The Vow of Shravana Dvadashi

Verse 1 (padma.6.69.1)

नारद उवाच- उपवासासमर्थानां सदैवामरसत्तम । एका या द्वादशी पुण्या तां वदस्व ममानघ

nārada uvāca- upavāsāsamarthānāṁ sadaivāmarasattama ekā yā dvādaśī puṇyā tāṁ vadasva mamānagha

Narada said: O foremost of the immortals, tell me of that one meritorious Dvadashi which exists even for those unable to fast, O sinless one.

Verse 2 (padma.6.69.2)

शिव उवाच- मासि भाद्रपदे शुक्ले द्वादशी श्रवणान्विता । सा वै सर्वप्रदा पुण्या ह्युपवासे महाफला

śiva uvāca- māsi bhādrapade śukle dvādaśī śravaṇānvitā sā vai sarvapradā puṇyā hyupavāse mahāphalā

Shiva said: The Dvadashi that falls under the Shravana nakshatra in the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada bestows everything; it is meritorious, and yields great fruit when fasted upon.

Verse 3 (padma.6.69.3)

संगमे सरितः स्नात्वा द्वादशीं तामुपोषितः । अयत्नात्समवाप्नोति द्वादश द्वादशीफलम्

saṁgame saritaḥ snātvā dvādaśīṁ tāmupoṣitaḥ ayatnātsamavāpnoti dvādaśa dvādaśīphalam

A man who bathes at the confluence of rivers and fasts on that Dvadashi obtains, without any special effort, the fruit of twelve Dvadashis.

Verse 4 (padma.6.69.4)

बुधश्रवणसंयुक्ता या च वै द्वादशी भवेत् । अतीव महती तस्यां कृतं सर्वमथाक्षयम्

budhaśravaṇasaṁyuktā yā ca vai dvādaśī bhavet atīva mahatī tasyāṁ kṛtaṁ sarvamathākṣayam

The Dvadashi that is joined with both Mercury and the Shravana nakshatra - whatever deed is performed upon it becomes exceedingly great and imperishable.

Verse 5 (padma.6.69.5)

द्वादशी श्रवणोपेता यदा भवति नारद । संगमे सरितां स्नात्वा लभेद्गोदानजं फलम्

dvādaśī śravaṇopetā yadā bhavati nārada saṁgame saritāṁ snātvā labhedgodānajaṁ phalam

O Narada, when Dvadashi is joined with the Shravana nakshatra, by bathing at the confluence of rivers a man obtains the fruit of the gift of a cow.

Verse 6 (padma.6.69.6)

जलपूर्णं तदा कुंभं स्थापयित्वा विचक्षणः । तस्योपरि न्यसेत्पात्रं स्थापयित्वा जनार्दनम्

jalapūrṇaṁ tadā kuṁbhaṁ sthāpayitvā vicakṣaṇaḥ tasyopari nyasetpātraṁ sthāpayitvā janārdanam

Then the discerning man should establish a vessel filled with water; placing a bowl atop it, Janardana should be established therein.

Verse 7 (padma.6.69.7)

ततस्तस्याग्रतो देयं नैवेद्यं घृतपाचितम् । सोदकांश्च नवान्कुंभान्दद्याच्छक्त्या विचक्षणः

tatastasyāgrato deyaṁ naivedyaṁ ghṛtapācitam sodakāṁśca navānkuṁbhāndadyācchaktyā vicakṣaṇaḥ

After that, food-offerings cooked in ghee should be placed before it; the discerning man should also give new water-filled vessels, according to his means.

Verse 8 (padma.6.69.8)

एवं संपूज्य गोविंदं जागरं तत्र कारयेत् । प्रभाते विमले स्नात्वा संपूज्य गरुडध्वजम्

evaṁ saṁpūjya goviṁdaṁ jāgaraṁ tatra kārayet prabhāte vimale snātvā saṁpūjya garuḍadhvajam

Having thus worshipped Govinda, one should keep the night-vigil there. When the morning is clear, having bathed and worshipped the Garuda-bannered one,

Verse 9 (padma.6.69.9)

पुष्पधूपादि नैवेद्यैः फलैर्वस्त्रैः सुशोभनैः । पुष्पांजलिं ततो दद्यान्मंत्रमेनमुदीरयेत्

puṣpadhūpādi naivedyaiḥ phalairvastraiḥ suśobhanaiḥ puṣpāṁjaliṁ tato dadyānmaṁtramenamudīrayet

having worshipped with flowers, incense, food-offerings, fruits, and beautiful garments, and having then offered a handful of flowers, this mantra should be recited -

Verse 10 (padma.6.69.10)

नमो नमस्ते गोविंद बुधश्रवणसंयुत । अघौघसंक्षयं कृत्वा सर्वसौख्यप्रदो भव

namo namaste goviṁda budhaśravaṇasaṁyuta aghaughasaṁkṣayaṁ kṛtvā sarvasaukhyaprado bhava

'Salutations, salutations to you, O Govinda, joined with Mercury and Shravana. Having destroyed the whole mass of sins, be the giver of every happiness.'

