The Dialogue of Bhishma and Yudhishthira: The Twenty-One Hells and the Remedies for Their Torments

Verse 1 (skanda.6.226.1)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच यतः सपिंडता प्रोक्ता पितृपिण्डैः समंततः यावत्सपिण्डता नैव तावत्प्रेतः स तिष्ठति

bhartṛyajña uvāca yataḥ sapiṁḍatā proktā pitṛpiṇḍaiḥ samaṁtataḥ yāvatsapiṇḍatā naiva tāvatpretaḥ sa tiṣṭhati

Bhartriyajna said: Since sapindata is declared to occur only through complete union with the ancestral pindas, as long as sapindata has not occurred, he remains a preta.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.226.2)

अपि धर्मसमोपेतस्तपसाऽपि समन्वितः एतस्मात्कारणात्प्रोक्ता मुनिभिस्तु सपिंडता

api dharmasamopetastapasā'pi samanvitaḥ etasmātkāraṇātproktā munibhistu sapiṁḍatā

Even if he was endowed with dharma and joined with austerity in life, he remains a preta until then. For this reason, sapindata has been declared by the sages.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.226.3)

यस्ययस्य च योऽन्यत्र योनिं प्राप्नोति मानवः तत्रस्थस्तृप्तिमाप्नोति यद्दत्तं तस्य वंशजैः

yasyayasya ca yo'nyatra yoniṁ prāpnoti mānavaḥ tatrasthastṛptimāpnoti yaddattaṁ tasya vaṁśajaiḥ

Whatever birth a man obtains elsewhere after death, remaining there he receives satisfaction from whatever is given to him by his descendants.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.226.4)

आनर्त उवाच ये दृश्यंते निजाः स्वप्ने चिरात्पितृपितामहाः प्रार्थयंति निजान्कामांस्ततः किं स्यान्महामुने

ānarta uvāca ye dṛśyaṁte nijāḥ svapne cirātpitṛpitāmahāḥ prārthayaṁti nijānkāmāṁstataḥ kiṁ syānmahāmune

Anarta said: When one's own fathers and grandfathers, long dead, are seen in a dream requesting their own desires — what results from that, O great sage?

Verse 5 (skanda.6.226.5)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच येषां गतिर्न संजाता प्रेतत्वे च व्यवस्थिताः दर्शयंति च ते सर्वे स्वयमात्मानमेव हि

bhartṛyajña uvāca yeṣāṁ gatirna saṁjātā pretatve ca vyavasthitāḥ darśayaṁti ca te sarve svayamātmānameva hi

Bhartriyajna said: Those ancestors whose final destiny has not yet occurred, and who remain in the state of preta — all of them show themselves in this way, of their own accord.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.226.6)

स्ववंश्यानां न चान्ये तु सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम् यथा लोकेऽत्र संजाता ये च कृत्यैः शुभाशुभैः

svavaṁśyānāṁ na cānye tu satyametanmayoditam yathā loke'tra saṁjātā ye ca kṛtyaiḥ śubhāśubhaiḥ

They show themselves only to their own descendants, not to others — this truth I have declared; just as they were born here in this world through their good and evil deeds.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.226.7)

आनर्त उवाच यस्य नो विद्यते पुत्रः सपिण्डीकरणं कथम् तस्य कार्यं भवेदत्र तन्मे त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि

ānarta uvāca yasya no vidyate putraḥ sapiṇḍīkaraṇaṁ katham tasya kāryaṁ bhavedatra tanme tvaṁ vaktumarhasi

Anarta said: For one who has no son, how should the sapindikarana be performed for him here? You should tell me this.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.226.8)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच यस्य नो विद्यते पुत्र औरसश्च महीपते चतुर्णां स्वपितॄणां तु कथं स स्याच्चतुर्थकः

bhartṛyajña uvāca yasya no vidyate putra aurasaśca mahīpate caturṇāṁ svapitṝṇāṁ tu kathaṁ sa syāccaturthakaḥ

Bhartriyajna said: O lord of the earth, for one who has no natural (aurasa) son — how could he become the fourth among his own four generations of ancestors?

