किमुच्यते व्रतं चैव शुभं कुब्जाम्रकं महत्
What is the auspicious vow called Kubjāmraka, and how is it observed?
श्रीवराह उवाच मम क्षेत्रं परं चैव शुद्धं भागवतप्रियम्
Śrī Varāha said: That is indeed my supreme field, pure and dear to the devotees of Bhagavān.
परं कोकामुखं स्थानं तथा कुब्जा म्रकं परम्
The supreme place is Kokāmukha, and likewise, Kubjāmraka is most excellent.
यत्र संस्था च मे देवि ह्युद्धृतासि रसातलात्
O goddess, it is there that you were established by me, having been lifted from the netherworld.
धरोवाच किं वा पुण्यं भवेत्तत्र स्नातस्य पिबतस्तथा
Earth said: What merit arises there for one who bathes and drinks likewise?
श्रीवराह उवाच यां गतिं ते प्रपद्यन्ते नराः सौकरवे मृताः।।१३७.
Śrī Varāha said: The destination attained by those who die at Saukara—listen.
यत्र स्नातस्य यत्पुण्यं गतस्य च मृतस्य च
The merit obtained by one who bathes there, or who departs or dies there—
शृणु पुण्यं महाभागे मम क्षेत्रेषु सुन्दरि
Hear, O beautiful and fortunate one, the merit in my sacred fields.
दश पूर्वापराश्चापि अपरे सप्त पंच च
Ten ancestors before and after, and also seven others and five—
गमनादेव सुश्रोणि मुखस्य मम दर्शनात्
By merely going there, O lovely-hipped one, or by seeing my face—
धनधान्यसमृद्धेषु रूपवान्गुणवान् शुचिः
He becomes prosperous in wealth and grain, handsome, virtuous, and pure.
एवं वै मानुषो भूत्वा अपराधविवर्जितः
Thus, being born as a human, and free from transgressions—
ये मृतास्तस्य क्षेत्रस्य सौकरस्य प्रभावतः
Those who die in that field of Saukara, by its power—
त्यक्त्वा कलेवरं तूर्णं श्वतेद्द्वीपं प्रयान्ति ते
Having quickly abandoned the body, they go to the White Island.
तीर्थेषु तेषु स्नातश्च यां प्राप्नोति परां गतिम्
The supreme state attained by one who bathes at those holy places—
शृणु पुण्यं तत्र भद्रे प्राप्नोति परमं नरः १३७.
Hear, O blessed one, the merit there; a man attains the highest.
वैशाख द्वादशीं प्राप्य स्नायाद्यो विधिपूर्वकम्
One who, upon the twelfth day of Vaiśākha, bathes according to the prescribed rule—
धनधान्यसमृद्धो हि जायते विपुले कुले
He is born in a great family, abundant in wealth and grain.
अपराधं वर्जयति दीक्षितश्चैव जायते
He avoids wrongdoing and is initiated indeed.
तीर्त्वा चक्र गदाशंखपद्मपाणिश्चतुर्भुजः
Crossing over, the four-armed One, bearing discus, mace, conch, and lotus, appeared.
चक्रतीर्थे विशालाक्षि मरणे कृतकृत्यतः
O wide-eyed one, at the holy place of the discus, one who dies there has fulfilled his purpose.
शिरस्यञ्जलिमाधाय श्लक्ष्णमेतदुवाच ह
Placing his joined hands upon his head, he spoke these gentle words.
एतदाचक्ष्व तत्त्वेन परं कौतूहलं हि मे
Tell me this truly; for I have great curiosity about it.
उवाच वाक्यं मेदिन्याः मेषदुन्दुभिनिःस्वनः
He spoke words, resounding like the drum of a ram, to the Earth.
तस्य वै कारणं येन तेन चाराधितोस्म्यहम्
The reason for this, by which I have been worshipped, is indeed by him.
दर्शितश्च मया ह्यात्मा यो हि देवेषु दुर्लभः १३७.
And I have revealed my very self, which is hard to attain even for the gods.
मां स द्रष्टुं न शक्नोति मम तेजःप्रमोहितः
He is unable to see me, bewildered by my radiance.
न शक्नोति तथा वक्तुं भीरुः सन्त्रस्तलोचनः
Likewise, he cannot speak, his eyes trembling in fear.
वाणीं सूक्ष्मां समादाय स सोमो चोदितो मया
Taking up subtle speech, that Soma, prompted by me—
ब्रूहि तत्वेन मे सोम यत्ते मनति वर्त्तते
Speak to me truly, Soma, whatever is in your mind.