Varaha Purana — Chapter 165
VrP 165.1
श्रीवराह उवाच ।। अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि तच्छृणुष्व वसुन्धरे ।। यथावृत्तं प्रतिष्ठाने दक्षिणापथमण्डले
śrīvarāha uvāca || ataḥ paraṃ pravakṣyāmi tacchṛṇuṣva vasundhare || yathāvṛttaṃ pratiṣṭhāne dakṣiṇāpathamaṇḍale
Śrī Varāha said: Next I shall declare it—listen to that, O Earth—what happened at Pratiṣṭhāna, in the region of the southern country.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.2
सुशीलो नाम वैश्यस्तु तस्मिन्वसति पत्तने ।। धनधान्यसमृद्धस्तु बहुपुत्रः कुटुम्बवान्
suśīlo nāma vaiśyastu tasminvasati pattane || dhanadhānyasamṛddhastu bahuputraḥ kuṭumbavān
A merchant named Suśīla lived in that town, rich in wealth and grain, with many sons and a large household.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.3
कुटुम्बभरणासक्तो नित्यकालं हि तिष्ठति ।। स्नानं दानं जपं होमं देवार्चां न करोति सः
kuṭumbabharaṇāsakto nityakālaṃ hi tiṣṭhati || snānaṃ dānaṃ japaṃ homaṃ devārcāṃ na karoti saḥ
He remained at all times intent on supporting his family; he did not perform bathing, giving, muttering of prayers, oblation, or worship of the gods.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.4
क्रयविक्रयसक्तस्य कालो दीर्घो गतस्तदा ।। कदाचिदपि पापोऽसौ न साधु गमनं गतः
krayavikrayasaktasya kālo dīrgho gatastadā || kadācidapi pāpo'sau na sādhu gamanaṃ gataḥ
For one attached to buying and selling, a long time went by then; and that sinful man never once went on a good journey (i.e. a pilgrimage).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.5
न तेन धर्मश्रवणं कदाचिदपि संश्रुतम् ।। देवानां ब्राह्मणानां च भक्तिस्तस्य न विद्यते
na tena dharmaśravaṇaṃ kadācidapi saṃśrutam || devānāṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ ca bhaktistasya na vidyate
Never at any time was the hearing of dharma listened to by him, and he has no devotion to the gods and the brahmins.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.6
आत्मोदरनिमित्तं हि पापं च कुरुते सदा ।। गच्छन्तं बहुकालं च न तं बुध्यति पापकृत्
ātmodaranimittaṃ hi pāpaṃ ca kurute sadā || gacchantaṃ bahukālaṃ ca na taṃ budhyati pāpakṛt
For the sake of his own belly he constantly commits sin, and the sinner does not notice the much time that is passing.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.7
न तस्य जायते बुद्धिर्दानं दातुं कदाचन ।। तस्यैवं वसतस्तत्र प्रतिष्ठाने पुरोत्तमे
na tasya jāyate buddhirdānaṃ dātuṃ kadācana || tasyaivaṃ vasatastatra pratiṣṭhāne purottame
Never does the intention arise in him to give a gift. While he was dwelling thus there, in Pratiṣṭhāna, the best of cities—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.8
धनयुक्तोऽपि पापोऽसौ न ददाति कदाचन ।। नैवान्यमतिदातारं शक्नोति च निरीक्षितुम्
dhanayukto'pi pāpo'sau na dadāti kadācana || naivānyamatidātāraṃ śaknoti ca nirīkṣitum
Though possessed of wealth, that sinner never gives, and he cannot even bear to look at another man who is a great giver.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.9
स तु कालेन महता कुटुम्बासक्तमानसः ।। कदाचिद्दैवयोगेन साध्वीं भार्यां प्रियान्सुतान्
sa tu kālena mahatā kuṭumbāsaktamānasaḥ || kadāciddaivayogena sādhvīṃ bhāryāṃ priyānsutān
But he, after a long time, his mind attached to his household, once, by the working of fate, (lost) his virtuous wife and his dear sons—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 165.11
परिभ्रमन्क्षुधाविष्टो मरुदेशं गतोऽपि सः ।। तत्रैव च कृतावासो बहुकालं स वै वणिक्
paribhramankṣudhāviṣṭo marudeśaṃ gato'pi saḥ || tatraiva ca kṛtāvāso bahukālaṃ sa vai vaṇik
Wandering about, overcome with hunger, he went as far as the desert country; and there that merchant made his dwelling for a long time.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.12
कदाचिद्दैवयोगेन तत्र सार्थ उपागतः ।। तस्य मध्ये तु वणिजो मथुरायां विनिःसृताः
kadāciddaivayogena tatra sārtha upāgataḥ || tasya madhye tu vaṇijo mathurāyāṃ viniḥsṛtāḥ
Once, by the working of fate, a caravan arrived there; and among it were merchants who had set out from Mathurā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.13
गते सार्थे तु स वणिक् तं वृक्षं समुपाश्रितः ।। तत्रैव वसति प्रेतो रौद्ररूपो भयानकः
gate sārthe tu sa vaṇik taṃ vṛkṣaṃ samupāśritaḥ || tatraiva vasati preto raudrarūpo bhayānakaḥ
When the caravan had gone, that merchant took shelter under that tree; and in that very place there lived a preta of savage form, terrifying,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.14
दीर्घदंष्ट्रः सुविकटो ह्रस्वबाहुर्विभीषणः ।। महाहनुर्विशालाक्षो बिडालसदृशाननः
dīrghadaṃṣṭraḥ suvikaṭo hrasvabāhurvibhīṣaṇaḥ || mahāhanurviśālākṣo biḍālasadṛśānanaḥ
long-fanged, most hideous, short-armed, frightful, with huge jaws, wide eyes, and a face like a cat's.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.15
अथ कालेन बहुना दैवयोगेन भामिनि ।। तत्राजगाम कश्चित्तु क्रयविक्रयकारकः
atha kālena bahunā daivayogena bhāmini || tatrājagāma kaścittu krayavikrayakārakaḥ
Then, after a long time, by the working of fate, O fair lady, a certain trader in buying and selling came there.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.16
तं दृष्ट्वा दूरतः प्रेतश्चातिहर्षेण संयुतः ।। तत्राजगाम नृत्यन् स इदं वचनमब्रवीत्
taṃ dṛṣṭvā dūrataḥ pretaścātiharṣeṇa saṃyutaḥ || tatrājagāma nṛtyan sa idaṃ vacanamabravīt
Seeing him from afar, the preta, filled with great delight, came there dancing and spoke these words:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.17
भक्ष्यभूतो ममाद्यत्वं क्व भवान्यातुमिच्छति।। प्रेतस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा सोऽतिभीतो द्रुतङ्गतः
bhakṣyabhūto mamādyatvaṃ kva bhavānyātumicchati|| pretasya vacanaṃ śrutvā so'tibhīto drutaṅgataḥ
"You have become my food today—where do you wish to go?" Hearing the preta's words, he, in great fear, fled quickly.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.18
गच्छन्तं तं गृहीत्वा स प्रेतो वचनमब्रवीत् ।। मम त्वं विहितो भक्ष्यः स्वयं प्राप्तोऽसि मानव
gacchantaṃ taṃ gṛhītvā sa preto vacanamabravīt || mama tvaṃ vihito bhakṣyaḥ svayaṃ prāpto'si mānava
Catching hold of him as he went, the preta spoke these words: "You are appointed to be my food; you have come of your own accord, O man.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.19
मांसं ते भक्षयिष्यामि पिबामि तव शोणितम् ।। इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य स वणिग्वाक्यमब्रवीत्
māṃsaṃ te bhakṣayiṣyāmi pibāmi tava śoṇitam || ityākarṇya vacastasya sa vaṇigvākyamabravīt
I shall eat your flesh, I shall drink your blood." Hearing his words, that merchant spoke:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.21
मयि सम्भक्षिते रक्षः कुटुम्बं हि मरिष्यति ।। ततो वचनमाकर्ण्य प्रेतो वचनमब्रवीत्
mayi sambhakṣite rakṣaḥ kuṭumbaṃ hi mariṣyati || tato vacanamākarṇya preto vacanamabravīt
"If I am eaten up, O demon, my family will surely die." Then, hearing that speech, the preta said:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.22
