Veṅkaṭācala-māhātmya, Chapter 20 | Skanda Purāṇa

Veṅkaṭācala-māhātmya · Chapter 20

।। अथ पापविनाशनतीर्थमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् ।। ।। ।। श्रीसूत उवाच ।। ।। पुनश्चाहं प्रवक्ष्यामि पापनाशनवैभवम् ।। भगवद्भक्तिभावेन शृणुध्वं सुसमाहिताः ।। १ ।। इतिहासं प्रवक्ष्यामि सर्वपापविनाशनम् ।। यच्छ्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः ।। २ ।। ।। अथ भद्रमत्याख्यदरिद्रद्विजवृत्तान्तः ।। ।। आसीत्पुरा द्विजवरो वेदवेदांगपारगः ।। दरिद्रो वृत्तिहीनश्च नाम्ना भद्रमतिर्द्विजः ।। ३ ।। श्रुतानि सर्वशास्त्राणि तेन विप्रेण धीमता ।। श्रुतानि च पुराणानि धर्मशास्त्राणि सर्वशः ।। ४ ।। अभवंस्तस्य षट् पत्न्यः कृता सिंधुर्यशोवती ।। कामिनी मालिनी चैव शोभा चैव प्रकीर्तिताः ।। ५ ।। तासु पत्नीषु तस्यासीत्पुत्राणां च शतद्वयम् ।। ते सर्वे तस्य पुत्राद्याः क्षुधया परिपीडिताः ।। ६ ।। अकिञ्चनो भद्रमतिः क्षुधार्तानात्मजान्प्रियान् ।। पश्यन्प्रियाः क्षुधार्ताश्च विललापाकुलेन्द्रियः ।। ७ ।। धिग्जन्म भाग्यरहितं धिग्जन्म धनवर्जितम् ।। धिग्जन्म कीर्तिरहितं धिग्जन्मातिथ्यवर्जितम् ।। ८ ।। धिग्जन्माचाररहितं धिग्जन्म ज्ञानवर्जितम् ।। धिग्जन्म यत्नरहितं धिग्जन्म सुखवर्जितम् ।। ।। ९ ।। धिग्जन्म बन्धुरहितं धिग्जन्म ख्यातिवर्जितम् ।। नरस्य बह्वपत्यस्य धिग्जन्मैश्वर्यवर्जितम् ।। 2.1.20.१० ।। अहो गुणाः सौम्यता च विद्वत्ता जन्म सत्कुले ।। दारिद्र्याम्बुधिमग्नस्य सर्वमेतन्न शोभते ।। ११ ।। विप्राः पुत्राश्च पौत्राश्च बान्धवा भ्रातरस्तथा ।। शिष्याश्च सर्वे मनुजास्त्यजन्त्यैश्वर्यवर्जितम् ।। १२ ।। इति निश्चित्य मतिमान्धीरो भद्रमतिर्द्विजः ।। चण्डालो वा द्विजो वापि भाग्यवानेव पूज्यते ।। १३ ।। दरिद्रः पुरुषो लोके शववल्लोकनिन्दितः ।। अहो सम्पत्समायुक्तो निष्ठुरो वाप्यनिष्ठुरः ।। १४ ।। गुणहीनोऽपि गुणवान्मूर्खो वापि स पण्डितः ।। निष्ठुरो वा गुणी वापि धर्महीनोऽथ वा नरः ।। १५ ।। ऐश्वर्यगुणयुक्तश्चेत्पूज्य एव न संशयः ।। अहो दरिद्रता दुःखं तत्राप्याशातिदुःखदा ।। १६ ।। आशाभिभूताः पुरुषा दुःखमश्नुवते क्षणात् ।। १७ ।। आशाया ये दासा दासास्ते सर्वलोकस्य ।। आशा दासी येषां तेषां दासायते लोकः ।। ।। १८ ।। सर्वशास्त्रार्थवेत्तापि दरिद्रो भाति मूर्खवत् ।। आकिञ्चन्यमहाग्राहग्रस्तानां नास्ति मोचकः ।। १९ ।। अहो दुःखमहो दुःखमहो दुःखं दरिद्रता ।। तत्रापि पुत्रदाराणां बाहुल्यमतिदुःखदम् ।। 2.1.20.२० ।। एवमुक्त्वा भद्रमतिः सर्वशास्त्रार्थपारगः ।। अत्यैश्वर्यप्रदं धर्मं मनसा चिन्तयंस्तदा ।। तूष्णीं स्थितो भद्रमतिमहाक्लेशसमन्वितः ।। २१ ।। ।। अथ भद्रमतेः कामिनीकृतवेंकटाद्रिगमनप्रोत्साहनम् ।। ।। तदानीं तासु भार्यासु कामिनी पतिदेवता ।। २२ ।। भार्या साधुगुणैर्युक्ता पतिं तं प्रत्यभाषत ।। २३ ।। ।। कामिन्युवाच ।। ।। भगवन्सर्वधर्मज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रार्थपारग ।। मम नाथ महाभाग वाक्यं शृणु महामते ।। २४ ।। सुवर्णमुखरीतीरे ऋषिसंघनिषेविते ।। वर्तते दैवतैः सेव्यः पावनो वेंकटाचलः ।। २५ ।। तस्मिन्वेंकटशैलेन्द्रे सुरासुरनमस्कृते ।। वर्तते पावनं तीर्थं पापानां दाहकं शुभम् ।। २६ ।। तत्र गत्वा महाभाग पापनाशे महामते ।। कुरु स्नानं प्रयत्नेन भार्यापुत्रसमन्वितः ।। २७ ।। तस्य तीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं नारदाच्च श्रुतं मया ।। बालभावे मम पितुरंतिके प्रोक्तवान्मुनिः ।। २८ ।। वेंकटाद्रौ महापुण्ये सर्वपातकनाशने ।। सर्वदुःखप्रशमने सर्वसंपत्प्रदायके ।। २९ ।। पापनाशे महातीर्थे स्नात्वा संकल्पपूर्वकम् ।। अत्यैश्वर्यप्रदं धर्मं मनसा चिन्तयंस्तदा ।। 2.1.20.३० ।। भूमिदानं विनिश्चित्य सर्वदानोत्तमोत्तमम् ।। प्रापकं परलोकस्य सर्वकामफलप्रदम् ।। ३१ ।। दानानामुत्तमं दानं भूदानं परिकीर्तितम्।। तद्दत्त्वा समवाप्नोति यद्यदिष्टतमं नरः ।। ३२ ।। इत्येवं नारदेनोक्तं श्रुत्वा मे जनको द्विजः ।। संप्रहृष्टमना भूत्वा शेषाद्रिं प्राप्तवांस्तदा ।। ३३ ।। तत्र गत्वा महाभागः सर्वसंपत्प्रदायकम् ।। भूदानं विप्रवर्याय श्रोत्रियाय प्रदत्तवान् ।। ३४ ।। ततो मे जनको विद्वन्सर्वभाग्यसमन्वितः ।। इहलोके सुखं प्राप्य चान्ते विष्णुपुरं ययौ ।। ३५ ।। त्वं च गत्वा महाभाग वेंकटाद्रिं नगोत्तमम् ।। कुरु दानं प्रयत्नेन भूदानं सर्वकामदम् ।। ३६ ।। ।। अथ कामिनीकथितभूदानप्रशंसा ।। ।। भूमिदानस्य माहात्म्यं शृणुष्व सुसमाहितः ।। न कोऽपि गदितुं शक्तो लोकेऽस्मिन्भगवन्प्रभो ।। ३७ ।। भूमिदानात्परं दानं न भूतं न भविष्यति ।। परं निर्वाणमाप्नोति भूमिदो नात्र संशयः ।। ३८ ।। स्वल्पामपि महीं दत्त्वा श्रोत्रियायाहिताग्नये ।। ब्रह्मलोकमवाप्नोति पुनरावृत्तिवर्जितम् ।। ३९ ।। भूमिदः सर्वदः प्रोक्तो भूमिदो मोक्षभाग्भवेत् ।। भूभिदानं वृषाद्रौ च सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् ।। 2.1.20.४० ।। महापातकयुक्तो वा युक्तो वा सर्वपातकैः ।। दशहस्तां महीं दत्त्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।। ४१ ।। सत्पात्रे भूमिदाता यः सर्वदानफलं लभेत् ।। भूमिदस्य समो नान्यस्त्रिषु लोकेषु विद्यते ।। ४२ ।। द्विजस्य वृत्तिहीनस्य यः प्रदद्यान्महीं शुभाम्।। तस्य पुण्यफलं वक्तुं शेषो नार्हः कदाचन ।। ४३ ।। विप्रस्य वृत्तिहीनस्य सदाचारस्य कस्यचित् ।। यो ऽल्पामपि महीं दद्यात्स विष्णुर्नात्र संशयः ।। ४४ ।। इक्षुगोधूमकेदारपूगदृक्षादिसंयुता ।। पृथ्वी प्रदीयते येन स विष्णुर्नात्र संशयः ।। ४५ ।। वृत्तिहीनस्य विप्रस्य दरिद्रस्य कुटुम्बिनः ।। स्वल्पामपि महीं दत्त्वा विष्णुसायुज्यमश्नुते ।। ४६ ।। सक्तस्य देवपूजासु विप्रस्याटविका मही ।। दत्ता भवति गंगायां त्रिरात्रस्नानजं फलम्।। ४७ ।। विप्रस्य वृत्तिहीनस्य सदाचाररतस्य च ।। द्रोणिकां पृथिवीं दत्त्वा यत्फलं लभते शृणु ।। ४८ ।। गंगातीरेऽश्वमेधानां शतानि विधिवन्नरः ।। कृत्वा यत्फलमाप्नोति तदाप्नोति महत्फलम् ।। ४९ ।। ददाति भारिकां भूमिं दरिद्राय द्विजातये ।। तस्य पुण्यं प्रवक्ष्यामि मन्नाथ भगवन्प्रभो ।। 2.1.20.५० ।। अश्वमेधसहस्राणि वाजपेयशतानि च ।। विधाय जाह्नवीतीरे यत्फलं तल्लभेत सः ।। ५१ ।। भूमिदानं महादानमतिदानं प्रकीर्तितम् ।। सर्वपापप्रशमनमपवर्गफलप्रदम् ।। ५२ ।। यच्छ्रुत्वा श्रद्धया युक्तो भूमिदानफलं लभेत् ।। भार्याया वचनं श्रुत्वा त्वितिहाससमन्वितम् ।। ५३ ।। सन्तुष्टो मनसि ध्यात्वा शेषाचलनिवासिनम् ।। ५४ ।। ।। अथ भद्रमतये भूप्रदानात्सुघोषस्य सद्गतिः ।। ।। गन्तुं प्रचक्रमे बुद्ध्या क्रीडाचलमनुत्तमम् ।। ततो भद्रमतिः सौम्यः सर्वधर्मपरायणः ।। ५५ ।। सुशालिंनाम नगरीं कलत्रसहितो ययौ ।। सुघोषं नाम विप्रेन्द्रं सर्वैश्वर्यसमन्वितम् ।। ५६ ।। गत्वा याचितवान्भूमिं पञ्चहस्तायतां द्विजः ।। सुघोषो धर्मनिरतस्तं निरीक्ष्य कुटुम्बिनम् ।। ।। ५७ ।। मनसा प्रीतिमापन्नं समभ्यर्च्यैनमब्रवीत् ।। कृतार्थोऽहं भद्रमते सफलं मम जन्म च ।। मत्कुलं चानघं जातं त्वं हि ग्राह्योऽसि मे यतः ।। ५८ ।। इत्युक्त्वा तं समभ्यर्च्य सुघोषो धर्मतत्परः ।। पञ्चहस्तप्रमाणां तां ददौ तस्मै महामतिः ।। ५९ ।। पृथिवी वैष्णवी पुण्या पृथिवी विष्णुपालिता ।। पृथिव्यास्तु प्रदानेन प्रीयतां मे जनार्दनः ।। 2.1.20.६० ।। मन्त्रेणानेन विप्रेन्द्राः सुघोषस्तं द्विजेश्वरम् ।। विष्णुबुद्ध्या समभ्यर्च्य तावतीं पृथिवीं ददौ ।। ६१ ।। स भद्रमतये विप्रा धीमांस्तां याचितां भुवम् ।। दत्तवान्हरिभक्ताय श्रोत्रियाय कुटुंबिने ।। ६२ ।। सुघोषो भूमिदानेन कोटिवंशसमन्वितः ।। प्रपेदे विष्णुभवनं यत्र गत्वा न शोचति ।। ६३ ।। ।। अथ भद्रमतेः पापनाशनतीरे भूदानार्थं वेंकटाद्रिगमनम्।। ।। विप्रो भद्रमतिश्चापि पुत्रदारसमन्वितः ।। गतो वेंकटशैलेन्द्रं सुरासुरनमस्कृतम् ।।६४।। गन्धर्वयक्षशैलादिसेवितं मेरुपुत्रकम् ।। वैकुण्ठादागतं दिव्यं क्रीडाचलमनुत्तमम् ।। ६५ ।। तत्र स्वामिसरस्तोये निर्मले पावने शुभे ।। दारपुत्रादिसंयुक्तः स्नात्वा संकल्पपूर्वकम् ।। ६६ ।। तत्पश्चिमतटे श्वेतसूकरं वसुधाधरम् ।। नत्वा तत्र विधानेन श्रीनिवासालयं गतः ।।६७।। तत्र ब्रह्मादिदेवैश्च सेवितं वेंकटेश्वरम् ।। दृष्टवान्सह पुत्राद्यैर्विष्णुभक्तो महामतिः।।६८।। भक्त्या प्रणम्य देवेशं श्रीनिवासं कृपानिधिम् ।। पुत्रदारादिसंयुक्तः पापनाशनमाययौ ।। ६९ ।। तत्र स्नात्वा विधानेन कृतधर्मादिसत्क्रियः ।। कस्मैचिद्विष्णुभक्ताय श्रोत्रियाय महामतिः ।।2.1.20.७०।। विष्णुबुद्ध्या स प्रददौ भूदानं मोक्षदं शुभम्।।७१।। ।। अथ भूदानप्रभावेण भद्रमतेर्भगवत्साक्षात्कारः।। तदा प्रादुरभूद्देवः शंखचक्रगदाधरः ।। ७२ ।। विनतानन्दनारूढो वनमालाविभूषितः ।। पापनाशस्य तीरे तु भूदानस्य प्रभावतः ।।७३।। तदा भद्रमतिः सौम्यः स्तोतुं समुपचक्रमे ।। ७४ ।। नमोनमस्तेऽखिलकारणाय नमोनमस्तेऽखिलपालकाय ।। नमोनमस्तेऽमरनायकाय नमोनमो दैत्यविमर्दनाय ।। ७५ ।। नमोनमो भक्तजनप्रियाय नमोनमः पापविदारणाय ।। नमोनमो दुर्जननाशकाय नमोऽस्तु तस्मै जगदीश्वराय ।। ७६ ।। नमो नमः कारणवामनाय नारायणायामितविक्रमाय ।। श्रीशार्ङ्गचक्रासिगदाधराय नमोऽस्तु तस्मै पुरुषोत्तमाय ।। ७७ ।। नमः पयोराशिनिवासकाय नमोऽस्तु लक्ष्मीपतयेऽव्ययाय ।। नमोऽस्तु सूर्याद्यमितप्रभाय नमोनमः पुण्यगतागताय ।। ७८ ।। नमोनमोऽर्केन्दुविलोचनाय नमोऽस्तु ते यज्ञफलप्रदाय ।। नमोस्तु यज्ञांगविराजिताय नमोऽस्तु ते सज्जनवल्लभाय ।। ७९ ।। नमोनमः कारणकारणाय नमोऽस्तु शब्दादिविवर्जिताय ।। नमोऽस्तु तेऽभीष्टसुखप्रदाय नमोनमो भक्तमनोरमाय ।। 2.1.20.८० ।। नमोनमस्तेऽद्भुतकारणाय नमोऽस्तु ते मन्दरधारकाय ।। नमोऽस्तु ते यज्ञवराहनाम्ने नमो हिरण्याक्षविदारकाय ।। ८१ ।। नमोऽस्तु ते वामनरूपभाजे नमोऽस्तु ते क्षत्रकुलान्तकाय ।। नमोऽस्तु ते रावणमर्दनाय नमोऽस्तु ते नन्दसुताग्रजाय ।। ८२ ।। नमस्ते कमलाकान्त नमस्ते सुखदायिने ।। श्रितार्तिनाशिने तुभ्यं भूयोभूयो नमोनमः ।। ८३ ।। विप्रेण संस्तुतो देवो भगवान्भक्तवत्सलः ।। वात्सल्येनाब्रवीद्वाक्यं श्रीनिवासो दयानिधिः ।। ८४ ।। तात तुष्टोऽस्मि भद्रं ते स्तोत्रेण महता द्विज ।। सर्वभोगसमायुक्तः पुत्रपौत्रादिभिर्युतः ।। ८५ ।। इह लोके सुखं प्राप्य देहान्ते मुक्तिमाप्नुहि ।। इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्विष्णुस्तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ।। ८६ ।। एवं वः कथितं विप्राः पापनाशनवैभवम् ।। तत्तीरे भूप्रदानस्य माहात्म्यं चापि वर्णितम् ।। ८७ ।। इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डे श्रीवेंकटाचलमाहात्म्ये पापविनाशनतीर्थे भूदानफलानुवर्णनंनाम विंशतितमोऽध्यायः ।। २० ।।

|| atha pāpavināśanatīrthamāhātmyavarṇanam || || || śrīsūta uvāca || || punaścāhaṃ pravakṣyāmi pāpanāśanavaibhavam || bhagavadbhaktibhāvena śṛṇudhvaṃ susamāhitāḥ || 1 || itihāsaṃ pravakṣyāmi sarvapāpavināśanam || yacchrutvā sarvapāpebhyo mucyate nātra saṃśayaḥ || 2 || || atha bhadramatyākhyadaridradvijavṛttāntaḥ || || āsītpurā dvijavaro vedavedāṃgapāragaḥ || daridro vṛttihīnaśca nāmnā bhadramatirdvijaḥ || 3 || śrutāni sarvaśāstrāṇi tena vipreṇa dhīmatā || śrutāni ca purāṇāni dharmaśāstrāṇi sarvaśaḥ || 4 || abhavaṃstasya ṣaṭ patnyaḥ kṛtā siṃdhuryaśovatī || kāminī mālinī caiva śobhā caiva prakīrtitāḥ || 5 || tāsu patnīṣu tasyāsītputrāṇāṃ ca śatadvayam || te sarve tasya putrādyāḥ kṣudhayā paripīḍitāḥ || 6 || akiñcano bhadramatiḥ kṣudhārtānātmajānpriyān || paśyanpriyāḥ kṣudhārtāśca vilalāpākulendriyaḥ || 7 || dhigjanma bhāgyarahitaṃ dhigjanma dhanavarjitam || dhigjanma kīrtirahitaṃ dhigjanmātithyavarjitam || 8 || dhigjanmācārarahitaṃ dhigjanma jñānavarjitam || dhigjanma yatnarahitaṃ dhigjanma sukhavarjitam || || 9 || dhigjanma bandhurahitaṃ dhigjanma khyātivarjitam || narasya bahvapatyasya dhigjanmaiśvaryavarjitam || 2.1.20.10 || aho guṇāḥ saumyatā ca vidvattā janma satkule || dāridryāmbudhimagnasya sarvametanna śobhate || 11 || viprāḥ putrāśca pautrāśca bāndhavā bhrātarastathā || śiṣyāśca sarve manujāstyajantyaiśvaryavarjitam || 12 || iti niścitya matimāndhīro bhadramatirdvijaḥ || caṇḍālo vā dvijo vāpi bhāgyavāneva pūjyate || 13 || daridraḥ puruṣo loke śavavallokaninditaḥ || aho sampatsamāyukto niṣṭhuro vāpyaniṣṭhuraḥ || 14 || guṇahīno'pi guṇavānmūrkho vāpi sa paṇḍitaḥ || niṣṭhuro vā guṇī vāpi dharmahīno'tha vā naraḥ || 15 || aiśvaryaguṇayuktaścetpūjya eva na saṃśayaḥ || aho daridratā duḥkhaṃ tatrāpyāśātiduḥkhadā || 16 || āśābhibhūtāḥ puruṣā duḥkhamaśnuvate kṣaṇāt || 17 || āśāyā ye dāsā dāsāste sarvalokasya || āśā dāsī yeṣāṃ teṣāṃ dāsāyate lokaḥ || || 18 || sarvaśāstrārthavettāpi daridro bhāti mūrkhavat || ākiñcanyamahāgrāhagrastānāṃ nāsti mocakaḥ || 19 || aho duḥkhamaho duḥkhamaho duḥkhaṃ daridratā || tatrāpi putradārāṇāṃ bāhulyamatiduḥkhadam || 2.1.20.20 || evamuktvā bhadramatiḥ sarvaśāstrārthapāragaḥ || atyaiśvaryapradaṃ dharmaṃ manasā cintayaṃstadā || tūṣṇīṃ sthito bhadramatimahākleśasamanvitaḥ || 21 || || atha bhadramateḥ kāminīkṛtaveṃkaṭādrigamanaprotsāhanam || || tadānīṃ tāsu bhāryāsu kāminī patidevatā || 22 || bhāryā sādhuguṇairyuktā patiṃ taṃ pratyabhāṣata || 23 || || kāminyuvāca || || bhagavansarvadharmajña sarvaśāstrārthapāraga || mama nātha mahābhāga vākyaṃ śṛṇu mahāmate || 24 || suvarṇamukharītīre ṛṣisaṃghaniṣevite || vartate daivataiḥ sevyaḥ pāvano veṃkaṭācalaḥ || 25 || tasminveṃkaṭaśailendre surāsuranamaskṛte || vartate pāvanaṃ tīrthaṃ pāpānāṃ dāhakaṃ śubham || 26 || tatra gatvā mahābhāga pāpanāśe mahāmate || kuru snānaṃ prayatnena bhāryāputrasamanvitaḥ || 27 || tasya tīrthasya māhātmyaṃ nāradācca śrutaṃ mayā || bālabhāve mama pituraṃtike proktavānmuniḥ || 28 || veṃkaṭādrau mahāpuṇye sarvapātakanāśane || sarvaduḥkhapraśamane sarvasaṃpatpradāyake || 29 || pāpanāśe mahātīrthe snātvā saṃkalpapūrvakam || atyaiśvaryapradaṃ dharmaṃ manasā cintayaṃstadā || 2.1.20.30 || bhūmidānaṃ viniścitya sarvadānottamottamam || prāpakaṃ paralokasya sarvakāmaphalapradam || 31 || dānānāmuttamaṃ dānaṃ bhūdānaṃ parikīrtitam|| taddattvā samavāpnoti yadyadiṣṭatamaṃ naraḥ || 32 || ityevaṃ nāradenoktaṃ śrutvā me janako dvijaḥ || saṃprahṛṣṭamanā bhūtvā śeṣādriṃ prāptavāṃstadā || 33 || tatra gatvā mahābhāgaḥ sarvasaṃpatpradāyakam || bhūdānaṃ vipravaryāya śrotriyāya pradattavān || 34 || tato me janako vidvansarvabhāgyasamanvitaḥ || ihaloke sukhaṃ prāpya cānte viṣṇupuraṃ yayau || 35 || tvaṃ ca gatvā mahābhāga veṃkaṭādriṃ nagottamam || kuru dānaṃ prayatnena bhūdānaṃ sarvakāmadam || 36 || || atha kāminīkathitabhūdānapraśaṃsā || || bhūmidānasya māhātmyaṃ śṛṇuṣva susamāhitaḥ || na ko'pi gadituṃ śakto loke'sminbhagavanprabho || 37 || bhūmidānātparaṃ dānaṃ na bhūtaṃ na bhaviṣyati || paraṃ nirvāṇamāpnoti bhūmido nātra saṃśayaḥ || 38 || svalpāmapi mahīṃ dattvā śrotriyāyāhitāgnaye || brahmalokamavāpnoti punarāvṛttivarjitam || 39 || bhūmidaḥ sarvadaḥ prokto bhūmido mokṣabhāgbhavet || bhūbhidānaṃ vṛṣādrau ca sarvapāpapraṇāśanam || 2.1.20.40 || mahāpātakayukto vā yukto vā sarvapātakaiḥ || daśahastāṃ mahīṃ dattvā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate || 41 || satpātre bhūmidātā yaḥ sarvadānaphalaṃ labhet || bhūmidasya samo nānyastriṣu lokeṣu vidyate || 42 || dvijasya vṛttihīnasya yaḥ pradadyānmahīṃ śubhām|| tasya puṇyaphalaṃ vaktuṃ śeṣo nārhaḥ kadācana || 43 || viprasya vṛttihīnasya sadācārasya kasyacit || yo 'lpāmapi mahīṃ dadyātsa viṣṇurnātra saṃśayaḥ || 44 || ikṣugodhūmakedārapūgadṛkṣādisaṃyutā || pṛthvī pradīyate yena sa viṣṇurnātra saṃśayaḥ || 45 || vṛttihīnasya viprasya daridrasya kuṭumbinaḥ || svalpāmapi mahīṃ dattvā viṣṇusāyujyamaśnute || 46 || saktasya devapūjāsu viprasyāṭavikā mahī || dattā bhavati gaṃgāyāṃ trirātrasnānajaṃ phalam|| 47 || viprasya vṛttihīnasya sadācāraratasya ca || droṇikāṃ pṛthivīṃ dattvā yatphalaṃ labhate śṛṇu || 48 || gaṃgātīre'śvamedhānāṃ śatāni vidhivannaraḥ || kṛtvā yatphalamāpnoti tadāpnoti mahatphalam || 49 || dadāti bhārikāṃ bhūmiṃ daridrāya dvijātaye || tasya puṇyaṃ pravakṣyāmi mannātha bhagavanprabho || 2.1.20.50 || aśvamedhasahasrāṇi vājapeyaśatāni ca || vidhāya jāhnavītīre yatphalaṃ tallabheta saḥ || 51 || bhūmidānaṃ mahādānamatidānaṃ prakīrtitam || sarvapāpapraśamanamapavargaphalapradam || 52 || yacchrutvā śraddhayā yukto bhūmidānaphalaṃ labhet || bhāryāyā vacanaṃ śrutvā tvitihāsasamanvitam || 53 || santuṣṭo manasi dhyātvā śeṣācalanivāsinam || 54 || || atha bhadramataye bhūpradānātsughoṣasya sadgatiḥ || || gantuṃ pracakrame buddhyā krīḍācalamanuttamam || tato bhadramatiḥ saumyaḥ sarvadharmaparāyaṇaḥ || 55 || suśāliṃnāma nagarīṃ kalatrasahito yayau || sughoṣaṃ nāma viprendraṃ sarvaiśvaryasamanvitam || 56 || gatvā yācitavānbhūmiṃ pañcahastāyatāṃ dvijaḥ || sughoṣo dharmaniratastaṃ nirīkṣya kuṭumbinam || || 57 || manasā prītimāpannaṃ samabhyarcyainamabravīt || kṛtārtho'haṃ bhadramate saphalaṃ mama janma ca || matkulaṃ cānaghaṃ jātaṃ tvaṃ hi grāhyo'si me yataḥ || 58 || ityuktvā taṃ samabhyarcya sughoṣo dharmatatparaḥ || pañcahastapramāṇāṃ tāṃ dadau tasmai mahāmatiḥ || 59 || pṛthivī vaiṣṇavī puṇyā pṛthivī viṣṇupālitā || pṛthivyāstu pradānena prīyatāṃ me janārdanaḥ || 2.1.20.60 || mantreṇānena viprendrāḥ sughoṣastaṃ dvijeśvaram || viṣṇubuddhyā samabhyarcya tāvatīṃ pṛthivīṃ dadau || 61 || sa bhadramataye viprā dhīmāṃstāṃ yācitāṃ bhuvam || dattavānharibhaktāya śrotriyāya kuṭuṃbine || 62 || sughoṣo bhūmidānena koṭivaṃśasamanvitaḥ || prapede viṣṇubhavanaṃ yatra gatvā na śocati || 63 || || atha bhadramateḥ pāpanāśanatīre bhūdānārthaṃ veṃkaṭādrigamanam|| || vipro bhadramatiścāpi putradārasamanvitaḥ || gato veṃkaṭaśailendraṃ surāsuranamaskṛtam ||64|| gandharvayakṣaśailādisevitaṃ meruputrakam || vaikuṇṭhādāgataṃ divyaṃ krīḍācalamanuttamam || 65 || tatra svāmisarastoye nirmale pāvane śubhe || dāraputrādisaṃyuktaḥ snātvā saṃkalpapūrvakam || 66 || tatpaścimataṭe śvetasūkaraṃ vasudhādharam || natvā tatra vidhānena śrīnivāsālayaṃ gataḥ ||67|| tatra brahmādidevaiśca sevitaṃ veṃkaṭeśvaram || dṛṣṭavānsaha putrādyairviṣṇubhakto mahāmatiḥ||68|| bhaktyā praṇamya deveśaṃ śrīnivāsaṃ kṛpānidhim || putradārādisaṃyuktaḥ pāpanāśanamāyayau || 69 || tatra snātvā vidhānena kṛtadharmādisatkriyaḥ || kasmaicidviṣṇubhaktāya śrotriyāya mahāmatiḥ ||2.1.20.70|| viṣṇubuddhyā sa pradadau bhūdānaṃ mokṣadaṃ śubham||71|| || atha bhūdānaprabhāveṇa bhadramaterbhagavatsākṣātkāraḥ|| tadā prādurabhūddevaḥ śaṃkhacakragadādharaḥ || 72 || vinatānandanārūḍho vanamālāvibhūṣitaḥ || pāpanāśasya tīre tu bhūdānasya prabhāvataḥ ||73|| tadā bhadramatiḥ saumyaḥ stotuṃ samupacakrame || 74 || namonamaste'khilakāraṇāya namonamaste'khilapālakāya || namonamaste'maranāyakāya namonamo daityavimardanāya || 75 || namonamo bhaktajanapriyāya namonamaḥ pāpavidāraṇāya || namonamo durjananāśakāya namo'stu tasmai jagadīśvarāya || 76 || namo namaḥ kāraṇavāmanāya nārāyaṇāyāmitavikramāya || śrīśārṅgacakrāsigadādharāya namo'stu tasmai puruṣottamāya || 77 || namaḥ payorāśinivāsakāya namo'stu lakṣmīpataye'vyayāya || namo'stu sūryādyamitaprabhāya namonamaḥ puṇyagatāgatāya || 78 || namonamo'rkenduvilocanāya namo'stu te yajñaphalapradāya || namostu yajñāṃgavirājitāya namo'stu te sajjanavallabhāya || 79 || namonamaḥ kāraṇakāraṇāya namo'stu śabdādivivarjitāya || namo'stu te'bhīṣṭasukhapradāya namonamo bhaktamanoramāya || 2.1.20.80 || namonamaste'dbhutakāraṇāya namo'stu te mandaradhārakāya || namo'stu te yajñavarāhanāmne namo hiraṇyākṣavidārakāya || 81 || namo'stu te vāmanarūpabhāje namo'stu te kṣatrakulāntakāya || namo'stu te rāvaṇamardanāya namo'stu te nandasutāgrajāya || 82 || namaste kamalākānta namaste sukhadāyine || śritārtināśine tubhyaṃ bhūyobhūyo namonamaḥ || 83 || vipreṇa saṃstuto devo bhagavānbhaktavatsalaḥ || vātsalyenābravīdvākyaṃ śrīnivāso dayānidhiḥ || 84 || tāta tuṣṭo'smi bhadraṃ te stotreṇa mahatā dvija || sarvabhogasamāyuktaḥ putrapautrādibhiryutaḥ || 85 || iha loke sukhaṃ prāpya dehānte muktimāpnuhi || ityuktvā bhagavānviṣṇustatraivāntaradhīyata || 86 || evaṃ vaḥ kathitaṃ viprāḥ pāpanāśanavaibhavam || tattīre bhūpradānasya māhātmyaṃ cāpi varṇitam || 87 || iti śrīskāṃde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe śrīveṃkaṭācalamāhātmye pāpavināśanatīrthe bhūdānaphalānuvarṇanaṃnāma viṃśatitamo'dhyāyaḥ || 20 ||

