ततस्तस्य सुतोऽभीष्टस्तस्योद्देशेन कृत्स्नशः
Afterwards, his beloved son, on his behalf, performed all the required rites.
गंगायामस्थिपातं च कृत्वा श्राद्धानि षोडश
He cast the bones into the Ganges and performed sixteen śrāddha ceremonies.
अथ स्वप्नांतरे प्राप्तः पिता तस्य स भूपतिः
Then, in a dream, his father, that king, appeared to him.
सर्पमृत्योः सकाशान्मे प्रेतत्वं पुत्र संस्थितम्
From the realm of death by snakebite, I remain as a spirit, O son.
चमत्कारपुरं क्षेत्रं तस्मात्त्वं गच्छ सत्वरम् ६.३१.
Go swiftly, therefore, to the field of Camatkārapura.
येन संजायते मोक्षः प्रेतत्वा द्दारुणान्मम
By which liberation is attained from my dreadful state as a spirit.
प्रेतरूपस्य दुःखार्तस्तत्तीर्थं सत्वरं गतः
Afflicted by suffering in the form of a spirit, he quickly went to that tīrtha.
स्नात्वा श्रद्धासमोपेतः संनिवेश्य पुरोधसम्
Having bathed, filled with faith, and seating the priest in front,
प्रे तरूपेण दुःखार्तो वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह
Afflicted by suffering in the form of a spirit, he spoke these words:
फलं श्राद्धस्य चात्र त्वं कारणं शृणु पुत्रक
Now, my son, listen to the reason and result of the śrāddha here.
क्षेत्रेऽपि गर्हिताः श्राद्धे येऽन्यत्र व्यंगकादयः
Even at this field, those who are censured elsewhere—like the lame and others—are censured in the śrāddha.
तथान्यदपि विप्रार्हं कर्म यज्ञसमुद्भवम् परोक्षे वापि संपूर्णं वृथा संजायते स्फुटम्
Likewise, any other act worthy of a brāhmaṇa, arising from sacrifice, if performed in secret or incompletely, is certainly rendered fruitless.
तस्मादस्मात्पुराद्विप्रान्समानीय ततः परम्
Therefore, from this city, brāhmaṇas should be gathered, and then—
अथासौ प्रातरुत्थाय स्मरमाणः पितुर्वचः
Then, rising in the morning, remembering his father's words—
ततश्चान्वेषयामास श्राद्धार्हान्ब्राह्मणान्नृपः ६.३१.
Then the king began to seek out Brahmins who were worthy to receive the śrāddha offering.
न तत्र दुःखितः कश्चिद्दरिद्रोऽपि न दुःखितः
There, no one was afflicted by sorrow, nor was any poor person distressed.
स्थानेस्थाने महानादा उत्सवाश्च गृहेगृहे
In every place, great sounds arose, and in every household there were festivals.
श्रूयंते याज्ञिकानां च यज्ञकर्मसमुद्भवाः न मृत्युः कस्यचित्तत्र पुरे ब्राह्मण सेविते
The sounds of sacrificial rites performed by priests were heard, arising from the performance of yajña; in that city, served by Brahmins, death did not come to anyone.
यथर्तुवर्षी पर्जन्यः सस्यानि गुणवन्ति च
As the rain falls in its proper season, so too were the crops abundant and of good quality.
यंयं प्रार्थयते विप्रं स श्राद्धार्थं महीपतिः
Whichever Brahmin the king requested for the śrāddha rite,
धिग्धिक्पापसमाचार क्षत्रियापसदात्मक
Shame, shame upon the conduct of those of sinful ways, whose nature is that of fallen Kṣatriyas.
तस्माद्गच्छ द्रुतं यावन्न कश्चिच्छपते द्विजः
Therefore, depart quickly before any Brahmin is harmed.
चमत्कारपुरात्तस्माद्वैलक्ष्यं परमं गतः
Because of this astonishing event, he became extremely embarrassed.
चिन्तयामास राजेंद्र स्मृत्वावस्थां पितुश्च ताम्
The king began to reflect, remembering that situation of his father.
ततः स सचिवान्सर्वान्प्रेषयित्वा गृहं प्रति ६.३१.
Then, after sending all his ministers back to their homes,
स ज्ञात्वा नगरे तत्र ब्राह्मणं शंसितव्रतम्
He learned that in that city there was a Brahmin of renowned vows,
देवशर्माभिधानं तु शरणागतवत्सलम्
Named Devaśarman, who was affectionate to those who sought his refuge.
ततस्तु प्रातरुत्थाय कृत्वांत्यजमयं वपुः
Then, rising early in the morning, he assumed the form of an outcaste.
अथ यः कुरुते कर्म तत्र विष्ठाप्रशोधनम्
Now, whoever performs the act of cleaning excrement there,
कुतस्त्वमिह संप्राप्तो मद्वृत्तेरुपघातकृत्
How have you come here, you who act contrary to my way of life?