The Curse of Budha

Verse 1 (padma.6.215.1)

सौभरिरुवाच- युधिष्ठिरेदमाकर्ण्य नारदस्य वचः शुभम् । शिबिरौशीनरो राजा विनीतस्तमुवाच ह

saubhariruvāca- yudhiṣṭhiredamākarṇya nāradasya vacaḥ śubham śibirauśīnaro rājā vinītastamuvāca ha

Saubhari said: O Yudhishthira, hearing this auspicious word of Narada, King Shibi, lord of the Ushinaras, spoke to him with humility.

Verse 2 (padma.6.215.2)

शिबिरुवाच- मुने मया तु माहात्म्यं श्रुतं मधुवनस्य वै । त्वन्मुखात्किंतु संदेहो ह्येकोस्ति मम मानसे

śibiruvāca- mune mayā tu māhātmyaṁ śrutaṁ madhuvanasya vai tvanmukhātkiṁtu saṁdeho hyekosti mama mānase

Shibi said: 'O sage, I have heard from you the glory of Madhuvana; but one doubt remains in my mind.'

Verse 3 (padma.6.215.3)

येन धर्मात्मना सर्वे तारिता निजबांधवाः । जन्मद्वयकृता ह्यासीत्स कथं स्वैरिणीसुतः

yena dharmātmanā sarve tāritā nijabāṁdhavāḥ janmadvayakṛtā hyāsītsa kathaṁ svairiṇīsutaḥ

'That righteous man by whom all his kinsmen were delivered — how, though born through two births, did he come to be called the son of a wanton woman?'

Verse 4 (padma.6.215.4)

एतदाचक्ष्व भगवन्सर्वस्वं वेत्सि तत्त्वतः । अतीतं वर्त्तमानं च भविष्यमपि नारद

etadācakṣva bhagavansarvasvaṁ vetsi tattvataḥ atītaṁ varttamānaṁ ca bhaviṣyamapi nārada

'O blessed one, tell me this; you know all things truly — past, present, and future too, O Narada.'

Verse 5 (padma.6.215.5)

नारद उवाच- एकदा मुनयः सर्वे हरिद्वारे समागताः । दशम्यां ज्येष्ठशुक्लस्य युक्तायां सर्वपर्वभिः

nārada uvāca- ekadā munayaḥ sarve haridvāre samāgatāḥ daśamyāṁ jyeṣṭhaśuklasya yuktāyāṁ sarvaparvabhiḥ

Narada said: 'Once, all the sages gathered at Haridvara, on the tenth day of the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha, a day joined with every auspicious observance.'

Verse 6 (padma.6.215.6)

तत्र ते विधिवत्स्नात्वा कृत्वा च स्वक्रियां शुभाम् । हिमाचलस्य पृष्ठे तु स्वस्थचित्ता उपाविशन्

tatra te vidhivatsnātvā kṛtvā ca svakriyāṁ śubhām himācalasya pṛṣṭhe tu svasthacittā upāviśan

'There, having duly bathed and performed their own auspicious daily rites, they sat down, their minds at ease, upon the ridge of the Himalaya.'

Verse 7 (padma.6.215.7)

तारात्मजो बुधस्तत्र मुनिसंगे समागतः । र्सौदर्यभरसंयुक्तः स्मरो मूर्त्त इवापरः

tārātmajo budhastatra munisaṁge samāgataḥ rsaudaryabharasaṁyuktaḥ smaro mūrtta ivāparaḥ

'There, Budha, son of Tara, also arrived amid that gathering of sages — as though a second Kama incarnate, laden with beauty.'

Verse 8 (padma.6.215.8)

तं समागतमालोक्य समुत्तस्थुर्मुनीश्वराः । तेनाभिवंदिता मूर्ध्ना पुनस्ते समुपाविशन्

taṁ samāgatamālokya samuttasthurmunīśvarāḥ tenābhivaṁditā mūrdhnā punaste samupāviśan

'Seeing him arrive, all the lords of sages rose to their feet; and, saluted by him with a bowed head, they sat down once more.'

