The Story of Atmadeva, Dhundhukari, and Gokarna

Verse 1 (padma.6.196.1)

सूत उवाच- अथ वैष्णवचित्तेषु दृष्ट्वा भक्तिमलौकिकीम् । निजलोकं परित्यज्य भुवमभ्यगमद्धरिः

sūta uvāca- atha vaiṣṇavacitteṣu dṛṣṭvā bhaktimalaukikīm nijalokaṁ parityajya bhuvamabhyagamaddhariḥ

Suta said: Then, seeing this extraordinary devotion in the hearts of the Vaishnavas, Hari, leaving his own abode, came down to the earth.

Verse 2 (padma.6.196.2)

वनमाली घनश्यामः पीतवासाः किरीटधृक् । कांचीकलापपर्यस्तो लसन्मकरकुंडलः

vanamālī ghanaśyāmaḥ pītavāsāḥ kirīṭadhṛk kāṁcīkalāpaparyasto lasanmakarakuṁḍalaḥ

Wearing a garland of forest flowers, dark as a rain-cloud, clad in yellow garments, wearing a crown, girded with a jeweled waist-belt, his shining makara-shaped earrings—

Verse 3 (padma.6.196.3)

त्रिभंगललितश्चारु कौस्तुभेन विराजितः । कोटिमन्मथ लावण्यो हरिचंदन चर्चितः

tribhaṁgalalitaścāru kaustubhena virājitaḥ koṭimanmatha lāvaṇyo haricaṁdana carcitaḥ

—standing gracefully in the triple bend, resplendent with the Kaustubha jewel, of a beauty surpassing millions of Kamadevas, anointed with sandal-paste—

Verse 4 (padma.6.196.4)

परमानंद चिन्मूर्तिर्मधुरो मुरलीधरः । आविवेश स्वभक्तानां हृदयान्यमलानि च

paramānaṁda cinmūrtirmadhuro muralīdharaḥ āviveśa svabhaktānāṁ hṛdayānyamalāni ca

—that form of supreme bliss and consciousness, sweet, holding the flute, entered the pure hearts of his own devotees.

Verse 5 (padma.6.196.5)

वैकुंठवासिनो ये च वैष्णवाः शांतमानसाः । गूढरूपाः समायाताः श्रवणाय हरेः कथाः

vaikuṁṭhavāsino ye ca vaiṣṇavāḥ śāṁtamānasāḥ gūḍharūpāḥ samāyātāḥ śravaṇāya hareḥ kathāḥ

And those Vaishnavas who dwell in Vaikuntha, of tranquil minds, came there in hidden forms, to hear the story of Hari.

Verse 6 (padma.6.196.6)

तदा जयजयेत्युच्चैः शब्दोऽभूत्कंबुशब्दयुक् । येनामंगलमत्युग्रं कलिजं प्रलयं गतम्

tadā jayajayetyuccaiḥ śabdo'bhūtkaṁbuśabdayuk yenāmaṁgalamatyugraṁ kalijaṁ pralayaṁ gatam

Then loud cries of ‘Jaya! Jaya!’ arose, mingled with the sound of conches, by which the most fierce inauspiciousness born of Kali went to its destruction.

Verse 7 (padma.6.196.7)

तत्रस्थानां जनानां च दृष्ट्वा गेहात्मविस्मृतिम् । नारदोऽध्यात्मतत्वज्ञः कुमारान्प्रत्युवाच ह

tatrasthānāṁ janānāṁ ca dṛṣṭvā gehātmavismṛtim nārado'dhyātmatatvajñaḥ kumārānpratyuvāca ha

Seeing the people gathered there forget their homes and even themselves, Narada, knower of the truth of the self, spoke to the Kumaras.

Verse 8 (padma.6.196.8)

नारद उवाच- अलौकिकोऽयं महिमा मुनीश्वराः सप्ताहजन्योद्य विलोकितो मया

nārada uvāca- alaukiko'yaṁ mahimā munīśvarāḥ saptāhajanyodya vilokito mayā

Narada said: This superhuman greatness, born of the seven-day recitation, O lords of sages, I have witnessed today.

Verse 9 (padma.6.196.9)

मूढाः शठा ये पशुपक्षिणोऽपि तेपि प्रयांत्येव गतिं पराख्यात् । अतो नृलोकेन तु शास्त्रमन्यच्चित्तस्य शुध्यै विहितं पवित्रम्

mūḍhāḥ śaṭhā ye paśupakṣiṇo'pi tepi prayāṁtyeva gatiṁ parākhyāt ato nṛlokena tu śāstramanyaccittasya śudhyai vihitaṁ pavitram

Even foolish and wicked beings, even animals and birds, attain that supreme state declared here. Therefore, is there truly any other scripture ordained, as pure, for the purification of the mind in the world of men?

Verse 10 (padma.6.196.10)

अघौघविध्वंसि कृतार्थतावहं कलौ युगे दोषनिधौ कुमाराः । के केन शुध्यंति वदंतु मह्यं सप्ताहयज्ञेन कथामयेन

aghaughavidhvaṁsi kṛtārthatāvahaṁ kalau yuge doṣanidhau kumārāḥ ke kena śudhyaṁti vadaṁtu mahyaṁ saptāhayajñena kathāmayena

That which destroys the mass of sin and brings fulfillment — in this Kali age, an ocean of faults — O Kumaras, tell me who is purified, and by what, through this seven-day sacrifice made of story.

