The Glory of the Sabarmati River

Verse 1 (padma.6.135.1)

श्रीमहादेव उवाच। साभ्रमत्यास्तु माहात्म्यं वक्ष्ये देवि यथातथम् । कश्यपो वै मुनिश्रेष्ठस्तपो वै तप्तवान्महत्

śrīmahādeva uvāca sābhramatyāstu māhātmyaṁ vakṣye devi yathātatham kaśyapo vai muniśreṣṭhastapo vai taptavānmahat

Shri Mahadeva said: 'O goddess, I shall now recount the glory of the Sabarmati exactly as it is. Kashyapa, foremost of sages, once performed a great austerity.'

Verse 2 (padma.6.135.2)

अनेकवर्षपर्यंतं तेन तप्तं महत्तपः । अर्बुदे पर्वते रम्ये नानाद्रुमसमाकुले

anekavarṣaparyaṁtaṁ tena taptaṁ mahattapaḥ arbude parvate ramye nānādrumasamākule

'For many years he performed that great austerity, upon the lovely Mount Arbuda, thick with trees of every kind.'

Verse 3 (padma.6.135.3)

तत्र गत्वा तपस्तप्तं ऋषिणा कश्यपेन वै । सरस्वती यत्र रम्या पवित्रा पापनाशिनी

tatra gatvā tapastaptaṁ ṛṣiṇā kaśyapena vai sarasvatī yatra ramyā pavitrā pāpanāśinī

'Going there, the sage Kashyapa performed his austerity, at the place where the lovely, pure, sin-destroying Sarasvati flowed.'

Verse 4 (padma.6.135.4)

एकस्मिन्दिवसे देवि गतोऽसौ नैमिषं प्रति । तदा ते ऋषयः सर्वे कथां चक्रुरनेकशः

ekasmindivase devi gato'sau naimiṣaṁ prati tadā te ṛṣayaḥ sarve kathāṁ cakruranekaśaḥ

'One day, O goddess, he went to Naimisha. There, all the sages engaged in extensive discussion.'

Verse 5 (padma.6.135.5)

तदा तैस्तु द्विजैः सम्यक्पृष्टोऽसौ कश्यपो मुनिः । अहो कश्यप नः प्रीत्यै गंगेहानीयतां प्रभो

tadā taistu dvijaiḥ samyakpṛṣṭo'sau kaśyapo muniḥ aho kaśyapa naḥ prītyai gaṁgehānīyatāṁ prabho

'Then those brahmins earnestly asked the sage Kashyapa: Ah, Kashyapa, O lord, for our delight, bring the Ganga here.'

Verse 6 (padma.6.135.6)

भवन्नाम्ना तु सा गंगा भविष्यति सरिद्वरा । तेषां वाक्यमुपाकर्ण्य नमस्कृत्य द्विजांश्च तान्

bhavannāmnā tu sā gaṁgā bhaviṣyati saridvarā teṣāṁ vākyamupākarṇya namaskṛtya dvijāṁśca tān

'Named after you, that Ganga shall become the foremost of rivers.' Hearing their words, and bowing to those brahmins,

Verse 7 (padma.6.135.7)

आगतो ह्यर्बुदारण्ये सरस्वतीतीरसंनिधौ । तत्र तप्तं तदा तेन तपः परमदुष्करम्

āgato hyarbudāraṇye sarasvatītīrasaṁnidhau tatra taptaṁ tadā tena tapaḥ paramaduṣkaram

he came to the forest of Arbuda, near the bank of the Sarasvati. There he then performed austerity of the most difficult kind.

Verse 8 (padma.6.135.8)

आराधितो ह्यहं तेन कश्यपेन द्विजेन वै । प्रत्यक्षोऽहं तदा जातस्तस्य द्विजवरस्य च

ārādhito hyahaṁ tena kaśyapena dvijena vai pratyakṣo'haṁ tadā jātastasya dvijavarasya ca

'(Mahadeva said) By that brahmin Kashyapa was I worshipped; then I appeared before that foremost of brahmins, visible to his very eyes.'

Verse 9 (padma.6.135.9)

वरं वरय भद्रं ते यत्ते मनसि वर्त्तते

varaṁ varaya bhadraṁ te yatte manasi varttate

'(I said) May good fortune be yours — ask for whatever boon is in your mind.'

Verse 10 (padma.6.135.10)

कश्यप उवाच। वरं दातुं समर्थोऽसि देवदेव जगत्पते । शिरःस्थिता या गंगेयं पवित्रा पापहारिणी

kaśyapa uvāca varaṁ dātuṁ samartho'si devadeva jagatpate śiraḥsthitā yā gaṁgeyaṁ pavitrā pāpahāriṇī

Kashyapa said: 'O god of gods, O lord of the universe, you are capable of granting boons. This pure, sin-removing Ganga that rests upon your head —'

Verse 11 (padma.6.135.11)

मम देया विशेषेण महादेव नमोस्तुते । तदा देवि मयोक्तं च गृह्णीष्व त्वं द्विजोत्तम

mama deyā viśeṣeṇa mahādeva namostute tadā devi mayoktaṁ ca gṛhṇīṣva tvaṁ dvijottama

'should especially be given to me, O great god, salutations to you.' Then, O goddess, I said: 'Take it, O best of brahmins.'

Verse 12 (padma.6.135.12)

जटामेकां परित्यज्य दत्ता गंगा तदा मया । तां गृहीत्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठः स्वस्थानं हर्षतो ययौ

jaṭāmekāṁ parityajya dattā gaṁgā tadā mayā tāṁ gṛhītvā dvijaśreṣṭhaḥ svasthānaṁ harṣato yayau

'Then, loosening one of my matted locks, I gave forth the Ganga from it. Taking her, that foremost of brahmins went joyfully to his own place.'

Verse 13 (padma.6.135.13)

केशरन्ध्रं नाम तीर्थं वासो वै कश्यपस्य च । गतस्तत्र तु देवेशि मुनिभिः परिवारितः

keśarandhraṁ nāma tīrthaṁ vāso vai kaśyapasya ca gatastatra tu deveśi munibhiḥ parivāritaḥ

'The ford named Kesharandhra is Kashyapa's own dwelling place. There, O queen of gods, he went, surrounded by sages.'

