The Glory of Prayaga and the Deliverance of the Rakshasa

Verse 1 (padma.6.127.1)

कार्तवीर्य उवाच। हेतुना केन विप्रर्षे माघस्नाने महाद्भुतः । प्रभावो वर्ण्यते नूनं तन्मे कथय सुव्रत

kārtavīrya uvāca hetunā kena viprarṣe māghasnāne mahādbhutaḥ prabhāvo varṇyate nūnaṁ tanme kathaya suvrata

Kartavirya said: O sage among brahmins, for what reason is such a wondrous power indeed described in the Magha bath? Tell me that, O you of good vows.

Verse 2 (padma.6.127.2)

गतपापो यदेकेन द्वितीयेन दिवं गतः । वैश्योऽसौ माघपुण्येन ब्रूहि मे तत्कुतूहलम्

gatapāpo yadekena dvitīyena divaṁ gataḥ vaiśyo'sau māghapuṇyena brūhi me tatkutūhalam

You said that a vaishya became sinless through one bath, and went to heaven by a second, through the merit of Magha — tell me that, out of my curiosity.

Verse 3 (padma.6.127.3)

दत्तात्रेय उवाच। निसर्गात्सलिलं मेध्यं निर्मलं शुचिपांडुरम् । मलहं पुरुषव्याघ्र द्रावकं दाहनाशनम् । तारकं सर्वभूतानां पोषणं जीवनं च यत्

dattātreya uvāca nisargātsalilaṁ medhyaṁ nirmalaṁ śucipāṁḍuram malahaṁ puruṣavyāghra drāvakaṁ dāhanāśanam tārakaṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ poṣaṇaṁ jīvanaṁ ca yat

Dattatreya said: By its very nature, water is pure, spotless, clean, and pale-white; O tiger among men, it removes impurity, dissolves things, destroys burning heat, delivers all beings, nourishes them, and is their very life —

Verse 4 (padma.6.127.4)

आपो नारायणोदेवः सर्ववेदेषु पठ्यते । ग्रहाणां च यथा सूर्यो नक्षत्राणां यथा शशी । मासानां च तथा माघः श्रेष्ठः सर्वेषु कर्मसु

āpo nārāyaṇodevaḥ sarvavedeṣu paṭhyate grahāṇāṁ ca yathā sūryo nakṣatrāṇāṁ yathā śaśī māsānāṁ ca tathā māghaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ sarveṣu karmasu

— it is recited in all the Vedas that the Waters are the god Narayana. As the sun is among the planets, and the moon among the stars, so Magha is the best among the months for every rite.

Verse 5 (padma.6.127.5)

मकरस्थे रवौ माघे प्रातः काले तथाऽमले । गोष्पदेऽपि जले स्नानं स्वर्गदं पापिनामपि

makarasthe ravau māghe prātaḥ kāle tathā'male goṣpade'pi jale snānaṁ svargadaṁ pāpināmapi

In Magha, when the sun is in Capricorn, at the pure hour of dawn, bathing even in water no deeper than a cow's hoofprint bestows heaven, even on sinners.

Verse 6 (padma.6.127.6)

योगोऽयं दुर्लभो राजंस्त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे । अस्मिन्योगे त्वशक्तोऽपि स्नायाद्यदि दिनत्रयम्

yogo'yaṁ durlabho rājaṁstrailokye sacarācare asminyoge tvaśakto'pi snāyādyadi dinatrayam

This conjunction is rare, O king, in the three worlds, moving and unmoving. Even one unable to bathe daily during this conjunction should bathe for at least three days.

Verse 7 (padma.6.127.7)

दद्यात्किंचिदशक्तोऽपि दरिद्राभाववांच्छया । त्रिस्नानेनापि माघस्य धनिनो दीर्घजीविनः

dadyātkiṁcidaśakto'pi daridrābhāvavāṁcchayā trisnānenāpi māghasya dhanino dīrghajīvinaḥ

Even one unable, out of a wish to avoid poverty, should give something. Even through three bathings in Magha, one becomes wealthy and long-lived.

Verse 8 (padma.6.127.8)

पंच वा सप्त वाहानि चंद्रवद्वर्धते फलम् । संप्राप्ते मकरादित्ये पुण्ये पुण्यप्रदे नृणाम्

paṁca vā sapta vāhāni caṁdravadvardhate phalam saṁprāpte makarāditye puṇye puṇyaprade nṛṇām

For five or seven days of bathing, the fruit increases like the waxing moon, when the meritorious, merit-giving conjunction of the sun in Capricorn has arrived for men.

Verse 9 (padma.6.127.9)

सत्कार्यास्तिथयः सर्वा स्नानदानादि कर्मसु । कर्तारं दापयंतीह ह्यक्षयं शाश्वतं पदम्

satkāryāstithayaḥ sarvā snānadānādi karmasu kartāraṁ dāpayaṁtīha hyakṣayaṁ śāśvataṁ padam

All the auspicious lunar days, in rites of bathing, giving, and the rest, grant to the one who performs them here an imperishable, eternal state.

Verse 10 (padma.6.127.10)

तस्मान्माघे बहिः स्नायादात्मनो हितकाम्यया । अथातः संप्रवक्ष्यामि माघस्नानविधिं परम्

tasmānmāghe bahiḥ snāyādātmano hitakāmyayā athātaḥ saṁpravakṣyāmi māghasnānavidhiṁ param

Therefore, one should bathe outdoors in Magha, desiring one's own welfare. Now, therefore, I shall tell the supreme procedure of the Magha bath.

Verse 11 (padma.6.127.11)

कर्तव्यो नियमः कश्चिद्व्रतरूपी नरोत्तमैः । फलातिशयहेतोर्वै किंचिद्भोज्यं त्यजेद्बुधः

kartavyo niyamaḥ kaścidvratarūpī narottamaiḥ phalātiśayahetorvai kiṁcidbhojyaṁ tyajedbudhaḥ

Some rule in the form of a vow should be observed by the best of men. For the sake of exceeding fruit, the wise man should give up some food.

Verse 12 (padma.6.127.12)

भूमौ शयीत होतव्यमाज्यं तिलविमिश्रितम् । त्रिकालं चार्चयेद्विष्णुं वासुदेवं सनातनम्

bhūmau śayīta hotavyamājyaṁ tilavimiśritam trikālaṁ cārcayedviṣṇuṁ vāsudevaṁ sanātanam

One should sleep on the ground; ghee mixed with sesame should be offered in oblation; and Vishnu, the eternal Vasudeva, should be worshipped three times a day.

Verse 13 (padma.6.127.13)

दातव्यो दीपकोऽखंडो देवमुद्दिश्य माधवम् । इंधनं कंबलं वस्त्रमुपानत्कुंकुमं घृतम्

dātavyo dīpako'khaṁḍo devamuddiśya mādhavam iṁdhanaṁ kaṁbalaṁ vastramupānatkuṁkumaṁ ghṛtam

An unbroken, continuously burning lamp should be given, dedicated to the god Madhava; likewise firewood, a blanket, clothing, sandals, saffron, and ghee;

Verse 14 (padma.6.127.14)

तैलं कार्पासकोष्ठं च तूलीं तूलवटीं पटीम् । अन्नं चैव यथाशक्ति देयं माघे नराधिप

tailaṁ kārpāsakoṣṭhaṁ ca tūlīṁ tūlavaṭīṁ paṭīm annaṁ caiva yathāśakti deyaṁ māghe narādhipa

— oil, raw cotton, a cotton quilt, a cotton mattress, and a cloth-covering; and food too, according to one's means, should be given in Magha, O lord of men.

Verse 15 (padma.6.127.15)

सुवर्णं रत्तिकामात्रं दद्याद्वेदविदे तथा । तद्दानमक्षयं राजन्समुद्र इव सर्वदा

suvarṇaṁ rattikāmātraṁ dadyādvedavide tathā taddānamakṣayaṁ rājansamudra iva sarvadā

Even a mere ratti-weight of gold should be given to one learned in the Veda; that gift, O king, is ever imperishable, like the ocean.

Verse 16 (padma.6.127.16)

परस्याग्निं न सेवेत त्यजेच्चैव प्रतिग्रहम् । माघांते भोजयेद्विप्रान्यथाशक्ति नराधिप

parasyāgniṁ na seveta tyajeccaiva pratigraham māghāṁte bhojayedviprānyathāśakti narādhipa

One should not warm oneself at another's fire, and should refrain from accepting gifts. O lord of men, at the end of Magha, brahmins should be fed according to one's means.

Verse 17 (padma.6.127.17)

देया च दक्षिणा तेभ्य आत्मनः श्रेय इच्छता । एकादशीविधानेन माघस्योद्यापनं तथा

deyā ca dakṣiṇā tebhya ātmanaḥ śreya icchatā ekādaśīvidhānena māghasyodyāpanaṁ tathā

Offerings should be given to them by one who desires his own welfare; and thus the closing rite of Magha should be performed with the procedure of the Ekadashi.

Verse 18 (padma.6.127.18)

कर्तव्यं श्रद्दधानेन ह्यक्षय्य स्वर्गवांछया । अनंतपुण्यावाप्त्यर्थं विष्णुसंप्रीतिहेतवे

kartavyaṁ śraddadhānena hyakṣayya svargavāṁchayā anaṁtapuṇyāvāptyarthaṁ viṣṇusaṁprītihetave

This should be performed by one of faith, desiring imperishable heaven, for the attainment of infinite merit, for the sake of Vishnu's pleasure.

Verse 19 (padma.6.127.19)

मकरस्थे रवौ माघे गोविंदाच्युतमाधव । स्नानेनानेन भो देव यथोक्तफलदो भव

makarasthe ravau māghe goviṁdācyutamādhava snānenānena bho deva yathoktaphalado bhava

[The mantra:] "O Govinda, Achyuta, Madhava, when the sun is in Capricorn, in Magha — O God, through this bath, grant me the fruit as declared."

Verse 20 (padma.6.127.20)

इति मंत्रं समुच्चार्य स्नायान्मौनी समाहितः । वासुदेवं हरिं कृष्णं माधवं च स्मरेत्पुनः

iti maṁtraṁ samuccārya snāyānmaunī samāhitaḥ vāsudevaṁ hariṁ kṛṣṇaṁ mādhavaṁ ca smaretpunaḥ

Having recited this mantra, one should bathe in silence, with a composed mind, and should further remember Vasudeva, Hari, Krishna, and Madhava.

Verse 21 (padma.6.127.21)

गृहेऽपि सजलं कुंभं वायुना निशिपीडितम् । तत्स्नानं तीर्थसदृशं सर्वकामफलप्रदम्

gṛhe'pi sajalaṁ kuṁbhaṁ vāyunā niśipīḍitam tatsnānaṁ tīrthasadṛśaṁ sarvakāmaphalapradam

Even at home, bathing with a water-jar exposed to the night air is equal to bathing at a tirtha, granting the fruit of every desire.

Verse 22 (padma.6.127.22)

तत्र व्रतेन दातव्यं सान्नं चोपस्करान्वितम् । तत्स्नानस्य प्रभावेण नरो न निरयं व्रजेत्

tatra vratena dātavyaṁ sānnaṁ copaskarānvitam tatsnānasya prabhāveṇa naro na nirayaṁ vrajet

There, as part of the vow, food together with utensils should be given; by the power of that bath, a man does not go to hell.

Verse 23 (padma.6.127.23)

तप्तेन वारिणा स्नानं यद्गृहे क्रियते नरैः । षडब्दफलदं तद्धि मकरस्थे दिवाकरे

taptena vāriṇā snānaṁ yadgṛhe kriyate naraiḥ ṣaḍabdaphaladaṁ taddhi makarasthe divākare

Bathing performed at home by men with heated water, when the sun is in Capricorn, bestows the fruit of six years.

Verse 24 (padma.6.127.24)

बहिः स्नानं तु वाप्यादौ द्वादशाब्दफलं स्मृतम् । तडागे द्विगुणं राजन्नद्यां चैव चतुर्गुणम्

bahiḥ snānaṁ tu vāpyādau dvādaśābdaphalaṁ smṛtam taḍāge dviguṇaṁ rājannadyāṁ caiva caturguṇam

Bathing outdoors, in a step-well or the like, is remembered as bestowing the fruit of twelve years; in a tank, double; and in a river, O king, quadruple.

Verse 25 (padma.6.127.25)

शतधा देवखातेषु शतधा तु महानदे । शतं चतुर्गुणं राजन्महानद्याश्च संगमे

śatadhā devakhāteṣu śatadhā tu mahānade śataṁ caturguṇaṁ rājanmahānadyāśca saṁgame

A hundredfold in divine-made pools; a hundredfold in a great river; and, O king, four hundredfold at the confluence of great rivers.

Verse 26 (padma.6.127.26)

सहस्रगुणितं सर्वं तत्फलं मकरे रवौ । गंगायां स्नानमात्रेण लभते मानवो नृप

sahasraguṇitaṁ sarvaṁ tatphalaṁ makare ravau gaṁgāyāṁ snānamātreṇa labhate mānavo nṛpa

All of that fruit, multiplied a thousandfold, when the sun is in Capricorn, is obtained by a man merely by bathing in the Ganga, O king.

Verse 27 (padma.6.127.27)

गंगायां येऽवगाहंति माघमासे नृपोत्तम । चतुर्युगसहस्रं तु न पतंति सुरालयात्

gaṁgāyāṁ ye'vagāhaṁti māghamāse nṛpottama caturyugasahasraṁ tu na pataṁti surālayāt

O best of kings, those who plunge into the Ganga in the month of Magha do not fall from the abode of the gods for a thousand cycles of the four ages.

Verse 28 (padma.6.127.28)

दिनेदिने सहस्रं तु सुवर्णानां विशांपते । तेन दत्तं तु गंगायां यो माघे स्नाति मानवः

dinedine sahasraṁ tu suvarṇānāṁ viśāṁpate tena dattaṁ tu gaṁgāyāṁ yo māghe snāti mānavaḥ

O lord of subjects, whatever man bathes in the Ganga in Magha, by him a thousand gold pieces have been given day by day.

Verse 29 (padma.6.127.29)

शतेन गुणितं माघे सहस्रं राजसत्तम । निर्दिष्टमृषिभिः स्नानं गंगायामुनसंगमे

śatena guṇitaṁ māghe sahasraṁ rājasattama nirdiṣṭamṛṣibhiḥ snānaṁ gaṁgāyāmunasaṁgame

O best of kings, that merit of a thousand gold pieces daily is declared by the sages to be multiplied a hundredfold by bathing at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna in Magha.

Verse 30 (padma.6.127.30)

पापौघभूरिभारस्य दाहार्थे च प्रजापतिः । प्रयागं विदधे भूप प्रजानां च हिते स्थितः

pāpaughabhūribhārasya dāhārthe ca prajāpatiḥ prayāgaṁ vidadhe bhūpa prajānāṁ ca hite sthitaḥ

O king, for the burning away of the vast weight of the flood of sin, and abiding in the welfare of his creatures, Prajapati established Prayaga.

Verse 31 (padma.6.127.31)

शृणु स्थानमिदं सम्यक्सितासित जलं किल । पापरूप पशूनां च ब्रह्मणा विहितं पुरा

śṛṇu sthānamidaṁ samyaksitāsita jalaṁ kila pāparūpa paśūnāṁ ca brahmaṇā vihitaṁ purā

Hear well of this place — indeed the confluence of the pale and dark waters — established of old by Brahma for the deliverance of sinful beings.

Verse 32 (padma.6.127.32)

सितासितजले मज्जेदपि पापशतान्वितः । मकरस्थे रवौ माघे नैव गर्भेषु मज्जति

sitāsitajale majjedapi pāpaśatānvitaḥ makarasthe ravau māghe naiva garbheṣu majjati

Even one endowed with a hundred sins, plunging into the pale-and-dark waters when the sun is in Capricorn in Magha, does not sink into wombs again.

Verse 33 (padma.6.127.33)

सूनारतोऽपि यो मर्त्यः प्रयागे स्नानमाचरेत् । माघेमासि नरव्याघ्र स याति परमंपदम्

sūnārato'pi yo martyaḥ prayāge snānamācaret māghemāsi naravyāghra sa yāti paramaṁpadam

Even a mortal devoted to a slaughterhouse, who performs the bath at Prayaga in the month of Magha, O tiger among men, attains the supreme state.

Verse 34 (padma.6.127.34)

सितासिता तु या धारा सरस्वत्याविगर्भिता । तन्मार्गं विष्णुलोकस्य सृष्टिकर्ता ससर्ज वै

sitāsitā tu yā dhārā sarasvatyāvigarbhitā tanmārgaṁ viṣṇulokasya sṛṣṭikartā sasarja vai

That pale-and-dark stream, joined secretly with the Sarasvati — the Creator indeed fashioned it as the very path to the world of Vishnu.

Verse 35 (padma.6.127.35)

दुस्तरा वैष्णवी माया देवैरपि सुदुर्जया । प्रयागे दह्यते सा तु माघे मासि नराधिप

dustarā vaiṣṇavī māyā devairapi sudurjayā prayāge dahyate sā tu māghe māsi narādhipa

The insurmountable Vaishnavi Maya, hard to conquer even by the gods — that very illusion is burnt away at Prayaga in the month of Magha.

Verse 36 (padma.6.127.36)

तेजोमयेषु लोकेषु भुक्त्वा भोगाननेकशः । पश्चाच्चक्रिणि लीयंते प्रयागे माघ मज्जनात्

tejomayeṣu lokeṣu bhuktvā bhogānanekaśaḥ paścāccakriṇi līyaṁte prayāge māgha majjanāt

Having enjoyed manifold pleasures in the worlds of light, souls afterward merge into the Discus-bearer through the plunge of Magha at Prayaga.

Verse 37 (padma.6.127.37)

उपस्पृशति यो माघे मकरार्के सितासिते । न तत्पुण्यं च संख्यातुं चित्रगुप्तोऽपि वेत्यलम्

upaspṛśati yo māghe makarārke sitāsite na tatpuṇyaṁ ca saṁkhyātuṁ citragupto'pi vetyalam

Whoever touches the water for ritual sipping at the pale-and-dark confluence in Magha, when the sun is in Capricorn — even Chitragupta himself is not capable of reckoning that merit.

Verse 38 (padma.6.127.38)

सन्निमज्जति यो माघे मकरस्थ सितासिते । तस्य पुण्यस्य माहात्म्यं वक्तुं ब्रह्मापि न क्षमः

sannimajjati yo māghe makarastha sitāsite tasya puṇyasya māhātmyaṁ vaktuṁ brahmāpi na kṣamaḥ

Whoever plunges fully into the pale-and-dark confluence in Magha, when the sun is in Capricorn — even Brahma is not capable of telling the glory of his merit.

Verse 39 (padma.6.127.39)

संवत्सरशतं साग्रं निराहारस्य यत्फलम् । प्रयागे माघमासे तु त्र्यहस्नानस्य तत्फलम्

saṁvatsaraśataṁ sāgraṁ nirāhārasya yatphalam prayāge māghamāse tu tryahasnānasya tatphalam

That fruit which comes from fasting for more than a hundred years — that same fruit comes from bathing for three days at Prayaga in the month of Magha.

Verse 40 (padma.6.127.40)

स्वर्णभारसहस्रेण कुरुक्षेत्ररविग्रहे । यत्फलं लभते माघे वेण्याः स्नानाद्दिने दिने

svarṇabhārasahasreṇa kurukṣetraravigrahe yatphalaṁ labhate māghe veṇyāḥ snānāddine dine

That fruit which is obtained through a thousand loads of gold given at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse — that same fruit is obtained day by day through bathing at the Veni in Magha.

Verse 41 (padma.6.127.41)

राजसूयसहस्रस्य राजन्नविकलं फलम् । सितासिते तु माघे च स्नानानां भवति ध्रुवम्

rājasūyasahasrasya rājannavikalaṁ phalam sitāsite tu māghe ca snānānāṁ bhavati dhruvam

O king, the complete fruit of a thousand Rajasuya sacrifices certainly comes from bathing at the pale-and-dark confluence in Magha.

Verse 42 (padma.6.127.42)

पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि पुर्यः सप्त च याः पुनः । वेण्यां स्नातुं समायांति माघेमासि नृपोत्तम

pṛthivyāṁ yāni tīrthāni puryaḥ sapta ca yāḥ punaḥ veṇyāṁ snātuṁ samāyāṁti māghemāsi nṛpottama

O best of kings, whatever tirthas exist on this earth, and the seven sacred cities as well, come to bathe at the Veni in the month of Magha.

Verse 43 (padma.6.127.43)

सर्वतीर्थानि कृष्णानि पापिनां संगदोषतः । भवंति शुक्लवर्णानि प्रयागे माघमज्जनात्

sarvatīrthāni kṛṣṇāni pāpināṁ saṁgadoṣataḥ bhavaṁti śuklavarṇāni prayāge māghamajjanāt

All the tirthas, made dark through the fault of association with sinners, become white in color again through the plunge of Magha at Prayaga.

Verse 44 (padma.6.127.44)

आकल्पसंचितं पापं जन्मभिर्यन्नरैर्नृप । तद्भवेद्भस्मसान्माघे स्नातानां च सितासिते

ākalpasaṁcitaṁ pāpaṁ janmabhiryannarairnṛpa tadbhavedbhasmasānmāghe snātānāṁ ca sitāsite

O king, whatever sin has been accumulated by men over births through an entire kalpa becomes reduced to ashes for those who bathe at the pale-and-dark confluence in Magha.

Verse 45 (padma.6.127.45)

वाङ्मनःकायजं पापं नरस्य विलयं व्रजेत् । प्रयागे माघमासे तु त्र्यहस्नातस्य निश्चितम्

vāṅmanaḥkāyajaṁ pāpaṁ narasya vilayaṁ vrajet prayāge māghamāse tu tryahasnātasya niścitam

Sin born of a man's speech, mind, and body certainly comes to dissolution for one who bathes for three days at Prayaga in the month of Magha.

Verse 46 (padma.6.127.46)

प्रयागे माघमासे यस्त्र्यहं स्नाति च मानवः । पापं त्यक्त्वा दिवं याति जीर्णां त्वचमिवोरगः

prayāge māghamāse yastryahaṁ snāti ca mānavaḥ pāpaṁ tyaktvā divaṁ yāti jīrṇāṁ tvacamivoragaḥ

Whatever man bathes for three days at Prayaga in the month of Magha, casting off his sin, goes to heaven, as a serpent casts off its worn-out skin.

Verse 47 (padma.6.127.47)

कुरुक्षेत्रसमा गंगा यत्रकुत्रावगाहिता । तस्माद्दशगुणा पुण्या यत्र विंध्येन संगता

kurukṣetrasamā gaṁgā yatrakutrāvagāhitā tasmāddaśaguṇā puṇyā yatra viṁdhyena saṁgatā

The Ganga, bathed in wherever it may be, is equal in merit to Kurukshetra. Ten times more meritorious is the place where it meets the Vindhyas;

Verse 48 (padma.6.127.48)

तस्माच्छतगुणा गंगा काश्यामुत्तरवाहिनी । काश्याः शतगुणाः प्रोक्ता गंगायामुनसंगमे

tasmācchataguṇā gaṁgā kāśyāmuttaravāhinī kāśyāḥ śataguṇāḥ proktā gaṁgāyāmunasaṁgame

— a hundred times more meritorious is the Ganga at Kashi, where it flows northward; and a hundred times more meritorious than Kashi is declared the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna;

Verse 49 (padma.6.127.49)

सा सहस्रगुणा तासां भवेत्पश्चिमवाहिनी । या राजन्दर्शनादेव ब्रह्महत्यापहारिणी

sā sahasraguṇā tāsāṁ bhavetpaścimavāhinī yā rājandarśanādeva brahmahatyāpahāriṇī

— and a thousand times more meritorious than these is the Ganga flowing westward, which, O king, removes even the sin of killing a brahmin by the mere sight of it.

Verse 50 (padma.6.127.50)

या पश्चाद्वाहिनी गंगा कालिंद्या सह संगता । हंति कोटिकृतं पापं सा माघे नृप दुर्लभा

yā paścādvāhinī gaṁgā kāliṁdyā saha saṁgatā haṁti koṭikṛtaṁ pāpaṁ sā māghe nṛpa durlabhā

That westward-flowing Ganga, joined with the Kalindi, destroys sin committed ten million times over; O king, that confluence is rare indeed to reach in Magha.

Verse 51 (padma.6.127.51)

यत्कथ्यतेऽमृतं राजन्सा वेणी भुवि कीर्तिता । तस्यां माघे मुहूर्तं तु देवानामपि दुर्लभम्

yatkathyate'mṛtaṁ rājansā veṇī bhuvi kīrtitā tasyāṁ māghe muhūrtaṁ tu devānāmapi durlabham

That which is called nectar, O king, is the celebrated Veni confluence on this earth; a mere moment there in Magha is rare even for the gods.

Verse 52 (padma.6.127.52)

ब्रह्माविष्णुर्महादेवो रुद्रादित्यमरुद्गणाः । गंधर्वा लोकपालाश्च यक्षकिन्नरपन्नगाः

brahmāviṣṇurmahādevo rudrādityamarudgaṇāḥ gaṁdharvā lokapālāśca yakṣakinnarapannagāḥ

Brahma, Vishnu, Mahadeva, the Rudras, Adityas, and hosts of Maruts; the Gandharvas, the guardians of the world, Yakshas, Kinnaras, and serpents;

Verse 53 (padma.6.127.53)

अणिमादिगुणैः सिद्धा ये चान्ये तत्त्ववादिनः । ब्रह्माणी पार्वती लक्ष्मीः शची मेनादितिर्दितिः

aṇimādiguṇaiḥ siddhā ye cānye tattvavādinaḥ brahmāṇī pārvatī lakṣmīḥ śacī menāditirditiḥ

— the Siddhas endowed with the powers of Anima and the rest, and other knowers of truth; Brahmani, Parvati, Lakshmi, Shachi, Mena, Aditi, Diti,

Verse 54 (padma.6.127.54)

सर्वास्ता देवपत्न्यश्च तथा नागांगना नृप । घृताची मेनका रंभा उर्वशी च तिलोत्तमा

sarvāstā devapatnyaśca tathā nāgāṁganā nṛpa ghṛtācī menakā raṁbhā urvaśī ca tilottamā

— all these wives of the gods, and likewise, O king, the Naga women; Ghritachi, Menaka, Rambha, Urvashi, and Tilottama;

Verse 55 (padma.6.127.55)

गणा ह्यप्सरसां सर्वे पितॄणां च गणास्तथा । स्नातुमायांति ते सर्वे माघे वेण्यां नराधिप

gaṇā hyapsarasāṁ sarve pitṝṇāṁ ca gaṇāstathā snātumāyāṁti te sarve māghe veṇyāṁ narādhipa

— all the hosts of Apsarases, and the hosts of ancestors likewise — all of them, O lord of men, come to bathe at the Veni in Magha,

Verse 56 (padma.6.127.56)

कृते युगे स्वरूपेण कलौ प्रच्छन्नरूपिणः । प्रयागे माघमासे तु त्र्यहस्नानस्य यत्फलम्

kṛte yuge svarūpeṇa kalau pracchannarūpiṇaḥ prayāge māghamāse tu tryahasnānasya yatphalam

— in the Krita age in their own true forms, and in the Kali age in disguised forms. That fruit which comes from bathing for three days at Prayaga in the month of Magha —

Verse 57 (padma.6.127.57)

नाश्वमेधसहस्रेण तत्फलं लभते भुवि । त्र्यहस्नानफलं माघे पुरा कांचनमालिनी

nāśvamedhasahasreṇa tatphalaṁ labhate bhuvi tryahasnānaphalaṁ māghe purā kāṁcanamālinī

— that fruit is not obtained on this earth even by a thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices. Once, the fruit of that three-day bath in Magha, Kanchanamalini —

Verse 58 (padma.6.127.58)

राक्षसाय ददौ भूप तेन मुक्तः स पापकृत् । कार्तवीर्य उवाच । भगवन्राक्षसः कोऽसौ सा का कांचनमालिनी

rākṣasāya dadau bhūpa tena muktaḥ sa pāpakṛt kārtavīrya uvāca bhagavanrākṣasaḥ ko'sau sā kā kāṁcanamālinī

— O king, gave to a Rakshasa, and by that, that sinner was freed. Kartavirya said: Lord, who was that Rakshasa, and who was Kanchanamalini?

Verse 59 (padma.6.127.59)

कथं दत्तवती धर्मं कथं वा तस्य सद्गतिः । एतत्कथय योगींद्र अत्रिसंतानभास्कर । यदि त्वं मन्यसे श्राव्यं परं कौतूहलं हि मे

kathaṁ dattavatī dharmaṁ kathaṁ vā tasya sadgatiḥ etatkathaya yogīṁdra atrisaṁtānabhāskara yadi tvaṁ manyase śrāvyaṁ paraṁ kautūhalaṁ hi me

How did she give that merit, and how did he attain a good destiny? Tell me this, O lord of yogis, O sun of the lineage of Atri — if you think it fit to be told, for my curiosity is very great.

Verse 60 (padma.6.127.60)

दत्तात्रेय उवाच। शृणु राजन्विचित्रं त्वमितिहासं पुरातनम् । यस्य स्मरणमात्रेण वाजपेयफलं लभेत्

dattātreya uvāca śṛṇu rājanvicitraṁ tvamitihāsaṁ purātanam yasya smaraṇamātreṇa vājapeyaphalaṁ labhet

Dattatreya said: Hear, O king, this wondrous ancient story, by the mere remembrance of which one obtains the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.

Verse 61 (padma.6.127.61)

अप्सरारूपसंपन्ना नाम्ना कांचनमालिनी । प्रयागे माघमासे सा स्नात्वा याति हरालयम्

apsarārūpasaṁpannā nāmnā kāṁcanamālinī prayāge māghamāse sā snātvā yāti harālayam

There was an Apsaras of beautiful form, named Kanchanamalini. Having bathed at Prayaga in the month of Magha, she was going to the abode of Hara.

Verse 62 (padma.6.127.62)

निकुंजे गिरिराजस्य तिष्ठता गिरिरूपिणा । दृष्टा गगनमारूढा तेन वृद्धेन रक्षसा

nikuṁje girirājasya tiṣṭhatā girirūpiṇā dṛṣṭā gaganamārūḍhā tena vṛddhena rakṣasā

In a thicket of the king of mountains, an old Rakshasa, mountain-like in form, dwelling there, saw her mounted in the sky —

Verse 63 (padma.6.127.63)

तेजस्विनी सुहेमाभा सुश्रोणी दीर्घलोचना । चंद्रानना सुकेशी च पीनोन्नतपयोधरा

tejasvinī suhemābhā suśroṇī dīrghalocanā caṁdrānanā sukeśī ca pīnonnatapayodharā

— radiant, of golden hue, of shapely hips, with long eyes, moon-faced, of beautiful hair, and with full, high breasts.

Verse 64 (padma.6.127.64)

तां दृष्ट्वा रूपसंपन्नामुवाच राक्षसस्तदा । का त्वं कमलपत्राक्षि कुत आगम्यते त्वया

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā rūpasaṁpannāmuvāca rākṣasastadā kā tvaṁ kamalapatrākṣi kuta āgamyate tvayā

Seeing that beautiful woman, the Rakshasa then said: "Who are you, O lotus-petal-eyed one? From where have you come?

Verse 65 (padma.6.127.65)

आर्द्रं च वसनं कस्मात्सार्द्रा ते कबरी कुतः । कुत्र आगम्यते भीरु कुतस्ते खेचरी गतिः

ārdraṁ ca vasanaṁ kasmātsārdrā te kabarī kutaḥ kutra āgamyate bhīru kutaste khecarī gatiḥ

Why is your garment wet, and why is your braided hair wet? Where are you going, O timid one, and how have you the power to move through the sky?

Verse 66 (padma.6.127.66)

केन पुण्येन वा भद्रे तव तेजोमयं वपुः । अतीवरूपसंपन्नं संभूतं च मनोहरम्

kena puṇyena vā bhadre tava tejomayaṁ vapuḥ atīvarūpasaṁpannaṁ saṁbhūtaṁ ca manoharam

By what merit, O gracious one, has your radiant, exceedingly beautiful, and charming body come to be?

Verse 67 (padma.6.127.67)

त्वद्वस्त्रबिंदुपातेन मम मूर्ध्नि सुलोचने । क्षणेन ह्यगमच्छांतिं क्रूरं मे मानसं सदा

tvadvastrabiṁdupātena mama mūrdhni sulocane kṣaṇena hyagamacchāṁtiṁ krūraṁ me mānasaṁ sadā

By the falling of drops from your garment upon my head, O fair-eyed one, in an instant my mind, ever cruel, has found peace.

Verse 68 (padma.6.127.68)

नीरस्य महिमा कोऽयमेतद्व्याख्यातुमर्हसि । त्वं मे शीलवती भासि नाकृतिर्निर्गुणा भवेत्

nīrasya mahimā ko'yametadvyākhyātumarhasi tvaṁ me śīlavatī bhāsi nākṛtirnirguṇā bhavet

What is this glory of water? You should explain this to me. You appear to me to be virtuous — surely form is never without inner quality."

Verse 69 (padma.6.127.69)

अप्सरा उवाच। श्रूयतामप्सराश्चाहं भो रक्षः कामरूपिणी । प्रयागतश्चागताऽहं नाम्ना कांचनमालिनी

apsarā uvāca śrūyatāmapsarāścāhaṁ bho rakṣaḥ kāmarūpiṇī prayāgataścāgatā'haṁ nāmnā kāṁcanamālinī

The Apsaras said: Listen, O Rakshasa, I am an Apsaras, able to take any form at will; I have come from Prayaga, and my name is Kanchanamalini.

Verse 70 (padma.6.127.70)

आर्द्रः परिकरो मेऽतः सुस्नाताऽहं सितासिते । गंतव्यं तु मया रक्षः कैलासे तु नगोत्तमे

ārdraḥ parikaro me'taḥ susnātā'haṁ sitāsite gaṁtavyaṁ tu mayā rakṣaḥ kailāse tu nagottame

My garments are wet for this reason: I have well bathed at the pale-and-dark confluence. And I must go, O Rakshasa, to Kailasa, that foremost of mountains,

Verse 71 (padma.6.127.71)

तत्रास्ते पार्वतीनाथः सुरासुरसुपूजितः । वेणीवारिप्रभावेण रक्षस्ते क्रूरता गता

tatrāste pārvatīnāthaḥ surāsurasupūjitaḥ veṇīvāriprabhāveṇa rakṣaste krūratā gatā

— where the Lord of Parvati dwells, well worshipped by gods and demons. By the power of the water of the Veni, O Rakshasa, your cruelty has departed.

Verse 72 (padma.6.127.72)

जाताहं येन पुण्येन गंधर्वस्य सुमेधसः । कन्यका दिव्यरूपा तु तत्सर्वं कथयामि ते

jātāhaṁ yena puṇyena gaṁdharvasya sumedhasaḥ kanyakā divyarūpā tu tatsarvaṁ kathayāmi te

By what merit I was born as the divine daughter of a wise Gandharva — all of that I shall tell you.

Verse 73 (padma.6.127.73)

कलिंगाधिपते राज्ञस्त्वहमासीच्च वेश्यका । रूपलावण्यसंपन्ना सौभाग्यमदगर्विता

kaliṁgādhipate rājñastvahamāsīcca veśyakā rūpalāvaṇyasaṁpannā saubhāgyamadagarvitā

In the previous time of the king who ruled Kalinga, I was a courtesan, endowed with beauty and grace, proud with the intoxication of my good fortune.

Verse 74 (padma.6.127.74)

अन्यासां युवतीनां च तत्पुरेऽहं शिरोमणिः । तज्जन्मनि मया रक्षो भुक्त्वा भोगान्यथेच्छया

anyāsāṁ yuvatīnāṁ ca tatpure'haṁ śiromaṇiḥ tajjanmani mayā rakṣo bhuktvā bhogānyathecchayā

I was the crown-jewel among the other young women of that city. In that birth, O Rakshasa, having enjoyed pleasures as I pleased,

Verse 75 (padma.6.127.75)

मोहितं तत्पुरं सर्वं मया यौवनसंपदा । रत्नानि च विचित्राणि भूषणानि धनानि च

mohitaṁ tatpuraṁ sarvaṁ mayā yauvanasaṁpadā ratnāni ca vicitrāṇi bhūṣaṇāni dhanāni ca

— I bewitched that entire city with the wealth of my youth. Various jewels, ornaments, and riches,

Verse 76 (padma.6.127.76)

वासांसि चित्ररूपाणि कर्पूरागुरुचंदनम् । एतच्चोपार्जितं सर्वं मया मोहनरूपया

vāsāṁsi citrarūpāṇi karpūrāgurucaṁdanam etaccopārjitaṁ sarvaṁ mayā mohanarūpayā

— garments of many kinds, camphor, aloe-wood, and sandal — all this was acquired by me through my bewitching beauty.

Verse 77 (padma.6.127.77)

नाहं जानामि हेम्नोंतं स्वनिवासे निशाचर । संसेवंते युवानो मे चरणौ कामपीडिताः

nāhaṁ jānāmi hemnoṁtaṁ svanivāse niśācara saṁsevaṁte yuvāno me caraṇau kāmapīḍitāḥ

O night-wanderer, I do not even know the extent of my own gold in my house; young men, tormented by desire, served at my feet.

Verse 78 (padma.6.127.78)

मया ते वंचिताः सर्वे सर्वस्वेन तु मायया । अन्योन्यस्पर्धाभावेन मृताः केचित्तु कामिनः

mayā te vaṁcitāḥ sarve sarvasvena tu māyayā anyonyaspardhābhāvena mṛtāḥ kecittu kāminaḥ

By me, all of them were deceived of everything through my guile; and some of those lovers even died from mutual jealous rivalry.

Verse 79 (padma.6.127.79)

इत्थं तन्नगरे रम्ये सकले मे गतिस्तदा । प्राप्ते तु वार्द्धके काले शुशोच हृदयं मम । न दत्तं न हुतं जप्तं न व्रतं चरितं मया

itthaṁ tannagare ramye sakale me gatistadā prāpte tu vārddhake kāle śuśoca hṛdayaṁ mama na dattaṁ na hutaṁ japtaṁ na vrataṁ caritaṁ mayā

Thus, in that beautiful city, everything then went my way. But when old age came, my heart grieved: 'I have given nothing, offered nothing in sacrifice, recited no japa, observed no vow;

Verse 80 (padma.6.127.80)

नाराधितो मया देवश्चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदः। न मया पूजिता देवी दुर्गा दुर्गतिनाशिनी । सर्वपापहरो विष्णुर्न स्मृतो भोगलुब्धया

nārādhito mayā devaścaturvargaphalapradaḥ na mayā pūjitā devī durgā durgatināśinī sarvapāpaharo viṣṇurna smṛto bhogalubdhayā

— I have not worshipped the God who bestows the fruit of the four goals of life; I have not worshipped the goddess Durga, remover of misfortune; being greedy for enjoyment, I have not even remembered Vishnu, the remover of all sin;

Verse 81 (padma.6.127.81)

न च संतर्पिता विप्रा न कृतं प्राणिनां हितम् । अणुमात्रमिदं पुण्यं न कृतं च प्रमादतः

na ca saṁtarpitā viprā na kṛtaṁ prāṇināṁ hitam aṇumātramidaṁ puṇyaṁ na kṛtaṁ ca pramādataḥ

— I have not satisfied brahmins, nor done any good for living beings; not even an atom's worth of merit have I done, through my own negligence.

Verse 82 (padma.6.127.82)

पातकं तु कृतं भद्र तेन मे दह्यते मनः । बहुधैवं विलप्याहं ब्राह्मणं शरणं गता

pātakaṁ tu kṛtaṁ bhadra tena me dahyate manaḥ bahudhaivaṁ vilapyāhaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ gatā

But sin I have committed indeed, O gracious one, and by that my mind burns.' Lamenting thus in many ways, I took refuge in a brahmin —

Verse 83 (padma.6.127.83)

ब्रह्मण्यं वेदविद्वांसं तस्य राज्ञः पुरोहितम् । स हि पृष्टो मया रक्षः कथं मे निष्कृतिर्भवेत्

brahmaṇyaṁ vedavidvāṁsaṁ tasya rājñaḥ purohitam sa hi pṛṣṭo mayā rakṣaḥ kathaṁ me niṣkṛtirbhavet

— one devoted to brahmins, learned in the Veda, the family priest of that king. I asked him, O Rakshasa: 'How may I be freed?

Verse 84 (padma.6.127.84)

पापस्यास्य द्विजश्रेष्ठ कथं यास्यामि सद्गतिम् । स्वेनैव कर्मणा तप्तां वराकीं दीनमानसाम्

pāpasyāsya dvijaśreṣṭha kathaṁ yāsyāmi sadgatim svenaiva karmaṇā taptāṁ varākīṁ dīnamānasām

How, O foremost of brahmins, shall I, tormented by my own deeds, wretched and dejected in mind, attain a good destiny for this sin?

Verse 85 (padma.6.127.85)

पापपंकनिमग्नां त्वं मामुद्धर कचग्रहैः । मयि कारुण्यंजं वारि वर्षहर्षदृशा द्विज

pāpapaṁkanimagnāṁ tvaṁ māmuddhara kacagrahaiḥ mayi kāruṇyaṁjaṁ vāri varṣaharṣadṛśā dvija

Sunk in the mire of sin, lift me up even by the hair, O brahmin — rain down the water of compassion upon me with your gladdened gaze.'

Verse 86 (padma.6.127.86)

सज्जने साधवः सर्वे साधुः साधुरसज्जने । इत्यसौ मद्वचः श्रुत्वा चकारानुग्रहं मयि

sajjane sādhavaḥ sarve sādhuḥ sādhurasajjane ityasau madvacaḥ śrutvā cakārānugrahaṁ mayi

The virtuous are always kind to the virtuous; but the truly virtuous man is kind even to the unvirtuous. Hearing my words thus, he showed me grace.

Verse 87 (padma.6.127.87)

द्विज उवाच। निषिद्धाचरणं जाने सर्वं तेऽहं वरानने । कुरु मे सत्वरं वाक्यं याहि क्षेत्रं प्रजापते

dvija uvāca niṣiddhācaraṇaṁ jāne sarvaṁ te'haṁ varānane kuru me satvaraṁ vākyaṁ yāhi kṣetraṁ prajāpate

The brahmin said: 'I know all your forbidden conduct, O fair-faced one. Do quickly as I say — go to the sacred field of Prajapati (Prayaga).

Verse 88 (padma.6.127.88)

तत्र गत्वा कुरु स्नानं तेन पापक्षयस्तव । सर्वं मनोगतं भद्रे त्वदीयं शोचितं मया

tatra gatvā kuru snānaṁ tena pāpakṣayastava sarvaṁ manogataṁ bhadre tvadīyaṁ śocitaṁ mayā

Having gone there, bathe; by that your sin will be destroyed. I have understood, O gracious one, all the grief in your heart.

Verse 89 (padma.6.127.89)

नाहमन्यत्प्रपश्यामि यत्ते पापप्रणाशनम् । प्रायश्चित्तं परं तीर्थे स्नानं च ऋषिभिः स्मृतम्

nāhamanyatprapaśyāmi yatte pāpapraṇāśanam prāyaścittaṁ paraṁ tīrthe snānaṁ ca ṛṣibhiḥ smṛtam

I see nothing else that could destroy your sin. Bathing at a tirtha is remembered by the sages as the supreme atonement.

