The Glory of the Ganga, and Indra and Padmagandha

Verse 1 (padma.7.8.1)

व्यास उवाच- पुनर्वक्ष्यामि विप्रेन्द्र गङ्गामाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् । गङ्गाकथासुधापानं कुरु मुक्तिं यदीच्छसि

vyāsa uvāca- punarvakṣyāmi viprendra gaṅgāmāhātmyamuttamam gaṅgākathāsudhāpānaṁ kuru muktiṁ yadīcchasi

Vyasa said: O lord of brahmins, I shall again declare the supreme glory of the Ganga; if you desire liberation, drink the nectar of the tale of the Ganga.

Verse 2 (padma.7.8.2)

दानं दत्तं तेन सर्वं तेन सर्वे मखाः कृताः । तेन प्रपूजितो विष्णुर्यद्भक्तिर्भीष्म मातरि

dānaṁ dattaṁ tena sarvaṁ tena sarve makhāḥ kṛtāḥ tena prapūjito viṣṇuryadbhaktirbhīṣma mātari

Whoever has attained devotion toward Bhishma's mother (the Ganga), by him alone has every gift been given, by him alone every sacrifice performed, by him alone Vishnu worshipped.

Verse 3 (padma.7.8.3)

गङ्गायां धर्मकर्माणि क्रियंते यानि कानि च । अक्षयानि भवंत्यस्य तानि सर्वाणि जैमिने

gaṅgāyāṁ dharmakarmāṇi kriyaṁte yāni kāni ca akṣayāni bhavaṁtyasya tāni sarvāṇi jaimine

O Jaimini, whatever deeds of dharma are performed at the Ganga, all of them become imperishable.

Verse 4 (padma.7.8.4)

वहंतं जलमालोक्य गाङ्गेयानि जलानि यः । भक्त्या गच्छेत्समुत्थाय सोऽश्वमेधसहस्रकृत्

vahaṁtaṁ jalamālokya gāṅgeyāni jalāni yaḥ bhaktyā gacchetsamutthāya so'śvamedhasahasrakṛt

Whoever, seeing the flowing waters of the Ganga, rises with devotion and goes toward them, becomes a partaker of the fruit of a thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices.

Verse 5 (padma.7.8.5)

गङ्गाजलेष्वागतेषु यो नो तिष्ठति भक्तितः । पशुता शाश्वती तस्य जन्मजन्मनि जैमिने

gaṅgājaleṣvāgateṣu yo no tiṣṭhati bhaktitaḥ paśutā śāśvatī tasya janmajanmani jaimine

O Jaimini, whoever, even coming before Ganga's waters, does not remain there with devotion — for him there is only the perpetual state of an animal, birth after birth.

Verse 6 (padma.7.8.6)

गाङ्गेयं जलमासाद्य यो न गृह्णाति भक्तितः । जन्मकोट्यर्जितं पुण्यं क्षणादेव तु नश्यति

gāṅgeyaṁ jalamāsādya yo na gṛhṇāti bhaktitaḥ janmakoṭyarjitaṁ puṇyaṁ kṣaṇādeva tu naśyati

Whoever, even attaining Ganga water, does not take it up with devotion, his merit, earned across tens of millions of births, is destroyed in an instant.

Verse 7 (padma.7.8.7)

गङ्गातीरं जिगमिषुं यस्तु वारयते द्विज । स कोटिकुलसंयुक्तो रौरवं नरकं व्रजेत्

gaṅgātīraṁ jigamiṣuṁ yastu vārayate dvija sa koṭikulasaṁyukto rauravaṁ narakaṁ vrajet

O brahmin, whoever obstructs one going toward the Ganga's bank goes, together with tens of millions of his own kin, to the Raurava hell.

Verse 8 (padma.7.8.8)

मूत्रं वाथ पुरीषं वा गंगातीरे करोति यः । न दृष्टा निष्कृतिस्तस्य कल्पकोटिशतैरपि

mūtraṁ vātha purīṣaṁ vā gaṁgātīre karoti yaḥ na dṛṣṭā niṣkṛtistasya kalpakoṭiśatairapi

Whoever passes urine or excrement on the Ganga's bank — for him no deliverance has ever been seen, even in hundreds of millions of kalpas.

Verse 9 (padma.7.8.9)

श्लेष्माणं वापि निष्ठीवं दूषिकां वाश्रु वा मलम् । गंगातीरे त्यजेद्यस्तु स नूनं नारकी भवेत्

śleṣmāṇaṁ vāpi niṣṭhīvaṁ dūṣikāṁ vāśru vā malam gaṁgātīre tyajedyastu sa nūnaṁ nārakī bhavet

Whoever discards phlegm, spittle, eye or nose mucus, or tears upon the Ganga's bank surely becomes a denizen of hell.

Verse 10 (padma.7.8.10)

उच्छिष्टं कफकं चैव गङ्गागर्भे च यस्त्यजेत् । स याति नरकं घोरं ब्रह्महत्यां च विंदति

ucchiṣṭaṁ kaphakaṁ caiva gaṅgāgarbhe ca yastyajet sa yāti narakaṁ ghoraṁ brahmahatyāṁ ca viṁdati

Whoever discards leftover food or phlegm into the very depths of the Ganga goes to a dreadful hell and becomes a partaker in the sin of killing a brahmin.

Verse 11 (padma.7.8.11)

गङ्गारोधसि यः पापं कुरुते मूढधीर्नरः । तदक्षय भवेन्नूनं नान्यतीर्थेषु शाम्यति

gaṅgārodhasi yaḥ pāpaṁ kurute mūḍhadhīrnaraḥ tadakṣaya bhavennūnaṁ nānyatīrtheṣu śāmyati

Whatever foolish man commits sin upon the Ganga's bank — that sin becomes surely imperishable, and finds no peace even at any other sacred ford.

Verse 12 (padma.7.8.12)

अन्यतीर्थे कृतं पापं गङ्गायां च विनश्यति । गङ्गायां यत्कृतं पापं तत्कुत्रापि न शाम्यते

anyatīrthe kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ gaṅgāyāṁ ca vinaśyati gaṅgāyāṁ yatkṛtaṁ pāpaṁ tatkutrāpi na śāmyate

Sin committed at another sacred ford is destroyed upon reaching the Ganga; but sin committed at the Ganga finds peace nowhere at all.

Verse 13 (padma.7.8.13)

तस्मात्पापं न कर्तव्यं गङ्गायां शास्त्रकोविदैः । कर्मणा मनसा वाचा कर्तव्यो धर्मसंग्रहः

tasmātpāpaṁ na kartavyaṁ gaṅgāyāṁ śāstrakovidaiḥ karmaṇā manasā vācā kartavyo dharmasaṁgrahaḥ

Therefore those learned in the scriptures should never commit sin at the Ganga; only the gathering of dharma, in deed, mind, and speech, should be done there.

