Mantras for success in journey, entry into new buildings, and propitiating malevolent spirits

Mahābhārata

CHAPTER 150

(ANUSHASANIKA PARVA) - Continued

The Mantras for success in journey, entry into new buildings, and propitiating malevolent spirits

SYNOPSIS

In this chapter of the Mahabharata, Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava and seeker of wisdom, approaches the wise Bhishma during his final teachings on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Yudhishthira seeks to learn about a sacred and potent mantra that can guide individuals toward virtue, success, and spiritual fulfillment. He asks for a mantra suitable for daily recitation, as well as for specific occasions such as embarking on journeys, entering new spaces, performing sacrifices, or overcoming fear and adversity.

Bhishma, drawing upon the knowledge of Vyasa and ancient traditions, reveals the Savitri Mantras. These mantras, described as embodying eternal truth and the essence of the Vedas, have the power to purify individuals of sin, bestow longevity, and bring worldly prosperity and spiritual liberation. Bhishma explains that these mantras were recited by great sages, kings, and warriors who achieved unparalleled success and righteousness. Through their recitation, one can honor divine beings, dispel malevolent forces, and secure blessings for oneself and one’s family.

The text elaborates on the divine beings, sages, and kings whose names are invoked within the Savitri Mantras. These include the eleven Rudras, the twelve Adityas, the eight Vasus, the Ashvins, and Vishnu himself. The mantras also honor great sages like Vasishtha, Atri, Kashyapa, and Bharadvaja, as well as legendary rulers such as Prithu and Bhagiratha, known for their unparalleled deeds and devotion. These figures, revered for their divine qualities and accomplishments, are presented as models of dharma, cosmic harmony, and spiritual enlightenment.

Bhishma emphasizes the manifold benefits of reciting these mantras. They bring protection from physical and metaphysical dangers—such as fire, water, disease, and evil spirits—and grant peace, wealth, and fulfillment of desires. The recitation safeguards travelers, ensures prosperity in agricultural and domestic endeavors, and protects against misfortune in battles and daily life. It also sanctifies rituals performed in honor of deities and ancestors, allowing the reciter to channel divine blessings to the world around them.

The mantras are portrayed as a universal panacea, capable of alleviating fear, dispelling sorrow, and promoting well-being across all aspects of life. Bhishma highlights their role in connecting the individual to the cosmic order, as they encapsulate the essence of the highest spiritual truths. The sacred recitation is recommended as a daily practice, offering both worldly benefits and spiritual liberation, while serving as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all existence.

Bhishma concludes by affirming the mantras’ timeless relevance and universal efficacy, urging Yudhishthira to adopt their recitation as a means to uphold dharma and achieve inner peace. He offers to share further wisdom should Yudhishthira seek guidance on other matters. Through this dialogue, the text underscores the importance of devotion, discipline, and the transformative power of sacred sound in the pursuit of a virtuous and fulfilling life.

CHAPTER 150

युधिष्ठिर उवाच 

पितामह महाप्राज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद । 
किं जप्यं जपतो नित्यं भवेद् धर्मफलं महत्।।१।।

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
kiṃ japyaṃ japato nityaṃ bhaved dharmaphalaṃ mahat ||1||
pitāmaha mahāprājña sarvaśāstraviśārada |

Yuthishthira said
O grandfather, O you of great wisdom, O you who know all branches of knowledge, what is that subject of silent recitation by reciting which every day one may win the merit of virtue in a large measure?

प्रस्थाने वा प्रवेशे वा प्रवृत्ते वापि कर्मणि । 
दैवे वा श्राद्धकाले वा किं जप्यं कर्मसाधनम् ॥ २ ॥

prasthāne vā praveśe vā pravṛtte vāpi karmaṇi |
daive vā śrāddhakāle vā kiṃ japyaṃ karmasādhanam || 2 ||

What is that Mantra for recitation, which gives success, if recited on the occasion of starting on a journey or entering a new building, at the beginning of any undertaking, or on the occasion of sacrifices in honor of the deities or of the manes?

शान्तिकं पौष्टिकं रक्षा शत्रुध्नं भयनाशनम् । 
जयं यद् ब्रह्मसमितं तद् भवान् वक्तुमर्हति ॥ ३ ॥

śāntikaṃ pauṣṭikaṃ rakṣā śatrudhnaṃ bhayanāśanam |
jayaṃ yad brahmasamitaṃ tad bhavān vaktumarhati || 3 ||

You should tell me what, indeed, Mantra it is, which propitiates all malevolent influences or brings on prosperity or growth or protection from evil, or the destruction of enemies, or the dispelling of fears, and which, at the same time, is consistent with the Vedas.

भीष्म उवाच 
व्यासप्रोक्तमिमं मन्त्रं शृणुष्वैकमना नृप । 
सावित्र्या विहितं दिव्यं सद्यः पापविमोचनम् ॥ ४॥

bhīṣma uvāca
vyāsaproktamimaṃ mantraṃ śṛṇuṣvaikamanā nṛpa |
sāvitryā vihitaṃ divyaṃ sadyaḥ pāpavimocanam || 4||

Bhishma said
Hear, O king, with rapt attention, what that Mantra is which was declared by Vyasa. It was ordained by Savitri and is highly excellent. It is capable of purifying a person forthwith of all his sins.

शृणु मन्त्रविधिं कृत्स्नं प्रोच्यमानं मयाऽनघ ।
यं श्रुत्वा पाण्डवश्रेष्ठ सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ॥ ५ ॥

śṛṇu mantravidhiṃ kṛtsnaṃ procyamānaṃ mayā’nagha |
yaṃ śrutvā pāṇḍavaśreṣṭha sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate || 5 ||

Hear, O sinless one, as I recite to you the ordinances about that Mantra. Indeed, O chief of the sons of Pandu, by listening to those ordinances, one becomes purged of all his sins.

रात्रावहनि धर्मज्ञ जपन् पापैर्न लिप्यते ।
तत्तेऽहं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुष्वैकमना नृप || ६ ||

rātrāvahani dharmajña japan pāpairna lipyate |
tatte’haṃ sampravakṣyāmi śṛṇuṣvaikamanā nṛpa || 6 ||

One who recites this Mantra day and night becomes never sullied by sin. I shall now declare it to you what that Mantra is. Do you listen with rapt attention.

आयुष्मान् भवते चैव यं श्रुत्वा पार्थिवात्मज ।
पुरुषस्तु सुसिद्धार्थः प्रेत्य चेह च मोदते ॥ ७ ॥

āyuṣmān bhavate caiva yaṃ śrutvā pārthivātmaja |
puruṣastu susiddhārthaḥ pretya ceha ca modate || 7 ||

Indeed, the man who hears it becomes gifted with longevity, O prince, and attaining to the fruition of all his desires, sports happily both in this life and in the next.

सेवितं सततं राजन् पुरा राजर्षिसत्तमैः ।
क्षत्रधर्मपरैर्नित्यं सत्यव्रतपरायणैः ॥ ८ ॥

sevitaṃ satataṃ rājan purā rājarṣisattamaiḥ |
kṣatradharmaparairnityaṃ satyavrataparāyaṇaiḥ || 8 ||

This Mantra, O king, was daily recited by the foremost of royal sages performing Kshatriya duties and steadily observing the vow of truth.

इदमाह्निकमव्यग्रं कुर्वद्भिर्नियतैः सदा ।
नृपैर्भरतशार्दूल प्राप्यते श्रीरनुत्तमा । । ९ ॥

idamāhnikamavyagraṃ kurvadbhirniyataiḥ sadā |
nṛpairbharataśārdūla prāpyate śrīranuttamā | | 9 ||

Indeed, O foremost of kings, those monarchs who, with controlled senses and tranquil soul, recite this Mantra every day, succeed in winning unrivalled prosperity.

नमो वसिष्ठाय महाव्रताय पराशरं वेदनिधिं नमस्ये । 
नमोऽस्त्वनन्ताय महोरगाय नमोऽस्तु सिद्धेभ्य इहाक्षयेभ्यः ॥ १० ॥

namo vasiṣṭhāya mahāvratāya parāśaraṃ vedanidhiṃ namasye |
namo’stvanantāya mahoragāya namo’stu siddhebhya ihākṣayebhyaḥ || 10 ||

Salutations to Vasishtha of high vows, after having bowed with respect to Parashara, that Ocean of the Vedas. Salutation to the great snake Ananta, and salutations to all those who are crowned with success, and who are of undecaying glory.

नमोऽस्त्वृषिभ्यः परमं परेषां देवेषु देवं वरदं वराणाम् |
सहस्रशीर्षाय नमः शिवाय सहस्रनामाय जनार्दनाय ॥ ११ ॥

namo’stvṛṣibhyaḥ paramaṃ pareṣāṃ deveṣu devaṃ varadaṃ varāṇām |
sahasraśīrṣāya namaḥ śivāya sahasranāmāya janārdanāya ||11||

Salutations to the Rishis, and to Him who is the Highest of the High, the god of gods, and the giver of boons to all those that are foremost. Salutations unto Him of a thousand heads. Him that is most auspicious. Him who has a thousand names. Viz., Janardana.

अजैकपादहिर्बुध्न्यः पिनाकी चापराजितः । 
ऋतश्च पितृरूपश्च त्र्यम्बकश्च महेश्वरः ॥ १२ ॥ 
वृषाकपिश्च शम्भुश्च हवनोऽथेश्वरस्तथा । 
एकादशैते प्रथिता रुद्रास्त्रिभुवनेश्वराः ॥ १३ ॥

ajaikapādahirbudhnyaḥ pinākī cāparājitaḥ | 
ṛtaśca pitṛrūpaśca tryambakaśca maheśvaraḥ || 12 || 
vṛṣākapiśca śambhuśca havano’theśvarastathā | 
ekādaśaite prathitā rudrāstribhuvaneśvarāḥ || 13 ||

Aja, Ekapada, Ahivradhna, the unvanquished Pinakin, Rita, Pitrirupa, the threeeyed Maheshvara, Vrishakapi, Shambhu, Havana, and Ishvara, these are the celebrated eleven Rudras, who are the lords of all the worlds.

शतमेतत् समाम्नतं शतरुद्रे महात्मनाम् । 
अंशो भगश्च मित्रश्च वरुणश्च जलेश्वरः ॥ १४ ॥ 
तथा धार्तायमा चैव जयन्तो भास्करस्तथा । 
त्वष्टा पूषा तथैवेन्द्रो द्वादशो विष्णुरुच्यते ।। १५ ।। 
इत्येते द्वादशादित्याः काश्यपेया इति श्रुतिः ।

śatametat samāmnataṃ śatarudre mahātmanām |
aṃśo bhagaśca mitraśca varuṇaśca jaleśvaraḥ || 14 ||
tathā dhārtāyamā caiva jayanto bhāskarastathā |
tvaṣṭā pūṣā tathaivendro dvādaśo viṣṇurucyate || 15 ||
ityete dvādaśādityāḥ kāśyapeyā iti śrutiḥ |

These eleven highsouled ones have been mentioned as a hundred in the Shatarudra (of the Vedas). Angsha, Bhaga, Mitra, Varuna the lord of waters, Dhatri, Aryaman, Jayanta, Bhaskara, Tvashtri, Pushan, Indra, and Vishnu, are said to comprise a tale of twelve. These twelve are called Adityas and they are the sons of Kashyapa as the Shruti declares.

धरो ध्रुवश्च सोमश्च 
सावित्रोऽथानिलोऽनलः॥१६॥ 
प्रत्यूषश्च प्रभासश्च वसवोऽष्टौ प्रकीर्तिताः ।

dharo dhruvaśca somaśca
sāvitro’thānilo’nalaḥ||16||
pratyūṣaśca prabhāsaśca vasavo’ṣṭau prakīrtitāḥ |

Dhara, Dhruva, Soma, Savittra, Anila, Anala, Pratyusha, and Prabhava, are the eight Vasus, named in the scriptures.

