The Praise of the Magha Bath and the Story of Tilottama

Verse 1 (padma.6.126.1)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। अधुना माघमाहात्म्यं प्रवक्ष्यामि नृपोत्तम । पृच्छते कार्तवीर्याय दत्तात्रेयेण भाषितम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca adhunā māghamāhātmyaṁ pravakṣyāmi nṛpottama pṛcchate kārtavīryāya dattātreyeṇa bhāṣitam

Vasishtha said: Now, O best of kings, I shall tell the glory of Magha as it was spoken by Dattatreya to Kartavirya, who had asked of it.

Verse 2 (padma.6.126.2)

दत्तात्रेयं हरिं साक्षाद्वसंतं सह्य पर्वते । पप्रच्छ तं द्विजं गत्वा राजा माहिष्मतीपतिः

dattātreyaṁ hariṁ sākṣādvasaṁtaṁ sahya parvate papraccha taṁ dvijaṁ gatvā rājā māhiṣmatīpatiḥ

The king, lord of Mahishmati, went to that brahmin, Dattatreya — Hari himself, dwelling on Mount Sahya — and asked him.

Verse 3 (padma.6.126.3)

सहस्रार्जुन उवाच। भगवन्योगिनां श्रेष्ठ सर्वे धर्माः श्रुता मया । माघस्नानफलं ब्रूहि कृपया मम सुव्रत

sahasrārjuna uvāca bhagavanyogināṁ śreṣṭha sarve dharmāḥ śrutā mayā māghasnānaphalaṁ brūhi kṛpayā mama suvrata

Sahasrarjuna said: O Lord, foremost of yogis, I have heard all the dharmas. O you of good vows, tell me out of grace the fruit of the Magha bath.

Verse 4 (padma.6.126.4)

दत्तात्रेय उवाच। श्रूयतां नृपशार्दूल एतत्प्रश्नोत्तरं शुभम् । ब्रह्मणोक्तं पुरा ह्येतन्नारदाय महात्मने

dattātreya uvāca śrūyatāṁ nṛpaśārdūla etatpraśnottaraṁ śubham brahmaṇoktaṁ purā hyetannāradāya mahātmane

Dattatreya said: Hear, O tiger among kings, this auspicious question and answer, which was once told by Brahma to the great soul Narada.

Verse 5 (padma.6.126.5)

तत्सर्वं कथयिष्यामि माघस्नानफलं महत् । यथादेशं यथातीर्थं यथाविधि यथाक्रियम्

tatsarvaṁ kathayiṣyāmi māghasnānaphalaṁ mahat yathādeśaṁ yathātīrthaṁ yathāvidhi yathākriyam

I shall tell all of that — the great fruit of the Magha bath — according to place, according to tirtha, according to procedure, and according to rite.

Verse 6 (padma.6.126.6)

अस्मिन्वै भारते वर्षे कर्मभूमौ विशेषतः । अमाघस्नायिनां नॄणां निष्फलं जन्मकीर्तितम्

asminvai bhārate varṣe karmabhūmau viśeṣataḥ amāghasnāyināṁ nṝṇāṁ niṣphalaṁ janmakīrtitam

In this land of Bharata especially, the land of action, the birth of men who do not bathe in Magha is declared fruitless.

Verse 7 (padma.6.126.7)

असूर्यं गगनं यद्वदचन्द्रमुडुमंडलम् । तद्वन्नाभाति सत्कर्म माघस्नानं विना नृप

asūryaṁ gaganaṁ yadvadacandramuḍumaṁḍalam tadvannābhāti satkarma māghasnānaṁ vinā nṛpa

Just as the sky without the sun, and the starry sphere without the moon, do not shine — so, O king, virtuous deeds do not shine without the Magha bath.

Verse 8 (padma.6.126.8)

व्रतैर्दानैस्तपोभिश्च न तथा प्रीयते हरिः । माघमज्जनमात्रेण यथा प्रीणाति केशवः

vratairdānaistapobhiśca na tathā prīyate hariḥ māghamajjanamātreṇa yathā prīṇāti keśavaḥ

Hari is not so pleased by vows, gifts, and austerities as Keshava is pleased by the mere plunge into the waters of Magha.

Verse 9 (padma.6.126.9)

न समं विद्यते किंचित्तेजः सौरेण तेजसा । तद्वत्स्नानेन माघस्य न समाः क्रतुजाः क्रियाः

na samaṁ vidyate kiṁcittejaḥ saureṇa tejasā tadvatsnānena māghasya na samāḥ kratujāḥ kriyāḥ

There exists no splendor equal to the splendor of the sun; likewise, rites born of sacrifices are not equal to the bath of Magha.

Verse 10 (padma.6.126.10)

प्रीतये वासुदेवस्य सर्वपापापनुत्तये । माघस्नानं प्रकुर्वीत स्वर्गलाभाय मानवः

prītaye vāsudevasya sarvapāpāpanuttaye māghasnānaṁ prakurvīta svargalābhāya mānavaḥ

For the pleasure of Vasudeva, for the removal of every sin, a man should perform the Magha bath, for the attainment of heaven.

Verse 11 (padma.6.126.11)

किं रक्षितेन देहेन सुपुष्टेन बलीयसा । अध्रुवेणाप्यशुचिना माघस्नानं विना भवेत्

kiṁ rakṣitena dehena supuṣṭena balīyasā adhruveṇāpyaśucinā māghasnānaṁ vinā bhavet

What use is a well-nourished, powerful, carefully guarded body — impermanent and impure as it is — if it exists without the Magha bath?

Verse 12 (padma.6.126.12)

अस्थिस्तंभं स्नायुबद्धं मांसक्षतज लेपनम् । चर्मावनद्धं दुर्गंधं पात्रं मूत्रपुरीषयोः

asthistaṁbhaṁ snāyubaddhaṁ māṁsakṣataja lepanam carmāvanaddhaṁ durgaṁdhaṁ pātraṁ mūtrapurīṣayoḥ

A pillar of bones, bound with sinews, smeared with flesh and blood, wrapped in skin, foul-smelling, a mere vessel of urine and feces —

Verse 13 (padma.6.126.13)

जराशोकविपद्व्याप्तं रोगमंदिरमातुरम् । रजस्वलमनित्यं च सर्वदोषसमाश्रयम्

jarāśokavipadvyāptaṁ rogamaṁdiramāturam rajasvalamanityaṁ ca sarvadoṣasamāśrayam

— pervaded by old age, grief, and calamity, a house of disease, sickly, subject to impurity, impermanent, the very refuge of every fault,

Verse 14 (padma.6.126.14)

परोपतापितापार्तं परद्रोहि परं विषम् । लोलुपं पिशुनं क्रूरं कृतघ्नं क्षणिकं तथा

paropatāpitāpārtaṁ paradrohi paraṁ viṣam lolupaṁ piśunaṁ krūraṁ kṛtaghnaṁ kṣaṇikaṁ tathā

— afflicted by torment inflicted on others, hostile to others, exceedingly poisonous, greedy, slanderous, cruel, ungrateful, and fleeting as well,

Verse 15 (padma.6.126.15)

दुष्पूरं दुर्धरं दुष्टं दोषत्रयसमन्वितम् । अशुचिस्रावि सच्छिद्रं तापत्रयविमोहितम्

duṣpūraṁ durdharaṁ duṣṭaṁ doṣatrayasamanvitam aśucisrāvi sacchidraṁ tāpatrayavimohitam

— insatiable, unbearable, wicked, joined with the three humoral faults, oozing impurity, full of openings, deluded by the three kinds of affliction,

Verse 16 (padma.6.126.16)

निसर्गतोऽधर्मरतं तृष्णाशत समाकुलम् । कामक्रोध महालोभ नरकद्वार संस्थितम्

nisargato'dharmarataṁ tṛṣṇāśata samākulam kāmakrodha mahālobha narakadvāra saṁsthitam

— naturally inclined to unrighteousness, filled with a hundred cravings, situated at the very gate of hell through desire, anger, and great greed —

Verse 17 (padma.6.126.17)

क्रिमिविड्भस्मभवति परिणामे शुनां हविः । ईदृक्शरीरं व्यर्थं हि माघस्नानविवर्जितम्

krimiviḍbhasmabhavati pariṇāme śunāṁ haviḥ īdṛkśarīraṁ vyarthaṁ hi māghasnānavivarjitam

— it ultimately becomes worms, excrement, and ash, or an offering to dogs. Such a body, indeed, is useless if it is devoid of the Magha bath.

Verse 18 (padma.6.126.18)

बुद्बुदाइव तोयेषु पूतिका इव जंतुषु । जायंते मरणायैव माघस्नानविवर्जिताः

budbudāiva toyeṣu pūtikā iva jaṁtuṣu jāyaṁte maraṇāyaiva māghasnānavivarjitāḥ

Like bubbles in water, like mayflies among creatures, those devoid of the Magha bath are born only to die.

Verse 19 (padma.6.126.19)

अवैष्णवो हतो विप्रो हतं श्राद्धमयोगि च । अब्रह्मण्यं हतं क्षेत्रमनाचारं हतं कुलम्

avaiṣṇavo hato vipro hataṁ śrāddhamayogi ca abrahmaṇyaṁ hataṁ kṣetramanācāraṁ hataṁ kulam

A brahmin who is not a Vaishnava is destroyed; a shraddha rite performed without proper method is destroyed; a field without brahmins is destroyed; a family without proper conduct is destroyed.

Verse 20 (padma.6.126.20)

सदंभश्च हतो धर्मः क्रोधेनैव हतं तपः । अदृढं च हतं ज्ञानं प्रमादेन हतं श्रुतम्

sadaṁbhaśca hato dharmaḥ krodhenaiva hataṁ tapaḥ adṛḍhaṁ ca hataṁ jñānaṁ pramādena hataṁ śrutam

Dharma performed with hypocrisy is destroyed; austerity is destroyed by anger; unsteady knowledge is destroyed; scriptural learning is destroyed by negligence.

