Mudgalapurana 3.51: śravaṇaphalavarṇana nāmaikapañcāśattamo'dhyāyaḥ

3.51.p1

śrīgaṇeśāya namaḥ ||

Homage to holy Gaṇeśa.

3.51.1

mudgala uvāca |
mahodarasya kṣetraṃ yaddakṣiṇasyāṃ diśi sthitam |
devaiśca munibhistatra sthāpito gaṇanāyakaḥ ||

Mudgala said:
The sacred ground of Mahodara is situated in the southern direction;
and there the leader of the gaṇas was established by gods and sages.

3.51.2

daśayojanavistārastasya kṣetrasya mānada |
mahodaraśca tanmadhye caturasre sthito'bhavat ||

The extent of that sacred ground is ten yojanas, O honored one;
and in its center, in a square, Mahodara was situated.

3.51.3

svasvakhaṇḍeṣu sarvatra dvīpeṣu munibhiḥ purā |
sthāpito dakṣiṇasyāṃ sa diśi brahmamayaḥ prabhuḥ ||

Formerly, across all the continents in their respective sections,
that lord consisting of Brahman was established by the sages in the southern direction.

3.51.4

tatra devādayaḥ sarve ṛṣayo yoginastathā |
tīrthāni kṣetramukhyāni saṃsthitāni bhavanti ca ||

There all the gods and others, the ṛṣis as well as yogins,
and the foremost sacred grounds and holy bathing-places reside.

3.51.5

samudre snānakartāraḥ svasvatīrtheṣu nityadā |
gaṇeśānaṃ bhajantaste parasparahite ratāḥ ||

Constantly bathing in the ocean and at their respective holy bathing-places,
they worship Gaṇeśa, devoted to mutual welfare.

3.51.6

nānārūpāṇi te sarve mahodara kṛtāni ca |
ceṣṭitāni smaranto vai hṛṣṭaromāṇa ābhavan ||

Remembering the manifold forms and the deeds performed by Mahodara,
they all indeed stood with hair bristling with joy.

3.51.7

siddhibuddhiyutaṃ taṃ te mūṣakaṃ purataḥ sthitam |
dūrvādibhiḥ pūjayanti viśeṣeṇa prajāpate ||

Joined with Siddhi and Buddhi, and with the mouse situated before him,
they especially worship him with dūrvā grass and other offerings, O Prajāpati.

3.51.8

bhādraśuklacaturthījastatra mukhyo mahotsavaḥ |
varṣamadhye vai bhavati bhaktā yātrāṃ prakurvate ||

The primary great festival there is the one born of the fourth lunar day of the bright half of Bhādrapada;
it takes place during the year, and devotees make pilgrimage.

3.51.9

tato mahodarasyaiva darśanena hṛdīpsitam |
labhate mānavaḥ sarvaṃ smaraṇena tathā vibhoḥ ||

Then by the very sight of Mahodara, and likewise by remembering the Lord,
a human being obtains all that the heart desires.

3.51.10

kṣetre maraṇato dakṣa brahmabhūto bhavennaraḥ |
aṣṭau vināyakāḥ proktāsteṣāṃ kṣetrāṇi sarvadā ||

From dying in the sacred ground, O Dakṣa, a person becomes Brahman.
Eight Vināyakas have been proclaimed, and their sacred grounds are always

3.51.11

brahmabhūtamayānyeva teṣu sarve śivādayaḥ |
saṃsthitā bhaktikāryārthaṃ jñātavyaṃ vibudhaiḥ sadā ||

entirely made of that which has become Brahman; in them Śiva and all the others
always dwell for the sake of devotion, as the wise should know.

3.51.12

trailokye śreṣṭharūpā ye śeṣādaya udāhṛtāḥ |
te sarve nivasantyatra kṣetreṣvaṣṭasu niścitam ||

Those spoken of as the supreme forms in the three worlds, such as Śeṣa and the rest,
all reside firmly here, in these eight sacred grounds.

