The Three-Fold Glory of Vishnu

Verse 1 (padma.6.227.1)

पार्वत्युवाच- विस्तरेण मयाचक्ष्व मंत्रार्थपदगौरवम् । ईश्वरस्य स्वरूपं च तद्विभूतिगुणांस्तथा ।

pārvatyuvāca vistareṇa mayācakṣva maṁtrārthapadagauravam īśvarasya svarūpaṁ ca tadvibhūtiguṇāṁstathā

Parvati said: Tell me in detail the weighty meaning of the mantra's words, the true nature of the Lord, and likewise his glories and qualities.

Verse 2 (padma.6.227.2)

तद्विष्णोः परमं धामव्यूहभेदांस्तथा हरेः । सर्वमाख्याहि तत्त्वेन मम सर्वसुरेश्वर ।

tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ dhāmavyūhabhedāṁstathā hareḥ sarvamākhyāhi tattvena mama sarvasureśvara

Tell me all truly, O lord of all the gods — the supreme abode of that Vishnu, and likewise the various forms of Hari.

Verse 3 (padma.6.227.3)

ईश्वर उवाच- शृणु देवि प्रवक्ष्यामि स्वरूपं परमात्मनः । विभूतिगुणसंघातं तदवस्थात्मकं हरेः ।

īśvara uvāca śṛṇu devi pravakṣyāmi svarūpaṁ paramātmanaḥ vibhūtiguṇasaṁghātaṁ tadavasthātmakaṁ hareḥ

Ishvara said: Listen, O goddess, I shall tell the true nature of the Supreme Self, the collection of his glories and qualities, and the states of being of Hari.

Verse 4 (padma.6.227.4)

यः परः पुरुषो विष्णुर्नारायण उदाहृतः । स ईश्वरश्च जगतां परमात्मा सनातनः ।

yaḥ paraḥ puruṣo viṣṇurnārāyaṇa udāhṛtaḥ sa īśvaraśca jagatāṁ paramātmā sanātanaḥ

He who is the Supreme Person, Vishnu, declared as Narayana — he is the Lord of the worlds, the eternal Supreme Self.

Verse 5 (padma.6.227.5)

विश्वतः पाणिपादश्च चक्षुष्मान्विश्वतः प्रभुः । विश्वानि भुवनान्यस्मिन्धामानि परमाणि वै ।

viśvataḥ pāṇipādaśca cakṣuṣmāṁviśvataḥ prabhuḥ viśvāni bhuvanāṁyasmiṁdhāmāni paramāṇi vai

With hands and feet on every side, with eyes on every side, the master on every side — in whom all the worlds, all the supreme abodes,

Verse 6 (padma.6.227.6)

धारयन्सोऽप्यत्यतिष्ठेन्मनांसि च मनीषिणाम् । एवं बहुस्वरूपः सञ्छ्रीपतिः पुरुषोत्तमः । ईश्वरर्य्या सहभोगार्थं दिव्यमंगलरूपवान् ।

dhārayaṁso'pyatyatiṣṭheṁmanāṁsi ca manīṣiṇām evaṁ bahusvarūpaḥ saṁchrīpatiḥ puruṣottamaḥ īśvararyyā sahabhogārthaṁ divyamaṁgalarūpavān

— sustaining them all, he still transcends them all, and even the minds of the wise. Thus of many forms, the Lord of Shri, Purushottama, of divine and auspicious form, for the sake of enjoyment together with his consort,

Verse 7 (padma.6.227.7)

बृहच्छरीरोऽग्निसमानरूपो युवा कुमारत्वमुपेयिवान्हरिः । रेमे श्रियासौ जगतां जनन्या स्वज्योत्स्नया चंद्रइवामृतांशुः ।

bṛhaccharīro'gnisamānarūpo yuvā kumāratvamupeyivāṁhariḥ reme śriyāsau jagatāṁ janaṁyā svajyotsnayā caṁdraivāmṛtāṁśuḥ

of vast body, of a form like fire, ever-youthful, having attained the state of eternal youth, Hari sported with Shri, the mother of the worlds, as the moon sports with its own moonlight.

Verse 8 (padma.6.227.8)

अयं च जगदीश्वर्य्या कुमारो नित्ययौवनः । कंदर्प्पकोटिलावण्यः स तस्थे परमे पदे ।

ayaṁ ca jagadīśvaryyā kumāro nityayauvanaḥ kaṁdarppakoṭilāvaṁyaḥ sa tasthe parame pade

And this eternally youthful prince, together with the mistress of the universe, of a beauty surpassing millions of Kandarpas, dwelt in the supreme abode.

Verse 9 (padma.6.227.9)

भोगार्थं परमं व्योम लीलार्थमखिलं जगत् । भोगेन क्रीडया विष्णोर्विभूतिद्वयसंस्थितिः ।

bhogārthaṁ paramaṁ vyoma līlārthamakhilaṁ jagat bhogena krīḍayā viṣṇorvibhūtidvayasaṁsthitiḥ

The supreme heaven exists for the sake of his enjoyment; the entire universe, for the sake of his play. By enjoyment and by sport, the twofold glory of Vishnu is established.