Verse 21 (padma.6.126.21)

गुर्वभक्ता हता नारी ब्रह्मचारी तया हतः । अदीप्तेऽग्नौ हतो होमो हता भुंक्तिरसाक्षिका

gurvabhaktā hatā nārī brahmacārī tayā hataḥ adīpte'gnau hato homo hatā bhuṁktirasākṣikā

A woman without devotion to her elders is destroyed; a celibate student ruined by her is destroyed; a fire-offering into an unkindled fire is destroyed; a meal without a witness is destroyed.

Verse 22 (padma.6.126.22)

उपजीव्या हता कन्या स्वार्थे पाकक्रिया हता । शूद्रभिक्षो हतो यागः कृपणस्य हतं धनम्

upajīvyā hatā kanyā svārthe pākakriyā hatā śūdrabhikṣo hato yāgaḥ kṛpaṇasya hataṁ dhanam

A daughter given away for one's own livelihood is destroyed; cooking done merely for one's own sake is destroyed; a sacrifice supported by alms from a shudra is destroyed; the wealth of a miser is destroyed.

Verse 23 (padma.6.126.23)

अनभ्यासा हता विद्या हतो राजा विरोधकृत् । जीवनार्थं हतं तीर्थं जीवनार्थं हतं व्रतम्

anabhyāsā hatā vidyā hato rājā virodhakṛt jīvanārthaṁ hataṁ tīrthaṁ jīvanārthaṁ hataṁ vratam

Learning without practice is destroyed; a king who causes strife is destroyed; a tirtha visited only for the sake of livelihood is destroyed; a vow performed only for the sake of livelihood is destroyed.

Verse 24 (padma.6.126.24)

असत्या च हता वाणी तथा पैशुन्यवादिनी । संदिग्धश्च हतो मंत्रो व्यग्रचित्तो हतो जपः

asatyā ca hatā vāṇī tathā paiśunyavādinī saṁdigdhaśca hato maṁtro vyagracitto hato japaḥ

Untruthful speech is destroyed, and likewise speech that slanders; a mantra recited with doubt is destroyed; japa performed with a distracted mind is destroyed.

Verse 25 (padma.6.126.25)

हतमश्रोत्रिये दानं हतो लोकश्च नास्तिकः । अश्रद्धया हतं सर्वं कृतं यत्पारलौकिकम्

hatamaśrotriye dānaṁ hato lokaśca nāstikaḥ aśraddhayā hataṁ sarvaṁ kṛtaṁ yatpāralaukikam

A gift given to one unlearned in the Veda is destroyed; the world to come for an atheist is destroyed; whatever is done for the sake of the world to come, if done without faith, is entirely destroyed.

Verse 26 (padma.6.126.26)

इहलोको हतो नॄणां दरिद्राणां यथा नृप । मनुष्याणां तथा जन्म माघस्नानं विना हतम्

ihaloko hato nṝṇāṁ daridrāṇāṁ yathā nṛpa manuṣyāṇāṁ tathā janma māghasnānaṁ vinā hatam

Just as, O king, this world is effectively lost for the poor, so too is the very birth of men destroyed without the Magha bath.

Verse 27 (padma.6.126.27)

मकरस्थे रवौ यो हि न स्नात्यनुदिते रवौ । कथं पापैः प्रमुच्येत कथं स त्रिदिवं व्रजेत्

makarasthe ravau yo hi na snātyanudite ravau kathaṁ pāpaiḥ pramucyeta kathaṁ sa tridivaṁ vrajet

Whoever does not bathe before sunrise when the sun is in Capricorn — how shall he be freed from his sins, how shall he go to heaven?

Verse 28 (padma.6.126.28)

ब्रह्महा हेमहारी च सुरापो गुरुतल्पगः । माघस्नायी विपापः स्यात्तत्संसर्गी च पंचमः

brahmahā hemahārī ca surāpo gurutalpagaḥ māghasnāyī vipāpaḥ syāttatsaṁsargī ca paṁcamaḥ

The killer of a brahmin, the thief of gold, the drinker of liquor, the violator of the guru's bed, and the fifth, one who associates with such — all become freed of sin through bathing in Magha.

Verse 29 (padma.6.126.29)

माघमासे रटंत्यापः किंचिदभ्युदिते रवौ । ब्रह्मघ्नं वा सुरापं वा कंपंतं तं पुनीमहे

māghamāse raṭaṁtyāpaḥ kiṁcidabhyudite ravau brahmaghnaṁ vā surāpaṁ vā kaṁpaṁtaṁ taṁ punīmahe

In the month of Magha, as the sun is just rising, the waters seem to murmur: "Whether he be a killer of a brahmin or a drinker of liquor, trembling as he enters us, we shall purify him!"

