The Sun's Chariot, Dhruva, and the Glory of the Ganga

Verse 1 (vishnu.2.8.1)

पराशर उवाच । व्याख्यातम् एतद् ब्रह्माण्डसंस्थानं तव सुव्रत । ततः प्रमाणसंस्थाने सूर्यादीनां शृणुष्व मे

parāśara uvāca vyākhyātam etad brahmāṇḍasaṁsthānaṁ tava suvrata tataḥ pramāṇasaṁsthāne sūryādīnāṁ śṛṇuṣva me

Parashara said: This arrangement of the cosmic egg has been explained to you, O virtuous one; now hear from me the measurements and arrangement of the sun and the other bodies.

Verse 2 (vishnu.2.8.2)

योजनानां सहस्राणि भास्करस्य रथो नव । ईषादण्डस् तथैवास्य द्विगुणो मुनिसत्तम

yojanānāṁ sahasrāṇi bhāskarasya ratho nava īṣādaṇḍas tathaivāsya dviguṇo munisattama

The sun's chariot is nine thousand yojanas long; its yoke-pole, O best of sages, is likewise twice that measure.

Verse 3 (vishnu.2.8.3)

सार्धकोटिस् तथा सप्त नियुतान्य् अधिकानि वै । योजनानां तु तस्याक्षस् तत्र चक्रं प्रतिष्ठितम्

sārdhakoṭis tathā sapta niyutāny adhikāni vai yojanānāṁ tu tasyākṣas tatra cakraṁ pratiṣṭhitam

Its axle measures seven and a half crore yojanas and some further hundred-thousands; upon it that wheel is fixed.

Verse 4 (vishnu.2.8.4)

त्रिनाभिमति पञ्चारे षण्णेमिन्य् अक्षयात्मके । संवत्सरमये कृत्स्नं कालचक्रं प्रतिष्ठितम्

trinābhimati pañcāre ṣaṇṇeminy akṣayātmake saṁvatsaramaye kṛtsnaṁ kālacakraṁ pratiṣṭhitam

With three naves, five spokes, six rims, imperishable in nature, and consisting of the year — this entire wheel of time is established as that chariot's wheel.

Verse 5 (vishnu.2.8.5)

चत्वारिंशत् सहस्राणि द्वितीयोऽक्षो विवस्वतः । पञ्चान्यानि तु सार्धानि स्यन्दनस्य महामते

catvāriṁśat sahasrāṇi dvitīyo'kṣo vivasvataḥ pañcānyāni tu sārdhāni syandanasya mahāmate

O wise one, the second axle of Vivasvat (the Sun) measures forty thousand five hundred yojanas.

Verse 6 (vishnu.2.8.6)

अक्षप्रमाणम् उभयोः प्रमाणं तद्युगार्धयोः । ह्रस्वोऽक्षस् तद्युगार्धं च ध्रुवाधारो रथस्य वै । द्वितीयेऽक्षे तु तच् चक्रं संस्थितं मानसाचले

akṣapramāṇam ubhayoḥ pramāṇaṁ tadyugārdhayoḥ hrasvo'kṣas tadyugārdhaṁ ca dhruvādhāro rathasya vai dvitīye'kṣe tu tac cakraṁ saṁsthitaṁ mānasācale

The measure of both axles equals that of the half-yoke; the short axle, fixed to Dhruva, is the chariot's support; on the second axle, that wheel rests, situated at Mount Manasa.

Verse 7 (vishnu.2.8.7)

हयाश् च सप्त छन्दांसि तेषां नामानि मे शृणु । गायत्री च बृहत्य् उष्णिग् जगती त्रिष्टुब् एव च । अनुष्टुप् पङ्क्तिर् इत्य् उक्ताश् छन्दांसि हरयो रवेः

hayāś ca sapta chandāṁsi teṣāṁ nāmāni me śṛṇu gāyatrī ca bṛhaty uṣṇig jagatī triṣṭub eva ca anuṣṭup paṅktir ity uktāś chandāṁsi harayo raveḥ

The sun's seven horses are named after the Vedic metres; hear their names from me — Gayatri, Brihati, Ushnih, Jagati, Trishtubh, Anushtubh, and Pankti — these are declared to be the sun's metre-horses.

Verse 8 (vishnu.2.8.8)

मानसोत्तरशैले तु पूर्वतो वासवी पुरी । दक्षिणेन यमस्यान्या प्रतीच्यां वरुणस्य च । उत्तरेण च सोमस्य तासां नामानि मे शृणु

mānasottaraśaile tu pūrvato vāsavī purī dakṣiṇena yamasyānyā pratīcyāṁ varuṇasya ca uttareṇa ca somasya tāsāṁ nāmāni me śṛṇu

On Mount Manasottara, to the east is Indra's city Vasavi, to the south Yama's, to the west Varuna's, and to the north Soma's — hear their names from me.

Verse 9 (vishnu.2.8.9)

वस्वोकसारा शक्रस्य याम्या संयमनी तथा । पुरी सुखा जलेशस्य सोमस्य च विभावरी

vasvokasārā śakrasya yāmyā saṁyamanī tathā purī sukhā jaleśasya somasya ca vibhāvarī

Vasvokasara is Indra's city, Samyamani is Yama's, Sukha is Varuna's, and Vibhavari is Soma's.

Verse 10 (vishnu.2.8.10)

काष्ठां गतो दक्षिणतः क्षिप्तेषुर् इव सर्पति । मैत्रेय भगवान् भानुर् ज्योतिषां चक्रसंयुतः

kāṣṭhāṁ gato dakṣiṇataḥ kṣipteṣur iva sarpati maitreya bhagavān bhānur jyotiṣāṁ cakrasaṁyutaḥ

O Maitreya, reaching his southern limit, the Lord Sun, together with the circle of constellations, courses like a released arrow.

Verse 11 (vishnu.2.8.11)

अहोरात्रव्यवस्थानकारणं भगवान् रविः । देवयानः परः पन्था योगिनां क्लेशसंक्षये

ahorātravyavasthānakāraṇaṁ bhagavān raviḥ devayānaḥ paraḥ panthā yogināṁ kleśasaṁkṣaye

Lord Sun himself is the cause of the arrangement of day and night; he is the supreme path called Devayana, for the destruction of the yogis' afflictions.

Verse 12 (vishnu.2.8.12)

दिवसस्य रविर् मध्ये सर्वकालं व्यवस्थितः । सर्वद्वीपेषु मैत्रेय निशार्धस्य च संमुखः

divasasya ravir madhye sarvakālaṁ vyavasthitaḥ sarvadvīpeṣu maitreya niśārdhasya ca saṁmukhaḥ

O Maitreya, the sun is always situated at the middle of the day for all the continents, and is always facing the middle of the night as well.

Verse 13 (vishnu.2.8.13)

उदयास्तमने चैव सर्वकालं तु संमुखे । दिशास्व् अशेषासु तथा मैत्रेय विदिशासु च

udayāstamane caiva sarvakālaṁ tu saṁmukhe diśāsv aśeṣāsu tathā maitreya vidiśāsu ca

O Maitreya, at rising and setting too, he is always facing all the directions and intermediate directions —

Verse 14 (vishnu.2.8.14)

यैर् यत्र दृश्यते भास्वान् स तेषाम् उदयः स्मृतः । तिरोभावं च यत्रैति तत्रैवास्तमनं रवेः

yair yatra dṛśyate bhāsvān sa teṣām udayaḥ smṛtaḥ tirobhāvaṁ ca yatraiti tatraivāstamanaṁ raveḥ

Wherever the sun is seen by a people, that is called their sunrise; and wherever he disappears from their view, that is called his setting for them.

Verse 15 (vishnu.2.8.15)

नैवास्तमनम् अर्कस्य नोदयः सर्वदा सतः । उदयास्तमनाख्यं हि दर्शनादर्शनं रवेः

naivāstamanam arkasya nodayaḥ sarvadā sataḥ udayāstamanākhyaṁ hi darśanādarśanaṁ raveḥ

For the ever-present sun there is in truth neither setting nor rising; 'rising' and 'setting' are merely names for his visibility and invisibility.

Verse 16 (vishnu.2.8.16)

शक्रादीनां पुरे तिष्ठन् स्पृशत्य् एष पुरत्रयम् । विकर्णौ द्वौ विकर्णस्थस् त्रीन् कोणान् द्वे पुरे तथा

śakrādīnāṁ pure tiṣṭhan spṛśaty eṣa puratrayam vikarṇau dvau vikarṇasthas trīn koṇān dve pure tathā

Standing in the city of Indra and the others, he touches three cities at once; standing at the corners, he touches three angles and two cities likewise.

Verse 17 (vishnu.2.8.17)

उदितो वर्धमानाभिर् आमध्याह्नात् तपन् रविः । ततः परं ह्रसन्तीभिर् गोभिर् अस्तं नियच्छति

udito vardhamānābhir āmadhyāhnāt tapan raviḥ tataḥ paraṁ hrasantībhir gobhir astaṁ niyacchati

Having risen, the sun burns with increasing rays up to midday; thereafter, with waning rays, he proceeds toward setting.

Verse 18 (vishnu.2.8.18)

उदयास्तमनाभ्यां च स्मृते पूर्वापरे दिशौ । यावत् पुरस्तात् तपति तावत् पृष्ठे च पार्श्वयोः

udayāstamanābhyāṁ ca smṛte pūrvāpare diśau yāvat purastāt tapati tāvat pṛṣṭhe ca pārśvayoḥ

By his rising and setting alone are the eastern and western directions known; as much as he burns in front, so much too does his light reach the sides and behind.

Verse 19 (vishnu.2.8.19)

ऋतेऽमरगिरेर् मेरोर् उपरि ब्रह्मणः सभाम् । ये ये मरीचयोऽर्कस्य प्रयान्ति ब्रह्मणः सभाम् । ते ते निरस्तास् तद्भासा प्रतीपम् उपयान्ति वै

ṛte'maragirer meror upari brahmaṇaḥ sabhām ye ye marīcayo'rkasya prayānti brahmaṇaḥ sabhām te te nirastās tadbhāsā pratīpam upayānti vai

Except above the immortal Meru mountain, whatever rays of the sun proceed toward Brahma's assembly-hall there are turned back by that very radiance.

Verse 20 (vishnu.2.8.20)

तस्माद् दिश्य् उत्तरस्यां वै दिवारात्रिः सदैव हि । सर्वेषां द्वीपवर्षाणां मेरुर् उत्तरतो यतः

tasmād diśy uttarasyāṁ vai divārātriḥ sadaiva hi sarveṣāṁ dvīpavarṣāṇāṁ merur uttarato yataḥ

For this reason there is always a mingling of day and night in the northern direction, since Meru lies to the north of all the continents and regions.

Verse 21 (vishnu.2.8.21)

प्रभा विवस्वतो रात्राव् अस्तं गच्छति भास्करे । विशत्य् अग्निम् अतो रात्रौ वह्निर् दूरात् प्रकाशते

prabhā vivasvato rātrāv astaṁ gacchati bhāskare viśaty agnim ato rātrau vahnir dūrāt prakāśate

At night, the sun's light enters into fire, and this is why fire is visible from afar even at night.

Verse 22 (vishnu.2.8.22)

वह्निपादस् तथा भानुं दिनेष्व् आविशति द्विज । अतीव वह्निसंयोगाद् अतः सूर्यः प्रकाशते

vahnipādas tathā bhānuṁ dineṣv āviśati dvija atīva vahnisaṁyogād ataḥ sūryaḥ prakāśate

O twice-born, likewise a portion of fire enters into the sun during the day; from this exceeding union with fire, the sun then shines so brightly.

Verse 23 (vishnu.2.8.23)

तेजसी भास्कराग्नेये प्रकाशोष्णस्वरूपिणी । परस्परानुप्रवेशाद् आप्यायेते दिवानिशम्

tejasī bhāskarāgneye prakāśoṣṇasvarūpiṇī parasparānupraveśād āpyāyete divāniśam

These two radiances, of the sun and of fire, of the nature of light and heat respectively, are mutually nourished by entering into each other, day and night.

Verse 24 (vishnu.2.8.24)

दक्षिणोत्तरभूम्यर्धे समुत्तिष्ठति भास्करे । अहोरात्रं विशत्य् अम्भस् तमःप्राकाश्यशीलवत्

dakṣiṇottarabhūmyardhe samuttiṣṭhati bhāskare ahorātraṁ viśaty ambhas tamaḥprākāśyaśīlavat

When the sun rises in the southern or the northern half of the earth, for a day-and-night, in the other half, he is as if entering the water, according to the nature of alternating darkness and light.

Verse 25 (vishnu.2.8.25)

आताम्रा हि भवन्त्य् आपो दिवा नक्तप्रवेशनात् । दिनं विशति चैवाम्भो भास्करेऽस्तम् उपागते । तस्माच् छुक्लीभवन्त्य् आपो नक्तम् अह्नः प्रवेशनात्

ātāmrā hi bhavanty āpo divā naktapraveśanāt dinaṁ viśati caivāmbho bhāskare'stam upāgate tasmāc chuklībhavanty āpo naktam ahnaḥ praveśanāt

The waters become copper-colored from the entry of night into the day; and when the sun sets, the day enters the water; hence, from the entry of day into night, the waters become white.

Verse 26 (vishnu.2.8.26)

एवं पुष्करमध्ये तु यदा याति दिवाकरः । त्रिंशद्भागं तु मेदिन्यास् तदा मौहूर्तिकी गतिः

evaṁ puṣkaramadhye tu yadā yāti divākaraḥ triṁśadbhāgaṁ tu medinyās tadā mauhūrtikī gatiḥ

Thus, when the sun, passing through the middle of Pushkaradvipa, traverses a thirtieth part of the earth, that motion is called one muhurta.

Verse 27 (vishnu.2.8.27)

कुलालचक्रपर्यन्तो भ्रमन्न् एष दिवाकरः । करोत्य् अहस् तथा रात्रिं विमुञ्चन् मेदिनीं द्विज

kulālacakraparyanto bhramann eṣa divākaraḥ karoty ahas tathā rātriṁ vimuñcan medinīṁ dvija

O twice-born, revolving like a potter's wheel, this sun, moving away from the earth, brings about day and night.

Verse 28 (vishnu.2.8.28)

अयनस्योत्तरस्यादौ मकरं याति भास्करः । ततः कुम्भं च मीनं च राशे राश्यन्तरं द्विज

ayanasyottarasyādau makaraṁ yāti bhāskaraḥ tataḥ kumbhaṁ ca mīnaṁ ca rāśe rāśyantaraṁ dvija

At the start of the northern course, the sun enters the sign Makara (Capricorn); then, O twice-born, into Kumbha and Mina, moving from one sign to the next.

Verse 29 (vishnu.2.8.29)

त्रिष्व् एतेष्व् अथ भुक्तेषु ततो वैषुवतीं गतिम् । प्रयाति सविता कुर्वन्न् अहोरात्रं ततः समम्

triṣv eteṣv atha bhukteṣu tato vaiṣuvatīṁ gatim prayāti savitā kurvann ahorātraṁ tataḥ samam

Having traversed these three signs, the sun attains the equinoctial course, making day and night equal.

Verse 30 (vishnu.2.8.30)

ततो रात्रिः क्षयं याति वर्धतेऽनुदिनं दिनम्

tato rātriḥ kṣayaṁ yāti vardhate'nudinaṁ dinam

Thereafter night diminishes, and day increases day by day.

Verse 31 (vishnu.2.8.31)

ततश् च मिथुनस्यान्ते परां काष्ठाम् उपागतः । राशिं कर्कटकं प्राप्य कुरुते दक्षिणायनम्

tataś ca mithunasyānte parāṁ kāṣṭhām upāgataḥ rāśiṁ karkaṭakaṁ prāpya kurute dakṣiṇāyanam

Then, at the end of Mithuna (Gemini), having reached his farthest limit, upon entering Karkataka (Cancer) the sun begins the southern course.

Verse 32 (vishnu.2.8.32)

कुलालचक्रपर्यन्तो यथा शीघ्रं प्रवर्तते । दक्षिणे प्रक्रमे सूर्यस् तथा शीघ्रं प्रवर्तते

kulālacakraparyanto yathā śīghraṁ pravartate dakṣiṇe prakrame sūryas tathā śīghraṁ pravartate

As a potter's wheel turns swiftly, so in the southern course the sun moves with swift motion.

Verse 33 (vishnu.2.8.33)

अतिवेगितया कालं वायुवेगगतिश् चरन् । तस्मात् प्रकृष्टां भूमिं तु कालेनाल्पेन गच्छति

ativegitayā kālaṁ vāyuvegagatiś caran tasmāt prakṛṣṭāṁ bhūmiṁ tu kālenālpena gacchati

Moving with exceeding speed, with a motion like the speed of the wind, he therefore covers a greater distance in a shorter time.

Verse 34 (vishnu.2.8.34)

सूर्यो द्वादशभिः शैघ्र्यान् मुहूर्तैर् दक्षिणायने । त्रयोदशार्धम् ऋक्षाणाम् अह्ना तु चरते द्विज । मुहूर्तैस् तावदृक्षाणि नक्तम् अष्टादशैश् चरन्

sūryo dvādaśabhiḥ śaighryān muhūrtair dakṣiṇāyane trayodaśārdham ṛkṣāṇām ahnā tu carate dvija muhūrtais tāvadṛkṣāṇi naktam aṣṭādaśaiś caran

In the southern course, on account of his swiftness, the sun traverses thirteen and a half constellations in twelve muhurtas by day, O twice-born, and as many by night in eighteen muhurtas.

Verse 35 (vishnu.2.8.35)

कुलालचक्रमध्यस्थो यथा मन्दं प्रसर्पति । तथोदगयने सूर्यः सर्पते मन्दविक्रमः

kulālacakramadhyastho yathā mandaṁ prasarpati tathodagayane sūryaḥ sarpate mandavikramaḥ

As a point situated at the center of a potter's wheel moves slowly, so in the northern course the sun moves with slow motion.

Verse 36 (vishnu.2.8.36)

तस्माद् दीर्घेण कालेन भूमिम् अल्पां तु गच्छति । अष्टादशमुहूर्तं यद् उत्तरायणपश्चिमम्

tasmād dīrgheṇa kālena bhūmim alpāṁ tu gacchati aṣṭādaśamuhūrtaṁ yad uttarāyaṇapaścimam

Therefore he covers less distance in a longer time; at the close of the northern course, the day becomes eighteen muhurtas long.

Verse 37 (vishnu.2.8.37)

अहर् भवति तत्रापि चरते मन्दविक्रमः

ahar bhavati tatrāpi carate mandavikramaḥ

The day is of that same length there too, since he moves with slow motion.

Verse 38 (vishnu.2.8.38)

त्रयोदशार्धम् अह्नैव ऋक्षाणां चरते रविः । मुहूर्तैस् तावदृक्षाणि रात्रौ द्वादशभिश् चरन्

trayodaśārdham ahnaiva ṛkṣāṇāṁ carate raviḥ muhūrtais tāvadṛkṣāṇi rātrau dvādaśabhiś caran

The sun traverses thirteen and a half constellations in the day alone, and as many by night, moving through them in twelve muhurtas.

Verse 39 (vishnu.2.8.39)

अधो मन्दतरं नाभ्यां चक्रं भ्रमति वै यथा । मृत्पिण्ड इव मध्यस्थो ध्रुवो भ्रमति वै तथा

adho mandataraṁ nābhyāṁ cakraṁ bhramati vai yathā mṛtpiṇḍa iva madhyastho dhruvo bhramati vai tathā

As a wheel near its nave turns more slowly at the lower part, so too Dhruva, situated in the middle like a lump of clay, revolves in place.

Verse 40 (vishnu.2.8.40)

कुलालचक्रनाभिस् तु यथा तत्रैव वर्तते । ध्रुवस् तथा हि मैत्रेय तत्रैव परिवर्तते

kulālacakranābhis tu yathā tatraiva vartate dhruvas tathā hi maitreya tatraiva parivartate

As the nave of a potter's wheel keeps turning in its own place, so too, O Maitreya, Dhruva revolves in that same place.

Verse 41 (vishnu.2.8.41)

उभयोः काष्ठयोर् मध्ये भ्रमतो मण्डलानि च । दिवा नक्तं च सूर्यस्य मन्दा शीघ्रा च वै गतिः

ubhayoḥ kāṣṭhayor madhye bhramato maṇḍalāni ca divā naktaṁ ca sūryasya mandā śīghrā ca vai gatiḥ

Amid the circles revolving between the two solstitial limits, the sun's motion is alternately slow and swift by day and by night.

Verse 42 (vishnu.2.8.42)

मन्दाह्नि यस्मिन्न् अयने शीघ्रा नक्तं तदा गतिः । शीघ्रा निशि यदा चास्य तदा मन्दा दिवा गतिः

mandāhni yasminn ayane śīghrā naktaṁ tadā gatiḥ śīghrā niśi yadā cāsya tadā mandā divā gatiḥ

In whichever course the day's motion is slow, the night's motion is then swift; and when his night motion is swift, his day motion is slow.

Verse 43 (vishnu.2.8.43)

एकप्रमाणम् एवैष मार्गं याति दिवाकरः । अहोरात्रेण यो भुङ्क्ते समस्ता राशयो द्विज

ekapramāṇam evaiṣa mārgaṁ yāti divākaraḥ ahorātreṇa yo bhuṅkte samastā rāśayo dvija

The sun always travels a path of one and the same total measure; O twice-born, in a single day-and-night he traverses all the zodiac signs together.

Verse 44 (vishnu.2.8.44)

षड् एव राशयो भुङ्क्ते रात्राव् अन्यांश् च षड् दिवा

ṣaḍ eva rāśayo bhuṅkte rātrāv anyāṁś ca ṣaḍ divā

He traverses six signs by night and the other six by day.

Verse 45 (vishnu.2.8.45)

राशिप्रमाणजनिता दीर्घह्रस्वात्मता दिने । तथा निशायां राशीनां प्रमाणैर् लघुदीर्घता

rāśipramāṇajanitā dīrghahrasvātmatā dine tathā niśāyāṁ rāśīnāṁ pramāṇair laghudīrghatā

The lengthening or shortening of the day arises from the varying measure of the signs traversed; and likewise by night, its shortness or length arises from the measure of the signs traversed.

Verse 46 (vishnu.2.8.46)

दिनादेर् दीर्घह्रस्वत्वं तद्भोगेनैव जायते । उत्तरे प्रक्रमे शीघ्रा निशि मन्दा गतिर् दिवा

dināder dīrghahrasvatvaṁ tadbhogenaiva jāyate uttare prakrame śīghrā niśi mandā gatir divā

The lengthening or shortening of day and the rest arises simply from that traversal; in the northern course, the motion is swift by night and slow by day.

Verse 47 (vishnu.2.8.47)

दक्षिणे त्व् अयने चैव विपरीता विवस्वतः

dakṣiṇe tv ayane caiva viparītā vivasvataḥ

But in the southern course, the sun's motion is the reverse of this.

Verse 48 (vishnu.2.8.48)

उषा रात्रिः समाख्याता व्युष्टिश् चाप्य् उच्यते दिनम् । प्रोच्यते च तथा संध्या उषाव्युष्ट्योर् यद् अन्तरम्

uṣā rātriḥ samākhyātā vyuṣṭiś cāpy ucyate dinam procyate ca tathā saṁdhyā uṣāvyuṣṭyor yad antaram

Night is called Usha, and daybreak is called Vyushti; the time between Usha and Vyushti is called Sandhya, twilight.

Verse 49 (vishnu.2.8.49)

संध्याकाले तु संप्राप्ते रौद्रे परमदारुणे । मन्देहा राक्षसा घोराः सूर्यम् इच्छन्ति खादितुम्

saṁdhyākāle tu saṁprāpte raudre paramadāruṇe mandehā rākṣasā ghorāḥ sūryam icchanti khāditum

When the most terrible, fearsome time of twilight arrives, the dreadful rakshasas called Mandehas seek to devour the sun.

Verse 50 (vishnu.2.8.50)

प्रजापतिकृतः शापस् तेषां मैत्रेय रक्षसाम् । अक्षयत्वं शरीराणां मरणं च दिने दिने

prajāpatikṛtaḥ śāpas teṣāṁ maitreya rakṣasām akṣayatvaṁ śarīrāṇāṁ maraṇaṁ ca dine dine

O Maitreya, a curse was given to those rakshasas by Prajapati: that their bodies remain imperishable, yet that they die every day.

Verse 51 (vishnu.2.8.51)

ततः सूर्यस्य तैर् युद्धं भवत्य् अत्यन्तदारुणम् । ततो द्विजोत्तमास् तोयं यत् क्षिपन्ति महामुने

tataḥ sūryasya tair yuddhaṁ bhavaty atyantadāruṇam tato dvijottamās toyaṁ yat kṣipanti mahāmune

Then a most terrible battle occurs between them and the sun; then, O great sage, the water which the foremost brahmins cast —

Verse 52 (vishnu.2.8.52)

ओंकारब्रह्मसंयुक्तं गायत्र्या चाभिमन्त्रितम् । तेन दह्यन्ति ते पापा वज्रीभूतेन वारिणा

oṁkārabrahmasaṁyuktaṁ gāyatryā cābhimantritam tena dahyanti te pāpā vajrībhūtena vāriṇā

joined with Om and Brahman, consecrated with the Gayatri — by that water, become like a thunderbolt, those sinful rakshasas are burned to ashes.

Verse 53 (vishnu.2.8.53)

अग्निहोत्रे हूयते या समन्त्रा प्रथमाहुतिः । सूर्यो ज्योतिः सहस्रांशुस् तया दीप्यति भास्करः

agnihotre hūyate yā samantrā prathamāhutiḥ sūryo jyotiḥ sahasrāṁśus tayā dīpyati bhāskaraḥ

The first oblation, offered with mantra in the Agnihotra, is the thousand-rayed sun himself; by it the sun blazes forth.

Verse 54 (vishnu.2.8.54)

ओंकारो भगवान् विष्णुस् त्रिधामा वचसां पतिः । तदुच्चारणतस् ते तु विनाशं यान्ति राक्षसाः

oṁkāro bhagavān viṣṇus tridhāmā vacasāṁ patiḥ taduccāraṇatas te tu vināśaṁ yānti rākṣasāḥ

The syllable Om is the Lord Vishnu himself, of threefold abode, lord of speech; by its very utterance those rakshasas meet their destruction.

Verse 55 (vishnu.2.8.55)

वैष्णवोऽंशः परः सूर्यो योऽन्तर्ज्योतिर् असंप्लवम् । अभिधायक ओंकारस् तस्य स प्रेरकः परः

vaiṣṇavo'ṁśaḥ paraḥ sūryo yo'ntarjyotir asaṁplavam abhidhāyaka oṁkāras tasya sa prerakaḥ paraḥ

The sun is the supreme portion of Vishnu, that inner, imperishable light; Om is its very name and its supreme impeller.

Verse 56 (vishnu.2.8.56)

तेन तत् प्रेरितं ज्योतिर् ओंकारेणाथ दीप्तिमत् । दहत्य् अशेषरक्षांसि मन्देहाख्यान्य् अघानि वै

tena tat preritaṁ jyotir oṁkāreṇātha dīptimat dahaty aśeṣarakṣāṁsi mandehākhyāny aghāni vai

Impelled thus by Om, that light, becoming blazing, burns up all the Mandeha rakshasas — those very sins.

Verse 57 (vishnu.2.8.57)

तस्मान् नोल्लङ्घनं कार्यं संध्योपासनकर्मणः । स हन्ति सूर्यं संध्याया नोपास्तिं कुरुते हि यः

tasmān nollaṅghanaṁ kāryaṁ saṁdhyopāsanakarmaṇaḥ sa hanti sūryaṁ saṁdhyāyā nopāstiṁ kurute hi yaḥ

Therefore the duty of twilight-worship should never be neglected; he who does not perform the worship of twilight in effect slays the sun himself.

Verse 58 (vishnu.2.8.58)

ततः प्रयाति भगवान् ब्राह्मणैर् अभिरक्षितः । वालखिल्यादिभिश् चैव जगतः पालनोद्यतः

tataḥ prayāti bhagavān brāhmaṇair abhirakṣitaḥ vālakhilyādibhiś caiva jagataḥ pālanodyataḥ

Thereafter, protected by brahmins and by the Valakhilya sages and others, the Lord Sun, intent upon protecting the world, proceeds onward.

Verse 59 (vishnu.2.8.59)

काष्ठा निमेषा दश पञ्च चैव त्रिंशच् च काष्ठा गणयेत् कलां ताम् । त्रिंशत्कलाश् चैव भवेन् मुहूर्तस् तैस् त्रिंशता रात्र्यहनी समेते

kāṣṭhā nimeṣā daśa pañca caiva triṁśac ca kāṣṭhā gaṇayet kalāṁ tām triṁśatkalāś caiva bhaven muhūrtas tais triṁśatā rātryahanī samete

Fifteen nimeshas (winks) make one kashtha, and thirty kashthas one should reckon as one kala; thirty kalas make one muhurta, and by thirty of those muhurtas a day-and-night is completed.

Verse 60 (vishnu.2.8.60)

ह्रासवृद्धी त्व् अहर्भागैर् दिवसानां यथाक्रमम् । संध्या मुहूर्तमात्रा वै ह्रासवृद्धौ समा स्मृता

hrāsavṛddhī tv aharbhāgair divasānāṁ yathākramam saṁdhyā muhūrtamātrā vai hrāsavṛddhau samā smṛtā

The waxing and waning of the days occurs, in due order, by portions of the day; the twilight is always reckoned as one muhurta's measure, whether in the waxing or waning season.

Verse 61 (vishnu.2.8.61)

रेखाप्रभृत्य् अथादित्ये त्रिमुहूर्तगते तु वै । प्रातः स्मृतस् ततः कालो भागश् चाह्नः स पञ्चमः

rekhāprabhṛty athāditye trimuhūrtagate tu vai prātaḥ smṛtas tataḥ kālo bhāgaś cāhnaḥ sa pañcamaḥ

From the start of the day-line, when three muhurtas of the sun have passed, that time is called 'morning' (prataḥ), which is the fifth part of the day.

Verse 62 (vishnu.2.8.62)

तस्मात् प्रातस्तनात् कालात् त्रिमुहूर्तस् तु संगवः । मध्याह्नस् त्रिमुहूर्तस् तु तस्मात् कालात् तु संगवात्

tasmāt prātastanāt kālāt trimuhūrtas tu saṁgavaḥ madhyāhnas trimuhūrtas tu tasmāt kālāt tu saṁgavāt

Three muhurtas after that morning time is 'sangava'; three muhurtas after that sangava time is 'madhyahna,' midday.

Verse 63 (vishnu.2.8.63)

तस्मान् माध्याह्निकात् कालाद् अपराह्ण इति स्मृतः । त्रय एव मुहूर्तास् तु कालभागः स्मृतो बुधैः

tasmān mādhyāhnikāt kālād aparāhṇa iti smṛtaḥ traya eva muhūrtās tu kālabhāgaḥ smṛto budhaiḥ

Beyond that midday time is called 'aparahna,' afternoon; each of these divisions of time is held by the wise to be three muhurtas.

Verse 64 (vishnu.2.8.64)

अपराह्णे व्यतीते तु कालः सायाह्न उच्यते । दशपञ्चमुहूर्ताहो मुहूर्तास् त्रय एव च

aparāhṇe vyatīte tu kālaḥ sāyāhna ucyate daśapañcamuhūrtāho muhūrtās traya eva ca

When the afternoon has passed, that time is called 'sayahna,' evening; the day is of fifteen muhurtas, each division being three muhurtas.

Verse 65 (vishnu.2.8.65)

दशपञ्चमुहूर्तं वै अहर् वैषुवतं स्मृतम्

daśapañcamuhūrtaṁ vai ahar vaiṣuvataṁ smṛtam

The equinoctial day is reckoned as being of fifteen muhurtas.

Verse 66 (vishnu.2.8.66)

वर्धतेऽहो ह्रसति च अयने दक्षिणोत्तरे । अहस् तु ग्रसते रात्रिं रात्रिर् ग्रसति वासरम्

vardhate'ho hrasati ca ayane dakṣiṇottare ahas tu grasate rātriṁ rātrir grasati vāsaram

In the southern and northern courses, the day respectively increases and decreases; the day 'devours' the night, and the night 'devours' the day.

Verse 67 (vishnu.2.8.67)

शरद्वसन्तयोर् मध्ये विषुवं तु विभाव्यते । तुलामेषगते भानौ समरात्रिदिनं तु तत्

śaradvasantayor madhye viṣuvaṁ tu vibhāvyate tulāmeṣagate bhānau samarātridinaṁ tu tat

Between autumn and spring occurs the equinox; when the sun is in Tula (Libra) or Mesha (Aries), day and night are equal.

Verse 68 (vishnu.2.8.68)

कर्कटावस्थिते भानौ दक्षिणायनम् उच्यते । उत्तरायणम् अप्य् उक्तं मकरस्थे दिवाकरे

karkaṭāvasthite bhānau dakṣiṇāyanam ucyate uttarāyaṇam apy uktaṁ makarasthe divākare

When the sun is situated in Karkataka (Cancer), it is called the southern course; and when the sun is situated in Makara (Capricorn), it is called the northern course.

Verse 69 (vishnu.2.8.69)

त्रिंशन्मुहूर्तं कथितम् अहोरात्रं तु यन् मया । तानि पञ्चदश ब्रह्मन् पक्ष इत्य् अभिधीयते

triṁśanmuhūrtaṁ kathitam ahorātraṁ tu yan mayā tāni pañcadaśa brahman pakṣa ity abhidhīyate

The day-and-night of thirty muhurtas which I have told you — fifteen of them, O brahmin, are called one paksha, a fortnight.

Verse 70 (vishnu.2.8.70)

मासः पक्षद्वयेनोक्तो द्वौ मासौ चार्कजाव् ऋतुः । ऋतुत्रयं चाप्य् अयनं द्वेऽयने वर्षसंज्ञिते

māsaḥ pakṣadvayenokto dvau māsau cārkajāv ṛtuḥ ṛtutrayaṁ cāpy ayanaṁ dve'yane varṣasaṁjñite

Two fortnights make one month, and two months born of the sun's motion make one season; three seasons make one course, and the two courses together are called a year.

Verse 71 (vishnu.2.8.71)

संवत्सरादयः पञ्च चतुर्मासविकल्पिताः । निश्चयः सर्वकालस्य युगम् इत्य् अभिधीयते

saṁvatsarādayaḥ pañca caturmāsavikalpitāḥ niścayaḥ sarvakālasya yugam ity abhidhīyate

The five years beginning with Samvatsara, each differing by an interval of four months, together constitute the fixed reckoning of all time — this is called a yuga.

Verse 72 (vishnu.2.8.72)

संवत्सरस् तु प्रथमो द्वितीयः परिवत्सरः । इद्वत्सरस् तृतीयस् तु चतुर्थश् चानुवत्सरः । वत्सरः पञ्चमश् चात्र कालोऽयं युगसंज्ञितः

saṁvatsaras tu prathamo dvitīyaḥ parivatsaraḥ idvatsaras tṛtīyas tu caturthaś cānuvatsaraḥ vatsaraḥ pañcamaś cātra kālo'yaṁ yugasaṁjñitaḥ

Samvatsara is the first, Parivatsara the second, Idvatsara the third, Anuvatsara the fourth, and Vatsara the fifth — this five-year period is called a yuga.

Verse 73 (vishnu.2.8.73)

यः श्वेतस्योत्तरे शैलः शृङ्गवान् इति विश्रुतः । त्रीणि तस्य तु शृङ्गाणि यैर् असौ शृङ्गवान् स्मृतः

yaḥ śvetasyottare śailaḥ śṛṅgavān iti viśrutaḥ trīṇi tasya tu śṛṅgāṇi yair asau śṛṅgavān smṛtaḥ

North of the Shveta mountain is the mountain renowned as Shringavat; it has three peaks, from which it is called 'Shringavat,' the peaked one.

Verse 74 (vishnu.2.8.74)

दक्षिणं चोत्तरं चैव मध्यं वैषुवतं तथा । शरद्वसन्तयोर् मध्ये तद् भानुः प्रतिपद्यते । मेषादौ च तुलादौ च मैत्रेय विषुवत्स्थितः

dakṣiṇaṁ cottaraṁ caiva madhyaṁ vaiṣuvataṁ tathā śaradvasantayor madhye tad bhānuḥ pratipadyate meṣādau ca tulādau ca maitreya viṣuvatsthitaḥ

Its peaks are the southern, the northern, and the middle one called Vishuva; between autumn and spring, the sun reaches that middle peak; O Maitreya, at the start of Mesha and Tula, the sun is stationed at the equinoctial peak.

Verse 75 (vishnu.2.8.75)

तदा तुल्यम् अहोरात्रं करोति तिमिरापहः । दशपञ्चमुहूर्तं वै तद् एतद् उभयं स्मृतम्

tadā tulyam ahorātraṁ karoti timirāpahaḥ daśapañcamuhūrtaṁ vai tad etad ubhayaṁ smṛtam

Then the dispeller of darkness makes day and night equal; at that time, both are reckoned as fifteen muhurtas each.

Verse 76 (vishnu.2.8.76)

प्रथमे कृत्तिकाभागे यदा भास्वांस् तदा शशी । विशाखानां चतुर्थेऽंशे मुने तिष्ठत्य् असंशयम्

prathame kṛttikābhāge yadā bhāsvāṁs tadā śaśī viśākhānāṁ caturthe'ṁśe mune tiṣṭhaty asaṁśayam

When the sun is in the first portion of Krittika, then the moon, O sage, is without doubt situated in the fourth portion of Vishakha.

Verse 77 (vishnu.2.8.77)

विशाखानां यदा सूर्यश् चरत्य् अंशं तृतीयकम् । तदा चन्द्रं विजानीयात् कृत्तिकाशिरसि स्थितम्

viśākhānāṁ yadā sūryaś caraty aṁśaṁ tṛtīyakam tadā candraṁ vijānīyāt kṛttikāśirasi sthitam

When the sun moves through the third portion of Vishakha, one should know that the moon is situated at the head of Krittika.

Verse 78 (vishnu.2.8.78)

तदैव विषुवाख्यो वै कालः पुण्योऽभिधीयते । तदा दानानि देयानि देवेभ्यः प्रयतात्मभिः

tadaiva viṣuvākhyo vai kālaḥ puṇyo'bhidhīyate tadā dānāni deyāni devebhyaḥ prayatātmabhiḥ

At that very time, the sacred period called Vishuva is declared; then gifts should be given to the gods by those of self-controlled mind,

Verse 79 (vishnu.2.8.79)

ब्राह्मणेभ्यः पितृभ्यश् च मुखम् एतत् तु दानजम् । दत्तदानस् तु विषुवे कृतकृत्योऽभिजायते

brāhmaṇebhyaḥ pitṛbhyaś ca mukham etat tu dānajam dattadānas tu viṣuve kṛtakṛtyo'bhijāyate

and to brahmins and to ancestors as well — this is the foremost occasion for giving; one who gives gifts at the Vishuva becomes one whose purpose is fulfilled.

Verse 80 (vishnu.2.8.80)

अहोरात्रार्धमासौ तु कलाः काष्ठाः क्षणास् तथा । पौर्णमासी तथा ज्ञेया अमावास्या तथैव च । सिनीवाली कुहूश् चैव राका चानुमतिस् तथा

ahorātrārdhamāsau tu kalāḥ kāṣṭhāḥ kṣaṇās tathā paurṇamāsī tathā jñeyā amāvāsyā tathaiva ca sinīvālī kuhūś caiva rākā cānumatis tathā

Day-and-night, the fortnight, the kala, kashtha, and kshana; and the full moon and new moon; and Sinivali, Kuhu, Raka, and Anumati —

Verse 81 (vishnu.2.8.81)

तपस्तपस्यौ मधुमाधवौ च शुक्रः शुचिश् चायनम् उत्तरं स्यात् । नभो नभस्योऽथ इषश् च सोर्जः सहःसहस्याव् इति दक्षिणं स्यात्

tapastapasyau madhumādhavau ca śukraḥ śuciś cāyanam uttaraṁ syāt nabho nabhasyo'tha iṣaś ca sorjaḥ sahaḥsahasyāv iti dakṣiṇaṁ syāt

Tapas and Tapasya, Madhu and Madhava, Shukra and Shuchi — these are the months of the northern course; Nabha and Nabhasya, Isha and Urja, Saha and Sahasya — these are the months of the southern course.

Verse 82 (vishnu.2.8.82)

लोकालोकस् तु यः शैलः प्रागुक्तो भवतो मया । लोकपालास् तु चत्वारस् तत्र तिष्ठन्ति सुव्रताः

lokālokas tu yaḥ śailaḥ prāgukto bhavato mayā lokapālās tu catvāras tatra tiṣṭhanti suvratāḥ

At that mountain called Lokaloka, of which I told you before, dwell four guardians of the world, of excellent vows.

Verse 83 (vishnu.2.8.83)

सुधामा शङ्खपाच् चैव कर्दमस्यात्मजौ द्विज । हिरण्यरोमा चैवान्यश् चतुर्थः केतुमान् अपि

sudhāmā śaṅkhapāc caiva kardamasyātmajau dvija hiraṇyaromā caivānyaś caturthaḥ ketumān api

O twice-born: Sudhaman and Shankhapat, the two sons of Kardama; and another, Hiranyaroma; and the fourth, Ketuman.

Verse 84 (vishnu.2.8.84)

निर्द्वंद्वा निरभीमाना निस्तन्द्रा निष्परिग्रहाः । लोकपालाः स्थिता ह्य् एते लोकालोके चतुर्दिशम्

nirdvaṁdvā nirabhīmānā nistandrā niṣparigrahāḥ lokapālāḥ sthitā hy ete lokāloke caturdiśam

Free from the pairs of opposites, free from pride, free from lethargy, and free from possessions — these guardians of the world stand at Lokaloka in the four directions.

Verse 85 (vishnu.2.8.85)

उत्तरं यद् अगस्त्यस्य अजवीथ्याश् च दक्षिणम् । पितृयानः स वै पन्था वैश्वानरपथाद् बहिः

uttaraṁ yad agastyasya ajavīthyāś ca dakṣiṇam pitṛyānaḥ sa vai panthā vaiśvānarapathād bahiḥ

That which lies north of Agastya's path and south of the Ajavithi is the path called Pitriyana, the Path of the Fathers, lying outside the path of Vaishvanara.

Verse 86 (vishnu.2.8.86)

तत्रासते महात्मान ऋषयो येऽग्निहोत्रिणः । भूतारम्भकृतं ब्रह्म शंसन्त ऋत्विगुद्यताः । लोकारम्भं प्रारभन्ते तेषां पन्थाः स दक्षिणः

tatrāsate mahātmāna ṛṣayo ye'gnihotriṇaḥ bhūtārambhakṛtaṁ brahma śaṁsanta ṛtvigudyatāḥ lokārambhaṁ prārabhante teṣāṁ panthāḥ sa dakṣiṇaḥ

There dwell those great-souled sages who maintain the sacred fire, proclaiming the Vedic word that initiates creation, and who, acting as officiating priests, undertake the founding of worlds — theirs is that same southern path.

Verse 87 (vishnu.2.8.87)

चलितं ते पुनर् ब्रह्म स्थापयन्ति युगे युगे । संतत्या तपसा चैव मर्यादाभिः श्रुतेन च

calitaṁ te punar brahma sthāpayanti yuge yuge saṁtatyā tapasā caiva maryādābhiḥ śrutena ca

Age after age, they re-establish the Veda when it has become displaced, through progeny, through austerity, through the maintenance of proper bounds, and through sacred learning.

Verse 88 (vishnu.2.8.88)

जायमानास् तु पूर्वे तु पश्चिमानां गृहेषु वै । पश्चिमाश् चैव पूर्वेषां जायन्ते निधनेष्व् इह

jāyamānās tu pūrve tu paścimānāṁ gṛheṣu vai paścimāś caiva pūrveṣāṁ jāyante nidhaneṣv iha

Those born earlier are born again in the households of those who come later, and those who come later are born, here, at the passing away of the earlier ones.

Verse 89 (vishnu.2.8.89)

एवम् आवर्तमानास् ते तिष्ठन्त्य् आभूतसंप्लवात् । सवितुर् दक्षिणं मार्गं श्रिता ह्य् आचन्द्रतारकम्

evam āvartamānās te tiṣṭhanty ābhūtasaṁplavāt savitur dakṣiṇaṁ mārgaṁ śritā hy ācandratārakam

Thus revolving, they continue until the time of universal dissolution, taking refuge in the sun's southern path, as long as the moon and stars endure.

Verse 90 (vishnu.2.8.90)

नागवीथ्युत्तरं यच् च सप्तर्षिभ्यश् च दक्षिणम् । उत्तरः सवितुः पन्था देवयानस् तु स स्मृतः

nāgavīthyuttaraṁ yac ca saptarṣibhyaś ca dakṣiṇam uttaraḥ savituḥ panthā devayānas tu sa smṛtaḥ

That which lies north of the Nagavithi and south of the Seven Sages is the sun's northern path, called Devayana.

Verse 91 (vishnu.2.8.91)

तत्र ते वशिनः सिद्धा विमला ब्रह्मचारिणः । संततिं ते जुगुप्सन्ति तस्मान् मृत्युर् जितश् च तैः

tatra te vaśinaḥ siddhā vimalā brahmacāriṇaḥ saṁtatiṁ te jugupsanti tasmān mṛtyur jitaś ca taiḥ

There dwell those self-controlled, accomplished, pure celibates; they abhor the begetting of progeny, and therefore have conquered death.

Verse 92 (vishnu.2.8.92)

अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि यतीनाम् ऊर्ध्वरेतसाम् । उदक्पन्थानम् अर्यम्णः श्रिता ह्य् आभूतसंप्लवात्

aṣṭāśītisahasrāṇi yatīnām ūrdhvaretasām udakpanthānam aryamṇaḥ śritā hy ābhūtasaṁplavāt

Eighty-eight thousand ascetics of retained celibate seed remain there, until the time of universal dissolution, having taken refuge on Aryaman's (the sun's) northern path.

Verse 93 (vishnu.2.8.93)

तेऽसंप्रयोगाल् लोभस्य मैथुनस्य च वर्जनात् । इच्छाद्वेषाप्रवृत्त्या च भूतारम्भविवर्जनात्

te'saṁprayogāl lobhasya maithunasya ca varjanāt icchādveṣāpravṛttyā ca bhūtārambhavivarjanāt

Through non-engagement with greed, through the renunciation of union, through non-indulgence in desire and aversion, and through abstaining from begetting offspring —

Verse 94 (vishnu.2.8.94)

पुनश् चाकामसंयोगाच् शब्दादेर् दोषदर्शनात् । इत्य् एभिः कारणैः शुद्धास् तेऽमृतत्वं हि भेजिरे

punaś cākāmasaṁyogāc śabdāder doṣadarśanāt ity ebhiḥ kāraṇaiḥ śuddhās te'mṛtatvaṁ hi bhejire

and further, through non-attachment even without desire, and through perceiving fault in sound and the other sense-objects — by these very causes, becoming pure, they have attained immortality.

Verse 95 (vishnu.2.8.95)

आभूतसंप्लवं स्थानम् अमृतत्वं विभाव्यते । त्रैलोक्यस्थितिकालोऽयम् अपुनर्मार उच्यते

ābhūtasaṁplavaṁ sthānam amṛtatvaṁ vibhāvyate trailokyasthitikālo'yam apunarmāra ucyate

Their abode, lasting until universal dissolution, is regarded as immortality; this period, equal to the duration of the three worlds, is called 'freedom from further death.'

Verse 96 (vishnu.2.8.96)

ब्रह्महत्याश्वमेधाभ्यां पापपुण्यकृतो विधिः । आभूतसंप्लवान्तान्तं फलम् उक्तं तयोर् द्विज

brahmahatyāśvamedhābhyāṁ pāpapuṇyakṛto vidhiḥ ābhūtasaṁplavāntāntaṁ phalam uktaṁ tayor dvija

The fruit of both these extreme acts, sin and merit — the killing of a brahmin and the horse-sacrifice — is likewise said to last, O twice-born, only until universal dissolution.

Verse 97 (vishnu.2.8.97)

यावन्मात्रप्रदेशे तु मैत्रेयावस्थितो ध्रुवः । क्षयम् आयाति तावत् तु भूमेर् आभूतसंप्लवे

yāvanmātrapradeśe tu maitreyāvasthito dhruvaḥ kṣayam āyāti tāvat tu bhūmer ābhūtasaṁplave

O Maitreya, at the time of universal dissolution, only that portion of the earth below the extent where Dhruva is situated perishes; that region itself endures.

Verse 98 (vishnu.2.8.98)

ऊर्ध्वोत्तरम् ऋषिभ्यस् तु ध्रुवो यत्र व्यवस्थितः । एतद् विष्णुपदं दिव्यं तृतीयं व्योम्नि भास्वरम्

ūrdhvottaram ṛṣibhyas tu dhruvo yatra vyavasthitaḥ etad viṣṇupadaṁ divyaṁ tṛtīyaṁ vyomni bhāsvaram

Higher still, and north of the Seven Sages, where Dhruva is situated — this is the divine third Step of Vishnu, radiant in the sky.

Verse 99 (vishnu.2.8.99)

निर्धूतदोषपङ्कानां यतीनां संयतात्मनाम् । स्थानं तत् परमं विप्र पुण्यपापपरिक्षये

nirdhūtadoṣapaṅkānāṁ yatīnāṁ saṁyatātmanām sthānaṁ tat paramaṁ vipra puṇyapāpaparikṣaye

That, O brahmin, is the supreme abode for self-controlled ascetics who have washed away the mire of fault, where both merit and sin come to an end.

Verse 100 (vishnu.2.8.100)

अपुण्यपुण्योपरमे क्षीणाशेषाप्तिहेतवः । यत्र गत्वा न शोचन्ति तद् विष्णोः परमं पदम्

apuṇyapuṇyoparame kṣīṇāśeṣāptihetavaḥ yatra gatvā na śocanti tad viṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam

When both sin and merit have ceased, and all causes leading to further rebirth are exhausted, having reached there they grieve no more — that is the supreme Step of Vishnu.

Verse 101 (vishnu.2.8.101)

धर्मध्रुवाद्यास् तिष्ठन्ति यत्र ते लोकसाक्षिणः । तत्सार्ष्ट्योत्पन्नयोगेद्धास् तद् विष्णोः परमं पदम्

dharmadhruvādyās tiṣṭhanti yatra te lokasākṣiṇaḥ tatsārṣṭyotpannayogeddhās tad viṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam

Where Dharma, Dhruva, and the other witnesses of the world abide, made radiant through the yoga of attaining equal status with Him — that is the supreme Step of Vishnu.

Verse 102 (vishnu.2.8.102)

यत्रोतम् एतत् प्रोतं च यद् भूतं सचराचरम् । भाव्यं च विश्वं मैत्रेय तद् विष्णोः परमं पदम्

yatrotam etat protaṁ ca yad bhūtaṁ sacarācaram bhāvyaṁ ca viśvaṁ maitreya tad viṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam

O Maitreya, that in which this entire universe, moving and unmoving — whatever has been and whatever is yet to be — is woven through and through, that is the supreme Step of Vishnu.

Verse 103 (vishnu.2.8.103)

दिवीव चक्षुर् आततं विततं यन् महात्मनाम् । विवेकज्ञानदृष्टं च तद् विष्णोः परमं पदम्

divīva cakṣur ātataṁ vitataṁ yan mahātmanām vivekajñānadṛṣṭaṁ ca tad viṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam

That which is spread out in the heavens like an eye, visible to great souls only through the knowledge born of discrimination — that is the supreme Step of Vishnu.

Verse 104 (vishnu.2.8.104)

यस्मिन् प्रतिष्ठितो भास्वान् मेढीभूतः स्वयं ध्रुवः । ध्रुवे च सर्वज्योतींषि ज्योतिष्व् अम्भोमुचो द्विज

yasmin pratiṣṭhito bhāsvān meḍhībhūtaḥ svayaṁ dhruvaḥ dhruve ca sarvajyotīṁṣi jyotiṣv ambhomuco dvija

O twice-born, established in which the radiant heavens themselves take Dhruva as their axle-pin; and upon Dhruva rest all the heavenly lights, and upon those lights, O twice-born, the cloud-bearing forces depend.

Verse 105 (vishnu.2.8.105)

मेघेषु संतता वृष्टिर् वृष्टेः सृष्टेश् च पोषणम् । आप्यायनं च सर्वेषां देवादीनां महामुने

megheṣu saṁtatā vṛṣṭir vṛṣṭeḥ sṛṣṭeś ca poṣaṇam āpyāyanaṁ ca sarveṣāṁ devādīnāṁ mahāmune

O great sage, from the clouds comes continuous rain, from rain the nourishment of creation, and the gratification of all — the gods and the rest.

Verse 106 (vishnu.2.8.106)

ततश् चाज्याहुतिद्वारा पोषितास् ते हविर्भुजः । वृष्टेः कारणतां यान्ति भूतानां स्थितये पुनः

tataś cājyāhutidvārā poṣitās te havirbhujaḥ vṛṣṭeḥ kāraṇatāṁ yānti bhūtānāṁ sthitaye punaḥ

Then, nourished through the offering of ghee-oblations, those gods who partake of the oblation themselves become, in turn, the cause of rain, for the continued existence of all beings.

Verse 107 (vishnu.2.8.107)

एवम् एतत् पदं विष्णोस् तृतीयम् अमलात्मकम् । आधारभूतं लोकानां त्रयाणां वृष्टिकारणम्

evam etat padaṁ viṣṇos tṛtīyam amalātmakam ādhārabhūtaṁ lokānāṁ trayāṇāṁ vṛṣṭikāraṇam

Thus this third, immaculate Step of Vishnu is the very support of the three worlds and the cause of rain.

Verse 108 (vishnu.2.8.108)

ततः प्रभवति ब्रह्मन् सर्वपापहरा सरित् । गङ्गा देवाङ्गनाङ्गानाम् अनुलेपनपिञ्जरा

tataḥ prabhavati brahman sarvapāpaharā sarit gaṅgā devāṅganāṅgānām anulepanapiñjarā

O brahmin, from it springs the river Ganga, remover of all sin, which becomes golden-hued from the sandal-paste anointing the limbs of the celestial women.

Verse 109 (vishnu.2.8.109)

वामपादाम्बुजाङ्गुष्ठनखस्रोतोविनिर्गताम् । विष्णोर् बिभर्ति यां भक्त्या शिरसाहर्निशं ध्रुवः

vāmapādāmbujāṅguṣṭhanakhasrotovinirgatām viṣṇor bibharti yāṁ bhaktyā śirasāharniśaṁ dhruvaḥ

That stream, issuing from the nail of the great toe of Vishnu's left lotus-foot, Dhruva bears devotedly upon his head, day and night.

Verse 110 (vishnu.2.8.110)

ततः सप्तर्षयो यस्याः प्राणायामपरायणाः । तिष्ठन्ति वीचिमालाभिर् उह्यमानजटाजले

tataḥ saptarṣayo yasyāḥ prāṇāyāmaparāyaṇāḥ tiṣṭhanti vīcimālābhir uhyamānajaṭājale

Then the Seven Sages, devoted to the practice of pranayama, stand immersed in her, their matted locks caught up in her garlands of waves.

Verse 111 (vishnu.2.8.111)

वार्योघैः संततैर् यस्याः प्लावितं शशिमण्डलम् । भूयोऽधिकतरां कान्तिं वहत्य् एतद् उपक्षयम्

vāryoghaiḥ saṁtatair yasyāḥ plāvitaṁ śaśimaṇḍalam bhūyo'dhikatarāṁ kāntiṁ vahaty etad upakṣayam

By her continuous floods of water, the orb of the moon is flooded and, even while waning, bears an ever-greater brilliance.

Verse 112 (vishnu.2.8.112)

मेरुपृष्ठे पतत्य् उच्चैर् निष्क्रान्ता शशिमण्डलात् । जगतः पावनार्थाय या प्रयाति चतुर्दिशम्

merupṛṣṭhe pataty uccair niṣkrāntā śaśimaṇḍalāt jagataḥ pāvanārthāya yā prayāti caturdiśam

Issuing from the orb of the moon, she falls with great force upon Meru's summit, and flows in the four directions for the world's purification.

Verse 113 (vishnu.2.8.113)

सीता चालकनन्दा च चक्षुर् भद्रा च संस्थिता । एकैव या चतुर्भेदा दिग्भेदगतिलक्षणा

sītā cālakanandā ca cakṣur bhadrā ca saṁsthitā ekaiva yā caturbhedā digbhedagatilakṣaṇā

As Sita, Alakananda, Chakshu, and Bhadra she is situated — she is one and the same river, taking on four forms according to her courses in the different directions.

Verse 114 (vishnu.2.8.114)

भेदं चालकनन्दाख्यं यस्याः शर्वोऽपि दक्षिणम् । दधार शिरसा प्रीत्या वर्षाणाम् अधिकं शतम्

bhedaṁ cālakanandākhyaṁ yasyāḥ śarvo'pi dakṣiṇam dadhāra śirasā prītyā varṣāṇām adhikaṁ śatam

That branch of hers called Alakananda, which flows southward, even Shiva bore lovingly upon his head for more than a hundred years.

Verse 115 (vishnu.2.8.115)

शम्भोर् जटाकलापाच् च विनिष्क्रान्तास्थिशर्करान् । प्लावयित्वा दिवं निन्ये या पापान् सगरात्मजान्

śambhor jaṭākalāpāc ca viniṣkrāntāsthiśarkarān plāvayitvā divaṁ ninye yā pāpān sagarātmajān

Issuing from the mass of Shambhu's matted locks, she carried the bones and ashes of Sagara's sinful sons, washing them away, up to heaven.

Verse 116 (vishnu.2.8.116)

स्नातस्य सलिले यस्याः सद्यः पापं प्रणश्यति । अपूर्वपुण्यप्राप्तिश् च सद्यो मैत्रेय जायते

snātasya salile yasyāḥ sadyaḥ pāpaṁ praṇaśyati apūrvapuṇyaprāptiś ca sadyo maitreya jāyate

For one who bathes in her waters, sin is instantly destroyed, and, O Maitreya, the attainment of unprecedented merit arises at once.

Verse 117 (vishnu.2.8.117)

दत्ताः पितृभ्यो यत्रापस् तनयैः श्रद्धयान्वितैः । समात्रयं प्रयच्छन्ति तृप्तिं मैत्रेय दुर्लभाम्

dattāḥ pitṛbhyo yatrāpas tanayaiḥ śraddhayānvitaiḥ samātrayaṁ prayacchanti tṛptiṁ maitreya durlabhām

Where her waters are offered to the ancestors by sons endowed with faith, O Maitreya, they bestow a rare and complete satisfaction.

Verse 118 (vishnu.2.8.118)

यस्याम् इष्ट्वा महायज्ञैर् यज्ञेशं पुरुषोत्तमम् । द्विजभूपाः पराम् ऋद्धिम् अवापुर् दिवि चेह च

yasyām iṣṭvā mahāyajñair yajñeśaṁ puruṣottamam dvijabhūpāḥ parām ṛddhim avāpur divi ceha ca

On whose banks, worshipping with great sacrifices the Lord of sacrifice, the Supreme Person, brahmins and kings have attained supreme prosperity, both in heaven and here on earth.

Verse 119 (vishnu.2.8.119)

स्नानाद् विधूतपापाश् च यज्जले यतयस् तथा । केशवासक्तमनसः प्राप्ता निर्वाणम् उत्तमम्

snānād vidhūtapāpāś ca yajjale yatayas tathā keśavāsaktamanasaḥ prāptā nirvāṇam uttamam

Ascetics, their sins washed away by bathing in her waters, their minds fixed on Keshava, have attained the supreme nirvana.

Verse 120 (vishnu.2.8.120)

श्रुताभिलषिता दृष्टा स्पृष्टा पीतावगाहिता । या पावयति भूतानि कीर्तिता च दिने दिने

śrutābhilaṣitā dṛṣṭā spṛṣṭā pītāvagāhitā yā pāvayati bhūtāni kīrtitā ca dine dine

Heard of, longed for, seen, touched, drunk from, bathed in, and glorified day after day — she purifies all beings.

Verse 121 (vishnu.2.8.121)

गङ्गा गङ्गेति यन् नाम योजनानां शतेष्व् अपि । स्थितैर् उच्चारितं हन्ति पापं जन्मत्रयार्जितम्

gaṅgā gaṅgeti yan nāma yojanānāṁ śateṣv api sthitair uccāritaṁ hanti pāpaṁ janmatrayārjitam

The mere name 'Ganga, Ganga,' uttered even by those standing hundreds of yojanas away, destroys the sin accumulated across three births.

Verse 122 (vishnu.2.8.122)

यतः सा पावनायालं त्रयाणां जगताम् अपि । समुद्भूता परं तत् तु तृतीयं भगवत्पदम्

yataḥ sā pāvanāyālaṁ trayāṇāṁ jagatām api samudbhūtā paraṁ tat tu tṛtīyaṁ bhagavatpadam

Since she is capable of purifying even the three worlds, know from this that she has sprung from that same supreme third Step of Vishnu.