The Rite of the Ganga Pilgrimage and King Satyadharma

Verse 1 (padma.7.9.1)

जैमिनिरुवाच- भूय एव गुरो ब्रूहि गङ्गामाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् । गङ्गाकथामृतं पातुं माधुर्यात्पुनरिष्यते

jaiminiruvāca- bhūya eva guro brūhi gaṅgāmāhātmyamuttamam gaṅgākathāmṛtaṁ pātuṁ mādhuryātpunariṣyate

Jaimini said: O teacher, tell again the supreme glory of the Ganga; the nectar of the tale of the Ganga, for its very sweetness, I wish once more to drink.

Verse 2 (padma.7.9.2)

व्यास उवाच- तदप्यहं ब्रवीमि त्वां गङ्गाभक्तो यतो भवान् । तौ पादौ सफलौ नॄणां जाह्नवीतटगामिनौ

vyāsa uvāca- tadapyahaṁ bravīmi tvāṁ gaṅgābhakto yato bhavān tau pādau saphalau nṝṇāṁ jāhnavītaṭagāminau

Vyasa said: that too I shall tell you, since you are a devotee of the Ganga. Those two feet of men are fruitful which go to the bank of the Jahnavi.

Verse 3 (padma.7.9.3)

गङ्गाकल्लोलनिनदश्राविणौ श्रवणौ च तौ । सा जिह्वा या च जानाति स्वादुभेदं तदंभसः

gaṅgākallolaninadaśrāviṇau śravaṇau ca tau sā jihvā yā ca jānāti svādubhedaṁ tadaṁbhasaḥ

Fruitful are those two ears that hear the sound of the Ganga's waves, and fruitful that tongue which knows the distinct taste of that water.

Verse 4 (padma.7.9.4)

ते नेत्रे जाह्नवी चारुतरंगदर्शने च ते । तल्ललाटमिति प्रोक्तं गङ्गामृत्पुण्ड्रधारि यत्

te netre jāhnavī cārutaraṁgadarśane ca te tallalāṭamiti proktaṁ gaṅgāmṛtpuṇḍradhāri yat

Fruitful are those two eyes that behold the lovely waves of the Jahnavi; that alone is called a forehead which bears the mark of Ganga's clay.

Verse 5 (padma.7.9.5)

तौ हस्तौ जाह्नवी तीरे हरि पूजापरायणौ । शरीरं सफलं तच्च विमले जाह्नवी जले

tau hastau jāhnavī tīre hari pūjāparāyaṇau śarīraṁ saphalaṁ tacca vimale jāhnavī jale

Fruitful are those two hands devoted to the worship of Hari upon the Jahnavi's bank; and fruitful is that body which, in the pure water of the Jahnavi,

Verse 6 (padma.7.9.6)

पतितं तद्द्विजश्रेष्ठ चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदम् । स्वर्गस्थाः पितरः सर्वे गच्छंतो जाह्नवीतटे

patitaṁ taddvijaśreṣṭha caturvargaphalapradam svargasthāḥ pitaraḥ sarve gacchaṁto jāhnavītaṭe

O best of the twice-born, falling, becomes the giver of the four goals of life. All the heaven-dwelling ancestors, on beholding one going to the bank of the Jahnavi,

Verse 7 (padma.7.9.7)

संदृश्य हृष्टाः शंसंति वदंत इति जैमिने । तत्पुण्यं कृतमस्माभिः सद्गतिप्राप्तये पुरा

saṁdṛśya hṛṣṭāḥ śaṁsaṁti vadaṁta iti jaimine tatpuṇyaṁ kṛtamasmābhiḥ sadgatiprāptaye purā

become joyful and, O Jaimini, begin to say — it was we who long ago performed this merit, by which good fortune was attained.

Verse 8 (padma.7.9.8)

भविष्यत्यक्षयं तच्च यतः पुत्रोऽयमीदृशः । अनेन गाङ्गैः सलिलैर्वयं संप्रति तर्पिताः

bhaviṣyatyakṣayaṁ tacca yataḥ putro'yamīdṛśaḥ anena gāṅgaiḥ salilairvayaṁ saṁprati tarpitāḥ

It shall be imperishable, since we have gained such a son. By this water of the Ganga we are now made content.

Verse 9 (padma.7.9.9)

यास्यामः परमं धाम दुर्ल्लभं यत्सुरैरपि । गङ्गायां यानि द्रव्याणि दास्यत्यस्माकमात्मजः

yāsyāmaḥ paramaṁ dhāma durllabhaṁ yatsurairapi gaṅgāyāṁ yāni dravyāṇi dāsyatyasmākamātmajaḥ

We shall go to that supreme abode, hard to attain even for the gods. Whatever substances this our son shall offer at the Ganga,

Verse 10 (padma.7.9.10)

अस्मभ्यं तानि सर्वाणि भविष्यंत्यक्षयाणि वै । नरकस्थाश्च पितरः सर्वदुःखसमन्विताः

asmabhyaṁ tāni sarvāṇi bhaviṣyaṁtyakṣayāṇi vai narakasthāśca pitaraḥ sarvaduḥkhasamanvitāḥ

all of them shall become imperishable for us. And the ancestors dwelling in hell, filled with every kind of suffering,

Verse 11 (padma.7.9.11)

वदंतीति सुतं दृष्ट्वा गच्छंतं जाह्नवीतटम् । कृतानि यानि पापानि नरकक्लेशदानि वै

vadaṁtīti sutaṁ dṛṣṭvā gacchaṁtaṁ jāhnavītaṭam kṛtāni yāni pāpāni narakakleśadāni vai

seeing their own son going toward the bank of the Jahnavi, begin to say — the sins we committed, which bring the torment of hell,

Verse 12 (padma.7.9.12)

यास्यंति संक्षयं तानि पुत्रस्यापि प्रसादतः । विमुक्ता नरकक्लेशैर्वयं सर्वे सुदुःसहैः

yāsyaṁti saṁkṣayaṁ tāni putrasyāpi prasādataḥ vimuktā narakakleśairvayaṁ sarve suduḥsahaiḥ

these too, by our son's grace, shall be destroyed. All of us, freed from those most unbearable torments of hell,

Verse 13 (padma.7.9.13)

अथ पुत्रप्रसादेन यास्यामः परमां गतिम् । यात्रां विधाय यो मर्त्यो गृहं मोहान्निवर्तते

atha putraprasādena yāsyāmaḥ paramāṁ gatim yātrāṁ vidhāya yo martyo gṛhaṁ mohānnivartate

shall attain, by our son's grace, the highest state. Whatever mortal, having begun the pilgrimage, out of infatuation turns back home,

Verse 14 (padma.7.9.14)

निराशाः पितरस्तस्य यांति सर्वे यथा गताः । आमिषं मैथुनं चैव दोलामश्वं गजं तथा

nirāśāḥ pitarastasya yāṁti sarve yathā gatāḥ āmiṣaṁ maithunaṁ caiva dolāmaśvaṁ gajaṁ tathā

his ancestors, all in despair, go back just as they had come. On the pilgrimage, meat, sexual union, palanquin, horse, elephant,

Verse 15 (padma.7.9.15)

उपानहं चातपत्रं गंगायात्रासु वर्जयेत् । अध्वश्रमोद्भवं दुःखं दुष्करं न हि मन्यते

upānahaṁ cātapatraṁ gaṁgāyātrāsu varjayet adhvaśramodbhavaṁ duḥkhaṁ duṣkaraṁ na hi manyate

sandals, and an umbrella — all these should be abandoned on the Ganga pilgrimage. The hardship born of the exertion of the road should not be considered difficult,

Verse 16 (padma.7.9.16)

गृहे पद्मसुखं तत्र गङ्गास्नाने स्मरेन्न च । असत्यभाषणं चैव पाखंडसंगमेव च

gṛhe padmasukhaṁ tatra gaṅgāsnāne smarenna ca asatyabhāṣaṇaṁ caiva pākhaṁḍasaṁgameva ca

and there one should not recall the comfort of home while bathing in the Ganga. False speech, the company of hypocrites,

Verse 17 (padma.7.9.17)

द्विर्भोजनं च कलहं गंगायात्रासु वर्जयेत् । परनिंदां च लोभं च गर्वं च क्रोधमत्सरौ

dvirbhojanaṁ ca kalahaṁ gaṁgāyātrāsu varjayet paraniṁdāṁ ca lobhaṁ ca garvaṁ ca krodhamatsarau

eating twice in a day, and quarrels — on the Ganga pilgrimage all these should be avoided. Slander of others, greed, pride, anger and envy,

Verse 18 (padma.7.9.18)

अत्यंतहास्यशोकं च गंगायात्रासु वर्जयेत् । मंचसुप्तमिवात्मानं चिंतयेद्भूमिशायिनम्

atyaṁtahāsyaśokaṁ ca gaṁgāyātrāsu varjayet maṁcasuptamivātmānaṁ ciṁtayedbhūmiśāyinam

excessive laughter and grief — from these too one should refrain on the Ganga pilgrimage. One should not think of oneself as sleeping on a bed, but as lying upon the ground.

Verse 19 (padma.7.9.19)

गंगानाम सुनामानि वदेद्गच्छञ्जनः पथि । माहात्म्यं जाह्नवी देव्याः सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्

gaṁgānāma sunāmāni vadedgacchañjanaḥ pathi māhātmyaṁ jāhnavī devyāḥ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam

The man walking along the road should utter the beautiful names of the Ganga; the glory of the goddess Jahnavi, destroyer of every sin,

Verse 20 (padma.7.9.20)

सुखदं मोक्षदं चैव कथयन्पथि गच्छति । गङ्गे देवि जगन्मातर्देहि संदर्शनं मम

sukhadaṁ mokṣadaṁ caiva kathayanpathi gacchati gaṅge devi jaganmātardehi saṁdarśanaṁ mama

giver of happiness and liberation, speaking this while walking along the road — O Ganga, O goddess, O mother of the universe, grant me your sight.

