Adhyaya 143: Exposition of the Glory of the Mandāra Sacred Grove

Verse 1

अथ मन्दारमहिमनिर्णूपणम् ॥ श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ पुनरन्यत्प्रवक्ष्यामि एकान्तं शृणु सुन्दरि ॥ स्थानं मे परमं गुह्यं मद्भक्तानां सुखावहम्

Now, the exposition of the greatness of Mandāra. Śrī Varāha said: I shall again declare something further—listen in solitude, O fair one: my supreme, secret abode, which brings well-being to my devotees.

Verse 2

जाह्नव्या दक्षिणे कूले विन्ध्यपृष्ठसमाश्रितम् ॥ मन्दारेति च विख्यातं सर्वभागवतप्रियम्

On the southern bank of the Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā), resting upon the Vindhya range, there is a place renowned as Mandāra, beloved of all devotees of the Bhāgavata tradition.

Verse 3

तत्र त्रेतायुगॆ भूमे रामो नाम महाद्युतिः ॥ भविष्यति न सन्देहः स च मां स्थापयिष्यति

There, in the Tretā age, O Earth, a greatly radiant one named Rāma will arise—there is no doubt—and he will establish me there.

Verse 4

नारायणमुखाच्छ्रुत्वा धर्मकामा वसुन्धरा ॥ उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं लोकनाथं जनार्दनम्

Having heard it from the mouth of Nārāyaṇa, Vasundharā (Earth)—desiring dharma—spoke sweet words to Janārdana, the Lord of the world.

Verse 5

धरण्युवाच ॥ देवदेव महादेव हरे नारायण प्रभो ॥ मन्दारेति त्वया प्रोक्तं देवधर्मार्थसंयुतम्

Earth said: O God of gods, O great Lord—O Hari, O Nārāyaṇa, O Master—‘Mandāra’ has been spoken of by you as endowed with divine sanctity, with dharma, and with purposeful artha.

Verse 6

मन्दारे कानि कर्माणि कुर्वन्ति च ततो नराः ॥ कांश्च लोकान्प्रपद्यन्ते तत्र कर्मकृतो नराः

What actions do people perform at Mandāra? And to which worlds do those people attain there, having performed those actions?

Verse 7

मन्दारे कानि गुह्यानि रहस्यं किञ्च तत्र वै ॥ वक्तुमर्हस्यशेषेण परं कौतूहलं मम ॥

“What hidden matters are there at Mandāra, and what secret teaching is there indeed? You ought to explain it completely, for my curiosity is profound.”

Verse 8

श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ शृणु सुन्दरि यत्नेन यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि ॥ कथयिष्यामि ते गुह्यां मन्दारस्य महाक्रियाम् ॥

Śrī Varāha said: “Listen carefully, O fair one, to what you ask me. I shall tell you the hidden great rite connected with Mandāra.”

Verse 9

क्रीडमानोऽस्महं तत्र मन्दारे पुष्पिते तदा ॥ मन्दारपुष्पमादाय मनोज्ञं न्यस्य वै हृदि ॥

“While I was sporting there at Mandāra, when it was in bloom, I took a pleasing Mandāra flower and placed it upon my heart.”

Verse 10

विन्ध्ये च मत्प्रभावेण मन्दारश्च महाद्रुमः ॥ स्थितोऽहं तत्र सुभगे भक्तानुग्रहकाम्यया ॥

“And in the Vindhya region, by my power, the great Mandāra tree is present. I remain there, O auspicious one, wishing to show favor to devotees.”

Verse 11

दर्शनीयतमं स्थानं मनोज्ञं च शिलातलम् ॥ यत्र तिष्ठाम्यहं देवि मन्दारद्रुममाश्रितः ॥

“A most sight-worthy place, and a delightful stone platform—where I stand, O Devī, taking refuge by the Mandāra tree.”

Verse 12

विस्मयं शृणु सुश्रोणि मन्दारेऽस्मिन्महाद्रुमे ॥ द्वादश्यां च चतुर्दश्यां स पुष्पति महाद्रुमः ॥

Hear a marvel, O fair-hipped one: on this great Mandāra tree, on the twelfth and the fourteenth lunar days, that great tree blossoms.

