The Glory of Pundarika's Devotion

Verse 1 (padma.6.80.1)

श्रीपार्वत्युवाच । अहो विष्णोश्च माहात्म्यं वद विश्वेश्वर प्रभोः । यन्माहात्म्यं पुनः श्रुत्वा न भवे जायते क्वचित्

śrīpārvatyuvāca aho viṣṇośca māhātmyaṁ vada viśveśvara prabhoḥ yanmāhātmyaṁ punaḥ śrutvā na bhave jāyate kvacit

Shri Parvati said: O Lord of the universe, O Master, tell me the glory of Vishnu — that glory which, once heard, ensures one is never again born into worldly existence.

Verse 2 (padma.6.80.2)

महादेव उवाच । शृणु सुन्दरि वक्ष्यामि विष्णोर्माहात्म्यमुत्तमम् । श्रुत्वा तु लभते पुण्यं ह्यंते मोक्षमवाप्नुयात्

mahādeva uvāca śṛṇu sundari vakṣyāmi viṣṇormāhātmyamuttamam śrutvā tu labhate puṇyaṁ hyaṁte mokṣamavāpnuyāt

Mahadeva said: Listen, O beautiful one, I shall tell the excellent glory of Vishnu. By hearing it, one obtains merit, and in the end attains liberation.

Verse 3 (padma.6.80.3)

देवव्रतं महाप्राज्ञं ध्यानयोगपरायणम् । आश्रयं सर्वशास्त्राणां यतेंद्रियमकल्मषम्

devavrataṁ mahāprājñaṁ dhyānayogaparāyaṇam āśrayaṁ sarvaśāstrāṇāṁ yateṁdriyamakalmaṣam

There is a tale of Devavrata (Bhishma) — greatly wise, devoted to meditation and yoga, the refuge of all scriptures, of subdued senses and free from stain,

Verse 4 (padma.6.80.4)

अप्रधृष्यं महाभागं देवैरपि सवासवैः । सत्यसंधं जितक्रोधं समत्वे परिनिष्ठितम्

apradhṛṣyaṁ mahābhāgaṁ devairapi savāsavaiḥ satyasaṁdhaṁ jitakrodhaṁ samatve pariniṣṭhitam

— unassailable even by the gods together with Indra, greatly blessed, true to his word, having conquered anger, and firmly established in equanimity,

Verse 5 (padma.6.80.5)

नारायणे जगन्नाथे शरण्ये भक्तवत्सले । परां निष्ठामनुप्राप्तं वाङ्मनः काय कर्मभिः

nārāyaṇe jagannāthe śaraṇye bhaktavatsale parāṁ niṣṭhāmanuprāptaṁ vāṅmanaḥ kāya karmabhiḥ

— and who, in mind, word, and deed, had attained supreme devotion to Narayana, the Lord of the universe, the refuge of all, ever gracious to his devotees —

Verse 6 (padma.6.80.6)

गुणनामाश्रयं शांतं भीष्मं कुरु पितामहम् । प्रणम्य शिरसा भूमौ पप्रच्छेदं युधिष्ठिरः

guṇanāmāśrayaṁ śāṁtaṁ bhīṣmaṁ kuru pitāmaham praṇamya śirasā bhūmau papracchedaṁ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

— that peaceful one, the very foundation of virtue and renown, Bhishma, grandsire of the Kurus — bowing his head to the ground before him, Yudhishthira asked this question.

Verse 7 (padma.6.80.7)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच । केचिदाहुः परं धर्मं केचिदाहुः परं धनम् । केचिद्दानं प्रशंसंति समुदायं तथापरे

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca kecidāhuḥ paraṁ dharmaṁ kecidāhuḥ paraṁ dhanam keciddānaṁ praśaṁsaṁti samudāyaṁ tathāpare

Yudhishthira said: Some say dharma is supreme, some say wealth is supreme; some praise charity, and others praise collective effort.

Verse 8 (padma.6.80.8)

सांख्यं केचित्प्रशंसंति योगमन्ये तथा परम् । केचिज्ज्ञानं प्रशंसंति केचिदाहुः परं श्रुतम् । सम्यक्ध्यानं परं केचित्केचिद्वैराग्यमुत्तमम्

sāṁkhyaṁ kecitpraśaṁsaṁti yogamanye tathā param kecijjñānaṁ praśaṁsaṁti kecidāhuḥ paraṁ śrutam samyakdhyānaṁ paraṁ kecitkecidvairāgyamuttamam

Some praise Sankhya philosophy, others hold yoga supreme; some praise knowledge, some say scriptural learning is supreme; some hold right meditation supreme, others excellent renunciation.

Verse 9 (padma.6.80.9)

अग्निष्टोमादिकं कर्म तथा केचित्परं विदुः । आत्मज्ञानं परं केचित्समलोष्टाश्मकांचनाः

agniṣṭomādikaṁ karma tathā kecitparaṁ viduḥ ātmajñānaṁ paraṁ kecitsamaloṣṭāśmakāṁcanāḥ

Some hold that ritual acts such as the Agnishtoma sacrifice are supreme; others, to whom a clod of earth, a stone, and gold are all equal, hold self-knowledge supreme.

Verse 10 (padma.6.80.10)

यमांश्च नियमांश्चैव केचिद्वैराग्यमुत्तमम् । कारुण्यं च परे केचिदहिंसां च तपस्विनः

yamāṁśca niyamāṁścaiva kecidvairāgyamuttamam kāruṇyaṁ ca pare kecidahiṁsāṁ ca tapasvinaḥ

Some hold the yamas and niyamas supreme, others excellent renunciation; some ascetics hold compassion supreme, and others non-violence.

Verse 11 (padma.6.80.11)

शौचं केचित्परं प्राहुः केचिद्देवार्चनं नराः । व्यामोहं चात्र गच्छंति व्यामुग्धाः पापकर्मभिः

śaucaṁ kecitparaṁ prāhuḥ keciddevārcanaṁ narāḥ vyāmohaṁ cātra gacchaṁti vyāmugdhāḥ pāpakarmabhiḥ

Some declare purity supreme, some the worship of the gods. On this matter, those deluded by sinful deeds fall only into confusion.

Verse 12 (padma.6.80.12)

यदेतेषु परं कृत्यमनुष्ठेयं महात्मभिः । वक्तुमर्हसि धर्मज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रभृतां वर

yadeteṣu paraṁ kṛtyamanuṣṭheyaṁ mahātmabhiḥ vaktumarhasi dharmajña sarvaśāstrabhṛtāṁ vara

O knower of dharma, O foremost among all who bear the scriptures, please tell me which of these is the supreme duty that great souls should practice.

Verse 13 (padma.6.80.13)

महादेव उवाच । भूर्लोके या कथा जाता भैष्मी यौधिष्ठिरी सति । तामहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि लोकानां च हिताय वै । एतान्प्रश्नांस्तदा श्रुत्वा प्राह भीष्मो युधिष्ठिरम्

mahādeva uvāca bhūrloke yā kathā jātā bhaiṣmī yaudhiṣṭhirī sati tāmahaṁ saṁpravakṣyāmi lokānāṁ ca hitāya vai etānpraśnāṁstadā śrutvā prāha bhīṣmo yudhiṣṭhiram

Mahadeva said: O virtuous one, I shall now relate, for the welfare of the worlds, this dialogue that took place on earth between Bhishma and Yudhishthira. Having heard these questions, Bhishma spoke to Yudhishthira.

Verse 14 (padma.6.80.14)

भीष्म उवाच । श्रूयतामिदमत्यंतं गूढं संसारमोचनम् । श्रोतव्यं यत्त्वया सम्यग्ज्ञातव्यं धर्मनंदन

bhīṣma uvāca śrūyatāmidamatyaṁtaṁ gūḍhaṁ saṁsāramocanam śrotavyaṁ yattvayā samyagjñātavyaṁ dharmanaṁdana

Bhishma said: Listen, O son of Dharma, to this most profound secret that liberates one from worldly existence — this you should hear and understand well.

Verse 15 (padma.6.80.15)

अत्रैवोदाहरंतीमं पुण्यं चैव पुरातनम् । पुंडरीकस्य संवादं महर्षेर्नारदस्य च

atraivodāharaṁtīmaṁ puṇyaṁ caiva purātanam puṁḍarīkasya saṁvādaṁ maharṣernāradasya ca

In this regard, this ancient and meritorious tale is cited — the dialogue between Pundarika and the great sage Narada.

Verse 16 (padma.6.80.16)

ब्राह्मणः श्रुतिसंपन्नः पुंडरीको महामतिः । आश्रमे प्रथमे तिष्ठन्गुरूणां वशगः सदा

brāhmaṇaḥ śrutisaṁpannaḥ puṁḍarīko mahāmatiḥ āśrame prathame tiṣṭhangurūṇāṁ vaśagaḥ sadā

There was a brahmin named Pundarika, learned in the scriptures and of great wisdom, who, while dwelling in the first stage of life, ever remained obedient to his teachers.

Verse 17 (padma.6.80.17)

जितेंद्रियो जितक्रोधः संध्योपासनतत्परः । वेदवेदांगनिपुणः शास्त्रेषु च विचक्षणः

jiteṁdriyo jitakrodhaḥ saṁdhyopāsanatatparaḥ vedavedāṁganipuṇaḥ śāstreṣu ca vicakṣaṇaḥ

He had conquered his senses and his anger, was devoted to the twilight worship, was skilled in the Vedas and their auxiliary texts, and was learned in the scriptures.

Verse 18 (padma.6.80.18)

समिद्भिः साधुहव्येन सायंप्रातर्हुतानलः । ध्यात्वा जगत्पतिं विष्णुं सम्यगाराधयद्विभुम्

samidbhiḥ sādhuhavyena sāyaṁprātarhutānalaḥ dhyātvā jagatpatiṁ viṣṇuṁ samyagārādhayadvibhum

Morning and evening he offered oblations into the fire with sacred fuel-sticks and pure offerings. Meditating on Vishnu, Lord of the universe, he duly worshipped that all-pervading one.

Verse 19 (padma.6.80.19)

तपः स्वाध्यायनिरतः साक्षाद्ब्रह्मसुतो यथा । उदकेंधनपुष्पाद्यैरसकृत्पूजयन्गुरुम्

tapaḥ svādhyāyanirataḥ sākṣādbrahmasuto yathā udakeṁdhanapuṣpādyairasakṛtpūjayangurum

He was absorbed in austerity and the study of scripture, as if he were the very son of Brahma. With water, fuel, flowers, and the like, he repeatedly served his teacher.

