पतिव्रतास्तु या नार्यो दुःखितास्तपसि स्थिताः
Those women who are devoted to their husbands, though afflicted by suffering, remain steadfast in austerity.
तस्मात्त्वं सर्वदेवेषु चैको धर्मभृतां वरः 198.
Therefore, among all the gods, you alone are the foremost upholder of righteousness.
वैशम्पायन उवाच परितुष्टस्तदा धर्मो ह्यौद्दालकसुतं प्रति
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Dharma was pleased with the son of Uddālaka.
यम उवाच याथातथ्येन वाक्येन ब्रूहि किं करवाणि ते
Yama said: Speak truthfully; what shall I do for you?
वरं वरय भद्रं ते यं वरं काङ्क्षसे द्विज
Choose a boon, O fortunate one, whatever blessing you desire, O twice-born.
ऋषिपुत्र उवाच यदि त्वं वरदो राजन्सर्वभूतहिते रतः
The sage’s son said: If you are indeed a granter of boons, O king, devoted to the welfare of all beings,
द्रष्टुमिच्छाम्यहं देव तव देशं यथातथम्
I wish to see, O god, your realm as it truly is.
सर्वं दर्शय मे राजन्यदि त्वं वरदो मम
Show me everything, O king, if you are indeed the giver of boons to me.
दर्शयस्व महाभाग सर्वलोकस्य चिन्तक
Reveal it, O illustrious one, who cares for all the worlds.
एवमुक्तो महातेजा द्वारस्थं संदिदेश ह
Thus addressed, the mighty one instructed the doorkeeper.
वक्तव्यश्च महाबाहुरस्मिन्विप्रे यथातथम्
The strong-armed one also ordered that the truth be spoken to this brāhmaṇa.
ततोऽहं त्वरितं नीतस्तेन दूतेन दर्शितः 198.
Then I was quickly led by that messenger and shown everything.
प्रत्युत्थितश्च मां दृष्ट्वा चिन्तयित्वा तु तत्त्वतः
Having seen me, he rose up and, reflecting truly, considered me.
एवं सम्भाष्य मां वीरः स्वान्भृत्यान्सन्दिदेश ह
Thus speaking with me, the noble one instructed his own attendants.
चित्रगुप्त उवाच भक्तिमन्तो दुराधर्षा नित्यं व्रतपरायणाः
Citragupta said: They are devoted, unassailable, always intent on vows.
अयं विप्रो मयादिष्टः प्रेतावासं गमिष्यति
This brāhmaṇa, as ordered by me, shall go to the abode of the departed.
नैव दुःखेन खेदः स्यान्न चोष्णेन च शीततः
He will not experience distress from suffering, nor from heat or cold.
एवं दत्तवरो विप्रो गुरुचित्तानुचिन्तकः
Thus, the brāhmaṇa, having received the boon, reflected on the thoughts of his teacher.
यथाकाममयं पश्येद्धर्म्मराजपुरोत्तमम्
As he desires, he may see the foremost attendant of the Lord of Dharma.
ऋषिपुत्र उवाच धावन्तस्त्वरमाणास्तु गृह्णन्तो घ्नन्त एव च
The son of the sage said: While running swiftly, they seize and strike.
बन्धयन्ति महाकाया निर्दहन्ति महाबलाः
The mighty ones bind with great strength and burn with intense power.
वेणुयष्टिप्रहारैश्च प्रहरन्ति ततोऽधिकैः 198.
They strike with blows from bamboo rods and with even harsher attacks.
रुदन्ति करुणं घोरं त्रातारं नाप्नुवन्ति ते
They cry out in terrible anguish, but find no savior.
केचिच्च तेषु पच्यन्ते दह्यन्ते पावकेन्धनम्
Some among them are cooked and burned as fuel for fire.
पतन्ति ते दुरात्मानस्तत्र तत्र च कर्मभिः
Those of evil nature fall here and there because of their deeds.
केचिद्यन्त्रमुपारोप्य संपीड्यन्ते तिला इव
Some are placed in machines and crushed like sesame seeds.
ततो वैतरणी घोरा संभूता निम्नगा तथा
Then the dreadful river Vaitarani arises, flowing downward.
अथान्ये शूल आरोप्य दूताः पादेषु गृह्य वै
Then others are impaled on spikes, seized by messengers by their feet.
नानुष्णे रुधिरे तत्र फेनमालासमाकुलाः
There, in the not-warm blood, they are overwhelmed with froth and slime.
अनुत्तार्य तदा तस्या उच्छ्रिता विकृतावशाः
Unable to cross, they are raised up, distorted and helpless.