Verse 9 (padma.6.215.9)

बुधस्यादरमालोक्य विहितं मुनिपुंगवैः । मुनिपुत्रः स पप्रच्छ पितरं स्वमिति प्रभो

budhasyādaramālokya vihitaṁ munipuṁgavaiḥ muniputraḥ sa papraccha pitaraṁ svamiti prabho

'O lord, seeing this honor shown to Budha by the foremost sages, that sage's son asked his own father this—'

Verse 10 (padma.6.215.10)

मुनिपुत्र उवाच- कोऽयं तात समायातः सौंदर्येणापरः स्मरः । व्यासादिभिर्मुनिवरैर्भृशं तस्यादरः कृतः

muniputra uvāca- ko'yaṁ tāta samāyātaḥ sauṁdaryeṇāparaḥ smaraḥ vyāsādibhirmunivarairbhṛśaṁ tasyādaraḥ kṛtaḥ

The sage's son said: 'O father, who is this who has arrived here, a second Kama in beauty, whom even Vyasa and the other foremost sages have honored so greatly?'

Verse 11 (padma.6.215.11)

नारद उवाच- इत्याकर्ण्य स धर्मात्मा स्वस्य पुत्रस्य भाषितम् । बभाषे मुनिशार्दूलः पुत्रं निर्बंधसंयुतम्

nārada uvāca- ityākarṇya sa dharmātmā svasya putrasya bhāṣitam babhāṣe muniśārdūlaḥ putraṁ nirbaṁdhasaṁyutam

Narada said: 'Hearing this speech of his son, that righteous, foremost of sages spoke to his insistent son.'

Verse 12 (padma.6.215.12)

पितोवाच- बृहस्पतेः सुरगुरोः सुतस्तारोदरोदोद्भवः । बुद्धिमान्बुधनामायं शशिवंशकरः परः

pitovāca- bṛhaspateḥ suraguroḥ sutastārodarododbhavaḥ buddhimānbudhanāmāyaṁ śaśivaṁśakaraḥ paraḥ

The father said: 'This is the son of Brihaspati, guru of the gods, born from Tara's womb — the wise one named Budha, the great founder of the lunar dynasty.'

Verse 13 (padma.6.215.13)

पुत्र उवाच- किं त्वया कथितं तात निःसंबंधपरं वचः । बृहस्पतेः सुतो यस्तु स कथं शशिवंशकृत्

putra uvāca- kiṁ tvayā kathitaṁ tāta niḥsaṁbaṁdhaparaṁ vacaḥ bṛhaspateḥ suto yastu sa kathaṁ śaśivaṁśakṛt

The son said: 'What is this disconnected thing you have said, my father? How can one who is Brihaspati's son be the founder of the lunar dynasty?'

Verse 14 (padma.6.215.14)

जज्ञे न सूयया तात विधुरत्रेर्मुनीश्वरात् । तस्यवंशस्य कर्त्तायं कथं सुरगुरोः सुतः

jajñe na sūyayā tāta vidhuratrermunīśvarāt tasyavaṁśasya karttāyaṁ kathaṁ suraguroḥ sutaḥ

'O father, just as the moon was not born to sage Atri from Anasuya in this case — how then has this son of the gods' guru become the founder of that lineage?'

Verse 15 (padma.6.215.15)

एष मे मानसे तात संशयो वर्तते महान् । तमपाकुरु विप्रेंद्र संदिहानस्य मे शिशोः

eṣa me mānase tāta saṁśayo vartate mahān tamapākuru vipreṁdra saṁdihānasya me śiśoḥ

'O father, this is a great doubt in my mind; O foremost of brahmins, remove this doubt of your doubting child.'

Verse 16 (padma.6.215.16)

पितोवाच- पुरा बृहस्पतेर्भार्या तारानाम यशस्विनी । चंद्रेणापहृता तात बलाद्बलवता तदा

pitovāca- purā bṛhaspaterbhāryā tārānāma yaśasvinī caṁdreṇāpahṛtā tāta balādbalavatā tadā

The father said: 'Long ago, my child, Brihaspati's illustrious wife, named Tara, was forcibly carried off by the mighty Moon.'

Verse 17 (padma.6.215.17)

अपहृत्य तदा नीता स्वगृहं विधिना गुरोः । भार्या सा तु तया सार्द्धं रमितं तेन वै चिरम्

apahṛtya tadā nītā svagṛhaṁ vidhinā guroḥ bhāryā sā tu tayā sārddhaṁ ramitaṁ tena vai ciram

'Having abducted the guru's wife, he took her to his own home, and long enjoyed her company there.'

