The Importance of Vishnupancaka

Shaunaka said:

1. O Suta, O sage, kindly tell me the importance of the remaining five days of Kartika, which destroys sins. Silt a said:

2-16. O Shaunaka, listen. I shall narrate (to you) the importance, which destroys sins, of the remaining five days of Kartika. O best sage, of the five vows Vishnupancaka (i.e. the vow observed for the remaining five days of Kartika), is the best. He who, during that (period) worships Shri Hari (i.e. Krishna) with Radha, by means of sandal, flowers, incense, clothes and various kinds of fruits, goes, freed from all sins, to Vishnu's abode. Without doing the vow of Vishnupancaka, a religious student, (or) a householder, (or) an anchorite, (or) an ascetic does not obtain the highest position. Vishnupancaka removes all sins, is meritorious and well-known. He who would bathe during that (period), would obtain the fruit of (having bathed at) all holy places. He who, to propitiate Vishnu, devoutly offers a lamp full of ghee in front of (the image of) Vishnu, or near Tulasi, in water, goes to Vishnu's abode. A sinner goes to Vishnu's abode. I have told the truth. A man should bathe with devotion (the image of) Vishnu with honey, milk, ghee etc. What would Vishnu being pleased not give to that good man? He should present excellent cooked food to the god of gods. (Even Brahma) having four faces is not able to measure his religious merit. Being pure, he worships Vishnu on Ekadas'i day. Having secured cowdung he duly waits upon (the god) with the sacred hymns. He who observes the vow, should similarly again diink cow urine (reciting) the sacred hymns on the twelfth day. Similarly he should drink milk on the fourteenth day. Having got (these) for the purification of his sins, and having passed the four days, he should, on the fifth day, having bathed and duly worshipped Vishnu, devoutly feed brahmanas and should give them presents. Then at night he should eat the mixture of the five products of a cow, which is well consecrated with sacred hymns. He who is unable to do this, should eat fruits, roots and food; O brahmana, he should offer an oblation according to the rite that is laid down. Lord Vishnu who is fit to be known, would himself honour him who would observe (the vow of) Pancaka with Tulasi-leaves.

17-20. In olden days, in the Tretayuga, there lived a shudra, intent on leading the life of a villain, named Dandakara, who always censured religious practices, who told lies, who hurt his friends, who had an ardent longing for anormous gestures of prostitutes, who snatched the wealth of brahmanas, who was cruel, who was interested in another's wife, who killed those who sought his refuge, who kept the company of heretics, who ate cow's flesh, who drank liquor, who always defamed others, who was a traitor, who deprived his kinsmen of their means of livelihood, O brahmana. Observing him — the cruel one, intent on (committing) sins like that — the kinsmen, being angry, came to his house, O brahmana. The kinsmen said:

21-26. O fool, O you of wicked conduct, you are destroying the glory in (i.e. of) our pure family, which was earned by (our) ancestors.

1634 Padma Purmm O brahmana, they who were thus angry, abandoned, out of respect for their family and through fear of bad name, that greatest (i.e the worst) among sinners. Then, with all his glory lost, he went to a great forest. He would continuously practise the deeds of the villains along with them. O brahmana, when they were going along the path, they did not get anything to eat through fear. Being oppressed with hunger, they went to another place. Having entered (i.e. gone to) that place, seeing many excellent and meritorious brahmanas who were seated at the root of a Dhatri (tree) and who were the devotees of Vishnu, all the dasyus went (near him). That, Dandakara also went near them, and saluted them. Dandakara said:

27. O best brahmanas, I am oppressed with hunger. Surely my life will depart (now). Give me something to eat. I have sought your shelter.

28-33. Having heard his words, those (brahmanas), who had a high regard for religious practices said: " How do you have a desire to eat (food) on the day of (i.e. sacred to) Vishnu, during the Vishnupancaka, weli-known as the remover of sins? Tell (us) your particulars. (Tell Us) now what your name is." He joyfully said: " O brahmanas, I am (a sOdra) by name Dandakara. I am full of all sins. How can I be emancipated? " They said (to him): " Observe the best vow (called) Vishnupancaka." O brahmana, by the order of the brahmanas he observed the (vow of) Vishnupancaka. After death, he got into an excellent chariot, and having reached Vishnu's place and hi s form, he remained (there) free from birth. The sin earned during a crore of existences of him who would devoutly listen to this account destroying sins, perishes at that moment (only).

 

CHAPTER TWENTYFOUR

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