The Glory of the Gita's Tenth Chapter: The Swan, the Lotus, and the Sage Bound to Kashi

Verse 1 (padma.6.184.1)

देव्युवाच। सर्वज्ञ सर्वचैतन्य सर्वेश्वर गिरां गुरो । धन्यास्मि शिवमान्येन दृश्यमानेन यत्त्वया

devyuvāca sarvajña sarvacaitanya sarveśvara girāṃ guro dhanyāsmi śivamānyena dṛśyamānena yattvayā

The goddess said: O all-knowing one, all-consciousness, lord of all, guru of speech! Blessed am I, in that I am beheld by you, honored even by Shiva.

Verse 2 (padma.6.184.2)

निरूपितमिदं पुण्यं नवमाध्यायवैभवम् । अनेकविस्मयस्वादु कथानकमयं मधु

nirūpitamidaṃ puṇyaṃ navamādhyāyavaibhavam anekavismayasvādu kathānakamayaṃ madhu

This sacred glory of the ninth chapter has been expounded -- a very honey made of narrative, sweet with manifold wonders.

Verse 3 (padma.6.184.3)

शृण्वंत्या मम देवेश न तृप्तिर्जातु जायते । अकुंठाश्रवणोत्कंठा वर्द्धते वृषभध्वज

śṛṇvaṃtyā mama deveśa na tṛptirjātu jāyate akuṃṭhāśravaṇotkaṃṭhā varddhate vṛṣabhadhvaja

O lord of the gods, listening to it, no satiety ever arises in me; my undulled eagerness to hear more only grows, O you whose banner bears the bull.

Verse 4 (padma.6.184.4)

आसीन्ममहिमांभोधे गीतानां श्रुतिजीवितम् । तत्रापि दशमाध्यायं प्रधानं मुनयो जगुः

āsīnmamahimāṃbhodhe gītānāṃ śrutijīvitam tatrāpi daśamādhyāyaṃ pradhānaṃ munayo jaguḥ

In that ocean of glory that is the very life-breath drawn from hearing the Gita, even there the sages have declared the tenth chapter to be foremost.

Verse 5 (padma.6.184.5)

तमुद्दिश्य महाध्यायमभिधेहि कथानकम् । शिव उवाच। शृणु सुश्रोणि निश्रेणीं स्वर्गदुर्गस्य दुर्ल्लभाम्

tamuddiśya mahādhyāyamabhidhehi kathānakam śiva uvāca śṛṇu suśroṇi niśreṇīṃ svargadurgasya durllabhām

Tell me the story pertaining to that great chapter. Shiva said: Listen, O fair one, to this tale -- rare as the very stairway to the fortress of heaven,

Verse 6 (padma.6.184.6)

सीमामिव प्रभावानां पावनीं परमां कथाम् । आसीत्काशीपुरे विप्रः पुण्यकीर्त्तिपरायणः

sīmāmiva prabhāvānāṃ pāvanīṃ paramāṃ kathām āsītkāśīpure vipraḥ puṇyakīrttiparāyaṇaḥ

the very boundary-mark of all glories, a most pure and supreme story. In the city of Kashi there lived a brahmin devoted wholly to sacred renown,

Verse 7 (padma.6.184.7)

प्रशांतचेता निर्मुक्त हिंसाकार्कश्यसाहसः । निवृत्तिनिरतो नित्यं जितेंद्रियतया तथा

praśāṃtacetā nirmukta hiṃsākārkaśyasāhasaḥ nivṛttinirato nityaṃ jiteṃdriyatayā tathā

of most tranquil mind, entirely free from violence, harshness, and rashness; ever devoted to renunciation, and likewise having conquered his senses,

Verse 8 (padma.6.184.8)

धीरधीरिति विख्यातो नंदीव मयि भक्तिमान् । निस्तीर्णनिगमांभोधिः सर्वशास्त्रार्थकोविदः

dhīradhīriti vikhyāto naṃdīva mayi bhaktimān nistīrṇanigamāṃbhodhiḥ sarvaśāstrārthakovidaḥ

renowned by the name Dhiradhira, devoted to me as Nandi himself; having crossed over the very ocean of the Vedas, learned in the meaning of every scripture.

Verse 9 (padma.6.184.9)

तस्य ध्यानपराधीन चेतसः प्रतिगच्छतः । अंतरात्मनि निर्मग्न मनसस्तत्त्वचक्षुषः

tasya dhyānaparādhīna cetasaḥ pratigacchataḥ aṃtarātmani nirmagna manasastattvacakṣuṣaḥ

His mind ever subject to meditation, turned inward, immersed within his own inner self, his very eye fixed upon the ultimate truth --

Verse 10 (padma.6.184.10)

करावलंबनं तस्य धावन्प्रीत्या ददाम्यहम् । कदाचन चमत्कारकारकं विमना मुनिः

karāvalaṃbanaṃ tasya dhāvanprītyā dadāmyaham kadācana camatkārakārakaṃ vimanā muniḥ

I myself, running to him out of love, give him the support of my own hand. Once, that sage, his mind elsewhere, in a manner that produced great wonder,

Verse 11 (padma.6.184.11)

आचांतः किंच नासाग्रपरमानंदमेदुराम् । दृशमासाद्य निद्राणकरणोयमिवास्थितः

ācāṃtaḥ kiṃca nāsāgraparamānaṃdamedurām dṛśamāsādya nidrāṇakaraṇoyamivāsthitaḥ

having sipped water for purification, and having fixed his gaze upon the tip of his nose, overflowing with the highest bliss, remained as though his very senses had fallen asleep,

Verse 12 (padma.6.184.12)

उपाधास्य विशालाक्षि विशालां द्वारदेहलीम् । अशेत निशि निःशंकं तावल्लंबेक्षणः क्षणम्

upādhāsya viśālākṣi viśālāṃ dvāradehalīm aśeta niśi niḥśaṃkaṃ tāvallaṃbekṣaṇaḥ kṣaṇam

resting his head, O wide-eyed one, upon the broad threshold of the door, and lay down at night, without fear, his gaze fixed downward for that moment.