Verse 11 (padma.6.69.11)

अन्नं तु ब्राह्मणे पूतं वेदवेदांगपारगे । पुराणज्ञे विशेषेण विधिवत्संप्रदापयेत्

annaṁ tu brāhmaṇe pūtaṁ vedavedāṁgapārage purāṇajñe viśeṣeṇa vidhivatsaṁpradāpayet

Pure food should be given, according to the rite, to a brahmin learned in the Vedas and Vedangas, and especially versed in the Puranas.

Verse 12 (padma.6.69.12)

अनेन विधिना चैव नद्यास्तीरे नरोत्तमः । सर्वं निर्वर्त्तयेत्सम्यगेकचित्तरतोऽपि सन्

anena vidhinā caiva nadyāstīre narottamaḥ sarvaṁ nirvarttayetsamyagekacittarato'pi san

By this very rite, on the bank of a river, remaining single-minded, an excellent man should carry out all of this properly.

Verse 13 (padma.6.69.13)

अत्राप्युदाहरंतीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । महत्यरण्ये यद्वृतं भूमिदेव शृणुष्व तत्

atrāpyudāharaṁtīmamitihāsaṁ purātanam mahatyaraṇye yadvṛtaṁ bhūmideva śṛṇuṣva tat

On this subject, this ancient tale too is related, which occurred in a vast forest - O earthly god, hear it.

Verse 14 (padma.6.69.14)

यं श्रुत्वा मानवो लोके महादुःखात्प्रमुच्यते । देशो दासरको नाम तस्य भागे च पश्चिमे

yaṁ śrutvā mānavo loke mahāduḥkhātpramucyate deśo dāsarako nāma tasya bhāge ca paścime

Hearing which, a man in this world becomes freed from great suffering. There was a land called Dasaraka, and in its western part,

Verse 15 (padma.6.69.15)

तत्र विद्वन्मरुर्देशः सर्वसत्वभयंकरः । सुतप्तसिकता भूमिर्यत्र दुष्टा महोरगाः

tatra vidvanmarurdeśaḥ sarvasatvabhayaṁkaraḥ sutaptasikatā bhūmiryatra duṣṭā mahoragāḥ

O wise one, there was a region named Maru, terrible for all living beings - a land of scorching sand, where terrible great serpents dwelt,

Verse 16 (padma.6.69.16)

अल्पच्छायाद्रुमाकीर्णा मृतप्राणिसमाकुला । शमीखदिरपालाशकरीरैः पीलुभिः सह

alpacchāyādrumākīrṇā mṛtaprāṇisamākulā śamīkhadirapālāśakarīraiḥ pīlubhiḥ saha

strewn with trees of scant shade, filled with dead creatures, dotted with shami, khadira, palasha, karira and pilu trees,

Verse 17 (padma.6.69.17)

तत्र भीमा द्रुमगणाः कंटकैरचिता दृढैः । जग्धप्राणजनाकीर्णा यत्र भूर्दृश्यते क्वचित्

tatra bhīmā drumagaṇāḥ kaṁṭakairacitā dṛḍhaiḥ jagdhaprāṇajanākīrṇā yatra bhūrdṛśyate kvacit

there stood terrible clusters of trees armed with firm thorns, where the land appeared here and there strewn with people whose lives had been devoured.

Verse 18 (padma.6.69.18)

तथापि जीवा जीवंति सर्वे कर्मनिबंधनात् । नोदकं नोदकाधारा विद्वंस्तत्र बलाहकाः

tathāpi jīvā jīvaṁti sarve karmanibaṁdhanāt nodakaṁ nodakādhārā vidvaṁstatra balāhakāḥ

Yet in that place all living beings survived, bound by their own karma. O wise one, there was neither water there, nor any source of water, nor any clouds,

Verse 19 (padma.6.69.19)

पक्षांतरगतैः कैश्चिच्छिशुभिस्तृषितैः समम् । उत्क्रांतजीविनो विप्र दृश्यंते नु खगोत्तमाः

pakṣāṁtaragataiḥ kaiścicchiśubhistṛṣitaiḥ samam utkrāṁtajīvino vipra dṛśyaṁte nu khagottamāḥ

and with some thirsty young ones flying alongside, even excellent birds, giving up their lives, O brahmin, were seen there.

Verse 20 (padma.6.69.20)

तस्मिंस्तथाविधे देशे कश्चिद्दैववशाद्वणिक् । निजसार्थपरिभ्रष्टः प्रविष्टो मरुजांगले

tasmiṁstathāvidhe deśe kaściddaivavaśādvaṇik nijasārthaparibhraṣṭaḥ praviṣṭo marujāṁgale

In that kind of land, by divine chance, a certain merchant, having become separated from his caravan, entered that desert wilderness.

Verse 21 (padma.6.69.21)

बभ्रामोद्भ्रांतहृदयः क्षुत्तृट्भ्यां श्रमपीडितः । क्व ग्रामः क्व जलं क्वाहं यास्यामि न बुबोध ह

babhrāmodbhrāṁtahṛdayaḥ kṣuttṛṭbhyāṁ śramapīḍitaḥ kva grāmaḥ kva jalaṁ kvāhaṁ yāsyāmi na bubodha ha

With a troubled heart, tormented by hunger, thirst, and exhaustion, he wandered about; he no longer even knew where the village was, where water was, or where he should go.

Verse 22 (padma.6.69.22)

अथ प्रेतान्ददर्शासौ क्षुत्तृषाव्याकुलेंद्रियान् । उत्कटान्खलिनो भीमान्निर्मांसान्रौद्रदर्शनान्

atha pretāndadarśāsau kṣuttṛṣāvyākuleṁdriyān utkaṭānkhalino bhīmānnirmāṁsānraudradarśanān

Then he saw pretas [ghosts], their senses maddened by hunger and thirst - fierce, malicious, terrible, fleshless, and dreadful to behold.

Verse 23 (padma.6.69.23)

प्रेतस्कंधसमारूढमेकं विकृतदर्शनम् । ददर्श बहुभिः प्रेतैः समंतात्परिवारितम्

pretaskaṁdhasamārūḍhamekaṁ vikṛtadarśanam dadarśa bahubhiḥ pretaiḥ samaṁtātparivāritam

He saw one preta, of distorted appearance, riding upon the shoulder of another preta, surrounded on all sides by many other pretas,

Verse 24 (padma.6.69.24)

अगच्छमानमत्युग्रं प्रेतशब्दपुरःसरम् । प्रेतोऽपि दृष्ट्वा तां घोरामटवीमागतं नरम्

agacchamānamatyugraṁ pretaśabdapuraḥsaram preto'pi dṛṣṭvā tāṁ ghorāmaṭavīmāgataṁ naram

who was approaching with great ferocity, amid the terrible cries of the pretas. That preta too, beholding the man who had come into that dreadful forest,

Verse 25 (padma.6.69.25)

प्रेतस्कंधान्महीं गत्वा तस्यांतिकमुपागमत् । प्रणिपत्य वणिक्श्रेष्ठमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्

pretaskaṁdhānmahīṁ gatvā tasyāṁtikamupāgamat praṇipatya vaṇikśreṣṭhamidaṁ vacanamabravīt

descended from the preta's shoulder to the ground and approached him; having bowed to that excellent merchant, he spoke these words -

Verse 26 (padma.6.69.26)

अस्मिन्घोरतरे देशे प्रवेशो भवतः कथम् । तमुवाच वणिक्धीमान्सार्थभ्रष्टस्य मे वने

asminghoratare deśe praveśo bhavataḥ katham tamuvāca vaṇikdhīmānsārthabhraṣṭasya me vane

'How have you come to enter this most terrible region?' The wise merchant said to him: 'Having strayed from my caravan, into this forest,

Verse 27 (padma.6.69.27)

प्रवेशो दैवयोगेन पूर्वकर्मकृतेन च । तृषा मे बाधतेऽत्यर्थं क्षुधा चैव भृशं तथा

praveśo daivayogena pūrvakarmakṛtena ca tṛṣā me bādhate'tyarthaṁ kṣudhā caiva bhṛśaṁ tathā

I have entered by divine chance and by deeds done in a former birth. Thirst afflicts me exceedingly, and hunger too, intensely.

Verse 28 (padma.6.69.28)

प्राणांतिकमनुप्राप्तं वचनं भ्रमतीव मे । अत्रोपायं न पश्यामि जीवेयं येन केनचित्

prāṇāṁtikamanuprāptaṁ vacanaṁ bhramatīva me atropāyaṁ na paśyāmi jīveyaṁ yena kenacit

My speech seems to wander, having come near the very end of life. I see here no means at all by which I might survive in any way.'

