पितुरक्षयकाले तु पितॄणां दत्तमक्षयम्
At the time of the father's imperishability, the offering to the ancestors is imperishable.
वार्यपि श्रद्धया दत्तं तदानन्त्याय कल्पते 180.
Even water given with faith is considered to lead to endless benefit.
कृत्वा श्राद्धं तु पितरो हृष्टा मुमुदिरे सदा ।। जोषमास्स्व त्रिकालज्ञ गच्छामो नरकाय वै
Having performed the śrāddha, the ancestors were always delighted; 'Remain at ease, knower of the three times, for we now go to hell.'
पूर्वकर्मविपाकेन चिरं तु वसितुं मुने ये मया चागता दृष्टास्तीर्थेऽस्मिन्पितरोऽथ वै
Because of the ripening of previous actions, O sage, those ancestors whom I saw here at this holy place had come and stayed for a long time.
बहवः स्वस्थमनसो बहवो दुःस्थमानसाः
Many were of tranquil mind, and many were of troubled mind.
मौनेन गच्छतां तेषां किमेतद्वद निश्चयम् अत्र यन्निश्चयं श्राद्धे पुत्रस्य विफलं भवेत्
As they went in silence, what is the certainty in this matter? Tell me—under what condition does a son's śrāddha become fruitless here?
नरस्य करणं किञ्चित्तन्मे निगदतः शृणु
Hear from me, as I declare, what action of a man leads to this.
अपात्रे मलिनं द्रव्यं महत्पापाय जायते
If the substance is impure or given to an unworthy recipient, it results in great sin.
तिलमन्त्रकुशैर्हीनमासुरं तद्भवेदिति
If it lacks sesame, mantras, or kuśa grass, it is said to be demonic.
तथा दाशरथी रामो हत्वा राक्षसमीश्वरम्
Thus Rāma, son of Daśaratha, after slaying the lord of the Rākṣasas—
रावणं सगणं घोरं तुष्टेन सह सीतया
Rāvaṇa, the terrible one with his followers, together with the pleased Sītā—
सीतावाक्यप्रतुष्टेन तस्यै प्रादाद्वरं विभुः 180.
To Sītā, who was pleased with his words, the Lord granted her a boon.
क्रोधाविष्टानि दानानि विधिपात्रयुतानि च
Gifts given in anger, even if accompanied by proper vessels—
त्रिजटे त्वत्प्रयच्छामि यच्च श्राद्धमदक्षिणम्
And the śrāddha performed without a fee, this I give to you, Trijaṭā.
तुष्टेन वै वासुकये तन्मे निगदतः शृणु
Hear from me, as I declare, what was given to the pleased Vāsuki.
यज्ञस्य योचिता देया दक्षिणा नाददाद्द्विजः
The fee appropriate to the sacrifice should be given; if the twice-born does not give it—
अश्रोत्रियाणि श्राद्धानि क्रिया मन्त्रैर्विनापि च
Śrāddhas performed by those unlearned in the scriptures, or rites without mantras—
यः शिष्यो न नमेद्भक्त्या गुरुं ज्ञानप्रदायकम्
A disciple who does not bow with devotion to the guru, the giver of knowledge—
सर्वं तुभ्यं मया दत्तं नागराजाय वार्षिकम्
All has been given by me to you, O king of serpents, for a year.
तद्वदलीककरणं श्राद्धं दानं व्रतं तथा
Tell me, then, about false performance—śrāddha, gift, and vow as well.
मुषिताच्छिद्रकरणैस्तद्दानफलभोक्तृभिः
By those who, having stolen or made holes, partake of the fruits of such gifts,
मौनव्रतधरा यान्ति पुनः प्राप्यार्थहेतवे 180.
Those who observe the vow of silence return again, seeking some purpose.
त्रिकालज्ञ उवाच यावत्तृप्तिर्न ते भूयाद्दृष्ट्वा हन्त स्थिरो भव
The knower of the three times said: Until you are satisfied, remain steady, having seen—indeed, be firm.
तावत्कालं प्रतीक्षस्व यावदागमनं मम
Wait for that period of time until my return.
सोऽहमद्य व्रतं त्यक्त्वा तव कारुण्यपूरितः
Therefore, today, abandoning my vow, filled with compassion for you,
अनया कारयिष्यामि श्राद्धं तु विधिना सह राजा समीपगं दृष्ट्वा अकस्मादागतं ऋषिम्
With her, I shall perform the śrāddha according to the proper rite; the king, seeing the sage who had suddenly arrived nearby,
क्षित्यास्तले विलुलितः पादौ कृत्वा तु मूर्द्धनि
Fell to the ground, placing his feet upon his own head.
सदा यज्ञं करिष्यामि गृहमागमने तव
I shall always perform sacrifice whenever you come to my house.
इदं पाद्यमिदं चार्घ्यं मधुपर्कमिमां च गाम्
Here is water for washing the feet, here is arghya, here is madhuparka, and here is this cow.
तस्य तत्प्रतिगृह्याशु स मुनिस्त्वरितोऽब्रवीत्
Having quickly accepted these, the sage promptly spoke.