Verse 30 (padma.6.126.30)

उपपापानि सर्वाणि पातकानि महांत्यपि । भस्मीभवंति सर्वाणि माघस्नानोद्यतं नरम्

upapāpāni sarvāṇi pātakāni mahāṁtyapi bhasmībhavaṁti sarvāṇi māghasnānodyataṁ naram

All the sub-sins, and even the great sins, all become reduced to ashes for a man intent on the Magha bath.

Verse 31 (padma.6.126.31)

कंपंति सर्वपापानि माघस्नानसमागमे । नाशकालोऽयमस्माकं यदि स्नास्यति वारिणि

kaṁpaṁti sarvapāpāni māghasnānasamāgame nāśakālo'yamasmākaṁ yadi snāsyati vāriṇi

All sins tremble at the approach of the Magha bath, saying: "This is the time of our destruction, if he is going to bathe in the water!"

Verse 32 (padma.6.126.32)

एवं क्रोशंति पापानि दृष्ट्वा स्नानोद्यतं नरम् । पावका इव दीप्यंते माघस्नानैर्नरोत्तमाः

evaṁ krośaṁti pāpāni dṛṣṭvā snānodyataṁ naram pāvakā iva dīpyaṁte māghasnānairnarottamāḥ

Thus the sins cry out, seeing a man intent on bathing. Through the Magha bath, the best of men blaze forth like fire.

Verse 33 (padma.6.126.33)

विमुक्ताः सर्वपापेभ्यो मेघेभ्य इव चंद्रमाः । आर्द्रशुष्कं लघुस्थूलं वाङ्मनः कर्मभिः कृतम्

vimuktāḥ sarvapāpebhyo meghebhya iva caṁdramāḥ ārdraśuṣkaṁ laghusthūlaṁ vāṅmanaḥ karmabhiḥ kṛtam

Freed from all sin, like the moon from the clouds — whatever sin, moist or dry, small or great, has been done by speech, mind, or deed —

Verse 34 (padma.6.126.34)

माघस्नानं दहेत्पापं पावकः समिधो यथा । प्रामादिकं च यत्पापं ज्ञानाज्ञानकृतं च यत्

māghasnānaṁ dahetpāpaṁ pāvakaḥ samidho yathā prāmādikaṁ ca yatpāpaṁ jñānājñānakṛtaṁ ca yat

— the Magha bath burns it away, as fire burns kindling; whatever sin has been committed through carelessness, and whatever has been done knowingly or unknowingly —

Verse 35 (padma.6.126.35)

स्नानमात्रेण तन्नश्येन्मकरस्थे दिवाकरे । निष्पापास्त्रिदिवं यांति पापिष्ठा यांति शुद्धताम्

snānamātreṇa tannaśyenmakarasthe divākare niṣpāpāstridivaṁ yāṁti pāpiṣṭhā yāṁti śuddhatām

— that is destroyed by the mere bath, when the sun is in Capricorn. The sinless go to heaven; the sinful attain purity.

Verse 36 (padma.6.126.36)

संदेहो नात्र कर्तव्यो माघस्नाने नराधिप । सर्वेऽधिकारिणो माघे विष्णुभक्तौ यथा नृप

saṁdeho nātra kartavyo māghasnāne narādhipa sarve'dhikāriṇo māghe viṣṇubhaktau yathā nṛpa

No doubt should be entertained about the Magha bath, O lord of men. Everyone is entitled to it in Magha, just as in devotion to Vishnu, O king.

Verse 37 (padma.6.126.37)

सर्वेषां स्वर्गदो माघः सर्वेषां पापनाशनः । एष एव परो मंत्रो ह्येतदेव परं तपः

sarveṣāṁ svargado māghaḥ sarveṣāṁ pāpanāśanaḥ eṣa eva paro maṁtro hyetadeva paraṁ tapaḥ

Magha bestows heaven on all, destroys the sin of all; this alone is the supreme mantra, this alone is the supreme austerity.

Verse 38 (padma.6.126.38)

प्रायश्चित्तं परं चैतन्माघस्नानमनुत्तमम् । नृणां जन्मांतराभ्यासान्माघस्नाने मतिर्भवेत्

prāyaścittaṁ paraṁ caitanmāghasnānamanuttamam nṛṇāṁ janmāṁtarābhyāsānmāghasnāne matirbhavet

This Magha bath is the supreme, unsurpassed atonement. Only through the practice accumulated over previous births does a man's mind incline toward the Magha bath.

Verse 39 (padma.6.126.39)

अध्यात्मज्ञानकौशल्यं जन्माभ्यासाद्यथा नृप । संसारकर्दमालेप प्रक्षालन विशारदम्

adhyātmajñānakauśalyaṁ janmābhyāsādyathā nṛpa saṁsārakardamālepa prakṣālana viśāradam

Just as skill in spiritual knowledge comes from the practice of many births, O king, so the Magha bath is skilled at washing away the mire smeared on one by worldly existence.

