Adhyaya 155: The Efficacy and Sacred Merit of Akrūra Tīrtha

Verse 1

अथाक्रूरतार्थप्रभावः ॥ श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ पुनरन्यत्प्रवक्ष्यामि मर्त्यलोके सुदुर्लभम् ॥ अनन्तं विदितं तीर्थमचलं ध्रुवमव्ययम् ॥

Now, the greatness of Ākrūra-tīrtha. Śrī Varāha said: Again I shall explain another sacred place, very difficult to obtain in the human world—known as ‘Ananta’, a tīrtha that is unmoving, steadfast, and imperishable.

Verse 2

तत्र नित्यं स्थितो देवि लोकानां हितकाम्यया ॥ मां दृष्ट्वा मनुजा देवि मुक्तिभाजो भवन्ति ते ॥

There I remain continually, O Goddess, out of a desire for the welfare of the worlds. Having seen me there, O Goddess, those people become partakers of liberation (mokṣa).

Verse 3

अयने विषुवे चैव तथा विष्णुपदीषु च ॥ अनन्तं तं समासाद्य मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः ॥

At the solstices and the equinoxes, and likewise on the Viṣṇupadī days, having reached that Ananta tīrtha, one is released from all sins.

Verse 4

अक्रूरेति च विख्यातं मम क्षेत्रं वसुन्धरे ॥ तत्र स्नात्वा महाभागे राहुग्रस्ते दिवाकरे ॥

My sacred precinct is known as ‘Ākrūra’, O Earth. O fortunate one, having bathed there when the sun is seized by Rāhu (that is, during a solar eclipse)…

Verse 5

राजसूयाश्वमेधाभ्यां फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः ॥ तीर्थराजं हि चाक्रूरं गुह्यानां गुह्यमुत्तमम् ॥

A person obtains the fruit comparable to the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices. For Ākrūra is the ‘king of tīrthas’, the most excellent secret among secrets.

Verse 6

तत्स्नानात्फलमाप्नोति प्रयागस्नानजं फलम् ॥ अस्मिंस्तीर्थे पुरावृत्तं तच्छृणुष्व वसुन्धरे ॥

From bathing there one obtains the fruit that arises from bathing at Prayāga. Hear, O Earth, an account of what occurred long ago at this tīrtha.

Verse 7

नाम्ना तु सुधनो नाम मम भक्तः सदैव हि ॥ धनधान्यसमायुक्तः सुतयुक्तः सदैव हि ॥

He is named Sudhana, and indeed he is ever my devotee; he is endowed with wealth and grain, and always possesses sons—thus his family prospers.

Verse 8

बन्धुपुत्रकलत्रैश्च गृहे प्रीतिरनुत्तमा ॥ पुत्रदारसमेतस्य मयि भक्तिर्वसुन्धरे ॥

With kinsmen, sons, and wife, there is unsurpassed affection in his household; though accompanied by children and spouse, his devotion is directed toward me, O Vasundharā (Earth).

Verse 9

गच्छन्ति दिवसास्तस्य मासाः संवत्सरास्तथा ॥ करोति गृहकृत्यानि धनोपायेन नित्यशः ॥

His days pass by—so too the months and the years; he continually performs the duties of the household by means of lawful acquisition of wealth (his livelihood).

Verse 10

नित्यं कालं च कुरुते हरिपूजनमुत्तमम् ॥ पुष्पदीपप्रदानेन चन्दनेन सुगन्धिना ॥

At the proper times, continually, he performs excellent worship of Hari—by offering flowers and lamps, and by fragrant sandalwood.

Verse 11

उपहारॆण दिव्यॆन धूपॆन च सुगन्धिना ॥ एकादश्यां तु कुरुते पक्षयोरुभयोरपि ॥

With divine gifts and fragrant incense, he performs this observance on Ekādaśī in both fortnights, the waxing and the waning.

Verse 12

उपवासं तु कुरुते रात्रौ जागरणं तथा ॥ स गच्छति यथाकालमक्रूरं तीर्थमुत्तमम् ॥

He undertakes fasting and likewise keeps a night-long vigil; in due course he goes to the excellent sacred ford (tīrtha) called Akrūra.

