Adhyaya 134: Expiations for Ritual and Temporal Offences in Worship, and the Prescribed Purificatory Procedure (Upaspṛśya)

Verse 1

अथ पूजादिसामयिकापराधेषु प्रायश्चित्तानि ॥ श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ मुक्त्वा तु मम कर्माणि मम कर्मपरायणः ॥ प्रायश्चित्तविधिं देवि यस्तु वाक्यं प्रभाषते ॥

Now (are taught) the expiations for offences connected with worship and related periodic observances. Śrī Varāha said: “One who is devoted to my rites, yet abandons my prescribed acts and speaks of the procedure of expiation, O goddess…”

Verse 2

मूर्खो भवति सुश्रोणि मम कर्मपरायणः ॥ प्रायश्चित्तविधिं देवि येन मुच्येत किल्बिषात् ॥

“He becomes foolish, O fair-hipped one, even if devoted to my rites; therefore, O goddess, teach the method of expiation by which one may be released from wrongdoing.”

Verse 3

आकाशशयनं कृत्वा दिनानि दश पञ्च च ॥ मुच्यते किल्बिषात्तत्र देवि चैव न संशयः ॥

Having undertaken “sleeping in the open” for ten days, and five more, one is freed there from wrongdoing, O goddess—of this there is no doubt.

Verse 4

इति मौनत्यागप्रायश्चित्तम् ॥ श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ भूषितो नीलवस्त्रेण यो हि मामुपपद्यते ॥ वर्षाणां हि शतं पञ्च कृमिर्भूत्वा स तिष्ठति ॥

“Thus is the expiation concerning the abandonment of silence.” Śrī Varāha said: “He who approaches me adorned in a blue garment remains for one hundred and five years, having become a worm.”

Verse 5

तस्य वक्ष्यामि सुश्रोणि अपराधविशोधनम् ॥ प्रायश्चित्तं विशालाक्षि येन मुच्येत किल्बिषात् ॥

Therefore I shall declare to you, O fair-hipped one, the purification of the offence—the expiation (prāyaścitta), O large-eyed one, by which one may be freed from sin.

Verse 6

व्रतं चान्द्रायणं कृत्वा विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा ॥ मुच्यते किल्बिषाद्भूमे एवमेतन्न संशयः ॥

Having performed the Cāndrāyaṇa vow through an act sanctioned by rule, one is freed from wrongdoing, O Earth; thus indeed it is—there is no doubt.

Verse 7

अविधानेन संस्पृश्य यो हि मामुपसर्पति ॥ स मूर्खः पापकर्मा च मम विप्रियकारकः ॥

He who, having touched or acted improperly—without due rule—approaches me: he is foolish, a doer of sinful acts, and one who brings about what is displeasing to me.

Verse 8

तेन दत्तं वरारोहे गन्धमाल्यसुगन्धितम् ॥ प्रापणं च न गृह्णामि मृष्टं चापि कदाचन ॥

Therefore, O fair-thighed one, even if it be scented with fragrance and garlands, I do not accept an offering presented by him—nor any sweet or choice food at any time.

Verse 9

ततो नारायणवचः श्रुत्वा सा संशितव्रता ॥ उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं धर्मकामा वसुन्धरा ॥

Then, having heard the words of Nārāyaṇa, she—steadfast in her observances—spoke sweetly: Vasundharā, the Earth, who seeks dharma.

Verse 10

केन कर्मविधानॆन भूत्वा भागवता भुवि ॥ उपस्पृश्योपसर्पन्ति तव कर्मपरायणाः

By what prescribed procedure of action, having become devotees on earth, do those devoted to your rites approach you after performing the ritual purification (upaspṛśya)?

Verse 11

एतन्मे संशयं देव परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥ तव भक्तसुखार्थाय निष्कलं वक्तुमर्हसि

This is my doubt, O Lord, and indeed my great curiosity. For the welfare of your devotees, you should explain it fully, without omission.

