Brahma-khaṇḍa · Chapter 13
Sourceशौनक उवाच- कृष्णजन्माष्टमी सूत तस्या माहात्म्यमुत्तमम् । कथयस्व महाप्राज्ञ चोद्धरस्व महार्णवात् १। सूत उवाच- कृष्णजन्माष्टमीं ब्रह्मन्भक्त्या करोति यो नरः । अंते विष्णुपुरं याति कुलकोटियुतो द्विज २। अष्टमी बुधवारे च सोमे चैव द्विजोत्तम । रोहिणीऋक्षसंयुक्ता कुलकोटिविमुक्तिदा ३। महापातकसंयुक्तः करोति व्रतमुत्तमम् । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तश्चांते याति हरेर्गृहम् ४। कृष्णजन्माष्टमीं ब्रह्मन्न करोति नराधमः । इह दुःखमवाप्नोति स प्रेत्य नरकं व्रजेत् ५। न करोति च या नारी कृष्णजन्माष्टमीव्रतम् । वर्षे वर्षे तु सा मूढा नरकं याति दारुणम् ६। जन्माष्टमीदिने यो वै नरोऽश्नाति विमूढधीः । महानरकमश्नाति सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम् ७। दिलीपेन पुरा पृष्टो वसिष्ठो मुनिसत्तमः । तच्छृणुष्व महाप्राज्ञ सर्वपातकनाशनम् ८। दिलीप उवाच- भाद्रे मास्यसिताष्टम्यां यस्यां जातो जनार्द्दनः । तदहं श्रोतुमिच्छामि कथयस्व महामुने ९। कथं वा भगवान्जातः शंखचक्रगदाधरः । देवकीजठरे विष्णुः किं कर्तुं केन हेतुना १०। वसिष्ठ उवाच- शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि कस्माज्जातो जनार्द्दनः । पृथिव्यां त्रिदिवं त्यक्त्वा भवते कथयाम्यहम् ११। पुरा वसुंधरा ह्यासीत्कंसादिनृपपीडिता । स्वाधिकारप्रमत्तेन कंसदूतेन ताडिता १२। क्रंदती क्रंदती सा तु ययौ घूर्णितलोचना । यत्र तिष्ठति देवेश उमाकांतो वृषध्वजः १३। कंसेन ताडिता नाथ इति तस्मै निवेदितुम् । बाष्पवारीणि वर्षंति विवर्णा साविमानिता १४। क्रंदंतीं तां समालोक्य कोपेन स्फुरिताधरः । उमयासहितः सर्वैर्देववृंदैरनुव्रतः १५। आजगाम महादेवो विधातृभवनं रुषा । गत्वा चोवाच ब्रह्माणं कंसध्वंसनहेतवे १६। उपायः सृज्यतां ब्रह्मन्भवता विष्णुना सह । ऐश्वरं तद्वचः श्रुत्वा गंतुं प्राह कृतात्मभूः १७। क्षीरोदे यत्र वैकुंठः सुप्तोऽस्ति भुजगोपरि । हंसपृष्ठं समारुह्य हरेरंतिकमाययौ १८। तत्र गत्वा च तं धाता देववृंदैर्हरादिभिः । संयुक्तः स्तूयते वाग्भिः कोमलं वाग्विदांवरः १९। नमः कमलनेत्राय हरये परमात्मने । जगतः पालयित्रे च लक्ष्मीकांत नमोऽस्तु ते २०। इति तेभ्यः स्तुतिं श्रुत्वा प्रत्युवाच जनार्द्दनः । देवान्क्लिष्टमुखान्सर्वान्भवद्भिरागतं कथम् २१। ब्रह्मोवाच-। शृणु देव जगन्नाथ यस्मादस्माकमागतम् । कथयामि सुरश्रेष्ठ तदहं लोकभावन २२। शूलिदत्तवरोन्मत्तः कंसो राजा दुरासदः । वसुधा ताडिता तेन करघातेन पीडिता २३। वरं दत्वा पुराप्यग्रे मायया तु प्रवंचितः । भागिनेयं विना शंभो मरणं भविता न मे २४। तस्माद्गच्छ स्वयं देव कंसं हंतुं दुरासदम् । देवकीजठरे जन्म लब्ध्वा गत्वा च गोकुलम् २५। ब्रह्मणा प्रेरितो देवः प्रत्युवाच च शूलिनम् । पार्वतीं देहि देवेश अब्दं स्थित्वा गमिष्यति २६। उमया रक्षया सार्द्धं शंखचक्रगदाधरः । उद्दिश्य मथुरां चक्रे प्रयाणं कमलासनः २७। देवकीजठरे जन्म लेभे तत्र गदाधरः । यशोदाकुक्षिमध्यास्ते शर्वाणी मृगलोचना २८। नवमासांश्च विश्रम्य कुक्षौ नवदिनांतकान् । भाद्रे मास्यसिते पक्षे चाष्टमीसंज्ञका तिथिः २९। रोहिणीतारकायुक्ता रजनीघनघोषिता । तस्यां जातो जगन्नाथः कंसारिर्वसुदेवजः ३०। वैराटी नंदपत्नी च यशोदाऽजीजनत्सुताम् । पुत्रं पद्मकरं पद्मनाभं पद्मदलेक्षणम् ३१। तदा हर्षितुमारेभे दृष्ट्वा ह्यानकदुंदुभिः । कंसासुरभयत्रस्ता प्रोवाच देवकी तदा ३२। वैराटीं गच्छ भो नाथ सुतं प्रत्यर्पितं किल । पुत्रं दत्वा यशोदायै सुतां तस्याः समानय ३३। तस्या वचः समाकर्ण्य वसुदेवोऽपि दुःखितः । अंके कुमारमादाय वैराट्यभिमुखंययौ ३४। यमुनाजलसंपूर्णा तत्पथे मध्यवर्त्मनि । आसीद्घोरा महादीर्घा गम्भीरोदकपूरभाक् ३५। एवं दृष्ट्वा तटे स्थित्वा यमुनामवलोकयन् । वसुदेवोऽपि दुःखार्तो विललापातिचिंतया ३६। किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि विधिनापि हि वंचितः । कथमत्र गमिष्यामि वैराटीं नंदमंदिरम् ३७। हरिणा तत्र सानंदं मायया वंचितः पिता । क्षणमात्रं तटे स्थित्वा यमुनामवलोकयन् ३८। तेन दृष्टा पुनः सापि क्षणाज्जानुवहाभवत् । तां दृष्ट्वा हृष्ट उत्तस्थौ प्रस्थानमकरोद्यथा ३९। मायां कृत्वा जगन्नाथः पितुरंकाज्जलेऽपतत् । तं पुत्रं पतितं दृष्ट्वा हाहाकृत्वा सुदुःखितः ४०। महोपायं पुनः कर्तुं विधिना तेन वंचितः । त्राहि मां जगतां नाथ सुतं रक्ष सुरोत्तम ४१। जनकक्रंदितं दृष्ट्वा कंसारिः कृपया मुहुः । जलक्रीडां समाचर्य पितुःक्रोडमगात्पुनः ४२। यथा तेन यदुश्रेष्ठो जगाम नंदमंदिरम् । सुतं दत्त्वा यशोदायै सुतां तस्याः समानयत् ४३। निजागारं ततः प्राप्य पत्न्यै प्रत्यर्पिता सुता । देवकी च प्रसूतेति वार्ता प्राप्ता सुरारिणा ४४। आनेतुं प्रस्थिता दूताः सुतं दुहितरं तदा । आगत्य कंसदूतास्ते सुतां नेतुं प्रचक्रमुः ४५। बलादेनां समाकृष्य देवकी वसुदेवयोः । कंसदूतैर्गृहीत्वा सा अर्पिता तु सुरारये ४६। स धृत्वा तां महाराजः सभयोऽभूद्दुरासदः । शुद्धकांचनवर्णाभां पूर्णेंदुसदृशाननाम् ४७। कंसो हसंतीं तां दृष्ट्वा विद्युत्स्फुरितलोचनाम् । आदिदेशासुरश्रेष्ठो जहि नीत्वा शिलोपरि ४८। आज्ञां लब्ध्वाऽसुरास्ते वै निष्पेष्टुं तां प्रवर्तिताः । विद्युच्छीघ्रतया गौरी जगाम शंकरांतिकम् ४९। गौर्युवाच- शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि यत्रास्ते शत्रुरुत्तमः । नंदस्य निलये गुप्तस्तव हंताऽसुरोत्तम ५०। वसिष्ठ उवाच- एवमुक्त्वा तु सा देवी जगाम निजमंदिरम् । श्रुत्वा वाक्यं ततो देव्याः कंसो राजा सुदुःखितः ५१। भगिनीं पूतनामाह गच्छ त्वं नंदमंदिरम् । छद्मना तं सुतं हत्वा गच्छ ते वांच्छितं बहु ५२। दास्यामि शत्रुं हंतुं मे व्रज शीघ्रतरं शुभे । आज्ञां प्राप्य राक्षसी सा गोकुलाभिमुखं गता ५३। मायया सुंदरी रूपा प्रविष्टा तत्र गोकुले । पयोधरे गरं सा तु धृत्वा हंतुमुपागता ५४। पशुपानां गृहद्वारि प्रविष्टालक्षितेति च । गत्वांतरुत्थाप्य शिशुं स्तनं दत्वापसद्गतिम् ५५। ततस्तु शकटं क्षिप्त्वा तृणावर्तादिमर्दनम् । कालीयदमनं कृत्वा गतो मधुपुरीं ततः ५६। गत्वा कंसो हतः क्रूरः कंसमल्लानजीजयत् । एतत्ते कथितं राजन्विष्णोर्जन्मदिनव्रतम् ५७। श्रुत्वा पापानि नश्यंति कुर्यात्किं वा भविष्यति । य इदं कुरुते मर्त्यो या च नारी हरेर्व्रतम् ५८। ऐश्वर्यमतुलं प्राप्य जन्मन्यत्र यथेप्सितम् । पूर्वविद्धा न कर्त्तव्या तृतीयाषष्ठिरेव च ५९। अष्टम्येकादशीभूता धर्मकामार्थवांच्छुभिः । वर्जयित्वा प्रयत्नेन सप्तमीसंयुताष्टमी ६०। विना ऋक्षेऽपि कर्तव्या नवमीसंयुताष्टमी । उदये चाष्टमी किंचित्सकला नवमी यदि ६१। मुहूर्तरोहिणीयुक्ता संपूर्णा चाष्टमी भवेत् । अष्टमी बुधवारेण रोहिणीसहिता यदि ६२। सोमेनैव भवेद्राजन्किंकृतैर्व्रतकोटिभिः । नवम्यामुदयात्किंचित्सोमे सापि बुधेऽपि च ६३। अपि वर्षशतेनापि लभ्यते वा न लभ्यते । विना ऋक्षं न कर्तव्या नवमीसंयुताष्टमी ६४। कार्याविद्धापि सप्तम्यां रोहिणीसंयुताष्टमी । कलाकाष्ठामुहूर्तेऽपि यदा कृष्णाष्टमीतिथिः ६५। नवम्यां सैव वा ग्राह्या सप्तमीसंयुता न हि । किं पुनर्बुधवारेण सोमेनापि विशेषतः ६६। किं पुर्नर्नवमीयुक्ता कुलकोट्यास्तु मुक्तिदा । पलवेधेन राजेंद्र सप्तम्या अष्टमीं त्यजेत् ६७। सुरायाबिंदुनास्पृष्टं गंगांभः कलशं यथा । दिलीप उवाच- केन चादौ कृतं चेदं केन वा तत्प्रकाशितम् । किं पुण्यं किं फलं देव कथयस्व महामुने ६८। वसिष्ठ उवाच- चित्रसेनो महाराजा महापापपरो महान् । अगम्यागमनं कृत्वा स्वर्णस्तेयं द्विजस्य च ६९। सुरायां च सदा तृप्तो वृथामांसे सदा रतः । एवं पापसमायुक्तो नित्यं प्राणिवधे रतः ७०। चांडालैः पतितैः सार्द्धमालापं सर्वदाकरोत् । एतदेवं विधो राजा मृगयायां मनो दधे ७१। अरण्ये द्वीपिनं ज्ञात्वा वेष्टयित्वा च सर्वतः । सावधानं भटान्सर्वान्वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह ७२। अहमेव निहन्म्येनं योऽन्योस्मिन्प्रहरिष्यति । स वध्यो नात्र संदेहो व्याघ्रो राज्ञः पथा ययौ ७३। सलज्जोऽपि ततो राजा व्याघ्रं पश्चाज्जगाम ह । अनेकक्लेशदुःखेन व्याघ्रं हंतुं समाहितः ७४। क्षुत्पिपासाकुलक्लेशः संध्यायां यमुनातटे । अष्टमीरोहिणीयुक्ता तद्दिनं जन्मवासरम् ७५। श्वःकन्या यमुनायां वै व्रतं चक्रुर्नराधिप । नानोपहारैर्द्रव्यैश्च धूपदीपैः सुशोभनैः ७६। गंधपुष्पं तथा द्रव्यं कुंकुमादिमनोहरम् । अन्नं बहुगुणं दृष्ट्वा भोक्तुं तन्मानसंकुलम् ७७। राजोवाच- अन्नाभावान्ममाद्याशु प्राणा यास्यंति निश्चितम् । स्त्रिय ऊचुः- जन्माष्टम्यां हरे राजन्न भोक्तव्यं त्वयानघ ७८। गृध्रमांसं खरं काकं गोमांसमन्नमेव च । भुक्तवान्नात्र संदेहो यो भुंक्ते कृष्णजन्मनि ७९। किं किं छिद्रं न संजातं संसारे वसतां नृणाम् । येन देहेस्थिते प्राणे जयंती न कृता नृप ८०। तत्राकृतोपवासस्य शासनं यममंदिरम् । यद्दत्तं पितरो नित्यं न गृह्णंति यथाविधि ८१। पितरः पातिताः सर्वे जयंत्यां भोजने कृते । इति श्रुत्वा ततो राजा व्रतं चक्रे नराधिप ८२। किंचित्पुष्पं कियद्गंधं वस्त्रं चानीय हर्षितः । एतद्व्रतं समायुक्तं तिथिभांते च पारणम् । व्रतस्यास्य प्रभावेण चित्रसेनो हरेर्गृहम् ८३। दिव्यं विमानमारुह्य गतवान्पितृभिः सह । यत्फलं मथुरां गत्वा दृष्ट्वा कृष्णमुखांबुजम् ८४। तत्फलं प्राप्यते पुंसाकृष्णजन्माष्टमीव्रतात् । यत्फलं द्वारकां गत्वा दृष्टे विश्वेश्वरे हरौ । तत्फलं प्राप्यते दीनैः कृत्वा जन्माष्टमीव्रतम् ८५। इति श्रीपाद्मे महापुराणे ब्रह्मखंडे हरिजन्माष्टमीव्रतमाहात्म्यंनाम त्रयोदशोऽध्यायः १३।
śaunaka uvāca- kṛṣṇajanmāṣṭamī sūta tasyā māhātmyamuttamam | kathayasva mahāprājña coddharasva mahārṇavāt 1| sūta uvāca- kṛṣṇajanmāṣṭamīṃ brahmanbhaktyā karoti yo naraḥ | aṃte viṣṇupuraṃ yāti kulakoṭiyuto dvija 2| aṣṭamī budhavāre ca some caiva dvijottama | rohiṇīṛkṣasaṃyuktā kulakoṭivimuktidā 3| mahāpātakasaṃyuktaḥ karoti vratamuttamam | sarvapāpavinirmuktaścāṃte yāti harergṛham 4| kṛṣṇajanmāṣṭamīṃ brahmanna karoti narādhamaḥ | iha duḥkhamavāpnoti sa pretya narakaṃ vrajet 5| na karoti ca yā nārī kṛṣṇajanmāṣṭamīvratam | varṣe varṣe tu sā mūḍhā narakaṃ yāti dāruṇam 6| janmāṣṭamīdine yo vai naro'śnāti vimūḍhadhīḥ | mahānarakamaśnāti satyaṃ satyaṃ vadāmyaham 7| dilīpena purā pṛṣṭo vasiṣṭho munisattamaḥ | tacchṛṇuṣva mahāprājña sarvapātakanāśanam 8| dilīpa uvāca- bhādre māsyasitāṣṭamyāṃ yasyāṃ jāto janārddanaḥ | tadahaṃ śrotumicchāmi kathayasva mahāmune 9| kathaṃ vā bhagavānjātaḥ śaṃkhacakragadādharaḥ | devakījaṭhare viṣṇuḥ kiṃ kartuṃ kena hetunā 10| vasiṣṭha uvāca- śṛṇu rājanpravakṣyāmi kasmājjāto janārddanaḥ | pṛthivyāṃ tridivaṃ tyaktvā bhavate kathayāmyaham 11| purā vasuṃdharā hyāsītkaṃsādinṛpapīḍitā | svādhikārapramattena kaṃsadūtena tāḍitā 12| kraṃdatī kraṃdatī sā tu yayau ghūrṇitalocanā | yatra tiṣṭhati deveśa umākāṃto vṛṣadhvajaḥ 13| kaṃsena tāḍitā nātha iti tasmai niveditum | bāṣpavārīṇi varṣaṃti vivarṇā sāvimānitā 14| kraṃdaṃtīṃ tāṃ samālokya kopena sphuritādharaḥ | umayāsahitaḥ sarvairdevavṛṃdairanuvrataḥ 15| ājagāma mahādevo vidhātṛbhavanaṃ ruṣā | gatvā covāca brahmāṇaṃ kaṃsadhvaṃsanahetave 16| upāyaḥ sṛjyatāṃ brahmanbhavatā viṣṇunā saha | aiśvaraṃ tadvacaḥ śrutvā gaṃtuṃ prāha kṛtātmabhūḥ 17| kṣīrode yatra vaikuṃṭhaḥ supto'sti bhujagopari | haṃsapṛṣṭhaṃ samāruhya hareraṃtikamāyayau 18| tatra gatvā ca taṃ dhātā devavṛṃdairharādibhiḥ | saṃyuktaḥ stūyate vāgbhiḥ komalaṃ vāgvidāṃvaraḥ 19| namaḥ kamalanetrāya haraye paramātmane | jagataḥ pālayitre ca lakṣmīkāṃta namo'stu te 20| iti tebhyaḥ stutiṃ śrutvā pratyuvāca janārddanaḥ | devānkliṣṭamukhānsarvānbhavadbhirāgataṃ katham 21| brahmovāca-| śṛṇu deva jagannātha yasmādasmākamāgatam | kathayāmi suraśreṣṭha tadahaṃ lokabhāvana 22| śūlidattavaronmattaḥ kaṃso rājā durāsadaḥ | vasudhā tāḍitā tena karaghātena pīḍitā 23| varaṃ datvā purāpyagre māyayā tu pravaṃcitaḥ | bhāgineyaṃ vinā śaṃbho maraṇaṃ bhavitā na me 24| tasmādgaccha svayaṃ deva kaṃsaṃ haṃtuṃ durāsadam | devakījaṭhare janma labdhvā gatvā ca gokulam 25| brahmaṇā prerito devaḥ pratyuvāca ca śūlinam | pārvatīṃ dehi deveśa abdaṃ sthitvā gamiṣyati 26| umayā rakṣayā sārddhaṃ śaṃkhacakragadādharaḥ | uddiśya mathurāṃ cakre prayāṇaṃ kamalāsanaḥ 27| devakījaṭhare janma lebhe tatra gadādharaḥ | yaśodākukṣimadhyāste śarvāṇī mṛgalocanā 28| navamāsāṃśca viśramya kukṣau navadināṃtakān | bhādre māsyasite pakṣe cāṣṭamīsaṃjñakā tithiḥ 29| rohiṇītārakāyuktā rajanīghanaghoṣitā | tasyāṃ jāto jagannāthaḥ kaṃsārirvasudevajaḥ 30| vairāṭī naṃdapatnī ca yaśodā'jījanatsutām | putraṃ padmakaraṃ padmanābhaṃ padmadalekṣaṇam 31| tadā harṣitumārebhe dṛṣṭvā hyānakaduṃdubhiḥ | kaṃsāsurabhayatrastā provāca devakī tadā 32| vairāṭīṃ gaccha bho nātha sutaṃ pratyarpitaṃ kila | putraṃ datvā yaśodāyai sutāṃ tasyāḥ samānaya 33| tasyā vacaḥ samākarṇya vasudevo'pi duḥkhitaḥ | aṃke kumāramādāya vairāṭyabhimukhaṃyayau 34| yamunājalasaṃpūrṇā tatpathe madhyavartmani | āsīdghorā mahādīrghā gambhīrodakapūrabhāk 35| evaṃ dṛṣṭvā taṭe sthitvā yamunāmavalokayan | vasudevo'pi duḥkhārto vilalāpāticiṃtayā 36| kiṃ karomi kva gacchāmi vidhināpi hi vaṃcitaḥ | kathamatra gamiṣyāmi vairāṭīṃ naṃdamaṃdiram 37| hariṇā tatra sānaṃdaṃ māyayā vaṃcitaḥ pitā | kṣaṇamātraṃ taṭe sthitvā yamunāmavalokayan 38| tena dṛṣṭā punaḥ sāpi kṣaṇājjānuvahābhavat | tāṃ dṛṣṭvā hṛṣṭa uttasthau prasthānamakarodyathā 39| māyāṃ kṛtvā jagannāthaḥ pituraṃkājjale'patat | taṃ putraṃ patitaṃ dṛṣṭvā hāhākṛtvā suduḥkhitaḥ 40| mahopāyaṃ punaḥ kartuṃ vidhinā tena vaṃcitaḥ | trāhi māṃ jagatāṃ nātha sutaṃ rakṣa surottama 41| janakakraṃditaṃ dṛṣṭvā kaṃsāriḥ kṛpayā muhuḥ | jalakrīḍāṃ samācarya pituḥkroḍamagātpunaḥ 42| yathā tena yaduśreṣṭho jagāma naṃdamaṃdiram | sutaṃ dattvā yaśodāyai sutāṃ tasyāḥ samānayat 43| nijāgāraṃ tataḥ prāpya patnyai pratyarpitā sutā | devakī ca prasūteti vārtā prāptā surāriṇā 44| ānetuṃ prasthitā dūtāḥ sutaṃ duhitaraṃ tadā | āgatya kaṃsadūtāste sutāṃ netuṃ pracakramuḥ 45| balādenāṃ samākṛṣya devakī vasudevayoḥ | kaṃsadūtairgṛhītvā sā arpitā tu surāraye 46| sa dhṛtvā tāṃ mahārājaḥ sabhayo'bhūddurāsadaḥ | śuddhakāṃcanavarṇābhāṃ pūrṇeṃdusadṛśānanām 47| kaṃso hasaṃtīṃ tāṃ dṛṣṭvā vidyutsphuritalocanām | ādideśāsuraśreṣṭho jahi nītvā śilopari 48| ājñāṃ labdhvā'surāste vai niṣpeṣṭuṃ tāṃ pravartitāḥ | vidyucchīghratayā gaurī jagāma śaṃkarāṃtikam 49| gauryuvāca- śṛṇu rājanpravakṣyāmi yatrāste śatruruttamaḥ | naṃdasya nilaye guptastava haṃtā'surottama 50| vasiṣṭha uvāca- evamuktvā tu sā devī jagāma nijamaṃdiram | śrutvā vākyaṃ tato devyāḥ kaṃso rājā suduḥkhitaḥ 51| bhaginīṃ pūtanāmāha gaccha tvaṃ naṃdamaṃdiram | chadmanā taṃ sutaṃ hatvā gaccha te vāṃcchitaṃ bahu 52| dāsyāmi śatruṃ haṃtuṃ me vraja śīghrataraṃ śubhe | ājñāṃ prāpya rākṣasī sā gokulābhimukhaṃ gatā 53| māyayā suṃdarī rūpā praviṣṭā tatra gokule | payodhare garaṃ sā tu dhṛtvā haṃtumupāgatā 54| paśupānāṃ gṛhadvāri praviṣṭālakṣiteti ca | gatvāṃtarutthāpya śiśuṃ stanaṃ datvāpasadgatim 55| tatastu śakaṭaṃ kṣiptvā tṛṇāvartādimardanam | kālīyadamanaṃ kṛtvā gato madhupurīṃ tataḥ 56| gatvā kaṃso hataḥ krūraḥ kaṃsamallānajījayat | etatte kathitaṃ rājanviṣṇorjanmadinavratam 57| śrutvā pāpāni naśyaṃti kuryātkiṃ vā bhaviṣyati | ya idaṃ kurute martyo yā ca nārī harervratam 58| aiśvaryamatulaṃ prāpya janmanyatra yathepsitam | pūrvaviddhā na karttavyā tṛtīyāṣaṣṭhireva ca 59| aṣṭamyekādaśībhūtā dharmakāmārthavāṃcchubhiḥ | varjayitvā prayatnena saptamīsaṃyutāṣṭamī 60| vinā ṛkṣe'pi kartavyā navamīsaṃyutāṣṭamī | udaye cāṣṭamī kiṃcitsakalā navamī yadi 61| muhūrtarohiṇīyuktā saṃpūrṇā cāṣṭamī bhavet | aṣṭamī budhavāreṇa rohiṇīsahitā yadi 62| somenaiva bhavedrājankiṃkṛtairvratakoṭibhiḥ | navamyāmudayātkiṃcitsome sāpi budhe'pi ca 63| api varṣaśatenāpi labhyate vā na labhyate | vinā ṛkṣaṃ na kartavyā navamīsaṃyutāṣṭamī 64| kāryāviddhāpi saptamyāṃ rohiṇīsaṃyutāṣṭamī | kalākāṣṭhāmuhūrte'pi yadā kṛṣṇāṣṭamītithiḥ 65| navamyāṃ saiva vā grāhyā saptamīsaṃyutā na hi | kiṃ punarbudhavāreṇa somenāpi viśeṣataḥ 66| kiṃ purnarnavamīyuktā kulakoṭyāstu muktidā | palavedhena rājeṃdra saptamyā aṣṭamīṃ tyajet 67| surāyābiṃdunāspṛṣṭaṃ gaṃgāṃbhaḥ kalaśaṃ yathā | dilīpa uvāca- kena cādau kṛtaṃ cedaṃ kena vā tatprakāśitam | kiṃ puṇyaṃ kiṃ phalaṃ deva kathayasva mahāmune 68| vasiṣṭha uvāca- citraseno mahārājā mahāpāpaparo mahān | agamyāgamanaṃ kṛtvā svarṇasteyaṃ dvijasya ca 69| surāyāṃ ca sadā tṛpto vṛthāmāṃse sadā rataḥ | evaṃ pāpasamāyukto nityaṃ prāṇivadhe rataḥ 70| cāṃḍālaiḥ patitaiḥ sārddhamālāpaṃ sarvadākarot | etadevaṃ vidho rājā mṛgayāyāṃ mano dadhe 71| araṇye dvīpinaṃ jñātvā veṣṭayitvā ca sarvataḥ | sāvadhānaṃ bhaṭānsarvānvākyametaduvāca ha 72| ahameva nihanmyenaṃ yo'nyosminprahariṣyati | sa vadhyo nātra saṃdeho vyāghro rājñaḥ pathā yayau 73| salajjo'pi tato rājā vyāghraṃ paścājjagāma ha | anekakleśaduḥkhena vyāghraṃ haṃtuṃ samāhitaḥ 74| kṣutpipāsākulakleśaḥ saṃdhyāyāṃ yamunātaṭe | aṣṭamīrohiṇīyuktā taddinaṃ janmavāsaram 75| śvaḥkanyā yamunāyāṃ vai vrataṃ cakrurnarādhipa | nānopahārairdravyaiśca dhūpadīpaiḥ suśobhanaiḥ 76| gaṃdhapuṣpaṃ tathā dravyaṃ kuṃkumādimanoharam | annaṃ bahuguṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā bhoktuṃ tanmānasaṃkulam 77| rājovāca- annābhāvānmamādyāśu prāṇā yāsyaṃti niścitam | striya ūcuḥ- janmāṣṭamyāṃ hare rājanna bhoktavyaṃ tvayānagha 78| gṛdhramāṃsaṃ kharaṃ kākaṃ gomāṃsamannameva ca | bhuktavānnātra saṃdeho yo bhuṃkte kṛṣṇajanmani 79| kiṃ kiṃ chidraṃ na saṃjātaṃ saṃsāre vasatāṃ nṛṇām | yena dehesthite prāṇe jayaṃtī na kṛtā nṛpa 80| tatrākṛtopavāsasya śāsanaṃ yamamaṃdiram | yaddattaṃ pitaro nityaṃ na gṛhṇaṃti yathāvidhi 81| pitaraḥ pātitāḥ sarve jayaṃtyāṃ bhojane kṛte | iti śrutvā tato rājā vrataṃ cakre narādhipa 82| kiṃcitpuṣpaṃ kiyadgaṃdhaṃ vastraṃ cānīya harṣitaḥ | etadvrataṃ samāyuktaṃ tithibhāṃte ca pāraṇam | vratasyāsya prabhāveṇa citraseno harergṛham 83| divyaṃ vimānamāruhya gatavānpitṛbhiḥ saha | yatphalaṃ mathurāṃ gatvā dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇamukhāṃbujam 84| tatphalaṃ prāpyate puṃsākṛṣṇajanmāṣṭamīvratāt | yatphalaṃ dvārakāṃ gatvā dṛṣṭe viśveśvare harau | tatphalaṃ prāpyate dīnaiḥ kṛtvā janmāṣṭamīvratam 85| iti śrīpādme mahāpurāṇe brahmakhaṃḍe harijanmāṣṭamīvratamāhātmyaṃnāma trayodaśo'dhyāyaḥ 13|
English translation
Śaunaka said :
1. O Sūta , O you very wise one, tell me (about) Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī , and its excellent importance, (and) emancipate me from the great ocean (of the mundance [mundane?] existene).
Sūta said :
2-8. O brāhmaṇa , he who devoutly observes the (vow) Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī, ultimately goes to Viṣṇu ’s city along with a crore (members) of his family. O best brāhmaṇa, when Aṣṭamī falls on a Wednesday or Monday in conjunction with Rohiṇī , it gives salvation to a crore (members) of his family. Even if a great sinner observes (this) excellent vow, he is freed from all sins and in the end goes to Viṣṇu’s abode. O brāhmaṇa, that mean man who does not observe (the vow of) Kṛṣṇajanmāṣṭamī , meets with misery here (i.e. in this world) and after death he would go to hell. That foolish woman who does not observe the vow of Kṛṣṇajanmāṣṭamī goes to a terrible hell year after year. That foolish man who eats (food) on the day of Janmāṣṭamī , attains to a great hell. I am telling (you) the truth and truth (only). Formerly Dilīpa asked the best sage Vasiṣṭha . Listen to that (conversation), destroying all sins, O you very intelligent one.
Dilīpa said :
9-10. O great sage, tell me, I desire to hear (about) the Aṣṭamī in the dark fortnight of the month of Bhādrapada on which Viṣṇu was born. How was the lord, holding a conch, a disc and a mace, born in (i.e. from) the womb of Devakī , to do what and for what purpose (was he born from her womb)?
Vaiṣṭha said :
11-21. O king, I shall (tell you). I shall tell you for what purpose the lord of the world left the heaven and was born on the earth. Formerly the Earth was oppressed by kings like Kaṃsa . She, struck by Kaṃsa’s messenger who was proud of his office, cried again and again, went with her eyes rolling to that place where the chief of gods, the lord of Umā and the bull-bannered god remained to tell him: “O lord, I am struck by Kaṃsa”. Tears flowed (down her cheeks); she had become pale and insulted. The great god, seeing her weeping, came, with his lower lip throbbing with anger to the house of the Creator. Having gone to Brahmā he asked him for the destruction of Kaṃsa. (He said to Brahmā:) “O Brahman , along with Viṣṇu, produce (i.e. find out) a means”. Having heard those words of the lord (i.e. Śiva ), Brahmā went to the milky ocean where Viṣṇu was lying asleep on the serpent. Mounting upon the back of a swan he (i.e. Brahmā) came to Viṣṇu. Having gone there, the Creator, the best among the speakers, joined by gods led by Hara (i.e. Śiva), praised him softly with words: “Salutation to the lotus-eyed one, Viṣṇu, the highest soul, the protector of the world. O you lord of Lakṣmī , salutation to you.” Having heard this praise from them, Viṣṇu said to all gods with saddened faces: “How (i.e. for what reason) have you come?”
Brahmā said :
22-26. O god, O lord of the world, listen, I (shall) tell you why we have come, O best of the gods, O cause of the worlds. King Kaṃsa has become arrogant due to the boon given by Śiva. He has become unconquerable. He has struck the Earth; has afflicted her with the blow of his hand. After a boon was granted to him he was deceived by a trick. (He had said:) “O Śiva, I should not meet with death except through my sister’s son.” Therefore, O god, having gone to Gokula , and obtained birth in (i.e. from) Devakī’s womb, go yourself to kill that unconquerable Kaṃsa.
The god, sent forth by Brahmā, said to Śiva: “O lord of gods, hand over Pārvatī . Having remained for a year, she will go.”
27-49. With Pārvatī as his protector the god holding a conch, a disc, and a mace, undertook his journey to Mathurā . The mace-holder there (i.e. at Mathurā) obtained birth in (i.e. from) the womb of Devakī. The lotus-eyed Pārvatī resorted to the womb of Yaśodā . Having rested in (Devakī’s) womb for nine months and nine days, the lord of the world, the enemy of Kaṃsa and the son of Vasudeva , was born (on) the night when Rohiṇī was in conjunction (with the Moon), when clouds were thundering, of the day called Aṣṭamī, (falling) in the dark fortnight of the month of Bhādrapada. Yaśodā, the daughter of Virāṭa and the wife of Nanda , gave birth to a daughter. Ānakadundubhi (i.e. Vasudeva) seeing his son, having lotus-like navel, and eyes like lotus-petals, began to be joyful, when Devakī, trembling with the fear of the demon, viz. Kaṃsa said (to him): “O lord, go, and hand over the son to Vairāṭī (i.e. Yaśoda ). Having given (our) son to Yaśodā, bring (here) her daughter.” Hearing her words Vasudeva also was grieved. Placing the son on his side, he went to Yaśodā. On his way Yamunā was full of water, fearful, very long, having deep water and flooded. Seeing this, Vasudeva remained on the bank watching Yamunā and afflicted with grief he cried through anxiety: “What (shall) I do? Where (shall) I go? Even destiny has deceived me. Now, how shall I go to Yaśodā, to Nanda’s house?” At that time, Viṣṇu. gladly deceived, by means of a trick, his father who watching Yamunā remained on her bank for a moment. He looked (at Yamunā) again. In a moment she became (i.e. her water was) as high as the knee. Happy on seeing her (like that) he rose and started going. The lord of the world resorted to his magical power and fell into the water from his side. Seeing the son fallen (into the water) he wailed loudly and was extremely grieved. That Creator again deceived him by adoptnig [adopting?] a great trick. (He cried): “O lord of the worlds, protect me. O best god, protect my son.” Seeing his father crying, ( Kṛṣṇa ) the enemy of Kaṃsa, sported repeatedly in the water and with compassion again went to (i.e. clasped) the bosom of his father. Then with him the best of the the Yadus went to Nanda’s abode. Having given the son to Yaśodā, he brought her daughter. Then having come to his abode, he handed over the daughter (ofYaśodā) to his wife (Devakī). The news that Devakī had delivered was received by the enemy of (Devakī’s) son. Then his messengers set out to bring (either) the son (or) the daughter. Those messengers of Kaṃsa, having come (there), proceeded to take the daughter. Having dragged her forcibly from Devakī and Vasudeva, the messengers of Kaṃsa, seized her and gave her to the enemy of gods. That great unconquerable king having held her was frightened. Kaṃsa, the greatest among the demons, seeing her whose complexion was like pure gold, whose face was like the full moon, and whose eyes were like flashes of lightning, and who was smiling, ordered: “Take her and kill her (by dropping) her on a slab of stone.” Receiving the order, the demons proceeded to destroy her. Gaurī (i.e. Pārvatī) suddenly went to the sky.
Gaurī ( i.e . Pārvatī) said :
50. O king, listen, I shall tell you where your greatest enemy is. O greatest of the demons, your killer is hidden in Nanda’s house.
Vasiṣṭha said :
51-57. Having spoken like this, the goddess went to her abode. Having heard the words of the goddess, king Kaṃsa was extremely pained. He said to his sister, Pūtanā : “You go to Nanda’s house. Killing the son fraudulently, obtain many things that you desire, which I shall give for killing my enemy. O you auspicious one, go very quickly.” That demoness, having received (Kaṃsa’s) order, went to Gokula. Taking up an illusory form of a beautiful lady, she entered Gokula. Holding poison in her breasts, she went to kill (Kṛṣṇa). Having entered unnoticed through the door of the cowherds’ house, she went inside, tookup the child, gave him her breast and obtained beatitude. Then having hurled (the demon) Śakaṭa , and having crushed Tṛṇāvarta and others, and having curbed Kāliya , he went to the city of Madhu (i.e. Mathurā). Having gone there he killed the cruel Kaṃsa and vanquished his wrestlers. O king, I have told you this vow of (i.e. to be observed on) the day of Viṣṇu’s birth.
58-62a. On hearing it, the sins (of the person who hears it), perish. (Then) what will happen on observing it? A man or a woman who observes this vow of (i.e. sacred to) Viṣṇu, obtains unequalled wealth as (much as is) desired in this (very) existence. (The vow should) not be observed on the third or the sixth day joined with the previous day. For those who desire religious merit, Aṣtamī is Ekādaśī ; (they should) carefully avoid Aṣṭamī joined with Saptamī . Even without (the rise of) the constellation, Aṣṭamī, joined with Navamī should be observed (as a fast day) if the constellation has risen, and there is partial Aṣtamī and full Navamī (then the vow should be observed). Aṣtamī that is united with (i.e. has) Rohiṇī (risen) for a short time, should be (regarded as) complete.
62b-67. O king, what is the use of observing crores of vows if Aṣṭamī with Rohiṇī falls on a Wednesday or with the Moon (i.e. on a Monday). Such Aṣṭamī is obtained or not obtained even after hundreds of years when it falls on a Monday or Wednesday. Without (the rise of) the constellation (Rohiṇī) the vow of Aṣṭamī should not be observed when the Aṣtamī is joined with Navami. The vow of Aṣtamī should be observed even on the seventh day, if it is joined with Rohiṇī. When the eighth day of Kṛṣṇa is (there) even for forty-eight seconds, for kāṣṭhā (i.e. one thirtieth part of a kalā , which is equal to forty-eight seconds) or for a period of forty-eight minutes on the ninth day, the vow of Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī should be observed. That Aṣṭamī is acceptable (i.e. the vow should be observed even) on the ninth day, but not on that eighth day which is united with the seventh day. What (then should be told) about Wednesday and especially about Monday? What (should be told) about Aṣṭamī that is united with Navamī? It gives salvation to crores of the members of the family. If there is the connection with the seventh day, (even) by (the measure of time called) pala , then a man should avoid the vow of Aṣṭamī (on that day) like the pitcher of water full of the water of Gaṅgā coming in contact with a drop of liquor.
Dilīpa said :
68. O great sage, O lord, tell (me), who first observed (this vow). Who brought it to light? What is its religious merit? What is its fruit?
Vasiṣṭha said :
69-77. The great king Citrasena indulged in great sins and in illicit intercourse, and stole the gold of a brāhmaṇa. He was always delighted with (i.e. always drank) liquor and flesh(-eating). Thus he was full of sins, and always took delight in killing animals. He always conversed with cāṇḍālas and the fallen. The king who was like this thought of hunting. Knowing (that there was) a tiger in the forest and carefully surrounding it, he spoke these words to all his soldiers: “I alone shall kill it. If anyone else strikes him, he will be undoubtedly killed.” The tiger came along the path of the king. The king, though ashamed, then went after the tiger. With much trouble and difficulty he became intent upon killing the tiger. In the evening he oppressed with hunger and thirst (remained) on the bank of Yamunā. That was the eighth day, united with Rohiṇī—the birth-day (of Kṛṣṇa). O king, cāṇḍāla -girls observed the vow in (i.e. on the bank of) Yamunā with many articles as presents, and very auspicious incense and lamps. Seeing the sandal, the flowers and (other) very charming articles like saffron, and food with many excellences, the kings’ mind was perturbed.
The king said :
78a. For want of food my life shall certainly and instantly depart today.
The women said :
78b-85. O sinless king, on the day of Janmāṣṭamī of (i.e. sacred to) Viṣṇu, you should not eat the hard flesh of a vulture, (of) a crow or of a cow, so also (you should not eat) food. There is no doubt (you have formerly) eaten it. What blemish would not come to the men who in this world eat (on the day of Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī)? For him who, when his vital airs remain in his body (i.e. while alive), has not observed (the vow of) Jayantī , and has not observed a fast(on that day), the punishment is (going to) Yama ’s abode. His manes do not accept whatever he has offered to them with proper rites. When food is taken on a Jayantī, all the manes are thrown (down).
Hearing this, O king, the king then observed that vow. Being delighted, he brought a few flowers, a little sandal, a small (piece of) cloth, observed the vow, and broke the fast at the end of the (Aṣṭami) day. By the power of this vow Citrasena along with his dead ancestors got into a divine aeroplane and went to Viṣṇu’s abode. Men obtain that fruit from the Aṣṭamī-vow which they get after going to Mathura and seeing the lotus-like face of Kṛṣṇa. The poor obtain that fruit by observing the Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī-vow which they get by going to Dvārakā and seeing Viṣṇu, the lord of the uni verse.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 43529, revision 335801 (2022-04-15T08:47:18Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365297.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.