Verse 20 (padma.6.80.20)

मातापित्रोश्च शुश्रूषुर्भिक्षाहारी विमत्सरः । ब्रह्मविद्यामधीयानः प्राणायामपरायणः

mātāpitrośca śuśrūṣurbhikṣāhārī vimatsaraḥ brahmavidyāmadhīyānaḥ prāṇāyāmaparāyaṇaḥ

He served his mother and father, lived by begging alms, was free of envy, studied the knowledge of Brahman, and was devoted to the practice of breath-control.

Verse 21 (padma.6.80.21)

तस्य सर्वात्मभूतस्य संसारे निस्पृहस्य च । महात्मनो बुद्धिरासीत्संसारार्णवतारिणी

tasya sarvātmabhūtasya saṁsāre nispṛhasya ca mahātmano buddhirāsītsaṁsārārṇavatāriṇī

That great soul, who regarded all beings as his own self and was free of worldly desire, possessed a wisdom that could carry one across the ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 22 (padma.6.80.22)

मातरं पितरं चैव भातॄनथ सुहृज्जनान् । मित्राणि मातुलांश्चैव सखीन्संबंधिबांधवान्

mātaraṁ pitaraṁ caiva bhātṝnatha suhṛjjanān mitrāṇi mātulāṁścaiva sakhīnsaṁbaṁdhibāṁdhavān

His mother, his father, his brothers, his well-wishers, his friends, his maternal uncles, his companions, and his relatives and kinsmen —

Verse 23 (padma.6.80.23)

धनधान्यसमृद्धं च ग्रहं वा शक्रसंनिभम् । क्षेत्राणि सुमहार्हाणि सर्वसस्योद्भवानि च

dhanadhānyasamṛddhaṁ ca grahaṁ vā śakrasaṁnibham kṣetrāṇi sumahārhāṇi sarvasasyodbhavāni ca

— his household, rich with wealth and grain, resplendent like the abode of Indra, and his vast, valuable fields that yielded every kind of crop —

Verse 24 (padma.6.80.24)

परित्यज्य महासत्वस्तृणानीव महासुखी । विचचार महीं रम्यां शाकमूलफलाशनः

parityajya mahāsatvastṛṇānīva mahāsukhī vicacāra mahīṁ ramyāṁ śākamūlaphalāśanaḥ

— all of this that great and noble soul renounced as though it were mere straw, and, supremely content, wandered over the beautiful earth, subsisting on greens, roots, and fruits.

Verse 25 (padma.6.80.25)

गंगां च यमुनां चैव गोमतीमथ गंडिकाम् । शतद्रुं च पयोष्णीं च सरयूं च सरस्वतीम्

gaṁgāṁ ca yamunāṁ caiva gomatīmatha gaṁḍikām śatadruṁ ca payoṣṇīṁ ca sarayūṁ ca sarasvatīm

The Ganga, the Yamuna, the Gomati, the Gandaki, the Shatadru, the Payoshni, the Sarayu, and the Sarasvati —

Verse 26 (padma.6.80.26)

प्रयागं नर्मदां चैव शोणं चैव महानदम् । प्रभासं विंध्यतीर्थानि हिमवत्प्रभवानि च

prayāgaṁ narmadāṁ caiva śoṇaṁ caiva mahānadam prabhāsaṁ viṁdhyatīrthāni himavatprabhavāni ca

Prayaga, the Narmada, the great river Shona, Prabhasa, the sacred fords of the Vindhya, and those arising from the Himalaya —

Verse 27 (padma.6.80.27)

आश्रमेषु च यानि स्युर्नैमिषे पुष्करादिषु । कुरुक्षेत्रे च यानि स्युस्तथा गोवर्द्धनादिषु

āśrameṣu ca yāni syurnaimiṣe puṣkarādiṣu kurukṣetre ca yāni syustathā govarddhanādiṣu

— whatever hermitages there were in Naimisha, Pushkara, and elsewhere, and whatever there were in Kurukshetra and at Govardhana and the like —

Verse 28 (padma.6.80.28)

अन्यानि सुमहातेजास्तीर्थानि सुसमाहितः । विचचार महायोगी यथाकाले यथाविधि

anyāni sumahātejāstīrthāni susamāhitaḥ vicacāra mahāyogī yathākāle yathāvidhi

— and other splendid sacred fords besides — through all of these that great yogi, ever composed, wandered in due time and in the proper manner.

Verse 29 (padma.6.80.29)

कदाचिदात्मवान्धीरः शालग्रामं तपोधनः । पुंडरीको महाभागः पूर्वकर्मवशानुगः

kadācidātmavāndhīraḥ śālagrāmaṁ tapodhanaḥ puṁḍarīko mahābhāgaḥ pūrvakarmavaśānugaḥ

Once, the self-controlled, steadfast, austerity-rich, greatly blessed Pundarika, guided by the force of his past deeds, came to the region of Shaligrama.

Verse 30 (padma.6.80.30)

संसेव्यमानं मुनिभिस्तत्वविद्भिस्तपोधनैः । मुनीनामास्पदं रम्यं पुराणेष्वपि विश्रुतम्

saṁsevyamānaṁ munibhistatvavidbhistapodhanaiḥ munīnāmāspadaṁ ramyaṁ purāṇeṣvapi viśrutam

That place was frequented by sages who knew the truth and were rich in austerity; it was a delightful abode of sages, renowned even in the Puranas.

Verse 31 (padma.6.80.31)

भूषितं चैव चक्राद्यैश्चक्रांकितशिलातलम् । रम्यं विविक्तविस्तीर्णं सदा विष्णुप्रसादकम्

bhūṣitaṁ caiva cakrādyaiścakrāṁkitaśilātalam ramyaṁ viviktavistīrṇaṁ sadā viṣṇuprasādakam

It was adorned with discus-marks and the like, its rocky ground imprinted with the sign of the discus; it was beautiful, secluded, vast, and ever pleasing to Vishnu.

Verse 32 (padma.6.80.32)

किंच चक्रांकितास्तत्र प्राणिनः पुण्यदर्शनाः । विचिरंति यथाकामं पूण्यतीर्थप्रदर्शिनः

kiṁca cakrāṁkitāstatra prāṇinaḥ puṇyadarśanāḥ viciraṁti yathākāmaṁ pūṇyatīrthapradarśinaḥ

Moreover, creatures marked with the discus-sign, whose very sight was meritorious, wandered there at will, as though themselves pointing the way to that sacred ford.

Verse 33 (padma.6.80.33)

तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे महापुण्ये शालिग्रामे महामतिः । स्नात्वा देवह्दे तीर्थे सरस्वत्यां च सुव्रतः

tasminkṣetre mahāpuṇye śāligrāme mahāmatiḥ snātvā devahde tīrthe sarasvatyāṁ ca suvrataḥ

In that supremely sacred region of Shaligrama, that man of great wisdom and excellent vows bathed in the sacred pool called Devahrada and in the river Sarasvati.

Verse 34 (padma.6.80.34)

जातिस्मर्यां चक्रकुंडे चक्रनद्याश्रितेषु च । तथान्यान्यपि तीर्थानि तस्मिन्नेव चचार सः

jātismaryāṁ cakrakuṁḍe cakranadyāśriteṣu ca tathānyānyapi tīrthāni tasminneva cacāra saḥ

In the Jatismara river, in the Chakrakunda, and in the sacred fords along the Chakra river, and in other sacred places too, he wandered within that very region.

Verse 35 (padma.6.80.35)

ततः क्षेत्रप्रभावेन तीर्थानां चैव तेजसा । मनःप्रसादमभजत्तस्मिन्नेव महामनाः

tataḥ kṣetraprabhāvena tīrthānāṁ caiva tejasā manaḥprasādamabhajattasminneva mahāmanāḥ

Then, by the power of that region and the splendor of those sacred fords, that noble-minded man attained peace of mind in that very place.

Verse 36 (padma.6.80.36)

सोऽपि तीर्थविशुद्धात्मा पुंडरीकस्तपोधनः । तत्रैव वसतिं चक्रे ध्यानयोगपरायणः

so'pi tīrthaviśuddhātmā puṁḍarīkastapodhanaḥ tatraiva vasatiṁ cakre dhyānayogaparāyaṇaḥ

Pundarika, that austerity-rich one whose soul had been purified by the sacred fords, thereafter took up residence in that very place, devoted to meditation and yoga.

Verse 37 (padma.6.80.37)

तत्रैव सिद्धिमाकांक्षन्नाराध्य गरुडध्वजम् । शास्त्रोक्तेन विधानेन भक्त्या परमया पुनः

tatraiva siddhimākāṁkṣannārādhya garuḍadhvajam śāstroktena vidhānena bhaktyā paramayā punaḥ

There, desiring spiritual attainment, worshipping the Bearer-of-the-Garuda-banner according to the prescribed rites of scripture, with the utmost devotion —

Verse 38 (padma.6.80.38)

उवास चिरमेकाकी निर्द्वंद्वः सजितेंद्रियः । शाकमूलफलाहारः संतुष्टः समदर्शनः

uvāsa ciramekākī nirdvaṁdvaḥ sajiteṁdriyaḥ śākamūlaphalāhāraḥ saṁtuṣṭaḥ samadarśanaḥ

— he dwelt there alone for a long time, free of dualities, his senses conquered, subsisting on greens, roots, and fruits, content and possessed of equal vision toward all.

Verse 39 (padma.6.80.39)

यमैश्चनियमैश्चैव तथैवासनबंधनैः । प्राणायामैश्च तीर्थैश्च प्रत्याहारैश्च संततैः

yamaiścaniyamaiścaiva tathaivāsanabaṁdhanaiḥ prāṇāyāmaiśca tīrthaiśca pratyāhāraiśca saṁtataiḥ

Through the yamas and niyamas, through the postures and their bonds, through breath-control and sacred fords, and through continuous withdrawal of the senses,

Verse 40 (padma.6.80.40)

धारणाभिस्तथा ध्यानैः समाधिभिरतंद्रितः । योगाभ्यासं सदा सम्यक्चक्रे विगतकिल्बिषः

dhāraṇābhistathā dhyānaiḥ samādhibhirataṁdritaḥ yogābhyāsaṁ sadā samyakcakre vigatakilbiṣaḥ

— through concentration, meditation, and absorption, tireless and free of sin, he ever practiced yoga correctly and diligently.