Verse 10 (padma.6.227.10)

भोगे नित्यस्थितिस्तस्य लीलां संहरते कदा । भोगो लीला उभौस्तस्य धार्य्येते शक्तिमत्तया ।

bhoge nityasthitistasya līlāṁ saṁharate kadā bhogo līlā ubhaustasya dhāryyete śaktimattayā

In enjoyment his state is eternal; his play he at times withdraws. Both enjoyment and play are sustained by him through his power.

Verse 11 (padma.6.227.11)

त्रिपाद्व्याप्तिः परे धाम्नि पादोस्येहाभवत्पुनः । त्रिपाद्विभूतिर्नित्या स्यादनित्यं पादमैश्वरम् ।

tripādvyāptiḥ pare dhāṁni pādosyehābhavatpunaḥ tripādvibhūtirnityā syādanityaṁ pādamaiśvaram

His three-quarter pervasion is in the supreme abode; his one quarter came to be here. The three-quarter glory is eternal; the one material quarter of the Lord is non-eternal.

Verse 12 (padma.6.227.12)

नित्यं तद्रूपमीशस्य परे धाम्नि स्थितं शुभम् । अच्युतं शाश्वतं दिव्यं सदा यौवनमाश्रितम् ।

nityaṁ tadrūpamīśasya pare dhāṁni sthitaṁ śubham acyutaṁ śāśvataṁ divyaṁ sadā yauvanamāśritam

That eternal, auspicious form of the Lord, situated in the supreme abode, is imperishable, everlasting, divine, ever possessed of youth,

Verse 13 (padma.6.227.13)

नित्यं संभोगमीश्वर्या श्रिया भूम्या च संवृतम् । नित्यैवेषा जगन्माता विष्णोः श्रीरनपायिनी ।

nityaṁ saṁbhogamīśvaryā śriyā bhūṁyā ca saṁvṛtam nityaiveṣā jagaṁmātā viṣṇoḥ śrīranapāyinī

in eternal union with his consort, surrounded by Shri and Bhu. This mother of the universe, Vishnu's Shri, is eternal and never departs from him.

Verse 14 (padma.6.227.14)

यथा सर्वगतो विष्णुस्तथा लक्ष्मीश्शुभानने । ईशाना सर्वजगतो विष्णुपत्नी सदा शिवा ।

yathā sarvagato viṣṇustathā lakṣmīśśubhānane īśānā sarvajagato viṣṇupatnī sadā śivā

As Vishnu is all-pervading, so too, O fair-faced one, is Lakshmi — the mistress of the entire universe, Vishnu's consort, ever auspicious.

Verse 15 (padma.6.227.15)

सर्वतः पाणिपादांता सर्वतोऽक्षिशिरोमुखी । नारायणी जगन्माता समस्तजगदाश्रया ।

sarvataḥ pāṇipādāṁtā sarvato'kṣiśiromukhī nārāyaṇī jagaṁmātā samastajagadāśrayā

With hands, feet, eyes, heads, and faces on every side, Narayani, the mother of the universe, the refuge of the entire universe —

Verse 16 (padma.6.227.16)

यदपाङ्गाश्रितं सर्वं जगत्स्थावरजङ्गमम् । जगत्स्थितिलयौ यस्या उन्मीलननिमीलनात् ।

yadapāṁgāśritaṁ sarvaṁ jagatsthāvarajaṁgamam jagatsthitilayau yasyā uṁmīlananimīlanāt

by whose sidelong glance the entire universe, moving and unmoving, is sustained; by whose opening and closing of the eyes the maintenance and dissolution of the universe occur.

Verse 17 (padma.6.227.17)

सर्वस्याद्या महालक्ष्मीस्त्रिगुणा परमेश्वरी । लक्ष्यालक्ष्यस्वरूपा सा व्याप्य कृत्स्नं व्यवस्थिता ।

sarvasyādyā mahālakṣmīstriguṇā parameśvarī lakṣyālakṣyasvarūpā sā vyāpya kṛtsnaṁ vyavasthitā

The primordial Mahalakshmi of all, of the three gunas, the Supreme Goddess, of both manifest and unmanifest form — she pervades and abides in the whole.

Verse 18 (padma.6.227.18)

शून्यं तदखिलं विश्वं विलोक्य परमेश्वरी । शून्यं तदखिलं स्वेन पूरयामास तेजसा ।

śūṁyaṁ tadakhilaṁ viśvaṁ vilokya parameśvarī śūṁyaṁ tadakhilaṁ svena pūrayāmāsa tejasā

Seeing that entire universe empty, the Supreme Goddess filled that entire void with her own radiance.

Verse 19 (padma.6.227.19)

सा लक्ष्मीर्धरणी चैव नीलादेवीति विश्रुता । आधारभूता जगतः पृथिवीरूपमाश्रिता ।

sā lakṣmīrdharaṇī caiva nīlādevīti viśrutā ādhārabhūtā jagataḥ pṛthivīrūpamāśritā

That Lakshmi is also the earth, known as the goddess Nila; she is the support of the universe, having taken the form of the earth.

Verse 20 (padma.6.227.20)

तोयादिरसरूपेण सैव नीलावपुर्भवेत् । लक्ष्मीरूपत्वमापन्ना धनवाग्रूपिणी हि सा ।

toyādirasarūpeṇa saiva nīlāvapurbhavet lakṣmīrūpatvamāpaṁnā dhanavāgrūpiṇī hi sā

In the form of water and the other essences, she herself becomes the form of Nila; having taken the form of Lakshmi, she indeed is of the form of foremost wealth.

