जन्मांतरसहस्राणि भ्रमंति स्वेन कर्मणा
For thousands of lifetimes, they wander according to their own karma.
येऽन्यजन्मन्यबांधवा येऽन्यजन्मनि बांधवाः तेषामुद्धरणार्थाय अत्र श्राद्धं विधीयते
Those who had no relatives in another birth, and those who had relatives in another birth— for their deliverance, this śrāddha is prescribed here.
पितृवंशे मृता ये च मातृवंशे तथैव च तेषामुद्धरणार्थाय अत्र श्राद्धं विधीयते
Those who died in the paternal lineage, and likewise in the maternal lineage— for their deliverance, this śrāddha is prescribed here.
ये मे कुले लुप्तर्पिडाः पुत्रदारादिवर्जिताः
Those in my family who lack the offering of rice-balls, bereft of sons, wives, and the like—
पंगुकुब्जा विरूपाश्च आमगर्भाश्च ये मृताः
Those who died crippled, hunchbacked, deformed, or as stillborns—
आब्रह्मभुवनाद्ये च अन्यैर्दुर्मरणैर्मृताः
Those who died from other grievous deaths, from the world of Brahmā downwards—
तृषार्ताः क्षुधिताश्चैव हापिताश्चैव ये मृताः तेषामुद्धरणार्थाय अत्र श्राद्धं विधीयते
Those who died thirsty, hungry, or deprived— for their deliverance, this śrāddha is prescribed here.
एवं श्राद्धविधिं व्यास तस्मिंस्तीर्थे समाचरेत् गयायां च समासाद्य सुरा इंद्रपुरोगमाः
Thus, Vyāsa, one should perform the śrāddha rite at that sacred place; and, having reached Gayā, even the gods led by Indra did so.
पुनर्योगबलं प्राप्य स्वाधिकारं ययुः पुरा
Once more, having regained their yogic power, they attained their own authority as before.
एवं व्यास गयातीर्थं कुमुद्वत्यां सुनिश्चित म्
Thus, Vyāsa, the Gayā tīrtha on the Kumudvatī is firmly established.
तत्तीर्थेषु नरः स्नात्वा तत्तत्तीर्थफलं भवेत्
By bathing at those sacred places, a person attains the respective fruits of those holy sites.
फल्गुश्च सरितां श्रेष्ठा तथैव फलदायिनी
Phalgu is the best among rivers and likewise grants rewards.
गयाकोष्ठस्तथा प्रोक्तो गदाधरपदानि च
The Gayā shrine is also mentioned, as well as the footprints of Gadādhara.
प्रेतमुक्तिकरी नित्यं शिला चोक्ता तथैव च
The stone is also said to always grant liberation to the departed.
देवानां दानवानां च यक्षकिन्नररक्षसाम्
For the gods, demons, yakṣas, kinnaras, and rākṣasas,
एतत्स्थानेषु सर्वेषु स्नानदानादिकाः क्रियाः
In all these places, acts such as bathing and giving gifts are performed.
गयायां पितृरूपेण स्वयमेव जनार्दनः
At Gayā, Janārdana himself is present in the form of the ancestors.
एवं व्यास गयातीर्थं पुरावन्त्यां प्रतिष्ठितम् 5.1.59.
Thus, Vyāsa, the Gayā tīrtha was established in the ancient city of Avantī.
तदारभ्य द्विजश्रेष्ठ गया तत्र प्रतिष्ठिता
From that time onward, O best of twice-born, Gayā has been established there.
तत्पदे च महिमानं जनार्दनसमर्पितम्
And at that place, the greatness dedicated to Janārdana is present.
पंचक्रोशं गयाक्षेत्रं क्रोशमेकं गयाशिरः सर्वदा सर्वकालेषु गयाश्राद्धं विधीयते
The Gayā region is five krośas, and Gayāśira is one krośa; at all times and in every season, the Gayā śrāddha is performed.
संवत्सरे परं व्यास दिनमेकं प्रतिष्ठितम् महालयेति तत्प्रोक्तं पितॄणां दत्तमक्षयम्
In the year, O Vyāsa, one day is specially established, called Mahālaya, and the offering to the ancestors given then is imperishable.
सर्वदा सर्वकालेषु गयाश्राद्धं विधीयते
At all times and in every season, the Gayā śrāddha is performed.
संवत्सरे परं व्यास दिनमेकं प्रतिष्ठितम्
In the year, O Vyāsa, one day is specially established.
अक्षय्या जायते तृप्तिः पितॄणां कल्पसंख्यया
The satisfaction of the ancestors thus produced is inexhaustible, lasting for the measure of a kalpa.
भूयस्तु संप्रवक्ष्यामि माहात्म्यं परमाद्भुतम्
Now I shall further declare the most wondrous glory.
सप्तर्षीणां च या भार्या ऋषिपत्न्यः पतिव्रताः
The wives of the Seven Sages, who are devoted to their husbands,
ऋषिभिश्च परित्यक्ता बभ्रमुश्च वनाद्वनम् 5.1.59.
Were abandoned by the sages and wandered from forest to forest.
तासां च प्रियमन्विच्छन्समायातो वनांतरे
Desiring to please them, he arrived in another part of the forest.
उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा देशकालोचितं वचः
He spoke with gentle words, saying what was appropriate for the time and place.