Varaha Purana

तत्र राजाऽथ वेगेन तं दृष्ट्वा स्वयमागतम्

There, the king, seeing him arrive swiftly in person—

उवाच च महातेजाः सूर्यपुत्रः प्रतापवान्

And the radiant, mighty son of the Sun spoke—

सर्वज्ञः सर्वदशीं च सर्वधर्मविदां वरः

He who knows all, who sees all times, the best among knowers of all dharma—

वयं पूताश्च मेध्याश्च त्वां दृष्ट्वा ह्यागतं विभो

We are purified and sanctified upon seeing you arrive, O Lord.

यत्कार्यं येन वा कार्यं यद्वै मनसि वर्त्तते

Whatever task, by whomsoever, and whatever occupies your mind,

दुर्ल्लभं त्रिषु लोकेषु यच्च प्रियतरं तव 207.

That which is rare in the three worlds and dearest to you,

इति धर्मवचः श्रुत्वा नारदः प्राह धर्मवित्

Having heard these words of Dharma, Nārada, knower of Dharma, spoke.

नारद उवाच सत्येन तपसा क्षान्त्या धैर्येण च न संशयः

Nārada said: By truth, austerity, patience, and courage, there is no doubt.

भावज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च त्वदन्यो न हि विद्यते

No one besides you is both discerning of feelings and grateful for deeds.

अमरत्वं कथं याति व्रतेन नियमेन च

How does one attain immortality through vow and discipline?

अतुलां च श्रियं लोके कीर्त्तिं च सुमहत्फलम्

And how does one obtain incomparable fortune, fame, and the greatest reward in the world?

केन गच्छन्ति नरकं पापिष्ठं लोकगर्हणम्

By what means do people go to the most sinful, condemned hell?

यम उवाच बन्धांश्च सुबहूंस्तत्र प्राप्नुवन्ति तपोधन

Yama said: There, many bonds are encountered, O ascetic rich in austerity.

विस्तरेण तु तत्सर्वं ब्रवीमि मुनिसत्तम

I will explain all this in detail, O foremost among sages.

नाग्निचिन्नरकं याति न पुत्री न च भूमिदः

One who offers fire, one who has a daughter, and one who gives land do not go to hell.

पतिव्रता न गच्छन्ति सत्यवाक्याश्च ये नराः 207.

Faithful wives and those who speak truth do not go there.

अहिंसका न गच्छन्ति ब्रह्मचर्यव्यवस्थिताः

Nonviolent ones and those established in celibacy do not go there.

स्वदारनिरता दान्ताः परदारविवर्जकाः

Those devoted to their own wives, self-controlled, and who avoid others' wives,

न गच्छन्ति तु तं देशं पापिष्ठं तमसावृतम्

Do not go to that sinful place shrouded in darkness.

ज्ञानवन्तो द्विजा ये च ये च विद्यां पराङ्गताः

Those who possess knowledge, twice-born, and those accomplished in supreme learning,

न गच्छन्त्यत्र दातारः सर्वभूतहिते रताः

Those who are generous and devoted to the welfare of all beings do not go there.

तिलान् गां च हिरण्यं च पृथिवीं चापि शाश्वतीम्

Sesame seeds, cows, gold, and the eternal earth—

यथोक्तं यजमानाश्च सत्रयाजिन एव च

As previously described, those who perform sacrifices and those who undertake long sacrificial rites—

गुरुचित्तानुपालाश्च कृतिनो मौनयन्त्रिताः

Those who follow the will of their teacher, who are accomplished, and who are restrained by silence—

मां न पश्यन्ति ते चैव स्वात्मभावेन भाविताः

They do not see me, being absorbed in their own true self—

ब्राह्मणा अमरत्वं च प्राप्नुवन्ति न संशयः 207.

Brahmins attain immortality; there is no doubt about this.

न गच्छन्ति हि तद्धोरं यत्र ते पापकर्मिणः

They do not go to that dreadful place where the evil-doers go.

नारद उवाच किं वा कर्म महत्कृत्वा स्वर्गलोके महीयते

Nārada said: What great action, when performed, leads to honor in heaven?

रूपं वा धनधान्यं वा ह्यायुश्च कुलमेव वा

Is it beauty, wealth, grain, long life, or noble lineage?