The Contest of King Chola and Vishnudasa

Verse 1 (padma.6.108.1)

नारद उवाच। इत्थं तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा धर्मदत्तः सविस्मयः । प्रणम्य दंडवद्भूमौ वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह

nārada uvāca itthaṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā dharmadattaḥ savismayaḥ praṇamya daṁḍavadbhūmau vākyametaduvāca ha

Narada said: Hearing these words thus, Dharmadatta, astonished, prostrated flat upon the ground and spoke these words.

Verse 2 (padma.6.108.2)

धर्मदत्त उवाच। आराधयंति सर्वेऽपि विष्णुं भक्तार्त्तिनाशिनम् । यज्ञैर्दानैर्व्रतैस्तीर्थैस्तपोभिश्च यथाविधि

dharmadatta uvāca ārādhayaṁti sarve'pi viṣṇuṁ bhaktārttināśinam yajñairdānairvrataistīrthaistapobhiśca yathāvidhi

Dharmadatta said: All people worship Vishnu, the destroyer of his devotees' afflictions, duly with sacrifices, gifts, vows, pilgrimages, and austerities.

Verse 3 (padma.6.108.3)

विष्णुप्रीतिकरं तेषां विष्णुसान्निध्यकारकम् । यत्कृत्वा तानि चीर्णानि सर्वाण्यपि भवंति हि

viṣṇuprītikaraṁ teṣāṁ viṣṇusānnidhyakārakam yatkṛtvā tāni cīrṇāni sarvāṇyapi bhavaṁti hi

Which of these is it that pleases Vishnu and grants his closeness — that, once performed, causes all the others to be considered as already accomplished?

Verse 4 (padma.6.108.4)

गणावूचतुः । साधु पृष्टं त्वया विप्र शृणुष्वैकाग्रमानसः । सेतिहासां कथां विप्र कथ्यमानां पुराभवाम्

gaṇāvūcatuḥ sādhu pṛṣṭaṁ tvayā vipra śṛṇuṣvaikāgramānasaḥ setihāsāṁ kathāṁ vipra kathyamānāṁ purābhavām

Those two attendants said: 'A good question you have asked, O brahmin. Listen with an undivided mind — this ancient tale, together with its history, is now being told.'

Verse 5 (padma.6.108.5)

कांतिपुर्यां पुरा चोल चक्रवर्त्ती नृपोऽभवत् । यस्य नाम्ना च ते देशाश्चोलाख्या अभवन्किल

kāṁtipuryāṁ purā cola cakravarttī nṛpo'bhavat yasya nāmnā ca te deśāścolākhyā abhavankila

Long ago, in Kantipuri, there was a universal emperor named Chola, by whose very name those lands became known as 'Chola.'

Verse 6 (padma.6.108.6)

यस्मिन्शासति भूचक्रं दरिद्रो नैव दुःखितः । पापबुद्धिः सरुग्वापि नैव कश्चिदभून्नरः

yasminśāsati bhūcakraṁ daridro naiva duḥkhitaḥ pāpabuddhiḥ sarugvāpi naiva kaścidabhūnnaraḥ

While he ruled the circle of the earth, no man was destitute, no one sorrowful, no one of sinful mind, and no one diseased.

Verse 7 (padma.6.108.7)

यस्याप्यत्यंतयज्ञस्य ताम्रपर्णी तटावुभौ । सुवर्णयूपैः शोभाढ्यावास्तां चैत्ररथोपमौ

yasyāpyatyaṁtayajñasya tāmraparṇī taṭāvubhau suvarṇayūpaiḥ śobhāḍhyāvāstāṁ caitrarathopamau

Because of his exceedingly great sacrifices, both banks of the Tamraparni river became resplendent with golden sacrificial posts, resembling the Chaitraratha forest.

Verse 8 (padma.6.108.8)

स कदाचिदगाद्राजा ह्यनंतशयनं द्विज । यत्रासौ जगतां नाथो योगनिद्रामुपासते

sa kadācidagādrājā hyanaṁtaśayanaṁ dvija yatrāsau jagatāṁ nātho yoganidrāmupāsate

O brahmin, that king once went to Anantashayanam, where that Lord of the worlds abides in yogic slumber.

Verse 9 (padma.6.108.9)

तत्र श्रीरमणं देवं संपूज्य विधिवन्नृपः । मणिमुक्ताफलैर्दिव्यैः स्वर्णपुष्पैश्च शोभनैः

tatra śrīramaṇaṁ devaṁ saṁpūjya vidhivannṛpaḥ maṇimuktāphalairdivyaiḥ svarṇapuṣpaiśca śobhanaiḥ

There the king duly worshipped the Lord Shriramana with divine jewels and pearls, and with beautiful golden flowers.

Verse 10 (padma.6.108.10)

प्रणम्य दंडवद्यावदुपविष्टः स तत्र वै । तावद्ब्राह्मणमायां तमपश्यद्देवसन्निधौ

praṇamya daṁḍavadyāvadupaviṣṭaḥ sa tatra vai tāvadbrāhmaṇamāyāṁ tamapaśyaddevasannidhau

Having prostrated himself, just as he sat down there, he saw a brahmin approaching, near the deity.

Verse 11 (padma.6.108.11)

देवार्चनार्थमायांतं तुलस्युदकपाणिनम् । स्वपुरीवासिनं तत्र विष्णुदासाह्वयं द्विजम्

devārcanārthamāyāṁtaṁ tulasyudakapāṇinam svapurīvāsinaṁ tatra viṣṇudāsāhvayaṁ dvijam

He had come for the worship of the deity, holding tulasi and water in his hand. He was a brahmin named Vishnudasa, a resident of that very city.

Verse 12 (padma.6.108.12)

तत्राभ्येत्य स विप्रर्षिर्देवदेवमपूजयत् । विष्णुसूक्तेन संस्नाप्य तुलसीमंजरीदलैः

tatrābhyetya sa viprarṣirdevadevamapūjayat viṣṇusūktena saṁsnāpya tulasīmaṁjarīdalaiḥ

Coming there, that brahmin-sage, having bathed the deity with the Vishnu-sukta hymn, worshipped the God of gods with tulasi sprigs and leaves.

Verse 13 (padma.6.108.13)

तुलसीपूजया तस्य रत्नपूजां तथा कृताम् । आच्छादितां समालोक्य राजा क्रुद्धोऽब्रवीद्वचः

tulasīpūjayā tasya ratnapūjāṁ tathā kṛtām ācchāditāṁ samālokya rājā kruddho'bravīdvacaḥ

Seeing his own jewel-worship covered over by that man's tulasi-worship, the king, enraged, spoke these words.

Verse 14 (padma.6.108.14)

राजोवाच। माणिक्यस्वर्णपूजात्र शोभाढ्या या मया कृता । विष्णुदास कथं सेयमाच्छन्ना तुलसीदलैः

rājovāca māṇikyasvarṇapūjātra śobhāḍhyā yā mayā kṛtā viṣṇudāsa kathaṁ seyamācchannā tulasīdalaiḥ

The king said: 'O Vishnudasa, this resplendent worship of mine, performed with rubies and gold — how has it been covered over by tulasi leaves?'

Verse 15 (padma.6.108.15)

विष्णुभक्तिं न जानासि वराकोऽसि मतो मम । यस्त्विमामतिशोभाढ्यां पूजामाच्छादयस्यहो

viṣṇubhaktiṁ na jānāsi varāko'si mato mama yastvimāmatiśobhāḍhyāṁ pūjāmācchādayasyaho

'You do not know true devotion to Vishnu; in my view you are worthless, that you should cover over this most splendid worship — how astonishing!'

Verse 16 (padma.6.108.16)

इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सक्रोधः स द्विजोत्तमः । राज्ञो गौरवमुल्लंघ्य जगाद वचनं तदा

iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā sakrodhaḥ sa dvijottamaḥ rājño gauravamullaṁghya jagāda vacanaṁ tadā

Hearing these words, that excellent brahmin was filled with anger, and, disregarding the king's dignity, then spoke these words.

Verse 17 (padma.6.108.17)

विष्णुदास उवाच। राजन्मुक्तिं न जानासि गर्वितोऽसि नृपश्रिया । किंस्विद्विष्णुव्रतं पूर्वं त्वया चीर्णं वदस्व तत्

viṣṇudāsa uvāca rājanmuktiṁ na jānāsi garvito'si nṛpaśriyā kiṁsvidviṣṇuvrataṁ pūrvaṁ tvayā cīrṇaṁ vadasva tat

Vishnudasa said: 'O king, you do not know liberation; you are made arrogant by royal splendor. Tell me, what vow to Vishnu have you ever kept in the past?'

Verse 18 (padma.6.108.18)

गणावूचतुः । तद्ब्राह्मणवचः श्रुत्वा प्रहस्य स नृपोत्तमः । विष्णुदासं तदा गर्वादुवाच वचनं द्विज

gaṇāvūcatuḥ tadbrāhmaṇavacaḥ śrutvā prahasya sa nṛpottamaḥ viṣṇudāsaṁ tadā garvāduvāca vacanaṁ dvija

Both attendants said: Hearing that brahmin's words, that excellent king, laughing, in pride spoke these words to Vishnudasa.

Verse 19 (padma.6.108.19)

इत्थं चेत्कथ्यसे विप्र विष्णुभक्त्यातिगर्वितः । भक्तिस्ते कियतीविष्णोर्दरिद्रस्याधनस्य च

itthaṁ cetkathyase vipra viṣṇubhaktyātigarvitaḥ bhaktiste kiyatīviṣṇordaridrasyādhanasya ca

'O brahmin, if you speak thus, so exceedingly proud of your devotion to Vishnu — O destitute, O penniless one, just how much devotion do you truly have for Vishnu?'

Verse 20 (padma.6.108.20)

यज्ञदानादिकं चैव विष्णुतुष्टिकरं कृतम् । नापि देवालयं पूर्वं त्वया विप्र क्वचित्कृतम्

yajñadānādikaṁ caiva viṣṇutuṣṭikaraṁ kṛtam nāpi devālayaṁ pūrvaṁ tvayā vipra kvacitkṛtam

'You have neither performed any sacrifice, gift, or other rite to please Vishnu, nor have you ever, O brahmin, built any temple before.'

Verse 21 (padma.6.108.21)

ईदृशस्यापि ते गर्व एष तिष्ठति भक्तितः । तच्छृण्वंतु वचो मेऽद्य सर्वेप्येते द्विजोत्तमाः

īdṛśasyāpi te garva eṣa tiṣṭhati bhaktitaḥ tacchṛṇvaṁtu vaco me'dya sarvepyete dvijottamāḥ

'Even so, this pride of yours stands upon devotion alone. Let all these excellent brahmins now hear these my words —'

Verse 22 (padma.6.108.22)

साक्षात्कारमहं विष्णोरेष वादो गमिष्यति । यथा तु सर्वेऽपि ततो भक्तिं ज्ञास्यथ चावयोः

sākṣātkāramahaṁ viṣṇoreṣa vādo gamiṣyati yathā tu sarve'pi tato bhaktiṁ jñāsyatha cāvayoḥ

'— I shall attain the direct vision of Vishnu; let this dispute proceed toward that end, so that all may then know the true devotion of each of us.'

Verse 23 (padma.6.108.23)

गणावूचतुः । इत्युक्त्वा स नृपो गच्छन्निजं राजगृहं द्विजः । आरेभे वैष्णवं सत्रं कृत्वाचार्यं तु मुद्गलम्

gaṇāvūcatuḥ ityuktvā sa nṛpo gacchannijaṁ rājagṛhaṁ dvijaḥ ārebhe vaiṣṇavaṁ satraṁ kṛtvācāryaṁ tu mudgalam

Both attendants said: Having said this, the king, going to his own palace, appointed Mudgala as officiating priest and began a Vaishnava sacrificial session.

Verse 24 (padma.6.108.24)

ऋषिसंघसमाजुष्टं बभूव बहुदक्षिणम् । यद्वद्ब्रह्मकृतं पूर्वं गयाक्षेत्रे समृद्धिमत्

ṛṣisaṁghasamājuṣṭaṁ babhūva bahudakṣiṇam yadvadbrahmakṛtaṁ pūrvaṁ gayākṣetre samṛddhimat

That sacrifice became well-attended by assemblies of sages and abundant in sacrificial fees, like the prosperous sacrifice once performed by Brahma in the region of Gaya.

Verse 25 (padma.6.108.25)

विष्णुदासोऽपि तत्रैव तस्थौ देवालये व्रती । पंचैतान्नियमान्कृत्वा विष्णुतुष्टिकरान्सदा

viṣṇudāso'pi tatraiva tasthau devālaye vratī paṁcaitānniyamānkṛtvā viṣṇutuṣṭikarānsadā

Vishnudasa too remained right there in the temple, as a vow-keeper, observing these five rules that ever please Vishnu.

Verse 26 (padma.6.108.26)

माघोर्जयोर्व्रतं सम्यक्तुलसीवनपालनम् । एकादशीव्रतं जाप्यं द्वादशाक्षरविद्यया

māghorjayorvrataṁ samyaktulasīvanapālanam ekādaśīvrataṁ jāpyaṁ dvādaśākṣaravidyayā

The due observance of the Magha and Kartika vows, the tending of a grove of tulasi, the Ekadashi vow, and the recitation of the twelve-syllabled mantra —

Verse 27 (padma.6.108.27)

उपचारैः षोडशभिर्गीतनृत्यादिमंगलैः । नित्यं विष्णोस्तथा पूजां व्रतान्येतानि सोऽकरोत्

upacāraiḥ ṣoḍaśabhirgītanṛtyādimaṁgalaiḥ nityaṁ viṣṇostathā pūjāṁ vratānyetāni so'karot

— and the daily worship of Vishnu with the sixteen ritual offerings and auspicious songs and dances — these vows he performed.

Verse 28 (padma.6.108.28)

नित्यं संस्मरणं विष्णोर्गच्छन्भुंजन्स्वपन्नपि । सर्वभूतस्थितं विष्णुमपश्यत्समदर्शनः

nityaṁ saṁsmaraṇaṁ viṣṇorgacchanbhuṁjansvapannapi sarvabhūtasthitaṁ viṣṇumapaśyatsamadarśanaḥ

Walking, eating, and even sleeping, he ever remained mindful of Vishnu; possessed of equal vision, he beheld Vishnu present in all beings.

Verse 29 (padma.6.108.29)

माघकार्तिकयोर्नित्यं विशेषनियमानपि । अकरोद्विष्णुतुष्ट्यर्थं सोद्यापनविधिं तथा

māghakārtikayornityaṁ viśeṣaniyamānapi akarodviṣṇutuṣṭyarthaṁ sodyāpanavidhiṁ tathā

In Magha and Kartika, he ever observed the special rules, and, for the pleasure of Vishnu, also performed the concluding rite.

Verse 30 (padma.6.108.30)

एवं समाराधयतोः श्रियः पतिं तयोस्तु चोलेश्वरविष्णुदासयोः । अगादनेहा बहु तद्व्रतस्थयोस्तन्निष्ठकर्मेन्द्रियकर्मणोस्तयोः

evaṁ samārādhayatoḥ śriyaḥ patiṁ tayostu coleśvaraviṣṇudāsayoḥ agādanehā bahu tadvratasthayostanniṣṭhakarmendriyakarmaṇostayoḥ

Thus, established each in his own vow, their sense-organs' every action devoted with steadfastness to that end, much time passed for both the king of Chola and Vishnudasa, as they worshipped the Lord of Shri.