Mārgaśīrṣa-māhātmya · Chapter 11
Source।। ब्रह्मोवाच ।। ।। एकादश्याश्च माहात्म्यं मूर्तीनां च विधानकम् ।। सर्वं ब्रूहि मम स्वामिन्कृपया भूतभावन ।। १ ।। ।। श्रीभगवानुवाच ।। ।। शृणुष्व द्विजशार्दूल कथां पापप्रणाशिनीम् ।। यां श्रुत्वा याति विलयं पापं ब्रह्मवधादिकम् ।। २ ।। कांपिल्ये नगरे राजा वीरबाहुरिति स्मृतः ।। सत्यवादी जितक्रोधो ब्रह्मज्ञो मम तत्परः ।। ३ ।। भाववान्स दयाशीलोरूपवान्बलवान्नरः ।। भक्तो भागवतानां च सदा मम कथारुचिः ।। ४ ।। सदा मम कथाऽऽसक्तः सदा जागरणप्रियः ।। दाता विद्वान्क्षमाशीलो विक्रमी विजितेंद्रियः ।। ५ ।। विजयी रणशीलश्च ऋद्ध्या च धनदोपमः।। पुत्रवान्पशुमांश्चैव स्वदारनिरतस्तथा ।।६।। तस्य भार्या कांतिमती रूपेणाऽप्रतिमा भुवि ।। पतिव्रता महासाध्वी मम भक्तिरता सदा ।। ७ ।। तया सह विशालाक्षो बुभुजे मेदिनीं युवा ।। मुक्त्वैकं मां महाबाहो नान्यज्जानाति दैवतम् ।। ।।। ८ ।। एकस्मिन्दिवसे पुत्र भारद्वाजो महामुनिः ।। समागतो गृहे तस्य वीरबाहोर्महात्मनः ।। ९ ।। दृष्ट्वा समागतं दूराद्भारद्वाजं महामुनिम् ।। स्वागतं कारयामास दत्त्वार्घ्यं विधिवत्तदा ।। 2.5.11.१० ।। आसनं कल्पयामास स्वयमेव महीपतिः ।। प्रणम्य परया भक्त्या तस्थौ मुनिवराग्रतः ।।।।। ११ ।। ।। राजोवाच ।। ।। अद्य मे सफलं जन्म अद्य मे सफलं दिनम् ।। अद्य मे सफलं राज्यमद्य मे सफलं गृहम् ।। १२ ।। प्रसन्नो मम विप्रर्षे परमात्मा जनार्दनः ।। यत्त्वं समागतो ह्यद्य गृहे योगिवरस्तथा ।। १३ ।। मुक्तोऽहं पापकोट्याद्य यत्त्वयाऽहं निरीक्षितः ।। राज्यं लक्ष्मीर्गजाऽश्वाश्च मया तुभ्यं निवेदिताः ।। १४ ।। वैष्णवोऽसि मुनिश्रेष्ठ नास्त्यदेयं मया तव ।। मेरुतुल्यं भवेत्सर्वं वैष्णवस्य वराटिका ।। ।। १५ ।। नाऽऽयाति हि गृहे यस्य वैष्णवो वै द्विजोत्तमः ।। तद्दिनं विफलं तस्य कथितं ब्राह्मणैर्मम ।।१६।। विष्णुभक्ताश्च ये केचित्सर्वे वर्णा द्विजातयः ।। कथितं मम गार्ग्येण गौतमेन सुमंतुना ।। १७ ।। ये त्वभक्ता हृषीकेशे पिशाचास्ते हि मानवाः ।। महापातकलिप्तास्ते ये भुंजंति हरेर्दिने ।। ।। १८ ।। शिवव्रतसहस्रैस्तु सौरैर्ब्राह्मैश्च कोटिभिः ।। यत्फलं कविभिः प्रोक्तं वासरैकेन तद्धरेः ।। १९ ।। गर्वमुद्वहते तावत्तिथिर्ब्राह्मी च शांकरी ।। यावन्नायाति विप्रेंद्र द्वादशी च मम प्रिया ।। 2.5.11.२० ।। तावत्प्रभावस्ताराणां यावन्नोदयते शशी ।। तिथिस्तथा च विप्रेंद्र यावन्नायाति द्वादशी ।। २१ ।। नारदेन पुरा प्रोक्तं वसिष्ठेन ममाग्रतः ।। त्वं वेत्ता सर्वधर्माणां वैष्णवानां महामुने ।। २२ ।। ।। भारद्वाज उवाच ।। ।। साधु पृष्टं महाभाग यत्त्वं भक्तोऽसि वैष्णवः ।। सा सुप्रजा मही धन्या यत्त्वं रक्षसि भूमिप ।। २३ ।। तस्मिन्राष्ट्रे न वस्तव्यं यत्र राजा न वैष्णवः ।। वरं वासो वने तीर्थे न तु राष्ट्रे त्ववैष्णवे ।। २४ ।। यत्र भागवतो राजा संप्रशास्ति च मेदिनीम् ।। वैकुण्ठमिति मंतव्यं तद्राष्ट्रं पापवर्जितम् ।। २५ ।। चक्षुर्हीनं यथा देहं पतिहीना यथा स्त्रियः ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम् ।। २६ ।। यथा पुत्रो महीपाल मातापित्रोरपोषकः ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम् ।। २७ ।। दानहीनो यथा राजा ब्राह्मणो रसविक्रयी ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम् ।। २८ ।। दंतहीनो यथा हस्ती पक्षहीनो यथा खगः ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम् ।। २९ ।। प्रतिग्रहार्थं वेदादि द्रव्यार्थं सुकृतं यथा ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम् ।। 2.5.11.३० ।। दर्भहीना यथा संध्या यथा श्राद्धमदक्षिणम् ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम् ।। ३१ ।। सशिखश्च यथा शूद्रा कपिलाक्षीरपायकः ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम् ।। ३२ ।। शूद्रश्च ब्राह्मणीगामी हेमघ्नो धर्मदूषकः ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम् ।। ३३ ।। हरिसूर्यादिवृक्षाणां यथा छेदो नरोत्तम ।। द्वादशी दशमी युक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम् ।। ३४ ।। यथाऽऽहुतिर्मंत्रहीना मृतवत्सापयो यथा ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम् ।। ३५ ।। सकेशा विधवा यद्वद्व्रतं स्नानविवर्जितम् ।। द्वादशी दशमीयुक्ता तथा राष्ट्रमवैष्णवम् ।। ३६ ।। स राजा प्रोच्यते सद्भिर्यो भक्तो मधुसूदने ।। तद्राष्ट्रं वर्धते नित्यं सुखी भवति सप्रजः ।। ३७ ।। दृष्टिर्मे सफला राजन्यन्मया त्वं निरीक्षितः ।। अद्य मे सफला वाणी जल्पते या त्वया सह ।। ३८ ।। दूरमेव हि गंतव्यं श्रूयते यत्र वैष्णवः ।। दर्शनात्तु भवेत्पुण्यं तीर्थस्नानसमुद्भवम् ।। ३९ ।। स त्वं राजन्मया दृष्टो विष्णुभक्तिरतः शुचिः ।। स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि सुखी भव नराधिप ।। 