Verse 11 (padma.6.196.11)

कृपालुभिर्लोकहितोभवद्भिः प्रकाशितं कोऽपि नवीनमार्गः । कुमारा ऊचुः। ये मानवाः पापकृतः सुदुष्टाः सदा दुराचाररताः समत्सराः

kṛpālubhirlokahitobhavadbhiḥ prakāśitaṁ ko'pi navīnamārgaḥ kumārā ūcuḥ ye mānavāḥ pāpakṛtaḥ suduṣṭāḥ sadā durācāraratāḥ samatsarāḥ

By you, compassionate and devoted to the world's welfare, some new path has been revealed. The Kumaras said: Those men who are sinners, thoroughly wicked, ever devoted to evil conduct, full of envy—

Verse 12 (padma.6.196.12)

क्रोधाग्निदग्धाः कुटिलाश्च कामिनः सप्ताहयज्ञेन हरिं व्रजंति ते

krodhāgnidagdhāḥ kuṭilāśca kāminaḥ saptāhayajñena hariṁ vrajaṁti te

—burned by the fire of anger, deceitful, and lustful — even they, through the seven-day sacrifice, go to Hari.

Verse 13 (padma.6.196.13)

सत्येन हीनाः पितृमातृदूषकास्तृष्णाकुलाश्चाश्रमवर्णबाह्याः । ये दांभिका जीवविहिंसकाश्च सप्ताहयज्ञेन हरिं व्रजंति ते

satyena hīnāḥ pitṛmātṛdūṣakāstṛṣṇākulāścāśramavarṇabāhyāḥ ye dāṁbhikā jīvavihiṁsakāśca saptāhayajñena hariṁ vrajaṁti te

Those devoid of truth, defilers of their father and mother, distracted by craving, outside the bounds of caste and stage of life, hypocrites and killers of living beings — even they, through the seven-day sacrifice, go to Hari.

Verse 14 (padma.6.196.14)

पंचोग्रपापाश्च्छलकारिणश्च क्रूराः पिशाचा इव निर्दयाश्च । ब्रह्मस्वपुष्टा व्यभिचारिणश्च सप्ताहयज्ञेन हरिं व्रजंति ते

paṁcograpāpāścchalakāriṇaśca krūrāḥ piśācā iva nirdayāśca brahmasvapuṣṭā vyabhicāriṇaśca saptāhayajñena hariṁ vrajaṁti te

Those guilty of the five terrible sins, deceivers, cruel, merciless like demons, nourished by a brahmin's stolen wealth, and adulterers — even they, through the seven-day sacrifice, go to Hari.

Verse 15 (padma.6.196.15)

कायेन वाचा मनसापि पातकं नित्यं प्रकुर्वंति शठा हठेन ये । नीचाः कृतघ्ना मलिना दुराशयाः सप्ताहयज्ञेन हरिं व्रजंति ते

kāyena vācā manasāpi pātakaṁ nityaṁ prakurvaṁti śaṭhā haṭhena ye nīcāḥ kṛtaghnā malinā durāśayāḥ saptāhayajñena hariṁ vrajaṁti te

Those who, deceitful and stubborn, constantly commit sin by body, speech, and mind — the base, the ungrateful, the impure, of wicked intent — even they, through the seven-day sacrifice, go to Hari.

Verse 16 (padma.6.196.16)

सूत उवाच- अथैवं तुष्टचित्तेऽथ नारदे देवपूजिते । प्रसन्नास्ते कुमाराश्च पुनरूचुश्च नारदम्

sūta uvāca- athaivaṁ tuṣṭacitte'tha nārade devapūjite prasannāste kumārāśca punarūcuśca nāradam

Suta said: Thus, when Narada, worshipped by the gods, was satisfied in mind, those Kumaras, pleased, spoke again to Narada.

Verse 17 (padma.6.196.17)

कुमारा ऊचुः । अत्र ते कीर्तयिष्याम इतिहासं पुरातनम् । यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण पापहानिः प्रजायते

kumārā ūcuḥ atra te kīrtayiṣyāma itihāsaṁ purātanam yasya śravaṇamātreṇa pāpahāniḥ prajāyate

The Kumaras said: We shall now relate to you an ancient history, merely by hearing which the destruction of sin comes about.

Verse 18 (padma.6.196.18)

तुंगभद्रा तटे पूर्वं पत्तने कोहलाभिधे । वर्णाश्रमाचारयुते धनधान्यसमाकुले

tuṁgabhadrā taṭe pūrvaṁ pattane kohalābhidhe varṇāśramācārayute dhanadhānyasamākule

Formerly, on the bank of the Tungabhadra, in a city named Kohala, endowed with the proper observance of caste and life-stage, filled with wealth and grain—

Verse 19 (padma.6.196.19)

आत्मदेव इति ख्यातस्तत्रासीद्दिवजसत्तमः । वेदविद्याविधिप्राज्ञो नित्यकर्मपरायणः

ātmadeva iti khyātastatrāsīddivajasattamaḥ vedavidyāvidhiprājño nityakarmaparāyaṇaḥ

—there lived a most excellent brahmin, renowned as Atmadeva, wise in the rules of Vedic learning, devoted to the daily rites.

Verse 20 (padma.6.196.20)

तत्प्रिया धुंधुली नाम नित्यं स्वीयहिते रता । स्ववाक्यस्थापनाचापि सुंदरी सुकुलोद्भवा

tatpriyā dhuṁdhulī nāma nityaṁ svīyahite ratā svavākyasthāpanācāpi suṁdarī sukulodbhavā

His wife, named Dhundhuli, was ever intent on her own advantage, insistent on having her own way, beautiful, and born of a good family.

Verse 21 (padma.6.196.21)

पूर्वकर्मविपाकेन प्रायशो बहुजल्पिनी । शूरा च गृहकृत्येषु क्रूरा च कलहप्रिया

pūrvakarmavipākena prāyaśo bahujalpinī śūrā ca gṛhakṛtyeṣu krūrā ca kalahapriyā

By the ripening of past deeds, she was mostly talkative, bold in household tasks, but harsh and fond of quarreling.

