विष्णुपुराणम् — तृतीयांशे सप्तमोऽध्यायः

मैत्रेय उवाच ।

यथा वत्कथितं सर्वं यत्पृष्टोसिं मया गुरो ।
श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यहं त्वेकं तद्भवान्प्रब्रवीतु मे ॥

Summary AI O Guru, you have explained everything that I asked of you. However, there is one more thing I wish to hear; please explain that to me.

३.७.२

सप्तद्वीपानि पातालविधयश्च महामुने ।
स्पतलोकाश्च येन्तस्था ब्रह्माण्डस्यास्य सर्वतः ॥

Summary AI O great sage, the seven continents, the various regions of the netherworld, and the seven worlds situated throughout the interior of this universe.

३.७.३

स्थूलैः सूक्ष्मैस्तथा सूक्ष्मसूक्ष्मासूक्ष्मतरैः स्मृता ।
स्थूलात्स्थूलतरैश्चैव सर्वं प्राणिभिरावृतम् ॥

Summary AI All these regions are known to be filled with living beings—be they gross, subtle, extremely subtle, or even larger than the grossest.

३.७.४

अङ्गुलस्याष्टभागोपि न सोस्ति मुनिसत्तम ।
वसंति प्राणिनो यत्र कर्मबन्धनिबन्धनाः ॥

Summary AI O best of sages, there is not even an eighth part of a finger's width where living beings, bound by the chains of their karma, do not reside.

३.७.५

सर्वे चैते वशं यान्ति यमस्य भगवन्किल ।
आयुषोन्ते तथा यान्ति यातनास्तत्प्रचोदिताः ॥

Summary AI O Lord, all these beings indeed come under the control of Yama at the end of their lifespan, and they undergo the torments ordained by him.

३.७.६

यातनाभ्यः परिभ्रष्टा देवाद्यास्वथ योनिषु ।
जन्तवः परिवर्तन्ते शास्त्राणामेष निर्णयः ॥

Summary AI Having escaped from those torments, living beings then revolve through various wombs, such as those of the gods; this is the definitive conclusion of the scriptures.

३.७.७

सोहमिच्छामि तच्छ्रोतुं यमस्य वशवर्तिनः ।
न भवन्तिनरा येन तत्कर्म कथयस्व मे ॥

Summary AI Therefore, I desire to hear about those actions by which men do not become subject to the power of Yama. Please describe those deeds to me.

श्रीपराशर उवाच ।

३.७.८

अयमेव मुने प्रश्रो नकुलेन महात्मना ।
पृष्टः पितामहः प्राह भीष्मो यत्तच्छृणुष्व मे ॥

Summary AI O sage, listen to what the grandfather Bhīṣma said when this very question was asked by the high-souled Nakula.

भीष्ण उवाच ।

३.७.९

पुरा ममागतो वत्स सखा कालिङ्गको द्विजः ।
स मामुवाच प्रष्टो वै मया जातिस्मरो मुनिः ॥

Summary AI O child, formerly my friend, the Brāhmaṇa Kāliṅgaka, came to me. That sage, who remembered his past lives, spoke to me when I questioned him.

३.७.१०

तेनाख्यातमिदं सर्वमित्थं चैतद्भविष्यति ।
तथा च तदभूद्वत्स यथोक्तं तेन धीमता ॥

Summary AI He explained all this and how it would come to pass. O child, everything happened exactly as that wise sage had predicted.

३.७.११

स पृष्टश्च मया भूयः श्रद्दधानेन वै द्विजः ।
यद्यदाह न तद्दृष्टमन्यथा हि मया क्वचित् ॥

Summary AI When that Brāhmaṇa was questioned again by me with faith, whatever he said, I have never seen it turn out otherwise.

३.७.१२

एकदा तु मया पृष्टमेतद्यद्भवतोदितम् ।
प्राह कालिङ्गको विप्रःस्मृत्वा तस्य मुनेर्वचः ॥

Summary AI Once, when I asked this very question that you have raised, the Brāhmaṇa Kāliṅgaka replied after recalling the words of that sage.

३.७.१३

जातिस्मरेण कथितो रहस्यः परमो मम ।
यमकिङ्करयोर्योभूत्संवादस्तं ब्रवीमि ते ॥

Summary AI I shall tell you the supreme secret related to me by the one who remembers past lives—the dialogue that took place between Yama and his servant.

कालिङ्ग उवाच ।

३.७.१४

स्वपुरुषमभिवीक्ष्य पाशहस्तं
वदति यमः किल तस्य कर्णमूले ।
परिहर मधुसूदनप्रपन्ना-
न्प्रभुरहमन्यनृणामवैष्णवानाम् ॥

Summary AI Seeing his servant with a noose in hand, Yama whispered into his ear: "Avoid those who have taken refuge in Madhusūdana; I am the lord only of other men who are not devotees of Viṣṇu."

३.७.१५

अहममरवरार्चितेन धात्रा
यम इति लोकहिताहिते नियुक्तः ।
हरिगुरुवशगोस्मि न स्वतन्त्रः
प्रभवति संयमने ममापि विष्णुः ॥

Summary AI I am appointed by the Creator, who is worshipped by the best of immortals, as Yama to oversee the world's welfare and woe. I am under the control of Hari, my superior; I am not independent. Viṣṇu has the power to restrain even me.

३.७.१६

कण्ट कमुकुटकर्णिकादिभेदैः कनकमभेदमपीष्यते यथैकम् । सुरपशुमनुजादिकल्पनाभिर्हरिरखिलाभिरुदीर्यते तथैकः ॥

Summary AI Just as gold, though one and undivided, is perceived as diverse through forms like bracelets, crowns, and earrings, so too is the one Hari described through the various designations of gods, animals, and men.

३.७.१७

क्षितितलपरमाणवोनिलान्ते
पुनरुपयान्ति यथैकतां धरित्र्याः ।
सुरपशुमनुजादयस्तथान्ते
गुणकलषेण सनातनेन तेन ॥

Summary AI Just as the particles of dust on the earth's surface return to unity with the earth when the wind ceases, so do gods, animals, and men ultimately unite with that eternal being through the dissolution of qualities.

३.७.१८

हरिममरवरार्चिताङ्घ्रिपद्मं-
प्रणमति यः परमार्थतो हि मर्त्यः ।
तमपगतसमस्तपापबन्धं
व्रज परिहृत्य यथाग्निमाज्यसिक्तम् ॥

Summary AI Avoid that mortal who sincerely bows to Hari, whose lotus feet are worshipped by the chief immortals. Leave him, whose bonds of sin are destroyed, just as you would avoid a fire fed with clarified butter.

३.७.१९

इति यमवचनं निशम्य पाशी
यम पुरुषस्तमुवाच धर्मराजम् ।
कथय मम विभो समस्तधातु-
र्भवति हरेः खलु यादृशोस्य भक्तः ॥

Summary AI Hearing these words of Yama, the servant with the noose said to the King of Justice: "O Lord, tell me what kind of person is truly a devotee of this Hari, the support of all."

यम उवाच ।

३.७.२०

न चलति निजवर्मधर्मतो यः-
सममतिरात्मसुहृद्विपक्षपक्षे ।
न हरति न च हन्ति किञ्चिदुच्छैः
स्थितमनसं तमवेहि विष्णुभक्तम् ॥

Summary AI Know him to be a devotee of Viṣṇu who does not deviate from his duties, who looks with an equal eye upon himself, friends, and enemies, and who neither steals nor harms anything, remaining steady in mind.

३.७.२१

कलिकलुपमलेन यस्य नाऽत्मा
विमलमतेमलिनीकृतस्तमेनम् ।
मनसि कृतजनार्दनं मनष्यं
सततमवेहि हरेरतीव भक्तम् ॥

Summary AI Know that person to be a constant and supreme devotee of Hari, whose pure mind has not been defiled by the impurities of the Kali age, and who has established Janārdana within his heart.

३.७.२२

कनकमपि रहस्यवेक्ष्य बुद्ध्या
तृणमिव यःसमवैति वै परस्वम् ।
भवति च भगवत्यनन्यचेताः
पुरुषवरं तमवेहि विष्णुभक्तम् ॥

Summary AI Understand that excellent man to be a devotee of Viṣṇu who, viewing things with discernment in private, regards even gold belonging to another as straw, and whose mind is exclusively fixed on the Lord.

३.७.२३

स्फटिकगिरिशिलामलः क्व विष्णु-
र्मनसि नृणां क्व च मत्सरादिदोषः ।
न हि तुहिनमयूखरश्मिपुञ्जे
भवति हुताशनदीप्तिजः प्रतापः ॥

Summary AI Where is Viṣṇu, pure like the stone of a crystal mountain, and where are the faults of envy and others in the minds of men? Surely, the heat born of the brilliance of fire does not exist in the collection of rays of the cold-beamed moon.

३.७.२४

विमलमतिरमत्सरः प्रशान्तः
शुचिचरितोखिलसत्त्वमित्रभूतः ।
प्रियहितवचनो ऽस्तमानमायो
वसति सदा हृदि तस्य वासुदेवः ॥

Summary AI Vāsudeva always dwells in the heart of one who has a pure intellect, is free from envy, is peaceful, of pure conduct, a friend to all living beings, speaks kind and beneficial words, and has discarded pride and deceit.

३.७.२५

वसति हृदिसनातने च तस्मि-
न्भवति पुमाञ्जगतोस्य सौम्यरूपः ।
क्षितिरसमतिरम्यमात्मनोन्तः
कथयति चारुतयैव सालपोतः ॥

Summary AI When the eternal Lord dwells in the heart, a person becomes pleasing to this world. Just as a young Sāla tree reveals the exquisite essence of the earth within itself through its own beauty.

३.७.२६

यमनियमविधूत कल्पषाणा-
मनुदिनमच्युतसक्तमानसानाम् ।
अपगतमदमानमत्सराणां
त्यज भट दूरतरेण मानवानाम् ॥

Summary AI O servant, keep far away from those human beings whose sins have been washed away by restraints and observances, whose minds are daily attached to Acyuta, and who are devoid of intoxication, pride, and envy.

३.७.२७

हृदि यदि भगवाननादिरास्ते
हरिररिशङ्खगदाधरोव्यात्मा ।
तदघविघातकर्तृभिन्नं
भवति कथं सति चान्धकारमर्के ॥

Summary AI If the beginningless, imperishable Hari, the bearer of the discus, conch, and mace, resides in the heart, how can that be anything other than the destroyer of sins? For how can darkness exist when the sun is present?

३.७.२८

हरति परधनं निहन्ति जन्तून्वदति तथा नृतनिष्टुराणि यश्च । अशुभजनितदुरमदस्य पुंसः कलुषमतेर्हृदि तस्य नास्त्यनन्तः ॥

Summary AI Ananta does not reside in the heart of that man of foul mind, who is maddened by evil deeds, who steals the wealth of others, slays living beings, and speaks falsehoods and harsh words.

३.७.२९

न सहति परसंपदं विनिन्दां
कलुषमतिः कुरुते सतामसाधुः ।
नयजति न ददाति यश्च संतं
मनसि न तस्य जनार्दनो ऽधमस्य ॥

Summary AI Janārdana does not dwell in the mind of that base person who cannot endure the prosperity of others, who slanders the virtuous, and who, being wicked, neither performs sacrifices nor gives in charity.

३.७.३०

परमसुहृदिबान्धवे कलत्रे
मुततनयापितृमातृभृत्यवर्गे ।
शठमतिरुपयाति योर्थतृष्णां
तमधमचेष्टमवेहि नास्य भक्तम् ॥

Summary AI Know that one of base actions to be no devotee of the Lord, who, with a deceitful mind, harbors greed for wealth even among supreme friends, kinsmen, wife, sons, daughters, parents, and servants.

३.७.३१

अशुभमतिरसत्प्रवृत्ति सक्तः-
सततमनार्यकुशीलसंगमत्तः ।
अनुदिनकृतपापबन्धयुक्तः
परुषपशुर्न हि वासुदेवभक्तः ॥

Summary AI He who is of evil mind, addicted to wicked tendencies, intoxicated by the company of ignoble and ill-behaved people, and bound by daily sins—that harsh beast is certainly no devotee of Vāsudeva.

३.७.३२

सकलमिदमहं च वासुदेवः
परमपुमान्परमेश्वरःस एकः ।
इति मतिरचलाभवत्यनन्ते
हृदयगते व्रजतान्विहाय दूरात् ॥

Summary AI When Ananta is seated in the heart, the steady realization arises that all this world and I am Vāsudeva; He is the one Supreme Person and Supreme Lord. O servants, leave such people and pass them by from a distance.

३.७.३३

कमलनयन वासुदेव विष्णो धरणिधराच्युत शङ्खचक्रपाणे । भवशरणमितिरयन्ति ये वै त्यज भट दूरतरेण तानपापान् ॥

Summary AI O servant, keep far away from those sinless ones who exclaim, "O lotus-eyed Vāsudeva, Viṣṇu, upholder of the earth, Acyuta, wielder of the conch and discus, be our refuge!"

३.७.३४

वसति मनसि यस्य सोव्ययात्मा
पुरुषवरस्य न तस्य दृष्टिपाते ।
तव गतिरथ वा ममास्ति चक्र-
प्रतिहतवीर्यबलस्य सोन्यलोक्यः ॥

Summary AI Neither you nor I have power over that best of men in whose mind the imperishable Soul dwells; his power and strength are protected by the discus, and he belongs to another realm.

कालिङ्ग उवाच ।

३.७.३५

इति निजभटशासनाय देवो
रवित नयस्य किलाह धर्मराजः ।
मम कथितमिदं च तेन तुभ्यं
कुरुवर सम्यगिदं मयापि चोक्तम् ॥

Summary AI Thus, the Lord Dharmarāja, the son of the Sun, spoke for the instruction of his own servants. This was told to me by him, and I have now duly related it all to you, O best of the Kurus.

श्रीभीष्म उवाच ।

३.७.३६

नकुलैतन्ममाख्यातं पूर्वं तेन द्विजन्मना ।
कलिङ्गदेशादेश्येत्य प्रीतेन सुमहात्मना ॥

Summary AI O Nakula, this was previously narrated to me by that great-souled twice-born one, who came from the Kaliṅga country and spoke with affection.

३.७.३७

मयाप्येतद्यथान्यायं सम्यग्वत्स तवोदितम् ।
यथा विष्णुमृतेनान्यत्त्राणां संसारसागरे ॥

Summary AI My child, I have also duly related this to you as is proper—how there is no other protection in the ocean of worldly existence except for Viṣṇu.

३.७.३८

किङ्कराः पाशदण्डाश्च न यमो न च यातनाः ।
समर्थास्तस्य यस्यात्मा केशवालंबनःसदा ॥

Summary AI Neither the servants of Yama, nor his noose and staff, nor Yama himself, nor his tortures, are capable of affecting one whose soul always takes refuge in Keśava.

श्रीपराशर उवाच ।

३.७.३९

एतन्मुने समाख्यातं गीतं वैवस्वतेन यत् ।
त्वत्प्रश्नानुगतं सम्यक्किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥

Summary AI O sage, this which was sung by the son of Vivasvat has been fully related in accordance with your question. What else do you wish to hear?

इति श्रीविष्णुमहापुराणे तृतीयांशे सप्तमो ऽध्यायः ।

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