तत्र .नित्यं स्थितो देवि लोकानां हितकाम्यया
There, O goddess, I always remain for the welfare of the worlds.
अयने विषुवे चैव तथा विष्णुपदीषु च
At the solstices, the equinoxes, and at the Viṣṇupadī times as well,
अक्रूरेति च विख्यातं मम क्षेत्रं वसुन्धरे
My field there, O Earth, is renowned as Akrura.
राजसूयाश्वमेधाभ्यां फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः
By bathing there, a person obtains the fruit of both the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices.
तत्स्नानात्फलमाप्नोति प्रयागस्नानजं फलम्
From bathing there, one attains the fruit that comes from bathing at Prayāga.
नाम्ना तु सुधनो नाम मम भक्तः सदैव हि
By name, Sudhana is always my devotee.
बन्धुपुत्रकलत्रैश्च गृहे प्रीतिरनुत्तमा
He experiences unsurpassed affection at home with his relatives, sons, and wife.
गच्छन्ति दिवसास्तस्य मासाः संवत्सरास्तथा
His days, months, and years pass by.
मानकूटं तुलाकूटं न करोति स कर्हिचित् 155.
He never commits fraud in weights or measures.
नित्यं कालं च कुरुते हरिपूजनमुत्तमम्
He always devotes time to excellent worship of Hari.
उपहारेण दिव्येन धूपेन च सुगन्धिना
With divine offerings and fragrant incense, he performs worship.
उपवासं तु कुरुते रात्रौ जागरणं तथा
He observes fasting and keeps vigil at night as well.
तत्रागत्य ममाग्रेऽसौ नृत्यते शुभदर्शनः
Coming there, he dances before me, possessing an auspicious appearance.
चलमानो गृहीतस्तु चरणे ब्रह्मरक्षसा
As he was moving, he was seized by a Brahma-rākṣasa at the feet.
पादे गृहीत्वा वसुधे इदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Grasping his feet, the Brahma-rākṣasa spoke these words to the earth.
राक्षसोऽहं वणिक्श्रेष्ठ वसामि वनमाश्रितः
The rākṣasa said: I am a rākṣasa, O best of merchants, dwelling in the forest.
सुधन उवाच भक्षयिष्यसि मे गात्रं मिष्टान्नपरिपोषितम्
Sudhana said: Will you devour my body, which has been nourished with delicious food?
जागरं देवदेवस्य कर्तुमिच्छामि राक्षस
I wish to keep vigil for the Lord of gods, O rākṣasa.
तत्र जागरणं कृत्वा प्रभाते तव सन्निधौ 155.
There, after keeping vigil, in the morning, in your presence,
ततः खादिष्यसे गात्रं विनिवृत्तस्य जागरात्
Then you may eat my body, once I have finished the vigil.
मा कुरु व्रतभङ्गं मे रक्षो नारायणस्य हि
Do not break my vow, O rākṣasa, for it is for Nārāyaṇa.
सुधनस्य वचः श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मरक्षः क्षुधार्दितः
Hearing Sudhana's words, the Brahma-rākṣasa, tormented by hunger,
मिथ्या प्रभाषसे साधो त्वं पुनः कथमेष्यसि
said: You speak falsely, good man; how will you return again?
राक्षसस्य वचः श्रुत्वा स वणिग्वाक्यमब्रवीत्
Hearing the rākṣasa's words, the merchant replied.
सिद्धिं लभन्ते सत्येन ऋषयो वेदपारगाः
The sages who have mastered the Vedas attain success through truth.
प्राप्तश्च मानुषो भावो विहितेनान्तरात्मना
A human state is obtained by the prescribed inner self.
कृत्वा जागरणं तत्र नृत्यं कृत्वा यथासुखम्
Having kept vigil there, one dances as one pleases.
सत्येन दीयते कन्या सत्यं जल्पन्ति ब्राह्मणाः
A maiden is given in marriage through truth; Brahmins speak truthfully.
स्वर्गमिच्छन्ति सत्येन मोक्षः सत्येन लभ्यते 155.
They desire heaven through truth; liberation is attained by truth.
यमः सत्येन हरति सत्यादिन्द्रो विराजते
Yama takes by truth; Indra shines by truth.