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Kriyāyogasāra-khaṇḍa · Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Unit 674 of 693Kriyāyogasāra-khaṇḍa · Chapter 7Kriyāyogasāra-khaṇḍa · Chapter 71 source entries

Kriyāyogasāra-khaṇḍa · Chapter 7

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श्रीव्यास उवाच- भूय एव प्रवक्ष्यामि गङ्गामाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् । तच्छ्रुत्वा मानवाः सर्वे सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयुः १। येन नाचरितं स्नानं गङ्गायां लोकमातरि । आलोक्य तन्मुखं सद्यः कर्त्तव्यं सूर्यदर्शनम् २। प्रभाते यः स्मरेद्भक्त्या गङ्गा इत्यक्षरद्वयम् । तस्य नश्यंति पापानि तमोवदरुणोदये ३। न दृष्टा येन सरितां प्रवरा जह्नुकन्यका । तस्याग्राह्याणि सर्वाणि अन्नादि सलिलानि च ४। शरीराणि परित्यज्य गङ्गास्नानं प्रकुर्वताम् । गात्राण्यायान्ति पापानि गङ्गास्नानमकुर्वताम् ५। अहो चित्रमहो चित्रमहोचित्रमिदं पुनः । पतंति नरके मूढा गङ्गानाम्निस्थिते सति ६। शिरसा यो वहेद्भक्त्या गङ्गाम्भः कणिकामपि । स मुच्यते महापापैर्ब्रह्महत्यादिभिर्द्विजः ७। ललाटे दृश्यते यस्य गङ्गासैकतमुत्तमम् । स पुण्यात्मा जगत्सर्वं पुनाति नात्र संशयः ८। गङ्गातीरात्समायांतं यः पश्येत्परमादरैः । सोऽश्वमेधसहस्राणि फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः ९। गङ्गातीरमहं यामि त्वमागच्छेति वक्ति यः । तस्य विष्णुः प्रसन्नात्मा सर्वान्कामान्प्रयच्छति १०। गंगेति नाम संस्मृत्य यस्तु कूपजलेऽपि च । करोति मानवः स्नानं गङ्गास्नानफलं लभेत् ११। गङ्गाम्भः शीकरं यस्तु संमितं सर्षपस्य च । प्राप्नोति मृत्युकालेषु स गच्छेत्परमं पदम् १२। अत्रैव शृणु विप्रर्षे इतिहासं पुरातनम् । यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण गङ्गादेवी प्रसीदति १३। आसीत्त्रेतायुगे विप्रो धर्मस्वो नाम धार्मिकः । शांतो दांतो दयायुक्तो वेदवेदाङ्गपारगः १४। सत्यवादी क्रोधहीनो हिंसाहीनो जितेन्द्रियः । सर्वभूतहितैषी च योगाभ्यसरतः सदा १५। संसारसागरं तर्त्तुं स विप्रो वैष्णवो जनः । पूजयामास देवेशं क्रियायोगेन केशवम् १६। कदाचित्प्राप्य पुण्याहं स च विप्रर्षभो द्विज । जगाम जाह्नवीतीरं मुमुक्षुः स्नानहेतवे १७। तत्र गंगांभसि स्नात्वा कृत्वा च तर्पणादिकम् । गृहं गंतुं मनश्चक्रे गंगांभः कर्त्तरीं वहन् १८। तस्मिन्काले ततो विप्र वैश्यो रत्नकराह्वयः । कृत्वा वाणिज्यमायांतं सकलैः किंकरैर्वृतः १९। तस्यैकः किंकरो विप्रः कालकल्प इति स्मृतः । दंडहस्तः समायातो विहिताखिलपातकः २०। अथवर्त्मश्रमश्रांतस्तस्य रत्नकरस्य च । सुष्वापैको बलीवर्द्दः पथि ब्राह्मणसत्तम २१। पथि स्वपंतं तं दृष्ट्वा कालकल्पो वृषं ततः । दण्डेन ताडयामास बाहुधाऽत्यंतनिर्द्दयः २२। तद्दण्डघातजनितक्रोधेन वृषभेन सः । विषाणाभ्यां सुतीक्ष्णाभ्यां समुत्थाय विदारितः २३। तच्छृङ्गद्वयनिर्भिन्नवक्षाः स गतलोचनः । तत्सन्निधिं दयायुक्तो धर्मस्तु त्वरितो ययौ २४। ततः कर्णात्समादाय तुलसीपत्रमुत्तमम् । गङ्गाम्भः शीकरैर्दिव्यैः सिक्तोसौ तेन धीमता २५। गतप्राणं समालोक्य स विप्रः परमार्थवित् । विस्मितः स्वगृहं गंतुं मनश्चक्रे द्विजोत्तम २६। अथ गच्छन्पथि प्राज्ञो गङ्गानामानि कीर्तयन् । यमदूतान्ददर्शाग्रे कोटिकोटि सहस्रशः २७। छिन्नैकपादाः केचिच्च केचिच्छिन्नैकपाणयः । केऽपि केऽपि च्छिन्नकर्णाः केऽप्येकनयनास्तथा २८। केचिच्च च्छिन्ननासाश्च च्छिन्नजिह्वाश्च केचन । भग्नदंताः केऽपि केऽपि केऽपि दंतविवर्जिताः २९। केऽपि शोणितधाराभिर्लिप्तसर्वकलेवराः । विमुक्तकैशिकाः केऽपि केऽपि वक्त्रविवर्जिताः ३०। केऽपि केऽपि तथा नग्नाः केऽपि निर्भिन्नवक्षसः । केऽपि जर्जरितांगाश्च महातीक्ष्णैः शिलीमुखैः ३१। निषिद्धांगुलिहस्ताश्च दृढपाशैस्तथापरे । क्रंदंतो व्यथया केऽपि पलायनपरायणाः ३२। एवंभूतान्यमप्रेष्यान्स विलोक्य द्विजोत्तमः । सकंपहृदयो भीत्या ततः स्तब्धइवाभवत् ३३। अवलंब्य ततो धैर्यं स विप्रो हरिभक्तिकृत् । इत्यपृच्छन्मधुरया किरातान्यमकिंकरान् ३४। धर्म उवाच-। के यूयं विकृताकाराः पाशमुद्गरपाणयः । दंष्ट्राकरालवदना अंगारसदृशप्रभाः ३५। यूयं सर्वे महावीर ज्वलत्पावकलोचनाः । कृता तथापि युष्माकमियं केनापि दुर्गतिः ३६। यमदूता ऊचुः - यमदूता वयं सर्वे यमाज्ञाहारिणः सदा । सदंडोऽयं द्विजास्माकं सुमहान्कदनोदयः ३७। धर्मस्व उवाच- अकस्मादागता यूयं महाबलपराक्रमाः । एतावत इयं केन कथं वा दुर्गतिः कृता ३८। यमदूता ऊचुः- भयं मुंच द्विजश्रेष्ठ वृत्तांतं सकलं शृणु । यथास्माकमिदं दुःखं बभूवात्यंतदुःसहम् ३९। योऽसौ वृषेण शृङ्गाभ्यां कालकल्पो विदारितः । तं नेतुं धर्मराजेन प्रेरिताः किंकरा वयम् ४०। तेनाज्ञप्ता वयं सर्वे समस्तायुधपाणयः । बद्ध्वा तं पापिनां श्रेष्ठं नेतुमिह समागताः ४१। अथासौ प्राप्तकालश्च कालकल्पो दुराशयः । वृषेणहेतुभूतेन विषाणाभ्यां विदारितः ४२। सदयेन तथा तत्र गङ्गापानीयसीकरैः । सिक्तः पातकिनां श्रेष्ठो गङ्गानामानि जल्पता ४३। गङ्गाम्भः कणिकासेकैर्गतकल्मषमप्यमुम् । बद्ध्वा पाशैर्दृढं नेतुमुद्यमं प्रतिचक्रिरे ४४। नेतुं तमपि देवेशः शरणागतपालकः । स्वदूतान्प्रेषयामास महाबलपराक्रमान् ४५। केऽपि दूताः समागत्य ततो नारायणाज्ञया । सकोपाः प्राहुरित्यस्मान्पथि ब्राह्मणसत्तम ४६। विष्णुदूता ऊचुः । के भवंतो महात्मानः कथमेनं महाशयम् । बद्ध्वा नयथ पाशेन यूयं वा कस्य किंकराः ४७। विहायैनं महात्मानं पलायध्वं यथासुखम् । न चेच्छिरांसि युष्माकं छेत्स्यामश्चक्रधारया ४८। तेषामेतानि वाक्यानि गर्वितानि द्विजोत्तम । संश्रुत्याच्युतदूतानां तेऽस्माभिरतिजल्पिताः ४९। दण्डपाणेर्वयंदूताः सर्वे प्राणाधिपस्य वै । नीत्वैनं पापिनां श्रेष्ठं प्रयामः शमनालयम् ५० 7.7.50। यूयं सर्वे महात्मानस्तुलसीमाल्यभूषिताः । स्फुटपद्मपलाशाक्षाबलिनो गरुडध्वजाः ५१। दिव्यांबरधरा यूयं मयूरगलसुंदराः । शंखचक्रगदापद्मधारणाश्च चतुर्भुजाः ५२। के यूयमीदृशाः सर्वे सर्वलक्षणसंयुताः । इमं पातकिनां श्रेष्ठं कथं वा नेतुमिच्छथ ५३। विष्णुदूता ऊचुः- वयं सर्वे विष्णुदूताः पुण्यात्मानमिमं नरम् । नेतुमत्र समायाता वैकुंठं प्रति संप्रति ५४। इमं श्रीभगवद्भक्तं स्वजनं गतकल्मषम् । मुंचताशु यमप्रेष्या यदि जीवितुमिच्छथ ५५। भूयस्तेषामिदं वाक्यं श्रुत्वा सर्वगतं द्विज । कोपाद्यदुक्तमस्माभिस्तदाकर्णय कथ्यते ५६। अयं पापी दुराचारो ब्रह्महत्यासहस्रकृत् । कृतघ्नश्चैव गोघ्नश्च मित्रघ्नश्च दुराशयः ५७। मेरुप्रमाणहेमानि हृतानि सुबहूनि च । परदारा हृता नित्यमनेनातिदुरात्मना ५८। कोटिकोटिसहस्राणि जंतूनां विष्णुकिंकराः । कृताश्च बहुधा हत्याः स्त्रीहत्या च तथैव च ५९। अयं न्यासापहरणं स्वमातृगमनं तथा । गोमांसभक्षणं चैव चकार प्रतिवासरम् ६०। परहिंसाकृतानेन दाहश्च परवेश्मनः । सभायां परनिंदा च विधवागर्भपातनम् ६१। गृहमायांतमतिथिं धनलोभेन सत्तम । अहनन्निशितैः खङ्गैर्निशायां यवनोपमः ६२। एतान्यन्यानि पापानि महान्त्यगणितानि च । चकार नीचो मूढोऽसौ नाल्पमात्रं शुभावहम् ६३। तस्मादयं महापापी नीयते यातनागृहम् । ज्ञेया हि पापिनो दंड्या धर्मराजस्य सत्तमाः ६४। यूयं वै देवदेवस्य दूता भगवतो यदि । तदा कथमिमं नेतुं पापिनां श्रेष्ठमिच्छथ ६५। विष्णुदूता ऊचुः । भविद्भः सत्यमेवोक्तं कोऽपि नास्त्यत्र संशयः । दण्ड्याः पातकिनः सर्वे जीविताधिपतेः सदा ६६। अयं पापविनिर्मुक्तो गङ्गाशीकरसेचनात् । तस्मादेनं वयं सर्वे नेष्यामो हरिमंदिरम् ६७। तावत्तिष्ठंति देहेषु पातकानि शरीरिणाम् । गङ्गाम्भः शीकरा यावन्न स्पृशंति सुदुर्ल्लभम् ६८। चंद्रैककलया सर्वं तिमिरं हन्यते यथा । गङ्गाम्भः शीकरेणापि पातकं हन्यते तथा ६९। गंगानामानि संस्मृत्य पापी मुच्येत पातकात् । साक्षात्तत्सलिलं दृष्ट्वा मुच्यतेऽत्र किमद्भुतम् ७०। शीतमप्युदकं गाड्गं वह्निवत्पापकानने । यथाग्निवत्पद्मवने शीतं तोयं च दाहकृत् ७१। तस्मादयं पुण्यकर्मा द्वितीय इव केशवः । गच्छध्वं शमनप्रेष्या यदि कल्याणमिच्छत ७२। तेषां केशवदूतानां श्रुत्वास्माभिरिदं वचः । भूय एव निरुक्तं यद्विहस्योच्चैः शृणुष्व तत् ७३। अहो चित्रमहो चित्रमयं कल्मषमंदिरः । गङ्गाम्भः सेचनादेव विमुक्तः सर्वपातकैः ७४। स्वहस्तोपार्जितं कर्म शुभं वा यदि वाशुभम् । नाभुक्त्वा मुच्यते मर्त्यः कल्पकोटिशतैरपि ७५। यमाज्ञया नेतुमिमं वयं सर्वे समागताः । कस्यायं वचसास्माभिस्त्यज्यते पापिनां वरः ७६। विष्णुदूता ऊचुः । यूयं पापधियो नूनं विवेकपरिवर्जिताः । युष्माभिर्जह्नुकन्याया न ज्ञायंते यतो गुणाः ७७। कार्यं वेदे निषिद्धं यत्तत्पातकमिति स्मृतम् । यद्वेदसंमतं कार्यं तदेव धर्म्यमुच्यते ७८। देवो नारायणः साक्षात्स्वयंभूरिति शुश्रुम । यथा विष्णुस्तथा गंगा गंगैव सर्वपापहा ७९। अशुभं वा शुभं कर्म स्वहस्तरचितं हरिः । हरौ प्रसन्ने पापानि कुत्र तिष्ठंति देहिनाम् ८०। जन्मान्तरार्जितैः पापैर्गता यूयमिमां गतिम् । अद्यापि पापकर्माणः किमर्थं पापमिच्छथ ८१। गङ्गानिन्दाकरा यूयं विष्णुनिंदाकरास्तथा । अतो युष्मान्हनिष्यामः पापिनश्चक्रधारया ८२। इत्युक्त्वा विष्णुदूतास्ते कोपादरुणलोचनाः । चक्रिरे समरारंभमस्माभिः सह सत्तम ८३। जीवेश दूता हन्यंतामिति प्रोचुश्च ते रुषा । भूयोभूयो वदंतोऽस्मान्निजघ्नुश्चक्रधारया ८४। इत्युक्त्वा विष्णुदूतास्ते संग्रामेत्यंतदारुणाः । सर्वे शंखान्समादध्मुः सहसा हृष्टमानसाः ८५। ततोऽस्माकं सिंहनादैः पयोदस्तनितैरिव । कोदंडानां च विस्तारैर्व्याप्तं विप्र जगत्त्रयम् ८६। अथ वृक्षैः शिलाभिश्च तथा पर्वतवृष्टिभिः । अस्माभिर्विष्णुदूतास्ते बाणैश्च विदलीकृताः ८७। ऋष्टिभिर्भिंदिपालैश्च बाणैश्च परिघैस्तथा । कुठारैश्छुरिकाभिश्च दंडैश्च शंकुभिस्तथा ८८। खङ्गैश्च शक्तिभिश्चैव निशितैश्च शिलीमुखैः । गदाभिश्चक्रधाराभिर्नाराचैश्च सुभीषणैः ८९। एतैरन्यैश्च विषमैरस्त्रैस्ते विष्णुकिंकराः । निजघ्नुर्बहुधा कोपाद्वज्रकल्पैर्महार्णवे ९०। तदास्त्रजर्जराः सर्वे वयं