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Uttara-khaṇḍa · Chapter 200

Chapter 200

Unit 612 of 693Uttara-khaṇḍa · Chapter 200Uttara-khaṇḍa · Chapter 2001 source entries

Uttara-khaṇḍa · Chapter 200

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श्रीभगवानुवाच- नैतच्चित्रं सुराधीश मुनयो ज्ञानवत्तराः । मदीयां पदवीं भक्तिं गुर्वीं कुर्वंति सत्कृताम् १। एते ज्ञानोपदेष्टारस्त्रिलोकतलवासिनाम् । प्रवर्तयंत्यमी नष्टं वेदमार्गं यतः सदा २। भक्त्या भवानपि स्वर्गभोगासक्तोऽपि मां यतः । प्रपन्नोऽसि किमाश्चर्यं यतस्तव गुरुर्गुरुः ३। यजस्व सुरशार्दूल मखैर्मां बहुदक्षिणैः । निष्क्रामस्त्वं समीपस्थं तूर्णं प्राप्स्यसि मत्पदम् ४। प्रतियागं प्रयच्छ त्वं रत्नप्रस्थान्यनेकशः । आख्ययास्थानमेतत्ते इंद्रप्रस्थं भविष्यति ५। विधे त्वमत्र रचय प्रयागं तीर्थपुंगवम् । सरस्वतीं समानीय गंगां च जनपाविनीम् ६। काशीं च शिवकांचीं च त्वमत्र स्थापयेश्वर । गोकर्णं च समं गौर्या निवासं कुरु सर्वदा ७। भो भो ब्रह्मसुता यूयं ज्ञानविज्ञानकोविदाः । निजयोगबलेनात्र कुरुध्वं तीर्थसप्तकम् ८। निगमोद्बोधकं तीर्थं त्वं गुरो प्रतिपादय । विनाध्ययनमप्यत्र स्नानाद्बोधोस्तु छंदसाम् ९। स्मृतिश्च जायतां पूर्वजन्मनस्तु परात्मनोः । अहमारोपयाम्यत्र द्वारकां सुमनोहराम् १०। समुद्रेणसमं यत्र गोमत्यासंगमोऽभवत् । कोशलां च करोम्यत्र मध्वरण्यं च वासव ११। ययोरवतरिष्यामि वपुर्भ्यां रामकृष्णयोः । बदर्याश्रममप्यत्र नरनारायणास्पदम् १२। विदधामि सदा यत्र वसामि सुरनायक । हरिद्वारं पुष्करं च तीर्थद्वयमनुत्तमम् १३। तदपि स्थापयाम्यत्र तवैव हितकाम्यया । नैमिषेयानि तीर्थानि यानि कालंजरे गिरौ १४। सरस्वतीतटे यानि स्थापयाम्यहमत्र वै । नारद उवाच- शिवे शिवतरं वाक्यं हरेः श्रुत्वा कृतं च तत् १५। दृष्ट्वा तदुक्तमपि ते चक्रुर्ब्रह्मशिवादयः । सर्वतीर्थमयेऽमुष्मिन्स्थाने स त्रिदशाधिपः १६। स्वर्णयूपैर्बहुमखैरीजे भूयो रमापतिम् । रत्नप्रस्थानि विप्रेभ्यः कृष्णस्य पुरतो ददौ १७। नारायणः समस्तात्मा ममायमिति तुष्यतु । इंद्रप्रस्थमिदं तीर्थं ततःप्रभृति कथ्यते १८। सर्वतीर्थमये यत्र मृतो भूयो न जायते । इंद्रदत्तानि ते लब्ध्वा रत्नप्रस्थानि भूसुराः १९। तस्मै ददुरवितथामाशिषं तत्र संसदि । इंद्राय तव गोविंदो दानेनानेन तुष्यतु २०। तावकी भक्तिरप्यस्मिन्भूयादव्यभिचारिणी । कर्मभूमाविह विभो पुरा यज्ञशतं कृतम् २१। तेन पुण्येन लब्धं ते सकामेन सुरास्पदम् । अधुना पूजितो विष्णुर्निःकामेन त्वया मखैः २२। स्वपदाद्विच्युतो भूमौ भविष्यति द्विजाग्रणीः । तत्रापि निजधर्मेण विष्णुमाराधयन्भवान् २३। स्मरिष्यति निजं कर्म कृतमत्र मखादिकम् । तत्स्मृतेगृर्हमुत्सृज्य भवान्तीर्थानि पर्यटन् २४। जनकेन समं शक्र तीर्थेऽस्मिन्संप्रपत्स्यते । चतुर्थाश्रममादाय त्यक्षत्यत्र कलेवरम् २५। ततो विमानमारुह्य गणा नीतं रविप्रभम् । भवान्दिव्यांगवान्भूत्वा प्राप्स्यति श्रीहरेः पदम् २६। नारद उवाच- एवमाकर्ण्य विप्राणामाशिषं त्रिदशाधिपः । भविष्यपिशुनां चोक्तिं शिवे मुदमगात्तराम् २७। समाप्य विधिवद्यज्ञान्नात्र सौवर्णयष्टिकान् । माधवप्रमुखान्देवान्पूजितान्स व्यसर्जयत् २८। ऋत्विजो ब्रह्मणः पुत्रानभ्यर्च्य च धनादिभिः । बृहस्पतिं पुरस्कृत्य ययौ शक्रस्त्रिविष्टपम् २९। तत्र राज्यं विधायेंद्रो हरिभक्तियुतः शिवे । अवातरद्भुवि क्षीणपुण्ये हास्तिनपत्तने ३०। शिवशर्मा द्विजः कश्चिद्वेदवेदांगपारगः । तस्य भार्या गुणवती नाम्नान्वर्थवती भृशम् ३१। तस्यां जातः सुवेलायामिंद्रः श्रीपतिसेवकः । ज्योतिर्विदः समाहूता लग्नं दृष्ट्वा बभाषिरे ३२। ज्योतिर्विद ऊचुः- शिवशर्मन्नयं बालः तव भावी हरिप्रियः । उद्धरिष्यति ते वंशं ब्रूमः सत्यं न वै मृषा ३३। त्रयोदशाब्ददेहो यः सांगं वेदचतुष्टयम् । अधीतज्ञानसंपन्नो विवाहं तु करिष्यति ३४। पुनरुत्पाद्य सत्पुत्रं वानप्रस्थो भविष्यति । तीर्थेषु पर्यटन्धीरः संन्यासं धारयिष्यति ३५। इंद्रस्य खांडववने यमुनास्ति सरिद्वरा । तत्तीरेस्ति हरिप्रस्थं मरणं तत्र यास्यति ३६। नारद उवाच- गणकोदितमाकर्ण्य शिवशर्मा शिवं वचः । चकार विष्णुशर्माणं नाम्ना निजसुतं तदा ३७। तान्विसृज्य च वित्तेन चिंतयामास बुद्धिमान् । धन्योऽहं यस्य मे पुत्रो विष्णुभक्तो भविष्यति ३८। साधयिष्यति