कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य पण्यबुद्ध्या द्विजोत्तमाः
Then, at some point in time, with a mercantile mindset, O best of twice-born,
अथ प्राप्तः क्रमात्सर्वैः स गच्छन्मरुमंडल म् ६.६५.
Afterwards, having arrived in turn, all proceeded toward the desert region.
तत्र रात्रिं समासाद्य श्रांताः पांथाः समन्ततः
There, upon reaching nightfall, the weary travelers settled all around.
ततः प्रत्यूषमासाद्य समुत्थाय च सत्वरम्
Then, at dawn, rising quickly,
स वै मार्गपरिश्रांतो गत्वा निद्रावशं भृशम्
He, exhausted from the journey, went and fell deeply under the sway of sleep.
न च तैः स स्मृतः सार्थैर्यैः समं प्रस्थितो गृहात्
But he was not remembered by those companions with whom he had set out from home.
एवं गते ततः सार्थे प्रोद्गते सूर्यमंडले
When things had thus transpired, and the caravan had departed as the sun rose,
एवं तस्य तृषार्तस्य पतितस्य धरातले
Thus, as he lay fallen upon the ground, tormented by thirst,
ततः किंचित्ससंज्ञोऽभून्मंदीभूते दिवाकरे
Then, as the sun grew faint, he regained a little consciousness.
न लक्ष्यते क्वचिन्मार्गो दृश्यते न च मानुषम् ६.६५.
Nowhere could the path be discerned, nor was any person seen.
एवं चिन्ताप्रपन्नस्य तस्य शूद्रस्य निर्जने
Thus, as that Śūdra found himself in anxious thought, alone in the wilderness,
अथ क्षणेन शुश्राव स गीतं मधुरध्वनि
Then, in a moment, he heard a song with a sweet sound.
अथापश्यत्क्षणेनैव प्रेतसंघैः सभावृतम्
And in that very instant, he saw himself surrounded by a host of spirits.
ततस्ते पार्श्वगाः प्रेता एके नृत्यं प्रचक्रिरे
Then, some of the spirits nearby began to dance.
अथासौ प्राह तं शूद्रमतिथे कुरु भोजनम्
Then one of them said to the Śūdra, 'Prepare food for the guest.'
ततः स भोजनं चक्रे क्षुधार्तश्च पपौ जलम्
Thereupon, he made a meal and, hungry, drank water.
ततः प्रेताश्च ते सर्वे प्रेतत्वेन समन्विताः
Then all those spirits, endowed with their ghostly nature,
एवं तेषां समस्तानां विलासैः पार्थिवोचितैः
Thus, with all their amusements suited to earthly ways,
ततः प्रभाते विमले प्रोद्गते रविमंडले
Then, at dawn, when the sky was clear and the sun had risen,
ततश्च चिन्तयामास किमेतत्स्वप्नदर्शनम् ६.६५.
He began to ponder, 'What is the meaning of this dream vision?'
एवं चिन्तयमानस्य भास्करो गगनांगणम्
As he was reflecting in this way, the sun illumined the expanse of the sky.
ततः कंचित्समाश्रित्य स्वल्पच्छायं महीरुहम्
Then, seeking some shade, he took shelter beneath a tree with scant shadow.
ततो निशामुखे प्राप्ते भूयोऽपि प्रेतराजकम्
When the night drew near again, he once more saw the king of the dead.
तथैव भोजनं चक्रे तस्यातिथ्यसमुद्भवम्
In the same manner, he offered food arising from hospitality to him.
एवं तस्य निशावक्त्रे नित्यमेव स भूपतिः
Thus, every night, that king continued in the same way.
ततोऽन्यदिवसे प्राप्ते तेन शूद्रेण भूपतिः
Then, on another day, the king was approached by that Śūdra.
विभवस्ते महाभाग प्रणश्यति निशाक्षये अत्र कौतूहलं जातं दृष्ट्वेदं सुविचेष्टितम्
O highly fortunate one, your wealth is lost at the end of the night; seeing this remarkable event, curiosity has arisen here.
गंगा च यमुना चैव स्थिते तत्र च संगमे
The Gaṅgā and Yamunā rivers were present there at their confluence.
ताभ्यामतिसमीपस्थं शिवस्यायतनं शुभम् ६.६५.
Very near to them was the auspicious temple of Śiva.
स सदा रात्रिशौचार्थं कपालं जलपूरितम्
He always used a skull filled with water for nightly purification.