Verse 9 (skanda.6.226.9)

प्रकर्षेण व्रजेद्यस्मात्तस्मात्प्रेतः प्रकीर्तितः पुत्रेण भ्रात्रा पत्न्या वा तस्य कार्या सपिंडता

prakarṣeṇa vrajedyasmāttasmātpretaḥ prakīrtitaḥ putreṇa bhrātrā patnyā vā tasya kāryā sapiṁḍatā

Since he thus does not carry the line forward, he is therefore called a preta; his sapindikarana should be performed by a son, a brother, or a wife.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.226.10)

चतुर्थो यदि राजेंद्र जायते न कथंचन क्षेत्रजादीन्सुतानेतानेकादश यथोदितान्

caturtho yadi rājeṁdra jāyate na kathaṁcana kṣetrajādīnsutānetānekādaśa yathoditān

O lord of kings, if in no way a fourth generation is born, then these eleven kinds of sons beginning with the kshetraja, as already declared —

Verse 11 (skanda.6.226.11)

पुत्रप्रतिनिधीनाहुः क्रियालोपान्मनीषिणः काले यदि न राजेंद्र जायतेऽस्योत्तरक्रिया

putrapratinidhīnāhuḥ kriyālopānmanīṣiṇaḥ kāle yadi na rājeṁdra jāyate'syottarakriyā

— the wise call these substitutes for a son, to prevent the lapse of the rites. If, O lord of kings, the after-death rites are not performed for him in due time —

Verse 12 (skanda.6.226.12)

नारायणबलिः कार्यः प्रेतत्वस्य विनाशकः यथान्येषां मनुष्याणामपमृत्युमुपेयुषाम् कार्यश्चैवात्महंतॄणां ब्राह्मणान्मृत्युमीयुषाम्

nārāyaṇabaliḥ kāryaḥ pretatvasya vināśakaḥ yathānyeṣāṁ manuṣyāṇāmapamṛtyumupeyuṣām kāryaścaivātmahaṁtṝṇāṁ brāhmaṇānmṛtyumīyuṣām

— the Narayana-bali rite should be performed, which destroys the state of preta-hood — just as it should be performed for other men who have died an untimely death, for those who have killed themselves, and for brahmins who have met an ill-fated death.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.226.13)

आनर्त उवाच कथं मृत्युमवाप्नोति पुरुषोऽत्र महामते

ānarta uvāca kathaṁ mṛtyumavāpnoti puruṣo'tra mahāmate

Anarta said: O great sage, how does a man come to meet death in this world?

Verse 14 (skanda.6.226.14)

स्वर्गं वा नरकं वापि कर्मणा केन गच्छति मोक्षं वाऽथ महाभाग सर्वं मे विस्त राद्वद

svargaṁ vā narakaṁ vāpi karmaṇā kena gacchati mokṣaṁ vā'tha mahābhāga sarvaṁ me vista rādvada

By what deed does he go to heaven, or to hell, or, O greatly fortunate one, to liberation? Tell me all this in detail.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.226.15)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच धर्मी पापी तथा ज्ञानी तिस्रोऽत्र गतयः स्मृताः धर्मात्संप्राप्यते स्वर्गः पापान्नरक एव च

bhartṛyajña uvāca dharmī pāpī tathā jñānī tisro'tra gatayaḥ smṛtāḥ dharmātsaṁprāpyate svargaḥ pāpānnaraka eva ca

Bhartriyajna said: The righteous man, the sinful man, and the wise man — these are the three destinies remembered here. Heaven is attained through righteousness, and hell through sin.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.226.16)

ज्ञानात्संप्राप्यते मोक्षः सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम् एनमर्थं भविष्यं तु भीष्मं शांतनवं नृप

jñānātsaṁprāpyate mokṣaḥ satyametanmayoditam enamarthaṁ bhaviṣyaṁ tu bhīṣmaṁ śāṁtanavaṁ nṛpa

Liberation is attained through knowledge — this truth I have declared. On this very matter, O king, in a future time, of Bhishma, son of Shantanu —

Verse 17 (skanda.6.226.17)

युधिष्ठिरो महाराज धर्मपुत्रो नृपोत्तमः कृष्णेन सह राजेंद्र पितामहमपृच्छत

yudhiṣṭhiro mahārāja dharmaputro nṛpottamaḥ kṛṣṇena saha rājeṁdra pitāmahamapṛcchata

— great King Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, best of kings, together with Krishna, O lord of kings, questioned the Grandsire Bhishma.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.226.18)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच कियंतो नरकाः ख्याता यमलोके पितामह केन पापेन गच्छंति तेषु सर्वेषु जंतवः

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca kiyaṁto narakāḥ khyātā yamaloke pitāmaha kena pāpena gacchaṁti teṣu sarveṣu jaṁtavaḥ

Yudhishthira said: O Grandsire, how many hells are known in the world of Yama? By what sin do beings go to each of them?

