विष्णुपुराणम् — तृतीयांशे अष्टमोऽध्यायः

मैत्रेय उवाच ।

भगवन्भगवान्देवः संसारविजिगीषुभिः ।
समाख्याहि जगन्नाथो विष्णुराराध्यते यथा ॥

Summary AI O Lord, please explain how Viṣṇu, the divine Lord of the world, is worshipped by those desiring to conquer the cycle of worldly existence.

३.८.२

आराधिताच्च गोविन्दादाराधनपरैर्नरैः ।
यत्प्राप्यते फलं श्रोतुं तच्चेच्छामि महामुने ॥

Summary AI O great sage, I desire to hear about the rewards obtained from the propitiated Lord Govinda by those men who are devoted to His worship.

श्रीपराशर उवाच ।

३.८.३

यत्पृच्छति भवानेतत्सगरेण महात्मना ।
और्वः प्राह यथा पृष्टस्तन्मे निगदतः शृणु ॥

Summary AI What you ask was previously explained by the sage Aurva when he was questioned by the high-souled Sagara; listen as I relate it to you.

३.८.४

सगरः प्रणिपत्त्यैनमौर्वं पप्रच्छभार्गवम् ।
विष्णोराराधनोपायसंबन्धं मुनिसत्तम ॥

Summary AI O best of sages, Sagara, having prostrated before Aurva, the descendant of Bhṛgu, enquired about the means and methods associated with the worship of Viṣṇu.

३.८.५

फलं चाराधिते विष्णो यत्पुंसामभिजायते ।
स चाह पृष्टो यत्नेन तस्मै तन्मेखिलं शृणु ॥

Summary AI Listen as I tell you everything that the sage, when questioned with effort, spoke regarding the fruits that arise for men when Viṣṇu is worshipped.

और्व उवाच ।

३.८.६

भौमं मनोरथं स्वर्गं स्वर्गे रम्यं च यत्पदम् ।
प्राप्नोत्याराधिते विष्णौ निर्वाणमपि चोत्तमम् ॥

Summary AI When Viṣṇu is worshipped, a person attains earthly desires, heaven, delightful celestial realms, and even the supreme state of liberation, nirvāṇa.

३.८.७

यद्यदिच्छति यावच्च फलमाराधिते ऽच्युते ।
तत्तदाप्नोति राजेन्द्र भूरि स्वल्पमथापि वा ॥

Summary AI O king, whatever fruit one desires, whether abundant or meager, one obtains all of it when the imperishable Lord Acyuta is worshipped.

३.८.८

यत्तु पृच्छसि भूपाल कथामाराध्यते हरिः ।
तदहं सकलं तुभ्यं कथयामि निबोध मे ॥

Summary AI O king, regarding your question on how Hari is to be worshipped, I shall explain everything to you; listen attentively to me.

३.८.९

वर्णाश्रमाचारवता पुरुषेणपरः पुमान् ।
विष्णुराराध्यते पन्था नान्यस्तत्तोषकारकः ॥

Summary AI The Supreme Being, Viṣṇu, is worshipped by a person who follows the conduct prescribed for their varṇa and āśrama; no other path pleases Him.

३.८.१०

यजन्यज्ञान्यजत्येनं जपन्त्येनं जपन्नृप ।
निघ्नन्नन्यान्हिनस्त्येनं सर्वभूतो यतो हरिः ॥

Summary AI O king, one who performs sacrifices worships Him; one who prays chants to Him; one who harms others harms Him, for Hari exists in all beings.

३.८.११

तस्मात्सदाचारवता पुरुषेण जनार्दनः ।
आराध्यस्तु स्ववर्णोक्तधर्मानुष्ठानकारिमा ॥

Summary AI Therefore, Janārdana is to be worshipped by a person of good conduct who performs the duties prescribed for their own varṇa.

३.८.१२

ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यः शुद्रश्च पृथिवीपते ।
स्वधर्मतत्परो विष्णुमाराधयति नान्यथा ॥

Summary AI O ruler of the earth, a Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra worships Viṣṇu by being devoted to their respective duties, and not otherwise.

३.८.१३

परापवादं पैशुन्यमनृतं च न भाषते ।
अन्योद्वेगकरं वापि तोष्यते तेनकेशवः ॥

Summary AI Keśava is pleased by that person who does not speak ill of others, engage in backbiting, utter falsehoods, or say things that cause distress to others.

३.८.१४

परदारपरद्रव्यपरहिंसासु यो रतिम् ।
न करोति पुमान्भूप तोष्यते तेन केशवः ॥

Summary AI O king, Keśava is pleased by that man who finds no delight in the wives of others, the wealth of others, or in inflicting injury upon others.

३.८.१५

न ताडयति नो हन्ति प्राणिनो न च हिंसकः ।
यो मनुष्यो मनुष्येन्द्र तोष्यते तेन केशवः ॥

Summary AI O lord of men, Keśava is pleased by that human being who does not beat or kill living beings and is not inclined toward violence.

३.८.१६

देवाद्विजगुरूणां च शुश्रूषासु सदोद्यतः ।
तोष्यते तेन गोविन्दः पुरुषेणनरेश्वर ॥

Summary AI O ruler of men, Govinda is pleased by that person who is always dedicated to the service of the gods, the twice-born, and their teachers.

३.८.१७

यथात्मनि च पुत्रे च सर्वभूतेषु यत्तथा ।
हितकामो हरिस्तेन सर्वदा तोष्यते सुखम् ॥

Summary AI Hari is always easily pleased by one who desires the welfare of all living beings just as they desire the welfare of themselves and their own son.

३.८.१८

यस्य रागादिदोषेण न दुष्टं नृप मानसम् ।
विशुद्धचेतसा विष्णुस्तोष्यते तेन सर्वदा ॥

Summary AI O king, Viṣṇu is always pleased by that person of pure heart whose mind is not corrupted by defects such as passion and attachment.

३.८.१९

वर्णाश्रमेषु ये धर्माः शास्त्रोक्ता मुनिसत्तम ।
तेषु तिष्ठन्नरो विष्णुमादुष्टं नृप मानसम् ॥

Summary AI O best of sages, a man who abides by the duties of the varṇas and āśramas as prescribed in the scriptures worships Viṣṇu with a pure mind.

सगर उवाच ।

३.८.२०

तदहं श्रोतुमिच्छमि वर्णधर्मानशेषतः ।
तथैवाश्रमधर्मंश्च द्विजवर्य ब्रवीहि तान् ॥

Summary AI O best of the twice-born, I desire to hear about the duties of the castes and the stages of life in their entirety; please describe them.

और्व उवाच ।

३.८.२१

ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शुद्राणां च यथाकमम् ।
त्वमेकाग्रमतिर्भूत्वा शृणु धर्मान्मयोदितान् ॥

Summary AI Listen with an attentive mind to the duties of the Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras as explained by me in their respective order.

३.८.२२

दानं दद्याद्यजेद्देवान्यज्ञिः स्वाध्यायतत्परः ।
नित्योदकी भवेद्विप्रः कुर्याच्चाग्निपरिग्रहम् ॥

Summary AI A Brāhmaṇa should give charity, worship the gods through sacrifices, be devoted to the study of the Vedas, perform daily ablutions, and maintain the sacred fire.

३.८.२३

वृत्त्यर्थं याजयेच्चान्यानन्यानध्यापयेत्तथा ।
कुर्यात्प्रतिग्रहादानंशुक्लार्थान्न्यायतो द्विजः ॥

Summary AI For his livelihood, a dvija (twice-born) may conduct sacrifices for others and teach others; he should accept gifts of pure wealth only through righteous means.

३.८.२४

सर्वभूतहितं कुर्यान्नाहितं कस्याचिद्द्विजः ।
मैत्री समस्तभूतेषु ब्राह्मणस्योत्तमं धनम् ॥

Summary AI A dvija should act for the welfare of all beings and never harm anyone; friendship toward all creatures is the supreme wealth of a Brāhmaṇa.

३.८.२५

ग्राव्णिरत्ने च पारक्ये समबुद्धिर्भवेद्द्विजः ।
ऋतावभिगमः पत्न्यां शस्तते चास्य पार्थिव ॥

Summary AI O King, a dvija should view a stone and a gem, as well as another's property, with an equal eye; approaching his wife only during her fertile period is recommended for him.

३.८.२६

दानानि दद्यादिच्छातो द्विजेभ्यः क्षत्रियोपि वा ।
यजेच्च विविधैर्यज्ञैरधीयीत च पार्थिवः ॥

Summary AI A Kṣatriya or a ruler should also give charities to the dvijas according to his desire, perform various sacrifices, and engage in the study of the scriptures.

३.८.२७

शस्त्राजीवो महीरक्षा प्रवरा तस्य जीविका ।
तत्रापि प्रथमः कल्पः पृथिवीपरिपारनम् ॥

Summary AI Living by arms and protecting the earth is his foremost livelihood; among these, the preservation and protection of the earth is his primary duty.

३.८.२८

धरित्रीपालनेनैव कृतकृत्या नराधिपाः ।
भवन्ति तृपतेरंशा यतो यज्ञादिकर्मणाम् ॥

Summary AI By protecting the earth alone, kings achieve the purpose of their lives, as a portion of the merit from sacrifices and other pious acts of the subjects belongs to the ruler.

३.८.२९

दुष्टानां शासनाद्राजा शिष्टानां परिपालनात् ।
प्राप्नोत्यभिमतांल्लोकान्वर्णसंस्थां करोति यः ॥

Summary AI A king who maintains the order of the varṇas attains desired worlds by punishing the wicked and protecting the virtuous.

३.८.३०

पाशुपाल्यं च वाणिज्यं कृषिं च मनुजेश्वर ।
वैश्याय जीविकां ब्रह्मा ददौ लोकपितामहः ॥

Summary AI O Lord of men, the grandfather of the world, Brahmā, assigned the rearing of cattle, trade, and agriculture as the means of livelihood for the Vaiśya.

३.८.३१

तस्याप्यध्ययनं यज्ञो दानं धर्मश्च शस्यते ।
नित्यनैमित्तिकादीनामनुष्ठानं च कर्मणाम् ॥

Summary AI For the Vaiśya as well, study of the Vedas, performance of sacrifices, giving charity, and the discharge of daily and occasional religious duties are recommended.

३.८.३२

द्विजातिसंश्रितं कर्म तादर्थ्यं तेन पोषणम् ।
क्रयविक्रयजैर्वापि धनैः कारूद्भवेन वा ॥

Summary AI Serving the twice-born and supporting them through that service, or through wealth earned from buying and selling or through manual crafts, is prescribed for the Śūdra.

३.८.३३

शुद्रस्य सन्नतिः शौचं सेवा स्वामिन्यमायया ।
अमन्त्रयज्ञो ह्यस्तेयं तत्संगो विप्ररक्षणम् ॥

Summary AI Humility, purity, sincere service to the master, performance of sacrifices without mantras, non-stealing, association with the virtuous, and protecting the Brāhmaṇas are the duties of a Śūdra.

३.८.३४

दानं च दद्याच्छूद्रोपि पाकयज्ञैर्यजेत च ।
पित्र्यादिकं च तत्सर्वं शुद्रः कुर्वीत तेन वै ॥

Summary AI A Śūdra should also give charity and perform Pākayajñas; through such means, he should indeed perform all ancestral rites and other duties.

३.८.३५

भृत्यादिभरणार्थाय सर्वेषां च परिग्रहः ।
ऋतुकालेभिगमनं स्वदारेषु महीपते ॥

Summary AI O King, the acquisition of property for the maintenance of dependents and family, and approaching one's own wife only during her fertile period, are common duties for all.

३.८.३६

दया समस्तभूतेषु तितिक्षा नातिमानिता ।
सत्यं शौचमनायासो मङ्गलं प्रियवादिता ॥

Summary AI Compassion toward all beings, patience, lack of excessive pride, truthfulness, purity, lack of overexertion, auspiciousness, and pleasant speech are virtues.

३.८.३७

मैत्र्यस्पृहा तथा तद्वदकार्पण्यंनरेश्वर ।
अनुसूया च सामान्यवर्णानां कथिता गुणाः ॥

Summary AI O Lord of men, friendship, absence of greed, generosity, and freedom from envy are declared as common virtues for all varṇas.

३.८.३८

आश्रमाणां च सर्वेषामेते सामान्यलक्षणाः ।
गुणांस्तथावद्धर्मांश्च विप्रादीनामिमाञ्छृणु ॥

Summary AI These are the general characteristics for all stages of life (āśramas); now listen to these specific qualities and duties of the Brāhmaṇas and others as they are.

३.८.३९

क्षात्त्रं कर्म द्विजस्योक्तं वैश्यं कर्म तथा पदि ।
राजन्यस्य च वैश्योक्तं शूद्रकर्म न चैतयोः ॥

Summary AI In times of distress, the duties of a Kṣatriya or a Vaiśya are permitted for a Brāhmaṇa; for a Kṣatriya, the duty of a Vaiśya is allowed, but the duty of a Śūdra is never for these two.

३.८.४०

सामर्थ्ये सति तत्त्याज्यमुभाभ्यामपि पार्थिव ।
तदेवापदि कर्तव्यं न कुर्यात्कर्मसंकरम् ॥

Summary AI O King, when capable of their own duties, those adopted vocations should be abandoned by both; they are to be performed only in distress, and one should not create a confusion of duties.

३.८.४१

इत्येते कथिता राजन्वर्णधर्मा मया तव ।
धर्मानाश्रमिणां सम्यग्ब्रुवतो मे निशामय ॥

Summary AI O King, I have thus explained to you the duties pertaining to the various varṇas. Now, listen attentively as I describe in detail the duties of those belonging to the different āśramas.

इति श्रिविष्णुमहापुराणे तृतीयांशे ऽष्टमोध्यायः ।

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