Verse 18 (padma.6.215.18)

तस्मागर्भोऽभवत्तात कालेन कियता तदा । ततो बृहस्पतिर्भार्या निजां तां समयाचत

tasmāgarbho'bhavattāta kālena kiyatā tadā tato bṛhaspatirbhāryā nijāṁ tāṁ samayācata

'My child, after some time she conceived; then Brihaspati demanded his own wife back.'

Verse 19 (padma.6.215.19)

चंद्रमापि मदाविष्टो न ददौ बलदर्पितः । ततो बृहस्पतिस्तात देवैः शक्रादिभिः सह

caṁdramāpi madāviṣṭo na dadau baladarpitaḥ tato bṛhaspatistāta devaiḥ śakrādibhiḥ saha

'The Moon, intoxicated with pride in his own strength, would not give her up; then, my child, Brihaspati, together with Indra and the other gods—'

Verse 20 (padma.6.215.20)

सन्नद्धो योद्धुमारेभे समं बलवदिंदुना । सहायार्थं विधोः शुक्रः समं दितिजदानवैः

sannaddho yoddhumārebhe samaṁ balavadiṁdunā sahāyārthaṁ vidhoḥ śukraḥ samaṁ ditijadānavaiḥ

'—armed himself to do battle with the mighty Moon. To aid the Moon, Shukra, together with the daityas and danavas—'

Verse 21 (padma.6.215.21)

समागतस्तदा तात तस्मिन्रणसमुद्यमे । ततस्तारानिमित्तं वै युद्धं प्रावर्त्ततोल्बणम्

samāgatastadā tāta tasminraṇasamudyame tatastārānimittaṁ vai yuddhaṁ prāvarttatolbaṇam

'—arrived, my child, in that martial array. Then, on account of Tara, that fierce battle broke out.'

Verse 22 (padma.6.215.22)

करिष्यते सर्वजनैः प्रधानं तारकामयम् । तस्मिन्युद्धे महाभीमे हता देवाश्च दानवाः

kariṣyate sarvajanaiḥ pradhānaṁ tārakāmayam tasminyuddhe mahābhīme hatā devāśca dānavāḥ

'All people regard it as the war fought over Tara. In that most terrible battle, both gods and demons were slain.'

Verse 23 (padma.6.215.23)

न कस्यचिज्जयस्तात बभूव न पराजयः । ततः समागतो ब्रह्मा संनिवार्योल्बणं रणम्

na kasyacijjayastāta babhūva na parājayaḥ tataḥ samāgato brahmā saṁnivāryolbaṇaṁ raṇam

'My child, neither side won, nor was defeated. Then Brahma arrived there, and, having stopped that terrible war—'

Verse 24 (padma.6.215.24)

ददौ बृहस्पतेस्तारां बोधयित्वा निशापतिम् । बृहस्पतिस्तु तां वीक्ष्य तारां गर्भवतीं तदा । क्रुद्धो विरिंचेः प्रत्यक्षं समाजे देवदैत्ययोः

dadau bṛhaspatestārāṁ bodhayitvā niśāpatim bṛhaspatistu tāṁ vīkṣya tārāṁ garbhavatīṁ tadā kruddho viriṁceḥ pratyakṣaṁ samāje devadaityayoḥ

'—having reasoned with the Moon, restored Tara to Brihaspati. Then Brihaspati, seeing that Tara was pregnant—'

Verse 25 (padma.6.215.25)

बृहस्पतिरुवाच- शृणुष्व मामकं वाक्यं तारे तरललोचने । कस्यायं ध्रियते गर्भो भवतेंदोर्ममाथवा

bṛhaspatiruvāca- śṛṇuṣva māmakaṁ vākyaṁ tāre taralalocane kasyāyaṁ dhriyate garbho bhavateṁdormamāthavā

'—became angry, right there before Brahma, in that assembly of gods and demons, and spoke thus. Brihaspati said: "Listen to my words, O Tara of the restless eyes."'

