The Glory of Badarikashrama

Verse 1 (padma.6.216.1)

नारद उवाच- अतो मधुवनाद्राजन्नयं बदरिकाश्रमः । एकादशधनुर्मात्रे भूभागे व्यवतिष्ठति

nārada uvāca- ato madhuvanādrājannayaṁ badarikāśramaḥ ekādaśadhanurmātre bhūbhāge vyavatiṣṭhati

Narada said: 'O king, beyond this Madhuvana, this Badarikashrama stands, in a plot of ground eleven bow-lengths in extent.'

Verse 2 (padma.6.216.2)

अस्य तीर्थवरस्याहं महिमानं महद्भुतम् । वर्णयामि पुरस्तात्ते यं श्रुत्वा मुच्यते भयात्

asya tīrthavarasyāhaṁ mahimānaṁ mahadbhutam varṇayāmi purastātte yaṁ śrutvā mucyate bhayāt

'I shall now describe before you the most wondrous glory of this excellent tirtha, hearing which one is freed from fear.'

Verse 3 (padma.6.216.3)

एकस्तु मगधे राजन्देवदासो हि नामतः । ब्राह्मणः सत्यवान्दांतः साक्षाद्धर्म इवापरः

ekastu magadhe rājandevadāso hi nāmataḥ brāhmaṇaḥ satyavāndāṁtaḥ sākṣāddharma ivāparaḥ

'O king, in Magadha there lived a brahmin named Devadasa, truthful, self-controlled, as though a second Dharma in person.'

Verse 4 (padma.6.216.4)

निष्णातः सर्वविद्यासु बृहस्पतिरिवापरः । हरिसंतोषको भक्त्या प्रह्लाद इव दैत्यराट्

niṣṇātaḥ sarvavidyāsu bṛhaspatirivāparaḥ harisaṁtoṣako bhaktyā prahlāda iva daityarāṭ

'Versed in every branch of learning, as though a second Brihaspati; pleasing Hari through devotion, as though the daitya-king Prahlada himself.'

Verse 5 (padma.6.216.5)

सस्त्रीकोऽपि स्मरं जेता पार्वत्याइव वल्लभः । सदाचारपरो नित्यं विश्वामित्रो मुनिर्यथा

sastrīko'pi smaraṁ jetā pārvatyāiva vallabhaḥ sadācāraparo nityaṁ viśvāmitro muniryathā

'Though married, a conqueror of Kama, as though the beloved of Parvati; ever devoted to virtuous conduct, as though the sage Vishvamitra.'

Verse 6 (padma.6.216.6)

मगधेशगृहे मान्यो द्रोणतत्कुरुवेश्मनि । दानशीलः सुपात्रेषु बलिर्दैत्याधिपो यथा

magadheśagṛhe mānyo droṇatatkuruveśmani dānaśīlaḥ supātreṣu balirdaityādhipo yathā

'Honored both in the house of the king of Magadha and in that of the Kuru chief Drona; generous in giving to worthy recipients, as though the daitya-king Bali.'

Verse 7 (padma.6.216.7)

तस्यभार्योत्तमा नाम लक्ष्मीरिव गुणोत्तमा । पतिशुश्रूषणपरा यथाजनकनंदिनी

tasyabhāryottamā nāma lakṣmīriva guṇottamā patiśuśrūṣaṇaparā yathājanakanaṁdinī

'His excellent wife was named Uttama, supreme in her virtues, like Lakshmi herself; devoted to serving her husband, like Janaka's own daughter, Sita.'

Verse 8 (padma.6.216.8)

तस्यैकश्च सुतो राजन्नंगदो नाम बुद्धिमान् । एका पुत्री तु वलया नाम सल्लक्षमणान्विता

tasyaikaśca suto rājannaṁgado nāma buddhimān ekā putrī tu valayā nāma sallakṣamaṇānvitā

'O king, he had one son, named Angada, wise; and one daughter, named Valaya, endowed with every auspicious mark.'

Verse 9 (padma.6.216.9)

तयोर्ज्यायान्सुतः कन्या तस्माद्भूपकनीयसी । तयोर्यथाक्रमं चक्रे विवाहं स द्विजोत्तमः

tayorjyāyānsutaḥ kanyā tasmādbhūpakanīyasī tayoryathākramaṁ cakre vivāhaṁ sa dvijottamaḥ

'Of the two, the son was elder, the daughter younger; that excellent brahmin duly celebrated the marriage of both, each in its proper order.'

Verse 10 (padma.6.216.10)

विवाहिता तु सा कन्या ययौ श्वशुरवेश्मनि । शुभलक्षणसंपन्ना कालेन कियता नृप

vivāhitā tu sā kanyā yayau śvaśuraveśmani śubhalakṣaṇasaṁpannā kālena kiyatā nṛpa

'O king, once married, that daughter, endowed with auspicious marks, went, after some time, to her father-in-law's house.'

Verse 11 (padma.6.216.11)

अंगदस्तु महाबुद्धिर्गृहभारं बभार ह । पितृवत्सर्वशास्त्रज्ञो यौवनश्रीविभूषितः

aṁgadastu mahābuddhirgṛhabhāraṁ babhāra ha pitṛvatsarvaśāstrajño yauvanaśrīvibhūṣitaḥ

'The highly intelligent Angada, learned in all the scriptures like his father, adorned with the splendor of youth, took up the burden of the household.'

Verse 12 (padma.6.216.12)

एकदा स तु विप्रेंद्रः पुत्रं तं गृहकर्मणि । क्षमं विज्ञाय राजेंद्र निजभार्यामुवाच ह

ekadā sa tu vipreṁdraḥ putraṁ taṁ gṛhakarmaṇi kṣamaṁ vijñāya rājeṁdra nijabhāryāmuvāca ha

'O king of kings, once that foremost of brahmins, knowing his son capable in household affairs, spoke to his own wife.'

Verse 13 (padma.6.216.13)

देवदास उवाच । समाकर्णय मे साध्वि कालेऽस्मिन्नुचितं वचः । ततो यदुचितं भद्रे तदह्नाय विधीयताम्

devadāsa uvāca samākarṇaya me sādhvi kāle'sminnucitaṁ vacaḥ tato yaducitaṁ bhadre tadahnāya vidhīyatām

Devadasa said: 'O virtuous one, hear my fitting word at this time; and then, O gracious one, let whatever is proper be done at once.'