2.5.11.४० ।। एतस्मिन्नंतरे राज्ञ्या कांतिमत्या नमस्कृतः ।। भारद्वाजो मुनिश्रेष्ठः प्रवरः सर्वयोगिनाम् ।। ४१ ।। अवैधव्यं वरारोहे भक्ता भव स्वभर्त्तरि ।। निश्चला केशवे भक्तिः सदा भवतु ते शुभे ।। ४२ ।। एतस्मिन्नंतरे राजा भारद्वाजं महामुनिम् ।। उवाच प्रीणयन्वाचा मेघनादगभीरया ।। ४३ ।। ।। राजोवाच ।। ।। विपुला मे कथं लक्ष्मीः किं कृतं पूर्वजन्मनि ।। सर्वं ब्रूहि मुनिश्रेष्ठ कृपा यदि ममोपरि ।। ४४ ।। एतन्मया कथं प्राप्तं राज्यं निहतकण्टकम् ।। पुत्रो वै गुणवाञ्च्छ्रेष्ठः प्रिया च सुमनोहरा ।। ४५ ।। मच्चित्ता मद्गतप्राणा चिंतयन्ती जनार्दनम् ।। कोऽहं मुने कथं चैषा कश्च धर्मो मया कृतः ।। ४६ ।। किं चाऽनयाऽपि चार्वंग्या मम पत्न्या कृतं मुने ।। केन पुण्येन मे लक्ष्मीर्मृत्युलोके सुदुर्लभा ।। ४७ ।। अशेषा भूमिपाला वै वर्तंते यस्य मे वशे ।। विक्रमं चाऽप्रतिहतं शरीरारोग्यता तथा ।। ४८ ।। ममाऽपि विपुलं तेजो न कश्चित्सहते मुने ।। इच्छाम्यद्य प्रतिज्ञातुं यथा चेयमनिंदिता ।। ४९ ।। मयाऽपि सुकृतं विप्र किं कृतं पूर्वजन्मनि ।। इति पृष्टो नरेंद्रेण पूर्वजन्मविचेष्टितम् ।। 2.5.11.५० ।। स्वपत्न्याश्चेष्टितं चैव संपदां चैव कारणम् ।। योगोत्थं सुचिरं कालं तथाविंदत मानसे ।। ५१ ।। विज्ञातमेतन्नृपते पूर्वजन्मविचेष्टितम् ।। तव पत्न्याश्च राजर्षे शृणुष्व कथयाम्यहम् ।। ५२ ।। ।।भारद्वाज उवाच ।। ।। शृणु भूपाल सकलं यस्येदं कर्मणः फलम् ।। त्वमासीः शूद्रजातीयो जीवहिंसापरायणः ।। ५३ ।। नास्तिको दुष्टचारित्रः परदारप्रधर्षकः ।। कृतघ्नो दुर्विनीतश्च सुष्ठ्वाचारविवर्जितः ।। ५४ ।। इयं या भवतो भार्या पूर्वमप्यायतेक्षणा ।। कर्मणा मनसा वाचा नान्यदस्यास्त्वया विना ।। ।। ५५ ।। पतिव्रता महाभागा भजमाना निरन्तरम् ।। भावं न कुरुते दुष्टं तवोपरि तथा सति ।। ५६ ।। सखिभिस्त्वं परित्यक्तो बन्धुभिः पापकर्मकृत् ।। क्षयं जगाम चाऽर्थो यः सञ्चितस्तव पूर्वजैः ।। ५७ ।। नष्टे द्रव्ये फलाऽऽकांक्षी त्वमासीर्जगतीपते ।। पूर्वकर्मविपाकेन कृषिश्च विफला गता ।। ।। ५८ ।। ततो वित्ते परिक्षीणे परित्यक्तश्च बांधवैः ।। क्षीयमाणाऽपि साध्वीयमत्यजत्त्वां न भामिनी ।। ५९ ।। त्वं भग्नः सर्वकामेभ्यो गतवान्निर्जने वने ।। हत्वा जीवाननेकांश्च चकारात्मविपोषणम् ।।2.5.11.६० ।। एवं प्रवृत्तस्य तव सह पत्न्या तदा नृप ।। गतानि बहुवर्षाणि पापवृत्त्या महीतले।।६१।। अन्यस्मिन्वासरे राजन्मार्गभ्रष्टो महामुनिः ।। न दिशं विदिशं वेत्ति देवशर्मा द्विजोत्तमः ।। ६२ ।। क्षुत्तृषापीडितोऽत्यर्थं मध्याह्नगदिवाकरे ।। पतितो वनमध्ये तु मार्गभ्रष्टो महीपते ।। ६३ ।। दया जाता च ते भूप दृष्ट्वा दुःखेन पीडितम् ।। ब्राह्मणं वृद्धमज्ञातं गृहीत्वा तु करेण वै ।। ६४ ।। उत्थाप्य पतितं भूमौ त्वयोक्तं हि तदा नृप ।। प्रसादं कुरु विप्रर्ष आगच्छ त्वं ममाऽऽश्रमम् ।। ६५ ।। जलपूर्णं तडागं च पद्मिनीखण्डमण्डितम् ।। वृक्षैर्मनोहरैर्युक्तं फलैः पुष्पैर्मनोरमैः ।। ६६ ।। स्नात्वा सुशीतले तोये कृत्वा कर्म च नैत्यकम् ।। कुरु विप्र फलाहारं पिब वारि सुशीतलम् ।। ६७ ।। सुखेन कुरु विश्रामं मया संरक्षितः स्वयम् ।। विप्रेन्द्र तृप्तिपर्यंतं वस त्वं च ममाश्रमे ।। ६८ ।। उत्तिष्ठ त्वं द्विजश्रेष्ठ प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि ।। लब्धसंज्ञस्तदा विप्रः श्रुत्वा शूद्रस्य भाषितम् ।। ६९ ।। करे जग्राह तं शूद्रं गतो यत्र जलाशयः ।। उपविष्टो महाबाहो छायामाश्रित्य तत्तटे ।। 2.5.11.