Verse 21 (padma.7.9.21)

वचोभिः कोमलैरेभिः कुर्याच्छ्रमनिवारणम् । हा कथं सदनं त्यक्तमागतं वा कथं मया

vacobhiḥ komalairebhiḥ kuryācchramanivāraṇam hā kathaṁ sadanaṁ tyaktamāgataṁ vā kathaṁ mayā

By these very gentle words one's own weariness should be removed. "Alas, how did I abandon my home, or how have I come here,

Verse 22 (padma.7.9.22)

श्रमैरिति वदेद्यस्तु संपूर्णं तत्फलं नहि । क्व पर्यंङ्कः क्व मे पत्नी क्व च मे च सुहृद्गृहम्

śramairiti vadedyastu saṁpūrṇaṁ tatphalaṁ nahi kva paryaṁṅkaḥ kva me patnī kva ca me ca suhṛdgṛham

with such great toil" — whoever says this does not gain the full fruit of that pilgrimage. "Where is my own bed, where my wife, and where my friend's home,

Verse 23 (padma.7.9.23)

स्वपामि प्रांतरे भूमौ कथं वाहं समागतः । धनधान्यादिवस्तूनां का गतिर्वा गृहे मम

svapāmi prāṁtare bhūmau kathaṁ vāhaṁ samāgataḥ dhanadhānyādivastūnāṁ kā gatirvā gṛhe mama

why do I sleep on the ground in this wilderness, why have I come here at all? What is the state of my wealth, my grain, and my possessions at home,

Verse 24 (padma.7.9.24)

कियद्भिर्दिवसैर्भूयो गमिष्याम्यहमालयम् । इति चिंताकुला ये च पथि गच्छंति मानवाः

kiyadbhirdivasairbhūyo gamiṣyāmyahamālayam iti ciṁtākulā ye ca pathi gacchaṁti mānavāḥ

how many days will pass before I return home again" — whatever people walk along the road, troubled with such anxious thoughts,

Verse 25 (padma.7.9.25)

गंगास्नानफलं तेषां संपूर्णं न भवेद्द्विज । गङ्गे गंतुं प्रतीतीरे यात्रेयं विहिता तव

gaṁgāsnānaphalaṁ teṣāṁ saṁpūrṇaṁ na bhaveddvija gaṅge gaṁtuṁ pratītīre yātreyaṁ vihitā tava

O brahmin, their fruit of Ganga-bathing remains incomplete. O Ganga, O finest of rivers, for going to your bank alone has this pilgrimage been undertaken;

Verse 26 (padma.7.9.26)

निर्विघ्नां सिद्धिमाप्नोमि त्वत्प्रसादात्सरिद्वरे । इमं मंत्रं समुच्चार्य यात्राकाले विशेषतः

nirvighnāṁ siddhimāpnomi tvatprasādātsaridvare imaṁ maṁtraṁ samuccārya yātrākāle viśeṣataḥ

may I, by your grace, gain unobstructed success — uttering this mantra, especially at the time of the pilgrimage,

Verse 27 (padma.7.9.27)

हर्षितो निलयाद्गच्छेद्वैष्णवैः सह जैमिने । नातिवेगेन गंतव्यं न तथा च शनैः शनैः

harṣito nilayādgacchedvaiṣṇavaiḥ saha jaimine nātivegena gaṁtavyaṁ na tathā ca śanaiḥ śanaiḥ

O Jaimini, one should set out from one's own home, well pleased, together with fellow Vaishnavas. One should go neither too swiftly, nor too slowly.

Verse 28 (padma.7.9.28)

गङ्गायात्रासु कर्त्तव्यं नान्यत्कर्म विचक्षणैः । गंगातीरे प्रयागे तु वाणिज्यप्रमुखानि च

gaṅgāyātrāsu karttavyaṁ nānyatkarma vicakṣaṇaiḥ gaṁgātīre prayāge tu vāṇijyapramukhāni ca

The wise should undertake no other business on the Ganga pilgrimage. Whoever, on the Ganga's bank, at Prayaga, undertakes trade

Verse 29 (padma.7.9.29)

कार्याणि कुरुते यस्तु तत्पुण्यार्द्धं विनश्यति । जन्मजन्मार्जितं पापं स्वल्पं वा यदि वा बहु

kāryāṇi kurute yastu tatpuṇyārddhaṁ vinaśyati janmajanmārjitaṁ pāpaṁ svalpaṁ vā yadi vā bahu

and similar tasks, half his merit is destroyed. Whatever sin, gathered across countless births, be it little or great,

Verse 30 (padma.7.9.30)

गंगादेवीप्रसादेन सर्वं मे यास्यति क्षयम् । इत्युक्त्वा परमप्रीतः प्राज्ञो गङ्गातटं व्रजेत्

gaṁgādevīprasādena sarvaṁ me yāsyati kṣayam ityuktvā paramaprītaḥ prājño gaṅgātaṭaṁ vrajet

by the grace of the goddess Ganga, all of it shall be destroyed for me — thus saying, the wise man, greatly delighted, should go toward the Ganga's bank.

Verse 31 (padma.7.9.31)

दृष्ट्वा च मातरं गङ्गामिमं मंत्रमुदीरयेत् । अद्य मे सफलं जन्म जीवितं च सुजीवितम्

dṛṣṭvā ca mātaraṁ gaṅgāmimaṁ maṁtramudīrayet adya me saphalaṁ janma jīvitaṁ ca sujīvitam

Beholding Mother Ganga, one should recite this mantra — today my birth is fruitful, my life is well-lived,

Verse 32 (padma.7.9.32)

साक्षाद्ब्रह्मस्वरूपां त्वामपश्यमिति चक्षुषा । देवि त्वद्दर्शनादेव महापातकिनो मम

sākṣādbrahmasvarūpāṁ tvāmapaśyamiti cakṣuṣā devi tvaddarśanādeva mahāpātakino mama

for I have beheld you, of the very form of Brahman, with my own eyes. O goddess, by your mere sight my own,

Verse 33 (padma.7.9.33)

विनष्टमभवत्पापं जन्मकोटिसमुद्भवम् । इत्युक्त्वा सकलं देहं निपात्य पृथिवीतले

vinaṣṭamabhavatpāpaṁ janmakoṭisamudbhavam ityuktvā sakalaṁ dehaṁ nipātya pṛthivītale

great sin, gathered across tens of millions of births, which had made me a great sinner, is now destroyed — thus saying, casting one's whole body upon the ground,

Verse 34 (padma.7.9.34)

प्रणमेज्जाह्नवीं देवीं भक्तिभावसमन्वितः । ततः स्रोतःसमीपे च बद्धाञ्जलिरिमं पुनः

praṇamejjāhnavīṁ devīṁ bhaktibhāvasamanvitaḥ tataḥ srotaḥsamīpe ca baddhāñjalirimaṁ punaḥ

one should, filled with devout feeling, bow to the goddess Jahnavi. Then, near the Ganga's own current, with joined palms, O best of the twice-born,

Verse 35 (padma.7.9.35)

पठेन्मंत्रं भक्तिभावैः सुप्रीतो द्विजसत्तम । गंगे देवि जगद्धात्रि पादाभ्यां सलिलं तव

paṭhenmaṁtraṁ bhaktibhāvaiḥ suprīto dvijasattama gaṁge devi jagaddhātri pādābhyāṁ salilaṁ tava

one should recite, with devout feeling and gladness, this mantra — O Ganga, O goddess, O sustainer of the world, I touch your water with my own feet —

Verse 36 (padma.7.9.36)

स्पृशामीत्यपराधं मे प्रसन्ना क्षंतुमर्हसि । स्वर्गारोहणसोपानं त्वदीयमुदकं शुभे

spṛśāmītyaparādhaṁ me prasannā kṣaṁtumarhasi svargārohaṇasopānaṁ tvadīyamudakaṁ śubhe

this is my transgression — may you, gracious, be pleased to forgive it. O auspicious one, this water of yours is like a stairway to ascend to heaven,

Verse 37 (padma.7.9.37)

अतः स्पृशामि पादाभ्यां गंगे देवि नमो नमः । ततस्तु मस्तके धृत्वा गांगेयं वारि भक्तितः

ataḥ spṛśāmi pādābhyāṁ gaṁge devi namo namaḥ tatastu mastake dhṛtvā gāṁgeyaṁ vāri bhaktitaḥ

and so I touch it with my feet, O Ganga, O goddess, salutation to you again and again. Then, bearing Ganga water upon the head with devotion,

Verse 38 (padma.7.9.38)

स्नानार्थं प्रविशेत्स्रोतः प्राज्ञो गंगेति कीर्तयन् । त्वत्कर्दमैरतिस्निग्धैः सर्वपापप्रणाशनैः

snānārthaṁ praviśetsrotaḥ prājño gaṁgeti kīrtayan tvatkardamairatisnigdhaiḥ sarvapāpapraṇāśanaiḥ

the wise man, chanting "Ganga," should enter the current for bathing — with your exceedingly soft, all-sin-destroying mud,

Verse 39 (padma.7.9.39)

मया संलिप्यते गात्रं मातर्मे हर पातकम् । गङ्गाकर्दमलिप्ताङ्गो गङ्गागङ्गेति कीर्तयन्

mayā saṁlipyate gātraṁ mātarme hara pātakam gaṅgākardamaliptāṅgo gaṅgāgaṅgeti kīrtayan

I anoint my own body; O mother, take away my sin — thus, anointing the limbs with Ganga's mud, chanting "Ganga, Ganga,"

Verse 40 (padma.7.9.40)

सर्वकल्मषनाशिन्यां गङ्गायां स्नानमाचरेत् । भूयः पूर्वोक्तमन्त्रेण गृहीत्वा मृत्तिकां ततः

sarvakalmaṣanāśinyāṁ gaṅgāyāṁ snānamācaret bhūyaḥ pūrvoktamantreṇa gṛhītvā mṛttikāṁ tataḥ

one should bathe in the Ganga, destroyer of every impurity. Then, taking earth with the mantra spoken before,

Verse 41 (padma.7.9.41)

वक्ष्यमाणेन मन्त्रेण गृहीत्वा मृत्तिकां पुनः । वक्ष्यमाणेन मंत्रेण भक्तितः स्नानमाचरेत्

vakṣyamāṇena mantreṇa gṛhītvā mṛttikāṁ punaḥ vakṣyamāṇena maṁtreṇa bhaktitaḥ snānamācaret

and taking earth once more with the mantra now to be spoken, one should bathe with devotion using the mantra now to be given —

Verse 42 (padma.7.9.42)

ब्रह्मस्वरूपे हे गङ्गे स्नानमाचर्यते मया । त्वदीये निर्मले तोये यथोक्तफलदा भव

brahmasvarūpe he gaṅge snānamācaryate mayā tvadīye nirmale toye yathoktaphaladā bhava

O Ganga, of the very form of Brahman, in this pure water of yours I now bathe; become the giver of the fruit already declared.

