The Swing Festival of Vishnu

Verse 1 (padma.6.83.1)

पार्वत्युवाच । सर्वेषां चैव मासानां विधिं ब्रूहि महेश्वर । महोत्सवः प्रकर्त्तव्यः को विधिस्तत्र संमतः

pārvatyuvāca sarveṣāṁ caiva māsānāṁ vidhiṁ brūhi maheśvara mahotsavaḥ prakarttavyaḥ ko vidhistatra saṁmataḥ

Parvati said: O Maheshvara, tell me the rule for all the months. Which great festival should be performed, and what is its prescribed procedure?

Verse 2 (padma.6.83.2)

को देवः पूजनं कस्य महिमा कीदृशो भवेत् । कस्यां तिथौ प्रकर्त्तव्यं तन्मे वद सुरेश्वर

ko devaḥ pūjanaṁ kasya mahimā kīdṛśo bhavet kasyāṁ tithau prakarttavyaṁ tanme vada sureśvara

Which deity's worship should be performed, what is its glory, and on which tithi should it be done — O lord of gods, tell me this.

Verse 3 (padma.6.83.3)

मासं प्रति किमुक्तं च वैष्णवान्पुण्यकर्मणः । धन्याहं कृतकृत्याहं सुभगाहं धरातले । विष्णोः कथां शृणोमीति दर्शनात्स्पर्शनात्तव

māsaṁ prati kimuktaṁ ca vaiṣṇavānpuṇyakarmaṇaḥ dhanyāhaṁ kṛtakṛtyāhaṁ subhagāhaṁ dharātale viṣṇoḥ kathāṁ śṛṇomīti darśanātsparśanāttava

What has been said, month by month, for pious Vaishnavas? I am blessed, fulfilled, most fortunate upon this earth, that through your sight and touch I hear the tale of Vishnu.

Verse 4 (padma.6.83.4)

शिव उवाच । उत्सवानां विधिं ब्रूमो मासं प्रति तवानघे । यानाकर्ण्य पुनर्देवि गीतवादित्र हर्षिता

śiva uvāca utsavānāṁ vidhiṁ brūmo māsaṁ prati tavānaghe yānākarṇya punardevi gītavāditra harṣitā

Shiva said: O sinless one, I shall tell you the procedure of the festivals month by month, hearing which, O goddess, you will again be delighted with song and music.

Verse 5 (padma.6.83.5)

तत्रादौ च सिते पक्षे चैत्रमासे सुशोभने । एकादश्यां विशेषेण दोलारूढं प्रपूजयेत्

tatrādau ca site pakṣe caitramāse suśobhane ekādaśyāṁ viśeṣeṇa dolārūḍhaṁ prapūjayet

There, first, in the bright fortnight of the beautiful month of Chaitra, especially on the eleventh day, one should worship the Lord seated upon the swing.

Verse 6 (padma.6.83.6)

कुर्याद्भक्त्या सदा देवि उत्सवं विधिपूर्वकम् । दोलारूढं प्रपश्यंति कृष्णं कलिमलापहम्

kuryādbhaktyā sadā devi utsavaṁ vidhipūrvakam dolārūḍhaṁ prapaśyaṁti kṛṣṇaṁ kalimalāpaham

One should always perform the festival with devotion, according to rule, O goddess. Those who behold Krishna, remover of the stains of the Kali age, seated on the swing —

Verse 7 (padma.6.83.7)

अपराधसहस्रैस्तु मुक्तास्ते नगनंदिनि । तावत्तिष्ठंति पापानि कोटिजन्मकृतान्यपि

aparādhasahasraistu muktāste naganaṁdini tāvattiṣṭhaṁti pāpāni koṭijanmakṛtānyapi

— are freed, O daughter of the mountain, from a thousand offenses. Sins committed even across a million births remain in force —

Verse 8 (padma.6.83.8)

यावन्नांदोलयेद्देवं विश्वेशं विश्वनायकम् । कलौ वै ये प्रपश्यंति दोलारूढं जनार्दनम्

yāvannāṁdolayeddevaṁ viśveśaṁ viśvanāyakam kalau vai ye prapaśyaṁti dolārūḍhaṁ janārdanam

— only until one does not swing the Lord of the universe, the Master of all. In the Kali age, those who behold Janardana seated on the swing —

Verse 9 (padma.6.83.9)

