Adhyaya 77

Verse 1

वैशंपायन उवाच । प्रभवत्ययमाकाशे नित्यं द्विजवर प्रभो । कोऽयं को वा प्रभावोस्य कुत्र जातो घृणीश्वरः

Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “O revered lord, best of the twice-born—this being continually shines forth in the sky. Who is he? What is his power? And where was this lord of rays, the Sun, born?”

Verse 2

किं करोति हि कार्यं वै यतो रश्मिमयो भृशम् । देवैर्मुनिवरैस्सिद्धैश्चारणैर्दैत्यराक्षसैः

What purpose indeed does he accomplish, by which he becomes exceedingly radiant—recognized and praised by the gods, the best of sages, the Siddhas, the Cāraṇas, and even by Daityas and Rākṣasas?

Verse 3

निखिलैर्मानुषैः पूज्यः सदैव ब्राह्मणादिभिः । व्यास उवाच । परमं ब्रह्मणस्तेजो ब्रह्मदेहाद्विनिस्सृतम्

(He is) ever worthy of worship by all people, always honored by Brahmins and others. Vyāsa said: “The supreme radiance of Brahman, having issued forth from the body of Brahmā…”

Verse 4

साक्षाद्ब्रह्ममयं विद्धि धर्मकामार्थमोक्षदम् । मयूखैर्निर्मलैः कूटमतिचंडं सुदुःसहम्

Know it as directly constituted of Brahman itself, bestowing dharma, desire, prosperity, and liberation; with its stainless rays it subdues the fierce, obstinate, and hard-to-endure force of perverse understanding.

Verse 5

दृष्ट्वा प्रदुद्रुवुर्लोकाः करैश्चंडैः प्रपीडिताः । ततश्च सागराः सर्वे वरनद्यो नदादयः

Seeing this, the people fled in all directions, tormented by the fierce hands; then the oceans as well as the excellent rivers, and the streams and the rest, too, were thrown into turmoil.

Verse 6

शुष्यंति जंतवस्तत्र म्रियंते चातुरा जनाः । अथ शक्रादयो देवा ब्रह्माणं समुपागताः

There, living beings withered, and even capable people were dying. Then Śakra (Indra) and the other gods approached Brahmā.

Verse 7

इममर्थं तदा प्रोचुर्देवांश्च विधिरब्रवीत् । आदिर्ब्रह्मतनोर्देवाः सत्त्वगो जनकः प्रभुः

On this matter the gods spoke at that time, and the Ordainer (Brahmā) addressed the gods: “From the body of Brahmā, the primeval Lord—abiding in sattva—appeared as the progenitor, the master.”

Verse 8

अयं रजोमयः साक्षात्सुधांशुस्तनुमध्यगः । एताभ्यां पालिता लोकास्त्रैलोक्ये सचराचराः

This one is verily of the nature of rajas; and the Moon (Sudhāṁśu) truly abides within the middle of the body. By these two, the worlds throughout the three realms—moving and unmoving—are sustained.

Verse 9

दिव्योपपादका देवा ये वात्रैव जरायुजाः । अंडजाः स्वेदजाश्चैव ये वात्रैवोद्भिज्जादयः

Those gods who are of divine origin, and those beings born from the womb; those born from eggs and those born from sweat; and likewise those that sprout from the earth (plants and the like)—all of them exist right here (in this very realm).

Verse 10

सूर्यस्यास्य प्रभावं तु वक्तुमेव न शक्नुमः । अनेन रक्षिता लोका जनिताः पालिता ध्रुवम्

We are not able even to describe the majesty of this Sun. By him the worlds are surely protected, brought forth, and sustained.

Verse 11

अस्यैव सदृशो नास्ति सर्वेषां परिरक्षणात् । यं च दृष्ट्वाप्युषःकाले पापराशिः प्रलीयते

Nothing equals this, for it protects everyone; and even by merely beholding it at dawn, a whole heap of sins is dissolved.

Verse 12

तमाराध्य जना मोक्षं साधयंति द्विजातयः । संध्योपासनकाले तु विप्रा ब्रह्मविदः किल

By worshipping Him, the twice-born attain liberation (mokṣa). Indeed, at the time of sandhyā worship, the brāhmaṇas are said to be knowers of Brahman.

Verse 13

उद्बाहवो भवंत्येव ते च देवप्रपूजिताः । अस्यैव मंडलस्थां च देवीं संध्यास्वरूपिणीं

Indeed, these become the udbāhas, and they are worshipped by the gods; and within this very maṇḍala abides the Goddess, whose form is Twilight (Saṃdhyā).

Verse 14

समुपास्य द्विजास्सर्वे लभंते स्वर्गमोक्षकौ । धरायां पतितोच्छिष्टाः पूतास्ते चास्य रश्मिभिः

By worshipping him, all the twice-born attain both heaven and liberation. Even the remnants that have fallen upon the ground become purified by his rays as well.

Verse 15

संध्योपासनमात्रेण कल्मषात्पूततां व्रजेत् । दृष्ट्वा चांडालकं गोघ्नं पतितं कुष्ठसंगतम्

By the mere practice of Sandhyā worship one becomes purified from sin. Even on seeing an outcaste, a cow-killer, a fallen man, or one afflicted with leprosy, that purification is not lost.

Verse 16

महापातकसंकीर्णमुपपातकसंवृतम् । पश्यंति ये नरास्सूरं ते पूता गुरुकिल्बिषात्

Even those men who are tainted by great sins and covered over by minor transgressions—whoever beholds the Sun, they are purified from grievous wrongdoing.

Verse 17

अस्योपासनमात्रेण सर्वरोगात्प्रमुच्यते । नांधत्वं न च दारिद्र्यं दुःखं न च शोच्यताम्

By the mere worship of this, one is freed from all diseases. There will be neither blindness nor poverty, nor sorrow—so let there be no lamentation.

Verse 18

लभते च इहामुत्र समुपास्य विरोचनम् । अदृष्टा नैव लोकैश्च देवा हरिहरादयः

By duly worshipping Virocana, one gains blessings in this world and in the next; for the gods—beginning with Hari and Hara—are not directly seen by people.

Verse 19

ध्यानरूपप्रगम्यास्ते दृष्टो देवो ह्ययं स्मृतः । देवा ऊचुः । अस्तु प्रसादनाराध्यश्चास्तूपासनपूजनम्

You are attainable through the form of meditation; thus this Lord is remembered as one who has been seen through contemplation. The gods said: “So be it—let him be worshipped for the granting of grace, and let there be devotion and ritual worship.”

Verse 20

अस्यैव दर्शनं ब्रह्मन्प्रलयानलसंमितम् । सर्वे नरादयस्सत्वा मृतावस्थां गता भुवि

O Brahmin, merely the sight of this is comparable to the fire of cosmic dissolution; all beings—men and the rest—have fallen upon the earth into a state like death.

Verse 21

अस्य तेजःप्रभावेण प्रणष्टास्सागरादयः । न समर्था वयं सोढुं कथमन्ये पृथग्जनाः

By the power of his radiant energy, even the oceans and the like have been destroyed. We are not capable of enduring it—how then could other ordinary beings possibly bear it?

Verse 22

तस्मात्तवप्रसादाच्च पूजयामो यथा रविम् । यजंति च नरा भक्त्या तदुपायो विधीयताम्

Therefore, by your gracious favor, we worship you as we worship the Sun; and people too worship with devotion—so please prescribe the proper method for that.

Verse 23

देवानां वचनं श्रुत्वा गतो ब्रह्मखगेश्वरम् । गत्वा स्तोतुं समारेभे सर्वलोकहिताय वै

Having heard the words of the gods, he went to Brahmā, the Lord of the king of birds; and upon arriving, he began to offer hymns of praise—truly for the welfare of all the worlds.

Verse 24

देवत्वं सर्वलोकस्य चक्षुर्भूतो निरामयः । ब्रह्मरूपधरः साक्षाद्दुष्प्रेक्ष्यः प्रलयानलः

You are the very divinity of all the worlds—the eye of the universe, free from affliction. Truly bearing the form of Brahmā, you are hard to behold, like the fire of dissolution.

Verse 25

सर्वदेवस्थितस्त्वं हि सदा वायुसखस्तनौ । अन्नादिपाचनं त्वत्तो जीवनं च भवेद्ध्रुवम्

For in you abides the presence of all the gods, ever allied with the life-breath within the body. From you comes the digestion of food and the sure, unfailing sustaining of life.

Verse 26

उत्पत्तिप्रलयौ देव त्वमेको भुवनेश्वरः । त्वदृते सर्वलोकानां दिनैकं नास्ति जीवनम्

O God, you alone are the sovereign of the universe—both the arising and the dissolution. Without you, for all the worlds, there is not even life for a single day.

Verse 27

प्रभुस्त्वं सर्वलोकानां त्राता गोप्ता पिता प्रसूः । चराचराणां सर्वेषां त्वत्प्रसादाद्धृतं जगत्

You are the Lord of all worlds—the savior, protector, father, and source. By your grace alone, this entire universe, of all moving and unmoving beings, is sustained.

Verse 28

देवेषु त्वत्समो नास्ति भगवंस्त्वखिलेषु च । सर्वत्र तेऽस्ति सद्भावस्त्वयैव धारितं जगत्

O Blessed Lord, among the gods—and indeed among all beings—none is equal to you. Your true presence exists everywhere; by you alone is the universe sustained.

Verse 29

रूपगंधादिकारी त्वं रसानां स्वादुता त्वया । एवं विश्वेश्वरः सूरो निखिलस्थितिकारकः

You are the source of form, fragrance, and the like; by you the tastes possess their sweetness. Thus the Lord of the universe—radiant like the sun—brings about the sustaining order of all existence.

Verse 30

तीर्थानां पुण्यक्षेत्राणां मखानां जगतः प्रभो । त्वमेकः प्रयतो हेतुस्सर्वसाक्षी गुणाकरः

O Lord of the world, you alone are the pure cause behind sacred pilgrimages, holy regions, and sacrificial rites; you are the witness of all and the repository of virtues.

Verse 31

सर्वज्ञः सर्वकर्ता च हर्ता पाता सदोत्सुकः । ध्वांतपंकामयघ्नश्च दारिद्र्यदुःखनाशनः

He is all-knowing and the doer of all; He withdraws what must be withdrawn and He protects, ever eager to help. He destroys darkness, the mire of sin, and disease, and He removes poverty and sorrow.

Verse 32

प्रेत्येह च परो बंधुः सर्वज्ञः सर्वलोचनः । त्वदृते सर्वलोकानामुपकारी न विद्यते

In this world and after death, you are the supreme kinsman—omniscient, all-seeing. Apart from you, there is no benefactor for all beings in all worlds.

Verse 33

आदित्य उवाच । पितामह महाप्राज्ञ विश्वेंद्र विश्वभावक । ब्रूहि शीघ्रं परं यत्ते करिष्यामि मतं विधे

Āditya said: “O Grandfather, O greatly wise one—lord of the universe, source of the universe—tell me swiftly the supreme course to be done. Whatever your intention is, O Ordainer (Vidhe), I shall carry it out.”

Verse 34

ब्रह्मोवाच । मयूखस्त्वतिचंडश्च लोकानामतिदुःसहः । यथैव मृदुतामेति तथा कुरु सुरेश्वर

Brahmā said: “Your rays are exceedingly fierce and unbearable to the worlds. O Lord of the gods, make them so that they become gentle.”

Verse 35

आदित्य उवाच । किरणाः कोटिकोटिर्मे लोकनाशकराः पराः । न चाभीष्टकरा लोके प्रयोगाच्छिन्धि तान्प्रभो

Āditya said: “My rays are countless—crores upon crores—supremely capable of destroying the worlds. Yet in the world they do not grant desired results; O Lord, restrain them through proper application and discipline.”

Verse 36

ततो विरिंचिना तूर्णं रविवाक्यवशाद्ध्रुवं । आहूय विश्वकर्माणं कृत्वा वज्रमयीं भ्रमि

Then Viriñci (Brahmā), at once—compelled by the Sun’s word—summoned Viśvakarmā and had a revolving wheel made of adamantine, vajra-like substance.

Verse 37

चिच्छेद च रवेर्भानून्प्रलयानलसन्निभान् । तैरेव रचितं तत्र विष्णोश्चक्रं सुदर्शनम्

And he cut off the Sun’s blazing rays, like the fire at the time of cosmic dissolution; and from those very rays there, Viṣṇu’s discus, Sudarśana, was fashioned.

Verse 38

अमोघं यमदंडं च शूलं पशुपतेस्तथा । कालस्य च परः खड्गश्शक्तिर्गुरुप्रमोदिनी

Unfailing is Yama’s staff; so too is the trident of Paśupati. And Time (Kāla) bears a supreme sword; and there is the spear—delighting the venerable guru.

Verse 39

चंडिकायाः परं शस्त्रं विचित्रं शूलकं तथा । चक्रे ब्रह्माज्ञया शीघ्रं तेनैव विश्वकर्मणा

For Caṇḍikā, that supreme weapon—an extraordinary trident as well—was swiftly fashioned by that very Viśvakarman, at Brahmā’s command.

Verse 40

सहस्रकिरणं शिष्टमन्यच्चैव प्रशातितम् । अजनोपायभावेन पुनश्च कश्यपान्मुने

The thousand-rayed one (the Sun) remained; and the rest, too, was subdued. Then, through an expedient means, it was again arranged by the sage Kaśyapa, O sage.

Verse 41

अदितेर्गर्भसंजात आदित्य इति वै स्मृतः । अयं चरति विश्वांते मेरुशृंगं भ्रमत्यपि

Born from Aditi’s womb, he is indeed remembered as Āditya (the Sun). He moves at the edge of the universe, and he also revolves around the peak of Mount Meru.

Verse 42

सदोर्ध्वं दिनरात्रं च धरण्या लक्षयोजने । ग्रहाश्चंद्रादयस्तत्र चरंति विधिनोदिताः

Above it, day and night continue perpetually, at a distance of one hundred thousand yojanas from the earth; and there the planets—beginning with the Moon—move along, impelled by the ordained cosmic law.

Verse 43

सूरः संचरते मासान्द्वादशद्वादशात्मकः । संक्रमादस्य संक्रांतिः सर्वैरेव प्रतीयते

The Sun moves through the months, shaped by the twelvefold cycle. By its passage (from one sign to the next), everyone recognizes its saṅkrānti—the solar transition.

Verse 44

तासु यद्वा फलं ब्रूमो लोकानां निखिलं मुने । धनुर्मिथुनमीनेषु कन्यायां षडशीतयः

Or else, O sage, I shall declare the full result for all people: in Dhanu (Sagittarius), Mithuna (Gemini), and Mīna (Pisces)—and in Kanyā (Virgo)—the number is eighty-six.

Verse 45

वृषवृश्चिककुंभेषु सिंहे विष्णुपदी स्मृता । तर्पणं चाक्षयं विद्धि दानं देवार्चनं तथा

When Viṣṇupadī (the sacred Gaṅgā) is in Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius, and Leo, know that tarpaṇa—offerings of water—becomes inexhaustible; likewise dāna (gifts) and devārcana (worship of the gods) then yield especially unfailing merit.

Verse 46

षडशीतिसहस्राणि षडशीतौ फलं भवेत् । विष्णुपद्यां तु लक्षं तु अयने कोटिकोटकं

In the case of the ‘eighty-six’, the spiritual fruit becomes eighty-six thousand; but at Viṣṇupadī it is a lakṣa (one hundred thousand), and at the ayana (solstice) it becomes crores upon crores.

Verse 47

विष्णुपद्यां तु यद्दानमक्षयं परिकीर्तितं । दातुर्वदामि सान्निध्यं सदा जन्मनिजन्मनि

But the gift (dāna) offered at Viṣṇupadī is proclaimed to be imperishable. I declare that the donor attains the Lord’s abiding nearness, birth after birth.

Verse 48

शीते तूलपटीदानान्न दुःखं जायते तनौ । तुलादाने तल्पदाने द्वयोरेवाक्षयं फलं

In the season of cold, by gifting a woollen cloth, no suffering arises in the body. In both the gift of the balance (tulā-dāna) and the gift of a bed, the reward is truly imperishable.

Verse 49

सर्वोपकरणां शय्यां यो ददाति विमत्सरः । वर्णमुख्याय विप्राय स राजपदवीं लभेत्

One who, free from envy, donates a bed furnished with all accessories to a foremost Brāhmaṇa will attain royal rank and dignity.

Verse 50

तथैवाग्निं जलं दत्वा नदीतीरे पथिप्रगे । दत्वा च तैलतांबूलमूर्व्या अधिपतिर्भवेत्

Likewise, having given fire and water on a riverbank to travelers on the road, and also having given oil and betel, one becomes a lord upon the earth.

Verse 51

सत्यभावाद्द्विजं नत्वा धनी चाक्षयतां व्रजेत् । माघे मास्यसिते पक्षे पंचदश्यामहर्मुखे

With sincere truthfulness, having bowed to a dvija (Brāhmaṇa), one becomes wealthy and attains inexhaustible prosperity—on the fifteenth lunar day, at daybreak, in the dark fortnight of the month of Māgha.

Verse 52

पितॄंस्तिलजलैरेव तर्पयित्वाक्षयो दिवि । सुलक्षणां च गां दत्वा हेमशृंगां मणिप्रभाम्

Having satisfied the ancestors with water mixed with sesame, one becomes inexhaustible in heaven; and by gifting a well-marked cow—whose horns are of gold and whose radiance is jewel-like—one attains great merit.

Verse 53

रौप्यखुरप्रदेशां च तथा कांस्यसुदोहनाम् । एतां दत्वा द्विजाग्र्याय सार्वभौमो भवेन्नृपः

And (a cow) whose hoof-regions are of silver and whose milking vessel is of bronze—having given such a (cow) to an excellent brāhmaṇa, a king becomes a universal sovereign.

Verse 54

दत्वान्नाभरणं राजा मंडलेशो धनीश्वरः । तिलधेनुं तु यो दद्यात्सर्वोपस्करणान्विताम्

Having given food and ornaments, the king—lord of the realm, master of wealth—whoever then donates a “sesame-cow” (tila-dhenū) furnished with all requisite accessories (for the gift) obtains great merit.

Verse 55

सप्तजन्मार्जितात्पापान्मुक्तो नाकेऽक्षयो भवेत् । भोज्यान्नं ब्राह्मणे दत्वा अक्षयं स्वर्गमश्नुते

Freed from the sins accumulated over seven lifetimes, one becomes inexhaustible in heaven. Having given food fit to be eaten to a brāhmaṇa, one attains an imperishable heaven.

