Adhyaya 124: Ritual Observances Aligned with the Seasons (Seasonal Devotional Procedure)

Verse 1

अथ ऋतूपस्करम् ॥ श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ फाल्गुनस्य तु मासस्य शुक्लपक्षस्य द्वादशीम् ॥ गृहीत्वा वासन्तिकान् पुष्पान् सुगन्धा ये क्रमागताः ॥

Now, the requisites for the seasons. Śrī Varāha said: On the twelfth lunar day (dvādaśī) of the bright fortnight in the month of Phālguna, having gathered spring flowers—fragrant and obtained in due order—one should proceed with the rite.

Verse 2

श्वेतं पाण्डुरकं चैव सुगन्धं शोभनं बहु ॥ विधिना मन्त्रयुक्तेन सुप्रीतेनान्तरात्मना ॥

(Flowers that are) white and pale, fragrant and abundantly pleasing—these should be offered according to proper rule, accompanied by mantra, with an inward disposition that is serene and well-pleased.

Verse 3

तत एवं विधिं कृत्वा सर्वं भागवतं शुचिः ॥ यस्तु जानाति कर्माणि सर्वं मन्त्रविनिश्चितः ॥

Thus, having carried out the prescribed procedure in this way and being purified, one completes the entire Bhāgavata observance. But the one who knows the ritual acts—everything determined by mantra—is qualified to perform them correctly.

Verse 4

तदाहरति कर्माणि विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा ॥ विधिना मन्त्रपूतेन कुर्याच्छान्तमनोऽमलः ॥

Then one brings forth the ritual acts by an action sanctioned by rule; with the procedure purified by mantra, the pure person should perform them with a tranquil, untainted mind.

Verse 5

सपुष्पितस्येह वसन्तकाले वनस्पतेर्गन्धरसप्रयुक्ताः ॥ पश्यंश्च मां पुष्पितपादपेन्द्रं वसन्तकाले समुपागते च ॥

Here, in the spring season, amid trees in bloom endowed with fragrance and savor, beholding me—the lord among flowering trees—when spring has fully arrived, (one performs the observance).

Verse 6

यश्चैतेन विधानॆन कुर्यान्मासे तु फाल्गुने ॥ न स गच्छति संसारं मम लोकाय गच्छति ॥

And whoever performs (the rite) according to this ordinance in the month of Phālguna does not go to saṃsāra; he goes to my world.

Verse 7

यत्तु पृच्छसि सुश्रोणि मासे वैशाख उत्तमे ॥ शुक्लपक्षे तु द्वादश्यां यत्फलं तच्छृणुष्व मे ॥

But as to what you ask, O fair-hipped one: in the excellent month of Vaiśākha, on the twelfth day (dvādaśī) of the bright fortnight—listen from me to the fruit (of that observance).

Verse 8

नमो नारायणेत्युक्त्वा इमं मन्त्रमुदीरयेत् ॥ मन्त्रः— नमोऽस्तु देवदेवेश शङ्खचक्रगदाधर ॥ नमोऽस्तु ते लोकनाथ प्रवीराय नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

Having uttered “Homage to Nārāyaṇa,” one should recite this mantra: “Homage to You, Lord of the gods, bearer of conch, discus, and mace. Homage to You, Lord of the worlds; homage to You, mighty hero.”

Verse 9

पुष्पितेषु च शालेशु तथान्येषु द्रुमेषु च ॥ गृहीत्वा शालपुष्पाणि मम कर्मणि संस्थिताः ॥

And among the blossoming śāla trees, and likewise among other trees, having gathered śāla flowers, they remained engaged in my ritual action.

Verse 10

ऋषयः स्तुवन्ति मन्त्रेण वेदोक्तेन च माधवि ॥ गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैव गीतनृत्यैः सवादितैः ॥

The sages praise him with mantras and with what is stated in the Veda, O Mādhavī; and the Gandharvas and Apsarases as well praise him with song and dance, accompanied by instrumental music.