Verse 19 (skanda.6.226.19)

श्रीभीष्म उवाच एकविंशत्प्रमाणाः स्युर्नरका यममंदिरे प्राणिनस्तेषु गच्छंति निजकर्मानुसारतः

śrībhīṣma uvāca ekaviṁśatpramāṇāḥ syurnarakā yamamaṁdire prāṇinasteṣu gacchaṁti nijakarmānusārataḥ

Sri Bhishma said: There are twenty-one hells in the abode of Yama; beings go to them according to their own deeds.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.226.20)

ख्यातौ चित्रविचित्रौ च कायस्थौ यममंदिरे

khyātau citravicitrau ca kāyasthau yamamaṁdire

Renowned in the abode of Yama are the two scribes, Chitra and Vichitra.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.226.21)

चित्रोऽथ लिखते धर्मं सर्वं प्राणिसमुद्भवम् विचित्रः पातकं सर्वं परमं यत्नमास्थितः

citro'tha likhate dharmaṁ sarvaṁ prāṇisamudbhavam vicitraḥ pātakaṁ sarvaṁ paramaṁ yatnamāsthitaḥ

Chitra records all the righteous deeds arising from every being; Vichitra, applying utmost diligence, records all their sins.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.226.22)

यमदूताः सदैवाष्टौ धर्मराजसमुद्भवाः ये नयंति नरान्मृत्युलोकात्स्ववशगान्सदा

yamadūtāḥ sadaivāṣṭau dharmarājasamudbhavāḥ ye nayaṁti narānmṛtyulokātsvavaśagānsadā

There are ever eight messengers of Yama, born from the King of Dharma, who always lead men, once they are in their power, from the world of mortals.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.226.23)

करालो विकरालश्च वक्रनासो महोदरः सौम्यः शांतस्तथा नंदः सुवाक्यश्चाष्टमः स्मृतः

karālo vikarālaśca vakranāso mahodaraḥ saumyaḥ śāṁtastathā naṁdaḥ suvākyaścāṣṭamaḥ smṛtaḥ

Karala, Vikarala, Vakranasa, Mahodara, Saumya, Shanta, and Nanda, and the eighth is remembered as Suvakya.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.226.24)

एतेषां ये पुरा प्रोक्ताश्चत्वारो रौद्ररूपिणः पापं जनं च ते सर्वे नयन्ति यमसादनम्

eteṣāṁ ye purā proktāścatvāro raudrarūpiṇaḥ pāpaṁ janaṁ ca te sarve nayanti yamasādanam

Of these, the four first named, who are terrible in form, lead all sinful people to the abode of Yama.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.226.25)

चत्वारो ये परे प्रोक्ताः सौम्यरूपवपुर्द्धराः धर्मिणं ते जनं सर्वं नयंति यमसादनम्

catvāro ye pare proktāḥ saumyarūpavapurddharāḥ dharmiṇaṁ te janaṁ sarvaṁ nayaṁti yamasādanam

The other four, who bear gentle forms, lead all righteous people to the abode of Yama —

Verse 26 (skanda.6.226.26)

विमानेन समारूढमप्सरोगणसेवितम्

vimānena samārūḍhamapsarogaṇasevitam

— mounted upon a celestial chariot attended by hosts of apsarases.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.226.27)

लिखितस्यानुरूपेण पापधर्मोद्भवस्य च एतेषां किंकरा ये च तेषां संख्या न जायते

likhitasyānurūpeṇa pāpadharmodbhavasya ca eteṣāṁ kiṁkarā ye ca teṣāṁ saṁkhyā na jāyate

This is done in accordance with what has been recorded, whether arising from sin or from righteousness. As for the servants of these messengers, their number cannot even be counted.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.226.28)

अष्टोत्तरशतं तेषां व्याधीनां परिकल्पितम् सहायार्थं यमेनात्र ज्वरयक्ष्मांतरस्थितम्

aṣṭottaraśataṁ teṣāṁ vyādhīnāṁ parikalpitam sahāyārthaṁ yamenātra jvarayakṣmāṁtarasthitam

Yama has ordained one hundred and eight diseases for the sake of assistance in this task — from fever to consumption, dwelling within the body.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.226.29)

