Brahma Purana — Chapter 175
BrP 175.1
त्रिदैवत्यां सुरेशान गङ्गां ब्रूषे सुरेश्वर ब्राह्मणेनाहृतां पुण्यां जगतः पावनीं शुभाम् ॥
tridaivatyāṃ sureśāna gaṅgāṃ brūṣe sureśvara brāhmaṇenāhṛtāṃ puṇyāṃ jagataḥ pāvanīṃ śubhām //
O lord of the gods, O ruler of the celestials, you speak of the Gaṅgā who belongs to the three deities, brought (down) by a brahmin, holy, purifier of the world, auspicious.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.2
आदिमध्यावसाने च उभयोस् तीरयोर् अपि या व्याप्ता विष्णुनेशेन त्वया च सुरसत्तम पुनः संक्षेपतो ब्रूहि न मे तृप्तिः प्रजायते ॥
ādimadhyāvasāne ca ubhayos tīrayor api yā vyāptā viṣṇuneśena tvayā ca surasattama punaḥ saṃkṣepato brūhi na me tṛptiḥ prajāyate //
At her beginning, middle and end, and on both her banks, she who is pervaded by Viṣṇu, by Īśa, and by you, O best of the gods — tell of her again in brief; no satisfaction arises in me.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.3
कमण्डलुस्थिता पूर्वं ततो विष्णुपदानुगा महेश्वरजटाजूटे स्थिता सैव नमस्कृता ॥
kamaṇḍalusthitā pūrvaṃ tato viṣṇupadānugā maheśvarajaṭājūṭe sthitā saiva namaskṛtā //
First she abode in the water-pot, then she followed at Viṣṇu's foot, and that same revered one abode in the matted locks of Maheśvara.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.4
ब्रह्मतेजःप्रभावेण शिवम् आराध्य यत्नतः ततः प्राप्ता गिरिं पुण्यं ततः पूर्वार्णवं प्रति ॥
brahmatejaḥprabhāveṇa śivam ārādhya yatnataḥ tataḥ prāptā giriṃ puṇyaṃ tataḥ pūrvārṇavaṃ prati //
By the power of brahmic splendour, having diligently propitiated Śiva, she then reached the holy mountain, and thence (went) toward the eastern ocean.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.5
आगत्य संगता देवी सर्वतीर्थमयी नृणाम् ईप्सितानां तथा दात्री प्रभावो ऽस्या विशिष्यते ॥
āgatya saṃgatā devī sarvatīrthamayī nṛṇām īpsitānāṃ tathā dātrī prabhāvo 'syā viśiṣyate //
Having come (there), the goddess joined (the sea); she consists of all tīrthas and is the giver of what men desire — her might is preeminent.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.6
एतस्या नाधिकं मन्ये किंचित् तीर्थं जगत्त्रये अस्याश् चैव प्रभावेण भाव्यं यच् च मनःस्थितम् ॥
etasyā nādhikaṃ manye kiṃcit tīrthaṃ jagattraye asyāś caiva prabhāveṇa bhāvyaṃ yac ca manaḥsthitam //
I think there is no tīrtha in the three worlds greater than her; and by her might whatever stands in the mind is to come about.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.7
अद्याप्य् अस्या हि माहात्म्यं वक्तुं कैश्चिन् न शक्यते भक्तितो वक्ष्यते नित्यं या ब्रह्म परमार्थतः ॥
adyāpy asyā hi māhātmyaṃ vaktuṃ kaiścin na śakyate bhaktito vakṣyate nityaṃ yā brahma paramārthataḥ //
Even today her greatness cannot be told by anyone; she who in the highest truth is Brahman is ever spoken of with devotion.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.8
तस्याः परतरं तीर्थं न स्याद् इति मतिर् मम अन्यतीर्थेन साधर्म्यं न युज्येत कथंचन ॥
tasyāḥ parataraṃ tīrthaṃ na syād iti matir mama anyatīrthena sādharmyaṃ na yujyeta kathaṃcana //
My conviction is that there can be no tīrtha higher than her; a likeness with any other tīrtha is in no way fitting.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.9
श्रुत्वा मद्वाक्यपीयूषैर् गङ्गाया गुणकीर्तनम् सर्वेषां न मतिः कस्मात् तत्रैवोपरतिं गता इति भाति विचित्रं मे मुने खलु जगत्त्रये ॥
śrutvā madvākyapīyūṣair gaṅgāyā guṇakīrtanam sarveṣāṃ na matiḥ kasmāt tatraivoparatiṃ gatā iti bhāti vicitraṃ me mune khalu jagattraye //
Having heard, through the nectar of my words, the proclamation of Gaṅgā's virtues, why has not the mind of all come to rest in her alone? This appears strange to me, O sage, in the three worlds indeed.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.10
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां त्वं वेत्ता चोपदेशकः छन्दांसि सरहस्यानि पुराणस्मृतयो ऽपि च ॥
dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṃ tvaṃ vettā copadeśakaḥ chandāṃsi sarahasyāni purāṇasmṛtayo 'pi ca //
You are the knower and the teacher of dharma, wealth, pleasure and liberation; also of the metrical (Vedic) texts together with their mysteries, and of the Purāṇas and Smṛtis.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.11
धर्मशास्त्राणि यच् चान्यत् तव वाक्ये प्रतिष्ठितम् तीर्थानाम् अथ दानानां यज्ञानां तपसां तथा ॥
dharmaśāstrāṇi yac cānyat tava vākye pratiṣṭhitam tīrthānām atha dānānāṃ yajñānāṃ tapasāṃ tathā //
