इति श्रीब्रह्मवैवर्त्ते महापुराणे द्वितीये प्रकृतिखण्डे नारदनारायणसंवादे लक्ष्म्युपाख्याने लक्ष्मीस्वरूपपूजादिवर्णनं नाम पञ्चत्रिंशोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the thirty-fifth chapter named 'Description of Lakṣmī's Form and Worship' in the narration of Lakṣmī within the dialogue of Nārada and Nārāyaṇa, in the second section, Prakṛti-khaṇḍa, of the glorious Brahma-vaivarta Mahāpurāṇa.
नारद उवाच वैकुण्ठाधिष्ठातृदेवी महालक्ष्मीः सनातनी
Nārada said: The goddess Mahālakṣmī, eternal, presiding over Vaikuṇṭha,
कथं बभूव सा देवी पृथिव्यां सिन्धुकन्यका
How did that goddess become the daughter of the ocean on earth?
पुरा केन स्तुताऽऽदौ सा तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि
By whom was she praised in ancient times at the beginning? Please explain this to me.
नारायण उवाच बभूव देवसंघश्च मर्त्यलोकश्च नारद
Nārāyaṇa said: There arose the assembly of gods and the world of mortals, O Nārada,
लक्ष्मीः स्वर्गादिकं त्यक्त्वा रुष्टा परमदुःखिता
Lakṣmī, abandoning heaven and the like, became angry and extremely distressed.
तदा शोकाद्ययुर्देवा दुःखिता ब्रह्मणः सभाम्
At that time, the gods, afflicted by sorrow and other troubles, were distressed in Brahma's assembly.
वैकुण्ठे शरणा पन्ना देवा नारायणे परे
In Vaikuntha, the gods sought refuge in the supreme Narayana.
तदा लक्ष्मीश्च कलया पुरा नारायणाज्ञया
Then Lakshmi, by her aspect, formerly by Narayana's command—
तदा मथित्वा क्षीरोदं देवा दैत्यगणैः सह
At that time, the gods, together with the hosts of demons, churned the ocean of milk.
सुरादिभ्यो वरं दत्त्वा वनमालां च विष्णवे 2.36.
Having granted boons to the gods and others, and the garland of forest flowers to Vishnu.
नारद उवाच केन दोषेण वा ब्रह्मन्ब्रह्मिष्ठं ब्रह्मवित्पुरा
Narada said: By what fault, O Brahman, did the knower of Brahman formerly—
को वा तयोश्च संवादो ह्यभवत्तद्वद प्रभो
What was the conversation between the two? Tell me that, O Lord.
नारायण उवाच क्रीडां चकार रहसि रम्भया सह कामुकः
Narayana said: He engaged in play in secret with Rambha, desiring her.
कृत्वा क्रीडां तया सार्द्धं कामुक्या हृतचेतनः
Having played with her, with the passionate woman, his mind was captivated.
कैलासशिखरं यान्तं वैकुण्ठादृषिपुङ्गवम्
The foremost sage, departing from Vaikuntha, was going to the peak of Kailasa.
ग्रीष्ममध्याह्नमार्त्तण्डसहस्रप्रभमीश्वरम्
The lord, radiant like a thousand suns at midday in summer.
शुक्लयज्ञोपवीतं च चीरं दण्डं कमण्डलुम्
Wearing a white sacred thread, bark garment, staff, and water pot.
समन्वितं शिष्यवर्गैर्वेदवेदाङ्गपारगैः 2.36.
Accompanied by groups of disciples who had mastered the Vedas and Vedangas.
शिष्यवर्गं स भक्त्या वै तुष्टाव च मुदान्वितः
He praised his group of disciples with devotion, filled with joy.
विष्णुदत्तं पारिजातपुष्पं च सुमनोहरम्
The flower given by Vishnu, the Parijata blossom, most delightful.
शक्रः पुष्पं गृहीत्वा च प्रमत्तो राजसम्पदा
Shakra, having taken the flower, was intoxicated by royal splendor.
हस्ती तत्स्पर्शमात्रेण रूपेण च गुणेन च
The elephant, merely by touching it, and by its beauty and qualities—
त्यक्त्वा शक्रं गजेन्द्रश्चाप्यगच्छद्घोरकाननम्
Abandoning Shakra, the lord of elephants went into the terrible forest.
तत्पुष्पं त्यक्तवन्तं च दृष्ट्वा शक्रं मुनीश्वरः
Seeing Indra abandon that flower, the great sage
दुर्वासा उवाच मद्दत्तपुष्पं गर्वेण त्यक्तवान्हस्तिमस्तके
Durvasa said: Out of pride, you have cast aside the flower I gave, placing it on the elephant's head.
विष्णोर्निवेदितं पुष्पं नैवेद्यं वा फलं जलम्
A flower, offering, fruit, or water dedicated to Vishnu,
भ्रष्टश्रीर्भ्रष्टबुद्धिश्च भ्रष्टज्ञानो भवेन्नरः
A person becomes bereft of fortune, intellect, and knowledge.
प्राप्तिमात्रेण यो भुङ्क्ते भक्त्या विष्णुनिवेदितम् 2.36.
One who consumes what is offered to Vishnu only for gain,
विष्णुनैवेद्यभोजी यो नित्यं तु प्रणमेद्धरिम्
He who eats Vishnu's offerings and always bows to Hari,