Varaha Purana

विष्णोः सन्तोषणार्थाय यतो मे व्रतमास्थितम्

For the sake of pleasing Vishnu, I undertook this vow.

श्वपाकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मरक्षः क्षुधार्दितः

Hearing the words of the outcaste, the Brahma-rakshasa, afflicted by hunger—

रक्षसो मुखविभ्रष्टः पुनरागन्तुमिच्छसि

The Rakshasa, his mouth agape, said: 'Do you wish to return again?'

यद्यप्यहं हि चाण्डालः पूर्वकर्मविदूषितः

Even though I am a Chandala, tainted by former deeds—

शृणु मत्समयं रक्षो येनाहं पुनरागमम्

Hear my pledge, O Rakshasa, by which I have come back.

सत्येन पुनरेष्यामि मन्यसे यदि मुंच माम् 139.

By truth I shall return again; if you believe, then release me.

सत्येन सिद्धिं प्राप्ता हि ऋषयो ब्रह्मवादिनः

By truth, the sages devoted to Brahman have attained success.

सत्यं जयन्ति राजानस्त्रीण्येतान्यब्रुवन्नृतम्

By truth, kings and women prevail; these have not spoken falsehood.

सत्येन तपते सूर्यः सोमः सत्येन रज्यते

By truth the sun shines; by truth the moon delights.

अस्नातानां गतिं यास्ये यद्यहं नागमे पुनः

I shall attain the fate of those who have not bathed, if I do not return again.

तां गतिं सम्प्रपद्येऽहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः

I shall reach that fate, if I do not return again.

तां गतिं सम्प्रपद्येऽहं यद्यं नागमे पुनः

I shall reach that fate, if I do not return again.

तेषां गतिं प्रपद्येऽहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः

I shall attain their fate, if I do not return again.

उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं गच्छ शीघ्रं नमोऽस्तु ते

He spoke sweet words: 'Go quickly, salutations to you.'

पुनर्गायति मह्यं वै मम भक्तौ व्यवस्थितः

He will sing again for me, established in devotion to me.

नमो नारायणायेति श्वपाकः परिवर्त्तते 139.

Saying 'Salutations to Nārāyaṇa,' the outcaste turns around.

उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं चाण्डालं कृतनिश्चयम्

He spoke sweet words to the determined cāṇḍāla.

जानन्कौणपपं तं च न त्वं मर्त्तुमिहार्हसि

Knowing him to be a corpse-eater, he said, 'You should not die here.'

समयो मे कृतः पूर्वं राक्षसेन हि भक्षता

My agreement was made earlier, to be eaten by the rākṣasa.

ततः स पद्मपत्राक्षः श्वपाकं प्रत्युवाच ह

Then the lotus-eyed one spoke to the outcaste.

मा गच्छ तत्र चाण्डाल यत्रासौ पापराक्षसः

Do not go there, cāṇḍāla, where that sinful rākṣasa is.

ततस्तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा श्वपाकः संशितव्रतः

Then, hearing his words, the outcaste, firm in his vow,

नाहमेवं करिष्यामि यन्मां त्वं परिभाषसे

I will not act as you speak to me.

सत्यमूलं जगत्सर्वं कुलं सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितम्

All the world is rooted in truth; the lineage is established in truth.

न चैवाहं तदुत्सृज्य असत्यः स्यां कदाचन

Nor will I ever abandon it and become untruthful.

एवमुक्त्वा श्वपाकोपि नित्यं सत्यव्रते स्थितः 139.

Thus speaking, the outcaste too remained always steadfast in his vow of truth.

आगतोऽस्मि महाभाग मा विलम्बय भक्षय

I have arrived, O illustrious one; do not delay, eat.

एतानि मम गात्राणि भक्षयस्व यथेष्टतः

Eat these limbs of mine as you wish.

तर्पयस्व स्वमात्मानं कुरुष्व मम वै हितम्

Satisfy yourself; do what is truly beneficial for me.