The Glory of Planting Trees, Water-Sheds, Lakes, Austerity, Study and Discourse on Dharma

Verse 1 (padma.6.27.1)

महादेव उवाच ।पानीयदानं परमं दानानामुत्तमं सदा । तस्माद्वापीश्च कूपांश्च तडागानि च कारयेत्

mahādeva uvāca pānīyadānaṁ paramaṁ dānānāmuttamaṁ sadā tasmādvāpīśca kūpāṁśca taḍāgāni ca kārayet

Mahadeva said: The gift of water is the supreme, ever the best among gifts; therefore one should have step-wells, wells, and tanks built.

Verse 2 (padma.6.27.2)

अर्द्धं पापं संहरंति पुरुषस्य विकर्मणः । कूपाः प्रवृत्तपानीयाः सुप्रवृत्तस्य नित्यशः

arddhaṁ pāpaṁ saṁharaṁti puruṣasya vikarmaṇaḥ kūpāḥ pravṛttapānīyāḥ supravṛttasya nityaśaḥ

They take away half the sin of even a man of wicked deeds; wells with continually flowing water always run well,

Verse 3 (padma.6.27.3)

स च तारयते वंशं यस्य खात जलाशये । गावः पिबंति विप्राश्च साधवश्च नराः सदा

sa ca tārayate vaṁśaṁ yasya khāta jalāśaye gāvaḥ pibaṁti viprāśca sādhavaśca narāḥ sadā

and one whose reservoir has been dug saves his own lineage; where cows, brahmins, and good men always drink.

Verse 4 (padma.6.27.4)

निदाघकाले पानीयं यस्य तिष्ठति नारद । दुर्गे विषमकृच्छ्रे च न कदाचिदवाप्यते

nidāghakāle pānīyaṁ yasya tiṣṭhati nārada durge viṣamakṛcchre ca na kadācidavāpyate

O Narada, water that remains through the hot season is never obtained in a difficult, dangerous strait.

Verse 5 (padma.6.27.5)

तडागानां च वक्ष्यामि कृतानां ये गुणाः स्मृताः । त्रिषु लोकेषु सर्वत्र पूजितो यस्तडागवान्

taḍāgānāṁ ca vakṣyāmi kṛtānāṁ ye guṇāḥ smṛtāḥ triṣu lokeṣu sarvatra pūjito yastaḍāgavān

Now I shall tell the virtues remembered for constructed tanks; one who possesses a tank is honored everywhere, in all three worlds.

Verse 6 (padma.6.27.6)

अथवा मित्रसदनं मित्रमैत्रीविवर्द्धनम् । कीर्तिसंजननं श्रेष्ठं तडागस्योपलक्षयेत्

athavā mitrasadanaṁ mitramaitrīvivarddhanam kīrtisaṁjananaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ taḍāgasyopalakṣayet

Or, it is like the home of a friend, increasing friendship; a tank should be regarded as a supreme generator of fame.

Verse 7 (padma.6.27.7)

धर्म्यस्यार्थस्य कामस्य फलमाहुर्मनीषिणः । तडागं सुकृतं देशे क्षेत्रमध्ये महाश्रयम्

dharmyasyārthasya kāmasya phalamāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ taḍāgaṁ sukṛtaṁ deśe kṣetramadhye mahāśrayam

The wise call it the fruit of dharma, artha, and kama; a well-made tank in a country, or amid fields, is a great refuge.

Verse 8 (padma.6.27.8)

चतुर्विधानां भूतानां तडागस्योपलक्षयेत् । तडागानि च सर्वाणि दिशंति श्रेयमुत्तमम्

caturvidhānāṁ bhūtānāṁ taḍāgasyopalakṣayet taḍāgāni ca sarvāṇi diśaṁti śreyamuttamam

The tank should be regarded as belonging to the four kinds of beings; all tanks bestow the highest welfare.

Verse 9 (padma.6.27.9)

देवामनुष्यागंधर्वाः पितरो नाग राक्षसाः । स्थावराणि च भूतानि संश्रयंति जलाशयम्

devāmanuṣyāgaṁdharvāḥ pitaro nāga rākṣasāḥ sthāvarāṇi ca bhūtāni saṁśrayaṁti jalāśayam

Gods, men, Gandharvas, ancestors, Nagas, and Rakshasas, and stationary beings too take refuge in a reservoir.

Verse 10 (padma.6.27.10)

वर्षाऋतौ तडागे तु सलिलं यत्र तिष्ठति । अग्निहोत्रफलं तस्य जायते नात्र संशयः

varṣāṛtau taḍāge tu salilaṁ yatra tiṣṭhati agnihotraphalaṁ tasya jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

In the rainy season, whatever water remains in a tank yields the fruit of an Agnihotra sacrifice, without doubt.

Verse 11 (padma.6.27.11)

हेमंते शिशिरे चैव सलिलं यस्य तिष्ठति । गोसहस्रफलं तस्य लभते नात्र संशयः

hemaṁte śiśire caiva salilaṁ yasya tiṣṭhati gosahasraphalaṁ tasya labhate nātra saṁśayaḥ

In early and late winter, whatever water remains in a tank yields, without doubt, the fruit of a thousand cows given in gift.

Verse 12 (padma.6.27.12)

वसंतेऽपि तथा ग्रीष्मे सलिलं तिष्ठते यदि । अतिरात्राश्वमेधाभ्यां फलमाहुर्मनीषिणः

vasaṁte'pi tathā grīṣme salilaṁ tiṣṭhate yadi atirātrāśvamedhābhyāṁ phalamāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ

And if water remains even in spring and summer, the wise declare its fruit to equal that of an Atiratra sacrifice and an Ashvamedha.

Verse 13 (padma.6.27.13)

अथैतेषां तु वृक्षाणां रोपणे च गुणाञ्छृणु । अतीतानागतौ चोभौ पितृवंशौ महाऋषे

athaiteṣāṁ tu vṛkṣāṇāṁ ropaṇe ca guṇāñchṛṇu atītānāgatau cobhau pitṛvaṁśau mahāṛṣe

Now hear the virtues of planting these trees; O great sage, both the ancestral lineages, past and future,

Verse 14 (padma.6.27.14)

तारयेद्वृक्षरोपी च तस्माद्वृक्षांस्तु रोपयेत् । पुत्रपौत्रा भवंत्येते पादपा नात्र संशयः

tārayedvṛkṣaropī ca tasmādvṛkṣāṁstu ropayet putrapautrā bhavaṁtyete pādapā nātra saṁśayaḥ

the planter of trees saves them; therefore one should plant trees; these trees become, without doubt, one's own sons and grandsons.

Verse 15 (padma.6.27.15)

परलोकं गतः सोऽपि लोकानाप्नोति चाक्षयान् । पुष्पैः सुरगणान्सर्वान्पत्रैश्चापि तथा पितॄन्

paralokaṁ gataḥ so'pi lokānāpnoti cākṣayān puṣpaiḥ suragaṇānsarvānpatraiścāpi tathā pitṝn

Even having gone to the world beyond, he attains imperishable worlds. With their flowers these trees honor all the hosts of gods, and with their leaves the ancestors as well,

Verse 16 (padma.6.27.16)

छायया चातिथीन्सर्वान्पूजयंति महीरुहाः । किन्नरोरगरक्षांसि देवगंधर्वमानवाः

chāyayā cātithīnsarvānpūjayaṁti mahīruhāḥ kinnaroragarakṣāṁsi devagaṁdharvamānavāḥ

and with their shade all guests; these earth-growing trees honor Kinnaras, Uragas, Rakshasas, gods, Gandharvas, and men,

Verse 17 (padma.6.27.17)

तथा ऋषिगणाश्चैव संश्रयंति महीरुहान् । पुष्पिताः फलवंतश्च तर्पयंतीह मानवान्

tathā ṛṣigaṇāścaiva saṁśrayaṁti mahīruhān puṣpitāḥ phalavaṁtaśca tarpayaṁtīha mānavān

and the hosts of sages too take refuge in these earth-growers; flowering and fruit-bearing, they satisfy people here.