Verse 12

श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ शृणु तत्त्वेन मे देवि यन्मां त्वं भीरु भाषसे ॥ कथितं मम तत्त्वेन गुह्यमेतत्परं महत्

Śrī Varāha said: Listen, O goddess, in accordance with the truth, to what you—timid one—have asked me. I have stated it in its true principle: it is a secret teaching, supreme and profound.

Verse 13

विमुच्य सर्वकर्माणि यो हि मामुपसर्पति ॥ तस्य वै शृणु सुश्रोणि उपस्पृश्य च या क्रिया

He who, having set aside all other actions, approaches me—listen, O fair-hipped one—to the rite (kriyā) to be performed as the ritual purification (upaspṛśya) for such a person.

Verse 14

भूत्वा पूर्वमुखस्तत्र पादौ प्रक्षाल्य चाम्बुभिः ॥ उपस्पृश्य यथान्यायं तिस्रो वै गृह्य मृत्तिकाः

There, facing east, after washing the feet with water and performing the purification as prescribed, one should then duly take three portions of earth (clay).

Verse 15

ततः प्रक्षालितं हस्तं जलेन तदनन्तरम् ॥ सप्तकोशं ततो गृह्य जलेन क्षालयेत् ततः

Then, immediately thereafter, the hand should be washed with water. Next, taking the measure/sequence of “seven kośas,” one should wash it again with water.

Verse 16

पादमेकैकशस्तद्वत्पञ्च पञ्च वदेत् ततः ॥ कोशौ संमृज्यतां तत्र यदीच्छेत्तु मम प्रियम्

Likewise, for each foot individually, one should then recite “five and five.” There, the two kośas should be wiped and cleansed—if one wishes to act in a manner pleasing to me.

Verse 17

त्रीणि कोशान्पिबेत्तत्र सर्वपापविशोधनम् ॥ मुखं कराभ्यां मार्जेत सर्वमिन्द्रियनिग्रहम्

There one should drink three kośas, a practice said to purify all sins. One should wipe the face with both hands, a discipline connected with restraint of all the senses.

Verse 18

प्राणायामं ततः कृत्वा मम चिन्तापरायणः ॥ कर्मणा विधिदृष्टेन कुर्यात्संसारमोक्षणम्

Then, having performed prāṇāyāma, with the mind intent on contemplation of me, one should—by action sanctioned by rule—carry out a practice directed toward release from saṃsāra.

Verse 19

स्पृशेत्तु निष्कलस्तत्र यो हि यत्र प्रतिष्ठितः ॥ विक्षिपेत्रिणि वाराणि सलिलं प्रवरं त्रयम्

There, at the place where one is stationed, one should perform the prescribed touching (spṛśet) in a state of wholeness and purity (niṣkala). One should sprinkle the excellent water three times, in three measured portions.

Verse 20

एवमुक्तस्य कर्त्तव्यं ममाभिगमनेषु च ॥ उपस्पृश्य तनुं वामे यदीक्षेत प्रियं मम ॥

For one thus instructed, this is to be done also when approaching me: having performed the prescribed purificatory touch (upaspṛśa), if he should behold on the left side of the body that which is dear to me.

Verse 21

एवं च कुर्वतस्तस्य मम कर्मव्यवस्थितः ॥ अपराधं न विन्देत एवं देवि न संशयः ॥

And one who acts in this manner, being properly established in my prescribed rite, would not incur an offence—so, O Goddess; of this there is no doubt.

Verse 22

ततो नारायणवचः श्रुत्वा देवी वसुन्धरा ॥ उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं सर्वभागवतप्रियम् ॥

Then, having heard Nārāyaṇa’s words, the goddess Vasundharā spoke a sweet statement, pleasing to all devotees of the Bhāgavata tradition.

Verse 23

धरण्युवाच ॥ उपस्पृश्य विधानॆन यस्तु कर्माणि चाप्नुयात् ॥ तापनं शोधनं चैव तद्भवान्वक्तुमर्हति ॥

The Earth said: “If someone, following the proper procedure of upaspṛśa, undertakes ritual acts, then you should explain the practices of austerity (tāpana) and purification (śodhana) in that regard.”

Verse 24

श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ शृणु तत्त्वेन मे भूमे इमं गुह्यमनिन्दिते ॥ यां गतिं च प्रपद्यन्ते मम कर्मबहिष्कृताः ॥

Śrī Varāha said: “Listen in truth, O Earth—O blameless one—to this secret teaching: and to what destination they go who are excluded from my rite.”

Verse 25

व्यभिचारं च मे कृत्वा यश्च मामुपसर्पति ॥ दशवर्षसहस्राणि दशवर्षशतानि च ॥

And whoever, having broken fidelity toward me, still approaches me—(for him there are consequences of) ten thousand years, and also hundreds of years.

Verse 26

कृमिर्भूत्वा यथान्याय्यं तिष्ठते नात्र संशयः ॥ प्रायश्चित्तं प्रवक्ष्यामि तस्य मूर्खस्य माधवि ॥

Becoming a worm, he remains as is fitting—of this there is no doubt. I shall declare the expiation for that foolish person, O Mādhavī.

Verse 27

यच्च कृत्वा महाभागे कृतकृत्यः पुनर्भवेत् ॥ महासान्तपनं कृत्वा तप्तकृच्छ्रं च निष्कलम् ॥

And by doing this, O greatly fortunate one, he may again become one who has fulfilled what is required: having undertaken the Great Sāntapana and also the heated Kṛcchra, in a faultless manner.

Verse 28

किल्बिषात्तु प्रमुक्तास्ते गच्छन्ति परमां गतिम् ॥ यस्तु क्रोधसमाविष्टो मम भक्तिपरायणः ॥

Released from sin, they go to the highest destination. But as for one who is seized by anger, though devoted to my worship…

Verse 29

स्पृशेत मम गात्राणि चित्तं कृत्वा चलाचलम् ॥ न चाहं रागमिच्छामि क्रुद्धमेव यशस्विनि ॥

He may touch my limbs while making his mind unsteady and steady by turns; yet I do not desire passion—only anger, O illustrious one (is implied as present here).

Verse 30

इच्छामि च सदा दान्तं शुभं भागवतं शुचिम् ॥ पञ्चेन्द्रियसमायुक्तं लाभालाभविवर्जितम् ॥

I desire always one who is self-restrained—auspicious, devoted (bhāgavata), and pure—endowed with the five senses, yet free from attachment to gain and loss.

Verse 31

अहङ्कारविनिर्मुक्तं कर्मण्यभिरतं मम ॥ अन्यच्च ते प्रवक्ष्यामि तच्छृणुष्व वरानने ॥

(One should be) freed from egoism (ahaṅkāra) and devoted to action for my sake. And I shall tell you something further—listen to that, O fair-faced one.

Verse 32

मां यदा लभते क्रुद्धः शुद्धो भागवतः शुचिः ॥ चिल्ली जातो वर्षशतं श्येनो वर्षशतं पुनः ॥

When an angry person attains me—even if he is pure, devoted, and clean—he is born as a cillī for a hundred years, and again as a falcon (śyena) for a hundred years.

Verse 33

भेकस्त्रिशतवर्षाणि यातुधानः पुनर्दश ॥ अपुमान् षट् च वर्षाणि रेतोभक्षस्तु जायते ॥

(He becomes) a frog for three hundred years; then a yātudhāna for ten years. Then, being impotent for six years, he is born as one who feeds on semen.

Verse 34

अन्धो जायेत सुष्रोणि पञ्च सप्त तथा नव ॥ गृध्रो द्वात्रिंशवर्षाणि चक्रवाको दशैव तु ॥

One is born blind, O fair-hipped one, for five, seven, and also nine years. (Then) as a vulture for thirty-two years, and as a cakravāka-bird for ten years indeed.

Verse 35

शैवालभक्षिता चैव ह्याकाशगमनं तथा ॥ ब्राह्मणो जायते भूमे क्रोधस्य च पथे स्थितः ॥

(There is) feeding on algae, and also movement through the sky. Then, on earth, one is born as a brāhmaṇa—yet one remains situated on the path of anger.