Verse 11

स्तुवन्ति देवलोकाश्च पुराणं पुरुषोत्तमम् ॥ सिद्धाविद्याधरा यक्षाः पिशाचोरगराक्षसाः ॥

The inhabitants of the divine worlds praise the Purāṇa concerning the Supreme Person; Siddhas, Vidyādharas, Yakṣas, Piśācas, Nāgas, and Rākṣasas also offer praise.

Verse 12

स्तुवन्ति देवं भूतानां सर्वलोकस्य चेश्वरम् ॥ आदित्या वसवो रुद्रा अश्विनौ च मरुद्गणाः ॥

They praise the God who is the lord of beings and the ruler of all worlds: the Ādityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the two Aśvins, and the hosts of Maruts.

Verse 13

स्तुवन्ति देवदेवेशं युगानां सङ्क्षयेऽक्षयम् ॥ ततो वायुश्च विश्वे च अश्विनौ च समन्विताः ॥

They praise the Lord of gods, imperishable even at the dissolution of the yugas. Then Vāyu, the Viśvedevas, and the two Aśvins, united, also extol Him.

Verse 14

स्तुवन्ति केशवं देवमादिकालमयं प्रभुम् ॥ ततो ब्रह्मा च सोमश्च शक्रश्चाग्निसमन्वितः ॥ स्तुवन्ति नाथं भूतानां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम् ॥

They praise Keśava, the divine Lord who embodies primordial time. Then Brahmā and Soma, and Śakra together with Agni, also praise the protector of beings, the great Lord of all worlds.

Verse 15

नारदः पर्वतश्चैव असितो देवलस्तथा ॥ पुलहश्च पुलस्त्यश्च भृगुश्चाङ्गिर एव च ॥

Nārada and Parvata, Asita and Devala likewise; Pulaha and Pulastya, Bhṛgu, and Aṅgiras as well—these sages are present.

Verse 16

एते चान्ये च बहवो मित्रावसुपरावसू ॥ स्तुवन्ति नाथं भूतानां योगिनां योगमुत्तमम् ॥

These and many others—Mitrāvasu and Parāvasu—praise the protector of beings, the supreme yogic attainment among yogins.

Verse 17

श्रुत्वा तु प्रतिनिर्घोषं देवानां तु महौजसाम् ॥ ततो नारायणो देवः प्रत्युवाच वसुन्धराम् ॥

But having heard the resounding acclaim of the mighty deities, the god Nārāyaṇa then replied to Vasundharā, the Earth.

Verse 18

किमयं श्रूयते शब्दो ब्रह्मघोषेण संयुतः ॥ देवानां च महाभागे महाशब्दोऽत्र श्रूयते ॥

“What is this sound that is heard, accompanied by the solemn proclamation (brahma-ghoṣa)? And, O greatly fortunate one, here a mighty sound of the gods is heard.”

Verse 19

देवाः काङ्क्षन्ति ते देव वाराहीं रूपसंस्थितिम् ॥ त्वन्नियोगनियुक्ताश्च तदर्थं लोकभावन ॥

“The gods, O Lord, desire that manifestation in the boar-form (vārāhī rūpa). And, appointed by your command for that very purpose, (they have come), O sustainer of the world.”

Verse 20

ततो नारायणो देवः पृथिवीं प्रत्युवाच ह ॥ अहं जानामि तान्देवि मार्गमाणानुपस्थितान् ॥

Then Nārāyaṇa, the Lord, replied to Pṛthivī: “I know them, O goddess—those who are searching and have drawn near.”

Verse 21

दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं वै धारितासि वसुन्धरे ॥ मया लीलायमानैने एकदंष्ट्राग्रकेण वै ॥

“For a divine thousand years indeed, O Vasundharā, I have held you up—sportively—upon the tip of a single tusk.”