Verse 22 (padma.6.196.22)

एवं निवसतोस्तत्र दंपत्योर्निरपत्ययोः । व्यतिक्रांतं वयश्चापि पंचाशद्वर्षसंमितम्

evaṁ nivasatostatra daṁpatyornirapatyayoḥ vyatikrāṁtaṁ vayaścāpi paṁcāśadvarṣasaṁmitam

As that childless couple lived on thus, fifty years of their lives passed by.

Verse 23 (padma.6.196.23)

अथ तौ दुःखितौ जातौ निरपत्यौ गृहेस्थितौ । संतानोत्पत्तये ताभ्यां दत्तं चापि धनादिकम्

atha tau duḥkhitau jātau nirapatyau gṛhesthitau saṁtānotpattaye tābhyāṁ dattaṁ cāpi dhanādikam

Then, being childless, they grew sorrowful, dwelling in their home; and for the sake of offspring, they gave away wealth and other things—

Verse 24 (padma.6.196.24)

गोभूहिरण्यवासांसि दत्तान्यपि बहूनि च । न पुत्रो नापि दुहिता जायते पूर्वकर्मणा

gobhūhiraṇyavāsāṁsi dattānyapi bahūni ca na putro nāpi duhitā jāyate pūrvakarmaṇā

—cows, land, gold, and garments, many were given; yet, on account of their past deeds, neither a son nor a daughter was born to them.

Verse 25 (padma.6.196.25)

स चैकदा तु निर्विण्ण आत्मदेवो द्विजोत्तमः । गृहं त्यक्त्वा गतोऽरण्यमानपत्येन दुःखितः

sa caikadā tu nirviṇṇa ātmadevo dvijottamaḥ gṛhaṁ tyaktvā gato'raṇyamānapatyena duḥkhitaḥ

Then once, that excellent brahmin Atmadeva, grown weary, sorrowful over his childlessness, left his home and went into the forest.

Verse 26 (padma.6.196.26)

यत्र तत्र भ्रमन्भ्रांतो दुःखाकुलितमानसः । क्षुत्क्षामस्तृट्परीतश्च दैवात्प्राप्तो जलाशयम्

yatra tatra bhramanbhrāṁto duḥkhākulitamānasaḥ kṣutkṣāmastṛṭparītaśca daivātprāpto jalāśayam

Wandering here and there, bewildered, his mind afflicted with sorrow, emaciated with hunger and overcome with thirst, he arrived by fate at a lake.

Verse 27 (padma.6.196.27)

जलं पीत्वा ततस्तस्मिंस्तडागे स द्विजोत्तमः । वृक्षच्छायां समाश्रित्य निषण्णस्तत्र नारद

jalaṁ pītvā tatastasmiṁstaḍāge sa dvijottamaḥ vṛkṣacchāyāṁ samāśritya niṣaṇṇastatra nārada

Having drunk water there at that lake, O Narada, that excellent brahmin took shelter in the shade of a tree and sat down.

Verse 28 (padma.6.196.28)

अथ तत्र तदैवागात्कश्चित्सिद्धो भ्रमन्महीम् । जलं पीत्वा तडागे तु सोऽपि तत्रैव चागतः

atha tatra tadaivāgātkaścitsiddho bhramanmahīm jalaṁ pītvā taḍāge tu so'pi tatraiva cāgataḥ

Just then, a certain siddha, wandering the earth, came there too, and, having drunk water at that lake, he too arrived at that very spot.

Verse 29 (padma.6.196.29)

तं दृष्ट्वा न्यासिनं शांतमात्मदेव उदारधीः । सत्कृत्योत्थाय तत्पादौ जग्राह स्वगुरोरिव

taṁ dṛṣṭvā nyāsinaṁ śāṁtamātmadeva udāradhīḥ satkṛtyotthāya tatpādau jagrāha svaguroriva

Seeing that tranquil renunciate, Atmadeva, of noble mind, rose respectfully and clasped his feet, as if he were his own guru.

Verse 30 (padma.6.196.30)

उपविष्टौ ततस्तौ द्वौ कृतप्रश्नौ परस्परम् । सुस्निग्धमानसौ भूत्वा गुरुशिष्याविवाश्रमे

upaviṣṭau tatastau dvau kṛtapraśnau parasparam susnigdhamānasau bhūtvā guruśiṣyāvivāśrame

The two of them then sat down, questioning each other, their minds full of affection, like a guru and disciple in a hermitage.

Verse 31 (padma.6.196.31)

अथ तं स यतिर्दृष्ट्वा श्वसंतं दुःखितांतरम् । पप्रच्छ करुणासिंधुरात्मदेवं पुरः स्थितम्

atha taṁ sa yatirdṛṣṭvā śvasaṁtaṁ duḥkhitāṁtaram papraccha karuṇāsiṁdhurātmadevaṁ puraḥ sthitam

Then, seeing him sighing, sorrowful within, that ascetic, an ocean of compassion, questioned Atmadeva, who sat before him.

Verse 32 (padma.6.196.32)

सिद्ध उवाच-। का ते चिंता द्विजश्रेष्ठ दुःखाय हृदि वर्तते । तां समाचक्ष्व धर्मज्ञ परितापप्रदायिनीम्

siddha uvāca- kā te ciṁtā dvijaśreṣṭha duḥkhāya hṛdi vartate tāṁ samācakṣva dharmajña paritāpapradāyinīm

The siddha said: ‘O best of brahmins, what worry lies in your heart, causing you sorrow? Tell me of it, O knower of dharma, that source of your torment.’

Verse 33 (padma.6.196.33)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य सिद्धस्य सुमहात्मनः । आत्मदेव उवाचाथ स्वस्य दुःखस्य कारणम्

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya siddhasya sumahātmanaḥ ātmadeva uvācātha svasya duḥkhasya kāraṇam

Hearing these words of that great-souled siddha, Atmadeva then told him the cause of his own sorrow.

Verse 34 (padma.6.196.34)

आत्मदेव उवाच-। किं ब्रवीमि मुने दुःखं संचितं पूर्वकर्मणा । मदीयाः पूर्वजास्तोयं कवोष्णमुपभुंजते

ātmadeva uvāca- kiṁ bravīmi mune duḥkhaṁ saṁcitaṁ pūrvakarmaṇā madīyāḥ pūrvajāstoyaṁ kavoṣṇamupabhuṁjate

Atmadeva said: ‘What shall I tell you, O sage, of the sorrow accumulated through my past deeds? My ancestors partake only of lukewarm water—’

Verse 35 (padma.6.196.35)

मद्दत्तं नैव गृह्णंति पितरो देवता बलिम् । तेन दुःखेन निर्विण्णः प्राणांस्त्यक्तुमिहागतः

maddattaṁ naiva gṛhṇaṁti pitaro devatā balim tena duḥkhena nirviṇṇaḥ prāṇāṁstyaktumihāgataḥ

‘—my forefathers and the gods do not accept the offerings I give. Wearied by that sorrow, I have come here to give up my life.’

Verse 36 (padma.6.196.36)

धिग्जीवितं प्रजाहीनं गृहं चैव धनं कुलम् । पाल्यते या मया धेनुः साऽपि वंध्यात्वमेति ह

dhigjīvitaṁ prajāhīnaṁ gṛhaṁ caiva dhanaṁ kulam pālyate yā mayā dhenuḥ sā'pi vaṁdhyātvameti ha

‘A life without offspring is shameful — likewise the household, the wealth, the family line. Even the cow I tend has turned barren—’

Verse 37 (padma.6.196.37)

यो मयारोपितो वृक्षः सोपि वंध्यत्वमागतः । निर्भाग्यस्यानपत्यस्य किमतो जीवितेन मे

yo mayāropito vṛkṣaḥ sopi vaṁdhyatvamāgataḥ nirbhāgyasyānapatyasya kimato jīvitena me

‘—even the tree I planted has become fruitless. For one so unfortunate and childless as I, what use is there in my living?’

Verse 38 (padma.6.196.38)

कुमारा ऊचुः। इत्युक्त्वा स रुरोदोच्चैस्तत्पुरो दुःखपीडितः । यदा तदा यतेश्चित्ते करुणाभूद्गरीयसी

kumārā ūcuḥ ityuktvā sa rurodoccaistatpuro duḥkhapīḍitaḥ yadā tadā yateścitte karuṇābhūdgarīyasī

The Kumaras said: Having said this, oppressed with sorrow, he wept loudly before him; and great compassion arose in the ascetic's heart.

Verse 39 (padma.6.196.39)

ललाटाक्षरमालां च दृष्ट्वा ज्ञात्वा स योगवान् । आत्मदेवं द्विजं प्राज्ञः पुनरूचे सविस्तरम्

lalāṭākṣaramālāṁ ca dṛṣṭvā jñātvā sa yogavān ātmadevaṁ dvijaṁ prājñaḥ punarūce savistaram

That accomplished yogi, seeing and understanding the row of letters written on his forehead, wise, spoke again at length to the brahmin Atmadeva.

Verse 40 (padma.6.196.40)

सिद्ध उवाच। शृणु विप्र मया तेऽद्य प्रारब्धमवलोकितम् । सप्तजन्मावधि प्राप्तिः पुत्रस्य न च दृश्यते

siddha uvāca śṛṇu vipra mayā te'dya prārabdhamavalokitam saptajanmāvadhi prāptiḥ putrasya na ca dṛśyate

The siddha said: ‘Listen, O brahmin; I have today examined your destiny. The attainment of a son is not to be seen for as long as seven births.’

Verse 41 (padma.6.196.41)

मुंचाग्रहं प्रजाहेतोर्बलिष्ठा कर्मणो गतिः । विवेकं तु समासाद्य सुखी भव महामते

muṁcāgrahaṁ prajāhetorbaliṣṭhā karmaṇo gatiḥ vivekaṁ tu samāsādya sukhī bhava mahāmate

‘Give up your insistence for offspring; the course of karma is far stronger. Attaining discernment, O great-minded one, be happy.’

Verse 42 (padma.6.196.42)

एवमुक्तं समाकर्ण्य सिद्धस्य द्विजसत्तमः। प्रजाशाबद्धचित्तस्तु सिद्धं प्राहातिदुःखितः

evamuktaṁ samākarṇya siddhasya dvijasattamaḥ prajāśābaddhacittastu siddhaṁ prāhātiduḥkhitaḥ

Hearing these words of the siddha, that best of brahmins, his mind still bound by the hope for offspring, spoke to the siddha, exceedingly sorrowful:

Verse 43 (padma.6.196.43)

विप्र उवाच-। विवेकेन भवेत्किं मे पुत्रं देहि बलादपि । नो चेत्त्यजाम्यहं प्राणांस्त्वदग्रे शोकमूर्च्छितः

vipra uvāca- vivekena bhavetkiṁ me putraṁ dehi balādapi no cettyajāmyahaṁ prāṇāṁstvadagre śokamūrcchitaḥ

The brahmin said: ‘What use is discernment to me? Give me a son, even by force; otherwise, swooning with grief, I shall give up my life right before you.’

Verse 44 (padma.6.196.44)

इति विप्राग्रहं दृष्ट्वा प्राब्रवीत्स तपोधनः । संततेः सगरो दुःखमवापांगः प्रजापतिः

iti viprāgrahaṁ dṛṣṭvā prābravītsa tapodhanaḥ saṁtateḥ sagaro duḥkhamavāpāṁgaḥ prajāpatiḥ

Seeing the brahmin's insistence, that ascetic, rich in austerity, said: ‘Even Sagara, and the lord of creatures Anga, suffered sorrow for the sake of offspring.’

Verse 45 (padma.6.196.45)

चित्रकेतुर्गतः कष्टं विधिलेखविमार्ज्जनात् । अतस्त्वमपि धर्मज्ञ यदि पुत्रं लभेरपि

citraketurgataḥ kaṣṭaṁ vidhilekhavimārjjanāt atastvamapi dharmajña yadi putraṁ labherapi

‘Chitraketu too went through hardship, from the erasing of what fate had written. Therefore, O knower of dharma, even if you should obtain a son—’

Verse 46 (padma.6.196.46)

सुतेन न सुखीभूयाः दैवं हि बलवत्तरम् । इत्युक्त्वा द्विजवर्याय स सिद्धः साधुसंमतः

sutena na sukhībhūyāḥ daivaṁ hi balavattaram ityuktvā dvijavaryāya sa siddhaḥ sādhusaṁmataḥ

‘—you may not become happy through that son; fate indeed is stronger.’ Having said this, that siddha, esteemed by the virtuous—

Verse 47 (padma.6.196.47)

ददावेकं फलं तस्मै प्राग्रहेण सुतार्थिने । इदं फलं मया तुभ्यं दत्तं पुत्राप्तये द्विज

dadāvekaṁ phalaṁ tasmai prāgraheṇa sutārthine idaṁ phalaṁ mayā tubhyaṁ dattaṁ putrāptaye dvija

—gave that best of brahmins, so insistent in his desire for a son, a single fruit: ‘This fruit is given by me to you, O brahmin, for the attainment of a son—’

Verse 48 (padma.6.196.48)

भार्यायै देहि पुत्रस्ते भविष्यति न संशयः । सत्यं शौचं दया दानमेकभक्तं तु भोजनम्

bhāryāyai dehi putraste bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ satyaṁ śaucaṁ dayā dānamekabhaktaṁ tu bhojanam

‘—give it to your wife, and a son shall be born to you, without doubt. Truthfulness, purity, compassion, charity, and eating only once a day—’

Verse 49 (padma.6.196.49)

वर्षावधि स्त्रिया कार्यं तेन शुद्धो भवेत्सुतः । एवमुक्त्वा ययौ योगी विप्रः स्वगृहमागतः

varṣāvadhi striyā kāryaṁ tena śuddho bhavetsutaḥ evamuktvā yayau yogī vipraḥ svagṛhamāgataḥ

‘—these your wife must observe for a full year; by that, the son shall be pure.’ Having said this, the yogi departed, and the brahmin went home.

Verse 50 (padma.6.196.50)

दत्त्वा पत्न्यै फलं तत्तु सिद्धोक्तमवदच्च ह । अथ सा धुंधुली क्रूरा स्ववाक्यस्थापनोत्सुका

dattvā patnyai phalaṁ tattu siddhoktamavadacca ha atha sā dhuṁdhulī krūrā svavākyasthāpanotsukā

Giving that fruit to his wife, he told her all that the siddha had said. Then that harsh Dhundhuli, ever eager to have her own way—

Verse 51 (padma.6.196.51)

स्वसख्यै प्राह तत्सर्वं पत्योक्तं सिद्धभाषितम् । यद्यहं भक्षये चेदं फलं सिद्धेन चार्पितम्

svasakhyai prāha tatsarvaṁ patyoktaṁ siddhabhāṣitam yadyahaṁ bhakṣaye cedaṁ phalaṁ siddhena cārpitam

—told her friend everything her husband had said, the siddha's words: ‘If I eat this fruit given by the siddha—’

Verse 52 (padma.6.196.52)

गर्भो मम भवेत्तर्हि कथं चाहं सहाम्यहम् । स्वल्पं भक्ष्यमशक्तिश्च गमने गृहकर्मणि

garbho mama bhavettarhi kathaṁ cāhaṁ sahāmyaham svalpaṁ bhakṣyamaśaktiśca gamane gṛhakarmaṇi

‘—then I shall become pregnant; how then shall I bear it? Little food, weakness in walking, in household work—’

Verse 53 (padma.6.196.53)

तिर्यक्चेदागतो गर्भो तदा मे मरणं भवेत् । प्रसूतौ दारुणं दुःखं सुकुमारी कथं सहे । मंदयां मयि सर्वस्वं ननांदा संहरेत्सदा

tiryakcedāgato garbho tadā me maraṇaṁ bhavet prasūtau dāruṇaṁ duḥkhaṁ sukumārī kathaṁ sahe maṁdayāṁ mayi sarvasvaṁ nanāṁdā saṁharetsadā

‘—and if the child came in a wrong position, I should die. In childbirth, the pain is terrible; how shall I, so delicate, endure it? And my husband's sisters would try to seize everything from me—’

Verse 54 (padma.6.196.54)

चिंता मे समनुप्राप्ता किं करोमि शुचिस्मिते । सा तद्वचनमाकर्ण्य स्नेहभंगभयाद्दिवज

ciṁtā me samanuprāptā kiṁ karomi śucismite sā tadvacanamākarṇya snehabhaṁgabhayāddivaja

‘—this worry has come upon me — what shall I do, O sweetly-smiling friend?’ Hearing her words, O brahmin, that friend, fearing the breaking of their affection—

Verse 55 (padma.6.196.55)

एवमेवेति तां प्राह प्रीत्या प्रहसितानना । एवं कुतर्कयोगेन तत्फलं नैव भक्षितम्

evameveti tāṁ prāha prītyā prahasitānanā evaṁ kutarkayogena tatphalaṁ naiva bhakṣitam

—said to her, smiling affectionately, ‘Just so.’ Thus, through this false reasoning, that fruit was never eaten.

