द्योतयंतो दिशः सर्वा यांति दीपप्रदायिनः
Those who give lamps, illuminating all directions, proceed onward.
सर्व कामसमृद्धेन पथा गच्छंति गोप्रदाः
Those who give cows travel the path endowed with all fulfilled desires.
आर्तौषधप्रदातारः सुखं यांति निराकुलाः
Those who give medicine to the suffering go happily, free from distress.
पादशौचप्रदानेन शीतलेन पथा व्रजेत्
By giving water for washing the feet, one travels a cool path.
हेमरत्नप्रदानेन याति दुर्गाणि निस्तरन्
By giving gold and jewels, one crosses over difficulties.
सर्वकामसमृद्धात्मा भूमिदानेन गच्छति
By giving land, one attains a self abounding in all fulfilled desires.
इत्येवमादिभिर्दानैः सुखं यांति यमक्षयम्
Thus, by such gifts as these, people happily reach the abode of Yama.
सर्वेषामेव दानानामन्नदानं परं स्मृतम्
Of all gifts, the gift of food is considered supreme.
त्रयाणामपि लोकानां जीवितं ह्युदकं स्मृतम् 4.6.
For the three worlds, water is indeed regarded as life.
अन्नं पानं च गोवस्त्रभूशय्याच्छत्रमासनम्
Food, drink, cows, garments, land, bedding, umbrellas, and seats—
अन्नदानं विशेषेण धर्म राजपुरे नराः
Especially in the city of Dharma, men give the gift of food.
ये पुनः क्रूरकर्माणः पापा दानविवर्जिताः
But those who perform cruel deeds, who are sinful and devoid of giving—
षडशीतिसहस्राणि योजनानामतीत्य यत्
Having crossed eighty-six thousand yojanas—
समीपस्थमिवाभाति नराणां शुभकर्मणाम्
For men of virtuous deeds, it appears as if it is near.
तीव्रकंटकयुक्तेन शर्करानिचितेन च
With sharp thorns and covered with gravel,
क्वचित्पंकेन महता दुरुत्तारैश्च खातकैः
In some places with deep mud, and with difficult pits,
तटप्रपातविष्टंभैः पर्वतैर्वृक्षसंकुलैः
Obstructed by riverbanks and cliffs, and mountains thick with trees,
क्वचिद्विषमगर्तैश्च क्वचिल्लोष्टैः सुपिच्छिलैः
In some places with uneven ditches, elsewhere with slippery clods of earth,
अनेकतापैर्विततैर्व्याप्तं वंशवनं क्वचित् 4.6.
In some places covered by dense groves of bamboo, spread with many clusters,
क्वचिदुष्णांबुना व्याप्तं क्वचित्कारीषवह्निना
In some places filled with hot water, elsewhere with fires of dung,
क्वचिन्महाजलौकाभिः क्वचिच्चाजगरैः पुनः
In some places with great leeches, and again with pythons,
मत्तमातंगयूथैश्च बलोन्मत्तैः प्रमाथिभिः
With herds of intoxicated elephants, maddened and destructive,
महाविषाणैर्महिषैरुष्ट्रैर्मत्तैश्च खादकैः
With great-horned buffaloes, camels, and maddened biting animals,
महाधूलीविमिश्रेण महाचण्डेन वायुना
With a fierce wind mixed with thick dust,
महापाषाणवर्षेण हन्यमाना निराश्रयाः
Struck by a great shower of stones, without any shelter,
महता बाणवर्षेण विध्यमानाश्च सर्वशः
Pierced everywhere by a great shower of arrows,
प्रतप्तागारवर्षेण दह्यमाना व्रजंति च
Burned by a rain of red-hot embers, they proceed,
महामेघरवैर्घोरैर्वित्रास्यंते मुहुर्मुहुः महाक्षाराम्बुधाराभिः सिच्यमाना द्रवंति च
Terrified again and again by the dreadful roar of great clouds, and drenched by torrents of caustic water, they melt away,
महाशीतेन मरुता तीक्ष्णेन परुषेण च 4.6.
By a great, sharp, and harsh cold wind,
इत्थं मार्गेण रौद्रेण पांथैर्वि रहितेन च
Thus, on a terrible path, devoid of companions,