Verse 14 (padma.6.135.14)

कश्यपेन समानीता काश्यपी सा सरिद्वरा । यस्या दर्शनमात्रेण ब्रह्महा मुच्यते किल

kaśyapena samānītā kāśyapī sā saridvarā yasyā darśanamātreṇa brahmahā mucyate kila

'That foremost of rivers, brought by Kashyapa, came to be called Kashyapi. By the mere sight of her, even a brahmin-slayer is indeed freed.'

Verse 15 (padma.6.135.15)

पार्वत्युवाच। स्नानमात्रेण किं पुण्यं तत्र तीर्थे वदस्व मे । विश्वनाथ कृपालुस्त्वं दयां कुरु ममोपरि

pārvatyuvāca snānamātreṇa kiṁ puṇyaṁ tatra tīrthe vadasva me viśvanātha kṛpālustvaṁ dayāṁ kuru mamopari

Parvati said: 'Tell me, what merit comes from mere bathing at that ford? O lord of the universe, you are compassionate — show grace to me.'

Verse 16 (padma.6.135.16)

दर्शने किं भवेत्पुण्यं स्नाने किं वद देवराट् । महिमा कीदृशो ब्रह्मन्सर्वं त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि

darśane kiṁ bhavetpuṇyaṁ snāne kiṁ vada devarāṭ mahimā kīdṛśo brahmansarvaṁ tvaṁ vaktumarhasi

'What merit comes from beholding it, what from bathing in it — tell me, O king of gods. What manner of glory does it hold, O Brahman? All of this you alone are fit to tell.'

Verse 17 (padma.6.135.17)

महादेव उवाच। मया श्रुतान्यनेकानि तीर्थान्यायतनानि च । श्रीविष्णोश्च प्रसादाच्च नद्यः सागरगाः प्रभोः

mahādeva uvāca mayā śrutānyanekāni tīrthānyāyatanāni ca śrīviṣṇośca prasādācca nadyaḥ sāgaragāḥ prabhoḥ

Mahadeva said: 'I have heard of many sacred fords and holy shrines. By the grace of Lord Shri Vishnu, the rivers that flow to meet the sea —'

Verse 18 (padma.6.135.18)

गंगा च यमुना रेवा तापी चैव महानदी । गोदावरी तुंगभद्रा कौशिकी गल्लिका तथा

gaṁgā ca yamunā revā tāpī caiva mahānadī godāvarī tuṁgabhadrā kauśikī gallikā tathā

'the Ganga, the Yamuna, the Reva, the Tapi, and the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Tungabhadra, the Kaushiki, and the Gallika —'

Verse 19 (padma.6.135.19)

कावेरी वेदिका भद्रा सरयूः पापहारिणी । अन्याश्च विविधा नद्यः सर्वपापहरा भुवि

kāverī vedikā bhadrā sarayūḥ pāpahāriṇī anyāśca vividhā nadyaḥ sarvapāpaharā bhuvi

'the Kaveri, the Vedika, the Bhadra, the sin-removing Sarayu, and countless other rivers upon this earth, all destroyers of every sin —'

Verse 20 (padma.6.135.20)

प्रयागस्तीर्थराजश्च काशी पुष्कर एव च । नैमिषारण्यसंज्ञं तु तीर्थं चामरकंटकम्

prayāgastīrtharājaśca kāśī puṣkara eva ca naimiṣāraṇyasaṁjñaṁ tu tīrthaṁ cāmarakaṁṭakam

'Prayaga, king of sacred fords, Kashi, Pushkara too, the ford called Naimisharanya, and Amarakantaka too —'

Verse 21 (padma.6.135.21)

उत्तमं द्वारकाक्षेत्रमर्बुदारण्यमुत्तमम् । एवंविधानि दिव्यानि क्षेत्राणि विविधानि च

uttamaṁ dvārakākṣetramarbudāraṇyamuttamam evaṁvidhāni divyāni kṣetrāṇi vividhāni ca

'the excellent field of Dvaraka, and the excellent forest of Arbuda — such divine and manifold sacred fields —'

Verse 22 (padma.6.135.22)

श्रुतानि तत्र देवेशि माया विष्णोः प्रसादतः । पूर्वं भगीरथेनैव याचितोऽहं तु पार्वति

śrutāni tatra deveśi māyā viṣṇoḥ prasādataḥ pūrvaṁ bhagīrathenaiva yācito'haṁ tu pārvati

'of all these, O queen of gods, have I heard, by the grace of Vishnu. O Parvati, in former times I was implored by Bhagiratha,'

Verse 23 (padma.6.135.23)

तदा दत्ता इयं गंगा विष्णोर्लोकमभीप्सुना । कश्यपाय पुनर्दत्ता ऋषीणां वचनान्मया

tadā dattā iyaṁ gaṁgā viṣṇorlokamabhīpsunā kaśyapāya punardattā ṛṣīṇāṁ vacanānmayā

'who longed for the world of Vishnu, and to him this Ganga was given. Then, at the word of the sages, I gave her again to Kashyapa as well.'

Verse 24 (padma.6.135.24)

इयं वै काश्यपी गंगा रोगदोषहरा सदा । इयं या कथ्यते लोके युगे वै नामपूर्वकम्

iyaṁ vai kāśyapī gaṁgā rogadoṣaharā sadā iyaṁ yā kathyate loke yuge vai nāmapūrvakam

'This very Kashyapi Ganga ever removes disease and defect. This is that river spoken of in this world, each yuga calling her by a different name.'