Verse 56 (padma.6.196.56)

पत्या पृष्टे फलं भुक्तं भुक्तं चेति तयेरितम् । एकदा भगिनी तस्याः स्वेच्छया तद्गृहं गता

patyā pṛṣṭe phalaṁ bhuktaṁ bhuktaṁ ceti tayeritam ekadā bhaginī tasyāḥ svecchayā tadgṛhaṁ gatā

When her husband asked whether she had eaten the fruit, she told him she had. Once, her own sister came, of her own accord, to that house.

Verse 57 (padma.6.196.57)

तदग्रे कथितं सर्वं चिंतेयं महती हि मे । किं करोमि सगर्भोऽहं त्वं प्रब्रूहि यथातथम्

tadagre kathitaṁ sarvaṁ ciṁteyaṁ mahatī hi me kiṁ karomi sagarbho'haṁ tvaṁ prabrūhi yathātatham

Dhundhuli told her sister everything: ‘This is my great worry — what shall I do? I am supposed to be pregnant! Tell me truly what to do.’

Verse 58 (padma.6.196.58)

साब्रवीन्मम गर्भोस्ति तुभ्यं दास्ये प्रसूतितः । तावत्कालं सगर्भेव गुप्ता तिष्ठ गृहे सुखम्

sābravīnmama garbhosti tubhyaṁ dāsye prasūtitaḥ tāvatkālaṁ sagarbheva guptā tiṣṭha gṛhe sukham

Her sister said: ‘I myself am pregnant; I shall give you the child after my delivery. Until that time, remain secretly in your house, at ease, as if you were pregnant yourself.’

Verse 59 (padma.6.196.59)

तं बालं पोषयिष्यामि त्वद्गृहे चैव नित्यदा । फलं धेनोः प्रयच्छाद्य परीक्षार्थं शुभानने

taṁ bālaṁ poṣayiṣyāmi tvadgṛhe caiva nityadā phalaṁ dhenoḥ prayacchādya parīkṣārthaṁ śubhānane

‘I shall let that child be nourished always in your house. Now, give the fruit to a cow, to test it, O fair one.’

Verse 60 (padma.6.196.60)

इत्युक्त्वा सा ययौ गेहमात्मनो हृष्टमानसा । धुंधुल्यापि यथोद्दिष्टं तद्भगिन्या तथा कृतम्

ityuktvā sā yayau gehamātmano hṛṣṭamānasā dhuṁdhulyāpi yathoddiṣṭaṁ tadbhaginyā tathā kṛtam

Having said this, she went to her own home, her mind joyful; and Dhundhuli too did just as her sister had instructed.

Verse 61 (padma.6.196.61)

अथ प्रसूय सा बालं धुंधुल्यै चार्पयद्द्रुतम् । तया च कथितं भर्त्रे प्रसूतः सुखमर्भकः

atha prasūya sā bālaṁ dhuṁdhulyai cārpayaddrutam tayā ca kathitaṁ bhartre prasūtaḥ sukhamarbhakaḥ

Then, having given birth, the sister quickly handed over the child to Dhundhuli; and Dhundhuli told her husband: ‘A child has been born safely.’

Verse 62 (padma.6.196.62)

लोकस्य सुखमुत्पन्नमात्मदेव प्रजोदयात् । दत्त्वा दानं द्विजाग्रेभ्यो जातकर्म चकार च

lokasya sukhamutpannamātmadeva prajodayāt dattvā dānaṁ dvijāgrebhyo jātakarma cakāra ca

Joy arose among the people at Atmadeva's gaining offspring; giving gifts to the foremost brahmins, he performed the birth-rites.

Verse 63 (padma.6.196.63)

गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषो गृहे तस्यातिमङ्गलम् । बभूव हर्षमापन्न आत्मदेवो महामतिः

gītavāditranirghoṣo gṛhe tasyātimaṅgalam babhūva harṣamāpanna ātmadevo mahāmatiḥ

There was the resounding of song and music, great auspiciousness filled his house, and the great-minded Atmadeva was overcome with joy.

Verse 64 (padma.6.196.64)

अथ सा प्राह भर्त्तारं दुग्धं मेस्तनयोर्नहि । पालयिष्ये कथं बालं सद्यः सूतं प्रभोऽधुना

atha sā prāha bharttāraṁ dugdhaṁ mestanayornahi pālayiṣye kathaṁ bālaṁ sadyaḥ sūtaṁ prabho'dhunā

Then she said to her husband: ‘There is no milk in my breasts; how, O lord, shall I nurse this child, just now born?’

Verse 65 (padma.6.196.65)

मत्स्वसुश्च प्रसूताया मृतो बालः पुराभवत् । तामानीय गृहे रक्षसार्भकं पोषयिष्यति

matsvasuśca prasūtāyā mṛto bālaḥ purābhavat tāmānīya gṛhe rakṣasārbhakaṁ poṣayiṣyati

‘My sister, who has also given birth, has lost her own child, who died earlier. Bring her to the house — she will nourish the child for us.’

Verse 66 (padma.6.196.66)

इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्या धुंधुल्या द्विजसत्तमः । तथैव कृतवान्भ्रांतरात्मदेवो मुदान्वितः

iti śrutvā vacastasyā dhuṁdhulyā dvijasattamaḥ tathaiva kṛtavānbhrāṁtarātmadevo mudānvitaḥ

Hearing these words of Dhundhuli, that best of brahmins, Atmadeva, deceived yet joyful, did just as she said.

Verse 67 (padma.6.196.67)

धुंधुकारीति नामास्य कृतं मात्रा यथार्थतः । स्तन्येन पोषमाप्नोति नित्यं मातृष्वसुः सुतः

dhuṁdhukārīti nāmāsya kṛtaṁ mātrā yathārthataḥ stanyena poṣamāpnoti nityaṁ mātṛṣvasuḥ sutaḥ

His mother truly named him Dhundhukari; the son was constantly nourished with the milk of his mother's sister.

Verse 68 (padma.6.196.68)

त्रिमासे निर्गते चाथ सा धेनुः सुषुवेऽर्भकम् । सर्वांगसुंदरं दिव्यं निर्मलं कनकप्रभम्

trimāse nirgate cātha sā dhenuḥ suṣuve'rbhakam sarvāṁgasuṁdaraṁ divyaṁ nirmalaṁ kanakaprabham

When three months had passed, that cow gave birth to a child, beautiful in every limb, divine, spotless, and golden in hue.

Verse 69 (padma.6.196.69)

दृष्ट्वा प्रसन्नस्तं विप्रः संस्कारान्स्वयमादधे । तं दिदृक्षव आयाता जनाः सर्वेऽतिविस्मिताः

dṛṣṭvā prasannastaṁ vipraḥ saṁskārānsvayamādadhe taṁ didṛkṣava āyātā janāḥ sarve'tivismitāḥ

Seeing him, the brahmin, delighted, himself performed the purification rites; all the people, filled with astonishment, came eager to see him.

Verse 70 (padma.6.196.70)

आत्मदेवस्य विप्रस्य महाभाग्योदयेन च । धेन्वा बालः प्रसूतश्च देवरूपोऽतिकौतुकम्

ātmadevasya viprasya mahābhāgyodayena ca dhenvā bālaḥ prasūtaśca devarūpo'tikautukam

Through the rising of the great fortune of the brahmin Atmadeva, a child of divine form, most wondrous, had been born from the cow.

Verse 71 (padma.6.196.71)

न ज्ञातं तद्रहस्यं तु केनापि विधियोगतः । गोकर्णः तं सुतं दृष्ट्वा गोकर्णेत्येवचाभ्यधात्

na jñātaṁ tadrahasyaṁ tu kenāpi vidhiyogataḥ gokarṇaḥ taṁ sutaṁ dṛṣṭvā gokarṇetyevacābhyadhāt

This secret was known to no one, by the working of fate. Seeing this son, he named him Gokarna.

Verse 72 (padma.6.196.72)

कियत्कालेन संप्राप्तौ तारुण्यं तावुभावपि । गोकर्णः पंडितो ज्ञानी धुंधुकारी महाखलः

kiyatkālena saṁprāptau tāruṇyaṁ tāvubhāvapi gokarṇaḥ paṁḍito jñānī dhuṁdhukārī mahākhalaḥ

After some time, both of them attained youth: Gokarna became a learned and wise scholar, while Dhundhukari became a great scoundrel.

Verse 73 (padma.6.196.73)

स्नानशौचक्रियाहीनो भक्ष्याभक्षी क्रुधाप्लुतः । चौरः सर्वजनद्वेषी दुष्टचांडालसंगतः

snānaśaucakriyāhīno bhakṣyābhakṣī krudhāplutaḥ cauraḥ sarvajanadveṣī duṣṭacāṁḍālasaṁgataḥ

Devoid of bathing and purity rites, eating whatever was forbidden or allowed alike, overcome with anger, a thief, hostile to all people, keeping company with wicked outcastes—

Verse 74 (padma.6.196.74)

क्रीडतो ह्यर्भकान्धृत्वा बलात्कूपे निपातयेत् । एवं वेश्याप्रसंगेनानयद्द्रव्यं क्षयं पितुः

krīḍato hyarbhakāndhṛtvā balātkūpe nipātayet evaṁ veśyāprasaṁgenānayaddravyaṁ kṣayaṁ pituḥ

—he would seize children at play and forcibly throw them into wells. Thus, through association with courtesans, he brought his father's wealth to ruin.

Verse 75 (padma.6.196.75)

पिता कृपणवत्तस्य शुचा निःस्वो रुरोद ह । अनपत्यः सुखी नित्यं कुपुत्रो दुःखदायकः

pitā kṛpaṇavattasya śucā niḥsvo ruroda ha anapatyaḥ sukhī nityaṁ kuputro duḥkhadāyakaḥ

His father, made destitute, wept like a wretch out of grief: ‘One without offspring is ever happy; a bad son only brings sorrow.’

Verse 76 (padma.6.196.76)

सिद्धेनोक्तं वचः सत्यमनुभूतं मयाधुना । क्व गच्छामि क्व तिष्ठामि को मे दुःखं निवारयेत्

siddhenoktaṁ vacaḥ satyamanubhūtaṁ mayādhunā kva gacchāmi kva tiṣṭhāmi ko me duḥkhaṁ nivārayet

‘The word spoken by that siddha has proved true, and I now experience it myself. Where shall I go, where shall I stay, who shall relieve me of this sorrow?’

Verse 77 (padma.6.196.77)

प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्ये जले वह्नौ भृगोर्वापि पते ह्यहम् । इत्येवं चिंतयानं तमधोमुखमुपागतः

prāṇāṁstyakṣye jale vahnau bhṛgorvāpi pate hyaham ityevaṁ ciṁtayānaṁ tamadhomukhamupāgataḥ

‘I shall give up my life — in water, or in fire, or by falling from a cliff.’ As he was thinking thus, with his face cast down—

Verse 78 (padma.6.196.78)

गोकर्णो जनकं ज्ञानी बोधयामास तत्वतः । गोकर्ण उवाच- असारस्तात संसार दुःखमोहप्रदो नृणाम्

gokarṇo janakaṁ jñānī bodhayāmāsa tatvataḥ gokarṇa uvāca- asārastāta saṁsāra duḥkhamohaprado nṛṇām

—Gokarna, the wise one, came to him and truly instructed his father. Gokarna said: ‘O father, this worldly existence is without essence, a giver of sorrow and delusion to men.’

