The Telling of Bhrigu's Test

Verse 1 (padma.6.255.1)

दिलीप उवाच- कथितं भवता ब्रह्मन्सर्वधर्ममशेषतः । सामान्यं च विशिष्टं च स्वरूपं परजीवयोः ।

dilīpa uvāca kathitaṁ bhavatā brahmansarvadharmamaśeṣataḥ sāmānyaṁ ca viśiṣṭaṁ ca svarūpaṁ parajīvayoḥ

Dilipa said: You have told me, O Brahmin, the entirety of dharma, and the general and specific nature of the higher Self and the individual soul.

Verse 2 (padma.6.255.2)

स्वर्गापवर्गौ कथितौ साधनं च तयोरपि । धन्योऽस्म्यहं द्विजश्रेष्ठ त्वत्प्रसादात्सदागुरो ।

svargāpavargau kathitau sādhanaṁ ca tayorapi dhanyo'smyahaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha tvatprasādātsadāguro

Heaven and liberation have been told, and the means to both. I am blessed, O foremost of the twice-born, by your grace, O ever-guru.

Verse 3 (padma.6.255.3)

एकमन्यं द्विजश्रेष्ठ पृच्छामि त्वां कुतूहलात् । कथयस्व यथातथ्यमपि वात्सल्यगौरवात् ।

ekamanyaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha pṛcchāmi tvāṁ kutūhalāt kathayasva yathātathyamapi vātsalyagauravāt

One more thing, O foremost of the twice-born, I ask you out of curiosity — tell me the truth of it, out of your weighty affection.

Verse 4 (padma.6.255.4)

महाभागवतश्रेष्ठो रुद्रस्त्रिपुरहंतकः । कस्माद्विगर्हितं रूपं प्राप्तवान्सह भार्य्यया ।

mahābhāgavataśreṣṭho rudrastripurahaṁtakaḥ kasmādvigarhitaṁ rūpaṁ prāptavānsaha bhāryyayā

Rudra, that foremost of great devotees, the destroyer of the Triple City — why did he, together with his wife, come to bear a condemned form?

Verse 5 (padma.6.255.5)

योनिलिंगस्वरूपं च कथं स्यात्सुमहात्मनः । पंचवक्त्रश्चतुर्बाहुः शूलपाणिस्त्रिलोचनः ।

yoniliṁgasvarūpaṁ ca kathaṁ syātsumahātmanaḥ paṁcavaktraścaturbāhuḥ śūlapāṇistrilocanaḥ

How could the form of the yoni-linga belong to that great soul, who is five-faced, four-armed, trident-bearing, three-eyed?

Verse 6 (padma.6.255.6)

कथं विगर्हितं रूपं प्राप्तवान्द्विजपुंगव । एवं सर्वं समाचक्ष्व मित्रावरुणनंदन ।

kathaṁ vigarhitaṁ rūpaṁ prāptavāndvijapuṁgava evaṁ sarvaṁ samācakṣva mitrāvaruṇanaṁdana

How did he come to bear that condemned form, O foremost of the twice-born? Tell me all this, O son of Mitra-Varuna.

Verse 7 (padma.6.255.7)

वसिष्ठ उवाच- शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि यन्मां पृच्छसि गौरवात् । विशुद्धहृदये पुंसां बुद्धिः श्रेयसि जायते ।

vasiṣṭha uvāca śṛṇu rājanpravakṣyāmi yanmāṁ pṛcchasi gauravāt viśuddhahṛdaye puṁsāṁ buddhiḥ śreyasi jāyate

Vasishtha said: Listen, O king, I shall tell you what you ask me out of respect. In men of pure heart, the mind turns toward what is good.

Verse 8 (padma.6.255.8)

स्वायंभुवो मनुः पूर्वं मंदरे पर्वतोत्तमे । जगाम मुनिभिः सार्द्धं दीर्घसत्रमनुत्तमम् ।

svāyaṁbhuvo manuḥ pūrvaṁ maṁdare parvatottame jagāma munibhiḥ sārddhaṁ dīrghasatramanuttamam

Formerly, Svayambhuva Manu, on Mount Mandara, that best of mountains, went with the sages to a supreme, long sacrificial session.

Verse 9 (padma.6.255.9)

तस्मिन्समागताः सर्वे मुनयः शंसितव्रताः । नानाशास्त्रविदः श्रेष्ठा बालसूर्य्यानलप्रभाः ।

tasminsamāgatāḥ sarve munayaḥ śaṁsitavratāḥ nānāśāstravidaḥ śreṣṭhā bālasūryyānalaprabhāḥ

There assembled all the sages of strict vows, foremost knowers of various scriptures, radiant as the young sun or fire.

Verse 10 (padma.6.255.10)

सर्ववेदविदो विप्राः सर्वधर्मपरायणाः । वर्तमाने महासत्रे मुनयः क्षीणकल्मषाः ।

sarvavedavido viprāḥ sarvadharmaparāyaṇāḥ vartamāne mahāsatre munayaḥ kṣīṇakalmaṣāḥ

Brahmins learned in all the Vedas, devoted to all dharma; during that great sacrificial session, the sages, their impurities destroyed —

Verse 11 (padma.6.255.11)

अन्वेष्टुंदेवतातत्वंमिथः प्रोचुस्तपोधनाः । विप्राणां वेदविदुषां कः पूज्यो देवता वरः ।

anveṣṭuṁdevatātatvaṁmithaḥ procustapodhanāḥ viprāṇāṁ vedaviduṣāṁ kaḥ pūjyo devatā varaḥ

those rich in austerity spoke among themselves, seeking to determine the truth of the deities: "Which deity is the excellent one worthy of worship by Brahmins learned in the Veda?

Verse 12 (padma.6.255.12)

ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशानां कः स्तुतो मुक्तिदो नृणाम् । कस्यपादोदकं सेव्यं भुक्तोच्छिष्टं च पावनम् ।

brahmaviṣṇumaheśānāṁ kaḥ stuto muktido nṛṇām kasyapādodakaṁ sevyaṁ bhuktocchiṣṭaṁ ca pāvanam

Of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha, who, when praised, grants liberation to men? Whose foot-water is to be used, and whose eaten remnant is purifying?

Verse 13 (padma.6.255.13)

कोऽव्ययः परमं धाम परमात्मा सनातनः । कस्य प्रसादं तीर्थं च पितॄणां तृप्तिदं भवेत् ।

ko'vyayaḥ paramaṁ dhāma paramātmā sanātanaḥ kasya prasādaṁ tīrthaṁ ca pitṝṇāṁ tṛptidaṁ bhavet

Who is the imperishable, the supreme abode, the eternal Supreme Soul? Whose consecrated offering and sacred water bring satisfaction to the ancestors?"

Verse 14 (padma.6.255.14)

तेषां समुपविष्टानां इति वादो महानभूत् । रुद्रमेकमिति प्रोचुः केचिदत्र महर्षयः ।

teṣāṁ samupaviṣṭānāṁ iti vādo mahānabhūt rudramekamiti procuḥ kecidatra maharṣayaḥ

Among those seated there, a great debate arose. Some great sages there said, "Rudra alone is supreme."

Verse 15 (padma.6.255.15)

ब्रह्मैव पूज्य इत्यन्ये वदंति मुनिसत्तमाः । सूर्य एवात्मनां पूज्य इत्यन्ये प्राहुरुत्तमाः ।

brahmaiva pūjya ityanye vadaṁti munisattamāḥ sūrya evātmanāṁ pūjya ityanye prāhuruttamāḥ

"Brahma alone is worthy of worship," said other foremost sages. "The sun alone is worthy of worship for our souls," said other excellent ones.

Verse 16 (padma.6.255.16)

योऽसो सर्वगतः श्रीमाञ्छ्रीपतिः पुरुषोत्तमः । अव्ययः पुंडरीकाक्षो वासुदेवः परात्परः ।

yo'so sarvagataḥ śrīmāñchrīpatiḥ puruṣottamaḥ avyayaḥ puṁḍarīkākṣo vāsudevaḥ parātparaḥ

"He who is all-pervading, glorious, the husband of Shri, Purushottama, the imperishable, lotus-eyed Vasudeva, higher than the highest —

Verse 17 (padma.6.255.17)

अनादिनिधनो विष्णुः स एव परमेश्वरः । संपूज्यो देवताश्रेष्ठ इत्यन्ये चोचिरे द्विजाः ।

anādinidhano viṣṇuḥ sa eva parameśvaraḥ saṁpūjyo devatāśreṣṭha ityanye cocire dvijāḥ

Vishnu, without beginning or end, he alone is the Supreme Lord, the foremost deity, to be worshipped" — thus said other Brahmins.

