King Viduratha in a Hermitage

Verse 1 (skanda.6.18.1)

सूत उवाच । ततः सोऽपि महीपालः क्षुत्पिपासासमाकुलः । पपात धरणीपृष्ठे पद्भ्यां गत्वा वनांतरम्

sūta uvāca tataḥ so'pi mahīpālaḥ kṣutpipāsāsamākulaḥ papāta dharaṇīpṛṣṭhe padbhyāṁ gatvā vanāṁtaram

Suta said: Then that king too, tormented by hunger and thirst, having gone on foot deep into the forest, fell to the ground.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.18.2)

अथाऽपश्यद्वियत्स्थानात्स त्रीन्प्रेतान्सु दारुणान् । ऊर्ध्वकेशान्सुरक्ताक्षान्कृष्णदन्तान्कृशोदरान्

athā'paśyadviyatsthānātsa trīnpretānsu dāruṇān ūrdhvakeśānsuraktākṣānkṛṣṇadantānkṛśodarān

Then he saw, coming from the region of the sky, three exceedingly dreadful pretas, their hair standing on end, their eyes deep red, their teeth black, and their bellies gaunt.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.18.3)

तान्दृष्ट्वा भयसंत्रस्तो विशेषेण स भूपतिः । निराशो जीविते कृच्छ्रादिदं वचनमब्रवीत्

tāndṛṣṭvā bhayasaṁtrasto viśeṣeṇa sa bhūpatiḥ nirāśo jīvite kṛcchrādidaṁ vacanamabravīt

Seeing them, that king became terribly frightened, and, despairing of his life, with great difficulty spoke these words.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.18.4)

के यूयं विकृताकारा मया दृष्टा न कर्हिचित् । एवंविधा नृलोकेऽत्र भ्रमता प्राग्विभीषणाः

ke yūyaṁ vikṛtākārā mayā dṛṣṭā na karhicit evaṁvidhā nṛloke'tra bhramatā prāgvibhīṣaṇāḥ

"Who are you, of such misshapen form, whom I have never before seen? Never before, in my wanderings in this world of men, have I seen forms so terrifying."

Verse 5 (skanda.6.18.5)

विदूरथो नरेन्द्रोऽहं क्षुत्पिपासातिपीडितः । मृगलिप्सुरिह प्राप्तो वने जन्तुविवर्जिते

vidūratho narendro'haṁ kṣutpipāsātipīḍitaḥ mṛgalipsuriha prāpto vane jantuvivarjite

"I am King Viduratha, sorely afflicted by hunger and thirst. Desiring to catch a deer, I have arrived here in this creature-forsaken forest."

Verse 6 (skanda.6.18.6)

ततस्तेषां तु यो ज्येष्ठो मांसादः प्रत्युवाच तम् । कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा विनयावनतः स्थितः

tatasteṣāṁ tu yo jyeṣṭho māṁsādaḥ pratyuvāca tam kṛtāṁjalipuṭo bhūtvā vinayāvanataḥ sthitaḥ

Then the eldest of them, the preta named Mamsada, standing with joined palms, bowed low in humility, and replied to him.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.18.7)

वयं प्रेता महाराज निवसामोऽत्र कानने । स्वकर्मजनिताद्दोषाद्दुःखेन महता वृताः

vayaṁ pretā mahārāja nivasāmo'tra kānane svakarmajanitāddoṣādduḥkhena mahatā vṛtāḥ

"O great king, we are pretas, dwelling in this forest, bound about by immense sorrow arising from the fault born of our own deeds."

Verse 8 (skanda.6.18.8)

अहं मांसादकोनाम द्वितीयोऽयं विदैवतः । कृतघ्नश्च तृतीयस्तु त्रयाणामेष पापकृत्

ahaṁ māṁsādakonāma dvitīyo'yaṁ vidaivataḥ kṛtaghnaśca tṛtīyastu trayāṇāmeṣa pāpakṛt

"My name is Mamsadaka; this second one is Vidaivata; and this third is Kritaghna — all three of us are doers of sinful deeds."

Verse 9 (skanda.6.18.9)

राजोवाच । सर्वेषां देहि नां नाम जायते पितृमातृजम् । किमेतत्कारणं येन सर्वे यूयं स्वनामकाः

rājovāca sarveṣāṁ dehi nāṁ nāma jāyate pitṛmātṛjam kimetatkāraṇaṁ yena sarve yūyaṁ svanāmakāḥ

The king said: For all embodied beings, a name is given by the mother and father. What is the reason that all of you are known by these (deed-derived) names of your own?

Verse 10 (skanda.6.18.10)

तच्छ्रुत्वा प्राह मांसादः कर्मनामानि पार्थिव । मिथः कृतानि संज्ञार्थमस्माभिः स्वयमेव हि

tacchrutvā prāha māṁsādaḥ karmanāmāni pārthiva mithaḥ kṛtāni saṁjñārthamasmābhiḥ svayameva hi

Hearing this, Mamsada said: O king, these are names derived from our deeds, which we ourselves have given one another, simply for the sake of recognition.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.18.11)

शृणुष्वाऽवहितो भूत्वा सर्वेषां नः पृथक्पृथक् । कर्मणा येन संजातं प्रेतत्वमिह भूमिप

śṛṇuṣvā'vahito bhūtvā sarveṣāṁ naḥ pṛthakpṛthak karmaṇā yena saṁjātaṁ pretatvamiha bhūmipa

O king, listen with attention — by what deed each one of us, separately, came to this state of being a preta.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.18.12)

वयं हि ब्राह्मणा जात्या वैदिशाख्ये पुरे नृप । देवरातस्य विप्रस्य गृहे जाता महात्मनः

vayaṁ hi brāhmaṇā jātyā vaidiśākhye pure nṛpa devarātasya viprasya gṛhe jātā mahātmanaḥ

O king, we are brahmins by birth, born in the city called Vidisha, in the house of the great-souled brahmin Devarata.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.18.13)

नास्तिका भिन्नमर्यादाः परदाररताः सदा । पाप कर्मरतास्तत्र शुभकर्मविवर्जिताः

nāstikā bhinnamaryādāḥ paradāraratāḥ sadā pāpa karmaratāstatra śubhakarmavivarjitāḥ

We were unbelievers, transgressors of proper limits, always given to adultery, devoted to sinful deeds, and utterly void of virtuous conduct.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.18.14)

जिह्वालौल्यप्रसंगेन मया भुक्तं सदाऽऽमिषम् । तेन मे कर्मजं नाम मांसादाख्यं व्यवस्थितम्

jihvālaulyaprasaṁgena mayā bhuktaṁ sadā''miṣam tena me karmajaṁ nāma māṁsādākhyaṁ vyavasthitam

Out of gluttony of the tongue, I always ate flesh — for this reason my deed-born name "Mamsada" (flesh-eater) has come to be fixed.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.18.15)

द्वितीयोऽयं महाराज यस्तिष्ठति तवाऽग्रतः । अनेनाऽन्नं सदा भुक्तमकृत्वा देवतार्चनम्

dvitīyo'yaṁ mahārāja yastiṣṭhati tavā'grataḥ anenā'nnaṁ sadā bhuktamakṛtvā devatārcanam

O great king, this second one who stands before you always ate his food without ever having performed worship of the gods.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.18.16)

तेन कर्मविपाकेन प्रेतयोनिं समाश्रितः । विदैवत इति ख्यातो द्वितीयोऽयं सुपापकृत्

tena karmavipākena pretayoniṁ samāśritaḥ vidaivata iti khyāto dvitīyo'yaṁ supāpakṛt

As the result of that deed, he came to this state of being a preta, and this second great sinner became known by the name "Vidaivata" (godless).

Verse 17 (skanda.6.18.17)

सदैवाऽनुष्ठिताऽनेन सुपापेन कृतघ्नता । कृतघ्नः प्रोच्यते तेन कर्मणा नृपसत्तम

sadaivā'nuṣṭhitā'nena supāpena kṛtaghnatā kṛtaghnaḥ procyate tena karmaṇā nṛpasattama

O best of kings, this great sinner always practiced ingratitude; because of that deed, he is called "Kritaghna" (the ungrateful).

Verse 18 (skanda.6.18.18)

राजोवाच । आहारेण नृलोकेऽस्मिन्सर्वे जीवन्ति जन्तवः । युष्माकं कतमो योऽत्र प्रोच्यतां मे सविस्तरम्

rājovāca āhāreṇa nṛloke'sminsarve jīvanti jantavaḥ yuṣmākaṁ katamo yo'tra procyatāṁ me savistaram

The king said: In this world of men, all creatures live by food. What is your food? Tell me this in detail.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.18.19)

मांसाद उवाच । भोज्यकाले गृहे यत्र स्त्रीणां युद्धं प्रवर्तते । अपि मन्त्रौषधीप्रायं प्रेता भुंजति तत्र हि

māṁsāda uvāca bhojyakāle gṛhe yatra strīṇāṁ yuddhaṁ pravartate api mantrauṣadhīprāyaṁ pretā bhuṁjati tatra hi

Mamsada said: In whatever house a quarrel breaks out among the women at mealtime, it is the pretas who eat that food there, even if it has been consecrated with mantras and herbs.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.18.20)

भुज्यते यत्र भूपाल वेंश्वदेवं विना नरैः । पाकस्याग्रमदत्त्वा च प्रेता भुंजति तत्र च

bhujyate yatra bhūpāla veṁśvadevaṁ vinā naraiḥ pākasyāgramadattvā ca pretā bhuṁjati tatra ca

O king, wherever men eat without performing the Vaishvadeva offering, and wherever food is cooked without first offering its share, there too it is the pretas who eat.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.18.21)

रात्रौ यत्क्रियते श्राद्धं दानं वा पर्ववर्जितम् । तत्सर्वं नृपशार्दूल प्रेतानां भोजनं भवेत्

rātrau yatkriyate śrāddhaṁ dānaṁ vā parvavarjitam tatsarvaṁ nṛpaśārdūla pretānāṁ bhojanaṁ bhavet

O tiger among kings, whatever ancestral rite or gift is performed at night, or apart from the proper sacred occasion — all of that becomes food for the pretas.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.18.22)

यस्मिन्नो मार्जनं हर्म्ये क्रियते नोपलेपनम् । न मांगल्यं च सत्कारः प्रेता भुंजति तत्र हि

yasminno mārjanaṁ harmye kriyate nopalepanam na māṁgalyaṁ ca satkāraḥ pretā bhuṁjati tatra hi

In whatever house sweeping is not done, plastering is not done, and there is neither auspicious rite nor hospitality, there too the pretas eat.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.18.23)

भिन्नभाण्डपरित्यागो यत्र न क्रियते गृहे । न च वेदध्वनिर्यत्र प्रेता भुञ्जंति तत्र हि

bhinnabhāṇḍaparityāgo yatra na kriyate gṛhe na ca vedadhvaniryatra pretā bhuñjaṁti tatra hi

In whatever house broken vessels are not discarded, and where the sound of Vedic recitation is not heard, there too the pretas eat.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.18.24)

यच्छ्राद्धं दक्षिणाहीनं क्रियाहीनं च वा नृप । तथा रजस्वलादृष्टं तदस्माकं प्रजायते

yacchrāddhaṁ dakṣiṇāhīnaṁ kriyāhīnaṁ ca vā nṛpa tathā rajasvalādṛṣṭaṁ tadasmākaṁ prajāyate

O king, whatever ancestral rite lacks the sacrificial fee, lacks the proper rites, or has been seen by a menstruating woman — that becomes our food.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.18.25)

हीनांगा ह्यधिकांगा वा यस्मिञ्च्छ्राद्धे द्विजातयः । भुंजते वृषलीनाथास्तदस्माकं प्रजायते

hīnāṁgā hyadhikāṁgā vā yasmiñcchrāddhe dvijātayaḥ bhuṁjate vṛṣalīnāthāstadasmākaṁ prajāyate

Whatever ancestral rite is eaten by twice-born men who are deficient or excessive in limb, or by brahmins who have taken shudra wives — that too becomes our food.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.18.26)

अतिथिर्यत्र संप्राप्तः श्राद्धकाल उपस्थिते । अपूजितो गृहाद्याति तच्छ्राद्धं प्रेततृप्तिदम्

atithiryatra saṁprāptaḥ śrāddhakāla upasthite apūjito gṛhādyāti tacchrāddhaṁ pretatṛptidam

Wherever a guest who has arrived at the time of the ancestral rite departs from the house unhonored, that rite too serves only to satisfy the pretas.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.18.27)