Verse 18 (padma.6.27.18)

इहलोके परे चैव पुत्रास्ते धर्मतः स्मृताः । तडागवृक्षरोपाश्च इष्टयज्ञाश्च ये द्विजाः

ihaloke pare caiva putrāste dharmataḥ smṛtāḥ taḍāgavṛkṣaropāśca iṣṭayajñāśca ye dvijāḥ

In this world and the next, these are counted as sons by dharma; those who plant tank-trees, and twice-born who perform desired sacrifices —

Verse 19 (padma.6.27.19)

एते स्वर्गान्नहीयंते ये चान्ये सत्यवादिनः । सत्यमेव परं ब्रह्म सत्यमेव परं तपः

ete svargānnahīyaṁte ye cānye satyavādinaḥ satyameva paraṁ brahma satyameva paraṁ tapaḥ

these do not fall short of heaven, nor do other speakers of truth. Truth alone is the Supreme Brahman, truth alone is the supreme austerity,

Verse 20 (padma.6.27.20)

सत्यमेव परो यज्ञः सत्यमेव परं श्रुतम् । सत्यं देवेषु जागर्ति सत्यं च परमं पदम्

satyameva paro yajñaḥ satyameva paraṁ śrutam satyaṁ deveṣu jāgarti satyaṁ ca paramaṁ padam

truth alone is the supreme sacrifice, truth alone is the supreme scripture; truth is awake among the gods, and truth is the supreme state.

Verse 21 (padma.6.27.21)

तपो यज्ञाश्च पुण्यं च तथा देवर्षिपूजनम् । आद्यो विधिश्च विद्या च सर्वं सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितम्

tapo yajñāśca puṇyaṁ ca tathā devarṣipūjanam ādyo vidhiśca vidyā ca sarvaṁ satye pratiṣṭhitam

Austerity, sacrifices, merit, and the worship of gods and sages, the primal ordinance, and knowledge — all are established in truth.

Verse 22 (padma.6.27.22)

सत्यं यज्ञस्तथा दानं मंत्रा देवी सरस्वती । व्रतचर्या तथा सत्यमोङ्कारः सत्यमेव च

satyaṁ yajñastathā dānaṁ maṁtrā devī sarasvatī vratacaryā tathā satyamoṅkāraḥ satyameva ca

Truth is sacrifice, and gift as well; mantras, the goddess Sarasvati, the practice of vows — all truth; Om itself is truth.

Verse 23 (padma.6.27.23)

सत्येन वायुरभ्येति सत्येन तपते रविः । सत्येन चाग्निर्दहति स्वर्गः सत्येन तिष्ठति

satyena vāyurabhyeti satyena tapate raviḥ satyena cāgnirdahati svargaḥ satyena tiṣṭhati

By truth the wind blows, by truth the sun burns, by truth fire consumes, by truth heaven stands firm.

Verse 24 (padma.6.27.24)

पूजनं सर्वदेवानां सर्वतीर्थावगाहनम् । सत्यं च वदते लोके सर्वमाप्नोत्यसंशयः

pūjanaṁ sarvadevānāṁ sarvatīrthāvagāhanam satyaṁ ca vadate loke sarvamāpnotyasaṁśayaḥ

Worship of all the gods, immersion in all the tirthas, and speaking truth in the world — one who does this attains everything, without doubt.

Verse 25 (padma.6.27.25)

अश्वमेधसहस्रं च सत्यं च तुलया धृतम् । सर्वेषां सर्वयज्ञानां सत्यमेव विशिष्यते

aśvamedhasahasraṁ ca satyaṁ ca tulayā dhṛtam sarveṣāṁ sarvayajñānāṁ satyameva viśiṣyate

A thousand horse-sacrifices, and truth — weighed on a scale, truth alone excels all sacrifices.

Verse 26 (padma.6.27.26)

सत्येन देवाः प्रीयंते पितरो ऋषयस्तथा । सत्यमाहुः परं धर्मं सत्यमाहुः परं पदम्

satyena devāḥ prīyaṁte pitaro ṛṣayastathā satyamāhuḥ paraṁ dharmaṁ satyamāhuḥ paraṁ padam

By truth the gods are pleased, and the ancestors and sages as well; they call truth the supreme dharma, they call truth the supreme state,

Verse 27 (padma.6.27.27)

सत्यमाहुः परं ब्रह्म तस्मात्सत्यं वदामि ते । मुनयः सत्यनिरताः तपस्तप्त्वा सुदुष्करम्

satyamāhuḥ paraṁ brahma tasmātsatyaṁ vadāmi te munayaḥ satyaniratāḥ tapastaptvā suduṣkaram

they call truth the supreme Brahman — therefore I speak truth to you. The sages, devoted to truth, having performed most difficult austerity,

Verse 28 (padma.6.27.28)

सत्यधर्मरताः सिद्धास्ततः स्वर्गमितो गताः । अप्सरोगणसंघुष्टैर्विमानैः परितो वृताः

satyadharmaratāḥ siddhāstataḥ svargamito gatāḥ apsarogaṇasaṁghuṣṭairvimānaiḥ parito vṛtāḥ

devoted to the dharma of truth, became perfected, and went from here to heaven, surrounded on all sides by celestial cars resounding with hosts of apsaras.

Verse 29 (padma.6.27.29)

वक्तव्यं च सदा सत्यं न सत्याद्विद्यते परम् । अगाधे विपुले सिद्धे सत्तीर्थे च शुचौ हृदि

vaktavyaṁ ca sadā satyaṁ na satyādvidyate param agādhe vipule siddhe sattīrthe ca śucau hṛdi

Truth should always be spoken; there is nothing higher than truth. In the unfathomable, vast, accomplished, true tirtha, and in a pure heart,

Verse 30 (padma.6.27.30)

स्नातव्यं मनसा युक्तैः स्नानं तत्परमं स्मृतम् । आत्मार्थे वा परार्थे वा पुत्रार्थे वापि मानवाः । अनृतं ये न भाषंते ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः

snātavyaṁ manasā yuktaiḥ snānaṁ tatparamaṁ smṛtam ātmārthe vā parārthe vā putrārthe vāpi mānavāḥ anṛtaṁ ye na bhāṣaṁte te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ

one should bathe with a focused mind — that bathing is remembered as supreme. For one's own sake, another's, or even for a son's sake, men who never speak falsehood go to heaven.

Verse 31 (padma.6.27.31)

वेदा यज्ञास्तथा मंत्राः संति विप्रेषु नित्यशः । न भांत्युज्झित सत्येषु तस्मात्सत्यं समाचरेत्

vedā yajñāstathā maṁtrāḥ saṁti vipreṣu nityaśaḥ na bhāṁtyujjhita satyeṣu tasmātsatyaṁ samācaret

The Vedas, sacrifices, and mantras always dwell among the brahmins; they do not shine among those who have abandoned truth — therefore one should practice truth.

Verse 32 (padma.6.27.32)

नारद उवाच । तपसां मे फलं ब्रूहि पुनरेव विशेषतः । सर्वेषां चैव वर्णानां ब्राह्मणानां तपोबलम्

nārada uvāca tapasāṁ me phalaṁ brūhi punareva viśeṣataḥ sarveṣāṁ caiva varṇānāṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ tapobalam

Narada said: Tell me again, specifically, the fruit of austerity — and the power of austerity among all castes, especially among brahmins.

Verse 33 (padma.6.27.33)

प्रवक्ष्यामि तपोध्यानं सर्वकामार्थसाधकम् । सुदुश्चरं द्विजातीनां तन्मे निगदतः शृणु

pravakṣyāmi tapodhyānaṁ sarvakāmārthasādhakam suduścaraṁ dvijātīnāṁ tanme nigadataḥ śṛṇu

Mahadeva said: I shall tell of the meditation of austerity, which accomplishes every desire and purpose, most difficult for the twice-born to practice — hear it from me as I declare it.