Verse 18 (padma.6.255.18)

तेषां विवदतां तत्र मनुः स्वायंभुवोऽब्रवीत् । शुद्धसत्वमयो योऽसौ कल्याणगुणवान्प्रभुः ।

teṣāṁ vivadatāṁ tatra manuḥ svāyaṁbhuvo'bravīt śuddhasatvamayo yo'sau kalyāṇaguṇavānprabhuḥ

As they debated there, Svayambhuva Manu said: "He who is composed of pure sattva, that Lord endowed with auspicious qualities —

Verse 19 (padma.6.255.19)

पुंडरीकेक्षणः श्रीमाञ्छ्रीपतिः पुरुषोत्तमः । विप्राणां वेदविदुषां एक एवार्चितः प्रभुः ।

puṁḍarīkekṣaṇaḥ śrīmāñchrīpatiḥ puruṣottamaḥ viprāṇāṁ vedaviduṣāṁ eka evārcitaḥ prabhuḥ

the lotus-eyed, glorious husband of Shri, Purushottama — he alone is the Lord worthy of worship by Brahmins learned in the Veda;

Verse 20 (padma.6.255.20)

विप्राणां नेतरे पूज्या रजस्तमविमिश्रिताः । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सर्व एव महर्षयः । भृगुं तपोनिधिं विप्रं प्रोचुः प्रांजलयस्तथा ।

viprāṇāṁ netare pūjyā rajastamavimiśritāḥ iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā sarva eva maharṣayaḥ bhṛguṁ taponidhiṁ vipraṁ procuḥ prāṁjalayastathā

not others, mixed with rajas and tamas, worthy of worship by Brahmins." Hearing his words, all the great sages, with joined palms, spoke to the Brahmin Bhrigu, that treasury of austerity.

Verse 21 (padma.6.255.21)

ऋषय ऊचुः- अस्माकं संशयं छेत्तुं त्वं समर्थोऽसि सुव्रत । ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशानामंतिकं व्रज सुव्रत ।

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ asmākaṁ saṁśayaṁ chettuṁ tvaṁ samartho'si suvrata brahmaviṣṇumaheśānāmaṁtikaṁ vraja suvrata

The sages said: "You alone are capable of resolving our doubt, O one of good vows. Go to the presence of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha, O one of good vows.

Verse 22 (padma.6.255.22)

गत्वा तेषां समीपं तु तथा दृष्ट्वा तु विग्रहान् । शुद्धसत्वगुणं तेषां यस्मिन्संविद्यते मुने ।

gatvā teṣāṁ samīpaṁ tu tathā dṛṣṭvā tu vigrahān śuddhasatvaguṇaṁ teṣāṁ yasminsaṁvidyate mune

Going near them, and seeing their forms, O sage, in whichever of them the quality of pure sattva is found —

Verse 23 (padma.6.255.23)

स एव पूज्यो विप्राणां नेतरस्तु कदाचन । शुद्धसत्वमयः साक्षाद्ब्रह्मण्यः स भविष्यति ।

sa eva pūjyo viprāṇāṁ netarastu kadācana śuddhasatvamayaḥ sākṣādbrahmaṇyaḥ sa bhaviṣyati

he alone is worthy of worship by Brahmins, and never any other. He who is made of pure sattva will indeed be the friend of Brahmins,

Verse 24 (padma.6.255.24)

तीर्थप्रसादवाँल्लोके विप्राणां स भविष्यति । देवतानां पितॄणां च तस्योच्छिष्टं सुपावनम् ।

tīrthaprasādavā~lloke viprāṇāṁ sa bhaviṣyati devatānāṁ pitṝṇāṁ ca tasyocchiṣṭaṁ supāvanam

and in the world he will be the one whose sacred water and consecrated offering are for the Brahmins. For the gods and ancestors, his leavings will be most purifying.

Verse 25 (padma.6.255.25)

तस्माद्याहि मुनिश्रेष्ठ विबुधानां निवासनम् । क्षिप्रं कुरु मुनिश्रेष्ठ सर्वलोकहितं प्रभो ।

tasmādyāhi muniśreṣṭha vibudhānāṁ nivāsanam kṣipraṁ kuru muniśreṣṭha sarvalokahitaṁ prabho

Therefore go, O foremost of sages, to the dwellings of the gods. Do this quickly, O foremost of sages, O Lord — for the welfare of all the worlds."

Verse 26 (padma.6.255.26)

एवमुक्तस्ततस्तूर्णं कैलासं मुनिसत्तमः । जगाम वामदेवेन यत्रास्ते वृषभध्वजः ।

evamuktastatastūrṇaṁ kailāsaṁ munisattamaḥ jagāma vāmadevena yatrāste vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ

Thus addressed, that foremost of sages then swiftly went to Kailasa, together with Vamadeva, to where the bull-bannered one dwelt.

Verse 27 (padma.6.255.27)

गृहद्वारमुपागम्य शंकरस्य महात्मनः । शूलहस्तं महारौद्रं नंदिं द्दष्ट्वाब्रवीद्दिवजः ।

gṛhadvāramupāgamya śaṁkarasya mahātmanaḥ śūlahastaṁ mahāraudraṁ naṁdiṁ ddaṣṭvābravīddivajaḥ

Arriving at the door of the great-souled Shankara's house, seeing the most terrible, trident-handed Nandi, that Brahmin said —

Verse 28 (padma.6.255.28)

संप्राप्तोऽहं भृगुर्विप्रो हरं द्रष्टुं सुरोत्तमम् । निवेदयस्व मां शीघ्रं शंकराय महात्मने ।

saṁprāpto'haṁ bhṛgurvipro haraṁ draṣṭuṁ surottamam nivedayasva māṁ śīghraṁ śaṁkarāya mahātmane

"I, the Brahmin Bhrigu, have come to see Hara, the best of gods. Announce me quickly to the great-souled Shankara."

Verse 29 (padma.6.255.29)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा नंदी सर्वगणेश्वरः । उवाच परुषं वाक्यं महर्षिममितौजसम् ।

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā naṁdī sarvagaṇeśvaraḥ uvāca paruṣaṁ vākyaṁ maharṣimamitaujasam

Hearing his words, Nandi, lord of all the Ganas, spoke a harsh word to that great sage of measureless splendor.

Verse 30 (padma.6.255.30)

असांनिध्यं प्रभोस्तस्य देव्या क्रीडति शंकरः । निवर्त्तस्व मुनिश्रेष्ठ यदि जीवितुमिच्छसि ।

asāṁnidhyaṁ prabhostasya devyā krīḍati śaṁkaraḥ nivarttasva muniśreṣṭha yadi jīvitumicchasi

"My Lord is unavailable — Shankara is at play with the Goddess. Go back, O foremost of sages, if you wish to live."

Verse 31 (padma.6.255.31)

एवं निराकृतस्तेन तत्रातिष्ठन्महातपाः । बहूनि दिवसान्यस्मिन्गृहद्वारि महेशितुः ।

evaṁ nirākṛtastena tatrātiṣṭhanmahātapāḥ bahūni divasānyasmingṛhadvāri maheśituḥ

Thus rebuffed by him, that one of great austerity stood there, at Maheshvara's door, for many days.

Verse 32 (padma.6.255.32)

नारीसंगममत्तोऽसौ यस्मान्मामवमन्यते । योनिलिंगस्वरूपं वै तस्मात्तस्य भविष्यति ।

nārīsaṁgamamatto'sau yasmānmāmavamanyate yoniliṁgasvarūpaṁ vai tasmāttasya bhaviṣyati

[Bhrigu said:] "Since he, intoxicated with union with his wife, thus dishonors me, therefore the form of the yoni-linga shall be his —

Verse 33 (padma.6.255.33)

ब्राह्मणं मावजानाति तमसा समुपागतः । अब्रह्मण्यत्वमापन्नो ह्यपूज्योऽसौ द्विजन्मनाम् ।

brāhmaṇaṁ māvajānāti tamasā samupāgataḥ abrahmaṇyatvamāpanno hyapūjyo'sau dvijanmanām

he who, overcome by tamas, thus dishonors a Brahmin like me. Having fallen into non-friendship with Brahmins, he shall be unworthy of worship by the twice-born.

