King Dilipa's Hunt and the Glory of Magha

Verse 1 (padma.6.125.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः। सूतसूत महाभाग त्वया लोकहितैषिणा । कथितं कार्तिकाख्यानं भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायकम्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ sūtasūta mahābhāga tvayā lokahitaiṣiṇā kathitaṁ kārtikākhyānaṁ bhuktimuktipradāyakam

The sages said: O Sūta, Sūta, illustrious one, desiring the welfare of the world, you have told the account of Kartika, bestowing both enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 2 (padma.6.125.2)

अधुना माघमाहात्म्यं वद नो लोमहर्षणे । श्रुतेन येन लोकानां संशयः क्षीयते महान्

adhunā māghamāhātmyaṁ vada no lomaharṣaṇe śrutena yena lokānāṁ saṁśayaḥ kṣīyate mahān

Now, O Lomaharshana, tell us the glory of Magha, by hearing which the great doubt of the worlds is dispelled.

Verse 3 (padma.6.125.3)

पुरा केन महाभाग लोकेऽस्मिन्संप्रकाशितम् । माघस्नानस्य माहात्म्यं सेतिहासं तदादिश

purā kena mahābhāga loke'sminsaṁprakāśitam māghasnānasya māhātmyaṁ setihāsaṁ tadādiśa

O illustrious one, by whom was the glory of the Magha bath first proclaimed in this world? Tell us that, together with its story.

Verse 4 (padma.6.125.4)

सूत उवाच। साधुसाधु मुनिश्रेष्ठा यूयं कृष्णपरायणः । यत्पृच्छथ मुदायुक्ता भक्त्या कृष्णकथा मुहुः

sūta uvāca sādhusādhu muniśreṣṭhā yūyaṁ kṛṣṇaparāyaṇaḥ yatpṛcchatha mudāyuktā bhaktyā kṛṣṇakathā muhuḥ

Sūta said: Well done, well done, O foremost of sages, you who are devoted to Krishna, in that, filled with joy and devotion, you ask again and again for the stories of Krishna.

Verse 5 (padma.6.125.5)

कथयिष्यामि माघस्य माहात्म्यं पुण्यवर्धनम् । पापघ्नं शृण्वतां पुंसां स्नातानां चारुणोदये

kathayiṣyāmi māghasya māhātmyaṁ puṇyavardhanam pāpaghnaṁ śṛṇvatāṁ puṁsāṁ snātānāṁ cāruṇodaye

I shall tell the glory of Magha, which increases merit and destroys sin for men who hear it and bathe at the beautiful hour of dawn.

Verse 6 (padma.6.125.6)

एकदापार्वती विप्राः शंकरं लोकशंकरम् । पप्रच्छ विनयोपेता स्पृष्ट्वा तच्चरणांबुजम्

ekadāpārvatī viprāḥ śaṁkaraṁ lokaśaṁkaram papraccha vinayopetā spṛṣṭvā taccaraṇāṁbujam

O brahmins, once Parvati, filled with humility, touching his lotus feet, asked Shankara, the bringer of well-being to the world.

Verse 7 (padma.6.125.7)

पार्वत्युवाच। देवदेव महादेव भक्तानामभयप्रद । प्रसीद नाथ विश्वेश यत्पृच्छे तद्वदाधुना

pārvatyuvāca devadeva mahādeva bhaktānāmabhayaprada prasīda nātha viśveśa yatpṛcche tadvadādhunā

Parvati said: O God of gods, Mahadeva, giver of fearlessness to your devotees — be gracious, O Lord, O Lord of the universe; tell me now what I ask.

Verse 8 (padma.6.125.8)

श्रुता नानाविधा धर्मास्त्वत्तः पूर्वं मया विभो । अधुना श्रोतुमिच्छामि माहात्म्यं माघजं वद

śrutā nānāvidhā dharmāstvattaḥ pūrvaṁ mayā vibho adhunā śrotumicchāmi māhātmyaṁ māghajaṁ vada

O Lord, I have heard from you before many kinds of dharma; now I wish to hear — tell me the glory born of Magha.

Verse 9 (padma.6.125.9)

तत्तु केन पुरा चीर्णं को विधिः का च देवता । तत्सर्वं विस्तराद्ब्रूहि यतस्त्वं भक्तवत्सलः

tattu kena purā cīrṇaṁ ko vidhiḥ kā ca devatā tatsarvaṁ vistarādbrūhi yatastvaṁ bhaktavatsalaḥ

By whom was it first practiced, what is its procedure, and who is its deity? Tell me all this in detail, since you are affectionate to your devotees.

Verse 10 (padma.6.125.10)

महेश उवाच। अध्वराऽवभृथस्नात ऋषिभिः कृतमंगलः । पूजितो नागरैः सर्वैः स्वपुरान्निर्गतो बहिः

maheśa uvāca adhvarā'vabhṛthasnāta ṛṣibhiḥ kṛtamaṁgalaḥ pūjito nāgaraiḥ sarvaiḥ svapurānnirgato bahiḥ

Mahesha said: There was a king who, having bathed in the concluding rite of a sacrifice, blessed by the sages, honored by all the citizens, went forth outside his own city.

Verse 11 (padma.6.125.11)

दिलीपो भूभृतां श्रेष्ठो मृगयारसिको नृपः । कौतूहलसमाविष्ट आखेटव्यूहसंवृतः

dilīpo bhūbhṛtāṁ śreṣṭho mṛgayārasiko nṛpaḥ kautūhalasamāviṣṭa ākheṭavyūhasaṁvṛtaḥ

This was Dilipa, foremost of kings, a monarch fond of the pleasure of the hunt, filled with curiosity, surrounded by his hunting retinue.

Verse 12 (padma.6.125.12)

उपानद्रूढपादस्तु नीलोष्णीष उरच्छदी । बद्धगोधांगुलित्राणो धनुष्पाणिः सरीसृपः

upānadrūḍhapādastu nīloṣṇīṣa uracchadī baddhagodhāṁgulitrāṇo dhanuṣpāṇiḥ sarīsṛpaḥ

His feet clad in sandals, wearing a dark-blue turban and a breastplate, his fingers bound with a leather guard, bow in hand, moving stealthily —

Verse 13 (padma.6.125.13)

बद्धक्षुद्रासिधानुष्कैस्तथाभूतैश्च पत्तिभिः । गांधारेषु सुरम्येषु वनेषु विपुलेषु च

baddhakṣudrāsidhānuṣkaistathābhūtaiśca pattibhiḥ gāṁdhāreṣu suramyeṣu vaneṣu vipuleṣu ca

— together with foot-soldiers similarly armed with small swords and bows, in the beautiful, vast forests of Gandhara,

Verse 14 (padma.6.125.14)

उल्लंघितमहास्रोता युवा पंचास्यविक्रमः । मुदा क्रीडति तैः सार्द्धं कुंजेषु मृगयन्मृगान्

ullaṁghitamahāsrotā yuvā paṁcāsyavikramaḥ mudā krīḍati taiḥ sārddhaṁ kuṁjeṣu mṛgayanmṛgān

— he, a youth of lion-like valor, crossing great streams, sported joyfully with them, hunting deer in the thickets.

Verse 15 (padma.6.125.15)

हन्यतां हन्यतामेष मृगो वैष पलायते । इति जल्पन्स्वभृत्येषु स्वयमुत्पत्त्य हंति च

hanyatāṁ hanyatāmeṣa mṛgo vaiṣa palāyate iti jalpansvabhṛtyeṣu svayamutpattya haṁti ca

"Strike it, strike it — this deer, look, it's fleeing!" — so crying out to his own attendants, he himself would leap up and strike.

Verse 16 (padma.6.125.16)

इतस्ततः पुनर्याति क्वचित्पश्यन्वनस्थलीम् । विटपोड्डीनसंत्रस्त लीन केकिकुलाकुलाम्

itastataḥ punaryāti kvacitpaśyanvanasthalīm viṭapoḍḍīnasaṁtrasta līna kekikulākulām

He roamed here and there, seeing in places forest-tracts thronged with flocks of peacocks, startled and hidden after flying up from the branches;

Verse 17 (padma.6.125.17)

हरिणीगणवित्रस्तां धावच्छावकदिङ्मुखाम् । क्वचित्फेरवफेत्कारतारारावविभीषणाम्

hariṇīgaṇavitrastāṁ dhāvacchāvakadiṅmukhām kvacitpheravaphetkāratārārāvavibhīṣaṇām

— thronged with herds of does frightened, their fawns fleeing in every direction; in places terrible with the shrill howling cries of jackals;

Verse 18 (padma.6.125.18)

खड्गयूथैः क्वचिल्लक्ष्मीं दधानामिव दंतिनाम् । क्वचित्कोटरसंदष्टोलूकनादविनादिनीम्

khaḍgayūthaiḥ kvacillakṣmīṁ dadhānāmiva daṁtinām kvacitkoṭarasaṁdaṣṭolūkanādavinādinīm

— in places seeming to bear the very splendor of herds of rhinoceroses and elephants; in places resounding with the hoots of owls nested in tree-hollows;

Verse 19 (padma.6.125.19)

मृगारिपदमुद्राभिर्मुद्रितां च क्वचित्क्वचित् । शार्दूलनखनिर्भिन्न रोहिद्रक्तारुणां क्वचित्

mṛgāripadamudrābhirmudritāṁ ca kvacitkvacit śārdūlanakhanirbhinna rohidraktāruṇāṁ kvacit

— marked here and there with the footprints of the lion, the deer's enemy; in places reddened with the blood of deer torn by tiger's claws;

Verse 20 (padma.6.125.20)

पीवरस्तनभारार्त सुस्निग्धमहिषीगणैः । अवरोधाजिरक्षोणीं सूचयंती मनः क्वचित्

pīvarastanabhārārta susnigdhamahiṣīgaṇaiḥ avarodhājirakṣoṇīṁ sūcayaṁtī manaḥ kvacit

— in places, with its herds of sleek buffalo-cows burdened with heavy udders, suggesting to the mind the courtyard of a royal harem;

Verse 21 (padma.6.125.21)

क्वचिद्वृक्षघनच्छन्नां वन्यपुष्पसुगंधिनीम् । क्वचिल्लतागृहद्वारां भृंगशब्दसुशोभनाम्

kvacidvṛkṣaghanacchannāṁ vanyapuṣpasugaṁdhinīm kvacillatāgṛhadvārāṁ bhṛṁgaśabdasuśobhanām

— in places dense and covered with trees, fragrant with wild flowers; in places with doorways of creeper-bowers, beautified by the humming of bees;

Verse 22 (padma.6.125.22)

अर्धनिःसृतनिर्मोक नागभीमबृहद्विलाम् । बिलेषु लीनाजगरैर्भीमां निर्मोकसर्पिणीम्

ardhaniḥsṛtanirmoka nāgabhīmabṛhadvilām bileṣu līnājagarairbhīmāṁ nirmokasarpiṇīm

— with great holes fearsome with serpents half-emerged from their sloughed skins; terrible with pythons coiled within their burrows, and serpents shedding their skins;

Verse 23 (padma.6.125.23)

क्वचिद्दावानलज्वालां शिलाज्योतिः सुशोभनाम् । फूत्कारशब्दसंपूर्णां मृगव्याघ्रसमाकुलाम्

kvaciddāvānalajvālāṁ śilājyotiḥ suśobhanām phūtkāraśabdasaṁpūrṇāṁ mṛgavyāghrasamākulām

— in places aflame with forest-fire, its rocks beautifully glowing in that light; filled with hissing sounds and thronged with deer and tigers;

Verse 24 (padma.6.125.24)

प्रविमुंचञ्छुनां यूथं शशकेषु क्वचित्क्वचित् । पल्वलेषु च विश्रम्य पुनर्याति वनान्तरम्

pravimuṁcañchunāṁ yūthaṁ śaśakeṣu kvacitkvacit palvaleṣu ca viśramya punaryāti vanāntaram

— [there,] he would loose packs of dogs on hares here and there, and, resting at pools, he would go on again deeper into the forest.

Verse 25 (padma.6.125.25)

एवं व्रजति राजेन्द्रे व्याधवर्गे च वल्गति । कुर्वन्कोलाहलं तत्र सारंगो निर्गतो वनात्

evaṁ vrajati rājendre vyādhavarge ca valgati kurvankolāhalaṁ tatra sāraṁgo nirgato vanāt

Thus, as the king of kings advanced and his band of huntsmen leapt about, making an uproar, a deer sprang forth from the forest —

Verse 26 (padma.6.125.26)

स्फालवेगक्रमाक्रांत दुर्गमार्गमहीतलः । कदाचिद्गगनारूढः कदाचिद्भूमिगोचरः

sphālavegakramākrāṁta durgamārgamahītalaḥ kadācidgaganārūḍhaḥ kadācidbhūmigocaraḥ

— covering rugged, difficult ground with the speed of its bounding leaps, now seeming to leap into the very sky, now touching the earth;

Verse 27 (padma.6.125.27)

वक्रस्रोतोऽतिगंभीरं कण्टकद्रुमसंकुलम् । प्रविष्टो विषमारण्यं राजाऽसौ तत्पदानुगः

vakrasroto'tigaṁbhīraṁ kaṇṭakadrumasaṁkulam praviṣṭo viṣamāraṇyaṁ rājā'sau tatpadānugaḥ

— and that king, following its tracks, entered a rugged forest with winding, very deep streams, thick with thorny trees.

Verse 28 (padma.6.125.28)

दूराद्दूरतरं गत्वा देशाद्देशं च निर्जनम् । मृगादर्शनसंरम्भ संशुष्कगलकन्धरः

dūrāddūrataraṁ gatvā deśāddeśaṁ ca nirjanam mṛgādarśanasaṁrambha saṁśuṣkagalakandharaḥ

Going farther and farther away, from region to uninhabited region, his throat and neck parched from the exertion of failing to sight the deer,

Verse 29 (padma.6.125.29)

ताम्रतालुमुखः स्विन्नः श्रांतपत्तिः स्खलद्ध्वनिः । अतीत्य दीर्घमार्गान्स तृषार्तो मध्यगे रवौ

tāmratālumukhaḥ svinnaḥ śrāṁtapattiḥ skhaladdhvaniḥ atītya dīrghamārgānsa tṛṣārto madhyage ravau

— his mouth and palate coppery-dry, sweating, his foot-soldiers exhausted, his voice faltering, having crossed long roads, tormented by thirst, with the sun now at its zenith,

Verse 30 (padma.6.125.30)

ददर्शाग्रे तु कासारं स्पर्धयंतमपांपतिम् । घनपादपतीरस्थं सुतीर्थं विमलं शुभम्

dadarśāgre tu kāsāraṁ spardhayaṁtamapāṁpatim ghanapādapatīrasthaṁ sutīrthaṁ vimalaṁ śubham

— he then beheld ahead a lake, as if rivaling the lord of waters itself, its banks lined with dense trees, with a fine bathing-ghat, spotless and auspicious;

Verse 31 (padma.6.125.31)

विशालं विकचांभोजं मधुमत्तमधुव्रतम् । पद्मिनीपत्रपालाशच्छन्नं मरकतैरिव

viśālaṁ vikacāṁbhojaṁ madhumattamadhuvratam padminīpatrapālāśacchannaṁ marakatairiva

— vast, its lotuses in full bloom, its bees drunk with honey, covered with the leaves of the lotus-plants as if with emeralds;

Verse 32 (padma.6.125.32)

स्वच्छंदमुच्छलन्मत्स्यं स्वच्छं साधुमनो यथा । चलज्जलचरैर्मिश्रं वीचिराजिविराजितम्

svacchaṁdamucchalanmatsyaṁ svacchaṁ sādhumano yathā calajjalacarairmiśraṁ vīcirājivirājitam

— with fish leaping freely, clear like the mind of a virtuous man, filled with moving water-creatures, adorned with rows of ripples;

Verse 33 (padma.6.125.33)

अंतर्ग्राहगणक्रूरं खलानामिव मानसम् । क्वचिच्छैवालदुर्गम्यं कृपणस्यैव मंदिरम् । नानाविहङ्गसर्वार्तिं शमयंतं दिवानिशम्

aṁtargrāhagaṇakrūraṁ khalānāmiva mānasam kvacicchaivāladurgamyaṁ kṛpaṇasyaiva maṁdiram nānāvihaṅgasarvārtiṁ śamayaṁtaṁ divāniśam

— cruel within with its throngs of crocodiles, like the mind of the wicked; in places impassable with algae, like the house of a miser; day and night pacifying every distress of the various birds;

Verse 34 (padma.6.125.34)

दातारमिव सर्वस्वैरापन्नार्तिप्रणाशनम् । तर्पयंतं निजांभोभिः श्वापदान्स्वपितॄनिव

dātāramiva sarvasvairāpannārtipraṇāśanam tarpayaṁtaṁ nijāṁbhobhiḥ śvāpadānsvapitṝniva

— like a generous giver of all he has, destroying the distress of the afflicted; satisfying the wild beasts with its own waters, as if they were its own ancestors;

Verse 35 (padma.6.125.35)

हरंतं सर्वसंतापं हिमांशुरिव चाह्निकम् । तं दृष्ट्वाभूद्गतग्लानिश्चातको जलदं यथा

haraṁtaṁ sarvasaṁtāpaṁ himāṁśuriva cāhnikam taṁ dṛṣṭvābhūdgataglāniścātako jaladaṁ yathā

— removing all heat, like the moon removing the day's warmth. Seeing it, the king's fatigue vanished, as a chataka bird's does at the sight of a rain-cloud.

Verse 36 (padma.6.125.36)

तत्र पीतजलो राजा कृतमाध्याह्निकक्रियः । भुक्त्वा खेटकमांसानि सहायैः सहितो नृपः

tatra pītajalo rājā kṛtamādhyāhnikakriyaḥ bhuktvā kheṭakamāṁsāni sahāyaiḥ sahito nṛpaḥ

There the king, having drunk the water, having performed the midday rites, and having eaten the meat of the hunted game together with his companions,

Verse 37 (padma.6.125.37)

उवास सरसस्तीरे सुरम्यां कथयन्कथाम् । ततः शरासने बाणं कृत्वा रात्रौ स्थितस्तरौ

uvāsa sarasastīre suramyāṁ kathayankathām tataḥ śarāsane bāṇaṁ kṛtvā rātrau sthitastarau

— sat upon the bank of the lake, telling a delightful story; and then, at night, having set an arrow to his bow, remained stationed in a tree,

Verse 38 (padma.6.125.38)

व्याधाः संधानमास्थाय रुरुधुः ककुभां पथः । एवं स्थितेषु वीरेषु वने विस्तार्य वागुराम्

vyādhāḥ saṁdhānamāsthāya rurudhuḥ kakubhāṁ pathaḥ evaṁ sthiteṣu vīreṣu vane vistārya vāgurām

— while the hunters, keeping their weapons ready, blocked the paths in all directions. While these warriors thus remained, having spread nets in the forest,

Verse 39 (padma.6.125.39)

निशार्धे निर्गतं यूथं सूकराणां तटे तटे । चरित्वा सरसीकंदान्पपात व्याधसंकुले

niśārdhe nirgataṁ yūthaṁ sūkarāṇāṁ taṭe taṭe caritvā sarasīkaṁdānpapāta vyādhasaṁkule

— at midnight a herd of boars came out, and, having grazed on the roots at the lake's edges, fell into the midst of the hunters.

Verse 40 (padma.6.125.40)

राज्ञा विद्धाश्च ते क्रोडा व्याधैश्च बहवो हताः । क्षणेनैव वराहास्ते विद्धाः पेतुर्महीतले

rājñā viddhāśca te kroḍā vyādhaiśca bahavo hatāḥ kṣaṇenaiva varāhāste viddhāḥ peturmahītale

Pierced by the king and by the huntsmen, many boars were slain; in an instant, those boars, wounded, fell upon the ground.

Verse 41 (padma.6.125.41)

तान्दृष्ट्वा तुमुलं नादं व्याधाश्चक्रुः सुदर्पिताः । धावंतः प्रमुदायुक्ता मिलिता यत्र भूपतिः

tāndṛṣṭvā tumulaṁ nādaṁ vyādhāścakruḥ sudarpitāḥ dhāvaṁtaḥ pramudāyuktā militā yatra bhūpatiḥ

Seeing them, the hunters, filled with pride, raised a tumultuous shout; running joyfully, they gathered where the king was.