3.51.13

tatra gāṇeśatīrthaṃ mahodarasya ca harṣadam |
snānenātrakṛtenaiva pumān sarvārthasiddhibhāk ||

There the holy bathing-place of Gaṇeśa brings joy to Mahodara;
by simply bathing here, a person possesses the fulfillment of all aims.

3.51.14

viṣṇvādiṣu tathā'nyeṣu tīrtheṣu ca viśeṣataḥ |
gaṇeśakṣetrageṣveva snānamātreṇa dehinām ||

And especially at the holy bathing-places dedicated to Viṣṇu and others
situated in the sacred grounds of Gaṇeśa, by mere bathing embodied beings

3.51.15

tattatpadapradāni syusteṣāmante prajāpate |
brahmabhūtā bhaviṣyanti svānande vāsakāriṇaḥ ||

are granted those respective abodes; and in the end, O Prajāpati,
they will become Brahman, making their dwelling in Svānanda.

3.51.16

anyadevasya bhaktā ye kṣetre gāṇeśake mṛtāḥ |
tasya devasya loke te gamiṣyanti na saṃśayaḥ ||

Devotees of another deity who die in the sacred ground of Gaṇeśa
will go to the world of that deity—there is no doubt.

3.51.17

mahālaye trayo devā layaṃ gacchanti cet prabho |
tadā te nijaloke vai gamiṣyanti sukhaprade ||

When the three gods undergo dissolution at the great dissolution, O Lord,
then they will indeed go to their own bliss-bestowing world.

3.51.18

kṣetre maraṇasaṃskārādbrahmabhūtā bhavanti ca |
ato nareṇa tadbhaktyā gāṇeśaṃ sevyamādarāt ||

And through the consecration of dying in the sacred ground they become Brahman;
therefore, with devotion to him, a person should revere the sacred ground of Gaṇeśa with respect.

3.51.19

yatra kutra sthitā bhaktā ye bhajanti mahodaram |
te sarve brahmabhūtā vai jñātavyāḥ pāvanā nṛṇām ||

Wherever they may dwell, the devotees who worship Mahodara
are all to be known as having become Brahman, purifiers of humankind.

3.51.20

kurvanti ye śivādīnāṃ bhajanaṃ janmajanmasu |
tena saṃskārayogena gāṇeśāste bhavanti vai ||

Those who practice devotion to Śiva and the others through birth after birth,
through the efficacy of that saṃskāra, they indeed become devotees of Gaṇeśa.

3.51.21

gāṇeśānna paraṃ brahma kathitaṃ sarvasammatam |
ato gaṇeśabhaktā ye brahmabhūtāśca te matāḥ ||

Brahman is declared to be none other than Gaṇeśa by consensus of all;
therefore, those who are devotees of Gaṇeśa are considered to have become Brahman.

3.51.22

idaṃ mahodarākhyānaṃ kathitaṃ te prajāpate |
sarvasiddhipradaṃ pūrṇaṃ samāsena yathāmati ||

This narrative of Mahodara has been told to you, O Prajāpati,
completely granting all perfections, in brief, according to my intellect.

3.51.23

śṛṇuyādyo naro bhaktyā śrāvayedvā paṭhedyadi |
ante sa brahmabhūtaśca bhavitā nātra saṃśayaḥ ||

Whatever person hears it with devotion, or causes it to be recited, or recites it,
in the end he will become Brahman; there is no doubt about this.

3.51.24

anena na samaṃ kiñcit triṣu lokeṣu vidyate |
sarvadaṃ mānavādīnāṃ brahmādīnāṃ ca yoginām ||

Nothing in the three worlds is equal to this;
it gives everything to human beings and others, to Brahmā and others, and to yogins.

3.51.25

vratāni vidhivannānā kurute mānavottamaḥ |
asya śravaṇamātreṇa tat phalaṃ labhate prabho ||

The best of human beings performs various vows according to rule;
by mere hearing of this, O Lord, he obtains that fruit.