English translation

[ Greatness of Pāpavināśana Tīrtha ]:—

Śrī Sūta said :

1. I shall recount again the greatness of Pāpanāśana . Listen with great concentration and feelings of devotion to the Lord.

2. I shall narrate a legendary story that is destructive of all sins, on hearing which one is absolved of all sins. There is no doubt about it.

The Episode of a Poor Brāhmaṇa Called Bhadramati

3. Formerly there was an excellent Brāhmaṇa named Bhadramati. He was a master of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas , (but) he had no means of livelihood and was very poor.

4. All scriptures were learnt by that intelligent Brāhmaṇa. The Purāṇas and treatises on Dharma had been learnt by him in full.

5. He had six wives named Kṛtā , Sindhu , Yaśovatī , Kāminī , Mālinī and Śobhā .

6. Of those wives he had two hundred sons. All of them—his sons and others—were afflicted with hunger.

7. On seeing his dear sons tormented with hunger and his beloved wives ingreat distress due to hunger the penniless Bhadramati being greatly agitated in all his sense-organs, cried aloud:

8. “Fie upon a life devoid of fortune! Fie upon a life bereft of wealth! Fie upon a life wanting in fame! Fie upon a life without hospitality!

9. Fie upon a life devoid of moral conduct! Fie upon a life devoid of knowledge! Fie upon a life without exertion and industry! Fie upon a life devoid of happiness!

10. Fie upon a life bereft of kinsmen! Fie upon a life wanting in renown! Fie upon the life of a man without any wealth but with many children!

11. Alas! The good qualities such as gentleness, [1] scholarship and nobility of birth—all these do not shine in the case of one sinking in the ocean of poverty.

12. Brāhmaṇa’s sons, grandsons, kinsmen, brothers, disciples—all men forsake the man who is without wealth and glory.”

13-17. The Brāhmaṇa Bhadramati who was intelligent and self-possessed came to this conclusion: “Irrespective of one’s being a Brāhmaṇa or a Cāṇḍāla , it is the fortunate alone who is honoured. In this world a poor man is condemned by all people as though he is a corpse. Alas! A person endowed with riches may be hard-hearted but he is considered to be kind. He may not have any good qualities, but he is considered to be endowed with good qualities. Even if he is afool, he is considered to be a scholar.

A man may be hard-hearted and be devoid of good qualities and virtue but if he is endowed with the quality of possessing wealth and glory, he is undoubtedly worthy of being honoured.

Alas! Poverty is itself misery but therein false hope or expectation causes greater misery. Persons dominated by (false) hope meet with misery (despair) instantaneously.

18. Those who are slaves unto hopes and desires are slaves of the whole world. The whole world becomes the slave of those who have made hope and desire their slave.

19. Even if a person is conversant with all the contents of all the scriptures, he may still appear to be a fool if he is poor. There is no one to liberate those who have been seized by the great crocodile of poverty.

20. Alas! What a misery! Alas! What a despair! Alas! Poverty (itself) is a misery! There too if one has too many sons and wives, it inflicts more misery.”

21. Bhadramati, the master of all the contents of all the scriptures, (ceased to talk) after saying this much. He began to think about some holy rite that would yield plenty of wealth and glory. Bhadramati who was afflicted with deep pain and sorrow remained silent.

[ Bhadramati is Encouraged to go to Veṅkaṭādri by Kāminī ]:—

22-23. At that time one of his wives, Kāminī, who regarded her husband as a god and was endowed with good qualities spoke to her husband:

Kāminī said :

24. O holy lord conversant with all holy rites, O master of all the contents of all the scriptures, O my lord, O blessed one, O highly intelligent one, listen to my words.

25. On the banks of Suvarṇamukharī frequented by multitudes of sages there is the sacred Veṅkaṭācala worthy of being served by Devas .

26. On that great mountain Veṅkaṭa , bowed down to by Suras and Asuras , there is an auspicious sacred Tīrtha which burns all sins.

27. O highly intelligent and blessed one, go to that Tīrtha in Pāpanāśa . Take your holy bath carefully therein accompanied by your wives and sons.

28. The greatness of that Tīrtha has been heard by me from Nārada during my childhood. The sage recounted it in the presence of my father:

29-32. “On the Veṅkaṭa mountain of great merit, which is destructive of all sins and subdues all miseries and which yields all types of riches, a devotee should take bath in Pāpanāśa, the great Tīrtha, with Saṃkalpa (i.e. a solemn pronouncement of the resolve). He should think about a Dharma (holy rite) that yields enormous prosperity and glory. The devotee should decide to make a gift of land, which is the most excellent of all excellent gifts. It takes the donor to heaven (after death). It yields whatever best things one craves for. Gift of land is glorified as the most excellent of all gifts. By making that gift a man obtains whatever is most wished for.”

33. On hearing the words of Nārada my father, a Brāhmaṇa, became delighted in his mind and went to Śeṣādri .

34. After going there (my father) the blessed one made over a gift of land to an excellent Brāhmaṇa well-versed in the Vedas—a gift that bestows all prosperities and glories.

35. Thereupon my father became endowed with all fortimes, O learned one. He attained happiness in this world and after death went to Viṣṇu ’s city.

36. You too, O blessed one, go to Veṅkaṭādri, the most excellent mountain. Make the gift with determination—the gift of land that bestows all desired things.

[ Kāminī glorifies the Gift of Land ]:—

37. Listen with great attention to the greatness of the gift of land. [2] In the whole of the world none can describe it fully, O holy lord.

38. There had never been a greater gift than the gift of land before (i.e. in the past) nor will it be in future. There is no doubt about this that a donor of land attains the greatest salvation.

39. By giving as a gift even a smallest piece of land to a person well-versed in the Vedas, who maintains the sacred fire, one attains the world of Brahmā , from which there is no return to this world.

40. A bestower of land is said to be a bestower of everything. The person who makes a gift of land shall attain liberation. Making a gift of land on Vṛṣādri is destructive of all sins.

41. A person may have committed great sins, he may have committed all sins, but by gifting away a piece of land measuring ten hastas or cubits (a cubit = 18 inches) he becomes liberated from all sins.

42. He who donates land to a deserving person shall obtain the benefit of all gifts. In the whole of the universe consisting of the three worlds there is no one else on a par with a donor of land.

43. If anyone makes the gift of a splendid land to a Brāhmaṇa without means of livelihood, even Śeṣa will never be competent to recount his meritorious benefit.

44. He who gives even the smallest piece of land to a Brāhmaṇa of good conduct (but) without any means of sustenance is Viṣṇu himself. There is no doubt about it.

45. He by whom a meadow or a land full of sugarcane or wheat or areca-palms etc. is given as a gift is Viṣṇu. There is no doubt about it.

46. By making a gift of land, even if it be very small, to a poor Brāhmaṇa burdened with a family but devoid of a means of livelihood, one attains Sāyujya with Viṣṇu.

47. If a forest land is given to a Brāhmaṇa devoted to worship of gods, one gets the benefit of taking holy bath in Gaṅgā for three days.

48. Listen to the benefit one derives by making a gift of a land yielding one Droṇikā [3] (119 kg.) to a Brāhmaṇa of good conduct but without means of sustenance.

49. He gets that great benefit which a man obtains by performing hundreds of horse-sacrifices on the banks of Gaṅgā in accordance with the injunctions.

50. If a person gives a land yielding a Bhāra of food-grains (i.e. about 100 quintals) to a poor Brāhmaṇa, I shall speak of the merit of that person, O my lord, O holy lord.

51. He shall obtain that benefit which one derived after performing thousands of horse-sacrifices and hundreds of Vājapeyas on the banks of Gaṅgā.

52-55. A gift of land is a great gift. It is glorified as surpassing all gifts. It subdues all sins. It yields the benefit of salvation. Even a person who hears about this (land gift) with great faith shall attain the benefit of gifting away a land.

On hearing these words of his wife with citations from a legendary story the gentle Bhadramati, devoted to all holy rites, became delighted. He mentally meditated upon the Lord residing on Śeṣācala . He already began to proceed to the excellent Krīḍācala mentally. (At the outset) he went to the city named Suśāli accompanied by his wives.

[ Sughoṣa Attains Heaven Through the Gift of a Land to Bhadramati ]:—

56-61. The Brāhmaṇa went to an eminent Brāhmaṇa named Sughoṣa endowed with all prosperities and glories, and begged for a land-strip measuring five hands (i.e. cubits in length).

On seeing that Brāhmaṇa having a large family Sughoṣa who strictly adhered to (the path of) righteousness, became pleased in his mind. He honoured him and spoke thus:

“O Bhadramati, I am blessed. My life is fruitful. My family has become sinless since you have become one acceptable to me.

After saying thus Sughoṣa of great intellect and devoted to virtue honoured him duly and gave him the land five hands in length, reciting the Mantra : “The earth belongs to Viṣṇu and is (hence) sacred. It is protected by Viṣṇu. May Janārdana be pleased with me for making a gift of land.”

O great Brāhmaṇas , Sughoṣa worshipped that prominent Brāhmaṇa, regarding him as Viṣṇu himself, and gave him that much land.

62-63. O Brāhmaṇas, that intelligent Brāhmaṇa (Sughoṣa) donated the requested (piece of) land to Bhadramati who was a devotee of Hari and was well-versed in the Vedas and had a large family.

Accompanied by a crore members of his family, Sughoṣa attained Viṣṇu’s abode, after going where no one experiences grief. It was on account of the gifting of the land that he went there.

[ Bhadramati Goes to Veṅkaṭādri on the Banks of Pāpanāśana for Gifting Lands ]:—

64-65. Accompanied by his sons and wives, Bhadramati went to the great mountain Veṅkaṭa that is bowed down to by Suras and Asuras, that is resorted to and served by Gandharvas , Yakṣas , presiding deities of mountains and others—Veṅkaṭācala who is the son of Meru , that is divine, that has come from Vaikuṇṭha and is called Krīḍāśaila, the excellent mountain (near Svāmipuṣkariṇī).

66-67. In the pure, sacred and splendid water of Svāmisaras he took his bath along with his wives, sons and others preceded by the rite of Saṃkalpa . He bowed down to the white Boar, the uplifter of Earth, on its western bank in accordance with the injunctions and went to the abode of Śrīnivāsa .

68. There the highly intelligent devotee of Viṣṇu had the vision of Veṅkaṭeśvara served by Brahmā and other Devas. He along with his sons and others visited the Lord.

69-71. After devoutly bowing down so Śrīnivāsa, the Lord of Devas, the storehouse of mercy, he went to Pāpanāśana accompanied by his wives, sons and others.

He took his bath in accordance with the injunctions. He performed all the requisite holy rites. The highly intelligent one made the splendid salvation-yielding gift of land to a certain Brāhmaṇa well-versed in the Vedas and a devotee of Viṣṇu as well, considering him to be Viṣṇu himself.

[ Bhadramati Realises the Lord by the Power of Land Gift ]:—

72-74. At that time the Lord manifested himself holding the conch, the discus and the iron club, seated on Garuḍa and adorned with garlands of sylvan flowers. The Lord appeared before him on the banks of Pāpanāśana by the power of land gift. Then the gentle Bhadramati began to eulogize (the Lord):

75. “Obeisance, obeisance to you, the cause of everything. Repeated bows to you, the protector of everything. Obeisance, obeisance to you, the leader of the immortal ones. Obeisance, obeisance to the suppressor of Daityas .

76. Obeisance, obeisance to the Lord who is fond of devotees. Repeated obeisance to the Lord dispelling sins. Obeisance, obeisance to the destroyer of vicious people. Hail to that Lord of the universe!

77. Obeisance, obeisance to the Lord who incarnated as Dwarf for the sake of a cause. Obeisance to Nārāyaṇa of unmeasured valour. Bow to the Lord holding the Śārṅga bow, the discus, the sword and the iron club. Hail to that Puruṣottama !

78. Obeisance to the Lord residing in the ocean; obeisance to the immutable Lord of Lakṣmī ; bow to the Lord of unmeasured splendour excelling the sun etc. Obeisance, obeisance to the Lord of meritorious arrival and departure.

79. Obeisance, obeisance to the Lord with the sun and the moon as his eyes. Hail to you, the bestower of the fruitof Yajñas ; obeisance to the Lord shining with Yajñāṅgas (i.e. the requisites of a sacrifice). Bow to you, the lover of good people.

80. Obeisance, obeisance to the cause of causes. Obeisance to the Lord devoid of (or beyond the objects of senses such as) sound etc. Obeisance to you, the bestower of happiness desired. Obeisance, obeisance to the Lord who is fascinating unto the devotee.

81. Obeisance, obeisance to you, the wonderful cause. Bow to you, the supporter of Mandara (i.e. the Divine Tortoise). Obeisance to you called Yajñavarāha (‘Boar in the form of sacrifice’). Obeisance to the tearer of Hiraṇyakaśipu . [4]

82. Obeisance to you who assumed the form of a Dwarf ( Vāmana ). Bow to you, the destroyer of the dynasties of Kṣatriyas ( Paraśurāma ). Obeisance to you, the suppressor of Rāvaṇa ( Rāma ). Hail to you, the elder brother of the daughter of Nanda (i.e. Śrīkṛṣṇa )!

83. Bow to you, the lover of Kamalā (Lakṣmī). Obeisance to you, the bestower of happiness. Hail to you, the destroyer of the agony of those who resort to you! Obeisance, obeisance, again and again.”

84. On being eulogized by that Brāhmaṇa Lord Śrīnivāsa, the storehouse of mercy, fond of devotees, spoke these words out of affection:

85-86. “O dear one, welfare unto you. I am delighted, O Brāhmaṇa, by this great eulogy. You will be endowed with all worldly pleasures in the company of sons, grandsons etc. After obtaining (enjoying) happiness in this world, attain salvation after death.”

After saying this Lord Viṣṇu vanished there itself.

87. Thus, O Brāhmaṇas, the greatness of Pāpanāśana has been recounted to you all. The greatness of land gift on its banks is also described.

[1]: [1] : VV 11-20 are a part of floating traditional subhāṣitas censuring poverty ( vide Subhāṣita-Ratna-Bhāṇḍāgāra on poverty).

[2]: [2] : The importance of land grants is described in Mbh and Purāṇas ( vide Kane, HD II.ii.862ff. and also verses quoted in Appendix pp. 1271-77), Kane, however, has noted the restrictions on such gifts.

[3]: [3] : Droṇikā also means a valley between two mountains, but a land yielding so much corn or food-grains is preferred in this context.

[4]: [4] : Here the reading: Hiraṇyākṣa-vidārakāya , is defective. If accepted it becomes an adjective of Varāha. But the author intends to give us the series of Viṣṇu’s incarnations and the incarnation next to Varāha is Nṛsiṃha (Man-lion). If the readiṇg is emended as ‘ Hiraṇyākhya-vidārakāya ’, it means Nṛsiṃha, the incarnation after Varāha and preceding Vāmana.

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 22894, revision 71021 (2016-06-09T21:00:21Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc370699.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.