७० ।। स्नानं चकार विधिवत्पूजयामास केशवम् ।। तर्पयित्वा पितॄन्देवान्पपौ नीरं सुशीतलम् ।। ७१ ।। विश्रांतो वृक्षूमूलेऽभूद्देवशर्मा द्विजोत्तमः ।। साष्टांगं मुनये कृत्वा नमस्कारं सह स्त्रिया ।। ७२ ।। शूद्रस्तु परया भक्त्या प्रोवाच मुनिसन्निधौ ।। आवयोस्तरणार्थाय अतिथिस्त्वं समागतः ।। ७३ ।। दर्शनात्तव विप्रर्षे जातः पापस्य संक्षयः ।। प्रिये फलानि स्वादूनि प्रयच्छास्मै द्विजातये ।। मृदूनि रसयुक्तानि सुपक्वानि प्रियाणि च ।। ७४ ।। ।। ।। ब्राह्मण उवाच ।। ।। त्वामहं नैव जानामि स्वज्ञातिं कथयस्व मे ।। नाज्ञातस्य हि भोक्तव्यं ब्राह्मणस्याऽपि पुत्रक ।। ७५ ।। ।। शूद्र उवाच ।। ।। शूद्रोऽहं द्विजशार्दूल न कार्यः संशयस्त्वया ।। आत्मजैर्दुर्जनैर्विप्र परित्यक्तः स्वबन्धुभिः ।। ७६ ।। तयोः संवदतोरेवं शूद्रपत्न्या फलानि च ।। दत्तानि तस्मै विप्राय तेन भुक्तानि तानि वै ।। ७७ ।। अभूत्प्रीतमना विप्रः पीत्वा नीरं सुशीतलम् ।। सुखं संप्राप्य स मुनिर्विश्रांतस्तरुमूलके ।। ७८ ।। स च शूद्रः सपत्नीको भुक्त्वा च पुनरागतः ।। स्वागतं ते मुनिश्रेष्ठ कुतस्त्वमिह चाऽऽगतः ।। ७९ ।। शून्याटवीं द्विजश्रेष्ठ दुष्टसत्त्वभयाकुलाम् ।। निर्मनुष्यां दुःखयुक्तां दिवारात्रं भयानकाम् ।। 2.5.11.८० ।। ।। ब्राह्मण उवाच ।। ।। ब्राह्मणोऽहं महाभाग प्रयागगमनं प्रति ।। अहमज्ञातमार्गेण प्रविष्टो दारुणे वने ।। ८१ ।। मम पुण्यप्रभावेण जातोसि वरबांधवः ।। जीवितं मे त्वया दत्तं ब्रूहि किं करवाणि ते ।। ६२ ।। भवानपि कुतः प्राप्तो निर्मनुष्ये वने खलु ।। को भवान्कारणं किंस्वित्कथयस्व ममाऽग्रतः ।। ८३ ।। ।। शूद्र उवाच ।। ।। विदर्भनगरी राज्ञा भीमसेनेन रक्षिता ।। वासो मम महाराष्ट्रे शूद्रोऽहं पापलंपटः ।। ८४ ।। स्वकर्मविहितो धर्मो मया त्यक्तो द्विजोत्तम ।। त्यक्तोऽहं बन्धुवर्गेण ततोऽहं वनमागतः ।। ८५ ।। कृत्वा जीववधं नित्यं जीवेऽहं भार्यया सह ।। सांप्रतं पातकात्सम्यङ् निर्विण्णोस्मि महामुने ।। ८६ ।। कुरुष्वाऽनुग्रहं किञ्चित्पापयुक्तस्य मे प्रभो ।। मम पुण्यप्रभावेण आगतस्त्वं द्विजोत्तम ।। ८७ ।। न पश्यामि यथा सौरिं पत्न्या सह महामुने ।। उपदेशप्रभावेण प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि ।। ८८ ।। नान्यदिच्छाम्यहं किञ्चिन्मुक्त्वा देवं जनार्दनम् ।। कुरुष्वाऽनुग्रहं मेऽद्य प्रसादमृषिसत्तम ।। ८९ ।। ।। भारद्वाज उवाच ।। ।। इति तेन समापृष्टो देवशर्मा द्विजाग्रणीः ।। शूद्रेण परया भक्त्या प्रहसन्वाक्यमब्रवीत् ।। 2.5.11.९० ।। इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डे ब्रह्मविष्णुसंवादे मार्गशीर्षमाहात्म्य एकादश्याख्यानंनामैकादशोऽध्यायः ।। ११ ।। ।। छ ।।
|| brahmovāca || || ekādaśyāśca māhātmyaṃ mūrtīnāṃ ca vidhānakam || sarvaṃ brūhi mama svāminkṛpayā bhūtabhāvana || 1 || || śrībhagavānuvāca || || śṛṇuṣva dvijaśārdūla kathāṃ pāpapraṇāśinīm || yāṃ śrutvā yāti vilayaṃ pāpaṃ brahmavadhādikam || 2 || kāṃpilye nagare rājā vīrabāhuriti smṛtaḥ || satyavādī jitakrodho brahmajño mama tatparaḥ || 3 || bhāvavānsa dayāśīlorūpavānbalavānnaraḥ || bhakto bhāgavatānāṃ ca sadā mama kathāruciḥ || 4 || sadā mama kathā''saktaḥ sadā jāgaraṇapriyaḥ || dātā vidvānkṣamāśīlo vikramī vijiteṃdriyaḥ || 5 || vijayī raṇaśīlaśca ṛddhyā ca dhanadopamaḥ|| putravānpaśumāṃścaiva svadāraniratastathā ||6|| tasya bhāryā kāṃtimatī rūpeṇā'pratimā bhuvi || pativratā mahāsādhvī mama bhaktiratā sadā || 7 || tayā saha viśālākṣo bubhuje medinīṃ yuvā || muktvaikaṃ māṃ mahābāho nānyajjānāti daivatam || ||| 8 || ekasmindivase putra bhāradvājo mahāmuniḥ || samāgato gṛhe tasya vīrabāhormahātmanaḥ || 9 || dṛṣṭvā samāgataṃ dūrādbhāradvājaṃ mahāmunim || svāgataṃ kārayāmāsa dattvārghyaṃ vidhivattadā || 2.5.11.10 || āsanaṃ kalpayāmāsa svayameva mahīpatiḥ || praṇamya parayā bhaktyā tasthau munivarāgrataḥ ||||| 11 || || rājovāca || || adya me saphalaṃ janma adya me saphalaṃ dinam || adya me saphalaṃ rājyamadya me saphalaṃ gṛham || 12 || prasanno mama viprarṣe paramātmā janārdanaḥ || yattvaṃ samāgato hyadya gṛhe yogivarastathā || 13 || mukto'haṃ pāpakoṭyādya yattvayā'haṃ nirīkṣitaḥ || rājyaṃ lakṣmīrgajā'śvāśca mayā tubhyaṃ niveditāḥ || 14 || vaiṣṇavo'si muniśreṣṭha nāstyadeyaṃ mayā tava || merutulyaṃ bhavetsarvaṃ vaiṣṇavasya varāṭikā || || 15 || nā''yāti hi gṛhe yasya vaiṣṇavo vai dvijottamaḥ || taddinaṃ viphalaṃ tasya kathitaṃ brāhmaṇairmama ||16|| viṣṇubhaktāśca ye kecitsarve varṇā dvijātayaḥ || kathitaṃ mama gārgyeṇa gautamena sumaṃtunā || 17 || ye tvabhaktā hṛṣīkeśe piśācāste hi mānavāḥ || mahāpātakaliptāste ye bhuṃjaṃti harerdine || || 18 || śivavratasahasraistu saurairbrāhmaiśca koṭibhiḥ || yatphalaṃ kavibhiḥ proktaṃ vāsaraikena taddhareḥ || 19 || garvamudvahate tāvattithirbrāhmī ca śāṃkarī || yāvannāyāti vipreṃdra dvādaśī ca mama priyā || 2.5.11.20 || tāvatprabhāvastārāṇāṃ yāvannodayate śaśī || tithistathā ca vipreṃdra yāvannāyāti dvādaśī || 21 || nāradena purā proktaṃ vasiṣṭhena mamāgrataḥ || tvaṃ vettā sarvadharmāṇāṃ vaiṣṇavānāṃ mahāmune || 22 || || bhāradvāja uvāca || || sādhu pṛṣṭaṃ mahābhāga yattvaṃ bhakto'si vaiṣṇavaḥ || sā suprajā mahī dhanyā yattvaṃ rakṣasi bhūmipa || 23 || tasminrāṣṭre na vastavyaṃ yatra rājā na vaiṣṇavaḥ || varaṃ vāso vane tīrthe na tu rāṣṭre tvavaiṣṇave || 24 || yatra bhāgavato rājā saṃpraśāsti ca medinīm || vaikuṇṭhamiti maṃtavyaṃ tadrāṣṭraṃ pāpavarjitam || 25 || cakṣurhīnaṃ yathā dehaṃ patihīnā yathā striyaḥ || dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam || 26 || yathā putro mahīpāla mātāpitrorapoṣakaḥ || dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam || 27 || dānahīno yathā rājā brāhmaṇo rasavikrayī || dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam || 28 || daṃtahīno yathā hastī pakṣahīno yathā khagaḥ || dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam || 29 || pratigrahārthaṃ vedādi dravyārthaṃ sukṛtaṃ yathā || dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam || 2.5.11.30 || darbhahīnā yathā saṃdhyā yathā śrāddhamadakṣiṇam || dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam || 31 || saśikhaśca yathā śūdrā kapilākṣīrapāyakaḥ || dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam || 32 || śūdraśca brāhmaṇīgāmī hemaghno dharmadūṣakaḥ || dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam || 33 || harisūryādivṛkṣāṇāṃ yathā chedo narottama || dvādaśī daśamī yuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam || 34 || yathā''hutirmaṃtrahīnā mṛtavatsāpayo yathā || dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam || 35 || sakeśā vidhavā yadvadvrataṃ snānavivarjitam || dvādaśī daśamīyuktā tathā rāṣṭramavaiṣṇavam || 36 || sa rājā procyate sadbhiryo bhakto madhusūdane || tadrāṣṭraṃ vardhate nityaṃ sukhī bhavati saprajaḥ || 37 || dṛṣṭirme saphalā rājanyanmayā tvaṃ nirīkṣitaḥ || adya me saphalā vāṇī jalpate yā tvayā saha || 38 || dūrameva hi gaṃtavyaṃ śrūyate yatra vaiṣṇavaḥ || darśanāttu bhavetpuṇyaṃ tīrthasnānasamudbhavam || 39 || sa tvaṃ rājanmayā dṛṣṭo viṣṇubhaktirataḥ śuciḥ || svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmi sukhī bhava narādhipa || 2.5.11.40 || etasminnaṃtare rājñyā kāṃtimatyā namaskṛtaḥ || bhāradvājo muniśreṣṭhaḥ pravaraḥ sarvayoginām || 41 || avaidhavyaṃ varārohe bhaktā bhava svabharttari || niścalā keśave bhaktiḥ sadā bhavatu te śubhe || 42 || etasminnaṃtare rājā bhāradvājaṃ mahāmunim || uvāca prīṇayanvācā meghanādagabhīrayā || 43 || || rājovāca || || vipulā me kathaṃ lakṣmīḥ kiṃ kṛtaṃ pūrvajanmani || sarvaṃ brūhi muniśreṣṭha kṛpā yadi mamopari || 44 || etanmayā kathaṃ prāptaṃ rājyaṃ nihatakaṇṭakam || putro vai