The Glory of All Gifts

Verse 1 (padma.7.20.1)

व्यास उवाच- विष्णुपूजाफलं विप्र संक्षेपात्कथितं मया । इदानीं वच्मि दानानि निशामय समाहितः

vyāsa uvāca- viṣṇupūjāphalaṁ vipra saṁkṣepātkathitaṁ mayā idānīṁ vacmi dānāni niśāmaya samāhitaḥ

Vyasa said: Brahmin, I have told in brief the fruit of worshipping Vishnu; now I shall speak of charitable gifts — listen with a focused mind.

Verse 2 (padma.7.20.2)

दानं तपो द्वयोर्मध्ये दानमेकं परं स्मृतम् । तपसा पापमित्युक्तं न पापो दानकर्मणि

dānaṁ tapo dvayormadhye dānamekaṁ paraṁ smṛtam tapasā pāpamityuktaṁ na pāpo dānakarmaṇi

Between charitable giving and austerity, giving alone is held to be supreme; it is said that austerity may involve sin, but the act of giving involves no sin.

Verse 3 (padma.7.20.3)

तपः कृतयुगे श्रेष्ठं त्रेतायां ध्यानमेव च । सपर्या द्वापरे श्रेष्ठा दानं श्रेष्ठं कलौ युगे

tapaḥ kṛtayuge śreṣṭhaṁ tretāyāṁ dhyānameva ca saparyā dvāpare śreṣṭhā dānaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ kalau yuge

In the Satya age, austerity is supreme; in the Treta, meditation; in the Dvapara, worship; and in the Kali age, giving alone is supreme.

Verse 4 (padma.7.20.4)

तस्मात्कलियुगे दानं प्रीतये कमलापतेः । कर्तव्यं सततं प्राज्ञैरिच्छद्भिः परमं पदम्

tasmātkaliyuge dānaṁ prītaye kamalāpateḥ kartavyaṁ satataṁ prājñairicchadbhiḥ paramaṁ padam

Therefore, in the Kali age, the wise who desire the supreme state should constantly give in charity, for the pleasure of the Consort of Lakshmi.

Verse 5 (padma.7.20.5)

कलया कलया चन्द्र कलां संवर्द्धते तथा । दानस्य सा गतिः प्रोक्ता तपसश्च मनीषिभिः

kalayā kalayā candra kalāṁ saṁvarddhate tathā dānasya sā gatiḥ proktā tapasaśca manīṣibhiḥ

As the moon grows, phase by phase, so too, the wise declare, is the progressive course of both giving and austerity.

Verse 6 (padma.7.20.6)

पलादपि द्विजश्रेष्ठ कर्तव्यो वित्तसंग्रहः । संचितं तु धनं प्राज्ञो दानकर्मणि संक्षिपेत्

palādapi dvijaśreṣṭha kartavyo vittasaṁgrahaḥ saṁcitaṁ tu dhanaṁ prājño dānakarmaṇi saṁkṣipet

Best of brahmins, one should accumulate wealth even little by little; but the wise should devote whatever wealth is thus gathered to the act of giving.

Verse 7 (padma.7.20.7)

धने स्थितोपि यो मर्त्यो नाश्नाति न ददाति यः । दरिद्र सः च विज्ञेयो दानभोगविवर्जितः

dhane sthitopi yo martyo nāśnāti na dadāti yaḥ daridra saḥ ca vijñeyo dānabhogavivarjitaḥ

A man who, even possessing wealth, neither enjoys it himself nor gives it away — he should be known as poor indeed, deprived of both giving and enjoyment.

Verse 8 (padma.7.20.8)

वित्तं केन सहायाति याति तेन तु को द्विज । आयाति तत्पुरा दत्तमिह पंचत्वमागते

vittaṁ kena sahāyāti yāti tena tu ko dvija āyāti tatpurā dattamiha paṁcatvamāgate

Brahmin, with whom does wealth go, and who goes with it? When death arrives here, only what was given away beforehand comes along.

Verse 9 (padma.7.20.9)

दत्वा दत्वा सदा दानं मानवा ये दरिद्रति । न ते दरिद्रा विज्ञेयाः परलोके महेश्वराः

datvā datvā sadā dānaṁ mānavā ye daridrati na te daridrā vijñeyāḥ paraloke maheśvarāḥ

Those who become poor precisely by giving again and again — they should not be considered poor; in the world beyond, they become great lords of wealth.

Verse 10 (padma.7.20.10)

धनं रक्षंति कार्पण्याद्ये ते ज्ञेयाः सुदुःखिताः । अंते त्यक्त्वा च तत्सर्वं निराशा यांति जैमिने

dhanaṁ rakṣaṁti kārpaṇyādye te jñeyāḥ suduḥkhitāḥ aṁte tyaktvā ca tatsarvaṁ nirāśā yāṁti jaimine

Those who, out of miserliness, hoard and protect their wealth — they should be known as truly wretched; O Jaimini, in the end, forced to leave it all behind, they depart in utter disappointment.

Verse 11 (padma.7.20.11)

परलोके द्विजश्रेष्ठः साधुसद्बलवर्जितः । निर्द्धने बंधुहीने च नादत्तमुपतिष्ठते

paraloke dvijaśreṣṭhaḥ sādhusadbalavarjitaḥ nirddhane baṁdhuhīne ca nādattamupatiṣṭhate

Best of brahmins, in the world beyond, whatever has not been given away is of no help — for one is destitute there, without the support of good companions, without kin.

Verse 12 (padma.7.20.12)

स्तोकं स्तोकं च विप्रेन्द्र भक्तिश्रद्धासमन्वितः । नित्यं देयानि दानानि वैष्णवैर्निजभक्तितः

stokaṁ stokaṁ ca viprendra bhaktiśraddhāsamanvitaḥ nityaṁ deyāni dānāni vaiṣṇavairnijabhaktitaḥ

Foremost of brahmins, endowed with devotion and faith, Vaishnavas should constantly give charitable gifts, little by little, according to their own devotion.

Verse 13 (padma.7.20.13)

सर्वेषामेव दानानामन्नदानं द्विजोत्तम । जलदानं च तत्वज्ञैरतिश्रेष्ठं प्रकीर्तितम्

sarveṣāmeva dānānāmannadānaṁ dvijottama jaladānaṁ ca tatvajñairatiśreṣṭhaṁ prakīrtitam

Best of brahmins, among all forms of giving, the seers of truth have proclaimed the gift of food and the gift of water to be the most excellent.

Verse 14 (padma.7.20.14)

विनान्नेन न तिष्ठंति प्राणा देहेषु देहिनाम् । अन्नदः प्राणदो ज्ञेयः प्राणदः सकलप्रदः

vinānnena na tiṣṭhaṁti prāṇā deheṣu dehinām annadaḥ prāṇado jñeyaḥ prāṇadaḥ sakalapradaḥ

Without food, the vital breaths do not remain in the bodies of embodied beings; therefore the giver of food should be known as a giver of life itself, and a giver of life as a giver of everything.

Verse 15 (padma.7.20.15)

तस्मात्समस्तदानानामन्नदो लभते फलम् । अन्नदानसमं दानं जलदानं च जैमिने

tasmātsamastadānānāmannado labhate phalam annadānasamaṁ dānaṁ jaladānaṁ ca jaimine

Therefore the giver of food obtains the fruit of every possible gift. O Jaimini, the gift of water is equal to the gift of food.

Verse 16 (padma.7.20.16)

विना तोयेन नान्नं स्यादतस्तोयं प्रदीयते । क्षुधा तृषापि विप्रेन्द्र द्वे तुल्ये तु प्रकीर्तिते

vinā toyena nānnaṁ syādatastoyaṁ pradīyate kṣudhā tṛṣāpi viprendra dve tulye tu prakīrtite

Without water, food itself cannot even be prepared, so water too must be given; foremost of brahmins, hunger and thirst are both declared equal.

Verse 17 (padma.7.20.17)

तस्माद्दत्वा च तोयं च श्रेष्ठं प्रोक्तं मनीषिभिः । जीवनं जीवनं नॄणां जीवनं न च जीवनम्

tasmāddatvā ca toyaṁ ca śreṣṭhaṁ proktaṁ manīṣibhiḥ jīvanaṁ jīvanaṁ nṝṇāṁ jīvanaṁ na ca jīvanam

Therefore, giving water too is proclaimed excellent by the wise; water is the very life of men's life — without it, life is not truly life at all.

Verse 18 (padma.7.20.18)

अतो जीवनरक्षार्थं जीवनं प्राज्ञ उत्सृजेत् । अन्नं तोयं च विप्रेन्द्र दत्तं येन महीतले

ato jīvanarakṣārthaṁ jīvanaṁ prājña utsṛjet annaṁ toyaṁ ca viprendra dattaṁ yena mahītale

Therefore, for the protection of life, the wise should give away water. Foremost of brahmins, whoever on this earth has given food and water —

Verse 19 (padma.7.20.19)

तेन सर्वाणि दानानि कृतानि नात्र संशयः । अन्नदानस्य माहात्म्यं जलदानस्य वै शृणु

tena sarvāṇi dānāni kṛtāni nātra saṁśayaḥ annadānasya māhātmyaṁ jaladānasya vai śṛṇu

— has thereby performed every possible gift, of this there is no doubt. Now hear the glory of the gift of food and the gift of water.

Verse 20 (padma.7.20.20)

बभूव हास्तिनपुरे कुबेर इव वित्तवान् । तस्मिन्नेव पुरे वेश्या बभूव सुरसुंदरी

babhūva hāstinapure kubera iva vittavān tasminneva pure veśyā babhūva surasuṁdarī

In Hastinapura there once lived a man as wealthy as Kubera. In that same city there also lived a courtesan, lovely as a celestial nymph.