Verse 42 (padma.6.125.42)

तानादाय भटैर्भूयो निःसृतः सरसीतटात् । स्वपुरं गंतुकामोऽसौ दृष्टवान्पथि तापसम्

tānādāya bhaṭairbhūyo niḥsṛtaḥ sarasītaṭāt svapuraṁ gaṁtukāmo'sau dṛṣṭavānpathi tāpasam

Having taken up the game, he set out once more from the lake's edge with his soldiers, wishing to return to his own city, when he saw upon the road an ascetic —

Verse 43 (padma.6.125.43)

ब्राह्मणं वृद्धहारीतं शंखचक्रसुशोभितम् । नियमैर्दुष्करैरुग्रैः परिक्षीणकलेवरम्

brāhmaṇaṁ vṛddhahārītaṁ śaṁkhacakrasuśobhitam niyamairduṣkarairugraiḥ parikṣīṇakalevaram

— an aged brahmin named Harita, beautifully marked with the conch and discus, his body worn thin by severe and difficult observances;

Verse 44 (padma.6.125.44)

अस्थिशेषं महद्दांतं विस्फुरत्कर्कशत्वचम् । दधानं हारिणं चर्म वसानं मृदुवल्कलम्

asthiśeṣaṁ mahaddāṁtaṁ visphuratkarkaśatvacam dadhānaṁ hāriṇaṁ carma vasānaṁ mṛduvalkalam

— reduced to mere bones, with great teeth, his rough skin gleaming, wearing the skin of a deer, clad in soft bark-garments,

Verse 45 (padma.6.125.45)

कुर्वाणं नैगमं जाप्यं नखलोमजटाधरम् । तं वनाश्रमिणं दृष्ट्वा मार्गं दत्त्वा ससंभ्रमः

kurvāṇaṁ naigamaṁ jāpyaṁ nakhalomajaṭādharam taṁ vanāśramiṇaṁ dṛṣṭvā mārgaṁ dattvā sasaṁbhramaḥ

— reciting Vedic mantras, his nails, hair, and matted locks long and untended. Seeing this dweller of the forest hermitage, the king, flustered, gave way on the road,

Verse 46 (padma.6.125.46)

प्रणम्य शिरसा राजा कृतपद्मांजलिस्थितः । अथ चैनमलंकारैर्द्विजो निश्चित्य भूमिपम्

praṇamya śirasā rājā kṛtapadmāṁjalisthitaḥ atha cainamalaṁkārairdvijo niścitya bhūmipam

— and, bowing his head, the king stood with hands joined in a lotus-shaped salutation. Then the brahmin, recognizing him as a king by his ornaments,

Verse 47 (padma.6.125.47)

उवाच श्रेयसे हेतोः परोपकृतिवांच्छया । किमर्थं गम्यते राजन्काले पुण्यतमे शुभे

uvāca śreyase hetoḥ paropakṛtivāṁcchayā kimarthaṁ gamyate rājankāle puṇyatame śubhe

— spoke, for the sake of his welfare and out of a wish to benefit him: "For what purpose, O king, do you travel at this most sacred and auspicious time,

Verse 48 (padma.6.125.48)

माघमासे विहायैव प्रातःस्नानं सरोवरे । प्रत्युवाच ततो राजा नाहं जाने द्विजोत्तम

māghamāse vihāyaiva prātaḥsnānaṁ sarovare pratyuvāca tato rājā nāhaṁ jāne dvijottama

— forgoing the morning bath in a lake in the month of Magha?" The king then replied: "I do not know, O best of brahmins —

Verse 49 (padma.6.125.49)

माघस्नानफलं कीदृक्तन्मे कथय विस्तरात् । इति भूपवचः श्रुत्वा प्राह वैखानसो मुनिः

māghasnānaphalaṁ kīdṛktanme kathaya vistarāt iti bhūpavacaḥ śrutvā prāha vaikhānaso muniḥ

— what is the fruit of the Magha bath? Tell me that in detail." Hearing the king's words, the sage Vaikhanasa said:

Verse 50 (padma.6.125.50)

भगवान्द्युमणिः शीघ्रमभ्युदेति तमोपहा । स्नानकालोऽयमस्माकं न कथाऽवसरो नृप

bhagavāndyumaṇiḥ śīghramabhyudeti tamopahā snānakālo'yamasmākaṁ na kathā'vasaro nṛpa

"The blessed sun, dispeller of darkness, will soon rise; this is our time for bathing, O king, not the occasion for conversation.

Verse 51 (padma.6.125.51)

स्नात्वा गच्छ वसिष्ठं तं पृच्छस्व स्वकुलप्रभुम् । इत्युक्त्वा तापसो मौनी प्रातःस्नानाय निर्गतः

snātvā gaccha vasiṣṭhaṁ taṁ pṛcchasva svakulaprabhum ityuktvā tāpaso maunī prātaḥsnānāya nirgataḥ

Bathe, and go and ask Vasishtha, the lord of your own family lineage." Having said this, the silent ascetic went forth for his morning bath.

Verse 52 (padma.6.125.52)

प्रत्यावृत्य दिलीपोऽपि तत्र स्नात्वा यथाविधि । पुनः स्वनगरीं वीरो गतोऽसौ हर्षपूरितः

pratyāvṛtya dilīpo'pi tatra snātvā yathāvidhi punaḥ svanagarīṁ vīro gato'sau harṣapūritaḥ

Dilipa too, turning back, bathed there according to rule, and that hero, filled with joy, then returned to his own city.

Verse 53 (padma.6.125.53)

अन्तःपुरे निवेद्याथ वानप्रस्थकथां पुनः । श्वेताश्वरथमारुह्य सुश्वेतच्छत्रचामरः

antaḥpure nivedyātha vānaprasthakathāṁ punaḥ śvetāśvarathamāruhya suśvetacchatracāmaraḥ

Having then related the story of the forest-dweller in his inner apartments, he mounted his chariot yoked with white horses, with a white parasol and yak-tail fan —

Verse 54 (padma.6.125.54)

सालंकारः सुवासाश्च संवृत्तो मंत्रिभिः सह । जयशब्दान्पुनः शृण्वन्स्तुतो मागधबंदिभिः

sālaṁkāraḥ suvāsāśca saṁvṛtto maṁtribhiḥ saha jayaśabdānpunaḥ śṛṇvanstuto māgadhabaṁdibhiḥ

— adorned with ornaments and finely clothed, surrounded by his ministers, hearing again the cries of "Victory!," praised by court bards and panegyrists,

Verse 55 (padma.6.125.55)

वसिष्ठस्याश्रमं यात ऋषिवाक्यमनुस्मरन् । तत्रैव नत्वा ब्रह्मर्षिं विनयाचारपूर्वकम्

vasiṣṭhasyāśramaṁ yāta ṛṣivākyamanusmaran tatraiva natvā brahmarṣiṁ vinayācārapūrvakam

— he went to the hermitage of Vasishtha, remembering the sage's words; and there, having bowed to the Brahmarshi with humble courtesy,

Verse 56 (padma.6.125.56)

दत्तासनो गृहीतार्घ्य आशीर्भिः समलंकृतः । सानंदं मुनिना पृष्टः कुशलं भूपतिर्यदा

dattāsano gṛhītārghya āśīrbhiḥ samalaṁkṛtaḥ sānaṁdaṁ muninā pṛṣṭaḥ kuśalaṁ bhūpatiryadā

— was given a seat, offered the guest-water, and adorned with blessings; and when the king was joyfully asked by the sage after his well-being,

Verse 57 (padma.6.125.57)

तदाब्रवीद्वचो राजा हर्षयन्मुनिमानसम् । सोऽपि वैखानसेनोक्तं पप्रच्छ मधुराकृतिः

tadābravīdvaco rājā harṣayanmunimānasam so'pi vaikhānasenoktaṁ papraccha madhurākṛtiḥ

— the king then spoke words that delighted the sage's heart; and he too, of gentle bearing, asked about that which Vaikhanasa had told him.

Verse 58 (padma.6.125.58)

दिलीप उवाच। भगवंस्त्वत्प्रसादेन श्रुता विस्तरतो मया । आचारो दंडनीतिश्च राजधर्माश्च ये परे

dilīpa uvāca bhagavaṁstvatprasādena śrutā vistarato mayā ācāro daṁḍanītiśca rājadharmāśca ye pare

Dilipa said: Lord, by your grace I have heard in detail of proper conduct, the science of statecraft, and the highest duties of kings —

Verse 59 (padma.6.125.59)

चतुर्णामपि वर्णानामाश्रमाणां च याः क्रियाः । दानानि तद्विधानानि यज्ञाश्च विधयस्तथा

caturṇāmapi varṇānāmāśramāṇāṁ ca yāḥ kriyāḥ dānāni tadvidhānāni yajñāśca vidhayastathā

— the rites of all four social orders and the stages of life, gifts and their procedures, and sacrifices and their rules,

Verse 60 (padma.6.125.60)

व्रतानि तत्प्रदिष्टानि विष्णोराराधनं तथा । अधुना श्रोतुमिच्छामि माघस्नाने च यत्फलम् । विधेयं यद्विधानेन तन्मे ब्रह्मन्मुने वद

vratāni tatpradiṣṭāni viṣṇorārādhanaṁ tathā adhunā śrotumicchāmi māghasnāne ca yatphalam vidheyaṁ yadvidhānena tanme brahmanmune vada

— the vows prescribed for these, and the worship of Vishnu likewise. Now I wish to hear the fruit of the Magha bath — tell me, O brahmin sage, that which should be done according to its rule.

Verse 61 (padma.6.125.61)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। सम्यगुक्तं परं श्रेयो लोकत्रयहितावहम् । निर्मलीकरणं तेन मुनिना वनवासिना

vasiṣṭha uvāca samyaguktaṁ paraṁ śreyo lokatrayahitāvaham nirmalīkaraṇaṁ tena muninā vanavāsinā

Vasishtha said: Well has that forest-dwelling sage told you of the supreme good, beneficial to the three worlds, and the means of purification.

Verse 62 (padma.6.125.62)

कटाक्षैः कामिनीनां ते प्रत्यासन्नमखंडिताः । कामयंते मृगार्के ते स्रोतसि स्नातुमेव च

kaṭākṣaiḥ kāminīnāṁ te pratyāsannamakhaṁḍitāḥ kāmayaṁte mṛgārke te srotasi snātumeva ca

Those devoted to virtue, undistracted even by the glances of beautiful women, desire to bathe in a river when the sun is in Capricorn (Makara);

Verse 63 (padma.6.125.63)

विना वह्निं विना यज्ञमिष्टापूर्तं विना प्रिये । वांच्छंति सद्गतिं स्नातुं प्रातर्माघे बहिर्जले

vinā vahniṁ vinā yajñamiṣṭāpūrtaṁ vinā priye vāṁcchaṁti sadgatiṁ snātuṁ prātarmāghe bahirjale

— O beloved, they desire good rebirth even without fire-sacrifice, without formal sacrifice, without the merit of pious works, merely by bathing at dawn in outdoor water in Magha.

Verse 64 (padma.6.125.64)

गोभूहिरण्यमाणिक्य स्वर्ण धेन्वादिकानि ये । अदत्त्वेच्छंति चैकार्णे माघं स्नाता नराधिप

gobhūhiraṇyamāṇikya svarṇa dhenvādikāni ye adattvecchaṁti caikārṇe māghaṁ snātā narādhipa

O ruler of men, some desire the merit of giving cows, land, gold, rubies, and cattle even without giving them, merely by bathing in Magha in a single body of water.

Verse 65 (padma.6.125.65)

त्रिःसप्ताहव्रतैः कृच्छ्रैः पराकैश्च निजां तनुम् । अशोष्येच्छंति ये स्वर्गं तपसि स्नांतु ते सदा

triḥsaptāhavrataiḥ kṛcchraiḥ parākaiśca nijāṁ tanum aśoṣyecchaṁti ye svargaṁ tapasi snāṁtu te sadā

Those who desire heaven without wasting their own bodies through the observances of three seven-day vows, the Krichchhra, and the Paraka penances — let them ever bathe in this "austerity."

Verse 66 (padma.6.125.66)

हरेः पूजा च वैशाखे तपः पूजा च कार्तिके । तपोहोमस्तथा दानं त्रयं माघे विशिष्यते

hareḥ pūjā ca vaiśākhe tapaḥ pūjā ca kārtike tapohomastathā dānaṁ trayaṁ māghe viśiṣyate

The worship of Hari in Vaishakha, the worship of austerity in Kartika — but the three of austerity, fire-offering, and giving are all distinguished together in Magha.

Verse 67 (padma.6.125.67)

सानुबंधोऽतिपर्यासो धराधीशो भवेद्ध्रुवम् । कैवल्योत्पादका बुद्धि यया वा न भवेत्पुनः

sānubaṁdho'tiparyāso dharādhīśo bhaveddhruvam kaivalyotpādakā buddhi yayā vā na bhavetpunaḥ

With its fruit, one who bathes in it would certainly become a great overlord of the earth; or it produces that understanding which gives rise to final liberation, by which one is not born again.

Verse 68 (padma.6.125.68)

पदध्र्या वरिवस्या सा विहिता दिव्यलोचनैः । तदनन्नं तपो दानं माघेमासि नृपोत्तम

padadhryā varivasyā sā vihitā divyalocanaiḥ tadanannaṁ tapo dānaṁ māghemāsi nṛpottama

O best of kings, that form of worship which has been ordained by those of divine insight — in the month of Magha, it fulfils the role of food, austerity, and giving all together.

Verse 69 (padma.6.125.69)

सकामो वा प्रजा ये वा हरये तद्विनापि वा । कायशुद्धिव्रती भूत्वा चतुर्द्धास्नानजं फलम्

sakāmo vā prajā ye vā haraye tadvināpi vā kāyaśuddhivratī bhūtvā caturddhāsnānajaṁ phalam

Whether one desires offspring or not, whether for Hari's sake or without such intent, having become a votary of bodily purity, one obtains the fruit born of this fourfold bathing.

Verse 70 (padma.6.125.70)

निरन्ना अदितिः सस्नौ माघे द्वादशवत्सरे । पुत्रांश्च द्वादशादित्यान्लभे त्रैलोक्यदीपकान्

nirannā aditiḥ sasnau māghe dvādaśavatsare putrāṁśca dvādaśādityānlabhe trailokyadīpakān

Without food, Aditi bathed in Magha for twelve years, and obtained as sons the twelve Adityas, the lamps of the three worlds.

Verse 71 (padma.6.125.71)

सुभगा रोहिणी माघा दानशीलात्वरुंधती । शची च रूपसंपन्ना प्रासादे सप्तभूमिके

subhagā rohiṇī māghā dānaśīlātvaruṁdhatī śacī ca rūpasaṁpannā prāsāde saptabhūmike

The fortunate Rohini, Magha, Arundhati renowned for her generosity, and Shachi endowed with beauty — dwell in a seven-storied palace,

Verse 72 (padma.6.125.72)

विमलीकृतशोभाढ्यो नर्तकी ललिताजिरे । द्वीपवर्णसमुच्छिन्ने रूपवत्स्त्रीजनाकुले

vimalīkṛtaśobhāḍhyo nartakī lalitājire dvīpavarṇasamucchinne rūpavatstrījanākule

— rich with spotless beauty, with a dancing-girl in a lovely courtyard, adorned with paintings depicting continents, thronged with beautiful women,

Verse 73 (padma.6.125.73)

गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषे मंगलाचारशोभिते । वेदध्वनिपवित्रे च विद्वद्विप्रैरलंकृते

gītavāditranirghoṣe maṁgalācāraśobhite vedadhvanipavitre ca vidvadviprairalaṁkṛte

— resounding with song and music, beautified with auspicious rites, purified by the sound of the Vedas, and adorned with learned brahmins,

Verse 74 (padma.6.125.74)

सुरार्चनरते रम्ये सदातिथिनिषेविते । मुदितांस्ते वसंतीह यैः स्नानं मकरे रवौ

surārcanarate ramye sadātithiniṣevite muditāṁste vasaṁtīha yaiḥ snānaṁ makare ravau

— delightful, devoted to the worship of the gods, ever attended by guests — in such a place dwell joyfully those by whom bathing was performed when the sun is in Makara.

Verse 75 (padma.6.125.75)

यैर्दत्तं बहु माघे च मुरारिश्चार्चितः स्तुतः । इष्टवस्तुपरित्यागान्नियमस्य तु पालनात्

yairdattaṁ bahu māghe ca murāriścārcitaḥ stutaḥ iṣṭavastuparityāgānniyamasya tu pālanāt

By those who have given much in Magha, and worshipped and praised Murari, through the giving up of cherished things and the observance of the rules —

Verse 76 (padma.6.125.76)

धर्मसूतिः सदा माघः पापमूलं निकृंतति । काममूलः फलद्वारा निष्कामो ज्ञानदः सदा

dharmasūtiḥ sadā māghaḥ pāpamūlaṁ nikṛṁtati kāmamūlaḥ phaladvārā niṣkāmo jñānadaḥ sadā

Magha is ever the birthplace of dharma; it cuts off the very root of sin. For the desirous, it grants fruits through the path of desire; for the desireless, it ever bestows knowledge.

Verse 77 (padma.6.125.77)

ये लोका ज्ञानशीलानां ये लोका विपिनौकसाम् । ये लोका विष्णुभक्तानां ते माघस्नायिनां सदा

ye lokā jñānaśīlānāṁ ye lokā vipinaukasām ye lokā viṣṇubhaktānāṁ te māghasnāyināṁ sadā

Whatever worlds belong to those of wisdom and virtue, whatever worlds belong to forest-dwelling ascetics, whatever worlds belong to the devotees of Vishnu — these ever belong to those who bathe in Magha.

Verse 78 (padma.6.125.78)

देवलोकान्निवर्तंते पुण्यैरन्यैः परंतप । कदाचिन्न निवर्तंते माघस्नानरता नराः

devalokānnivartaṁte puṇyairanyaiḥ paraṁtapa kadācinna nivartaṁte māghasnānaratā narāḥ

O scorcher of foes, through other merits men return from the world of the gods; but men devoted to bathing in Magha never return.

Verse 79 (padma.6.125.79)

माघे स्नात्वा तु यो धेनुं दद्यान्मर्त्यः पयस्विनीम् । तस्या यावंति रोमाणि सर्वांगे च नृपोत्तम

māghe snātvā tu yo dhenuṁ dadyānmartyaḥ payasvinīm tasyā yāvaṁti romāṇi sarvāṁge ca nṛpottama

O best of kings, whatever mortal, having bathed in Magha, gives a milk-yielding cow — for as many hairs as are on that cow's entire body,

Verse 80 (padma.6.125.80)

तावद्वर्षसहस्राणि स्वर्गलोके महीयते । माघस्नानं प्रकुर्वाणो यो दद्यात्सगुडांस्तिलान्

tāvadvarṣasahasrāṇi svargaloke mahīyate māghasnānaṁ prakurvāṇo yo dadyātsaguḍāṁstilān

— for that many thousand years he is glorified in the world of heaven. Whoever, performing the Magha bath, gives sesame together with jaggery —

Verse 81 (padma.6.125.81)

पातकं तस्य प्रक्षाल्य निर्मलो भाति वै नरः । सर्वेषां धान्यराशीनां तिलाः पापप्रणाशनाः

pātakaṁ tasya prakṣālya nirmalo bhāti vai naraḥ sarveṣāṁ dhānyarāśīnāṁ tilāḥ pāpapraṇāśanāḥ

— his sin is washed away, and that man shines forth spotless. Among all the varieties of grain, sesame is the destroyer of sin.

Verse 82 (padma.6.125.82)

तस्मान्माघे प्रयत्नेन तिला देया नृपोत्तम । माघस्नानं प्रकुर्वाणो दद्याद्ब्राह्मणभोजनम्

tasmānmāghe prayatnena tilā deyā nṛpottama māghasnānaṁ prakurvāṇo dadyādbrāhmaṇabhojanam

Therefore, O best of kings, sesame should be carefully given in Magha. One who performs the Magha bath should give feasts to brahmins;

Verse 83 (padma.6.125.83)

पितॄन्संतर्प्य शुद्धात्मा याति विष्णोः परंपदम् । तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन माघो दानेन नीयते

pitṝnsaṁtarpya śuddhātmā yāti viṣṇoḥ paraṁpadam tasmātsarvaprayatnena māgho dānena nīyate

— having satisfied the ancestors, purified in soul, he goes to the supreme abode of Vishnu. Therefore, with every effort, Magha should be observed together with giving.

Verse 84 (padma.6.125.84)

अदानं न क्षिपेन्माघं सर्वदा नृपसत्तम । वित्तानुसारं ज्ञात्वा वै माघे दानं सदा ददेत्

adānaṁ na kṣipenmāghaṁ sarvadā nṛpasattama vittānusāraṁ jñātvā vai māghe dānaṁ sadā dadet

O best of kings, one should never let Magha pass without giving; knowing what is appropriate to one's means, one should ever give gifts in Magha.

Verse 85 (padma.6.125.85)

माघस्नानं तु यः कुर्यादुपानहकमंडलून् । ददाति ब्राह्मणेभ्यश्च स स्वर्गे तिष्ठति ध्रुवम्

māghasnānaṁ tu yaḥ kuryādupānahakamaṁḍalūn dadāti brāhmaṇebhyaśca sa svarge tiṣṭhati dhruvam

Whoever performs the Magha bath and gives sandals and water-pots to brahmins certainly abides in heaven.

