Chapter 236 - Greatness of Gifting Desired Objects

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Brahmā said:

1-4. Viṣṇu is the bestower of desired things and people are always interested in desired things. Hence, with all efforts one should eschew that (any of the things desired).

A man should eschew a thing to gain the pleasure (favour) of Nārāyaṇa. (Thereby) that man of faith gets it (the thing eschewed) infinitefold.

By eschewing bell-metal vessels, one is born as a king on the earth. One who takes food on the leaf of Pālāśa enjoys the identity with Brahman.

A man living as a householder should never eat in a copper vessel. Especially in Cāturmāsya one should avoid a copper vessel.

5. One who habitually takes food on the leaves of Arka-plant acquires unparalleled merit. Especially in Cāturmāsya one should take food on the leaves of Vata.

6. Wise people should always take their meals on the leaves of Aśvattha. One who takes meals only once a day (on lives on the same menu) shall be king of the entire sphere of the earth.

7. By eschewing salt a man becomes handsome (fortunate). By abandoning cooked wheat-food one becomes a favourite of the common people.

8. One who restrains (himself) from eating vegetable dishes in Cāturmāsya, shall become long-lived. By eschewing Rasas (juices, beverages) one shall become inordinately strong. By eschewing Madhu (honey, liquor), one shall become beautiful-eyed.

9. By eschewing Mudga (green grams) in Cāturmāsya the enemy dies. By eschewing Rājamāṣa (a variety of beans) one acquires plenty of wealth. By eschewing rice (from meal) one acquires horses.

10. By eschewing fruits, one begets many sons. By eschewing oil one gets handsome features. By abandoning Tuvarī (a variety of Dāl, called Tūr in Marathi) one becomes wise and intelligent and always gets strength and virility.

11. By eschewing venison one averts the sight of Naraka. By abandoning the flesh of boar one shall attain residence in Brahmā’s abode.

12. By eschewing Lāvaka (quail) one gets knowledge and great happiness by eschewing Ājya (clarified butter). If anyone abandons Āsava (liquor), salvation is not inaccessible to him.

13. By eschewing gold and silver a man becomes powerful. One who abandons curds and milk shall enjoy happiness in Goloka.

14. One becomes Brahmā by giving up Pāyasa (milk pudding); Maheśvara by abandoning Kṣiprā (condensed milk); Kandarpa by abandoning Apūpa (fried pie) and very happy by abandoning Modaka (sweetmeat).

15. A person who abandons domestic hermitage and resorts to an external hermitage for the delight of Hari, shall never be an infant in the womb of a mother.

16. One becomes a king by abandoning Marīca (pepper); an excellent poet by giving up Śuṇṭhī (ginger); one becomes honoured by kings by abandoning Śarkarā (sugar).

17. By abandoning jaggery and pomegranate great prosperity is obtained. One becomes a favourite of people by eschewing red cloth.

18. One shall attain everlasting heavenly pleasures by abandoning woven silk. By abandoning cooked Māṣa (pulse) and Caṇaka (Bengal gram) one averts rebirth.

19. A black cloth should be abandoned always and especially in Cāturmāsya. By viewing the Sun one attains purity from looking at blue cloth.

20. One attains the Gandharva-world by abandoning sandal. By eschewing camphor one remains extremely rich throughout the life.

21. By abandoning Kusumbha (Safflower) one does not see Yama’s abode. By abandoning Keśara (saffron) a man becomes favourite of a king.

22. By abandoning Yakṣakardama (mixture of scents, camphor etc.) one is honoured in Brahmaloka. By eschewing flowers one becomes wise. There is great happiness as a result of the eschewal of bed.

23. If one abandons bed during Cāturmāsya, one never meets with separation from his wife. There is no doubt about it. By abandoning false and disagreeable words, the doorways of salvation become open.

24. Exposing other’s vulnerable and weak points brings in sin immediately. In Cāturmāsya, when Hari is asleep, one should avoid censuring others.

25. Slandering others causes great sin. Censuring others involves great fear. Censuring others causes great misery. There is no greater sin than that.

26. Even as one who listens to (censuring of others) becomes a sinner, so also one who censures incurs great sin. There is no other greater sinner than he.

27-28. By eschewing brushing and embellishing tresses of hairs one becomes rid of the three kinds of Tāpas (distresses). One who retains the nails and hairs, particularly when Hari is asleep, attains the benefit of the holy ablution in Gaṅgā everyday.

29. Viṣṇu should be propitiated by all means. He is worthy of being meditated upon by Yogins and the most excellent ones among all castes. One is liberated from the terrible bondage by the name of Viṣṇu. He is particularly remembered in Cāturmāsya.