3.51.26

nānātīrtheṣu yaḥ snāyāttarpayeddevatādikān |
yathāśāstraṃ phalaṃ tasya tadasya śravaṇāllabhet ||

Whatever fruit one obtains according to the scriptures who bathes at various holy bathing-places
and makes offerings of water to deities and others, he obtains from hearing this.

3.51.27

khaṃ. 3 a. 51 pāna 112) kṣetreṣu bhaktisaṃyukto naro vāsaṃ karoti yaḥ |
vidhivaddharmaśīlajñastat phalaṃ śravaṇāllabhet ||

Section 3, Chapter 51, Page 112) The fruit a person endowed with devotion obtains who dwells in sacred grounds
according to rule, knowing virtuous conduct, he obtains from hearing this.

3.51.28

yajñairnānāvidhairdekṣa dṛṣṭvā devān yathārthataḥ |
yatphalaṃ labhate martyastadasya śravaṇāt phalam ||

Seeing the gods truly through diverse sacrifices, O Dakṣa,
whatever fruit a mortal obtains, that is the fruit from hearing this.

3.51.29

iṣṭāpūrtādikaṃ sarvaṃ yaḥ karoti narottamaḥ |
asya śravaṇataḥ sadyastatphalaṃ labhate pumān ||

Whatever sacrificial rites and charitable works and the like the best of men performs,
from hearing this a man immediately obtains that fruit.

3.51.30

bahunā'tra kimuktena brahmabhūyapradaṃ bhavet |
śravaṇena na sandeho dharmakāmārthamokṣadam ||

What is the use of saying much here? It bestows the state of Brahman;
through hearing it, it undoubtedly gives dharma, pleasure, wealth, and liberation.

3.51.31

putrapautrādikaṃ sarvaṃ dhanaṃ dhānyaṃ viśeṣataḥ |
rājyamaśvādikaṃ sarvaṃ labhate śravaṇena ca ||

Sons, grandsons, and the like, all wealth, and especially grain,
sovereignty, horses, and everything else one obtains by hearing it.

3.51.32

mahodarasya māhātmyaṃ gṛhe saṃlikhitaṃ bhavet |
na tatra rākṣasādibhyaścorāgnyādyādbhayaṃ bhavet ||

If the greatness of Mahodara is transcribed and kept in a house,
there will be no fear there from rākṣasas and the like, nor from thieves, fire, and the rest.

3.51.33

graharogādikā pīḍā pūjanena ca naśyati |
pustakasyāsya bho dakṣa nātra kāryā vicāraṇā ||

And affliction from planetary influences, diseases, and the like is destroyed by worship
of this book, O Dakṣa; no hesitation should be entertained here.

3.51.34

icchanti jantavo yadyadasya śravaṇakārakāḥ |
tattan mahodaraḥ suprīto dadāti pratāpavān ||

Whatever living beings desire, when they perform the hearing of this,
all that the majestic Mahodara, well-pleased, bestows.

3.51.35

vācakaṃ paritoṣyaiva labhate tatkṣaṇāt phalam |
gaṇeśasannidhāne ca śravaṇena na saṃśayaḥ ||

Indeed, having satisfied the reciter, one immediately obtains the fruit;
and by hearing it in the presence of Gaṇeśa, there is no doubt.

3.51.36

patitā uddhariṣyanti śravaṇenāsya niścitam |
kiṃ purnabhāvasaṃyuktā brahmabhūtā bhavanti cet ||

Even the fallen will certainly be redeemed by the hearing of this;
how much more so if, joined with renewed devotion, they become Brahman?

3.51.37

nānena sadṛśaṃ kutra vartate brahmagolake |
sākṣādyogapatiryatra varṇyate sa mahodaraḥ ||

Nowhere in the cosmic egg of Brahmā does anything exist equal to this,
wherein Mahodara, the visible Lord of yoga, is celebrated.

