The Liberation of Pundarika and Ambarisha through the Vision of Vishnu

Verse 1 (skanda.2.45.1)

जैमिनि रुवाच । निर्विण्णचेतसौ तौ तु त्यक्त्वा वेश्यादिसंगतिम् । ध्यायंतौ मनसा विष्णुं शुद्धाहारव्रतावुभौ

jaimini ruvāca nirviṇṇacetasau tau tu tyaktvā veśyādisaṁgatim dhyāyaṁtau manasā viṣṇuṁ śuddhāhāravratāvubhau

Jaimini said: Their hearts filled with disgust for the world, the two of them abandoned the company of courtesans and the like; meditating on Vishnu in their minds, both kept to a vow of pure food.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.45.2)

कालेन कियता प्राप्तौ नीलाद्रिनिलयं हरेः । तीर्थराजजले स्नात्वा यथावद्विधिचोदितम्

kālena kiyatā prāptau nīlādrinilayaṁ hareḥ tīrtharājajale snātvā yathāvadvidhicoditam

After some time they arrived at Hari's abode on the Blue Mountain; there they bathed, as enjoined, in the waters of the King of sacred fords.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.45.3)

प्रासादद्वारि तिष्ठंतौ साष्टांगं प्रणिपत्य च । भगवंतं निरीक्षंतौ नापश्यतां तदा द्विजा

prāsādadvāri tiṣṭhaṁtau sāṣṭāṁgaṁ praṇipatya ca bhagavaṁtaṁ nirīkṣaṁtau nāpaśyatāṁ tadā dvijā

Standing at the door of the temple, prostrating themselves full length upon the ground, and looking eagerly for the Lord, the two brahmins could not see him at that time.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.45.4)

विवर्णवदनौ देवमदृष्ट्वा चिंतयाकुलौ । आरभेते ह्यनशनं भगवद्दर्शनावधि

vivarṇavadanau devamadṛṣṭvā ciṁtayākulau ārabhete hyanaśanaṁ bhagavaddarśanāvadhi

Their faces grew pale at not seeing the god, and, overwhelmed with anxiety, they began a fast, to last until they should behold the Lord.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.45.5)

कीर्तयंते भगवतो नाम कल्मषनाशनम् । तृतीयस्यां त्रियामायां ज्योतिरेकमपश्यताम्

kīrtayaṁte bhagavato nāma kalmaṣanāśanam tṛtīyasyāṁ triyāmāyāṁ jyotirekamapaśyatām

They went on chanting the Lord's sin-destroying name; on the third watch of the night they beheld a single light.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.45.6)

त्रीण्यहानि पुनस्तौ च तदोपावसतां स्थिरौ । मध्ये सप्तमरात्रेस्तु भगवंतमपश्यताम्

trīṇyahāni punastau ca tadopāvasatāṁ sthirau madhye saptamarātrestu bhagavaṁtamapaśyatām

Then, steadfast, they continued that same fast for three more days; and in the middle of the seventh night they beheld the Lord.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.45.7)

त्रिदशानां स्तुतीः श्रुत्वा दिव्यज्ञानौ बभूवतुः । अपास्तपापनिर्मोकौ साक्षाद्देवमपश्यताम्

tridaśānāṁ stutīḥ śrutvā divyajñānau babhūvatuḥ apāstapāpanirmokau sākṣāddevamapaśyatām

Hearing the hymns of the thirty gods, they became endowed with divine knowledge; freed from the covering of sin, they beheld the god directly.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.45.8)

शंखचक्रगदापाणि दिव्यालंकारभूषितम् । रत्नपादुकयोः पृष्ठे विन्यस्तचरणांबुजम्

śaṅkhacakragadāpāṇi divyālaṁkārabhūṣitam ratnapādukayoḥ pṛṣṭhe vinyastacaraṇāṁbujam

They saw him holding conch, discus and mace in his hands, adorned with divine ornaments, his lotus feet resting upon jeweled sandals;

Verse 9 (skanda.2.45.9)

व्याकोशपुंडरीकाक्षं प्रसन्नवदनं विभुम् । वामपार्श्वे स्थितां लक्ष्मीं वामेनालिंग्य बाहुना

vyākośapuṁḍarīkākṣaṁ prasannavadanaṁ vibhum vāmapārśve sthitāṁ lakṣmīṁ vāmenāliṁgya bāhunā

his eyes like full-blown lotuses, his countenance serene, the all-pervading Lord embracing with his left arm the Lakshmi who stood at his left side;

Verse 10 (skanda.2.45.10)

नागवल्लीदलं बद्धमाददानं श्रिया हृतम् । रत्नवेत्रकराः काश्चित्काश्चिच्चामरपाणयः

nāgavallīdalaṁ baddhamādadānaṁ śriyā hṛtam ratnavetrakarāḥ kāścitkāściccāmarapāṇayaḥ

taking from Shri's hand a folded betel-leaf that she offered; some attendants held jewelled wands in their hands, others held fly-whisks;

Verse 11 (skanda.2.45.11)

गंधतैलप्रदीपास्तु रत्नवर्तिप्रदीपिकाः । काश्चिद्दधानाः स्वकरैर्योवनाढ्याः सुभूषिताः

gaṁdhatailapradīpāstu ratnavartipradīpikāḥ kāściddadhānāḥ svakarairyovanāḍhyāḥ subhūṣitāḥ

some, young and beautifully adorned, held with their own hands lamps of scented oil and little lamps with jewel-set wicks;

Verse 12 (skanda.2.45.12)

पश्चाद्रत्नमयं छत्रं बिभ्रती काचिदुज्ज्वला । धूपपात्रं मुखाभ्याशे कृष्णागुरुसुधूपितम्

paścādratnamayaṁ chatraṁ bibhratī kācidujjvalā dhūpapātraṁ mukhābhyāśe kṛṣṇāgurusudhūpitam

behind, a radiant attendant held a jeweled parasol; near his face was a censer richly fumed with black aloe-wood incense;

Verse 13 (skanda.2.45.13)

काचिद्दधाना प्रम्लोचां हसंती विग्रहश्रिया । लीलालकदृशा देवाननुगृह्णंतमग्रतः

kāciddadhānā pramlocāṁ hasaṁtī vigrahaśriyā līlālakadṛśā devānanugṛhṇaṁtamagrataḥ

one attendant, radiant of form like the nymph Pramlocha, stood there smiling — while the Lord, in front, with a playful sidelong glance, was showing grace to the gods,

Verse 14 (skanda.2.45.14)

बद्धांजलिपुटान्नम्रकन्धरान्स्तुवतः पृथक् । सिद्धान्मुनिगणान्दिव्यान्सनकादीन्स्मितेन च

baddhāṁjalipuṭānnamrakandharānstuvataḥ pṛthak siddhānmunigaṇāndivyānsanakādīnsmitena ca

— the Siddhas, and the divine companies of sages, Sanaka and the rest, who stood with joined palms and bowed necks, each praising him separately — favoring them too with a smile,

Verse 15 (skanda.2.45.15)

नारदादींश्च गंधर्वान्दिव्यगानमनोहरान् । दत्तावधानं श्रवणे लीलयैवानुकम्पिनम्

nāradādīṁśca gaṁdharvāndivyagānamanoharān dattāvadhānaṁ śravaṇe līlayaivānukampinam

— and Narada and the other gandharvas, enchanting with their divine song, to whose singing he gave ear, favoring them merely by his sport,

Verse 16 (skanda.2.45.16)

प्रह्लादादीन्वैष्णवाग्र्यान्स्वरूपं ध्यायतोऽग्रतः । चित्ताकर्षणसंलीनां विदधानं स्वविग्रहे

prahlādādīnvaiṣṇavāgryānsvarūpaṁ dhyāyato'grataḥ cittākarṣaṇasaṁlīnāṁ vidadhānaṁ svavigrahe

— and Prahlada and the other foremost Vaishnavas, who sat before him meditating on his very form, drawing their minds and absorbing them into his own person,

Verse 17 (skanda.2.45.17)

वक्षःस्थलप्रविलसत्कौस्तुभप्रतिबिंबितैः । देवादिभिर्विश्वरूपमूर्त्तेः स्वस्याः प्रकाशकम्

vakṣaḥsthalapravilasatkaustubhapratibiṁbitaiḥ devādibhirviśvarūpamūrtteḥ svasyāḥ prakāśakam

— revealing, by the images of the gods and others reflected in the Kaustubha jewel gleaming on his breast, the very form of his own universal body,

Verse 18 (skanda.2.45.18)

उपर्युपरि दिव्यायाः पुष्पवृष्टेरधः स्थितम् । श्रीसन्निधानविगतश्रियमप्सरसां गणम्

uparyupari divyāyāḥ puṣpavṛṣṭeradhaḥ sthitam śrīsannidhānavigataśriyamapsarasāṁ gaṇam

— and the throng of apsarases standing beneath the ceaseless divine rain of flowers from above, their own beauty dimmed in the presence of Shri,

Verse 19 (skanda.2.45.19)

पश्यंतं विविधं नित्यमङ्गहारमनोहरम् । दिव्यलीलाविलासं तं दृष्ट्वा तौ द्विजबाहुजौ

paśyaṁtaṁ vividhaṁ nityamaṅgahāramanoharam divyalīlāvilāsaṁ taṁ dṛṣṭvā tau dvijabāhujau

— beholding this varied, ever-enchanting play of graceful gestures; and having seen that divine sport and splendor, those two, the brahmin and the man of kingly line,

Verse 20 (skanda.2.45.20)