Verse 21 (padma.7.20.21)

ख्याता रतिविदग्धेति सर्वलक्षणसंयुता । तत्र क्षेमंकरी नाम ब्राह्मणी श्रेष्ठवंशजा

khyātā ratividagdheti sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutā tatra kṣemaṁkarī nāma brāhmaṇī śreṣṭhavaṁśajā

She was famed by the name Rativigagdha, endowed with every graceful mark. There also lived a brahmin woman named Kshemankari, born into an excellent lineage.

Verse 22 (padma.7.20.22)

समस्तगुणसम्पन्ना विधवासीद्द्विजात्मजा । सा ब्राह्मणी द्विजश्रेष्ठ जारानुरक्तमानसा

samastaguṇasampannā vidhavāsīddvijātmajā sā brāhmaṇī dvijaśreṣṭha jārānuraktamānasā

Endowed with every fine quality, she was a widowed brahmin's daughter. Best of brahmins, that brahmin woman's mind was attached to a paramour.

Verse 23 (padma.7.20.23)

निषिद्धं कर्म कुर्वंती त्यक्त्वा यात्यविवेकताम् । तया संनिहिता विप्र वेश्यापि ब्राह्मणी च सा

niṣiddhaṁ karma kurvaṁtī tyaktvā yātyavivekatām tayā saṁnihitā vipra veśyāpi brāhmaṇī ca sā

Committing forbidden acts, abandoning all discernment, she sank into indiscretion. Brahmin, that courtesan and that brahmin woman became close to each other —

Verse 24 (padma.7.20.24)

चकार सख्यं स्नेहेन वेश्यावृत्तिमुपेत्य सा । सा वेश्या ब्राह्मणी चापि द्वेऽप्येकत्र दिने दिने

cakāra sakhyaṁ snehena veśyāvṛttimupetya sā sā veśyā brāhmaṇī cāpi dve'pyekatra dine dine

— and that brahmin woman, taking up the courtesan's own trade, formed an affectionate friendship with her. That courtesan and that brahmin woman, the two of them together, day after day —

Verse 25 (padma.7.20.25)

पापानि चक्रतुः प्रीत्या असंख्यातानि जैमिने । ततो रतिविदग्धा सा वृद्धभावमुपागता

pāpāni cakratuḥ prītyā asaṁkhyātāni jaimine tato ratividagdhā sā vṛddhabhāvamupāgatā

— O Jaimini, joyfully committed countless sins. Then that Rativigagdha reached old age.

Verse 26 (padma.7.20.26)

ब्राह्मणी चापि विप्रेन्द्र दुःशीलात्यंतपापिनी । कदाचिद्वारमुख्या सा जरंती तां निजां सखीम्

brāhmaṇī cāpi viprendra duḥśīlātyaṁtapāpinī kadācidvāramukhyā sā jaraṁtī tāṁ nijāṁ sakhīm

Foremost of brahmins, that brahmin woman too remained ill-conducted and exceedingly sinful. Once, having grown old, that leading courtesan spoke to her own friend —

Verse 27 (padma.7.20.27)

प्राहेति विस्मिता विप्र वचनं विनयान्विता । रतिविदग्धोवाच - सखि त्वया सहानेकं दारुणं पातकं कृतम्

prāheti vismitā vipra vacanaṁ vinayānvitā ratividagdhovāca - sakhi tvayā sahānekaṁ dāruṇaṁ pātakaṁ kṛtam

— humbly, and with a certain astonishment. Rativigagdha said: Friend, together with you I have committed many terrible sins.

Verse 28 (padma.7.20.28)

अद्यापि पातके दृष्टिर्महती वर्तते मम । सौन्दर्यं च बलं चैव सर्वं मे जरया हृतम्

adyāpi pātake dṛṣṭirmahatī vartate mama saundaryaṁ ca balaṁ caiva sarvaṁ me jarayā hṛtam

Even now my great inclination toward sin remains; and yet my beauty and my strength — both have been taken from me by old age.

Verse 29 (padma.7.20.29)

इत्थमस्वास्थ्यकृन्नित्यमाशां त्यक्तुं न शक्यते । स्थावरं सुमहत्प्राप्तं कृतपातकया मया

itthamasvāsthyakṛnnityamāśāṁ tyaktuṁ na śakyate sthāvaraṁ sumahatprāptaṁ kṛtapātakayā mayā

In this way, this restless craving, ever bringing unease, cannot be given up. Sinner that I am, I have amassed a vast fortune of immovable property.

Verse 30 (padma.7.20.30)

समागतमिवैतर्हि समीक्ष्य मरणं गतम् । उपार्जितेन पापेन यानि वित्तानि वै मया

samāgatamivaitarhi samīkṣya maraṇaṁ gatam upārjitena pāpena yāni vittāni vai mayā

Now, seeing death itself as if drawing near, whatever wealth I have gathered through my sins —

Verse 31 (padma.7.20.31)

रक्षिष्यंत्यनपत्यायां मृतायां मयि तानि के । तस्मात्सर्वाणि वित्तानि अन्यायोपार्जितानि च

rakṣiṣyaṁtyanapatyāyāṁ mṛtāyāṁ mayi tāni ke tasmātsarvāṇi vittāni anyāyopārjitāni ca

— when I, childless, am dead, who will guard it? Therefore all this wealth, unjustly gathered —

Verse 32 (padma.7.20.32)

दातुमिच्छामि विप्रेभ्यो यदि त्वं मन्यसे सखि । ब्राह्मण्युवाच- मया यावन्ति वित्तानि पश्येति संचितानि च

dātumicchāmi viprebhyo yadi tvaṁ manyase sakhi brāhmaṇyuvāca- mayā yāvanti vittāni paśyeti saṁcitāni ca

— I wish to give to brahmins, friend, if you too agree it is right. The brahmin woman said: Look, whatever wealth I too have accumulated —

Verse 33 (padma.7.20.33)

असत्पात्रेषु दत्तानि तानि सर्वाणि नित्यशः । तस्मादहं धनैर्हीना किं दास्यामि द्विजातये

asatpātreṣu dattāni tāni sarvāṇi nityaśaḥ tasmādahaṁ dhanairhīnā kiṁ dāsyāmi dvijātaye

— I have always given away entirely to unworthy recipients; therefore I am left without wealth — what could I now give to a brahmin?

Verse 34 (padma.7.20.34)

अस्ति चेद्यदि वित्तं ते दानमाशु तदा कुरु । तस्या एवं वचः श्रुत्वा सा वेश्यात्यंतहर्षिता

asti cedyadi vittaṁ te dānamāśu tadā kuru tasyā evaṁ vacaḥ śrutvā sā veśyātyaṁtaharṣitā

If you have wealth, then give it away in charity at once. Hearing these words of hers, that courtesan, greatly delighted —

Verse 35 (padma.7.20.35)

वित्तेन सकलेनैव अन्नदानं चकार ह । हरिशर्मा च विप्रेन्द्रो धनवानतिभक्तितः

vittena sakalenaiva annadānaṁ cakāra ha hariśarmā ca viprendro dhanavānatibhaktitaḥ

— with her entire wealth, then made a gift of food. Meanwhile, a very wealthy and devout brahmin named Harishaman —

Verse 36 (padma.7.20.36)

पूजयामास सततं भगवंतं जनार्दनम् । जितेन्द्रियो जितक्रोधो हिंसादम्भविवर्जितः

pūjayāmāsa satataṁ bhagavaṁtaṁ janārdanam jitendriyo jitakrodho hiṁsādambhavivarjitaḥ

— constantly worshipped the Lord Janardana. He was master of his senses, master of his anger, free from violence and hypocrisy —

Verse 37 (padma.7.20.37)

प्रीतये कमलाभर्तुः स तेपे सुमहत्तपः । गंधपुष्पैश्च बलिभिर्घृतधूपैः प्रदीपकैः

prītaye kamalābhartuḥ sa tepe sumahattapaḥ gaṁdhapuṣpaiśca balibhirghṛtadhūpaiḥ pradīpakaiḥ

— and performed the most exalted austerity for the pleasure of the Consort of Lakshmi. With fragrance, flowers, offerings, ghee, incense, and lamps —

Verse 38 (padma.7.20.38)

पूजयामास देवेशं नित्यमेव जनार्दनम् । धनवानपि विप्रोऽसौ वित्तस्य क्षयशंकितः

pūjayāmāsa deveśaṁ nityameva janārdanam dhanavānapi vipro'sau vittasya kṣayaśaṁkitaḥ

— he worshipped the Lord of gods, Janardana, every single day. Yet, though wealthy, that brahmin was ever anxious about his wealth diminishing.

Verse 39 (padma.7.20.39)

पिपीलिकामूषिकाश्च तथान्येऽपि च जंतवः । कृपणस्य द्विजश्रेष्ठ गृहे नित्यं बुभुक्षिताः

pipīlikāmūṣikāśca tathānye'pi ca jaṁtavaḥ kṛpaṇasya dvijaśreṣṭha gṛhe nityaṁ bubhukṣitāḥ

Best of brahmins, in that miser's house, even the ants, mice, and other small creatures always remained hungry.

Verse 40 (padma.7.20.40)

उपार्जितं धनं सर्वं स्वयमेव दिनेदिने । बुभुजे ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठ दानकर्मविवर्जितः

upārjitaṁ dhanaṁ sarvaṁ svayameva dinedine bubhuje brāhmaṇaśreṣṭha dānakarmavivarjitaḥ

Best of brahmins, devoid of any act of giving, he consumed all his acquired wealth day by day entirely for himself.