guṇavāñcchreṣṭhaḥ priyā ca sumanoharā || 45 || maccittā madgataprāṇā ciṃtayantī janārdanam || ko'haṃ mune kathaṃ caiṣā kaśca dharmo mayā kṛtaḥ || 46 || kiṃ cā'nayā'pi cārvaṃgyā mama patnyā kṛtaṃ mune || kena puṇyena me lakṣmīrmṛtyuloke sudurlabhā || 47 || aśeṣā bhūmipālā vai vartaṃte yasya me vaśe || vikramaṃ cā'pratihataṃ śarīrārogyatā tathā || 48 || mamā'pi vipulaṃ tejo na kaścitsahate mune || icchāmyadya pratijñātuṃ yathā ceyamaniṃditā || 49 || mayā'pi sukṛtaṃ vipra kiṃ kṛtaṃ pūrvajanmani || iti pṛṣṭo nareṃdreṇa pūrvajanmaviceṣṭitam || 2.5.11.50 || svapatnyāśceṣṭitaṃ caiva saṃpadāṃ caiva kāraṇam || yogotthaṃ suciraṃ kālaṃ tathāviṃdata mānase || 51 || vijñātametannṛpate pūrvajanmaviceṣṭitam || tava patnyāśca rājarṣe śṛṇuṣva kathayāmyaham || 52 || ||bhāradvāja uvāca || || śṛṇu bhūpāla sakalaṃ yasyedaṃ karmaṇaḥ phalam || tvamāsīḥ śūdrajātīyo jīvahiṃsāparāyaṇaḥ || 53 || nāstiko duṣṭacāritraḥ paradārapradharṣakaḥ || kṛtaghno durvinītaśca suṣṭhvācāravivarjitaḥ || 54 || iyaṃ yā bhavato bhāryā pūrvamapyāyatekṣaṇā || karmaṇā manasā vācā nānyadasyāstvayā vinā || || 55 || pativratā mahābhāgā bhajamānā nirantaram || bhāvaṃ na kurute duṣṭaṃ tavopari tathā sati || 56 || sakhibhistvaṃ parityakto bandhubhiḥ pāpakarmakṛt || kṣayaṃ jagāma cā'rtho yaḥ sañcitastava pūrvajaiḥ || 57 || naṣṭe dravye phalā''kāṃkṣī tvamāsīrjagatīpate || pūrvakarmavipākena kṛṣiśca viphalā gatā || || 58 || tato vitte parikṣīṇe parityaktaśca bāṃdhavaiḥ || kṣīyamāṇā'pi sādhvīyamatyajattvāṃ na bhāminī || 59 || tvaṃ bhagnaḥ sarvakāmebhyo gatavānnirjane vane || hatvā jīvānanekāṃśca cakārātmavipoṣaṇam ||2.5.11.60 || evaṃ pravṛttasya tava saha patnyā tadā nṛpa || gatāni bahuvarṣāṇi pāpavṛttyā mahītale||61|| anyasminvāsare rājanmārgabhraṣṭo mahāmuniḥ || na diśaṃ vidiśaṃ vetti devaśarmā dvijottamaḥ || 62 || kṣuttṛṣāpīḍito'tyarthaṃ madhyāhnagadivākare || patito vanamadhye tu mārgabhraṣṭo mahīpate || 63 || dayā jātā ca te bhūpa dṛṣṭvā duḥkhena pīḍitam || brāhmaṇaṃ vṛddhamajñātaṃ gṛhītvā tu kareṇa vai || 64 || utthāpya patitaṃ bhūmau tvayoktaṃ hi tadā nṛpa || prasādaṃ kuru viprarṣa āgaccha tvaṃ mamā''śramam || 65 || jalapūrṇaṃ taḍāgaṃ ca padminīkhaṇḍamaṇḍitam || vṛkṣairmanoharairyuktaṃ phalaiḥ puṣpairmanoramaiḥ || 66 || snātvā suśītale toye kṛtvā karma ca naityakam || kuru vipra phalāhāraṃ piba vāri suśītalam || 67 || sukhena kuru viśrāmaṃ mayā saṃrakṣitaḥ svayam || viprendra tṛptiparyaṃtaṃ vasa tvaṃ ca mamāśrame || 68 || uttiṣṭha tvaṃ dvijaśreṣṭha prasādaṃ kartumarhasi || labdhasaṃjñastadā vipraḥ śrutvā śūdrasya bhāṣitam || 69 || kare jagrāha taṃ śūdraṃ gato yatra jalāśayaḥ || upaviṣṭo mahābāho chāyāmāśritya tattaṭe || 2.5.11.70 || snānaṃ cakāra vidhivatpūjayāmāsa keśavam || tarpayitvā pitṝndevānpapau nīraṃ suśītalam || 71 || viśrāṃto vṛkṣūmūle'bhūddevaśarmā dvijottamaḥ || sāṣṭāṃgaṃ munaye kṛtvā namaskāraṃ saha striyā || 72 || śūdrastu parayā bhaktyā provāca munisannidhau || āvayostaraṇārthāya atithistvaṃ samāgataḥ || 73 || darśanāttava viprarṣe jātaḥ pāpasya saṃkṣayaḥ || priye phalāni svādūni prayacchāsmai dvijātaye || mṛdūni rasayuktāni supakvāni priyāṇi ca || 74 || || || brāhmaṇa uvāca || || tvāmahaṃ naiva jānāmi svajñātiṃ kathayasva me || nājñātasya hi bhoktavyaṃ brāhmaṇasyā'pi putraka || 75 || || śūdra uvāca || || śūdro'haṃ dvijaśārdūla na kāryaḥ saṃśayastvayā || ātmajairdurjanairvipra parityaktaḥ svabandhubhiḥ || 76 || tayoḥ saṃvadatorevaṃ śūdrapatnyā phalāni ca || dattāni tasmai viprāya tena bhuktāni tāni vai || 77 || abhūtprītamanā vipraḥ pītvā nīraṃ suśītalam || sukhaṃ saṃprāpya sa