Verse 13 (padma.6.184.13)

मामपृच्छद्भृंगिरिटिः प्रणम्यपादपंकजम् । अनेन विधिना केन विहितं तव दर्शनम्

māmapṛcchadbhṛṃgiriṭiḥ praṇamyapādapaṃkajam anena vidhinā kena vihitaṃ tava darśanam

Bhringiriti, bowing at my lotus-feet, asked me: 'By what particular practice has your darshan been granted to this man?'

Verse 14 (padma.6.184.14)

तपस्तप्तं हुतं जप्तं किमनेन महात्मना । दत्ते प्रतिपदं देवो यस्य हस्तावलंबनम्

tapastaptaṃ hutaṃ japtaṃ kimanena mahātmanā datte pratipadaṃ devo yasya hastāvalaṃbanam

'What austerity has this great soul performed, what fire-offering, what recitation, that God gives, at every single step, the support of his own hand to him?'

Verse 15 (padma.6.184.15)

अयं न लभते गंतुं कस्मादस्मात्पुराद्बहिः । यदृच्छया यदा काशी सीमामुल्लंघ्य गच्छति

ayaṃ na labhate gaṃtuṃ kasmādasmātpurādbahiḥ yadṛcchayā yadā kāśī sīmāmullaṃghya gacchati

'Why is it that this man is unable to go outside this city? Whenever, by mere chance, he crosses the boundary of Kashi and goes forth,'

Verse 16 (padma.6.184.16)

न पश्यति तदा सर्वान्पार्श्वस्थानपि देहिनः । अत्र हेतुमहं ज्ञातुमिच्छामि स्वामिभाषिताम्

na paśyati tadā sarvānpārśvasthānapi dehinaḥ atra hetumahaṃ jñātumicchāmi svāmibhāṣitām

'-- he then fails to see anyone at all, even those standing right beside him. I wish to know the reason for this, spoken by you, my Lord.'

Verse 17 (padma.6.184.17)

अनुग्राह्योस्मि चेद्वक्तुं युक्तं चेत्तदुदीरय । भृंगिरिटेरिमं प्रश्नं समाकर्ण्याहमूचिवान्

anugrāhyosmi cedvaktuṃ yuktaṃ cettadudīraya bhṛṃgiriṭerimaṃ praśnaṃ samākarṇyāhamūcivān

'If I am worthy of your grace, and if it is proper to tell it, then speak it.' Having heard this question of Bhringiriti, I said:

Verse 18 (padma.6.184.18)

कदाचिदासं कैलासं पार्श्वे पुन्नागकानने । रणत्खेचरसुश्रोणि पूर्णस्तबककानने

kadācidāsaṃ kailāsaṃ pārśve punnāgakānane raṇatkhecarasuśroṇi pūrṇastabakakānane

Once I was seated beside Mount Kailasa, in a grove of punnaga trees, where celestial birds, O fair-hipped one, sang amid a forest full of blossom-clusters,

Verse 19 (padma.6.184.19)

कलकंठकुलालाप कल्लोलितदिगंतरे । गरुत्मदादिदात्यूह समूहस्वरसंकुले

kalakaṃṭhakulālāpa kallolitadigaṃtare garutmadādidātyūha samūhasvarasaṃkule

where all quarters resounded with the sweet murmuring calls of birds, crowded with the combined voices of eagles, cuckoos, and the like,

Verse 20 (padma.6.184.20)

भ्रमद्दारुघटीयंत्र प्रोल्लसद्बिंदुदंतुरे । प्रबुद्धसारणिप्रांत कदलीकंदलालसे

bhramaddārughaṭīyaṃtra prollasadbiṃdudaṃture prabuddhasāraṇiprāṃta kadalīkaṃdalālase

made rough with sparkling droplets from the turning wooden water-wheel, where, at the edge of an awakened irrigation channel, tender banana shoots swayed gently,

Verse 21 (padma.6.184.21)

कस्तूरीहरिणोपेते किंनरस्वरमोहिते । रोमंथमंथरापांगैर्मृगैः क्वापि निषेविते

kastūrīhariṇopete kiṃnarasvaramohite romaṃthamaṃtharāpāṃgairmṛgaiḥ kvāpi niṣevite

frequented by musk-deer, enchanted by the voices of Kinnaras, inhabited here and there by deer, their sidelong glances slow with the chewing of the cud,

Verse 22 (padma.6.184.22)

हंसैः कीरेषु पांडित्यं कुर्वाणैः संकुले शुकैः । निर्हृदिक्वणिनीरंध्र समीरणविलोडिते

haṃsaiḥ kīreṣu pāṃḍityaṃ kurvāṇaiḥ saṃkule śukaiḥ nirhṛdikvaṇinīraṃdhra samīraṇaviloḍite

crowded with swans, and with parrots displaying their own cleverness among other parrots, stirred by the breeze passing through the hollow openings of the lakeless streams,

Verse 23 (padma.6.184.23)

माधवीपुष्पनिर्यासशीधुक्षीबमधुव्रते । उन्मीलित्त्रिवलीपुष्पगुच्छसौरभनिर्भरे

mādhavīpuṣpaniryāsaśīdhukṣībamadhuvrate unmīlittrivalīpuṣpagucchasaurabhanirbhare

where bees grew intoxicated on the honeyed exudate of madhavi flowers, wholly filled with the fragrance of the blossoming clusters of trivali flowers,

Verse 24 (padma.6.184.24)

प्रोत्फुल्लबकुलामोदमदमंथरषट्पदे । सोमादुद्भूतपीयूषक्षालितक्षितिमंडले

protphullabakulāmodamadamaṃtharaṣaṭpade somādudbhūtapīyūṣakṣālitakṣitimaṃḍale

where bees grew slow and languid with the intoxicating scent of the full-blown bakula flowers, and the whole circle of earth seemed washed with nectar poured down from the moon.

Verse 25 (padma.6.184.25)

अध्यास्य वेदिकामेकामहं क्षणमवस्थितः । उद्दंडशाखिसंघट्टस्फुटन्मंथामुखोत्करैः

adhyāsya vedikāmekāmahaṃ kṣaṇamavasthitaḥ uddaṃḍaśākhisaṃghaṭṭasphuṭanmaṃthāmukhotkaraiḥ

Seated upon a certain platform there, I remained for a moment; then, with the sound of great branches clashing and creaking against one another,

Verse 26 (padma.6.184.26)

प्रकंपिता चलच्छायो ववौ चंडसमीरणः । पश्चादभून्महाघोषो निर्घोषित दरीतटः

prakaṃpitā calacchāyo vavau caṃḍasamīraṇaḥ paścādabhūnmahāghoṣo nirghoṣita darītaṭaḥ

a fierce wind blew, setting the very shadows trembling and shifting; and afterward there arose a great roar, echoing along the edges of the mountain caves.

Verse 27 (padma.6.184.27)

अवातरत्ततः कश्चित्पक्षी गगनगह्वरात् । शारदानरिदच्छायः कज्जलानामिवोच्चयः

avātarattataḥ kaścitpakṣī gaganagahvarāt śāradānaridacchāyaḥ kajjalānāmivoccayaḥ

Then a certain bird descended from the very depths of the sky, its color like the shadow of an autumn cloud, like a heap of collyrium,

Verse 28 (padma.6.184.28)

तमसामिव संघातः पक्षच्छेदीव पर्वतः । अवष्टभ्य क्षितिं पद्मां पक्षी मां प्रणनाम सः

tamasāmiva saṃghātaḥ pakṣacchedīva parvataḥ avaṣṭabhya kṣitiṃ padmāṃ pakṣī māṃ praṇanāma saḥ

like a very mass of darkness itself, like a mountain whose very wings had once been clipped. That bird, alighting upon the lotus-like earth, bowed before me.

Verse 29 (padma.6.184.29)

आनीय पद्ममम्लानमसौ मत्पादयोर्व्यधात् । अथासौ स्पष्टया वाचा पक्षी स्तोत्रमुदीरयत्

ānīya padmamamlānamasau matpādayorvyadhāt athāsau spaṣṭayā vācā pakṣī stotramudīrayat

Bringing an unfaded lotus, that bird placed it at my two feet; and then, in clear speech, that bird uttered a hymn of praise:

Verse 30 (padma.6.184.30)

जयदेव चिदानंद सुधासिंधो जगत्पते । सदा सद्भावना संग कल्लोलानंतविग्रह

jayadeva cidānaṃda sudhāsiṃdho jagatpate sadā sadbhāvanā saṃga kallolānaṃtavigraha

'Victory to you, O god, O consciousness-bliss, O ocean of nectar, O lord of the universe! You whose form is an endless play of waves in the company of true, right feeling,'

Verse 31 (padma.6.184.31)

अद्वैतवासना मत्या मलत्रयविवर्जित । जितेंद्रिय पराधीन समाधिप्राप्यविग्रह

advaitavāsanā matyā malatrayavivarjita jiteṃdriya parādhīna samādhiprāpyavigraha

'you whose very nature is the non-dual disposition, free of the three impurities; whose form is attained through samadhi, subject only to one who has conquered the senses;'

Verse 32 (padma.6.184.32)

निरुपाधिविनिर्मुक्त निराकार निरामय । निःसीम निरहंकार निरावरणनिर्गुण

nirupādhivinirmukta nirākāra nirāmaya niḥsīma nirahaṃkāra nirāvaraṇanirguṇa

'free of all limiting conditions, free of form, free of affliction; without boundary, without egoism, without covering, without qualities;'

Verse 33 (padma.6.184.33)

शरणागतसंत्राण प्रवीण चरणांबुज । भीममाल महाव्याल ज्वालादग्धमनोभव

śaraṇāgatasaṃtrāṇa pravīṇa caraṇāṃbuja bhīmamāla mahāvyāla jvālādagdhamanobhava

'O you whose lotus feet are ever skilled in protecting those who take refuge in you! O you who, with the terrible great serpent as your garland, burned Manobhava with your very flame!'

Verse 34 (padma.6.184.34)

कुठारभिन्नदैत्येंद्र गंडूषित महाविभो । त्रिपुरप्रमदाभाल सिंदूरोद्धूलिमार्जन

kuṭhārabhinnadaityeṃdra gaṃḍūṣita mahāvibho tripurapramadābhāla siṃdūroddhūlimārjana

'O you who split the lord of the daityas with your axe, O mighty lord who once swallowed poison in your very mouth! O you who wiped away the vermilion-powder from the forehead of Tripura's own lady!'

Verse 35 (padma.6.184.35)

कात्यायनीकुचांभोज वरकुंकुमचर्चित । नमः प्रमाणदूराय नमः प्रमतिरूपिणे

kātyāyanīkucāṃbhoja varakuṃkumacarcita namaḥ pramāṇadūrāya namaḥ pramatirūpiṇe

'O you smeared with the fine saffron of Katyayani's own lotus-breasts! Salutations to you, beyond every measure! Salutations to you, of the very form of right understanding!'

Verse 36 (padma.6.184.36)

नमश्चैतन्यनाथाय नमस्त्रैलोक्यरूपिणे । वंदे तव पदांभोजं योगिप्रवरचुंबितम्

namaścaitanyanāthāya namastrailokyarūpiṇe vaṃde tava padāṃbhojaṃ yogipravaracuṃbitam

'Salutations to you, Lord of consciousness! Salutations to you, of the very form of the three worlds! I praise your lotus feet, kissed by the very foremost of yogis!'

Verse 37 (padma.6.184.37)

अपारभवपाथोऽधि पारावतरणाद्भुतम् । वाचस्पतिरपि स्तोत्रे भवतो न प्रगल्भते

apārabhavapātho'dhi pārāvataraṇādbhutam vācaspatirapi stotre bhavato na pragalbhate

'That which is wondrous is the crossing over to the far shore of the boundless ocean of worldly existence. Even Brihaspati, lord of speech, does not dare to attempt your full praise;'

Verse 38 (padma.6.184.38)

सहस्रवदनस्यापि फणींद्रस्य न चातुरी । त्वद्वर्णने महादेव कोऽहंमल्पमतिः खगः

sahasravadanasyāpi phaṇīṃdrasya na cāturī tvadvarṇane mahādeva ko'haṃmalpamatiḥ khagaḥ

'not even the thousand-mouthed lord of serpents has the skill to describe you fully. O Mahadeva, who then am I, a mere bird of little understanding, in describing you?'

Verse 39 (padma.6.184.39)

स्तोत्रमेतत्समाकर्ण्य कृतं तेन पतत्रिणा । तमवोचमहं कोऽसि कुतस्त्योसि विहंगम

stotrametatsamākarṇya kṛtaṃ tena patatriṇā tamavocamahaṃ ko'si kutastyosi vihaṃgama

Having heard this hymn of praise made by that bird, I said to him: 'Who are you, and from where have you come, O bird?'

Verse 40 (padma.6.184.40)

हंसेन सदृशः कायो वर्णः काकेन संनिभः । प्रयोजनं कमुद्दिश्य प्राप्तोसीह तदुच्यताम्

haṃsena sadṛśaḥ kāyo varṇaḥ kākena saṃnibhaḥ prayojanaṃ kamuddiśya prāptosīha taducyatām

'Your body resembles a swan's, yet your color resembles a crow's -- for what purpose have you come here? Tell me this.'

Verse 41 (padma.6.184.41)

इति पक्षी मया पृष्टः प्रश्रयानतकंधरः । जगाद श्लक्ष्णया वाचा पक्षीवाक्यविदांवरः

iti pakṣī mayā pṛṣṭaḥ praśrayānatakaṃdharaḥ jagāda ślakṣṇayā vācā pakṣīvākyavidāṃvaraḥ

Thus questioned by me, that bird, his neck bowed low in humility, spoke in a gentle voice, that foremost among birds skilled in speech:

Verse 42 (padma.6.184.42)

देवेश धूर्जटे विद्धि मां मरालं स्वयंभुवः । कर्मणा येन मे कार्ष्ण्यं जातमाधुनिकं विभो

deveśa dhūrjaṭe viddhi māṃ marālaṃ svayaṃbhuvaḥ karmaṇā yena me kārṣṇyaṃ jātamādhunikaṃ vibho

'O lord of the gods, O Dhurjati! Know me as the very swan of Svayambhu himself. O mighty one, learn now of the deed by which this blackness of mine has just now come about.'

Verse 43 (padma.6.184.43)

तदाकर्णय सर्वज्ञ पृष्टं यदि तदुच्यते । मानसात्सरसः पृथ्वीं यातः प्राप्तोस्मि संकटम्

tadākarṇaya sarvajña pṛṣṭaṃ yadi taducyate mānasātsarasaḥ pṛthvīṃ yātaḥ prāptosmi saṃkaṭam

'Hear this, O all-knowing one, since you have asked -- it shall be told. Having gone from Lake Manasa down to the earth, I fell into calamity.'

Verse 44 (padma.6.184.44)

सौराष्ट्रनगरादारात्सरसि स्फुटदंबुजे । बालेंदुखंडधवलान्मृणालकवलानहम्

saurāṣṭranagarādārātsarasi sphuṭadaṃbuje bāleṃdukhaṃḍadhavalānmṛṇālakavalānaham

'Near a city in Saurashtra, in a lake of blossoming lotuses, I, taking mouthfuls of lotus-fiber white as the sliver of the new moon,'

Verse 45 (padma.6.184.45)

आदाय बलमाश्रित्य निरगां गगनं द्रुतम् । विहायसस्ततस्तस्मादकस्मादपतं भुवि

ādāya balamāśritya niragāṃ gaganaṃ drutam vihāyasastatastasmādakasmādapataṃ bhuvi

'-- gathering strength from that food, swiftly set out into the sky; and then, suddenly, from that very sky, I fell to the earth.'

Verse 46 (padma.6.184.46)

अथ मोहपरीतात्मा सर्वथा विकलेंद्रियः । वेपमानवपुर्मोहात्स्पृष्टः शीतैः समीरणैः

atha mohaparītātmā sarvathā vikaleṃdriyaḥ vepamānavapurmohātspṛṣṭaḥ śītaiḥ samīraṇaiḥ

'Then, my soul overcome with confusion, my senses entirely disordered, my body trembling from the very bewilderment, touched by cold breezes,'

Verse 47 (padma.6.184.47)

प्रबुद्धः पतने हेतुमपश्यन्नात्मनस्तदा । अहो किमेतदापन्नमद्य पातः कथं मम

prabuddhaḥ patane hetumapaśyannātmanastadā aho kimetadāpannamadya pātaḥ kathaṃ mama

'-- awakening, I could not see the cause of my own fall, and thought: Ah, what has befallen me? How has this fall of mine come about today?'

Verse 48 (padma.6.184.48)

कालिमा येन कायेस्मिन्पक्वकर्पूरपांडुरे । इत्यहं विस्मयाविष्टो यावत्कुर्वे विचारणम्

kālimā yena kāyesminpakvakarpūrapāṃḍure ityahaṃ vismayāviṣṭo yāvatkurve vicāraṇam

'-- and by what cause has this blackness come upon my body, once white as ripened camphor?' As, filled with astonishment, I was pondering thus,

Verse 49 (padma.6.184.49)

तावदंबुरुहाद्वाणीमश्रौषमहमीदृशीम् । उत्तिष्ठ हंस वक्ष्यामि कारणं पातकार्ष्ण्ययोः

tāvadaṃburuhādvāṇīmaśrauṣamahamīdṛśīm uttiṣṭha haṃsa vakṣyāmi kāraṇaṃ pātakārṣṇyayoḥ

'-- I then heard just such a voice arising from a lotus: Rise up, O swan! I shall tell you the cause of your fall and of your blackness.'

