स्वागतेनाभिभाषंते ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः । शुभानामशुभानां च कर्मणां फलसंचये
Those who address others with a welcoming greeting are destined for heaven; in the accumulation of the fruits of auspicious and inauspicious deeds,
विपाकज्ञाश्च ये विप्र ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः । धनधर्मप्रवृत्तानां धर्ममार्गानुयायिनाम्
Those who know the results of actions, O Brahmin, are destined for heaven; among those engaged in wealth and righteousness, who follow the path of dharma,
प्रोत्साहं वर्धयंते ये मोदंते दिवि ते नराः । हेमंते वह्निदो यश्च तथा ग्रीष्मे जलप्रदः
Those who encourage others and rejoice in heaven; who give fire in winter and water in summer,
वर्षा स्वाश्रमदाता च स स्वर्गे मोदते चिरम् । पुण्यकालेषु सर्वेषु नित्य नैमित्तिकादिषु
He who gives shelter during the rainy season enjoys happiness in heaven for a long time; at all times of merit, whether constant or occasional,
भक्त्या यः कुरुते श्राद्धं स नूनं सुरलोकभाक्
Whoever performs śrāddha with devotion surely attains the world of the gods.
दानं दरिद्रस्य विभोः क्षमित्वं यूनां तपो ज्ञानवतां च मौनम् । इच्छानिवृत्तिश्च सुखोचितानां दया च भूतेषु दिवं नयंति
Charity from the poor, forgiveness from the young, austerity from the wise, silence from the learned, renunciation of desires from those accustomed to pleasure, and compassion toward beings—all lead to heaven.
द्विविधः कर्मसंबंधः पापपुण्यसमुद्भवः । सत्यमेव समाश्रित्य क्रियते ह्यत्र निर्णयः
There are two kinds of karmic connection, arising from sin and merit; relying only on truth, the determination is made here.
तपोध्यानसमायुक्तं तारणाय भवांबुधेः । पापं तु पतनायोक्तं सत्यमेव न संशयः
Austerity and meditation are joined for crossing the ocean of existence; sin is said to cause downfall, and truth alone—there is no doubt.
बलेन परिचारेण शौर्येणाभियुतस्य च । पुण्यहीनस्य वै पुंसस्तद्बलादिव लीयते
Through strength, service, and courage, even for one who is endowed with these, if merit is lacking, all such strength and qualities are dissolved.
उन्नता गिरि दुर्गेषु वृक्षाः संति सुपुष्टकाः । पतंति वातवेगेन समूलास्तु घना अपि
Tall trees in mountain fortresses are well-nourished, yet they fall, roots and all, by the force of the wind, even though they are dense.
सत्यधर्मविहीनास्ते तथा यांति यमालयम् । सामान्यं सर्वजंतूंनां बलं धर्मस्तु केवलः
Those devoid of truth and righteousness likewise go to the abode of Yama; strength is common to all creatures, but righteousness alone is paramount.
येन संतरते जंतुरिहलोके परत्र च । मया सर्वमिदं सम्यक्स्वर्गमार्ग प्रदायकम्
By which a creature crosses over in this world and the next; by me, all this has been properly explained, which leads to the path of heaven.
समासेन समाख्यातं किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि
In brief, it has been declared; what more do you wish to hear?
ब्राह्मण उवाच- एतन्मूर्खोऽपि जानाति शुभकर्मकरः पुमान् । न याति नरकं स्वर्गं तथा पापक्रिया रतः
The Brahmin said: Even a fool knows this—that a man who performs auspicious deeds does not go to hell, while one devoted to sinful acts does not attain heaven.
क्रतुभिर्विविधैरिष्टैर्व्रत दान जपादिभिः । सत्येनाचारकुशलैः स्वर्गसौख्यमवाप्यते
Happiness in heaven is attained through various sacrifices, vows, gifts, recitation, truthfulness, and skillful conduct.
विद्याचारधनोपेतैर्ऋषिभिर्वेदपारगैः । प्राप्यते पुण्ययोगेन यज्ञैर्नाकस्ततः क्वचित्
By sages accomplished in knowledge, conduct, and wealth, and who have mastered the Vedas, heaven is attained through the accumulation of merit by sacrifices—never otherwise.
