यम उवाच यन्मया हीदृशं दृष्टं श्रूयतां तन्महामुने
Yama said: O great sage, listen to what I have seen.
यायावरास्तु ये विप्रा उञ्छवृत्तिपरायणाः
Those brahmins who wander, devoted to a life of gleaning,
अतिथिप्रियकाश्चैव नित्ययुक्ता जितेन्द्रियाः
Who delight in welcoming guests, ever engaged and self-controlled,
न च मामुपतिष्ठन्ति न चैव वशगा मम 208.
They do not approach me, nor are they under my power.
दिव्यगन्धैर्विलिप्ताङ्गा माल्यभूषितवाससः
Their bodies are anointed with divine fragrances, adorned with garlands and fine garments.
मृत्यो तिष्ठसि कस्यार्थे को वा मृत्युः कथं भवेत्
O Death, for whose sake do you stand here? Who is death, and how does it arise?
लोभासक्तान्सदा हंसि पापिष्ठान्धर्मवर्जितान्
You always slay those attached to greed, the most sinful, devoid of righteousness.
निग्रहानुग्रहौ नापि मया शक्यौ महात्मनाम्
I am not able to punish or favor the great-souled.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र विमानेन महाद्युतिः
Meanwhile, there arrived there a radiant being in a celestial chariot.
महता तूर्यघोषेण सम्प्राप्ता प्रियदर्शना
She arrived, pleasing to behold, with the resounding of great instruments.
साब्रवीत्तु विमानस्था साधयन्ती शुभाङ्गना
Standing in the chariot, that auspicious woman with beautiful limbs spoke.
पतिव्रतोवाच मैवमीर्षां कुरुष्व त्वं ब्राह्मणेषु तपस्विसु अचिन्त्याः सर्वभूतानां ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः
The devoted wife said: Do not harbor jealousy toward brahmins engaged in austerity; brahmins who have mastered the Vedas are beyond comprehension for all beings.
ब्राह्मणाः सततं पूज्या ब्राह्मणाः सर्वदेवताः 208.
Brahmins are always to be revered; brahmins are all the deities.
त्वया शुभाशुभं कर्म नित्यं पूजा मनस्विनाम्
By you, good and bad deeds are always offered to the wise.
प्रयाता गगने दृष्टा विद्युत्सौदामिनी यथा
She was seen departing in the sky, like a flash of lightning.
अब्रवीन्नारदस्तत्र धर्मराजं तथागतम्
There, Nārada spoke to Dharmarāja, who had arrived.
नारद उवाच या त्वया पूजिता राजन् हितमुक्त्वा गता पुनः
Nārada said: O King, she whom you worshipped, who spoke what was beneficial and then departed—
एतदिच्छाम्यहं ज्ञातुं परं कौतूहलं हि मे
I wish to know about this; I am extremely curious.
यम उवाच एषा मया यथा तात पूजितापि च कृत्स्नशः
Yama said: My dear, even though I worshipped her fully—
पुरा कृतयुगे तात निमिर्नाम महायशाः
In ancient times, during the Kṛta Yuga, there was a king named Nimi, renowned for his great fame.
तस्य पुत्रो मिथिर्नाम जननाज्जनकोऽभवत्
His son was named Mithi, and Janaka was born from his wife.
सा चाप शुभकर्माणि पतिभक्ता पतिव्रता
She was devoted to her husband, steadfast in virtuous deeds, and faithful.
सोऽपि राजा महाभागः सर्वभूतहिते रतः 208.
That king too was greatly fortunate, always engaged in the welfare of all beings.
य इमां पृथिवीं सर्वां धर्मेण परिपालयन्
He protected this entire earth according to righteousness.
ववर्ष सततं देवस्तस्य राष्ट्रे महाद्युतेः
The god constantly sent rain in the realm of that illustrious king.
न कश्चिद् दृश्यते मर्त्यो रुजार्त्तो दुःखितोऽपि वा
No mortal was seen there who was sick, afflicted, or even unhappy.
उवाच राज्ञी विप्रेन्द्र विनयात्प्रश्रितं वचः
The queen, O best of Brāhmaṇas, spoke humble and respectful words.
राज्ञ्युवाच यदस्ति द्रविणं किंचित्पृथिव्यां यद्गृहे च ते
The queen said: Whatever wealth exists on earth or in your house—
विनियुक्तं तु तत्सर्वं सान्निध्यं तु तथा त्वया
All of it has been distributed, and likewise, you have been present.
नास्ति तन्नियमः कश्चित्पुष्पमूल्यं च नास्ति नः
There is no such regulation for us, nor do we have the price of a flower.