Verse 25 (padma.6.135.25)

तदहं कथयिष्यामि शृणु सुंदरि तत्वतः । कृते कृतवती नाम त्रेतायां गिरिकर्णिका

tadahaṁ kathayiṣyāmi śṛṇu suṁdari tatvataḥ kṛte kṛtavatī nāma tretāyāṁ girikarṇikā

'That I shall tell you truthfully, listen, O lovely one. In the Krita age her name was Kritavati; in the Treta age, Girikarnika;'

Verse 26 (padma.6.135.26)

द्वापरे चंदना नाम कलौ साभ्रमती स्मृता । दिनेदिने विशेषेण स्नानार्थं तु नराश्च ये

dvāpare caṁdanā nāma kalau sābhramatī smṛtā dinedine viśeṣeṇa snānārthaṁ tu narāśca ye

'in the Dvapara age, Chandana; and in the Kali age she is called Sabarmati. Men who go there day after day, especially for the sake of bathing,'

Verse 27 (padma.6.135.27)

सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्ता यांति विष्णोः सनातनम् । प्लक्षावतरणे तीर्थे सरस्वत्यां तथेश्वरि

sarvapāpavinirmuktā yāṁti viṣṇoḥ sanātanam plakṣāvataraṇe tīrthe sarasvatyāṁ tatheśvari

'freed from every sin, go to the eternal abode of Vishnu. O goddess, at the ford of Plakshavatarana, and likewise on the Sarasvati —'

Verse 28 (padma.6.135.28)

केदारे च कुरुक्षेत्रे यत्फलं स्नानतो भवेत् । तत्फलं तु नृणां नूनं साभ्रमत्या दिने दिने

kedāre ca kurukṣetre yatphalaṁ snānato bhavet tatphalaṁ tu nṛṇāṁ nūnaṁ sābhramatyā dine dine

'at Kedara and at Kurukshetra — whatever fruit comes from bathing there, that very fruit, without doubt, men obtain from the Sabarmati every single day.'

Verse 29 (padma.6.135.29)

भवतीति न संदेहो व्यासस्य वचनं यथा । नभस्येपरपक्षे तु प्रत्यहं वा सुरेश्वरि

bhavatīti na saṁdeho vyāsasya vacanaṁ yathā nabhasyeparapakṣe tu pratyahaṁ vā sureśvari

'There is no doubt of it, as is the word of Vyasa. O queen of gods, in the dark fortnight of the month of Nabhasya, or indeed every day —'

Verse 30 (padma.6.135.30)

अमावास्यादिने सम्यक्श्राद्धदाने च यत्फलम् । नरस्तत्फलमाप्नोति साभ्रमत्यावगाहनात्

amāvāsyādine samyakśrāddhadāne ca yatphalam narastatphalamāpnoti sābhramatyāvagāhanāt

'whatever fruit is obtained from properly performing a shraddha-offering on the new-moon day, that same fruit a man obtains by immersing himself in the Sabarmati.'

Verse 31 (padma.6.135.31)

कार्तिक्यां कृत्तिकायोगे श्रीस्थले माधवाग्रतः । तत्फलं लभते मर्त्यो साभ्रमत्यावगाहनात्

kārtikyāṁ kṛttikāyoge śrīsthale mādhavāgrataḥ tatphalaṁ labhate martyo sābhramatyāvagāhanāt

'Whatever fruit is obtained at Shristhala before Madhava, during the Kartika month under the conjunction of Krittika, that fruit too a mortal obtains by immersing himself in the Sabarmati.'

Verse 32 (padma.6.135.32)

एषा श्रेष्ठतमा देवि सर्वलोकेषु पावनी । इयं धन्यतमा देवि पवित्रा ह्यघनाशिनी

eṣā śreṣṭhatamā devi sarvalokeṣu pāvanī iyaṁ dhanyatamā devi pavitrā hyaghanāśinī

'O goddess, this is the most excellent and purifying river among all the worlds. O goddess, she is most blessed, pure, and a destroyer of sin.'

Verse 33 (padma.6.135.33)

यस्यां वै साभ्रमत्यां च एते तिष्ठंति नित्यशः । पूर्वं संबंधिनो ये च उत्तरे ये तथा पुनः

yasyāṁ vai sābhramatyāṁ ca ete tiṣṭhaṁti nityaśaḥ pūrvaṁ saṁbaṁdhino ye ca uttare ye tathā punaḥ

'In this very Sabarmati dwell all those who were once one's kin from the eastern lands, and likewise those from the northern lands too.'

Verse 34 (padma.6.135.34)

पाश्चात्या दाक्षिणात्याश्च सर्वे यांति च नित्यशः । तीर्थयात्रामिषेणैव खेटके ब्रह्मसन्निधौ

pāścātyā dākṣiṇātyāśca sarve yāṁti ca nityaśaḥ tīrthayātrāmiṣeṇaiva kheṭake brahmasannidhau

'Those from the west and from the south also all go there constantly. On the pretext of a mere pilgrimage, at Khetaka, in the very presence of Brahma —'

Verse 35 (padma.6.135.35)

आयांति सर्वदा देवि कार्तिक्यां च न संशयः । तत्र श्राद्धं प्रकुर्वंति तथा वै विप्रभोजनम्

āyāṁti sarvadā devi kārtikyāṁ ca na saṁśayaḥ tatra śrāddhaṁ prakurvaṁti tathā vai viprabhojanam

'they come, O goddess, always, and without doubt in the month of Kartika. There they perform shraddha rites and feed brahmins.'

Verse 36 (padma.6.135.36)

नाना धर्मान्प्रकुर्वंति नानायज्ञांश्च नित्यशः । विविधानि च दानानि प्रकुर्वंति जनाः सदा

nānā dharmānprakurvaṁti nānāyajñāṁśca nityaśaḥ vividhāni ca dānāni prakurvaṁti janāḥ sadā

'They perform manifold acts of dharma, ever perform manifold sacrifices. People always give manifold kinds of gifts as well.'

Verse 37 (padma.6.135.37)

चतुर्युगेषु सर्वेषु नात्र कार्या विचारणा । यवक्रीतोऽथ रैभ्यश्च काक्षीवानुशिजस्तथा

caturyugeṣu sarveṣu nātra kāryā vicāraṇā yavakrīto'tha raibhyaśca kākṣīvānuśijastathā

'Throughout all four ages, no doubt should be entertained about this. Yavakrita, Raibhya, Kakshivan, and Ushija —'

Verse 38 (padma.6.135.38)

भृग्वंगिरास्तथा कण्वो मेधावी च पुनर्वसुः । बंदी च गुणसंपन्नः प्राच्यां दिशि उपश्रिताः

bhṛgvaṁgirāstathā kaṇvo medhāvī ca punarvasuḥ baṁdī ca guṇasaṁpannaḥ prācyāṁ diśi upaśritāḥ

'Bhrigu, Angiras, Kanva, Medhavi, and Punarvasu, and Bandi, endowed with every virtue — these dwell in the eastern quarter.'