कस्मात्स्थानात्समायातः सत्यं ब्रूहि महामते
kasmātsthānātsamāyātaḥ satyaṃ brūhi mahāmate
"From what place have you come? Speak the truth, O you of great mind."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.23
विभुरुवाच ।। गोवर्द्धनो गिरिवरो यमुना च महानदी ।। तयोर्मध्ये पुरी रम्या मथुरा लोकविश्रुता
vibhuruvāca || govarddhano girivaro yamunā ca mahānadī || tayormadhye purī ramyā mathurā lokaviśrutā
Vibhu said: Govardhana, the best of mountains, and the Yamunā, the great river—between those two lies the lovely city Mathurā, renowned in the world.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.24
तस्यां वसाम्यहं प्रेत पितृपैतामहे गृहे ।। तत्र मे वसतो नित्यं यद्द्रव्यं पूर्वसञ्चितम्
tasyāṃ vasāmyahaṃ preta pitṛpaitāmahe gṛhe || tatra me vasato nityaṃ yaddravyaṃ pūrvasañcitam
In it, O preta, I live, in the house of my fathers and forefathers; and while I was dwelling there, whatever wealth had formerly been accumulated by me—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.25
तत्सर्वं तस्करैर्नीतं क्षीणवित्तोऽभवं तदा ।। स्वल्पं वित्तं गृहीत्वा ऽहं समायातो मरुस्थलम्
tatsarvaṃ taskarairnītaṃ kṣīṇavitto'bhavaṃ tadā || svalpaṃ vittaṃ gṛhītvā 'haṃ samāyāto marusthalam
all that was carried off by thieves, and then I became destitute of wealth. Taking what little wealth (remained), I came to the desert land.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.26
तव दृष्टिपथं यातो यत्कार्यं तत्कुरुष्व मे
tava dṛṣṭipathaṃ yāto yatkāryaṃ tatkuruṣva me
(Now) I have come within the range of your sight; whatever is to be done to me, do that.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.27
प्रेत उवाच ।। न त्वां खादितुमिच्छामि कृपा मे जायते त्वयि ।। समयेन हि मोक्ष्यामि कुरुष्व वचनं मम
preta uvāca || na tvāṃ khāditumicchāmi kṛpā me jāyate tvayi || samayena hi mokṣyāmi kuruṣva vacanaṃ mama
The preta said: I do not wish to eat you; pity for you arises in me. On a condition I will release you — carry out my word.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.28
निर्वृत्य गच्छ मथुरां मम कार्यार्थसाधकः ।। तत्र गत्वा त्वया कार्यं यत्कर्तव्यं वदामि तत्
nirvṛtya gaccha mathurāṃ mama kāryārthasādhakaḥ || tatra gatvā tvayā kāryaṃ yatkartavyaṃ vadāmi tat
Turn back and go to Mathurā as the accomplisher of my purpose. Having gone there, the task is to be done by you — I shall tell you what must be done.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.29
स्नानं कृत्वा तु विधिवत्कूपे चातुःसामुद्रिके ।। पिण्डदानं कुरुष्व त्वं मम नाम्ना प्रयत्नतः
snānaṃ kṛtvā tu vidhivatkūpe cātuḥsāmudrike || piṇḍadānaṃ kuruṣva tvaṃ mama nāmnā prayatnataḥ
Having bathed according to rule in the well of the four oceans, offer the piṇḍa carefully in my name.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.31
नाहं यास्यामि मथुरां द्रव्याभावे कथंचन ।। भक्षयस्व शरीरं मे ततस्तृप्तिमवाप्स्यसि
nāhaṃ yāsyāmi mathurāṃ dravyābhāve kathaṃcana || bhakṣayasva śarīraṃ me tatastṛptimavāpsyasi
(Vibhu said:) I shall not go to Mathurā by any means, in the absence of means. Eat my body — thereby you will obtain satisfaction.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.32
प्रेत उवाच ।। गृहे बहुधनं तेऽस्ति त्वं गच्छ मम सत्कुरु ।। आस्ते धनमपर्याप्तं गच्छ त्वं मा विलम्बय
preta uvāca || gṛhe bahudhanaṃ te'sti tvaṃ gaccha mama satkuru || āste dhanamaparyāptaṃ gaccha tvaṃ mā vilambaya
The preta said: There is much wealth in your house; you go and do me this favour. There is wealth beyond measure — go, do not delay.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.33
