संप्रविश्यान्नमध्ये तु पृथगन्नपृथग्जलम्
Having entered the food, the separate food and separate water,
जलस्याधः स्वयं प्राणः स्थित्वाग्निं धमते शनैः
Below the water, the vital breath itself resides and gently stirs the fire.
तदन्नमुष्णतोयेन समंतात्पच्यते पुनः
That food, together with warm water, is again cooked thoroughly.
मलैर्द्वादशभिः किट्टं भिन्नं देहाद्बहिर्व्रजेत्
By twelve impurities, the waste is separated and exits the body.
रोमकूपाणि चैव स्युर्द्वादशैते मलाश्रयाः
The hair pores are twelve, and these are the seats of the impurities.
तासां मुखेषु तं सूक्ष्मं व्यानः स्थापयते रसम्
At their openings, the subtle essence is placed by the vyāna vital force.
ततः प्रयांति संपूर्णास्ताश्च देहं समंततः
Then, when they are filled, they spread throughout the body.
पच्यते पच्यमानस्तु रुधिरत्वं भजेत्पुनः 1.2.50.
As it is digested, the food again becomes blood.
नखा मज्जा खवैमल्यं शुक्रवृद्धिः क्रमाद्भवेत्
From the nails and marrow, impurities are expelled, and the increase of semen occurs in due order.
एवमेतद्विनिष्पन्नं शरीरं पुण्यहेतवे
Thus, in this way, the body is formed for the sake of merit.
तैलाभ्यंगादिभिर्यत्नैर्बहुभिः पाल्यते न चेत्
If it is not cared for with much effort through oil massages and the like,
एवमेतेन देहेन किं कृत्यं भोजनोत्तमैः
then, with such a body, what is the use of the finest foods?
भवंति चात्र श्लोकाः कृतं शुभाशुभं कर्म तत्तथा तेन भुज्यते
Here are verses on this: Whatever good or bad deed is done, that is accordingly experienced by the doer.
तस्मात्सदा शुभं कार्यमविच्छिन्नसुखार्थिभिः
Therefore, those who desire uninterrupted happiness should always perform good deeds.
यस्मात्पापेन दुःखानि तीव्राणि सुबहून्यपि
For from sin arise many intense sufferings.
एवं ते वर्णितः साधो प्रश्नोऽयं शक्तितो मया
Thus, O good one, I have described this question of yours to the best of my ability.
आयुष्ये कर्मणि क्षीणे संप्राप्ते मरणे नृणाम्
When a person's lifespan and karma are exhausted, and death arrives,
पंचतन्मात्रसहितः समनोबुद्ध्यहंकृतिः 1.2.50.
Along with the five subtle elements, and with mind, intellect, and ego,
शीर्ष्णश्च सप्तभिश्छिद्रैर्निर्गच्छेत्पुण्यकर्मणाम्
It departs from the head through the seven openings, for those of virtuous deeds.
तत्क्षणात्सोऽथ गृह्णाति शारीरं चातिवाहिकम्
At that moment, it then takes up the subtle body.
ततस्तस्मिन्स्थितं जीवं देहे यमभटास्तदा
Then, when the soul is situated in that, the servants of Yama at that time—
तप्तांबरीषतुल्येन अयोगुडनिभेन च
With garments as hot as fire and resembling lumps of iron,
षडशीतिसहस्राणि योजनानां महीतलात्
Eighty-six thousand yojanas from the surface of the earth,
क्वचिच्छीतं महादुर्गमन्धकारं क्वचिन्महत्।। अग्निसंस्पर्शवदनैः काककाकोलजंबुकैः
In some places it is cold, in others vast, difficult, and dark; elsewhere, with faces like fire, by crows, owls, and jackals—
मक्षिकादंशमशकैर्भक्ष्यते सर्पवृश्चिकैः
It is eaten by flies, gnats, mosquitoes, snakes, and scorpions.
क्वचिच्च भक्ष्यते घोरै राक्षसैः कृष्यतेऽस्यते
And in some places it is devoured by fierce demons, dragged and consumed.
मुहूतैर्दशभिर्याति तं मार्गमतिदुस्तरम्
In just ten moments, he traverses that exceedingly difficult path.
तार्यते च नदीं घोरां पूयशोणितवाहिनीम् 1.2.50.
He crosses the dreadful river that flows with pus and blood.
ततो यमस्य पुरतः स्थाप्यते यमकिंकरैः
Then, he is placed before Yama by the attendants of Yama.
पुण्यकर्मा सौम्यरूपं धर्मराजं तदा किल
The one who has performed virtuous deeds sees the Lord of Dharma in a gentle form at that time.