The Glory of the Guest: Pavitra, Anapatyapati, and the Sage Lomasha

Verse 1 (padma.7.25.1)

जैमिनिरुवाच- भूय एव महाभाग तुलस्याः पापनाशनम् । अतिथेः पूजनस्यापि माहात्म्यं ब्रूहि विस्तरात्

jaiminiruvāca- bhūya eva mahābhāga tulasyāḥ pāpanāśanam atitheḥ pūjanasyāpi māhātmyaṁ brūhi vistarāt

Jaimini said: Most fortunate one, tell once more, in full, the sin-destroying glory of Tulasi, and also the glory of honoring a guest.

Verse 2 (padma.7.25.2)

सूत उवाच- ततो व्यासो महातेजास्तुलस्या द्विजसत्तम । माहात्म्यं वक्तुमारेभे शृण्वतां पापनाशनम्

sūta uvāca- tato vyāso mahātejāstulasyā dvijasattama māhātmyaṁ vaktumārebhe śṛṇvatāṁ pāpanāśanam

Suta said: Best of brahmins, then the greatly radiant Vyasa began to tell the glory of Tulasi, which destroys the sins of those who hear it.

Verse 3 (padma.7.25.3)

व्यास उवाच- इयं साक्षान्महालक्ष्मीस्तुलसी भगवत्प्रिया । तस्मादिमां न पश्यंति वृक्षज्ञानेन जैमिने

vyāsa uvāca- iyaṁ sākṣānmahālakṣmīstulasī bhagavatpriyā tasmādimāṁ na paśyaṁti vṛkṣajñānena jaimine

Vyasa said: O Jaimini, this Tulasi is Mahalakshmi herself, made visible, and beloved of the Blessed Lord; therefore she should not be regarded with the mere awareness that she is a plant.

Verse 4 (padma.7.25.4)

सदैव तुलसीं मर्त्यो यथैव भुवि सेवते । तथैव सेन्द्रा विबुधाः सेवंते तं सुरालये

sadaiva tulasīṁ martyo yathaiva bhuvi sevate tathaiva sendrā vibudhāḥ sevaṁte taṁ surālaye

Just as a mortal ever serves Tulasi upon this earth, so too, in the world of the gods, Indra and the gods themselves serve that very mortal.

Verse 5 (padma.7.25.5)

परब्रह्मस्वरूपेयं तुलसी यत्र तिष्ठति । तत्रैव कुशलं सर्वं सुदृढं प्रोच्यते मया

parabrahmasvarūpeyaṁ tulasī yatra tiṣṭhati tatraiva kuśalaṁ sarvaṁ sudṛḍhaṁ procyate mayā

Wherever this Tulasi, of the very nature of the supreme Brahman, stands, there indeed, I firmly declare, every well-being firmly abides.

Verse 6 (padma.7.25.6)

प्राप्नोति मृत्युकाले यस्तोयं पातकवानपि । तुलसीपत्रगलितं स याति हरिसन्निधिम्

prāpnoti mṛtyukāle yastoyaṁ pātakavānapi tulasīpatragalitaṁ sa yāti harisannidhim

Whoever, even a sinner, at the time of death receives the water that has dripped from a tulasi leaf, goes to Hari's very presence.

Verse 7 (padma.7.25.7)

तुलसीमृत्तिकापुण्ड्रं यो मृत्युसमये वहेत् । स मुक्तः सकलैः पापैः पुरं गच्छति चक्रिणः

tulasīmṛttikāpuṇḍraṁ yo mṛtyusamaye vahet sa muktaḥ sakalaiḥ pāpaiḥ puraṁ gacchati cakriṇaḥ

Whoever, at the time of death, bears a mark made of tulasi-earth, freed from every sin, goes to the city of the discus-bearing Lord.

Verse 8 (padma.7.25.8)

यस्य स्यात्तुलसीपत्रं मुखे शिरसि कर्णयोः । मृत्युकाले द्विजश्रेष्ठ तस्य स्वामी न भास्करिः

yasya syāttulasīpatraṁ mukhe śirasi karṇayoḥ mṛtyukāle dvijaśreṣṭha tasya svāmī na bhāskariḥ

Best of brahmins, whoever has a tulasi leaf upon his mouth, head, or ears at the time of death — over him the son of the Sun no longer holds any sway.

Verse 9 (padma.7.25.9)

पवित्रनामा सुमतिर्बभूव परमार्थवित् । बभूव ब्राह्मणी तस्य बहुला नाम धारिणी

pavitranāmā sumatirbabhūva paramārthavit babhūva brāhmaṇī tasya bahulā nāma dhāriṇī

There was a brahmin named Pavitra, of good understanding, a knower of the highest truth; his wife, a brahmin woman, was named Bahula.

Verse 10 (padma.7.25.10)

सद्वंशप्रभवा साध्वी पतिसेवापरायणा । अनपत्यपतिर्नाम तत्रैकोस्ति द्विजोत्तमः

sadvaṁśaprabhavā sādhvī patisevāparāyaṇā anapatyapatirnāma tatraikosti dvijottamaḥ

She was born of a good lineage, virtuous, devoted to serving her husband. There also lived an excellent brahmin named Anapatyapati.