भीत्या पलायिताः । निपेतुः केऽपि संग्रामे गतप्राणाः सहस्रशः ९१। ततोऽस्मांस्ते समालोक्य पलायनपरायणान् । मुदा कंबून्समादध्मुर्बलिनो विष्णुकिंकराः ९२। अथ च्छित्त्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठ कालकल्पस्य बंधनम् । विमाने तं समारोप्य जग्मुर्भगवतः पुरम् ९३। गङ्गाशीकरसेकस्य प्रभावेनैव सत्तम । जगाम हरिसालोक्यं कालकल्पोऽति पातकी ९४। स्थित्वा कल्पशतं तत्र भुक्त्वा भोगान्मनोहरान् । ज्ञानमासाद्य तत्रैव परमं मोक्षमाप्तवान् ९५। गङ्गाप्रभावैरस्माकमेतद्दुःखं गतं प्रभो । गच्छ ब्राह्मण भद्रं ते सुप्रीतो निजमंदिरम् ९६। इत्युक्त्वा यमदूतास्ते ययुर्यमपुरं द्विज । भूय एव स धर्मस्वः प्रीतो गङ्गातटं ययौ ९७। गंगायां स्नानमाचर्य सर्वलोकस्य मातरि । बद्धाञ्जलिः स विप्रस्तां तुष्टाव परमेश्वरीम् ९८। धर्मस्व उवाच- गंगे समस्तजगदंब चलत्तरंगेऽनगादिचारुतरमस्तकपुष्पमाले । कंसारिचारुचरणद्वयरेणुहन्त्रि भक्त्या नमामि दुरितक्षयकारिणीं त्वाम् ९९। मातः समस्तसुखदे प्रवरे नदीनां व्यासादिविप्रचयगीतगणे गुणाढ्ये । संसारभैरवमहार्णवमध्यनौके वंदेत वांघ्रियुगलं दुरितापहारि १०० 7.7.100। यस्यास्तवांबुकणिकामपि जह्नुकन्ये सौदासनामनृपतिर्द्विजकोटिहत्याम् । संप्राप्य मुक्तिमगमत्त्रिसुरैरलभ्यां तां त्वां नमामि शिरसा वरदे प्रसीद १०१। नारायणाच्युतजनार्द्दनकृष्णराम गङ्गादि नाम गदतो मम देवि मातः । संसारपातकनिवारिणि देहपातस्त्वद्वारिणीह भवतु त्वदनुग्रहेण २। किं वा तपोभिरखिलेश्वरि किं जपैर्वा दानैश्च किं तुरगमे द्युमखैश्च किंवा । त्वन्नीरशीकरमवाप्य सुरैरलभ्यां मुक्तिं व्रजंति मनुजा अतिपापिनोऽपि ३। स्वाहा त्वमेव परमेश्वरि या स्वधा त्वं गीर्वाणवृंदपितृलोकसुतृप्तिहेतोः । सत्वं रजस्तम इति त्रिगुणस्वरूपां सृष्टिस्थितिप्रलयकारिणि नौमि तां त्वाम् ४। धत्ते ललाटफलके तव सैकतं यः पुण्ड्रं च देवि तव तीरमृदा सदैवम् । त्वन्नाम सर्वरसधामवदेच्च भक्त्या त्वत्पादरेणुरखिलोस्तु ममैव मूर्ध्नि ५। त्वद्रोधसि त्रिपथगे वसतिं विधाय पीत्वा च वारि तव पातकनाशकारि । स्मृत्वा च नाम तव वीचिरसं च दृष्ट्वा संसारबंधनहरे मम जातु जन्म ६। नाकं शुभे सुमहदुल्लसिता मनुष्याः कुर्वंति भीतिरतिदुर्गमवर्त्म मत्वा । व्यर्थेव सा किल यतोऽमृतदे त्वदीयं सोपानभूतमुदकं त्रिदिवप्रयाणे ७। पापानि रोगनिकराश्च शरीरदेहे तिष्ठंति तावदखिलेश्वरि भुक्तिदात्रि । कुर्वंति यावदमलेषु तवोदकेषु स्नानं न हि त्रिपथगे सरितां प्रधाने ८। यस्यास्तवाच्युत विरंचि शिवादयोऽपि शक्रादिदेवनिकरा व्रजितुं महिम्नाम् । पारं परे परममोक्षपदप्रदात्रीं तां त्वां वदंति तटिनीमितिकेऽपि मोहात् ९। गङ्गे समस्तसुखदायिनि किंचिदेव जानाति ते पशुपतिर्भगवान्महत्त्वम् । यस्मादसौ सुमनसां प्रवरोऽतिभक्त्या धत्ते सदैव शिरसा जगदीश्वरीं त्वाम् ११०। गंगे देवि जगन्मातः प्रसीद परमेश्वरि । परिपाहि नमस्तुभ्यं रक्ष मां सेवकं स्वकम् ११। परब्रह्मस्वरूपां त्वां सर्वलोकैकमातरम् । शक्नोमि किमहं स्तोतुं भ्रांतचित्तोऽत्र मोक्षदे १२। व्यास उवाच- इति स्तुता जगद्धात्री तेन विप्रेण धीमता । आविर्बभूव सहसा गङ्गा मूर्तिमती द्विज १३। ददर्श पुरतो गङ्गां द्विभुजां मकरासनाम् । कुन्देन्दुशङ्खधवलां सर्वालङ्कारभूषिताम् १४। तां दृष्ट्वा पुरतो गङ्गां गङ्गागङ्गेति कीर्तयन् । ववंदे चरणौ तस्याः शिरसालिङ्ग्य मेदिनीम् १५। मोहयंती स्मिता लोकैः सुप्रीता परमेश्वरी । तमुवाच ततो विप्र वरं वृण्विति जैमिने १६। धर्मस्व उवाच- मातस्त्वत्सलिलस्पर्शाद्ब्रह्महापि च मोक्षभाक् । मया त्वं दृश्यते साक्षात्साध्यं किमपरं मम ११७। तथाप्येकं वरं याचे त्वन्नीरे परमेश्वरि । मृत्युर्भवतु मे देवि त्वन्नामस्मरतो मम ११८। मया कृतेन स्तोत्रेण यस्त्वां स्तौति सदेश्वरि । सोऽपि भुक्त्वाखिलान्कामानंते यास्यति सद्गतिम् ११९। गङ्गोवाच- अनया भवतो भक्त्या संतुष्टास्मि द्विजोत्तम । शीघ्रं ते कुशलं सर्वं भविष्यति न संशयः १२०। त्वया कृतमिदं स्तोत्रं त्रिसंध्यं यः पठेन्नरः । तस्याहमपि संतुष्टा दास्यामि मुक्तिमुत्तमाम् १२१। व्यास उवाच- इति दत्वा वरं तस्मै सा देवी भक्तवत्सला । धर्मस्वनाम्ने विप्रेन्द्र तत्रैवांतरधीयत १२२। स च विप्रो वरं प्राप्य कृतकृत्य इवाभवत् । गङ्गारोधसि तत्रैव तस्थौ विप्र मनोरमे १२३। ततः कालेन महता विमले जाह्नवीजले । सुखमृत्युं समासाद्य जगाम पदमुत्तमम् १२४। कालकल्पोऽपि पापात्मा सिक्तो गङ्गाम्बुशीकरैः । प्राप्तवानुत्तमं मोक्षमन्येषां का कथा द्विज १२५। अनिच्छयापि गाङ्गेयं जलं स्पृष्ट्वा फलान्वितम् । स्पृशतां भक्तिभावेन किं भवेन्नहि वेद्मि तत् १२६। गङ्गासमं नास्ति तीर्थं भूयोभूयो मयोच्यते । यदम्बुकणिकां स्पृष्ट्वा परमं धाम लभ्यते १२७। ये भक्तिभावेन सरिद्वरायाः स्पृशंति येंऽभकणिकामपीह । ते यांति नूनं पदमच्युतस्य पापैर्विमुक्ताः सकलैर्महोग्रैः १२८। इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे क्रियायोगसारे गङ्गाशीकरमाहात्म्ये सप्तमोऽध्यायः ७ ।

śrīvyāsa uvāca- bhūya eva pravakṣyāmi gaṅgāmāhātmyamuttamam | tacchrutvā mānavāḥ sarve sarvānkāmānavāpnuyuḥ 1| yena nācaritaṃ snānaṃ gaṅgāyāṃ lokamātari | ālokya tanmukhaṃ sadyaḥ karttavyaṃ sūryadarśanam 2| prabhāte yaḥ smaredbhaktyā gaṅgā ityakṣaradvayam | tasya naśyaṃti pāpāni tamovadaruṇodaye 3| na dṛṣṭā yena saritāṃ pravarā jahnukanyakā | tasyāgrāhyāṇi sarvāṇi annādi salilāni ca 4| śarīrāṇi parityajya gaṅgāsnānaṃ prakurvatām | gātrāṇyāyānti pāpāni gaṅgāsnānamakurvatām 5| aho citramaho citramahocitramidaṃ punaḥ | pataṃti narake mūḍhā gaṅgānāmnisthite sati 6| śirasā yo vahedbhaktyā gaṅgāmbhaḥ kaṇikāmapi | sa mucyate mahāpāpairbrahmahatyādibhirdvijaḥ 7| lalāṭe dṛśyate yasya gaṅgāsaikatamuttamam | sa puṇyātmā jagatsarvaṃ punāti nātra saṃśayaḥ 8| gaṅgātīrātsamāyāṃtaṃ yaḥ paśyetparamādaraiḥ | so'śvamedhasahasrāṇi phalaṃ prāpnoti mānavaḥ 9| gaṅgātīramahaṃ yāmi tvamāgaccheti vakti yaḥ | tasya viṣṇuḥ prasannātmā sarvānkāmānprayacchati 10| gaṃgeti nāma saṃsmṛtya yastu kūpajale'pi ca | karoti mānavaḥ snānaṃ gaṅgāsnānaphalaṃ labhet 11| gaṅgāmbhaḥ śīkaraṃ yastu saṃmitaṃ sarṣapasya ca | prāpnoti mṛtyukāleṣu sa gacchetparamaṃ padam 12| atraiva śṛṇu viprarṣe itihāsaṃ purātanam | yasya śravaṇamātreṇa gaṅgādevī prasīdati 13| āsīttretāyuge vipro dharmasvo nāma dhārmikaḥ | śāṃto dāṃto dayāyukto vedavedāṅgapāragaḥ 14| satyavādī krodhahīno hiṃsāhīno jitendriyaḥ | sarvabhūtahitaiṣī ca yogābhyasarataḥ sadā 15| saṃsārasāgaraṃ tarttuṃ sa vipro vaiṣṇavo janaḥ | pūjayāmāsa deveśaṃ kriyāyogena keśavam 16| kadācitprāpya puṇyāhaṃ sa ca viprarṣabho dvija | jagāma jāhnavītīraṃ mumukṣuḥ snānahetave 17| tatra gaṃgāṃbhasi snātvā kṛtvā ca tarpaṇādikam | gṛhaṃ gaṃtuṃ manaścakre gaṃgāṃbhaḥ karttarīṃ vahan 18| tasminkāle tato vipra vaiśyo ratnakarāhvayaḥ | kṛtvā vāṇijyamāyāṃtaṃ sakalaiḥ kiṃkarairvṛtaḥ 19| tasyaikaḥ kiṃkaro vipraḥ kālakalpa iti smṛtaḥ | daṃḍahastaḥ samāyāto vihitākhilapātakaḥ 20| athavartmaśramaśrāṃtastasya ratnakarasya ca | suṣvāpaiko balīvarddaḥ pathi brāhmaṇasattama 21| pathi svapaṃtaṃ taṃ dṛṣṭvā kālakalpo vṛṣaṃ tataḥ | daṇḍena tāḍayāmāsa bāhudhā'tyaṃtanirddayaḥ 22| taddaṇḍaghātajanitakrodhena vṛṣabhena saḥ | viṣāṇābhyāṃ sutīkṣṇābhyāṃ samutthāya vidāritaḥ 23| tacchṛṅgadvayanirbhinnavakṣāḥ sa gatalocanaḥ | tatsannidhiṃ dayāyukto dharmastu tvarito yayau 24| tataḥ karṇātsamādāya tulasīpatramuttamam | gaṅgāmbhaḥ śīkarairdivyaiḥ siktosau tena dhīmatā 25| gataprāṇaṃ samālokya sa vipraḥ paramārthavit | vismitaḥ svagṛhaṃ gaṃtuṃ manaścakre dvijottama 26| atha gacchanpathi prājño gaṅgānāmāni kīrtayan | yamadūtāndadarśāgre koṭikoṭi sahasraśaḥ 27| chinnaikapādāḥ kecicca kecicchinnaikapāṇayaḥ | ke'pi ke'pi cchinnakarṇāḥ ke'pyekanayanāstathā 28| kecicca cchinnanāsāśca cchinnajihvāśca kecana | bhagnadaṃtāḥ ke'pi ke'pi ke'pi daṃtavivarjitāḥ 29| ke'pi śoṇitadhārābhirliptasarvakalevarāḥ | vimuktakaiśikāḥ ke'pi ke'pi vaktravivarjitāḥ 30| ke'pi ke'pi tathā nagnāḥ ke'pi nirbhinnavakṣasaḥ | ke'pi jarjaritāṃgāśca mahātīkṣṇaiḥ śilīmukhaiḥ 31| niṣiddhāṃgulihastāśca dṛḍhapāśaistathāpare | kraṃdaṃto vyathayā ke'pi palāyanaparāyaṇāḥ 32| evaṃbhūtānyamapreṣyānsa vilokya dvijottamaḥ | sakaṃpahṛdayo bhītyā tataḥ stabdhaivābhavat 33| avalaṃbya tato dhairyaṃ sa vipro haribhaktikṛt | ityapṛcchanmadhurayā kirātānyamakiṃkarān 34| dharma uvāca-| ke yūyaṃ vikṛtākārāḥ pāśamudgarapāṇayaḥ | daṃṣṭrākarālavadanā aṃgārasadṛśaprabhāḥ 35| yūyaṃ sarve mahāvīra jvalatpāvakalocanāḥ | kṛtā tathāpi yuṣmākamiyaṃ kenāpi durgatiḥ 36| yamadūtā ūcuḥ - yamadūtā vayaṃ sarve yamājñāhāriṇaḥ sadā | sadaṃḍo'yaṃ dvijāsmākaṃ sumahānkadanodayaḥ 37| dharmasva uvāca- akasmādāgatā yūyaṃ mahābalaparākramāḥ | etāvata iyaṃ kena kathaṃ vā durgatiḥ kṛtā 38| yamadūtā ūcuḥ- bhayaṃ muṃca dvijaśreṣṭha vṛttāṃtaṃ sakalaṃ śṛṇu | yathāsmākamidaṃ duḥkhaṃ babhūvātyaṃtaduḥsaham 39| yo'sau vṛṣeṇa śṛṅgābhyāṃ kālakalpo vidāritaḥ | taṃ netuṃ dharmarājena preritāḥ kiṃkarā vayam 40| tenājñaptā vayaṃ sarve samastāyudhapāṇayaḥ | baddhvā taṃ pāpināṃ śreṣṭhaṃ netumiha samāgatāḥ 41| athāsau prāptakālaśca kālakalpo durāśayaḥ | vṛṣeṇahetubhūtena viṣāṇābhyāṃ vidāritaḥ 42| sadayena tathā tatra gaṅgāpānīyasīkaraiḥ | siktaḥ pātakināṃ śreṣṭho gaṅgānāmāni jalpatā 43| gaṅgāmbhaḥ kaṇikāsekairgatakalmaṣamapyamum | baddhvā pāśairdṛḍhaṃ netumudyamaṃ praticakrire 44| netuṃ tamapi deveśaḥ śaraṇāgatapālakaḥ | svadūtānpreṣayāmāsa mahābalaparākramān 45| ke'pi dūtāḥ samāgatya tato nārāyaṇājñayā | sakopāḥ prāhurityasmānpathi brāhmaṇasattama 46| viṣṇudūtā ūcuḥ | ke bhavaṃto mahātmānaḥ kathamenaṃ mahāśayam | baddhvā nayatha pāśena yūyaṃ vā kasya kiṃkarāḥ 47| vihāyainaṃ mahātmānaṃ palāyadhvaṃ yathāsukham | na cecchirāṃsi yuṣmākaṃ chetsyāmaścakradhārayā 48| teṣāmetāni vākyāni garvitāni dvijottama | saṃśrutyācyutadūtānāṃ te'smābhiratijalpitāḥ 49| daṇḍapāṇervayaṃdūtāḥ sarve prāṇādhipasya vai | nītvainaṃ pāpināṃ śreṣṭhaṃ prayāmaḥ śamanālayam 50 7.7.50| yūyaṃ sarve mahātmānastulasīmālyabhūṣitāḥ | sphuṭapadmapalāśākṣābalino garuḍadhvajāḥ 51| divyāṃbaradharā yūyaṃ mayūragalasuṃdarāḥ | śaṃkhacakragadāpadmadhāraṇāśca caturbhujāḥ 52| ke yūyamīdṛśāḥ sarve sarvalakṣaṇasaṃyutāḥ | imaṃ pātakināṃ śreṣṭhaṃ kathaṃ vā netumicchatha 53| viṣṇudūtā ūcuḥ- vayaṃ sarve viṣṇudūtāḥ puṇyātmānamimaṃ naram | netumatra samāyātā vaikuṃṭhaṃ prati saṃprati 54| imaṃ śrībhagavadbhaktaṃ svajanaṃ gatakalmaṣam | muṃcatāśu yamapreṣyā yadi jīvitumicchatha 55| bhūyasteṣāmidaṃ vākyaṃ śrutvā sarvagataṃ dvija | kopādyaduktamasmābhistadākarṇaya kathyate 56| ayaṃ pāpī durācāro brahmahatyāsahasrakṛt | kṛtaghnaścaiva goghnaśca mitraghnaśca durāśayaḥ 57| merupramāṇahemāni hṛtāni subahūni ca | paradārā hṛtā nityamanenātidurātmanā 58| koṭikoṭisahasrāṇi jaṃtūnāṃ viṣṇukiṃkarāḥ | kṛtāśca bahudhā hatyāḥ strīhatyā ca tathaiva ca 59| ayaṃ nyāsāpaharaṇaṃ svamātṛgamanaṃ tathā | gomāṃsabhakṣaṇaṃ caiva cakāra prativāsaram 60| parahiṃsākṛtānena dāhaśca paraveśmanaḥ | sabhāyāṃ paraniṃdā ca vidhavāgarbhapātanam 61| gṛhamāyāṃtamatithiṃ dhanalobhena sattama | ahananniśitaiḥ khaṅgairniśāyāṃ yavanopamaḥ 62| etānyanyāni pāpāni mahāntyagaṇitāni ca | cakāra nīco mūḍho'sau nālpamātraṃ śubhāvaham 63| tasmādayaṃ mahāpāpī nīyate yātanāgṛham | jñeyā hi pāpino daṃḍyā dharmarājasya sattamāḥ 64| yūyaṃ vai devadevasya dūtā bhagavato yadi | tadā kathamimaṃ netuṃ pāpināṃ śreṣṭhamicchatha 65| viṣṇudūtā ūcuḥ | bhavidbhaḥ satyamevoktaṃ ko'pi nāstyatra saṃśayaḥ | daṇḍyāḥ pātakinaḥ sarve jīvitādhipateḥ sadā 66| ayaṃ pāpavinirmukto gaṅgāśīkarasecanāt | tasmādenaṃ vayaṃ sarve neṣyāmo harimaṃdiram 67| tāvattiṣṭhaṃti deheṣu pātakāni śarīriṇām | gaṅgāmbhaḥ śīkarā yāvanna spṛśaṃti sudurllabham 68| caṃdraikakalayā sarvaṃ timiraṃ hanyate yathā | gaṅgāmbhaḥ śīkareṇāpi pātakaṃ hanyate tathā 69| gaṃgānāmāni saṃsmṛtya pāpī mucyeta pātakāt | sākṣāttatsalilaṃ dṛṣṭvā mucyate'tra kimadbhutam 70| śītamapyudakaṃ gāḍgaṃ vahnivatpāpakānane | yathāgnivatpadmavane śītaṃ toyaṃ ca dāhakṛt 71| tasmādayaṃ puṇyakarmā dvitīya iva keśavaḥ | gacchadhvaṃ śamanapreṣyā yadi kalyāṇamicchata 72| teṣāṃ keśavadūtānāṃ śrutvāsmābhiridaṃ vacaḥ | bhūya eva niruktaṃ yadvihasyoccaiḥ śṛṇuṣva tat 73| aho citramaho citramayaṃ kalmaṣamaṃdiraḥ | gaṅgāmbhaḥ secanādeva vimuktaḥ sarvapātakaiḥ 74| svahastopārjitaṃ karma śubhaṃ vā yadi vāśubham | nābhuktvā mucyate martyaḥ kalpakoṭiśatairapi 75| yamājñayā netumimaṃ vayaṃ sarve samāgatāḥ | kasyāyaṃ vacasāsmābhistyajyate pāpināṃ varaḥ 76| viṣṇudūtā ūcuḥ | yūyaṃ pāpadhiyo nūnaṃ vivekaparivarjitāḥ | yuṣmābhirjahnukanyāyā na jñāyaṃte yato guṇāḥ 77| kāryaṃ vede niṣiddhaṃ yattatpātakamiti smṛtam | yadvedasaṃmataṃ kāryaṃ tadeva dharmyamucyate 78| devo nārāyaṇaḥ sākṣātsvayaṃbhūriti śuśruma | yathā viṣṇustathā gaṃgā gaṃgaiva sarvapāpahā 79| aśubhaṃ vā śubhaṃ karma svahastaracitaṃ hariḥ | harau prasanne pāpāni kutra tiṣṭhaṃti dehinām 80| janmāntarārjitaiḥ pāpairgatā yūyamimāṃ gatim | adyāpi pāpakarmāṇaḥ kimarthaṃ pāpamicchatha 81| gaṅgānindākarā yūyaṃ viṣṇuniṃdākarāstathā | ato yuṣmānhaniṣyāmaḥ pāpinaścakradhārayā 82| ityuktvā viṣṇudūtāste kopādaruṇalocanāḥ | cakrire samarāraṃbhamasmābhiḥ saha sattama 83| jīveśa dūtā hanyaṃtāmiti procuśca te ruṣā | bhūyobhūyo vadaṃto'smānnijaghnuścakradhārayā 84| ityuktvā viṣṇudūtāste saṃgrāmetyaṃtadāruṇāḥ | sarve śaṃkhānsamādadhmuḥ sahasā hṛṣṭamānasāḥ 85| tato'smākaṃ siṃhanādaiḥ payodastanitairiva | kodaṃḍānāṃ ca vistārairvyāptaṃ vipra jagattrayam 86| atha vṛkṣaiḥ śilābhiśca tathā parvatavṛṣṭibhiḥ | asmābhirviṣṇudūtāste bāṇaiśca vidalīkṛtāḥ 87| ṛṣṭibhirbhiṃdipālaiśca bāṇaiśca parighaistathā | kuṭhāraiśchurikābhiśca daṃḍaiśca śaṃkubhistathā 88| khaṅgaiśca śaktibhiścaiva niśitaiśca śilīmukhaiḥ | gadābhiścakradhārābhirnārācaiśca subhīṣaṇaiḥ 89| etairanyaiśca viṣamairastraiste viṣṇukiṃkarāḥ | nijaghnurbahudhā kopādvajrakalpairmahārṇave 90| tadāstrajarjarāḥ sarve vayaṃ bhītyā palāyitāḥ | nipetuḥ ke'pi saṃgrāme gataprāṇāḥ sahasraśaḥ 91| tato'smāṃste samālokya palāyanaparāyaṇān | mudā kaṃbūnsamādadhmurbalino