Verse 14 (padma.6.216.14)

एषा जरा समायाता शरीरं पातयिष्यति । अंगान्याकंपयंतीव वात्या पक्वफलं यथा

eṣā jarā samāyātā śarīraṁ pātayiṣyati aṁgānyākaṁpayaṁtīva vātyā pakvaphalaṁ yathā

'This old age has now arrived; it will bring down the body — as a whirlwind shakes down a ripe fruit.'

Verse 15 (padma.6.216.15)

अक्ष्णामपि द्युतिं मंदां नूनमेषा करिष्यति । नक्षत्राणां सचंद्राणां प्रातर्वेलेव सुव्रते

akṣṇāmapi dyutiṁ maṁdāṁ nūnameṣā kariṣyati nakṣatrāṇāṁ sacaṁdrāṇāṁ prātarveleva suvrate

'O one of good vows, this shall surely dim even the light of the eyes — as the hour of dawn dims the stars, even with the moon among them.'

Verse 16 (padma.6.216.16)

स्खलितो पादयोर्मंदां गतिं प्रतिपदक्रमम् । करिष्यति जरा ह्येषा यथानिगडशृंखला

skhalito pādayormaṁdāṁ gatiṁ pratipadakramam kariṣyati jarā hyeṣā yathānigaḍaśṛṁkhalā

'This old age shall make the feet stumble and every step grow slow — like the fetters of a chain.'

Verse 17 (padma.6.216.17)

तस्मादेषा जरा यावन्न प्रौढा जायते शुभे । आत्मनस्तावदावाभ्यां करणीयं हि तं द्रुतम्

tasmādeṣā jarā yāvanna prauḍhā jāyate śubhe ātmanastāvadāvābhyāṁ karaṇīyaṁ hi taṁ drutam

'Therefore, O auspicious one, before this old age grows full and heavy, we two must swiftly do this for ourselves.'

Verse 18 (padma.6.216.18)

गृहपुत्रसुहृद्भ्रातृपितरो हि विनश्वराः । द्रव्यादिकं च सुभगे तेषु सज्जेत नो बुधः

gṛhaputrasuhṛdbhrātṛpitaro hi vinaśvarāḥ dravyādikaṁ ca subhage teṣu sajjeta no budhaḥ

'House, son, friend, brother, and father — all are perishable; O fortunate one, the wise man does not become attached to wealth and the rest through them.'

Verse 19 (padma.6.216.19)

अतोऽहं सर्वतीर्थेषु पयर्यटन्विजितेंद्रियः । वानप्रस्थेन विधिना वीक्षिष्ये हरिमीश्वरम्

ato'haṁ sarvatīrtheṣu payaryaṭanvijiteṁdriyaḥ vānaprasthena vidhinā vīkṣiṣye harimīśvaram

'Therefore, wandering among all the tirthas, my senses conquered, I shall behold the Lord Hari by the rite of the forest-dweller.'

Verse 20 (padma.6.216.20)

ततः संन्यासमादाय क्वचित्तीर्थोत्तमे शुभे । प्रारब्धकर्मणामंते त्यक्ष्यामि स्वं कलेवरम्

tataḥ saṁnyāsamādāya kvacittīrthottame śubhe prārabdhakarmaṇāmaṁte tyakṣyāmi svaṁ kalevaram

'Then, taking sannyasa at some auspicious excellent tirtha, at the end of my prarabdha deeds, I shall cast off my own body.'

Verse 21 (padma.6.216.21)

एवं चेत्प्राणमुक्तः स्यान्मुक्तिः स्यान्नात्र संशयः । मम श्रीपतिपादाब्जसम्यक्स्थापितचेतसः

evaṁ cetprāṇamuktaḥ syānmuktiḥ syānnātra saṁśayaḥ mama śrīpatipādābjasamyaksthāpitacetasaḥ

'If this comes to pass, then when life leaves me, liberation shall surely follow, without doubt — for my mind is truly fixed upon the lotus feet of the Lord of Shri.'

Verse 22 (padma.6.216.22)

उत्तमोवाच- पुमान्वा स्त्रीजनो वापि को रमेत विनश्वरे । संसारे माधवं मुक्त्वा नित्याश्रममचेतनः

uttamovāca- pumānvā strījano vāpi ko rameta vinaśvare saṁsāre mādhavaṁ muktvā nityāśramamacetanaḥ

Uttama said: 'What man or woman, forsaking Madhava, would take delight in this perishable world, senseless, forgetting the eternal abode?'

Verse 23 (padma.6.216.23)

तस्मान्मामपि जीवेश त्वत्पादांबुजसेविनीम् । नीत्वा स्वसंगमे तावद्विश्वाब्धेराशु तारय

tasmānmāmapi jīveśa tvatpādāṁbujasevinīm nītvā svasaṁgame tāvadviśvābdherāśu tāraya

'Therefore, O lord of my life, take me too, your servant at your lotus feet, with you, and quickly deliver me from the ocean of this world.'

Verse 24 (padma.6.216.24)

पुत्रोऽयमंगदः श्रीमान्गृहभारस्य धारणे । समर्थोऽभूत्स्नुषा चेयं कल्याणी तत्सहायिनी

putro'yamaṁgadaḥ śrīmāngṛhabhārasya dhāraṇe samartho'bhūtsnuṣā ceyaṁ kalyāṇī tatsahāyinī

'This illustrious son of ours, Angada, has now become capable of bearing the household's burden, and this auspicious daughter-in-law is his helpmate too.'

Verse 25 (padma.6.216.25)

पुत्रे समर्थे यो मूढः पुरुषः स्त्रीजनोऽथवा । न विरज्येत यो मूढो वंचितः श्रेयसा हि सः

putre samarthe yo mūḍhaḥ puruṣaḥ strījano'thavā na virajyeta yo mūḍho vaṁcitaḥ śreyasā hi saḥ

'That man or woman who, out of foolishness, does not turn away from the world once the son has become capable — that fool is deprived of his own true good.'

Verse 26 (padma.6.216.26)

नारद उवाच- एवमन्योन्यमामंत्र्य दंपती तौ रहस्तदा । पुत्रमाहूय कथयांचक्रतुस्त्विदमंगदम्

nārada uvāca- evamanyonyamāmaṁtrya daṁpatī tau rahastadā putramāhūya kathayāṁcakratustvidamaṁgadam

Narada said: 'Having thus consulted with each other in private, that couple then called their son Angada and spoke to him thus.'

