The Nilamata Purana



by Dr. Ved Kumari

Jammu and Kashmir Academy of

Art, Culture and Languages,

Srinagar

Om auspiciousness. Salutation to the auspicious Ganesa.

Salutation to the venerable Vasudeva Om.

1-2. Having paid homage to the god Hari – the abode of Sri, the giver of

boons, the highest lord, the master of three worlds, the finder of cow

(earth), the imperishable and the unchangeable – the honourable king

Janamejaya, the supporter of the family of Pariksita, asked Vyasa’s pupil

Vaisampayana.

3. Janamejaya (said): “Kings of various countries – the great heroes – came to

the great Bharata war of my forefathers.

4-5. Say, why did not the king of Kasmira come there? Why was that king not

chosen by the sons of Pandu and Dhrtarastra? The region of Kasmira, of course,

occupies an important place in the world.

6. Vaisampayana (said): “Accompanied by his four-fold armies (the king of

Kasmira) went to the Svayamvara to fight with Madhava, the son of Vasudeva.

7. A fight between him and the wise Vasudeva took place there as had taken

place between Naraka and Vasudeva.

8-9. Consequently he was thrown down by Vasudeva in that good combat. Out of

respect for that country, Vasudeva coronated his pregnant queen, so that the

posthumous son might rule.

10. Afterwards, she gave birth to a male child who was named Gonanda. Being a

child, he was brought neither by the Pandavas nor by the Kauravas.”

11. Janamejaya (spoke): “O best among the twice-born, why did the high-minded

Vasudeva honour (so much) the country that he himself coronated a woman?”

12- 13. Vaisampayana (said): “O best amongst the kings, the goddess Uma is the

same as Kasmira. What was formerly, an enjoyable, heart-enrapturing lake for

six Manvantaras since the beginning of the Kalpa, became a beautiful territory

in this Manvantara.

14-16. Filled with rows of rice-fields, fully thriving and endowed with good

fruits etc., inhabited by the people who perform sacrifices and are engaged in

self-study and contemplation – virtuous ascetics well-versed in the Vedas and

the Vedangas – by highly prosperous Ksatriyas adept in (the use of) all the

arms and weapons, by Vaisyas engaged in (earning) the means of livelihood, and

by Sudras serving the twice-born, it is bedecked with the temples of the gods

and all the holy places, and is auspicious.

17. 0 protector of men! all the sacred places, which are on the earth, are

there. Thronged with the hermitages of the sages (it is) pleasant in heat and

cold and is auspicious.

18. Unconquerable by the enemy-kingdoms, ignorant of the fears born of them,

rich in cows, horses. elephants etc. it is devoid of the fear of famines.

19. Not dependent on rains, enjoyable, holy, beneficial for living beings,

endowed with the qualities (of producing) all grains, it is devoid of dangers

and is thickly populated.

20. Possessed of the grace like that of a temple due to the (presence of)

tender ladies, it is devoid of evil serpents, tigers, buffaloes and bears.

21. Always full of festivals, twangings of the bows and the sounds of the

Vedic recitals, it is crowded with ever-sportive men and is surrounded by ever

happy persons.

22. Full of gardens and pleasure-groves and resounding with the sounds of

drums and lutes, it is always crowded with people fond of drinks and is dear

to the hearts of good men.

23. Laden with various types of flowers, fruits, trees, creepers and medicinal

herbs, it is full of hosts of wild beasts and is enjoyed by the Siddhas and

the Caranas.

24-25. O controller of the enemies, the holy region of Kasmira is possessed of

all the sacred places. There are sacred lakes of the Nagas and the holy

mountains; there are holy rivers and also the holy lakes; there are highly

sacred temples and also the hermitages attached to them.

26. In the center flows, making as it were the parting of the hair, the

Vitasta – the highest goddess visibly born of the Himalaya.”

27. Janamejaya (asked): “O Twice-born, how did that which was a pure lake in

former Manvantaras, become a province in Vaivasvata (Manvantara)?”

28-29. Vaisampayana (replied): “O best of the kings, once in olden days, the

excellent king Gonanda enquired the same point from Brhadasva after

worshipping him who had reached there in the course of a pilgrim’s journey”.

30. Gonanda (asked): ‘There did not exist, in the previous Manvantaras, this

country named Kasmira How did it come into being in Vaivasvata Period?’

31-33. Brhadasva(spoke): ‘The passage of the sun through one sign of the

zodiac is called a solar month. Two months should be known as a season and

three seasons as an Ayana. Similarly, two Ayanas make one year and O king, the

years, numbering four lacs and thirty two thousands, make Kaliyuga. Twice as

much as this, O king, is Dvapara. Thrice-multiplied is Treta and four times

multiplied should be known as Krta.

34. Of seventy one Caturyugas is called one Manvantara here.

35. At the end of that Manvantara, all the movable, and immovable creations on

the earth are destroyed completely.

36-38. 0 lord of the earth, this whole world then turns into a sea. The

mountains Himavat, Hemakuta, Nisadha, Nila, Sveta, Srngavat, Meru, Malyavat,

Gandhamadana, Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Suktimat, Rksavat, Vindhya and

Pariyatra are not destroyed. The whole of the rest of Jambudvipa is effaced

completely.

39. Then, after the destruction of this world, the lord Mahadeva himself, in

the form of water, stays all around this world.

40-41. At that time, the goddess Sati assumes the form of a boat and the

future Manu, through magical power, places all the seeds in that (boat).

Having assumed the form of a fish, Visnu – the father of the world – drags off

that boat by means of (His) horn.

42. 0 protector of the earth, the God, having drawn off the boat, fastens that

to the top of that mountain and goes to an unknown state.

43. 0 king, see in this western region, this mountain-peak called Naubandhana,

holy and destroyer of sins and fears.

44. 0 controller of the enemies, when the period equal to hat of Krta passes

away, then Manu brings about the creation of beings as before.

45-46. The goddess Sati, with the body in the form of the boat, becomes the

earth and on that earth comes into being a lake of clear water, known as

Satidesa, six Yojanas long and half of that in breadth, enjoyable,

heart-enrapturing, and the sporting-place of the gods.

47. Deep like the sky, bright with lotuses containing cool and clear water, it

is the most charming (lake) on the whole earth.

48-49. 0 king, at the approach of this Vaivasvata Manvantara, Daksa gave his

thirteen daughters to Kasyapa, the son of Marica.

O best of the kings, listen to their names from me. The sons of Aditi are the

gods and those of Diti are the Daityas.

50. (The son) of Danayusa is Vrtra and (the sons) of Surabhi are the Bhadras.

The Yaksas and the Raksasas are regarded to be the sons of Khasa.

51. Airavana is the son of Ira; ten Gayanas are (the sons) of Prava and the

celestial host of the Apsaras is born of Muni.

52. The Kalakalpas and the Kalakeyas are regarded to be the sons of Kala. The

Danavas are the sons of Danu, and of Krodha are born ten daughters.

53. 0 king, the Nagas are the sons of Kadru, and Garuda and Aruna – the best

among the birds – are the two sons of Vinata.

54. Kadru and Vinata, jealous of each other were, as was destined, always at

daggers drawn.

55-57. Once, seeing the horse Uccaihsravas born of the water, Vinata

pronounced that to be white, while Kadru, bent on doing mischief, said to

Vinata “I, by all means regard that horse as possessed of black hair.” O lord

of the earth, then both of them betted complete slavery of each other with

reference to that horse. Persuaded thus by Kadru (her) sons did the same.

58. Afterwards both of them saw that excellent horse as black-haired, and

Kadru said to beautiful Vinata, “You have been won over”.

59. Highly glorious and highly strong Garuda rescued Vinata who had been won

over as a slave, by bringing Soma from Indra.

60. From Indra he obtained the boon of eating the Nagas. He ate up the

Pannagas as a consequence of their enmity to his mother.

61. While the Nagas were being eaten by the high-minded Garuda, Vasuki sought

the protection of Janardana, the god of the gods.

62. Vasuki said: “Salutation to you, O unfathomable supreme god! Salutation to

you, O holder of bow, mace and sword in your hands! Salutation to you, the

destroyer of the Danavas! Salutation to you praised by the lotus-born

(Brahma)!

63. Salutation to you engaged in good of the world! Salutation to you, the

pleaser of Indra! Salutation to you, the giver of boons to the devotees!

Salutation to you, the demonstrator of the right path.

64-65. I have approached the god possessed of a beautiful colour like the

lustre of the fully bloomed blue lotus, clad in two garments like the glowing

gold, sinless, worthy of being solicited, having lotus-like feet placed in

(the lap of) the daughter of the sea, highest, earliest and eternal. I

prostrate myself with devotion to that first god.

66. You lie on Sesa’s pure hood variegated with thousand jewels of rows of the

heads. Thinking about the good and evil of the whole world, O god, protect me

today.

67. O infinite, the lord of the birds, possessed of highly fierce and dreadful

speed, is destroying my family rapidly. O praised by the excellent sages, you

check that Tarksya whose strength is like that of the wind. Protect me today”.

68-69. Brhadasva (said): The venerable god said to Vasuki who was agitated

with fear: “O possessed of unparalleled strength, you along with the pious

Nagas may dwell in the country of Sati, in the sky-like lake of holy water.

70. The enemy of the serpents shall not kill those serpents who will make

their abode in that lake.

71. O lord of the Nagas, my mount – the enemy of the Nagas – shall not kill

him who, with his abode in the country of Sati, dwells unthreatened from all

sides.

72. O highly fortunate one, coronate Nila in the kingdom of those highly

strong Nagas who shall dwell in the country of Sati.”

73. Vasuki did as was stated by the god of gods. Then there remained no fear

of Garuda for the Nagas who stayed there.

74. O best among the kings, the lotus-eyed Indra accompanied by Paulomi was

sporting once on the bank of that lake.

75. Induced by Time (i.e. Death) a Daitya-chief named Sangraha who was

exceedingly difficult of being conquered, came there while Indra was sporting.

76. The semen of that (demon) who had seen Saci, was discharged in that

reservoir of water. Mad, due to being subject to passion and desirous of

carrying away Saci…

77. Thereafter, the year was over in that fight against Indra. The fight

between both of them – Indra and Sangraha – continued for one year.

78. Having killed him at the end of the year, the god Indra received honour

from the gods and went to heaven while being worshipped by those who have

their abodes in heaven.

79. A child was born in the waters out of that evil-minded Sangraha’s

discharged semen which had fallen in that lake.

80. Due to compassion, the Nagas brought up that child in the waters. As he

was born in the water so he was called Jalodbhava (water-born).

81. Having propitiated the god Pitamaha with penance, he obtained from him a

(triple) boon, viz, immortality in the water, magical power and unparalleled

prowess.

82-83 Having obtained the magical power, that Daitya- chief devoured the human

beings who lived in various countries near that lake, viz., the inhabitants of

Darvabhisara, Gandhara and Juhundara, the Sakas, the Khasas, the Tanganas, the

Mandavas, the Madras and the inhabitants of Antargiri and Bahirgiri.

84. Harassed by that sinner, they fled away in fear from the country and he

roamed fearlessly in those desolate lands.

85. At this very time, the venerable sage Kasyapa travelled over the whole

earth in connection with holy pilgrimage.

