The Monthly Offerings to Hari and the Glory of the Ashvattha Tree

Verse 1 (padma.7.12.1)

व्यास उवाच- फाल्गुने ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठ श्रीकृष्णं सुरवंदितम् । पूजयेद्भक्तिभावेन प्रत्यहं वैष्णवो जनः

vyāsa uvāca- phālgune brāhmaṇaśreṣṭha śrīkṛṣṇaṁ suravaṁditam pūjayedbhaktibhāvena pratyahaṁ vaiṣṇavo janaḥ

Vyasa said: O best of brahmins, in the month of Phalguna the Vaishnava should worship, every day, with devout feeling, Sri Krishna, revered by the gods.

Verse 2 (padma.7.12.2)

फाल्गुने स्नापयेद्यस्तु सर्पिषा देवकीसुतम् । फलं तस्य प्रवक्ष्यामि यतः सम्यङिनशामय

phālgune snāpayedyastu sarpiṣā devakīsutam phalaṁ tasya pravakṣyāmi yataḥ samyaṅinaśāmaya

Whoever bathes the son of Devaki with clarified butter in Phalguna — his fruit I shall now declare, for it is well worth hearing.

Verse 3 (padma.7.12.3)

सर्वयज्ञफलं प्राप्य सर्वदानफलं तथा । अंते याति हरेः स्थानं सर्वपापविवर्जितः

sarvayajñaphalaṁ prāpya sarvadānaphalaṁ tathā aṁte yāti hareḥ sthānaṁ sarvapāpavivarjitaḥ

Attaining the fruit of every sacrifice and the fruit of every gift, at the end, freed of every sin, he goes to the abode of Hari.

Verse 4 (padma.7.12.4)

युगकोटिसहस्राणि भुक्त्त्वा भोगं हरेर्गृहे । तत्रैव मोक्षमाप्नोति संप्राप्य ज्ञानमुत्तमम्

yugakoṭisahasrāṇi bhukttvā bhogaṁ harergṛhe tatraiva mokṣamāpnoti saṁprāpya jñānamuttamam

Enjoying pleasures for thousands of millions of ages in Hari's own house, attaining supreme knowledge there, he attains liberation.

Verse 5 (padma.7.12.5)

यस्तु यच्छति कृष्णाय शिशिरे गोपमूर्तये । तिलानां मोदकं दिव्यं स गच्छेद्धरिमंदिरम्

yastu yacchati kṛṣṇāya śiśire gopamūrtaye tilānāṁ modakaṁ divyaṁ sa gaccheddharimaṁdiram

Whoever, in the winter season, offers to Krishna, in cowherd form, divine sesame sweets, he goes to the temple of Hari.

Verse 6 (padma.7.12.6)

यो दुग्धलड्डुकान्दद्यात्केशवाय महात्मने । स पिबेदमृतं स्वर्गे मन्वंतरशतावधि

yo dugdhalaḍḍukāndadyātkeśavāya mahātmane sa pibedamṛtaṁ svarge manvaṁtaraśatāvadhi

Whoever offers milk sweets to the great being Keshava, he drinks nectar in heaven for hundreds of manvantaras.

Verse 7 (padma.7.12.7)

हरये ललितं खंडं यस्तु यच्छति जैमिने । तस्य विष्णुः प्रसन्नात्मा छिनत्ति भवबंधनम्

haraye lalitaṁ khaṁḍaṁ yastu yacchati jaimine tasya viṣṇuḥ prasannātmā chinatti bhavabaṁdhanam

O Jaimini, whoever offers to Hari fine sugar-crystals, his bondage to the world the well-pleased Vishnu severs.

Verse 8 (padma.7.12.8)

विचित्रं फलितं दिव्यं दद्याद्भगवते द्विज । अंते शक्रपुरं गत्वा स भवेत्सुरवंदितः

vicitraṁ phalitaṁ divyaṁ dadyādbhagavate dvija aṁte śakrapuraṁ gatvā sa bhavetsuravaṁditaḥ

O brahmin, whoever offers to the Lord manifold divine fruits, he, at the end, going to Indra's city, becomes revered by the gods.

Verse 9 (padma.7.12.9)

निर्मलां शर्करां यच्छेद्यस्तु कृष्णाय भक्तिमान् । स किं न लभते विप्र वासुदेवप्रसादतः

nirmalāṁ śarkarāṁ yacchedyastu kṛṣṇāya bhaktimān sa kiṁ na labhate vipra vāsudevaprasādataḥ

Whatever devotee offers to Krishna pure sugar-crystals, O brahmin, what does he not attain by Vasudeva's grace?

Verse 10 (padma.7.12.10)

सुपक्वं फाल्गुने मासि मधुरं बदरीफलम् । यस्तु यच्छति कृष्णाय फलं तस्य निशामय

supakvaṁ phālgune māsi madhuraṁ badarīphalam yastu yacchati kṛṣṇāya phalaṁ tasya niśāmaya

Whoever, in the month of Phalguna, offers to Krishna a fully-ripened, sweet jujube fruit — hear his fruit.

Verse 11 (padma.7.12.11)

इह भुङ्क्ते सुखं सर्वं पुत्रपौत्रसमन्वितः । अंते हरेर्गृहं याति रथमारुह्य शोभनम्

iha bhuṅkte sukhaṁ sarvaṁ putrapautrasamanvitaḥ aṁte harergṛhaṁ yāti rathamāruhya śobhanam

He, here, enjoying every happiness together with sons and grandsons, at the end, mounting a splendid chariot, goes to the house of Hari.

Verse 12 (padma.7.12.12)

न दद्याद्गुडसंयुक्तं हरये बदरीफलम् । अज्ञानाद्ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठ दद्याच्चेन्नारकीभवेत्

na dadyādguḍasaṁyuktaṁ haraye badarīphalam ajñānādbrāhmaṇaśreṣṭha dadyāccennārakībhavet

O best of brahmins, jujube fruit mixed with jaggery should not be offered to Hari; if offered out of ignorance, he becomes a denizen of hell.

Verse 13 (padma.7.12.13)

फाल्गुने मासि यो दद्याद्धरये दाडिमीफलम् । सुपक्वं तत्फलं विप्र वदतो मे निशामय

phālgune māsi yo dadyāddharaye dāḍimīphalam supakvaṁ tatphalaṁ vipra vadato me niśāmaya

Whoever, in the month of Phalguna, offers to Hari a fully-ripened pomegranate — his fruit, O brahmin, hear from me.

Verse 14 (padma.7.12.14)

तत्र यावंति बीजानि तिष्ठंति दाडिमीफले । तावन्मन्वंतरं विष्णोर्गृहे तिष्ठति भाग्यवान्

tatra yāvaṁti bījāni tiṣṭhaṁti dāḍimīphale tāvanmanvaṁtaraṁ viṣṇorgṛhe tiṣṭhati bhāgyavān

For as many seeds as are in that pomegranate fruit, for that many manvantaras that fortunate person dwells in the house of Vishnu.

Verse 15 (padma.7.12.15)

फाल्गुने मासि यो दद्याद्धरये गुडपिष्टकम् । स विज्ञेयो द्विजश्रेष्ठ वाजिमेधसहस्रकृत्

phālgune māsi yo dadyāddharaye guḍapiṣṭakam sa vijñeyo dvijaśreṣṭha vājimedhasahasrakṛt

Whoever, in the month of Phalguna, offers to Hari cakes made with jaggery, O best of brahmins, he should be known as the doer of a thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices.

Verse 16 (padma.7.12.16)

चैत्रे मासि द्विजश्रेष्ठ मधुना मधुसूदनम् । स्नापयेल्लभते मर्त्यस्तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्

caitre māsi dvijaśreṣṭha madhunā madhusūdanam snāpayellabhate martyastadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam

O best of brahmins, whoever, in the month of Chaitra, bathes Madhusudana with honey, that mortal man attains the supreme abode of Vishnu.

Verse 17 (padma.7.12.17)

मधुना स्नापयेद्यस्तु नारायणमनामयम् । न चर्चा क्रियते तस्य कदाचिद्रविसूनुना

madhunā snāpayedyastu nārāyaṇamanāmayam na carcā kriyate tasya kadācidravisūnunā

Whoever bathes the disease-free Narayana with honey, his account is never taken up by the son of the Sun (Yama).

Verse 18 (padma.7.12.18)

चैत्रे किंशुकपुष्पेण योऽर्चयेत्कमलापतिम् । तन्नाम चित्रगुप्तेन पंजिकायां न लिख्यते

caitre kiṁśukapuṣpeṇa yo'rcayetkamalāpatim tannāma citraguptena paṁjikāyāṁ na likhyate

Whoever, in Chaitra, worships the beloved of Kamala with palasha flowers, his name is never entered by Chitragupta in his own ledger.

Verse 19 (padma.7.12.19)

चैत्रके जगतामीशं कृष्णं तिलकपुष्पकैः । पूजतो नास्ति वै जन्म पुनरस्मिन्महीतले

caitrake jagatāmīśaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ tilakapuṣpakaiḥ pūjato nāsti vai janma punarasminmahītale

Whoever, in Chaitra, worships the Lord of the universe, Krishna, with tilaka flowers, he is not born again upon this circle of the earth.

Verse 20 (padma.7.12.20)

कृष्णवंजुलपुष्पेण सर्वदेवशिरोमणिम् । पूजयन्मनुजो विप्र लभते नापदं क्वचित्

kṛṣṇavaṁjulapuṣpeṇa sarvadevaśiromaṇim pūjayanmanujo vipra labhate nāpadaṁ kvacit

O brahmin, whatever man worships that Lord, crest-jewel of all the gods, with dark vanjula flowers, no calamity ever befalls him.

Verse 21 (padma.7.12.21)

वासंतीभिः सुगंधीभिर्वसंते यस्तु पूजयेत् । भगवंतं प्रसन्नात्मा स देवैरपि पूज्यते

vāsaṁtībhiḥ sugaṁdhībhirvasaṁte yastu pūjayet bhagavaṁtaṁ prasannātmā sa devairapi pūjyate

Whoever, in springtime, worships the well-pleased Lord with fragrant vasanti flowers, he becomes worthy of worship even by the gods.

Verse 22 (padma.7.12.22)

तथा किसलयैर्दिव्यैरखण्डैर्योऽर्चयेद्धरिम् । तं वंदते समुत्थाय स्वयं पीठासनोपि च

tathā kisalayairdivyairakhaṇḍairyo'rcayeddharim taṁ vaṁdate samutthāya svayaṁ pīṭhāsanopi ca

In the same way, whoever worships Hari with unbroken, divine tender leaves, him even Hari, seated upon his own throne, rises to revere.

Verse 23 (padma.7.12.23)

धात्रीपत्रैर्नवैर्यस्तु कोमलैर्हरिमर्चयेत् । अचिरेणैव लभते सकलं वांछितं जनः

dhātrīpatrairnavairyastu komalairharimarcayet acireṇaiva labhate sakalaṁ vāṁchitaṁ janaḥ

Whoever worships Hari with new, tender amalaka leaves, that man swiftly attains every desire of his own.

Verse 24 (padma.7.12.24)

शांडिल्या खंडपत्रैश्च धत्तूरैश्चार्कपुष्पकैः । योऽर्चयेद्विष्णुमीशं च स संसाराब्धिपारगः

śāṁḍilyā khaṁḍapatraiśca dhattūraiścārkapuṣpakaiḥ yo'rcayedviṣṇumīśaṁ ca sa saṁsārābdhipāragaḥ

Whoever, with the leaves of shandilya, and with datura and arka flowers, worships the Lord Vishnu, he crosses to the far shore of the ocean of transmigration.

Verse 25 (padma.7.12.25)

यो दद्याद्विष्णवे विप्र कदलीफलमुत्तमम् । शक्राद्यास्त्रिदशाः सर्वे वंदंते तमहर्निशम्

yo dadyādviṣṇave vipra kadalīphalamuttamam śakrādyāstridaśāḥ sarve vaṁdaṁte tamaharniśam

O brahmin, whoever offers to Vishnu an excellent banana, all the gods, beginning with Indra, revere him day and night.

Verse 26 (padma.7.12.26)

यो दद्याच्चैत्रके मासि भक्त्या गोपालरूपिणे । गोधूमपिष्टकं विप्र सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

yo dadyāccaitrake māsi bhaktyā gopālarūpiṇe godhūmapiṣṭakaṁ vipra sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

O brahmin, whoever, in the month of Chaitra, offers with devotion to him in cowherd-form cakes of wheat flour, he becomes freed of every sin.

Verse 27 (padma.7.12.27)

आयाते माधवे मासि पवित्रे माधव प्रिये । आमिषं मैथुनं तैलं विष्णुभक्तः परित्यजेत्

āyāte mādhave māsi pavitre mādhava priye āmiṣaṁ maithunaṁ tailaṁ viṣṇubhaktaḥ parityajet

When the sacred month of Vaishakha, dear to Madhava, arrives, the devotee of Vishnu should give up meat, sexual union, and oil — all of these.

Verse 28 (padma.7.12.28)

प्राप्तः समाचरेत्स्नानं माधवे मासि वैष्णवः । परित्यजेत्परान्नं च न कुर्याच्च द्विभोजनम्

prāptaḥ samācaretsnānaṁ mādhave māsi vaiṣṇavaḥ parityajetparānnaṁ ca na kuryācca dvibhojanam

The Vaishnava, upon the coming of Vaishakha, should observe bathing, give up food given by others, and not eat twice in a day.

Verse 29 (padma.7.12.29)

प्रभाते पूजयेद्विष्णुंपू र्वोक्तविधिना द्विज । वैशाखे स्नापयेद्विष्णुं पुष्पवासितवारिणा

prabhāte pūjayedviṣṇuṁpū rvoktavidhinā dvija vaiśākhe snāpayedviṣṇuṁ puṣpavāsitavāriṇā

O brahmin, at dawn Vishnu should be worshipped by the rite already declared. In Vaishakha, Vishnu should be bathed with water scented with flowers.

Verse 30 (padma.7.12.30)

स्नापयेच्छीततोयेषु संध्यापर्यंतमच्युतम् । त्रिसंध्यं पूजयेद्भक्त्या नैवेद्यैर्विविधैः प्रभुम्

snāpayecchītatoyeṣu saṁdhyāparyaṁtamacyutam trisaṁdhyaṁ pūjayedbhaktyā naivedyairvividhaiḥ prabhum

With cool water Achyuta should be bathed until evening; at all three daily junctures the Lord should be worshipped with devotion, with manifold offerings of food.

Verse 31 (padma.7.12.31)

वैशाखे दमनस्रग्भिर्लक्ष्मीपतिरलंकृतः । न किं ददाति विप्रर्षे प्रसन्नः परमेश्वरः

vaiśākhe damanasragbhirlakṣmīpatiralaṁkṛtaḥ na kiṁ dadāti viprarṣe prasannaḥ parameśvaraḥ

In Vaishakha, adorned with garlands of damana leaf, the Lord of Lakshmi, O sage among brahmins, when pleased, what does he not give?

Verse 32 (padma.7.12.32)

वैशाखे मासि यो दद्याद्यवान्नं चक्रपाणये । तस्य पुण्यानि संख्यातुं कः समर्थोऽस्ति पंडितः

vaiśākhe māsi yo dadyādyavānnaṁ cakrapāṇaye tasya puṇyāni saṁkhyātuṁ kaḥ samartho'sti paṁḍitaḥ

Whoever, in the month of Vaishakha, offers to the discus-bearer food of barley, what scholar indeed is able to count his merit?

Verse 33 (padma.7.12.33)

यत्किंचिन्माधवे मासि माधवप्रीतिहेतवे । दीयते माधवायैव तत्सर्वमक्षयं भवेत्

yatkiṁcinmādhave māsi mādhavaprītihetave dīyate mādhavāyaiva tatsarvamakṣayaṁ bhavet

Whatever, in the month of Madhava, is offered for Madhava's pleasure, all of it, offered to Madhava, becomes imperishable.

Verse 34 (padma.7.12.34)

यदन्यत्सुकृतं कर्म क्रियते मासि माधवे । माधवप्रीतये विप्र क्षयस्तस्य न विद्यते

yadanyatsukṛtaṁ karma kriyate māsi mādhave mādhavaprītaye vipra kṣayastasya na vidyate

Whatever other meritorious deed too is performed in the month of Madhava for Madhava's pleasure, O brahmin, that never diminishes.

Verse 35 (padma.7.12.35)

वैशाखे मासि यः कुर्यात्प्रपां माधवतुष्टये । दिनेदिनेऽश्वमेधस्य फलमाप्नोति मानवः

vaiśākhe māsi yaḥ kuryātprapāṁ mādhavatuṣṭaye dinedine'śvamedhasya phalamāpnoti mānavaḥ

Whoever, in the month of Vaishakha, sets up a water-stall for Madhava's contentment, that man attains, every day, the fruit of an Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Verse 36 (padma.7.12.36)

वैशाखो दुर्ल्लभो मासः सर्वकर्मफलप्रदः । पूजितव्यो हरिस्तत्र हित्वा कर्मशतान्यपि

vaiśākho durllabho māsaḥ sarvakarmaphalapradaḥ pūjitavyo haristatra hitvā karmaśatānyapi

Vaishakha is a most rare month, giver of the fruit of every deed; in it, setting aside even hundreds of other tasks, Hari alone should be worshipped.

Verse 37 (padma.7.12.37)

एकाहमपि यः पूजां वैशाखे कुरुते हरेः । षड्वर्षं हरिं पूजित्वा यत्फलं लभते स तत्

ekāhamapi yaḥ pūjāṁ vaiśākhe kurute hareḥ ṣaḍvarṣaṁ hariṁ pūjitvā yatphalaṁ labhate sa tat

Whoever worships Hari even for a single day in Vaishakha, the fruit gained from worshipping Hari for six years, that same fruit he attains.

Verse 38 (padma.7.12.38)

वैशाखे मासि यो नित्यं विष्णुमश्वत्थरूपिणम् । चतुर्वर्गफलप्राप्तिहेतवे वैष्णवो जनः

vaiśākhe māsi yo nityaṁ viṣṇumaśvattharūpiṇam caturvargaphalaprāptihetave vaiṣṇavo janaḥ

In the month of Vaishakha, whatever Vaishavana person, regarding Vishnu daily in the very form of the ashvattha (pipal tree), for the attainment of the four goals of life,

Verse 39 (padma.7.12.39)

गण्डूषमात्रतो येन कुर्याद्योऽश्वत्थसेवनम् । सोऽपि याति परं स्थानं विमुक्तः कोटिपातकैः

gaṇḍūṣamātrato yena kuryādyo'śvatthasevanam so'pi yāti paraṁ sthānaṁ vimuktaḥ koṭipātakaiḥ

even with a single mouthful of water tends to the ashvattha, he too, freed of tens of millions of sins, goes to the supreme place.

Verse 40 (padma.7.12.40)

अश्वत्थमूलं विप्रर्षे यो बध्नाति शिलादिभिः । अश्वत्थरूपी भगवान्किं किं तस्मै न यच्छति

aśvatthamūlaṁ viprarṣe yo badhnāti śilādibhiḥ aśvattharūpī bhagavānkiṁ kiṁ tasmai na yacchati

O sage among brahmins, whoever binds the ashvattha's root with stones and the like, what indeed does the Lord, in the very form of the ashvattha, not give him?

Verse 41 (padma.7.12.41)

अश्वत्थद्रुममालोक्य प्रणामं कुरुते यदि । सोऽपि याति परं स्थानमायुर्वृद्धिर्न संशयः

aśvatthadrumamālokya praṇāmaṁ kurute yadi so'pi yāti paraṁ sthānamāyurvṛddhirna saṁśayaḥ

If someone, seeing the ashvattha tree, bows to it, he too goes to the supreme place, and his life is lengthened — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 42 (padma.7.12.42)

यदश्वत्थतले विप्र धर्मकर्म करोति यः । न्यूनातिरिक्तता न स्यात्तस्मिन्कर्मणि जैमिने

yadaśvatthatale vipra dharmakarma karoti yaḥ nyūnātiriktatā na syāttasminkarmaṇi jaimine

O brahmin, whoever performs any deed of dharma beneath the ashvattha, O Jaimini, in that deed there is neither deficiency nor excess.

Verse 43 (padma.7.12.43)

तत्र तीर्थानि सर्वाणि त्रिस्त्रोतादीनि जैमिने । यत्राश्वत्थतरुस्तिष्ठेदेकोपि शाखिनां वरः

tatra tīrthāni sarvāṇi tristrotādīni jaimine yatrāśvatthatarustiṣṭhedekopi śākhināṁ varaḥ

O Jaimini, wherever a single ashvattha tree, that finest of trees, stands, there dwell all the sacred fords — the triple-streamed Ganga and every other.

Verse 44 (padma.7.12.44)

अश्वत्थं पूजयेद्यस्तु स एव विष्णुपूजकः । अश्वत्थमूर्तिर्भगवान्स्वयमेव यतो द्विज

aśvatthaṁ pūjayedyastu sa eva viṣṇupūjakaḥ aśvatthamūrtirbhagavānsvayameva yato dvija

Whoever worships the ashvattha, he alone is truly a worshipper of Vishnu, for, O brahmin, the Lord himself is the very form of the ashvattha.

Verse 45 (padma.7.12.45)

अवज्ञानाद्द्विजश्रेष्ठ योऽश्वत्थं हंति मूढधीः । संसारे नास्ति तत्कर्म यत्कृत्वा स च शुद्ध्यति

avajñānāddvijaśreṣṭha yo'śvatthaṁ haṁti mūḍhadhīḥ saṁsāre nāsti tatkarma yatkṛtvā sa ca śuddhyati

O best of brahmins, whatever foolish person, in disrespect, destroys the ashvattha, there is no deed in this world by which he might become purified.

Verse 46 (padma.7.12.46)

अश्वत्थो वृक्षराजोऽयं हरिमूर्तिः प्रकीर्तितः । तस्मादश्वत्थहंतॄणां त्राता कोऽपि न विद्यते

aśvattho vṛkṣarājo'yaṁ harimūrtiḥ prakīrtitaḥ tasmādaśvatthahaṁtṝṇāṁ trātā ko'pi na vidyate

This ashvattha is the very king of trees, declared to be Hari's own form; therefore, for the destroyers of the ashvattha, there is no protector at all.

Verse 47 (padma.7.12.47)

अश्वत्थं पश्यतो विप्र स्पृशतः परतस्तथा । देहस्थं पातकं सर्वं हरेत्प्रणमतो हरिः

aśvatthaṁ paśyato vipra spṛśataḥ paratastathā dehasthaṁ pātakaṁ sarvaṁ haretpraṇamato hariḥ

O brahmin, of whoever beholds the ashvattha, touches it, and bows to it, Hari takes away every sin dwelling in his body.

Verse 48 (padma.7.12.48)

विलोक्याश्वत्थहंतारं यः शक्तो न निवारयेत्। तन्नेत्रयुग्मं बडिशैर्यमेनोत्पाट्यते स्वयम्

vilokyāśvatthahaṁtāraṁ yaḥ śakto na nivārayet tannetrayugmaṁ baḍiśairyamenotpāṭyate svayam

Whoever, seeing the destroyer of the ashvattha, being able to stop him, does not do so, Yama himself tears out both his eyes with a fish-hook.

Verse 49 (padma.7.12.49)

अश्वत्थच्छेदनं मूढो मा कुर्विति वदेन्न यः । तस्य जिह्वां छुरिकया स्वयं कृंतति प्रेतराट्

aśvatthacchedanaṁ mūḍho mā kurviti vadenna yaḥ tasya jihvāṁ churikayā svayaṁ kṛṁtati pretarāṭ

Whatever person does not tell a fool, "do not cut the ashvattha," his tongue Yama himself severs with a blade.

Verse 50 (padma.7.12.50)

अश्वत्थशाखामेकां यः स्वल्पामपि निहंति वै । स कोटिब्रह्महत्यानां फलमाप्नोति मानवः

aśvatthaśākhāmekāṁ yaḥ svalpāmapi nihaṁti vai sa koṭibrahmahatyānāṁ phalamāpnoti mānavaḥ

Whoever destroys even a single small branch of the ashvattha, that man attains the fruit of tens of millions of killings of a brahmin.

Verse 51 (padma.7.12.51)

यत्पापं ब्रह्महत्यायां गुरुस्त्रीगमनेन च । सुरापाने तथास्तेये न्यासापहरणेऽपि च

yatpāpaṁ brahmahatyāyāṁ gurustrīgamanena ca surāpāne tathāsteye nyāsāpaharaṇe'pi ca

Whatever sin lies in the killing of a brahmin, in going unto a teacher's wife, in drinking liquor, in theft, in embezzling something entrusted —

Verse 52 (padma.7.12.52)

यत्पापं भ्रूणहत्यायां गोहत्यायां द्विजोत्तम । स्त्रीहत्यायां च यत्पापं परस्त्रीगमने तथा

yatpāpaṁ bhrūṇahatyāyāṁ gohatyāyāṁ dvijottama strīhatyāyāṁ ca yatpāpaṁ parastrīgamane tathā

whatever sin lies in the killing of an unborn child, in the killing of a cow, O best of the twice-born, in the killing of a woman, and in going unto another man's wife —

Verse 53 (padma.7.12.53)

शरणागत हत्यायां हत्यायां सुहृदस्तथा । विश्वासवाक्याकथने पतिहिंसाविधौ च यत्

śaraṇāgata hatyāyāṁ hatyāyāṁ suhṛdastathā viśvāsavākyākathane patihiṁsāvidhau ca yat

whatever sin lies in the killing of one who has taken refuge, in the killing of a friend, in breaking a trusted word, and in violence toward one's husband —

Verse 54 (padma.7.12.54)

यत्पापं परनिंदायां हरिवासरभोजने । अश्वत्थच्छेदनाद्धोरं तत्पापं प्राप्यते जनैः

yatpāpaṁ paraniṁdāyāṁ harivāsarabhojane aśvatthacchedanāddhoraṁ tatpāpaṁ prāpyate janaiḥ

whatever sin lies in slandering others, in eating on the day of Hari (Ekadashi) — a sin more terrible than all of these comes to men from cutting the ashvattha.

Verse 55 (padma.7.12.55)

विष्णुमूर्त्तेर्जनो मोहादश्वत्थस्य निहंति यः । तत्तुल्यः पातकी कोऽपि न श्रुतः क्षितिमंडले

viṣṇumūrtterjano mohādaśvatthasya nihaṁti yaḥ tattulyaḥ pātakī ko'pi na śrutaḥ kṣitimaṁḍale

Whatever person, out of delusion, destroys the ashvattha, Vishnu's very image, upon this circle of the earth no sinner equal to him has ever been heard of.

Verse 56 (padma.7.12.56)

वदाम्यश्वत्थमाहात्म्यं सर्वपापविनाशनम् । सेतिहासं द्विजश्रेष्ठ शृणु वत्स समाहितः

vadāmyaśvatthamāhātmyaṁ sarvapāpavināśanam setihāsaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha śṛṇu vatsa samāhitaḥ

I shall declare the glory of the ashvattha, destroyer of every sin, together with a story. O best of brahmins, O child, listen with attention.

Verse 57 (padma.7.12.57)

पूर्वं धनंजयो नाम ब्राह्मणो हरिभक्तिकृत् । आसीत्त्रेतायुगे विप्र सर्वप्राणिहिते रतः

pūrvaṁ dhanaṁjayo nāma brāhmaṇo haribhaktikṛt āsīttretāyuge vipra sarvaprāṇihite rataḥ

Long ago, in the Treta age, there was a brahmin named Dhananjaya, a devotee of Hari, O brahmin, devoted to the good of every living being.

Verse 58 (padma.7.12.58)

ज्ञातिपूजारतो नित्यं दीपदाने रतः सदा । सत्यवादी जितक्रोधो हिंसादंभविवर्जितः

jñātipūjārato nityaṁ dīpadāne rataḥ sadā satyavādī jitakrodho hiṁsādaṁbhavivarjitaḥ

He was ever devoted to caring for his own kin, ever given to the offering of lamps, truthful, one who had conquered anger, free of violence and hypocrisy.

Verse 59 (padma.7.12.59)

मुमुक्षुः स द्विजश्रेष्ठ सर्वदा परमेश्वरम् । पूजयामास परया भक्त्या नारायणं प्रभुम्

mumukṣuḥ sa dvijaśreṣṭha sarvadā parameśvaram pūjayāmāsa parayā bhaktyā nārāyaṇaṁ prabhum

O best of brahmins, that man, desiring liberation, ever worshipped the supreme Lord, the god Narayana, with the highest devotion.

Verse 60 (padma.7.12.60)

तस्य भक्तिं ततो ज्ञात्वा महतीं सुदृढां प्रभुः । जहार सकलं वित्तं हेतुमात्रेण केनचित्

tasya bhaktiṁ tato jñātvā mahatīṁ sudṛḍhāṁ prabhuḥ jahāra sakalaṁ vittaṁ hetumātreṇa kenacit

Knowing his great and most firm devotion, the Lord, under one pretext or another, took away all his wealth.

Verse 61 (padma.7.12.61)

तथापि स द्विजश्रेष्ठः केशवस्य महात्मनः । पूजामनुदिने चक्रे भक्त्या परमया सुधीः

tathāpi sa dvijaśreṣṭhaḥ keśavasya mahātmanaḥ pūjāmanudine cakre bhaktyā paramayā sudhīḥ

Yet that excellent brahmin, wise as he was, continued daily to worship the great being Keshava with the highest devotion.

Verse 62 (padma.7.12.62)

दुःखेनोपार्जितं वित्तं विनष्टं सकलं द्विज । दृष्ट्वापि तेन विप्रेण दुःखेनाचिंत्यचेतसा

duḥkhenopārjitaṁ vittaṁ vinaṣṭaṁ sakalaṁ dvija dṛṣṭvāpi tena vipreṇa duḥkhenāciṁtyacetasā

O brahmin, even seeing all the wealth he had earned with hardship destroyed, that brahmin, his heart beyond imagining in its sorrow,

Verse 63 (padma.7.12.63)

भक्षणे वर्जनं चक्रे स विप्रः परमार्थवित् । महाविष्णुसपर्यायां दृढं बद्ध्वा मनो निजम्

bhakṣaṇe varjanaṁ cakre sa vipraḥ paramārthavit mahāviṣṇusaparyāyāṁ dṛḍhaṁ baddhvā mano nijam

restrained himself in eating, that brahmin knower of the supreme truth, firmly binding his mind to the worship of Maha-Vishnu.

Verse 64 (padma.7.12.64)

भूयोऽपि तस्य विप्रस्य भक्तिं ज्ञात्वा जनार्दनः । चकार बंधुविच्छेदं सुदृढः शमदस्ततः

bhūyo'pi tasya viprasya bhaktiṁ jñātvā janārdanaḥ cakāra baṁdhuvicchedaṁ sudṛḍhaḥ śamadastataḥ

Yet, knowing that brahmin's devotion, Janardana, the just controller of all, brought about his separation from his own kin as well.

Verse 65 (padma.7.12.65)

बांधवास्तस्य विप्रस्य विष्णुमायाविमोहिताः । हिंसामारेभिरे कर्तुं सर्वदैव द्विजोत्तम

bāṁdhavāstasya viprasya viṣṇumāyāvimohitāḥ hiṁsāmārebhire kartuṁ sarvadaiva dvijottama

O best of the twice-born, that brahmin's own kinsfolk, bewildered by Vishnu's own maya, ever began to attempt violence against him.

Verse 66 (padma.7.12.66)

ततो विप्रो हि निर्वृत्तो निर्बंधैः पुरुषोत्तमम् । पूजयामास सततं प्रीतः प्रचुरभक्तितः

tato vipro hi nirvṛtto nirbaṁdhaiḥ puruṣottamam pūjayāmāsa satataṁ prītaḥ pracurabhaktitaḥ

Then that brahmin, freed of those attachments, delighted, with abundant devotion, continued ceaselessly to worship the supreme Being.

Verse 67 (padma.7.12.67)

परिकल्प्य च भूदेवो धनं केशवपूजने । माधवं च जगन्नाथं सबंधुशुचमत्यजत्

parikalpya ca bhūdevo dhanaṁ keśavapūjane mādhavaṁ ca jagannāthaṁ sabaṁdhuśucamatyajat

That priestly one used his wealth solely for the worship of Keshava, and for the sake of Madhava, Lord of the universe, abandoned even his grief over his kin.

Verse 68 (padma.7.12.68)

भूय एव महाविष्णुः कौतुकी तस्य जैमिने । जहार सानुकंपोऽपि पुत्रानपि दिने दिने

bhūya eva mahāviṣṇuḥ kautukī tasya jaimine jahāra sānukaṁpo'pi putrānapi dine dine

O Jaimini, then again, that playful Maha-Vishnu, though still holding compassion, began, day by day, to take away his sons too.

Verse 69 (padma.7.12.69)

तथापि स द्विजश्रेष्ठः केशवं क्लेशनाशनम् । पूर्वद्विगुणया भक्त्या नित्यं विष्णुमपूजयत्

tathāpi sa dvijaśreṣṭhaḥ keśavaṁ kleśanāśanam pūrvadviguṇayā bhaktyā nityaṁ viṣṇumapūjayat

Yet that excellent brahmin, with a devotion doubled from before, continued daily to worship Keshava, destroyer of affliction, and Vishnu.

Verse 70 (padma.7.12.70)

तस्य पत्नी ततो विप्र दुःखशोकातिदुःखिता । पितृगेहं गता विष्णोर्मायया परिमोहिता

tasya patnī tato vipra duḥkhaśokātiduḥkhitā pitṛgehaṁ gatā viṣṇormāyayā parimohitā

His wife too, O brahmin, exceedingly afflicted by sorrow and grief, bewildered by Vishnu's own maya, went off to her own parental home.

Verse 71 (padma.7.12.71)

अथैकाकी स भूदेवो विष्णुभक्तिपरायणः । विपदं चिंतयामास न कदापि सुचेतसा

athaikākī sa bhūdevo viṣṇubhaktiparāyaṇaḥ vipadaṁ ciṁtayāmāsa na kadāpi sucetasā

Then that brahmin, alone, devoted to Vishnu, never once entertained a sorrowful thought about his own calamity.

Verse 72 (padma.7.12.72)

एकदा स द्विजश्रेष्ठ विष्णुभक्तिमतां वरः । स्कंधे परशुमादाय काष्ठार्थं विपिने ययौ

ekadā sa dvijaśreṣṭha viṣṇubhaktimatāṁ varaḥ skaṁdhe paraśumādāya kāṣṭhārthaṁ vipine yayau

Once, O best of brahmins, that finest of Vishnu-devotees, taking an axe upon his shoulder, went to the forest for wood.

Verse 73 (padma.7.12.73)

वनात्काष्ठं समादाय नित्यमेव च स द्विजः । हिमागमे वस्त्रहीनः कुरुते शीतवारणम्

vanātkāṣṭhaṁ samādāya nityameva ca sa dvijaḥ himāgame vastrahīnaḥ kurute śītavāraṇam

Bringing wood from the forest, that brahmin, though clad in no garment even in the winter season, would ward off the cold with it every day.

Verse 74 (padma.7.12.74)

कदाचिद्विपिनं गंतुं नाशक्नोद्द्विजसत्तमः । जघान प्रांगणस्थस्य शाखामश्वत्थशाखिनः

kadācidvipinaṁ gaṁtuṁ nāśaknoddvijasattamaḥ jaghāna prāṁgaṇasthasya śākhāmaśvatthaśākhinaḥ

Once that excellent brahmin was unable to go to the forest; he cut a branch of the ashvattha tree standing in his own courtyard.

Verse 75 (padma.7.12.75)

अत्रांतरे महाविष्णुस्तस्मादश्वत्थ पादपात् । निश्चक्राम सुरश्रेष्ठो व्यथाव्यथितमानसः

atrāṁtare mahāviṣṇustasmādaśvattha pādapāt niścakrāma suraśreṣṭho vyathāvyathitamānasaḥ

Just then, from that ashvattha tree, Maha-Vishnu himself, his mind stricken with pain, came forth.

Verse 76 (padma.7.12.76)

ददर्श विष्णुं पुरतः स विप्रश्चतुर्भुजं पद्मदलायताक्षम् । पीतांबरं कुडलिनं सुकेशं दधानमब्जादि निजायुधानि

dadarśa viṣṇuṁ purataḥ sa vipraścaturbhujaṁ padmadalāyatākṣam pītāṁbaraṁ kuḍalinaṁ sukeśaṁ dadhānamabjādi nijāyudhāni

That brahmin saw before him Vishnu, four-armed, eyes as broad as lotus petals, clad in yellow, wearing earrings, of lovely hair, bearing the lotus and his other weapons.

Verse 77 (padma.7.12.77)

परिस्रवद्विस्तररक्तधारा संध्यासु शोणीकृतनव्यमेघम् । विभावसुं चैव सुखं परेशं संदृश्यते देवगणैरदृश्यम् । हर्षाश्रुधारा रुचिराक्षियुग्मस्तुष्टाव विप्रो मृदुलैर्वचोभिः

parisravadvistararaktadhārā saṁdhyāsu śoṇīkṛtanavyamegham vibhāvasuṁ caiva sukhaṁ pareśaṁ saṁdṛśyate devagaṇairadṛśyam harṣāśrudhārā rucirākṣiyugmastuṣṭāva vipro mṛdulairvacobhiḥ

Seeing him with a wide stream of blood flowing over him, radiant like a fresh cloud reddened at twilight, blissful, that supreme Lord — invisible even to the hosts of gods — that brahmin, his lovely eyes streaming with tears of joy, began to praise him with gentle words.

Verse 78 (padma.7.12.78)

ब्राह्मण उवाच- हरे मुरारे जगदेकनाथ गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति । लक्ष्मीपते केशवकेशिशत्रो नारायणानंत विभो प्रसीद

brāhmaṇa uvāca- hare murāre jagadekanātha goviṁda dāmodara mādhaveti lakṣmīpate keśavakeśiśatro nārāyaṇānaṁta vibho prasīda

The brahmin said: O Hari, O Murari, O sole lord of the universe, O Govinda, O Damodara, O Madhava, O husband of Lakshmi, O Keshava, O foe of Keshi, O Narayana, O infinite one, O mighty one, be gracious.

Verse 79 (padma.7.12.79)

तवावतारं किमहं ब्रवीमि त्वया विना नास्ति भुवीह कोऽपि । किं वा गुणव्याप्तसमस्तलोकं किं वा दयां मित्रपरैकतुल्याम्

tavāvatāraṁ kimahaṁ bravīmi tvayā vinā nāsti bhuvīha ko'pi kiṁ vā guṇavyāptasamastalokaṁ kiṁ vā dayāṁ mitraparaikatulyām

What shall I say of your incarnation? Without you there is none at all upon this earth. What shall I speak of — your virtues, which pervade every world, or your compassion, matchless even as a friend's?

Verse 80 (padma.7.12.80)

दत्वा स्वीयां कस्यचिदीश विष्णो भक्तिं हरस्य च्युतदेहसंस्थाम् । श्रियं समादाय मुदं प्रदास्ये भक्तिः प्रदत्तामहतः सुधन्या

datvā svīyāṁ kasyacidīśa viṣṇo bhaktiṁ harasya cyutadehasaṁsthām śriyaṁ samādāya mudaṁ pradāsye bhaktiḥ pradattāmahataḥ sudhanyā

O Vishnu, you have given your own devotion to some, and given Shiva a place in your own body — O Lord, having attained prosperity I shall grant delight; most blessed indeed is one to whom devotion has been given.

Verse 81 (padma.7.12.81)

मन्ये महात्मानमनंतमूर्त्ते पापात्मनां श्रेष्ठमिवानिशं यत् । तदर्थमेवांघ्रियुगं त्वदीयं न पातकी पश्यति दैवचिंत्यम्

manye mahātmānamanaṁtamūrtte pāpātmanāṁ śreṣṭhamivāniśaṁ yat tadarthamevāṁghriyugaṁ tvadīyaṁ na pātakī paśyati daivaciṁtyam

O great being of infinite form, I hold that you ever regard even the foremost of sinners as your own; for this very reason the sinner never beholds your feet, unfathomable even to the gods.

Verse 82 (padma.7.12.82)

यद्यप्यहं दुःखवतां वरिष्ठो मन्ये तथापीन्द्रमिवाद्य विष्णो । आत्मानमात्मा जगतां भवंतं साक्षात्समीक्षेयत ईक्षणाभ्याम्

yadyapyahaṁ duḥkhavatāṁ variṣṭho manye tathāpīndramivādya viṣṇo ātmānamātmā jagatāṁ bhavaṁtaṁ sākṣātsamīkṣeyata īkṣaṇābhyām

Though I count myself foremost among the sorrowful, yet, O Vishnu, today, like Indra himself, I behold with my own eyes you, the very soul of the universe, in person.

Verse 83 (padma.7.12.83)

पूजां तवाल्पामपि वेद्मि नाहं द्रव्यं कदापि न ददामि तुभ्यम् । तथापि चाग्रे मम मूर्तिमांस्त्वं दृष्टोसि मे केशव एक पूज्यः

pūjāṁ tavālpāmapi vedmi nāhaṁ dravyaṁ kadāpi na dadāmi tubhyam tathāpi cāgre mama mūrtimāṁstvaṁ dṛṣṭosi me keśava eka pūjyaḥ

I know not even a little of your worship, and never offer you any object — yet, O Keshava, you yourself have appeared bodily before me, my sole object of worship.

Verse 84 (padma.7.12.84)

दत्तस्त्वयायं ममभक्ति वृक्षो धमार्थकामत्रय एव सोऽयम् । त्वद्दर्शनांभो मयवृष्टिसिक्तः प्रभोऽद्यकैवल्यफलं दधार

dattastvayāyaṁ mamabhakti vṛkṣo dhamārthakāmatraya eva so'yam tvaddarśanāṁbho mayavṛṣṭisiktaḥ prabho'dyakaivalyaphalaṁ dadhāra

You have given me this tree of devotion, which grants these three — dharma, wealth, and desire; today, O Lord, watered by the rain of your very sight, it has come to bear the fruit of liberation itself.

Verse 85 (padma.7.12.85)

मूर्धा मदीयोऽखिललोकमूर्ध्नां श्रेष्ठो भवेत्केशवविश्वमूर्तेः । त्वत्पादपाथोजयुगेमनो मे संयाति वै संप्रतिदेवदेव

mūrdhā madīyo'khilalokamūrdhnāṁ śreṣṭho bhavetkeśavaviśvamūrteḥ tvatpādapāthojayugemano me saṁyāti vai saṁpratidevadeva

May this head of mine become foremost among the heads of all the worlds, O Keshava, O form of the universe — for, O God of gods, my mind is now going toward your two lotus feet alone.

Verse 86 (padma.7.12.86)

व्यासउवाच- इत्थं स्तुत्वा जगन्नाथं नारायणमनामयम् । कृतांजलिपुनःप्राह भक्त्या तमिति स द्विजः

vyāsauvāca- itthaṁ stutvā jagannāthaṁ nārāyaṇamanāmayam kṛtāṁjalipunaḥprāha bhaktyā tamiti sa dvijaḥ

Vyasa said: having thus praised the disease-free Lord of the universe, Narayana, that brahmin, joining his palms, then spoke again with devotion.

Verse 87 (padma.7.12.87)

ब्राह्मण उवाच- देवदेव जगन्नाथ लोकानुग्रहकारक । कशाप्रहरणैरेतद्गात्रं ते रुधिरोक्षितम्

brāhmaṇa uvāca- devadeva jagannātha lokānugrahakāraka kaśāpraharaṇairetadgātraṁ te rudhirokṣitam

The brahmin said: O God of gods, O Lord of the universe, O one who bestows grace upon all the worlds, why is this body of yours smeared with blood, as though from the lash of whips?

Verse 88 (padma.7.12.88)

सर्वेषामेव दैत्यानां युधि वंशास्त्वया हताः । त्वां हंतुं कः क्षमः पृथ्व्यां प्रभोऽद्भुतमिदं महत्

sarveṣāmeva daityānāṁ yudhi vaṁśāstvayā hatāḥ tvāṁ haṁtuṁ kaḥ kṣamaḥ pṛthvyāṁ prabho'dbhutamidaṁ mahat

You have slain in battle the entire lines of every demon; who upon this earth is able to strike you, O Lord? This is a most wondrous and great thing.

Verse 89 (padma.7.12.89)

भगवानुवाच- वत्स सत्यमिदं प्रोक्तं त्वया नास्त्यत्र संशयः । दानवो राक्षसो वापि मां हंतुं कोऽपि न क्षमः

bhagavānuvāca- vatsa satyamidaṁ proktaṁ tvayā nāstyatra saṁśayaḥ dānavo rākṣaso vāpi māṁ haṁtuṁ ko'pi na kṣamaḥ

The Lord said: O child, what you have said is true, there is no doubt in this; neither a Danava nor a Rakshasa is able to strike me.

Verse 90 (padma.7.12.90)

अश्वत्थमूतिरेवाहं कुठारेण हतस्त्वया । अतोऽजनि शरीरे मे रक्तपातोऽधुना द्विज

aśvatthamūtirevāhaṁ kuṭhāreṇa hatastvayā ato'jani śarīre me raktapāto'dhunā dvija

I myself am the very form of the ashvattha, which you have struck with your axe; and this, O brahmin, is why blood has now flowed from my body.

Verse 91 (padma.7.12.91)

व्यास उवाच- तस्यवाक्यमिदं श्रुत्वा स विप्रो भयविह्वलः । निनिंद स्वयमात्मानमात्मना बहुधा द्विजः

vyāsa uvāca- tasyavākyamidaṁ śrutvā sa vipro bhayavihvalaḥ niniṁda svayamātmānamātmanā bahudhā dvijaḥ

Vyasa said: hearing his words, that brahmin, overcome with fear, began to revile himself, again and again, on his own.

Verse 92 (padma.7.12.92)

धिगस्तु तत्वतो भाग्यं सर्वपातकिनां वरम् । त्रैलोक्याधिपतेर्दाता हृदये महतीं व्यथाम्

dhigastu tatvato bhāgyaṁ sarvapātakināṁ varam trailokyādhipaterdātā hṛdaye mahatīṁ vyathām

Shame indeed upon my own fate, foremost even among sinners! The Lord of the three worlds, the very giver, has suffered great anguish in his own heart,

Verse 93 (padma.7.12.93)

सर्वपापहरो विष्णुः समया व्याधितः कृतः । एतत्पापं मया पारं कर्तुं नैकेन शक्यते

sarvapāpaharo viṣṇuḥ samayā vyādhitaḥ kṛtaḥ etatpāpaṁ mayā pāraṁ kartuṁ naikena śakyate

I have made sick the very Vishnu who removes every sin; alone I am not able to overcome this sin.

Verse 94 (padma.7.12.94)

यस्मिंस्तुष्टे पापिनोऽपि भवंति सुरवंदिताः । मद्दत्तया स व्यथया व्यथितो हा हतोऽस्म्यहम्

yasmiṁstuṣṭe pāpino'pi bhavaṁti suravaṁditāḥ maddattayā sa vyathayā vyathito hā hato'smyaham

Him, whose pleasure makes even sinners revered by the gods, I, by the very pain I have given him, have caused to suffer — alas, I am undone.

Verse 95 (padma.7.12.95)

प्रसादयंति यं देवा ब्रह्माद्या अतिभक्तितः । अहो मया पापवता तस्य दत्ता हृदि व्यथा

prasādayaṁti yaṁ devā brahmādyā atibhaktitaḥ aho mayā pāpavatā tasya dattā hṛdi vyathā

Him whom Brahma and the gods try, with the utmost devotion, to please, ah, that very one, wretch that I am, I have given the very anguish of my own heart.

Verse 96 (padma.7.12.96)

किं तपोभिर्जपैः किं वा किं गृहैर्जीवनैश्च मे । धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां दातैकोऽयं व्यथातुरः

kiṁ tapobhirjapaiḥ kiṁ vā kiṁ gṛhairjīvanaiśca me dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṁ dātaiko'yaṁ vyathāturaḥ

What use to me is austerity, what use chanting, what use house and life itself, if I have brought suffering to the sole giver of dharma, artha, kama, and moksha?

Verse 97 (padma.7.12.97)

इत्युक्त्वा स द्विजश्रेष्ठ तमेव परशुं निजे । दातुं कंठे मनश्चक्रे विष्णुप्रीणनहेतवे

ityuktvā sa dvijaśreṣṭha tameva paraśuṁ nije dātuṁ kaṁṭhe manaścakre viṣṇuprīṇanahetave

O best of brahmins, having said this, that brahmin resolved, for Vishnu's own pleasure, to strike that very axe upon his own throat.

Verse 98 (padma.7.12.98)

तस्यभक्तिं दृढां ज्ञात्वा दयालुः कमलापतिः । तद्धस्तात्तत्परं निन्ये जवेन भक्तवत्सलः

tasyabhaktiṁ dṛḍhāṁ jñātvā dayāluḥ kamalāpatiḥ taddhastāttatparaṁ ninye javena bhaktavatsalaḥ

Knowing his firm devotion, the compassionate Lord of Lakshmi, ever affectionate toward his devotees, at once snatched that axe from his hand.

Verse 99 (padma.7.12.99)

श्रीभगवानुवाच- कथं त्वमेव कुरुषे वत्स कर्मातिदारुणम् । आत्महत्याकृतां पुंसां तुष्टोस्मि न कदाप्यहम्

śrībhagavānuvāca- kathaṁ tvameva kuruṣe vatsa karmātidāruṇam ātmahatyākṛtāṁ puṁsāṁ tuṣṭosmi na kadāpyaham

The Lord said: O child, why do you do this most terrible deed? I am never pleased with those who kill themselves.

Verse 100 (padma.7.12.100)

तव भक्त्यातितुष्टोऽस्मि भीतिं मा कुरुसत्तम । वरं वरय विप्रेन्द्र यत्ते मनसि वर्तते

tava bhaktyātituṣṭo'smi bhītiṁ mā kurusattama varaṁ varaya viprendra yatte manasi vartate

I am greatly pleased by your devotion, do not fear, O best one; O lord of brahmins, ask whatever boon is in your mind.

Verse 101 (padma.7.12.101)

ब्राह्मण उवाच- मया व्यथाप्रदत्तेयं महती परमेश्वर । मा तिष्ठतु शरीरे ते याचे वरमिमं प्रभो

brāhmaṇa uvāca- mayā vyathāpradatteyaṁ mahatī parameśvara mā tiṣṭhatu śarīre te yāce varamimaṁ prabho

The brahmin said: O supreme Lord, let this great pain, given by me, not remain in your body — this alone I ask as my boon, O Lord.

Verse 102 (padma.7.12.102)

श्रीभगवानुवाच- अज्ञानाद्भवता वत्स कर्मेदं विहितं द्विज । अतोऽपराधो नेतव्यो महानपि न ते यथा

śrībhagavānuvāca- ajñānādbhavatā vatsa karmedaṁ vihitaṁ dvija ato'parādho netavyo mahānapi na te yathā

The Lord said: O child, you have done this deed out of ignorance, O brahmin; therefore this transgression, even were it great, does not stand against you.

Verse 103 (padma.7.12.103)

नित्यं तवानुपाल्योऽस्मि भक्तश्रेष्ठो यतो भवान् । भवदीयानहं मन्ये दोषान्वत्स दिनेदिने

nityaṁ tavānupālyo'smi bhaktaśreṣṭho yato bhavān bhavadīyānahaṁ manye doṣānvatsa dinedine

I am ever your protector, since you are the foremost of devotees; your faults, O child, I ever regard, day by day, as my own,

Verse 104 (padma.7.12.104)

तथापि ममभक्तिस्ते ववृधे महती सदा । तस्माद्वत्स तवानृण्यं गंतुमिच्छामि संप्रति

tathāpi mamabhaktiste vavṛdhe mahatī sadā tasmādvatsa tavānṛṇyaṁ gaṁtumicchāmi saṁprati

yet my own devotion toward you has ever grown all the more. Therefore, O child, I now wish to be freed of my debt to you.

Verse 105 (padma.7.12.105)

विहाय सकलां भीतिं वंर वृणु ममाग्रतः । ब्राह्मण उवाच- त्वयि सर्वसुरश्रेष्ठ मम जन्मनिजन्मनि

vihāya sakalāṁ bhītiṁ vaṁra vṛṇu mamāgrataḥ brāhmaṇa uvāca- tvayi sarvasuraśreṣṭha mama janmanijanmani

Casting off every fear, ask a boon before me. The brahmin said: O best of gods, birth after birth, may my

Verse 106 (padma.7.12.106)

तिष्ठतां सुदृढा भक्तिर्हरे किमपरैर्वरैः । व्यास उवाच- श्रुत्वा वाक्यमिदं तस्य केशवप्रणयोदितम्

tiṣṭhatāṁ sudṛḍhā bhaktirhare kimaparairvaraiḥ vyāsa uvāca- śrutvā vākyamidaṁ tasya keśavapraṇayoditam

firm devotion toward you, O Hari, alone remain steadfast — what use in other boons? Vyasa said: hearing this word of his, spoken in love toward Keshava,

Verse 107 (padma.7.12.107)

निजकण्ठस्थितां मालां प्रीतस्तस्मै ददौ ततः । समालिङ्ग्य ततो विप्रं पिता पुत्रमिव प्रभुः

nijakaṇṭhasthitāṁ mālāṁ prītastasmai dadau tataḥ samāliṅgya tato vipraṁ pitā putramiva prabhuḥ

he, delighted, gave him the very garland from his own neck. Then, embracing that brahmin, as a father embraces a son,

Verse 108 (padma.7.12.108)

चतुर्भिर्बाहुभिर्दीर्घैरुवाच मृदुलं वचः । श्रीभगवानुवाच- मद्भक्तोऽसि यदा विप्र तथा ते मत्प्रसादतः

caturbhirbāhubhirdīrghairuvāca mṛdulaṁ vacaḥ śrībhagavānuvāca- madbhakto'si yadā vipra tathā te matprasādataḥ

with his own four long arms, he spoke this gentle word. The Lord said: O brahmin, since you are my devotee, then by my own grace,

Verse 109 (padma.7.12.109)

अचिरेणैव सकलं भद्रं विप्र भविष्यति । अश्वत्थरूपं मां नित्यं क्रियायोगेन सत्तम

acireṇaiva sakalaṁ bhadraṁ vipra bhaviṣyati aśvattharūpaṁ māṁ nityaṁ kriyāyogena sattama

soon everything shall be well for you, O brahmin. Worshipping me, in my very form as the ashvattha, ever, through kriya-yoga,

Verse 110 (padma.7.12.110)

समाराधय सर्वं ते साधयिष्यामि वांछितम् । इत्युक्त्वा तं द्विजश्रेष्ठं भूयोऽप्यालिङ्ग्य केशवः

samārādhaya sarvaṁ te sādhayiṣyāmi vāṁchitam ityuktvā taṁ dvijaśreṣṭhaṁ bhūyo'pyāliṅgya keśavaḥ

O best one, I shall accomplish every desire of yours — having said this, embracing that excellent brahmin once more, Keshava,

Verse 111 (padma.7.12.111)

अभवत्सहसादृश्यस्तत्रैव करुणालयः । विष्णोः कंठस्रजं प्राप्य स विप्रो वैष्णवोत्तमः

abhavatsahasādṛśyastatraiva karuṇālayaḥ viṣṇoḥ kaṁṭhasrajaṁ prāpya sa vipro vaiṣṇavottamaḥ

abode of compassion, at once vanished from that very place. Having received Vishnu's own neck-garland, that brahmin, best of the Vaishnavas,

Verse 112 (padma.7.12.112)

कृतकृत्यमिवात्मानं मत्वा तस्थौ निजेगृहे । ततः कुबेरो विप्रर्षे तस्य विप्रस्य सद्मनि

kṛtakṛtyamivātmānaṁ matvā tasthau nijegṛhe tataḥ kubero viprarṣe tasya viprasya sadmani

regarding himself as one whose purpose was now fulfilled, remained in his own home. Then, O sage among brahmins, in that brahmin's home, by Keshava's own command,

Verse 113 (padma.7.12.113)

स्वयं ववर्ष वित्तानि बहूनि केशवाज्ञया । प्रासादो रचितस्तस्य शिल्पिना विश्वकर्मणा

svayaṁ vavarṣa vittāni bahūni keśavājñayā prāsādo racitastasya śilpinā viśvakarmaṇā

Kubera himself rained down abundant wealth. The artisan named Vishvakarma fashioned for him,

Verse 114 (padma.7.12.114)

नारायणाज्ञया तत्र वैजयंत इवोत्तमः । दासदासीसमायुक्तो नानावस्तुविभूषितः

nārāyaṇājñayā tatra vaijayaṁta ivottamaḥ dāsadāsīsamāyukto nānāvastuvibhūṣitaḥ

by Narayana's own command, there an excellent mansion, resembling Vaijayanta itself, furnished with servants and handmaids, adorned with manifold things.

Verse 115 (padma.7.12.115)

गजाश्वकोटिसंकीर्णं विबभौ तस्य मन्दिरम् । बभुवुः संगतास्तस्य नष्टा अपि च बांधवाः

gajāśvakoṭisaṁkīrṇaṁ vibabhau tasya mandiram babhuvuḥ saṁgatāstasya naṣṭā api ca bāṁdhavāḥ

Filled with tens of millions of elephants and horses, his mansion shone forth. Even his kinsfolk, though lost, reunited with him once again.

Verse 116 (padma.7.12.116)

कृतावज्ञा च तत्पत्नी स्वयं तद्गृहमाययौ । मृतपुत्रापि तत्पत्नी केशवस्यानुकंपया

kṛtāvajñā ca tatpatnī svayaṁ tadgṛhamāyayau mṛtaputrāpi tatpatnī keśavasyānukaṁpayā

Even his wife, who had once disregarded him, came herself to his home again. That brahmin's wife, whose sons had died,

Verse 117 (padma.7.12.117)

स्थिरप्रजाभवद्विप्र स्वामिभक्तिपरायणा । चिरं भुक्त्वाखिलान्भोगान्पुत्रपौत्रसमन्वितः

sthiraprajābhavadvipra svāmibhaktiparāyaṇā ciraṁ bhuktvākhilānbhogānputrapautrasamanvitaḥ

by Keshava's grace, O brahmin, gained secure offspring, devoted to her husband's own devotion. Having enjoyed every pleasure for a long time, together with sons and grandsons,

Verse 118 (padma.7.12.118)

आयुषोंऽते ययौ मोक्षं सदारो विप्रसत्तमः । व्यास उवाच- साक्षादेव स्वयं विष्णुरश्वत्थो वृक्षसत्तमः

āyuṣoṁ'te yayau mokṣaṁ sadāro viprasattamaḥ vyāsa uvāca- sākṣādeva svayaṁ viṣṇuraśvattho vṛkṣasattamaḥ

at the end of his life that excellent brahmin, together with his wife, attained liberation. Vyasa said: Vishnu himself, in person, is the ashvattha, finest of trees.

Verse 119 (padma.7.12.119)

तद्भक्तिं कुर्वतां पुंसां विद्यते नाशुभं क्वचित् । अश्वत्थं सेवते यस्तु विष्णुं ध्यात्वा नरोत्तम

tadbhaktiṁ kurvatāṁ puṁsāṁ vidyate nāśubhaṁ kvacit aśvatthaṁ sevate yastu viṣṇuṁ dhyātvā narottama

For men who show devotion to it, no ill fortune ever befalls them anywhere. O foremost of men, whatever man serves the ashvattha, meditating on Vishnu,

Verse 120 (padma.7.12.120)

तस्य प्रसन्नो भगवान्ददाति परमं पदम्

tasya prasanno bhagavāndadāti paramaṁ padam

with him the Lord, well pleased, grants the supreme abode.