पुत्रोऽयमाश्रमांश्चतुरो मम । मरिष्यति च सत्तीर्थे मदन्यः कोऽस्ति भाग्यवान् ३९। एवं विचिंत्य मनसा जातकर्माद्यकारयत् । शिशोर्द्विजातिप्रवरैः शिवशर्मा शुभेऽहनि ४०। अथ सप्तस्वतीतेषु वर्षेषु द्विजसत्तमः । सुतोपनयनं चक्रे चैत्रमास्यष्टमेऽब्दके ४१। आद्वादशाब्दादध्याप्य वेदानन्वगतः सुतम् । शिवशर्मा शिवे राजन्युयोज सह भार्यया ४२। विष्णुशर्मा स्वभार्यायां पुत्रमुत्पाद्य बुद्धिमान् । चकार तीर्थयात्रायां मनो निर्विषयं स्वकम् ४३। अभ्येत्य पितरं प्राह नत्वा तच्चरणद्वयम् । विष्णुशर्मा महाप्राज्ञो मुनिवाक्यमनुस्मरन् ४४। विष्णुशर्मोवाच - अनुजानीहि मां तात विष्णुमाराधयाम्यहम् । तृतीयाश्रममासाद्य सत्संगतिविधायकम् ४५। दारागारधनापत्यसुहृदः क्षणभंगुराः । बुद्बुदा इव तोयेषु सुधीस्तेषु न सज्जते ४६। स्वाध्यायेन च संतत्या मया तीर्णमृणद्वयम् । तीर्थेषु कामरहितो यष्टुमिच्छामि केशवम् ४७। सन्यस्तगुणरागोऽहं पश्चात्तीर्थोत्तमे क्वचित् । स्थातुमिच्छाम्यहं तावद्यावत्प्रारब्धमस्ति मे ४८। इत्युक्तस्तेन पुत्रेण स पिता बुद्धिमत्तरः । स्मृत्वा ज्योतिर्विदां वाक्यमाह संसारनिस्पृहः ४९। शिवशर्मोवाच- चतुर्थाश्रमकालोऽयं ममापि निरहंकृतेः । विषयान्विषवत्त्यक्त्वा सेविष्ये केशवामृतम् 6.200.५०। गृहे मम मनः पुत्र रमते नाद्य वार्द्धके । आनीतस्य वनाद्बद्ध्वा गजस्येव नृपालये ५१। तवानुजं सुशर्मायं कुटुंबं धारयिष्यति । आवाभ्यामुज्झितं विद्याश्रीकुलाभ्यां यथा नरम् ५२। प्रव्रजंतं तु मामेव तव माता पतिव्रता । अनुयास्यति मार्तंडं यथा कांतिर्दिनात्यये ५३। तस्मादावामविज्ञातो तया तात तवांबया । गच्छावश्चिंतयंतौ श्रीहरेः पादसरोरुहम् ५४। नारद उवाच- इत्यालोच्य मुमुक्षू तौ निशीथे तमसावृते । सुप्तं कुटुंबमुत्सृज्य गृहान्निर्याय जग्मतुः ५५। सहैव पर्यटंतौ तौ सुतीर्थे निरहंकृती । शिवेऽत्रशिवदे तीर्थे शक्रप्रस्थे समीयतुः ५६। अत्रागतः स्वविहितान्पूर्वजन्मनि यूपकान् । विष्णुशर्मा शमालोक्य सस्मार हरिसंगमम् ५७। ऊचे च पितरं धीमान्शक्र आसमहं पुरा । मयात्र विहिता यज्ञा माधवप्रीणनेच्छया ५८। अत्रैव मे प्रसन्नोऽभूत्केशवो भक्तवत्सलः । संतोषिता मणिप्रस्थैः द्विजाः सप्तर्षयश्च मे ५९। तैरेव वैष्णवी भक्तिर्दत्ता मोक्षोभवेऽत्र च । विष्ण्वादिभिः समस्तैस्तु तीर्थान्यत्र कृतानि वै ६०। सर्वतीर्थमयं तीर्थमिन्द्रप्रस्थमिदं कृतम् । अत्रैव मे मृतिश्चोक्ता तैरेव मुनिपुंगवैः ६१। ततो हरिपदप्राप्तिरेतत्सर्वं स्मराम्यहम् । इमे गंगासरस्वत्यौ निजलोकाद्विरिंचिना ६२। समानीते ययोर्योगे प्रयागोऽयं निगद्यते । एषा काशी शिवपुरी प्रयागात्पूर्वदेशके ६३। द्विपंचाशद्धनुर्मात्रे मृतो यस्यां न जायते । काश्याः पश्चिमके भागे धनुषामेकविंशतिः ६४। शिवकांची शिवेनैषा स्थापिता मृतमुक्तिदा । गोकर्णाख्यमिदं क्षेत्रं शंभोः परमवल्लभम् ६५। धनुर्द्वयप्रमाणे तु भूमिभागे व्यवस्थितम् । इयं द्वारवती पुण्या तीर्थराजस्य पश्चिमे ६६। धनुषां सप्ततिर्यत्र मृतो भावी चतुर्भुजः । अतोऽसौ पूर्वदिग्भागे कोशलाजनवत्सला ६७। अष्टादशधनुर्मात्रे दृश्यते पुण्यदर्शना । एतन्मधुवनं तात स्थापितं विष्णुना स्वयम् ६८। कोशला पश्चिमे भागे दशचापप्रमाणतः । अत उत्तरतस्तात नरनारायणास्पदम् ६९। एतदेकादशधनुर्भूमिदेशे च तिष्ठति । एतत्तीर्थं हरिद्वारमतो दक्षिणतः स्थितम् ७०। त्रिंशद्धनुर्महीदेशे दृश्यते देवदुर्ल्लभम् । एतत्तु पुष्करं नाम तीर्थं तीर्थशिरोमणिम् ७१। द्वादशेष्वासमात्रे भूभागे भो तात तिष्ठति । प्रयागादिक गव्यूतिः सप्तर्षीणां महात्मनाम् ७२। पूर्वस्यां दिशि तीर्थानि सप्ततत्तीर्थसप्तकम् । तीर्थसप्तककाशोस्तु संति तीर्थान्यनेकशः ७३। पदेपदे येषु मृतो जायते स चतुर्भुजः । प्रयागादेकगव्यूतिमात्रे पश्चिमभूतले ७४। निगमोद्बोधकं नाम तीर्थं गुरुकृतं पुरा । तीर्थसप्तकनिगमोद्बोधयोरंतरं महत् ७५। इंद्रप्रस्थमिदं क्षेत्रं स्थापितं दैवतैः पुरा । पूर्वपश्चिमयोस्तात एकयोजनविस्तृतम् ७६। कालिंद्यावदक्षिणेवयावद्योजनानांवचतुष्टयम् । इंद्रप्रस्थस्यमर्यादा कथितैषा महर्षिभिः ७७। देवत्रय्यां च योह्यत्र त्यजत्यंगं भवत्यजः । नारद उवाच- पुत्रस्यैतद्वचः श्रुत्वा शिवशर्मा शिवे द्विजः ७८। प्रत्याहलसंदिहानस्तं स्वपुत्रं सत्यवादिनम् । शिवशर्मोवाच- कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वं