त्राहि मां शरणं प्राप्तस्त्वामहं कमलाप्रिय
Protect me! I have taken refuge in you, O beloved of Lakshmi.
इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे भूमिखंडे वेनोपाख्याने मातापितृतीर्थवर्णने ययातिचरित्रे एकाशीतितमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the eighty-first chapter in the story of Yayati, describing the holy place of Mother and Father, within the Bhumi Khanda of the glorious Padma Purana.
सुकर्मोवाच- एवं चिंतयते यावद्राजा परमधार्मिकः । तावत्प्रोवाच सा देवी रतिपुत्री वरानना
Sukarma said: While the supremely righteous king was thus reflecting, at that moment the goddess, daughter of Rati and beautiful-faced, spoke.
किमु चिंतयसे राजंस्त्वमिहैव महामते । प्रायेणापि स्त्रियः सर्वाश्चपलाः स्युर्न संशयः
"What are you thinking, O king, so wise? Indeed, it is generally true that all women are fickle—there is no doubt of this."
नाहं चापल्यभावेन त्वामेवं प्रविचालये । नाहं हि कारयाम्यद्य भवत्पार्श्वं नृपोत्तम
"But I do not disturb you out of fickleness; nor do I, O best of kings, compel you today to remain at my side."
अन्यस्त्रियो यथा लोके चपलत्वाद्वदंति च । अकार्यं राजराजेंद्र लोभान्मोहाच्च लंपटाः
"Other women in the world, due to their fickle nature, speak and act improperly, O king of kings, driven by greed and delusion."
लोकानां दर्शनायैव जाता श्रद्धा ममोरसि । देवानां दर्शनं पुण्यं दुर्लभं हि सुमानुषैः
"Faith has arisen in my heart only for the sake of seeing the worlds; the vision of the gods is holy and indeed rare for good people."
तेषां च दर्शनं राजन्कारयामि वदस्व मे । दोषं पापकरं यत्तु मत्संगादिह चेद्भवेत्
"If, O king, by my association here any fault or sinful act should arise, tell me, for I will arrange for you to see them."
एवं चिंतयसे दुःखं यथान्यः प्राकृतो जनः । महाभयाद्यथाभीतो मोहगर्ते गतो यथा
"You are grieving in this way, O king, like an ordinary person, as one terrified by great fear, as one fallen into the pit of delusion."
त्यज चिंतां महाराज न गंतव्यं त्वया दिवि । येन ते जायते दुःखं तन्न कार्यं मया कदा
"Abandon your worry, O great king; you must not go to heaven. Whatever causes you sorrow, I will never do."
एवमुक्तस्तथा राजा तामुवाच वराननाम् । चिंतितं यन्मया देवि तच्छृणुष्व हि सांप्रतम्
Thus addressed, the king replied to her, the beautiful-faced one: "Hear now, O goddess, what I have been thinking."
मानभंगो मया दृष्टो नैव स्वस्य मनःप्रिये । मयि स्वर्गं गते कांते प्रजा दीना भविष्यति
"I have seen dishonor, O beloved of my heart; if I go to heaven, O lovely one, my people will become destitute."
त्रासयिष्यति दुष्टात्मा यमस्तु व्याधिभिः प्रजाः । त्वया सार्धं प्रयास्यामि स्वर्गलोकं वरानने
"The evil-minded Yama will afflict the people with diseases; I will go with you, O beautiful-faced one, to the heavenly world."
एवमाभाष्य तां राजा समाहूय सुतोत्तमम् । पूरुं तं सर्वधर्मज्ञं जरायुक्तं महामतिम्
Having thus spoken to her, the king summoned his noble son, Puru, knower of all dharma, wise and afflicted with old age.
एह्येहि सर्वधर्मज्ञ धर्मं जानासि निश्चितम् । ममाज्ञया हि धर्मात्मन्धर्मः संपालितस्त्वया
"Come, come, O knower of all dharma, you surely know righteousness. By my command, O righteous one, dharma has been upheld by you."
जरा मे दीयतां तात तारुण्यं गृह्यतां पुनः । राज्यं कुरु ममेदं त्वं सकोशबलवाहनम्
"Give me your old age, my son, and take back your youth. Rule this kingdom of mine, with its treasury, army, and vehicles."
आसमुद्रां प्रभुंक्ष्व त्वं रत्नपूर्णां वसुंधराम् । मया दत्तां महाभाग सग्रामवनपत्तनाम्
"Enjoy the earth, full of jewels, up to the ocean, which I have given you, O greatly fortunate one, with its villages, forests, and cities."
प्रजानां पालनं पुण्यं कर्तव्यं च सदानघ । दुष्टानां शासनं नित्यं साधूनां परिपालनम्
"The protection of the people is always a holy duty, O sinless one; ever punish the wicked and protect the virtuous."
कर्तव्यं च त्वया वत्स धर्मशास्त्रप्रमाणतः । ब्राह्मणानां महाभाग विधिनापि स्वकर्मणा
You must, dear child, act according to the authority of the Dharmaśāstra; O most fortunate one, perform the duties of the Brāhmaṇas as prescribed.
भक्त्या च पालनं कार्यं यस्मात्पूज्या जगत्त्रये । पंचमे सप्तमे घस्रे कोशं पश्य विपश्चितः
You should also serve them with devotion, for they are worthy of reverence in all three worlds; in the fifth, seventh, and ninth, examine the treasury, O wise one.
बलं च नित्यं संपूज्यं प्रसादधनभोजनैः । चारचक्षुर्भवस्व त्वं नित्यं दानपरो भव
The army must always be honored with gifts, wealth, and food; always be vigilant and devoted to giving.
भव स्वनियतो मंत्रे सदा गोप्यः सुपंडितैः । नियतात्मा भव स्वत्वं मा गच्छ मृगयां सुत
Be self-controlled in mantras, always keeping them secret from the learned; remain disciplined, keep your own nature, and do not go hunting, my son.
विश्वासः कस्य नो कार्यः स्त्रीषु कोशे महाबले । पात्राणां त्वं तु सर्वेषां कलानां कुरु संग्रहम्
Trust is not to be placed in women, in the treasury, or in the great army; but you must gather all the arts and skills from all worthy persons.
यज यज्ञैर्हृषीकेशं पुण्यात्मा भव सर्वदा । प्रजानां कंटकान्सर्वान्मर्दयस्व दिने दिने
Worship Hṛṣīkeśa with sacrifices, always be virtuous; every day, crush all the thorns among your people.
प्रजानां वांछितं सर्वमर्पयस्व दिने दिने । प्रजासौख्यं प्रकर्तव्यं प्रजाः पोषय पुत्रक
Each day, grant your subjects all that they desire; you must ensure the happiness of your people, nourish them, my son.
स्वको वंशः प्रकर्तव्यः परदारेषु मा कृथाः । मतिं दुष्टां परस्वेषु पूर्वानन्वेहि सर्वदा
You must establish your own lineage; do not set your mind on others' wives; always avoid evil thoughts regarding others' wealth, following the example of your ancestors.
वेदानां हि सदा चिंता शास्त्राणां हि च सर्वदा । कुरुष्वैवं सदा वत्स शस्त्राभ्यासरतो भव
Always contemplate the Vedas and the scriptures; always do this, dear child, and be devoted to the practice of arms.
संतुष्टः सर्वदा वत्स स्वशय्या निरतो भव । गजस्य वाजिनोभ्यासं स्यंदनस्य च सर्वदा
Always be content, dear child, and devoted to your own bed; always practice with elephants, horses, and chariots.
एवमादिश्य तं पुत्रमाशीर्भिरभिनंद्य च । स्वहस्तेन च संस्थाप्य करे दत्तं स्वमायुधम्
Having thus instructed his son and blessed him with auspicious words, he placed his own weapon in his hand.
स्वां जरां तु समागृह्य दत्त्वा तारुण्यमस्य च । गंतुकामस्ततः स्वर्गं ययातिः पृथिवीपतिः
Taking up his own old age and giving his youth to him, King Yayāti, desiring to go to heaven, then set out.