Adhyaya 192: Description of the Universal Peace-Recitation and the Madhuparka Rite

Verse 1

अथ सर्वशान्तिवर्णनम्॥ सूत उवाच॥ श्रुत्वा तु मधुपर्क्कस्य ह्युत्पत्तिं दानमेव च॥ पुण्यं चैव फलं चैव कारणं ग्रहणं तथा॥

Now, the description of universal pacification (sarva-śānti). Sūta said: Having heard of the origin of madhuparka, and also of its giving—its merit, its result, its rationale, and likewise its mode of acceptance—

Verse 2

विस्मयं परमं गत्वा सा मही संशितव्रता॥ पादौ गृह्य यथान्यायं प्रत्युवाच जनार्दनम्॥

Having entered into the greatest amazement, the Earth—steadfast in her vow—took hold of his feet according to proper decorum and replied to Janārdana.

Verse 3

देव वृत्तोपचारेण तव यन्मनसि प्रियम् ॥ किं च तत्रैव दातव्यं तव कर्मपरायणैः ॥

O Deva, by what proper mode of conduct is that which is pleasing to your mind to be accomplished? And in that very context, what should be given by those devoted to your prescribed rites?

Verse 4

एतदाचक्ष्व तत्त्वेन तत्र यत्परमं महत् ॥ श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ साधु भूमे महाभागे यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि ॥

Explain this in accordance with the truth—namely, what in that matter is supremely great. Śrī Varāha said: Well spoken, O Earth of great fortune, that you question me thus.

Verse 5

कथयिष्यामि तत्सर्वं दुःखसंसारमोक्षणम् ॥ कृत्वा तु मम कर्माणि यत्त्वया पूर्वभाषितम् ॥

I shall relate all of that—the means of release from the painful round of worldly existence—after you have performed my rites as you had spoken earlier.

Verse 6

पश्चाच्छान्तिं च मे कुर्याद्भूमे राष्ट्रसुखावहम् ॥ सर्वकर्म ततः कृत्वा भूम्यां जानु निपात्य च ॥

Thereafter, O Earth, one should perform for me a rite of pacification that brings welfare to the realm. Having then completed all the rites, one should kneel down upon the ground.

Verse 7

नमो नारायणायेति उक्त्वा मन्त्रमुदाहरेत् ॥ मन्त्रः- ॐ नमो नमो वासुदेव त्वं गतिस्त्वं परायणम् ॥

Having said, “Namo Nārāyaṇāya” (“Homage to Nārāyaṇa”), one should then recite the mantra. The mantra is: “Oṃ—homage, homage to Vāsudeva; you are the refuge, you are the highest recourse.”

Verse 8

शरणं त्वां गतो नाथ संसारार्णवतारक ॥ आगतस्त्वं च सुमुख पुनः समुचितेन वै ॥

To you I have come for refuge, O Lord, O ferrier across the ocean of worldly existence. And you, O gracious-faced one, have come again—indeed, in a fitting manner.

Verse 9

दिशः पश्य अधः पश्य व्याधिभ्यो रक्ष नित्यशः ॥ प्रसीद स्वस्य राष्ट्रस्य राज्ञः सर्वबलस्य च ॥

Look to the directions; look downward as well; protect us constantly from diseases. Be gracious toward your own realm and toward the king endowed with all forces (resources and powers).

Verse 10

अन्नं कुरु सुवृष्टिं च सुभिक्षमभयं तथा ॥ राष्ट्रं प्रवर्द्धतु विभो शान्तिर्भवतु नित्यशः ॥

Provide food, grant timely rains, and likewise abundance and freedom from fear. May the realm prosper, O Mighty One; may peace be constant.

Verse 11

देवानां ब्राह्मणानां च भक्तानां कन्याकासु च ॥ पशूनां सर्वभूतानां शान्तिर्भवतु नित्यशः ॥

May there be constant peace for the devas and for the brāhmaṇas; for devotees and for young women; for animals and for all living beings.

Verse 12

एवं शान्तिं पठित्वा तु मम कर्मपरायणः ॥ पुनर्जलाञ्जलिं दत्त्वा त्विमं मन्त्रमुदाहरेत् ॥

Thus, having recited the pacification text, one devoted to my rites should again offer a handful of water, and then recite this mantra.

Verse 13

मन्त्रः— योऽसौ भवान्सर्वजगत्प्रसूतो यज्ञेषु देवेषु च कर्मसाक्षी ।। शान्तिं कुरु त्वं मम वासुदेव संसारमोक्षं च कुरुष्व देव ॥

Mantra: “You who are born as the source of the entire world, and who, among sacrifices and among the gods, stand as the witness of actions—grant me peace, O Vāsudeva, and bring about release from worldly transmigration, O Divine One.”

Verse 14

एषा सिद्धिश्च कीर्तिश्च ओजसा तु महौजसम् ।। लाभानां परमो लाभो गतीनां परमा गतिः ॥

This is both siddhi (accomplishment) and kīrti (renown); by its vigor it leads to great vigor—it is the highest gain among gains and the supreme course among all courses.

Verse 15

एवं पठति तत्त्वेन मम शान्तिं सुखावहाम् ।। ते तु मल्लयतां यान्ति पुनरावृत्तिवर्जिताः ॥

Thus, when one recites in accordance with the truth—i.e., with correct understanding and method—my śānti formula that brings well-being, they attain the state of “mallayatā” and are free from repeated return (rebirth).

Verse 16

एवं शान्तिं पठित्वा तु मधुपर्कं प्रयोजयेत् ।। नमो नारायणायेति चोक्त्वा मन्त्रमुदाहरेत् ॥

Having thus recited the śānti, one should then offer the madhuparka; after saying “namo Nārāyaṇāya” (“obeisance to Nārāyaṇa”), one should pronounce the (following) mantra.

Verse 17

मन्त्रः— योऽसौ भवान्देववरप्रसूतो यो वै समर्च्यो मधुपर्क्कनामाः ।। आगच्छ सन्तिष्ठ इमे च पात्रे ममापि संसारविमोक्षणाय ॥

Mantra: “You who are born as the source of the best among the gods, you who are indeed to be duly worshipped as the one called ‘Madhuparka’—come, stand here; and accept these vessels as well, for my release from worldly transmigration.”

Verse 18

सर्पिर्दधिमधून्येव समं पात्रे ह्युदुम्बरे ।। अलाभे मधुनश्चापि गुडेन सह मिश्रयेत् ॥

Ghee, curd, and honey should be placed in equal measure in a vessel made of udumbara wood; if honey is unavailable, one may mix the substitute together with jaggery.

Verse 19

दधि क्षौद्रं घृतं चैव कारयेत समं तथा ।। समर्पयामि देवेश रुद्र सर्पिर्घृतं मधु ॥

Curd, honey, and ghee should likewise be prepared in equal measure. “I offer this, O Lord of the gods, O Rudra—ghee, clarified butter, and honey.”

Verse 20

सर्वेषामप्यलाभे तु मम कर्मपरायणाः ।। अप एव ततो गृहि्य इमं मन्त्रमुदाहरॆत् ॥

But if none of these materials are obtainable, then—O you devoted to my prescribed rite—one should take water alone and then pronounce this mantra.

Verse 21

मन्त्रः— योऽसौ भवान्नाभिमात्रप्रसूतो यज्ञैश्च मन्त्रैः सरहस्यजप्यैः ।। सोऽयं मया ते परिकल्पितश्च गृहाण दिव्यो मधुपर्क्कनामाः ॥

Mantra: “You who are born from the navel alone, and who are approached by sacrifices and by mantras—recited together with their esoteric components—this offering has been arranged by me for you; accept it, O Divine One, called ‘Madhuparka.’”

Verse 22

यो ददाति महाभागे मयोक्तं विधिपूर्वकम् ।। सर्वयज्ञफलम् प्राप्य मम लोकं प्रपद्यते ॥

Whoever gives this, O fortunate one, according to the procedure I have stated, attains the fruit of all sacrifices and reaches my world.

Verse 23

अन्यच्च ते प्रवक्ष्यामि तच्छृणुष्व वसुन्धरे ॥ यो वै प्राणान्प्रमुञ्चेत मम कर्मपरायणः ॥

And further I shall explain to you—listen, O Vasundharā: when one devoted to the rites pertaining to me is about to relinquish the life-breaths…

Verse 24

तस्य चैवेह दातव्यं मन्त्रेण विधिपूर्वकम् ॥ यावत्प्राणान्प्रमुञ्चेत कृत्वा कर्म सुपुष्कलम् ॥

For him, here, an offering should indeed be given with a mantra, in accordance with due procedure—up to the moment he relinquishes his life-breaths—after performing the rite in full measure.

Verse 25

मद्भक्तेन तु दातव्यं सर्वसंसारमोक्षणम् ॥ दृष्ट्वा तु विह्वलं ह्येनं मम कर्मपरायणः ॥

But it should be given by my devotee—as the means taught for release from all worldly wandering—having seen him indeed distressed, that person devoted to the rites pertaining to me.

Verse 26

मधुपर्कं परं गृह्य चेमं मन्त्रमुदाहरेत् ।

Having taken the excellent madhuparka, one should then recite this mantra.

Verse 27

मन्त्रः— योऽसौ भवान्स्तिष्ठति सर्वदेहे नारायणः सर्वजगत्प्रधानः ॥ गृहाण चैवं सुरलोकनाथ भक्तोपनीतं मधुपर्कसंज्ञम् ॥

Mantra: “You who indeed abide within every body—Nārāyaṇa, the foremost principle of the entire world—accept, O Lord of the divine realm, this offering called madhuparka, brought by a devotee.”

Verse 28

एषा गतिर् महाभागे मधुपर्कस्य कीर्तिता ॥ एवं कश्चिन्न जानाति मधुपर्कं वसुन्धरे ॥

This is the stated outcome of madhuparka, O greatly fortunate one, as it has been described. Thus, scarcely anyone understands madhuparka, O Vasundharā.

Verse 29

एवं हि मधुपर्कश्च देयः सिद्धिमभीप्सुभिः ॥ अर्चित्वा देवदेवेशं सर्वसंसारनाशनम् ॥

Thus indeed madhuparka should be given by those who seek attainment, having worshipped the Lord of the gods—the destroyer of all saṃsāra.

Verse 30

ददाति मधुपर्कं यः स याति परमां गतिम् ॥ अयं पवित्रो विमलः सर्वकामविशोधनः ॥

Whoever gives madhuparka attains the highest state. This offering is purifying, stainless, and a purifier of all aims.

Verse 31

दीक्षिताय च दातव्यो यश्च शिष्यो गुरुप्रियः ॥ न मूर्खाय प्रदातव्यमविनीताय कर्हिचित् ॥

It should be given to one who is initiated (has received dīkṣā), and to a disciple dear to the teacher. It should not be given to an ignorant person, nor ever to one who is undisciplined.

Verse 32

शृणोति मधुपर्कस्य चाख्यानं पापनाशनम् ॥ याति दिव्यां परां सिद्धिं मधुपर्कस्य कारणात् ॥

One who listens to the account of madhuparka—said to destroy wrongdoing—attains a divine, higher attainment, because of madhuparka.

Verse 33

एतत्ते कथितं भद्रे मधुपर्कविभावनम् ॥ सर्वसंसारमोक्षार्थं यदीच्छेत्सिद्धिमुत्तमाम्

O auspicious lady, this has been explained to you—the procedure and efficacy of the madhuparka. If one seeks the highest attainment, it should be undertaken for liberation from the entire cycle of saṃsāra.

Verse 34

राजद्वारे श्मशाने वा भये च व्यसने तथा ॥ ये पठन्ति त्विमां शान्तिं शीघ्रं कार्यं भविष्यति

At the king’s gate, or in a cremation ground, and likewise in fear and in calamity—those who recite this pacifying formula will see their intended task quickly brought to completion.

Verse 35

अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रमभार्यश्च प्रियां लभेत् ॥ अपतिर्लभते कान्तं बद्धो मुच्येत बन्धनात्

One without a son obtains a son; one without a wife may obtain a beloved spouse. One without a husband obtains a beloved partner; one who is bound is released from bondage.

Verse 36

एतत्ते कथितं भूमे महाशान्तिं सुखावहाम् ॥ सर्वसंसारमोक्षार्थं रहस्यं परमं महत्

O Earth, this has been explained to you—the great pacification that brings well-being; a supreme and profound secret teaching, intended for liberation from the entire cycle of saṃsāra.

Verse 37

गर्भिणीनां च वृद्धानां व्रीहीनां च गवां तथा ॥ ब्राह्मणानां च सततं शान्तिं कुरु शुभं कुरु

For pregnant women, for the elderly, for rice-crops, and likewise for cattle—and continually for brāhmaṇas—establish peace; establish auspicious well-being.

Verse 38

घृतालाभे तु सुश्रोणि लाजैः सह विमिश्रयेत् ॥ अलाभे वापि दध्नश्च क्षीरेण सह मिश्रयेत्

If ghee is available, O fair-hipped one, it should be mixed together with parched grains (lāja). If it is not available, then curd (dadhi) too should be mixed together with milk.

Verse 39

अनेनैव तु मन्त्रेण दद्याच्च मधुपर्ककम् ॥ नरस्य मृत्यु काले तु दद्यत्संसार मोक्षणम्

With this very mantra one should offer the madhuparka. And at the time of a man’s death, one should give that which is said to effect release from saṃsāra.

Verse 40

यस्त्वनेन विधानॆन कुर्याच्छान्तिमनुत्तमाम् ॥ सर्वसङ्गान्परित्यज्य मम लोकं च गच्छति

But whoever, by this prescribed procedure, performs the unsurpassed pacification—having abandoned all attachments, he goes to my world.