Adhyaya 55

Verse 1

श्रीभगवानुवाच । अपरं च प्रवक्ष्यामि कामेनाधिष्ठितस्य च । पुरा भागीरथी तीरे द्विजः परमहंसकः

The Blessed Lord said: “I shall also relate another account—of one who was overpowered by desire. Long ago, on the bank of the Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā), there lived a brāhmaṇa, a supreme renunciant (paramahaṃsa).”

Verse 2

उपदेष्टा सहस्राणां द्विजानां शांतिदः परः । एकदंडधरः साक्षात्कूर्मवद्धरणी स्थितः

He was the supreme bestower of peace upon thousands of twice-born men, a teacher to them all; bearing a single staff, he stood upon the earth—truly like Kūrma, the Tortoise who supports it.

Verse 3

एकाकिनः सतस्तस्य देवागारे विनिष्कृते । पत्युर्गृहात्परं गेहं गंतुं सायं समुद्यता

While her husband was away alone, and after she had completed her worship in the temple, she set out in the evening to go from her husband’s house to another home.

Verse 4

अकस्माद्युवती नारी मिलिता रूपधारिणी । दृष्ट्वा तां भगवान्विप्रो मन्मथस्य भयार्दितः

Suddenly a youthful woman, having assumed a beautiful form, came and met him. Seeing her, the holy brāhmaṇa was stricken with fear of Kāma, the god of desire.

Verse 5

अगारजठरे कृत्वा स चैनां प्राक्षिपत्क्षपाम् । अर्गलं सा दृढं कृत्वा देवागारे सुशोभने

Making the inner chamber of the house as it were its “belly,” he cast her into the night. And she, fastening the bolt firmly, remained within the splendid temple.

Verse 6

कदाचिदपि तं द्वारादागंतुं न ददाति ह । एवंभूतः समाधिस्थः क्षपां क्षिप्त्वा विलप्य सः

At no time did she allow him to enter through the doorway. Thus abiding in samādhi, he passed the night; then, lamenting, he wept.

Verse 7

चिंतयंस्तां वरारोहां द्वारि किं वा कृतं मम । एवं संचिंत्यतामाह द्वारं देहीह नः प्रिये

Thinking of that fair-hipped lady, he wondered, “What have I done at the door?” Having thus reflected, he said to her, “Beloved, open the door for us here.”

Verse 8

पतिश्च वशगः कांते दयितस्ते भविष्यति । ततस्तं प्राह सा विप्रं वृद्धं कामप्रलालसम्

“O beloved, your husband will become devoted and obedient to you.” Then she addressed that brāhmaṇa—an old man—speaking with lustful coaxing.

Verse 9

अनन्विता गिरःस्तात वक्तुं त्वं नार्हसि प्रभो । अथासौ भगवान्प्राह प्रचुरं चास्ति मे वसु

“Dear one, your words are incoherent; you are not fit to speak, O lord.” Then the Blessed One replied, “I too possess abundant wealth.”

Verse 10

तव दास्यामि कल्याणि प्रस्फोटय कपाटिकाम् । विप्रमाह पुनः सा च त्वं वै मे धर्मतः पिता

“Auspicious lady, I shall give it to you—open the little door!” the brāhmaṇa said again. But she replied, “Indeed, by dharma, you are my father.”

Verse 11

मा गच्छ पुत्रिकां मां च परयोषां च धार्मिक । मनसा स समालोच्य सुषिरेण पथा गृहान्

“Do not approach my daughter, nor me, nor another man’s wife, O righteous one.” Having reflected thus in his mind, he went to the houses by a hidden, secret path.

Verse 12

बाहुनोद्धाट्यते नैव गंतुं चैव समुद्यतः । गच्छतश्चार्द्धमरर उत्तमांगं सुसंकटे

Even when he raised his arms and tried to set out, he could not go; and as he proceeded, his head became half-wounded—caught in a grievous peril.

Verse 13

प्रविष्टं न पुनश्चैति पंचत्वमगमत्तदा । उषःकाले समायाता रक्षिणो ये च किंकराः

Once it had entered, it did not return again; at that moment it went to the state of the five elements (that is, met death). At daybreak, the guards and attendants arrived.

Verse 14

अद्भुतं तं शवं दृष्ट्वा तामुचुस्ते च विस्मिताः । कथं च निधनं त्वस्य संभूतं ब्रूहि सुंदरि

Seeing that wondrous corpse, they spoke to her in astonishment: “How did his death come to pass? Tell us, O beautiful lady.”

Verse 15

कथयित्वा तु तद्वृत्तमभीष्टं देशमागता । एवं कामस्य महिमा दुर्निवारो जनेषु च

After narrating that whole episode, she returned to the place she desired. Thus is the might of Kāma—desire—among people, difficult indeed to restrain.