नासत्यश्चापि दत्तश्च स्मृतौ द्वावश्विनावपि । । १७ ॥
मार्तण्डस्यात्मजावेतौ संज्ञानासाविनिर्गतौ ।

nāsatyaścāpi dattaśca smṛtau dvāvaśvināvapi | | 17 ||
mārtaṇḍasyātmajāvetau saṃjñānāsāvinirgatau |

Nasatya and Dasra are said to be the two Ashvins. They are the sons of Martanda born of his wife Samjna, from whose nostrils they emanated.

अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि लोकानां कर्मसाक्षिणः ॥ १८ ॥
अपि यज्ञस्य वेत्तारो दत्तस्य सुकृतस्य च ।

ataḥ paraṃ pravakṣyāmi lokānāṃ karmasākṣiṇaḥ || 18 ||
api yajñasya vettāro dattasya sukṛtasya ca |

After this I shall recite the names of those who are the witnesses of all deeds in the worlds. They take note of all sacrifices, of all gifts, of all good deeds.

अदृश्याः सर्वभूतेषु पश्यन्ति त्रिदशेश्वराः ।। १९ ।। 
शुभाशुभानि कर्माणि मृत्युः कालश्च सर्वशः । 
विश्वेदेवाः पितृगणा मूर्तिमन्तस्तपोधनाः ॥ २० ॥ 
मुनयश्चैव सिद्धाश्च तपोमोक्षपरायणाः ।

adṛśyāḥ sarvabhūteṣu paśyanti tridaśeśvarāḥ || 19 ||
śubhāśubhāni karmāṇi mṛtyuḥ kālaśca sarvaśaḥ |
viśvedevāḥ pitṛgaṇā mūrtimantastapodhanāḥ || 20 ||
munayaścaiva siddhāśca tapomokṣaparāyaṇāḥ |

Those lords among the deities see everything although they are invisible. Indeed, they see all the good and bad deeds of all beings. They are Mrityu, Kala, the Vishvedevas, the Pitris having forms, the great Rishis having penances for wealth, the Munis, and others crowned with success and devoted to penances and Liberation.

शुचिस्मिताः कीर्तयतां प्रयच्छन्ति शुभं नृणाम् ॥ २१॥ 
प्रजापतिकृतानेताँल्लोकान् दिव्येन तेजसा ।

śucismitāḥ kīrtayatāṃ prayacchanti śubhaṃ nṛṇām || 21||
prajāpatikṛtānetāṁllokān divyena tejasā |

These of sweet smiles, confer various benefits upon those men who recite their names. Indeed, gifted as they are with celestial energy, they confer various regions of happiness created by the Grandfather upon such men.

वसन्ति सर्वलोकेषु प्रयताः सर्वकर्मसु ॥ २२ ॥
प्राणानामीश्वरानेतान् कीर्तयन् प्रयतो नरः ।

vasanti sarvalokeṣu prayatāḥ sarvakarmasu || 22 ||
prāṇānāmīśvarānetān kīrtayan prayato naraḥ |

They live in all the worlds and attentively mark all deeds. By reciting the names of those lords of all living creatures, one always becomes gifted with rightousness and wealth and enjoyments in profusion.

धर्मार्थकामैर्विपुलैर्युज्यते सह नित्यशः ॥ २३ ॥
लोकांश्च लभते पुण्यान् विश्वेश्वरकृताञ्छुभान्।

dharmārthakāmairvipulairyujyate saha nityaśaḥ || 23 ||
lokāṃśca labhate puṇyān viśveśvarakṛtāñchubhān|

One acquires hereafter diverse regions of auspiciousness and happiness created by the Lord of the universe.

एते देवास्त्रयस्त्रिंशत् सर्वभूतगणेश्वराः ।। २४ ।। 
नन्दीश्वरो महाकायो ग्रामणीर्वृषभध्वजः ।
ईश्वराः सर्वलोकानां गणेश्वरविनायकाः ॥ २५ ॥
सौम्या रौद्रा गणाश्चैव योगभूतगणास्तथा ।
ज्योतींषि सरितो व्योम सुपर्णः पतगेश्वरः ।। २६ ।।
पृथिव्यां तपसा सिद्धा: स्थावराश्च चराश्च ह।
हिमवान् गिरयः सर्वे चत्वारश्च महार्णवाः ||२७|| 
भवस्यानुचराश्चैव हरतुल्यपराक्रमाः । 
विष्णुर्देवोऽथ जिष्णुश्च स्कन्दश्चाम्बिकया सह ।। २८ ।।
कीर्तयन् प्रयतः सर्वान् सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।

ete devāstrayastriṃśat sarvabhūtagaṇeśvarāḥ || 24 || 
nandīśvaro mahākāyo grāmaṇīrvṛṣabhadhvajaḥ |
īśvarāḥ sarvalokānāṃ gaṇeśvaravināyakāḥ || 25 ||
saumyā raudrā gaṇāścaiva yogabhūtagaṇāstathā |
jyotīṃṣi sarito vyoma suparṇaḥ patageśvaraḥ || 26 ||
pṛthivyāṃ tapasā siddhā: sthāvarāśca carāśca ha|
himavān girayaḥ sarve catvāraśca mahārṇavāḥ ||27|| 
bhavasyānucarāścaiva haratulyaparākramāḥ | 
viṣṇurdevo’tha jiṣṇuśca skandaścāmbikayā saha || 28 ||
kīrtayan prayataḥ sarvān sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate |

These thirty three deities, who are the lords of all beings, as also Nandishvara of huge body, and that preeminent one who has the bull for the emblem on his banner, and those masters of all the worlds, viz., the followers and associates of him called Ganeshvara, and those called Saunyas, and those called the Raudras, and those called the Yogas, and those who are known as the Bhutas, and the luminaries in the firmament, the Rivers, the sky, the king of birds (viz., Garuda), all those persons on Earth who have become crowned with success on account of their penances, and who are existing in an immobile or mobile form, Himavat, all the mountains the four Oceans, the followers and companions of Bhava who are gifted with prowess equal to that of Bhava himself, the illustrious and evervictorious Vishnu and Skanda, and Ambika, these are the great souls by reciting whose names with controlled senses, one becomes purged of all his sins.

अत ऊर्ध्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि मानवानृषिसत्तवान् ॥ २९ ॥
यवक्रीतश्च रैभ्यश्च अर्वावसुपरावसू । 
औशिजचैव कक्षीवान् बलश्चाङ्गिरसः सुतः || ३० ॥
ऋषिर्मेधातिथेः पुत्रः कण्वो बर्हिषदस्तथा ।

ata ūrdhvaṃ pravakṣyāmi mānavānṛṣisattavān || 29 ||
yavakrītaśca raibhyaśca arvāvasuparāvasū | 
auśijacaiva kakṣīvān balaścāṅgirasaḥ sutaḥ || 30 ||
ṛṣirmedhātitheḥ putraḥ kaṇvo barhiṣadastathā |

After this, I shall recite the names of those foremost Rishis who are known as Manavas. They are Yavakrita, and Raibhya and Arvavasu, and Paravasu, and Aushija, and Kakshivat, and Vala the son of Angirasa. Then is Kanwa the son of the Rishi Medhatithi, and Varishada.

ब्रह्मतेजोमयाः सर्वे कीर्तिता लोकभावनाः ।। ३१||
लभन्ते हि शुभं सर्वे रुद्रानलवसुप्रभाः ।

brahmatejomayāḥ sarve kīrtitā lokabhāvanāḥ || 31||
labhante hi śubhaṃ sarve rudrānalavasuprabhāḥ |

All these are gifted with the energy of Brahman and have been spoken of as creators of the universe. They have originated from Rudra and Anala and the Vasusa By reciting their names people get great benefits.

भुवि कृत्वा शुभं कर्म मोदन्ते दिवि दैवतैः ॥ ३२ ॥
महेन्द्रगुरवः सप्त प्राचीं वै दिशमाश्रिताः ।

bhuvi kṛtvā śubhaṃ karma modante divi daivataiḥ || 32 ||
mahendraguravaḥ sapta prācīṃ vai diśamāśritāḥ |

Indeed, by doing good deeds on Earth, people sport happily in the celestial region, with the celestials. These Rishis are the priests of Indra. They live in the East.

प्रयतः कीर्तयेदेताञ्शक्रलोके महीयते ॥ ३३ ॥

prayataḥ kīrtayedetāñśakraloke mahīyate || 33 ||

That man who, with rapt attention, recites the names of these Rishis, succeeds in ascending to the regions of Indra and getting great honours there.

उन्मुचुः प्रमुचुश्चैव स्वस्त्यात्रेयश्च वीर्यवान् ।
दृढव्यश्चोर्ध्वबाहुश्च तृणसोमाङ्गिरास्तथा।।३४।।
मित्रावरुणयोः पुत्रस्तथागस्त्यः प्रतापवान्।
धर्मराजर्त्विजः सप्त दक्षिणां दिशमाश्रिताः ।। ३५ ।।

unmucuḥ pramucuścaiva svastyātreyaśca vīryavān |
dṛḍhavyaścordhvabāhuśca tṛṇasomāṅgirāstathā||34||
mitrāvaruṇayoḥ putrastathāgastyaḥ pratāpavān|
dharmarājartvijaḥ sapta dakṣiṇāṃ diśamāśritāḥ || 35 ||

Unmuchu, Pramuchu, Svastwyatreya of great energy, Dridhavya, Urdhavahu, Trinasoma Angirasa, and Agastya of great energy, the son of Mitravaruna, these seven are the Ritvijas of the Yama the king of the dead, and live in the southern quarter

दृढेयुश्च ऋतेयुश्च परिव्याधश्च कीर्तिमान् ।
एकतश्च द्वितश्चैव त्रितश्चादित्यसंनिभाः ॥ ३६ ॥

dṛḍheyuśca ṛteyuśca parivyādhaśca kīrtimān | 
ekataśca dvitaścaiva tritaścādityasaṃnibhāḥ || 36 ||

अत्रे : पुत्रश्च धर्मात्मा ऋषिः सारस्वतस्तथा । 
वरुणस्यर्त्विजः सप्त पश्चिमां दिशमाश्रिताः ॥ ३७॥

atre : putraśca dharmātmā ṛṣiḥ sārasvatastathā | 
varuṇasyartvijaḥ sapta paścimāṃ diśamāśritāḥ || 37||

Dridheyu, Riteyu, illustrious Parivyadha, Ekata, Dvita, and Trita, the last three gifted with solar effulgence, and Atri's son of righteous soul, viz., the Rishi Sarasvata, these seven who had acted as Ritvijas in the great sacrifice of Varuna, have taken up their abodes in the Western quarter.

अत्रिर्वसिष्ठो भगवान् कश्यपश्च महानृषिः । 
गौतमश्च भरद्वाजो विश्वामित्रोऽथ कौशिकः || ३८ ॥ 
ऋचीकतनयचोग्रो जमदग्निः प्रतापवान् । 
धनेश्वरस्य गुरवः सप्तैते उत्तराश्रिताः ।। ३९ ।।

atrirvasiṣṭho bhagavān kaśyapaśca mahānṛṣiḥ | 
gautamaśca bharadvājo viśvāmitro’tha kauśikaḥ || 38 || 
ṛcīkatanayacogro jamadagniḥ pratāpavān | 
dhaneśvarasya guravaḥ saptaite uttarāśritāḥ || 39 ||

Atri, the illustrious Vasishtha, the great Rishi Kashyapa, Gautama, Bharadvaja, Vishvamitra the son of Kushika, and Richika's fierce and energetic son Jamadagni, these seven are the Ritvijas of the Lord of treasures and live in the Northern quarter.

अपरे मुनयः सप्त दिक्षु सर्वास्वधिष्ठिताः । 
कीर्तिस्तस्तिकरा नृणां कीर्तिता लोकभावनाः ॥४०॥

apare munayaḥ sapta dikṣu sarvāsvadhiṣṭhitāḥ | 
kīrtistastikarā nṛṇāṃ kīrtitā lokabhāvanāḥ ||40||

There are seven other Rishis who live in all directions without being confined to any particular onc. They, it is, who give fame and of all that is beneficial to men, and they have been sung as the creators of the worlds.

धर्मः कामश्च कालश्च वसुर्वासुकिरेव च। 
अनन्तः कपिलश्चैव सप्तैते धरणीधराः ॥४१॥

dharmaḥ kāmaśca kālaśca vasurvāsukireva ca| 
anantaḥ kapilaścaiva saptaite dharaṇīdharāḥ ||41||

Dharma, Kama, Kala, Vasu, Vasuki, Ananta, and Kapila, these seven are the upholders of the world.

रामो व्यासस्तथा द्रौणिरश्वत्थामा च लोमशः ।
इत्येते मुनयो दिव्या एकैकः सप्त सप्तधा । । ४२ ॥

rāmo vyāsastathā drauṇiraśvatthāmā ca lomaśaḥ |
ityete munayo divyā ekaikaḥ sapta saptadhā | | 42 ||

Rama, Vyasa, Drona's son Ashvatthama, are the other Rishis. These are the great Rishis as divided into seven groups, each group consisting of seven.

शान्तिस्वस्तिकरा लोके दिशांपालाः प्रकीर्तिताः ।
यस्यां यस्यां दिशि ह्येते तन्मुखः शरणं व्रजेत् ॥ ४३ ॥

śāntisvastikarā loke diśāṃpālāḥ prakīrtitāḥ |
yasyāṃ yasyāṃ diśi hyete tanmukhaḥ śaraṇaṃ vrajet || 43 ||

They are the creators of that peace and good which men enjoy. They are said to be the Regents of the quarters. One should turn his face to that direction in which one of these Rishis live if one desires to adore him.

स्रष्टारः
सर्वभूतानां कीर्तिता लोकपावनाः ।
संवर्ती मेरुसावर्णो मार्कण्डेयश्च धार्मिकः ॥४४॥
सांख्ययोगौ नारदश्च दुर्वासाश्च महानृषिः ।
अत्यन्ततपसो दान्तास्त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुताः ॥ ४५ ॥

sraṣṭāraḥ
sarvabhūtānāṃ kīrtitā lokapāvanāḥ |
saṃvartī merusāvarṇo mārkaṇḍeyaśca dhārmikaḥ ||44||
sāṃkhyayogau nāradaśca durvāsāśca mahānṛṣiḥ |
atyantatapaso dāntāstriṣu lokeṣu viśrutāḥ || 45 ||

Those Rishis are the creators of all creatures and have been considered as the purifiers of all. Samvarta, Merusavarna, the righteous Markandeya, and Sankhya and Yoga, and Narada and the great Rishi Durvasas, these are gifted with severe penances and great selfcontrol, and are celebrated over the three worlds.

अपरे रुद्रसंकाशा: कीर्तिता ब्रह्मलौकिकाः ।
अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रं दरिद्रो लभते धनम्॥४६॥

apare rudrasaṃkāśā: kīrtitā brahmalaukikāḥ |
aputro labhate putraṃ daridro labhate dhanam||46||

There are others who are equal to Rudra himself. They live in the region of Brahman. By naming them with respect a sonless man obtains a son, and a poor man acquires riches.

तथा धर्मार्थकामेषु सिद्धिं च लभते नरः ।
पृथुं वैन्यं नृपवरं पृथ्वी यस्याभवत् सुता ॥४७॥ 
प्रजापतिं सार्वभौमं कीर्तयेद् वसुधाधिपम् ।
आदित्यवंशप्रभवं महेन्द्रसमविक्रमम्॥४८॥

tathā dharmārthakāmeṣu siddhiṃ ca labhate naraḥ |
pṛthuṃ vainyaṃ nṛpavaraṃ pṛthvī yasyābhavat sutā ||47|| 
prajāpatiṃ sārvabhaumaṃ kīrtayed vasudhādhipam |
ādityavaṃśaprabhavaṃ mahendrasamavikramam||48||

Indeed, by naming them, one acquires success in religion, and wealth and pleasure.

One should also take the name of that celebrated king who was Emperor of all the | Earth and equal to a Prajapati, Viz., that foremost of monarchs, Prithu, the son of Vena. The Earth became his daughter. One should also name Pururavas, of the Solar race and equal unto Mahendra himself in power.

पुरूरवसमैलं च त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम्। 
बुधस्य दयितं पुत्रं कीर्तयेद् वसुधाधिपम्॥४९॥

purūravasamailaṃ ca triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam|
budhasya dayitaṃ putraṃ kīrtayed vasudhādhipam||49||

He was the son of Ila and celebrated over the three worlds. One should, indeed, take the name of that dear son of Budha.

त्रिलोकविश्रुतं वीरं भरतं च प्रकीर्तयेत् ।
गवामयेन यज्ञेन येनेष्टं वै कृते युगे ॥ ५० ॥
रन्तिदेवं महादेवं कीर्तयेत् परमद्युतिम् ।
विश्वजित्तपसोपेतं लक्षण्यं लोकपूजितम् ॥ ५१ ॥

trilokaviśrutaṃ vīraṃ bharataṃ ca prakīrtayet |
gavāmayena yajñena yeneṣṭaṃ vai kṛte yuge || 50 ||
rantidevaṃ mahādevaṃ kīrtayet paramadyutim |
viśvajittapasopetaṃ lakṣaṇyaṃ lokapūjitam || 51 ||

One should also take the name of Bharata, that hero celebrated over the three worlds. He also who in the golden age worshipped the gods in a grand Gomedha sacrifice, viz., the illustrious Rantideva, who was equal to Mahadeva himself, should be named. Gifted with penances, possessed of every auspicious mark, the source of every kind of good to the world, he was the conqueror of the universe.

तथा श्वेतं च राजर्षि कीर्तयेत् परमद्युतिम् ।
सगरस्यात्मजा येन प्लावितास्तारितास्तथा ।। ५२ ।

tathā śvetaṃ ca rājarṣi kīrtayet paramadyutim | 
sagarasyātmajā yena plāvitāstāritāstathā || 52 |

One should also take the name of the royal sage Shveta of illustrious fame. (He had pleased the great Mahadeva and it was for his sake that Andhaka was killed.) One should also take the name of the illustrious royal sage Bhagiratha, who through the favor of Mahadeva, succeeded in bringing down the sacred river from the celestial region.

हुताशन समानेतान् महारूपान् महौजसः । 
उग्रकायान् महासत्त्वान् कीर्तयेत् कीर्तिवर्धनान् ॥ ५३॥

hutāśana samānetān mahārūpān mahaujasaḥ |
ugrakāyān mahāsattvān kīrtayet kīrtivardhanān || 53||

It was Bhagiratha who caused the ashes of the sixty thousand sons of Sagara to be washed with the sacred waters of Ganga and thereby rescued them from their sin. Indeed, one should take the names of all these who were gifted with the blazing effulgence of fire, great beauty, and high energy.

देवानृषिगणांश्चैव नृपांश्च जगतीश्वरान् ।
सांख्यं योगं च परमं हव्यं कव्यं तथैव च ॥ ५४ ॥ 
कीर्तितं परमं ब्रह्म सर्वश्रुतिपरायणम् । 
मङ्गल्यं सर्वभूतानां पवित्रं बहुकीर्तितम् ॥ ५५ ॥ 
व्याधिप्रशमनं श्रेष्ठं पौष्टिकं सर्वकर्मणाम् ।

devānṛṣigaṇāṃścaiva nṛpāṃśca jagatīśvarān |
sāṃkhyaṃ yogaṃ ca paramaṃ havyaṃ kavyaṃ tathaiva ca || 54 || 
kīrtitaṃ paramaṃ brahma sarvaśrutiparāyaṇam | 
maṅgalyaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ pavitraṃ bahukīrtitam || 55 || 
vyādhipraśamanaṃ śreṣṭhaṃ pauṣṭikaṃ sarvakarmaṇām |

Some of them were of awe-inspiring forms and great power. One should take the names of these deities and Rishis and kings, those lords of the universe, who are multipliers of fame. Sankhya, and Yoga which is highest of the high, and Havya and Kavya and that refuge of all the Shrutis, Viz., Supreme Brahman, have been declared to be the sources of great good to all creatures. These are sacred and sin-purifying and have been spoken of very highly. These are the foremost medicines for curing all diseases and are the givers of success in all deeds.

प्रयतः कीर्तयेच्चैतान् कल्यं सायं च भारत ॥ ५६ ॥
एते वै पान्ति वर्षन्ति भान्ति वान्ति सृजन्ति च ।

prayataḥ kīrtayeccaitān kalyaṃ sāyaṃ ca bhārata || 56 ||
ete vai pānti varṣanti bhānti vānti sṛjanti ca |

Controlling one's senses, one should. O Bharata, take the names of these, morning and evening. It is these who protect. It is these who shower rain. It is these who shine and give light and heat. It is these who blow. It is these who create all things.

एते विनायकाः श्रेष्ठा दक्षा: शान्ता जितेन्द्रियाः ॥ ५७ ॥ 
नराणामशुभं सर्वे व्यपोहन्ति प्रकीर्तिताः ।

ete vināyakāḥ śreṣṭhā dakṣā: śāntā jitendriyāḥ || 57 ||
narāṇāmaśubhaṃ sarve vyapohanti prakīrtitāḥ |

These are considered as the foremost of all, as the leaders of the universe, as highly clever in the performance of all things, as gifted with forgiveness, as complete masters of the senses. Indeed, it has been said that they remove all the evils to which human beings are subject.

साक्षिभूता महात्मानः पापस्य सुकृतस्य च ॥५८॥ 
एतान् वै कल्यमुत्थाय कीर्तयशुभमश्नुते ।

sākṣibhūtā mahātmānaḥ pāpasya sukṛtasya ca||58|| 
etān vai kalyamutthāya kīrtayaśubhamaśnute |

These great ones are the witness of all good and bad deeds. Rising up in the morning one should take their names, for by this one is sure to acquire all that is good.

नाग्निचौरभयं तस्य न मार्गप्रतिरोधनम् ॥५९॥ 
एतान् कीर्तयतां नित्यं दुःस्वप्नो नश्यते नृणाम्।

nāgnicaurabhayaṃ tasya na mārgapratirodhanam || 59 || 
etān kīrtayatāṃ nityaṃ duḥsvapno naśyate nṛṇām|

He who takes the names of these, becomes freed from the fear of fires and of thieves, Such a man never finds his way obstructed by any obstacle. By taking the names of these great ones, one becomes free from bad dreams of every kind.

मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यः स्वस्तिमांश्च गृहान् व्रजेत् ॥ ६०॥ 
दीक्षाकालेषु सर्वेषु यः पठेन्नियतो द्विजः । 
न्यायवानात्मनिरतः क्षान्तो दान्तोऽनसूयकः ।। ६१ ।। 
रोगार्तो व्याधियुक्तो वा पठन् पापात् प्रमुच्यते । 
वास्तुमध्ये तु पठतः कुले स्वस्त्ययनं भवेत् ॥ ६२ ॥ 
क्षेत्रमध्ये तु पठतः सर्वे सस्यं प्ररोहति ।
गच्छतः क्षेममध्वानं ग्रामान्तरगतः पठन् ॥ ६३ ॥

mucyate sarvapāpebhyaḥ svastimāṃśca gṛhān vrajet || 60|| 
dīkṣākāleṣu sarveṣu yaḥ paṭhenniyato dvijaḥ | 
nyāyavānātmanirataḥ kṣānto dānto’nasūyakaḥ || 61 || 
rogārto vyādhiyukto vā paṭhan pāpāt pramucyate | 
vāstumadhye tu paṭhataḥ kule svastyayanaṃ bhavet || 62 || 
kṣetramadhye tu paṭhataḥ sarve sasyaṃ prarohati |
gacchataḥ kṣemamadhvānaṃ grāmāntaragataḥ paṭhan || 63 ||

Purged of every sin, such men take birth in auspicious families. That twice-born person who, with controlled senses, recites these names on occasions of performing the initiatory rites of sacrifices and other religious practices, becomes as the outcome thereof, gifted with righteousness, devoted to the study of the soul, possessed of forgiveness, and self-control, and free from malice. If a man suffering from discase recites them, he becomes freed from his sin in the form of disease.

आत्मनश्च सुतानां च दाराणां च धनस्य च । 
बीजानामोषधीनां च रक्षामेतां प्रयोजयेत् ॥ ६४ ॥

ātmanaśca sutānāṃ ca dārāṇāṃ ca dhanasya ca | 
bījānāmoṣadhīnāṃ ca rakṣāmetāṃ prayojayet || 64 ||

By reciting them within a house, all evils are removed from the inmates. By reciting them within a field, the growth of all kinds of crops is helped.

एतान् संग्रामकाले तु पठतः क्षत्रियस्य तु । 
व्रजन्ति रिपवो नाशं क्षेमं च परिवर्तते ॥ ६५ ॥ 
एतान् दैवे च पित्र्ये च पठतः पुरुषस्य हि । 
भुञ्जते पितरः काव्यं हव्यं च त्रिदिवौकसः । । ६६ ॥ 
न व्याधिश्वापदभयं न द्विपान्न हि तस्करात् ।

etān saṃgrāmakāle tu paṭhataḥ kṣatriyasya tu | 
vrajanti ripavo nāśaṃ kṣemaṃ ca parivartate || 65 || 
etān daive ca pitrye ca paṭhataḥ puruṣasya hi | 
bhuñjate pitaraḥ kāvyaṃ havyaṃ ca tridivaukasaḥ | | 66 || 
na vyādhiśvāpadabhayaṃ na dvipānna hi taskarāt |

Reciting them at the time of starting on a journey, or while one is away from his home, one meets with good fortune. These names lead to the protection of his own self, of his children and wives, of his wealth, and of his seeds, and plants. The Kshatriya who recites these names at the time of joining a battle sees destruction overtake his enemies and good fortune crown him and his party. The man who recites these names on occasions of performing the rites in honor of the deities or the manes, helps the manes and the deities eat to the sacrificial Havya and Kavya. The man who recites them becomes freed from fear of disease and beasts of prey, of elephants and thieves.

कश्मलं लघुतां याति पाप्मना च प्रमुच्यते ।। ६७ ।।
यानपात्रे च याने च प्रवासे गजवेश्मनि ।

kaśmalaṃ laghutāṃ yāti pāpmanā ca pramucyate || 67 ||
yānapātre ca yāne ca pravāse gajaveśmani |

His burden of anxiety becomes lightened, and he becomes freed from every sin. By reciting these excellent Savitri Mantras on board a vessel, or in a car, or in the courts of kings, one acquires high success. There where these Mantras are recited, fire does not burn wood.

परां सिद्धिमवाप्नोति सावित्री ह्युत्तमां पठन् ॥ ६८ ॥
 न च राजभयं तेषां न पिशाचान्न राक्षसात् ।

parāṃ siddhimavāpnoti sāvitrī hyuttamāṃ paṭhan || 68 ||
 na ca rājabhayaṃ teṣāṃ na piśācānna rākṣasāt |

There children do not die, nor snakes live. Indeed, at such places, there can be no fear of the king, nor Pishachas and Rakshasas.

नाग्नयम्बुपवनव्यालाद् भयं तस्योपजायते ॥ ६९ ॥

nāgnayambupavanavyālād bhayaṃ tasyopajāyate || 69 ||

Indeed, the man who recites these Mantras ceases to have any fear of fire or water or wind, or beasts of prey.

चतुर्णामपि वर्णानामाश्रमस्य विशेषतः । ।
कराति सततं शान्ति सावित्रीमुत्तमां पठन् ॥ ७० ॥

caturṇāmapi varṇānāmāśramasya viśeṣataḥ | |
karāti satataṃ śānti sāvitrīmuttamāṃ paṭhan || 70 ||

These Savitri Mantras, recited duly bring on the peace and wellbeing of all the four castes. Those men who recite them with respect become freed from every sorrow and at last acquire a high end.

नाग्निर्दहति काष्ठानि सावित्री यत्र पठ्यते ।
न तत्र बालो म्रियते न च तिष्ठन्ति पन्नगाः । । ७१ ।।

nāgnirdahati kāṣṭhāni sāvitrī yatra paṭhyate |
na tatra bālo mriyate na ca tiṣṭhanti pannagāḥ | | 71 ||

Even these are the results acquired by them who recite these Savitri Mantras which are of the form of Brahman. That man who recites these Mantras in the midst of kine, sees his kine become fruitful.

न तेषां विद्यते दुःख गच्छन्ति परमां गतिम् । 
ये शृण्वन्ति महद् ब्रह्मसावित्रीगुणकीर्तनम्॥७२॥ 
गवां मध्ये तु पठतो गावोऽस्य बहुवत्सलाः । 
प्रस्थाने वा प्रवासे वा सर्वादस्थां गतः पठेत् ।। ७३ ।।

na teṣāṃ vidyate duḥkha gacchanti paramāṃ gatim | 
ye śṛṇvanti mahad brahmasāvitrīguṇakīrtanam||72|| 
gavāṃ madhye tu paṭhato gāvo’sya bahuvatsalāḥ | 
prasthāne vā pravāse vā sarvādasthāṃ gataḥ paṭhet || 73 ||

Whether when starting on a journey, or entering a house on returning, one should recite these Mantras on every occasion. These Mantras form a great mystery of the Rishis and are the very highest of those which they silently recite. Such are these Mantras to them who practice the duty of recitation and pour libations on the sacrificial fire.