Verse 56

धान्यं वस्त्रं तथा भृत्यं गृहपीठादिकं च यत् । यो ददाति द्विजाग्र्याय तं च लक्ष्मीर्न मुंचति

Whoever gives grain, clothing, attendants’ service, and household furnishings such as seats and the like to an excellent brāhmaṇa—Lakṣmī (prosperity) does not abandon that person.

Verse 57

यत्किंचिद्दीयते दानं स्वल्पं वा यदि वा बहु । अक्षयं परलोकेषु युगाद्यासु तथैव च

Whatever gift is given as dāna—whether small or great—becomes imperishable in the worlds beyond; and so it is at the beginnings of the ages as well.

Verse 58

यद्वा देवार्चनं स्तोत्रं धर्माख्यानप्रतिश्रवः । पुनाति सर्वपापेभ्यो दिवि पूज्यो भवत्यसौ

Or else, the worship of the devas, the recitation of hymns, and the reverent hearing of sacred accounts of dharma purify one from all sins; and that person becomes worthy of honor in heaven.

Verse 59

तृतीया माघमासस्य सिता मन्वंतरा स्मृता । तस्यां यद्दीयते दानं सर्वमक्षयमुच्यते

The third lunar day (tṛtīyā) of the bright fortnight in the month of Māgha is remembered as Manvantarā. Whatever charity is given on that day is said to become wholly imperishable.

Verse 60

धनं भोग्यं तथा राज्यं नाकं कल्पांतरस्थितम् । तस्माद्दानं सतां पूजा प्रेत्यानंतफलप्रदा

Wealth, enjoyment, kingship, and even heaven endure only until another cosmic age. Therefore, charity and honoring the virtuous grant endless fruits after death.

Verse 61

मन्वंतरा तु माघे स्यात्सप्तमी या शितीतरा । तिथिः पुण्यतमा प्रोक्ता पुराणैरभिरक्षिता

The Manvantarā observance occurs in the month of Māgha—on the most auspicious Śitītarā Saptamī. This lunar day is declared the most meritorious, upheld and safeguarded by the Purāṇas.

Verse 62

माघमासे सिते पक्षे सप्तमी कोटिभास्करा । तामुपोष्य नरः पुण्यां मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

In the month of Māgha, during the bright fortnight, the seventh lunar day is called Koṭibhāskarā. One who fasts on that sacred day is liberated—of this there is no doubt.

Verse 63

सूर्यग्रहणतुल्या हि शुक्ला माघस्य सप्तमी । अरुणोदयवेलायां तस्यां स्नानं महाफलम्

Indeed, the bright seventh tithi of Māgha is equal in merit to a solar eclipse; bathing on that day at the time of aruṇodaya (dawn) yields great fruit.

Verse 64

यच्च तत्र कृतं पापं मया सप्तसु जन्मसु । तन्मे रोगं च शोकं च भास्करी हंतु सप्तमी

Whatever sin I have committed there across seven births—may Bhāskarī Saptamī destroy it, along with my disease and my sorrow.

Verse 65

जननी सर्वभूतानां सप्तमी सप्तसप्तिके । सप्तम्यामुदिते देवि नमस्ते रविमंडले

O Goddess, Mother of all beings—on the seventh tithi within the sevenfold cycle; when the seventh dawns, I bow to you in the orb of the Sun.

Verse 66

अर्कपत्रं यवाः पुष्पं सुगंधं बदरीफलम् । तत्पत्रे ताम्रपात्रे वा युक्तमानीय तण्डुलम्

Bring arka leaves, barley, a fragrant flower, and badarī (jujube) fruit; then, having properly arranged them on that leaf—or in a copper vessel—bring rice grains as well.

Verse 67

यज्ञसूत्रं ससिंदूरं दत्वा चार्घं सुशोभनम् । सर्वपापं क्षयं याति सप्तजन्मकृतं च यत्

Having offered the yajñopavīta (sacrificial thread) together with sindūra (vermilion), and also a beautifully prepared arghya-offering, every sin is destroyed—even those accumulated over seven births.

Verse 68

नरकैः पीड्यते तावद्रोगैः पापैश्च दुःखदैः । हविष्यं भोजयेदन्नं शुद्धमातपतंडुलैः

So long as one does not feed others with a haviṣya meal—pure food prepared from sun‑dried rice—one is tormented by hells, by diseases, and by sins that bring suffering.

Verse 69

वर्जयेच्च शिलाघृष्टं शृंगबेरं तु शाककम् । कोरदूषकपत्रं च रंभाच्छागीघृतं तथा

One should avoid ginger ground upon a stone, vegetable greens prepared with ginger, the leaves of koradūṣaka, and likewise ghee derived from a goat fed on plantain (banana).

Verse 70

केशकीटादिकं वर्ज्यमुष्णोदस्नानमेव च । अल्पबीजादिकं सर्वं व्रते सूरस्य वर्जयेत्

In the Sun’s vow, one should avoid impure things such as hair and insects; one should also avoid bathing with hot water. Likewise, everything of the “small‑seeded” type and similar items should be avoided during the observance.

Verse 71

अन्यच्च नाचरेत्तत्र धर्मचिंतां विना व्रती । सौरव्रतं महापुण्यं पुराणैरभिनंदितम्

Further, the observer of the vow should do nothing there without reflecting on dharma. This Sauravrata, the Sun‑related vow, is supremely meritorious and is praised by the Purāṇas.

Verse 72

वर्षकोटिसहस्राणि वर्षकोटिशतानि च । आदित्यस्य समं भोग्यं लभते दिवि शाश्वतम्

For thousands of crores of years, and for hundreds of crores of years as well, one attains in heaven an everlasting enjoyment equal to that of Āditya, the Sun.

Verse 73

एवं स्वर्गक्षयादेव राजा भूमौ महाधनी । मर्त्यलोके पुराभ्यासात्करोति भास्करव्रतम्

Thus, when his merit in heaven is exhausted, that king is born on earth as a very wealthy man; and in the mortal world, by the force of his former practice, he performs the Bhāskara-vrata, the Sun’s sacred vow.

Verse 74

तथा स्वयं सुखं भोग्यं लभते दिवि शाश्वतम् । आरोग्यं संपदं जन्मी भास्करस्य प्रसादतः

Likewise, one personally attains in heaven everlasting happiness, sweetly enjoyed; and one is born with health and prosperity—through the grace of Bhāskara, the Sun.

Verse 75

रविवारे भवेद्या च सप्तमी माघशुक्लके । महाजयेति विख्याता अन्यत्र विजया स्मृता

When the seventh lunar day, Saptamī, in the bright fortnight of Māgha falls on a Sunday, it is renowned as “Mahājayā”; otherwise it is remembered simply as “Vijayā.”

Verse 76

विजया कोटिलक्षं स्यादनंतं स्यान्महाजया । तत्रैकेन व्रतेनैव मुच्यते जन्मबंधनात्

“Vijayā” yields the fruit of ten million victories, and “Mahājayā” grants limitless victory; yet, by undertaking just a single vow on that occasion, one is freed from the bondage of repeated birth.

Verse 77

इति श्रीपाद्मपुराणे प्रथमे सृष्टिखंडे अर्काङ्गसप्तमीव्रतंनाम । सप्तसप्ततितमोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the seventy-seventh chapter—called “The Arkāṅga Saptamī Vow”—in the First Book, the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa, of the glorious Padma Purāṇa.

Verse 78

एषां भेदं प्रवक्ष्यमि शृणु विप्र यथार्थवत् । उत्तमाभरणैर्युक्तं सद्वाहं यो ददाति ह

I shall declare their distinctions—listen, O brāhmaṇa, in accordance with truth. He who bestows a proper, auspicious marriage, furnished with excellent ornaments, indeed gains a particular fruit.

Verse 79

समुद्रैस्सप्तभिर्जुष्टां भूमिमेत्यारिवर्जिताम् । लभेद्भवांतरे मर्त्यमेकेनैकाधिपो भवेत्

In another birth, a mortal may obtain a land encircled by the seven oceans, free from enemies; by this merit alone, he becomes the sole sovereign.

Verse 80

अश्वहीनं च पत्रांगं वृषभैर्वाप्यलंकृतम् । हेममाषं द्विमाषं वा दक्षिणा विहिता बुधैः

For a palanquin or conveyance without horses, adorned with leaf-like decoration and further embellished with bulls, the learned prescribe a dakṣiṇā of one māṣa of gold—or two māṣas.

Verse 81

रत्नभांडं महार्थं च हैमैरेव कृतं च यत् । स्वर्णं वा केवलं दत्वा त्रिविष्टपधनेश्वरः

By offering a jewel-vessel of great value, fashioned of gold—or even by giving gold alone—one becomes a lord of the wealth of heaven (Svarga).

Verse 82

रक्तवस्त्रं च धान्यं च शक्तितो यः प्रयच्छति । स्वर्गोर्व्योरीशतामेति न तं लक्ष्मीर्विमुंचति

Whoever, according to their capacity, gives red garments and grain attains lordship in heaven and on earth; Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, does not abandon such a person.

Verse 83

अरोगी सुप्रसन्नात्मा दस्युजेता प्रतापवान् । यावत्प्रभासते भानुस्तावत्पूज्यतमो हि सः

He becomes free from disease, serene in spirit, a conqueror of robbers, and endowed with splendor; and for as long as the sun shines, so long indeed is he the most worthy of honor.

Verse 84

माघादौ द्वादशींमायां सप्तमीं कारयेत्स तु । इहाभीष्टफलं भुक्त्वा सुरैश्चैव प्रपूज्यते

But whoever, at the beginning of the month of Māgha, causes the observance of the Dvādaśī and the Saptamī to be performed—having enjoyed the desired results here—he is also honored and worshipped by the gods.

Verse 85

अर्काङ्गसप्तमी व्रतं कृत्वा च विधिवद्बुधः । पापात्पूत इहाभीष्टं संप्राप्य मुक्तिमाप्नुयात्

Having duly performed the Arkāṅga-saptamī vow, a wise person becomes purified of sin; in this very life he attains his desired aims, and thereafter obtains liberation.

Verse 86

लक्षणं च प्रवक्ष्यामि मासि मासि च यो विधिः । व्रतस्यास्य प्रसादाच्च सुराणामर्चितो दिवि

I shall also explain its defining characteristics and the month-by-month procedure to be followed. By the grace of this vow, one is honored in heaven and worshipped by the gods.

Verse 87

शुक्लपक्षे रविदिने प्रवृत्ते चोत्तरायणे । पुंनामधेयनक्षत्रे गृह्णीयात्सप्तमीव्रतम्

One should undertake the Saptamī vow in the bright fortnight, on a Sunday (the day of Ravi), when the Uttarāyaṇa has begun, and when the lunar mansion bears a masculine name.

Verse 88

हस्तो मैत्रं तथा पुष्यः श्रवो मृग पुनर्वसु । पुंनामधेय नक्षत्राण्येतान्याहुर्मनीषिणः

The wise declare that these lunar mansions—Hasta, Maitra (Anurādhā), Puṣya, Śravaṇa, Mṛgaśīrṣa, and Punarvasu—are the nakṣatras that bear masculine names.

Verse 89

पंचम्यामेकभक्तं तु षष्ठ्यां नक्तं प्रकीर्तितम् । सप्तम्यामुपवासं च अष्टम्यां पारणं भवेत्

On the fifth day one should take a single meal; on the sixth, a nakta (evening meal) is prescribed. On the seventh one should fast, and on the eighth one should perform pāraṇa, the breaking of the fast.

Verse 90

अर्काग्रं शुचिगोमयं सुमरिचं तोयं फलं चाश्नुते । मूलं नक्तमुपोषणं च विधिवत्कृत्वैकभक्तं तथा । क्षीरं वाप्यशनं घृताक्तमिति च प्रोक्ताः क्रमेणामुना । कृत्वा वासरसप्तमीं दिनकृतः प्राप्नोत्यभीष्टं फलं

He should partake, in order, of arka leaves, pure cow-dung, good black pepper, water, and fruit; then roots; then the nakta observance; then, duly, eating once a day; then living on milk; and then food anointed with ghee—thus prescribed step by step. Having observed the Sunday Saptamī in this manner, one attains from the Sun the desired fruit.

Verse 91

अर्काग्रं ग्रामात्पूर्वोत्तरदिग्गतार्कविटपस्य शाखाग्रस्थितं । विशिष्टं सूक्ष्मपत्रद्वयं सतोयं दन्तैरस्पृष्टं पातव्यं । शुचिगोमयं भूमावपतितं मद्याङ्गुष्ठाभ्यां पलमात्रं दन्तैरस्पृष्टं सतोयं पातव्यम् । सुमरिचमव्रणमपुरातनं स्थूलमवशुष्कमेकं दन्तैरस्पृष्टं सतोयं पातव्यम् । तोयं ब्रह्मपित्रङ्गुलीमूलप्रसरं पातव्यम्फलं खर्जूरनारिकेलानामन्यतमं दंतैरस्पृष्टं पातव्यं घृताक्तमिति चाहारं मयूरडिंभपरिमाणं । घृतमपि तत्परिमाणम्

One should sip water after taking the tip of an arka twig set upon a branch pointing north-east from the village—specifically two fine leaves—without touching them with the teeth. One should sip water after taking clean cow-dung fallen upon the ground, in the measure of one pala, held between the middle finger and thumb, without touching it with the teeth. One should sip water after taking a single good peppercorn—unwounded, not old, large and well dried—without touching it with the teeth. One should drink water in the measure that spreads from the root of the thumb to the base of the forefinger. One should sip water after taking a fruit—either a date or a coconut—without touching it with the teeth, anointed with ghee; and the portion of food should be the size of a peacock’s egg, and the ghee also in that same measure.

Verse 92

आत्मनो द्विगुणां छायां यदा कुर्वीत भास्करः । तदा नक्तं विजानीयान्न नक्तं निशिभोजनं

When the Sun makes one’s shadow twice one’s own height, then one should understand that it is the proper time for the ‘nakta’ meal; eating at night is not ‘nakta’—it is night-eating.

Verse 93

प्रथमं पूजयेद्देवं फलपुष्पादिमंत्रकैः । अन्नदानं ततः कुर्याद्विध्युक्तपरिमाणकं

First, one should worship the Deity with mantras, accompanied by offerings such as fruits and flowers; thereafter, one should give the gift of food in the measure prescribed by the rite.

Verse 94

ततो ध्यानम् । सर्वलक्षणसंपूर्णं सर्वाभरणभूषितं । द्विभुजं रक्तवर्णं च रक्तपंकजधृत्करं

Then comes the meditation: one should contemplate the Deity, complete with every auspicious mark and adorned with all ornaments—two-armed, red in hue, with hands holding a red lotus.

Verse 95

तेजोबिंबं बहुजलमध्यस्थं सपरिच्छदं । पद्मासनगतं देवं रक्तगंधानुलेपनं

He beheld the radiant, luminous form, situated amid abundant waters and attended by all its emblems—the Divine seated upon a lotus-seat, anointed with red, fragrant sandal paste.

Verse 96

आदित्यं चिंतयेद्देवं पूजाकाले विशेषतः । अथ मंत्रश्चायं । भास्कराय विद्महे सहस्ररश्मये धीमहि तन्नः सूर्यः प्रचोदयात्

One should contemplate the god Āditya, especially at the time of worship. And this is the mantra: “We know Bhāskara; we meditate upon the thousand-rayed one. May that Sūrya impel and enlighten us.”

Verse 97

जप्य एष परः प्रोक्तःसप्तम्यां विजयावहः । करवीरैः करंजैश्च रक्तकुंकुमसन्निभैः

This supreme japa has been declared; when performed on the seventh lunar day (saptamī) it brings victory—done with karavīra and karañja flowers, resembling red kunkuma (saffron).

Verse 98

पश्चाच्च पारणा कार्या तथाष्टम्यां विशेषतः । अष्टम्यामेव कर्तव्यं नवम्यां नैव पारणं

Afterward one should perform the pāraṇā, the concluding breaking of the fast—especially on the eighth lunar day (Aṣṭamī). It must be done on Aṣṭamī alone; on the ninth (Navamī) the fast is not to be broken.

Verse 99

व्रते फलं न चाप्नोति नवम्यां पारणे कृते । पारणं त्वपराह्णे तु कटुतिक्ताम्लवर्जितं

If the fast is broken on Navamī, one does not obtain the fruit of the vow. The pāraṇā should be performed in the afternoon, avoiding pungent, bitter, and sour foods.

Verse 100

तंडुलं शोधयेद्यत्नात्तृणबीजादिकं त्यजेत् । मुद्ग माष तिलादीनि घृतं च परिवर्जयेत्

One should carefully cleanse the rice, discarding grass-seeds and the like. One should also avoid mung beans (mudga), black gram (māṣa), sesame and similar items, as well as ghee.

Verse 101

ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेद्भक्त्या शक्तः क्षीरादिहव्यकैः । यथाशक्त्यन्नपानैश्च व्यंजनैश्च निरामिषैः

With devotion one should feed the brāhmaṇas—if able, with offerings such as milk and the like; and according to one’s capacity, with food and drink, and with side-dishes free from meat.

Verse 102

विप्राय दक्षिणां दद्याद्विभज्य चानुरूपतः । इमामनंतफलदां यः कुर्यात्सप्तमीं नरः

A man should give dakṣiṇā to a brāhmaṇa, distributing it suitably according to his means. Whoever performs this Saptamī observance, bestowing endless rewards, attains inexhaustible merit.

Verse 103

सर्वपापप्रशमनीं धनपुत्रविवर्धनीम् । मासि मासि द्विजश्रेष्ठ व्रतं कृत्वार्कतुष्टये

O best of the twice-born, by observing this vow month after month to please the Sun, one pacifies all sins and increases wealth and offspring.

Verse 104

यः कुर्यात्पारणं भक्त्या सूर्यलोकं स गच्छति । कल्पकोटिं वसेत्स्वर्गे ततो याति परां गतिं

Whoever performs the pāraṇa, the concluding rite, with devotion goes to the world of the Sun. He dwells in heaven for ten million kalpas, and thereafter attains the supreme state.

Verse 105

इदमेव परं गुह्यं भाषितं शंभुना पुरा । श्रवणात्सततं तस्य व्रतस्य परिपालनात् । श्रावयेद्वापि लोकस्य फलं तुल्यं प्रकीर्तितं

This very teaching—supremely secret—was formerly proclaimed by Śambhu (Śiva). By constantly listening to it, by faithfully observing that vow, or even by causing people to hear it, an equal fruit of merit is declared.