Verse 22

इहागच्छामि भद्रं ते द्रष्टुकामा दिवौकसः ॥ आदित्या वसवो रुद्राः स्कन्देन्द्रौ सपितामहाः ॥

“I come here—well-being to you—and the inhabitants of heaven also come, wishing to behold this: the Ādityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, Skanda and Indra, together with the Pitāmaha (Brahmā).”

Verse 23

एवं तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा माधवस्य वसुन्धरा ॥ शिरस्यञ्जलिमाधाय ततस्तु चरणेऽपतत् ॥

Thus, having heard the words of Mādhava, Vasundharā placed her joined hands upon her head; then she fell at His feet.

Verse 24

वाराहं पुरुषं देवं विज्ञापयति सा धरा ॥ उद्धृतासि त्वया देव रसातलगता ह्यहम् ॥

That Earth addressed the divine Person in boar-form: “I was lifted up by you, O Lord, for I had gone down into Rasātala.”

Verse 25

शरणं त्वां प्रपन्नाहं त्वद्भक्ता त्वं गतिः प्रभुः ॥ किं कर्म कर्मणा केन किं वा जन्मपरायणम् ॥

“I have taken refuge in you; I am devoted to you; you are my refuge and sovereign guide. What action—by which kind of act—leads to good? And what orientation should one adopt toward one’s life and birth?”

Verse 26

कथं वा तुष्यसे देव पूज्यसे केन कर्मणा ॥ तवाऽहं कर्तुमिच्छामि यच्च मुख्यं सुखावहम् ॥

“How, O Lord, are you pleased? By what kind of act are you to be honored? I wish to do that for you—especially whatever is principal and conducive to well-being.”

Verse 27

न च मेऽस्ति व्यथा काचित्तव कर्मणि नित्यशः ॥ न ग्लानिर्न जरा काचिन्न जन्ममरणे तथा ॥

“And there is no affliction in me at all with regard to your action, continually. There is neither fatigue nor any aging—nor likewise the conditions of birth and death.”

Verse 28

कानि कर्माणि कुर्वन्ति ये त्वां पश्यन्ति माधव ।। किमाहाराः किमाचारास्त्वां पश्यन्तीह माधव ॥

What kinds of actions do those perform who behold You, O Mādhava? What is their food, and what is their conduct—those who behold You here, O Mādhava?

Verse 29

ब्राह्मणस्य च किं कर्म क्षत्रियस्य च किं भवेत् ।। वैश्यः किं कुरुते कर्म शूद्रः किं कर्म कारयेत् ॥

And what is the duty of a brāhmaṇa, and what should be that of a kṣatriya? What work does a vaiśya do, and what work should a śūdra carry out?

Verse 30

योगो वै प्राप्यते केन तपो वा केन निश्चितम् ।। किं चात्र फलमाप्नोति तव कर्मपरायणः ॥

By what means is yoga attained, and by what means is austerity firmly established? And what fruit does the one devoted to action for You attain in this regard?

Verse 31

किं च दुःखनिवासं वा भोजनं पानकं तथा ।। किं च कर्म प्रयोक्‍तव्यं तव भक्तैश्च माधव ॥

And what, moreover, is to be avoided as a ‘dwelling of suffering’—and what are the proper foods and drinks? And what actions are to be undertaken by Your devotees, O Mādhava?

Verse 32

प्रापणं कीदृशं चापि कासु दिक्षु तथा प्रभो ।। कथं योनिं न गच्छेत वियोनिं न च गच्छति ॥

And what kind of ‘attainment’ is it, and in which directions (or quarters) is it spoken of, O Lord? How does one not enter a womb (that is, not undergo rebirth), and how does one not go to an improper or unnatural womb?

Verse 33

तिर्यग्योनिं न गच्छेत कर्मणा केन केशव ।। तन्ममाचक्ष्व सकलं येन चैव सुखं भवेत् ॥

By what action does one not go to an animal womb, O Keśava? Tell me all of that by which, indeed, well-being may arise.

Verse 34

जरा वा केन गच्छेत जन्म वा केन गच्छति ।। गर्भवासं न गच्छेत कर्मणा केन वाऽच्युत ॥

By what means does aging depart, or by what means does birth depart? By what action does one not enter residence in the womb, O Acyuta?

Verse 35

संसारस्य न गच्छेत केन कर्मप्रभावतः ।। इत्युक्तो भगवांस्तत्र प्रत्युवाच वसुन्धराम् ॥

By what—through the efficacy of what action—does one not enter saṁsāra? Thus addressed, the Blessed One there replied to Vasundharā, the Earth.

Verse 36

शृण्वन्तु मे भागवता ये च मोक्षे व्यवस्थिताः ।। तान्मन्त्रान्कीर्त्तयिष्यामि यैस्तोषं याति नित्यशः ॥

Let those devoted to the Lord listen to me—those established in the pursuit of liberation. I shall proclaim those mantras by which one attains lasting satisfaction, continually.

Verse 37

एवं ग्रीष्मे विधिं चैव कुर्यात्सर्वं ममोक्तितः।। इममुच्चारयेन्मन्त्रं सर्वभागवतप्रियम् ॥

Thus, in the summer season as well, one should perform the entire prescribed observance according to my instruction. One should utter this mantra, beloved to all devotees.

Verse 38

मासेषु सर्वेष्वपि मुख्यभूतो मासो भवान्ग्रीष्म एकः प्रपन्नः ॥ पश्येद्भवन्तं वर्तमानं च ग्रीष्मे तेनैव सर्वं दुःखमेतु प्रशान्तिम् ॥

Among all the months, the foremost is the month known as summer. One should behold you as present in the summer season; by that contemplation and observance, may all suffering come to tranquility.

Verse 39

एवं ग्रीष्मे वरारोहे मम चैवार्चनं कुरु ॥ न जन्ममरणं येन मम लोके गतिर्भवेत् ॥

Thus, in the summer season, O fair-hipped one, perform worship of me as well; by this there will be no repeated birth and death, and one will gain access to my world.

Verse 40

यावन्तः पुष्पिताः शालाः पृथिव्यां यावत्सुगन्धकाः ॥ अर्च्चितः स भवेत्सर्वैः कृतो येन ह्ययं विधिः ॥

As many flowering śāla trees as there are upon the earth, and as many fragrant blossoms, so honored by all is the one by whom this rite is performed.

Verse 41

एवं वर्षास्वपि धरे मम कर्म च कारयेत् ॥ निष्कला भवतो बुद्धिः संसारे च न जायते ॥

So too in the rainy season, O bearer (of the world), one should have my rite performed. Your intellect becomes free from disturbance, and attachment to saṃsāra does not arise.

Verse 42

अन्यच्च ते प्रवक्ष्यामि कर्म संसारमोक्षणम् ॥ कदम्बमुकुलाश्चैव सरलार्जुनपादपाः ॥

And I shall teach you another rite that brings release from saṃsāra: using kadamba buds, and also the trees sarala and arjuna.

Verse 43

एतेषां सुमनोभिश्च पूजनीयो महादरात् ॥ मम संस्थापनं कृत्वा विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा ॥ नमो नारायणायेति इमं मन्त्रमुदाहरेत् ॥

With the blossoms of these (trees), one should worship with great care. Having installed my image/presence according to the prescribed rite, one should recite this mantra: “namo nārāyaṇāya.”

Verse 44

पश्यन्ति ये ध्यानपरा घनाभं त्वामाश्रिताः पूज्यमानं महिम्ना ॥ निद्रां भवान् भजतां लोकनाथ वर्षास्विमं पश्यतु मेघवर्णम् ॥

Those devoted to contemplation, taking refuge in you—dark as a rain-cloud—and worshipping you in your majesty, behold you. O Lord of the world, for those who take to rest, let them in the rainy season behold me in a cloud-hued form.

