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.
यस्तत्र त्यजति प्राणान्कृत्वा प्रायोपवेशनम् ॥ न च भूयोऽत्र संसारे स जन्माप्नोति । मानवः
Whoever gives up his life there, undertaking a fast unto death, that man is not born again in this world.
गंडूषमपि तोयस्य यस्तस्य निवसन्पिबेत्
Even one who, dwelling there, drinks a mouthful of its water,
यस्तत्र ब्राह्मणेंद्राणां संप्रयच्छति भोजनम्
Whoever offers food there to the foremost of Brāhmaṇas,
त्रुटिमात्रं च यो दद्यात्तत्र स्वर्णं समाहितः
And whoever, with a focused mind, gives even a fragment of gold there,
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन तत्तीर्थवरमाश्रयेत्
Therefore, with all effort, one should seek refuge in that supreme sacred place.
अत्र गाथा पुरा गीता गौतमेन महर्षिणा
Here, a verse was formerly sung by the great sage Gautama.
गंगायमुनयोः संगे नरः स्नात्वा समाहितः
A person who bathes with concentration at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna—
एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं गंगायमुनयोर्मया
All this concerning the Ganga and Yamuna has been related to you by me.
यत्र ते पितरस्तेन रुधिरेण प्रतर्पिताः
There, your ancestors were satisfied with that blood.
तत्र भाद्रपदे मासि योऽमावास्यामवाप्य च
In the month of Bhadrapada, on the new moon day, whoever attains it there—