Verse 50 (padma.6.184.50)

अथोत्थाय समागत्य मया मध्ये सरोवरे । दृष्टराजीविनीरम्या राजीवैः पंचभिर्युता

athotthāya samāgatya mayā madhye sarovare dṛṣṭarājīvinīramyā rājīvaiḥ paṃcabhiryutā

'Then, rising and approaching, I beheld, in the middle of that lake, a delightful lotus-plant, joined together with five separate lotus-blossoms;'

Verse 51 (padma.6.184.51)

कारणं प्रष्टुमारेभे कार्ष्ण्यस्य पतनस्य च । अथ तत्र घनश्यामान्स्वर्णवर्णांबरावृतान्

kāraṇaṃ praṣṭumārebhe kārṣṇyasya patanasya ca atha tatra ghanaśyāmānsvarṇavarṇāṃbarāvṛtān

'-- and I began to ask it the cause of my blackness and of my fall. And then, there, I beheld dark-blue-hued beings, clothed in garments of golden color,'

Verse 52 (padma.6.184.52)

चतुर्भुजान्गदाशंखचक्रपंकेरुहायुधान् । किरीटहारकेयूरकुंडलद्युतिचित्रितान्

caturbhujāngadāśaṃkhacakrapaṃkeruhāyudhān kirīṭahārakeyūrakuṃḍaladyuticitritān

'-- four-armed, bearing the mace, conch, discus, and lotus as their weapons, adorned with the splendor of crowns, necklaces, armlets, and earrings,'

Verse 53 (padma.6.184.53)

अद्राक्षमंतरिक्षस्थान्पुरुषानयुतानि षट् । नत्वा प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य पंचपद्मां सरोजिनीम्

adrākṣamaṃtarikṣasthānpuruṣānayutāni ṣaṭ natvā pradakṣiṇīkṛtya paṃcapadmāṃ sarojinīm

'-- sixty thousand persons standing in the sky. Having bowed and circumambulated that five-lotused lotus-plant,'

Verse 54 (padma.6.184.54)

आत्मीयं पातमारभ्य पृष्टं तदखिलं मया । पद्मिन्युवाच। कलहंस गतोऽसि त्वं मां विलंघ्य विहायसा

ātmīyaṃ pātamārabhya pṛṣṭaṃ tadakhilaṃ mayā padminyuvāca kalahaṃsa gato'si tvaṃ māṃ vilaṃghya vihāyasā

'-- I asked it all, from the beginning of my own fall.' The lotus-plant said: 'O sweet-voiced swan, you went and crossed over me through the sky --'

Verse 55 (padma.6.184.55)

तेन पातकयोगेन पतितोऽसि महीतले । तेनैव कालिमा काये पक्षिसत्तम लक्ष्यते

tena pātakayogena patito'si mahītale tenaiva kālimā kāye pakṣisattama lakṣyate

'-- and by that very connection of transgression, you have fallen to the earth. By that very cause the blackness upon your body, O best of birds, is now seen.'

Verse 56 (padma.6.184.56)

भवंतं पतितं वीक्ष्य कृपापूर्णेन चेतसा । मध्यमेनामुनाब्जेन वदता जातसौरभम्

bhavaṃtaṃ patitaṃ vīkṣya kṛpāpūrṇena cetasā madhyamenāmunābjena vadatā jātasaurabham

'Beholding you thus fallen, with a heart full of compassion, this middle lotus among us, speaking, released its own fragrance,'

Verse 57 (padma.6.184.57)

आघ्राय षट्पदाः षष्टिसहस्राणि दिवं ययुः । एते ये भवतां दृष्टाः नीलोत्पलसमत्विषः

āghrāya ṣaṭpadāḥ ṣaṣṭisahasrāṇi divaṃ yayuḥ ete ye bhavatāṃ dṛṣṭāḥ nīlotpalasamatviṣaḥ

'-- and, having inhaled it, sixty thousand bees went straight to heaven. These very beings whom you have seen, of a splendor equal to blue lotuses,'

Verse 58 (padma.6.184.58)

सर्वे ते सप्तमेऽतीते जन्मन्यासन्मुनेः सुताः । अस्यैव सरसस्तीरे तेपुस्ते परमं तपः

sarve te saptame'tīte janmanyāsanmuneḥ sutāḥ asyaiva sarasastīre tepuste paramaṃ tapaḥ

'-- all of them, in a past birth, seven births ago, were the sons of a certain sage; on the very bank of this same lake they performed the highest austerity.'

Verse 59 (padma.6.184.59)

कदाचित्कामिनी काचिच्चंपकस्तबकस्तनी । चलापांगकालाकांततरंगित रसालिनी

kadācitkāminī kāciccaṃpakastabakastanī calāpāṃgakālākāṃtataraṃgita rasālinī

'Once a certain beautiful woman, her breasts like clusters of champaka blossoms, her sidelong glances flickering, her line of dark kohl seeming to ripple like waves,'

Verse 60 (padma.6.184.60)

नासा मुक्ताफलज्योत्स्ना चुंबितस्मित दीधितिः । वीणां विन्यस्य कुचयोर्वनेऽस्मिन्मधुरं जगौ

nāsā muktāphalajyotsnā cuṃbitasmita dīdhitiḥ vīṇāṃ vinyasya kucayorvane'sminmadhuraṃ jagau

'-- her nose adorned with a pearl whose moonlight-glow seemed to kiss the very radiance of her smile -- placing her vina against her own breasts, sang sweetly in this very forest.'

Verse 61 (padma.6.184.61)

गायंत्या स्वरमाकर्ण्य ब्राह्मणा हरिणा इव । तां समागत्य ते सर्वे सममेव व्यलोकयन्

gāyaṃtyā svaramākarṇya brāhmaṇā hariṇā iva tāṃ samāgatya te sarve samameva vyalokayan

'Hearing the sound of her singing, the brahmin sons, like deer themselves, all came together and gazed upon her at the very same instant.'

Verse 62 (padma.6.184.62)

मया दृष्टा ममैवेयमित्यूचुस्ते परस्परम् । मुष्टामुष्टि ततस्तेषां भ्रातॄणामभवद्रणः

mayā dṛṣṭā mamaiveyamityūcuste parasparam muṣṭāmuṣṭi tatasteṣāṃ bhrātṝṇāmabhavadraṇaḥ

'Each said to the others, I saw her first -- she is mine! And thus a fistfight broke out among those brothers, blow upon blow,'

Verse 63 (padma.6.184.63)

अन्योन्यमुष्टिनिष्पिष्ट वक्षसस्त्यक्तजीविताः । ते भुक्त्वा निरयान्घोरान्बभूवुः सारसा भुवि

anyonyamuṣṭiniṣpiṣṭa vakṣasastyaktajīvitāḥ te bhuktvā nirayānghorānbabhūvuḥ sārasā bhuvi

'-- their very chests crushed by one another's fists, until they gave up their lives. Having endured terrible hells, they were then born on this earth as sarasa cranes.'

Verse 64 (padma.6.184.64)

तदा ते श्वापदान्जघ्नुर्दग्धावन्येन वह्निना । ततो मातंगतामेत्य पथिपांथानघातयन्

tadā te śvāpadānjaghnurdagdhāvanyena vahninā tato mātaṃgatāmetya pathipāṃthānaghātayan

'As those cranes, they slew wild beasts, and were themselves burned in a forest fire; then, having attained the state of elephants, they killed travelers upon the road;'

Verse 65 (padma.6.184.65)

वने विषोदकं पीत्वा ते ययुर्यममंदिरम् । खरोष्ट्रकपिमार्जार जन्मान्यासाद्य च क्रमात्

vane viṣodakaṃ pītvā te yayuryamamaṃdiram kharoṣṭrakapimārjāra janmānyāsādya ca kramāt

'-- having drunk poisoned water in the forest, they went to the abode of Yama; and, in due order, obtained births as donkeys, camels, monkeys, and cats,'

Verse 66 (padma.6.184.66)

ततो मधुव्रता जाता वर्तंतेऽत्र सरोवरे । अद्य मे गंधमाघ्राय प्रापुस्ते वैष्णवं पदम्

tato madhuvratā jātā vartaṃte'tra sarovare adya me gaṃdhamāghrāya prāpuste vaiṣṇavaṃ padam

'-- and thereafter were born as bees, and now dwell right here at this very lake. Today, having inhaled my own fragrance, they have attained the very abode of Vishnu.'

Verse 67 (padma.6.184.67)

शृणु पक्षींद्र वक्ष्यामि येन मय्यस्ति वैभवम् । एतस्माज्जन्मनः पूर्वे तृतीये जन्मनि क्षितौ

śṛṇu pakṣīṃdra vakṣyāmi yena mayyasti vaibhavam etasmājjanmanaḥ pūrve tṛtīye janmani kṣitau

'Listen, O lord of birds, and I shall tell you by what means this splendor of mine came to be. In the third birth before this very present one, on this earth,'

Verse 68 (padma.6.184.68)

सरोजवदनानाम द्विजातेः कन्यकाऽभवम् । पातिव्रत्यैकनिरता गुरुशुश्रूषणे रता

sarojavadanānāma dvijāteḥ kanyakā'bhavam pātivratyaikaniratā guruśuśrūṣaṇe ratā

'-- I was the daughter of a twice-born man named Sarojavadana, devoted solely to wifely fidelity, delighting in serving my elders.'

Verse 69 (padma.6.184.69)

कदाचित्सारिकामेकां पाठयंत्याविलंबितम् । सारिका भव पापे त्वं पत्या शप्तास्मि कुप्यता

kadācitsārikāmekāṃ pāṭhayaṃtyāvilaṃbitam sārikā bhava pāpe tvaṃ patyā śaptāsmi kupyatā

'Once, teaching a certain mynah bird to recite, without any delay, I myself was cursed by my own angry husband: You yourself become a mynah bird, you sinner!'

Verse 70 (padma.6.184.70)

प्रेत्य सारित्वमासाद्य पातिव्रत्यप्रसादतः । मुनीनामेव सदने कन्या काचित्पुपोष माम्

pretya sāritvamāsādya pātivratyaprasādataḥ munīnāmeva sadane kanyā kācitpupoṣa mām

'Having died and attained the state of a mynah bird, yet through the grace of my own fidelity as a wife, a certain maiden in the household of sages raised and nurtured me.'

Verse 71 (padma.6.184.71)

गीतानां दशमाध्यायं विभूतिरिति विश्रुतम् । प्रातः पठति विप्रोसावश्रौषं तमघापहम्

gītānāṃ daśamādhyāyaṃ vibhūtiriti viśrutam prātaḥ paṭhati viprosāvaśrauṣaṃ tamaghāpaham

'That brahmin used to recite each morning the tenth chapter of the Gita, known as Vibhuti, the very remover of sin; and I heard it there,'

Verse 72 (padma.6.184.72)

कालेन सारिकादेहमहं हित्वा विहंगम । दशमाध्यायमाहात्म्यादप्सराश्चाभवं दिवि

kālena sārikādehamahaṃ hitvā vihaṃgama daśamādhyāyamāhātmyādapsarāścābhavaṃ divi

'-- and, in time, abandoning my body as a mynah bird, O bird, through the glory of that tenth chapter, I became an Apsara in heaven.'

