Pranidhi, Padmavatt and Dhanurdhvaja

1-2. Through your grace I have heard about the greatness of Gaiigadvara. Now I desire to listen to the greatness of Prayaga. O sage, also tell me about the greatness of the union of Ganga and the ocean. On the earth none except you is able to tell it. Vyasa said:

3-9. O dear, I cannot thoroughly tell about the fruit of (the bath at) Prayaga or at the place where Ganga joins the ocean. O Brahmana, listen to it in brief. O sage, do all those crores of holy places in the universe attain similarity with Prayaga? All gods like Brahma, Vishnu, S"iva praise (the bath) at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvatl. Those who bathe there in (the month of) Magha, when the Sun is in (the Zodiacal sign) Capricornus, never return (to his world) from the world of Vishnu. The fruit, O brahmana, due to bathing at Prayaga in (the month of) Magha would be a crorefold more than that obtained by the wise by (offering) thousands of crores of cows, (performing) sacrifices like the horse-sacrifice, (giving) gifts of gold of the measure of Meru mountain and other gifts, offering oblations into fire and giving gifts to brahmanas at Kuruksetra, Puskara, Prabhasa and Gaya. Therefore, Prayaga is the best of all holy places.

10-13. Undoubtedly that inexhaustible religious merit which, O best brahmana, as told in Vedas, scriptures and Puranas, is had by practising a severe penance for a long time, by bathing, giving gifts and observing vows in (the water of) Godavari, when the Sun is in the Zodiacal sign Leo, is had by bathing at Prayaga in the month of Magha. Hear from me who am telling it, about the fruit which a man obtains by fasting at Kasi on Caturdasi in the dark half of the month of Phalguna. He, freed from sins committed during crores of existences, and having every form, and emancipating a crore of men (of his family), delights with Shiva.

14-15. A brahmana gets the same fruit as he obtains by worshipping Vishriu for a hundred crores of kalpas at other places, by bathing just once at Prayaga in the month of Magha and worshipping (Vishnu) even for a day, when the Sun is in (the Zodiacal sign) Capricornus. I am telling the truth (and) truth (only). All (that fruit) would be inexhaustible.

16-17. A man delights with Vishnu for as many hundred kalpas as many days a man stays there (i.e. at Prayaga) in the month of Magha. He who has once bathed in the water of Ganga and Yamuna is instantly freed from all sins by seeing it.

18-19. If men desire to cross this ocean of mundane existence very difficult to cross, they should devoutly see (the idol of) Vishnu after bathing in Ganga and Yamuna. O brahmana sage, if men, by offering their body, worship him there, they instantly get whatever they desire. There is no doubt about it.

20-24. In this matter I shall tell you a historical account. Listen to it, hearing which a man is freed from all sins. There was a very wealthy vaisya named Pranidhi. He was solely devoted to worshipping deities and guests, O brahmana. His wife, Padmavatl by name, was chaste, loyal wife, of a beautiful body, endowed with good character, born of a good family and speaking in a pleasant manner. O best brahmana, all those virtues which the highest god has produced as fit to be present in the bodies of women, were present in her. O brahmana, that vaisya Pranidhi, having taken much wealth, went for trade at an auspicious time and on an auspicious day.

25-27. Piety springs from wealth. Great glory springs from wealth. A man secures a (noble) family through wealth. What would take place without wealth? Even a friend runs away by seeing a man without wealth. In autumn a cloud without water would be reduced to big pieces. As long as relatives get to eat, they remain (with him). He who has wealth has (i.e. is born in) a (noble) family. He (alone) is intelligent (and) wise.

28-31. A man, without wealth, though living, is like a dead one. He whose mind turns away from attaining religious merit, material wealth and knowledge should be known to be a fool. Greater is the fruit of more (exertion). Piety should always be practised. Wealth should always be earned. Knowledge should always be learnt (i.e. got) by wise men. Wealth and knowledge increase everyday by giving them (to others). Piety of men does not increase without its being preserved. A man should not abandon even (a piece of) wood or (a blade of) grass after having got them.

32-37a. A man given to storing never sinks. Then that vaisya Pranidhi skilled in domestic affairs, put his wife in his house, and went for trade. O brahmana sage, once his wife taking unguents to rub and cleanse the body with, went along with her friends for bathing. Then (a candala), the resting place of sins, Dhanurdhvaja by name, saw her who had the beauty of an expanding golden lotus, whose face was like a blooming lotus, whose eyes were like those of a young deer, whose breasts were charming, large and raised, bathing as she liked. Seeing the vaisya-wife that candala, smit with love, and not considering his own figure, laughed and said (these) words: Dhanurdhvaja said:

37b-40a. O auspicious one, O you having large hips, O you of a charming smile, O you beautiful one, who are you? O dear one, why do you take away my mind with charms of your exuberant youth? O you of large buttocks, O you slender one, you, who are virtuous, should enjoy full happiness with me who am (also) virtuous. O brahmana, hearing Dhanurdhvaja's words, her friends, getting angry, and biting their lips, spoke (these) words: The friends said:

40b-44a. O fool, O wicked one, O you born in the family of the wicked, she will not throw even her foot at (i.e. will not even kick) you. This lady is a loyal wife, highly devoted to religious practices. Those who desire their own happiness do not look at her with an evil eye. Those who are foolish and who are afflicted with the fire of the passion of love, are burnt on seeing the beauty of the face of the wife of another person and the wealth of others. O you of a sinful mind, go away. Do not speak words which are very unbearable. We shall not touch you even with our feet.

44b-48a. Fie upon this word 'caste', since you have not honoured me knowing all virtues in my candalahood (i.e. due to my being a candala)! On reaching gold covered with necklaces and remaining in a pitcher, which man, conversant with the collection of excellences, will not seize it? Therefore, O friends, act in such a way that I shall now secure this young lady. I submit myself to you. O best brahmana, to the fool who was repeatedly speaking like this, the friends, with great curiosity produced in them, spoke these words (to him): The friends said:

48b-53. O you very wicked one, if you indeed long for this young lady then quickly cast your body into the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna. Looking at one another's face, and laughing, they then took the good man's wife, and entered their houses. Then that candala who had killed thousands of brahmanas, longing for her died in the water of Ganga and Yamuna. Then that candala, remembering his own account, became a strong person, resembling the figure of her husband, and having all his qualities. Then that vaisya Pranidhi, having carried out the trade came home on just that auspicious day. The candala also, O brahmana, entered his house.

54-56. He resembled Pranidhi in form, age and qualities. Seeing the two, of the same (i.e. similar) figure, who were mines of virtues, she thought (to herself): 'Whose wife am I? Who is my husband?' Then that chaste woman, seeing the pair of husbands, was amazed, and praised god Vishnu with words having pleasing letters. Padmavati said:

57-61. I salute Govinda who has endless forms, whose lotus-like feet are worshipped by deities like Indra, who is the lord of deep and abstract meditation, who is desireless among those who know deep and abstract meditation, who is the giver of devotion, and who is fit to be worshipped by the meditating saints. Salutation to you, the destroyer of Kaitabha; salutation to you, the destroyer of Madhu; salutation to you who destroyed the demon Karhsa; salutation to you who knocked down Canura. Salutation to you who took out the Vedas; eternal salutation to you who lifted the earth; salutation to you who are capable of bearing the earth; salutation to you who are the destroyer of the demons. Salutation to you whose feet are washed by the water of Ganga; salutation to you who destroy the ksatriyas; salutation to you who killed Ravana's family; salutation to you who destroyed the demons. Salutation to you who denounced sacrifices; salutation to you who destroyed the Mleccha-families; salutation to you seated in the heart-lotus; salutation to you who are an ornament among your enemies (ripudhvaja?).

62-65. O lord, O dear to the cowherdesses, be pleased. O bee to the lotus-face of Lakshmi, be pleased. O Vishnu, be pleased. I constantly salute you. O you lotus-eyed one, be pleased; O you who have the disc in your hand, O you who hold the mace called Kaumodaki in your hand, be pleased. O Vishnu, who has held (the conch called) Pancajanya, be pleased. I constantly, salute you who hold a lotus. I am constantly roaming, being deluded by you — Kesava, in the curious habitation of the mundane existence, having the darkness of ignorance and the lamp of knowledge. O enemy of the demons, Brahma, Indra and other excellent gods do not understand your Maya. (Then) how can I, a human being, understand your Maya? Kindly remove (this) delusion (taking place) before (you). Vyasa said:

66-67. Having heard the praise of (i.e. made by) her, lord Vishnu, the master of the world, giving the fruits of the four goals (of human life), took notice of it, and he whose lustre was like that of a crore suns, suddenly manifested himself. She, having looked at (i.e. touched) the ground with her head, saluted the pair of his feet.

68. (She said:) O lord of Lakshmi, O you who give enjoyment and salvation, salutation to you. Remove the confusion about my husband, of me who am without knowledge.

69-71. O beautiful-bodied one, give up your confusion. Both these are your husbands. O you lady of beautiful hips, always serve them devotedly. That who is your young, very intelligent husband Pranidhi, has himself become two to enjoy the fruit of pleasure, O chaste lady. O you of beautiful buttocks, you too always enjoy pleasure with them, as Lakshmi of infinite forms sports with me. Padmavati said:

72. O god, men do not approve two husbands of one woman. O you full of pity, save me who am sunk under the billow of the ocean of shame. The lord said:

73. O chaste lady, as you are certainly afraid of infamy on the earth, the refore, O you of a beautiful face, come to my city with them.