Verse 39 (padma.6.135.39)

उदीच्यां ये महाभागा मधुमत्प्रमुखास्तथा । सुबंधुश्च महाभागो दत्तात्रेयश्च वीर्यवान्

udīcyāṁ ye mahābhāgā madhumatpramukhāstathā subaṁdhuśca mahābhāgo dattātreyaśca vīryavān

'In the northern quarter dwell the most fortunate, led by Madhumat; the most fortunate Subandhu and the mighty Dattatreya are there too.'

Verse 40 (padma.6.135.40)

शिखी दीर्घतमाश्चैव गौतमः कश्यपस्तथा । श्वेतकेतुः कहोडश्च पुलहो देवलस्तथा

śikhī dīrghatamāścaiva gautamaḥ kaśyapastathā śvetaketuḥ kahoḍaśca pulaho devalastathā

'Shikhi, Dirghatamas, Gautama, Kashyapa, Shvetaketu, Kahoda, Pulaha, and Devala —'

Verse 41 (padma.6.135.41)

विश्वामित्र भरद्वाजौ जमदग्निश्च वीर्यवान् । ऋचीकपुत्रो गर्गश्च ऋषिरुद्दालकस्तथा

viśvāmitra bharadvājau jamadagniśca vīryavān ṛcīkaputro gargaśca ṛṣiruddālakastathā

'Vishvamitra, Bharadvaja, the mighty Jamadagni, the son of Richika, Garga, and the sage Uddalaka —'

Verse 42 (padma.6.135.42)

देवशर्माऽथ धौम्यश्च आस्तीकः कश्यपस्तथा । लोमशो नाभिकेतुश्च लोमहर्षण एव च

devaśarmā'tha dhaumyaśca āstīkaḥ kaśyapastathā lomaśo nābhiketuśca lomaharṣaṇa eva ca

'Devasharma, Dhaumya, Astika, Kashyapa, Lomasha, Nabhiketu, and Lomaharshana too —'

Verse 43 (padma.6.135.43)

ऋषिरुग्रश्रवाश्चैव भार्गवश्च्यवनस्तथा । वालखिल्यादयो ये च सर्वे गच्छंति तत्र वै

ṛṣirugraśravāścaiva bhārgavaścyavanastathā vālakhilyādayo ye ca sarve gacchaṁti tatra vai

'the sage Ugrashravas, Chyavana of the Bhrigu line, and the Valakhilyas and others — all of these go there.'

Verse 44 (padma.6.135.44)

कृतस्नाना निराहाराः सदा विष्णुपरायणाः । शंखचक्रगदाधरास्तटे तिष्ठंति नित्यशः

kṛtasnānā nirāhārāḥ sadā viṣṇuparāyaṇāḥ śaṁkhacakragadādharāstaṭe tiṣṭhaṁti nityaśaḥ

'Having bathed, taking no food, ever devoted to Vishnu, bearing the conch, discus, and mace, they dwell forever upon her bank.'

Verse 45 (padma.6.135.45)

पितृतीर्थं गयानाम सर्वतीर्थवरं शुभम् । यत्रास्ते देवदेवेशः स्वयमेव पितामहः

pitṛtīrthaṁ gayānāma sarvatīrthavaraṁ śubham yatrāste devadeveśaḥ svayameva pitāmahaḥ

'The ancestral ford named Gaya is the most excellent and auspicious of all sacred fords, where the very grandfather of all, lord of the gods, himself abides.'

Verse 46 (padma.6.135.46)

गीतायाः पितृभिर्गाथा श्राद्धभागमपीप्सुभिः । एष्टव्या बहवः पुत्रा यद्येकोऽपि गयां व्रजेत्

gītāyāḥ pitṛbhirgāthā śrāddhabhāgamapīpsubhiḥ eṣṭavyā bahavaḥ putrā yadyeko'pi gayāṁ vrajet

'There is a verse sung by the ancestors themselves, longing for a share of the shraddha offering: many sons should be desired, for if even one of them goes to Gaya,'

Verse 47 (padma.6.135.47)

यजेत वाश्वमेधेन नीलं वा वृषमुत्सृजेत् । तथा वाराणसी पुण्या पितॄणां वल्लभा सदा

yajeta vāśvamedhena nīlaṁ vā vṛṣamutsṛjet tathā vārāṇasī puṇyā pitṝṇāṁ vallabhā sadā

'it is as though the Ashvamedha sacrifice had been performed, or a blue-black bull set loose. And so too is Varanasi meritorious, ever dear to the ancestors.'

Verse 48 (padma.6.135.48)

या चैव मम सांनिध्याद्भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदा । ममाज्ञया तु देवेशो बिंदुमाधवसंज्ञकः

yā caiva mama sāṁnidhyādbhuktimuktiphalapradā mamājñayā tu deveśo biṁdumādhavasaṁjñakaḥ

'By my very presence, she grants the fruit of both enjoyment and liberation. By my command, the lord of gods known as Bindumadhava —'

Verse 49 (padma.6.135.49)

नित्यं तिष्ठति देवेशि वाराणस्यां विशेषतः । अतो धन्यतमा श्रेष्ठा पुरीयं मम सर्वदा

nityaṁ tiṣṭhati deveśi vārāṇasyāṁ viśeṣataḥ ato dhanyatamā śreṣṭhā purīyaṁ mama sarvadā

'dwells eternally in Varanasi, in particular, O queen of gods. Therefore this city is to me ever the most blessed and excellent of all.'

Verse 50 (padma.6.135.50)

पितॄणां वल्लभं तीर्थं पुण्यं वै विमलेश्वरम् । पितृतीर्थं प्रयागं च सर्वतीर्थसमन्वितम्

pitṝṇāṁ vallabhaṁ tīrthaṁ puṇyaṁ vai vimaleśvaram pitṛtīrthaṁ prayāgaṁ ca sarvatīrthasamanvitam

'Dear to the ancestors is the meritorious ford of Vimaleshvara; Prayaga too is an ancestral ford, joined together with every other sacred ford.'

Verse 51 (padma.6.135.51)

साभ्रमत्युदके देवि आयांति वचनान्मम । वटेश्वरश्च भगवान्माधवेन समन्वितः

sābhramatyudake devi āyāṁti vacanānmama vaṭeśvaraśca bhagavānmādhavena samanvitaḥ

'O goddess, at my very word, all of them come to the waters of the Sabarmati. The lord Vateshvara too dwells there, together with Madhava.'

Verse 52 (padma.6.135.52)

दशाश्वमेधकं पुण्यं गंगाद्वारं तथैव च । मन्नियोगाच्च देवेशि साभ्रमत्यां वसंति हि

daśāśvamedhakaṁ puṇyaṁ gaṁgādvāraṁ tathaiva ca manniyogācca deveśi sābhramatyāṁ vasaṁti hi

'The meritorious Dashashvamedha ford, and Gangadvara as well, O queen of gods, dwell truly in the Sabarmati, at my own command.'

Verse 53 (padma.6.135.53)

नदाथ ललितादेवी तीर्थं यत्सप्तधारकम् । तथा मित्रपदं नाम केदारं शंकरालयम्

nadātha lalitādevī tīrthaṁ yatsaptadhārakam tathā mitrapadaṁ nāma kedāraṁ śaṁkarālayam

'The Nada, the ford of goddess Lalita, the tirtha called Saptadhara, and that called Mitrapada, the Kedara that is the abode of Shankara —'

Verse 54 (padma.6.135.54)

गंगासागरमित्याहुः सर्वतीर्थमयं शुभम् । तीर्थं ब्रह्मसरस्तद्वच्छतद्रु सलिले ह्रदे

gaṁgāsāgaramityāhuḥ sarvatīrthamayaṁ śubham tīrthaṁ brahmasarastadvacchatadru salile hrade

'that which is called Gangasagara, auspicious and made up of every sacred ford; the ford called Brahmasaras too, and likewise one in the lake of the waters of the Shatadru —'

Verse 55 (padma.6.135.55)

तीर्थं तु नैमिषं नाम आज्ञया मम सर्वदा । साभ्रमत्युदके देवि निवसंति न संशयः

tīrthaṁ tu naimiṣaṁ nāma ājñayā mama sarvadā sābhramatyudake devi nivasaṁti na saṁśayaḥ

'and the ford called Naimisha too — all these, O goddess, by my own command ever dwell in the waters of the Sabarmati, without any doubt.'

Verse 56 (padma.6.135.56)

श्वेता वल्कलिनी पुण्या ततः श्वेता हिरण्मयी । हस्तिमत्यथवार्त्तघ्नी नदी सागरगामिनी

śvetā valkalinī puṇyā tataḥ śvetā hiraṇmayī hastimatyathavārttaghnī nadī sāgaragāminī

'Shveta, the meritorious Valkalini, then Shveta Hiranmayi, Hastimati or Vartaghni — these rivers all flow onward to the sea.'

Verse 57 (padma.6.135.57)

पितॄणां वल्लभा ह्येताः श्राद्धकोटिफलप्रदः । तत्र श्राद्धानि देयानि पुत्रैः पितृहिताय वै

pitṝṇāṁ vallabhā hyetāḥ śrāddhakoṭiphalapradaḥ tatra śrāddhāni deyāni putraiḥ pitṛhitāya vai

'These are all dear to the ancestors, and grant fruit equal to that of a million shraddha rites. There sons should perform shraddha for the welfare of their forefathers.'

Verse 58 (padma.6.135.58)

पाटलं वाडवाख्यं च नगरं तत्र सुंदरि । साभ्रमत्यां सदा एताः प्राप्ता नद्यो विशेषतः

pāṭalaṁ vāḍavākhyaṁ ca nagaraṁ tatra suṁdari sābhramatyāṁ sadā etāḥ prāptā nadyo viśeṣataḥ

'O lovely one, there stand the cities named Patala and Vadava. All these rivers, in particular, are ever found joined together in the Sabarmati.'

Verse 59 (padma.6.135.59)

तत्र स्नानं च दानं च ये कुर्वंति नरा भुवि । इहलोके सुखं भुक्त्वा यांति विष्णोः सनातनम्

tatra snānaṁ ca dānaṁ ca ye kurvaṁti narā bhuvi ihaloke sukhaṁ bhuktvā yāṁti viṣṇoḥ sanātanam

'Men on this earth who bathe and give charity there, having enjoyed happiness in this world, go to the eternal abode of Vishnu.'

Verse 60 (padma.6.135.60)

जंबूद्वीपं महापुण्यं यत्र पुण्यं विवर्द्धते । तत्रार्याख्यं महापुण्यं सर्वकामफलप्रदम्

jaṁbūdvīpaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ yatra puṇyaṁ vivarddhate tatrāryākhyaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ sarvakāmaphalapradam

'Jambudvipa is most meritorious, where merit ever increases; there is the most meritorious ford called Arya, granting the fruit of every desire.'

Verse 61 (padma.6.135.61)

नीलकंठमिति ख्यातं तीर्थं नंदह्रदस्तथा । तथा रुद्रह्रदस्तीर्थं पुण्यं रुद्र महालयम्

nīlakaṁṭhamiti khyātaṁ tīrthaṁ naṁdahradastathā tathā rudrahradastīrthaṁ puṇyaṁ rudra mahālayam

'The ford renowned as Nilakantha, and Nandahrada, and also the meritorious ford of Rudrahrada, and Rudra-mahalaya too —'

Verse 62 (padma.6.135.62)

मंदाकिनी महापुण्या तथाच्छोदा महानदी । साभ्रमत्यां वहंत्येते स्वात्मना दर्शनीकृते

maṁdākinī mahāpuṇyā tathācchodā mahānadī sābhramatyāṁ vahaṁtyete svātmanā darśanīkṛte

'the most meritorious Mandakini, and the great river Achchhoda — these too flow within the Sabarmati, each visible there in its own true form.'

Verse 63 (padma.6.135.63)

धूम्रा मित्रपदं तद्वद्वैजनाथं दृषद्वरम् । क्षिप्रा नदी महाकालं तथा कालिंजरो गिरिः

dhūmrā mitrapadaṁ tadvadvaijanāthaṁ dṛṣadvaram kṣiprā nadī mahākālaṁ tathā kāliṁjaro giriḥ

'The river Dhumra, the ford Mitrapada, Vaijanatha, the river Drishadvati, the river Kshipra, the ford of Mahakala, and the mountain Kalinjara —'

Verse 64 (padma.6.135.64)

गंगोद्भूतं हरोद्भेदं नर्मदाकारमेव च । गंगापिंडप्रदानेन समान्याहुर्मनीषिणः

gaṁgodbhūtaṁ harodbhedaṁ narmadākārameva ca gaṁgāpiṁḍapradānena samānyāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ

'the Harodbheda, sprung from the Ganga, and that of Narmada-like form — these the wise declare equal in fruit to offering the funeral rice-ball on the Ganga itself.'

Verse 65 (padma.6.135.65)

एतानि ब्रह्मतीर्थानि साभ्रमत्युत्तरे तटे । गुप्तीकृतानि देवेशि देवैर्ब्रह्मपुरोगमैः

etāni brahmatīrthāni sābhramatyuttare taṭe guptīkṛtāni deveśi devairbrahmapurogamaiḥ

'All these Brahma-fords, O queen of gods, have been secretly established on the northern bank of the Sabarmati by the gods, led by Brahma himself.'

Verse 66 (padma.6.135.66)

स्मरणादपि लोकानां पापघ्नानि महेश्वरि । किं पुनः श्राद्धदातॄणां मानवानां सुरेश्वरि

smaraṇādapi lokānāṁ pāpaghnāni maheśvari kiṁ punaḥ śrāddhadātṝṇāṁ mānavānāṁ sureśvari

'O great goddess, merely by their remembrance they destroy the sins of the world — what then, O queen of gods, need be said of men who actually perform shraddha there?'

Verse 67 (padma.6.135.67)

ॐकारं पितृतीर्थं च कावेरी कपिलोदकम् । संभेदश्चंडवेगायास्तथैवामरकंटकम्

oṁkāraṁ pitṛtīrthaṁ ca kāverī kapilodakam saṁbhedaścaṁḍavegāyāstathaivāmarakaṁṭakam

'The ford Omkara, the ancestral ford, the Kaveri, Kapilodaka, the confluence with the Chandavega, and Amarakantaka too —'

Verse 68 (padma.6.135.68)

कुरुक्षेत्राच्छतगुणमस्मिन्स्नानादिकं भवेत् । वार्तघ्नीसंगमे देवि गणेश्वरपुरःसरम्

kurukṣetrācchataguṇamasminsnānādikaṁ bhavet vārtaghnīsaṁgame devi gaṇeśvarapuraḥsaram

'bathing and the like at this ford yields a hundredfold the merit of Kurukshetra. O goddess, at the confluence with the Vartaghni, led by Ganeshvara —'

Verse 69 (padma.6.135.69)

साभ्रमत्यां पुरा नीतं गणैस्तीर्थकदंकबम् । एष तूद्देशतः प्रोक्तस्तीर्थानां संगमो मया

sābhramatyāṁ purā nītaṁ gaṇaistīrthakadaṁkabam eṣa tūddeśataḥ proktastīrthānāṁ saṁgamo mayā

'long ago this cluster of sacred fords was brought together by the divine hosts into the Sabarmati. This is but a summary account I have given of this confluence of sacred fords.'

Verse 70 (padma.6.135.70)

वागीशापि न शक्नोति तीर्थानां तत्वविस्तरम् । सत्यं तीर्थं दयातीर्थं तीर्थमिंद्रियविग्रहः

vāgīśāpi na śaknoti tīrthānāṁ tatvavistaram satyaṁ tīrthaṁ dayātīrthaṁ tīrthamiṁdriyavigrahaḥ

'Even the very goddess of speech is unable to recount the full extent of these fords in detail. Truth itself is a sacred ford, compassion is a sacred ford, mastery of the senses is a sacred ford.'

Verse 71 (padma.6.135.71)

तस्यास्तीर्थे प्रयत्नेन स्नानं कुर्यान्न संशयः । प्रातःकालो मुहूर्तांस्त्रीन्संगवस्तावदेव तु

tasyāstīrthe prayatnena snānaṁ kuryānna saṁśayaḥ prātaḥkālo muhūrtāṁstrīnsaṁgavastāvadeva tu

'One should diligently bathe at that sacred ford, without doubt. The early morning lasts for three muhurtas, and the sangava period lasts for just as long thereafter.'

Verse 72 (padma.6.135.72)

तदा स्नानादिकं तीर्थे देवानां प्रीतिदायकम् । मध्याह्नस्त्रिमुहूर्तः स्यादपराह्णस्ततः परम्

tadā snānādikaṁ tīrthe devānāṁ prītidāyakam madhyāhnastrimuhūrtaḥ syādaparāhṇastataḥ param

'Bathing and the like at the ford during that time pleases the gods. Midday too lasts three muhurtas, and after it comes the afternoon.'

Verse 73 (padma.6.135.73)

पितॄणां प्रीतिजननं स्नानपिंडादि तर्पणम् । सायाह्नस्त्रिमुहूर्तः स्याच्छ्राद्धं तत्र न कारयेत्

pitṝṇāṁ prītijananaṁ snānapiṁḍādi tarpaṇam sāyāhnastrimuhūrtaḥ syācchrāddhaṁ tatra na kārayet

'Bathing, the offering of the funeral rice-ball, and other libations please the ancestors. The evening too lasts three muhurtas, but shraddha should not be performed during that time.'

Verse 74 (padma.6.135.74)

राक्षसी नाम सा वेला गर्हिता सर्वकर्मसु । अह्नो मुहूर्ता विख्याता दशपंच च सर्वदा

rākṣasī nāma sā velā garhitā sarvakarmasu ahno muhūrtā vikhyātā daśapaṁca ca sarvadā

'That period is called the demonic hour, condemned for every rite. The day's muhurtas are ever renowned as being fifteen in number.'

Verse 75 (padma.6.135.75)

तत्राष्टमो मुहूर्तो यः स कालः कुतुपः स्मृतः । मध्याह्ने सर्वदा यस्मान्मंदी भवति भास्करः

tatrāṣṭamo muhūrto yaḥ sa kālaḥ kutupaḥ smṛtaḥ madhyāhne sarvadā yasmānmaṁdī bhavati bhāskaraḥ

'Of these, the eighth muhurta is that time known as Kutapa, because at that hour, at midday, the sun's power always grows mild.'

Verse 76 (padma.6.135.76)

तस्मादनंतफलदः पितॄणां पिंडदानतः । मध्याह्नः खङ्गपात्रं च तथा नेपालकंबलः

tasmādanaṁtaphaladaḥ pitṝṇāṁ piṁḍadānataḥ madhyāhnaḥ khaṅgapātraṁ ca tathā nepālakaṁbalaḥ

'Therefore that midday hour, for the offering of the rice-ball to the ancestors, yields boundless fruit. A sword-shaped vessel, and a Nepalese blanket, are also needed.'

Verse 77 (padma.6.135.77)

रूप्यं दर्भास्तथा गावो दौहित्रं कुतपास्तिलाः । पापं कुत्सितमित्याहुस्तस्य संतापकारकाः

rūpyaṁ darbhāstathā gāvo dauhitraṁ kutapāstilāḥ pāpaṁ kutsitamityāhustasya saṁtāpakārakāḥ

'Silver, kusha grass, cows, a daughter's son, the Kutapa hour, and sesame seeds — a shraddha performed without these is called sinful and condemned, and a cause of grief.'

Verse 78 (padma.6.135.78)

अष्टावेते यतस्तस्मात्कुतपा इति विश्रुताः । ऊर्द्ध्वं मुहूर्तात्कुतुपात्यन्मुहूर्त चतुष्टयम्

aṣṭāvete yatastasmātkutapā iti viśrutāḥ ūrddhvaṁ muhūrtātkutupātyanmuhūrta catuṣṭayam

'Since these are eight in number, they have become renowned by the name Kutapa. Beyond the Kutapa muhurta lies a further span of four muhurtas,'

Verse 79 (padma.6.135.79)

महूर्तपंचकं चैतच्छ्राद्धकाले समिष्यते । विष्णोर्देहात्समुद्भूताः कुशाः कृष्णतिलाः स्मृताः

mahūrtapaṁcakaṁ caitacchrāddhakāle samiṣyate viṣṇordehātsamudbhūtāḥ kuśāḥ kṛṣṇatilāḥ smṛtāḥ

'and this span of five muhurtas together is held to be fitting for the time of shraddha. Kusha grass and black sesame are held to have arisen from the very body of Vishnu.'

Verse 80 (padma.6.135.80)

श्राद्धस्य रक्षणार्थाय एवमाहुर्दिवौकसः । तिलोदकांजलिर्देयो जलस्थैस्तीर्थवासिभिः

śrāddhasya rakṣaṇārthāya evamāhurdivaukasaḥ tilodakāṁjalirdeyo jalasthaistīrthavāsibhiḥ

'Thus have the dwellers of heaven declared, for the protection of the shraddha rite. Those dwelling at the ford should stand in the water and offer a handful of sesame-mixed water.'

Verse 81 (padma.6.135.81)

सदर्भहस्तैरेकेन श्राद्धमेवं न हिंस्यते । साभ्रमत्यां नामधेयैरिति तीर्थप्रवेशनम्

sadarbhahastairekena śrāddhamevaṁ na hiṁsyate sābhramatyāṁ nāmadheyairiti tīrthapraveśanam

'This should be done with one hand holding kusha grass; done thus, the shraddha rite is not violated. Thus is the rite of entering the ford at the Sabarmati, performed with the naming of each sacred site.'

Verse 82 (padma.6.135.82)

कारयित्वा मया देवि दत्ता वै कश्यपाय च । मम भक्तः कश्यपोसौ वल्लभो मम सर्वदा

kārayitvā mayā devi dattā vai kaśyapāya ca mama bhaktaḥ kaśyaposau vallabho mama sarvadā

'O goddess, having established this rite, it was I myself who gave it to Kashyapa. Kashyapa is my devotee, ever dear to me.'

Verse 83 (padma.6.135.83)

दत्ता तस्मादियं गंगा पवित्रा पापनाशिनी । साभ्रमत्यां महाभागे तीर्थे वै ब्रह्मचारिके

dattā tasmādiyaṁ gaṁgā pavitrā pāpanāśinī sābhramatyāṁ mahābhāge tīrthe vai brahmacārike

'For that reason this pure, sin-destroying Ganga was given to him. At the most fortunate Brahmachari ford on the Sabarmati —'

Verse 84 (padma.6.135.84)

आत्मानं च प्रतिष्ठाप्य तन्नाम्ना शंकरो ह्यहम् । स्थितो लोकहितार्थाय ब्रह्मचारीश संज्ञकः

ātmānaṁ ca pratiṣṭhāpya tannāmnā śaṁkaro hyaham sthito lokahitārthāya brahmacārīśa saṁjñakaḥ

'there I, Shankara, established myself, and, taking that very name, dwelt there for the welfare of the world, under the name Brahmachaireesha.'

Verse 85 (padma.6.135.85)

साभ्रमत्यामुपकंठे ब्रह्मचारीश संज्ञके । कलौ भक्तो विशेषेण पूजनं कुरुते यदा

sābhramatyāmupakaṁṭhe brahmacārīśa saṁjñake kalau bhakto viśeṣeṇa pūjanaṁ kurute yadā

'At Brahmachaireesha, on the bank of the Sabarmati, when in the Kali age some devotee performs worship there with special devotion,'

Verse 86 (padma.6.135.86)

इहलोके सुखं भुक्त्वा याति शैवं पदं महत् । महद्भिर्व्याधिभिश्चैव पीडितो यदि गच्छति

ihaloke sukhaṁ bhuktvā yāti śaivaṁ padaṁ mahat mahadbhirvyādhibhiścaiva pīḍito yadi gacchati

'he, having enjoyed happiness in this world, attains the great Shaiva state. And if one, afflicted with severe diseases, goes there,'

Verse 87 (padma.6.135.87)

यस्याशु नश्यति व्याधिर्दर्शनाच्च महेश्वरि । गत्वा वै तस्य संस्थाने उपवासी जितेंद्रियः

yasyāśu naśyati vyādhirdarśanācca maheśvari gatvā vai tasya saṁsthāne upavāsī jiteṁdriyaḥ

'O great goddess, his disease is swiftly destroyed by the mere sight of it. Going to that place, fasting, and mastering his senses —'

Verse 88 (padma.6.135.88)

पूजनं कुरुते भक्त्या रात्रौ तिष्ठन्सुनिश्चलः । तदाहं योगिरूपेण दर्शनं तस्य यामि हि

pūjanaṁ kurute bhaktyā rātrau tiṣṭhansuniścalaḥ tadāhaṁ yogirūpeṇa darśanaṁ tasya yāmi hi

'he who worships with devotion and remains there through the night, unmoving — to him I truly go, in the form of a yogi, to grant my presence.'

Verse 89 (padma.6.135.89)

ददामि वांच्छितान्कामान्सत्यं सत्यं वरानने । ममस्थाने विशेषेण समायांति च ये जनाः

dadāmi vāṁcchitānkāmānsatyaṁ satyaṁ varānane mamasthāne viśeṣeṇa samāyāṁti ca ye janāḥ

'I grant him his cherished desires — truly, truly, O fair-faced one. Those people who come especially to this abode of mine,'

Verse 90 (padma.6.135.90)

तेषां व्याधिप्रशमनं करोमि सुचिरादहम् । चतुरशीतिसंज्ञेयो व्याधिः संकथितो मया

teṣāṁ vyādhipraśamanaṁ karomi sucirādaham caturaśītisaṁjñeyo vyādhiḥ saṁkathito mayā

'for them I quickly bring about the cure of their disease. The disease known as the eighty-four —'

Verse 91 (padma.6.135.91)

स स व्याधिर्विनश्येत दर्शनादेव सुंदरि । न लिंगं वर्तते तत्र मामकं नगनंदिनि

sa sa vyādhirvinaśyeta darśanādeva suṁdari na liṁgaṁ vartate tatra māmakaṁ naganaṁdini

'that very disease is destroyed by my mere sight alone, O lovely one. O daughter of the mountain, no linga-image of mine stands there —'

Verse 92 (padma.6.135.92)

स्नानमात्रं तु तत्रैव मामकं नात्र संशयः । एकस्मिन्नेव काले तु अस्यां भूमौ महातपाः

snānamātraṁ tu tatraiva māmakaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ ekasminneva kāle tu asyāṁ bhūmau mahātapāḥ

'there, bathing alone is my presence, without any doubt. Once, at a certain time, upon this land, there was a great ascetic —'

Verse 93 (padma.6.135.93)

राजा वै सूर्यवंशीयो ब्रह्मदत्तस्तु वीर्यवान् । तेन राज्ञा तपस्तप्तं बहुकालं सुरेश्वरि

rājā vai sūryavaṁśīyo brahmadattastu vīryavān tena rājñā tapastaptaṁ bahukālaṁ sureśvari

'the mighty king Brahmadatta, of the solar dynasty. O queen of gods, that king performed austerity for a very long time.'

Verse 94 (padma.6.135.94)

पंचाग्निसाधनं तेन कृतं च बहुधा ततः । मासोपवासकादीनि तपस्तप्तान्यनेकशः

paṁcāgnisādhanaṁ tena kṛtaṁ ca bahudhā tataḥ māsopavāsakādīni tapastaptānyanekaśaḥ

'He performed the fivefold-fire discipline in many ways, and undertook many kinds of austerity, including month-long fasts and the like.'

Verse 95 (padma.6.135.95)

एवं बहुतरं कालं राज्ञा तप्तं तपो महत् । प्रत्यक्षोऽहं तदा जातो वरार्थं वरवर्णिनि

evaṁ bahutaraṁ kālaṁ rājñā taptaṁ tapo mahat pratyakṣo'haṁ tadā jāto varārthaṁ varavarṇini

'Thus for a very long time did the king perform this great austerity. Then, O fair one, I appeared before him in visible form, to grant him a boon.'

Verse 96 (padma.6.135.96)

ब्रह्मदत्त शृणुष्व त्वं महद्वाक्यं नरेश्वर । यं यं वांछयसे नित्यं तं तं दद्मि न संशयः

brahmadatta śṛṇuṣva tvaṁ mahadvākyaṁ nareśvara yaṁ yaṁ vāṁchayase nityaṁ taṁ taṁ dadmi na saṁśayaḥ

'(I said) O Brahmadatta, O lord of men, hear these great words of mine — whatever it is you constantly desire, that I shall surely grant you, without doubt.'

Verse 97 (padma.6.135.97)

तेनोक्तं मम देवेश वांच्छितं यदि दीयते । एक एव वरो देव दीयतां मम सर्वदा

tenoktaṁ mama deveśa vāṁcchitaṁ yadi dīyate eka eva varo deva dīyatāṁ mama sarvadā

He said: 'O lord of gods, if my wish is truly to be granted, then, O god, let only this one boon be given to me, forever.'

Verse 98 (padma.6.135.98)

मम नाम्ना हि देवेश ईश्वरो भुवि जायताम् । तेन वाक्येन संतुष्टो वरो दत्तो मयाऽनघे

mama nāmnā hi deveśa īśvaro bhuvi jāyatām tena vākyena saṁtuṣṭo varo datto mayā'naghe

'O lord of gods, let a form of the Lord become known on this earth by my own name.' Pleased by these words, O sinless one, I granted him that boon.

Verse 99 (padma.6.135.99)

तदाहं तेन वै सार्द्धं निवसामि सुरेश्वरि । अत्र स्थित्वा निराहारो भक्तिं कुर्यादशेषतः

tadāhaṁ tena vai sārddhaṁ nivasāmi sureśvari atra sthitvā nirāhāro bhaktiṁ kuryādaśeṣataḥ

'O queen of gods, since then I dwell there together with him. Whoever, remaining there and taking no food, offers complete devotion,'

Verse 100 (padma.6.135.100)

ददामि वांछितान्कामान्यावदिंद्राश्चतुर्दश । अत्रागत्य तु ये विप्रा रुद्रजाप्यादिकं च यत्

dadāmi vāṁchitānkāmānyāvadiṁdrāścaturdaśa atrāgatya tu ye viprā rudrajāpyādikaṁ ca yat

'to him I grant his cherished desires, even for the span of fourteen Indras. And whatever brahmins, coming here, perform the Rudra-japa and the like —'

Verse 101 (padma.6.135.101)

प्रकुर्वंति विशेषेण तेषां दद्मि शृणुष्व तत् । स्त्रीसौख्यं पुत्रसौख्यं च लक्ष्मीवृद्धिकरं पुनः

prakurvaṁti viśeṣeṇa teṣāṁ dadmi śṛṇuṣva tat strīsaukhyaṁ putrasaukhyaṁ ca lakṣmīvṛddhikaraṁ punaḥ

'with special devotion — hear what I grant them: happiness of wife, happiness of children, and, again, the boon that increases their wealth and fortune.'