Verse 41 (padma.6.80.41)

वैदिकैश्चांगिकैश्चैव तथा पौराणिकैरपि । आराधयति सर्वेशं ततः शुद्धिमवाप सः

vaidikaiścāṁgikaiścaiva tathā paurāṇikairapi ārādhayati sarveśaṁ tataḥ śuddhimavāpa saḥ

Worshipping the Lord of all through Vedic, auxiliary, and Puranic rites, he attained purity.

Verse 42 (padma.6.80.42)

रागद्वेषविनिर्मुक्तः स्वधर्मइव रूपवान् । आराधयामास देवं तद्गतेनांतरात्मना

rāgadveṣavinirmuktaḥ svadharmaiva rūpavān ārādhayāmāsa devaṁ tadgatenāṁtarātmanā

Free of attachment and aversion, as if virtue itself given form, he worshipped the deity with an inner soul wholly absorbed in him.

Verse 43 (padma.6.80.43)

तुतोष भगवान्विष्णुः पुंडरीकायतेक्षणः । भगवान्नारदमिति प्रसन्नोऽस्म्यस्य धीमतः

tutoṣa bhagavānviṣṇuḥ puṁḍarīkāyatekṣaṇaḥ bhagavānnāradamiti prasanno'smyasya dhīmataḥ

The lotus-eyed Lord Vishnu was pleased, and said to the divine sage Narada: 'I am pleased with this wise man.'

Verse 44 (padma.6.80.44)

ततः कदाचित्तं देशं नारदः परमार्थवित् । जगाम सुमहातेजाः साक्षादादित्यसन्निभः

tataḥ kadācittaṁ deśaṁ nāradaḥ paramārthavit jagāma sumahātejāḥ sākṣādādityasannibhaḥ

Then, once, Narada, knower of the highest truth, of great splendor, radiant as the very sun, went to that place.

Verse 45 (padma.6.80.45)

तं द्रष्टुकामो भगवान्पुंडरीकं तपोनिधिम् । विष्णुभक्तिपरीतात्मा वैष्णवानां हिते रतः

taṁ draṣṭukāmo bhagavānpuṁḍarīkaṁ taponidhim viṣṇubhaktiparītātmā vaiṣṇavānāṁ hite rataḥ

Desiring to see Pundarika, that treasury of austerity, the divine sage Narada — his soul steeped in devotion to Vishnu and devoted to the welfare of Vaishnavas — went there.

Verse 46 (padma.6.80.46)

स दृष्ट्वा नारदं प्राप्तं तेजोमंडलमंडितम् । महामतिर्महोदारः सर्ववेदैकभाजनम्

sa dṛṣṭvā nāradaṁ prāptaṁ tejomaṁḍalamaṁḍitam mahāmatirmahodāraḥ sarvavedaikabhājanam

Seeing Narada arrived — adorned with a halo of splendor, the sole repository of all the Vedas, of great wisdom and great generosity —

Verse 47 (padma.6.80.47)

प्रांजलिः प्रणतो भूत्वा प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना । अर्घं दत्त्वा विधानेन प्रणाममकरोत्पुनः

prāṁjaliḥ praṇato bhūtvā prahṛṣṭenāṁtarātmanā arghaṁ dattvā vidhānena praṇāmamakarotpunaḥ

— Pundarika, with joined palms and bowed head, his inner soul filled with joy, duly offered arghya and once more made his obeisance.

Verse 48 (padma.6.80.48)

कोऽयमत्यद्भुताकारस्तेजस्वी हृद्यवेषधृक् । आतोद्यहस्तः सुमुखो जयमंडलमंडितः

ko'yamatyadbhutākārastejasvī hṛdyaveṣadhṛk ātodyahastaḥ sumukho jayamaṁḍalamaṁḍitaḥ

'Who is this being of such wondrous form, radiant, clad in a beautiful garb, holding a musical instrument in hand, fair of face, adorned with a halo of triumph —'

Verse 49 (padma.6.80.49)

विवस्वानथवा वह्निरिंद्रो वरुण एव वा । इति संचिंतयन्स्थित्वा जगाद परमद्युतिम्

vivasvānathavā vahniriṁdro varuṇa eva vā iti saṁciṁtayansthitvā jagāda paramadyutim

'— is he the sun, or fire, or Indra, or Varuna?' Pondering thus, he addressed that being of supreme radiance.

Verse 50 (padma.6.80.50)

पुंडरीक उवाच । को भवानिह संप्राप्तः कुतो वा परमद्युतिः । त्वद्दर्शनं हि भगवन्प्रायेण भुवि दुर्लभम्

puṁḍarīka uvāca ko bhavāniha saṁprāptaḥ kuto vā paramadyutiḥ tvaddarśanaṁ hi bhagavanprāyeṇa bhuvi durlabham

Pundarika said: Who are you, who have arrived here, O being of supreme splendor, and whence do you come? O Lord, your sight is indeed rare upon this earth.

Verse 51 (padma.6.80.51)

नैव दृष्टः पुमान्वापि मया तव समः प्रभो । वक्तुमर्हस्यशेषेण यत्प्रदिष्टं मयानघ

naiva dṛṣṭaḥ pumānvāpi mayā tava samaḥ prabho vaktumarhasyaśeṣeṇa yatpradiṣṭaṁ mayānagha

O Master, I have never seen any being equal to you. O sinless one, please tell me in full what I have asked.

Verse 52 (padma.6.80.52)

नारद उवाच । नारदोऽहंमनुप्राप्तस्त्वद्दर्शनकुतूहलात् । प्रभावं भगवद्भक्तं त्वादृशं सततं द्विज

nārada uvāca nārado'haṁmanuprāptastvaddarśanakutūhalāt prabhāvaṁ bhagavadbhaktaṁ tvādṛśaṁ satataṁ dvija

Narada said: I am Narada, and I have come here out of eagerness to see you. O brahmin, the power of a devotee of the Lord such as yourself is ever great —

Verse 53 (padma.6.80.53)

स्मृतः संतोषितो वापि पूजितो वा द्विजोत्तमः । पुनाति भगवद्भक्तश्चांडालोऽपि यदृच्छया

smṛtaḥ saṁtoṣito vāpi pūjito vā dvijottamaḥ punāti bhagavadbhaktaścāṁḍālo'pi yadṛcchayā

— O best of the twice-born, a devotee of the Lord, merely by being remembered, pleased, or worshipped, purifies of his own accord, even if he were an outcaste.

Verse 54 (padma.6.80.54)

दासोऽहं वासुदेवस्य देवदेवस्य शार्ङ्गिणः । शंखचक्रगदापाणेस्त्रैलोक्यस्यैकचक्षुषः

dāso'haṁ vāsudevasya devadevasya śārṅgiṇaḥ śaṁkhacakragadāpāṇestrailokyasyaikacakṣuṣaḥ

I am the servant of Vasudeva — the God of gods, wielder of the Sharnga bow, bearer of the conch, discus, and mace in his hands, the sole eye of the three worlds.

Verse 55 (padma.6.80.55)

इत्युक्तो नारदेनासौ भक्तिपर्याकुलात्मना । प्रोवाच मधुरं विप्रं तद्दर्शनसुविस्मितः

ityukto nāradenāsau bhaktiparyākulātmanā provāca madhuraṁ vipraṁ taddarśanasuvismitaḥ

Thus addressed by Narada, Pundarika — his soul overwhelmed with devotion, deeply astonished by that sight — spoke sweetly to the sage.

Verse 56 (padma.6.80.56)

पुंडरीक उवाच । धन्योऽहं देहिनां मध्ये सुपूज्योऽहं सुरैरपि । कृतार्थाः पितरो मेऽद्य संप्राप्तं जन्मनः फलम्

puṁḍarīka uvāca dhanyo'haṁ dehināṁ madhye supūjyo'haṁ surairapi kṛtārthāḥ pitaro me'dya saṁprāptaṁ janmanaḥ phalam

Pundarika said: I am blessed among all embodied beings, worthy of worship even by the gods. Today my ancestors are fulfilled; today I have attained the fruit of my birth.

Verse 57 (padma.6.80.57)

अनुगृह्णीष्व देवर्षे त्वद्भक्तस्य विशेषतः । तं करिष्याम्यहं विद्वन्भ्राम्यमाणः स्वकर्मभिः

anugṛhṇīṣva devarṣe tvadbhaktasya viśeṣataḥ taṁ kariṣyāmyahaṁ vidvanbhrāmyamāṇaḥ svakarmabhiḥ

O divine sage, be gracious especially to your own devotee. O learned one, I, wandering as I am under the sway of my own past deeds, shall do whatever you bid.

Verse 58 (padma.6.80.58)

कर्तव्यं परमं गुह्यं उपदेष्टुं त्वमर्हसि । त्वं गतिः सर्वभूतानां वैष्णवानां विशेषतः

kartavyaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ upadeṣṭuṁ tvamarhasi tvaṁ gatiḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ vaiṣṇavānāṁ viśeṣataḥ

You alone are worthy to instruct me in the supreme, hidden duty. You are the refuge of all beings, and especially of Vaishnavas.

Verse 59 (padma.6.80.59)

नारद उवाच । अनेकानीह शास्त्राणि कर्माणि च तथा द्विज । धर्मवर्गं बहुविधं तथैव भुवि मानसम्

nārada uvāca anekānīha śāstrāṇi karmāṇi ca tathā dvija dharmavargaṁ bahuvidhaṁ tathaiva bhuvi mānasam

Narada said: O brahmin, there are many scriptures in this world, and many ritual acts; likewise there are many kinds of dharma and mental disciplines upon the earth.

Verse 60 (padma.6.80.60)

वैलक्षण्यं च जगतस्तस्मादेव द्विजोत्तम । अन्यथा सर्वसत्वानां सुखं वा दुःखमेव च

vailakṣaṇyaṁ ca jagatastasmādeva dvijottama anyathā sarvasatvānāṁ sukhaṁ vā duḥkhameva ca

O best of the twice-born, from this very fact arises the diversity of the world. Otherwise, all beings would have exactly the same happiness or sorrow.

Verse 61 (padma.6.80.61)

विज्ञानमात्रं क्षणिकं निरात्मकमिदं जगत् । इति कैश्चित्परिज्ञातं बाह्यार्थनिरपेक्षकम्

vijñānamātraṁ kṣaṇikaṁ nirātmakamidaṁ jagat iti kaiścitparijñātaṁ bāhyārthanirapekṣakam

Some have understood this world to be mere consciousness, momentary, and without a self, independent of any external reality.

