The story of Śrīmatī

Liṅga Mahāpurāṇa

पञ्चमोऽध्यायः
pañcamo’dhyāyaḥ
Chapter 5

The story of Śrīmatī

SYNOPSIS

The story begins with King Ambarīṣa, a virtuous ruler of the Ikṣvāku dynasty, who was devoted to Lord Vāsudeva (Viṣṇu) and ruled the earth with great piety. Revered by sages, Ambarīṣa followed Lord Viṣṇu's commands unwaveringly, earning the title of a righteous and devout king.

Ambarīṣa’s illustrious lineage is traced back to his mother, Padmāvatī, who herself was a devout worshipper of Lord Viṣṇu. She performed intense penance for 10,000 years, offering fragrant flowers, incense, and other devotional acts. Lord Viṣṇu appeared in her dream during one of her fasts and granted her a boon. She wished for a son who would be a great devotee of Viṣṇu, an emperor of immense refulgence, and pure in character. Viṣṇu blessed her with a fruit, which her husband consumed, leading to the birth of Ambarīṣa. From childhood, Ambarīṣa exhibited unparalleled devotion to Viṣṇu and demonstrated exemplary conduct.

Upon ascending the throne after his father’s demise, Ambarīṣa ruled righteously and later renounced worldly pleasures to engage in meditation and worship of Lord Viṣṇu. His devotion culminated in a divine encounter with Viṣṇu himself, who appeared before him, seated on Garuḍa. Despite being offered any boon, Ambarīṣa sought only to remain devoted to Viṣṇu, serve Vaiṣṇavas, and conduct yajñas (sacrificial rites) for the welfare of all. Pleased, Viṣṇu granted him the Sudarśana Chakra, an invincible weapon that protected him from curses, ailments, and dangers.

Ambarīṣa’s reign was marked by prosperity and moral excellence. The land flourished, free from famine, conflict, and jealousy. The sound of Vedic hymns and the names of Lord Viṣṇu echoed across Ayodhyā, symbolizing the deep devotion of its people.

Ambarīṣa was blessed with a daughter, Śrīmatī, whose beauty and grace were likened to Yogamāyā. When she reached marriageable age, two great sages, Nārada and Parvata, arrived at the palace, each desiring to marry her. The king, caught between their requests, proposed that Śrīmatī should choose her own husband. Both sages agreed and decided to return the next day.

Privately, Nārada and Parvata approached Lord Viṣṇu for assistance. Nārada requested that Parvata’s face be transformed into that of a monkey, while Parvata wished the same fate upon Nārada. Viṣṇu, mischievously agreeing to both requests, ensured that both sages appeared with monkey-like features during Śrīmatī’s swayamvara.

When Śrīmatī entered the royal hall to choose her husband, she was terrified by seeing the sages’ altered faces. Instead, she saw a handsome young man with divine features, golden skin, and radiant beauty. Unaware that it was Lord Viṣṇu himself in disguise, she placed the garland around his neck, choosing him as her husband. Lord Viṣṇu then disappeared with Śrīmatī to Viṣṇuloka.

Nārada and Parvata, realizing Viṣṇu’s trickery, felt humiliated but eventually acknowledged the lord’s supremacy. They followed him to Viṣṇuloka to express their grievances. However, Viṣṇu skillfully defused their anger, emphasizing his playful nature and divine will.

The tale highlights Ambarīṣa’s unwavering devotion, Viṣṇu’s love for his devotees, and the interplay of divine leelas (divine plays). It also emphasizes the virtues of humility, faith, and surrender to the divine, making it a timeless spiritual lesson.

Chapter 5

ऋषय ऊचुः
ऐक्ष्वाकुरंबरीषो वै वासुदेवपरायणः । 
पालयामास पृथिवीं विष्णोराज्ञापुरः सरः॥१॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ
aikṣvākuraṃbarīṣo vai vāsudevaparāyaṇaḥ | 
pālayāmāsa pṛthivīṃ viṣṇorājñāpuraḥ saraḥ||1||

The Rsis said-

The king Ambarīṣa of the Ikṣavāku dynasty was once ruling the earth. He was dedicated to lord Vāsudeva.

श्रुतमेतन्महाबुद्धे तत्सर्वं वक्तुमर्हसि । 
नित्यं तस्य हरेश्चक्रं शत्रुरोगभयादिकम् ॥ २ ॥ 
हंतीति श्रूयते लोके धार्मिकस्य महात्मनः । 
अंबरीषस्य चरितं तत्सर्वं ब्रूहि सत्तम ॥ ३ ॥ 
माहात्म्यमनुभावं च भक्तियोगमनुत्तमम् । 
यथावच्छ्रोतुमिच्छामः सूत वक्तुं त्वमर्हसि ॥४॥

śrutametanmahābuddhe tatsarvaṃ vaktumarhasi | 
nityaṃ tasya hareścakraṃ śatrurogabhayādikam || 2 || 
haṃtīti śrūyate loke dhārmikasya mahātmanaḥ | 
aṃbarīṣasya caritaṃ tatsarvaṃ brūhi sattama || 3 || 
māhātmyamanubhāvaṃ ca bhaktiyogamanuttamam | 
yathāvacchrotumicchāmaḥ sūta vaktuṃ tvamarhasi ||4||

He always followed the command of lord Viṣṇu. O extremely wise Sūta, we have learned about him in brief. But you kindly speak out the relevant story to us in detail. Who is the one in the world, who can always get himself relieved of the cakra of Viṣṇu as an enemy, the ailments as well as the danger, always? You kindly speak out the story of the religious-minded king Ambarīṣa. O Sūta, we would listen about his greatness, his competence, and his excellent type of devotion. You kindly narrate the same.

सूत उवाच
श्रूयतां मुनिशार्दूलाश्चरितं तस्य धीमतः । 
अंबरीषस्य माहात्म्यं सर्वपापहरं परम् ॥ ५॥ 
त्रिशङ्कोर्दयिता भार्या सर्वलक्षणशोभिता । 
अबंरीषस्य जननी नित्यं शौचसमन्विता ॥६॥

sūta uvāca
śrūyatāṃ muniśārdūlāścaritaṃ tasya dhīmataḥ | 
aṃbarīṣasya māhātmyaṃ sarvapāpaharaṃ param || 5|| 
triśaṅkordayitā bhāryā sarvalakṣaṇaśobhitā | 
abaṃrīṣasya jananī nityaṃ śaucasamanvitā ||6||

Sūta said-

O excellent sages, you listen to the story of the religious-minded king, which relieves one of all his sins. The loving mother of Triśaṅku was the mother of Ambarīṣa, who was quite auspicious and possessed of all the noble symptoms.

योगनिद्रासमारूढं शेषपर्यंकशायिनम् । 
नारायणं महात्मानं ब्रह्माण्डकमलोद्भवम् ॥७॥ 
तमसा कालरुद्राख्यं रजसा कनकाण्डजम् । 
सत्त्वेन सर्वगं विष्णुं सर्वदेवनमस्कृतम् ॥८॥ 
अर्चयामास सततं वाङ्मन: कायकर्मभिः । 
माल्यदानादिकं सर्वं स्वयमेवमचीकरत् ॥९॥ 
गंधादिपेषणं चैव धूपद्रव्यादिकं तथा । 
भूमेरालेपनादीनि हविषां पचनं तथा ॥ १० ॥ 
तत्कौतुकसमाविष्टा स्वयमेव चकार सा ।
शुभा पद्मावती नित्यं वाचा नारायणेति वै ॥ ११॥ 
अनंतेत्येव सा नित्यं भाषमाणा पतिव्रता । 
दशवर्षसहस्राणि तत्परेणांतरात्मना ॥१२॥ 
अर्चयामास गोविंदं गंधपुष्पादिभिः शुचिः ।

yoganidrāsamārūḍhaṃ śeṣaparyaṃkaśāyinam | 
nārāyaṇaṃ mahātmānaṃ brahmāṇḍakamalodbhavam ||7|| 
tamasā kālarudrākhyaṃ rajasā kanakāṇḍajam | 
sattvena sarvagaṃ viṣṇuṃ sarvadevanamaskṛtam ||8|| 
arcayāmāsa satataṃ vāṅmana: kāyakarmabhiḥ | 
mālyadānādikaṃ sarvaṃ svayamevamacīkarat ||9|| 
gaṃdhādipeṣaṇaṃ caiva dhūpadravyādikaṃ tathā | 
bhūmerālepanādīni haviṣāṃ pacanaṃ tathā || 10 || 
tatkautukasamāviṣṭā svayameva cakāra sā |
śubhā padmāvatī nityaṃ vācā nārāyaṇeti vai || 11|| 
anaṃtetyeva sā nityaṃ bhāṣamāṇā pativratā | 
daśavarṣasahasrāṇi tatpareṇāṃtarātmanā ||12|| 
arcayāmāsa goviṃdaṃ gaṃdhapuṣpādibhiḥ śuciḥ |

She was known by the name of Padmāvatī. She was worshipped by all the gods in yoganidra, emerging of Kālarudra from tamas and the golden egg from rajas. She always adored lord Viṣṇu with her speech, mind, and body, besides her activities who lay in her slumber on the conch of the serpent Śeṣa, who was the source of origin of the cosmic egg, who was called Kālarudra because of his tamas quality, who is known as the golden egg in view of his rajas quality and who is Viṣṇu, the omnipresent lord bowed to by all the Devas in the Sattva quality. She worshipped the lord mentally, physically, and verbally. She wreathed the garlands herself and offered them to the lord. She offered the fragrance etc. with paste, incense, and other articles, scrubbed and smeared the ground, and cooked havyas all by herself. The chaste lady continuously uttered the name of Nārāyana, Anant, etc. with her internal conscience. Devoted to him, the pure queen, worshipped Viṣṇu for ten thousand years with fragrant flowers etc.

विष्णुभक्तान्महाभागान् सर्वपापविवर्जितान् ॥१३॥ 
दानमानार्चनैर्नित्यं धनरत्नैवतोषयत् ।
ततः कदाचित्सा देवी द्वादशीं समुपोष्य वै ॥ १४ ॥
हरेर महाभागा सुष्वाप पतिना सह ।
तत्र नारायणो देवस्तामाह पुरुषोत्तमः ॥१५॥

viṣṇubhaktānmahābhāgān sarvapāpavivarjitān ||13|| 
dānamānārcanairnityaṃ dhanaratnaivatoṣayat |
tataḥ kadācitsā devī dvādaśīṃ samupoṣya vai || 14 ||
harera mahābhāgā suṣvāpa patinā saha |
tatra nārāyaṇo devastāmāha puruṣottamaḥ ||15||

She also worshipped the highly blessed devotees of Viṣṇu, devoid of all the sins, by giving away charitable gifts to them and honoring them with jewels and riches. Once the blessed lady had concluded her fast on the Dvādaśī day and was sleeping in front of lord Viṣṇu, together with her husband, at that point of time, lord Puruṣottama spoke to her.

किमिच्छसि वरं भद्रे मत्तस्त्वं ब्रूहि भामिनि । 
सा दृष्ट्वा तु वरं वव्रे पुत्रो मे वैष्णवो भवेत् ॥ १६ ॥ 
सार्वभौमो महातेजाः स्वकर्मनिरतः शुचिः । 
तथेत्युक्ता ददौ तस्यै फलमेकं जनार्दनः॥१७॥

kimicchasi varaṃ bhadre mattastvaṃ brūhi bhāmini | 
sā dṛṣṭvā tu varaṃ vavre putro me vaiṣṇavo bhavet || 16 || 
sārvabhaumo mahātejāḥ svakarmanirataḥ śuciḥ | 
tathetyuktā dadau tasyai phalamekaṃ janārdanaḥ||17||

"O gentle lady, O lustrous one, tell me, what boon would you seek from me?" On finding the lord so generous, she replied- "Let my son be a great Vaiṣṇava and be an emperor of great refulgence, besides being pure and devoted to his duties." Viṣṇu said- "Be it so."

सा प्रबुद्धा फलं दृष्ट्वा भर्त्रे सर्वं न्यवेदयत् । 
भक्षयामास संहृष्टा फलं तद्गमानसा ॥ १८ ॥

sā prabuddhā phalaṃ dṛṣṭvā bhartre sarvaṃ nyavedayat | 
bhakṣayāmāsa saṃhṛṣṭā phalaṃ tadgamānasā || 18 ||

Then he gave her a fruit. On waking up, she found the fruit and gave it away to her husband. She then narrated the dream to her husband and he consumed the fruit.

ततः कालेन सा देवी पुत्रं कुलविवर्धनम् । 
असूत सा सदाचारं वासुदेवपरायणम् ॥१९॥ 
शुभलक्षणसंपन्नं चक्रांकिततनूरुहम् ।
जातं दृष्ट्वा पिता पुत्रं क्रियाः सर्वाश्चकार वै ॥ २० ॥

tataḥ kālena sā devī putraṃ kulavivardhanam | 
asūta sā sadācāraṃ vāsudevaparāyaṇam ||19|| 
śubhalakṣaṇasaṃpannaṃ cakrāṃkitatanūruham |
jātaṃ dṛṣṭvā pitā putraṃ kriyāḥ sarvāścakāra vai || 20 ||

In due course of time, she gave birth to a son, who was destined to make the family flourish. He was devoted to Vāsudeva. He maintained excellent conduct. He was richly endowed with good conduct and had curly hair resembling the wheels. At the birth of his son, the father performed the holy rites.

अंबरीष इति ख्यातो लोके समभवत्प्रभुः ।
पितर्युपरते श्रीमानभिषिक्तो महामुनिः ॥ २१ ॥
मंत्रिष्वाधाय राज्यं च तप उग्रं चकार सः ।
संवत्सरसहस्रं वै जपन्नारायणं प्रभुम् ॥ २२ ॥

aṃbarīṣa iti khyāto loke samabhavatprabhuḥ |
pitaryuparate śrīmānabhiṣikto mahāmuniḥ || 21 ||
maṃtriṣvādhāya rājyaṃ ca tapa ugraṃ cakāra saḥ |
saṃvatsarasahasraṃ vai japannārāyaṇaṃ prabhum || 22 ||

The son was well-known in the world by the name of Ambarīṣa. After the death of his father, Ambarīṣa was crowned as the king. He entrusted the kingdom to his ministers and became a sage. He worshipped lord Nārāyaṇa for a thousand years.

हृत्पुण्डरीकमध्यस्थं सूर्यमण्डलमध्यतः ।
शङ्खचक्रगदापद्मधारयंतं चतुर्भुजम् ॥ २३ ॥
शुद्धजांबूनदनिभं ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवात्मकम्।
सर्वाभरणसंयुक्तं पीतांबरधरं प्रभुम् ॥ २४ ॥
श्रीवत्सवक्षसं देवं पुरुषं पुरुषोत्तमम् । 
ततो गरुडमारुह्य सर्वदेवैरभिष्टुतः ॥ २५ ॥ 
आजगाम स विश्वात्मा सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः । 
ऐरावतमिवाचिंत्यं कृत्वा वै गरुडं हरिः ॥ २६ ॥
 स्वयं शक्र इवासीनस्तमाह नृपसत्तमम् । 
इंद्रोऽहमस्मि भद्रं ते किं ददामि वरं च ते ॥ २७ ॥ 
सर्वलोकेश्वरोऽहं त्वां रक्षितुं समुपागतः ।

hṛtpuṇḍarīkamadhyasthaṃ sūryamaṇḍalamadhyataḥ |
śaṅkhacakragadāpadmadhārayaṃtaṃ caturbhujam || 23 ||
śuddhajāṃbūnadanibhaṃ brahmaviṣṇuśivātmakam|
sarvābharaṇasaṃyuktaṃ pītāṃbaradharaṃ prabhum || 24 ||
śrīvatsavakṣasaṃ devaṃ puruṣaṃ puruṣottamam | 
tato garuḍamāruhya sarvadevairabhiṣṭutaḥ || 25 || 
ājagāma sa viśvātmā sarvalokanamaskṛtaḥ | 
airāvatamivāciṃtyaṃ kṛtvā vai garuḍaṃ hariḥ || 26 ||
 svayaṃ śakra ivāsīnastamāha nṛpasattamam | 
iṃdro’hamasmi bhadraṃ te kiṃ dadāmi varaṃ ca te || 27 || 
sarvalokeśvaro’haṃ tvāṃ rakṣituṃ samupāgataḥ |

He meditated on lord Puruṣottama saying that he is stationed in the center of the lotus of the cavity of his heart, coming there from the middle of the solar sphere, and in his four arms, he held conch, discus, iron club, and the lotus. He is as resplendent as the pure gold. He is identical with Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva. The lord is adored with all the ornaments and wears the yellow robes. The Lord has a Śrīvatsa embossed over his chest. Lord Viṣṇu is the universal soul and is worshipped by all the gods. He is adored by the worlds. He made Garuḍa resemble Airāvata with unimaginable splendor and then rode on it. Seating on it, he arrived at the place of penance, in the guise of Indra, and then spoke to the excellent king- "Welfare unto you. I am Indra. What boon shall I grant to you? I am the lord of the three worlds. I have come down to help you."

अंबरीष उवाच
नाहं त्वामभिसंधाय तपु आस्थितवाहिन ॥ २८॥
त्वया दत्तं च नेष्यामि गच्छ शक्र यथासुखम् । 
मम नारायणो नाथस्तं नमामि जगत्पतिम् ॥ २९ ॥ 
गच्छेंद्र माकृथास्त्वत्र मम बुद्धिविलोपनम् । 
ततः प्रहस्य भगवान् स्वरूपमकरोद्धरिः ॥३०॥

aṃbarīṣa uvāca

nāhaṃ tvāmabhisaṃdhāya tapu āsthitavāhina || 28||
tvayā dattaṃ ca neṣyāmi gaccha śakra yathāsukham | 
mama nārāyaṇo nāthastaṃ namāmi jagatpatim || 29 || 
gaccheṃdra mākṛthāstvatra mama buddhivilopanam | 
tataḥ prahasya bhagavān svarūpamakaroddhariḥ ||30|| 

Ambarīṣa said-

I did not meditate on you during the penance, nor do I expect anything from you.

O Indra, you can return with comfort. My lord is Nārāyaṇa and I bow down to him.

You can go back. O Indra, you should not do anything that distracts my mind from Viṣṇu. Thereafter, lord Viṣṇu smiled and reverted to his own original form.

शार्ङ्गचक्रगदापाणि खड्गहस्तो जनार्दनः । 
गरुडोपरि सर्वात्मा नीलाचल इवापरः ॥ ३१॥ 
देवगंधर्वसंघैश्च स्तूयमानः समंततः ।
प्रणम्य स च संतुष्टस्तुष्टाव गरुडध्वजम् ॥३२॥

śārṅgacakragadāpāṇi khaḍgahasto janārdanaḥ | 
garuḍopari sarvātmā nīlācala ivāparaḥ || 31|| 
devagaṃdharvasaṃghaiśca stūyamānaḥ samaṃtataḥ |
praṇamya sa ca saṃtuṣṭastuṣṭāva garuḍadhvajam ||32||

Viṣṇu - the universal soul, like another mountain on Garuḍa, held a sword, a Śārṅga bow, the iron club, and the discus in his four arms. He was eulogized by the Devas and the Gandharvas around him. The delighted king then bowed in reverence to the Garuḍa-bannered lord.