Verse 27 (padma.6.216.27)

दंपत्यूचतुः- जरागमश्लथद्गात्रावावां विद्धि त्वमंगद । स्वश्रेयसे यतिष्यावः कुत्रचित्पुण्यभूतले

daṁpatyūcatuḥ- jarāgamaślathadgātrāvāvāṁ viddhi tvamaṁgada svaśreyase yatiṣyāvaḥ kutracitpuṇyabhūtale

The couple said: 'Know, Angada, that our limbs have grown feeble with the coming of old age; we shall strive for our own good at some sacred land.'

Verse 28 (padma.6.216.28)

हरेराराधनं भक्त्या श्रेयः परममुच्यते । तदर्थमेव निष्कामा यतंते साधवो भुवि

harerārādhanaṁ bhaktyā śreyaḥ paramamucyate tadarthameva niṣkāmā yataṁte sādhavo bhuvi

'Devoted worship of Hari through bhakti is declared to be the supreme good; for that alone do desireless saints strive upon this earth.'

Verse 29 (padma.6.216.29)

विषयेषु न संसक्तिः समत्वं सर्वजंतुषु । येषां हर्षविवादौ च न जातु सुखदुःखयो

viṣayeṣu na saṁsaktiḥ samatvaṁ sarvajaṁtuṣu yeṣāṁ harṣavivādau ca na jātu sukhaduḥkhayo

'Those who have no attachment to sense-objects, who hold all beings equal, who never feel elation or turmoil in either pleasure or pain—'

Verse 30 (padma.6.216.30)

त एव साधवो लोके गोविंदपदसेविनः । तेषां दर्शनमात्रेण कृतार्थो जायते नरः

ta eva sādhavo loke goviṁdapadasevinaḥ teṣāṁ darśanamātreṇa kṛtārtho jāyate naraḥ

'—those alone are called the saints of this world, who serve the feet of Govinda; by the mere sight of them, a man becomes fulfilled.'

Verse 31 (padma.6.216.31)

तीर्थानि पर्यटन्धीरस्तद्दर्शनसमुत्सुकः । भाग्योदयेन केनापि तद्दर्शनमवाप्नुयात्

tīrthāni paryaṭandhīrastaddarśanasamutsukaḥ bhāgyodayena kenāpi taddarśanamavāpnuyāt

'The steadfast man, wandering the tirthas, eager for their sight, obtains that vision through some rise of good fortune.'

Verse 32 (padma.6.216.32)

तस्माद्भारं कुटुंबस्य भुजयोर्युगदीर्घयोः । आरोप्य नौ विसर्जस्व तीर्थयात्रार्थमंगद

tasmādbhāraṁ kuṭuṁbasya bhujayoryugadīrghayoḥ āropya nau visarjasva tīrthayātrārthamaṁgada

'Therefore, Angada, taking the burden of the family upon your own two long arms, send us both forth for our pilgrimage.'

Verse 33 (padma.6.216.33)

तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगेन कदाचित्साधुदर्शनम् । भवेद्यदि तदा पुत्र द्वयोर्नौ स्यात्कृतार्थता

tīrthayātrāprasaṁgena kadācitsādhudarśanam bhavedyadi tadā putra dvayornau syātkṛtārthatā

'If, in the course of that pilgrimage, we should ever chance upon the sight of some saint, my son, then our fulfillment, both of us, would be assured.'

Verse 34 (padma.6.216.34)

नारद उवाच- इत्युक्तः पितृभ्यां पुत्रः साधुवादमवादयत् । नारद उवाच- समस्तकुलनिस्तारो भवद्भ्यामयमीरितः

nārada uvāca- ityuktaḥ pitṛbhyāṁ putraḥ sādhuvādamavādayat nārada uvāca- samastakulanistāro bhavadbhyāmayamīritaḥ

Narada said: 'When his parents had spoken thus, the son gave his hearty assent.' Narada said: 'He said: "You two have spoken of the deliverance of our entire family."'

Verse 35 (padma.6.216.35)

आशु मामवजानीतं किं करोमि भवद्धितम् । अहमाज्ञाकरो नित्यं युवयोः पूज्यपादयोः

āśu māmavajānītaṁ kiṁ karomi bhavaddhitam ahamājñākaro nityaṁ yuvayoḥ pūjyapādayoḥ

'"Give me your leave at once; what may I do for your good? I am ever ready to obey the command of your two revered feet."'

Verse 36 (padma.6.216.36)

पुण्यतीर्थेषु दानार्थं गृहीतं धनमुत्तमम् । नयतं मामपि प्रेष्यं सेवायै निजसंगमम्

puṇyatīrtheṣu dānārthaṁ gṛhītaṁ dhanamuttamam nayataṁ māmapi preṣyaṁ sevāyai nijasaṁgamam

'"Take with you excellent wealth for offering at the sacred tirthas; and take me too, your servant, along, for the service of your company."'

Verse 37 (padma.6.216.37)

नारद उवाच- इत्युक्त्वा धनमादाय गत्वा क्रोशद्वयं तयोः । संगे गृहमगात्ताभ्यां कथंचित्संनिवर्तितः

nārada uvāca- ityuktvā dhanamādāya gatvā krośadvayaṁ tayoḥ saṁge gṛhamagāttābhyāṁ kathaṁcitsaṁnivartitaḥ

Narada said: 'Having said this, taking the wealth, and going with them for two krosha, he was, with some difficulty, sent back home by the two of them.'

Verse 38 (padma.6.216.38)

तौ गृहीत्वा धनं किचिद्विष्णुर्नौ संयतामिति । कंदमूलफलाहारौ तत्रोषित्वा दिनत्रयम्

tau gṛhītvā dhanaṁ kicidviṣṇurnau saṁyatāmiti kaṁdamūlaphalāhārau tatroṣitvā dinatrayam

'Taking a little wealth, saying, "May Vishnu protect us," and living on roots, bulbs, and fruits, the two of them stayed there for three days.'

Verse 39 (padma.6.216.39)

यदा तस्मात्प्रचलितौ दंपती जगतीपते । तदा मार्गे महान्कश्चित्सिद्धः संमीलितस्तयोः

yadā tasmātpracalitau daṁpatī jagatīpate tadā mārge mahānkaścitsiddhaḥ saṁmīlitastayoḥ

'O lord of the earth, when that couple set out from there, some great siddha met them on the road.'

