अथ धर्मराजपुरवर्णनम् तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ऋषीणां भावितात्मनाम्
Now, the description of the city of Dharma-raja. Having heard the words of those sages of purified mind,
नाचिकेत उवाच योजनानां सहस्रं तु विस्तराद्द्विगुणायतम्
Naciketa spoke: 'Its breadth is a thousand yojanas, and its length is twice that.'
द्विगुणं परिवेषेण तद्वै प्रेतपतेः पुरम्
That city of the lord of the departed is encircled by a boundary twice as large.
हर्म्यप्रासादसंबाधमहाट्टालसमन्वितम्
It is crowded with mansions and palatial buildings, adorned with grand towers.
कैलासशिखराकारैर्भवनैरुपशोभितम्
It is beautified by residences resembling the peaks of Kailāsa.
दीर्घिकाश्च तथा कान्ता नलिन्यश्च सरांसि च
There are also lovely reservoirs, lotus ponds, and lakes.
नरनारीसमाकीर्णा गजवाजिसमाकुलाः
Men and women fill the place, and it is bustling with elephants and horses.
सर्वजीवैस्तथाकीर्णं तस्य राज्ञः पुरोत्तमम्
That excellent city of the king is thronged with all living beings.
क्वचिद्गायन् हसंश्चैव क्वचिद्दुःखेन दुःखितः
In some places, people are singing and laughing; in others, they are afflicted with sorrow.
क्वचिन्नृत्यन्क्वचित्तिष्ठन् क्वचिद्बन्धनसंस्थितः 196.
Some are dancing, some are standing, and some are confined in bondage.
स्वकर्मभिः प्रदृश्यन्ते स्थूलाः सूक्ष्माश्च जन्तवः
Creatures, both gross and subtle, are seen according to their own actions.
अङ्गानि चैव सीदन्ति मनो विह्वलतीव मे
My limbs are weakening, and my mind seems bewildered.
तथापि कथयिष्यामि यथादृष्टं तथाश्रुतम्
Still, I will speak as I have seen and heard.
दृश्यते न च दृश्येत नानावृक्षसमाकुला
It is seen, yet not seen, and is crowded with various trees.
प्रसन्नेन च तोयेन शीतलेन सुगन्धिना
With clear, cool, and fragrant water,
भ्राजते सरितां श्रेष्ठा सर्वपापप्रणाशिनी
The foremost river shines, destroying all sins.
अमराः क्रीडमानाश्च जलक्रीडां पुनःपुनः
The immortals play, repeatedly engaging in water games.
भुजङ्गावनताङ्ग्यश्च किन्नर्यश्च सुगायनाः
Kinnaris with bent bodies and sweet singing, along with serpents, are present.
एवं नारीसहस्राणि तत्र दिव्यानि नित्यशः
Thus, thousands of divine women are always there.
तत्रापरे वृक्षषण्डा नित्यपुष्पफलान्विताः 196.
Elsewhere, there are groves of trees, always bearing flowers and fruits.
प्रमदाश्च जले तत्र कामरूपाः सुमेखलाः
There, in the water, are enchanting women, adorned with beautiful girdles, who can assume any form at will.
तां नदीं क्षोभयन्त्यस्ताः क्रीडन्ति सहिताः प्रियैः
Those women, together with their beloveds, stir the river and play joyfully.
जलतूर्यनिनादेन भूषणानां स्वनेन च
With the sound of water instruments and the jingling of their ornaments,
वैवस्वती नाम महानदी सा शुभा नदीनां प्रवराऽतिरम्या
That auspicious river, the foremost and most delightful of rivers, is called Vaivasvatī.
तोयानुरूपा च मनोहरा च दिव्येन तोयेन सदैव पूर्णा
It is charming, matching the beauty of its waters, and always full with divine, captivating water.
रथाङ्गसाह्वैः प्रवरैश्च पद्मैः प्रतप्तजाम्बूनद कर्णिकाभिः
It is adorned with the finest lotuses called Rathāṅga, with golden centers shining like molten gold.
यस्यास्तु तोयं विमलं सुगन्धि स्वादु प्रसन्नं त्वमृतोपमं च
Its water is pure, fragrant, sweet, clear, and truly resembles nectar.
नार्यः सुरूपा मदविह्वलाश्च क्रीडन्ति ता यत्र मनोज्ञरूपाः
There, beautiful women, intoxicated with delight, play in charming forms.
या देवतानामपि पूजनीया तपोनिधीनां च तथा मुनीनाम्
That river is worthy of worship even by the gods, ascetics rich in penance, and sages.
जलं च दत्तं बहुभिर्नरैश्च तस्याः स्वरूपप्रतिमा च निष्ठा 196.
Many men have offered water there, and the river’s true form is established as its very essence.