munirviśrāṃtastarumūlake || 78 || sa ca śūdraḥ sapatnīko bhuktvā ca punarāgataḥ || svāgataṃ te muniśreṣṭha kutastvamiha cā''gataḥ || 79 || śūnyāṭavīṃ dvijaśreṣṭha duṣṭasattvabhayākulām || nirmanuṣyāṃ duḥkhayuktāṃ divārātraṃ bhayānakām || 2.5.11.80 || || brāhmaṇa uvāca || || brāhmaṇo'haṃ mahābhāga prayāgagamanaṃ prati || ahamajñātamārgeṇa praviṣṭo dāruṇe vane || 81 || mama puṇyaprabhāveṇa jātosi varabāṃdhavaḥ || jīvitaṃ me tvayā dattaṃ brūhi kiṃ karavāṇi te || 62 || bhavānapi kutaḥ prāpto nirmanuṣye vane khalu || ko bhavānkāraṇaṃ kiṃsvitkathayasva mamā'grataḥ || 83 || || śūdra uvāca || || vidarbhanagarī rājñā bhīmasenena rakṣitā || vāso mama mahārāṣṭre śūdro'haṃ pāpalaṃpaṭaḥ || 84 || svakarmavihito dharmo mayā tyakto dvijottama || tyakto'haṃ bandhuvargeṇa tato'haṃ vanamāgataḥ || 85 || kṛtvā jīvavadhaṃ nityaṃ jīve'haṃ bhāryayā saha || sāṃprataṃ pātakātsamyaṅ nirviṇṇosmi mahāmune || 86 || kuruṣvā'nugrahaṃ kiñcitpāpayuktasya me prabho || mama puṇyaprabhāveṇa āgatastvaṃ dvijottama || 87 || na paśyāmi yathā sauriṃ patnyā saha mahāmune || upadeśaprabhāveṇa prasādaṃ kartumarhasi || 88 || nānyadicchāmyahaṃ kiñcinmuktvā devaṃ janārdanam || kuruṣvā'nugrahaṃ me'dya prasādamṛṣisattama || 89 || || bhāradvāja uvāca || || iti tena samāpṛṣṭo devaśarmā dvijāgraṇīḥ || śūdreṇa parayā bhaktyā prahasanvākyamabravīt || 2.5.11.90 || iti śrīskāṃde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe brahmaviṣṇusaṃvāde mārgaśīrṣamāhātmya ekādaśyākhyānaṃnāmaikādaśo'dhyāyaḥ || 11 || || cha ||
English translation
Brahmā said :
1. O creator of living beings, O Lord, kindly narrate fully to me the greatness of Ekādaśī and the procedure pertaining to the idols.
Śrī Bhagavān said :
2. O tiger among Brāhmaṇas , listen to the story that is destructive of sins. On hearing it the (great) sins like Brāhmaṇa -slaughter etc. perish.
3-4a. There was a king in the city of Kāmpilya [1] known by the name Vīrabāhu . He was truthful in speech, had conquered anger. He had realized Brahman and was devoted to me. He was of good disposition. He was merciful. He was a strong handsome man.
4b-5a. He was ever devoted to the devotees of the Lord ( Viṣṇu ) and was always interested in stories about me and was always engaged in listening to the episodes about me.
5b-8. He was always fond of Jāgaraṇas (sacred vigils at night). He was a donor and a learned man. He had forbearance and valour. He had conquered his sense-organs. He was victorious and was fond of fighting battles. In prosperity he was on a par with Kubera . He was endowed with sons, cattle and wealth. He was devoted to his own wife.
His wife Kāntimatī was unrivalled on the earth in beauty. She was a highly chaste and faithful lady and was a great devotee of mine. The young king of large eyes enjoyed the earth in her company. Excepting me, O mighty one, he did not recognise another deity.
9. One day, O son, the great sage Bhāradvāja (? Bharadvāja ) came to the abode of that noble-souled Vīrabāhu.
10-11. On seeing Bharadvāja, the great sage, who had come from far, the king himself welcomed him by offering Arghya duly. He himself offered him a seat. After bowing down to him with great devotion he stood in front of the excellent sage.
The king said :
12. Today my life has become fruitful. This is my most fruitful day. Today my kingdom has become fruitful. Today my abode has become fruitful.
13. O saintly Brāhmaṇa, Janārdana , the great Ātman , has become pleased with me, since you, an excellent Yogin , have come to my abode today.
14. I am rid of crores of sins, since I have been seen by you. My kingdom, prosperity, glory, elephants and horses have been dedicated to you.
15. You are a Vaīṣṇava, O excellent sage. There is nothing which I cannot give you. Even a Varāṭikā (cowrie, a small conch-shell, the smallest coin) given to a Vaiṣṇava becomes as big as Meru .
16. Brāhmaṇas have told me: “If an excellent Brāhmaṇa, a Vaiṣṇava, does not come to anyone’s house on a day, that day is futile unto him.”
17. This has been stated to me by Gārgya , Gautama and Sumantu that Vaiṣṇavas , whoever they may be, the devotees of Viṣṇu, are all Brāhmaṇas by caste.
18. Men who are not devotees of Hṛṣīkeśa are Piśācas (ghosts). Those who take food on Hari ’s day Ekādaśī are tainted with great sins.
19. Through a single day of Hari (i.e. observing one day of Hari, the Ekādaśī day) is obtained what is stated by wise men as the fruit of (observing) thousands of Śiva - vratas [2] and crores of Saura Vratas or of Brahmā ’s Vratas.
20. O Brāhmaṇa, as long as Dvādaśī (the twelfth lunar day) mostly liked by me does not arrive, the Tithis of Brahmā and Śaṅkara are boastful.
21. The power and lustre of the stars is only as long as the moon does not rise. The same is the case with the other Tithis, O great Brāhmaṇa, as long as Dvādaśī does not arrive.
22. This has been formerly stated in my presence by Nārada and Vasiṣṭha . O great sage, you are conversant with all the holy rites of Vaiṣṇavas.
Bhāradvāja said :
23. Well asked, O highly fortunate one, since you are a devotee of Viṣṇu. The earth that you protect, O king, is blessed. The subjects (governed by you) are good (blessed).
24. One shall not stay in that kingdom where the king is not a Vaiṣṇava. Better to stay in a forest or in a Tīrtha but not in a realm where there are no Vaiṣṇavas.
25. That realm where the king ruling the earth is a Bhāgavata (loyal devotee of the Lord) should be considered Vaikuṇṭha . That kingdom is devoid of sins.
26. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like the body without the eyes, or women without husband or Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it. [3]
27. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas, O king, is like a son who does not feed and protect his parents or Dvādaśī overlapped by Daśamī.
28. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like a king not giving charitable gift, or like a Brāhmaṇa selling juices and beverages or Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it,
29. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like an elephant without tusks or a bird without wings or Dvādaśī overlapped by Daśamī.
30. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is as futile as using the Vedas etc. for monetary gifts or merit for worldly wealth or like Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it.
31. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like Sandhyā (prayer at junctions of night and day) without Darbha grass, or Śrāddha without monetary gifts or Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it.
32. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like a Śūdra with a tuft feeding himself on the milk of a tawny-coloured cow or Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it.
33. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like a Śūdra who carnally approaches a Brāhmaṇa woman, or a person who destroys gold, or a person who defiles Dharma or Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it.
34. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like felling of the trees of Han, Sun-god etc., O excellent one among men, or Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it.
35. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like offering of Āhuti (oblations to gods) without Mantras or like milk of a cow with a dead calf or Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it.
36. A kingdom without Vaiṣṇavas is like a widow with tresses of hair not removed [4] or like Vrata (without taking) holy bath or like Dvādaśī with Daśamī overlapping it.
37. He who is a devotee of the Slayer of Madhu is called a king by good people. His kingdom flourishes always. Along with his subjects he remains happy.
38. My sight is fruitful, O king, that you have been seen by me. Today my speech is fruitful because I converse with you.
39. Even if it is far off, one should go to that place if it is heard that a Vaiṣṇava is present there. By seeing him one will attain the merit that arises from a holy bath in a Tīrtha.
40. So, O king, you have been seen by me—you who are pure and engaged in devotion to Viṣṇu. Hail unto thee! I shall go now. Be happy, O king.
41. In the meantime, Bhāradvāja, the most excellent one among sages, the leader of all the Yogins , was bowed down to by the queen Kāntimatī.
42. (The sage blessed her:) “O beautiful lady, let there be absence of widowhood (May your husband be alive during your life time). Be loyal and devoted to your husband. O splendid lady, may your devotion to Keśava be always steady.”
43. Thereafter the king spoke to Bhāradvāja, the great sage, delighting him with his voice majestic like the thundering sound of clouds.
The king said :
44. O excellent sage, if you are kindly disposed towards me, say everything as to what I have done in the previous birth that my fortune has been large and flourishing?
45. How was this kingdom with all the enemies killed acquired by me? My son is very excellent with decent qualities and my wife is amiable and beautiful.
46. She always thinks about me. She likes me as though I am her very vital air. She meditates on Janārdana. Who am I, O sage? How did she (come to me)? What righteous action was performed by me?
47. What has been done by this lady of fascinating limbs, who is my wife? O sage, by what merit (have I acquired) this extremely rare fortune in the world of mortals?
48. All the kings are under my control. My valour is irresistible. My body is free from illness.
49-50a. O sage, none can bear my splendour like this praiseworthy (uncensured) lady. I wish to know today what meritorious deeds have been performed by me in the previous birth.
50b-51. On being asked thus by the king about his acts of the previous birth, the acts of his wife and the reason for his affluence, (the sage spent) some time in Yogic meditation. Then he came to know about this.
Bhāradvāja said :
52-54. O king, the act of the previous birth both of yours and those of your wife have been known. O saintly king, listen, I shall tell you.
Listen, O king, to everything about the Karma of which all these are the fruits. [5]
You were a Śūdra by caste. You were engaged in injuring animals. You were an atheist of vicious conduct. You used to violate the chastity of other men’s wives. You were ungrateful and rude. You were devoid of good behaviour.
55. This lady of large eyes was your wife in former birth too. Without you she did not have anything to do mentally, verbally and physically (with anything else).