Verse 40 (padma.6.216.40)

ताभ्यामुभाभ्यां शिरसा वंदितः स उपाविशत् । उपविष्टस्तदा ताभ्यामिति पृष्टः स सिद्धराट्

tābhyāmubhābhyāṁ śirasā vaṁditaḥ sa upāviśat upaviṣṭastadā tābhyāmiti pṛṣṭaḥ sa siddharāṭ

'Both of them bowed their heads to him, and he sat down; and once seated, those two asked that lord of siddhas—'

Verse 41 (padma.6.216.41)

को भवान्कुत आयातो किं चिकीर्षति तद्वद । सिद्ध उवाच- सिद्धोऽहं तापसश्रेष्ठ कल्पग्रामे गृहं मम

ko bhavānkuta āyāto kiṁ cikīrṣati tadvada siddha uvāca- siddho'haṁ tāpasaśreṣṭha kalpagrāme gṛhaṁ mama

'"Who are you, from where have you come, and what do you wish to do — tell us this."' The siddha said: 'O foremost of ascetics, I am a siddha; my home is in Kalpagrama.'

Verse 42 (padma.6.216.42)

इंद्रप्रस्थात्समायातो दृष्टं तत्र महाद्भुतम् । तत्रास्ति कपिलः सिद्धो नारायणसमो गुणैः

iṁdraprasthātsamāyāto dṛṣṭaṁ tatra mahādbhutam tatrāsti kapilaḥ siddho nārāyaṇasamo guṇaiḥ

'I have come from Indraprastha, where I saw a most wondrous thing; there dwells a siddha named Kapila, equal in virtue to Narayana.'

Verse 43 (padma.6.216.43)

तस्मादहं पठन्सांख्यं निवसामि तदाश्रमे । एकदा मद्गुरुः श्रीमान्स्वाश्रमात्कपिलो ययौ

tasmādahaṁ paṭhansāṁkhyaṁ nivasāmi tadāśrame ekadā madguruḥ śrīmānsvāśramātkapilo yayau

'Studying Samkhya under him, I dwell at his hermitage. Once, my illustrious guru Kapila set out from his own hermitage—'

Verse 44 (padma.6.216.44)

बदर्याख्यं महापुण्यं स्नातुं स यमुनाजले । तत्रैकोरण्यमहिषस्तृषार्तो यमुनाजले

badaryākhyaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ snātuṁ sa yamunājale tatraikoraṇyamahiṣastṛṣārto yamunājale

'—to bathe in the waters of the Yamuna, at that greatly sacred tirtha named Badari; there, a forest buffalo, tormented by thirst, into the water of the Yamuna—'

Verse 45 (padma.6.216.45)

प्रविष्टो जलमापीय पूर्वजन्मस्वमस्मरत् । स्मृत्वा स पूर्वकर्माणि महिषोऽरण्यसंभवः

praviṣṭo jalamāpīya pūrvajanmasvamasmarat smṛtvā sa pūrvakarmāṇi mahiṣo'raṇyasaṁbhavaḥ

'—having entered and drunk that water, remembered his own former birth. Recalling his former deeds, that buffalo, forest-born—'

Verse 46 (padma.6.216.46)

जलान्निसृत्य तरसा ववंदे कपिलं गुरुम् । उवाच नरवाचा च मयि शृण्वति तापसः । यत्तत्ते कथयाम्यद्य शृणु त्वं परमाद्भुतम्

jalānnisṛtya tarasā vavaṁde kapilaṁ gurum uvāca naravācā ca mayi śṛṇvati tāpasaḥ yattatte kathayāmyadya śṛṇu tvaṁ paramādbhutam

'—swiftly came out of the water and bowed to the guru Kapila, and, in my very hearing, that ascetic spoke in human speech: "Hear now what I tell you — a most wondrous thing."'

Verse 47 (padma.6.216.47)

महिष उवाच- भोभो विष्णुकलाभूत सिद्धानां कपिलेश्वर । किं नामेदं महातीर्थं नताय कथयस्व मे

mahiṣa uvāca- bhobho viṣṇukalābhūta siddhānāṁ kapileśvara kiṁ nāmedaṁ mahātīrthaṁ natāya kathayasva me

The buffalo said: 'O you who have manifested from a portion of Vishnu, O Kapila, lord of the siddhas, tell me, who bow before you, what is the name of this great tirtha?'

Verse 48 (padma.6.216.48)

अस्य तीर्थवरस्यांबुस्पर्शाद्वै पूर्वजन्मनि । जाता मम महाभाग पापस्यापि च कर्मणः

asya tīrthavarasyāṁbusparśādvai pūrvajanmani jātā mama mahābhāga pāpasyāpi ca karmaṇaḥ

'O most fortunate one, by the mere touch of this excellent tirtha's water, I have recovered memory of my former birth, and of my sinful deed as well.'

Verse 49 (padma.6.216.49)

सिद्ध उवाच- एवमाकर्ण्य तद्वाक्यं महिषस्य महामुनिः । जानन्नपि च तद्वृत्तं विहस्येदमुवाच ह

siddha uvāca- evamākarṇya tadvākyaṁ mahiṣasya mahāmuniḥ jānannapi ca tadvṛttaṁ vihasyedamuvāca ha

The siddha said: 'Hearing the buffalo's words, though he already knew that whole account, the great sage, smiling, spoke thus.'

Verse 50 (padma.6.216.50)

कपिल उवाच- भवान्महिषशार्दूल क आसीत्पूर्वजन्मनि । तत्र किं कृतवान्कर्म योनिं येनाप माहिषीम्

kapila uvāca- bhavānmahiṣaśārdūla ka āsītpūrvajanmani tatra kiṁ kṛtavānkarma yoniṁ yenāpa māhiṣīm

Kapila said: 'O tiger among buffalos, who were you in your former birth? What deed did you commit there, by which you obtained the womb of a buffalo?'

Verse 51 (padma.6.216.51)

महिष उवाच- शृणुष्व मुनिशार्दूल वृत्तं वै पूर्वजन्मनः । अहमासं पुरा राजा कलिंगाधिपतिर्बली

mahiṣa uvāca- śṛṇuṣva muniśārdūla vṛttaṁ vai pūrvajanmanaḥ ahamāsaṁ purā rājā kaliṁgādhipatirbalī

The buffalo said: 'Hear, O tiger among sages, the account of my former birth. Once I was a mighty king, ruler of Kalinga.'

Verse 52 (padma.6.216.52)

स्वां परां नैव जानामि योषितं काममोहितः । वणिजां साधुवृत्तीनां धनहर्ता निरेनसाम्

svāṁ parāṁ naiva jānāmi yoṣitaṁ kāmamohitaḥ vaṇijāṁ sādhuvṛttīnāṁ dhanahartā nirenasām

'Deluded by lust, I could not tell my own wife from another's; I would seize the wealth of innocent, honest merchants.'

Verse 53 (padma.6.216.53)

निशीथे नगरे राजन् गतभीः पर्यटाम्यहम् । सुंदरीभिः परस्त्रीभिः क्रीडितुं रतिलीलया

niśīthe nagare rājan gatabhīḥ paryaṭāmyaham suṁdarībhiḥ parastrībhiḥ krīḍituṁ ratilīlayā

'O king, at night I would roam the city without fear, to disport myself in the play of love with the fair wives of other men.'

Verse 54 (padma.6.216.54)

यद्गृहे सुंदरीं नारीं पश्यामि स्मरमोहितः । वसामि निशि तत्राहं क्षेत्रे मध्ये गजो यथा

yadgṛhe suṁdarīṁ nārīṁ paśyāmi smaramohitaḥ vasāmi niśi tatrāhaṁ kṣetre madhye gajo yathā

'In whatever house I saw a beautiful woman, maddened with desire, I would stay there through the night — like an elephant in the midst of a field.'

Verse 55 (padma.6.216.55)

क्रीडित्वा तत्र निःशंकं धनं हृत्वा च तद्गृहात् । स्वगृहं पुनरायामि कियद्भिर्वासरैरहम्

krīḍitvā tatra niḥśaṁkaṁ dhanaṁ hṛtvā ca tadgṛhāt svagṛhaṁ punarāyāmi kiyadbhirvāsarairaham

'Having sported there without fear, and having stolen wealth from that house too, I would return to my own home after some days.'

Verse 56 (padma.6.216.56)

उपविष्टः सभामध्ये दिवा द्वौ पुरबालकौ । अनार्यबाहुयुद्धेन योधयामि निजाग्रतः

upaviṣṭaḥ sabhāmadhye divā dvau purabālakau anāryabāhuyuddhena yodhayāmi nijāgrataḥ

'Sitting in the midst of my court, by day, I would make two city boys fight before me in savage hand-to-hand combat.'

Verse 57 (padma.6.216.57)

नियोधयति यो बालस्तं मत्वा धनिनं बलात् । गृह्णामि तत्पितुर्वित्तं स्वल्पं वा भूरि वा मुने

niyodhayati yo bālastaṁ matvā dhaninaṁ balāt gṛhṇāmi tatpiturvittaṁ svalpaṁ vā bhūri vā mune

'Whichever boy won, O sage, thinking his father wealthy, I would forcibly seize that father's wealth, whether little or much.'

Verse 58 (padma.6.216.58)

यः पराजयते तत्र कातरत्वान्महामुने । नायमर्हः पुरे स्थातुं ममेति विनिहन्मि तम्

yaḥ parājayate tatra kātaratvānmahāmune nāyamarhaḥ pure sthātuṁ mameti vinihanmi tam

'And whoever lost there out of cowardice, O great sage, thinking "this one is not fit to dwell in my city," I would put him to death.'

Verse 59 (padma.6.216.59)

एवमप्यद्यमारेभे वर्त्तमाने महीपतौ । पौरा नगरमुत्सृज्य प्रययुर्विषयांतरम्

evamapyadyamārebhe varttamāne mahīpatau paurā nagaramutsṛjya prayayurviṣayāṁtaram

'Even as this king's such conduct continued unchecked, the citizens began to abandon the city and go to another land.'

Verse 60 (padma.6.216.60)

एकदा मुनिशार्दूलो दुर्वासा पर्यटन्महीम् । पुरे मम समायातो दुर्वासा रुद्रसंभवः

ekadā muniśārdūlo durvāsā paryaṭanmahīm pure mama samāyāto durvāsā rudrasaṁbhavaḥ

'Once, wandering the earth, the tiger among sages Durvasa, born of Rudra, came to my city.'

Verse 61 (padma.6.216.61)

मिलित्वा नागराः सर्वे तदाजग्मुस्तदंतिके । प्रणिपत्येदमाहुस्तं स्वदुःखज्ञापकं वचः

militvā nāgarāḥ sarve tadājagmustadaṁtike praṇipatyedamāhustaṁ svaduḥkhajñāpakaṁ vacaḥ

'Then all the citizens gathered and came near him, and, bowing down, spoke this word telling of their own suffering.'

Verse 62 (padma.6.216.62)

पौरा ऊचुः आत्रेय मुनिशार्दूल कृपां कुरु कृपानिधे । अधर्मनिरतं भूपमेनं धर्मेण योजय

paurā ūcuḥ ātreya muniśārdūla kṛpāṁ kuru kṛpānidhe adharmanirataṁ bhūpamenaṁ dharmeṇa yojaya

The citizens said: 'O tiger among sages, O descendant of Atri, O treasure of compassion, show mercy; join this king, so devoted to unrighteousness, to dharma.'

Verse 63 (padma.6.216.63)

भाग्योदयेन केनापि भवानस्माकमागतः । उद्वेलाद्भूपदुःखाब्धेरस्मांस्तारय पोतवत्

bhāgyodayena kenāpi bhavānasmākamāgataḥ udvelādbhūpaduḥkhābdherasmāṁstāraya potavat

'By some rise of fortune, you have come to us; deliver us, like a boat, from this overflowing ocean of the king's tyranny.'

Verse 64 (padma.6.216.64)

धनं लोभयतातेन हृतं नो मुनिपुंगव । दूषिताश्च स्त्रियः साध्व्यः सकामेन निरेनसा

dhanaṁ lobhayatātena hṛtaṁ no munipuṁgava dūṣitāśca striyaḥ sādhvyaḥ sakāmena nirenasā

'O foremost of sages, this greedy one has seized our wealth, and this lustful, sinless-seeming man has defiled our virtuous women too.'

Verse 65 (padma.6.216.65)

दशवत्सरदेशीया बहवः शिशवो हताः । अगण्य वैगुण्यनिधिरेष भूपो महामुने

daśavatsaradeśīyā bahavaḥ śiśavo hatāḥ agaṇya vaiguṇyanidhireṣa bhūpo mahāmune

'Many children, even ten years of age, have been killed; O great sage, this king is a treasury of countless faults.'