विभुरुवाच ।। गृहे मम धनं नास्ति यत्त्वया समुदीरितम् ।। गृहशेषं मम धनं न चान्यत्तत्र विद्यते
vibhuruvāca || gṛhe mama dhanaṃ nāsti yattvayā samudīritam || gṛhaśeṣaṃ mama dhanaṃ na cānyattatra vidyate
Vibhu said: In my house there is not the wealth that you have declared. My wealth is (only) what is left of the house, and nothing else exists there.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.34
पितृपैतामही कीर्त्तिरविक्रेया हि सा मया ।। प्रेतः प्रहस्य सानन्दमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
pitṛpaitāmahī kīrttiravikreyā hi sā mayā || pretaḥ prahasya sānandamidaṃ vacanamabravīt
(This) reputation from my father and grandfather is not to be sold by me. The preta, laughing, spoke this word joyfully:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.35
अस्ति चैव धनं प्रोक्तं यन्मया त्वद्गृहे विभो ।। सुवर्णभारो गर्त्तस्थो गृहे तिष्ठति सञ्चितः
asti caiva dhanaṃ proktaṃ yanmayā tvadgṛhe vibho || suvarṇabhāro garttastho gṛhe tiṣṭhati sañcitaḥ
And there does exist the wealth which was spoken of by me in your house, lord: a load of gold, placed in a pit, stands accumulated in the house.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.36
निवर्त्त गच्छ संतुष्टः सुहृदां प्रीतिवर्द्धनः ।। एवं द्रक्ष्यामि ते मार्गं मथुरा येन गम्यते
nivartta gaccha saṃtuṣṭaḥ suhṛdāṃ prītivarddhanaḥ || evaṃ drakṣyāmi te mārgaṃ mathurā yena gamyate
Turn back and go, contented, increasing the joy of your friends. Thus I shall show you the road by which one goes to Mathurā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.37
सूत उवाच ।। वणिग्घृष्टमना भूत्वा पुनर्वचनमब्रवीत् ।। इमामवस्थां सम्प्राप्य कथं ज्ञानसमुद्भवः
sūta uvāca || vaṇigghṛṣṭamanā bhūtvā punarvacanamabravīt || imāmavasthāṃ samprāpya kathaṃ jñānasamudbhavaḥ
Sūta said: The merchant, becoming glad at heart, spoke again these words: Having come to this condition, how is it that knowledge has arisen (in you)?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.38
ततः स कथयामास यद्वृत्तं हि पुरातनम् ।। प्रतिष्ठाने पुरवरे विष्णोरायतनं महत्
tataḥ sa kathayāmāsa yadvṛttaṃ hi purātanam || pratiṣṭhāne puravare viṣṇorāyatanaṃ mahat
Then he related what had happened long before: In the excellent city of Pratiṣṭhāna there was a great temple of Viṣṇu.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.39
प्रभातसमये तत्र विष्णोरायतने शुभे ।। ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रास्तत्र समागताः
prabhātasamaye tatra viṣṇorāyatane śubhe || brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ śūdrāstatra samāgatāḥ
At dawn, there in that auspicious temple of Viṣṇu, brahmins, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras had gathered.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.41
तस्मिन्काले तु मित्रेण नीतोऽहं विष्णुमन्दिरम्। अत्यादरेण महता सन्तोष्य च पुनः पुनः
tasminkāle tu mitreṇa nīto'haṃ viṣṇumandiram| atyādareṇa mahatā santoṣya ca punaḥ punaḥ
At that time I was led by a friend to Viṣṇu's temple, with very great respect, and gratified again and again.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.42
मित्रेण सह तत्रैव तस्य पार्श्वे व्यवस्थितः ।। श्रुतो मया ततः कूपः पुण्योऽयं पापनाशनः
mitreṇa saha tatraiva tasya pārśve vyavasthitaḥ || śruto mayā tataḥ kūpaḥ puṇyo'yaṃ pāpanāśanaḥ
Together with my friend I took my place right there at his side; then I heard of the well: 'This is holy, destroying sin.'
