पितरः पुष्टिकामस्य प्रजाकामस्य वा पुनः
The ancestors grant prosperity to one who desires nourishment or offspring.
देवकार्यादपि तथा पितृकार्यं विशिष्यते
Indeed, the duty to the ancestors surpasses even the duty to the gods.
न हि योगगतिः सूक्ष्मा पितॄणां ज्ञायते नरैः
For the subtle path of yoga of the ancestors is not known to men.
सर्वेषां राजतं पात्रमथ वा रजतान्वितम्
For all, a silver vessel, or one adorned with silver, is prescribed.
येषां दास्यन्ति पिण्डांस्त्रीन्बान्धवा नामगोत्रतः
Those whose relatives will offer the three balls of food by name and lineage—
सर्वत्र वर्त्तमानास्ते पिण्डाः प्रीणन्ति वै पितॄन्
Wherever those balls are offered, they truly satisfy the ancestors.
यथा गोष्ठे प्रनष्टां वै वत्सो विन्दति मातरम्
Just as a calf finds its mother in the herd when lost,
नामगोत्रं च मन्त्रं च दत्तमन्नं नयन्ति तम्
So too, the name, lineage, mantra, and food offered lead one there.
एवमेषा स्थिता सत्ता ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः
In this way, this existence is established from Brahmā, the supreme lord.
इत्येते पितरश्चैव लोका दुहितरस्तथा
Thus, these are the ancestors, the worlds, and likewise the daughters.
कीर्त्तिताः पितरस्ते वै तव पुत्र यथाक्रमम्
These ancestors have been described to you, O son, in due order.
लोका दुहितरश्चैव दोहित्राश्च श्रुतास्तथा
The worlds, the daughters, and also the granddaughters have likewise been recounted.
अद्यप्रभृति कर्त्तास्मि सर्वमेतद्यथातथम्
From today onward, I shall perform all this exactly as it should be.
पृष्टश्च संशयान्सर्वानृषीनाह नृसंसदि
When asked, he explained all the doubts to the sages in the assembly.
यस्मिन्सदस्पतिस्नातो ब्रह्मा सीद्देवताप्रभुः
In which Brahmā, lord of the gods, bathed in the sacred place and sat.
श्लोकाश्चात्र पुरा गीता ऋषिभिर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः
Here, verses were formerly sung by sages who know Brahman.
लोकानां च हितार्थाय ब्रह्मणा परमेष्ठिना
For the welfare of the worlds, by Brahmā, the supreme lord.
प्रोवाच पितृसर्गं तु यश्चैव समुदाहृत
He spoke of the creation of the ancestors, as has been declared.
श्राद्धकल्पो नाम विंशतितमो ऽध्यायः
The twentieth chapter, entitled 'The Rite of Śrāddha.'
वर्षाणि कतिचिद्राजन्व्यतीयुरमितौजसः
Some years passed, O king, for the one of immeasurable energy.
वेदवेदाङ्गतत्त्वज्ञः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः
He was learned in the Vedas and their branches, and skilled in all the sciences.
प्रीतिं च निजचेष्टाभिरन्वहं पर्यवर्त्तयत्
He continually brought joy through his own actions.
पित्रोः शुश्रूषयानैषीद्रामो मतिमतां वरः
Rāma, best among the wise, sought to serve his parents.
गन्तुं व्यवसितो राजन्दैवेन च नियोजितः
He resolved to depart, O king, being directed by fate.
उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्भूतवा सप्रश्रयमिदं वचः
He spoke, with joined palms, respectfully and with humility.
विज्ञापयितुमिच्छामि मम तच्छ्रोतुमर्हथः
I wish to inform you; you are worthy to hear this from me.
तस्मात्तत्पार्श्वमधुना गमिष्ये वामनुज्ञया
Therefore, now I will go to his side, with your permission.
पितामह्या बहुमुखैरिच्छन्त्या मम दर्शनम्
My grandmother, with many faces, desires to see me.
सदीयं तेन तत्पार्श्वं गन्तुं मामनुजानत
With my kin, let me go to his side; please grant me leave.
हर्षेण महता युक्तौ साश्रुनेत्रौ बभूवतुः
Both were filled with great joy, their eyes brimming with tears.