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.
परदारांस्तु यो गच्छेत्काममोहप्रपीडितः
Whoever approaches another’s wife, afflicted by lust and delusion,
तस्य पापेन लिप्येऽहं यदि नायामि ते पुरः
I am stained by his sin if I do not come before you.
दत्त्वा च भूमिदानं यो ह्यपकारं करोति च
And whoever, after giving land as a gift, commits harm,
पूर्वं भुक्त्वा स्त्रियं यस्तु सुखमाप्य विहृत्य च
Having first enjoyed a woman, and having attained pleasure and sport,
पङ्क्तिभेदं तु यः कुर्यादेकपंक्त्याशिनां धुवम्
Whoever causes a breach in the dining line among those eating in a single row,
अमावस्यां महारक्षः श्राद्धं कृत्वा स्त्रियं व्रजेत्
On the new moon, after performing a great protective śrāddha, he goes to a woman.
अष्टाष्टमी त्वमावास्या उभे पक्षे चतुर्दशी
The eighth and the new moon, both sides’ fourteenth day,
गुरोर्भ्रातुः सुतस्यापि सख्युर्वै मातुलस्य च
Of the teacher, brother, son, friend, and maternal uncle,
अभिगच्छति मन्दात्मा तत्पापं मे भवेत्तदा 155.
If a dull-minded person approaches them, then their sin becomes mine.
तस्य पापेन लिप्येऽहं यद्यहं नागमे पुनः
I am stained by his sin if I do not come again.