86-97. In this holy Bharatavarsa – the giver of the reward of good and evil –

(he visited) auspicious Puskara, difficult of access and giver of the world of

Brahma, Prayaga, teeming with sacrifices and destroyer of all sins,

Kuruksetra, the field of piety, Naimisa, the destroyer of sins, Hayasirsa, the

holy abode of high-souled Fathers, the celestial Carankata, the remover of all

sins, the holy Varaha mountain, the holy Pancanada, Kalanjana along with

Gokarna, Kedara along with Mahalaya, Badhirasrama, the holy abode of Narayana,

Sugandha, Satakumbha, Kalikasrama, Sakambhari, Lalitika, Saligrama, Prthudaka,

Suvarnaksa, Rudrakoti, Prabhasa, Sagarodaka, Indramarga, Matanga-vapi, the

destroyer of sins, the holy Agastyasrama, Tandulikasrama, the holy Jambumarga,

the holy Varanasi, the holy goddess Ganga, daughter of Jahnu and girdle of the

sky, Yamuna, the destroyer of the noose of Yama, the swift-flowing Satadru,

the Sarayu, possessed of the sacrificial posts, the goddess Sarasvati, the

Godavari, the Vaitarani, the Gomati, the Bahuda, the Vedasmrti, the Asi along

with the Varna, the Tamravarnotpalavati, the Sipra along with the Narmada, the

Gona, the great river Parosni, the Iksumati, the Saratta, the Durga, the

Jatasila, the Kaveri, the Brahmani, the Gauri, the Kampana the Tamasa,

Gangasagara Sandhi and Sindhu sagarasangama.

98-99. 0 king, (he visited also) the Bhrgutunga, the Visala, Kubjamra, the

Raivataka, Kusavarta at Gangadvara, Bilvaka, the mountain Nila, the holy place

Kanakhala and other sacred places.

100. Having heard that Kasyapa was on a religious tour, Nila – the king of the

serpents – went to the sacred place Kanakhala for seeing him.

101. Having reached there, that king of the serpents saw his father, pressed

his feet and saluted him after announcing his own name.

102. The father smelled his forehead and honoured him in the proper manner.

Directed then by him (the father), he sat on the matting made of Kusa grass.

103. 0 king, listen to what the seated Naga communicated respectfully to the

father Kasyapa, the abode of all penances.

104. ‘Having heard that you – lover of Dharma (piety) – are visiting the

sacred places, I, with a desire to serve, have immediately approached your

honour.

105. O Brahman, all the sacred places in the eastern, the southern and the

western (part of the) country have been seen by you. Let us go now to the

northern direction.

106. O honour-giver, there are holy places of pilgrimage in Madra country and

on the Himalaya – the best of the mountains.

107-8. (There is) the auspicious Vipasa, the pacifier of sins and giver of

eternal bliss, the river Devahrada, a bath in which gives the heaven, the

sin-removing god Hara Haririsvara and the holy confluence near Karavirapura.

109. At that place the Devahrada joins the Vipasa, the best of the rivers. In

the Vipasa, there is the perpetually holy Kalikasrama.

110-11. (There is) the holy Iravati, the destroyer of all Sins. Sixty thousand

sacred places dwell in single Iravati, specially in Revati (Naksatra) and on

the eighth day (of a fortnight).

112-13. (There are) Kumbhavasunda possessed of holy water, the river Devika

possessed of holy water, the great river Visvamitra which is sacred always,

(the river) called Udda which is highly sacred and the various confluences (of

the rivers). The religious merit (lies) in the Iravati and also in the Devika.

114-118. Brought down by your honour for doing favour to the Madras, it is the

goddess Uma who is famous on the earth as Devika and by seeing whom a man

certainly becomes purified in this world. (There are) Indramarga, Somatirtha,

the holy Ambujana, Suvarnabindu, the auspicious abode of Hara, the

sin-destroying abode of Skanda, the highly sacred lord of Uma at Rudratirtha,

Durgadvara, possessed of holy water, Kotitirtha, the sacred place of Rudra,

Kamakhya and Puspanyasa. 0 honour-giver, (there is) Hamsapada pronounced as

holy and so also Rsirupa.

119. In the area extending over four krosas, there is Devikatirtha at all the

places where every well and pool is holy in all respects.

120. (There is) the sacred river Apaga and the holy Tausi which pleases the

sun. There is the Candrabhaga the best of the rivers – whose water is cool

like the rays of the moon.

121. Vaivatitlamukha is the meritorious holy place of the Candrabhaga and so

also is the sin-destroying Sankhamardala.

122. (There are) Guhyesvara, Satamukha, Istikapatha, the holy Kadambesa and

the area around it.

123. The area extending from the holy Satamukhaupto the holy place Guhyesvara,

is equal, in holiness, to Varanasi or is even higher than that.

124. The great river Candrabhaga is always holy everywhere but is specially so

on the thirteenth of the bright half of Magha in conjunction with Pusya.

125. All the sacred places on the earth, including the seas and the lakes,

shall go to the Candrabhaga, on the thirteenth of the bright half of Magha.

126. Vastrapatha is stated to be holy and so also the god Chagalesvara, the

second Bhaumi and also her birth place.

127. The sacred place of the lake which is an incarnation of the body of Sati,

is the lake Visnupada famous Kramasara, the destroyer of all the sins.

128. O sage, please visit immediately these and other holy places by bathing

at which, even the evil-minded human beings are freed (from the sins).’

129. Brhadasva (said): Addressed thus he whose desire had already been

aroused, said “Let it be so” and went to those holy places in the company of

Nila.

130. Having crossed the river-goddesses Yamuna and Sarasvati, he visited

Kuruksetra where Sanniti is famous.

131-132. O sinless, a multitude of the holy places is called Sanniti on the

earth. It is, verily, the spot to which all the tirthas including the seas and

the lakes always go in the end of the dark half of the month.

133. He, who performs Sraddha there at the time when the sun is eclipsed by

Rahu, obtains the best award of (performing) a thousand horse-sacrifices.

134. Having seen that Sanniti, (he saw) Cakratirtha also about which a verse

sung by Narada is current on the earth.

135. “Oh! the persistence of the people for the sun-eclipse! The religious

merit obtained at Cakratirtha is ten times more than the eclipse.

136. Having visited the sacred places called Cakra and Prthudaka, he saw the

holy Visnupada and Amaraparvata.

137. Afterwards, having crossed the rivers Satadru and Ganga, the sage reached

Arjuna’s hermitage and Devasunda.

138. Having crossed the illustrious and sin-destroying Vipasa, Kasyapa saw the

whole country desolate at that time.

139-140, Seeing the country of the Madras as desolate, he spoke to the Naga,

‘~O Nila, tell me – the inquirer – as to why this country of the Madras has

been deserted? This has always been charming, devoid of the calamity of famine

and full of the wealth of grains!”

141. Nila said: “O venerable one, all this is known to you that formerly a

demon-child named Jalodbhava – the son of Sangraha – was reared up by me.

142-143. Now that impudent fellow, who obtained boons from Brahma of

imperceptible birth, ignores me like anything and I am incapable of keeping

him under control due to the boon of the lord of three worlds.

144. By that villain of evil intellect – eater of human flesh – this whole

country of the Madras has been depopulated.

145-146. O lord, the countries rendered desolate by him are mainly

Darvabhisara, Gandhara, Juhundara, Antargiri, Bahirgiri and those of the

Sakas, the Khasas, the Tanganas and the Mandavas. O venerable one, make up

your mind to check him for the welfare of the world.

147. Brhadasva (spoke): Addressed thus he said “Be it so” and after taking

bath in the holy places all around, he came to that best limpid lake in the

country of Sati.

148. O king, after taking bath there, he gave up walking on foot and went to

the eternal world of Brahma, merely by his own power.

149-150. He went along with Nila, the high-souled king of the Nagas. O

controller of the enemies, both of them reached the abode of Brahma and made

obeisance to the lotus-born god and the gods Vasudeva, Isvara and highly

intelligent Ananta, who were present there by chance.

151-152. Honoured by them, these two told the activities of Jalodbhava

(Water-born). Then the god Pitamaha said to this Naga-lord and the sage of

unparalleled valour, “we shall go to Naubandhana to subdue him.

153. Then the god Kesava will undoubtedly kill him. “Having heard this, Hari,

the killer of the strong enemies, went (mounted on) Tarksya.

154. O sinless, after him went Hara, mounted on the bull, along with his wife.

Brahma went mounted on the swan and the two Nagas mounted on the cloud.

155. Kasyapa went by his supernatural power. Indra heard that and, in the

company of the hosts of gods, went to that place where Kesava had gone.

156-158. Yama, Agni, Varuna, Vayu, Kubera, Nirrti, Adityas, Vasus, Rudras,

Visvedevas and the hosts of Maruts; Asvins, Bhrgus, Sadhyas, the sons of

Angiras, the illustrious sages, Gandharvas, the hosts of heavenly maidens; all

the wives of the gods, the mothers of the gods, the hosts of Vidyadharas,

Yaksas, seas and rivers (all went there).

159. Ganga went mounted on crocodile, Yamuna on tortoise, Satadru on bull and

Sarasvati on buffalo.

160. 0 King! Vipasa (went) mounted on horse, Iravati on elephant, Candrabhaga

and Sindhu on tiger.

161. Devika (went) mounted on wild ox, Sarayu on deer, Mandakini on man and

Payosni on goat.

162. O king, Narmada (went) mounted on peacock, Gomati on Saranga deer,

Godavari on sheep and Kampana on swan.

163. O king, Gandaki (went) mounted on he crane, Kaveri on camel, the holy

Iksumati on crocodile and the holy Sita on she crane.

164. Lauhitya (went) mounted on Camara deer, Vanksu – the fast going one – on

Kroda (hog), Hladini on partridge and Hradini on cock.

165. Pavani (went) mounted on a horse, Sona on a serpent, Krsnaveni on cloud

and Bhuvena on hare.

166. These and other rivers also went mounted on their respective mounts. All

these, with a desire to see fight, followed the lord of the world.

167. Having reached Naubandhana, Kesava, verily, took a firm stand.

168. Hearing the sound of the retinue of the gods, the evil-minded demon,

knowing himself to be imperishable in the water, did not come out.

169. Having come to know that he would not come out, the pleased Madhusudana

entered Naubandhana, in the company of the gods.

170. Rudra (took stand) on Naubandhana peak, Hari on the Southern peak, Brahma

on the Northern peak and the gods and the Asuras followed them.

171. Thus, they entered the mountain. Then the pious- minded god Janardana,

with a view to kill the demon, said to Ananta:

172. “Breaking forth Himalaya today with the plough, make soon this lake

devoid of water.”

173. Brhadasva (said): Then Ananta, resembling a mountain and possessed of

lustre equal to that of the full moon, expanded himself, covering the earth

and the heaven and terrifying the hosts of demons all around.

174. Dressed in blue, wearing diadem fastened with gold, worshipped by all the

gods, he, broke forth Himalaya, the best of the mountains on earth, with

plough.

175-180. When the king of the best mountains had been broken, the water flowed

forth hurriedly with force, terrifying all the beings with its violent rush

and sound and overflowing the tops of the mountains with curved waves like

Himalaya touching the sky. When the water of the lake was disappearing,

Water-born practiced magic. He created darkness all around. O hero among men,

the world became quite invisible.

Then the god Siva held the sun and the moon in his two hands. In a twinkling

of the eye, the world was brought to light and all the darkness was destroyed.

When the darkness had vanished, unfathomable Hari, assuming another body with

the power of Yoga, fought with the demon and witnessed that fight through a

different body.

