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Vaiśākhamāsa-māhātmya · Chapter 11

Chapter 11

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Vaiśākhamāsa-māhātmya · Chapter 11

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।। मैथिल उवाच ।। ।। वैशाखधर्माः सुलभाः पुण्यराशिविधायकाः ।। विष्णुप्रीतिकराः सद्यः पुमर्थानां तु हेतवः ।। १ ।। न प्रख्याताः कथं लोके शाश्वताः श्रुतिचोदिताः ।। प्रख्याता राजसा धर्मास्तामसा अपि भूरिशः ।। २ ।। दुर्घटा वहुयत्नाश्च वहुद्रव्यव्ययावहाः ।। केचिन्माघं प्रशंसन्ति चातुर्मास्यान्परे जगुः ।। ३ ।। व्यतीपातादिधर्माश्च वर्णयन्तीह भूरिशः ।। एतद्विवेकं विस्तार्य श्रोतुकामाय मे वद ।। ४ ।। ।। श्रुतदेव उवाच ।। ।। शृणु भूप प्रवक्ष्यामि न प्रख्याता इमे कथम् ।। इतरेषां च धर्माणां कथं ख्यातिश्च भूतले ।। ५ ।। राजसास्तामसा भूमौ बहवः कामुका जनाः ।। इच्छंत्यैहिकभोगांस्ते पुत्रपौत्रादिसंपदः ।। ६ ।। क्वचित्कथंचन क्वाऽपि जनेष्वेकोऽतिकृच्छ्रतः ।। स्वर्गाय यतते लोके तस्माद्यज्ञादिसत्क्रियाः ।। ७ ।। कुरुतेऽतिप्रयत्नेन मोक्षं नोपासते नरः ।। क्षुद्राशा भूरिकर्माणो जनाः काम्यानुपासते ।। ८ ।। प्रख्याता राजसा धर्मास्तामसा अपि तेन वै ।। न ख्याताः सात्त्विका धर्मा हरिप्रीतिकरा इमे ।। ९ ।। निष्कामिका इमे धर्मा ह्यैहिकाऽऽमुष्मिकप्रदाः ।। न जानन्ति जना मूढा मोहिता देवमायया ।। 2.7.11.१० ।। यथाऽऽधिपत्ये संप्राप्ते सर्वसिद्धो मनोरथः ।। मोहनार्थं स्थलं प्राप्तमाधिपत्येन हीयते ।। ११ ।। कारणं च प्रवक्ष्यामि गोपने भूतलेंऽजसा ।। यद्वैशाखोक्तधर्माणां सात्त्विकानां नृणामिह ।। १२ ।। सार्वभौमः पुरा काश्यामिक्ष्वाकुकुलभूषणः ।। कीर्तिमानिति विख्यातो नृगपुत्रो महायशाः ।। १३ ।ऽ। जितेंद्रियो जितक्रोधो ब्रह्मण्यो राजसत्तमः ।। एकदा मृगयासक्तो वसिष्ठाश्रममाययौ ।। १४ ।। गच्छन्मार्गे ददर्शाऽसौ वैशाखे घर्मनिष्ठुरे ।। भूयोभूयः कार्यमाणाञ्च्छिष्यांस्तस्य महात्मनः ।। १५ ।। क्वचित्प्रपां प्रकुर्वन्ति छायामण्डपमेव च ।। तटप्रपातं निस्तीर्य वापीं कुर्वन्ति निर्मलाम् ।। १६।। सूपविष्टान्क्वचिद्वृक्षे व्यजनैर्वीजयन्ति च ।। क्वचिद्दद्युर्हीक्षुदण्डान्क्वचिद्गन्धान्क्वचित्फलम्।।१७।। मध्याह्ने छत्रदानं च सायाह्ने पानकस्य च ।। क्वचिद्यच्छंति ताम्बूलं नेत्रे कर्पूरलेपनम् ।। १८ ।। सुच्छाये च वने केचित्सुसंमृष्टांऽगणेषु च ।। केचिदास्तरयंत्यद्धा वालुकानि हितानि च।। १९ ।। कुर्वन्त्यांदोलिकां राजन्वृक्षशाखावलंबिनीम् ।। के यूयमिति पप्रच्छ वासिष्ठा इति तेऽब्रुवन् ।। 2.7.11.२० ।। किमेतदिति पप्रच्छ धर्मा वैशाखचोदिताः ।। पुमर्थहेतव इमे क्रियन्तेऽस्माभिरञ्जसा ।। २१ ।। वसिष्ठस्याऽऽज्ञया चेति तेऽबुवन्नृपसत्तमम् ।। एतदाचरणे पुंसां किं फलं कस्तु तुष्यति ।।२२।। एतद्विस्तार्य मे ब्रूत यूयं सम्यग्यथाश्रुतम् ।। इति राज्ञा तु संपृष्टाः प्रत्यूचुस्ते महीपतिम् ।। २३ ।। गुरोराज्ञाक्रमेणैव कुर्वतां पथिसत्क्रियाः ।। नास्माकमवकाशोऽत्र गुरुं पृच्छ यथोचितम् ।। २४ ।। स वेत्ति तत्त्वतो नूनं धर्मानेतान्महायशाः ।। इति शिष्यैर्वसिष्ठस्य प्रत्युक्तस्तु द्रुतं ययौ ।।२५।। वसिष्ठस्याऽश्रमं पुण्यं विद्यायोगोपबृंहितम् ।। समायान्तं नृपं वीक्ष्य वसिष्ठः प्रीतमानसः ।।२६।। आतिथ्यं विधिवच्चक्रे सानुगस्य महात्मनः।। सूपविष्टः कृताऽतिथ्यः प्रीतः पप्रच्छ तं गुरुम् ।। २७ ।। ।। राजोवाच ।। ।। मार्गे दृष्टं महाश्चर्यं त्वच्छिष्यैश्च कृतं शुभम् ।। मया पृष्टं च तैर्नोक्तं क्रियमाणं शुभावहम् ।। २८ ।। नास्माकमवकाशोऽत्र ह्येतद्धर्मप्रशंसने ।। कर्तब्या च क्रियाऽस्माभिर्गुरुणा या च चोदिता ।। २९ ।। गुरुं गच्छेति तैरुक्त आगतोऽहं तवांतिकम् ।। मृगयाऽऽसक्तचित्तेन श्रांतेनातिथ्यमिच्छता ।। 2.7.11.३० ।। दृष्टं मार्गे त्विदं पुण्यं तव शिष्यैश्च कारितम् ।। जिज्ञासाऽऽसीत्ततः श्रोतुं धर्मानेतान्मुनीश्वर ।। ३१ ।। त्वमादिरादिमान्धर्मान्समाचरसि वै यतः ।। तान्धर्माञ्च्छ्रोतुकामाय शिष्याय प्रणताय च ।। ३२ ।। श्रद्दधानाय मे ब्रूहि विस्तरान्मुनिपुंगव ।। इतीक्ष्वाकुकुलीनेन राज्ञा पृष्टो महायशाः ।। ३३ ।। मनसा तोषमापेदे सम्यक्पृष्टोऽधुनाऽमुना ।। अहो व्यवसिता बुद्धी राजस्तेऽद्य सुशिक्षिता ।। ३४ ।। यस्माद्विष्णुकथायां च तद्धर्माचरणेऽपि च ।। मतिरात्यंतिकी जाता सुकृतं फलितं तव ।। ३५ ।। इति संभाष्य राजानं जातहर्षस्तमब्रवीत् ।। शृणु भूप प्रवक्ष्यामि यत्पृष्टोऽहं त्वयाधुना ।। ३६ ।। यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण मुच्यते सर्वकिल्बिषैः ।। सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य वर्तते विषयात्मकः ।।