Verse 62 (padma.6.80.62)

अव्यक्ताज्जायते नित्यं नित्यान्नित्यमिदं जगत् । इत्येवं प्राहुरपरे तत्रैव लयमेति च

avyaktājjāyate nityaṁ nityānnityamidaṁ jagat ityevaṁ prāhurapare tatraiva layameti ca

Others say that this world is eternally born from the eternal unmanifest, ever born from the eternal, and dissolves back into that very source.

Verse 63 (padma.6.80.63)

आत्मनो बहवः प्रोक्ता नित्याः सर्वगतास्तथा । अन्ये मतिमतां श्रेष्ठास्तत्वालोकनतत्पराः

ātmano bahavaḥ proktā nityāḥ sarvagatāstathā anye matimatāṁ śreṣṭhāstatvālokanatatparāḥ

Others, foremost among thinkers and devoted to the vision of ultimate truth, declare that souls are many, eternal, and all-pervading.

Verse 64 (padma.6.80.64)

यावच्छरीरमात्मानं प्रतिपन्नास्तथापरे । हस्तिकीटादिदेहेऽपि महांतमंडमेव च

yāvaccharīramātmānaṁ pratipannāstathāpare hastikīṭādidehe'pi mahāṁtamaṁḍameva ca

Still others hold that the self is exactly as large as the body — whether it be the body of an elephant or an insect, or, in the case of the cosmos, as vast as the great egg of Brahma.

Verse 65 (padma.6.80.65)

यथाऽद्यजगतोवृत्तिस्तथा कालांतरेष्वपि । प्रवाहो नित्यमेवैष कः कर्त्तेति च केचन

yathā'dyajagatovṛttistathā kālāṁtareṣvapi pravāho nityamevaiṣa kaḥ kartteti ca kecana

Some say that as the world functions today, so has it functioned across other ages as well; this flow is eternal in itself, and there is no maker of it at all.

Verse 66 (padma.6.80.66)

यद्यत्प्रत्यक्षविषयं तत्तदत्र न विद्यते । कुतः स्वर्गादयः संतीत्यन्ये विजितमानसाः

yadyatpratyakṣaviṣayaṁ tattadatra na vidyate kutaḥ svargādayaḥ saṁtītyanye vijitamānasāḥ

'Whatever is not an object of direct perception simply does not exist here — so how then could heaven and the rest exist?' — so say certain others of a disciplined mind.

Verse 67 (padma.6.80.67)

निरीश्वरमिदं प्राहुः सेश्वरं च तथापरे । अत्यंतभिन्नमतयः परमार्थपराङ्मुखाः

nirīśvaramidaṁ prāhuḥ seśvaraṁ ca tathāpare atyaṁtabhinnamatayaḥ paramārthaparāṅmukhāḥ

Some declare this world to be without a Lord, while others say it has a Lord — these are people of utterly divergent opinions, all turned away from the highest truth.

Verse 68 (padma.6.80.68)

एवं मन्येऽपि कुहका यथामति यथाश्रुतम् । वदंति विविधैर्भेदैः स्वयुक्ति स्थितिकारकाः

evaṁ manye'pi kuhakā yathāmati yathāśrutam vadaṁti vividhairbhedaiḥ svayukti sthitikārakāḥ

Thus many a deceiver speaks, each according to his own intellect and what he has heard, expressing various distinctions while establishing his own arguments.

Verse 69 (padma.6.80.69)

तर्केष्ववहितो भूत्वा कथयामि तपोधन । परमार्थमिमं पुण्यं घोरं संसारनाशनम्

tarkeṣvavahito bhūtvā kathayāmi tapodhana paramārthamimaṁ puṇyaṁ ghoraṁ saṁsāranāśanam

O one rich in austerity, being attentive amid these arguments, I shall now tell you this meritorious highest truth, which destroys the terrible cycle of worldly existence.

Verse 70 (padma.6.80.70)

तन्मूलमनुजानंति ततो देवादयो नराः । प्रमाणेनोपलभ्यंते न प्रमाणं विमोहितैः

tanmūlamanujānaṁti tato devādayo narāḥ pramāṇenopalabhyaṁte na pramāṇaṁ vimohitaiḥ

That is the root which the gods and men come to know; it is grasped only through valid proof — for those deluded, no proof avails.

Verse 71 (padma.6.80.71)

अनागतमतीतं च विप्रकृष्टमतीव यत् । न गृहीतं यथाशक्त्या वर्त्तमानार्थनिष्ठितम्

anāgatamatītaṁ ca viprakṛṣṭamatīva yat na gṛhītaṁ yathāśaktyā varttamānārthaniṣṭhitam

What is future, past, or utterly remote cannot be grasped by one's own limited power, when the mind remains fixed only on what is present.

Verse 72 (padma.6.80.72)

आगमो मुनिभिः प्रोक्तो पूर्वरूपक्रमागतः । प्रमाणं स तु विज्ञेयः परमार्थप्रसाधकः

āgamo munibhiḥ prokto pūrvarūpakramāgataḥ pramāṇaṁ sa tu vijñeyaḥ paramārthaprasādhakaḥ

The scriptural tradition, spoken by the sages and handed down in unbroken succession from the earliest forms, should be known as that valid proof which establishes the highest truth.

Verse 73 (padma.6.80.73)

यदभ्यासबलाज्ज्ञानं रागद्वेषमलापहम् । उत्पद्यते द्विजश्रेष्ठ सोऽयमागमसंज्ञकः

yadabhyāsabalājjñānaṁ rāgadveṣamalāpaham utpadyate dvijaśreṣṭha so'yamāgamasaṁjñakaḥ

O best of the twice-born, that knowledge which arises from the strength of practice and removes the stain of attachment and aversion — this is what is called agama.

Verse 74 (padma.6.80.74)

फलं कर्म च यत्तत्वं विज्ञानं दर्शनं विभुम् । जात्यादिकल्पनाहीनं द्वितीयागमलक्षणम्

phalaṁ karma ca yattatvaṁ vijñānaṁ darśanaṁ vibhum jātyādikalpanāhīnaṁ dvitīyāgamalakṣaṇam

The fruit, the action, the ultimate truth, true knowledge, and the vision of the all-pervading one, free of any construct of birth or caste — this is the mark of the second kind of agama.

Verse 75 (padma.6.80.75)

आत्मसंवेदनं नित्यं सनातनमतींद्रियम् । चिन्मात्रममृतं ज्ञेयमनंतमजमव्ययम्

ātmasaṁvedanaṁ nityaṁ sanātanamatīṁdriyam cinmātramamṛtaṁ jñeyamanaṁtamajamavyayam

That self-knowledge is eternal, everlasting, beyond the senses, pure consciousness alone, immortal, the object of knowledge, infinite, unborn, and imperishable.

Verse 76 (padma.6.80.76)

व्यक्ताव्यक्तस्वरूपेण व्यक्तस्थितमनंजनम् । व्याप्ता विष्णुरिति ख्यातं ख्यातभिन्नमवस्थितम्

vyaktāvyaktasvarūpeṇa vyaktasthitamanaṁjanam vyāptā viṣṇuriti khyātaṁ khyātabhinnamavasthitam

Present in both the manifest and the unmanifest forms, stainless, all-pervading — this is renowned by the name Vishnu, established as distinct even while renowned.

Verse 77 (padma.6.80.77)

योगिध्येयमविज्ञेयं परमार्थपराङ्मुखैः । लक्ष्यते बुद्धिभिर्भिन्नमभिभिन्नं न चात्मनि

yogidhyeyamavijñeyaṁ paramārthaparāṅmukhaiḥ lakṣyate buddhibhirbhinnamabhibhinnaṁ na cātmani

He is the object of the yogis' meditation, unknowable to those turned away from the highest truth; he is perceived differently by different intellects, yet within the Self he is not divided.

Verse 78 (padma.6.80.78)

शृणुष्वावहितस्तात कथयामि तवानघ । यत्प्रोक्तं ब्रह्मणा पूर्वं पृच्छतो मम सुव्रत

śṛṇuṣvāvahitastāta kathayāmi tavānagha yatproktaṁ brahmaṇā pūrvaṁ pṛcchato mama suvrata

Listen attentively, dear one, O sinless, excellent-vowed one; I shall tell you what Brahma himself once spoke to me when I asked him.

Verse 79 (padma.6.80.79)

कदाचिद्ब्रह्मलोकस्थं ब्रह्माणं च पितामहम् । प्रणिपत्य यथान्यायमपृच्छमजमव्ययम्

kadācidbrahmalokasthaṁ brahmāṇaṁ ca pitāmaham praṇipatya yathānyāyamapṛcchamajamavyayam

Once, having duly bowed to grandsire Brahma who dwells in Brahmaloka, I asked that unborn, imperishable one —

Verse 80 (padma.6.80.80)

किमु ज्ञानं परं प्रोक्तं कश्च योगः परो मतः । एतन्मे तत्त्वतो ब्रह्मन्समाचक्ष्व पितामह

kimu jñānaṁ paraṁ proktaṁ kaśca yogaḥ paro mataḥ etanme tattvato brahmansamācakṣva pitāmaha

— 'O Brahman, O grandsire, what knowledge is declared supreme, and what yoga is held supreme? Tell me this truly.'

Verse 81 (padma.6.80.81)

ब्रह्मोवाच । शृणुष्वावहितस्तात ज्ञानयोगमनुत्तमम् । अल्पग्रंथं प्रभूतार्थमदुःखोपासनक्रियम्

brahmovāca śṛṇuṣvāvahitastāta jñānayogamanuttamam alpagraṁthaṁ prabhūtārthamaduḥkhopāsanakriyam

Brahma said: Listen attentively, dear one; I shall tell you that unsurpassed union of knowledge and yoga — brief in its statement, vast in its meaning, and whose practice of worship is free of hardship.

Verse 82 (padma.6.80.82)

यः परं परया प्रोक्तः पुरुषः पंचविंशकः । स एव सर्वभूतात्मा तेन इत्यभिधीयते

yaḥ paraṁ parayā proktaḥ puruṣaḥ paṁcaviṁśakaḥ sa eva sarvabhūtātmā tena ityabhidhīyate

That supreme Purusha, declared by the highest speech to be the twenty-fifth principle, is himself the very self of all beings; for that reason he is spoken of as 'That.'

Verse 83 (padma.6.80.83)

नारायणो जगद्धाम परमात्मा सनातनः । जगतः सृष्टिसंहार परिपालनतत्परः

nārāyaṇo jagaddhāma paramātmā sanātanaḥ jagataḥ sṛṣṭisaṁhāra paripālanatatparaḥ

Narayana is the abode of the universe, the eternal Supreme Self, ever engaged in the creation, dissolution, and preservation of the world.