3.51.38

iti te kathitaṃ sarvaṃ saṅkṣepeṇa mayā prabho |
mahodarasya māhātmyaṃ śrotumicchasi kiṃ punaḥ ||

3.51.39

sūta uvāca |
evamuktvā mahāyogī mudgalo virarāma ha |
tadetat kathitaṃ sarvaṃ mayā te nātra saṃśayaḥ ||

Sūta said:
Having spoken thus, the great yogin Mudgala paused;
all of that has now been told to you by me, there is no doubt.

3.51.40

sarvamānyaṃ viśeṣeṇa matamānyaṃ mahāmate |
vedādīnāṃ tathā sāraṃ jñātavyaṃ brāhmaṇā idam ||

Esteemed by all, especially esteemed in thought, O noble-minded one,
this should be known by Brahmins as the essence of the Vedas and the rest.

3.51.41

nānāśāstrapurāṇāni manthayitvā mahāmuniḥ |
vyāsaḥ saṅkathayāmāsa mahyaṃ brahmapradaṃ prabhuḥ ||

Having churned the diverse scriptures and purāṇas, the great sage,
Vyāsa, the lord, related to me this text which grants Brahman.

3.51.42

na gaṇeśāt paraṃ brahma na gaṇeśāt paraṃ tapaḥ |
na gaṇeśāt paraṃ karma jñānaṃ na gaṇapātparam ||

There is no Brahman higher than Gaṇeśa; there is no asceticism higher than Gaṇeśa;
there is no rite higher than Gaṇeśa; there is no knowledge higher than the lord of the troops.

3.51.43

tyaktvā gaṇeśamekaṃ yo naraḥ karmaparāyaṇaḥ |
brahmajñānādikaṃ sarvaṃ sādhayeccet suniṣphalam ||

If a person who is dedicated to rites abandons Gaṇeśa alone
and accomplishes all knowledge of Brahman and the like, it is utterly fruitless.

3.51.44

siddheḥ patiṃ parityajya siddhimicchati śāśvatīm |
phalahīnaḥ svabhāvena nārakī jāyate naraḥ ||

Forsaking the lord of perfection, one who desires everlasting perfection
is naturally deprived of its fruit and becomes an inhabitant of hell.

3.51.45

buddheḥ patiṃ parityajya sthirabuddhiṃ ya icchati |
na yogaṃ labhate so'pi bhasmani prahutaṃ yathā ||

Forsaking the lord of intellect, he who desires a steady intellect
does not attain yoga either, like an oblation poured into ashes.

3.51.46

sarvapūjyo'yamekaśca sarvādiḥ sarvabhāvanaḥ |
taṃ bhajadhvaṃ viśeṣeṇa dvijā vedādisammatam ||

This sole [lord] is worthy of worship by all, the origin of all, the creator of all;
worship him especially, O twice-born, who is approved by the Vedas and other [scriptures].

3.51.47

kathitaṃ sarvasāraṃ te mahodarakathānakam |
kiṃ śrotumicchasi prājña vada śaunaka te namaḥ ||

The essence of all, the story of Mahodara, has been told to you.
What do you wish to hear, O wise one? Speak, O Śaunaka; homage to you!

3.51.47.c1

oṃ tatsaditi śrīmadāntye purāṇopaniṣadi śrīmanmaudgale mahāpurāṇe tṛtīye khaṇḍe mahodaracarite śravaṇaphalavarṇana nāmaikapañcāśattamo'dhyāyaḥ ||

Om tat sat. Thus ends the fifty-first chapter, named ‘Description of the Fruit of Hearing,’ in the account of Mahodara, in the third section of the glorious Maudgala Mahāpurāṇa, a Purāṇic Upaniṣad.

3.51.47.c2

iti tṛtīyaḥ khaṇḍaḥ samāptaḥ ||

Thus the third section is completed.

3.51.47.c3

iti śrīmudgalapurāṇe tṛtīyaḥ khaṇḍaḥ samāptaḥ ||

Thus the third section in the glorious Mudgalapurāṇa is completed.