विष्णुभक्तिविहीनानां किं तपोभिर्व्रतैरपि
For those who lack devotion to Viṣṇu, what is the use of austerities or vows?
वेदान्तवेद्यं भवरोगवैद्यं ते यान्ति मर्त्याः पदमच्युतस्य
Those mortals who attain the imperishable abode, which is known through Vedānta and is the physician for the disease of existence—
ज्योतिः स्वरुपं परमच्युताख्यं स्मृत्वा समभ्येति नरः सखायम्
Remembering the supreme, imperishable light-form, a man approaches his friend.
इदानीं श्रोतुमिच्छामि यममार्गं सुदुर्गमम्
Now I wish to hear about the path of Yama, which is extremely difficult.
सुखदं पुण्यशीलानां पापिनां भयदायकम्
It brings happiness to the virtuous, and terror to the sinful.
यममार्गस्य विस्तारः कथैतः पूर्वसूरिभिः
The expanse of the path to Yama has been described by the ancient sages.
धर्मशून्या नरा यान्ति दुःखेन भृशमर्दिताः
Men devoid of righteousness go, greatly afflicted, in misery.
क्रदन्तो विस्तरं दीनाः पापिनो यान्ति तत्पथि
The sinners, wailing and distressed, travel that path in full.
हन्यमाना यमभटैः प्रतोदाद्यैस्तथायुधैः
They are struck by Yama's attendants with whips and weapons.
क्वचिद्वै दावरुपेणः तीक्ष्णधाराः शिलाः क्वचित्
In some places there are blazing fires, elsewhere sharp-edged stones.
गाढान्धकाराशअच गुहाः कण्टकावरणं महत्
There are deep, pitch-dark caves, and vast thickets of thorns.
शर्कराश्च तथा लोष्टाः सूचीतुल्याश्च कण्टकाः
There are gravel and clods, and thorns sharp as needles.
क्वचिव्द्याव्राश्च गर्जन्ते वर्धन्ते च क्वचिज्ज्वराः
In some places wild beasts roar, elsewhere fevers intensify.
क्रोशन्तश्च रुदन्तश्च म्लायन्तश्चैव पापिनः
The sinners cry out, weep, and wither away.
शास्त्रास्त्रैस्ताड्यमानाश्च पृष्टतो यान्ति पापिनः
Struck from behind by weapons and scriptures, the sinners proceed.
वहॄन्तश्चायसां भारं शिश्राग्रेण प्रयान्ति वै
They carry burdens of iron, moving forward with their heads bowed.
कर्णाभ्यां च तथा केचिद्वहॄन्तो यान्ति पापिनः
Some sinners go carrying loads with their ears as well.
अत्यर्थोच्ङ्वसिताः केचित्केचिदाच्छत्रलोचनाः
Some are excessively swollen, others have umbrella-like eyes.
शोचन्तः स्वानि कर्मणि ज्ञानाज्ञानकृतानि च
They grieve over their deeds, both those done knowingly and unknowingly.
अतीव सुखसंपन्नास्ते यान्ति धर्ममन्दिरम्
Those endowed with great happiness proceed to the abode of righteousness.
घृतदा मधुदाश्चैव क्षीरदाश्च द्विजोत्तम
Givers of ghee, honey, and milk, O best of twice-born, (go there).
शाकदाः पायसं भुञ्जंन्दीपदो ज्वलयन्दिशः
Givers of vegetables, eating rice pudding, and lamp-bearers illuminating the directions.
पुराकरप्रदो याति स्तूयमानो ऽमरैः पथि
He who gives away a city proceeds, praised by the immortals along the path.
भूमिदो गृहदश्चैव विमाने सर्वसंपदि
He who gives land or a house, indeed, goes in an aerial chariot endowed with all wealth.
हयदो यानदश्चापि गजदश्च द्विजोत्तम
He who gives horses, vehicles, or elephants, O best of twice-born,
अनडुद्दो मुनिश्रेष्ठ यानारुढः प्रयाति वै
He who gives oxen, O foremost of sages, departs riding in a chariot.
तांबूलदो नरो याति प्रहृष्टोर् धममन्दिरम्
A man who gives betel leaves goes, delighted, to the abode of Dharma.
स याति परितुष्टात्मा पूज्यमानो दिविस्थितैः
He goes, his soul fully satisfied, honored by those who dwell in heaven.
द्विजग्र्यब्राह्मणानां च स यात्वतिसुखान्वितः
He goes, accompanied by great happiness, among the foremost twice-born and Brahmins.
सर्वभोगान्वितेनासौ विमानेन प्रयाति च
He proceeds in an aerial chariot endowed with all enjoyments.