वर्षाणां च सहस्राणि तपस्तप्त्वा वसुन्धरे
For thousands of years, O Earth, they performed austerities.
नष्टं च तं सुतं दृष्ट्वा निमेः शोक उपाविशत्
Seeing that lost son, Nimi was overcome with sorrow.
निमिः कृत्वा ततः शोकं विधानात्तत्र माधवि
Then, after experiencing grief, Nimi performed rites there, O Mādhavi.
तस्य प्रतिविशुद्धस्य माघमासे तु द्वादशीम्
For him, purified in every way, on the twelfth day in the month of Māgha—
स निमिश्चिन्तयामास श्राद्धकल्पं समाहितः
Nimi, with concentrated mind, contemplated the proper rites for the śrāddha.
यानि कानि च भक्ष्याणि नवश्च रससंभवः
Whatever foods there are, and the nine kinds derived from juice—
आमन्त्र्य ब्राह्मणं पूर्वं शुचिर्भूत्वा समाहितः
After respectfully addressing the Brahmin, he became pure and focused.
सप्तकृत्वस्ततस्तत्र युगपत्समुपाविशत्
Then, seven times in succession, he sat there simultaneously.
पूजयित्वा तु विप्रान्स सप्तकृत्वश्च सुन्दरि
Having worshipped the Brahmins, O beautiful one, seven times as well,
प्रददौ श्रीमते पिण्डं नामगोत्रमुदाहरन् 187.
He offered the sacred rice ball to Śrī, reciting the name and lineage.
एवं दिने गते भद्रे ह्यस्तं प्राप्ते दिवाकरे
Thus, when the day had passed, O gentle one, and the sun had set,
एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशी निष्परिग्रहः
Alone, with mind and self restrained, without hope or possessions,
नात्युच्चं नातिनीचं च चेलाजिनकुशोत्तरम्
Not too high nor too low, with cloth, deer skin, and kusa grass atop,
उपविश्यासनेऽयुञ्जद्योगमात्मविशुद्धये
Seated on the seat, he practiced yoga for purification of the self.
संप्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन्
He gazed at the tip of his own nose, not glancing at the directions.
संयम्य मयि चित्तं यो युक्त आसीत मत्परः
Restraining the mind in me, whoever sits united, devoted to me,
एवं निवृत्तसंध्यायां ततो रात्रिरुपागता
When twilight had ended in this way, then night arrived.
कृत्वा तु पिण्ड संकल्पं पश्चात्तापं चकार ह
Having made the offering with resolve, he felt remorse afterwards.
निवापकर्म ह्यशुचि पुत्रार्थे विनियोजितम्
The offering ritual, impure and performed for the sake of a son, was undertaken.
कथं ते मुनयः शापात्प्रदहेयुर्न मामिति 187.
How could the sages, because of the curse, not burn me?
किं वक्ष्यन्ति च मां सर्वे ये वै पितृपदे स्थिताः
What will all those who stand in the place of ancestors say about me?
पूर्वसन्ध्यानु सम्प्राप्ता उदिते च दिवाकरे
When the early twilight arrived and the sun had risen,
पुनश्चिन्तां प्रपन्नः स आत्रेयो ह्यतिदुःखितः
Again, the Atri descendant, greatly distressed, fell into worry.
धिग्वयो धिक्च मे कर्म धिग्बलं धिक्च जीवितम्
Fie upon age, fie upon my actions, fie upon strength, and fie upon life.
नरकं पूतिकाख्यातं हृदि दुःखं विदुर्बुधाः
The wise know that the hell called Pūti is suffering in the heart.
पूजयित्वा तु देवांश्च दत्त्वा दानं त्वनेकशः
But after worshipping the gods and giving many gifts,
पुत्रेण लभते येन पौत्रेण च पितामहाः
A man obtains that by means of his son, and the grandfathers through the grandson.
पुत्रेण श्रीमता हीनं नाहं जीवितुमुत्सहे
Deprived of a prosperous son, I am unable to endure living.
जगाम तापसारण्यमृष्याश्रमविभूषितम्
He went to the forest of ascetics, adorned by the hermitages of sages.
तत्प्रविश्याश्रमपदं भ्राजमानं स्वतेजसा 187.
Entering that hermitage, shining with its own splendor,