प्रसीद लोकनाथेश मम नाथ जनार्दन |
कृष्ण विष्णो जगन्नाथ सर्वलोकनमस्कृत ॥ ३३॥ 
त्वमादिस्त्वमनादिस्त्वमनंतः पुरुषः प्रभुः । 
अप्रमेयो विभुर्विष्णुर्गोविंदः कमलेक्षणः॥३४॥
 महेश्वराङ्गज मध्ये पुष्करः खगमः खगः । 
कव्यवाहः कपाली त्वं हव्यवाहः प्रभञ्जन ॥३५॥ 
आदिदेवः क्रियानंदः परमात्मात्मनि स्थितः । 
त्वां प्रपन्नोस्मि गोविंद जय देवकिनंदन | 
जय देव जगन्नाथ पाहि मां पुष्करेक्षण ॥ ३६॥ 
नान्या गतिस्त्वदन्या मे त्वमेव शरणं मम् ॥

prasīda lokanātheśa mama nātha janārdana |
kṛṣṇa viṣṇo jagannātha sarvalokanamaskṛta || 33|| 
tvamādistvamanādistvamanaṃtaḥ puruṣaḥ prabhuḥ | 
aprameyo vibhurviṣṇurgoviṃdaḥ kamalekṣaṇaḥ||34||
 maheśvarāṅgaja madhye puṣkaraḥ khagamaḥ khagaḥ | 
kavyavāhaḥ kapālī tvaṃ havyavāhaḥ prabhañjana ||35|| 
ādidevaḥ kriyānaṃdaḥ paramātmātmani sthitaḥ | 
tvāṃ prapannosmi goviṃda jaya devakinaṃdana | 
jaya deva jagannātha pāhi māṃ puṣkarekṣaṇa || 36|| 
nānyā gatistvadanyā me tvameva śaraṇaṃ mam ||

He said- "O Lokanātha, you are my master, Janārdana, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Viṣṇu and Jagannātha. You are adored by all the worlds. You are eternal, primordial, beyond measure, Puruṣa, lord beyond comparison, all-pervading, Viṣṇu, Govinda, having lotus-like eyes and have been born out of the body of Maheśvara. A lotus emerged out of your navel. You pervade in the sky. You are the carrier of the heart. You are the wind. You delight yourself in the auspicious activities. You are the soul who is lodged in the supreme soul. You are Govinda, son of Devakī, Jagannātha, the lotus-eyed one, victory to you. Be pleased with me. I take refuge in you. Protect me. There is no other go for me except you. You are my only refuge."

सूत उवाच
तमाह भगवान्विष्णुः किं ते हृदि चिकीर्षितम् ॥३७॥ 
तत्सर्वं ते प्रदास्यामि भक्तोसि मम सुव्रत । 
भक्तिप्रियोऽहं सततं तस्माद्दातुमिहागतः ॥ ३८ ॥

sūta uvāca
tamāha bhagavānviṣṇuḥ kiṃ te hṛdi cikīrṣitam ||37|| 
tatsarvaṃ te pradāsyāmi bhaktosi mama suvrata | 
bhaktipriyo’haṃ satataṃ tasmāddātumihāgataḥ || 38 ||
Sūta said-

Thereafter, lord Viṣṇu said to Ambarīṣa- "What is the desire growing in your mind? C excellent one, you happen to be my devotee. I shall bestow everything on you. I am pleased with your devotion. You are my devotee. I love the devotion. Therefore, I have arrived here to bestow everything on you, whatever is desired by you.

अंबरीष उवाच
लोकनाथ परानंद नित्यं मे वर्तते मतिः । 
वासुदेवपरो नित्यं वाङ्गनःकायकर्मभिः॥३९॥
यथा त्वं देवदेवस्य भवस्य परमात्मनः । 
यथा भवाम्यहं विष्णो तव देव जनार्दन ॥ ४०॥ 
पालयिष्यामि पृथिवीं कृत्वा वै वैष्णवं जगत् । 
यज्ञहोमार्चनैश्चैव तर्पयामि सुरोत्तमान् ॥४१॥ 
वैष्णवान्पालयिष्यामि निहनिष्यामि शात्रवान् । 
लोकतापभये भीत इति मे धीयते मतिः ॥ ४२ ॥

aṃbarīṣa uvāca
lokanātha parānaṃda nityaṃ me vartate matiḥ | 
vāsudevaparo nityaṃ vāṅganaḥkāyakarmabhiḥ||39||
yathā tvaṃ devadevasya bhavasya paramātmanaḥ | 
yathā bhavāmyahaṃ viṣṇo tava deva janārdana || 40|| 
pālayiṣyāmi pṛthivīṃ kṛtvā vai vaiṣṇavaṃ jagat | 
yajñahomārcanaiścaiva tarpayāmi surottamān ||41|| 
vaiṣṇavānpālayiṣyāmi nihaniṣyāmi śātravān | 
lokatāpabhaye bhīta iti me dhīyate matiḥ || 42 ||

Ambarīṣa said-

"O lord of the world, O blissful one, there is only one idea in my mind that you being the great soul, the one who is dedicated to lord Śiva, similarly, I should be devoted to you as my lord. O Lord, I shall rule the earth as your Vaiṣṇava devotee and shall please all the gods with the performing of yajñas, homas, and adoration. I shall look after the Vaiṣṇavas, destroying the enemies as well. I am influenced by the misdeeds in the world. Therefore, let my mind always remain devoted to you.”

श्रीभगवानुवाच
एवमस्तु यथेच्छं वै चक्रमेतत्सुदर्शनम् । 
पुरा रुद्रप्रसादेन लब्धं वै दुर्लभं मया ॥ ४३ ॥ 
ऋषिशापादिकं दुःखं शत्रुरोगादिकं तथा । 
निहनिष्यति ते नित्यमित्युक्त्वांतरधीयत॥४४॥

śrībhagavānuvāca
evamastu yathecchaṃ vai cakrametatsudarśanam | 
purā rudraprasādena labdhaṃ vai durlabhaṃ mayā || 43 || 
ṛṣiśāpādikaṃ duḥkhaṃ śatrurogādikaṃ tathā | 
nihaniṣyati te nityamityuktvāṃtaradhīyata ||44||

Lord Viṣṇu said-

"Things will happen as desired by you. I had received this Sudarśana cakra by the grace of Śiva. It always destroys the curses pronounced by the Ṛṣis, besides the ailments and miseries." Thus speaking, lord Viṣṇu disappeared from the scene.

सूत उवाच
ततः प्रणम्य मुदितो राजा नारायणं प्रभुम् । 
प्रविश्य नगरीं रम्यामयोध्यां पर्यपालयत्॥ ४५॥ 
ब्राह्मणादींश्च वर्णांश्च स्वस्वकर्मण्ययोजत् । 
\नारायणपरो नित्यं विष्णुभक्तानकल्मषान् ॥४६॥ 
पालयामास हृष्टात्मा विशेषेण जनाधिपः ।
अश्वमेधशतैरिष्ट्वा वाजपेयशतेन च ॥४७॥
पालयामास पृथिवीं सागरावरणामिमाम् । 
गृहे हरस्तस्थौ वेदघोषो गृहेगृहे ॥ ४८ ॥ 
नामघोषो हरेश्चैव यज्ञघोषस्तथैव च । 
अभवन्नृपशार्दूले तस्मिन् राज्यं प्रशासति ॥ ४९ ॥ 
नासस्या नातृणा भूमिर्न दुर्भिक्षादिभिर्युता। 
रागहीनाः प्रजा नित्यं सर्वोपद्रववर्जिताः ॥५०॥

sūta uvāca

tataḥ praṇamya mudito rājā nārāyaṇaṃ prabhum | 
praviśya nagarīṃ ramyāmayodhyāṃ paryapālayat|| 45|| 
brāhmaṇādīṃśca varṇāṃśca svasvakarmaṇyayojat | 
\nārāyaṇaparo nityaṃ viṣṇubhaktānakalmaṣān ||46|| 
pālayāmāsa hṛṣṭātmā viśeṣeṇa janādhipaḥ |
aśvamedhaśatairiṣṭvā vājapeyaśatena ca ||47||
pālayāmāsa pṛthivīṃ sāgarāvaraṇāmimām | 
gṛhe harastasthau vedaghoṣo gṛhegṛhe || 48 || 
nāmaghoṣo hareścaiva yajñaghoṣastathaiva ca | 
abhavannṛpaśārdūle tasmin rājyaṃ praśāsati || 49 || 
nāsasyā nātṛṇā bhūmirna durbhikṣādibhiryutā| 
rāgahīnāḥ prajā nityaṃ sarvopadravavarjitāḥ ||50||

Sūta said-

The king then offered his salutation towards the direction in which lord Viṣṇu had gone. Thereafter, the king getting extremely delighted, returned to the city of Ayodhyā and started ruling there. He made the Brāhmaṇas and the people of other castes perform their respective duties. The king was dedicated to lord Viṣṇu. He, getting pleased, protected the Vaiṣṇavas. He performed a hundred Aśvamedha and a hundred Vājapeya sacrifices and ruled the earth surrounded by the oceans. Viṣṇu was established in each one of the houses in Ayodhyā. The sound of the reciting of the Vedic hymns echoed from each one of the houses. The reciting of the names of the lord could be heard, with the performing of the yajñas. During the time of the rule of Ambarīṣa, the land was never infertile or unproductive. There were no famines in the state. The people were free from passions, conflicts, and jealousy.

अंबरीषो महातेजाः पालयामास मेदिनीम् । 
तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य कन्या कमललोचना ॥५१॥ 
श्रीमती नाम विख्याता सर्वलक्षणसंयुता । 
प्रदानसमयं प्राप्ता देवमायेव शोभना ॥ ५२ ॥

aṃbarīṣo mahātejāḥ pālayāmāsa medinīm | 
tasyaivaṃ vartamānasya kanyā kamalalocanā ||51|| 
śrīmatī nāma vikhyātā sarvalakṣaṇasaṃyutā | 
pradānasamayaṃ prāptā devamāyeva śobhanā || 52 ||

The immensely illustrious Ambarīṣa ruled the earth with compassion. The said king was blessed with a daughter having lotus-like eyes and who resembled yogamāyā in beauty. She was given the name of Śrīmatī. In due course of time, she attained the marriageable age.

तस्मिन्काले मुनिः श्रीमान्नारदोऽभ्यगतश्च ।
अंबरीषस्य राज्ञो वै पर्वतश्च महामतिः ॥ ५३ ॥

tasminkāle muniḥ śrīmānnārado’bhyagataśca |
aṃbarīṣasya rājño vai parvataśca mahāmatiḥ || 53 ||

By about the same time, Nārada and Parvata - the two great Ṛṣis, reached the palace of Ambarīṣa.

तावुभवागतौ दृष्ट्वा प्रणिपत्य यथाविधि । 
अंबरीषो महातेजाः पूजयामास तावृषी ॥ ५४ ॥

tāvubhavāgatau dṛṣṭvā praṇipatya yathāvidhi | 
aṃbarīṣo mahātejāḥ pūjayāmāsa tāvṛṣī || 54 ||

At the arrival of both of them, the king Ambarīṣa welcomed them, adoring them at the same time.

कन्यां तां रममाणां वै मेघमध्ये शतह्रदाम् । 
प्राह तां प्रेक्ष्य भगवान्नारदः सस्मितस्तदा ॥ ५५ ॥ 
केयं राजन्महाभागा कन्या सुरसुतोपमा । 
ब्रूहि धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठ सर्वलक्षणशोभिता॥५६॥

kanyāṃ tāṃ ramamāṇāṃ vai meghamadhye śatahradām | 
prāha tāṃ prekṣya bhagavānnāradaḥ sasmitastadā || 55 || 
keyaṃ rājanmahābhāgā kanyā surasutopamā | 
brūhi dharmabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭha sarvalakṣaṇaśobhitā||56||

Nārada, viewing the girl, who resembled lightning in the clouds, asked the king-"O king, who is this girl resembling the divine damsels. O king, you are foremost of all the religious-minded people, you tell me about this girl who possesses all the auspicious symbols.

राजोवाच
दुहितेयं मम विभो श्रीमती नाम नामतः । 
प्रदानसमयं प्राप्ता वरमन्वेषते शुभा ॥ ५७ ॥ 
इत्युक्तो मुनिशार्दूलस्तामैच्छन्नारदो द्विजाः । 
पर्वतोपि मुनिस्तां वै चकमे मुनिसत्तमाः ॥ ५८ ॥

rājovāca
duhiteyaṃ mama vibho śrīmatī nāma nāmataḥ | 
pradānasamayaṃ prāptā varamanveṣate śubhā || 57 || 
ityukto muniśārdūlastāmaicchannārado dvijāḥ | 
parvatopi munistāṃ vai cakame munisattamāḥ || 58 ||

The king replied-

"This is my daughter known as Śrīmatī and has reached the marriageable age. I am in search of a groom for her." Hearing the words of the king, Nārada expressed his desire to have the girl. At the same time, Parvata also desired to possess the same girl.

अनुज्ञाप्य च राजानं नारदो वाक्यमब्रवीत् । 
रहस्याहूय धर्मात्मा मा देहि सुतामिमाम् ॥५९॥ 
पर्वतो हि तथा प्राह राजानं रहसि प्रभुः । 
तावुभौ सह धर्मात्मा प्रणिपत्य भयार्दितः ॥६०॥ 
उभौ भवंतौ कन्यां मे प्रार्थमानौ कथं त्वहम् । 
करिष्यामि महाप्राज्ञ शृणु नारद मे वचः ॥ ६१ ॥ 
त्वं च पर्वत मे वाक्यं शृणु वक्ष्यामि यत्प्रभो । 
कन्येयं युवयोरेकं वरयिष्यति चेच्छुभा॥६२॥ 
तस्मै कन्यां प्रयच्छामि नान्यथा शक्तिरस्ति मे ।
तथेत्युक्त्वा ततो भूयः वो यास्याव इति स्म ह ॥ ६३ ॥
इत्युक्त्वा मुनिशार्दूलौ जग्मतुः प्रीतिमानसौ । 
वासुदेवपरौ नित्यमुभौ ज्ञानविदांवरौ ॥६४॥

anujñāpya ca rājānaṃ nārado vākyamabravīt | 
rahasyāhūya dharmātmā mā dehi sutāmimām ||59|| 
parvato hi tathā prāha rājānaṃ rahasi prabhuḥ | 
tāvubhau saha dharmātmā praṇipatya bhayārditaḥ ||60|| 
ubhau bhavaṃtau kanyāṃ me prārthamānau kathaṃ tvaham | 
kariṣyāmi mahāprājña śṛṇu nārada me vacaḥ || 61 || 
tvaṃ ca parvata me vākyaṃ śṛṇu vakṣyāmi yatprabho | 
kanyeyaṃ yuvayorekaṃ varayiṣyati cecchubhā||62|| 
tasmai kanyāṃ prayacchāmi nānyathā śaktirasti me |
tathetyuktvā tato bhūyaḥ vo yāsyāva iti sma ha || 63 ||
ityuktvā muniśārdūlau jagmatuḥ prītimānasau | 
vāsudevaparau nityamubhau jñānavidāṃvarau ||64||

The saintly Nārada took the king in seclusion and said to him- "You give me this girl." On the other hand, Parvata also drew the king in a lonely place and expressed the same desire as had been done by Nārada. Then the religious-minded king, felt panicky and he, offering his salutation to both of them, said- "Both of you are desirous of getting my daughter, but how can I do so? O intellectual Nārada and lord Parvata, this girl will accept either one of you. I shall give away in marriage my daughter to the one who is acceptable to her. Otherwise, I am helpless." At these words of the king, both of them said- "Let it be like this. Both of us shall come tomorrow again." Parvata also spoke similarly. Thus speaking, both the ascetics, who were immensely devoted to Viṣṇu and were the foremost among the intellectuals, felt delighted.

विष्णुलोकं ततो गत्वा नारदो मुनिसत्तमः । 
प्रणिपत्य हृषीकेशं वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह ॥६५॥

viṣṇulokaṃ tato gatvā nārado munisattamaḥ | 
praṇipatya hṛṣīkeśaṃ vākyametaduvāca ha ||65||

First of all, Nārada - the best of Ṛṣis then went to Viṣṇuloka, offered his salutation to lord Viṣṇu and said to him.

श्रोतव्यमस्ति भगवन्नाथ नारायण प्रभो । 
रहसि त्वां प्रवक्ष्यामि नमस्ते भुवेनश्वर ॥ ६६ ॥ 
ततः प्रहस्य गोविंदः सर्वानुत्सार्य तं मुनिम् । 
ब्रूहीत्याह च विश्वात्मा मुनिराह च केशवम् ॥ ६७॥ 
त्वदीयो नृपतिः श्रीमानंबरीषो महीपतिः । 
तस्य कन्या विशालाक्षी श्रीमती नाम नामतः ॥ ६८ ॥ 
परिणेतुमनास्तत्र गतोऽस्मि वचनं शृणु । 
पर्वतोऽयं मुनिः श्रीमांस्तवभृत्य स्तमोनिधिः ॥ ६९॥ 
तामैच्छत्सोपि भगवन्नावामाह जनाधिपः ।
अंबरीषो महातेजाः कन्येयं युवयोर्वरम् ॥७०॥
लावण्ययुक्तं वृणुयाद्यदि तस्मै ददाम्यहम् ।
इत्याहावां नृपस्तत्र तथेत्युक्ताहमागतः॥७१॥
आगमिष्यामि ते राजन् श्वः प्रभाते गृहं त्विति ।
आगतोहं जगन्नाथ कर्तुमर्हसि मे प्रियम् ॥ ७२॥
वानराननवद्भाति पर्वतस्य मुखं यथा ।
तथ कुरु जगन्नाथ मम चेदिच्छसि प्रियम् ॥ ७३ ॥
तथेत्युक्त्वा स गोविंदः प्रहस्य मधुसूदनः ।
त्वयोक्तं च करिष्यामि गच्छ सौम्य यथागतम् ॥७४ ॥
 एवमुक्त्वा मुनिर्दृष्टः प्रणिपत्य जनार्दनम् ।
मन्यमानः कृतात्मानं तथाऽयोध्यां जगाम सः ॥ ७५

śrotavyamasti bhagavannātha nārāyaṇa prabho | 
rahasi tvāṃ pravakṣyāmi namaste bhuvenaśvara || 66 || 
tataḥ prahasya goviṃdaḥ sarvānutsārya taṃ munim | 
brūhītyāha ca viśvātmā munirāha ca keśavam || 67|| 
tvadīyo nṛpatiḥ śrīmānaṃbarīṣo mahīpatiḥ | 
tasya kanyā viśālākṣī śrīmatī nāma nāmataḥ || 68 || 
pariṇetumanāstatra gato’smi vacanaṃ śṛṇu | 
parvato’yaṃ muniḥ śrīmāṃstavabhṛtya stamonidhiḥ || 69|| 
tāmaicchatsopi bhagavannāvāmāha janādhipaḥ |
aṃbarīṣo mahātejāḥ kanyeyaṃ yuvayorvaram ||70||
lāvaṇyayuktaṃ vṛṇuyādyadi tasmai dadāmyaham |
ityāhāvāṃ nṛpastatra tathetyuktāhamāgataḥ||71||
āgamiṣyāmi te rājan śvaḥ prabhāte gṛhaṃ tviti |
āgatohaṃ jagannātha kartumarhasi me priyam || 72||
vānarānanavadbhāti parvatasya mukhaṃ yathā |
tatha kuru jagannātha mama cedicchasi priyam || 73 ||
tathetyuktvā sa goviṃdaḥ prahasya madhusūdanaḥ |
tvayoktaṃ ca kariṣyāmi gaccha saumya yathāgatam ||74 ||
 evamuktvā munirdṛṣṭaḥ praṇipatya janārdanam |
manyamānaḥ kṛtātmānaṃ tathā’yodhyāṃ jagāma saḥ || 75

"O Jagannātha, O Nārāyaṇa, I would like to speak out something to you in seclusion. O Lord of the universe, you make the face of Parvata like a monkey. You do it like that." Then lord Viṣṇu, the universal soul, smilingly said to the sage- "You better speak out plainly." At this, Nārada said to him- "The king Ambarīṣa, who is quite graceful, happens to be your devotee. He has a daughter named Śrīmatī with wide eyes. I had gone to him with a desire to marry the girl. Now you listen to my words. The Ṛṣi known as Parvata is also your devotee. He is also desirous of the same girl. King Ambarīṣa had declared that he would give the girl in marriage to the one who is accepted by her as more beautiful than the other. Then both of us agreed to the proposal of the king and I have now arrived here. I shall go to that place again tomorrow morning. O Jagannātha, you kindly do whatever is suitable for me and is desirable as well." At the words thus spoken by Nārada, Govinda - lord Madhusūdana, spoke out smilingly- "I shall do as has been desired by you. You can now return, O charming one." At these words of lord Viṣṇu, Nārada felt delighted. Then he, offering salutation to lord Viṣṇu, returned to Ayodhyā, thinking of having achieved success.

