यथा पापापनोदो मे भवत्यार्य तथा कुरु
Just as the removal of sin occurs for me, noble one, so do.
प्रत्युवाच महाभागो विमृश्य सुचिरं मुनिः
The great-souled sage replied, after reflecting for a long time.
युक्तमेतद्धि पापानां निवृत्तिरुपकारिका
Indeed, this is appropriate; the cessation of sins is beneficial.
तान् संपृच्छ द्विजान् सौम्य ये वै प्रवचने रताः
Ask those Brahmins, gentle one, who delight in teaching.
कथं पापापनोदः स्यादिति चिन्ताकुलेन्द्रियः
How can the removal of sin be achieved?—his senses troubled by thought.
षष्ठे षष्ठे तदा काले जन्तुमेकमभक्षयत्
At every sixth interval, he devoured a single creature.
ददर्शाथ फलाहारमागतं ब्रह्मचारिणम्
Then he saw a student, living on fruits, who had arrived.
निराशो जीविते प्राह सामपूर्वं निशाचरम्
Hopeless about his life, he spoke gently to the night-dweller.
तदनुब्रूहि भद्रं ते अयमस्म्यनुशाधि माम्
Tell me, may blessings be upon you; here I am, instruct me.
निःश्रीकस्यातिपापस्य निर्घृणस्य द्विजद्रुहः
Of one who is destitute, exceedingly sinful, merciless, and hostile to Brahmins—
आयास्यामि तवाद्यैव निवेद्य गुरवे फलम्
I will come to you today itself, after offering the fruit to the teacher.
ममात्र निष्ठा प्राप्तस्य फलानि विनिवेदितुम्
My purpose here is to present the fruits attained to the teacher.
निवेद्य गुरवे यावदिहागच्छाम्यहं फलम्
Once I have offered the fruit to the teacher, I will return here.
प्रतिमुच्येत देवो ऽपि इति मे पापाजीविका
Even the god would be released, so I believe, from this sinful livelihood.
मुञ्चाम्यहमसंदिग्धं यदि तत्कुरुते भवान्
I will release without doubt, if you do as you say.
तत्करिष्याम्यहं रक्षो यन्न व्रतहरं मम
I will do that, O Rakshasa, which does not violate my vow.
निर्विवेकेन चित्तेन पापकर्म सदा कृतम्
With an indiscriminate mind, wicked deeds have always been done.
तत्पापासंक्षयान्मोक्षं प्राप्नुयां येन तद् वद
Tell me by which means, through the destruction of that sin, I may attain liberation.
दुष्टां योनिमिमां प्राप्य तन्मुक्तिं कथय द्विज
Having obtained this evil birth, tell me, O Brahmin, the way to liberation from it.
ततः क्षुधार्तान्मत्तस्त्वं नियतं मोक्षमाप्स्यसि
Then, from me who is afflicted by hunger, you will surely attain liberation.
षष्ठे काले नृशंसात्मा भक्षयिष्यामि निर्घृणः
At the sixth occasion, being cruel-hearted, I will devour without mercy.
चिन्तामवाप महतीमशक्तस्तदुदीरणे
He fell into great anxiety, unable to utter anything.
जगाम ज्ञानदानाय संशयं परमं गतः
He entered into supreme doubt regarding the giving of knowledge.
व्रतानि वा सुचीर्णानि सप्तार्चिः पातु मां ततः
May the seven-flamed fire protect me, whether my vows have been well observed or not.
सर्वदैवावगच्छामि तथा मां पातु पावकः
I always understand the gods; thus, may the fire protect me.
अवजानाम्यहं तेन पातु सत्येन पावकः
I disregard him; may the fire protect me by truth.
सप्तर्चिषा समादिष्टा प्रादुरासीत् सरस्वती
By the command of Saptarci, Sarasvati manifested herself.
मा भैर्द्विजसुताहं त्वां मोक्षयिष्यामि संकटात्
Do not fear, O daughter of the twice-born; I will deliver you from distress.
तत् सर्वं कथयिष्यामि ततो मोक्षमवाप्स्यसि
I will tell you everything; then you will attain liberation.
अदर्शानं गता सो ऽपि द्विजः प्राह निशाचरम्
Having become invisible, that Brahmin spoke to the night-wanderer.