The Glory of Prayaga and the Ganga-Sagara Confluence

Verse 1 (padma.7.4.1)

जैमिनिरुवाच- गङ्गाद्वारस्य माहात्म्यं त्वत्प्रसादाच्छ्रुतं मया । प्रयागस्य च माहात्म्यमिदानीं श्रोतुमिष्यसे

jaiminiruvāca- gaṅgādvārasya māhātmyaṁ tvatprasādācchrutaṁ mayā prayāgasya ca māhātmyamidānīṁ śrotumiṣyase

Jaimini said: by your grace I have heard the glory of Gangadvara; now I wish to hear the glory of Prayaga.

Verse 2 (padma.7.4.2)

गङ्गाब्धिसङ्गमस्यापि माहात्म्यं कथ्यतां मुने । न सम्यक्कथितुं कोऽपि शक्नोति त्वदृते क्षितौ

gaṅgābdhisaṅgamasyāpi māhātmyaṁ kathyatāṁ mune na samyakkathituṁ ko'pi śaknoti tvadṛte kṣitau

O sage, tell also the glory of the confluence of the Ganga with the ocean. Besides you, none on this earth can declare it fully.

Verse 3 (padma.7.4.3)

व्यास उवाच- प्रयागस्य फलं वत्स गङ्गाब्धिसङ्गमस्य च । सम्यग्वक्तुं न शक्नोमि संक्षेपाच्छ्रूयतां द्विज

vyāsa uvāca- prayāgasya phalaṁ vatsa gaṅgābdhisaṅgamasya ca samyagvaktuṁ na śaknomi saṁkṣepācchrūyatāṁ dvija

Vyasa said: O child, the fruit of Prayaga and of the Ganga-ocean confluence I cannot tell in full; hear it in brief, O brahmin.

Verse 4 (padma.7.4.4)

कोटिब्रह्माण्डमध्येषु यानि तीर्थानि वै मुने । प्रयांति तानि सर्वाणि प्रयागप्रतिमां तु किम्

koṭibrahmāṇḍamadhyeṣu yāni tīrthāni vai mune prayāṁti tāni sarvāṇi prayāgapratimāṁ tu kim

O sage, whatever sacred fords exist within tens of millions of universes, all of them go to Prayaga itself to become equal to it — with what, then, can Prayaga be compared?

Verse 5 (padma.7.4.5)

गङ्गाया यमुनायाश्च सरस्वत्याश्च सङ्गमे । प्रशंसंति सुराः सर्वे ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादयः

gaṅgāyā yamunāyāśca sarasvatyāśca saṅgame praśaṁsaṁti surāḥ sarve brahmaviṣṇuśivādayaḥ

The confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Sarasvati is praised by all the gods, beginning with Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Verse 6 (padma.7.4.6)

मकरस्थे रवौ माघे स्नानं ये तत्र कुर्वते । तेषामागमनं नास्ति विष्णुलोकात्कदाचन

makarasthe ravau māghe snānaṁ ye tatra kurvate teṣāmāgamanaṁ nāsti viṣṇulokātkadācana

Those who bathe there when the sun stands in Capricorn, in the month of Magha, never again return from the world of Vishnu.

Verse 7 (padma.7.4.7)

गवां कोटिसहस्राणि वाजिमेधमुखाध्वराः । मेरुतुल्यसुवर्णानि दानान्यन्यानि च द्विज

gavāṁ koṭisahasrāṇi vājimedhamukhādhvarāḥ merutulyasuvarṇāni dānānyanyāni ca dvija

O brahmin, the gift of thousands of millions of cows, sacrifices beginning with the Ashvamedha, and other gifts of gold equal in weight to Mount Meru —

Verse 8 (padma.7.4.8)

कुरुक्षेत्रे पुष्करे च प्रभासे च गयासु च । हुत्वा दत्वा च विप्रेभ्यो यत्फलं प्राप्यते बुधैः

kurukṣetre puṣkare ca prabhāse ca gayāsu ca hutvā datvā ca viprebhyo yatphalaṁ prāpyate budhaiḥ

the fruit that the wise attain by offering oblations and giving gifts to brahmins at Kurukshetra, Pushkara, Prabhasa, and Gaya —

Verse 9 (padma.7.4.9)

माघे स्नात्वा प्रयागे तु तस्मात्कोटिगुणं भवेत् । तस्मात्समस्ततीर्थानां प्रयागः परमः स्मृतः

māghe snātvā prayāge tu tasmātkoṭiguṇaṁ bhavet tasmātsamastatīrthānāṁ prayāgaḥ paramaḥ smṛtaḥ

that same fruit, multiplied ten million times, comes from bathing at Prayaga in Magha. Therefore Prayaga is remembered as the very highest of all sacred fords.

Verse 10 (padma.7.4.10)

सिंहराशिस्थिते सूर्ये गोदावर्यां द्विजोत्तम । चिरमुग्रतपस्तप्त्वा स्नानदानव्रतादिभिः

siṁharāśisthite sūrye godāvaryāṁ dvijottama ciramugratapastaptvā snānadānavratādibhiḥ

O best of the twice-born, by long, fierce austerity through bathing, giving, and vows at the Godavari when the sun stands in Leo —

Verse 11 (padma.7.4.11)

वेदागमपुराणोक्तं यत्पुण्यमक्षयं भवेत् । माघे स्नात्वा प्रयागे तु तत्पुण्यं नात्र संशयः

vedāgamapurāṇoktaṁ yatpuṇyamakṣayaṁ bhavet māghe snātvā prayāge tu tatpuṇyaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

the imperishable merit declared in the Vedas, the Agamas, and the Puranas is, without doubt, exactly the merit gained by bathing at Prayaga in Magha.

Verse 12 (padma.7.4.12)

फाल्गुने कृष्णपक्षे तु चतुर्दश्यामुपोषितः । काश्यां यत्फलमाप्नोति तन्मे निगदतः शृणु

phālgune kṛṣṇapakṣe tu caturdaśyāmupoṣitaḥ kāśyāṁ yatphalamāpnoti tanme nigadataḥ śṛṇu

The fruit attained by fasting at Kashi on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Phalguna — hear it as I now declare it.

Verse 13 (padma.7.4.13)

कोटिजन्मार्जितैः पापैर्विमुक्तः सर्वरूपधृक् । उद्धृत्य कोटिपुरुषाञ्छिवेन सह मोदते

koṭijanmārjitaiḥ pāpairvimuktaḥ sarvarūpadhṛk uddhṛtya koṭipuruṣāñchivena saha modate

Freed from sins gathered across tens of millions of births, taking on every form, that person, having delivered tens of millions of men besides, rejoices in the company of Shiva.

Verse 14 (padma.7.4.14)

माघेमासे प्रयागे तु स्नात्वा सकृदपि द्विजः । कल्पकोटिशतं विष्णुं संपूज्यान्यत्र यत्फलम्

māghemāse prayāge tu snātvā sakṛdapi dvijaḥ kalpakoṭiśataṁ viṣṇuṁ saṁpūjyānyatra yatphalam

The brahmin who bathes even once at Prayaga in the month of Magha — the fruit that elsewhere comes from worshipping Vishnu for hundreds of millions of kalpas,

Verse 15 (padma.7.4.15)

एकाहमपि संपूज्य मकरस्थे दिवाकरे । सत्यं सत्यमहं वच्मि सर्वमेवाक्षयं भवेत्

ekāhamapi saṁpūjya makarasthe divākare satyaṁ satyamahaṁ vacmi sarvamevākṣayaṁ bhavet

that same fruit comes to him from worshipping there but a single day while the sun stands in Capricorn. Truly, truly I say — all of it becomes imperishable.