Verse 34 (padma.6.27.34)

तपो हि परमं प्रोक्तं तपसा विंदते फलम् । तपोरतो हि यो नित्यं मोदते सह दैवतैः

tapo hi paramaṁ proktaṁ tapasā viṁdate phalam taporato hi yo nityaṁ modate saha daivataiḥ

Austerity is indeed declared supreme; through austerity one obtains its fruit; one ever devoted to austerity rejoices together with the gods.

Verse 35 (padma.6.27.35)

तपसा प्राप्यते स्वर्गस्तपसा प्राप्यते यशः । तपसा मोक्षमाप्नोति तपसा विंदते महत्

tapasā prāpyate svargastapasā prāpyate yaśaḥ tapasā mokṣamāpnoti tapasā viṁdate mahat

By austerity heaven is attained, by austerity fame is attained; by austerity one attains liberation, by austerity one obtains greatness.

Verse 36 (padma.6.27.36)

ज्ञानविज्ञानसंपत्तिः सौभाग्यं रूपमेव च । तपसा लभते सर्वं मनसा यद्यदिच्छति

jñānavijñānasaṁpattiḥ saubhāgyaṁ rūpameva ca tapasā labhate sarvaṁ manasā yadyadicchati

The wealth of knowledge and wisdom, good fortune, and beauty as well — through austerity one obtains everything the mind desires.

Verse 37 (padma.6.27.37)

नातप्ततपसो यांति ब्रह्मलोकं कदाचन । यत्कार्यं किंचिदास्थाय पुरुषस्तप्यते तपः

nātaptatapaso yāṁti brahmalokaṁ kadācana yatkāryaṁ kiṁcidāsthāya puruṣastapyate tapaḥ

Those who have not practiced austerity never go to the world of Brahma; whatever task a man undertakes, sustained by austerity,

Verse 38 (padma.6.27.38)

तत्सर्वं समवाप्नोति परत्रेह च मानवः । सुरापः परदारी च ब्रह्महा गुरुतल्पगः । तपसा तरते सर्वं सर्वतश्च विमुच्यते

tatsarvaṁ samavāpnoti paratreha ca mānavaḥ surāpaḥ paradārī ca brahmahā gurutalpagaḥ tapasā tarate sarvaṁ sarvataśca vimucyate

he fully attains all of that, both here and hereafter. Even a drinker of liquor, an adulterer, a killer of a brahmin, or one who defiles his guru's bed —

Verse 39 (padma.6.27.39)

अपि सर्वेश्वरः स्थाणुर्विष्णुश्चैव सनातनः । ब्रह्मा हुताशनः शक्रो ये चान्ये तपसान्विताः

api sarveśvaraḥ sthāṇurviṣṇuścaiva sanātanaḥ brahmā hutāśanaḥ śakro ye cānye tapasānvitāḥ

through austerity crosses over all of this, and is freed from everything. Even the Lord of all, Sthanu, and eternal Vishnu,

Verse 40 (padma.6.27.40)

षडशीतिसहस्राणि मुनीनामूर्द्ध्वरेतसाम् । तपसा दिवि मोदंते समेता दैवतैः सह

ṣaḍaśītisahasrāṇi munīnāmūrddhvaretasām tapasā divi modaṁte sametā daivataiḥ saha

Brahma, the fire-god, Indra, and other beings endowed with austerity, together with eighty-six thousand sages of upward-flowing seed — all of them, through austerity, rejoice in heaven together with the gods.

Verse 41 (padma.6.27.41)

तपसा प्राप्यते राज्यं शक्रः सर्वे पुरा सुराः । तपसा पालयन्सर्वानहन्यहनि वृत्तिदाः

tapasā prāpyate rājyaṁ śakraḥ sarve purā surāḥ tapasā pālayansarvānahanyahani vṛttidāḥ

By austerity a kingdom is attained; Indra and all the ancient gods, protecting all beings through austerity, give them their sustenance day by day.

Verse 42 (padma.6.27.42)

सूर्याचंद्रमसौ देवौ सर्वलोकहिते रतौ । तपसैव प्रकाशंते नक्षत्राणि ग्रहास्तथा

sūryācaṁdramasau devau sarvalokahite ratau tapasaiva prakāśaṁte nakṣatrāṇi grahāstathā

The sun and moon, two gods devoted to the welfare of all worlds, shine only through austerity, and the stars and planets as well.

