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.
तत्प्रभावान्ममेयं हि विभूतिर्जायते निशि
By the power of that, this prosperity of mine arises at night.
तस्मात्कुरु प्रसादं मे तत्र गत्वा कपालकम्
Therefore, show me your favor by going there and bringing the skull.
येन मे जायते मोक्षः प्रेतभावात्सुदारुणात्
By which I may attain liberation from the terrible state of being a ghost.
तथा तत्रास्ति पूर्वस्यां दिशि तत्तीर्थमुत्तमम्
Likewise, in the eastern direction there is that supreme holy place.
तत्र गत्वा कुरु श्राद्धं सर्वेषां त्वं महामते
Go there and perform the śrāddha for all, O wise one.
अस्यां नामानि सर्वेषां यथाज्येष्ठं समालिख
There, write down the names of all, in order from eldest.
वयं त्वां तत्र नेष्यामः सुखोपायेन भद्रक
We will take you there, O fortunate one, by an easy means.
तथेति समनुज्ञाते तेन शूद्रेण सत्वरम्
When that Śūdra had quickly given his consent, saying, 'So be it,'
दर्शयामासुरेवास्य निधानं भूरिवित्तजम् ६.६५.
They immediately showed him the treasure, which was the source of great wealth.
ततः प्रणम्य तं भक्त्या कथ यामास विस्तरात्
Then, having bowed to him with devotion, he asked him in detail.