Verse 41 (padma.7.20.41)

सुहृदां ब्राह्मणानां च बांधवानां कदापि सः । चकार न च संभाषामर्थप्रार्थनशंकया

suhṛdāṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ ca bāṁdhavānāṁ kadāpi saḥ cakāra na ca saṁbhāṣāmarthaprārthanaśaṁkayā

He would never even speak with friends, with brahmins, or with kinsmen, fearing that they might ask him for money.

Verse 42 (padma.7.20.42)

विगणय्य स्ववित्तानि सुबहूनि निजालये । मत्वा श्रेष्ठमिवात्मानं मोदतेऽसौ द्विजोत्तम

vigaṇayya svavittāni subahūni nijālaye matvā śreṣṭhamivātmānaṁ modate'sau dvijottama

Best of brahmins, counting his exceedingly abundant wealth again and again in his own house, he took delight in considering himself, as it were, superior.

Verse 43 (padma.7.20.43)

कदाचित्प्राप्तकालोऽसौ ब्राह्मणोऽत्यंतवित्तवान् । गणिका ब्राह्मणी सा च एककाले मृता द्विज

kadācitprāptakālo'sau brāhmaṇo'tyaṁtavittavān gaṇikā brāhmaṇī sā ca ekakāle mṛtā dvija

Brahmin, at one time that exceedingly wealthy brahmin, that courtesan, and that brahmin woman — all three, their appointed hour arriving, died at the very same moment.

Verse 44 (padma.7.20.44)

अथ दूताः समायातास्तान्नेतुमतिभीषणाः । धर्मराजस्य देवस्य पाशमुद्गरपाणयः

atha dūtāḥ samāyātāstānnetumatibhīṣaṇāḥ dharmarājasya devasya pāśamudgarapāṇayaḥ

Then, to take them away, came the most fearsome messengers of the god Dharmaraja, their hands bearing nooses and clubs.

Verse 45 (padma.7.20.45)

ते च चण्डादयो दूतास्तान्समादाय जैमिने । ययुर्धर्मपुरं सद्यो दुर्गमेन पथा ततः

te ca caṇḍādayo dūtāstānsamādāya jaimine yayurdharmapuraṁ sadyo durgamena pathā tataḥ

O Jaimini, those messengers, Chanda and the others, taking them along, set off at once by a treacherous path toward the city of Dharma.

Verse 46 (padma.7.20.46)

चण्ड उवाच- आनीतो हरिशर्मा च वेश्या च ब्राह्मणी च सा । तवाज्ञया जीवितेश पश्यैतान्पुरतः स्थितान्

caṇḍa uvāca- ānīto hariśarmā ca veśyā ca brāhmaṇī ca sā tavājñayā jīviteśa paśyaitānpurataḥ sthitān

Chanda said: O Lord of life, by your command Harishaman, that courtesan, and that brahmin woman have been brought here; behold them standing before you.

Verse 47 (padma.7.20.47)

तान्समालोक्य जीवेशः प्रहस्य द्विजसत्तम । चित्रगुप्तमिति प्राह सर्वकार्यविचक्षणम्

tānsamālokya jīveśaḥ prahasya dvijasattama citraguptamiti prāha sarvakāryavicakṣaṇam

Best of brahmins, beholding them, the Lord of life smiled, and spoke thus to Chitragupta, expert in every matter.

Verse 48 (padma.7.20.48)

यम उवाच- एतेषां सर्वकार्याणि शुभदान्यशुभानि च । मूलाद्विचारय प्राज्ञ चित्रगुप्त महामते

yama uvāca- eteṣāṁ sarvakāryāṇi śubhadānyaśubhāni ca mūlādvicāraya prājña citragupta mahāmate

Yama said: Wise, most intelligent Chitragupta, examine from the very root all the deeds of these three, both auspicious and inauspicious.

Verse 49 (padma.7.20.49)

यमादेशात्ततस्तेषां चित्रगुप्तो विचक्षणः । सर्वं विचारयामास शुभकर्माशुभं तथा

yamādeśāttatasteṣāṁ citragupto vicakṣaṇaḥ sarvaṁ vicārayāmāsa śubhakarmāśubhaṁ tathā

At Yama's command, the skillful Chitragupta then examined all the good and evil deeds of those three.

Verse 50 (padma.7.20.50)

चित्रगुप्त उवाच- देवाकर्णय वक्ष्यामि पुण्यं च पातकं तथा । इयं वेश्या ब्राह्मणी च हरिशर्मा चकार यत्

citragupta uvāca- devākarṇaya vakṣyāmi puṇyaṁ ca pātakaṁ tathā iyaṁ veśyā brāhmaṇī ca hariśarmā cakāra yat

Chitragupta said: O god, listen — I shall tell what merit and what sin this courtesan, this brahmin woman, and Harishaman have done.

Verse 51 (padma.7.20.51)

एषा रतिविदग्धाख्या गणिकाति दुराशया । चकार यानि पापानि वक्तुं तानि न शक्यते

eṣā ratividagdhākhyā gaṇikāti durāśayā cakāra yāni pāpāni vaktuṁ tāni na śakyate

This courtesan named Rativigagdha, of most wicked desires, has committed sins impossible even to enumerate.

Verse 52 (padma.7.20.52)

अन्यायोपार्जितैर्वित्तैरखिलैरेव सूर्यज । अन्नदानं चकारेयं गणिका गतयौवना

anyāyopārjitairvittairakhilaireva sūryaja annadānaṁ cakāreyaṁ gaṇikā gatayauvanā

O son of the Sun, with all her wealth, unjustly gathered, this courtesan, her youth now spent, performed a gift of food.

Verse 53 (padma.7.20.53)

अन्नदानप्रभावेण यातनागृहवासदैः । त्यक्तेयं पातकैः सर्वैः कोटिजन्मार्जितैरपि

annadānaprabhāveṇa yātanāgṛhavāsadaiḥ tyakteyaṁ pātakaiḥ sarvaiḥ koṭijanmārjitairapi

By the power of that gift of food, she has been freed even from all the sins, deserving punishment-house residence, accumulated across millions of births.

Verse 54 (padma.7.20.54)

अन्नदानं महाराज ये कुर्वंति जनाः क्षितौ । ते पापिनोऽपि गच्छंति तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्

annadānaṁ mahārāja ye kurvaṁti janāḥ kṣitau te pāpino'pi gacchaṁti tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam

Great king, whatever people on this earth give food in charity — even sinners though they be, they attain that supreme abode of Vishnu.

Verse 55 (padma.7.20.55)

यावन्त्यन्नानि यच्छंति मानवाः क्षितिमण्डले । तावंत्यो ब्रह्महत्याश्च तस्य नश्यंत्यसंशयः

yāvantyannāni yacchaṁti mānavāḥ kṣitimaṇḍale tāvaṁtyo brahmahatyāśca tasya naśyaṁtyasaṁśayaḥ

However many portions of food men give away upon this earth, that many sins equivalent to the slaying of a brahmin are destroyed for them — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 56 (padma.7.20.56)

अन्नानि यच्छतां त्यक्त्वा शरीराणि च पातकम् । गृह्णतामेव पात्राणि सहसा याति सूर्यज

annāni yacchatāṁ tyaktvā śarīrāṇi ca pātakam gṛhṇatāmeva pātrāṇi sahasā yāti sūryaja

O son of the Sun, leaving the bodies of those who give the food, the sin passes at once instead into the bodies of the recipients who accept it.

Verse 57 (padma.7.20.57)

तस्मात्पापिनामन्नानि न गृह्णंति विचक्षणाः । मोहाद्गृह्णंति ये मूढास्त एव पापभागिनः

tasmātpāpināmannāni na gṛhṇaṁti vicakṣaṇāḥ mohādgṛhṇaṁti ye mūḍhāsta eva pāpabhāginaḥ

Therefore the discerning do not accept food from sinners; whatever fools accept it out of ignorance, they alone become bound to that sin.

Verse 58 (padma.7.20.58)

शुभकर्माशुभं वापि वेश्यायाः कथितं प्रभो । ब्राह्मण्याः शृणु कर्माणि शुभानि चाशुभानि च

śubhakarmāśubhaṁ vāpi veśyāyāḥ kathitaṁ prabho brāhmaṇyāḥ śṛṇu karmāṇi śubhāni cāśubhāni ca

My Lord, the good and evil deeds of the courtesan have now been told. Now hear the good and evil deeds of the brahmin woman.

Verse 59 (padma.7.20.59)

इयं क्षेमंकरी नाम ब्राह्मणी शुद्धवंशजा । भद्रकीर्तिप्रिया सर्वं चकार दुरितं प्रभो

iyaṁ kṣemaṁkarī nāma brāhmaṇī śuddhavaṁśajā bhadrakīrtipriyā sarvaṁ cakāra duritaṁ prabho

My Lord, this brahmin woman named Kshemankari, born of a pure lineage, though fond of good repute, went on committing every kind of sin.

Verse 60 (padma.7.20.60)

त्यक्त्वा निजाश्रमाचारं निजयौवनगर्विता । बभूवात्यंतपापिष्ठा जारसंगमलोलुपा

tyaktvā nijāśramācāraṁ nijayauvanagarvitā babhūvātyaṁtapāpiṣṭhā jārasaṁgamalolupā

Abandoning the conduct proper to her station, proud of her own youth, she became exceedingly sinful, greedy for the company of a paramour.