Verse 43 (padma.7.9.43)

ततो निजेच्छया विप्र गङ्गायां लोकमातरि । स्नानं समाचरेत्प्राज्ञो गङ्गानारायणं स्मरन्

tato nijecchayā vipra gaṅgāyāṁ lokamātari snānaṁ samācaretprājño gaṅgānārāyaṇaṁ smaran

Then, O brahmin, of one's own accord, in the Ganga, mother of every world, the wise man, remembering both Ganga and Narayana together,

Verse 44 (padma.7.9.44)

एवं स्नात्वा तु गङ्गायां गात्रं वस्त्रेण मार्जयेत् । परिधेयांबरांबूनि गङ्गास्रोतसि न त्यजेत्

evaṁ snātvā tu gaṅgāyāṁ gātraṁ vastreṇa mārjayet paridheyāṁbarāṁbūni gaṅgāsrotasi na tyajet

should bathe. Having thus bathed in the Ganga, the body should be wiped with a cloth; the water of one's worn garments should not be discarded into the Ganga's current.

Verse 45 (padma.7.9.45)

न दंतधावनं कुर्याद्गङ्गागर्भे विचक्षणः । कुर्याच्चेन्मोहतः पुण्यं न गङ्गास्नानजं लभेत्

na daṁtadhāvanaṁ kuryādgaṅgāgarbhe vicakṣaṇaḥ kuryāccenmohataḥ puṇyaṁ na gaṅgāsnānajaṁ labhet

The wise man should not clean his teeth within the Ganga; should he, out of delusion, do so, he does not attain the merit born of Ganga-bathing.

Verse 46 (padma.7.9.46)

प्रभातेऽन्यत्र तां कृत्वा दंतकाष्ठादिकक्रियाम् । रात्रिवासं परित्यज्य गङ्गायां स्नानमाचरेत्

prabhāte'nyatra tāṁ kṛtvā daṁtakāṣṭhādikakriyām rātrivāsaṁ parityajya gaṅgāyāṁ snānamācaret

In the morning, performing the cleaning of teeth and such rites elsewhere, and casting off the state of one who has just risen from sleep, one should then bathe in the Ganga.

Verse 47 (padma.7.9.47)

बाह्यभूमिमगत्वा यो गङ्गायां स्नानमाचरेत् । गङ्गास्नानफलं सोऽपि संपूर्णं च लभेन्नहि

bāhyabhūmimagatvā yo gaṅgāyāṁ snānamācaret gaṅgāsnānaphalaṁ so'pi saṁpūrṇaṁ ca labhennahi

Whoever bathes in the Ganga without first going to relieve himself does not attain the full fruit of Ganga-bathing either.

Verse 48 (padma.7.9.48)

स्नात्वा च गङ्गामृत्पुंड्रं स्थाने स्थाने नयेद्बुधः । ततः स्थिरमनाः कुर्याद्विधिना तर्पणादिकम्

snātvā ca gaṅgāmṛtpuṁḍraṁ sthāne sthāne nayedbudhaḥ tataḥ sthiramanāḥ kuryādvidhinā tarpaṇādikam

Having bathed, the wise person should apply, at every place, the mark of Ganga's clay; then, with a steadied mind, one should perform, by due rite, the offering to the ancestors and the rest.

Verse 49 (padma.7.9.49)

गाङ्गेयैरुदकैर्यस्तु कुरुते पितृतर्पणम् । पितरस्तस्य तृप्यंति वर्षकोटिशतावधि

gāṅgeyairudakairyastu kurute pitṛtarpaṇam pitarastasya tṛpyaṁti varṣakoṭiśatāvadhi

Whoever offers the ancestral libation with Ganga water, his ancestors remain contented for hundreds of millions of years.

Verse 50 (padma.7.9.50)

गङ्गायां कुरुते यस्तु पितृश्राद्धं द्विजोत्तम । पितरस्तस्य तिष्ठंति संतुष्टास्त्रिदशालयम्

gaṅgāyāṁ kurute yastu pitṛśrāddhaṁ dvijottama pitarastasya tiṣṭhaṁti saṁtuṣṭāstridaśālayam

O best of the twice-born, whoever performs the ancestral rite of shraddha at the Ganga, his ancestors, contented, dwell in the world of heaven.

Verse 51 (padma.7.9.51)

समाप्य स्नानकर्माणि गङ्गायां समुपोषितः । दानं देवार्चनं चैव जयोऽन्याश्च क्रियास्तथा । कृतास्तु यास्तु गङ्गायां क्षयस्तासां न विद्यते

samāpya snānakarmāṇi gaṅgāyāṁ samupoṣitaḥ dānaṁ devārcanaṁ caiva jayo'nyāśca kriyāstathā kṛtāstu yāstu gaṅgāyāṁ kṣayastāsāṁ na vidyate

Having completed the act of bathing and fasting at the Ganga, whatever gifts, worship of the gods, sacred recitation, and other rites are performed at the Ganga — for these there is never any diminishment.

Verse 52 (padma.7.9.52)

समाप्य स्नानकर्माणि गंगायां समुपोषितः । कृतपंचमहायज्ञो गंगापूजां समाचरेत्

samāpya snānakarmāṇi gaṁgāyāṁ samupoṣitaḥ kṛtapaṁcamahāyajño gaṁgāpūjāṁ samācaret

Having completed the act of bathing and fasting at the Ganga, and completed the five great sacrifices, one should perform the worship of the Ganga.

Verse 53 (padma.7.9.53)

गंगायाः प्रतिमां देव्याः श्रीविष्णोः प्रतिमां तथा । नालिकेरोदकैर्दिव्यैः स्नापयेद्भक्तितो बुधः

gaṁgāyāḥ pratimāṁ devyāḥ śrīviṣṇoḥ pratimāṁ tathā nālikerodakairdivyaiḥ snāpayedbhaktito budhaḥ

The wise person should bathe the image of the goddess Ganga, and the image of Sri Vishnu, with divine coconut water, with devotion.

Verse 54 (padma.7.9.54)

जाह्नवीप्रतिमाभावान्नालिकेरोदकानि वै । निक्षिपेज्जाह्नवीतोये जाह्नवीं हृदि संस्मरन्

jāhnavīpratimābhāvānnālikerodakāni vai nikṣipejjāhnavītoye jāhnavīṁ hṛdi saṁsmaran

If there be no image of the Jahnavi, one should pour the coconut water itself into the water of the Jahnavi, remembering Jahnavi in the heart.

Verse 55 (padma.7.9.55)

दिव्यैर्गंधैश्च दीपैश्च घृतपूर्णसमुज्ज्वलैः । धूपैः सुवासितैश्चैव नानापुष्पमनोहरैः

divyairgaṁdhaiśca dīpaiśca ghṛtapūrṇasamujjvalaiḥ dhūpaiḥ suvāsitaiścaiva nānāpuṣpamanoharaiḥ

With divine fragrances, with radiant lamps filled with clarified butter, with sweet-scented incense, and with manifold delightful flowers,

Verse 56 (padma.7.9.56)

नानाफलैः सुपक्वैश्च नैवेद्यैरुत्तमास्तथा । पाद्यार्घाचमनीयैश्च तांबूलैः खादिरान्वितैः

nānāphalaiḥ supakvaiśca naivedyairuttamāstathā pādyārghācamanīyaiśca tāṁbūlaiḥ khādirānvitaiḥ

with manifold fully-ripened fruits and excellent offerings of food, with water for the feet, offering, and sipping, with betel mixed with catechu,

Verse 57 (padma.7.9.57)

अन्यैरप्युपहारैश्च विशिष्टैर्निजभक्तितः । स्तवैर्नाना च नैवेद्यैर्गङ्गां विष्णुं च पूजयेत्

anyairapyupahāraiśca viśiṣṭairnijabhaktitaḥ stavairnānā ca naivedyairgaṅgāṁ viṣṇuṁ ca pūjayet

and other fitting offerings besides, according to one's own devotion, with manifold hymns and offerings of food, one should worship the Ganga and Vishnu.

Verse 58 (padma.7.9.58)

ततः संपूजितां देवीं विष्णुं च परमेश्वरम् । अंगप्रदक्षिणां कुर्याद्भक्त्या वारत्रयं बुधः

tataḥ saṁpūjitāṁ devīṁ viṣṇuṁ ca parameśvaram aṁgapradakṣiṇāṁ kuryādbhaktyā vāratrayaṁ budhaḥ

Then, of that worshipped goddess and the supreme Lord Vishnu, the wise person should, with devotion, perform circumambulation three times.

Verse 59 (padma.7.9.59)

अथ स्थित्वा निराहारोऽपरेहनि सरिद्वरे । भोक्ष्यामि जह्नुतनये शरणं मे भवानघे

atha sthitvā nirāhāro'parehani saridvare bhokṣyāmi jahnutanaye śaraṇaṁ me bhavānaghe

Then, remaining without food that day, on the next day I shall eat — O daughter of Jahnu, O sinless one, you alone are my refuge.

Verse 60 (padma.7.9.60)

एवं संकल्प्य मतिमान्कर्मणा मनसा गिरा । रात्रौ जागरणं कुर्याज्जितनिद्रो ऽतिहर्षितः

evaṁ saṁkalpya matimānkarmaṇā manasā girā rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ kuryājjitanidro 'tiharṣitaḥ

Thus the wise person, having resolved this in deed, mind, and speech, should keep vigil through the night, conquering sleep, filled with great joy.

Verse 61 (padma.7.9.61)

अशक्त्या च द्विजश्रेष्ठ फलाहारो भवेदधः । अन्नमात्रं न भुंजीत न च कुर्याद्धि भोजनम्

aśaktyā ca dvijaśreṣṭha phalāhāro bhavedadhaḥ annamātraṁ na bhuṁjīta na ca kuryāddhi bhojanam

O best of the twice-born, whoever is unable may descend to a diet of fruit alone; but he should not eat grain, and should never take an ordinary meal at all.

Verse 62 (padma.7.9.62)

प्रातर्गङ्गां च विष्णुं च पुनरभ्यर्च्य जैमिने । विप्राय दक्षिणां दद्याद्विभवस्यानुरूपतः

prātargaṅgāṁ ca viṣṇuṁ ca punarabhyarcya jaimine viprāya dakṣiṇāṁ dadyādvibhavasyānurūpataḥ

O Jaimini, in the morning, worshipping again both Ganga and Vishnu, one should give a fitting gift to a brahmin, according to one's own means.

Verse 63 (padma.7.9.63)

अर्चनं जागरं चैव यत्कृतं पुरतस्तव । अच्छिद्रमस्तु तत्सर्वं त्वत्प्रसादात्सरिद्वरे

arcanaṁ jāgaraṁ caiva yatkṛtaṁ puratastava acchidramastu tatsarvaṁ tvatprasādātsaridvare

Whatever worship and vigil have been performed before you, O finest of rivers, let it all, by your grace, be free of flaw.

Verse 64 (padma.7.9.64)

इत्युक्त्वा तां नमस्कृत्य कृतनित्यक्रियो द्विजः । ततः सबंधुभिः सार्द्धं पारणं स्वयमाचरेत्

ityuktvā tāṁ namaskṛtya kṛtanityakriyo dvijaḥ tataḥ sabaṁdhubhiḥ sārddhaṁ pāraṇaṁ svayamācaret

Having said this and bowed to her, that brahmin, having completed his daily rites, should then, together with his own kinsmen, himself break his fast.

Verse 65 (padma.7.9.65)

तीर्थोपवासमेवं यः कुरुते जाह्नवीतटे । तस्य पुण्यफलं वत्स वदतो मे निशामय

tīrthopavāsamevaṁ yaḥ kurute jāhnavītaṭe tasya puṇyaphalaṁ vatsa vadato me niśāmaya

Whatever man thus keeps this sacred-ford fast upon the bank of the Jahnavi, O child, hear the fruit of his merit as I now tell it.

Verse 66 (padma.7.9.66)

जन्मांतरार्जितैः पापैर्विमुक्तो विष्णुरूपधृक् । विष्णोः पुरं समासाद्य विष्णुना सह मोदते

janmāṁtarārjitaiḥ pāpairvimukto viṣṇurūpadhṛk viṣṇoḥ puraṁ samāsādya viṣṇunā saha modate

Freed of sins gathered across countless births, taking on the very form of Vishnu, attaining Vishnu's abode, he rejoices there together with Vishnu.

Verse 67 (padma.7.9.67)

कल्पकोटिसहस्राणि कल्पकोटिशतानि च । स्थित्वा विष्णुपुरं सर्वं सुखं भुंक्ते सुदुर्ल्लभम्

kalpakoṭisahasrāṇi kalpakoṭiśatāni ca sthitvā viṣṇupuraṁ sarvaṁ sukhaṁ bhuṁkte sudurllabham

Dwelling in Vishnu's abode for thousands of millions of kalpas, and hundreds of millions of kalpas, he enjoys happiness most rare to attain.

Verse 68 (padma.7.9.68)

ततो नारायणादेशाद्ब्रह्मलोकं स गच्छति । ब्रह्मलोके सुखं भुंक्ते दुर्ल्लभं यत्सुरैरपि

tato nārāyaṇādeśādbrahmalokaṁ sa gacchati brahmaloke sukhaṁ bhuṁkte durllabhaṁ yatsurairapi

Then, by Narayana's own command, he goes to Brahma's world. In Brahma's world he enjoys that happiness hard to attain even for the gods.

Verse 69 (padma.7.9.69)

तावत्कालं ब्रह्मलोके स्थित्वा ब्रह्मक्षयात्ततः । महादेवं ततो गच्छेद्रथमारुह्य शोभनम्

tāvatkālaṁ brahmaloke sthitvā brahmakṣayāttataḥ mahādevaṁ tato gacchedrathamāruhya śobhanam

Dwelling in Brahma's world for that span, and when Brahma's own age comes to an end, he then, mounting a splendid chariot, goes to the abode of Mahadeva.

Verse 70 (padma.7.9.70)

सुखं नानाविधं तत्र भुङ्क्तेऽत्यन्तसुदुर्ल्लभम् । गाणपत्यमवाप्नोति किमन्यैर्बहुभाषितैः

sukhaṁ nānāvidhaṁ tatra bhuṅkte'tyantasudurllabham gāṇapatyamavāpnoti kimanyairbahubhāṣitaiḥ

There he enjoys manifold happiness, most rare to attain, and attains the rank of a chief of Shiva's own retinue — what more, indeed, need be said?

Verse 71 (padma.7.9.71)

तावत्कालं शिवपुरे स्थित्वा वै पुण्यवान्नरः । इन्द्रलोकं ततो गच्छेद्द्वितीय इव वासवः

tāvatkālaṁ śivapure sthitvā vai puṇyavānnaraḥ indralokaṁ tato gaccheddvitīya iva vāsavaḥ

Dwelling for that span in Shiva's city, that meritorious man then goes to Indra's world, as though a second Indra himself.

Verse 72 (padma.7.9.72)

तेन पुण्यात्मना सार्द्धं वसेदेकासने ततः । तत्र भुक्त्वाखिलान्कामान्कल्पकोटिशतावधि

tena puṇyātmanā sārddhaṁ vasedekāsane tataḥ tatra bhuktvākhilānkāmānkalpakoṭiśatāvadhi

With that man of merit even Indra himself sits upon a single seat. There, enjoying every desire for hundreds of millions of kalpas,

Verse 73 (padma.7.9.73)

सूर्यलोकं ततो गच्छेद्द्वितीय इव चन्द्रमाः । तत्रामृतानि भुक्त्वा वै चिरं चन्द्रस्य सन्निधौ

sūryalokaṁ tato gaccheddvitīya iva candramāḥ tatrāmṛtāni bhuktvā vai ciraṁ candrasya sannidhau

he then goes to the world of the Sun, as though a second moon himself. There, for a long time, in the presence of the moon, drinking of nectar,

Verse 74 (padma.7.9.74)

पुनरागत्य पृथिवीं चक्रवर्ती नृपो भवेत् । पालयित्वा चिरं पृथ्वीं जित्वा वै सकलान्रिपून्

punarāgatya pṛthivīṁ cakravartī nṛpo bhavet pālayitvā ciraṁ pṛthvīṁ jitvā vai sakalānripūn

returning again to earth, he becomes an emperor. Conquering every enemy, and protecting the earth for a long time,

Verse 75 (padma.7.9.75)

आयुषोंऽते च गङ्गायां सुखं मृत्युमवाप्नुयात् । भूयः स एवमारुह्य विमानं सुमहायशाः

āyuṣoṁ'te ca gaṅgāyāṁ sukhaṁ mṛtyumavāpnuyāt bhūyaḥ sa evamāruhya vimānaṁ sumahāyaśāḥ

at the end of his life he attains an easeful death in the Ganga. Then that most renowned man, mounting a celestial chariot in that same way,

Verse 76 (padma.7.9.76)

पुरं भगवतो याति दैवतैरपि दुर्ल्लभम् । तत्र भुक्त्वाखिलान्भोगान्मन्वंतरचतुष्टयम्

puraṁ bhagavato yāti daivatairapi durllabham tatra bhuktvākhilānbhogānmanvaṁtaracatuṣṭayam

goes to the abode of the Lord, hard to attain even for the gods. There, enjoying every pleasure for four manvantaras,

Verse 77 (padma.7.9.77)

परमं ज्ञानमासाद्य दुर्ल्लभं मोक्षमाप्नुयात् । जाह्नवीतीरयात्रायां दैवाद्यस्य भवेत्पथि

paramaṁ jñānamāsādya durllabhaṁ mokṣamāpnuyāt jāhnavītīrayātrāyāṁ daivādyasya bhavetpathi

attaining supreme knowledge, he attains liberation, hard to attain. On the pilgrimage to the bank of the Jahnavi, whoever, by fate's own working, along the road,

Verse 78 (padma.7.9.78)

पंचता सोऽपि परमं धाम गच्छेन्न संशयः । सत्यधर्मो नाम राजा धार्मिकश्च प्रियंवदः

paṁcatā so'pi paramaṁ dhāma gacchenna saṁśayaḥ satyadharmo nāma rājā dhārmikaśca priyaṁvadaḥ

meets his death, he too, without doubt, goes to the supreme abode. A king named Satyadharma, righteous and sweet of speech,

Verse 79 (padma.7.9.79)

त्रेताद्वापरसंधौ च बभूव क्षितिमण्डले । विजया नाम महिषी तस्य भूमिपतेरभूत्

tretādvāparasaṁdhau ca babhūva kṣitimaṇḍale vijayā nāma mahiṣī tasya bhūmipaterabhūt

in the juncture between the Treta and Dvapara ages, was upon this circle of the earth. That king's chief queen was named Vijaya,

Verse 80 (padma.7.9.80)

सुंदरी शीलयुक्ता सा पतिसेवापरायणा । सप्तवर्षसहस्राणि भुक्त्वा वसुमतीमिमाम्

suṁdarī śīlayuktā sā patisevāparāyaṇā saptavarṣasahasrāṇi bhuktvā vasumatīmimām

beautiful, virtuous, devoted to the service of her husband. Having enjoyed this earth for seven thousand years,

Verse 81 (padma.7.9.81)

कदाचित्प्राप्तकालोऽसौ सदारः पंचतां गतः । ततो यमभटैर्बद्धौ दंपती तौ भयंकरौ

kadācitprāptakālo'sau sadāraḥ paṁcatāṁ gataḥ tato yamabhaṭairbaddhau daṁpatī tau bhayaṁkarau

once, his time having run its course, that king met death together with his wife. Then Yama's own servants bound that terrible pair, husband and wife,

Verse 82 (padma.7.9.82)

दुःखप्रदेन मार्गेण जग्मतुर्यममंदिरम् । तौ दृष्ट्वा धर्मराजोऽपि चित्रगुप्तमुवाच ह

duḥkhapradena mārgeṇa jagmaturyamamaṁdiram tau dṛṣṭvā dharmarājo'pi citraguptamuvāca ha

and led them by a sorrowful road to Yama's abode. Seeing them, Dharmaraja too spoke to Chitragupta —

Verse 83 (padma.7.9.83)

एतयोः सर्वकर्माणि चित्रगुप्त विचारय । तेनाज्ञप्तश्चित्रगुप्तस्तयोः कर्माणि जैमिने

etayoḥ sarvakarmāṇi citragupta vicāraya tenājñaptaścitraguptastayoḥ karmāṇi jaimine

O Chitragupta, examine the entire record of the deeds of these two. By his command, Chitragupta, O Jaimini, having examined the deeds of these two

Verse 84 (padma.7.9.84)

मूलाद्विचारयामास प्राह चेति कृताञ्जलि । चित्रगुप्त उवाच- एतयोः सकलं कर्म शृणु राजन्वदाम्यहम्

mūlādvicārayāmāsa prāha ceti kṛtāñjali citragupta uvāca- etayoḥ sakalaṁ karma śṛṇu rājanvadāmyaham

from the very root, with joined palms, spoke thus. Chitragupta said: O king, hear the entire deed of these two, I shall tell it.

Verse 85 (padma.7.9.85)

शुभं वाप्यशुभं कर्म यदेताभ्यां कृतं भुवि । किंचिदस्या नयोपायं वदामि तदहं शृणु

śubhaṁ vāpyaśubhaṁ karma yadetābhyāṁ kṛtaṁ bhuvi kiṁcidasyā nayopāyaṁ vadāmi tadahaṁ śṛṇu

Whatever deed, good or ill, was performed by these two upon the earth, I shall also tell some slight means of judging it — hear it.

Verse 86 (padma.7.9.86)

एकादा त्रासितो व्याघ्रैः कश्चिदेको मृगः प्रभो । वनाज्जीवनरक्षार्थमागतोऽस्य सभां प्रति

ekādā trāsito vyāghraiḥ kaścideko mṛgaḥ prabho vanājjīvanarakṣārthamāgato'sya sabhāṁ prati

O lord, once, terrified by tigers, a deer, fleeing the forest for the sake of its life, came toward this king's own assembly.

Verse 87 (padma.7.9.87)

तमायांतं समालोक्य भूयोऽयं प्राप्तकौतुकः । जघने स्वयमुत्थाय खड्गेन तरसा मृगम्

tamāyāṁtaṁ samālokya bhūyo'yaṁ prāptakautukaḥ jaghane svayamutthāya khaḍgena tarasā mṛgam

Seeing him coming, this king, once again filled with mere sporting curiosity, himself rising up, swiftly struck at that deer's own thigh with a sword.

Verse 88 (padma.7.9.88)

जघान ह मृगं राजा शरणागतमप्यमुम् । तस्मात्सदारोभूपोऽयं दंडनीयस्त्वया प्रभो

jaghāna ha mṛgaṁ rājā śaraṇāgatamapyamum tasmātsadārobhūpo'yaṁ daṁḍanīyastvayā prabho

That king slew even that deer, though it had come for refuge. Therefore this king, together with his wife, is deserving of punishment at your hand, O lord.

Verse 89 (padma.7.9.89)

यावंति तस्य रोमाणि संस्थितानि कलेवरे । मन्वंतरसहस्राणि मन्वंतरशतानि च

yāvaṁti tasya romāṇi saṁsthitāni kalevare manvaṁtarasahasrāṇi manvaṁtaraśatāni ca

For as many thousand manvantaras, and hundreds of manvantaras, as there were hairs upon that deer's body,

Verse 90 (padma.7.9.90)

कोटिकोटिकुलैर्युक्ता नारकी स्यान्न संशयः । शरणागतरक्षां यः प्राणैरपि धनैरपि

koṭikoṭikulairyuktā nārakī syānna saṁśayaḥ śaraṇāgatarakṣāṁ yaḥ prāṇairapi dhanairapi

he shall surely be a denizen of hell together with tens of millions of his own kin — of this there is no doubt. Whatever wise man protects one who has taken refuge, even with his own life, even with his own wealth,

Verse 91 (padma.7.9.91)

कुरुते यो नरो ज्ञानी तस्य पुण्यं निशामय । सर्वपापैर्विनिर्मुक्तो ब्रह्महत्यामुखैरपि

kurute yo naro jñānī tasya puṇyaṁ niśāmaya sarvapāpairvinirmukto brahmahatyāmukhairapi

hear the merit of that wise man. He, freed of every sin, even sins such as the killing of a brahmin,

Verse 92 (padma.7.9.92)

आयुषोऽन्ते व्रजेन्मोक्षं योगिनामपि दुर्ल्लभम् । यमाज्ञया ततो दूतैः सदारोऽसौ महीपतिः

āyuṣo'nte vrajenmokṣaṁ yogināmapi durllabham yamājñayā tato dūtaiḥ sadāro'sau mahīpatiḥ

at the end of his life attains that liberation, hard to attain even for yogis. Then, by Yama's command, by his messengers, that king, together with his wife,

Verse 93 (padma.7.9.93)

असिपत्रवने घोरे स्थापितोऽत्यंतदुःखदे । असितुल्यानि पत्राणि यतस्तेषां च शाखिनाम्

asipatravane ghore sthāpito'tyaṁtaduḥkhade asitulyāni patrāṇi yatasteṣāṁ ca śākhinām

was placed in the most terrible, sorrow-giving Asipatra forest, where the leaves of the trees are like sword-blades — this,

Verse 94 (padma.7.9.94)

असिपत्रवनं प्राहुरतस्तद्वै मनीषिणः । स्थित्वासिपत्रविपिने युगकोटिशतानि च

asipatravanaṁ prāhuratastadvai manīṣiṇaḥ sthitvāsipatravipine yugakoṭiśatāni ca

the wise call the Asipatra forest, the forest of sword-leaves. Dwelling in that Asipatra forest for hundreds of millions of ages,

Verse 95 (padma.7.9.95)

सदारो नरकं भेजे व्याघ्रभक्ष्याह्वयं ततः । निरयं तं प्रविशति सर्वोपद्रवसंयुतम्

sadāro narakaṁ bheje vyāghrabhakṣyāhvayaṁ tataḥ nirayaṁ taṁ praviśati sarvopadravasaṁyutam

that king, together with his wife, then went to a hell named Vyaghrabhaksha ("tiger's prey"). Into that hell, filled with every torment, whoever enters,

Verse 96 (padma.7.9.96)

भवेच्च भक्ष्यो व्याघ्रेण व्याघ्रभक्ष्यस्ततः स्मृतः । युगकोटिसहस्राणि स्थित्वा तत्र स भूपतिः

bhavecca bhakṣyo vyāghreṇa vyāghrabhakṣyastataḥ smṛtaḥ yugakoṭisahasrāṇi sthitvā tatra sa bhūpatiḥ

he becomes the tiger's own prey, and it is for this that it is called Vyaghrabhaksha. Dwelling there for thousands of millions of ages, that king,

Verse 97 (padma.7.9.97)

सदारोऽजनि पापांते भेकयोनिं गतः क्षितौ । जातिस्मरौ ततस्तौ तु भेकीभेकौ सुदुःखितौ

sadāro'jani pāpāṁte bhekayoniṁ gataḥ kṣitau jātismarau tatastau tu bhekībhekau suduḥkhitau

together with his wife, at the end of his sin, was born into the form of a frog. Remembering their former births, that frog and his mate, most sorrowful,

Verse 98 (padma.7.9.98)

तीरे तस्थतुरेकस्मिन्सततं कीटभोजिनौ । अथैकदा तेन पथा पुण्याहं प्राप्य मानवाः

tīre tasthaturekasminsatataṁ kīṭabhojinau athaikadā tena pathā puṇyāhaṁ prāpya mānavāḥ

dwelt continually upon one bank, ever eating insects. Once, along that very road, on a meritorious day, people

Verse 99 (padma.7.9.99)

गच्छंति जाह्नवीतीरं तांस्तौ ददृशतुर्द्विज । भेक उवाच- वर्षाभ्वि मोहाद्यत्सर्वं पापं कर्म कृतं मया

gacchaṁti jāhnavītīraṁ tāṁstau dadṛśaturdvija bheka uvāca- varṣābhvi mohādyatsarvaṁ pāpaṁ karma kṛtaṁ mayā

going toward the bank of the Jahnavi, were seen by those two, O brahmin. The frog said: O Varshabhu, whatever sinful deed I did, out of delusion,

Verse 100 (padma.7.9.100)

अद्यापि कर्मणा तेन दुःखमावां न मुंचति । त्यक्त्वा शरीरं गंगायां मुक्ताः स्युः पापिनोऽपि च

adyāpi karmaṇā tena duḥkhamāvāṁ na muṁcati tyaktvā śarīraṁ gaṁgāyāṁ muktāḥ syuḥ pāpino'pi ca

by that very deed, even today, this suffering does not leave us. Casting off the body in the Ganga, even sinners are set free;

Verse 101 (padma.7.9.101)

तथाप्येवं विधं दुःखमनुभूयावहे कथम् । गंगायां त्यक्तुमिच्छामि संप्रत्येतत्कलेवरम्

tathāpyevaṁ vidhaṁ duḥkhamanubhūyāvahe katham gaṁgāyāṁ tyaktumicchāmi saṁpratyetatkalevaram

yet for how much longer should we endure this kind of suffering? I wish now to cast off this body of mine in the Ganga.

Verse 102 (padma.7.9.102)

का युक्तिर्ब्रूहि तां कांते तितीर्षुर्दुःखसागरम् । वर्षाभ्वी तद्वचः श्रुत्वा प्राहेति विनयान्विता

kā yuktirbrūhi tāṁ kāṁte titīrṣurduḥkhasāgaram varṣābhvī tadvacaḥ śrutvā prāheti vinayānvitā

O beloved, tell me what means there might be — I wish to cross this ocean of sorrow. Varshabhu, hearing his words, humbly spoke thus.

Verse 103 (padma.7.9.103)

वर्षाभ्व्युवाच- दुःखं न शक्यते सोढुं स्वामिन्नेतद् द्रुतं कुरु । ततस्तौ दंपती विप्र स्मृत्वा गंगां शुभप्रदाम्

varṣābhvyuvāca- duḥkhaṁ na śakyate soḍhuṁ svāminnetad drutaṁ kuru tatastau daṁpatī vipra smṛtvā gaṁgāṁ śubhapradām

Varshabhu said: O lord, this suffering cannot be endured — do this at once. Then that pair, husband and wife, O brahmin, remembering the auspicious Ganga,

Verse 104 (padma.7.9.104)

सहसा चक्रतुर्यात्रां मरणायोपहर्षितौ । अथैतौ पथि गच्छंतौ चिरकालं बुभुक्षितौ

sahasā cakraturyātrāṁ maraṇāyopaharṣitau athaitau pathi gacchaṁtau cirakālaṁ bubhukṣitau

eager for death, at once set out on their journey. Then, going along the road, that pair, hungry from long fasting,

Verse 105 (padma.7.9.105)

अपश्यत्पापकृत्क्ष्वेडः कालसर्पो भयंकरः । कालसर्प्प उवाच- दर्दुरौ पापिनौ येथाः प्राप्तकालौ युवां ततः

apaśyatpāpakṛtkṣveḍaḥ kālasarpo bhayaṁkaraḥ kālasarppa uvāca- dardurau pāpinau yethāḥ prāptakālau yuvāṁ tataḥ

caught sight of a wicked, terrible Kalasarpa ("black serpent of time"), hissing before them. The Kalasarpa said: O you two frogs, you are sinners, and your time has come,

Verse 106 (padma.7.9.106)

अथ नूनं भक्षितव्यौ क्षुधितेन मया युवाम् । ततस्तावतिसंत्रस्तौ दंपती दुःखभागिनौ

atha nūnaṁ bhakṣitavyau kṣudhitena mayā yuvām tatastāvatisaṁtrastau daṁpatī duḥkhabhāginau

and so, hungry, I must surely eat you both. Then that pair, husband and wife, greatly terrified and filled with sorrow,

Verse 107 (padma.7.9.107)

इत्यूचतुर्वचो भक्त्या कालसर्पं पुरोगतम् । नास्ति मृत्युभयं सर्प स्वल्पमप्यावयोर्हृदि

ityūcaturvaco bhaktyā kālasarpaṁ purogatam nāsti mṛtyubhayaṁ sarpa svalpamapyāvayorhṛdi

spoke thus with devotion to that Kalasarpa standing before them — O serpent, in our hearts there is not the least fear of death.

Verse 108 (padma.7.9.108)

अहमासं पुरा राजा सत्यधर्माह्वयः क्षितौ । इयं च विजया नाम महिषी संस्थिता मम

ahamāsaṁ purā rājā satyadharmāhvayaḥ kṣitau iyaṁ ca vijayā nāma mahiṣī saṁsthitā mama

I was, long ago, a king upon this earth, named Satyadharma; and this was my chief queen, named Vijaya.

Verse 109 (padma.7.9.109)

मया दुरात्मना मोहान्नितः शरणं गतः ?। तेनैव कर्मणा भुक्तं चिरं दुःखं यमालये

mayā durātmanā mohānnitaḥ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ ? tenaiva karmaṇā bhuktaṁ ciraṁ duḥkhaṁ yamālaye

By me, wicked of soul, out of delusion, that deer was slain, which had come for refuge — by that very deed I have long suffered anguish in the abode of Yama.

Verse 110 (padma.7.9.110)

भोक्तुं स्वकर्मणः शेषं भेकयोनौ स्त्रिया सह । सोऽहं यातोऽस्मि पापेन कृतं कर्म न मुंचति

bhoktuṁ svakarmaṇaḥ śeṣaṁ bhekayonau striyā saha so'haṁ yāto'smi pāpena kṛtaṁ karma na muṁcati

To bear the remainder of that very deed, together with my wife, in the form of a frog — I am he who has come here as the fruit of sin; a deed once done does not release its hold.

Verse 111 (padma.7.9.111)

सत्यमावां जिगमिषू परमं धाम पन्नग । व्रजावो जाह्नवीतीरं शरीरत्यागहेतवे

satyamāvāṁ jigamiṣū paramaṁ dhāma pannaga vrajāvo jāhnavītīraṁ śarīratyāgahetave

O serpent, we two truly wish to go to the supreme abode; we are going to the bank of the Jahnavi, for the purpose of casting off the body.

Verse 112 (padma.7.9.112)

त्यजाविवेकतां सर्प नरकक्लेशदायिनीम् । आवां संखाद्य भवतो भविष्यति सुखं कियत्

tyajāvivekatāṁ sarpa narakakleśadāyinīm āvāṁ saṁkhādya bhavato bhaviṣyati sukhaṁ kiyat

O serpent, abandon that lack of discernment, which brings the torment of hell; by eating us, how much happiness will you gain?

Verse 113 (padma.7.9.113)

आवयोर्हृदये विष्णुस्तवापि हृदये हरिः । अतएव त्वया सार्द्धं शत्रुता का भुजंगम

āvayorhṛdaye viṣṇustavāpi hṛdaye hariḥ ataeva tvayā sārddhaṁ śatrutā kā bhujaṁgama

In our hearts is Vishnu, and in your heart too is Hari alone; therefore, O serpent, what enmity can there be with you?

Verse 114 (padma.7.9.114)

प्राणिहिंसा न कर्तव्या कदापि च विचक्षणैः । क्रियतेऽपि च तद्धिंसां विदधाति स्वयं विधिः

prāṇihiṁsā na kartavyā kadāpi ca vicakṣaṇaiḥ kriyate'pi ca taddhiṁsāṁ vidadhāti svayaṁ vidhiḥ

The wise should never commit violence against living beings. And should such violence still be done, fate itself, in turn, exacts its own fruit as violence.

Verse 115 (padma.7.9.115)

आयुः पुत्राश्च दाराश्च संपदश्च यशांसि च । हिंसां दत्वा मनुष्याणां हरेद्दुष्टो विधिः स्वयम्

āyuḥ putrāśca dārāśca saṁpadaśca yaśāṁsi ca hiṁsāṁ datvā manuṣyāṇāṁ haredduṣṭo vidhiḥ svayam

Life, sons, wife, wealth, and fame — giving men the fruit of their own violence, wicked fate itself takes these very things away.

Verse 116 (padma.7.9.116)

किं जपैः किं तपोभिर्वा किं दानैः किमु चाध्वरैः । हिंसेति वर्णद्वितयं यस्यास्ति हृदये सदा

kiṁ japaiḥ kiṁ tapobhirvā kiṁ dānaiḥ kimu cādhvaraiḥ hiṁseti varṇadvitayaṁ yasyāsti hṛdaye sadā

What use is chanting, what use austerity, what use giving, what use even sacrifice, if this word "hiṁsā" — made of these two syllables — ever remains fixed in the heart?

Verse 117 (padma.7.9.117)

यः प्राणिहिंसको मर्त्यः स एव हरिहिंसकः । सर्वप्राणिशरीरस्थो भगवान्कमलापतिः

yaḥ prāṇihiṁsako martyaḥ sa eva harihiṁsakaḥ sarvaprāṇiśarīrastho bhagavānkamalāpatiḥ

Whoever slays a mortal being slays Hari himself; for the Lord, the husband of Lakshmi, abides within the body of every living being.

Verse 118 (padma.7.9.118)

आत्मानं बहुधा सृष्ट्वा भगवान्भूतभावनः । संसारकौतुकागारे क्रीडेच्छिशुरिव स्वयम्

ātmānaṁ bahudhā sṛṣṭvā bhagavānbhūtabhāvanaḥ saṁsārakautukāgāre krīḍecchiśuriva svayam

The Lord, creator of every being, expanding himself into manifold forms, sports, like a very child, in this wonder-house of transmigration.

Verse 119 (padma.7.9.119)

शरीरिणः शरीरं हि निलयः परमात्मनः । परमात्मा स्वयं विष्णुरतो हिंसां विवर्जयेत्

śarīriṇaḥ śarīraṁ hi nilayaḥ paramātmanaḥ paramātmā svayaṁ viṣṇurato hiṁsāṁ vivarjayet

The body of a living being is itself the very dwelling of the supreme Self; the supreme Self is Vishnu himself, and therefore violence should in every way be forsaken.

Verse 120 (padma.7.9.120)

परप्राणविनाशेन चात्मतुष्टिर्विधीयते

paraprāṇavināśena cātmatuṣṭirvidhīyate

By destroying another's life, one's own contentment is procured —

Verse 121 (padma.7.9.121)

क्षणं स्यादात्मनस्तुष्टिरन्यस्य प्राणसंक्षयः । चरित्रमेतल्लोकानामत्यद्भुतमिव क्षितौ

kṣaṇaṁ syādātmanastuṣṭiranyasya prāṇasaṁkṣayaḥ caritrametallokānāmatyadbhutamiva kṣitau

for oneself, a moment's contentment, and for the other, the very destruction of life. This conduct of people is a most wondrous thing on this earth,

Verse 122 (padma.7.9.122)

आत्मतृप्तिं प्रकुर्वंति परं हत्वातियत्नतः । धीमान्नात्मपरिज्ञानं कदाचित्कुरुते नहि

ātmatṛptiṁ prakurvaṁti paraṁ hatvātiyatnataḥ dhīmānnātmaparijñānaṁ kadācitkurute nahi

that with such great effort they procure their own satisfaction by slaying others; a wise person never entertains such a thought about himself.

Verse 123 (padma.7.9.123)

अहं विष्णुरसौविष्णुरिति चेतसि भावयेत् । परदुःखेन यो दुःखी सुखी यश्च परश्रिया

ahaṁ viṣṇurasauviṣṇuriti cetasi bhāvayet paraduḥkhena yo duḥkhī sukhī yaśca paraśriyā

"I am Vishnu, and this too is Vishnu" — thus one should feel in the heart. Whoever grieves at another's sorrow, and rejoices at another's prosperity,

Verse 124 (padma.7.9.124)

संसारेऽस्मिन्स विज्ञेयः साक्षादेव हरिः स्वयम् । धिगस्तु तत्सुखं नॄणां मोहवंचितचेतसाम्

saṁsāre'sminsa vijñeyaḥ sākṣādeva hariḥ svayam dhigastu tatsukhaṁ nṝṇāṁ mohavaṁcitacetasām

in this world, he should be known as Hari himself in person. Shame upon that happiness of men, their minds cheated by delusion,

Verse 125 (padma.7.9.125)

परहिंसाविधानेन सुखं यत्स्याद्भुजंगम । सुखानि वापि दुःखानि दीयंते यानि जंतवे

parahiṁsāvidhānena sukhaṁ yatsyādbhujaṁgama sukhāni vāpi duḥkhāni dīyaṁte yāni jaṁtave

O serpent, which comes from doing violence to another. Whatever happiness or sorrow is meted out to any living being,

Verse 126 (padma.7.9.126)

अचिरेणैव तानि स्म लभंते भुवि मानवाः । तस्माद्धिंसां परित्यज्य भुजंगम सुखी भव

acireṇaiva tāni sma labhaṁte bhuvi mānavāḥ tasmāddhiṁsāṁ parityajya bhujaṁgama sukhī bhava

those same things men soon come to receive for themselves too, upon this earth. Therefore, O serpent, abandoning violence, become happy.

Verse 127 (padma.7.9.127)

त्वयि प्रसन्ने गच्छावः पारं दुःखमहोदधेः । सर्प उवाच- यदा स्यात्परहिंसायां नूनं मे नातिपातकम्

tvayi prasanne gacchāvaḥ pāraṁ duḥkhamahodadheḥ sarpa uvāca- yadā syātparahiṁsāyāṁ nūnaṁ me nātipātakam

Only with you pleased can we cross to the far shore of this ocean of sorrow. The serpent said: if there be truly no great sin at all in doing violence to another,

Verse 128 (padma.7.9.128)

तदा कथमहो सृष्टै वेधसा भक्ष्यभक्षकौ । परहिंसा न कर्तव्या सत्यमेतत्त्वयोदितम्

tadā kathamaho sṛṣṭai vedhasā bhakṣyabhakṣakau parahiṁsā na kartavyā satyametattvayoditam

then why has fate created these two — the eaten and the eater? Violence to another should not be done — this you have rightly said.

Verse 129 (padma.7.9.129)

किंतु सर्वेषु भक्ष्येषु हिंसा संभाव्यते नहि । नारायणो विश्वरूपः सत्यमेतन्न संशयः

kiṁtu sarveṣu bhakṣyeṣu hiṁsā saṁbhāvyate nahi nārāyaṇo viśvarūpaḥ satyametanna saṁśayaḥ

But in all things that are eaten, violence is not deemed something even possible to avoid. Narayana is the very form of the universe — this is true, and of it there is no doubt.

Verse 130 (padma.7.9.130)

भक्ष्यभक्षकसंयुक्तं स्वयमेव ससर्ज ह । सृजति स्वयमात्मानमात्मानं रक्षति स्वयम्

bhakṣyabhakṣakasaṁyuktaṁ svayameva sasarja ha sṛjati svayamātmānamātmānaṁ rakṣati svayam

He himself has fashioned this creation, complete with the eaten and the eater; he himself creates himself, he himself protects himself,

Verse 131 (padma.7.9.131)

आत्मानं स्वयमेवात्ति सृष्टिरेवंविधा हरेः । शक्तोऽहं किं युवां हंतुं कालरूपी स्वयं विधिः

ātmānaṁ svayamevātti sṛṣṭirevaṁvidhā hareḥ śakto'haṁ kiṁ yuvāṁ haṁtuṁ kālarūpī svayaṁ vidhiḥ

and himself eats himself — such is Hari's own creation. Am I not able to slay you both? Fate itself, in the very form of time,

Verse 132 (padma.7.9.132)

संप्रति प्रेषयामास कार्येस्मिन्मां स्वयं हरिः । युवां ससर्ज यो देवो यश्च रक्षति वां सदा

saṁprati preṣayāmāsa kāryesminmāṁ svayaṁ hariḥ yuvāṁ sasarja yo devo yaśca rakṣati vāṁ sadā

has sent me here now for this very task by Hari himself. That god who created you both, and who ever protects you both,

Verse 133 (padma.7.9.133)

कालरूपी स एवाद्य हंति हेतुं विधाय माम् । व्यास उवाच-। ततस्तेन भुजंगेन भक्षितौ तौ च दंपती

kālarūpī sa evādya haṁti hetuṁ vidhāya mām vyāsa uvāca- tatastena bhujaṁgena bhakṣitau tau ca daṁpatī

he himself, today, in the very form of time, using me as the instrument, is slaying you. Vyasa said: then that serpent devoured that pair, husband and wife,

Verse 134 (padma.7.9.134)

गङ्गा गंगेति जल्पंतौ महत्या क्षुधया पथि । जाह्नवीतीरयात्रायां पादेपादे जनाविमौ

gaṅgā gaṁgeti jalpaṁtau mahatyā kṣudhayā pathi jāhnavītīrayātrāyāṁ pādepāde janāvimau

as they chanted "Ganga, Ganga" upon the very road, with the greatest hunger. On the pilgrimage to the bank of the Jahnavi, at every very step,

Verse 135 (padma.7.9.135)

अश्वमेधाख्य यज्ञानां प्राप्तवंतौ महाफलम् । तस्मादेनौ महात्मानौ बह्वश्वमेधधारिणौ

aśvamedhākhya yajñānāṁ prāptavaṁtau mahāphalam tasmādenau mahātmānau bahvaśvamedhadhāriṇau

those two people attained the great fruit of the sacrifice called Ashvamedha. And thus those two great souls became bearers of the merit of many Ashvamedha sacrifices.

Verse 136 (padma.7.9.136)

एतयोः सदृशो नास्ति शतक्रतुरहं यतः । निजाधिकारेणैवान्यमवलंब्य पुरंदरः

etayoḥ sadṛśo nāsti śatakraturahaṁ yataḥ nijādhikāreṇaivānyamavalaṁbya puraṁdaraḥ

None is equal to these two, for even I, Shatakratu (Indra, of a hundred sacrifices) — thinking thus, Indra, setting aside his own high station and relying on another,

Verse 137 (padma.7.9.137)

अर्घ्यहस्तः पादचारी वृतो देवैः समाययौ । अथ रम्भोर्वशी चैव सुंदर्योऽन्याश्च हर्षिताः

arghyahastaḥ pādacārī vṛto devaiḥ samāyayau atha rambhorvaśī caiva suṁdaryo'nyāśca harṣitāḥ

taking libation-water in hand, walking on foot, surrounded by the gods, himself came there. Then Rambha, Urvashi, and other joyful beauties,

Verse 138 (padma.7.9.138)

अन्योन्यं कथयामासुर्निजयौवनगर्विताः । अयं पुण्यात्मनां श्रेष्ठो रसज्ञोऽत्यंतसुन्दरः

anyonyaṁ kathayāmāsurnijayauvanagarvitāḥ ayaṁ puṇyātmanāṁ śreṣṭho rasajño'tyaṁtasundaraḥ

filled with pride in their own youth, began to say to one another — this foremost of men of merit, a connoisseur of pleasure, exceedingly handsome,

Verse 139 (padma.7.9.139)

आयातोऽमुं करिष्यामि स्ववशं सेवितैः स्वकैः । काचित्कांचिद्वदत्येतज्जानामि सकलां कलाम्

āyāto'muṁ kariṣyāmi svavaśaṁ sevitaiḥ svakaiḥ kācitkāṁcidvadatyetajjānāmi sakalāṁ kalām

has come; I shall bring him under my own sway by my attendants — thus said one. Another said — I know every art,

Verse 140 (padma.7.9.140)

अतएव भविष्यामि कांताहमस्य भूपतेः । काचित्कांचिदिति ब्रूयात्ते शक्रोपि वशो मम

ataeva bhaviṣyāmi kāṁtāhamasya bhūpateḥ kācitkāṁciditi brūyātte śakropi vaśo mama

and so I alone shall become this king's beloved — thus said another. Even Indra is subject to me,

Verse 141 (padma.7.9.141)

किमत्र चित्रं वशगो भूपालोऽयं भविष्यति

kimatra citraṁ vaśago bhūpālo'yaṁ bhaviṣyati

what wonder is it, then, that this king too should come under my own sway — thus said another.

Verse 142 (padma.7.9.142)

भर्त्ता ममायं च पतिर्ममायं स्वामी ममायं मम नाथ एषः । इतीव सर्वाः परमप्रमोदैर्वदंति नार्योखिलसद्गुणज्ञाः

bharttā mamāyaṁ ca patirmamāyaṁ svāmī mamāyaṁ mama nātha eṣaḥ itīva sarvāḥ paramapramodairvadaṁti nāryokhilasadguṇajñāḥ

"This is my husband, this is my lord, this is my master, this is my own protector" — thus, O brahmin, all those women, knowers of every excellent virtue, began to say, filled with the greatest delight.

Verse 143 (padma.7.9.143)

उच्चावचं विप्र निशम्य तासां जगाद काचिद्गुणिनी रसज्ञा । सौदास्यकांतां नृपतिः स्वयं यां भजत्ययं किं कलहेन नार्यः

uccāvacaṁ vipra niśamya tāsāṁ jagāda kācidguṇinī rasajñā saudāsyakāṁtāṁ nṛpatiḥ svayaṁ yāṁ bhajatyayaṁ kiṁ kalahena nāryaḥ

Hearing this high and low talk among them, O brahmin, one virtuous and refined woman among them said — this king cherishes his own beloved Vijaya alone; O women, what shall you gain from this quarrel?

Verse 144 (padma.7.9.144)

सुन्दर्य्यस्तास्ततः सर्वाः संत्यज्य कलहं द्विज । आजग्मुर्हृदयोत्साहैः सर्वाभरणभूषिताः

sundaryyastāstataḥ sarvāḥ saṁtyajya kalahaṁ dvija ājagmurhṛdayotsāhaiḥ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitāḥ

Then all those beauties, O brahmin, abandoning their quarrel, filled with eagerness of heart, came forward, adorned with every ornament.

Verse 145 (padma.7.9.145)

अथ तं नृपतिश्रेष्ठ सदारं गतकल्मषम् । पाद्याद्यैः पूजयामासुः प्राहेति च पुरंदरः

atha taṁ nṛpatiśreṣṭha sadāraṁ gatakalmaṣam pādyādyaiḥ pūjayāmāsuḥ prāheti ca puraṁdaraḥ

Then they honored that excellent king, together with his wife, both now cleansed of sin, with the water for the feet and other rites, and Indra spoke thus.

Verse 146 (padma.7.9.146)

रथे निवेशयामास पुष्पके स्त्रीसमन्वितम् । भेरीमृदंगमधुरी डिंडिमानकनिःस्वनैः

rathe niveśayāmāsa puṣpake strīsamanvitam bherīmṛdaṁgamadhurī ḍiṁḍimānakaniḥsvanaiḥ

He seated him, together with his wife, upon the celestial Pushpaka chariot. With the sound of kettledrums, mridangas, sweet instruments, cymbals, and drums,

Verse 147 (padma.7.9.147)

करकं कणनादैश्च करतालस्वनैस्तथा । जयशब्दैश्च देवानां नाकः शब्दमयोऽभवत्

karakaṁ kaṇanādaiśca karatālasvanaistathā jayaśabdaiśca devānāṁ nākaḥ śabdamayo'bhavat

with the resonance of water-vessels, the sound of clapping hands, and the cries of victory from the gods, heaven itself became filled with resounding noise.

Verse 148 (padma.7.9.148)

देवाङ्गना चारुहस्त श्वेतचामरमारुतैः । वीजितः सरथारूढः सदारस्त्रिदिवं ययौ

devāṅganā cāruhasta śvetacāmaramārutaiḥ vījitaḥ sarathārūḍhaḥ sadārastridivaṁ yayau

Fanned by the breeze of white fly-whisks waved by the lovely hands of celestial women, he, mounted upon the chariot together with his wife, went to heaven.

Verse 149 (padma.7.9.149)

ततः शक्रः स्वयं तस्मै सत्यधर्माय भूभुजे । दत्तवान्निजासनार्द्धं शुभो वै क्षयशंकया

tataḥ śakraḥ svayaṁ tasmai satyadharmāya bhūbhuje dattavānnijāsanārddhaṁ śubho vai kṣayaśaṁkayā

Then Indra himself, O king, out of fear of decline, gladly gave that king Satyadharma half of his own throne.

Verse 150 (padma.7.9.150)

शक्रेण सह भूपोऽसौ वसन्नेकासने सदा । शक्रत्वमकरोत्स्वर्गे केशवस्यानुकंपया

śakreṇa saha bhūpo'sau vasannekāsane sadā śakratvamakarotsvarge keśavasyānukaṁpayā

Seated always upon a single throne, together with Indra, that king, by Keshava's grace, exercised the very sovereignty of Indra in heaven.

Verse 151 (padma.7.9.151)

युगकोटिसहस्राणि दिवि भुक्त्वाखिलं सुखम् । रथमारुह्यवैकुंठं ययौ भगवदाज्ञया

yugakoṭisahasrāṇi divi bhuktvākhilaṁ sukham rathamāruhyavaikuṁṭhaṁ yayau bhagavadājñayā

Enjoying every happiness in heaven for thousands of millions of ages, he, mounting the chariot, went by the Lord's own command to Vaikuntha.

Verse 152 (padma.7.9.152)

तत्र मन्वंतरं भुक्त्वा सर्वभोगमनोरमम् । परमं ज्ञानमासाद्या सदारो मोक्षमाप्तवान्

tatra manvaṁtaraṁ bhuktvā sarvabhogamanoramam paramaṁ jñānamāsādyā sadāro mokṣamāptavān

There, enjoying every delightful pleasure for a manvantara, attaining supreme knowledge, together with his wife he attained liberation.

Verse 153 (padma.7.9.153)

जाह्नवीतीरयात्रायां शरीरं त्यजतः पथि । फलमेवंविधं विप्र मया सर्वं प्रकीर्तितम्

jāhnavītīrayātrāyāṁ śarīraṁ tyajataḥ pathi phalamevaṁvidhaṁ vipra mayā sarvaṁ prakīrtitam

On the pilgrimage to the bank of the Jahnavi, whoever casts off the body along the way, O brahmin, such indeed is his fruit — all this I have now declared.

Verse 154 (padma.7.9.154)

जाह्नवीतीरगमने मुनिभिस्तत्वदर्शिभिः । न कालनियमः प्रोक्तो नारदाद्यैर्महर्षिभिः

jāhnavītīragamane munibhistatvadarśibhiḥ na kālaniyamaḥ prokto nāradādyairmaharṣibhiḥ

For going to the bank of the Jahnavi, no restriction of time has been laid down by the truth-seeing sages and the great seers beginning with Narada.

Verse 155 (padma.7.9.155)

यदायदा द्विजश्रेष्ठ गङ्गायां स्नानमाचरेत् । तदातदाऽक्षयं पुण्यं लभते मानवो ध्रुवम्

yadāyadā dvijaśreṣṭha gaṅgāyāṁ snānamācaret tadātadā'kṣayaṁ puṇyaṁ labhate mānavo dhruvam

O best of the twice-born, whenever a man bathes in the Ganga, at that very time he surely attains imperishable merit.

Verse 156 (padma.7.9.156)

गंगा सर्वाणि पापानि नाशयंतीति निश्चयः । कुर्यात्पुनःपुनः पापं न च गंगा पुनाति तम्

gaṁgā sarvāṇi pāpāni nāśayaṁtīti niścayaḥ kuryātpunaḥpunaḥ pāpaṁ na ca gaṁgā punāti tam

The Ganga destroys every sin — this is settled; yet a man should not sin again and again, for the Ganga does not purify one again and again for that.

Verse 157 (padma.7.9.157)

पापबुद्धिं परित्यज्य गंगायां लोकमातरि । स्नानं कुरुत हे लोका यदि सद्गतिमिच्छथ

pāpabuddhiṁ parityajya gaṁgāyāṁ lokamātari snānaṁ kuruta he lokā yadi sadgatimicchatha

O people, abandoning a sinful mind, bathe in the Ganga, mother of every world, if you desire the highest state.

Verse 158 (padma.7.9.158)

यत्पुण्यं गंगास्नानात्तु मानवानां भवेद्दिवज । तत्पुण्यं प्राप्यते विप्र कर्मभिः कैः सुदुस्तरैः

yatpuṇyaṁ gaṁgāsnānāttu mānavānāṁ bhaveddivaja tatpuṇyaṁ prāpyate vipra karmabhiḥ kaiḥ sudustaraiḥ

O brahmin, the merit that men attain from Ganga-bathing — O brahmin, by what most difficult deeds indeed is that merit to be gained otherwise?

Verse 159 (padma.7.9.159)

आसाराणां भूमिरेणोः संख्यां कर्तुं तु शक्यते । भागीरथीगुणास्ते न शक्या वक्तुं न च द्विज

āsārāṇāṁ bhūmireṇoḥ saṁkhyāṁ kartuṁ tu śakyate bhāgīrathīguṇāste na śakyā vaktuṁ na ca dvija

The raindrops of a shower and the dust-motes of the earth might be counted, but the virtues of the Bhagirathi cannot be told, O brahmin.

Verse 160 (padma.7.9.160)

विचार्य सर्वशास्त्राणि त्वदीयानि मयोच्यते । गंगांभसि सकृत्स्नात्वा मोक्षमाप्नोति मानवः

vicārya sarvaśāstrāṇi tvadīyāni mayocyate gaṁgāṁbhasi sakṛtsnātvā mokṣamāpnoti mānavaḥ

Having considered all the scriptures, I tell you this — bathing but once in the Ganga's water, a man attains liberation.

Verse 161 (padma.7.9.161)

स्नानं कूपजलेऽपि यस्तु कुरुते गंगां विचिंत्य प्रभुं देवानां सकलार्त्तशोकदुरितत्रासौघविध्वंसिनीम् । मुक्तः सोऽपि समस्तपातकचयैर्गोविप्रहत्यादिभिर्गच्छेद्विष्णुपुरं समस्तसुखदं गंगाप्रसादाद्दिवज

snānaṁ kūpajale'pi yastu kurute gaṁgāṁ viciṁtya prabhuṁ devānāṁ sakalārttaśokaduritatrāsaughavidhvaṁsinīm muktaḥ so'pi samastapātakacayairgoviprahatyādibhirgacchedviṣṇupuraṁ samastasukhadaṁ gaṁgāprasādāddivaja

Whoever bathes even in well-water while remembering the Ganga, lord of the gods, destroyer of the whole mass of every anguish, grief, sin, and fear — he too, freed of the whole mass of every sin, from the killing of a cow to the killing of a brahmin, goes, O brahmin, by the Ganga's grace, to the abode of Vishnu, giver of every joy.