Adhyaya 165: The Glory of Mathurā: The Account of Piṇḍa-Offering at the Catuḥsāmudrika Well

Verse 1

श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि तच्छृणुष्व वसुन्धरे ॥ यथावृत्तं प्रतिष्ठाने दक्षिणापथमण्डले ॥

Śrī Varāha said: Now I shall explain further; listen, O Vasundharā. This is the account of what occurred at Pratiṣṭhāna, in the region of the southern route, Dakṣiṇāpatha.

Verse 2

सुशीलो नाम वैश्यस्तु तस्मिन्वसति पत्तने ॥ धनधान्यसमृद्धस्तु बहुपुत्रः कुटुम्बवान् ॥

In that city lived a vaiśya, a merchant named Suśīla—abundant in wealth and grain, with many sons, and possessed of a household.

Verse 3

कुटुम्बभरणासक्तो नित्यकालं हि तिष्ठति ॥ स्नानं दानं जपं होमं देवार्चां न करोति सः ॥

Attached to maintaining his household, he remained continually preoccupied. He performed neither ritual bathing, nor dāna (giving), nor japa (recitation), nor homa (fire-offering), nor worship of the deities.

Verse 4

क्रयविक्रयसक्तस्य कालो दीर्घो गतस्तदा ॥ कदाचिदपि पापोऽसौ न साधु गमनं गतः ॥

For him—absorbed in buying and selling—much time passed. At no time did that sinful man set out toward the good, whether toward virtuous company or righteous conduct.

Verse 5

न तेन धर्मश्रवणं कदाचिदपि संश्रुतम् ॥ देवानां ब्राह्मणानां च भक्तिस्तस्य न विद्यते ॥

He never listened to teachings on dharma; nor did he have devotion or reverence toward the deities and toward the brāhmaṇas.

Verse 6

आत्मोदरनिमित्तं हि पापं च कुरुते सदा ॥ गच्छन्तं बहुकालं च न तं बुध्यति पापकृत् ॥

Indeed, for the sake of his own belly he continually committed sin; and though much time passed, that doer of evil did not become aware.

Verse 7

न तस्य जायते बुद्धिर्दानं दातुं कदाचन ॥ तस्यैवं वसतस्तत्र प्रतिष्ठाने पुरोत्तमे ॥

He never developed the intention to give dāna, charity. As he lived there in this manner, in Pratiṣṭhāna—the excellent city—

Verse 8

धनयुक्तोऽपि पापोऽसौ न ददाति कदाचन ॥ नैवान्यमतिदातारं शक्नोति च निरीक्षितुम् ॥

Though possessed of wealth, that sinful man never gave; nor could he even bear to look upon another who was an exceptionally generous giver.

Verse 9

स तु कालेन महता कुटुम्बासक्तमानसः ॥ कदाचिद्दैवयोगेन साध्वीं भार्यां प्रियान्सुतान् ॥

But after a long passage of time, his mind attached to his household, at some point—by a turn of fate—(he came to have) a virtuous wife and beloved sons…

Verse 10

परिभ्रमन्क्षुधाविष्टो मरुदेशं गतोऽपि सः ॥ तत्रैव च कृतावासो बहुकालं स वै वणिक् ॥

Wandering about, afflicted by hunger, he reached a desert region. There the merchant made his dwelling and remained for a long time.

Verse 11

कदाचिद्दैवयोगेन तत्र सार्थ उपागतः ॥ तस्य मध्ये तु वणिजो मथुरायां विनिःसृताः ॥

At some time, by a turn of fate, a caravan arrived there. Among them were merchants who had set out from Mathurā.

Verse 12

गते सार्थे तु स वणिक् तं वृक्षं समुपाश्रितः ॥ तत्रैव वसति प्रेतो रौद्ररूपो भयानकः ॥

When the caravan had gone, the merchant took shelter by that tree. In that very place dwelt a preta, terrifying, with a fierce appearance.

Verse 13

दीर्घदंष्ट्रः सुविकटो ह्रस्वबाहुर्विभीषणः ॥ महाहनुर्विशालाक्षो बिडालसदृशाननः ॥

With long fangs, extremely grotesque, short-armed and dreadful—having a massive jaw and wide eyes, with a face like that of a cat.

Verse 14

अथ कालेन बहुना दैवयोगेन भामिनि ॥ तत्राजगाम कश्चित्तु क्रयविक्रयकारकः ॥

Then, after a long time, by a turn of fate, O lady, a certain trader—one engaged in buying and selling—came there.

Verse 15

तं दृष्ट्वा दूरतः प्रेतश्चातिहर्षेण संयुतः ॥ तत्राजगाम नृत्यन् स इदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥

Seeing him from afar, the preta—filled with excessive delight—came there dancing, and spoke these words.

Verse 16

भक्ष्यभूतो ममाद्यत्वं क्व भवान्यातुमिच्छति ॥ प्रेतस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा सोऽतिभीतो द्रुतं गतः ॥

“Having become my food today, where do you think you are going?” Hearing the preta’s words, he—terrified—quickly fled.

Verse 17

गच्छन्तं तं गृहीत्वा स प्रेतो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ मम त्वं विहितो भक्ष्यः स्वयं प्राप्तोऽसि मानव ॥

Seizing him as he was going, the preta spoke: “You are appointed as my prey; you have come of your own accord, O man.”

Verse 18

मांसं ते भक्षयिष्यामि पिबामि तव शोणितम् ॥ इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य स वणिग्वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥

“I shall eat your flesh and drink your blood.” Hearing his words, the merchant replied.

Verse 19

मयि संभक्षिते रक्षः कुटुम्बं हि मरिष्यति ॥ ततो वचनमाकर्ण्य प्रेतो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥

“If I am eaten, O demon, my household will surely perish.” Then, hearing his statement, the preta spoke in reply.

Verse 20

कस्मात्स्थानात्समायातः सत्यं ब्रूहि महामते ।

From what place have you come? Speak the truth, O great-minded one.

Verse 21

विभुरुवाच ॥ गोवर्ध्धनो गिरिवरो यमुना च महानदी ॥ तयोर्मध्ये पुरी रम्या मथुरा लोकविश्रुता ।

Vibhu said: “Govardhana is the excellent mountain, and Yamunā the great river. Between them lies the lovely city Mathurā, renowned in the world.”

Verse 22

तस्यां वसाम्यहं प्रेत पितृपैतामहे गृहे ॥ तत्र मे वसतो नित्यं यद्द्रव्यं पूर्वसञ्चितम् ।

There I dwell as a preta, in the ancestral house of my father and grandfather. While living there always, whatever wealth I had previously accumulated—

Verse 23

तत्सर्वं तस्करैर्नीतं क्षीणवित्तोऽभवं तदा ॥ स्वल्पं वित्तं गृहीत्वाहं समायातो मरुस्थलम् ।

All of that was carried off by thieves; then I became deprived of wealth. Taking a small remainder of money, I came to the desert region.

Verse 24

तव दृष्टिपथं यातो यत्कार्यं तत्कुरुष्व मे ।

I have come within the range of your sight; whatever task is to be done, do that for me.

Verse 25

प्रेत उवाच ॥ न त्वां खादितुमिच्छामि कृपा मे जायते त्वयि ॥ समयेन हि मोक्ष्यामि कुरुष्व वचनं मम ।

The preta said: “I do not wish to devour you; compassion arises in me toward you. In due time I will release you—carry out my instruction.”

Verse 26

निर्वृत्य गच्छ मथुरां मम कार्यार्थसाधकः ॥ तत्र गत्वा त्वया कार्यं यत्कर्तव्यं वदामि तत् ।

“Go to Mathurā and accomplish my purpose. Having gone there, I will tell you what must be done by you.”

Verse 27

स्नानं कृत्वा तु विधिवत्कूपे चातुःसामुद्रिके ॥ पिण्डदानं कुरुष्व त्वं मम नाम्ना प्रयत्नतः ।

“After bathing properly at the well called Cātuḥsāmudrika, you should carefully perform the offering of piṇḍas in my name.”

Verse 28

नाहं यास्यामि मथुरां द्रव्याभावे कथंचन ॥ भक्षयस्व शरीरं मे ततस्तृप्तिमवाप्स्यसि ।

“I will not go to Mathurā in any way when there is no money. Devour my body; then you will obtain satisfaction.”

Verse 29

प्रेत उवाच ॥ गृहे बहुधनं तेऽस्ति त्वं गच्छ मम सत्कुरु ॥ आस्ते धनमपर्याप्तं गच्छ त्वं मा विलम्बय ।

The preta said: “In your house there is abundant wealth. Go and do what is proper for me. There is ample money; go—do not delay.”

Verse 30

विभुरुवाच ॥ गृहे मम धनं नास्ति यत्त्वया समुदीरितम् ॥ गृहे शेषं मम धनं न चान्यत्तत्र विद्यते ॥

Vibhu said: “In my house there is no wealth of the kind you have mentioned. Whatever remains in the house is my only property; there is nothing else there.”

Verse 31

पितृपैतामही कीर्तिरविक्रेया हि सा मया ॥ प्रेतः प्रहस्य सानन्दमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥

“The ancestral and forefathers’ good repute—indeed that is not to be sold by me.” Having laughed, the preta (departed spirit) joyfully spoke these words.

Verse 32

अस्ति चैव धनं प्रोक्तं यन्मया त्वद्गृहे विभो ॥ सुवर्णभारो गर्तस्थो गृहे तिष्ठति सञ्चितः ॥

“And there is indeed wealth, as I stated, O Vibhu, in your house: a load of gold, placed in a pit, remains stored within the house.”

Verse 33

निवर्त गच्छ सन्तुष्टः सुहृदां प्रीतिवर्धनः ॥ एवं द्रक्ष्यामि ते मार्गं मथुरा येन गम्यते ॥

“Turn back; go content. Be one who increases the affection of friends. In this way I will show you the route by which Mathurā is reached.”

Verse 34

सूता उवाच ॥ वणिग्घृष्टमना भूत्वा पुनर्वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ इमामवस्थां सम्प्राप्य कथं ज्ञानसमुद्भवः ॥

Sūtā said: The merchant, becoming troubled in mind, again spoke: “Having reached this condition, how does the arising of knowledge occur?”

Verse 35

ततः स कथयामास यद्वृत्तं हि पुरातनम् ॥ प्रतिष्ठाने पुरवरे विष्णोरायतनं महत् ॥

Then he related an ancient account of what had occurred: in Pratiṣṭhāna, the excellent city, there was a great sanctuary of Viṣṇu.

Verse 36

प्रभातसमये तत्र विष्णोरायतने शुभे ॥ ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रास्तत्र समागताः ॥

At dawn there, in that auspicious sanctuary of Viṣṇu, brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras assembled together.

Verse 37

तस्मिन्काले तु मित्रेण नीतोऽहं विष्णुमन्दिरम् । अत्यादरेण महता सन्तोष्य च पुनः पुनः ॥

At that time, I was taken by a friend to the temple of Viṣṇu; and, with great respect, he repeatedly honoured me again and again.

Verse 38

मित्रेण सह तत्रैव तस्य पार्श्वे व्यवस्थितः ॥ श्रुतो मया ततः कूपः पुण्योऽयं पापनाशनः ॥

There itself, standing beside him along with my friend, I then heard: “This well is sacred; it destroys sin.”

Verse 39

समुद्राः किल तिष्ठन्ति चत्वारोऽत्र समागताः ॥ तस्य कूपस्य माहात्म्यं श्रुतं तत्र महत्फलम् ॥

“Indeed, four oceans are said to be present here, gathered together. There I heard the greatness of that well, whose result is described as very great.”

Verse 40

वाचकाय ततो दानं दत्तं सर्वैर्महाजनैः ॥ मित्रेण प्रेरितो दाने मया मौनं समाश्रितम्

Then all the eminent people gave a donation to the reciter. Though urged by a friend to give, I maintained silence and held back.

Verse 41

मित्रेण च पुनः प्रोक्तं यथाशक्त्या प्रदीयताम् ॥ तदा मित्रमसङ्गेन दत्तो वै स्वर्णमाषकः

And again the friend said, “Let it be given according to one’s capacity.” Then, without attachment, the friend indeed gave a small gold coin—a māṣaka.

Verse 42

ततः कालेन महता गतो वैवस्वतक्षयम् ॥ वैवस्वतनियोगेन ततोऽहं पूर्वकर्मभिः

Then, after a long time, I went to the abode of Vaivasvata (Yama). By Vaivasvata’s ordinance, and due to my former deeds, I thereafter met my allotted condition.

Verse 43

प्रेतत्वं समनुप्राप्तो दुस्तरं दुर्गमं महत् ॥ न दत्तं न हुतं चापि तीर्थं नैवावगाहितम्

I came to the state of being a preta—hard to cross, difficult to escape, and severe. I had neither given, nor offered oblations, nor even bathed at a sacred ford (tīrtha).

Verse 44

न तर्पितास्तु पितरः प्राप्तोऽहं प्रेततां ततः ॥ इत्येत्कथितं सर्वं यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि

Nor were the ancestors gratified with offerings; therefore I reached the condition of being a preta. Thus I have told everything that you ask me.

Verse 45

गच्छ त्वं सम्मुखस्तत्र यत्र सा मथुरा पुरी ॥ प्रेतस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा विभुर्वचनमब्रवीत्

“Go—go straight there, to where the city of Mathurā is.” Having heard the preta’s words, the Mighty One spoke in reply.

Verse 46

प्रेत उवाच ॥ कथितं हि मया पूर्वं यद्वृत्तं हि पुरातनम् ॥ वाचकाय तु यद्दत्तं सुवर्णस्य च माषकम्

The preta said: “I have already related the ancient account of what occurred—namely, that a māṣaka of gold was given to the reciter.”

Verse 47

तद्दानस्य प्रभावेण नित्यं तृप्तोऽस्मि वै विभो ॥ अकामेन मया दत्तं तस्येदं कर्मणः फलम्

“By the power of that gift, I am continually sustained, O mighty one. Though it was given by me without desire, this is the fruit of that action.”

Verse 48

प्रेतभावं गतस्यापि न मे ज्ञानस्य विभ्रमः ॥ ततश्च स वणिक्श्रेष्ठ आगत्य मथुरां पुरीम्

“Even though I have entered the state of a preta, there is no confusion in my knowledge.” Then that foremost merchant, having come to the city of Mathurā, proceeded onward.

Verse 49

कृतं तेन च तत्सर्वं यथा प्रेतेन भाषितम् ॥ प्रेतोऽसौ तेन कृत्येन मुक्तिं प्राप्य दिवं गतः

He did all of it exactly as the preta had spoken. By that act, that preta attained liberation and went to the heavenly realm.

Verse 50

तीर्थे चैव गृहे वापि देवस्थानेऽपि चत्वरे ॥ यत्र तत्र मृता देवि मुक्तिं यान्ति न चान्यथा ॥

Whether at a sacred ford, or even in one’s home, or in a temple precinct, or at a public square—wherever they may die, O Goddess, they attain liberation; it is not otherwise.

Verse 51

अन्यत्र हि कृतं पापं तीर्थमासाद्य गच्छति ॥ तीर्थे तु यत्कृतं पापं वज्रलेपो भविष्यति ॥

A wrongdoing committed elsewhere departs upon reaching a sacred ford; but wrongdoing committed at a sacred ford becomes, as it were, a diamond-hard coating, firmly adhering.

Verse 52

मथुरायां कृतं पापं तत्रैव च विनश्यति ॥ एषा पुरी महापुण्या यस्यां पापं न विद्यते ॥

Wrongdoing committed in Mathurā perishes there itself. This city is of great merit, in which wrongdoing is said not to persist.

Verse 53

कृतघ्नश्च सुरापश्च चौरॊ भग्नव्रतस्तथा ॥ मथुरां प्राप्य मनुजो मुच्यते सर्वकिल्बिषैः ॥

Even one who is ungrateful, a drinker of intoxicants, a thief, or one whose vows are broken—having reached Mathurā, a person is released from all defilements.

Verse 54

परदाररता ये च ये नरा अजितेन्द्रियाः ॥ मथुरावासिनः सर्वे ते देवा नरविग्रहाः ॥

Even those men who are attached to others’ spouses, and who are uncontrolled in their senses—all who dwell in Mathurā are spoken of as divine beings in human form.