Verse 73 (padma.6.184.73)

पद्मावतीति विख्याता पद्माया दयिता सुखी । कदाचन मया यांत्या विमानेन विहायसा

padmāvatīti vikhyātā padmāyā dayitā sukhī kadācana mayā yāṃtyā vimānena vihāyasā

'Renowned as Padmavati, a happy companion of Padma, once, as I was traveling through the sky in a celestial chariot,'

Verse 74 (padma.6.184.74)

एतत्सरोवरं रम्यं विलोक्य विमलांबुजम् । अवतीर्य जलक्रीडायावदारभ्यते मया

etatsarovaraṃ ramyaṃ vilokya vimalāṃbujam avatīrya jalakrīḍāyāvadārabhyate mayā

'-- I beheld this delightful lake, with its spotless lotuses, and I descended, and just as I began my water-play there,'

Verse 75 (padma.6.184.75)

दुर्वासास्तावदायातो विवस्त्रा तेन वीक्षिता । तद्भयात्पद्मिनीरूपं धृतमेतन्मया स्वयम्

durvāsāstāvadāyāto vivastrā tena vīkṣitā tadbhayātpadminīrūpaṃ dhṛtametanmayā svayam

'-- the sage Durvasas happened to arrive, and, unclothed as I was, was seen by him; out of fear of him, I myself assumed this very form of a lotus-plant.'

Verse 76 (padma.6.184.76)

पद्भ्यां पद्मद्वयं चैव द्वयं हस्तद्वयेन च । मुखेन पंचमांभोजमिति पंचांबुजास्म्यहम्

padbhyāṃ padmadvayaṃ caiva dvayaṃ hastadvayena ca mukhena paṃcamāṃbhojamiti paṃcāṃbujāsmyaham

'Two lotuses came from my two feet, and two from my two hands, and a fifth lotus from my very mouth -- thus I am this five-lotused being.'

Verse 77 (padma.6.184.77)

दृष्टा तेन मुनींद्रेण कोपज्वलित चक्षुषा । अनेनैव स्वरूपेण तिष्ठ पापे शतं समाः

dṛṣṭā tena munīṃdreṇa kopajvalita cakṣuṣā anenaiva svarūpeṇa tiṣṭha pāpe śataṃ samāḥ

'Seen thus by that lord of sages, his eyes blazing with anger, I was cursed: Remain in this very form, sinner, for a hundred years!'

Verse 78 (padma.6.184.78)

इति शापं समुत्सृज्य स चैवांतर्दधे क्षणात् । विभूत्यध्यायमाहात्म्याद्वाणी मे न विलीयते

iti śāpaṃ samutsṛjya sa caivāṃtardadhe kṣaṇāt vibhūtyadhyāyamāhātmyādvāṇī me na vilīyate

'Having thus pronounced that curse, he vanished at that very instant. Yet, through the glory of this Vibhuti chapter, my voice has not been lost;'

Verse 79 (padma.6.184.79)

मद्विलंघनमात्रेण पतितोसि महीतले । अद्य शापनिवृत्तिर्मे तिष्ठतस्ते खगोत्तम

madvilaṃghanamātreṇa patitosi mahītale adya śāpanivṛttirme tiṣṭhataste khagottama

'-- and by your mere flying over me, you fell to the earth. Today, my own release from the curse is at hand, O best of birds, remain here for it.'

Verse 80 (padma.6.184.80)

निशामय मया गीयमानमध्यायमुत्तमम् । यस्याकर्णनमात्रेण त्वमद्यैव विमोक्ष्यसे

niśāmaya mayā gīyamānamadhyāyamuttamam yasyākarṇanamātreṇa tvamadyaiva vimokṣyase

'Listen to this most excellent chapter as it is now sung by me; by the mere hearing of it, you too shall this very day be released.'

Verse 81 (padma.6.184.81)

इत्यसौ दशमाध्यायं पपाठ श्लक्ष्णया गिरा । तमाकर्ण्य तया दत्तमादाय च सरोरुहम्

ityasau daśamādhyāyaṃ papāṭha ślakṣṇayā girā tamākarṇya tayā dattamādāya ca saroruham

Thus she recited the tenth chapter in a gentle voice; and, having heard it, taking the lotus given by her,

Verse 82 (padma.6.184.82)

मया समर्पितं तुभ्यं पद्मिन्या पद्ममुत्तमम् । इत्युक्त्वा स जहौ देहं तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्

mayā samarpitaṃ tubhyaṃ padminyā padmamuttamam ityuktvā sa jahau dehaṃ tadadbhutamivābhavat

'-- this excellent lotus, given to me by the lotus-plant, I now offer to you.' Having said this, he gave up his body, and this became a truly wondrous event.

Verse 83 (padma.6.184.83)

भृंगिरिटिरुवाच। पुरातने भवे कोऽयं ब्रह्म हंसोऽभवत्कथं । तवाग्रतः कुतो हेतोरुत्ससर्ज कलेवरम्

bhṛṃgiriṭiruvāca purātane bhave ko'yaṃ brahma haṃso'bhavatkathaṃ tavāgrataḥ kuto hetorutsasarja kalevaram

Bhringiriti said: Who was this being in an ancient existence? How did he become Brahma's own swan? And for what reason did he give up his body before you?

Verse 84 (padma.6.184.84)

इति भृंगिरिटिर्वाक्यमाकर्ण्याहं तदाब्रुवम् । द्विजवेश्मनि पूर्वस्मिन्जन्मन्ययमजायत

iti bhṛṃgiriṭirvākyamākarṇyāhaṃ tadābruvam dvijaveśmani pūrvasminjanmanyayamajāyata

Hearing these words of Bhringiriti, I then said: In a former birth this being was born in the house of a twice-born man,

Verse 85 (padma.6.184.85)

सुतपा इति विख्यातो ब्रह्मचारी जितेंद्रियः । वसन्गुरुकुले कुर्वन्वेदाध्ययनमन्वहम्

sutapā iti vikhyāto brahmacārī jiteṃdriyaḥ vasangurukule kurvanvedādhyayanamanvaham

renowned as Sutapa, a celibate student who had conquered his senses, dwelling in his guru's household, studying the Veda day after day.

Verse 86 (padma.6.184.86)

गुरुशुश्रूषणं सम्यग्विदधाति च भक्तितः । शयानस्य गुरोः शय्यां निद्रितः सपदा स्पृशत्

guruśuśrūṣaṇaṃ samyagvidadhāti ca bhaktitaḥ śayānasya guroḥ śayyāṃ nidritaḥ sapadā spṛśat

He served his guru properly, with devotion; yet, once, sleeping, he unwittingly touched the very bed of his sleeping guru with his foot.

Verse 87 (padma.6.184.87)

तेन पापेन तिर्यक्त्वमयं स्वर्गेऽपि लब्धवान् । पद्मयोनिमरालानां मध्ये जातस्ततो द्विजः

tena pāpena tiryaktvamayaṃ svarge'pi labdhavān padmayonimarālānāṃ madhye jātastato dvijaḥ

By that sin, this twice-born man obtained even in heaven the state of an animal, and was born among the swans that dwell upon the lotus-born one's own lake.

Verse 88 (padma.6.184.88)

अस्मिञ्जन्मन्यमुष्येह पुरास्मल्लोकनावधि । गीतानां दशमाध्यायं नलिन्या कथितं ततः

asmiñjanmanyamuṣyeha purāsmallokanāvadhi gītānāṃ daśamādhyāyaṃ nalinyā kathitaṃ tataḥ

In this present birth of his, here, formerly, at the very edge of our own world, the tenth chapter of the Gita was told to him by that lotus-plant,

Verse 89 (padma.6.184.89)

आकर्ण्य विहगो लेभे ब्रह्मज्ञानमनुत्तमम् । सोऽयं विप्रकुले जातो दशमाध्यायवैभवात्

ākarṇya vihago lebhe brahmajñānamanuttamam so'yaṃ viprakule jāto daśamādhyāyavaibhavāt

and, having heard it, that bird obtained the unsurpassed knowledge of Brahman. This same being was born into a brahmin family, through the very glory of the tenth chapter.

Verse 90 (padma.6.184.90)

जन्माभ्यासवशादस्य शिशोरपि मुखांबुजात् । गीतानां दशमाध्यायः समुल्लसति सर्वदा

janmābhyāsavaśādasya śiśorapi mukhāṃbujāt gītānāṃ daśamādhyāyaḥ samullasati sarvadā

By the force of habit carried over from that former birth, even from the lotus-mouth of this man as a mere infant, the tenth chapter of the Gita ever shone forth of its own accord.

Verse 91 (padma.6.184.91)

तदर्थपरिणामेन सर्वभूतेष्ववस्थितम् । शंखचक्रधरं देवमयं पश्यति सर्वदा

tadarthapariṇāmena sarvabhūteṣvavasthitam śaṃkhacakradharaṃ devamayaṃ paśyati sarvadā

Through the full ripening of that chapter's own meaning, this man ever beholds the god who bears the conch and discus, abiding within all beings alike.

Verse 92 (padma.6.184.92)

यस्मिन्यस्मिन्यदैवास्य दृष्टिः स्निग्धा शरीरिणः । स स मुक्तो भवेत्सर्वः सुरापो ब्रह्महाऽपि वा

yasminyasminyadaivāsya dṛṣṭiḥ snigdhā śarīriṇaḥ sa sa mukto bhavetsarvaḥ surāpo brahmahā'pi vā

Upon whatever embodied being his loving gaze falls, at whatever time, that very being becomes liberated -- whether a drinker of spirits or even a slayer of a brahmin.

Verse 93 (padma.6.184.93)

तद्विज्ञाय मया विप्रः परमात्मस्वरूपिणा । इदं नगरमानीतो मुक्तिक्षेत्रं स्वभावतः

tadvijñāya mayā vipraḥ paramātmasvarūpiṇā idaṃ nagaramānīto muktikṣetraṃ svabhāvataḥ

Knowing this, that brahmin was brought by me, in my own form as the Supreme Self, to this very city, which is by its own nature a field of liberation.

Verse 94 (padma.6.184.94)

अत्रत्यानां मनुष्याणां मुक्तिः करतले स्थिता । तेनास्य दृष्टिपातेन विशेषोऽन्यो न जायते

atratyānāṃ manuṣyāṇāṃ muktiḥ karatale sthitā tenāsya dṛṣṭipātena viśeṣo'nyo na jāyate

For the people who dwell here, liberation stands ready in the very palm of the hand; therefore, by the mere fall of his own gaze, no separate special result is produced here.

Verse 95 (padma.6.184.95)

न ददामि बहिर्गंतुमहमस्य पुरा कृतम् । दशमाध्यायमहात्म्यात्तत्वज्ञानं सुदुर्लभम्

na dadāmi bahirgaṃtumahamasya purā kṛtam daśamādhyāyamahātmyāttatvajñānaṃ sudurlabham

I therefore do not permit him to go outside this city; for, through the glory of the tenth chapter, that most rare knowledge of the ultimate truth,

Verse 96 (padma.6.184.96)

लब्धमेतेन मुनिना जीवन्मुक्तिरियं तथा । तेनास्य चलतो हस्तं ददामि पथि गच्छतः

labdhametena muninā jīvanmuktiriyaṃ tathā tenāsya calato hastaṃ dadāmi pathi gacchataḥ

and likewise this very state of liberation-while-living, has been attained by this sage; therefore, whenever he walks, going along the road, I give him the support of my own hand.

Verse 97 (padma.6.184.97)

दशमाध्यायमहिमा भृंगिरिटे महानयम् । इति भृंगिरिटेरग्रे कथितं यत्कथानकम्

daśamādhyāyamahimā bhṛṃgiriṭe mahānayam iti bhṛṃgiriṭeragre kathitaṃ yatkathānakam

Such, O Bhringiriti, is the great glory of the tenth chapter. This is the very tale that was told before Bhringiriti.

Verse 98 (padma.6.184.98)

तवेदमत्र कथितं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् । नरो वाप्यथवा नारी यापि कोऽपि च वा पुनः

tavedamatra kathitaṃ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam naro vāpyathavā nārī yāpi ko'pi ca vā punaḥ

This same tale, the destroyer of every sin, has now been told here to you as well. Whether a man, or a woman, or indeed anyone else at all,

Verse 99 (padma.6.184.99)

अस्य श्रवणमात्रेण सर्वाश्रमफलं लभेत्

asya śravaṇamātreṇa sarvāśramaphalaṃ labhet

by the mere hearing of it obtains the fruit of every stage of life.