Verse 21 (padma.6.227.21)

एवं देवीस्वरूपा सा जगतः श्रीः श्रीताहरिम् । समस्तविद्याभेदा स्युर्लक्ष्मीरूपा वरानने ।

evaṁ devīsvarūpā sā jagataḥ śrīḥ śrītāharim samastavidyābhedā syurlakṣmīrūpā varānane

Thus of divine nature, she is the Shri of the universe, taking refuge in Hari. All the various forms of knowledge are, O fair-faced one, forms of Lakshmi.

Verse 22 (padma.6.227.22)

श्रीरूपमखिलं सर्वं तस्या हि वपुरुच्यते । सौंदर्यं शीलवृत्तं च सौभाग्यं स्त्रीषु संस्थितम् । तस्या रूपं च गिरिजे सर्वासां मूर्ध्नि योषिताम् ।

śrīrūpamakhilaṁ sarvaṁ tasyā hi vapurucyate sauṁdaryaṁ śīlavṛttaṁ ca saubhāgyaṁ strīṣu saṁsthitam tasyā rūpaṁ ca girije sarvāsāṁ mūrdhni yoṣitām

All beauty everywhere is said to be her very form. The beauty, character, conduct, and good fortune present in women, O Girija, is her form, at the crown of all womankind.

Verse 23 (padma.6.227.23)

यस्याः कटाक्षाय तमोग्रदृष्ट्या ब्रह्माशिवस्स्वर्गपतिर्महेंद्रः । चंद्रश्च सूर्यो धनदोपमोग्निः प्रभूतमैश्वर्यमवाप्नुवंति ।

yasyāḥ kaṭākṣāya tamogradṛṣṭyā brahmāśivassvargapatirmaheṁdraḥ caṁdraśca sūryo dhanadopamogniḥ prabhūtamaiśvaryamavāpnuvaṁti

By whose sidelong glance — even a glance that is fierce as darkness — Brahma, Shiva, the lord of heaven Mahendra, the moon, the sun, Agni comparable to the lord of wealth, obtain their abundant lordship.

Verse 24 (padma.6.227.24)

लक्ष्मीः श्रीः कमला विद्या माता विष्णुप्रिया सती । पद्मालया पद्महस्ता पद्माक्षी लोकसुंदरी ।

lakṣmīḥ śrīḥ kamalā vidyā mātā viṣṇupriyā satī padmālayā padmahastā padmākṣī lokasuṁdarī

Lakshmi, Shri, Kamala, Vidya, Mother, the beloved and virtuous consort of Vishnu, dwelling in the lotus, lotus-handed, lotus-eyed, the beauty of the worlds,

Verse 25 (padma.6.227.25)

भूतानामीश्वरी नित्या सह्या सर्वगता शुभा । विष्णुपत्नी महादेवी क्षीरोदतनया रमा ।

bhūtānāmīśvarī nityā sahyā sarvagatā śubhā viṣṇupatnī mahādevī kṣīrodatanayā ramā

the eternal mistress of all beings, patient, all-pervading, auspicious, the consort of Vishnu, the great goddess, the daughter of the milk-ocean, Rama,

Verse 26 (padma.6.227.26)

अनंता लोकमाता भूर्नीला सर्वसुखप्रदा । रुक्मिणी च तथा सीता सर्ववेदवती शुभा ।

anaṁtā lokamātā bhūrnīlā sarvasukhapradā rukmiṇī ca tathā sītā sarvavedavatī śubhā

the boundless mother of the worlds, Bhu, Nila, the giver of all happiness, and also Rukmini, Sita, the auspicious embodiment of all the Vedas,

Verse 27 (padma.6.227.27)

सती सरस्वती गौरी शांतिः स्वाहा स्वधा रतिः । नारायणी वरारोहा विष्णोर्नित्यानपायिनी ।

satī sarasvatī gaurī śāṁtiḥ svāhā svadhā ratiḥ nārāyaṇī varārohā viṣṇornityānapāyinī

Sati, Sarasvati, Gauri, Shanti, Svaha, Svadha, Rati, Narayani, the fair-hipped, the one who never departs eternally from Vishnu.

Verse 28 (padma.6.227.28)

एतानि पुण्यनामानि प्रातरुत्थाय यः पठेत् । स महाश्रियमाप्नोति धनधान्यमकल्मषम् ।

etāni puṁyanāmāni prātarutthāya yaḥ paṭhet sa mahāśriyamāpnoti dhanadhāṁyamakalmaṣam

Whoever rises at dawn and recites these sacred names attains great fortune, and stainless wealth and grain.

Verse 29 (padma.6.227.29)

हिरण्यवर्णां हरिणीं सुवर्णरजतः स्रजाम् । चंद्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं विष्णोरनपगामिनीम् ।

hiraṁyavarṇāṁ hariṇīṁ suvarṇarajataḥ srajām caṁdrāṁ hiraṁmayīṁ lakṣmīṁ viṣṇoranapagāminīm

A Vedic verse: 'Golden-hued, tawny, garlanded with gold and silver, moon-like, golden Lakshmi, never departing from Vishnu —'

Verse 30 (padma.6.227.30)

गन्धद्वारां दुराधर्षां नित्यपुष्टां करीषिणीम् । ईश्वरीं सर्वभूतानां तामिहोपह्वये श्रियम् ।

gaṁdhadvārāṁ durādharṣāṁ nityapuṣṭāṁ karīṣiṇīm īśvarīṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ tāmihopahvaye śriyam

'— the gateway of fragrance, unassailable, eternally flourishing, abounding in cattle-wealth, the mistress of all beings — that Shri do I invoke here.'