बभूवतुः क्षणात्सर्वविद्यानां पारगौ द्विजाः । त्रिः परिक्रम्य देवेशं कृतांजलिपुटावुभौ । साष्टांगपातप्रणतौ तुष्टुवाते मुदान्वितौ

babhūvatuḥ kṣaṇātsarvavidyānāṁ pāragau dvijāḥ triḥ parikramya deveśaṁ kṛtāṁjalipuṭāvubhau sāṣṭāṁgapātapraṇatau tuṣṭuvāte mudānvitau

instantly became masters of all forms of knowledge. Circumambulating the Lord of gods three times, with joined palms, prostrating themselves full length upon the ground, the two, filled with joy, began to praise him.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.45.21)

पुण्डरीक उवाच । नमस्ते जगदाधार सर्गस्थित्यंतकारण । नारायण नमस्तेऽस्तु परमात्मन्परायण

puṇḍarīka uvāca namaste jagadādhāra sargasthityaṁtakāraṇa nārāyaṇa namaste'stu paramātmanparāyaṇa

Pundarika said: Salutation to you, support of the universe, cause of creation, preservation and dissolution! Salutation to you, O Narayana, O Supreme Self, the final refuge!

Verse 22 (skanda.2.45.22)

परमार्थस्त्वमेवैको भवाप्ययविवर्जितः । नित्यानन्दस्वरूपं त्वां विदन्ति ध्यानचक्षुषः

paramārthastvamevaiko bhavāpyayavivarjitaḥ nityānandasvarūpaṁ tvāṁ vidanti dhyānacakṣuṣaḥ

You alone are the ultimate reality, free from birth and destruction; only those with the eye of meditation know you in your form of eternal bliss.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.45.23)

चिन्मात्रं जगतामीशमधिष्ठानं परात्परम् । कथं नु मूढहृदयास्त्वां जानंति सुनिर्मलम्

cinmātraṁ jagatāmīśamadhiṣṭhānaṁ parātparam kathaṁ nu mūḍhahṛdayāstvāṁ jānaṁti sunirmalam

You are pure consciousness itself, the lord of the worlds, the ultimate ground, higher than the highest — how, then, could those of deluded heart ever know you, so utterly stainless?

Verse 24 (skanda.2.45.24)

कामार्थलिप्सासंभ्रातचेतसोऽत्यंतदुःखिनः । गतागतपथे श्रांताः सुखभाजः कदाचन

kāmārthalipsāsaṁbhrātacetaso'tyaṁtaduḥkhinaḥ gatāgatapathe śrāṁtāḥ sukhabhājaḥ kadācana

Those whose minds are confounded by craving for pleasure and gain are utterly wretched; wearied on the road of coming and going, they never partake of happiness.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.45.25)

अनुकंपय मां नाथ सुदीनं शरणागतम् । मूढं दुष्कृतकर्माणं पतितं भवसागरे

anukaṁpaya māṁ nātha sudīnaṁ śaraṇāgatam mūḍhaṁ duṣkṛtakarmāṇaṁ patitaṁ bhavasāgare

Have compassion, O Lord, on me, utterly wretched, come for refuge, deluded, guilty of evil deeds, fallen into the ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.45.26)

कोऽन्यस्त्वत्सदृशो बन्धुर्ब्रह्मांडे नाथ वर्त्तते । स्वकर्त्तव्यानपेक्षो यो दीनानाथदयालुकः

ko'nyastvatsadṛśo bandhurbrahmāṇḍe nātha varttate svakarttavyānapekṣo yo dīnānāthadayālukaḥ

What other kinsman like you exists in this universe, O Lord, who, without regard for his own obligation, is compassionate toward the helpless and the destitute?

Verse 27 (skanda.2.45.27)

उच्चावचभ्रमाद्दुःखं जलयंत्रघटीमिव । अजस्रमधिकर्त्तारं परित्राहि कृपांबुधे

uccāvacabhramādduḥkhaṁ jalayaṁtraghaṭīmiva ajasramadhikarttāraṁ paritrāhi kṛpāṁbudhe

From the suffering that ceaselessly mounts through this wandering up and down, like the buckets of a water-wheel, save me, O ocean of compassion.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.45.28)

योगक्षेमाभिसंधाना ये मूढास्त्वामुपासते । लीलाविमुक्तिदं ते वै त्वन्मायापरिमोहिताः

yogakṣemābhisaṁdhānā ye mūḍhāstvāmupāsate līlāvimuktidaṁ te vai tvanmāyāparimohitāḥ

Those deluded ones who worship you merely craving gain and security are utterly bewildered by your maya, and so miss the liberation you could bestow with ease.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.45.29)

नारायणेति त्वन्नाम कीर्तितं तु यदृच्छया । त्वत्तोऽधिकं जगन्नाथ चतुर्वर्गैकसाधनम्

nārāyaṇeti tvannāma kīrtitaṁ tu yadṛcchayā tvatto'dhikaṁ jagannātha caturvargaikasādhanam

O Lord of the universe, your name "Narayana," even if uttered by mere chance, is a means to the four ends of human life greater than any other besides you.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.45.30)

त्वं तु तैस्तैः पृथग्यज्ञैस्तास्ताः सिद्धीः प्रयच्छसि । त्वमेकः शरणं नाथ पतितानां भवार्णवे

tvaṁ tu taistaiḥ pṛthagyajñaistāstāḥ siddhīḥ prayacchasi tvamekaḥ śaraṇaṁ nātha patitānāṁ bhavārṇave

It is you who, through those various separate sacrifices, grant those various attainments; you alone, O Lord, are the refuge of those fallen into the ocean of existence.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.45.31)

ज्ञाननौकासमारूढः करुणाक्षेपणीकरः । परं पारं प्रभो नेतुं संसाराब्धेर्विचेतनम्

jñānanaukāsamārūḍhaḥ karuṇākṣepaṇīkaraḥ paraṁ pāraṁ prabho netuṁ saṁsārābdhervicetanam

Mounted on the boat of knowledge, holding compassion itself as the oar in your hand, O Lord, you are able to carry even the unconscious across to the farthest shore of the ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.45.32)

त्वमेक ईशिषे भक्त्यानन्यया परिचिंतितः । येऽन्ये मुक्तिप्रदा देवाः शास्त्रेषु परिनिष्ठिताः

tvameka īśiṣe bhaktyānanyayā pariciṁtitaḥ ye'nye muktipradā devāḥ śāstreṣu pariniṣṭhitāḥ

You alone rule supreme when meditated upon with unswerving devotion; as for those other gods proclaimed in the scriptures as granters of liberation,

Verse 33 (skanda.2.45.33)

दुःखाब्धिकुम्भयोनिं ते त्वद्भक्तिं प्रापयंति वै

duḥkhābdhikumbhayoniṁ te tvadbhaktiṁ prāpayaṁti vai

even they, in truth, only lead one on to devotion to you — devotion that, like sage Agastya, drinks dry the ocean of suffering.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.45.34)

तन्मे प्रसीद भगवन्पदपंकजे ते भक्तिं दृढां वितर नाथ भवाब्धिमुच्चैः । घोरं सुदुस्तरममुं हि यया तरेयमष्टांगयोगजनितश्रमवर्जितोऽपि

tanme prasīda bhagavanpadapaṁkaje te bhaktiṁ dṛḍhāṁ vitara nātha bhavābdhimuccaiḥ ghoraṁ sudustaramamuṁ hi yayā tareyamaṣṭāṁgayogajanitaśramavarjito'pi

Therefore, O Lord, be gracious to me; grant me firm devotion to your lotus feet, O Master, by which I may cross this dread, well-nigh impassable ocean of existence, even without the toil of the eightfold yoga.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.45.35)

धर्मार्थकामनिचयैः कुमतिप्रगृह्यैः क्षुद्रैरमीभिरहिताल्पसुखैर्न कार्यम् । आज्ञापयांघ्रिनलिनद्वयचिंतनेद्य सांद्रानुवर्धितसुखार्णवमज्जनं मे

dharmārthakāmanicayaiḥ kumatipragṛhyaiḥ kṣudrairamībhirahitālpasukhairna kāryam ājñāpayāṁghrinalinadvayaciṁtanedya sāṁdrānuvardhitasukhārṇavamajjanaṁ me

I have no use for those heaps of righteousness, wealth and pleasure — grasped only by the ill-witted, trivial, harmful, giving but little joy. Command instead, this very day, that I may plunge into the ever-swelling ocean of bliss born of meditation on your two lotus feet.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.45.36)

स्तुत्वेत्थं जगदीशस्य पादपद्मांतिके द्विजः । पपात त्राहि कृष्णेति वदन्वाष्पार्द्रया गिरा । तस्थौ स पुनरुत्थाय कृतांजलिपुटः स्तुवन्

stutvetthaṁ jagadīśasya pādapadmāṁtike dvijaḥ papāta trāhi kṛṣṇeti vadanvāṣpārdrayā girā tasthau sa punarutthāya kṛtāṁjalipuṭaḥ stuvan

Having thus praised the Lord of the universe, the brahmin fell down before his lotus feet, crying, in a voice choked with tears, "Save me, O Krishna!" Then, rising again, he stood with joined palms, still praising him.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.45.37)

अम्बरीष उवाच । प्रसीद देव सर्वात्मन्नसंख्येयशिरोभुज । असंख्य घ्राणनयनपाणिपाद नमोऽस्तु ते

ambarīṣa uvāca prasīda deva sarvātmannasaṁkhyeyaśirobhuja asaṁkhya ghrāṇanayanapāṇipāda namo'stu te

Ambarisha said: Be gracious, O god, O Self of all, O you of countless heads and arms! Salutation to you, of countless noses, eyes, hands and feet!

Verse 38 (skanda.2.45.38)

षट्त्रिंशत्तत्त्वातीतोऽसि निष्प्रपंच प्रपंचकः । चतुर्विधजगद्धाम विश्वमूर्ते नमोऽस्तु ते

ṣaṭtriṁśattattvātīto'si niṣprapaṁca prapaṁcakaḥ caturvidhajagaddhāma viśvamūrte namo'stu te

You transcend the thirty-six principles, yet, yourself beyond all manifestation, are the maker of manifestation; salutation to you, abode of the fourfold world, whose body is the universe!

Verse 39 (skanda.2.45.39)

एकपादस्त्रिपादश्च तीर्थपादोंऽतरिक्षपात् । यस्य पादोद्भवा गंगा पुनाति भुवनत्रयम्

ekapādastripādaśca tīrthapādoṁ'tarikṣapāt yasya pādodbhavā gaṁgā punāti bhuvanatrayam

You are one-footed and three-footed alike, whose foot is the sacred ford, whose foot is the sky itself; from whose foot springs the Ganga that purifies the three worlds.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.45.40)

ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानां शोधकं यस्य नाम वै । कीर्तितं सर्वशुभदं नमस्तस्मै शुभात्मने

brahmahatyādipāpānāṁ śodhakaṁ yasya nāma vai kīrtitaṁ sarvaśubhadaṁ namastasmai śubhātmane

Salutation to that one of blessed nature, whose very name cleanses sins beginning with the killing of a Brahmin, the chanting of which bestows every blessing.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.45.41)

देव त्वन्नामकीर्त्यापि जायंते सर्वसिद्धयः । कौतुकात्त्वां हि मृग्यंति विद्वांसो बुद्धिशालिनः

deva tvannāmakīrtyāpi jāyaṁte sarvasiddhayaḥ kautukāttvāṁ hi mṛgyaṁti vidvāṁso buddhiśālinaḥ

O god, by the mere chanting of your name all attainments come to be; it is out of this very wonder that the wise and learned seek you out.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.45.42)

नाथ त्वत्पादसलिलं संश्रयात्तापहारकम् । तापत्रयाभिभूतस्य भक्तिं मेऽत्र दृढां कुरु

nātha tvatpādasalilaṁ saṁśrayāttāpahārakam tāpatrayābhibhūtasya bhaktiṁ me'tra dṛḍhāṁ kuru

O Lord, the water of your feet, merely by taking refuge in it, removes all torment; make my devotion firm in this, for I am overwhelmed by the threefold affliction.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.45.43)

अनन्यस्वामिनो मेऽद्य नास्त्यन्यत्प्रार्थनीयकम् । प्रणिपत्य जगन्नाथ त्वां प्रयाचे सहस्रधा

ananyasvāmino me'dya nāstyanyatprārthanīyakam praṇipatya jagannātha tvāṁ prayāce sahasradhā

I have no master but you; today there is nothing else for me to pray for. Prostrating myself, O Lord of the universe, I beg of you a thousandfold.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.45.44)

समस्तपुरुषार्थस्य बीजं त्वत्पादपंकजे । यावत्प्राणान्धारयामि तावद्भक्तिर्दृढास्तु मे

samastapuruṣārthasya bījaṁ tvatpādapaṁkaje yāvatprāṇāndhārayāmi tāvadbhaktirdṛḍhāstu me

The seed of every human aim lies in your lotus feet; as long as I hold on to life, may my devotion remain firm.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.45.45)

सृष्टिं विनिर्ममे चेमां यया भक्त्या पितामहः । संहरत्यखिलं रुद्रो लक्ष्मीश्चैश्वर्यदायिनी

sṛṣṭiṁ vinirmame cemāṁ yayā bhaktyā pitāmahaḥ saṁharatyakhilaṁ rudro lakṣmīścaiśvaryadāyinī

That devotion by which the Grandsire Brahma fashions this creation, by which Rudra brings about universal dissolution, and by which Lakshmi, giver of prosperity, serves you —

Verse 46 (skanda.2.45.46)

दीनानुकंपिंस्तां भक्तिं प्रार्थये नान्यमानसः । अनाद्य विद्यापंकेस्मिन्सुदृढे दुस्तरं भृशम्

dīnānukaṁpiṁstāṁ bhaktiṁ prārthaye nānyamānasaḥ anādya vidyāpaṁkesminsudṛḍhe dustaraṁ bhṛśam

— that same devotion, O you who show compassion to the wretched, I beg of you, my mind set on nothing else; sunk in this beginningless mire of ignorance, so firm and so hard to cross,

Verse 47 (skanda.2.45.47)

निमग्नस्य जगन्नाथ निरालंबं प्रणश्यतः । महामहिम्नस्त्वद्भक्तेर्नान्यदस्ति परायणम्

nimagnasya jagannātha nirālaṁbaṁ praṇaśyataḥ mahāmahimnastvadbhakternānyadasti parāyaṇam

— sunk, without support, perishing, O Lord of the universe, there is for me no other final refuge than devotion to you, so great in majesty.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.45.48)

श्रुतिस्मृत्यादिसंभिन्नमार्गाः संमोहहेतवः । त्वद्भक्तिमपहार्येते न प्रवर्त्तितुमीश्वराः

śrutismṛtyādisaṁbhinnamārgāḥ saṁmohahetavaḥ tvadbhaktimapahāryete na pravarttitumīśvarāḥ

The various paths, differing among the Vedas, the codes of law, and the rest, are but causes of confusion; unable, these paths that would rob one of devotion to you, to set one truly on the way.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.45.49)

अनन्यशरणं स्वामिन्ननुकम्पय मां विभो । इति स्तुवञ्जगन्नाथपादपद्मांतिके मुदा

ananyaśaraṇaṁ svāminnanukampaya māṁ vibho iti stuvañjagannāthapādapadmāṁtike mudā

Show compassion, O Master, O all-pervading Lord, on me who have no other refuge — thus praising, with joy, near the lotus feet of the Lord of the universe,

Verse 50 (skanda.2.45.50)

पपात दण्डवद्भूमौ प्रसीदेति वदन्मुहुः । ततस्ते देवताः सर्वे स्तुत्वा संपूज्य केशवम्

papāta daṇḍavadbhūmau prasīdeti vadanmuhuḥ tataste devatāḥ sarve stutvā saṁpūjya keśavam

— he fell prostrate on the ground like a rod, saying again and again, "Be gracious!" Thereupon all those gods, having praised and duly worshipped Keshava,

Verse 51 (skanda.2.45.51)

तल्लीलापांगसंतुष्टाः प्रयातास्त्रिदिवं पुनः । तत उन्मीलितदृशौ पुण्डरीकांबरीषकौ

tallīlāpāṁgasaṁtuṣṭāḥ prayātāstridivaṁ punaḥ tata unmīlitadṛśau puṇḍarīkāṁbarīṣakau

satisfied by his playful, gracious sidelong glance, returned once more to heaven. Then Pundarika and Ambarisha opened their eyes.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.45.52)

मायया मोहितौ विष्णोः स्वप्नदृष्टमबुध्यताम् । यां दृष्ट्वा दिव्यलीलां हि साक्षात्पललचक्षुषा

māyayā mohitau viṣṇoḥ svapnadṛṣṭamabudhyatām yāṁ dṛṣṭvā divyalīlāṁ hi sākṣātpalalacakṣuṣā

Bewildered by Vishnu's maya, the two realized it had been seen as in a dream — that divine sport which they had beheld directly with their own fleshly eyes,

Verse 53 (skanda.2.45.53)

पुनर्मानुषभावौ तौ दिव्यसिंहासनस्थितम् । नीलजीमूतसंकाशं फुल्लपद्मायतेक्षणम्

punarmānuṣabhāvau tau divyasiṁhāsanasthitam nīlajīmūtasaṁkāśaṁ phullapadmāyatekṣaṇam

— the two of them, now returned to their human state, kept recalling him seated upon a divine throne, dark as a blue cloud, his eyes wide like full-blown lotuses,

Verse 54 (skanda.2.45.54)

शोणाधरं चारुनासं दिव्यकुण्डलभूषितम् । शंखचक्रगदापद्मधारिणं वनमालिनम्

śoṇādharaṁ cārunāsaṁ divyakuṇḍalabhūṣitam śaṅkhacakragadāpadmadhāriṇaṁ vanamālinam

— red-lipped, finely-nosed, adorned with divine earrings, bearing conch, discus, mace and lotus, garlanded with forest flowers,

Verse 55 (skanda.2.45.55)

पीनोरस्कं चारुहारमनर्घ्यमुकुटोज्ज्वलम् । श्रीवत्सकौस्तुभोरस्कं दिव्यांगदविभूषितम्

pīnoraskaṁ cāruhāramanarghyamukuṭojjvalam śrīvatsakaustubhoraskaṁ divyāṁgadavibhūṣitam

— broad-chested, wearing a beautiful necklace, resplendent with a priceless crown, his chest marked with Shrivatsa and the Kaustubha gem, adorned with divine armlets,

Verse 56 (skanda.2.45.56)

प्रलंबबाहुं दीनार्तपरित्राणसमुद्यतम् । सुवर्णसूत्रसंनद्ध मध्यग्रंथिमणीयुतम्

pralaṁbabāhuṁ dīnārtaparitrāṇasamudyatam suvarṇasūtrasaṁnaddha madhyagraṁthimaṇīyutam

— long-armed, ever ready to protect the wretched and the afflicted, girded with a golden cord knotted at the waist with a jewel,

Verse 57 (skanda.2.45.57)

दिव्य पीतांबरधरं दिव्यस्रग्गन्धभूषितम् । स्वर्णपद्मासनासीनं सर्वांगालिंगितश्रियम्

divya pītāṁbaradharaṁ divyasraggandhabhūṣitam svarṇapadmāsanāsīnaṁ sarvāṁgāliṁgitaśriyam

— clad in divine yellow silk, adorned with divine garlands and fragrance, seated upon a golden lotus throne, his whole body embraced by Shri,

Verse 58 (skanda.2.45.58)

प्रपन्नसंतापहरं सुधासागरमुल्बणम् । अशेषवांछाफलदं कल्पवृक्षं सुपुष्पितम्

prapannasaṁtāpaharaṁ sudhāsāgaramulbaṇam aśeṣavāṁchāphaladaṁ kalpavṛkṣaṁ supuṣpitam

— removing the anguish of those who take refuge in him, like a vast ocean of nectar, granting the fruit of every desire, like a wishing-tree in full bloom,

Verse 59 (skanda.2.45.59)

दक्षपार्श्वस्थितं तस्य ददृशाते हलायुधम् । बिभर्त्ति येन ब्रह्मांडं बलेन महता विभुः

dakṣapārśvasthitaṁ tasya dadṛśāte halāyudham bibhartti yena brahmāṇḍaṁ balena mahatā vibhuḥ

— and, standing at his right side, they beheld the Plough-bearer, Balarama, by whose mighty strength the Lord upholds the universe.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.45.60)

तं बलं नागराजानं फणासप्तकमंडितम् । कैलासशिखरोत्तुंग धवलं कुण्डलोज्ज्वलम्

taṁ balaṁ nāgarājānaṁ phaṇāsaptakamaṁḍitam kailāsaśikharottuṁga dhavalaṁ kuṇḍalojjvalam

That Bala, in the form of the king of serpents, adorned with seven hoods, towering high as the peak of Kailasa, white, resplendent with earrings,

Verse 61 (skanda.2.45.61)

विचित्रवनमालाढ्यं दिव्यनीलनिचोलिनम् । सततं वारुणीक्षीब घूर्णोन्नयनपंकजम्

vicitravanamālāḍhyaṁ divyanīlanicolinam satataṁ vāruṇīkṣība ghūrṇonnayanapaṁkajam

rich with a many-hued forest garland, robed in divine dark blue, his lotus eyes ever rolling in the intoxication of wine,

Verse 62 (skanda.2.45.62)

निम्नपृष्ठोन्नतोरस्कं कुण्डलीकृतविग्रहम् । शंखचक्रगदापद्मसमुज्ज्वलचतुर्भुजम्

nimnapṛṣṭhonnatoraskaṁ kuṇḍalīkṛtavigraham śaṅkhacakragadāpadmasamujjvalacaturbhujam

with a lowered back and raised chest, his body coiled, his four arms gleaming with conch, discus, mace and lotus — thus they beheld him.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.45.63)

नानालंकाररुचिरं नतकल्मषनाशनम् । तयोर्मध्ये स्थितां भद्रां सुभद्रां कुंकुमारुणाम्

nānālaṁkāraruciraṁ natakalmaṣanāśanam tayormadhye sthitāṁ bhadrāṁ subhadrāṁ kuṁkumāruṇām

beautiful with manifold ornaments, destroying the sins of those who bow to him. And, standing between the two of them, they beheld the auspicious Subhadra, red as saffron,

Verse 64 (skanda.2.45.64)

सर्वलावण्यवसतिं सर्वदेव नमस्कृताम् । लक्ष्मीं लक्ष्मीशहृदयपंकजस्थां पृथक्स्थिताम्

sarvalāvaṇyavasatiṁ sarvadeva namaskṛtām lakṣmīṁ lakṣmīśahṛdayapaṁkajasthāṁ pṛthaksthitām

the abode of all loveliness, saluted by every god — and Lakshmi too, she who dwells within the lotus heart of the Lord of Lakshmi, standing there apart.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.45.65)

वराब्जधारिणीं देवीं दिव्यनेपथ्यभूषणाम् । प्रपन्नकल्पलतिकां सर्वकल्मषनाशिनीन्

varābjadhāriṇīṁ devīṁ divyanepathyabhūṣaṇām prapannakalpalatikāṁ sarvakalmaṣanāśinīn

the goddess bearing the boon-giving lotus, adorned with divine raiment and ornament, a very wish-fulfilling creeper to those who take refuge, destroying every sin,

Verse 66 (skanda.2.45.66)

संसारार्णवमग्नानां तारिणीं देवतारणीम् । वामपार्श्वस्थितं विष्णोरद्राष्टां चक्रमुत्तमम्

saṁsārārṇavamagnānāṁ tāriṇīṁ devatāraṇīm vāmapārśvasthitaṁ viṣṇoradrāṣṭāṁ cakramuttamam

the ferrier of those sunk in the ocean of existence, savior even of the gods. And, standing at Vishnu's left side, they beheld the supreme Discus,

Verse 67 (skanda.2.45.67)

दार्वग्रनिर्मितं विप्राः स्वर्णभक्तिसमुज्ज्वलम् । चतुर्द्धावस्थितं विष्णुं दृष्ट्वा तौ द्विजबाहुजौ

dārvagranirmitaṁ viprāḥ svarṇabhaktisamujjvalam caturddhāvasthitaṁ viṣṇuṁ dṛṣṭvā tau dvijabāhujau

O brahmins, wrought at its edge of wood, gleaming with plates of gold. Having seen Vishnu thus present in four forms, the brahmin and the man of the warrior line,

Verse 68 (skanda.2.45.68)

अरुणोदयवेलायां श्रमं सार्थममन्यताम् । संस्मृत्य तां स्वप्नलीलां विस्मयं जग्मतुस्तदा

aruṇodayavelāyāṁ śramaṁ sārthamamanyatām saṁsmṛtya tāṁ svapnalīlāṁ vismayaṁ jagmatustadā

at the hour of dawn considered their exertion fulfilled; and, recalling that dream-like vision, they were struck with wonder at that moment.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.45.69)

न दारुप्रतिमा चेयं साक्षाद्ब्रह्म प्रकाशते । सदोगतानां विप्राणां वाक्यं श्रद्दधतुश्च तौ

na dārupratimā ceyaṁ sākṣādbrahma prakāśate sadogatānāṁ viprāṇāṁ vākyaṁ śraddadhatuśca tau

"This is no mere wooden image; it is Brahman itself that shines forth here" — and the two of them came to place their faith in the words of the brahmins gathered in the assembly.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.45.70)

क्वावां महापातकिनौ यातनाक्रमभागिनौ । क्वेदं सुरसमाक्रांतस्थितं विष्णोः प्रदर्शनम्

kvāvāṁ mahāpātakinau yātanākramabhāginau kvedaṁ surasamākrāṁtasthitaṁ viṣṇoḥ pradarśanam

"Where do we stand, we two great sinners, deserving the sequence of torments, and where this vision of Vishnu, thronged about with gods!

Verse 71 (skanda.2.45.71)

मूर्खयोरावयोरष्टादशविद्याप्रवीणता । यस्मात्तस्मान्न च भ्रांतिर्ज्ञानं तत्समवादिनः

mūrkhayorāvayoraṣṭādaśavidyāpravīṇatā yasmāttasmānna ca bhrāṁtirjñānaṁ tatsamavādinaḥ

The very fact that we two fools have gained mastery of the eighteen branches of learning proves this is no delusion — this knowledge accords exactly with what they have said.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.45.72)

यदूचुर्दारवं ब्रह्म तीर्थराजतटे स्थितम् । वटमूले प्रकाशंतं दृष्ट्वा जंतुर्विमुच्यते

yadūcurdāravaṁ brahma tīrtharājataṭe sthitam vaṭamūle prakāśaṁtaṁ dṛṣṭvā jaṁturvimucyate

What they said — that the wooden Brahman standing on the bank of the King of sacred fords shines forth at the root of the banyan, and that a creature is freed merely by beholding it —

Verse 73 (skanda.2.45.73)

तदेवायं जगन्नाथश्चतुर्द्धा संव्यवस्थितः । क्षितौ यदावतरति चतूरूपः प्रकाशते

tadevāyaṁ jagannāthaścaturddhā saṁvyavasthitaḥ kṣitau yadāvatarati catūrūpaḥ prakāśate

this is that very Lord of the universe, established in four forms; when he descends upon the earth, he manifests in four bodies.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.45.74)

तदास्य संनिधावावां स्थास्यावः प्राणधारिणौ । यावन्नान्यत्र गच्छावः क्षुद्रकामपराङ्मुखौ

tadāsya saṁnidhāvāvāṁ sthāsyāvaḥ prāṇadhāriṇau yāvannānyatra gacchāvaḥ kṣudrakāmaparāṅmukhau

Therefore we two shall remain, holding on to life, in his very presence, so long as we do not go elsewhere, turned away as we are from petty desires."

Verse 75 (skanda.2.45.75)

इति निश्चित्य मुनयो विष्णौ भक्तिपरायणौ । नारायणाख्यं सततं जपन्तौ मुक्तिमागतौ

iti niścitya munayo viṣṇau bhaktiparāyaṇau nārāyaṇākhyaṁ satataṁ japantau muktimāgatau

Having thus resolved, the two sages, devoted wholly to Vishnu, ceaselessly repeating the name "Narayana," attained liberation.

Verse 76 (skanda.2.45.76)

जैमिनिरुवाच । प्रसंगात्कथितं ह्येतद्रहस्यं पापनाशनम् । शृण्वंति ये तु चरितं पुण्डरीकांबरीषयोः

jaiminiruvāca prasaṁgātkathitaṁ hyetadrahasyaṁ pāpanāśanam śṛṇvaṁti ye tu caritaṁ puṇḍarīkāṁbarīṣayoḥ

Jaimini said: This sin-destroying mystery has thus been told in passing; those who hear this account of Pundarika and Ambarisha,

Verse 77 (skanda.2.45.77)

सततं च् कीर्तयंतश्च मुदा परमय युताः । व्रजंति विष्णुनिलयं मुदा परमया युताः । व्रजंति विष्णुनिलयं तेऽपि निर्द्धूतकल्मषाः

satataṁ c kīrtayaṁtaśca mudā paramaya yutāḥ vrajaṁti viṣṇunilayaṁ mudā paramayā yutāḥ vrajaṁti viṣṇunilayaṁ te'pi nirddhūtakalmaṣāḥ

and who, filled with the greatest joy, ceaselessly praise it as well, go to the abode of Vishnu; filled with supreme delight, they too, cleansed of all sin, attain the abode of Vishnu.