Verse 34 (padma.6.255.34)

तस्मादन्नं जलं पुष्पं तस्मै दत्तं हविस्तथा । निर्माल्यमस्य तत्सर्वं भविष्यति न संशयः ।

tasmādannaṁ jalaṁ puṣpaṁ tasmai dattaṁ havistathā nirmālyamasya tatsarvaṁ bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

Therefore the food, water, flowers, and oblation given to him — all of that shall be mere leftover, discarded offering, without doubt."

Verse 35 (padma.6.255.35)

एवं शप्त्वा महातेजाः शंकरं लोकपूजितम् । उवाच गणमत्युग्रं नंदिं शूलधरं नृप ।

evaṁ śaptvā mahātejāḥ śaṁkaraṁ lokapūjitam uvāca gaṇamatyugraṁ naṁdiṁ śūladharaṁ nṛpa

Having thus cursed Shankara, worshipped by the world, that greatly radiant one, O king, spoke to that most fierce trident-bearing Nandi, the Gana.

Verse 36 (padma.6.255.36)

रुद्र भक्ताश्च ये लोके भस्मलिंगास्थिधारिणः । ते पाखंडत्वमापन्ना वेदबाह्या भवंतु वै ।

rudra bhaktāśca ye loke bhasmaliṁgāsthidhāriṇaḥ te pākhaṁḍatvamāpannā vedabāhyā bhavaṁtu vai

"And whatever devotees of Rudra there are in the world, wearing ash, the linga, and bones — let them fall into heresy, let them become outside the Veda."

Verse 37 (padma.6.255.37)

एवं शप्त्वा मुनिस्तत्र रुद्रं त्रिपुरहंतकम् । जगाम ब्रह्मलोकं वै सर्वलोकनमस्कृतम् ।

evaṁ śaptvā munistatra rudraṁ tripurahaṁtakam jagāma brahmalokaṁ vai sarvalokanamaskṛtam

Having thus cursed Rudra, the destroyer of the Triple City, that sage there went to Brahmaloka, worshipped by all the worlds.

Verse 38 (padma.6.255.38)

तत्र दैवैः सहासीनं ब्रह्माणं परमेष्ठिनम् । दृष्ट्वा प्रांजलिना देवं प्रणनाम महामतिः ।

tatra daivaiḥ sahāsīnaṁ brahmāṇaṁ parameṣṭhinam dṛṣṭvā prāṁjalinā devaṁ praṇanāma mahāmatiḥ

There, seeing Brahma, the highest one, seated together with the gods, that great-minded sage bowed to the god with joined palms.

Verse 39 (padma.6.255.39)

प्रणम्य पुरतस्तस्य तूष्णीमास महातपाः । तं दृष्ट्वा मुनिशार्दूलं रजोगुण समावृतः ।

praṇamya puratastasya tūṣṇīmāsa mahātapāḥ taṁ dṛṣṭvā muniśārdūlaṁ rajoguṇa samāvṛtaḥ

Having bowed, that one of great austerity stood silently before him. Seeing that tiger among sages, overcome with the quality of rajas —

Verse 40 (padma.6.255.40)

नार्चयामास धाताऽसौ महर्षिं समुपागतम् । प्रत्युत्थानं प्रियं वाक्यं न कृतं तस्य वेधसा ।

nārcayāmāsa dhātā'sau maharṣiṁ samupāgatam pratyutthānaṁ priyaṁ vākyaṁ na kṛtaṁ tasya vedhasā

that Creator did not honor the great sage who had come to him. No rising in respect, no kind word, was offered by that Ordainer.

Verse 41 (padma.6.255.41)

ऐश्वर्येणैव महता तस्थौ तत्रांबुजासनः । तं दृष्ट्वा रजसोद्रिक्तं महर्षिः पंकजासनम् ।

aiśvaryeṇaiva mahatā tasthau tatrāṁbujāsanaḥ taṁ dṛṣṭvā rajasodriktaṁ maharṣiḥ paṁkajāsanam

Filled with his own great majesty, that lotus-throned one merely remained seated there. Seeing him, thus consumed with rajas, that great sage —

Verse 42 (padma.6.255.42)

व्याजहार महातेजा वाक्यं लोकपितामहः । रजसा महतोद्रिक्तो यस्मान्मामवमन्यसे ।

vyājahāra mahātejā vākyaṁ lokapitāmahaḥ rajasā mahatodrikto yasmānmāmavamanyase

spoke this word to the grandsire of the worlds: "Since, overcome with such great rajas, you dishonor me,

Verse 43 (padma.6.255.43)

तस्मात्त्वं सर्वलोकानामपूज्यत्वं समाप्नुहि । एवं शप्त्वा महात्मानं ब्रह्माणं लोकपूजितम् ।

tasmāttvaṁ sarvalokānāmapūjyatvaṁ samāpnuhi evaṁ śaptvā mahātmānaṁ brahmāṇaṁ lokapūjitam

therefore you shall attain a lack of worship by all the worlds." Having thus cursed that great soul, Brahma, worshipped by the world,

Verse 44 (padma.6.255.44)

जगाम सहसा विप्रो भगवन्मंदिरं भृगुः । प्रविश्य वैष्णवं लोकं क्षीराब्धेरुत्तरे तटे ।

jagāma sahasā vipro bhagavanmaṁdiraṁ bhṛguḥ praviśya vaiṣṇavaṁ lokaṁ kṣīrābdheruttare taṭe

that Brahmin Bhrigu went at once to the abode of the Lord, entering the Vaishnava world, on the northern shore of the Ocean of Milk.

Verse 45 (padma.6.255.45)

तत्रस्थितैर्महाभागैः पूज्यमानो यथार्हतः । तत्रानिवार्य्यमाणस्तु प्रविष्टोंतःपुरं द्विजः ।

tatrasthitairmahābhāgaiḥ pūjyamāno yathārhataḥ tatrānivāryyamāṇastu praviṣṭoṁtaḥpuraṁ dvijaḥ

Fittingly honored there by the illustrious ones present, and, unhindered there, that Brahmin entered the inner chamber.

Verse 46 (padma.6.255.46)

प्रविश्य तस्मिन्विमले विमाने रविसन्निभे । शयानं नागपर्यंके ददर्श कमलापतिम् ।

praviśya tasminvimale vimāne ravisannibhe śayānaṁ nāgaparyaṁke dadarśa kamalāpatim

Entering that spotless celestial abode, resplendent as the sun, he saw the husband of Kamala reclining upon the serpent-couch,

Verse 47 (padma.6.255.47)

लक्ष्मीकरसरोजाभ्यां मृज्यमानपदद्वयम् । तं दृष्ट्वा मुनिशार्दूलो भृगुः कोपसमन्वितः ।

lakṣmīkarasarojābhyāṁ mṛjyamānapadadvayam taṁ dṛṣṭvā muniśārdūlo bhṛguḥ kopasamanvitaḥ

his two feet being massaged by Lakshmi's lotus-hands. Seeing him, that tiger among sages, Bhrigu, overcome with anger —

Verse 48 (padma.6.255.48)

सव्यं पादं प्रचिक्षेप विष्णोर्वक्षसि शोभने । तूर्णमुत्थाय भगवान्धन्योस्मीति वदन्मुदा ।

savyaṁ pādaṁ pracikṣepa viṣṇorvakṣasi śobhane tūrṇamutthāya bhagavāndhanyosmīti vadanmudā

struck with his left foot upon Vishnu's beautiful chest. The Lord, rising up at once, joyfully saying "I am blessed" —

Verse 49 (padma.6.255.49)

हस्ताभ्यां चरणं तस्य पीडयामास हर्षितः । शनैर्मृदित्वा तत्पादं मधुरं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ।

hastābhyāṁ caraṇaṁ tasya pīḍayāmāsa harṣitaḥ śanairmṛditvā tatpādaṁ madhuraṁ vākyamabravīt

delighted, pressed his foot with both hands. Gently massaging that foot, he spoke a sweet word.