गोघ्नादिकाः प्रमुच्यंते का कथा इतरेष्वपि । दोलोत्सवे प्रहृष्टास्तु रुद्रेण सहिताः सुराः

goghnādikāḥ pramucyaṁte kā kathā itareṣvapi dolotsave prahṛṣṭāstu rudreṇa sahitāḥ surāḥ

— are freed even from sins such as cow-slaughter; what then to speak of lesser sins! At the swing-festival, the joyful gods, together with Rudra —

Verse 10 (padma.6.83.10)

कुर्वंति प्रांगणे नृत्यं गीतवाद्यं च हर्षिताः । ऋषयो गणगंधर्वा रंभाद्यप्सरसां गणाः

kurvaṁti prāṁgaṇe nṛtyaṁ gītavādyaṁ ca harṣitāḥ ṛṣayo gaṇagaṁdharvā raṁbhādyapsarasāṁ gaṇāḥ

— perform dance in the courtyard, and, delighted, sing and play music. Sages, ganas, gandharvas, and troops of apsarases headed by Rambha —

Verse 11 (padma.6.83.11)

वासुकिप्रमुखा नागास्तथा देवाः सुरेश्वराः । दोलायां च समायांति विष्णुदर्शनलालसाः

vāsukipramukhā nāgāstathā devāḥ sureśvarāḥ dolāyāṁ ca samāyāṁti viṣṇudarśanalālasāḥ

— the serpents headed by Vasuki, and the lords of the gods, all come to the swing, eager for the sight of Vishnu.

Verse 12 (padma.6.83.12)

दोलायात्रानिमित्तं तु दोलाह्ने मधुमाधवे । भूतानि संति भूपृष्ठे ये केचिद्देवयोनयः

dolāyātrānimittaṁ tu dolāhne madhumādhave bhūtāni saṁti bhūpṛṣṭhe ye keciddevayonayaḥ

For the sake of the swing-festival, on the swing-day in the month of Madhu-Madhava (Chaitra-Vaishakha), whatever beings of divine origin exist upon the earth —

Verse 13 (padma.6.83.13)

समायांति महादेवि कृष्णे दोलास्थिते ध्रुवम् । विष्णुं दोलास्थितं दृष्ट्वा त्रैलोक्यस्योत्सवो भवेत्

samāyāṁti mahādevi kṛṣṇe dolāsthite dhruvam viṣṇuṁ dolāsthitaṁ dṛṣṭvā trailokyasyotsavo bhavet

— all of them, O great goddess, surely come when Krishna is seated on the swing. Seeing Vishnu seated on the swing becomes a festival for the three worlds.

Verse 14 (padma.6.83.14)

तस्मात्कार्यशतं त्यक्त्वा दोलाह्ने उत्सवं कुरु । प्रह्लादस्तु समायाति विष्णुर्दोलाधिरोहणम्

tasmātkāryaśataṁ tyaktvā dolāhne utsavaṁ kuru prahlādastu samāyāti viṣṇurdolādhirohaṇam

Therefore, setting aside a hundred tasks, hold the festival on swing-day. Prahlada too comes there, remembering the boon-granting Vishnu mounting the swing.

Verse 15 (padma.6.83.15)

कुरुते च महादेवि वरदं तमनुस्मरन् । दोलास्थितस्य कृष्णस्य ये कुर्वंति प्रजागरम्

kurute ca mahādevi varadaṁ tamanusmaran dolāsthitasya kṛṣṇasya ye kurvaṁti prajāgaram

O great goddess, those who keep vigil for Krishna seated on the swing —

Verse 16 (padma.6.83.16)

सर्वपुण्यफलप्राप्तिर्निमेषैकेन जायते । दोलायां संस्थितं विष्णुं पश्यंति मधुमाधवे

sarvapuṇyaphalaprāptirnimeṣaikena jāyate dolāyāṁ saṁsthitaṁ viṣṇuṁ paśyaṁti madhumādhave

— attain the fruit of all merit in the space of a single blink. They behold Vishnu established on the swing in the month of Madhu-Madhava,

Verse 17 (padma.6.83.17)

क्रीडंति विष्णुना सार्द्धं देवदेवेन वंदिताः । दक्षिणाभिमुखं देवं दोलारूढं सुरेश्वरि

krīḍaṁti viṣṇunā sārddhaṁ devadevena vaṁditāḥ dakṣiṇābhimukhaṁ devaṁ dolārūḍhaṁ sureśvari

— they sport together with Vishnu, the God of gods, worshipped by all. O queen of the gods, that Lord, seated on the swing facing south —

Verse 18 (padma.6.83.18)

सकृद्दृष्ट्वा तु गोविंदं मुच्यते ब्रह्महत्यया । ॐ दोलारूढाय विद्महे माधवाय च धीमहि । तन्नो देवः प्रचोदयात्

sakṛddṛṣṭvā tu goviṁdaṁ mucyate brahmahatyayā oṁ dolārūḍhāya vidmahe mādhavāya ca dhīmahi tanno devaḥ pracodayāt

— merely by seeing Govinda once, one is freed even from the sin of killing a brahmin. Om, we meditate on him who is mounted on the swing, we contemplate Madhava,

Verse 19 (padma.6.83.19)

इदं गायत्र्या पूजनम् । माधवाय गोविंदाय श्रीकंठाय नमोनमः । पूजनं मंत्रपूर्वं च कर्तव्यं विधिपूर्वकम्

idaṁ gāyatryā pūjanam mādhavāya goviṁdāya śrīkaṁṭhāya namonamaḥ pūjanaṁ maṁtrapūrvaṁ ca kartavyaṁ vidhipūrvakam

'may that god inspire us' — this is the worship through the Gayatri mantra. 'Salutation again and again to Madhava, to Govinda, to Shrikantha' — worship should be duly performed with this mantra.

Verse 20 (padma.6.83.20)

गुरवे दक्षिणां दद्याद्यथाशक्त्या समाहितः । गायन्विष्णोः सदा भक्त्या परिपूर्णं ततो भवेत्

gurave dakṣiṇāṁ dadyādyathāśaktyā samāhitaḥ gāyanviṣṇoḥ sadā bhaktyā paripūrṇaṁ tato bhavet

One should give a fee to the guru according to one's ability, with concentration; ever singing of Vishnu with devotion, one thereby becomes fulfilled.

Verse 21 (padma.6.83.21)

किमन्यद्बहुनोक्तेन भूयो भूयो वरानने । दोलायां संस्थितो विष्णुः सर्वपापापहारकः

kimanyadbahunoktena bhūyo bhūyo varānane dolāyāṁ saṁsthito viṣṇuḥ sarvapāpāpahārakaḥ

O fair-faced one, what more need be said? I say it again and again — Vishnu, established on the swing, is the remover of all sin.

Verse 22 (padma.6.83.22)

पूजितो यैर्नरैः सम्यक्सदा सर्वं ददाति च । यत्र देवाः सगंधर्वाः किन्नरा ऋषयस्तथा

pūjito yairnaraiḥ samyaksadā sarvaṁ dadāti ca yatra devāḥ sagaṁdharvāḥ kinnarā ṛṣayastathā

Worshipped properly by men, he grants everything always. Where the gods together with the gandharvas, kinnaras, and sages —

Verse 23 (padma.6.83.23)

आयांति बहुधा तत्र दोलारूढे न संशयः

āyāṁti bahudhā tatra dolārūḍhe na saṁśayaḥ

— come in many forms there, when he is mounted on the swing, there is no doubt.

Verse 24 (padma.6.83.24)

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवायेति मंत्रेण पूजनं तत्र कारयेत् । षोडशोपचारैः पूजा च कर्तव्या विधिपूर्वकम् । धर्मार्थमुख्या ये कामास्ते सर्वे प्राप्नुयुर्ध्रुवम्

oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāyeti maṁtreṇa pūjanaṁ tatra kārayet ṣoḍaśopacāraiḥ pūjā ca kartavyā vidhipūrvakam dharmārthamukhyā ye kāmāste sarve prāpnuyurdhruvam

Worship should be performed there with the mantra 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya'; worship should be duly conducted with the sixteen ritual offerings. Whatever desires there are, chiefly dharma and artha, all of them are surely obtained.

Verse 25 (padma.6.83.25)

अंगन्यासं करन्यासं न्यासं शारीरकं च यत् । तत्सर्वं तु प्रकर्त्तव्यं मंत्रेणानेन सुव्रत

aṁganyāsaṁ karanyāsaṁ nyāsaṁ śārīrakaṁ ca yat tatsarvaṁ tu prakarttavyaṁ maṁtreṇānena suvrata

O excellent-vowed one, the placement on the limbs, on the hands, and whatever bodily placement there is — all of this should be performed with this very mantra.

Verse 26 (padma.6.83.26)

आगमोक्तेन मंत्रेण कर्त्तव्यो हि महोत्सवः । श्रीलक्ष्म्यासहितं देवं दोलायां च प्रकल्पयेत्

āgamoktena maṁtreṇa karttavyo hi mahotsavaḥ śrīlakṣmyāsahitaṁ devaṁ dolāyāṁ ca prakalpayet

The great festival should be conducted with the mantra prescribed in the scripture. The Lord, together with Shri Lakshmi, should be arranged upon the swing.

Verse 27 (padma.6.83.27)

देवाग्रे वैष्णवाः स्थाप्या नारदाद्याः सुरर्षयः । विष्वक्सेनादिका भक्ता स्थाप्यास्ते ह्यग्रतः सदा

devāgre vaiṣṇavāḥ sthāpyā nāradādyāḥ surarṣayaḥ viṣvaksenādikā bhaktā sthāpyāste hyagrataḥ sadā

Before the deity, Vaishnavas should be placed — Narada and the other divine sages; devotees headed by Vishvaksena should ever be placed in front of them.

Verse 28 (padma.6.83.28)

पंचवादित्रनिर्घोषैः कुर्यादारार्तिकं बुधः । यामे यामे तथा देवि पूजनीयः प्रयत्नतः

paṁcavāditranirghoṣaiḥ kuryādārārtikaṁ budhaḥ yāme yāme tathā devi pūjanīyaḥ prayatnataḥ

The wise one should perform the arati with the resounding of the five instruments. O goddess, in each watch of the day, worship should be diligently performed.

Verse 29 (padma.6.83.29)

नालिकेरैस्तथा शुभ्रैः कदलैर्वा तथा पुनः । अर्घं दद्यात्ततो देवि पूजनीयः प्रयत्नतः

nālikeraistathā śubhraiḥ kadalairvā tathā punaḥ arghaṁ dadyāttato devi pūjanīyaḥ prayatnataḥ

With bright coconuts, or again with plantains, O goddess, arghya should then be offered; worship should be diligently performed.

Verse 30 (padma.6.83.30)

देवदेव जगन्नाथ शंखचक्रगदाधर । अर्घं गृहाण मे देव कृपां कुरु ममोपरि

devadeva jagannātha śaṁkhacakragadādhara arghaṁ gṛhāṇa me deva kṛpāṁ kuru mamopari

'O God of gods, O Lord of the universe, bearer of the conch, discus, and mace! Accept my offering, O God, be gracious to me.'

Verse 31 (padma.6.83.31)

तच्छेषं वैष्णवानां तु दद्यात्प्राच्छादिकं पुनः । वादनं नर्त्तनं तत्र कर्त्तव्यं वैष्णवैर्नरैः

taccheṣaṁ vaiṣṇavānāṁ tu dadyātprācchādikaṁ punaḥ vādanaṁ narttanaṁ tatra karttavyaṁ vaiṣṇavairnaraiḥ

The remainder should then be given to the Vaishnavas, along with garments and the like. Music and dancing should be performed there by devout men.

Verse 32 (padma.6.83.32)

आंदोलनं ततः सर्वैः कर्त्तव्यं च विशेषतः । पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि क्षेत्राणि च सुरेश्वरि

āṁdolanaṁ tataḥ sarvaiḥ karttavyaṁ ca viśeṣataḥ pṛthivyāṁ yāni tīrthāni kṣetrāṇi ca sureśvari

Then the swinging should be performed by all in particular. O queen of the gods, whatever sacred fords and holy places exist upon the earth —

Verse 33 (padma.6.83.33)

सर्वान्येतानि वै तत्र द्रष्टुमायांति तद्दिने । एवं ज्ञात्वा सदा देवि कर्त्तव्यः सोत्सवो महान्

sarvānyetāni vai tatra draṣṭumāyāṁti taddine evaṁ jñātvā sadā devi karttavyaḥ sotsavo mahān

— all of them come there on that day to witness this. O goddess, knowing this, this great festival should ever be observed.

Verse 34 (padma.6.83.34)

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रा याश्चान्यजातयः । शंखचक्रगदाधारा ज्ञातव्या नगनंदिनि

brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ śūdrā yāścānyajātayaḥ śaṁkhacakragadādhārā jñātavyā naganaṁdini

Brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, shudras, and all other castes — O daughter of the mountain, all should be known as bearers of the conch, discus, and mace, as devotees together.