The Rules of the Saptaha and the Origin of the Bhagavata

Verse 1 (padma.6.198.1)

कुमारा ऊचुः- अथ ते संप्रवक्ष्यामः सप्ताहश्रवणे विधिम् । येन भागवतं सिद्ध्येत्पुंसां कृष्णार्पितात्मनाम्

kumārā ūcuḥ- atha te saṁpravakṣyāmaḥ saptāhaśravaṇe vidhim yena bhāgavataṁ siddhyetpuṁsāṁ kṛṣṇārpitātmanām

The Kumaras said: Now we shall declare to you the procedure for the seven-day hearing, by which the Bhagavata becomes efficacious for men who have offered their souls to Krishna.

Verse 2 (padma.6.198.2)

दैवज्ञं शास्त्रकुशलं समाहूय धनांशुकैः । समभ्यर्च्य मुहूर्तं तु प्राक्पृच्छेद्भक्तिमान्नरः

daivajñaṁ śāstrakuśalaṁ samāhūya dhanāṁśukaiḥ samabhyarcya muhūrtaṁ tu prākpṛcchedbhaktimānnaraḥ

A devoted man should first summon an astrologer skilled in the scriptures, honor him with wealth and garments, and then ask him for an auspicious moment.

Verse 3 (padma.6.198.3)

स वदेद्यं मुहूर्तं तु तत्रारंभः प्रशस्यते । नभोनभस्येषोर्जाश्च सहः शुचिसमन्विताः

sa vadedyaṁ muhūrtaṁ tu tatrāraṁbhaḥ praśasyate nabhonabhasyeṣorjāśca sahaḥ śucisamanvitāḥ

He should declare the moment at which the beginning is praised; the months Bhadrapada, Ashvin, Ashadha, Kartika-Margashirsha, Pausha, together with Shuchi—

Verse 4 (padma.6.198.4)

मासाः श्रेष्ठाः कथारंभे पूर्णा चापि तिथिः शुभा । भौमार्किवर्जिता वारा भानि ध्रुव मृदूनि च

māsāḥ śreṣṭhāḥ kathāraṁbhe pūrṇā cāpi tithiḥ śubhā bhaumārkivarjitā vārā bhāni dhruva mṛdūni ca

—are the best months for the beginning of the story; a full lunar day is likewise good; the weekdays should avoid Tuesday and Sunday, and fixed and soft lunar mansions are favorable.

Verse 5 (padma.6.198.5)

शुभे योगे शुभे लग्ने प्रारंभः शस्यते सदा । नित्यायां च कथायां तु पुराणानां मुनीश्वर

śubhe yoge śubhe lagne prāraṁbhaḥ śasyate sadā nityāyāṁ ca kathāyāṁ tu purāṇānāṁ munīśvara

The beginning is ever praised under an auspicious yoga and auspicious ascendant. But, O lord of sages, for the daily recitation of the Puranas—

Verse 6 (padma.6.198.6)

द्वादशीं वर्जयेत्प्राज्ञः सूतसूतकसंभवात् । श्रीमद्भागवतस्यापि सप्ताहेनैव केऽपि च

dvādaśīṁ varjayetprājñaḥ sūtasūtakasaṁbhavāt śrīmadbhāgavatasyāpi saptāhenaiva ke'pi ca

—the wise should avoid the twelfth lunar day, owing to the birth-impurity of the Suta caste. For the Shrimad Bhagavata too, when done through the seven-day method, some say—

Verse 7 (padma.6.198.7)

न निषेधोस्ति देवर्षे प्राहुरेवं पुराविदः । श्रीभागवतसप्ताहो महायज्ञः स्मृतो बुधैः

na niṣedhosti devarṣe prāhurevaṁ purāvidaḥ śrībhāgavatasaptāho mahāyajñaḥ smṛto budhaiḥ

—there is no such prohibition, O divine sage; thus say the knowers of the ancient lore. The Shri Bhagavata Saptaha is remembered by the wise as a great sacrifice.

Verse 8 (padma.6.198.8)

अतो निमंत्रणं कार्यं वैष्णवानां समंततः । सतां समाजो भविता सप्ताहं वैष्णवोत्तमाः

ato nimaṁtraṇaṁ kāryaṁ vaiṣṇavānāṁ samaṁtataḥ satāṁ samājo bhavitā saptāhaṁ vaiṣṇavottamāḥ

Therefore an invitation should be extended to Vaishnavas from all around; there should be an assembly of the virtuous, O foremost Vaishnavas, for the seven days.

Verse 9 (padma.6.198.9)

आगंतव्यमतश्चात्र वैष्णवैः श्रवणार्थिभिः । समागतानां तेषां तु निवासं परिकल्पयेत्

āgaṁtavyamataścātra vaiṣṇavaiḥ śravaṇārthibhiḥ samāgatānāṁ teṣāṁ tu nivāsaṁ parikalpayet

Vaishnavas desiring to hear should come here; lodging should be arranged for those who gather.

Verse 10 (padma.6.198.10)

तीर्थे वापि वने वापि ग्रामे वापि प्रयत्नतः । संशोधितायां भूम्यां तु मंडपं परिकल्पयेत्

tīrthe vāpi vane vāpi grāme vāpi prayatnataḥ saṁśodhitāyāṁ bhūmyāṁ tu maṁḍapaṁ parikalpayet

Whether at a tirtha, or in a forest, or in a village, a pavilion should be carefully constructed on ground that has been purified.

Verse 11 (padma.6.198.11)

कदलीस्तंभसंयुक्तं चतुर्दिक्षु ध्वजान्वितम् । उच्चमासनमप्युक्तं वक्तुस्तस्याग्रतो मुने

kadalīstaṁbhasaṁyuktaṁ caturdikṣu dhvajānvitam uccamāsanamapyuktaṁ vaktustasyāgrato mune

It should be furnished with plantain-tree pillars, adorned with banners on its four sides; O sage, a raised seat is prescribed at its front for the speaker.

Verse 12 (padma.6.198.12)

आपार्श्वद्वयमुक्तानि श्रोतॄणामासनानि च । उदङ्मुखो भवेद्वक्ता समाजेस्मिन्विदांवरः

āpārśvadvayamuktāni śrotṝṇāmāsanāni ca udaṅmukho bhavedvaktā samājesminvidāṁvaraḥ

Seats for the listeners are prescribed on both sides. In this assembly, the speaker, foremost among the learned, should face north.

Verse 13 (padma.6.198.13)

वेदशास्त्रार्थतत्वज्ञो वैष्णवो ब्राह्मणोत्तमः । दृष्टांतकुशलो धीरो वक्ता कार्योऽतिनिस्पृहः

vedaśāstrārthatatvajño vaiṣṇavo brāhmaṇottamaḥ dṛṣṭāṁtakuśalo dhīro vaktā kāryo'tinispṛhaḥ

The one made the speaker should be a Vaishnava, a foremost brahmin, knower of the truth and meaning of the Vedas and scriptures, skilled in illustration, steady of mind, and utterly free from worldly desire.

Verse 14 (padma.6.198.14)

सर्वसंदेहहर्त्तापि कार्यो वक्ता न चैव हि । वक्तुः पार्श्वे सहायार्थं स्थाप्योऽन्य पंडितः सुधीः

sarvasaṁdehaharttāpi kāryo vaktā na caiva hi vaktuḥ pārśve sahāyārthaṁ sthāpyo'nya paṁḍitaḥ sudhīḥ

The one made speaker must also be able to dispel every doubt — no less than this. Another wise scholar should be stationed at the speaker's side to assist him—

Verse 15 (padma.6.198.15)

श्रोतॄणां संशयच्छेत्ता ज्ञानांबोधविधायकः । कथाविघ्नविघातार्थं गणेशं प्राक्प्रपूजयेत्

śrotṝṇāṁ saṁśayacchettā jñānāṁbodhavidhāyakaḥ kathāvighnavighātārthaṁ gaṇeśaṁ prākprapūjayet

—as one who resolves the doubts of the listeners and brings about their awakening in knowledge. For the removal of obstacles to the recitation, Ganesha should first be worshipped.