Verse 50 (padma.6.255.50)

धन्योस्म्यद्यैव विप्रर्षे कृतकृत्योस्मि सर्वदा । त्वत्पादस्पर्शनाद्देहे मंगलं मे भविष्यति । समस्तसंपत्समवाप्तिहेतवः समुत्थितापत्कुलधूमकेतवः । अपारसंसारसमुद्र सेतवः पुनंतु मां ब्राह्मणपादपांसवः ।

dhanyosmyadyaiva viprarṣe kṛtakṛtyosmi sarvadā tvatpādasparśanāddehe maṁgalaṁ me bhaviṣyati samastasaṁpatsamavāptihetavaḥ samutthitāpatkuladhūmaketavaḥ apārasaṁsārasamudra setavaḥ punaṁtu māṁ brāhmaṇapādapāṁsavaḥ

"I am blessed this very day, O Brahmin-sage; I am forever fulfilled. By the touch of your foot, blessing shall come upon my body. May the dust of a Brahmin's feet — the cause of the attainment of every prosperity, the comet heralding the destruction of every calamity that arises, the bridge across the boundless ocean of worldly existence — purify me."

Verse 51 (padma.6.255.51)

विप्रपादरजो यस्य देहे तिष्ठति सर्वदा । गंगादिसर्वतीर्थानि तस्य तिष्ठंत्यसंशयम् ।

viprapādarajo yasya dehe tiṣṭhati sarvadā gaṁgādisarvatīrthāni tasya tiṣṭhaṁtyasaṁśayam

In whose body the dust of a Brahmin's feet ever abides, in him, without doubt, abide the Ganga and all sacred fords.

Verse 52 (padma.6.255.52)

इत्युक्त्वा सहसोत्थाय देव्या सार्द्धं जनार्दनः । भक्त्या समर्चयामास दिव्यस्रक्चंदनादिभिः ।

ityuktvā sahasotthāya devyā sārddhaṁ janārdanaḥ bhaktyā samarcayāmāsa divyasrakcaṁdanādibhiḥ

Having said this, rising up at once, Janardana, together with the Goddess, worshipped him with devotion, with divine garlands, sandal-paste, and the rest.

Verse 53 (padma.6.255.53)

तं दृष्ट्वा मुनिशार्दूलो हर्षपूर्णोऽश्रुलोचनः । उत्थायासनमुख्यात्तं प्रणनाम दयानिधिम् । कृतांजलिपुटोभूत्वा हर्षात्प्राह महातपाः ।

taṁ dṛṣṭvā muniśārdūlo harṣapūrṇo'śrulocanaḥ utthāyāsanamukhyāttaṁ praṇanāma dayānidhim kṛtāṁjalipuṭobhūtvā harṣātprāha mahātapāḥ

Seeing this, that tiger among sages, filled with joy, his eyes full of tears, rising from the foremost seat, bowed to that ocean of compassion; with joined palms, that one of great austerity spoke out of joy.

Verse 54 (padma.6.255.54)

श्रीभृगुरुवाच- अहोरूपमहोशांतिरहोज्ञानमहो दया । अहो सुनिर्मला क्षांतिरहो सत्वगुणं हरेः ।

śrībhṛguruvāca ahorūpamahośāṁtirahojñānamaho dayā aho sunirmalā kṣāṁtiraho satvaguṇaṁ hareḥ

Shri Bhrigu said: "How wondrous is his form! How wondrous his peace! How wondrous his knowledge! How wondrous his compassion! How wondrous his utterly stainless patience! How wondrous the quality of sattva in Hari!

Verse 55 (padma.6.255.55)

नैसर्गिकं शुभं सत्वं तथैव गुणवारिधेः । नान्येषां विद्यते किंचित्सर्वेषां त्रिदिवौकसाम् ।

naisargikaṁ śubhaṁ satvaṁ tathaiva guṇavāridheḥ nānyeṣāṁ vidyate kiṁcitsarveṣāṁ tridivaukasām

This innate, auspicious sattva, and likewise this ocean of good qualities, is found in none of the other celestials whatsoever.

Verse 56 (padma.6.255.56)

ब्रह्मण्यश्च शरण्यश्च त्वमेव पुरुषोत्तमः । ब्राह्मणानां त्वमेवेशो नान्यः पूज्यः सुरः क्वचित् ।

brahmaṇyaśca śaraṇyaśca tvameva puruṣottamaḥ brāhmaṇānāṁ tvameveśo nānyaḥ pūjyaḥ suraḥ kvacit

You alone, Purushottama, are the friend of Brahmins and their refuge. You alone are the Lord of Brahmins; no other god is anywhere worthy of worship.

Verse 57 (padma.6.255.57)

येऽर्चयंति सुरानन्यांस्त्वां विना पुरुषोत्तम । ते पाखंडत्वमापन्नाः सर्वलोकविगर्हिताः ।

ye'rcayaṁti surānanyāṁstvāṁ vinā puruṣottama te pākhaṁḍatvamāpannāḥ sarvalokavigarhitāḥ

Those who worship other gods besides you, O Purushottama, fall into heresy, condemned by all the worlds.

Verse 58 (padma.6.255.58)

विप्राणां वेदविदुषां त्वमेवेज्यो जनार्दनः । नान्यः कश्चित्सुराणां तु पूजनीयः कदाचन ।

viprāṇāṁ vedaviduṣāṁ tvamevejyo janārdanaḥ nānyaḥ kaścitsurāṇāṁ tu pūjanīyaḥ kadācana

For Brahmins learned in the Veda, you alone, Janardana, are to be worshipped; no other god at all is ever worthy of worship.

Verse 59 (padma.6.255.59)

अनर्च्याब्रह्मरुद्राद्या रजस्तमोविमिश्रिताः । त्वं शुद्धसत्वगुणवान्पूजनीयोऽग्रजन्मनाम् ।

anarcyābrahmarudrādyā rajastamovimiśritāḥ tvaṁ śuddhasatvaguṇavānpūjanīyo'grajanmanām

Not to be worshipped are Brahma, Rudra, and the rest, mixed with rajas and tamas; you, endowed with the quality of pure sattva, are worthy of worship by Brahmins.

Verse 60 (padma.6.255.60)

त्वत्पादसलिलं सेव्यं पितॄणां च दिवौकसाम् । सर्वेषां भूसुराणां च मुक्तिदं कल्मषापहम् ।

tvatpādasalilaṁ sevyaṁ pitṝṇāṁ ca divaukasām sarveṣāṁ bhūsurāṇāṁ ca muktidaṁ kalmaṣāpaham

The water from your feet is to be partaken of by ancestors, celestials, and all Brahmins alike — it bestows liberation and removes impurity.

Verse 61 (padma.6.255.61)

त्वद्भुक्तोच्छिष्टशेषं वै पितॄणां च दिवौकसाम् । भूसुराणां च सेव्यं स्यान्नान्येषां तु कदाचन ।

tvadbhuktocchiṣṭaśeṣaṁ vai pitṝṇāṁ ca divaukasām bhūsurāṇāṁ ca sevyaṁ syānnānyeṣāṁ tu kadācana

The remainder of what you have eaten is fit to be partaken of by ancestors, celestials, and Brahmins — never by others.

Verse 62 (padma.6.255.62)

इतरेषां तु देवानामन्नं पुष्पं जलं तथा । अस्पृश्यं तु भवेत्सर्वं निर्माल्यं सुरयासमम् ।

itareṣāṁ tu devānāmannaṁ puṣpaṁ jalaṁ tathā aspṛśyaṁ tu bhavetsarvaṁ nirmālyaṁ surayāsamam

But the food, flowers, and water of other gods — all of it becomes untouchable, mere discarded offering, equal to liquor.

Verse 63 (padma.6.255.63)

तस्माद्वै ब्राह्मणो नित्यं पूजयित्वा सनातनम् । त्वत्तीर्थं भुक्तमन्नं च भजेतैवानिशं बुधः ।

tasmādvai brāhmaṇo nityaṁ pūjayitvā sanātanam tvattīrthaṁ bhuktamannaṁ ca bhajetaivāniśaṁ budhaḥ

Therefore, the Brahmin, ever worshipping the eternal one, the wise, should partake, unceasingly, of your sacred water and eaten food alone.

Verse 64 (padma.6.255.64)

नान्यं देवं तु वीक्षेत ब्राह्मणो न च पूजयेत् । नान्यप्रसादं भुंजीत नान्यदायतनं विशेत् ।

nānyaṁ devaṁ tu vīkṣeta brāhmaṇo na ca pūjayet nānyaprasādaṁ bhuṁjīta nānyadāyatanaṁ viśet

The Brahmin should not look upon any other god, nor worship one; he should not eat the consecrated offering of another, nor enter the shrine of another.

Verse 65 (padma.6.255.65)

न ददातीह यो विप्रः पितॄणां श्राद्धकर्मणि । त्वद्भुक्तमन्नं तीर्थं च तत्सर्वं निष्फलं भवेत् ।

na dadātīha yo vipraḥ pitṝṇāṁ śrāddhakarmaṇi tvadbhuktamannaṁ tīrthaṁ ca tatsarvaṁ niṣphalaṁ bhavet

Whatever Brahmin, in the shraddha rite for the ancestors, does not offer your eaten food and sacred water — all of that becomes fruitless.

Verse 66 (padma.6.255.66)

कल्पकोटिसहस्राणि कल्पकोटिशतानि च । पतंति पितरस्तस्य नरके पूयशोणिते ।

kalpakoṭisahasrāṇi kalpakoṭiśatāni ca pataṁti pitarastasya narake pūyaśoṇite

For thousands of millions and hundreds of millions of aeons, his ancestors fall into a hell of pus and blood.

Verse 67 (padma.6.255.67)

निवेदितं तव विभो यो जुहोति ददाति वा । देवतानां पितॄणां च तृप्तिरानंत्यमश्नुते ।

niveditaṁ tava vibho yo juhoti dadāti vā devatānāṁ pitṝṇāṁ ca tṛptirānaṁtyamaśnute

O all-pervading Lord, whoever offers in fire, or gives, what has first been offered to you, attains endless satisfaction for the gods and ancestors.

Verse 68 (padma.6.255.68)

तस्मात्त्वमेव विप्राणां पूज्यो नान्योस्ति कश्चन । मोहाद्यः पूजयेदन्यान्स पाखंडी भविष्यति ।

tasmāttvameva viprāṇāṁ pūjyo nānyosti kaścana mohādyaḥ pūjayedanyānsa pākhaṁḍī bhaviṣyati

Therefore you alone are worthy of worship by Brahmins; there is no other. Whoever, out of delusion, worships others, shall become a heretic.

Verse 69 (padma.6.255.69)

त्वं हि नारायणः श्रीमान्वासुदेवः सनातनः । विष्णुः सर्वगतो नित्यः परमात्मा महेश्वरः ।

tvaṁ hi nārāyaṇaḥ śrīmānvāsudevaḥ sanātanaḥ viṣṇuḥ sarvagato nityaḥ paramātmā maheśvaraḥ

You indeed are the glorious Narayana, the eternal Vasudeva, the all-pervading, eternal Vishnu, the Supreme Soul, the great Lord.

Verse 70 (padma.6.255.70)

त्वमेव सेव्यो विप्राणां ब्रह्मण्यः शुद्धसत्ववान् । पूज्यत्वाद्ब्राह्मणानां वै शुद्धसत्वगुणादपि ।

tvameva sevyo viprāṇāṁ brahmaṇyaḥ śuddhasatvavān pūjyatvādbrāhmaṇānāṁ vai śuddhasatvaguṇādapi

You alone are to be served by Brahmins, the friend of Brahmins, of pure sattva. And by virtue of the very quality of pure sattva, worthy of worship by Brahmins —

Verse 71 (padma.6.255.71)

सर्वेषामेव देवानां ब्राह्मणत्वमवाप्नुहि । त्वामेव हि सदा विप्रा भजंति पुरुषोत्तमम् ।

sarveṣāmeva devānāṁ brāhmaṇatvamavāpnuhi tvāmeva hi sadā viprā bhajaṁti puruṣottamam

of all the gods, you alone attain the status of Brahmin-hood. You alone, indeed, O Purushottama, do Brahmins ever worship —

Verse 72 (padma.6.255.72)

ब्राह्मणास्ते बभूवुस्तु नान्यास्तत्र न संशयः । ब्रह्मण्यो देवकीपुत्रो ब्रह्मण्यो मधुसूदनः ।

brāhmaṇāste babhūvustu nānyāstatra na saṁśayaḥ brahmaṇyo devakīputro brahmaṇyo madhusūdanaḥ

they alone become true Brahmins, and none others — of this there is no doubt. Friend of Brahmins is the son of Devaki, friend of Brahmins is Madhusudana;

Verse 73 (padma.6.255.73)

ब्रह्मण्यः पुंडरीकाक्षो ब्रह्मण्यो विष्णुरच्युतः । ब्रह्मण्यो भगवान्कृष्णो वासुदेवोऽच्युतो हरिः ।

brahmaṇyaḥ puṁḍarīkākṣo brahmaṇyo viṣṇuracyutaḥ brahmaṇyo bhagavānkṛṣṇo vāsudevo'cyuto hariḥ

friend of Brahmins is the lotus-eyed one, friend of Brahmins is the unfailing Vishnu; friend of Brahmins is the Lord Krishna, Vasudeva, unfailing Hari;

Verse 74 (padma.6.255.74)

ब्रह्मण्यो नारसिंहः स्यात्तथा नारायणोऽव्ययः । ब्रह्मण्यः श्रीधरः श्रीशो गोविंदो वामनस्तथा ।

brahmaṇyo nārasiṁhaḥ syāttathā nārāyaṇo'vyayaḥ brahmaṇyaḥ śrīdharaḥ śrīśo goviṁdo vāmanastathā

friend of Brahmins is Narasimha, and likewise the imperishable Narayana; friend of Brahmins is Shridhara, the Lord of Shri, Govinda, and likewise Vamana;

Verse 75 (padma.6.255.75)

ब्रह्मण्यो यज्ञवाराहः केशवः पुरुषोत्तमः । ब्रह्मण्यो राघवः श्रीमान्रामो राजीवलोचनः ।

brahmaṇyo yajñavārāhaḥ keśavaḥ puruṣottamaḥ brahmaṇyo rāghavaḥ śrīmānrāmo rājīvalocanaḥ

friend of Brahmins is the sacrificial Boar, Keshava, Purushottama; friend of Brahmins is the glorious Raghava, Rama, the lotus-eyed one;

Verse 76 (padma.6.255.76)

ब्रह्मण्यः पद्मनाभः स्यात्तथा दामोदरः प्रभुः । ब्रह्मण्यो माधवो यज्ञस्तथा त्रिविक्रमः प्रभुः ।

brahmaṇyaḥ padmanābhaḥ syāttathā dāmodaraḥ prabhuḥ brahmaṇyo mādhavo yajñastathā trivikramaḥ prabhuḥ

friend of Brahmins is Padmanabha, and likewise the Lord Damodara; friend of Brahmins is Madhava, sacrifice itself, and likewise the Lord Trivikrama;

Verse 77 (padma.6.255.77)

ब्रह्मण्यश्च हृषीकेशः पीतवासा जनार्दनः । नमो ब्रह्मण्यदेवाय वासुदेवाय शार्ङ्गिणे ।

brahmaṇyaśca hṛṣīkeśaḥ pītavāsā janārdanaḥ namo brahmaṇyadevāya vāsudevāya śārṅgiṇe

and friend of Brahmins is Hrishikesha, clad in yellow, Janardana. Homage to the god who is the friend of Brahmins, to Vasudeva, wielder of the Sharnga bow,

Verse 78 (padma.6.255.78)

नारायणाय श्रीशाय पुंडरीकेक्षणाय च । नमो ब्रह्मण्यदेवाय वासुदेवाय विष्णवे ।

nārāyaṇāya śrīśāya puṁḍarīkekṣaṇāya ca namo brahmaṇyadevāya vāsudevāya viṣṇave

to Narayana, to the Lord of Shri, to the lotus-eyed one! Homage to the god who is the friend of Brahmins, to Vasudeva, to Vishnu,

Verse 79 (padma.6.255.79)

कल्याणगुणपूर्णाय नमस्ते परमात्मने । नमो ब्रह्मण्यदेवाय सर्वदेवस्वरूपिणे ।

kalyāṇaguṇapūrṇāya namaste paramātmane namo brahmaṇyadevāya sarvadevasvarūpiṇe

full of auspicious qualities, homage to you, Supreme Soul! Homage to the god who is the friend of Brahmins, whose form is that of all the gods,

Verse 80 (padma.6.255.80)

वाराहवपुषे नित्यं त्रयीनाथाय ते नमः । नमो ब्रह्मण्यदेवाय नागपर्य्यंकशायिने ।

vārāhavapuṣe nityaṁ trayīnāthāya te namaḥ namo brahmaṇyadevāya nāgaparyyaṁkaśāyine

whose eternal body is the Boar, Lord of the threefold Veda, homage to you! Homage to the god who is the friend of Brahmins, who reclines upon the serpent-couch,

Verse 81 (padma.6.255.81)

राजीवदलनेत्राय राघवाय नमो नमः । मायया मोहिताः सर्वे देवाश्च ऋषयस्तव ।

rājīvadalanetrāya rāghavāya namo namaḥ māyayā mohitāḥ sarve devāśca ṛṣayastava

whose eyes are lotus petals, homage, homage to Raghava! All the gods and sages are deluded by your maya —

Verse 82 (padma.6.255.82)

न जानंति महात्मानं सर्वलोकेश्वरं प्रभो । त्वां न जानंति भगवन्सर्ववेदविदोऽपि हि ।

na jānaṁti mahātmānaṁ sarvalokeśvaraṁ prabho tvāṁ na jānaṁti bhagavansarvavedavido'pi hi

they do not know that great soul, the Lord of all the worlds, O Master. Even those learned in all the Vedas do not know you, O Lord —

Verse 83 (padma.6.255.83)

नामरूपगुणैः श्रीश चारित्रैरपि दुष्कृतैः । परत्वसूचकं सत्वं तव वेदितुमीश्वरः ।

nāmarūpaguṇaiḥ śrīśa cāritrairapi duṣkṛtaiḥ paratvasūcakaṁ satvaṁ tava veditumīśvaraḥ

O Lord of Shri, through your names, forms, qualities, and even through your acts, seemingly ill-doing — only the Lord is able to know that sattva of yours which signifies your supremacy.

Verse 84 (padma.6.255.84)

महर्षिभिः प्रेषितोऽहमागतोस्मि तवांतिकम् । तव शीलगुणाञ्ज्ञातुं चरणं मम केशव ।

maharṣibhiḥ preṣito'hamāgatosmi tavāṁtikam tava śīlaguṇāñjñātuṁ caraṇaṁ mama keśava

Sent by the great sages, I have come to your presence, to know your character and qualities. My foot, O Keshava,

Verse 85 (padma.6.255.85)

दत्तं वक्षसि गोविंद तत्क्षंतव्यं कृपानिधे । एवमुक्त्वा भृगुर्देवं प्रणम्य च मुहुर्मुहुः ।

dattaṁ vakṣasi goviṁda tatkṣaṁtavyaṁ kṛpānidhe evamuktvā bhṛgurdevaṁ praṇamya ca muhurmuhuḥ

I placed upon your chest, O Govinda — let it be forgiven, O treasury of grace." Having said this, Bhrigu, bowing to the god again and again,

Verse 86 (padma.6.255.86)

दिव्यैर्महर्षिभिस्तत्र पूज्यमानो महात्मभिः । पुनर्जगाम हृष्टात्मा यज्ञभूमिं शुभाह्वयाम् ।

divyairmaharṣibhistatra pūjyamāno mahātmabhiḥ punarjagāma hṛṣṭātmā yajñabhūmiṁ śubhāhvayām

being honored there by the divine great-souled sages, went, his heart joyful, back to the auspiciously named sacrificial ground.

Verse 87 (padma.6.255.87)

समागतं महात्मानं तत्र दृष्ट्वा महर्षयः । प्रत्युत्थाय नमस्कृत्वा पूजां चक्रुर्विधानतः ।

samāgataṁ mahātmānaṁ tatra dṛṣṭvā maharṣayaḥ pratyutthāya namaskṛtvā pūjāṁ cakrurvidhānataḥ

Seeing that great soul arrive there, the great sages, rising up, bowing, duly worshipped him.

Verse 88 (padma.6.255.88)

तेषां विज्ञापयामास तत्सर्वं मुनिपुंगवः । रजस्तमगुणोद्रिक्तो विधीशानौ सुरोत्तमौ ।

teṣāṁ vijñāpayāmāsa tatsarvaṁ munipuṁgavaḥ rajastamaguṇodrikto vidhīśānau surottamau

That bull among sages reported all of it to them: "Brahma and Ishana, both foremost of gods, overcome with the qualities of rajas and tamas —

Verse 89 (padma.6.255.89)

शप्तौ मया न पूज्यौ तौ विप्राणामृषिसत्तमाः । अब्रह्मण्यत्वमापन्नो गर्हितं रूपमास्थितः ।

śaptau mayā na pūjyau tau viprāṇāmṛṣisattamāḥ abrahmaṇyatvamāpanno garhitaṁ rūpamāsthitaḥ

I have cursed them; they are not to be worshipped by Brahmins, O foremost of sages. Having fallen into non-friendship with Brahmins, they have come to bear a condemned form —

Verse 90 (padma.6.255.90)

शप्तः कैलासशिखरे शंकरस्तमसावृतः । शुद्धसत्वमयो विष्णुः कल्याणगुणसागरः ।

śaptaḥ kailāsaśikhare śaṁkarastamasāvṛtaḥ śuddhasatvamayo viṣṇuḥ kalyāṇaguṇasāgaraḥ

cursed on the peak of Kailasa, Shankara, enveloped in tamas. Vishnu, made of pure sattva, that ocean of auspicious qualities —

Verse 91 (padma.6.255.91)

नारायणः परं ब्रह्म विप्राणां दैवतं हरिः । ब्रह्मण्यः श्रीपतिर्विष्णुर्वासुदेवो जनार्दनः ।

nārāyaṇaḥ paraṁ brahma viprāṇāṁ daivataṁ hariḥ brahmaṇyaḥ śrīpatirviṣṇurvāsudevo janārdanaḥ

Narayana, the Supreme Brahman, the deity of Brahmins, Hari; the friend of Brahmins, the husband of Shri, Vishnu, Vasudeva, Janardana;

Verse 92 (padma.6.255.92)

ब्रह्मण्यः पुंडरीकाक्षो गोविंदो हरिरच्युतः । स एव पूज्यो विप्राणां नेतरः पुरुषर्षभाः ।

brahmaṇyaḥ puṁḍarīkākṣo goviṁdo hariracyutaḥ sa eva pūjyo viprāṇāṁ netaraḥ puruṣarṣabhāḥ

the friend of Brahmins, the lotus-eyed, Govinda, Hari, unfailing — he alone is worthy of worship by Brahmins, and no other, O bulls among men.

Verse 93 (padma.6.255.93)

मोहाद्यः पूजयेदन्यं स पाखंडी भविष्यति । स्मरणादेव कृष्णस्य विमुक्तिः पापिनामपि ।

mohādyaḥ pūjayedanyaṁ sa pākhaṁḍī bhaviṣyati smaraṇādeva kṛṣṇasya vimuktiḥ pāpināmapi

Whoever, out of delusion, worships another, shall become a heretic. By the mere remembrance of Krishna, even sinners attain liberation.

Verse 94 (padma.6.255.94)

तस्य पादोदकं सेव्यं भुक्तोच्छिष्टं च पावनम् । स्वर्गापवर्गदं नॄणां ब्राह्मणानां विशेषतः ।

tasya pādodakaṁ sevyaṁ bhuktocchiṣṭaṁ ca pāvanam svargāpavargadaṁ nṝṇāṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ viśeṣataḥ

His foot-water is to be partaken of, and his eaten remnant is purifying, bestowing heaven and liberation upon men, especially upon Brahmins.

