सप्तर्षीणां सुविख्यात आश्रमः सर्वकामदः
The hermitage of the Seven Sages is renowned and grants all desires.
तत्र श्रावणमासस्य पंचदश्यां समाहितः
There, on the fifteenth day of the month of Śrāvaṇa, with focused mind,
कन्दमूलफलैः शाकैर्यस्तत्र श्राद्धमाचरेत्
Whoever performs the śrāddha there with roots, fruits, and vegetables,
पंचम्यां शुक्लपक्षे तु मासि भाद्रपदे द्विजाः विधिनानेन विप्रेन्द्राः सर्वानेव यथाक्रमम्
On the fifth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhādrapada, O twice-born, the best of brahmins should, according to this rule, perform for all in due order.
ॐ अत्रये नमः ॐ कश्यपाय नमः ॐ गौतमाय नमः ॐ जमदग्नये नमः गृह्णंत्वर्घं मया दत्तमृषयः सर्वकामदाः
Om, obeisance to Atri; Om, obeisance to Kaśyapa; Om, obeisance to Gautama; Om, obeisance to Jamadagni; O sages who grant all desires, accept the arghya offered by me.
विस्तरात्सूतज ब्रूहि परं कौतूहलं हि नः
O Sūta, narrate in detail, for we have great curiosity.
सर्वोषधिक्षयो जातस्ततो लोकाः क्षयार्दिताः
The destruction of all herbs occurred, and thus the worlds were afflicted by decline.
अस्थिशेषा निरुत्साहास्त्यक्तधर्मव्रतक्रियाः
Only bones remained, devoid of vigor, having abandoned religious vows and rites.
त्यजंति मातरः पुत्रान्कलत्राणि तथा नराः
Mothers abandoned their sons, and men likewise abandoned their wives.
संत्यक्तान्यग्निहोत्राणि ब्राह्मणैर्याजकैरपि ६.३२.
Even the agnihotra fires were forsaken by brahmins and officiating priests.
दृश्यते चैव यत्रैव सस्यं वापि कथंचन
Wherever any crop was seen at all,
एवमन्नक्षये जाते पीडिते धरणीतले
Thus, when famine arose and the earth was afflicted,
अत्रिश्चैव वसिष्ठश्च कश्यपः सुमहातपाः कौशिको जमदग्निश्च तथैवारुंधती सती
Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Kaśyapa of great austerity, Kauśika, Jamadagni, and the virtuous Arundhatī,
अथ तेषां समस्तानां चंडाभूत्परिचारिका
Then, among them all, there was a fierce attendant.
ततस्ते विषयं प्राप्ता वृषादर्भिमहीपतेः
Then they reached the domain of King Vṛṣādarbhi.
ततस्तैः पतितो भूमौ दृष्टो मृतकुमारकः
Then, by them, a dead boy was seen lying on the ground.
अपचन्यावदग्नौ तं क्षुधया परिपीडिताः
Afflicted by hunger, they placed him in the fire of disrespect.
राक्षसानामयं धर्मो महामांसस्य भक्षणम्
The custom of the rakshasas is the eating of great quantities of flesh.
सोऽहं सस्यं प्रदास्यामि ग्रामान्व्रीहीन्यवानपि ६.३२.
Therefore, I will give grain, villages, and even rice fields.
प्रतिग्रहस्य भूपाला दापत्कालेऽपि नो नृप
O king, even at the time of need, rulers must not accept gifts.
पश्चात्तपश्चरिष्यामो महामांससमुद्भवम्
Afterwards, we shall perform penance for the sin arising from the consumption of great flesh.
ग्राह्यो मत्तस्ततः सर्वैर्नात्र कार्या विचारणा
Let all accept from me; there should be no deliberation here.
स दूराद्ब्राह्मणैस्त्याज्यो विशेषात्कृतिभिर्नृप
He should be shunned from afar by brahmins, especially by those who are accomplished, O king.
दशसूनासमश्चक्री दशचक्रिसमो ध्वजी
He who acts is equal to ten sons; he who bears the banner is equal to ten chariots.
दशसूनासहस्रेण तुल्यो राजप्रतिग्रहः
The royal acceptance is equal to ten thousand sons.
रौरवादिषु सर्वेषु नरकेषु स पच्यते
He is cooked in all the hells, such as Raurava and others.
वयमन्यत्र यास्यामो ग्रहीष्यामो न ते धनम्
We will go elsewhere; we will not take your wealth.
परित्यज्य कुमारं तं मृतं तमपि भूमिपम्
Abandoning that prince, and even that dead king.
सोऽपि राजा ततस्तैस्तु भर्त्सितोऽतिरुषान्वितः ६.३२.
Then the king, rebuked by them, became exceedingly angry.
ततः सुवर्णपूर्णानि विधायोदुम्बराणि च
He prepared udumbara fruits filled with gold.