तेनैव श्राद्धदोषेण राज्ञस्तु पितरस्तदा
Because of that fault in the śrāddha, the king's ancestors at that time—
क्षुत्पिपासार्दिता नित्यं क्रन्दन्ते च पुनः पुनः
—were constantly afflicted by hunger and thirst, and cried out again and again.
मृगयार्थं गतस्तत्र द्वित्रैः परिजनैर्वृतः
He went there for hunting, accompanied by two or three attendants.
के भवन्तोऽत्र संप्राप्ता दशामेतां सुदुःखिताः
Who are you who have arrived here, suffering such a miserable condition?
पितर ऊचुः वयं तस्यैव पितरो नरकं गन्तुमुद्यताः
The ancestors said: We are his own forefathers, about to go to hell.
तेषां तु वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा दुःखसमन्वितः
Hearing their words, the king was filled with sorrow.
मेधातिथिरुवाच केन वै कर्मदोषेण निरयं गन्तुमुद्यताः
Medhatithi said: By what fault in action are you about to go to hell?
पितर ऊचुः तेनैव कर्मदोषेण नरकं गन्तुमुद्यताः ।। 189.
The ancestors said: By that very fault in action, we are about to go to hell.
तत्र दुःखं महद्भुक्त्वा पुनर्गच्छामहे दिवम्
There, after enduring great suffering, we again ascend to heaven.
असंख्यातास्त्वया दत्ता गावः सुबहुदक्षिणा
Innumerable cows, with abundant gifts, have been given by you.
तत्र चान्नं न विद्येत येन तृप्तिर्भविष्यति
There, no food would be found by which satisfaction could be attained.
तेषां तु वचनं श्रुत्वा मेधातिथिरगाद्गृहम्
Hearing their words, Medhātithi went to his house.
मेधातिथिरुवाच आहूयन्तां द्विजाः सर्वे कुण्डगोलकवर्जिताः
Medhātithi said: 'Invite all the Brāhmaṇas who are free from the faults of Kuṇḍa and Golaka.'
इत्युक्तमात्रे वचने चन्द्रशर्मा पुरोहितः
As soon as these words were spoken, Candraśarmā, the priest,
साधून्क्षांतान्कुलीनांश्च सुशीलान्मानवर्जितान्
gathered the virtuous, the patient, the well-born, the well-conducted, and those free from blame.
कृते श्राद्धे ततः पश्चात्पिण्डान्निर्वाप्य यत्नतः
After the śrāddha was performed, he carefully offered the rice-balls.
हृष्टान्पुष्टान्बलैर्युक्तान्राजा तु मुमुदे भृशम् 189.
The king rejoiced greatly at seeing them cheerful, nourished, and endowed with strength.
ऊचुर्विनयसम्पन्नाः प्रीतिपूर्वमिदं वचः
Those endowed with humility spoke these words with affection:
इदानीं च त्वया कार्यमस्मद्धितमनुऽत्तमम्
Now you must accomplish this supreme good for us.
तयोर्दत्तं तु यच्छ्राद्धं निष्फलं तत्स्मृतं बुधैः
The śrāddha that was given to those two is declared fruitless by the wise.
सङ्कल्पयित्वा चान्नं तु गोभ्यो देयं यथाविधि
Having resolved, food should be given to cows according to the proper rule.
अपात्राय न दातव्यं नास्तिकाय गुरुद्रुहे
It should not be given to one unworthy, to an atheist, or to one hostile to the teacher.
इत्युक्त्वा पितरः सर्वे गताः स्वर्गाय भामिनि
Having thus spoken, all the ancestors went to heaven, O beautiful one.
यदुक्तं पितृभिः सर्वं तच्चकार मुदायुतः
He, filled with joy, did everything that was commanded by the ancestors.
सन्तारयति दुर्गेभ्यो विषमेभ्यो न संशयः
He delivers from difficulties and dangers—of this there is no doubt.
तस्माद्दानं प्रदातव्यं ब्राह्मणाय वसुन्धरे
Therefore, O Earth, a gift should be given to a Brāhmaṇa.
सर्वे श्राद्धं करिष्यन्ति निमिप्रभृतयो धरे 189.
All, including Nimi and the others, will perform the śrāddha, O Earth.
इति श्रीवराहपुराणे भगवच्छास्त्रे पिण्डकल्पोत्पत्तिर्नामेकोननवत्यधिकशततमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the one hundred and eighty-ninth chapter, entitled 'The Origin of the Piṇḍa Ritual,' in the holy Varāha Purāṇa, the divine scripture.
अथ श्राद्धपितृयज्ञनिश्चयप्रकरणम् देवमानुषतिर्यक्षु प्रेतेषु नरकेषु च
Now, the section on the determination of śrāddha and ancestral rites: among gods, humans, animals, the departed, and those in hell.
स्वप्नोपममिमं लोकं ह्यात्मकर्म शुभाशुभम्
This world is like a dream, and one’s own actions, good or bad, shape it.