Verse 26 (padma.6.215.26)

पितोवाच- एवं मुहुर्मुहुः पृष्टा सा च लज्जावती शुभा । यदा न कथयामास किंचित्तात तदग्रतः

pitovāca- evaṁ muhurmuhuḥ pṛṣṭā sā ca lajjāvatī śubhā yadā na kathayāmāsa kiṁcittāta tadagrataḥ

'"Whose child is it that you carry — is it mine, or the Moon's?"' The father said: 'Thus asked again and again, that modest, virtuous woman—'

Verse 27 (padma.6.215.27)

तदायं पश्यतां तेषां देवानां च सुरद्विषाम् । उत्पन्नस्तामुवाचेदं जननीं च रुषान्वितः

tadāyaṁ paśyatāṁ teṣāṁ devānāṁ ca suradviṣām utpannastāmuvācedaṁ jananīṁ ca ruṣānvitaḥ

'—said nothing whatsoever before him; then, before the very eyes of those gods and demons, this child, born forth, spoke angrily to his own mother.'

Verse 28 (padma.6.215.28)

बुध उवाच- कस्मान्न कथ्यते दुष्टे मदीयो जनकस्त्वया । लज्जां विहाय संपश्य शापस्य मम वैभवम्

budha uvāca- kasmānna kathyate duṣṭe madīyo janakastvayā lajjāṁ vihāya saṁpaśya śāpasya mama vaibhavam

Budha said: 'O wicked woman, why do you not tell my father's name? Cast off your shame, and behold the power of my curse!'

Verse 29 (padma.6.215.29)

पितोवाच-। इत्युक्त्वा जलमादाय यदा शप्तुं समुद्यतः । तदा सा मंदमाहेदं पिता तव सुधाकरः

pitovāca- ityuktvā jalamādāya yadā śaptuṁ samudyataḥ tadā sā maṁdamāhedaṁ pitā tava sudhākaraḥ

The father said: 'Having said this, when he took up water and made ready to curse her, she then said softly: "Your father is the Moon."'

Verse 30 (padma.6.215.30)

इत्युक्ते च तया साध्व्या चंद्र स्वःतनयं बुधम् । अमुं गृहीत्वा सानंदं जगाम निजमंदिरम्

ityukte ca tayā sādhvyā caṁdra svaḥtanayaṁ budham amuṁ gṛhītvā sānaṁdaṁ jagāma nijamaṁdiram

'When that virtuous woman had said this, the Moon, joyfully taking that son of his, Budha, went on to his own abode.'

Verse 31 (padma.6.215.31)

बृहस्पतिस्तु तां तारां गृहीत्वा स्वगृहं ययौ । ब्रह्मा देवाश्च दैत्याश्च तेपि स्वं स्वं गृहं ययुः

bṛhaspatistu tāṁ tārāṁ gṛhītvā svagṛhaṁ yayau brahmā devāśca daityāśca tepi svaṁ svaṁ gṛhaṁ yayuḥ

'Brihaspati too took that Tara and went to his own home; Brahma, the gods, and the daityas — all of them went each to his own home.'

Verse 32 (padma.6.215.32)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यस्त्वं मां परिपृष्टवान् । बृहस्पतिस्त्रियां जातो यथायं चंद्रवंशकृत्

etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ yastvaṁ māṁ paripṛṣṭavān bṛhaspatistriyāṁ jāto yathāyaṁ caṁdravaṁśakṛt

'All this I have told you, since you asked me — how this Budha, founder of the lunar dynasty, was born from Tara.'

Verse 33 (padma.6.215.33)

नारद उवाच- इत्याकर्ण्य पितुर्वाक्यं जहासोच्चैर्मुनेः सुतः । उवाच च स्वपितरं कुंडोऽयं स्वैरिणीसुतः

nārada uvāca- ityākarṇya piturvākyaṁ jahāsoccairmuneḥ sutaḥ uvāca ca svapitaraṁ kuṁḍo'yaṁ svairiṇīsutaḥ

Narada said: 'Hearing his father's words, that sage's son, laughing aloud, said to his own father: "This one is a kunda, the son of a wanton woman!"'

Verse 34 (padma.6.215.34)

उवाच च पिता पुत्रं हा पुत्रेदं न भण्यताम् । सर्वसत्वांतरज्ञोऽयं शप्स्यते त्वां त्वदुक्तवित्

uvāca ca pitā putraṁ hā putredaṁ na bhaṇyatām sarvasatvāṁtarajño'yaṁ śapsyate tvāṁ tvaduktavit

'The father said to his son: "Alas, my son, do not say this; this one knows the inmost hearts of all beings — he will curse you the moment he learns of your words."'

Verse 35 (padma.6.215.35)

नारद उवाच- इत्युक्ते तेन मुनिना चांद्रिर्ज्ञात्वा तदीरितम् । सर्वेषां शृण्वतां प्राह मुनीनामिति भूपते

nārada uvāca- ityukte tena muninā cāṁdrirjñātvā tadīritam sarveṣāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ prāha munīnāmiti bhūpate

Narada said: 'O king, when that sage had said this, Tara's son Budha, learning of what had been said, spoke thus, in the hearing of all the sages.'

Verse 36 (padma.6.215.36)

बुध उवाच- शृण्वंतु मुनिशार्दूला भवंतो मम भाषितम् । यदि साध्वथवा साधु विचारयत मा चिरम्

budha uvāca- śṛṇvaṁtu muniśārdūlā bhavaṁto mama bhāṣitam yadi sādhvathavā sādhu vicārayata mā ciram

Budha said: 'O tigers among sages, hear my words, all of you; without delay, consider whether this is proper or improper.'

Verse 37 (padma.6.215.37)

भवतां तत्वबुद्धीनां दर्शनार्थमिहागतः । कृतवान्कस्यचिन्नाहमपराधं मनागपि

bhavatāṁ tatvabuddhīnāṁ darśanārthamihāgataḥ kṛtavānkasyacinnāhamaparādhaṁ manāgapi

'I have come here only for the sake of seeing you, of true understanding as you are; I have committed no offense against anyone, even the slightest.'

Verse 38 (padma.6.215.38)

असूयया किमर्थं मामवजानंति दुर्मदाः । स्वजन्मसफलत्वाय भवद्दर्शनलालसः

asūyayā kimarthaṁ māmavajānaṁti durmadāḥ svajanmasaphalatvāya bhavaddarśanalālasaḥ

'Why then do these arrogant fools, out of mere envy, show me disrespect, when I only long for the sight of you virtuous ones, to make my own birth fruitful?'

Verse 39 (padma.6.215.39)

स्वभाव एव दुष्टानां साधूनपि निरेनसः । उद्वेजयंति यत्क्वापि मिष्टवाचः पिका इव

svabhāva eva duṣṭānāṁ sādhūnapi nirenasaḥ udvejayaṁti yatkvāpi miṣṭavācaḥ pikā iva

'It is simply the nature of the wicked that they cause distress, wherever they can, even to sinless saints — as the sweet-voiced koel is troubled even so.'

Verse 40 (padma.6.215.40)

दुःस्वभावं न मुंचंति दुष्टाः सत्संगमादपि । गंगाबुसंगमेनापि क्षारतामिव नीरधिः

duḥsvabhāvaṁ na muṁcaṁti duṣṭāḥ satsaṁgamādapi gaṁgābusaṁgamenāpi kṣāratāmiva nīradhiḥ

'The wicked do not abandon their evil nature even through the company of the good — as the ocean does not lose its salinity even through union with the Ganga's own waters.'

Verse 41 (padma.6.215.41)

अहो व्याधस्य दुष्टत्वं मुनिवृत्तीन्यतो मृगान् । वने मृगचरान्हंति निजगानविदोऽपि सः

aho vyādhasya duṣṭatvaṁ munivṛttīnyato mṛgān vane mṛgacarānhaṁti nijagānavido'pi saḥ

'Ah, behold the wickedness of the hunter — he kills, in the forest, even deer of sage-like habits, though he himself knows their gentle ways.'

Verse 42 (padma.6.215.42)

मत्स्यैः किमपराद्धं हि धीवराणां दुरात्मनाम् । यज्जले चरतस्तीर्थे घ्नंति तत्प्रकृतिर्हि सा

matsyaiḥ kimaparāddhaṁ hi dhīvarāṇāṁ durātmanām yajjale caratastīrthe ghnaṁti tatprakṛtirhi sā

'What offense have fish done to evil-minded fishermen, that they kill even those swimming in the water of a tirtha? This is simply their nature.'

