पर्णैस्तृणैश्च काष्ठैघैर् गृहं सम्यक् प्रकल्पितम्
With leaves, grass, and pieces of wood, I properly constructed a hut.
तत्राहं व्याधवृत्तिस्थो हत्वा बहुविधान्मृगान्
There, living as a hunter, I killed many kinds of animals.
अथेयमागता साध्वी विन्ध्यदेशसमुद्भवा
Then she arrived, that virtuous woman, born in the region of the Vindhyas.
बन्धुवर्गपरित्यक्ता दुःखिता जीर्णविग्रहा
Abandoned by her relatives, afflicted, her body worn and aged.
दैवयोगाकत्समायाताभ्रमन्ती विजने वने
By the will of fate, she came wandering alone in the desolate forest.
इमां दुःखार्दितां दृष्ट्वा जाता मे विपुला दया
Seeing her tormented by sorrow, great compassion arose in me.
गतश्रमात्वियं ब्रह्मन्मया पृष्टा यथा तयम्
O Brahmin, when she was weary from wandering, I questioned her as follows.
नान्मावकोकिला चाहं निषादकुलसभ्भवा
"I am not a cuckoo, but born in the family of hunters.
परस्वहारिणी नित्यं सदा पैशुन्यवादिनी
I always stole the wealth of others and constantly spoke maliciously.
कियत्कालं ततः पत्या भृताहं लोकनिन्दिता
For some time, I was maintained by my husband, though condemned by the world.
कान्तारे विजने चैका भ्रमन्ती दुःखपीडिता
Alone, afflicted by suffering, I wandered in the lonely wilderness.
इत्येवं स्वकृतं कर्म मह्यं सर्वं न्यवेदयत्
Thus, she revealed to me all the deeds she herself had committed.
स्थितौ वर्षाणि दश च आवां मांसफलाशिनौ
We two remained there for ten years, living on flesh and fruit.
तत्र देवालये राघत्रौ मुदितौ मांसभोजनात्
There, in the temple, we rejoiced at night, feasting on meat.
प्रारब्धकर्म भोगान्तमावां युगपदागतौ
When the enjoyment of our destined karma ended, we both departed at the same time.
नेतुमावां नृत्यरतौ सुधोरां यमयातनाम्
As we delighted in dance, fierce messengers came to take us to Yama's abode.
देवावसथसंस्कारसंज्ञितेन कृतेन नः
But because of the rite known as 'sanctification of the temple,' performed by us—
ते दूता देवदेवस्य शङ्खचक्र गदाधराः
Those messengers of the Lord of gods, bearing conch, discus, and mace,
किरीटकुण्डलधरा हारिणो वनमालिनः
Wearing crowns and earrings, adorned with garlands and forest wreaths,
भयङ्करान्याशहस्तान्दंष्ट्रिणो यमकिङ्करान्
Frightening, with weapons in hand and fangs, they drove away Yama's attendants.
आवयोग्राहणे यत्तानृचुः कृष्णपरायणाः
Those devoted to Krishna spoke firmly to those who sought to seize us.
मुञ्चध्वमेतौ निष्पापौ दम्पती हरिवल्लभौ
"Release this sinless couple, beloved of Hari."
अपापे पापधीर्यस्तु तं विद्यात्पुरुषाधमम्
But one who harbors evil thoughts toward the innocent—know him to be the lowest of men.
पापे त्वपापधीर्यस्तु तं विद्यादधमाधमम्
And if one, though innocent in thought, commits evil—know him to be the lowest among the low.
यमेन पापिनो दण्ड्यास्तन्नेष्यामो वयं त्विमौ
The wicked are to be punished by Yama; we shall take these two there.
धर्माधर्मविवेको ऽयं तन्नेष्यामो यमान्तिकम्
This discernment between righteousness and unrighteousness—we shall bring it before Yama.
प्रत्यूचूस्तान्यमभटानधर्मे धर्ममानिनः
The attendants of Yama replied to those who pride themselves on righteousness, though they act unrighteously.
सम्यग्विवेकशून्यानां निदानं ह्यापदां महत्
For those utterly lacking in proper discernment, a great calamity is the inevitable result.
यूयं किमर्थमद्यापि कर्त्तुं पापानि सोद्यमाः
Why are you still so eager to commit sinful acts even now?
तिष्टन्ति नरके घोरे यावच्चन्द्रार्कतारकम्
They remain in dreadful hell as long as the moon, sun, and stars endure.