The Limbs of Kriyayoga and the Glory of Gangadvara

Verse 1 (padma.7.3.1)

जैमिनिरुवाच- क्रियायोगस्य तत्वं मे ब्रूहि व्यास महामते । क्रियायोगमहं ज्ञातुमिच्छामि भवदग्रतः

jaiminiruvāca- kriyāyogasya tatvaṁ me brūhi vyāsa mahāmate kriyāyogamahaṁ jñātumicchāmi bhavadagrataḥ

Jaimini said: O Vyasa, O great-minded one, tell me the truth of kriya-yoga; I wish to learn kriya-yoga from you directly.

Verse 2 (padma.7.3.2)

व्यास उवाच- शरीरं मानुषं विप्र दुर्लभं चात्र भूतले । धीरः शरीरमासाद्य मोक्षार्थं योगमभ्यसेत्

vyāsa uvāca- śarīraṁ mānuṣaṁ vipra durlabhaṁ cātra bhūtale dhīraḥ śarīramāsādya mokṣārthaṁ yogamabhyaset

Vyasa said: O brahmin, upon this earth a human body is hard to obtain; the resolute man, having attained it, should practice yoga for the sake of liberation.

Verse 3 (padma.7.3.3)

क्रियायोगध्यानयोगावुभौ योगौ प्रकीर्तितौ । तयोराद्यः क्रियायोगः कुर्वतां सर्वकामदः

kriyāyogadhyānayogāvubhau yogau prakīrtitau tayorādyaḥ kriyāyogaḥ kurvatāṁ sarvakāmadaḥ

Kriya-yoga and dhyana-yoga — these two disciplines are proclaimed; of these the first, kriya-yoga, grants every desire of those who practice it.

Verse 4 (padma.7.3.4)

गङ्गा श्रीर्विष्णुपूजा च दानानि द्विजसत्तम । ब्राह्मणानां तथा भक्तिर्भक्तिरेकादशी व्रते

gaṅgā śrīrviṣṇupūjā ca dānāni dvijasattama brāhmaṇānāṁ tathā bhaktirbhaktirekādaśī vrate

O best of the twice-born, devotion to the Ganga, to Lakshmi, worship of Vishnu, acts of giving, and devotion to brahmins, devotion in the Ekadashi fast,

Verse 5 (padma.7.3.5)

धात्री तुलस्योर्भक्तिश्च तथा चातिथिपूजनम् । क्रियायोगाङ्गभूतानि प्रोक्तानीति समासतः

dhātrī tulasyorbhaktiśca tathā cātithipūjanam kriyāyogāṅgabhūtāni proktānīti samāsataḥ

devotion to the amalaka and to tulasi, and the honoring of guests — these, in brief, are declared to be the limbs of kriya-yoga.

Verse 6 (padma.7.3.6)

क्रियायोगादृते विप्र ध्यानयोगेन सिद्ध्यति । क्रियायोगरतो याति तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्

kriyāyogādṛte vipra dhyānayogena siddhyati kriyāyogarato yāti tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam

O brahmin, even without kriya-yoga, one attains perfection through dhyana-yoga; but one devoted to kriya-yoga goes to the supreme abode of Vishnu.

Verse 7 (padma.7.3.7)

जैमिनिरुवाच- क्रियायोगाङ्गभूतानि यानि प्रोक्तानि भोः प्रभो । तन्माहात्म्यानि कथय यदि भो मय्यनुग्रहः

jaiminiruvāca- kriyāyogāṅgabhūtāni yāni proktāni bhoḥ prabho tanmāhātmyāni kathaya yadi bho mayyanugrahaḥ

Jaimini said: O Lord, those things declared to be the limbs of kriya-yoga — if you have grace upon me, tell me their glory.

Verse 8 (padma.7.3.8)

गङ्गायाः के गुणा ब्रह्मन्विष्णुपूजाफलं च किम् । श्रेष्ठानि कानि दानानि का वा भक्तिर्द्विजन्मनाम्

gaṅgāyāḥ ke guṇā brahmanviṣṇupūjāphalaṁ ca kim śreṣṭhāni kāni dānāni kā vā bhaktirdvijanmanām

O Brahma, what are the virtues of the Ganga, what is the fruit of worshipping Vishnu, which gifts are best for the twice-born, and what devotion is best?

Verse 9 (padma.7.3.9)

एकादश्याः फलं किंवा धात्रीभक्तिश्च कीदृशी । तुलस्याः कीदृशी भक्तिः किं वा चातिथिपूजनम्

ekādaśyāḥ phalaṁ kiṁvā dhātrībhaktiśca kīdṛśī tulasyāḥ kīdṛśī bhaktiḥ kiṁ vā cātithipūjanam

What is the fruit of Ekadashi? What is devotion to the amalaka? What is devotion to tulasi, and what is the honoring of a guest?

Verse 10 (padma.7.3.10)

एतत्सर्वं मुने ब्रूहि श्रोतुमस्ति ममादरः । त्वत्तोऽन्य कथितुं कोऽपि न शक्नोति जगत्त्रये

etatsarvaṁ mune brūhi śrotumasti mamādaraḥ tvatto'nya kathituṁ ko'pi na śaknoti jagattraye

O sage, tell me all this; I am most eager to hear it. In the three worlds there is no other besides you able to declare it.

Verse 11 (padma.7.3.11)

व्यास उवाच- साधुसाधु द्विजश्रेष्ठ मनस्ते विमलं ध्रुवम् । यतो गुह्यकथामेतां श्रोतुं श्रद्धा च कौतुकम्

vyāsa uvāca- sādhusādhu dvijaśreṣṭha manaste vimalaṁ dhruvam yato guhyakathāmetāṁ śrotuṁ śraddhā ca kautukam

Vyasa said: Well done, well done, O best of the twice-born! Your mind is surely pure, since toward this secret tale you feel both faith and eager curiosity.

