Text 5-7: One who wants a large stock of grains should worship Aditi. One who desires to attain the heavenly planets should worship the sons of Aditi. One who desires a worldly kingdom should worship Viśvadeva, and one who wants to be popular with the general mass of population should worship the Sādhya demigod. One who desires a long span of life should worship the demigods known as the Aśvinī-kumāras, and a person desiring a strongly built body should worship the earth. One who desires stability in his post should worship the horizon and the earth combined. One who desires to be beautiful should worship the beautiful residents of the Gandharva planet, and one who desires a good wife should worship the Apsarās and the Urvaśī society girls of the heavenly kingdom. One who desires domination over others should worship Lord Brahmā, the head of the universe. One who desires tangible fame should worship the Personality of Godhead, and one who desires a good bank balance should worship the demigod Varuṇa. If one desires to be a greatly learned man he should worship Lord Śiva, and if one desires a good marital relation he should worship the chaste goddess Umā, the wife of Lord Śiva.
Text 8: One should worship Lord Viṣṇu or His devotee for spiritual advancement in knowledge, and for protection of heredity and advancement of a dynasty one should worship the various demigods.
Śrīdhara Svāmi's Bhāvārthadīpikā Commentary:
Ilām - this Earth. Pratiṣṭhā - being unshaken from one's position. Rodasī - the Heaven and Earth. (5)
Apsarācāsau - that celestial nymph named Urvaśī. Tām - her. (6)
Yajñam - Viṣṇu, the Lord of sacrifice. Kośaḥ - accumulation of wealth; in the phrase "vasukāma", it specifically means "desiring wealth alone". Dāmpatyam - mutual affection between husband and wife; one desiring that should (worship) Her (Umā). (7)
Dharmārthaḥ - one desiring righteousness. Uttamaślokopādhim - the Lord Viṣṇu bearing the name Uttamaśloka. Tantum - one desiring the extension of progeny. Rakṣā - protection from obstacles; one desiring that should (worship) the virtuous Yakṣas. Ojaḥ - strength; one desiring that should (worship) the Maruts. (8)
Vāṃśīdhara's Bhāvārthadīpikā Prakāśa Commentary:
Puṣṭiḥ - the body. (5) Parameṣṭhinam - Brahmā. (6) Yajñam - either that name (Indra) or the sacrifice itself. (7) Kośakāmaḥ - one desiring a treasure. Pracetasam - Varuṇa. (8)
Śrī Rādhāramaṇa Dāsa Gosvāmī's Dīpanī Commentary:
"Vasukāma ityatra" - In the previously mentioned third verse... (7) (8)
Śrīmad Vīrarāghava's Commentary:
Puṣṭiḥ - physical strength; one desiring that should worship Ilā, the Earth. Pratiṣṭhākāmaḥ - one desiring an unshaken position should worship Rodasī, Heaven and Earth, as they are the mothers supporting all the worlds. (5)
One desiring beauty should worship the celestial nymph Urvaśī. Sarvapāmādhipatyakāmaḥ - one desiring lordship over all should worship Parameṣṭhiṇam Brahmā, the Supreme Lord. (6)
Yajñam - Viṣṇu, the Lord of sacrifice. Kośaḥ - accumulation of wealth; in the phrase "vasukāma", it specifically means "desiring wealth alone". Pracetasam - Varuṇa. Vidyākāmaḥ - one desiring knowledge. Dāmpatyārtham - for the purpose of mutual affection between husband and wife, "satīm" is a qualifier meaning the chaste goddess Umā, implying one should worship the devoted wife Umā. (7)
Uttamaślokam - the Lord Viṣṇu bearing the name Uttamaśloka. Tantum tanvan - one desiring the extension of progeny. Rakṣākāmaḥ - one desiring protection from obstacles should worship the virtuous Yakṣas. Ojaskāmaḥ - one desiring strength should worship the Maruts. (8)
Śrī Vijayadvaja Tīrtha's Padaratnāvalī Commentary:
One desiring stability (pratiṣṭhākāmaḥ) should worship Ilām, the Earth, aspiring for not falling from one's position (svasthānābhraṃśecchuḥ). The parents of the world (lokamātarau), the mother being the Earth and the father, as per the Vedic statement "Madhu is verily our father" (madhu cauras tu naḥ pitā). (5)
The celestial nymph named Urvaśī (apsarā urvaśī). Tām - Him, the four-faced Brahmā (parameṣṭhinaṃ caturmukham). (6)
Yajñam - Indra, differentiated by the result, not a repetition. Kośakāmaḥ - one desiring a treasure. Pracetasaṃ - Varuṇa, the lord of mountains, the personified form of righteousness. For the sake of unbroken conjugal love (dāmpatyārthe 'khaṇḍitadāmpatyāya). (7)
For the sake of righteousness (dharmārtham), the imperishable fruit of merit. Uttamaślokam - Viṣṇu, as per the statement "Whether one is desireless, of base desires, desirous of liberation, or desirous of all, one should worship the Supreme Being Viṣṇu." Here it is ascertained that Viṣṇu is indeed the Supreme. Even in the phrase "akāmaḥ pumān", the term "puruṣa" refers to Viṣṇu alone, based on the evidence cited. Tantum tanvan - extending the unbroken progeny. Puṇyajanān yakṣān - the virtuous Yakṣas like Maṇibhadra. (8)
Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī's Kramasandarbha Commentary:
Uttama ślokāḥ - the virtuous and renowned ones like Nala; their presiding deity (tadupādhim) is Viṣṇu. Uttamaḥ ślokaḥ - fame arising from righteous conduct. (8)
Śrī Viśvanātha Cakravartī's Sārārthadarśinī Commentary:
Ilām - this Earth. Pratiṣṭhā - not falling from one's position. Rodasī - Heaven and Earth. (5)
Apsarā cāsau urvaśī ca tām - that celestial nymph Urvaśī. (6)