Verse 36

आत्मकर्मापराधेन प्राप्तः संसारसागरे ॥ धरण्युवाच ॥ अहो वै परमं गुह्यं यत्त्वया पूर्वभाषितम् ॥

By the fault of one’s own actions, one reaches the ocean of saṃsāra. Dharaṇī said: “Ah! Truly, what you spoke earlier is a supreme secret.”

Verse 37

श्रुत्वा सुदुस्तरं सारं भीतास्मि परिदेविता ॥ नाहमाज्ञापयामि त्वां देवदेव जगत्पते ॥

Having heard this essence—so very difficult to cross—I am afraid and lamenting. I do not command you, O God of gods, O Lord of the world.

Verse 38

मम चैव प्रियार्थाय सर्वलोकसुखावहम् ॥ येन मुच्यन्ति संशुद्धा बुधाः कर्मपरायणाः ॥

For my own cherished purpose, and as that which brings happiness to all worlds—tell that by which the purified, wise ones devoted to action are released.

Verse 39

अल्पसत्त्वा गतभया लोभमोहसमन्विताः ॥ तरन्ति येन दुर्गाणि प्रायश्चित्तं च मे वद ॥

(People) of little strength, with fear cast off, endowed with greed and delusion—by what do they cross difficulties? Tell me also the means of expiation (prāyaścitta).

Verse 40

ततः कमलपत्राक्षो वराहः सम्मुखे स्थितः ॥ सनत्कुमारो मे भक्तो पुनर्नारायणोऽब्रवीत् ॥

Then Varāha, lotus-eyed, stood facing (them). And Sanatkumāra—my devotee—again spoke, addressing Nārāyaṇa.

Verse 41

ततो भूम्या वचः श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मणश्च सुतो मुनिः ॥ सनत्कुमारो योगज्ञः प्रत्युवाच वसुन्धराम् ॥

Then, having heard the words of the Earth, the sage—Brahmā’s son—Sanatkumāra, skilled in yoga, replied to Vasundharā (the Earth).

Verse 42

धन्या चैव सुभाग्या च यत्त्वया परिपृच्छितम् ॥ वराहरूपी भगवान् सर्वमायाकरण्डकः ॥

Blessed indeed and fortunate is what has been asked by you: the Lord, assuming the form of Varāha, is as it were a repository of all wondrous powers of māyā.

Verse 43

किं त्वया भाषितो देवि सर्वयोगाङ्गयोगवित् ॥ देवो नारायणस्तत्र सर्वधर्मविदां वरः ॥

What has been spoken by you, O Goddess (Earth), is addressed there to Nārāyaṇa—supreme among those who know dharma, and a knower of all limbs of yoga.

Verse 44

कुमारवचनं श्रुत्वा तं मही प्रत्यभाषत ॥ शृणु तत्त्वेन मे ब्रह्मन् यन्मया परिपृच्छितम् ॥

Having heard the Kumāra’s words, the Earth replied to him: “Hear, O Brahmin, in truth, what has been inquired by me.”

Verse 45

कार्यं क्रियां च योगं च अध्यात्म्यं पार्थिवस्थितम् ॥ एतन्मे पृच्छते ब्रह्मन् देवो नारायणः प्रभुः ॥

Concerning duty (kārya), ritual action (kriyā), yoga, and the inner spiritual principle (adhyātmya) as situated in the earthly condition—about this, O Brahmin, I question the Lord Nārāyaṇa, the Sovereign.

Verse 46

कृत्वा तेन व्रतं चैव मम कर्मपरायणः ॥ षष्ठे काले तु भुञ्जीत गृहभिक्षामनिन्दिताम् ॥

Having undertaken that vow, devoted to the prescribed practice, one should eat at the sixth period, accepting blameless alms received from households.

