तत्र पूर्वं तपस्तप्तं मातुः शापप्रपीडितैः
There, in former times, austerities were performed by those afflicted by their mother's curse.
कम्बलाश्वतरौ नागौ तथा ख्यातौ धरातले
Kambala and Aśvatara, renowned serpents, were thus known upon the earth.
अनंतो वासुकिश्चैव तक्षकश्च महावलः
Ananta, Vāsuki, and also Takṣaka of great strength,
ऐरावतस्तथा शंखः पुण्डरीको महाविषः
Airāvata, likewise Śaṅkha, Puṇḍarīka, and Mahāviṣa,
एतेषां पुत्रपौत्राश्च तेषामपि विभूतिभिः
Their sons and grandsons, with their various powers,
अथ ते कुटिला दुष्टा भक्षयंति सदा जनान्
Then those crooked and wicked ones always devoured people.
ततः प्रजा इमाः सर्वा ब्रह्माणं शरणं गताः
Therefore, all these beings sought refuge with Brahmā.
यावन्न शून्यतां याति सकलं वसुधातलम् ६.३१.
Before the entire surface of the earth became empty,
अथ तानब्रवीद्ब्रह्मा शेषाद्यान्नवनायकान्
Then Brahmā addressed those leaders among the serpents, beginning with Śeṣa.
अथ तेषां बहुत्वाच्च नैव रक्षा प्रजायते
But because of their great number, protection was not possible.
ततः कोपपरीतात्मा तानाहूय कुलाधिपान्
Then, his mind overcome by anger, he summoned those chiefs of the clans.
भक्षयंति यतः सर्पा अपराधं विना प्रजाः
Because the serpents devour people without any offense,
तच्छ्रुत्वा वेपमानास्ते सर्पाणां नवनायकाः
Hearing this, the new leaders of the serpents trembled.
ब्रह्मोवाच॥ यदि नाम मया सृष्टा यूयं दिष्ट्या विषोल्बणाः
Brahmā said: Even if you were created by me, and by fate are full of poison,
अपराधं विना कस्माद्भक्षयध्व इमाः प्रजाः ॥ ६.३१.
Why do you devour these beings without any offense?
अथवा संप्रयच्छस्व स्थानं मानुषवर्जितम्
Otherwise, assign a place for yourselves, excluding humans.
पारिक्षितमखे तस्मिन्सर्पाणां चित्रभानुना
At the sacrifice of Parīkṣit, among the serpents, by Citrabhānu,
यथा न संततिच्छेदो जायते प्रपितामह
So that there is no interruption of the lineage, O great-grandfather.
स संतानकृते भार्यां भूमावन्वेषयिष्यति
He will seek a wife upon the earth for the sake of progeny.
भाविनी च भवद्वंशे जरत्कन्या सुशोभना
And in your lineage, a beautiful elderly maiden will be born.
ताभ्यां यो भविता पुत्रः स शेषान्रक्षयिष्यति
The son born from those two will protect the others.
सुतलं नितलं चैव तथैव वितलं च यत्
Sutala, Nitala, and likewise Vitala, as they are,
मया दत्तेऽतिरम्ये च सर्वभोगसमन्विते
have been given by me, exceedingly delightful and endowed with every enjoyment.
तत्र भुंजथ सद्भोगा न्गत्वाऽऽशु मम शासनात्
Go there at once by my command and enjoy the true pleasures.
शक्नुमो वस्तुमुर्व्यां नस्तस्मात्स्थानं प्रदर्शय ६.३१.
We are unable to dwell upon the earth; therefore, show us that place.
पंचमी शेषकालस्तु नेयस्तत्रं रसातले
The fifth remaining period must be led there, into the netherworld.
तत्रागतैर्न हंतव्या मानवा दोषवर्जिताः
Those who arrive there should not kill blameless humans.
चमत्कारपुरे क्षेत्रे मया दत्ता स्थितिः सदा
In the field of Camatkārapura, a place of residence has always been granted by me.
पातालं कुलमुख्याश्च तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे व्यवस्थिताः
In that region, the chief families of Pātāla are established.
तत्र श्रावणपंचम्यां यस्तान्पूजयते नरः
On the fifth day of Śrāvaṇa, whoever worships them,