The Teaching of the Supreme Mantra to Dilipa

Verse 1 (padma.6.223.1)

शौनक उवाच- सूतसूत महाभाग धन्योसि त्वं भवांबुधौ । यन्नोऽत्यर्थं निमग्नानां पाययस्वमृतोत्करम् ।

śaunaka uvāca sūtasūta mahābhāga dhaṁyosi tvaṁ bhavāṁbudhau yaṁno'tyarthaṁ nimagnānāṁ pāyayasvamṛtotkaram

Shaunaka said: O Suta, most fortunate son of Suta, blessed are you in this ocean of worldly existence, for you give us, deeply immersed in it, a draught of nectar.

Verse 2 (padma.6.223.2)

साधोऽत्र भवनिस्तार वांछतां नः समादिश । मंत्ररत्नं भावशुद्धं यन्मयं सचराचरम् ।

sādho'tra bhavanistāra vāṁchatāṁ naḥ samādiśa maṁtraratnaṁ bhāvaśuddhaṁ yaṁmayaṁ sacarācaram

O virtuous one, instruct us, who desire deliverance from this world, in that jewel of mantras, pure in essence, which pervades all that moves and moves not.

Verse 3 (padma.6.223.3)

सूत उवाच- शृणु शौनक वक्ष्यामि मंत्ररत्नं महाद्भुतम् । यद्दिलीपाय गदितं वसिष्ठेन महात्मना ।

sūta uvāca śṛṇu śaunaka vakṣyāmi maṁtraratnaṁ mahādbhutam yaddilīpāya gaditaṁ vasiṣṭhena mahātmanā

Suta said: Listen, Shaunaka; I shall tell you the most wondrous jewel of mantras, declared to Dilipa by the great sage Vasishtha.

Verse 4 (padma.6.223.4)

एकदा तु दिलीपेन पृष्टमेतद्गुरुं प्रति । वसिष्ठं द्विजशार्दूलं प्रणिपत्य यथा त्वया ।

ekadā tu dilīpena pṛṣṭametadguruṁ prati vasiṣṭhaṁ dvijaśārdūlaṁ praṇipatya yathā tvayā

Once this was asked by Dilipa of his guru — bowing before Vasishtha, that tiger among the twice-born, just as you have asked of me.

Verse 5 (padma.6.223.5)

दिलीप उवाच- भगवन्भवता प्रोक्तास्सर्वधर्माविशेषतः । वर्णाश्रमयुता धर्मा नित्यनैमित्तिकाः क्रियाः ।

dilīpa uvāca bhagavaṁbhavatā proktāssarvadharmāviśeṣataḥ varṇāśramayutā dharmā nityanaimittikāḥ kriyāḥ

Dilipa said: O lord, you have taught me, in full detail, all the duties belonging to caste and life-stage, and the daily and occasional rites.

Verse 6 (padma.6.223.6)

राजधर्म्माश्च यज्ञाश्च तीर्थदानव्रतादिकम् । श्रुता मया मुनिःश्रेष्ठ अक्षय्य स्वर्गभोगदाः ।

rājadharṁmāśca yajṁāśca tīrthadānavratādikam śrutā mayā muniḥśreṣṭha akṣayya svargabhogadāḥ

I have heard from you, O best of sages, the duties of kings, sacrifices, pilgrimage, gifts, vows and the like, which grant imperishable heavenly enjoyment.

Verse 7 (padma.6.223.7)

अधुना श्रोतुमिच्छामि मोक्षमार्गं सनातनम् । दिष्ट्याहं येन गच्छामि तद्ब्रह्मन्वक्तुमर्हसि ।

adhunā śrotumicchāmi mokṣamārgaṁ sanātanam diṣṭyāhaṁ yena gacchāmi tadbrahmaṁvaktumarhasi

Now I wish to hear of the eternal path to liberation, by which, by good fortune, I may attain it; you should tell me this, O Brahmin.

Verse 8 (padma.6.223.8)

को मंत्रं सर्वमंत्राणां भवरोगैकभेषजम् । सर्वेषामेव देहीनां को हि मोक्षप्रदः परः ।

ko maṁtraṁ sarvamaṁtrāṇāṁ bhavarogaikabheṣajam sarveṣāmeva dehīnāṁ ko hi mokṣapradaḥ paraḥ

Which mantra, among all mantras, is the sole medicine for the disease of worldly existence? Which alone grants supreme liberation to all embodied beings?

Verse 9 (padma.6.223.9)

तत्समाख्याहि तत्त्वेन मयि वात्सल्यगौरवात् ।

tatsamākhyāhi tattvena mayi vātsalyagauravāt

Tell me this truly, out of the weight of your affection for me.

Verse 10 (padma.6.223.10)

वसिष्ठ उवाच- साधुपृष्टं त्वया राजन्सर्वलोकहितैषिणा । वक्ष्यामि परमं गुह्यमेकं संसारतारकम् ।

vasiṣṭha uvāca sādhupṛṣṭaṁ tvayā rājaṁsarvalokahitaiṣiṇā vakṣyāmi paramaṁ guhyamekaṁ saṁsāratārakam

Vasishtha said: Well have you asked, O king, wishing well for all the world; I shall tell you that one supreme secret which carries one across the ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 11 (padma.6.223.11)

पुरा महर्षयः सर्वे यज्ञदानपराः शुभाः । पप्रच्छुर्ब्रह्मणः पुत्रं नारदं मुनिसत्तमम् ।

purā maharṣayaḥ sarve yajṁadānaparāḥ śubhāḥ papracchurbrahmaṇaḥ putraṁ nāradaṁ munisattamam

Long ago all the great sages, devoted to sacrifice and gifts, virtuous, asked Narada, son of Brahma, the foremost of sages.

Verse 12 (padma.6.223.12)

महर्षय ऊचुः - भगवन्केन मंत्रेण गच्छामः परमं पदम् । तन्नो ब्रूहि महाभाग प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि ।

maharṣaya ūcuḥ bhagavaṁkena maṁtreṇa gacchāmaḥ paramaṁ padam taṁno brūhi mahābhāga prasādaṁ kartumarhasi

The great sages said: O lord, by which mantra may we attain the supreme abode? Tell us this, O most fortunate one; be gracious enough to do so.

Verse 13 (padma.6.223.13)

नारद उवाच-। पितामहं पुरा सर्वे योगिनः सनकादयः । पप्रच्छुरेकमेकांते मोक्षमार्गं सुदुर्ल्लभम् ।

nārada uvāca pitāmahaṁ purā sarve yoginaḥ sanakādayaḥ papracchurekamekāṁte mokṣamārgaṁ sudurllabham

Narada said: Long ago all the yogis, Sanaka and the others, once asked the Grandsire, in private, about that most rare path to liberation.

Verse 14 (padma.6.223.14)

ब्रह्मोवाच-। शृणुध्वं योगिनः सर्वे रहस्यमिदमद्भुतम् ।

brahmovāca śṛṇudhvaṁ yoginaḥ sarve rahasyamidamadbhutam

Brahma said: Listen, all you yogis, to this wondrous secret.

Verse 15 (padma.6.223.15)

न जानंति सुराः सर्वे ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः । सर्गादौ प्रोक्तवान्देवो मह्यं नारायणोऽव्ययः ।

na jānaṁti surāḥ sarve ṛṣayaśca tapodhanāḥ sargādau proktavāṁdevo mahyaṁ nārāyaṇo'vyayaḥ

Not all the gods know it, nor the sages rich in austerity. At the beginning of creation, the imperishable Lord Narayana declared it to me.

Verse 16 (padma.6.223.16)

ईश्वर्या सह देव्या च सम्यक्संपूजितो मया । ततः प्रसन्नो भगवान्मम नारायणोऽव्ययः ।

īśvaryā saha devyā ca saṁyaksaṁpūjito mayā tataḥ prasaṁno bhagavāṁmama nārāyaṇo'vyayaḥ

Having been duly worshipped by me, together with the goddess Ishvari, the imperishable Lord Narayana, pleased with me—

Verse 17 (padma.6.223.17)

प्राजापत्यं ददौ मह्यं श्रुतिजं सर्ववाङ्मयम् । प्रकाशकानि मंत्राणि व्यापकाव्यापकानि च ।

prājāpatyaṁ dadau mahyaṁ śrutijaṁ sarvavāṁmayam prakāśakāni maṁtrāṇi vyāpakāvyāpakāni ca

— granted to me the position of Prajapati, and all speech born of the Veda, along with mantras revealing truth, both pervasive and limited in scope.

Verse 18 (padma.6.223.18)

ततस्तमब्रुवं देवं पुराणपुरुषोत्तमम् । भगवन्केन मंत्रेण संसारोत्तारणं नृणाम् ।

tatastamabruvaṁ devaṁ purāṇapuruṣottamam bhagavaṁkena maṁtreṇa saṁsārottāraṇaṁ nṛṇām

Then I said to that god, the ancient Supreme Person: 'O lord, by which mantra is the crossing of the ocean of worldly existence achieved for men?

Verse 19 (padma.6.223.19)

तन्ममाचक्ष्व तत्त्वेन सर्वलोकहिताय वै । को मन्त्रः सर्वमन्त्राणां पुरश्चरणवर्जितः ।

taṁmamācakṣva tattvena sarvalokahitāya vai ko maṁtraḥ sarvamaṁtrāṇāṁ puraścaraṇavarjitaḥ

Tell me this truly, for the good of all the worlds. Which mantra, among all mantras, requires no purashcharana,

Verse 20 (padma.6.223.20)

सकृदुच्चारणान्नृणां ददाति परमं पदम् । श्रीभगवानुवाच- साधुपृष्टं महाभाग सर्वलोकहितैषिणा ।

sakṛduccāraṇāṁnṛṇāṁ dadāti paramaṁ padam śrībhagavānuvāca sādhupṛṣṭaṁ mahābhāga sarvalokahitaiṣiṇā

and, merely by a single utterance, grants men the supreme state?' The glorious Lord said: Well have you asked, O most fortunate one, wishing well for all the world.