Verse 84 (padma.6.80.84)

त्रयाणामात्मनां चैको देवदेवः सनातनः । आराध्यः सर्वदा ब्रह्मन्ते पश्यंति जगत्पतिम्

trayāṇāmātmanāṁ caiko devadevaḥ sanātanaḥ ārādhyaḥ sarvadā brahmante paśyaṁti jagatpatim

O Brahman, he alone is the one eternal God of gods behind the three divine selves; ever worthy of worship, the yogis behold that Lord of the universe.

Verse 85 (padma.6.80.85)

यथा जगदवस्थानं यथा कालांतरे पुनः । भूतं भव्यं भविष्यं च विप्रकृष्टं तथैव च

yathā jagadavasthānaṁ yathā kālāṁtare punaḥ bhūtaṁ bhavyaṁ bhaviṣyaṁ ca viprakṛṣṭaṁ tathaiva ca

The condition of the world as it now stands, as it shall be in another age; what has been, what will be, what is happening, and what is utterly remote —

Verse 86 (padma.6.80.86)

स्थूलं सूक्ष्मं तथा चान्यत्पश्यंति ज्ञानचक्षुषा । तच्चित्तास्तद्गतप्राणा नारायणपरायणाः

sthūlaṁ sūkṣmaṁ tathā cānyatpaśyaṁti jñānacakṣuṣā taccittāstadgataprāṇā nārāyaṇaparāyaṇāḥ

— the gross, the subtle, and all else besides — those devoted wholly to Narayana, their minds and their very breath fixed on him, perceive with the eye of knowledge.

Verse 87 (padma.6.80.87)

अन्यथा मंदबुद्धीनां प्रतिभाति दुरात्मनाम् । कुतर्कज्ञानदुष्टानां विभक्तेंद्रियवादिनाम्

anyathā maṁdabuddhīnāṁ pratibhāti durātmanām kutarkajñānaduṣṭānāṁ vibhakteṁdriyavādinām

Otherwise, it appears differently to the dull-witted, the evil-minded, those whose knowledge is corrupted by false reasoning, and those who argue on the basis of divided sense-perception alone.

Verse 88 (padma.6.80.88)

नारद उवाच । श्रूयतामन्यदपि वै कथ्यमानं मयानघ । ब्रह्मणैव पुरा प्रोक्तं जगतः कारणात्मना

nārada uvāca śrūyatāmanyadapi vai kathyamānaṁ mayānagha brahmaṇaiva purā proktaṁ jagataḥ kāraṇātmanā

Narada said: O sinless one, listen also to this other matter I am about to relate, which was formerly spoken by Brahma himself, who is the cause of the world.

Verse 89 (padma.6.80.89)

देवानामिंद्रमुख्यानामृषीणां चैव सुव्रत । हितानि कथयामास पृच्छतां कमलासनः

devānāmiṁdramukhyānāmṛṣīṇāṁ caiva suvrata hitāni kathayāmāsa pṛcchatāṁ kamalāsanaḥ

O excellent-vowed one, when the gods headed by Indra, and the sages too, made inquiry, the Lotus-Born one spoke to them these things for their welfare.

Verse 90 (padma.6.80.90)

ब्रह्मोवाच । नारायणपरो धर्मस्तथालोकाश्च शाश्वताः । नारायणपरा यज्ञाः शास्त्राणि विविधानि च

brahmovāca nārāyaṇaparo dharmastathālokāśca śāśvatāḥ nārāyaṇaparā yajñāḥ śāstrāṇi vividhāni ca

Brahma said: Dharma is devoted to Narayana, and so too are the eternal worlds. Sacrifices are devoted to Narayana, and so are the various scriptures.

Verse 91 (padma.6.80.91)

वेदाः सांगास्तथा चान्ये विष्णुर्विश्वेश्वरो हरिः । पृथिव्यादीनि विबुधाः पंचभूतानि सोऽव्ययः

vedāḥ sāṁgāstathā cānye viṣṇurviśveśvaro hariḥ pṛthivyādīni vibudhāḥ paṁcabhūtāni so'vyayaḥ

The Vedas together with their auxiliaries, and all else besides, are devoted to Narayana. Hari, the Lord of the universe, is Vishnu himself; O wise ones, the five elements beginning with earth are that very imperishable one.

Verse 92 (padma.6.80.92)

सर्वं विष्णुमयं ज्ञेयं विबुधैः सकलं जगत् । तथापि मानुषाः पाप न जानंति विमोहिताः

sarvaṁ viṣṇumayaṁ jñeyaṁ vibudhaiḥ sakalaṁ jagat tathāpi mānuṣāḥ pāpa na jānaṁti vimohitāḥ

The wise should know that the entire world is pervaded by Vishnu. Yet sinful men, deluded as they are, do not know this.

Verse 93 (padma.6.80.93)

तस्यैव मायया व्याप्तं चराचरमिदं जगत् । तन्मनास्तद्गतप्राणो जानाति परमार्थवित्

tasyaiva māyayā vyāptaṁ carācaramidaṁ jagat tanmanāstadgataprāṇo jānāti paramārthavit

This entire world of moving and unmoving things is pervaded by his very illusion. Only one whose mind and breath are fixed on him, the knower of the highest truth, comes to know this.

Verse 94 (padma.6.80.94)

ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां विष्णुस्त्रैलोक्यपालकः । तस्मिन्नेतज्जगत्सर्वं तिष्ठति प्रभवत्यपि

īśvaraḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ viṣṇustrailokyapālakaḥ tasminnetajjagatsarvaṁ tiṣṭhati prabhavatyapi

Vishnu is the Lord of all beings and the guardian of the three worlds. This entire universe abides in him, and from him too it arises.

Verse 95 (padma.6.80.95)

जगत्संहरते रुद्रः पालने विष्णुरुच्यते । उत्पत्तौ चाहमेवात्र तथान्ये लोकपालकाः

jagatsaṁharate rudraḥ pālane viṣṇurucyate utpattau cāhamevātra tathānye lokapālakāḥ

Rudra destroys the world; in preservation he is called Vishnu; in creation, here, it is I myself, and there are other guardians of the worlds as well.

Verse 96 (padma.6.80.96)

सर्वाधारो निराधारः सकलो निष्कलस्तथा । अणुर्महांस्तथाप्यन्यत्तस्माच्च परतः परः

sarvādhāro nirādhāraḥ sakalo niṣkalastathā aṇurmahāṁstathāpyanyattasmācca parataḥ paraḥ

He is the support of all, yet himself unsupported; he is whole, yet without parts; he is atomic and also immense, and yet beyond even that, higher than the highest.

Verse 97 (padma.6.80.97)

तमेव शरणं यात सर्वसंहारकर्मगम् । स पिता जनितास्माकं कीर्तितो मधुसूदनः

tameva śaraṇaṁ yāta sarvasaṁhārakarmagam sa pitā janitāsmākaṁ kīrtito madhusūdanaḥ

Take refuge in him alone, who is engaged even in the work of universal destruction. He, Madhusudana, is celebrated as the very father who begot us.

Verse 98 (padma.6.80.98)

एवमुक्ताः सुराः सर्वे ब्रह्मणा पद्मयोनिना । प्रणेमुः सर्वलोकेशं देवं विष्णुं जनार्दनम्

evamuktāḥ surāḥ sarve brahmaṇā padmayoninā praṇemuḥ sarvalokeśaṁ devaṁ viṣṇuṁ janārdanam

When the lotus-born Brahma had spoken thus, all the gods bowed down to the Lord of all worlds, the god Vishnu, Janardana.

Verse 99 (padma.6.80.99)

तस्मात्त्वमपि विप्रर्षे नारायणपरो भव । तदन्यः को महोदारः प्रार्थितं दातुर्महति

tasmāttvamapi viprarṣe nārāyaṇaparo bhava tadanyaḥ ko mahodāraḥ prārthitaṁ dāturmahati

Therefore, O sage among brahmins, you too become devoted to Narayana. Who else is so greatly generous as to grant whatever is asked of him?

Verse 100 (padma.6.80.100)

पितरं मातरं चैव तमेव पुरुषोत्तमम् । परिगृह्णीष्व लोकेशं देवदेवं जगत्पतिम्

pitaraṁ mātaraṁ caiva tameva puruṣottamam parigṛhṇīṣva lokeśaṁ devadevaṁ jagatpatim

Accept that very Purushottama as both your father and mother — that Lord of the worlds, the God of gods, the Master of the universe.

Verse 101 (padma.6.80.101)

अग्निकार्येण वै तेन तपसाध्ययनेन वै । तोषयेद्देवदेवेशं गुरुं नित्यमतंद्रितः

agnikāryeṇa vai tena tapasādhyayanena vai toṣayeddevadeveśaṁ guruṁ nityamataṁdritaḥ

Through the fire-ritual, through austerity, and through study — by all these, one should ever, tirelessly, please that God of gods, the true teacher.

Verse 102 (padma.6.80.102)

स्वर्गे क्षयं तथा भोगमनुष्ठेयं तथैव च । परिगृह्णीष्व विप्रर्षे तमेव पुरुषोत्तमम्

svarge kṣayaṁ tathā bhogamanuṣṭheyaṁ tathaiva ca parigṛhṇīṣva viprarṣe tameva puruṣottamam

Even heaven brings eventual decline along with enjoyment — knowing this, O sage among brahmins, accept that very Purushottama alone as the true refuge.

Verse 103 (padma.6.80.103)

किं तेन मंत्रैर्बहुभिः किं तेन बहुभिर्व्रतैः । ॐ नमोनारायणायेति मंत्रः सर्वार्थसाधकः

kiṁ tena maṁtrairbahubhiḥ kiṁ tena bahubhirvrataiḥ oṁ namonārāyaṇāyeti maṁtraḥ sarvārthasādhakaḥ

What use are many mantras, what use are many vows? The single mantra 'Om Namo Narayanaya' accomplishes every purpose.

Verse 104 (padma.6.80.104)

चीरवासा जटी विप्र दंडीमुंडित एव वा । विभूषितो वा विप्रेंद्र न लिंगं धर्मकारणम्

cīravāsā jaṭī vipra daṁḍīmuṁḍita eva vā vibhūṣito vā vipreṁdra na liṁgaṁ dharmakāraṇam

O brahmin, whether one wears bark garments, matted locks, carries a staff, is shaven-headed, or is bedecked in ornaments — O foremost of brahmins, outward sign alone is not the cause of true dharma.