Verse 43 (padma.6.27.43)

सर्वं च तपसाभ्येति सर्वं च सुखमश्नुते । तपस्तपति योऽरण्ये वनमूलफलाशनः

sarvaṁ ca tapasābhyeti sarvaṁ ca sukhamaśnute tapastapati yo'raṇye vanamūlaphalāśanaḥ

By austerity everything is reached, by austerity every happiness is enjoyed. Whoever practices austerity in the forest, subsisting on forest roots and fruits,

Verse 44 (padma.6.27.44)

योऽधीते श्रुतिमेवादौ समं स्यात्तपसा मुने । श्रुतेरध्यापनात्पुण्यं यदाप्नोति द्विजोत्तमः

yo'dhīte śrutimevādau samaṁ syāttapasā mune śruteradhyāpanātpuṇyaṁ yadāpnoti dvijottamaḥ

O sage, or whoever, at the outset, studies the scripture — that too is equal to austerity. Whatever merit a foremost twice-born obtains from teaching the scripture,

Verse 45 (padma.6.27.45)

तदध्यायस्य जप्याच्च द्विगुणं फलमश्नुते । जगद्यथा निरालोकं जायते शशिभास्करौ

tadadhyāyasya japyācca dviguṇaṁ phalamaśnute jagadyathā nirālokaṁ jāyate śaśibhāskarau

he obtains double that fruit from studying and reciting it. As the world becomes lightless without the sun and moon,

Verse 46 (padma.6.27.46)

विना तथा पुराणं हि ध्येयमस्मान्महामुने । तप्यमानस्तपो ज्ञानं यो धारयति शास्त्रतः

vinā tathā purāṇaṁ hi dhyeyamasmānmahāmune tapyamānastapo jñānaṁ yo dhārayati śāstrataḥ

so too, O great sage, without the Purana there is nothing left for us to meditate upon. Whoever, practicing austerity, holds fast to knowledge according to scripture,

Verse 47 (padma.6.27.47)

संबोधयति लोकं च तस्मात्पूज्यतमो गुरुः । सर्वेषां चैव पात्राणां श्रेष्ठपात्रं पुराणवित्

saṁbodhayati lokaṁ ca tasmātpūjyatamo guruḥ sarveṣāṁ caiva pātrāṇāṁ śreṣṭhapātraṁ purāṇavit

and enlightens the world — for this reason the guru is most worthy of worship. Among all worthy recipients, one learned in the Puranas is the finest recipient.

Verse 48 (padma.6.27.48)

पतनात्त्रायते यस्मात्तस्मात्पात्रमुदाहृतम् । धनं धान्यं हिरण्यं वा वासांसि विविधानि च

patanāttrāyate yasmāttasmātpātramudāhṛtam dhanaṁ dhānyaṁ hiraṇyaṁ vā vāsāṁsi vividhāni ca

Because he saves one from falling, he is called a 'worthy recipient.' Wealth, grain, gold, or various kinds of garments —

Verse 49 (padma.6.27.49)

ये यच्छंति सुपात्राय ते यांति च परां गतिम् । गाश्चैव महिषीर्वापि गजानश्वांश्च शोभनान्

ye yacchaṁti supātrāya te yāṁti ca parāṁ gatim gāścaiva mahiṣīrvāpi gajānaśvāṁśca śobhanān

those who give these to a worthy recipient attain the supreme goal. Cows, buffaloes, elephants, and fine horses as well —

Verse 50 (padma.6.27.50)

यः प्रयच्छति मुख्याय तत्पुण्यस्य फलं शृणु । अक्षयं सर्वलोकानां सोऽश्वमेधफलं लभेत्

yaḥ prayacchati mukhyāya tatpuṇyasya phalaṁ śṛṇu akṣayaṁ sarvalokānāṁ so'śvamedhaphalaṁ labhet

whoever gives these to a chief recipient — hear the fruit of that merit — he obtains the imperishable Ashvamedha-fruit, belonging to all worlds.

Verse 51 (padma.6.27.51)

महीं ददाति यस्तस्मै कृष्टां फलवतीं शुभाम् । स तारयति वै वंशान्दशपूर्वान्दशापरान्

mahīṁ dadāti yastasmai kṛṣṭāṁ phalavatīṁ śubhām sa tārayati vai vaṁśāndaśapūrvāndaśāparān

Whoever gives him cultivated, fruitful, auspicious land saves ten generations before him and ten after.

Verse 52 (padma.6.27.52)

विमानेन च दिव्येन विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति । न यज्ञैस्तुष्टिमायांति देवाः प्रोक्षणकैरपि

vimānena ca divyena viṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchati na yajñaistuṣṭimāyāṁti devāḥ prokṣaṇakairapi

And he goes, by a divine celestial car, to the world of Vishnu. The gods are not satisfied by sacrifices alone, nor by sprinkling-rites,

Verse 53 (padma.6.27.53)

बलिभिः पुष्पपूजाभिर्यथा पुस्तकवाचनैः । विष्णोरायतने यस्तु कारयेद्धर्मपुस्तकम्

balibhiḥ puṣpapūjābhiryathā pustakavācanaiḥ viṣṇorāyatane yastu kārayeddharmapustakam

nor by offerings, nor by flower-worship, as much as by the recitation of a book. Whoever has a dharma-book made in Vishnu's temple —

Verse 54 (padma.6.27.54)

देव्याः शंभोर्गणेशस्य अर्कस्य च तथा पुनः । राजसूयाश्वमेधाभ्यां फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः

devyāḥ śaṁbhorgaṇeśasya arkasya ca tathā punaḥ rājasūyāśvamedhābhyāṁ phalaṁ prāpnoti mānavaḥ

of the Goddess, of Shambhu, of Ganesha, and of the Sun as well — a man obtains the fruit of a Rajasuya and an Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Verse 55 (padma.6.27.55)

इतिहासपुराणाभ्यां पुण्यं पुस्तकवाचनम् । सर्वान्कामानवाप्नोति सूर्यलोकं भिनत्ति सः

itihāsapurāṇābhyāṁ puṇyaṁ pustakavācanam sarvānkāmānavāpnoti sūryalokaṁ bhinatti saḥ

The recitation of a book of Itihasa or Purana is meritorious; whoever does this obtains all his desires and pierces through to the world of the Sun.

Verse 56 (padma.6.27.56)

सूर्यलोकं च भित्त्वासौ ब्रह्मलोकं स गच्छति । स्थित्वा कल्पशतान्यत्र राजा भवति भूतले

sūryalokaṁ ca bhittvāsau brahmalokaṁ sa gacchati sthitvā kalpaśatānyatra rājā bhavati bhūtale

Having pierced through the world of the Sun, he goes to the world of Brahma; having dwelt there for hundreds of kalpas, he becomes a king on earth.

Verse 57 (padma.6.27.57)

अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य यत्फलं समुदाहृतम् । तत्फलं समवाप्नोति देवाग्रे यो जयं पठेत्

aśvamedhasahasrasya yatphalaṁ samudāhṛtam tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti devāgre yo jayaṁ paṭhet

Whatever fruit is declared for a thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices — that same fruit is obtained by whoever recites the tale of victory before the gods.

Verse 58 (padma.6.27.58)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन कार्यं पुस्तकवाचनम् । इतिहासपुराणाभ्यां विष्णोरायतने शुभम् । नान्यत्प्रीतिकरं विष्णोस्तथान्येषां दिवौकसाम्

tasmātsarvaprayatnena kāryaṁ pustakavācanam itihāsapurāṇābhyāṁ viṣṇorāyatane śubham nānyatprītikaraṁ viṣṇostathānyeṣāṁ divaukasām

Therefore, with every effort, one should arrange for the auspicious recitation of a book of Itihasa and Purana in Vishnu's temple; there is nothing else more pleasing to Vishnu, and to the other heaven-dwellers as well.