Verse 79 (padma.6.196.79)

कः सुत किं धनं कस्य का जाया कः पतिः पितः । मोहेन बद्धो दीनात्मा लोकः क्लिश्यति नान्यथा

kaḥ suta kiṁ dhanaṁ kasya kā jāyā kaḥ patiḥ pitaḥ mohena baddho dīnātmā lokaḥ kliśyati nānyathā

‘Who is a son? What is wealth? Whose is it? Who is a wife, who a husband, O father? Bound by delusion, the wretched soul suffers, and for no other reason.’

Verse 80 (padma.6.196.80)

न चेंद्रस्य सुखं किंचिन्न सुखं चक्रवर्तिनः । विरक्तस्य सुखं तात मुनेरेकांतशीलिनः

na ceṁdrasya sukhaṁ kiṁcinna sukhaṁ cakravartinaḥ viraktasya sukhaṁ tāta munerekāṁtaśīlinaḥ

‘There is no true happiness even for Indra, nor for a universal emperor; true happiness, O father, belongs to the dispassionate sage of solitary conduct.’

Verse 81 (padma.6.196.81)

मुंचाज्ञानं प्रजारूपं मोहं नरककारणम् । निर्द्वंद्वो निरभीमानो व्रज त्यक्त्वाखिलं वनम्

muṁcājñānaṁ prajārūpaṁ mohaṁ narakakāraṇam nirdvaṁdvo nirabhīmāno vraja tyaktvākhilaṁ vanam

‘Give up this ignorance in the form of desire for offspring, this delusion that is the cause of hell. Free from the pairs of opposites, free from pride, go, having abandoned everything, into the forest.’

Verse 82 (padma.6.196.82)

ततस्तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य गोकर्णं स द्विजोऽब्रवीत् । द्विज उवाच- यत्कर्त्तव्यं वने साधो तन्ममाचक्ष्व विस्तरात्

tatastadvākyamākarṇya gokarṇaṁ sa dvijo'bravīt dvija uvāca- yatkarttavyaṁ vane sādho tanmamācakṣva vistarāt

Then, hearing these words, the brahmin said to Gokarna: ‘What should be done in the forest, O sadhu? Tell me that in full detail.’

Verse 83 (padma.6.196.83)

मोहपाशनिबद्धं हि शठं कृपणमानसम् । संसारगर्ते पतितं मामुद्धर दयानिधे

mohapāśanibaddhaṁ hi śaṭhaṁ kṛpaṇamānasam saṁsāragarte patitaṁ māmuddhara dayānidhe

‘Bound by the noose of delusion, deceitful, my mind wretched, fallen into the pit of worldly existence — raise me up, O ocean of compassion.’

Verse 84 (padma.6.196.84)

पितुरित्थं वचः श्रुत्वा गोकर्णो ज्ञानपंडितः । उवाच दीनं निर्विण्णं पितरं हृष्टमानसः

pituritthaṁ vacaḥ śrutvā gokarṇo jñānapaṁḍitaḥ uvāca dīnaṁ nirviṇṇaṁ pitaraṁ hṛṣṭamānasaḥ

Hearing his father's words thus, Gokarna, learned in wisdom, his mind joyful, spoke to his wretched, weary father:

Verse 85 (padma.6.196.85)

गोकर्ण उवाच- मांसास्थिरक्तनिकरे स्वशरीरकेऽस्मिन्स्वत्वं त्यजाशु ममतां वनिता सुतादौ । पश्यानिशं जगदिदं क्षणभंगनिष्ठं ज्ञानी विरागरसिको भव भक्तिनिष्ठः

gokarṇa uvāca- māṁsāsthiraktanikare svaśarīrake'sminsvatvaṁ tyajāśu mamatāṁ vanitā sutādau paśyāniśaṁ jagadidaṁ kṣaṇabhaṁganiṣṭhaṁ jñānī virāgarasiko bhava bhaktiniṣṭhaḥ

Gokarna said: ‘Give up at once the sense of ownership over this body of yours, a mere mass of flesh, bone, and blood; give up attachment to wife, son, and the rest. See this world constantly as resting on the brink of momentary destruction; become wise, delighting in dispassion, devoted to devotion.’

Verse 86 (padma.6.196.86)

धर्मं भजस्व सततं त्यज लोकधर्मान्संसेव्य साधुपुरुषान्जहि कामतृष्णाम् । अन्यस्य दोषगुण चिंतनमाशु मुक्त्वा विष्णोः कथारसमथो नितरां पिब त्वम्

dharmaṁ bhajasva satataṁ tyaja lokadharmānsaṁsevya sādhupuruṣānjahi kāmatṛṣṇām anyasya doṣaguṇa ciṁtanamāśu muktvā viṣṇoḥ kathārasamatho nitarāṁ piba tvam

‘Devote yourself constantly to dharma; give up worldly conventions; serving saintly men, destroy your craving for desire. Give up quickly the habit of dwelling on others' faults and virtues, and instead drink deeply and constantly of the essence of Vishnu's story.’

Verse 87 (padma.6.196.87)

कुमारा उचुः- एवं सुतोक्तविदितानुभवो निरीहस्त्यक्त्वा गृहं स्थिरमतिर्गतषष्टिवर्षः । नित्यं हरिप्रियजनानुगतो महात्मा दुष्प्रापमाप च पदं स हरेर्वनस्थः

kumārā ucuḥ- evaṁ sutoktaviditānubhavo nirīhastyaktvā gṛhaṁ sthiramatirgataṣaṣṭivarṣaḥ nityaṁ haripriyajanānugato mahātmā duṣprāpamāpa ca padaṁ sa harervanasthaḥ

The Kumaras said: Thus, having realized the experience declared by his son, free of desire, his mind steady, though he had passed sixty years, that great soul, ever following those dear to Hari, having left his home and dwelling in the forest, attained the abode of Hari, so hard to attain.