Verse 16 (padma.6.198.16)

ततो दुर्गां हरं विष्णुं ब्रह्माणं भास्करं द्विजान् । संपूज्य विधिवद्भक्त्या तर्पयेद्देवताः पितॄन्

tato durgāṁ haraṁ viṣṇuṁ brahmāṇaṁ bhāskaraṁ dvijān saṁpūjya vidhivadbhaktyā tarpayeddevatāḥ pitṝn

Then, having duly worshipped Durga, Hara, Vishnu, Brahma, the Sun, and the brahmins with devotion, one should offer libations to the gods and the ancestors.

Verse 17 (padma.6.198.17)

मुख्यः श्रोता ततः पश्चात्पूजयेत्पुस्तके हरिम् । ततः प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य द्रव्यवस्त्रफलानि च

mukhyaḥ śrotā tataḥ paścātpūjayetpustake harim tataḥ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya dravyavastraphalāni ca

Then the chief listener should worship Hari present in the book; and, having circumambulated it, offer wealth, garments, and fruits—

Verse 18 (padma.6.198.18)

धृत्वांजलौ पुस्तकस्थं हरिं संप्रार्थयेन्मुने । त्वं भागवतलोकेस्मिन्स्वयं कृष्णो व्यवस्थितः

dhṛtvāṁjalau pustakasthaṁ hariṁ saṁprārthayenmune tvaṁ bhāgavatalokesminsvayaṁ kṛṣṇo vyavasthitaḥ

—and, holding his palms folded, should pray to Hari present in the book, O sage: ‘You yourself, as Krishna, are established in this world through the Bhagavata—’

Verse 19 (padma.6.198.19)

समाश्रितो मया नाथ मुक्त्यर्थं भवसागरे । मनोरथो मदीयोऽयं सर्वथा सफलस्त्वया

samāśrito mayā nātha muktyarthaṁ bhavasāgare manoratho madīyo'yaṁ sarvathā saphalastvayā

‘—I have taken refuge in you, O Lord, for liberation from this ocean of worldly existence. Let this wish of mine be, in every way, made fruitful by you—’

Verse 20 (padma.6.198.20)

निर्विघ्नेन प्रकर्तव्यो दासोऽहं तव केशव । इत्युच्चार्य मुने द्रव्यं पुस्तकाग्रे समर्प्यतु

nirvighnena prakartavyo dāso'haṁ tava keśava ityuccārya mune dravyaṁ pustakāgre samarpyatu

‘—may this be accomplished without obstacle; I am your servant, O Keshava.’ Having uttered this, O sage, one should offer wealth before the book.

Verse 21 (padma.6.198.21)

वक्तारं प्रार्थयेच्चापि नमस्कुर्वन्कृतांजलि । शुकरूपद्विजश्रेष्ठ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद

vaktāraṁ prārthayeccāpi namaskurvankṛtāṁjali śukarūpadvijaśreṣṭha sarvaśāstraviśārada

One should also entreat the speaker, bowing with folded hands: ‘O foremost brahmin, of the very form of Shuka, versed in every scripture—’

Verse 22 (padma.6.198.22)

श्रीभागवतव्याख्यानादज्ञानं मे विनाशय । इति संप्रार्थ्य वक्तारं वरयेत्पंच वाडवान्

śrībhāgavatavyākhyānādajñānaṁ me vināśaya iti saṁprārthya vaktāraṁ varayetpaṁca vāḍavān

‘—destroy my ignorance through the exposition of the Shri Bhagavata.’ Having thus entreated the speaker, one should engage five brahmins—

Verse 23 (padma.6.198.23)

द्वादशाक्षरमंत्रस्य जपार्थं मुनिसत्तम । गीतवाद्यविधिज्ञांश्च संपूज्यार्थांशुकादिभिः

dvādaśākṣaramaṁtrasya japārthaṁ munisattama gītavādyavidhijñāṁśca saṁpūjyārthāṁśukādibhiḥ

—for the recitation of the twelve-syllable mantra, O best of sages, as well as those skilled in the procedures of song and instrumental music, honoring them with wealth, garments, and the like—

Verse 24 (padma.6.198.24)

स्थापयेत्कीर्तनार्थं तु कथांते विधिवन्मुने । यस्तु जाया धनागार पुत्रचिंतां व्युदस्य च

sthāpayetkīrtanārthaṁ tu kathāṁte vidhivanmune yastu jāyā dhanāgāra putraciṁtāṁ vyudasya ca

—O sage, and should install them for kirtan at the end of the story, duly. Whoever, casting aside all thought of wife, wealth, home, and children—

Verse 25 (padma.6.198.25)

शृणुयादेकचित्तस्तु स समग्रं फलं लभेत् । सूर्योदयं समारभ्य सार्द्धत्रिप्रहरांतकम्

śṛṇuyādekacittastu sa samagraṁ phalaṁ labhet sūryodayaṁ samārabhya sārddhatripraharāṁtakam

—hears with a single-pointed mind obtains the full fruit. Beginning from sunrise until the end of the third and a half watch of the day—

Verse 26 (padma.6.198.26)

पठित्वार्थः प्रकर्त्तव्यो वाक्यमध्यायमेव वा । मध्याह्ने घटिकायुग्मं विरमेदपि नारद

paṭhitvārthaḥ prakarttavyo vākyamadhyāyameva vā madhyāhne ghaṭikāyugmaṁ viramedapi nārada

—the reading should be done, whether by verse-meaning, sentence, or full chapter; at midday, O Narada, one should pause for two ghatikas.

Verse 27 (padma.6.198.27)

कथाऽवसाने कर्त्तव्यं कीर्तनं केशवस्य च । उपवासः प्रकर्त्तव्यः श्रोतृभिस्तत्फलेप्सुभिः

kathā'vasāne karttavyaṁ kīrtanaṁ keśavasya ca upavāsaḥ prakarttavyaḥ śrotṛbhistatphalepsubhiḥ

At the end of the day's recitation, kirtan of Keshava should be performed; fasting should be observed by the listeners who desire its fruit.

Verse 28 (padma.6.198.28)

तदशक्तो हविष्यान्नं सकृत्स्वल्पं समाहरेत् । जलेनापि फलेनापि दुग्धेन च घृतेन वा

tadaśakto haviṣyānnaṁ sakṛtsvalpaṁ samāharet jalenāpi phalenāpi dugdhena ca ghṛtena vā

One unable to fast should take a little consecrated food once a day, or subsist on water, or on fruit, or on milk, or on ghee—

Verse 29 (padma.6.198.29)

केवलेनैव कर्त्तव्यं निर्विघ्नं धारणं तनोः । सप्ताहव्रतिनां पुंसां नियमान्शृणु नारद

kevalenaiva karttavyaṁ nirvighnaṁ dhāraṇaṁ tanoḥ saptāhavratināṁ puṁsāṁ niyamānśṛṇu nārada

—by any one of these alone the body should be sustained without hindrance. Hear, O Narada, the observances for men vowed to the seven-day rite:

Verse 30 (padma.6.198.30)

विष्णुदीक्षाविहीनानां नाधिकारोऽत्र कीर्तितः । ब्रह्मचर्यमधः सुप्तिः पत्रावल्यां च भोजनम्

viṣṇudīkṣāvihīnānāṁ nādhikāro'tra kīrtitaḥ brahmacaryamadhaḥ suptiḥ patrāvalyāṁ ca bhojanam

—those without initiation into Vishnu are declared to have no eligibility here. Celibacy, sleeping on the ground—

Verse 31 (padma.6.198.31)

समाचरेन्नित्यमेव सप्ताहे मुनिसत्तम । द्विदलं मधु तैलं च परान्नं चेक्षुजं रसम्

samācarennityameva saptāhe munisattama dvidalaṁ madhu tailaṁ ca parānnaṁ cekṣujaṁ rasam

—and eating on leaf-plates, should be practiced constantly throughout the seven days, O best of sages. Split pulses, honey, oil, food cooked by another, and cane-juice—

Verse 32 (padma.6.198.32)