74-75. Then by the order of the lord, an aeroplane immediately came there and taking the two (with her) she got ready to go to Vaikuntha. She too, while going with her husbands along the path, saw a magnanimous person along with a lady seated in a chariot, O Jaimini.

76-79. He was supported by hosts of messengers, having eyes like lotus-petals, resembling atasi flowers, having four hands, and seated on Garuda. That chaste, beautiful lady then asked those messengers of Vishnu, of the form of Vishnu, "Who is this man seated in the chariot? O magnanimous ones, who are you having lotus-like eyes, all resembling Vishnu, having in your hands conches, discs etc.?" Then all those messengers of Vishnu, very much delighted, resembling Vishnu in valour, laughed and said: Vishnu's messengers said:

80. O chaste lady, we are Vishnu's messengers. Taking this man, a meritorious soul, we are going to the high, excellent world.

81-84. Due to the power of which merit has he acquired such a state? O magnanimous messengers of Vishnu, tell it to me. Visnii's messengers said: This is a demon named Brhaddhvaja. He, causing affliction to the world, lived in a forest etc. He is very powerful and valorous. He kidnapped others'wives, snatched others' wealth, and was an active deceiver. He ate cow's flesh, spoke cruel words, and censured deities. He always did acts that were sinful. O you devoted wife, even in a dream he did not do a virtuous deed.

85-88. O you of large buttocks, this one always tormented by love, getting into a chariot, moves in the sky to kidnap the wife of another man. He, smitten by love forcibly embraces whichever very young woman he sees and wherever he sees her. Once he saw the beautiful wife of a king named Bhimakesa (engaged) in sport, and in the prime of youth. Then seeing her bright like a golden lotus, he affectionately said these words to her: "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

89-94. Then that wife of king Bhimakesa said: "I, adorned by the name Kesini and knowing the art of sexual enjoyment, am the wife of king Bhimakesa. (But) the king does not even for a moment look at (i.e. care for) me who am conversant with all virtues, who am delighted in love, who am born in his own family, and who am blemishless. I, about whom inquiry is abandoned by the husband, who am grieving over my fate, who am tormented by the fire of separation, always stay here only. O best one, being pleased, please tell me everything: Who are you? How have you come to this garden?" Then he said these words: "O you having a face like the full moon, I am a demon using tricks, and have come here to embrace you. Abandon your angry husband who always finds fault with you. O slender one, resort to me. I shall give you excellent pleasure."

95-99. Then that virtuous (?t wife bound the demon with her creeper-like arms and put her mouth into his (i.e. kissed him). O you of fine hips, having embraced her who got perturbed due to discrimination and excitement, he got along with her into a chariot. With great eagerness they became (i.e. acted like a married) couple. Getting into a chariot with the wind's speed, they went along the aerial path. Then he spoke these words to her: "O slender one, see, from your husband's country we have come to the place where Ganga joins the Ocean". Then the lady in the chariot, seeing the union of Ganga and the Ocean suddenly died due to great fear.

100-102. The demon also seeing the good (?) lady dead, lamented much, and died instantly. By the order of the Garudabannered (Vishnu) we are taking these two, of meritorious deeds and free from sins, to Vaikuntha. Even sinners casting their bodies in water, on ground, or in the air at (the place of) the union of Ganga and the Ocean, reach the highest position.

103-107a. The holy place at the union of Ganga and the Ocean is difficult to be found in the three worlds. Even a killer of a brahmana, who observes a fast there on the Ekadasf day in the month of Magha in winter becomes purified. There is no doubt about this. Having bathed at the place of the union of Ganga and the Ocean, and having seen (the idol of) Hari, Madhava (i.e. Vishnu), and having seen Kartikeya, rebirth does not take place. Kartikeya is actually Vishnu. The identity between the two is always established. All those who see Kartikeya, go to (i.e. attain) liberation. Hear (i.e. note) that the holy place at the union of Ganga and the Ocean is superior to all (other) holy places. One who dies there in water, on ground or in the air, obtains liberation.

107b-112. O Jaimini, speaking like this, all those messengers of Vishnu, taking the two, went, along the aerial path, to Vishnu's abode. That (Pranidhi's) wife, the chaste Padmavati, along with the couple of husbands, became assimilated with Vishnu, the giver of the four goals of human life, enjoyed all pleasures there, difficult to be obtained; they obtained the highest knowledge and were assimilated with Vishnu. Ganga is full of all holy places. Vishnu is fall of all holy places. Therefore, devotion for Ganga and for Vishnu is laid down. Formerly, a king named Madhava, practised penance for a long time at (the place of) the union of Ganga and the Ocean, and along with his wife, got salvation.

113. Who is this Madhava whom you have mentioned? What acts did he do? How did he practise penance? O best one, tell all that to me. Vyasa said:

114. Listen to the story of that magnanimous king Madhava, O brahmana sage. O very intelligent one, I shall narrate it in brief.

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