प्रतिगृह्णन्ति ये तत्र प्रेतभागं विशेषतः
Those who especially receive the portion for the departed there—
भुक्त्वा तेषां द्विजो देव मुच्यते केन कर्मणा
After eating it, by what act is the Brāhmaṇa or god freed from them?
प्रणयात्स्त्रीस्वभावेन पृच्छामि त्वां जनार्दन
Out of affection, and by the nature of women, I ask you, O Janārdana.
वराहरूपी भगवान्प्रत्युवाच वसुन्धराम् साधु भूमे वरारोहे यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि
The Lord, taking the form of Varāha, replied to Vasundharā: 'Well asked, O Earth, of beautiful form, that which you inquire of me.'
कथयिष्यामि ते देवि तारयन्ति यथा द्विजाः
O Devi, I shall tell you how the twice-born are delivered.
विशोधनार्थं देहस्य उपवासं तु कारयेत्
For the purification of the body, one should undertake a fast.
पूर्वसंध्यां विनिर्वर्त्य कृत्वा चैवाग्नितर्पणम्
Having performed the morning twilight rites and offered oblations to fire,
प्राक्स्रोतसं नदीं गत्वा स्नानं कृत्वा विधानतः 189.
One should go to a river flowing eastward and bathe there according to the prescribed method.
औदुम्बरे च पात्रे च कृत्वा शान्त्युदकानि च
In a vessel made of udumbara wood, one should prepare water for peace-offerings.
देवाश्चाग्निमुखाः सर्वे तर्पयित्वा विभागशः
All the gods, beginning with Agni, should be satisfied with offerings, each according to their share.
एका गौस्तु प्रदातव्या पापक्षयकरी तदा
At that time, one cow should be given; it destroys sin.
प्रेतान्ने चोदरस्थे तु कालधर्ममुपागतः
If food for the departed is placed in the belly of one who has met with death,
प्राप्नोति राक्षसत्वं वै ततो मुच्येत किल्बिषात्
He attains the state of a rakshasa and is thus freed from sin.
गोहस्त्यश्वधनादीनि सागरान्तानि माधवि
O Mādhavi, gifts of cows, elephants, horses, and wealth, extending to the ocean,
प्रायश्चित्तं चरेद्यस्तु स तारयति निश्चितम् । द्विजो ज्ञानेन सम्पन्नो वेदाभ्यासरतः सदा
He who performs expiation, who is certainly a twice-born endowed with knowledge and always engaged in Vedic study, delivers others.
स तारयति चात्मानं दातारं नैव संशयः
He certainly delivers himself and the donor; there is no doubt.
दैवे च जन्मनक्षत्रे श्राद्धकाले च पर्वसु
At the time of divine rites, at birth, under the birth-star, during śrāddha, and on festival days,
वेदविद्याव्रतस्नातं बहुधर्मनिरन्तरम् 189.
One who is learned in the Vedas, who has bathed for vows, and who is constantly devoted to many duties,
क्षमायुक्तं च शास्त्रज्ञमहिंसायां रतं तथा
Who is endowed with forgiveness, learned in the scriptures, and devoted to non-violence,
दद्याद्दानानि विप्राय स वै तारयितुं क्षमः
One should give gifts to such a brāhmaṇa; he is indeed fit to deliver.
कुण्डगोलं प्रतिग्राहि दातारं चाप्यधो नयेत्
If a brāhmaṇa who accepts gifts is like a well or a pit, he leads the donor downward.
दृष्ट्वा तं पितरो यान्ति निराशा निरयं द्रुतम्
Seeing him, the ancestors become hopeless and quickly go to hell.
तस्माद्दानं न दातव्यमपात्राय यशस्विनि
Therefore, O illustrious one, gifts should not be given to the unworthy.
अवन्तीविषये कश्चिद्राजा ह्यत्यन्तधार्मिकः
In the land of Avanti, there was a king who was exceedingly righteous.
राज्ञः पुरोहितश्चासीच्चन्द्रशर्म्मा द्विजोत्तमः
The king's priest was Candrasharma, a foremost Brahmin.
स राजा ब्राह्मणेभ्यश्च गा ददाति दिने दिने
That king gave cows to Brahmins every day.
गते बहुतिथे काले राज्ञो मेधातिथेः पितुः विप्रानाह्वापयामास पितुर्वै श्राद्धकारणात्
After much time had passed, Medhatithi, the king's son, summoned Brahmins for his father's śrāddha ceremony.
आगतान्ब्राह्मणान्दृष्ट्वा मेधातिथिरकल्मषः 189.
Seeing the Brahmins who had arrived, Medhatithi was afflicted by impurity.
श्राद्धं कृत्वा तु विधिवत्पिण्डान्निर्वाप्य यत्नतः
He performed the śrāddha according to the proper rites, carefully offering the rice balls.
तन्मध्ये ब्राह्मणः कश्चिद्गोलकोऽवस्थितस्तदा
Among them, at that time, a certain Brahmin named Golaka was present.