पुरासीः सुरेश्वरः ७९। त्वमत्र कृतवान्यज्ञान्मणिभिस्तोषिता द्विजाः । त्वदुक्तज्ञानवान्पुत्र यथाऽहं स्यां तथा कुरु ८०। इंद्रप्रस्थस्य मर्यादा कुत एषा त्वया श्रुता । यतः प्रभृति ते जाता मतिस्त्वं नात्यजो गृहम् ८१। मत्त एव त्वयाधीतं सांगं वेदचतुष्टयम् । पूर्वजन्मकृते कृत्ये ज्ञानमासीत्कुतस्तव ८२। विष्णुशर्मोवाच - ऋषिभिर्मे वरो दत्तः पूर्वजन्मस्मृतिप्रदः । तेभ्य एवास्य तीर्थस्य श्रुता ह्येषा स्मृतिर्मया ८३। निगमोद्बोधके तीर्थे स्नानमत्र पितः कुरु । दुर्लभं प्राप्स्यसे ज्ञानं पूर्वजन्मस्मृतिप्रदम् ८४। ममापि पूर्वजनुषः प्रवृत्तिं त्वं स्मरिष्यसि । एतत्तीर्थजलस्पर्शात्तात सत्यं वदामि ते ८५। नारद उवाच- शिवशर्मणि विप्रेंद्रे श्रुत्वैतत्स्नातुमुद्यते । निगमोद्बोधके तीर्थे स्मृतये पूर्वजन्मनः ८६। सिंहेनानुगतः कश्चिद्भिल्लो धावन्समागतः । अतित्रासपरीतांगो निःश्वसन्श्रमविह्वलः ८७। हिंसात्मको वर्त्मघाती वणिजां लुंठकः सदा । कृष्णांगः पिंगकेशश्च खर्वो मार्जारलोचनः ८८। कुंतहस्तो भीममूर्ति देही पाप्मेव भूयते । सतः पश्चात्कियद्दूरे सिंहमालोक्य तावुभौ ८९। पितृपुत्रौ समीपस्थे द्रुममारुह्य तस्थतुः । वदंताविति हा कृष्ण मोचयातोऽपमृत्युतः ९०। स किरातस्तु राजेंद्र गृहीतुं वेगवत्तरम् । वीक्ष्य सिंहं द्रुमं भीतः समारोढुं प्रचक्रमे ९१। आरोहणं प्रकुर्वंतं सिंहो जग्राह वेगवान् । पादयोरथ भूपृष्ठे पातयित्वा रुरोह तम् ९२। अधःस्थितो किरातोऽपि कुंतेनोदरमस्य वै । ददार रुधिरौघाक्त निसृतांत्रकदंबकम् ९३। जातव्यथो विधायाथ नादं परमदारुणम् । सिंहः पिपेष भिल्लस्य शिरः सद्यो ममार च ९४। तयोः पंचत्वमापन्ने भूतसंघेऽत्र भूपते । विमानद्वयमुत्तीर्णं गणाभ्यां सह सत्पदात् ९५। नवीनघनवर्णाभ्यां स्फटिकोपलनिर्मितम् । चारुकुंडलकर्णाभ्यां मणिप्रकरमंडितम् ९६। शंखचक्रगदापद्महस्ताभ्यां चारुचित्रभृत् । दधद्भ्यां पीतवस्त्राणि हेमभित्तिविभूषितम् ९७। प्रफुल्लांबुजनेत्राभ्यां पद्मरागगवाक्षभृत् । धीरनिह्रादमंजीरपद्भ्यां रणितकिंकिणी ९८। प्रकोष्ठेवलयश्रेणीं बिभ्रद्भ्यां चारुवेदिकम् । मुक्ताहारैर्मनोहारि वक्षोभ्यां सवितानवत् ९९। कुटिलालकवक्त्राभ्यां मुन्नतध्वजिराजितम् । भ्रूयुगाक्षिप्तपंचेषु धनुर्भ्यामुच्चतोरणम् 6.200.१००। नासालज्जितकीराभ्यां निर्व्यूहशतशोभितम् । नवविद्रुमसच्छायतलाभ्यां दर्पणामलम् १०१। दिव्यांगौ भिल्लपंचास्यौ त्यक्त्वांगं प्राकृतं स्थितौ । पुरैव प्राणनिर्याणे तीर्थस्यास्य प्रभावतः १०२। तयोः समीपमानीय विमानौ तौ हरेर्गणौ । ऊचतुस्तावथारूपवेषाकृतिधरौ ततः १०३। भो किरात नरश्रेष्ठ भो पंचास्य मृगाधिप । आवां जानीतमायातौ वैकुंठात् श्रीहरेर्गणौ १०४। नेष्यामस्तत्पदं सत्यं युवां तत्र न चोर्मयः । स्वंस्वं विमानमारुह्य गम्यतामाशु मा चिरम् १०५। स्वंस्वं विमानमारूढौ तौ किरातमृगाधिपौ । ऊचतुर्विस्मयाविष्टौ लक्ष्मीपतिगणौ प्रति १०६। भोभो त्रिदशशार्दूलौ श्रूयतां वाक्यमावयोः । युवयोर्दर्शनाज्जातं ज्ञानं तौ पारमार्थिकम् १०७। अत्र जन्मनि नावाभ्यां कृतं सुकृतमल्पकम् । स्मृतिर्नो जायते पूर्वकर्मणां वां प्रसादतः १०८। मांसाहारौ प्राणिहिंसारतौ क्रूरांतरेंद्रियौ । पापाचारकुले जातौ दर्शनेन भयप्रदौ १०९। आवामेतादृशे लोके ह्यभूतामिति पापिनौ । केन पुण्येन युवयोर्जातं दर्शनमावयोः ११०। सारूप्यं च कुतः पुण्याद्यायावः श्रीहरेः पदम् । गणावूचतुः । तीर्थेत्र मरणान्नूनं सुराचार्यकृते पुरा १११। युवयोर्दर्शनं जातं नौ च सारूप्यमद्भुतम् । लक्ष्मीपतिपदपाप्तिर्भविष्यति च वां चिरम् ११२। तावत्पापानि गर्जंति ब्रह्महत्यादिकानि वै । जातं न दर्शनं यावत्तीर्थस्यास्य बृहस्पतेः ११३। यथा तमांसि नश्यंति भास्करस्योदयादिह । तथा पापानि निगमोद्बोधकस्याविलोकनात् ११४। इंद्रप्रस्थाख्यमेतद्वै क्षेत्रमिंद्रस्य पावनम् । तेनात्र पूजितो विष्णुः क्रतुभिर्बहुदक्षिणैः ११५। तुष्टेन विष्णुना तस्मै वरो दत्तो निशम्यताम् । भो शक्र तावके क्षेत्रे सर्वतीर्थमये जनाः ११६। तनुं त्यक्षंति ये ते वै मत्तुल्या हिंसका अपि ११७। नारद उवाच- इत्युक्त्वा तौ गणःश्रेष्ठौ नीत्वा तौ जग्मतुः पदम् । हरेर्यत्रगतोभूयो विश्वाब्धौ न निमज्जति ११८। इति श्रीपाद्मे महापुराणे पंचपंचाशत्साहस्र्यां संहितायामुत्तरखंडे कालिंदी। माहात्म्ये भिल्लसिंहवैकुंठारोहणं नाम द्विशततमोऽध्यायः २०० ।