Verse 13

तत्र मध्याह्नवेलायां वीक्ष्यमाणो जनैस्ततः ॥ ततोऽन्यदिनमासाद्य दृश्यते न कदाचन ॥

There, at the time of midday, it is seen by people; but then, upon reaching another day, it is never seen (in the same way).

Verse 14

अथ प्राणान्प्रमुच्येत कुण्डे मन्दारसंस्थिते ॥ तपः कृत्वा वरारोहे मम लोकं स गच्छति ॥

Then, if one gives up life in the pond situated at Mandāra, and having undertaken austerity, O noble-limbed one, that person goes to my realm.

Verse 15

तस्य चोत्तरपार्श्वे च प्रापणं नाम वै गिरिः ॥ तिस्रो धाराः पतन्त्यत्र दक्षिणां दिशमाश्रिताः ॥

And on its northern side is a mountain indeed named Prāpaṇa. Here three streams fall, oriented toward the southern direction.

Verse 16

स्नानकुण्डमिति ख्यातं तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे परं मम ॥ दक्षिणे पतते धारा स्रवते चोत्तरामुखम् ॥

In that region, my supreme tīrtha is known as ‘Snāna-kuṇḍa.’ The stream falls on the southern side, and it flows with its mouth facing north.

Verse 17

तस्मिन् मन्दारकुण्डे तु एकभक्तोषितो नरः ॥ स्नानं करोति शुद्धात्मा स गच्छेत् परमां गतिम् ॥

At that Mandāra Pond, a man who has kept the observance of a single meal and bathes there with a purified mind attains the supreme state.

Verse 18

तत्र स्नातो वरारोहे एकरात्रोषितो नरः ॥ मोदनं दक्षिणे शृङ्गे तस्मिन् मेरौ शिलोच्चये ॥

O fair-hipped one, a man who bathes there and stays for a single night finds delight upon the southern peak of that lofty, stone-built Meru.

Verse 19

तस्य पूर्वोत्तरे पार्श्वे गुह्यं वैकुण्ठकारणम् ॥ यत्र धारा पतत्येका हरिद्रावर्णसन्निभा ॥

On its northeastern side is a hidden place, truly called a “cause of Vaikuṇṭha”; there a single stream falls, resembling the hue of turmeric.

Verse 20

यस्तत्र कुरुते स्नानम् एकरात्रोषितो नरः ॥ नाकपृष्ठं समासाद्य मोदते सह दैवतैः ॥

Whoever bathes there, having stayed for a single night, reaches the surface of heaven (nāka) and rejoices together with the deities.

Verse 21

तथात्र मुञ्चते प्राणान् कृतकृत्यः सुनिश्चितः ॥ तारयित्वा कुलं सर्वं मम लोकं प्रपद्यते ॥

Likewise, if one relinquishes the life-breath here—having fulfilled what is to be done and being firmly resolved—he carries across his entire lineage and attains my realm.

Verse 22

तस्य दक्षिणपूर्वेण समस्रोतो वराङ्गने ॥ पतते विन्ध्यशृङ्गेषु अगाधश्च महाह्रदः ॥

To its southeast, O noble-limbed one, a level-flowing stream descends among the peaks of the Vindhya range; and there is a great, unfathomable lake.

Verse 23

तत्र स्नानं तु कुर्वीत एकभक्तोषितो नरः ॥ मोदते पूर्वपार्श्वे तु तस्मिन् मेरौ शिलोच्चये ॥

There one should perform bathing; a person who has observed the single-meal regimen rejoices on the eastern side of that lofty stony Meru.

Verse 24

अथात्र मुञ्चते प्राणान् मम चित्तव्यवस्थितः ॥ छित्वा वै सर्वसंसारं मम लोकं स गच्छति ॥

Then, if one relinquishes life-breath here with the mind established in me, having indeed cut through the entirety of saṃsāra, he goes to my realm.

Verse 25

मन्दारस्य तु पूर्वेण गुह्यं कोटरसंस्थितम् ॥ यत्र धारा पतत्येका मुसलाकृतिका शुभा ॥

To the east of Mandāra is a hidden place situated in a hollow; there a single auspicious stream falls, shaped like a pestle.

Verse 26

तत्र स्नानं प्रकुर्वीत पञ्चभक्तोषितो नरः ॥ मोदते पूर्वपार्श्वे च मेरौ तस्मिन् शिलोच्चये ॥

There one should duly perform bathing; a person observing a regimen of five meals (as specified by the text’s vow-language) rejoices on the eastern side of that lofty stony Meru.

Verse 27

अथात्र मुञ्चते प्राणान् कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम् ॥ मेरुशृङ्गं समुत्सृज्य मम लोकं च गच्छति ॥

Then, having performed a most arduous observance, one relinquishes the vital breaths here; abandoning the peak of Meru, one goes to my divine realm.

Verse 28

तत्र स्नानं प्रकुर्वीत अहोरात्रोषितो नरः ॥ मोदते दक्षिणे शृङ्गे महामेरौ शिलोच्चये ॥

There, a man should perform the ritual bath after staying for a day and a night; he rejoices on the southern peak of Great Meru, upon the lofty rocky height.

Verse 29

अथात्र मुञ्चते प्राणान्कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम् ॥ मेरुशृङ्गं परित्यज्य मम लोकं प्रपद्यते ॥

Then, having undertaken a most arduous observance, one relinquishes the life-breaths here; leaving the peak of Meru behind, one attains my realm.

Verse 30

दक्षिणे पश्चिमे भागे मन्दारस्य यशस्विनि ॥ अत्र धारा पतत्येका आदित्यसमतेजसा ॥

On the renowned Mandāra, in the southwestern region, a single stream falls here, possessing a brilliance comparable to the Sun.

Verse 31

तत्र स्नानं प्रकुर्वीत अहोरात्रोषितो नरः ॥ मोदते पश्चिमे भागे ध्रुवो यत्र प्रवर्तते ॥

There, a man should perform the ritual bath after staying for a day and a night; he rejoices in the western region, where Dhruva is said to be established in its course.

Verse 32

अथात्र मुञ्चते प्राणान्मम कर्मव्यवस्थितः ॥ सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो मम लोके च मोदते ॥

Then, established in my prescribed observance, one relinquishes the life-breaths here; freed from all sin, one rejoices in my realm.

Verse 33

तस्य पश्चिमपार्श्वे तु गुह्यं देवसमन्वितम् ॥ चक्रावर्त्तमिति ख्यातमगाधश्च महाह्रदः ॥

On its western side there is a hidden place attended by divine beings, known as “Cakrāvartta”; and there is also a great lake of unfathomable depth.

Verse 34

स्नानं करोति यस्तत्र पञ्चभक्तोषितो नरः ॥ मोदते मेरुशृङ्गेषु स्वच्छन्दगमनालयः ॥

Whoever bathes there—having lived on the “fivefold meal regimen”—rejoices among the peaks of Meru, possessing an abode (or state) marked by unhindered movement.

Verse 35

अथ वै मुञ्चते प्राणांश्चक्रवर्ती महायशाः ॥ शृङ्गान्सर्वान्परित्यज्य मोदते मम सन्निधौ ॥

Then indeed the illustrious Cakravartin relinquishes his life-breaths; abandoning all the peaks, he rejoices in my presence.

Verse 36

दिशं वायव्यमाश्रित्य तस्मिन्विन्ध्यशिलोच्चये ॥ तिस्रो धाराः पतन्त्यत्र मुसलाकृतयः शुभाः ॥

Turning toward the northwestern direction, on that lofty rocky height of Vindhya, three auspicious streams fall there, shaped like pestles (musala).

Verse 37

अथात्र मुञ्चते प्राणान् तस्मिन्गुह्ये यशस्विनि ॥ सर्वसङ्गं परित्यज्य मम लोकं स गच्छति ॥

Now, when one relinquishes the life-breaths here, in that renowned secret tīrtha, abandoning all attachments, one goes to my world.

Verse 38

तस्य विक्रोशमात्रेण दक्षिणां दिशमाश्रितः ॥ गुह्यो गभीरको नाम अगाधश्च महाह्रदः ॥

At a distance of one krośa from it, toward the southern direction, there is a great secret lake named Gabhīraka, and it is unfathomable.

Verse 39

तत्र स्नानं प्रकुर्वीत अष्टरात्रोषितो नरः ॥ मोदते सर्वद्वीपेषु स्वच्छन्दगमनालयः ॥

A man who bathes there and stays for eight nights rejoices in all the dvīpas (continents), possessing a dwelling that allows movement at will.

Verse 40

अथ वै मुञ्चते प्राणान्मम कर्मव्यवस्थितः ॥ सर्वद्वीपान् परित्यज्य मम लोकं प्रपद्यते ॥

And then, indeed, one who is established in my prescribed discipline relinquishes the life-breaths; leaving behind all the dvīpas, one attains my world.

Verse 41

तस्य पश्चिमपार्श्वे तु गुह्यं वै परमं महत् ॥ सप्त धाराः पतन्त्यत्र अगाधश्च महाह्रदः ॥

On its western side, moreover, there is indeed a supreme and great secret place; here seven streams fall down, and there is an unfathomable great lake.

Verse 42

तत्र स्नानं प्रकुर्वीत अहोरात्रोषितो नरः ॥ मोदते शक्रलोके तु स्वच्छन्दगमनालयः ॥

A man who bathes there and stays for a day and a night rejoices in Śakra’s world, possessing a dwelling that grants movement at will.

Verse 43

अथ वै मुञ्चते प्राणान्स्वकर्मपरिनिष्ठितः ॥ सर्वसङ्गं परित्यज्य मम लोकं प्रपद्यते ॥

And then indeed, one firmly established in one’s prescribed duty relinquishes the life-breaths; abandoning all attachments, one attains my world.

Verse 44

क्षेत्रस्य मण्डलं तस्य कथ्यमानं मया शृणु ॥ स्यमन्तपञ्चकं चैव मन्दारस्य गिरौ मम ॥

Hear from me the delineation of the sacred field’s circuit as it is being described, and also the place called Syamanta-pañcaka on my Mandāra mountain.

Verse 45

तत्र तिष्ठामि सुश्रोणि विन्ध्यस्य गिरिमूर्द्धनि ॥ मन्दारे परमं गुह्यं तस्मिन्गुह्यशिलोच्चये ॥

There I abide, O fair-hipped one, upon the summit of the Vindhya mountain—on Mandāra, in the supreme secret place, on that hidden rocky peak.

Verse 46

लाङ्गले मुसलं चैव शङ्खस्तिष्ठति चाग्रतः ॥ तव चैव प्रियार्थाय मम भक्तसुखावहम् ॥

The plough and the pestle, and also the conch, stand in front—indeed, for what is dear to you, bringing well-being to my devotees.

Verse 47

एतन्न जानते केचिन्मम माया विमोहिताः ॥ मुच्य भाऽगवताञ्छुद्धान्ये च वाराहमाश्रिताः

Some do not understand this, being deluded by my māyā. But the purified devotees—and those who take refuge in Varāha (his tradition and teaching)—are released from bondage.

Verse 48

ततो ममाभवच्चिन्ता मन्दारे पर्वतस्थिते ॥ तत्रैकादशकुण्डानि निस्सृतानि गिरौ धरे

Then, O Earth, a concern arose in me regarding Mandāra, situated on the mountain; there, upon that mountain, eleven sacred pools (kuṇḍas) emerged.

Verse 49

तत्राथ मुंचते प्राणान्मम कर्मपरायणः ॥ सर्वसङ्गं परित्यज्य मम लोकं स गच्छति

There, one devoted to my prescribed practice relinquishes the life-breath; abandoning all attachments, that person proceeds to my realm.

Verse 50

तस्य दक्षिणपार्श्वे तु गुह्यं विन्ध्यविनिःसृतम् ॥ पञ्च धाराः पतन्त्यत्र मुसलाकृतयः शुभाः

On its southern flank is a hidden feature issuing forth from the Vindhya; here five auspicious streams fall, shaped like pestles (musala).

Verse 51

तत्र स्नानं प्रकुर्वीत मम चित्तव्यवस्थितः ॥ मोदते सर्वशृङ्गेषु चैकीचित्तं समाश्रितः

There one should perform bathing, with the mind established in me; taking refuge in one-pointed attention, one rejoices upon all the peaks.

Verse 52

दक्षिणे संस्थितं चक्रं वामे स्थाने च वै गदा ॥ य एतच्छृणुयान्नित्यं गुह्यं मन्दारसंस्थितम्

On the right is placed the discus (cakra), and on the left indeed the mace (gadā). Whoever regularly listens to this secret account, situated at Mandāra…