Verse 12 (padma.7.3.12)

भागीरथ्या गुणं सम्यक्कथितुं न हि शक्यते । तस्मात्समासतो वक्ष्ये श्रूयतामेकचेतसा

bhāgīrathyā guṇaṁ samyakkathituṁ na hi śakyate tasmātsamāsato vakṣye śrūyatāmekacetasā

The virtues of the Bhagirathi (Ganga) cannot be told in their entirety; therefore I shall speak of them in brief — listen with a single-pointed mind.

Verse 13 (padma.7.3.13)

गङ्गेत्यक्षरयुग्मं च जपत्यत्यन्तकोमलम् । मन्ये व्रजेत्तथाप्येनो महाभूतरसायनम्

gaṅgetyakṣarayugmaṁ ca japatyatyantakomalam manye vrajettathāpyeno mahābhūtarasāyanam

Merely by chanting these two exceedingly soft syllables, "Gan-ga," I believe that sin, like an elixir upon the great elements, is destroyed.

Verse 14 (padma.7.3.14)

सर्वत्र सुलभा गङ्गा त्रिषु स्थानेषु दुर्लभा । गङ्गाद्वारे प्रयागे च गङ्गासागरसङ्गमे

sarvatra sulabhā gaṅgā triṣu sthāneṣu durlabhā gaṅgādvāre prayāge ca gaṅgāsāgarasaṅgame

The Ganga is easily found everywhere, yet in three places she is hard to attain — at Gangadvara, at Prayaga, and at the confluence of the Ganga with the sea.

Verse 15 (padma.7.3.15)

सवासवाः सुराः सर्वे गङ्गाद्वारं मनोरमम् । समागत्य प्रकुर्वन्ति स्नानदानादिकं मुने

savāsavāḥ surāḥ sarve gaṅgādvāraṁ manoramam samāgatya prakurvanti snānadānādikaṁ mune

O sage, all the gods together with Indra come to that delightful Gangadvara and there perform bathing, giving, and the rest.

Verse 16 (padma.7.3.16)

दैवयोगान्मुने तत्र ये त्यजंति कलेवरम् । मनुष्य पशु कीटाद्या लभंते परमं पदम्

daivayogānmune tatra ye tyajaṁti kalevaram manuṣya paśu kīṭādyā labhaṁte paramaṁ padam

O sage, whoever, by fortunate happenstance, casts off the body there — be it a human, an animal, or even an insect — attains the supreme abode.

Verse 17 (padma.7.3.17)

अत्रेतिहासं विप्रर्षे कथ्यमानं मया शुणु । सम्यक्छ्रवणमात्रेण सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

atretihāsaṁ viprarṣe kathyamānaṁ mayā śuṇu samyakchravaṇamātreṇa sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

O sage among brahmins, hear a story that I shall now tell on this matter; by properly hearing it alone, one is freed from every sin.

Verse 18 (padma.7.3.18)

मनोभद्रो नाम राजा सोमवंश समुद्भवः । पूर्वमासीज्जगत्यस्मिन्बलवान्सर्वधर्म्मवित्

manobhadro nāma rājā somavaṁśa samudbhavaḥ pūrvamāsījjagatyasminbalavānsarvadharmmavit

Long ago there was, upon this earth, a king named Manobhadra, born in the lunar dynasty, who was mighty and knew every dharma.

Verse 19 (padma.7.3.19)

तस्य हेमप्रभा नाम महिषी प्रियवादिनी । पतिव्रता महाभागा सर्वलक्षणसंयुता

tasya hemaprabhā nāma mahiṣī priyavādinī pativratā mahābhāgā sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutā

He had a chief queen named Hemaprabha, sweet of speech, devoted to her husband, of great fortune, endowed with every auspicious mark.

Verse 20 (padma.7.3.20)

स राजा समरे हत्वा सकलानेव शात्रवान् । शशास पृथिवीं कृत्स्नां साब्धिद्वीपां महाबलः

sa rājā samare hatvā sakalāneva śātravān śaśāsa pṛthivīṁ kṛtsnāṁ sābdhidvīpāṁ mahābalaḥ

That mighty king, having slain all his enemies in battle, ruled over the entire earth together with its oceans and continents.

Verse 21 (padma.7.3.21)

स एकदा महीपालः समाहूय स्वमंत्रिणः । उवाचेदं वचः प्रीत्या सभामध्ये महायशाः

sa ekadā mahīpālaḥ samāhūya svamaṁtriṇaḥ uvācedaṁ vacaḥ prītyā sabhāmadhye mahāyaśāḥ

Once that highly renowned king, summoning his ministers, spoke these words with affection in the midst of the assembly.

Verse 22 (padma.7.3.22)

मनोभद्र उवाच-। अमात्याः पृथिवी सर्वा मयेयं परिपालिता । निहता रिपवः सर्वे सपुत्रबलवाहनाः

manobhadra uvāca- amātyāḥ pṛthivī sarvā mayeyaṁ paripālitā nihatā ripavaḥ sarve saputrabalavāhanāḥ

Manobhadra said: O ministers, this entire earth has been guarded by me; every enemy, together with his sons, armies, and mounts, has been slain.

Verse 23 (padma.7.3.23)

पालितानि स्वगोत्राणि दानैर्विप्राश्च तोषिताः । शिष्टाश्च त्रिदशाः सर्वे सपुत्रबलवाहनाः

pālitāni svagotrāṇi dānairviprāśca toṣitāḥ śiṣṭāśca tridaśāḥ sarve saputrabalavāhanāḥ

My own kinsfolk have been cared for, brahmins have been contented with gifts; all the good gods too, together with their sons, armies, and mounts —

Verse 24 (padma.7.3.24)

पालितानि स्वगोत्राणि यज्ञैः सर्वैः सदक्षिणैः । एतद्धि जरया सर्वं महत्या मे बलं हृतम्

pālitāni svagotrāṇi yajñaiḥ sarvaiḥ sadakṣiṇaiḥ etaddhi jarayā sarvaṁ mahatyā me balaṁ hṛtam

have been honored with every sacrifice complete with its fees. But now old age has stripped from me all of this strength.

