काले भगवतस्तस्य अतिक्षीणः पिता तदा
At that time, his father, the devotee of the Lord, had become extremely weak.
स्वामिन्पितुर्मे मरणं भविष्यति वदस्व माम्
O master, tell me when my father will die.
शूद्रान्नं भक्षितं तेन नित्यकालं द्विजोत्तम
He has continually eaten food prepared by Shudras, O best of twice-born.
पादयोर्विद्यते तच्च शूद्रान्नं च पितुस्तव
That food prepared by Shudras is present at your father's feet.
शूद्रान्नेन विहीनस्य तस्य मृत्युर्भविष्यति
Death will come to him who is deprived of Shudra food.
तस्य पुत्रस्य वचनं श्रुत्वात्मानं विगर्हयत्
Hearing his son's words, he reproached himself.
पितुः समीपात्स गतः श्वशुरस्य निवेशनम्
He left his father's side and went to his father-in-law's house.
दुःखेन पीडितः क्षीणो मर्त्तुकामो द्विजोत्तमः 162.
Afflicted by sorrow and weakened, the best of twice-born wished for death.
सन्निधावुपलं दृष्ट्वा गृहीतं तेन तत्पदा
Seeing a stone nearby, he took it with his foot.
ततः प्राणान्परित्यज्य गतोऽसौ कालवर्त्तनम्
Then, abandoning his life, he went to the realm of Time.
गतसंज्ञं च पितरं दृष्ट्वा स रुरुदे भृशम्
Seeing his father unconscious, he wept greatly.
संस्कारयोग्यता नास्ति इत्येवं पुनरब्रवीत्
He said again, 'He is not fit for funeral rites.'
आत्मनस्त्यागिनश्चैव आपस्तम्बोऽब्रवीदिदम्
Apastamba said this regarding one who gives up his own self:
प्रायश्चितं विधीयीत न दद्याच्चोदकक्रियाम्
A penance should be prescribed; one should not perform the water-offering rite.
तस्य पुत्रो महाभागे गतः श्वशुरमन्दिरम्
His son, O highly fortunate one, went to his father-in-law's house.
ब्रह्महत्या तु ते जाता गच्छ त्वं च यथेप्सितम्
You have incurred the sin of Brahmin-slaying; go wherever you wish.
न मया ब्राह्मणवधः कदाचिदपि कारितः
I have never caused the death of a Brahmin at any time.
जामातुर्वचनं श्रुत्वा श्वशुरो वाक्यमब्रवीत् 162.
Hearing the words of his son-in-law, the father-in-law spoke.
तेन दोषेण विप्रर्षे ब्रह्महत्याफलं तव
Because of that fault, O sage, you have incurred the result of killing a Brahmin.
संवत्सरेण पतति पतितेन सहाचरन्
Within a year, it falls, accompanying the one who has fallen.
श्वशुरस्य वचः श्रुत्वा जामाता वाक्यमब्रवीत्
Hearing the words of his father-in-law, the son-in-law spoke.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ब्राह्मणः संशितव्रतः
Upon hearing those words, the Brahmin, firm in his vows, responded.
नान्यत्र तव संशुद्धिः कदाचित्पितृघातिनः
Nowhere else is your purification possible, O slayer of a father.
ततः कालेन महता सम्प्राप्तो मथुरां पुरीम्
Then, after a long time, he arrived at the city of Mathura.
कन्यापुरनिवासी तु कुशिकोऽयं नराधिपः
This Kuśika, the king, dwells in the city of Kanyāpura.
द्वेसहस्रे तु विप्राणां तस्य सत्रे च भुञ्जते
Two thousand Brahmins partake in his sacrifice.
ततः कालेन महता चिन्ताभूच्छ्वशुरस्य च 162.
Then, after a long time, worry arose in the mind of the father-in-law.
स्वां सुतां चोदयामास गच्छ तां मथुरां पुरीम्
He urged his own daughter: 'Go to that city of Mathura.'
दिव्यज्ञानेन च तदा नित्यं सा भर्तृसन्निधौ
Then, by divine knowledge, she was always present with her husband.
दिवसस्यावसाने तु भोजनं गृह्य गच्छति
At the end of the day, she takes food and departs.