३७।। वैशाखस्नाननिरतः स प्रियो मधुविद्विषः ।। सांगान्धर्माननुष्ठाय वैशाखो येन नादृतः ।। ३८ ।। स्नानदानार्चनैः पुण्यैस्तस्य दूरतरो हरिः ।। अस्नाप्य चाऽप्यदत्त्वा च वैशाखो येन नीयते ।। ३९ ।। कर्मणा स तु चण्डालो नाऽत्र कार्या विचारणा ।। वैशाखोक्तैर्महाधर्मैर्येन चाऽऽराधितो हरिः ।। 2.7.11.४० ।। तैश्च तोषं समायाति प्रददाति समीहितम् ।। लक्ष्मीभर्त्ता जगन्नाथो ह्यशेषाघौघनाशनः ।। ४१ ।। धर्मैः सूक्ष्मैश्च प्रीणाति न प्रयासैर्धनैरपि ।। भक्त्या संपूजितो विष्णुः प्रददाति समीहितम् ।। ४२ ।। तस्माद्राजन्सदा भक्तिः कर्तव्या मधुविद्विषः ।। जलेनाऽपि जगन्नाथः पूजितः क्लेशहा हरिः ।। ४३ ।। परितोषं व्रजत्याशु तृषार्तः सलिलैर्यथा ।। महदप्यल्पदं कर्म तथा ह्यल्पं च भूरिदम् ।। ४४ ।। कर्मणाऽल्पत्वभूरित्वे न हेतू महदल्पके ।। किन्तु कर्मस्वरूपं च गहना कर्मणो गतिः ।। ४५ ।। वैशाखोक्ता इमे धर्माः स्वल्पाऽऽयासकृता अपि ।। बहुव्ययविनाशाश्च विष्णोः प्रीतिकरा शुभाः ।। ४६ ।। तस्मात्त्वमपि भूपाल वैशाखोक्तान्समाचर।। त्वद्राष्ट्रीयैर्जनैः सर्वैः कारयेमाञ्च्छुभावहान्।।४७।। न करोति च यो धर्मान्वैशाखोक्तान्नराधमः ।। बहुधा शिष्यमाणोऽपि स दण्ड्यस्तव भूपते ।।४८।। इत्यावश्यकतां सम्यक्छास्त्रैर्व्युत्पाद्य तस्य च ।। पश्चाद्वैशाखनिर्दिष्टान्धर्मान्प्रोवाच सर्वशः।।४९।। श्रुत्वा तान्सकलान्धर्मान्गुरुं संपूज्य भक्तितः ।। स राजा गृहमागत्य सर्वान्धर्मांश्चकार ह ।। 2.7.11.५० ।। भक्तिमान्केशवे राजन्देवदेवे निरञ्जने ।। नाऽन्यं पश्यति देवेशात्पद्मनाभान्महीपतिः ।। ५१ ।। भेरीमुद्वाह्य मातंगं स्वराष्ट्रेऽघोषयद्भटैः ।। अष्टवर्षाधिको मर्त्यो ह्यशीतिर्नहि पूर्यते ।। ५२ ।। प्रातर्न स्नाति मेषस्थे सूर्ये सर्वोऽपि यो जनः ।। स मे दंड्यश्च वध्यश्च निर्यास्यो विषयाद्ध्रुवम् ।। ५३ ।। पिता वा यदि वा पुत्रो भार्या वाऽथ सुहृज्जनः ।। वैशाखधर्महीनश्च निर्ग्राह्यो दस्युवन्मया ।। ५४ ।। दातव्यं विप्रमुख्येभ्यः स्नात्वा प्रातर्जले शुभे ।। प्रपादानादिधर्मांश्च कुरुध्वं शक्तितोऽनघाः ।। ५५ ।। विप्रं च धर्मवक्तारं ग्रामेग्रामे न्यवेशयत् ।। पञ्चानामपि ग्रामाणामकरोदधिकारिणम् ।। ५६ ।। दण्डार्थं त्यक्तधर्माणां दशवाजिनिषेवितम् ।। एवं प्रवृत्तः सर्वत्र सार्वभौमस्य शासनात् ।। ५७ ।। प्रवृद्धो धर्मवृक्षोयं सर्वदेशेषु विस्तरात् ।। ये केचिन्निधनं यांति भूपालविषये नराः ।। ५८ ।। प्रमादाच्च नृपश्रेष्ठ ते यांति हरिमन्दिरम् ।। अवश्यं वैष्णवो लोकः प्राप्यते मानवैर्द्रुतम् ।। ५९ ।। व्याजेनाऽपि सकृत्स्नातः प्रातर्मेषगते रवौ ।। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो याति विष्णोः परं पदम् ।। 2.7.11.६० ।। न प्राप्नोति यमं धर्मं सकृद्वैशाखस्नानतः ।। वैलेख्यमगमद्राजा रविसूनुस्तदा नृप ।। ६१ ।। लेख्यकर्मणि विश्रान्तश्चित्रगुप्तोऽभवत्तदा ।। मार्जितानि च लेख्यानि पुरा पापोद्भवानि च ।। ६२ ।। गच्छद्भिर्वैष्णवं लोकं स्वकर्मस्थैर्जनैः क्षणात् ।। शून्यास्तु नरकाः सर्वे पापिप्राणिविवर्जिताः ।। ६३ ।। भग्नयानोऽभवन्मार्गो वैशाखस्य प्रभावतः ।। सर्वेऽपि विमलाकारा जना यान्ति हरेः पदम् ।। ६४ ।। दिवौकसां तु ये लोकाः शून्याः सर्वे तथाऽभवन् ।। शून्ये त्रिविष्टपे जाते शून्येषु नर केषु च ।। ६५ ।। नारदो धर्मराजानं गत्वा चेदमुवाच ह ।। नाक्रन्दः श्रूयते राजन्प्राक्च्छ्रुतो नरके यथा ।। ६६ ।। तथा न क्रियते लेख्यं किंचिद्दुष्कृतकर्मणाम्।। चित्रगुप्तो मुनिरिव स्थितोऽयं मौनसंस्थितः ।। ६७ ।। कारणं ब्रूहि राजेंद्र न यान्ति तव मन्दिरम् ।। मनुष्याः पापकर्माणो मायादम्भविवर्धिताः ।। ६८ ।। एवमुक्ते तु वचने नारदेन महात्मना ।। प्राह वैवस्वतो राजा किंचिद्दैन्यसमन्वितः ।। ६९ ।। योऽयं नारद भूपालः पृथिव्यां सांप्रतं स्थितः ।। सोऽतिभक्तो हृषीकेशे पुराणपुरुषोत्तमे ।। 2.7.11.७० ।। प्रबोधयति वैशाखधर्मे भेरीस्वनेन च ।। अष्टवर्षाधिको मर्त्यो ह्यशीतिर्न हि पूर्यते ।। ७१ ।। यो वै ह्यकृतवैशाखः स मे दण्ड्यो न संशयः ।। तद्भयाद्धि जनाः सर्वे नोल्लंघंति कदाचन ।। ७२ ।। गच्छंति वैष्णवं धाम कर्मणा तेन नारद ।। वैशाखसेवनाल्लोका यास्यंति हरिमंदिरम् ।। ७३ ।। तेन राज्ञा मुनिश्रेष्ठ मार्गो लुप्तो ममाऽधुना ।। कृता हि नरकाः शून्या लोकाश्चापि दिवौकसाम् ।। ७४ ।। विश्रांतो लेखको लेखे लिखितं मार्जितं जनैः ।। वैशाखमासधर्मस्य माहात्म्यं त्वीदृशं मुने ।। ७५ ।। ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानि विमुक्तानि जनैर्द्विज ।। कृत्वा वैशाखकृत्यानि यांति विष्णोः परं पदम् ।। ७६ ।। सोऽहं काष्ठसमो जातो न कश्चिन्मम गोचरः ।। युद्धं कृत्वा तु तं हन्मि सर्वथाऽद्य महाबलम् ।। ७७ ।। अकृत्वा स्वामिकार्यं तु निर्व्यापारो यदि स्थितः ।। तस्य वित्तं समश्नाति स याति नरकं धुवम् ।। ।। ७८ ।। यदि देवादवध्योऽयं तदा ब्रह्माणमेत्य च ।। निवेद्य तस्मै तत्सर्वं पश्चात्स्वस्थस्थितिर्भवम् ।। ७९ ।। इत्युक्त्वा द्विजमामंत्र्य सानुगः प्रययौ भुवम् ।। स कालो महिषारूढो दण्डमुद्यम्य भीषणम् ।। 2.7.11.८० ।। मृत्युरोगजराद्यैश्च पार्षदैश्च महोत्कटः ।। पञ्चाशत्कोटिसंख्याकैर्यमदूतैर्वृतस्ततः ।। ८१ ।। स तूर्णं तस्य राजर्षे रुरोध सकलां पुरीम् ।। शंखं दध्मौ महाघोरं सर्वलोकभयंकरम् ।। ८२ ।। तच्छुत्वा स तु राजर्षि र्ज्ञात्वा वैवस्वतं यमम् ।। स सज्जीकृतसर्वस्वः पत्तनान्निर्ययौ रुषा ।। ८३ ।। तयोर्युद्धमभूत्तत्र भीषणं रोमहर्षणम् ।। मृत्युं कालं तथा रोगं यमं दूतपतिं तथा ।। ८४ ।। जित्वा क्षणेन राजर्षिर्द्रावयामास रोषतः ।। ततः क्रुद्धो यमो राजा स्वयमभ्येत्य तं रुषा ।। ८५ ।। युयोध बहुभिर्बाणैः सिंहनादं चकार ह ।। चकर्त राजा तस्याऽपि कार्मुकं विशिखैस्त्रिभिः ।। ८६ ।। पुनश्चर्मासिमादाय यमो हंतुमथाऽऽगमत् ।। तं दृष्ट्वा तु नृपः क्रुद्धः पुनश्छित्त्वाऽसिचर्मणी ।। ८७ ।। निचखान ललाटे च शरं कालोरगप्रभम् ।। यमस्तेनाऽऽहतः क्रुद्धस्ततो दंडमुपाददे ।। ब्रह्मास्त्रेण च संमंत्र्य दण्डं तस्मै मुमोच ह ।। ८८ ।। हाहाकारो महानासीज्जनानां पश्यतां तदा ।। तदा विष्णुः स्वभक्तस्य रक्षायै प्राहिणोदरि ।। ८९ ।। विष्णुमुक्तं तदा चक्रं शीघ्रमागत्य तद्रणे ।। यमदण्डेन संयुध्य तद्ब्रह्मास्त्रं निवार्य च ।।2.7.11.९०।। यमं हंतुमथारेभे सहस्रारं महाद्भुतम् ।। देवभक्तस्ततो भीतस्तदाऽस्तौच्चक्रमञ्जसा ।।९१।। सहस्रार नमस्तेऽस्तु विष्णुपाणिविभूषण ।। त्वं सर्वलोकरक्षायै हरिणा च धृतं पुरा ।। ९२ ।। त्वां याचेऽद्य यमं त्रातुं विष्णुभक्तं महाबलम् ।। ९३ ।। नृणां देवद्रुहां कालस्त्वमेव हि न चाऽपरः।। तस्मादेनं यमं रक्ष कृपां कुरु जगत्पते ।। ९४ ।। नृपेणैवं स्तुतं चक्रं यमं हित्वा नृपांतिकम् ।। पुनर्ययौ महाराज देवानां पश्यतां दिवि ।। ९५ ।। ततो यमोऽतिनिर्विण्णो ब्रह्मणः सदनं ययौ ।। स ददर्श समासीनं मूर्तामूर्तजनैर्वृतम् ।।९६।। धुवाश्रयं जगद्बीजं सर्वलोकपितामहम्।। उपास्यमानं विबुधैर्लोकपालैर्दिगीश्वरैः ।। ९७ ।। इतिहासपुराणाद्यैर्देवैर्विग्रहसंस्थितैः ।। मूर्तिमद्भिः समुद्रैश्च नदीभिश्च सरोवरैः ।। ९८ ।। देहवद्भिस्तथा वृक्षैरश्वत्थाद्यैरशेषितैः ।। वापीकूपतडागैश्च मूर्तिमद्भिश्च पर्वतैः ।। ९९ ।। अहोरात्रैस्तथा पक्षैर्मासैः संवत्सरैस्तथा ।। कलाकाष्ठा निमेषैश्च ऋतुभिश्चाऽयनैर्युगैः ।। 2.7.11.१०० ।। संकल्पैश्च विकल्पैश्च निमिषोन्मेषणैस्तथा ।। ऋक्षैर्योगैश्च करणैः पूर्णिमाभिः सुसंक्षयैः ।। १०१ ।। सुखैर्दुःखैर्भयैश्चैव लाभाऽलाभैर्जयाजयैः।। सत्त्वेन रजसा चैव तमसा च समन्वितम् ।।१०२।। शांतमूढाऽतिप्रौढैश्च विकारैः प्राकृतैरपि ।। वायुना देवदेवेन श्लेष्मपित्तादिभिर्वृतम् ।। १०३ ।। तेषां मध्येऽविशत्सौरिः सव्रीडा च वधूर्यथा ।। विलोकयन्धरापृष्ठं म्लानवक्त्रं व्यदर्शयत् ।।१०४।। संप्रविष्टं यमं दृष्ट्वा सकाशस्थं सहानुगम् ।। विस्मितास्ते मिथः प्रोचुः किमर्थं भास्करिस्त्विह ।। १०५ ।। संप्राप्तो लोककर्तारं द्रष्टुं देवं पितामहम् ।। निर्व्यापारः क्षणमपि योऽयं नास्ति रवेः सुतः ।। १०६ ।। सोऽयमभ्यागतः कस्मात्कच्चित्क्षेमं दिवौकसाम् ।। आश्चर्याऽतिशयोऽयं च संमार्जितपटस्त्वयम् ।।१०७।। लेखकस्तमनुप्राप्तो दैन्येन महताऽन्वितः ।। न कदाचित्पटो ह्यस्य मार्जितो धर्मभीरुणा ।।१०८।। यन्न दृष्टं श्रुतं वाऽपि तदिहाऽद्य प्रपद्यते ।। एवमुच्चरतां तेषां भूतानां भूतशासनः ।। निष्पपाताऽग्रतो भूमौ ब्रह्मणो रविनंदनः ।।१०९।। कृत्तमूलो यथा शाखी त्राहित्राहीति वै रुदन्।। परिभूतोऽस्मि देवेश संमार्जितपटःकृतः ।।2.7.11.११०।। त्वयि नाथे न विफलं पश्यामि कमलासन ।। १११ ।। एवमुक्त्वा हि निश्चेष्टो बभूव नृपसत्तम ।। ततः कोलाहलः शब्दः सभायां समजायत ।। ।। ११२ ।। यो हि खेदयते मर्त्यान्सर्वान्स्थावरजंगमान् ।। स वै रुदति दुःखार्तः कस्माद्वैवस्वतो यमः ।। १३४।। जनसंतापकर्त्ता यः सोचिराद्यात्यशोभनम् ।। नहि दुष्कृतकर्त्ता हि नरः प्राप्नोति शोभनम् ।। ११४ ।। ततो निवारयामास वायुस्तेषां वचस्तदा ।। लोकानां समवेतानां मतं ज्ञात्वा स वेधसः ।। ११५ ।। निवार्य लोकान्मार्तंडि शनैरुत्थापयन्मरुत् ।। भुजाभ्यां शालपीनाभ्यां लोकसूत्र उदारधीः ।।११६।। विह्वलं तं परायत्तमासने संन्यवेशयत् ।। आसनस्थमुवाचेदं व्योमसूनू रवेः सुतम् ।। ११७ ।। केन त्वमभिभूतोऽसि केन स्थानान्निवारितः ।। केनाऽयं मार्जितो देव पटो लेखपटस्तव ।।११८।। ब्रूहि सर्वमशेषेण कुतो हैतोस्त्वमागतः ।। यः प्रभुस्तात सर्वेषां स ते कर्ता ममाऽपि च ।। अपि कस्माच्च मार्तंडे दुःखं हृदयसंस्थितम् ।।११९।। स एवमुक्तः श्वसनेन सत्यमादित्यसूनुर्वचनं बभाषे ।। विलोक्य वक्त्रं कुशकेतुसूनोः सगद्गदं चेदमहोऽतिदीनम् ।। 2.7.11.१२० ।। इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डे वैशाखमासमाहात्म्ये नारदाम्बरीषसंवादे कीर्तिमद्विजयवर्णनंनामैकादशोऽध्यायः ।। ११ ।।

|| maithila uvāca || || vaiśākhadharmāḥ sulabhāḥ puṇyarāśividhāyakāḥ || viṣṇuprītikarāḥ sadyaḥ pumarthānāṃ tu hetavaḥ || 1 || na prakhyātāḥ kathaṃ loke śāśvatāḥ śruticoditāḥ || prakhyātā rājasā dharmāstāmasā api bhūriśaḥ || 2 || durghaṭā vahuyatnāśca vahudravyavyayāvahāḥ || kecinmāghaṃ praśaṃsanti cāturmāsyānpare jaguḥ || 3 || vyatīpātādidharmāśca varṇayantīha bhūriśaḥ || etadvivekaṃ vistārya śrotukāmāya me vada || 4 || || śrutadeva uvāca || || śṛṇu bhūpa pravakṣyāmi na prakhyātā ime katham || itareṣāṃ ca dharmāṇāṃ kathaṃ khyātiśca bhūtale || 5 || rājasāstāmasā bhūmau bahavaḥ kāmukā janāḥ || icchaṃtyaihikabhogāṃste putrapautrādisaṃpadaḥ || 6 || kvacitkathaṃcana kvā'pi janeṣveko'tikṛcchrataḥ || svargāya yatate loke tasmādyajñādisatkriyāḥ || 7 || kurute'tiprayatnena mokṣaṃ nopāsate naraḥ || kṣudrāśā bhūrikarmāṇo janāḥ kāmyānupāsate || 8 || prakhyātā rājasā dharmāstāmasā api tena vai || na khyātāḥ sāttvikā dharmā hariprītikarā ime || 9 || niṣkāmikā ime dharmā hyaihikā''muṣmikapradāḥ || na jānanti janā mūḍhā mohitā devamāyayā || 2.7.11.10 || yathā''dhipatye saṃprāpte sarvasiddho manorathaḥ || mohanārthaṃ sthalaṃ prāptamādhipatyena hīyate || 11 || kāraṇaṃ ca pravakṣyāmi gopane bhūtaleṃ'jasā || yadvaiśākhoktadharmāṇāṃ sāttvikānāṃ nṛṇāmiha || 12 || sārvabhaumaḥ purā kāśyāmikṣvākukulabhūṣaṇaḥ || kīrtimāniti vikhyāto nṛgaputro mahāyaśāḥ || 13 |'| jiteṃdriyo jitakrodho brahmaṇyo rājasattamaḥ || ekadā mṛgayāsakto vasiṣṭhāśramamāyayau || 14 || gacchanmārge dadarśā'sau vaiśākhe gharmaniṣṭhure || bhūyobhūyaḥ kāryamāṇāñcchiṣyāṃstasya mahātmanaḥ || 15 || kvacitprapāṃ prakurvanti chāyāmaṇḍapameva ca || taṭaprapātaṃ nistīrya vāpīṃ kurvanti nirmalām || 16|| sūpaviṣṭānkvacidvṛkṣe vyajanairvījayanti ca || kvaciddadyurhīkṣudaṇḍānkvacidgandhānkvacitphalam||17|| madhyāhne chatradānaṃ ca sāyāhne pānakasya ca || kvacidyacchaṃti tāmbūlaṃ netre karpūralepanam || 18 || succhāye ca vane kecitsusaṃmṛṣṭāṃ'gaṇeṣu ca || kecidāstarayaṃtyaddhā vālukāni hitāni ca|| 19 || kurvantyāṃdolikāṃ rājanvṛkṣaśākhāvalaṃbinīm || ke yūyamiti papraccha vāsiṣṭhā iti te'bruvan || 2.7.11.20 || kimetaditi papraccha dharmā vaiśākhacoditāḥ || pumarthahetava ime kriyante'smābhirañjasā || 21 || vasiṣṭhasyā''jñayā ceti te'buvannṛpasattamam || etadācaraṇe puṃsāṃ kiṃ phalaṃ kastu tuṣyati ||22|| etadvistārya me brūta yūyaṃ samyagyathāśrutam || iti rājñā tu saṃpṛṣṭāḥ pratyūcuste mahīpatim || 23 || gurorājñākrameṇaiva kurvatāṃ pathisatkriyāḥ || nāsmākamavakāśo'tra guruṃ pṛccha yathocitam || 24 || sa vetti tattvato nūnaṃ dharmānetānmahāyaśāḥ || iti śiṣyairvasiṣṭhasya pratyuktastu drutaṃ yayau ||25|| vasiṣṭhasyā'śramaṃ puṇyaṃ vidyāyogopabṛṃhitam || samāyāntaṃ nṛpaṃ vīkṣya vasiṣṭhaḥ prītamānasaḥ ||26|| ātithyaṃ vidhivaccakre sānugasya mahātmanaḥ|| sūpaviṣṭaḥ kṛtā'tithyaḥ prītaḥ papraccha taṃ gurum || 27 || || rājovāca || || mārge dṛṣṭaṃ mahāścaryaṃ tvacchiṣyaiśca kṛtaṃ śubham || mayā pṛṣṭaṃ ca tairnoktaṃ kriyamāṇaṃ śubhāvaham || 28 || nāsmākamavakāśo'tra hyetaddharmapraśaṃsane || kartabyā ca kriyā'smābhirguruṇā yā ca coditā || 29 || guruṃ gaccheti tairukta āgato'haṃ tavāṃtikam || mṛgayā''saktacittena śrāṃtenātithyamicchatā || 2.7.11.30 || dṛṣṭaṃ mārge tvidaṃ puṇyaṃ tava śiṣyaiśca kāritam || jijñāsā''sīttataḥ śrotuṃ dharmānetānmunīśvara || 31 || tvamādirādimāndharmānsamācarasi vai yataḥ || tāndharmāñcchrotukāmāya śiṣyāya praṇatāya ca || 32 || śraddadhānāya me brūhi vistarānmunipuṃgava || itīkṣvākukulīnena rājñā pṛṣṭo mahāyaśāḥ || 33 || manasā toṣamāpede samyakpṛṣṭo'dhunā'munā || aho vyavasitā buddhī rājaste'dya suśikṣitā || 34 || yasmādviṣṇukathāyāṃ ca taddharmācaraṇe'pi ca || matirātyaṃtikī jātā sukṛtaṃ phalitaṃ tava || 35 || iti saṃbhāṣya rājānaṃ jātaharṣastamabravīt || śṛṇu bhūpa pravakṣyāmi yatpṛṣṭo'haṃ tvayādhunā || 36 || yasya śravaṇamātreṇa mucyate sarvakilbiṣaiḥ || sarvadharmānparityajya vartate viṣayātmakaḥ ||37|| vaiśākhasnānanirataḥ sa priyo madhuvidviṣaḥ || sāṃgāndharmānanuṣṭhāya vaiśākho yena nādṛtaḥ || 38 || snānadānārcanaiḥ puṇyaistasya dūrataro hariḥ || asnāpya cā'pyadattvā ca vaiśākho yena nīyate || 39 || karmaṇā sa tu caṇḍālo nā'tra kāryā vicāraṇā || vaiśākhoktairmahādharmairyena cā''rādhito hariḥ || 2.7.11.40 || taiśca toṣaṃ samāyāti pradadāti samīhitam || lakṣmībharttā jagannātho hyaśeṣāghaughanāśanaḥ || 41 || dharmaiḥ sūkṣmaiśca prīṇāti na prayāsairdhanairapi || bhaktyā saṃpūjito viṣṇuḥ pradadāti samīhitam || 42 || tasmādrājansadā bhaktiḥ kartavyā madhuvidviṣaḥ || jalenā'pi jagannāthaḥ pūjitaḥ kleśahā hariḥ || 43 || paritoṣaṃ vrajatyāśu tṛṣārtaḥ salilairyathā || mahadapyalpadaṃ karma tathā hyalpaṃ ca bhūridam || 44 || karmaṇā'lpatvabhūritve na hetū mahadalpake || kintu karmasvarūpaṃ ca gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ || 45 || vaiśākhoktā ime dharmāḥ svalpā''yāsakṛtā api || bahuvyayavināśāśca viṣṇoḥ prītikarā śubhāḥ || 46 || tasmāttvamapi bhūpāla vaiśākhoktānsamācara|| tvadrāṣṭrīyairjanaiḥ sarvaiḥ kārayemāñcchubhāvahān||47|| na karoti ca yo dharmānvaiśākhoktānnarādhamaḥ || bahudhā śiṣyamāṇo'pi sa daṇḍyastava bhūpate ||48|| ityāvaśyakatāṃ samyakchāstrairvyutpādya tasya ca || paścādvaiśākhanirdiṣṭāndharmānprovāca sarvaśaḥ||49|| śrutvā tānsakalāndharmānguruṃ saṃpūjya bhaktitaḥ || sa rājā gṛhamāgatya sarvāndharmāṃścakāra ha || 2.7.11.50 || bhaktimānkeśave rājandevadeve nirañjane || nā'nyaṃ paśyati deveśātpadmanābhānmahīpatiḥ || 51 || bherīmudvāhya mātaṃgaṃ svarāṣṭre'ghoṣayadbhaṭaiḥ || aṣṭavarṣādhiko martyo hyaśītirnahi pūryate || 52 || prātarna snāti meṣasthe sūrye sarvo'pi yo janaḥ || sa me daṃḍyaśca vadhyaśca niryāsyo viṣayāddhruvam || 53 || pitā vā yadi vā putro bhāryā vā'tha suhṛjjanaḥ || vaiśākhadharmahīnaśca nirgrāhyo dasyuvanmayā || 54 || dātavyaṃ vipramukhyebhyaḥ snātvā prātarjale śubhe || prapādānādidharmāṃśca kurudhvaṃ śaktito'naghāḥ || 55 || vipraṃ ca dharmavaktāraṃ grāmegrāme nyaveśayat || pañcānāmapi grāmāṇāmakarodadhikāriṇam || 56 || daṇḍārthaṃ tyaktadharmāṇāṃ daśavājiniṣevitam || evaṃ pravṛttaḥ sarvatra sārvabhaumasya śāsanāt || 57 || pravṛddho dharmavṛkṣoyaṃ sarvadeśeṣu vistarāt || ye kecinnidhanaṃ yāṃti bhūpālaviṣaye narāḥ || 58 || pramādācca nṛpaśreṣṭha te yāṃti harimandiram || avaśyaṃ vaiṣṇavo lokaḥ prāpyate mānavairdrutam || 59 || vyājenā'pi sakṛtsnātaḥ prātarmeṣagate ravau || sarvapāpavinirmukto yāti viṣṇoḥ paraṃ padam || 2.7.11.60 || na prāpnoti yamaṃ dharmaṃ sakṛdvaiśākhasnānataḥ || vailekhyamagamadrājā ravisūnustadā nṛpa || 61 || lekhyakarmaṇi viśrāntaścitragupto'bhavattadā || mārjitāni ca lekhyāni purā pāpodbhavāni ca || 62 || gacchadbhirvaiṣṇavaṃ lokaṃ svakarmasthairjanaiḥ kṣaṇāt || śūnyāstu narakāḥ sarve pāpiprāṇivivarjitāḥ || 63 || bhagnayāno'bhavanmārgo vaiśākhasya prabhāvataḥ || sarve'pi vimalākārā janā yānti hareḥ padam || 64 || divaukasāṃ tu ye lokāḥ śūnyāḥ sarve tathā'bhavan || śūnye triviṣṭape jāte śūnyeṣu nara keṣu ca || 65 || nārado dharmarājānaṃ gatvā cedamuvāca ha || nākrandaḥ śrūyate rājanprākcchruto narake yathā || 66 || tathā na kriyate lekhyaṃ kiṃcidduṣkṛtakarmaṇām|| citragupto muniriva sthito'yaṃ maunasaṃsthitaḥ || 67 || kāraṇaṃ brūhi rājeṃdra na yānti tava mandiram || manuṣyāḥ pāpakarmāṇo māyādambhavivardhitāḥ || 68 || evamukte tu vacane nāradena mahātmanā || prāha vaivasvato rājā kiṃciddainyasamanvitaḥ || 69 || yo'yaṃ nārada bhūpālaḥ pṛthivyāṃ sāṃprataṃ sthitaḥ || so'tibhakto hṛṣīkeśe purāṇapuruṣottame || 2.7.11.70 || prabodhayati vaiśākhadharme bherīsvanena ca || aṣṭavarṣādhiko martyo hyaśītirna hi pūryate || 71 || yo vai hyakṛtavaiśākhaḥ sa me daṇḍyo na saṃśayaḥ || tadbhayāddhi janāḥ sarve nollaṃghaṃti kadācana || 72 || gacchaṃti vaiṣṇavaṃ dhāma karmaṇā tena nārada || vaiśākhasevanāllokā yāsyaṃti harimaṃdiram || 73 || tena rājñā muniśreṣṭha mārgo lupto mamā'dhunā || kṛtā hi narakāḥ śūnyā lokāścāpi divaukasām || 74 || viśrāṃto lekhako lekhe likhitaṃ mārjitaṃ janaiḥ || vaiśākhamāsadharmasya māhātmyaṃ tvīdṛśaṃ mune || 75 || brahmahatyādipāpāni vimuktāni janairdvija || kṛtvā vaiśākhakṛtyāni yāṃti viṣṇoḥ paraṃ padam || 76 || so'haṃ kāṣṭhasamo jāto na kaścinmama gocaraḥ || yuddhaṃ kṛtvā tu taṃ hanmi sarvathā'dya mahābalam || 77 || akṛtvā svāmikāryaṃ tu nirvyāpāro yadi sthitaḥ || tasya vittaṃ samaśnāti sa yāti narakaṃ dhuvam || || 78 || yadi devādavadhyo'yaṃ tadā brahmāṇametya ca || nivedya tasmai tatsarvaṃ paścātsvasthasthitirbhavam || 79 || ityuktvā dvijamāmaṃtrya sānugaḥ prayayau bhuvam || sa kālo mahiṣārūḍho daṇḍamudyamya bhīṣaṇam || 2.7.11.80 || mṛtyurogajarādyaiśca pārṣadaiśca mahotkaṭaḥ || pañcāśatkoṭisaṃkhyākairyamadūtairvṛtastataḥ || 81 || sa tūrṇaṃ tasya rājarṣe rurodha sakalāṃ purīm || śaṃkhaṃ dadhmau mahāghoraṃ sarvalokabhayaṃkaram || 82 || tacchutvā sa tu rājarṣi rjñātvā vaivasvataṃ yamam || sa sajjīkṛtasarvasvaḥ pattanānniryayau ruṣā || 83 || tayoryuddhamabhūttatra bhīṣaṇaṃ romaharṣaṇam || mṛtyuṃ kālaṃ tathā rogaṃ yamaṃ dūtapatiṃ tathā || 84 || jitvā kṣaṇena rājarṣirdrāvayāmāsa roṣataḥ || tataḥ kruddho yamo rājā svayamabhyetya taṃ ruṣā || 85 || yuyodha bahubhirbāṇaiḥ siṃhanādaṃ cakāra ha || cakarta rājā tasyā'pi kārmukaṃ viśikhaistribhiḥ || 86 || punaścarmāsimādāya yamo haṃtumathā''gamat || taṃ dṛṣṭvā tu nṛpaḥ kruddhaḥ punaśchittvā'sicarmaṇī || 87 || nicakhāna lalāṭe ca śaraṃ kāloragaprabham || yamastenā''hataḥ kruddhastato daṃḍamupādade || brahmāstreṇa ca saṃmaṃtrya daṇḍaṃ tasmai mumoca ha || 88 || hāhākāro mahānāsījjanānāṃ paśyatāṃ tadā || tadā viṣṇuḥ svabhaktasya rakṣāyai prāhiṇodari || 89 || viṣṇumuktaṃ tadā cakraṃ śīghramāgatya tadraṇe || yamadaṇḍena saṃyudhya tadbrahmāstraṃ nivārya ca ||2.7.11.90|| yamaṃ haṃtumathārebhe sahasrāraṃ mahādbhutam || devabhaktastato bhītastadā'stauccakramañjasā ||91|| sahasrāra namaste'stu viṣṇupāṇivibhūṣaṇa || tvaṃ sarvalokarakṣāyai hariṇā ca dhṛtaṃ purā || 92 || tvāṃ yāce'dya yamaṃ trātuṃ viṣṇubhaktaṃ mahābalam || 93 || nṛṇāṃ devadruhāṃ kālastvameva hi na cā'paraḥ|| tasmādenaṃ yamaṃ rakṣa kṛpāṃ kuru jagatpate || 94 || nṛpeṇaivaṃ stutaṃ cakraṃ yamaṃ hitvā nṛpāṃtikam || punaryayau mahārāja devānāṃ paśyatāṃ divi || 95 || tato yamo'tinirviṇṇo brahmaṇaḥ sadanaṃ yayau || sa dadarśa samāsīnaṃ mūrtāmūrtajanairvṛtam ||96|| dhuvāśrayaṃ jagadbījaṃ sarvalokapitāmaham|| upāsyamānaṃ vibudhairlokapālairdigīśvaraiḥ || 97 || itihāsapurāṇādyairdevairvigrahasaṃsthitaiḥ || mūrtimadbhiḥ samudraiśca nadībhiśca sarovaraiḥ || 98 || dehavadbhistathā vṛkṣairaśvatthādyairaśeṣitaiḥ || vāpīkūpataḍāgaiśca mūrtimadbhiśca parvataiḥ || 99 || ahorātraistathā pakṣairmāsaiḥ saṃvatsaraistathā || kalākāṣṭhā nimeṣaiśca ṛtubhiścā'yanairyugaiḥ || 2.7.11.100 || saṃkalpaiśca vikalpaiśca nimiṣonmeṣaṇaistathā || ṛkṣairyogaiśca karaṇaiḥ pūrṇimābhiḥ susaṃkṣayaiḥ || 101 || sukhairduḥkhairbhayaiścaiva lābhā'lābhairjayājayaiḥ|| sattvena rajasā caiva tamasā ca samanvitam ||102|| śāṃtamūḍhā'tiprauḍhaiśca vikāraiḥ prākṛtairapi || vāyunā devadevena śleṣmapittādibhirvṛtam || 103 || teṣāṃ madhye'viśatsauriḥ savrīḍā ca vadhūryathā || vilokayandharāpṛṣṭhaṃ mlānavaktraṃ vyadarśayat ||104|| saṃpraviṣṭaṃ yamaṃ dṛṣṭvā sakāśasthaṃ sahānugam || vismitāste mithaḥ procuḥ kimarthaṃ bhāskaristviha || 105 || saṃprāpto lokakartāraṃ draṣṭuṃ devaṃ pitāmaham || nirvyāpāraḥ kṣaṇamapi yo'yaṃ nāsti raveḥ sutaḥ || 106 || so'yamabhyāgataḥ kasmātkaccitkṣemaṃ divaukasām || āścaryā'tiśayo'yaṃ ca saṃmārjitapaṭastvayam ||107|| lekhakastamanuprāpto dainyena mahatā'nvitaḥ || na kadācitpaṭo hyasya mārjito dharmabhīruṇā ||108|| yanna dṛṣṭaṃ śrutaṃ vā'pi tadihā'dya prapadyate || evamuccaratāṃ teṣāṃ bhūtānāṃ bhūtaśāsanaḥ || niṣpapātā'grato bhūmau brahmaṇo ravinaṃdanaḥ ||109|| kṛttamūlo yathā śākhī trāhitrāhīti vai rudan|| paribhūto'smi deveśa saṃmārjitapaṭaḥkṛtaḥ ||2.7.11.110|| tvayi nāthe na viphalaṃ paśyāmi kamalāsana || 111 || evamuktvā hi niśceṣṭo babhūva nṛpasattama || tataḥ kolāhalaḥ śabdaḥ sabhāyāṃ samajāyata || || 112 || yo hi khedayate martyānsarvānsthāvarajaṃgamān || sa vai rudati duḥkhārtaḥ kasmādvaivasvato yamaḥ || 134|| janasaṃtāpakarttā yaḥ socirādyātyaśobhanam || nahi duṣkṛtakarttā hi naraḥ prāpnoti śobhanam || 114 || tato nivārayāmāsa vāyusteṣāṃ vacastadā || lokānāṃ samavetānāṃ mataṃ jñātvā sa vedhasaḥ || 115 || nivārya lokānmārtaṃḍi śanairutthāpayanmarut || bhujābhyāṃ śālapīnābhyāṃ lokasūtra udāradhīḥ ||116|| vihvalaṃ taṃ parāyattamāsane saṃnyaveśayat || āsanasthamuvācedaṃ vyomasūnū raveḥ sutam || 117 || kena tvamabhibhūto'si kena sthānānnivāritaḥ || kenā'yaṃ mārjito deva paṭo lekhapaṭastava ||118|| brūhi sarvamaśeṣeṇa kuto haitostvamāgataḥ || yaḥ prabhustāta sarveṣāṃ sa te kartā mamā'pi ca || api kasmācca mārtaṃḍe duḥkhaṃ hṛdayasaṃsthitam ||119|| sa evamuktaḥ śvasanena satyamādityasūnurvacanaṃ babhāṣe || vilokya vaktraṃ kuśaketusūnoḥ sagadgadaṃ cedamaho'tidīnam || 2.7.11.120 || iti śrīskāṃde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe vaiśākhamāsamāhātmye nāradāmbarīṣasaṃvāde kīrtimadvijayavarṇanaṃnāmaikādaśo'dhyāyaḥ || 11 ||

English translation

Maithila said :

1. The holy rites pertaining to Vaiśākha are easily accomplishable. They bring about abundance of merits. They directly cause delight to Viṣṇu and are the means of realizing the great aims of life.

2. Why are they not well-known in the world in spite of their being eternal and laid down in the Śrutis , though many Dharmas of Rājasa and Tāmasa nature are very well-known?

3-4. They (i.e. the latter) are very difficult to perform and they involve a lot of effort. They require great expenditure. Some people praise the month of Māgha . Others praise the four months (of rainy season). They extol in various ways the Dharmas of Vyatīpāta etc. I am desirous of hearing about the distinction of these cases. Explain it in detail to me.

Śrutadeva said :

5. Listen, O king, I shall recount why these are not popular. I shall explain how the other rites are well-known in the world.

6-8. There are many people in the world of Rājasa and Tāmasa types (nature). They are lustful. They wish for worldly pleasures, sons, grandsons, riches etc. Somewhere and somehow you may find with great difficulty some people who may endeavour for heaven. Hence they perform good holy rites such as Yajña etc. with great effort. No man seeks and strives for salvation ( Mokṣa ). People with petty hopes and desires go in for desired benefits and engage themselves in great many holy rites.

9. Therefore, the Dharmas of Rājasa and Tāmasa types have become popular and well-known and not these Dharmas of Sāttvika nature, (though) they are pleasing to Hari .

10. These Dharmas of Niṣkāma (desireless) type are (certainly) the bestowers of worldly pleasures and heavenly benefits too. But the foolish people deluded by the Māyā of the Lord do not know that.

11-12. When one attains lordship, one’s desires are entirely realized. If one succumbs to temptations, one is deprived of the lordship.

I shall tell the reason for keeping this a secret in the world scrupulously, in regard to the Dharmas pertaining to Vaiśāhha. They are of the Sāttvika type and are intended for men of Sāttvika type here.

13-15. Formerly there was an emperor in Kāśī well-known as Kīrtimān . He was an ornament unto the family of Ikṣvāku . He was an illustrious son of Nṛga . [1] He had conquered anger as well as the sense-organs. He was a patron of Brāhmaṇas . He was the most excellent one among all kings.

Once he was engaged in hunting and he came to the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha . The month was Vaiśākha, fierce on account of the oppressive heat (of the sun). While proceeding ahead, he saw on the way the disciples of that noble-souled sage constantly engaged in various activities.

16-20. In some places they were setting up Prapās (free-water stalls) and shady pavilions. Some were engaged in repairing tanks by stopping the breaches in the embankments. In other places, they were engaged in fanning some persons comfortably seated at the foot of trees. Some were seen offering sugarcane stumps in some places, sweet scents in some other places, and fruits in still other places. At midday they made the gifts of umbrellas and of Pānaka (sweet drinks) in the evening. In some places they offered betel-leaves and in some camphor ointments for the eyes. Some were seen spreading smooth sands in shady places in the forest and in the well-swept courtyards. O king, some were seen tying up swings suspended from branches of trees. (When) he asked them, “Who are you?”, they replied, “We are Vāsiṣṭhas (i.e. disciples of Vasiṣṭha).”

21-23. “What is this?” (“What are you doing?”), He asked. They told the excellent king, “These are the holy rites laid down for the month of Vaiśākha. They are the means of attaining the aims of life. These rites are being performed by us scrupulously at the bidding of Vasiṣṭha.”

The king then asked, “What is the benefit that men attain by performing these? Who is pleased (thereby)? Say this in detail in the manner you have heard.”

On being asked thus by the king, they replied to him:

24-27. “We are carrying out the orders of our preceptor. We perform the various holy rites on the path. Hence we have no time (to spare). You would better ask our preceptor in a befitting manner. That sage of great renown understands these Dharmas thoroughly and correctly.” On being replied thus by the disciples of Vasiṣṭha, the king quickly proceeded to the meritorious hermitage of Vasiṣṭha well-known for imparting knowledge of various sciences and Yoga .

On seeing the king coming, Vasiṣṭha became pleased in his mind. He duly entertained the noble-souled king along with his retinue. After receiving the hospitality and having seated himself comfortably, the delighted king asked that preceptor:

The king said :

28-33a. On the way a great, wonderfully auspicious thing was observed by me. It was the splendid work performed by your disciples. I asked them about the auspicious rites which were being performed by them. Nothing was explained by them. They said, “We do not have sufficient leisure to explain these holy rites (adequately). We have to carry out the work as directed by our preceptor. You would better ask our preceptor.”

When this was said by them, I have approached you. Since I am engaged in hunting, I have become tired. Desirous of some hospitality (I halted here). There this meritorious work performed by your disciples was seen by me on the way. O eminent sage, I have a great desire to know more of these holy rites. You are the first (sage) and inasmuch as you perform all the holy rites from the beginning, O eminent sage, explain them in detail to me. I am desirous of hearing about them. I am your humble disciple and I have faith (in these rites).

33b-36a. On being asked thus by the king belonging to the dynasty of Ikṣvāku, the sage of great reputation was very much pleased in his mind to note that he had been properly asked by him then. (He said) “O king, your intellect is well employed and well trained. Since your mind is enthusiastically interested in the talk about Viṣṇu and the performance of holy rites pertaining to him, your merit has come to fruition.” After remarking thus with great delight, he spoke to the king thus:

36b-41a. “Listen, O king, I shall speak what I have been asked by you now. By listening to that, one is liberated from all sins. Granting that a person abandons all (other) holy rites and is completely engrossed in sensual pleasures, if he is engaged in the holy bath during the month of Vaiśākha, he becomes a favourite of Viṣṇu. Even if a person performs all other holy rites along with their ancillaries but Vaiśākha is not duly honoured by means of holy bath, charitable gifts, worships and other meritorious deeds, Hari is far way from him.

If Vaiśākha is passed without taking the holy bath and making charitable gifts, he becomes a Cāṇḍāla through this omission. There is no doubt about this.

If Hari is propitiated by means of the great holy rites laid down for the month of Vaiśākha, he becomes satisfied and grants whatever is desired.

41b-45. The Lord of the universe, the Consort of Lakṣmī is the destroyer of the entire mass of sins. He is pleased with the subtlest of holy rites and not with gross (physical) efforts or expenses in terms of money. If he is devoutly worshipped, Viṣṇu grants whatever is desired.

Hence, O king, devotion to Viṣṇu should always be practised. Even if he is adored with water, Hari, the Lord of the universe, dispels all pain and strain. He becomes satisfied like a thirsty man with water.

Even a great Karma may yield only a small benefit. Even a small Karma may yield a great benefit. The greatness or smallness of the Karma is not the cause of the greatness or smallness of the benefit (accrued). But the nature of the Karma (is the cause). The way of Karma is inscrutable. [2]

46. These holy rites prescribed for the month of Vaiśākha can be performed with very little effort. They are auspicious and pleasing to Viṣṇu. They prevent increase in expenses.

47. Hence, O king, you too perform the holy rites laid down for the month of Vaiśākha. Make all the people in your kingdom perform these auspicious rites.

48. The base one who does not perform the holy rites laid down for Vaiśākha should be rebuked in various ways, O king. (If he does not perform even then) he should be punished by you.”

49. Thus (the sage) clearly explained to him the necessity of performing those holy rites by expounding the scriptural texts. Afterwards he described to him the nature, procedure etc. of the Vaiśākha holy rites completely.

50. After hearing everything about all the rites, he devoutly revered the preceptor. The king thereafter returned to his abode and performed all the rites.

51. O king, he was a great devotee of Keśava , the unsullied Lord of Devas . The king did not see (i.e. worship) anyone other than Viṣṇu ( Padmanābha ), the Lord of Devas.

52-55. A great Bherī -drum was placed on an elephant and this was proclaimed throughout his kingdom through soldiers: [3] “If anyone over the age of eight years and under eighty does not take early morning bath when the Sun is in Aries, all those people will be liable to be punished by me. They may be executed or banished from the kingdom surely. Even if it is (my) father or son or wife or an intimate friend, if he shuns (the performance of the holy rites in Vaiśākha), he should be bound over by me like a robber. After taking the holy bath in the splendid water, gifts should be made over to eminent Brāhmaṇas. O sinless ones, perform other holy rites too, such as establishing Prapās etc. in accordance with your capacity.”

56. He appointed a Brāhmaṇa expounder of holy rites in every village. He appointed a special officer for every five villages.

57-60. That officer was entrusted with the duty of punishing those who had forsaken their Dharmas. He had at his disposal ten horses (i.e. ten soldiers from the cavalry).

The tree of Dharma and pious activity thus planted everywhere at the bidding of the emperor flourished in every land profusely. All those men who died in the realm of that king, went to Hari’s abode, O excellent king.

O excellent king, even those who go to Hari’s abode (temple) accidentally, go to Hari’s abode ( Vaikuṇṭha ) after death. Certainly the world of Viṣṇu is attained by men quickly. One who takes a bath but once in the morning under some pretext when the Sun is in Aries, shall be rid of all sins and go to the great region of Viṣṇu.

61-64. By taking the holy bath in Vaiśākha even once one does not go to the world of Yama . O king, at that time the son of the Sun-god (i.e. Yama) had nothing to record. Then Citragupta got complete rest from his writing and accounting (of Karmas etc.). The previous records about the sins of people were erased quickly in a moment by the people who went to the world of Viṣṇu for their own (good) Karmas.

All the Narakas (Hells) became empty as they were devoid of sinful creatures. By the power of Vaiśākha the path (to hell) became devoid of all traffic. All people became free from impurities and of brilliant form and went to the region of Hari.

65-68. All the abodes of the heaven-dwellers became empty similarly. When the heaven became empty, when all the Narakas too became void, Nārada went to Dharmarāja and spoke thus: “O king, no usual lamentation is heard in Naraka ; nothing is being written about the evil-doers. Citragupta is observing a vow of silence like a sage. Tell me the reason, O king, why men of evil actions, great imposters and tricksters do not come to your abode.”

69. When these words were spoken by the noble-souled Nārada, the king, the son of Vivasvān (i.e. Yama) said thus somewhat helplessly:

70. “O Nārada, the king who is ruling the earth now, is a great devotee of Hṛṣīkeśa , the ancient excellent Puruṣa .

71-73. He enlightens the people in the holy rites of Vaiśākha by means of Bherī sound: ‘He who is over eight years and under eighty and who does not perform holy rites of Vaiśākha will be undoubtedly punished by me.’ Because they are so afraid, therefore all the people never transgress. By means of that Karma, O Nārada, they go to the abode of Viṣṇu. People will go to the abode of Hari by resorting to holy rites of Vaiśākha.

74-78. The path to my place has been destroyed by that king now, O excellent sage. All the Narakas have been evacuated. So also the worlds of heaven-dwellers. The accountant Citragupta has taken rest. What has been already written has been now erased by people. The greatness of the holy rites of the month of Vaiśākha is of such (efficacy), O sage. O Brāhmaṇa, people have been rid of the sins like that of slaughter of Brāhmaṇas. By performing their duties in the month of Vaiśākha, they go to the great region of Viṣṇu. I have now become a mere log of wood (unable to punish or bless people). I shall fight with him and kill him (though) he is very mighty in every respect. The (servant) who does not carry out the tasks of his master, who remains inactive but who yet receives his wages, certainly goes to Naraka.

79. If he is indestructible by a Deva , I will go to Brahmā , intimate to him everything and afterwards will be free from worry.”

80-86. After saying this he took leave of the Brāhmaṇa. Kāla lifted up his terrible staff, rode on his buffalo and went to the earth along with his followers. [4] He was surrounded by his excessively fierce attendants like Mṛtyu , Roga , Jarā etc. and the messengers numbering fifty crores. He immediately besieged the entire capital of that saintly king. He then blew his exceedingly fierce conch that instilled fear in all the worlds.

On hearing it, that saintly king knew that it was Yama, the son of Vivasvān. He got ready with all preparations and angrily set out from the city.

The fight between those two was terrifying and caused hair stand on end. Within a trice that saintly king subdued Mṛtyu, Kāla, Roga, Yama and Dūtapati. He routed them in great anger. Thereupon the infuriated king Yama himself approached him and fought with him with many arrows. He roared like a lion. With three arrows the king cut off his bow.

87-91. Taking up his sword and shield, Yama came down to kill him. On seeing him, the king became furious. He cut off the sword and the shield and planted in his forehead an arrow that had the lustre of a black serpent. On being struck by it Yama became furious and took up his staff. He charged it with the Mantra of a Brahmā missile and discharged it towards him (the king). The onlookers shrieked “Alas!” At that time, for the sake of the protection of his own devotee, Viṣṇu hurled his Discus. The Discus hurled by Viṣṇu came to the battleground, quickly clashed with the staff of Yama and checked that Brāhma missile. The devotee of the Lord (i.e. the king) became frightened and immediately eulogized the Discus.

92-94. “O Thousand-spoked (Discus), the ornament of the hands of Viṣṇu, obeisance to you. Formerly you were held by Hari for the sake of protecting all the worlds. I beg of you today to protect Yama, the highly powerful devotee of Viṣṇu. You alone are the deity of death unto men who are inimical to Devas. No one else. Hence, O lord of the universe, be merciful. Protect this Yama.”

95. The Discus that was eulogized by the king thus left Yama and came near the king, O great king, even as the Devas stood watching in the firmament.

96-100. Then Yama who was exceedingly dejected went to the abode of God Brahmā. [5] There he saw the Grandfather of all the worlds seated, surrounded by embodied and unembodied beings. He is the support of Dhruva , the seed (creator) of the universe. He was attended upon by all the Devas, the Guardians of the Worlds and Lords of the Quarters, Itihāsas , Purāṇas and other (sacred texts) assuming the bodies of Devas, oceans, rivers and lakes in embodied forms, all the trees such as Aśvattha etc. having physical bodies, tanks, wells and lakes as well as mountains with physical forms, the units of time such as days, nights, fortnights, months, years, Kalās , Kāṣṭhās , Nimeṣas , seasons, Ayanas (transits of the Sun) and Yugas .

101-103. He was surrounded by Saṃkalpas (resolve), Vikalpas (doubts), winkings and openings of the eyes, stars, Yogas , Karaṇas (astrological positions), full moons, declinings and wanings of the moon, happiness, misery, fears, profits, losses, victories, defeats, Satīva, Rajas , and Tamas , Śānta (calm), Mūḍha (deluded), Atiprauḍha (mature), the effects of Prakṛti , Vāyu (Wind-god), the lord of Devas, phlegm, bile and others.

104-110a. In the middle of all these, Yama entered like a bashful bride. He was glancing at the floor and he exhibited a pale face. On seeing Yama entering and standing nearby along with his followers, all those beings became surprised. They said to one another:

“Why has Yama come here? Why has he come here to see Lord Brahmā, the creator of the worlds? This son of Ravi never remains inactive even for a moment. Why has he come? Are the Heaven-dwellers hale and happy? This is the greatest wonder that his scroll is without any writing. The writer also has come with him. He is also exceedingly dejected. His scroll is never kept without any writing (clean) because he is afraid of Dharma. What has never been seen or heard is present now.”

Even as those beings were commenting thus, Yama, the chastiser of living beings, the son of Sun-god, fell on the ground in front of Brahmā like a tree uprooted. He cried, “Save me, save me!”

110b-112. “O Lord of Devas, I have been humiliated. My scroll has been rendered clean (without writing). O Lotus-seated One, when you are the Lord, I have never seen hitherto any defeat or failure.”

After saying this, O excellent king, he became motionless. Thereupon a tumultuous sound arose in the assembly.

113-117. “Yama, the son of Vivasvān, who makes all mortals, mobile and immobile beings sad, is himself miserable now and he cries. Why does he cry? He who distresses people shall ere long meet with mishaps and calamities. A man who commits evil deeds does not gain auspiciousness.” Then Wind-god prevented them from talking. Brahmā took note of the opinion of all those beings present there. Warding off the other people, Wind-god lifted up Yama slowly with his brawny arms as stout as Sāla trees. The liberal-minded Wind-god made him occupy his seat as he was utterly agitated and thoroughly helpless. Then Wind-god asked Yama as he sat on his seat:

118-120. “By whom have you been attacked? By whom have you been prevented from your office. O lord, by whom was this scroll wiped off? Tell me everything. What for have you come? O dear one, he who is the Lord of all is your maker and my maker too. Whence is this misery in your heart?” On being asked thus by Wind-god, Yama told him the truth and said these words. On seeing the face of the son of Kuśaketu his words were choked. He was greatly agitated.

[1]: [1] : Nṛga was the younger brother of Ikṣvāku. He was famous for performance of sacrifices and charity (Mbh, Vana 88.5-6; Anuśāsana 76.23). He was cursed to be a chameleon and was redeemed by Kṛṣṇa (Mbh, Anuśāsana 70. 2-28). But no son called Kīrtimān is attributed to him in Mbh and BhP.

[2]: [2] : The discussion in vv 41b-45 indicates that though Vratas in Vaiśākha appear easy, they are great in their efficacy.

[3]: [3] : VV 52-58 show the king’s efforts to popularize (even by compulsion) the Vaiśākha Vratas.

[4]: [4] : Conquest of the god of Death (Yama) and his torturous realms (Narakas) is looked upon as the highest efficacy of a Vrata. It is attributed to Ekādaśī in NP and to Vaiśākha-Vratas here. It is a device of popularizing a Vrata, used here in vv 52 to the end of the Chapter and Chapters 12 and 13 later.

[5]: [5] : VV 96-103 describe the assembly of God Brahmā. It is supposed to be attended by even impersonal principles in their embodied forms.

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 23102, revision 71549 (2016-06-21T03:25:19Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc371713.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.