Verse 55

बलिभिक्षाप्रदातारस्ते मृताः क्रोधवर्जिताः ॥ तीर्थस्नानरता ये च देवास्ते नरमूर्तयः ॥

Those who give offerings and alms, who die free from anger, and who are devoted to bathing at the sacred tīrthas—such persons are spoken of as divine beings embodied in human form.

Verse 56

यदन्येषां सहस्रेण ब्राह्मणानां महात्मनाम् ॥ एकेन पूजितेन स्यान्माथुरेणाखिलं हि तत् ॥

Whatever might be accomplished elsewhere by honoring a thousand great-souled brāhmaṇas—all of that is said to be achieved by honoring a single Māthura, a person of Mathurā.

Verse 57

अनृग्वै माथुरो यत्र चतुर्वेदस्तथापरः ॥ न च वेदैश्चतुर्भिः स्यान्माथुरेण समः क्वचित् ॥

Here, a Māthura is not merely a ‘man without the Ṛgveda’; another may even be a knower of the four Vedas. Yet nowhere is there equality with a Māthura—even with the four Vedas.

Verse 58

भवन्ति सर्वतीर्थानि पुण्यान्यायतनानि च ॥ मङ्गलानि च सर्वाणि यत्र तिष्ठन्ति माथुराः ॥

All sacred tīrthas, all meritorious sanctuaries, and every auspicious influence are said to be present wherever the Māthuras, the people of Mathurā, dwell.

Verse 59

चतुर्वेदं परित्यज्य माथुरं पूजयेत्सदा ॥ सिद्धा भूतगणाः सर्वे ये च देवगणा भुवि ॥

Setting aside even the four Vedas, one should always honor a Māthura; for all the Siddhas, the hosts of beings, and the hosts of devas upon the earth are associated with them.

Verse 60

मथुरावासिनो लोकान्पश्यन्ति च चतुर्भुजान् ॥ मथुरायां ये वसन्ति विष्णुरूपा हि ते नराः

The people dwelling in Mathurā behold divine four-armed forms. Indeed, those men who reside in Mathurā are said to bear the form of Viṣṇu.

Verse 61

ज्ञानिनस्तान्हि पश्यन्ति अज्ञानाः पश्यन्ति तान्न च

For the discerning perceive them; the unknowing do not perceive them at all.

Verse 62

एतत्ते कथितं भूमे माहात्म्यं मथुराभवम् ॥ चतुःसामुद्रिके कूपे पिण्डदाने परां गतिम्

Thus, O Earth, the greatness arising from Mathurā has been explained to you—namely, the supreme attainment connected with offering piṇḍas at the well called Catuḥsāmudrika.

Verse 63

त्यक्त्वा जगाम निधनं प्रेतत्वं समुपागतः ॥ निरुदकेषु देशेषु विच्छायेषु वनेषु च

Having departed and met with death, he attained the state of a preta. (He wandered) in regions without water and in forests lacking shade as well.

Verse 64

कुटुम्बभरणार्थाय सम्प्राप्तो दुर्गमाटवीम् ॥ वृद्धः पिता मम गृहे माता पत्नी पतिव्रता

For the sake of supporting my family, I came to an impassable forest. In my home are an aged father, as well as my mother and my wife devoted to her marital vows.

Verse 65

स्नानस्य च फलं देहि ततो गच्छ यथासुखम् ॥ प्रेतवाक्यं ततः श्रुत्वा विभुर्वचनमब्रवीत्

“Grant me the fruit of your bathing; then go as you please.” Having heard the preta’s words, the Mighty One spoke in reply.

Verse 66

वाचकस्तत्र पठति कथां पौराणिकीं शुभाम् ॥ मम मित्रं च तत्रैव नित्यकालं च गच्छति

There, a reciter reads an auspicious Purāṇic narrative. And my friend too goes there regularly, at all times.

Verse 67

कथं धारयसॆ प्राणान्वृक्षमूलं समाश्रितः

How do you sustain your life-breaths, having taken refuge at the root of a tree?

Verse 68

तिष्ठेद्युगसहस्रं तु पादेनैकेन यः पुमान् ॥ तस्याधिकं भवेत्पुण्यं मथुरायां निवासिनः

Even if a man were to stand for a thousand yugas upon a single foot, greater than his would be the merit of one who resides in Mathurā.