Verse 25 (padma.7.3.25)

कर्माणि कानिचित्कर्त्तुं न हि शक्नोमि दुर्बलः । सामर्थ्यहीने पुरुषे राजश्रीर्न हि शोभते

karmāṇi kānicitkarttuṁ na hi śaknomi durbalaḥ sāmarthyahīne puruṣe rājaśrīrna hi śobhate

I have grown feeble, no longer able to perform any deed. In a man bereft of vigor, the glory of kingship finds no beauty,

Verse 26 (padma.7.3.26)

सर्वाभरणसंयुक्ता वृद्धाङ्गा इव कामिनी । तावद्विभ्यति सर्वेऽपि शत्रवः पृथिवीतले

sarvābharaṇasaṁyuktā vṛddhāṅgā iva kāminī tāvadvibhyati sarve'pi śatravaḥ pṛthivītale

just as an aged woman, though adorned with every ornament, cannot truly shine. Enemies on earth fear a king only so long

Verse 27 (padma.7.3.27)

यावद्धि गतसामर्थ्यं नेच्छन्ति चारुचक्षुषा । समस्तगुणसम्पन्नामपि तद्गतमानसम्

yāvaddhi gatasāmarthyaṁ necchanti cārucakṣuṣā samastaguṇasampannāmapi tadgatamānasam

as his strength is unspoiled — for even a man endowed with every virtue and pleasing to the eye is no longer desired once that strength is gone.

Verse 28 (padma.7.3.28)

पृथ्वी त्यजेन्नृपं वृद्धं स्वैरिणीपालिता यथा । भक्तिलभ्यागुणाः सर्वे गुणलभ्यं महद्यशः

pṛthvī tyajennṛpaṁ vṛddhaṁ svairiṇīpālitā yathā bhaktilabhyāguṇāḥ sarve guṇalabhyaṁ mahadyaśaḥ

The earth forsakes an aged king just as a fickle wife might. Every virtue is gained through devotion, and great fame is gained through virtue,

Verse 29 (padma.7.3.29)

निःश्रेयसं दानलभ्यं बललभ्या तु मेदिनी । सामर्थ्यहीनः कृपणो निश्चितो रिपुशासने

niḥśreyasaṁ dānalabhyaṁ balalabhyā tu medinī sāmarthyahīnaḥ kṛpaṇo niścito ripuśāsane

the highest good is gained through giving, and the earth is gained through strength. A feeble, mean-spirited king is bound, without doubt, to fall under his enemies' sway.

Verse 30 (padma.7.3.30)

मूर्खमात्रवचो ग्राही स नृपः शत्रुनंदनः । ततोऽहं सकलं राज्यं विभज्य वरमंत्रिणः

mūrkhamātravaco grāhī sa nṛpaḥ śatrunaṁdanaḥ tato'haṁ sakalaṁ rājyaṁ vibhajya varamaṁtriṇaḥ

A king who heeds only the counsel of fools becomes a source of delight to his foes. Therefore, O excellent ministers, I wish to divide my entire kingdom

Verse 31 (padma.7.3.31)

दातुमिच्छामि पुत्राभ्यां युष्माभिर्यदि मन्यते । मन्त्रिण ऊचुः - यदेतद्वचनं प्रोक्तं त्वया नीतिविदा नृप

dātumicchāmi putrābhyāṁ yuṣmābhiryadi manyate mantriṇa ūcuḥ - yadetadvacanaṁ proktaṁ tvayā nītividā nṛpa

and give it to my two sons, if you think it proper. The ministers said: O king, this word you have spoken, you who are versed in statecraft,

Verse 32 (padma.7.3.32)

तदेव मतमस्माकं संदेहो नात्र विद्यते । अथायातौ नृपादेशात्संसदं प्रति सत्तमौ

tadeva matamasmākaṁ saṁdeho nātra vidyate athāyātau nṛpādeśātsaṁsadaṁ prati sattamau

is our own opinion too; there is no doubt in this. Then, at the king's command, into the assembly, O best one,

Verse 33 (padma.7.3.33)

वीरभद्र यशोभद्र नामानौ तनयावुभौ । तौ च सर्वगुणोपेतौ कुमारौ प्रियवादिनौ

vīrabhadra yaśobhadra nāmānau tanayāvubhau tau ca sarvaguṇopetau kumārau priyavādinau

came the two sons, named Virabhadra and Yashobhadra, princes endowed with every virtue, sweet of speech,

Verse 34 (padma.7.3.34)

पितृभक्तौ सदा शांतौ बलिनौ धर्मतत्परौ । ततः स भूपः सहसा राजनीति विदांवरः

pitṛbhaktau sadā śāṁtau balinau dharmatatparau tataḥ sa bhūpaḥ sahasā rājanīti vidāṁvaraḥ

ever devoted to their father, tranquil, mighty, and given over to dharma. Then that king, foremost knower of statecraft, at once

Verse 35 (padma.7.3.35)

विभज्य सकलं राज्यं ददौ ताभ्यां कुतूहलात् । अत्रांतरे गृध्र एकः स्वकीयस्त्री समन्वितः

vibhajya sakalaṁ rājyaṁ dadau tābhyāṁ kutūhalāt atrāṁtare gṛdhra ekaḥ svakīyastrī samanvitaḥ

divided the entire kingdom and, out of eager delight, gave it to those two. Just then, a vulture, accompanied by his mate,

Verse 36 (padma.7.3.36)

आगत्य तत्सभामध्ये उपविष्टो द्विजोत्तमाः । तावागतौ समालोक्य पक्षिणावतिहर्षितौ

āgatya tatsabhāmadhye upaviṣṭo dvijottamāḥ tāvāgatau samālokya pakṣiṇāvatiharṣitau

arrived and settled itself in the midst of that assembly, O best of brahmins. Seeing those two princes, the two birds were filled with great delight.