viṣṇukiṃkarāḥ 92| atha cchittvā dvijaśreṣṭha kālakalpasya baṃdhanam | vimāne taṃ samāropya jagmurbhagavataḥ puram 93| gaṅgāśīkarasekasya prabhāvenaiva sattama | jagāma harisālokyaṃ kālakalpo'ti pātakī 94| sthitvā kalpaśataṃ tatra bhuktvā bhogānmanoharān | jñānamāsādya tatraiva paramaṃ mokṣamāptavān 95| gaṅgāprabhāvairasmākametadduḥkhaṃ gataṃ prabho | gaccha brāhmaṇa bhadraṃ te suprīto nijamaṃdiram 96| ityuktvā yamadūtāste yayuryamapuraṃ dvija | bhūya eva sa dharmasvaḥ prīto gaṅgātaṭaṃ yayau 97| gaṃgāyāṃ snānamācarya sarvalokasya mātari | baddhāñjaliḥ sa viprastāṃ tuṣṭāva parameśvarīm 98| dharmasva uvāca- gaṃge samastajagadaṃba calattaraṃge'nagādicārutaramastakapuṣpamāle | kaṃsāricārucaraṇadvayareṇuhantri bhaktyā namāmi duritakṣayakāriṇīṃ tvām 99| mātaḥ samastasukhade pravare nadīnāṃ vyāsādivipracayagītagaṇe guṇāḍhye | saṃsārabhairavamahārṇavamadhyanauke vaṃdeta vāṃghriyugalaṃ duritāpahāri 100 7.7.100| yasyāstavāṃbukaṇikāmapi jahnukanye saudāsanāmanṛpatirdvijakoṭihatyām | saṃprāpya muktimagamattrisurairalabhyāṃ tāṃ tvāṃ namāmi śirasā varade prasīda 101| nārāyaṇācyutajanārddanakṛṣṇarāma gaṅgādi nāma gadato mama devi mātaḥ | saṃsārapātakanivāriṇi dehapātastvadvāriṇīha bhavatu tvadanugraheṇa 2| kiṃ vā tapobhirakhileśvari kiṃ japairvā dānaiśca kiṃ turagame dyumakhaiśca kiṃvā | tvannīraśīkaramavāpya surairalabhyāṃ muktiṃ vrajaṃti manujā atipāpino'pi 3| svāhā tvameva parameśvari yā svadhā tvaṃ gīrvāṇavṛṃdapitṛlokasutṛptihetoḥ | satvaṃ rajastama iti triguṇasvarūpāṃ sṛṣṭisthitipralayakāriṇi naumi tāṃ tvām 4| dhatte lalāṭaphalake tava saikataṃ yaḥ puṇḍraṃ ca devi tava tīramṛdā sadaivam | tvannāma sarvarasadhāmavadecca bhaktyā tvatpādareṇurakhilostu mamaiva mūrdhni 5| tvadrodhasi tripathage vasatiṃ vidhāya pītvā ca vāri tava pātakanāśakāri | smṛtvā ca nāma tava vīcirasaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā saṃsārabaṃdhanahare mama jātu janma 6| nākaṃ śubhe sumahadullasitā manuṣyāḥ kurvaṃti bhītiratidurgamavartma matvā | vyartheva sā kila yato'mṛtade tvadīyaṃ sopānabhūtamudakaṃ tridivaprayāṇe 7| pāpāni roganikarāśca śarīradehe tiṣṭhaṃti tāvadakhileśvari bhuktidātri | kurvaṃti yāvadamaleṣu tavodakeṣu snānaṃ na hi tripathage saritāṃ pradhāne 8| yasyāstavācyuta viraṃci śivādayo'pi śakrādidevanikarā vrajituṃ mahimnām | pāraṃ pare paramamokṣapadapradātrīṃ tāṃ tvāṃ vadaṃti taṭinīmitike'pi mohāt 9| gaṅge samastasukhadāyini kiṃcideva jānāti te paśupatirbhagavānmahattvam | yasmādasau sumanasāṃ pravaro'tibhaktyā dhatte sadaiva śirasā jagadīśvarīṃ tvām 110| gaṃge devi jaganmātaḥ prasīda parameśvari | paripāhi namastubhyaṃ rakṣa māṃ sevakaṃ svakam 11| parabrahmasvarūpāṃ tvāṃ sarvalokaikamātaram | śaknomi kimahaṃ stotuṃ bhrāṃtacitto'tra mokṣade 12| vyāsa uvāca- iti stutā jagaddhātrī tena vipreṇa dhīmatā | āvirbabhūva sahasā gaṅgā mūrtimatī dvija 13| dadarśa purato gaṅgāṃ dvibhujāṃ makarāsanām | kundenduśaṅkhadhavalāṃ sarvālaṅkārabhūṣitām 14| tāṃ dṛṣṭvā purato gaṅgāṃ gaṅgāgaṅgeti kīrtayan | vavaṃde caraṇau tasyāḥ śirasāliṅgya medinīm 15| mohayaṃtī smitā lokaiḥ suprītā parameśvarī | tamuvāca tato vipra varaṃ vṛṇviti jaimine 16| dharmasva uvāca- mātastvatsalilasparśādbrahmahāpi ca mokṣabhāk | mayā tvaṃ dṛśyate sākṣātsādhyaṃ kimaparaṃ mama 117| tathāpyekaṃ varaṃ yāce tvannīre parameśvari | mṛtyurbhavatu me devi tvannāmasmarato mama 118| mayā kṛtena stotreṇa yastvāṃ stauti sadeśvari | so'pi bhuktvākhilānkāmānaṃte yāsyati sadgatim 119| gaṅgovāca- anayā bhavato bhaktyā saṃtuṣṭāsmi dvijottama | śīghraṃ te kuśalaṃ sarvaṃ bhaviṣyati na saṃśayaḥ 120| tvayā kṛtamidaṃ stotraṃ trisaṃdhyaṃ yaḥ paṭhennaraḥ | tasyāhamapi saṃtuṣṭā dāsyāmi muktimuttamām 121| vyāsa uvāca- iti datvā varaṃ tasmai sā devī bhaktavatsalā | dharmasvanāmne viprendra tatraivāṃtaradhīyata 122| sa ca vipro varaṃ prāpya kṛtakṛtya ivābhavat | gaṅgārodhasi tatraiva tasthau vipra manorame 123| tataḥ kālena mahatā vimale jāhnavījale | sukhamṛtyuṃ samāsādya jagāma padamuttamam 124| kālakalpo'pi pāpātmā sikto gaṅgāmbuśīkaraiḥ | prāptavānuttamaṃ mokṣamanyeṣāṃ kā kathā dvija 125| anicchayāpi gāṅgeyaṃ jalaṃ spṛṣṭvā phalānvitam | spṛśatāṃ bhaktibhāvena kiṃ bhavennahi vedmi tat 126| gaṅgāsamaṃ nāsti tīrthaṃ bhūyobhūyo mayocyate | yadambukaṇikāṃ spṛṣṭvā paramaṃ dhāma labhyate 127| ye bhaktibhāvena saridvarāyāḥ spṛśaṃti yeṃ'bhakaṇikāmapīha | te yāṃti nūnaṃ padamacyutasya pāpairvimuktāḥ sakalairmahograiḥ 128| iti śrīpadmapurāṇe kriyāyogasāre gaṅgāśīkaramāhātmye saptamo'dhyāyaḥ 7 |

English translation

Śrī Vyāsa said :

1-4. I shall just again tell you the excellent importance of Gaṅgā ; having heard it all men would obtain all their desired objects. On seeing the face of him who has not bathed in Gaṅga , the mother of the world, a man should instantly look at the Sun. The sins of him who, in the morning, would devoutly remember the couple of letters ‘Gaṅ-gā’, perish, as darkness perishes at dawn. All the food, water etc. of (i.e. offered by) him who has not seen the best among rivers, are unfit to be accepted.

5-9. The sins of those who bathe in Gaṅgā leave their bodies and go to the bodies of those who do not bathe in Gaṅgā. Oh, very, very strange it is that fools fall into a hell, (though) there is the name of Gaṅgā (to purify them). That brāhmaṇa who would carry even a drop of the Gaṅgā-water on his head is freed from great sins like the murder of a brāhmaṇa. That meritorious man, on whose forehead an j excellent mark made with the Gaṅgā-sand is seen, undoubtedly purifies the entire world. That man who would see (a man) who has come from the bank of Gaṅgā with great respect, obtains the fruit of thousands of horse-sacrifices.

10. Viṣṇu is pleased with him and gives him all his desired objects who says (to another man): “I am going to the bank of Gaṅgā. You (too) come (with me)”.

1 1-13. That man who, remembering the name Gaṅgā, bathes even in the water of a well, would obtain the fruit of a bath in Gaṅgā. He who, at the time of death, gets a drop of the Gaṅgā-water equal (to the size of) a mustard, would go to the highest position. O brāhmaṇa sage, in this context only listen to an ancient account, by merely hearing which goddess Gaṅgā is pleased.

14-17. In the Tretā age there was a brāhmaṇa by name Dharmasva . He was righteous, calm, controlled, full of pity and had mastered the Vedas and the Vedāṅgas . He spoke the truth, was without anger and free from harming (anyone); he had controlled his senses; he desired the good of all beings; he was always engaged in abstract meditation. To cross the ocean of the mundane existence, that devotee of Viṣṇu worshipped Keśava , the lord of gods, by means of the yoga of action (i.e. religious deeds). Sometime, finding an auspicious day, that best brāhmaṇa, desiring liberation, went to the bank of Gaṅgā to bathe, O brāhmaṇa.

18-24. Having bathed there in the Gaṅgā-water, and having presented libations of water etc. to the manes, he, carrying pitchers of the Gaṅgā-water, decided to go home. O brāhmaṇa, at that time a vaiśya called Ratnakara , surrounded by all his servants, came back after finishing trade. He had a brāhmaṇa servant known as Kālakalpa. He who had committed all (kinds of) sins, came (there) with a staff in his hand. O best brāhmaṇa, one ox of that Ratnakara, fatigued due to the journey, slept on the road. That very cruel Kālakalpa, seeing the bull lying on the path, struck him with the staff in various ways. Due to anger produced by the strokes of the staff, the bull got up and tore him with his very sharp horns. His chest was torn out by the couple of horns, and he (also) lost his sight. Dharmasva, full of pity, quickly went near him.

25-26. Then that intelligent one (i.e. Dharmasva) took an excellent tulasī -leaf from his ear, and sprinkled him with the divine drops of the water of Gaṅgā. O best brāhmaṇa, seeing him dead, he, the knower of the most sublime truth, was amazed, and decided to go home.

27-32. Then going along the path while repeating the names of Gaṅgā, he saw before him, thousands of crores of Yama ’s messengers. Some of them had one of their legs cut off. Some of them had one of their hands cut off. The ears of some were cut off. Some had one ear only. Some had their noses cut off. Some had their tongues cut off. The teeth of some were broken. Some were without teeth. The entire bodies of some were smeared with streams of blood. Some had their hair loose. Some had lost their mouths. Similarly some of them were naked. The chests of some were pierced. The bodies of some were disabled with very sharp arrows. Others had their fingers and hands tied with strong cords. Others wailing due to agony, were intent on running (away).

33-34. That best brāhmaṇa, seeing Yama’s servants reduced to such a state, had his heart trembling, and through fear he was a little motionless. Then mustering courage, that brāhmaṇa, a devotee of Viṣṇu, asked thus with sweet (voice) the savage servants of Yama.

Dharma(sva) said :

35-36. Who are you of deformed figures and having nooses and hammers in your hands, with your mouths fierce due to fangs and resembling charcoal? All you have eyes like very powerfully burning fire. Yet, someone has reduced you to this bad plight.

Yama’s messengers said :

37. We all are Yama’s messengers, always carrying out Yama’s order. This very great sin has come to us with great chastisement (as its fruit).

Dharmasva said :

38. You, of great power and valour, have come all of a sudden. Who has reduced you, and how has he reduced you to such a very bad plight?

Yama’s messengers said :

39-46. O best brāhmaṇa, give up your fear. Listen to the whole account, since this agony of us has become extremely unbearable. We, the servants, have been sent forth by Yama to carry this Kālakalpa who has been torn with his horns by a bull. Ordered by him (i.e. Yama), all of us, with all weapons in our hands have come here to take the greatest of sinners after tying him. This wicked-hearted Kālakalpa whose death was imminent, was torn with his horns by the bull who became the cause (of his death). You, being kind, repeating the names of Gaṅgā, sprinkled the greatest of sinners with the drops of the water of Gaṅgā. Though his sins had gone due to his being sprinkled with the drops of water, we, binding him strongly with cords, exerted to take him (to Yama’s abode). The lord of gods, the protector of those who have sought his refuge, also sent his very powerful and valorous messengers to take him (to Vaikuṇṭha ). O best brāhmaṇa, certain messengers then came by Viṣṇu’s order and angrily said these words to us on the path:

Viṣṇu’s messengers said :

47-49. O noble ones, who are you? How do you take this noble-minded one after binding him with a cord? Whose servants are you? Leaving this noble one, run (away) as you please. Otherwise we shall cut off your heads with the edge of (our) discs. O best brāhmaṇa, having heard these proud words of them, the servants of Viṣṇu, we said to them:

50-53. “We all are the servants of Yama, the lord of (every) life. Taking this greatest sinner we are going to Yama’s abode. All you noble ones are adorned with the garlands of tulasī-blossoms. Your eyes are like full-blown lotuses. You are strong, and are Garuḍa -bannered. You have put on divine garments. You are handsome like the peacock’s neck. You are holding conches, discs, maces and lotuses. You (each) have four arms. Who are all of you, endowed with all (auspicious) marks? How do you desire to take this greatest sinner?”

Viṣṇu’s messengers said :

54-55. All of us are Viṣṇu’s messengers. To take this meritorious man to Vaikuṇṭha we have come here now. O servants of Yama, if you desire to live, then quickly release this our man, Viṣṇu’s devotee, free from sins.

56-63. O brāhmaṇa, listen to the words we angrily uttered on hearing these words of them, addressed to all. I (shall) tell them. “This one is a sinner, of a bad conduct. He has committed thousands of murders of brāhmaṇas . He is ungrateful. He is the killer of cows, (his) friends, and is evil-hearted. This extremely wicked one has snatched very many (pieces of) gold of the size of the Meru (mountain). He has always kidnapped others’ wives. O servants of Viṣṇu, he has committed thousands of crores of murders of living beings in various ways, so also murders of women. Everyday he snatched the deposits kept with him; he committed incest with his mother and ate cow’s flesh also. He killed others and set fire to others’ houses. He censured others in an assembly, and caused abortions of widows. He, resembling a Yavana , killed at night with sharp swords a guest that had come to his house through greed for wealth, O best one. This mean fool has committed innumerable sins (like) these and other great sins. He has not done even a little producing auspiciousness.

64. Therefore, this great sinner is being taken to the house of torture. O best ones, the sinners are known to be punished by Yama.

65. If you are the messengers of the lord, the god of gods, then how do you wish to take this greatest sinner (to Vaikuṇṭha)?”

Viṣṇu’s messengers said :

66-72. You have spoken the truth only. There is no doubt about it. All sinners are always to be punished by the lord of beings. (But) this one is free from sins due to his being sprinkled with the drops of the water of Gaṅgā. Therefore, we all shall take him to Viṣṇu’s abode. Till the drops of Gaṅgā-water, very difficult to be secured, do not touch the bodies of men, sins remain in their bodies. As by just one digit of the moon entire darkness is removed, in the same way sin is destroyed by a drop of Gaṅgā-water. By (merely) remembering the names of Gaṅgā a sinner is freed from his sins. What wonder is there if he is freed on actually seeing her water? Even the cold Gaṅgā-water is like fire to the forest of sins, as cold water acts like fire in the case of a lotus-pond. Therefore, this one is a meritorious man, as it were, another Viṣṇu. O servants of Yama, if you desire your wellbeing, (then) go (back).

73-76. Listen to what we again said, after laughing loudly on hearing these words of those messengers of Viṣṇu. “Oh wonder! Oh wonder! that this abode of sins has been freed from all sins just due to the sprinkling of Gaṅgā-water. A mortal is not freed even after hundreds of crores of kalpas , without experiencing (the fruit of) the act, good or bad, done by him. We have come (here) by Yama’s order to take him (to Yama). By whose words should we leave this great sinner?”

