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.
पुराणपठको याति स्तूयमानो मुनीश्वरैः
He who recites the Purāṇas goes, praised by the best of sages.
यमश्चतुर्मुखो भूत्वा शङ्खचक्रगदासिभृत्
Yama, becoming four-faced and bearing conch, discus, mace, and sword,
भो भो बुद्धिमतां श्रेष्ठानरकक्लेषभीरवः
O best among the wise, terrifying is the suffering of hell.
मनुषथ्य जन्म यः प्राप्य सुकृतं न करोति च
He who, having obtained human birth, does not perform good deeds,
अनित्यं प्राप्य मानुष्यं नित्यं यस्तु न साधयेत्
Having attained impermanent humanity, he who does not pursue the eternal,
शरीरं यातनारुपं मलाद्यैः परिदूषितम्
The body, which is a form of torment, is defiled by impurities and the like.
सर्वेषु प्राणिनः श्रेष्ठास्तेषु वै बुद्धिजीविनः
Among all living beings, the best are those endowed with intelligence.
ब्राह्मणेषु च विद्वांसो विद्वत्सु कृतबुद्धयः
Among Brahmins, the learned are best; among the learned, those of firm understanding.
ब्रह्मवादिष्वपि तथा श्रेष्ठो निर्मम उच्यते
Even among those who speak of Brahman, the one without possessiveness is said to be the best.
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन कर्त्तव्यो धर्मसंग्रहः
Therefore, by every effort, the collection of righteousness should be pursued.