śrībhagavānuvāca- naitaccitraṃ surādhīśa munayo jñānavattarāḥ | madīyāṃ padavīṃ bhaktiṃ gurvīṃ kurvaṃti satkṛtām 1| ete jñānopadeṣṭārastrilokatalavāsinām | pravartayaṃtyamī naṣṭaṃ vedamārgaṃ yataḥ sadā 2| bhaktyā bhavānapi svargabhogāsakto'pi māṃ yataḥ | prapanno'si kimāścaryaṃ yatastava gururguruḥ 3| yajasva suraśārdūla makhairmāṃ bahudakṣiṇaiḥ | niṣkrāmastvaṃ samīpasthaṃ tūrṇaṃ prāpsyasi matpadam 4| pratiyāgaṃ prayaccha tvaṃ ratnaprasthānyanekaśaḥ | ākhyayāsthānametatte iṃdraprasthaṃ bhaviṣyati 5| vidhe tvamatra racaya prayāgaṃ tīrthapuṃgavam | sarasvatīṃ samānīya gaṃgāṃ ca janapāvinīm 6| kāśīṃ ca śivakāṃcīṃ ca tvamatra sthāpayeśvara | gokarṇaṃ ca samaṃ gauryā nivāsaṃ kuru sarvadā 7| bho bho brahmasutā yūyaṃ jñānavijñānakovidāḥ | nijayogabalenātra kurudhvaṃ tīrthasaptakam 8| nigamodbodhakaṃ tīrthaṃ tvaṃ guro pratipādaya | vinādhyayanamapyatra snānādbodhostu chaṃdasām 9| smṛtiśca jāyatāṃ pūrvajanmanastu parātmanoḥ | ahamāropayāmyatra dvārakāṃ sumanoharām 10| samudreṇasamaṃ yatra gomatyāsaṃgamo'bhavat | kośalāṃ ca karomyatra madhvaraṇyaṃ ca vāsava 11| yayoravatariṣyāmi vapurbhyāṃ rāmakṛṣṇayoḥ | badaryāśramamapyatra naranārāyaṇāspadam 12| vidadhāmi sadā yatra vasāmi suranāyaka | haridvāraṃ puṣkaraṃ ca tīrthadvayamanuttamam 13| tadapi sthāpayāmyatra tavaiva hitakāmyayā | naimiṣeyāni tīrthāni yāni kālaṃjare girau 14| sarasvatītaṭe yāni sthāpayāmyahamatra vai | nārada uvāca- śive śivataraṃ vākyaṃ hareḥ śrutvā kṛtaṃ ca tat 15| dṛṣṭvā taduktamapi te cakrurbrahmaśivādayaḥ | sarvatīrthamaye'muṣminsthāne sa tridaśādhipaḥ 16| svarṇayūpairbahumakhairīje bhūyo ramāpatim | ratnaprasthāni viprebhyaḥ kṛṣṇasya purato dadau 17| nārāyaṇaḥ samastātmā mamāyamiti tuṣyatu | iṃdraprasthamidaṃ tīrthaṃ tataḥprabhṛti kathyate 18| sarvatīrthamaye yatra mṛto bhūyo na jāyate | iṃdradattāni te labdhvā ratnaprasthāni bhūsurāḥ 19| tasmai daduravitathāmāśiṣaṃ tatra saṃsadi | iṃdrāya tava goviṃdo dānenānena tuṣyatu 20| tāvakī bhaktirapyasminbhūyādavyabhicāriṇī | karmabhūmāviha vibho purā yajñaśataṃ kṛtam 21| tena puṇyena labdhaṃ te sakāmena surāspadam | adhunā pūjito viṣṇurniḥkāmena tvayā makhaiḥ 22| svapadādvicyuto bhūmau bhaviṣyati dvijāgraṇīḥ | tatrāpi nijadharmeṇa viṣṇumārādhayanbhavān 23| smariṣyati nijaṃ karma kṛtamatra makhādikam | tatsmṛtegṛrhamutsṛjya bhavāntīrthāni paryaṭan 24| janakena samaṃ śakra tīrthe'sminsaṃprapatsyate | caturthāśramamādāya tyakṣatyatra kalevaram 25| tato vimānamāruhya gaṇā nītaṃ raviprabham | bhavāndivyāṃgavānbhūtvā prāpsyati śrīhareḥ padam 26| nārada uvāca- evamākarṇya viprāṇāmāśiṣaṃ tridaśādhipaḥ | bhaviṣyapiśunāṃ coktiṃ śive mudamagāttarām 27| samāpya vidhivadyajñānnātra sauvarṇayaṣṭikān | mādhavapramukhāndevānpūjitānsa vyasarjayat 28| ṛtvijo brahmaṇaḥ putrānabhyarcya ca dhanādibhiḥ | bṛhaspatiṃ puraskṛtya yayau śakrastriviṣṭapam 29| tatra rājyaṃ vidhāyeṃdro haribhaktiyutaḥ śive | avātaradbhuvi kṣīṇapuṇye hāstinapattane 30| śivaśarmā dvijaḥ kaścidvedavedāṃgapāragaḥ | tasya bhāryā guṇavatī nāmnānvarthavatī bhṛśam 31| tasyāṃ jātaḥ suvelāyāmiṃdraḥ śrīpatisevakaḥ | jyotirvidaḥ samāhūtā lagnaṃ dṛṣṭvā babhāṣire 32| jyotirvida ūcuḥ- śivaśarmannayaṃ bālaḥ tava bhāvī haripriyaḥ | uddhariṣyati te vaṃśaṃ brūmaḥ satyaṃ na vai mṛṣā 33| trayodaśābdadeho yaḥ sāṃgaṃ vedacatuṣṭayam | adhītajñānasaṃpanno vivāhaṃ tu kariṣyati 34| punarutpādya satputraṃ vānaprastho bhaviṣyati | tīrtheṣu paryaṭandhīraḥ saṃnyāsaṃ dhārayiṣyati 35| iṃdrasya khāṃḍavavane yamunāsti saridvarā | tattīresti hariprasthaṃ maraṇaṃ tatra yāsyati 36| nārada uvāca- gaṇakoditamākarṇya śivaśarmā śivaṃ vacaḥ | cakāra viṣṇuśarmāṇaṃ nāmnā nijasutaṃ tadā 37| tānvisṛjya ca vittena ciṃtayāmāsa buddhimān | dhanyo'haṃ yasya me putro viṣṇubhakto bhaviṣyati 38| sādhayiṣyati putro'yamāśramāṃścaturo mama | mariṣyati ca sattīrthe madanyaḥ ko'sti bhāgyavān 39| evaṃ viciṃtya manasā jātakarmādyakārayat | śiśordvijātipravaraiḥ śivaśarmā śubhe'hani 40| atha saptasvatīteṣu varṣeṣu dvijasattamaḥ | sutopanayanaṃ cakre caitramāsyaṣṭame'bdake 41| ādvādaśābdādadhyāpya vedānanvagataḥ sutam | śivaśarmā śive rājanyuyoja saha bhāryayā 42| viṣṇuśarmā svabhāryāyāṃ putramutpādya buddhimān | cakāra tīrthayātrāyāṃ mano nirviṣayaṃ svakam 43| abhyetya pitaraṃ prāha natvā taccaraṇadvayam | viṣṇuśarmā mahāprājño munivākyamanusmaran 44| viṣṇuśarmovāca - anujānīhi māṃ tāta viṣṇumārādhayāmyaham | tṛtīyāśramamāsādya satsaṃgatividhāyakam 45| dārāgāradhanāpatyasuhṛdaḥ kṣaṇabhaṃgurāḥ | budbudā iva toyeṣu sudhīsteṣu na sajjate 46| svādhyāyena ca saṃtatyā mayā tīrṇamṛṇadvayam | tīrtheṣu kāmarahito yaṣṭumicchāmi keśavam 47| sanyastaguṇarāgo'haṃ paścāttīrthottame kvacit | sthātumicchāmyahaṃ tāvadyāvatprārabdhamasti me 48| ityuktastena putreṇa sa pitā buddhimattaraḥ | smṛtvā jyotirvidāṃ vākyamāha saṃsāranispṛhaḥ 49| śivaśarmovāca- caturthāśramakālo'yaṃ mamāpi nirahaṃkṛteḥ | viṣayānviṣavattyaktvā seviṣye keśavāmṛtam 6.200.50| gṛhe mama manaḥ putra ramate nādya vārddhake | ānītasya vanādbaddhvā gajasyeva nṛpālaye 51| tavānujaṃ suśarmāyaṃ kuṭuṃbaṃ dhārayiṣyati | āvābhyāmujjhitaṃ vidyāśrīkulābhyāṃ yathā naram 52| pravrajaṃtaṃ tu māmeva tava mātā pativratā | anuyāsyati mārtaṃḍaṃ yathā kāṃtirdinātyaye 53| tasmādāvāmavijñāto tayā tāta tavāṃbayā | gacchāvaściṃtayaṃtau śrīhareḥ pādasaroruham 54| nārada uvāca- ityālocya mumukṣū tau niśīthe tamasāvṛte | suptaṃ kuṭuṃbamutsṛjya gṛhānniryāya jagmatuḥ 55| sahaiva paryaṭaṃtau tau sutīrthe nirahaṃkṛtī | śive'traśivade tīrthe śakraprasthe samīyatuḥ 56| atrāgataḥ svavihitānpūrvajanmani yūpakān | viṣṇuśarmā śamālokya sasmāra harisaṃgamam 57| ūce ca pitaraṃ dhīmānśakra āsamahaṃ purā | mayātra vihitā yajñā mādhavaprīṇanecchayā 58| atraiva me prasanno'bhūtkeśavo bhaktavatsalaḥ | saṃtoṣitā maṇiprasthaiḥ dvijāḥ saptarṣayaśca me 59| taireva vaiṣṇavī bhaktirdattā mokṣobhave'tra ca | viṣṇvādibhiḥ samastaistu tīrthānyatra kṛtāni vai 60| sarvatīrthamayaṃ tīrthamindraprasthamidaṃ kṛtam | atraiva me mṛtiścoktā taireva munipuṃgavaiḥ 61| tato haripadaprāptiretatsarvaṃ smarāmyaham | ime gaṃgāsarasvatyau nijalokādviriṃcinā 62| samānīte yayoryoge prayāgo'yaṃ nigadyate | eṣā kāśī śivapurī prayāgātpūrvadeśake 63| dvipaṃcāśaddhanurmātre mṛto yasyāṃ na jāyate | kāśyāḥ paścimake bhāge dhanuṣāmekaviṃśatiḥ 64| śivakāṃcī śivenaiṣā sthāpitā mṛtamuktidā | gokarṇākhyamidaṃ kṣetraṃ śaṃbhoḥ paramavallabham 65| dhanurdvayapramāṇe tu bhūmibhāge vyavasthitam | iyaṃ dvāravatī puṇyā tīrtharājasya paścime 66| dhanuṣāṃ saptatiryatra mṛto bhāvī caturbhujaḥ | ato'sau pūrvadigbhāge kośalājanavatsalā 67| aṣṭādaśadhanurmātre dṛśyate puṇyadarśanā | etanmadhuvanaṃ tāta sthāpitaṃ viṣṇunā svayam 68| kośalā paścime bhāge daśacāpapramāṇataḥ | ata uttaratastāta naranārāyaṇāspadam 69| etadekādaśadhanurbhūmideśe ca tiṣṭhati | etattīrthaṃ haridvāramato dakṣiṇataḥ sthitam 70| triṃśaddhanurmahīdeśe dṛśyate devadurllabham | etattu puṣkaraṃ nāma tīrthaṃ tīrthaśiromaṇim 71| dvādaśeṣvāsamātre bhūbhāge bho tāta tiṣṭhati | prayāgādika gavyūtiḥ saptarṣīṇāṃ mahātmanām 72| pūrvasyāṃ diśi tīrthāni saptatattīrthasaptakam | tīrthasaptakakāśostu saṃti tīrthānyanekaśaḥ 73| padepade yeṣu mṛto jāyate sa caturbhujaḥ | prayāgādekagavyūtimātre paścimabhūtale 74| nigamodbodhakaṃ nāma tīrthaṃ gurukṛtaṃ purā | tīrthasaptakanigamodbodhayoraṃtaraṃ mahat 75| iṃdraprasthamidaṃ kṣetraṃ sthāpitaṃ daivataiḥ purā | pūrvapaścimayostāta ekayojanavistṛtam 76| kāliṃdyāvadakṣiṇevayāvadyojanānāṃvacatuṣṭayam | iṃdraprasthasyamaryādā kathitaiṣā maharṣibhiḥ 77| devatrayyāṃ ca yohyatra tyajatyaṃgaṃ bhavatyajaḥ | nārada uvāca- putrasyaitadvacaḥ śrutvā śivaśarmā śive dvijaḥ 78| pratyāhalasaṃdihānastaṃ svaputraṃ satyavādinam | śivaśarmovāca- kathametadvijānīyāṃ tvaṃ purāsīḥ sureśvaraḥ 79| tvamatra kṛtavānyajñānmaṇibhistoṣitā dvijāḥ | tvaduktajñānavānputra yathā'haṃ syāṃ tathā kuru 