नहि सौम्य वृथा घ्नन्ति सज्जना अपि पापिनः
Gentle one, even the virtuous do not kill the wicked without cause.
विरोधं नहि कुर्वन्ति सज्जनाः शान्तचेतसः
The virtuous, with peaceful minds, do not engage in hostility.
तमुत्तमं नरं प्राहुर्विष्णोः प्रियतरं सदा
They call such a man the highest, always dearest to Vishnu.
छेदे ऽपि चन्दनतरुः सुरभयति मुखं कुठारस्य
Even when cut, the sandalwood tree perfumes the axe with its fragrance.
सर्वसंगविहीनो ऽपि बाध्यते हि दुरात्मना
Though free from all attachments, he is afflicted by the wicked.
तत्रापि साधून्बाधन्ते न समानान्कदाचन
Even then, the virtuous are harmed, but never by equals at any time.
लुब्धकधीवरपिशुना निष्कारणवैरिणो जगति
In the world, hunters, fishermen, and slanderers are enemies without reason.
पुत्रमित्रकलत्रार्थं सर्वं दुःखेन योजयेत्
For the sake of son, friend, wife, and wealth, one endures all suffering.
अन्ते तत्सर्वमुत्सृज्य एक एव प्रयति वै
In the end, abandoning all that, one departs alone.
ममेदमिति जन्तूनां ममता बाधते वृथा
The notion 'this is mine' afflicts creatures in vain.
धर्माधर्मौं सहैवास्तामिहामुत्र न चापरः
Let virtue and vice remain together here and hereafter; there is no other.
मृतमग्निमुखे हुत्वा घृतान्नं भुञ्जते हि ते
Having offered food with ghee into the mouth of the dead, they partake of it.
धर्माधर्मौं न च धनं न पुत्रा न च बान्धवाः
Neither virtue nor vice, nor wealth, nor sons, nor relatives remain.
कामः संक्षयमायाति नराणां पुण्यकर्मणाम्
Desire diminishes for men of virtuous deeds.
वृथैव व्याकुला लोका धनादानां सदार्जने
People are troubled in vain by the accumulation and giving of wealth.
इति निश्चितबुद्धीनां न चिन्ता बाधते क्वचित्
Those whose minds are thus resolved are never afflicted by anxiety.
तस्माज्जन्म च मृत्युं च दैवं जानाति नापरः
Therefore, only fate knows birth and death; no one else does.
लोकस्तु तत्र विज्ञाय वृथायासं करोति हि
Yet people, even knowing this, make fruitless efforts.
महापापानि कृत्वापि परान्पुष्यान्ति यत्नतः
Even after committing great sins, they strive diligently to benefit others.
स्वयमेकतमो मूढस्तत्पापफलमश्नुते
But one foolish person alone experiences the fruit of that sin.
गुलिकः प्राञ्जलिः प्राह क्षमस्वेति पुनः पुनः
Gulika, with joined palms, repeatedly said, 'Forgive me.'
गतपापो लुबग्दकश्च ह्यनुतापीदमब्रवीत्
The hunter, freed from sin and now repentant, spoke this:
तानि सर्वाणि नष्टानि विप्रेन्द्र तव दर्शनात्
All those sins have been destroyed, O best of Brahmins, by your sight.
कथं मे निष्कृतिर् भूयो यामि कं शरणं विभोः
How shall I atone again? To whom shall I seek refuge, O Lord?
अत्रापि पापजालानि कृत्वा कां गतिमाप्नुयाम्
Having committed these nets of sin here, what state shall I attain?
प्रातिक्रिया नैव कृता मयैषां गतिश्च का स्यान्ममजन्म किं वा
No remedy has been made by me for these; what will be my fate, or what will my next birth be?
कथं च यत्पापफलं हि भोक्ष्ये कियत्सु जन्मस्वहमुग्रकर्मा
And how long must I endure the fruit of my sins, being one of fierce deeds, through how many births?
अन्तस्तापाग्निसंतप्तः सद्यः पञ्चत्वमागतः
Burned within by the fire of remorse, he immediately met his end.
विष्णुपादोदकेनैवमभ्यषिञ्चन्महामतिः
Then the wise one anointed him with water from Vishnu’s feet.
दिव्यं विमानमारुह्य मुनिमेतदथाब्रवीत्
Ascending a divine aerial chariot, he then spoke to the sage: