the arching of an eyebrow, or by youth savored only for a moment."

Verse 14 (padma.5.99.14)

किं विद्यया च तपसा किं त्यागेन नयेन वा । किं विविक्तेन मनसा स्त्रीभिर्यस्य हृतं मनः

kiṁ vidyayā ca tapasā kiṁ tyāgena nayena vā kiṁ viviktena manasā strībhiryasya hṛtaṁ manaḥ

"What use is learning, austerity, renunciation, or right conduct — what use even a discerning mind — to him whose mind has been stolen away by women?"

Verse 15 (padma.5.99.15)

एक एव सुहृद्धर्मो निधनेष्वनुयाति यः । सर्वमन्यच्छरीरेण समं नाशं गमिष्यति

eka eva suhṛddharmo nidhaneṣvanuyāti yaḥ sarvamanyaccharīreṇa samaṁ nāśaṁ gamiṣyati

"Dharma alone is the true friend, who follows after even in death; everything else will perish together with the body."

Verse 16 (padma.5.99.16)

धर्मं शनैः संचिनुयाद्वल्मीकमिव पुत्तिकाः । धर्मेण हि सहायेन तमस्तरति दुस्तरम्

dharmaṁ śanaiḥ saṁcinuyādvalmīkamiva puttikāḥ dharmeṇa hi sahāyena tamastarati dustaram

"One should slowly accumulate dharma, as termites build an anthill; for with dharma as one's companion, one crosses the darkness otherwise impossible to cross."

Verse 17 (padma.5.99.17)

अनिलोल्लासितोत्ताल जलकल्लोल चंचलम् । किं न जानासि राजेंद्र नृणां जीवित विभ्रमम्

anilollāsitottāla jalakallola caṁcalam kiṁ na jānāsi rājeṁdra nṛṇāṁ jīvita vibhramam

"O lord of kings, do you not know that the life of men is as fickle as a great wave of water raised up by the wind?"

Verse 18 (padma.5.99.18)

विनयो रत्नमुकुटः सत्यधर्मौ च कुंडले । त्यागश्च कंकणो येषां किं तेषां जडमंडनैः

vinayo ratnamukuṭaḥ satyadharmau ca kuṁḍale tyāgaśca kaṁkaṇo yeṣāṁ kiṁ teṣāṁ jaḍamaṁḍanaiḥ

"For those whose jeweled crown is humility, whose earrings are truth and dharma, and whose bracelet is renunciation — what need have they of lifeless ornaments?"

Verse 19 (padma.5.99.19)

मृतं शरीरमुत्सृज्य काष्ठलोष्टसमं भुवि । विमुखा बांधवा यांति धर्मस्तमनुगच्छति

mṛtaṁ śarīramutsṛjya kāṣṭhaloṣṭasamaṁ bhuvi vimukhā bāṁdhavā yāṁti dharmastamanugacchati

"Leaving the dead body on the ground, like a piece of wood or a clod of earth, kinsmen turn away and depart — only dharma follows after that man."

Verse 20 (padma.5.99.20)

गम्यमानेषु सर्वेषु क्षीयमाणे तथायुषि । जीविते लुप्यमाने च किमुत्थाय न धावसि

gamyamāneṣu sarveṣu kṣīyamāṇe tathāyuṣi jīvite lupyamāne ca kimutthāya na dhāvasi

"While all things are passing away, while your lifespan is dwindling, while your very life is slipping away — why do you not rise up and run toward dharma?"

Verse 21 (padma.5.99.21)

कुटुंबं पुत्रदारादि शरीरं द्रव्यसंचयः । पारक्यमध्रुवं किंतु स्वीये सुकृतदुष्कृते

kuṭuṁbaṁ putradārādi śarīraṁ dravyasaṁcayaḥ pārakyamadhruvaṁ kiṁtu svīye sukṛtaduṣkṛte

"Family, sons and wife, the body, and accumulated wealth — these belong to others in the end and are impermanent; but one's own good and evil deeds are truly one's own."

Verse 22 (padma.5.99.22)

यदा सर्वं परित्यज्य गंतव्यमवशेन ते । अनर्थे किं प्रसक्तस्त्वं स्वधर्मं नानुतिष्ठसि

yadā sarvaṁ parityajya gaṁtavyamavaśena te anarthe kiṁ prasaktastvaṁ svadharmaṁ nānutiṣṭhasi

"When you must depart, helplessly abandoning everything, why are you attached to what is worthless? Why do you not observe your own dharma?"

Verse 23 (padma.5.99.23)

अविश्राममनालंबमपाथेयमदेशिकम् । मृतः कांतारमध्वानं कथमेको गमिष्यसि

aviśrāmamanālaṁbamapātheyamadeśikam mṛtaḥ kāṁtāramadhvānaṁ kathameko gamiṣyasi

"How, once dead, will you alone traverse that pathless wilderness — without rest, without support, without provisions, without a guide?"

Verse 24 (padma.5.99.24)

न हि त्वां प्रस्थितं कश्चित्पृष्ठतोऽनुगमिष्यति । सुकृतं दुष्कृतं च त्वां यास्यंतमनुयास्यति

na hi tvāṁ prasthitaṁ kaścitpṛṣṭhato'nugamiṣyati sukṛtaṁ duṣkṛtaṁ ca tvāṁ yāsyaṁtamanuyāsyati

"Indeed, no one will follow behind you once you have set out; only your good and evil deeds will follow you as you go."

Verse 25 (padma.5.99.25)

श्रुतिस्मृत्युदितं कर्म कुलदेशोचितं हितम् । धर्ममूलं निषेवस्व सदाचारमतंद्रितः

śrutismṛtyuditaṁ karma kuladeśocitaṁ hitam dharmamūlaṁ niṣevasva sadācāramataṁdritaḥ

"The rites declared in Shruti and Smriti, beneficial and proper to your family and country, rooted in dharma — practice good conduct without laziness."

Verse 26 (padma.5.99.26)

परित्यजेदर्थकामौ स्यातां चेद्धर्मवर्जितौ । धर्मेण प्राप्यते सर्वमर्थकामादिकं सुखम्

parityajedarthakāmau syātāṁ ceddharmavarjitau dharmeṇa prāpyate sarvamarthakāmādikaṁ sukham

"One should abandon wealth and desire if they should be devoid of dharma; through dharma alone, all happiness — wealth, desire, and the rest — is obtained."

Verse 27 (padma.5.99.27)

इंद्रियाणां जयं योगं समातिष्ठेद्दिवानिशम् । जितेंद्रियो हि शक्नोति पथि स्थापयितुं प्रजाः

iṁdriyāṇāṁ jayaṁ yogaṁ samātiṣṭheddivāniśam jiteṁdriyo hi śaknoti pathi sthāpayituṁ prajāḥ

"One should constantly practice the discipline of conquering the senses, day and night; for only one who has conquered his senses is able to keep his subjects on the right path."

Verse 28 (padma.5.99.28)

अतिप्रगल्भ ललना कटाक्ष चपलाश्रियः । विनये प्रणिधानेन चिरं तिष्ठंति भूभुजाम्

atipragalbha lalanā kaṭākṣa capalāśriyaḥ vinaye praṇidhānena ciraṁ tiṣṭhaṁti bhūbhujām

"Bold women, whose beauty is as fickle as their sidelong glances, remain long with kings only through the kings' careful devotion to humility."

Verse 29 (padma.5.99.29)

कामदर्पादिशीलानामविचारित कारिणाम् । आयुषा सह नश्यंति संपदो मूढचेतसाम्

kāmadarpādiśīlānāmavicārita kāriṇām āyuṣā saha naśyaṁti saṁpado mūḍhacetasām

"For those of a nature given to lust and pride, who act without deliberation, the fortunes of the deluded-minded perish along with their very life."

Verse 30 (padma.5.99.30)

भूतिभिर्नष्टदृष्टाभिर्नृत्यंते न महाशयाः । नागताभिर्न याताभिर्नदीभिश्चीयतेंबुधिः

bhūtibhirnaṣṭadṛṣṭābhirnṛtyaṁte na mahāśayāḥ nāgatābhirna yātābhirnadībhiścīyateṁbudhiḥ

"Great-minded men do not exult over fortunes once seen and then lost; the ocean is not filled by rivers not yet come, nor diminished by those already gone."

Verse 31 (padma.5.99.31)

व्यसनस्य च मृत्योश्च व्यसनं कष्टमुच्यते । व्यसन्यधोधो व्रजति स्वर्गाम्यव्यसनी नृपः

vyasanasya ca mṛtyośca vyasanaṁ kaṣṭamucyate vyasanyadhodho vrajati svargāmyavyasanī nṛpaḥ

"Of vice and of death, vice is called the more painful; the vice-ridden man sinks lower and lower, while the king free of vice attains heaven."

Verse 32 (padma.5.99.32)

व्यसनानि दुरंतानि कामजानि विशेषतः । त्यज तस्मान्महाराज कामं धर्मविरोधिनम्

vyasanāni duraṁtāni kāmajāni viśeṣataḥ tyaja tasmānmahārāja kāmaṁ dharmavirodhinam

"Vices are hard to bring to an end, especially those born of desire; therefore, O great king, abandon desire, the very opponent of dharma."

Verse 33 (padma.5.99.33)

जडानामविवेकानामसुराणां दुरात्मनाम् । भाग्यभोग्यानि राज्यानि संत्यनीतिमतामपि

jaḍānāmavivekānāmasurāṇāṁ durātmanām bhāgyabhogyāni rājyāni saṁtyanītimatāmapi

"Kingdoms exist, obtainable by fate, even for the dull-witted, the undiscerning, demonic, and evil-natured — even for those devoid of good policy."

Verse 34 (padma.5.99.34)

नैव स्थिराणि तानीह दुरितैरनुसेवितैः । विलीयंते यथा वह्निसंसर्गेणेंधनानि च

naiva sthirāṇi tānīha duritairanusevitaiḥ vilīyaṁte yathā vahnisaṁsargeṇeṁdhanāni ca

"But such kingdoms, pursued through sinful acts, are never stable here; they dissolve, just as fuel dissolves at the touch of fire."

Verse 35 (padma.5.99.35)

गच्छतस्तिष्ठतो वापि जाग्रतः स्वपतोऽपि वा । न विचारपरं चेतो यस्यासौ मृत एव सः

gacchatastiṣṭhato vāpi jāgrataḥ svapato'pi vā na vicāraparaṁ ceto yasyāsau mṛta eva saḥ

"Whether walking or standing, whether waking or even sleeping, he whose mind is not devoted to reflection — he is as good as dead."

Verse 36 (padma.5.99.36)

उपदेष्टा श्रुतवतां गुरुरित्युच्यते यतः । किंतु त्वासन्नविपदामुपदेशाः शिरोरुहाः

upadeṣṭā śrutavatāṁ gururityucyate yataḥ kiṁtu tvāsannavipadāmupadeśāḥ śiroruhāḥ

"A guru is called such because he is the instructor of those who truly listen; but for one on the verge of ruin, instruction merely makes the hair stand on end — it does not truly enter."

Verse 37 (padma.5.99.37)

विषयज्वरमुत्सृज्य समया स्वस्थया धिया । युक्त्या च व्यवहारिण्या स्वार्थः प्राज्ञेन साध्यते

viṣayajvaramutsṛjya samayā svasthayā dhiyā yuktyā ca vyavahāriṇyā svārthaḥ prājñena sādhyate

"Casting aside the fever of sense-objects, with an even, healthy mind, and through practical, worldly reasoning, the wise man accomplishes his true good."

Verse 38 (padma.5.99.38)

अशुभाच्चलितं याति शुभं तस्मादपीतरम् । जंतोश्चित्तं च शिशुवत्तस्मात्तच्चालयेद्बलात्

aśubhāccalitaṁ yāti śubhaṁ tasmādapītaram jaṁtościttaṁ ca śiśuvattasmāttaccālayedbalāt

"A being's mind, moved from the inauspicious, goes toward the auspicious, and from that again toward its opposite — like a child's; therefore one should forcibly direct it."

Verse 39 (padma.5.99.39)

उपधार्य मतिं राजन्वृद्धानां धर्मदर्शिनाम् । नियच्छेत्परया बुद्ध्या चित्तमुत्पथगामि यत्

upadhārya matiṁ rājanvṛddhānāṁ dharmadarśinām niyacchetparayā buddhyā cittamutpathagāmi yat

"Having grasped the wisdom of the elders, seers of dharma, O king, one should restrain, with the highest understanding, the mind that goes astray."

Verse 40 (padma.5.99.40)

न धनान्युपकुर्वंति न मित्राणि न बांधवाः । न हस्तपादचलनं न देशांतरसंगतम्

na dhanānyupakurvaṁti na mitrāṇi na bāṁdhavāḥ na hastapādacalanaṁ na deśāṁtarasaṁgatam

"Neither wealth, nor friends, nor kinsmen are of help; neither the movement of hands and feet, nor journeying to other lands—"

Verse 41 (padma.5.99.41)

न कायक्लेशवैधुर्यं न तीर्थायतनाश्रयः । केवलं तन्मनस्कस्य जपेनासाद्यते पदम्

na kāyakleśavaidhuryaṁ na tīrthāyatanāśrayaḥ kevalaṁ tanmanaskasya japenāsādyate padam

"—nor bodily suffering, nor resort to sacred fords and temples are of help. That state is attained only through the mantra-recitation of one whose mind is fixed upon it alone."

Verse 42 (padma.5.99.42)

विषये वर्तमानस्य तस्माच्चित्तस्य संयमे । यत्नं कुर्याद्बुधो राजन्ध्रुवं यंतेव वाजिनाम्

viṣaye vartamānasya tasmāccittasya saṁyame yatnaṁ kuryādbudho rājandhruvaṁ yaṁteva vājinām

"Therefore, O king, the wise man should make effort in restraining the mind that dwells among sense-objects, just as a charioteer surely restrains his horses."

Verse 43 (padma.5.99.43)

तत्तत्कुर्याद्यतो राजन्भवता येन वंचितः । मुनिभिश्च फलैस्तैस्तैरतोप्याकर्णयाधुना

tattatkuryādyato rājanbhavatā yena vaṁcitaḥ munibhiśca phalaistaistairatopyākarṇayādhunā

"Do, O king, whatever is needed, by which — since you have been deceived by desire — you might yet attain the very fruits attained by sages; hear this even now."

Verse 44 (padma.5.99.44)

मुह्यतापि मनुष्येण प्रष्टव्याः सुहृदो बुधाः । ते च पृष्टा यथा ब्रूयुस्तत्कर्त्तव्यं यथोचितम्

muhyatāpi manuṣyeṇa praṣṭavyāḥ suhṛdo budhāḥ te ca pṛṣṭā yathā brūyustatkarttavyaṁ yathocitam

"Even a man overcome by delusion should question his wise friends; and whatever they, being questioned, advise, that should be done, as is proper."

Verse 45 (padma.5.99.45)

सर्वोपायेन कर्त्तव्यो निग्रहः कामकोपयोः । श्रेयोऽर्थिना यतस्तौ हि श्रेयोघातार्थमुद्यतौ

sarvopāyena karttavyo nigrahaḥ kāmakopayoḥ śreyo'rthinā yatastau hi śreyoghātārthamudyatau

"By every possible means, one who seeks the good must restrain desire and anger; for these two are ever poised to destroy that very good."

Verse 46 (padma.5.99.46)

कामो हि बलवान्राजञ्छरीरस्थो रिपुर्महान् । न तस्य वशगो भूयाज्जनः श्रेयोभिलाषुकः

kāmo hi balavānrājañcharīrastho ripurmahān na tasya vaśago bhūyājjanaḥ śreyobhilāṣukaḥ

"Desire, O king, is indeed a powerful and great enemy dwelling within the body; a man who longs for true good should not fall under its sway."

Verse 47 (padma.5.99.47)

यः कामो देवदेवेन पुरा तेनैव शूलिना । ललाटवह्निना दग्धः कृतोनंग इति स्थितिः

yaḥ kāmo devadevena purā tenaiva śūlinā lalāṭavahninā dagdhaḥ kṛtonaṁga iti sthitiḥ

"That very Kama, who was long ago burned by the fire of the trident-bearing God of gods' third eye and thus made bodiless (Ananga) — such is his condition."

Verse 48 (padma.5.99.48)

यदा वांछत्यसौ नारीं निहंतुं समनोभवः । पुंसां कायं समाश्रित्य स्वरूपं दर्शयत्यसौ

yadā vāṁchatyasau nārīṁ nihaṁtuṁ samanobhavaḥ puṁsāṁ kāyaṁ samāśritya svarūpaṁ darśayatyasau

"When that Manobhava desires to overwhelm a woman, taking refuge in the bodies of men, he then reveals his true form."

Verse 49 (padma.5.99.49)

चिंत्यमानस्य वै पुंसो नार्या रूपं पुनःपुनः । तमदृष्टं समाश्रित्य नरमुन्मादयत्यसौ

ciṁtyamānasya vai puṁso nāryā rūpaṁ punaḥpunaḥ tamadṛṣṭaṁ samāśritya naramunmādayatyasau

"In a man who dwells again and again on the thought of a woman's form, he, unseen, taking refuge there, drives that man to madness."

Verse 50 (padma.5.99.50)

तथैवोन्मादयत्येष योषिदंगं न संशयः । स्मरः संस्मरणान्नाम जातं तस्य ततो नृप

tathaivonmādayatyeṣa yoṣidaṁgaṁ na saṁśayaḥ smaraḥ saṁsmaraṇānnāma jātaṁ tasya tato nṛpa

"Likewise, he maddens the body of a woman too, without doubt. His very name, Smara, arises from this constant remembrance, O king."

Verse 51 (padma.5.99.51)

यादृशस्तादृशो रंगो वस्त्रं वीरसमाश्रयेत् । आत्मतेजः प्रकाशात्सोऽश्रुधारा पेयतां व्रजेत्

yādṛśastādṛśo raṁgo vastraṁ vīrasamāśrayet ātmatejaḥ prakāśātso'śrudhārā peyatāṁ vrajet

"Whatever hue or garb a hero takes on, he assumes that same form; by the radiance of his own inner light, he makes even a flow of tears seem something to be savored."

Verse 52 (padma.5.99.52)

नार्यारूपं समारुह्य धीरं तमपि मोहयेत् । पुरुषं तु समाश्रित्य द्रावयत्येष योषितम्

nāryārūpaṁ samāruhya dhīraṁ tamapi mohayet puruṣaṁ tu samāśritya drāvayatyeṣa yoṣitam

"Having assumed the form of a woman, he bewilders even a resolute man; and having taken the form of a man, he likewise melts a woman."

Verse 53 (padma.5.99.53)

स एव सहजो राजन्नशरीरी शरीरगः । शरीरकस्यापि विभो कथं पापं विधीयते

sa eva sahajo rājannaśarīrī śarīragaḥ śarīrakasyāpi vibho kathaṁ pāpaṁ vidhīyate

"That very desire, O king, though itself bodiless, is innate, dwelling in the body. O mighty one, how then can sin be attributed to the mere embodied being alone?"

Verse 54 (padma.5.99.54)

यं प्राप्यातिपवित्राणि पंचगव्यहवींषि च । अशुचित्वं क्षणं यांति कोऽन्य स्यादशुचिस्ततः

yaṁ prāpyātipavitrāṇi paṁcagavyahavīṁṣi ca aśucitvaṁ kṣaṇaṁ yāṁti ko'nya syādaśucistataḥ

"That, on contact with which even the most sacred things — panchagavya and sacrificial oblations — become impure in an instant, what could be more impure than that?"

Verse 55 (padma.5.99.55)

जिघ्रन्नपि स्वदुर्गंधं पश्यन्नपि मलं स्वकम् । न विरज्यति लोकोऽयं पीडयन्नपि नासिकाम्

jighrannapi svadurgaṁdhaṁ paśyannapi malaṁ svakam na virajyati loko'yaṁ pīḍayannapi nāsikām

"Even smelling his own foul odor, even seeing his own filth, though it offends his own nose, this world of men does not turn away from it in disgust."

Verse 56 (padma.5.99.56)

हृद्यान्नमन्नपानानि यं प्राप्य सुरभीणि च । अशुचित्वं प्रयांत्याशु कोऽन्यस्यादशुचिस्ततः

hṛdyānnamannapānāni yaṁ prāpya surabhīṇi ca aśucitvaṁ prayāṁtyāśu ko'nyasyādaśucistataḥ

"Foods and drinks, pleasing to the heart and fragrant, which upon contact quickly become impure — what could be more impure than that?"

Verse 57 (padma.5.99.57)

यस्योदरगतं चान्नं स्वं हि रूपं परित्यजेत् । कृमिमिश्रममेध्यत्वं शीघ्रं प्रज्ञायते किल

yasyodaragataṁ cānnaṁ svaṁ hi rūpaṁ parityajet kṛmimiśramamedhyatvaṁ śīghraṁ prajñāyate kila

"That food which, once gone into the belly, abandons its own form — it is quickly recognized indeed as impurity, mixed with worms."

Verse 58 (padma.5.99.58)

तथापि देहे भूपाल निजरूपं परित्यजेत् । शुनतां याति वै पश्चात्कृमिदुर्गंधिसंकुले

tathāpi dehe bhūpāla nijarūpaṁ parityajet śunatāṁ yāti vai paścātkṛmidurgaṁdhisaṁkule

"And yet, O king, in the body this too abandons its own form; it later comes to the state of decay, swelling with worms and foul odor."

Verse 59 (padma.5.99.59)

जायंते तत्र वै यूकाः कृमयो वा न संशयः । सकृमिः कुरुते स्फोटं कंडूश्च परिदारुणः

jāyaṁte tatra vai yūkāḥ kṛmayo vā na saṁśayaḥ sakṛmiḥ kurute sphoṭaṁ kaṁḍūśca paridāruṇaḥ

"There, indeed, lice and worms are born, without doubt. Infested with worms, it produces eruptions and a most terrible itching."

Verse 60 (padma.5.99.60)

व्यथामुत्पादयेद्भूयः सर्वांगं परिचालयेत् । नखाग्रैर्घृष्यमाणा सा कंडूः शांता प्रजायते

vyathāmutpādayedbhūyaḥ sarvāṁgaṁ paricālayet nakhāgrairghṛṣyamāṇā sā kaṁḍūḥ śāṁtā prajāyate

"It causes further distress, and stirs the whole body; that itching, when scratched by the tips of the nails, subsides."

Verse 61 (padma.5.99.61)

तद्वत्सुखं भवत्येव सुरतस्य न संशयः । भुंजत्येवं रसान्मर्त्यः सुभक्षान्पिबते पुनः

tadvatsukhaṁ bhavatyeva suratasya na saṁśayaḥ bhuṁjatyevaṁ rasānmartyaḥ subhakṣānpibate punaḥ

"In just that same way, without doubt, the pleasure of sexual union arises. In the same manner, a mortal enjoys tasty flavors, and again drinks pleasant drinks."

Verse 62 (padma.5.99.62)

तत्रस्थं पचते वह्निरपाने पातयेन्मलम् । सारभूतो रसस्तत्र उद्रिक्तस्तु प्रजायते

tatrasthaṁ pacate vahnirapāne pātayenmalam sārabhūto rasastatra udriktastu prajāyate

"The fire of digestion cooks what is there, and casts down the waste through the lower passage; the essential fluid there, when in excess, is generated as seed."

Verse 63 (padma.5.99.63)

निर्मलः शुद्धवीर्यस्तु ब्रह्मस्थानं प्रयाति च । आकृष्टः स समानेन नीतस्तेनापि वायुना

nirmalaḥ śuddhavīryastu brahmasthānaṁ prayāti ca ākṛṣṭaḥ sa samānena nītastenāpi vāyunā

"That pure, unsullied seed then goes to the seat of Brahman in the body; drawn there by the samana breath, and carried by that very vital air."

Verse 64 (padma.5.99.64)

स्थानं न लभते वीर्यं चंचलत्वेन वर्तते । प्राणिनां हि कपालेषु कृमयः संति पंच वै

sthānaṁ na labhate vīryaṁ caṁcalatvena vartate prāṇināṁ hi kapāleṣu kṛmayaḥ saṁti paṁca vai

"The seed then does not find its resting-place, and remains in agitation. For, indeed, within the skulls of living beings there are five kinds of worms."

Verse 65 (padma.5.99.65)

द्वावेतौ कर्णमूले तु नेत्रस्थाने ततः पुनः । कनिष्ठांगुलिमानेन रक्तपुच्छाश्च भूपते

dvāvetau karṇamūle tu netrasthāne tataḥ punaḥ kaniṣṭhāṁgulimānena raktapucchāśca bhūpate

"Two of these are at the root of the ears; then again, two more at the place of the eyes — of the size of the little finger, red-tailed, O king."

Verse 66 (padma.5.99.66)

नवनीतस्य वर्णेन कृष्णपुच्छा न संशयः । तेषां नामानि भद्रं ते मत्तो निगदतः शृणु

navanītasya varṇena kṛṣṇapucchā na saṁśayaḥ teṣāṁ nāmāni bhadraṁ te matto nigadataḥ śṛṇu

"Of the color of fresh butter, black-tailed, without doubt. May it be well with you — hear from me, as I declare their names."

Verse 67 (padma.5.99.67)

पिङ्गली शृंगली नाम द्वौ कृमी कर्णमूलयोः । शृंगली जंगली चान्यौ नेत्रयोरंतरस्थितौ

piṅgalī śṛṁgalī nāma dvau kṛmī karṇamūlayoḥ śṛṁgalī jaṁgalī cānyau netrayoraṁtarasthitau

"Pingali and Shringali are the names of the two worms at the roots of the ears; Shringali and Jangali, the other two, are situated within the eyes."

Verse 68 (padma.5.99.68)

कृमीणां शतपंचाशत्तादृग्भूता न संशयः । ललाटांतः स्थिताः सर्वे राजिकायाः प्रमाणतः

kṛmīṇāṁ śatapaṁcāśattādṛgbhūtā na saṁśayaḥ lalāṭāṁtaḥ sthitāḥ sarve rājikāyāḥ pramāṇataḥ

"And a hundred and fifty more worms of that same kind, without doubt, all dwelling within the forehead, of the size of a mustard seed."

Verse 69 (padma.5.99.69)

कपालरोगिणः सर्वे कुर्वंति न संशयः । अन्यमेवं प्रवक्ष्यामि प्राजापत्यो महाकृमिः

kapālarogiṇaḥ sarve kurvaṁti na saṁśayaḥ anyamevaṁ pravakṣyāmi prājāpatyo mahākṛmiḥ

"All of these, without doubt, cause diseases of the skull. Now I shall tell of another: the great worm called Prajapatya."

Verse 70 (padma.5.99.70)

सतंडुलप्रमाणेन तद्वद्वर्णेन संशयः । केशद्वयं मुखे तस्य विद्यते शृणु भूपते

sataṁḍulapramāṇena tadvadvarṇena saṁśayaḥ keśadvayaṁ mukhe tasya vidyate śṛṇu bhūpate

"Of the size of a grain of rice, and of a like uncertain color; two hairs are present at its mouth — hear this, O king."

Verse 71 (padma.5.99.71)

प्राणिनां संक्षयाबुद्धिस्तत्क्षणाद्धि न संशयः । स्वस्थाने संस्थितस्यापि प्राजापत्यस्य वै मुखे

prāṇināṁ saṁkṣayābuddhistatkṣaṇāddhi na saṁśayaḥ svasthāne saṁsthitasyāpi prājāpatyasya vai mukhe

"Even while remaining fixed in its own place, at its mouth, a being's discernment can be destroyed that very instant, without doubt—"

Verse 72 (padma.5.99.72)

तद्वीर्यं रसरूपेण पतते नात्र संशयः । सुखेन पिबते वीर्यं तेन मत्तः प्रजायते

tadvīryaṁ rasarūpeṇa patate nātra saṁśayaḥ sukhena pibate vīryaṁ tena mattaḥ prajāyate

"—that seed, in the form of fluid, falls there, without doubt. It happily drinks that seed, and by it becomes intoxicated."

Verse 73 (padma.5.99.73)

तालुस्थानं प्रभेद्यैव चंचलत्वेन वर्त्तते । इडा च पिंगला नाडी सुषुम्ना तत्र संस्थिताः

tālusthānaṁ prabhedyaiva caṁcalatvena varttate iḍā ca piṁgalā nāḍī suṣumnā tatra saṁsthitāḥ

"Piercing through the region of the palate, it moves about restlessly. The Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna channels are all situated there."

Verse 74 (padma.5.99.74)

स्वबलेनापि तस्यैव कंपिता नाडिका क्षणम् । कामकंडूर्भवेद्राजन्सर्वेषां प्राणिनां किल

svabalenāpi tasyaiva kaṁpitā nāḍikā kṣaṇam kāmakaṁḍūrbhavedrājansarveṣāṁ prāṇināṁ kila

"By its own force alone, that channel is momentarily set trembling; thus, O king, the itch of desire arises indeed in all living beings."

Verse 75 (padma.5.99.75)

नरस्य स्फुटते लिगं नार्या योनिश्च भूपते । स्त्रीनरौ च प्रमत्तौ तौ गच्छतः संगमं ततः

narasya sphuṭate ligaṁ nāryā yoniśca bhūpate strīnarau ca pramattau tau gacchataḥ saṁgamaṁ tataḥ

"The male organ becomes aroused, and likewise, O king, the female organ; and then, both man and woman, overcome, go to their union."

Verse 76 (padma.5.99.76)

कायेन कायं संघृष्य मैथुनेन हि जायते । क्षणमात्रं सुखं तत्र पुनः कंडूश्च तादृशी

kāyena kāyaṁ saṁghṛṣya maithunena hi jāyate kṣaṇamātraṁ sukhaṁ tatra punaḥ kaṁḍūśca tādṛśī

"Through the rubbing of body against body in intercourse, a momentary pleasure indeed arises there, and then that same itch returns once more."

Verse 77 (padma.5.99.77)

सर्वत्र दृश्यते वीर भाव एवंविधः किल । विरसः परिपाकोऽयं विषयस्य न संशयः

sarvatra dṛśyate vīra bhāva evaṁvidhaḥ kila virasaḥ paripāko'yaṁ viṣayasya na saṁśayaḥ

"Everywhere, O hero, this same nature is indeed seen; the final outcome of sense-pleasure is, without doubt, without true savor."

Verse 78 (padma.5.99.78)

धर्म एव पुनः श्रेयान्विधिना समनुष्ठितः । धैर्यमालंब्य च ततो धर्ममेव समाचर

dharma eva punaḥ śreyānvidhinā samanuṣṭhitaḥ dhairyamālaṁbya ca tato dharmameva samācara

"Dharma alone, again, when duly practiced according to rule, is truly good. Therefore, taking hold of steadfastness, practice dharma alone."

Verse 79 (padma.5.99.79)

श्वास एष चपलः क्षणमध्ये यो गतागत शतानि विधत्ते । जीवितं तनुभृतां तदधीनं कः समाचरति धर्मविलंबम्

śvāsa eṣa capalaḥ kṣaṇamadhye yo gatāgata śatāni vidhatte jīvitaṁ tanubhṛtāṁ tadadhīnaṁ kaḥ samācarati dharmavilaṁbam

"This breath is fickle, making hundreds of comings and goings within a single instant; the very life of embodied beings depends upon it — who then would delay in the practice of dharma?"

Verse 80 (padma.5.99.80)

दशमीमपि यातस्य चेतो नाद्यापि भूपते । विषयेभ्यो निषिद्धेभ्यो हाहा न विरमेच्चलम्

daśamīmapi yātasya ceto nādyāpi bhūpate viṣayebhyo niṣiddhebhyo hāhā na virameccalam

"Even for one who has reached his tenth decade of life, O king, his fickle mind even now does not cease from forbidden sense-objects — alas!"

Verse 81 (padma.5.99.81)

न जातुकामः कामानामुपभोगेन शाम्यति । हविषा कृष्णवर्त्मेव भूय एवाभिवर्द्धते

na jātukāmaḥ kāmānāmupabhogena śāmyati haviṣā kṛṣṇavartmeva bhūya evābhivarddhate

"Desire is never at all quelled by the mere enjoyment of desires; like fire fed with oblations, it only grows all the more."

Verse 82 (padma.5.99.82)

पुंश्चल्यापहृतं चित्तं कश्चान्यो मोचितुं क्षमः । आत्मारामेश्वरमृते भगवंतं च माधवम्

puṁścalyāpahṛtaṁ cittaṁ kaścānyo mocituṁ kṣamaḥ ātmārāmeśvaramṛte bhagavaṁtaṁ ca mādhavam

"A mind stolen away by a wanton woman — what other than the Lord who delights in his own Self, the blessed Madhava, is capable of freeing it?"

Verse 83 (padma.5.99.83)

तस्मात्सर्वं निष्फलत्वं प्रयातं कामकश्मलात् । वयस्तेऽप्यधुना भूप समाचर हितं निजम्

tasmātsarvaṁ niṣphalatvaṁ prayātaṁ kāmakaśmalāt vayaste'pyadhunā bhūpa samācara hitaṁ nijam

"Therefore all has become fruitless through the impurity of desire. Even now, at your age, O king, practice what is good for yourself."

Verse 84 (padma.5.99.84)

वदाम्यहं तव नृपहितं सर्वोत्तमोत्तमम् । पुरोहितो यतस्तेऽहं सदसत्कर्मभागपि

vadāmyahaṁ tava nṛpahitaṁ sarvottamottamam purohito yataste'haṁ sadasatkarmabhāgapi

"I speak to you, O king, of that which is the best of all goods, since I am your family priest, sharing too in the fruit of your good and evil deeds."

Verse 85 (padma.5.99.85)

एकतः सर्वपुण्यानि पापनाशाय पापिनाम् । एकतो माधवे मासो माधवस्यप्रियः सदा

ekataḥ sarvapuṇyāni pāpanāśāya pāpinām ekato mādhave māso mādhavasyapriyaḥ sadā

"On one side, all merits, for the destruction of sin in sinners; on the other, the month of Madhava, ever dear to Madhava—"

Verse 86 (padma.5.99.86)

ब्रह्महत्या सुरापानं स्तेयं गुर्वंगनागमः । महांति पातकान्येव कीर्तितानि मुनीश्वरैः

brahmahatyā surāpānaṁ steyaṁ gurvaṁganāgamaḥ mahāṁti pātakānyeva kīrtitāni munīśvaraiḥ

"—the killing of a Brahmin, the drinking of liquor, theft, and violation of the guru's wife — these are declared by the great sages to be the great sins."

Verse 87 (padma.5.99.87)

तत्र यन्मनसा काये व्रतेनापि कृतं नरैः । नाशयेन्माधवो मासः सर्वं पापतमो महत्

tatra yanmanasā kāye vratenāpi kṛtaṁ naraiḥ nāśayenmādhavo māsaḥ sarvaṁ pāpatamo mahat

"Whatever sin, even of that magnitude, has been committed by men in mind, body, or vow — the month of Madhava destroys all of it, however great."

Verse 88 (padma.5.99.88)

दिवाकर इव ध्वांतं नाशयेन्नृपसर्वशः । तथा श्री माधवोमासस्तमाचर विधानतः

divākara iva dhvāṁtaṁ nāśayennṛpasarvaśaḥ tathā śrī mādhavomāsastamācara vidhānataḥ

"As the sun destroys darkness entirely, O king, so does the blessed month of Madhava; observe it, therefore, according to rule."

Verse 89 (padma.5.99.89)

आजन्मनोऽपि विहितानि महांति राजन्घोराणि तानि दुरितानि विहाय मर्त्याः । वैशाखमासविहिताचरणप्रभाव पुण्येन ते हरिपुरं मुदिता लभंते

ājanmano'pi vihitāni mahāṁti rājanghorāṇi tāni duritāni vihāya martyāḥ vaiśākhamāsavihitācaraṇaprabhāva puṇyena te haripuraṁ muditā labhaṁte

"O king, having abandoned even great and terrible sins committed since birth, mortals, through the meritorious power of the observance prescribed for the month of Vaishakha, joyfully attain the city of Hari."

Verse 90 (padma.5.99.90)

यद्येकमपि वैशाखमाचरंति विधानतः । भावतः पापिनोऽप्यंते प्रयांति हरिमंदिरम्

yadyekamapi vaiśākhamācaraṁti vidhānataḥ bhāvataḥ pāpino'pyaṁte prayāṁti harimaṁdiram

"If even a single Vaishakha is observed according to rule, with true devotion, even sinners, in the end, go to the temple of Hari."

Verse 91 (padma.5.99.91)

तस्मात्त्वमपि राजेंद्र मासेऽस्मिन्माधवेधुना । प्रातःस्नात्वा विधानेन समर्चय मधुद्विषम्

tasmāttvamapi rājeṁdra māse'sminmādhavedhunā prātaḥsnātvā vidhānena samarcaya madhudviṣam

"Therefore, O lord of kings, you too, now, in this month of Madhava, having bathed at dawn according to rule, should duly worship the enemy of Madhu."

Verse 92 (padma.5.99.92)

तंडुलस्य यथा चर्म यथा ताम्रस्य कालिमा । नश्यंति क्रियया वीर पुरुषस्य तथा मलः

taṁḍulasya yathā carma yathā tāmrasya kālimā naśyaṁti kriyayā vīra puruṣasya tathā malaḥ

"As the husk is removed from rice, as the tarnish is removed from copper, through proper action, O hero — so too is a man's impurity removed."

Verse 93 (padma.5.99.93)

जीवस्य तंडुलस्येव सहजोऽपि मलो महान् । नश्यत्येव न संदेहस्तस्मात्कर्मोदितं कुरु

jīvasya taṁḍulasyeva sahajo'pi malo mahān naśyatyeva na saṁdehastasmātkarmoditaṁ kuru

"The great impurity innate to a being, like that innate to rice, is indeed destroyed through the prescribed rite; there is no doubt of it. Therefore perform the rite as declared."