Verse 13

तत्रागत्य ममाग्रेऽसौ नृत्यते शुभदर्शनः ॥ सुधनस्तु वणिक्श्रेष्ठः कदाचिद्रात्रिजागरे ॥

Having arrived there, he dances before me—auspicious in appearance. Now Sudhana, the foremost of merchants, once during the night-vigil…

Verse 14

चलमानो गृहीतस्तु चरणे ब्रह्मरक्षसा ॥ कृष्णवर्णी महाकाय ऊर्ध्वकेशो भयंकरः ॥

While moving about, he was seized by the foot by a brahmarākṣasa—black-complexioned, huge-bodied, with hair standing upright, and terrifying.

Verse 15

पादे गृहीत्वा वसुधे इदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥

Having seized him by the foot, it spoke these words, O Vasudhā (Earth).

Verse 16

राक्षसोऽहं वणिक्श्रेष्ठ वसामि वनमाश्रितः ॥ त्वामद्य भक्षयिष्यामि तृप्तिं यास्यामि शाश्वतीम् ॥

“I am a rākṣasa, O foremost of merchants; I dwell, taking refuge in the forest. Today I shall eat you, and I shall attain lasting satisfaction.”

Verse 17

सुधन उवाच ॥ प्रतीक्षस्व क्षणं मेऽद्य दास्यामि तव पुष्कलम् ॥ भक्षयिष्यसि मे गात्रं मिष्टान्नपरिपोषितम् ॥

Sudhana said: “Wait for me for a moment today; I shall give you abundantly. Then you shall eat my body, nourished by sweet food.”

Verse 18

जागरं देवदेवस्य कर्तुमिच्छामि राक्षस ॥ मम व्रतं सार्वकाळं यज्जागर्मि हरेः पुरः ॥

“O Rākṣasa, I wish to perform the vigil for the God of gods. This is my vow at all times: that I keep awake in the presence of Hari.”

Verse 19

ततः खादिष्यसे गात्रं विनिवृत्तस्य जागरात् ॥ विष्णुतुष्ट्यै व्रतमिदमारब्धं सर्वकामदम् ॥

“Then you shall devour my body after I have concluded the vigil. This vow has been undertaken for the satisfaction of Viṣṇu, and it is said to grant all desired aims.”

Verse 20

मा कुरु व्रतभङ्गं मे रक्षो नारायणस्य हि ॥ जागरे विनिवृत्ते तु मां भक्षय यथेप्सितम् ॥

“Do not cause the breaking of my vow, O Rakṣa, for it belongs to Nārāyaṇa. But once the vigil is concluded, devour me as you wish.”

Verse 21

सुधनस्य वचः श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मरक्षः क्षुधार्दितः ॥ उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं वणिजं प्रति सादरम् ॥

Having heard Sudhana’s words, the Brahmarākṣasa—tormented by hunger—spoke sweetly and respectfully to the merchant.

Verse 22

मिथ्या प्रभाषसे साधो त्वं पुनः कथमेष्यसि ॥ को हि रक्षोमुखाद्भ्रष्टो मानुषो यो निवर्तते ॥

“You speak falsely, good man—how will you come back again? For what human, once fallen into a rākṣasa’s mouth, ever returns?”

Verse 23

राक्षसस्य वचः श्रुत्वा स वणिग्वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ सत्यमूलं जगत्सर्वं सर्वं सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥

Having heard the rākṣasa’s words, the merchant replied: “The whole world has truth as its root; everything is established upon truth.”

Verse 24

सिद्धिं लभन्ते सत्येन ऋषयो वेदपारगाः ॥ यद्यहं च वणिक् पूर्वं कर्मणा न हि दूषितः ॥

“By truth the seers—those who have crossed to the far shore of the Veda—attain success. And as for me, a merchant, I have not previously been tainted by wrongdoing.”