Verse 45

आषाढमासे द्वादश्यां सर्वशान्तिकरं शुभम् ॥ य एतेन विधानॆन मम कर्म तु कारयेत् ॥

On the twelfth day of the month of Āṣāḍha—auspicious and bringing universal peace—whoever has my rite performed according to this procedure...

Verse 46

तरन्ति येन संसारं नराः कर्मपरायणाः ॥ एतद्गुह्यं महाभागे देवाः केऽपि न जानते ॥

By this, people devoted to the rite cross over saṃsāra. O greatly fortunate one, this secret is not known even to some of the gods.

Verse 47

मुक्त्वा नारायणं देवं वाराहं रूपमास्थितम् ॥ नादीक्षिताय दातव्यं मूर्खाय पिशुनाय च ॥

Setting aside all else, this teaching concerns the god Nārāyaṇa who has assumed the form of Varāha. It should not be given to one who is not initiated (without dīkṣā), nor to a foolish person, nor to a malicious slanderer.

Verse 48

कुशिष्याय न दातव्यं ये च शास्त्रार्थदूषकाः ॥ न पठेद्गोघ्नमध्ये वै न पठेच्छठमध्यतः ॥

It should not be given to an unfit disciple, nor to those who corrupt the meaning of the śāstras. One should not recite it in the midst of a cow-slayer, nor in the company of the deceitful.

Verse 49

धनधर्मक्षयस्तेषां पठनादाशु जायते ॥ पठेद्भागवतानां च ये च धर्मेण दीक्षिताः ॥

For them, from such recitation there quickly arises loss of wealth and loss of dharma. One should recite for the devoted bhāgavatas and for those initiated in accordance with dharma.

Verse 50

एतत्ते कथितं भद्रे पूर्वं यत्पृष्टवत्यसि ॥ कार्त्स्न्येन कथितं ह्येतत्किमन्यत्परिपृच्छसि ॥

O auspicious one, I have told you what you previously asked. Indeed, this has been explained in full—what else do you wish to ask further?

Verse 51

कृत्वा तु मम कर्माणि शुभानि तरुणानि च ॥ पूज्य भागवतान्सर्वान् स्थापयित्वा ततोऽग्रतः ॥

Having performed my auspicious rites and also the newly prescribed ones, and having honored all the bhāgavatas, one should then seat and establish them in front, in the place of honor.

Verse 52

ततः कमलपत्राक्षी सर्वरूपगुणान्विता ॥ वराहरूपिणं देवं प्रत्युवाच वसुन्धरा ॥

Then Vasundharā—lotus-petaled-eyed, endowed with every form and quality—replied, addressing the divine Lord who bears the form of Varāha.

Verse 53

सर्वे सुरासुरा लोकाः सरुद्रेन्द्रपितामहाः ॥ क्वेष्टं निवासं कुर्वन्ति एकैकं च यशोधर ॥

All the worlds of devas and asuras, together with the Rudras, the Indras, and the Pitāmahas—where does each and every one establish his dwelling, O Yaśodhara?

Verse 54

मन्त्रः— मासेषु सर्वेषु च मुख्यभूतस्त्वं माधवो माधवमास एव ॥ पश्येद्देवं तं तु वसन्तकाले उपागतं गन्धरसप्रयुक्त्या ॥ नित्यं च यज्ञेषु तथेज्यते यो नारायणः सप्तलोकेषु वीरः ॥

Mantra: Among all the months, you—Mādhava—are the foremost, indeed in the month of Mādhava. One should behold that Deity in the spring season, approaching with offerings of fragrance and taste. And he who is Nārāyaṇa, the heroic one across the seven worlds, is likewise worshipped continually in sacrifices (yajña).

Verse 55

स मर्त्यो न प्रणश्येत संसारेऽस्मिन् युगेयुगे ॥ एतत्ते कथितं देवि ऋतूनां कर्म चोत्तमम् ॥

That mortal would not perish in this cycle of existence, age after age. O Goddess, this has been told to you—the excellent regimen of duties pertaining to the seasons.