Verse 90 (padma.6.127.90)

किंतु तीर्थे त्यजेद्भीरु मनसाप्यशुभं कृतम् । प्रयागस्नानशुद्धा त्वं स्वर्गं यास्यसि निश्चितम्

kiṁtu tīrthe tyajedbhīru manasāpyaśubhaṁ kṛtam prayāgasnānaśuddhā tvaṁ svargaṁ yāsyasi niścitam

But, O timid one, at the tirtha one must give up even the very thought of wrongdoing. Purified by bathing at Prayaga, you shall certainly go to heaven.

Verse 91 (padma.6.127.91)

प्रयागस्नानमात्रेण नृणां स्वर्गो न संशयः । अन्यदेशकृतं पापं तत्क्षणादेव भामिनि

prayāgasnānamātreṇa nṛṇāṁ svargo na saṁśayaḥ anyadeśakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ tatkṣaṇādeva bhāmini

By merely bathing at Prayaga, heaven is certain for men. Sin committed elsewhere, O lady, in that very instant —

Verse 92 (padma.6.127.92)

प्रयागे विलयं याति पापं तीर्थकृतं विना । शृणु भीरु पुरा शक्रो गौतमस्य मुनेर्वधूम्

prayāge vilayaṁ yāti pāpaṁ tīrthakṛtaṁ vinā śṛṇu bhīru purā śakro gautamasya munervadhūm

— comes to dissolution at Prayaga, except sin committed at a tirtha itself. Hear, O timid one: long ago, Indra saw the wife of the sage Gautama —

Verse 93 (padma.6.127.93)

दृष्ट्वा कामवशं प्राप्तस्तां गतो गुप्तकामुकः । उग्रेण तेन पापेन तदैव जनितं फलम्

dṛṣṭvā kāmavaśaṁ prāptastāṁ gato guptakāmukaḥ ugreṇa tena pāpena tadaiva janitaṁ phalam

— and, overcome by desire, went to her secretly as a lover. By that terrible sin, a fruit was born then and there.

Verse 94 (padma.6.127.94)

ऋषिस्त्रीगंतुरिंद्रस्य तस्याश्च पुरतस्तदा । कुत्सितं गर्हितं जातमिति लज्जाकरं वपुः

ṛṣistrīgaṁturiṁdrasya tasyāśca puratastadā kutsitaṁ garhitaṁ jātamiti lajjākaraṁ vapuḥ

For Indra, who had approached a sage's wife, and before her, there arose then a despicable, disgraceful, shame-inducing form —

Verse 95 (padma.6.127.95)

तद्भर्तुः शापमाहात्म्यात्सहस्रभगचिह्नितम् । अधोमुखस्ततो भूत्वा देवराजो विनिर्गतः

tadbhartuḥ śāpamāhātmyātsahasrabhagacihnitam adhomukhastato bhūtvā devarājo vinirgataḥ

— by the power of her husband's curse, marked all over with a thousand vulvas. The king of the gods then, his face bowed down, went forth in shame.

Verse 96 (padma.6.127.96)

निनिंद स्वकृतं कर्म सोऽभिभूतः सलज्जितः । मेरोः शिरसि तोयाढ्ये शतयोजनविस्तृते

niniṁda svakṛtaṁ karma so'bhibhūtaḥ salajjitaḥ meroḥ śirasi toyāḍhye śatayojanavistṛte

He condemned his own deed, overwhelmed and ashamed. Upon the summit of Meru, rich with water, a hundred yojanas in extent,

Verse 97 (padma.6.127.97)

तत्र गत्वा प्रविष्टस्तु हेमांभोरुहकोरके । तत्रस्थो गर्हयन्नित्यमात्मानं मन्मथं तथा

tatra gatvā praviṣṭastu hemāṁbhoruhakorake tatrastho garhayannityamātmānaṁ manmathaṁ tathā

— going there, he entered into the bud of a golden lotus; and, remaining there, he ever condemned himself and the god of love as well:

Verse 98 (padma.6.127.98)

धिक्तां कामात्मतां लोके सद्यः पातकदायिनीम् । यया हि नरकं याति सर्वलोकविगर्हितः

dhiktāṁ kāmātmatāṁ loke sadyaḥ pātakadāyinīm yayā hi narakaṁ yāti sarvalokavigarhitaḥ

"Shame on that state of being ruled by lust in this world, which instantly gives rise to sin! By it, one condemned by all the world goes to hell.

Verse 99 (padma.6.127.99)

आयुः कीर्तिर्यशोधर्म धैर्य ध्वंसकरी तथा । धिङ्मन्मथं दुराचारमापदां नियतं पदम्

āyuḥ kīrtiryaśodharma dhairya dhvaṁsakarī tathā dhiṅmanmathaṁ durācāramāpadāṁ niyataṁ padam

It destroys long life, fame, glory, dharma, and courage. Shame on Manmatha, the god of desire, of evil conduct, the certain seat of calamities,

Verse 100 (padma.6.127.100)

देहस्थं दुर्दमं शत्रुमसंतुष्टं सदावशम् । इत्थंवादिनि प्रच्छन्ने वासवे पद्मसद्मनि

dehasthaṁ durdamaṁ śatrumasaṁtuṣṭaṁ sadāvaśam itthaṁvādini pracchanne vāsave padmasadmani

— an untamable enemy dwelling within the very body, never satisfied, ever powerful!" While Vasava spoke thus, hidden in the abode of the lotus,

Verse 101 (padma.6.127.101)

आखंडलं विना भीरु देवलोको न शोभते । ततो देवाः सगंधर्वा लोकपालाः सकिन्नराः

ākhaṁḍalaṁ vinā bhīru devaloko na śobhate tato devāḥ sagaṁdharvā lokapālāḥ sakinnarāḥ

— O timid one, the world of the gods did not shine without Akhandala. Then the gods, together with the Gandharvas, the guardians of the world, together with the Kinnaras,

Verse 102 (padma.6.127.102)

शच्या सह समागम्य पप्रच्छुस्ते बृहस्पतिम् । भगवन्बलभिद्देवं नैव जानीमहे वयम्

śacyā saha samāgamya papracchuste bṛhaspatim bhagavanbalabhiddevaṁ naiva jānīmahe vayam

— coming together with Shachi, asked Brihaspati: "Lord, we do not know where the god Balabhid is.

Verse 103 (padma.6.127.103)

क्व तिष्ठति गतः कुत्र कुत्र वा मृगयामहे । न नाकः शोभते तेन विना देवगणैः सह

kva tiṣṭhati gataḥ kutra kutra vā mṛgayāmahe na nākaḥ śobhate tena vinā devagaṇaiḥ saha

Where does he dwell, where has he gone, where should we search for him? Heaven does not shine without him, together with the hosts of gods.

Verse 104 (padma.6.127.104)

सुपुत्रेण विना यद्वत्कुलं श्रीमद्गुणान्वितम् । उपायश्चिंत्यतां सद्यः स्वर्लोके येन शोभते

suputreṇa vinā yadvatkulaṁ śrīmadguṇānvitam upāyaściṁtyatāṁ sadyaḥ svarloke yena śobhate

Just as a family, however endowed with splendid qualities, is diminished without a good son — let a means be considered at once, by which heaven may shine again,

Verse 105 (padma.6.127.105)

सनाथः सुश्रियायुक्तो न विलंबोऽत्र युज्यते । इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा गुरुर्वचनमब्रवीत्

sanāthaḥ suśriyāyukto na vilaṁbo'tra yujyate iti teṣāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā gururvacanamabravīt

— having its rightful lord, endowed with splendor; no delay is fitting here." Hearing their words, the guru spoke these words:

Verse 106 (padma.6.127.106)

जानेऽहं स्वापराधेन लज्जया यत्र तिष्ठति । रभसा लब्धकार्यस्य भुंक्ते स मघवा फलम्

jāne'haṁ svāparādhena lajjayā yatra tiṣṭhati rabhasā labdhakāryasya bhuṁkte sa maghavā phalam

"I know where he dwells, in shame at his own offense. Maghavan now reaps the fruit of a deed done in haste.

Verse 107 (padma.6.127.107)

नृणां नीतिपरित्यागाद्विपाकाः स्युर्भयंकराः । अहो राज्यमदैर्मत्तः कृत्याकृत्यमचिंतयन्

nṛṇāṁ nītiparityāgādvipākāḥ syurbhayaṁkarāḥ aho rājyamadairmattaḥ kṛtyākṛtyamaciṁtayan

For men, when they abandon proper conduct, the consequences become fearsome. Alas, intoxicated with the pride of sovereignty, not considering what should and should not be done —

Verse 108 (padma.6.127.108)

कृतवान्निंद्यमानं हि दृष्टादृष्टक्षयंकरम् । कुर्वंति बालिशा यत्र दैवोपहतबुद्धयः

kṛtavānniṁdyamānaṁ hi dṛṣṭādṛṣṭakṣayaṁkaram kurvaṁti bāliśā yatra daivopahatabuddhayaḥ

— he did a blameworthy deed, destructive both in this world and the next. Foolish men, whose intellect has been struck down by fate, do such things —

Verse 109 (padma.6.127.109)

अपराधाद्यथाजन्म स्यादिहामुत्र निष्फलम् । अधुना तत्र गच्छामो यत्र शक्रः स तिष्ठति

aparādhādyathājanma syādihāmutra niṣphalam adhunā tatra gacchāmo yatra śakraḥ sa tiṣṭhati

— by such offense, one's very birth becomes fruitless, here and hereafter. Let us now go to where Shakra dwells."

Verse 110 (padma.6.127.110)

इत्युक्त्वा निर्गताः सर्वे बृहस्पतिपुरोगमाः । दृष्ट्वा सरसि विस्तीर्णे स्वर्णपंकजकाननम्

ityuktvā nirgatāḥ sarve bṛhaspatipurogamāḥ dṛṣṭvā sarasi vistīrṇe svarṇapaṁkajakānanam

Having said this, they all set out, with Brihaspati at their head; and, seeing in a vast lake a grove of golden lotuses,

Verse 111 (padma.6.127.111)

तुष्टुवुर्देवराजानं प्रबोधो येन जायते । ततो गुरोः प्रबोधेन निर्गतः पद्मकुड्मलात्

tuṣṭuvurdevarājānaṁ prabodho yena jāyate tato guroḥ prabodhena nirgataḥ padmakuḍmalāt

— they praised the king of gods, by which his awakening was brought about. Then, awakened by his guru's praise, he emerged from the lotus-bud,

Verse 112 (padma.6.127.112)

दीनाननो विरूपस्तु व्रीडाकुंचितलोचनः । जग्राह चरणाविंद्रो गुरोस्तस्याग्रजन्मनः

dīnānano virūpastu vrīḍākuṁcitalocanaḥ jagrāha caraṇāviṁdro gurostasyāgrajanmanaḥ

— his face downcast, disfigured, his eyes narrowed in shame; and Indra clasped the feet of that guru, the twice-born.

