The Gandharva Maidens' Curse and the Yogasara Hymn

Verse 1 (padma.6.128.1)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। कथितं माघमाहात्म्यं दत्तात्रेयेण भाषितम् । अधुनाऽहं प्रवक्ष्यामि माघस्नानस्य यत्फलम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca kathitaṁ māghamāhātmyaṁ dattātreyeṇa bhāṣitam adhunā'haṁ pravakṣyāmi māghasnānasya yatphalam

Vasishtha said: The glory of Magha spoken by Dattatreya has been told. Now I shall tell the fruit of the Magha bath.

Verse 2 (padma.6.128.2)

सर्वक्रतुवरिष्ठं तु सर्वदानफलप्रदम् । सर्वव्रततपस्तुल्यं माघस्नानं परंतप

sarvakratuvariṣṭhaṁ tu sarvadānaphalapradam sarvavratatapastulyaṁ māghasnānaṁ paraṁtapa

O scorcher of foes, the Magha bath is superior to all sacrifices, bestows the fruit of every gift, and is equal to every vow and austerity.

Verse 3 (padma.6.128.3)

स्नानेन माघस्य विशुद्धमानसा पितॄन्दिवि स्थाप्य कुलद्वयस्य वै । स्वर्गं प्रयांति स्वयमुज्ज्वलानना वरैर्विमानै रुचिरैश्च कामगैः

snānena māghasya viśuddhamānasā pitṝndivi sthāpya kuladvayasya vai svargaṁ prayāṁti svayamujjvalānanā varairvimānai ruciraiśca kāmagaiḥ

By the bath of Magha, with purified minds, having established the ancestors of both family lines in heaven, devotees themselves, their faces radiant, go to heaven in fine, beautiful, wish-moving celestial chariots.

Verse 4 (padma.6.128.4)

ये मानवाः पापकृतोऽपि सर्वदा सदा दुराचाररता विमार्गगाः । स्नात्वा हि माघे हरिमर्चयंति ये मुंचंति तेपीह महाघसंचयम्

ye mānavāḥ pāpakṛto'pi sarvadā sadā durācāraratā vimārgagāḥ snātvā hi māghe harimarcayaṁti ye muṁcaṁti tepīha mahāghasaṁcayam

Those men who, though ever sinful, ever devoted to evil conduct and gone astray from the right path, bathe in Magha and worship Hari — even they release here their great accumulation of sin.

Verse 5 (padma.6.128.5)

सत्येन हीनाः पितृमातृदुःखदा ह्यनाश्रमस्थाः कुलधर्मवर्जिताः । ये दांभिकास्तेऽपि नराः सतां गतिं स्नानैः प्रयांत्यत्र हि माघसंभवैः

satyena hīnāḥ pitṛmātṛduḥkhadā hyanāśramasthāḥ kuladharmavarjitāḥ ye dāṁbhikāste'pi narāḥ satāṁ gatiṁ snānaiḥ prayāṁtyatra hi māghasaṁbhavaiḥ

Men devoid of truth, who bring sorrow to their fathers and mothers, who stand outside the proper stages of life, devoid of family dharma, and even hypocrites — even they attain the destination of the virtuous through these baths born of Magha.

Verse 6 (padma.6.128.6)

पुण्येषु तीर्थेषु च माघमासे स्नानं नराणामतिदुर्लभं भुवि । तस्माद्यतो ब्रह्मविदां पदं नरैः संप्राप्यते नात्र विचारणा मम

puṇyeṣu tīrtheṣu ca māghamāse snānaṁ narāṇāmatidurlabhaṁ bhuvi tasmādyato brahmavidāṁ padaṁ naraiḥ saṁprāpyate nātra vicāraṇā mama

Bathing at sacred tirthas in the month of Magha is exceedingly rare for men on this earth; therefore, since by it men attain the very state of the knowers of Brahman, I have no doubt about this.

Verse 7 (padma.6.128.7)

माघे तपो दान जप प्रसेवनं स्थानं हरेः पूजनमक्षयं नृप । तस्माद्यथाशक्ति नरैः प्रयत्नतः स्नात्वा प्रदेयं वसनान्नकांचनम्

māghe tapo dāna japa prasevanaṁ sthānaṁ hareḥ pūjanamakṣayaṁ nṛpa tasmādyathāśakti naraiḥ prayatnataḥ snātvā pradeyaṁ vasanānnakāṁcanam

O king, in Magha, austerity, gift-giving, japa, service, dwelling at a tirtha, and the worship of Hari all bear imperishable fruit; therefore, according to their ability, men should, with effort, bathe and give clothing, food, and gold.

Verse 8 (padma.6.128.8)

माघेऽन्नदाताऽमृतपः सुरालये हेम्नश्च दाता बलभित्समीपगः । दीपाग्निवासांसि ददन्नरः सदा सूर्यस्यलोके वसति प्रभामयः

māghe'nnadātā'mṛtapaḥ surālaye hemnaśca dātā balabhitsamīpagaḥ dīpāgnivāsāṁsi dadannaraḥ sadā sūryasyaloke vasati prabhāmayaḥ

The giver of food in Magha becomes a drinker of nectar in the abode of the gods; the giver of gold comes near to Indra; the man who gives lamps, fire, and garments ever dwells, radiant, in the world of the Sun.

Verse 9 (padma.6.128.9)

यज्ञैः सुदानैः सुतपोभिरुज्ज्वलैः सुब्रह्मचर्यार्चनयोगसेवया । शुद्धा भवंतीह तथा न पापिनः स्नानैर्यथा पुण्यभवैस्तु माघजैः

yajñaiḥ sudānaiḥ sutapobhirujjvalaiḥ subrahmacaryārcanayogasevayā śuddhā bhavaṁtīha tathā na pāpinaḥ snānairyathā puṇyabhavaistu māghajaiḥ

Sinners do not become as purified through sacrifices, generous gifts, splendid austerities, celibacy, worship, or the practice of yoga, as they do through the meritorious baths born of Magha.

Verse 10 (padma.6.128.10)

दुःखौघसंतप्तिमसह्ययातनां याम्यां न ते यांत्यपि पापकारिणः । ये माघमासे वरतीर्थमज्जनं कुर्वंति चार्धोदितसूर्यमंडले

duḥkhaughasaṁtaptimasahyayātanāṁ yāmyāṁ na te yāṁtyapi pāpakāriṇaḥ ye māghamāse varatīrthamajjanaṁ kurvaṁti cārdhoditasūryamaṁḍale

Even evildoers do not go to the unbearable torment and affliction of Yama's realm — those who plunge into the excellent tirtha in the month of Magha, while the sun's disc is still half-risen.

Verse 11 (padma.6.128.11)

स्नात्वा च माघे हरिमर्चयंति ये स्वर्गच्युता भूपतयो भवंति । भव्याः सुरूपाः सुभगाः प्रियंवदा धर्मान्विता भूरिधनाः शतायुषः

snātvā ca māghe harimarcayaṁti ye svargacyutā bhūpatayo bhavaṁti bhavyāḥ surūpāḥ subhagāḥ priyaṁvadā dharmānvitā bhūridhanāḥ śatāyuṣaḥ

Those who bathe in Magha and worship Hari, when they fall from heaven, become kings — noble, of fine form, fortunate, sweet-spoken, endowed with dharma, abundantly wealthy, and living a hundred years.

Verse 12 (padma.6.128.12)

दीप्तानले काष्ठचयो यथाहुतो भस्मावशेषो भवतीह तत्क्षणात् । स्नानेन माघस्य तथा विलीयते क्षुद्रोऽपि पापौघ महाघसंचयः

dīptānale kāṣṭhacayo yathāhuto bhasmāvaśeṣo bhavatīha tatkṣaṇāt snānena māghasya tathā vilīyate kṣudro'pi pāpaugha mahāghasaṁcayaḥ

Just as a heap of wood, cast into a blazing fire, is instantly reduced to mere ash, so too, by the bath of Magha, even a great accumulation of sin, however trivial, dissolves away.

Verse 13 (padma.6.128.13)

कायेन वाचा मनसापि पातकं ज्ञातं यदज्ञातमलंकृतं नरैः । स्नानं च माघे वरतीर्थसंभवं सर्वं दहद्विष्णुरिवाशु हृद्गतः

kāyena vācā manasāpi pātakaṁ jñātaṁ yadajñātamalaṁkṛtaṁ naraiḥ snānaṁ ca māghe varatīrthasaṁbhavaṁ sarvaṁ dahadviṣṇurivāśu hṛdgataḥ

Whatever sin men have committed with body, speech, or mind, whether known or unknown — the bath of Magha, arising at an excellent tirtha, swiftly burns it all away, like Vishnu present in the heart.

Verse 14 (padma.6.128.14)

संभुज्यमानाघफलं हि पार्थिव प्रमादतोपीह नृणां कदाचन । स्नानं हि माघस्य यतः प्रसज्यते तदैव तत्संक्षयमेति निश्चितम्

saṁbhujyamānāghaphalaṁ hi pārthiva pramādatopīha nṛṇāṁ kadācana snānaṁ hi māghasya yataḥ prasajyate tadaiva tatsaṁkṣayameti niścitam

O king, even if the fruit of sin is being experienced by men, whether through negligence or otherwise, the moment the bath of Magha is undertaken, that sin certainly comes to destruction then and there.

Verse 15 (padma.6.128.15)

गंधर्वं कन्याः पृथिवी शशापजं संभुज्यमानाघफलं दुरत्ययम् । स्नानाद्विमुक्ताः खलु माघमासजाद्वाक्यात्पुरा लोमशजातमद्भुतम्

gaṁdharvaṁ kanyāḥ pṛthivī śaśāpajaṁ saṁbhujyamānāghaphalaṁ duratyayam snānādvimuktāḥ khalu māghamāsajādvākyātpurā lomaśajātamadbhutam

Gandharva maidens, having incurred the insurmountable fruit of sin arising from a curse laid upon them on this earth, were freed indeed through bathing born of the month of Magha — an ancient, wondrous story told by Lomasha.

Verse 16 (padma.6.128.16)

सूत उवाच। श्रुत्वैतत्पार्थिवः प्रीत्या नत्वा तत्पादपंकजम् । श्रद्धया परया नम्रस्तं पप्रच्छ पुरोधसम्

sūta uvāca śrutvaitatpārthivaḥ prītyā natvā tatpādapaṁkajam śraddhayā parayā namrastaṁ papraccha purodhasam

Sūta said: Hearing this, the king, with love, bowed to his lotus feet, and, humbled with the greatest faith, asked that family priest —

Verse 17 (padma.6.128.17)

भगवन्ब्रूहि कन्याभिः शापो ह्यभिगतः कुतः । कस्यापत्यानि तास्तासां नाम किं कीदृशं वयः

bhagavanbrūhi kanyābhiḥ śāpo hyabhigataḥ kutaḥ kasyāpatyāni tāstāsāṁ nāma kiṁ kīdṛśaṁ vayaḥ

"Lord, tell me — from where did that curse come upon the maidens? Whose daughters were they, what were their names, and what was their age?

Verse 18 (padma.6.128.18)

कथं लोमशवाक्येन विपाकाच्छापसंभवात् । विमुक्ताः कुत्र ताः सस्नुर्मासं ताः कतिसंख्यया

kathaṁ lomaśavākyena vipākācchāpasaṁbhavāt vimuktāḥ kutra tāḥ sasnurmāsaṁ tāḥ katisaṁkhyayā

How, through Lomasha's word, were they freed from the ripening born of the curse? Where did they bathe, and for how long, and how many were they?"

Verse 19 (padma.6.128.19)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। श्रूयतां राजशार्दूल धर्मगर्भां कथां पराम् । यथाऽरणिर्वह्निगर्भा धर्मसूर्वह्निसूरिव

vasiṣṭha uvāca śrūyatāṁ rājaśārdūla dharmagarbhāṁ kathāṁ parām yathā'raṇirvahnigarbhā dharmasūrvahnisūriva

Vasishtha said: Hear, O tiger among kings, this supreme story, pregnant with dharma — as the fire-stick is pregnant with fire, this story gives birth to dharma, as the fire-stick gives birth to fire.

Verse 20 (padma.6.128.20)

गंधर्वः सुखसंगीतिस्तस्य कन्या प्रमोदिनी । सुशीलस्य सुशीला च सुस्वरा स्वरवेदिनः

gaṁdharvaḥ sukhasaṁgītistasya kanyā pramodinī suśīlasya suśīlā ca susvarā svaravedinaḥ

There was a Gandharva named Sukhasangiti, whose daughter was Pramodini; Sushila had a daughter Sushila; Svaravedin had a daughter Susvara;

Verse 21 (padma.6.128.21)

सुतारा चंद्रकांतस्य चंद्रिका सुप्रभस्य च । इमानि वरनामानि तासामप्सरसां नृप

sutārā caṁdrakāṁtasya caṁdrikā suprabhasya ca imāni varanāmāni tāsāmapsarasāṁ nṛpa

Chandrakanta had a daughter Sutara, and Suprabha had a daughter Chandrika — these, O king, were the excellent names of those Apsarases.

Verse 22 (padma.6.128.22)

कुमार्यः पंच सर्वास्ता वयसा सुसमाः पुनः । चंद्रादिवविनिष्क्रांताश्चंद्रिकेव समुज्ज्वलाः

kumāryaḥ paṁca sarvāstā vayasā susamāḥ punaḥ caṁdrādivaviniṣkrāṁtāścaṁdrikeva samujjvalāḥ

All five were maidens, equal in age, as if they had emerged from the moon itself, radiant like moonlight —

Verse 23 (padma.6.128.23)

चंद्राननाः सुकेशिन्यश्चंद्रामृतरसाधराः । नेत्रेष्वानंदकारिण्यः कौमुदी कुमुदेष्विव

caṁdrānanāḥ sukeśinyaścaṁdrāmṛtarasādharāḥ netreṣvānaṁdakāriṇyaḥ kaumudī kumudeṣviva

— moon-faced, with beautiful hair, their lips like the nectar of the moon, delighting the eyes as moonlight delights the white water-lilies.

Verse 24 (padma.6.128.24)

लावण्यपिंडसंभूताश्चारुरूपामनोहराः । उद्भिन्नकुचकुंभिन्यः पद्मिन्य इव माधवे

lāvaṇyapiṁḍasaṁbhūtāścārurūpāmanoharāḥ udbhinnakucakuṁbhinyaḥ padminya iva mādhave

Formed as if from the very essence of grace, of beautiful and charming form, their breasts swelling like jars, like lotus-plants in springtime,

Verse 25 (padma.6.128.25)

उन्मील्य यौवनं कांतं वल्लीव नवपल्लवैः । हेमगौराश्च हेमाभा हेमालंकारभूषिताः

unmīlya yauvanaṁ kāṁtaṁ vallīva navapallavaiḥ hemagaurāśca hemābhā hemālaṁkārabhūṣitāḥ

— their lovely youth blossoming like a vine with new shoots, golden-fair, of golden hue, adorned with golden ornaments,

Verse 26 (padma.6.128.26)

हेमचंपकमालिन्यो हेमच्छविसुवाससः । स्वरग्रामावलीहासु विविधा मूर्च्छनासु च

hemacaṁpakamālinyo hemacchavisuvāsasaḥ svaragrāmāvalīhāsu vividhā mūrcchanāsu ca

— wearing garlands of golden champaka flowers, finely dressed in garments of golden sheen, skilled in the various rows of musical scales and in laughter, and in the various melodic modulations,

Verse 27 (padma.6.128.27)

तालदानविनोदेषु वेणुवीणाप्रवादने । मृदंगनादसंभिन्नं लास्यमार्गलवेषु च

tāladānavinodeṣu veṇuvīṇāpravādane mṛdaṁganādasaṁbhinnaṁ lāsyamārgalaveṣu ca

— skilled in the pleasures of keeping rhythm, in playing the flute and the vina, and in the dance-steps of the Lasya accompanied by the sound of the mridanga drum,

Verse 28 (padma.6.128.28)

चित्रादिषु विनोदेषु कलासु च विशारदाः । एवंभूतास्तु ताः कन्या मुमुहुः क्रीडने वने

citrādiṣu vinodeṣu kalāsu ca viśāradāḥ evaṁbhūtāstu tāḥ kanyā mumuhuḥ krīḍane vane

— and skilled in the pleasures of painting and other arts — such were those maidens, delighting in play in the forest.

Verse 29 (padma.6.128.29)

पितृभिर्लालिताः सत्यश्चेरुश्च धनदालये । कौतुकादेकदा पंच मिलित्वा मासि माधवे । कन्या मंदारपुष्पाणि विचिन्वंत्यो वनाद्वनम्

pitṛbhirlālitāḥ satyaśceruśca dhanadālaye kautukādekadā paṁca militvā māsi mādhave kanyā maṁdārapuṣpāṇi vicinvaṁtyo vanādvanam

Cherished by their fathers, virtuous, they roamed in the abode of Kubera. Once, out of curiosity, the five maidens, having come together in the month of spring, wandered from forest to forest picking mandara flowers.

Verse 30 (padma.6.128.30)

गौरीं समाराधयितुं वरांगनाः कदाचिदच्छोदसरोवरं ययुः । हेमांबुजानि प्रवराणि ताः पुनस्तस्मादुपादाय वरोत्पलैः सह

gaurīṁ samārādhayituṁ varāṁganāḥ kadācidacchodasarovaraṁ yayuḥ hemāṁbujāni pravarāṇi tāḥ punastasmādupādāya varotpalaiḥ saha

Once, to worship the goddess Gauri, those beautiful women went to Lake Achchhoda; and, having gathered from there excellent golden lotuses together with beautiful blue lotuses,

Verse 31 (padma.6.128.31)

वैडूर्यशुद्धस्फटिकाच्छविद्रुमे स्नात्वा तडागे परिधाय चांबरम् । मौनेन च स्थंडिलपिंडिकामयी स्वर्णस्य सिक्ताभिरुमां विनिर्ममुः

vaiḍūryaśuddhasphaṭikācchavidrume snātvā taḍāge paridhāya cāṁbaram maunena ca sthaṁḍilapiṁḍikāmayī svarṇasya siktābhirumāṁ vinirmamuḥ

— having bathed in that lake, clear as pure crystal and beryl, and having put on fresh garments, they, in silence, fashioned an image of Uma of gold upon a raised earthen platform, sprinkled with water.

Verse 32 (padma.6.128.32)

समर्चितां चंदनचंद्रकुंकुमैरभ्यर्च्य गौरीं वरपंकजादिभिः । नानोपचारैश्च सुभक्तिभावितास्तालप्रयोगैर्ननृतुः कुमारिकाः

samarcitāṁ caṁdanacaṁdrakuṁkumairabhyarcya gaurīṁ varapaṁkajādibhiḥ nānopacāraiśca subhaktibhāvitāstālaprayogairnanṛtuḥ kumārikāḥ

Having duly worshipped Gauri with sandal, camphor, and saffron, and with fine lotuses and other offerings, and with various acts of service, those maidens, filled with devotion, danced to the beat of rhythmic clapping.

Verse 33 (padma.6.128.33)

गांधारमाश्रित्य वरं स्वरं ततो गेयं सुतारध्वनिभिः सुमूर्च्छितम् । एणीदृशस्ताः प्रजगुः कलाक्षरं चारुप्रबंधं गतिभिस्तु सुस्वरम्

gāṁdhāramāśritya varaṁ svaraṁ tato geyaṁ sutāradhvanibhiḥ sumūrcchitam eṇīdṛśastāḥ prajaguḥ kalākṣaraṁ cāruprabaṁdhaṁ gatibhistu susvaram

Taking up the excellent Gandhara note, those doe-eyed maidens then sang, in sweet-toned voices, a melodious composition of soft syllables, beautifully arranged, with graceful movements and lovely notes.

Verse 34 (padma.6.128.34)

तस्मिन्सुनादे रसवर्षहर्षदे कन्यास्वलं निर्भरनृत्यवृत्तिषु । अच्छोदतीर्थप्रवरे तदा गतः स्नातुं मुनेर्वेदनिधेः सुताग्निपः

tasminsunāde rasavarṣaharṣade kanyāsvalaṁ nirbharanṛtyavṛttiṣu acchodatīrthapravare tadā gataḥ snātuṁ munervedanidheḥ sutāgnipaḥ

While that lovely sound, raining down delight, absorbed the maidens fully in their intense dancing, at that time, to that excellent tirtha of Achchhoda, there came, to bathe, the son of the sage Vedanidhi, a fire-tender.

Verse 35 (padma.6.128.35)

रूपेण निःसीमतरो वराननः सरोजपत्रायतलोचनो युवा । विशालवक्षाः सुभुजोऽतिसुंदरः श्यामच्छविः कामइवापरो हि सः

rūpeṇa niḥsīmataro varānanaḥ sarojapatrāyatalocano yuvā viśālavakṣāḥ subhujo'tisuṁdaraḥ śyāmacchaviḥ kāmaivāparo hi saḥ

Of boundless beauty, of fair face, with eyes long as lotus petals, a youth of broad chest, fine arms, exceedingly handsome, of dark hue — he was indeed like a second Kama.

Verse 36 (padma.6.128.36)

स ब्रह्मचारी सशिखो विराजते दंडेनयुक्तो धनुषैव मन्मथः । एणाजिनप्रावरणः सुसूत्रधृग्घेमाभमौंजी कटिसूत्रमेखलः

sa brahmacārī saśikho virājate daṁḍenayukto dhanuṣaiva manmathaḥ eṇājinaprāvaraṇaḥ susūtradhṛgghemābhamauṁjī kaṭisūtramekhalaḥ

That celibate student, with his top-knot, staff in hand, shone like Manmatha; clad in a deerskin, wearing the sacred thread, girded with a golden-hued munja-grass waist-cord.

Verse 37 (padma.6.128.37)

तं दृष्ट्वा ब्राह्मणं बालास्तास्तत्र सरसस्तटे । जहर्षुः कौतुकाविष्टाः कोऽयं नो नयनातिथिः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā brāhmaṇaṁ bālāstāstatra sarasastaṭe jaharṣuḥ kautukāviṣṭāḥ ko'yaṁ no nayanātithiḥ

Seeing that brahmin there on the bank of the lake, those young women rejoiced, filled with curiosity: "Who is this, this guest to our eyes?"

Verse 38 (padma.6.128.38)

संत्यक्तनृत्यगीतास्तास्तस्यालोकनतत्पराः । हरिण्यो लुब्धकेनेव विद्धाः कामेन सायकैः

saṁtyaktanṛtyagītāstāstasyālokanatatparāḥ hariṇyo lubdhakeneva viddhāḥ kāmena sāyakaiḥ

Abandoning their dance and song, intent only on gazing at him, they were like does struck by a hunter's arrows — pierced by Kama's arrows.

Verse 39 (padma.6.128.39)

पश्यपश्येति जल्पंत्यो मुग्धाः पंचसु संभ्रमम् । तस्मिन्विप्रवरे यूनि कामदेवभ्रमं ययुः

paśyapaśyeti jalpaṁtyo mugdhāḥ paṁcasu saṁbhramam tasminvipravare yūni kāmadevabhramaṁ yayuḥ

Crying out to one another "Look, look!", enchanted, agitated, all five, seeing that excellent young brahmin, mistook him for the god of love himself.

Verse 40 (padma.6.128.40)

पुनः पुनस्तमभ्यर्च्य नयनैः पंकजैरिव । पश्चाद्विचारमायासुस्ताश्च कन्याः परस्परम्

punaḥ punastamabhyarcya nayanaiḥ paṁkajairiva paścādvicāramāyāsustāśca kanyāḥ parasparam

Worshipping him again and again with their lotus-like eyes, those maidens then fell to deliberating among themselves:

Verse 41 (padma.6.128.41)

यद्ययं कामदेवो हि रतिहीनः कथं व्रजेत् । अथायमश्विनौ देवौ तौ नूनं युग्मचारिणौ

yadyayaṁ kāmadevo hi ratihīnaḥ kathaṁ vrajet athāyamaśvinau devau tau nūnaṁ yugmacāriṇau

"If this is indeed the god of desire, how could he be without Rati? Or perhaps he is one of the twin Ashvin gods, who certainly move as a pair —

Verse 42 (padma.6.128.42)

गंधर्वः किन्नरो वाथ सिद्धो वा कामरूपधृक् । ऋषिपुत्रोथवा कश्चित्कश्चिद्वा मानुषोत्तमः

gaṁdharvaḥ kinnaro vātha siddho vā kāmarūpadhṛk ṛṣiputrothavā kaścitkaścidvā mānuṣottamaḥ

— or a Gandharva, or a Kinnara, or a Siddha capable of taking any form at will, or perhaps a sage's son, or some best of men.

Verse 43 (padma.6.128.43)

अस्तु वा कश्चिदेवायं धात्रासृष्टो हि नः कृते । यथाभाग्यवतामर्थे निधानं पूर्वकर्मभिः

astu vā kaścidevāyaṁ dhātrāsṛṣṭo hi naḥ kṛte yathābhāgyavatāmarthe nidhānaṁ pūrvakarmabhiḥ

Or let him be whoever he may be — he has surely been created by the Creator for our sake, just as a treasure comes, through past deeds, to those fortunate enough to receive it.

Verse 44 (padma.6.128.44)

तथास्माकं कुमारीणां गौर्या नीतो वरोत्तमः । करुणाजलकल्लोल प्लवार्द्रीकृतचित्तया

tathāsmākaṁ kumārīṇāṁ gauryā nīto varottamaḥ karuṇājalakallola plavārdrīkṛtacittayā

"Just so, this excellent bridegroom has been brought for us maidens by Gauri, her heart made tender, drenched by the surging waves of compassion."

Verse 45 (padma.6.128.45)

मया वृतस्त्वया चायं त्वया वृतस्तथा मया । एवं पंचसु कन्यासु वदंतीषु नृपोत्तम

mayā vṛtastvayā cāyaṁ tvayā vṛtastathā mayā evaṁ paṁcasu kanyāsu vadaṁtīṣu nṛpottama

"He is chosen by me!" "No, by you — this one is chosen by you, and that one by me!" — thus, O best of kings, as the five maidens spoke among themselves —

Verse 46 (padma.6.128.46)

श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं तत्र कृत्वा माध्याह्निकीः क्रियाः । आलोच्य हृदये सोऽपि विघ्नमेतदुपस्थितम्

śrutvā tadvacanaṁ tatra kṛtvā mādhyāhnikīḥ kriyāḥ ālocya hṛdaye so'pi vighnametadupasthitam

— hearing those words, having there performed his midday rites, he too, reflecting in his heart, saw that this obstacle had arisen.

Verse 47 (padma.6.128.47)

ब्रह्मविष्णुगिरिशादयः सुरा ये च सिद्धमुनयः पुरातनाः । तेऽपि योगबलिनो विमोहिता लीलया तदबलाभिरद्भुतम्

brahmaviṣṇugiriśādayaḥ surā ye ca siddhamunayaḥ purātanāḥ te'pi yogabalino vimohitā līlayā tadabalābhiradbhutam

"Even Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and other gods, and the ancient Siddhas and sages, mighty in yoga, have been wondrously bewildered by the mere play of women.

Verse 48 (padma.6.128.48)

योषितां नयनतीक्ष्णसायकैर्भ्रूलतासुदृढचापनिर्गतैः । धन्विनामकरकेतुना हतः कस्य नो पतति हा मनोमृगः

yoṣitāṁ nayanatīkṣṇasāyakairbhrūlatāsudṛḍhacāpanirgataiḥ dhanvināmakaraketunā hataḥ kasya no patati hā manomṛgaḥ

Whose deer-like mind does not fall, struck by the sharp arrows of women's eyes, released from the bow of their eyebrow-vines, aimed by the archer bearing the makara-banner?

Verse 49 (padma.6.128.49)

तावदेव नयधीर्विराजते तावदेव जनता भयं भजेत् । तावदेव दृढचित्तता भृशं तावदेव गणना कुलस्य च

tāvadeva nayadhīrvirājate tāvadeva janatā bhayaṁ bhajet tāvadeva dṛḍhacittatā bhṛśaṁ tāvadeva gaṇanā kulasya ca

Only so long does prudent judgment shine, only so long do people feel proper fear, only so long does firmness of mind truly remain, and only so long does regard for one's family remain —

Verse 50 (padma.6.128.50)

तावदेव तपसः प्रगल्भता तावदेव यमधारणं नृणाम् । यावदेव वनितेक्षणबाणैर्मोहयंत्युरुमदैर्न मानुषाः

tāvadeva tapasaḥ pragalbhatā tāvadeva yamadhāraṇaṁ nṛṇām yāvadeva vanitekṣaṇabāṇairmohayaṁtyurumadairna mānuṣāḥ

— only so long does boldness in austerity remain, only so long do men hold to their vows of restraint — as long as men are not bewitched by the great intoxicating arrows of women's glances.

Verse 51 (padma.6.128.51)

मोहयंतु मदयंतु रागिणां योषितः सुललितैर्मनोहरैः । मोहयंति मदयंति मामिमं धर्मरक्षणपरं हि कैर्गुणैः

mohayaṁtu madayaṁtu rāgiṇāṁ yoṣitaḥ sulalitairmanoharaiḥ mohayaṁti madayaṁti māmimaṁ dharmarakṣaṇaparaṁ hi kairguṇaiḥ

Let women bewitch and intoxicate passionate men with their charming, delightful graces — but by what qualities could they bewitch and intoxicate me, who am devoted to the protection of dharma?

Verse 52 (padma.6.128.52)

मांसशुक्रमलमूत्रनिर्मिते योषितां वपुषि निर्घृणेऽशुचौ । कामिनश्च परिकल्प्य चारुतां मा रमंतु सुविमूढचेतसः

māṁsaśukramalamūtranirmite yoṣitāṁ vapuṣi nirghṛṇe'śucau kāminaśca parikalpya cārutāṁ mā ramaṁtu suvimūḍhacetasaḥ

In the body of women — made of flesh, semen, filth, and urine, pitiless and impure — let lustful men, deluded in mind, imagine beauty and take their pleasure if they will; I shall not.

Verse 53 (padma.6.128.53)

दारुणो हि परिकीर्तितोंगना सन्निधिर्विमलबुद्धिभिर्बुधैः । यावदत्र न समीपगा इमास्तावदेव हि गृहं व्रजाम्यहम्

dāruṇo hi parikīrtitoṁganā sannidhirvimalabuddhibhirbudhaiḥ yāvadatra na samīpagā imāstāvadeva hi gṛhaṁ vrajāmyaham

The proximity of women is indeed declared terrible by the wise, of clear intellect. Before they draw any nearer, I shall now go home."

Verse 54 (padma.6.128.54)

समीपं तस्य यावद्धि नागच्छंति वरांगनाः । वैष्णवेन प्रभावेण तावदंतर्दधे द्विजः

samīpaṁ tasya yāvaddhi nāgacchaṁti varāṁganāḥ vaiṣṇavena prabhāveṇa tāvadaṁtardadhe dvijaḥ

Before those beautiful women could come near to him, by his Vaishnava power, that brahmin vanished from sight.

Verse 55 (padma.6.128.55)

तस्य योगबलाद्भूप गतस्यादर्शनं तदा । दृष्ट्वा तदद्भुतं कर्म ऋषिपुत्रस्य धीमतः

tasya yogabalādbhūpa gatasyādarśanaṁ tadā dṛṣṭvā tadadbhutaṁ karma ṛṣiputrasya dhīmataḥ

O king, by the power of his yoga, he became invisible as he departed; seeing that wondrous act of the wise sage's son,

Verse 56 (padma.6.128.56)

वित्रस्तनयना बालाः कुरंग्य इव कातराः । संभ्रांत नयनाः शून्या ददृशुस्ता दिशो दश

vitrastanayanā bālāḥ kuraṁgya iva kātarāḥ saṁbhrāṁta nayanāḥ śūnyā dadṛśustā diśo daśa

— the maidens, their eyes wide with fright like frightened does, their eyes bewildered and vacant, looked about in all ten directions.

Verse 57 (padma.6.128.57)

इंद्रजालं स्फुटं वेत्ति मायां जानाति वा पुनः । दृष्टोऽप्यदृष्टरूपोऽभूदित्यूचुश्च परस्परम्

iṁdrajālaṁ sphuṭaṁ vetti māyāṁ jānāti vā punaḥ dṛṣṭo'pyadṛṣṭarūpo'bhūdityūcuśca parasparam

"He clearly knows the arts of illusion, or perhaps sorcery — seen, he has vanished from sight!" — so they said to one another.

Verse 58 (padma.6.128.58)

व्याप्तं तु हृदयं तासां सदैव विरहाग्निना । ज्वलद्दावानलेनेव सुस्निग्धं सांद्र काननम्

vyāptaṁ tu hṛdayaṁ tāsāṁ sadaiva virahāgninā jvaladdāvānaleneva susnigdhaṁ sāṁdra kānanam

Their hearts were now pervaded ever by the fire of separation, like a lush, dense forest pervaded by a raging wildfire.

Verse 59 (padma.6.128.59)

त्यक्त्वैंद्रजालिकीं विद्यां कांत दर्शय सत्वरम् । स्वात्मानं नो मनोयुक्तं प्राग्ग्रासे मक्षिकोपमम्

tyaktvaiṁdrajālikīṁ vidyāṁ kāṁta darśaya satvaram svātmānaṁ no manoyuktaṁ prāggrāse makṣikopamam

"O beloved, giving up your art of illusion, show yourself to us at once — our minds are set upon you, like a fly before its very first bite of food."

Verse 60 (padma.6.128.60)

हा कष्टं दर्शितः कस्माद्धात्रा त्वं घटितः पुनः । ज्ञातं महानुसंतापहेतोर्नस्त्वं विनिर्मितः

hā kaṣṭaṁ darśitaḥ kasmāddhātrā tvaṁ ghaṭitaḥ punaḥ jñātaṁ mahānusaṁtāpahetornastvaṁ vinirmitaḥ

"Alas, what suffering! Why were you shown to us, why were you fashioned by the Creator at all? Now we know — you were made only to be the cause of our great and lasting anguish.

Verse 61 (padma.6.128.61)

कच्चित्ते निर्दयं चेतः कच्चिदस्मासु नो मनः । कच्चिद्धूर्तोऽसि हे कांत कच्चिन्मुष्णासि नो मनः

kaccitte nirdayaṁ cetaḥ kaccidasmāsu no manaḥ kacciddhūrto'si he kāṁta kaccinmuṣṇāsi no manaḥ

Is your heart pitiless? Is your mind not inclined toward us? Are you a deceiver, O beloved? Are you stealing away our minds?

Verse 62 (padma.6.128.62)

कच्चिन्न प्रत्ययोस्मासु कच्चिदऽस्मान्परीक्षसे । कच्चिन्नर्मकलाशीलः कच्चिन्मायाविशारदः

kaccinna pratyayosmāsu kaccida'smānparīkṣase kaccinnarmakalāśīlaḥ kaccinmāyāviśāradaḥ

Do you not trust us? Are you testing us? Are you inclined to playful jest? Are you skilled in illusion?

Verse 63 (padma.6.128.63)

कच्चिच्चित्ते प्रवेष्टुं च वेत्सि विज्ञानलाघवम् । कच्चिन्निष्क्रमणोपायं न जानासि कुतः पुनः

kacciccitte praveṣṭuṁ ca vetsi vijñānalāghavam kaccinniṣkramaṇopāyaṁ na jānāsi kutaḥ punaḥ

Do you know the subtle art of entering our hearts, yet not know the means of leaving them? How could that be?

Verse 64 (padma.6.128.64)

कच्चिद्विनापराधं तु त्वमस्मासु प्रकुप्यसे । कच्चिद्दुःखं विजानासि परेषां विप्रलंभजम्

kaccidvināparādhaṁ tu tvamasmāsu prakupyase kaccidduḥkhaṁ vijānāsi pareṣāṁ vipralaṁbhajam

Are you angry with us without any offense on our part? Do you even know the suffering born of deceiving others?

Verse 65 (padma.6.128.65)

त्वद्दर्शनं विना नूनं हृदयेश्वर सांप्रतम् । न जीवामोऽथ जीवामः पुनस्त्वद्दर्शनाशया

tvaddarśanaṁ vinā nūnaṁ hṛdayeśvara sāṁpratam na jīvāmo'tha jīvāmaḥ punastvaddarśanāśayā

Without the sight of you, O lord of our hearts, we truly cannot live now; or if we live, it is only in the hope of seeing you again.

Verse 66 (padma.6.128.66)

अस्मांश्च नीयतां तत्र यत्र शीघ्रं गतो भवान् । त्वद्दर्शनहरो धाता व्यदधादंकुरच्छिदम्

asmāṁśca nīyatāṁ tatra yatra śīghraṁ gato bhavān tvaddarśanaharo dhātā vyadadhādaṁkuracchidam

Take us too to wherever you have quickly gone. The Creator, who has stolen the sight of you from us, has surely acted as one who cuts down a sprout of hope at its very root.

Verse 67 (padma.6.128.67)

सर्वथा दर्शनं देहि कारुण्यं भज सर्वथा । पर्यंतं न प्रपश्यंति सर्वथा सज्जना जनाः

sarvathā darśanaṁ dehi kāruṇyaṁ bhaja sarvathā paryaṁtaṁ na prapaśyaṁti sarvathā sajjanā janāḥ

By all means, grant us your sight; by all means, show compassion. Good people never see any limit to their kindness."

Verse 68 (padma.6.128.68)

इत्थं विलप्य ताः कन्याः प्रतीक्ष्य च बहुक्षणम् । पितृर्भिया गृहं गंतुं शीघ्रमारेभिरे गतिम्

itthaṁ vilapya tāḥ kanyāḥ pratīkṣya ca bahukṣaṇam pitṛrbhiyā gṛhaṁ gaṁtuṁ śīghramārebhire gatim

Having lamented thus, and having waited a long while, those maidens, out of fear of their fathers, quickly set out to go home.

Verse 69 (padma.6.128.69)

तत्प्रेमनिगडैर्बद्धा भृशं विरह विक्लवाः । कथंचिद्धैर्यमालंब्य ताः स्वं स्वं गृहमागताः

tatpremanigaḍairbaddhā bhṛśaṁ viraha viklavāḥ kathaṁciddhairyamālaṁbya tāḥ svaṁ svaṁ gṛhamāgatāḥ

Bound by the fetters of their love, exceedingly distraught with separation, having somehow mustered courage, they returned each to her own home.

Verse 70 (padma.6.128.70)

आगत्य पतिताः सर्वा जलयंत्रसमीपतः । किमेतन्मातृभिः पृष्टाः कुतः कालात्ययोऽभवत्

āgatya patitāḥ sarvā jalayaṁtrasamīpataḥ kimetanmātṛbhiḥ pṛṣṭāḥ kutaḥ kālātyayo'bhavat

Arriving, they all collapsed near the water-fountain. Asked by their mothers, "What is this? Why are you so late?" —

Verse 71 (padma.6.128.71)

कन्या ऊचुः। क्रीडंत्यः किन्नरीभिस्तु सार्धं संगीतकं मुदा । संस्थितास्तेन न ज्ञातं दिवसादि सरोवरे

kanyā ūcuḥ krīḍaṁtyaḥ kinnarībhistu sārdhaṁ saṁgītakaṁ mudā saṁsthitāstena na jñātaṁ divasādi sarovare

— the maidens said: "Playing joyfully with the Kinnara women, singing together at the lake, we did not notice the passing of the day and so on."

Verse 72 (padma.6.128.72)

पथिश्रांता वयं मातः संतापस्तेन नस्तनौ । मोहेन महता वक्तुं न केनाप्युत्सहामहे

pathiśrāṁtā vayaṁ mātaḥ saṁtāpastena nastanau mohena mahatā vaktuṁ na kenāpyutsahāmahe

"We are weary from the road, mother; hence this fever in our bodies. We are so overcome by confusion that we can bring ourselves to speak of it to no one."

Verse 73 (padma.6.128.73)

इत्युक्त्वा लुलुठुस्तत्र मणिभूमौ कुमारिकाः । आकारं गोपयंत्यस्ता मुग्धा जल्पंति मातृभिः

ityuktvā luluṭhustatra maṇibhūmau kumārikāḥ ākāraṁ gopayaṁtyastā mugdhā jalpaṁti mātṛbhiḥ

Having said this, the maidens flung themselves down there upon the jeweled floor. Concealing their true state, those bewildered girls spoke on with their mothers.

Verse 74 (padma.6.128.74)

काचिन्नर्तयति क्रीडामयूरं न मुदा तदा । न पाठयति तं कीरं पंजरेऽन्या कुतूहलात्

kācinnartayati krīḍāmayūraṁ na mudā tadā na pāṭhayati taṁ kīraṁ paṁjare'nyā kutūhalāt

One of them no longer made her pet peacock dance for joy; another no longer taught, out of curiosity, her caged parrot to speak;

Verse 75 (padma.6.128.75)

लालयेन्नकुलं नान्या नोल्लासयति सारिकाम् । अपरातीव संमुग्धा नैव क्रीडति सारसैः

lālayennakulaṁ nānyā nollāsayati sārikām aparātīva saṁmugdhā naiva krīḍati sārasaiḥ

another no longer fondled her pet mongoose; another no longer delighted her mynah bird; yet another, utterly bewildered, no longer played with her cranes.

Verse 76 (padma.6.128.76)

भेजिरे न विनोदांस्ता रेमिरे नैव मंदिरे । ऊचिरे बांधवैर्नालं वीणावाद्यं न चक्रिरे

bhejire na vinodāṁstā remire naiva maṁdire ūcire bāṁdhavairnālaṁ vīṇāvādyaṁ na cakrire

They took no pleasure in their amusements, found no delight even in their own chambers, could not bring themselves to speak with their kinsfolk, and did not play the vina.

Verse 77 (padma.6.128.77)

कल्पद्रुमप्रसूनं यद्रसवत्तु सुधोपमम् । मंदारकुसुमामोदि न पपुर्मधुरं मधु

kalpadrumaprasūnaṁ yadrasavattu sudhopamam maṁdārakusumāmodi na papurmadhuraṁ madhu

They did not drink the sweet nectar, rich as ambrosia, of the wish-fulfilling tree's blossoms, fragrant with mandara flowers.

Verse 78 (padma.6.128.78)

योगिन्य इव ताः कन्या नासाग्रन्यस्तलोचनाः । अलक्ष्यध्यानसंतानाः पुरुषोत्तममानसाः

yoginya iva tāḥ kanyā nāsāgranyastalocanāḥ alakṣyadhyānasaṁtānāḥ puruṣottamamānasāḥ

Like female yogis, those maidens, their eyes fixed upon the tip of the nose, in an unbroken, unseen meditation, their minds fixed upon that best of men,

Verse 79 (padma.6.128.79)

चंद्रकांतमणिच्छन्ने स्रवद्वारिकणद्रवे । क्षणं वातायने स्थित्वा जलयंत्रेक्षणं क्षणात्

caṁdrakāṁtamaṇicchanne sravadvārikaṇadrave kṣaṇaṁ vātāyane sthitvā jalayaṁtrekṣaṇaṁ kṣaṇāt

— for a moment stood by a window inlaid with moonstones, oozing droplets of water, and then a moment later gazed at the water-fountain,

Verse 80 (padma.6.128.80)

रचयंति क्षणं शय्यां दीर्घिकां भोजिनीदलैः । वीज्यमाना सखीभिस्ताः शीतलैः कदलीदलैः

racayaṁti kṣaṇaṁ śayyāṁ dīrghikāṁ bhojinīdalaiḥ vījyamānā sakhībhistāḥ śītalaiḥ kadalīdalaiḥ

— and for a moment arranged a bed of lotus-leaves by the pool, while their companions fanned them with cool plantain leaves.

Verse 81 (padma.6.128.81)

इत्थं युगसमां रात्रिं मन्वानास्ता वरस्त्रियः । कथंचिद्धीरतां कृत्वा विह्वलाः सज्वरा इव

itthaṁ yugasamāṁ rātriṁ manvānāstā varastriyaḥ kathaṁciddhīratāṁ kṛtvā vihvalāḥ sajvarā iva

Thus, those lovely women, reckoning the night as long as an entire age, somehow steadying themselves, distraught as if feverish —

Verse 82 (padma.6.128.82)

प्रातर्व्योममणिं दृष्ट्वा मन्यमानाः स्वजीवितम् । विज्ञाप्य मातरं स्वां स्वां गौरीं पूजयितुं गताः

prātarvyomamaṇiṁ dṛṣṭvā manyamānāḥ svajīvitam vijñāpya mātaraṁ svāṁ svāṁ gaurīṁ pūjayituṁ gatāḥ

— seeing at dawn the jewel of the sky, regarding it as their very life, informed their respective mothers and went to worship Gauri.

Verse 83 (padma.6.128.83)

स्नात्वा तेन विधानेन पुष्पैर्धूपैर्यथा तथा । विधाय पूजनं देव्या गायंत्यस्तत्र ताः स्थिताः

snātvā tena vidhānena puṣpairdhūpairyathā tathā vidhāya pūjanaṁ devyā gāyaṁtyastatra tāḥ sthitāḥ

Having bathed and, in the same manner as before, with flowers and incense, having performed the goddess's worship, they stood there singing.

Verse 84 (padma.6.128.84)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे विप्रः स्नातुं सोऽपि समागतः । पित्राश्रमपदात्तस्मादच्छोदे च सरोवरे

etasminnaṁtare vipraḥ snātuṁ so'pi samāgataḥ pitrāśramapadāttasmādacchode ca sarovare

In the meantime, that brahmin too had come to that same Lake Achchhoda to bathe, from his father's hermitage.

Verse 85 (padma.6.128.85)

मित्रं दृष्ट्वैव रात्र्यंते नलिन्य इव कन्यकाः । उत्फुल्लनयना जातास्तं दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्मचारिणम्

mitraṁ dṛṣṭvaiva rātryaṁte nalinya iva kanyakāḥ utphullanayanā jātāstaṁ dṛṣṭvā brahmacāriṇam

Like lotuses at the sight of their friend the sun at the end of night, the maidens, on seeing that celibate student, blossomed, their eyes wide with joy.

Verse 86 (padma.6.128.86)

गत्वा तदैव ताः कन्याः समीपं ब्रह्मचारिणः । सव्यापसव्यबंधेन भुजपाशं च चक्रिरे

gatvā tadaiva tāḥ kanyāḥ samīpaṁ brahmacāriṇaḥ savyāpasavyabaṁdhena bhujapāśaṁ ca cakrire

Going at once to the celibate student's side, those maidens formed a noose of arms around him, binding him from left and right.

Verse 87 (padma.6.128.87)

गतोऽसि धूर्त पूर्वेद्युर्गंतुमद्य न शक्यसे । वृतस्त्वं नूनमस्माभिर्नात्र तेऽस्तु विचारणा

gato'si dhūrta pūrvedyurgaṁtumadya na śakyase vṛtastvaṁ nūnamasmābhirnātra te'stu vicāraṇā

"You escaped us the other day, deceiver — but today you shall not be able to leave! You have surely been chosen by us; let there be no argument about it."

Verse 88 (padma.6.128.88)

इत्युक्तो ब्राह्मणः प्राह प्रसन्बाहुपाशगः । युष्माभिरुच्यते भद्रमनुकूलं प्रियं वचः

ityukto brāhmaṇaḥ prāha prasanbāhupāśagaḥ yuṣmābhirucyate bhadramanukūlaṁ priyaṁ vacaḥ

Thus addressed, held within their circle of arms, the brahmin spoke calmly: "Good and pleasant, agreeable words are spoken by you.

Verse 89 (padma.6.128.89)

प्रथमाश्रमनिष्ठस्य किंतु नाद्यापि मे व्रतम् । वेदाभ्यसनशीलस्य पारं याति गुरोः कुले

prathamāśramaniṣṭhasya kiṁtu nādyāpi me vratam vedābhyasanaśīlasya pāraṁ yāti guroḥ kule

But my vow, established in the first stage of life, devoted to the study of the Veda, has not yet reached its completion at my guru's house.

Verse 90 (padma.6.128.90)

आश्रमे यत्र यो धर्मो रक्षणीयः स पंडितैः । विवाहोऽयमतो मन्ये न धर्म इति कन्यकाः

āśrame yatra yo dharmo rakṣaṇīyaḥ sa paṁḍitaiḥ vivāho'yamato manye na dharma iti kanyakāḥ

Whatever dharma belongs to whatever stage of life must be protected by the wise. Therefore, O maidens, I consider that this marriage would not be dharma for me now."

Verse 91 (padma.6.128.91)

आकर्ण्य तस्य वाक्यानि तमूचुस्ता वचस्ततः । सकलध्वनिसोत्कंठाः कोकिला इव माधवे

ākarṇya tasya vākyāni tamūcustā vacastataḥ sakaladhvanisotkaṁṭhāḥ kokilā iva mādhave

Hearing his words, they then spoke to him, their voices all eager, like cuckoos in springtime:

Verse 92 (padma.6.128.92)

धर्मादर्थोर्थतः कामः कामाद्धर्मफलोदयः । इत्येव निश्चितं शास्त्रं वर्णयंति विपश्चितः

dharmādarthorthataḥ kāmaḥ kāmāddharmaphalodayaḥ ityeva niścitaṁ śāstraṁ varṇayaṁti vipaścitaḥ

"From dharma comes wealth, from wealth comes desire, and from desire arises the fruit of dharma — this is precisely how the wise describe the settled teaching of the scriptures.

Verse 93 (padma.6.128.93)

सकामो धर्मबाहुल्यात्पुरस्ते समुपागतः । सेव्यतां विविधैर्भोगैः स्वर्गभूमिरियं ततः

sakāmo dharmabāhulyātpuraste samupāgataḥ sevyatāṁ vividhairbhogaiḥ svargabhūmiriyaṁ tataḥ

"Because of the abundance of your own dharma, this desire has come before you of its own accord; enjoy, then, this earth that is as good as heaven, through manifold pleasures."

Verse 94 (padma.6.128.94)

श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं तासां प्राह गंभीरया गिरा । तथ्यं वो वचनं किंतु समाप्येह स्वकं व्रतम्

śrutvā tadvacanaṁ tāsāṁ prāha gaṁbhīrayā girā tathyaṁ vo vacanaṁ kiṁtu samāpyeha svakaṁ vratam

Hearing their words, he spoke in a deep voice: "Your words are true; but I must first complete my own vow here.

Verse 95 (padma.6.128.95)

प्राप्यनुज्ञां गुरोः सर्वं वैवाहं कर्म नान्यथा । इत्युक्त्वा पुनरूचुस्ताः स्फुटं मूढोऽसि सुन्दरः

prāpyanujñāṁ guroḥ sarvaṁ vaivāhaṁ karma nānyathā ityuktvā punarūcustāḥ sphuṭaṁ mūḍho'si sundaraḥ

Only after obtaining the permission of my guru may I engage in all marital acts, not otherwise." Having said this — they replied again: "You are clearly foolish, O handsome one!

Verse 96 (padma.6.128.96)

दिव्यौषधं ब्रह्मरसायनं च सिद्धिर्निधेः साधुकला वरांगनाः । मंत्रस्तथा सिद्धिरसश्च धर्मतो नेमा निषेध्याः सुधिया समागताः

divyauṣadhaṁ brahmarasāyanaṁ ca siddhirnidheḥ sādhukalā varāṁganāḥ maṁtrastathā siddhirasaśca dharmato nemā niṣedhyāḥ sudhiyā samāgatāḥ

Divine herbs, the elixir of Brahma, the accomplishment of a hidden treasure, a well-mastered art, excellent women, a mantra, or the elixir of alchemical accomplishment — a wise man, when these come to him of themselves, should not, in accordance with dharma, refuse any of these.

Verse 97 (padma.6.128.97)

कार्यं हि दैवाद्यदि सिद्धमागतं तस्मिन्नुपेक्षां न च याति नीतिगः । यस्मादुपेक्षा न पुनः फलप्रदा तस्मान्न दीर्घीकरणं प्रशस्यते

kāryaṁ hi daivādyadi siddhamāgataṁ tasminnupekṣāṁ na ca yāti nītigaḥ yasmādupekṣā na punaḥ phalapradā tasmānna dīrghīkaraṇaṁ praśasyate

When a task, already accomplished by fate, comes of itself, one who follows sound policy does not neglect it; since neglect never again yields fruit, delaying it is not praised.

Verse 98 (padma.6.128.98)

सांद्रानुरागाः कुलजन्मनिर्मलाः स्नेहार्द्रचित्ताः सुगिरः स्वयंवराः । कन्याः सुरूपाः खलु चारुयौवना धन्या लभंतेऽत्र नरास्तु नेतरे

sāṁdrānurāgāḥ kulajanmanirmalāḥ snehārdracittāḥ sugiraḥ svayaṁvarāḥ kanyāḥ surūpāḥ khalu cāruyauvanā dhanyā labhaṁte'tra narāstu netare

Deeply devoted, of spotless family birth, their hearts moist with love, sweet-spoken, choosing their own husbands, of beautiful form, and of lovely youth — such maidens are indeed obtained only by fortunate men here, and by no others.

Verse 99 (padma.6.128.99)

क्व वयं वरसुन्दर्यः क्व चाऽयं तापसो बटुः । दुर्घटस्य विधाने हि मन्ये धातातिपंडितः

kva vayaṁ varasundaryaḥ kva cā'yaṁ tāpaso baṭuḥ durghaṭasya vidhāne hi manye dhātātipaṁḍitaḥ

Where are we, beautiful and excellent, and where is this ascetic student? In arranging so improbable a match, I think the Creator must be exceedingly wise indeed.

Verse 100 (padma.6.128.100)

तस्मादस्मानिदानीं तु स्वीकुर्यान्मंगलं भवान् । गांधर्वेण विवाहेन ह्यन्यथा नो न जीवितम्

tasmādasmānidānīṁ tu svīkuryānmaṁgalaṁ bhavān gāṁdharveṇa vivāhena hyanyathā no na jīvitam

"Therefore, may you now graciously accept us in the auspicious Gandharva form of marriage; otherwise we cannot live."

Verse 101 (padma.6.128.101)

श्रुतवाक्यस्ततः प्राह ब्राह्मणो धर्मवित्तमः । भो मृगाक्ष्यः कथं त्याज्यो धर्मो धर्मधनैर्नरैः

śrutavākyastataḥ prāha brāhmaṇo dharmavittamaḥ bho mṛgākṣyaḥ kathaṁ tyājyo dharmo dharmadhanairnaraiḥ

Having heard their words, the brahmin, most learned in dharma, then said: "O doe-eyed ones, how can men whose wealth is dharma abandon dharma?

Verse 102 (padma.6.128.102)

धर्मश्चार्थश्च कामश्च मोक्षश्चैतच्चतुष्टयम् । यथोक्तं सफलं ज्ञेयं विपरीतं तु निष्फलम्

dharmaścārthaśca kāmaśca mokṣaścaitaccatuṣṭayam yathoktaṁ saphalaṁ jñeyaṁ viparītaṁ tu niṣphalam

Dharma, artha, kama, and moksha — these four, when pursued in their proper order, should be known to be fruitful; but pursued in reverse order, they are fruitless.

Verse 103 (padma.6.128.103)

नाकालेहं व्रती कुर्यामतो दारपरिग्रहम् । न क्रियाफलमाप्नोति क्रियाकालं न वेत्ति यः

nākālehaṁ vratī kuryāmato dāraparigraham na kriyāphalamāpnoti kriyākālaṁ na vetti yaḥ

Being under a vow, I shall not therefore take a wife out of season; one who does not know the proper time for an act does not obtain the fruit of that act.

Verse 104 (padma.6.128.104)

यतो धर्मविचारेऽस्मिन्प्रसक्तं मम मानसम् । तस्माच्छृणुत हे कन्या न समीहे स्वयंवरम्

yato dharmavicāre'sminprasaktaṁ mama mānasam tasmācchṛṇuta he kanyā na samīhe svayaṁvaram

"Since my mind is fixed upon this deliberation of dharma, therefore, O maidens, hear this: I do not desire a self-choice marriage."

Verse 105 (padma.6.128.105)

एवं ज्ञात्वाशयं तस्य समीक्ष्यैताः परस्परम् । करात्करं विमुच्याथ जग्राहांघ्री प्रमोदिनी

evaṁ jñātvāśayaṁ tasya samīkṣyaitāḥ parasparam karātkaraṁ vimucyātha jagrāhāṁghrī pramodinī

Understanding his intent thus, and glancing at one another, these maidens, releasing hand from hand, then acted: Pramodini seized his feet;

Verse 106 (padma.6.128.106)

भुजौ जग्रहतुस्तस्य सुशीला सस्वरा तथा । आलिलिंग सुतारा च चुचुंबे चंद्रिकामुखम्

bhujau jagrahatustasya suśīlā sasvarā tathā āliliṁga sutārā ca cucuṁbe caṁdrikāmukham

Sushila and Susvara together seized his two arms; Sutara embraced him; and Chandrika kissed his face.

Verse 107 (padma.6.128.107)

तथापि निर्विकारोऽसौ प्रलयानलसन्निभः । शशाप ब्रह्मचारी ताः क्रोधेनात्यंतमूर्च्छितः

tathāpi nirvikāro'sau pralayānalasannibhaḥ śaśāpa brahmacārī tāḥ krodhenātyaṁtamūrcchitaḥ

Even so, unmoved, blazing like the fire of universal dissolution, that celibate student, overcome with extreme anger, cursed them:

Verse 108 (padma.6.128.108)

पिशाच्य इव मां लग्नास्तत्पिशाच्यो भविष्यथ । एवं तेनाशु शप्तास्तास्तं संत्यज्य पुरास्थिताः

piśācya iva māṁ lagnāstatpiśācyo bhaviṣyatha evaṁ tenāśu śaptāstāstaṁ saṁtyajya purāsthitāḥ

"Since you have clung to me like she-demons, you shall become Pishachis!" Thus quickly cursed by him, they, abandoning him, stood before him and said —

Verse 109 (padma.6.128.109)

किमेतच्चेष्टितं पाप ह्यनागसि जने त्वया । प्रिये कृत्येऽप्रियं कृत्वा धिक्ता धर्मज्ञतां तव

kimetacceṣṭitaṁ pāpa hyanāgasi jane tvayā priye kṛtye'priyaṁ kṛtvā dhiktā dharmajñatāṁ tava

"What is this act of yours, O sinner, against people who have done you no wrong? Having acted unkindly in a matter meant to please you, shame on your so-called knowledge of dharma!

Verse 110 (padma.6.128.110)

अनुरक्तेषु भक्तेषु मित्रेषु द्रोहकारिणः । पुंसो लोकद्वये सौख्यं नाशं यातीति नः श्रुतम्

anurakteṣu bhakteṣu mitreṣu drohakāriṇaḥ puṁso lokadvaye saukhyaṁ nāśaṁ yātīti naḥ śrutam

We have heard that the happiness, in both worlds, of a man who does harm to devoted, loving friends comes to ruin.

Verse 111 (padma.6.128.111)

तस्मात्त्वमपि नः शापात्पिशाचो भव सत्वरम् । इत्युक्त्वोपरता बाला निःश्वसंत्यः क्षुधाकुलाः

tasmāttvamapi naḥ śāpātpiśāco bhava satvaram ityuktvoparatā bālā niḥśvasaṁtyaḥ kṣudhākulāḥ

"Therefore, may you too, by our curse, quickly become a Pishacha!" Having said this, the maidens fell silent, sighing, tormented by hunger.

Verse 112 (padma.6.128.112)

तदा चान्योन्यसंरंभात्तस्मिन्सरसि पार्थिव । ताः कन्या ब्रह्मचारी सः सर्वे पैशाचमागताः

tadā cānyonyasaṁraṁbhāttasminsarasi pārthiva tāḥ kanyā brahmacārī saḥ sarve paiśācamāgatāḥ

Then, O king, through this mutual rage, at that lake, those maidens and that celibate student — all of them attained the state of Pishachas.

Verse 113 (padma.6.128.113)

पिशाच्याः स पिशाचश्च क्रंदमानाः सुदारुणम । क्षपयंति विपाकं तं पूर्वोपात्तस्य कर्मणः

piśācyāḥ sa piśācaśca kraṁdamānāḥ sudāruṇama kṣapayaṁti vipākaṁ taṁ pūrvopāttasya karmaṇaḥ

The she-demons and that he-demon, crying out most terribly, thus exhaust the ripening of a deed committed long before.

Verse 114 (padma.6.128.114)

स्वकाले तु फलत्येव पूर्वोपात्तं शुभाशुभम् । स्वच्छाया इव दुर्वारं देवानामपि पार्थिव

svakāle tu phalatyeva pūrvopāttaṁ śubhāśubham svacchāyā iva durvāraṁ devānāmapi pārthiva

O king, whatever good or evil has been committed before certainly bears fruit in its own time, unavoidable, like one's own shadow, even for the gods.

Verse 115 (padma.6.128.115)

क्रंदंति पितरस्तासां मातरस्तत्र तस्य च । अप्रमादश्च बालानां दैवं हि दुरतिक्रमम्

kraṁdaṁti pitarastāsāṁ mātarastatra tasya ca apramādaśca bālānāṁ daivaṁ hi duratikramam

The fathers and mothers of those maidens, and of that young man, wept there; yet the young people were not to blame — fate, indeed, cannot be transgressed.

Verse 116 (padma.6.128.116)

तत ऊर्ध्वं पिशाचास्ते आहारार्थे सुदुःखिताः । इतस्ततश्च धावंतो वसंति सरसस्तटे

tata ūrdhvaṁ piśācāste āhārārthe suduḥkhitāḥ itastataśca dhāvaṁto vasaṁti sarasastaṭe

From then on, those Pishachas, greatly afflicted for the sake of food, running here and there, dwelt on the shore of that lake.

Verse 117 (padma.6.128.117)

एवं बहुतिथे काले लोमशो मुनिसत्तमः । पौषे मासि चतुर्दश्यामच्छोदे स्नातुमागतः

evaṁ bahutithe kāle lomaśo munisattamaḥ pauṣe māsi caturdaśyāmacchode snātumāgataḥ

Thus, after a long time had passed, the great sage Lomasha came to bathe at Achchhoda, on the fourteenth day of the month of Pausha.

Verse 118 (padma.6.128.118)

दृष्ट्वा तं ब्राह्मणं सर्वे पिशाचाः क्षुत्समाकुलाः । धावंतो हंतुकामास्ते मिलित्वा यूथवर्तिनः

dṛṣṭvā taṁ brāhmaṇaṁ sarve piśācāḥ kṣutsamākulāḥ dhāvaṁto haṁtukāmāste militvā yūthavartinaḥ

Seeing that brahmin, all the Pishachas, tormented by hunger, ran toward him, gathered together in a pack, wishing to kill him.

Verse 119 (padma.6.128.119)

दह्यमानासु तीव्रेण तेजसा लोमशस्य च । असमर्थाः पुरःस्थातुं सर्वे ते दूरतः स्थिताः

dahyamānāsu tīvreṇa tejasā lomaśasya ca asamarthāḥ puraḥsthātuṁ sarve te dūrataḥ sthitāḥ

But being burnt by the intense splendor of Lomasha, unable to stand before him, all of them remained at a distance.

Verse 120 (padma.6.128.120)

तत्र वेदनिधिर्विप्रस्तदैव हि समागतः । समीक्ष्य लोमशं राजन्साष्टांगं प्रणिपत्य सः

tatra vedanidhirviprastadaiva hi samāgataḥ samīkṣya lomaśaṁ rājansāṣṭāṁgaṁ praṇipatya saḥ

There the brahmin Vedanidhi too arrived just then; and, O king, seeing Lomasha, he prostrated himself, touching the ground with eight limbs,

Verse 121 (padma.6.128.121)

उवाच सूनृतां वाचं बद्ध्वा शिरसि चांजलिम् । महाभाग्योदये विप्र साधूनां संगतिर्भवेत्

uvāca sūnṛtāṁ vācaṁ baddhvā śirasi cāṁjalim mahābhāgyodaye vipra sādhūnāṁ saṁgatirbhavet

— and, joining his hands to his head, spoke gentle words: "O brahmin, only when great fortune arises does the company of the virtuous come about.

Verse 122 (padma.6.128.122)

गंगादिसर्वतीर्थेषु यो नरः स्नाति सर्वदा । यः करोति सतां संगं तयोः सत्संगतिर्वरा

gaṁgādisarvatīrtheṣu yo naraḥ snāti sarvadā yaḥ karoti satāṁ saṁgaṁ tayoḥ satsaṁgatirvarā

Between the man who ever bathes in all the tirthas beginning with the Ganga, and the man who keeps the company of the virtuous — the company of the good is superior.

Verse 123 (padma.6.128.123)

गुरूणां संगमो विप्र दृष्टादृष्टफलो भुवि । स्वर्गदो रोगहारी च किंतु सोपद्रवो मतः

gurūṇāṁ saṁgamo vipra dṛṣṭādṛṣṭaphalo bhuvi svargado rogahārī ca kiṁtu sopadravo mataḥ

O brahmin, the company of elders bears fruit both seen and unseen on this earth; it bestows heaven and removes disease, but it is thought to bring some risk too."

Verse 124 (padma.6.128.124)

इत्युक्त्वा कथयामास पूर्ववृत्तांतमद्भुतम् । इमा गंधर्वकन्यास्ता बटुः सोऽयं ममात्मजः

ityuktvā kathayāmāsa pūrvavṛttāṁtamadbhutam imā gaṁdharvakanyāstā baṭuḥ so'yaṁ mamātmajaḥ

Having said this, he related the whole wondrous former story: "These are those Gandharva maidens, and that young student is my own son.

Verse 125 (padma.6.128.125)

सर्वे पिशाचरूपेण मिथः शापविमोहिताः । दीनाननास्तु तिष्ठंति तवाग्रे मुनिसत्तम

sarve piśācarūpeṇa mithaḥ śāpavimohitāḥ dīnānanāstu tiṣṭhaṁti tavāgre munisattama

All of them, through a mutual curse, have taken on the form of Pishachas, and, their faces downcast, stand here before you, O best of sages.

Verse 126 (padma.6.128.126)

त्वद्दर्शनेन बालानां निस्तारोऽद्य भविष्यति । सूर्योदये तमः स्तोमः किं न लीयेत गह्वरे

tvaddarśanena bālānāṁ nistāro'dya bhaviṣyati sūryodaye tamaḥ stomaḥ kiṁ na līyeta gahvare

By the sight of you, the deliverance of these young people shall now come about. Does not the mass of darkness dissolve into its hiding-place at sunrise?"

Verse 127 (padma.6.128.127)

श्रुत्वा तल्लोमशो राजन्कृपार्द्रीकृतमानसः । प्रत्युवाच महातेजास्तं मुनिं पुत्रदुःखितम्

śrutvā tallomaśo rājankṛpārdrīkṛtamānasaḥ pratyuvāca mahātejāstaṁ muniṁ putraduḥkhitam

Hearing this, O king, Lomasha, his mind melted with compassion, that man of great splendor replied to the sage grieving for his son:

Verse 128 (padma.6.128.128)

मत्प्रसादाच्च बालानां स्मृतिः सपदि जायताम् । धर्मं च वच्मि तं येन मिथः शापो लयं व्रजेत्

matprasādācca bālānāṁ smṛtiḥ sapadi jāyatām dharmaṁ ca vacmi taṁ yena mithaḥ śāpo layaṁ vrajet

"By my grace, let memory arise at once in these young people; and I shall tell that dharma by which the mutual curse shall come to dissolution."

Verse 129 (padma.6.128.129)

वेदनिधिरुवाच। महर्षे कथ्यतां धर्मो मुच्यंते येन बालकाः । नायं कालो विलंबस्य शापाग्निर्दारुणो यतः

vedanidhiruvāca maharṣe kathyatāṁ dharmo mucyaṁte yena bālakāḥ nāyaṁ kālo vilaṁbasya śāpāgnirdāruṇo yataḥ

Vedanidhi said: "O great sage, tell that dharma by which the children may be freed; this is not the time for delay, since the fire of the curse is terrible."

Verse 130 (padma.6.128.130)

लोमश उवाच। मया सार्धं प्रकुर्वंतु माघस्नानं विधानतः । शापान्मुच्यंति माघांते नान्यथा निष्कृतिर्भवेत्

lomaśa uvāca mayā sārdhaṁ prakurvaṁtu māghasnānaṁ vidhānataḥ śāpānmucyaṁti māghāṁte nānyathā niṣkṛtirbhavet

Lomasha said: "Let them perform, together with me, the Magha bath according to procedure. At the end of Magha they shall be freed from the curse; there is no other means of atonement.

Verse 131 (padma.6.128.131)

शापः पापफलं विप्र पापनाशो भवेन्नृणाम् । माघस्नानेन तीर्थे च इति मे निश्चिता मतिः

śāpaḥ pāpaphalaṁ vipra pāpanāśo bhavennṛṇām māghasnānena tīrthe ca iti me niścitā matiḥ

O brahmin, a curse is the fruit of sin; the destruction of sin comes to men through the Magha bath at a tirtha — this is my settled conviction.

Verse 132 (padma.6.128.132)

सप्तजन्मकृतं पापं वर्तमानं च पातकम् । माघस्नानं दहेत्सर्वं पुण्यतीर्थे विशेषतः

saptajanmakṛtaṁ pāpaṁ vartamānaṁ ca pātakam māghasnānaṁ dahetsarvaṁ puṇyatīrthe viśeṣataḥ

The Magha bath burns away all sin committed over seven births, and present sin as well, especially at a sacred tirtha.

Verse 133 (padma.6.128.133)

प्रायश्चित्तं न पश्यंति यस्मिन्पापे मुनीश्वराः । पातकं पुण्यतीर्थेषु नश्येत्तदपि माघतः

prāyaścittaṁ na paśyaṁti yasminpāpe munīśvarāḥ pātakaṁ puṇyatīrtheṣu naśyettadapi māghataḥ

Even a sin for which the great sages see no atonement — that sin too is destroyed at sacred tirthas through Magha."

Verse 134 (padma.6.128.134)

ज्ञानकृन्मानसे माघस्तस्मान्मोक्षफलप्रदः । हिमवत्पृष्ठतीर्थेषु सर्वपापप्रणाशनः

jñānakṛnmānase māghastasmānmokṣaphalapradaḥ himavatpṛṣṭhatīrtheṣu sarvapāpapraṇāśanaḥ

Magha at Manasa lake produces knowledge, and therefore bestows the fruit of liberation; at the tirthas on the ridge of the Himalayas, it destroys all sin.

Verse 135 (padma.6.128.135)

इंद्रलोकप्रदोच्छोदे निर्दिष्टो वेदवादिभिः । सर्वपापहरो माघो मोक्षदो बदरीवने

iṁdralokapradocchode nirdiṣṭo vedavādibhiḥ sarvapāpaharo māgho mokṣado badarīvane

At Achchhoda it is declared by the followers of the Veda to grant the world of Indra; Magha, remover of all sin, grants liberation in the Badari forest.

Verse 136 (padma.6.128.136)

पापहा दुःखहारी च सर्वकामफलप्रदः । रुद्रलोकप्रदो माघो नार्मदे पापनाशनः

pāpahā duḥkhahārī ca sarvakāmaphalapradaḥ rudralokaprado māgho nārmade pāpanāśanaḥ

Removing sin, taking away sorrow, bestowing the fruit of every desire, Magha grants the world of Rudra; at the Narmada, it is the destroyer of sin.

Verse 137 (padma.6.128.137)

यामुनः सूर्यलोकाय भवेत्कल्मषनाशनः । सारस्वतोऽघविध्वंसी ब्रह्मलोकफलप्रदः

yāmunaḥ sūryalokāya bhavetkalmaṣanāśanaḥ sārasvato'ghavidhvaṁsī brahmalokaphalapradaḥ

At the Yamuna it destroys stain and leads to the world of the Sun; at the Sarasvati it destroys sin and grants the fruit of the world of Brahma.

Verse 138 (padma.6.128.138)

विशालफलदो माघो विशालायां द्विजोत्तम । पातकेंधनदावाग्निर्गर्भहेतु क्रियापहः

viśālaphalado māgho viśālāyāṁ dvijottama pātakeṁdhanadāvāgnirgarbhahetu kriyāpahaḥ

O best of brahmins, Magha at Vishala grants vast fruit — a wildfire consuming the fuel of sin, and a remover of the very cause of rebirth in the womb.

Verse 139 (padma.6.128.139)

विष्णुलोकाय मोक्षाय जाह्नवः परिकीर्तितः । शरयू गंडकी सिंधुश्चंद्रभागा च कौशिकी

viṣṇulokāya mokṣāya jāhnavaḥ parikīrtitaḥ śarayū gaṁḍakī siṁdhuścaṁdrabhāgā ca kauśikī

It is declared that Magha bathing in the Ganga leads to the world of Vishnu, for liberation; likewise in the Sarayu, Gandaki, Sindhu, Chandrabhaga, and Kaushiki,

Verse 140 (padma.6.128.140)

तापी गोदावरी भीमा पयोष्णी कृष्णवेणिका । कावेरी तुंगभद्रा च अन्या याश्च समुद्रगाः

tāpī godāvarī bhīmā payoṣṇī kṛṣṇaveṇikā kāverī tuṁgabhadrā ca anyā yāśca samudragāḥ

— the Tapi, Godavari, Bhima, Payoshni, Krishnaveni, Kaveri, Tungabhadra, and other rivers that flow to the sea —

Verse 141 (padma.6.128.141)

आशु माघी नरो याति स्वर्गलोकं विकल्मषः । नैमिषे विष्णुसायुज्यं पुष्करे ब्रह्मणोंतिकम्

āśu māghī naro yāti svargalokaṁ vikalmaṣaḥ naimiṣe viṣṇusāyujyaṁ puṣkare brahmaṇoṁtikam

— a man observing Magha there goes swiftly, freed of stain, to the world of heaven. At Naimisha, it grants union with Vishnu; at Pushkara, nearness to Brahma;

Verse 142 (padma.6.128.142)

आखंडलस्य लोको हि कुरुक्षेत्रे तु माघतः । माघो देवह्रदे विप्र योगसिद्धिफलप्रदः

ākhaṁḍalasya loko hi kurukṣetre tu māghataḥ māgho devahrade vipra yogasiddhiphalapradaḥ

— at Kurukshetra, through Magha, it grants the world of Indra. O brahmin, Magha at the Lake of the Gods bestows the fruit of yogic accomplishment.

Verse 143 (padma.6.128.143)

प्रभासे मकरादित्ये स्नानाद्रुद्रगणो भवेत् । देवक्यां देवतादेहो नरो भवति माघतः

prabhāse makarāditye snānādrudragaṇo bhavet devakyāṁ devatādeho naro bhavati māghataḥ

At Prabhasa, through bathing when the sun is in Capricorn, one becomes one of Rudra's hosts; at the river Devika, a man attains a divine body through Magha.

Verse 144 (padma.6.128.144)

माघस्नानेन भो विप्र गोमत्यां न पुनर्भवः । हेमकूटे महाकाले ॐकारे अमरेश्वरे

māghasnānena bho vipra gomatyāṁ na punarbhavaḥ hemakūṭe mahākāle ॐkāre amareśvare

O brahmin, through the Magha bath at the Gomati, there is no rebirth; likewise at Hemakuta, Mahakala, Omkara, and Amareshvara,

Verse 145 (padma.6.128.145)

नीलकंठेर्बुदे माघाद्रुद्रलोके महीयते । सर्वासां सरितां विप्र संगमे मकरे रवौ

nīlakaṁṭherbude māghādrudraloke mahīyate sarvāsāṁ saritāṁ vipra saṁgame makare ravau

— and at Nilakantha and Arbuda, through Magha, one is glorified in the world of Rudra. O brahmin, at the confluence of all rivers, when the sun is in Capricorn,

Verse 146 (padma.6.128.146)

स्नानेन सर्वकामानामवाप्तिर्जायते नृणाम् । माघस्तु प्राप्यते धन्यैः प्रयागे द्विजसत्तम । अपुनर्भवदं तत्र सितासितजलं यतः

snānena sarvakāmānāmavāptirjāyate nṛṇām māghastu prāpyate dhanyaiḥ prayāge dvijasattama apunarbhavadaṁ tatra sitāsitajalaṁ yataḥ

— by bathing, the attainment of every desire comes about for men. O best of brahmins, Magha is attained by the fortunate at Prayaga, for there the pale-and-dark water grants freedom from rebirth.

Verse 147 (padma.6.128.147)

गायंति देवाः सततं दिविस्था माघः प्रयागे किल नो भविष्यति । स्नानान्नरा यत्र न गर्भवेदनां पश्यंति तिष्ठंति च विष्णुसन्निधौ

gāyaṁti devāḥ satataṁ divisthā māghaḥ prayāge kila no bhaviṣyati snānānnarā yatra na garbhavedanāṁ paśyaṁti tiṣṭhaṁti ca viṣṇusannidhau

The gods, dwelling in heaven, ever sing: "Would that Magha at Prayaga were ours!" — for there, through bathing, men do not experience the pain of the womb, and dwell in the presence of Vishnu.

Verse 148 (padma.6.128.148)

मज्जंति येऽपित्र्यहमत्र मानवास्तीर्थे प्रयागे बहुपापकंचुकाः । व्रजंति ते नो निरयेषु धर्मिणः स्वर्गे शुभे चारु चरंति देववत्

majjaṁti ye'pitryahamatra mānavāstīrthe prayāge bahupāpakaṁcukāḥ vrajaṁti te no nirayeṣu dharmiṇaḥ svarge śubhe cāru caraṁti devavat

Those men, even burdened with the covering of many sins, who plunge for three days into this tirtha of Prayaga, go not to the hells; righteous, they wander beautifully in blessed heaven, like the gods.

Verse 149 (padma.6.128.149)

तीर्थैर्व्रतैर्दानतपोभिरध्वरैः सार्धं विधात्रा तुलया धृतं पुरः । माघे प्रयागस्य तयोर्द्वयोरभून्माघो गरीयानत एव सोऽधिकः

tīrthairvratairdānatapobhiradhvaraiḥ sārdhaṁ vidhātrā tulayā dhṛtaṁ puraḥ māghe prayāgasya tayordvayorabhūnmāgho garīyānata eva so'dhikaḥ

When the merit of tirthas, vows, gifts, austerities, and sacrifices together was once weighed by the Creator in a balance against Magha at Prayaga, of those two, Magha proved the weightier; therefore it is the superior.

Verse 150 (padma.6.128.150)

वातांबुपर्णाशनदेहशोषणैस्तपोभिरुग्रैश्चिरकालसंचितैः । योगैश्च संयांति नरा नतां गतिं स्नानेन माघस्य हि यांति यां गतिम्

vātāṁbuparṇāśanadehaśoṣaṇaistapobhirugraiścirakālasaṁcitaiḥ yogaiśca saṁyāṁti narā natāṁ gatiṁ snānena māghasya hi yāṁti yāṁ gatim

That destination to which men attain through severe austerities long accumulated — subsisting on air, water, or leaves, wasting the body — and through yoga, that very destination they attain merely through the bath of Magha.

Verse 151 (padma.6.128.151)

स्नाताश्च ये मकरभास्करोदये तीर्थे प्रयागे सुरसिंधुसंगमे । तेषां गृहद्वारमलंकरोति किं भृंगावलि कुंजरकर्णताडिता

snātāśca ye makarabhāskarodaye tīrthe prayāge surasiṁdhusaṁgame teṣāṁ gṛhadvāramalaṁkaroti kiṁ bhṛṁgāvali kuṁjarakarṇatāḍitā

For those who have bathed, at the rising of the sun in Capricorn, at the tirtha of Prayaga, at the confluence of the celestial river — does not a row of bees, driven off by an elephant's ear, instead come to adorn the doorway of their house?

Verse 152 (padma.6.128.152)

यो राजसूयाद्धयमेधयज्ञतः स्नानात्फलं संप्रददाति चाधिकम् । पापानि सर्वाणि विलोप्य लीलया नूनं प्रयागः स कथं न सेव्यते

yo rājasūyāddhayamedhayajñataḥ snānātphalaṁ saṁpradadāti cādhikam pāpāni sarvāṇi vilopya līlayā nūnaṁ prayāgaḥ sa kathaṁ na sevyate

That Prayaga which grants, through mere bathing, a fruit greater than that of the Rajasuya or the Ashvamedha sacrifice, effortlessly wiping away all sins — how could it not be resorted to?

Verse 153 (padma.6.128.153)

अवंतिविषये राजा वीरसेनोऽभवत्पुरा । नर्मदातीरमागत्य राजसूयं चकार सः

avaṁtiviṣaye rājā vīraseno'bhavatpurā narmadātīramāgatya rājasūyaṁ cakāra saḥ

Long ago there was a king named Virasena in the region of Avanti; coming to the bank of the Narmada, he performed the Rajasuya sacrifice.

Verse 154 (padma.6.128.154)

षोडशैरश्वमेधैश्च स्वर्णवाटविराजितैः । स्वर्णभूषणयूपाढ्यैरीजे सोऽपि यथाविधि

ṣoḍaśairaśvamedhaiśca svarṇavāṭavirājitaiḥ svarṇabhūṣaṇayūpāḍhyairīje so'pi yathāvidhi

He also duly performed sixteen Ashvamedha sacrifices, resplendent with golden enclosures, rich with golden ornaments and sacrificial posts.

Verse 155 (padma.6.128.155)

प्रददौ धान्यराशींश्च द्विजेभ्यः पर्वतोपमान् । वदान्यो देवताभक्तो गोप्रदः स सुवर्णदः

pradadau dhānyarāśīṁśca dvijebhyaḥ parvatopamān vadānyo devatābhakto gopradaḥ sa suvarṇadaḥ

He gave to brahmins heaps of grain as large as mountains; generous, devoted to the gods, a giver of cows and of gold.

Verse 156 (padma.6.128.156)

ब्राह्मणो भद्रको नाम मूर्खो हीनकुलस्तथा । कृषीवलो दुराचारः सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृतः

brāhmaṇo bhadrako nāma mūrkho hīnakulastathā kṛṣīvalo durācāraḥ sarvadharmabahiṣkṛtaḥ

There was a brahmin named Bhadraka, foolish, of low family, a farmer, of bad conduct, excluded from every dharma —

Verse 157 (padma.6.128.157)

कृषिकर्मसमुद्विग्नो बंधुभिश्चाप्यसंस्कृतः । इतस्ततः परिभ्रम्य निर्गतः क्षुत्प्रपीडितः

kṛṣikarmasamudvigno baṁdhubhiścāpyasaṁskṛtaḥ itastataḥ paribhramya nirgataḥ kṣutprapīḍitaḥ

— distressed by the work of farming, and even lacking the proper rites from his kinsfolk, he wandered here and there and set out, afflicted by hunger.

Verse 158 (padma.6.128.158)

दैवतः सार्थमाविश्य प्रयागं स समागतः । महामाघीं पुरस्कृत्य सस्नौ तत्र दिनत्रयम्

daivataḥ sārthamāviśya prayāgaṁ sa samāgataḥ mahāmāghīṁ puraskṛtya sasnau tatra dinatrayam

By providence, joining a caravan, he came to Prayaga; and, the occasion of the great Magha having arrived, he bathed there for three days.

Verse 159 (padma.6.128.159)

अनघः स्नानमात्रेण भूत्वेह स द्विजोत्तमः । प्रयागाच्चलितस्तत्र पुनर्यस्मात्समागतः

anaghaḥ snānamātreṇa bhūtveha sa dvijottamaḥ prayāgāccalitastatra punaryasmātsamāgataḥ

By that bath alone he became sinless, a foremost brahmin here on earth; and he then departed from Prayaga, back to the place from which he had come.

Verse 160 (padma.6.128.160)

स राजा सोऽपि विप्रश्च विपन्नावेकदा तदा । तयोर्गतिः समादृष्टा मया शक्रस्य सन्निधौ

sa rājā so'pi vipraśca vipannāvekadā tadā tayorgatiḥ samādṛṣṭā mayā śakrasya sannidhau

That king, and that brahmin too, both died at the same time; and I myself saw their destinies alike, in the presence of Shakra —

Verse 161 (padma.6.128.161)

तेजो रूपं बलं स्त्रैणं देवयानं विभूषणम् । पारिजातमयीमाला नृत्यं गीतं तयोः समम्

tejo rūpaṁ balaṁ straiṇaṁ devayānaṁ vibhūṣaṇam pārijātamayīmālā nṛtyaṁ gītaṁ tayoḥ samam

— equal splendor, form, strength, attendant women, celestial chariot, ornaments, garlands made of Parijata flowers, dance, and song for both of them alike.

Verse 162 (padma.6.128.162)

इति दृष्टं हि माहात्म्यं क्षेत्रस्य कथमुच्यते । माघः सितासिते विप्र राजसूयैः समो मतः

iti dṛṣṭaṁ hi māhātmyaṁ kṣetrasya kathamucyate māghaḥ sitāsite vipra rājasūyaiḥ samo mataḥ

Thus was seen the glory of that sacred field — how can it even be described? O brahmin, Magha at the pale-and-dark confluence is held to be equal to even the Rajasuya sacrifices.

Verse 163 (padma.6.128.163)

धनुस्त्रिशतविस्तीर्णे सितनीलांबुसंगमे । अपुनरावृत्तिर्माघी राजसूयी पुनर्भवेत्

dhanustriśatavistīrṇe sitanīlāṁbusaṁgame apunarāvṛttirmāghī rājasūyī punarbhavet

At the confluence of the pale and dark waters, three hundred bow-lengths in extent, Magha bathing brings freedom from return to rebirth, while even the Rajasuya may still result in rebirth.

Verse 164 (padma.6.128.164)

माघमासीय वातोऽपि सितासितजलं स्पृशेत् । अधर्म्यं न स्पृशेन्नूनं महापातकहा हि सः

māghamāsīya vāto'pi sitāsitajalaṁ spṛśet adharmyaṁ na spṛśennūnaṁ mahāpātakahā hi saḥ

Even the wind of the month of Magha, touching the pale-and-dark waters, certainly does not thereafter touch anything unrighteous — for it is indeed a destroyer of great sins.

Verse 165 (padma.6.128.165)

किमत्र बहुनोक्तेन श्रूयतां द्विज निश्चितम् । समुद्भूतफलं पापं तीर्थे माघः प्रणाशयेत्

kimatra bahunoktena śrūyatāṁ dvija niścitam samudbhūtaphalaṁ pāpaṁ tīrthe māghaḥ praṇāśayet

What need is there of saying more here? Hear this with certainty, O brahmin: Magha at the tirtha destroys sin along with whatever fruit has arisen from it.

Verse 166 (padma.6.128.166)

अत्र ते कथयिष्यामि सावधानमतिः शृणु । पिशाचमोचनं नाम इतिहासं पुरातनम् । शृण्वंत्यप्सरसो बालाः शृणोतु त्वत्सुतस्तथा । मत्प्रसादात्स्मृतिर्लब्ध्वा पैशाच्यान्मुक्तिकामिनः

atra te kathayiṣyāmi sāvadhānamatiḥ śṛṇu piśācamocanaṁ nāma itihāsaṁ purātanam śṛṇvaṁtyapsaraso bālāḥ śṛṇotu tvatsutastathā matprasādātsmṛtirlabdhvā paiśācyānmuktikāminaḥ

[Lomasha continues:] "Now I shall tell you — listen with an attentive mind — the ancient story called 'The Release of the Pishachas.' Let the young Apsaras women listen, and let your son listen too, desiring release from their state as Pishachas, having regained memory by my grace."

Verse 167 (padma.6.128.167)

पुरा देवद्युतिर्विप्रो वैष्णवो वेदपारगः

purā devadyutirvipro vaiṣṇavo vedapāragaḥ

Long ago there was a brahmin named Devadyuti, a Vaishnava, learned in the whole of the Veda —

Verse 168 (padma.6.128.168)

पिशाचान्मोचयामास करुणाप्लुतमानसः

piśācānmocayāmāsa karuṇāplutamānasaḥ

— his mind steeped in compassion, he brought about the release of the Pishachas.

Verse 169 (padma.6.128.169)

दिलीप उवाच। कुत्र स्थितः कस्य पुत्रो नियमः कोऽस्य वा जपः । केन वा वैष्णवो वृत्तः के पिशाचाश्च मोचिताः

dilīpa uvāca kutra sthitaḥ kasya putro niyamaḥ ko'sya vā japaḥ kena vā vaiṣṇavo vṛttaḥ ke piśācāśca mocitāḥ

Dilipa said: Where did he dwell, whose son was he, what were his observances or his japa? How did he become a Vaishnava, and who were the Pishachas that were released?

Verse 170 (padma.6.128.170)

एतद्विस्तरतः सर्वं कीर्तयस्व महामुने । कौतूहलं महापुण्यं शृणुमस्त्वत्प्रसादतः

etadvistarataḥ sarvaṁ kīrtayasva mahāmune kautūhalaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ śṛṇumastvatprasādataḥ

Tell all of this in detail, O great sage. This is of great curiosity and great merit; let us hear it, by your grace.

Verse 171 (padma.6.128.171)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। प्लक्षप्रस्रवणे पुण्ये सरस्वत्यास्तटे शुभे । तत्राश्रमपदं तस्य शैलमाश्रित्य शोभनम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca plakṣaprasravaṇe puṇye sarasvatyāstaṭe śubhe tatrāśramapadaṁ tasya śailamāśritya śobhanam

Vasishtha said: At the sacred Plaksha Prasravana, on the auspicious bank of the Sarasvati, resting against a beautiful mountain, there stood his hermitage,

Verse 172 (padma.6.128.172)

शालैस्तालैस्तमालैश्च बिल्वैर्बकुलपाटलैः । तिंतिडीचिरिबिल्वैश्च चूतचंपककांचनैः

śālaistālaistamālaiśca bilvairbakulapāṭalaiḥ tiṁtiḍīciribilvaiśca cūtacaṁpakakāṁcanaiḥ

— adorned with sala, tala (palmyra), tamala, bilva, bakula, and patala trees; with tamarind, wood-apple, mango, champaka, and kanchana trees;

Verse 173 (padma.6.128.173)

करंजैः कोविदारैश्च केसरैः कुंजराशनैः । तिलकैः कर्णिकारैश्च कुंभैः खादिरतिंदुकैः

karaṁjaiḥ kovidāraiśca kesaraiḥ kuṁjarāśanaiḥ tilakaiḥ karṇikāraiśca kuṁbhaiḥ khādiratiṁdukaiḥ

— with karanja, kovidara, kesara, and kunjarashana trees; with tilaka, karnikara, kumbha, khadira, and tinduka trees;

Verse 174 (padma.6.128.174)

वानीरैः साल्वजंबीरैः पीलूदुंबरवेतसैः । शाकोटैरटरूषैश्च करहाटैर्वटद्रुमैः

vānīraiḥ sālvajaṁbīraiḥ pīlūduṁbaravetasaiḥ śākoṭairaṭarūṣaiśca karahāṭairvaṭadrumaiḥ

— with vanira, salva, jambira, pilu, udumbara, and vetasa trees; with shakota, atarusha, karahata, and banyan trees;

Verse 175 (padma.6.128.175)

घोंटाकुटजपालाशैरशोकैः शोकहारिभिः । जंबूनिंबकदंबैश्च क्षीरिकाकरमर्दकैः

ghoṁṭākuṭajapālāśairaśokaiḥ śokahāribhiḥ jaṁbūniṁbakadaṁbaiśca kṣīrikākaramardakaiḥ

— with ghonta, kutaja, and palasha trees; with sorrow-removing ashoka trees; with jambu, nimba, kadamba, kshirika, and karamarda trees;

Verse 176 (padma.6.128.176)

बीजपूरैः सनारिंगै रंभाराजिविराजितैः । पनसै रसवद्भिश्च नारिकेलैः सदाफलैः

bījapūraiḥ sanāriṁgai raṁbhārājivirājitaiḥ panasai rasavadbhiśca nārikelaiḥ sadāphalaiḥ

— with citron and orange trees, adorned with rows of plantain; with juicy jackfruit trees and ever-fruitful coconut trees;

Verse 177 (padma.6.128.177)

सप्तच्छदैस्त्रिपत्रैश्च शिरीषामलकैः शुभैः । कर्कंधू लकुचैरक्षैः पारिभद्रैर्वचादिभिः

saptacchadaistripatraiśca śirīṣāmalakaiḥ śubhaiḥ karkaṁdhū lakucairakṣaiḥ pāribhadrairvacādibhiḥ

— with saptachchhada, tripatra, and auspicious shirisha and amalaka trees; with karkandhu, lakucha, aksha, paribhadra, and vacha plants and the like;

Verse 178 (padma.6.128.178)

केतकैः सिंदुवारैश्च तगरैः कुन्दमल्लिकैः । पद्मेन्दीवरकह्लार मालती यूथिकादिभिः

ketakaiḥ siṁduvāraiśca tagaraiḥ kundamallikaiḥ padmendīvarakahlāra mālatī yūthikādibhiḥ

— with ketaki, sinduvara, tagara, kunda, and mallika flowers; with lotuses, blue lotuses, kahlara water-lilies, malati, and yuthika flowers and the like;

Verse 179 (padma.6.128.179)

मालती मोगरैश्चैव जातीफलविराजितैः । पुन्नागैः किंशुकैश्चैव बर्बरीतुलसीद्रुमैः

mālatī mogaraiścaiva jātīphalavirājitaiḥ punnāgaiḥ kiṁśukaiścaiva barbarītulasīdrumaiḥ

— with malati and mogara flowers, adorned with nutmeg trees; with punnaga and kimshuka trees, and with barbari and tulasi plants —

Verse 180 (padma.6.128.180)

आश्रमो रमणीयः स द्रुमैर्नानाविधैर्नृप । वनमध्ये नदी याति पुण्यतोया सरस्वती

āśramo ramaṇīyaḥ sa drumairnānāvidhairnṛpa vanamadhye nadī yāti puṇyatoyā sarasvatī

— O king, the hermitage was delightful with these various trees; through the midst of the forest flowed the sacred-watered Sarasvati.

Verse 181 (padma.6.128.181)

कूजंति सारसास्तत्र मदस्निग्धकलं सदा । नदंति कोकिलाः शब्दं गुंजंति च मधुव्रताः

kūjaṁti sārasāstatra madasnigdhakalaṁ sadā nadaṁti kokilāḥ śabdaṁ guṁjaṁti ca madhuvratāḥ

There the cranes ever cooed, sweet and soft with joy; the cuckoos called out, and the honey-bees hummed.

Verse 182 (padma.6.128.182)

बहुकोलाहलं भूप तद्वनं शुकसारिभिः । चरंति श्वापदास्तत्र विविधाः काननोत्तमे

bahukolāhalaṁ bhūpa tadvanaṁ śukasāribhiḥ caraṁti śvāpadāstatra vividhāḥ kānanottame

O king, that forest resounded loudly with parrots and mynahs; various wild beasts roamed there, in that excellent grove.

Verse 183 (padma.6.128.183)

सदाफलं सदापुष्पं परागकणधूसरम् । आच्छन्नं काननं सर्वं मधुवृक्षैः समंततः

sadāphalaṁ sadāpuṣpaṁ parāgakaṇadhūsaram ācchannaṁ kānanaṁ sarvaṁ madhuvṛkṣaiḥ samaṁtataḥ

Ever bearing fruit, ever in flower, dusted with grains of pollen, the whole grove was covered everywhere with honey-bearing trees,

Verse 184 (padma.6.128.184)

नवपल्लवसंजातमंजरीभरवल्लिभिः । आश्लिष्टमभितोरम्यं प्रियाभिरिव वल्लभः

navapallavasaṁjātamaṁjarībharavallibhiḥ āśliṣṭamabhitoramyaṁ priyābhiriva vallabhaḥ

— embraced all around by vines heavy with clusters born of fresh new shoots, charming on every side, as a lover is embraced by his beloveds.

Verse 185 (padma.6.128.185)

तस्य शापभयात्त्रस्तो वातो वाति समंततः । न वर्षंत्यश्मभिर्मेघा न शोषयति भास्करः

tasya śāpabhayāttrasto vāto vāti samaṁtataḥ na varṣaṁtyaśmabhirmeghā na śoṣayati bhāskaraḥ

Out of fear of his curse, the wind blew gently all around; the clouds did not rain hailstones there, nor did the sun scorch it.

Verse 186 (padma.6.128.186)

वनं नोपद्रवं तद्धि सदा सिद्धनिषेवितम् । आह्लादजनकं नित्यं वनं चैत्ररथं यथा

vanaṁ nopadravaṁ taddhi sadā siddhaniṣevitam āhlādajanakaṁ nityaṁ vanaṁ caitrarathaṁ yathā

That forest was free of calamity, ever frequented by Siddhas, ever delightful, like the Chaitraratha garden of Kubera.

Verse 187 (padma.6.128.187)

तस्मिन्वसति धर्मात्मा देवद्युतिर्द्विजोत्तमः । पुत्रः सुमित्रो विप्रस्य लब्धो लक्ष्मीपतेर्वरात्

tasminvasati dharmātmā devadyutirdvijottamaḥ putraḥ sumitro viprasya labdho lakṣmīpatervarāt

There dwelt the righteous-souled Devadyuti, foremost of brahmins, a true friend to all, son of that brahmin, obtained by the boon of the Lord of Lakshmi.

Verse 188 (padma.6.128.188)

नियमः श्रूयतां तस्य सर्वदा नियतात्मनः । ग्रीष्मे पंचतपा नित्यं सूर्यन्यस्तविलोचनः

niyamaḥ śrūyatāṁ tasya sarvadā niyatātmanaḥ grīṣme paṁcatapā nityaṁ sūryanyastavilocanaḥ

Hear the observances of that ever self-controlled man: in summer, he ever practiced the five-fires austerity, his gaze fixed upon the sun;

Verse 189 (padma.6.128.189)

वर्षत्कादंबिनी यावद्वर्षास्वभ्रावकाशगः । वाते प्रवाते निष्कंपो दुःसहो हिमवानिव

varṣatkādaṁbinī yāvadvarṣāsvabhrāvakāśagaḥ vāte pravāte niṣkaṁpo duḥsaho himavāniva

— during the rains, as long as the rain-clouds poured, he remained exposed in the open under the sky; unmoving in the fiercest wind, unbearable to endure like the Himalaya.

Verse 190 (padma.6.128.190)

वसत्यप्सु स हेमंते ह्रदे सारस्वते द्विज । उपस्पृशति काले स त्रिवारं वारिनिर्मलम्

vasatyapsu sa hemaṁte hrade sārasvate dvija upaspṛśati kāle sa trivāraṁ vārinirmalam

In winter he dwelt in the waters of the Sarasvati lake; at each proper time he touched the pure water three times a day.

Verse 191 (padma.6.128.191)

पितॄन्देवानृषीन्नित्यं संतर्पयति श्रद्धया । ब्रह्मयज्ञपरो नित्यं सत्यवादी जितेंद्रियः

pitṝndevānṛṣīnnityaṁ saṁtarpayati śraddhayā brahmayajñaparo nityaṁ satyavādī jiteṁdriyaḥ

He ever satisfied the ancestors, gods, and sages with faith; ever devoted to the Brahma-yajna, truthful, senses subdued.

Verse 192 (padma.6.128.192)

भूमौ विश्राम्य विश्रांतः प्रदध्यौ प्रार्थयन्हरिम् । वन्यैर्जुहोत्यग्निहोत्रं श्रद्धयातिथिपूजकः

bhūmau viśrāmya viśrāṁtaḥ pradadhyau prārthayanharim vanyairjuhotyagnihotraṁ śraddhayātithipūjakaḥ

Resting on the bare ground, he meditated, praying to Hari; he offered the Agnihotra with forest materials, and worshipped guests with faith.

Verse 193 (padma.6.128.193)

चांद्रायणविधानेन कालं नयति सर्वदा । स्वयं विगलितैः पत्रैः फलैर्वृत्तिं समीहते

cāṁdrāyaṇavidhānena kālaṁ nayati sarvadā svayaṁ vigalitaiḥ patraiḥ phalairvṛttiṁ samīhate

He ever passed his time according to the rule of the Chandrayana penance, subsisting on leaves that had fallen of themselves, and on fruit.

Verse 194 (padma.6.128.194)

अनुद्विग्नस्तपोनिष्ठो वेदवेदांगपारगः । धमनी विकरालोसावस्थिमात्रकलेवरः

anudvignastaponiṣṭho vedavedāṁgapāragaḥ dhamanī vikarālosāvasthimātrakalevaraḥ

Undisturbed, devoted to austerity, master of the Vedas and their auxiliary sciences, his veins showing starkly, his body reduced to bones alone.

Verse 195 (padma.6.128.195)

इत्थं जगाम वर्षाणां सहस्रं तस्य कानने । तदा जज्वाल शैलोऽसौ तपसस्तस्य तेजसा

itthaṁ jagāma varṣāṇāṁ sahasraṁ tasya kānane tadā jajvāla śailo'sau tapasastasya tejasā

Thus a thousand years passed in his forest; then that mountain blazed with the fiery power of his austerity.

Verse 196 (padma.6.128.196)

सोढुं न शक्यते भूतैस्तेजस्तस्य महात्मनः । वैश्वानर इवाभाति प्रज्वलंस्तपसा द्विज

soḍhuṁ na śakyate bhūtaistejastasya mahātmanaḥ vaiśvānara ivābhāti prajvalaṁstapasā dvija

The splendor of that great soul could not be endured by any being; O brahmin, blazing with his austerity, he shone like Agni himself.

Verse 197 (padma.6.128.197)

गतवैराणि भूतानि समजायंत तद्वने । मृगव्याघ्राखुमार्जारा मिथः क्रीडंति निर्भयाः

gatavairāṇi bhūtāni samajāyaṁta tadvane mṛgavyāghrākhumārjārā mithaḥ krīḍaṁti nirbhayāḥ

In that forest, all creatures gave up their natural enmities; deer, tigers, mice, and cats played together fearlessly.

Verse 198 (padma.6.128.198)

अन्योऽपि नियमस्तस्य श्रूयतामतिदुर्लभः । नारायणं त्रिकालं स संपूजयति नित्यशः

anyo'pi niyamastasya śrūyatāmatidurlabhaḥ nārāyaṇaṁ trikālaṁ sa saṁpūjayati nityaśaḥ

Hear another exceedingly rare observance of his: he ever worshipped Narayana three times a day,

Verse 199 (padma.6.128.199)

पुष्पाणां तु सहस्रेण विकचेन सुगंधिना । वेदसूक्तविधानेन विष्णुध्यानपरायणः

puṣpāṇāṁ tu sahasreṇa vikacena sugaṁdhinā vedasūktavidhānena viṣṇudhyānaparāyaṇaḥ

— with a thousand fully-blossomed, fragrant flowers, according to the rule of Vedic hymns, devoted to meditation on Vishnu.

Verse 200 (padma.6.128.200)

विष्णोः संप्रीतये विप्रः कुरुते कर्म चाखिलम् । दधीचेर्वरदानात्स संजातो वरवैष्णवः

viṣṇoḥ saṁprītaye vipraḥ kurute karma cākhilam dadhīcervaradānātsa saṁjāto varavaiṣṇavaḥ

That brahmin performed all his acts for the pleasure of Vishnu; by the boon given by Dadhichi, he had become an excellent Vaishnava.

Verse 201 (padma.6.128.201)

एकदा मासि वैशाखे एकादश्यां महामुनिः । पूजां कृत्वा हरे रम्यां विचित्रामकरोत्स्तुतिम्

ekadā māsi vaiśākhe ekādaśyāṁ mahāmuniḥ pūjāṁ kṛtvā hare ramyāṁ vicitrāmakarotstutim

Once, in the month of Vaishakha, on the Ekadashi, the great sage, having performed a beautiful worship of Hari, composed a wondrous hymn of praise.

Verse 202 (padma.6.128.202)

तदैव खगमारुह्य देवो देवो हरिः स्वयम् । आजगाम पुरस्तस्य तया स्तुत्यातिहर्षितः

tadaiva khagamāruhya devo devo hariḥ svayam ājagāma purastasya tayā stutyātiharṣitaḥ

Just then, God Hari himself, mounted upon his bird Garuda, greatly delighted by that hymn of praise, came before him.

Verse 203 (padma.6.128.203)

तं दृष्ट्वा गरुडारूढं प्रत्यक्षं जलदच्छविम् । चतुर्बाहुं विशालाक्षं सर्वालंकारभूषितम्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā garuḍārūḍhaṁ pratyakṣaṁ jaladacchavim caturbāhuṁ viśālākṣaṁ sarvālaṁkārabhūṣitam

Seeing him, directly present, mounted on Garuda, of the hue of a rain-cloud, four-armed, broad-eyed, adorned with every ornament,

Verse 204 (padma.6.128.204)

उद्भूतपुलको विप्रः सानंद जललोचनः । जगाम शिरसा भूमौ कृतकृत्यमनास्तदा

udbhūtapulako vipraḥ sānaṁda jalalocanaḥ jagāma śirasā bhūmau kṛtakṛtyamanāstadā

— the brahmin, his hair standing on end, his eyes filled with tears of joy, his mind now fulfilled, fell to the ground, bowing his head.

Verse 205 (padma.6.128.205)

न ममौ तेन हर्षेण स ब्रह्मांडोदरेऽपि हि । न सस्मार निजं देहं ब्रह्मभूत इवाभवत्

na mamau tena harṣeṇa sa brahmāṁḍodare'pi hi na sasmāra nijaṁ dehaṁ brahmabhūta ivābhavat

By that joy, he was not conscious even of being within the universe's own body; he did not remember his own body — he became, as it were, one with Brahman.

Verse 206 (padma.6.128.206)

ततः संभाषितः प्रीत्या हरिणा वैष्णवो मुनिः । देवद्युते विजानामि मद्भक्तस्त्वं मदाश्रयः

tataḥ saṁbhāṣitaḥ prītyā hariṇā vaiṣṇavo muniḥ devadyute vijānāmi madbhaktastvaṁ madāśrayaḥ

Then Hari lovingly addressed that Vaishnava sage: "Devadyuti, I know you — you are my devotee, taking refuge in me.

Verse 207 (padma.6.128.207)

संन्यस्ताखिलकर्मासि मद्भावो मन्मनाः सदा । वरं ब्रूहि प्रसन्नोऽस्मि स्तोत्रेणानेन चानघ

saṁnyastākhilakarmāsi madbhāvo manmanāḥ sadā varaṁ brūhi prasanno'smi stotreṇānena cānagha

You have renounced all action, your very nature is toward me, your mind ever fixed on me. Ask a boon, O sinless one; I am pleased by this hymn of yours."

Verse 208 (padma.6.128.208)

इति श्रुत्वा हरेर्वाक्यं प्रत्युवाच स तापसः । देवदेवारविंदाक्ष स्वमायाधृतविग्रह

iti śrutvā harervākyaṁ pratyuvāca sa tāpasaḥ devadevāraviṁdākṣa svamāyādhṛtavigraha

Hearing Hari's words, the ascetic replied: "O God of gods, lotus-eyed one, who bears a form assumed by your own maya —

Verse 209 (padma.6.128.209)

त्वद्दर्शनात्सदा देव दुर्लभो नापरो वरः । ब्रह्मादयः सुराः सर्वे योगिनः सनकादयः

tvaddarśanātsadā deva durlabho nāparo varaḥ brahmādayaḥ surāḥ sarve yoginaḥ sanakādayaḥ

— O God, no other boon is as rare as, or greater than, the sight of you. Brahma and all the other gods, the yogis beginning with Sanaka,

Verse 210 (padma.6.128.210)

त्वां साक्षात्कर्तुमिच्छंति सिद्धाश्च कपिलादयः । अहं ममेति पाशा ये मोह लोभाः शुभाशुभाः

tvāṁ sākṣātkartumicchaṁti siddhāśca kapilādayaḥ ahaṁ mameti pāśā ye moha lobhāḥ śubhāśubhāḥ

— and the Siddhas beginning with Kapila, all desire to behold you directly. The bonds of 'I' and 'mine,' delusion, greed, both good and bad —

Verse 211 (padma.6.128.211)

सहेतुकाश्च दह्यंते दृष्टे त्वयि परावरे । जन्मनः कर्मणो बुद्धेराविर्भूतं फलं मम

sahetukāśca dahyaṁte dṛṣṭe tvayi parāvare janmanaḥ karmaṇo buddherāvirbhūtaṁ phalaṁ mama

— all, together with their causes, are burnt away when you, the highest and the innermost, are seen. The fruit of my birth, of my deeds, and of my understanding has now appeared before me.

Verse 212 (padma.6.128.212)

यद्दृष्टोऽसि जगन्नाथ प्रार्थये किमतः परम् । न वरार्थं हि देवेश त्वत्पादपंकजं हृदि

yaddṛṣṭo'si jagannātha prārthaye kimataḥ param na varārthaṁ hi deveśa tvatpādapaṁkajaṁ hṛdi

Since I have seen you, O Lord of the universe, what more should I ask for? It is not for the sake of any boon, O Lord of gods, that your lotus feet —

Verse 213 (padma.6.128.213)

चिंतयामि सदा भक्त्या त्वद्गतेनांतरात्मना । इममेव वरं याचे त्वद्भक्तिरचला मम

ciṁtayāmi sadā bhaktyā tvadgatenāṁtarātmanā imameva varaṁ yāce tvadbhaktiracalā mama

— I ever contemplate with devotion, my inmost self fixed upon you. This alone is the boon I ask: that my devotion to you remain unwavering.

Verse 214 (padma.6.128.214)

अस्तु वै कमलानाथ प्रार्थये नापरं वरम् । इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य प्रसन्नवदनो हरिः

astu vai kamalānātha prārthaye nāparaṁ varam iti śrutvā vacastasya prasannavadano hariḥ

Let it be so, O Lord of Kamala; I ask for no other boon." Hearing his words, Hari, his face gracious,

Verse 215 (padma.6.128.215)

प्रत्युवाच प्रसन्नात्मा एवमस्तु द्विजोत्तम । अन्यस्ते तपसः कश्चित्प्रत्यूहो न भविष्यति

pratyuvāca prasannātmā evamastu dvijottama anyaste tapasaḥ kaścitpratyūho na bhaviṣyati

— his mind pleased, replied: "So be it, O best of brahmins. No further obstacle shall ever come to your austerity.

Verse 216 (padma.6.128.216)

एतच्च त्वत्कृतं स्तोत्रं ये पठिष्यंति मानवाः । तेषां मद्विषया भक्तिर्निश्चला च भविष्यति

etacca tvatkṛtaṁ stotraṁ ye paṭhiṣyaṁti mānavāḥ teṣāṁ madviṣayā bhaktirniścalā ca bhaviṣyati

And this hymn composed by you — whatever men shall recite it, their devotion directed toward me shall become unwavering.

Verse 217 (padma.6.128.217)

धर्मकार्यं च यत्किंचित्सांगं सर्वं भविष्यति । ज्ञाने च परमा निष्ठा तेषां स्थास्यति निश्चला

dharmakāryaṁ ca yatkiṁcitsāṁgaṁ sarvaṁ bhaviṣyati jñāne ca paramā niṣṭhā teṣāṁ sthāsyati niścalā

Whatever act of dharma they undertake shall become entirely complete in all its parts; and supreme steadfastness in knowledge shall remain firmly established in them."

Verse 218 (padma.6.128.218)

इत्युक्त्वांतर्हितस्तत्र देवदेवो जनार्दनः । देवद्युतिस्तदारभ्य नारायणपरोऽभवत्

ityuktvāṁtarhitastatra devadevo janārdanaḥ devadyutistadārabhya nārāyaṇaparo'bhavat

Having said this, the God of gods, Janardana, vanished from there. From that time onward, Devadyuti became wholly devoted to Narayana.

Verse 219 (padma.6.128.219)

दिलीप उवाच। महर्षेऽनुगृहीतोऽस्मि कथया पावनीकृतः । अनया विष्णुसंगत्या गंगयेवाहमद्य वै

dilīpa uvāca maharṣe'nugṛhīto'smi kathayā pāvanīkṛtaḥ anayā viṣṇusaṁgatyā gaṁgayevāhamadya vai

Dilipa said: O great sage, I have been graced, purified by this story; today, through this contact with Vishnu, I am as if purified by the Ganga herself.

Verse 220 (padma.6.128.220)

किं तत्स्तोत्रं समाख्याहि प्रसन्नो येन माधवः । तस्यानघस्य विप्रस्य महत्कौतूहलं मम

kiṁ tatstotraṁ samākhyāhi prasanno yena mādhavaḥ tasyānaghasya viprasya mahatkautūhalaṁ mama

Tell me — what was that hymn by which Madhava became pleased? I have a great curiosity about that of that sinless brahmin.

Verse 221 (padma.6.128.221)

त्वत्प्रसादादहं विप्र मन्ये प्राप्तं मनोरथम् । महतां संगतिः कस्य महत्त्वाय न कल्पते

tvatprasādādahaṁ vipra manye prāptaṁ manoratham mahatāṁ saṁgatiḥ kasya mahattvāya na kalpate

O brahmin, by your grace I consider my wish already fulfilled. For whom does the company of the great not lead to greatness?

Verse 222 (padma.6.128.222)

कथयस्व प्रसादेन विष्णोः स्तोत्रमनुत्तमम् । येन तुष्टः स भगवान्ददौ तस्य च दर्शनम्

kathayasva prasādena viṣṇoḥ stotramanuttamam yena tuṣṭaḥ sa bhagavāndadau tasya ca darśanam

Tell me, out of grace, that unsurpassed hymn to Vishnu, by which the Lord, pleased, granted him his own sight.

Verse 223 (padma.6.128.223)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। कथयामि रहस्यं ते यज्जप्तं स्तोत्रमुत्तमम् । प्राग्गृहीतं सुपर्णेन गरुडान्मयि चागतम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca kathayāmi rahasyaṁ te yajjaptaṁ stotramuttamam prāggṛhītaṁ suparṇena garuḍānmayi cāgatam

Vasishtha said: I shall tell you this secret — this supreme hymn that was recited, once received by Suparna and passed on from Garuda to me.

Verse 224 (padma.6.128.224)

अध्यात्मगर्भसारं तन्महोदयकरं शुभम् । सर्वपापहरं भूप स्वात्मज्ञानकरं परम्

adhyātmagarbhasāraṁ tanmahodayakaraṁ śubham sarvapāpaharaṁ bhūpa svātmajñānakaraṁ param

O king, its essence contains the very core of spiritual knowledge; it is auspicious, bringing great prosperity, removing all sin, and bringing supreme knowledge of one's own self.

Verse 225 (padma.6.128.225)

ॐ नमो वासुदेवाय नमो विश्वाय चक्रिणे । भक्तप्रियाय कृष्णाय जगन्नाथाय शार्ङ्गिणे

ॐ namo vāsudevāya namo viśvāya cakriṇe bhaktapriyāya kṛṣṇāya jagannāthāya śārṅgiṇe

Om, salutation to Vasudeva, salutation to the universal Discus-bearer; to Krishna, dear to his devotees, Lord of the universe, wielder of the Sharnga bow.

Verse 226 (padma.6.128.226)

स्तोता स्तुत्यः स्तुतिः सर्वं जगद्विष्णुमयं यदा । तदा संस्तूयते केन भक्तिर्मोदकरी नृणाम्

stotā stutyaḥ stutiḥ sarvaṁ jagadviṣṇumayaṁ yadā tadā saṁstūyate kena bhaktirmodakarī nṛṇām

When the praiser, the one praised, the praise, and the entire universe are all Vishnu himself, then by whom is he praised? Yet devotion is what brings joy to men.

Verse 227 (padma.6.128.227)

यस्य देवस्य निःश्वासो वेदाः सांगाः ससूत्रकाः । का स्तुतिः प्रमुदे तस्य भक्त्याऽहं मुखरोऽभवम्

yasya devasya niḥśvāso vedāḥ sāṁgāḥ sasūtrakāḥ kā stutiḥ pramude tasya bhaktyā'haṁ mukharo'bhavam

He, whose very breath is the Vedas with their auxiliary sciences and their sutras — what praise could suffice for him? Yet out of devotion, for the joy of it, I have become talkative.

Verse 228 (padma.6.128.228)

चक्रवद्भ्रमते सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् । अतस्त्वं गीयते देव चक्रपाणि वरायुध

cakravadbhramate sarvaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram atastvaṁ gīyate deva cakrapāṇi varāyudha

The entire three worlds, moving and unmoving, revolve like a wheel; therefore, O God, you are sung of as "Discus-handed," bearer of the finest weapon.

Verse 229 (padma.6.128.229)

वेदो न वक्ति यं साक्षान्न च वाग्वेत्ति नो मनः । मद्विधस्तं कथं स्तौति भक्तिमान्वा कथं भवेत्

vedo na vakti yaṁ sākṣānna ca vāgvetti no manaḥ madvidhastaṁ kathaṁ stauti bhaktimānvā kathaṁ bhavet

Whom the Veda itself does not directly describe, whom speech does not know, nor the mind — how could one like me praise him, or how could one become devoted to him at all, without his grace?

Verse 230 (padma.6.128.230)

ब्रह्मादिब्रह्मविष्णुस्त्वं त्वमेव सकलाश्रयः । स्रष्टा ब्रह्मनिदानं च शुद्धं ब्रह्मत्वमेव च

brahmādibrahmaviṣṇustvaṁ tvameva sakalāśrayaḥ sraṣṭā brahmanidānaṁ ca śuddhaṁ brahmatvameva ca

You are Brahma and the others, you are Brahma and Vishnu; you alone are the refuge of all; the Creator, the very cause of Brahman, and pure Brahman-hood itself.

Verse 231 (padma.6.128.231)

(कोऽयं कायस्तव विभो भित्त्वा स्पृशति कायिनम् । कायदोषैर्न चाघ्रातस्तस्मै नमोस्तु योगिने

(ko'yaṁ kāyastava vibho bhittvā spṛśati kāyinam kāyadoṣairna cāghrātastasmai namostu yogine

"What is this body of yours, O Lord, that, having pierced through, touches the embodied soul, yet is untouched by the faults of the body? Homage to you, the Yogin!"

Verse 232 (padma.6.128.232)

देवभावेन जागर्ति न निद्राति निजात्मनि । सुखसंदोहबुद्धिर्या सा त्वं विष्णो न संशयः

devabhāvena jāgarti na nidrāti nijātmani sukhasaṁdohabuddhiryā sā tvaṁ viṣṇo na saṁśayaḥ

That awareness which, in its divine nature, is ever awake, and does not sleep within its own self — that mass of blissful consciousness — that, O Vishnu, is you, without doubt.

Verse 233 (padma.6.128.233)

महदादयो महाभावास्तथा वैकारिका गुणाः । त्वमेव नाथ तत्सर्वं नानात्वं मूढकल्पना

mahadādayo mahābhāvāstathā vaikārikā guṇāḥ tvameva nātha tatsarvaṁ nānātvaṁ mūḍhakalpanā

Mahat and the other great principles, and likewise the modifications of the three gunas — O Lord, you alone are all of that; multiplicity is merely the imagination of the deluded.

Verse 234 (padma.6.128.234)

केशकेशवरूपाभिः कल्पना तिसृभिस्तथा । त्वमेव कल्पसे ब्रह्म पुमानिव सुतादिभिः

keśakeśavarūpābhiḥ kalpanā tisṛbhistathā tvameva kalpase brahma pumāniva sutādibhiḥ

Through the three imagined forms, O Keshava, you alone give shape to Brahman, just as a man projects himself through his sons and the like.

Verse 235 (padma.6.128.235)

विदोषं विगुणं चैकं चिन्मूर्तिरखिलं जगत् । कवीनां भाति यत्तत्त्वं तं विष्णुं नौमि निर्मलम्

vidoṣaṁ viguṇaṁ caikaṁ cinmūrtirakhilaṁ jagat kavīnāṁ bhāti yattattvaṁ taṁ viṣṇuṁ naumi nirmalam

That truth which shines for the wise as free of fault, free of quality, one, whose very form is consciousness, and which is the entire universe — I praise that spotless Vishnu.

Verse 236 (padma.6.128.236)

यस्य ज्ञानेन कुर्वंति कर्मापि श्रुतिभाषितम् । निरीषणा जगन्मित्राः शुद्धं ब्रह्म नमामि तत्

yasya jñānena kurvaṁti karmāpi śrutibhāṣitam nirīṣaṇā jaganmitrāḥ śuddhaṁ brahma namāmi tat

By whose knowledge, even while performing the acts spoken of in the Vedas, the wise act without desire for results, as friends to the world — I bow to that pure Brahman.

Verse 237 (padma.6.128.237)

ध्वस्तेतरच्च सन्मात्रं यत्प्रबोधादुपासते । योगिनः सर्वभूतेषु सद्रूपं नौमि तं हरिम्

dhvastetaracca sanmātraṁ yatprabodhādupāsate yoginaḥ sarvabhūteṣu sadrūpaṁ naumi taṁ harim

That pure Being alone, with all else dissolved away, which yogis worship in all beings through awakened realization — I praise that Hari, whose very form is Being.

Verse 238 (padma.6.128.238)

ब्रह्माहमिति गायंति यं ज्ञात्वैकं वरा द्विजाः । पश्यंतो हि त्वया तुल्यं देव तं नौमि माधवम्

brahmāhamiti gāyaṁti yaṁ jñātvaikaṁ varā dvijāḥ paśyaṁto hi tvayā tulyaṁ deva taṁ naumi mādhavam

Whom the excellent brahmins, having known him as one, sing of as "I am Brahman," seeing him as identical with themselves — O God, I praise that Madhava.

Verse 239 (padma.6.128.239)

मायया मोहवैचित्र्यं तथाहं ममतां नृणाम् । यो नाशयति पापौघान्नमस्तस्मै चिदात्मने

māyayā mohavaicitryaṁ tathāhaṁ mamatāṁ nṛṇām yo nāśayati pāpaughānnamastasmai cidātmane

He who, through maya, produces the manifold delusions, and likewise the sense of "I" and "mine" in men, and yet destroys the floods of sin — homage to him, whose nature is pure consciousness.

Verse 240 (padma.6.128.240)

प्रयाणे वा प्रयाणे च यन्नामस्मरतां नृणाम् । सद्यो नश्यंति पापौघा नमस्तस्मै चिदात्मने

prayāṇe vā prayāṇe ca yannāmasmaratāṁ nṛṇām sadyo naśyaṁti pāpaughā namastasmai cidātmane

At the time of departure from this world, or indeed at every step of life's journey, for those men who remember his name, the floods of sin are instantly destroyed — homage to him, whose nature is pure consciousness.

Verse 241 (padma.6.128.241)

मोहानललसज्ज्वाला ज्वलल्लोकेषु सर्वदा । यत्पादांभोरुहच्छायां प्रविष्टश्च न दह्यते

mohānalalasajjvālā jvalallokeṣu sarvadā yatpādāṁbhoruhacchāyāṁ praviṣṭaśca na dahyate

The blazing flame of the fire of delusion ever burns in the worlds; but whoever has entered the shade of his lotus feet is not burnt by it.

Verse 242 (padma.6.128.242)

यस्य स्मरणमात्रेण न मोहो नैव दुर्गतिः । न रोगा नैव दुःखानि तमनंतं नमाम्यहम्

yasya smaraṇamātreṇa na moho naiva durgatiḥ na rogā naiva duḥkhāni tamanaṁtaṁ namāmyaham

By the mere remembrance of whom there is neither delusion, nor a bad rebirth, neither disease nor sorrows — I bow to that Infinite One.

Verse 243 (padma.6.128.243)

कामयंते प्रजा नैव धिषणाभ्यः समुत्थिताः । लोकमात्मैव पश्यंति यं बुद्ध्वैकचरा जनाः

kāmayaṁte prajā naiva dhiṣaṇābhyaḥ samutthitāḥ lokamātmaiva paśyaṁti yaṁ buddhvaikacarā janāḥ

Beings, once risen up from mere intellect to true understanding, no longer desire worldly things; solitary wanderers, having known him, see the whole world as their very self.

Verse 244 (padma.6.128.244)

शब्दार्थः संविदर्थश्च विष्णोर्नामपरो यदि । सत्येन तेन संसारो मा संस्पृशतु माधव

śabdārthaḥ saṁvidarthaśca viṣṇornāmaparo yadi satyena tena saṁsāro mā saṁspṛśatu mādhava

If the meaning of a word, and the meaning grasped by consciousness, are nothing other than the name of Vishnu — by that very truth, O Madhava, may the cycle of rebirth never touch me.

Verse 245 (padma.6.128.245)

नारायणो जगद्व्यापी यदि वेदादिसंमतः । सत्येन तेन निर्विघ्ना विष्णुभक्तिर्ममास्तु वै

nārāyaṇo jagadvyāpī yadi vedādisaṁmataḥ satyena tena nirvighnā viṣṇubhaktirmamāstu vai

If Narayana, all-pervading the universe, is affirmed by the Veda and the other scriptures — by that very truth, may my devotion to Vishnu be free of every obstacle.

Verse 246 (padma.6.128.246)

यो न बीजं विना बीजं बीजे यो बीजभावितः । स विष्णुर्भव बीजं मे सितविद्यासि नाद्य तु

yo na bījaṁ vinā bījaṁ bīje yo bījabhāvitaḥ sa viṣṇurbhava bījaṁ me sitavidyāsi nādya tu

He who, without any external seed, is himself the seed, and who, within every seed, is present as its very seed-nature — may that Vishnu become the seed for me; this is not merely surface knowledge, but the true seed-truth.

Verse 247 (padma.6.128.247)

त्रितनुर्नटवद्यस्तु सृष्टि स्थिति लयेषु च । गुणैर्भवति कार्येषु स प्रसीदतु मे हरिः

tritanurnaṭavadyastu sṛṣṭi sthiti layeṣu ca guṇairbhavati kāryeṣu sa prasīdatu me hariḥ

He who, like an actor, takes on a threefold form through the three gunas, in the acts of creation, preservation, and dissolution — may that Hari be gracious to me.

Verse 248 (padma.6.128.248)

दशधेहाऽवतीर्णो यो धर्मत्राणाय केवलम् । अभ्यर्थितः सुरैः सर्वैः स प्रसीदतु मे हरिः

daśadhehā'vatīrṇo yo dharmatrāṇāya kevalam abhyarthitaḥ suraiḥ sarvaiḥ sa prasīdatu me hariḥ

He who has descended here in ten forms solely for the protection of dharma, entreated by all the gods — may that Hari be gracious to me.

Verse 249 (padma.6.128.249)

ब्रह्मादिस्तंबपर्यंतं प्राणिहृन्मंदिरेऽमलः । एको वसति यो देवः स प्रसीदतु मे हरिः

brahmādistaṁbaparyaṁtaṁ prāṇihṛnmaṁdire'malaḥ eko vasati yo devaḥ sa prasīdatu me hariḥ

That one, spotless God who dwells alone in the heart-temple of every living being, from Brahma down to the very blade of grass — may that Hari be gracious to me.

Verse 250 (padma.6.128.250)

इच्छां चक्रे स देवाग्रे एकश्चैव बहुस्तथा । प्रविष्टो देवताः स्रष्टा स प्रसीदतु मे हरिः

icchāṁ cakre sa devāgre ekaścaiva bahustathā praviṣṭo devatāḥ sraṣṭā sa prasīdatu me hariḥ

He who, at the beginning, formed the wish "may I become one and yet many," and, having entered into all things as their creator, created the gods — may that Hari be gracious to me.

Verse 251 (padma.6.128.251)

हृत्खगः खसमः खादिः खातीतः खक्रियः खगः । खं ब्रह्मा खादिभुक्चांते खमूर्तिस्त्वं मखाशनः

hṛtkhagaḥ khasamaḥ khādiḥ khātītaḥ khakriyaḥ khagaḥ khaṁ brahmā khādibhukcāṁte khamūrtistvaṁ makhāśanaḥ

[A verse rich in wordplay on "kha" — space/void/Brahman:] You are the bird of the heart, equal to space, the origin of space, beyond space, whose activity is space, the sky-goer; you are Brahma who is space, the enjoyer of the elements beginning with space, at the end you are the very form of space, and you are the eater of the sacrifice.

Verse 252 (padma.6.128.252)

यद्भासायन्मुदा यस्य मायया सज्यते जगत् । जाड्यं दुःखमसत्यं च स भवानेव तन्मयः

yadbhāsāyanmudā yasya māyayā sajyate jagat jāḍyaṁ duḥkhamasatyaṁ ca sa bhavāneva tanmayaḥ

By whose radiance, and by whose maya, the universe becomes attached with delight; you yourself are that — dullness, sorrow, and unreality — being one with all of it.

Verse 253 (padma.6.128.253)

त्वत्सृष्टं मोदते विश्वं त्वत्त्यक्तमशुचिर्भवेत् । तत्संगतोऽप्यसंगस्त्वं विकारस्तेन तेन हि

tvatsṛṣṭaṁ modate viśvaṁ tvattyaktamaśucirbhavet tatsaṁgato'pyasaṁgastvaṁ vikārastena tena hi

Created by you, the universe rejoices; abandoned by you, it becomes impure. Though in contact with it, you remain unattached; and it is by that contact that all change occurs.

Verse 254 (padma.6.128.254)

भूतयोगजचैतन्यं चार्वाकायमुपासते । सौगता ब्रवते तर्कैस्त्वां बुद्धिं क्षणभंगुराम्

bhūtayogajacaitanyaṁ cārvākāyamupāsate saugatā bravate tarkaistvāṁ buddhiṁ kṣaṇabhaṁgurām

The Charvakas worship you as mere consciousness born from the combination of the elements; the Buddhists declare, through their reasoning, that you are but a momentary flash of intellect.

Verse 255 (padma.6.128.255)

शरीरपरिमाणं त्वां मन्यंते जिनदेवताः । ध्यायंति पुरुषं सांख्यास्त्वामेव प्रकृतेः परम्

śarīraparimāṇaṁ tvāṁ manyaṁte jinadevatāḥ dhyāyaṁti puruṣaṁ sāṁkhyāstvāmeva prakṛteḥ param

The Jains consider you to be of the exact measure of the body; the Sankhyas meditate upon you as the Purusha, beyond Prakriti.

Verse 256 (padma.6.128.256)

जन्मादिरहितः पूर्वं यः स्यादानंदलक्षणम् । त्वामेवोपनिषद्ब्रह्म चिंतयंति परस्परम्

janmādirahitaḥ pūrvaṁ yaḥ syādānaṁdalakṣaṇam tvāmevopaniṣadbrahma ciṁtayaṁti parasparam

The followers of the Upanishads contemplate you, among themselves, as that Brahman which is without birth or any origin, primordial, whose very nature is bliss.

Verse 257 (padma.6.128.257)

खादिभूतानि देहश्च मनो बुद्धींद्रियाणि च । विद्याविद्ये त्वमेवात्र नान्यत्त्वत्तोऽस्ति किंचन

khādibhūtāni dehaśca mano buddhīṁdriyāṇi ca vidyāvidye tvamevātra nānyattvatto'sti kiṁcana

The elements beginning with space, the body, the mind, the intellect and the senses, knowledge and ignorance — you alone are all of this here; there is nothing whatsoever apart from you.

Verse 258 (padma.6.128.258)

त्वं धाता सर्वभूतानां त्वमेव शरणं मम । त्वमग्निस्त्वं हविः शक्रो होता मंत्रः क्रियाफलम्

tvaṁ dhātā sarvabhūtānāṁ tvameva śaraṇaṁ mama tvamagnistvaṁ haviḥ śakro hotā maṁtraḥ kriyāphalam

You are the creator of all beings; you alone are my refuge. You are the fire, you are the oblation, Indra, the priest, the mantra, and the fruit of the ritual act.

Verse 259 (padma.6.128.259)

त्वमस्ति नास्ति वैकुंठ त्वामहं शरणं गतः । त्वं कर्मफलदाता च दीक्षितानां क्रियाफलम्

tvamasti nāsti vaikuṁṭha tvāmahaṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ tvaṁ karmaphaladātā ca dīkṣitānāṁ kriyāphalam

O Vaikuntha, you are being and non-being; I have taken refuge in you. You are the giver of the fruit of action, and the fruit of the rites of the consecrated.

Verse 260 (padma.6.128.260)

त्वं हेतुः सर्वभूतानां त्वमेव शरणं मम । युवतीनां यथा यूनि यूनां च युवतौ यथा

tvaṁ hetuḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ tvameva śaraṇaṁ mama yuvatīnāṁ yathā yūni yūnāṁ ca yuvatau yathā

You are the cause of all beings; you alone are my refuge. As the mind of young women delights in young men, and as the mind of young men delights in young women —

Verse 261 (padma.6.128.261)

मनोऽभिरमते तद्वत्प्रीतिर्मे रमतां त्वयि । अपि पापं दुराचारं नरं त्वत्प्रणतं हरे

mano'bhiramate tadvatprītirme ramatāṁ tvayi api pāpaṁ durācāraṁ naraṁ tvatpraṇataṁ hare

— just so, may my delight rest in you. O Hari, even a sinful man of evil conduct, if he bows down to you —

Verse 262 (padma.6.128.262)

नेक्षंते किंकरा याम्या उलूकास्तपनं यथा । तापत्रयमघौघश्च तावत्पीडयते जनम्

nekṣaṁte kiṁkarā yāmyā ulūkāstapanaṁ yathā tāpatrayamaghaughaśca tāvatpīḍayate janam

— Yama's servants do not even look at him, just as owls cannot look at the sun. The threefold affliction and floods of sin torment a person —

Verse 263 (padma.6.128.263)

यावत्स्मरति नो नाथ भक्त्या त्वत्पादपंकजम्

yāvatsmarati no nātha bhaktyā tvatpādapaṁkajam

— only for so long, O Lord, as he does not remember your lotus feet with devotion.

Verse 264 (padma.6.128.264)

यं नस्पृशंति गुणजातिशरीरधर्मा यं न स्पृशंति गतयस्त्वखिलेंद्रियाणाम् । यं च स्पृशंति मुनयो गतसंगमोहास्तस्मै नमो भगवते हरये करोमि

yaṁ naspṛśaṁti guṇajātiśarīradharmā yaṁ na spṛśaṁti gatayastvakhileṁdriyāṇām yaṁ ca spṛśaṁti munayo gatasaṁgamohāstasmai namo bhagavate haraye karomi

Whom the qualities of guna, class, and bodily nature do not touch; whom the movements of all the senses do not touch; and whom the sages, freed from attachment and delusion, alone do touch — to him, the Blessed Lord Hari, I offer homage.

Verse 265 (padma.6.128.265)

स्थूलं विलाप्यकरणे करणं निदाने तत्कारणं करणकारणवर्जिते च । इत्थं विलाप्य मुनयः प्रविशंति तत्र तस्मै नमोस्तु हरये मुनिसेविताय

sthūlaṁ vilāpyakaraṇe karaṇaṁ nidāne tatkāraṇaṁ karaṇakāraṇavarjite ca itthaṁ vilāpya munayaḥ praviśaṁti tatra tasmai namostu haraye munisevitāya

Having dissolved the gross into the subtle instrument, the instrument into its underlying cause, and that cause into what is free of any further instrument or cause — having thus dissolved all things in this way, the sages enter into that reality; homage to that Hari, served by sages.

Verse 266 (padma.6.128.266)

यद्ध्यानसंवहनघूर्णवशीकृतांतामैश्वर्यचारुगुणिनीं सुखमोक्षलक्ष्मीम् । आलिंग्य शेरत इहात्मसुखैकभाजस्तस्मैनमोऽस्तु हरये मुनिसेविताय

yaddhyānasaṁvahanaghūrṇavaśīkṛtāṁtāmaiśvaryacāruguṇinīṁ sukhamokṣalakṣmīm āliṁgya śerata ihātmasukhaikabhājastasmainamo'stu haraye munisevitāya

He, embracing whom — that Lakshmi of happiness and liberation, endowed with the beautiful quality of sovereignty, made compliant by the whirling absorption of meditation upon him — those devoted solely to the bliss of the Self here rest in peace; homage to that Hari, served by sages.

Verse 267 (padma.6.128.267)

जन्मादिभावविकृतेर्विरहस्वभावे यस्मिन्नयं परिधुनोति षडूर्मिवर्गः । यं तापयंति न सदा मदनादिदोषास्तं वासुदेवममलं प्रणतोऽस्मि हार्दम्

janmādibhāvavikṛtervirahasvabhāve yasminnayaṁ paridhunoti ṣaḍūrmivargaḥ yaṁ tāpayaṁti na sadā madanādidoṣāstaṁ vāsudevamamalaṁ praṇato'smi hārdam

In whom, whose very nature is free from the changes of birth and the rest, this group of six waves of worldly affliction shakes itself away; whom the faults of passion and the rest never afflict — I bow to that spotless Vasudeva, dwelling in the heart.

Verse 268 (padma.6.128.268)

यद्ध्यानसंगतमलं विजहात्यविद्यां यद्ध्यानवह्निपतितं जगदेति नाशम् । यज्ज्ञानमुल्लसदसिद्यति संशयारिं तं त्वां हरिं विशदिबोधघनं नमामि

yaddhyānasaṁgatamalaṁ vijahātyavidyāṁ yaddhyānavahnipatitaṁ jagadeti nāśam yajjñānamullasadasidyati saṁśayāriṁ taṁ tvāṁ hariṁ viśadibodhaghanaṁ namāmi

By meditation on whom, the impurity of ignorance is entirely abandoned; when the universe falls into the fire of meditation on whom, it comes to dissolution; whose radiant, blazing knowledge, like a sword, destroys the enemy of doubt — I bow to you, Hari, dense with pure awareness.

Verse 269 (padma.6.128.269)

चराचराणि भूतानि सर्वाणि च हरेर्वशे । यथात्र तेन सत्येन पुरस्तिष्ठतु मे हरिः

carācarāṇi bhūtāni sarvāṇi ca harervaśe yathātra tena satyena purastiṣṭhatu me hariḥ

All beings, moving and unmoving, are under the control of Hari; by that very truth, may Hari stand before me, manifest.

Verse 270 (padma.6.128.270)

यथा नारायणः सर्वं जगत्स्थावरजंगमम् । तेन सत्येन मे रूपं प्रदर्शयतु केशवः

yathā nārāyaṇaḥ sarvaṁ jagatsthāvarajaṁgamam tena satyena me rūpaṁ pradarśayatu keśavaḥ

As Narayana is this entire universe, moving and unmoving — by that truth, may Keshava show me his own form.

Verse 271 (padma.6.128.271)

भक्तिर्यथा हरौ मेऽस्ति तद्वरिष्ठा गुरौ यदि । ममास्ति तेन सत्येन स्वं दर्शयतु केशवः

bhaktiryathā harau me'sti tadvariṣṭhā gurau yadi mamāsti tena satyena svaṁ darśayatu keśavaḥ

As my devotion to Hari exists, and if that same devotion, in its most excellent form, exists in me toward my guru — by that truth, may Keshava show me himself.

Verse 272 (padma.6.128.272)

तस्यैवं शपथैः सत्यैर्भक्तिं तस्यानुचिंतयन् । दर्शयामास चात्मानं स प्रीतः पुरुषोत्तमः

tasyaivaṁ śapathaiḥ satyairbhaktiṁ tasyānuciṁtayan darśayāmāsa cātmānaṁ sa prītaḥ puruṣottamaḥ

By these true oaths of his, Vishnu, reflecting upon that devotion of his, that Purushottama, pleased, showed him his own self.

Verse 273 (padma.6.128.273)

ततो दत्त्वा वरं तस्य पूरयित्वा मनोरथम् । जगाम कमलाकांतः स्तुत्या विप्रेण तोषितः

tato dattvā varaṁ tasya pūrayitvā manoratham jagāma kamalākāṁtaḥ stutyā vipreṇa toṣitaḥ

Then, having granted him a boon and fulfilled his heart's desire, the Beloved of Kamala, pleased by the brahmin's hymn of praise, departed.

Verse 274 (padma.6.128.274)

कृतकृत्यो द्विजः सोऽपि वासुदेवपरायणः । शिष्यैः सार्धं जपन्स्तोत्रं तस्मिन्नास्ते तपोवने

kṛtakṛtyo dvijaḥ so'pi vāsudevaparāyaṇaḥ śiṣyaiḥ sārdhaṁ japanstotraṁ tasminnāste tapovane

That brahmin too, fulfilled, wholly devoted to Vasudeva, together with his disciples, continued reciting that hymn, dwelling in that forest of austerity.

Verse 275 (padma.6.128.275)

कीर्तयेद्यनइदंनस्तोत्रंनशृणुयाद्योऽपिनमानवः । अश्वमेधस्यनयज्ञस्यनप्राप्नोतिनविपुलंनफलम्

kīrtayedyanaidaṁnastotraṁnaśṛṇuyādyo'pinamānavaḥ aśvamedhasyanayajñasyanaprāpnotinavipulaṁnaphalam

Whatever man recites this hymn, or even merely hears it, obtains the vast fruit of the Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Verse 276 (padma.6.128.276)

आत्मविद्याप्रबोधं च लभते ब्राह्मणः सदा । न पापे जायते बुद्धिर्नैव पश्यत्यमंगलम्

ātmavidyāprabodhaṁ ca labhate brāhmaṇaḥ sadā na pāpe jāyate buddhirnaiva paśyatyamaṁgalam

The brahmin who recites it ever obtains the awakening of self-knowledge; his intellect never turns toward sin, nor does he ever encounter misfortune.

Verse 277 (padma.6.128.277)

बुद्धिस्वास्थ्यं मनःस्वास्थ्यं स्वास्थ्यमैंद्रियकं तथा । नृणां भवति सर्वेषामस्य स्तोत्रस्य कीर्तनात्

buddhisvāsthyaṁ manaḥsvāsthyaṁ svāsthyamaiṁdriyakaṁ tathā nṛṇāṁ bhavati sarveṣāmasya stotrasya kīrtanāt

Soundness of intellect, soundness of mind, and likewise soundness of the senses come to all men through the recitation of this hymn.

Verse 278 (padma.6.128.278)

विचार्यार्थं जपेद्यस्तु श्रद्धया तत्परो नरः । स विधूयेह पापानि लभते वैष्णवं पदम्

vicāryārthaṁ japedyastu śraddhayā tatparo naraḥ sa vidhūyeha pāpāni labhate vaiṣṇavaṁ padam

Whatever man, having reflected on its meaning, recites it with faith and devotion, shakes off his sins here and attains the state of a Vaishnava.

Verse 279 (padma.6.128.279)

लभते वांच्छितान्कामान्पुत्रपौत्रान्पशूंस्तथा । दीर्घमायुर्बलं वीर्यं लभते स सदा पठन्

labhate vāṁcchitānkāmānputrapautrānpaśūṁstathā dīrghamāyurbalaṁ vīryaṁ labhate sa sadā paṭhan

He obtains his desired wishes, sons, grandsons, and cattle; ever reciting it, he obtains long life, strength, and vigor.

Verse 280 (padma.6.128.280)

तिलपात्रसहस्रेण गोसहस्रेण यत्फलम् । तत्फलं समवाप्नोति य इमां कीर्तयेत्स्तुतिम्

tilapātrasahasreṇa gosahasreṇa yatphalam tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti ya imāṁ kīrtayetstutim

Whoever recites this hymn of praise obtains the same fruit as that of a thousand vessels of sesame and a thousand cows.

Verse 281 (padma.6.128.281)

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां यं यं कामयते सदा । अचिरात्तमवाप्नोति स्तोत्रेणानेन मानवः

dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṁ yaṁ yaṁ kāmayate sadā acirāttamavāpnoti stotreṇānena mānavaḥ

Whatever a man ever desires among dharma, artha, kama, and moksha, he obtains it swiftly through this hymn.

Verse 282 (padma.6.128.282)

आचारे विनये धर्मे ज्ञाने तपसि सन्नये । नृणां भवति नित्यं धीरिमां संशृण्वतां स्तुतिम्

ācāre vinaye dharme jñāne tapasi sannaye nṛṇāṁ bhavati nityaṁ dhīrimāṁ saṁśṛṇvatāṁ stutim

Men who constantly listen to this hymn ever become steadfast in conduct, humility, dharma, knowledge, austerity, and right policy.

Verse 283 (padma.6.128.283)

महापातकयुक्तो वा युक्तो वा ह्युपपातकैः । सद्यो भवति शुद्धात्मा स्तोत्रस्य पठनात्सकृत्

mahāpātakayukto vā yukto vā hyupapātakaiḥ sadyo bhavati śuddhātmā stotrasya paṭhanātsakṛt

Whether burdened with great sins or with lesser sins, a man instantly becomes pure of soul merely by reciting this hymn once.

Verse 284 (padma.6.128.284)

प्रज्ञा लक्ष्मीर्यशः कीर्तिज्ञानधर्मविवर्धनम् । दुष्टग्रहोपशमनं सर्वाशुभविनाशनम्

prajñā lakṣmīryaśaḥ kīrtijñānadharmavivardhanam duṣṭagrahopaśamanaṁ sarvāśubhavināśanam

It increases wisdom, prosperity, fame, renown, knowledge, and dharma; it pacifies malevolent planetary influences and destroys every misfortune.

Verse 285 (padma.6.128.285)

सर्वव्याधिहरं पथ्यं सर्वारिष्टनिषूदनम् । दुर्गतेस्तरणं स्तोत्रं पठितव्यं द्विजातिभिः

sarvavyādhiharaṁ pathyaṁ sarvāriṣṭaniṣūdanam durgatestaraṇaṁ stotraṁ paṭhitavyaṁ dvijātibhiḥ

This hymn removes every disease, is wholesome, destroys every calamity, and carries one across misfortune; it should be recited by the twice-born.

Verse 286 (padma.6.128.286)

नक्षत्रग्रहापीडासु राजचोरभयेषु च । अग्निचोरनिपातेषु सद्यः संकीर्तयेदिदम्

nakṣatragrahāpīḍāsu rājacorabhayeṣu ca agnicoranipāteṣu sadyaḥ saṁkīrtayedidam

In afflictions caused by stars and planets, in fear of kings or thieves, and in the calamities of fire or robbery, one should recite this at once.

Verse 287 (padma.6.128.287)

सिंहव्याघ्रभयं नास्ति नाभिचारभयं तथा । भूतप्रेतपिशाचेभ्यो राक्षसेभ्यस्तथैव च

siṁhavyāghrabhayaṁ nāsti nābhicārabhayaṁ tathā bhūtapretapiśācebhyo rākṣasebhyastathaiva ca

There is no fear from lions or tigers, nor fear of black magic, nor from bhutas, pretas, pishachas, or likewise from rakshasas —

Verse 288 (padma.6.128.288)

पूतना जृंभकेभ्यश्च विघ्नेभ्यश्चैव सर्वदा । नृणां क्वचिद्भयं नास्ति स्तवे ह्यस्मिन्प्रकीर्तिते

pūtanā jṛṁbhakebhyaśca vighnebhyaścaiva sarvadā nṛṇāṁ kvacidbhayaṁ nāsti stave hyasminprakīrtite

— nor from Putana or the Jrimbhaka demons, nor from any obstacles at all — for men, there is never any fear whatsoever, when this hymn has been recited.

Verse 289 (padma.6.128.289)

वासुदेवस्य पूजां यः कृत्वा स्तोत्रमुदीरयेत् । लिप्यते पातकैर्नासौ पद्मपत्रमिवांभसा

vāsudevasya pūjāṁ yaḥ kṛtvā stotramudīrayet lipyate pātakairnāsau padmapatramivāṁbhasā

Whoever, having worshipped Vasudeva, recites this hymn, is not stained by sins, just as a lotus leaf is not stained by water.

Verse 290 (padma.6.128.290)

गंगादिपुण्यतीर्थेषु या स्नानैर्नाप्यते गतिः । तां गतिं समवाप्नोति पठन्पुण्यामिमां स्तुतिम्

gaṁgādipuṇyatīrtheṣu yā snānairnāpyate gatiḥ tāṁ gatiṁ samavāpnoti paṭhanpuṇyāmimāṁ stutim

That destination which is not attained even by bathing at sacred tirthas beginning with the Ganga — that very destination is obtained by reciting this meritorious hymn.

Verse 291 (padma.6.128.291)

एककालं द्विकालं वा त्रिकालं वापि यः पठेत् । सर्वदा सर्वकालेषु सोऽक्षयं सुखमश्नुते

ekakālaṁ dvikālaṁ vā trikālaṁ vāpi yaḥ paṭhet sarvadā sarvakāleṣu so'kṣayaṁ sukhamaśnute

Whoever recites it once, twice, or three times a day, ever, at all times, enjoys imperishable happiness.

Verse 292 (padma.6.128.292)

चतुर्णामपि वेदानां त्रिरावृत्त्या च यत्फलम् । तत्फलं लभते स्तोत्रमधीयानः सकृन्नरः

caturṇāmapi vedānāṁ trirāvṛttyā ca yatphalam tatphalaṁ labhate stotramadhīyānaḥ sakṛnnaraḥ

That fruit which comes from the threefold recitation of all four Vedas — that same fruit is obtained by a man who studies this hymn even once.

Verse 293 (padma.6.128.293)

अक्षय्यं धनमाप्नोति स्त्रीणां भवति वल्लभः । पूजां विंदति लोकेऽस्मिच्छ्रद्धया संस्मरन्हरिम्

akṣayyaṁ dhanamāpnoti strīṇāṁ bhavati vallabhaḥ pūjāṁ viṁdati loke'smicchraddhayā saṁsmaranharim

He obtains imperishable wealth, becomes beloved of women, and receives honor in this world, remembering Hari with faith.

Verse 294 (padma.6.128.294)

सर्वदा संपदायुक्तो विपदं नैव गच्छति । गोभिर्न ह्रियते स्तोत्रं नित्यं यः कीर्तयेद्धि यत्

sarvadā saṁpadāyukto vipadaṁ naiva gacchati gobhirna hriyate stotraṁ nityaṁ yaḥ kīrtayeddhi yat

He is ever endowed with prosperity and never falls into misfortune — whoever daily recites this hymn is never robbed even of his cattle.

Verse 295 (padma.6.128.295)

अलक्ष्मी कालकर्णी च दुःस्वप्नं दुर्विचिंतितम् । सद्यो नश्यंति भक्तानामेतं संशृण्वतां स्तवम्

alakṣmī kālakarṇī ca duḥsvapnaṁ durviciṁtitam sadyo naśyaṁti bhaktānāmetaṁ saṁśṛṇvatāṁ stavam

Misfortune, the goddess Kalakarni of ill omen, bad dreams, and evil thoughts instantly vanish for devotees who listen to this hymn.

Verse 296 (padma.6.128.296)

प्रातरुत्थाय योऽधीते शुचिर्विष्णुपरायणः । अक्षय्यं लभते सौख्यमिह लोके परत्र च

prātarutthāya yo'dhīte śucirviṣṇuparāyaṇaḥ akṣayyaṁ labhate saukhyamiha loke paratra ca

Whoever, rising at dawn, pure, devoted to Vishnu, studies it, obtains imperishable happiness in this world and the next.

Verse 297 (padma.6.128.297)

देवद्युतिप्रणीतं वै विष्णुप्रीतिकरं शुभम् । विष्णुप्रसादजननं विष्णुदर्शनकारकम्

devadyutipraṇītaṁ vai viṣṇuprītikaraṁ śubham viṣṇuprasādajananaṁ viṣṇudarśanakārakam

Composed by Devadyuti, auspicious, pleasing to Vishnu, producing Vishnu's grace, and bringing about the very sight of Vishnu —

Verse 298 (padma.6.128.298)

योगसारमिदं नाम स्तोत्रं परमपावनम् । यः पठेत्सततं भक्त्या विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति

yogasāramidaṁ nāma stotraṁ paramapāvanam yaḥ paṭhetsatataṁ bhaktyā viṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchati

— this hymn, named the "Yogasara" (Essence of Yoga), most purifying — whoever recites it constantly with devotion goes to the world of Vishnu.

Verse 299 (padma.6.128.299)

इति ते कथितं स्तोत्रं गुह्यं पापप्रणाशनम् । अत ऊर्ध्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि पिशाचस्य विमोचनम्

iti te kathitaṁ stotraṁ guhyaṁ pāpapraṇāśanam ata ūrdhvaṁ pravakṣyāmi piśācasya vimocanam

Thus has this secret, sin-destroying hymn been told to you. Now, henceforth, I shall tell of the release of the Pishacha.