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.43
समुद्राः किल तिष्ठन्ति चत्वारोऽत्र समागताः ।। तस्य कूपस्य माहात्म्यं श्रुतं तत्र महत्फलम्
samudrāḥ kila tiṣṭhanti catvāro'tra samāgatāḥ || tasya kūpasya māhātmyaṃ śrutaṃ tatra mahatphalam
'The four oceans, indeed, are present here, come together.' The greatness of that well was heard there, (and) its great fruit.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.44
वाचकाय ततो दानं दत्तं सर्वैर्महाजनैः ।। मित्रेण प्रेरितो दाने मया मौनं समाश्रितम्
vācakāya tato dānaṃ dattaṃ sarvairmahājanaiḥ || mitreṇa prerito dāne mayā maunaṃ samāśritam
Then a gift was given to the reciter by all the great folk; though urged to give by my friend, I kept silent.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.45
मित्रेण च पुनः प्रोक्तं यथाशक्त्या प्रदीयताम् ।। तदा मित्रमसङ्गेन दत्तो वै स्वर्णमाषकः
mitreṇa ca punaḥ proktaṃ yathāśaktyā pradīyatām || tadā mitramasaṅgena datto vai svarṇamāṣakaḥ
And my friend said again, 'Let it be given according to one's ability.' Then, out of unconcern, my friend gave a māṣaka of gold.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.46
ततः कालेन महता गतो वैवस्वतक्षयम् ।। वैवस्वतनियोगेन ततोऽहं पूर्वकर्मभिः
tataḥ kālena mahatā gato vaivasvatakṣayam || vaivasvataniyogena tato'haṃ pūrvakarmabhiḥ
Then, after a long time, I went to the abode of Vaivasvata (Yama); and then, by Vaivasvata's command, through my former deeds,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.47
प्रेतत्वं समनुप्राप्तो दुस्तरं दुर्गमं महत् ।। न दत्तं न हुतं चापि तीर्थं नैवावगाहितम्
pretatvaṃ samanuprāpto dustaraṃ durgamaṃ mahat || na dattaṃ na hutaṃ cāpi tīrthaṃ naivāvagāhitam
I attained the state of a preta, hard to cross, hard to pass through, immense. Nothing was given, nothing offered in the fire, no sacred ford was bathed in.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.48
न तर्पितास्तु पितरः प्राप्तोऽहं प्रेततां ततः ।। इत्येत्कथितं सर्वं यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि
na tarpitāstu pitaraḥ prāpto'haṃ pretatāṃ tataḥ || ityetkathitaṃ sarvaṃ yanmāṃ tvaṃ paripṛcchasi
Nor were the ancestors gratified (by me); therefore I attained the state of a preta. All this, about which you question me, has thus been told.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.49
गच्छ त्वं सम्मुखस्तत्र यत्र सा मथुरा पुरी ।। प्रेतस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा विभुर्वचनमब्रवीत्
gaccha tvaṃ sammukhastatra yatra sā mathurā purī || pretasya vacanaṃ śrutvā vibhurvacanamabravīt
Go you there, facing (that direction), where that city of Mathurā is." Having heard the preta's words, Vibhu spoke (these) words:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.51
प्रेत उवाच ।। कथितं हि मया पूर्वं यद्वृत्तं हि पुरातनम् ।। वाचकाय तु यद्दत्तं सुवर्णस्य च माषकम्
preta uvāca || kathitaṃ hi mayā pūrvaṃ yadvṛttaṃ hi purātanam || vācakāya tu yaddattaṃ suvarṇasya ca māṣakam
The preta said: I have indeed already told what happened long ago — that a māṣaka of gold was given to a reciter.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.52
तद्दानस्य प्रभावेण नित्यं तृप्तोऽस्मि वै विभो ।। अकामेन मया दत्तं तस्येदं कर्मणः फलम्
taddānasya prabhāveṇa nityaṃ tṛpto'smi vai vibho || akāmena mayā dattaṃ tasyedaṃ karmaṇaḥ phalam
By the power of that gift I am ever satisfied, O Vibhu. It was given by me unintentionally; this is the fruit of that act.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.53
प्रेतभावं गतस्यापि न मे ज्ञानस्य विभ्रमः ।। ततश्च स वणिक्श्रेष्ठ आगत्य मथुरां पुरीम्