The dharma-treatises and whatever else there is rest upon your word. Of tīrthas, then, of gifts, of sacrifices and of austerities—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.12
देवतामन्त्रसेवानाम् अधिकं किं वद प्रभो यद् ब्रूषे भगवन् भक्त्या तथा भाव्यं न चान्यथा ॥
devatāmantrasevānām adhikaṃ kiṃ vada prabho yad brūṣe bhagavan bhaktyā tathā bhāvyaṃ na cānyathā //
—and of the service of deities and mantras, tell me, O lord, what is superior? What you say, O Blessed One, is to be so with devotion, and not otherwise.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 175.13
एतं मे संशयं ब्रह्मन् वाक्यात् त्वं छेत्तुम् अर्हसि इष्टं मनोगतं श्रुत्वा तस्माद् विस्मयम् आगतः ॥
etaṃ me saṃśayaṃ brahman vākyāt tvaṃ chettum arhasi iṣṭaṃ manogataṃ śrutvā tasmād vismayam āgataḥ //
This doubt of mine, O brahman, you ought to cut away by your word; having heard what was desired and present in my mind, I have thereby come to amazement.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.14
शृणु नारद वक्ष्यामि रहस्यं धर्मम् उत्तमम् चतुर्विधानि तीर्थानि तावन्त्य् एव युगानि च ॥
śṛṇu nārada vakṣyāmi rahasyaṃ dharmam uttamam caturvidhāni tīrthāni tāvanty eva yugāni ca //
Listen, Nārada, I shall declare the secret and highest dharma: tīrthas are of four kinds, and the yugas too are just that many.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.15
गुणास् त्रयश् च पुरुषास् त्रयो देवाः सनातनाः वेदाश् च स्मृतिभिर् युक्ताश् चत्वारस् ते प्रकीर्तिताः ॥
guṇās trayaś ca puruṣās trayo devāḥ sanātanāḥ vedāś ca smṛtibhir yuktāś catvāras te prakīrtitāḥ //
The guṇas are three, and the puruṣas (are three); the gods are eternal; and the Vedas, joined with the Smṛtis, are declared to be four.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 175.16
पुरुषार्थाश् च चत्वारो वाणी चापि चतुर्विधा गुणा ह्य् अपि तु चत्वारः समत्वेनेति नारद ॥
puruṣārthāś ca catvāro vāṇī cāpi caturvidhā guṇā hy api tu catvāraḥ samatveneti nārada //
And the aims of man are four, and speech too is fourfold; and the guṇas as well are four, by way of equality, O Nārada.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 175.17
सर्वत्र धर्मः सामान्यो यतो धर्मः सनातनः साध्यसाधनभावेन स एव बहुधा मतः ॥
sarvatra dharmaḥ sāmānyo yato dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ sādhyasādhanabhāvena sa eva bahudhā mataḥ //
Everywhere dharma is common, since dharma is eternal; through the relation of end and means it alone is held to be manifold.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.18
तस्याश्रयश् च द्विविधो देशः कालश् च सर्वदा कालाश्रयश् च यो धर्मो हीयते वर्धते सदा ॥
tasyāśrayaś ca dvividho deśaḥ kālaś ca sarvadā kālāśrayaś ca yo dharmo hīyate vardhate sadā //
And its support is twofold, always: place and time; and the dharma that rests on time is constantly diminishing and increasing.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.19
युगानाम् अनुरूपेण पादः पादो ऽस्य हीयते धर्मस्येति महाप्राज्ञ देशापेक्षा तथोभयम् ॥
yugānām anurūpeṇa pādaḥ pādo 'sya hīyate dharmasyeti mahāprājña deśāpekṣā tathobhayam //
In conformity with the yugas, quarter by quarter of it, of dharma, is lost, O greatly wise one; and dependence on place is likewise of both kinds.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 175.20
कालेन चाश्रितो धर्मो देशे नित्यं प्रतिष्ठितः युगेषु क्षीयमाणेषु न देशेषु स हीयते ॥
kālena cāśrito dharmo deśe nityaṃ pratiṣṭhitaḥ yugeṣu kṣīyamāṇeṣu na deśeṣu sa hīyate //
Dharma resting on time is permanently established in place; when the yugas wane, it does not diminish in respect of places.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.21
उभयत्र विहीने च धर्मस्य स्याद् अभावता तस्माद् देशाश्रितो धर्मश् चतुष्पात् सुप्रतिष्ठितः ॥
ubhayatra vihīne ca dharmasya syād abhāvatā tasmād deśāśrito dharmaś catuṣpāt supratiṣṭhitaḥ //
And if it were lost in both, there would be the non-existence of dharma; therefore dharma resting on place is well established on four feet.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.22
स चापि धर्मो देशेषु तीर्थरूपेण तिष्ठति कृते देशं च कालं च धर्मो ऽवष्टभ्य तिष्ठति ॥
sa cāpi dharmo deśeṣu tīrtharūpeṇa tiṣṭhati kṛte deśaṃ ca kālaṃ ca dharmo 'vaṣṭabhya tiṣṭhati //
And that dharma abides in places in the form of tīrthas; in the Kṛta age dharma stands leaning upon both place and time.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.23
त्रेतायां पादहीनेन स तु पादः प्रदेशतः द्वापरे चार्धतः काले धर्मो देशे समास्थितः ॥
tretāyāṃ pādahīnena sa tu pādaḥ pradeśataḥ dvāpare cārdhataḥ kāle dharmo deśe samāsthitaḥ //
In the Tretā, one quarter being lost, that quarter (remains) by way of place; and in the Dvāpara, half in respect of time—dharma stands firm in place.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 175.24
कलौ पादेन चैकेन धर्मश् चलति संकटम् एवंविधं तु यो धर्मं वेत्ति तस्य न हीयते ॥
kalau pādena caikena dharmaś calati saṃkaṭam evaṃvidhaṃ tu yo dharmaṃ vetti tasya na hīyate //
In the Kali age dharma moves with a single foot, in difficulty; but for him who knows dharma of this kind, it does not diminish.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.25
युगानाम् अनुभावेन जातिभेदाश् च संस्थिताः गुणेभ्यो गुणकर्तृभ्यो विचित्रा धर्मसंस्थितिः ॥
yugānām anubhāvena jātibhedāś ca saṃsthitāḥ guṇebhyo guṇakartṛbhyo vicitrā dharmasaṃsthitiḥ //
By the power of the yugas the distinctions of birth are established; from the guṇas and from the agents of the guṇas the constitution of dharma is various.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.26
गुणानाम् अनुभावेन उद्भवाभिभवौ तथा तीर्थानाम् अपि वर्णानां वेदानां स्वर्गमोक्षयोः ॥
guṇānām anubhāvena udbhavābhibhavau tathā tīrthānām api varṇānāṃ vedānāṃ svargamokṣayoḥ //
By the power of the guṇas there is likewise the rising up and the overpowering of tīrthas, of the varṇas, of the Vedas, of heaven and liberation.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.27
तादृग्रूपप्रवृत्त्या तु तद् एव च विशिष्यते कालो ऽभिव्यञ्जकः प्रोक्तो देशो ऽभिव्यङ्ग्य उच्यते ॥
tādṛgrūpapravṛttyā tu tad eva ca viśiṣyate kālo 'bhivyañjakaḥ prokto deśo 'bhivyaṅgya ucyate //
But by the arising of such a form, that very thing is distinguished: time is declared to be the manifester, and place is said to be what is manifested.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 175.28
यदा यदा अभिव्यक्तिं कालो धत्ते तदा तदा तद् एव व्यञ्जनं ब्रह्मंस् तस्मान् नास्त्य् अत्र संशयः ॥
yadā yadā abhivyaktiṃ kālo dhatte tadā tadā tad eva vyañjanaṃ brahmaṃs tasmān nāsty atra saṃśayaḥ //
Whenever time brings about a manifestation, then that (time) itself is the manifesting agent, O brahmin; therefore there is no doubt in this matter.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.29
युगानुरूपा मूर्तिः स्याद् देवानां वैदिकी तथा कर्मणाम् अपि तीर्थानां जातीनाम् आश्रमस्य तु ॥
yugānurūpā mūrtiḥ syād devānāṃ vaidikī tathā karmaṇām api tīrthānāṃ jātīnām āśramasya tu //
The form of the gods conforms to the age, and so too the Vedic (form), and that of rites, of sacred fords, of castes, and of the stages of life.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.30
त्रिदैवत्यं सत्ययुगे तीर्थं लोकेषु पूज्यते द्विदैवत्यं युगे ऽन्यस्मिन् द्वापरे चैकदैविकम् ॥
tridaivatyaṃ satyayuge tīrthaṃ lokeṣu pūjyate dvidaivatyaṃ yuge 'nyasmin dvāpare caikadaivikam //
In the age of truth a ford with three deities is worshipped among people; in the next age one with two deities, and in the Dvāpara one with a single deity.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.31
कलौ न किंचिद् विज्ञेयम् अथान्यद् अपि तच् छृणु दैवं कृतयुगे तीर्थं त्रेतायाम् आसुरं विदुः ॥
kalau na kiṃcid vijñeyam athānyad api tac chṛṇu daivaṃ kṛtayuge tīrthaṃ tretāyām āsuraṃ viduḥ //
In the Kali (age) nothing is to be recognized (as such). Now hear yet another matter: in the Kṛta age the ford is divine; in the Tretā they know it as demonic.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.32
आर्षं च द्वापरे प्रोक्तं कलौ मानुषम् उच्यते अथान्यद् अपि वक्ष्यामि शृणु नारद कारणम् ॥
ārṣaṃ ca dvāpare proktaṃ kalau mānuṣam ucyate athānyad api vakṣyāmi śṛṇu nārada kāraṇam //
And in the Dvāpara it is called (that) of the seers; in the Kali it is said to be human. Now I shall tell yet another thing—hear the reason, Nārada.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.33
गौतम्यां यत् त्वया पृष्टं तत् ते वक्ष्यामि विस्तरात् यदा चेयं हरशिरः प्राप्ता गङ्गा महामुने ॥
gautamyāṃ yat tvayā pṛṣṭaṃ tat te vakṣyāmi vistarāt yadā ceyaṃ haraśiraḥ prāptā gaṅgā mahāmune //
What you asked concerning the Gautamī, that I shall tell you at length: when this Gaṅgā reached Hara's head, O great sage—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.34
तदा प्रभृति सा गङ्गा शंभोः प्रियतराभवत् तद् देवस्य मतं ज्ञात्वा गजवक्त्रम् उवाच सा ॥
tadā prabhṛti sā gaṅgā śaṃbhoḥ priyatarābhavat tad devasya mataṃ jñātvā gajavaktram uvāca sā //
from that time on that Gaṅgā became dearer (to him) than (all else) to Śambhu; knowing that intention of the god, she spoke to the elephant-faced one.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.35
उमा लोकत्रयेशाना माता च जगतो हिता शान्ता श्रुतिर् इति ख्याता भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनी ॥
umā lokatrayeśānā mātā ca jagato hitā śāntā śrutir iti khyātā bhuktimuktipradāyinī //
(She said:) "Umā is the ruler of the three worlds, and the mother, the benefactress of the world, tranquil, renowned as the Veda (or: as revelation), giver of enjoyment and liberation."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 175.36
तन् मातुर् वचनं श्रुत्वा गजवक्त्रो ऽभ्यभाषत ॥
tan mātur vacanaṃ śrutvā gajavaktro 'bhyabhāṣata //
Hearing that speech of his mother, the elephant-faced one replied:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.37
किं कृत्यं शाधि मां मातस् तत्कर्ताहम् असंशयम् ॥
kiṃ kṛtyaṃ śādhi māṃ mātas tatkartāham asaṃśayam //
"What is to be done? Instruct me, mother; I shall do it, without doubt."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.38
उमा सुतम् उवाचेदं महेश्वरजटास्थिता त्वयावतार्यतां गङ्गा सत्यम् ईशप्रिया सती ॥
umā sutam uvācedaṃ maheśvarajaṭāsthitā tvayāvatāryatāṃ gaṅgā satyam īśapriyā satī //
Umā said this to her son: "Let Gaṅgā, who abides in Maheśvara's matted hair—truly a chaste woman dear to the Lord—be brought down by you.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.39
पुनश् चेशस् तत्र चित्रम् अध्यास्ते सर्वदा सुत शिवो यत्र सुरास् तत्र तत्र वेदाः सनातनाः ॥
punaś ceśas tatra citram adhyāste sarvadā suta śivo yatra surās tatra tatra vedāḥ sanātanāḥ //
And further, the Lord dwells there always, remarkably, my son; where Śiva is, there are the gods, and there the eternal Vedas.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.40
तत्रैव ऋषयः सर्वे मनुष्याः पितरस् तथा तस्मान् निवर्तयेशानं देवदेवं महेश्वरम् ॥
tatraiva ṛṣayaḥ sarve manuṣyāḥ pitaras tathā tasmān nivartayeśānaṃ devadevaṃ maheśvaram //
There too are all the seers, and men, and the ancestors; therefore turn back the Lord, the god of gods, Maheśvara.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.41
तस्या निवर्तिते देवे गङ्गायाः सर्व एव हि निवृत्तास् ते भविष्यन्ति शृणु चेदं वचो मम निवर्तय ततस् तस्याः सर्वभावेन शंकरम् ॥
tasyā nivartite deve gaṅgāyāḥ sarva eva hi nivṛttās te bhaviṣyanti śṛṇu cedaṃ vaco mama nivartaya tatas tasyāḥ sarvabhāvena śaṃkaram //
When the god has been turned away from her, from Gaṅgā, they will all indeed be turned away. And hear this word of mine: therefore turn Śaṃkara away from her with your whole being."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.42
मातुस् तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा पुनर् आह गणेश्वरः ॥
mātus tad vacanaṃ śrutvā punar āha gaṇeśvaraḥ //
Hearing that speech of his mother, the lord of the hosts spoke again:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.43
नैव शक्यः शिवो देवो मया तस्या निवर्तितुम् अनिवृत्ते शिवे तस्या देवा अपि निवर्तितुम् ॥
naiva śakyaḥ śivo devo mayā tasyā nivartitum anivṛtte śive tasyā devā api nivartitum //
"The god Śiva simply cannot be turned away from her by me; and, Śiva not being turned away, the gods too cannot be turned away from her.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.44
न शक्या जगतां मातर् अथान्यच् चापि कारणम् गङ्गावतारिता पूर्वं गौतमेन महात्मना ॥
na śakyā jagatāṃ mātar athānyac cāpi kāraṇam gaṅgāvatāritā pūrvaṃ gautamena mahātmanā //
It cannot be done, O mother of the worlds. And there is another reason too: Gaṅgā was formerly brought down by the great-souled Gautama—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.45
ऋषिणा लोकपूज्येन त्रैलोक्यहितकारिणा सामोपायेन तद्वाक्यात् पूज्येन ब्रह्मतेजसा ॥
ṛṣiṇā lokapūjyena trailokyahitakāriṇā sāmopāyena tadvākyāt pūjyena brahmatejasā //
by that sage honoured by the world, doer of good to the three worlds, by conciliatory means, at his word, honourable, with the splendour of brahman—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 175.46
आराधयित्वा देवेशं तपोभिः स्तुतिभिर् भवम् तुष्टेन शंकरेणेदम् उक्तो ऽसौ गौतमस् तदा ॥
ārādhayitvā deveśaṃ tapobhiḥ stutibhir bhavam tuṣṭena śaṃkareṇedam ukto 'sau gautamas tadā //
having propitiated the lord of gods, Bhava, with austerities and hymns of praise; then Gautama was addressed thus by the gratified Śaṃkara:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.47
वरान् वरय पुण्यांश् च प्रियांश् च मनसेप्सितान् यद् यद् इच्छसि तत् सर्वं दाता ते ऽद्य महामते ॥
varān varaya puṇyāṃś ca priyāṃś ca manasepsitān yad yad icchasi tat sarvaṃ dātā te 'dya mahāmate //
"Choose boons, meritorious ones and dear ones, whatever your mind desires; whatever you wish, all that I shall grant you today, O great-minded one."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.48
एवम् उक्तः शिवेनासौ गौतमो मयि शृण्वति इदम् एव तदोवाच सजटां देहि शंकर गङ्गां मे याचते पुण्यां किम् अन्येन वरेण मे ॥
evam uktaḥ śivenāsau gautamo mayi śṛṇvati idam eva tadovāca sajaṭāṃ dehi śaṃkara gaṅgāṃ me yācate puṇyāṃ kim anyena vareṇa me //
Addressed thus by Śiva, that Gautama, while I was listening, said just this: "Give me, O Śaṃkara, the holy Gaṅgā together with your matted locks—that is what I ask; what have I to do with any other boon?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.49
पुनः प्रोवाच तं शंभुः सर्वलोकोपकारकः ॥
punaḥ provāca taṃ śaṃbhuḥ sarvalokopakārakaḥ //
Again Śaṃbhu, the benefactor of all the worlds, spoke to him:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.50
उक्तं न चात्मनः किंचित् तस्माद् याचस्व दुष्करम् ॥
uktaṃ na cātmanaḥ kiṃcit tasmād yācasva duṣkaram //
"(What you have) asked is nothing for yourself; therefore ask for something hard to grant."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.51
गौतमो ऽदीनसत्त्वस् तं भवम् आह कृताञ्जलिः ॥
gautamo 'dīnasattvas taṃ bhavam āha kṛtāñjaliḥ //
Gautama, undaunted in spirit, with palms joined, said to Bhava:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.52
एतद् एव च सर्वेषां दुष्करं तव दर्शनम् मया तद् अद्य संप्राप्तं कृपया तव शंकर ॥
etad eva ca sarveṣāṃ duṣkaraṃ tava darśanam mayā tad adya saṃprāptaṃ kṛpayā tava śaṃkara //
"This very thing, the sight of you, is hard for all to obtain; and today I have gained it by your grace, O Śaṃkara.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.53
स्मरणाद् एव ते पद्भ्यां कृतकृत्या मनीषिणः भवन्ति किं पुनः साक्षात् त्वयि दृष्टे महेश्वरे ॥
smaraṇād eva te padbhyāṃ kṛtakṛtyā manīṣiṇaḥ bhavanti kiṃ punaḥ sākṣāt tvayi dṛṣṭe maheśvare //
By the mere remembrance of your two feet the wise become ones whose task is accomplished—how much more when you, the Great Lord, are seen face to face!"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.54
एवम् उक्ते गौतमेन भवो हर्षसमन्वितः त्रयाणाम् उपकारार्थं लोकानां याचितं त्वया ॥
evam ukte gautamena bhavo harṣasamanvitaḥ trayāṇām upakārārthaṃ lokānāṃ yācitaṃ tvayā //
When Gautama had spoken thus, Bhava, filled with joy, (said): "By you (this) has been asked for the benefit of the three worlds,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.55
न चात्मनो महाबुद्धे याचेत्य् आह शिवो द्विजम् एवं प्रोक्तः पुनर् विप्रो ध्यात्वा प्राह शिवं तथा ॥
na cātmano mahābuddhe yācety āha śivo dvijam evaṃ proktaḥ punar vipro dhyātvā prāha śivaṃ tathā //
and not for yourself, O greatly wise one—ask (for yourself)!" So Śiva said to the brahmin. Addressed thus, the brahmin, having reflected, spoke again to Śiva as follows.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.56
विनीतवद् अदीनात्मा शिवभक्तिसमन्वितः सर्वलोकोपकाराय पुनर् याचितवान् इदम् शृण्वत्सु लोकपालेषु जगादेदं स गौतमः ॥
vinītavad adīnātmā śivabhaktisamanvitaḥ sarvalokopakārāya punar yācitavān idam śṛṇvatsu lokapāleṣu jagādedaṃ sa gautamaḥ //
Humbly, yet undejected in mind, filled with devotion to Śiva, for the benefit of all the worlds he asked this once more; while the guardians of the worlds listened, that Gautama said this:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.57
यावत् सागरगा देवी निसृष्टा ब्रह्मणो गिरेः सर्वत्र सर्वदा तस्यां स्थातव्यं वृषभध्वज ॥
yāvat sāgaragā devī nisṛṣṭā brahmaṇo gireḥ sarvatra sarvadā tasyāṃ sthātavyaṃ vṛṣabhadhvaja //
"As long as the goddess, released from the Brahmā mountain, flows to the ocean, you must abide in her everywhere and at all times, O bearer of the bull-banner.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.58
फलेप्सूनां फलं दाता त्वम् एव जगतः प्रभो तीर्थान्य् अन्यानि देवेश क्वापि क्वापि शुभानि च ॥
phalepsūnāṃ phalaṃ dātā tvam eva jagataḥ prabho tīrthāny anyāni deveśa kvāpi kvāpi śubhāni ca //
You alone, O Lord of the world, are the giver of fruit to those who desire fruit; other holy fords, O lord of the gods, are auspicious only here and there.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.59
यत्र ते संनिधिर् नित्यं तद् एव शुभदं विदुः यत्र गङ्गा त्वया दत्ता जटामुकुटसंस्थिता सर्वत्र तव सांनिध्यात् सर्वतीर्थानि शंकर ॥
yatra te saṃnidhir nityaṃ tad eva śubhadaṃ viduḥ yatra gaṅgā tvayā dattā jaṭāmukuṭasaṃsthitā sarvatra tava sāṃnidhyāt sarvatīrthāni śaṃkara //
Where your presence is constant, that very (place) they know to be the giver of good. Where the Gaṅgā, set in your crown of matted hair, has been given by you, there, through your presence everywhere, all holy fords are (present), O Śaṃkara."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.60
तद् गौतमवचः श्रुत्वा पुनर् हर्षाच् छिवो ऽब्रवीत् ॥
tad gautamavacaḥ śrutvā punar harṣāc chivo 'bravīt //
Hearing that speech of Gautama's, Śiva again spoke out of joy:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.61
यत्र क्वापि च यत् किंचिद् यो वा भवति भक्तितः यात्रां स्नानम् अथो दानं पितॄणां वापि तर्पणम् ॥
yatra kvāpi ca yat kiṃcid yo vā bhavati bhaktitaḥ yātrāṃ snānam atho dānaṃ pitṝṇāṃ vāpi tarpaṇam //
"Wherever and whatever anyone does out of devotion—a pilgrimage, a bath, or a gift, or the offering of water to the ancestors—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.62
श्रवणं पठनं वापि स्मरणं वापि गौतम यः करोति नरो भक्त्या गोदावर्या यतव्रतः ॥
śravaṇaṃ paṭhanaṃ vāpi smaraṇaṃ vāpi gautama yaḥ karoti naro bhaktyā godāvaryā yatavrataḥ //
or listening, or recitation, or remembrance, O Gautama—whatever man of controlled vows does (this) with devotion at the Godāvarī:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.63
सप्तद्वीपवती पृथ्वी सशैलवनकानना सरत्ना सौषधी रम्या सार्णवा धर्मभूषिता ॥
saptadvīpavatī pṛthvī saśailavanakānanā saratnā sauṣadhī ramyā sārṇavā dharmabhūṣitā //
the earth with its seven continents, with its mountains, woods and forests, with its gems, with its healing herbs, delightful, with its oceans, adorned with dharma—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.64
दत्त्वा भवति यो धर्मः स भवेद् गौतमीस्मृतेः एवंविधा इला विप्र गोदानाद् याभिधीयते ॥
dattvā bhavati yo dharmaḥ sa bhaved gautamīsmṛteḥ evaṃvidhā ilā vipra godānād yābhidhīyate //
whatever merit accrues from giving (that earth), that same would accrue from the remembrance of the Gautamī. Such is the earth (ilā), O brahmin, which is (so) called from the gift of a cow (go-dāna).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 175.65
चन्द्रसूर्यग्रहे काले मत्सांनिध्ये यतव्रतः भूभृते विष्णवे भक्त्या सर्वकालं कृता सुधीः ॥
candrasūryagrahe kāle matsāṃnidhye yatavrataḥ bhūbhṛte viṣṇave bhaktyā sarvakālaṃ kṛtā sudhīḥ //
At the time of an eclipse of the moon or sun, in my presence, a man of controlled vows and good understanding, having with devotion at all times performed (worship) to Viṣṇu the upholder of the earth—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 175.66
गाः सुन्दराः सवत्साश् च संगमे लोकविश्रुते यो ददाति द्विजश्रेष्ठ तत्र यत् पुण्यम् आप्नुयात् ॥
gāḥ sundarāḥ savatsāś ca saṃgame lokaviśrute yo dadāti dvijaśreṣṭha tatra yat puṇyam āpnuyāt //
and whoever, O best of brahmins, gives beautiful cows together with their calves at the world-renowned confluence—whatever merit he would obtain there,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.67
तस्माद् वरं पुण्यम् एति स्नानदानादिना नरः गौतम्यां विश्ववन्द्यायां महानद्यां तु भक्तितः ॥
tasmād varaṃ puṇyam eti snānadānādinā naraḥ gautamyāṃ viśvavandyāyāṃ mahānadyāṃ tu bhaktitaḥ //
Therefore a man obtains merit greater than that by bathing, giving and the rest, with devotion, in the Gautamī, the great river revered by all the world.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.68
तस्माद् गोदावरी गङ्गा त्वया नीता भविष्यति सर्वपापक्षयकरी सर्वाभीष्टप्रदायिनी ॥
tasmād godāvarī gaṅgā tvayā nītā bhaviṣyati sarvapāpakṣayakarī sarvābhīṣṭapradāyinī //
Therefore the Gaṅgā brought down by you will become (known as) Godāvarī, destroying all sins and granting all that is desired.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.69
एतच् छ्रुतं मया मातर् वदतो गौतमं शिवात् एतस्मात् कारणाच् छंभुर् गङ्गायां नियतः स्थितः ॥
