King Chitra's Deliverance and the Gandharva Maidens' Wedding

Verse 1 (padma.6.129.1)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। श्रूयतां ये पिशाचाश्च मोचितास्तेन तद्वने । आसीद्राजा चित्रनामा द्राविडे विषये पुरा

vasiṣṭha uvāca śrūyatāṁ ye piśācāśca mocitāstena tadvane āsīdrājā citranāmā drāviḍe viṣaye purā

Vasishtha said: Hear now of the pishachas who were freed by him in that forest. Long ago there was a king named Chitra in the Dravida country.

Verse 2 (padma.6.129.2)

सोमान्वये महावीरः शूरः शस्त्रास्त्रपारगः । गजवाजिरथौघैश्च संपन्नो विक्रमी सदा

somānvaye mahāvīraḥ śūraḥ śastrāstrapāragaḥ gajavājirathaughaiśca saṁpanno vikramī sadā

Born in the lunar dynasty, he was a great hero, valiant and master of every weapon; ever endowed with hosts of elephants, horses, and chariots, he was always a man of might.

Verse 3 (padma.6.129.3)

स्वर्णैर्नानाविधै रत्नैः पूर्णकोशो महाधनः । मध्ये नारीसहस्रस्य सदा क्रीडति तत्परः

svarṇairnānāvidhai ratnaiḥ pūrṇakośo mahādhanaḥ madhye nārīsahasrasya sadā krīḍati tatparaḥ

His treasury overflowed with gold of many kinds and with jewels; immensely wealthy, he was ever devoted to sporting amidst a thousand women.

Verse 4 (padma.6.129.4)

स्त्रैणः कामी सदा लुब्धश्चंडकोपः स पार्थिवः । न करोति वचो धर्म्यं सचिवैः समुदीरितम्

straiṇaḥ kāmī sadā lubdhaścaṁḍakopaḥ sa pārthivaḥ na karoti vaco dharmyaṁ sacivaiḥ samudīritam

That king was besotted with women, lustful, ever greedy, and fierce in anger; he never heeded the righteous counsel his ministers offered him.

Verse 5 (padma.6.129.5)

विष्णुं निंदति सोऽत्यर्थं वैष्णवान्द्वेष्टि सर्वदा । कोऽसौ विष्णुः क्व दृष्टोऽसौ क्व चास्ते केन कीर्त्यते

viṣṇuṁ niṁdati so'tyarthaṁ vaiṣṇavāndveṣṭi sarvadā ko'sau viṣṇuḥ kva dṛṣṭo'sau kva cāste kena kīrtyate

He reviled Vishnu excessively and always hated his devotees, saying: Who is this Vishnu? Where has anyone ever seen him? Where does he dwell, and by whom is he even praised?

Verse 6 (padma.6.129.6)

इत्थं न सहते विष्णुं स राजा दैवमोहितः । नारायणं भजंते ये तान्पीडयति कोपितः

itthaṁ na sahate viṣṇuṁ sa rājā daivamohitaḥ nārāyaṇaṁ bhajaṁte ye tānpīḍayati kopitaḥ

Thus that king, deluded by fate, could not bear even to hear of Vishnu, and in his rage he tormented those who worshipped Narayana.

Verse 7 (padma.6.129.7)

न ब्राह्मणान्न वेदांश्च वैदिकं कर्म न व्रतम् । न दानं मन्यते दातुं पाखंडस्थितिसंस्थितः

na brāhmaṇānna vedāṁśca vaidikaṁ karma na vratam na dānaṁ manyate dātuṁ pākhaṁḍasthitisaṁsthitaḥ

He had no regard for brahmins, nor for the Vedas, nor for Vedic rites or vows; steeped in heresy, he did not even think charity worth giving.

Verse 8 (padma.6.129.8)

अनीत्या चंडदंडैश्च प्रजापीडां करोति सः । निष्ठुरो निर्दयः क्रूरः पुण्यकार्यपराङ्मुखः

anītyā caṁḍadaṁḍaiśca prajāpīḍāṁ karoti saḥ niṣṭhuro nirdayaḥ krūraḥ puṇyakāryaparāṅmukhaḥ

Through injustice and harsh punishments he oppressed his subjects; hard-hearted, merciless, cruel, he turned away from every meritorious act.

Verse 9 (padma.6.129.9)

च्युताचारोऽच्युतद्वेष्टा च्युताग्निश्च च्युतक्रियः । सोऽनुशास्ति जनं भूपः कालरूप इवापरः

cyutācāro'cyutadveṣṭā cyutāgniśca cyutakriyaḥ so'nuśāsti janaṁ bhūpaḥ kālarūpa ivāparaḥ

Fallen from proper conduct, a hater of the Imperishable One, fallen from the sacred fires and from every rite, that king ruled his people like a second form of Death himself.

Verse 10 (padma.6.129.10)

ततो बहुतिथे काले स राजा पंचतां गतः । वैदिकेन विधानेन लेभे नैवोर्ध्व दैहिकम्

tato bahutithe kāle sa rājā paṁcatāṁ gataḥ vaidikena vidhānena lebhe naivordhva daihikam

After a long time had passed, that king met his death, but he did not even receive the funeral rites prescribed by Vedic ordinance.

Verse 11 (padma.6.129.11)

अथ किंकरयूथेन पीड्यमानो भृशं तदा । अयःकीलमये मार्गे तप्तसिक्ता प्रपूरिते

atha kiṁkarayūthena pīḍyamāno bhṛśaṁ tadā ayaḥkīlamaye mārge taptasiktā prapūrite

Then, severely tormented by troops of Yama's servants, he was driven along a path studded with iron spikes and drenched with scalding molten metal.

Verse 12 (padma.6.129.12)

चंडार्करश्मिसंतप्ते वृक्षच्छायाविवर्जिते । तप्तांगारप्रकीर्णे च वह्निज्वालासमाकुले

caṁḍārkaraśmisaṁtapte vṛkṣacchāyāvivarjite taptāṁgāraprakīrṇe ca vahnijvālāsamākule

That path was scorched by the fierce rays of the sun, bare of any tree's shade, strewn with burning embers, and thick with flames of fire.

Verse 13 (padma.6.129.13)

लोहतुंडैश्च काकोलैर्हन्यमानः सुदारुणैः । वृकैर्दंष्ट्राकरालैश्च श्वभिर्घोरैश्च भक्षितः

lohatuṁḍaiśca kākolairhanyamānaḥ sudāruṇaiḥ vṛkairdaṁṣṭrākarālaiśca śvabhirghoraiśca bhakṣitaḥ

He was struck by fearsome crows with beaks of iron, and devoured by wolves with terrible fangs and by dreadful dogs.

Verse 14 (padma.6.129.14)

शृण्वन्क्रंदितमन्येषां नृणां किल्बिषकारिणाम् । जगाम पार्थिवो लोकमंतकस्य भयावहम्

śṛṇvankraṁditamanyeṣāṁ nṛṇāṁ kilbiṣakāriṇām jagāma pārthivo lokamaṁtakasya bhayāvaham

Hearing the wailing of other sinful men around him, the king came at last to the fearsome realm of Yama, lord of death.

Verse 15 (padma.6.129.15)

शृणु भूपगतिं तस्य तस्मिँल्लोके सुदुःसहाम् । निरयान्निरयं यातः पर्यायेण स भूपतिः

śṛṇu bhūpagatiṁ tasya tasmi~lloke suduḥsahām nirayānnirayaṁ yātaḥ paryāyeṇa sa bhūpatiḥ

Now hear of that king's fate in that world, utterly unbearable — that monarch passed from one hell into another in due succession.

Verse 16 (padma.6.129.16)

आदौ प्रयातस्तामिस्रे दारुणे भूरिदुःखदे । पुनश्चैवांधतामिस्रे यत्र दुःखं निरंतरम्

ādau prayātastāmisre dāruṇe bhūriduḥkhade punaścaivāṁdhatāmisre yatra duḥkhaṁ niraṁtaram

First he was cast into dreadful Tamisra, full of great suffering, and then again into Andhatamisra, where the misery never ceases.

Verse 17 (padma.6.129.17)

गतोऽनंतरमत्युग्रं महारौरवरौरवम् । नरकं कालसूत्रं च महानरकमेव च

gato'naṁtaramatyugraṁ mahārauravarauravam narakaṁ kālasūtraṁ ca mahānarakameva ca

Next he went into the most terrible Maharaurava and Raurava, then into the hell called Kalasutra, and then into Mahanaraka itself.

Verse 18 (padma.6.129.18)

पश्चान्मग्नः स भूपालो दुस्तरे दुःखमूर्छितः । संजीवने महावीचौ तापने संप्रतापने

paścānmagnaḥ sa bhūpālo dustare duḥkhamūrchitaḥ saṁjīvane mahāvīcau tāpane saṁpratāpane

After that, overwhelmed with anguish, the king was plunged into the hard-to-cross hell Sanjivana, and then into Mahavichi, Tapana, and Sampratapana.

Verse 19 (padma.6.129.19)

प्रतापनरकं राजा दुःखाग्निप्लुष्टमानसः । संपातं च स काकोलं कुड्मलं पूतिमृत्तिकम्

pratāpanarakaṁ rājā duḥkhāgnipluṣṭamānasaḥ saṁpātaṁ ca sa kākolaṁ kuḍmalaṁ pūtimṛttikam

His mind scorched by the fire of anguish, the king passed through Pratapana, then Sampata, Kakola, Kudmala, and Putimrittika.

Verse 20 (padma.6.129.20)

लोहशंकुं मृगीयंत्रं पंथानं शाल्मलिनदीम् । प्रविष्टोऽथ महाभीमं दुर्दर्शं दुर्गमं पुनः

lohaśaṁkuṁ mṛgīyaṁtraṁ paṁthānaṁ śālmalinadīm praviṣṭo'tha mahābhīmaṁ durdarśaṁ durgamaṁ punaḥ

He entered Lohashanku, Mrigiyantra, Panthana, and the river Shalmali — and then once more a hell more fearsome still, dreadful to behold and hard to endure.

Verse 21 (padma.6.129.21)

असिपत्रवनं चैव लोहचारकमेव च । एवमेतेषु सर्वेषु पतित्वा पापकृन्नृपः

asipatravanaṁ caiva lohacārakameva ca evameteṣu sarveṣu patitvā pāpakṛnnṛpaḥ

He went too into the forest of sword-leaves and into the iron prison. Thus that sinful king, having fallen into all of these hells,

Verse 22 (padma.6.129.22)

अविंदन्नरके घोरे संतापं यातनामयम् । विष्णुप्रद्वेषघोषेण युगानामेकविंशतिः

aviṁdannarake ghore saṁtāpaṁ yātanāmayam viṣṇupradveṣaghoṣeṇa yugānāmekaviṁśatiḥ

suffered, for the span of twenty-one Yugas, the fierce torment and agony of that dreadful hell — all because of his proclaimed hatred of Vishnu.

Verse 23 (padma.6.129.23)

भुक्त्वा च यातनां याम्यां निस्तीर्णनरको नृपः । समयाद्गिरिराजे तु पिशाचोऽभूत्तदा महान्

bhuktvā ca yātanāṁ yāmyāṁ nistīrṇanarako nṛpaḥ samayādgirirāje tu piśāco'bhūttadā mahān

Having endured the torments of Yama's realm and passed beyond hell at last, the king, when his allotted time was over, became a great pishacha upon the king of mountains.

Verse 24 (padma.6.129.24)

स भ्राम्यति दिशः सर्वा वने तस्मिन्बुभुक्षितः । न पश्यत्यशनं तोयं मेरावपि सदा गिरौ

sa bhrāmyati diśaḥ sarvā vane tasminbubhukṣitaḥ na paśyatyaśanaṁ toyaṁ merāvapi sadā girau

Tormented by hunger, he wandered in every direction through that forest; even on Mount Meru itself he could never find food or water.

Verse 25 (padma.6.129.25)

कदाचित्पर्यटन्सोऽथ पिशाचः शोकपीडितः । प्लक्षप्रस्रवणारण्यं प्रविष्टो भाविसत्फलम्

kadācitparyaṭanso'tha piśācaḥ śokapīḍitaḥ plakṣaprasravaṇāraṇyaṁ praviṣṭo bhāvisatphalam

Once, as that grief-stricken pishacha wandered about, he entered the forest of Plaksha-prasravana — for good fortune awaited him there.

Verse 26 (padma.6.129.26)

बिभीतकतरुच्छायां समाश्रित्य सुदुःखितः । हा हतोऽस्मीति चाक्रंदद्घोरमुच्चैः पुनः पुनः

bibhītakatarucchāyāṁ samāśritya suduḥkhitaḥ hā hato'smīti cākraṁdadghoramuccaiḥ punaḥ punaḥ

Utterly wretched, he took refuge in the shade of a bibhitaka tree, and cried out again and again, loudly and dreadfully: 'Alas, I am undone!'

Verse 27 (padma.6.129.27)

क्ष्रुत्तृड्भ्यां मुह्यमानस्य सर्वभूतद्रुहो मम । जन्मनोस्य दुरंतस्य कथमंतो भविष्यति

kṣruttṛḍbhyāṁ muhyamānasya sarvabhūtadruho mama janmanosya duraṁtasya kathamaṁto bhaviṣyati

'Tormented by hunger and thirst, hostile to every being as I am — when will this endless existence of mine ever come to an end?'

Verse 28 (padma.6.129.28)

आदौ पापसमुद्रेऽस्मिन्दुःखकल्लोलमालिनी । करावलंबनं कोद्य निमग्नस्य प्रदास्यति

ādau pāpasamudre'sminduḥkhakallolamālinī karāvalaṁbanaṁ kodya nimagnasya pradāsyati

'Sunk from the very start in this ocean of sin, garlanded with waves of suffering — who today will reach out a hand to save one who is drowning?'

Verse 29 (padma.6.129.29)

इत्थं तस्य पिशाचस्य रोदनं दीनचेतसः । देवद्युतिरधीयानः शुश्राव करुणामयम्

itthaṁ tasya piśācasya rodanaṁ dīnacetasaḥ devadyutiradhīyānaḥ śuśrāva karuṇāmayam

That pitiful, sorrowful wailing of the wretched pishacha was heard by a brahmin named Devadyuti, who was then engaged in his studies.

Verse 30 (padma.6.129.30)

समागम्य ततस्तत्र तं पिशाचं ददर्श सः । विकरालमुखं भीमं पिशंगनयनं कृशम्

samāgamya tatastatra taṁ piśācaṁ dadarśa saḥ vikarālamukhaṁ bhīmaṁ piśaṁganayanaṁ kṛśam

Coming to that place, he saw the pishacha — hideous of face, terrifying, his eyes tawny, his body wasted thin.

Verse 31 (padma.6.129.31)

ऊर्ध्वमूर्धजकृष्णांगं यमदूतमिवापरम् । ललज्जिह्वं च लंबोष्ठदीर्घजंघं शिराकुलम्

ūrdhvamūrdhajakṛṣṇāṁgaṁ yamadūtamivāparam lalajjihvaṁ ca laṁboṣṭhadīrghajaṁghaṁ śirākulam

His hair stood on end and his body was black like a very messenger of Yama; his tongue lolled out, his lips hung loose, his shanks were long, and his veins stood out all over.

Verse 32 (padma.6.129.32)

दीर्घांघ्रिं शुष्कतुंडं च गर्ताक्षं शुष्कपंजरम् । अथामुं कौतुकाविष्टः पप्रच्छ मुनिपुंगवः

dīrghāṁghriṁ śuṣkatuṁḍaṁ ca gartākṣaṁ śuṣkapaṁjaram athāmuṁ kautukāviṣṭaḥ papraccha munipuṁgavaḥ

His feet were long, his mouth parched, his eyes sunken in their sockets, his ribs like a dried-out cage. Then, filled with curiosity, that foremost of sages questioned him.

Verse 33 (padma.6.129.33)

देवद्युतिरुवाच। कोऽसि त्वं भीषणाकारः कुतो रोदिषि दारुणम् । अवस्थेयं कुतो ब्रूहि किंचाहं करवाणि ते

devadyutiruvāca ko'si tvaṁ bhīṣaṇākāraḥ kuto rodiṣi dāruṇam avastheyaṁ kuto brūhi kiṁcāhaṁ karavāṇi te

Devadyuti said: 'Who are you, of so terrifying a form? Why do you weep so dreadfully? Tell me whence this condition has come upon you — and what can I do for you?'

Verse 34 (padma.6.129.34)

ममाश्रमप्रविष्टा हि दुःखभाजो न जंतवः । मोदंते केवलं सर्वे वैष्णवे भवने यथा

mamāśramapraviṣṭā hi duḥkhabhājo na jaṁtavaḥ modaṁte kevalaṁ sarve vaiṣṇave bhavane yathā

'No suffering creature that enters my hermitage remains in sorrow — here all rejoice, as though in a very dwelling of Vishnu.'

Verse 35 (padma.6.129.35)

वद त्वं सत्वरं भद्र दुःखस्यैतस्य कारणम् । कालक्षेपं न कुर्वंति प्राप्तेऽथे हि मनीषिणः

vada tvaṁ satvaraṁ bhadra duḥkhasyaitasya kāraṇam kālakṣepaṁ na kurvaṁti prāpte'the hi manīṣiṇaḥ

'Speak quickly, good sir, of the cause of this suffering — for the wise never delay once a matter needing help has arisen.'

Verse 36 (padma.6.129.36)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। श्रुत्वैतद्वचनं प्रीतः पिशाचस्त्यक्तरोदनः । उवाच दीनया वाचा प्रश्रयावनतस्तदा

vasiṣṭha uvāca śrutvaitadvacanaṁ prītaḥ piśācastyaktarodanaḥ uvāca dīnayā vācā praśrayāvanatastadā

Vasishtha said: Hearing these words, the pishacha was glad and ceased his wailing; bowing humbly, he spoke then in a plaintive voice.

Verse 37 (padma.6.129.37)

पिशाच उवाच। सर्वांगव्यापि संतापं जहार त्वद्वचो मयि । ग्रीष्मे दावानलोद्भूतं वर्षन्मेघ इवाचले

piśāca uvāca sarvāṁgavyāpi saṁtāpaṁ jahāra tvadvaco mayi grīṣme dāvānalodbhūtaṁ varṣanmegha ivācale

The pishacha said: 'Your words have removed the anguish pervading my every limb, just as a raining cloud quenches a forest fire born on a mountain in summer.'

Verse 38 (padma.6.129.38)

यन्मेऽस्ति सुकृतं किंचित्तेन दृष्टोऽसि मे द्विज । न ह्यसंचितपुण्यानां सद्भिरेकत्रसंगमः

yanme'sti sukṛtaṁ kiṁcittena dṛṣṭo'si me dvija na hyasaṁcitapuṇyānāṁ sadbhirekatrasaṁgamaḥ

'It must be by whatever little merit remains in me, O brahmin, that I have come to see you — for those who have gathered no merit never meet with the virtuous.'

Verse 39 (padma.6.129.39)

इत्युक्त्वा कथयामास पूर्ववृत्तांतमात्मनः । विष्णुद्वेषप्रदोषेण दशामेतामहं गतः

ityuktvā kathayāmāsa pūrvavṛttāṁtamātmanaḥ viṣṇudveṣapradoṣeṇa daśāmetāmahaṁ gataḥ

So saying, he related his own past history: 'It is through the sin of hating Vishnu that I have come to this condition.'

Verse 40 (padma.6.129.40)

यन्नामप्राणान्मुक्तो हि स्मृत्वा विष्णुपदं व्रजेत् । पापिष्ठो हि हरौ तस्मिन्ममद्वेषोऽभवद्द्विज

yannāmaprāṇānmukto hi smṛtvā viṣṇupadaṁ vrajet pāpiṣṭho hi harau tasminmamadveṣo'bhavaddvija

'Simply by remembering whose name a man, departing this life, attains the realm of Vishnu — against that very Hari, O brahmin, most sinful that I was, I conceived my hatred.'

Verse 41 (padma.6.129.41)

यः पालयति भूतानि धर्मं याति जगत्त्रये । योंऽतरात्मा च भूतानां तस्मिन्द्वेषो ममाभवत्

yaḥ pālayati bhūtāni dharmaṁ yāti jagattraye yoṁ'tarātmā ca bhūtānāṁ tasmindveṣo mamābhavat

'Against him who sustains all beings, who upholds dharma throughout the three worlds, who is the inner self of every creature — against him alone I conceived my hatred.'

Verse 42 (padma.6.129.42)

कर्मणां फलदो योऽत्र सर्ववेदेषु गीयते । तपोभिरिज्यते विप्रैः समद्वेषवशंगतः

karmaṇāṁ phalado yo'tra sarvavedeṣu gīyate tapobhirijyate vipraiḥ samadveṣavaśaṁgataḥ

'He who grants the fruit of every deed, who is sung of in all the Vedas, whom brahmins worship through their austerities — I fell under the sway of hatred for that very one.'

Verse 43 (padma.6.129.43)

त्यक्तक्रियैः प्रियारण्यैर्निःसंगैकचरैश्च यः । वेदांते यतिभिश्चिंत्यः स मे द्वेषी हरिर्द्विज

tyaktakriyaiḥ priyāraṇyairniḥsaṁgaikacaraiśca yaḥ vedāṁte yatibhiściṁtyaḥ sa me dveṣī harirdvija

'He whom renunciate ascetics — who have abandoned all rites, who love the forest, who go about alone and unattached — meditate upon through Vedanta, that very Hari, O brahmin, became the object of my hatred.'

Verse 44 (padma.6.129.44)

ब्रह्मादयः सुराः सर्वे योगिनः सनकादयः । मुक्त्यर्थमर्चयंतीह स विष्णुर्द्वेषितो मया

brahmādayaḥ surāḥ sarve yoginaḥ sanakādayaḥ muktyarthamarcayaṁtīha sa viṣṇurdveṣito mayā

'That very Vishnu, whom Brahma and all the gods, and the yogis headed by Sanaka, worship here for the sake of liberation — him I made the object of my hatred.'

Verse 45 (padma.6.129.45)

आदौ मध्येऽवसाने यो विश्वधाता सनातनः । यस्य नैवादिमध्यांताः समे द्वेषपदं ययौ

ādau madhye'vasāne yo viśvadhātā sanātanaḥ yasya naivādimadhyāṁtāḥ same dveṣapadaṁ yayau

'He who, eternal, sustains the universe at its beginning, middle, and end, who himself has neither beginning, middle, nor end — even he, impartial to all, became the target of my hatred.'

Verse 46 (padma.6.129.46)

यन्मया सुकृतं कर्म कृतं प्राक्तनजन्मनि । विष्णुद्वेषाग्निना दग्धं तत्सर्वं भस्मसादभूत्

yanmayā sukṛtaṁ karma kṛtaṁ prāktanajanmani viṣṇudveṣāgninā dagdhaṁ tatsarvaṁ bhasmasādabhūt

'Whatever meritorious deeds I had performed in my former birth — all of them were burned to ashes by the fire of my hatred for Vishnu.'

Verse 47 (padma.6.129.47)

कथंचिदस्य पापस्य सीमां द्रक्ष्यामि चेदहम् । मुक्त्वा नारायणं नान्यमर्चयिष्यामि देवताम्

kathaṁcidasya pāpasya sīmāṁ drakṣyāmi cedaham muktvā nārāyaṇaṁ nānyamarcayiṣyāmi devatām

'If somehow I could see the far end of this sin, I would never again worship any deity other than Narayana.'

Verse 48 (padma.6.129.48)

विष्णुद्वेषाच्चिरं भुक्त्वा मया नरकयातनाम् । निरयान्निसृतः सोऽहं पैशाचीं योनिमागतः

viṣṇudveṣācciraṁ bhuktvā mayā narakayātanām nirayānnisṛtaḥ so'haṁ paiśācīṁ yonimāgataḥ

'Having long endured the torments of hell because of my hatred for Vishnu, I emerged from hell only to fall into this pishacha existence.'

Verse 49 (padma.6.129.49)

अधुना कर्ममंत्रैः कैरथानीतस्त्वदाश्रमम् । यत्र त्वद्दर्शनार्कान्मे नष्टं दुःखमयं तमः

adhunā karmamaṁtraiḥ kairathānītastvadāśramam yatra tvaddarśanārkānme naṣṭaṁ duḥkhamayaṁ tamaḥ

'By the power of what past deeds I know not, I have now been brought to your hermitage, where the very sun of your presence has dispelled my darkness of sorrow.'

Verse 50 (padma.6.129.50)

प्राप्यते मरणं यत्र बंधनं श्रीः सुखं वधूः । स तत्र नीयते स्वेन कर्मणा गलहस्तिना

prāpyate maraṇaṁ yatra baṁdhanaṁ śrīḥ sukhaṁ vadhūḥ sa tatra nīyate svena karmaṇā galahastinā

'Wherever a man meets death, or bondage, or wealth, or happiness, or a wife — it is his own past deeds that seize him by the neck and lead him there.'

Verse 51 (padma.6.129.51)

इदानीमुचितं कर्म ब्रूहि पैशाच्यनाशनम् । परोपकारकार्ये हि न धन्या मंदगामिनः

idānīmucitaṁ karma brūhi paiśācyanāśanam paropakārakārye hi na dhanyā maṁdagāminaḥ

'Now tell me the proper deed that will destroy this pishacha-state — for in a work of helping another, those who move slowly do not win merit.'

Verse 52 (padma.6.129.52)

देवद्युतिरुवाच। अहो मुष्णाति मायेयं देवासुरनृणां स्मृतिम् । यया देवेष्वपि द्वेषो जायते धर्मनाशनः

devadyutiruvāca aho muṣṇāti māyeyaṁ devāsuranṛṇāṁ smṛtim yayā deveṣvapi dveṣo jāyate dharmanāśanaḥ

Devadyuti said: 'Ah, this Maya steals away the memory even of gods, demons, and men — it is by her power that even hatred for the gods, destroyer of dharma, can arise.'

Verse 53 (padma.6.129.53)

स्रष्टा पालयिता हंता जगतां यो महेश्वरः । आत्मा च सर्वभूतानां तं मूढो द्वेष्टि कः कथम्

sraṣṭā pālayitā haṁtā jagatāṁ yo maheśvaraḥ ātmā ca sarvabhūtānāṁ taṁ mūḍho dveṣṭi kaḥ katham

'He who is the great Lord — creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the worlds, the very self of all beings — what fool could hate him, and how?'

Verse 54 (padma.6.129.54)

भवंति सर्वकर्माणि सफलानि यदर्पणात् । तद्भक्तिविमुखो मर्त्यः को न यातीह दुर्गतिम्

bhavaṁti sarvakarmāṇi saphalāni yadarpaṇāt tadbhaktivimukho martyaḥ ko na yātīha durgatim

'It is by offering to him that every action bears fruit — what mortal, turning away from devotion to him, does not come to ruin in this world?'

Verse 55 (padma.6.129.55)

श्रुतिस्मृतिसदाचारविहितं कर्म केवलम् । सेवितव्यं चतुर्वर्णैर्भजन्नारायणं सदा

śrutismṛtisadācāravihitaṁ karma kevalam sevitavyaṁ caturvarṇairbhajannārāyaṇaṁ sadā

'Only that action which is enjoined by shruti, smriti, and right conduct should be practiced by all four varnas — always while worshipping Narayana.'

Verse 56 (padma.6.129.56)

अन्यथा निरयं यांति विना ह्यागमसेवनात् । अतो वेदविरुद्धार्थं शास्त्रोक्तं कर्म संत्यजेत्

anyathā nirayaṁ yāṁti vinā hyāgamasevanāt ato vedaviruddhārthaṁ śāstroktaṁ karma saṁtyajet

'Otherwise, without following the scriptures, men fall into hell; therefore one should abandon any so-called scriptural practice whose meaning contradicts the Veda.'

Verse 57 (padma.6.129.57)

स्वबुद्धिरचितैः शास्त्रैः प्रतार्येह तु बालिशान् । विघ्नंति श्रेयसो मार्गं लोकनाशाय केवलम्

svabuddhiracitaiḥ śāstraiḥ pratāryeha tu bāliśān vighnaṁti śreyaso mārgaṁ lokanāśāya kevalam

'Through scriptures fabricated by their own cleverness, deceiving the simple-minded, such people obstruct the path of true good — only to bring ruin upon the world.'

Verse 58 (padma.6.129.58)

विष्णुं निंदंति वेदांश्च तपो निंदंति सद्द्विजान् । तेन ते नरकं यांति ह्यसच्छास्त्रनिषेवणात्

viṣṇuṁ niṁdaṁti vedāṁśca tapo niṁdaṁti saddvijān tena te narakaṁ yāṁti hyasacchāstraniṣevaṇāt

'Those who revile Vishnu, the Vedas, austerity, and virtuous brahmins go to hell precisely because they follow such false scriptures.'

Verse 59 (padma.6.129.59)

अयमेव यथा राजा द्रविडो निरयं गतः । द्विषन्नारायणं देवं देवदेवं जगत्प्रभुम्

ayameva yathā rājā draviḍo nirayaṁ gataḥ dviṣannārāyaṇaṁ devaṁ devadevaṁ jagatprabhum

'Just as this king of Dravida, by hating the god Narayana — god of gods, lord of the universe — went straight to hell.'

Verse 60 (padma.6.129.60)

तस्माद्द्वेषं हि देवेषु ब्राह्मणेषु विशेषतः । संत्यजेत्पुण्यकामोऽत्र वेदबाह्यां क्रियां त्यजेत्

tasmāddveṣaṁ hi deveṣu brāhmaṇeṣu viśeṣataḥ saṁtyajetpuṇyakāmo'tra vedabāhyāṁ kriyāṁ tyajet

'Therefore, one who desires merit should renounce hatred toward the gods, and especially toward brahmins, and should abandon every practice that lies outside the Veda.'

Verse 61 (padma.6.129.61)

इत्युक्त्वा कथयामास पिशाचाय हि तं मुनिः । प्रयागं गच्छ भो भद्र माघमासं विचारय

ityuktvā kathayāmāsa piśācāya hi taṁ muniḥ prayāgaṁ gaccha bho bhadra māghamāsaṁ vicāraya

So saying, the sage told the pishacha: 'Go, good sir, to Prayaga, and time your visit for the month of Magha.'

Verse 62 (padma.6.129.62)

यत्र ते निश्चिता मुक्तिः पैशाच्यान्नात्र संशयः । तत्राप्लुता दिवं यांति श्रुतिरेषा सनातनी

yatra te niścitā muktiḥ paiśācyānnātra saṁśayaḥ tatrāplutā divaṁ yāṁti śrutireṣā sanātanī

'There your liberation from this pishacha-state is certain, beyond doubt — those who bathe there go straight to heaven; so declares this eternal shruti.'

Verse 63 (padma.6.129.63)

विजहाति नरस्तत्र प्राक्तनं कर्म दुष्कृतम् । प्रयागस्नानतो नास्ति क्वाप्यन्यदधिकं परम्

vijahāti narastatra prāktanaṁ karma duṣkṛtam prayāgasnānato nāsti kvāpyanyadadhikaṁ param

'There a man sheds even the evil deeds of his former birth — there is nothing anywhere greater or higher than bathing at Prayaga.'

Verse 64 (padma.6.129.64)

प्रायश्चित्तं तपोरूपं दानरूपं क्रियात्मकम् । यागयोगाधिकं विद्धि प्रयागं पापिनामपि

prāyaścittaṁ taporūpaṁ dānarūpaṁ kriyātmakam yāgayogādhikaṁ viddhi prayāgaṁ pāpināmapi

'Know that for sinners too, Prayaga surpasses every penance, austerity, gift, ritual act, and even sacrifice and yoga.'

Verse 65 (padma.6.129.65)

स्वर्गापवर्गयोर्द्वारं तत्पृथिव्यामपावृतम् । सितासितोद वेणी या तां हित्वा भुवि नापरा

svargāpavargayordvāraṁ tatpṛthivyāmapāvṛtam sitāsitoda veṇī yā tāṁ hitvā bhuvi nāparā

'It is the door to both heaven and final liberation, standing open upon the earth — that braid of white and dark waters has no equal anywhere on this earth.'

Verse 66 (padma.6.129.66)

पापनैगडबद्धस्य छेदनैककुठारिका । क्व विष्णुः सूर्यतेजोऽग्निर्गंगायामुनसंगमः

pāpanaigaḍabaddhasya chedanaikakuṭhārikā kva viṣṇuḥ sūryatejo'gnirgaṁgāyāmunasaṁgamaḥ

'For one bound in the fetters of sin, it is the one axe that severs them. Where is Vishnu, where the splendor of the sun, where fire, and where the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna —'

Verse 67 (padma.6.129.67)

क्व वराकी नृणां तुच्छा पापराशि तृणाहुतिः । मलीमसघनध्वंसे यथा शरदि चंद्रमाः

kva varākī nṛṇāṁ tucchā pāparāśi tṛṇāhutiḥ malīmasaghanadhvaṁse yathā śaradi caṁdramāḥ

'and where, by comparison, the wretched, trifling mass of a man's sins — no more than an offering of straw, as autumn's moon dispels the murky clouds.'

Verse 68 (padma.6.129.68)

भाति पापक्षयादूर्ध्वं नरो वेणीजलाप्लुतः । सितासितस्य माहात्म्यमहं वक्तुं न ते क्षमः

bhāti pāpakṣayādūrdhvaṁ naro veṇījalāplutaḥ sitāsitasya māhātmyamahaṁ vaktuṁ na te kṣamaḥ

'A man, once bathed in that braided water and his sins destroyed, shines forth radiant — I am not even able to describe to you the full glory of that meeting of white and dark streams.'

Verse 69 (padma.6.129.69)

यत्तोयकणसंस्पृष्टो मुक्तः केरलको द्विजः । इति वाक्यमृषेः श्रुत्वा पिशाचस्तुष्टमानसः

yattoyakaṇasaṁspṛṣṭo muktaḥ keralako dvijaḥ iti vākyamṛṣeḥ śrutvā piśācastuṣṭamānasaḥ

'By the mere touch of a droplet of that water, even a brahmin of Kerala was once set free.' Hearing this word of the sage, the pishacha's mind was filled with joy.

Verse 70 (padma.6.129.70)

मुक्तदुःखइव प्रीतः पप्रच्छ प्रणयान्मुनिम् । कथं केरलदेशीयो द्विजो मुक्तो महामुने

muktaduḥkhaiva prītaḥ papraccha praṇayānmunim kathaṁ keraladeśīyo dvijo mukto mahāmune

As if already freed of his suffering, he joyfully and affectionately asked the sage: 'O great sage, how was that brahmin of Kerala freed?'

Verse 71 (padma.6.129.71)

एतं कथय वृत्तांतं संश्रित्य करुणां मयि

etaṁ kathaya vṛttāṁtaṁ saṁśritya karuṇāṁ mayi

'Out of compassion for me, tell me that story.'

Verse 72 (padma.6.129.72)

देवद्युतिरुवाच। पिशाच शृणु पुण्यां मे कथां कथयतः शुभाम् । केरले वसुनामात्र ब्राह्मणो वेदपारगः

devadyutiruvāca piśāca śṛṇu puṇyāṁ me kathāṁ kathayataḥ śubhām kerale vasunāmātra brāhmaṇo vedapāragaḥ

Devadyuti said: 'Listen, O pishacha, to this auspicious and meritorious tale as I tell it. In Kerala there once lived a brahmin named Vasu, versed through and through in the Vedas.'

Verse 73 (padma.6.129.73)

दायादैर्हृतवित्तस्तु निर्धनो बंधुवर्जितः । जन्मभूमिं परित्यज्य महादुःखेन दुःखितः

dāyādairhṛtavittastu nirdhano baṁdhuvarjitaḥ janmabhūmiṁ parityajya mahāduḥkhena duḥkhitaḥ

'His kinsmen had seized his wealth; left destitute and without any relatives, and overwhelmed by great sorrow, he abandoned his native land.'

Verse 74 (padma.6.129.74)

देशाद्देशं परिभ्राम्य कालेन महता पुनः । प्रविश्य स महारण्यमीषद्व्याधिप्रपीडितः

deśāddeśaṁ paribhrāmya kālena mahatā punaḥ praviśya sa mahāraṇyamīṣadvyādhiprapīḍitaḥ

'Wandering from land to land, after a long time he entered a vast forest, somewhat afflicted also by illness.'

Verse 75 (padma.6.129.75)

गच्छंस्तीर्थांतरं श्रांतः क्षुत्क्षामो विंध्यपर्वते । दुर्भिक्षेण मृतिं लेभे न दाहं चौर्ध्वदेहिकम्

gacchaṁstīrthāṁtaraṁ śrāṁtaḥ kṣutkṣāmo viṁdhyaparvate durbhikṣeṇa mṛtiṁ lebhe na dāhaṁ caurdhvadehikam

'Going on toward another sacred place, exhausted and wasted with hunger, he died of famine on the Vindhya mountain — with no cremation, no funeral rite performed for him.'

Verse 76 (padma.6.129.76)

तेन कर्मविपाकेन तत्रैव गिरिगह्वरे । प्रेतीभूतश्चिरं कालमुवास निर्जने वने

tena karmavipākena tatraiva girigahvare pretībhūtaściraṁ kālamuvāsa nirjane vane

'As the fruit of that fate, he became a preta and dwelt for a long time right there in a mountain cave, in that lonely forest.'

Verse 77 (padma.6.129.77)

शीतातपपरिक्लिष्टो निराहारो निरूदकः । दिगंबरो व्युपानत्को गिरा हाहेति निःश्वसन्

śītātapaparikliṣṭo nirāhāro nirūdakaḥ digaṁbaro vyupānatko girā hāheti niḥśvasan

'Tormented by cold and heat, without food or water, naked and without even sandals, he sighed again and again, crying alas, alas.'

Verse 78 (padma.6.129.78)

इतस्ततः परिभ्राम्य वायुभूतः स केरलः । द्विजो न शरणं लेभे न सुखं कुत्रचित्तदा

itastataḥ paribhrāmya vāyubhūtaḥ sa keralaḥ dvijo na śaraṇaṁ lebhe na sukhaṁ kutracittadā

'Wandering here and there, insubstantial as the wind, that brahmin of Kerala found neither refuge nor happiness anywhere.'

Verse 79 (padma.6.129.79)

संशोचति स्म दुःखार्ते नैव पश्यति सद्गतिम् । सर्वदा दत्तदानं स भुंक्ते स्वं कर्मणः फलम्

saṁśocati sma duḥkhārte naiva paśyati sadgatim sarvadā dattadānaṁ sa bhuṁkte svaṁ karmaṇaḥ phalam

'Tormented with grief he lamented, seeing no good end anywhere in sight — for a man forever reaps only the fruit of what he himself has given, of his own deeds alone.'

Verse 80 (padma.6.129.80)

हविर्जुह्वति नाग्नौ ये गोविंदं नार्चयंति ये । भजंते नात्मविद्यां ये सुतीर्थविमुखाश्च ये

havirjuhvati nāgnau ye goviṁdaṁ nārcayaṁti ye bhajaṁte nātmavidyāṁ ye sutīrthavimukhāśca ye

'Those who offer no oblation into the fire, who do not worship Govinda, who cultivate no knowledge of the self, and who turn away from the sacred fords —'

Verse 81 (padma.6.129.81)

सुवर्णवस्त्रतांबूलं मणिमन्नं फलं जलम् । आर्तेभ्यो न प्रयच्छंति सर्वे ते कृतहीनकाः

suvarṇavastratāṁbūlaṁ maṇimannaṁ phalaṁ jalam ārtebhyo na prayacchaṁti sarve te kṛtahīnakāḥ

'and who give no gold, no clothing, no betel, no jewels, no food, no fruit, no water even to the suffering — all such people are utterly bereft of good deeds.'

Verse 82 (padma.6.129.82)

ब्रह्मस्वं च परस्वं च स्त्रीधनानि हरंति ये । बलेन छद्मना वापि धूर्ताश्च परवंचकाः

brahmasvaṁ ca parasvaṁ ca strīdhanāni haraṁti ye balena chadmanā vāpi dhūrtāśca paravaṁcakāḥ

'Those who by force or by deceit rob a brahmin's property, another's property, or a woman's wealth are cheats and deceivers of others.'

Verse 83 (padma.6.129.83)

दांभिकः कुहकाश्चौरा ये च पावकवृत्तयः । बालवृद्धातुरस्त्रीषु निर्दयाः सत्यवर्जिताः

dāṁbhikaḥ kuhakāścaurā ye ca pāvakavṛttayaḥ bālavṛddhāturastrīṣu nirdayāḥ satyavarjitāḥ

'The hypocritical, the fraudulent, thieves, those whose ways are as destructive as fire, those merciless toward children, the aged, the sick, and women, and those devoid of truth —'

Verse 84 (padma.6.129.84)

अग्निदा गरदा ये च ये चान्ये कूटसाक्षिणः । अगम्यागामिनः सर्वे ये चान्ये ग्रामयाजिनः

agnidā garadā ye ca ye cānye kūṭasākṣiṇaḥ agamyāgāminaḥ sarve ye cānye grāmayājinaḥ

'Those who set fires, who administer poison, who bear false witness, who commit incest, and those who serve as hired priests for an entire village —'

Verse 85 (padma.6.129.85)

पितृमातृस्नुषापत्यस्वदारत्यागिनश्च ये । ये कदर्याश्च लुब्धाश्च नास्तिका धर्मदूषकाः

pitṛmātṛsnuṣāpatyasvadāratyāginaśca ye ye kadaryāśca lubdhāśca nāstikā dharmadūṣakāḥ

'Those who abandon father, mother, daughter-in-law, children, or their own wife, and those who are miserly, greedy, godless, and corrupters of dharma —'

Verse 86 (padma.6.129.86)

त्यजंति स्वामिनं युद्धे त्यजंति शरणागतम् । गवांभूमेश्च हंतारो ये चान्ये रत्नदूषकाः

tyajaṁti svāminaṁ yuddhe tyajaṁti śaraṇāgatam gavāṁbhūmeśca haṁtāro ye cānye ratnadūṣakāḥ

'Those who desert their lord in battle, who abandon one who has taken refuge with them, the killers of cows and violators of land-grants, and other adulterators of gems —'

Verse 87 (padma.6.129.87)

परापवादिनः पापा देवतागुरुनिंदकाः । महाक्षेत्रेषु सर्वेषु प्रतिग्रहरताश्च ये

parāpavādinaḥ pāpā devatāguruniṁdakāḥ mahākṣetreṣu sarveṣu pratigraharatāśca ye

'Sinners who slander others, who revile the gods and their teachers, and those addicted to accepting gifts at every great sacred site —'

Verse 88 (padma.6.129.88)

परद्रोहरता ये च यथा च प्राणिहिंसकाः । कुप्रतिग्राहिणः सर्वे ते भवंति पुनः पुनः

paradroharatā ye ca yathā ca prāṇihiṁsakāḥ kupratigrāhiṇaḥ sarve te bhavaṁti punaḥ punaḥ

'Those devoted to injuring others, and those who kill living creatures, and all such unworthy recipients of gifts — such people are born again and again into misfortune.'

Verse 89 (padma.6.129.89)

प्रेतराक्षसपैशाच तिर्यग्वृक्षकुयोनिषु । न तेषां सुखलेशोऽस्ति इह लोके परत्र च

pretarākṣasapaiśāca tiryagvṛkṣakuyoniṣu na teṣāṁ sukhaleśo'sti iha loke paratra ca

'They are born into low existences — as pretas, rakshasas, pishachas, beasts, or even trees — and not the slightest particle of happiness is theirs, either in this world or the next.'

Verse 90 (padma.6.129.90)

तस्मात्त्यक्त्वा निषिद्धार्थं विहितं कर्म चाचरेत् । यज्ञं दानं तपस्तीर्थं मंत्रं देवं गुरुं भजेत्

tasmāttyaktvā niṣiddhārthaṁ vihitaṁ karma cācaret yajñaṁ dānaṁ tapastīrthaṁ maṁtraṁ devaṁ guruṁ bhajet

'Therefore one should abandon every forbidden act and practice only what is enjoined — sacrifice, giving, austerity, pilgrimage — and should worship one's mantra, one's chosen deity, and one's guru.'

Verse 91 (padma.6.129.91)

विपाकं कर्मणां दृष्ट्वा योनिकोटिषु दुस्तरम् । चतुर्भिरपि वर्णैश्च सेव्यो धर्मो निरंतरम्

vipākaṁ karmaṇāṁ dṛṣṭvā yonikoṭiṣu dustaram caturbhirapi varṇaiśca sevyo dharmo niraṁtaram

'Seeing how hard the fruit of one's deeds is to bear across millions of possible births, dharma alone should be practiced without pause, by all four varnas alike.'

Verse 92 (padma.6.129.92)

इति प्रेतगतिं दृष्ट्वा पापबीजोत्थितां हि सः । कृत्वा धर्मोपदेशं च पुनस्तस्मै द्विजोऽब्रवीत्

iti pretagatiṁ dṛṣṭvā pāpabījotthitāṁ hi saḥ kṛtvā dharmopadeśaṁ ca punastasmai dvijo'bravīt

Thus, seeing the fate of the preta — born from the seed of sin — and having given him this teaching on dharma, that brahmin spoke to him once more.

Verse 93 (padma.6.129.93)

इत्थं स केरलः प्रेतो वर्तमानो गिरौ तदा । अतिवाह्य चिरं कालमपश्यत्पथिकं पथि

itthaṁ sa keralaḥ preto vartamāno girau tadā ativāhya ciraṁ kālamapaśyatpathikaṁ pathi

So the Kerala preta continued to dwell upon that mountain, and after a long time had passed in this way, he saw a traveler upon the path.

Verse 94 (padma.6.129.94)

वहंतं द्वौ करंडौ च वेणी जलयुतौ तथा । गायंतं प्रमुखा देवं पुण्यश्लोकं जनार्दनम्

vahaṁtaṁ dvau karaṁḍau ca veṇī jalayutau tathā gāyaṁtaṁ pramukhā devaṁ puṇyaślokaṁ janārdanam

That traveler was carrying two vessels filled with water from the sacred braid of rivers, and he was singing, above all, of Janardana, the god of holy renown.

Verse 95 (padma.6.129.95)

तं दृष्ट्वा सहसा प्रेतो मार्गरोधं चकार सः । दर्शयामास चात्मानं मा भैषीरित्युवाच सः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā sahasā preto mārgarodhaṁ cakāra saḥ darśayāmāsa cātmānaṁ mā bhaiṣīrityuvāca saḥ

Seeing him, the preta suddenly blocked his path, revealing himself, and said: 'Do not be afraid.'

Verse 96 (padma.6.129.96)

पानीयं पातुमिच्छामि त्वत्तः कार्पाटिकोत्तम । न पास्यसि जलं चेन्मां प्राणा यास्यंति मे दृढम्

pānīyaṁ pātumicchāmi tvattaḥ kārpāṭikottama na pāsyasi jalaṁ cenmāṁ prāṇā yāsyaṁti me dṛḍham

'O best of travelers, I wish to drink water from you — if you do not give me water to drink, my life will certainly leave me.'

Verse 97 (padma.6.129.97)

इति प्रेतवचः श्रुत्वा पांथः प्रत्याह कौतुकात् । कार्पटीक उवाच। कस्त्वं दुःखाभिभूतस्तु कृशो म्लानो दिगंबरः

iti pretavacaḥ śrutvā pāṁthaḥ pratyāha kautukāt kārpaṭīka uvāca kastvaṁ duḥkhābhibhūtastu kṛśo mlāno digaṁbaraḥ

Hearing these words of the preta, the traveler answered out of curiosity. The wayfarer said: 'Who are you — so overwhelmed with suffering, so emaciated, wretched, and naked?'

Verse 98 (padma.6.129.98)

जीवशेषो मुमूर्षुश्च विकृतो भयवर्धनः । नवधूममयाकारश्चंडश्चंचललोचनः

jīvaśeṣo mumūrṣuśca vikṛto bhayavardhanaḥ navadhūmamayākāraścaṁḍaścaṁcalalocanaḥ

'The last remnant of life, on the point of death, deformed and terror-increasing, your very form seeming made of fresh smoke, fierce and restless-eyed —'

Verse 99 (padma.6.129.99)

पद्भ्यामस्पृष्टभूमिस्त्वं निर्मांसोदरबाहुकः । इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रेतो वाक्यमथाब्रवीत्

padbhyāmaspṛṣṭabhūmistvaṁ nirmāṁsodarabāhukaḥ iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā preto vākyamathābravīt

'your feet do not even touch the ground, your belly and arms are stripped of flesh.' Hearing these words, the preta then spoke as follows.

Verse 100 (padma.6.129.100)

प्रेत उवाच। शृणु धर्मिष्ठ ते वच्मि येनाहमीदृशोऽभवम् । ब्राह्मणोऽदत्तदानोऽहं लोभी च मलिनक्रियः

preta uvāca śṛṇu dharmiṣṭha te vacmi yenāhamīdṛśo'bhavam brāhmaṇo'dattadāno'haṁ lobhī ca malinakriyaḥ

The preta said: 'Listen, righteous one, and I will tell you how I came to be like this. I was a brahmin who gave no charity, who was greedy, and whose deeds were impure.'

Verse 101 (padma.6.129.101)

परान्नं च सदा भुक्तमेकाकी मिष्टभोजनः । मया दत्ता न भिक्षापि हंतकारो न पुष्कलः

parānnaṁ ca sadā bhuktamekākī miṣṭabhojanaḥ mayā dattā na bhikṣāpi haṁtakāro na puṣkalaḥ

'I always ate the food of others, dining alone on sweet fare all for myself; I never even gave alms, nor made any generous oblation.'

Verse 102 (padma.6.129.102)

न कृतो वैश्वदेवस्तु प्रक्षिप्तो न बहिर्बलि । भूतानां तु तृषार्तानां न हता पयसा च तृट्

na kṛto vaiśvadevastu prakṣipto na bahirbali bhūtānāṁ tu tṛṣārtānāṁ na hatā payasā ca tṛṭ

'I performed no Vaishvadeva offering, cast out no share of food for the beings outside; I never quenched with water the thirst of any creature parched with thirst.'

Verse 103 (padma.6.129.103)

कदाचित्पितरो नैव तर्पिता अटता महीम् । न च श्राद्धं कृतं क्वापि पूजिता नैव देवताः

kadācitpitaro naiva tarpitā aṭatā mahīm na ca śrāddhaṁ kṛtaṁ kvāpi pūjitā naiva devatāḥ

'Never once, though I roamed the earth, did I offer libations to my ancestors; nowhere did I ever perform a shraddha rite, nor did I ever worship the gods.'

Verse 104 (padma.6.129.104)

वर्षातपपरित्राणं न दत्तं पादरक्षणम् । जलपात्रं न दत्तं च तांबूलं नौषधं मया

varṣātapaparitrāṇaṁ na dattaṁ pādarakṣaṇam jalapātraṁ na dattaṁ ca tāṁbūlaṁ nauṣadhaṁ mayā

'I gave no shelter from rain or sun, no protection for feet, no vessel of water, no betel, no medicine.'

Verse 105 (padma.6.129.105)

न गृहे वसतिर्दत्ता नातिथ्यं कस्यचित्कृतम् । अंधवृद्धाधनानाथ दीनाः पानान्नतोषिताः

na gṛhe vasatirdattā nātithyaṁ kasyacitkṛtam aṁdhavṛddhādhanānātha dīnāḥ pānānnatoṣitāḥ

'I never gave lodging in my house to anyone, nor offered hospitality to a single soul; the blind, the aged, the poor, the orphaned, and the wretched — I never gladdened them with food or drink.'

Verse 106 (padma.6.129.106)

गवां ग्रासो न दत्तो वै न रोगी परिमोचितः । न दत्ता न हुता विप्र पवित्राश्च तिला मया

gavāṁ grāso na datto vai na rogī parimocitaḥ na dattā na hutā vipra pavitrāśca tilā mayā

'I gave no fodder to cows, I never helped free a soul from illness; O brahmin, I neither gave nor offered in sacrifice even the sanctifying sesame seed.'

Verse 107 (padma.6.129.107)

पृथिव्यां तिलदातारो न भवंति तु मद्विधाः । व्यतीपाते न दत्तं हि किंचित्स्वर्णं महाफलम्

pṛthivyāṁ tiladātāro na bhavaṁti tu madvidhāḥ vyatīpāte na dattaṁ hi kiṁcitsvarṇaṁ mahāphalam

'On this earth there are many like me who never give sesame in charity; on the Vyatipata conjunction, which yields such great merit, I gave not even a little gold.'

Verse 108 (padma.6.129.108)

संक्रांतावुपरागे च न दत्तं सूर्यचन्द्रयोः । पर्वाण्यन्यानि सर्वाणि जग्मुः शून्यानि मे द्विज

saṁkrāṁtāvuparāge ca na dattaṁ sūryacandrayoḥ parvāṇyanyāni sarvāṇi jagmuḥ śūnyāni me dvija

'At the solstice, and during eclipses of the sun and moon, I gave nothing; O brahmin, every other sacred occasion too passed by me utterly empty.'

Verse 109 (padma.6.129.109)

तिथयः कार्तिके मुख्या जाता वंध्याः सदा मम । पितृभ्यो नैव दत्तं वा अष्टकासु मघासु च

tithayaḥ kārtike mukhyā jātā vaṁdhyāḥ sadā mama pitṛbhyo naiva dattaṁ vā aṣṭakāsu maghāsu ca

'Even the principal holy days of Kartika always went for nothing with me; nor did I ever give anything to my ancestors on the Ashtaka days or during Magha.'

Verse 110 (padma.6.129.110)

द्विजानां न कृता प्रीतिर्मन्वादिषु युगादिषु । न दत्तस्तिलतैलेन प्रदीपः कार्तिके मया

dvijānāṁ na kṛtā prītirmanvādiṣu yugādiṣu na dattastilatailena pradīpaḥ kārtike mayā

'On the Manvadi and Yugadi days I never pleased the brahmins; nor did I ever light a lamp of sesame oil during Kartika.'

Verse 111 (padma.6.129.111)

न स्नातो माघमासेऽहं रूपसौभाग्यकामदे । द्विजाय वेदविदुषे गौतम्यां सिंहगे गुरौ

na snāto māghamāse'haṁ rūpasaubhāgyakāmade dvijāya vedaviduṣe gautamyāṁ siṁhage gurau

'I never bathed in the month of Magha, which bestows beauty and good fortune; nor did I ever give a gift to a Veda-learned brahmin on the Godavari when Jupiter stood in Leo.'

Verse 112 (padma.6.129.112)

मया संकल्पितं द्रव्यं न दत्तं पूर्वजन्मनि । न स्नातोऽहं कृष्णवेण्यां तथा कन्यागते गुरौ

mayā saṁkalpitaṁ dravyaṁ na dattaṁ pūrvajanmani na snāto'haṁ kṛṣṇaveṇyāṁ tathā kanyāgate gurau

'Even wealth I had once vowed to give, in a former birth, I never gave; nor did I ever bathe in the Krishnaveni river when Jupiter stood in Virgo.'

Verse 113 (padma.6.129.113)

अग्निं प्रज्वाल्य काष्ठौघैः स्नातानां पौषमाघयोः । शीतार्तानां च विप्राणां न कृतो जाड्यनिग्रहः

agniṁ prajvālya kāṣṭhaughaiḥ snātānāṁ pauṣamāghayoḥ śītārtānāṁ ca viprāṇāṁ na kṛto jāḍyanigrahaḥ

'For brahmins who bathed in the months of Pausha and Magha and suffered from the cold, I never even lit a fire with heaps of wood to relieve their chill.'

Verse 114 (padma.6.129.114)

माधवादिषु मासेषु न दत्तं शीतलं जलम् । मया नारोऽपितोऽश्वत्थो न्यग्रोधो नैव वर्धितः

mādhavādiṣu māseṣu na dattaṁ śītalaṁ jalam mayā nāro'pito'śvattho nyagrodho naiva vardhitaḥ

'In the months beginning with Vaishakha I never gave cool water in charity; I never planted a peepal or a banyan tree, nor did I ever tend one to growth.'

Verse 115 (padma.6.129.115)

बंदीगृहान्मया मुक्तिर्न कृता प्राणिनां क्वचित् । न प्राणिभयसंत्रस्तो रक्षितः शरणागतः

baṁdīgṛhānmayā muktirna kṛtā prāṇināṁ kvacit na prāṇibhayasaṁtrasto rakṣitaḥ śaraṇāgataḥ

'I never freed a single creature from a prison; I never protected any being that, terrified with fear, had come to me for refuge.'

Verse 116 (padma.6.129.116)

नोपोष्यात्र त्रिरात्राणि तोषितो मधुसूदनः । कृच्छ्रातिकृच्छ्रपाराकं तथा चांद्रायणं द्विज

nopoṣyātra trirātrāṇi toṣito madhusūdanaḥ kṛcchrātikṛcchrapārākaṁ tathā cāṁdrāyaṇaṁ dvija

'I never pleased Madhusudana by fasting even for three nights; nor, O brahmin, did I ever undertake the Krichchhra, Atikrichchhra, Paraka, or Chandrayana vows.'

Verse 117 (padma.6.129.117)

अथान्यत्तप्तकृच्छ्रं च तथा सांतपनानि च । व्रतान्येतानि पुण्यानि जुष्टानींद्रादिभिः सुरैः

athānyattaptakṛcchraṁ ca tathā sāṁtapanāni ca vratānyetāni puṇyāni juṣṭānīṁdrādibhiḥ suraiḥ

'nor the other Taptakrichchhra, nor the Santapana vows — these are all meritorious observances, practiced even by Indra and the other gods.'

Verse 118 (padma.6.129.118)

चरित्वा न मया तानि देहः संशोषितः पुरा । इत्थं पूर्वभवो वंध्यो मम जातो द्विजोत्तम

caritvā na mayā tāni dehaḥ saṁśoṣitaḥ purā itthaṁ pūrvabhavo vaṁdhyo mama jāto dvijottama

'I never practiced any of them, nor did I ever discipline my body through austerity in the past. Thus, O best of brahmins, my former birth turned out utterly barren of merit.'

Verse 119 (padma.6.129.119)

पश्य द्विज महाक्रूरामद्भुतामत्र जन्मनि । गतिं दूरप्रबोधां तु मम पूर्वस्य कर्मणः

paśya dvija mahākrūrāmadbhutāmatra janmani gatiṁ dūraprabodhāṁ tu mama pūrvasya karmaṇaḥ

'Now see, O brahmin, in this present birth, the terrible and astonishing fate that has come from my former deeds — a fate whose full meaning is hard indeed to fathom.'

Verse 120 (padma.6.129.120)

संति मांसानि मार्गेषु वृकव्याघ्रहतानि वै । फलान्यन्यानि शैलेस्मिन्शुकैस्त्यक्तानि सर्वतः

saṁti māṁsāni mārgeṣu vṛkavyāghrahatāni vai phalānyanyāni śailesminśukaistyaktāni sarvataḥ

'There is meat lying on the paths, from beasts killed by wolves and tigers; there is fruit too, scattered everywhere on this mountain, left half-eaten by parrots.'

Verse 121 (padma.6.129.121)

पुण्यानि च सुगंधीनि फलानि रसवंति च । मूलानि तु सुभक्ष्याणि मृदूनि मधुराणि च

puṇyāni ca sugaṁdhīni phalāni rasavaṁti ca mūlāni tu subhakṣyāṇi mṛdūni madhurāṇi ca

'There are wholesome, fragrant, juicy fruits here, and roots that are soft, sweet, and good to eat.'

Verse 122 (padma.6.129.122)

नानाविधानि तिष्ठंति मधूनि सुबहून्यपि । स्रोतसां निर्झराणां च संति वारीणि सर्वशः

nānāvidhāni tiṣṭhaṁti madhūni subahūnyapi srotasāṁ nirjharāṇāṁ ca saṁti vārīṇi sarvaśaḥ

'Honeys of many kinds, plentiful in abundance, are here too, and the waters of streams and mountain springs are found on every side.'

Verse 123 (padma.6.129.123)

सुलभेषु पदार्थेषु सर्वेष्वेतेषु पर्वते । नेक्षेहमशनं क्वापि दैवेनापि हतं सदा

sulabheṣu padārtheṣu sarveṣveteṣu parvate nekṣehamaśanaṁ kvāpi daivenāpi hataṁ sadā

'Though all these things are so easily found on this mountain, struck down as I am by fate, I never see any food anywhere, ever.'

Verse 124 (padma.6.129.124)

वाताहारेण जीवामि यथा जीवंति पन्नगाः । पुनर्जीवामि भो विप्र देवयोनिप्रभावतः

vātāhāreṇa jīvāmi yathā jīvaṁti pannagāḥ punarjīvāmi bho vipra devayoniprabhāvataḥ

'I live only on the food of wind, as serpents live; O brahmin, it is by the very power of this half-divine existence that I remain alive at all.'

Verse 125 (padma.6.129.125)

बलेन प्रज्ञया नित्यं मंत्रपौरुषविक्रमैः । सहायैश्चैव मित्रैश्च नालभ्यं लभते नरः

balena prajñayā nityaṁ maṁtrapauruṣavikramaiḥ sahāyaiścaiva mitraiśca nālabhyaṁ labhate naraḥ

'Not through strength, nor wisdom, nor the power of mantra and manly valor, nor through helpers and friends, can a man ever obtain what is not destined to be his.'

Verse 126 (padma.6.129.126)

लाभालाभे सुखे दुःखे विवाहे मृत्युजीवने । भोगे रोगे वियोगे च दैवमेव हि कारणम्

lābhālābhe sukhe duḥkhe vivāhe mṛtyujīvane bhoge roge viyoge ca daivameva hi kāraṇam

'In gain and loss, in joy and sorrow, in marriage, in death and life, in enjoyment, in sickness, and in separation — fate alone is the cause.'

Verse 127 (padma.6.129.127)

कुरूपाः कुकुला मूर्खाः कुत्सिताचारनिंदिताः । शौर्यविक्रमहीनाश्च दैवाद्राज्यानि भुंजते

kurūpāḥ kukulā mūrkhāḥ kutsitācāraniṁditāḥ śauryavikramahīnāśca daivādrājyāni bhuṁjate

'The ugly, the low-born, the foolish, those of despised conduct, and those devoid of valor and heroism — even they, by fate alone, come to enjoy a kingdom.'

Verse 128 (padma.6.129.128)

काणाः खंजा अभव्याश्च नीतिहीनाश्च दुर्गुणाः । नपुंसकाश्च दृश्यंते दैवाद्राज्ये प्रतिष्ठिताः

kāṇāḥ khaṁjā abhavyāśca nītihīnāśca durguṇāḥ napuṁsakāśca dṛśyaṁte daivādrājye pratiṣṭhitāḥ

'The one-eyed, the lame, the inauspicious, those without principle, the ill-natured, even eunuchs — all are seen established upon a throne, by fate alone.'

Verse 129 (padma.6.129.129)

यैर्दत्ताश्च तिला गावो हिरण्यं वसनानि च । गौरी कन्या च यैर्दत्ता यैर्दत्ता च वसुंधरा

yairdattāśca tilā gāvo hiraṇyaṁ vasanāni ca gaurī kanyā ca yairdattā yairdattā ca vasuṁdharā

'Those who have given sesame, cows, gold, and garments; those who have given a maiden in marriage; those who have given away land itself —'

Verse 130 (padma.6.129.130)

शय्यासनानि तांबूलं मंदिराणि धनानि च । भक्ष्यभोज्यानि दत्तानि चंदनान्यगरूणि च

śayyāsanāni tāṁbūlaṁ maṁdirāṇi dhanāni ca bhakṣyabhojyāni dattāni caṁdanānyagarūṇi ca

'and those who have given beds, seats, betel, dwellings, and wealth, who have given food to eat, sandalwood, and aloewood —'

Verse 131 (padma.6.129.131)

अटव्यां पर्वताग्रे च ग्रामे वा नगरेऽपि वा । पुरः पुरःश्च तिष्ठंति तेषां भोगाः प्रयत्नतः

aṭavyāṁ parvatāgre ca grāme vā nagare'pi vā puraḥ puraḥśca tiṣṭhaṁti teṣāṁ bhogāḥ prayatnataḥ

'In forest, on mountaintop, in village or in town — wherever such people live, their enjoyments stand ready before them, without effort.'

Verse 132 (padma.6.129.132)

संत्यत्र पर्वतेऽन्येऽपि राक्षसा बलवत्तराः । राक्षसाश्च पिशाचाश्च पिशाच्यश्चातिदारुणाः

saṁtyatra parvate'nye'pi rākṣasā balavattarāḥ rākṣasāśca piśācāśca piśācyaścātidāruṇāḥ

'On this mountain there dwell other, far more powerful demons too — rakshasas, pishachas, and utterly dreadful female pishachis.'

Verse 133 (padma.6.129.133)

कदाचिच्च कथंचिच्च क्वापि यत्र स्वकर्मणा । लभंते चान्नपानानि पर्यटंतो वनेवने

kadācicca kathaṁcicca kvāpi yatra svakarmaṇā labhaṁte cānnapānāni paryaṭaṁto vanevane

'Sometimes, somehow, in one place or another, according to their own past deeds, they manage to find food and drink as they wander from forest to forest.'

Verse 134 (padma.6.129.134)

इति श्रुत्वाऽत्र तेभ्यश्च मा भयं भवतां भवेत् । शुचिं गोविंदभक्तं त्वां न ते द्रष्टुमपि क्षमाः

iti śrutvā'tra tebhyaśca mā bhayaṁ bhavatāṁ bhavet śuciṁ goviṁdabhaktaṁ tvāṁ na te draṣṭumapi kṣamāḥ

'Having heard this, let there be no fear of them for you — for you are pure and a devotee of Govinda, and they are not even able to look upon you.'

Verse 135 (padma.6.129.135)

विष्णुभक्तितनुत्राणं नारायणपरायणम् । न स्पृशंति न पश्यंति राक्षसाः प्रेतपूतनाः

viṣṇubhaktitanutrāṇaṁ nārāyaṇaparāyaṇam na spṛśaṁti na paśyaṁti rākṣasāḥ pretapūtanāḥ

'One whose very armor is devotion to Vishnu, who is wholly devoted to Narayana — such a person cannot be touched or even seen by rakshasas, pretas, or putanas.'

Verse 136 (padma.6.129.136)

भूतवेतालगंधर्वाः शाकिन्यश्चार्यका ग्रहाः। रेवत्यो वृद्धरेवत्यो मुखमंड्यस्तथा ग्रहाः

bhūtavetālagaṁdharvāḥ śākinyaścāryakā grahāḥ revatyo vṛddharevatyo mukhamaṁḍyastathā grahāḥ

'Ghosts, vetalas, gandharvas, shakinis, the seizing spirit Aryaka, the Revati and Vriddha-Revati spirits, and Mukhamandika too —'

Verse 137 (padma.6.129.137)

यक्षा बालग्रहाः क्रूरा दुष्टा वृद्धग्रहाश्च ये । तथा मातृग्रहा भीमा ग्रहाश्चान्ये विनायकाः

yakṣā bālagrahāḥ krūrā duṣṭā vṛddhagrahāśca ye tathā mātṛgrahā bhīmā grahāścānye vināyakāḥ

'Yakshas, the cruel seizers of children, evil seizers of the aged, the terrible Matri-grahas, and other Vinayaka spirits —'

Verse 138 (padma.6.129.138)

कृत्याः सर्पाश्च कूष्मांडा ये चान्ये दुष्टजंतवः । न पश्यंति परं विप्र वैष्णवं ब्राह्मणं शुचिम्

kṛtyāḥ sarpāśca kūṣmāṁḍā ye cānye duṣṭajaṁtavaḥ na paśyaṁti paraṁ vipra vaiṣṇavaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ śucim

'Sorcery-spirits, serpents, kushmandas, and all other evil creatures — none of them, O brahmin, can even see a pure, Vishnu-devoted brahmin.'

Verse 139 (padma.6.129.139)

शुचिं रक्षंति भूतानि धर्मिष्ठं पीडयंति न । रक्षंति च शुचिं नित्यं ग्रहनक्षत्रदेवताः

śuciṁ rakṣaṁti bhūtāni dharmiṣṭhaṁ pīḍayaṁti na rakṣaṁti ca śuciṁ nityaṁ grahanakṣatradevatāḥ

'Even spirit-beings protect the pure man and never harm the righteous; the very deities of the planets and constellations forever watch over the pure.'

Verse 140 (padma.6.129.140)

गोविंदनाम जिह्वाग्रे हृदि वेदस्तु संस्थितः । शुचिश्च दानशीलश्च त्वं सर्वत्राकुतोभयः

goviṁdanāma jihvāgre hṛdi vedastu saṁsthitaḥ śuciśca dānaśīlaśca tvaṁ sarvatrākutobhayaḥ

'One on whose tongue's very tip the name of Govinda rests, in whose heart the Veda itself abides, who is pure and given to charity — such are you, and so you are fearless everywhere.'

Verse 141 (padma.6.129.141)

एवं ब्राह्मण तिष्ठामि भुंजानः कर्मणः फलम् । न शोचामीति मत्वाऽहं विमृश्य च पुनः पुनः

evaṁ brāhmaṇa tiṣṭhāmi bhuṁjānaḥ karmaṇaḥ phalam na śocāmīti matvā'haṁ vimṛśya ca punaḥ punaḥ

'Thus, O brahmin, I remain here, reaping the fruit of my own deeds; having reflected on this again and again, I have resolved: I will not grieve.'

Verse 142 (padma.6.129.142)

न दुनोमि तथा तावद्यावज्जंबालिनी तटे । सारसोदीरितं वाक्ये श्रुतं पर्यटता मया

na dunomi tathā tāvadyāvajjaṁbālinī taṭe sārasodīritaṁ vākye śrutaṁ paryaṭatā mayā

'Nor do I suffer so greatly any longer — not since, wandering along the banks of the river Jambalini, I overheard a word spoken by a sarus crane.'

Verse 143 (padma.6.129.143)

ब्राह्मण उवाच। सारसोदीरितं वाक्यं कीदृशं हि श्रुतं त्वया । तदहं श्रोतुमिच्छामि ब्रूहि त्वं प्रेत सत्वरम्

brāhmaṇa uvāca sārasodīritaṁ vākyaṁ kīdṛśaṁ hi śrutaṁ tvayā tadahaṁ śrotumicchāmi brūhi tvaṁ preta satvaram

The brahmin said: 'What was that word spoken by the sarus crane that you heard? I wish to hear it — tell me quickly, O preta.'

Verse 144 (padma.6.129.144)

प्रेत उवाच। ब्रवीमि सारसं वाक्यं शृणु कार्पाटिकोत्तम । धूसरा नाम कक्षेऽस्मिन्नदीगिरिसमुद्भवा

preta uvāca bravīmi sārasaṁ vākyaṁ śṛṇu kārpāṭikottama dhūsarā nāma kakṣe'sminnadīgirisamudbhavā

The preta said: 'I shall tell you that crane's word — listen, O best of travelers. In this region there is a river named Dhusara, born of a mountain.'

Verse 145 (padma.6.129.145)

सदा जलशयोत्ताला मत्तदंतिकुलाकुला । महाककुभशोभाढ्या स्निग्धजंबूमनोहरा

sadā jalaśayottālā mattadaṁtikulākulā mahākakubhaśobhāḍhyā snigdhajaṁbūmanoharā

'Ever deep and brimming with water, thronged with herds of rutting elephants, rich with the splendor of its great banks, and lovely with glistening jambu trees.'

Verse 146 (padma.6.129.146)

तस्यास्तीरमहं प्राप्तो गाहमानो वनं घनम् । मयि तिष्ठति वै तत्र फलभोजनकाम्यया

tasyāstīramahaṁ prāpto gāhamāno vanaṁ ghanam mayi tiṣṭhati vai tatra phalabhojanakāmyayā

'Having reached its bank, roaming through that dense forest, I was staying there, hoping to eat some fruit.'

Verse 147 (padma.6.129.147)

वनांतरात्समुड्डीय सारसो लक्ष्मणा युतः । आगत्य पुलिनं नद्याः सेवितुं बहुपक्षिभिः

vanāṁtarātsamuḍḍīya sāraso lakṣmaṇā yutaḥ āgatya pulinaṁ nadyāḥ sevituṁ bahupakṣibhiḥ

'Just then, flying up from within the forest, a sarus crane, together with his mate, came to the river's sandy bank, where many other birds were already gathered.'

Verse 148 (padma.6.129.148)

पीत्वा तत्रैव पानीयं रमित्वा भार्यया सह । सुप्तः पक्षपुटे वामे प्रवेश्य च शिरोमुखम्

pītvā tatraiva pānīyaṁ ramitvā bhāryayā saha suptaḥ pakṣapuṭe vāme praveśya ca śiromukham

'There he drank water and sported for a while with his wife, then, tucking his head and beak into the fold of his left wing, he fell asleep.'

Verse 149 (padma.6.129.149)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे दृष्टः पादपादवतीर्य च । रक्ताननः सुरक्ताक्षो दंडी दृढनखावलि

etasminnaṁtare dṛṣṭaḥ pādapādavatīrya ca raktānanaḥ suraktākṣo daṁḍī dṛḍhanakhāvali

'Just then a monkey was seen descending from a tree — red-faced, with fierce red eyes, tailed, and armed with a row of hard claws.'

Verse 150 (padma.6.129.150)

लोमशो दीर्घलांगूलश्चलचेष्टो हि वानरः । यत्रासौ सारसः सुप्तस्तत्र वेगेन चागतः

lomaśo dīrghalāṁgūlaścalaceṣṭo hi vānaraḥ yatrāsau sārasaḥ suptastatra vegena cāgataḥ

'That hairy monkey, with its long tail and restless movements, quickly came to the very spot where the sarus crane lay sleeping.'

Verse 151 (padma.6.129.151)

समागत्य च जग्राह सारसं चरणे दृढम् । कराभ्यां क्रूरया बुद्ध्या पश्यतां बहुपक्षिणाम्

samāgatya ca jagrāha sārasaṁ caraṇe dṛḍham karābhyāṁ krūrayā buddhyā paśyatāṁ bahupakṣiṇām

'Coming up to him, with cruel intent, in full view of the many watching birds, he seized the sarus firmly by the leg with both his hands.'

Verse 152 (padma.6.129.152)

उड्डीयोड्डीय ते सर्वे गताश्चान्यत्र खेचराः । सारसी भीतभीता च विरावान्कुर्वती स्थिता

uḍḍīyoḍḍīya te sarve gatāścānyatra khecarāḥ sārasī bhītabhītā ca virāvānkurvatī sthitā

'All the birds took flight and scattered elsewhere; the female sarus, terrified through and through, remained there, crying out in distress.'

Verse 153 (padma.6.129.153)

सारसो भग्ननिद्रस्तु त्रासाच्चलितलोचनः । अवलोकितवाञ्छीघ्रं तदोत्ताम्य शिरोधराम्

sāraso bhagnanidrastu trāsāccalitalocanaḥ avalokitavāñchīghraṁ tadottāmya śirodharām

'Startled out of sleep, the sarus, his eyes darting in fear, quickly lifted his neck and looked all around.'

Verse 154 (padma.6.129.154)

विलोक्य वानरं दुष्टं हंतुकामं सुदारुणम् । तदा संभाषयामास गिरा मधुरया खगः

vilokya vānaraṁ duṣṭaṁ haṁtukāmaṁ sudāruṇam tadā saṁbhāṣayāmāsa girā madhurayā khagaḥ

'Seeing that wicked, terrifying monkey bent on killing him, the bird then addressed him in a sweet voice.'

Verse 155 (padma.6.129.155)

अपराधं विना मां त्वं किं शाखामृग बाधसे । सापराधा जना लोके वध्यंते भूमिपैरपि

aparādhaṁ vinā māṁ tvaṁ kiṁ śākhāmṛga bādhase sāparādhā janā loke vadhyaṁte bhūmipairapi

'O tree-dweller, why do you torment me though I have done no wrong? In this world, even kings put to death only those who are guilty of some offense.'

Verse 156 (padma.6.129.156)

न पीडयितुमर्हंति त्वादृशा उत्तमा जनाः । अस्मानहिंसकान्साधून्परवृत्तिपराङ्मुखान्

na pīḍayitumarhaṁti tvādṛśā uttamā janāḥ asmānahiṁsakānsādhūnparavṛttiparāṅmukhān

'Excellent beings such as you ought not to torment ones like us — creatures who are harmless, gentle, and who never turn to injuring another.'

Verse 157 (padma.6.129.157)

जलशैवालभक्षांश्च खेचरान्वनवासिनः । स्वदाररतिशीलांश्च परदाराभिवर्जितान्

jalaśaivālabhakṣāṁśca khecarānvanavāsinaḥ svadāraratiśīlāṁśca paradārābhivarjitān

'We are creatures that feed on water-weed, who fly through the sky, who dwell in the forest, who take delight only in our own mates and shun another's.'

Verse 158 (padma.6.129.158)

न पीडयितुमर्हंति त्वद्विधा वानरोत्तम । परापवादपैशुन्यान्द्विजान्परमसेवकान्

na pīḍayitumarhaṁti tvadvidhā vānarottama parāpavādapaiśunyāndvijānparamasevakān

'It is not fitting, O best of monkeys, for one like you to torment twice-born creatures such as us — free of slander and malicious talk, and devoted only to service.'

Verse 159 (padma.6.129.159)

शाखामृग विमुंचाशु सर्वथा मामनागसम् । जानामि तव जन्माहं न त्वं वेत्सि तु मामकम्

śākhāmṛga vimuṁcāśu sarvathā māmanāgasam jānāmi tava janmāhaṁ na tvaṁ vetsi tu māmakam

'O tree-dweller, release me at once — I am entirely without fault. I know of your former birth, though you do not know of mine.'

Verse 160 (padma.6.129.160)

इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य मुमोच सारसं तदा । चपलो वानरः शीघ्रमाह दूरे व्यवस्थितः

ityākarṇya vacastasya mumoca sārasaṁ tadā capalo vānaraḥ śīghramāha dūre vyavasthitaḥ

Hearing these words, the restless monkey at once released the crane, and, standing off at a distance, quickly spoke.

Verse 161 (padma.6.129.161)

वानर उवाच। ब्रूहि रे त्वं कथं वेत्सि मम जन्म पुरातनम् । त्वं पक्षी ज्ञानहीनश्च तिर्यक्चाहं वनेचरः

vānara uvāca brūhi re tvaṁ kathaṁ vetsi mama janma purātanam tvaṁ pakṣī jñānahīnaśca tiryakcāhaṁ vanecaraḥ

The monkey said: 'Tell me, how is it that you know my former birth? You are but a bird, without any special knowledge, and I too am but a beast that roams the forest.'

Verse 162 (padma.6.129.162)

सारस उवाच। जानेऽहं तावकं जन्म जातिस्मरमिति स्फुटम् । त्वं हि विंध्याधिपो राजा प्राग्भवे पर्वतेश्वरः

sārasa uvāca jāne'haṁ tāvakaṁ janma jātismaramiti sphuṭam tvaṁ hi viṁdhyādhipo rājā prāgbhave parvateśvaraḥ

The crane said: 'I clearly remember my own past births, and so I know of yours as well. In your former life you were the king of the Vindhya, lord of that mountain.'

Verse 163 (padma.6.129.163)

अहं पूज्यतमो विप्रस्तव वंशे पुरोहितः । तेन प्रत्यभिजानामि त्वां सम्यग्वानरोत्तम

ahaṁ pūjyatamo viprastava vaṁśe purohitaḥ tena pratyabhijānāmi tvāṁ samyagvānarottama

'I was a most venerated brahmin, the family priest of your dynasty — that is why, O best of monkeys, I recognize you fully well.'

Verse 164 (padma.6.129.164)

इमां पालयता भूमिं प्रजाः सर्वाः प्रपीडिताः । त्वया विवेकहीनेन भृशं संचयता धनम्

imāṁ pālayatā bhūmiṁ prajāḥ sarvāḥ prapīḍitāḥ tvayā vivekahīnena bhṛśaṁ saṁcayatā dhanam

'While ruling this land, devoid of wisdom, hoarding wealth without measure, you brought grievous suffering upon all your subjects.'

Verse 165 (padma.6.129.165)

प्रजापीडानतापोत्थ वह्निज्वालैस्तु वानर । प्राक्त्वं दग्धः पुनः क्षिप्तः कुंभीपाकेऽति दारुणे

prajāpīḍānatāpottha vahnijvālaistu vānara prāktvaṁ dagdhaḥ punaḥ kṣiptaḥ kuṁbhīpāke'ti dāruṇe

'O monkey, you were first burned in the flames of anguish born from that oppression of your subjects, and then cast into the terrible hell of Kumbhipaka.'

Verse 166 (padma.6.129.166)

पुनः पुनःश्च दग्धेन जातेन च पुनः पुनः । नारकेण शरीरेण समास्त्रिंशद्गतं त्वया

punaḥ punaḥśca dagdhena jātena ca punaḥ punaḥ nārakeṇa śarīreṇa samāstriṁśadgataṁ tvayā

'Burned again and again, taking on a new hellish body over and over, you spent thirty years there.'

Verse 167 (padma.6.129.167)

कुर्वता दारुणाञ्छब्दान्रुदता च पुनः पुनः । कुंभीपाकानले तीव्रा ह्यनुभूताश्च यातनाः

kurvatā dāruṇāñchabdānrudatā ca punaḥ punaḥ kuṁbhīpākānale tīvrā hyanubhūtāśca yātanāḥ

'Uttering dreadful screams, weeping again and again, you endured the most intense torments in the fire of Kumbhipaka.'

Verse 168 (padma.6.129.168)

निस्तीर्णनरको भूयः पापशेषेण सांप्रतम् । प्राप्तोऽसि वानरं जन्म येन मां हंतुमिच्छसि

nistīrṇanarako bhūyaḥ pāpaśeṣeṇa sāṁpratam prāpto'si vānaraṁ janma yena māṁ haṁtumicchasi

'Having at last passed beyond hell, by the remainder of your sin you have now obtained this birth as a monkey — in which you now wish to kill me.'

Verse 169 (padma.6.129.169)

विप्रस्योपवनात्पूर्वं पक्वरंभाफलानि वै । अननुज्ञाप्य भुक्तानि त्वयापहृत्य पौरुषात्

viprasyopavanātpūrvaṁ pakvaraṁbhāphalāni vai ananujñāpya bhuktāni tvayāpahṛtya pauruṣāt

'Once, from a brahmin's garden, you ate ripe plantains without ever asking permission — stealing them by sheer force.'

Verse 170 (padma.6.129.170)

विपाकः कर्मणस्तस्य फलते पश्य दारुणः । वानरस्त्वं वने वासो ह्यधुना तेन वर्तसे

vipākaḥ karmaṇastasya phalate paśya dāruṇaḥ vānarastvaṁ vane vāso hyadhunā tena vartase

'See how the terrible fruit of that deed is now ripening — you now live as a monkey, dwelling in the forest, all because of it.'

Verse 171 (padma.6.129.171)

अशुभस्य शुभस्यापि पुराविहितकर्मणः । भोगः क्रीडति भूतेषु नोल्लंघ्यस्त्रिदशैरपि

aśubhasya śubhasyāpi purāvihitakarmaṇaḥ bhogaḥ krīḍati bhūteṣu nollaṁghyastridaśairapi

'The fruit of deeds done long ago, whether good or evil, plays itself out among living beings of its own accord — not even the gods can set it aside.'

Verse 172 (padma.6.129.172)

इत्थं त्वज्जन्म जानामि यथावत्तु सहेतुकम् । प्राप्तः सारसदेहोऽपि ज्ञानेनापरिमोहितः

itthaṁ tvajjanma jānāmi yathāvattu sahetukam prāptaḥ sārasadeho'pi jñānenāparimohitaḥ

'Thus I know your birth exactly as it happened, together with its cause — for though I have taken on the body of a crane, I remain, through knowledge, undeluded.'

Verse 173 (padma.6.129.173)

प्रेत उवाच। इति श्रुत्वा कथां विप्र वानरोप्याह सारसम् । सम्यग्वेत्ति भवान्नूनं कथं त्वं पक्षितां गतः

preta uvāca iti śrutvā kathāṁ vipra vānaropyāha sārasam samyagvetti bhavānnūnaṁ kathaṁ tvaṁ pakṣitāṁ gataḥ

The preta said: O brahmin, hearing this account, the monkey too said to the crane: 'You clearly know all things well — tell me, how did you come to this bird's existence?'

Verse 174 (padma.6.129.174)

सारस उवाच। कथयिष्यामि तत्कर्म येनाहं दुर्गतिं गतः । पक्षियोनिं गतो येन तत्सर्वं श्रोतुमर्हसि

sārasa uvāca kathayiṣyāmi tatkarma yenāhaṁ durgatiṁ gataḥ pakṣiyoniṁ gato yena tatsarvaṁ śrotumarhasi

The crane said: 'I shall tell you the deed by which I fell to this misfortune. All of it — the reason I came to this bird's existence — deserves to be heard.'

Verse 175 (padma.6.129.175)

धान्यं खारिशतं साग्रमुत्सृष्टं हि त्वया पुरा । बहुभ्यो ब्राह्मणेभ्यश्च चर्मदायां रविग्रहे

dhānyaṁ khāriśataṁ sāgramutsṛṣṭaṁ hi tvayā purā bahubhyo brāhmaṇebhyaśca carmadāyāṁ ravigrahe

'In a former birth, on the occasion of a solar eclipse, on the bank of the river Charmanvati, you had once given away more than a hundred kharis of grain to many brahmins.'

Verse 176 (padma.6.129.176)

पौरोहित्यमदाल्लोभाद्वंचयित्वा द्विजांस्तथा । किंचिद्दत्त्वा तु तेभ्यश्च गृहीतमखिलं मया

paurohityamadāllobhādvaṁcayitvā dvijāṁstathā kiṁciddattvā tu tebhyaśca gṛhītamakhilaṁ mayā

'As their officiating priest, out of greed, I deceived those brahmins — giving them but a small share, and taking all the rest for myself.'

Verse 177 (padma.6.129.177)

विप्रसाधारणद्रव्यग्रहणोत्पन्नपातकात् । पतितः कालसूत्रेऽहं नरके रक्तकर्दमे

viprasādhāraṇadravyagrahaṇotpannapātakāt patitaḥ kālasūtre'haṁ narake raktakardame

'Through the sin born of seizing wealth that belonged in common to those brahmins, I fell into the hell called Kalasutra, thick with a mire of blood.'

Verse 178 (padma.6.129.178)

चलत्क्रिमिसुसंपूर्णे दुर्गंधे पूयफेनिले । आनाभेस्तत्र मग्नोस्मि लिहन्पूयमधोमुखः

calatkrimisusaṁpūrṇe durgaṁdhe pūyaphenile ānābhestatra magnosmi lihanpūyamadhomukhaḥ

'That hell teemed with squirming worms, was foul with stench, and frothed with pus; there, sunk up to my navel, I lay face down, licking at that very pus.'

Verse 179 (padma.6.129.179)

तथोपरि महागृध्रैर्भक्ष्यमाणस्तु वायसैः । क्रिमिभिस्तुद्यमानस्तु मम देहो निरंतरम्

tathopari mahāgṛdhrairbhakṣyamāṇastu vāyasaiḥ krimibhistudyamānastu mama deho niraṁtaram

'From above, great vultures and crows tore at me and devoured my flesh, while worms ceaselessly gnawed at my body.'

Verse 180 (padma.6.129.180)

तस्मिञ्छोणितपंकेऽहं निरुच्छ्वासोऽभवं तदा । मुहूर्तोऽपि महाकल्पसमो जातो ममात्र वै

tasmiñchoṇitapaṁke'haṁ nirucchvāso'bhavaṁ tadā muhūrto'pi mahākalpasamo jāto mamātra vai

'In that bloody mire, my very breath seemed to fail me — there, even a single moment stretched out for me like an entire cosmic age.'

Verse 181 (padma.6.129.181)

यातनाश्चानुभूताश्च समास्त्रिरयुतं मया । वक्तुं च तन्न शक्नोमि दुःखं वानर नारकम्

yātanāścānubhūtāśca samāstrirayutaṁ mayā vaktuṁ ca tanna śaknomi duḥkhaṁ vānara nārakam

'For thirty thousand years I endured those torments — O monkey, I am simply unable to put into words the anguish of that hell.'

Verse 182 (padma.6.129.182)

पौरोहित्यं महाघोरं पापदं च स्वभावतः । देवोपजीवनं यत्र ब्राह्मणस्योपजीवनम्

paurohityaṁ mahāghoraṁ pāpadaṁ ca svabhāvataḥ devopajīvanaṁ yatra brāhmaṇasyopajīvanam

'The priestly office is by its very nature most terrible and productive of sin — for in it a brahmin makes his living by drawing on what belongs to the gods.'

Verse 183 (padma.6.129.183)

राज्ञः प्रतिग्रहो घोरस्तेन दग्धा द्विजातयः । तेषामपि हरेद्द्रव्यं पुरोधास्तेन नारकी

rājñaḥ pratigraho ghorastena dagdhā dvijātayaḥ teṣāmapi hareddravyaṁ purodhāstena nārakī

'Accepting a gift even from a king is a fearful thing, by which brahmins are consumed; and a priest who then seizes even that wealth from his fellow brahmins goes, for that very reason, to hell.'

Verse 184 (padma.6.129.184)

राजा यत्कुरुते पापं पुरा देहेन धीयते । तस्य तेन पुरोधाश्च गीयते तत्वदर्शिभिः

rājā yatkurute pāpaṁ purā dehena dhīyate tasya tena purodhāśca gīyate tatvadarśibhiḥ

'Whatever sin a king first commits in his own body is said, by those who see the truth of things, to pass onto and be borne by his priest.'

Verse 185 (padma.6.129.185)

दैवात्कथमपि प्राप्त उत्तारो नरकांबुधेः । मयादौ दैवयोगेन शकुनित्वमुपस्थितम्

daivātkathamapi prāpta uttāro narakāṁbudheḥ mayādau daivayogena śakunitvamupasthitam

'Somehow, by fate's own working, I obtained release from that ocean of hell; and first, by that same working of fate, I came to be born as a bird.'

Verse 186 (padma.6.129.186)

अपहृत्य पुरा कांस्यभाजनं भगिनीगृहात् । आक्षिकाय मया दत्तं तेन मे सारसी गतिः

apahṛtya purā kāṁsyabhājanaṁ bhaginīgṛhāt ākṣikāya mayā dattaṁ tena me sārasī gatiḥ

'Once I had stolen a bronze vessel from my own sister's house and given it to a gambler — because of that, I came to this existence as a sarus crane.'

Verse 187 (padma.6.129.187)

इयं च ब्राह्मणी पूर्वं कांस्यचोरी सुदारुणा । तेनेयं सारसी जाता मम भार्या सधर्मिणी

iyaṁ ca brāhmaṇī pūrvaṁ kāṁsyacorī sudāruṇā teneyaṁ sārasī jātā mama bhāryā sadharmiṇī

'And this female crane, my devoted wife, was in her former birth herself a most wicked brahmin woman who stole bronze — that is why she has become this crane, my faithful companion.'

Verse 188 (padma.6.129.188)

इत्थं वानर ते सर्वं कथितं कर्मणः फलम् । वृत्तं च वर्तमानं च भविष्यं शृणु सांप्रतम्

itthaṁ vānara te sarvaṁ kathitaṁ karmaṇaḥ phalam vṛttaṁ ca vartamānaṁ ca bhaviṣyaṁ śṛṇu sāṁpratam

'Thus, O monkey, I have told you the whole fruit of our deeds — both past and present. Now hear also what is yet to come.'

Verse 189 (padma.6.129.189)

अहं हंसो भविष्यामि त्वं च हंसो भविष्यसि । हंसीयमपि मद्भार्या सारसी च भविष्यति

ahaṁ haṁso bhaviṣyāmi tvaṁ ca haṁso bhaviṣyasi haṁsīyamapi madbhāryā sārasī ca bhaviṣyati

'I shall next be born a swan, and you too shall become a swan; and this crane, my wife, will become a swan as well.'

Verse 190 (padma.6.129.190)

देशे च कामरूपे वै स्थास्यामो वै यथासुखम् । योगिनीं भाविकल्याणीं यास्यामस्तदनंतरम्

deśe ca kāmarūpe vai sthāsyāmo vai yathāsukham yoginīṁ bhāvikalyāṇīṁ yāsyāmastadanaṁtaram

'We shall dwell happily in the land of Kamarupa; and after that we shall attain the state of yoginis, which will bring us future well-being.'

Verse 191 (padma.6.129.191)

ततश्च मानुषं जन्म प्राप्यामो दुर्लभं पुनः । श्रेयस्तद्विपरीतं च प्राणिभिर्यत्र साध्यते

tataśca mānuṣaṁ janma prāpyāmo durlabhaṁ punaḥ śreyastadviparītaṁ ca prāṇibhiryatra sādhyate

'Then we shall obtain once more the rare gift of a human birth, in which alone living beings can pursue either true good or its opposite.'

Verse 192 (padma.6.129.192)

एवं सर्वाञ्छिवो जंतून्मोहयित्वा स्वमायया । सुखैर्भुनक्ति दुःखैश्च नास्मानेव तु केवलम्

evaṁ sarvāñchivo jaṁtūnmohayitvā svamāyayā sukhairbhunakti duḥkhaiśca nāsmāneva tu kevalam

'Thus does Shiva, deluding all creatures by his own Maya, make them experience joys and sorrows — and not us alone, but every being.'

Verse 193 (padma.6.129.193)

अयं लोके प्रवृत्तश्च मार्गो विविधनिर्मितः । धर्माधर्ममयोऽत्यर्थे सुखदुःखफलात्मकः

ayaṁ loke pravṛttaśca mārgo vividhanirmitaḥ dharmādharmamayo'tyarthe sukhaduḥkhaphalātmakaḥ

'This is the way that runs through the world, fashioned in countless forms, made up entirely of dharma and adharma, and bearing joy and sorrow as its fruits.'

Verse 194 (padma.6.129.194)

सेवितः प्राणिभिः सर्वैः सर्वदा वा पुनः पुनः । देवासुरनरव्याघ्र क्रिमिकीटजलेचरैः

sevitaḥ prāṇibhiḥ sarvaiḥ sarvadā vā punaḥ punaḥ devāsuranaravyāghra krimikīṭajalecaraiḥ

'It is traveled by all beings, always, again and again — by gods, demons, men, tigers, worms, insects, and creatures of the water alike.'

Verse 195 (padma.6.129.195)

नातिक्रांतो हि केनापि पंथाऽयं दुःखकंटकः । विरक्तान्योगिनोध्यायं विनावेदांतपारगान्

nātikrāṁto hi kenāpi paṁthā'yaṁ duḥkhakaṁṭakaḥ viraktānyoginodhyāyaṁ vināvedāṁtapāragān

'No one has ever transcended this thorny path of suffering, save the dispassionate yogis and those who have mastered the wisdom of Vedanta.'

Verse 196 (padma.6.129.196)

अणोर्वापि गुरोर्वापि पुण्यापुण्यस्य कर्मणः । ददातीह फलं ज्ञात्वा देशं कालं महेश्वरः

aṇorvāpi gurorvāpi puṇyāpuṇyasya karmaṇaḥ dadātīha phalaṁ jñātvā deśaṁ kālaṁ maheśvaraḥ

'Whether a deed be small or great, meritorious or sinful, the great Lord grants its fruit here only after taking due account of place and time.'

Verse 197 (padma.6.129.197)

इत्थं विधिविधानज्ञां मायां ज्ञात्वेश्वरस्य च । न शोचंति न तप्यंति न व्यथंति महाधियः

itthaṁ vidhividhānajñāṁ māyāṁ jñātveśvarasya ca na śocaṁti na tapyaṁti na vyathaṁti mahādhiyaḥ

'Understanding thus the workings of the Lord's Maya, which knows every rule and ordinance, men of great wisdom neither grieve, nor suffer, nor are troubled.'

Verse 198 (padma.6.129.198)

नान्यथा शक्यते कर्तुं विपाकः पूर्वकर्मणाम् । उपायैः प्रज्ञया वापि शाखामृगसुरैरपि

nānyathā śakyate kartuṁ vipākaḥ pūrvakarmaṇām upāyaiḥ prajñayā vāpi śākhāmṛgasurairapi

'The ripening of past deeds cannot be altered by any means at all — not by cleverness, O monkey, nor even by the gods themselves.'

Verse 199 (padma.6.129.199)

पुरा त्वं भूपतिर्जातः पश्चाज्जातोऽसि नारकी । अधुना वानरो भूयो जन्म प्राप्स्यसि तादृशम्

purā tvaṁ bhūpatirjātaḥ paścājjāto'si nārakī adhunā vānaro bhūyo janma prāpsyasi tādṛśam

'First you were born a king, then you became a denizen of hell; now you are a monkey, and hereafter too you shall obtain births of a like kind.'

Verse 200 (padma.6.129.200)

इति मत्वा विशोकस्त्वं शाखामृग यथासुखम् । प्रतीक्षां कुरु कालस्य रममाणोऽत्र कानने

iti matvā viśokastvaṁ śākhāmṛga yathāsukham pratīkṣāṁ kuru kālasya ramamāṇo'tra kānane

'Understanding this, O tree-dweller, be free of grief, and roam happily in this very forest, awaiting the working of time.'

Verse 201 (padma.6.129.201)

अहमप्येवमीशान मायाबद्धो वने वने । क्षपयिष्यामि वै जन्म धैर्यमास्थाय सारसम्

ahamapyevamīśāna māyābaddho vane vane kṣapayiṣyāmi vai janma dhairyamāsthāya sārasam

'I too, O friend, bound thus by Maya, shall pass this life of mine as a sarus crane, wandering forest to forest, holding firm to patience.'

Verse 202 (padma.6.129.202)

वानर उवाच। मया त्वं पूजितः पूर्वं नौमि त्वामधुनाप्यहम् । जातिस्मरोऽसि जानामि सर्वं मत्पूर्वदैहिकम्

vānara uvāca mayā tvaṁ pūjitaḥ pūrvaṁ naumi tvāmadhunāpyaham jātismaro'si jānāmi sarvaṁ matpūrvadaihikam

The monkey said: 'I honored you before, and I bow to you even now. You remember your past births — you know all of my former life.'

Verse 203 (padma.6.129.203)

तिष्ठ सारस सारस्या शिवमस्तु सदा तव । त्वद्वाक्याद्गतमोहोऽहं विचरिष्यामि सर्वदा

tiṣṭha sārasa sārasyā śivamastu sadā tava tvadvākyādgatamoho'haṁ vicariṣyāmi sarvadā

'Remain here, O sarus, with your mate — may good fortune be yours always. Through your words my delusion has lifted, and I shall now wander always at peace.'

Verse 204 (padma.6.129.204)

प्रेत उवाच। इमं रम्यं विचित्रं च पावनं परमं द्विज । पक्षिवानरसंवादं श्रुतं यावन्नदीतटे

preta uvāca imaṁ ramyaṁ vicitraṁ ca pāvanaṁ paramaṁ dvija pakṣivānarasaṁvādaṁ śrutaṁ yāvannadītaṭe

The preta said: 'This lovely, wondrous, and utterly purifying dialogue between bird and monkey, O brahmin, I overheard there on that riverbank.'

Verse 205 (padma.6.129.205)

तावन्ममापि बोधोऽभूत्तेन शोकः क्षयं गतः । इदानीं जाह्नवीतोयमाहात्म्यं परमाद्भुतम्

tāvanmamāpi bodho'bhūttena śokaḥ kṣayaṁ gataḥ idānīṁ jāhnavītoyamāhātmyaṁ paramādbhutam

'Hearing it, I too gained understanding, and my grief was thereby lessened. Now, as for the most wondrous glory of the water of the Ganga —'

Verse 206 (padma.6.129.206)

दृष्ट्वात्र ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठ त्वां याचे जाह्नवीजलम् । प्रेतत्वात्तर्तुकामोऽहं तीव्रा तृष्णा प्रपीडितः

dṛṣṭvātra brāhmaṇaśreṣṭha tvāṁ yāce jāhnavījalam pretatvāttartukāmo'haṁ tīvrā tṛṣṇā prapīḍitaḥ

'seeing you here, O best of brahmins, I beg gangā-water from you. Tormented by fierce thirst, I long to cross beyond this preta-existence.'

Verse 207 (padma.6.129.207)

अस्मिन्नेवाचले दृष्टं मयाश्चर्यं च वै द्विज । गंगातोयस्य तावद्धि पातुमिच्छामि तज्जलम्

asminnevācale dṛṣṭaṁ mayāścaryaṁ ca vai dvija gaṁgātoyasya tāvaddhi pātumicchāmi tajjalam

'On this very mountain, O brahmin, I once witnessed a wonder — and that is why I so wish to drink of that Ganga water.'

Verse 208 (padma.6.129.208)

पारियात्रोद्भवः कोऽपि ब्राह्मणो ग्रामयाजकः । अयाज्ययाजनाद्विंध्ये संभूतो ब्रह्मराक्षसः

pāriyātrodbhavaḥ ko'pi brāhmaṇo grāmayājakaḥ ayājyayājanādviṁdhye saṁbhūto brahmarākṣasaḥ

'Some brahmin, born in the Pariyatra mountains, a village-priest by trade, became — through officiating at sacrifices he had no right to perform — a brahmarakshasa here in the Vindhyas.'

Verse 209 (padma.6.129.209)

अस्मत्संगस्य लोभे स्थितोऽसौ हायनाष्टकम् । तस्यास्थीनि सुपुत्रेण संचितानि द्विजोत्तम

asmatsaṁgasya lobhe sthito'sau hāyanāṣṭakam tasyāsthīni suputreṇa saṁcitāni dvijottama

'Craving our company, he remained here for a full eight years. O best of brahmins, his own good son gathered up his bones —'

Verse 210 (padma.6.129.210)

क्षिप्तान्यानीय गंगायां तीर्थे कनखलेऽमले । तत्क्षणादेव मुक्तोऽसौ राक्षसत्वात्सुदारुणात्

kṣiptānyānīya gaṁgāyāṁ tīrthe kanakhale'male tatkṣaṇādeva mukto'sau rākṣasatvātsudāruṇāt

'and, bringing them, cast them into the Ganga at the pure ford of Kanakhala. In that very instant he was freed from his terrible demon-nature.'

Verse 211 (padma.6.129.211)

इति गंगाजलस्नान महिमा महदद्भुतम् । साक्षाद्दृष्टो मया तेन गांगेयं प्रार्थितं जलम्

iti gaṁgājalasnāna mahimā mahadadbhutam sākṣāddṛṣṭo mayā tena gāṁgeyaṁ prārthitaṁ jalam

'Thus have I witnessed with my own eyes the most wondrous glory of bathing in Ganga water — and that is why I beg of you that Ganges water.'

Verse 212 (padma.6.129.212)

पुरस्ताद्यत्कृतस्तीर्थे मया भूरिपरिग्रहः । न कृतस्तु प्रतीकारस्तस्य जाप्यादिलक्षणः

purastādyatkṛtastīrthe mayā bhūriparigrahaḥ na kṛtastu pratīkārastasya jāpyādilakṣaṇaḥ

'In an earlier life I accepted excessive gifts at sacred fords, but never performed the japa and other rites needed to atone for it.'

Verse 213 (padma.6.129.213)

तेन मे प्रेतरूपस्य दुर्लभोदकभोजनम् । सहस्रं यत्र वर्षाणामतीतं विंध्यपर्वते

tena me pretarūpasya durlabhodakabhojanam sahasraṁ yatra varṣāṇāmatītaṁ viṁdhyaparvate

'Because of that, water and food are hard for me, a preta, ever to find — a thousand years have now passed for me here upon this Vindhya mountain.'

Verse 214 (padma.6.129.214)

इति ते कथितं सर्वं हित्वा लज्जां गरीयसीम् । इदानीं धार्मिकश्रेष्ठ जलदानेन सत्वरम्

iti te kathitaṁ sarvaṁ hitvā lajjāṁ garīyasīm idānīṁ dhārmikaśreṣṭha jaladānena satvaram

'All this I have told you, setting aside my heavy shame. Now, O best of the righteous, quickly, with a gift of water —'

Verse 215 (padma.6.129.215)

संतर्पय मम प्राणान्कंठमात्रावलंबितान् । दुर्लभं प्रेतभावेऽपि जीवितं प्राणिनामिह

saṁtarpaya mama prāṇānkaṁṭhamātrāvalaṁbitān durlabhaṁ pretabhāve'pi jīvitaṁ prāṇināmiha

'revive my life-breath, which clings now only at my throat. Even in this preta condition, life for a creature is a hard thing to hold onto.'

Verse 216 (padma.6.129.216)

शरीरं रक्षणीयं हि सर्वथा सर्वदा नरैः । नहीच्छंति तनुत्यागमपि कुष्ठादि रोगिणः

śarīraṁ rakṣaṇīyaṁ hi sarvathā sarvadā naraiḥ nahīcchaṁti tanutyāgamapi kuṣṭhādi rogiṇaḥ

'The body must always be preserved by all people, in every way — even those afflicted with leprosy and other such diseases do not wish to give up their bodies.'

Verse 217 (padma.6.129.217)

देवद्युतिरुवाच। इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा विस्मयं परमं गतः । पथिकश्चिंतयामास कृपां प्रेते समुद्वहन्

devadyutiruvāca iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā vismayaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ pathikaściṁtayāmāsa kṛpāṁ prete samudvahan

Devadyuti said: Hearing these words, the traveler, filled with great astonishment, and bearing compassion for the preta, began to reflect.

Verse 218 (padma.6.129.218)

पापपुण्यफलं लोके प्रत्यक्षं दृश्यते खलु । देवदानवमानुष्यं तिर्यक्त्वं क्रिमिकीटकम्

pāpapuṇyaphalaṁ loke pratyakṣaṁ dṛśyate khalu devadānavamānuṣyaṁ tiryaktvaṁ krimikīṭakam

'In this world, the fruit of sin and merit is plainly visible to the eye — the states of gods, demons, men, beasts, and creeping insects —'

Verse 219 (padma.6.129.219)

नानायोनिषु जन्मानि नानाव्याधिप्रपीडनम् । मरणं बालवृद्धानामंधत्वं कुब्जता तथा

nānāyoniṣu janmāni nānāvyādhiprapīḍanam maraṇaṁ bālavṛddhānāmaṁdhatvaṁ kubjatā tathā

'births in various wombs, affliction by manifold diseases, death in childhood or old age, blindness, and deformity —'

Verse 220 (padma.6.129.220)

ऐश्वर्यं च दरिद्रत्वं पांडित्यं मूर्खता तथा । एताश्च रचना लोके भवंति कथमन्यथा

aiśvaryaṁ ca daridratvaṁ pāṁḍityaṁ mūrkhatā tathā etāśca racanā loke bhavaṁti kathamanyathā

'prosperity and poverty, learning and folly — how else could all these countless conditions of the world come to be?'

Verse 221 (padma.6.129.221)

ते धन्याः कर्मभूमौ ये न्यायमार्गार्जितं धनम् । सत्पात्रेभ्यः प्रयच्छंति कुर्वंति चात्मनो हितम्

te dhanyāḥ karmabhūmau ye nyāyamārgārjitaṁ dhanam satpātrebhyaḥ prayacchaṁti kurvaṁti cātmano hitam

'Blessed are those in this land of action who give the wealth justly earned to worthy recipients, and thereby secure their own true welfare.'

Verse 222 (padma.6.129.222)

भूमिरत्नहिरण्यानि गावो धान्यं गृहं गजाः । रथाश्ववसनग्रामाः सिद्धमन्नं फलं जलम्

bhūmiratnahiraṇyāni gāvo dhānyaṁ gṛhaṁ gajāḥ rathāśvavasanagrāmāḥ siddhamannaṁ phalaṁ jalam

'Land, jewels, gold, cows, grain, a house, elephants, chariots, horses, clothing, villages, cooked food, fruit, and water —'

Verse 223 (padma.6.129.223)

कन्या दिव्यौषधमन्नं छत्रोपानद्वरासनम् । शय्या तांबूल माल्यानि तालवृंतं वरासनम्

kanyā divyauṣadhamannaṁ chatropānadvarāsanam śayyā tāṁbūla mālyāni tālavṛṁtaṁ varāsanam

'a maiden in marriage, divine medicine, food, a parasol, sandals, a fine seat, a bed, betel, garlands, a fan, an excellent seat —'

Verse 224 (padma.6.129.224)

सर्वमेतत्प्रदातव्यं लोकत्रयजिगीषुभिः । दत्तं हि प्राप्यते स्वर्गे दत्तमेव हि भुज्यते

sarvametatpradātavyaṁ lokatrayajigīṣubhiḥ dattaṁ hi prāpyate svarge dattameva hi bhujyate

'all of this should be given away by anyone who wishes to conquer the three worlds — for it is only what is given that is received in heaven, only what is given that one truly enjoys.'

Verse 225 (padma.6.129.225)

छत्रचामरयानानि वराश्ववरवारणाः । हर्म्याणि वरशय्याश्च गोमहिष्यो वरस्त्रियः

chatracāmarayānāni varāśvavaravāraṇāḥ harmyāṇi varaśayyāśca gomahiṣyo varastriyaḥ

'Parasols, whisks, conveyances, fine horses, fine elephants, mansions, fine beds, cows and buffaloes, excellent wives —'

Verse 226 (padma.6.129.226)

अन्नभूषणमुक्ताश्च पुत्रा दास्यो महाकुलम् । आयुरारोग्यमैश्वर्यं कला विद्यासु कौशलम्

annabhūṣaṇamuktāśca putrā dāsyo mahākulam āyurārogyamaiśvaryaṁ kalā vidyāsu kauśalam

'food, ornaments, pearls, sons, servants, a great lineage, long life, good health, prosperity, skill in the arts and sciences —'

Verse 227 (padma.6.129.227)

दानस्यैव फलं सर्वं प्राप्यते भुवि मानवैः । तस्माद्देयं प्रयत्नेन नादत्तमुपतिष्ठति

dānasyaiva phalaṁ sarvaṁ prāpyate bhuvi mānavaiḥ tasmāddeyaṁ prayatnena nādattamupatiṣṭhati

'all of this that men obtain upon this earth is nothing but the fruit of giving. Therefore one should give diligently — for what is never given never comes back to one.'

Verse 228 (padma.6.129.228)

धर्मिष्ठेन तु पांथेन गाथेयं समगायत । इति श्रुत्वा पुनः प्रेतः प्रोवाच ह्यार्तमानसः

dharmiṣṭhena tu pāṁthena gātheyaṁ samagāyata iti śrutvā punaḥ pretaḥ provāca hyārtamānasaḥ

That righteous traveler recited this teaching aloud. Hearing it, the anguished preta spoke once again.

Verse 229 (padma.6.129.229)

मन्ये धर्मज्ञकल्पोऽसि पांथ त्वं नात्र संशयः । देहि मे जीवनं वारि चातकाय घनो यथा

manye dharmajñakalpo'si pāṁtha tvaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ dehi me jīvanaṁ vāri cātakāya ghano yathā

'I take you, O traveler, to be as good as one who knows dharma — of this there is no doubt. Give me the water of life, as a raincloud gives water to the thirsting chataka bird.'

Verse 230 (padma.6.129.230)

एतस्मिन्प्राणदाने हि मा विलंबं कृथा बहु । ततः प्रत्याह पांथस्तु वचनं न्यायगर्भितम्

etasminprāṇadāne hi mā vilaṁbaṁ kṛthā bahu tataḥ pratyāha pāṁthastu vacanaṁ nyāyagarbhitam

'In this gift of life do not delay too long.' Then the traveler replied with words full of due consideration.

Verse 231 (padma.6.129.231)

भृगुक्षेत्रे शृणु प्रेत पितरौ मम तिष्ठतः । तदर्थं तीर्थराजस्य मया वारि समाहृतम्

bhṛgukṣetre śṛṇu preta pitarau mama tiṣṭhataḥ tadarthaṁ tīrtharājasya mayā vāri samāhṛtam

'Listen, O preta — my parents dwell in Bhrigukshetra; it is for their sake that I have brought this water of the king of pilgrimage sites.'

Verse 232 (padma.6.129.232)

तत्सितासितपानीयं मध्ये च प्रार्थितं त्वया । न जाने धर्मसंदेहः किमत्र मम युज्यते

tatsitāsitapānīyaṁ madhye ca prārthitaṁ tvayā na jāne dharmasaṁdehaḥ kimatra mama yujyate

'This very water, from the confluence of white and dark streams, you have now asked of me midway on my journey. I do not know what doubt of duty is proper for me here.'

Verse 233 (padma.6.129.233)

बलाबलं विचारार्थं करिष्ये प्रबलं विधिम् । वेदेभ्यो धर्मशास्त्रेभ्यो नाहं मानेन केवलम्

balābalaṁ vicārārthaṁ kariṣye prabalaṁ vidhim vedebhyo dharmaśāstrebhyo nāhaṁ mānena kevalam

'To weigh which duty is the stronger, I shall follow the rule that carries the greater force — and not by the authority of the Vedas and law-books alone.'

Verse 234 (padma.6.129.234)

हयमेधादि यज्ञेभ्यः सर्वेभ्योप्यधिकं मतम् । ऋषिभिर्देवताभिश्च प्राणिनां प्राणरक्षणम्

hayamedhādi yajñebhyaḥ sarvebhyopyadhikaṁ matam ṛṣibhirdevatābhiśca prāṇināṁ prāṇarakṣaṇam

'For even the sages and the gods have held that saving the very life of a living being outweighs every sacrifice, even the Ashvamedha itself.'

Verse 235 (padma.6.129.235)

इति दत्त्वा वरं वारि कृत्त्वा प्रेतस्य रक्षणम् । पित्रर्थं पुनरादाय जलं नेष्यामि पावनम्

iti dattvā varaṁ vāri kṛttvā pretasya rakṣaṇam pitrarthaṁ punarādāya jalaṁ neṣyāmi pāvanam

'Thinking thus, I shall give this excellent water and save the preta, and then take fresh pure water once more for my father's sake.'

Verse 236 (padma.6.129.236)

एष मे प्रबलो भाति शुद्धधर्मप्रदो विधिः । परोपकरणादन्यत्सर्वमल्पं स्मृतं बुधैः

eṣa me prabalo bhāti śuddhadharmaprado vidhiḥ paropakaraṇādanyatsarvamalpaṁ smṛtaṁ budhaiḥ

'This course seems to me the stronger one, the one that grants pure dharma; wise men have held that everything else, apart from helping another, is of lesser account.'

Verse 237 (padma.6.129.237)

परोपकारिभिर्दत्ता अपि प्राणा नृभिर्मुदा । अद्भिः परोपकारः स्यात्किं न लब्धं मया पुनः

paropakāribhirdattā api prāṇā nṛbhirmudā adbhiḥ paropakāraḥ syātkiṁ na labdhaṁ mayā punaḥ

'Those devoted to helping others have joyfully given up even their own lives; if I do good with mere water, what will I fail to gain thereby?'

Verse 238 (padma.6.129.238)

दधीचिना पुरा गीतः श्लोकोऽयं श्रूयते भुवि । सर्वधर्ममयः सारः सर्वधर्मज्ञसंमतः

dadhīcinā purā gītaḥ śloko'yaṁ śrūyate bhuvi sarvadharmamayaḥ sāraḥ sarvadharmajñasaṁmataḥ

'This verse, once sung by the sage Dadhichi, is still heard on this earth today — it is the very essence of all dharma, approved by all who know dharma.'

Verse 239 (padma.6.129.239)

परोपकारः कर्तव्यः प्राणैरपि धनैरपि । परोपकारजं पुण्यं तुल्यं क्रतुशतैरपि

paropakāraḥ kartavyaḥ prāṇairapi dhanairapi paropakārajaṁ puṇyaṁ tulyaṁ kratuśatairapi

'One should help another even with one's own life, even with one's own wealth — for the merit born of helping another equals that of a hundred sacrifices.'

Verse 240 (padma.6.129.240)

इत्युक्त्वा प्रददौ तोयं गंगायामुनसंभवम् । प्रेताय प्राणरक्षार्थं स धर्मिष्ठो वरो द्विजः

ityuktvā pradadau toyaṁ gaṁgāyāmunasaṁbhavam pretāya prāṇarakṣārthaṁ sa dharmiṣṭho varo dvijaḥ

So saying, that excellent, righteous brahmin gave the preta, for the saving of his life, that very water born of the Ganga and Yamuna.

Verse 241 (padma.6.129.241)

प्रेतः प्रीतो जलं पीत्वा ह्यभिषिच्य शिरस्तथा । प्रजहौ प्रेतदेहं तं दिव्यदेहोऽभवत्क्षणात्

pretaḥ prīto jalaṁ pītvā hyabhiṣicya śirastathā prajahau pretadehaṁ taṁ divyadeho'bhavatkṣaṇāt

Overjoyed, the preta drank the water and sprinkled it upon his own head as well — and in that very instant he shed his preta-body and took on a divine form.

Verse 242 (padma.6.129.242)

तदाश्चर्यं महद्दृष्ट्वा निजगाद स केरलः । अहो विमुक्तः प्रेतत्वाद्वेणीपानीयबिंदुभिः

tadāścaryaṁ mahaddṛṣṭvā nijagāda sa keralaḥ aho vimuktaḥ pretatvādveṇīpānīyabiṁdubhiḥ

Seeing that great wonder, that man of Kerala exclaimed: 'Ah, by mere drops of that braided water I have been freed from my preta-existence!'

Verse 243 (padma.6.129.243)

ब्रह्मापि नैव शक्नोति मन्ये वक्तुमपां गुणम् । गङ्गातोयं महादेवो धत्ते के कथमन्यथा

brahmāpi naiva śaknoti manye vaktumapāṁ guṇam gaṅgātoyaṁ mahādevo dhatte ke kathamanyathā

'I think even Brahma himself is unable to describe the true quality of this water. Even great Shiva bears the Ganga's waters upon his own head — who else, and how, could it be otherwise?'

Verse 244 (padma.6.129.244)

अचिंत्यशक्तिगंगांभस्तिलमात्रं तु यः पिबेत् । देवो भवेत्स सिद्धो वा गर्भे नैव च संविशेत्

aciṁtyaśaktigaṁgāṁbhastilamātraṁ tu yaḥ pibet devo bhavetsa siddho vā garbhe naiva ca saṁviśet

'Whoever drinks even a sesame-seed's measure of this Ganga water, of inconceivable power, becomes a god or a siddha, and never again enters a mother's womb.'

Verse 245 (padma.6.129.245)

न गंगा सदृशी सिद्धिर्न गंगा सदृशी मतिः । न गंगासदृशी मुक्तिर्गंगा सर्वाधिका यतः

na gaṁgā sadṛśī siddhirna gaṁgā sadṛśī matiḥ na gaṁgāsadṛśī muktirgaṁgā sarvādhikā yataḥ

'No attainment equals the Ganga, no wisdom equals the Ganga, no liberation equals the Ganga — for the Ganga surpasses all things.'

Verse 246 (padma.6.129.246)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन महाभक्त्या च धार्मिक । करस्थं तस्य कैवल्यं योगं गां सेवते सदा

tasmātsarvaprayatnena mahābhaktyā ca dhārmika karasthaṁ tasya kaivalyaṁ yogaṁ gāṁ sevate sadā

'Therefore, O righteous one, for whoever with all effort and with great devotion always serves the Ganga, final liberation itself rests, as it were, within his own hand.'

Verse 247 (padma.6.129.247)

आयुष्मान्भव पांथत्वं मा धर्मविरतो भव । त्वयाऽहं तारितः सद्यो गंगांबुकणदानतः

āyuṣmānbhava pāṁthatvaṁ mā dharmavirato bhava tvayā'haṁ tāritaḥ sadyo gaṁgāṁbukaṇadānataḥ

'May you have long life, O traveler — never turn away from dharma. By giving me but a drop of Ganga water, you have delivered me at once.'

Verse 248 (padma.6.129.248)

इत्युक्त्वा प्रस्थितो नाकं पिशाचस्तु स केरलः । आशीर्भिरभिनंद्याथ पांथं बंधुवरं नरम्

ityuktvā prasthito nākaṁ piśācastu sa keralaḥ āśīrbhirabhinaṁdyātha pāṁthaṁ baṁdhuvaraṁ naram

So saying, that pishacha of Kerala departed for the heavenly realm, blessing that traveler — who had become his truest well-wisher — with abundant blessings.

Verse 249 (padma.6.129.249)

प्रेतं विमोक्ष्य पांथोऽपि पुनरादाय तज्जलम् । गतस्तेनैव मार्गेण स्मरंस्तीर्थोदकौतुकम्

pretaṁ vimokṣya pāṁtho'pi punarādāya tajjalam gatastenaiva mārgeṇa smaraṁstīrthodakautukam

Having freed the preta, the traveler too, taking fresh water once more, went on his way by that very same path, marveling still at the wonder of that sacred water.

Verse 250 (padma.6.129.250)

वसिष्ठ उवाच। इत्थं प्रयागमाहात्म्यं श्रुत्वा नत्वा च तं मुनिम् । प्रयागं सहसा माघे पिशाचः सत्वरं गतः

vasiṣṭha uvāca itthaṁ prayāgamāhātmyaṁ śrutvā natvā ca taṁ munim prayāgaṁ sahasā māghe piśācaḥ satvaraṁ gataḥ

Vasishtha said: Thus, having heard the glory of Prayaga and having bowed to that sage, the pishacha went at once, without delay, straight to Prayaga in the month of Magha.

Verse 251 (padma.6.129.251)

स्नात्वा सितासिते सोऽपि माघमासे द्विजोत्तम । पिशाचः क्षीणपापस्तु पैशाचीं विजहौ तनुम्

snātvā sitāsite so'pi māghamāse dvijottama piśācaḥ kṣīṇapāpastu paiśācīṁ vijahau tanum

O best of brahmins, having bathed in the month of Magha at the confluence of white and dark waters, and his sins now dwindled away, the pishacha shed his pishacha-body.

Verse 252 (padma.6.129.252)

दिव्यदेहस्ततो भूत्वा द्राविडो भूपतिस्तदा । स्तुवन्नारायणं देवं भक्त्या दोषविवर्जितः

divyadehastato bhūtvā drāviḍo bhūpatistadā stuvannārāyaṇaṁ devaṁ bhaktyā doṣavivarjitaḥ

Taking on a divine body then, that king of Dravida, now free of every fault, began with devotion to praise the god Narayana.

Verse 253 (padma.6.129.253)

गंधर्वैः स्तूयमानस्तु नाकनारीसुपूजितः । उत्तमेन विमानेन पुरंदरपुरं ययौ

gaṁdharvaiḥ stūyamānastu nākanārīsupūjitaḥ uttamena vimānena puraṁdarapuraṁ yayau

Praised by the gandharvas, honored well by the celestial women, he went in a splendid celestial chariot to Indra's own city.

Verse 254 (padma.6.129.254)

इति ते कथितं विप्र पूर्ववृत्तं सकौतुकम् । इतिहासं द्विजश्रेष्ठ सद्यः पातकनाशनम्

iti te kathitaṁ vipra pūrvavṛttaṁ sakautukam itihāsaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha sadyaḥ pātakanāśanam

Thus, O brahmin, I have told you this wondrous account of former times — O best of the twice-born, this history destroys sin at once.

Verse 255 (padma.6.129.255)

ज्ञानदं मोक्षदं विप्र श्रुतं दुर्गतिनाशनम् । इति ते कथितं सर्वं पुरावृत्तं सकौतुकम्

jñānadaṁ mokṣadaṁ vipra śrutaṁ durgatināśanam iti te kathitaṁ sarvaṁ purāvṛttaṁ sakautukam

'It grants knowledge, O brahmin, it grants liberation, and merely by hearing it, it destroys misfortune.' Thus I have told you this whole ancient, wondrous account.

Verse 256 (padma.6.129.256)

इतिहासं द्विजश्रेष्ठ श्रुतं दुर्गतिनाशनम् । अधुना तु मया सार्धमिमाः कन्याः सुतश्च ते

itihāsaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha śrutaṁ durgatināśanam adhunā tu mayā sārdhamimāḥ kanyāḥ sutaśca te

'O best of brahmins, this history destroys misfortune when heard. Now, together with me, let these maidens and your son —'

Verse 257 (padma.6.129.257)

त्वं चायातु प्रयागं वै सर्वे सद्गतिमीप्सवः । माघस्नानं प्रकुर्मोऽत्र देवानामपि दुर्लभम्

tvaṁ cāyātu prayāgaṁ vai sarve sadgatimīpsavaḥ māghasnānaṁ prakurmo'tra devānāmapi durlabham

'and you yourself, all desiring a good destiny, come to Prayaga — there we shall perform the Magha bathing rite, rare even for the gods.'

Verse 258 (padma.6.129.258)

तत्र मोक्ष्यंति पैशाच्यं सद्यः पापसमुद्भवम्

tatra mokṣyaṁti paiśācyaṁ sadyaḥ pāpasamudbhavam

'There they shall at once be freed from this pishacha-state born of sin.'

Verse 259 (padma.6.129.259)

महेश उवाच। एवं वसिष्ठवक्त्राब्जकथामधुरसंमुदा । पीत्वा प्रमुदिताः सर्वे निस्तीर्णा नरकार्णवात्

maheśa uvāca evaṁ vasiṣṭhavaktrābjakathāmadhurasaṁmudā pītvā pramuditāḥ sarve nistīrṇā narakārṇavāt

Mahesha said: Thus, drinking in the sweet nectar of the story flowing from Vasishtha's lotus mouth, all of them, greatly rejoicing, crossed beyond that ocean of hell.

Verse 260 (padma.6.129.260)

प्रस्थितास्तेन सार्धं ते सत्वरं व्योम्नि हर्षिताः । दिलीप शृणु तत्सर्वं तत्तीर्थं तु सितासितम्

prasthitāstena sārdhaṁ te satvaraṁ vyomni harṣitāḥ dilīpa śṛṇu tatsarvaṁ tattīrthaṁ tu sitāsitam

Together with him they set out at once through the sky, filled with joy. O Dilipa, hear now all of that — that very ford of the meeting of white and dark waters —

Verse 261 (padma.6.129.261)

सत्वरं व्योममार्गेण काममासाद्य दुःसहाः । समागम्य तदा तत्र संहृष्टहृदयाश्च ते

satvaraṁ vyomamārgeṇa kāmamāsādya duḥsahāḥ samāgamya tadā tatra saṁhṛṣṭahṛdayāśca te

swiftly, by the path of the sky, reaching that place at their own will, they all gathered there together, their hearts full of joy.

Verse 262 (padma.6.129.262)

अथोचे लोमशस्तत्र सदयं गगनांगणे । पश्यंतु श्रद्धया सर्वे तीर्थराजमिमं भुवि

athoce lomaśastatra sadayaṁ gaganāṁgaṇe paśyaṁtu śraddhayā sarve tīrtharājamimaṁ bhuvi

There, in the expanse of the sky, Lomasha then spoke kindly: 'Let all of you look with reverence upon this king of sacred fords here on earth.'

Verse 263 (padma.6.129.263)

विना ज्ञानं प्रयागेऽस्मिन्मुच्यंते सर्वजंतवः । इष्ट्वात्रैव महायज्ञं स्रष्टुकामः प्रजापतिः

vinā jñānaṁ prayāge'sminmucyaṁte sarvajaṁtavaḥ iṣṭvātraiva mahāyajñaṁ sraṣṭukāmaḥ prajāpatiḥ

'At this Prayaga, all beings are liberated even without special knowledge. It was here that Prajapati, desiring to create, performed a great sacrifice.'

Verse 264 (padma.6.129.264)

अवाप सृष्टिसामर्थ्यं ततः सृष्टिं चकार सः । अत्र नारायणः सस्नौ पत्नीकामः सितासिते

avāpa sṛṣṭisāmarthyaṁ tataḥ sṛṣṭiṁ cakāra saḥ atra nārāyaṇaḥ sasnau patnīkāmaḥ sitāsite

'From that sacrifice he gained the power to create, and then he brought forth creation. Here too Narayana himself bathed at the white-and-dark confluence, desiring a wife.'

Verse 265 (padma.6.129.265)

अतः स लब्धवान्लक्ष्मीं भार्याममृतमंथने । उषित्वा चात्र षण्मासं स्नात्वा वेण्यां यथेच्छया

ataḥ sa labdhavānlakṣmīṁ bhāryāmamṛtamaṁthane uṣitvā cātra ṣaṇmāsaṁ snātvā veṇyāṁ yathecchayā

'And so, in the churning of the ocean for amrita, he obtained Lakshmi as his wife. Having dwelt here for six months, bathing at his will in the sacred braid —'

Verse 266 (padma.6.129.266)

त्रिपुरं घातयामास त्रिबाणेन त्रिशूलभृत् । इमानि त्रीणि कुंडानि दीप्तान्यजस्रवह्निभिः

tripuraṁ ghātayāmāsa tribāṇena triśūlabhṛt imāni trīṇi kuṁḍāni dīptānyajasravahnibhiḥ

the trident-bearing Shiva destroyed the triple city of Tripura with three arrows. Here are these three sacrificial pits, ever blazing with unceasing fires.

Verse 267 (padma.6.129.267)

एष तृप्तिं गतो वह्निर्यः केनापि च पुष्यति । अत्र देवास्त्रयस्त्रिंशत्तृप्ता मुमुदिरे भृशम्

eṣa tṛptiṁ gato vahniryaḥ kenāpi ca puṣyati atra devāstrayastriṁśattṛptā mumudire bhṛśam

This fire attains satisfaction only when someone feeds it; here the thirty-three gods, once satisfied, rejoiced greatly.

Verse 268 (padma.6.129.268)

आविर्भूतो महेशोऽत्र नीलकंठः कपालभृत् । अनिशंस सुरैः सेव्य आयातोंजलये बटुः

āvirbhūto maheśo'tra nīlakaṁṭhaḥ kapālabhṛt aniśaṁsa suraiḥ sevya āyātoṁjalaye baṭuḥ

Here great Shiva, blue-throated, skull-bearing, ever attended by the gods, manifested — and here too he came, in the form of a young celibate student, to receive the offered water.

Verse 269 (padma.6.129.269)

मृकंडसूनुना कल्पे प्रविश्य यन्मुखे स्थितम् । लोके ज्वालाकुले सोऽयं योगरूपी जनार्दनः

mṛkaṁḍasūnunā kalpe praviśya yanmukhe sthitam loke jvālākule so'yaṁ yogarūpī janārdanaḥ

He who, at the time of dissolution, entered and remained within the mouth of Markandeya, son of Mrikandu — that very Janardana, in his form as Yoga itself, dwells here, in a world engulfed by flame.

Verse 270 (padma.6.129.270)

सेयं भागीरथी शंभोः सर्वदुःखापहारिणी । सिद्ध्यर्थं सेव्यते सिद्धैर्भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदा

seyaṁ bhāgīrathī śaṁbhoḥ sarvaduḥkhāpahāriṇī siddhyarthaṁ sevyate siddhairbhuktimuktiphalapradā

This is that very Bhagirathi of Shambhu, remover of every sorrow; the siddhas serve her in order to attain perfection, for she grants the fruit of both enjoyment and final liberation.

Verse 271 (padma.6.129.271)

अनिशं भूतिदा या च स्वर्गमार्गे ह्यनुत्तमा । स्वर्गहेतुश्च या देवी सेयं भागीरथी नदी

aniśaṁ bhūtidā yā ca svargamārge hyanuttamā svargahetuśca yā devī seyaṁ bhāgīrathī nadī

She who ever bestows prosperity, who is unsurpassed as the path to heaven, the goddess who is herself the cause of heaven — this is that very river Bhagirathi.

Verse 272 (padma.6.129.272)

यदंभः स्नानमात्रेण विकर्तन सलोकताम् । लभंते प्राणिनः सर्वे नदी सा यमुना स्वयम्

yadaṁbhaḥ snānamātreṇa vikartana salokatām labhaṁte prāṇinaḥ sarve nadī sā yamunā svayam

By whose waters alone, through mere bathing, all beings attain the very realm of the sun-god — she herself is the river Yamuna.

Verse 273 (padma.6.129.273)

अनयोः पुण्यनद्योश्च संगमः सुखदो मुने । अत्र स्नाता न पच्यंते नरके ज्ञानभाविताः

anayoḥ puṇyanadyośca saṁgamaḥ sukhado mune atra snātā na pacyaṁte narake jñānabhāvitāḥ

O sage, the confluence of these two sacred rivers grants happiness. Those who bathe here, filled with true knowledge, are never boiled in hell.

Verse 274 (padma.6.129.274)

विना ज्ञानं प्रयागेऽस्मिन्मुच्यंते सर्वजंतवः । अन्यच्च श्रूयतां विप्र इतिहासं पुरातनम्

vinā jñānaṁ prayāge'sminmucyaṁte sarvajaṁtavaḥ anyacca śrūyatāṁ vipra itihāsaṁ purātanam

'At this Prayaga, indeed, all beings are liberated even without knowledge. Hear also, O brahmin, another ancient story —'

Verse 275 (padma.6.129.275)

शृण्वतां सर्वपापघ्नं सर्वरोगविनाशनम् । ऋचीकेन पुरा शप्तो गंधर्वो वायसोऽभवत्

śṛṇvatāṁ sarvapāpaghnaṁ sarvarogavināśanam ṛcīkena purā śapto gaṁdharvo vāyaso'bhavat

'one that destroys all sins and all diseases for those who hear it. Long ago a gandharva, cursed by the sage Richika, became a crow.'

Verse 276 (padma.6.129.276)

शापं मुमोच सोऽत्रैव स्नातः सद्यः सितासिते । वासवस्य तु शापेन स्वर्गाद्भ्रष्टाप्सरोर्वशी

śāpaṁ mumoca so'traiva snātaḥ sadyaḥ sitāsite vāsavasya tu śāpena svargādbhraṣṭāpsarorvaśī

'Bathing right here, at the confluence of white and dark waters, he was freed from that curse in that very instant. And Urvashi, the apsara cast down from heaven by a curse of Indra —'

Verse 277 (padma.6.129.277)

स्वर्गकामा च सा सस्नौ लेभे स्वर्गं ततोचिरात् । पुत्रं च शंकरं लेभे ययातिर्नाहुषो मुने

svargakāmā ca sā sasnau lebhe svargaṁ tatocirāt putraṁ ca śaṁkaraṁ lebhe yayātirnāhuṣo mune

'desiring heaven, bathed here and soon regained heaven. And, O sage, King Yayati, son of Nahusha, obtained here a son equal to Shankara himself.'

Verse 278 (padma.6.129.278)

पुत्रकामः प्रयागे हि स्नात्वा पुण्ये सितासिते । धनकामः पुरा शक्रः सुस्नातोऽत्र द्विजोत्तम

putrakāmaḥ prayāge hi snātvā puṇye sitāsite dhanakāmaḥ purā śakraḥ susnāto'tra dvijottama

'Desiring a son, he bathed at Prayaga, at that sacred confluence of white and dark waters. And, O best of brahmins, once, desiring wealth, Indra too bathed well right here.'

Verse 279 (padma.6.129.279)

धनदस्य निधीन्सर्वाञ्जहार स च मायया । कश्यपोऽत्र तपस्तेपे शिवाराधनतत्परः

dhanadasya nidhīnsarvāñjahāra sa ca māyayā kaśyapo'tra tapastepe śivārādhanatatparaḥ

'and by his magic power he then carried off all the treasures of Kubera. The sage Kashyapa too performed austerity here, devoted wholly to the worship of Shiva.'

Verse 280 (padma.6.129.280)

अस्मिंस्तीर्थे भरद्वाजो योगसिद्धिमवाप्तवान् । अस्मिंस्तीर्थे पुरा विप्र योगेशाः शांतमानसाः

asmiṁstīrthe bharadvājo yogasiddhimavāptavān asmiṁstīrthe purā vipra yogeśāḥ śāṁtamānasāḥ

'At this very ford, the sage Bharadvaja attained success in yoga. At this very ford, O brahmin, in ancient times, the great masters of yoga, their minds at peace —'

Verse 281 (padma.6.129.281)

योगस्य फलभूमिं तु लेभिरे सनकादयः । अस्मिन्माघे तु ये स्नाता गंगायामुनसंगमे

yogasya phalabhūmiṁ tu lebhire sanakādayaḥ asminmāghe tu ye snātā gaṁgāyāmunasaṁgame

'Sanaka and his brothers found the very ground where yoga bears its fruit. Those who bathe in this month of Magha at the meeting of the Ganga and Yamuna —'

Verse 282 (padma.6.129.282)

तारारूपाश्च ते सर्वे तैर्व्याप्तं सकलं जगत् । विंदंति कामिनः कामान्मुक्तिं यांति मुमुक्षवः

tārārūpāśca te sarve tairvyāptaṁ sakalaṁ jagat viṁdaṁti kāminaḥ kāmānmuktiṁ yāṁti mumukṣavaḥ

'all take on forms like the very stars, and by them the whole universe becomes pervaded. Those who desire, obtain their desires there; those who seek liberation attain liberation.'

Verse 283 (padma.6.129.283)

विंदंति साधकाः सिद्धिं प्रयागे हि द्विजोत्तम । सांप्रतं मुक्तिकामास्तु कन्याश्चापि सुतश्च ते

viṁdaṁti sādhakāḥ siddhiṁ prayāge hi dvijottama sāṁprataṁ muktikāmāstu kanyāścāpi sutaśca te

'Spiritual practitioners too attain perfection at Prayaga, O best of brahmins. Now, these maidens and your son, desiring liberation —'

Verse 284 (padma.6.129.284)

मद्वाक्यादत्र मज्जंतु सर्वे त्वं च सितासिते । प्राक्कालीनाघविध्वंसि वेणीजलबलेन तु

madvākyādatra majjaṁtu sarve tvaṁ ca sitāsite prākkālīnāghavidhvaṁsi veṇījalabalena tu

'at my word, let all of you, and you yourself too, plunge into this confluence of white and dark waters — by the power of this braided water, which destroys even sin accumulated from ages past.'

Verse 285 (padma.6.129.285)

लभंतामखिलं लक्ष्मीं प्राप्तशापमहाफलाम् । एवमार्षवचः सत्यमतींद्रियमलंघनम्

labhaṁtāmakhilaṁ lakṣmīṁ prāptaśāpamahāphalām evamārṣavacaḥ satyamatīṁdriyamalaṁghanam

'Let them obtain complete good fortune, the great fruit that will come from the very curse they have borne.' Such was this true, transcendent, and inviolable word of the sage.

Verse 286 (padma.6.129.286)

श्रुत्वा चोत्कंठचित्तास्तेसर्वे स्नानाय चोद्यताः । प्रयागं प्राप्य दुष्प्राप्यं पैशाच्यं विजहुः क्षणात्

śrutvā cotkaṁṭhacittāstesarve snānāya codyatāḥ prayāgaṁ prāpya duṣprāpyaṁ paiśācyaṁ vijahuḥ kṣaṇāt

Hearing this, their hearts eager, they all made ready to bathe; having reached Prayaga, so hard to attain, they cast off their pishacha-state in an instant.

Verse 287 (padma.6.129.287)

विमुक्ताः शापदुःखेन तनुं स्वां स्वां च लेभिरे । दृष्ट्वा वेदनिधिः पुत्रं ताः कन्या दिव्यरूपिणीः

vimuktāḥ śāpaduḥkhena tanuṁ svāṁ svāṁ ca lebhire dṛṣṭvā vedanidhiḥ putraṁ tāḥ kanyā divyarūpiṇīḥ

Freed from the suffering of their curse, they each regained their own true forms. Vedanidhi beheld his son and those maidens, now radiant in their divine forms.

Verse 288 (padma.6.129.288)

तुष्टाव लोमशं प्रीत्या प्रसन्नेनांतरात्मना । त्वदनुग्रहमात्रेणोत्तीर्णः पापमहार्णवः

tuṣṭāva lomaśaṁ prītyā prasannenāṁtarātmanā tvadanugrahamātreṇottīrṇaḥ pāpamahārṇavaḥ

With a joyful heart he lovingly praised Lomasha: 'By your grace alone has this great ocean of sin been crossed.'

Verse 289 (padma.6.129.289)

इदानीमुचितं ब्रूहि बालानामृषिसत्तम । लोमश उवाच। कुमारोधीतवेदोऽयं समाप्तनियमो युवा

idānīmucitaṁ brūhi bālānāmṛṣisattama lomaśa uvāca kumārodhītavedo'yaṁ samāptaniyamo yuvā

'Now, O foremost of sages, tell me what is proper for these young ones.' Lomasha said: 'This young man has completed his study of the Veda; his vows are fulfilled, and he stands now a grown youth.'

Verse 290 (padma.6.129.290)

आसां तु सानुरागाणां गृह्णातु करपंकजम् । ततो लोमशवाक्येन स्वपितुर्वचनात्तदा

āsāṁ tu sānurāgāṇāṁ gṛhṇātu karapaṁkajam tato lomaśavākyena svapiturvacanāttadā

'Let him take the lotus hand of these maidens, who are so devoted to him in love.' Then, by Lomasha's word and by his own father's command —

Verse 291 (padma.6.129.291)

विवाहविधिना चाशु ब्रह्मचारी स धार्मिकः । शुभद्रव्यैश्च मंत्रैश्च ऋषिभिः कृतमंगलः

vivāhavidhinā cāśu brahmacārī sa dhārmikaḥ śubhadravyaiśca maṁtraiśca ṛṣibhiḥ kṛtamaṁgalaḥ

that righteous celibate student, quickly, according to the marriage rite, with auspicious rites performed by the sages using sacred substances and mantras —

Verse 292 (padma.6.129.292)

पंचानामपि कन्यानां पाणिं जग्राह धर्मतः । आनंदिन्यस्तदा सर्वाः कन्याः पूर्णमनोरथाः

paṁcānāmapi kanyānāṁ pāṇiṁ jagrāha dharmataḥ ānaṁdinyastadā sarvāḥ kanyāḥ pūrṇamanorathāḥ

took, according to dharma, the hand of all five maidens in marriage. Then all those maidens, their heart's desire fulfilled, were filled with joy —

Verse 293 (padma.6.129.293)

बभूवुः स कुमारश्च संतुष्टश्च बभूव ह । दत्त्वानुज्ञां मुनिः सोऽथ लोमशस्तैर्नमस्कृतः

babhūvuḥ sa kumāraśca saṁtuṣṭaśca babhūva ha dattvānujñāṁ muniḥ so'tha lomaśastairnamaskṛtaḥ

and that young man too was well content. Then, granting his leave, and honored by them all with reverence, the sage Lomasha —

Verse 294 (padma.6.129.294)

जगाम स्वाश्रमं मेरुं पर्वतं सुरसेवितम् । ततो वेदनिधी राजन्स्नुषाः पंचसुतं तथा । पुरस्कृत्य मुदायुक्तो धनदस्य पुरं ययौ

jagāma svāśramaṁ meruṁ parvataṁ surasevitam tato vedanidhī rājansnuṣāḥ paṁcasutaṁ tathā puraskṛtya mudāyukto dhanadasya puraṁ yayau

departed for his own hermitage on Mount Meru, attended by the gods. Then, O king, Vedanidhi too, placing his five daughters-in-law and his son before him, set out joyfully for the city of Kubera, the lord of wealth.

Verse 295 (padma.6.129.295)

इति नृपवरमाघे स्नानसंजातपुण्यान्मुनिवरवचसा द्राक्तीर्थराजप्रयागे । सकलकलुषमुक्ताः पंच गंधर्वकन्या अलमभिगतलाभात्प्राप्य तर्षं च जग्मुः

iti nṛpavaramāghe snānasaṁjātapuṇyānmunivaravacasā drāktīrtharājaprayāge sakalakaluṣamuktāḥ paṁca gaṁdharvakanyā alamabhigatalābhātprāpya tarṣaṁ ca jagmuḥ

Thus, O best of kings, through the merit born of bathing in Magha at the king of pilgrimage sites, Prayaga, on the word of that foremost sage, all five Gandharva maidens, freed swiftly of every stain, fully satisfied with the good they had gained, and their longing at last fulfilled, went their way.

Verse 296 (padma.6.129.296)

परमिममितिहासं पावनं तीर्थभूतं वृजिनविलयहेतुं यः शृणोतीह नित्यम् । स भवति खलु पूर्णः सर्वकामैरभीष्टैर्व्रजति च सुरलोके दुर्लभो धर्मयुक्तः

paramimamitihāsaṁ pāvanaṁ tīrthabhūtaṁ vṛjinavilayahetuṁ yaḥ śṛṇotīha nityam sa bhavati khalu pūrṇaḥ sarvakāmairabhīṣṭairvrajati ca suraloke durlabho dharmayuktaḥ

Whoever constantly listens to this most sacred history, itself a very pilgrimage-site, the cause of the dissolving of sin, he indeed becomes complete in all his desired wishes, and, endowed with dharma, journeys to the world of the gods, otherwise so hard to attain.

Verse 297 (padma.6.129.297)

इतिहासमिमं श्रुत्वा पूजयेद्यस्तु पाठकम् । गोभिर्हिरण्यवस्त्रैश्च ब्रह्मतुल्यो यतो हि सः

itihāsamimaṁ śrutvā pūjayedyastu pāṭhakam gobhirhiraṇyavastraiśca brahmatulyo yato hi saḥ

Whoever, having heard this history, honors the one who recited it with cows, gold, and garments — he becomes equal to Brahma, for that reciter is himself of like worth.

Verse 298 (padma.6.129.298)

वाचके पूजिते यस्माद्विष्णुर्भवति पूजितः । तस्मात्प्रपूजयेन्नित्यं यदीच्छेत्सफलं भवम्

vācake pūjite yasmādviṣṇurbhavati pūjitaḥ tasmātprapūjayennityaṁ yadīcchetsaphalaṁ bhavam

For when the reciter is honored, Vishnu himself is thereby honored. Therefore, if one wishes for one's own existence to bear fruit, one should always render him worship.