pretabhāvaṃ gatasyāpi na me jñānasya vibhramaḥ || tataśca sa vaṇikśreṣṭha āgatya mathurāṃ purīm
Even though I have gone to the condition of a preta, there is no confusion of my knowledge. And then that best of merchants, having come to the city of Mathurā—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.54
कृतं तेन च तत्सर्वं यथा प्रेतेन भाषितम् ।। प्रेतोऽसौ तेन कृत्येन मुक्तिं प्राप्य दिवं गतः
kṛtaṃ tena ca tatsarvaṃ yathā pretena bhāṣitam || preto'sau tena kṛtyena muktiṃ prāpya divaṃ gataḥ
—he did all that just as had been told by the preta. That preta, by that deed, obtained release and went to heaven.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.56
तीर्थे चैव गृहे वापि देवस्थानेऽपि चत्वरे ।। यत्र तत्र मृता देवि मुक्तिं यान्ति न चान्यथा
tīrthe caiva gṛhe vāpi devasthāne'pi catvare || yatra tatra mṛtā devi muktiṃ yānti na cānyathā
At a tīrtha, or in a house, or in a temple, or at a crossroads — wherever they die, O goddess, (people) go to release, and not otherwise.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.57
अन्यत्र हि कृतं पापं तीर्थमासाद्य गच्छति ।। तीर्थे तु यत्कृतं पापं वज्रलेपो भविष्यति
anyatra hi kṛtaṃ pāpaṃ tīrthamāsādya gacchati || tīrthe tu yatkṛtaṃ pāpaṃ vajralepo bhaviṣyati
For sin committed elsewhere goes away upon reaching a tīrtha; but sin committed at a tīrtha will be (fixed like) adamantine plaster.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.58
मथुरायां कृतं पापं तत्रैव च विनश्यति ।। एषा पुरी महापुण्या यस्यां पापं न विद्यते
mathurāyāṃ kṛtaṃ pāpaṃ tatraiva ca vinaśyati || eṣā purī mahāpuṇyā yasyāṃ pāpaṃ na vidyate
But sin committed in Mathurā is destroyed in that very place. This city is greatly meritorious, in which sin does not exist.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.59
कृतघ्नश्च सुरापश्च चौरो भग्नव्रतस्तथा ।। मथुरां प्राप्य मनुजो मुच्यते सर्वकिल्बिषैः
kṛtaghnaśca surāpaśca cauro bhagnavratastathā || mathurāṃ prāpya manujo mucyate sarvakilbiṣaiḥ
The ungrateful man, the liquor-drinker, the thief, and likewise one who has broken his vow — a man, on reaching Mathurā, is freed from all defilements.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.61
परदाररता ये च ये नरा अजितेंद्रियाः ।। मथुरावासिनः सर्वे ते देवा नरविग्रहाः
paradāraratā ye ca ye narā ajiteṃdriyāḥ || mathurāvāsinaḥ sarve te devā naravigrahāḥ
And those who are addicted to others' wives, and those men whose senses are unconquered — all who dwell in Mathurā are gods in human form.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.62
बलिभिक्षाप्रदातारस्ते मृताः क्रोधवर्जिताः ।। तीर्थस्नानरता ये च देवास्ते नरमूर्तयः
balibhikṣāpradātāraste mṛtāḥ krodhavarjitāḥ || tīrthasnānaratā ye ca devāste naramūrtayaḥ
Those who are givers of offerings and alms, who have died free of anger, and those devoted to bathing at tīrthas — they are gods in human shape.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.63
यदन्येषां सहस्रेण ब्राह्मणानां महात्मनाम् ।। एकेन पूजितेन स्यान्माथुरेणाखिलं हि तत्
yadanyeṣāṃ sahasreṇa brāhmaṇānāṃ mahātmanām || ekena pūjitena syānmāthureṇākhilaṃ hi tat
Whatever (merit) there would be from a thousand other great-souled brahmins, all that comes from honouring a single Māthura.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.64
अनृग्वै माथुरो यत्र चतुर्वेदस्तथापरः ।। न च वेदैश्चतुर्भिः स्यान्माथुरेण समः क्वचित्
anṛgvai māthuro yatra caturvedastathāparaḥ || na ca vedaiścaturbhiḥ syānmāthureṇa samaḥ kvacit
Where a Māthura does not (even) know the Ṛgveda and another is a knower of the four Vedas, still one versed in the four Vedas is nowhere equal to a Māthura.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.65
भवन्ति सर्वतीर्थानि पुण्यान्यायतनानि च ।। मङ्गलानि च सर्वाणि यत्र तिष्ठन्ति माथुराः
bhavanti sarvatīrthāni puṇyānyāyatanāni ca || maṅgalāni ca sarvāṇi yatra tiṣṭhanti māthurāḥ
All tīrthas, holy shrines, and all auspicious things come to be where Māthuras dwell.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.66
चतुर्वेदं परित्यज्य माथुरं पूजयेत्सदा ।। सिद्धा भूतगणाः सर्वे ये च देवगणा भुवि
caturvedaṃ parityajya māthuraṃ pūjayetsadā || siddhā bhūtagaṇāḥ sarve ye ca devagaṇā bhuvi
Leaving aside a knower of the four Vedas, one should always honour a Māthura. All the siddhas, the hosts of spirits, and the throngs of gods on earth—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.67
मथुरावासिनो लोकान्पश्यन्ति च चतुर्भुजान् ।। मथुरायां ये वसन्ति विष्णुरूपा हि ते नराः
mathurāvāsino lokānpaśyanti ca caturbhujān || mathurāyāṃ ye vasanti viṣṇurūpā hi te narāḥ
—see the dwellers in Mathurā as four-armed beings; for those men who dwell in Mathurā have the form of Viṣṇu.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.68
ज्ञानिनस्तान्हि पश्यन्ति अज्ञाः पश्यन्ति तान्न च
jñāninastānhi paśyanti ajñāḥ paśyanti tānna ca
Those who have knowledge see them (so), but the ignorant do not see them.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.95
एतत्ते कथितं भूमे माहात्म्यं मथुराभवम् ।। चतुःसामुद्रिके कूपे पिण्डदाने परां गतिम्
etatte kathitaṃ bhūme māhātmyaṃ mathurābhavam || catuḥsāmudrike kūpe piṇḍadāne parāṃ gatim
This greatness arising from Mathurā has been told to you, O Earth: in the well called Catuḥsāmudrika, upon the offering of a piṇḍa, (one attains) the highest goal.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 165.165
त्यक्त्वा जगाम निधनं प्रेतत्वं समुपागतः ।। निरुदकेषु देशेषु विच्छायेषु वनेषु च कुटुम्बभरणार्थाय सम्प्राप्तो दुर्गमाटवीम् ।। वृद्धः पिता मम गृहे माता पत्नी पतिव्रता स्नानस्य च फलं देहि ततो गच्छ यथासुखम् ।। प्रेतवाक्यं ततः श्रुत्वा विभुर्वचनमब्रवीत् वाचकस्तत्र पठति कथां पौराणिकीं शुभाम् ।। मम मित्रं च तत्रैव नित्यकालं च गच्छति कथं धारयसे प्राणान्वृक्षमूलं समाश्रितः तिष्ठेद्युगसहस्रं तु पादेनैकेन यः पुमान् ।। तस्याधिकं भवेत्पुण्यं मथुरायां निवासिनः
tyaktvā jagāma nidhanaṃ pretatvaṃ samupāgataḥ || nirudakeṣu deśeṣu vicchāyeṣu vaneṣu ca kuṭumbabharaṇārthāya samprāpto durgamāṭavīm || vṛddhaḥ pitā mama gṛhe mātā patnī pativratā snānasya ca phalaṃ dehi tato gaccha yathāsukham || pretavākyaṃ tataḥ śrutvā vibhurvacanamabravīt vācakastatra paṭhati kathāṃ paurāṇikīṃ śubhām || mama mitraṃ ca tatraiva nityakālaṃ ca gacchati kathaṃ dhārayase prāṇānvṛkṣamūlaṃ samāśritaḥ tiṣṭhedyugasahasraṃ tu pādenaikena yaḥ pumān || tasyādhikaṃ bhavetpuṇyaṃ mathurāyāṃ nivāsinaḥ
Abandoning (it) he went to death and came to the state of a preta. In waterless regions and in shadeless forests... For the sake of maintaining his family he came to an impassable wilderness. "My aged father is at home, my mother, and my wife devoted to her husband." "Give (me) the fruit of your bathing, then go as you please." Then, hearing the preta's speech, Vibhu spoke (these) words: "A reciter there recites the auspicious tale of the Purāṇas, and my friend goes there constantly." "How do you sustain your life-breaths, taking shelter at the foot of a tree?" If a man should stand for a thousand yugas on one foot, greater than his would be the merit of one dwelling in Mathurā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain