ज्ञेया वक्राः पिशाचास्ते वक्रगाः कामरूपिणः
Know those Piśācas as the crooked ones, who move in crooked ways and can assume any form at will,
नितुन्दकाः पिशाचास्ते तिलभक्षाः प्रियासृजाः
Those Piśācas called Nitundakas delight in eating sesame and are fond of blood,
पिशाचार् कमर्कास्ते वृक्षवासोदनप्रियाः
The Kamarka Piśācas dwell in trees and are fond of rice,
मुञ्चन्ति पांशुमङ्गेभ्यः पिशाचाः पांशवस्तु ते
Those Piśācas called Pāṃśavas release dust from their bodies,
उपवीराः पिशाचास्ते श्मशानायतनाः सदा
Those piśācas, ever dwelling in cremation grounds, are without wives.
उलूखलैराभरणा रत्नधाराश्च ते खलाः
Their ornaments are made from mortars, and their streams of jewels are false.
हस्त्युष्ट्रस्थूलशिरसो विनतोद्धतपिण्डिकाः
With large heads like elephants and camels, their hunched and swollen limbs are bent low and raised high.
सूक्ष्मास्तु रोमशाः पिङ्गा दृष्टादृष्टाश्चरन्ति ये
Some are subtle, hairy, tawny; some seen, some unseen, they wander about.
आकर्णाद्दारितास्याश्च लंबभ्रूस्थूलनासिकाः
With mouths torn open to the ears, drooping brows, and thick noses.
हस्तपादाक्रान्ततुण्डा ह्रस्वकाः क्षितिदृष्टयः
With hands and feet encroaching upon their snouts, short in stature, gazing at the earth.
पृष्ठतः पाणि पादाश्च पृष्ठतो वातरंहसः
Their hands and feet are behind them, propelled by the wind’s force from behind.
नग्नका ह्यनिकेताश्च लंबशेफ आण्डपिडकाः
They are naked, homeless, with hanging genitals and swollen testicles.
षोडशैता हि जात्यस्ताः पिशाचानां प्रकीर्त्तिताः
These sixteen types of piśācas have been described as their castes.
ब्रह्मा तेभ्यो वरं प्रादात्कारुण्यादल्पचेतसः
Brahmā, out of compassion, granted them a boon, for their minds are feeble.
संध्ये उभे प्रचारं च स्थानान्याजीवमेव च
He gave them movement at both twilights, places, and means of livelihood.
विध्वस्तानि च यानि स्युरनाचारोषिता नि च
And whatever places are ruined or inhabited by those without proper conduct.
राजमार्गोपरथ्याश्च निष्कुटाश्चत्वराणि च
Royal roads, side streets, alleys, and crossroads.
पथो नद्यो ऽथ तीर्थानि चैत्यवृक्षा महापथम्
Paths, rivers, fords, sacred trees, and great highways.
अधार्मिको जनस्तेषामा जीवो विहितः सुरैः
For them, the gods have ordained the life of the unrighteous person.
प्रकृतोपधिसंधानाश्चोरा विश्वासघातिनः
Those who are naturally deceitful, thieves, and betrayers of trust.
आरभ्यन्ते क्रियायास्तु पिशाचास्तत्र दैवतम्
From the beginning of ritual acts, the piśācas are the deities there.
धूपैर्हारिद्रकृसरैस्तिलभक्षगुडौदनैः
With incense, turmeric rice, sesame cakes, and sweet rice offerings.
एवसुक्तास्तु बलयस्त्वेषां वै पर्वसंधिषु
In this way, their forces are stationed at the junctions of the mountains.
सर्वभूतपिशाचानां गिरीणां शूलपाणिनाम्
They are all beings, spirits, mountain-dwellers, and those who wield tridents.
द्वीपिनश्च सुतास्तस्याः श्वापदाश्चामिषाशिनः
She also had sons who were islanders, wild beasts, and flesh-eating animals.
तस्या दुहितरः पञ्च तासां नामानि मे शृणु
She had five daughters; listen to their names from me.
अनुवृत्ता च विज्ञेया तासां वै शृणुत प्रजाः
Their descendants are to be known as Anuvṛttā; hear now of their progeny.
इत्येवमादिर्हि गणो मैनो विस्तीर्ण उच्यते
Thus, the extensive group called Maina is described as beginning in this way.
उग्राश्च शिशुमाराश्चामीनाश्चैतान्व्यजायत
She gave birth to fierce creatures, crocodiles, and various kinds of fish.
तथा शङ्खविकाराणि जनयामास नैकशः
Likewise, she produced many kinds of conch-shell creatures.