etac chrutaṃ mayā mātar vadato gautamaṃ śivāt etasmāt kāraṇāc chaṃbhur gaṅgāyāṃ niyataḥ sthitaḥ //
This, mother, I heard from Śiva as he spoke to Gautama; for this reason Śambhu remains fixed in the Gaṅgā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.70
को निवर्तयितुं शक्तस् तम् अम्ब करुणोदधिम् अथापि मातर् एतत् स्यान् मानुषा विघ्नपाशकैः ॥
ko nivartayituṃ śaktas tam amba karuṇodadhim athāpi mātar etat syān mānuṣā vighnapāśakaiḥ //
Who is able to turn him back, mother, that ocean of compassion? Yet, mother, this much may be (done): men, by the snares of obstacles—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.71
विनिबद्धा न गच्छन्ति गोदाम् अप्य् अन्तिकस्थिताम् न नमन्ति शिवं देवं न स्मरन्ति स्तुवन्ति न ॥
vinibaddhā na gacchanti godām apy antikasthitām na namanti śivaṃ devaṃ na smaranti stuvanti na //
—being bound fast, do not go to the Godā even when she stands nearby; they do not bow to the god Śiva, they do not remember (him), they do not praise (him).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.72
तथा मातः करिष्यामि तव संतोषहेतवे संनिरोद्धुम् अथो क्लेशस् तव वाक्यं क्षमस्व मे ॥
tathā mātaḥ kariṣyāmi tava saṃtoṣahetave saṃniroddhum atho kleśas tava vākyaṃ kṣamasva me //
So, mother, I shall act for the sake of your satisfaction; but to obstruct (them) is a trouble—(still, it is) your word: forgive me.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 175.73
ततः प्रभृति विघ्नेशो मानुषान् प्रति किंचन विघ्नम् आचरते यस् तु तम् उपास्य प्रवर्तते ॥
tataḥ prabhṛti vighneśo mānuṣān prati kiṃcana vighnam ācarate yas tu tam upāsya pravartate //
From that time on the Lord of Obstacles works some obstacle against men; but whoever proceeds after worshipping him—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.74
अथो विघ्नम् अनादृत्य गौतमीं याति भक्तितः स कृतार्थो भवेल् लोके न कृत्यम् अवशिष्यते ॥
atho vighnam anādṛtya gautamīṃ yāti bhaktitaḥ sa kṛtārtho bhavel loke na kṛtyam avaśiṣyate //
—or else, disregarding the obstacle, goes with devotion to the Gautamī, he becomes one whose purpose is accomplished in the world; no duty remains left for him.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.75
विघ्नान्य् अनेकानि भवन्ति गेहान् निर्गन्तुकामस्य नराधमस्य निधाय तन्मूर्ध्नि पदं प्रयाति गङ्गां न किं तेन फलं प्रलब्धम्
vighnāny anekāni bhavanti gehān nirgantukāmasya narādhamasya nidhāya tanmūrdhni padaṃ prayāti gaṅgāṃ na kiṃ tena phalaṃ pralabdham
Many obstacles arise for the lowest of men who wishes to set out from his house; (but he who) sets his foot on the head of that (obstacle) and goes to the Gaṅgā—what fruit has not been won by him?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.76
अस्याः प्रभावं को ब्रूयाद् अपि साक्षात् सदाशिवः संक्षेपेण मया प्रोक्तम् इतिहासपदानुगम् ॥
asyāḥ prabhāvaṃ ko brūyād api sākṣāt sadāśivaḥ saṃkṣepeṇa mayā proktam itihāsapadānugam //
Who could tell her power—even Sadāśiva himself, in person? It has been declared by me in brief, following the words of the old narrative.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.77
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां साधनं यच् चराचरे तद् अत्र विद्यते सर्वम् इतिहासे सविस्तरे ॥
dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṃ sādhanaṃ yac carācare tad atra vidyate sarvam itihāse savistare //
Whatever means there is, among moving and unmoving things, for (attaining) dharma, wealth, pleasure and liberation—all that is found here in this narrative, at full length.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.78
वेदोदितं श्रुतिसकलरहस्यम् उक्तं सत्कारणं समभिधानम् इदं सदैव सम्यक् च दृष्टं जगतां हिताय प्रोक्तं पुराणं बहुधर्मयुक्तम्
vedoditaṃ śrutisakalarahasyam uktaṃ satkāraṇaṃ samabhidhānam idaṃ sadaiva samyak ca dṛṣṭaṃ jagatāṃ hitāya proktaṃ purāṇaṃ bahudharmayuktam
Uttered in the Veda, the whole secret of the śruti, spoken (here) with its true cause, this full statement—and always rightly seen—this Purāṇa, endowed with many dharmas, has been declared for the welfare of the worlds.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
BrP 175.79
अस्य श्लोकं पदं वापि भक्तितः शृणुयात् पठेत् गङ्गा गङ्गेति वा वाक्यं स तु पुण्यम् अवाप्नुयात् ॥
asya ślokaṃ padaṃ vāpi bhaktitaḥ śṛṇuyāt paṭhet gaṅgā gaṅgeti vā vākyaṃ sa tu puṇyam avāpnuyāt //
Whoever should hear or recite with devotion a verse of this, or even a word, or the utterance 'Gaṅgā, Gaṅgā'—he indeed will obtain merit.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.80
कलिकलङ्कविनाशनदक्षम् इदं सकलसिद्धिकरं शुभदं शिवम् जगति पूज्यम् अभीष्टफलप्रदं गाङ्गम् एतद् उदीरितम् उत्तमम्
kalikalaṅkavināśanadakṣam idaṃ sakalasiddhikaraṃ śubhadaṃ śivam jagati pūjyam abhīṣṭaphalapradaṃ gāṅgam etad udīritam uttamam
This (account) is competent to destroy the stain of the Kali (age), it brings about every success, it grants good fortune, it is auspicious, worthy of worship in the world, bestowing the desired fruit—this excellent (account) of the Gaṅgā has been recited.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.81
साधु गौतम भद्रं ते को ऽन्यो ऽस्ति सदृशस् त्वया य एनां गौतमीं गङ्गां दण्डकारण्यम् आप्नुयात् ॥
sādhu gautama bhadraṃ te ko 'nyo 'sti sadṛśas tvayā ya enāṃ gautamīṃ gaṅgāṃ daṇḍakāraṇyam āpnuyāt //
Well done, Gautama, blessings on you! Who else is there equal to you, who would bring this Gautamī Gaṅgā to the Daṇḍaka forest?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.82
गङ्गा गङ्गेति यो ब्रूयाद् योजनानां शतैर् अपि मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति ॥
gaṅgā gaṅgeti yo brūyād yojanānāṃ śatair api mucyate sarvapāpebhyo viṣṇulokaṃ sa gacchati //
Whoever should say 'Gaṅgā, Gaṅgā', even from hundreds of leagues away, is freed from all sins and goes to Viṣṇu's world.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.83
तिस्रः कोट्यो ऽर्धकोटी च तीर्थानि भुवनत्रये तानि स्नातुं समायान्ति गङ्गायां सिंहगे गुरौ ॥
tisraḥ koṭyo 'rdhakoṭī ca tīrthāni bhuvanatraye tāni snātuṃ samāyānti gaṅgāyāṃ siṃhage gurau //
Three and a half crores of sacred places (there are) in the three worlds; they all come together to bathe in the Gaṅgā when Jupiter is in Leo.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.84
षष्टिर् वर्षसहस्राणि भागीरथ्यवगाहनम् सकृद् गोदावरीस्नानं सिंहयुक्ते बृहस्पतौ ॥
ṣaṣṭir varṣasahasrāṇi bhāgīrathyavagāhanam sakṛd godāvarīsnānaṃ siṃhayukte bṛhaspatau //
Sixty thousand years of immersion in the Bhāgīrathī (equals) a single bath in the Godāvarī when Bṛhaspati is joined with Leo.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.85
इयं तु गौतमी पुत्र यत्र क्वापि ममाज्ञया सर्वेषां सर्वदा नॄणां स्नानान् मुक्तिं प्रदास्यति ॥
iyaṃ tu gautamī putra yatra kvāpi mamājñayā sarveṣāṃ sarvadā nṝṇāṃ snānān muktiṃ pradāsyati //
But this Gautamī, my son, wherever (she may be), by my command will always grant liberation from bathing to all men.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.86
अश्वमेधसहस्राणि वाजपेयशतानि च कृत्वा यत् फलम् आप्नोति तद् अस्य श्रवणाद् भवेत् ॥
aśvamedhasahasrāṇi vājapeyaśatāni ca kṛtvā yat phalam āpnoti tad asya śravaṇād bhavet //
The fruit that one gains by performing a thousand horse-sacrifices and a hundred vājapeyas—that comes about from hearing this.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.87
यस्यैतत् तिष्ठति गृहे पुराणं ब्रह्मणोदितम् न भयं विद्यते तस्य कलिकालस्य नारद ॥
yasyaitat tiṣṭhati gṛhe purāṇaṃ brahmaṇoditam na bhayaṃ vidyate tasya kalikālasya nārada //
In whosoever's house this Purāṇa, uttered by Brahmā, abides, for him, Nārada, there is no fear of the Kali age.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.88
यस्य कस्यापि नाख्येयं पुराणम् इदम् उत्तमम् श्रद्दधानाय शान्ताय वैष्णवाय महात्मने ॥
yasya kasyāpi nākhyeyaṃ purāṇam idam uttamam śraddadhānāya śāntāya vaiṣṇavāya mahātmane //
This supreme Purāṇa is not to be told to just anyone; (it is to be told) to one who has faith, who is calm, a Vaiṣṇava, a great soul.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.89
इदं कीर्त्यं भुक्तिमुक्तिदायकं पापनाशकम् एतच्छ्रवणमात्रेण कृतकृत्यो भवेन् नरः ॥
idaṃ kīrtyaṃ bhuktimuktidāyakaṃ pāpanāśakam etacchravaṇamātreṇa kṛtakṛtyo bhaven naraḥ //
This is to be recited; it grants enjoyment and liberation and destroys sins. Merely by hearing it a man becomes one who has accomplished all that is to be done.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
BrP 175.90
लिखित्वा पुस्तकम् इदं ब्राह्मणाय प्रयच्छति सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः पुनर् गर्भं न संविशेत् ॥
likhitvā pustakam idaṃ brāhmaṇāya prayacchati sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ punar garbhaṃ na saṃviśet //
Whoever, having had this book written, presents it to a brahmin, is freed from all sins and does not enter a womb again.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition