Uttara-khaṇḍa · Chapter 69
Sourceनारद उवाच- उपवासासमर्थानां सदैवामरसत्तम । एका या द्वादशी पुण्या तां वदस्व ममानघ १। शिव उवाच- मासि भाद्रपदे शुक्ले द्वादशी श्रवणान्विता । सा वै सर्वप्रदा पुण्या ह्युपवासे महाफला २। संगमे सरितः स्नात्वा द्वादशीं तामुपोषितः । अयत्नात्समवाप्नोति द्वादश द्वादशीफलम् ३। बुधश्रवणसंयुक्ता या च वै द्वादशी भवेत् । अतीव महती तस्यां कृतं सर्वमथाक्षयम् ४। द्वादशी श्रवणोपेता यदा भवति नारद । संगमे सरितां स्नात्वा लभेद्गोदानजं फलम् ५। जलपूर्णं तदा कुंभं स्थापयित्वा विचक्षणः । तस्योपरि न्यसेत्पात्रं स्थापयित्वा जनार्दनम् ६। ततस्तस्याग्रतो देयं नैवेद्यं घृतपाचितम् । सोदकांश्च नवान्कुंभान्दद्याच्छक्त्या विचक्षणः ७। एवं संपूज्य गोविंदं जागरं तत्र कारयेत् । प्रभाते विमले स्नात्वा संपूज्य गरुडध्वजम् ८। पुष्पधूपादि नैवेद्यैः फलैर्वस्त्रैः सुशोभनैः । पुष्पांजलिं ततो दद्यान्मंत्रमेनमुदीरयेत् ९। नमो नमस्ते गोविंद बुधश्रवणसंयुत । अघौघसंक्षयं कृत्वा सर्वसौख्यप्रदो भव १०। अन्नं तु ब्राह्मणे पूतं वेदवेदांगपारगे । पुराणज्ञे विशेषेण विधिवत्संप्रदापयेत् ११। अनेन विधिना चैव नद्यास्तीरे नरोत्तमः । सर्वं निर्वर्त्तयेत्सम्यगेकचित्तरतोऽपि सन् १२। अत्राप्युदाहरंतीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । महत्यरण्ये यद्वृतं भूमिदेव शृणुष्व तत् १३। यं श्रुत्वा मानवो लोके महादुःखात्प्रमुच्यते । देशो दासरको नाम तस्य भागे च पश्चिमे १४। तत्र विद्वन्मरुर्देशः सर्वसत्वभयंकरः । सुतप्तसिकता भूमिर्यत्र दुष्टा महोरगाः १५। अल्पच्छायाद्रुमाकीर्णा मृतप्राणिसमाकुला । शमीखदिरपालाशकरीरैः पीलुभिः सह १६। तत्र भीमा द्रुमगणाः कंटकैरचिता दृढैः । जग्धप्राणजनाकीर्णा यत्र भूर्दृश्यते क्वचित् १७। तथापि जीवा जीवंति सर्वे कर्मनिबंधनात् । नोदकं नोदकाधारा विद्वंस्तत्र बलाहकाः १८। पक्षांतरगतैः कैश्चिच्छिशुभिस्तृषितैः समम् । उत्क्रांतजीविनो विप्र दृश्यंते नु खगोत्तमाः १९। तस्मिंस्तथाविधे देशे कश्चिद्दैववशाद्वणिक् । निजसार्थपरिभ्रष्टः प्रविष्टो मरुजांगले २०। बभ्रामोद्भ्रांतहृदयः क्षुत्तृट्भ्यां श्रमपीडितः । क्व ग्रामः क्व जलं क्वाहं यास्यामि न बुबोध ह २१। अथ प्रेतान्ददर्शासौ क्षुत्तृषाव्याकुलेंद्रियान् । उत्कटान्खलिनो भीमान्निर्मांसान्रौद्रदर्शनान् २२। प्रेतस्कंधसमारूढमेकं विकृतदर्शनम् । ददर्श बहुभिः प्रेतैः समंतात्परिवारितम् २३। अगच्छमानमत्युग्रं प्रेतशब्दपुरःसरम् । प्रेतोऽपि दृष्ट्वा तां घोरामटवीमागतं नरम् २४। प्रेतस्कंधान्महीं गत्वा तस्यांतिकमुपागमत् । प्रणिपत्य वणिक्श्रेष्ठमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् २५। अस्मिन्घोरतरे देशे प्रवेशो भवतः कथम् । तमुवाच वणिक्धीमान्सार्थभ्रष्टस्य मे वने २६। प्रवेशो दैवयोगेन