किं वा ते बहुनोक्तेन शृणु संक्षेपतो नृप । अस्माकं भोजनं नित्यं यत्त्वं श्रुत्वा विगर्हसि

kiṁ vā te bahunoktena śṛṇu saṁkṣepato nṛpa asmākaṁ bhojanaṁ nityaṁ yattvaṁ śrutvā vigarhasi

O king, what use in saying more? Hear it in brief: our daily food is that which, once you hear of it, you yourself will find loathsome.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.18.28)

यदन्नं केशसूत्रास्थिश्लेष्मादिभिरुपप्लुतम् । हीनजात्यैश्च संस्पृष्टं तदस्माकं प्रजायते

yadannaṁ keśasūtrāsthiśleṣmādibhirupaplutam hīnajātyaiśca saṁspṛṣṭaṁ tadasmākaṁ prajāyate

Whatever food is contaminated with hair, thread, bone, phlegm, and the like, or has been touched by persons of low caste — that too becomes our food.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.18.29)

राजोवाच । केन कर्मविपाकेन प्रेतत्वं जायते नृणाम् । एतन्मे सर्वमाचक्ष्व मांसाद मम पृच्छतः

rājovāca kena karmavipākena pretatvaṁ jāyate nṛṇām etanme sarvamācakṣva māṁsāda mama pṛcchataḥ

The king said: O Mamsada, by the fruit of what deed do men come to this state of being pretas? Tell me all this, since I ask.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.18.30)

मांसाद उवाच । यो भवेन्मानवः क्षुद्रस्तथा पैशुन्यसूचकः । मृष्टमांसाशने सक्तः स प्रेतो जायते नरः

māṁsāda uvāca yo bhavenmānavaḥ kṣudrastathā paiśunyasūcakaḥ mṛṣṭamāṁsāśane saktaḥ sa preto jāyate naraḥ

Mamsada said: Whatever man is of base nature, given to slander, and attached to eating delicious flesh, that man becomes a preta.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.18.31)

अकृत्वा देवकार्यं च तथा च पितृतर्पणम् । योऽश्नात्यदत्त्वा भृत्येभ्यः स प्रेतो जायते नरः

akṛtvā devakāryaṁ ca tathā ca pitṛtarpaṇam yo'śnātyadattvā bhṛtyebhyaḥ sa preto jāyate naraḥ

Whatever man eats without performing his duty to the gods and the offering of water to the ancestors, and without giving to his servants first, that man becomes a preta.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.18.32)

परदाररतश्चैव परवित्तापहारकः । परापवादसंतुष्टः स प्रेतो जायते नरः

paradārarataścaiva paravittāpahārakaḥ parāpavādasaṁtuṣṭaḥ sa preto jāyate naraḥ

Whatever man is given to adultery, seizes the wealth of others, and delights in slandering others, that man becomes a preta.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.18.33)

कन्यां यच्छति वृद्धाय नीचाय धनलिप्सया । कुरूपाय कुशीलाय स प्रेतो जायते नरः

kanyāṁ yacchati vṛddhāya nīcāya dhanalipsayā kurūpāya kuśīlāya sa preto jāyate naraḥ

Whatever man, out of greed for wealth, gives his daughter to an old man, a base man, an ugly man, or a man of bad character, that man becomes a preta.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.18.34)

कुले जातां विनीतां च धर्मपत्नीं सुखोच्छ्रिताम् । यस्त्यजेद्दोषनिर्मुक्तां स प्रेतो जायते नरः

kule jātāṁ vinītāṁ ca dharmapatnīṁ sukhocchritām yastyajeddoṣanirmuktāṁ sa preto jāyate naraḥ

Whatever man abandons his lawfully wedded wife — well-born, humble, virtuous, and free of fault, who has raised him up in happiness — that man becomes a preta.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.18.35)

देवस्त्रीगुरुवित्तानि यो गृहीत्वा न यच्छति । विशेषाद्ब्राह्मणस्वं च स प्रेतो जायते नरः

devastrīguruvittāni yo gṛhītvā na yacchati viśeṣādbrāhmaṇasvaṁ ca sa preto jāyate naraḥ

Whatever man, having taken wealth belonging to a god, a woman, or a teacher, does not return it — and especially the property of a brahmin — that man becomes a preta.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.18.36)

परव्यसनसंतुष्टः कृतघ्नो गुरुतल्पगः । दूषको देवविप्राणां स प्रेतो जायते नरः

paravyasanasaṁtuṣṭaḥ kṛtaghno gurutalpagaḥ dūṣako devaviprāṇāṁ sa preto jāyate naraḥ

Whatever man delights in the misfortune of others, is ungrateful, defiles his teacher's bed, and reviles gods and brahmins, that man becomes a preta.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.18.37)

दीयमानस्य वित्तस्य ब्राह्मणेभ्यः सुपापकृत् । विघ्नमारभते यस्तु स प्रेतो जायते नरः

dīyamānasya vittasya brāhmaṇebhyaḥ supāpakṛt vighnamārabhate yastu sa preto jāyate naraḥ

Whatever great sinner creates an obstacle to wealth being given to brahmins, that man becomes a preta.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.18.38)

शूद्रान्नेनोदरस्थेन ब्राह्मणो म्रियते यदि । स प्रेतो जायते राजन्यद्यपि स्यात्षडंगवित्

śūdrānnenodarasthena brāhmaṇo mriyate yadi sa preto jāyate rājanyadyapi syātṣaḍaṁgavit

O king, if a brahmin dies with a shudra's food still in his stomach, he becomes a preta, even if he were learned in all six auxiliary Vedic sciences.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.18.39)

कुलदेशोचितं धर्मं यस्त्यक्त्वाऽन्यत्समाचरेत् । कामाद्वा यदि वा लोभात्स प्रेतो जायते नरः

kuladeśocitaṁ dharmaṁ yastyaktvā'nyatsamācaret kāmādvā yadi vā lobhātsa preto jāyate naraḥ

Whatever man abandons the dharma proper to his family and country and, out of desire or greed, follows some other conduct, that man becomes a preta.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.18.40)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं मया पार्थिवसत्तम । येन कर्मविपाकेन प्रेतः संजायते नरः

etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ mayā pārthivasattama yena karmavipākena pretaḥ saṁjāyate naraḥ

O best of kings, I have told you all of this — by the fruit of what deeds a man comes to be born as a preta.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.18.41)

राजोवाच । कृतेन कर्मणा येन न प्रेतो जायते नरः । तन्मे कीर्तय मांसाद विस्तरेण विशेषतः

rājovāca kṛtena karmaṇā yena na preto jāyate naraḥ tanme kīrtaya māṁsāda vistareṇa viśeṣataḥ

The king said: O Mamsada, tell me too, especially and in detail, by the doing of what deeds a man does not become a preta.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.18.42)

मांसाद उवाच । मातृवत्परदारान्यः परद्रव्याणि लोष्टवत् । यः पश्यत्यात्मवज्जंतून्न प्रेतो जायते नरः

māṁsāda uvāca mātṛvatparadārānyaḥ paradravyāṇi loṣṭavat yaḥ paśyatyātmavajjaṁtūnna preto jāyate naraḥ

Mamsada said: Whatever man regards other men's wives as his own mother, others' wealth as a mere clod of earth, and all creatures as himself, that man does not become a preta.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.18.43)

अन्नदानपरो नित्यं विशेषेणातिथिप्रियः । स्वाध्यायव्रतशीलो यो न प्रेतो जायते नरः

annadānaparo nityaṁ viśeṣeṇātithipriyaḥ svādhyāyavrataśīlo yo na preto jāyate naraḥ

Whatever man is ever devoted to giving food, especially fond of guests, and constant in the vow of scriptural study, that man does not become a preta.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.18.44)

समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च समलोष्टाश्मकांचनः । समो मानापमानेषु न प्रेतो जायते नरः

samaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca samaloṣṭāśmakāṁcanaḥ samo mānāpamāneṣu na preto jāyate naraḥ

Whatever man is equal-minded toward foe and friend, regards a clod of earth, a stone, and gold as the same, and remains equal in honor and dishonor, that man does not become a preta.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.18.45)

दानधर्मप्रवृत्तानां धर्ममार्गा नुयायिनाम् । प्रोत्साहं वर्धयेद्यस्तु न प्रेतो जायते नरः

dānadharmapravṛttānāṁ dharmamārgā nuyāyinām protsāhaṁ vardhayedyastu na preto jāyate naraḥ

Whatever man increases the enthusiasm of those devoted to charitable deeds and those who follow the path of dharma, that man does not become a preta.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.18.46)

यूकामत्कुणदंशादीन्सर्वसत्त्वानि यो नरः । पुत्रवत्पालयेन्नित्यं न प्रेतो जायते नरः

yūkāmatkuṇadaṁśādīnsarvasattvāni yo naraḥ putravatpālayennityaṁ na preto jāyate naraḥ

Whatever man ever protects, as if they were his own children, all creatures down to lice, bedbugs, and gnats, that man does not become a preta.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.18.47)

सदा यज्ञक्रियोपेतः सदा तीर्थपरायणः । शास्त्रश्रवणसंयुक्तो न प्रेतो जायते नरः

sadā yajñakriyopetaḥ sadā tīrthaparāyaṇaḥ śāstraśravaṇasaṁyukto na preto jāyate naraḥ

Whatever man is ever engaged in sacrificial rites, ever devoted to tirthas, and constant in listening to the scriptures, that man does not become a preta.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.18.48)

वापीकूपतडागानामारामाणां विशे षतः । आरोपकः प्रपाणां च न प्रेतो जायते नरः

vāpīkūpataḍāgānāmārāmāṇāṁ viśe ṣataḥ āropakaḥ prapāṇāṁ ca na preto jāyate naraḥ

Whatever man establishes step-wells, wells, ponds, gardens, and especially water-sheds for the thirsty, that man does not become a preta.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.18.49)

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं स्वगुह्यं वसुधाधिप । निर्विण्णाः प्रेतभावेन तस्मात्त्वं नो गतिर्भव

etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ svaguhyaṁ vasudhādhipa nirviṇṇāḥ pretabhāvena tasmāttvaṁ no gatirbhava

O lord of the earth, we have told you our entire secret. We have grown weary of this state of being pretas; therefore, be our refuge.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.18.50)

गत्वा गयाशिरः पुण्यमेकैकस्य पृथक्पृथक् । श्राद्धं देहि महीपाल त्रयाणामपि सादरम्

gatvā gayāśiraḥ puṇyamekaikasya pṛthakpṛthak śrāddhaṁ dehi mahīpāla trayāṇāmapi sādaram

O king, go to the sacred Gayashirsha and, with due reverence, perform the ancestral rite separately for each one of the three of us.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.18.51)

प्रेतत्वं याति येनेदं त्वत्प्र सादात्सुदारुणम् । नाऽन्यथा मुक्तिरस्माकं भविष्यति कथंचन

pretatvaṁ yāti yenedaṁ tvatpra sādātsudāruṇam nā'nyathā muktirasmākaṁ bhaviṣyati kathaṁcana

So that, by your grace, this dreadful state of being pretas may pass away; for otherwise our liberation shall in no way come about.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.18.52)

राजोवाच । ईदृग्जातिस्मृतिर्यस्यां प्रेतयोनौ च खे गतिः । धर्माधर्मपरिज्ञानं तच्च कस्मात्प्रनिंदसि

rājovāca īdṛgjātismṛtiryasyāṁ pretayonau ca khe gatiḥ dharmādharmaparijñānaṁ tacca kasmātpraniṁdasi

The king said: This preta-birth, in which such memory of a former life persists, and there is movement through the sky, and knowledge of right and wrong remains — why then do you speak so ill of it?

Verse 53 (skanda.6.18.53)

मांसाद उवाच । प्रेतयोनिरियं राजन्नवमी देवसंज्ञिता । गुणत्रयसमायुक्ता शेषैर्दोषैः समंततः

māṁsāda uvāca pretayoniriyaṁ rājannavamī devasaṁjñitā guṇatrayasamāyuktā śeṣairdoṣaiḥ samaṁtataḥ

Mamsada said: O king, this preta-birth is reckoned the ninth, spoken of as akin to the divine order; it is possessed of three merits, but is entirely surrounded on all other sides by faults.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.18.54)

एका जातिस्मृतिः सम्यगस्यामेवप्रजायते । खेचरत्वं तथैवान्यद्धर्माधर्मविनिश्चयः

ekā jātismṛtiḥ samyagasyāmevaprajāyate khecaratvaṁ tathaivānyaddharmādharmaviniścayaḥ

In this birth alone, first, there arises perfect memory of the former life; second, the power to travel through the sky; and third, the definite discernment of right and wrong.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.18.55)

एतद्गुणत्रयं प्रोक्तं प्रेतयोनौ नृपोत्तम । दोषानपि च ते वच्मि ताञ्च्छृणुष्व समाहितः

etadguṇatrayaṁ proktaṁ pretayonau nṛpottama doṣānapi ca te vacmi tāñcchṛṇuṣva samāhitaḥ

O best of kings, these three merits are said to belong to the preta-birth. Now I shall tell you its faults as well; listen to them attentively.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.18.56)

यदि तावद्वनादस्माद्यामोन्यत्र वयं नृप । अदृष्टमुद्गराघातैर्नूनं हन्यामहे ततः

yadi tāvadvanādasmādyāmonyatra vayaṁ nṛpa adṛṣṭamudgarāghātairnūnaṁ hanyāmahe tataḥ

O king, if we should try to go anywhere from this forest, we are certainly struck down there by blows of invisible clubs.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.18.57)

तथा धर्मक्रियाः सर्वा मानुषाणामुदाहृताः । न प्रेतानां न देवानां नान्येषां मानुषं विना

tathā dharmakriyāḥ sarvā mānuṣāṇāmudāhṛtāḥ na pretānāṁ na devānāṁ nānyeṣāṁ mānuṣaṁ vinā

Moreover, all rites of dharma have been ordained for humans alone — not for pretas, nor for gods, nor for any others besides humans.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.18.58)

पश्यामो दूरतो राजञ्जलपूर्णाञ्जला शयान् । पिपासाकुलिताः श्रांता भास्करे वृषसंस्थिते

paśyāmo dūrato rājañjalapūrṇāñjalā śayān pipāsākulitāḥ śrāṁtā bhāskare vṛṣasaṁsthite

O king, when the sun stands in the sign of Taurus, we, tormented by thirst and weary, gaze from a distance upon pools full of water.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.18.59)

गच्छामः संनिधौ तेषां यदि पार्थिवसतम । अदृष्टमुद्गराघातैर्वयं हन्यामहे ततः

gacchāmaḥ saṁnidhau teṣāṁ yadi pārthivasatama adṛṣṭamudgarāghātairvayaṁ hanyāmahe tataḥ

O best of kings, if we try to approach them, there too we are struck down by blows of invisible clubs.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.18.60)

तथा रसवती सिद्धाः पश्यामो दूरसंस्थिताः । क्षुधाविष्टा गृहस्थानां गृहेषु विविधा नृप

tathā rasavatī siddhāḥ paśyāmo dūrasaṁsthitāḥ kṣudhāviṣṭā gṛhasthānāṁ gṛheṣu vividhā nṛpa

O king, likewise, tormented by hunger, we gaze from a distance upon the various delicious dishes prepared in the houses of householders.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.18.61)

तथा सुफलिनो वृक्षान्कलपक्षिभिरावृतान् । स्निग्धान्सच्छाययोपेतान्सेवितुं न लभामहे

tathā suphalino vṛkṣānkalapakṣibhirāvṛtān snigdhānsacchāyayopetānsevituṁ na labhāmahe

Likewise, we are unable to take shelter beneath trees laden with delicious fruit, encircled by sweetly singing birds, lush, and offering dense shade.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.18.62)

किंवा ते बहुनोक्तेन यद्यत्कर्म विगर्हितम् । क्लेशदं च तदस्माकं स्वयमेवोपतिष्ठते

kiṁvā te bahunoktena yadyatkarma vigarhitam kleśadaṁ ca tadasmākaṁ svayamevopatiṣṭhate

O king, what use in saying more? Whatever deed is despicable and productive of suffering presents itself to us of its own accord.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.18.63)

न च्छिद्रेण विनाऽस्माकं प्राणयात्रा प्रजायते । न जलानि न च च्छाया न यानं न च वाहनम्

na cchidreṇa vinā'smākaṁ prāṇayātrā prajāyate na jalāni na ca cchāyā na yānaṁ na ca vāhanam

Our very sustenance is impossible to obtain except through some rare opportunity — neither water, nor shade, nor conveyance, nor vehicle comes to us easily.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.18.64)

एतस्मात्कारणान्नित्यं भ्रमामश्छिद्रहेतवे । प्राप्ते रात्रिमुखे राजन्न प्रातर्न च वासरे

etasmātkāraṇānnityaṁ bhramāmaśchidrahetave prāpte rātrimukhe rājanna prātarna ca vāsare

For this reason we forever wander in search of some opportunity — O king, only at the onset of night, never in the morning nor during the day.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.18.65)

यत्त्वं शंससि चाऽस्माकं खेचरत्वं महीपते । व्यर्थं तदपि न श्रेयः शृणु तत्रापि कारणम्

yattvaṁ śaṁsasi cā'smākaṁ khecaratvaṁ mahīpate vyarthaṁ tadapi na śreyaḥ śṛṇu tatrāpi kāraṇam

O king, that power to travel through the sky which you praised in us — that too is useless and brings no true good; hear the reason for this as well.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.18.66)

क्रियते खेचरत्वेन किंकिं धर्मं विनिश्चयैः । यतो न सिध्यते मोक्षो जाति स्मृत्यादिकं तथा

kriyate khecaratvena kiṁkiṁ dharmaṁ viniścayaiḥ yato na sidhyate mokṣo jāti smṛtyādikaṁ tathā

What is achieved by the power to travel through the sky, or by certain knowledge of dharma, when by these neither liberation is accomplished, nor does memory of a former birth bear any fruit?

Verse 67 (skanda.6.18.67)

तस्माद्दोषादिमे राजन्गुणा यद्यपि कीर्तिताः । प्रेतानां यान्समाश्रित्य काचित्सिद्धिर्न जायते

tasmāddoṣādime rājanguṇā yadyapi kīrtitāḥ pretānāṁ yānsamāśritya kācitsiddhirna jāyate

O king, because of this very flaw, although these merits have been described, no true accomplishment ever comes to pretas by relying upon them.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.18.68)

विषादो जायते भूयो गुणैरेतैर्नराधिप । अशक्ताः प्रेतयोगाद्वै सर्वस्य शुभकर्मणः

viṣādo jāyate bhūyo guṇairetairnarādhipa aśaktāḥ pretayogādvai sarvasya śubhakarmaṇaḥ

O king, these very merits give rise instead to still greater despair, for, bound by the condition of being pretas, we are utterly incapable of performing any auspicious deed at all.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.18.69)

राजोवाच । यदि यास्यामि भूयोऽहं गृहमस्मान्महावनात् । तत्करिष्यामि सर्वेषां गयाश्राद्धमसंशयम्

rājovāca yadi yāsyāmi bhūyo'haṁ gṛhamasmānmahāvanāt tatkariṣyāmi sarveṣāṁ gayāśrāddhamasaṁśayam

The king said: If I am able to return home once more from this great forest, I shall without doubt perform the Gaya-shraddha for all of you.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.18.70)

तारयिष्यामि सर्वांश्च सर्वपापैः प्रयत्नतः । अप्यात्मदेहदानेन सत्येनात्मानमालभे

tārayiṣyāmi sarvāṁśca sarvapāpaiḥ prayatnataḥ apyātmadehadānena satyenātmānamālabhe

With every effort I shall free all of you from every sin, even if it requires the gift of my own body — I swear this by the truth.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.18.71)

यस्माद्धृद्गतशंका मे हृता युष्माभिरद्य वै । येन तत्प्राप्य युष्माकमुपकारं करोम्यहम्

yasmāddhṛdgataśaṁkā me hṛtā yuṣmābhiradya vai yena tatprāpya yuṣmākamupakāraṁ karomyaham

For you have today removed the doubt that lay within my heart; therefore, in return, I shall do you this favor.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.18.72)

मांसाद उवाच । इतः स्थानान्महाराज नातिदूरे जलाशयः । अस्ति नानाद्रुमोपेतश्चित्ताह्लादकरः परः

māṁsāda uvāca itaḥ sthānānmahārāja nātidūre jalāśayaḥ asti nānādrumopetaścittāhlādakaraḥ paraḥ

Mamsada said: O great king, not far from this place there is a pool of water, adorned with many trees, most delightful to the mind.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.18.73)

तस्मादुदङ्मुखो गच्छ यत्र ते जलपक्षिणः । दृश्यंते व्योममार्गेण प्रगच्छतः समंततः

tasmādudaṅmukho gaccha yatra te jalapakṣiṇaḥ dṛśyaṁte vyomamārgeṇa pragacchataḥ samaṁtataḥ

Therefore go facing north, to where those water-birds can be seen flying about on every side through the pathway of the sky.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.18.74)

सूत उवाच । अथासौ नृपशार्दूलः समुत्थाय शनैःशनैः । सौम्यां दिशं समुद्दिश्य प्रतस्थे स तु दुःखितः

sūta uvāca athāsau nṛpaśārdūlaḥ samutthāya śanaiḥśanaiḥ saumyāṁ diśaṁ samuddiśya pratasthe sa tu duḥkhitaḥ

Suta said: Then that tiger among kings, rising up slowly, though sorrowful, set out facing the northern direction.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.18.75)

एवं प्रगच्छता तेन क्षुत्पिपासाकुलेन च । अदूरादेव संदृष्टं नीलं द्रुमकदंबकम् । भ्रममाणैर्बकैर्हंसैः सारसैर्मद्गुभिस्तथा

evaṁ pragacchatā tena kṣutpipāsākulena ca adūrādeva saṁdṛṣṭaṁ nīlaṁ drumakadaṁbakam bhramamāṇairbakairhaṁsaiḥ sārasairmadgubhistathā

Thus walking on, that king, tormented by hunger and thirst, saw not far away a green cluster of trees, thronged about by wheeling cranes, swans, saras birds, and cormorants.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.18.76)

स गत्वा सलिलं तत्र तद्वातेन महीपतिः । आहूत इव शीतेन प्रययौ त्वरयान्वितः

sa gatvā salilaṁ tatra tadvātena mahīpatiḥ āhūta iva śītena prayayau tvarayānvitaḥ

That king, as if summoned by the cool breeze rising from the water there, hastened toward it with speed.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.18.77)

अथाऽपश्यन्मनोहारि सौम्यसत्त्वनिषेवितम् । आश्रमं ह्रदतीरस्थं तापसैः सर्वतो वृतम्

athā'paśyanmanohāri saumyasattvaniṣevitam āśramaṁ hradatīrasthaṁ tāpasaiḥ sarvato vṛtam

Then he saw a charming hermitage on the bank of that lake, frequented by gentle creatures and surrounded on all sides by ascetics.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.18.78)

पुष्पितैः फलितैर्वृक्षैः समंतात्परिवेष्टितम् । विचित्रैर्मधुरारावैर्नादितं विहगोत्तमैः

puṣpitaiḥ phalitairvṛkṣaiḥ samaṁtātpariveṣṭitam vicitrairmadhurārāvairnāditaṁ vihagottamaiḥ

It was encircled all about with flowering and fruiting trees, and resounded with the varied, sweet calls of the finest birds.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.18.79)

तत्रापश्यन्नगाधस्तात्तपस्विगणसेवितम् । शिवधर्मपरं शांतं जैमिनिं मुनिसत्तमम्

tatrāpaśyannagādhastāttapasvigaṇasevitam śivadharmaparaṁ śāṁtaṁ jaiminiṁ munisattamam

There, beneath a tree, he saw the great sage Jaimini — served by a company of ascetics, devoted to the dharma of Shiva, and serene.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.18.80)

अथ गत्वा स राजेंद्रः प्रणिपत्य मुनीश्वरम् । तथान्यानपि तच्छिष्यान्निपपात धरातले

atha gatvā sa rājeṁdraḥ praṇipatya munīśvaram tathānyānapi tacchiṣyānnipapāta dharātale

Then that great king, going there, bowed to that lord of sages and to his other disciples as well, and fell prostrate upon the ground.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.18.81)

ते दृष्ट्वाऽदृष्टपूर्वं तं राजलक्षणलक्षितम् । धूलिधूसरितांगं च भस्मावृतमिवाचलम्

te dṛṣṭvā'dṛṣṭapūrvaṁ taṁ rājalakṣaṇalakṣitam dhūlidhūsaritāṁgaṁ ca bhasmāvṛtamivācalam

Beholding him, never before seen, marked with royal signs, his limbs gray with dust, like a mountain covered in ash —

Verse 82 (skanda.6.18.82)

मन्यमाना महीपालं विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनाः । प्रोचुश्च मधुरैर्वाक्यैराशीर्वादपुरःसरैः

manyamānā mahīpālaṁ vismayotphullalocanāḥ procuśca madhurairvākyairāśīrvādapuraḥsaraiḥ

— and taking him for a king, those ascetics, their eyes wide with astonishment, spoke sweet words prefaced with blessings.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.18.83)

कुतस्त्वमनुसंप्राप्तो वनेऽस्मिञ्जनवर्जिते । एकाकी सुकुमारांगः पदातिः श्रमविह्वलः

kutastvamanusaṁprāpto vane'smiñjanavarjite ekākī sukumārāṁgaḥ padātiḥ śramavihvalaḥ

"From where have you come to this forest devoid of people — alone, delicate of limb, on foot, and overcome with exhaustion?"

Verse 84 (skanda.6.18.84)

पार्थिवस्येव लिंगानि दृश्यंते तव भूरिशः । न विद्मो निश्चयं तस्माद्वदागमनकारणम्

pārthivasyeva liṁgāni dṛśyaṁte tava bhūriśaḥ na vidmo niścayaṁ tasmādvadāgamanakāraṇam

"We see upon you many signs of a king. We are not certain of this, so tell us the reason for your coming."

Verse 85 (skanda.6.18.85)

अथोवाच नृपः कृच्छ्रात्पिपासा मां प्रबाधते । तस्माद्वदत पानीयं यत्पीत्वा कीर्तयाम्यहम्

athovāca nṛpaḥ kṛcchrātpipāsā māṁ prabādhate tasmādvadata pānīyaṁ yatpītvā kīrtayāmyaham

Then, with great difficulty, the king said: "Thirst torments me severely. So first show me water — having drunk it, I shall tell you everything."

Verse 86 (skanda.6.18.86)

ततस्तैर्दर्शितं तोयं समीपे यन्महीपतेः । सोऽपि पीत्वाऽवगाह्याथ वितृष्णः समपद्यत

tatastairdarśitaṁ toyaṁ samīpe yanmahīpateḥ so'pi pītvā'vagāhyātha vitṛṣṇaḥ samapadyata

Then they showed the king the water nearby. Having bathed in it and drunk it, he became free of thirst.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.18.87)

ततः फलानि पक्वानि तरूणां पतितान्यधः । सुमृष्टानि समादाय भक्षयामास वांछया

tataḥ phalāni pakvāni tarūṇāṁ patitānyadhaḥ sumṛṣṭāni samādāya bhakṣayāmāsa vāṁchayā

Then, taking the ripe, delicious fruit that had fallen from the trees, he ate it to his heart's content.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.18.88)

ततस्तृप्तिं परां प्राप्य गत्वा जैमिनिसंनिधौ । उपविष्टः प्रणम्योच्चैस्तथान्यांश्च मुनीन्क्रमात्

tatastṛptiṁ parāṁ prāpya gatvā jaiminisaṁnidhau upaviṣṭaḥ praṇamyoccaistathānyāṁśca munīnkramāt

Then, having attained full satisfaction, he went to Jaimini, bowed to him aloud, and, bowing likewise in order to the other sages, sat down.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.18.89)

उवाच च निजां वार्तां कृतांजलिपुटः स्थितः । स पृष्टस्तापसैः सर्वैः सुविस्मयसमन्वितैः

uvāca ca nijāṁ vārtāṁ kṛtāṁjalipuṭaḥ sthitaḥ sa pṛṣṭastāpasaiḥ sarvaiḥ suvismayasamanvitaiḥ

Standing with joined palms, he told his whole story, when all those ascetics, filled with great astonishment, questioned him.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.18.90)

विदूरथो महीपोऽहं माहिष्मत्यां कृतास्पदः । मृगलिप्सुर्वने घोरे प्रविष्टः सैनिकैः सह

vidūratho mahīpo'haṁ māhiṣmatyāṁ kṛtāspadaḥ mṛgalipsurvane ghore praviṣṭaḥ sainikaiḥ saha

"I am King Viduratha, established at Mahishmati. Desiring to catch a deer, I entered this dreadful forest together with my soldiers."

Verse 91 (skanda.6.18.91)

ततो मे भ्रममाणस्य प्रणष्टाः सर्वसैनिकाः । गुल्मैरंतरिताश्चाऽन्ये न जानेऽहं कथं स्थिताः

tato me bhramamāṇasya praṇaṣṭāḥ sarvasainikāḥ gulmairaṁtaritāścā'nye na jāne'haṁ kathaṁ sthitāḥ

"Then, as I wandered on, all my soldiers were lost. Some were hidden among the thickets; I know not how or where the rest may be."

Verse 92 (skanda.6.18.92)

आसीद्धयो ममाऽधस्ताज्जात्यः सर्वगुणान्वितः । सोऽपि कर्मविपाकेन पञ्चत्वं समुपस्थितः । भ्रममाणस्त्वहं प्राप्त आयुःशेषतयात्र च । तद्ब्रूत कः प्रदेशोऽयं कियद्दूरे च मे पुरी

āsīddhayo mamā'dhastājjātyaḥ sarvaguṇānvitaḥ so'pi karmavipākena pañcatvaṁ samupasthitaḥ bhramamāṇastvahaṁ prāpta āyuḥśeṣatayātra ca tadbrūta kaḥ pradeśo'yaṁ kiyaddūre ca me purī

"Beneath me was a thoroughbred horse, endowed with every good quality. It too, as the fruit of its deeds, met its death. Wandering on, I have reached here only by the remainder of my allotted life. Now tell me, what region is this, and how far is my city from here?"

Verse 93 (skanda.6.18.93)

ततस्ते तापसाः प्रोचुर्विद्महे न वयं पुरीम् । त्वां च देशं च ते राजन्कोऽयं देशश्च कीर्त्यते

tataste tāpasāḥ procurvidmahe na vayaṁ purīm tvāṁ ca deśaṁ ca te rājanko'yaṁ deśaśca kīrtyate

Then those ascetics said: O king, we know neither your city nor your country. Nor do we know by what name your country is called.

Verse 94 (skanda.6.18.94)

नरेन्द्रैर्नैव नः कार्यं न दिशैर्न पुरैर्नृप । वनेचरा वयं नित्यं शिवाराधनतत्पराः

narendrairnaiva naḥ kāryaṁ na diśairna purairnṛpa vanecarā vayaṁ nityaṁ śivārādhanatatparāḥ

O king, we have no concern with kings, nor with directions, nor with cities. We are ever forest-dwellers, devoted to the worship of Shiva.

Verse 95 (skanda.6.18.95)

सर्वे शीर्णानि वृक्षाणां पुष्पाणि च फलानि च । भक्षयामोऽथ पत्राणि शरी रस्थितिहेतुना

sarve śīrṇāni vṛkṣāṇāṁ puṣpāṇi ca phalāni ca bhakṣayāmo'tha patrāṇi śarī rasthitihetunā

We eat only the fallen flowers, fruits, and leaves of trees, merely for the sake of sustaining the body.

Verse 96 (skanda.6.18.96)

मानुषैः सह संसर्गं संभाषं च नराधिप । न कुर्मो न च पश्यामो गच्छामोऽन्यत्र दूरतः

mānuṣaiḥ saha saṁsargaṁ saṁbhāṣaṁ ca narādhipa na kurmo na ca paśyāmo gacchāmo'nyatra dūrataḥ

O king, we neither associate with humans, nor converse with them, nor even look upon them — we always go far off, elsewhere.

Verse 97 (skanda.6.18.97)

एकैकस्य तरोर्मूले दिवसं वा दिनद्वयम् । तिष्ठामो न भवेद्येन ममत्वं तत्समुद्भवम्

ekaikasya tarormūle divasaṁ vā dinadvayam tiṣṭhāmo na bhavedyena mamatvaṁ tatsamudbhavam

We stay beneath each tree only a day or two, so that no attachment born of familiarity with it may arise.

Verse 98 (skanda.6.18.98)

कारणात्तव राजेंद्र निशामेतां वनस्पतौ । नेष्यामोऽन्यत्र यास्यामः प्रभा तेऽन्यत्र कानने

kāraṇāttava rājeṁdra niśāmetāṁ vanaspatau neṣyāmo'nyatra yāsyāmaḥ prabhā te'nyatra kānane

O king of kings, for your sake we shall spend this night beneath this very tree and shall not go elsewhere; at dawn we shall go on into another forest.

Verse 99 (skanda.6.18.99)

एकाकिनं पदातिं च विशस्त्रं श्रमविह्वलम् । त्वां दृष्ट्वा भूपतेऽस्माकं दया जाता ततोऽधिका

ekākinaṁ padātiṁ ca viśastraṁ śramavihvalam tvāṁ dṛṣṭvā bhūpate'smākaṁ dayā jātā tato'dhikā

O king, seeing you alone, on foot, without weapons, and overcome with fatigue, great compassion has arisen within us.

Verse 100 (skanda.6.18.100)

एकाकी पार्थिवेन्द्रोऽयं नेष्यति च कथं निशाम् । वनेऽस्मिन्मंत्रयित्वैवं ततोऽत्रैव व्यवस्थिताः

ekākī pārthivendro'yaṁ neṣyati ca kathaṁ niśām vane'sminmaṁtrayitvaivaṁ tato'traiva vyavasthitāḥ

"How shall this king, all alone, pass the night in this forest?" — deliberating thus, we have all remained here.

Verse 101 (skanda.6.18.101)

तस्मादत्रैव नेष्यामः समेताः शर्वरीमिमाम् । गंतव्यं प्रातरुत्थाय ततः सर्वैर्यदृच्छया

tasmādatraiva neṣyāmaḥ sametāḥ śarvarīmimām gaṁtavyaṁ prātarutthāya tataḥ sarvairyadṛcchayā

Therefore we shall all together spend this night right here; then, rising at dawn, all of us shall go our own separate ways as we wish.

Verse 102 (skanda.6.18.102)

एवं संवदतां तेषां भगवांस्तीक्ष्णदीधितिः । अस्ताचलमनुप्राप्तः कुंकुमक्षोदसंनिभः

evaṁ saṁvadatāṁ teṣāṁ bhagavāṁstīkṣṇadīdhitiḥ astācalamanuprāptaḥ kuṁkumakṣodasaṁnibhaḥ

While they were thus conversing, the sharp-rayed sun, red as powdered saffron, reached the mountain of its setting.

Verse 103 (skanda.6.18.103)

अथ तास्तापसान्राजा प्रोवाच प्रणतः स्थितः । संध्याकालः समायातः सांप्रतं मुनिसत्तमाः । तस्मात्संध्याविधिः कार्यः सर्वैरेव यथोचितः

atha tāstāpasānrājā provāca praṇataḥ sthitaḥ saṁdhyākālaḥ samāyātaḥ sāṁprataṁ munisattamāḥ tasmātsaṁdhyāvidhiḥ kāryaḥ sarvaireva yathocitaḥ

Then the king, standing humbly, said to those ascetics: "O best of sages, now the time of evening worship has come; therefore all should perform the evening rite as is proper."

Verse 104 (skanda.6.18.104)

अथ ते मुनयः सर्वे स च राजा तथा द्विजाः । चक्रुः सायंतनं कर्म यथोद्दिष्टं पुरातनैः

atha te munayaḥ sarve sa ca rājā tathā dvijāḥ cakruḥ sāyaṁtanaṁ karma yathoddiṣṭaṁ purātanaiḥ

Then all those sages, the king, and the other brahmins performed the evening rite exactly as prescribed by the ancients.

Verse 105 (skanda.6.18.105)

कामिभिः कामिनीलोकैः प्रियोक्तैरभिवां छिता । असत्स्त्रीभिर्विशेषेण संप्राप्ता रजनी ततः

kāmibhiḥ kāminīlokaiḥ priyoktairabhivāṁ chitā asatstrībhirviśeṣeṇa saṁprāptā rajanī tataḥ

Then came that night, longed for by lustful men for the sweet words of beloved women, and especially desired by wanton women.

Verse 106 (skanda.6.18.106)

पीयूषार्णववेलेव विषवृक्षलतेव च । उलूकैश्चक्रवाकैश्च युगपद्या विलोक्यते

pīyūṣārṇavaveleva viṣavṛkṣalateva ca ulūkaiścakravākaiśca yugapadyā vilokyate

That night is like the shore of an ocean of nectar, and also like the vine of a poison tree — the owl and the chakravaka bird both behold it at once, yet each in its own contrary way.

Verse 107 (skanda.6.18.107)

उलूका राक्षसाश्चौराः कामिनः कुलटांऽगनाः । यां वांछंति सदा सोत्काः सुवृष्टिमिव कर्षुकाः

ulūkā rākṣasāścaurāḥ kāminaḥ kulaṭāṁ'ganāḥ yāṁ vāṁchaṁti sadā sotkāḥ suvṛṣṭimiva karṣukāḥ

Owls, demons, thieves, lustful men, and unchaste women — all these ever long eagerly for that night, just as farmers long for a good rain.