Adhyaya 117: The Thirty-Two Offenses: Rules of Purity and Proper Conduct in Worship

Verse 1

अथ द्वात्रिंशदपराधाः ॥ श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ शृणु भद्रे महाश्चर्यमाहारविधिनिश्चयम् ॥ आहारं चाप्यनाहारं तच्छृणुष्व वसुन्धरे ॥

Now (follows) the thirty-two transgressions. Śrī Varāha said: Listen, O blessed one, to this wondrous determination of the rules of diet; and listen, O Vasundharā, to what is proper eating and what is improper non-eating.

Verse 2

भुञ्जानो याति चाश्नाति मम योगाय माधवि ॥ अशुभं कर्म कृत्वापि पुरुषो धर्ममाश्रितः ॥

Eating with discipline, one proceeds and partakes for my yoga, O Mādhavī; even if a person has done an inauspicious deed, he may yet be one who has taken refuge in dharma.

Verse 3

आहारं चैव धर्मज्ञ उपभुञ्जीत नित्यशः ॥ सर्वे चात्रैव कर्मण्याः व्रीहयः शालयस्तथा ॥

And the knower of dharma should partake of food regularly. Here, all these staples are fit for use—rice-grains (vrīhi) and śāli-rice as well.

Verse 4

अकर्मण्यानि वक्ष्यामि येन भोज्यंति मां प्रति ॥ तेन वै भुक्तमार्गेण अपराधो महौजसः ॥

I shall describe the improper acts by which (offerings or food) are eaten in relation to me; by that very mode of eating, a transgression of great force—of serious consequence—arises.

Verse 5

प्रथमं चापराधान्नं न रोचेत मम प्रियॆ ॥ भुक्त्वा तु परकीयान्नं तत्परस्तन्निवर्तनः ॥

First: food associated with transgression should not be approved of, O my beloved. But if one has eaten another’s food, one should thereafter be intent on refraining from that practice.

Verse 6

द्वितीयस्त्वपराधोऽयं धर्मविघ्नाय वै भवेत् ॥ गत्वा मैथुनसंयोगं यो नु मां स्पृशते नरः ॥

This is the second transgression; it indeed becomes an obstacle to dharma: the man who touches me after having engaged in sexual union.

Verse 7

तृतीयमपराधं तु कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ दृष्ट्वा रजस्वलां नारीमस्माकं यः प्रपद्यते ॥

I set forth the third transgression, O Vasundharā: he who, after seeing a menstruating woman, approaches us (entering the sphere of sacred contact and observance).

Verse 8

चतुर्थमपराधं तु दृष्टं नैव क्षपाम्यहम् ॥ स्पृष्ट्वा तु मृतकं चैव असंस्कारकृतं तु वै ॥

“The fourth offence—once recognized—I do not pardon. It is committed when one has touched a corpse, and likewise when one has performed the rites improperly, without the due saṃskāra,” said the Instructor in the dialogue.

Verse 9

पञ्चमं चापराधं च न क्षमामि वसुंधरे ॥ दृष्ट्वा तु मृतकं यस्तु नाचम्य स्पृशते तु माम् ॥

“The fifth offence too I do not forgive, O Vasundharā: one who, having seen a corpse, touches me (approaches for worship) without first performing ācamana (ritual sipping for purification).”

Verse 10

सप्तमं चापराधं तु कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ यस्तु नीलेन वस्त्रेण प्रावृतो मां प्रपद्यते ॥

“A seventh offence I set forth, O Vasundharā: whoever approaches me for worship while covered in a blue garment.”

Verse 11

अष्टमं चापराधं च कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ ममैवार्च्छनकाले तु यस्त्वसमं प्रभाषते ॥

“An eighth offence I define, O Vasundharā: one who speaks improperly or discordantly at the very time of my worship.”

Verse 12

नवमं चापराधं तं न रोचामि वसुंधरे ॥ अविधानं तु यः स्पृष्ट्वा मामेव प्रतिपद्यते ॥

“That ninth offence I do not approve, O Vasundharā: one who, having engaged in an improper procedure (avidhāna), nevertheless proceeds to me for worship.”