Verse 86 (padma.6.125.86)

माघस्नानमयं राजन्कुर्वाणस्तप उत्तमम् । दानं विना क्षिपेन्नैव दानात्स्वर्गमवाप्यते

māghasnānamayaṁ rājankurvāṇastapa uttamam dānaṁ vinā kṣipennaiva dānātsvargamavāpyate

O king, one performing this supreme austerity of the Magha bath should never let it pass without giving; heaven is obtained through giving.

Verse 87 (padma.6.125.87)

दानेन प्राप्यते स्वर्गो दानेन प्राप्यते सुखम् । दानेन हीयते पापं महापातकजं नृप

dānena prāpyate svargo dānena prāpyate sukham dānena hīyate pāpaṁ mahāpātakajaṁ nṛpa

Through giving, heaven is obtained; through giving, happiness is obtained; through giving, O king, even sin born of the great sins is destroyed.

Verse 88 (padma.6.125.88)

अदानं न तपो भाति ह्यसूर्यं गगनं यथा । असंततिकुलं यद्वादाचारेण विना गृहम्

adānaṁ na tapo bhāti hyasūryaṁ gaganaṁ yathā asaṁtatikulaṁ yadvādācāreṇa vinā gṛham

Austerity without giving does not shine, just as the sky does not shine without the sun; it is like a family lineage without offspring, or a household without proper conduct.

Verse 89 (padma.6.125.89)

नातः परतरं किंचित्पवित्रं पापनाशनम् । विद्याधराय संगीतं भृगुणा मणिपर्वते

nātaḥ parataraṁ kiṁcitpavitraṁ pāpanāśanam vidyādharāya saṁgītaṁ bhṛguṇā maṇiparvate

There is nothing more purifying or sin-destroying than this. Music was sung to a Vidyadhara by Bhrigu upon Mount Manikuta —

Verse 90 (padma.6.125.90)

राजोवाच। ब्रह्मन्कदा भृगुर्विप्रो निजगाद महीधरे । तस्मै धर्मोपदेशं च कथ्यतां मे कुतूहलात्

rājovāca brahmankadā bhṛgurvipro nijagāda mahīdhare tasmai dharmopadeśaṁ ca kathyatāṁ me kutūhalāt

The king said: O brahmin, when did the brahmin Bhrigu speak upon that mountain? Tell me, out of my curiosity, of that instruction in dharma given to him.

Verse 91 (padma.6.125.91)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। द्वादशाब्दं पुरा राजन्न ववर्ष बलाहकः । तेनोद्विग्नाः प्रजाः क्षीणा गताः सर्वा दिशो दश

vasiṣṭha uvāca dvādaśābdaṁ purā rājanna vavarṣa balāhakaḥ tenodvignāḥ prajāḥ kṣīṇā gatāḥ sarvā diśo daśa

Vasishtha said: Long ago, O king, for twelve years the clouds did not rain; because of this, the distressed and weakened people scattered in all ten directions.

Verse 92 (padma.6.125.92)

खिलीभूते तदा मध्ये हिमवद्विंध्ययोर्नृप । स्वाहास्वधावषट्कारवेदाध्ययनवर्जिते

khilībhūte tadā madhye himavadviṁdhyayornṛpa svāhāsvadhāvaṣaṭkāravedādhyayanavarjite

O king, when the land between the Himalayas and the Vindhyas had become barren, devoid of the sacred exclamations "svaha" and "svadha," of the six-fold rites, and of Vedic study,

Verse 93 (padma.6.125.93)

सोपप्लवे तदा लोके लुप्तधर्मे च निष्प्रभे । फलमूलान्नपानीय शून्ये वै भूमिमंडले

sopaplave tadā loke luptadharme ca niṣprabhe phalamūlānnapānīya śūnye vai bhūmimaṁḍale

— when the world was thus beset with calamity, its dharma lost, its splendor gone, when the whole earth was empty of fruits, roots, grain, and water,

Verse 94 (padma.6.125.94)

विंध्यपादतरुच्छन्न रम्यरेवातटाश्रमात् । सहशिष्यैश्च निर्गम्य हिमाद्रिं स गतो भृगुः

viṁdhyapādatarucchanna ramyarevātaṭāśramāt sahaśiṣyaiśca nirgamya himādriṁ sa gato bhṛguḥ

— Bhrigu, together with his disciples, left his hermitage on the delightful bank of the Reva, shaded by trees at the foot of the Vindhyas, and went to the Himalayan mountains.

Verse 95 (padma.6.125.95)

तत्र तिष्ठति कैलासगिरेः पश्चिमतो गिरिः । मणिकूट इति ख्यातो हेमरत्नशिलोच्चयः

tatra tiṣṭhati kailāsagireḥ paścimato giriḥ maṇikūṭa iti khyāto hemaratnaśiloccayaḥ

There stands, to the west of Mount Kailasa, a mountain known as Manikuta, a mass of golden and gem-studded rock.

Verse 96 (padma.6.125.96)

अधोऽधस्फटिकश्वेतो मध्ये नीलशिलो गिरिः । भूतिभिः सर्वतः शुक्लो नीलकंठ इवाबभौ

adho'dhasphaṭikaśveto madhye nīlaśilo giriḥ bhūtibhiḥ sarvataḥ śuklo nīlakaṁṭha ivābabhau

White as crystal at its lower slopes, with dark-blue rock in the middle, the mountain — white all over with its snows — shone like Shiva the Blue-throated one.

Verse 97 (padma.6.125.97)

सर्वत्रासौ नीलशिलो हेमरेखांतरांतरः । स्फुरद्विद्युल्लतः कृष्णो जीमूतइव राजते

sarvatrāsau nīlaśilo hemarekhāṁtarāṁtaraḥ sphuradvidyullataḥ kṛṣṇo jīmūtaiva rājate

Everywhere that dark-blue rock, interspersed with veins of gold, gleaming with lightning-like streaks, shone dark like a rain-cloud.

Verse 98 (padma.6.125.98)

मूर्ध्नि नीलशिलः शैल अधः कांचनमेखलः । नारायण इवाभाति परिवीत इवांबरः

mūrdhni nīlaśilaḥ śaila adhaḥ kāṁcanamekhalaḥ nārāyaṇa ivābhāti parivīta ivāṁbaraḥ

The mountain, dark-blue rock at its summit, girdled below with gold, appeared like Narayana clothed in his yellow garment.

Verse 99 (padma.6.125.99)

अमेखला सुनीलाभो मध्ये मध्ये सितोपलः । सतारकमिव व्योम शुशुभे स महीधरः

amekhalā sunīlābho madhye madhye sitopalaḥ satārakamiva vyoma śuśubhe sa mahīdharaḥ

Ungirdled elsewhere, of deep blue luster, with white stones scattered here and there, that mountain shone like the star-studded sky.

Verse 100 (padma.6.125.100)

लब्ध्वात्मनस्तनुं शुभ्रां दीप्तदिव्यौषधीधरः । बहुद्योतकरो भाति द्वितीय इव चंद्रमाः

labdhvātmanastanuṁ śubhrāṁ dīptadivyauṣadhīdharaḥ bahudyotakaro bhāti dvitīya iva caṁdramāḥ

Having gained its own bright form, bearing shining divine herbs, radiating much light, it shone like a second moon.

Verse 101 (padma.6.125.101)

अधित्यकासु संगीतैः किन्नरीणां सकीचकैः । रंभापत्रपताकाभिः शोभते स सदाऽचलः

adhityakāsu saṁgītaiḥ kinnarīṇāṁ sakīcakaiḥ raṁbhāpatrapatākābhiḥ śobhate sa sadā'calaḥ

On its upper plateaus, that ever-still mountain was beautified by the songs of Kinnara women accompanied by bamboo-flutes, and by banner-like plantain leaves.

Verse 102 (padma.6.125.102)

हरितोपलवैदूर्य पद्मरागशिताश्मनाम् । रुग्रश्मिमंडलैः सोऽग इंद्रचापैरिवावृतः

haritopalavaidūrya padmarāgaśitāśmanām rugraśmimaṁḍalaiḥ so'ga iṁdracāpairivāvṛtaḥ

That mountain was as if encircled by rainbows, from the radiant halos of its emeralds, lapis lazuli, rubies, and white gems.

Verse 103 (padma.6.125.103)

सर्वधातुमयैर्हेमैर्नानारत्नैः प्रशोभितः । सोऽग्निज्वालैरिवात्युच्चैः शृंगैः सर्वत्र वेष्टितः

sarvadhātumayairhemairnānāratnaiḥ praśobhitaḥ so'gnijvālairivātyuccaiḥ śṛṁgaiḥ sarvatra veṣṭitaḥ

Beautified by gold of every ore and various jewels, that mountain was surrounded everywhere by peaks so lofty they seemed like flames of fire.

Verse 104 (padma.6.125.104)

तस्यागत्य नितंबेषु सतृणा सुशिलासु च । विद्याधर्यः प्रदेवंते स्वपतीन्कामविक्लवाः

tasyāgatya nitaṁbeṣu satṛṇā suśilāsu ca vidyādharyaḥ pradevaṁte svapatīnkāmaviklavāḥ

Upon its grassy slopes and fine rocks, Vidyadhara women, coming there, distracted with desire, would sport playfully with their husbands.

Verse 105 (padma.6.125.105)

निरुद्धांतर्मरुन्मार्गा जितक्लेशा विरागिणः । ध्यायंत्यहर्निशं ब्रह्म रम्यसानुगुहासु च

niruddhāṁtarmarunmārgā jitakleśā virāgiṇaḥ dhyāyaṁtyaharniśaṁ brahma ramyasānuguhāsu ca

With their inner breath-paths restrained, having conquered affliction, free from passion, ascetics meditate day and night on Brahman, in its delightful ridge-caves.

Verse 106 (padma.6.125.106)

साक्षसूत्रकराः सिद्धा अर्धोन्मीलितलोचनाः । आराधयंति भूतेशं सुंदरीषु दरीषु च

sākṣasūtrakarāḥ siddhā ardhonmīlitalocanāḥ ārādhayaṁti bhūteśaṁ suṁdarīṣu darīṣu ca

Siddhas, rosary in hand, their eyes half-opened, worship the Lord of beings in its beautiful caverns.

Verse 107 (padma.6.125.107)

मंदारकुसुमामोद सुरभीकृतदिङ्मुखः । एष निर्झरिणी वारि झंकारमुखरः सदा

maṁdārakusumāmoda surabhīkṛtadiṅmukhaḥ eṣa nirjhariṇī vāri jhaṁkāramukharaḥ sadā

Its directions made fragrant with the scent of coral-tree blossoms, the water of its mountain streams ever resounding with a humming murmur —

Verse 108 (padma.6.125.108)

उपत्यकासु खेलद्भिर्वनस्थैः कलभैर्गजैः । कस्तूरीमृगयूथैश्च चारुचित्रमृगैस्तथा

upatyakāsu kheladbhirvanasthaiḥ kalabhairgajaiḥ kastūrīmṛgayūthaiśca cārucitramṛgaistathā

— on its foothill slopes, with young forest elephants at play, herds of musk-deer, and likewise beautiful spotted deer,

Verse 109 (padma.6.125.109)

विलसच्चामरीवृंदैर्विचित्रैः श्वापदैस्तथा । नदत्पारावतैश्चैव चकोरैश्चापि कोकिलैः

vilasaccāmarīvṛṁdairvicitraiḥ śvāpadaistathā nadatpārāvataiścaiva cakoraiścāpi kokilaiḥ

— with playful herds of yaks, and various wild beasts, with cooing pigeons, chakora birds, and cuckoos,

Verse 110 (padma.6.125.110)

राजहंसमयूरैश्च सदा रम्यः स पर्वतः । सेव्यमानः सदा देवैर्गुह्यकैरप्सरोगणैः

rājahaṁsamayūraiśca sadā ramyaḥ sa parvataḥ sevyamānaḥ sadā devairguhyakairapsarogaṇaiḥ

— and with royal swans and peacocks, that mountain was ever delightful, ever attended by gods, Guhyakas, and hosts of Apsarases.

Verse 111 (padma.6.125.111)

राजोवाच। बह्वाश्चर्यमयः शैलः सर्वसिद्धिसमाश्रयः । भगवन्कियदुच्छ्रायः कियदायामविस्तरः

rājovāca bahvāścaryamayaḥ śailaḥ sarvasiddhisamāśrayaḥ bhagavankiyaducchrāyaḥ kiyadāyāmavistaraḥ

The king said: This mountain, so full of wonders, the abode of every accomplishment — Lord, how great is its height, and how great its length and breadth?

Verse 112 (padma.6.125.112)

ऋषिरुवाच। षट्त्रिंशद्योजनोच्छ्रायो मस्तके दशयोजनः । आयामविस्तराभ्यां स मूले षोडशयोजनः

ṛṣiruvāca ṣaṭtriṁśadyojanocchrāyo mastake daśayojanaḥ āyāmavistarābhyāṁ sa mūle ṣoḍaśayojanaḥ

The sage said: It is thirty-six yojanas in height, ten yojanas across at its summit, and, in length and breadth, sixteen yojanas at its base.

Verse 113 (padma.6.125.113)

हरिचंदनमंदारचूतराजिविराजितः । देवदारुद्रुमाकीर्णः सरलार्जुनशोभितः

haricaṁdanamaṁdāracūtarājivirājitaḥ devadārudrumākīrṇaḥ saralārjunaśobhitaḥ

Adorned with rows of sandal, coral-trees, and mango trees; thick with deodar trees, beautified with pine and arjuna trees;

Verse 114 (padma.6.125.114)

कालागरुलवंगैश्च निकुंजैश्च लतागृहैः । विराजते गिरिश्रेष्ठः सदा पुष्पफलप्रदः

kālāgarulavaṁgaiśca nikuṁjaiśca latāgṛhaiḥ virājate giriśreṣṭhaḥ sadā puṣpaphalapradaḥ

— with black aloe-wood and cloves, and with thickets and creeper-bowers, that foremost of mountains shines, ever bearing flowers and fruits.

Verse 115 (padma.6.125.115)

तं दृष्ट्वा पर्वतं रम्यं तदा दुर्भिक्षपीडितः । भृगुश्चकार तत्रैव वसतिं हृष्टमानसः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā parvataṁ ramyaṁ tadā durbhikṣapīḍitaḥ bhṛguścakāra tatraiva vasatiṁ hṛṣṭamānasaḥ

Seeing that delightful mountain, Bhrigu, then afflicted by the famine, made his dwelling there with a joyful mind.

Verse 116 (padma.6.125.116)

तस्मिन्मनोहरे शैले कंदरेषु वनेषु च। चिरकालं तपस्तेपे तपःसु निरतो भृगुः । एवं तिष्ठति राजेंद्र द्विजे स्वाश्रमवासिनि

tasminmanohare śaile kaṁdareṣu vaneṣu ca cirakālaṁ tapastepe tapaḥsu nirato bhṛguḥ evaṁ tiṣṭhati rājeṁdra dvije svāśramavāsini

On that charming mountain, in its caves and forests, Bhrigu, devoted to austerities, practiced austerity for a long time. O king of kings, while that brahmin thus dwelt in his own hermitage,

Verse 117 (padma.6.125.117)

अवतीर्यागतौ शैलाद्द्वौ विद्याधरदंपती । समागम्य मुनिं नत्वा स्थितौ तावतिदुःखितौ

avatīryāgatau śailāddvau vidyādharadaṁpatī samāgamya muniṁ natvā sthitau tāvatiduḥkhitau

— a Vidyadhara couple, descending from the mountain, came to him and, having bowed to the sage, stood there, exceedingly distressed.

Verse 118 (padma.6.125.118)

तथाविधौ च तौ दृष्ट्वा मंजुवाक्यं द्विजोऽब्रवीत् । वद विद्याधर प्रीत्या युवां किमतिदुःखितौ

tathāvidhau ca tau dṛṣṭvā maṁjuvākyaṁ dvijo'bravīt vada vidyādhara prītyā yuvāṁ kimatiduḥkhitau

Seeing the two of them in that state, the brahmin spoke gentle words: "Tell me lovingly, O Vidyadhara — why are you two so exceedingly distressed?"

Verse 119 (padma.6.125.119)

श्रुत्वा तस्य मुनेर्वाक्यं प्राह विद्याधरो द्विजम् । श्रूयतां तापसश्रेष्ठ मम दुःखस्य कारणम्

śrutvā tasya munervākyaṁ prāha vidyādharo dvijam śrūyatāṁ tāpasaśreṣṭha mama duḥkhasya kāraṇam

Hearing the sage's words, the Vidyadhara said to the brahmin: "Hear, O foremost of ascetics, the cause of my sorrow.

Verse 120 (padma.6.125.120)

सुकृतस्य फलं प्राप्य प्राप्तोऽस्मि त्रिदशालयम् । लब्ध्वाऽपि देवतादेहं मुखं व्याघ्रस्य मेऽभवत्

sukṛtasya phalaṁ prāpya prāpto'smi tridaśālayam labdhvā'pi devatādehaṁ mukhaṁ vyāghrasya me'bhavat

Having obtained the fruit of my good deeds, I attained the world of the gods; but even though I obtained a divine body, my face became that of a tiger.

Verse 121 (padma.6.125.121)

न जाने कर्मणः कस्य विपाकोऽयमुपस्थितः । इति संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य न लेभे शर्म मे मनः

na jāne karmaṇaḥ kasya vipāko'yamupasthitaḥ iti saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya na lebhe śarma me manaḥ

I do not know for what deed this is the ripening consequence. Reflecting on this again and again, my mind finds no peace.

Verse 122 (padma.6.125.122)

अन्यच्च श्रूयतां विप्र येन मे ह्याकुलं मनः । जायेयं मम कल्याणी मधुवाणी सुरूपिणी

anyacca śrūyatāṁ vipra yena me hyākulaṁ manaḥ jāyeyaṁ mama kalyāṇī madhuvāṇī surūpiṇī

And hear another thing too, O brahmin, by which my mind is troubled. There was born to me an auspicious wife, sweet-voiced and of beautiful form,

Verse 123 (padma.6.125.123)

नृत्यगीतकलाभिज्ञा सर्वसद्गुणशालिनी । यस्मिन्काले कुमारीयं तदा चाऽमलयानया

nṛtyagītakalābhijñā sarvasadguṇaśālinī yasminkāle kumārīyaṁ tadā cā'malayānayā

— skilled in the arts of dance and song, endowed with every good quality. At the time when this girl was still a maiden, with untainted skill —

Verse 124 (padma.6.125.124)

विपंचीं परिवादिन्या तंत्रीभिः सप्तभिर्भृशम् । वीणावादरसाभिज्ञस्तोषितो नारदो मुनिः

vipaṁcīṁ parivādinyā taṁtrībhiḥ saptabhirbhṛśam vīṇāvādarasābhijñastoṣito nārado muniḥ

— playing the seven-stringed vipanchi vina, the sage Narada, skilled in the delight of vina-playing, was greatly pleased by her.

Verse 125 (padma.6.125.125)

मुग्धभावेपि गायंत्या त्वनया रक्तकंठया । विचित्रस्वरनादज्ञो देवराजोऽपि तोषितः

mugdhabhāvepi gāyaṁtyā tvanayā raktakaṁṭhayā vicitrasvaranādajño devarājo'pi toṣitaḥ

Even in her innocent, girlish singing, with her melodious throat, even Indra, king of the gods, knower of wondrous tones, was pleased by her.

Verse 126 (padma.6.125.126)

अस्याः कौतुकभिन्नांग्या वादयंत्या विपंचिकाम् । नानावक्रगतिस्निग्धं श्रुत्वा तं पंचमध्वनिम्

asyāḥ kautukabhinnāṁgyā vādayaṁtyā vipaṁcikām nānāvakragatisnigdhaṁ śrutvā taṁ paṁcamadhvanim

Hearing that sweet, intricately winding pancama note, played by her with limbs quivering with delight as she played the vipanchi —

Verse 127 (padma.6.125.127)

तुतोषोद्भिन्नरोमांचो धुन्वन्मौलि महेश्वरः । शीलौदार्यगुणग्रामरूपयौवनसंपदा

tutoṣodbhinnaromāṁco dhunvanmauli maheśvaraḥ śīlaudāryaguṇagrāmarūpayauvanasaṁpadā

— even Maheshvara himself was pleased, his hair standing on end, shaking his head. By the wealth of her character, generosity, virtues, beauty, and youth,

Verse 128 (padma.6.125.128)

नानया सदृशी नाके काचिदस्ति नितंबिनी । क्वेयं देवमुखी रामा क्वाहं व्याघ्रमुखः पुमान्

nānayā sadṛśī nāke kācidasti nitaṁbinī kveyaṁ devamukhī rāmā kvāhaṁ vyāghramukhaḥ pumān

— there is no woman in heaven equal to her. Where is she, this lovely woman with a divine face, and where am I, a man with a tiger's face?

Verse 129 (padma.6.125.129)

इति ब्रह्मन्सदाचिंत्य दह्यामि हृदि सर्वदा । इति विद्याधरप्रोक्तं श्रुत्वा चेक्ष्वाकुनंदनः

iti brahmansadāciṁtya dahyāmi hṛdi sarvadā iti vidyādharaproktaṁ śrutvā cekṣvākunaṁdanaḥ

Thinking thus, O brahmin, I ever burn in my heart." Having heard what the Vidyadhara said, [Bhrigu] —

Verse 130 (padma.6.125.130)

त्रिकालज्ञो भृगुः प्राह प्रहसन्दिव्यलोचनः । शृणु विद्याधरश्रेष्ठ विचित्रं कर्मणां फलम्

trikālajño bhṛguḥ prāha prahasandivyalocanaḥ śṛṇu vidyādharaśreṣṭha vicitraṁ karmaṇāṁ phalam

— Bhrigu, knower of the three times, of divine sight, spoke, smiling: "Hear, O foremost of Vidyadharas, the wondrous fruit of deeds.

Verse 131 (padma.6.125.131)

प्राप्य प्राज्ञा न मुह्यंति मुह्यंत्यज्ञानचेतसः । मक्षिकापदमात्रं तु यथा हि विषमं विषम्

prāpya prājñā na muhyaṁti muhyaṁtyajñānacetasaḥ makṣikāpadamātraṁ tu yathā hi viṣamaṁ viṣam

Upon encountering such things, the wise are not confounded, but those of ignorant mind are confounded. Just as even a fly's-foot-worth of poison is still dangerous poison —

Verse 132 (padma.6.125.132)

क्रियात्वविहिताल्पापि विपाके दारुणा तथा । उपोष्यैकादशीं माघे तैलाभ्यंगः कृतस्त्वया

kriyātvavihitālpāpi vipāke dāruṇā tathā upoṣyaikādaśīṁ māghe tailābhyaṁgaḥ kṛtastvayā

— so too even a small forbidden act is terrible in its consequence. Having fasted on the Ekadashi in Magha, you nonetheless applied oil to your body —

Verse 133 (padma.6.125.133)

द्वादश्यां प्राग्भवे देहे तेन व्याघ्रमुखोभवान् । उपोष्यैकादशीं पुण्यां द्वादश्यां तैलसेवनात्

dvādaśyāṁ prāgbhave dehe tena vyāghramukhobhavān upoṣyaikādaśīṁ puṇyāṁ dvādaśyāṁ tailasevanāt

— on the Dvadashi, in your previous body; for that, you became tiger-faced. Because of taking oil on the Dvadashi, after fasting on the meritorious Ekadashi —

Verse 134 (padma.6.125.134)

कुरूपं प्राप्तवान्देहं पुराह्येवं पुरूरवाः । दृष्ट्वात्मनः कुकायं स तेन दुःखेन दुःखितः

kurūpaṁ prāptavāndehaṁ purāhyevaṁ purūravāḥ dṛṣṭvātmanaḥ kukāyaṁ sa tena duḥkhena duḥkhitaḥ

— King Pururavas too, once, similarly obtained an ugly body; seeing his own deformed body, he was distressed by that same suffering.

Verse 135 (padma.6.125.135)

गिरिराजं समागम्य देवतासरसस्तटे । स्थित्वा च परमप्रीत्या शुचिः स्नातः कुशासने

girirājaṁ samāgamya devatāsarasastaṭe sthitvā ca paramaprītyā śuciḥ snātaḥ kuśāsane

Coming to this king of mountains, and remaining at the shore of the divine lake, pure, having bathed, seated upon a kusha-grass mat, with supreme devotion —

Verse 136 (padma.6.125.136)

नवनीलघनश्यामं नलिनायतलोचनम् । शंखचक्रगदापद्मधरं पीतांबरावृतम्

navanīlaghanaśyāmaṁ nalināyatalocanam śaṁkhacakragadāpadmadharaṁ pītāṁbarāvṛtam

— contemplating [Vishnu,] dark as a fresh blue-black cloud, with eyes long like lotus petals, bearing the conch, discus, mace, and lotus, clothed in yellow garments,

Verse 137 (padma.6.125.137)

कौस्तुभेन विराजंतं वनमालाधरं हरिम् । चिंतयन्हृदये राजा निग्रहीताखिलेंद्रियः

kaustubhena virājaṁtaṁ vanamālādharaṁ harim ciṁtayanhṛdaye rājā nigrahītākhileṁdriyaḥ

— resplendent with the Kaustubha jewel, wearing a forest garland — Hari — the king, with all his senses restrained,

Verse 138 (padma.6.125.138)

मासत्रयं निराहारस्तपस्तेपे सुदारुणम् । अल्पेन तपसा तुष्टः सप्तजन्मकृतार्चनः

māsatrayaṁ nirāhārastapastepe sudāruṇam alpena tapasā tuṣṭaḥ saptajanmakṛtārcanaḥ

— practiced severe austerity for three months without food. Pleased even by that small austerity — for Pururavas had performed worship over seven births —

Verse 139 (padma.6.125.139)

संस्मरंस्तस्य भूपस्य तदा प्रादुरभूत्स्वयम् । माघस्य शुक्लपक्षे तु द्वादश्यां मकरे रवौ

saṁsmaraṁstasya bhūpasya tadā prādurabhūtsvayam māghasya śuklapakṣe tu dvādaśyāṁ makare ravau

— remembering that king, Vishnu himself then appeared, on the Dvadashi of the bright fortnight of Magha, when the sun was in Capricorn.

Verse 140 (padma.6.125.140)

शंखाद्भिरभिषिच्याशु मुदा तं चक्रवर्तिनम् । वासुदेवो ददौ तस्मै स्मारयंस्तैलचेष्टितम्

śaṁkhādbhirabhiṣicyāśu mudā taṁ cakravartinam vāsudevo dadau tasmai smārayaṁstailaceṣṭitam

Having quickly and joyfully anointed that universal monarch with conch-water, Vasudeva, reminding him of his act with the oil, granted him —

Verse 141 (padma.6.125.141)

अतीव सुंदरं रूपं कमनीयं मनोहरम् । येन तं चकमे देवी उर्वशी देवनायिका

atīva suṁdaraṁ rūpaṁ kamanīyaṁ manoharam yena taṁ cakame devī urvaśī devanāyikā

— an exceedingly beautiful, charming, and captivating form, by which the goddess Urvashi, foremost among the celestial nymphs, came to desire him.

Verse 142 (padma.6.125.142)

इत्थं लब्धवरो राजा कृतकृत्यः पुरं गतः । इति कर्मगतिं ज्ञात्वा किं विद्याधर खिद्यते

itthaṁ labdhavaro rājā kṛtakṛtyaḥ puraṁ gataḥ iti karmagatiṁ jñātvā kiṁ vidyādhara khidyate

Thus that king, having received this boon, fulfilled, returned to his city. So, O Vidyadhara, having understood the workings of karma, why do you grieve?

Verse 143 (padma.6.125.143)

भवान्परिजिहीर्षुश्चेद्दानवस्य विरूपताम् । शीघ्रं मद्वचनादेव प्राचीनाघविनाशनम्

bhavānparijihīrṣuśceddānavasya virūpatām śīghraṁ madvacanādeva prācīnāghavināśanam

If you wish to remove this demon-like deformity, then quickly, at my very word — this destroyer of ancient sin:

Verse 144 (padma.6.125.144)

माघमासे कुरु स्नानं मणिकूटनदीजले । मुनिसिद्धसुरैर्जुष्टे कथयिष्यामि तद्विधिम्

māghamāse kuru snānaṁ maṇikūṭanadījale munisiddhasurairjuṣṭe kathayiṣyāmi tadvidhim

— In the month of Magha, bathe in the waters of the river of Manikuta, frequented by sages, Siddhas, and gods. I shall tell you its procedure.

Verse 145 (padma.6.125.145)

तवभाग्यवशान्माघो निकटः पंचमेऽहनि । पौषस्यैकादशीं शुक्लामारभ्य स्थंडिलेशयः

tavabhāgyavaśānmāgho nikaṭaḥ paṁcame'hani pauṣasyaikādaśīṁ śuklāmārabhya sthaṁḍileśayaḥ

By your good fortune, Magha is near, arriving in five days. Beginning from the bright Ekadashi of Pausha, sleeping upon bare ground,

Verse 146 (padma.6.125.146)

मासमेकं निराहारस्त्रिकालं स्नानमाचर । त्रिकालमर्चयन्विष्णुं त्यक्तभोगो जितेंद्रियः

māsamekaṁ nirāhārastrikālaṁ snānamācara trikālamarcayanviṣṇuṁ tyaktabhogo jiteṁdriyaḥ

— fast for one whole month, without food, bathing three times a day, worshipping Vishnu three times a day, forsaking all enjoyments, senses subdued.

Verse 147 (padma.6.125.147)

माघस्यैकादशीशुक्ला यावद्विद्याधरोत्तम । ततो निर्दग्धपापं त्वां द्वादश्यां पुण्यवासरे

māghasyaikādaśīśuklā yāvadvidyādharottama tato nirdagdhapāpaṁ tvāṁ dvādaśyāṁ puṇyavāsare

Continue until the bright Ekadashi of Magha, O foremost of Vidyadharas. Then, on the Dvadashi, that most auspicious day, when your sin has been thoroughly burnt away —

Verse 148 (padma.6.125.148)

अभिषिच्य शिवैस्तोयैर्मंत्रपूतैरहं सुर । कामवक्त्रोपमं वक्त्रं करिष्यामि तवानघ

abhiṣicya śivaistoyairmaṁtrapūtairahaṁ sura kāmavaktropamaṁ vaktraṁ kariṣyāmi tavānagha

— O god, I myself shall anoint you with auspicious waters purified by mantra, and shall make your face, O sinless one, like the face of Kama himself.

Verse 149 (padma.6.125.149)

देवतावदनोभूत्वा त्वं विद्याधरसत्तम । अनया वरवर्णिन्या सार्द्धं क्रीड यथासुखम्

devatāvadanobhūtvā tvaṁ vidyādharasattama anayā varavarṇinyā sārddhaṁ krīḍa yathāsukham

Having become divine-faced, O foremost of Vidyadharas, sport happily together with this fair-complexioned lady.

Verse 150 (padma.6.125.150)

ज्ञातमाघप्रभावस्त्वं माघस्नानं सदा कुरु । यथामनोरथावाप्तिर्जायते तव सर्वदा

jñātamāghaprabhāvastvaṁ māghasnānaṁ sadā kuru yathāmanorathāvāptirjāyate tava sarvadā

Having thus known the power of Magha, ever perform the Magha bath, so that the fulfillment of your desires may always come about for you."

