Adhyaya 5

Verse 1

शिवशर्मोवाच । तपसा दमशौचाभ्यांगुरुशुश्रूषया तथा । भक्त्याभावेन तुष्टोस्मि तवाद्य चसुपुत्रक

Śivaśarman said: “By your austerity, self-control, and purity, and also by your devoted service to your teacher—through the spirit of bhakti—I am pleased with you today as well, dear good son.”

Verse 2

त्यजामि वैकृतं रूपं मत्तः सुखमवाप्नुहि । एवमुक्वा सुतं विप्रो दर्शयामास तां तनुम्

“I cast off this altered, unnatural form; from me, attain happiness.” Having spoken thus to his son, the brāhmaṇa then showed him that true body.

Verse 3

यथापूर्वं स्थितौ तौ तु तथा स दृष्टवान्गुरू । दीप्तिमंतौ महात्मानौ सूर्यबिंबोपमावुभौ

Seeing the two venerable ones standing just as before, he beheld them—both radiant great souls, like the disk of the sun.

Verse 4

ननाम पादौ सद्भक्त्या उभयोस्तु महात्मनोः । ततः सुतं समामंत्र्य हर्षेण महतान्वितः

With sincere devotion, he bowed at the feet of both the great souls. Then, calling his son to him, he was filled with immense joy.

Verse 5

इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे भूमिखंडे देवासुरे इंद्राभिषेकोनाम पंचमोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the fifth chapter, called “The Consecration (Abhiṣeka) of Indra,” in the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa of the Śrī Padma Purāṇa, in the section concerning the Devas and Asuras.

Verse 6

प्रविष्टो वैष्णवं धाम स मुनिर्दुर्लभं पदम् । नत्वन्यैः प्राप्यते पुण्यैस्तपोभिर्मुक्तिदं पदम्

That sage entered the Vaiṣṇava abode—the rare, hard-to-attain state. That station which grants mokṣa is not gained by other merits or by austerities alone.

Verse 7

विष्णोस्तु चिंतनैर्न्यासध्यानज्ञानैः स्तवैस्तथा । न दानैस्तीर्थयात्राभिर्दृश्यते मधुसूदनः

Madhusūdana (Viṣṇu) is not truly ‘seen’ merely by mental contemplation, ritual nyāsa, meditation, knowledge, or hymns—nor by charity and pilgrimages to sacred tīrthas.

Verse 8

समाधिज्ञानयोगेन दृश्यते परमं पदम् । महायोगैर्यथा विप्रः प्रविष्टो वैष्णवीं तनुम्

Through the yoga of samādhi and true knowledge, the supreme state is beheld—just as, by the powers of great yoga, a brāhmaṇa entered into a Vaiṣṇava, Viṣṇu-aligned body.

Verse 9

सूत उवाच । ततस्तत्र तपस्तेपे सोमशर्मा महाद्युतिः । अश्मलोष्टसमं मेने कांचनंभूषणं पुनः

Sūta said: Then, there, the radiant Somaśarmā practiced austerities; and again he regarded golden ornaments as no more than stones and clods of earth.

Verse 10

जिताहारः स धर्मात्मा निद्रया परिवर्जितः । स सर्वान्विषयांस्त्यक्त्वा एकांतमपि सेवते

That righteous-souled one is moderate in food and avoids indulgence in sleep; having renounced all sense-objects, he resorts even to solitude.

Verse 11

योगासनसमारूढो निराशो निःपरिग्रहः । तस्य वेला सुसंप्राप्ता मृत्युकालस्य वै तदा

Seated firmly in a yogic posture, free from desire and without possessions, his destined hour arrived—indeed, then the time of death came upon him.

Verse 12

आगता दानवा विप्रं सोमशर्माणमंतिके । मृत्युकाले तु संप्राप्ते प्राणयात्रा प्रवर्तिनः

The Dānavas came near the brāhmaṇa Somaśarman, at the very time when death had arrived and his life-breath was beginning its final journey.

Verse 13

शालिग्रामे महाक्षेत्रे ऋषीणां मानवर्द्धने । केचिद्वदंति वै दैत्याः केचिद्वदंति दानवाः

In Śāligrāma, that great sacred region which increases the spiritual stature of sages and people—some say they were Daityas, and some say they were Dānavas.

Verse 14

एवंविधो महाशब्दः कर्णरंध्रं गतस्तदा । तस्यैव विप्रवर्यस्य सुचिरात्सोमशर्मणः

Then a mighty sound of that kind entered the ear-cavity of that very excellent brāhmaṇa, Somaśarman, after a long time.

Verse 15

ज्ञानध्यानविलग्नस्य प्रविष्टं दैत्यजं भयम् । तेन ध्यानेन तस्यापि दैत्यभीत्यैव वै तदा

For one absorbed in knowledge and meditation, a fear born of the demons entered the mind. Yet by that very meditation, even that fear became only fear of the demons and did not overwhelm him.

Verse 16

सत्वरं चैव तत्प्राणा गतास्तस्य महात्मनः । दैत्यभयेन संयुक्तः स हि मृत्युवशं गतः

And swiftly indeed, the life-breaths of that great-souled one departed; for, seized by fear of the Daityas, he truly fell under the dominion of Death.

Verse 17

तस्माद्दैत्यगृहे जातो हिरण्यकशिपोः सुतः । देवासुरे महायुद्धे निहतश्चक्रपाणिना

Therefore, born in a Daitya household was the son of Hiraṇyakaśipu; and in the great war between the Devas and Asuras, he was slain by the wielder of the discus.

Verse 18

युद्ध्यमानेन तेनापि प्रह्लादेन महात्मना । सुदृष्टं वासुदेवत्वं विश्वरूपसमन्वितम्

Even while he was engaged in battle, the great-souled Prahlāda clearly beheld the state of Vāsudeva—endowed with the universal form.

Verse 19

योगाभ्यासेन पूर्वेण ज्ञानमासीन्महात्मनः । सस्मार पूर्वकं सर्वं चरितं शिवशर्मणः

Through his former practice of yoga, knowledge arose in that great-souled one; and he remembered in full the entire earlier story of Śivaśarman.

Verse 20

प्रागहं सोमशर्माख्यः प्रविष्टो दानवीं तनुम् । अस्मात्कायात्कदा पुण्यं केवलं धाम उत्तमम्

Formerly, I was known as Somaśarman, but I entered a Dānava body. From this body, when shall I attain the pure, unsurpassed, sacred abode—only that highest realm?

Verse 21

प्रयास्यामि महापुण्यैर्ज्ञानाख्यैर्मोक्षदायकम् । समरे म्रियमाणेन प्रह्लादेन महात्मना

I shall set forth that liberation-bestowing teaching, called “knowledge” and supremely meritorious—just as the great-souled Prahlāda taught it while dying upon the battlefield.

Verse 22

एवं चिंता कृता पूर्वं श्रूयतां द्विजसत्तमाः । एवं तु च समाख्यातं सर्वसंदेहनाशनम्

Thus, having reflected in this way beforehand—now listen, O best of the twice-born. In this manner it has been explained, as that which destroys all doubts.

Verse 23

सूत उवाच । प्रह्लादे निहते संख्ये देवदेवेन चक्रिणा । रुरुदे कमला सा तु हतपुत्रा च कामिनी

Sūta said: When Prahlāda was slain in battle by the God of gods, the discus-bearer, Kamalā wept—she, the beloved woman, bereft of her son.

Verse 24

प्रह्लादस्य तु या माता हिरण्यकशिपोः प्रिया । प्रह्लादस्य महाशोकैर्दिवारात्रौ प्रशोचति

But Prahlāda’s mother—dear to Hiraṇyakaśipu—grieved day and night, overwhelmed by intense sorrow for Prahlāda.

Verse 25

पतिव्रता महाभागा कमला नाम तत्प्रिया । रोदमानां दिवारात्रौ नारदस्तामुवाच ह

His beloved wife, the greatly fortunate Kamalā—devoted to her husband—was weeping day and night; then Nārada spoke to her.

Verse 26

मा शुचस्त्वं महाभागे पुत्रार्थं पुण्यभागिनि । निहतो वासुदेवेन तव पुत्रः समेष्यति

Do not grieve, O noble and most fortunate lady, for your son. Though slain by Vāsudeva, your son will return to you.

Verse 27

भूयः स्वलक्षणोपेतस्त्वत्सुतश्च महामतिः । प्रह्लादेति च वै नाम पुनरस्य भविष्यति

Again, your son—endowed with auspicious characteristics and great intelligence—will be born; and once more his name will indeed be Prahlāda.

Verse 28

विहीनश्चासुरैर्भावैर्देवत्वेन समन्वितः । इंद्रत्वे मोदते भद्रे सर्वदेवैर्नमस्कृतः

Free from demonic dispositions and endowed with divine nature, he delights in the station of Indra, O auspicious one, being honored by all the gods.

Verse 29

सुखीभवमहाभागेतेनपुत्रेणवैसदा । न प्रकाश्या त्वया देवि सुवार्तेयं च कस्यचित्

O most fortunate lady, be ever happy because of that son. And, O goddess, you must not disclose this good news to anyone at all.

Verse 30

कर्त्तव्यमज्ञानभावैः सुगोप्यं कुरु त्वं सदा । एवमुक्त्वा गतो विप्रो नारदो मुनिसत्तमः

“Do what must be done, and always keep it well concealed from those of ignorant disposition.” Having spoken thus, the brāhmaṇa Nārada—the best of sages—departed.

Verse 31

कमलायाश्चोदरे तु जन्मा स्यानुत्तमं पुनः । प्रह्लादेति च वै नाम तस्याख्यानं महात्मनः

Again, in the womb of Kamalā there would be a most excellent birth; and his name indeed would be Prahlāda—this is the account of that great-souled one.

Verse 32

बाल्यं भावं गतो विप्राः कृष्णमेव व्यचिंतयत् । नरसिंहप्रसादेन देवराजो भवेद्दिवि

O brāhmaṇas, upon attaining childhood, he contemplated only Kṛṣṇa. By the grace of Narasiṃha, he became the king of the gods in heaven.

Verse 33

देवत्वं लभ्य चैवासावैंद्रं पदमनुत्तमम् । मोक्षं यास्यति ज्ञानात्मा वैष्णवं धाम चोत्तमम्

Having attained divinity, he indeed reaches Indra’s unsurpassed station; and, being a knower in essence, he goes on to liberation and to the supreme abode of Viṣṇu.

Verse 34

असंख्याता महाभागाः सृष्टेर्भावा ह्यनेकशः । मोह एवं न कर्त्तव्यो ज्ञानवद्भिर्महात्मभिः

O noble one, the conditions and forms within creation are countless and of many kinds; therefore, great souls endowed with wisdom should not fall into delusion in this way.

Verse 35

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं यथापृष्टं द्विजोत्तमाः । अन्यं पृच्छ महाभाग संदेहं ते भिनद्म्यहम्

O best of the twice-born, I have told you all this exactly as you asked. O noble one, ask something else—I shall dispel your doubt.

Verse 36

विजयं देवतानां तु दानवानां महत्क्षयम् । कृतं हि देवदेवेन स्थापितं भुवनत्रयम्

Indeed, the God of gods brought victory to the deities and wrought the great destruction of the Dānavas, and thus established the three worlds in steadfast order.

Verse 37

ऋषय ऊचुः । इन्द्रत्वं कस्य संजातं देवानां शब्दधारकम् । केन दत्तं त्वमाचक्ष्व विस्तराद्द्विजसत्तम

The sages said: “From whom did the sovereignty of Indra arise—the office that bears that very name among the gods? By whom was it bestowed? O best of the twice-born, tell us in full detail.”

Verse 38

सूत उवाच । विस्तरेण प्रवक्ष्यामि इन्द्रत्वे येन सत्तमः । प्राप्त एष महाभागो यथा पुण्यतमेन च

Sūta said: “I shall explain in detail how this most excellent and illustrious one attained the sovereignty of Indra—how indeed he obtained it through the most meritorious means.”

Verse 39

हतेषु तेषु दैत्येषु समस्तेषुमहाहवे । अतिनष्टेषु पापेषु गोविंदेन महात्मना

When all those Daityas had been slain in the great battle, and when sins had been utterly destroyed by Govinda, the great-souled,

Verse 40

ततो देवाः सगंधर्वा नागा विद्याधरास्तथा । संप्रोचुर्माधवं सर्वे बद्धप्रांजलयस्ततः

Then the gods—together with the Gandharvas, the Nāgas, and the Vidyādharas—addressed Mādhava; all of them, hands joined in reverence, spoke to Him at that moment.

Verse 41

भगवन्देवदेवेश हृषीकेश नमोस्तु ते । विज्ञापयामहे त्वां वै तत्सर्वमवधार्यताम्

O Blessed Lord, God of gods, O Hṛṣīkeśa—salutations unto You. We lay our petition before You; may all of it be duly heard and weighed.

Verse 42

शास्ता गोप्ता च पुण्यात्मा अस्माकं कुरु केशव । राजानं पुण्यधर्माणं त्वमिंद्रं लोकशासनम्

O Keśava, be our righteous ruler and protector. Make him a king devoted to sacred dharma—an Indra-like sovereign, a governor of the worlds.

Verse 43

त्रैलोक्यस्य प्रजा देव यमाश्रित्य सुखं लभेत् । वासुदेव उवाच । मम लोके महाभागा वैष्णवेन समन्वितः

O god, the subjects of the three worlds, taking refuge in Yama, obtain well-being. Vāsudeva said: “In My realm, O greatly fortunate one, one dwells endowed with Vaiṣṇava devotion.”

Verse 44

तेजसा ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठश्चिरकालं निवासितः । तस्य कालः प्रपूर्णश्च मम लोके महात्मनः

O best of brāhmaṇas, by his spiritual radiance he dwelt there for a long time; and the allotted time of that great-souled one in My world became fully complete.

Verse 45

वसतस्तस्य विप्रस्य मद्भक्तस्य सुरोत्तमाः । तेजसा वैष्णवेनैव भवतां पालको हि सः

O best of the gods, that brāhmaṇa—dwelling there as My devotee—indeed, by his very Vaiṣṇava splendor, is the protector of you all.

Verse 46

भविष्यति स धर्मात्मा स च धर्मानुरंजकः । पालको धारकश्चैव स च ब्राह्मणसत्तमः

He will be righteous at heart and a promoter of dharma; a protector and a sustainer as well—indeed, an excellent among brāhmaṇas.

Verse 47

भविष्यति स धर्मात्मा भवतां त्राणकारणात् । अदित्यास्तनयश्चैव सुव्रताख्यो महामनाः

Because you are the cause of his deliverance, he will become righteous-souled; and he will also be born as Aditi’s son—the great-minded one named Suvrata.

Verse 48

महाबलो महावीर्यः स व इंद्रो भविष्यति । सूत उवाच । एवं वरान्स देवेशो दत्वा देवेभ्य उत्तमम्

Mighty in strength and great in valor, he indeed will become Indra. Sūta said: Thus, the Lord of the gods, having granted these excellent boons to the gods, proceeded onward.

Verse 49

देवा विजयिनः सर्वे विष्णुना सह सत्तमाः । कश्यपं पितरं दृष्टुं मातरं च ततो गताः

Then all the gods—victorious and noble—along with Viṣṇu, went to see their father Kaśyapa and their mother.

Verse 50

प्रणेमुस्ते महात्मान उभावेतौ सुखासनौ । ऊचुः प्रांजलयः सर्वे हर्षेण महतान्विताः

All of them, with folded hands and filled with great joy, bowed down to those two great souls seated comfortably, and then spoke.

Verse 51

युवयोश्च प्रसादेन देवत्वं हि गता वयम् । हर्षेण महताविष्टो देवान्वाक्यमुवाच सः

“Through the gracious favor of you both, we have indeed attained divinity.” Overwhelmed by great joy, he then addressed the gods with these words.

Verse 52

कश्यप उवाच । यूयं वै सत्यधर्मेण वर्तमानाः सदैव हि । आवयोश्च प्रसादेन तपसश्च प्रभावतः

Kaśyapa said: “Indeed, you are always established in the dharma of truth; and by the grace of us both, and by the power of austerity, this comes to pass.”

Verse 53

प्राप्तवंतो भवंतस्तु देवत्वं चाक्षयं पदम् । वरमेव ददाम्येषां बहुप्रीतिसमन्विताः

You have indeed attained divine status and an imperishable station. Greatly pleased, I grant them a boon indeed.

Verse 54

अमरा निर्जराश्चैव अक्षयाश्च भविष्यथ । सर्वकामसमृद्धार्थाः सर्वसिद्धिसमन्विताः

You shall become like the amara—deathless, ageless, and imperishable—endowed with the fulfillment of every desire, richly prospered in all aims, and possessed of all siddhis, the spiritual attainments.

Verse 55

देवा नागाश्च गंधर्वा मत्प्रसादान्महासुराः । विष्णुरुवाच । वरं वरय भद्रं ते देवमातर्यशस्विनि

“By my grace, the gods, the nāgas, the gandharvas, and even the mighty asuras have been favored.” Viṣṇu said: “Choose a boon—may you be well, O illustrious Mother of the gods.”

Verse 56

मनसा चेप्सितं सर्वं तत्ते दद्मि सुनिश्चितम् । अदितिरुवाच । पूर्वं पुत्रवती भूता प्रसादात्तव माधव

“Whatever you have desired in your mind—I shall surely grant all that to you.” Aditi said: “Formerly, O Mādhava, by your grace I became blessed with a son.”

Verse 57

अमरा निर्जराः सर्वे अक्षयाः पुण्यवत्सलाः । अमी पुत्रा मया लब्धाः श्रूयतां मधुसूदन

All these are immortals—ageless, imperishable, and devoted to merit. These sons have been obtained by me; listen, O Madhusūdana.

Verse 58

सुतरां त्वं च गोविंद सर्वकामसमृद्धिदः । मम गर्भे वसंश्चैव भवांश्च मम नंदनः

Indeed, O Govinda, you are the giver of the fulfillment of all desires. Dwell in my womb, and become my son.

Verse 59

त्वया पुत्रेण नित्यं च यथा नंदामि केशव । एवं महोदयं नाथ पूरयस्व मनोरथम्

O Keśava, just as I am ever gladdened by you as my son, so too, O Lord of great beneficence—fulfill my cherished wish.

Verse 60

वासुदेव उवाच । भवत्या देवकार्यार्थं गंतव्यं मानुषीं तनुम् । तदाहं तव गर्भे वै वासं यास्यामि निश्चितम्

Vāsudeva said: “For the sake of the gods’ work, you must go and take on a human body. Therefore, I shall certainly take up my dwelling in your womb.”

Verse 61

युगे द्वादशके प्राप्ते भूभारहरणाय वै । जमदग्निसुतो देवि रामो नाम द्विजोत्तमः

When the twelfth age arrived, to remove the burden of the earth, O Goddess, there appeared Jamadagni’s son—Rāma by name—the foremost among the twice-born.

Verse 62

प्रतापतेजसायुक्तः सर्वक्षत्रवधाय च । तव पुत्रो भविष्यामि सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः

Endowed with might and fiery splendor—and for the destruction of all the Kṣatriyas—I shall become your son, the foremost among all who bear weapons.

Verse 63

सप्तविंशतिके प्राप्ते त्रेताख्ये तु तथा युगे । रामो नाम भविष्यामि तव पुत्रः पतिव्रते

When the twenty-seventh cycle arrives—likewise in the Yuga called Tretā—I shall be born as your son, O devoted wife, bearing the name Rāma.

Verse 64

पुनः पुत्रो भविष्यामि तवैव शृणु पुण्यधेः । अष्टाविंशतिके प्राप्ते द्वापरांते युगे तदा

I shall again become your son—listen, O treasure of merit. When the twenty-eighth cycle arrives, at the end of the Dvāpara Yuga, at that time…

Verse 65

सर्वदैत्यविनाशार्थे भूभारहरणाय च । वासुदेवाख्यस्ते पुत्रो भविष्यामि न संशयः

For the destruction of all the Daityas and for the removal of the earth’s burden, I shall become your son, named Vāsudeva—of this there is no doubt.

Verse 66

इदानीं कुरु कल्याणि मद्वाक्यं धर्मसंयुतम् । सर्वलक्षणसंपन्नं सत्यधर्मसमन्वितम्

Now then, O auspicious one, carry out my instruction in harmony with dharma—complete in every proper mark, and grounded in truth and righteousness.

Verse 67

सर्वज्ञं सर्वदे देवि पुत्रमुत्पाद्य सुंदरम् । इंद्रत्वं तस्य दास्यामि इंद्रः सोपि भविष्यति

O Goddess, bestower of all, after you beget a beautiful son who is all-knowing, I shall grant him the rank of Indra; he too will become Indra.

Verse 68

एवं संभाषितं श्रुत्वा महाहर्षसमन्विता । देवदेवप्रसादेन इंद्रः पुत्रो भविष्यति

Hearing these words, she was filled with great joy. By the grace of the God of gods, Indra will be born as her son.

Verse 69

एवमस्तु महाभाग तव वाक्यं करोम्यहम् । ततस्ता देवताः सर्वा जग्मुः स्वस्थानमेव हि

“So be it, O noble one; I shall do as you have spoken.” Thereafter, all the deities indeed departed to their own abodes.

Verse 70

हरिणा सह ते सर्वे निरातंका मुदान्विताः । सूत उवाच । अदितिः कश्यपं प्राह ऋतुं प्राप्य मनस्विनी

All of them, together with Hari (Viṣṇu), were free from fear and filled with joy. Sūta said: Aditi, steadfast in mind, having reached the proper season, spoke to Kaśyapa.

Verse 71

भगवन्दीयतां पुत्रः सुरेंद्रपदभोजकः । चिंतयित्वा क्षणं विप्रस्तामुवाच मनस्विनीम्

“O revered lady, let a son be granted—one who shall attain and partake of the lotus-feet of Surendra, Lord of the gods.” Having reflected for a moment, the brāhmaṇa spoke thus to that resolute-minded woman.

Verse 72

एवमस्तु महाभागे तव पुत्रो भविष्यति । त्रैलोक्यस्यापि कर्ता स यज्ञभोक्ता स एव च

“So be it, O noble and fortunate lady—indeed, you shall have a son. He will be the maker and ruler of the three worlds, and he alone will be the enjoyer of the sacrifices (yajñas).”

Verse 73

तस्याः शिरसि सन्यस्य स्वहस्तं च द्विजोत्तमः । तपश्चचार तेजस्वी सत्यधर्मसमन्वितः

Placing his own hand upon her head, that foremost of the twice-born—radiant and endowed with truth and dharma—undertook the practice of austerities (tapas).

Verse 74

सुव्रतो नाम तेजस्वी विष्णुलोके वसेत्सदा । तस्य पुण्यक्षये जाते विष्णुलोकाद्द्विजोत्तमाः

A radiant one named Suvrata dwells ever in Viṣṇu’s realm. But when his store of merit is exhausted, O best of brāhmaṇas, he departs from Viṣṇu’s world…

Verse 75

पतनं कर्मवशतस्ततस्तस्य द्विजोत्तमाः । पुण्यगर्भं गतो विप्र अदित्यास्तु महातपाः

O best of the twice-born, his fall occurred under the compulsion of karma. Thereafter, O brāhmaṇa, the great ascetics—the Ādityas—attained the state called Puṇyagarbha.

Verse 76

इंद्रत्वं भोक्तुकामार्थं सत्यपुण्येन कर्मणा । गर्भं दधार सा देवी पुण्येन तपसा किल

Wishing to enjoy the rank of Indra, that goddess—through truthful and meritorious deeds—indeed conceived a child by the virtue of her holy austerities.

Verse 77

तपस्तेपे निरालस्या वनवासं गता सती । दिव्यं वर्षशतं यातं तपंत्यां देवमातरि

Without laziness, the virtuous lady went to dwell in the forest and practiced austerities. While the Mother of the gods was thus performing penance, a divine hundred years passed.

Verse 78

तपंत्यथ तपस्तीव्रं दुष्करं देवतासुरैः । ततः सा तपसा तेन तेजसा च प्रभान्विता

Then she undertook intense austerities—difficult even for the gods and the asuras. Thereafter, by that penance and its spiritual radiance, she became endowed with brilliance.

Verse 79

सूर्यतेजः प्रतीकाशा द्वितीय इव भास्करः । शुशुभे सा यथा दीप्ता परमं ध्यानमास्थिता

Radiant with the splendor of the sun—like a second Sun—she shone brilliantly, abiding in the highest meditation.

Verse 80

रूपेणाधिकतां याता तपसस्तेजसा तदा । तपोध्यानपरा सा च वायुभक्षा तपस्विनी

Then, by the radiant power of her austerities, she attained an even greater beauty. Devoted wholly to ascetic practice and meditation, that female ascetic lived on air alone.

Verse 81

अधिकं शुशुभे देवी दक्षस्य तनया तदा । सिद्धाश्च ऋषयः सर्वे देवाश्चापि महौजसः

Then the Goddess—Dakṣa’s daughter—shone with even greater splendor; and all the Siddhas and Ṛṣis, as well as the gods of mighty radiance, were present.

Verse 82

स्तुवंति तां महाभागां रक्षंति च सुतत्पराः । पूर्णे वर्षशते तस्या विष्णुस्तत्र समागतः

They praise that most fortunate lady and diligently protect her. When a full hundred years were completed for her, Viṣṇu came there.

Verse 83

तामुवाच महाभागामदितिं तपसान्विताम् । देवि गर्भः सुसंपूर्णः सूतिकालः प्रवर्तते

He spoke to the greatly fortunate Aditi, endowed with austerities: “Goddess, the pregnancy is fully complete; the time of delivery has now begun.”

Verse 84

तवैव तपसा पुष्टस्तेजसा च प्रवर्द्धितः । अद्यैव गर्भमेतं त्वं मुंच मुंच यशस्विनि

Nourished indeed by your austerity and increased by your radiant power—release this very embryo at once, release it, O illustrious lady.

Verse 85

एवमाभाष्य देवेशः स जगाम स्वकं गृहम् । असूत पुत्रं सा देवी काले प्राप्ते महोदये

Having spoken thus, the Lord of the gods went to his own abode. In due course, when the auspicious time arrived, that goddess gave birth to a son.

Verse 86

सा पुत्रं दीप्तिसंयुक्तं द्वितीयमिव भास्करम् । सुभगं चारुसर्वांगं सर्वलक्षणसंयुतम्

She beheld her son, radiant with splendor like a second sun—handsome, with beautiful limbs, and endowed with every auspicious mark.

Verse 87

चतुर्बाहुं महाकायं लोकपालं सुरेश्वरम् । तेजोज्वालासमाकीर्णं चक्रपद्मसुहस्तकम्

Four-armed and vast-bodied, the guardian of the worlds, the lord of the gods—surrounded by blazing radiance, holding the discus and the lotus in his hands.

Verse 88

चंद्रबिंबानुकारेण वदनेन महामतिः । राजमानं महाप्राज्ञं तेजसा वैष्णवेन च

With a face resembling the orb of the moon, the great-minded one—highly wise—shone forth, radiant with Vaishnava splendor.

Verse 89

अन्यैश्च लक्षणैर्दिव्यैर्दिव्यभावैरलंकृतम् । सर्वलक्षणसंपूर्णं चंद्रास्यं कमलेक्षणम्

Adorned with other divine marks and exalted qualities—complete in every auspicious sign—moon-faced and lotus-eyed.

Verse 90

आजग्मुस्ते त्रयो देवा ऋषयो वेदपारगाः । गंधर्वाश्च ततो नागाः सिद्धाविद्याधरास्तथा

Then those three gods arrived, along with sages well-versed in the Vedas; and after them came the Gandharvas, the Nāgas, and likewise the Siddhas and Vidyādharas.

Verse 91

ऋषयः सप्त ते दिव्याः पूर्वापरमहौजसः । अन्ये च मुनयः पुण्याः पुण्यमंगलदायिनः

Those seven Ṛṣis are divine, endowed with supreme power in former and later times; and there are also other holy munis who bestow merit and auspiciousness.

Verse 92

आजग्मुस्ते महात्मानो हर्षनिर्भरमानसाः । तस्मिञ्जाते महाभागे भगवंतो महौजसि

Those great-souled ones arrived, their minds overflowing with joy, when the highly fortunate, mighty, radiant Lord was born.

Verse 93

आजग्मुर्देवताः सर्वे पर्वतास्तु तपस्विनः । क्षीराद्याः सागराः सर्वे नद्यश्चैव तथामलाः

All the deities arrived, and so did the ascetic mountains; all the oceans, beginning with the Milk Ocean, came as well, and likewise the pure rivers.

Verse 94

प्रीतिमंतस्ततः सर्वे ये चान्ये हि चराचराः । मंगलैस्तु महोत्साहं चक्रुः सर्वे सुरेश्वराः

Then all were filled with joy—indeed, all other beings, moving and unmoving; and all the lords of the gods performed auspicious rites, raising a great spirit of celebration and resolve.

Verse 95

ननृतुश्चाप्सराः संघा गंधर्वा ललितं जगुः । वेदमंत्रैस्ततो देवा ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः

Hosts of Apsarās danced, and the Gandharvas sang sweetly; then the gods and the Brāhmaṇas—masters of the Vedas—recited Vedic mantras.

Verse 96

स्तुवंति तं महात्मानं सुतं वै कश्यपस्य च । ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च वेदाश्चैव समागताः

They praised that great-souled one, the son of Kaśyapa. Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Rudra, and the Vedas as well had assembled there.

Verse 97

सांगोपांगैश्च संयुक्तास्तस्मिञ्जाते महौजसि । त्रैलोक्ये यानि सत्वानि पुण्ययुक्तानि सत्तम

When that mighty, radiant one was born, all beings throughout the three worlds—together with their limbs and subsidiary parts—became joined with merit, O best of the good.

Verse 98

समागतानि तत्रैव तस्मिञ्जाते महौजसि । मंगलं चक्रिरे सर्वे गीतपुण्यैर्महोत्सवैः

Right there they all gathered; and when that mighty, radiant one was born, everyone performed auspicious rites, celebrating with great festivals made holy by sacred songs.

Verse 99

हर्षेण निर्भराः सर्वे पूजयंतो महौजसः । ब्रह्माद्याश्च त्रयो देवाः कश्यपोथ बृहस्पतिः

All of them, overflowing with joy, were worshipping that mighty, radiant one—Brahmā and the other three gods, as well as Kaśyapa and Bṛhaspati.

Verse 100

चक्रिरे नामकर्माणि तस्यैव हि महात्मनः । वसुदत्तेति विख्यातो वसुदेति पुनस्तव

They performed the naming rite for that very noble soul. He became renowned by the name “Vasudatta,” and again he was also called “Vasudeva,” O you.

Verse 101

आखंडलेति तन्नाम मरुत्वान्नाम ते पुनः । मघवांश्च बिडौजास्त्वं पाकशासन इत्यपि

“Your name is ‘Ākhaṇḍala’; and again you are called ‘Marutvān’. You are also ‘Maghavān’, ‘Biḍaujās’, and likewise ‘Pākaśāsana’.”

Verse 102

शक्रश्चैव हि विख्यात इंद्रश्चैवेति ते सुतः । इत्येतानि च नामानि तस्यैव च महात्मनः

He is indeed renowned as “Śakra,” and also as “Indra,” O son. These are the very names of that great-souled one.

Verse 103

चक्रुश्च देवताः सर्वाः संतुष्टा हृष्टमानसाः । स्नानं तु कारयामासुः संस्काराणि महासुरः

All the gods, satisfied and joyful at heart, performed the rites. Then the great asura had the ritual bathing and the sacred ceremonies carried out.

Verse 104

विश्वकर्माणमाहूय ददुराभरणानि च । तानि पुण्यानि दिव्यानि तस्मै ते तु महात्मने

Summoning Viśvakarman, they presented ornaments as well—those meritorious, divine adornments—to that great-souled one.

Verse 105

जाते तस्मिन्महाभागे देवराजे महात्मनि । एवं मुदं ततः प्रापुः सर्वे देवा महौजसः

When that illustrious, great-souled lord of the gods was born, then all the mighty gods were filled with joy.

Verse 106

पुण्ये तिथौ तथा ऋक्षे सुमुहूर्ते महात्मभिः । इंद्रत्वे स्थापितो देवैरभिषिक्तः सुमंगलैः

On an auspicious tithi and under a favorable constellation, at the most excellent moment, the great-souled ones installed him in the office of Indra, and the gods anointed him with supremely auspicious rites.

Verse 107

प्राप्तमैंद्रपदं तेन प्रसादात्तस्य चक्रिणः । तपश्चकार तेजस्वी वसुदत्तः सुरेश्वरः

By the grace of that discus-bearing Lord, he attained the rank of Indra; and then the radiant Vasudatta, a lord among the gods, undertook austerities.

Verse 108

उग्रेण तेजसा युक्तो वज्रपाशांकुशायुधः

Endowed with fierce splendor, he bore as his weapons the thunderbolt (vajra), the noose (pāśa), and the goad (aṅkuśa).

Verse 109

सूत उवाच । उग्रं समस्तं तपसः प्रभावं विलोक्य शुक्रो निजगाद गाथाम् । लोकेषु कोन्यो न भविष्यतीति यथा हि चायं च सुदर्शनीयः

Sūta said: Beholding the fierce and complete potency of that austerity, Śukra uttered a verse: “In the worlds, who else will there be? For indeed he is most beautiful to behold.”

Verse 110

विष्णोः प्रसादान्न परो महात्मा संप्राप्तमैश्वर्यमिहैव दिव्यम्

By the grace of Viṣṇu, none is greater than that noble soul; even here, he attains divine lordship.

Verse 111

अनेन तुल्यो न भविष्यतीति लोकेषु चान्यस्तपसोग्रवीर्यः

In the worlds, there will be none other whose fierce ascetic power will equal his.