Verse 113 (padma.6.127.113)

त्राहि मां निष्कृतिं ब्रूहि पापस्यास्य बृहस्पते । देवराजवचः श्रुत्वा जगौ विप्रो बृहस्पतिः

trāhi māṁ niṣkṛtiṁ brūhi pāpasyāsya bṛhaspate devarājavacaḥ śrutvā jagau vipro bṛhaspatiḥ

"Save me, O Brihaspati — tell me the atonement for this sin." Hearing the words of the king of gods, the brahmin Brihaspati said:

Verse 114 (padma.6.127.114)

शृणु देवेंद्र वक्ष्येऽहमुपायं पापनाशनम् । प्रयागस्नानमात्रेण तत्क्षणादेव पातकात्

śṛṇu deveṁdra vakṣye'hamupāyaṁ pāpanāśanam prayāgasnānamātreṇa tatkṣaṇādeva pātakāt

"Hear, O Indra, I shall tell you the means of destroying sin. By the mere bath at Prayaga, from your sin, in that very instant —

Verse 115 (padma.6.127.115)

मुच्यसे देवराजत्वं तत्र यामः सहैव ते । अथ पुरोधसा सार्धमागत्य बलमर्दनः

mucyase devarājatvaṁ tatra yāmaḥ sahaiva te atha purodhasā sārdhamāgatya balamardanaḥ

— you shall be freed, and your kingship over the gods restored; let us go there together with you." Then, having come together with his priest, the crusher of Bala —

Verse 116 (padma.6.127.116)

सस्नौ सितासिते तीर्थे सद्यो मुक्तो ह्यघैस्ततः । अथ देवगुरुस्तस्मै प्रसन्नस्तु वरं ददौ

sasnau sitāsite tīrthe sadyo mukto hyaghaistataḥ atha devagurustasmai prasannastu varaṁ dadau

— bathed at the pale-and-dark tirtha, and was instantly freed from his sins. Then the guru of the gods, pleased, gave him a boon:

Verse 117 (padma.6.127.117)

प्रयागस्नानमात्रेण क्षीणं पापं त्वयानघ । क्षीणपापस्य ते शक्र मत्प्रसादेन सत्वरम्

prayāgasnānamātreṇa kṣīṇaṁ pāpaṁ tvayānagha kṣīṇapāpasya te śakra matprasādena satvaram

"O sinless one, by the mere bath at Prayaga your sin has been destroyed. O Shakra, now that your sin is destroyed, by my grace, swiftly —"

Verse 118 (padma.6.127.118)

सहस्रमेतद्योनीनां सहस्रं स्याद्दृशां तव । तदैव द्विजवाक्येन शुशुभे च शचीपतिः

sahasrametadyonīnāṁ sahasraṁ syāddṛśāṁ tava tadaiva dvijavākyena śuśubhe ca śacīpatiḥ

"— let this thousand vulva-marks become a thousand eyes for you." And thereupon, by the brahmin's words, the husband of Shachi shone beautifully —

Verse 119 (padma.6.127.119)

लोचनानां सहस्रेण पंकजैरिव मानसम् । अथ वृंदारकैः सर्वैरृषिभिश्चाभिपूजितः

locanānāṁ sahasreṇa paṁkajairiva mānasam atha vṛṁdārakaiḥ sarvairṛṣibhiścābhipūjitaḥ

— with a thousand eyes, like Lake Manasa adorned with lotuses. Then, honored by all the gods and by the sages,

Verse 120 (padma.6.127.120)

गंधर्वैः स्तूयमानस्तु गतः शक्रोऽमरावतीम् । इत्थं सद्यो विपापोऽभूत्प्रयागे पाकशासनः

gaṁdharvaiḥ stūyamānastu gataḥ śakro'marāvatīm itthaṁ sadyo vipāpo'bhūtprayāge pākaśāsanaḥ

— praised by the Gandharvas, Shakra went to Amaravati. Thus, in this way, the punisher of Paka instantly became free of sin at Prayaga.

Verse 121 (padma.6.127.121)

याहि त्वमपि कल्याणि प्रयागं देवसेवितम् । सद्यः पापविनाशाय तथा स्वर्गतये दृढम्

yāhi tvamapi kalyāṇi prayāgaṁ devasevitam sadyaḥ pāpavināśāya tathā svargataye dṛḍham

So you too, O auspicious one, go to Prayaga, attended by the gods, for the instant destruction of sin and, surely, for attaining heaven."

Verse 122 (padma.6.127.122)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सेतिहासं समंगलम् । तदैव संभ्रमापन्ना नत्वा पादौ द्विजस्य तु

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā setihāsaṁ samaṁgalam tadaiva saṁbhramāpannā natvā pādau dvijasya tu

Hearing his words, together with that auspicious story, I, agitated at once, having bowed to the brahmin's feet,

Verse 123 (padma.6.127.123)

त्यक्त्वा बंधुजनं सर्वं दासदासीगृहं तथा । सकलान्विषयान्रक्षो विषग्रासानिव स्फुटम्

tyaktvā baṁdhujanaṁ sarvaṁ dāsadāsīgṛhaṁ tathā sakalānviṣayānrakṣo viṣagrāsāniva sphuṭam

— abandoned all my kinsfolk, and my house of servants and maids; O Rakshasa, I abandoned all sense-objects, clearly, as if they were morsels of poison,

Verse 124 (padma.6.127.124)

वपुश्च क्षणविध्वंसि पश्यंती निर्गता ह्यहम् । नरकार्णवसंपात दारुणांतर वह्निना

vapuśca kṣaṇavidhvaṁsi paśyaṁtī nirgatā hyaham narakārṇavasaṁpāta dāruṇāṁtara vahninā

— and, seeing my body as a thing that perishes in an instant, I set out. With the terrible inner fire of falling into the ocean of hell,

Verse 125 (padma.6.127.125)

हृदये कुणपव्याघ्र तदा तत्तप्यमानया । मया गत्वा कृतं स्नानं माघे मासि सितासिते

hṛdaye kuṇapavyāghra tadā tattapyamānayā mayā gatvā kṛtaṁ snānaṁ māghe māsi sitāsite

— burning in my heart, O tiger among corpse-eaters, I then went and performed the bath at the pale-and-dark confluence in the month of Magha.

Verse 126 (padma.6.127.126)

तस्य स्नानस्य माहात्म्यं शृणु वृद्धनिशाचर । त्र्यहात्पापक्षयो जातः सप्तविंशतिभिर्दिनैः

tasya snānasya māhātmyaṁ śṛṇu vṛddhaniśācara tryahātpāpakṣayo jātaḥ saptaviṁśatibhirdinaiḥ

Hear the glory of that bath, O aged night-wanderer: within three days my sin was destroyed, and within twenty-seven days —

Verse 127 (padma.6.127.127)

शेषैर्मे यदभूत्पुण्यं तेन देवत्वमागता । रममाणा तु कैलासे गिरिजायाः प्रिया सखी

śeṣairme yadabhūtpuṇyaṁ tena devatvamāgatā ramamāṇā tu kailāse girijāyāḥ priyā sakhī

— by the remaining merit that came to me, I attained divinity. Sporting on Kailasa, I became the beloved companion of Girija.

Verse 128 (padma.6.127.128)

जातिस्मरा तथा जाता प्रयागस्य प्रभावतः । स्मृत्वा प्रयागमाहात्म्यं माघे माघे व्रजाम्यहम्

jātismarā tathā jātā prayāgasya prabhāvataḥ smṛtvā prayāgamāhātmyaṁ māghe māghe vrajāmyaham

And by the power of Prayaga I became one who remembers her past births; remembering the glory of Prayaga, I go there every Magha.

Verse 129 (padma.6.127.129)

इति राक्षस यत्पृष्टं त्वया विस्मितचेतसा । तन्मया कथितं सर्वं चरितं प्रीतये तव

iti rākṣasa yatpṛṣṭaṁ tvayā vismitacetasā tanmayā kathitaṁ sarvaṁ caritaṁ prītaye tava

Thus, O Rakshasa, what you asked me, your mind filled with wonder — all of my own story I have told, for your pleasure.

Verse 130 (padma.6.127.130)

मत्प्रीतये चरित्रं स्वं त्वं ब्रूहि मम राक्षस । कर्मणा केनजातोऽसि विरूपोऽतिभयंकरः

matprītaye caritraṁ svaṁ tvaṁ brūhi mama rākṣasa karmaṇā kenajāto'si virūpo'tibhayaṁkaraḥ

For my pleasure, tell me your own story, O Rakshasa — by what deed have you become so deformed and terrifying,

Verse 131 (padma.6.127.131)

श्मश्रुलो दीर्घदंष्ट्रंश्च क्रव्यादो गिरिगह्वरे । राक्षस उवाच। इष्टं ददाति गृह्णाति गुह्यं वदति पृच्छति

śmaśrulo dīrghadaṁṣṭraṁśca kravyādo girigahvare rākṣasa uvāca iṣṭaṁ dadāti gṛhṇāti guhyaṁ vadati pṛcchati

— bearded, long-fanged, a flesh-eater in a mountain cave?" The Rakshasa said: "The good man gives and receives what is fitting; he speaks and asks of secrets,

Verse 132 (padma.6.127.132)

प्रीत्या हि सज्जनो भद्रे तच्च सर्वं त्वयि स्थितम् । त्वया संभावितो नूनं मन्येऽहं वामलोचने

prītyā hi sajjano bhadre tacca sarvaṁ tvayi sthitam tvayā saṁbhāvito nūnaṁ manye'haṁ vāmalocane

— out of affection; O gracious one, all of this is present in you. I certainly consider myself honored by you, O beautiful-eyed one.

Verse 133 (padma.6.127.133)

भाविनी निष्कृतिः सद्यस्त्वयास्य क्रूरकर्मणः । अतो वक्ष्यामि ते भद्रे दुष्कृतं यत्स्वयंकृतम्

bhāvinī niṣkṛtiḥ sadyastvayāsya krūrakarmaṇaḥ ato vakṣyāmi te bhadre duṣkṛtaṁ yatsvayaṁkṛtam

My swift deliverance from this cruel deed is now imminent through you. Therefore, O gracious one, I shall tell you the evil I myself have done.

Verse 134 (padma.6.127.134)

निवेद्य सज्जने दुःखं ततः सर्वसुखी भवेत् । शृणु सुश्रोण्यहं काश्यां बह्वृचो वेदपारगः

nivedya sajjane duḥkhaṁ tataḥ sarvasukhī bhavet śṛṇu suśroṇyahaṁ kāśyāṁ bahvṛco vedapāragaḥ

By confiding one's sorrow to a virtuous person, one then becomes fully happy. Hear, O fair-hipped one: I was, in Kashi, a Bahvricha, one who had mastered the Veda —

Verse 135 (padma.6.127.135)

जातः पुरा द्विजः श्रेष्ठः कुले महति निर्मले । राज्ञां दुष्कृतिनां भीरु शूद्राणां च तथा विशाम्

jātaḥ purā dvijaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ kule mahati nirmale rājñāṁ duṣkṛtināṁ bhīru śūdrāṇāṁ ca tathā viśām

— born long ago as an excellent brahmin, in a great and spotless family. O timid one, I received wicked gifts from evil-doing kings, from shudras, and from vaishyas —

Verse 136 (padma.6.127.136)

वाराणस्यां कृतो घोरो मया दुष्टप्रतिग्रहः । बहुधा बहुधा वारं निषिद्धः कुत्सितो बहु

vārāṇasyāṁ kṛto ghoro mayā duṣṭapratigrahaḥ bahudhā bahudhā vāraṁ niṣiddhaḥ kutsito bahu

— in Varanasi I made terrible, wicked acceptance of gifts, many times, forbidden and despicable in many ways.

