पाठश्चतुर्णां वेदानां प्रादक्षिण्यं भुवस्तथा 2.27.
The recitation of the four Vedas is like circumambulating the earth.
पुराणेषु च वेदेषु चेतिहासेषु सर्वतः
In the Purāṇas, the Vedas, and in all histories,
तद्वर्णनं च तद्ध्यानं तन्नामगुणकीर्त्तनम्
Its description, its meditation, and the praise of its name and qualities,
तत्पादोदकनैवेद्यभक्षणं नित्यमेव च
And always the tasting of its foot-water and offerings.
भज कृष्णं परं ब्रह्म निर्गुणं प्रकृतेः परम्
Worship Krishna, the supreme Brahman, beyond qualities, transcending nature.
एतत्ते कथितं सर्वं विपाकं कर्मणां नृणाम्
All this—the results of actions for people—has been told to you.
श्रीनारायण उवाच साश्रुनेत्रा सपुलका यमं पुनरुवाच सा
Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: With tearful eyes and hairs standing on end, she again spoke to Yama.
सावित्र्युवाच श्रोतॄणां चैव वक्तॄणां जन्ममृत्युजराहरम्
Savitri said: For those who listen and those who speak, it destroys birth, death, and old age.
दानानां च व्रतानां च सिद्धीनां तपसां परम्
It is the highest of gifts, vows, accomplishments, and austerities.
मुक्तत्वममरत्वं वा सर्वसिद्धित्वमेव वा
Whether liberation, immortality, or all attainments—
भजामि केन विधिना श्रीकृष्णं प्रकृतेः परम्
By what method should I worship Śrī Krishna, who is beyond nature?
शुभकर्म्मविपाकं च श्रुतं नृणां मनोहरम्
The auspicious results of good deeds for people have been heard, enchanting the mind.
इत्युक्त्वा सा सती ब्रह्मन्भक्तिनम्रात्मकन्धरा
Having spoken thus, that faithful lady, her head bowed in devotion, O sage,
सावित्र्युवाच धर्मांशं यं सुतं प्राप धर्मराजं नमाम्यहम्
Savitri said: I bow to Dharmarāja, the son who received a portion of Dharma.
समता सर्वभूतेषु यस्य सर्वस्य साक्षिणः
He in whom there is equality toward all beings, who is the witness of all—
येनान्तश्च कृतो विश्वे सर्वेषां जीविनां परम् 2.28.
By whom the end is made for all living beings in the universe—he is supreme.
बिभर्ति दण्डं दण्ड्याय पापिनां शुद्धिहेतवे
He wields the staff for punishing the wicked, for the sake of their purification.
विश्वे यः कलयत्येव सर्वायुश्चापि सन्ततम्
He who continually measures out the lifespan of all in the universe.
तपस्वी वैष्णवो धर्म्मी संयमी विजितेन्द्रियः
An ascetic, a devotee of Vishnu, righteous, self-controlled, with senses conquered,
स्वात्मारामञ्च सर्वज्ञो मित्रं पुण्यकृतां भवेत्
Rejoicing in his own self, all-knowing, he is a friend to the doers of virtue.
यज्जन्म ब्रह्मणो वंशे ज्वलन्तं ब्रह्मतेजसा
His birth is in the lineage of Brahmā, blazing with the radiance of Brahman.
इत्युक्त्वा सा च सावित्री प्रणनाम यमं मुने
Having spoken thus, Savitri bowed to Yama, O sage.
इदं यमाष्टकं नित्यं प्रातरुत्थाय यः पठेत्
Whoever recites this Yamāṣṭaka daily upon rising in the morning—
महापापी यदि पठेन्नित्यं भक्त्या च नारद
Even if he is a great sinner, if he recites it daily with devotion, O Nārada—
इति श्रीब्रह्मवैवर्त्ते महापुराणे द्वितीये प्रकृतिखण्डे नारदनारायणसंवादे सावित्रीकृतयमस्तोत्रं नामाष्टाविंशोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the great Purāṇa called the Brahmavaivarta, in the second book, the Prakṛti section, in the dialogue between Nārada and Nārāyaṇa, ends the twenty-eighth chapter named 'The Hymn to Yama composed by Sāvitrī.'
श्रीनारायण उवाच कर्म्माशुभविपाकं च तामुवाच रवेः सुतः
Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: The son of the Sun spoke to her about the consequences of evil deeds—
यम उवाच कर्माशुभविपाकं च कथयामि निशामय
Yama said: I will tell you about the results of evil actions; listen attentively.
नानाप्रकारं स्वर्गं च याति जीवः सुकर्मणा
By good deeds, the soul attains various kinds of heaven.
नरकाणां च कुण्डानि सन्ति नानाविधानि च
There are also many kinds of pits of hell.
विस्तृतानि गभीराणि क्लेशदानि च जीविनाम्
They are vast, deep, and cause suffering to living beings.