Verse 14 (padma.7.8.14)

न ते देशा न ते शैला न च तानि वनानि च । पापविध्वंसिनी यत्र न तिष्ठेत्सुरनिम्नगा

na te deśā na te śailā na ca tāni vanāni ca pāpavidhvaṁsinī yatra na tiṣṭhetsuranimnagā

Those lands are no lands, those mountains no mountains, and those forests no forests, where the sin-destroying river of the gods does not flow.

Verse 15 (padma.7.8.15)

गङ्गातीरं परित्यज्य मुहूर्तमपि जैमिने । न च स्थातव्यमन्यत्र यदि कार्यशतान्यपि

gaṅgātīraṁ parityajya muhūrtamapi jaimine na ca sthātavyamanyatra yadi kāryaśatānyapi

O Jaimini, forsaking the Ganga's bank, one should not remain elsewhere even for a single muhurta, whatever hundreds of tasks may call.

Verse 16 (padma.7.8.16)

भिक्षान्नमपि भुक्त्वा च स्थातव्यं जाह्नवीतटे । न चान्यत्र क्षणमपि प्राप्य भूपालतामपि

bhikṣānnamapi bhuktvā ca sthātavyaṁ jāhnavītaṭe na cānyatra kṣaṇamapi prāpya bhūpālatāmapi

Even having only beggar's food to eat, one should remain right upon the Jahnavi's bank; even having attained kingship, one should not remain elsewhere even for a moment.

Verse 17 (padma.7.8.17)

संत्यज्य देहं गङ्गायां ब्रह्महापि विमुच्यते । अन्यत्र मुक्तये न स्यादश्वमेधसहस्रकृत्

saṁtyajya dehaṁ gaṅgāyāṁ brahmahāpi vimucyate anyatra muktaye na syādaśvamedhasahasrakṛt

Casting off the body in the Ganga, even the slayer of a brahmin is set free; elsewhere, even performing a thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices does not bring liberation.

Verse 18 (padma.7.8.18)

गङ्गातीरे वसन्यस्तु हरिपूजापरो भवेत् । जन्मजन्मांतरे येन कदाचिन्नार्चितो हरिः

gaṅgātīre vasanyastu haripūjāparo bhavet janmajanmāṁtare yena kadācinnārcito hariḥ

Whoever, dwelling upon the Ganga's bank, becomes devoted to the worship of Hari, though by him, across countless former births, Hari was never once worshipped,

Verse 19 (padma.7.8.19)

भक्तिर्भवति नैतस्य गङ्गायां लोकमातरि । श्रूयतां मानवाः सर्वे भूयोभूयो ब्रवीम्यहम्

bhaktirbhavati naitasya gaṅgāyāṁ lokamātari śrūyatāṁ mānavāḥ sarve bhūyobhūyo bravīmyaham

his devotion too comes to be born in that mother of the universe, the Ganga. Hear this, all people — I say it again and again.

Verse 20 (padma.7.8.20)

स्नानं विधाय गङ्गायां गम्यतां परमं पदम् । मृत्युकाले भजेद्यस्तु गङ्गागङ्गेति मानवः

snānaṁ vidhāya gaṅgāyāṁ gamyatāṁ paramaṁ padam mṛtyukāle bhajedyastu gaṅgāgaṅgeti mānavaḥ

By bathing in the Ganga one should go to the supreme abode. Whatever man, at the time of death, calls out "Ganga, Ganga" in worship,

Verse 21 (padma.7.8.21)

विमुक्तःपातकैः सर्वैर्दिवि देवयुगायुतम् । यस्य गङ्गाकथारम्भो मृत्युकाले भवेद्द्विज

vimuktaḥpātakaiḥ sarvairdivi devayugāyutam yasya gaṅgākathārambho mṛtyukāle bhaveddvija

he, freed of every sin, dwells in heaven for ten thousand ages of the gods. O brahmin, whoever, at the time of death, has the tale of the Ganga begun for him,

Verse 22 (padma.7.8.22)

स गच्छेद्विष्णुभवनं गलिताखिल कल्मषः । यस्तु स्मरति वै प्राज्ञो मृत्युकाले द्विजोत्तम

sa gacchedviṣṇubhavanaṁ galitākhila kalmaṣaḥ yastu smarati vai prājño mṛtyukāle dvijottama

he, freed of every impurity, goes to the abode of Vishnu. O best of the twice-born, whatever wise person, at the time of death,

Verse 23 (padma.7.8.23)

गङ्गेति मुक्तिदं नाम तस्य तुष्टो भवेद्धरिः । मृत्युकाले भवेद्यस्तु गङ्गामृत्पुण्ड्रमुत्तमम्

gaṅgeti muktidaṁ nāma tasya tuṣṭo bhaveddhariḥ mṛtyukāle bhavedyastu gaṅgāmṛtpuṇḍramuttamam

remembers the liberation-giving name "Ganga," with him Hari becomes pleased. Whoever, at the time of death, bears the excellent mark of Ganga's clay,

Verse 24 (padma.7.8.24)

गङ्गास्नायिनमालोक्य त्यजेद्यस्तु कलेवरम् । श्मशानेऽपि द्विजश्रेष्ठ स गङ्गामरणं लभेत्

gaṅgāsnāyinamālokya tyajedyastu kalevaram śmaśāne'pi dvijaśreṣṭha sa gaṅgāmaraṇaṁ labhet

or whoever casts off the body having seen a Ganga-bather — O best of the twice-born, he attains, even in the cremation ground, the very fruit of a Ganga death.

Verse 25 (padma.7.8.25)

तिष्ठंत्यस्थीनि गङ्गायां यावत्कालं शरीरिणः । तावत्कल्पसहस्राणि विष्णुलोके महीयते

tiṣṭhaṁtyasthīni gaṅgāyāṁ yāvatkālaṁ śarīriṇaḥ tāvatkalpasahasrāṇi viṣṇuloke mahīyate

For as long as an embodied being's bones remain in the Ganga, for that many thousand kalpas he is glorified in the world of Vishnu.

Verse 26 (padma.7.8.26)

यस्य मज्जन्ति गङ्गायां भस्मास्थीनि नखानि च । शिरोरुहाण्यपि प्राज्ञः स विष्णोर्भुवनं वसेत्

yasya majjanti gaṅgāyāṁ bhasmāsthīni nakhāni ca śiroruhāṇyapi prājñaḥ sa viṣṇorbhuvanaṁ vaset

O wise one, whoever's ashes, bones, nails, and even hair sink into the Ganga, he dwells in the world of Vishnu.

Verse 27 (padma.7.8.27)

स्थितेष्वस्थिषु गङ्गायां यत्कर्म लभते नरः । ब्रवीमि तत्फलं सर्वं शृणु नान्यमना द्विज

sthiteṣvasthiṣu gaṅgāyāṁ yatkarma labhate naraḥ bravīmi tatphalaṁ sarvaṁ śṛṇu nānyamanā dvija

The fruit a man attains while his bones remain in the Ganga — that whole fruit I now tell; hear it, O brahmin, without distraction.

Verse 28 (padma.7.8.28)

एकदा भगवाञ्छक्रो नानालंकारभूषितः । क्रीडागृहं ययौ कामी युवत्या पद्मगंधया

ekadā bhagavāñchakro nānālaṁkārabhūṣitaḥ krīḍāgṛhaṁ yayau kāmī yuvatyā padmagaṁdhayā

Once the god Indra, adorned with manifold ornaments, lovelorn, went to a pleasure-house together with a young woman named Padmagandha.

Verse 29 (padma.7.8.29)

पद्मगंधा रसज्ञा सा संप्राप्त नवयौवना । नानारसप्रदानेन चकार सुरसं प्रति

padmagaṁdhā rasajñā sā saṁprāpta navayauvanā nānārasapradānena cakāra surasaṁ prati

That Padmagandha, skilled in the art of pleasure, in the fullness of her youth, by offering manifold delights, kept that lord of gods enthralled.

Verse 30 (padma.7.8.30)

सपत्न्याः स्वर्णपर्यंके तस्याः शिशुमृगीदृशः । प्रीतः पादतले जिष्णुरुवास स्मरमोहितः

sapatnyāḥ svarṇaparyaṁke tasyāḥ śiśumṛgīdṛśaḥ prītaḥ pādatale jiṣṇuruvāsa smaramohitaḥ

Upon his own consort's (Shachi's) golden couch, at the feet of that fawn-eyed one, bewildered by desire, that Jishnu (Indra) sat there, delighted.

Verse 31 (padma.7.8.31)

अथ तस्यै स्वयं शक्रो निर्माय स्वर्णवीटिकाम् । ददाति परमप्रीतस्तद्गुणाकृष्टमानसः

atha tasyai svayaṁ śakro nirmāya svarṇavīṭikām dadāti paramaprītastadguṇākṛṣṭamānasaḥ

Then Indra himself, fashioning for her a golden betel-roll, his mind drawn by her charms, gave it to her with the greatest delight.

Verse 32 (padma.7.8.32)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु पौलोमी वरसुन्दरी । भूषणैर्भूषिता सर्वैः स्वयं तद्गृहमाययौ

etasminneva kāle tu paulomī varasundarī bhūṣaṇairbhūṣitā sarvaiḥ svayaṁ tadgṛhamāyayau

At this very time Pauloma (Shachi), adorned with every beauty, herself arrived at that house.

Verse 33 (padma.7.8.33)

दृष्ट्वा तथाविधं शक्रं सर्वदेवाधिपं प्रभुम् । भृशं चुकोप पौलोमी प्राहेति च सुलक्षणा

dṛṣṭvā tathāvidhaṁ śakraṁ sarvadevādhipaṁ prabhum bhṛśaṁ cukopa paulomī prāheti ca sulakṣaṇā

Seeing that lord Indra, master of all the gods, in such a state, that well-marked Pauloma became greatly enraged and spoke thus.

Verse 34 (padma.7.8.34)

शच्युवाच- देव किं कुरुषे कांत त्वं समस्तसुराधिप । मम दासीस्वरूपायै ददासि स्वर्णवीटिकाम्

śacyuvāca- deva kiṁ kuruṣe kāṁta tvaṁ samastasurādhipa mama dāsīsvarūpāyai dadāsi svarṇavīṭikām

Shachi said: O god, O beloved, being lord of all the gods, what is this you do? You give a golden betel-roll to this woman, fit only to be my own maid?

Verse 35 (padma.7.8.35)

स्पृशंति त्रिदशाः सर्वे शिरसा चरणौ तव । त्वं कथं पद्मगन्धाया दास्याः पादतले प्रभोः

spṛśaṁti tridaśāḥ sarve śirasā caraṇau tava tvaṁ kathaṁ padmagandhāyā dāsyāḥ pādatale prabhoḥ

All the gods touch your feet with their own heads; how, O lord, are you seated at the feet of that maidservant Padmagandha?

Verse 36 (padma.7.8.36)

याचितश्च सुगन्धित्वाद्भृंगः स्यानचतद्यशः । सुंदरी कोटिभर्त्ता त्वं समस्तरसवित्प्रभो

yācitaśca sugandhitvādbhṛṁgaḥ syānacatadyaśaḥ suṁdarī koṭibharttā tvaṁ samastarasavitprabho

For its fragrance, when sought, a bee might befit her — but such repute befits not you, O lord, master of tens of millions of beauties, knower of every delight;

Verse 37 (padma.7.8.37)

कथमेवंविधं कर्म करोष्यत्यंतकुत्सितम् । निर्गुणे पद्मगन्धेहे दासिदूरं परिव्रज

kathamevaṁvidhaṁ karma karoṣyatyaṁtakutsitam nirguṇe padmagandhehe dāsidūraṁ parivraja

why do you do such a most contemptible deed? O virtueless maid Padmagandha, go far away from here.

Verse 38 (padma.7.8.38)

त्वमीश्वरी च पर्यंके शक्रः पादतले तव । व्यास उवाच- तया निर्भर्त्सिता साध्वी पौलोम्या बहुधा ततः

tvamīśvarī ca paryaṁke śakraḥ pādatale tava vyāsa uvāca- tayā nirbhartsitā sādhvī paulomyā bahudhā tataḥ

I, your mistress, sit upon the couch, and Indra is at your feet! Vyasa said: rebuked thus, again and again, by Pauloma,

Verse 39 (padma.7.8.39)

उवाच पद्मगन्धा सा क्रोधादिति वरांगना । पद्मगंधोवाच- गुणं च मम दोषं च स्वयं स्वाम्येव वेत्ति वै

uvāca padmagandhā sā krodhāditi varāṁganā padmagaṁdhovāca- guṇaṁ ca mama doṣaṁ ca svayaṁ svāmyeva vetti vai

that beauty Padmagandha, in fury, spoke thus. Padmagandha said: my own virtue and my own fault, my own master alone truly knows.

Verse 40 (padma.7.8.40)

केनाधिकारेणागत्य त्वं मां निंदसि निर्गुणे । अन्ये नेत्रद्वयेनापि पश्यंति गुणदोषकौ

kenādhikāreṇāgatya tvaṁ māṁ niṁdasi nirguṇe anye netradvayenāpi paśyaṁti guṇadoṣakau

O one devoid of virtue, by what authority have you come to revile me? Others see both virtue and fault with their two eyes alone;

Verse 41 (padma.7.8.41)

सहस्रनेत्रैरप्येष न पश्येत्किं दुराशये । यथा दोषो हि लोकानां प्रचरेन्न गुणं तथा

sahasranetrairapyeṣa na paśyetkiṁ durāśaye yathā doṣo hi lokānāṁ pracarenna guṇaṁ tathā

yet why should one of ill will not see, even with a thousand eyes? Just as people's faults alone spread abroad, not their virtues,

Verse 42 (padma.7.8.42)

आदौ कलंकश्चन्द्रस्य दृश्यते गुणवज्जनैः । अनर्थभाषिणी क्रूरा कुमूर्त्तिर्गुणवर्जिता

ādau kalaṁkaścandrasya dṛśyate guṇavajjanaiḥ anarthabhāṣiṇī krūrā kumūrttirguṇavarjitā

so too, to virtuous people, it is the moon's blemish that is first seen. One who speaks harm, cruel, ill-formed, devoid of virtue —

Verse 43 (padma.7.8.43)

यदाहं नास्मि गुणिनी भजतु त्वां तदा पतिः । व्यास उवाच- इत्युक्त्वा पद्मगंधा सा क्रोधात्कोकनदेक्षणा

yadāhaṁ nāsmi guṇinī bhajatu tvāṁ tadā patiḥ vyāsa uvāca- ityuktvā padmagaṁdhā sā krodhātkokanadekṣaṇā

if I be indeed without virtue, then let your husband turn only to you. Vyasa said: having said this, that Padmagandha, her eyes lotus-red with fury,

Verse 44 (padma.7.8.44)

उत्तस्थौ स्वर्णपर्यङ्कात्कुर्वंती करुणं महत् । इन्द्र उवाच- प्रिये प्राणेश्वरि श्रेष्ठे मां विहाय क्व गच्छसि

uttasthau svarṇaparyaṅkātkurvaṁtī karuṇaṁ mahat indra uvāca- priye prāṇeśvari śreṣṭhe māṁ vihāya kva gacchasi

rose up from the golden couch, weeping most piteously. Indra said: O beloved, O mistress of my life, O excellent one, where do you go, forsaking me?

Verse 45 (padma.7.8.45)

मया किमपराद्धं ते मम तद्वद सुंदरि । कांते दासोऽस्म्यहं नूनं दासकर्म करोमि ते

mayā kimaparāddhaṁ te mama tadvada suṁdari kāṁte dāso'smyahaṁ nūnaṁ dāsakarma karomi te

What offense have I committed against you, O beauty — tell me this. O beloved, it is I alone who am truly the servant, performing only your own servant's work.

Verse 46 (padma.7.8.46)

दासपत्नी भवेद्दासी वाक्यं त्वं न शृणोषि कम् । समुत्थाय ततः शक्रस्तन्मोहाकुलमानसः

dāsapatnī bhaveddāsī vākyaṁ tvaṁ na śṛṇoṣi kam samutthāya tataḥ śakrastanmohākulamānasaḥ

The wife of a servant is a servant — have you not heard this saying? Then Indra, his mind bewildered with infatuation, rising up,

Verse 47 (padma.7.8.47)

अंके निवेशयामास भूयस्तां वरसुंदरीम् । शच्युवाच- क्रौंचित्वज्जीवनं धन्यं व्यर्थं मज्जीवनं ध्रुवम्

aṁke niveśayāmāsa bhūyastāṁ varasuṁdarīm śacyuvāca- krauṁcitvajjīvanaṁ dhanyaṁ vyarthaṁ majjīvanaṁ dhruvam

seated that beauty once more upon his own lap. Shachi said: O Krauñci-woman, blessed indeed is your life; my own life is surely in vain.

Verse 48 (padma.7.8.48)

त्वं स्वामिसुभगा नित्यं दुर्भगाहं वरांगना । यावत्पुण्यक्षयं क्रौंचि तत्पुण्यं यास्यते क्षयम्

tvaṁ svāmisubhagā nityaṁ durbhagāhaṁ varāṁganā yāvatpuṇyakṣayaṁ krauṁci tatpuṇyaṁ yāsyate kṣayam

You are ever beloved of your own lord, O beauty; I alone am the ill-fated one. O Krauñci-woman, only until your merit is exhausted will this merit last —

Verse 49 (padma.7.8.49)

क्रौंचवंशसमुत्पन्ना दुःखंभूयोऽपि भोक्ष्यसि । देवेन्द्रेणसमं तावत्कुरु केलि यथासुखम्

krauṁcavaṁśasamutpannā duḥkhaṁbhūyo'pi bhokṣyasi devendreṇasamaṁ tāvatkuru keli yathāsukham

then, born again into the family of the Krauñca bird, you shall once more suffer sorrow. Until then, sport with the lord of gods to your heart's content;

Verse 50 (padma.7.8.50)

कियद्भिर्दिवसैः क्रौंचि न भवेत्तव निर्गुणे । अत्यद्भुतं वचस्तस्याः पद्मगन्धा निशम्य सा

kiyadbhirdivasaiḥ krauṁci na bhavettava nirguṇe atyadbhutaṁ vacastasyāḥ padmagandhā niśamya sā

O virtueless Krauñci-woman, in but a few days this too shall be no more. Hearing her most wondrous words, that Padmagandha,

Verse 51 (padma.7.8.51)

द्वन्द्वभावं परित्यज्य प्रणम्योवाच तां सतीम् । पद्मगंधोवाच- पुलोमजे वरारोहे चित्रमेतत्त्वयोदितम्

dvandvabhāvaṁ parityajya praṇamyovāca tāṁ satīm padmagaṁdhovāca- pulomaje varārohe citrametattvayoditam

abandoning her own quarrel, bowing to that virtuous woman, spoke thus. Padmagandha said: O daughter of Puloman, O beauty, this you have spoken is a wondrous thing.

Verse 52 (padma.7.8.52)

क्रौंची कथमहं ब्रूहि श्रोतुमिच्छामि यत्नतः । काहं कुत्रस्थिता चापि कथमत्रागता सती

krauṁcī kathamahaṁ brūhi śrotumicchāmi yatnataḥ kāhaṁ kutrasthitā cāpi kathamatrāgatā satī

How was I a Krauñci-woman — tell me this, I earnestly wish to hear it; who was I, where was I, and how have I come here in this virtuous state?

Verse 53 (padma.7.8.53)

कालैः कियद्भिर्मत्पुण्यं क्षीणत्वं प्रतियास्यति । शच्युवाच- पद्मगन्धे पुरा त्वं हि क्रौंची पक्षिसमुद्भवा

kālaiḥ kiyadbhirmatpuṇyaṁ kṣīṇatvaṁ pratiyāsyati śacyuvāca- padmagandhe purā tvaṁ hi krauṁcī pakṣisamudbhavā

After how long a time will my merit come to be exhausted? Shachi said: O Padmagandha, long ago you were born into the form of a Krauñca bird,

Verse 54 (padma.7.8.54)

अमेध्यमामिषं कीटान्भक्षयंती क्षितौ स्थिता । न्यग्रोधतरुरेकोऽस्ति गङ्गातीरे मनोरमे

amedhyamāmiṣaṁ kīṭānbhakṣayaṁtī kṣitau sthitā nyagrodhatarureko'sti gaṅgātīre manorame

eating impure flesh and insects, dwelling upon the earth. On the bank of the Ganga there stood a delightful banyan tree —

Verse 55 (padma.7.8.55)

तत्र नीडं विनिर्माय भवत्या वसतिः कृता । एकदा कृष्णसर्पेण तस्मिन्न्यग्रोधपादपे

tatra nīḍaṁ vinirmāya bhavatyā vasatiḥ kṛtā ekadā kṛṣṇasarpeṇa tasminnyagrodhapādape

there, making a nest, you made your dwelling. Once, in that very banyan tree, a black serpent,

Verse 56 (padma.7.8.56)

नीडं प्रविश्य दष्टा त्वं सहसा पंचतां गता । क्रव्याणि तव सर्वाणि स सर्पो भक्षयत्क्रुधा

nīḍaṁ praviśya daṣṭā tvaṁ sahasā paṁcatāṁ gatā kravyāṇi tava sarvāṇi sa sarpo bhakṣayatkrudhā

entering the nest, bit you, and you at once met your death. That serpent, in fury, devoured all your flesh.