Verse 40 (padma.6.126.40)

पावनं पावनानां च माघस्नानपरं नृप । स्नांति माघे न ये राजन्सर्वकामफलप्रदे

pāvanaṁ pāvanānāṁ ca māghasnānaparaṁ nṛpa snāṁti māghe na ye rājansarvakāmaphalaprade

O king, the Magha bath is the purifier of all purifiers. Those who, O king, do not bathe in Magha, which grants the fruit of every desire —

Verse 41 (padma.6.126.41)

कथं ते भुंजते भोगांश्चंद्रसूर्यग्रहोपमान् । शृणु राजन्महाश्चर्यं माघस्नानप्रभावजम्

kathaṁ te bhuṁjate bhogāṁścaṁdrasūryagrahopamān śṛṇu rājanmahāścaryaṁ māghasnānaprabhāvajam

— how do they enjoy pleasures comparable to the moon, the sun, and the planets? Hear, O king, a great wonder born of the power of the Magha bath.

Verse 42 (padma.6.126.42)

कुब्जिका नाम कल्याणी ब्राह्मणी भृगुवंशजा । बालवैधव्यदुःखार्ता तपस्तेपे सुदुस्तरम्

kubjikā nāma kalyāṇī brāhmaṇī bhṛguvaṁśajā bālavaidhavyaduḥkhārtā tapastepe sudustaram

There was an auspicious brahmin woman named Kubjika, born in the lineage of Bhrigu. Afflicted by the sorrow of widowhood in her youth, she practiced very difficult austerity.

Verse 43 (padma.6.126.43)

विंध्यपादे महाक्षेत्रे रेवाकपिलसंगमे । तत्र सा व्रतिनी भूत्वा नारायणपरायणा

viṁdhyapāde mahākṣetre revākapilasaṁgame tatra sā vratinī bhūtvā nārāyaṇaparāyaṇā

At the foot of the Vindhyas, in the great sacred field at the confluence of the Reva and the Kapila, she, having become a votary devoted to Narayana,

Verse 44 (padma.6.126.44)

सदाचारवती नित्यं नित्यं संगविवर्जिता । जितेंद्रिया जितक्रोधा सत्यवागल्पभाषिणी

sadācāravatī nityaṁ nityaṁ saṁgavivarjitā jiteṁdriyā jitakrodhā satyavāgalpabhāṣiṇī

— was of ever good conduct, ever free from worldly attachment, with senses subdued, anger conquered, truthful in speech, and speaking little.

Verse 45 (padma.6.126.45)

सुशीला दानशीला च देहशोषणशालिनी । पितृदेवद्विजेभ्यश्च दत्वा हुत्त्वा तथानले

suśīlā dānaśīlā ca dehaśoṣaṇaśālinī pitṛdevadvijebhyaśca datvā huttvā tathānale

Of good character, generous, given to the emaciation of her own body through austerity, she would give to her ancestors, the gods, and brahmins, and offer oblation into the fire —

Verse 46 (padma.6.126.46)

षष्ठे काले च सा भुङ्क्ते ह्युंच्छवृत्तिः सदा नृप । कृच्छ्रातिकृच्छ्र पाराक तप्तकृच्छ्रादिभिर्व्रतैः

ṣaṣṭhe kāle ca sā bhuṅkte hyuṁcchavṛttiḥ sadā nṛpa kṛcchrātikṛcchra pārāka taptakṛcchrādibhirvrataiḥ

— and eat only at the sixth period of the day, O king, living ever on gleaned grain, and passing her days through the vows of Krichchhra, Atikrichchhra, Paraka, Taptakrichchhra and the rest —

Verse 47 (padma.6.126.47)

पुण्यान्नयति सा मासान्नर्मदायाश्च रोधसि । एवं तया तपस्विन्या वल्कलिन्या सुशीलया

puṇyānnayati sā māsānnarmadāyāśca rodhasi evaṁ tayā tapasvinyā valkalinyā suśīlayā

— she thus passed her sacred months on the bank of the Narmada. Thus, by that ascetic woman, clad in bark, of good character,

Verse 48 (padma.6.126.48)

सुमहासत्त्वशालिन्या धृति संतोषयुक्तया । षष्टिर्माघास्तया स्नाता रेवाकपिलसंगमे

sumahāsattvaśālinyā dhṛti saṁtoṣayuktayā ṣaṣṭirmāghāstayā snātā revākapilasaṁgame

— of great fortitude, endowed with patience and contentment, sixty Maghas were spent by her in bathing at the confluence of the Reva and the Kapila.