Verse 31 (padma.6.227.31)

एवं ऋक्संहितायां तु स्तूयमाना महेश्वरी । सर्वैश्वर्यसुखं प्रादाच्छिवादीनां दिवौकसाम् ।

evaṁ ṛksaṁhitāyāṁ tu stūyamānā maheśvarī sarvaiśvaryasukhaṁ prādācchivādīnāṁ divaukasām

Thus praised in the Rig-Samhita, the great goddess granted the happiness of all lordship to Shiva and the other celestials.

Verse 32 (padma.6.227.32)

अस्येशाना हि जगतो विष्णुपत्नी सनातनी । यदपाङ्गाश्रितं सर्वं जगत्स्थावरजंगमम् ।

asyeśānā hi jagato viṣṇupatnī sanātanī yadapāṁgāśritaṁ sarvaṁ jagatsthāvarajaṁgamam

She is indeed the eternal mistress of this universe, the consort of Vishnu, by whose sidelong glance the entire universe, moving and unmoving, is sustained.

Verse 33 (padma.6.227.33)

यस्य वक्षसि सा देवी प्रभाग्नाविव तिष्ठति । स वै सर्वेश्वरः साक्षादक्षरः पुरुषोऽव्ययः ।

yasya vakṣasi sā devī prabhāgnāviva tiṣṭhati sa vai sarveśvaraḥ sākṣādakṣaraḥ puruṣo'vyayaḥ

He on whose chest that goddess dwells, like radiance in fire — he indeed is the Lord of all, the very imperishable Person, undecaying.

Verse 34 (padma.6.227.34)

स वै नारायणः श्रीमान्वात्सल्यगुणसागरः । स्वामी सुशीलः सुभगः सर्वज्ञः सर्वशक्तिमान् ।

sa vai nārāyaṇaḥ śrīmāṁvātsalyaguṇasāgaraḥ svāmī suśīlaḥ subhagaḥ sarvajṁaḥ sarvaśaktimān

He indeed is the glorious Narayana, an ocean of the quality of parental affection; the master, of good character, gracious, all-knowing, all-powerful,

Verse 35 (padma.6.227.35)

नित्यं संपूर्णकामश्च नैसर्गिकसुहृत्सखा । कृपापीयूषजलधिः शरणं सर्वदेहिनाम् ।

nityaṁ saṁpūrṇakāmaśca naisargikasuhṛtsakhā kṛpāpīyūṣajaladhiḥ śaraṇaṁ sarvadehinām

ever of fulfilled desires, a natural friend and companion, an ocean of the nectar of compassion, the refuge of all embodied beings.

Verse 36 (padma.6.227.36)

स्वर्गापवर्गसुखदो भक्तानां करुणाकरः । श्रीमते विष्णवे तस्मै दास्यं सर्वं करोम्यहम् ।

svargāpavargasukhado bhaktānāṁ karuṇākaraḥ śrīmate viṣṇave tasmai dāsyaṁ sarvaṁ karoṁyaham

The giver of the happiness of heaven and of liberation, the fount of compassion for his devotees — to that glorious Vishnu I render all servitude.

Verse 37 (padma.6.227.37)

देशकालाद्यवस्था तु सर्वासु कमलापतेः । इति स्वरूपं संसिद्धं सुखं दास्यमवाप्नुयात् ।

deśakālādyavasthā tu sarvāsu kamalāpateḥ iti svarūpaṁ saṁsiddhaṁ sukhaṁ dāsyamavāpnuyāt

In every state of place, time, and the like, one should think: 'I am the servant of the Lotus-Consort' — with this true understanding established, one attains happy servitude to Him.

Verse 38 (padma.6.227.38)

एवं विदित्वा मंत्रार्थं तद्भक्तिं सम्यगाचरेत् । दासभूतमिदं तस्य जगत्स्थावरजंगमम् ।

evaṁ viditvā maṁtrārthaṁ tadbhaktiṁ saṁyagācaret dāsabhūtamidaṁ tasya jagatsthāvarajaṁgamam

Having thus understood the meaning of the mantra, one should properly practice devotion to Him. This entire universe, moving and unmoving, is His servant.

Verse 39 (padma.6.227.39)

श्रीमन्नारायणः स्वामी जगतां प्रभुरीश्वरः । माता पिता सुतो बंधुर्निवासः शरणं गतिः ।

śrīmaṁnārāyaṇaḥ svāmī jagatāṁ prabhurīśvaraḥ mātā pitā suto baṁdhurnivāsaḥ śaraṇaṁ gatiḥ

The glorious Narayana is the master, the lord and ruler of the worlds; he is mother, father, son, kinsman, dwelling, refuge, and goal.