Verse 66 (padma.6.216.66)

महिष उवाच- एवमाकर्ण्य पौराणां वचः स मुनिरत्रिजः । दंड्योयमिति संचित्य सभास्थं मामथा ययौ

mahiṣa uvāca- evamākarṇya paurāṇāṁ vacaḥ sa muniratrijaḥ daṁḍyoyamiti saṁcitya sabhāsthaṁ māmathā yayau

The buffalo said: 'Hearing the citizens' words, that sage, son of Atri, resolving, "This one deserves punishment," came to me as I sat in my court.'

Verse 67 (padma.6.216.67)

दृष्ट्वा हि तं समायांतमवधूतं दिगंबरम् । आवारयमहं भृत्यैर्नेत्ययं दर्शनोचितः

dṛṣṭvā hi taṁ samāyāṁtamavadhūtaṁ digaṁbaram āvārayamahaṁ bhṛtyairnetyayaṁ darśanocitaḥ

'Seeing him coming — an avadhuta, sky-clad — I had my servants block him, saying: "No, this one is not fit to be received."'

Verse 68 (padma.6.216.68)

रेणुना सर्वलिप्तांगो महिषाकृतिरेव वै । वार्यतामिति पार्श्वस्थान्बहुशोऽहं समादिशम्

reṇunā sarvaliptāṁgo mahiṣākṛtireva vai vāryatāmiti pārśvasthānbahuśo'haṁ samādiśam

'His whole body smeared with dust, of a form like a buffalo's — "Let him be stopped," I repeatedly commanded my attendants standing nearby.'

Verse 69 (padma.6.216.69)

ततस्ते तरसा भृत्यास्तं वारयितुमभ्यगुः । हुंकारेणैव तान्सर्वान्स चक्रे भस्मसान्मुनिः

tataste tarasā bhṛtyāstaṁ vārayitumabhyaguḥ huṁkāreṇaiva tānsarvānsa cakre bhasmasānmuniḥ

'Then those servants hastened forward to stop him; but the sage, with a mere "Hum!", reduced them all to ashes.'

Verse 70 (padma.6.216.70)

यज्ञाश्वं रक्षतः स्वस्य पितुस्त्वमिव सागरात् । सर्वशस्तानहं भृत्यान्भस्मीभूतांस्तु तेजसा

yajñāśvaṁ rakṣataḥ svasya pitustvamiva sāgarāt sarvaśastānahaṁ bhṛtyānbhasmībhūtāṁstu tejasā

'As you, guarding your father's sacrificial horse, once beheld them turned to ash by the sea, so I too saw all my servants reduced to ash by that radiance.'

Verse 71 (padma.6.216.71)

आलक्ष्य सहसोत्थाय गृहमावेष्टुमुद्यतः । रेरे पापेति संबोध्य ततो मां मुनिसत्तमः

ālakṣya sahasotthāya gṛhamāveṣṭumudyataḥ rere pāpeti saṁbodhya tato māṁ munisattamaḥ

'Seeing this, I rose at once, ready to seize him myself; then that foremost of sages, addressing me, cried out: "You wretch!"'

Verse 72 (padma.6.216.72)

शशापेति महारण्ये महिषो भव सांप्रतम् । तेनाहमिति शप्तो वै मुक्त्वा राजतनुं तदा

śaśāpeti mahāraṇye mahiṣo bhava sāṁpratam tenāhamiti śapto vai muktvā rājatanuṁ tadā

'—and cursed me: "Now become at once a buffalo in the great wilderness!" By that curse, I then cast off my royal body—'

Verse 73 (padma.6.216.73)

मरुदेशे महारण्ये जातोऽहं महिषो मुने । चिरकालमहं तत्र न्यवसं मुनिपुंगवः

marudeśe mahāraṇye jāto'haṁ mahiṣo mune cirakālamahaṁ tatra nyavasaṁ munipuṁgavaḥ

'—and, O sage, was born a buffalo in the great wilderness of the Maru land; O foremost of sages, I dwelt there for a long time.'

Verse 74 (padma.6.216.74)

अत्रागतस्तु केनाहं पुण्येन तदपि शृणु । वापीकूपसरस्यस्तु बहबः कारिता मया

atrāgatastu kenāhaṁ puṇyena tadapi śṛṇu vāpīkūpasarasyastu bahabaḥ kāritā mayā

'By what merit I came here — hear that too. I had caused many step-wells, wells, and lakes to be built.'

Verse 75 (padma.6.216.75)

सहकारादिवृक्षाणामारोपो विहितः पथि । पुण्येनानेन मे देव पातो न नरकेऽभवत्

sahakārādivṛkṣāṇāmāropo vihitaḥ pathi puṇyenānena me deva pāto na narake'bhavat

'I had also had trees such as mango and the like planted along the roads; by this merit, O lord, I did not fall into hell.'

Verse 76 (padma.6.216.76)

तीर्थस्य च मया प्राप्तो ह्यमुष्यजलसंगमः । एतत्ते कथितं सर्वं पूर्वजन्मशुभाशुभम्

tīrthasya ca mayā prāpto hyamuṣyajalasaṁgamaḥ etatte kathitaṁ sarvaṁ pūrvajanmaśubhāśubham

'And I obtained union with the water of this tirtha. All this I have now told you — the good and evil deeds of my former birth.'

Verse 77 (padma.6.216.77)

येन तीर्थं मया प्राप्तमेतद्योनिश्च माहिषी । अस्यतीर्थवरस्यांबुस्पर्शाज्जातिस्मरोभवम् । कथमस्या असद्योनेर्मुक्तिः स्यात्तन्मुने वद

yena tīrthaṁ mayā prāptametadyoniśca māhiṣī asyatīrthavarasyāṁbusparśājjātismarobhavam kathamasyā asadyonermuktiḥ syāttanmune vada

'By what merit I obtained both this tirtha and this womb of a buffalo, and by which, through the touch of this excellent tirtha's water, I gained memory of my past births — tell me, O sage, how liberation from this base womb may come.'

Verse 78 (padma.6.216.78)

कपिल उवाच- एतत्तीर्थं महापुण्यं बदर्याख्यं रमापतेः । अत्र स्नाहि द्रुतं कामं स्वचित्तस्थं हि लप्स्यसे

kapila uvāca- etattīrthaṁ mahāpuṇyaṁ badaryākhyaṁ ramāpateḥ atra snāhi drutaṁ kāmaṁ svacittasthaṁ hi lapsyase

Kapila said: 'This greatly sacred tirtha of the Lord of Shri is known by the name Badari; bathe here at once — you shall surely obtain whatever is fixed in your own heart's desire.'

Verse 79 (padma.6.216.79)

सिद्ध उवाच- एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य महिषस्य महामुने । तत्र तीर्थे वरे स्नातुं प्राविशत्स्वर्गवांछया

siddha uvāca- etacchrutvā vacastasya mahiṣasya mahāmune tatra tīrthe vare snātuṁ prāviśatsvargavāṁchayā

The siddha said: 'O great sage, hearing the buffalo's words, he entered that excellent tirtha to bathe, desiring heaven.'

Verse 80 (padma.6.216.80)

स्नात्वा स्वर्गेच्छया तस्मिन्जलात्तटमुपागते । तत्क्षणं गजमारूह्य शक्रः स्वर्गात्समाययौ

snātvā svargecchayā tasminjalāttaṭamupāgate tatkṣaṇaṁ gajamārūhya śakraḥ svargātsamāyayau

'Having bathed there desiring heaven, when he came from the water to the bank, at that very moment Indra, mounted on his elephant, came from heaven.'

Verse 81 (padma.6.216.81)

इंद्र उवाच- हे कलिंगपते नैजं देहं जहि हि माहिषम् । प्रतिलभ्य वपुर्दिव्यं सममायाहि मे दिवम् । त्वया स्वर्गेच्छया स्नातं प्राप्तं तत्ते सुरास्पदम्

iṁdra uvāca- he kaliṁgapate naijaṁ dehaṁ jahi hi māhiṣam pratilabhya vapurdivyaṁ samamāyāhi me divam tvayā svargecchayā snātaṁ prāptaṁ tatte surāspadam

Indra said: 'O lord of Kalinga, cast off this buffalo body of yours; take on a divine form and come with me to heaven. Since you bathed here with a desire for heaven, that abode of the gods has been granted to you.'

Verse 82 (padma.6.216.82)

सिद्ध उवाच- इत्युक्तः स तदा तेन त्यक्त्वा देहं तु माहिषम् । दिव्यं वपुः समासाद्य गजराजं समारुहत्

siddha uvāca- ityuktaḥ sa tadā tena tyaktvā dehaṁ tu māhiṣam divyaṁ vapuḥ samāsādya gajarājaṁ samāruhat

The siddha said: 'Thus addressed by him, he then cast off his buffalo body, and, obtaining a divine form, mounted the king of elephants.'

Verse 83 (padma.6.216.83)

गजराजं समारुह्य स्थित्वा च गगने क्षणम् । प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं तुष्टाव कपिलं मुनिम्

gajarājaṁ samāruhya sthitvā ca gagane kṣaṇam praṇamya śirasā devaṁ tuṣṭāva kapilaṁ munim

'Mounted on the king of elephants, pausing a moment in the sky, bowing his head to that divine sage Kapila, he offered him praise.'

Verse 84 (padma.6.216.84)

कलिङ्ग उवाच । नमस्ते परमेशान केवलज्ञानहेतवे । सेतवे वेदविद्यानां रिपवे तद्विरोधिनाम्

kaliṅga uvāca namaste parameśāna kevalajñānahetave setave vedavidyānāṁ ripave tadvirodhinām

The king of Kalinga said: 'O supreme lord, cause of absolute knowledge, bridge to the sciences of the Veda, enemy of their opponents — salutations to you.'

Verse 85 (padma.6.216.85)

त्वत्तः प्रवृत्तिः सांख्यस्य जाता तत्वावबोधिनी । देहिनां मायया ग्रस्त चेतसामपि ते विभो

tvattaḥ pravṛttiḥ sāṁkhyasya jātā tatvāvabodhinī dehināṁ māyayā grasta cetasāmapi te vibho

'O lord, from you alone arose the tradition of Samkhya, revealer of truth, even for embodied beings whose minds are seized by Maya.'

Verse 86 (padma.6.216.86)

ये वेदविहितं त्यक्त्वा वर्तंते स्वेच्छया मुने । तान्दंडयसि दंड्यांस्त्वं मज्जयंस्तिर्यगादिषु

ye vedavihitaṁ tyaktvā vartaṁte svecchayā mune tāndaṁḍayasi daṁḍyāṁstvaṁ majjayaṁstiryagādiṣu

'O sage, those who abandon what the Veda enjoins and live by their own willful ways — those deserving punishment you yourself punish, plunging them into the wombs of beasts and the like.'

Verse 87 (padma.6.216.87)

इंद्रादयो लोकपालाः सर्वे त्वदधिकारिणः । त्वदिच्छामनुवर्तंते भीता दंडकृतो हि ते

iṁdrādayo lokapālāḥ sarve tvadadhikāriṇaḥ tvadicchāmanuvartaṁte bhītā daṁḍakṛto hi te

'Indra and all the other guardians of the world are subject to you alone; fearful, they follow your will, for you alone are the giver of punishment.'

Verse 88 (padma.6.216.88)

त्रयीधर्मविरोद्धारः पूर्वदेवा युगे युगे । अवतीर्य विनाशाय कृता सर्वात्मना त्वया

trayīdharmaviroddhāraḥ pūrvadevā yuge yuge avatīrya vināśāya kṛtā sarvātmanā tvayā

'Those opponents of the threefold Vedic dharma, the ancient adversary-gods of former ages, in age after age, taking incarnation, you yourself, the Self of all, have destroyed.'

Verse 89 (padma.6.216.89)

ये ये त्वया हता नाथ चक्रिणा त्रिदशारयः । ते ते तमोमयीं हित्वा तनुं वैकुंठमभ्यगुः

ye ye tvayā hatā nātha cakriṇā tridaśārayaḥ te te tamomayīṁ hitvā tanuṁ vaikuṁṭhamabhyaguḥ

'O lord, whatever enemies of the gods have been slain by you, the discus-bearer, all of them, casting off their dark bodies, have gone on to Vaikuntha.'

Verse 90 (padma.6.216.90)

आज्ञापय जगन्नाथ गंतु मां त्रिदशालयम् । अनुगृह्णीष्व शक्रं च नमंतं वीक्षणामृतैः

ājñāpaya jagannātha gaṁtu māṁ tridaśālayam anugṛhṇīṣva śakraṁ ca namaṁtaṁ vīkṣaṇāmṛtaiḥ

'O lord of the universe, command me to go on to the abode of the gods; and show your favor also to Indra, who bows before you, with your nectar-like glance.'

Verse 91 (padma.6.216.91)

प्रसादात्तव देवेश बदर्याख्यस्य च प्रभो । तीर्थस्य स्वतनुं हित्वा तामसीं सात्विकीं गतः

prasādāttava deveśa badaryākhyasya ca prabho tīrthasya svatanuṁ hitvā tāmasīṁ sātvikīṁ gataḥ

'O lord of the gods, O master, by your grace, and by the grace of this tirtha named Badari, I have cast off my tamasic body and obtained a sattvic one.'

Verse 92 (padma.6.216.92)

इंद्रेण सह नागेंद्रमारुह्य त्रिदशालयम् । गच्छामि स्वेच्छया नाथ कृपातस्ते कृपानिधेः

iṁdreṇa saha nāgeṁdramāruhya tridaśālayam gacchāmi svecchayā nātha kṛpātaste kṛpānidheḥ

'O lord, mounting the king of elephants together with Indra, by your grace, O treasure of compassion, I now go, of my own will, to the abode of the gods.'

Verse 93 (padma.6.216.93)

सिद्ध उवाच- इत्यभिष्टूय देवेशं कपिलं स कलिंगपः । नमस्कृत्य च तत्पादौ जगाम त्रिदशालयम्

siddha uvāca- ityabhiṣṭūya deveśaṁ kapilaṁ sa kaliṁgapaḥ namaskṛtya ca tatpādau jagāma tridaśālayam

The siddha said: 'Having thus praised the divine lord Kapila, that king of Kalinga bowed at his feet, and went on to the abode of the gods.'

Verse 94 (padma.6.216.94)

एतन्मयाद्भुतं विप्र दृष्टं बदरिकाश्रमे । गुरुं शुश्रूषमाणेन पापस्यापि विमोक्षणम्

etanmayādbhutaṁ vipra dṛṣṭaṁ badarikāśrame guruṁ śuśrūṣamāṇena pāpasyāpi vimokṣaṇam

'O brahmin, this wondrous thing I witnessed at Badarikashrama, while attending upon my guru — even the release from sin.'

Verse 95 (padma.6.216.95)

नातः परं त्रिलोक्यां तु तीर्थं सर्वार्थदायकम् । याहि तत्रैव सस्त्रीकः परं श्रेयो यदीच्छसि

nātaḥ paraṁ trilokyāṁ tu tīrthaṁ sarvārthadāyakam yāhi tatraiva sastrīkaḥ paraṁ śreyo yadīcchasi

'There is no other tirtha in the three worlds beyond this, granter of every end; if you desire the supreme good, go there yourself, with your wife.'

Verse 96 (padma.6.216.96)

अहं यामि समानेतुं बदर्याख्यं गृहान्द्विज । वृद्धं स्वकीय पितरं निस्पृहं मोक्षकामुकम्

ahaṁ yāmi samānetuṁ badaryākhyaṁ gṛhāndvija vṛddhaṁ svakīya pitaraṁ nispṛhaṁ mokṣakāmukam

'O brahmin, I now go to fetch my own aged father, desireless and longing for liberation, from home to this tirtha named Badari.'

Verse 97 (padma.6.216.97)

नारद उवाच- इति तीर्थवरस्यास्य बदर्याख्यस्य भूपते । महिमानं समुत्कीर्त्य स सिद्धः स्वगृहं ययौ

nārada uvāca- iti tīrthavarasyāsya badaryākhyasya bhūpate mahimānaṁ samutkīrtya sa siddhaḥ svagṛhaṁ yayau

Narada said: 'O king, having thus extolled the glory of this excellent tirtha named Badari, that siddha went to his own home.'

Verse 98 (padma.6.216.98)

अथ कालेन कियता स द्विजः सह भार्यया । तीर्थानपर्यटन्धीरः इंद्रप्रस्थेभ्यगादहम्

atha kālena kiyatā sa dvijaḥ saha bhāryayā tīrthānaparyaṭandhīraḥ iṁdraprasthebhyagādaham

'Then, after some time, that brahmin, together with his wife, steadfastly wandering the tirthas, arrived at Indraprastha.'

Verse 99 (padma.6.216.99)

तेनैव वपुषा राजन्नीतवांस्तौ निजालयम् । ससिद्धोऽपि स्वपितरं गृहादानीय सत्वरः

tenaiva vapuṣā rājannītavāṁstau nijālayam sasiddho'pi svapitaraṁ gṛhādānīya satvaraḥ

'O king, that same siddha, in that very same divine body of his, took the two of them to his own abode, and himself too, swiftly bringing his own father from home—'

Verse 100 (padma.6.216.100)

तत्रैव स्नापयामास तत्तीर्थे मोक्षकामुकम् । सोऽपि श्रीवासुदेवेन वृद्धः सिद्धपिता तदा

tatraiva snāpayāmāsa tattīrthe mokṣakāmukam so'pi śrīvāsudevena vṛddhaḥ siddhapitā tadā

'—had him bathe, that father longing for liberation, right there at that tirtha. That siddha's aged father too was then, by Shri Vasudeva—'

Verse 101 (padma.6.216.101)

ततो नीतो निजगृहं वृंदारकविवंदितः । इंद्रप्रस्थांतरगतमिदं सद्बदर्याख्यमीशः स्नानाद्दद्यादखिलजनिता मानसेष्टं पदार्थम् । माहात्म्यं ते नृपनतिमते वर्णितं तस्य पूतं यच्छ्रुत्वा वै पतति न जनो मातृगर्भे कदाचित्

tato nīto nijagṛhaṁ vṛṁdārakavivaṁditaḥ iṁdraprasthāṁtaragatamidaṁ sadbadaryākhyamīśaḥ snānāddadyādakhilajanitā mānaseṣṭaṁ padārtham māhātmyaṁ te nṛpanatimate varṇitaṁ tasya pūtaṁ yacchrutvā vai patati na jano mātṛgarbhe kadācit

'—escorted to his own home, honored by the very gods. This sacred tirtha named Badari, which lies within Indraprastha, grants, through mere bathing there, the very object cherished in the heart of every being. O king, at your humble request I have related to you this pure glory of it — hearing which, a man never again falls into a mother's womb.'