ततो नानाविधा वृक्षजातयश्च ततो नरः
After that, he is born among various kinds of trees, and then as a human.
ततो भवेत्स्वर्णकारः सुवर्णस्य वणिक्तथा
Then he becomes a goldsmith, and also a dealer in gold.
विप्रो दैवज्ञोपजीवी वैद्यजीवी चिकित्सकः
A Brahmin who lives by astrology, or by medicine, or as a physician—
स याति नागवेष्टं च नागैर्वेष्टित एव च
—he goes to the abode of serpents, and is surrounded by serpents.
ततो भवेत्स गणको वैद्यो वै सप्तजन्मसु
After that, he becomes a mathematician or a physician for seven births.
प्रसिद्धानि च कुण्डानि कथितानि पतिव्रते 2.31.
The renowned pits have been described, O devoted wife.
सन्ति पातकिनस्तेषु स्वकर्मफलभोगिनः
There are sinners among them, experiencing the fruits of their own actions.
सावित्र्युवाच नानापुराणेतिहासपाञ्चरात्रप्रदर्शकः
Savitri said: He who reveals the teachings of various Puranas, Itihasas, and Pancharatra—
सर्वेषु सारभूतं यत्सर्वेष्टं सर्वसम्मतम्
That which is the essence among all things, most desired by all, and universally accepted,
यशःप्रदं धर्मदं च सर्वमंगलमंगलम्
That which bestows fame, grants righteousness, and is the most auspicious of all auspicious things,
कुण्डानि च न पश्यन्ति तत्र नैव पतंति च
They do not see the pits there, nor do they fall into them.
किमाकाराणि कुण्डानि कानि तेषां मतानि च
What are the forms of these pits, and what are the opinions about them?
स्वदेहे भस्मसाद्भूते यांति लोकान्तरं नराः
When their own bodies have been reduced to ashes, people go to other worlds.
सुचिरं क्लेशभोगेन कथं देहो न नश्यति
Through long experience of suffering, how does the body not perish?
नारायण उवाच कथां कथितुमारेभे गुरुं नत्वा च नारद
Nārāyaṇa said: Having bowed to the teacher, O Nārada, he began to narrate the story.
यम उवाच पुराणेष्वितिहासेषु पाञ्चरात्रादिकेषु च
Yama said: In the Purāṇas, in the ancient histories, and in the texts like the Pāñcarātra,
अन्येषु सर्वशास्त्रेषु वेदांगेषु च सुव्रते 2.32.
And in all other scriptures, in the limbs of the Veda as well, O virtuous one,
जन्ममृत्युजरारोगशोकसन्तापतारणम्
The means to cross over birth, death, old age, disease, grief, and suffering,
कारणं सर्वसिद्धीनां नरकार्णवतारणम्
The cause of all accomplishments, and the means to cross the ocean of hell,
गोलोकमार्गसोपानमविनाशिपदप्रदम्
The stairway to the path of Goloka, granting the imperishable state,
कुण्डानि यमदूतं च यमं च यमकिङ्करान्
The pits, the messengers of Yama, Yama himself, and the servants of Yama—
हरिव्रतं ये कुर्वंति गृहिणः कर्मभोगिनः
Those householders who observe the vow of Hari while engaged in worldly actions,
प्रणमंति हरिं नित्यं हर्य्यर्चां पूजयन्ति च
Who bow to Hari daily and worship the image of Hari,
त्रिसन्ध्यपूता विप्राश्च शुद्धाचारसमन्विताः
The twice-born who are purified at the three junctions of the day and endowed with pure conduct,
ते स्वर्गभोगिनोऽन्ये च शुद्धा देवान्यकिंकराः निवृत्तिं न हि लिप्सन्ति कृष्णसेवां विना नराः
They, and others who enjoy heavenly pleasures, and pure divine attendants, do not seek liberation except through service to Krishna.
स्वधर्म्मनिरताश्चापि स्वधर्मविरतास्तथा
Those devoted to their own duty, as well as those who are not devoted to their own duty,
भीताः कृष्णोपासकाच्च वैनतेयादिवोरगाः 2.32.
Terrified by the devotees of Krishna, the serpents such as Garuda flee.
यास्यसीति च सर्वत्र हरिभक्ताश्रमं विना
Everywhere, except for the hermitage of Hari's devotees, you shall depart.
करोति नखराञ्जल्या चित्रगुप्तश्च भीतवत्
Citragupta, trembling with fear, folds his hands in reverence.
विलंघ्य ब्रह्मलोकं च गोलोके गच्छतां सताम्
Bypassing Brahmaloka, the virtuous proceed to Goloka.