80| iṃdraprasthasya maryādā kuta eṣā tvayā śrutā | yataḥ prabhṛti te jātā matistvaṃ nātyajo gṛham 81| matta eva tvayādhītaṃ sāṃgaṃ vedacatuṣṭayam | pūrvajanmakṛte kṛtye jñānamāsītkutastava 82| viṣṇuśarmovāca - ṛṣibhirme varo dattaḥ pūrvajanmasmṛtipradaḥ | tebhya evāsya tīrthasya śrutā hyeṣā smṛtirmayā 83| nigamodbodhake tīrthe snānamatra pitaḥ kuru | durlabhaṃ prāpsyase jñānaṃ pūrvajanmasmṛtipradam 84| mamāpi pūrvajanuṣaḥ pravṛttiṃ tvaṃ smariṣyasi | etattīrthajalasparśāttāta satyaṃ vadāmi te 85| nārada uvāca- śivaśarmaṇi vipreṃdre śrutvaitatsnātumudyate | nigamodbodhake tīrthe smṛtaye pūrvajanmanaḥ 86| siṃhenānugataḥ kaścidbhillo dhāvansamāgataḥ | atitrāsaparītāṃgo niḥśvasanśramavihvalaḥ 87| hiṃsātmako vartmaghātī vaṇijāṃ luṃṭhakaḥ sadā | kṛṣṇāṃgaḥ piṃgakeśaśca kharvo mārjāralocanaḥ 88| kuṃtahasto bhīmamūrti dehī pāpmeva bhūyate | sataḥ paścātkiyaddūre siṃhamālokya tāvubhau 89| pitṛputrau samīpasthe drumamāruhya tasthatuḥ | vadaṃtāviti hā kṛṣṇa mocayāto'pamṛtyutaḥ 90| sa kirātastu rājeṃdra gṛhītuṃ vegavattaram | vīkṣya siṃhaṃ drumaṃ bhītaḥ samāroḍhuṃ pracakrame 91| ārohaṇaṃ prakurvaṃtaṃ siṃho jagrāha vegavān | pādayoratha bhūpṛṣṭhe pātayitvā ruroha tam 92| adhaḥsthito kirāto'pi kuṃtenodaramasya vai | dadāra rudhiraughākta nisṛtāṃtrakadaṃbakam 93| jātavyatho vidhāyātha nādaṃ paramadāruṇam | siṃhaḥ pipeṣa bhillasya śiraḥ sadyo mamāra ca 94| tayoḥ paṃcatvamāpanne bhūtasaṃghe'tra bhūpate | vimānadvayamuttīrṇaṃ gaṇābhyāṃ saha satpadāt 95| navīnaghanavarṇābhyāṃ sphaṭikopalanirmitam | cārukuṃḍalakarṇābhyāṃ maṇiprakaramaṃḍitam 96| śaṃkhacakragadāpadmahastābhyāṃ cārucitrabhṛt | dadhadbhyāṃ pītavastrāṇi hemabhittivibhūṣitam 97| praphullāṃbujanetrābhyāṃ padmarāgagavākṣabhṛt | dhīranihrādamaṃjīrapadbhyāṃ raṇitakiṃkiṇī 98| prakoṣṭhevalayaśreṇīṃ bibhradbhyāṃ cāruvedikam | muktāhārairmanohāri vakṣobhyāṃ savitānavat 99| kuṭilālakavaktrābhyāṃ munnatadhvajirājitam | bhrūyugākṣiptapaṃceṣu dhanurbhyāmuccatoraṇam 6.200.100| nāsālajjitakīrābhyāṃ nirvyūhaśataśobhitam | navavidrumasacchāyatalābhyāṃ darpaṇāmalam 101| divyāṃgau bhillapaṃcāsyau tyaktvāṃgaṃ prākṛtaṃ sthitau | puraiva prāṇaniryāṇe tīrthasyāsya prabhāvataḥ 102| tayoḥ samīpamānīya vimānau tau harergaṇau | ūcatustāvathārūpaveṣākṛtidharau tataḥ 103| bho kirāta naraśreṣṭha bho paṃcāsya mṛgādhipa | āvāṃ jānītamāyātau vaikuṃṭhāt śrīharergaṇau 104| neṣyāmastatpadaṃ satyaṃ yuvāṃ tatra na cormayaḥ | svaṃsvaṃ vimānamāruhya gamyatāmāśu mā ciram 105| svaṃsvaṃ vimānamārūḍhau tau kirātamṛgādhipau | ūcaturvismayāviṣṭau lakṣmīpatigaṇau prati 106| bhobho tridaśaśārdūlau śrūyatāṃ vākyamāvayoḥ | yuvayordarśanājjātaṃ jñānaṃ tau pāramārthikam 107| atra janmani nāvābhyāṃ kṛtaṃ sukṛtamalpakam | smṛtirno jāyate pūrvakarmaṇāṃ vāṃ prasādataḥ 108| māṃsāhārau prāṇihiṃsāratau krūrāṃtareṃdriyau | pāpācārakule jātau darśanena bhayapradau 109| āvāmetādṛśe loke hyabhūtāmiti pāpinau | kena puṇyena yuvayorjātaṃ darśanamāvayoḥ 110| sārūpyaṃ ca kutaḥ puṇyādyāyāvaḥ śrīhareḥ padam | gaṇāvūcatuḥ | tīrthetra maraṇānnūnaṃ surācāryakṛte purā 111| yuvayordarśanaṃ jātaṃ nau ca sārūpyamadbhutam | lakṣmīpatipadapāptirbhaviṣyati ca vāṃ ciram 112| tāvatpāpāni garjaṃti brahmahatyādikāni vai | jātaṃ na darśanaṃ yāvattīrthasyāsya bṛhaspateḥ 113| yathā tamāṃsi naśyaṃti bhāskarasyodayādiha | tathā pāpāni nigamodbodhakasyāvilokanāt 114| iṃdraprasthākhyametadvai kṣetramiṃdrasya pāvanam | tenātra pūjito viṣṇuḥ kratubhirbahudakṣiṇaiḥ 115| tuṣṭena viṣṇunā tasmai varo datto niśamyatām | bho śakra tāvake kṣetre sarvatīrthamaye janāḥ 116| tanuṃ tyakṣaṃti ye te vai mattulyā hiṃsakā api 117| nārada uvāca- ityuktvā tau gaṇaḥśreṣṭhau nītvā tau jagmatuḥ padam | hareryatragatobhūyo viśvābdhau na nimajjati 118| iti śrīpādme mahāpurāṇe paṃcapaṃcāśatsāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāmuttarakhaṃḍe kāliṃdī| māhātmye bhillasiṃhavaikuṃṭhārohaṇaṃ nāma dviśatatamo'dhyāyaḥ 200 |

English translation

The lord said :

1-15a. O lord of gods, it is no wonder that these very wise sages respect and honour my devotion, (leading to) my position, since these who teach knowledge to those living in the three worlds, always propagate the Vedic path that has perished. You, though attached to the enjoyments in heaven, have devoutly approached me. What wonder is there, since Bṛhaspati is your preceptor. O best of gods, free from desires, worship me with sacrifices with many gifts. You will quickly reach my position which is near. At every sacrifice present many prasthas (particular measures) of jewels. This place will be called Indraprastha . O Brahmā , having brought Sarasvatī and Gaṅgā purifying the world, fashion here the best holy place (called) Prayāga . O Śiva , you establish here Kāśī and Śivakāñcī and Gokarṇa . Always live here along with Gaurī . O sons of Brahmā, proficient in metaphysical and worldly knowledge, fashion here seven holy places by means of the power of your abstract meditation. O Guru , you set up the holy place Nigamodbodhaka. Here the knowledge of Vedas would be had even without studying (them). The two highest souls would have the recollection of their former existence. I shall found here very beautiful Dvārakā , where Gomatī has joined the sea. O Indra , I shall also fashion here Kośalā and Madhvaraṇya, where I shall descend through the bodies of Rāma (i.e. Balarāma ) and Kṛṣṇa . I shall also fashion here Badaryāśrama , the abode of Nara and Nārāyaṇa , where, O chief of gods, I shall always live. With a desire for your good only, I shall found the two excellent holy places, Haridvāra and Puṣkara . I shall found here all the holy places that are in Naimiṣa , on the Kālañjara mountain and the bank of Sarasvatī.

Nārada said :

15b-26. O Śibi , having heard those auspicious words of Viṣṇu , and having done and seen that, Brahmā, Śiva and others did as was said (by him). That lord of the gods again worshipped Lakṣmī ’s lord with many sacrifices in this place full of all holy places. In front of Kṛṣṇa, he gave prasthas of jewels to brāhmaṇas . ‘May this Nārāyaṇa, the soul of all, be pleased with me.’ Since then this holy place is called Indraprastha. One who dies at this holy place full of all holy places, is not reborn. The brāhmaṇas, having received those prasthas of jewels given by Indra, gave him there, in the assembly, a blessing that would not be fruitless: “O Indra, may Govinda be pleased with this gift of you. May you also have steady devotion for him. O lord, in this land of (sacred) rites formerly you, having a desire, performed a hundred sacrifices. Due to that religious position you obtained a place among the gods. Now you, without any desire, have worshipped Viṣṇu with sacrifices. Falling from your position, you will be (born) as the best brāhmaṇa . There (i.e. in that existence) also, you, worshipping Viṣṇu in accordance with your (caste-)duty, will remember the act like the sacrifice that you did. On remembering that, you, abandoning your house and going to holy places with your father, will come to this Śakra-tīrtha . Resorting to the fourth stage of life you will caste your body here. Then you, having a divine body, will get into an aeroplane brought by the attendants and bright like the sun, and will reach the position of Śrī Hari (i.e. Viṣṇu).”

Nārada said :

27-32. Having heard this blessing of the brāhmaṇas and their words indicative of the future, the lord of gods was extremely delighted, O Śibi. Having honoured with (gifts of) wealth etc. Brahmā’s sons, the priests at the sacrifice, Indra, honouring Bṛhaspati, went to heaven. O Śibi, Indra, full of devotion for Viṣṇu, having ruled there, with his religious merit exhausted, came down to Hastināpura . There was a brāhmaṇa, Śivaśarman (by name), who had mastered the Vedas and Vedāṅgas . His wife was Guṇavatī , of a very significant name. To her was born Indra, who served Viṣṇu, at an auspicious time. Astrologers were called. Seeing the auspicious time they said:

The astrologers said :

33-36 O Śivaśaraman, this your boy will be dear to Viṣṇu. He will emancipate your family. We are telling the truth and not a lie. When he will have the body of thirteen years (i.e. when he will be thirteen years old), he, rich with knowledge learnt (i.e. got) by him, will marry. Then having produced a good son he will be an anchorite. The wise one, wandering to holy places, will renounce the world. There is the excellent river in Indra’s Khāṇḍavavana. On her bank is Hariprastha. He will die there.

Nārada said :

37-44. Having heard the auspicious words uttered by the astrologers, he then named his son Viṣṇuśarman. Having dismissed them by (giving them) wealth, the intelligent one thought: ‘I whose son will be Viṣṇu’s devotee, am blessed. This son will accomplish for me the four stages of human life. He will die at the holy place. Who else is lucky like me?’ Thinking like this in his mind, Śivaśarman got performed the ceremony to be performed at the birth of a child through the brāhmaṇas on an auspicious day. And when the son completed seven years, the best brāhmaṇa performed, in his eighth year, his thread ceremony in the month of Caitra . O king, after having imparted him education till the twelfth year he united the son with a wife, O Śibi. The intelligent Viṣṇuśarman having produced a son on his wife made up his mind, free from carnal desire, for visiting holy places. Having approached his father, and having saluted both his feet, the very wise Viṣṇuśarman, remembering the sages’ words, said:

Viṣṇuśarman said :

45-49. O father, allow me. Having resorted to the third stage of life, causing good company, I (shall) worship Viṣṇu. Wife, house, wealth, children, friends are perishable. A wise man is not attached to them like bubbles on water. By means of Vedic study and progeny I have paid off the two debts (of the sages and forefathers). I, free from desires, (now) desire to offer a sacrifice to Viṣṇu. Having given up attachment for the constituents of nature I desire to stay at an excellent holy place, as long as my destiny allows.

Thus address by the son, the very intelligent father, remembering the words of the astrologers, and being desireless for (i.e. disugsted with) the mundane existence, said:

Śivaśarman said :

50-54. This is the time for resorting to the fourth stage of life for me also who am free from egoism. Having abandoned objects of senses like poison, I shall resort to the nectar in the form of Viṣṇu. O son, in this old age, my mind does not find delight in the house like an elephant brought from a forest and tied. Your younger brother Suśarman will support the family left by us two, like knowledge supporting a man forsaken by wealth and family. Your mother, a loyal wife, will (like to) follow me, renouncing the world, as brilliance follows the sun at the end of the day. Therefore, we too, not known by (i.e. without the knowledge of) your mother and thinking of Viṣṇu’s lotus-like feet, (shall) go, O dear one.