Verse 16 (padma.7.4.16)

यावद्दिनं माघमासे तत्र तिष्ठति मानवः । तावत्कल्पशतं विप्र मोदते विष्णुना सह

yāvaddinaṁ māghamāse tatra tiṣṭhati mānavaḥ tāvatkalpaśataṁ vipra modate viṣṇunā saha

O brahmin, for as many days as a man remains there in the month of Magha, for that many hundreds of kalpas he rejoices in the company of Vishnu.

Verse 17 (padma.7.4.17)

गङ्गायमुनयोस्तोये स्नानं येन कृतं सकृत् । सद्यस्तद्दर्शनात्पापैर्मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

gaṅgāyamunayostoye snānaṁ yena kṛtaṁ sakṛt sadyastaddarśanātpāpairmucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

Whoever has bathed even once in the waters of the Ganga and Yamuna is freed at once, by that very sight, from every sin.

Verse 18 (padma.7.4.18)

तर्तुं यदीच्छंति जनाः संसाराब्धिं सुदुस्तरम् । गङ्गायमुनयोः स्नात्वा भक्त्या पश्यंतु माधवम्

tartuṁ yadīcchaṁti janāḥ saṁsārābdhiṁ sudustaram gaṅgāyamunayoḥ snātvā bhaktyā paśyaṁtu mādhavam

If people wish to cross this most difficult ocean of transmigration, let them bathe in the Ganga and Yamuna and, with devotion, behold Madhava.

Verse 19 (padma.7.4.19)

यजंति मानवास्तत्र यद्यदिष्ट्वा कलेवरम् । सद्यो लभंते विप्रर्षे तत्तदेव न संशयः

yajaṁti mānavāstatra yadyadiṣṭvā kalevaram sadyo labhaṁte viprarṣe tattadeva na saṁśayaḥ

Whatever people there, casting off the body with whatever desire, offer worship — they attain, O sage among brahmins, that very desire at once, without doubt.

Verse 20 (padma.7.4.20)

इतिहासमिहैवाहं कथयामि निशामय । यच्छ्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुक्तो भवति मानवः

itihāsamihaivāhaṁ kathayāmi niśāmaya yacchrutvā sarvapāpebhyo mukto bhavati mānavaḥ

Right here I shall tell a story — listen with care; hearing which, a man is freed from every sin.

Verse 21 (padma.7.4.21)

प्रणिधिर्नाम तत्रासीद्वैश्य एको महाधनी । देवतातिथिपूजासु विप्रभक्त्येकतत्परः

praṇidhirnāma tatrāsīdvaiśya eko mahādhanī devatātithipūjāsu viprabhaktyekatatparaḥ

There lived a very wealthy merchant named Pranidhi, ever devoted to the worship of gods and guests, and to devotion toward brahmins.

Verse 22 (padma.7.4.22)

तस्य पद्मावती नाम धर्मपत्नी पतिव्रता । चार्वङ्गी शीलयुक्ता च कुलजा प्रियवादिनी

tasya padmāvatī nāma dharmapatnī pativratā cārvaṅgī śīlayuktā ca kulajā priyavādinī

His lawful wife was named Padmavati — devoted to her husband, lovely of limb, virtuous, well-born, and sweet of speech.

Verse 23 (padma.7.4.23)

स्त्रीणां योग्या गुणा ये ये सृष्टाः श्रीपरमेष्ठिना । तच्छरीरे गुणास्ते ते निवसंति द्विजोत्तम

strīṇāṁ yogyā guṇā ye ye sṛṣṭāḥ śrīparameṣṭhinā taccharīre guṇāste te nivasaṁti dvijottama

Whatever fitting virtues in women were fashioned by glorious Brahma, O best of the twice-born, every one of those virtues dwelt within her body.

Verse 24 (padma.7.4.24)

अथासौप्रणिधिर्वैश्यः समादायधनं बहु । वाणिज्यार्थे गतो विप्र शुभे लग्ने शुभे तिथौ

athāsaupraṇidhirvaiśyaḥ samādāyadhanaṁ bahu vāṇijyārthe gato vipra śubhe lagne śubhe tithau

Then that merchant Pranidhi, taking much wealth, O brahmin, set out for trade at an auspicious hour and on an auspicious date.

Verse 25 (padma.7.4.25)

धनाद्धर्मः प्रभवति धनाच्च विपुलं यशः । धनात्कुलमवाप्नोति भवेत्किं वा धनादृते

dhanāddharmaḥ prabhavati dhanācca vipulaṁ yaśaḥ dhanātkulamavāpnoti bhavetkiṁ vā dhanādṛte

From wealth dharma proceeds, from wealth vast fame comes, from wealth one's lineage gains standing — what indeed can be, without wealth?

Verse 26 (padma.7.4.26)

धनहीनं जनं दृष्ट्वा सखापि वा पलायते । मेघःशरद्यंबुहीनः खंडं खंडं नयेन्महत्

dhanahīnaṁ janaṁ dṛṣṭvā sakhāpi vā palāyate meghaḥśaradyaṁbuhīnaḥ khaṁḍaṁ khaṁḍaṁ nayenmahat

Seeing a man bereft of wealth, even a friend flees away, as an autumn cloud, void of water, breaks apart piece by piece and vanishes.

Verse 27 (padma.7.4.27)

खादितुं प्राप्यते यावत्तावदेव हि बांधवाः । धनं यस्य कुलं तस्य बुद्धिस्तस्य स पंडितः

khādituṁ prāpyate yāvattāvadeva hi bāṁdhavāḥ dhanaṁ yasya kulaṁ tasya buddhistasya sa paṁḍitaḥ

So long as there is something to eat, so long do kinsmen and friends remain. Whoever has wealth, his alone is the lineage, his the intelligence — he alone is called wise.

Verse 28 (padma.7.4.28)

अर्थैर्विहीनः पुरुषो जीवन्नपि मृतोपमः । धर्मार्थविद्यार्जनतो मतिर्यस्य नि वर्तते

arthairvihīnaḥ puruṣo jīvannapi mṛtopamaḥ dharmārthavidyārjanato matiryasya ni vartate

A man devoid of wealth, though living, is as one already dead. Whoever's mind turns away from the pursuit of dharma, of wealth, and of learning,

Verse 29 (padma.7.4.29)

ज्ञेयः स मूर्खः सुतरामधिकस्याधिकं फलम् । कर्त्तव्यः सततं धर्मश्चार्जितव्यं सदाधनम्

jñeyaḥ sa mūrkhaḥ sutarāmadhikasyādhikaṁ phalam karttavyaḥ satataṁ dharmaścārjitavyaṁ sadādhanam

such a one should be known as a fool. Greater exertion yields greater fruit. Dharma should ever be practiced, wealth should ever be earned,

Verse 30 (padma.7.4.30)

शिक्षितव्या सदा विद्या पुंभिरेव विचक्षणैः । दानाद्धनं च विद्या च वर्द्धते प्रतिवासरम्

śikṣitavyā sadā vidyā puṁbhireva vicakṣaṇaiḥ dānāddhanaṁ ca vidyā ca varddhate prativāsaram

and learning should ever be studied by discerning men. Through giving, both wealth and learning grow day by day.