गते मुनिवरे तस्मिन्पर्वतोऽपि महामुनिः । 
प्रमम्य माधवं हृष्टो रहस्येनमुवाच ह ॥७६॥

gate munivare tasminparvato’pi mahāmuniḥ | 
pramamya mādhavaṃ hṛṣṭo rahasyenamuvāca ha ||76||

After the departure of Nārada, Parvata the great sage, also arrived there.

वृत्तं तस्य निवेद्याग्रे नारदस्य जगत्पतेः । 
गोलाङ्गूलमुखं यद्वन्मुखं भाति तथा कुरु ॥७७॥

vṛttaṃ tasya nivedyāgre nāradasya jagatpateḥ | 
golāṅgūlamukhaṃ yadvanmukhaṃ bhāti tathā kuru ||77||

He also offered his salutation to lord Viṣṇu and then whispered in the ears of the lord at a lonely place- "O universal soul, kindly so make the face of Nārada to look like a black baboon."

तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान्विष्णुस्त्वयोक्तं च करोमि वै । 
गच्छ शीघ्रमयोध्यां वै मावेदीर्नारदस्य वै ॥ ७८ ॥ 
त्वया मे संविदं तत्र तथेत्युक्त्वा जगाम सः । 
ततो राजा समाज्ञाय प्राप्तौ मुनिवरौ तदा ॥ ७९ ॥ 
माङ्गल्यैर्विविधैः सर्वामयोध्यां ध्वजमालिनीम् । 
मण्डयामास पुष्पैश्च लाजैश्चैव समंततः ॥८०॥

tacchrutvā bhagavānviṣṇustvayoktaṃ ca karomi vai | 
gaccha śīghramayodhyāṃ vai māvedīrnāradasya vai || 78 || 
tvayā me saṃvidaṃ tatra tathetyuktvā jagāma saḥ | 
tato rājā samājñāya prāptau munivarau tadā || 79 || 
māṅgalyairvividhaiḥ sarvāmayodhyāṃ dhvajamālinīm | 
maṇḍayāmāsa puṣpaiśca lājaiścaiva samaṃtataḥ ||80||

On hearing this, lord Viṣṇu said- "I shall act as per your desire. You at once go to Ayodhyā. It will be done as per your wish, but don't disclose the talk that has transpired between me and yourself to Nārada." Thus speaking, the sage also left the place. Learning about the arrival of both the sages in Ayodhyā, the king decorated the city with flags, banners, flowers, and fried paddy.

अंबुसिक्तगृहद्वारां सिक्तापणमहापथाम् । 
दिव्यगंधरसोपेतां धूपितां दिव्यधूपकैः ॥ ८१ ॥
कृत्वा च नगरीं राजा मण्डलयामास तां सभाम् ।
दिव्यैर्गंधैस्तथा धूपै रत्नैश्च विविधैस्तथा॥८२॥

aṃbusiktagṛhadvārāṃ siktāpaṇamahāpathām | 
divyagaṃdharasopetāṃ dhūpitāṃ divyadhūpakaiḥ || 81 ||
kṛtvā ca nagarīṃ rājā maṇḍalayāmāsa tāṃ sabhām |
divyairgaṃdhaistathā dhūpai ratnaiśca vividhaistathā||82||

The front doors of the houses were sprinkled with water. The roads and markets were very well decorated after sprinkling water. The divine incense, fragrance, and gems were used in the decoration of the city of Ayodhyā.

अलंकृतांमणिस्तंभैर्नानामाल्योपशोभिताम् ।
परार्ध्यास्तरणोपेतैर्दिव्यैर्भद्रासनैर्वृताम्॥८३॥
alaṃkṛtāṃmaṇistaṃbhairnānāmālyopaśobhitām |
parārdhyāstaraṇopetairdivyairbhadrāsanairvṛtām||83||

The pillars were made of gems, which were decorated with the garlands of various flowers. The divine seats were also arranged.

कृत्वा नृपेंद्रस्तां कन्यां ह्यादाय प्रविवेश ह । 
सर्वाभरणसंपन्नां श्रीरिवायतलोचनाम्॥८४॥

kṛtvā nṛpeṃdrastāṃ kanyāṃ hyādāya praviveśa ha | 
sarvābharaṇasaṃpannāṃ śrīrivāyatalocanām||84||

After making all these arrangements, the king took the girl with him and entered the hall. She was richly adorned with all the ornaments. She appeared like Śrī Lakṣmī with her beautiful eyes.

करसंमितमध्याङ्गीं पञ्चस्निग्धां शुभाननाम् । 
स्त्रीभिः परिवृतां दिव्यां श्रीमतीं संश्रितां तदा ॥८५

karasaṃmitamadhyāṅgīṃ pañcasnigdhāṃ śubhānanām |
strībhiḥ parivṛtāṃ divyāṃ śrīmatīṃ saṃśritāṃ tadā ||85

Her waist was so slender that it could be measured with a single hand. Her five limbs were smooth and glossy. Her face was remarkably splendid. She was divinely resplendent. Such a graceful Śrīmatī entered the hall surrounded by the ladies.

सभा च सा भूपपतेः समृद्धा मणिप्रवेकोत्तमरत्नचित्रा । 
न्यस्तासना माल्यवती सुबद्धा तामाययुस्ते नरराजवर्गाः ॥ ८६ ॥

sabhā ca sā bhūpapateḥ samṛddhā maṇipravekottamaratnacitrā |
nyastāsanā mālyavatī subaddhā tāmāyayuste nararājavargāḥ || 86 ||

The royal assembly hall was richly decorated with charming jewels and excellent gems of various types. All the seats were decently arranged in which garlands and festoons were neatly tied. The elite of the society were present and were shining there with brilliance.

अथापरो ब्रह्मवरात्मजो हि 
त्रैविद्यविद्यो भगवान्महात्मा । 
सपर्वतो ब्रह्मविदां वरिष्ठो 
महामुनिर्नारद आजगाम ॥ ८७॥

athāparo brahmavarātmajo hi
traividyavidyo bhagavānmahātmā |
saparvato brahmavidāṃ variṣṭho
mahāmunirnārada ājagāma || 87||

The noble son of Brahmā (Nārada), the saintly lord of the great soul and the most excellent of those who know Brahman, well-versed in the three lores, arrived there with Parvata.

तावागतौ समीक्ष्याथ राजा संभ्रांतमानसः । 
दिव्यमासनमादाय पूजयामास तावुभौ ॥८८॥

tāvāgatau samīkṣyātha rājā saṃbhrāṃtamānasaḥ | 
divyamāsanamādāya pūjayāmāsa tāvubhau ||88||

Finding the arrival of both of them, the king was extremely upset in his mind. He offered elegant seats to both of them, besides worshipping them.

उभौ देवर्षिसिद्धौ तावुभौ ज्ञानविदांवरौ । 
समासीनौ महात्मानौ कन्यार्थं मुनिसत्तमौ ॥८९॥

ubhau devarṣisiddhau tāvubhau jñānavidāṃvarau | 
samāsīnau mahātmānau kanyārthaṃ munisattamau ||89||

Both of them were the great Siddhas, besides being the divine sages. Both of them were excellent among those who possessed perfect knowledge. The noble souls, who were excellent sages, seated themselves and waited for the girls.

तावुभौ प्रणिपत्याग्रे कन्यां तां श्रीमतीं शुभाम् । 
सुतां कमलपत्राक्षीं प्राह राजा यशस्विनीम् ॥ ९० ॥

tāvubhau praṇipatyāgre kanyāṃ tāṃ śrīmatīṃ śubhām | 
sutāṃ kamalapatrākṣīṃ prāha rājā yaśasvinīm || 90 ||

At the outset, the king bowed down to both of them, and then he addressed his beautiful daughter having eyes resembling petals of the lotus flower.

अनयोर्यं वरं भद्रे मनसा त्वमिहेच्छसि ।
तस्मै मालामिमां देहि प्रणिपत्य यथाविधि ॥ ९१ ॥

anayoryaṃ varaṃ bhadre manasā tvamihecchasi |
tasmai mālāmimāṃ dehi praṇipatya yathāvidhi || 91 ||

O gentle lady, offer this garland to one of these two sages bowing down to him properly, whosoever it may be, whom you mentally choose your bridegroom.

एवमुक्ता तु सा कन्या स्त्रीभिः परिवृता तदा । 
मालां हिरण्मयीं दिव्यामादाय शुभलोचना ॥ ९२ ॥ 
यत्रासीनौ महात्मानौ तत्रागम्य स्थिता तदा । 
वीक्षमाणा मुनिश्रेष्ठौ नारदं पर्वतं तथा ॥ ९३ ॥ 
शाखामृगाननं दृष्ट्वा नारदं पर्वतं तथा ।
गोलाङ्गूलमुखं कन्या किञ्चित् त्राससमन्विता ॥९४॥ 
संभ्रांतमानसा तत्र प्रवातकदली यथा ।
तस्थौ तामाह राजासौ वत्से किं त्वं करिष्यसि ॥९५

evamuktā tu sā kanyā strībhiḥ parivṛtā tadā | 
mālāṃ hiraṇmayīṃ divyāmādāya śubhalocanā || 92 || 
yatrāsīnau mahātmānau tatrāgamya sthitā tadā | 
vīkṣamāṇā muniśreṣṭhau nāradaṃ parvataṃ tathā || 93 || 
śākhāmṛgānanaṃ dṛṣṭvā nāradaṃ parvataṃ tathā |
golāṅgūlamukhaṃ kanyā kiñcit trāsasamanvitā ||94|| 
saṃbhrāṃtamānasā tatra pravātakadalī yathā |
tasthau tāmāha rājāsau vatse kiṃ tvaṃ kariṣyasi ||95

On being thus urged, the bride with splendid eyes, took up the divine gold garland in her arms. She, having been surrounded by the ladies in attendance, arrived at the place where the two noble sages were seated. After glancing at the excellent sages- Parvata and Nārada, she found that the faces of both of them were like monkeys. Finding the face of Golāṅgūla monkey, the girl got frightened a bit and excited in her mind. She stood there trembling like a palm tree leaf during the storm. The king then said to her- "O dear one, what are you going to do? You offer the garland to either of the two."

अनयोरेकमुद्दिश्य देहि मालामिमां शुभे । 
साप्राह पितरं त्रस्ता इमौ तौ नरवानरौ ॥ ९६ ॥
मुनिश्रेष्ठं न पश्यामि नारदं पर्वतं तथा । 
अनयोर्मध्यतस्त्वेकमूनषोडशवार्षिकम् ॥९७॥ 
सर्वाभरणसंपन्नमतसीपुष्पसंनिभम् ।
दीर्घबाहुं विशालाक्षं तुङ्गोरस्थलमुत्तमम् ॥९८॥ 
रेखांकितकटिग्रीवं रक्तांतायतलोचनम् । 
नम्रचापनुकरणपटुभ्रूयुगशोभितम्॥९९॥
विभक्तत्रिवलीव्यक्तं नाभिव्यक्तशुभोदरम् । 
हिरण्यांबरसंवीतं तुङ्गरत्ननखं शुभम्। 
पद्माकारकरं त्वेन पद्मास्यं पद्मलोचनम् ॥ १०० ॥ 
सुनासं पद्महृदयं पद्मनाभं श्रिया वृतम् । 
दंतपंक्तिभिरत्यर्थं कुंदकुड्मलसन्निभैः॥१०१॥
हसंतं मां समालोक्य दक्षिणं च प्रसार्य वै । 
पाणिं स्थितममुं तत्र पश्यामि शुभमूर्धजम् ॥ १०२ ॥ 
संभ्रांतमानसां तत्र वेपतीं कदलीमिव ।
स्थितां तामाह राजासौ वत्से किं त्वं करिष्यसि ॥

anayorekamuddiśya dehi mālāmimāṃ śubhe | 
sāprāha pitaraṃ trastā imau tau naravānarau || 96 ||
muniśreṣṭhaṃ na paśyāmi nāradaṃ parvataṃ tathā | 
anayormadhyatastvekamūnaṣoḍaśavārṣikam ||97|| 
sarvābharaṇasaṃpannamatasīpuṣpasaṃnibham |
dīrghabāhuṃ viśālākṣaṃ tuṅgorasthalamuttamam ||98|| 
rekhāṃkitakaṭigrīvaṃ raktāṃtāyatalocanam | 
namracāpanukaraṇapaṭubhrūyugaśobhitam||99||
vibhaktatrivalīvyaktaṃ nābhivyaktaśubhodaram | 
hiraṇyāṃbarasaṃvītaṃ tuṅgaratnanakhaṃ śubham| 
padmākārakaraṃ tvena padmāsyaṃ padmalocanam || 100 || 
sunāsaṃ padmahṛdayaṃ padmanābhaṃ śriyā vṛtam | 
daṃtapaṃktibhiratyarthaṃ kuṃdakuḍmalasannibhaiḥ||101||
hasaṃtaṃ māṃ samālokya dakṣiṇaṃ ca prasārya vai | 
pāṇiṃ sthitamamuṃ tatra paśyāmi śubhamūrdhajam || 102 || 
saṃbhrāṃtamānasāṃ tatra vepatīṃ kadalīmiva |
sthitāṃ tāmāha rājāsau vatse kiṃ tvaṃ kariṣyasi ||

The frightened girl said to her father- "Both of them are human apes. I, nowhere, find the excellent sages either Nārada or Parvata. But in between them, I found a handsome young man, who is less than sixteen years of age. He is richly adorned with all the ornaments. He has a complexion of Alasī flowers. He is elegant, has large eyes, and possesses moon-like luster. His hips and neck are marked with lines. His eyes are large and reddish. He shines brilliantly with two remarkable eyebrows, resembling the bent bow. His clear-cut threefold curly hairs are manifest in his umbilical region. The belly too is quite splendid. He is clad in costumes of gold color. His nails are raised up and resemble gems. His hands resemble the lotus flowers together with the face and the eyes. He has a charming nose. He has a lotus-like heart and the navel also resembles the same. He possesses glorious splendor. Looking at me, he is smiling with rows of teeth shining like the kunda flowers. He is standing spreading his right hand towards me. The hair over his head is beautiful. It is him alone that I can see." The king then spoke to her while she stood there. Shaking like a plantain leaf with wavering mind, he said- "O dear one, what are you going to do?"

एवमुक्ते मुनिः प्राह नारदः संशयं गतः ।
कियन्तो बाहवस्तस्य कन्ये ब्रूहि यथातथम् ॥ १०४

evamukte muniḥ prāha nāradaḥ saṃśayaṃ gataḥ |
kiyanto bāhavastasya kanye brūhi yathātatham || 104

At that point in time, Nārada asked- "O girl, how many hands he is having? Tell me correctly."

बाहुद्वयं च पश्यामीत्याह कन्या शुचिस्मिता । 
प्राह तां पर्वतस्तत्र तस्य वक्षःस्थले शुभे ॥ १०५॥
किं पश्यसि च मे ब्रूहि करे किं वास्यपश्यसि ।
कन्या तमाह मालां वै पञ्चरूपामनुत्तमाम् ॥ १०६ ॥
वक्षःस्थलेऽस्य पश्यामि करे कार्मुकसायकान् । 
एवमुक्तौ मुनिश्रेष्ठौ परस्परमनुत्तमौ ॥१०७॥ 
मनसा चिंतयंतौ तौ मायेयं कस्य चिद्भवेत् ।
मायावी तस्करो नूनं स्वयमेव जनार्दनः ॥ १०८ ॥
आगतो न यथा कुर्यात्कथमस्मन्मुखं त्विदम् ।
त्वमित्येवं चिंतयामास नारदः ॥ १०९ ॥
पर्वतोपि यथान्यायं वानरत्वं कथं मम ।
प्राप्तमित्येव मनसा चिंतामापेदिवांस्तथा ॥ ११०॥

bāhudvayaṃ ca paśyāmītyāha kanyā śucismitā | 
prāha tāṃ parvatastatra tasya vakṣaḥsthale śubhe || 105||
kiṃ paśyasi ca me brūhi kare kiṃ vāsyapaśyasi |
kanyā tamāha mālāṃ vai pañcarūpāmanuttamām || 106 ||
vakṣaḥsthale’sya paśyāmi kare kārmukasāyakān | 
evamuktau muniśreṣṭhau parasparamanuttamau ||107|| 
manasā ciṃtayaṃtau tau māyeyaṃ kasya cidbhavet |
māyāvī taskaro nūnaṃ svayameva janārdanaḥ || 108 ||
āgato na yathā kuryātkathamasmanmukhaṃ tvidam |
tvamityevaṃ ciṃtayāmāsa nāradaḥ || 109 ||
parvatopi yathānyāyaṃ vānaratvaṃ kathaṃ mama |
prāptamityeva manasā ciṃtāmāpedivāṃstathā || 110||

At this, the bride with a pure smile said- "I see a pair of arms." Parvata then asked her- "O gentle lady, what do you see over his chest? Tell me, what do you see in his hands?" The bride then spoke to him- "I find a garland of five-fold in form over his chest. I find a bow and arrow in his hands. On being thus replied, the excellent sages glanced at each other and thought- "This is a deception of someone. He could be the wilder of Māyā - lord Viṣṇu himself. How can a newcomer make our face like this in the manner that of Golāṅgāla monkey?" When thus spoken by Nārada, Parvata too began to worry thus mentally- "How is it that I have attained the form of a monkey?"

ततो राजा प्रणम्यासौ नारदं पर्वतं तथा । 
भवद्भयां किमिदं तत्र कृतं बुद्धिविमोहजम् ॥ १११ ॥ 
स्वस्थौ भवंतौ तिष्ठेतां यथा कन्यार्थमुद्यतौ । 
मुक्त मुनिश्रेष्ठौ नृपमूचतुरुल्बणौ ॥ ११२ ॥ 
त्वमेव मोहं कुरुषे नावामिह कथञ्चन । 
आवयोरेकमेषा ते वरयत्वेव मा चिरम् ॥ ११३॥ 
ततः सा कन्यका भूयः प्रणिपत्येष्टदेवताम् । 
मायामादाय तिष्ठन्त तयोर्मध्ये समाहितम् ॥ ११४॥ 
सर्वाभरणसंयुक्तमतसीपुष्पसन्निभम् ।
दीर्घबाहुं सुपुष्टाङ्गं कर्णांतायतलोचनम्॥११५॥ 
पूर्ववत्पुरुषं दृष्ट्वा मालां तस्मै ददौ हि सा । 
अनंतरं हि सा कन्या न दृष्टा मनुजैः पुनः ॥ ११६ ॥

tato rājā praṇamyāsau nāradaṃ parvataṃ tathā | 
bhavadbhayāṃ kimidaṃ tatra kṛtaṃ buddhivimohajam || 111 || 
svasthau bhavaṃtau tiṣṭhetāṃ yathā kanyārthamudyatau | 
mukta muniśreṣṭhau nṛpamūcaturulbaṇau || 112 || 
tvameva mohaṃ kuruṣe nāvāmiha kathañcana | 
āvayorekameṣā te varayatveva mā ciram || 113|| 
tataḥ sā kanyakā bhūyaḥ praṇipatyeṣṭadevatām | 
māyāmādāya tiṣṭhanta tayormadhye samāhitam || 114|| 
sarvābharaṇasaṃyuktamatasīpuṣpasannibham |
dīrghabāhuṃ supuṣṭāṅgaṃ karṇāṃtāyatalocanam||115|| 
pūrvavatpuruṣaṃ dṛṣṭvā mālāṃ tasmai dadau hi sā | 
anaṃtaraṃ hi sā kanyā na dṛṣṭā manujaiḥ punaḥ || 116 ||

Then the king offered his salutation to both Nārada and Parvata and said-- "What type of mental confusion in both of you have developed? Both of you should remain seated peacefully in case you need the hand of the girl." When so addressed by the king, both the sages in anger uttered- "You display this type of Māyā and befooled both of us in any way. Let the girl select either of us. Don't delay it." Thereafter, the girl offering her salutation to her presiding deity, garlanded the body of alasī complexion, adorned with all the ornaments, having long arms and developed limbs, whose eyes were extending up to ears, spotted appropriately. Then, she handed over her garland to him. Thereafter, the princess could not be seen by anyone.

ततो नादः समभवत् किमेतदिति विस्मितौ । 
तामादाय गतो विष्णुः स्वस्थानं पुरुषोत्तमः ॥ ११७ ॥ 
पुरा तदर्थमनिशं तपस्तप्त्वा वराङ्गना । 
श्रीमती सा समुत्पन्ना सा गता च तथा हरिम् ॥ ११८ ॥
तावुभौ मुनिशार्दूल धिक्कृतावतिदुःखितौ। 
वासुदेवं प्रति तदा जग्मतुर्भवनं हरेः ॥११९॥

tato nādaḥ samabhavat kimetaditi vismitau | 
tāmādāya gato viṣṇuḥ svasthānaṃ puruṣottamaḥ || 117 || 
purā tadarthamaniśaṃ tapastaptvā varāṅganā | 
śrīmatī sā samutpannā sā gatā ca tathā harim || 118 ||
tāvubhau muniśārdūla dhikkṛtāvatiduḥkhitau| 
vāsudevaṃ prati tadā jagmaturbhavanaṃ hareḥ ||119||

Thereafter, a huge disturbance was created there. "What is all that has happened?" Both the sages were surprised. On the other hand, Viṣṇu went to Viṣṇuloka with the girl." The lord for whom Śrīmatī had worshipped earlier, was achieved by her. She was accompanied by Viṣṇu. Both of them felt pain as well as humiliation. Feeling painful, they also went to Viṣṇuloka.

तावागतौ समीक्ष्याह श्रीमतीं भगवान्हरिः । 
मुनिश्रेष्ठौ समायातौ गूहस्वात्मानमत्र वै॥१२०॥

tāvāgatau samīkṣyāha śrīmatīṃ bhagavānhariḥ | 
muniśreṣṭhau samāyātau gūhasvātmānamatra vai||120||

At the arrival of the sages, Viṣṇu said to Śrīmatī- "Both the great sages have arrived. You better hide yourself."

तथेत्युक्त्वा च सा देवी प्रहसंती चकार ह । 
नारदः प्रणिपत्याग्रे प्राह दामोदरं हरिम् ॥ १२१ ॥

tathetyuktvā ca sā devī prahasaṃtī cakāra ha | 
nāradaḥ praṇipatyāgre prāha dāmodaraṃ harim || 121 ||

She then said- "It will be done, as desired by you." Then Nārada, reaching before the lord Viṣṇu, said to him.

प्रियं हि कृतवानाद्य मम त्वं पर्वतस्य हि । 
त्वमेव नूनं गोविंद कन्यां तां हृतवानसि ॥ १२२ ॥

priyaṃ hi kṛtavānādya mama tvaṃ parvatasya hi | 
tvameva nūnaṃ goviṃda kanyāṃ tāṃ hṛtavānasi || 122 ||

"You have acted pleasantly for me and Parvata. O Govinda, you have actually kidnapped the girl.

विमोह्यावां स्वयं बुद्ध्या प्रतार्य सुरसत्तम ।
इत्युक्तः पुरुषो विष्णुः पिधाय श्रोत्रमच्युतः । 
पाणिभ्यां प्राह भगवान् भवद्भ्यां किमुदीरितम् ॥

vimohyāvāṃ svayaṃ buddhyā pratārya surasattama |
ityuktaḥ puruṣo viṣṇuḥ pidhāya śrotramacyutaḥ | 
pāṇibhyāṃ prāha bhagavān bhavadbhyāṃ kimudīritam ||

Overpowering both of us with illusion, you have cheated us." At these words of both the sages, Viṣṇu covered his ears with his hands- "What have both of you uttered?

कामवानपि भावोयं मुनिवृत्तिरहो किल । 
एवमुक्तो मुनिः प्राह वासुदेवं स नारदः ॥ १२४ ॥ 
कर्णमूले मम कथं गोलाङ्गूलमुखं त्विति । 
कर्णमूले तमाहेदं वानरत्वं कृतं मया ॥१२५॥ 
पर्वतस्य मया विद्वन् गोलाङ्गूलमुखं तव ।
मया तव कृतं तत्र प्रियार्थं नान्यथा त्विति॥१२६॥

kāmavānapi bhāvoyaṃ munivṛttiraho kila | 
evamukto muniḥ prāha vāsudevaṃ sa nāradaḥ || 124 || 
karṇamūle mama kathaṃ golāṅgūlamukhaṃ tviti | 
karṇamūle tamāhedaṃ vānaratvaṃ kṛtaṃ mayā ||125|| 
parvatasya mayā vidvan golāṅgūlamukhaṃ tava |
mayā tava kṛtaṃ tatra priyārthaṃ nānyathā tviti||126||

Is the passionate conduct appropriate for the sages?" At these words of Viṣṇu, both Nārada and Parvata whispered in the ears of Viṣṇu- "How could my face be turned to that of a monkey?" Then the lord whispered in the ear of Nārada- “O intelligent Ṛṣi, I had turned your face like a monkey and that of Parvata as an ape."

पर्वतोऽपि तथा प्राह तस्याप्येवं जगाद सः । 
शृण्वतोरुभयोस्तत्र प्राह दामोदरो वचः ॥ १२७॥

parvato’pi tathā prāha tasyāpyevaṃ jagāda saḥ | 
śṛṇvatorubhayostatra prāha dāmodaro vacaḥ || 127||

Parvata also whispered similarly and got a similar reply from Viṣṇu. Then he spoke to both the Ṛṣis.

तेन चात्मानमत्यर्थं यथावत्त्वं न वेत्स्यसि । 
एवं शापे प्रदत्ते तु तमोराशिरथोत्थितः ॥ १३६॥ 
नृपं प्रति ततश्चक्रं विष्णोः प्रादुरभूत् क्षणात् । 
चक्रवित्रासितं घोरं तावुभौ तम अभ्यगात् ॥ १३७॥

tena cātmānamatyarthaṃ yathāvattvaṃ na vetsyasi | 
evaṃ śāpe pradatte tu tamorāśirathotthitaḥ || 136|| 
nṛpaṃ prati tataścakraṃ viṣṇoḥ prādurabhūt kṣaṇāt | 
cakravitrāsitaṃ ghoraṃ tāvubhau tama abhyagāt || 137||

Because of this, you would not be able to recognize yourself." Thereafter, when the darkness attacked the king, then the cakra of Viṣṇu appeared there for the protection of the king.

ततः संत्रस्तसर्वांगौ धावमानौ महामुनी । 
पृष्ठतश्चक्रमालोक्य तमोराशिं दुरासदम् ॥ १३८ ॥ 
कन्यासिद्धिरहो प्राप्ता ह्यावयोरिति वेगितौ । 
लोकालोकांतमनिशं धावमानौ भयार्दितौ ॥ १३९॥ 
त्राहित्राहीति गोविंदं भाषमाणौ भयार्दितौ । 
विष्णुलोकं ततो गत्वा नारायण जगत्पते ॥ १४० ॥ 
वासुदेव हृषीकेश पद्मनाभ जनार्दन । 
त्राह्यावां पुण्डरीकाक्ष नाथोऽसि पुरुषोत्तम ॥ १४१ ॥ 
ततो नारायणश्चित्य श्रीमाञ्छ्रीवत्सलांछनः ।
निवार्य चक्रं ध्वांतं च भक्तानुग्रहकाम्यया ॥ १४२ ॥ 
अंबरीषश्च मद्भक्तस्तथैतौ मुनिसत्तमौ ।
अनयोरस्य च तथा हितं कार्यं मयाऽधुना ॥ १४३ ॥ 
आहूय तत्तमः श्रीमान् गिरा प्रह्लादयन् हरिः ।
प्रोवाच भगवान् विष्णुः शृणुतां मम इदं वचः ॥ १४४॥

tataḥ saṃtrastasarvāṃgau dhāvamānau mahāmunī | 
pṛṣṭhataścakramālokya tamorāśiṃ durāsadam || 138 || 
kanyāsiddhiraho prāptā hyāvayoriti vegitau | 
lokālokāṃtamaniśaṃ dhāvamānau bhayārditau || 139|| 
trāhitrāhīti goviṃdaṃ bhāṣamāṇau bhayārditau | 
viṣṇulokaṃ tato gatvā nārāyaṇa jagatpate || 140 || 
vāsudeva hṛṣīkeśa padmanābha janārdana | 
trāhyāvāṃ puṇḍarīkākṣa nātho’si puruṣottama || 141 || 
tato nārāyaṇaścitya śrīmāñchrīvatsalāṃchanaḥ |
nivārya cakraṃ dhvāṃtaṃ ca bhaktānugrahakāmyayā || 142 || 
aṃbarīṣaśca madbhaktastathaitau munisattamau |
anayorasya ca tathā hitaṃ kāryaṃ mayā’dhunā || 143 || 
āhūya tattamaḥ śrīmān girā prahlādayan hariḥ |
provāca bhagavān viṣṇuḥ śṛṇutāṃ mama idaṃ vacaḥ || 144||

The darkness and danger of cakra frightened both the sages and getting frightened, both the sages took to flight. Finding the cakra following behind, they shook with danger and started running. Finding the cakra following them and getting themselves covered with the heap of darkness while running forward, they uttered- "Both of us have achieved the Siddhi of the girl. We have got the girl." They were terrified of danger; they returned and ran to earth surrounded by the miserable condition and the mountains. They had been terribly frightened and were crying- "Save us, O Govinda, save us." They reached first Viṣṇuloka and cried- "O Nārāyana, O lord of the universe, O Vāsudeva, O Janārdana, O Hṛṣīkeśa, O Padmanābha, O Puruṣottama, you are our lord." Then Nārāyaṇa with a Śrīvatsa mark over his chest, for the benefit of the devotees, gracefully stopped cakra as well as the darkness and said- "Ambarīṣa happens to be my devotee, besides both these Ṛṣis. Now, I shall act in a way that is beneficial to the king as well as the sages. Then lord Viṣṇu summoned them both and spoke to them- "Both of you should listen to my words."

ऋषिशापो न चैवासीदन्यथा च वरोमम ।
दत्तो नृपाय रक्षार्थं नास्ति तस्यान्यथा पुनः ॥ १४५॥ 
अंबरीषस्य पुत्रस्य नतुः पुत्रो महायशाः । 
श्रीमान्दशरथो नाम राजा भवति धार्मिकः ॥ १४६ ॥
तस्याहमग्रजः पुत्रो रामनामा भवाम्यहम् । 
तत्र मे दक्षिणो बाहुर्भरतो नाम वै भवेत् ॥ १४७॥ 
शत्रुघ्नो नाम सव्यश्च शेषोऽसौ लक्ष्मणः स्मृतः । 
तत्र मां समुपागच्छ गच्छेदानीं नृपं विना ॥ १४८॥ 
मुनिश्रेष्ठौ च हित्वा त्वमिति स्माह च माधवः । 
एवमुक्तं तमो नाशं तत्क्षणाच्च जगाम वै ॥ १४९॥

ṛṣiśāpo na caivāsīdanyathā ca varomama |
datto nṛpāya rakṣārthaṃ nāsti tasyānyathā punaḥ || 145|| 
aṃbarīṣasya putrasya natuḥ putro mahāyaśāḥ | 
śrīmāndaśaratho nāma rājā bhavati dhārmikaḥ || 146 ||
tasyāhamagrajaḥ putro rāmanāmā bhavāmyaham | 
tatra me dakṣiṇo bāhurbharato nāma vai bhavet || 147|| 
śatrughno nāma savyaśca śeṣo’sau lakṣmaṇaḥ smṛtaḥ | 
tatra māṃ samupāgaccha gacchedānīṃ nṛpaṃ vinā || 148|| 
muniśreṣṭhau ca hitvā tvamiti smāha ca mādhavaḥ | 
evamuktaṃ tamo nāśaṃ tatkṣaṇācca jagāma vai || 149||

The curse pronounced by the sages cannot be otherwise, nor can the boon granted by me to the king be otherwise. The cakra had been given by me to the king for his protection. The king Ambarīṣa shall have an elder grandson known by the name of Daśaratha. I shall be born as Rāma, his eldest son. Bharata would be my right hand, while Śatrughna shall be my left hand. Śeṣa would be born as Lakṣmaṇa. You should come to me then. Now you leave the king alone and by so doing, the heap of darkness would disappear." At these words of Viṣṇu, the darkness disappeared and the cakra was held by Viṣṇu in his hand as before. Then lord Viṣṇu removed the heap of darkness, as a result of which he at once disappeared.

निवारितं हरेश्चक्रं यथापूर्वमतिष्ठत । 
मुनिश्रेष्ठौ भयान्मुक्तो प्रणिपत्य जनार्दनम् ॥ १५० ॥ 
निर्गतौ शोकसंतप्तौ ऊचतुस्तौ परस्परम् । 
अद्यप्रभृति देहांतमावां कन्यापरिग्रहम् ॥ १५१ ॥
न करिष्याव इत्युक्त्वा प्रतिज्ञाय च तावृषी । 
`योगध्यानपरौ शुद्धौ यथापूर्वं व्यवस्थितौ ॥१५२॥

nivāritaṃ hareścakraṃ yathāpūrvamatiṣṭhata | 
muniśreṣṭhau bhayānmukto praṇipatya janārdanam || 150 || 
nirgatau śokasaṃtaptau ūcatustau parasparam | 
adyaprabhṛti dehāṃtamāvāṃ kanyāparigraham || 151 ||
na kariṣyāva ityuktvā pratijñāya ca tāvṛṣī | 
`yogadhyānaparau śuddhau yathāpūrvaṃ vyavasthitau ||152||

With the stopping of the cakra, it became inactive. Both the sages got themselves relieved. Then offering their salutation to Viṣṇu, feeling miserable, they said to each other- "Till our death, we shall accept no other girl." With this resolve, both of them concentrated their minds again on the yogic practices.

अंबरीषश्च राजा सौ परिपाल्य च मेदिनीम् । 
सभृत्यज्ञातिसंपन्नो विष्णुलोकं जगाम वै ॥ १५३ ॥ 
मानार्थमंबरीषस्य तथैव मुनिसिंहयोः ।
रामो दाशरथिर्भूत्वा नात्मवेदीश्वरोऽभवत् ॥ १५४ ॥ 
मुनयश्च तथा सर्वे भृग्वाद्या मुनिसत्तमाः । 
या कार्या विद्वद्भिरित्याहुः प्रेक्ष्य तं हरिम् ॥ १५५ ॥
नारदः पर्वतश्चैव चिरं ज्ञात्वा विचेष्टितम् । 
मायां विष्णोर्विनिंद्यैव रुद्रभक्तौ बभूवतुः ॥ १५६॥ 
एतद्धि कथितं सर्वं मया युष्माकमद्य वै। 
अंबरीषस्य माहात्म्यं मायावित्वं च वै हरेः ॥ १५७ ॥ 
यः पठेच्छृणुयाद्वापि श्रावयेद्वापि मानवः । 
मायां विसृज्य पुण्यात्मा रुद्रलोकं स गच्छति ॥ १५८ ॥ 
इदं पवित्रं परमं पुण्यं वेदैरुदीरितम् ।
सायं प्रातः पठेन्नित्यं विष्णोः सायुज्यमाप्नुयात् ॥

aṃbarīṣaśca rājā sau paripālya ca medinīm | 
sabhṛtyajñātisaṃpanno viṣṇulokaṃ jagāma vai || 153 || 
mānārthamaṃbarīṣasya tathaiva munisiṃhayoḥ |
rāmo dāśarathirbhūtvā nātmavedīśvaro’bhavat || 154 || 
munayaśca tathā sarve bhṛgvādyā munisattamāḥ | 
yā kāryā vidvadbhirityāhuḥ prekṣya taṃ harim || 155 ||
nāradaḥ parvataścaiva ciraṃ jñātvā viceṣṭitam | 
māyāṃ viṣṇorviniṃdyaiva rudrabhaktau babhūvatuḥ || 156|| 
etaddhi kathitaṃ sarvaṃ mayā yuṣmākamadya vai| 
aṃbarīṣasya māhātmyaṃ māyāvitvaṃ ca vai hareḥ || 157 || 
yaḥ paṭhecchṛṇuyādvāpi śrāvayedvāpi mānavaḥ | 
māyāṃ visṛjya puṇyātmā rudralokaṃ sa gacchati || 158 || 
idaṃ pavitraṃ paramaṃ puṇyaṃ vedairudīritam |
sāyaṃ prātaḥ paṭhennityaṃ viṣṇoḥ sāyujyamāpnuyāt ||

After ruling the earth for a long, King Ambarīṣa together with his attendants and kins, went to the Viṣṇuloka. In order to honor the words of the sages as well as Ambarīṣa, Viṣṇu was born on earth as the son of Daśaratha. Then Bhṛgu and other sages came to Śrī Rāma and spoke to him- "The learned people should not indulge in Māyā. After a long time, both Nārada and Parvata experienced the Māyā of Viṣṇu and got themselves devoted to lord Śiva. Thus, I have beautifully narrated the greatness of Ambarīṣa and the Māyā of Viṣṇu to all of you. Whosoever shall read it or listen to it or recite it to others, would be relieved of the Māyā of Viṣṇu and reach the place of Indra. One who would read the auspicious stories of the Vedas in the morning as well as in the evenings, he would achieve the closeness of Viṣṇu.

इति श्रीलिङ्गमहापुराणे उत्तरभागे श्रीमत्याख्यानं नाम पञ्चमोऽध्यायः ॥५॥

iti śrīliṅgamahāpurāṇe uttarabhāge śrīmatyākhyānaṃ nāma pañcamo’dhyāyaḥ||5||