जपतां जुह्वतां चैव नित्यं च प्रयतात्मनाम् । 
ऋषीणां परमं जत्यं गुह्यमेतन्नराधिप ।। ७४ ।।

japatāṃ juhvatāṃ caiva nityaṃ ca prayatātmanām | 
ṛṣīṇāṃ paramaṃ jatyaṃ guhyametannarādhipa || 74 ||

याथातथ्येन सिद्धस्य इतिहासं पुरातनम् ।
पराशरमतं दिव्यं शक्राय कथितं पुरा ॥७५॥

yāthātathyena siddhasya itihāsaṃ purātanam |
parāśaramataṃ divyaṃ śakrāya kathitaṃ purā ||75||

This that I have said to you, is the excellent opinion of Parashara. It was recited formerly to Shakra himself. Representing, as it does, Truth or Eternal Brahma, I have declared it fully to you.

तदेतत् ते समाख्यातं तथ्यं ब्रह्म सनातनम्। 
हृदयं सर्वभूतानां श्रुतिरेषा सनातनी ॥ ७६ ॥ 
अभ्यासे नित्यं देवाना सप्तर्षीणां ध्रवस्य च।
मोक्षणं सर्वकृच्छ्राणां मोचयत्यशुभात् सदा ॥७७॥

tadetat te samākhyātaṃ tathyaṃ brahma sanātanam| 
hṛdayaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ śrutireṣā sanātanī || 76 || 
abhyāse nityaṃ devānā saptarṣīṇāṃ dhravasya ca|
mokṣaṇaṃ sarvakṛcchrāṇāṃ mocayatyaśubhāt sadā ||77||

It forms the hart of all creatures, and is the highest Shruti. All the princes of the solar and lunar families, Viz., the Raghavas and the Kauravas, recite these Mantras every day after having purified themselves. These form the highest end of human creatures. One becomes freed from every trouble and calamity by daily reciting the names of the celestials, of the seven Rishis, and of Dhruva. Indeed, such recitation speedily frees one from distress.

वृद्धैः काश्यपगौतमप्रभृतिभिर्भृग्वङ्गिरोऽत्र्यादिभिः। 
शुक्रागस्त्यबृहस्पतिप्रभृतिभिर्ब्रह्मर्षिभिः सेवितम्। 
भारद्वाजमतमृचीकतनयैः प्राप्तं वसिष्ठात् पुनः । 
सावित्रीमधिगम्य शक्रवसुभिः कृत्स्ना जिता दानवः ॥

vṛddhaiḥ kāśyapagautamaprabhṛtibhirbhṛgvaṅgiro’tryādibhiḥ| 
śukrāgastyabṛhaspatiprabhṛtibhirbrahmarṣibhiḥ sevitam| 
bhāradvājamatamṛcīkatanayaiḥ prāptaṃ vasiṣṭhāt punaḥ | 
sāvitrīmadhigamya śakravasubhiḥ kṛtsnā jitā dānavaḥ ||

The sages of olden times, viz., Kashyapa, Gautama, and others, and Bhrigu, Angirasa and Atri and others, and Shukra, Agastya, and Brihaspati, and others, all of whom are regenerate Rishis, have worshipped these Mantras. Approved of by the son of Bharadvaja, these Mantras were attained by the sons of Richika. Having acquired them again from Vasishtha, Shakra and the Vasus went forth to battle and succeeded in vanquishing the Danavas.

यो गोशतं कनकशृङ्गमयं ददाति
विप्राय वेदविदुषे च बहुश्रुताय । 
दिव्यां च भारतकथां कथयेच नित्यं
तुल्यं फलं भवति तस्य च तस्य चैव ॥ ८१ ॥

yo gośataṃ kanakaśṛṅgamayaṃ dadāti
viprāya vedaviduṣe ca bahuśrutāya | 
divyāṃ ca bhāratakathāṃ kathayeca nityaṃ
tulyaṃ phalaṃ bhavati tasya ca tasya caiva || 81 ||

That man who makes a present of a hundred kine with their horns covered with plate of gold to a Brahmana gifted with much learning and well conversant with the Vedas, and he who causes the excellent Bharata story to be recited in his house every day, are said to acquire equal merits.

धर्मो विवर्धति भृगोः परिकीर्तनेन
वीर्यं विवर्धति वसिष्ठनमोनतेन ।
संग्रामजिद् भवति चैव रघु नमस्यन् ।
स्यादश्विनौ च परिकीर्तयतो न रोगः ।।

dharmo vivardhati bhṛgoḥ parikīrtanena
vīryaṃ vivardhati vasiṣṭhanamonatena |
saṃgrāmajid bhavati caiva raghu namasyan |
syādaśvinau ca parikīrtayato na rogaḥ ||

By reciting the name of Bhrigu, one's virtue becomes enhances. By bowing to Vasishtha, one's energy becomes enhanced. By bowing to Raghu, one becomes victorious in battle. By reciting the praises of the Ashvins, one becomes freed from diseases.

एषा ते कथिता राजन् सावित्री ब्रह्म शाश्वती । 
विवक्षुरसि यच्चान्यत् तत् वे वक्ष्यामि भारत ।। ८२ ॥

eṣā te kathitā rājan sāvitrī brahma śāśvatī | 
vivakṣurasi yaccānyat tat ve vakṣyāmi bhārata || 82 ||

I have thus, O king told you of the Savitri Mantras which are at one with eternal Brahma. If you wish to question me on any other subject, you may do so. I shall, O Bharata, answer you.