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.
ततो लब्ध्वा कपालं तच्चूर्णयित्वा समाहितः
Then, having obtained that skull, he carefully ground it to powder.
एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्रेतो दिव्यरूपवपुर्धरः
Meanwhile, a departed spirit appeared, bearing a divine and splendid form.
प्रसादात्तव मुक्तोऽहं प्रेतत्वाद्दारुणादितः
By your grace I am freed from the terrible state of being a preta.
एतेषामेव सर्वेषामिदानीं श्राद्धमाचर
Now perform the śrāddha ceremony for all of these, each one.
ततः स विस्मयाविष्टस्तेषामेव पृथक्पृथक्
Then, filled with wonder, he performed the rites separately for each of them.
तेऽपि सर्वे गताः स्वर्गं प्रेतास्तस्य प्रभावतः
All those departed spirits, by his power, went to heaven.
ततः शूद्रः स विज्ञाय तत्क्षेत्रं पुण्यवर्ध नम्
Then that Śūdra, realizing that field which increases merit,
गंगायमुनयोः पार्श्वे शूद्रकेश्वरसंज्ञितम्
On the banks of the Gaṅgā and Yamunā, known as Śūdrakeśvara,
यस्तयोर्विधिवत्स्नानं कृत्वा पूजयते नरः ६.६५.
Whoever, having bathed there according to the rules, worships,
स सर्वैः पातकैर्मुक्तः प्रयाति शिव मंदिरम्
He, freed from all sins, goes to the abode of Śiva.