Verse 105 (padma.6.80.105)

ये नृशंसा दुरात्मानः पापाचारपराः सदा । तेपि यांति परं स्थानं नारायणपरायणाः

ye nṛśaṁsā durātmānaḥ pāpācāraparāḥ sadā tepi yāṁti paraṁ sthānaṁ nārāyaṇaparāyaṇāḥ

Even those who are cruel, evil-minded, and forever engaged in sinful conduct attain the supreme abode, if they become devoted to Narayana.

Verse 106 (padma.6.80.106)

लिप्यंते न च पापौघैर्वैष्णवं वीतकिल्बिषाः

lipyaṁte na ca pāpaughairvaiṣṇavaṁ vītakilbiṣāḥ

The sinless Vaishnava is never tainted by the mass of sins.

Verse 107 (padma.6.80.107)

पुनंति सकलं लोकं अहिंसाजितमानसाः

punaṁti sakalaṁ lokaṁ ahiṁsājitamānasāḥ

Vaishnavas, their minds mastered through non-violence, purify the entire world.

Verse 108 (padma.6.80.108)

क्षत्रबंधुरिति ख्यातो राजा प्राणिविहिंसकः । प्राप्तवान्परमं धाम वैष्णवं केशवालयात्

kṣatrabaṁdhuriti khyāto rājā prāṇivihiṁsakaḥ prāptavānparamaṁ dhāma vaiṣṇavaṁ keśavālayāt

A king known as Kshatrabandhu, who had been a slayer of living beings, nonetheless attained the supreme Vaishnava abode, from the very dwelling of Keshava.

Verse 109 (padma.6.80.109)

अंबरीषो महासत्वो राजा परमतत्ववित् । हृषीकेशं समाराध्य वैष्णवं पदमाप्तवान्

aṁbarīṣo mahāsatvo rājā paramatatvavit hṛṣīkeśaṁ samārādhya vaiṣṇavaṁ padamāptavān

King Ambarisha, of great virtue and knower of the highest truth, having worshipped Hrishikesha, attained the Vaishnava abode.

Verse 110 (padma.6.80.110)

अन्ये ब्रह्मर्षयः शांता बहवः संशितव्रताः । ध्यात्वा च परमात्मानं संसिद्धिं परमां गताः

anye brahmarṣayaḥ śāṁtā bahavaḥ saṁśitavratāḥ dhyātvā ca paramātmānaṁ saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ

Many other peaceful brahmarshis, of firm vows, having meditated on the Supreme Self, attained the highest perfection.

Verse 111 (padma.6.80.111)

प्रह्लादः परमाह्लादः पुरा नारायणं हरिम् । सेवितोऽभ्यर्चितो ध्यातस्तेनैव परिरक्षितः

prahlādaḥ paramāhlādaḥ purā nārāyaṇaṁ harim sevito'bhyarcito dhyātastenaiva parirakṣitaḥ

Prahlada, supreme in bliss, of old served, worshipped, and meditated on Narayana Hari, and was protected by him alone.

Verse 112 (padma.6.80.112)

भरतो नाम तेजस्वी राजा परमधार्मिकः । उपास्यैनं चिरं कालं परां मुक्तिमवाप्तवान्

bharato nāma tejasvī rājā paramadhārmikaḥ upāsyainaṁ ciraṁ kālaṁ parāṁ muktimavāptavān

A radiant and supremely righteous king named Bharata, having worshipped him for a long time, attained the highest liberation.

Verse 113 (padma.6.80.113)

ब्रह्मचारी गृहस्थो वा वानप्रस्थोऽथ भिक्षुकः । केशवाराधनं हित्वा नैव यांति परां गतिम्

brahmacārī gṛhastho vā vānaprastho'tha bhikṣukaḥ keśavārādhanaṁ hitvā naiva yāṁti parāṁ gatim

Whether one is a celibate student, a householder, a forest-dweller, or a renunciant — without the worship of Keshava, none attains the supreme goal.

Verse 114 (padma.6.80.114)

जन्मांतरसहस्रेषु यस्य स्यान्मतिरीदृशी । दासोऽहं विष्णुभक्तानामिति सर्वार्थसाधकः

janmāṁtarasahasreṣu yasya syānmatirīdṛśī dāso'haṁ viṣṇubhaktānāmiti sarvārthasādhakaḥ

If, even after a thousand births, someone attains the conviction 'I am the servant of Vishnu's devotees' — this very thought accomplishes every purpose.

Verse 115 (padma.6.80.115)

स याति विष्णुसालोक्यं पुरुषो नात्र संशयः । किं पुनस्तद्गतप्राणाः पुरुषाः संशितव्रताः

sa yāti viṣṇusālokyaṁ puruṣo nātra saṁśayaḥ kiṁ punastadgataprāṇāḥ puruṣāḥ saṁśitavratāḥ

Such a man attains residence in the world of Vishnu, without doubt. How much more so, then, those men of firm vows whose very breath is fixed on him!

Verse 116 (padma.6.80.116)

अनन्यमानसैर्नित्यं ध्यातव्यस्तत्वचिंतकैः । नारायणो जगद्व्यापी परमात्मा सनातनः

ananyamānasairnityaṁ dhyātavyastatvaciṁtakaiḥ nārāyaṇo jagadvyāpī paramātmā sanātanaḥ

Those who contemplate the ultimate truth, their minds fixed on nothing else, should ever meditate on Narayana, the eternal Supreme Self, pervading the entire universe.

Verse 117 (padma.6.80.117)

भीष्म उवाच । इत्येवमुक्त्वा देवर्षिस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत । परोपकारनिरतो नारदः परमार्थवित्

bhīṣma uvāca ityevamuktvā devarṣistatraivāṁtaradhīyata paropakāranirato nāradaḥ paramārthavit

Bhishma said: Having spoken thus, the divine sage Narada — ever devoted to the welfare of others, knower of the highest truth — vanished from that very place.

Verse 118 (padma.6.80.118)

पुंडरीकोऽपि धर्मात्मा नारायणपरायणः । ॐ नमो नारायणायेति मंत्रमष्टाक्षरं जपन्

puṁḍarīko'pi dharmātmā nārāyaṇaparāyaṇaḥ oṁ namo nārāyaṇāyeti maṁtramaṣṭākṣaraṁ japan

The righteous Pundarika too, becoming wholly devoted to Narayana, began to repeat the eight-syllabled mantra, 'Om Namo Narayanaya.'

Verse 119 (padma.6.80.119)

प्रसीद मम विश्वात्मन्निति वाचं वदन्सदा । हृत्पुंडरीके गोविंदं प्रतिष्ठाप्यामृतात्मकम्

prasīda mama viśvātmanniti vācaṁ vadansadā hṛtpuṁḍarīke goviṁdaṁ pratiṣṭhāpyāmṛtātmakam

Ever saying the words, 'O soul of the universe, be gracious to me,' he established Govinda, of the very nature of nectar, in the lotus of his own heart.

Verse 120 (padma.6.80.120)

तपस्वी विमले सौम्ये शालग्रामे तपोधनः । उवास चिरमेकाकी निर्द्वंद्वो निष्परिग्रहः

tapasvī vimale saumye śālagrāme tapodhanaḥ uvāsa ciramekākī nirdvaṁdvo niṣparigrahaḥ

That ascetic, rich in austerity, dwelt alone for a long time in the pure and gentle region of Shaligrama, free of dualities and free of possessions.

Verse 121 (padma.6.80.121)

स्वप्नेऽपि केशवान्नान्यत्पश्यतीति महामतिः । निद्रापि नैव तस्यासीत्पुरुषार्थविरोधिनी

svapne'pi keśavānnānyatpaśyatīti mahāmatiḥ nidrāpi naiva tasyāsītpuruṣārthavirodhinī

That man of great wisdom saw nothing else even in his dreams, save Keshava; he did not even experience the sleep that opposes one's true purpose.

Verse 122 (padma.6.80.122)

तपसा ब्रह्मचर्येण शौचेन च विशेषतः । जन्मजन्मांतरारूढे संस्कारे च यथा तथा

tapasā brahmacaryeṇa śaucena ca viśeṣataḥ janmajanmāṁtarārūḍhe saṁskāre ca yathā tathā

Through austerity, celibacy, and purity in particular, and according to the impressions accumulated over successive births —

Verse 123 (padma.6.80.123)

प्रसादाद्देवदेवस्य सर्वलोकस्य साक्षिणः । अवाप परमां सिद्धिं वैष्णवीं वीतकिल्बिषः

prasādāddevadevasya sarvalokasya sākṣiṇaḥ avāpa paramāṁ siddhiṁ vaiṣṇavīṁ vītakilbiṣaḥ

— by the grace of the God of gods, the witness of the entire universe, he, freed of all sin, attained the supreme Vaishnava perfection.

Verse 124 (padma.6.80.124)

शंखचक्रगदापाणिं पीतवाससमच्युतम् । श्यामलं पुंडरीकाक्षं स ददर्श सदाकृतिम्

śaṁkhacakragadāpāṇiṁ pītavāsasamacyutam śyāmalaṁ puṁḍarīkākṣaṁ sa dadarśa sadākṛtim

He beheld directly Achyuta — bearer of the conch, discus, and mace, clad in yellow, dark-hued, lotus-eyed, and ever constant in form.

Verse 125 (padma.6.80.125)

सिंहा व्याघ्रास्तथा चान्ये मृगाः प्राणिविहिंसकाः । विरोधं सहजं हित्वा समेतास्तस्य संनिधौ

siṁhā vyāghrāstathā cānye mṛgāḥ prāṇivihiṁsakāḥ virodhaṁ sahajaṁ hitvā sametāstasya saṁnidhau

Lions, tigers, and other beasts that prey on other creatures set aside their natural enmity and gathered together in his presence.

Verse 126 (padma.6.80.126)

विचरंति यथाकामं प्रसन्नेंद्रियवृत्तयः । परस्परहितं रम्यं संप्राप्तं पांडुनंदन

vicaraṁti yathākāmaṁ prasanneṁdriyavṛttayaḥ parasparahitaṁ ramyaṁ saṁprāptaṁ pāṁḍunaṁdana

O son of Pandu, they wandered about at will, their senses at peace, and attained a delightful mutual harmony.

Verse 127 (padma.6.80.127)

तथा प्रसन्नं सलिलं सरसां सरितामपि । ऋतवः सुप्रन्नाश्च विमलेंद्रियसंयुताः

tathā prasannaṁ salilaṁ sarasāṁ saritāmapi ṛtavaḥ suprannāśca vimaleṁdriyasaṁyutāḥ

Likewise the waters of the lakes and rivers became clear, and the seasons too grew serene, their qualities pure and untroubled.

Verse 128 (padma.6.80.128)

मारुताश्च सुखस्पर्शा वृक्षाः पुष्पफलान्विताः । आनुकूल्यं ययुः सर्वे पदार्थास्तस्य धीमतः

mārutāśca sukhasparśā vṛkṣāḥ puṣpaphalānvitāḥ ānukūlyaṁ yayuḥ sarve padārthāstasya dhīmataḥ

The winds became pleasant to the touch, the trees became laden with flowers and fruit — every element became favorable for that wise man.

Verse 129 (padma.6.80.129)

प्रसन्नमभवत्तस्मै प्रसन्नं सचराचरम् । प्रसन्ने देवदेवेशे गोविंदे भक्तवत्सले

prasannamabhavattasmai prasannaṁ sacarācaram prasanne devadeveśe goviṁde bhaktavatsale

When the ever-gracious God of gods, Govinda, who is so tender toward his devotees, became pleased, the entire universe, moving and unmoving, became gracious toward him.

Verse 130 (padma.6.80.130)

ततः कदाचिद्भगवान्पुंडरीकस्य धीमतः । आविरासीज्जगन्नाथः पुंडरीकायतेक्षणः

tataḥ kadācidbhagavānpuṁḍarīkasya dhīmataḥ āvirāsījjagannāthaḥ puṁḍarīkāyatekṣaṇaḥ

Then, on one occasion, the Lord Jagannatha, whose eyes are as wide as lotus petals, manifested himself before the wise Pundarika.

Verse 131 (padma.6.80.131)

शंखचक्रगदापाणिः पीतवासाः समुज्ज्वलः । पुंडरीकविशालाक्षश्चंद्रबिंबनिभाननः

śaṁkhacakragadāpāṇiḥ pītavāsāḥ samujjvalaḥ puṁḍarīkaviśālākṣaścaṁdrabiṁbanibhānanaḥ

He bore the conch, discus, and mace, was clad in yellow, exceedingly radiant, with eyes wide as lotuses and a face like the orb of the moon.

Verse 132 (padma.6.80.132)

किंकिणीकुंडली हारी केयूरी कटिसूत्रवान् । श्रीवत्सांकः पीतवासाः कौस्तुभेन विभूषितः

kiṁkiṇīkuṁḍalī hārī keyūrī kaṭisūtravān śrīvatsāṁkaḥ pītavāsāḥ kaustubhena vibhūṣitaḥ

He wore tinkling anklets, earrings, a necklace, armlets, and a girdle; he bore the Shrivatsa mark, was clad in yellow, and adorned with the Kaustubha gem.

Verse 133 (padma.6.80.133)

वनमालापरीतांगः स्फुरन्मुकुटकुंडलः । स्फुरता ब्रह्मसूत्रेण मुक्तादामविलंबिना

vanamālāparītāṁgaḥ sphuranmukuṭakuṁḍalaḥ sphuratā brahmasūtreṇa muktādāmavilaṁbinā

His limbs were encircled with a garland of forest flowers; his crown and earrings gleamed, and a shining sacred thread hung down, along with a garland of pearls.

Verse 134 (padma.6.80.134)

विराजमानो देवेशश्चामरव्यजनादिभिः । देवैः सिद्धैः सदेवेंद्रैर्गंधर्वैर्मुनिभिर्वरैः

virājamāno deveśaścāmaravyajanādibhiḥ devaiḥ siddhaiḥ sadeveṁdrairgaṁdharvairmunibhirvaraiḥ

That Lord of gods was resplendent with chowries and fans and the like, attended by gods, siddhas, the celestial hosts with Indra, gandharvas, and excellent sages —

Verse 135 (padma.6.80.135)

यक्षैर्नागवरैश्चैवसेव्यमानोऽप्सरोगणैः । तं दृष्ट्वा देवदेवेशं पुंडरीकोऽनघः स्वयम्

yakṣairnāgavaraiścaivasevyamāno'psarogaṇaiḥ taṁ dṛṣṭvā devadeveśaṁ puṁḍarīko'naghaḥ svayam

— and served by yakshas, excellent serpent-lords, and troops of apsarases. Seeing that God of gods, the sinless Pundarika himself —

Verse 136 (padma.6.80.136)

ततो बुद्ध्या महात्मानं तुष्टाव च जनार्दनम् । प्रांजलिः प्रणतो भूत्वा प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना

tato buddhyā mahātmānaṁ tuṣṭāva ca janārdanam prāṁjaliḥ praṇato bhūtvā prahṛṣṭenāṁtarātmanā

— then, with joined palms and bowed head, his inner soul filled with joy, began with his mind to praise that great soul, Janardana.

Verse 137 (padma.6.80.137)

पुंडरीक उवाच । नमोऽस्तु विष्णवे तुभ्यं सर्वलोकैकचक्षुषे । निरंजनाय नित्याय निर्गुणाय महात्मने

puṁḍarīka uvāca namo'stu viṣṇave tubhyaṁ sarvalokaikacakṣuṣe niraṁjanāya nityāya nirguṇāya mahātmane

Pundarika said: Salutation to you, O Vishnu, the sole eye of all the worlds. Salutation to you, the stainless, the eternal, the attribute-less, the great soul.

Verse 138 (padma.6.80.138)

त्वमीशः सर्वभूतानां तथैव च निरीश्वरः । तथाभयार्तिनाशायगोविंदोगरुडध्वजः

tvamīśaḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ tathaiva ca nirīśvaraḥ tathābhayārtināśāyagoviṁdogaruḍadhvajaḥ

You are the Lord of all beings, and yet you yourself have no lord above you; for the destruction of fear and affliction you are known as Govinda, bearer of the Garuda-banner.

Verse 139 (padma.6.80.139)

अनुग्रहेणभूतानांअनेकाकारधारिणे । त्वयि सर्वमिदं प्राहुस्त्वन्मयं चैव केवलम्

anugraheṇabhūtānāṁanekākāradhāriṇe tvayi sarvamidaṁ prāhustvanmayaṁ caiva kevalam

For the sake of grace toward beings, you assume many forms. All of this, they say, exists in you, and is composed of you alone.

Verse 140 (padma.6.80.140)

त्वमस्माज्जगतो भिन्नो निर्मितं च जगत्त्वया । नमोस्तु नाभिप्रसवनलिनाय नमो नमः

tvamasmājjagato bhinno nirmitaṁ ca jagattvayā namostu nābhiprasavanalināya namo namaḥ

You are distinct from this world, and this world too was fashioned by you. Salutation to the lotus born from your navel, salutation again and again.

Verse 141 (padma.6.80.141)

नमः समस्तवेदांतविश्रुतात्मविभूतये । त्वमेव सर्वदेवेश कारणं कैटभार्दन

namaḥ samastavedāṁtaviśrutātmavibhūtaye tvameva sarvadeveśa kāraṇaṁ kaiṭabhārdana

Salutation to the glory of the self, renowned throughout all the Vedanta. O Lord of all gods, O slayer of Kaitabha, you alone are the cause of all.

Verse 142 (padma.6.80.142)

प्रसीद हृदयावास शंखचक्रगदाधर । नमः समस्तभूतानामादिभूताय भूभृते

prasīda hṛdayāvāsa śaṁkhacakragadādhara namaḥ samastabhūtānāmādibhūtāya bhūbhṛte

Be gracious, O dweller in the heart, O bearer of the conch, discus, and mace. Salutation to the primal being of all creatures, the Bearer of the earth.

Verse 143 (padma.6.80.143)

अनेकरूपरूपाय विष्णवे प्रभविष्णवे । यस्य ब्रह्मादयो देवा न विदंति सुरेश्वराः

anekarūparūpāya viṣṇave prabhaviṣṇave yasya brahmādayo devā na vidaṁti sureśvarāḥ

Salutation to Vishnu of many forms, the all-powerful one, whom even the gods headed by Brahma, the very lords of the gods, do not fully know.

Verse 144 (padma.6.80.144)

महिमानं तपोमेयं तस्मै तुभ्यं नमाम्यहम् । वाचामगोचरो यस्य महिमा तव नाप्यते

mahimānaṁ tapomeyaṁ tasmai tubhyaṁ namāmyaham vācāmagocaro yasya mahimā tava nāpyate

To you, whose greatness cannot be measured even by austerity, I bow. Your glory is beyond the reach of words, and cannot be fully grasped by anyone.

Verse 145 (padma.6.80.145)

जात्यादिभिरसंस्पृष्टः सदा ध्येयोऽसि तत्त्वतः । तथा विभेदरूपेण भक्तानामनुकंपया

jātyādibhirasaṁspṛṣṭaḥ sadā dhyeyo'si tattvataḥ tathā vibhedarūpeṇa bhaktānāmanukaṁpayā

Untouched by caste or any such distinction, you are ever, in truth, the object of meditation; and yet, out of compassion for your devotees, you also manifest in distinct forms.

Verse 146 (padma.6.80.146)

मत्स्यकूर्मादिरूपेण दृश्यसे पुरुषोत्तम । भीष्म उवाच । पुंडरीको जगन्नाथं संस्तुवन्पुरुषोत्तमम्

matsyakūrmādirūpeṇa dṛśyase puruṣottama bhīṣma uvāca puṁḍarīko jagannāthaṁ saṁstuvanpuruṣottamam

O Purushottama, you appear in the forms of the fish, the tortoise, and the rest. Bhishma said: Thus praising Jagannatha, the Supreme Person, Pundarika —

Verse 147 (padma.6.80.147)

तमेवालोकयद्वीर चिरप्रार्थितदर्शनम् । तमाह भगवान्विष्णुः पद्मनाभस्त्रिविक्रमः

tamevālokayadvīra ciraprārthitadarśanam tamāha bhagavānviṣṇuḥ padmanābhastrivikramaḥ

— O hero, gazed upon that very being whose sight he had long yearned for. Then the Lord Vishnu, Padmanabha, Trivikrama, spoke to him —

Verse 148 (padma.6.80.148)

पुंडरीकं महाभागं तथा गंभीरया गिरा

puṁḍarīkaṁ mahābhāgaṁ tathā gaṁbhīrayā girā

— to that greatly blessed Pundarika, in a deep and solemn voice.