पूर्वकर्मकृतेन च । तृषा मे बाधतेऽत्यर्थं क्षुधा चैव भृशं तथा २७। प्राणांतिकमनुप्राप्तं वचनं भ्रमतीव मे । अत्रोपायं न पश्यामि जीवेयं येन केनचित् २८। इत्येवमुक्ते प्रेतस्तं वणिजं वाक्यमब्रवीत् । फुल्लां शमीं समाश्रित्य प्रतीक्ष त्वं मुहूर्त्तकम् २९। कृतातिथ्यो मया पश्चाद्गमिष्यसि यथासुखम् । एवमुक्तस्तथा चक्रे स वणिक्तृष्णयार्दितः ३०। मध्याह्नसमये प्राप्ते प्रेतस्तं देशमागतः । फुल्लां सवृक्षां शीतोदां वारिधानीं मनोरमाम् ३१। दध्योदनसमायुक्तां वर्द्धमानेन संयुताम् । अवतीर्य ततः स्वन्नं प्रादादतिथये तदा ३२। स तत्राशनमात्रेण परं तृप्तित्वमागतः । वितृष्णो विज्वरश्चैव क्षणेन समपद्यत ३३। ततश्च प्रेताः संप्राप्ताः सोऽस्माद्भागं क्रमाद्ददौ । दध्योदनात्सपानीयात्प्रेतास्तृप्तिं परां गताः ३४। अतिथिं तर्पयित्वा तु प्रेतलोकं च सर्वतः । ततः स्वयं स बुभुजे भुक्तशेषं यथासुखम् ३५। तस्य भुक्तवतः स्वन्नं पानीयं च क्षयं ययौ । प्रेताधिपं ततस्तं वै वणिग्वचनमब्रवीत् ३६। आश्चर्यमेतत्परमं वनेऽस्मिन्प्रतिभाति मे । अन्नं पानं च परमं संप्राप्तं च कुतस्तव ३७। स्वल्पेनैव तथान्नेन त्वमेतांस्तु बहूनपि । अतर्पयः कथं त्वेते निर्मांसा भिन्नकुक्षयः ३८। कथमस्यां सुघोरायामटव्यां च कृतालयाः । तदेतत्संशयं छिंधि परं कौतूहलं मम ३९। एवमुक्तः स वणिजा प्रेतो वचनमब्रवीत् । वाणिज्यसक्तस्य पुरा जन्मातीते ममानघ ४०। सकले नगरे नास्ति ममान्यो हि दुरात्मकः । धनलोभान्न कस्यापि दत्ता भिक्षा मया तदा ४१। सखा चैव ततश्चासीद्ब्राह्मणो गुणवान्मम । श्रावणद्वादशीयोगे मासि भाद्रपदे ततः ४२। स कदाचिन्मया सार्द्धं तापीं नाम नदीं ययौ । तस्याश्च संगमः पुण्यो यत्रासीच्चंद्रभागया ४३। चंद्रभागा चंद्रसुता तापी चैवार्कनंदिनी । तयोः शीतोष्णसलिले प्रविवेश स ह द्विजः ४४। श्रवणद्वादशीयोगे नराश्च समुपोषिताः । चंद्रभागा सुतो येन वारिधानीं ददुर्द्विजे ४५। दध्योदनयुतां सार्द्धं संपूर्णैर्वर्द्धमानकैः । छत्रोपानद्युगं वस्त्रं प्रतिमां च तथा हरेः ४६। प्रददौ विप्रमुख्येभ्यो हरस्याग्रे महामते । वित्तसंरक्षणार्थाय तस्यास्तीरे व्रते मया ४७। सोपवासेन दत्तैका वारिधानी मनोरमा । तत्कृत्वाहं गृहं प्राप्तः ततः कालेन केनचित् ४८। पंचत्त्वमहमासाद्य नास्तिक्यात्प्रेततां गतः । अस्यामटव्यां घोरायां यथा ह्यहिकुलं तथा ४९। श्रवणद्वादशीयोगे वारिधान्यर्पिता मया । सेयं मध्याह्नसमये लभ्यते च दिनेदिने 6.69.५०। ब्रह्मस्वरूपिणः सर्वे पापाः प्रेतत्वमागताः । परदारगताः केचित्स्वामिद्रोहरताश्च ये ५१। भूतप्रेतजरूपेण ते जाता ह्यत्र मानवाः । देशे मरुस्थले त्वस्मिन्ममैते मित्रतां गताः ५२। अक्षयो भगवान्विष्णुः परमात्मा सनातनः । दीयते यत्समुद्दिश्य ह्यक्षयं तत्प्रकीर्तनम् ५३। अक्षयेनापि चान्नेन तृप्ता एते पुनः पुनः । प्रेतत्वभावं दौर्बल्यं न विमुंचति कर्हिचित् ५४। पूजयित्वाहमन्नैस्त्वामतिथिं समुपस्थितम् । प्रेतभावाद्विनिर्मुक्तो यास्यामि परमां गतिम् ५५। मया विहीनाः किंत्वेते वनेऽस्मिन्भृशदारुणे । पीडामनुभविष्यंति दारुणां कर्मयोनिजाम् ५६। एतेषां तु महाभाग ममानुग्रहकाम्यया । प्रत्येकं नामगोत्राणि गृह्णीष्व लिखितानि च ५७। अस्ति कक्षागता चैव तव संपुटिका शुभा । हिमवंतमथासाद्य तत्र त्वं लप्स्यसे निधिम् ५८। गयाशीर्षं ततो गत्वा श्राद्धं कुरु महामते । इत्याज्ञाप्य स वै प्रेतो वणिजं च यथासुखम् ५९। विसर्जयामास तदा स वै प्रायात्समुत्सुकः । समासाद्य गृहं तत्र पश्चात्प्रायाद्धिमालयम् ६०। ततो दृष्टं निधिं तत्र गृहीत्वा स समागतः । षष्ठांशं प्रतिगृह्याथ गयाशीर्षं ततोऽभ्यगात् ६१। तत्र गत्वा गयायां स श्राद्धं कृत्वा महामतिः । प्रेतानां तु यथोद्दिष्टं श्राद्धं सम्यग्विधानतः ६२। प्रत्येकं नामगोत्राणि गृहीत्वा पिंडमुत्सृजत् । यस्य यस्य भवेच्छ्राद्धं स करोति दिने वणिक् ६३। स स तस्य तदा स्वप्ने दर्शयत्यात्मनस्तनुम् । ब्रवीति च महाभाग प्रसादाद्भवतोऽनघ ६४। प्रेतभावं मया त्यक्तं प्राप्तोऽस्मि परमां गतिम् । एवं कृत्वा विधानेन गयाशीर्षं महामनाः ६५। पश्चाज्जगाम स्वगृहं विष्णुं ध्यायन्पुनः पुनः । मासि भाद्रपदे प्राप्ते शुक्लपक्षे तथा सुधीः ६६। श्रवणद्वादशीयोगे संगमे सरितां पुनः । जगाम स महाबुद्धिः सर्वोपस्करसंयुतः ६७। संगमे सरितां स्नात्वा द्वादशीं तामुपोषितः । तत्र स्नात्वापि दत्त्वा तु पूजयित्वा जनार्दनम् ६८। अनंतरं ब्राह्मणस्य ह्युपहारांस्तदा ददौ । शास्त्रोक्तेनापि विधिना ह्येकचित्तरतोऽपि सः ६९। निवर्त्तयामास तदा वणिजो बुद्धिमान्स वै । वर्षेवर्षे तु संप्राप्ते मासि भाद्रपदे तथा ७०। श्रवणद्वादशीयोगे संगमे सरितां पुनः । एवं वै कृतवान्सर्वं विष्णुमुद्दिश्य सत्वरम् ७१। कालेन चातिमहता पंचत्वं समुपागतः । अवाप परमं स्थानं दुर्लभं सर्वमानवैः ७२। क्रीडतेऽद्यापि वैकुंठे विष्णुदूतैः स सेवितः । एवं कुरु त्वं भो ब्रह्मन्श्रवणद्वादशीव्रतम् ७३। सर्वसौभाग्यदं चैव इह लोके परत्र च । सुबुद्धिजननं चैव सर्वपापहरं परम् ७४। श्रवणद्वादशीयोगे यः कुर्याद्व्रतमीदृशम् । व्रतस्यास्य प्रभावेन विष्णुलोकं च गच्छति ७५। इति श्रीपाद्मे महापुराणे पंचपंचाशत्साहस्र्यां संहितायामुत्तरखंडे उमापतिनारदसंवादे श्रवणद्वादशीव्रतनामैकोनसप्ततितमोऽध्यायः ६९।
nārada uvāca- upavāsāsamarthānāṃ sadaivāmarasattama | ekā yā dvādaśī puṇyā tāṃ vadasva mamānagha 1| śiva uvāca- māsi bhādrapade śukle dvādaśī śravaṇānvitā | sā vai sarvapradā puṇyā hyupavāse mahāphalā 2| saṃgame saritaḥ snātvā dvādaśīṃ tāmupoṣitaḥ | ayatnātsamavāpnoti dvādaśa dvādaśīphalam 3| budhaśravaṇasaṃyuktā yā ca vai dvādaśī bhavet | atīva mahatī tasyāṃ kṛtaṃ sarvamathākṣayam 4| dvādaśī śravaṇopetā yadā bhavati nārada | saṃgame saritāṃ snātvā labhedgodānajaṃ phalam 5| jalapūrṇaṃ tadā kuṃbhaṃ sthāpayitvā vicakṣaṇaḥ | tasyopari nyasetpātraṃ sthāpayitvā janārdanam 6| tatastasyāgrato deyaṃ naivedyaṃ ghṛtapācitam | sodakāṃśca navānkuṃbhāndadyācchaktyā vicakṣaṇaḥ 7| evaṃ saṃpūjya goviṃdaṃ jāgaraṃ tatra kārayet | prabhāte vimale snātvā saṃpūjya garuḍadhvajam 8| puṣpadhūpādi naivedyaiḥ phalairvastraiḥ suśobhanaiḥ | puṣpāṃjaliṃ tato dadyānmaṃtramenamudīrayet 9| namo namaste goviṃda budhaśravaṇasaṃyuta | aghaughasaṃkṣayaṃ kṛtvā sarvasaukhyaprado bhava 10| annaṃ tu brāhmaṇe pūtaṃ vedavedāṃgapārage | purāṇajñe viśeṣeṇa vidhivatsaṃpradāpayet 11| anena vidhinā caiva nadyāstīre narottamaḥ | sarvaṃ nirvarttayetsamyagekacittarato'pi san 12| atrāpyudāharaṃtīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam | mahatyaraṇye yadvṛtaṃ bhūmideva śṛṇuṣva tat 13| yaṃ śrutvā mānavo loke mahāduḥkhātpramucyate | deśo dāsarako nāma tasya bhāge ca paścime 14| tatra vidvanmarurdeśaḥ sarvasatvabhayaṃkaraḥ | sutaptasikatā bhūmiryatra duṣṭā mahoragāḥ 15| alpacchāyādrumākīrṇā mṛtaprāṇisamākulā | śamīkhadirapālāśakarīraiḥ pīlubhiḥ saha 16| tatra bhīmā drumagaṇāḥ kaṃṭakairacitā dṛḍhaiḥ | jagdhaprāṇajanākīrṇā yatra bhūrdṛśyate kvacit 17| tathāpi jīvā jīvaṃti sarve karmanibaṃdhanāt | nodakaṃ nodakādhārā vidvaṃstatra balāhakāḥ 18| pakṣāṃtaragataiḥ kaiścicchiśubhistṛṣitaiḥ samam | utkrāṃtajīvino vipra dṛśyaṃte nu khagottamāḥ 19| tasmiṃstathāvidhe deśe kaściddaivavaśādvaṇik | nijasārthaparibhraṣṭaḥ praviṣṭo marujāṃgale 20| babhrāmodbhrāṃtahṛdayaḥ kṣuttṛṭbhyāṃ śramapīḍitaḥ | kva grāmaḥ kva jalaṃ kvāhaṃ yāsyāmi na bubodha ha 21| atha pretāndadarśāsau kṣuttṛṣāvyākuleṃdriyān | utkaṭānkhalino bhīmānnirmāṃsānraudradarśanān 22| pretaskaṃdhasamārūḍhamekaṃ vikṛtadarśanam | dadarśa bahubhiḥ pretaiḥ samaṃtātparivāritam 23| agacchamānamatyugraṃ pretaśabdapuraḥsaram | preto'pi dṛṣṭvā tāṃ ghorāmaṭavīmāgataṃ naram 24| pretaskaṃdhānmahīṃ gatvā tasyāṃtikamupāgamat | praṇipatya vaṇikśreṣṭhamidaṃ vacanamabravīt 25| asminghoratare deśe praveśo bhavataḥ katham | tamuvāca vaṇikdhīmānsārthabhraṣṭasya me vane 26| praveśo daivayogena pūrvakarmakṛtena ca | tṛṣā me bādhate'tyarthaṃ kṣudhā caiva bhṛśaṃ tathā 27| prāṇāṃtikamanuprāptaṃ vacanaṃ bhramatīva me | atropāyaṃ na paśyāmi jīveyaṃ yena kenacit 28| ityevamukte pretastaṃ vaṇijaṃ vākyamabravīt | phullāṃ śamīṃ samāśritya pratīkṣa tvaṃ muhūrttakam 29| kṛtātithyo mayā paścādgamiṣyasi yathāsukham | evamuktastathā cakre sa vaṇiktṛṣṇayārditaḥ 30| madhyāhnasamaye prāpte pretastaṃ deśamāgataḥ | phullāṃ savṛkṣāṃ śītodāṃ vāridhānīṃ manoramām 31| dadhyodanasamāyuktāṃ varddhamānena saṃyutām | avatīrya tataḥ svannaṃ prādādatithaye tadā 32| sa tatrāśanamātreṇa paraṃ tṛptitvamāgataḥ | vitṛṣṇo vijvaraścaiva kṣaṇena samapadyata 33| tataśca pretāḥ saṃprāptāḥ so'smādbhāgaṃ kramāddadau | dadhyodanātsapānīyātpretāstṛptiṃ parāṃ gatāḥ 34| atithiṃ tarpayitvā tu pretalokaṃ ca sarvataḥ | tataḥ svayaṃ sa bubhuje bhuktaśeṣaṃ yathāsukham 35| tasya bhuktavataḥ svannaṃ pānīyaṃ ca kṣayaṃ yayau | pretādhipaṃ tatastaṃ vai vaṇigvacanamabravīt 36| āścaryametatparamaṃ vane'sminpratibhāti me | annaṃ pānaṃ ca paramaṃ saṃprāptaṃ ca kutastava 37| svalpenaiva tathānnena tvametāṃstu bahūnapi | atarpayaḥ kathaṃ tvete nirmāṃsā bhinnakukṣayaḥ 38| kathamasyāṃ sughorāyāmaṭavyāṃ ca kṛtālayāḥ | tadetatsaṃśayaṃ chiṃdhi paraṃ kautūhalaṃ mama 39| evamuktaḥ sa vaṇijā preto vacanamabravīt | vāṇijyasaktasya purā janmātīte mamānagha 40| sakale nagare nāsti mamānyo hi durātmakaḥ | dhanalobhānna kasyāpi dattā bhikṣā mayā tadā 41| sakhā caiva tataścāsīdbrāhmaṇo guṇavānmama | śrāvaṇadvādaśīyoge māsi bhādrapade tataḥ 42| sa kadācinmayā sārddhaṃ tāpīṃ nāma nadīṃ yayau | tasyāśca saṃgamaḥ puṇyo yatrāsīccaṃdrabhāgayā 43| caṃdrabhāgā caṃdrasutā tāpī caivārkanaṃdinī | tayoḥ śītoṣṇasalile praviveśa sa ha dvijaḥ 44| śravaṇadvādaśīyoge narāśca samupoṣitāḥ | caṃdrabhāgā suto yena vāridhānīṃ dadurdvije 45| dadhyodanayutāṃ sārddhaṃ saṃpūrṇairvarddhamānakaiḥ | chatropānadyugaṃ vastraṃ pratimāṃ ca tathā hareḥ 46| pradadau vipramukhyebhyo harasyāgre mahāmate | vittasaṃrakṣaṇārthāya tasyāstīre vrate mayā 47| sopavāsena dattaikā vāridhānī manoramā | tatkṛtvāhaṃ gṛhaṃ prāptaḥ tataḥ kālena kenacit 48| paṃcattvamahamāsādya nāstikyātpretatāṃ gataḥ | asyāmaṭavyāṃ ghorāyāṃ yathā hyahikulaṃ tathā 49| śravaṇadvādaśīyoge vāridhānyarpitā mayā | seyaṃ madhyāhnasamaye labhyate ca dinedine 6.69.50| brahmasvarūpiṇaḥ sarve pāpāḥ pretatvamāgatāḥ | paradāragatāḥ kecitsvāmidroharatāśca ye 51| bhūtapretajarūpeṇa te jātā hyatra mānavāḥ | deśe marusthale tvasminmamaite mitratāṃ gatāḥ 52| akṣayo bhagavānviṣṇuḥ paramātmā sanātanaḥ | dīyate yatsamuddiśya hyakṣayaṃ tatprakīrtanam 53| akṣayenāpi cānnena tṛptā ete punaḥ punaḥ | pretatvabhāvaṃ daurbalyaṃ na vimuṃcati karhicit 54| pūjayitvāhamannaistvāmatithiṃ samupasthitam | pretabhāvādvinirmukto yāsyāmi paramāṃ gatim 55| mayā vihīnāḥ kiṃtvete vane'sminbhṛśadāruṇe | pīḍāmanubhaviṣyaṃti dāruṇāṃ karmayonijām 56| eteṣāṃ tu mahābhāga mamānugrahakāmyayā | pratyekaṃ nāmagotrāṇi gṛhṇīṣva likhitāni ca 57| asti kakṣāgatā caiva tava saṃpuṭikā śubhā | himavaṃtamathāsādya tatra tvaṃ lapsyase nidhim 58| gayāśīrṣaṃ tato gatvā śrāddhaṃ kuru mahāmate | ityājñāpya sa vai preto vaṇijaṃ ca yathāsukham 59| visarjayāmāsa tadā sa vai prāyātsamutsukaḥ | samāsādya gṛhaṃ tatra paścātprāyāddhimālayam 60| tato dṛṣṭaṃ nidhiṃ tatra gṛhītvā sa samāgataḥ | ṣaṣṭhāṃśaṃ pratigṛhyātha gayāśīrṣaṃ tato'bhyagāt 61| tatra gatvā gayāyāṃ sa śrāddhaṃ kṛtvā mahāmatiḥ | pretānāṃ tu yathoddiṣṭaṃ śrāddhaṃ samyagvidhānataḥ 62| pratyekaṃ nāmagotrāṇi gṛhītvā piṃḍamutsṛjat | yasya yasya bhavecchrāddhaṃ sa karoti dine vaṇik 63| sa sa tasya tadā svapne darśayatyātmanastanum | bravīti ca mahābhāga prasādādbhavato'nagha 64| pretabhāvaṃ mayā tyaktaṃ prāpto'smi paramāṃ gatim | evaṃ kṛtvā vidhānena gayāśīrṣaṃ mahāmanāḥ 65| paścājjagāma svagṛhaṃ viṣṇuṃ dhyāyanpunaḥ punaḥ | māsi bhādrapade prāpte śuklapakṣe tathā sudhīḥ 66| śravaṇadvādaśīyoge saṃgame saritāṃ punaḥ | jagāma sa mahābuddhiḥ sarvopaskarasaṃyutaḥ 67| saṃgame saritāṃ snātvā dvādaśīṃ tāmupoṣitaḥ | tatra snātvāpi dattvā tu pūjayitvā janārdanam 68| anaṃtaraṃ brāhmaṇasya hyupahārāṃstadā dadau | śāstroktenāpi vidhinā hyekacittarato'pi saḥ 69| nivarttayāmāsa tadā vaṇijo buddhimānsa vai | varṣevarṣe tu saṃprāpte māsi bhādrapade tathā 70| śravaṇadvādaśīyoge saṃgame saritāṃ punaḥ | evaṃ vai kṛtavānsarvaṃ viṣṇumuddiśya satvaram 71| kālena cātimahatā paṃcatvaṃ samupāgataḥ | avāpa paramaṃ sthānaṃ durlabhaṃ sarvamānavaiḥ 72| krīḍate'dyāpi vaikuṃṭhe viṣṇudūtaiḥ sa sevitaḥ | evaṃ kuru tvaṃ bho brahmanśravaṇadvādaśīvratam 73| sarvasaubhāgyadaṃ caiva iha loke paratra ca | subuddhijananaṃ caiva sarvapāpaharaṃ param 74| śravaṇadvādaśīyoge yaḥ kuryādvratamīdṛśam | vratasyāsya prabhāvena viṣṇulokaṃ ca gacchati 75| iti śrīpādme mahāpurāṇe paṃcapaṃcāśatsāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāmuttarakhaṃḍe umāpatināradasaṃvāde śravaṇadvādaśīvratanāmaikonasaptatitamo'dhyāyaḥ 69|
English translation
Nārada said :
1. O best god, the able ones always have fasts. O sinless one, tell me about one Dvādaśī (only) which is auspicious.
Śiva said :
2-10. The Dvādaśī in the bright half of Bhādrapada , along with the Śravaṇa (lunar mansion) gives everything, is auspicious, and (if) a fast (is observed on that day), it gives great fruit. Having bathed at the confluence of river(s) and fasted on Dvādaśī, a man obtains the fruit of Dvādaśī(-vow) without any effort. That Dvādaśī which is connected with (the rise of) Mercury and Śravaṇa (lunar mansion) is very great. Everything that is done on that (day) becomes inexhaustible. O Nārada , a man having bathed at the confluence of rivers when Dvādaśī is conjoined with Śravaṇa, would obtain the fruit of the gift of a cow. A wise man having placed a pitcher full of water, should put upon it a vessel, having installed (the image of) Viṣṇu in it. Then before it the wise one should offer eatables cooked in ghee . He should also devoutly give, according to his capacity, nine pitchers full of water. Having thus worshipped Viṣṇu, he should keep awake there. (Then) having got up in the spotless morning, and having worshipped Viṣṇu with flowers, incense, offerings of eatables, fruits and very beautiful garments, he should offer him a handful of flowers and recite this hymn: ‘Repeated salutations to you, O Viṣṇu, conjoined with Mercury and Śravaṇa. Destroying the stream of our sins, give us all pleasures.’
11-19. He should duly give pure food to a brāhmaṇa who has mastered the Vedas and the Vedāṅgas , and especially to him who knows the Purāṇas . With his mind concentrated, the best man should accomplish all this in this manner on the bank of a river. In this case also they narrate an old account which took place in this great forest. O brāhmaṇa, listen to it. Hearing it a man is freed from great grief. There was a country named Daśāraka, and to its west, O wise one, there was the Maru country, fierce due to all (kinds of) beings. The land there had the sand very much heated. There were also great serpents. (The land there) was full of trees with scanty shadow, and crowded with dead animals. (It was crowded with trees) like śamī , khadira , palāśa , karīra , and pīlu . There were fearful groups of trees full of strong thorns. It was full of men whose vitality was exhausted (i.e. who were very weak). Such region was at places seen there. Yet all beings bounded by karma lived (there). O wise one, there was neither water nor were there clouds, the receptacles of water. O brāhmaṇa, (there) best birds were seen dead, along with their thirsty young ones remaining between their wings.
20-34. Into that country—Marujāṅgala—like that, a merchant missing his caravan through (ill,) luck, entered. With his mind confused and oppressed with hunger, thirst and exhaustion, he did not know as to where a village was, where water was, or where he (himself) stood. Then he saw evil spirits with their senses overcome with hunger and thirst. They were large, wicked, fierce; were fleshless (i.e. very weak) and they were fearful to look at. He saw one (of them) looking ugly and mounted upon the shoulders of an evil spirit and surrounded by many evil spirits. It was not moving, was very fierce, and was accompanied by the sounds of evil spirits. The evil spirit also, having seen the man who had come to that fierce forest, got down from the evil spirit’s shoulder and approached him. Having saluted the best merchant, it said these words: “How did you enter this very fearful region?” To it the intelligent merchant said: “I who missed my caravan, (un-)fortunately entered this forest due to my former deeds. Thirst oppresses me, so also hunger oppresses me very much. My end has come. My words are faltering. I now do not see any remedy by means of which I would live.” When this was said by him, the evil spirit said these words to the merchant: “Wait for a while after resorting to a blossomed śamī. Then being offered a hospitable reception by me you will go at will.” Thus addressed, the merchant, oppressed by thirst, did like that. When it was the mid-day the evil spirit came to that region of the blossomed tree and brought down a beautiful pitcher of water, full of cold water, along with curd and rice and he himself offered it to the guest. Then merely by eating it, he was very much satisfied. And in a moment he became free from thirst and torment. Then the evil spirits came there. He gave a portion from the curd and rice (to all) one by one. The evil spirits were highly satisfied with the curd and rice along with water.
35-42a. Having gratified the guest and all the evil spirits, he himself ate at will, whatever was left of (what they had) eaten. When he was eating the good food and water were exhausted. Then the merchant said these words to the chief of the evil spirits: “This strikes me as a great wonder in this forest. Wherefrom did you secure the excellent food and drink? So also, how did you satisfy with just little food so many of these who are flesh less (i.e. weak) and have their sides broken? How is it that you have made your abode in this very fierce forest? Remove this doubt of me. I have a great curiosity (to know it).” Thus addressed by the merchant, the evil spirit spoke these words: “O sinless one, in my former birth, like me who was devoted to trade, there was no other wicked man in the entire city. Due to greed for wealth, I never gave alms to any one then. Then there was a virtuous brāhmaṇa friend of mine.
42b-54. On the twelfth day of Bhādrapada, when the Śravaṇa (a Zodiacal sign) appeared, he some time went with me to the Tāpī river to bathe. Her confluence with Candrabhāgā was holy. Candrabhāgā is the Moon’s daughter, and Tāpī is the Sun’s daughter. With the brāhmaṇa I got into the lukewarm water of them. Men fasted on the occasion of the Śrāvaṇa -dvādaśī, and gave pitcher of water full of the good Candrabhāgā water to Brāhmaṇas . I also gave Viṣṇu’s image, with curd and rice, with lids, with an umbrella, a pair of sandals, and a garment to principal brāhmaṇas, O very intelligent one. Then for the preservation of my wealth, I, on her bank, and in (keeping with my) vow, gave, after fasting, a charming pitcher of water. Having done that, I came home, and after some time, I expired, and due to my heresy I was reduced to the state of an evil spirit in this terrible forest like the family of snakes. On the occasion of Śravaṇa-dvādaśī, I gave a pitcher of water. The same is received by me at mid-day every day. All other brāhmaṇas who were sinful, who had sexual union with other’s wives, and who had plotted against their masters, became evil spirits. Here, in this Maru region, the men were born as goblins and evil spirits; and they have become my friends here. The eternal highest soul, revered Viṣṇu is imperishable. That which is offered with reverence to him is said to be inexhaustible. Though they are repeatedly satisfied with inexhaustible food, they do not at all give up their state of evil spirits and weakness.
55-61. I, after having honoured with food a guest (like) you who have come (here), have become free from the state of an evil spirit, and will obtain the highest position (viz. salvation). But these, abandoned by me, will experience terrible suffering due to their acts in this very fearful forest. O noble one, with a desire to favour me, take down the names and their lineage which are (given by me). There is an auspicious box in your upper garment. Then reaching the Himālaya mountain, you will then obtain a treasure there. O very intelligent one, then go to Gayāśīrṣa , and perform a śrāddha .” Having thus instructed the merchant as he liked, he dismissed him. He (too) being eager went away. Having reached his house first, he (then) later went to the Himālaya mountain. Then taking the treasure seen there he came (to Gayāśīrṣa). Taking one-sixth portion of it he went to Gayāśīrṣa.
62-75. The very intelligent one went to Gayā , performed a śrāddha, (so also) a śrāddha offered to the evil spirits duly and as indicated. Taking (i.e. uttering) the names and (mentioning) the families, he offered a piṇḍa to everyone. He whose śrāddha the merchant would perform by day, showed him his body in his dream and said: “O noble one, O sinless one, by your favour I have abandoned the state of an evil spirit, and have reached the highest condition.” In this way the noble-minded one having duly performed (the śrāddhas ) at Gayāśīrṣa, later went, repeatedly meditating upon Viṣṇu, to his own house. The very intelligent one, in the bright fortnight of Bhādrapada when it was the occasion of Śravaṇa-dvādaśī, with all necessary things went to the confluence of the rivers. Having bathed at the confluence of the rivers, he observed the Dvādaśī fast. Then he bathed there, gave (gifts to brāhmaṇas) and worshipped Viṣṇu. Then he with a concentrated mind gave presents to a brāhmaṇa according to the manner specified in the sacred texts. Then the intelligent merchant returned. When every year the month of Bhādrapada arrived, on the occasion of Śravaṇa-dvādaśī (he bathed) at the confluence of rivers. Thus dedicating everything to Viṣṇu, he performed all (the rites). After a long time he died. He obtained a great position which is difficult to be obtained by men. Even now he being waited upon by Viṣṇu’s servants, plays in Vaikuṇṭha . O brāhmaṇa, thus you observe the Dvādaśī-vow. It gives all good fortune in this world and the next. It produces good ideas, it is great, and removes all sins. He who, on the occasion of the Śravaṇa-dvādaśī observes such a vow, goes to Viṣṇu’s world due to the efficacy of this vow.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 44641, revision 336465 (2022-04-22T22:36:13Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365646.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.