Verse 16

सर्वेषामपि जंतूनां सुरासुरनृणां भवेत् । दृष्ट्वाऽमोघां वरारोहां सर्वलोकपितामहः

Even among all beings—gods, asuras, and humans—upon seeing the unfailing lady of fair limbs, the Grandsire of all the worlds, Brahmā, was deeply stirred by desire.

Verse 17

च्युतबीजोभवत्तत्र लौहित्यसंभवस्मृतः । पुनाति सकलान्लोकान्सर्वतीर्थमयो हि सः

There, from the fallen seed, arose a sacred current remembered as “the origin of Lauhitya.” Indeed, embodying all tīrthas, it purifies all the worlds.

Verse 18

यमाश्रित्य नरो याति ब्रह्मलोकमनामयम् । द्विज उवाच । कथं च ब्रह्मणो मोहो ह्यमोघा का वरांगना

Relying on Yama, a man goes to Brahmaloka, the realm free from disease. The twice-born said: “How did delusion arise in Brahmā? And who is that unfailing, excellent woman?”

Verse 19

उद्भवं तीर्थराजस्य श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः । श्रीभगवानुवाच । मुनिर्देवैः समाराध्यः पद्मयोनिसमप्रभः

“I wish to hear, in truth, of the origin of the King of Tīrthas.” The Blessed Lord said: “That sage—revered by the gods—shone with a splendor equal to the Lotus-born (Brahmā).”

Verse 20

शंतनुश्चेति विख्यातः पत्नी तस्य पतिव्रता । अमोघेति समाख्याता रूपयौवनशालिनी

He was famed by the name Śaṃtanu. His wife was devoted to her husband’s vow; she was known as Amoghā, endowed with beauty and youthful charm.

Verse 21

अस्याश्च पतिमन्वेष्टुं यातो ब्रह्मा च तद्गृहम् । तस्मिन्काले मुनिश्रेष्ठः पुष्पाद्यर्थं वनं गतः

And to seek her husband, Brahmā went to that house. At that very time, the best of sages had gone to the forest to gather flowers and the like.

Verse 22

सा तं दृष्ट्वा सुरश्रेष्ठमर्घ्यपाद्यादिकं ददौ । दूरेभिवादनं कृत्वा सा गृहं प्रविवेश ह

Seeing that foremost of the gods, she offered him the customary rites of welcome—arghya, water for washing the feet, and the like. Having saluted him from a respectful distance, she then entered the house.

Verse 23

तां च दृष्ट्वा नवद्यांगीं धाता कामवशं गतः । स्रष्टात्मानं समाधायाचिंतयत्तां पुरोगताम्

Seeing her—possessed of fresh, youthful limbs—Dhātā (the Creator) fell under the sway of desire. Then, gathering his creative self in concentration, he contemplated her who stood before him.

Verse 24

बीजं पपात खट्वायां ब्रह्मणः परमात्मनः । ततो ब्रह्मा गतस्त्रस्तस्त्वरया परिपीडितः

The seed of Brahmā—the Supreme Self—fell upon the bed. Then Brahmā, terrified and pressed by haste, quickly went away.

Verse 25

अथायातो मुनिर्गेहं शुक्रं पीठे ददर्श ह । तमपृच्छद्वरारोहां कश्चाप्यत्रागतः पुमान्

Then the sage came to the house and saw Śukra seated upon a throne. He asked the noble lady, “What man has come here?”

Verse 26

तमुवाच ततोऽमोघा ब्रह्मा ह्यत्रागतः पते । त्वामेवान्वेषितुं नाथ मया दत्तोत्र पीठकः

Then Amoghā said to him: “O lord, Brahmā has indeed come here. O master, in order to seek you alone, I have placed a seat here.”

Verse 27

शुक्रस्य कारणं चात्र तपसा ज्ञातुमर्हसि । ततो ध्यानात्परिज्ञातं तेनैव च द्विजन्मना

Here you should come to know, through austerity, the cause connected with Śukra. Thereupon, through meditation, it was fully understood—by that very twice-born sage.

Verse 28

ब्रह्मरेतः परं साध्वी पालयस्व ममाज्ञया । उत्पद्यते सुतस्ते तु सर्वलोकैकपावनः

O virtuous lady, preserve this supreme seed of Brahmā according to my command; from it a son will be born to you—one who alone will purify all the worlds.

Verse 29

आवयोः सर्वकल्याणं फलिष्यति मनोगतम् । ततः पतिव्रता तस्य आज्ञामागृह्य संभवात्

For the two of us, every auspicious wish cherished in the heart shall bear fruit. Then that wife, steadfast in devotion to her husband, accepted his command and acted accordingly.

Verse 30

पपौ रेतो महाभागा ब्रह्मणः परमात्मनः । आवर्त इव संजज्ञे रौद्रगर्भ इति स्फुरन्

That greatly fortunate one drank the seed of Brahmā, the Supreme Self; and, flashing forth within, there arose a whirlpool-like formation, renowned as “Raudragarbha.”

Verse 31

प्रसोढुं नैव शक्ता सा शंतनुं चाब्रवीत्ततः । गर्भं धारयितुं नाथ न शक्नोम्यधुना प्रभो

Unable to endure it, she then said to Śaṃtanu: “O lord, O master, I am not able now to carry this pregnancy, O revered one.”

Verse 32

किं करिष्यामि धर्मज्ञ प्राणो मे संचलत्यपि । आज्ञापय महाभाग गर्भं त्यक्ष्यामि यत्र च

“What shall I do, O knower of dharma? Even my very life-breath is wavering. Command me, O noble one—where shall I cast off this womb-child?”

Verse 33

पत्युराज्ञां समादाय मुक्तो गर्भो युगंधरे । पयस्तेजोमयं शुद्धं सर्वधर्मप्रतिष्ठितम्

Having accepted her husband’s command, the embryo was released upon Yugandhara—pure, formed of milk and radiance, and established as the foundation of all dharma.

Verse 34

तन्मध्ये पुरुषः शुद्धः किरीटी नीलवाससा । रत्नदाम्ना च विद्धांगो दुःप्रेक्ष्यो ज्योतिषां गणः

In the midst of that there appeared a pure Person—crowned, clad in blue garments, his body adorned with a jeweled garland—hard to behold, a very host of radiances.

Verse 35

ततो देवगणाः स्वर्गात्पुष्पवर्षमवाकिरन् । प्रसूतः सर्वतीर्थेषु तीर्थराज इति स्मृतः

Then the hosts of gods, from heaven, showered down a rain of flowers. He manifested among all tīrthas and is remembered as the “King of Tīrthas”.

Verse 36

ततो राम इति ख्यातः प्रजातोहं भृगोः कुले । क्षत्रियान्पितृहंतॄंस्तु ससैन्यबलवाहनान्

Thereafter I was born in the lineage of Bhṛgu and became renowned as Rāma. And I destroyed the Kṣatriyas—slayers of my forefathers—along with their armies, forces, and conveyances.

Verse 37

हत्वा युद्धगतान्भीतान्पंकैः सर्वैर्युतो ह्यहम् । ब्रह्महत्यासमं घोरं मद्गेहे समुपस्थितम्

Having slain those who had gone to battle—now terrified—I, tainted with every defilement, found in my own house a dreadful sin equal to brahma-hatyā standing before me.

Verse 38

पंकयुक्तं कुठारं मे क्षालितं नैव शुद्ध्यति । ततः खे चाभवद्वाणी राम मद्वचनं कुरु

“My axe, smeared with mud, does not become clean even when washed.” Then a voice arose in the sky: “Rāma, do as I say.”

Verse 39

यत्र तीर्थे कुठारं ते निर्मलं च भवेदिह । तत्र ते सर्वपापानां जातानां च क्षयो भवेत्

At whatever sacred ford (tīrtha) your axe becomes purified here, in that very place the destruction of all sins you have incurred will come to pass.

Verse 40

जनानां तत्र सर्वेषां हितार्थं तिष्ठ मानद । चपलं गच्छ तीर्थानि सर्वाणि सुमहांति च

“Stay there, O bestower of honor, for the welfare of all the people. But you—restless one—go on to all the sacred fords (tīrthas), even the very great ones.”

Verse 41

तेषां मध्ये महातीर्थे पर्शुः शुद्धो भवेद्यदि । तं च जानीहि तीर्थेषु मुक्तिदं परिकीर्तितम्

Among those sacred places, if in the great tīrtha the axe (paraśu) becomes purified, then know that place to be proclaimed among the tīrthas as a giver of liberation (mokṣa).

Verse 42

तच्छ्रुत्वा जामदग्न्यस्तु तीर्थानि प्रययौ तदा । गंगां सरस्वतीं शुभ्रां कावेरीं सरयूं तथा

Hearing that, Jāmadagnya then set out for the sacred fords—toward the Gaṅgā, the radiant Sarasvatī, the Kāverī, and likewise the Sarayū.

Verse 43

गोदावरीं च यमुनां कद्रूं च वसुदां तथा । अन्यां च पुण्यदां रम्यां गौरीं पूर्वां स्थितां शुभाम्

And (he went) to the Godāvarī and the Yamunā, and also to Kadrū and Vasudā; and to another lovely, merit-bestowing river—the auspicious Gaurī, situated in the east.

Verse 44

गच्छतस्तस्य धीरस्य सदागतिसमस्य च । क्षालितः सर्वतीर्थेषु न पुनर्निर्मलोऽभवत्

Though that steadfast man kept journeying—calm and even in his course—and though he bathed in every sacred ford (tīrtha), still he did not become pure again.

Verse 45

ततो गिरिगुहां दुर्गां महारण्यं च पर्वतम् । गिरिकूटं च दुर्लभ्यं ययौ तीर्थमसौ हरिः

Then Hari went on to that sacred ford (tīrtha)—to the inaccessible mountain-cave stronghold, to the great forest and mountain, and to the hard-to-reach peak called Girikūṭa.

Verse 46

न च निर्मलतामेति कुठारस्तस्य तेन च । विषादमगमत्तत्र रामः परपुरंजयः

And that axe did not regain its pristine state because of him; therefore Rāma, the conqueror of enemy cities, fell into dejection there.

Verse 47

हाहेति विविधं कृत्वा चोपविश्य धरातले । प्रचिंतामगमद्वीरस्तमुवाच पुनस्तथा

Crying out “Alas, alas!” in various ways, the hero sat down upon the ground. Overcome with anxious thought, he then addressed him again in the same manner.

Verse 48

पूर्वस्यां दिशि देवेश तीर्थं चास्ति गुहोदरे । तच्छ्रुत्वा नरशार्दूलो गत्वा कुंडं ददर्श सः

“In the eastern direction, O Lord of the gods, there is also a sacred ford (tīrtha) within a cavern.” Hearing this, the tiger among men went there and saw the sacred pond.

Verse 49

प्रदक्षिणं जलावर्तं शुभ्रं पापहरं शुभम् । तज्जलस्पर्शमात्रेण कुठारः शुद्धतां गतः

The whirlpool of water that turns to the right is pure, auspicious, and a remover of sin. By the mere touch of that water, even an axe attained purity.

Verse 50

ततो रामोभिषेकं तु कृतवान्प्रमुदान्वितः । शुद्धात्मनस्त्वपापस्य बुद्धिर्जाता प्रपाविनी

Then Rāma, filled with joy, performed the abhiṣeka, the sacred consecration. For that pure-souled, sinless one, a clear and purifying understanding arose.

Verse 51

स रामः सुचिरं स्थित्वा तीर्थराजं प्रसाद्य तम् । ततस्ततोऽचलात्प्राप्य पुरं वेगसमन्वितः

Rāma, after staying there for a long time and propitiating that Lord of Tīrthas, then moved on from one mountain to the next and, endowed with great speed, reached the city.

Verse 52

ख्यातं कृत्वा ततश्चोर्व्यां गतोसौ लवणार्णवम् । अयं तीर्थवरः साक्षात्पितामहकृतो भुवि

Having made it renowned, he then journeyed across the earth to the Salt Ocean. This is indeed the foremost tīrtha, established upon the earth directly by Pitāmaha (Brahmā).

Verse 53

सुखदः सर्वतः शुद्धो मुक्तिमार्गप्रदः किल । एवं कामप्रभावं च विद्धि दुर्वारदुःसहम्

It is said to bestow happiness, to be wholly pure, and to grant the path to liberation (mokṣa). Yet know: such is the power of desire (kāma)—irresistible and hard to endure.

Verse 54

कामाज्जातं वृषं पापं पुण्यं पुण्यप्रयोगतः । स जातश्चैव लौहित्यो विरंचेश्चैव चौरसः

From desire was born the sinful bull; from the practice of merit arose merit itself. And he was born as Lauhitya, and also as the son of Virāñca (Brahmā), of square and well-proportioned form.

Verse 55

शंतनो क्षेत्र संजातस्त्वमोघागर्भसंभवः । विरिञ्चिना जितः कामः शांतनोरप्यमत्सरात्

You, Śaṃtanu, were born from the field (kṣetra), arising from the womb of Amoghā. Viriñci (Brahmā) conquered Kāma (Desire); and Śaṃtanu too, being free from jealousy, overcame it.

Verse 56

तस्याः पतिव्रतात्वाच्च तीर्थात्तीर्थवरो हि सः । एवं यस्तु पठेन्नित्यं पुण्याख्यानमिदं शिवम्

And because of her steadfast pativratā—unwavering fidelity to her husband—that sacred ford (tīrtha) became the best of all tīrthas. Thus, whoever recites daily this holy and auspicious account of Śiva attains great merit.

Verse 57

शृणुयाद्वा मुदा पृथ्व्यां मुक्तिमार्गं स गच्छति

Whoever listens to this with joy while living on earth follows the path that leads to liberation (mokṣa).