Verse 149 (padma.6.80.149)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । प्रीतोऽस्मि वत्स भद्रं ते पुंडरीक महामते । वरं वृष्णीष्व दास्यामि यत्ते मनसि वर्त्तते

śrībhagavānuvāca prīto'smi vatsa bhadraṁ te puṁḍarīka mahāmate varaṁ vṛṣṇīṣva dāsyāmi yatte manasi varttate

The Blessed Lord said: My child, may you prosper, O wise Pundarika, I am pleased. Ask for a boon; I shall grant whatever is in your heart.

Verse 150 (padma.6.80.150)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं देवदेवस्य भाषितम् । एवं विज्ञापयामास पुंडरीको महामतिः

etacchrutvā tu vacanaṁ devadevasya bhāṣitam evaṁ vijñāpayāmāsa puṁḍarīko mahāmatiḥ

Hearing these words spoken by the God of gods, the wise Pundarika made this reply —

Verse 151 (padma.6.80.151)

पुंडरीक उवाच । क्वाहमत्यंत दुर्बुद्धिः क्व भवंतो हितैषिणः । यद्धितं मम देवेश तदाज्ञापय माधव

puṁḍarīka uvāca kvāhamatyaṁta durbuddhiḥ kva bhavaṁto hitaiṣiṇaḥ yaddhitaṁ mama deveśa tadājñāpaya mādhava

Pundarika said: Where am I, of such dull understanding, and where are you, so full of goodwill toward me? O Lord of gods, O Madhava, ordain whatever is truly for my good.

Verse 152 (padma.6.80.152)

एवमुक्तः स भगवान्सुप्रीतश्च ततोऽब्रवीत् । पुंडरीकं महाभागं कृतांजलिमुपस्थितम्

evamuktaḥ sa bhagavānsuprītaśca tato'bravīt puṁḍarīkaṁ mahābhāgaṁ kṛtāṁjalimupasthitam

Thus addressed, the Blessed Lord, greatly pleased, then spoke to the greatly blessed Pundarika, who stood before him with joined palms —

Verse 153 (padma.6.80.153)

आगच्छ कुशलं तेऽस्तु मयैव सह सुव्रत । उपकारी च नित्यात्मा मया त्वं सर्वदा सह

āgaccha kuśalaṁ te'stu mayaiva saha suvrata upakārī ca nityātmā mayā tvaṁ sarvadā saha

— 'Come, may you prosper, O excellent one, come with me. You are ever one who has done me service, my eternal companion; be with me always.'

Verse 154 (padma.6.80.154)

भीष्म उवाच । एवमुक्तवति प्रीत्या श्रीधरे भक्तवत्सले । दिवि दुंदुभयो नेदुः पुष्पवर्षं पपात ह

bhīṣma uvāca evamuktavati prītyā śrīdhare bhaktavatsale divi duṁdubhayo neduḥ puṣpavarṣaṁ papāta ha

Bhishma said: When Shridhara, ever tender toward his devotees, had spoken thus with love, kettledrums sounded in the heavens, and a shower of flowers fell.

Verse 155 (padma.6.80.155)

ब्रह्मादयस्तथा देवाः साधुसाध्विति चाब्रुवन् । जगुः सिद्धाश्च गंधर्वाः किन्नराश्च विशेषतः

brahmādayastathā devāḥ sādhusādhviti cābruvan jaguḥ siddhāśca gaṁdharvāḥ kinnarāśca viśeṣataḥ

Brahma and the other gods exclaimed, 'Well done, well done!' Siddhas and gandharvas sang, and the kinnaras especially.

Verse 156 (padma.6.80.156)

तत्रैव तमुपादाय देवदेवो जगत्पतिः । जगाम गरुडारूढः सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः

tatraiva tamupādāya devadevo jagatpatiḥ jagāma garuḍārūḍhaḥ sarvalokanamaskṛtaḥ

Taking him along right there, the God of gods, the Lord of the universe, mounted upon Garuda and departed, saluted by all the worlds.

Verse 157 (padma.6.80.157)

तस्मात्त्वमपि राजेंद्र विष्णुभक्तिसमन्वितः । तच्चित्तस्तद्गतप्राणस्तद्भक्तानां हिते रतः

tasmāttvamapi rājeṁdra viṣṇubhaktisamanvitaḥ taccittastadgataprāṇastadbhaktānāṁ hite rataḥ

Therefore, O king of kings, you too should be endowed with devotion to Vishnu, your mind and breath fixed on him, devoted to the welfare of his devotees.

Verse 158 (padma.6.80.158)

अर्चयित्वा यथायोग्यं भजस्व पुरुषोत्तमम् । शृणुष्व तत्कथां पुण्यां सर्वपापप्रणाशिनीम्

arcayitvā yathāyogyaṁ bhajasva puruṣottamam śṛṇuṣva tatkathāṁ puṇyāṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśinīm

Having worshipped him fittingly, devote yourself to Purushottama. Listen to that meritorious tale of his, which destroys all sin.

Verse 159 (padma.6.80.159)

येनोपायेन राजेंद्र विष्णुभक्तिसमन्वितः । प्रीतो भवति विश्वात्मा तत्कुरुष्व सुविस्तरम्

yenopāyena rājeṁdra viṣṇubhaktisamanvitaḥ prīto bhavati viśvātmā tatkuruṣva suvistaram

O king of kings, do at length whatever is needed, endowed with devotion to Vishnu, by which the soul of the universe becomes pleased.

Verse 160 (padma.6.80.160)

अश्वमेधशतैरिष्ट्वा वाजपेयशतैरपि । प्राप्नुवंति नरा नैव नारायणपराङ्मुखाः

aśvamedhaśatairiṣṭvā vājapeyaśatairapi prāpnuvaṁti narā naiva nārāyaṇaparāṅmukhāḥ

Even by performing a hundred Ashvamedha and a hundred Vajapeya sacrifices, men who are turned away from Narayana never attain that fruit.

Verse 161 (padma.6.80.161)

सकृदुच्चरितं येन हरिरित्यक्षरद्वयम् । बद्धः परिकरस्तेन मोक्षाय गमनं प्रति

sakṛduccaritaṁ yena harirityakṣaradvayam baddhaḥ parikarastena mokṣāya gamanaṁ prati

Whoever has uttered even once those two syllables, 'Hari,' has already girded himself for the journey to liberation.

Verse 162 (padma.6.80.162)

लाभस्तेषां जयस्तेषां कुतस्तेषां पराजयः । येषामिंदीवरश्यामो हृदयस्थो जनार्दनः

lābhasteṣāṁ jayasteṣāṁ kutasteṣāṁ parājayaḥ yeṣāmiṁdīvaraśyāmo hṛdayastho janārdanaḥ

Theirs is the gain, theirs is the victory — how could there be defeat for them — in whose hearts dwells Janardana, dark as the blue lotus?

Verse 163 (padma.6.80.163)

य इदं शृणुयान्नित्यं पठेद्वापि समाहितः । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति

ya idaṁ śṛṇuyānnityaṁ paṭhedvāpi samāhitaḥ sarvapāpavinirmukto viṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchati

Whoever hears this daily, or recites it with a concentrated mind, becomes free of all sin and attains the world of Vishnu.

Verse 164 (padma.6.80.164)

ईश्वर उवाच । एतद्वै नाममाहात्म्यं श्रुत्वा वै नगनंदिनि । धर्मार्थकाममोक्षास्तु भवंति च न संशयः

īśvara uvāca etadvai nāmamāhātmyaṁ śrutvā vai naganaṁdini dharmārthakāmamokṣāstu bhavaṁti ca na saṁśayaḥ

Ishvara said: O daughter of the mountain, by hearing this glory of the divine name, dharma, artha, kama, and moksha are all attained — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 165 (padma.6.80.165)

शुक्ले कुलेऽवतीर्णो यो ब्राह्मणो वेदतत्परः । वैष्णवो विष्णुरूपोऽसौ नान्यो विप्रस्तु कर्हिचित्

śukle kule'vatīrṇo yo brāhmaṇo vedatatparaḥ vaiṣṇavo viṣṇurūpo'sau nānyo viprastu karhicit

A brahmin born in a pure lineage and devoted to the Veda, if he is a Vaishnava, is verily Vishnu himself in form; no other kind of brahmin is ever such.

Verse 166 (padma.6.80.166)

मुखे नामोच्चरन्विष्णोर्हृदये ध्यानतत्परः । शंखचक्रधरो विद्वन्मालां तुलसिजां दधत्

mukhe nāmoccaranviṣṇorhṛdaye dhyānatatparaḥ śaṁkhacakradharo vidvanmālāṁ tulasijāṁ dadhat

Uttering the name of Vishnu with his mouth, devoted to meditation in his heart, bearing the marks of the conch and discus, learned, wearing a garland of tulasi beads —

Verse 167 (padma.6.80.167)

जीवन्मुक्तः स विज्ञेयो भुक्त्वा भोगांस्त्वनेकशः । एकविंशतिकुलैः सार्द्धं विष्णुलोके स मोदते

jīvanmuktaḥ sa vijñeyo bhuktvā bhogāṁstvanekaśaḥ ekaviṁśatikulaiḥ sārddhaṁ viṣṇuloke sa modate

— such a person should be known as liberated while yet living. Having enjoyed manifold pleasures, he rejoices in the world of Vishnu together with twenty-one generations of his lineage.

Verse 168 (padma.6.80.168)

पुंडरीको यथा शक्त्या मुक्तो ह्यत्र न संशयः । भक्तिभावेन गोविंदस्तुष्टिं प्राप्नोति शाश्वतीम्

puṁḍarīko yathā śaktyā mukto hyatra na saṁśayaḥ bhaktibhāvena goviṁdastuṣṭiṁ prāpnoti śāśvatīm

Just as Pundarika, through his own devotion, attained liberation from this world — of this there is no doubt — so, through the disposition of devotion, Govinda grants eternal contentment.

Verse 169 (padma.6.80.169)

कलौ वै हरिगीतं तु स्वगृहे वा विशेषतः । सामगानसमं प्रोक्तं देवार्चनसमाधिषु

kalau vai harigītaṁ tu svagṛhe vā viśeṣataḥ sāmagānasamaṁ proktaṁ devārcanasamādhiṣu

In the Kali age, the singing of Hari's praise, especially in one's own home, has been declared equal to the chanting of the Samaveda, and equally so in the worship of the gods and in meditative absorption.