Verse 137 (padma.6.127.137)

चांडालस्यापि न त्यक्तो मया दुष्टप्रतिग्रहः । अन्यच्च पातकं तत्र ममाभून्मूढचेतसः । तन्नास्ति दुष्कृतं कर्म मया यत्र न यत्कृतम्

cāṁḍālasyāpi na tyakto mayā duṣṭapratigrahaḥ anyacca pātakaṁ tatra mamābhūnmūḍhacetasaḥ tannāsti duṣkṛtaṁ karma mayā yatra na yatkṛtam

I did not even refuse the wicked gifts of an outcaste. And other sins too, my mind deluded, arose in me there; there is no evil deed which I have not committed.

Verse 138 (padma.6.127.138)

अन्यच्च श्रूयतां दोषः क्षेत्रस्य वरवर्णिनि । अविमुक्तेऽणुमात्रं यत्तदघं मेरुतां व्रजेत् । न धर्मस्तु मया कश्चित्संचितस्तत्र जन्मनि

anyacca śrūyatāṁ doṣaḥ kṣetrasya varavarṇini avimukte'ṇumātraṁ yattadaghaṁ merutāṁ vrajet na dharmastu mayā kaścitsaṁcitastatra janmani

Hear another matter too, O fair-hued one — the fault of that sacred field: at Avimukta, even the slightest sin swells to the size of Mount Meru. But I accumulated no dharma at all in that birth —

Verse 139 (padma.6.127.139)

ततो बहुतिथे काले मृतस्तत्रैव शोभने । अविमुक्तप्रभावेण न चाहं नरकं गतः

tato bahutithe kāle mṛtastatraiva śobhane avimuktaprabhāveṇa na cāhaṁ narakaṁ gataḥ

— then, after a long time, I died right there, in that beautiful place. By the power of Avimukta, I did not go to hell.

Verse 140 (padma.6.127.140)

अविमुक्ते मृतः कश्चिन्नरकं नेति किल्बिषी । अविमुक्ते कृतं किंचित्पापं वज्री भवेद्दृढम्

avimukte mṛtaḥ kaścinnarakaṁ neti kilbiṣī avimukte kṛtaṁ kiṁcitpāpaṁ vajrī bhaveddṛḍham

Whoever dies at Avimukta does not go to hell, even if a sinner; but whatever sin is committed at Avimukta becomes firmly fixed, like a mark from a thunderbolt.

Verse 141 (padma.6.127.141)

वज्रलेपेन पापेन तेन मे जन्म राक्षसम् । रौद्रं क्रूरतरं पापं संभूतं हिमपर्वते

vajralepena pāpena tena me janma rākṣasam raudraṁ krūrataraṁ pāpaṁ saṁbhūtaṁ himaparvate

Because of that sin, adamantine as if glued fast, my birth became that of a Rakshasa, terrible and exceedingly cruel, arising in the Himalayan mountains.

Verse 142 (padma.6.127.142)

द्विर्जातो गृध्रयोनौ प्राक्त्रिर्व्याघ्रो द्विः सरीसृपः । एकवारमुलूकस्तु विड्वराहस्ततः परम्

dvirjāto gṛdhrayonau prāktrirvyāghro dviḥ sarīsṛpaḥ ekavāramulūkastu viḍvarāhastataḥ param

Twice I was born before as a vulture, thrice as a tiger, twice as a reptile; once as an owl, and after that as a pig that eats filth;

Verse 143 (padma.6.127.143)

इदं तु दशमं जन्म राक्षसं मम भामिनी । अतीतानि सहस्राणि वर्षाणि मम जन्मनः

idaṁ tu daśamaṁ janma rākṣasaṁ mama bhāminī atītāni sahasrāṇi varṣāṇi mama janmanaḥ

— and this is my tenth birth, O lady, as a Rakshasa. Thousands of years of my wandering through births have passed —

Verse 144 (padma.6.127.144)

नास्ति मे निष्कृतिर्भद्रे एतस्माद्दुःखसागरात् । अत्र त्रियोजनं सुभ्रूर्निर्जंतु हि मया कृतम्

nāsti me niṣkṛtirbhadre etasmādduḥkhasāgarāt atra triyojanaṁ subhrūrnirjaṁtu hi mayā kṛtam

— and I have no release, O gracious one, from this ocean of suffering. Here, for three yojanas, O fair-browed one, I have made the land empty of living creatures,

Verse 145 (padma.6.127.145)

अनागसां च भूतानां बहूनां च कृतः क्षयः । कर्मणा तेन मे सुभ्रूर्दह्यते सततं मनः

anāgasāṁ ca bhūtānāṁ bahūnāṁ ca kṛtaḥ kṣayaḥ karmaṇā tena me subhrūrdahyate satataṁ manaḥ

— for I have brought about the destruction of many innocent beings. By that deed, O fair-browed one, my mind ever burns.

Verse 146 (padma.6.127.146)

त्वद्दर्शनसुधासिक्तं गतं शैत्यं मनो मम । तीर्थं फलति कालेन सद्यः साधुसमागमः

tvaddarśanasudhāsiktaṁ gataṁ śaityaṁ mano mama tīrthaṁ phalati kālena sadyaḥ sādhusamāgamaḥ

By the nectar of the sight of you, my mind has become cool. A tirtha bears fruit only over time, but the company of the virtuous bears fruit at once.

Verse 147 (padma.6.127.147)

अतः सत्संगतिं सुभ्रूः प्रशंसंति मनीषिणः । एतत्ते कथितं सर्वं स्वदुःखं हृद्गतं मया

ataḥ satsaṁgatiṁ subhrūḥ praśaṁsaṁti manīṣiṇaḥ etatte kathitaṁ sarvaṁ svaduḥkhaṁ hṛdgataṁ mayā

Therefore, O fair-browed one, the wise praise the company of the good. All of this — my own sorrow within my heart — I have told you.

Verse 148 (padma.6.127.148)

विरलः सज्जनः सुभ्रूः स्वात्मा यस्य न खिद्यते । जानास्यत्रोचितं त्वं हि किंचिन्नो वच्म्यतः परम्

viralaḥ sajjanaḥ subhrūḥ svātmā yasya na khidyate jānāsyatrocitaṁ tvaṁ hi kiṁcinno vacmyataḥ param

Rare, O fair-browed one, is the good person whose own self does not grieve. You know what is fitting here; I shall say nothing further to you beyond this.

Verse 149 (padma.6.127.149)

अस्य दुःखोदधेः पारं कथं यामीति चिंतयन् । सज्जनानां समा भूतिः सर्वेषामुपजीवनम्

asya duḥkhodadheḥ pāraṁ kathaṁ yāmīti ciṁtayan sajjanānāṁ samā bhūtiḥ sarveṣāmupajīvanam

Pondering how I might cross to the far shore of this ocean of sorrow... The prosperity of the virtuous is equally the sustenance of all —

Verse 150 (padma.6.127.150)

क्षीरार्णवः पयो दत्ते हंसाय न बकाय किम् । दत्तात्रेय उवाच। इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा दयार्द्रीकृतमानसा

kṣīrārṇavaḥ payo datte haṁsāya na bakāya kim dattātreya uvāca iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā dayārdrīkṛtamānasā

— does not the ocean of milk give its milk to the swan as much as to the crane?" Dattatreya said: Hearing his words, her mind melted with compassion,

Verse 151 (padma.6.127.151)

धर्मदाने मतिं कृत्वा जगौ कांचनमालिनी । करिष्ये निष्कृतिं रक्ष इदानीं खलु मा शुचः

dharmadāne matiṁ kṛtvā jagau kāṁcanamālinī kariṣye niṣkṛtiṁ rakṣa idānīṁ khalu mā śucaḥ

— and, resolving to give him merit, Kanchanamalini said: "O Rakshasa, I shall bring about your deliverance now indeed; do not grieve.

Verse 152 (padma.6.127.152)

प्रतिज्ञां तु दृढां कृत्वा यतिष्ये तव मुक्तये । बहवो हि कृता माघा वर्षे वर्षे यथाविधि

pratijñāṁ tu dṛḍhāṁ kṛtvā yatiṣye tava muktaye bahavo hi kṛtā māghā varṣe varṣe yathāvidhi

Making a firm vow, I shall strive for your liberation. Many Maghas, year after year, have I duly performed —

Verse 153 (padma.6.127.153)

श्रद्धापूर्वं मया भद्र ब्रह्मक्षेत्रे सितासिते । तां वदामि तु संख्यातिं तस्य धर्मस्य राक्षस

śraddhāpūrvaṁ mayā bhadra brahmakṣetre sitāsite tāṁ vadāmi tu saṁkhyātiṁ tasya dharmasya rākṣasa

— with faith, O gracious one, at the sacred field of Brahma, at the pale-and-dark confluence. I shall relate the full account of that merit to you, O Rakshasa.

Verse 154 (padma.6.127.154)

गूढो धर्मो हि कर्तव्य इत्यूचुर्विबुधा जनाः । आर्ते दानं प्रशंसंति मुनयो वेदवादिनः

gūḍho dharmo hi kartavya ityūcurvibudhā janāḥ ārte dānaṁ praśaṁsaṁti munayo vedavādinaḥ

'Dharma should be performed secretly,' say the wise; the sages, followers of the Vedas, praise giving to one in distress.

Verse 155 (padma.6.127.155)

सागरे वर्षतो भद्र किं मेघस्य फलं भवेत् । अनुभूतं मया रक्षः स्वयं तत्पुण्यजं फलम्

sāgare varṣato bhadra kiṁ meghasya phalaṁ bhavet anubhūtaṁ mayā rakṣaḥ svayaṁ tatpuṇyajaṁ phalam

O gracious one, what fruit does a cloud gain by raining upon the ocean? Yet I shall give anyway. O Rakshasa, that fruit born of merit which I myself have experienced —

Verse 156 (padma.6.127.156)

तत्तु दास्यामि ते मित्र सद्यः पापविनाशनम् । निष्पीड्याथ ततो वस्त्रं जलं कृत्वा करांबुजे

tattu dāsyāmi te mitra sadyaḥ pāpavināśanam niṣpīḍyātha tato vastraṁ jalaṁ kṛtvā karāṁbuje

— that I shall give to you, my friend, for the instant destruction of your sin." Then, wringing out her garment and making water drip into her lotus-hand,

Verse 157 (padma.6.127.157)

ददौ सा माघजं पुण्यं तस्मै वृद्धाय रक्षसे । शृणु राजन्विचित्रं हि प्रभावं माघधर्मजम्

dadau sā māghajaṁ puṇyaṁ tasmai vṛddhāya rakṣase śṛṇu rājanvicitraṁ hi prabhāvaṁ māghadharmajam

— she gave the merit born of Magha to that aged Rakshasa. Hear, O king, the wondrous power born of that Magha merit.