Nārada said :

55-78a. Thus thinking, the two, desiring salvation, leaving (the members of) the family (that were) asleep, moved out of the house, and went. O Śibi, the two, free from egoism, wandered, and came to the excellent place, Śakraprastha , causing auspiciousness. Viṣṇuśarman who had come here, having seen the sacrificial posts laid by him in his former birth, remembered his contact with Viṣṇu. And the intelligent one said to his father: “Formerly (i.e. in my former birth) I was Indra. With a desire to please Viṣṇu, I performed sacrifices here. Here only, Viṣṇu, loving his devotees, was pleased with me. The brāhmaṇas, the seven sages, were pleased by me with prasthas of jewels. They only gave me devotion to Viṣṇu, salvation and birth. All, Viṣṇu and others, have put up holy places elsewhere. This holy place, Indraprastha, is full of all holy places. The best sages had told that I would die here only. After that I would obtain Viṣṇu’s feet. I remember all this. These two, Gaṅgā and Sarasvatī, were brought from his own world by Brahmā; due to their contact this is called Prayāga. This is Kāśī, Śiva’s city, in the eastern region ofPrayāga. At the distance of four hastas there is an island. A man dead on it is not reborn. At the western region of Kāśī, at a distance of eighty-four hastas, there is Śivakāñcī founded by Śiva and giving salvation to the dead. This holy place called Gokarṇa, is very dear to Śiva. It is established on a portion of land measuring eight hastas. To the west of the chief holy place is this auspicious Dvārāvatī . A man dead within a distance of two hundred and eighty hastas from here gets four arms. Then to the eastern region of this is Kośala , dear to people. It measures seventy-two hastas and its sight is meritorious. This is Madhuvana , O dear one, founded by Viṣṇu himself, which is to the west and which measures forty hastas. O dear one, to the north of this is the abode of Nara and Nārāyaṇa. It stands on a piece of ground measuring forty-four hastas. This holy place is Haridvāra, situated in the south of it. It is seen on a piece of land measuring one hundred and twenty hastas. This is the holy place Puṣkara, the crest-jewel of holy places. O dear one, it is situated on a piece of ground measuring forty-eight hastas. At a distance of one krośa from Prayāga, in the eastern direction, are seven holy places of the seven sages. This is the group of seven holy places. Near the seven holy places there are many other holy places, in which at every step a dead man becomes one with four arms. At a distance of one krośa from Prayāga, in the western region, is the holy place named Nigamodbodhaka, formerly founded by Guru. The distance between the seven holy places and Nigamodbodhaka is great. O dear one, this is the holy place Indraprastha, formerly founded by deities. It is extended up to a yojana in the east and the west. The great sages have said that four yojanas to the south of Yamunā is the limit of Indraprastha. He who casts his body here in (the confluence of) the three deities, is unborn.”

Nārada said :

78b-79a. O Śibi, hearing these words of his son, the brāhmaṇa Śivaśarman having a doubt, said to his son, truthful of words.

Śivaśarman said :

79b-82. How should I know that formerly you were the lord of gods; you performed sacrifices here; you pleased the brāhmaṇas with (presents of) jewels? O son, do that by which I would have the truth of what is told by you. Wherefrom did you hear about this limit of Indraprastha, since from the time you had understanding you did not leave the house? From me only you have studied the four Vedas with the Aṅgas . How did you have the knowledge of the acts done in the former birth?

Viṣṇuśarman said :

83-85. Formerly the sages had given me a boon causing the recollection of the former existence. This recollection of this holy place is had by me from them only. O father, bathe here in this holy place, viz. Nigamodbodhaka. You will obtain knowledge difficult to obtain, giving you the ability to recollect your former birth. You will recollect even my behaviour in my former existence by touching the water of this holy place. I tell you the truth, O father.

Nārada said :

86-101. When the best brāhmaṇa Śivaśarman, after having heard this was ready to bathe in the holy place Nigamodbodhaka for the recollection of his former birth, there came running a bhilla followed by a lion. His limbs were full of great fear; he was panting; he was overcome by fatigue. He was of a harmful nature; he killed (people) on the way; he always robbed merchants. His body was dark. His hair was tawny. He was short. His eyes were like those of a cat. He had a lance in his hand; his figure was fearful. The man existed as it were by sin. Then seeing at a distance after him a lion the father and son quickly climbed a nearby tree, and remained (on it), saying, ‘O Kṛṣṇa, free us from this untimely death.’ O best king, the bhilla, seeing the lion (pursuing him) faster to seize him, was afraid, and proceeded to climb up the tree. The impetuous lion seized him, climbing (up the tree) at his feet, knocked him down with his back on the ground, and mounted on him. The bhilla too, who was pained and was under (the lion), tore the lion’s belly with his lance in such a way that the mass of his entrails, smeared with a stream of blood came out. The lion, with a piteous roar, pounded the bhilla’s head, and he died instantly. When the two died, there came down, O king, attendants with a group of two aeroplanes, that were fashioned with crystal stones, that were decorated with multitudes of jewels, that had charming pictures (painted on them), that were adorned with snow-walls, that had windows (decked) with rubies, the bells of which were tinkling, that had charming raised seats, that had cushions, that shone with lofty flags, that had high arches, that looked beautiful due to a hundred doors, that were clear like mirrors due to their floors resembling new corals, along with (i.e. in which were seated) two attendants whose complexion was like fresh clouds, on whose ears were charming rings, who had in their hands conches, discs, maces and lotuses, who had put on yellow garments, whose eyes resembled fully bloomed lotuses, the anklets round whose feet were making a deep (tinkling) sound, who had rows of bracelets round their forearms, whose chests looked charming due to pearl necklaces, whose faces had curly hair over them, whose couples of eyebrows had cast down the bow of Cupid.

102-111a. The bhilla and the lion, even before life left them, gave up their bodies and remained in a natural state due to the power of this holy place. The attendants of Viṣṇu, bringing the aeroplanes near them, who were having no dress or form, said to them: “O bhilla, best of men, O lion, the lord of beasts, know us to be Viṣṇu’s attendants who have come from Vaikuṇṭha (or from Viṣṇu). We shall take you to his place. It is true. There are no distresses there. Getting into your respective aeroplane, go quickly. Do not tarry.” The bhilla and the lion, got into their respective aeroplanes, and full of amazement, spoke to the attendants of (Viṣṇu), the lord of Lakṣmī: “O best deities, listen to our words. Due to your sight knowledge of the highest truth is produced (in us). In this existence we have not done the slightest good act. By your favour we are having the recollection of our former deeds. We ate flesh; we were engaged in killing animals; our mind and senses were cruel; we were born in sinners’ families; we cause fear when looked at. In such a world, we were sinners. Due to what religious merit, we have seen (you)? Due to what religious merit shall we have absorption into Śrī Hari?”

The two attendants said :

111b-117. Indeed due to your dying at this holy place, formerly fashioned by (Bṛhaspati,) the preceptor of gods, you saw us, and (would get) the wonderful absorption (into Viṣṇu). You will soon obtain (i.e. reach) the position of the lord of Lakṣmī. Sins like the murder of a brāhmaṇa roar till the time this holy place of Bṛhaspati is not seen. As darkness perishes on sunrise, in the same way sins perish on seeing Nigamodbodhaka. This holy place, called Indraprastha, purified Indra. Here he worshipped Viṣṇu with sacrifices with many presents. Viṣṇu pleased (by them), gave him a boon. Hear (it): “O Indra, those men, even killers, who cast their bodies at your holy place, full of all holy places, are equal to me.”

Nārada said :

118. Speaking like this, the two best attendants took the two and went to Viṣṇu’s place, having gone to which a man does not get drowned in the ocean of the world (i.e. the worldly existence).

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 42588, revision 333685 (2022-03-15T05:22:57Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365784.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.