Verse 37 (padma.7.3.37)

राजाह युवयोः कस्माच्छुभागमनमुच्यताम् । गृध्र उवाच- गृध्रोऽहं पृथिवीपाल ममेयं स्त्री परंतपः

rājāha yuvayoḥ kasmācchubhāgamanamucyatām gṛdhra uvāca- gṛdhro'haṁ pṛthivīpāla mameyaṁ strī paraṁtapaḥ

The king said: for what reason has your auspicious arrival taken place — tell me this. The vulture said: O ruler of the earth, I am a vulture, and this is my wife, tormentor of foes.

Verse 38 (padma.7.3.38)

आगतोऽस्मि मुदा द्रष्टुं संपदं पुत्रयोस्तव । एतयोर्महती दृष्टा विपत्तिः पूर्वजन्मनि

āgato'smi mudā draṣṭuṁ saṁpadaṁ putrayostava etayormahatī dṛṣṭā vipattiḥ pūrvajanmani

I have come here with delight to see the prosperity of your two sons. In a former birth I had witnessed the great calamity of these two,

Verse 39 (padma.7.3.39)

इह जन्मनि संपत्तिं द्रष्टुमावां समागतौ । तस्यैतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा गृध्रस्य परमाद्भुतम् । राजोवाच पुनर्विप्र विस्मयाविष्टमानसः

iha janmani saṁpattiṁ draṣṭumāvāṁ samāgatau tasyaitadvacanaṁ śrutvā gṛdhrasya paramādbhutam rājovāca punarvipra vismayāviṣṭamānasaḥ

and so we two have come to see their prosperity in this birth. Hearing this most wondrous speech of the vulture, O brahmin, the king, his mind filled with astonishment, spoke once more.

Verse 40 (padma.7.3.40)

राजोवाच- अत्यद्भुतं वचो गृध्र त्वत्तः श्रुतमिदं मया । एतयोः पूर्ववृत्तान्तो भवता ज्ञायते कथम्

rājovāca- atyadbhutaṁ vaco gṛdhra tvattaḥ śrutamidaṁ mayā etayoḥ pūrvavṛttānto bhavatā jñāyate katham

The king said: O vulture, this word I have heard from you is most wondrous. How do you come to know the past history of these two?

Verse 41 (padma.7.3.41)

यदि जानासि तत्वेन पूर्ववृत्तांतमेतयोः । ब्रूहि तर्हि खगश्रेष्ठ सर्वमेतदशेषतः

yadi jānāsi tatvena pūrvavṛttāṁtametayoḥ brūhi tarhi khagaśreṣṭha sarvametadaśeṣataḥ

If you truly know the past history of these two, then, O best of birds, tell me all of it in full.

Verse 42 (padma.7.3.42)

गृध्र उवाच- नृपते वृषलावेतौ युगे द्वापरसंज्ञके । गरसंगरनामानौ सत्यघोषसुतौ स्थितौ

gṛdhra uvāca- nṛpate vṛṣalāvetau yuge dvāparasaṁjñake garasaṁgaranāmānau satyaghoṣasutau sthitau

The vulture said: O king, in the age called Dvapara these two were shudras, named Gara and Sangara, sons of Satyaghosha.

Verse 43 (padma.7.3.43)

एककाले च भूपाल मृतौ निज गृहांतरे । ततो नेतुमिमौ भूप दंष्ट्रिणो यमकिंकराः

ekakāle ca bhūpāla mṛtau nija gṛhāṁtare tato netumimau bhūpa daṁṣṭriṇo yamakiṁkarāḥ

O king, both of them died at the very same time within their own home. Then to lead them away came Yama's fanged servants,

Verse 44 (padma.7.3.44)

पाशहस्ताः समायाताः कोटिकोटिसहस्रशः । बबंधुश्चर्मपाशेन द्वावेतौ तौ मदोद्धतौ

pāśahastāḥ samāyātāḥ koṭikoṭisahasraśaḥ babaṁdhuścarmapāśena dvāvetau tau madoddhatau

with nooses in hand, in their tens of millions. They bound those two arrogant shudras with a leather noose,

Verse 45 (padma.7.3.45)

निन्युश्च निलयं मृत्योरतिदुर्गमवर्त्मना । इमौ दृष्ट्वा धर्मराजश्चित्रगुप्तमुवाच ह

ninyuśca nilayaṁ mṛtyoratidurgamavartmanā imau dṛṣṭvā dharmarājaścitraguptamuvāca ha

and led them by a most treacherous path to the abode of death. Seeing these two, Dharmaraja spoke to Chitragupta.

Verse 46 (padma.7.3.46)

एतयोः सकलं वृत्तं चित्रगुप्त विचार्यताम् । तस्याज्ञया चित्रगुप्तः सर्वकर्मशुभाशुभम्

etayoḥ sakalaṁ vṛttaṁ citragupta vicāryatām tasyājñayā citraguptaḥ sarvakarmaśubhāśubham

O Chitragupta, examine the full account of these two. At his command, Chitragupta, having examined all their deeds, good and ill,

Verse 47 (padma.7.3.47)

मूलाद्विचारयामास तत इत्याह चांतकम् । चित्रगुप्त उवाच- सत्यमेतौ महाबाहो पुण्यव्रत महाशयौ

mūlādvicārayāmāsa tata ityāha cāṁtakam citragupta uvāca- satyametau mahābāho puṇyavrata mahāśayau

from the very root, spoke thus to Yama. Chitragupta said: O mighty-armed one, it is true that these two kept meritorious vows and were of noble intent.

Verse 48 (padma.7.3.48)

अस्तिचेद्दुष्कृतं किञ्चित्सर्वकर्मविलोकितम् । स्वयंदानं समुत्सृज्य न हि दत्तं द्विजातये

asticedduṣkṛtaṁ kiñcitsarvakarmavilokitam svayaṁdānaṁ samutsṛjya na hi dattaṁ dvijātaye

If any fault is found in them, as their entire record shows, it is this: though themselves given to bestowing gifts, they never once gave to a brahmin.

Verse 49 (padma.7.3.49)

तेनैव कर्मणा राजन्निमौ नरकगामिनौ । दाता दानं समुत्सृज्य यो न दद्याद्दिवजातये

tenaiva karmaṇā rājannimau narakagāminau dātā dānaṁ samutsṛjya yo na dadyāddivajātaye

O king, it is by this very deed alone that these two are bound for hell. Whatever giver, though himself devoted to giving, does not give to a brahmin —

Verse 50 (padma.7.3.50)

स याति नरकं घोरं सर्वभूतभयावहम् । दाता हि न स्मरेद्दानं प्रतिग्राही न याचते

sa yāti narakaṁ ghoraṁ sarvabhūtabhayāvaham dātā hi na smareddānaṁ pratigrāhī na yācate

he goes to that dreadful hell, terrifying to every being. The giver should never recall the gift he has given, nor should the receiver ever ask for it;

Verse 51 (padma.7.3.51)

उभयोर्नरके वासो यावच्चन्द्र दिवाकरौ । तस्मादिमौ महापापौ ब्रह्मस्वाहारिणौ प्रभो

ubhayornarake vāso yāvaccandra divākarau tasmādimau mahāpāpau brahmasvāhāriṇau prabho

where this fails, both giver and receiver dwell in hell as long as the sun and moon endure. Therefore, O Lord, these two are great sinners, robbers of a brahmin's due,

Verse 52 (padma.7.3.52)

नयंतु किंकराः शीघ्रं नरकं प्रतिदारुणम्

nayaṁtu kiṁkarāḥ śīghraṁ narakaṁ pratidāruṇam

let your servants swiftly lead them to that most terrible hell.

Verse 53 (padma.7.3.53)

यमाज्ञया ततो दूताः संदष्टौष्ठपुटाः क्रुधा । चिक्षिपुर्नरके घोरे तावेतौ पृथिवीपते

yamājñayā tato dūtāḥ saṁdaṣṭauṣṭhapuṭāḥ krudhā cikṣipurnarake ghore tāvetau pṛthivīpate

By Yama's command, the messengers then, biting their lips in fury, O ruler of the earth, cast those two into a dreadful hell.

Verse 54 (padma.7.3.54)

तस्मिन्नेव दिने राजन्ननया भार्यया सह । यमदूतैः समागत्य नीतोऽहं यममन्दिरम्

tasminneva dine rājannanayā bhāryayā saha yamadūtaiḥ samāgatya nīto'haṁ yamamandiram

O king, on that very day I too, together with this wife of mine, was brought by Yama's messengers to the realm of Yama.

Verse 55 (padma.7.3.55)

मयापि तत्कृतं कर्म तदाकर्णय भूपते । मूलात्सर्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि शृण्वतां विस्मयप्रदम्

mayāpi tatkṛtaṁ karma tadākarṇaya bhūpate mūlātsarvaṁ pravakṣyāmi śṛṇvatāṁ vismayapradam

Hear too, O king, what deed I myself had done; I shall tell it all from the root — a tale to fill its hearers with wonder.

Verse 56 (padma.7.3.56)

पुरासीत्सर्वगो नाम ब्राह्मणोऽहं महाकुलः । सौराष्ट्रदेशवासी च वेदवेदाङ्गपारगः

purāsītsarvago nāma brāhmaṇo'haṁ mahākulaḥ saurāṣṭradeśavāsī ca vedavedāṅgapāragaḥ

Long ago I was a brahmin of great lineage, named Sarvaga, a dweller in the land of Saurashtra, master of the Vedas and their limbs.

Verse 57 (padma.7.3.57)

इयं मंजूकषा नाम मम पत्नी यशस्विनी । पतिव्रता महाभागा पवित्रकुलसंभवा

iyaṁ maṁjūkaṣā nāma mama patnī yaśasvinī pativratā mahābhāgā pavitrakulasaṁbhavā

This renowned Manjukasha was my wife, devoted to her husband, of great fortune, born in a pure lineage.

Verse 58 (padma.7.3.58)

प्रमत्तोऽहं महाभाग विद्यया वयसाधनैः । अवज्ञां मनसा पित्रोश्चकाराहं युवैकदा

pramatto'haṁ mahābhāga vidyayā vayasādhanaiḥ avajñāṁ manasā pitroścakārāhaṁ yuvaikadā

O great one, intoxicated by the pride of learning and youth, I once, in my own heart, held my parents in contempt.

Verse 59 (padma.7.3.59)

अहं भूरि सभाश्लाघ्यो वनस्थः सर्वकर्मकृत् । धनवान्सुन्दरो ज्ञानी ज्ञातिपोषणतत्परः

ahaṁ bhūri sabhāślāghyo vanasthaḥ sarvakarmakṛt dhanavānsundaro jñānī jñātipoṣaṇatatparaḥ

I was greatly praised in assemblies, a dweller in forests skilled in every task, wealthy, handsome, learned, and devoted to sustaining my kin.

Verse 60 (padma.7.3.60)

ममैव पुंसः पितरौ तौ च पापपरायणौ । मुखरौ दययाहीनौ पाखंडिसङ्ग लोलुपौ

mamaiva puṁsaḥ pitarau tau ca pāpaparāyaṇau mukharau dayayāhīnau pākhaṁḍisaṅga lolupau

My own parents, I thought, were given over to sin, quarrelsome, without compassion, greedy for the company of hypocrites.

Verse 61 (padma.7.3.61)

पौरुषं जीवनं चैव धनं चैव कुलं तथा । विद्या कीर्तिश्च सर्वस्वं पितृभ्यां विफलीकृतम्

pauruṣaṁ jīvanaṁ caiva dhanaṁ caiva kulaṁ tathā vidyā kīrtiśca sarvasvaṁ pitṛbhyāṁ viphalīkṛtam

My manhood, my very life, my wealth, my lineage, my learning, my fame — all this, I believed, my parents themselves had rendered fruitless.

Verse 62 (padma.7.3.62)

एतद्विचिन्त्य मनसा मया नृप मुहुर्मुहुः । अवज्ञया परित्यक्ता पित्रोः सेवा शुभप्रदा

etadvicintya manasā mayā nṛpa muhurmuhuḥ avajñayā parityaktā pitroḥ sevā śubhapradā

O king, thinking thus again and again in my mind, out of contempt I abandoned the auspicious service of my own parents.

Verse 63 (padma.7.3.63)

अनेन कर्मणा राजन्सदारोऽहं यमाज्ञया । विक्षिप्तो नरके दूतैर्यत्रतौ पापिनांवरौ

anena karmaṇā rājansadāro'haṁ yamājñayā vikṣipto narake dūtairyatratau pāpināṁvarau

By this very deed, O king, I, together with my wife, was cast by Yama's messengers, at his command, into that same hell where those two great sinners lay.

Verse 64 (padma.7.3.64)

एताभ्यां सह पापाभ्यां सदारेण मया नृप । स्थितं च नरके घोरे यावत्कालं शृणुष्व तत्

etābhyāṁ saha pāpābhyāṁ sadāreṇa mayā nṛpa sthitaṁ ca narake ghore yāvatkālaṁ śṛṇuṣva tat

Together with these two sinners, and together with my wife, for how long a time I dwelt in that dreadful hell — hear that, O best of kings —

Verse 65 (padma.7.3.65)

युगकोटिसहस्राणि युगकोटिशतानि च । अनुभूतं महादुःखं नरकस्य नृपोत्तम

yugakoṭisahasrāṇi yugakoṭiśatāni ca anubhūtaṁ mahāduḥkhaṁ narakasya nṛpottama

for thousands of millions of ages, and hundreds of millions of ages, O foremost of kings, I endured the great suffering of that hell.

Verse 66 (padma.7.3.66)

नरकांते ततः सोऽहं कांतया सह भूपते । गृध्रपक्षकुलेजातौ मृतमांसाशनौ तथा

narakāṁte tataḥ so'haṁ kāṁtayā saha bhūpate gṛdhrapakṣakulejātau mṛtamāṁsāśanau tathā

O king, at the end of that hell, I was born again, together with my wife, into the family line of vulture birds, eaters of dead flesh.

Verse 67 (padma.7.3.67)

एतावपि च तौ राजन्नरकांत गतैषिणौ । जातौ शलभयोर्वंशे भोक्तुं फलं स्वकर्मणः

etāvapi ca tau rājannarakāṁta gataiṣiṇau jātau śalabhayorvaṁśe bhoktuṁ phalaṁ svakarmaṇaḥ

O king, these two as well, at the end of their hell, seeking release, were born into the family of locusts, to reap the fruit of their own deeds.

Verse 68 (padma.7.3.68)

यदेताभ्यां कृतं कर्म्म राजञ्छलभजन्मनि । तदाकर्णय वक्ष्यामि श्रोतॄणां विस्मयप्रदम्

yadetābhyāṁ kṛtaṁ karmma rājañchalabhajanmani tadākarṇaya vakṣyāmi śrotṝṇāṁ vismayapradam

O king, what deed these two performed in their life as locusts — hear it, I shall tell it, a wonder to those who hear.

Verse 69 (padma.7.3.69)

एकदा सुमहान्वायुः समायातो महीपते । उड्डीय पातितौ तेन गङ्गागर्भे सुनिर्मले

ekadā sumahānvāyuḥ samāyāto mahīpate uḍḍīya pātitau tena gaṅgāgarbhe sunirmale

O king, once a most violent wind arose; carried aloft by it, those two fell into the exceedingly pure depths of the Ganga.

Verse 70 (padma.7.3.70)

निपत्य गङ्गासलिले कोमलाङ्गाविमौ तथा । जग्मतुः पंचतां सद्यः समस्तकलुषापहम्

nipatya gaṅgāsalile komalāṅgāvimau tathā jagmatuḥ paṁcatāṁ sadyaḥ samastakaluṣāpaham

Falling into the Ganga's water with their tender bodies, those two at once met death in that water which destroys every impurity.

Verse 71 (padma.7.3.71)

ततो नेतुमिमौ दूता आयाताश्चारुचक्षुषः । आयातानि विमानानि सर्वभोगान्वितानि च

tato netumimau dūtā āyātāścārucakṣuṣaḥ āyātāni vimānāni sarvabhogānvitāni ca

Then to lead them away came messengers of lovely countenance, and there came too celestial chariots furnished with every enjoyment.

Verse 72 (padma.7.3.72)

विमुक्तौ सर्वपापेभ्यस्तुलसी माल्य शोभितौ । दिव्यंविमानमारुह्य गतौ विष्णुपुरं प्रति

vimuktau sarvapāpebhyastulasī mālya śobhitau divyaṁvimānamāruhya gatau viṣṇupuraṁ prati

Freed from every sin, adorned with garlands of tulasi, both mounted the divine chariot and went toward the city of Vishnu.

Verse 73 (padma.7.3.73)

तावत्कालं स्थितौ राजन्ब्रह्मणोऽव्यक्तजन्मनः । ब्रह्माज्ञया समायातौ तत इन्द्रपुरं प्रति

tāvatkālaṁ sthitau rājanbrahmaṇo'vyaktajanmanaḥ brahmājñayā samāyātau tata indrapuraṁ prati

O king, in the realm of Brahma, whose origin is unmanifest, they dwelt for that span of time, then by Brahma's command came toward Indra's city.

Verse 74 (padma.7.3.74)

भुक्तवंतौ सुखं तत्र दुर्ल्लभं यत्सुरैरपि । तावत्कालं स्थितौ राजन्भोक्तुं कृच्छ्रां वसुंधराम्

bhuktavaṁtau sukhaṁ tatra durllabhaṁ yatsurairapi tāvatkālaṁ sthitau rājanbhoktuṁ kṛcchrāṁ vasuṁdharām

There they enjoyed that happiness which even the gods find hard to attain; and having dwelt there for that span, in order to experience once more this difficult earth, O king,

Verse 75 (padma.7.3.75)

पवित्रे भवतो वंशे जातावेतौ महायशौ । गङ्गायां त्यजतो देहं भूयो जन्म न विद्यते

pavitre bhavato vaṁśe jātāvetau mahāyaśau gaṅgāyāṁ tyajato dehaṁ bhūyo janma na vidyate

they were born, greatly renowned, into your own pure lineage. One who casts off the body in the Ganga is not born again;

Verse 76 (padma.7.3.76)

तथापि वसुधां भोक्तुं जातौ पुण्यतमाविमौ । चिरं भुक्त्वा महीं कृत्स्नां पुत्रपौत्रसमन्वितौ

tathāpi vasudhāṁ bhoktuṁ jātau puṇyatamāvimau ciraṁ bhuktvā mahīṁ kṛtsnāṁ putrapautrasamanvitau

yet these two, exceedingly meritorious, were born to enjoy the earth once more. Having enjoyed this entire earth for a long time, together with their sons and grandsons,

Verse 77 (padma.7.3.77)

गङ्गामरणमासाद्य योगिनामपि दुर्ल्लभम् । नारायणस्य सायुज्यमिमौ भूप गमिष्यतः

gaṅgāmaraṇamāsādya yogināmapi durllabham nārāyaṇasya sāyujyamimau bhūpa gamiṣyataḥ

and attaining death in the Ganga — hard to attain even for yogis — these two, O king, shall reach union with Narayana himself.

Verse 78 (padma.7.3.78)

एतत्सर्वं मया प्रोक्तं पूर्व वृत्तांतमेतयोः । जातिस्मरप्रभावेन नृपवर्गशिरोमणी

etatsarvaṁ mayā proktaṁ pūrva vṛttāṁtametayoḥ jātismaraprabhāvena nṛpavargaśiromaṇī

O foremost of kings, all this past history of these two I have told through my own power of remembering former births.

Verse 79 (padma.7.3.79)

गङ्गामरणमासाद्य गतावेतौ दशामिमाम् । आवयोः कः परित्राणं करिष्यति दुरात्मनोः

gaṅgāmaraṇamāsādya gatāvetau daśāmimām āvayoḥ kaḥ paritrāṇaṁ kariṣyati durātmanoḥ

Having found death in the Ganga, they have attained this state. But who shall bring deliverance to us two, wretched of soul as we are?

Verse 80 (padma.7.3.80)

मित्रावज्ञा मनुष्याणां नरकक्लेशदायिनी । ममैव पृथिवीपाल दृष्टा केवलमेवतत्

mitrāvajñā manuṣyāṇāṁ narakakleśadāyinī mamaiva pṛthivīpāla dṛṣṭā kevalamevatat

The disregard of a friend brings men the torment of hell — this, O ruler of the earth, I have seen with my own eyes alone.

Verse 81 (padma.7.3.81)

पित्रभक्तिर्द्विजश्रेष्ठ इहामुत्र च दुःखदा । इह संपद्विनाशाय परत्र नरकाय च

pitrabhaktirdvijaśreṣṭha ihāmutra ca duḥkhadā iha saṁpadvināśāya paratra narakāya ca

O best of the twice-born, contempt for one's parents brings sorrow both in this world and the next — in this world through the ruin of prosperity, and in the next through hell.

Verse 82 (padma.7.3.82)

वरं मन्ये महीपाल ब्रह्महत्यादि पातकम् । कदाचिन्निष्कृतिस्तस्मादियं भवति शाश्वती

varaṁ manye mahīpāla brahmahatyādi pātakam kadācinniṣkṛtistasmādiyaṁ bhavati śāśvatī

O king, I count even the sin of killing a brahmin as better than this, for from that one may sometime find release, but this — contempt for one's parents — remains forever.

Verse 83 (padma.7.3.83)

दुःखार्जितं पुण्यवृक्षं सर्वक्लेशविनाशनम् । पित्रवज्ञाकुठारेण च्छिंदंति भुवि मानवाः

duḥkhārjitaṁ puṇyavṛkṣaṁ sarvakleśavināśanam pitravajñākuṭhāreṇa cchiṁdaṁti bhuvi mānavāḥ

That tree of merit, gained through hardship, which destroys every affliction — men upon this earth cut it down with the very axe of contempt for their parents.

Verse 84 (padma.7.3.84)

यत्किञ्चिद्दीयते राजन्पित्र्ये वक्त्रे परंतप । तदश्नाति स्वयं विष्णुः पितृरूपो हरिर्यतः

yatkiñciddīyate rājanpitrye vaktre paraṁtapa tadaśnāti svayaṁ viṣṇuḥ pitṛrūpo hariryataḥ

O king, O scourge of foes, whatever is placed in a parent's mouth is eaten by Vishnu himself, for Hari abides in the very form of one's parents.

Verse 85 (padma.7.3.85)

प्रत्यक्षदेवौ पितरौ सेवंते येत्वहर्निशम् । सर्वसिद्धिर्भवेत्तेषां प्रसादाज्जगतीपतेः

pratyakṣadevau pitarau sevaṁte yetvaharniśam sarvasiddhirbhavetteṣāṁ prasādājjagatīpateḥ

Those who day and night serve their parents, who are the visible gods incarnate, gain, by the grace of the Lord of the universe, every attainment.

Verse 86 (padma.7.3.86)

पितृभक्तिविहीना ये दिनं तिष्ठंति मानवाः । तावत्कल्पसहस्रं तु तिष्ठंति नरके जनाः

pitṛbhaktivihīnā ye dinaṁ tiṣṭhaṁti mānavāḥ tāvatkalpasahasraṁ tu tiṣṭhaṁti narake janāḥ

Whatever people remain even a single day devoid of devotion to their parents, such people dwell in hell for a thousand kalpas.

Verse 87 (padma.7.3.87)

तस्मादिदं महादुःखं बभूव मम सांप्रतम् । मोक्षं कदा गमिष्यामि सदारोऽहं न वेद्मि तत्

tasmādidaṁ mahāduḥkhaṁ babhūva mama sāṁpratam mokṣaṁ kadā gamiṣyāmi sadāro'haṁ na vedmi tat

For this very reason this great sorrow has now come upon me. When I, together with my wife, shall attain liberation, I do not know.

Verse 88 (padma.7.3.88)

व्यासउवाच- एतत्तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा प्रगृह्य द्विजसत्तम । बभूव हर्षितो राजा विस्मितश्च पुनः पुनः

vyāsauvāca- etattasya vacaḥ śrutvā pragṛhya dvijasattama babhūva harṣito rājā vismitaśca punaḥ punaḥ

Vyasa said: O best of the twice-born, hearing this word of the vulture and taking it well to heart, the king was, again and again, filled with both joy and astonishment.

Verse 89 (padma.7.3.89)

राजोवाच- आश्चर्यं हि वचो गृध्र श्रुतमेतन्मुखात्तव । मम चैषां च हृदये प्रतीतिर्न हि जायते

rājovāca- āścaryaṁ hi vaco gṛdhra śrutametanmukhāttava mama caiṣāṁ ca hṛdaye pratītirna hi jāyate

The king said: O vulture, this word heard from your mouth is a wonder indeed, yet in my heart, and in theirs, no true conviction of it has yet arisen.

Verse 90 (padma.7.3.90)

अथांतरिक्षे वागुच्चैरिति जाता नृपोत्तम । सत्यं सत्यं सत्यमिदं संदेहोनात्र विद्यते

athāṁtarikṣe vāguccairiti jātā nṛpottama satyaṁ satyaṁ satyamidaṁ saṁdehonātra vidyate

Then, O foremost of kings, a voice sounded loud from the sky: true, true, this is true — there is no doubt in it.

Verse 91 (padma.7.3.91)

ततः स पक्षी विप्रर्षे सहसा भार्यया सह । गङ्गा माहात्म्यकथनात्पूर्वस्थित इवाभवत्

tataḥ sa pakṣī viprarṣe sahasā bhāryayā saha gaṅgā māhātmyakathanātpūrvasthita ivābhavat

O sage among brahmins, then that bird, together with his mate, having finished proclaiming the glory of the Ganga, at once became as he had been before.

Verse 92 (padma.7.3.92)

दिवि दुंदुभयो नेदुर्जगुर्गन्धर्वसत्तमाः । ननृतुश्चाप्सरोवर्गा ह्यपतत्पुष्पवर्षणम्

divi duṁdubhayo nedurjagurgandharvasattamāḥ nanṛtuścāpsarovargā hyapatatpuṣpavarṣaṇam

In the sky, kettledrums resounded, the finest gandharvas sang, the throngs of apsarases danced, and there fell a shower of flowers.

Verse 93 (padma.7.3.93)

विमानमागतं दिव्यं सर्वभोगसमन्वितम् । समायाता दूतगणाः प्रेषिताः कैटभद्विषा

vimānamāgataṁ divyaṁ sarvabhogasamanvitam samāyātā dūtagaṇāḥ preṣitāḥ kaiṭabhadviṣā

A divine chariot, furnished with every enjoyment, arrived, and the host of messengers, sent by the foe of Kaitabha (Vishnu), came there.

Verse 94 (padma.7.3.94)

अथासौ सर्वगो विप्र प्रियया सह भार्यया । सद्यो विमानमारुह्य जगाम भवनं हरेः

athāsau sarvago vipra priyayā saha bhāryayā sadyo vimānamāruhya jagāma bhavanaṁ hareḥ

O brahmin, then that Sarvaga, together with his beloved wife, at once mounted that chariot and departed for the abode of Hari.

Verse 95 (padma.7.3.95)

एतच्छ्रुत्वाद्भुतं कर्म स राजा द्विजसत्तम । सपुत्रदारः सेवायां गङ्गायास्तत्परोऽभवत्

etacchrutvādbhutaṁ karma sa rājā dvijasattama saputradāraḥ sevāyāṁ gaṅgāyāstatparo'bhavat

O best of the twice-born, hearing of this wondrous event, the king, together with his sons and his queen, became devoted to the service of the Ganga.

Verse 96 (padma.7.3.96)

भागीरथ्या समं तीर्थं नास्ति वै भुवनत्रये । यन्नामोच्चारणादेव सर्वगो मोक्षमाप्नुयात्

bhāgīrathyā samaṁ tīrthaṁ nāsti vai bhuvanatraye yannāmoccāraṇādeva sarvago mokṣamāpnuyāt

There is, in the three worlds, no sacred ford equal to the Bhagirathi — by the mere utterance of whose name even Sarvaga attained liberation.

Verse 97 (padma.7.3.97)

गङ्गाद्वारस्य माहात्म्यं कथितं ते द्विजोत्तम । समस्तपापविध्वंसि किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छसि

gaṅgādvārasya māhātmyaṁ kathitaṁ te dvijottama samastapāpavidhvaṁsi kimanyacchrotumicchasi

O best of the twice-born, this glory of Gangadvara, which destroys every sin, has been told to you. What more do you wish to hear?

Verse 98 (padma.7.3.98)

अध्यायमेतत्परमादरेण पठंति ये देवगृहे मनुष्याः । शृण्वंति ये च द्विजवर्गभक्ता नश्यंति तेषां दुरितानि सद्यः

adhyāyametatparamādareṇa paṭhaṁti ye devagṛhe manuṣyāḥ śṛṇvaṁti ye ca dvijavargabhaktā naśyaṁti teṣāṁ duritāni sadyaḥ

Whatever people read this chapter with the utmost reverence in the house of God, and whatever devoted twice-born hear it, their sins are destroyed at once.