Verse 158 (padma.6.127.158)

तदैवं प्राप्य तत्पुण्यं विमुक्ता राक्षसी तनुः । संभूतो देवताकारस्तेजो भास्करविग्रहः

tadaivaṁ prāpya tatpuṇyaṁ vimuktā rākṣasī tanuḥ saṁbhūto devatākārastejo bhāskaravigrahaḥ

Having thus received that merit, his Rakshasa body was cast off, and there arose a form divine, radiant, with the very brilliance of the sun —

Verse 159 (padma.6.127.159)

देवयानं समारूढः सहर्षोत्फुल्ललोचनः । द्योतमानस्तदा व्योम्नि भासयन्प्रभया दिशः

devayānaṁ samārūḍhaḥ saharṣotphullalocanaḥ dyotamānastadā vyomni bhāsayanprabhayā diśaḥ

— mounted upon a celestial chariot, his eyes wide with joy, shining then in the sky, illuminating the directions with his radiance,

Verse 160 (padma.6.127.160)

दिव्यरूपधरो रेजे द्वितीय इव भास्करः । ततोऽभिनंदयामास सतां कांचनमालिनीम्

divyarūpadharo reje dvitīya iva bhāskaraḥ tato'bhinaṁdayāmāsa satāṁ kāṁcanamālinīm

— bearing a divine form, he shone like a second sun. He then paid homage to the virtuous Kanchanamalini:

Verse 161 (padma.6.127.161)

भद्रे वेत्तीश्वरो देवः कर्मणां यः फलप्रदः । तत्त्वयोपकृतं सर्वं यत्र मे नास्ति निष्कृतिः

bhadre vettīśvaro devaḥ karmaṇāṁ yaḥ phalapradaḥ tattvayopakṛtaṁ sarvaṁ yatra me nāsti niṣkṛtiḥ

"O gracious one, God, the Lord who grants the fruit of deeds, knows all that you have done for me, in a matter where I had no other means of deliverance.

Verse 162 (padma.6.127.162)

इदानीमपि कारुण्यात्प्रसीदानुग्रहं कुरु । शिक्षां विधेहि मे देवि सर्वनीतिमयीं शुभाम्

idānīmapi kāruṇyātprasīdānugrahaṁ kuru śikṣāṁ vidhehi me devi sarvanītimayīṁ śubhām

Now too, out of compassion, be gracious and show favor; teach me, O goddess, an auspicious instruction encompassing all right conduct,

Verse 163 (padma.6.127.163)

सर्वधर्मकरीं नूनं न कुर्वे पातकं यथा । तां श्रुत्वा त्वदनुज्ञातः पश्चाद्यामि सुरालयम्

sarvadharmakarīṁ nūnaṁ na kurve pātakaṁ yathā tāṁ śrutvā tvadanujñātaḥ paścādyāmi surālayam

— which truly brings about every dharma, so that I may never commit sin again. Having heard it, and with your permission, I shall then go to the abode of the gods."

Verse 164 (padma.6.127.164)

दत्तात्रेय उवाच। एतन्निशम्य तेनोक्तं प्रियं धर्ममयं वचः । अतिप्रीत्याब्रवीद्धर्मं राजन्कांचनमालिनी

dattātreya uvāca etanniśamya tenoktaṁ priyaṁ dharmamayaṁ vacaḥ atiprītyābravīddharmaṁ rājankāṁcanamālinī

Dattatreya said: Having heard those pleasing, dharma-filled words spoken by him, O king, Kanchanamalini, with great affection, spoke of dharma:

Verse 165 (padma.6.127.165)

धर्मं भजस्व सततं त्यज भूतहिंसां सेवस्व साधुपुरुषान्जहि कामशत्रुम् । अन्यस्य दोषगुणकीर्तनमाशु हित्वा सत्यं वदार्चय हरिं व्रज देवलोकम्

dharmaṁ bhajasva satataṁ tyaja bhūtahiṁsāṁ sevasva sādhupuruṣānjahi kāmaśatrum anyasya doṣaguṇakīrtanamāśu hitvā satyaṁ vadārcaya hariṁ vraja devalokam

"Ever cultivate dharma; abandon the harming of living beings; associate with virtuous men; slay the enemy which is desire; quickly give up speaking of others' faults and virtues; speak the truth; worship Hari; and go to the world of the gods.

Verse 166 (padma.6.127.166)

देहेऽस्थिमांसरुधिरे स्वमतिं त्यज त्वं जायासुतादिषु सदा ममतां विमुंच । पश्यानिशं जगदिदं क्षणभंगुरं हि वैराग्यभावरसिको भव योगनिष्ठः

dehe'sthimāṁsarudhire svamatiṁ tyaja tvaṁ jāyāsutādiṣu sadā mamatāṁ vimuṁca paśyāniśaṁ jagadidaṁ kṣaṇabhaṁguraṁ hi vairāgyabhāvarasiko bhava yoganiṣṭhaḥ

Give up your identification with this body of bone, flesh, and blood; ever release your sense of 'mine' toward wife, sons, and the like. See continually that this world is momentary and fragile; delight in the spirit of dispassion, and be devoted to yoga.

Verse 167 (padma.6.127.167)

प्रीत्या मया निगदितं तव धर्ममार्गं चित्तो निधेहि सकलं भवशीलयुक्तः । संत्यज्य राक्षसतनुं धृतदेवदेहो ज्योतिर्मयो व्रज यथासुखमाशु नाकम्

prītyā mayā nigaditaṁ tava dharmamārgaṁ citto nidhehi sakalaṁ bhavaśīlayuktaḥ saṁtyajya rākṣasatanuṁ dhṛtadevadeho jyotirmayo vraja yathāsukhamāśu nākam

With affection have I told you this path of dharma; fix your mind fully upon it, endowed with a virtuous nature. Having given up your Rakshasa body and taken on a divine body of light, go swiftly and happily to heaven."

Verse 168 (padma.6.127.168)

श्रुत्वाधर्मं ततो हृष्टः संतुष्टो राक्षसोऽब्रवीत् । भवप्रमुदिता नित्यं सर्वदा शिवमस्तु ते

śrutvādharmaṁ tato hṛṣṭaḥ saṁtuṣṭo rākṣaso'bravīt bhavapramuditā nityaṁ sarvadā śivamastu te

Having heard this instruction in dharma, the Rakshasa, delighted and content, said: "May you ever be joyful in existence; may all good fortune be yours always.

Verse 169 (padma.6.127.169)

आचन्द्रार्कं रमस्व त्वं कैलासे शिवसन्निधौ । उमयाऽखंडितं प्रेम तवास्तु वरवर्णिनि

ācandrārkaṁ ramasva tvaṁ kailāse śivasannidhau umayā'khaṁḍitaṁ prema tavāstu varavarṇini

May you sport as long as the sun and moon endure, on Kailasa, in the presence of Shiva; may your unbroken love with Uma be yours, O fair-hued one.

Verse 170 (padma.6.127.170)

धर्मनिष्ठा तपोनिष्ठा मातस्त्वं भव सर्वदा । मास्तु लोभः शरीरे ते आपन्नार्ति सदा हर

dharmaniṣṭhā taponiṣṭhā mātastvaṁ bhava sarvadā māstu lobhaḥ śarīre te āpannārti sadā hara

Mother, may you ever be devoted to dharma and austerity; may no greed ever touch your body; may you always remove the suffering of the distressed."

Verse 171 (padma.6.127.171)

इत्युक्त्वा तु प्रणम्याथ सतां कांचनमालिनीम् । जगाम राक्षसः स्वर्गं गंधर्वैर्बहुभिः स्तुतः

ityuktvā tu praṇamyātha satāṁ kāṁcanamālinīm jagāma rākṣasaḥ svargaṁ gaṁdharvairbahubhiḥ stutaḥ

Having said this, and having bowed to the virtuous Kanchanamalini, the Rakshasa went to heaven, praised by many Gandharvas.

Verse 172 (padma.6.127.172)

देवकन्यास्तदागत्य ववर्षुः पुष्पवृष्टिभिः । तस्याः कांचनमालिन्या मूर्ध्नि हर्षसमाकुलाः

devakanyāstadāgatya vavarṣuḥ puṣpavṛṣṭibhiḥ tasyāḥ kāṁcanamālinyā mūrdhni harṣasamākulāḥ

Then divine maidens came and rained showers of flowers upon the head of Kanchanamalini, overcome with joy.

Verse 173 (padma.6.127.173)

तामालिंग्य ततः प्रोचुः कन्यकास्तु प्रियं वचः । कृतं भद्रे त्वया चित्रं राक्षसस्य विमोक्षणम्

tāmāliṁgya tataḥ procuḥ kanyakāstu priyaṁ vacaḥ kṛtaṁ bhadre tvayā citraṁ rākṣasasya vimokṣaṇam

Then, embracing her, the maidens spoke loving words: "A wondrous thing have you done, gracious one — the liberation of the Rakshasa.

Verse 174 (padma.6.127.174)

दुष्टस्यास्य भयात्कश्चिद्विशत्यस्मिन्न कानने । अधुना निर्भया ह्यत्र विचरामो यथासुखम्

duṣṭasyāsya bhayātkaścidviśatyasminna kānane adhunā nirbhayā hyatra vicarāmo yathāsukham

Out of fear of this wicked being, no one used to enter this forest; now, without fear, we shall wander here at our pleasure."

Verse 175 (padma.6.127.175)

श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं राजंस्तासां कांचनमालिनी । हृष्टा तेनैव दानेन कृतकृत्या तदा सती

śrutvā tadvacanaṁ rājaṁstāsāṁ kāṁcanamālinī hṛṣṭā tenaiva dānena kṛtakṛtyā tadā satī

Hearing their words, O king, Kanchanamalini, that virtuous woman, delighted, felt herself fulfilled by that very gift.

Verse 176 (padma.6.127.176)

तं राक्षसं कांचनमालिनीवरा गन्धर्वकन्या परिमोच्य सत्वरम् । क्रीडंत्यमूभिः प्रययौ हरालयं प्रीत्या सपूर्णा च परोपकारया

taṁ rākṣasaṁ kāṁcanamālinīvarā gandharvakanyā parimocya satvaram krīḍaṁtyamūbhiḥ prayayau harālayaṁ prītyā sapūrṇā ca paropakārayā

Having swiftly freed that Rakshasa, the excellent Gandharva maiden Kanchanamalini, playing there with those divine maidens, went on to the abode of Hara, filled with the joy of having done good for another.

Verse 177 (padma.6.127.177)

संवादमेनं वरकन्यकेरितं भक्त्या परं यः शृणुयाच्च मानवः । न बाध्यते जातु सदा स राक्षसैर्धर्मे मतिस्तस्य भृशं हि जायते

saṁvādamenaṁ varakanyakeritaṁ bhaktyā paraṁ yaḥ śṛṇuyācca mānavaḥ na bādhyate jātu sadā sa rākṣasairdharme matistasya bhṛśaṁ hi jāyate

Whatever man devotedly hears this dialogue, uttered by that excellent maiden, is never troubled by Rakshasas; his mind becomes ever strongly fixed on dharma.