Verse 49 (padma.6.126.49)

ततः सा तपसा क्षीणा तस्मिंस्तीर्थे मृता नृप । माघस्नानजपुण्येन तेन सा वैष्णवे पुरे

tataḥ sā tapasā kṣīṇā tasmiṁstīrthe mṛtā nṛpa māghasnānajapuṇyena tena sā vaiṣṇave pure

Then, worn thin by austerity, she died, O king, at that tirtha. By the merit born of that Magha bathing, she, in the city of Vishnu,

Verse 50 (padma.6.126.50)

उवास प्रमुदा युक्ता चतुर्युगसहस्रकम् । सुंदोपसुंदनाशाय पश्चात्पद्मभवात्पुनः

uvāsa pramudā yuktā caturyugasahasrakam suṁdopasuṁdanāśāya paścātpadmabhavātpunaḥ

— dwelt joyfully for a thousand cycles of the four ages. Then, later, for the destruction of Sunda and Upasunda, from the Lotus-born again —

Verse 51 (padma.6.126.51)

तिलोत्तमेति नाम्ना सा ब्रह्मलोकेऽवतारिता । तेन पुण्यस्यशेषेण रूपस्यैकायनं ययौ

tilottameti nāmnā sā brahmaloke'vatāritā tena puṇyasyaśeṣeṇa rūpasyaikāyanaṁ yayau

— she was made to descend into the world of Brahma under the name Tilottama. By the remainder of that merit, she became the very repository of beauty —

Verse 52 (padma.6.126.52)

अयोनिजाबलारत्नं देवानामपि मोहिनी । लावण्यहृदनी तन्वी साभूदप्सरसां वरा

ayonijābalāratnaṁ devānāmapi mohinī lāvaṇyahṛdanī tanvī sābhūdapsarasāṁ varā

— a jewel among women not born from a womb, a bewilderer even of the gods, a slender woman who stole away all grace; she became the foremost of the Apsarases.

Verse 53 (padma.6.126.53)

निपुणस्य विधेः स्रष्टुर्नूनमाश्चर्यकारिणी । तामुत्पाद्य विधाता वै तुष्टोऽनुज्ञां तदा ददौ

nipuṇasya vidheḥ sraṣṭurnūnamāścaryakāriṇī tāmutpādya vidhātā vai tuṣṭo'nujñāṁ tadā dadau

She was surely a wonder even to that skilled Creator, Brahma, himself. Having created her, the Creator, pleased, then gave her this command:

Verse 54 (padma.6.126.54)

एणशावाक्षि गच्छ त्वं दैत्यनाशाय सत्वरम् । ततः सा ब्रह्मणो लोकाद्वीणामादाय भामिनी

eṇaśāvākṣi gaccha tvaṁ daityanāśāya satvaram tataḥ sā brahmaṇo lokādvīṇāmādāya bhāminī

"O you with eyes like a young doe, go swiftly for the destruction of the demons." Then that beautiful lady, taking her vina, went from the world of Brahma —

Verse 55 (padma.6.126.55)

गता पुष्करमार्गेण यत्र तौ देववैरिणौ । तत्र स्नात्वा तु रेवायाः पवित्रे निर्मले जले

gatā puṣkaramārgeṇa yatra tau devavairiṇau tatra snātvā tu revāyāḥ pavitre nirmale jale

— by the path through Pushkara, to where those two enemies of the gods were. There, having bathed in the pure, spotless waters of the Reva,

Verse 56 (padma.6.126.56)

परिधायांबरं रक्तं बंधूककुसुमप्रभम् । रणद्वलयिनीचारु सिंजन्मेखलनूपुरा

paridhāyāṁbaraṁ raktaṁ baṁdhūkakusumaprabham raṇadvalayinīcāru siṁjanmekhalanūpurā

— and put on a red garment, bright as the bandhuka flower, her bangles jingling beautifully, her girdle and anklets tinkling,

Verse 57 (padma.6.126.57)

लोलमुक्तावलीकंठी चलत्कुंडलशोभना । माधवी कुसुमापीडा कंकेली विटपे स्थिता

lolamuktāvalīkaṁṭhī calatkuṁḍalaśobhanā mādhavī kusumāpīḍā kaṁkelī viṭape sthitā

— her neck adorned with a swaying string of pearls, beautified by her swinging earrings, her hair crowned with madhavi flowers, standing beneath an ashoka branch —

Verse 58 (padma.6.126.58)

गायंती सुस्वरं सापि पीडयंती तु वल्लकीम् । मूर्च्छयंती स्वरषट्कं सुस्निग्धं कोमलं कलम्

gāyaṁtī susvaraṁ sāpi pīḍayaṁtī tu vallakīm mūrcchayaṁtī svaraṣaṭkaṁ susnigdhaṁ komalaṁ kalam

— she sang sweetly, playing her lute, sounding the six notes in a smooth, tender, soft melody.

Verse 59 (padma.6.126.59)

इत्थं तिलोत्तमा बाला तिष्ठंत्यशोककानने । दृष्ट्वा दैत्यभटैरिंदोः कलेव सुखदा हृदि

itthaṁ tilottamā bālā tiṣṭhaṁtyaśokakānane dṛṣṭvā daityabhaṭairiṁdoḥ kaleva sukhadā hṛdi

Thus the maiden Tilottama, standing in the ashoka grove, was seen by the demons' soldiers, delighting their hearts as the digit of the moon delights.