There was a terrible fight between Visnu and the demon, with trees and peaks

of mountains. All those hosts of gods… (Hari) cut off, forcibly, the head of

the demon and then Brahma obtained gratification.

181. Brahma, Visnu and Sambhu gave their own names to the peaks on which they

had taken their stand, on the earth.

182-183. O best among men, they said to the high peaks of the high-souled king

of the mountains: “Whoever shall see you after taking bath in this lake called

Kramasara, shall see three of us on the mountain and will go to heaven.”

184. Brhada¤va (said): See, O king, these are those peak – Brahma, Visnu, and

Mahesvara. That which is Naubandhana peak is Sankara.

185. The one on its right side is celebrated as Hari and the left one as

Brahma. Even the evil-doers are freed by seeing these (peaks)

186-187. To the north of that which is proclaimed as Visnupada in Kramasara,

Brahma – the best of the gods – himself erected a hermitage. The venerable

sage Kasyapa constructed a hermitage in the western half.

188. Mighty Mahadeva himself erected a hermitage at the spot where Visnu stood

and obtained victory at that time.

189. In the other part of that place, the honourable plough-holder Ananta,

abiding by the instructions of Vasudeva, constructed a great hermitage.

190. On the western side of Mahadeva’s hermitage, the sun and the moon,

honoured by the gods, constructed their beautiful and holy hermitages.

191. At a distance of one Yojana lessened by one-fourth of a Yojana from

Mahadeva’s hermitage, Hari erected his hermitage celebrated as Narasimha.

192-193. Afterwards, other gods erected their hermitages, each one separately,

in the lake or on the waterless place. The sages whose wealth is penance

erected hermitages, and the rivers created several places of pilgrimage. So

did the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, the Yaksas and the mountain-kings along with

the Guhyakas.

194. Visnu and Rudra – the prominent ones in the world – made their abodes

there along with the lotus-born (Brahma). The whole world has made its abode

there. The country is meritorious and the holiest.

195. Then, the Sudarsana wheel – intoxicated with the blood of Jalodbhava –

wandered in that deserted land and was caught by Sankara.

196. With discus in his hand, he went where (stood) the god Janardana. Then

laughing heartily, Hari said to that god Sankara.

197. “O divine one, hand over the discus – destroyer of the hosts of the

Daityas to me.” Sankara (too) said in a joke to Hari who was laughing.

198. “Wandering at its will it has been found by me by chance. O Janardana, I

shall return your discuss on the receipt of a gift.”

199-200. “Be it so”, said the destroyer of Madhu and received the discus. O

king, this is the place you stand on now, where Hari – the best of the gods –

made a joke and got erected his own statue in that pose.

201-204. O lord of kings and controller of enemies, Janardana Hari, having got

erected such establishment of Sambhu and the goddess (Parvati) in that pose,

made his abode on the head of Jalodbhava. O lion among men, the sages, the

gods, the Nagas, the Gandharvas, the hosts of the heavenly maidens, all came

there at the head of Jalodbhava to see this (statue) in which both Kesava and

Siva – the destroyers of all sins – are represented and to see Janardana, the

god of gods who erected the divine image.

205-206. When the chief gods, sages and Nagas had taken their seats, Kasyapa,

standing in front with joined hands, said to the boon-giver Visnu, “O god, let

this country be inhabited by human beings and be holy as well as charming.”

When Kasyapa had spoken thus, the Nagas uttered these words:

207-208. “0 best among the sages, we would not live in the Company of men.”

Then Prajapati Kasyapa certainly became angry and said to them, “As you speak

audaciously; without paying regard to my words, so you shall have to dwell in

the company of the Pisacas. There is no doubt here.

209. Kasyapa having spoken thus, Nila said with joined hands, “O Brahman, they

are overpowered by anger and know nothing”.

210-212. Then Kasyapa, the most pious sage, spoke to him, “In the centre of

the Sea of Sand, there is an oasis six yojanas long. There dwell highly

terrible Pisacas belonging to the side of the Daityas. Nikumbha – the noble

and strong lord of the Pisacas – has been appointed by Kubera for keeping them

in check. Every time in the month of Caitra, he along with many Pisacas goes

to fight.

213-214. There are five crore Pisacas who are the followers of Nikumbha.

Nikumbha goes along with them and fights continuously (against the evil-minded

Pisacas) for six months. Of the evil-minded Pisacas, too, there live only five

crores.

215. O Nila, those who exceed ten crores on both the sides are destroyed every

time, in the period of six months.

216. Due to the favour of the god (Kubera), the mighty Nikumbha, along with

his five crore (followers), comes again every time on the bright fifteenth of

Asvayuj.

217-218. For six months he lives happily on the Himacala. From today I have

allotted to him a dwelling-place here for six months (of each year). You shall

have to live here for six months with him along with his armies and for six

months, after his departure, in the company of men.”

219-220. Addressed thus, the pious Nila said to his father, “We are ready to

live always in the company of men. We would not live with the Pisacas who are

cruel and who like cruelty.” When Nila the Naga-chief spoke thus, Visnu said :

221. “O Nila, the words of the sage will be effective for one Caturyuga (i.e.

four aeons). After that you will live~ in the company of men only.

222. Here the Pisacas will always become weak. Endowed with strength, they

will go, to the Sea of Sand for six months.

223-224. The men will worship the Naga in whose territory they shall dwell,

with flowers, incense, ointments, eatable offerings, incenses of various types

and excellent gifts of dramatic performances.

225. Those men in this country, who will follow the good customs laid down by

you, will be endowed with animals and grains.

226. Prajapati is called Ka, and Kasyapa is also Prajapati. Built by him this

country will be called Kasmira.

227. Because water called Ka was taken out by Balarama (the plough-wielder)

from this country, so this will be called Kasmira in this world.

228-229. O Naga, because Kasmira is the same as Uma so – She – nourished by

me, celebrated as Visoka and assuming the form of a woman shall dwell at

Vrddhatirtha.

230. O Naga, at that sacred place there shall always be the dwelling-place of

Vasuki, the king of the Nagas. Worship him who lives there.

231. O chief of the Nagas, that lord of the kings of the Nagas is a part of my

own self. He who disobeys his order meets destruction at my hand.

232-233. O Naga, the dwelling of the Nagas is the city named Bhogavati. Having

become a Yogi that Naga-chief (Vasuki) dwells there as well as here. But with

his primary body, Vasuki, protecting the Nagas, shall live in Bhogavati. O

sinless one, you (also) dwell here constantly.”

234. Having said so, Visnu then went on his desired course. The gods, the

sages, the Nagas, and the Gandharvas went away as they had come.

235. Since then, the country is inhabited for six months (of the year), by

human beings belonging to various countries, and for six months by the eaters

of raw flesh.

236. O chief of the kings, having collected rice, grains etc. the human beings

go away after taking permission and came back always on (the full-moon day of)

Caitra.

237-238. O king, pleased to see Kasmira thus populated, Kasyapa worshipped the

god Sankara and induced the goddess Uma to purify this country by the gift of

water. She – the in destroying one – is renowned as the river Vitasta.

239. Having worshipped the god Kesava, he induced Laksmi to purify this

country. She is glorified as Visoka.

240. Induced by Kasyapa, Aditi, the mother of the gods also, having become the

river named Trikoti, flows in this country.

241. Induced by Kasyapa, Saci also, who is the wife of Indra, became in this

country, Harsapatha, by name the destroyer of sins.

242. Diti, following the advice of the sage, became (the river) Candravati.

The goddess Yamuna gave her own portion to the Vitasta.

243. Thus, by the order of Kasyapa, the mothers of the gods and the demons and

the holy wives of the gods assumed the forms of rivers.

244. O lord of the earth, then, due to the advice of Kasyapa, the sacred

waters, the oceans and the rivers went to Kasmira and her vicinity.

245. O lord of the kings, thus, on the arrival of Vaivasvata Antara, the

highly meritorious and beautiful wife of Hara was born as Kasmira.

246. Desiring continuous welfare, you should regard the king Kasmira as born

of a portion of Hara and never disobey him.

247. Gonanda (spoke): “How did Sati, Saci, Ganga, Aditi, Yamuna, Diti and the

goddess Karisini obtain the forms of rivers here?”

248. Brhadasva (said): “Once the glorified goddesses went to see Kasyapa. The

venerable sage Kasyapa induced them there (thus).

249. The beautiful country named Kasmira has been created by me. O possessed

of pure smiles, cherish that (country) by gift of water.

250. Aditi, Diti, Saci and the river Ganga said,”Let it be so” but neither Uma

nor Karisini (spoke).

251. Then he worshipped Sankara for (inducing) Sati, Hara thereafter said to

his wife: “Do as has been said by Kasyapa.”

252. The goddess then spoke to the sage. “That country being my own body is

already purified. What is to be done by me there?”

253. Kasyapa (said): “As the human beings are always associated with Pisacas

there, so their intellect does not always diverge from sin.

254. Dishonoured in all countries, possessed of evil practices and covered

with impurities…

255. O beautiful faced, their sin can be allayed by you alone, as the sin

committed in this land is regarded to be very weighty by me.

256. Brhadasva (said): After knowing this fact, the goddess, having a face

beautiful like the moon and possessed of great compassion, said to her lord:

257-59. “O father of the world, I shall assume the form of a river in the

Nether World. Make a stroke with your spear near the abode of Nila, where, O

lord, while breaking the mountain, was (placed) the point of the plough. By

that stroke of the spear I shall come out of the Nether World and shall follow

the way made with the plough up to the place where there is the great river

Sindhu.” The god Hara (accordingly) did this and so did the beautiful Sati.

260-61. Sankara himself named her as Vitasta. Because Hara had excavated with

the spear a ditch measuring one Vitasti, through which the good river – gone

to the Nether World – had come out, so she was given the name Vitasta by

Svayambhu.

262. Then, O king, the people in all the countries heard that the goddess

Sati, after assuming the form of a river, had appeared in Kasmira.

263-64. Then the people, possessed of great sins, came to have bath in that

(river). Being afraid of them, she went away quickly from that way excavated

by means of spear to the Nether world. Propitiating her, Kasyapa again brought

her out near Pancahasta.

265. Issuing forth from the abode of the Naga Pancahasta, she had covered a

distance of one gavyuti only when an ungrateful person, verily, saw her.

266-67. Seen by an ungrateful one, she again disappeared. Persuaded once more

by the sayings of Kasyapa, the best of the rivers allowed her person to be

seen at a distance of a Krosa from that Cakra. Then seen by one who had

illicit relation with a friend’s wife, she again disappeared.

268. By the word of Kasyapa and praised by thousands of Brahmanas, the

beautiful river was brought out at the hermitage of Narasimha.

269. Again at a distance of one Krosa, the great river, seen by a

Brahmana-killer, vanished at once and then Kasyapa said to her:

270. “Salutation to you, O daughter of the king of mountains; salutation to

you, loved by the best sages; salutation to you, the giver of boons, worthy of

being solicited and possessed of sacred character by association with Hara.

271-72. O goddess – devoid of impurities and grief, having holy and cool

water, with the banks approached by the frolicsome wives of the gods, embraced

by the twice-born and the gods – afraid of whom you are running away, those

very men – devoid of all sins and shining with great lustre – surround you.

273. O goddess, just as a thing burnt in the fire gets purity, so is the

purity (obtained) from your sight. All sins become purified in the same way. O

great goddess, be favourable!

274. O great river, you have been requested for the purification of the

sinners, so purify the sins. O swiftly going one, do not go out of sight.”

275. Gratified thus with devotion of the high-minded Kasyapa, the goddess

spoke to Kasyapa who was speaking in that way.

276-78. “I do not dare purify those who are associated with too much of sin.

For this implore Laksmi, the beloved of the bowholder (i.e. Visnu). She is

capable of purifying even the three worlds. Aditi, Diti, the great river Ganga

and all other rivers do not bear any comparison to her. Request today only

Laksmi – the beloved of Kesava.”

280-81. Govinda said to Laksmi. “O goddess go, do not be late.” Addressed thus

by Kesava, Laksmi – filled with grief – spoke this sentence: “O Lord, Sati has

already gone there. She will, verily, take away the credit of me who shall go

afterwards.

282. Knowing her full of grief, Kasyapa spoke again. You are the supreme power

appearing in various forms.

283-84. O goddess, daughter of the sea, devoid of dust, holy, abode of

auspiciousness, it is you who are Kasmira, it is you who are glorified as Uma,

it is you who, O goddess, are living in the forms of all goddesses.

285. The water of the Vitasta, mixed with your water, may be such as is the

honey mixed with nectar. Bathed in your water, even the sinners become free at

once and are purified.”

286-87. Lauded by Kasyapa, she became devoid of grief. The giver of boons,

(she) thought, “I must act according to the words of my lord and of the sage.

Certainly, there is no use of my thinking. Having assumed the form of a river

she went quickly. Kasmira spoke:

288-89. “Go soon before Sati reaches here to wait for you. O beautiful one,

purify (this) country with water before she purifies it first. You will get a

good name.” Having heard her words she became griefless.

290. That river, therefore is always called Visoka (Griefless) by the people.

Kasmira, whose speed is like that of the mind, also told (everything) to the

goddess Sati.

291. Having listened to the activities of Laksmi, Sati, who had heard all the

details, became pleased and stood waiting in the way near the hermitage of

Dhaumya.

292. Visoka, too, afterwards, came through the hole of Akhu as it was vacant

and saw Vitasta who was standing in front.

293. O chief of the kings, Visoka – freed of all jealousy on seeing Vitasta –

joined her. Then Vitasta, who had reached there first, appropriated her name.

294-96. O lord, then angry Visoka cursed Kasmira, “O wicked one, as I have

been absorbed by you today by means of falsehood and you have informed Sati

about my activities, so your people will be mostly liars, possessed of

impurities, hired servants and dishonoured in the worlds.

297. As regards taking away of my prestige by Sati, there is no humiliation to

me as the goddess Sati, O Kasmira, undoubtedly is the same as I.

298. Then the best among the rivers, namely Sati accompanied by Laksmi, went

slowly through the way made with the plough, purifying the people.

299. Aditi, the mother of the gods celebrated as Trikoti, joined the goddess

Vitasta.

300. O king, then (joined) Saci, the wife of Indra, named as river Harsapatha,

and Diti, the mother of Daityas, Candravati by name.

301. Receiving good rivers in this way, the goddess became united with the

Ganga and the Sindhu.

302. The water of Vitasta mixed with that of Sindhu is like milk mixed with

nectar, beauty associated with elegance and knowledge associated with good

nature.

303-4. 0 king, she became there such as is bravery associated with humility,

piety associated with wealth, clay of high quality refined through

purification, Kama associated with mind, gem associated with gold, life

associated with health, and profit associated with honour.

305-6. Bound by affection, Tapana’s daughter – the goddess Ganga – due to the

great respect and devotion for the sage, augmented with her own part the

Vitasta, the best of the rivers, the destroyer of all sins. The Sindhu should

be regarded as the Ganga and the Vitasta as the Yamuna.

307. The place, where there is the confluence of these two, should be regarded

as equal to Prayaga. Appropriating the water of the Ganga, the Yamuna said to

the Ganga:

308. “O possessed of beautiful colour, at Prayaga my name is appropriated by

you and in Kasmira your name has been appropriated by me.”

309. Then the Ganga said to her, “O beautiful one, I must again appropriate

your name when I am designated as Sindhu.”

310. Having come to know this fact, Sati – the river going in the company of

the Sindhu – divided itself and did not go beyond the Himalaya, through the

way made with the plough.

311-13. The sage Kasyapa again spoke to her possessed of great fortune: “O

beautiful one, you must necessarily go by the way made with the plough,

otherwise the whole country will be turned into a lake.” Persuaded again and

again by Kasyapa, that excellent river went in anger through the way made with

plough. So, though clear, she is seen as a dirty one at that place.

314. Kasyapa said: “Assuming the form of a river called Vitasta, O goddess,

the daughter of the mountain, you are not a river (but) an ascetic lady, wife

of Sarva, even higher than Sarva.

315. May there be happiness for you. You are the daughter of the mountain and

on account of (being born) from his body are (called) the mountain-river. O

wife of Rudra, you are borne by Sambhu and being requested, you flow (in the

form of a river).

316. Those great sinners also who having offered their bodies to you are gone

to heaven are pleased to see their bodies carried away by (your) waves.

317. They are surprised to see their bodies (and say), ‘We are in heaven, and

being in the water, are still sporting in (the river which is a form of) Uma.

318. O goddess, the fire of hell for the human beings is pacified with your

cool outpourings called waves, born of water-drops and sent forth by the wind.

319. O goddess, born of the mountain, you pacify the fire of three times seven

hells for the human beings by means of your waves shining with earthen lamps.

320. Those persons who will take bath in your holy water, shall go to

Brahmaloka, even if they have committed Great Sins.

321. Those who bathe even once in your waters, do not see, even in dream, the

dreadful tortures of Yama induced by the contraction of his eye-brows.

322. The sages know that for a Brahmana always performing (his) duties, a bath

in you is the giver of salvation and a bath in the Ganga is the giver of

heaven.

323. Purifier of even the three worlds, you are possessed of great influence.

O goddess, you are Uma, the mother of all gods and not a river.

324. O goddess,(you are) the solidity of gods, the goddess Bharati of gods. O

river, you are always the satisfaction of all beings on the earth.

325. O goddess, do favour upon me. Engaged in the welfare of this country, go

further from this abode with an unannoyed mind.

326. You are half of the body of Hara. You are the wife of the God and not a

stream who while running to meet Sindhu have been requested by me.

327. Sankara alone is your lord and the ocean is not different from Him. Go

quickly to your lord Siva by meeting the ocean.

328. Having heard thus, the goddess again remembered her own saying and

becoming eager, made up her mind to go to him.

329. Then, the stream bearing resemblance to a hill of water, went forth with

great force, doing as it were the parting of Himalaya’s hair.

330 O king, then she joined the goddess Krishna and hundreds and thousands of

other nice rivers.

331. Passing through the middle of Svairajakas and a part of Matras, and

crossing Bhogaprastha, it joined the Ganga.

332. Verily this sin-destroying Vitasta – the best of the rivers – appeared on

the earth in the company of Laksmi, due to the instruction of Kasyapa.

333. O king, (there appeared) also Aditi, Diti, Saci, the excellent river

Ganga and the daughter of the Sun, i.e. Yamuna.

334-35. Living thus in Kasmira the four aeons passed After the completion of

those four aeons, at the end of the month of Asvayuj, the human beings went

out after having made collections of rice etc.

336 An old good Brahmana named Candradeva – descendant of Kasyapa – did not go

out due to despondency and due to being ordained by future events.

337-38. He was not killed due to the fear of Nikumbha and also for the sake of

sport. The Pisacas, then, played with that Brahmana as the little boys (play)

with a bird tied to a string. Agitated by the Pisacas, he obtained complete

indifference (to worldly objects).

339. Oppressed by the Pisacas and with cold and snow, that old good Brahmana

roamed with a perplexed mind and while roaming, he reached (that place) where

(lived) that king of the Nagas.

340. At the place where Ananta had formerly fixed his plough, there (existed)

since olden times, the highly exalted abode of Nila.

341-42. At that very time, the mighty Nila, the lord of the Nagas, seated on a

nice couch under Dhanada, the best of the mountains, was being served by the

high-souled Pisaca Nikumbha and highly powerful and dreadful Nagas.

343. The Nagas and the Naga-maidens who had made their abodes in Kasmira,

waited in large numbers upon that Naga-king.

344. Some of the Nagas were praising the king, the others were fanning (him),

while others, again, were waiting upon him, the pious one seated on an

excellent couch.

345-50. Seeing in their midst, Nila, resembling a mass of black antimony,

shining forth with his ear-rings and the diadem of sun-like colour, adorned

with one garment shining like the lightening, and the China-silk resembling

the rays of the moon, shining due to a variegated canopy decorated all around

with rows of little bells and due to seven hundred terrible snake-hoods

radiant with jewels and surrounded by garlands of effulgence spread forth by

gems of the lamps studded with gems, Candradeva thought “This must be Nila.”

Due to the favour of that mighty lord of the serpents, that twice-born

approached the Naga, did obeisance, touches, the earth with his knees and then

pronounced the hymn of praise.

351-52. Candradeva said: “Salutation to you, O Nila, sovereign-king of the

Nagas, possessed of lustre like that of the blue lotus, resembling a mass of

blue clouds, having abode in dark blue waters, you shine, O Naga, with seven

hundred hoods, You blaze forth like the seven-horsed sun, with rays.

353. O Nila of dark blue complexion, O lord of the gods, O king of the Nagas,

you – chief of the hooded ones, sitting in the sky and called immortal – are

seen, as it were, through meditation, by your own gods who are wise and who

have subdued sins.

354. O Nila, enthroned like the lord of sacrifice you are propitiated with

various rites, for the attainment of salvation, by the Brahmanas who know the

meaning of the Vedas and perform proper sacrifices in worldly matters.

355. O lord of the Nagas, the chiefs of the gods recognize you as fire and as

the sun in the sky. Shining like fire, O Nila, you accomplish the deeds of

your devotees.

356. By me you have been seen as appearing for some reason, though you dwell

in all the beings. Then remember. ed, you release me from the great calamity.

Salutation to you, O lord of men, protect (this) Brahmana.

357. O Nila, shining with the multitude of water-torrents, you shimmer like

Visnu, the lord of the immortals. Being a creator of the creator, you enjoy

the company of the lord of Yama and always bow down before Vasudeva.

358. Clad in blue raiment and possessed of blue eyes, O Nila, O lord of the

Nagas, even a man of unrestrained senses who contemplates you – the lord of

the gods and all pervading like the Ether – is saved by your grace.

359. O Nila, the Vedas have sung about you – the eternal one – as the essence

of the Vedas, the object of worship in the fire, the fulfiller of the desires

of those who seek salvation and those who are ambitious (of material gain).

360. Illumined by you the Brahma is indivisible, pure and the highest. Due to

its minuteness, it is called Ether and is even with all the limbs, uncreated.

361. O Akincanya, you, too, have not been able to explain the true essence of

that highly minute (and still) great one. For being the support of all the

elements, you are the great essence of your own self and of that imperishable

one.

362. O Lord of the Naga-kings, Kadru adorned with a thousand sons shines

exceedingly by you only as Aditi by Visnu only.

363. O Lord, you alone shine so much with penance and send forth water, snow

and showers.

364. O highly pious one, Prajapati Kasyapa – the father of all beings – is

adorned exceedingly by having you as a son.

365-66. O Lord, in you there is piety, truth and forbearance. In the wars

amongst the gods and the demons, you have slain hundreds and thousands of the

demons who were (like) thorns for the gods and the Brahmanas. O mighty one,

you are the giver of the boons, worthy of attainment and slayer of the armies

of the enemies of the gods.

367. Having compassion on your devotees, you are highly devoted to Janardana,

the god of the gods. You are exceedingly dear to Him as is that Naga Vasuki.

368. O Naga, the Dhanada (“Wealth-giver”, the name of a mountain) is always

your friend as of Siva. Well-known as the lord of wealth, you give wealth to

(your) devotees.

369. You are the refuge of the Nagas as Indra is of the gods. O pious one,

know that I am full of devotion for you.

370. Nila said: “Hail to you, O best among the twice. born. O lord of the

Brahmanas, Luckily you have approached me and are to be honoured as you have

been regarded as a guest by me.

371. Happiness to you! Ask for a boon which is desired by you and is dear to

your heart. Visit my home and stay there as it may please you.”

372. Candradeva (spoke): “O best among the Naga-chiefs, you must give me a

boon. I ask for a boon and you are worthy of granting that to me.

373. O possessed of terrible prowess, let the human beings live constantly in

Kasmira. The people are always oppressed in going away and coming again.

374. Leaving their homes and cities of various sorts, the human beings… May

they live (here) with your favour. This is the boon I solicit for.

375. Nila (said): ” O best among the twice-born, it will be so. Acting upon my

instructions received by me from Kesava, the human beings may live here

constantly.”

376-77. Saying thus, Nila took the Brahmana to his home, worshipped him, fed

him properly and told him the practices (to be followed) for living in

Kasmira. The Brahmana also lived happily in the home of Nila for six months.

378. When the (full moon night) of Caitra had passed, men poured in from all

sides and there came also the king named Virodaya surrounded by many horses

and elephants.

379-80. When the human beings had entered, the young Brahmana appointed by

Nila approached king Virodaya with hoards of wealth and related to him the

whole account. The king also related the whole incident to all the people.

381. Since then, human beings acting upon the instructions of Nila lived

happily in Kasmira after constructing houses there.

382. Having constructed various sorts of houses, temples, sacred places,

villages and cities, the people lived in that dwelling-place.

383. Since then, very little snow falls in this country and the people always

obey the words of Nila.

384. Vaisampayana (said): Told thus by Brhadasva, king Gonanda, possessed of

curiosity, asked that sage again:

385. O descendant of Bhrgu, possessed of great lustre, tell me as to which

were the holy practices which Nila, formerly, pronounced to Candradeva?

386. Brhadasva (said): O king, listen attentively to that which the Naga –

seated on a couch – told the Brahmana seated on a silver stool.

387. Nila (said): “Having bowed before Hrsikesa Hari the preceptor of

Parasara, I shall relate to you the practice (to be followed) for living in

Kasmira.

388. O son of Kasyapa, on Asvayuji there comes Nikumbha, after killing in

battle, many Pisacas gone to the sea of sand.

389. The full moon night should be celebrated for his worship. Know that from

me.

390. The houses should be white-washed and worshipped. Men, especially the

children, must take bath and anoint themselves.

391. Men should not eat anything on that day. Food should be given only to the

children and the sick.

392-93. The houses should be worshipped with heaps of leaves along with

fruits. Having kindled fire after the rise of the moon, one should worship

Rudra, moon, Uma, Skanda, two Nasatyas and Nandi, each one separately with

water of honour (argha), garlands and eatable offerings.

394. Then Nikumbha should be worshipped with Krsara (rice mixed with pulse).

Men possessed of horses should worship Revanta, the son of Aditya.

395. Persons possessing cows should worship Surabhi and those who have got

goats should worship fire.

396. Shepherds should worship the god (Varuna), the lord of waters, and those

who own elephants should worship the lord of the Ganas.

397. Having performed sacrifice in the fire and having worshipped the best

Brahmanas, one should worship one’s own self and eat vegetarian food in the

company of friends, servants, wife, children etc.

398. That night should be passed by men in the vicinity of fire, amidst all

sorts of vocal and instrumental music mingled with the sound of conches.

399-400. 0 king, (that night) should be passed with good dramatic

performances. Then, early in the morning, the persons – well anointed and well

adorned – should perform fire-worship and the ceremony of touching auspicious

things.

401. One should feast in the company of friends and should play to one’s

contents. One should sleep that night, and afterwards, on the next one.

402-6. People – with all parts of their bodies smeared with mud; besmearing

their friends here and there with mud; speaking, for the sake of love, various

beautiful utterances concerning persons having sexual intercourse and the

women fit for cohabitation, instigating sex-instinct; saying indecent words

and crying aloud – should play. On that day, in the morning, the Pisacas of

dreadful sight – the followers of Nikumbha – enter all the human beings. In

the evening, they leave the body of one who does so and is bathed and enter

that of another, cursing him, who does not do so. Then the bathed persons

should worship Kesava.

407-8. With their bodies anointed and well-adorned, they should worship the

Brahmanas and feast themselves in the company of friends, servants, wives and

children. Since then, the human beings, especially the Brahmanas, should keep

the fire kindled in their houses, at night, for a period of six months.

409-10. A lamp should be placed outside the home, at night, for one month.

Till the full-moon night of Karttika, this Kaumudi – the giver of bliss –

should be celebrated. Then after the passing away of that fortnight, there

should be the celebration of “Sleep with happiness” (Sukha Suptika).

411. 0 Brahmana, listen to me who am saying as to how is that to-be celebrated

on the fifteenth. None except the sick and the children should take meals on

that day.

412-13. After sun-set, one should worship Laksmi and then lamp-trees should be

placed in the temples of the gods, crossings of the roads, cremation grounds,

rivers, hills, houses, bases of trees, cow-pens, court-yards and shops.

414-15. O twice-born, all the shops should be decorated with clothes. After

that, in the place surrounded by rows of earthen lamps, O lord of the

twice-born, a person, well adorned and dressed in new, should eat in the

company of friends, relatives, the Brahmanas and servants.

416. Next day, the persons – well anointed and well decorated should gamble

and listen to vocal and instrumental music.

417. They should also feast in the company of the persons mentioned above. For

him who wins in that gambling, the year is auspicious.

418-19. During that night, the place where the beds are placed, should be

well-decorated with perfumes, clothes, incense and jewels. It should also be

surrounded by lines of lamps and perfumed with incense. That night should be

spent by them in the company of wives.

420. 0 Candradeva, the friends, the relatives made by marriage and the

maternal relatives should be honoured with new clothes and so also the

Brahmanas and the servants in the proper manner.

421. On the eleventh night of the bright half of the month, the man observing

fast should wake up God Hari with songs and dances.

422-23. In the month of Asadha, Kesava’s statue, sleeping on the couch in the

form of Sesa, should be made of stone, clay, gold, wood, copper, brass, silver

or He may be painted in a picture. His feet should be shown in the lap of

Laksmi.

424. 0 excellent sage, know from me the way in which that (deity) is to be

awakened at the end of the bright half of Karttika.

425-27. During the night of the eleventh, vigil should be observed with songs,

dances, instrumental music, Brahmaghosa, the sounds of Vina and Pataha,

recitation of the Puranas, hearing of the Puranic stories, singing of

devotional hymns, presentation of dramatic performances, charities, earth

decorations, offerings of flowers and incenses, various sorts of eatable

offerings, trees of lamps, and various sorts of fire-worships.

428-431. Having worshipped the image at night, with eatables like cakes,

vegetables, rice boiled in milk, fruits, preparations of sugar-cane, honey,

grapes, pomegranate, holy basil, and salt; with brush, red thread, red and

white sandalwood, Alaktaka paint, seeds and fragrant saffron, the wise should

wash the auspicious image after taking bath in the holy water of a river.

432-34. That awakened image made of the above-mentioned materials – if the

figure be painted in a picture – … should be carried on an altar and the

wise should bathe that (image) placed on the seat, in the proper manner, in

accordance with the rules of the Pancaratra and according to one’s means

firstly with clarified butter, oil, honey; then with curd and milk, and then

with the five preparations of cow’s milk.

435-39. Thereafter, should be applied to the image, the unguents, namely the

ground seeds of Phaseolus Radiatus (masacurnam), the ground seeds of Ipomoea

Turpethum (masuracurnam), (ground) fruits of Emblic Myrobalan (amalakani),

Symplocos Recemosa (rodhram), Curcuma xanthorrhiza (kaleyakam), powder of

Tabernaemontana coronaria (tagaram), the pericarp of a lotus (karnakam), the

white mustard (siddharthakam), Pamcum Italicum (priyangu), fruits of citron

(bijapurakam), all the medicinal herbs, all scents, all seeds, gold,

auspicious things as far as these may be available, jewels, Kusa grass, water,

clay dug out by means of elephant’s tooth and bull’s horn from the bank of a

river, cow-pen, ant hill, confluence (of rivers), water-tank, the place of

Indra (king), the lake, and the peak of the mountain. Having given bath to the

king of the gods with all these, one should give the auspicious yellow pigment

called gorocana.

440. Then should be given, as far as the means may allow, pitchers made of

gold, well decorated and full of the leaves of Jati flowers and fruits.

441-42. Having bathed Govinda amidst announcements of good day, recitation of

Veda, tunes of Vina and Venu, the sounds of Sutas, Magadhas and Vandis, that

well anointed, well decorated and well-dressed (Govinda) should be worshipped

with Jati flowers along with buds.

443. Incense should be given along with pollen of flowers and beautiful

earthen lamp. Then the god should be worshipped with rice boiled in milk.

444-45. Then the Bhagavatas should be honoured with gifts of grains and

jewels. Thereafter should be performed fire-sacrifice and after that should be

worshipped the Brahmanas, according to one’s means, with clothes, ornaments,

jewels, cows, horses, elephants and cash-money. One should take meals

afterwards.

446. On the thirteenth should be honoured, as the means may allow, the persons

whose means of livelihood is stage i.e. wrestlers, panegyrists etc.

447. On the fourteenth, either nothing should be taken or milk only may be

taken and on the fifteenth should be worshipped Janardana, the god of the

gods.

448-51. On Paurnamasi, nothing should be eaten during the day time. After the

rising of the moon, Krttikas, Karttikeya, Khadga and Varuna along with

Hutasana should be worshipped with garlands, scents, incenses, eatables of

various kinds like the rice boiled in milk, vegetables, preparations of

sugarcane, half ripe barley, cakes of sugar covered with seeds, beautiful

trees of lamps and worship of the twice-born.

452-53. After performing worship thus, one should put the earthen lamp, which

was placed at the outer side of the house for a month, in a basket and taking

in the vicinity of water, make that flow along with some eatables. The bottom

of the lamp should be painted with sandalwood.

454. Having made a fish of sand, one should fill it with milk, provide it with

eyes of jewels, and then give it to a Brahmana.

455-56. Then a nice white bull – clothed, endowed with all scents and bearing

all sorts of grains should be given to a twice-born according to one’s means.

He waits (for the donor) in the Kantara i.e. the path of the god of Death. By

means of that (bull) the wise men, verily, cross the way of the god of Death.

457. The givers of the bull enjoy themselves in the heaven, for as many years

as there are hair on the body of the bull.

458. After worshipping Visnu with red garlands, one should take milk etc. and

then go to sleep.

459-60. Thus, the Awakening of the God should be observed for five days. The

wise men should sleep on bare earth for five days and take bath daily in the

cool water of the river.

461. The god Hari, the Brahmanas and the Fire should be worshipped. O

descendant of Kasyapa, the eating of meat should be avoided even with great

effort.

462. The meat-eaters, namely, the Danavas, the Yaksas, the Daityas, and the

Pisacas along with the Raksasas avoid meat for these five days.

463. Having worshipped thus the lord of the gods, possessed of (the

fulfillment of) all desires, one, having reached the end of life, is honoured

in the world of Visnu.

464. It is in accordance with one’s means that all this, may be even little,

should be performed. One gets (by this) the whole merit. Dishonesty in

money-matters should be avoided.

465-66. Formerly, Kasmira was constructed by the high- souled Kasyapa, on the

first day after the passing away of the (full-moon day of) Karttika, so a

festival should be celebrated there on that day by all human beings –

well-fed, well anointed, possessed of happy minds and surrounded by good

people.

467. Vocal and instrumental music should be listened to and auspicious things

should be resorted to. New clothes should be worn, and those who are given to

drinking should drink.

468. The sun along with his ganas is pleased with him.

469. The same procedure should be followed on the seventh of Magha and also on

the seventh of Asadha, by those who desire victory and renown.

470. 0 best among the twice-borns, this triad of the seventh days is

compulsory. By following this procedure on all the seventh days, one is

honoured in the world of the sun.

471-74. On the full-moon night of Margasirsa, one should take meals at night (

only), and worship the moon with white garland etc., grains, other types of

food, gifts of lamps, fruits, gifts of salt, fire-worships, worship of the

Brahmanas and worship of women (whose husbands and sons are alive). A pair of

red clothes should be given to a Brahmana woman whose husband and sons are

alive and also to a sister, father’s sister and the wife of a friend. O best

among the twice-born, this full-moon night should certainly be celebrated by

the wise.

475-76 Others may be celebrated as the means allow or even may not be

celebrated. By this, women get beautiful form and great prosperity. So the

full-moon nights should be specially observed by women.

477. On the day on which falls the first snow, should be worshipped, O

Brahmana, the Himalaya and the two seasons Hemanta and Sisira.

478 My worship should be performed and also that of the local Naga. Fruits and

leaves growing on the Meru should be offered to the mountain.

479. Baka flowers (Grandiflora) should be offered and also the auspicious

incense made of bdellium. O best among the twice-born, oblations of half ripe

barley should also be made.

480. Food-preparations of half-ripe barley along with purified butter should

be given to the Brahmanas, and a festival full of songs and dances should be

celebrated.

481. On snow-fall, new wine should be drunk by those who are given to

drinking. Special meals should be taken according to one’s desire.

482. The goddess Syama should be worshipped with flowers, incense, paints,

grains, food-preparations, fruits and roots by those who are well-anointed and

well-decorated.

483-84. Clad in heavy cloaks and clothes, seated on the snow along with

friends, servants, children and relatives, they should eat special food,

listen to vocal and instrumental music, see dances of harlots and honour the

ladies.

485-86. Sraddha should be performed with vegetables on the 8th of the

dark-half of Pausa, with meat on the 8th of the dark-half of Magha, and with

cakes of flour on the 8th of the bright-half of Phalguna, in the proper way,

by a person intently devoted. On the 9th days of those very (months and

fortnights) should be performed Sraddhas for women.

487-88. After performing Sraddha one should pass the night, with effort, in

celibacy. When the full-moon night of the Pausa be associated with Pusya, then

a person, besmeared with the powder of white mustards, should anoint his body

with purified butter.

489-92. Then shining greatly after taking bath from vessels full of all

medicines, he should worship Narayana, Sakra, Soma, Pusya, Brhaspati, each one

separately with water of honour, garlands, eatable offerings etc. Then, O

twice-born, after performing sacrifice with Mantras belonging to the

above-mentioned gods, he should worship the Brahmanas with wealth, and after

touching auspicious things, he should eat preparation of purified butter and

milk. A new silken cloth should be given to the officiating priest knowing

(future) time.

493. Doing thus, a man obtains prosperity from the point of view of wealth and

grains. So the bath of such type which destroys sins, should be performed.

494. When there is Uttarayana, one should bathe Madhusudana according to one’s

means. The devotee of Hara (should bathe) the god Hara.

495-96. After anointing the stone-images with purified butter, one should make

similar images of purified butter. These images should be worshipped with

purified butter, conscientiously, by the wise for a period of three months.

497. Fuel should be given to the Brahmanas and grass for the cows to the

twice-borns, according to one’s means.

498. One who does so, conquers well his enemies and obtains beauty born of the

lustre of the fire of the body and also good resort (after death).

499-500. On the 12th of the dark half after the passing away of the full-moon

night of Pausa, one, observing fast and bathed, should offer sesame and water.

Having prepared the offering of sesame and having performed sacrifice with

sesame, one should give sesame to the Brahmanas for the removal of all sins.

501-503. After that on the 14th of the dark-half of the month, one should take

bath, before sun-rise, in the cool water of the Vitasta or the Visoka or the

Candravati or the Harsapatha or the Trikoti or the Sindhu or the holy

Kanakavahini or any other holy river or the water-reservoirs and the lakes.

504. Seven kand-fulls of water should be offered in the name of Yama, one for

each name. Listen from me those names:

505. To Yama, to Dharmaraja, to Mrtyu, to Antaka, to Vaivasvata, to Kala and

to Destroyer of all life.

506. Having taken bath, one should worship Dharmaraja with flowers, incenses,

scents and a great quantity of rice mixed with pulses.

507. Fire-worship should be performed with sesame mixed with clarified butter,

and the Brahmanas should be fed with rice mixed with pulses, and should be

given the sacrificial fee.

508-9. O best among the twice-borns, by doing so a man is purified and freed

from all sins if he be not associated with Great Sins. How can there be

salvation for the performer of Great Sins, without performing atonements?

510. Bath etc. everything is considered to be imperishable therein, if the

fifteenth (of the dark half of Pausa) be joined with Sravana.

511-14. On the 4th of the bright half of the month of Magha, one desiring

prosperity should worship Uma with lamps, grains, garlands, incenses, ginger,

coarse sugar, Kusumbha flower, salt, saffron, collyrium, comb and Kunda

flowers brought even with great effort. O descendant of Kasyapa, the women,

who are devoted to their husbands and whose husbands are alive, and also the

sisters etc. should be worshipped there. Same should be done in the month of

Asvayuj and same in the month of Jyestha.

515. A man possessed of devotion should celebrate all 4th days, but this triad

of fourth days (should be celebrated) certainly. O Brahmana, the women should

especially celebrate these (days).

516. On the full-moon night of Magha, a man should perform Sraddha with sesame

and give enough food consisting of pious offerings to the crows.

517. After the passing away of the eighth of the month of Magha, there should

be celebrated for three days, a small festival. Know the procedure of that

from me.

518-19. In the twenty fourth Treta, Hari shall assume the form of a human

being, Raghunandana Rama, son of Dasaratha. Thence forward should be

celebrated a small festival and after that (small one) a great one.

520. Caru (grain boiled in milk or butter or water) of all grains should be

prepared with effort. The Brahmanas, the relatives made by marriage and the

maternal relatives should be worshipped with that (caru) and cakes of flour.

521-22. The goddess Sita – wife of Rama – should be worshipped with effort. On

the 9th should be fed the Brahmanas with eatables made of flour mixed with

honey, as the means may allow. Karisini should be worshipped.

523. On the tenth should be prepared rice of various types and with that

should be worshipped the Brahmanas, the friends and the followers.

524. One should honour one’s own self and listen to vocal and instrumental

music. Ceremonies of touching auspicious things should be performed, verily,

for three days.

525-26. O twice-born, if that twelfth (day) be associated with Sravana, then

the wise observing last should worship the god Hari and do all performances

with sesame as said before. O giver of honour, everything done in that becomes

imperishable.

527. On the dark fourteenth after the passing-away of that (twelfth), one

observing fast, should take bath and worship Mahesvara.

528. The wise should bathe the Linga with its woolen covering put aside, with

the method followed in the Awakening of God and with materials mentioned

above.

529-30. Having worshipped (the Linga) with scents, garlands, red clothes,

ointments, eatable offerings of various types and pleasing of Fire and the

Brahmanas, devotion with vigil at night should be observed. Siva Dharmas and

(the stories about) the incarnations of Siva should be listened to.

531-33. In the eatable offerings for Sankara, animals should be made of flour.

He should be worshipped on the fifteenth also. O best among the twice-borns,

there too, meals consisting of half ripe barley and cakes of sugar covered

with sesames should be taken. The God must be necessarily worshipped on the

14th of the dark half of that month. In other months, He may or may not be

worshipped according to one’s desire. Having worshipped Him, one is

established in Rudraloka and obtains mastery over the Ganas.

534. O best among the twice-borns, listen to me who am saying as to how the

festival in the bright half of the month of Phalguna should be celebrated.

535. Observing fast, the persons – bathed and adorned – should place earthen

lamps on the snow at the time of night-fall.

536-37. After that, the gods and the Fathers should be fed. Next day, the

houses and especially the temples should be worshipped with beautiful garlands

of grains. Then should be worshipped Sita with scents, garlands etc.

538. After that, special meals should be taken, and then should be celebrated

the festival, full of songs and dances.

539. Except the cooked food which is to be given daily, nothing should be

given on that day. Anything received should be got hold of with great effort.

540. Next day, one should decorate oneself, touch auspicious things and

celebrate a special festival.

541. On that day, gifts should be given to and accepted from the twice-borns,

dependents, craftsmen and relatives.

542. Those who are addicted to drinking should drink wine and the Brahmanas

should take auspicious drinks. The bed chamber should be perfumed with the

perfume of incense.

543-44. None should be made ill-disposed on that day. Happy women – well-fed,

well-dressed, well-scented, well-anointed and decorated with ornaments –

should play in the company of men.

545. On the rising of the moon in the (full-moon) night of Phalguna, the moon

and after that Aryama also should be worshipped.

546-47. Vigil should be observed during the night by singing, dancing and

playing on instruments. On next day should be viewed the performances of the

dancers, the actors and the singers. This should continue up to the fifth of

the dark-half (of Phalguna).

548. Meals consisting mainly of a medicinal plant Parpata should be taken for

five days and decoration of the womenfolk and the self should be made.

549. O twice-born, on that very fifth day Kasmira becomes menstruating so her

worship must be performed thereafter.

550. A beautiful stone-image of Kasmira should be made and that should be

worshipped by offering unguents, clothes and eatables.

551. Decorative things like flowers, incense etc. should not be given to her

for three days. O best among the twice- born, offering of milk is also

prohibited.

552. The worship should be performed by women, by no means by men. The goddess

should be bathed by women on the 8th of the dark half of that month.

Afterwards, she should be bathed by the twice-borns, from pitchers full of all

medicines.

553-554. Having bathed that goddess with scents, seeds, jewels and fruits

successively, they should worship her with scents, garlands, clothes,

ornaments, food and special preparations of cow’s milk.

556-56. Sacrifice for the gods should be performed with eatables of triangular

shape made of ground Phaseolus Mungo (mudga), husked rice and unhusked rice

and these should be given to the relatives also. Fire-worship should be

performed and so also the worship of the Brahmanas.

557. The women – well-bathed, well-scented, well-fed and well-dressed – should

be pleased on that day.

558. O twice-born, food should be sent to the friend’s house, and music of

Tantri-instrument should be listened to at ease by the well-fed (persons).

559. O best among the twice-borns, Kasmira – bathed after menstruation –

becomes pregnant since then, so cultivation should be started after that.

560-63. Having made the field ready on a day told by the astrologer, one,

surrounded by the friends, should worship the goddess Earth, a pair of bulls,

cow, horse, Baladeva, Mahadeva, Vamadeva, the Sun, the Moon, the lord of

medicines, Parjanya, Indra, Pracetas, Rama, Laksmana, Sita, Sesa – the bearer

of the earth, Brahma, Kasyapa, Fire, Wind, Sky, each one separately with

garlands, scents, incenses and eatable offerings.

564. Fire-worship should be performed, and after that the worship of the

Brahmanas (should be performed). Then sacrificial fee should be given to the

Brahmanas, according to one’s means.

565. Thereafter, a man – well-anointed, well-decorated, well-fed and possessed

of auspicious features should sow the seed.

566. The seed, drenched in water rendered holy with gold, should be sown with

gold amidst high sounds of musical instruments, and Brahmanas on a holy day.

567-68. At first one should plough the auspicious earth which is already

inclined (to receive the seed). O twice-born, well-decorated one should eat,

in the centre of the field, in the company of friends, wife and dependents. A

festival full of singing and dancing should be celebrated with heart-

enchanting sounds of musical instruments.

569. O twice-born, it is stated that on the eleventh day following (the

full-moon night) of Phalguna, the women should worship the god Candra.

570. Men should never worship him. Due to a boon given by Brahma, he is to

receive worship from the women.

571. (He should be worshipped) with the flesh of water-born animals, various

types of eatables, garlands, incenses and fragrant saffron.

572-73. After such worship, the wise should worship him on the twelfth. O

twice-born, after being sent out of one’s house through the door, he should be

brought in through the ventilator. Then he should be placed at one’s will.

574. O best among the twice-born, on the fourteenth of that (fortnight).

Sankara should be worshipped and a great festival should be celebrated at

night.

575. O Brahmana, highly strong and pious-minded Nikumbha, along with his

followers, worships Sankara on that fourteenth.

576. Vigil should be observed during that night and the worship of Sambhu –

the god of gods – should be performed with effort.

577. Nikumbha – the lord of the Pisacas – should also be worshipped and the

well-prepared oblations should be offered to the Pisacas.

578-80. (Offerings) mixed with cakes of meat and other non-vegetarian food,

fish, meat etc. should be placed under the trees, in cow-pens, in various

types of houses, on road- crossings, in streets, court-yards, rivers,

prominent vacant houses, on tops of mountains, in palaces, burning-grounds and

on roads. O descendant of Kasyapa, children should be protected during that

night, in every house.

581. Sportive men should pass that night in the company of courtesans, with

the observance of the vow of celibacy and with singing, dancing and

heart-enchanting musical instruments.

582. Then on the last dark fifteenth of the year, one should perform Sraddha

and offer food to the dogs, at one’s desire.

583-84. O descendant of Kasyapa, on the first day in the beginning of the

blight half of Caitra, the worship of Brahma must be performed by the wise

with various sorts of flowers, scents, clothes, ornaments, incenses,

fire-worships and pleasing of the Brahmanas.

585. On that very day, Mahasanti ceremony should be performed by the rich, for

the obtainment and preservation of wealth.

586. O descendent of Kasyapa, on that very day should be worshipped Time, as

formerly, the reckoning of time was started on that day.

587. On that very day, verily, Brahma created this world at sun-rise. O best

among the twice-borns, we have heard thus.

588. The gods Brahma Visnu and Mahesvara should be worshipped. Rites for

propitiating planets and constellations should be performed in accordance with

the instructions of an astrologer.

589. O giver of honour, all the planets, and all the stars should be

worshipped, and also the year and all other parts of Time.

590. Kala and Kalpa both are to be worshipped and so also fourteen Manus who

had been in the past and shall be in future. Listen to their names from me.

591-92. First of all (comes) Svayambhuva Manu, then (come) Svarocisa Manu,

Uttama, Tamasa, Raivata, Caksusa, Vaivasvata, Arkasavarni, Brahmasavarni,

Bhadresa, Daksasavarni, Raucya and Bhautya.

593-95. O Brahman, fourteen lords Or the gods namely Vihabhuk, Vipascit,

Sucitti, Nidhi, Vibhu, Manojava, Tejasvi, Vadi, Adbhuta, Santi, Vrsa – the

excellent god, Rtudhama – the lord of the gods, Suci and Sukla are to be

worshipped.

O best among the twice-born, the worship of Yugas (Ages) also should be

performed.

596-97. Five Samvatsaras, two Ayanas, six seasons and twelve months should be

worshipped. Two fort-nights and fifteen dates should also be worshipped.

Caranas, Muhurtas and Rasis should be worshipped separately.

598-600. Marici, Atri, Angira, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Bhrgu, Sanatkumara,

Sanaka, Sanandana, Dharma, Vasistha, Satya, Kama, Artha, Hutasana, Vasus,

Rudras, the guardians of the worlds who live on the Lokaloka mountain, and the

guardians of the quarters namely, Sudhama, Sankhapada, Ketuman and Hiranyaroma

should also be worshipped.

601-605. O best of the Brahmanas, Sakra etc. (should be worshipped) and so

also the daughters of Daksa, namely, Sati, Khyati, Smrti, Svaha, Anasuya,

Svadha, Priti, Ksama, Sambhuti, Sannati, Arundhati, Kirti, Laksmi, Dhrti,

Medha, Tusti, Sraddha, Kriya, Mati, Buddhi, Lajja, Vasu, Santi, Pusti, Siddhi,

Rati, Arundhati Vasudhasi, Lamba, Bhanu, Marutvati, Samkalpa, Muhurta, Sadhya,

Visva, Aditi, Diti, Kala, Danayu, Simhika, Muni, Kadru, Krodha, Ira, Pava

Vinata, Surabhi, Khasa, Bhrsasva, Suprabha and Jaya.

606. Bahuputra and his two wives should be worshipped. Aristanemi accompanied

by his four wives should be worshipped.

607. Rddhi, Vrddhi, Nidra, Dhanesa and Nadakubara (should be worshipped). The

treasures Sankha and Padma should be worshipped and so also Bhadrakali and

Sarasvati.

608. Vellas, Upavedas, Vedangas, all the abodes of knowledge, Nagas, Yaksas,

Pisacas, Garuda and Aruna (should be worshipped).

609. Of the continents, namely, Jambu, Saka, Kusa, Kraunca, Salmali, Gomeda

and Puskara each should be worshipped separately.

610. (The seas) of salty water, milk, butter, curd, wine, sugarcane-juice and

tasty water (should be worshipped).

611-12a. Holy Uttara Kurus, Ramya, Hairanvata, Bhadrasva, Ketumala, Ilavrta.

Harivarsa, Kimpurusa and Bharatavarsa (should be worshipped).

612b-15. Nine divisions of Bharata, namely, Indradyumna, Kaseruman, Tamravarna

Gabhastiman, Nagadvipa, Saumya, Gandharva, Varuna and this Manavadvipa

surrounded by the seas should also be worshipped. Four oceans should be

worshipped and so also the seven Nether worlds, namely, Rukmadbhauma,

Silabhauma, Nilamrttika, Raktabhauma, Pitabhauma, Sveta and Krsnaksiti.

616-17. O best among the twice-borns, Kalagniruda, Sesa, Varaha, Hari and the

worlds, namely, Bhuh, Bhuvah, Svar, Mahah, Janah, Tapas and Satya should be

worshipped. One should worship the Earth, the Water the Fire, the Air, and the

Ether.

618-620. (One should worship) the Mind, the Intelligence the Soul and the

unmanifested Purusa. (One should worship) Himavant, Hemakuta, Nisadha, the

mountain Nila, Sveta, Srngavan, Meru, Malyavan and Gandhamadana.

The chief mountain named Manasottara should be worshipped and so also

Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Suktiman, Rksavan, Vindhya, Pariyatra and Kailasa –

the best of the mountains.

621-622. O giver of honour! (one should worship) the seven rivers (namely),

Bhagirathi, Pavani, Hladini, Hradini, Sita, Vanksu and Sindhu. (One should

worship) Suprabha, Kancanaksi, Visala, Manasahrada, Sarasvati, Oghananda and

Sumeru having unsullied water.

623-624. (One should worship) sacred places such Puskara, and rivers such as

the Vitasta and others. (One should worship) Saci, Vanaspati, Gauri, Dhumrorna

of beautiful form, Sinivali, Kuhu, Raka and auspicious Anumati. (One should

worship) Ayati, Niyati, Prajna, Mati, Vela and Dharini.

625. (One should worship) the two gods, namely, Dhata and Vidhata, and also

the seven metres. (One should worship) Airavana, Surabhi and Uccaihsravasa.

626. (One should worship) Dhanvantari, Dhruva, and arms and weapons. (One

should worship) Kumara, Vinayaka and Vinayakas.

627. (One should worship) Sakha, Visakha, Skanda, Naigamesa, the wind-Gods and

Fever – the lord of diseases.

628. (One should worship) Valakhilya sages and Kasyapa, Agastya and Narada.

(One should) worship also the holy nymphs and the gods who drink Soma.

629. (One should worship) Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Visvedevas, Asvinas, Bhrgus,

Angiras, Sadhyas and highly strong Maruts.

630. (One should worship) the twelve suns (namely Dhata, Mitra, Aryama, Pusa,

Sakra, Amsa, Varuna, Bhaga, Tvasta, Vivasvan, Savita and Visnu).

631. Dhara, Dhruva, Bhoja, Apa, Anila, Anala, Pratyusa and Prabhasa are

proclaimed to be eight Vasus.

632-33. Angaraka, Surya, Nirrti, Ghosa, Ajaikapad, Ahirbudhnya, Dhumaketu,

Dhvaja, Vahana, Isvara, Mrtyu, Kapali and Kankana, these eleven Rudras should

be known as the lords of three worlds.

634. Kratu, Daksa, Vasu, Satya, Kala, Kama, Dhvani, Kuru, Vak and Danuja,

those ten shining ones are called Visve (devas).

635-36. O best among the speakers, Nasatya and Dasra should be known as

Asvinas.

Bhuvana, Bhanava, Sujanya, Sujana, Tyaja, Suva, Murdha, Daksa, Vaya, Bandhuka,

Prasava and Vyaya are regarded as twelve Bhrgus.

637-38a. Atma, Ayus, Manas, Daksa, Mada, Prana, Havisman, Gavistha, Rta and

Satya these ten highly strong gods are the sons of Angira.

638b-39. Manas, Mada, Prasna, Nara, mighty Pala, Diti, Haya, Naya, Hamsa,

Narayana, Vibhu and Prabhu are pronounced as twelve Sadhyas.

640-45. These forty nine, namely, Ekajyoti, Dvijyoti, Trijyoti, Jyoti,

Ekacakra, Dvicakra, highly strong Tricakra, Rtajit, Satyajit, Susena, Senajit

Agnimitra Arimitra, Prabhumitra, Aparajita, Rta, Rtavan, Dharta, Nidharta,

Varuna, Dhruva, Vidharana, highly strong Devadeva, Idrksa, Adrksa, Ihadrk,

Amitasana, Krtina, Prasakrd, Daksa, highly glorious Samara, Dhata, Ugra,

Dhanu, Bhagma, Abhiyukta, Sadasaha, Dyuti, Vasuratha, Adrsya, Vama, Kamajaya,

Virat… are called Maruts.

646-47 Visvakarma, the originator of all crafts, should also be worshipped. O

Brahman, each of these, namely, the weapon, the conveyance, the umbrella, the

seat, the emblem and the drum, should be worshipped separately with scents,

garlands, paints, offerings of lamps, incense and the eatables.

648-49. Having performed the worship of these, one should worship specially

the planet, the Naga and the month which presides over the year, and (should

worship) also the planet of the future year, and the (presiding) day of the

month.

649-50. The wise would know the planet and the month from the mouth of the

astronomer. The month, the year and the day also should be known from the

astronomer. These should be worshipped with plenty of food and heaps of

flowers.

651. Having known the day of the Naga-year from the Phalaveda, one should

worship that (day) with solid food and other articles of diet.

652. Then, fire-sacrifice with utterances of Omkara should be performed, with

reference to all, in due order, with purified butter, unhusked barley and

sesame.

653. Sacrificial fee should be given to the Brahmanas with separate reference

to each of those (planets etc.). Then Brahmanas, the friends, the relations

connected by marriage and the kinsmen should be fed.

654. Special meals should be taken and a great festival should be celebrated.

O best among the twice-borns, Brahmana astronomers should be worshipped.

655. The best of the Brahmanas – those who are acquainted with

astronomy-astrology and those who know history – should be honoured with

cash-money, heaps of grains and clothes.

656. 0 twice-born, the reciters (of the Puranas and the Epics) desiring

sacrificial fee should also be worshipped. One should decorate one’s own self

with flowers, ornaments and perfumes.

657-59. This is called Mahasanti, the destroyer of all sins, the pacifier of

all evils, the destroyer of bad dreams of Kali, the giver of long life and

prosperity, the increaser of wealth and prosperity, the destroyer of diseases

and enemies, the cause of the advancement of the government and the country,

auspicious, holy, and the giver of happiness in both the worlds.

660. 0 best among the twice-borns, all those who have been mentioned by me

before you, go to the abode of Brahma in the beginning of the month Caitra.

661. 0 always sinless one, the assembly of Brahma assuming (different) forms

at will, bears specially a steady form, heart-enchanting and undefinable.

662. In that assembly, the above-mentioned (gods etc.) salute, serve and

praise Brahma undefinable and completely detached (from worldly fetters).

663. Visvavasu, Salisi, the two Gandharvas Haha and Huhu and others led by

Narada sing (the praises of) the preceptor of the world.

664-65. Thousands of divine damsels, specially Urvasi, Menaka, Rambha,

Mitrakesi, Alambusa, Vigvaci, Ghrtaci, Pancacula, Tilottama, Sanumati, Amala,

Vanda and others dance near the lord of the gods.

666. Then, in that assembly of all the gods, the god Brahma appoints the

planets etc. as protectors of the Human year.

667. 0 best among the twice-borns, having worshipped the sustainer of the

worlds, the gods – pleased and strengthened – go after this, to their

respective places.

668. 0 best among the twice-borns, Sri should be worshipped on the 5th of the

bright-half in the month of Caitra. That is called Sri-Pancami.

669-70. The fifth day deserves worship by all means and definitely so the one

in the month of Caitra. O best among the twice borns, he who worships Laksmi

on all the fifth days, is not separated from her throughout his life and after

death he obtains the world of Visnu.

671-72. Skanda should be worshipped there with fragrant garlands, scents,

ornaments, clothes, cock, bell, goat, toy and nice eatable offerings.

673. This 6th of Caitra is (to be celebrated) necessarily, the rest (may be

celebrated) at one’s will. All the children remain healthy in his house who

celebrates this.

674. On that very 9th, the purified man, observing fast, should worship

Bhadrakali with plenty of flowers, incense and grains.

675. Bhadrakali who rules over the gods, should be worshipped on all the 9th

days, (but) he who worships her on that (9th), obtains success in his

undertakings.

676-77. 0 best among the Brahmanas, the deity presiding over house should be

worshipped on the 11th of the bright half of the month of Caitra, with

flowers, ornaments, incense, vegetables of various sorts, incenses of various

types and worship of fire and the Brahmanas.

678. On the bright 12th of the month of Caitra, Vasudeva should be worshipped

in the proper way after observing fast.

679. Kamadeva (painted) on a cloth should be worshipped with various types of

garlands and diverse incenses, on the 13th of the bright half of Caitra.

680. One should decorate one’s own self and worship the ladies of the house. O

twice-born, this (13th day) should be necessarily celebrated, the rest may be

or may not be celebrated.

681-82. 0 descendant of Kasyapa, best among the Brahmanas, on the 12th, a

pitcher full of cold water and decorated with flowers and leaves should be

placed before Kamadeva (Cupid), and before sun-rise a husband himself should

bathe his wife with water (from that pitcher).

683. 0 best among the twice-born, on the 15th of the bright-half of the month

of Caitra, Nikumbha goes for fighting with the Pisacas in the sea of sand.

684. So, in every house, the worship of every one of those (Pisacas) should be

performed with effort, in the noon. Know the procedure from me.

685-86. Having made the (image of the) Pisaca with clay, leaves etc., one

should worship that (image) with scents, garlands, clothes, ornaments, the

eatables, namely, sweetmeats, cakes, meat, drinks, weapons of various sorts,

umbrella, shoes and stick.

687-88a. Men should offer to him, two baskets full of dried food and those

eatables which may last long. Singing should be carried on and the instruments

Anaddha and Tantri should be played upon.

688b-689. Having worshipped him in the middle of the day, the wise should,

according to his means, again worship him, as before, at the moon-rise. Then,

he – benediction for whom has been pronounced by the Brahmanas – should be

sent off.

690. The musical instrument Tantri should be played upon while he is being

sent. O descendant of Kasyapa, he must be followed on the next day.

691-692. And the nearby hill should be climbed. After returning to home, the

festival should be celebrated by singing, and playing on musical instruments.

Special meals should be taken in the company of friends.

693. A nymph named Ira, employed by Visvavasu, was formerly cursed by Sakra

(and) was exiled from the assembly of the gods.

694. She attained the state of being a plant in the Himavat, the best of the

mountains. After Nikumbha’s exit, her body breaks up into various forms.

695-96. When the goddess Ira is adorned with Ira flowers, he wise man – well

dressed, well-anointed, good-minded and well-concentrated should go to

Ira-garden, accompanied by Ira wife and host of sons, and should worship the

goddess his with other flowers.

697. (He) should offer various sorts of eatables and nourishments along with

earthen lamps. Special meals should be taken after going to Ira-garden.

698. Then, the Brahmanas, the wife, the friends and the relatives should be

honoured with Ira-flowers. Ira-flowers should be stitched together with a red

thread.

699. Those (stitched flowers) should be worn by one’s own self and specially

offered to the ladies. Vocal and instrumental music should be listened to, and

dance-performances should be seen.

700. Special drink containing Ira-flowers should be taken. Ira (flowers)

should be presented to the gods. The gods are pleased in that way.

701. With him who well-concentrated offers one thousand Ira (flowers) to

Kesava, the lord of the gods is pleased and he goes to heaven.

702. Rudra, Brahma, the Moon, the Sun, Subha, Karisini and Durga should be

worshipped with Ira (flowers). All the gods are pleased (with the offerings of

Ira flowers)

703. Ira is favourite of the Nagas and specially mine.

704. I am excessively pleased with him who worships me with Ira flowers in

Ira-garden.

705. On the third of the bright (half) of the month of Vaisakha, sacrifice

should be performed with barley, and barley should be given to a Brahmana.

706. One should worship Visnu with barley and also eat barley. O descendant of

Kasyapa, the worship of Ganga should be performed on that day.

707. Muttering of god’s name, sacrifices, oblations to the manes, penance,

bath etc. all are said to be imperishable (on that day). Even a little charity

becomes perpetual.

708. Having undergone fast on the second (day), (these rites) should be

performed strenuously by men on the third day, on the bank of the Sindhu.

709-710a O Brahman, the god Visnu, the lord of the world, shall be (born as)

the preceptor of the world, Buddha by name, at the time when the Pusya is

joined with the moon, in the month of Vaisakha, in twenty eighth Kali Age.

710b-12. Listen from as to how his worship should be performed in the

bright-half, from that period onwards, in future. The image of Buddha should

be bathed (with water rendered holy) with all medicinal herbs, all jewels and

all scents, in accordance with the sayings of the Sakyas. The dwellings of the

Sakyas (i.e. Viharas) should be whitewashed with care.

713. Here and there, the Caityas – the abodes of the god – should be provided

with paintings. The festival, swarming with the actors and the dancers, should

be celebrated.

714. The Sakyas should be honoured with Civara (the dress of a Buddhist

mendicant), food and books. All this should be done till the advent of Magha.

715. O twice-born, eatable offerings should be made for three days. Worship

with flowers, clothes etc. and charity for the poor (should continue for three

days).

716. 0 best among the twice-borns, the Brahmanas should be worshipped with

sesame, on the full moon day of Vaisakha. Bath, sacrifice, and funeral rites

(should be performed) with sesame.

717-18. Gift of wealth should be made and earthen lamps should be given for

the temple. Sesame should be offered to the Brahmanas and sesame should also

be eaten.

719. O best among the twice-borns, on 11th of the dark half of Magha, one

should undergo fast and on the 12th, should do everything prescribed by me in

connection with Vaisakha.

720. On the full moon day of Vaisakha, one should worship seven or five

Brahmanas with Black or other sesame mixed with honey.

721. Whatever sin is committed throughout life is destroyed that very moment,

when (the thought) “May Dharmaraja be pleased” comes to the mind.

722. Thereafter, barley – the king of the medicinal herbs becomes ripe. The

gods and the manes should be worshipped then with barley-grains.

723. Then, one – anointed, garlanded and dressed in new clothes – should eat

barley-food in proper procedure, amidst sounds of musical instruments and the

Brahmanas.

724-25. O lord of the twice-borns, on the 8th after (the full moon day of)

Jyestha, one should worship Vinayaka along with his ganas, with heaps of

sweetmeats. sweet vocal and instrumental music and pleasing of the Brahmanas.

726. Or Vinayaka should be worshipped on all the 8th days. Worshipping him

after undergoing fast, one gets success in undertakings.

727-28. O best among the twice-borns, when the conjunction of Svati

constellation takes place in the month of Asadha then should be worshipped the

god Wind, with scents, garlands, much rice cooked in milk, various types of

ground parched grains, varied flowers and other blossoms.

729. O Brahman, in the end of the bright half of Asadha, a festival with vocal

and instrumental music should be celebrated for five days, for bringing sleep

to the god.

730. On the 11th and the 14th, Dhanahotra should be performed and vigil should

be observed for two nights. The Brahmanas and the Satvatas should be

worshipped on the 12th and the 15th.

731-32. On the 13th, gifts for dramatic performances should be made in a

proper procedure and money should be given, as far as the means may allow, to

those who earn their living through stage.

733. What has he – the high minded – to do with violent sacrifices, by whom

Kesava has been worshipped in the ceremonies of Causing Sleep and Awakening?

734. When the conjunction of Vaisvadeva constellation takes place in the end

of the month of Asadha, the learned scholar should worship the gods, in the

manner prescribed in the case of Wind-god.

735-36. On the occasion of Daksinayana (the southern progress of the sun), one

should give to the Brahmanas, ground parched-grains mixed with milk, snow,

sugar, green vegetables, umbrella, shoes, garlands and water receptacles full

of cold water.

737-38. O twice-born, Kasyapa – the founder of this country – should be