Verse 40 (padma.6.227.40)

कल्याणगुणवान्श्रीशः सर्वकामफलप्रदः । योऽसौ निर्गुण इत्युक्तः शास्त्रेषु जगदीश्वरः ।

kalyāṇaguṇavāṁśrīśaḥ sarvakāmaphalapradaḥ yo'sau nirguṇa ityuktaḥ śāstreṣu jagadīśvaraḥ

Possessed of auspicious qualities, the Lord of Shri, the giver of the fruit of all desires — he who, in the scriptures, is called 'without qualities,' the Lord of the universe—

Verse 41 (padma.6.227.41)

प्राकृतैर्हेयसंयुक्तैर्गुणैर्हीनत्वमुच्यते । यत्र मिथ्या प्रपञ्चत्वं वाक्यैर्वेदांतगोचरैः ।

prākṛtairheyasaṁyuktairguṇairhīnatvamucyate yatra mithyā prapaṁcatvaṁ vākyairvedāṁtagocaraiḥ

— this 'without qualities' means devoid of the base material qualities only. Where, through statements pertaining to Vedanta, this manifest world is called 'false' —

Verse 42 (padma.6.227.42)

दृश्यमानमिदं सर्वमनित्यमिति चोच्यते । अत्रापि प्राकृतं रूपमण्डस्यैव विनाशनम् ।

dṛśyamānamidaṁ sarvamanityamiti cocyate atrāpi prākṛtaṁ rūpamaṁḍasyaiva vināśanam

— all this visible world is called impermanent — here too, it is only the material form of the cosmic egg that is subject to destruction.

Verse 43 (padma.6.227.43)

प्राकृतानां हि रूपाणामनित्यत्वं तथोच्यते । इममर्थं महादेवि प्रकृतेरुद्भवं हरेः ।

prākṛtānāṁ hi rūpāṇāmanityatvaṁ tathocyate imamarthaṁ mahādevi prakṛterudbhavaṁ hareḥ

The impermanence spoken of applies only to material forms. This meaning, O great goddess — now hear of the manifestation of Hari's material nature,

Verse 44 (padma.6.227.44)

क्रीडार्थं देवदेवस्य विष्णोर्लीलाधिकारिणः । लोकैश्चतुर्भिर्दशभिः सागरैर्द्वीपसंयुतैः ।

krīḍārthaṁ devadevasya viṣṇorlīlādhikāriṇaḥ lokaiścaturbhirdaśabhiḥ sāgarairdvīpasaṁyutaiḥ

for the sake of the play of the god of gods, Vishnu, master of divine sport — the cosmic egg with its fourteen worlds, its oceans and its continents,

Verse 45 (padma.6.227.45)

भूतैश्चतुर्विधैश्चापि भूधरैश्च महोच्छ्रयैः । परिपूर्णमिदं रम्यमंडं प्रकृतिसंभवम् ।

bhūtaiścaturvidhaiścāpi bhūdharaiśca mahocchrayaiḥ paripūrṇamidaṁ raṁyamaṁḍaṁ prakṛtisaṁbhavam

with the four kinds of beings, and with towering mountains — this beautiful, complete cosmic egg, arisen from material nature,

Verse 46 (padma.6.227.46)

दशोत्तरगुणोपेतं सप्तावरणसंवृतम् । कलाकाष्ठादिरूपेण यः कालं परिवर्तते ।

daśottaraguṇopetaṁ saptāvaraṇasaṁvṛtam kalākāṣṭhādirūpeṇa yaḥ kālaṁ parivartate

endowed with layers in tenfold succession, enveloped by seven coverings, through which time revolves in the form of kalas, kashthas, and the like,

Verse 47 (padma.6.227.47)

कालेनैव जगत्सर्गस्थितिसंहरणं भवेत् । चतुर्युगसहस्रं वै ब्रह्मणो दिवसो भवेत् ।

kālenaiva jagatsargasthitisaṁharaṇaṁ bhavet caturyugasahasraṁ vai brahmaṇo divaso bhavet

by time alone occur the creation, maintenance, and destruction of the universe. A thousand cycles of the four yugas constitute one day of Brahma.

Verse 48 (padma.6.227.48)

तावंति रात्रिवर्षाणि ब्रह्मणोऽव्यक्तजन्मनः । क्षये तु ब्रह्मणः प्राप्ते सर्वसंहारको भवेत् ।

tāvaṁti rātrivarṣāṇi brahmaṇo'vyaktajaṁmanaḥ kṣaye tu brahmaṇaḥ prāpte sarvasaṁhārako bhavet

An equal number constitute his night — Brahma, born of the Unmanifest. When Brahma's dissolution arrives, universal destruction occurs.

Verse 49 (padma.6.227.49)

अंडमंडगता लोका दह्यंते कालवह्निना । सर्वात्मानस्तथा विष्णोः प्रकृतौ विनिवेशिताः ।

aṁḍamaṁḍagatā lokā dahyaṁte kālavahninā sarvātmānastathā viṣṇoḥ prakṛtau viniveśitāḥ

The cosmic egg and the worlds within it are burned by the fire of time; and all souls are then placed back within Vishnu's material nature.

Verse 50 (padma.6.227.50)

अंडावरणभूतानि प्रकृतौ लयमाप्नुयुः । सा सर्वजगदाधारा प्रकृतिर्हरिसंश्रिता ।

aṁḍāvaraṇabhūtāni prakṛtau layamāpnuyuḥ sā sarvajagadādhārā prakṛtirharisaṁśritā

The coverings of the egg dissolve into that same material nature — the support of the entire universe, itself dependent upon Hari.

Verse 51 (padma.6.227.51)

तया जगत्सर्गलयौ करोति भगवान्सदा । क्रीडार्थं देवदेवेन सृष्टा माया जगन्मयी ।

tayā jagatsargalayau karoti bhagavāṁsadā krīḍārthaṁ devadevena sṛṣṭā māyā jagaṁmayī

By it, the Lord ever effects the creation and dissolution of the universe. For the sake of play, the god of gods created Maya, comprising the universe —

Verse 52 (padma.6.227.52)

अविद्या प्रकृतिर्माया गुणत्रयमयी सदा । सर्गस्थितिलयानां सा हेतुभूता सनातनी ।

avidyā prakṛtirmāyā guṇatrayamayī sadā sargasthitilayānāṁ sā hetubhūtā sanātanī

Avidya, Prakriti, Maya — ever composed of the three gunas; she, eternal, is the cause of creation, maintenance, and dissolution.

Verse 53 (padma.6.227.53)

योगनिद्रा महामाया प्रकृतिस्त्रिगुणान्विता । अव्यक्ता च प्रधानं च विष्णोर्लीलाविकारिणः ।

yoganidrā mahāmāyā prakṛtistriguṇāṁvitā avyaktā ca pradhānaṁ ca viṣṇorlīlāvikāriṇaḥ

Yoganidra, Mahamaya, Prakriti endowed with the three gunas, the Unmanifest, Pradhana — these belong to the sportively self-modifying Vishnu.

Verse 54 (padma.6.227.54)

जगत्सर्गलयौ स्यातां प्रकृतेरेव सर्वदा । असंख्यप्रकृतेः स्थानं निबिडध्वान्तमव्ययम् ।

jagatsargalayau syātāṁ prakṛtereva sarvadā asaṁkhyaprakṛteḥ sthānaṁ nibiḍadhvāṁtamavyayam

The creation and dissolution of the universe are, always, of Prakriti alone. The abode of countless Prakritis is dense, unchanging darkness.

Verse 55 (padma.6.227.55)

ऊर्ध्वं तु सीम्नि विरजा निस्सीमाधस्सनातनी । तयादृतं जगत्सर्वं स्थूलसूक्ष्माद्यवस्थया ।

ūrdhvaṁ tu sīṁni virajā nissīmādhassanātanī tayādṛtaṁ jagatsarvaṁ sthūlasūkṣmādyavasthayā

Above, at its boundary, is the river Viraja; below is the boundless, eternal darkness. By her, the entire universe is bounded, in gross, subtle, and other states.

Verse 56 (padma.6.227.56)

विकाससंकोचावस्थे तस्यां सर्गलयौ स्मृतौ । एवं सर्वाणि भूतानि प्रकृत्यंतर्गतानि वै ।

vikāsasaṁkocāvasthe tasyāṁ sargalayau smṛtau evaṁ sarvāṇi bhūtāni prakṛtyaṁtargatāni vai

Expansion and contraction are her two states, called creation and dissolution. Thus all beings are contained within Prakriti.

Verse 57 (padma.6.227.57)

ततः शून्यमिदं सर्वं प्रकृत्यंतर्गतं महत् । एवं प्रकृतिरूपाया विभूते रूपमुत्तमम् ।

tataḥ śūṁyamidaṁ sarvaṁ prakṛtyaṁtargataṁ mahat evaṁ prakṛtirūpāyā vibhūte rūpamuttamam

Beyond that, this entire great expanse within Prakriti is void. Thus is described the supreme form of the glory that is of the nature of Prakriti.

Verse 58 (padma.6.227.58)

त्रिपाद्विभूतिरूपं तु शृणु भूधरनंदिनि । प्रधान परमव्योम्नोरंतरे विरजा नदी ।

tripādvibhūtirūpaṁ tu śṛṇu bhūdharanaṁdini pradhāna paramavyoṁnoraṁtare virajā nadī

Now hear, O daughter of the mountain, the form of the three-quarter glory. Between Pradhana and the supreme heaven flows the river Viraja,

Verse 59 (padma.6.227.59)

वेदांगस्वेदजनिततोयैः प्रस्राविता शुभा । तस्याः पारे परे व्योम्नि त्रिपाद्भूतिस्सनातनी ।

vedāṁgasvedajanitatoyaiḥ prasrāvitā śubhā tasyāḥ pāre pare vyoṁni tripādbhūtissanātanī

auspicious, flowing with waters born from the perspiration of the Veda's own limbs. Beyond it, in the supreme heaven, is the eternal three-quarter glory —

Verse 60 (padma.6.227.60)

अमृतं शाश्वतं नित्यमनन्तं परमं पदम् । शुद्धं सत्वमयं दिव्यमक्षरं ब्रह्मणः पदम् ।

amṛtaṁ śāśvataṁ nityamanaṁtaṁ paramaṁ padam śuddhaṁ satvamayaṁ divyamakṣaraṁ brahmaṇaḥ padam

immortal, everlasting, eternal, infinite, the supreme abode; pure, composed of sattva, divine, imperishable, the abode of Brahman;

Verse 61 (padma.6.227.61)

अनेककोटिसूर्याग्नि तुल्य वर्चसमव्ययम् । सर्ववेदमयं शुद्धं सर्गप्रलयवर्जितम् ।

anekakoṭisūryāgni tulya varcasamavyayam sarvavedamayaṁ śuddhaṁ sargapralayavarjitam

of a splendor equal to countless millions of suns and fires, undecaying, wholly composed of the Vedas, pure, free from creation and dissolution;

Verse 62 (padma.6.227.62)

असंख्यमजरं नित्यं जाग्रत्स्वप्नादिवर्जितम् । हिरण्मयं मोक्षपदं ब्रह्मानंदसुखावहम् ।

asaṁkhyamajaraṁ nityaṁ jāgratsvapnādivarjitam hiraṁmayaṁ mokṣapadaṁ brahmānaṁdasukhāvaham

innumerable, unaging, eternal, free from waking, dream, and the other states; golden, the abode of liberation, bringing the bliss of Brahman;

Verse 63 (padma.6.227.63)

समानाधिक्यरहितमाद्यंतरहितं शुभम् । तेजसात्यद्भुतं रम्यं नित्यमानंदसागरम् ।

samānādhikyarahitamādyaṁtarahitaṁ śubham tejasātyadbhutaṁ raṁyaṁ nityamānaṁdasāgaram

without equal or superior, without beginning or end, auspicious, most wondrous in radiance, beautiful, an eternal ocean of bliss.

Verse 64 (padma.6.227.64)

एवमादिगुणोपेतं तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम् । न तद्भासयते सूर्यो न शशांको न पावकः ।

evamādiguṇopetaṁ tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam na tadbhāsayate sūryo na śaśāṁko na pāvakaḥ

Endowed with these and other qualities is that supreme abode of Vishnu. Neither the sun illumines it, nor the moon, nor fire.

Verse 65 (padma.6.227.65)

यद्गत्वा न निवर्तंते तद्धाम परमं हरेः । तद्विष्णोः परमं धाम शाश्वतं नित्यमच्युतम् । न हि वर्णयितुं शक्यं कल्पकोटिशतैरपि ।

yadgatvā na nivartaṁte taddhāma paramaṁ hareḥ tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ dhāma śāśvataṁ nityamacyutam na hi varṇayituṁ śakyaṁ kalpakoṭiśatairapi

Having gone there, none return — that is Hari's supreme abode. That supreme abode of Vishnu, everlasting, eternal, imperishable, cannot be described even in hundreds of millions of kalpas.

Verse 66 (padma.6.227.66)

हरेः पदं वर्णयितुं न शक्यं मया च धात्रा च मुनींद्रसङ्घैः । यस्मिन्पदे ह्यच्युत ईश्वरो यः सो अङ्ग वेद यदि वा न वेद ।

hareḥ padaṁ varṇayituṁ na śakyaṁ mayā ca dhātrā ca munīṁdrasaṁghaiḥ yasmiṁpade hyacyuta īśvaro yaḥ so aṁga veda yadi vā na veda

Hari's abode cannot be described, neither by me, nor by Brahma, nor by hosts of the greatest sages. As the Veda says: 'In that abode where imperishable Ishvara dwells — whoever, O friend, may know it, or may not.'

Verse 67 (padma.6.227.67)

यदक्षरं वेदगुह्यं यस्मिन्देवा अधि विश्वे निषेदुः । यस्तन्नो वेद किमृचा करिष्यति ये तद्विदुस्त इमे समासते ।

yadakṣaraṁ vedaguhyaṁ yasmiṁdevā adhi viśve niṣeduḥ yastaṁno veda kimṛcā kariṣyati ye tadvidusta ime samāsate

'That imperishable, secret of the Vedas, on which all the gods have taken their seat — whoever does not know it, what will the verses of the Rig do for him? Those who know it, they alone truly dwell in bliss.'

Verse 68 (padma.6.227.68)

तद्विष्णोः परमं धाम सदा पश्यंति सूरयः । अक्षरं शाश्वतं दिव्यं देवि चक्षुरिवाततम् ।

tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ dhāma sadā paśyaṁti sūrayaḥ akṣaraṁ śāśvataṁ divyaṁ devi cakṣurivātatam

'That supreme abode of Vishnu the wise ever behold, imperishable, everlasting, divine, O goddess, spread out like an eye in the sky.'

Verse 69 (padma.6.227.69)

तत्प्रवेष्टुमशक्यं च ब्रह्मरुद्रादिदैवतैः । ज्ञानेन शास्त्रमार्गेण वीक्ष्यते योगिपुंगवैः ।

tatpraveṣṭumaśakyaṁ ca brahmarudrādidaivataiḥ jṁānena śāstramārgeṇa vīkṣyate yogipuṁgavaiḥ

It is impossible to enter even for Brahma, Rudra, and the other gods; it is seen, by knowledge and the path of scripture, only by the foremost of yogis.

Verse 70 (padma.6.227.70)

अहं ब्रह्मा च देवाश्च न जानंति महर्षयः । सर्वोपनिषदामर्थं दृष्ट्वा वक्ष्यामि सुव्रते ।

ahaṁ brahmā ca devāśca na jānaṁti maharṣayaḥ sarvopaniṣadāmarthaṁ dṛṣṭvā vakṣyāmi suvrate

I, Brahma, the gods, and even the great sages do not fully know it. Having beheld the meaning of all the Upanishads, I shall tell it to you, O one of good vows.

Verse 71 (padma.6.227.71)

विष्णोः पदे हि परमे पदे तत्सशुभाह्वयेः । यत्र गावो भूरिशृंगा आसते सुसुखाः प्रजाः ।

viṣṇoḥ pade hi parame pade tatsaśubhāhvayeḥ yatra gāvo bhūriśṛṁgā āsate susukhāḥ prajāḥ

Another Vedic verse: 'In that supreme abode of Vishnu, called by that auspicious name, where cattle with many horns dwell, and creatures live in great happiness—'

Verse 72 (padma.6.227.72)

अत्राह तत्परं धाम गोपवेषस्य शार्ङ्गिणः । तद्भाति परमं धाम गोभिर्गोपैस्सुखाह्वयैः ।

atrāha tatparaṁ dhāma gopaveṣasya śārṁgiṇaḥ tadbhāti paramaṁ dhāma gobhirgopaissukhāhvayaiḥ

Here it is said that supreme abode belongs to him who takes the form of a cowherd, wielder of the Sharnga bow; that supreme abode shines with cows and cowherds, in joyful company.

Verse 73 (padma.6.227.73)

आदित्यवर्णं तमसः परस्ताज्ज्योतिरच्युतम् । आधारो ब्रह्मणो लोकश्शुद्धसत्त्वस्सनातनः ।

ādityavarṇaṁ tamasaḥ parastājjyotiracyutam ādhāro brahmaṇo lokaśśuddhasattvassanātanaḥ

Another verse: 'Sun-colored, beyond darkness, the imperishable light' — the support, the world of Brahman, of pure sattva, eternal.

Verse 74 (padma.6.227.74)

सामान्या विभिते भूमिन्तेऽस्मिन्शाश्वते पदे । तस्थतुर्जागरूकेस्मिन्युवानौ श्रीसनातनौ ।

sāmāṁyā vibhite bhūmiṁte'smiṁśāśvate pade tasthaturjāgarūkesmiṁyuvānau śrīsanātanau

Where, on that shared, distinguished ground, in that everlasting abode, ever-wakeful, dwell the eternally youthful pair, Vishnu and Shri —

Verse 75 (padma.6.227.75)

यतः स्वसारौ युवती भूनीले विष्णुवल्लभे । अत्र पूर्वे ये च साध्या विश्वेदेवास्सनातनाः ।

yataḥ svasārau yuvatī bhūnīle viṣṇuvallabhe atra pūrve ye ca sādhyā viśvedevāssanātanāḥ

— together with their two sister-consorts, the youthful Bhu and Nila, beloved of Vishnu. Here too dwell the ancient Sadhyas and the eternal Vishvedevas—

Verse 76 (padma.6.227.76)

ते ह नाकं महिमानस्सचन्ते शुभदर्शनाः । तत्र विज्ञानिनो विप्रा जागृवांसस्समिन्धते ।

te ha nākaṁ mahimānassacaṁte śubhadarśanāḥ tatra vijṁānino viprā jāgṛvāṁsassamiṁdhate

— those glorious ones of fair appearance, who partake of that heaven. There, wise, ever-wakeful brahmins kindle that eternal light.

Verse 77 (padma.6.227.77)

तत्पदं ज्ञानिनो विप्रा यांति संवासमिच्छवः । तद्विष्णोः परमं धाम मोक्ष इत्यभिधीयते ।

tatpadaṁ jṁānino viprā yāṁti saṁvāsamicchavaḥ tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ dhāma mokṣa ityabhidhīyate

Knowing brahmins, desiring companionship with the Lord, go to that abode. That supreme abode of Vishnu is called liberation.

Verse 78 (padma.6.227.78)

तस्मिन्बंधविनिर्मुक्ताः प्राप्नुवन्ति सुखं पदम् । तत्प्राप्य न निवर्तंते तस्मान्मोक्ष उदाहृतः ।

tasmiṁbaṁdhavinirmuktāḥ prāpnuvaṁti sukhaṁ padam tatprāpya na nivartaṁte tasmāṁmokṣa udāhṛtaḥ

Freed from bondage, souls attain that blissful state there. Having attained it, they do not return; therefore it is called moksha.

Verse 79 (padma.6.227.79)

मोक्षं परं पदं दिव्यममृतं विष्णुमंदिरम् । अक्षरं परमं धाम वैकुण्ठं शाश्वतं पदम् ।

mokṣaṁ paraṁ padaṁ divyamamṛtaṁ viṣṇumaṁdiram akṣaraṁ paramaṁ dhāma vaikuṁṭhaṁ śāśvataṁ padam

Moksha, the supreme abode, divine, immortal, the temple of Vishnu; the imperishable, supreme abode, Vaikuntha, the everlasting state;

Verse 80 (padma.6.227.80)

नित्यञ्च परमं व्योम सर्वोत्कृष्टं सनातनम् । पर्य्यायवाचकान्यस्य परधाम्नोच्युतस्य च । तस्य त्रिपाद्विभूतेस्तु रूपं वक्ष्यामि विस्तरात् ।

nityaṁca paramaṁ vyoma sarvotkṛṣṭaṁ sanātanam paryyāyavācakāṁyasya paradhāṁnocyutasya ca tasya tripādvibhūtestu rūpaṁ vakṣyāmi vistarāt

the eternal, supreme heaven, most excellent, eternal — these are synonymous words for the supreme abode of the imperishable one. Of that three-quarter glory of his, I shall now describe the form in detail.