Adhyaya 65
Greatness of the Mother-and-Father Tīrtha (within the Vena Episode)
In PP.2.65, a didactic dialogue unfolds as King Yayāti asks why a body that has “protected dharma” does not ascend to heaven. Mātali, the divine charioteer, replies by distinguishing the Ātman from the five elements, teaching that the elements do not truly unite; at old age and death they disperse and return to their own spheres. The chapter sustains an earth–body analogy: as earth softens when moistened and is then pierced by ants and mice, so the body develops swellings, eruptions, worms, and painful tumors. The ethical-philosophical conclusion is that the body’s earthly portion remains on earth, and mere conjunction of breath/life does not qualify it for heaven—spiritual ascent pertains to the Ātman and to merit, not to the perishable body. The colophon identifies it as the “Greatness of the Mother-and-Father Tīrtha” within the Vena episode.
Shlokas
Verse 1
ययातिरुवाच । धर्मस्य रक्षकः कायो मातले चात्मना सह । नाकमेष न प्रयाति तन्मे त्वं कारणं वद
Yayāti said: “O Mātali, this body—together with the Self (Ātman)—has been a protector of dharma; yet it does not depart for heaven. Tell me the reason for this.”
Verse 2
मातलिरुवाच । पंचानामपि भूतानां संगतिर्नास्ति भूपते । आत्मना सह वर्तंते संगत्या नैव पंच ते
Mātali said: “O king, even among the five elements there is no true union. They function only in association with the Self (Ātman); by mere mutual contact they do not become one.”
Verse 3
सर्वेषां तत्र संघातः कायग्रामे प्रवर्तते । जरया पीडिताः सर्वेः स्वंस्वं स्थानं प्रयांति ते
There, within the village of the body, the assemblage of all comes into activity. But when all are afflicted by old age, they depart—each returning to its own proper place.
Verse 4
यथा रसाधिका पृथ्वी महाराज प्रकल्पिता । रसैः क्लिन्ना ततः पृथ्वी मृदुत्वं याति भूपते
Just as the earth, O great king, is fashioned rich in sap; when moistened by those fluids, the earth becomes soft, O lord of the land.
Verse 5
भिद्यते पिपीलिकाभिर्मूषिकाभिस्तथैव च । छिद्राण्येव प्रजायंते वल्मीकाश्च महोदराः
It is pierced by ants and likewise by mice; only holes come into being, and great-bellied anthills also arise.
Verse 6
तद्वत्काये प्रजायंते गंडमाला विचार्चिकाः । कृमिभिर्भिद्यमानश्च काय एष नरोत्तम
Likewise, in the body arise swollen glands and skin eruptions; and this very body, O best of men, is eaten away as it is pierced by worms.
Verse 7
गुल्मास्तत्र प्रजायंते सद्यः पीडाकरास्तदा । एभिर्दोषैः समायुक्तः कायोयं नहुषात्मज । कथं प्राणसमायोगाद्दिवं याति नरेश्वर
There, painful tumors arise at once. O son of Nahuṣa, this body—afflicted with such defects—how can it, merely by the conjunction of breath and life, go to heaven, O king?
Verse 8
काये पार्थिवभागोऽयं समानार्थं प्रतिष्ठितः । न कायः स्वर्गमायाति यथा पृथ्वी तथास्थितः
In the body, this earthly portion is established for the same end. The body does not go to heaven; it remains just as the earth remains.
Verse 9
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं दोषौघैः पार्थिवस्य यः
All this has been declared to you—concerning that king who is beset by a multitude of faults.
Verse 65
इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे भूमिखंडे वेनोपाख्याने मातापितृतीर्थ । माहात्म्ये पंचषष्टितमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the sixty-fifth chapter, “The Greatness of the Mother-and-Father Tīrtha,” in the Vena episode, in the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa of the revered Padma Purāṇa.