Verse 60 (padma.6.126.60)

तां दृष्ट्वा विस्मितै राजन्सानंदैः सैनिकैर्भृशम् । त्वरमाणैरदृष्ट्वैव गत्वा सुंदोपसुंदयोः

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā vismitai rājansānaṁdaiḥ sainikairbhṛśam tvaramāṇairadṛṣṭvaiva gatvā suṁdopasuṁdayoḥ

Seeing her, O king, the soldiers, astonished and greatly delighted, hastened, without even fully seeing her themselves, to Sunda and Upasunda,

Verse 61 (padma.6.126.61)

कथिता संभ्रमेणैव वर्णयित्वा पुनः पुनः । हे दैत्यौ न विजानीमो देवी वा दानवी नु किम्

kathitā saṁbhrameṇaiva varṇayitvā punaḥ punaḥ he daityau na vijānīmo devī vā dānavī nu kim

— and, agitated, described her again and again: "O demon lords, we do not know whether she is a goddess or a demoness —

Verse 62 (padma.6.126.62)

नागांगनाथ वा यक्षी स्त्रीरत्नं सर्वथा तु सा । युवां रत्नभुजौ लोके रत्नभूता हि साबला

nāgāṁganātha vā yakṣī strīratnaṁ sarvathā tu sā yuvāṁ ratnabhujau loke ratnabhūtā hi sābalā

— or a Naga woman, or a Yakshi; in every way she is a jewel among women. You two are enjoyers of jewels in this world; she, that woman, is herself a very jewel.

Verse 63 (padma.6.126.63)

वर्तते नाति दूरेऽग्रे अशोके शोकहारिणी । गत्वा तां पश्यतं शीघ्रं मन्मथस्यापि मोहिनीम्

vartate nāti dūre'gre aśoke śokahāriṇī gatvā tāṁ paśyataṁ śīghraṁ manmathasyāpi mohinīm

She stands not far ahead, beneath an ashoka tree, this sorrow-remover. Go quickly and see her, this bewilderer even of the god of love."

Verse 64 (padma.6.126.64)

इति सेनापतीनां तौ श्रुत्वा वाचं मनोहराम् । चषकं सीधुनस्त्यक्त्वा विहाय जलसेचनम्

iti senāpatīnāṁ tau śrutvā vācaṁ manoharām caṣakaṁ sīdhunastyaktvā vihāya jalasecanam

Hearing these delightful words of their commanders, those two, abandoning their cups of wine, forsaking their water-sport,

Verse 65 (padma.6.126.65)

उत्तमस्त्रीसहस्राणि त्यक्त्वा तस्माज्जलाशयात् । शतभारायसीं क्रूरां कालदंडोपमां गदाम्

uttamastrīsahasrāṇi tyaktvā tasmājjalāśayāt śatabhārāyasīṁ krūrāṁ kāladaṁḍopamāṁ gadām

— leaving behind thousands of splendid women, rushed from that lake; each seizing his own cruel, hundred-weight iron mace, like the very rod of Death,

Verse 66 (padma.6.126.66)

भिन्नाभिन्नां गृहीत्वा तु जवेनाभिप्लुतं गतौ । यत्र शृंगारसज्जा सा हंतुं चंडीव संस्थिता

bhinnābhinnāṁ gṛhītvā tu javenābhiplutaṁ gatau yatra śṛṁgārasajjā sā haṁtuṁ caṁḍīva saṁsthitā

— rushed there with speed, to where she, adorned with romantic charm, stood as if ready to slay them like the goddess Chandi.

Verse 67 (padma.6.126.67)

राजन्संधुक्षयंतीव दैत्ययोर्मन्मथानलम् । स्थित्वा तस्याः पुरो जाल्मौ तद्रूपेणविमोहितौ

rājansaṁdhukṣayaṁtīva daityayormanmathānalam sthitvā tasyāḥ puro jālmau tadrūpeṇavimohitau

O king, as if kindling the fire of desire in both demons — those two wretched men, standing before her, utterly bewildered by her beauty,

Verse 68 (padma.6.126.68)

विशेषान्मधुनामत्तावूचतुस्तौपरस्परम् । भ्रातर्विरम भार्येयं ममास्तु वरवर्णिनी

viśeṣānmadhunāmattāvūcatustauparasparam bhrātarvirama bhāryeyaṁ mamāstu varavarṇinī

— particularly intoxicated by wine, said to each other: "Brother, stand back — let this fair woman be my wife!"

Verse 69 (padma.6.126.69)

त्वमेवार्य त्यजैतां मे भार्यां तु मदिरेक्षणाम् । इत्याग्रहेण संरब्धौ मातंगाविव सोन्मदौ

tvamevārya tyajaitāṁ me bhāryāṁ tu madirekṣaṇām ityāgraheṇa saṁrabdhau mātaṁgāviva sonmadau

"No, noble one, you yourself give her up — let this doe-eyed woman be my wife!" Thus, obstinate with insistence, enraged like two mad elephants,

Verse 70 (padma.6.126.70)

अन्योन्यं कालनिर्दिष्टौ गदया जघ्नतुस्तदा । परस्परप्रहारेण गतासू पतितौ भुवि

anyonyaṁ kālanirdiṣṭau gadayā jaghnatustadā parasparaprahāreṇa gatāsū patitau bhuvi

— destined by fate, they struck each other with their maces; and by their mutual blows, both, their lives gone, fell to the ground.

Verse 71 (padma.6.126.71)

तौ मृतौ सैनिकैर्दृष्ट्वा कृतः कोलाहलो महान् । कालरात्रिसमा केयं हा किमेतदुपस्थितम्

tau mṛtau sainikairdṛṣṭvā kṛtaḥ kolāhalo mahān kālarātrisamā keyaṁ hā kimetadupasthitam

Seeing the two of them dead, the soldiers raised a great uproar: "Who is this woman, like the very night of doom? Alas, what calamity has befallen us!"

Verse 72 (padma.6.126.72)

एवं वदत्सु सैन्येषु दैत्यौ सुंदोपसुंदकौ । पातयित्वा गिरेः शृंगे ह्रादिनीव त्तिलोत्तमा

evaṁ vadatsu sainyeṣu daityau suṁdopasuṁdakau pātayitvā gireḥ śṛṁge hrādinīva ttilottamā

As the soldiers spoke thus, having brought down those two demons, Sunda and Upasunda, Tilottama, like lightning flashing from a mountain peak —

Verse 73 (padma.6.126.73)

प्रस्थिता गगनं शीघ्रं द्योतयंती दिशो दश । देवकार्यं ततः कृत्वा आगता ब्रह्मणः पुरः

prasthitā gaganaṁ śīghraṁ dyotayaṁtī diśo daśa devakāryaṁ tataḥ kṛtvā āgatā brahmaṇaḥ puraḥ

— swiftly rose into the sky, illuminating the ten directions. Having thus accomplished the task of the gods, she came before Brahma.

Verse 74 (padma.6.126.74)

ततस्तुष्टेन देवेन विधिना सानुमोदिता । स्थानं सूर्यरथे दत्तं तव चंद्रानने मया

tatastuṣṭena devena vidhinā sānumoditā sthānaṁ sūryarathe dattaṁ tava caṁdrānane mayā

Then, pleased, the god Brahma commended her, saying: "O moon-faced one, a place in the chariot of the Sun has been given by me to you.

Verse 75 (padma.6.126.75)

भुंक्ष्व भोगाननेकांस्त्वं यावत्सूर्योंबरे स्थितः । इत्थं सा ब्राह्मणी राजन्भूत्वा चाप्सरसां वरा

bhuṁkṣva bhogānanekāṁstvaṁ yāvatsūryoṁbare sthitaḥ itthaṁ sā brāhmaṇī rājanbhūtvā cāpsarasāṁ varā

Enjoy manifold pleasures there, for as long as the sun remains in the sky." Thus that brahmin woman, O king, having become the foremost of the Apsarases,

Verse 76 (padma.6.126.76)

भुंक्तेद्यापि रवेर्लोके माघस्नानफलं महत् । तस्मात्प्रयत्नतो राजन्श्रद्दधानैः सदा नरैः

bhuṁktedyāpi raverloke māghasnānaphalaṁ mahat tasmātprayatnato rājanśraddadhānaiḥ sadā naraiḥ

— even to this day enjoys, in the realm of the Sun, the great fruit of the Magha bath. Therefore, O king, with effort, men of faith should ever —

Verse 77 (padma.6.126.77)

स्नातव्यं मकरादित्ये वांच्छद्भिः परमां गतिम् । नानवाप्तोऽत्र तस्यास्ति पुरुषार्थो हि कश्चन

snātavyaṁ makarāditye vāṁcchadbhiḥ paramāṁ gatim nānavāpto'tra tasyāsti puruṣārtho hi kaścana

— bathe when the sun is in Capricorn, if they desire the supreme destination. There is no goal of human life which is not attained through this.

Verse 78 (padma.6.126.78)

नाक्षीणं पातकं कंचिन्माघे मज्जति यो नरः । तुलयंति न तेनात्र यज्ञाः सर्वे सदक्षिणाः

nākṣīṇaṁ pātakaṁ kaṁcinmāghe majjati yo naraḥ tulayaṁti na tenātra yajñāḥ sarve sadakṣiṇāḥ

Whatever man bathes in Magha has no sin left unremoved; not even all the sacrifices with their sacrificial fees can equal that.

Verse 79 (padma.6.126.79)

माघस्नानेन राजेंद्र तीर्थे चैव विशेषतः । न चान्यत्स्वर्गदं कर्म न चान्यत्पापनाशनम्

māghasnānena rājeṁdra tīrthe caiva viśeṣataḥ na cānyatsvargadaṁ karma na cānyatpāpanāśanam

O king of kings, through the Magha bath, and especially at a tirtha, there is no other deed that grants heaven, and no other that destroys sin —

Verse 80 (padma.6.126.80)

न चान्यन्मोक्षदं यस्मान्माघस्नानसमं भुवि

na cānyanmokṣadaṁ yasmānmāghasnānasamaṁ bhuvi

— nor is there any other that grants liberation, equal to the Magha bath on this earth.