Viṣṇu’s messengers said :

77-80. Since you do not know the merits of the daughter of Jahnu (i.e. Gaṅgā), you are evil-minded and devoid of discrimination. That act which is prohibited in (i.e. by) the Veda is said to be a sin. That act approved by the Veda is alone said to be Teligious. We hear that god Nārāyaṇa is evidently self-born. As Viṣṇu is, so is Gaṅgā. Gaṅgā alone destroys all sins. A bad or a good act is fixed by Viṣṇu with his own hands. When Viṣṇu is pleased, where do men’s sins remain?

81-84. You have been reduced to this state due to your sins earned (i.e. committed) in other (i.e. former) existences. O you of sinful acts, why do you even now desire (to commit) sinful acts? You censure Gaṅgā; so also you censure Viṣṇu. Therefore, we shall kill you, the sinful ones, with the edge of our discs.

Speaking like this, O best one, those messengers of Viṣṇu, with their eyes red due to anger, started fighting with us. They angrily said: “Kill (these) messengers of Yama”. Repeatedly speaking like this, they struck us with the edge of their discs.

85-87. Speaking like that, all those messengers of Viṣṇu, very fierce in battle, and being delighted at heart, suddenly blew their conches. Then, O brāhmaṇa, the three worlds were pervaded by our lion-like roars, like thunderings of clouds, and by our bows being expanded (i.e. strung). Then with trees, stones and showers of rocks, we split those messengers of Viṣṇu.

88-91. In that ocean (of the battle) the messengers of Viṣṇu variously struck us with missiles like double-edged swords, small javelins, arrows, so also clubs studded with iron, axes, knives, staffs and darts, swords, (missiles called) śakti , sharp arrows, maces, edges of discs, and very fierce arrows of iron, and with fearful missiles. Then all of us wounded by the missiles ran away through fear. Thousands of us fell dead in the battle.

92-96. Then those mighty servants of Viṣṇu, seeing us intent on fleeing, joyfully blew their conches. Then cutting off the bond of Kālakalpa, and putting him into an aeroplane, they went to the lord’s city, O best brāhmaṇa. O best one, due to the efficacy of the sprinkling of the drops (of the water) of Gaṅga, that very sinful Kālakalpa obtained residence in the same heaven with Viṣṇu. Having lived there for a hundred kalpas, having enjoyed charming pleasures, and having obtained knowledge there only, he obtained liberation. O lord, due to the efficacy of Gaṅgā, this our affliction has gone. O brāhmaṇa, well-being to you. Being very much pleased, go home.

97. O brāhmaṇa, having spoken like this, those messengers of Yama went to Yama’s city. That Dharmasva again went to the bank of Gaṅgā.

98. Having bathed in Gaṅgā, the mother of the world, the brāhmaṇa, with the palms of his hands joined, praised that greatest goddess.

Dharmasva said :

99-112. O Gaṅga, O mother of the entire world, O you of unsteady ripples, O you having the garland of the flowers of the very charming heads of Anaṅga etc., O you who remove the dust on both the lovely feet of the enemy of Kaṃsa , I salute you who destroy sins. O mother, O you who give happiness to all, O you best among the rivers, O you whose merits have been sung by the hosts of brāhmaṇas like Vyāsa , O you rich in virtues, O you, the boat in the fearful, great ocean in the form of the mundane existence, I salute the pair of your feet, which remove sins. O daughter of Jahnu, with (i.e. by bowing) my head, I salute you, on having whose drop of water the king named Saudāsa , having (committed the sin of) the murder of crores of brāhmaṇas, obtained liberation, difficult to be obtained even by gods. O you giver of boons, be pleased. By your grace let the body of me, repeating the names like Nārāyaṇa, Acyuta , Janārdana , Kṛṣṇa , Rāma , Gaṅgā etc., fall into your water, O goddess, O mother, O you who remove sins in the worldly existence. O goddess of all, what is the use of austerities, muttering (the hymns etc.), (giving) presents, or of sacrifices like the horse-sacrifice? (For) even very sinful men obtain liberation, difficult to be obtained even by gods, on securing a drop of your water. O you highest goddess, O you who are the cause of the creation, maintenance, and destruction of the world, I salute you of the form of the three guṇas , viz. sattva (i.e. goodness), rajas (i.e. passion), and tamas (i.e. darkness or ignorance), who are that Svāhā (i.e. oblation offered indiscriminately to all gods), that Svadhā (i.e. offering of food made to the manes of deceased ancestors) for the great satisfaction of the hosts of gods and manes. May the entire dust from your feet be on the head of me who always wear your sand, and a vertical mark with your clay on my forehead, who would devoutly repeat your name, the abode of all tastes. May my birth remove the tie with the worldly life, after (my) having lived on your bank, O Gaṅgā, after (my) having drunk your water which removes sins, after (my) having recollected your name, and after (my) having seen your water with waves. Looking upon heaven as having a difficult path leading to it, and taking it to be very important, very happy men have a great fear about it. But O giver of nectar, it is indeed in vain, since your water acts as a staircase for going to heaven. O you goddess of all, O you giver of enjoyments, O you Gaṅgā, the chief among rivers, sins, hosts of diseases remain in the bodies (of men) till they do not bathe in your pure water. O you of an uninterrupted flow, that some call you who are the giver of the highest liberation, to reach whose greatness (gods) like Viṣṇu, Brahmā , Śiva and hosts of gods like Indra (try hard), a (simple) river, is their ignorance! O Gaṅgā, O you who give all pleasures, lord Śiva knows a little of your importance, since he, the best of the good-minded, very devoutly holds you, the (only) goddess of the world, on his head. O Gaṅgā, O goddess, O mother of the world, O highest goddess, nourish me; salutation to you; protect me, your servant. O giver of liberation, can I whose mind is confused, praise you, of the nature of the highest Brahman and the only mother of the world?

Vyāsa said :

113-116. Gaṅgā, the mother of the world, thus praised by the intelligent brāhmaṇa, suddenly appeared before him in an embodied form, O brāhmaṇa. Before him he saw Gaṅgā with two arms, seated on a crocodile, white like a kunda (flower), the moon and a conch, and adorned with all ornaments. Then, he, seeing Gaṅgā before him, saying ‘O Gaṅgā, O Gaṅgā,’ saluted her after touching the ground with his head. O Jaimini , infatuating him with smiling looks, that highest goddess who was very-much pleased, said to him: “O brāhmaṇa, choose a boon.”

Dharmasva said :

117-119. O mother, by the touch of your water even the murderer of a brāhmaṇa gets liberation. I am actually seeing you. What else have I to gain? Yet, O highest goddess, I ask for one boon: May I, while recollecting your name, die in your water. O goddess, he who praises you with the hymn composed by me, will, after enjoying all desired objects, obtain a good position in the end.

Gaṅgā said :

120-121. O best brāhmaṇa, by this devotion of you I am pleased. Undoubtedly you will soon have full happiness. Being pleased with the man who would recite this hymn composed by you, three times a day, I shall grant him the excellent liberation.

Vyāsa said :

122-128. That goddess, affectionate to her devotees, having thus given a boon to that (brāhmaṇa) named Dharmasva, vanished there only, O best brāhmaṇa. The brāhmaṇa too, having secured that boon, was as it were fortunate. O brāhmaṇa, he lived there only on the beautiful bank of Gaṅgā. Then after a long time having met a happy death in the pure water of Gaṅgā, he reached the best position. Even that wicked-minded Kālakalpa, sprinkled with the drops of the Gaṅgā-water, obtained excellent liberation. Then what need one say of others, O brāhmaṇa? The Gaṅga-water, even though touched unintentionally, gives fruit. I do not know what would happen to those who touch it with devotion. I say repeatedly, there is no other holy place like Gaṅgā, touching a drop of water of which one obtains the highest abode. Those, who devoutly touch in this world just a drop of the water of this excellent river, go to the position of Viṣṇu after being freed from all very fierce sins.

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 45181, revision 336755 (2022-04-27T03:33:41Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365848.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.