Verse 57 (padma.7.8.57)

स्थितानि तत्रैवास्थीनि निर्मांसानि वरानने । कदाचित्पवनैर्भद्रे महद्भिः स च पातितः

sthitāni tatraivāsthīni nirmāṁsāni varānane kadācitpavanairbhadre mahadbhiḥ sa ca pātitaḥ

O beauty, there your flesh-stripped bones lay. Once, O gentle one, by powerful winds,

Verse 58 (padma.7.8.58)

भग्नः पपात गङ्गायां समूलोऽपि वरांगने । गङ्गायां पतिते तस्मिन्न्यग्रोधे धरणीरुहे

bhagnaḥ papāta gaṅgāyāṁ samūlo'pi varāṁgane gaṅgāyāṁ patite tasminnyagrodhe dharaṇīruhe

that tree was broken and, torn out even by its root, fell into the Ganga, O beauty. That banyan, having fallen into the Ganga,

Verse 59 (padma.7.8.59)

गङ्गाजलैः प्लावितानि तान्यस्थीनि तवोत्तमे । यावदस्थीनि गङ्गायां तावत्तिष्ठंति तानि च

gaṅgājalaiḥ plāvitāni tānyasthīni tavottame yāvadasthīni gaṅgāyāṁ tāvattiṣṭhaṁti tāni ca

your bones, O excellent one, were bathed by the Ganga's waters. For as long as those bones remained in the Ganga,

Verse 60 (padma.7.8.60)

तावत्त्वं स्वामिसुभगा भविष्यसि सदैव हि । इति ते कथितं सर्वं पद्मगंधे मयाधुना

tāvattvaṁ svāmisubhagā bhaviṣyasi sadaiva hi iti te kathitaṁ sarvaṁ padmagaṁdhe mayādhunā

for that long you shall remain beloved of your own lord. All this I have now told you, O Padmagandha —

Verse 61 (padma.7.8.61)

येन पुण्यप्रभावेण शक्रोऽपि वशगस्तव । धन्या तु जाह्नवी देवी क्रौंची यस्याः प्रसादतः

yena puṇyaprabhāveṇa śakro'pi vaśagastava dhanyā tu jāhnavī devī krauṁcī yasyāḥ prasādataḥ

by the power of which merit even Indra is subject to you. Blessed indeed is that goddess Jahnavi, by whose grace you, though a Krauñci-woman,

Verse 62 (padma.7.8.62)

त्वमस्पृश्यासि चाण्डालैरंकेस्वपिषि वज्रिणः । तेनापमानिता साध्वी शक्रेणापि पुलोमजा

tvamaspṛśyāsi cāṇḍālairaṁkesvapiṣi vajriṇaḥ tenāpamānitā sādhvī śakreṇāpi pulomajā

fit to be untouchable even to outcastes, now sleep in Indra's very lap. — thus insulted, even by Indra, that virtuous Pauloma,

Verse 63 (padma.7.8.63)

परिम्लानमुखांभोजा सा जगाम यथागता । शक्रांक एव सा तस्थौ पद्मगन्धा वरांगना

parimlānamukhāṁbhojā sā jagāma yathāgatā śakrāṁka eva sā tasthau padmagandhā varāṁganā

her lotus-face wilted, went back just as she had come. And that beauty Padmagandha remained seated there in Indra's very lap.

Verse 64 (padma.7.8.64)

तद्वाक्यं हृदये तस्या जागरूकमिवस्थितम् । अथैकदा सुराधीशः सुप्रीतस्तद्गुणैर्द्विज

tadvākyaṁ hṛdaye tasyā jāgarūkamivasthitam athaikadā surādhīśaḥ suprītastadguṇairdvija

Shachi's words remained fixed in her heart, as though ever awake. Then once, O brahmin, that lord of gods, greatly pleased by her virtues,

Verse 65 (padma.7.8.65)

वरं वरय सुश्रोणि स्वयं तामित्युवाच ह । पद्मगंधोवाच । त्वं सर्वदेवताधीशो नारीकोटिपतिस्थता

varaṁ varaya suśroṇi svayaṁ tāmityuvāca ha padmagaṁdhovāca tvaṁ sarvadevatādhīśo nārīkoṭipatisthatā

said to her himself: O fair-hipped one, choose your own boon. Padmagandha said: you are lord of all the gods, master of tens of millions of women;

Verse 66 (padma.7.8.66)

तथाप्यसि ममाधीनः स्वामिन्किमपरैर्वरैः । तथापि त्वं वरं दित्सुर्यदा नूनं सुरोत्तम

tathāpyasi mamādhīnaḥ svāminkimaparairvaraiḥ tathāpi tvaṁ varaṁ ditsuryadā nūnaṁ surottama

yet, O lord, you are subject to me — what use in other boons? Still, O best of gods, if you truly wish to grant me a boon,

Verse 67 (padma.7.8.67)

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा प्रतिज्ञां कुरु मत्पुरः । इंद्र उवाच- जीवितं च धनं चैव राज्यं चैव परिच्छदम्

karmaṇā manasā vācā pratijñāṁ kuru matpuraḥ iṁdra uvāca- jīvitaṁ ca dhanaṁ caiva rājyaṁ caiva paricchadam

then pledge before me in deed, mind, and word. Indra said: life, wealth, kingdom, and every possession —

Verse 68 (padma.7.8.68)

आज्ञापय किमेतद्वै तुभ्यं दास्यामि सुंदरि । सत्यं सत्यं पुनः सत्यं संदेहो नात्र विद्यते

ājñāpaya kimetadvai tubhyaṁ dāsyāmi suṁdari satyaṁ satyaṁ punaḥ satyaṁ saṁdeho nātra vidyate

O beauty, whatever you wish, command it, and I shall give it. True, true, and true again — there is no doubt in this.

Verse 69 (padma.7.8.69)

यदीच्छसि मृगीनेत्रे तत्ते दास्याम्यहं ध्रुवम् । पद्मगंधोवाच- नूनमेव प्रसन्नोऽसि यदि त्वं त्रिदशेश्वर

yadīcchasi mṛgīnetre tatte dāsyāmyahaṁ dhruvam padmagaṁdhovāca- nūnameva prasanno'si yadi tvaṁ tridaśeśvara

O doe-eyed one, whatever you desire, that I shall surely give you. Padmagandha said: O lord of the thirty gods, if you are indeed pleased,

Verse 70 (padma.7.8.70)

जन्म मे हस्तियोनौ च भूयो देहीति मे वरम् । इंद्र उवाच- कृतप्रतिज्ञः सुश्रोणि वरं तेऽहं ददामि वै

janma me hastiyonau ca bhūyo dehīti me varam iṁdra uvāca- kṛtapratijñaḥ suśroṇi varaṁ te'haṁ dadāmi vai

then grant me this boon — that my next birth be once more in the womb of an elephant-cow. Indra said: O fair-hipped one, I have made my pledge, I grant you that boon.

Verse 71 (padma.7.8.71)

किंतु दुःखानि यातानि बहूनि हृदये मम । त्वामदृष्ट्वा वरारोहे प्रीतिर्न प्राप्यते क्षणम्

kiṁtu duḥkhāni yātāni bahūni hṛdaye mama tvāmadṛṣṭvā varārohe prītirna prāpyate kṣaṇam

But many sorrows have risen up now in my heart — O beauty, without seeing you I shall find no delight, even for a moment.

Verse 72 (padma.7.8.72)

कथं ते चिरविच्छेदं सोढुं शक्नोमि दुःसहम् । यदा मय्यनुकंपास्ति तव पीनपयोधरे

kathaṁ te ciravicchedaṁ soḍhuṁ śaknomi duḥsaham yadā mayyanukaṁpāsti tava pīnapayodhare

How shall I endure this long, unbearable separation from you? If you have any compassion at all for me, O one of ample bosom,

Verse 73 (padma.7.8.73)

तदा कियद्दिनं तिष्ठ मया सह वराङ्गने । ततो देवाधिराजस्य वदंती बहुसंपदम्

tadā kiyaddinaṁ tiṣṭha mayā saha varāṅgane tato devādhirājasya vadaṁtī bahusaṁpadam

then, O beauty, remain with me for some further days. Then she, speaking of the great wealth of Indra himself,

Verse 74 (padma.7.8.74)

वर्षाणामयुतं तस्थौ सा देवनिलये सती । पद्मगन्धोवाच- आज्ञां देहि सुराधीश साधितुं सुमनोरथम्

varṣāṇāmayutaṁ tasthau sā devanilaye satī padmagandhovāca- ājñāṁ dehi surādhīśa sādhituṁ sumanoratham

that virtuous woman remained in that abode of the gods for ten thousand years. Padmagandha said: O lord of gods, grant me leave to accomplish my own lovely purpose;

Verse 75 (padma.7.8.75)

व्रजाम्यहं कर्मभूमिं वंदे पादद्वयं तव । इन्द्र उवाच- त्वत्प्रेमसिंधुमानेन मया चन्द्रनिभानने

vrajāmyahaṁ karmabhūmiṁ vaṁde pādadvayaṁ tava indra uvāca- tvatpremasiṁdhumānena mayā candranibhānane

I go now toward the land of action (the earth); I worship your two feet. Indra said: O moon-faced one, having taken the measure of the ocean of your love,

Verse 76 (padma.7.8.76)

स्थित्वा कतिदिनं पश्चाद्गमिष्यसि यथासुखम् । ततस्तुकौतुकागारे तेन सार्द्धमहर्निशम्

sthitvā katidinaṁ paścādgamiṣyasi yathāsukham tatastukautukāgāre tena sārddhamaharniśam

stay a few more days, and then go at your ease. Then, in that pleasure-house, together with him, day and night,

Verse 77 (padma.7.8.77)

क्रीडंती पद्मगंधा सा तस्थौ वर्षायुतत्रयम् । सुराधीशं ततः सेति तदा प्राह मुदान्विता

krīḍaṁtī padmagaṁdhā sā tasthau varṣāyutatrayam surādhīśaṁ tataḥ seti tadā prāha mudānvitā

sporting there, that Padmagandha remained for thirty thousand years. Then she, filled with joy, spoke thus to that lord of gods.

Verse 78 (padma.7.8.78)

आदेशं कुरु गच्छामि पृथिवीं प्रति संप्रति । इंद्र उवाच- जाड्यं जहीहि सुश्रोणि तिष्ठात्रैव मया सह

ādeśaṁ kuru gacchāmi pṛthivīṁ prati saṁprati iṁdra uvāca- jāḍyaṁ jahīhi suśroṇi tiṣṭhātraiva mayā saha

Grant me leave now — I go this very moment toward the earth. Indra said: O fair-hipped one, abandon your obstinacy, remain here with me;

Verse 79 (padma.7.8.79)

त्वां त्यक्तुं न हि शक्नोमि प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसीम् । पद्मगन्धोवाच- पुण्यक्षये सुराधीश यदा यास्याम्यहं भुवि

tvāṁ tyaktuṁ na hi śaknomi prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasīm padmagandhovāca- puṇyakṣaye surādhīśa yadā yāsyāmyahaṁ bhuvi

you, dearer to me than life itself, I cannot forsake. Padmagandha said: O lord of gods, when my merit is exhausted, I shall go to the earth,

Verse 80 (padma.7.8.80)

तदा चिरं ते विच्छेदो भविष्यति मया सह । यद्विच्छेदे मया नाथ पुनर्गंतुं भुवं प्रति

tadā ciraṁ te vicchedo bhaviṣyati mayā saha yadvicchede mayā nātha punargaṁtuṁ bhuvaṁ prati

and then a long separation from you shall come. O lord, in that time of separation I shall be forced once more to go to the earth,

Verse 81 (padma.7.8.81)

इच्छाम्यहं पुनर्द्यौश्च पुण्योपार्जनहेतवे । कर्मभूमिमहं गत्वा येनोपायेन वासव

icchāmyahaṁ punardyauśca puṇyopārjanahetave karmabhūmimahaṁ gatvā yenopāyena vāsava

and so I desire heaven once more, in order to earn merit. O Vasava, going to the land of action, by whatever means

Verse 82 (padma.7.8.82)

तत्करिष्यामि विच्छेदः कदाचित्स्यात्त्वया न मे । इन्द्र उवाच- भद्रे त्वया यदा नूनं कर्मेदं कर्तुमिच्छितम्

tatkariṣyāmi vicchedaḥ kadācitsyāttvayā na me indra uvāca- bhadre tvayā yadā nūnaṁ karmedaṁ kartumicchitam

I might never again be separated from you — that very means I shall now undertake. Indra said: O gentle one, if you truly wish to accomplish this task,

Verse 83 (padma.7.8.83)

तदा गच्छ पुनः शीघ्रमागमिष्यसि सुंदरि । सह नेत्राद्धि विगलद्वाष्पसिक्ततनुस्ततः

tadā gaccha punaḥ śīghramāgamiṣyasi suṁdari saha netrāddhi vigaladvāṣpasiktatanustataḥ

then go, and return again swiftly, O beauty. Then that Indra, his body wet with tears flowing from his own eyes,

Verse 84 (padma.7.8.84)

दोर्भ्यामालिङ्ग्य तां शक्रो गच्छेत्याह प्रिये वदन् । तदादेशात्ततः साध्वी कर्मभूमिं समागता

dorbhyāmāliṅgya tāṁ śakro gacchetyāha priye vadan tadādeśāttataḥ sādhvī karmabhūmiṁ samāgatā

embracing her with his own two arms, said, "Go, beloved," and thus bade her farewell. Then, by that leave, that virtuous woman came to the land of action,

Verse 85 (padma.7.8.85)

जाता च हस्तिनी योनौ भूत्वा जातिस्मरा द्विज । स्मरंती निजवृत्तांतं सा कियद्भिर्दिनैस्ततः

jātā ca hastinī yonau bhūtvā jātismarā dvija smaraṁtī nijavṛttāṁtaṁ sā kiyadbhirdinaistataḥ

and, O brahmin, remembering her former births, was born into the womb of a she-elephant. Remembering her own past history, within a few days,

Verse 86 (padma.7.8.86)

जगाम जाह्नवीतीरं हस्तियोनिसु संभवा । गङ्गायां स्नानमासाद्य गङ्गाकर्दमभूषिता

jagāma jāhnavītīraṁ hastiyonisu saṁbhavā gaṅgāyāṁ snānamāsādya gaṅgākardamabhūṣitā

born into the form of an elephant-cow, she went to the bank of the Jahnavi. Bathing in the Ganga, adorned with the Ganga's mud,

Verse 87 (padma.7.8.87)

गंगागंगेति जल्पंती ह्रदं निम्नं विवेश सा । तस्मिन्गंगाह्रदे गत्वा हस्तिनी पर्वताकृतिः

gaṁgāgaṁgeti jalpaṁtī hradaṁ nimnaṁ viveśa sā tasmingaṁgāhrade gatvā hastinī parvatākṛtiḥ

chanting "Ganga, Ganga," she entered a deep pool. Going into that pool of the Ganga, that elephant-cow, mountain-like in form,

Verse 88 (padma.7.8.88)

निजां जातिं स्मरंती सा जगाम पंचतां पुनः । तस्याः साहसमालोक्य हस्तिनीं सर्वदेवताः

nijāṁ jātiṁ smaraṁtī sā jagāma paṁcatāṁ punaḥ tasyāḥ sāhasamālokya hastinīṁ sarvadevatāḥ

remembering her own former birth, once more met her death. Seeing this daring deed of that elephant-cow, all the gods,

Verse 89 (padma.7.8.89)

ववर्षुः पारिजाताद्यैः कुसुमैरुत्तमैर्मुदा । तामानेतुं ततः शक्रः सर्वदेवगणैर्वृतः

vavarṣuḥ pārijātādyaiḥ kusumairuttamairmudā tāmānetuṁ tataḥ śakraḥ sarvadevagaṇairvṛtaḥ

with delight, showered upon her fine flowers beginning with the Parijata. Then, to bring her back, Indra, surrounded by the entire host of gods,

Verse 90 (padma.7.8.90)

वेगात्तच्चिरविच्छेदात्कृष्णांगीं सुमना ययौ । पुष्पकेतां समालोक्य दिव्यदेहां सुराधिपः

vegāttacciravicchedātkṛṣṇāṁgīṁ sumanā yayau puṣpaketāṁ samālokya divyadehāṁ surādhipaḥ

at great speed, out of that long separation, went toward that dark-limbed, fair-minded one. O lord of gods, beholding her, of celestial form, garlanded with flowers,

Verse 91 (padma.7.8.91)

कथयन्निजदुःखानि निजावासं जगाम ह । पुलोमजा च रंभा च प्रम्लोचा चोर्वशी तथा

kathayannijaduḥkhāni nijāvāsaṁ jagāma ha pulomajā ca raṁbhā ca pramlocā corvaśī tathā

speaking of his own sorrows, he returned to his own abode. Pauloma, Rambha, Pramlocha, and Urvashi,

Verse 92 (padma.7.8.92)

सुंदर्योऽन्याश्च युवतीस्तस्यास्त्यक्त्वा मुदा गताः । शक्रस्य हृदयोत्साहं तन्वंती सा वरांगना

suṁdaryo'nyāśca yuvatīstasyāstyaktvā mudā gatāḥ śakrasya hṛdayotsāhaṁ tanvaṁtī sā varāṁganā

beauties and other young women too, leaving her, went off with delight. Filling Indra's heart with new eagerness, that beauty,

Verse 93 (padma.7.8.93)

पुरंदरपुरे तस्थौ सुभगा प्रीतिवल्लभा । यस्यास्तिष्ठंति गङ्गायां यावदस्थीनि जैमिने

puraṁdarapure tasthau subhagā prītivallabhā yasyāstiṣṭhaṁti gaṅgāyāṁ yāvadasthīni jaimine

settled in the city of Purandara, fortunate and beloved. O Jaimini, for as long as one's bones remain in the Ganga,

Verse 94 (padma.7.8.94)

कुलकोटिशतं तावत्तस्थावास सुरालये । राजानो दिविराज्येषु ये ये भूतास्तपोबलात्

kulakoṭiśataṁ tāvattasthāvāsa surālaye rājāno divirājyeṣu ye ye bhūtāstapobalāt

for that many hundreds of millions of generations his dwelling remains in the world of the gods. Whatever kings have gone by the power of austerity into the heavenly kingdoms,

Verse 95 (padma.7.8.95)

तेषांतेषां स्नेहभूमिर्भवत्यमरसुंदरी । गंगास्थिमज्जनादेव जैमिने फलमीदृशम्

teṣāṁteṣāṁ snehabhūmirbhavatyamarasuṁdarī gaṁgāsthimajjanādeva jaimine phalamīdṛśam

for each and every one of them she becomes the ground of a celestial beauty's affection. O Jaimini, from the mere sinking of bones in the Ganga alone such fruit is attained;

Verse 96 (padma.7.8.96)

गंगायां त्यजतो देहं फलं वक्तुं न शक्यते । मृतं शरीरं गंगायां यावदस्थीनि जैमिने

gaṁgāyāṁ tyajato dehaṁ phalaṁ vaktuṁ na śakyate mṛtaṁ śarīraṁ gaṁgāyāṁ yāvadasthīni jaimine

the fruit of casting off the body in the Ganga itself cannot even be told. O Jaimini, for as long as a dead body's bones remain in the Ganga,

Verse 97 (padma.7.8.97)

कल्पकोटिशतं तावत्तस्या वासः सुरालये । मृतं शरीरं गंगायां स्रोतोभिश्चलितं द्विज

kalpakoṭiśataṁ tāvattasyā vāsaḥ surālaye mṛtaṁ śarīraṁ gaṁgāyāṁ srotobhiścalitaṁ dvija

for that many hundreds of millions of kalpas his dwelling is in the world of the gods. O brahmin, a dead body in the Ganga, carried along by her currents,

Verse 98 (padma.7.8.98)

दृश्यते देहिनस्तस्य तत्फलं शृणु जैमिने । स्वर्गे देवांगना त्रस्तचारुचामरवायुभिः

dṛśyate dehinastasya tatphalaṁ śṛṇu jaimine svarge devāṁganā trastacārucāmaravāyubhiḥ

when that embodied being is seen thus carried — hear its fruit, O Jaimini. By the breeze of lovely fans waved by celestial maidens,

Verse 99 (padma.7.8.99)

वीजितः स्वर्णपर्यंके सुप्तस्तिष्ठति कौतुकी । जाह्नवीसैकते यस्य शरीरं दृश्यते मृतम्

vījitaḥ svarṇaparyaṁke suptastiṣṭhati kautukī jāhnavīsaikate yasya śarīraṁ dṛśyate mṛtam

fanned upon a golden couch, delighting himself, he remains asleep. Whoever's body is seen lying dead upon the sands of the Jahnavi,

Verse 100 (padma.7.8.100)

दिवाकरकरैस्तप्तं कुलं तस्य वदाम्यहम् । सुगन्धैश्चंदनैर्दिव्यैर्लिप्तसर्वकलेवरः

divākarakaraistaptaṁ kulaṁ tasya vadāmyaham sugandhaiścaṁdanairdivyairliptasarvakalevaraḥ

though scorched by the sun's own rays — of his lineage I now speak. Anointed all over his body with divine, fragrant sandal-paste,

Verse 101 (padma.7.8.101)

दिव्याङ्गनाभिः सहितो दिवि क्रीडतिसर्वदा । काकैर्गृध्रैश्च कंकैश्च शकुंतैर्भीष्ममातरि

divyāṅganābhiḥ sahito divi krīḍatisarvadā kākairgṛdhraiśca kaṁkaiśca śakuṁtairbhīṣmamātari

he ever sports in heaven, together with celestial women. Whoever's body is seen torn apart by crows, vultures, herons,

Verse 102 (padma.7.8.102)

वपुर्विदलितं यस्य दृश्यते तत्फलं शृणु । दिवि दिव्यांगनापीनप्रोत्तुङ्गरुचिरस्तनैः

vapurvidalitaṁ yasya dṛśyate tatphalaṁ śṛṇu divi divyāṁganāpīnaprottuṅgarucirastanaiḥ

and other birds, in the mother of Bhishma (the Ganga) — hear his fruit. His chest embraced by the full, high, and lovely breasts

Verse 103 (padma.7.8.103)

श्लिष्टवक्षाश्च पर्यंके निद्राति नित्यमेव सः । पिपीलिकाभिः कीटैश्च मक्षिकाभिश्च वेष्टितः

śliṣṭavakṣāśca paryaṁke nidrāti nityameva saḥ pipīlikābhiḥ kīṭaiśca makṣikābhiśca veṣṭitaḥ

of celestial women in heaven, he ever lies asleep upon a couch. Whoever's bones, fallen in the Ganga, are seen

Verse 104 (padma.7.8.104)

गंगायां यस्य दृश्यंते अस्थीनि पतितानि च । तस्याक्षयं फलं विप्र वदतो मे निशामय

gaṁgāyāṁ yasya dṛśyaṁte asthīni patitāni ca tasyākṣayaṁ phalaṁ vipra vadato me niśāmaya

surrounded by ants, worms, and flies — hear his imperishable fruit, O brahmin, as I now declare it.

Verse 105 (padma.7.8.105)

प्रणमत्त्रिदशव्यूह शिरोमुकुटभूषणैः । हतपादरजाः स्वर्गे स च शक्रायते चिरम्

praṇamattridaśavyūha śiromukuṭabhūṣaṇaiḥ hatapādarajāḥ svarge sa ca śakrāyate ciram

The host of gods bows to him with the crown-ornaments of their own heads; his own feet's dust upon them, he remains in heaven, for a long time, like Indra himself.

Verse 106 (padma.7.8.106)

अनिच्छयापि गङ्गायां यद्देहपतनं भवेत् । स विमुक्तोऽखिलैः पापैर्नरो नारायणो भवेत्

anicchayāpi gaṅgāyāṁ yaddehapatanaṁ bhavet sa vimukto'khilaiḥ pāpairnaro nārāyaṇo bhavet

Whoever's body falls into the Ganga, even unwillingly, he, freed of every sin, that man becomes as though Narayana himself.

Verse 107 (padma.7.8.107)

यस्यांगाराश्च दृश्यंते गङ्गायां चलिता जलैः । अङ्गारसङ्ख्यया स्वर्गे तिष्ठेत्कल्पशताधिकम्

yasyāṁgārāśca dṛśyaṁte gaṅgāyāṁ calitā jalaiḥ aṅgārasaṅkhyayā svarge tiṣṭhetkalpaśatādhikam

Whoever's ember-like bones are seen borne along by the Ganga's waters, he dwells in heaven, according to the count of those embers, for more than a hundred kalpas.

Verse 108 (padma.7.8.108)

सर्वेषामेव पुण्यानां कदाचित्क्षयमीक्षते । गङ्गायां पतिते देहे भवेत्पुण्यक्षयो न हि

sarveṣāmeva puṇyānāṁ kadācitkṣayamīkṣate gaṅgāyāṁ patite dehe bhavetpuṇyakṣayo na hi

Even every kind of merit is seen, sometime or other, to be exhausted; but when the body falls into the Ganga, that merit is never exhausted.

Verse 109 (padma.7.8.109)

बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन निश्चितं कथ्यतेऽधुना । गङ्गायां त्यक्तदेहस्य महिमा ज्ञायते नहि

bahunātra kimuktena niścitaṁ kathyate'dhunā gaṅgāyāṁ tyaktadehasya mahimā jñāyate nahi

What need is there to say more here? Now I state the settled truth — the glory of one who casts off the body in the Ganga can never be fully known at all.

Verse 110 (padma.7.8.110)

विषमदुरितराशीनाशि गाङ्गं नरो यः स्पृशति भुवि कदाचिद्भावुको भक्तिभावैः । जगदुदधिजलं विलंघ्य घोरं व्रजति स पारमपारतुष्टि नावा

viṣamaduritarāśīnāśi gāṅgaṁ naro yaḥ spṛśati bhuvi kadācidbhāvuko bhaktibhāvaiḥ jagadudadhijalaṁ vilaṁghya ghoraṁ vrajati sa pāramapāratuṣṭi nāvā

Whatever man, upon this earth, ever touches with devout heart the Ganga, destroyer of the mass of manifold sins, he, crossing the terrible waters of this ocean of transmigration, attains the farther shore by the boat of boundless contentment.