सुरूपः सुभगः कांतः कीर्तिमान्भक्तिभावितः। ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रा वा क्षेत्रवासिनः
Whether Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, or Shudras, or those who dwell in the fields—if they are handsome, fortunate, beloved, renowned, and filled with devotion—
स्वधर्मनिरता राजन्सुवृत्ताश्चिरजीविनः। सर्वात्मना ब्रह्मभक्ता भूतानुग्रहकारिणः
O King, those who are devoted to their own duties, of good conduct, long-lived, wholly devoted to Brahman, and compassionate to all beings—
पुष्करे तु महाक्षेत्रे ये वसंति मुमुक्षवः। मृतास्ते ब्रह्मभवनं विमानैर्यांति शोभनैः
Those seekers of liberation who dwell in the great sacred place of Pushkara, when they die, ascend to the abode of Brahma in splendid aerial chariots.
अप्सरोगणसंघुष्टैः कामगैः कामरूपिभिः। अथवा सर्वदीप्ताग्नौ स्वशरीरं जुहोति यः
Accompanied by hosts of Apsaras, by wish-fulfilling and form-changing beings—or if one offers his own body into the ever-blazing fire—
ब्रह्मध्यायी महासत्वस्स ब्रह्मभवनं व्रजेत्। ब्रह्मलोकोऽक्षयस्तस्य शाश्वतो विभवैः सह
A great-souled one who meditates on Brahman goes to the abode of Brahma; for him, the world of Brahma is undecaying and eternal, together with its enjoyments.
सर्वलोकोत्तमो रम्यो भवतीष्टार्थसाधकः। पुष्करे तु महापुण्ये प्राणान्ये सलिले त्यजन्
That highest and most delightful world, fulfilling all desired aims—if one gives up his life in the sacred waters of Pushkara—
तेषामप्यक्षयो भीष्म ब्रह्मलोको महात्मनाम्। साक्षात्पश्यंति ते देवं सर्वदुःखविनाशनम्
For them too, O Bhishma, the world of Brahma is undecaying—the abode of the great-souled; there they directly behold the god who destroys all suffering.
सर्वामरयुतं देवं रुद्रविष्णुगणैर्युतम्। अनाशके मृताश्शूद्राः पुष्करे तु वने नराः
They see the god surrounded by countless immortals, with hosts of Rudras and Vishnus; and those men who die in the forest of Pushkara, even if Shudras, are not destroyed.
हंसयुक्तैस्ततो यांति विमानैरर्कसप्रभैः। नानारत्नसुवर्णाढ्यैर्दृढैर्गंधाधिवासितैः
Then they ascend in aerial chariots yoked with swans, radiant as the sun, adorned with various jewels and gold, strong and fragrant with perfumes.
अनौपम्यगुणैरन्यैरप्सरोगीतनादितैः। पताकाध्वजविन्यस्तैर्नानाघण्टानिनादितैः
With incomparable virtues and other excellences, resounding with the songs of Apsaras, adorned with banners and flags, and filled with the sounds of many bells.
बह्वाश्चर्यसमोपेतैः क्रीडाविज्ञानशालिभिः। सुप्रभैर्गुणसंपन्नैर्मयूरवरवाहिभिः
Endowed with many wondrous marvels, with those skilled in play and knowledge, shining brightly, possessed of virtues, and drawn by excellent peacocks.
ब्रह्मलोके नरा धीरा रमंते नाशके मृताः। तत्रोषित्वा चिरं कालं भुक्त्वा भोगान्यथेप्सितान्
In the world of Brahma, the steadfast men who die in Pushkara rejoice; having dwelled there for a long time, they enjoy pleasures as they desire.
धनी विप्नकुले भोगी जायते मर्त्यमागतः। कारीषीं साधयेद्यस्तु पुष्करे तु वने नरः
When returning to the mortal world, they are born in wealthy and prosperous families, enjoying pleasures; but the man who accomplishes the Kārīṣī rite in the forest of Pushkara—
सर्वलोकान्परित्यज्य ब्रह्मलोकं स गच्छति। ब्रह्मलोके वसेत्तावद्यावत्कल्पक्षयो भवेत्
Abandoning all other worlds, he goes to the world of Brahma; he dwells in Brahma's world until the end of the aeon.
नैव पश्यति मर्त्यं हि क्लिश्यमानं स्वकर्मभिः। गतिस्तस्याऽप्रतिहता तिर्यगूर्ध्वमधस्तथा
He does not see mortals tormented by their own actions; his path is unobstructed—whether across, above, or below.
स पूज्यः सर्वलोकेषु यशो विस्तारयन्वशी। सदाचारविधिप्रज्ञः सर्वेन्द्रिय मनोहरः
He is honored in all worlds, spreading his fame, self-controlled, wise in the rules of good conduct, and captivating to all the senses.
नृत्यवादित्रगीतज्ञः सुभगः प्रियदर्शनः। नित्यमम्लानकुसुमो दिव्याभरणभूषितः
Skilled in dance, music, and song, charming and pleasant to behold, always adorned with unwithered flowers and divine ornaments.
नीलोत्पलदलश्यामो नीलकुंचितमूर्द्धजः। अजघन्याः सुमध्याश्च सर्वसौभाग्यपूरिताः
With a complexion dark as the petal of the blue lotus, with curly dark hair; his companions are of unsurpassed beauty, slender-waisted, and filled with all auspiciousness.
सर्वैश्वर्यगुणोपेता यौवनेनातिगर्विताः। स्त्रियः सेवंति तत्रस्थाः शयने रमयंति च
Women endowed with all qualities of prosperity, exceedingly proud of their youth, serve those who dwell there and delight them upon the couch.
वीणावेणुनिनादैश्च सुप्तः संप्रतिबुध्यते। महोत्सवसुखं भुंक्ते दुःप्राप्यमकृतात्मभिः२५० 1.15.
He, awakened from sleep by the sounds of the lute and flute, enjoys the happiness of a great festival—happiness difficult to obtain for those who have not mastered themselves.
प्रसादाद्देवदेवस्य ब्रह्मणः शुभकारिणः। भीष्म उवाच। आचाराः परमा धर्माः क्षेत्रधर्मपरायणाः
By the grace of the god of gods, Brahmā, the beneficent one—Bhīṣma said: The highest dharmas are those of conduct, devoted to the duties of the sacred field.
स्वधर्माचारनिरता जितक्रोधा जितेंद्रियाः। ब्रह्मलोकं व्रजंतीति नैतच्चित्रं मतं मम
Those devoted to their own righteous conduct, who have conquered anger and mastered their senses, attain Brahmā's world; this, to me, is not surprising.
असंशयं च गच्छंति लोकानन्यानपि द्विजाः। विना पद्मोपवासेन तथैव नियमेन च
Without doubt, twice-born ones also reach other worlds, even without the Padma fast or such observances.
स्त्रियो म्लेछाश्च शूद्राश्च पक्षिणः पशवो मृगाः। मूका जडान्धबधिरास्तपो नियमवर्जिताः
Women, foreigners, Śūdras, birds, cattle, wild animals, the mute, the dull, the blind, the deaf—those lacking in austerity and discipline—
तेषां वद गतिं विप्र पुष्करे ये त्ववस्थिताः। पुलस्त्य उवाच। स्त्रियो म्लेच्छाश्च शूद्राश्च पशवः पक्षिणो मृगाः
Tell me, O brāhmaṇa, the fate of those who dwell at Puṣkara—women, foreigners, Śūdras, cattle, birds, wild animals—
पुष्करे तु मृता भीष्म ब्रह्मलोकं व्रजंति ते। शरीरैर्दिव्यरूपैस्तु विमानै रविसप्रभैः
O Bhīṣma, those who die at Puṣkara—women, foreigners, Śūdras, cattle, birds, wild animals—go to Brahmā's world with bodies of divine form, in aerial chariots shining like the sun.
दिव्यव्यूहसमायुक्तैः सुवर्णवरकेतनैः। सुवर्णवज्रसोपानमणिस्तंभविभूषितैः
They are adorned with divine retinues, with golden, splendid banners, golden and diamond stairways, and pillars studded with jewels.
सर्वकामोपभोगाढ्यैः कामगैः कामरूपिभिः। नानारसाढ्यं गच्छंति स्त्रीसहस्रसमाकुलाः
They attain enjoyment of all desires, accompanied by wish-fulfilling beings, and surrounded by thousands of women.
ब्रह्मलोकं महात्मानो लोकानन्यान्यथेप्सितान्। ब्रह्मलोकाच्च्युताश्चापि क्रमाद्द्वीपेषु यांति ते
The great-souled attain Brahmā's world and other desired realms; and, having fallen from Brahmā's world, they go in order to the islands (of the earth).
कुले महति विस्तीर्णे धनी भवति स द्विजः। तिर्यग्योनि गता ये तु सर्पकीटपिपीलिकाः
In a great and prosperous family, that twice-born is born wealthy; but those who have entered animal wombs—serpents, insects, ants—