Verse 43 (padma.6.215.43)

साधवोऽपि न मुंचंति स्वभावं दुष्टसंगताः । वृता विषाग्नियुक्सर्पैः श्रीखंडा इव शीतताम्

sādhavo'pi na muṁcaṁti svabhāvaṁ duṣṭasaṁgatāḥ vṛtā viṣāgniyuksarpaiḥ śrīkhaṁḍā iva śītatām

'Even the virtuous, when in the company of the wicked, do not abandon their own nature — as sandalwood, though encircled by fiery, venomous serpents, does not lose its coolness.'

Verse 44 (padma.6.215.44)

परोदयेपि नृत्यंति किं स्वपक्षस्य साधवः । यथोन्मना मुनिवरा वारिवाहस्य बर्हिणः

parodayepi nṛtyaṁti kiṁ svapakṣasya sādhavaḥ yathonmanā munivarā vārivāhasya barhiṇaḥ

'Do the virtuous dance even at another's rise? As the eager peacock dances at the rising of a rain-cloud, not at the rise of one of its own kind.'

Verse 45 (padma.6.215.45)

धारयंति परार्थे हि निजांगमपि साधवः । पितृदेवमनुष्याणामर्थे मत्पितृवत्कलाः

dhārayaṁti parārthe hi nijāṁgamapi sādhavaḥ pitṛdevamanuṣyāṇāmarthe matpitṛvatkalāḥ

'For the sake of ancestors, gods, and men, the virtuous bear even their own body for the good of others — just as my father's own phases wax and wane for their sake.'

Verse 46 (padma.6.215.46)

निजोदयस्तु साधूनां स्वच्छस्यानंदहेतवः । यथा कुमुदपुष्पाणां मत्पितुः शीतलत्विषः

nijodayastu sādhūnāṁ svacchasyānaṁdahetavaḥ yathā kumudapuṣpāṇāṁ matpituḥ śītalatviṣaḥ

'The very rising of the virtuous is itself a source of joy to pure souls — as the rising of my own cool-rayed father is a joy for the kumuda flowers.'

Verse 47 (padma.6.215.47)

नारद उवाच- इत्युदीर्य वचः क्रोधाद्बुधस्तं मुनिबालकम् । शशापेति त्वमप्याशु कुंडो भव महीतले

nārada uvāca- ityudīrya vacaḥ krodhādbudhastaṁ munibālakam śaśāpeti tvamapyāśu kuṁḍo bhava mahītale

Narada said: 'Having spoken these words, Budha, in anger, then cursed that sage's child: "May you too quickly become a kunda upon this earth!"'

Verse 48 (padma.6.215.48)

एवमाकर्ण्य तं शापं पिता बुधविसर्जितम् । स्वपुत्रं पातयामास तदंघ्र्योः क्षम्यतामिति

evamākarṇya taṁ śāpaṁ pitā budhavisarjitam svaputraṁ pātayāmāsa tadaṁghryoḥ kṣamyatāmiti

'Hearing this curse pronounced by Budha, the father made his own son fall at his feet, saying: "Forgive him."'

Verse 49 (padma.6.215.49)

उवाच च न जानाति बालोऽयं तव वैभवम् । नोचितं क्रोधकरणमस्मिन्बाले भवादृशैः

uvāca ca na jānāti bālo'yaṁ tava vaibhavam nocitaṁ krodhakaraṇamasminbāle bhavādṛśaiḥ

'And he said: "This child does not know your greatness; anger toward this child does not befit one such as you."'

Verse 50 (padma.6.215.50)

कुतश्चित्कारणात्साधोः क्रुद्धस्य प्रकृतिक्षमा । हुताशनप्रतप्तस्य शीतत्वमिव चांबुनः

kutaścitkāraṇātsādhoḥ kruddhasya prakṛtikṣamā hutāśanaprataptasya śītatvamiva cāṁbunaḥ

'"Even a saint, angered by some cause, is by nature forgiving — as water, though heated by fire, retains its coolness."'

Verse 51 (padma.6.215.51)

अतः क्षमां विधायाशु विधेह्यस्मिन्ननुग्रहम् । बाले विवेकरहिते क्षमासारा हि साधवः

ataḥ kṣamāṁ vidhāyāśu vidhehyasminnanugraham bāle vivekarahite kṣamāsārā hi sādhavaḥ

'"Therefore, quickly forgiving him, show him your grace; toward this child, devoid as he is of judgment — for the essence of the virtuous is forgiveness itself."'

Verse 52 (padma.6.215.52)

नारद उवाच- इत्युक्तस्तेन मुनिना शीतांशुतनयस्तदा । क्रोधं तत्याज शांतात्मा चक्रे तस्मिन्ननुग्रहम्

nārada uvāca- ityuktastena muninā śītāṁśutanayastadā krodhaṁ tatyāja śāṁtātmā cakre tasminnanugraham

Narada said: 'When that sage had spoken thus, the Moon's son Budha then let go of his anger, and, his mind at peace, showed grace to him.'

Verse 53 (padma.6.215.53)

बुध उवाच- अयं तव मुने बालः कुंडत्वं प्राप्य भूतले । दत्तयज्ञोपवीतः सँल्लप्स्यसे हि निजास्पदम्

budha uvāca- ayaṁ tava mune bālaḥ kuṁḍatvaṁ prāpya bhūtale dattayajñopavītaḥ sa~llapsyase hi nijāspadam

Budha said: 'O sage, this son of yours, having attained the state of a kunda upon the earth, wearing the sacred thread, shall attain his own true abode.'

Verse 54 (padma.6.215.54)

एवं स मुनिपुत्रो वै बुधशापान्नृपोत्तम । कुंडत्वं प्राप्तवान्भूमौ पितरो येन तारिताः

evaṁ sa muniputro vai budhaśāpānnṛpottama kuṁḍatvaṁ prāptavānbhūmau pitaro yena tāritāḥ

'O best of kings, thus that sage's son, by Budha's curse, attained the state of a kunda upon the earth — the very one by whom his ancestors were delivered.'

Verse 55 (padma.6.215.55)

इदं पवित्रं माहात्म्यं श्रुत्वा मधुवनस्य वै । समस्तमश्वमेधस्य फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः

idaṁ pavitraṁ māhātmyaṁ śrutvā madhuvanasya vai samastamaśvamedhasya phalaṁ prāpnoti mānavaḥ

'Hearing this sacred glory of Madhuvana, a man obtains the fruit of a complete Ashvamedha sacrifice.'

Verse 56 (padma.6.215.56)

ये नरा धारयंत्यस्य माहात्म्यस्यार्थमुत्तमम् । हृदये यत्र तत्तेषां विषयैर्नाभिभूयते

ye narā dhārayaṁtyasya māhātmyasyārthamuttamam hṛdaye yatra tatteṣāṁ viṣayairnābhibhūyate

'Those men who hold the meaning of this excellent glory in their heart are not overcome by the objects of the senses.'

Verse 57 (padma.6.215.57)

ये पठिष्यंति माहात्म्यं श्रोष्यंति च महाधियः । देहांते विष्णुसालोक्यं गमिष्यंति न संशयः

ye paṭhiṣyaṁti māhātmyaṁ śroṣyaṁti ca mahādhiyaḥ dehāṁte viṣṇusālokyaṁ gamiṣyaṁti na saṁśayaḥ

'Those wise ones who shall recite or hear this glory shall, without doubt, attain union with Vishnu's own world at the end of the body.'

Verse 58 (padma.6.215.58)

इदमनिशपवित्रं तुभ्यमावर्णितं मे मधुवनसुचरित्रं श्रीपतेः प्रीतिकारि । कलिकलुषकलापच्छेदने दक्षमक्षोत्पथगमननिरासे कारणं पुण्यमूर्तौ

idamaniśapavitraṁ tubhyamāvarṇitaṁ me madhuvanasucaritraṁ śrīpateḥ prītikāri kalikaluṣakalāpacchedane dakṣamakṣotpathagamananirāse kāraṇaṁ puṇyamūrtau

'O Shiva, this ever-sacred fair account of Madhuvana, dear to the Lord of Shri, I have related to you — able to sever the whole tangle of Kali's sins, and, embodied in sacred form, the very cause that turns the senses back from their wayward paths.'