Verse 47

अष्टौ भिक्षा यथान्यायं शुद्धभागवतां गृहे ॥ य एतेन विधानॆन ब्रह्मकर्माणि कारयेत् ॥

Let there be eight portions of alms, according to proper rule, in the house of purified devotees of the Bhagavān. Whoever, by this procedure, undertakes the Brahma-acts (sacred duties)—

Verse 48

मुच्यते किल्बिषात्तस्मादेवमाह जनार्दनः ॥ यदीच्छसि परां सिद्धिं विष्णुलोकं जनार्दनात् ॥

From that sin and defilement one is released—thus spoke Janārdana. If you desire the highest attainment, namely Viṣṇu’s world, obtainable through Janārdana—

Verse 49

शीघ्रमाराधयेद्विष्णुं द्विजमुख्यो न संशयः ॥ ततो भूमेर्वचः श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मणश्च सुतो मुनिः ॥

A foremost twice-born should quickly worship and propitiate Viṣṇu—without doubt. Then, having heard the Earth’s words, the sage, Brahmā’s son, (proceeded further).

Verse 50

प्रत्युवाच विशालाक्षीं धर्मकामो वसुन्धराम् ॥ अहो गुह्यं रहस्यं च यत्त्वया देवि भाषितम् ॥

Vasundharā, desiring dharma, replied to the wide-eyed Goddess: “Ah! What you have spoken, O Devi, is both secret and profoundly mysterious.”

Verse 51

तस्य ये मुखनिष्क्रान्ता धर्मास्तान्वक्तुमर्हसि ॥ धरण्युवाच ॥ ततः स पुण्डरीकाक्षः शङ्खचक्रगदाधरः ॥

“Those dharmas that have issued from his mouth—those you should relate in proper order.” Dharaṇī said: Then that lotus-eyed One, the bearer of conch, discus, and mace…

Verse 52

वराहरूपी भगवान् लोकनाथो जनार्दनः । उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं मेघदुन्दुभिनिःस्वनः ॥

The Blessed Lord Janārdana, Lord of the worlds, assuming the form of Varāha, spoke sweet words; his voice resounded like thunder in the clouds and the dundubhi drum.

Verse 53

भक्तकर्मसुखार्थाय गुणवित्तसमन्विताम् ॥ अनेनैव विधानेन आचारेण समन्वितः ॥

For the sake of the happiness that arises from devoted action—endowed with virtues and proper means—one who is disciplined by this very ordinance and conduct…

Verse 54

देवि कारयते कर्म मम लोकं स गच्छति ॥ क्रुद्धेन न च कर्त्तव्यं लोभेन त्वरया न च ॥

O Devi, one who causes the prescribed work to be carried out goes to my world. Yet it should not be done in anger, nor from greed, nor in haste.

Verse 55

संसारं ते न गच्छन्ति अपराधविवर्जिताः ॥ श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ अकर्मण्येन पुष्पेण यो मामर्चयते भुवि ॥

Those who are free from offenses do not proceed into saṃsāra. Śrī Varāha said: “But whoever worships Me on earth with a flower obtained without rightful effort, or by improper means…”

Verse 56

पातनं तस्य वक्ष्यामि तच्छृणुष्व वसुन्धरे ॥ नाहं तत्प्रतिगृह्णामि न च ते वै मम प्रियाः ॥

“I shall describe his downfall—hear this, O Vasundharā. I do not accept such an offering, and indeed they are not dear to Me.”

Verse 57

मूर्खा भागवता देवि मम विप्रियकारिणः ॥ पतन्ति नरके घोरे रौरवे तदनन्तरम् ॥

“Foolish ‘bhāgavatas’, O Devi—those who act contrary to what is pleasing to Me—thereafter fall into the dreadful hell called Raurava.”

Verse 58

अज्ञानस्य च दोषेण दुःखान्यनुभवन्ति च ॥ वानरो दश वर्षाणि मार्जारश्च त्रयोदश ॥

“And due to the fault of ignorance, they undergo sufferings. (They are born) as a monkey for ten years, and as a cat for thirteen.”

Verse 59

मूकः पञ्च च वर्षाणि बलीवर्दश्च द्वादश ॥ छागश्चैवाष्टवर्षाणि मासं वै ग्रामकुक्कुटः ॥

“(They are born) mute for five years; as an ox for twelve; as a goat for eight years; and indeed as a village-cock for one month.”

Verse 60

त्रीणि वर्षाणि महिषो भवत्येव न संशयः ॥ एतत्ते कथितं भद्रे पुष्पं यन्मे न रोचते ॥

For three years one becomes a buffalo—of this there is no doubt. This, O auspicious lady, I have told you: the flower-offering that does not please me.

Verse 61

अकर्मण्यं विशालाक्षि पुष्पं ये च ददन्ति वै ॥ धरण्युवाच ॥ भगवन्यदि तुष्टोऽसि विशुद्धेनान्तरात्मना ॥

O large-eyed one, those who offer a flower that is ineffective (ritually improper) indeed incur fault. Pṛthivī said: O Blessed Lord, if you are satisfied—with an inward self made pure—

Verse 62

येन शुध्यन्ति ते भक्तास्तव कर्मपरायणाः ॥ श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ शृणु तत्त्वेन मे देवि यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि ॥

—by which your devotees, devoted to prescribed duties, become purified. Śrī Varāha said: Hear from me in accordance with the truth, O goddess, what you ask me.

Verse 63

प्रायश्चित्तं महाभागे येन शुध्यन्ति मानवाः ॥ एकाहारं ततः कृत्वा मासमेकं वरानने ॥

O greatly fortunate one, the expiation (prāyaścitta) by which human beings become purified is this: having then undertaken a single meal each day for one month, O fair-faced one—

Verse 64

यावकान्नं त्रीण्यहानि वायुभक्षो दिनत्रयम् ॥ य एतेन विधानॆन देवि कर्माणि कारयेत् ॥

For three days one should take yāvaka-grain as food, and for three days live as an ‘air-feeder’ (fasting). Whoever, O goddess, performs the rites according to this procedure—

Verse 65

सर्वपापप्रमुक्तश्च मम लोकं स गच्छति ॥

Freed from all sin, that person goes to my world.

Verse 66

धरण्युवाच ॥ यन्मां त्वं भाषसे नाथ आचारस्य व्यतिक्रमम् ॥ उपस्पृश्य समाचारं रहस्यं वक्तुमर्हसि ॥

Pṛthivī said: O Lord, since you speak to me of transgressing proper conduct (ācāra), you should explain the secret procedure of correct practice—namely, the purificatory touching (upaspṛśya).

Verse 67

त्रीणि वारान्स्पृशेत्तत्र शिरो ब्रह्मणि संस्थितः ॥ त्रीणि वारान्पुनस्तत्र उभे ते कर्णनासिके ॥

There, one should touch the head three times, established in remembrance of Brahman. Then again there, one should touch three times both the ears and the nostrils.

Verse 68

ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यो मम ये च मते स्थिताः ॥ अनेन विधिना कृत्वा प्रायश्चित्तं यशस्विनि ॥

Whether a brāhmaṇa, a kṣatriya, or a vaiśya—those who abide by my teaching—having performed the expiation by this method, O illustrious one—

Verse 69

जातं मे विह्वलं चित्तं न स्थिरं जायते क्वचित् ॥ यत्त्वया भाषितं हीदं भक्तानां च दुरासदम् ॥

My mind has become distressed; it does not become steady anywhere. And what you have spoken is difficult to attain—even for devotees.

Verse 70

ततो मां भाषते ब्रह्मन् विष्णुर्मायाकरण्डकः ॥ क्रुद्धा भागवता ब्रह्मन् येन शुद्ध्यन्ति किल्बिषात् ॥

Then Viṣṇu, the wondrous bearer of māyā, addressed me: “O brāhmaṇa, the devotees—when angered—are also the means by which one is purified from sin.”

Verse 71

मत्पूजनं विधानॆन यदीच्छेत् परमाṃ गतिम् ॥ ये मां देवि यजिष्यन्ति क्रोधं त्यक्त्वा जितेन्द्रियाः ॥

If one desires the highest attainment through worship of me according to proper procedure—those who will worship me, O Devī, having abandoned anger and mastered the senses, are fit for that path.

Verse 72

वीरासनविधींश्चैव कारयेत् सप्त सप्त च ॥ चतुर्थं भक्ष्यमेकेन मासेन घृतपायसम् ॥

One should also perform the prescribed forms of the vīrāsana posture—seven and again seven (sets). In the fourth period, for one month, the edible offering is ghṛta-pāyasa, rice pudding with ghee and milk.