देवानां दानवानां च मनुष्याणां विशेषतः १५.
Especially concerning the gods, the demons, and the humans.
इन्द्रेण च कृतं विप्रा महद्भूतं जुगुप्सितम् १५.
A great and reprehensible deed was committed by Indra, O sages.
गौतमस्य गुरोः पत्नी सेविता तस्य तत्फलम् १५.
The wife of Gautama, the preceptor, was approached by him, and he received the consequence of that act.
ये हि दृष्कटतकर्म्माणो न कुर्वंति च निष्कृतिम् १५.
Indeed, those who commit sinful acts and do not perform atonement—
दुष्कृतोपार्जितस्या तः प्रायाश्चित्तं हि तत्क्षणात् १५.
For the sin acquired through evil deeds, expiation must be performed immediately.
उपपातकमध्यस्तं महापातकतां व्रजेत्॥ १५.
One who is involved in a secondary offense attains the status of a great sinner.
ततः स्वधर्मनिष्ठां च ये कुर्वंति सदा नराः १५.
Therefore, those men who always adhere to their own duty—
प्राप्नुवंत्युत्तमं लोकं नात्र कार्या विचारणा १५.
They attain the highest world; there is no need for further deliberation here.
स प्रधार्य तदा सर्वे लोकपालास्त्वरान्विताः कथयामासुरव्यग्रा इंद्रस्य च गुरुं प्रति॥ १५.
Then all the guardians of the worlds, accompanied by urgency, deliberated and spoke to the teacher of Indra.
देवैरुक्तं वचो विप्रा निशम्य च बृहस्पतिः १५.
Hearing the words spoken by the gods, Brhaspati—
किं कार्यं चाद्य कर्तव्यं कथं श्रेयो भविष्यति १५.
What should be done today? What action must be taken? How will the best outcome arise?
मनसैव च तत्सर्वं कार्याकार्यं विचार्य च १५.
Mentally considering all that, weighing what should and should not be done—
प्राप्तो जलाशयं तं च यत्रास्ते हि पुरंदरः १५.
He arrived at the lake where Purandara was staying.
तत्रोविष्टास्ते सर्वे देवा ऋषिगणान्विताः १५.
There, all the gods were seated, accompanied by groups of sages.
समुत्थितस्ततः शक्रो ददर्श स्वगुरुं तदा १५.
Then Indra arose and saw his own teacher.
प्रणिपत्य च तत्रत्यान्कृताञ्जलिरभाषत १५.
Having bowed, with joined palms, he spoke to those present there.
स्वयमेव कृतं पूर्वमज्ञानलक्षणं महत् १५.
Previously, the great fault characterized by ignorance was committed by oneself alone.
प्रहस्योवाच भगवान्बृहस्पति रुदारधीः १५.
The venerable Bṛhaspati, of profound intellect, laughed and spoke.
मां च उद्दिश्य भो इंद्र तद्भोगादेव संक्षयः १५.
O Indra, it is precisely because of that enjoyment, referring to me, that destruction has come.
अज्ञानतो हि यज्जातं पापं तस्य प्रतिक्रिया १५.
Indeed, for sin that arises from ignorance, there is a remedy.
सकामेन कृतं पापमकामं नैव जायते १५.
Sin committed with intention is one thing; that which is done without desire does not arise at all.
मरणांतो विधिः कार्यो कामेन हि कृतेन हि १५.
For what is done with desire, the prescribed expiation must end with death.
तस्मात्त्वया कृतं यच्च स्वयमेव हतो द्विजः १५.
Therefore, what you have done—killing the Brāhmaṇa yourself—
यावन्मरणमप्येति तावदप्सु स्थिरो भव॥ १५.
Remain steadfast in the waters until death comes.
शताश्वमेधसंज्ञं च यत्फलं तव दुर्मते १५.
O misguided one, whatever fruit is named as that of a hundred Aśvamedha sacrifices—
सच्छिद्रे च यथा तोयं न तिष्ठति घटेऽण्वपि १५.
Just as water does not remain even in a pot with a tiny hole,
तस्माच्च दैवसंयोगात्प्राप्तं स्वर्गादिकं च यैः १५.
So too, by the conjunction of fate, those who have attained heaven and the like—
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य शक्रो वचनमब्रवीत् १५.
Having heard these words, Śakra spoke the following statement.
अमरावती माशु त्वं गच्छ देवर्षिबिः सह इंद्रं कुरु महाभाग यस्ते मनसि रोचते॥ १५.
Go quickly to Amarāvatī with the divine sages; O greatly fortunate one, make as your Indra whomever pleases your mind.
यथा मृतस्तथा हं वै ब्रह्महत्यावृतो महान् १५.
Just as one who is dead, so indeed is the great one enveloped by the sin of Brahmin-killing.