Verse 61 (padma.7.20.61)

कदाचिच्छैशवे राजन्खेलंती शिशुभिः सह । रथ्यायां खननं चक्रे चतुष्कोणसमन्वितम्

kadācicchaiśave rājankhelaṁtī śiśubhiḥ saha rathyāyāṁ khananaṁ cakre catuṣkoṇasamanvitam

O king, once, in her childhood, playing with other children, she dug a small four-cornered pit in the roadway.

Verse 62 (padma.7.20.62)

तस्मिन्नेव दिने मेघ उदकानि ववर्ष च । पूरितं तज्जलैः खातं तया विनिर्मितं प्रभो

tasminneva dine megha udakāni vavarṣa ca pūritaṁ tajjalaiḥ khātaṁ tayā vinirmitaṁ prabho

On that very day, a cloud rained down water, and, my Lord, that pit which she had dug filled up with water.

Verse 63 (padma.7.20.63)

ततो मध्याह्नसमये गौरेकस्तृषितो नृप । अपिबत्तत्र पानीयं तापितस्तपनातपैः

tato madhyāhnasamaye gaurekastṛṣito nṛpa apibattatra pānīyaṁ tāpitastapanātapaiḥ

O king, then, at midday, a thirsty ox, scorched by the heat of the sun, came and drank water there.

Verse 64 (padma.7.20.64)

तेनैव सर्वपापानि विनष्टानि महांति वै । तस्याः सूर्यसुत प्राज्ञ जलदानप्रभावतः

tenaiva sarvapāpāni vinaṣṭāni mahāṁti vai tasyāḥ sūryasuta prājña jaladānaprabhāvataḥ

O wise son of the Sun, by the power of that gift of water alone, all her great sins were destroyed.

Verse 65 (padma.7.20.65)

विमुक्ताः सकलैः पापैर्व्रजेन्नारायणालयम् । कृतपापा हि देवेश ब्राह्मणीयं दुराशया

vimuktāḥ sakalaiḥ pāpairvrajennārāyaṇālayam kṛtapāpā hi deveśa brāhmaṇīyaṁ durāśayā

Freed from every sin, she shall go to Narayana's own abode. O Lord of gods, this wicked-minded, sinful brahmin woman —

Verse 66 (padma.7.20.66)

विमुक्ता सकलैः पापैर्जलदानप्रभावतः । अयं विप्रो महाभक्तो देवदेवस्य चक्रिणः

vimuktā sakalaiḥ pāpairjaladānaprabhāvataḥ ayaṁ vipro mahābhakto devadevasya cakriṇaḥ

— has, by the power of that gift of water, been freed from every sin. As for this brahmin, he is a great devotee of the discus-bearing Lord of gods.

Verse 67 (padma.7.20.67)

ततोऽस्योपरि जीवेश प्रभुरेकोऽच्युतः स्मृतः । व्यास उवाच- चित्रगुप्तस्य तद्वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य स दंडभृत्

tato'syopari jīveśa prabhureko'cyutaḥ smṛtaḥ vyāsa uvāca- citraguptasya tadvākyaṁ samākarṇya sa daṁḍabhṛt

Therefore, O Lord of life, upon him alone the imperishable Lord himself must be reckoned as the one to remember. Vyasa said: Hearing these words of Chitragupta, that wielder of the rod —

Verse 68 (padma.7.20.68)

तां वेश्यां ब्राह्मणीं चापि ववंदे ब्राह्मणं च तम् । दिव्यैः सुवर्णालंकारैर्वस्त्रैर्नानाविधैस्तथा

tāṁ veśyāṁ brāhmaṇīṁ cāpi vavaṁde brāhmaṇaṁ ca tam divyaiḥ suvarṇālaṁkārairvastrairnānāvidhaistathā

— bowed in homage to that courtesan, that brahmin woman, and that brahmin, honoring them with divine golden ornaments and various kinds of garments.

Verse 69 (padma.7.20.69)

तेषां पूजां यमः श्रुत्वा कुटुंबिनां च जैमिने । उवाच प्रहसन्वाक्यं सुप्रीतो मृदुलाक्षरम्

teṣāṁ pūjāṁ yamaḥ śrutvā kuṭuṁbināṁ ca jaimine uvāca prahasanvākyaṁ suprīto mṛdulākṣaram

O Jaimini, hearing of the worship due to them, Yama, along with his own household, greatly pleased, smiled and spoke gentle words.

Verse 70 (padma.7.20.70)

यम उवाच- यूयं सर्वे महात्मानो विनष्टाखिलपातकाः । समस्तसुखदं स्थानं गच्छत श्रीपतेः प्रभोः

yama uvāca- yūyaṁ sarve mahātmāno vinaṣṭākhilapātakāḥ samastasukhadaṁ sthānaṁ gacchata śrīpateḥ prabhoḥ

Yama said: All of you are great souls, your every sin now destroyed; go to that all-happiness-giving abode of the Lord, the Consort of Shri.

Verse 71 (padma.7.20.71)

तानारोप्य ततो दिव्ये यमः कांचननिर्मिते । राजहंसयुते स्थाने प्रेषयामास चक्रिणः

tānāropya tato divye yamaḥ kāṁcananirmite rājahaṁsayute sthāne preṣayāmāsa cakriṇaḥ

Then Yama, mounting them upon a divine chariot made of gold, drawn by royal swans, sent them on to the abode of the discus-bearing Lord.

Verse 72 (padma.7.20.72)

ततो दिव्यरथारूढाः सर्वाभरणभूषिताः । पुरं भगवतो जग्मुस्ते सर्वे गतपातकाः

tato divyarathārūḍhāḥ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitāḥ puraṁ bhagavato jagmuste sarve gatapātakāḥ

Then, mounted on that divine chariot, adorned with every ornament, all three of them, their sins now entirely gone, went to the Lord's own city.

Verse 73 (padma.7.20.73)

गणिका ब्राह्मणी सा च विनष्टाखिलकल्मषा । सान्निध्यं प्राप्य देवस्य तस्थौ विप्र चिरं सुखम्

gaṇikā brāhmaṇī sā ca vinaṣṭākhilakalmaṣā sānnidhyaṁ prāpya devasya tasthau vipra ciraṁ sukham

Brahmin, that courtesan and that brahmin woman, all their taints now gone, obtained the presence of the Lord and dwelt there happily for a long time.

Verse 74 (padma.7.20.74)

हरिशर्माणमालोक्य समायांतं जनार्द्दनः । ददौ वरासनं तस्मै स्नेहात्कनकनिर्मितम्

hariśarmāṇamālokya samāyāṁtaṁ janārddanaḥ dadau varāsanaṁ tasmai snehātkanakanirmitam

Beholding Harishaman arriving, Janardana, out of affection, gave him an excellent seat made of gold.

Verse 75 (padma.7.20.75)

पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीयैश्च तमभ्यर्च द्विजोत्तमम् । वरासनोपविष्टं च पप्रच्छेति मुदा हरिः

pādyārghyācamanīyaiśca tamabhyarca dvijottamam varāsanopaviṣṭaṁ ca papraccheti mudā hariḥ

Honoring that excellent brahmin with the water for washing the feet, the guest-offering, and the water for sipping, and seating him upon that excellent throne, Hari asked him this, joyfully.

Verse 76 (padma.7.20.76)

श्रीभगवानुवाच- द्विजन्म कुशलं ब्रूहि मद्भक्तप्रवरोऽसि यत् । चिरं मे मंदिरं तिष्ठ सर्वोपद्रववर्जिते

śrībhagavānuvāca- dvijanma kuśalaṁ brūhi madbhaktapravaro'si yat ciraṁ me maṁdiraṁ tiṣṭha sarvopadravavarjite

The Blessed Lord said: Brahmin, tell me — are you well? Since you are foremost among my devotees, remain here long in my own abode, free from every trouble.

Verse 77 (padma.7.20.77)

ब्राह्मण उवाच- त्वां स्मृत्वापीक्षितो देव लभते कुशलं प्रभो । त्वत्सान्निध्यं मया प्राप्तं कुशलं किमतः परम्

brāhmaṇa uvāca- tvāṁ smṛtvāpīkṣito deva labhate kuśalaṁ prabho tvatsānnidhyaṁ mayā prāptaṁ kuśalaṁ kimataḥ param

The brahmin said: My God, merely by remembering you, even one who is seen by others obtains well-being; Lord, I myself have obtained your very presence — what greater well-being could there be?

Verse 78 (padma.7.20.78)

व्यास उवाच- एतस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा भगवान्प्रणयोदितम् । दत्तवान्निजसारूप्यं प्रीतस्तस्मै द्विजन्मने

vyāsa uvāca- etasya vacanaṁ śrutvā bhagavānpraṇayoditam dattavānnijasārūpyaṁ prītastasmai dvijanmane

Vyasa said: Hearing these words of his, spoken out of pure love, the Blessed Lord, pleased, granted that brahmin a form resembling his own.

Verse 79 (padma.7.20.79)

ददौ तस्मै सुखं सर्वं दुर्ल्लभं कमलापतिः । आहारमात्रं न ददौ तत्कार्पण्यं स्मरन्प्रभुः

dadau tasmai sukhaṁ sarvaṁ durllabhaṁ kamalāpatiḥ āhāramātraṁ na dadau tatkārpaṇyaṁ smaranprabhuḥ

The Consort of Lakshmi granted him every rare happiness; yet the Lord, remembering his former miserliness, gave him no food whatsoever.

Verse 80 (padma.7.20.80)

दिनद्वयांतरे विप्रो निराहारः क्षुधाकुलः । प्रोवाच विष्णुं देवेशं विनयावनतः स्थितः

dinadvayāṁtare vipro nirāhāraḥ kṣudhākulaḥ provāca viṣṇuṁ deveśaṁ vinayāvanataḥ sthitaḥ

After two days had passed, that brahmin, without food, tormented by hunger, bowing humbly, spoke thus to Vishnu, Lord of gods.

Verse 81 (padma.7.20.81)

ब्राह्मण उवाच- प्रभोप्राप्तंतवस्थानमनेकतपसांफलैः । अत्रापि क्षुधया नित्यं विफलोऽस्मि कथं प्रभो

brāhmaṇa uvāca- prabhoprāptaṁtavasthānamanekatapasāṁphalaiḥ atrāpi kṣudhayā nityaṁ viphalo'smi kathaṁ prabho

The brahmin said: Lord, as the fruit of many austerities I have attained this, your own abode; yet here too, constantly tormented by hunger, why, my Lord, am I left so unavailing?

Verse 82 (padma.7.20.82)

देवकन्या गणैर्दिव्यैः संप्राप्तनवयौवनैः । श्वेतचामरवातेन मंचेष्वपि निवीजितः

devakanyā gaṇairdivyaiḥ saṁprāptanavayauvanaiḥ śvetacāmaravātena maṁceṣvapi nivījitaḥ

By hosts of divine celestial maidens, newly come to youth, I am fanned even upon my couches with the breeze of white yak-tail whisks.

Verse 83 (padma.7.20.83)

सुगंधानां प्रसूनानां महास्रग्भिरलंकृतः । चंदनैर्लिप्तसर्वांगो राजश्रेष्ठ इव प्रभो

sugaṁdhānāṁ prasūnānāṁ mahāsragbhiralaṁkṛtaḥ caṁdanairliptasarvāṁgo rājaśreṣṭha iva prabho

Adorned with great garlands of fragrant flowers, my whole body anointed with sandal paste, my Lord, I am as though I were a supreme king.

Verse 84 (padma.7.20.84)

चार्वङ्गीभिः कामिनीभिर्नित्यं मत्पुरतः प्रभो । गीतेन नृत्यते चापि नारायण तवाज्ञया

cārvaṅgībhiḥ kāminībhirnityaṁ matpurataḥ prabho gītena nṛtyate cāpi nārāyaṇa tavājñayā

My Lord, Narayana, by your very command, women of lovely form constantly sing and dance before me.

Verse 85 (padma.7.20.85)

वासवाद्याः सुराः सर्वे रजांसि मम पादयोः । शिरः किरीटशोभीनि नित्यमेव वहंति वै

vāsavādyāḥ surāḥ sarve rajāṁsi mama pādayoḥ śiraḥ kirīṭaśobhīni nityameva vahaṁti vai

Indra and all the gods, upon their crown-adorned heads, constantly bear the very dust of my feet.

Verse 86 (padma.7.20.86)

देवदेवर्षयश्चापि मुनयश्च जगत्पते । स्तुवंति मां स्तवैर्नित्यं किंकरा इव सर्वदा

devadevarṣayaścāpi munayaśca jagatpate stuvaṁti māṁ stavairnityaṁ kiṁkarā iva sarvadā

O Lord of the world, the divine sages and the sages too constantly praise me with hymns, ever, as though they were my own servants.

Verse 87 (padma.7.20.87)

चतुर्बाहुरहं श्यामः शङ्खचक्रगदाब्जभृत् । प्रफुल्लपुण्डरीकाक्षः पीतवासाः सुकुण्डलः

caturbāhurahaṁ śyāmaḥ śaṅkhacakragadābjabhṛt praphullapuṇḍarīkākṣaḥ pītavāsāḥ sukuṇḍalaḥ

I am four-armed, dark-hued, bearing conch, discus, mace, and lotus; my eyes like blooming lotuses, clad in yellow, adorned with lovely earrings.

Verse 88 (padma.7.20.88)

स्वर्णयज्ञोपवीती च किरीटी कुण्डली तथा । दृश्ये त्वमिव देवाद्यैर्द्वितीयो गरुडध्वजः

svarṇayajñopavītī ca kirīṭī kuṇḍalī tathā dṛśye tvamiva devādyairdvitīyo garuḍadhvajaḥ

Wearing a golden sacred thread, a crown, and earrings, I appear to the gods and others just as you do — as though a second Garuda-bannered Lord.

Verse 89 (padma.7.20.89)

सुखान्येतानि दत्तानि दुर्ल्लभानि त्वया प्रभो । ददासि कथमाहारं न मह्यं परमेश्वर

sukhānyetāni dattāni durllabhāni tvayā prabho dadāsi kathamāhāraṁ na mahyaṁ parameśvara

My Lord, you have given me all these rare pleasures; yet, Supreme Lord, why do you not give me food?

Verse 90 (padma.7.20.90)

क्षुधाग्निना च सुमहच्छरीरं मम दह्यते । यथैव ज्वलितो वृक्षः कोटरस्थेन वह्निना

kṣudhāgninā ca sumahaccharīraṁ mama dahyate yathaiva jvalito vṛkṣaḥ koṭarasthena vahninā

My whole great body is burning with the fire of hunger, just as a tree burns from a fire lodged within its own hollow trunk.

Verse 91 (padma.7.20.91)

सुखमेतत्त्वया दत्तं हरे मह्यं न रोचते । प्रज्वलज्जठराग्नौ तु विह्वलाङ्गाय केशव

sukhametattvayā dattaṁ hare mahyaṁ na rocate prajvalajjaṭharāgnau tu vihvalāṅgāya keśava

O Hari, O Keshava, this happiness you have given me brings me no pleasure, while the blazing fire in my belly leaves my limbs so distressed.

Verse 92 (padma.7.20.92)

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा त्वां विना जगदीश्वरम् । न पूजितो मया कश्चिद्देवदेव गणार्चितः

karmaṇā manasā vācā tvāṁ vinā jagadīśvaram na pūjito mayā kaściddevadeva gaṇārcitaḥ

O Lord of the universe, with deed, mind, and speech, I have never worshipped, apart from you, O God of gods, any other being worshipped even by the gods.

Verse 93 (padma.7.20.93)

स्वप्नेनापि जगन्नाथ तस्य भक्तिः कृता नहि । आहारं केन दोषेण ददासि नहि मे प्रभो

svapnenāpi jagannātha tasya bhaktiḥ kṛtā nahi āhāraṁ kena doṣeṇa dadāsi nahi me prabho

O Lord of the world, not even in a dream have I devoted myself to another; then, my Lord, for what fault do you withhold food from me?

Verse 94 (padma.7.20.94)

व्यास उवाच- अथासौ भगवान्विष्णुः कौतुकी समुवाच तम् । गच्छ ब्राह्मण भद्रं ते ब्रह्माणं प्रति सत्वरम्

vyāsa uvāca- athāsau bhagavānviṣṇuḥ kautukī samuvāca tam gaccha brāhmaṇa bhadraṁ te brahmāṇaṁ prati satvaram

Vyasa said: Then the Blessed Lord Vishnu, with a certain playful curiosity, said to him: "Brahmin, may all be well with you — go quickly to Brahma."

Verse 95 (padma.7.20.95)

इति श्रुत्वा वचो विप्रः शीघ्रं ब्रह्माणमाययौ । ब्रह्मा तं प्रति प्रोवाच कार्पण्यं तस्य दर्शयन्

iti śrutvā vaco vipraḥ śīghraṁ brahmāṇamāyayau brahmā taṁ prati provāca kārpaṇyaṁ tasya darśayan

Hearing these words, that brahmin quickly went to Brahma. Brahma, showing him his own former miserliness, spoke to him thus.

Verse 96 (padma.7.20.96)

ब्रह्मोवाच- दुःखादुपार्जितं कर्म दीयते यन्न भूसुरे । स्वयं न भुंजते तच्च नष्टमेव न संशयः

brahmovāca- duḥkhādupārjitaṁ karma dīyate yanna bhūsure svayaṁ na bhuṁjate tacca naṣṭameva na saṁśayaḥ

Brahma said: Wealth gathered only through hardship, if it is neither given to a brahmin nor enjoyed by oneself, is simply lost — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 97 (padma.7.20.97)

कारणं तव दुःखस्य सर्वमेव मयोदितम् । गच्छ ब्राह्मण भद्रं ते निःसंदेहोयमागतः

kāraṇaṁ tava duḥkhasya sarvameva mayoditam gaccha brāhmaṇa bhadraṁ te niḥsaṁdehoyamāgataḥ

The whole cause of your suffering I have thus explained. Go now, brahmin — may all be well with you; this uncertainty is now, without doubt, resolved.

Verse 98 (padma.7.20.98)

ब्राह्मण उवाच- निजकर्मविपाकोऽयं त्वत्प्रसादाच्छ्रुतोऽखिलः । इदानीं ब्रूहि दानानि कानि देयानि मानवैः

brāhmaṇa uvāca- nijakarmavipāko'yaṁ tvatprasādācchruto'khilaḥ idānīṁ brūhi dānāni kāni deyāni mānavaiḥ

The brahmin said: By your grace, I have now heard in full the ripened fruit of my own past deeds. Now tell me — what gifts should men give?

Verse 99 (padma.7.20.99)

ब्रह्मोवाच- बहूनि संति दानानि तानि वक्तुं न शक्यते । संक्षेपात्कथ्यते विप्र निशामय समाहितः

brahmovāca- bahūni saṁti dānāni tāni vaktuṁ na śakyate saṁkṣepātkathyate vipra niśāmaya samāhitaḥ

Brahma said: Gifts are many, and it is not possible to enumerate them all; brahmin, I shall tell it in brief — listen with a focused mind.

Verse 100 (padma.7.20.100)

भूमिदानं द्विजश्रेष्ठ सर्वदानोत्तमोत्तमम् । कृतं पुण्यात्मना येन स ज्ञेयः सर्वदानकृत्

bhūmidānaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha sarvadānottamottamam kṛtaṁ puṇyātmanā yena sa jñeyaḥ sarvadānakṛt

Best of brahmins, the gift of land is the very best of all gifts; whatever virtuous soul has made this gift should be known as one who has made every possible gift.

Verse 101 (padma.7.20.101)

गोचर्ममात्रं भूमिं यो ददाति द्विजसत्तम । स गच्छेत्परमं स्थानं विमुक्तः सर्वपातकैः

gocarmamātraṁ bhūmiṁ yo dadāti dvijasattama sa gacchetparamaṁ sthānaṁ vimuktaḥ sarvapātakaiḥ

Best of brahmins, whoever gives even land the size of a cow's hide, freed from every sin, goes to the supreme abode.

Verse 102 (padma.7.20.102)

भूमिं सस्यसमेतां यो दरिद्राय द्विजातये । ददाति ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठ तस्य पुण्यं निशामय

bhūmiṁ sasyasametāṁ yo daridrāya dvijātaye dadāti brāhmaṇaśreṣṭha tasya puṇyaṁ niśāmaya

Best of brahmins, hear the merit of whoever gives cultivated land, together with its crop, to a poor brahmin.

Verse 103 (padma.7.20.103)

सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो नारायणपुरं व्रजेत् । तत्र भुंक्ते सुखं सर्वं यावदिंद्राश्चतुर्दश

sarvapāpavinirmukto nārāyaṇapuraṁ vrajet tatra bhuṁkte sukhaṁ sarvaṁ yāvadiṁdrāścaturdaśa

Freed from every sin, he goes to Narayana's own city; there he enjoys every happiness for the duration of fourteen Indras' reigns.

Verse 104 (padma.7.20.104)

भूयो भूमिं समासाद्य सार्वभौमो नृपो भवेत् । चिरं भुक्त्वा महीं कृत्स्नां नरो नारायणो भवेत्

bhūyo bhūmiṁ samāsādya sārvabhaumo nṛpo bhavet ciraṁ bhuktvā mahīṁ kṛtsnāṁ naro nārāyaṇo bhavet

Then, obtaining birth again upon the earth, he becomes a universal sovereign; after long enjoying the whole earth, that man becomes one with Narayana.

Verse 105 (padma.7.20.105)

यस्माद्भूमिर्द्विजैर्ग्राह्या त्यक्त्वा दानशतान्यपि । भूमिदो भूमिनेता च द्वावपि स्वर्गगामिनौ

yasmādbhūmirdvijairgrāhyā tyaktvā dānaśatānyapi bhūmido bhūminetā ca dvāvapi svargagāminau

Therefore, even foregoing hundreds of other gifts, brahmins should accept land above all; both the giver of land and its rightful ruler go to heaven.

Verse 106 (padma.7.20.106)

मंदबुर्द्धिर्द्विजो यस्तु भूमिदानं परित्यजेत् । प्रतिजन्मनि विप्रेन्द्र स भवेदतिदुःखितः

maṁdaburddhirdvijo yastu bhūmidānaṁ parityajet pratijanmani viprendra sa bhavedatiduḥkhitaḥ

Whatever dull-witted brahmin refuses a gift of land, foremost of brahmins, he becomes exceedingly miserable birth after birth.

Verse 107 (padma.7.20.107)

अन्येभ्योऽपि समादाय भूमिदानं य आचरेत् । तस्य विष्णुरति प्रीतो ददाति परमं पदम्

anyebhyo'pi samādāya bhūmidānaṁ ya ācaret tasya viṣṇurati prīto dadāti paramaṁ padam

Whoever, even taking from others, arranges a gift of land, with him Vishnu becomes greatly pleased, and grants him the supreme state.

Verse 108 (padma.7.20.108)

ग्रामं यच्छति यो विप्र दरिद्राय द्विजातये । दापयत्यपि वा तस्य पुण्यं वापि निशामय

grāmaṁ yacchati yo vipra daridrāya dvijātaye dāpayatyapi vā tasya puṇyaṁ vāpi niśāmaya

Brahmin, hear too the merit of whoever gives a village to a poor brahmin, or causes it to be given.

Verse 109 (padma.7.20.109)

यावंतो रेणवो भूमौ यावंतो वृष्टिबिंदवः । मन्वंतराणि तावंति विष्णुलोके वसेत्सुधीः

yāvaṁto reṇavo bhūmau yāvaṁto vṛṣṭibiṁdavaḥ manvaṁtarāṇi tāvaṁti viṣṇuloke vasetsudhīḥ

As many as the grains of dust upon the earth, as many as the drops of rain — for that many manvantaras does that wise man dwell in Vishnu's own world.

Verse 110 (padma.7.20.110)

धेनुं पयस्विनीं यस्तु सवत्सां यच्छति द्विज । तस्य ब्रवीम्यहं पुण्यमाकर्णय महात्मनः

dhenuṁ payasvinīṁ yastu savatsāṁ yacchati dvija tasya bravīmyahaṁ puṇyamākarṇaya mahātmanaḥ

Brahmin, hear the merit — which I shall now tell — of that great soul who gives a milk-yielding cow, together with her calf.

Verse 111 (padma.7.20.111)

सप्तद्वीपां महीं दत्वा ससस्यां यत्फलं लभेत् । तत्फलं लभते मर्त्यो धेनुं यच्छन्द्विजातये

saptadvīpāṁ mahīṁ datvā sasasyāṁ yatphalaṁ labhet tatphalaṁ labhate martyo dhenuṁ yacchandvijātaye

The fruit obtained from giving away the whole earth, with its seven continents and its crops — that same fruit a mortal obtains simply by giving a cow to a brahmin.

Verse 112 (padma.7.20.112)

ददाति वृषभं यस्तु ब्राह्मणाय कुटुंबिने । विमुक्तः पातकै रुद्रै रुद्रलोकं स गच्छति

dadāti vṛṣabhaṁ yastu brāhmaṇāya kuṭuṁbine vimuktaḥ pātakai rudrai rudralokaṁ sa gacchati

Whoever gives a bull to a brahmin with a family, freed from the sins governed by Rudra, goes to Rudra's own world.

Verse 113 (padma.7.20.113)

तस्य यावंति रोमाणि शरीरे वृषभस्य च । तावत्कल्पसहस्राणि रुद्रेण सह मोदते

tasya yāvaṁti romāṇi śarīre vṛṣabhasya ca tāvatkalpasahasrāṇi rudreṇa saha modate

As many hairs as exist upon that bull's body, for that many thousands of cosmic ages he takes delight together with Rudra.

Verse 114 (padma.7.20.114)

यस्तु वेदविदे धेनुं दद्यादुभयतोमुखीम् । न तस्य पुनरावृत्ती रुद्रलोकात्कदाचन

yastu vedavide dhenuṁ dadyādubhayatomukhīm na tasya punarāvṛttī rudralokātkadācana

Whoever gives a knower of the Vedas a cow yielding milk on both sides at once, he never returns again from Rudra's world.

Verse 115 (padma.7.20.115)

वृषं तिलसमायुक्तं कृष्णं यस्तु प्रयच्छति । स रुद्रभवने तिष्ठेद्द्विजेन्द्र तिलसंख्यया

vṛṣaṁ tilasamāyuktaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ yastu prayacchati sa rudrabhavane tiṣṭheddvijendra tilasaṁkhyayā

Whoever gives a black bull, surrounded by sesame seeds, foremost of brahmins, dwells in Rudra's own abode for a period equal to the count of those sesame seeds.

Verse 116 (padma.7.20.116)

तिलप्रमाणमपि च स्वर्णं दद्याद्द्विजातये । स याति विष्णुभवनं कुलकोटिसमन्वितः

tilapramāṇamapi ca svarṇaṁ dadyāddvijātaye sa yāti viṣṇubhavanaṁ kulakoṭisamanvitaḥ

Whoever gives to a brahmin even gold the size of a sesame seed, he goes to Vishnu's own abode, together with millions of his own kinsmen.

Verse 117 (padma.7.20.117)

यो भक्त्या रजतं यच्छेद्दरिद्राय द्विजातये । चंद्रलोकं समासाद्य सुधापानं करोति सः

yo bhaktyā rajataṁ yaccheddaridrāya dvijātaye caṁdralokaṁ samāsādya sudhāpānaṁ karoti saḥ

Whoever, with devotion, gives silver to a poor brahmin, obtaining the world of the moon, drinks there the nectar of immortality.

Verse 118 (padma.7.20.118)

हीरकं मौक्तिकं चापि प्रवालं च मणिं तथा । यो ददाति द्विजश्रेष्ठ शक्रलोकं स गच्छति

hīrakaṁ mauktikaṁ cāpi pravālaṁ ca maṇiṁ tathā yo dadāti dvijaśreṣṭha śakralokaṁ sa gacchati

Best of brahmins, whoever gives diamonds, pearls, coral, and gems, goes to Indra's own world.

Verse 119 (padma.7.20.119)

अश्वदानं द्विजश्रेष्ठ यः करोति महाशयः । गन्धर्वराजराजत्वं स प्राप्नोति न संशयः

aśvadānaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha yaḥ karoti mahāśayaḥ gandharvarājarājatvaṁ sa prāpnoti na saṁśayaḥ

Best of brahmins, whatever noble-minded man gives a horse in charity, he surely attains the very sovereignty of the king of the Gandharvas.

Verse 120 (padma.7.20.120)

ददाति वारणं यस्तु युवानं दोषवर्जितम् । देवराज्ये विभागी स भवेदिन्द्र इव द्विज

dadāti vāraṇaṁ yastu yuvānaṁ doṣavarjitam devarājye vibhāgī sa bhavedindra iva dvija

Brahmin, whoever gives a young, flawless elephant becomes a sharer in the very kingdom of the gods, like Indra himself.

Verse 121 (padma.7.20.121)

नरदोलां च यो दद्याद्ब्राह्मणाय सदक्षिणाम् । सोऽपीन्द्रपदमासाद्य वसेत्कल्पचतुष्टयम्

naradolāṁ ca yo dadyādbrāhmaṇāya sadakṣiṇām so'pīndrapadamāsādya vasetkalpacatuṣṭayam

Whoever gives a brahmin a palanquin, together with its due fee, he too, attaining the rank of Indra, dwells there for four cosmic ages.

Verse 122 (padma.7.20.122)

शालिग्रामशिलादानं यो ददाति द्विजातये । तस्य पुण्यं प्रवक्ष्यामि समासेन शृणु द्विज

śāligrāmaśilādānaṁ yo dadāti dvijātaye tasya puṇyaṁ pravakṣyāmi samāsena śṛṇu dvija

Whoever gives a brahmin a Shaligrama stone, I shall tell his merit in brief — brahmin, listen.

Verse 123 (padma.7.20.123)

सप्तद्वीपां महीं दत्वा सशैलवनकाननाम् । यत्फलं तच्च लभते शालग्रामशिलाप्रदः

saptadvīpāṁ mahīṁ datvā saśailavanakānanām yatphalaṁ tacca labhate śālagrāmaśilāpradaḥ

The fruit obtained by giving away the whole earth, with its seven continents, its mountains, and its forests — that same fruit the giver of a Shaligrama stone also obtains.

Verse 124 (padma.7.20.124)

तुलापुरुषदानेन यत्फलं प्राप्यते नरैः । शालग्रामशिलां यच्छंस्तस्मात्कोटिगुणं लभेत्

tulāpuruṣadānena yatphalaṁ prāpyate naraiḥ śālagrāmaśilāṁ yacchaṁstasmātkoṭiguṇaṁ labhet

The fruit men obtain through the weighing-a-man-in-gold gift — the giver of a Shaligrama stone obtains a fruit ten million times greater than that.

Verse 125 (padma.7.20.125)

शालग्रामशिला येन प्रदत्ता द्विजसत्तम । नूनं तेन प्रदत्तानि भुवनानि चतुर्दश

śālagrāmaśilā yena pradattā dvijasattama nūnaṁ tena pradattāni bhuvanāni caturdaśa

Best of brahmins, whoever has given a Shaligrama stone has, in truth, given away all fourteen worlds.

Verse 126 (padma.7.20.126)

तुलापुरुषदानं यः प्रकरोति नरोत्तम । दिवि दिव्यांबरधरश्चिरं स च महीपतिः

tulāpuruṣadānaṁ yaḥ prakaroti narottama divi divyāṁbaradharaściraṁ sa ca mahīpatiḥ

Best of men, whoever performs the tulapurusha gift dwells long in heaven, clad in divine garments, and, being born again, becomes a lord of the earth.

Verse 127 (padma.7.20.127)

जननीजठरे भूयस्तस्य जन्म न विद्यते । ददाति यस्तु वै कन्यां सालंकारां नरोत्तमः

jananījaṭhare bhūyastasya janma na vidyate dadāti yastu vai kanyāṁ sālaṁkārāṁ narottamaḥ

For him there is no further birth in a mother's womb. Whatever excellent man gives away a daughter, together with her ornaments —

Verse 128 (padma.7.20.128)

स गच्छेद्विष्णुभवनं पुनरावृत्तिवर्जितः । यः कन्याविक्रयं मूढो मोहात्प्रकुरुते नरः

sa gacchedviṣṇubhavanaṁ punarāvṛttivarjitaḥ yaḥ kanyāvikrayaṁ mūḍho mohātprakurute naraḥ

— he goes to Vishnu's own abode, never to return again. Whatever foolish man, out of delusion, sells his own daughter —

Verse 129 (padma.7.20.129)

स गच्छेन्नरकं घोरं पुरीषह्रदसंज्ञकम् । विक्रीतायाश्च कन्याया यः पुत्रो जायते द्विज

sa gacchennarakaṁ ghoraṁ purīṣahradasaṁjñakam vikrītāyāśca kanyāyā yaḥ putro jāyate dvija

— he goes to a terrible hell named Purishahrada. Brahmin, the son who is born of a sold daughter —

Verse 130 (padma.7.20.130)

स चांडाल इव ज्ञेयः सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृतः । कन्याविक्रयिणः पुंसो मुखं पश्येन्न शास्त्रवित्

sa cāṁḍāla iva jñeyaḥ sarvadharmabahiṣkṛtaḥ kanyāvikrayiṇaḥ puṁso mukhaṁ paśyenna śāstravit

— he should be known as like an outcaste, excluded from every dharma. One versed in the scriptures should not even look upon the face of a man who sells his daughter.

Verse 131 (padma.7.20.131)

पश्येदज्ञानतो वापि कुर्याद्भास्करदर्शनम् । यत्किंचित्क्रियते कर्म कन्याविक्रयिणः पुरः

paśyedajñānato vāpi kuryādbhāskaradarśanam yatkiṁcitkriyate karma kanyāvikrayiṇaḥ puraḥ

If one sees him unknowingly, one should perform expiation by looking upon the sun. Whatever act is performed in the presence of a seller of daughters —

Verse 132 (padma.7.20.132)

शुभं तत्सकलं कर्म गच्छेद्विफलतां द्विज । कन्याविक्रयिणो नास्ति नरकान्निष्कृतिः पुनः

śubhaṁ tatsakalaṁ karma gacchedviphalatāṁ dvija kanyāvikrayiṇo nāsti narakānniṣkṛtiḥ punaḥ

— brahmin, that entire meritorious act becomes fruitless. For a seller of daughters, there is no release from hell, ever.

Verse 133 (padma.7.20.133)

कन्यादानकृतो नास्ति स्वर्गादागमनं पुनः । बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन संक्षेपेण ब्रवीमि ते

kanyādānakṛto nāsti svargādāgamanaṁ punaḥ bahunātra kimuktena saṁkṣepeṇa bravīmi te

For one who gives a daughter in marriage, there is no return again from heaven. What more need be said here? I tell you in brief.

Verse 134 (padma.7.20.134)

हीरकक्षितिकन्यानां फलं स्याच्च शताधिकम् । उपानहं चातपत्रं यस्तु यच्छति भूतले

hīrakakṣitikanyānāṁ phalaṁ syācca śatādhikam upānahaṁ cātapatraṁ yastu yacchati bhūtale

The fruit of gifts of diamonds, land, and daughters is more than a hundredfold. Whoever, upon this earth, gives sandals and an umbrella —

Verse 135 (padma.7.20.135)

शृणु तस्य तु वै पुण्यं संक्षेपेण ब्रवीमि ते । इह वर्षशतं जीवेत्सर्वसंपत्समन्वितः

śṛṇu tasya tu vai puṇyaṁ saṁkṣepeṇa bravīmi te iha varṣaśataṁ jīvetsarvasaṁpatsamanvitaḥ

— hear his merit, which I tell in brief. Here in this world he lives a hundred years, endowed with every fortune.

Verse 136 (padma.7.20.136)

मृतः शक्रपुरं प्राप्य शतकल्पचतुष्टयम् । ददाति नूतनं वस्त्रं स याति परमां गतिम्

mṛtaḥ śakrapuraṁ prāpya śatakalpacatuṣṭayam dadāti nūtanaṁ vastraṁ sa yāti paramāṁ gatim

After death, obtaining Indra's own city, he dwells there for four hundred cosmic ages. Whoever gives new garments attains the supreme goal.

Verse 137 (padma.7.20.137)

वस्त्रं पुरातनं यच्छेद्धेनुं च रजतीं तथा । कन्यां रजस्वलां यस्तु स सदा नरकं व्रजेत्

vastraṁ purātanaṁ yaccheddhenuṁ ca rajatīṁ tathā kanyāṁ rajasvalāṁ yastu sa sadā narakaṁ vrajet

Whoever gives worn-out garments, or a cow past her prime, or a daughter given away only after she has reached puberty, goes always to hell.

Verse 138 (padma.7.20.138)

फलदो मानवो विप्र गच्छति त्रिदशालयम् । भुंक्ते कल्पसहस्राणि फलं तत्रामृतोपमम्

phalado mānavo vipra gacchati tridaśālayam bhuṁkte kalpasahasrāṇi phalaṁ tatrāmṛtopamam

Brahmin, whoever gives fruit goes to the abode of the gods; there he enjoys, for thousands of cosmic ages, fruit as sweet as nectar.

Verse 139 (padma.7.20.139)

शाकप्रदो याति विप्र शंभोर्भगवतः पदम् । तत्र कल्पद्वयं भुंक्ते पायसं दुर्ल्लभं सुरैः

śākaprado yāti vipra śaṁbhorbhagavataḥ padam tatra kalpadvayaṁ bhuṁkte pāyasaṁ durllabhaṁ suraiḥ

Brahmin, whoever gives vegetables goes to the abode of the Lord Shambhu; there he enjoys, for two cosmic ages, sweet rice-pudding rare even for the gods.

Verse 140 (padma.7.20.140)

दुग्धदो दधिदश्चैव घृतदस्तक्रदस्तथा । प्राप्नोति वै सुधापानं पुरो भगवतो हरेः

dugdhado dadhidaścaiva ghṛtadastakradastathā prāpnoti vai sudhāpānaṁ puro bhagavato hareḥ

The giver of milk, of curd, of ghee, and of buttermilk obtains the drinking of nectar, in the very presence of the Blessed Lord Hari.

