Adhyaya 24

Verse 1

ब्रह्मोवाच । भगवन्पुरुषस्येह स्त्रियाश्च वरदायकम् । शोकव्याधिभयं दुःखं न भवेद्येन तद्वद

Brahmā said: O Blessed Lord, tell me of that boon‑granting means for men and for women here, by which sorrow, disease, fear, and suffering do not arise.

Verse 2

शंकर उवाच । श्रावणस्य द्वितीयायां कृष्णायां मधुसूदनः । क्षीरार्णवे सपत्नीकः सदा वसति केशवः

Shankara said: On the second lunar day of the dark fortnight of the month of Śrāvaṇa, Madhusūdana—Keśava—ever dwells in the Ocean of Milk, together with his consort.

Verse 3

तस्यां संपूज्य गोविंदं सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात् । गोभूहिरण्यदानादि सप्तकल्पशतानुगम्

There, by duly worshiping Govinda, one attains all desired aims; and the merit of gifts such as cows, land, and gold follows the devotee for seven hundred kalpas.

Verse 4

आवाहनादिकां पूजां पूर्ववत्परिकल्पयेत् । अशून्यशयना नाम द्वितीयासौ प्रकीर्तिता

One should arrange the worship beginning with invocation (āvāhana) just as prescribed earlier. This observance is proclaimed as the second, called Aśūnyaśayanā, “the vow of not leaving the bed empty”.

Verse 5

तस्यां संपूजयेद्विष्णुमेभिर्मंत्रैर्विधानतः । श्रीवत्सधारिन्श्रीकांत श्रीपते श्रीधराव्यय

There, one should duly worship Viṣṇu according to the prescribed rite with these mantras: “O bearer of the Śrīvatsa mark, O beloved of Śrī (Lakṣmī), O Lord of Śrī, O Śrīdhara, O imperishable One.”

Verse 6

गार्हस्थ्यं मा प्रणाशं मे यातु धर्मार्थकामदं । अग्नयो मा प्रणश्यंतु देवताः पुरुषोत्तम

May my householder life not fall into ruin—this stage that grants dharma, artha, and kāma. May my sacred fires and my deities not be destroyed, O Puruṣottama.

Verse 7

पितरो मा प्रणश्यंतु मम दांपत्यभेदतः । लक्ष्म्या वियुज्यते देवो न कदाचिद्यथा हरिः

May my ancestors not perish because of a rupture in my marriage; just as Hari (Viṣṇu) is never, at any time, separated from Lakṣmī, so may the Lord not be separated (from her).

Verse 8

तथा कलत्रसंबंधो देव मा मे वियुज्यतां । लक्ष्म्या न शून्यं वरद यथा ते शयनं सदा

Likewise, O Lord, may my bond with my spouse never be severed. O bestower of boons, may my home never be devoid of Lakṣmī—just as Your own couch is ever accompanied by her.

Verse 9

शय्या ममाप्यशून्यास्तु तथैव मधुसूदन । गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषान्देवदेवस्य कारयेत्

“O Madhusūdana, let my bed also not remain empty; and likewise, let the resonant sounds of singing and musical instruments be arranged for the God of gods.”

Verse 10

घंटा भवेदशक्तस्य सर्ववाद्यमयो यतः । एवं संपूज्य गोविंदमश्नीयात्तैलवर्जितम्

For one who lacks the ability to offer many kinds of musical instruments, a bell alone is sufficient, for it embodies the fruit of all instruments. Thus, having duly worshiped Govinda, one should partake of food free from oil.

Verse 11

नक्तमक्षारलवणं यावत्तु स्याच्चतुष्टयं । ततः प्रभाते संजाते लक्ष्मीपतिसमन्विताम्

At night one should take a mixture of alkali and salt, up to four measures. Then, when morning has dawned, one should proceed with the rite accompanied by the Lord of Lakṣmī (Viṣṇu).

Verse 12

दीपान्नभाजनैर्युक्तां शय्यां दद्याद्विलक्षणाम् । पादुकोपानहच्छत्र चामरासन संयुताम्

One should give a distinguished bed, furnished with lamps and vessels for food, and provided with sandals, footwear, an umbrella, a chāmara fan, and a seat.

Verse 13

अभीष्टोपस्करैर्युक्तां शुक्लपुष्पांबरावृताम् । अव्यंगाय च विप्राय वैष्णवाय कुटुंबिने

Endowed with the desired requisites and covered with white flowers and white cloth, it should be given to a faultless brāhmaṇa—one who is a Vaiṣṇava and a householder.

Verse 14

दातव्या वेदविदुषे न वंध्यापतये क्वचित् । तत्रोपवेश्य दांपत्यमलंकृत्य विधानतः

It should be given to a knower of the Vedas—never, at any time, to the husband of a barren woman. Having seated the couple there, one should duly adorn and honor them according to the prescribed rite.

Verse 15

पत्न्यास्तु भाजनं दद्याद्भक्ष्यभोज्यसमन्वितम् । ब्राह्मणस्यापि सौवर्णीमुपस्करसमन्विताम्

He should give the wife a vessel filled with foods to eat and enjoy; and to a brāhmaṇa as well, a golden vessel furnished with the requisite utensils.

Verse 16

प्रतिमां देवदेवस्य सोदकुंभां निवेदयेत् । एवं यस्तु पुमान्कुर्यादशून्यशयनं हरेः

One should offer an image of the God of gods along with a water-pot. Thus, whoever performs this rite makes Hari’s bed not empty, ensuring the Lord is duly attended and worshipped.

Verse 17

वित्तशाठ्येन रहितो नारायणपरायणः । न तस्य पत्न्या विरहः कदाचिदपि जायते

Free from deceit in matters of wealth and wholly devoted to Nārāyaṇa, he never experiences separation from his wife at any time.

Verse 18

नारी वा विधवा ब्रह्मन्यावच्चंद्रार्कतारकं । न विरूपौ न शोकार्तौ दंपती भवतः क्वचित्

O Brahman, whether she be a wife or a widow—so long as the moon, sun, and stars endure—may there never be any occasion when the couple becomes disfigured or afflicted by grief.

Verse 19

न पुत्रपशुरत्नानि क्षयं यांति पितामह । सप्तकल्पसहस्राणि सप्तकल्पशतानि च

O Grandfather, neither sons, nor cattle, nor treasures come to ruin—for seven thousand kalpas and also seven hundred kalpas.

Verse 20

कुर्वन्नशून्यशयनं विष्णुलोके महीयते । ब्रह्मोवाच । कथमारोग्यमैश्वर्यं मतिर्धर्मस्थितिस्सदा

One who ensures that the bed is not left empty—upholding household life and righteous union—is honored in Viṣṇu’s world. Brahmā said: “How are health and prosperity attained, how does discerning understanding arise, and how does one remain ever established in dharma?”

Verse 21

अव्यंगाथ परे भक्तिर्विष्णौ चापि भवेत्कथम् । ईश्वर उवाच । साधु ब्रह्मंस्त्वया पृष्टमिदानीं कथयामि ते

“Then how can supreme devotion to Viṣṇu arise in one who is flawed?” Īśvara said: “Well asked, O Brahman; your inquiry is righteous. Now I shall tell you.”

Verse 22

विरोचनस्य संवादं भार्गवस्य च धीमतः । प्रह्लादस्य सुतं दृष्ट्वा द्विरष्टपरिवत्सरम्

Having seen Prahlāda’s son—who had lived for sixteen years—he came to know the dialogue between Virocana and the wise Bhārgava (Śukra).

Verse 23

तस्य रूपमिदं ब्रह्मन्सोहसद्भृगुनंदनः । साधुसाधु महाबाहो विरोचन शिवं तव

“This indeed is his form, O Brahman,” said the son of Bhṛgu with a smile. “Well done, well done, O mighty-armed Virocana—may auspiciousness be yours.”

Verse 24

तत्तथा हसितं तस्य पप्रच्छ सुरसूदनः । ब्रह्मन्किमर्थमेतत्ते हास्यं वै मामकं कृतम्

Seeing him laugh in that manner, Surasūdana asked: “O Brahman, for what reason have you laughed at me?”

Verse 25

साधुसाध्विति मामेवमुक्तवांस्त्वं वदस्व मे । तमेवं वादिनं युक्तमुवाच वदतां वरः

“Excellent, excellent!”—having thus addressed me, speak now and tell me. To that speaker, who spoke in a fitting and proper way, the best of speakers replied.

Verse 26

विस्मयाद्व्रतमाहात्म्याद्धास्यमेतत्कृतं मया । पुरा दक्षविनाशाय कुपितस्य त्रिशूलिनः

Out of astonishment at the greatness of this vow, I once did this in jest—at the time when the Trident-bearer, enraged, set about the destruction of Dakṣa.

Verse 27

अपतद्भीमवक्त्रस्य स्वेदबिंदुर्ललाटजः । भित्वा स सप्तपातालानदहत्सप्तसागरान्

A drop of sweat, born from the forehead of the fierce-faced one, fell down; piercing through the seven netherworlds, it scorched the seven oceans.

Verse 28

अनेकवक्त्रनयनोज्वलज्ज्वलन भीषणः । वीरभद्र इति ख्यातः करपादायुतैर्युतः

Terrifying with blazing, radiant flames, having many faces and eyes—he was famed as Vīrabhadra, endowed with thousands of hands and feet.

Verse 29

कृत्वा स यज्ञमथनं पुनर्भूतस्य संप्लवः । त्रिजगद्दहनाद्भूयः शिवेन विनिवारितः

After he had shattered and churned the sacrifice (yajña), the deluge arose again; and once more—when the three worlds were about to be burned—Śiva restrained it.

Verse 30

कृतं त्वया वीरभद्र दक्षयज्ञविनाशनं । इदानीमलमेतेन लोकदाहेन कर्मणा

O Vīrabhadra, you have accomplished the destruction of Dakṣa’s sacrifice. Now, enough of this deed that scorches the worlds.

Verse 31

शांतिप्रदानात्सर्वेषां ग्रहणां प्रथमो भव । प्रहृष्टाभिजनाः पूजां करिष्यंति कृतात्मनः

By bestowing peace upon all, become foremost among all who receive honour and offerings. People of noble lineage, delighted at heart, will worship you, being virtuous in spirit.

Verse 32

अंगारक इति ख्यातिं गमिष्यसि धरात्मज । देवलोके द्वितीयं च तव रूपं भविष्यति

O son of the Earth, you shall become renowned by the name ‘Aṅgāraka’; and in the world of the gods, a second form of yours shall also come to be.

Verse 33

ये च त्वां पूजयिष्यंति चतुर्थ्यां तु दिने नराः । रूपमारोग्यमैश्वर्यं तेष्वनंतं भविष्यति

And those men who will worship you on the fourth lunar day (Caturthī)—for them, beauty, health, and prosperity will become endless.

Verse 34

एवमुक्तस्ततः शांतिमगमत्कामरूपधृत् । स जातस्तत्क्षणाद्राजन्ग्रहत्वमगमत्पुनः

Thus addressed, the shape-shifting one then became calm. And, O king, at that very moment, having been born again, he once more assumed the state of being a Graha (seizing spirit/planetary afflicter).

Verse 35

स कदाचिद्भवांस्तस्य पूजार्घादिकमुत्तमं । दृष्टवान्क्रियमाणं च शूद्रेण त्वं व्यवस्थितः

Once, you happened to witness that excellent worship—together with the offering of arghya and the like—being performed by a Śūdra, while you stood by observing.

Verse 36

तेन त्वं रूपवान्जातो सुरः शत्रुकुलाशनिः । विविधा च रुचिर्जाता यस्मात्तव विदूरगा

Because of that, you were born handsome—a godlike one, a thunderbolt to the clans of enemies. And because your radiance is far-reaching, a manifold brilliance has arisen in you.

Verse 37

विरोचन इति प्राहुस्तस्मात् त्वां देवदानवाः । शूद्रेण क्रियमाणस्य व्रतस्य तव दर्शनात्

Therefore the gods and the Dānavas call you “Virocana,” because you were seen in connection with a vow being performed by a Śūdra.

Verse 38

ईदृशी रूपसंपत्तिरिति विस्मितवानहम् । साधुसाध्विति तेनोक्तमहो माहात्म्यमुत्तमं

“Such an extraordinary wealth of beauty!”—thus I was astonished. Then he exclaimed, “Excellent, excellent! Ah—this is a supremely exalted sacred greatness.”

Verse 39

पश्यतोपि भवेद्रूपमैश्वर्यं किमु कुर्वतः । यस्माच्च भक्त्या धरणीसुतस्य विनिंद्यमानेन गवादिदानम्

Even by merely beholding, beauty and prosperity arise—what then of one who serves? For, through devotion to the Son of the Earth, even the giving of cows and the like, when done with contempt, becomes blameworthy.

Verse 40

आलोकितं तेन सुरारिगर्भे संभूतिरेषा तव दैत्य जाता । अथ तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा भार्गवस्य महात्मनः

“He beheld you in the womb of the enemy of the Devas; from that very sight your birth as a Daitya has arisen.” Hearing these words of the great Bhārgava, …

Verse 41

प्रह्लादनंदनो वीरः पुनः पप्रच्छ भार्गवम् । विरोचन उवाच । भगवंस्तद्व्रतं सम्यक्श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्वतः

Then the heroic son of Prahlāda again questioned Bhārgava. Virocana said: “O Blessed One, I wish to hear that vow rightly, in its true essence.”

Verse 42

दीयमानं तु यद्दानं मया दृष्टं भवांतरे । माहात्म्यं च विधिं तस्य यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि

“But the gift that I saw being given by me in another existence—please explain, as is proper, its greatness and the correct procedure for it.”

Verse 43

इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा विप्रः प्रोवाच सादरं । चतुर्थ्यंगारकदिने यदा भवति दानव

Having heard those words, the brāhmaṇa spoke with reverence: “O Dānava, when the fourth lunar day (Caturthī) falls on a Tuesday, the day of Aṅgāraka…”

Verse 44

मृदास्नानं तदा कुर्यात्पद्मरागविभूषितः । अग्निर्मूर्द्धादिवो मंत्रं जपेत्स्नात उदङ्मुखः

“Then, adorned with a ruby (padmarāga), he should perform a purificatory bath with earth. After bathing, facing north, he should recite the mantra beginning with: ‘Agni is the head…’”

Verse 45

शूद्रस्तूष्णीं स्मरन्भौममास्तां भोगविवर्जितः । अथास्तमित आदित्ये गोमयेनानुलेपयेत्

A Śūdra, keeping silence and remembering Bhauma (Mars), should sit free from indulgence in pleasures; and when the sun has set, he should smear (the ground or his body) with cow-dung.

Verse 46

प्रांगणं पुष्पमालाभिरक्षताद्भिः समंततः । तदभ्यर्च्यालिखेत्पद्मं कुंकुमेनाष्टपत्रकम्

One should adorn the courtyard on every side with garlands of flowers and with unbroken grains of rice; then, having duly worshipped that place, one should draw with saffron (kuṅkuma) an eight-petalled lotus.

Verse 47

कुंकुमस्याप्यभावेन रक्तचंदनमिष्यते । चत्वारः करकाः कार्याः भक्ष्यभोज्यसमन्विताः

If saffron (kuṅkuma) is unavailable, red sandalwood is accepted. Four water-vessels should be prepared, furnished with foods and edible offerings.

Verse 48

तंडुलै रक्तशालेयैः पद्मरागैश्च संयुताः । चतुःकोणेषु तान्कृत्वा फलानि विविधानि च

With grains of red śāli-rice mixed with rubies, he should arrange them at the four corners, and also place various kinds of fruits.

Verse 49

गंधमाल्यादिकं सर्वं तथैव विनिवेशयेत् । सुवर्णशृंगां कपिलामथार्च्य रौप्यैः खुरैः कांस्यदोहां सवस्त्राम्

In the same manner, one should arrange all items such as fragrances and garlands. Then, having duly worshipped a tawny kapilā cow with golden horns, hooves plated in silver, a bronze milking vessel, and adorned with cloth, one should offer her.

Verse 50

धुरंधरं रक्तखुरं च सौम्यं धान्यानि सप्तांबरसंयुतानि । अंगुष्ठमात्रं पुरुषं तथैव सौवर्णमप्यायतबाहुदंडम्

A mighty beast of burden with red hooves, gentle by nature; grains together with seven garments; a man only the measure of a thumb; and also a golden figure with long, outstretched arms.

Verse 51

चतुर्भुजं हेममयं च ताम्रपात्रे गुडस्योपरि सर्पियुक्तम् । सामस्वरज्ञाय जितेंद्रियाय वाग्रूपशीलान्वयसंयुताय

A four-armed image of gold—set in a copper vessel, placed upon jaggery and mingled with ghee—(is to be offered) to one who knows the melodies of the Sāman chants, has conquered the senses, and is endowed with refined speech, dignified form, good conduct, and noble lineage.

Verse 52

दातव्यमेतत्सकलं द्विजाय कुटुम्बिने नैव तु दंभयुक्ते । भूमिपुत्र महाभाग स्वेदोद्भव पिनाकिनः

All of this should be given to a twice-born brāhmaṇa who maintains a household—never to one tainted with hypocrisy. O noble son of the Earth, O illustrious one; O sweat-born being, O bearer of the bow Pināka (Śiva).

Verse 53

रूपार्थी त्वां प्रपन्नोहं गृहाणार्घ्यं नमोऽस्तु ते । मंत्रेणानेन दत्वार्घ्यं रक्तचंदनवारिणा

Seeking beauty, I have taken refuge in you. Please accept this arghya-offering; salutations to you. Having offered the arghya with this mantra, using water scented with red sandalwood, (one should worship thus).

Verse 54

ततोर्चयेद्विप्रवरं रक्तमाल्यांबरादिभिः । दद्यात्तेनैव मंत्रेण भौमं गोमिथुनान्वितम्

Then one should worship the foremost of brāhmaṇas with red garlands, garments, and the like; and, with that very same mantra, one should present an offering to Bhūmā (the Earth) together with a pair of cows.

Verse 55

शय्यां च शक्तिमान्दद्यात्सर्वोपस्करसंयुताम् । यद्यदिष्टतमं लोके यच्चास्य दयितं गृहे

And one who is able should offer a bed furnished with all its accessories, together with whatever is most desired in the world and whatever is dear to him in his home.

Verse 56

तत्तद्गुणवते देयं दत्तस्याक्षयमिच्छता । ततः प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा विसृज्य द्विजसत्तमम्

One who desires the gift to yield imperishable merit should give it to a person endowed with the appropriate virtues. Then, having circumambulated in reverence, one should respectfully take leave of the best of the twice-born.

Verse 57

नक्तं क्षीराशनं कुर्यादेवं चांगारकाष्टकम् । चतुरो वाथ वातस्य यत्पुण्यं तद्वदामि ते

At night he should partake only of milk; thus is the observance called Aṅgāraka-aṣṭaka. Now I shall tell you its merit—equal to that of four Vāta observances.

Verse 58

रूपसौभाग्यसंपन्नः पुमान्जन्मनि जन्मनि । विष्णौ वाथ शिवे भक्तः सप्तद्वीपाधिपो भवेत्

Endowed with beauty and good fortune in birth after birth, a man devoted to Viṣṇu or to Śiva becomes the sovereign lord of the seven continents (saptadvīpas).

Verse 59

सप्तकल्पसहस्राणि रुद्रलोके महीयते । तस्मात्वमपि दैत्येंद्र व्रतमेतत्समाचर

For seven thousand kalpas one is honored in Rudra’s world. Therefore, O lord of the Daityas, you too should undertake and observe this vow.

Verse 60

इत्येवमुक्तो भुगुनंदनेन चकार सर्वं व्रतमेव दैत्यः । त्वं चापि राजन्कुरु सर्वमेतद्यतोक्षयं वेदविदो वदंति

Thus instructed by Bhṛgu’s son, the Daitya carried out the vow in its entirety. You too, O King, should do all of this, for the knowers of the Veda declare its fruits to be imperishable.

Verse 61

शृणोति यश्चैनमनन्यचेतास्तस्यापि सर्वं भगवान्विधत्ते

And whoever listens to this with an undivided mind—for that person too, the Blessed Lord brings everything to fulfillment.