भावदुष्टं क्रियादुष्टं जह्यात्पर्युषितं व्रती । पलांडुलशुनं हिंगुं मूलकं गृंजनं तथा

bhāvaduṣṭaṁ kriyāduṣṭaṁ jahyātparyuṣitaṁ vratī palāṁḍulaśunaṁ hiṁguṁ mūlakaṁ gṛṁjanaṁ tathā

—along with anything faulty in intent or in preparation, and stale food, should be avoided by the votary; onion, garlic, asafoetida, radish, and carrot as well—

Verse 33 (padma.6.198.33)

नालिकां चैव कूष्मांडं नरो नाद्यात्कथाव्रती । कामं क्रोधं मदं लोभं दंभं मात्सर्यमेव च

nālikāṁ caiva kūṣmāṁḍaṁ naro nādyātkathāvratī kāmaṁ krodhaṁ madaṁ lobhaṁ daṁbhaṁ mātsaryameva ca

—as well as lotus-stalks and pumpkin, a man observing the story-vow should not eat. Desire, anger, intoxication, greed, hypocrisy, and envy—

Verse 34 (padma.6.198.34)

मोहं द्वेषं तथा हिंसां नैव कुर्यात्कथाव्रती

mohaṁ dveṣaṁ tathā hiṁsāṁ naiva kuryātkathāvratī

—delusion, hatred, and violence — one observing the story-vow should never indulge in.

Verse 35 (padma.6.198.35)

वेदवैष्णवविप्राणां गुरु गोव्रतिनां तथा । स्त्री राजमहतां चापि निंदां जह्यात्कथाव्रती

vedavaiṣṇavaviprāṇāṁ guru govratināṁ tathā strī rājamahatāṁ cāpi niṁdāṁ jahyātkathāvratī

One observing the story-vow should avoid speaking ill of the Vedas, of Vaishnavas, of brahmins, of the guru, of cows, of fellow-votaries, of women, and of kings and great persons.

Verse 36 (padma.6.198.36)

सत्यं शौचं दयामौनमार्जवं विनयं तथा । मनः प्रसन्नतां चापि बुधः कुर्यात्कथाव्रती

satyaṁ śaucaṁ dayāmaunamārjavaṁ vinayaṁ tathā manaḥ prasannatāṁ cāpi budhaḥ kuryātkathāvratī

The wise votary of the story should cultivate truthfulness, purity, compassion, silence, straightforwardness, humility, and also cheerfulness of mind.

Verse 37 (padma.6.198.37)

श्रीकामस्तनयार्थी च जयकामश्च मोक्षधीः । शृणुयाद्वै भागवतं निष्कामः श्रीहरिं लभेत्

śrīkāmastanayārthī ca jayakāmaśca mokṣadhīḥ śṛṇuyādvai bhāgavataṁ niṣkāmaḥ śrīhariṁ labhet

One who desires wealth, one who desires a son, one who desires victory, and one whose mind is set on liberation, should all hear the Bhagavata; but one free from all desire obtains Shri Hari himself.

Verse 38 (padma.6.198.38)

सप्तमे दिवसे कुर्याल्लंघनं तत्समाप्तिके । वक्तुश्च पूजा कर्त्तव्या गोभूस्वर्गं वरादिभिः

saptame divase kuryāllaṁghanaṁ tatsamāptike vaktuśca pūjā karttavyā gobhūsvargaṁ varādibhiḥ

On the seventh day, at its completion, one should observe a fast; and worship of the speaker should be performed with the gift of a cow, land, gold, and other such offerings.

Verse 39 (padma.6.198.39)

प्रसाद तुलसीं मालां श्रोतृभ्यः प्रतिदापयेत् । उत्सवश्च तथा कार्यो गीतवाद्यविशारदैः

prasāda tulasīṁ mālāṁ śrotṛbhyaḥ pratidāpayet utsavaśca tathā kāryo gītavādyaviśāradaiḥ

Prasad and a tulasi garland should be given to each of the listeners; and a festival should likewise be held, with those skilled in song and music.

Verse 40 (padma.6.198.40)

गीतार्थं शृणुयाच्चापि परेऽहनि विचक्षणः । प्रतिश्लोकं च जुहुयाद्गायत्र्या वा यथाविधि

gītārthaṁ śṛṇuyāccāpi pare'hani vicakṣaṇaḥ pratiślokaṁ ca juhuyādgāyatryā vā yathāvidhi

On the following day, the discerning one should also hear the meaning of the Gita once more; for each verse, an oblation should be duly offered, either as such or with the Gayatri mantra.

Verse 41 (padma.6.198.41)

पायसं मधुसर्पिश्च तिलांस्तंडुलकान्यवान् । शर्करां च प्रियालं च द्राक्षां वाताम खर्जुरौ

pāyasaṁ madhusarpiśca tilāṁstaṁḍulakānyavān śarkarāṁ ca priyālaṁ ca drākṣāṁ vātāma kharjurau

Rice-pudding, honey, ghee, sesame, rice, barley, sugar, priyala-nuts, grapes, and dates—

Verse 42 (padma.6.198.42)

अंभोजानि च कर्पूरं चंदनागुरुणीपुरम् । लवंगं बिल्वपत्राणि सहस्रं च पृथक्पृथक्

aṁbhojāni ca karpūraṁ caṁdanāguruṇīpuram lavaṁgaṁ bilvapatrāṇi sahasraṁ ca pṛthakpṛthak

—lotuses, camphor, sandalwood, aloewood, saffron, cloves, and bilva leaves — a thousand of each, separately—

Verse 43 (padma.6.198.43)

विघ्नस्य च विघातार्थं न्यूनाधिक्यनिवृत्तये । आत्मनः पूततार्थं च पठेन्नामसहस्रकम्

vighnasya ca vighātārthaṁ nyūnādhikyanivṛttaye ātmanaḥ pūtatārthaṁ ca paṭhennāmasahasrakam

—should be offered, for the removal of obstacles and for the correction of any deficiency or excess, and for one's own purification, one should recite the thousand names of Vishnu.

Verse 44 (padma.6.198.44)

द्वादशाष्टादशाथापि श्रद्धयाह्यधिकांस्तथा । पायसेनाशयेद्विप्रान्स्वर्णं धेनुश्च दक्षिणा

dvādaśāṣṭādaśāthāpi śraddhayāhyadhikāṁstathā pāyasenāśayedviprānsvarṇaṁ dhenuśca dakṣiṇā

With faith, one should feed twelve or eighteen brahmins, or even more, with rice-pudding, and give gold and a cow as sacrificial fee.

Verse 45 (padma.6.198.45)

व्रतसिद्ध्यर्थमप्यत्र प्रौष्ठपद्यामथापि वा । स्वर्णसिंहं विनिर्माय तस्य पृष्ठे निधाय च

vratasiddhyarthamapyatra prauṣṭhapadyāmathāpi vā svarṇasiṁhaṁ vinirmāya tasya pṛṣṭhe nidhāya ca

For the accomplishment of the vow, or also on the Bhadrapada full moon, having fashioned a golden lion and placed upon its back—

Verse 46 (padma.6.198.46)

श्रीमद्भागवतं वक्त्रे लेखयित्वा समर्पयेत् । एवं कृते विधाने तु सर्वपापनिवारणम्

śrīmadbhāgavataṁ vaktre lekhayitvā samarpayet evaṁ kṛte vidhāne tu sarvapāpanivāraṇam

—having caused the Shrimad Bhagavata to be inscribed in the speaker's own hand, one should offer it as a gift. This ritual, thus performed—

Verse 47 (padma.6.198.47)

भवेच्छ्रोतुः सुफलदं श्रीमद्भागवतं श्रुतम् । धर्मकामार्थमोक्षाणां साधनं भक्तिदायकम्

bhavecchrotuḥ suphaladaṁ śrīmadbhāgavataṁ śrutam dharmakāmārthamokṣāṇāṁ sādhanaṁ bhaktidāyakam

—wards off all sin, and the Shrimad Bhagavata, thus heard, bestows excellent fruit upon the listener; it is the means to dharma, artha, kama, and moksha, and grants devotion.

Verse 48 (padma.6.198.48)

न कार्यं विद्यते लोके यदनेन न सिध्यति । ततो भागवतं लोके पुराणेभ्योऽधिकं मतम्

na kāryaṁ vidyate loke yadanena na sidhyati tato bhāgavataṁ loke purāṇebhyo'dhikaṁ matam

There is no undertaking in this world that is not accomplished through it; therefore the Bhagavata is held in this world to surpass all other Puranas.

Verse 49 (padma.6.198.49)

दोषाष्टादशनिर्मुक्तो वाचकः परिकीर्तितः । द्वात्रिंशदपराधैर्हि मुक्तो श्रोता मतो बुधैः

doṣāṣṭādaśanirmukto vācakaḥ parikīrtitaḥ dvātriṁśadaparādhairhi mukto śrotā mato budhaiḥ

The reciter is declared to be free from eighteen faults; the listener, likewise, is held by the wise to be freed from the thirty-two offenses.

Verse 50 (padma.6.198.50)

श्रीमद्भागवतं नाम पुराणं कामदं नृणाम् । तथापि श्रवणं चास्य निष्कामस्यैव भक्तिदम्

śrīmadbhāgavataṁ nāma purāṇaṁ kāmadaṁ nṛṇām tathāpi śravaṇaṁ cāsya niṣkāmasyaiva bhaktidam

The Purana named Shrimad Bhagavata grants the desires of men; yet its hearing bestows devotion only upon one who is free of desire.

Verse 51 (padma.6.198.51)

श्रीमद्भागवताभिधः सुरतरुस्तारांकुरः सज्जनिः स्कंधैर्द्वादशभिस्ततः प्रविलसद्भक्त्यालवालोदयः । द्वात्रिंशत्त्रिशतं च यस्य विलसच्छाखाः सहस्राण्यलं पर्णान्यष्टदशेष्टदोतिसुलभो वर्वर्ति सर्वोपरि

śrīmadbhāgavatābhidhaḥ suratarustārāṁkuraḥ sajjaniḥ skaṁdhairdvādaśabhistataḥ pravilasadbhaktyālavālodayaḥ dvātriṁśattriśataṁ ca yasya vilasacchākhāḥ sahasrāṇyalaṁ parṇānyaṣṭadaśeṣṭadotisulabho varvarti sarvopari

The very wish-fulfilling celestial tree called Shrimad Bhagavata, whose sprout is the star of its first invocation, whose good birth arises with its twelve books, whose watering-basin, from which it rises, is bright devotion; whose radiant branches number three hundred thirty-two, whose leaves number a full eighteen thousand — that tree, most easily accessible to those who desire it, stands supreme above all else.

Verse 52 (padma.6.198.52)

इति ते कथितं सर्वं कृतं चापि तवेप्सितम् । ज्ञानवैराग्यभक्तीनां तारुण्यं लोकमोक्षदम्

iti te kathitaṁ sarvaṁ kṛtaṁ cāpi tavepsitam jñānavairāgyabhaktīnāṁ tāruṇyaṁ lokamokṣadam

Thus all this has been told to you, and your desire has also been fulfilled: the renewal of Jnana, Vairagya, and Bhakti, which grants the liberation of the world.

Verse 53 (padma.6.198.53)

सूत उवाच- इत्युक्ता ते कुमारास्तु कृष्णांघ्रिसुधयाप्लुताः । विरेमुर्भगवद्भक्ता दीनोद्धरणतत्पराः

sūta uvāca- ityuktā te kumārāstu kṛṣṇāṁghrisudhayāplutāḥ viremurbhagavadbhaktā dīnoddharaṇatatparāḥ

Suta said: Having spoken thus, those Kumaras, steeped in the nectar of Krishna's feet, devotees of the Lord, ever intent on raising up the wretched, fell silent.

Verse 54 (padma.6.198.54)

तद्वाक्यं तु समाकर्ण्य नारदो भगवत्प्रियः । प्रेमगद्गदया वाचा तानुवाच कृतांजलिः

tadvākyaṁ tu samākarṇya nārado bhagavatpriyaḥ premagadgadayā vācā tānuvāca kṛtāṁjaliḥ

Hearing their words, Narada, beloved of the Lord, spoke to them, his hands folded, in a voice choked with love:

Verse 55 (padma.6.198.55)

नारद उवाच- धन्योस्म्यनुगृहीतोस्मि भवद्भिः करुणापरैः । यद्भागवतसप्ताहान्निकटे दर्शितो हरिः

nārada uvāca- dhanyosmyanugṛhītosmi bhavadbhiḥ karuṇāparaiḥ yadbhāgavatasaptāhānnikaṭe darśito hariḥ

Narada said: ‘I am blessed, I am graced by you, so given to compassion, in that, through the Bhagavata Saptaha, Hari has been shown to me, close at hand.’

Verse 56 (padma.6.198.56)

एवं ब्रुवति वै तस्मिन्नारदे वैष्णवोत्तमे । पर्यटंस्तं समायातस्तत्र योगेश्वरः शुकः

evaṁ bruvati vai tasminnārade vaiṣṇavottame paryaṭaṁstaṁ samāyātastatra yogeśvaraḥ śukaḥ

As that foremost Vaishnava Narada was speaking thus, the lord of yogis, Shuka, wandering about, arrived there.

Verse 57 (padma.6.198.57)

द्विरष्टवर्षाकृतिरंबुजाक्षो व्यासात्मजो ज्ञानपयोधिचंद्रः। कथावसाने निजलाभतुष्टो हृदानिशं भागवतं पठंश्च

dviraṣṭavarṣākṛtiraṁbujākṣo vyāsātmajo jñānapayodhicaṁdraḥ kathāvasāne nijalābhatuṣṭo hṛdāniśaṁ bhāgavataṁ paṭhaṁśca

He of the appearance of a sixteen-year-old, lotus-eyed, son of Vyasa, the moon risen from the ocean of knowledge, content in his own attainment at the close of the story, ceaselessly reciting the Bhagavata within his heart—

Verse 58 (padma.6.198.58)

दृष्ट्वा सदस्यास्तमथोरुतेजसंसद्यःसमुत्थाय वरासनं ददुः । स चोपविष्टः सुखमासने यदा तदाविरासीद्धरिरब्जलोचनः

dṛṣṭvā sadasyāstamathorutejasaṁsadyaḥsamutthāya varāsanaṁ daduḥ sa copaviṣṭaḥ sukhamāsane yadā tadāvirāsīddharirabjalocanaḥ

—seeing him, of such immense splendor, the assembly rose at once and gave him an excellent seat; and when he had comfortably taken his seat, then the lotus-eyed Hari appeared.

Verse 59 (padma.6.198.59)

भवो भवान्या कमलासनः सुतैस्तत्रागतः कीर्तनदर्शनाय च । सुरेशमुख्यास्त्रिदशा विमानकैः समागतास्तैरभवद्वृतं नभः

bhavo bhavānyā kamalāsanaḥ sutaistatrāgataḥ kīrtanadarśanāya ca sureśamukhyāstridaśā vimānakaiḥ samāgatāstairabhavadvṛtaṁ nabhaḥ

Bhava, together with Bhavani, and the lotus-seated Brahma with his sons, came there to witness the kirtan; the foremost gods, headed by Indra, arrived in their celestial chariots, and the sky was filled with them.

Verse 60 (padma.6.198.60)

प्रह्लादस्तालधारीतरलगतितया ह्युद्धवः कांस्यधारी वीणाधारी सुरर्षिः स्वरकुशलतया रागकर्ताऽर्जुनोऽभूत् । इंद्रो मार्दंगिकोऽभूज्जयजय सुवचः प्रावदंस्ते कुमाराः सद्भावस्य प्रवक्ता निरतिशयगुणोव्यासपुत्रो बभूव

prahlādastāladhārītaralagatitayā hyuddhavaḥ kāṁsyadhārī vīṇādhārī surarṣiḥ svarakuśalatayā rāgakartā'rjuno'bhūt iṁdro mārdaṁgiko'bhūjjayajaya suvacaḥ prāvadaṁste kumārāḥ sadbhāvasya pravaktā niratiśayaguṇovyāsaputro babhūva

Prahlada, with his light, dancing steps, held the cymbals; Uddhava held the small cymbals; the divine sage, skilled in melody, held the vina and became the maker of the raga; Indra became the mridanga-player; those Kumaras uttered the good words ‘Jaya, Jaya!’; and Vyasa's son, of unsurpassed virtues, became the expounder of true devotion.

Verse 61 (padma.6.198.61)

ननर्त्त मध्ये त्रिकमेव तत्र ज्ञानादिकानां नवरूपयुक्तम् । अलौकिकं कीर्त्तनकं समीक्ष्य प्रसन्नचेता हरिरित्युवाच

nanartta madhye trikameva tatra jñānādikānāṁ navarūpayuktam alaukikaṁ kīrttanakaṁ samīkṣya prasannacetā harirityuvāca

In the midst of it all, that very trio — Jnana and the others, now possessed of renewed form — danced there; and Hari, beholding that superhuman kirtan, his heart delighted, spoke thus:

Verse 62 (padma.6.198.62)

मत्तो वरं भागवता वृणीध्वं प्रीतात्कथाकीर्त्तनतो भृशं वः। श्रुत्वाथ तद्वाक्यमतिप्रसन्ना प्रेमार्द्रचित्ता हरिमूचिरे ते

matto varaṁ bhāgavatā vṛṇīdhvaṁ prītātkathākīrttanato bhṛśaṁ vaḥ śrutvātha tadvākyamatiprasannā premārdracittā harimūcire te

‘O devotees, ask a boon of me; I am greatly pleased with you on account of this recitation and kirtan of the story.’ Hearing these words, they, exceedingly delighted, their hearts melted with love, said to Hari:

Verse 63 (padma.6.198.63)

कुमारा ऊचुः- सप्ताहयज्ञेन वितायतेन सद्यः प्रसन्नो भविता मुरारे । कलौयुगे घोरतरे नराणां स्वल्पायुषां विघ्नशताकुलानाम्

kumārā ūcuḥ- saptāhayajñena vitāyatena sadyaḥ prasanno bhavitā murāre kalauyuge ghoratare narāṇāṁ svalpāyuṣāṁ vighnaśatākulānām

The Kumaras said: ‘O Murari, may you become pleased at once through the seven-day sacrifice, when it is duly extended, for the men of this most terrible Kali age, of short lifespans, beset by hundreds of obstacles—’

Verse 64 (padma.6.198.64)

एवं वरं विश्वविधानपालनप्रणाशहेतोर्भवतोखिलात्मनः । वृणीमहेऽन्यो न मनोरथो विभो भवत्पदांभोजनिषेविणां हि नः

evaṁ varaṁ viśvavidhānapālanapraṇāśahetorbhavatokhilātmanaḥ vṛṇīmahe'nyo na manoratho vibho bhavatpadāṁbhojaniṣeviṇāṁ hi naḥ

‘—such is the boon we ask of you, the cause of the creation, preservation, and dissolution of the universe, the very soul of all. We have no other desire, O mighty Lord, for we are devoted only to the service of your lotus feet.’

Verse 65 (padma.6.198.65)

एवमस्त्विति चैवोक्त्वा तत्रैवांतर्दधे हरिः । नारदः सुप्रसन्नात्मा कुमारानभ्यवादयत्

evamastviti caivoktvā tatraivāṁtardadhe hariḥ nāradaḥ suprasannātmā kumārānabhyavādayat

Saying ‘So be it,’ Hari disappeared right there. Narada, his soul greatly pleased, bowed in reverence to the Kumaras.

Verse 66 (padma.6.198.66)

ततस्ते सनकाद्याश्च भृग्वाद्याश्च शुकादयः । प्रययुः स्वाश्रमान्हृष्टाः पीत्वा तच्च कथामृतम्

tataste sanakādyāśca bhṛgvādyāśca śukādayaḥ prayayuḥ svāśramānhṛṣṭāḥ pītvā tacca kathāmṛtam

Then Sanaka and the others, Bhrigu and the others, and Shuka and the rest, having drunk of that nectar of the story, went joyfully to their own hermitages.

Verse 67 (padma.6.198.67)

भक्तिः सुताभ्यां सहिता नारदेन प्रवर्तिता । भूमंडले समस्तेऽस्मिस्तदा प्रभृति शौनक

bhaktiḥ sutābhyāṁ sahitā nāradena pravartitā bhūmaṁḍale samaste'smistadā prabhṛti śaunaka

O Shaunaka, Bhakti, together with her two sons, set going by Narada, has since that time spread throughout this entire earth.

Verse 68 (padma.6.198.68)

शिव उवाच- आख्यानं महदाकर्ण्य प्रीतात्मा शौनकः प्रिये । पर्यपृच्छत्पुनः सूतं सर्वसंदेहभंजनम्

śiva uvāca- ākhyānaṁ mahadākarṇya prītātmā śaunakaḥ priye paryapṛcchatpunaḥ sūtaṁ sarvasaṁdehabhaṁjanam

Shiva said: O beloved, having heard this great narrative, Shaunaka, his soul delighted, again questioned Suta, the destroyer of every doubt.

Verse 69 (padma.6.198.69)

शौनक उवाच-। शुकेनोक्तं कदा राज्ञे गोकर्णेन कदा पुनः । सुरर्षये कदा ब्राह्मैरेतदाख्याहि मानद

śaunaka uvāca- śukenoktaṁ kadā rājñe gokarṇena kadā punaḥ surarṣaye kadā brāhmairetadākhyāhi mānada

Shaunaka said: ‘When was it told by Shuka to the king? And when, again, was it told by Gokarna? And when to the divine sage, and when by Brahma? Tell me this, O giver of honor.’

Verse 70 (padma.6.198.70)

सूत उवाच- श्रीकृष्णनिर्गमात्त्रिंशद्वर्षावधिगते कलौ । भाद्रशुक्लनवम्यां वै कथारंभं शुकोऽकरोत्

sūta uvāca- śrīkṛṣṇanirgamāttriṁśadvarṣāvadhigate kalau bhādraśuklanavamyāṁ vai kathāraṁbhaṁ śuko'karot

Suta said: When thirty years had passed of Kali since the departure of Shri Krishna, Shuka began the recitation on the ninth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada.

Verse 71 (padma.6.198.71)

परीक्षिच्छ्रवणांते तु गते वर्षशतद्वये । शुचिशुक्लनवम्यां तु गोकर्णोकथयत्कथाम्

parīkṣicchravaṇāṁte tu gate varṣaśatadvaye śuciśuklanavamyāṁ tu gokarṇokathayatkathām

At the end of Parikshit's hearing, when two hundred years had passed, on the ninth of the bright fortnight of Ashadha, Gokarna told the story.

Verse 72 (padma.6.198.72)

कलौ सहस्रमब्दानामधुना प्रगतं द्विज । परीक्षितो जन्मकालात्समाप्तिं नीयतां मखः

kalau sahasramabdānāmadhunā pragataṁ dvija parīkṣito janmakālātsamāptiṁ nīyatāṁ makhaḥ

O brahmin, a thousand years of Kali have now elapsed since the time of Parikshit's birth; let the sacrifice be brought to its conclusion.

Verse 73 (padma.6.198.73)

ईश्वर उवाच- इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य शौनको मुनिसत्तमः । पूर्णं चकार तं यज्ञं सहस्रपरिवत्सरम्

īśvara uvāca- iti śrutvā vacastasya śaunako munisattamaḥ pūrṇaṁ cakāra taṁ yajñaṁ sahasraparivatsaram

Ishvara said: Hearing these words, Shaunaka, best of sages, completed that sacrifice, which had lasted a thousand years.

Verse 74 (padma.6.198.74)

ब्राह्मं पाद्मं वैष्णवं च कौर्म्यं मात्स्यं च वामनम् । वाराहं ब्रह्मवैवर्त्तनारदीयं भविष्यकम्

brāhmaṁ pādmaṁ vaiṣṇavaṁ ca kaurmyaṁ mātsyaṁ ca vāmanam vārāhaṁ brahmavaivarttanāradīyaṁ bhaviṣyakam

The Brahma, the Padma, the Vaishnava, the Kaurma, the Matsya, and the Vamana—

Verse 75 (padma.6.198.75)

आग्नेयमर्द्धं वै सूताच्छुश्रुवुर्लोमहर्षणात् । एतानि तु पुराणानि द्वापरांते श्रुतानि हि

āgneyamarddhaṁ vai sūtācchuśruvurlomaharṣaṇāt etāni tu purāṇāni dvāparāṁte śrutāni hi

—the Varaha, the Brahmavaivarta, the Naradiya, the Bhavishya, and half of the Agneya — these they heard from Suta Lomaharshana. These Puranas, indeed, were heard at the end of Dvapara—

Verse 76 (padma.6.198.76)

शौनकाद्यैर्मुनिवरैर्यज्ञारंभात्पुरैव हि । यदा तु तीर्थयात्रायां वलदेवः समागतः

śaunakādyairmunivarairyajñāraṁbhātpuraiva hi yadā tu tīrthayātrāyāṁ valadevaḥ samāgataḥ

—by Shaunaka and the other excellent sages, even before the beginning of that sacrifice. Then, when Baladeva, on his pilgrimage, arrived—

Verse 77 (padma.6.198.77)

नैमिषं मिश्रिकं नाम समाहूतो मुनीश्वरैः । तत्र सूतं समासीनं दृष्ट्वा त्वध्यासनोपरि

naimiṣaṁ miśrikaṁ nāma samāhūto munīśvaraiḥ tatra sūtaṁ samāsīnaṁ dṛṣṭvā tvadhyāsanopari

—at Naimisha, also called Mishrika, having been invited there by the lords of sages, seeing Suta seated there upon an elevated seat—

Verse 78 (padma.6.198.78)

चुक्षुभे भगवान्रामः पर्वणीव महोदधिः । आषाढशुक्लद्वादश्यां पारणाहनि पार्वति

cukṣubhe bhagavānrāmaḥ parvaṇīva mahodadhiḥ āṣāḍhaśukladvādaśyāṁ pāraṇāhani pārvati

—the Lord Rama grew agitated, like the great ocean on a full-moon day. O Parvati, on the twelfth of the bright fortnight of Ashadha, on the day of breaking a fast—

Verse 79 (padma.6.198.79)

पूर्वार्द्धयामवेलायां भावित्वात्कृष्णमायया । मुग्धो दर्भकरो रामः प्राहरल्लोमहर्षणम्

pūrvārddhayāmavelāyāṁ bhāvitvātkṛṣṇamāyayā mugdho darbhakaro rāmaḥ prāharallomaharṣaṇam

—in the early part of the watch, through what was destined by Krishna's Maya, Rama, bewildered, with kusha grass in his hand, struck Lomaharshana.

Verse 80 (padma.6.198.80)

ततो मुनिगणाः सर्वे हाहाकारपरायणाः । बभूवुर्नगजेत्यर्थं शोकदुःखाकुलांतराः

tato munigaṇāḥ sarve hāhākāraparāyaṇāḥ babhūvurnagajetyarthaṁ śokaduḥkhākulāṁtarāḥ

Then all the sages, O daughter of the mountain, gave themselves over to cries of grief, their hearts overwhelmed with sorrow and pain.

Verse 81 (padma.6.198.81)

ऊचुश्च रामं लोकेशं विनयेन क्षमापराः । ऋषय ऊचुः- रामराम महाबाहो भवता लोककारिणा

ūcuśca rāmaṁ lokeśaṁ vinayena kṣamāparāḥ ṛṣaya ūcuḥ- rāmarāma mahābāho bhavatā lokakāriṇā

And they spoke to Rama, lord of the world, with humility, seeking his forgiveness. The sages said: ‘O Rama, Rama, mighty-armed one! By you, the maker of the world—’

Verse 82 (padma.6.198.82)

अजानतेवाचरिता हिंसा ब्रह्मवधाधिका । व्यासशिष्यो ह्ययं साक्षात्पुराणर्षिर्महातपाः

ajānatevācaritā hiṁsā brahmavadhādhikā vyāsaśiṣyo hyayaṁ sākṣātpurāṇarṣirmahātapāḥ

‘—an act of violence, unknowingly done, greater than the killing of a brahmin, has been committed. This man is Vyasa's own disciple, verily a Puranic sage, of great austerity—’

Verse 83 (padma.6.198.83)

अस्मै ह्यध्यासनं दत्तमस्माभिर्यज्ञकर्मणि । अष्टादशपुराणानां वाचकाय कृतक्षणैः

asmai hyadhyāsanaṁ dattamasmābhiryajñakarmaṇi aṣṭādaśapurāṇānāṁ vācakāya kṛtakṣaṇaiḥ

‘—to him an elevated seat was given by us, in this sacrificial rite, for the reciter of the eighteen Puranas, by us who had allotted him this occasion—’

Verse 84 (padma.6.198.84)

कथायां जगदीशस्य दीर्घमायुश्च मानद । तद्भवांल्लोकरक्षार्थं धर्मसेतुप्रवर्तकः

kathāyāṁ jagadīśasya dīrghamāyuśca mānada tadbhavāṁllokarakṣārthaṁ dharmasetupravartakaḥ

‘—O giver of honor, in the telling of the Lord of the universe's story, long life was granted to him. Therefore, for the protection of the world, you, the establisher of the bridge of dharma—’

Verse 85 (padma.6.198.85)

आविर्भूतो जगन्नाथो निग्रहानुग्रहक्षमः । इत्युक्त्वा मुनयस्ते तु बलदेवाग्रतः प्रिये

āvirbhūto jagannātho nigrahānugrahakṣamaḥ ityuktvā munayaste tu baladevāgrataḥ priye

‘—O Lord of the universe, capable both of chastisement and of grace, have appeared.’ Having said this, O beloved, those sages, before Baladeva—

Verse 86 (padma.6.198.86)

तूष्णीं बभूवुः सहसा स्मरंतो नियतेर्बलम् । ततः प्रोवाच भगवान्रामः शत्रुनिषूदनः

tūṣṇīṁ babhūvuḥ sahasā smaraṁto niyaterbalam tataḥ provāca bhagavānrāmaḥ śatruniṣūdanaḥ

—suddenly fell silent, reflecting upon the power of destiny. Then the Lord Rama, the destroyer of enemies, spoke—

Verse 87 (padma.6.198.87)

विप्रान्संप्रीणयंस्तांस्तु लोकवेदपथानुगः । श्रीराम उवाच- विप्राः शृणुत भद्रं वः कोपं त्यक्त्वा सुदूरतः

viprānsaṁprīṇayaṁstāṁstu lokavedapathānugaḥ śrīrāma uvāca- viprāḥ śṛṇuta bhadraṁ vaḥ kopaṁ tyaktvā sudūrataḥ

—gladdening those brahmins, following the path of both the world and the Vedas. Shri Rama said: ‘O brahmins, listen; may good befall you; cast your anger far away—’

Verse 88 (padma.6.198.88)

यदहं वेद्मि भवतामभीष्टं कार्यसिद्धिदम् । अस्य पुत्रो महाज्ञानी भविष्यति वरान्मम

yadahaṁ vedmi bhavatāmabhīṣṭaṁ kāryasiddhidam asya putro mahājñānī bhaviṣyati varānmama

‘—for I know that which is desired by you, that which brings about the accomplishment of your task. By my boon, this man's son shall become a man of great knowledge—’

Verse 89 (padma.6.198.89)

भवतामीप्सितं सर्वं शास्त्रं वै कथयिष्यति । यदर्थमहमाहूतस्तच्च कार्य्यं समुच्यताम्

bhavatāmīpsitaṁ sarvaṁ śāstraṁ vai kathayiṣyati yadarthamahamāhūtastacca kāryyaṁ samucyatām

‘—and shall recite for you the entire scripture as you desire. Now, let that task for which I was summoned here be carried out.’

Verse 90 (padma.6.198.90)

ईश्वर उवाच- इति श्रुत्वा वचस्ते तु रामस्य सुमहात्मनः । बल्वलस्य वधार्थाय प्रेरयामासुरीश्वरम्

īśvara uvāca- iti śrutvā vacaste tu rāmasya sumahātmanaḥ balvalasya vadhārthāya prerayāmāsurīśvaram

Ishvara said: Hearing these words of the great-souled Rama, they then urged the Lord to go and slay the demon Balvala.

Verse 91 (padma.6.198.91)

ततः स बल्वलं हत्वा प्रसाद्य मुनिपुंगवान् । प्रणिपत्याभ्यनुज्ञातस्तीर्थयात्रामुपागमत्

tataḥ sa balvalaṁ hatvā prasādya munipuṁgavān praṇipatyābhyanujñātastīrthayātrāmupāgamat

Then, having slain Balvala and pleased those foremost sages, and, bowing before them, having taken their leave, he resumed his pilgrimage.

Verse 92 (padma.6.198.92)

तीर्थयात्रां गते रामे शौनकाद्या मुनीश्वराः । लौमहर्षणिमाहूय सत्कृत्य नगनंदिनि

tīrthayātrāṁ gate rāme śaunakādyā munīśvarāḥ laumaharṣaṇimāhūya satkṛtya naganaṁdini

O daughter of the mountain, when Rama had gone on his pilgrimage, Shaunaka and the other lords of sages summoned the son of Lomaharshana, honored him—

Verse 93 (padma.6.198.93)

तत्पदे स्थापयामासुः शेषं संकीर्तनाय वै । आग्नेयोत्तरमाहात्म्यं श्रीमद्भागवतांतकम्

tatpade sthāpayāmāsuḥ śeṣaṁ saṁkīrtanāya vai āgneyottaramāhātmyaṁ śrīmadbhāgavatāṁtakam

—and established him in his father's place, for the recitation of the remainder — the latter glory of the Agneya, together with the concluding portion, the Shrimad Bhagavata.

Verse 94 (padma.6.198.94)

पुराणसप्तकं सार्द्धं शुश्रुवुर्हृष्टमानसाः । दशसप्तपुराणानि कृत्वा सत्यवतीसुतः

purāṇasaptakaṁ sārddhaṁ śuśruvurhṛṣṭamānasāḥ daśasaptapurāṇāni kṛtvā satyavatīsutaḥ

With joyful minds they heard those seven and a half Puranas. Having composed the seventeen Puranas, the son of Satyavati—

Verse 95 (padma.6.198.95)

नाप्तवान्मनसस्तोषं भारतेनापि भामिनि । ज्ञात्वास्य हृदयं खिन्नं नारदो देवदर्शनः

nāptavānmanasastoṣaṁ bhāratenāpi bhāmini jñātvāsya hṛdayaṁ khinnaṁ nārado devadarśanaḥ

—yet found no satisfaction of mind, O gracious lady, even with the Mahabharata added. Learning that his heart was troubled, Narada, of divine vision—

Verse 96 (padma.6.198.96)

समाजगाम भगवान्व्यासस्याश्रममुत्तमम् । तं दृष्ट्वा वासवीसूनुः सत्कृत्यासनपूर्वकम्

samājagāma bhagavānvyāsasyāśramamuttamam taṁ dṛṣṭvā vāsavīsūnuḥ satkṛtyāsanapūrvakam

—came to the excellent hermitage of the blessed Vyasa. Seeing him, the son of Vasavi, having honored him first with a seat—

Verse 97 (padma.6.198.97)

नारदं पूजयामास विधिदृष्टेनकर्मणा । अथ तं नारदः प्राह किं भवान्क्लिष्टमानसः

nāradaṁ pūjayāmāsa vidhidṛṣṭenakarmaṇā atha taṁ nāradaḥ prāha kiṁ bhavānkliṣṭamānasaḥ

—worshipped Narada with the rites prescribed by scripture. Then Narada said to him: ‘Why are you so troubled in mind—’

Verse 98 (padma.6.198.98)

ध्यायते तत्समाचक्ष्व सर्वं संदेहकारणम् । इति पृष्टः स मुनिना पराशर सुतोऽब्रवीत्

dhyāyate tatsamācakṣva sarvaṁ saṁdehakāraṇam iti pṛṣṭaḥ sa muninā parāśara suto'bravīt

‘—so deep in thought? Tell me all of it, the cause of your doubt.’ Thus questioned by the sage, the son of Parashara said:

Verse 99 (padma.6.198.99)

ब्रह्मन्किं कारणं चेतो मोहे जाने न तत्त्वहम् । भवान्विज्ञानकुशलो ज्ञात्वा तत्प्रब्रवीतु मे

brahmankiṁ kāraṇaṁ ceto mohe jāne na tattvaham bhavānvijñānakuśalo jñātvā tatprabravītu me

‘O brahmin, I do not myself know the true reason why my mind is in such confusion. You, skilled in true knowledge, having understood it, please tell it to me.’

Verse 100 (padma.6.198.100)

एवं विज्ञापितस्तेन नारदोऽध्यात्मकोविदः । उवाच परमं तत्वं यदुक्तं विधिनात्मने

evaṁ vijñāpitastena nārado'dhyātmakovidaḥ uvāca paramaṁ tatvaṁ yaduktaṁ vidhinātmane

Thus entreated by him, Narada, learned in spiritual truth, declared to him the supreme truth, which had been told by Brahma to himself.

Verse 101 (padma.6.198.101)

नारद उवाच- शृणु पाराशरे मत्तः कारणं येन वै तव । असंपन्नं मनो भाति शास्त्रयोनेरपि प्रभोः

nārada uvāca- śṛṇu pārāśare mattaḥ kāraṇaṁ yena vai tava asaṁpannaṁ mano bhāti śāstrayonerapi prabhoḥ

Narada said: ‘Listen, O son of Parashara, from me the reason why your mind appears unfulfilled, though you are the very source of the scriptures.’

Verse 102 (padma.6.198.102)

त्वयावतीर्य लोकेस्मिन्वेदा व्यस्ता विभागशः । कृतानि च पुराणानि सेतिहासानि चानघ

tvayāvatīrya lokesminvedā vyastā vibhāgaśaḥ kṛtāni ca purāṇāni setihāsāni cānagha

‘By you, having descended into this world, the Vedas were divided into their portions, O sinless one, and the Puranas were composed, together with the histories—’

Verse 103 (padma.6.198.103)

यत्र सर्वस्त्रयी धर्मो वर्णाश्रमनिवासिनाम् । निर्दिष्टो वीक्ष्य कालेन नृणामल्पायुषां कलौ

yatra sarvastrayī dharmo varṇāśramanivāsinām nirdiṣṭo vīkṣya kālena nṛṇāmalpāyuṣāṁ kalau

‘—in which the entire dharma of the three Vedas for those dwelling in the four castes and stages of life was set forth, having taken account of time — for men of short lifespan, in the Kali age—’

Verse 104 (padma.6.198.104)

यत्राधिकारः सर्वेषां दृश्यते श्रवणादिषु । स्त्री शूद्र द्विजबंधूनां साधूनां साधुसंगमः

yatrādhikāraḥ sarveṣāṁ dṛśyate śravaṇādiṣu strī śūdra dvijabaṁdhūnāṁ sādhūnāṁ sādhusaṁgamaḥ

‘—in which eligibility for hearing and the like is seen for all — for women, shudras, and unlettered brahmins, for the saintly, for the company of saints—’

Verse 105 (padma.6.198.105)

धर्मादयो यथाशश्वद्वर्णितास्तेषु वै त्वया । प्राधान्येन तथा नैव वर्णितो महिमा हरेः । सर्वधर्मक्रियाशून्ये कलौ दोषनिधौ मुने

dharmādayo yathāśaśvadvarṇitāsteṣu vai tvayā prādhānyena tathā naiva varṇito mahimā hareḥ sarvadharmakriyāśūnye kalau doṣanidhau mune

‘—dharma and the other goals of life have been repeatedly described by you in them; yet the glory of Hari has not been described therein with primary emphasis. O sage, in the Kali age, devoid of all dharma-observance, an ocean of faults—’

Verse 106 (padma.6.198.106)

न गतिः पापकर्तॄणां विना कृष्णकथाऽमृतम् । एष एव गुणो ह्यस्मिन्घोरे कलियुगे नराः

na gatiḥ pāpakartṝṇāṁ vinā kṛṣṇakathā'mṛtam eṣa eva guṇo hyasminghore kaliyuge narāḥ

‘—there is no refuge for sinners except the nectar of Krishna's story. This alone is the one redeeming virtue in this terrible Kali age—’

Verse 107 (padma.6.198.107)

यत्कृष्णकीर्तनेनैव मुच्यंते कर्मबंधनात् । यज्ञो दानं तपः कर्म ज्ञानं ध्यानं कृतादिषु

yatkṛṣṇakīrtanenaiva mucyaṁte karmabaṁdhanāt yajño dānaṁ tapaḥ karma jñānaṁ dhyānaṁ kṛtādiṣu

‘—that they are freed from the bondage of karma by the mere kirtan of Krishna. Sacrifice, charity, austerity, ritual action, knowledge, and meditation, in the Krita and other ages—’

Verse 108 (padma.6.198.108)

सिद्धिदं च तथा ब्रह्मन्नामकीर्त्तनकं कलौ । अतो वै कलिजातानामुद्धारार्थं नृणां भवान्

siddhidaṁ ca tathā brahmannāmakīrttanakaṁ kalau ato vai kalijātānāmuddhārārthaṁ nṛṇāṁ bhavān

‘—brought accomplishment; but in Kali, it is the kirtan of the divine name. Therefore, for the deliverance of men born in Kali, you—’

Verse 109 (padma.6.198.109)

श्रीमद्भागवतं नाम पुराणं वर्णयत्वलम् । येन प्रवर्तितेनांग भवतो मानसं ध्रुवम्

śrīmadbhāgavataṁ nāma purāṇaṁ varṇayatvalam yena pravartitenāṁga bhavato mānasaṁ dhruvam

‘—should fully expound the Purana named Shrimad Bhagavata. By its being set forth, O child, your mind shall surely—’

Verse 110 (padma.6.198.110)

तोषमेष्यति लोकाश्च प्राप्स्यंति कृतकृत्यताम्

toṣameṣyati lokāśca prāpsyaṁti kṛtakṛtyatām

‘—attain satisfaction, and the worlds shall attain their fulfillment.’

Verse 111 (padma.6.198.111)

ईश्वर उवाच- एवमादिश्य स मुनिर्व्यासायामिततेजसे । ययौ यादृच्छिकः शश्वद्गायन्हरिगुणान्प्रिये

īśvara uvāca- evamādiśya sa munirvyāsāyāmitatejase yayau yādṛcchikaḥ śaśvadgāyanhariguṇānpriye

Ishvara said: Having thus instructed Vyasa, of immeasurable splendor, that sage, O beloved, went on his way at will, ever singing the virtues of Hari.

Verse 112 (padma.6.198.112)

नारदे तु गते पश्चाद्व्यासः सर्वार्थदर्शनः । चकार संहितामेतां श्रीमद्भावतीं पराम्

nārade tu gate paścādvyāsaḥ sarvārthadarśanaḥ cakāra saṁhitāmetāṁ śrīmadbhāvatīṁ parām

After Narada had gone, Vyasa, seer of every truth, composed this supreme scripture, the Shrimad Bhagavata Samhita.

Verse 113 (padma.6.198.113)

पैलादींश्चतुरो वेदानध्याप्य विधिपूर्वकम् । पुराणसंहिताः सर्वाः सूताय प्रत्यपादयत्

pailādīṁścaturo vedānadhyāpya vidhipūrvakam purāṇasaṁhitāḥ sarvāḥ sūtāya pratyapādayat

Having duly taught the four Vedas to Paila and the other disciples, he entrusted all the Puranic compendiums to Suta.

Verse 114 (padma.6.198.114)

श्रीमद्भागवतं नाम पुराणं ब्रह्मसंमितम् । शुकमध्यापयामास विरतं लोकवेदतः

śrīmadbhāgavataṁ nāma purāṇaṁ brahmasaṁmitam śukamadhyāpayāmāsa virataṁ lokavedataḥ

He taught the Purana named Shrimad Bhagavata, equal in authority to the Veda, to Shuka, who was detached from the ways of both the world and the Veda.

Verse 115 (padma.6.198.115)

सा संहिता भागवती लोमहर्षणसूनुना । श्रुता कथयतो राज्ञे औत्तरेयाय वै शुकात्

sā saṁhitā bhāgavatī lomaharṣaṇasūnunā śrutā kathayato rājñe auttareyāya vai śukāt

That Bhagavata compilation was heard by the son of Lomaharshana from Shuka, as he recited it to the king, the son of Uttara.

Verse 116 (padma.6.198.116)

शौनकादिऋषिभ्यस्तु तेन प्रोक्ता यथार्थतः । वरीवर्त्ति पुराणानामुपरीयं नगात्मने

śaunakādiṛṣibhyastu tena proktā yathārthataḥ varīvartti purāṇānāmuparīyaṁ nagātmane

By him it was told, exactly as it was, to Shaunaka and the other sages. This scripture, O daughter of the mountain, stands supreme above all other Puranas.

Verse 117 (padma.6.198.117)

अस्यां संलग्नचित्तानां नृणामन्यत्र नो रतिः । जायते मानसे कृष्णो नंदसूनुश्चकास्ति च

asyāṁ saṁlagnacittānāṁ nṛṇāmanyatra no ratiḥ jāyate mānase kṛṣṇo naṁdasūnuścakāsti ca

For men whose minds are attached to it, there arises no delight elsewhere; Krishna, the son of Nanda, shines forth within their minds.

Verse 118 (padma.6.198.118)

यत्तु पृष्टं त्वया भद्रे लोकनिस्तारहेतवे । श्रीभागवतमाहात्म्यं मह्यं संकीर्त्तयेति ह

yattu pṛṣṭaṁ tvayā bhadre lokanistārahetave śrībhāgavatamāhātmyaṁ mahyaṁ saṁkīrttayeti ha

That which you asked me, O gracious one, for the sake of the world's deliverance — ‘Declare to me the glory of the Shri Bhagavata’ —

Verse 119 (padma.6.198.119)

तत्सर्वं च मया तुभ्यं निर्दिष्टं गणपांबिके । नानेतिहाससहितं भक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायकम्

tatsarvaṁ ca mayā tubhyaṁ nirdiṣṭaṁ gaṇapāṁbike nānetihāsasahitaṁ bhaktimuktipradāyakam

—all of that has now been declared by me to you, O mother of the Ganas, together with its various histories, bestowing both devotion and liberation.

Verse 120 (padma.6.198.120)

यः शृणोति नरो भक्त्या माहात्म्यं पठतेऽपि च । अनुमोदनेन वा सोपि लभते परमां गतिम्

yaḥ śṛṇoti naro bhaktyā māhātmyaṁ paṭhate'pi ca anumodanena vā sopi labhate paramāṁ gatim

Whatever man hears this glory with devotion, or even recites it, or merely rejoices in it being told — he too attains the supreme goal.

Verse 121 (padma.6.198.121)

द्विजोऽधीत्याप्नुयाद्वेदान्क्षत्रियस्तु लभेज्जयम् । धनं वैश्यस्तथाशूद्रः श्रुत्वैव लभते गतिम्

dvijo'dhītyāpnuyādvedānkṣatriyastu labhejjayam dhanaṁ vaiśyastathāśūdraḥ śrutvaiva labhate gatim

A brahmin, by studying it, attains the fruit of the Vedas; a kshatriya obtains victory; a vaishya, wealth; and a shudra, merely by hearing it, attains the highest destiny.