प्रत्येकमक्षरं ब्रह्महत्यावंशदवानलः । तं यः श्रावयते धीमांस्तं गुरुं संप्रपूजयेत्
Each syllable acts as a fire consuming the lineage of Brāhmaṇa-slaying; whoever recites it should be honored as a guru.
श्रुत्वा कथां वाचकाय गवां द्वंद्वं प्रदापयेत् । सपत्नीकाय संपूज्य वस्त्रालंकारभोजनैः
After hearing the story, one should give a pair of cows to the reciter, honoring him and his wife with garments, ornaments, and food.
कुंडलाभ्यां विराजंत्यौ मुद्रिकाभिरलंकृते । रामसीते स्वर्णमय्यौ प्रतिमे शोभने वरे
The golden images of Rāma and Sītā, adorned with earrings and rings, shine beautifully and splendidly.
कृत्वा तु वाचकायैव दीयते भो द्विजोत्तम । तस्य देवाश्च पितरो वैकुंठं प्राप्नुयुस्तदा
Having made them, one should give them to the reciter, O best of Brāhmaṇas; then his ancestors and the gods attain Vaikuṇṭha.
त्वया पृष्टा रामकथा मया ते कथिता पुरा । किमन्यत्कथ्यतां ब्रह्मन्पुरतस्तव धीमतः
You asked about the story of Rāma, and I have narrated it to you before; what else should be told, O wise Brāhmaṇa, in your presence?
शृण्वंति ये कथामेतां ब्रह्महत्यौघनाशिनीम् । ते यांति परमं स्थानं यच्च देवैः सुदुर्लभम्
Those who listen to this story, which destroys the multitude of Brāhmaṇa-slaying sins, attain the supreme state, which is difficult for the gods to reach.
गोघ्नश्चापि सुतघ्नश्च सुरापो गुरुतल्पगः । क्षणात्पूतो भवत्येव नात्र संशयितुं क्षमम्
Even a killer of cows, a killer of children, a drinker of liquor, or one who violates the teacher's bed becomes purified instantly; there is no room for doubt.
इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे पातालखण्डे शेषवात्स्यायनसंवादे रामाश्वमेधे श्रवणपठनपुण्यवर्णनं नामाष्टषष्टितमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the sixty-eighth chapter, named 'The Description of the Merit of Hearing and Reciting the Rāma Horse Sacrifice,' in the dialogue between Śeṣa and Vātsyāyana in the Pātāla section of the glorious Padma Purāṇa.
ऋषय ऊचुः - सम्यक्छ्रुतो महाभाग त्वत्तो रामाश्वमेधकः । इदानीं वद माहात्म्यं श्रीकृष्णस्य महात्मनः
The sages said: We have properly heard from you, O greatly fortunate one, about Rama's Ashvamedha. Now, please speak of the greatness of Shri Krishna, the exalted soul.
सूत उवाच-। शृण्वंतु मुनिशार्दूलाः श्रीकृष्णचरितामृतम् । शिवा पप्रच्छ भूतेशं यत्तद्वः कीर्तयाम्यहम्
Suta said: Listen, O foremost among sages, to the nectar of Shri Krishna's deeds. That which Shiva was asked by Parvati, I shall recount to you.
एकदा पार्वती देवी शिवं संस्निग्धमानसा । प्रणयेन नमस्कृत्य प्रोवाच वचनं त्विदम्
Once, the goddess Parvati, her mind affectionate, bowed lovingly to Shiva and spoke these words.
पार्वत्युवाच-। अनंतकोटिब्रह्मांड तद्बाह्याभ्यंतरस्थितेः । विष्णोः स्थानं परं तेषां प्रधानं वरमुत्तमम्
Parvati said: Among the countless universes, both within and beyond, Vishnu's supreme abode is the foremost and highest among them.
यत्परं नास्ति कृष्णस्य प्रियं स्थानं मनोरमम् । तत्सर्वं श्रोतुमिच्छामि कथयस्व महाप्रभो
There is no place dearer or more delightful to Krishna than the highest; I wish to hear all about it, please tell me, O great lord.
ईश्वर उवाच-। गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं गुह्यं परमानंदकारकम् । अत्यद्भुतं रहःस्थानमानंदं परमं परम्
Ishvara said: The most secret of secrets, more hidden than hidden, which brings supreme bliss, wondrous and concealed, is the highest and most joyful place.
दुर्लभानां च परमं दुर्लभं मोहनं परम् । सर्वशक्तिमयं देवि सर्वस्थानेषु गोपितम्
It is the supreme, rarest, and most enchanting among all difficult-to-attain places, O Devi, filled with all powers and hidden in every abode.
सात्वतां स्थानमूर्द्धन्यं विष्णोरत्यंतदुर्लभम् । नित्यं वृंदावनं नाम ब्रह्मांडोपरि संस्थितम्
The supreme abode of the Sātvatas, exceedingly rare for Vishnu, is eternally known as Vrindavana, situated above the universe.
पूर्णब्रह्मसुखैश्वर्यं नित्यमानंदमव्ययम् । वैकुंठादि तदंशांशं स्वयं वृंदावनं भुवि
Full of the bliss and sovereignty of Brahman, eternal and imperishable, Vrindavana itself is on earth, while Vaikuntha and others are but its partial manifestations.
गोलोकैश्वर्यं यत्किंचिद्गोकुले तत्प्रतिष्ठितम् । वैकुंठवैभवं यद्वै द्वारिकायां प्रतिष्ठितम्
Whatever majesty of Goloka exists is established in Gokula; whatever glory of Vaikuntha exists is established in Dvaraka.
यद्ब्रह्मपरमैश्वर्यं नित्यं वृंदावनाश्रयम् । कृष्णधामपरं तेषां वनमध्ये विशेषतः
The supreme majesty of Brahman, eternally residing in Vrindavana, is especially found in Krishna's highest abode, in the midst of the forest.
तस्मात्त्रैलोक्यमध्ये तु पृथ्वी धन्येति विश्रुता । यस्मान्माथुरकं नाम विष्णोरेकांतवल्लभम्
Therefore, among the three worlds, the earth is renowned as blessed, because it contains Mathura, the most beloved of Vishnu.
स्वस्थानमधिकं नामधेयं माथुरमंडलम् । निगूढं विविधं स्थानं पुर्यभ्यंतरसंस्थितम्
Mathura's region is named as Vishnu's own superior abode, a hidden and diverse place, situated within the city.
सहस्रपत्रकमलाकारं माथुरमंडलम् । विष्णुचक्रपरिभ्रामाद्धाम वैष्णवमद्भुतम्
The region of Mathura is shaped like a thousand-petaled lotus, wondrously Vaishnava, revolving by the power of Vishnu's discus.
कर्णिकापर्णविस्तारं रहस्यद्रुममीरितम् । प्रधानं द्वादशारण्यं माहात्म्यं कथितं क्रमात्
Its expanded center and petals are described as the secret grove; the chief twelve forests are recounted in order for their greatness.
भद्र श्री लोह भांडीर महाताल खदीरकाः । बकुलं कुमुदं काम्यं मधु वृंदावनं तथा
Bhadra, Shri, Loha, Bhāṇḍīra, Mahātāla, Khadīra, Bakula, Kumuda, Kāmya, Madhu, and Vrindavana as well.
द्वादशैतावती संख्या कालिंद्याः सप्त पश्चिमे । पूर्वे पंचवनं प्रोक्तं तत्रास्ति गुह्यमुत्तमम्
These twelve forests are counted thus: seven on the west of the Yamuna, five on the east; therein lies the highest secret.
महारण्यं गोकुलाख्यं मधु वृंदावनं तथा । अन्यच्चोपवनं प्रोक्तं कृष्णक्रीडारसस्थलम्
The great forest called Gokula, Madhu, Vrindavana, and another grove are described as the places of Krishna's playful pastimes.
कदंबखंडनं नंदवनं नंदीश्वरं तथा । नंदनंदनखंडं च पलाशाशोककेतकी
Kadamba forest, Nandavana, Nandiśvara, and likewise Nandanandana grove, as well as palāśa, aśoka, and ketakī trees.
सुगंधमानसं कैलममृतं भोजनस्थलम् । सुखप्रसाधनं वत्सहरणं शेषशायिकम्
The fragrant lake, Kailāsa nectar, the place of feasting, the abode of happiness, the calf-stealing, and the couch of Śeṣa.
श्यामपूर्वो दधिग्रामश्चक्रभानुपुरं तथा । संकेतं द्विपदं चैव बालक्रीडनधूसरम्
Śyāmapūrva, the village of curds, Cakrabhānu's city, the place of rendezvous, the two-footed, and the dust of children's play.
कामद्रुमं सुललितमुत्सुकं चापि काननम् । नानाविधरसक्रीडा नानालीलारसस्थलम्
The wish-fulfilling tree, beautifully adorned, and also the eager forest; various playful delights, and places of diverse amusements.