Verse 11 (padma.7.25.11)

सख्यं तेन पवित्रोऽसौ चकार द्विजसेविना । ततोऽनपत्यपतिना कथालोभेन सत्तमः

sakhyaṁ tena pavitro'sau cakāra dvijasevinā tato'napatyapatinā kathālobhena sattamaḥ

That Pavitra, a servant of brahmins, formed a friendship with him. Then, out of a fondness for conversation, that good man Anapatyapati —

Verse 12 (padma.7.25.12)

उपविष्टः पवित्रोऽसौ स्नेहादेकवरासने । तत्रांतरे महातेजा लोमशो नाम स द्विजः

upaviṣṭaḥ pavitro'sau snehādekavarāsane tatrāṁtare mahātejā lomaśo nāma sa dvijaḥ

— that Pavitra, out of affection, sat together upon one excellent seat. Meanwhile, a most radiant brahmin named Lomasha —

Verse 13 (padma.7.25.13)

कथयंतौ कथाश्चित्राः समागत्य ददर्श तौ । अथ तं लोमशं विप्रं विप्रावुत्थाय पीठतः

kathayaṁtau kathāścitrāḥ samāgatya dadarśa tau atha taṁ lomaśaṁ vipraṁ viprāvutthāya pīṭhataḥ

— arrived and saw the two of them engaged in wondrous conversation. Then those two brahmins, rising from their seats, honored that brahmin Lomasha —

Verse 14 (padma.7.25.14)

पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीयाद्यैः पूजयामासतुश्च तौ । सुप्रीतो लोमशस्ताभ्यां नारायणपरायणः

pādyārghyācamanīyādyaiḥ pūjayāmāsatuśca tau suprīto lomaśastābhyāṁ nārāyaṇaparāyaṇaḥ

— with foot-water, guest-water, sipping-water, and the rest. Lomasha, devoted to Narayana, was greatly pleased with them both.

Verse 15 (padma.7.25.15)

उवास ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठ आसने कीर्तयन्हरिम् । आसनस्थं महात्मानं लोमशं तं कृताञ्जलिम्

uvāsa brāhmaṇaśreṣṭha āsane kīrtayanharim āsanasthaṁ mahātmānaṁ lomaśaṁ taṁ kṛtāñjalim

That excellent brahmin sat upon the seat, chanting the praises of Hari. Then those two brahmins, Pavitra and Anapatyapati, joining their palms —

Verse 16 (padma.7.25.16)

पवित्रानापत्यमुनी भक्त्या प्राहतुर्लोमशम् । भगवन्सर्वधर्मज्ञ त्वत्पादयुगलैर्नृभिः

pavitrānāpatyamunī bhaktyā prāhaturlomaśam bhagavansarvadharmajña tvatpādayugalairnṛbhiḥ

— spoke thus with devotion to Lomasha: "Blessed one, knower of all dharma, by your two feet, which men —

Verse 17 (padma.7.25.17)

सद्भिर्ग्राह्यैराश्रमोऽयं पूतोऽभून्नूनमावयोः । कृतानि यानि पापानि आवाभ्यां मोहतः पुरा

sadbhirgrāhyairāśramo'yaṁ pūto'bhūnnūnamāvayoḥ kṛtāni yāni pāpāni āvābhyāṁ mohataḥ purā

"— worthy to be received by the virtuous, our very hermitage has surely become sanctified. Whatever sins we two, in delusion, committed in the past —"

Verse 18 (padma.7.25.18)

तानि सर्वाणि नष्टानि त्वत्पादयुगदर्शनात् । भवान्नारायणः साक्षात्पूजनीयोऽमरैरपि

tāni sarvāṇi naṣṭāni tvatpādayugadarśanāt bhavānnārāyaṇaḥ sākṣātpūjanīyo'marairapi

"— all of them have been destroyed by the mere sight of your two feet. You are Narayana himself, made visible, worthy of worship even by the immortal gods."

Verse 19 (padma.7.25.19)

सम्यक्ते पूजनं कर्तुं किमावां मानुषौ क्षमौ । अतिथेर्या कृता पूजा तेऽस्माभिर्निजशक्तितः

samyakte pūjanaṁ kartuṁ kimāvāṁ mānuṣau kṣamau atitheryā kṛtā pūjā te'smābhirnijaśaktitaḥ

"How could we two mere mortals possibly be capable of worshipping you fully? Whatever worship we have offered you as a guest, according to our own capacity —"

Verse 20 (padma.7.25.20)

अनया भव सुप्रीतः क्षमस्व दोषमावयोः । इत्युक्त्वा तौ महात्मानौ तस्यागंतोः पदद्वये । निपेततुर्द्विजश्रेष्ठ वयस्यौ गृहमेधिनौ

anayā bhava suprītaḥ kṣamasva doṣamāvayoḥ ityuktvā tau mahātmānau tasyāgaṁtoḥ padadvaye nipetaturdvijaśreṣṭha vayasyau gṛhamedhinau

"— be well pleased with it, and forgive our faults." Having said this, best of brahmins, those two great-souled friends, both householders, fell at the two feet of that visitor.

Verse 21 (padma.7.25.21)

व्यास उवाच- ततो भक्त्या सुसंतुष्टो लोमशो विदुषांवरः । युवां विनयिनां श्रेष्ठौ द्विजाग्र्यौ धर्मतत्परौ

vyāsa uvāca- tato bhaktyā susaṁtuṣṭo lomaśo viduṣāṁvaraḥ yuvāṁ vinayināṁ śreṣṭhau dvijāgryau dharmatatparau

Vyasa said: Then, greatly pleased by their devotion, Lomasha, foremost among the learned, said: "You two are foremost among the humble, excellent brahmins, devoted to dharma.

Verse 22 (padma.7.25.22)

आप्यायितोऽस्मि सुतरां युवयोर्विनयोक्तिभिः । साक्षाद्ब्रह्मा शिवो विष्णुरतिथिः प्रोच्यते बुधैः

āpyāyito'smi sutarāṁ yuvayorvinayoktibhiḥ sākṣādbrahmā śivo viṣṇuratithiḥ procyate budhaiḥ

"I am exceedingly gratified by your humble words. The wise declare that a guest is Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu himself, made visible.

Verse 23 (padma.7.25.23)

तस्मिन्नेतावतीभक्तिर्युवयोरस्तु मङ्गलम् । आराधितोऽस्म्यहंसम्यगतिथिर्भूरिभोजनैः

tasminnetāvatībhaktiryuvayorastu maṅgalam ārādhito'smyahaṁsamyagatithirbhūribhojanaiḥ

"Such is your devotion to that guest — may all be well with you both. As a guest, I have been fully satisfied by your abundant food."

Verse 24 (padma.7.25.24)

व्यास उवाच- तत उत्थाय तौ विप्रौ तत्पादकमलद्वये । भूयोऽपि तं नमस्कृत्य प्राहतुर्लोमशं मुनिम्

vyāsa uvāca- tata utthāya tau viprau tatpādakamaladvaye bhūyo'pi taṁ namaskṛtya prāhaturlomaśaṁ munim

Vyasa said: Then those two brahmins, rising up, bowed again at his two lotus feet, and spoke thus to the sage Lomasha.

Verse 25 (padma.7.25.25)

ब्राह्मणावूचतुः ब्रह्मन्नतिथिपूजाया माहात्म्यं वक्तुमर्हसि । यां कृत्वा प्राप्यते मुक्तिर्दुःखलभ्यापि मानवैः

brāhmaṇāvūcatuḥ brahmannatithipūjāyā māhātmyaṁ vaktumarhasi yāṁ kṛtvā prāpyate muktirduḥkhalabhyāpi mānavaiḥ

The two brahmins said: Brahman, be pleased to tell the glory of honoring a guest, by which men attain liberation, otherwise so hard to obtain.

Verse 26 (padma.7.25.26)

कोऽतिथिः प्रोच्यते लोके तस्य पूजा च कीदृशी । आतिथेयोऽतिथिश्चेमौ लभेते कामुभौ गतिम्

ko'tithiḥ procyate loke tasya pūjā ca kīdṛśī ātitheyo'tithiścemau labhete kāmubhau gatim

Who is called a guest in this world, and what should his worship be like? What fate do both the host and the guest attain?

Verse 27 (padma.7.25.27)

लोमश उवाच- वानप्रस्थो ब्रह्मचारी भिक्षुश्चैषां प्रपूजनात् । निरुच्यते गृहं श्रेष्ठमाश्रमेषु चतुर्ष्वपि

lomaśa uvāca- vānaprastho brahmacārī bhikṣuścaiṣāṁ prapūjanāt nirucyate gṛhaṁ śreṣṭhamāśrameṣu caturṣvapi

Lomasha said: By the honoring of the forest-dweller, the celibate student, and the mendicant, the householder's stage is declared the finest among all four stages of life.

Verse 28 (padma.7.25.28)

चतुराश्रममध्येषु प्रधाना गृहिणो मताः । तैश्चातिथीनां कर्तव्या पूजा भक्तिसमन्वितैः

caturāśramamadhyeṣu pradhānā gṛhiṇo matāḥ taiścātithīnāṁ kartavyā pūjā bhaktisamanvitaiḥ

Among the four stages of life, householders are held to be foremost; they, endowed with devotion, should honor their guests.

Verse 29 (padma.7.25.29)

गृहिणां परमो धर्मः प्रोक्तश्चातिथिपूजनम् । आश्रमाचारतोऽभ्रष्टास्ततस्ते गृहिणो मताः

gṛhiṇāṁ paramo dharmaḥ proktaścātithipūjanam āśramācārato'bhraṣṭāstataste gṛhiṇo matāḥ

Honoring a guest is declared the highest dharma of householders; it is by this that they are considered not fallen from the proper conduct of their stage.

Verse 30 (padma.7.25.30)

वंहत्यतिथिपूजायां दक्षतां गृहिणो यदि । तदा प्रयोजनं तेषां किमन्यैः पुण्यकर्मभिः

vaṁhatyatithipūjāyāṁ dakṣatāṁ gṛhiṇo yadi tadā prayojanaṁ teṣāṁ kimanyaiḥ puṇyakarmabhiḥ

If householders maintain diligence in honoring guests, what further need remains for them of other meritorious deeds?

Verse 31 (padma.7.25.31)

यस्य न श्रूयते नाम न च गोत्रं न च स्थितिः । अकस्माद्गृहमागच्छेत्सोऽतिथिः प्रोच्यते बुधैः

yasya na śrūyate nāma na ca gotraṁ na ca sthitiḥ akasmādgṛhamāgacchetso'tithiḥ procyate budhaiḥ

One whose name, lineage, or dwelling has never been heard of, who arrives at one's house unexpectedly — such a person the wise call a guest.

Verse 32 (padma.7.25.32)

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वापि वैश्या वा वृषलास्तथा । गृहागताः पूजिताश्च विष्णुवत्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः

brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vāpi vaiśyā vā vṛṣalāstathā gṛhāgatāḥ pūjitāśca viṣṇuvattattvadarśibhiḥ

Whether brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, or shudras — whoever arrives at the house is worshipped, by seers of truth, just as Vishnu himself.

Verse 33 (padma.7.25.33)

चाण्डालप्रमुखा येऽन्ये हीनवर्णसमुद्भवाः । विष्णुवत्पूजितव्यास्ते पाद्यार्घ्यैर्भूरिभोजनैः

cāṇḍālapramukhā ye'nye hīnavarṇasamudbhavāḥ viṣṇuvatpūjitavyāste pādyārghyairbhūribhojanaiḥ

Even outcastes and others born of low castes — they too should be worshipped like Vishnu, with foot-water, guest-water, and abundant food.

Verse 34 (padma.7.25.34)

समागतेष्वतिथिषु प्रयाणं कुरुते गृही । अपि स त्वरया दद्यात्पाद्यार्घ्यादीनि च द्विजः

samāgateṣvatithiṣu prayāṇaṁ kurute gṛhī api sa tvarayā dadyātpādyārghyādīni ca dvijaḥ

When guests arrive, even a householder brahmin about to set out on a journey should quickly offer foot-water, guest-water, and the rest.

Verse 35 (padma.7.25.35)

कुर्याच्च कुशलं प्रश्नं वचनैः कोमलाक्षरैः । कारयेद्भोजनं वापि दिव्यरत्नैर्मुदा गृही

kuryācca kuśalaṁ praśnaṁ vacanaiḥ komalākṣaraiḥ kārayedbhojanaṁ vāpi divyaratnairmudā gṛhī

One should ask after their well-being in gentle words; the householder should joyfully arrange a meal for them, as fine as if of divine gems.

Verse 36 (padma.7.25.36)

सुखदे मन्दिरे तस्य शयनं कारयेद्बुधः । प्रातर्जिगमिषुं दृष्ट्वा तमायांतं विवर्जयेत्

sukhade mandire tasya śayanaṁ kārayedbudhaḥ prātarjigamiṣuṁ dṛṣṭvā tamāyāṁtaṁ vivarjayet

The wise should let them sleep in a comfortable part of the house; seeing them wishing to leave at dawn, one should not detain them.

Verse 37 (padma.7.25.37)

यदि कर्मविपाकेन गृही भवति वित्तवान् । अतिथ्येनातिथिः पूज्यस्तदहं वच्मि सत्तमौ

yadi karmavipākena gṛhī bhavati vittavān atithyenātithiḥ pūjyastadahaṁ vacmi sattamau

If, through the fruit of past deeds, the householder is wealthy, how the guest should then be honored — this I shall now tell you two good men.

Verse 38 (padma.7.25.38)

समागतेष्वतिथिषु भक्त्या दद्यात्तृणादिकम् । तृणाभावेन वै ब्रूयाद्भूमौ तिष्ठेति भक्तितः

samāgateṣvatithiṣu bhaktyā dadyāttṛṇādikam tṛṇābhāvena vai brūyādbhūmau tiṣṭheti bhaktitaḥ

When a guest arrives, one should devotedly give him a seat of grass or the like; if grass is unavailable, one should devotedly say, "Please, be seated on the ground."

Verse 39 (padma.7.25.39)

पादप्रक्षालनार्थं तुदद्यादुदकमुत्तमम् । अतो मधुरया वाचा पृच्छेच्च कुशलादिकम्

pādaprakṣālanārthaṁ tudadyādudakamuttamam ato madhurayā vācā pṛcchecca kuśalādikam

For washing the feet, one should give excellent water; then, in sweet speech, one should inquire after his welfare and the rest.

Verse 40 (padma.7.25.40)

फलादिकं ततो दद्याद्भक्त्या भोजनहेतवे । तदभावेन मतिमान्मुदा विप्र प्रकाशयेत्

phalādikaṁ tato dadyādbhaktyā bhojanahetave tadabhāvena matimānmudā vipra prakāśayet

Then, for his meal, one should devotedly offer fruit and the like; and if that too is lacking, the wise brahmin should openly and cheerfully declare his situation —

Verse 41 (padma.7.25.41)

वदेच्चाहं महापापी दरिद्र प्रवरोऽतिथे । कर्त्तुमिच्छामि भक्तिं ते दैवतंत्रंविरोधकम्

vadeccāhaṁ mahāpāpī daridra pravaro'tithe karttumicchāmi bhaktiṁ te daivataṁtraṁvirodhakam

— saying, "O guest, I am a great sinner, exceedingly poor; I wish to serve you with devotion, even though fate's own constraint stands against it."

Verse 42 (padma.7.25.42)

अनेन विधिना दीनः सत्यक्त्वातिथिपूजनम् । स्वाचारपतितो नान्यो यथोक्तं फलमाप्नुयात्

anena vidhinā dīnaḥ satyaktvātithipūjanam svācārapatito nānyo yathoktaṁ phalamāpnuyāt

By this method, even a poor man, without abandoning the honoring of a guest, and without falling from his own proper conduct, obtains the stated fruit.

Verse 43 (padma.7.25.43)

अनर्चितोऽतिथिर्यस्य गच्छेद्वै गृहिणो गृहात् । जन्मकोट्यर्जितं पुण्यं तस्य गच्छति संक्षयम्

anarcito'tithiryasya gacchedvai gṛhiṇo gṛhāt janmakoṭyarjitaṁ puṇyaṁ tasya gacchati saṁkṣayam

Whatever householder's guest departs from his house unhonored, that man's merit, accumulated across millions of births, is destroyed.

Verse 44 (padma.7.25.44)

एक एवातिथिर्येन भक्तिभावेन पूज्यते । हरेत्तस्य हरिः सद्यो पातकं कोटिजन्मजम्

eka evātithiryena bhaktibhāvena pūjyate harettasya hariḥ sadyo pātakaṁ koṭijanmajam

Whoever honors even a single guest with devotion, Hari at once removes the sin born of that person's millions of births.

Verse 45 (padma.7.25.45)

सत्यं वच्मि हितं वच्मि दृढं वच्मि प्रयत्नतः । विनातिथिसपर्याभिर्गृहिणो नास्ति वा गतिः

satyaṁ vacmi hitaṁ vacmi dṛḍhaṁ vacmi prayatnataḥ vinātithisaparyābhirgṛhiṇo nāsti vā gatiḥ

I speak truth, I speak for your welfare, I declare it firmly and with deliberate emphasis — without the service of guests, a householder has no path to salvation at all.

Verse 46 (padma.7.25.46)

सत्यं सत्यं पुनः सत्यमागंतुपूजया विना । गतिर्नास्त्येव नास्त्येव नास्त्येव गृहिधर्मिणाम्

satyaṁ satyaṁ punaḥ satyamāgaṁtupūjayā vinā gatirnāstyeva nāstyeva nāstyeva gṛhidharmiṇām

True, true, again true — without honoring the one who arrives, there is no path to salvation for householders, none, none, none at all.

Verse 47 (padma.7.25.47)

ज्ञातिधर्म इति ख्यातो वल्लभो द्वापरे युगे । बभूव सर्वधर्मज्ञस्तस्य श्रीवल्लभाह्वया

jñātidharma iti khyāto vallabho dvāpare yuge babhūva sarvadharmajñastasya śrīvallabhāhvayā

In the Dvapara age there lived a man named Vallabha, renowned as devoted to the duty of kinship, a knower of all dharma; his wife was named Shrivallabha.

Verse 48 (padma.7.25.48)

तेन सर्वाणि कर्माणि कृतानि ज्ञातिसेविना । सौराष्ट्रे वसतिं चक्रे तया सह सभार्यया

tena sarvāṇi karmāṇi kṛtāni jñātisevinā saurāṣṭre vasatiṁ cakre tayā saha sabhāryayā

That servant of his kinsmen performed every duty; he made his dwelling in Saurashtra, together with his wife.

Verse 49 (padma.7.25.49)

तत्र दुर्ग्रहसंचाराद्द्वादशाब्दं च वासवः । न ववर्षांबु तेनासीद्दुर्भिक्षं सुमहद्द्विजौ

tatra durgrahasaṁcārāddvādaśābdaṁ ca vāsavaḥ na vavarṣāṁbu tenāsīddurbhikṣaṁ sumahaddvijau

Brahmins, there, due to the malign transit of the planets, Indra did not send rain for twelve years, and so a most terrible famine arose.

Verse 50 (padma.7.25.50)

तस्मिन्महति दुर्भिक्षे लोकास्तद्देशवासिनः । बभूवुर्दुःखिताः सर्वे मर्यादामपि तत्यजुः

tasminmahati durbhikṣe lokāstaddeśavāsinaḥ babhūvurduḥkhitāḥ sarve maryādāmapi tatyajuḥ

In that great famine, all the inhabitants of that land became sorrowful, and they even abandoned proper conduct.

Verse 51 (padma.7.25.51)

ज्ञानभद्रो महायोगी युगे द्वापर संज्ञके । दुर्भिक्षहृतसंपत्तिर्बभूवात्यन्तदुःखितः

jñānabhadro mahāyogī yuge dvāpara saṁjñake durbhikṣahṛtasaṁpattirbabhūvātyantaduḥkhitaḥ

In the Dvapara age there lived a great yogi named Jnanabhadra, who, his fortune stripped away by the famine, became exceedingly sorrowful.

Verse 52 (padma.7.25.52)

क्षुधाकुलान्सुतान्दृष्ट्वा दारांश्च द्विजसंमतौ । फलमूलादनार्थाय जगामोत्पत्यकां गिरेः

kṣudhākulānsutāndṛṣṭvā dārāṁśca dvijasaṁmatau phalamūlādanārthāya jagāmotpatyakāṁ gireḥ

Brahmins, seeing his children and wife tormented by hunger, he went to the foothills of a mountain in search of roots and fruits to eat.

Verse 53 (padma.7.25.53)

गिरेरुपत्यकाप्रांते चिरायुः स बुभुक्षितः । कूष्माण्डफलमेकं च लेभे ब्राह्मणसत्तमौ

girerupatyakāprāṁte cirāyuḥ sa bubhukṣitaḥ kūṣmāṇḍaphalamekaṁ ca lebhe brāhmaṇasattamau

Best of brahmins, at the far edge of the mountain's foothills, that long-lived, hungry man found a single pumpkin fruit.

Verse 54 (padma.7.25.54)

समादाय फलं तच्च हर्षितोऽसौ निजालयम् । जवैर्जगाम विप्रेन्द्रो ज्ञानभद्रो महायशाः

samādāya phalaṁ tacca harṣito'sau nijālayam javairjagāma viprendro jñānabhadro mahāyaśāḥ

Taking that fruit, delighted, foremost of brahmins, that most illustrious Jnanabhadra hurried swiftly toward his own home.

Verse 55 (padma.7.25.55)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे विप्र मेघैर्न्नीलपदैरिव । आवृते गगने वृष्टिर्महासारैर्बभूव ह

etasminnantare vipra meghairnnīlapadairiva āvṛte gagane vṛṣṭirmahāsārairbabhūva ha

Brahmin, meanwhile, the sky becoming covered with clouds dark as blue lotuses, a torrential rain began to fall.

Verse 56 (padma.7.25.56)

स मुनिश्च तया वृष्ट्या प्लाविताखिलविग्रह । वनाद्वनचरः कश्चिच्छीतार्तश्चाययौ गृहम्

sa muniśca tayā vṛṣṭyā plāvitākhilavigraha vanādvanacaraḥ kaścicchītārtaścāyayau gṛham

That sage's whole body was drenched by that rain. At that very moment, some forest-dweller, tormented by the cold, came from the forest to his house.

Verse 57 (padma.7.25.57)

दृष्ट्वातिथिं तु शीतार्तं ववंदे शिरसा ततः । ददौ तृणासनं भक्त्या तस्मै पाद्यादिकं ततः

dṛṣṭvātithiṁ tu śītārtaṁ vavaṁde śirasā tataḥ dadau tṛṇāsanaṁ bhaktyā tasmai pādyādikaṁ tataḥ

Beholding that guest, tormented by cold, he bowed his head to him, then, with devotion, gave him a seat of grass and offered him foot-water and the rest.

Verse 58 (padma.7.25.58)

ततो मधुरया वाचा तेनैवातिथिना सह । तस्थौ स्वस्थेन मनसा प्रज्ञालापं प्रकुर्वता

tato madhurayā vācā tenaivātithinā saha tasthau svasthena manasā prajñālāpaṁ prakurvatā

Then, with a composed mind, he sat conversing wisely and in sweet speech with that very guest.

Verse 59 (padma.7.25.59)

गृहिण्या सह गोपेन स्वामिसेवा सुदक्षया । ततः कूष्माण्डकं नव्यं पक्वमत्यंत यत्नतः

gṛhiṇyā saha gopena svāmisevā sudakṣayā tataḥ kūṣmāṇḍakaṁ navyaṁ pakvamatyaṁta yatnataḥ

His housewife, exceedingly skilled at serving her husband, together with the cowherd, that pumpkin, freshly cooked with the greatest care —

Verse 60 (padma.7.25.60)

संप्राप्य हर्षिता साध्वी ददौ भागं विधाय सा । अथासौ दुर्बलो गोपो दिनविंशमुपोषणात्

saṁprāpya harṣitā sādhvī dadau bhāgaṁ vidhāya sā athāsau durbalo gopo dinaviṁśamupoṣaṇāt

— receiving it, that virtuous woman, delighted, prepared a portion and gave it to her husband. Then that cowherd, weakened by twenty days of fasting —

Verse 61 (padma.7.25.61)

आतिथेयो महाभागं ददौ चातिथये मुदा । ततस्तद्गृहिणी साध्वी स्वामिभक्तिपरायणा

ātitheyo mahābhāgaṁ dadau cātithaye mudā tatastadgṛhiṇī sādhvī svāmibhaktiparāyaṇā

— that host joyfully gave his own large portion to the guest instead. Then his virtuous wife, devoted to serving her husband —

Verse 62 (padma.7.25.62)

ददौ सा पतितं भागं तस्मै चातिथये मुदा । अथातिथेस्तयोस्तत्र दंपत्योः सुमहात्मनोः

dadau sā patitaṁ bhāgaṁ tasmai cātithaye mudā athātithestayostatra daṁpatyoḥ sumahātmanoḥ

— also gave, joyfully, her husband's own portion to that same guest. Then that guest of that great-souled couple —

Verse 63 (padma.7.25.63)

अभूद्भागद्वयं भुक्त्वा सुप्रीतो द्विजसत्तम । विष्णुवत्पूजितस्ताभ्यां सोऽतिथिर्दृढभक्तितः

abhūdbhāgadvayaṁ bhuktvā suprīto dvijasattama viṣṇuvatpūjitastābhyāṁ so'tithirdṛḍhabhaktitaḥ

— best of brahmins, eating both portions, became greatly pleased; that guest was worshipped by them both, with firm devotion, just as Vishnu himself.

Verse 64 (padma.7.25.64)

विश्रामं रात्रौ तत्रैव प्रातः स्नात्वा चिरं ययौ । गतैवमुपवासेन दिनानामेकविंशतिः

viśrāmaṁ rātrau tatraiva prātaḥ snātvā ciraṁ yayau gataivamupavāsena dinānāmekaviṁśatiḥ

He rested there that night, bathed at dawn, and departed for a long journey. Thus, continuing to fast, twenty-one days passed.

Verse 65 (padma.7.25.65)

दंपती तौ महात्मानौ पंचतां ययतुस्ततः । तेन पुण्यप्रभावेण दंपती तौ महाशयौ

daṁpatī tau mahātmānau paṁcatāṁ yayatustataḥ tena puṇyaprabhāveṇa daṁpatī tau mahāśayau

Then that great-souled couple met their death. By the power of that merit, that most noble couple —

Verse 66 (padma.7.25.66)

प्रापतुर्विष्णुसायुज्यं दुर्ल्लभं योगिनामपि । तयोः पुण्यप्रभावेण विहितातिथिपूजया

prāpaturviṣṇusāyujyaṁ durllabhaṁ yogināmapi tayoḥ puṇyaprabhāveṇa vihitātithipūjayā

— attained oneness with Vishnu, so rare even for yogis. By the power of the merit of the guest-honoring performed by them both —

Verse 67 (padma.7.25.67)

तस्मिन्राज्ये तु दुर्भिक्षं विनष्टमभवत्ततः । अत्यंतसुखिनोलोकाः शोकव्याधिविवर्जिताः

tasminrājye tu durbhikṣaṁ vinaṣṭamabhavattataḥ atyaṁtasukhinolokāḥ śokavyādhivivarjitāḥ

— the famine in that kingdom, too, was destroyed; the people became exceedingly happy, free from grief and disease.

Verse 68 (padma.7.25.68)

धनधान्यादिसम्पन्ना बभूवुर्धर्मतत्पराः । विनष्टा दस्यवस्तत्र नृपोऽभूल्लोकपालकः

dhanadhānyādisampannā babhūvurdharmatatparāḥ vinaṣṭā dasyavastatra nṛpo'bhūllokapālakaḥ

They became endowed with wealth and grain, devoted to dharma; bandits there were destroyed, and the king became a true protector of his people.

Verse 69 (padma.7.25.69)

निजाचाररतालोका जलदाः कामवर्षिणः । पूर्वजाः कोटिपुरुषास्तथैवापरजास्तयोः

nijācāraratālokā jaladāḥ kāmavarṣiṇaḥ pūrvajāḥ koṭipuruṣāstathaivāparajāstayoḥ

The people became devoted to their own proper conduct, and the clouds began to rain as desired; both the ancestors and future descendants of that couple, millions of them —

Verse 70 (padma.7.25.70)

तेनैव कर्मणा मुक्तिं जग्मुः पापविवर्जिताः । निर्दोषा धनसंपन्नाः सर्वलोकैकपूजिताः

tenaiva karmaṇā muktiṁ jagmuḥ pāpavivarjitāḥ nirdoṣā dhanasaṁpannāḥ sarvalokaikapūjitāḥ

— through that very deed, freed from sin, attained liberation; they became faultless, endowed with wealth, and honored by every world.

Verse 71 (padma.7.25.71)

शोकव्याधिविहीना च ववृधे संततिस्तयोः । लोमश उवाच- आगंतुपूजामाहात्म्यं सेतिहासं मयोदितम्

śokavyādhivihīnā ca vavṛdhe saṁtatistayoḥ lomaśa uvāca- āgaṁtupūjāmāhātmyaṁ setihāsaṁ mayoditam

Their descendants grew, free from grief and disease. Lomasha said: This glory of honoring one who arrives, together with its story, I have now told you.

Verse 72 (padma.7.25.72)

युवयोः प्रीतयोर्विप्रौ किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छथ । व्यास उवाच- इति ब्रुवति वै तस्मिँल्लोमशे तपसां धने

yuvayoḥ prītayorviprau kimanyacchrotumicchatha vyāsa uvāca- iti bruvati vai tasmi~llomaśe tapasāṁ dhane

Delighted brahmins, what more do you wish to hear? Vyasa said: As that Lomasha, rich in austerity, was thus speaking —

Verse 73 (padma.7.25.73)

कालग्रस्तः कृष्णआखुस्तत्रोत्तस्थौ बिलान्निजात् । तमुत्थितं बिलात्कृष्णमूषकं क्रोधविह्वलः

kālagrastaḥ kṛṣṇaākhustatrottasthau bilānnijāt tamutthitaṁ bilātkṛṣṇamūṣakaṁ krodhavihvalaḥ

— a black rat, its time upon it, emerged there from its own burrow. Seeing that black rat emerge from its burrow, overcome with anger —

Verse 74 (padma.7.25.74)

पवित्रस्तत्र चोत्तस्थौ वदन्निति मुहुर्मुहुः । अयं पापाशयो दुष्टो मूषको निशि चाश्रमम्

pavitrastatra cottasthau vadanniti muhurmuhuḥ ayaṁ pāpāśayo duṣṭo mūṣako niśi cāśramam

— Pavitra rose up there, saying again and again: "This wicked, sinful-minded rat gnaws at the hermitage at night —

Verse 75 (padma.7.25.75)

खनते तीक्ष्णदंतौघैर्गृहद्रव्यं च कृंतति । सर्वेषामेव वर्णानां कृपा श्रेष्ठा प्रकीर्तिता

khanate tīkṣṇadaṁtaughairgṛhadravyaṁ ca kṛṁtati sarveṣāmeva varṇānāṁ kṛpā śreṣṭhā prakīrtitā

— with its sharp teeth it burrows and gnaws away at household goods." Compassion is proclaimed the finest virtue for all castes —

Verse 76 (padma.7.25.76)

सा च सर्वेषु कर्तव्या न च दुष्टेषु जंतुषु । इत्युक्त्वासौ मूषिकं तं द्विजश्रेष्ठ कृतैनसम्

sā ca sarveṣu kartavyā na ca duṣṭeṣu jaṁtuṣu ityuktvāsau mūṣikaṁ taṁ dvijaśreṣṭha kṛtainasam

— yet not toward wicked creatures, but only toward all others (so he reasoned, wrongly). Having said this, best of brahmins, that sinful-deed-doing rat —

Verse 77 (padma.7.25.77)

नाराचेनातितीक्ष्णेन प्राप्तकालं जघान ह । स्रवच्छोणितधाराभिः प्लाविताङ्गः स मूषकः

nārācenātitīkṣṇena prāptakālaṁ jaghāna ha sravacchoṇitadhārābhiḥ plāvitāṅgaḥ sa mūṣakaḥ

— he struck down with a most sharp arrow, its appointed hour having come. That rat's whole body was drenched with streams of flowing blood.

Verse 78 (padma.7.25.78)

पपात भूमौ विप्रर्षे व्यथया हतचेतनः । आखौ निपतिते तस्मिन्दयालुर्द्विजसत्तमः

papāta bhūmau viprarṣe vyathayā hatacetanaḥ ākhau nipatite tasmindayālurdvijasattamaḥ

Sage of brahmins, that rat, its consciousness lost through agony, fell to the ground. As soon as that rat fell, that merciful, excellent brahmin —

Verse 79 (padma.7.25.79)

हाहाकारं ततः कृत्वा समुत्तस्थौ जवेन सः । निजकर्णात्समानीय तुलसीपत्रमुत्तमम्

hāhākāraṁ tataḥ kṛtvā samuttasthau javena saḥ nijakarṇātsamānīya tulasīpatramuttamam

— cried out in anguish, and rose at once, hastily; taking an excellent tulasi leaf from behind his own ear —

Verse 80 (padma.7.25.80)

तस्याखोर्वदने शीर्षे कर्णयोश्च प्रदत्तवान् । मातस्तु तुलसीदेवि गोविन्दह्लादकारिणि

tasyākhorvadane śīrṣe karṇayośca pradattavān mātastu tulasīdevi govindahlādakāriṇi

— placed it upon the mouth, head, and ears of that rat. "O mother, O goddess Tulasi, who bring delight to Govinda!

Verse 81 (padma.7.25.81)

अस्याखोः कृतपापस्य कुरु त्वं गतिमुत्तमाम् । इत्युक्त्वा सद्विजश्रेष्ठ सर्वलोकोपकारकः

asyākhoḥ kṛtapāpasya kuru tvaṁ gatimuttamām ityuktvā sadvijaśreṣṭha sarvalokopakārakaḥ

"Grant this sinful rat a supreme destiny." Having said this, best of brahmins, that benefactor of all the worlds —

Verse 82 (padma.7.25.82)

हरेनारायणानन्त इत्युच्चैरकरोद्ध्वनिम् । तुलसीपत्रसंस्पर्शान्मूषको वीतकल्मषः

harenārāyaṇānanta ityuccairakaroddhvanim tulasīpatrasaṁsparśānmūṣako vītakalmaṣaḥ

— loudly cried out the sound "Hare Narayana Ananta!" By the mere touch of the tulasi leaf, that rat became free of every taint.

Verse 83 (padma.7.25.83)

श्रवणाद्धरिनाम्नश्च मुक्तोऽभूद्भवबंधनात् । ततो दूता महाविष्णोः सर्वलक्षणसंयुताः

śravaṇāddharināmnaśca mukto'bhūdbhavabaṁdhanāt tato dūtā mahāviṣṇoḥ sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutāḥ

By merely hearing Hari's name, he too was freed from the bondage of worldly existence. Then the messengers of Maha-Vishnu, endowed with every auspicious mark —

Verse 84 (padma.7.25.84)

आजग्मुः सुरथैः शीघ्रं नेतुं तं गतकल्मषम् । समारुह्य रथं दिव्यं विष्णुदूतगणैर्वृताः

ājagmuḥ surathaiḥ śīghraṁ netuṁ taṁ gatakalmaṣam samāruhya rathaṁ divyaṁ viṣṇudūtagaṇairvṛtāḥ

— arrived swiftly on excellent chariots, to bring him, his taint now gone. Mounting that divine chariot, surrounded by the hosts of Vishnu's messengers —

Verse 85 (padma.7.25.85)

जगाम परमं स्थानं मूषको द्विजसत्तम । युगकोटिसहस्राणि स्थित्वा नारायणाश्रमे

jagāma paramaṁ sthānaṁ mūṣako dvijasattama yugakoṭisahasrāṇi sthitvā nārāyaṇāśrame

— best of brahmins, that rat went to the supreme abode. Having dwelt in Narayana's own abode for thousands of millions of ages —

Verse 86 (padma.7.25.86)

ज्ञानमासाद्य तत्रैव मोक्षमाखुर्जगाम सः । व्यास उवाच- माहात्म्यं तुलसीदेव्याः कथितं ते द्विजोत्तम

jñānamāsādya tatraiva mokṣamākhurjagāma saḥ vyāsa uvāca- māhātmyaṁ tulasīdevyāḥ kathitaṁ te dvijottama

— attaining knowledge there itself, that rat went on to liberation. Vyasa said: Best of brahmins, thus has this glory of the goddess Tulasi been told to you.

Verse 87 (padma.7.25.87)

इदानीं ब्रूहि किं श्रोतुं महाभाग त्वमिच्छसि

idānīṁ brūhi kiṁ śrotuṁ mahābhāga tvamicchasi

Now tell me, most fortunate one, what more do you wish to hear?