Verse 31 (padma.7.4.31)

धर्मस्तु वर्द्धते नैव रक्षतेन विना नृणाम् । काष्ठं तृणं तुषं वापि संप्राप्य न परित्यजेत्

dharmastu varddhate naiva rakṣatena vinā nṛṇām kāṣṭhaṁ tṛṇaṁ tuṣaṁ vāpi saṁprāpya na parityajet

But dharma never grows without the protection of men. Even having obtained mere wood, straw, or husk, one should not discard it,

Verse 32 (padma.7.4.32)

पुमान्संचयशीलोऽपि कदाचिन्नावसीदति । ततोऽसौ प्रणिधिर्वैश्यो नियोज्य स्त्रियमालये

pumānsaṁcayaśīlo'pi kadācinnāvasīdati tato'sau praṇidhirvaiśyo niyojya striyamālaye

for a man given to careful accumulation never comes to grief. Then that merchant Pranidhi, having settled his wife within the household,

Verse 33 (padma.7.4.33)

गृहव्यापारनिष्णातो वाणिज्येन जगाम ह । अथैकदा तस्य पत्नी गृहीत्वोद्वर्तनादिकम्

gṛhavyāpāraniṣṇāto vāṇijyena jagāma ha athaikadā tasya patnī gṛhītvodvartanādikam

she being skilled in household affairs, himself departed for trade. Once his wife, taking oil and unguents for bathing,

Verse 34 (padma.7.4.34)

सखीभिः सह विप्रर्षे जगाम स्नानहेतवे । ततो धनुर्ध्वजो नाम स्वयं च पातकाश्रयः

sakhībhiḥ saha viprarṣe jagāma snānahetave tato dhanurdhvajo nāma svayaṁ ca pātakāśrayaḥ

O sage among brahmins, went with her companions to bathe. At that time a Chandala named Dhanurdhvaja, himself given over to sin,

Verse 35 (padma.7.4.35)

निजेच्छया प्रकुर्वंतीं स्नानकर्म ददर्श ताम् । विकसत्स्वर्णपुष्पाढ्यां प्रफुल्लकमलाननाम्

nijecchayā prakurvaṁtīṁ snānakarma dadarśa tām vikasatsvarṇapuṣpāḍhyāṁ praphullakamalānanām

saw her freely bathing there of her own will — rich in blooming golden flowers, her face like an unfolding lotus,

Verse 36 (padma.7.4.36)

मृगशावदृशं चारु पीनोन्नतपयोधराम् । तां वैश्यपत्नीमालोक्य श्वपचोऽसौ स्मरातुरः

mṛgaśāvadṛśaṁ cāru pīnonnatapayodharām tāṁ vaiśyapatnīmālokya śvapaco'sau smarāturaḥ

her eyes lovely as a young deer's, her breasts full and high — seeing that merchant's wife, that Chandala, tormented by lust,

Verse 37 (padma.7.4.37)

उवाच प्रहसन्वाणीं निजमूर्तिमचिंतयन् । धनुर्ध्वज उवाच- कासि कल्याणि सुश्रोणि चारुहासिनि सुन्दरि

uvāca prahasanvāṇīṁ nijamūrtimaciṁtayan dhanurdhvaja uvāca- kāsi kalyāṇi suśroṇi cāruhāsini sundari

forgetting his own true form, laughingly spoke these words. Dhanurdhvaja said: O auspicious one, O fair-hipped one, O beauty of sweet laughter, who are you?

Verse 38 (padma.7.4.38)

मनो हरसि मे कस्मात्सुयौवनरसैः प्रिये । विशालजघने तन्वि मया गुणवता सह

mano harasi me kasmātsuyauvanarasaiḥ priye viśālajaghane tanvi mayā guṇavatā saha

O beloved, why do you steal away my heart with the sweetness of your lovely youth? O slender one of ample hip, together with me — a man of virtue —

Verse 39 (padma.7.4.39)

गुणवत्या त्वया सर्वं सुखमत्यनुभूयताम् । धनुर्ध्वजवचः श्रुत्वा तस्याः सख्यस्ततो द्विज

guṇavatyā tvayā sarvaṁ sukhamatyanubhūyatām dhanurdhvajavacaḥ śrutvā tasyāḥ sakhyastato dvija

O virtuous one, experience yourself the fullness of every joy. Hearing this speech of Dhanurdhvaja, O brahmin, her companions then,

Verse 40 (padma.7.4.40)

ऊचुर्वाक्यं तथा क्रुद्धाः संदष्टदशनच्छदाः । सख्य ऊचुः- अरे मूढ दुराचार दुराचारकुलोद्भव

ūcurvākyaṁ tathā kruddhāḥ saṁdaṣṭadaśanacchadāḥ sakhya ūcuḥ- are mūḍha durācāra durācārakulodbhava

biting their lips in fury, spoke these words. The companions said: O fool, wretch of conduct, sprung from a lineage of the wretched,

Verse 41 (padma.7.4.41)

पादनिष्प्रेक्षणमपि नैतस्यास्ते प्रदीयते । इयं पतिव्रता नारी धर्मकर्मपरायणा

pādaniṣprekṣaṇamapi naitasyāste pradīyate iyaṁ pativratā nārī dharmakarmaparāyaṇā

not even to look upon her feet is fit for you. This is a woman devoted to her husband, given wholly to deeds of dharma.

Verse 42 (padma.7.4.42)

आत्मानं सुखमिच्छद्भिः पापदृष्ट्या न दृश्यते । परस्त्रीमुखसौंदर्यं परद्रव्यं च सर्वदा

ātmānaṁ sukhamicchadbhiḥ pāpadṛṣṭyā na dṛśyate parastrīmukhasauṁdaryaṁ paradravyaṁ ca sarvadā

Those who wish their own good never look, with a sinful eye, upon the beauty of another's wife's face, or upon another's wealth.

Verse 43 (padma.7.4.43)

दृष्ट्वा कामाग्निसंखिन्ना दह्यंते मूढमानसाः । याहि पापमते दूरं मा वदोक्तिं सुदुःसहाम्

dṛṣṭvā kāmāgnisaṁkhinnā dahyaṁte mūḍhamānasāḥ yāhi pāpamate dūraṁ mā vadoktiṁ suduḥsahām

Seeing such things, it is only the deluded, minds ablaze with the fire of lust, who burn. O sinful-minded one, go far away, and speak no more such unbearable words.

Verse 44 (padma.7.4.44)

वयमेव भवंतं न स्पृशामश्चरणैरपि । धनुर्ध्वज उवाच- धिगस्त्वमुं जातिशब्दं संजानन्नखिलं गुणम्

vayameva bhavaṁtaṁ na spṛśāmaścaraṇairapi dhanurdhvaja uvāca- dhigastvamuṁ jātiśabdaṁ saṁjānannakhilaṁ guṇam

We would not touch you even with our feet. Dhanurdhvaja said: shame on this word naming caste, you who know virtue in full —

Verse 45 (padma.7.4.45)

संभावितो न युष्माभिः श्वपचत्वे यतोऽधुना । कनकं मदिरापूर्णं कलशाभ्यंतरस्थितम्

saṁbhāvito na yuṣmābhiḥ śvapacatve yato'dhunā kanakaṁ madirāpūrṇaṁ kalaśābhyaṁtarasthitam

and yet you have counted me now as nothing, merely for being a Chandala. A golden vessel filled with wine,

Verse 46 (padma.7.4.46)

संप्राप्य को न गृह्णाति तद्गुणग्रामवित्पुमान् । अतोऽहं युवतीमेनां यथा प्राप्नोमि सांप्रतम्

saṁprāpya ko na gṛhṇāti tadguṇagrāmavitpumān ato'haṁ yuvatīmenāṁ yathā prāpnomi sāṁpratam

who among discerning men would not take it, once it is in hand? Therefore, whatever way I may now attain this young woman,

Verse 47 (padma.7.4.47)

तथा कुरुत हे सख्यः शरणं भो गतोस्मि यत् । इति ब्रुवंतं तं मूढं भूयोभूयो द्विजोत्तम

tathā kuruta he sakhyaḥ śaraṇaṁ bho gatosmi yat iti bruvaṁtaṁ taṁ mūḍhaṁ bhūyobhūyo dvijottama

let it be so, O companions; I have come to take refuge with you. Hearing this word, spoken again and again by this fool, O best of the twice-born,

Verse 48 (padma.7.4.48)

ऊचुर्वाक्यमिदं तास्तु जातात्यंतकुतूहलाः । सख्य ऊचुः- यद्येतां रमणीं नूनमिच्छसि त्वं सुदुर्म्मते

ūcurvākyamidaṁ tāstu jātātyaṁtakutūhalāḥ sakhya ūcuḥ- yadyetāṁ ramaṇīṁ nūnamicchasi tvaṁ sudurmmate

those companions, filled with great mischievous delight, spoke this word. The companions said: O most foolish one, if you truly desire this beauty,

Verse 49 (padma.7.4.49)

गङ्गायमुनयोः शीघ्रं शरीरं संगमे त्यज । मिथःकृतमुखालोका हसंत्यस्तास्ततो द्विज

gaṅgāyamunayoḥ śīghraṁ śarīraṁ saṁgame tyaja mithaḥkṛtamukhālokā hasaṁtyastāstato dvija

then go swiftly to the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna and cast off your body there. Then, O brahmin, glancing at each other's faces, they laughed,

Verse 50 (padma.7.4.50)

तां साधुपत्नीमादाय ययुर्निजगृहांतरम् । ततोऽसौ श्वपचो मोहाद्ब्रह्महत्यासहस्रकृत्

tāṁ sādhupatnīmādāya yayurnijagṛhāṁtaram tato'sau śvapaco mohādbrahmahatyāsahasrakṛt

and taking that virtuous woman with them, went back into their own home. Then that Chandala, out of delusion, committing sin like a thousand slayings of a brahmin,

Verse 51 (padma.7.4.51)

गंगायमुनयोस्तोये तामिष्ट्वा पंचतां गतः । तत्स्वामिसदृशाकारः समस्तगुणवान्बली

gaṁgāyamunayostoye tāmiṣṭvā paṁcatāṁ gataḥ tatsvāmisadṛśākāraḥ samastaguṇavānbalī

went into the waters of the Ganga and Yamuna and, still desiring her, met his death. And, taking the very form of her husband — endowed with every virtue, mighty —

Verse 52 (padma.7.4.52)

स च एव श्वपाकोऽसौ स्ववृत्तांतं स्मरन्नभूत् । ततोऽसौ प्रणिधिर्वैश्यस्तस्मिन्नेव दिने शुभे

sa ca eva śvapāko'sau svavṛttāṁtaṁ smarannabhūt tato'sau praṇidhirvaiśyastasminneva dine śubhe

that same Chandala was reborn, remembering still his own past history. Meanwhile that merchant Pranidhi, on that very same auspicious day,

Verse 53 (padma.7.4.53)

कृत्वा वाणिज्यमायातः स्वकीयं निलयं प्रति । श्वपाकोऽपि ततो विप्रस्तस्या वासं विवेश ह

kṛtvā vāṇijyamāyātaḥ svakīyaṁ nilayaṁ prati śvapāko'pi tato viprastasyā vāsaṁ viveśa ha

having completed his trade, returned toward his own home. Then that Chandala too, O brahmin, entered into his wife's dwelling,

Verse 54 (padma.7.4.54)

प्रणिधेः सदृशो रूपैर्वयोभिश्च गुणैरपि । एकाकारौ समालोक्य पुरःस्थौ तौ गुणाकरौ

praṇidheḥ sadṛśo rūpairvayobhiśca guṇairapi ekākārau samālokya puraḥsthau tau guṇākarau

being, in form, in age, and in virtues, the very image of Pranidhi. Seeing those two men of virtue standing before her, identical in every form,

Verse 55 (padma.7.4.55)

कस्याहं दयिता को वा मम भर्त्तेत्यचिंतयत् । ततः सा विस्मिता साध्वी विलोक्य तत्पतिद्वयम्

kasyāhaṁ dayitā ko vā mama bharttetyaciṁtayat tataḥ sā vismitā sādhvī vilokya tatpatidvayam

"Whose beloved am I, or who is my husband?" — thus she began to wonder. Then that virtuous woman, astonished at seeing her two husbands,

Verse 56 (padma.7.4.56)

तुष्टाव माधवं देवं वचनैः कोमलाक्षरैः

tuṣṭāva mādhavaṁ devaṁ vacanaiḥ komalākṣaraiḥ

began to praise the god Madhava with words of gentle utterance.

Verse 57 (padma.7.4.57)

पद्मावत्युवाच- नमामि गोविन्दमनन्तमूर्तिं शक्रादिदेवार्चितपादपद्मम् । योगेश्वरं योगविदां निरीहं योगप्रदं योगिभिरर्चनीयम्

padmāvatyuvāca- namāmi govindamanantamūrtiṁ śakrādidevārcitapādapadmam yogeśvaraṁ yogavidāṁ nirīhaṁ yogapradaṁ yogibhirarcanīyam

Padmavati said: I bow to Govinda, of infinite forms, whose lotus feet are worshipped by Indra and the gods, who is Lord of Yoga, free of desire before those who know yoga, giver of yoga, worthy of worship by yogis.

Verse 58 (padma.7.4.58)

नमोऽस्तु ते कैटभमर्द्दनाय नमो मधुध्वंसकराय तुभ्यम् । नमोऽस्तु कंसासुरनाशनाय नमोऽस्तु चाणूरनिपातनाय

namo'stu te kaiṭabhamarddanāya namo madhudhvaṁsakarāya tubhyam namo'stu kaṁsāsuranāśanāya namo'stu cāṇūranipātanāya

Salutation to you, crusher of Kaitabha, salutation to you, destroyer of Madhu. Salutation to you, destroyer of the demon Kamsa, salutation to you, slayer of Chanura.

Verse 59 (padma.7.4.59)

नमोऽस्तु वेदोद्धरणाग्रनित्यं नमोऽस्तु भूम्युद्धरणाय तुभ्यम् । नमोस्तु पृथ्वीधरणक्षमाय नमोस्तु दैत्यांतकराय तुभ्यम्

namo'stu vedoddharaṇāgranityaṁ namo'stu bhūmyuddharaṇāya tubhyam namostu pṛthvīdharaṇakṣamāya namostu daityāṁtakarāya tubhyam

Salutation to you, ever the first rescuer of the Vedas, salutation to you, rescuer of the earth. Salutation to you, able to bear up the earth, salutation to you, ender of demons.

Verse 60 (padma.7.4.60)

गङ्गांबुधौ तांघ्रियुगाय तुभ्यं नमोस्तु राजन्यकुलांतकाय । नमोस्तु ते रावणवंशहंत्रे अलं च दैत्यांतकराय तुभ्यम्

gaṅgāṁbudhau tāṁghriyugāya tubhyaṁ namostu rājanyakulāṁtakāya namostu te rāvaṇavaṁśahaṁtre alaṁ ca daityāṁtakarāya tubhyam

Whose pair of feet rests in the Ganga's waters, salutation to you, ender of royal lineages. Salutation to you, destroyer of Ravana's dynasty, and salutation to you, well able to end the demons.

Verse 61 (padma.7.4.61)

नमोस्तु ते चाध्वरनिंदकाय नमोस्तु ते म्लेच्छकुलांतकाय । नमोऽस्तु ते हृत्कमलासनाय नमोऽस्तु ते सर्वरिपुध्वजाय

namostu te cādhvaraniṁdakāya namostu te mlecchakulāṁtakāya namo'stu te hṛtkamalāsanāya namo'stu te sarvaripudhvajāya

Salutation to you, punisher of the reviler of sacrifice, salutation to you, ender of the barbarous races. Salutation to you, who dwell enthroned in the lotus of the heart, salutation to you, the very banner against every foe.

Verse 62 (padma.7.4.62)

प्रसीद गोपीजनवल्लभ प्रभो धृतैकहस्ताचलदेवदेव । प्रसीद लक्ष्मीमुखपद्मभृंग प्रसीद विष्णो सततं नमस्ते

prasīda gopījanavallabha prabho dhṛtaikahastācaladevadeva prasīda lakṣmīmukhapadmabhṛṁga prasīda viṣṇo satataṁ namaste

Be gracious, O Lord dear to the cowherd women, who held up a mountain with a single hand, O God of gods. Be gracious, O bee upon the lotus-face of Lakshmi, be gracious, O Vishnu — salutation to you forever.

Verse 63 (padma.7.4.63)

प्रसीद पद्मेक्षणचक्रपाणे कौमोदकीहस्तगदाधर त्वम् । प्रसीद विष्णो धृतपांचजन्य नमोस्तु ते पद्मधराय नित्यम्

prasīda padmekṣaṇacakrapāṇe kaumodakīhastagadādhara tvam prasīda viṣṇo dhṛtapāṁcajanya namostu te padmadharāya nityam

Be gracious, O lotus-eyed one, wielder of the discus, bearer of the mace Kaumodaki. Be gracious, O Vishnu, bearer of the conch Panchajanya, salutation to you forever, ever bearing the lotus.

Verse 64 (padma.7.4.64)

संसारकौतुहलमंदिरे ते मोहांधकारे च विवेकदीपे । संमोहिता केशव मायया हि त्वदीयया नित्यमहं भ्रमामि

saṁsārakautuhalamaṁdire te mohāṁdhakāre ca vivekadīpe saṁmohitā keśava māyayā hi tvadīyayā nityamahaṁ bhramāmi

In this temple of worldly wonder, even amid the darkness of delusion, you alone are the lamp of discernment. O Keshava, bewildered by your own power of illusion, I remain forever confused.

Verse 65 (padma.7.4.65)

विरञ्चि सेन्द्रार्कमुखाः सुरेन्द्रा मायां न जानन्ति तवासुरारे । मानुष्यहं किं तव वेद्मि मायां पुरोभ्रमं मे हरसानुकंपम्

virañci sendrārkamukhāḥ surendrā māyāṁ na jānanti tavāsurāre mānuṣyahaṁ kiṁ tava vedmi māyāṁ purobhramaṁ me harasānukaṁpam

O foe of the demons, even the chief gods, Brahma, Indra, and the Sun, do not know your power of illusion; what then can I, a mere mortal, know of your maya? Take away, with compassion, this confusion before me.

Verse 66 (padma.7.4.66)

व्यास उवाच- तस्याः स्तवं समाकर्ण्य भगवान्माधवः प्रभुः । समालोक्य जगन्नाथश्चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदः

vyāsa uvāca- tasyāḥ stavaṁ samākarṇya bhagavānmādhavaḥ prabhuḥ samālokya jagannāthaścaturvargaphalapradaḥ

Vyasa said: hearing this hymn of praise, the Lord Madhava, Lord of the universe, giver of the four goals of life, having beheld her,

Verse 67 (padma.7.4.67)

आविर्बभूव सहसा सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभः । सा मूर्ध्ना भूमिमालोक्य ववंदे तत्पदद्वयम्

āvirbabhūva sahasā sūryakoṭisamaprabhaḥ sā mūrdhnā bhūmimālokya vavaṁde tatpadadvayam

at once manifested himself, radiant as ten million suns. She, placing her head upon the ground, bowed to his two feet.

Verse 68 (padma.7.4.68)

नमस्ते कमलाकान्त भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रद । हर मे ज्ञानहीनायाः स्वकीय मतिविभ्रमम्

namaste kamalākānta bhuktimuktiphalaprada hara me jñānahīnāyāḥ svakīya mativibhramam

Salutation to you, O consort of Lakshmi, giver of both worldly enjoyment and liberation. Remove this confusion of my mind, bereft of knowledge.

Verse 69 (padma.7.4.69)

श्रीभगवानुवाच- भ्रमं जहीहि चार्वंगि द्वावेतौ हि पती तव । एकभावेन सुश्रोणि कुरु सेवां तयोः सदा

śrībhagavānuvāca- bhramaṁ jahīhi cārvaṁgi dvāvetau hi patī tava ekabhāvena suśroṇi kuru sevāṁ tayoḥ sadā

The Lord said: O lovely one, abandon your confusion; both of these are your husbands. O fair-hipped one, serve both of them always with a single, undivided heart.

Verse 70 (padma.7.4.70)

यश्च ते प्रणिधिः स्वामी मद्भक्तस्तरुणः सुधीः । भोक्तुं सुखफलं साध्वि सोऽभवद्द्विविधः स्वयम्

yaśca te praṇidhiḥ svāmī madbhaktastaruṇaḥ sudhīḥ bhoktuṁ sukhaphalaṁ sādhvi so'bhavaddvividhaḥ svayam

That Pranidhi who is your husband, my devotee, young and wise — O virtuous one, in order to enjoy the fruit of happiness, he himself has become twofold.

Verse 71 (padma.7.4.71)

अनन्तरूपिणी लक्ष्मीर्यथा क्रीडे मया सह । तथा त्वमपि सुश्रोणि भुंक्ष्व ताभ्यां सुखं सदा

anantarūpiṇī lakṣmīryathā krīḍe mayā saha tathā tvamapi suśroṇi bhuṁkṣva tābhyāṁ sukhaṁ sadā

Just as Lakshmi, of endless forms, sports together with me, so too, O fair-hipped one, enjoy happiness with these two always.

Verse 72 (padma.7.4.72)

पद्मावत्युवाच- एकस्या द्वौ पती देव न प्रशंसन्ति मानवाः । मग्नां लज्जाब्धिकल्लोले मामुद्धर दयामय

padmāvatyuvāca- ekasyā dvau patī deva na praśaṁsanti mānavāḥ magnāṁ lajjābdhikallole māmuddhara dayāmaya

Padmavati said: O Lord, that one woman have two husbands — this men do not consider praiseworthy. O compassionate one, lift me up, sunk as I am in the waves of an ocean of shame.

Verse 73 (padma.7.4.73)

श्रीभगवानुवाच- यदापकीर्तितः साध्वि बिभेषि त्वं ध्रुवं भुवि । तदा मत्पुरमागच्छ ताभ्यां सह वरानने

śrībhagavānuvāca- yadāpakīrtitaḥ sādhvi bibheṣi tvaṁ dhruvaṁ bhuvi tadā matpuramāgaccha tābhyāṁ saha varānane

The Lord said: O virtuous one, if you truly fear being reviled upon this earth, then come, together with both of them, to my abode, O fair-faced one.

Verse 74 (padma.7.4.74)

विमानमागतं सद्यस्ततो भगवदाज्ञया । तौ समादाय वैकुण्ठं सा गंतुमुपचक्रमे

vimānamāgataṁ sadyastato bhagavadājñayā tau samādāya vaikuṇṭhaṁ sā gaṁtumupacakrame

At once, by the Lord's command, a celestial chariot arrived there. She, taking both of them with her, set out toward Vaikuntha.

Verse 75 (padma.7.4.75)

अथ सा पथिगच्छन्ती भर्तृभ्यां सह जैमिने । ददर्शैकं महात्मानं रथस्थं स्त्रीसमन्वितम्

atha sā pathigacchantī bhartṛbhyāṁ saha jaimine dadarśaikaṁ mahātmānaṁ rathasthaṁ strīsamanvitam

O Jaimini, then, going along the way with her two husbands, she caught sight of a great being seated on a chariot, together with a woman.

Verse 76 (padma.7.4.76)

धृतं कमलपत्राक्षैरतसीकुसुमप्रभैः । चतुर्भुजैर्दूतगणैरासीनैर्गरुडोपरि

dhṛtaṁ kamalapatrākṣairatasīkusumaprabhaiḥ caturbhujairdūtagaṇairāsīnairgaruḍopari

Those messengers, eyes like lotus petals, radiant as the flax-flower, four-armed, were seated upon Garuda.

Verse 77 (padma.7.4.77)

विष्णुदूतांस्ततस्तांस्तु विष्णुरूपान्वरांगना । कोऽयं रथस्थः पुरुष इति पप्रच्छ सा सती

viṣṇudūtāṁstatastāṁstu viṣṇurūpānvarāṁganā ko'yaṁ rathasthaḥ puruṣa iti papraccha sā satī

Then that virtuous woman began to ask those messengers of Vishnu, who bore the very form of Vishnu — who is this man seated upon the chariot?

Verse 78 (padma.7.4.78)

के वा यूयं महात्मानः पुण्डरीकनिभेक्षणाः । सर्वेपि विष्णुसदृशाः शङ्खचक्रादिपाणयः

ke vā yūyaṁ mahātmānaḥ puṇḍarīkanibhekṣaṇāḥ sarvepi viṣṇusadṛśāḥ śaṅkhacakrādipāṇayaḥ

And who are you, great beings, eyes like the lotus? All of you, bearing conch and discus, seem to be the very image of Vishnu.

Verse 79 (padma.7.4.79)

ततस्ते भगवद्दूता विष्णुतुल्यपराक्रमाः । विहस्योचुर्मुहुः सर्वे परमामोदसंयुताः

tataste bhagavaddūtā viṣṇutulyaparākramāḥ vihasyocurmuhuḥ sarve paramāmodasaṁyutāḥ

Then those messengers of the Lord, mighty as Vishnu himself, smiling, filled with the greatest delight, spoke thus again and again.

Verse 80 (padma.7.4.80)

विष्णुदूता ऊचुः । विष्णुदूता वयं साध्वि पुण्यात्मानमिमंजनम् । समादाय पदं याम उदारं लोकमुत्तमम्

viṣṇudūtā ūcuḥ viṣṇudūtā vayaṁ sādhvi puṇyātmānamimaṁjanam samādāya padaṁ yāma udāraṁ lokamuttamam

The messengers of Vishnu said: O virtuous woman, we are messengers of Vishnu. Taking this man of merit, we go toward that generous, supreme world and station.

Verse 81 (padma.7.4.81)

पद्मावत्युवाच- केन पुण्यप्रभावेन गतोऽयमीदृशीं गतिम् । विष्णुदूता महात्मानः कथ्यतामित्यहो मम

padmāvatyuvāca- kena puṇyaprabhāvena gato'yamīdṛśīṁ gatim viṣṇudūtā mahātmānaḥ kathyatāmityaho mama

Padmavati said: By what merit's power has he attained this destiny? O great messengers of Vishnu, tell it to me — this is my earnest request.

Verse 82 (padma.7.4.82)

विष्णुदूता ऊचुः - अयं बृहद्ध्वजो नाम राक्षसो लोकशोककृत् । अरण्यादिनिवासी च महाबलपराक्रमः

viṣṇudūtā ūcuḥ - ayaṁ bṛhaddhvajo nāma rākṣaso lokaśokakṛt araṇyādinivāsī ca mahābalaparākramaḥ

The messengers of Vishnu said: this is a rakshasa named Brihaddhvaja, bringer of grief to the worlds, a dweller in forests, mighty and valorous.

Verse 83 (padma.7.4.83)

परदारपरद्रव्यहारको रिपुकोद्यतः । गोमांसाशी निष्ठुरोक्तिभाषी च देवनिन्दकः

paradāraparadravyahārako ripukodyataḥ gomāṁsāśī niṣṭhuroktibhāṣī ca devanindakaḥ

A stealer of other men's wives and other men's wealth, ever bent on enmity, an eater of beef, harsh of speech, a reviler of the gods.

Verse 84 (padma.7.4.84)

यद्यत्पापरतं कर्म्म तदनेन कृतं सदा । स्वप्नेऽपि न कृतं कर्म शुभं न च पतिव्रते

yadyatpāparataṁ karmma tadanena kṛtaṁ sadā svapne'pi na kṛtaṁ karma śubhaṁ na ca pativrate

Whatever sinful deed there could be, that has ever been done by him; not even in dream did he perform a single good deed, O devoted wife.

Verse 85 (padma.7.4.85)

अयं रथं समारुह्य सततं कामपीडितः । परस्त्रीहरणार्थाय सुश्रोणि नभसि भ्रमन्

ayaṁ rathaṁ samāruhya satataṁ kāmapīḍitaḥ parastrīharaṇārthāya suśroṇi nabhasi bhraman

Mounting upon this chariot of his, ever tormented by lust, in order to abduct other men's wives, O fair-hipped one, he used to roam through the sky.

Verse 86 (padma.7.4.86)

यां यां सुयौवनां नारीं यत्र यत्रायमीक्षते । बलाच्चालिङ्गितस्तां तु तत्र तत्र स्मरातुरः

yāṁ yāṁ suyauvanāṁ nārīṁ yatra yatrāyamīkṣate balāccāliṅgitastāṁ tu tatra tatra smarāturaḥ

Wherever, in whatever place, he caught sight of a young and beautiful woman, tormented by lust he would there forcibly embrace her.

Verse 87 (padma.7.4.87)

अथैकदा भीमकेश नाम्नो नरपतेः प्रियाम् । ददर्श क्रीडामध्यस्थां सुंदरीं नवयौवनाम्

athaikadā bhīmakeśa nāmno narapateḥ priyām dadarśa krīḍāmadhyasthāṁ suṁdarīṁ navayauvanām

Once he saw the beloved queen of a king named Bhimakesha, sporting in a garden, lovely and in the fullness of youth.

Verse 88 (padma.7.4.88)

अथासौ तां समालोक्य सुवर्णकुसुमप्रभाम् । इत्युवाच वचः प्रेम्णा का त्वमत्र करोषि किम्

athāsau tāṁ samālokya suvarṇakusumaprabhām ityuvāca vacaḥ premṇā kā tvamatra karoṣi kim

Then, seeing her, radiant as a golden flower, he spoke these words with feigned affection: who are you, and what are you doing here?

Verse 89 (padma.7.4.89)

सैवोवाच ततः कांता भीमकेशस्य भूपतेः । अहं सुरतशास्त्रज्ञा केशिनी नाम भूषिता

saivovāca tataḥ kāṁtā bhīmakeśasya bhūpateḥ ahaṁ surataśāstrajñā keśinī nāma bhūṣitā

Then king Bhimakesha's beloved said: I am named Keshini, adorned, skilled in the art of love.

Verse 90 (padma.7.4.90)

अयि सर्वगुणज्ञां मां प्रेमहृष्टां न भूपतिः । स्ववंशजां दोषहीनां पश्यति क्षणमप्यसौ

ayi sarvaguṇajñāṁ māṁ premahṛṣṭāṁ na bhūpatiḥ svavaṁśajāṁ doṣahīnāṁ paśyati kṣaṇamapyasau

O one delighted by love, even the king does not look, even for a moment, upon me, though I am accomplished in every virtue, free of fault, born in his own lineage.

Verse 91 (padma.7.4.91)

स्थीयते नित्यमत्रैव भर्त्राखंडितचर्चया । मया स्वकर्मशोचंत्या विरहानलतप्तया

sthīyate nityamatraiva bhartrākhaṁḍitacarcayā mayā svakarmaśocaṁtyā virahānalataptayā

I dwell here forever, neglected by my own husband; grieving over my own fate, burning with the fire of separation,

Verse 92 (padma.7.4.92)

कस्त्वं कथमिदं प्राप्तमुद्यानं प्रतिसत्तम । समायातोऽसि तत्सर्वं प्रसन्नो वक्तुमर्हसि

kastvaṁ kathamidaṁ prāptamudyānaṁ pratisattama samāyāto'si tatsarvaṁ prasanno vaktumarhasi

who are you, O best one, and how have you come to this garden? Tell me all this — you have come before me, be so kind as to speak of it gladly.

Verse 93 (padma.7.4.93)

अथायमित्याह वचः पूर्णचन्द्र निभानने । मायावी राक्षसोऽहं त्वामालिङ्गितुमिहागतः

athāyamityāha vacaḥ pūrṇacandra nibhānane māyāvī rākṣaso'haṁ tvāmāliṅgitumihāgataḥ

Then he spoke these words: O one whose face is like the full moon, I am an illusion-wielding rakshasa; I have come here to embrace you.

Verse 94 (padma.7.4.94)

जहीहि रुष्टभर्तारं सर्वदा दोषदर्शिनम् । तन्वि मां भज सर्वं ते दास्यामि सुखमुत्तमम्

jahīhi ruṣṭabhartāraṁ sarvadā doṣadarśinam tanvi māṁ bhaja sarvaṁ te dāsyāmi sukhamuttamam

Abandon your husband, forever angry, forever seeing only faults in you. O tender one, turn to me — I shall give you every supreme happiness.

Verse 95 (padma.7.4.95)

ततो विहस्य साध्वीयं राक्षसेन्द्रमिमं मुदा । बबंध बाहुलतया विन्यस्य वदने मुखम्

tato vihasya sādhvīyaṁ rākṣasendramimaṁ mudā babaṁdha bāhulatayā vinyasya vadane mukham

Then that supposedly virtuous woman, laughing with pleasure, bound that lord of rakshasas with the creeper of her arm, and pressed her face to his.

Verse 96 (padma.7.4.96)

स तामालिंग्य युवतीं विवेकोद्वेगविह्वलाम् । अनया सह सुश्रोणि दिव्यमारूढवान्रथम्

sa tāmāliṁgya yuvatīṁ vivekodvegavihvalām anayā saha suśroṇi divyamārūḍhavānratham

He, embracing that young woman troubled by both discernment and agitation, O fair-hipped one, mounted with her upon that divine chariot.

Verse 97 (padma.7.4.97)

दंपतीभावमाश्रित्य तौ जातावतिकौतुकम् । वायुवेगरथारूढौ यातौ गगनवर्त्मनि

daṁpatībhāvamāśritya tau jātāvatikautukam vāyuvegarathārūḍhau yātau gaganavartmani

Taking on the manner of a wedded pair, both were filled with great delight, and mounting the chariot swift as the wind, they journeyed along the pathway of the sky.

Verse 98 (padma.7.4.98)

अथैनामयमित्याह पश्यतन्विवरानने । त्वद्भर्तृदेशादायातौ गङ्गासागरसङ्गमे

athaināmayamityāha paśyatanvivarānane tvadbhartṛdeśādāyātau gaṅgāsāgarasaṅgame

Then he spoke to her, gazing at her — O one of lovely, slender face, we have come from your husband's land, to the confluence of the Ganga and the sea.

Verse 99 (padma.7.4.99)

ततो रथस्थनारीयमधिगङ्गाब्धिसङ्गमम् । जगाम पंचतां सद्यः संदृश्यात्यंतसाध्वसैः

tato rathasthanārīyamadhigaṅgābdhisaṅgamam jagāma paṁcatāṁ sadyaḥ saṁdṛśyātyaṁtasādhvasaiḥ

Then that woman, seated on the chariot, having reached the confluence of the Ganga and the sea, beholding it with a gaze filled with utter dread, at once met death.

Verse 100 (padma.7.4.100)

विलप्य बहुधा साध्वीं तत्रायमपि राक्षसः । गतप्राणां समालोक्य सद्यो मृत्युं जगाम ह

vilapya bahudhā sādhvīṁ tatrāyamapi rākṣasaḥ gataprāṇāṁ samālokya sadyo mṛtyuṁ jagāma ha

Lamenting greatly over that supposedly virtuous woman, that rakshasa too, seeing her lifeless, at once met death.

Verse 101 (padma.7.4.101)

वैनतेयध्वजादेशादिमौ गलितकल्मषौ । नयामः पुण्यकर्माणौ वैकुण्ठं प्रति संप्रति

vainateyadhvajādeśādimau galitakalmaṣau nayāmaḥ puṇyakarmāṇau vaikuṇṭhaṁ prati saṁprati

By the command of the one whose banner bears the son of Vinata (Vishnu), these two, now cleansed of sin, we — knowing them men of merit — now lead toward Vaikuntha.

Verse 102 (padma.7.4.102)

जलेस्थले चांतरिक्षे गङ्गासागरसङ्गमे । देहं संत्यज्य गच्छन्ति पापिनो हि परां गतिम्

jalesthale cāṁtarikṣe gaṅgāsāgarasaṅgame dehaṁ saṁtyajya gacchanti pāpino hi parāṁ gatim

Whether in water, on land, or in the sky, whoever casts off the body at the confluence of the Ganga and the sea, even a sinner, attains the highest state.

Verse 103 (padma.7.4.103)

त्रैलोक्यदुर्लभं तीर्थं गङ्गासागरसंगमे । माघे तपसि शुक्लायामेकादश्यामुपोषितः

trailokyadurlabhaṁ tīrthaṁ gaṅgāsāgarasaṁgame māghe tapasi śuklāyāmekādaśyāmupoṣitaḥ

The confluence of the Ganga and the sea is a sacred ford hard to attain in all three worlds. By fasting on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Magha,

Verse 104 (padma.7.4.104)

तत्र शुद्धिमवाप्नोति ब्रह्महापि न संशयः । गङ्गाब्धिसङ्गमे स्नात्वा हरिं दृष्ट्वा च माधवम्

tatra śuddhimavāpnoti brahmahāpi na saṁśayaḥ gaṅgābdhisaṅgame snātvā hariṁ dṛṣṭvā ca mādhavam

even the killer of a brahmin attains purity there, without doubt. Bathing at the confluence of the Ganga and the sea, and beholding Hari Madhava —

Verse 105 (padma.7.4.105)

कार्तिकेयमुखं दृष्ट्वा पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते । कार्तिकेयो हरिः साक्षादित्यभेदः कृतः सदा

kārtikeyamukhaṁ dṛṣṭvā punarjanma na vidyate kārtikeyo hariḥ sākṣādityabhedaḥ kṛtaḥ sadā

and beholding the face of Kartikeya, one is never born again. Kartikeya is Hari himself — this identity is ever upheld.

Verse 106 (padma.7.4.106)

ये कार्तिंकेयं पश्यंति ते सर्वे मोक्षगामिनः । सर्वतीर्थाधिकं तीर्थं गङ्गाब्धिसङ्गमं शृणु

ye kārtiṁkeyaṁ paśyaṁti te sarve mokṣagāminaḥ sarvatīrthādhikaṁ tīrthaṁ gaṅgābdhisaṅgamaṁ śṛṇu

All who behold Kartikeya attain liberation. Hear that the confluence of the Ganga and the sea is the very best of all sacred fords.

Verse 107 (padma.7.4.107)

जले स्थले चांतरिक्षे मृतो मोक्षमवाप्नुयात् । व्यास उवाच- इत्युक्त्वा विष्णुदूतास्ते तौ समादाय जैमिने

jale sthale cāṁtarikṣe mṛto mokṣamavāpnuyāt vyāsa uvāca- ityuktvā viṣṇudūtāste tau samādāya jaimine

Even dying in water, on land, or in the sky, one attains liberation. Vyasa said: having said this, those messengers of Vishnu, O Jaimini, taking both of those two,

Verse 108 (padma.7.4.108)

जग्मुर्विष्णुगृहं सर्वे सह साकाशवर्त्मनि । या च पद्मावती साध्वी भर्तृद्वयसमन्विता

jagmurviṣṇugṛhaṁ sarve saha sākāśavartmani yā ca padmāvatī sādhvī bhartṛdvayasamanvitā

together went by the pathway of the sky to the abode of Vishnu. And that virtuous Padmavati, together with her two husbands,

Verse 109 (padma.7.4.109)

गता सारूप्यतां विष्णोश्चतुर्वर्गप्रदायिनः । तत्र भुक्त्वाखिलान्भोगान्दुर्ल्लभान्द्विजसत्तम

gatā sārūpyatāṁ viṣṇoścaturvargapradāyinaḥ tatra bhuktvākhilānbhogāndurllabhāndvijasattama

attained union in form with Vishnu, the giver of the four goals of life. There, O best of the twice-born, having enjoyed every enjoyment hard to attain,

Verse 110 (padma.7.4.110)

परमं ज्ञानमासाद्य ययुः सारूप्यतां हरेः । सर्वतीर्थमयी गङ्गा सर्वतीर्थमयो हरिः

paramaṁ jñānamāsādya yayuḥ sārūpyatāṁ hareḥ sarvatīrthamayī gaṅgā sarvatīrthamayo hariḥ

and attaining supreme knowledge, they reached union in form with Hari. The Ganga is the very form of every sacred ford; Hari is the very form of every sacred ford —

Verse 111 (padma.7.4.111)

गङ्गायाश्च हरेश्चैव तस्माद्भक्तिर्विधीयते । गङ्गाब्धिसंगमे पूर्वं माधवो नाम भूभुजः

gaṅgāyāśca hareścaiva tasmādbhaktirvidhīyate gaṅgābdhisaṁgame pūrvaṁ mādhavo nāma bhūbhujaḥ

therefore devotion is enjoined toward both the Ganga and Hari. Long ago, at the confluence of the Ganga and the sea, a king named Madhava,

Verse 112 (padma.7.4.112)

तप्त्वा तपश्चिरं तत्र सदारो मोक्षमाप्तवान्

taptvā tapaściraṁ tatra sadāro mokṣamāptavān

having practiced austerity there for a long time, attained liberation together with his wife.

Verse 113 (padma.7.4.113)

जैमिनिरुवाच- त्वयोक्तो माधवः कोऽसौ किं कर्म स चकार ह । कथं तेपे तपस्तन्मे सर्वं कथय सत्तम

jaiminiruvāca- tvayokto mādhavaḥ ko'sau kiṁ karma sa cakāra ha kathaṁ tepe tapastanme sarvaṁ kathaya sattama

Jaimini said: Who was that Madhava you have spoken of? What deed did he do? How did he practice austerity — tell me all this, O best one.

Verse 114 (padma.7.4.114)

व्यास उवाच- चरितं तस्य विप्रर्षे माधवस्य महात्मनः । आकर्णय प्रवक्ष्यामि समासेन महामते

vyāsa uvāca- caritaṁ tasya viprarṣe mādhavasya mahātmanaḥ ākarṇaya pravakṣyāmi samāsena mahāmate

Vyasa said: O sage among brahmins, hear the story of the great soul Madhava; I shall tell it in brief, O great-minded one.