Verse 25

प्राप्तश्च मानुषो भावो विहितेनान्तरात्मना ॥ शृणु मत्समयं रक्षो येनाहं पुनरागमम् ॥

“And a human condition has been obtained by me through what was ordained within (by the inner self). Listen, O Rakṣa, to my agreement—by which I shall return again.”

Verse 26

कृत्वा जागरणं तत्र नृत्यं कृत्वा यथासुखम् ॥ पुनरेष्याम्यहं रक्षो नासत्यं विद्यते मयि ॥

“Having performed the vigil there, and having danced as I please, I shall return again, O Rakṣa; untruth is not found in me.”

Verse 27

सत्येन दीयते कन्या सत्यं जल्पन्ति ब्राह्मणाः ॥ सत्योत्तीर्णा हि राजानः सत्येन वसुधा धृता ॥

By truth a maiden is given in marriage; by truth the brāhmaṇas speak. Indeed, kings are sustained by truth, and by truth the Earth is upheld.

Verse 28

यमः सत्येन हरति सत्यादिन्द्रो विराजते ॥ तत्सत्यं मम नश्येत यद्यहं नागमे पुनः ॥

By truth Yama carries out his office; from truth Indra shines forth. May this truth of mine be undone if I do not come again.

Verse 29

परदारांस्तु यो गच्छेत्काममोहप्रपीडितः ।

But whoever approaches another man’s wife, pressed down by desire and delusion—

Verse 30

तस्य पापेन लिप्येऽहं यदि नायामि ते पुरः ॥

May I be tainted by that sin if I do not come before you.

Verse 31

दत्त्वा च भूमिदानं यो ह्यपकारं करोति च ॥ तेन पापेन लिप्येऽहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः ॥

And whoever, having given a gift of land, nonetheless commits harm—may I be tainted by that sin if I do not come again.

Verse 32

पूर्वं भुक्त्वा स्त्रियां यस्तु सुखमाप्य विहृत्य च ॥ द्वेषात्तां यदि चेज्जह्यात्तस्यायं मे भवत्वलम् ॥

But if a man, having first enjoyed a woman—having obtained pleasure and sported—should then abandon her out of hatred, let the full consequence of that act be mine.

Verse 33

पङ्क्तिभेदं तु यः कुर्यादेकपङ्क्त्याशिनां ध्रुवम् ॥ तस्य पापेन लिप्येऽहं नागन्ता यदि ते पुरः ॥

But whoever causes a breach in the dining-row—surely among those eating in a single line—may I be tainted by that sin if I do not come before you.

Verse 34

अमावस्यां महारक्षः श्राद्धं कृत्वा स्त्रियां व्रजेत् ॥ तेन पापेन लिप्येऽहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः ॥

O great protector, if on the new-moon day one performs śrāddha and then goes to a woman—may I be tainted by that sin if I do not come again.

Verse 35

अष्टाष्टमी त्वमावास्या उभे पक्षे चतुर्दशी ॥ अस्नातानां गतिं यास्याम्यहं वै नागमे पुनः ॥

On the eighth tithi, on Aṣṭamī, on the new-moon day, and on the fourteenth in both fortnights—may I indeed go to the fate of the unbathed if I do not come again.

Verse 36

गुरोर्भ्रातुः सुतस्यापि सख्युर्वै मातुलस्य च ॥ व्यवस्यति च यन्नारी यो मोहेन विमोहितः ॥

And with regard to the wife of one’s teacher, of one’s brother, of one’s son, and likewise of one’s friend and maternal uncle—whoever, deluded by confusion, resolves upon such a woman (with intent)—

Verse 37

तस्य पापेन लिप्येऽहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः ॥ यस्तु कन्यां सकृद्दत्त्वा अन्यस्मै चेत्पुनर्ददेत ॥

“May I be tainted by that sin if I do not return again. And as for one who, having given a maiden once, were to give her again to another—”

Verse 38

तेन पापेन लिप्येऽहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः ॥ राजयाजकयाज्याश्च ये च वै ग्रामयाजकाः ॥

“May I be tainted by that sin if I do not return again—(as are) royal priests and their officiants, and also those who serve as village priests.”

Verse 39

तेषां पापेन लिप्येऽहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः ॥ ब्रह्मघ्ने च सुरापे च चोरे भग्नव्रते शठे ॥

“May I be tainted by their sin if I do not return again—(the sin) of a slayer of a brāhmaṇa, of a drinker of intoxicants, of a thief, of one who has broken a vow, and of a deceitful person.”

Verse 40

या गतिस्तां प्रपद्येऽहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः ॥ श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ सुधनस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सन्तुष्टो ब्रह्मराक्षसः ॥

“May I attain that very fate if I do not return again.” Śrī Varāha said: Having heard Sudhana’s words, the brahmarākṣasa became satisfied.

Verse 41

उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं गच्छ शीघ्रं नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ ब्रह्मराक्षसमुक्तोऽसौ वणिक् तु दृढनिश्चयः ॥

He spoke sweet words: “Go quickly; homage be to you.” Released from the brahmarākṣasa, that merchant remained firm in resolve.

Verse 42

पुनर्नृत्यति चैवाग्रे मम भक्तो व्यवस्थितः ॥ अथ प्रभातसमये नृत्यचित्तोऽति कोविदः ॥

Again he danced before me, standing forth as my devotee. Then, at daybreak, his mind intent on dancing, he was exceedingly skilled.

Verse 43

पुनः पुनर्वै उच्चार्य नमो नारायणाय च ॥ निवृत्ते जागरे सोऽथ कालिन्दीसलिलाप्लुतः ॥

Repeatedly indeed, uttering “Homage to Nārāyaṇa,” and when his vigil had ended, he then bathed in the waters of the Kālindī (Yamunā).

Verse 44

दृष्ट्वा मां दिव्यरूपं तु गतोऽसौ मथुरां पुरीम् ॥ दृष्टश्चाग्रे त्वहं तेन पुरुषो दिव्यरूपवान् ॥

Having seen me in a divine form, he went to the city of Mathurā. And there, before him, I was seen—as a man endowed with a divine form.

Verse 45

स च पृष्टो मया देवि क्व भवान्प्रस्थितो द्रुतम् ॥ पुरुषस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सुधनो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥

And he was asked by me, “O Devī, where are you going so swiftly?” Hearing the words of that man, Sudhana replied.

Verse 46

जीवतो धर्ममाहात्म्यं मृते धर्मः कुतो यशः ॥ पुरुषस्य वचः श्रुत्वा स वणिग्वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ (५१) ॥ तत्र सत्यं वदिष्यामि यास्ये राक्षससन्निधौ ॥ आगतोऽहं महाभाग नर्तयित्वा यथासुखम् ॥

“While one is alive, the greatness of dharma can be realized; once dead, where is dharma—whence reputation?” Hearing the man’s words, the merchant spoke: “There I shall speak the truth; I will go into the presence of the rākṣasa. I have come, O noble one, having danced as I pleased.”

Verse 47

विष्णवे लोकनाथाय चागतो हरिजागरात् ॥ इदं शरीरं मे रक्षो भक्षयस्व यथेप्सितम्

I have come from the vigil kept for Hari to Viṣṇu, the Lord of the worlds. O rākṣasa, devour this body of mine as you wish.

Verse 48

यथान्यायं विधानॆन यथा वा तव रोचते ॥ नोक्तपूर्वं मया।असत्यं कदाचिदपि राक्षस

In a manner consistent with what is proper, by due procedure—or as it pleases you—never have I spoken falsehood before, at any time, O rākṣasa.

Verse 49

तेन सत्येन मां भुङ्क्ष्व ब्रह्मराक्षस दारुण ॥ वणिजस्तु वचः श्रुत्वा ततोऽसौ ब्रह्मराक्षसः

By that truth, devour me, O dreadful brahma-rākṣasa.” Then, having heard the merchant’s words, that brahma-rākṣasa responded and acted further.

Verse 50

उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं सुधनं तदनन्तरम् ॥ साधु तुष्टोऽस्मि भद्रं ते सत्यं धर्मश्च पालितः

Thereupon he spoke sweet words to Sudhana: “Well done. I am satisfied; may it be well with you. Truth and dharma have been upheld.”

Verse 51

वणिक् त्वं चातिविज्ञस्तु यस्य ते गतिरीदृशी ॥ जागरस्य समस्तस्य मम पुण्यं प्रयच्छ वै

Merchant, you are exceedingly discerning, since your course of action is of this kind. Grant me, indeed, the merit of the entire vigil.

Verse 52

सत्यपुण्यप्रभावेन यथाहं मुक्तिमाप्नुयाम् ॥ सुधन उवाच॥ नाहं दास्यामि ते पुण्यं नृत्यस्य नरभोजन

“So that, by the power of truth and merit, I may attain liberation.” Sudhana said: “I will not give you my merit—O dancer, eater of men.”

Verse 53

अर्द्धं वाथ समस्तं वा प्रहरं चार्द्धमेव वा ॥ सुधनस्य वचः श्रुत्वा अब्रवीद्ब्रह्मराक्षसः

“Either half, or the whole; or a watch (prahara) of the night, or only half a watch.” Having heard Sudhana’s words, the brahma-rākṣasa spoke.

Verse 54

केन त्वं कर्मदोषेण राक्षसत्वमुपागतः ॥ यत्ते गुह्यं महाभाग सर्वं तत्कथयस्व मे

“By what fault of action have you come to the state of a rākṣasa? Whatever is secret in your case, O fortunate one—tell all of that to me.”

Verse 55

सुधनस्य वचः श्रुत्वा विहसित्वाह राक्षसः ॥ किं त्वं मां च विजानासि प्रतिवासी ह्यहं तव

Having heard Sudhana’s words, the rākṣasa laughed and said: “Do you not recognize me? I am indeed your neighbor, one who dwells nearby.”

Verse 56

अग्निदत्तस्तु वै नाम छान्दसो ब्राह्मणोत्तमः ॥ इष्टकांस्तु हरन्नित्यं परकीयांश्च सर्वदा

“I was named Agnidatta, a Chāndasa, an excellent brāhmaṇa. Yet I used to steal bricks continually—those belonging to others, always.”

Verse 57

मृतस्सुगृहकामेन राक्षसत्वमुपागतः ॥ मया त्वं हि यथा प्राप्त उपकारं कुरुष्व मे ॥

Having died with the longing for a fine home, I have attained the state of a rākṣasa. Since you have now come within my reach, do me a favor.

Verse 58

एकविश्रामपुण्यं मे देहि त्वं वणिगुत्तम ॥ कृपया तु समायुक्तो वणिग्वचनमब्रवीत् ॥

“O best of merchants, grant me the merit (puṇya) of a single respite.” Moved by compassion, the merchant then spoke these words.

Verse 59

साधु राक्षस दत्तं ते एकनृत्यं मया तव ॥ एकनृत्यप्रभावेण राक्षसो मुक्तिमागतः ॥

“Well done, O rākṣasa: I have granted you one dance.” Through the power of that single dance, the rākṣasa attained release.

Verse 60

श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ सुधनस्तु ततो देवि विश्वरूपं जनार्दनम् ॥ अग्रतस्तु स्थितं देवं दृष्ट्वाऽसौ धरणीं गतः ॥

Śrī Varāha said: “Then, O Goddess, Sudhana—seeing Janārdana of universal form standing before him—fell down to the ground.”

Verse 61

उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं देवदेवो जनार्दनः ॥ चतुर्भुजो दिव्यतनुः शङ्खचक्रगदाधरः ॥

Janārdana, the God of gods—four-armed, of radiant divine form, bearing conch, discus, and mace—spoke sweet words.

Verse 62

विमानवरमारुह्य मम लोकं व्रजस्व च ॥ इत्युक्त्वा माधवो देवस्तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ॥

“Mount this excellent celestial car and go to my world.” Having spoken thus, Mādhava, the God, vanished there on the spot.

Verse 63

एष तीर्थप्रभावो वै कथितस्ते वसुन्धरे ॥ अक्रूराच्च परं तीर्थं न भूतं न भविष्यति ॥

“Thus the efficacy of this tīrtha has been explained to you, O Vasundharā. No sacred place has been superior to Akrūra’s, nor will there be.”

Verse 64

तस्य तीर्थप्रभावेण सुधनो मुक्तिमाप्तवान् ॥ द्वादशी शुक्लपक्षे तु कुमुदस्य च वा भवेत् ॥

“Through the efficacy of that tīrtha, Sudhana attained liberation (mokṣa). It may be on the twelfth lunar day of the bright fortnight (dvādaśī)—in the month/season of Kumuda, or alternatively …”

Verse 65

तस्मिन्स्नातस्य वसुधे राजसूयफलṃ भवेत् ॥ कार्त्तिकीं समनुप्राप्य तत्तीर्थे तु वसुन्धरे ॥

“O Vasudhā, for one who bathes there, the fruit of a Rājasūya would accrue. And upon the arrival of the month of Kārttikā, at that very tīrtha, O Vasundharā, …”

Verse 66

वृषोत्सर्गं नरः कुर्वंस्तारयेत्सकुलोद्भवान् ॥ श्राद्धं यः कुरुते सुभ्रु कार्तिक्यां प्रयतो नरः ॥

“A man who performs the vṛṣotsarga rite would bring deliverance to all those born in his lineage. And the man who, restrained and attentive, performs śrāddha in Kārttikā, O fair-browed one, …”

Verse 67

पितरस्तारितास्तेन सदैव प्रपितामहाः

By him the Pitṛs (ancestral spirits) were truly delivered; likewise, always, the great-grandfathers as well.

Verse 68

मानकूटं तुलाकूटं न करोति स कर्हिचित् ॥ एवं च वसतस्तस्य बहवो वत्सरा गताः

He never commits fraud in measures nor fraud in weighing. And as he lived in this manner, many years passed for him.

Verse 69

तत्र जागरणं कृत्वा प्रभाते तव सन्निधौ ॥ आगमिष्याम्यहं शीघ्रमादित्योदयनं प्रति

Having kept vigil there, at dawn, in your presence, I shall come quickly—toward the time of sunrise.

Verse 70

स्वर्गमिच्छन्ति सत्येन मोक्षः सत्येन लभ्यते ॥ सत्येन सूर्यस्तपति सोमः सत्येन राजते

Through truthfulness they seek heaven; through truthfulness liberation (mokṣa) is obtained. By truth the Sun gives heat; by truth the Moon shines forth.

Verse 71

अभिगच्छति मन्दात्मा तत्पापं मे भवेत् तदा ॥ राजपत्नीं ब्रह्मपत्नीं विधवां योऽभिगच्छति

If a foolish-minded person approaches (them), then that sin would fall upon me at that time. Whoever approaches the wife of a king, the wife of a brāhmaṇa, or a widow…

Verse 72

अहं गच्छामि त्वरितो ब्रह्मराक्षससन्निधौ ॥ निवारयामास तदा न गन्तव्यं त्वयानघ

“I am going quickly to the vicinity of the Brahmarākṣasa.” Then he was restrained, with the words: “You should not go, O blameless one.”

Verse 73

एकनृत्यस्य मे पुण्यं दद त्वं वणिगुत्तम ॥ सुधन उवाच ॥ नाहं दास्यामि ते पुण्यं यथोक्तं च समाचर

“Give me the merit (puṇya) from a single dance, O best of merchants.” Sudhana said: “I will not give you my merit; rather, practice as has been prescribed.”

Verse 74

सुधनः सशरीरोऽपि सकुटुम्बो दिवं ययौ ॥ विमानवरमारुह्य विष्णोर्लोकं जगाम ह

Sudhana—even with his very body, and together with his family—went to heaven. Mounting an excellent vimāna, he indeed went to Viṣṇu’s world.