Verse 29 (padma.6.69.29)

इत्येवमुक्ते प्रेतस्तं वणिजं वाक्यमब्रवीत् । फुल्लां शमीं समाश्रित्य प्रतीक्ष त्वं मुहूर्त्तकम्

ityevamukte pretastaṁ vaṇijaṁ vākyamabravīt phullāṁ śamīṁ samāśritya pratīkṣa tvaṁ muhūrttakam

Thus addressed, the preta spoke these words to the merchant: 'Take shelter beneath this flowering shami tree and wait for a single muhurta.

Verse 30 (padma.6.69.30)

कृतातिथ्यो मया पश्चाद्गमिष्यसि यथासुखम् । एवमुक्तस्तथा चक्रे स वणिक्तृष्णयार्दितः

kṛtātithyo mayā paścādgamiṣyasi yathāsukham evamuktastathā cakre sa vaṇiktṛṣṇayārditaḥ

Once I have shown you hospitality, you may then go on your way in comfort.' Thus told, that merchant, tormented by thirst, did just so.

Verse 31 (padma.6.69.31)

मध्याह्नसमये प्राप्ते प्रेतस्तं देशमागतः । फुल्लां सवृक्षां शीतोदां वारिधानीं मनोरमाम्

madhyāhnasamaye prāpte pretastaṁ deśamāgataḥ phullāṁ savṛkṣāṁ śītodāṁ vāridhānīṁ manoramām

When midday arrived, that preta came to that place where there was a delightful watering-place, with blossoming trees and cool water,

Verse 32 (padma.6.69.32)

दध्योदनसमायुक्तां वर्द्धमानेन संयुताम् । अवतीर्य ततः स्वन्नं प्रादादतिथये तदा

dadhyodanasamāyuktāṁ varddhamānena saṁyutām avatīrya tataḥ svannaṁ prādādatithaye tadā

together with curd-rice and accompanied by sweets. Descending there, he offered that food of his to that guest.

Verse 33 (padma.6.69.33)

स तत्राशनमात्रेण परं तृप्तित्वमागतः । वितृष्णो विज्वरश्चैव क्षणेन समपद्यत

sa tatrāśanamātreṇa paraṁ tṛptitvamāgataḥ vitṛṣṇo vijvaraścaiva kṣaṇena samapadyata

By merely eating that food, the merchant became exceedingly satisfied; in but a moment his thirst and his fever departed.

Verse 34 (padma.6.69.34)

ततश्च प्रेताः संप्राप्ताः सोऽस्माद्भागं क्रमाद्ददौ । दध्योदनात्सपानीयात्प्रेतास्तृप्तिं परां गताः

tataśca pretāḥ saṁprāptāḥ so'smādbhāgaṁ kramāddadau dadhyodanātsapānīyātpretāstṛptiṁ parāṁ gatāḥ

After that, the other pretas too arrived there, and he gave them, in turn, a portion of that food as well; from the curd-rice and water, those pretas too attained supreme satisfaction.

Verse 35 (padma.6.69.35)

अतिथिं तर्पयित्वा तु प्रेतलोकं च सर्वतः । ततः स्वयं स बुभुजे भुक्तशेषं यथासुखम्

atithiṁ tarpayitvā tu pretalokaṁ ca sarvataḥ tataḥ svayaṁ sa bubhuje bhuktaśeṣaṁ yathāsukham

Having satisfied the guest, and having satisfied the whole host of pretas on every side, he then ate himself, at ease, what remained of the food.

Verse 36 (padma.6.69.36)

तस्य भुक्तवतः स्वन्नं पानीयं च क्षयं ययौ । प्रेताधिपं ततस्तं वै वणिग्वचनमब्रवीत्

tasya bhuktavataḥ svannaṁ pānīyaṁ ca kṣayaṁ yayau pretādhipaṁ tatastaṁ vai vaṇigvacanamabravīt

When he had eaten, that food and water came to an end; then the merchant spoke these words to that lord of the pretas -

Verse 37 (padma.6.69.37)

आश्चर्यमेतत्परमं वनेऽस्मिन्प्रतिभाति मे । अन्नं पानं च परमं संप्राप्तं च कुतस्तव

āścaryametatparamaṁ vane'sminpratibhāti me annaṁ pānaṁ ca paramaṁ saṁprāptaṁ ca kutastava

'This appears to me a most wondrous marvel in this forest - from where have you obtained this excellent food and drink?

Verse 38 (padma.6.69.38)

स्वल्पेनैव तथान्नेन त्वमेतांस्तु बहूनपि । अतर्पयः कथं त्वेते निर्मांसा भिन्नकुक्षयः

svalpenaiva tathānnena tvametāṁstu bahūnapi atarpayaḥ kathaṁ tvete nirmāṁsā bhinnakukṣayaḥ

How, with such a small amount of food, have you satisfied all these, who are fleshless and hollow-bellied?

Verse 39 (padma.6.69.39)

कथमस्यां सुघोरायामटव्यां च कृतालयाः । तदेतत्संशयं छिंधि परं कौतूहलं मम

kathamasyāṁ sughorāyāmaṭavyāṁ ca kṛtālayāḥ tadetatsaṁśayaṁ chiṁdhi paraṁ kautūhalaṁ mama

How do you dwell here, in this most terrible forest? Resolve this doubt of mine - I am filled with great curiosity about it.'

Verse 40 (padma.6.69.40)

एवमुक्तः स वणिजा प्रेतो वचनमब्रवीत् । वाणिज्यसक्तस्य पुरा जन्मातीते ममानघ

evamuktaḥ sa vaṇijā preto vacanamabravīt vāṇijyasaktasya purā janmātīte mamānagha

Thus questioned by the merchant, that preta spoke these words: 'O sinless one, in a former birth, engrossed in trade,

Verse 41 (padma.6.69.41)

सकले नगरे नास्ति ममान्यो हि दुरात्मकः । धनलोभान्न कस्यापि दत्ता भिक्षा मया तदा

sakale nagare nāsti mamānyo hi durātmakaḥ dhanalobhānna kasyāpi dattā bhikṣā mayā tadā

there was no other so wicked as I in the entire city; out of greed for wealth, I never once gave alms to anyone.

Verse 42 (padma.6.69.42)

सखा चैव ततश्चासीद्ब्राह्मणो गुणवान्मम । श्रावणद्वादशीयोगे मासि भाद्रपदे ततः

sakhā caiva tataścāsīdbrāhmaṇo guṇavānmama śrāvaṇadvādaśīyoge māsi bhādrapade tataḥ

Then I had a virtuous brahmin friend; once, in the month of Bhadrapada, during the conjunction of Shravana Dvadashi,

Verse 43 (padma.6.69.43)

स कदाचिन्मया सार्द्धं तापीं नाम नदीं ययौ । तस्याश्च संगमः पुण्यो यत्रासीच्चंद्रभागया

sa kadācinmayā sārddhaṁ tāpīṁ nāma nadīṁ yayau tasyāśca saṁgamaḥ puṇyo yatrāsīccaṁdrabhāgayā

he went with me to the river named Tapi, where there was its meritorious confluence with the Chandrabhaga.

Verse 44 (padma.6.69.44)

चंद्रभागा चंद्रसुता तापी चैवार्कनंदिनी । तयोः शीतोष्णसलिले प्रविवेश स ह द्विजः

caṁdrabhāgā caṁdrasutā tāpī caivārkanaṁdinī tayoḥ śītoṣṇasalile praviveśa sa ha dvijaḥ

Chandrabhaga is the daughter of the moon, and Tapi is the daughter of the sun; into their cool and warm waters, that brahmin entered.

Verse 45 (padma.6.69.45)

श्रवणद्वादशीयोगे नराश्च समुपोषिताः । चंद्रभागा सुतो येन वारिधानीं ददुर्द्विजे

śravaṇadvādaśīyoge narāśca samupoṣitāḥ caṁdrabhāgā suto yena vāridhānīṁ dadurdvije

At the conjunction of Shravana Dvadashi men observe the fast; at that time the sons of Chandrabhaga [that is, the people of that place] gave the brahmin a vessel full of water,

Verse 46 (padma.6.69.46)

दध्योदनयुतां सार्द्धं संपूर्णैर्वर्द्धमानकैः । छत्रोपानद्युगं वस्त्रं प्रतिमां च तथा हरेः

dadhyodanayutāṁ sārddhaṁ saṁpūrṇairvarddhamānakaiḥ chatropānadyugaṁ vastraṁ pratimāṁ ca tathā hareḥ

together with curd-rice and full sweets, along with an umbrella and a pair of sandals, garments, and an image of Hari as well,

Verse 47 (padma.6.69.47)

प्रददौ विप्रमुख्येभ्यो हरस्याग्रे महामते । वित्तसंरक्षणार्थाय तस्यास्तीरे व्रते मया

pradadau vipramukhyebhyo harasyāgre mahāmate vittasaṁrakṣaṇārthāya tasyāstīre vrate mayā

O great-minded one, he offered these to excellent brahmins before Shiva. For the safeguarding of my own wealth, on its bank,

Verse 48 (padma.6.69.48)

सोपवासेन दत्तैका वारिधानी मनोरमा । तत्कृत्वाहं गृहं प्राप्तः ततः कालेन केनचित्

sopavāsena dattaikā vāridhānī manoramā tatkṛtvāhaṁ gṛhaṁ prāptaḥ tataḥ kālena kenacit

observing the fast, I gave a single delightful water-vessel as a gift. Having done so, I returned home, and then, after some time,

Verse 49 (padma.6.69.49)

पंचत्त्वमहमासाद्य नास्तिक्यात्प्रेततां गतः । अस्यामटव्यां घोरायां यथा ह्यहिकुलं तथा

paṁcattvamahamāsādya nāstikyātpretatāṁ gataḥ asyāmaṭavyāṁ ghorāyāṁ yathā hyahikulaṁ tathā

having died, and by reason of my irreligion, I attained the state of a preta, in this terrible forest which is like a mass of serpents.

Verse 50 (padma.6.69.50)

श्रवणद्वादशीयोगे वारिधान्यर्पिता मया । सेयं मध्याह्नसमये लभ्यते च दिनेदिने

śravaṇadvādaśīyoge vāridhānyarpitā mayā seyaṁ madhyāhnasamaye labhyate ca dinedine

That very water-vessel which I offered at the conjunction of Shravana Dvadashi - that alone comes to me here, every single day, at midday.

Verse 51 (padma.6.69.51)

ब्रह्मस्वरूपिणः सर्वे पापाः प्रेतत्वमागताः । परदारगताः केचित्स्वामिद्रोहरताश्च ये

brahmasvarūpiṇaḥ sarve pāpāḥ pretatvamāgatāḥ paradāragatāḥ kecitsvāmidroharatāśca ye

All these sinners, of the very nature of Brahman, have attained this state of preta-hood - some who went to other men's wives, some who betrayed their own masters,

Verse 52 (padma.6.69.52)

भूतप्रेतजरूपेण ते जाता ह्यत्र मानवाः । देशे मरुस्थले त्वस्मिन्ममैते मित्रतां गताः

bhūtapretajarūpeṇa te jātā hyatra mānavāḥ deśe marusthale tvasminmamaite mitratāṁ gatāḥ

such men have been born here in the form of spirits and ghosts. In this desert land, these have become my companions.

Verse 53 (padma.6.69.53)

अक्षयो भगवान्विष्णुः परमात्मा सनातनः । दीयते यत्समुद्दिश्य ह्यक्षयं तत्प्रकीर्तनम्

akṣayo bhagavānviṣṇuḥ paramātmā sanātanaḥ dīyate yatsamuddiśya hyakṣayaṁ tatprakīrtanam

The Lord Vishnu is imperishable, the Supreme Self, and eternal; whatever is given with him as the object is also declared imperishable.

Verse 54 (padma.6.69.54)

अक्षयेनापि चान्नेन तृप्ता एते पुनः पुनः । प्रेतत्वभावं दौर्बल्यं न विमुंचति कर्हिचित्

akṣayenāpi cānnena tṛptā ete punaḥ punaḥ pretatvabhāvaṁ daurbalyaṁ na vimuṁcati karhicit

Yet, though satisfied again and again even by that imperishable food, they never manage to shed the weakness of their preta-condition.

Verse 55 (padma.6.69.55)

पूजयित्वाहमन्नैस्त्वामतिथिं समुपस्थितम् । प्रेतभावाद्विनिर्मुक्तो यास्यामि परमां गतिम्

pūjayitvāhamannaistvāmatithiṁ samupasthitam pretabhāvādvinirmukto yāsyāmi paramāṁ gatim

Having worshipped you, my arrived guest, with food, I shall become freed from the state of a preta and attain the supreme destination.

Verse 56 (padma.6.69.56)

मया विहीनाः किंत्वेते वनेऽस्मिन्भृशदारुणे । पीडामनुभविष्यंति दारुणां कर्मयोनिजाम्

mayā vihīnāḥ kiṁtvete vane'sminbhṛśadāruṇe pīḍāmanubhaviṣyaṁti dāruṇāṁ karmayonijām

But these others, without me, in this most terrible forest, shall continue to suffer that dreadful affliction born of their own karma.

