तदा लोहमये गेहे ज्वलितानलसंस्तरे
Then, in a house made of iron, upon a bed of blazing fire,
यावती वेदना देहे इह लोके प्रदृश्यते
As much pain is felt in the body as is seen in this world,
काकैश्च वृश्चिकैर्गृध्रैर्भक्ष्यंतेऽप्यपरे नराः वदंत्यसकृदुद्विग्ना न च शांतिं लभंति वै
Some men are devoured by crows, scorpions, and vultures; repeatedly they cry out in distress, yet never find peace.
दुःखानि ते प्राप्नुवंति यान्यसह्यानि पार्वति निमिर्नाम महाभागो यममार्गं ददर्श ह
They suffer pains that are unbearable, O Parvati; the illustrious Nimi once saw the path of Yama.
रौद्रं भयानकं दुर्गं पूरितं पापकर्मभिः
It was fierce, terrifying, difficult to traverse, and filled with those who had committed evil deeds.
संपृक्तं पापकृद्गंधैर्मांसशोणितकर्द्दमैः
It was saturated with the stench of sinners, with mud of flesh and blood.
अधोमुखैश्च कर्कोटैर्गृध्रैश्च समभिद्रुतम् ।। 5.2.27.
It was attacked by serpents with downward-facing mouths and by vultures.
वृक्षै रुधिरमांसैश्च छिन्नबाहूरुपाणिभिः
There were trees made of blood and flesh, with severed arms, legs, and hands.
वृतं कुणपदुर्गंधैरशिवं भोगवर्जितम्
It was filled with the stench of corpses, inauspicious, devoid of pleasures.
करंभवालुकाकीर्णमायसीश्च शिलाः पृथक्
Covered with gruel and sand, and with separate iron stones.
स तं दुर्गंधमालक्ष्य पुरुषं तमुवाच ह
Seeing that foul-smelling place, he spoke to that man.
देशोऽयं कश्च देवानामेतदिच्छामि वेदितुम् पुरतो दर्शयन्मार्गमित एहीत्युवाच ह
What is this land, and whose among the gods? I wish to know this. Leading the way ahead, he said, 'Come here.'
भूयः स राजा तं प्राह किंकरं विनयान्वितः
Again, the king respectfully asked that servant,
येनेदं व्यसनं प्राप्तं मया च धार्मिकेण हि
By what cause have I, though righteous, come to this misfortune?
जातो विदेहविषये सम्यग्मनुजपालकः
Born in the land of Videha, I was truly a protector of men.
धर्मप्रधानकल्पेन मनुनात्र यथा पुरा
With Manu’s ancient rule, righteousness was my chief principle here.
नोत्सृष्टश्चैव संग्रामो नातिथिर्विमुखोऽभवत् 5.2.27.
I never abandoned battle, nor turned away a guest.
सोऽहं कथमिमं प्राप्तो नरकं भृशदारुणम् उवाच प्रणतो भूत्वा क्रूरोऽपि प्रश्रितं वचः
How then have I come to this exceedingly dreadful hell? Bowing down, he spoke humble words, though he was fierce.
किन्तु स्वल्पं कृतं पापं भवंतं स्मारयामि तत्
But I will remind you of a small sin you committed.
उक्ता या दक्षिणा श्राद्धे न दत्ता सा त्वया नृप
The offering prescribed at the śrāddha was not given by you, O king.
एतावदेव ते पापं नान्य त्किंचन विद्यते
This alone is your sin; there is nothing else at all.
एवं श्रुत्वा तु राजर्षिर्निमिर्दूतमथाब्रवीत्
Hearing this, the royal sage Nimi then spoke to the messenger.
किंचित्पृच्छामि ते तत्त्वं यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि
I wish to ask you something; you should tell the truth as it is.
पुनः पुनश्च नेत्राणि तद्वत्तेषां भवंति हि
Again and again, their eyes become like that.
हरंत्येषां तथा जिह्वां जायमानां पुनर्नवाम्
They take away their tongues as well, which are born anew each time.
किमेते नष्टचित्ताश्च तुद्यंतेऽहर्निशं नराः कियत्कालं भविष्यंति तन्ममोद्दे शतो वद
Are these men, whose minds are lost, tormented day and night? For how long will this be? Please tell me exactly.
तत्तेहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि संक्षेपेण यथातथम् ।। 5.2.27.
I shall now explain this to you here, briefly and truthfully.
पुण्या पुण्ये हि पुरुषः पर्यायेण समश्नुते
A person attains merit through meritorious deeds, each in its proper turn.
न तु भोगादृते पुण्यं पापं कर्म च मानवः
But apart from enjoyment, a human does not experience the fruits of merit or sin.
एवमेते महापापा यातनाभिरहर्निशम्
Thus, these great sinners endure punishments day and night.