वित्तेन च विना दानं बहुदातुं न शक्यते । विद्यमान धनेनापि कुटुंबासक्तचेतसा
Without wealth, it is not possible to give many gifts; even when wealth exists, those whose minds are attached to their families cannot give.
अग्निहोत्रादयो धर्मा विशेषेण कलौ युगे । दुष्करा दानधर्मोऽपि दुष्करो भगवन्मतः
Rites such as Agnihotra and other duties are especially difficult in the Kali age; even the duty of giving is considered difficult, O Lord.
अल्पायासेन धर्मेण लभ्यते धर्मसंचयः । तन्मे विशेषतो ब्रूहि धर्माधर्मप्रदर्शक
By a duty that requires little effort, a store of merit can be obtained; therefore, tell me in detail, O revealer of right and wrong.
तदेकं कथ्यतां धर्मं सर्वधर्मोत्तमोत्तमम् । कृतेनैकेन येनेह सर्वपापक्षयो भवेत्
Tell me that one supreme duty, the highest of all duties, by which, if performed here, all sins are destroyed.
धनं धान्यं यशो धर्ममायुर्येनाभि वर्त्तते । मर्त्यलोकेऽपि सख्यं स्यात्स्वर्गो येनाक्षयो भवेत्
By which wealth, grain, fame, righteousness, and long life increase; by which, even in the world of mortals, friendship is gained, and by which heaven becomes inexhaustible.
साक्षान्नारायणो येन भक्तानामभयप्रदः । तुष्येदस्यप्रसादेन कामः करतले स्थितः
By which Lord Nārāyaṇa himself grants fearlessness to devotees; by whose grace, desire is as if held in the palm of one's hand.
सर्वयज्ञ तपोदानतीर्थसेवाधिकं फलम् । लभ्यते येन यद्यस्ति वैवस्वत तदादिश
By which the fruit surpasses all sacrifices, austerities, gifts, and pilgrimages; if such exists, O son of Vivasvat, declare it.
अनुग्राह्यो ह्यहं देव यदि धर्मोपदेशतः । सर्वधर्मक्रियासारं तदेकं कृपया वद
If I am worthy of your favor, O god, for the sake of instruction in righteousness, tell me with compassion that one essence of all righteous acts.
पापानामनुरूपाणि प्रायश्चित्तानि यद्यथा । तथा तथैव संस्मृत्य कथितानि मनीषिभिः
For each sin, the corresponding expiations have been described by the wise, recalling them as appropriate.
कर्तुं तानि न शक्यंते देव प्रत्येकशो नरैः । सर्वपापहरं पुण्यमेकं चेदस्ति तद्वद
But, O god, people are not able to perform them all individually; if there is one merit that removes all sins, tell me that.
सूत उवाच-। इत्युक्त्वा ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठो यमं धर्मस्वरूपिणम् । तुष्टाव प्रयतो भूत्वा सूक्ष्मधर्माभिकामुकः
Sūta said: Having spoken thus, the best of Brāhmaṇas, desiring subtle righteousness, became intent and praised Yama, the embodiment of Dharma.
ब्राह्मण उवाच- नमस्ते सर्वशमन नमस्ते जगतांपते । नमोऽस्तु देवरूपाय स्वर्गमार्गप्रदायिने
The Brāhmaṇa said: Salutations to you, remover of all, salutations to you, Lord of the worlds; salutations to you, of divine form, giver of the path to heaven.
धर्मशास्त्रस्वरूपाय धर्मराज नमोस्तुते । त्वया भूः पाल्यते देवाप्यंतरिक्षं च द्यौर्महः
Salutations to you, King of Dharma, embodiment of the law of righteousness; by you the earth, the gods, the atmosphere, and the great heaven are protected.
जनस्तपस्तथासत्यं सर्वस्वं पाल्यते त्वया । न त्वया रहितं किंचिज्जगत्स्थावर जंगमम्
The world of Jana, Tapas, and Satya, and all else are protected by you; there is nothing, whether moving or unmoving, in the world that is without you.