Verse 21 (padma.6.223.21)

तस्माद्वक्ष्यामि ते गुह्यं येन मामाप्नुयुर्नराः ।

tasmādvakṣyāmi te guhyaṁ yena māmāpnuyurnarāḥ

Therefore I shall tell you the secret by which men may attain me.

Verse 22 (padma.6.223.22)

सर्वेषामेव मंत्राणां मंत्ररत्नं शुभावहम् । सकृत्स्मरणमात्रेण ददाति परमं पदम् ।

sarveṣāmeva maṁtrāṇāṁ maṁtraratnaṁ śubhāvaham sakṛtsmaraṇamātreṇa dadāti paramaṁ padam

Among all mantras, this is the auspicious jewel of mantras; by mere remembrance, even once, it grants the supreme state.

Verse 23 (padma.6.223.23)

मंत्ररत्नद्वयं न्यासं प्रयतिः शरणागतिः । लक्ष्मीनारायणमिति मन्त्रः सर्वफलप्रदः ।

maṁtraratnadvayaṁ ṁyāsaṁ prayatiḥ śaraṇāgatiḥ lakṣmīnārāyaṇamiti maṁtraḥ sarvaphalapradaḥ

The jewel of mantras is the Dvaya, comprising surrender, right effort, and taking refuge — the mantra of 'Lakshmi-Narayana,' granting every fruit.

Verse 24 (padma.6.223.24)

नामानि मंत्ररत्नस्य पर्य्यायेण निबोधत । तस्योच्चारणमात्रेण परितुष्टोस्मि नित्यशः ।

nāmāni maṁtraratnasya paryyāyeṇa nibodhata tasyoccāraṇamātreṇa parituṣṭosmi nityaśaḥ

Learn now, in order, the names of this jewel of mantras; by its mere utterance I am forever fully satisfied.

Verse 25 (padma.6.223.25)

कुलजो वा तपस्वी वा वेदवेदांगपारगः । यज्ञदानपरो वापि सर्वतीर्थोपसेवकः ।

kulajo vā tapasvī vā vedavedāṁgapāragaḥ yajṁadānaparo vāpi sarvatīrthopasevakaḥ

Whether one is well-born, or an ascetic, or learned in the Vedas and their limbs, or devoted to sacrifice and gifts, or a visitor of all sacred places—

Verse 26 (padma.6.223.26)

व्रती वा सत्यवादी वा यतिर्वा ज्ञानवानपि । मन्त्राधिकारी न भवेत्तं प्रयत्नेन वर्जयेत् ।

vratī vā satyavādī vā yatirvā jṁānavānapi maṁtrādhikārī na bhavettaṁ prayatnena varjayet

— or one who keeps vows, speaks truth, is an ascetic, or even possesses knowledge — whoever is not otherwise fit for this mantra should carefully be excluded from it.

Verse 27 (padma.6.223.27)

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्या स्त्रियः शूद्रास्तथेतराः । तस्याधिकारिणः सर्वे मम भक्तास्तु ते यदि ।

brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyā striyaḥ śūdrāstathetarāḥ tasyādhikāriṇaḥ sarve mama bhaktāstu te yadi

Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, women, Shudras, and others as well — all of them are qualified for it, if they are devoted to me.

Verse 28 (padma.6.223.28)

अनन्यशरणानां च तथैवानन्यसेविनाम् । अनन्यसाधकानां च वक्तव्यो मन्त्र उत्तमः ।

anaṁyaśaraṇānāṁ ca tathaivānaṁyasevinām anaṁyasādhakānāṁ ca vaktavyo maṁtra uttamaḥ

This supreme mantra should be taught to those who take refuge in none other, who serve none other, and who strive for none other than me.

Verse 29 (padma.6.223.29)

आर्तानामाशु फलदस्सकृदेव कृतो ह्यसौ । दृप्तानामपि जन्तूनां देहान्तरनिवारणः ।

ārtānāmāśu phaladassakṛdeva kṛto hyasau dṛptānāmapi jaṁtūnāṁ dehāṁtaranivāraṇaḥ

For the distressed it swiftly bears fruit, even when performed but once. Even for arrogant beings, it prevents another round of embodiment.

Verse 30 (padma.6.223.30)

आर्त्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी वापि प्रजापतिः । सकृन्मां शरणं याति ततः कामानवाप्नुयात् ।

ārtto jijṁāsurarthārthī jṁānī vāpi prajāpatiḥ sakṛṁmāṁ śaraṇaṁ yāti tataḥ kāmānavāpnuyāt

The distressed, the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of wealth, the wise one, or even a Prajapati — whoever takes refuge in me but once thereby obtains his desires.

Verse 31 (padma.6.223.31)

नादीक्षिताय वक्तव्यं नाभक्ताय च मानिने । नास्तिकाय न लुब्धाय न श्रद्धाविमुखाय च ।

nādīkṣitāya vaktavyaṁ nābhaktāya ca mānine nāstikāya na lubdhāya na śraddhāvimukhāya ca

It should not be taught to one who is uninitiated, nor to an arrogant non-devotee, nor to an atheist, nor to a greedy person, nor to one averse to faith.

Verse 32 (padma.6.223.32)

न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं नासंवत्सरवासिने । कामक्रोधविमुक्तस्तु दंभलोभविवर्जितः ।

na cāśuśrūṣave vācyaṁ nāsaṁvatsaravāsine kāmakrodhavimuktastu daṁbhalobhavivarjitaḥ

Nor should it be spoken to one unwilling to serve, nor to one who has not dwelt with the guru for a year. But one free from desire and anger, devoid of pride and greed—

Verse 33 (padma.6.223.33)

मां च यो व्यभिचारेण भक्तियोगेन सेवते । वक्तव्य तस्य विधिवन्मंत्ररत्नमनुत्तमम् ।

māṁ ca yo vyabhicāreṇa bhaktiyogena sevate vaktavya tasya vidhivaṁmaṁtraratnamanuttamam

— and who serves me through unwavering devotion, to him this unsurpassed jewel of mantras should duly be taught.

Verse 34 (padma.6.223.34)

देशकालादिनियमानरिमित्रादि शोधनम् । न्यासमुद्रादिकं तस्य पुरश्चरणसंयुतम् ।

deśakālādiniyamānarimitrādi śodhanam ṁyāsamudrādikaṁ tasya puraścaraṇasaṁyutam

He need not observe the rules of place and time, purification concerning enemy and friend, nor the ritual gestures and placements together with purashcharana.

Verse 35 (padma.6.223.35)

मच्चक्रांकितदेहत्वं मदीयाराधनं तथा । मयि सन्यस्तकर्मत्वं मदनन्यशरण्यतता ।

maccakrāṁkitadehatvaṁ madīyārādhanaṁ tathā mayi saṁyastakarmatvaṁ madanaṁyaśaraṁyatatā

What is required is having one's body marked with my discus, worship devoted to me, surrender of all action to me, and taking refuge in me alone,

Verse 36 (padma.6.223.36)

मयि सर्वफलन्यासो महाविश्वासपूर्वकम् । अनन्यसाधनो यत्नस्त्वकिंचनत्वमात्मनः ।

mayi sarvaphalaṁyāso mahāviśvāsapūrvakam anaṁyasādhano yatnastvakiṁcanatvamātmanaḥ

the offering of all fruits of action to me with great faith, effort directed at no other means, and a sense of one's own utter helplessness without me.

Verse 37 (padma.6.223.37)

अवैष्णवानां संभाषा वंदनादि विवर्जनम् । अनन्यदेवतानां च वन्दनं पूजनं तथा ।

avaiṣṇavānāṁ saṁbhāṣā vaṁdanādi vivarjanam anaṁyadevatānāṁ ca vaṁdanaṁ pūjanaṁ tathā

He should avoid conversation with non-Vaishnavas, abstain from bowing to them, as well as from bowing to and worshipping other deities.

Verse 38 (padma.6.223.38)

एवमाद्यादि नियमां प्रपन्नस्य प्रकीर्तिताः । इत्यादिगुणयुक्तस्य वक्तव्यं मंत्रमुत्तमम् ।

evamādyādi niyamāṁ prapaṁnasya prakīrtitāḥ ityādiguṇayuktasya vaktavyaṁ maṁtramuttamam

Such are declared to be the rules, beginning with these, for one who has taken refuge. To one endowed with these and similar qualities, this supreme mantra should be taught.

Verse 39 (padma.6.223.39)

तस्य नारायणश्चाहमृषिर्विष्णुः सनातनः । देवता च श्रिया सार्द्धमहं वात्सल्यसागरः ।

tasya nārāyaṇaścāhamṛṣirviṣṇuḥ sanātanaḥ devatā ca śriyā sārddhamahaṁ vātsalyasāgaraḥ

For him, I, Narayana, am the seer of this mantra; the eternal Vishnu is its metre-source; and I myself, together with Shri, am its deity — an ocean of parental affection.

Verse 40 (padma.6.223.40)

सर्वलोकेश्वरः श्रीमान्सुशीलः सुभगस्तथा । सर्वज्ञः सर्वशक्तिश्च सदापूर्णमनोरथः ।

sarvalokeśvaraḥ śrīmāṁsuśīlaḥ subhagastathā sarvajṁaḥ sarvaśaktiśca sadāpūrṇamanorathaḥ

The lord of all worlds, glorious, of good character, gracious, all-knowing, all-powerful, ever of fulfilled desires,

Verse 41 (padma.6.223.41)

सर्वगः सर्वबंधुश्च कृपापीयूषसागरः । श्रीमन्नारायणश्चाहं देवता समुदाहृतः ।

sarvagaḥ sarvabaṁdhuśca kṛpāpīyūṣasāgaraḥ śrīmaṁnārāyaṇaścāhaṁ devatā samudāhṛtaḥ

all-pervading, kinsman of all, an ocean of the nectar of compassion — I, the glorious Narayana, am declared to be its deity.

Verse 42 (padma.6.223.42)

छंदस्तु देवी गायत्री पंचविंशाक्षरात्मिका । द्विस्सप्तषट्त्रिपंचद्विषडंगानि नियोजयेत् ।

chaṁdastu devī gāyatrī paṁcaviṁśākṣarātmikā dvissaptaṣaṭtripaṁcadviṣaḍaṁgāni niyojayet

Its metre is the goddess Gayatri, of twenty-five syllables. One should assign to it the six limbs in the sequence two, seven, six, three, five, two, six.

Verse 43 (padma.6.223.43)

लक्ष्म्या मदनपायिन्या मां ध्यायेद्विश्वरूपिणम् । चक्रशंखगदापद्मपाणिनं दिव्यरूपिणम् ।

lakṣṁyā madanapāyiṁyā māṁ dhyāyedviśvarūpiṇam cakraśaṁkhagadāpadmapāṇinaṁ divyarūpiṇam

One should meditate on me, of universal form, together with Lakshmi who never departs from me, holding the discus, conch, mace, and lotus, of divine form,

Verse 44 (padma.6.223.44)

वामांकस्थश्रिया सार्द्धं पूजयेत्प्रयतं शुचिः । अनेन मंत्ररत्नेन गंधपुष्पनिवेदनैः । सकृत्संपूज्यमानोऽपि संतुष्टोस्मि प्रजापते ।

vāmāṁkasthaśriyā sārddhaṁ pūjayetprayataṁ śuciḥ anena maṁtraratnena gaṁdhapuṣpanivedanaiḥ sakṛtsaṁpūjyamāno'pi saṁtuṣṭosmi prajāpate

with Shri seated on my left side; and, being pure and self-controlled, should worship me with this jewel of mantras, offering scent and flowers. Even if worshipped but once, I am fully satisfied, O Prajapati.

Verse 45 (padma.6.223.45)

ब्रह्मोवाच- सम्यगुक्तं त्वया नाथ रहस्यमिदमुत्तमम् । मंत्ररत्नप्रभावश्च सर्वसिद्धिप्रदो नृणाम् ।

brahmovāca saṁyaguktaṁ tvayā nātha rahasyamidamuttamam maṁtraratnaprabhāvaśca sarvasiddhiprado nṛṇām

Brahma said: Well have you spoken, O Lord, this supreme secret; and the power of this jewel of mantras grants all attainments to men.

Verse 46 (padma.6.223.46)

पिता त्वं सर्वलोकानां माता त्वं गुरुरेव च । त्वं च स्वामी सखा भ्राता गतिस्त्वं शरणं सुहृत् ।

pitā tvaṁ sarvalokānāṁ mātā tvaṁ gurureva ca tvaṁ ca svāmī sakhā bhrātā gatistvaṁ śaraṇaṁ suhṛt

You are the father of all the worlds, you are the mother, and indeed the guru; you are the master, the friend, the brother; you are the goal, the refuge, the well-wisher.

Verse 47 (padma.6.223.47)

अहं तु तव देवेश दासश्शिष्यस्तथा सुहृत् । तस्मान्मम दयासिंधो प्रोक्तवानिदमुत्तमम् ।

ahaṁ tu tava deveśa dāsaśśiṣyastathā suhṛt tasmāṁmama dayāsiṁdho proktavānidamuttamam

And I, O lord of the gods, am your servant, disciple, and friend. Therefore, O ocean of compassion, you have spoken this supreme teaching to me.

Verse 48 (padma.6.223.48)

अधुना मंत्ररत्नस्य दीक्षां सम्यग्विधानतः । ब्रूहि सर्वत्र तत्वेन लोकानां हितकाम्यया ।

adhunā maṁtraratnasya dīkṣāṁ saṁyagvidhānataḥ brūhi sarvatra tatvena lokānāṁ hitakāṁyayā

Now, tell me truly and in full, everywhere, the proper procedure of initiation into this jewel of mantras, out of desire for the good of the worlds.

Verse 49 (padma.6.223.49)

श्रीभगवानुवाच - शणु वत्स प्रवक्ष्यामि मंत्र दीक्षाविधिं परम् । आचार्यं संश्रयेत्पूर्वं मदाश्रयणसिद्धये ।

śrībhagavānuvāca śaṇu vatsa pravakṣyāmi maṁtra dīkṣāvidhiṁ param ācāryaṁ saṁśrayetpūrvaṁ madāśrayaṇasiddhaye

The glorious Lord said: Listen, child, I shall tell you the supreme procedure of mantra-initiation. One should first take refuge in a preceptor, for the accomplishment of taking refuge in me.

Verse 50 (padma.6.223.50)

आचार्यो वेदसंपन्नो विष्णुभक्तो विमत्सरः । मंत्रज्ञो मन्त्रभक्तश्च सदा मंत्राश्रयः शुचिः ।

ācāryo vedasaṁpaṁno viṣṇubhakto vimatsaraḥ maṁtrajṁo maṁtrabhaktaśca sadā maṁtrāśrayaḥ śuciḥ

The preceptor should be accomplished in the Vedas, devoted to Vishnu, free from envy, knowing the mantra, devoted to the mantra, ever taking refuge in the mantra, and pure.

Verse 51 (padma.6.223.51)

सत्संप्रदायसंयुक्तो ब्रह्मविद्याविशारदः । अनन्यसाधनश्चैव तथानन्यप्रयोजनः ।

satsaṁpradāyasaṁyukto brahmavidyāviśāradaḥ anaṁyasādhanaścaiva tathānaṁyaprayojanaḥ

He should belong to a true lineage, be skilled in the knowledge of Brahman, resort to no other means, and have no other purpose than devotion to me.

Verse 52 (padma.6.223.52)

ब्राह्मणो वीतरागश्च क्रोधलोभविवर्जितः । सद्वृत्तौ शासिता चैव मुमुक्षुः परमात्मवित् ।

brāhmaṇo vītarāgaśca krodhalobhavivarjitaḥ sadvṛttau śāsitā caiva mumukṣuḥ paramātmavit

He should be a brahmin, free from passion, devoid of anger and greed, a guide in good conduct, desirous of liberation, and a knower of the Supreme Self.

Verse 53 (padma.6.223.53)

एवमादिगुणेपेत आचार्यः स मुदा सुहृत् । आचाराञ्शासयेद्यस्तु स आचार्य इतीरितः ।

evamādiguṇepeta ācāryaḥ sa mudā suhṛt ācārāṁśāsayedyastu sa ācārya itīritaḥ

An acharya endowed with these and other such qualities is a joyful well-wisher; he who instructs in proper conduct is called an acharya.

Verse 54 (padma.6.223.54)

यस्त्वाचार्यपराधीनस्सद्वृत्तौ शास्यते यदि । शासने स्थिरवृत्तश्च शिष्यः सद्भिरुदाहृतः ।

yastvācāryaparādhīnassadvṛttau śāsyate yadi śāsane sthiravṛttaśca śiṣyaḥ sadbhirudāhṛtaḥ

And one who submits himself to the acharya, is guided by him in good conduct, and remains steady under his instruction — he is called a disciple by the wise.

Verse 55 (padma.6.223.55)

एवं लक्षणसंयुक्तं शिष्यं सर्वगुणान्वितम् । अध्यापयेद्विधानेन मन्त्ररत्ननुत्तमम् ।

evaṁ lakṣaṇasaṁyuktaṁ śiṣyaṁ sarvaguṇāṁvitam adhyāpayedvidhānena maṁtraratnanuttamam

Such a disciple, possessed of these characteristics and endowed with every virtue, should be taught this supreme jewel of mantras according to the proper procedure.

Verse 56 (padma.6.223.56)

द्वादश्यां श्रवणे वापि कर्हिचिद्वैष्णवे दिने । सदाचार्योपसंप्रीतौ तत्र दीक्षां समाचेत् ।

dvādaśyāṁ śravaṇe vāpi karhicidvaiṣṇave dine sadācāryopasaṁprītau tatra dīkṣāṁ samācet

On the twelfth lunar day, or on the Shravana asterism, or on some other auspicious Vaishnava day, when the good acharya is well-pleased, initiation should then be performed.

Verse 57 (padma.6.223.57)

सुदर्शनं पांचजन्यं सुवर्णेन प्रकारयेत् । रौप्येण वापि ताम्रेण कांस्येनापि प्रकारयेत् ।

sudarśanaṁ pāṁcajaṁyaṁ suvarṇena prakārayet raupyeṇa vāpi tāṁreṇa kāṁsyenāpi prakārayet

One should have the Sudarshana discus and Panchajanya conch fashioned in gold, or else in silver, copper, or bronze.

Verse 58 (padma.6.223.58)

स्नाप्य पंचामृतैः शुद्धैरर्चयेत्पुरतो मम । अर्च्चयेद्गंधपुष्पाद्यैस्तन्मंत्रेण विधानतः ।

snāpya paṁcāmṛtaiḥ śuddhairarcayetpurato mama arccayedgaṁdhapuṣpādyaistaṁmaṁtreṇa vidhānataḥ

Having bathed them in the pure five nectars, one should worship them before my image, offering scent, flowers, and the like, with that mantra, in due procedure.

Verse 59 (padma.6.223.59)

तत्र संस्थापयेदग्नि स्वगृह्योक्त विधानतः । आचार्यो जुहुयादाज्यं मंत्रेणाथ द्विजोत्तमः ।

tatra saṁsthāpayedagni svagṛhyokta vidhānataḥ ācāryo juhuyādājyaṁ maṁtreṇātha dvijottamaḥ

There one should establish the sacred fire according to one's own domestic ritual texts; the acharya, that best of brahmins, should then offer clarified butter with the mantra.

Verse 60 (padma.6.223.60)

अष्टोत्तरसहस्रं वा शतमष्टोत्तरं तु वा । जुहुयान्मंत्ररत्नेन तथान्यैर्वैष्णवैः शुभैः ।

aṣṭottarasahasraṁ vā śatamaṣṭottaraṁ tu vā juhuyāṁmaṁtraratnena tathāṁyairvaiṣṇavaiḥ śubhaiḥ

He should offer oblations either one thousand and eight times, or one hundred and eight times, with the jewel of mantras, and also with other auspicious Vaishnava mantras.

Verse 61 (padma.6.223.61)

मंत्रैः पुरुषसूक्ताद्यैर्जुहुयाघृतपायसम् । तस्मिन्नग्नौ क्षिपेच्चक्रं शंखं च द्विजत्तमः ।

maṁtraiḥ puruṣasūktādyairjuhuyāghṛtapāyasam tasmiṁnagnau kṣipeccakraṁ śaṁkhaṁ ca dvijattamaḥ

With mantras beginning with the Purusha-sukta, he should offer ghee and rice-pudding; and that best of brahmins should place the discus and conch into that fire.

Verse 62 (padma.6.223.62)

षडक्षरेण जुहुयादाज्यं विंशतिसंख्यया । प्रतप्तं चक्रमादाय मंत्रैणैव तथा गुरुः ।

ṣaḍakṣareṇa juhuyādājyaṁ viṁśatisaṁkhyayā prataptaṁ cakramādāya maṁtraiṇaiva tathā guruḥ

He should offer clarified butter twenty times with the six-syllabled mantra; then, taking up the heated discus with that same mantra, the guru—

Verse 63 (padma.6.223.63)

शंखेनैवांकनं कुर्याद्बाह्वोर्दक्षिणसव्ययोः । होमशेषं समाप्याथ पुनः पूजां समाचरेत् ।

śaṁkhenaivāṁkanaṁ kuryādbāhvordakṣiṇasavyayoḥ homaśeṣaṁ samāpyātha punaḥ pūjāṁ samācaret

— should mark the disciple's arms, right and left, with the discus and conch respectively. Having completed the remainder of the fire-offering, he should then again perform worship.

Verse 64 (padma.6.223.64)

ततः कलशमादाय पवित्रोदकपूरितम् । मंत्रेणैवाभिमंत्र्याथ तस्य मूर्ध्न्यभिषेचयेत् ।

tataḥ kalaśamādāya pavitrodakapūritam maṁtreṇaivābhimaṁtryātha tasya mūrdhṁyabhiṣecayet

Then, taking up a pot filled with sanctified water, and having consecrated it with the mantra, he should pour it in consecration upon the disciple's head.

Verse 65 (padma.6.223.65)

सितवस्त्रधरं सम्यगाचांतं विनयान्वितम् । ऊर्द्ध्वपुण्ड्रधरं शिष्यं मंत्रमध्यापयेद्गुरुः ।

sitavastradharaṁ saṁyagācāṁtaṁ vinayāṁvitam ūrddhvapuṁḍradharaṁ śiṣyaṁ maṁtramadhyāpayedguruḥ

Then the guru should teach the mantra to the disciple, who should be clad in white garments, having duly sipped water, endowed with humility, and bearing the upward tilaka mark.

Verse 66 (padma.6.223.66)

मंत्रार्थश्च प्रवक्तव्यो वृत्तिश्चैव विशेषतः । लब्धमंत्रस्तदाचार्यं पूजयेद्भूषणादिभिः ।

maṁtrārthaśca pravaktavyo vṛttiścaiva viśeṣataḥ labdhamaṁtrastadācāryaṁ pūjayedbhūṣaṇādibhiḥ

The meaning of the mantra should be explained, and especially its mode of practice. Having received the mantra, the disciple should honor the acharya with ornaments and other gifts.

Verse 67 (padma.6.223.67)

अनेन विधिना मंत्रं योऽधीते वैष्णवाद्गुरोः । ततः स वैष्णवं याति नान्यथा सुरसत्तम ।

anena vidhinā maṁtraṁ yo'dhīte vaiṣṇavādguroḥ tataḥ sa vaiṣṇavaṁ yāti nāṁyathā surasattama

Whoever learns the mantra in this manner from a Vaishnava guru thereby attains the state of a Vaishnava — not otherwise, O best of gods.

Verse 68 (padma.6.223.68)

नारद उवाच- एवमुक्त्त्वा विधातारं देवदेवो हरिः पिता । स्वचक्रेणांकयित्वा तु तस्मै मंत्रं ददौ स्वयम् ।

nārada uvāca evamukttvā vidhātāraṁ devadevo hariḥ pitā svacakreṇāṁkayitvā tu tasmai maṁtraṁ dadau svayam

Narada said: Having spoken thus to the Creator, Hari, the god of gods, our father, having marked him with his own discus, himself gave him the mantra.

Verse 69 (padma.6.223.69)

सर्वलोकेश्वरो देवो ब्रह्मा मम पिता प्रभुः । ममापि विधिवन्मंत्रं स ददौ मुनिसत्तमाः ।

sarvalokeśvaro devo brahmā mama pitā prabhuḥ mamāpi vidhivaṁmaṁtraṁ sa dadau munisattamāḥ

Brahma, the lord of all worlds, my father and master, in the same way duly gave me too the mantra, O best of sages.

Verse 70 (padma.6.223.70)

तस्माद्यूयं मुनिश्रेष्ठा धारयित्वा सुदर्शनम् । नारायणपदं द्वंद्वं गच्छध्वं शरणं द्विजाः ।

tasmādyūyaṁ muniśreṣṭhā dhārayitvā sudarśanam nārāyaṇapadaṁ dvaṁdvaṁ gacchadhvaṁ śaraṇaṁ dvijāḥ

Therefore, O foremost sages, bearing the mark of Sudarshana, go, O brahmins, and take refuge in that pair of words, 'Narayana.'

Verse 71 (padma.6.223.71)

वसिष्ठ उवाच- इत्युक्त्वा मुनयः सर्वे नारदेन सुरर्षिणा । द्वयाधिकारिणः सर्वे याता विष्णोः परं पदम् ।

vasiṣṭha uvāca ityuktvā munayaḥ sarve nāradena surarṣiṇā dvayādhikāriṇaḥ sarve yātā viṣṇoḥ paraṁ padam

Vasishtha said: Having been thus addressed by the divine sage Narada, all those sages, now qualified for the Dvaya mantra, attained the supreme abode of Vishnu.

Verse 72 (padma.6.223.72)

तस्मात्त्वमपि राजर्षे विष्णुसायुज्यमिच्छसि । दीक्षामार्गविधानेन धारयित्वा सुदर्शनम् ।

tasmāttvamapi rājarṣe viṣṇusāyujyamicchasi dīkṣāmārgavidhānena dhārayitvā sudarśanam

Therefore you too, O royal sage, since you desire union with Vishnu, having borne the mark of Sudarshana according to the procedure of initiation—

Verse 73 (padma.6.223.73)

नारायणपदद्वंद्वं तदेकं शरणं व्रज । सर्वलोकेश्वरः साक्षाद्ब्रह्मा त्रिभुवनेश्वरः ।

nārāyaṇapadadvaṁdvaṁ tadekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja sarvalokeśvaraḥ sākṣādbrahmā tribhuvaneśvaraḥ

— go for refuge to that one pair of words, 'Narayana.' Brahma, the lord of all worlds, the very lord of the three worlds himself,

Verse 74 (padma.6.223.74)

ममापि नारदस्यापि प्रोक्तवान्मंत्रमुत्तमम् । शौनकादि महर्षीणां नैमिषारण्यवासिनाम् ।

mamāpi nāradasyāpi proktavāṁmaṁtramuttamam śaunakādi maharṣīṇāṁ naimiṣāraṁyavāsinām

declared this supreme mantra both to me and to Narada. And to the great sages headed by Shaunaka, dwelling in Naimisharanya,

Verse 75 (padma.6.223.75)

नारदः प्रददौ मंत्रं प्रपत्तिं शरणागतिम् । एतद्गुह्यतमं राजन्न जानंति महर्षयः ।

nāradaḥ pradadau maṁtraṁ prapattiṁ śaraṇāgatim etadguhyatamaṁ rājaṁna jānaṁti maharṣayaḥ

Narada gave the mantra of surrender, of taking refuge. This most secret teaching, O king, even the great sages do not know;

Verse 76 (padma.6.223.76)

देवाताश्च न जानंति सिद्धा साध्याश्च दानवाः । मयापि प्रापितो मंत्रं शक्तिपुत्रः पराशरः ।

devātāśca na jānaṁti siddhā sādhyāśca dānavāḥ mayāpi prāpito maṁtraṁ śaktiputraḥ parāśaraḥ

nor do the gods know it, nor the Siddhas, the Sadhyas, or the demons. By me too was Parashara, the son of Shakti, given this mantra.

Verse 77 (padma.6.223.77)

इदं रहस्यं परमं लक्ष्मीनारायणं द्वयम् । राजंस्तवापि वक्ष्यामि प्रपत्ति शरणागतिम् ।

idaṁ rahasyaṁ paramaṁ lakṣmīnārāyaṇaṁ dvayam rājaṁstavāpi vakṣyāmi prapatti śaraṇāgatim

This is the supreme secret, the Dvaya of Lakshmi-Narayana. To you too, O king, I shall now impart this surrender, this taking of refuge.

Verse 78 (padma.6.223.78)

द्वयात्परतरं मन्त्रं नास्ति सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते । अस्मात्परतरं धर्म्मं नास्ति लोकेषु किंचन ।

dvayātparataraṁ maṁtraṁ nāsti satyaṁ bravīmi te asmātparataraṁ dharṁmaṁ nāsti lokeṣu kiṁcana

There is no mantra higher than the Dvaya — I tell you this truly. There is no dharma anywhere in the worlds higher than this.

Verse 79 (padma.6.223.79)

सत्यं सत्यं पुनः सत्यं ब्रह्मणा कथितं पुरा । नारायणात्परो देवो नास्ति मुक्तिप्रदो नृणाम् ।

satyaṁ satyaṁ punaḥ satyaṁ brahmaṇā kathitaṁ purā nārāyaṇātparo devo nāsti muktiprado nṛṇām

Truly, truly, and again truly — this was declared long ago by Brahma: there is no god higher than Narayana who grants liberation to men.

Verse 80 (padma.6.223.80)

तत्सेवैव भवेन्मोक्षः सर्वकर्म निकृंतनः ।

tatsevaiva bhaveṁmokṣaḥ sarvakarma nikṛṁtanaḥ

Service to him alone is liberation, the cutter-away of all karma.