36. Though you were of that (vicious) nature, she did not have any bad feelings towards you. She was loyal to you. She was of noble and exalted nature. She worshipped you constantly.
57. Since you committed evil actions you were forsaken by your friends and relatives. The wealth that had been acquired and accumulated by your ancestors dwindled.
58. When the wealth perished, O king, you expected better resuits (from other sources) but as a result of the previous Karmas even agricultural operations became fruitless.
59. Thereafter you were completely abandoned by your kinsmen as the wealth became exhausted. Though your resources dwindled, this chaste and beautiful lady did not leave you.
60. Thus frustrated in your hopes and ambitions you went to a solitary forest. After killing many animals, you sustained yourself.
61. O king, along with your wife you were thus engaged in sinful activities on the earth and many years elapsed in this manner.
62-63. One day, O king, an excellent Brāhmaṇa Devaśarmā , a great sage, lost his way. He was in a dilemma as to the directions. He was excessively afflicted with hunger and thirst. When the midday sun blazed, the sage who had lost his way, fell down in the middle of the forest, O king.
64-65. On seeing that unknown old Brāhmaṇa afflicted with misery, you pitied him. Grasping the hand of that Brāhmaṇa you raised him who was fallen to the ground. Then it was spoken by you: “O Brāhmaṇical sage! Be pleased and come to my hermitage.
66-70. There is a lake full of water and adorned with clusters of lotuses. (The banks) abound in excellent trees laden with nice and luscious fruits and fragrant flowers. Take your bath in the cool water and perform your daily routine of duties. O Brāhmaṇa, you can eat the fruit and drink the cool water. Guarded by me take rest peacefully. O eminent Brāhmaṇa, stay in my hermitage till you are fully contented. Get up, O excellent Brāhmaṇa. It behoves you to do this favour.”
On hearing the words of the Śūdra then, the Brāhmaṇa regained his consciousness. He caught hold of the hand of the Śūdra and went to the lake. O mighty one, he sat on the banks under the shade.
71. He took his holy bath duly and worshipped Keśava. After offering water libations to the manes and Devas , he drank the cool water.
72-74. Devaśarmā, an excellent Brāhmaṇa, took rest at the root of a tree. With great devotion, the Śūdra prostrated at the feet of the sage in the company of his wife. He then spoke to the sage: “You have come as our guest to uplift us both. O saintly Brāhmaṇa, by your sight our sin has perished. O my beloved, give this Brāhmaṇa tasty, tender and juicy fruits which are ripe and pleasing.”
The Brāhmaṇa said :
75. I do not know you. Tell me about your caste. O son, one should not take food from a completely unknown person even if he be a Brāhmaṇa.
The Śūdra said :
76-80. I am a Śūdra, O tiger among Brāhmaṇas. You need not have any suspicion at all, O Brāhmaṇa. I have been abandoned by my own kinsmen who are wicked and vicious.
While those two were conversing thus, fruits were offered to the Brāhmaṇa by the wife of the Śūdra. They were eaten by him. After drinking the cool water, the Brāhmaṇa became delighted in his mind. After getting pleasure (thereby), the sage took rest at the foot of the tree.
That Śūdra and his wife took their meal and returned (they said): “Welcome, O excellent sage. Where are you coming from? Why did you come to this desolate forest, O excellent Brāhmaṇa, to the forest full of danger from wicked wild animals, devoid of men, full of miseries and extremely terrible both by day and night?”
The Brāhmaṇa said :
81. I am a Brāhmaṇa, O noble one, on my way to Prayāga . As the way was unknown, I entered this terrible forest.
82-83. Due to the power of my merit, you have become my excellent kinsman. My life has been saved by you. Tell me what shall I do for you. Tell me first how you came to stay in this dreadful and lonely forest. Who are you? What is the reason? Tell me.
The Śūdra replied :
84-89. The city of Vidarbha is being protected by King Bhīmasena . My residence is in the great realm Mahārāṣṭra . I am a Śūdra of sinful activities. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, duties pertaining to my caste have been abandoned by me. I have been forsaken by my kinsmen. Hence I have come to the forest. I sustain myself along with my wife by killing animals everyday.
Now, O great sage, I have become completely disgusted with my sinful deeds. Be kind to me a bit, though I am sinful, O holy lord. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, it is due to my merit that you have come here. It behoves you to favour me with your advice so that my wife and I will not see Yama (the son of the Sun-god). I do not at all desire anything except Lord Janārdana. O excellent sage, bless me. Grant me this favour.
Bhāradvāja said :
90. On being requested and asked thus by that Śūdra with great devotion, Devaśarmā, the excellent Brāhmaṇa said these words laughingly:
[1]: [1] : Kampil in Farrakhabad District of Uttar Pradesh.
[2]: [2] : This fanatic statement is against the syncretic trend and tolerant spirit of Purāṇas. For identity of Śiva and Viṣṇu vide VāP 1.25.14-29 and Kūrma 1.15.89-91.
[3]: [3] : The Twelfth Tithi (Dvādaśī) overlapped by the Tenth Tithi (Daśamī) is regarded inauspicious. The burden ‘ dvādaśī daśamī-yuktā ’ ( Dvādaśī overlapped by Daśamī ) in vv 26-36 strongly deprecates such a Dvādaśī .
[4]: [4] : Reference to the custom of widow-tonsure.
[5]: [5] : Karmavāda is a factor common to Brahmanism, Buddhism and Jainism. Hence re-birth as a motif is used by Buddhists and Jains in stories for propagation of their faiths ( vide the Buddhist Jātaka stories). Here the same motif is used īo extol Ekādaśī Vrata in vv 52 ff of Ch. 11 and Ch. 12 and an atheist Śūdra is shown to have become a highly fortunate king like Vīrabāhu of Kāmpilya due to his observance of this Vrata.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 15390, revision 329306 (2022-01-02T00:56:59Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc371690.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.