Adhyaya 98

Verse 1

सूत उवाच । एवमुक्ते शुभे वाक्ये विज्वलेन महात्मना । कुंजलो वदतां श्रेष्ठः स्तोत्रं पुण्यमुदैरयत्

Sūta said: When those auspicious words had thus been spoken by the great-souled Vijvala, Kuñjala—foremost among speakers—then uttered a sacred hymn.

Verse 2

ध्यात्वा नत्वा हृषीकेशं सर्वक्लेशविनाशनम् । सर्वश्रेयः प्रदातारं हरेः स्तोत्रमुदीरितम्

Having meditated upon and bowed to Hṛṣīkeśa—who destroys all afflictions and bestows every auspicious good—the hymn to Hari is then proclaimed.

Verse 3

वासुदेवाभिधानं तत्सर्वश्रेयः प्रदायकम् । मोक्षद्वारं सुखोपेतं शांतिदं पुष्टिवर्द्धनम्

That appellation—“Vāsudeva”—bestows every highest good; it is the gateway to liberation, endowed with happiness, a giver of peace, and an increaser of nourishment and prosperity.

Verse 4

सर्वकामप्रदातारं ज्ञानदं ज्ञानवर्द्धनम् । वासुदेवस्य यत्स्तोत्रं विज्वलाय प्रकाशितम्

That hymn of Vāsudeva—granting all desired aims, bestowing knowledge, and increasing knowledge—was revealed to Vijvalā.

Verse 5

वासुदेवाभिधानं चाप्रमेयं पुण्यवर्द्धनम् । सोऽवगम्य पितुः सर्वं विज्वलः पक्षिणांवरः

He came to know the immeasurable, merit-increasing sacred name of Vāsudeva; and Vijvala, foremost among birds, understood everything from his father.

Verse 6

तत्रगंतुंप्रचक्रामपितुःपृष्टंतदानृप । एवं गंतुं कृतमतिं विज्वलं ज्ञानपारगम्

O king, then—having been questioned by his father—he set out to go there. Thus, resolved to depart, that radiant one, who had crossed to the far shore of knowledge, proceeded.

Verse 7

उवाच पुत्रं धर्मात्मा उपकारसमुद्यतम्

The righteous-souled one spoke to his son, who was intent on rendering help.

Verse 8

कुंजल उवाच । पुत्र तस्य महज्जाने पातकं भूपतेः शृणु । यतो गत्वा पठ स्वत्वं सुबाहोश्चोपशृण्वतः

Kuñjala said: “My son, hear of that great sin of the king, fully known to me. Go there and recite the account as it truly is, while Subāhu listens as well.”

Verse 9

यथायथा श्रोष्यति स्तोत्रमुत्तमं तथा तथा ज्ञानमयो भविष्यति । श्रीवासुदेवस्य न संशयो वै तस्य प्रसादात्सुशिवं मयोक्तम्

As one hears this most excellent hymn again and again, so one becomes ever more filled with true knowledge. Of Śrī Vāsudeva there is indeed no doubt; by His grace I have spoken what is supremely auspicious.

Verse 10

आमंत्र्य स गुरुं पश्चादुड्डीय लघुविक्रमः । आनंदकाननं पुण्यं संप्राप्तो विज्वलस्तदा

After taking leave of his teacher, the swift and light-footed Vijvala flew forth and reached the holy grove called Ānandakānana.

Verse 11

वृक्षच्छायां समाश्रित्य उपविष्टो मुदान्वितः । समालोक्य स राजानं विमानेनागतं पुनः

Taking refuge in the shade of a tree, he sat down, filled with joy. Then he looked and saw the king once again arriving in a celestial vimāna.

Verse 12

एष्यत्यसौ कदा राजा सुबाहुः प्रियया सह । पातकान्मोचयिष्यामि स्तोत्रेणानेन वै कदा

When will that king Subāhu arrive, together with his beloved? And when, indeed, shall I free him from sins by means of this hymn?

Verse 13

तावद्विमानः संप्राप्तः किंकिणीजालमंडितः । घंटारवसमाकीर्णो वीणावेणुसमन्वितः

Just then a celestial vimāna arrived, adorned with a network of tinkling bells, filled with the resonance of ringing, and accompanied by the music of vīṇā and flute.

Verse 14

गंधर्वस्वरसंघुष्टश्चाप्सरोभिः समन्वितः । सर्वकामसमृद्धस्तु अन्नोदकविवर्जितः

Resounding with the music of the Gandharvas and accompanied by Apsarases, it abounds in every desired delight—yet it is devoid of food and water.

Verse 15

तस्मिन्याने स्थितो राजा सुबाहुः प्रियया सह । समुत्तीर्णो विमानात्स सुतार्क्ष्य प्रियया सह

Seated in that conveyance, King Subāhu, together with his beloved, then descended from the celestial vimāna—along with Sutārkṣya and his beloved.

Verse 16

शस्त्रमादाय तीक्ष्णं तु यावत्कृंतति तच्छवम् । तावद्धि विज्वलेनापि समाह्वानं कृतं तदा

Taking up a sharp weapon, for as long as he was cutting up that corpse, for just so long—even by Vijvala—was the summons made at that time.

Verse 17

भो भोः पुरुषशार्दूल देवोपम भवानिदम् । करोति निर्घृणं कर्म नृशंसैर्न च शक्यते

O! O tiger among men, O godlike one—this deed you are doing is merciless; it cannot be tolerated even by the cruel-minded.

Verse 18

कर्तुं पुरुषशार्दूल कोऽयं विधिविपर्ययः । दुष्कृतं साहसं कर्म निंद्यं लोकेषु सर्वदा

O tiger among men, what is this reversal of right dharma you are about to commit? Such a reckless deed is wrongdoing, and it is always condemned in the world.

Verse 19

वेदाचारविहीनं तु कस्मात्प्रारब्धवानि ह । तन्मे त्वं कारणं सर्वं कथयस्व यथा तथा

Why did you undertake this, though devoid of the conduct enjoined by the Vedas? Tell me fully the cause of it all—exactly as it is.

Verse 20

इत्येवं भाषितं तस्य विज्वलस्य महात्मनः । समाकर्ण्य महाराजः स्वप्रियां वाक्यमब्रवीत्

Having thus heard the words spoken by that great-souled Vijvala, the great king addressed his beloved with these words.

Verse 21

प्रिये वर्षशतं भुक्तं मयेदं पापकर्मणा । कदा न भाषितं केन यथायं परिभाषते

Beloved, for a hundred years I have endured this through my own sinful deeds. Never before has anyone spoken to me in the way this one now addresses me.

Verse 22

ममैवं पीड्यमानस्य क्षुधया हृदयं प्रिये । निर्गतं चोत्सुकं कांते शांतिश्चित्ते प्रवर्तते

O beloved, as I am thus tormented by hunger, my heart—restless as though it would leave my body—finds no peace arising in the mind.

Verse 23

यावदस्य श्रुतं वाक्यं सर्वदुःखस्य शांतिदम् । तावच्चित्ते समाह्लादो वर्तते चारुहासिनि

So long as his words are heard—words that bring peace from every sorrow—so long a deep gladness remains in the heart, O fair-smiling one.

Verse 24

कोयं देवो नु गंधर्वः सहस्राक्षो भविष्यति । मुनीनां स्याद्वचः सत्यं यदुक्तं मुनिना पुरा

Who indeed is this being—god or Gandharva—who will become “the thousand-eyed one”? May the sages’ words prove true, as the seer spoke long ago.

Verse 25

एवमाभाषितं श्रुत्वा प्रियस्यानंतरं प्रिया । राजानं प्रत्युवाचाथ भार्या पतिपरायणा

Hearing these words spoken by her beloved, the devoted wife—ever dedicated to her husband—then replied to the king.

Verse 26

सत्यमुक्तं त्वया नाथ इदमाश्चर्यमुत्तमम् । यथा ते वर्तते कांत मम चित्ते तथा पुनः

O Lord, what you have spoken is true—this is a most wondrous marvel. O beloved, just as it is with you, so indeed it is again within my heart.

Verse 27

पक्षिरूपधरः कोऽयं पृच्छते हितकारिवत् । एवमाभाषितं श्रुत्वा प्रियायाः पृथिवीपतिः

“Who is this one, assuming the form of a bird, who asks questions as though he were a well-wisher?” Hearing his beloved speak thus, the lord of the earth, the king…

Verse 28

बद्धांजलिपुटोभूत्वा पक्षिणं वाक्यमब्रवीत् । सुबाहुरुवाच । स्वागतं ते महाप्राज्ञ पक्षिरूपधरः प्रभो

Folding his hands in reverence, he addressed the bird. Subāhu said: “Welcome to you, O greatly wise one—O Lord who has assumed the form of a bird.”

Verse 29

शिरसा भार्यया सार्द्धं तव पादांबुजद्वयम् । नमस्करोम्यहं पुण्यमस्तु नस्त्वत्प्रसादतः

Together with my wife, I bow my head to your pair of lotus-feet. I offer reverent salutations—may auspicious merit be ours through your grace.

Verse 30

भवान्कः पक्षिरूपेण पुण्यमेवं प्रभाषते । यादृशं क्रियतेकर्म पूर्वदेहेन सत्तम

“Who are you, speaking such pious words while in the form of a bird? O best of the virtuous, what sort of action did you perform in a former body?”

Verse 31

सुकृतं दुष्कृतं वापि तदिहैव प्रभुज्यते । अथ तेनात्मकं वृत्तं तस्याग्रे च निवेदितम्

Whether merit or demerit, it is indeed experienced here itself. Thereafter, the course of events shaped by that karma is presented before him.

Verse 32

यथोक्तं कुंजलेनापि पित्रा पूर्वं श्रुतं तथा । कथयस्वात्मवृत्तांतं भवान्को मां प्रभाषते

Just as it was said earlier—and as my father too once heard from Kuñjala—so tell me your own account: who are you, speaking to me?

Verse 33

सुबाहुं प्रत्युवाचेदं वाक्यं पक्षिवरस्तदा । विज्वल उवाच । शुकजात्यां समुत्पन्नः कुंजलोनाम मे पिता

Then the excellent bird addressed Subāhu with these words. Vijvala said: “Born in the parrot lineage, my father was named Kuṃjala.”

Verse 34

तस्याहं विज्वलो नाम तृतीयस्तु सुतेष्वहम् । नाहं देवो न गंधर्वो न च सिद्धो महाभुज

Of him, I am the third among the sons, named Vijvala. I am neither a deva, nor a Gandharva, nor even a Siddha, O mighty-armed one.

Verse 35

नित्यमेव प्रपश्यामि कर्म चैवं सुदारुणम् । कियत्कालं महत्कर्म साहसाकारसंयुतम्

I constantly behold this deed—so exceedingly dreadful. For how long must this great undertaking, fraught with rashness and audacity, continue?

Verse 36

करिष्यसि महाराज तन्मे कथय सांप्रतम् । सुबाहुरुवाच । वासुदेवाभिधानं यत्पूर्वमुक्तं हि ब्राह्मणैः

“O great king, tell me now what you will do.” Sūbāhu said: “That designation ‘Vāsudeva’ was indeed spoken earlier by the brāhmaṇas.”

Verse 37

श्रोष्याम्यहं यदा भद्र गतिं स्वां प्राप्नुयां तदा । पुण्यात्मना भाषितं वै मुनिना संयतात्मना

O noble one, when I attain my own destined state, then indeed I shall hear what was spoken by the virtuous, self-restrained sage.

Verse 38

तदाहं पातकान्मुक्तो भविष्यामि न संशयः । विज्वल उवाच । तवार्थे पृच्छितस्तातस्तेन मे कथितं च यत्

“Then I shall be freed from sins—of this there is no doubt.” Vijvala said: “For your sake, my dear one, my father was questioned, and he told me what he said.”

Verse 39

तत्तेद्याहं प्रवक्ष्यामि शाश्वतं शृणु सत्तम

Therefore I shall now declare to you the eternal teaching; listen, O best among the virtuous.

Verse 40

ओंअस्य श्रीवासुदेवाभिधानस्य स्तोत्रस्य नारदऋषिरनुष्टुप्छंदः । ओंकारोदेवता सर्वपातकनाशनार्थे चतुर्वर्गसाधनार्थे च जपे विनियोगः । ओंनमो भगवते वासुदेवाय इति मंत्रः । पावनं परमं पुण्यं वेदज्ञं वेदमंदिरम् । विद्याधारं भवाधारं प्रणवं वै नमाम्यहम्

For this hymn known as the “Śrī Vāsudeva” stotra, Nārada is the seer and Anuṣṭubh the metre. The deity is Oṃkāra; its recitation is enjoined for the destruction of all sins and for the attainment of the four aims of life. The mantra is: “Oṃ, obeisance to the Blessed Lord Vāsudeva.” I bow to Praṇava (Oṃ)—the purifier, of supreme merit, knower of the Vedas and the very sanctuary of the Vedas; the support of knowledge and the support of worldly existence.

Verse 41

निरावासं निराकारं सुप्रकाशं महोदयम् । निर्गुणं गुणसंबद्धं नमामि प्रणवं परम्

I bow to the supreme Praṇava (Om)—without abode, without form, brilliantly self-luminous, the source of the highest uplift; beyond the guṇas, yet connected with the guṇas.

Verse 42

महाकांतं महोत्साहं महामोहविनाशनम् । आचिन्वंतं जगत्सर्वं गुणातीतं नमाम्यहम्

I bow to the supremely beloved and greatly valorous One, the destroyer of vast delusion—who pervades and gathers up the entire universe, and who transcends the three guṇas.

Verse 43

भाति सर्वत्र यो भूत्वा भूतानां भूतिवर्द्धनः । अभयं भिक्षुसंबद्धं नमामि प्रणवं शिवम्

I bow to Śiva, the sacred Praṇava (Oṁ)—who, being present everywhere, shines in all places; who increases the welfare of all beings; and who is fearlessness itself, allied with the mendicant’s path.

Verse 44

गायत्रीसाम गायंतं गीतं गीतप्रियं शुभम् । गंधर्वगीतभोक्तारं प्रणवं प्रणमाम्यहम्

I bow to the sacred Praṇava (Oṁ)—auspicious and beloved of song—sung as the Gāyatrī and the Sāman, and the enjoyer of the Gandharvas’ hymns.

Verse 45

विचारं वेदरूपं तं यज्ञस्थं भक्तवत्सलम् । योनिं सर्वस्य लोकस्य ओंकारं प्रणमाम्यहम्

I bow to Oṁkāra—the sacred principle of discernment, embodied as the Vedas; abiding in the sacrifice; tender to devotees; the very womb and source of the whole world.

Verse 46

तारकं सर्वभूतानां नौरूपेण विराजितम् । संसारार्णवमग्नानां नमामि प्रणवं हरिम्

I bow to Hari, the Praṇava (Oṁ)—savior of all beings—who shines as a boat for those sunk in the ocean of saṃsāra.

Verse 47

सर्वलोकेषु वसते एकरूपेण नैकधा । धामकैवल्यरूपेण नमामि प्रणवं शिवम्

He dwells in all the worlds—one in essence, not many. As the supreme abode and the liberating Absolute, I bow to the Praṇava, to Śiva.

Verse 48

सूक्ष्मं सूक्ष्मतरं शुद्धं निर्गुणं गुणनायकम् । वर्जितं प्राकृतैर्भावैर्वेदस्थानं नमाम्यहम्

I bow to that Reality—subtle, subtler still, pure; beyond the guṇas yet the ruler of the guṇas; untouched by material states, and the very abode of the Vedas.

Verse 49

देवदैत्यवियोगैश्च वर्जितं तुष्टिभिः सदा । दैवैश्च योगिभिर्ध्येयं तमोंकारं नमाम्यहम्

I bow to that Oṃkāra, ever accompanied by serene contentment, untouched by the separations and conflicts of devas and daityas, and worthy to be meditated upon by both the gods and the yogins.

Verse 50

व्यापकं विश्ववेत्तारं विज्ञानं परमं शुभम् । शिवं शिवगुणं शांतं वंदे प्रणवमीश्वरम्

I bow to the Lord who is Om—all-pervading, the knower of the universe, supreme consciousness, utterly auspicious; benevolent (Śiva), endowed with Śiva’s qualities, and serene.

Verse 51

यस्य मायां प्रविष्टास्तु ब्रह्माद्याश्च सुरासुराः । न विंदंति परं शुद्धं मोक्षद्वारं नमाम्यहम्

I bow to Him whose māyā even Brahmā and the hosts of gods and demons have entered; they do not find that supremely pure Reality—the very gateway to liberation.

Verse 52

आनंदकंदाय विशुद्धबुद्धये शुद्धाय हंसाय परावराय । नमोऽस्तु तस्मै गणनायकाय श्रीवासुदेवाय महाप्रभाय

Salutations to that Śrī Vāsudeva, the great Lord—root of bliss, of perfectly pure intelligence; the stainless supreme Haṃsa, transcending both the higher and the lower; and the leader of the hosts.

Verse 53

श्रीपांचजन्येन विराजमानं रविप्रभेणापि सुदर्शनेन । गदाब्जकेनापि विराजमानं प्रभुं सदैनं शरणं प्रपद्ये

I take refuge in that Lord who ever shines—adorned with the glorious Pāñcajanya conch, with Sudarśana blazing like the sun, and resplendent also with the mace and the lotus.

Verse 54

यं वेदगुह्यं सगुणं गुणानामाधारभूतं सचराचरस्य । यं सूर्यवैश्वानरतुल्यतेजसं तं वासुदेवं शरणं प्रपद्ये

I take refuge in Vāsudeva—He who is the hidden secret of the Vedas; who, though transcendent, is spoken of with attributes; who is the support of all guṇas and the very foundation of the moving and unmoving universe; whose radiance equals the Sun and Vaiśvānara, the cosmic fire.

Verse 55

क्षुधानिधानं विमलं सुरूपमानंदमानेन विराजमानम् । यं प्राप्य जीवंति सुरादिलोकास्तं वासुदेवं शरणं प्रपद्ये

I take refuge in Vāsudeva—treasure-house for the hungry; the stainless One of beautiful form, resplendent with the measure of bliss; attaining Him, the worlds beginning with the realms of the devas truly live.

Verse 56

तमोघनानां स्वकरैर्विनाशं करोति नित्यं परिकर्महेतुः । उद्द्योतमानं रविदीप्ततेजसं तं वासुदेवं शरणं प्रपद्ये

I take refuge in that Vāsudeva—whose very hands ever destroy dense darkness, the cause of all right ordering; who shines forth with a splendor as radiant as the sun.

Verse 57

यो भाति सर्वत्र रविप्रभावैः करोति शोषं च रसं ददाति । यः प्राणिनामंतरगः स वायुस्तं वासुदेवं शरणं प्रपद्ये

I take refuge in Vāsudeva—He who shines everywhere with the sun’s powers, who brings about drying and also bestows moisture and sap; who moves within living beings as the vital wind, the breath of prāṇa.

Verse 58

स्वेच्छानुरूपेण स देवदेवो बिभर्ति लोकान्सकलान्महीपान् । संतारणे नौरिव वर्तते यस्तं वासुदेवं शरणं प्रपद्ये

I take refuge in Vāsudeva—the God of gods, who, in accord with His own free will, sustains all the worlds and all the kings of the earth. He is like a boat for crossing over the ocean of worldly existence (saṃsāra).

Verse 59

अंतर्गतो लोकमयः सदैव पचत्यसौ स्थावरजंगमानाम् । स्वाहामुखो देवगणस्य हेतुस्तं वासुदेवं शरणं प्रपद्ये

Ever dwelling within and pervading the worlds, He continually “cooks” (ripens and transforms) all beings—both the immobile and the moving. He is the cause of the host of gods, and He is invoked through the offering-cry “svāhā.” To that Vāsudeva, I take refuge.

Verse 60

रसैः सुपुण्यैः सकलैः सहैव पुष्णाति सौम्यो गुणदश्च लोके । अन्नानि योनिर्मल तेजसैव तं वासुदेवं शरणं प्रपद्ये

Along with all supremely meritorious essences (rasas), the gentle one nourishes the world and its ten qualities. He is the very source of foods, endowed with spotless radiance—unto that Vāsudeva I take refuge.

Verse 61

अस्त्येव सर्वत्र विनाशहेतुः सर्वाश्रयः सर्वमयः स सर्वः । विना हृषीकैर्विषयान्प्रभुंक्ते तं वासुदेवं शरणं प्रपद्ये

Indeed, everywhere He exists—the cause of dissolution, the refuge of all, the one who pervades everything, the All. Without dependence on the senses, He enjoys the objects of experience. To that Vāsudeva I take refuge.

Verse 62

जीवस्वरूपेण बिभर्ति लोकांस्ततः स्वमूर्तान्सचराचरांश्च । निष्केवलो ज्ञानमयः सुशुद्धस्तं वासुदेवं शरणं प्रपद्ये

Assuming the form of the individual soul, He sustains the worlds, and likewise His own manifested forms—both the moving and the unmoving. Pure, absolute, and made of knowledge alone, to that Vāsudeva I take refuge.

Verse 63

दैत्यांतकं दुःखविनाशमूलं शांतं परं शक्तिमयं विशालम् । यं प्राप्य देवा विनयं प्रयांति तं वासुदेवं शरणं प्रपद्ये

I take refuge in Vāsudeva—slayer of the daityas, the very root of the destruction of sorrow; tranquil, supreme, filled with divine power, and vast—attaining whom even the gods come to humility.

Verse 64

सुखं सुखांतं सुखदं सुरेशं ज्ञानार्णवं तं मुनिपं सुरेशम् । सत्याश्रयं सत्यगुणोपविष्टं तं वासुदेवं शरणं प्रपद्ये

I take refuge in that Vāsudeva—who is bliss, the culmination of bliss, and the giver of bliss; the Lord of the devas; an ocean of knowledge; the sovereign of sages; the support of truth, established in the virtues of truth.

Verse 65

यज्ञांगरूपं परमार्थरूपं मायान्वितं मापतिमुग्रपुण्यम् । विज्ञानमेकं जगतां निवासं तं वासुदेवं शरणं प्रपद्ये

I take refuge in Vāsudeva—whose very form is the body of yajña, whose nature is the highest truth; who, though associated with māyā, is the Lord and protector, supremely holy; who is the one Consciousness/Knowledge and the abode of all worlds.

Verse 66

अंभोधिमध्ये शयनं हितस्य नागांगभोगे शयनं विशाले । श्रीपादपद्मद्वयमेव तस्य तद्वासुदेवस्य नमामि नित्यम्

I ever bow to that Vāsudeva—who rests in the midst of the ocean, who reclines upon the broad coils of the serpent; and to his pair of lotus feet alone I offer constant homage.

Verse 67

पुण्यान्वितं शंकरमेव नित्यं तीर्थैरनेकैः परिसेव्यमानम् । तत्पादपद्मद्वयमेव तस्य श्रीवासुदेवस्य अघापहं तत्

Ever auspicious and eternal is Śaṅkara, attended by many sacred tīrthas; yet it is the pair of lotus feet of glorious Vāsudeva alone that truly removes sin.

Verse 68

पादांबुजं रक्तमहोत्पलाभमंभोजसल्लिंगजयोपयुक्तम् । अलंकृतं नूपुरमुद्रिकाभिः श्रीवासुदेवस्य नमामि नित्यम्

I always bow to the lotus feet of Śrī Vāsudeva—resembling a great red lotus, bearing the auspicious marks of the lotus, conch, and victory-banner, and adorned with anklets and toe-rings.

Verse 69

देवैः सुसिद्धैर्मुनिभिः सदैव नुतं सुभक्त्या उरगाधिपैश्च । तत्पादपंकेरुहमेवपुण्यं श्रीवासुदेवस्य नमामि नित्यम्

I forever bow to Śrī Vāsudeva, whose supremely holy lotus-feet are ever praised with devoted bhakti by the gods, the perfected beings, the sages, and even the lords of the serpents.

Verse 70

यस्यापि पादांभसि मज्जमानाः पूता दिवं यांति विकल्मषास्ते । मोक्षं लभंते मुनयः सुतुष्टास्तं वासुदेवं शरणं प्रपद्ये

Those who immerse themselves in the water at His feet are purified and, freed from sin, go to heaven. Contented sages attain liberation as well. To that Vāsudeva, I take refuge.

Verse 71

पादोदकं तिष्ठति यत्र विष्णोर्गंगादितीर्थानि सदैव तत्र । पिबंति येद्यापि सपापदेहास्ते यांति शुद्धाः सुगृहं मुरारेः

Wherever the water that has washed Viṣṇu’s feet is present, there too the Gaṅgā and all other sacred fords are eternally present. Even those whose bodies are burdened with sin—if they drink it—go purified to the auspicious abode of Murāri (Viṣṇu).

Verse 72

पादोदकेनाप्यभिषिच्यमाना उग्रैश्च पापैः परिलिप्तदेहाः । ते यांति मुक्तिं परमेश्वरस्य तस्यैव पादौ सततं नमामि

Even those whose bodies are smeared with dreadful sins—when sprinkled even with the water from the Lord’s feet—attain the liberation of the Supreme Lord. To those very feet I bow again and again, always.

Verse 73

नैवेद्यमात्रेण सुभक्षितेन सुचक्रिणस्तस्य महात्मनस्तु । श्रीवाजपेयस्य फलं लभंते सर्वार्थयुक्ताश्च नरा भवंति

By merely offering well-prepared food as naivedya to that great-souled Lord, the bearer of the beautiful discus, people obtain the fruit of the glorious Vājapeya sacrifice—and they become endowed with every desired attainment.

Verse 74

नारायणं तं नरकाधिनाशनं मायाविहीनं सकलं गुणज्ञम् । यं ध्यायमानाः सुगतिं प्रयांति तं वासुदेवं शरणं प्रपद्ये

I take refuge in Vāsudeva—Nārāyaṇa—who destroys the dominion of hell, who is free from māyā, complete, and knower of all virtues; meditating upon Him, beings attain the blessed path.

Verse 75

यो वंद्यस्त्वृषिसिद्धचारणगणैर्देवैः सदा पूज्यते । यो विश्वस्य विसृष्टिहेतुकरणे ब्रह्मादिदेवप्रभुः । यः संसारमहार्णवे निपतितस्योद्धारको वत्सल । स्तस्यैवापि नमाम्यहं सुचरणौ भक्त्या वरौ पावनौ

In devotion I bow to His noble, purifying feet—ever revered by hosts of ṛṣis, siddhas, cāraṇas, and the gods; the supreme Lord even of Brahmā and the other deities in the work of manifesting the universe; compassionate and affectionate, the rescuer of one fallen into the great ocean of saṃsāra.

Verse 76

यो दृष्टो मखमंडपे सुरगणैः श्रीवामनः सामगः । सामोद्गीतकुतूहलः सुरगणैस्त्रैलोक्य एकः प्रभुः । कुर्वंतं नयनेक्षणैः शुभकरैर्निष्पापतां तद्बले । स्तस्याहं चरणारविंदयुगलं वंदे परं पावनम्

I bow to the supremely purifying pair of lotus-feet of Śrī Vāmana—the one Lord of the three worlds—beheld by the hosts of gods in the sacrificial pavilion, the chanter of Sāman hymns; who delighted the gods with the wonder of His Sāma-chant, and who by His auspicious glances grants sinlessness through His power.

Verse 77

राजंतं द्विजमंडले मखमुखे ब्रह्मश्रियाशोभितं । दिव्येनापि सुतेजसा करमयं यं चेंद्रनीलोपमम् । देवानां हितकाम्यया सुतनुजं वैरोचनस्यापि तं । याचंतं मम दीयतां त्रिपदकं वंदे प्रभुं वामनम्

I bow to Lord Vāmana—radiant amid the assembly of brāhmaṇas at the forefront of the sacrifice, adorned with Brahmā’s splendor; whose body, formed of divine and excellent brilliance, resembled an indranīla sapphire; who, though the fair-bodied son of Virocana (Bali), sought the welfare of the gods; and who begged, “Grant me three steps of land.”

Verse 78

तं द्रष्टुं रविमंडले मुनिगणैः संप्राप्तवंतं दिवं । चंद्रार्कास्तमयांतरे किल पदा संच्छादयंतं तदा । तस्यैवापि सुचक्रिणः सुरगणाः प्रापुर्लयं सांप्रतं । का ये विश्वविकोशकेतमतुलं नौमि प्रभोर्विक्रमम्

To behold Him, hosts of sages reached the heavenly realm within the orb of the Sun. Then, at the setting of Moon and Sun, His feet seemed to veil all things. Even the companies of gods, before the Lord who bears the auspicious discus, now drew near to dissolution. How can I ever adequately praise the Lord’s incomparable stride, the banner that unfolds the entire universe?

Verse 98

इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे भूमिखंडे वेनोपाख्याने गुरुतीर्थमाहात्म्ये च्यवनचरित्रेऽष्टनवतितमोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the ninety-eighth chapter—telling the story of Cyavana, in the glorification of Guru-tīrtha, within the Vena episode—of the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa of the Śrī Padma Purāṇa.