Verse 13

दशमश्चापराधोऽयं मम चाप्रियकारकः ॥ क्रुद्धस्तु यानि कर्माणि कुरुते कर्मकारकः ॥

This is the tenth offence, and it is displeasing to me: the ritual acts that a performer carries out while in anger.

Verse 14

एकादशापराधं तु कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ अकरण्यानि पुण्यानि यस्तु मामुपकल्पयेत् ॥

I define an eleventh offence, O Vasundharā: one who offers to me “meritorious acts” that ought not to be done—pious performances that are improper or unauthorized.

Verse 15

द्वादशं चापराधं तं कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ यस्तु रक्तेन वस्त्रेण कौसुम्भेनोपगच्छति ॥

That twelfth offence I define, O Vasundharā: whoever approaches for worship wearing a red garment—one dyed with safflower (kausumbha).

Verse 16

त्रयोदशं चापराधं कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ अन्धकारे च मां देवि यः स्पृशेत कदाचन ॥

A thirteenth offence I define, O Vasundharā: O Goddess, whoever might touch me at any time in darkness.

Verse 17

चतुर्द्दशापराधं तु कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ यस्तु कृष्णेन वस्त्रेण मम कर्माणि कारयेत् ॥

A fourteenth offence I define, O Vasundharā: whoever causes my rites to be performed while the performer is clad in a black garment.

Verse 18

अपराधं पञ्चदशं कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ अधौतेन तु वस्त्रेण यस्तु मामुपकल्पयेत् ॥

“O Vasundharā, I designate a fifteenth offence: whoever makes offerings to me with an unwashed cloth.”

Verse 19

अपराधं सप्तदशं कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ यस्तु मात्स्यानि मांसानि भक्षयित्वा प्रपद्यते ॥

“O Vasundharā, I designate a seventeenth offence: whoever approaches in devotion after having eaten fish and meat.”

Verse 20

अष्टादशापराधं च कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ जालपादं भक्षयित्वा यस्तु मामुपसर्पति ॥

“O Vasundharā, I also designate an eighteenth offence: whoever comes near to me after eating jālapāda.”

Verse 21

एकोनविंशापराधं कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ यस्तु मे दीपकं स्पृष्ट्वा मामेव प्रतिपद्यते ॥

“O Vasundharā, I designate a nineteenth offence: whoever, having touched my lamp, then approaches me for worship.”

Verse 22

विंशकं चापराधं तं कल्पयामि वरानने ॥ श्मशानं यस्तु वै गत्वा मामेव प्रतिपद्यते ॥

“O fair-faced one, I designate that as a twentieth offence: whoever, having gone to a cremation ground, then approaches me for worship.”

Verse 23

एकविंशापराधं तं कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ पिण्याकं भक्षयित्वा तु यो मामेवाभिगच्छति ॥

O Vasundharā, I designate this as the twenty-first offence: whoever comes to me after eating piṇyāka, the oil-cake (press-cake).

Verse 24

द्वाविंशं चापराधं तं कल्पयामि प्रिये सदा ॥ यस्तु वाराहमांसानि प्रापणेनोपपादयेत् ॥

Beloved, I always designate this as the twenty-second offence: whoever procures and offers boar-meat by means of purchase or trade.

Verse 25

अपराधं त्रयोविंशं कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ सुरां पीत्वा तु यो मर्त्यः कदाचिदुपसर्पति ॥

O Vasundharā, I designate as the twenty-third offence: a mortal who, having drunk surā (intoxicating liquor), approaches me at any time.

Verse 26

अपराधं चतुर्विंशं कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ यः कुसुम्भं च मे शाकं भक्षयित्वोपचक्रमे ॥

O Vasundharā, I designate as the twenty-fourth offence: one who undertakes worship after eating kusumbha and my vegetable greens (śāka).

Verse 27

अपराधं पञ्चविंशं कल्पयामि वसुंधरे ॥ परप्रावरणेनैव यस्तु मामुपसर्पति ॥

O Vasundharā, I designate this as the twenty-fifth offence: whoever approaches me while wearing another person’s covering or garment.

Verse 28

सप्तविंशं चापराधं कल्पयामि गुणान्विते ॥ उपानहौ च प्रपदे तथा वापीं च गच्छति

I designate as the twenty-seventh offence, O virtuous one: approaching the sacred place while wearing footwear, and likewise going to the well or step-well (vāpī) in footwear.

Verse 29

अपराधं त्वष्टविंशं कल्पयामि गुणान्विते ॥ शरीरं मर्द्दयित्वा तु यो मामाप्नोति माधवि

I designate as the twenty-eighth offence, O virtuous one: whoever, having rubbed or massaged the body (in a manner deemed improper here), then approaches and reaches me, O Mādhavī.

Verse 30

एकोनविंशापराधो न स स्वर्गेषु गच्छति ॥ अजीर्णेन समाविष्टो यस्तु मामुपगच्छति

One who commits the twenty-ninth offence does not go to the heavens: namely, the person who approaches me while afflicted by indigestion (ajīrṇa).

Verse 31

त्रिंशकं चापराधं तं कल्पयामि यशस्विनि ॥ गन्धपुष्पाण्यदत्त्वा तु यस्तु धूपं प्रयच्छते

I designate that as the thirtieth offence, O illustrious one: whoever offers incense without first offering fragrances and flowers.

Verse 32

एकत्रिंशं चापराधं कल्पयामि मनस्विनि ॥ विना भेर्यादिशब्देन द्वारस्योद्धाटनं मम

I designate as the thirty-first offence, O wise-minded one: opening my door without the sound of drums and similar instruments.

Verse 33

महापराधं जनीयाद्द्वात्रिंशं तं मम प्रिये ॥ अन्यच्च शृणु वक्ष्यामि दृढव्रतमनुत्तमम्

Know, my beloved, that this is the thirty-second—a great offence. Listen further; I shall proclaim the unsurpassed, steadfast vow.

Verse 34

कृत्वा चावश्यकं कर्म मम लोकं च गच्छति ॥ नित्ययुक्तश्च शास्त्रज्ञो मम कर्मपरायणः

Having performed the necessary duty, one goes to my world—ever disciplined, learned in the śāstras, and devoted to my prescribed duties.

Verse 35

अहिंसापरमश्चैव सर्वभूतदया परः ॥ सामान्यश्च शुचिर्दक्षो मम नित्यं पथि स्थितः

And one for whom non-violence (ahiṃsā) is paramount, devoted to compassion toward all beings—even-tempered, pure, capable—ever stands upon my path.

Verse 36

निगृह्य चेन्द्रियग्राममपराधविवर्जितः ॥ उदारो धार्मिकश्चैव स्वदारेषु सुनिष्ठितः

Having restrained the host of senses and being free from offences—generous, righteous, and firmly faithful within one’s own marital bond.

Verse 37

आचार्यभक्ता देवेषु भक्ता भर्तरि वत्सला ॥ संसारेष्वपि वर्तन्ती गच्छन्ती त्वग्रतो यदि

If she is devoted to her teacher, devoted in the worship of the gods, and affectionate toward her husband—conducting herself properly even amid worldly life—then, if she proceeds, she goes before you.

Verse 38

मम लोकस्थिताऽ सा वै भर्त्तारं प्रसमीक्षते॥ पुरुषो यदि मद्भक्तः स्त्रियां त्यक्त्वा च गच्छति॥

She who abides in my world indeed looks toward her husband. If a man devoted to me departs after abandoning a woman,

Verse 39

स ततोऽत्र प्रतीक्षेत भार्यां भर्त्तरि वत्सलाम्॥ अन्यच्च ते प्रवक्ष्यामि कर्मणां कर्म चोत्तमम्॥

then he should wait here for his wife, who is affectionate toward her husband. And I shall also tell you something further—the best of actions among actions.

Verse 40

ऋषयो मां न पश्यन्ति मम कर्मपथे स्थिताः॥ द्रष्टव्या मम लोकेषु ऋषयोऽपि वरानने॥

The seers do not see me, even though they stand upon my path of action. Yet, in my worlds, even the seers are to be seen, O fair-faced one.

Verse 41

किं पुनर्मानुषा ये च मम कर्मव्यवस्थिताः॥ अन्यदेवेषु ये भक्ताः मूढा वै पापचेतसः॥

How much more so for humans who are engaged in my prescribed works—those devoted to other deities are indeed deluded, with minds inclined to wrongdoing.

Verse 42

मम मायाविमूढास्तु न प्रपद्यन्ति माधवि॥ मां तु ये वै प्रपद्यन्ते मोक्षकामा वसुन्धरे॥

Those deluded by my māyā do not take refuge in me, O Mādhavī. But those who do take refuge in me, O Vasundharā, are seekers of liberation (mokṣa).

Verse 43

तानहं भावसंसिद्धान्बुद्ध्वा संविभजामि वै॥ येन त्वं परया शक्त्या धारितासि मया धरे॥

Having recognized them as perfected in disposition, I indeed apportion to them the fruit of grace—by that supreme power through which you are upheld by me, O Earth.

Verse 44

तेनेदं कथितं देवि आख्यानं धर्मसंयुतम्॥ पिशुनाय न दातव्यं न च मूर्खाय माधवि॥

Thus, O Goddess, this narrative joined to dharma has been taught. It should not be given to a slanderer, nor to a fool, O Mādhavī.

Verse 45

ततो न चोपदिष्टाय न शठाय प्रदापयेत॥ नादीक्षिताय दातव्यं नोपसर्प्याय यत्नतः॥

Therefore one should not bestow it on one who is not properly instructed, nor on a deceitful person. It is not to be given to one who is uninitiated, nor to one who has not approached duly and with effort.

Verse 46

एतत्ते कथितं देवि मम धर्मं महौजसम्॥ सर्वलोकहितार्थाय किमन्यत्परिपृच्छसि॥

This has been told to you, O Goddess—my dharma, mighty in power—intended for the welfare of all worlds. What else do you ask further?

Verse 47

षष्ठं तं चापराधं वै न क्षमामि वसुंधरे॥ ममार्चनस्य काले तु पुरीषं यस्तु गच्छति॥

That sixth offense, indeed, I do not pardon, O Vasundharā: when my worship is taking place, the one who goes to relieve himself (to pass stool)…

Verse 48

षोडशं त्वपराधानां कल्पयामि वरानने ॥ स्वयमन्नं तु यो ह्ययादज्ञानादपि माधवि ॥

O fair-faced one, I set forth the sixteenth among the offences. O Mādhavī, even if through ignorance a person eats food by oneself (without proper sharing and ritual propriety), it is counted as an offence.

Verse 49

अपराधेषु षड्विंशं कल्पयामि वसुन्धरे ॥ नवान्नं यस्तु भक्षेत न देवान्न पितॄन् यजेत् ॥

O Vasundharā, I set forth the twenty-sixth among the offences: one who eats newly prepared food should not neglect offerings to the deities, nor neglect the rites for the ancestors.

Verse 50

शास्त्रज्ञः कुशलश्चैव मम कर्मपरायणः ॥ चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य मे भद्रे सन्मार्गेषु व्यवस्थितः ॥

Learned in the śāstras and also competent, devoted to the duties prescribed by me—O Bhadrā—one should remain established in the good paths associated with the fourfold varṇa order.

Verse 51

शठाय च न दातव्यं नास्तिकाय न माधवि ॥ वर्जयित्वा भागवतं मम कर्मपरायणम् ॥

And one should not give to a deceitful person, nor to a non-believer—O Mādhavī—except to a devoted bhāgavata who is committed to the duties prescribed by me.