Verse 57 (padma.6.69.57)

एतेषां तु महाभाग ममानुग्रहकाम्यया । प्रत्येकं नामगोत्राणि गृह्णीष्व लिखितानि च

eteṣāṁ tu mahābhāga mamānugrahakāmyayā pratyekaṁ nāmagotrāṇi gṛhṇīṣva likhitāni ca

O fortunate one, out of your kindness toward me, take down the name and lineage of each of these, written out.

Verse 58 (padma.6.69.58)

अस्ति कक्षागता चैव तव संपुटिका शुभा । हिमवंतमथासाद्य तत्र त्वं लप्स्यसे निधिम्

asti kakṣāgatā caiva tava saṁpuṭikā śubhā himavaṁtamathāsādya tatra tvaṁ lapsyase nidhim

There is an auspicious little pouch tucked at your waist; upon reaching the Himalaya, you shall obtain a treasure there.

Verse 59 (padma.6.69.59)

गयाशीर्षं ततो गत्वा श्राद्धं कुरु महामते । इत्याज्ञाप्य स वै प्रेतो वणिजं च यथासुखम्

gayāśīrṣaṁ tato gatvā śrāddhaṁ kuru mahāmate ityājñāpya sa vai preto vaṇijaṁ ca yathāsukham

After that, go to Gayashirsha, O great-minded one, and perform the shraddha rite.' Having thus commanded, that preta then, with ease,

Verse 60 (padma.6.69.60)

विसर्जयामास तदा स वै प्रायात्समुत्सुकः । समासाद्य गृहं तत्र पश्चात्प्रायाद्धिमालयम्

visarjayāmāsa tadā sa vai prāyātsamutsukaḥ samāsādya gṛhaṁ tatra paścātprāyāddhimālayam

dismissed the merchant, who then set off eagerly. Having reached his own home, [after some time] he later went toward the Himalaya.

Verse 61 (padma.6.69.61)

ततो दृष्टं निधिं तत्र गृहीत्वा स समागतः । षष्ठांशं प्रतिगृह्याथ गयाशीर्षं ततोऽभ्यगात्

tato dṛṣṭaṁ nidhiṁ tatra gṛhītvā sa samāgataḥ ṣaṣṭhāṁśaṁ pratigṛhyātha gayāśīrṣaṁ tato'bhyagāt

There he took the treasure he found and returned; taking a sixth part of it for himself, he went toward Gayashirsha.

Verse 62 (padma.6.69.62)

तत्र गत्वा गयायां स श्राद्धं कृत्वा महामतिः । प्रेतानां तु यथोद्दिष्टं श्राद्धं सम्यग्विधानतः

tatra gatvā gayāyāṁ sa śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā mahāmatiḥ pretānāṁ tu yathoddiṣṭaṁ śrāddhaṁ samyagvidhānataḥ

Having gone there, at Gaya, that great-minded man performed the shraddha, for the pretas, according to due rite, exactly as instructed.

Verse 63 (padma.6.69.63)

प्रत्येकं नामगोत्राणि गृहीत्वा पिंडमुत्सृजत् । यस्य यस्य भवेच्छ्राद्धं स करोति दिने वणिक्

pratyekaṁ nāmagotrāṇi gṛhītvā piṁḍamutsṛjat yasya yasya bhavecchrāddhaṁ sa karoti dine vaṇik

Taking the name and lineage of each, he offered the pinda; whatever shraddha the merchant performed for one, he continued to perform, on that day, for each in turn.

Verse 64 (padma.6.69.64)

स स तस्य तदा स्वप्ने दर्शयत्यात्मनस्तनुम् । ब्रवीति च महाभाग प्रसादाद्भवतोऽनघ

sa sa tasya tadā svapne darśayatyātmanastanum bravīti ca mahābhāga prasādādbhavato'nagha

To each of them, in a dream, he would then show his own [transformed] body, and would say: 'O fortunate one, O sinless one, by your grace,

Verse 65 (padma.6.69.65)

प्रेतभावं मया त्यक्तं प्राप्तोऽस्मि परमां गतिम् । एवं कृत्वा विधानेन गयाशीर्षं महामनाः

pretabhāvaṁ mayā tyaktaṁ prāpto'smi paramāṁ gatim evaṁ kṛtvā vidhānena gayāśīrṣaṁ mahāmanāḥ

I have shed the state of a preta and attained the supreme destination.' Having thus, according to the rite, performed all of this at Gayashirsha, that great-souled man,

Verse 66 (padma.6.69.66)

पश्चाज्जगाम स्वगृहं विष्णुं ध्यायन्पुनः पुनः । मासि भाद्रपदे प्राप्ते शुक्लपक्षे तथा सुधीः

paścājjagāma svagṛhaṁ viṣṇuṁ dhyāyanpunaḥ punaḥ māsi bhādrapade prāpte śuklapakṣe tathā sudhīḥ

then returned to his own home, meditating upon Vishnu again and again. When the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada arrived, that wise man,

Verse 67 (padma.6.69.67)

श्रवणद्वादशीयोगे संगमे सरितां पुनः । जगाम स महाबुद्धिः सर्वोपस्करसंयुतः

śravaṇadvādaśīyoge saṁgame saritāṁ punaḥ jagāma sa mahābuddhiḥ sarvopaskarasaṁyutaḥ

at the conjunction of Shravana Dvadashi, once more set out to the confluence of the rivers, together with all the necessary articles, that most wise man.

Verse 68 (padma.6.69.68)

संगमे सरितां स्नात्वा द्वादशीं तामुपोषितः । तत्र स्नात्वापि दत्त्वा तु पूजयित्वा जनार्दनम्

saṁgame saritāṁ snātvā dvādaśīṁ tāmupoṣitaḥ tatra snātvāpi dattvā tu pūjayitvā janārdanam

Having bathed at the confluence of the rivers, he observed the fast of that Dvadashi; having bathed there, having given gifts, and having worshipped Janardana,

Verse 69 (padma.6.69.69)

अनंतरं ब्राह्मणस्य ह्युपहारांस्तदा ददौ । शास्त्रोक्तेनापि विधिना ह्येकचित्तरतोऽपि सः

anaṁtaraṁ brāhmaṇasya hyupahārāṁstadā dadau śāstroktenāpi vidhinā hyekacittarato'pi saḥ

he then offered gifts to a brahmin as well, according to the rite laid down in the scriptures, remaining single-minded even in that.

Verse 70 (padma.6.69.70)

निवर्त्तयामास तदा वणिजो बुद्धिमान्स वै । वर्षेवर्षे तु संप्राप्ते मासि भाद्रपदे तथा

nivarttayāmāsa tadā vaṇijo buddhimānsa vai varṣevarṣe tu saṁprāpte māsi bhādrapade tathā

That wise merchant then completed [this vow]. Year after year, when the month of Bhadrapada arrived,

Verse 71 (padma.6.69.71)

श्रवणद्वादशीयोगे संगमे सरितां पुनः । एवं वै कृतवान्सर्वं विष्णुमुद्दिश्य सत्वरम्

śravaṇadvādaśīyoge saṁgame saritāṁ punaḥ evaṁ vai kṛtavānsarvaṁ viṣṇumuddiśya satvaram

at the conjunction of Shravana Dvadashi, again at the confluence of the rivers, he performed all of this promptly, with Vishnu as its object.

Verse 72 (padma.6.69.72)

कालेन चातिमहता पंचत्वं समुपागतः । अवाप परमं स्थानं दुर्लभं सर्वमानवैः

kālena cātimahatā paṁcatvaṁ samupāgataḥ avāpa paramaṁ sthānaṁ durlabhaṁ sarvamānavaiḥ

After a very long time had passed, he attained death, and obtained that supreme abode, rare for all mortals to reach.

Verse 73 (padma.6.69.73)

क्रीडतेऽद्यापि वैकुंठे विष्णुदूतैः स सेवितः । एवं कुरु त्वं भो ब्रह्मन्श्रवणद्वादशीव्रतम्

krīḍate'dyāpi vaikuṁṭhe viṣṇudūtaiḥ sa sevitaḥ evaṁ kuru tvaṁ bho brahmanśravaṇadvādaśīvratam

Even today he sports in Vaikuntha, attended by the messengers of Vishnu. O brahmin, in the very same way, you too should perform this vow of Shravana Dvadashi,

Verse 74 (padma.6.69.74)

सर्वसौभाग्यदं चैव इह लोके परत्र च । सुबुद्धिजननं चैव सर्वपापहरं परम्

sarvasaubhāgyadaṁ caiva iha loke paratra ca subuddhijananaṁ caiva sarvapāpaharaṁ param

which bestows every good fortune, both in this world and the next, and which generates good understanding, being the supreme vow that removes every sin.

Verse 75 (padma.6.69.75)

श्रवणद्वादशीयोगे यः कुर्याद्व्रतमीदृशम् । व्रतस्यास्य प्रभावेन विष्णुलोकं च गच्छति

śravaṇadvādaśīyoge yaḥ kuryādvratamīdṛśam vratasyāsya prabhāvena viṣṇulokaṁ ca gacchati

Whoever performs such a vow at the conjunction of Shravana Dvadashi goes, by the power of this vow, to the realm of Vishnu.