Verse 95 (padma.6.255.95)

विष्णोर्निवेदितं नित्यं देवेभ्यो जुहुयाद्धविः । पितृभ्यश्चैव तद्दद्यात्सर्वमानंत्यमश्नुते ।

viṣṇorniveditaṁ nityaṁ devebhyo juhuyāddhaviḥ pitṛbhyaścaiva taddadyātsarvamānaṁtyamaśnute

What has been offered to Vishnu should ever be offered as oblation to the gods, and given likewise to the ancestors — thereby one obtains all endless merit.

Verse 96 (padma.6.255.96)

यो न दद्याद्धरेर्भुक्तं पितॄणां श्राद्धकर्मणि । अश्नंति पितरस्तस्य विण्मूत्रं सततं द्विजाः ।

yo na dadyāddharerbhuktaṁ pitṝṇāṁ śrāddhakarmaṇi aśnaṁti pitarastasya viṇmūtraṁ satataṁ dvijāḥ

Whatever Brahmin, O Brahmins, does not give Hari's eaten food in the shraddha rite for the ancestors — his ancestors eat filth and urine continually.

Verse 97 (padma.6.255.97)

तस्माद्विष्णोः प्रसादो वै सेवितव्यो द्विजन्मनाम् । इतरेषां तु देवानां निर्माल्यं गर्हितं भवेत् ।

tasmādviṣṇoḥ prasādo vai sevitavyo dvijanmanām itareṣāṁ tu devānāṁ nirmālyaṁ garhitaṁ bhavet

Therefore Vishnu's consecrated offering is indeed to be partaken of by the twice-born; but the discarded offering of other gods is a condemned thing.

Verse 98 (padma.6.255.98)

सकृदेव हि योश्नाति ब्राह्मणो ज्ञानदुर्बलः । निर्माल्यं शंकरादीनां स चांडालो भवेद्ध्रुवम् ।

sakṛdeva hi yośnāti brāhmaṇo jñānadurbalaḥ nirmālyaṁ śaṁkarādīnāṁ sa cāṁḍālo bhaveddhruvam

Whatever Brahmin, weak in wisdom, eats even once the discarded offering of Shankara and the rest — he certainly becomes a chandala,

Verse 99 (padma.6.255.99)

कल्पकोटिसहस्राणि पच्यते नरकाग्निना । निर्माल्यं भो द्विजश्रेष्ठा रुद्रादीनां दिवौकसाम् । रक्षोयक्षपिशाचान्नं मद्यमांससमं स्मृतम् । तद्ब्राह्मणैर्न भोक्तव्यं देवानां भुंजितं हविः ।

kalpakoṭisahasrāṇi pacyate narakāgninā nirmālyaṁ bho dvijaśreṣṭhā rudrādīnāṁ divaukasām rakṣoyakṣapiśācānnaṁ madyamāṁsasamaṁ smṛtam tadbrāhmaṇairna bhoktavyaṁ devānāṁ bhuṁjitaṁ haviḥ

and is cooked in the fire of hell for thousands of millions of aeons. O foremost of the twice-born, the discarded offering of Rudra and the other celestials, and the food of rakshasas, yakshas, and pishachas, is held equal to liquor and meat — such eaten oblation of those gods must not be consumed by Brahmins.

Verse 100 (padma.6.255.100)

तस्मादन्यं परित्यज्य विष्णुमेव सनातनम् । पूजयध्वं द्विजश्रेष्ठा यावज्जीवमतंद्रिताः ।

tasmādanyaṁ parityajya viṣṇumeva sanātanam pūjayadhvaṁ dvijaśreṣṭhā yāvajjīvamataṁdritāḥ

Therefore, abandoning all others, worship the eternal Vishnu alone, O foremost of the twice-born, without laziness, throughout life.

Verse 101 (padma.6.255.101)

तद्विष्णोः परमं धाममन्यंतो गतसंशयाः । तापादिपंचसंस्कारैरन्विष्टाः शुभचेतसः ।

tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ dhāmamanyaṁto gatasaṁśayāḥ tāpādipaṁcasaṁskārairanviṣṭāḥ śubhacetasaḥ

Meditating on that supreme abode of Vishnu, free of doubt, marked with the five sacraments beginning with tapa, of pure heart —

Verse 102 (padma.6.255.102)

अप्राकृतं हरिं सम्यगर्चयध्वं द्विजर्षभाः । चक्रांकितभुजा विप्रा भवंत्यप्राकृताः शुभाः ।

aprākṛtaṁ hariṁ samyagarcayadhvaṁ dvijarṣabhāḥ cakrāṁkitabhujā viprā bhavaṁtyaprākṛtāḥ śubhāḥ

duly worship the transcendent Hari, O bulls among the twice-born. Brahmins marked on the arm with the discus become transcendent and auspicious.

Verse 103 (padma.6.255.103)

चक्रलांछनहीनास्तु प्राकृतास्तामसा स्मृताः । तस्मात्प्राकृतसंसर्ग पापौघ दहनं हरेः ।

cakralāṁchanahīnāstu prākṛtāstāmasā smṛtāḥ tasmātprākṛtasaṁsarga pāpaugha dahanaṁ hareḥ

Those devoid of the discus-mark are remembered as ordinary and tamasic. Therefore, burning away the accumulated sin of contact with the ordinary through Hari's fire —

Verse 104 (padma.6.255.104)

प्रतप्तं बिभृयाच्चक्रं शंखं च भुजमूलयोः । उर्द्ध्वपुंड्राणि चांगेषु धृत्वा शास्त्रोक्तमार्गतः ।

prataptaṁ bibhṛyāccakraṁ śaṁkhaṁ ca bhujamūlayoḥ urddhvapuṁḍrāṇi cāṁgeṣu dhṛtvā śāstroktamārgataḥ

one should bear the heated discus and conch upon the base of the arms, and, bearing the urdhva-pundra marks upon the limbs, according to the path declared in the scriptures,

Verse 105 (padma.6.255.105)

अर्चयेन्मंत्ररत्नेन विधिना पुरुषोत्तमम् । तस्य प्रसादसेवां च कुर्य्यान्नित्यमतंद्रितः ।

arcayenmaṁtraratnena vidhinā puruṣottamam tasya prasādasevāṁ ca kuryyānnityamataṁdritaḥ

worship Purushottama with the jewel-mantra, according to rite. And one should ever partake, without laziness, of his consecrated offering.

Verse 106 (padma.6.255.106)

तस्यावरणपूजायां त्रिदशानर्चयेत्सदा । तमेव सर्वयज्ञानां भोक्तारं परमेश्वरम् ।

tasyāvaraṇapūjāyāṁ tridaśānarcayetsadā tameva sarvayajñānāṁ bhoktāraṁ parameśvaram

In the worship of his retinue, one should ever also worship the attendant gods. O Brahmins, knowing him alone as the Supreme Lord, the partaker of all sacrifices —

Verse 107 (padma.6.255.107)

ज्ञात्वा वै जुहुयाद्दद्याज्जपेद्वै सततं द्विजाः ।

jñātvā vai juhuyāddadyājjapedvai satataṁ dvijāḥ

one should ever offer oblation, give gifts, and recite his mantra continually.

Verse 108 (padma.6.255.108)

वसिष्ठ उवाच- एवमुक्तास्तु ते सर्वे ऋषयः क्षीणकल्मषाः । नमस्कृत्य भृगुं सम्यगूचुः प्रांजलयस्तदा ।

vasiṣṭha uvāca evamuktāstu te sarve ṛṣayaḥ kṣīṇakalmaṣāḥ namaskṛtya bhṛguṁ samyagūcuḥ prāṁjalayastadā

Vasishtha said: Thus addressed, all those sages, their impurities destroyed, bowing to Bhrigu, then duly spoke with joined palms.

Verse 109 (padma.6.255.109)

ऋषय ऊचुः । भगवन्संशयछेत्ता त्वमेव द्विजसत्तम । त्वं वै लोकगतिर्ब्रह्मंस्त्वमेव परमा गतिः ।

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ bhagavansaṁśayachettā tvameva dvijasattama tvaṁ vai lokagatirbrahmaṁstvameva paramā gatiḥ

The sages said: "O Lord, you alone, foremost of the twice-born, are the resolver of our doubt. You indeed, O Brahmin, are the refuge of the world; you alone are the supreme refuge.

Verse 110 (padma.6.255.110)

त्वमेव परमोधर्मस्त्वमेव परमं तपः । त्वत्प्रसादाद्वयं विप्र भविष्यामो हि नान्यथा ।

tvameva paramodharmastvameva paramaṁ tapaḥ tvatprasādādvayaṁ vipra bhaviṣyāmo hi nānyathā

You alone are the highest dharma; you alone are the highest austerity. By your grace alone, O Brahmin, shall we truly become what we seek — never otherwise."

Verse 111 (padma.6.255.111)

वसिष्ठ उवाच- एवं स्तुत्वा भृगुं विप्रं सर्व एव महर्षयः । तस्मात्संप्राप्तमंत्रा वै पूजयामासुरच्युतम् ।

vasiṣṭha uvāca evaṁ stutvā bhṛguṁ vipraṁ sarva eva maharṣayaḥ tasmātsaṁprāptamaṁtrā vai pūjayāmāsuracyutam

Vasishtha said: Thus praising the Brahmin Bhrigu, all the great sages, having received the mantra from him, worshipped the unfailing one.

Verse 112 (padma.6.255.112)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं प्रसंगात्पार्थिवोत्तम । रामस्य हस्तकमलस्पर्शनाद्वै नृपोत्तम ।

etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ prasaṁgātpārthivottama rāmasya hastakamalasparśanādvai nṛpottama

[Vasishtha, addressing King Dilipa:] All this has been told to you in passing, O best of kings. O foremost of kings, by the touch of Rama's lotus hand —

Verse 113 (padma.6.255.113)

भविष्यत्यमलं तच्च रूपं लोकविगर्हितम् । राघवः सर्वदेवानां पावनः पुरुषोत्तमः ।

bhaviṣyatyamalaṁ tacca rūpaṁ lokavigarhitam rāghavaḥ sarvadevānāṁ pāvanaḥ puruṣottamaḥ

that form condemned by the world shall become stainless. Raghava, Purushottama, is the purifier of all the gods —

Verse 114 (padma.6.255.114)

स्पृष्टा दृष्टाश्च तेनैव विमलाः शंकरादयः । सर्वेषामपि देवानां पिता माता जनार्दनः ।

spṛṣṭā dṛṣṭāśca tenaiva vimalāḥ śaṁkarādayaḥ sarveṣāmapi devānāṁ pitā mātā janārdanaḥ

by his very touch and sight, Shankara and the others become stainless. Janardana is the father and mother of all the gods too;

Verse 115 (padma.6.255.115)

त्राता च सर्वलोकानां वात्सल्यगुणसागरः । तमेव शरणं गच्छ यदीच्छेत्परमं पदम् ।

trātā ca sarvalokānāṁ vātsalyaguṇasāgaraḥ tameva śaraṇaṁ gaccha yadīcchetparamaṁ padam

he is the protector of all the worlds, that ocean of parental love. Go to him alone for refuge, if you desire the supreme abode.

Verse 116 (padma.6.255.116)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं पुराणं वेदसंमितम् । ब्रह्मणा कथितं राजन्मनु स्वायंभुवोंतरे ।

etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ purāṇaṁ vedasaṁmitam brahmaṇā kathitaṁ rājanmanu svāyaṁbhuvoṁtare

All this has been told to you, O king — this Purana, equal in worth to the Veda, declared by Brahma during the Svayambhuva Manvantara —

Verse 117 (padma.6.255.117)

विष्णुभक्तिविनीतस्य शुद्धसत्वस्य नान्यथा । तस्य संश्रावयेन्नित्यं विमुक्ता सा हरेः कथा ।

viṣṇubhaktivinītasya śuddhasatvasya nānyathā tasya saṁśrāvayennityaṁ vimuktā sā hareḥ kathā

and never to be told to anyone except one made humble by devotion to Vishnu, of pure sattva. To such a one this liberating story of Hari should ever be recited —

Verse 118 (padma.6.255.118)

शंखचक्रोर्द्ध्वपुंड्रादि विहितो वाचकः पुमान् । तन्मुखाच्छ्रूयतां नित्यं पुत्री भवसि नान्यथा ।

śaṁkhacakrorddhvapuṁḍrādi vihito vācakaḥ pumān tanmukhācchrūyatāṁ nityaṁ putrī bhavasi nānyathā

by a reciter marked with the conch, discus, urdhva-pundra, and the like, as enjoined. Let it ever be heard from such a mouth — only thus will you have a worthy son, never otherwise.

Verse 119 (padma.6.255.119)

यस्त्विदं श्रावयेन्नित्यं पठेद्वा सुसमाहितः । अनन्यभक्तिः श्रीशस्य जायते तस्य सर्वदा ।

yastvidaṁ śrāvayennityaṁ paṭhedvā susamāhitaḥ ananyabhaktiḥ śrīśasya jāyate tasya sarvadā

Whoever recites this to others, or reads it, with a well-composed mind, in him unwavering devotion to the Lord of Shri ever arises.

Verse 120 (padma.6.255.120)

विद्यार्थी लभते विद्यां धर्मार्थी धर्ममाप्नुयात् । मोक्षार्थी लभते मोक्षं कामार्थी लभते सुखम् ।

vidyārthī labhate vidyāṁ dharmārthī dharmamāpnuyāt mokṣārthī labhate mokṣaṁ kāmārthī labhate sukham

The seeker of knowledge obtains knowledge; the seeker of dharma attains dharma; the seeker of liberation obtains liberation; the seeker of desire obtains happiness.

Verse 121 (padma.6.255.121)

द्वादश्यां श्रवणार्के च संक्रांतौ ग्रहणे तथा । अमावस्यां पौर्णमास्यां पठेद्भक्तिसमन्वितः ।

dvādaśyāṁ śravaṇārke ca saṁkrāṁtau grahaṇe tathā amāvasyāṁ paurṇamāsyāṁ paṭhedbhaktisamanvitaḥ

On Dvadashi, on the day of Shravana or Sunday, at the solstice, likewise at an eclipse, on the new-moon or full-moon day, one should recite it, filled with devotion.

Verse 122 (padma.6.255.122)

श्लोकार्द्धं श्लोकपादं वा पठेद्यस्तु समाहितः । अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य फलं प्राप्नोत्यसंशयः ।

ślokārddhaṁ ślokapādaṁ vā paṭhedyastu samāhitaḥ aśvamedhasahasrasya phalaṁ prāpnotyasaṁśayaḥ

Whoever, with focused mind, recites even half a verse, or a quarter of a verse, obtains, without doubt, the fruit of a thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices.

Verse 123 (padma.6.255.123)

इत्येतत्कथितं गुह्यं पुराणं संहितात्मकम् । अर्चयस्व हृषीकेशं यदीच्छसि परमं पदम् ।

ityetatkathitaṁ guhyaṁ purāṇaṁ saṁhitātmakam arcayasva hṛṣīkeśaṁ yadīcchasi paramaṁ padam

Thus has this secret Purana, in the form of a Samhita, been told. Worship Hrishikesha, if you desire the supreme abode.

Verse 124 (padma.6.255.124)

सूत उवाच- एवमुक्तो वसिष्ठेन गुरुणा नृपसत्तमः । प्रणम्य च गुरुं राजा पूजयित्वा यथार्हतः ।

sūta uvāca evamukto vasiṣṭhena guruṇā nṛpasattamaḥ praṇamya ca guruṁ rājā pūjayitvā yathārhataḥ

Suta said: Thus addressed by his teacher Vasishtha, that foremost of kings, bowing to his teacher, and duly honoring him,

Verse 125 (padma.6.255.125)

तस्मात्संप्राप्तमंत्रोऽसौ विधिना द्विजसत्तमात् । अर्चयित्वा हृषीकेशं यावज्जीवमतंद्रितः । काले हरिपदं प्राप योगिगम्यं सनातनम् ।

tasmātsaṁprāptamaṁtro'sau vidhinā dvijasattamāt arcayitvā hṛṣīkeśaṁ yāvajjīvamataṁdritaḥ kāle haripadaṁ prāpa yogigamyaṁ sanātanam

having duly received the mantra from that foremost of the twice-born, and worshipping Hrishikesha, without laziness, throughout life — that king in time attained Hari's abode, eternal, attainable by yogis.