Yajñaṃ - Indra, known as the Lord of Sacrifice. Dāmpatyam - mutual affection between husband and wife. (7)
Uttamaḥ ślokam - righteousness. Tantum tantran - one desiring the extension of progeny. Puṇyajanān - the sacrifices. Marudraṇān - the gods. (8)
Śrī Śukadeva's Siddhāntapadīpa:
Puṣṭikāmaḥ - one desiring the strength of the body, its robustness, should worship Ilā, the Earth. Pratiṣṭhākāmaḥ - one desiring an unshaken position. Rodasī - Heaven and Earth, the supporting mothers of the world. (5)
Rūpābhikāmaḥ - one desiring beauty. Apsarā cāsau urvaśī ca tām - that celestial nymph Urvaśī. Ādhipatyakāmaḥ - one desiring lordship. Parameṣṭhinaṃ brahmāṇam - Brahmā, the Supreme Lord. (6)
Yajñaṃ - Viṣṇu, the embodiment of sacrifice. Kośakāmaḥ - one desiring an abundant treasury. Pracetasaṃ varuṇam. Dampati - the mutual beneficial conduct of husband and wife; one desiring that (dāmpatyam tadarthah prayojanam yasya saḥ). (7)
Dharmārthaḥ - one desiring righteousness. Uttamaślokam - Viṣṇu, of the highest renown. Tantum tanvan - one extending his progeny. Rakṣākāmaḥ - one desiring protection from obstacles. Puṇyajanān yakṣān - the virtuous Yakṣas. Ojaskāmaḥ - one desiring strength. (8)
Śrīmad Vallabhācārya Viracitā Subodhinī Vyākhyā
One who desires longevity should worship the Ashvins, the twin physicians and deities associated with the sense of smell. One who desires nourishment or stoutness should worship Ilā, the Earth, the deity presiding over speech. One who desires reverence or esteem in the world should worship the Purusha. Likewise, one should understand the meaning in other cases. Rodasī, that is, Heaven and Earth, are the mothers of the worlds, and motherhood is their quality. This applies when worshiping the Mother goddesses or in the prescribed rituals. One who desires beauty should worship the Gandharvas like Vishvāvasu and others, who are the deities presiding over the kingdoms. "These are the Gandharvas and Apsaras, the upholders of vision," as per the Shruti. One who desires a beautiful woman should worship Urvaśī, the foremost of the Apsaras, who is the deity presiding over the lower region. Or, it could be a goddess among the wives of the gods. The Gandharvas are associated with form, and the Apsaras with taste. One who desires sovereignty should worship the Supreme Lord, the presiding deity of the secret place, the Sacrifice, who is the embodiment of the sacrifice. One who desires fame should worship Vishnu, the deity presiding over the feet. One who desires wealth should worship Varuṇa, the presiding deity of the sense of taste. One who desires knowledge should worship Śiva, the great lord, the presiding deity of egoism. For the sake of marital felicity, one should worship Umā, the wife of Śiva, who pervades the two births. For the sake of righteousness, one should worship the Uttamashlokas, the highly praised Vishnu. One who desires progeny should worship the manes like Agniṣvāttā and others, who proliferate the lineage. One who desires protection from enemies and other dangers should worship the benevolent beings like Yakṣas. One who desires strength should worship the Maruds, the sons of Diti. (5-8)
Bālaprabodinī Commentary by Śrī Giridhara
One who desires longevity should worship the Ashvins, the twin physicians of the gods. One who desires nourishment or stoutness should worship Ilā, the Earth, the deity presiding over egotism. One who desires reverence or esteem in the world, or freedom from falling from one's position, should worship the Rodasī, Heaven and Earth, the support of all beings. (5) One who desires beauty should worship the Gandharvas like Vishvāvasu and others. One who desires a beautiful woman should worship Urvaśī, the foremost of the Apsaras. One who desires sovereignty, thinking, "May I be the lord of all," should worship the Supreme Lord, Brahma, the ruler of all. (6) One who desires fame should worship Vishnu, the presiding deity of the sacrifice. One who desires wealth should worship Varuṇa, the presiding deity of the sense of taste. One who desires knowledge of Brahman should worship Śiva, the great lord. One who desires marital felicity, the mutual love of husband and wife, should worship Umā, the wife of Śiva, who pervades the two births. (7) One who desires righteousness should worship Uttamashlokas, the highly praised Vishnu. One who desires progeny should worship the manes like Agniṣvāttā and others, who proliferate the lineage. One who desires protection from all afflictions should worship the benevolent beings like Yakṣas. One who desires strength should worship the Maruts. (8)
Hindi Anuvāda
For the desire of longevity, one should worship the Ashvini Kumaras; for the desire of nourishment, the Earth; and for the desire of esteem, the World-Mothers, Earth and Heaven. (5)
For the desire of beauty, one should worship the Gandharvas; for the attainment of a wife, the Apsara Urvashi; and to become the lord of all, one should worship Brahma. (6)
One who desires fame should worship the Sacrifice-Purusha; one who desires wealth should worship Varuna; one who desires knowledge should worship Lord Shankara; and for mutual love between husband and wife, one should worship Parvati. (7)
For the acquisition of righteousness, one should worship Lord Vishnu; for the protection of lineage, the Pitras; for freedom from obstacles, the Yakshas; and for strength, the Maruts. (8)
SB 2.3.5-8