Verse 151 (padma.6.125.151)

इत्युक्तं भृगुणा तस्मै सर्वज्ञेन महात्मना । विद्याधराय राजेंद्र पुनर्गाथा उदाहृता

ityuktaṁ bhṛguṇā tasmai sarvajñena mahātmanā vidyādharāya rājeṁdra punargāthā udāhṛtā

Thus spoke Bhrigu, the all-knowing great soul, to that Vidyadhara, O king of kings; and further he recited this verse-saying:

Verse 152 (padma.6.125.152)

माघस्नानैर्विपन्नाश माघस्नानैरघक्षयः । सर्वयज्ञाधिको माघः सर्वदानफलप्रदः

māghasnānairvipannāśa māghasnānairaghakṣayaḥ sarvayajñādhiko māghaḥ sarvadānaphalapradaḥ

"Through Magha baths, misfortunes are destroyed; through Magha baths, sin is destroyed. Magha surpasses all sacrifices, and bestows the fruit of every gift.

Verse 153 (padma.6.125.153)

माघो गर्जति यज्ञेभ्यो माघो योगाच्च गर्जति । तीव्राच्च तपसो माघो भो विद्याधर गर्जति

māgho garjati yajñebhyo māgho yogācca garjati tīvrācca tapaso māgho bho vidyādhara garjati

Magha roars in triumph over sacrifices; Magha roars in triumph over yoga too; O Vidyadhara, Magha roars in triumph even over intense austerity.

Verse 154 (padma.6.125.154)

पुष्करे च कुरुक्षेत्रे ब्रह्मावर्ते पृथूदके । अविमुक्ते प्रयागे च गंगासागरसंगमे

puṣkare ca kurukṣetre brahmāvarte pṛthūdake avimukte prayāge ca gaṁgāsāgarasaṁgame

At Pushkara, at Kurukshetra, at Brahmavarta, at Prithudaka, at Avimukta [Kashi], at Prayaga, and at the confluence of the Ganga and the ocean —

Verse 155 (padma.6.125.155)

यत्फलं दशभिर्वर्षैः प्राप्यते नियमैर्नरैः । तत्फलं प्राप्यते माघे त्र्यहस्नानान्न संशयः

yatphalaṁ daśabhirvarṣaiḥ prāpyate niyamairnaraiḥ tatphalaṁ prāpyate māghe tryahasnānānna saṁśayaḥ

— that fruit which men obtain in ten years through observances, that same fruit is obtained, without doubt, through bathing for three days in Magha.

Verse 156 (padma.6.125.156)

स्वर्गलोके चिरं रागो येषां मनसि वर्तते । यत्र क्वापि जले तैस्तु स्नातव्यं मकरे रवौ

svargaloke ciraṁ rāgo yeṣāṁ manasi vartate yatra kvāpi jale taistu snātavyaṁ makare ravau

Those in whose minds there abides a lasting longing for the world of heaven — by them bathing should be performed in any water whatsoever, when the sun is in Capricorn.

Verse 157 (padma.6.125.157)

आयुरारोग्यसंपत्तिरूपसौभाग्यता गुणाः । येषां मनोरथस्तैस्तु न त्याज्यं माघमज्जनम्

āyurārogyasaṁpattirūpasaubhāgyatā guṇāḥ yeṣāṁ manorathastaistu na tyājyaṁ māghamajjanam

Those whose desire is for long life, health, prosperity, beauty, and good fortune — by them the plunge into Magha's waters should never be abandoned.

Verse 158 (padma.6.125.158)

ये च बिभ्यंति नरकाद्ये दरिद्राच्च संचितात् । सर्वथा तैः प्रयत्नेन माघे कार्यं निमज्जनम्

ye ca bibhyaṁti narakādye daridrācca saṁcitāt sarvathā taiḥ prayatnena māghe kāryaṁ nimajjanam

And those who fear hell, and those who fear the poverty accumulated from past sin — by them, in every way and with diligence, the plunge into Magha should be performed.

Verse 159 (padma.6.125.159)

दारिद्र्य पापदौर्भाग्य पंकप्रक्षालनाय च । माघस्नानान्न चान्योऽस्ति उपायो राजसत्तम

dāridrya pāpadaurbhāgya paṁkaprakṣālanāya ca māghasnānānna cānyo'sti upāyo rājasattama

O best of kings, for washing away the mire of poverty, sin, and misfortune, there is no other means than the Magha bath.

Verse 160 (padma.6.125.160)

श्रद्धाहीनानि कर्माणि तथात्यल्पफलानि वै । फलं ददाति संपूर्णं माघस्नानं यथा तथा

śraddhāhīnāni karmāṇi tathātyalpaphalāni vai phalaṁ dadāti saṁpūrṇaṁ māghasnānaṁ yathā tathā

Deeds performed without faith bear only very meager fruit; but the Magha bath grants complete fruit regardless of the presence of faith.

Verse 161 (padma.6.125.161)

अकामो वा सकामो वा यत्र क्वापि बहिर्जले । इहामुत्र च दुःखानि माघस्नायी न विंदति

akāmo vā sakāmo vā yatra kvāpi bahirjale ihāmutra ca duḥkhāni māghasnāyī na viṁdati

Whether without desire or with desire, in whatever outdoor water it may be — one who bathes in Magha does not encounter sufferings, whether in this world or the next.

Verse 162 (padma.6.125.162)

पक्षद्वये यथा चंद्रो वर्द्धते क्षीयते तथा । पातकं क्षीयते माघे पुण्यराशिश्च वर्धते

pakṣadvaye yathā caṁdro varddhate kṣīyate tathā pātakaṁ kṣīyate māghe puṇyarāśiśca vardhate

Just as the moon waxes and wanes in its two fortnights, so, in Magha, sin wanes and the mass of merit waxes.

Verse 163 (padma.6.125.163)

यथा च खन्या जायंते रत्नानि विविधानि च । स्नानात्पुण्यानि जायंते नराणां माघतस्तथा

yathā ca khanyā jāyaṁte ratnāni vividhāni ca snānātpuṇyāni jāyaṁte narāṇāṁ māghatastathā

And just as various jewels are born from a mine, so, from the bathing of Magha, merits are born for men.

Verse 164 (padma.6.125.164)

कामधेनुर्यथा कामं चिंतामणिस्तु चिंतितम् । माघस्नानं ददातीह तद्वत्सर्वान्मनोरथान्

kāmadhenuryathā kāmaṁ ciṁtāmaṇistu ciṁtitam māghasnānaṁ dadātīha tadvatsarvānmanorathān

Just as the wish-fulfilling cow grants desires, and the wish-fulfilling gem grants whatever is thought of, so too the Magha bath grants here all one's heartfelt wishes.

Verse 165 (padma.6.125.165)

कृते तपः परं ज्ञानं त्रेतायां यजनं तथा । द्वापरे तु कलौ ज्ञानं माघः सर्वयुगेषु च

kṛte tapaḥ paraṁ jñānaṁ tretāyāṁ yajanaṁ tathā dvāpare tu kalau jñānaṁ māghaḥ sarvayugeṣu ca

In the Krita age, austerity is supreme; in the Treta, sacrifice; and in the Dvapara — and knowledge in the Kali — but Magha is supreme in all the ages.

Verse 166 (padma.6.125.166)

सर्वेषामेव वर्णानामाश्रमाणां च भूपते । माघस्नानं तु धर्मस्य धाराभिरभिवर्षति

sarveṣāmeva varṇānāmāśramāṇāṁ ca bhūpate māghasnānaṁ tu dharmasya dhārābhirabhivarṣati

O king, for all the social orders and stages of life alike, the Magha bath rains down the very streams of dharma."

Verse 167 (padma.6.125.167)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। इति वाक्यं भृगोः श्रुत्वा तस्मिन्नेवाश्रमे सुरः । सहैव भृगुणा माघे गिरौ निर्झरिणी तटे

vasiṣṭha uvāca iti vākyaṁ bhṛgoḥ śrutvā tasminnevāśrame suraḥ sahaiva bhṛguṇā māghe girau nirjhariṇī taṭe

Vasishtha said: Hearing these words of Bhrigu, that god, in that very hermitage, together with Bhrigu, in Magha, on the bank of the mountain stream —

Verse 168 (padma.6.125.168)

यथोक्तविधिना स्नानमकरोद्भार्यया सह । भृगोरनुग्रहात्सोऽथ संप्राप्य मनसेप्सितम्

yathoktavidhinā snānamakarodbhāryayā saha bhṛgoranugrahātso'tha saṁprāpya manasepsitam

— performed the bath according to the prescribed rule, together with his wife. Then, by Bhrigu's grace, having obtained the desire of his heart,

Verse 169 (padma.6.125.169)

देवतावदनो भूत्वा मुमुदे मणिपर्वते । आजगाम भृगुर्विध्यं तमनुग्राह्य हर्षितः

devatāvadano bhūtvā mumude maṇiparvate ājagāma bhṛgurvidhyaṁ tamanugrāhya harṣitaḥ

— having become divine-faced, he rejoiced on Mount Manikuta. Bhrigu, having thus graced him, joyfully returned to the Vindhya mountains.

Verse 170 (padma.6.125.170)

मणिमयगिरिराजे स्नानमात्रेण माघे मदनवदनरूपस्तत्र विद्याधरोऽभूत् । क्षपितनियमदेहो विंध्यपादावतीर्णो भृगुरपि सहशिष्यैराजगामाथ रेवाम्

maṇimayagirirāje snānamātreṇa māghe madanavadanarūpastatra vidyādharo'bhūt kṣapitaniyamadeho viṁdhyapādāvatīrṇo bhṛgurapi sahaśiṣyairājagāmātha revām

On that king of jewel-mountains, merely by bathing in Magha, the Vidyadhara there attained a form with a face like Kama's own. And Bhrigu too, his body worn by his observances, descending to the foot of the Vindhyas, went, together with his disciples, to the Reva river.

Verse 171 (padma.6.125.171)

अखिलभुवनसारं माघमाहात्म्यमेतद्द्विजवरभृगुणोक्तं भूपविद्याधराय । विविधफलविचित्रं यः शृणोतीह नित्यं रुचिरसकलकामान्देववत्प्राप्नुयात्सः

akhilabhuvanasāraṁ māghamāhātmyametaddvijavarabhṛguṇoktaṁ bhūpavidyādharāya vividhaphalavicitraṁ yaḥ śṛṇotīha nityaṁ rucirasakalakāmāndevavatprāpnuyātsaḥ

This glory of Magha — the very essence of all the worlds — was thus told by the noble brahmin Bhrigu to the king and the Vidyadhara, wondrous with its manifold fruits. Whoever daily hears this here obtains all his cherished desires, like a god.