Verse 141 (padma.7.20.141)

पुष्पदो मनुजो विप्र गन्धदश्च सुरालयम् । तिष्ठेद्युगसहस्राणि पुष्पगन्धविभूषितः

puṣpado manujo vipra gandhadaśca surālayam tiṣṭhedyugasahasrāṇi puṣpagandhavibhūṣitaḥ

Brahmin, the man who gives flowers and fragrant substances dwells in the world of the gods for thousands of ages, adorned with flowers and fragrance.

Verse 142 (padma.7.20.142)

शय्यादानं द्विजश्रेष्ठ यः करोति द्विजोत्तम । स ब्रह्मलोकमागत्य पर्यंकशयनश्चिरम्

śayyādānaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha yaḥ karoti dvijottama sa brahmalokamāgatya paryaṁkaśayanaściram

Best of brahmins, whoever gives a bed goes to Brahma's own world, and there sleeps long upon a fine couch.

Verse 143 (padma.7.20.143)

दीपदः पीठदश्चैव सर्वपापविवर्जितः । दिव्यसिंहासनस्थश्च जलदीपावलीवृतः

dīpadaḥ pīṭhadaścaiva sarvapāpavivarjitaḥ divyasiṁhāsanasthaśca jaladīpāvalīvṛtaḥ

The giver of lamps and of a seat, freed from every sin, sits upon a divine throne, surrounded by rows of lamps floating upon water.

Verse 144 (padma.7.20.144)

तांबूलदो नरो राजन्भुवि भुंक्तेऽखिलं शुभम् । दिवि देवाङ्गनाक्रोडे सुप्तस्तांबूलमत्ति वै

tāṁbūlado naro rājanbhuvi bhuṁkte'khilaṁ śubham divi devāṅganākroḍe suptastāṁbūlamatti vai

O king, the man who gives betel enjoys every good thing upon this earth, and in heaven, resting in the lap of celestial women, partakes of betel.

Verse 145 (padma.7.20.145)

विद्यादानं द्विजश्रेष्ठ यः करोति नरोत्तम । संप्राप्य संनिधिं विष्णोस्तिष्ठेद्युगशतद्वयम्

vidyādānaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha yaḥ karoti narottama saṁprāpya saṁnidhiṁ viṣṇostiṣṭhedyugaśatadvayam

Best of men, best of brahmins, whoever gives the gift of learning attains the presence of Vishnu, and dwells there for two hundred ages.

Verse 146 (padma.7.20.146)

ततो ज्ञानं समासाद्य तत्रैव द्विजसत्तम । प्राप्नोति दुर्ल्लभं मोक्षं प्रसादात्कमलापतेः

tato jñānaṁ samāsādya tatraiva dvijasattama prāpnoti durllabhaṁ mokṣaṁ prasādātkamalāpateḥ

Best of brahmins, then, having attained knowledge there itself, by the grace of the Consort of Lakshmi, he attains that most rare liberation.

Verse 147 (padma.7.20.147)

अनाथं ब्राह्मणं यस्तु पाठयत्यतिदुःखितम् । स याति विष्णुभवनं पुनरावृत्तिदुर्ल्लभम्

anāthaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ yastu pāṭhayatyatiduḥkhitam sa yāti viṣṇubhavanaṁ punarāvṛttidurllabham

Whoever teaches an orphaned, greatly suffering brahmin goes to Vishnu's own abode, from which return is rare indeed.

Verse 148 (padma.7.20.148)

कुलीनोऽपि द्विजश्रेष्ठो न भाति विद्यया विना । तस्माद्दिवजं पाठयंतः प्रयांति परमं पदम्

kulīno'pi dvijaśreṣṭho na bhāti vidyayā vinā tasmāddivajaṁ pāṭhayaṁtaḥ prayāṁti paramaṁ padam

Even a well-born brahmin does not shine without learning; therefore those who teach a brahmin attain the supreme state.

Verse 149 (padma.7.20.149)

भुवि प्रत्यक्षदेवोऽपि ब्राह्मणो देवताश्रयः । सर्ववर्णगुरुर्नैव विद्याहीनो विराजते

bhuvi pratyakṣadevo'pi brāhmaṇo devatāśrayaḥ sarvavarṇagururnaiva vidyāhīno virājate

A brahmin, though a visible god upon this earth and the very refuge of the gods, though the teacher of every caste — without learning, he simply does not shine.

Verse 150 (padma.7.20.150)

संसारे यानि दानानि संति हेमादिकानि च । तानि तेन प्रदत्तानि ब्राह्मणो येन पाठितः

saṁsāre yāni dānāni saṁti hemādikāni ca tāni tena pradattāni brāhmaṇo yena pāṭhitaḥ

Whatever gifts exist in this world, of gold and the like — all of them are deemed to have been given by whoever has taught a brahmin.

Verse 151 (padma.7.20.151)

कुर्यात्पुस्तकदानं यो नरो भक्तिसमन्वितः । तस्य पुण्यं द्विजश्रेष्ठ संक्षेपात्ते वदाम्यहम्

kuryātpustakadānaṁ yo naro bhaktisamanvitaḥ tasya puṇyaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha saṁkṣepātte vadāmyaham

Best of brahmins, I shall tell you in brief the merit of whatever man, endowed with devotion, gives a book.

Verse 152 (padma.7.20.152)

तत्राक्षराणि यावंति पत्रे पत्रे च पुस्तके । प्रत्यक्षरे लभेत्पुण्यं कपिलाकोटिदानजम्

tatrākṣarāṇi yāvaṁti patre patre ca pustake pratyakṣare labhetpuṇyaṁ kapilākoṭidānajam

For every single letter on every single page of that book, he obtains merit equal to the gift of millions of tawny cows.

Verse 153 (padma.7.20.153)

यावद्दिनं पुस्तकं तत्प्रपठंति द्विजातयः । तावन्मन्वंतरं तिष्ठेद्वैकुंठे पुस्तकप्रदः

yāvaddinaṁ pustakaṁ tatprapaṭhaṁti dvijātayaḥ tāvanmanvaṁtaraṁ tiṣṭhedvaikuṁṭhe pustakapradaḥ

For as many days as brahmins go on reading that book, for that many manvantaras the giver of the book dwells in Vaikuntha.

Verse 154 (padma.7.20.154)

एवमादीन्यनेकानि संति दानानि भूसुर । सम्यग्वक्तुं जगत्यस्मिन्कः शक्तो द्विशतैरपि

evamādīnyanekāni saṁti dānāni bhūsura samyagvaktuṁ jagatyasminkaḥ śakto dviśatairapi

O earthly god, there are, in this way, many other gifts besides; in this world, who is capable of describing them fully, even in two hundred years?

Verse 155 (padma.7.20.155)

ब्रह्महत्यादि पापानि क्रियंते यानि मानवैः । हन्यंते तानि पापानि तस्माद्दानं समाचरेत्

brahmahatyādi pāpāni kriyaṁte yāni mānavaiḥ hanyaṁte tāni pāpāni tasmāddānaṁ samācaret

Whatever sins men commit, beginning with the slaying of a brahmin — all those sins are destroyed by giving; therefore one should surely practice charitable giving.

Verse 156 (padma.7.20.156)

आत्मपुण्येन यद्दानं दीयते च त्रिभिर्जनैः । यावद्द्रव्यं फलं तस्मात्तस्य दानस्य लभ्यते

ātmapuṇyena yaddānaṁ dīyate ca tribhirjanaiḥ yāvaddravyaṁ phalaṁ tasmāttasya dānasya labhyate

Whatever gift is given by these three kinds of people for their own merit, the fruit of that gift is obtained in proportion exactly to the substance given.

Verse 157 (padma.7.20.157)

प्रीतये कमलाभर्तुर्यद्दानं दीयते जनैः । तस्यकोटिगुणं पुण्यं लभते नात्र संशयः

prītaye kamalābharturyaddānaṁ dīyate janaiḥ tasyakoṭiguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ labhate nātra saṁśayaḥ

But whatever gift is given by people for the sake of pleasing the Consort of Lakshmi — its merit is obtained ten million times greater, of this there is no doubt.

Verse 158 (padma.7.20.158)

तस्मान्नारायणप्रीतिहेतवे मतिमान्नरः । दानं समाचरेद्विप्र भक्तिकर्मसमन्वितः

tasmānnārāyaṇaprītihetave matimānnaraḥ dānaṁ samācaredvipra bhaktikarmasamanvitaḥ

Therefore, brahmin, a wise man should practice charitable giving for the sake of pleasing Narayana, joined always with an act of devotion.

Verse 159 (padma.7.20.159)

तपसोऽपि परं दानं निरुक्तं तत्वदर्शिभिः । अतो यत्नादपि प्राज्ञो दानकर्मसमाचरेत्

tapaso'pi paraṁ dānaṁ niruktaṁ tatvadarśibhiḥ ato yatnādapi prājño dānakarmasamācaret

The seers of truth have declared giving to be superior even to austerity; therefore the wise should practice the act of giving, even with deliberate effort.

Verse 160 (padma.7.20.160)

दानं तपो द्वे अपि यः प्रकरोति नरोत्तमः । तस्य तुल्यो जगत्यस्मिन्विद्यते न हि भूसुर

dānaṁ tapo dve api yaḥ prakaroti narottamaḥ tasya tulyo jagatyasminvidyate na hi bhūsura

O earthly god, whatever excellent man performs both giving and austerity together — his equal exists nowhere in this world.