ते गत्वा व्याधयः पूर्वं वशे कुर्वंति मानवम्

te gatvā vyādhayaḥ pūrvaṁ vaśe kurvaṁti mānavam

These diseases go first and bring the man under their control.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.226.30)

यमदूतास्ततो गत्वा नाभिमूलव्यवस्थितम् वायुरूपं समादाय जनैः सर्वैरलक्षिताः

yamadūtāstato gatvā nābhimūlavyavasthitam vāyurūpaṁ samādāya janaiḥ sarvairalakṣitāḥ

Then the messengers of Yama go there, and, assuming an airy form, unseen by all people, seize what resides at the base of the navel —

Verse 31 (skanda.6.226.31)

गच्छंति यममार्गेण देहं संस्थाप्य भूतले षडशीतिसहस्राणि यममार्गः प्रकीर्तितः

gacchaṁti yamamārgeṇa dehaṁ saṁsthāpya bhūtale ṣaḍaśītisahasrāṇi yamamārgaḥ prakīrtitaḥ

— and, having laid the body upon the earth, proceed by the path of Yama; the path of Yama is declared to be eighty-six thousand yojanas long.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.226.32)

तत्र वैतरणीनाम नदी पूर्वं परिश्रुता स्रोतोभ्यां सा महाभाग तत्र संस्था सदैव हि

tatra vaitaraṇīnāma nadī pūrvaṁ pariśrutā srotobhyāṁ sā mahābhāga tatra saṁsthā sadaiva hi

There, a river called Vaitarani has long been famed; O greatly fortunate one, it ever stands there with two streams.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.226.33)

तत्र शोणितमेकस्मिन्स्रोतस्यस्या वह त्यलम् शस्त्राणि च सुतीक्ष्णानि तन्मध्ये भरतर्षभ

tatra śoṇitamekasminsrotasyasyā vaha tyalam śastrāṇi ca sutīkṣṇāni tanmadhye bharatarṣabha

In one of its streams flows an abundance of blood, and, O bull of the Bharatas, very sharp weapons flow in the midst of it.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.226.34)

मृत्युकाले प्रयच्छंति ये धेनुं ब्राह्मणाय वै तस्याः पुच्छं समाश्रित्य ते तरंति च तां नृप

mṛtyukāle prayacchaṁti ye dhenuṁ brāhmaṇāya vai tasyāḥ pucchaṁ samāśritya te taraṁti ca tāṁ nṛpa

Those who, at the time of death, give a cow to a brahmin — O king, taking hold of her tail, they cross that river.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.226.35)

स्वबाहुभिस्तथैवान्ये शतयोजनविस्तृतम् द्वितीयं चैव तत्स्रोतो वैतरण्या व्यवस्थितम् तस्यास्तत्सलिलस्रावि गम्यं धर्मवतां सदा

svabāhubhistathaivānye śatayojanavistṛtam dvitīyaṁ caiva tatsroto vaitaraṇyā vyavasthitam tasyāstatsalilasrāvi gamyaṁ dharmavatāṁ sadā

Others cross it by their own arms. There is also a second stream of the Vaitarani, extending a hundred yojanas; its flowing waters are, at all times, passable only for the righteous.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.226.36)

ये नरा गोप्रदातारो मृत्युकाले व्यवस्थिते ते गोपुच्छं समाश्रित्य तां तरंति पृथूदकाम् अन्ये स्वबाहुभिः कृत्वा गोप्रदानविवर्जिताः

ye narā gopradātāro mṛtyukāle vyavasthite te gopucchaṁ samāśritya tāṁ taraṁti pṛthūdakām anye svabāhubhiḥ kṛtvā gopradānavivarjitāḥ

Those men who were givers of cows at the time of death, taking hold of the cow's tail, cross that river of vast waters; others, devoid of the gift of a cow, cross it by their own arms.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.226.37)

गोप्रदानं प्रकर्तव्यं तस्माच्चैव विशेषतः मृत्युकालेऽत्र संप्राप्ते य इच्छेद्गतिमात्मनः

gopradānaṁ prakartavyaṁ tasmāccaiva viśeṣataḥ mṛtyukāle'tra saṁprāpte ya icchedgatimātmanaḥ

Therefore, the gift of a cow should especially be made, when the time of death has arrived, by one who desires a good destiny for himself.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.226.38)

तस्या अनन्तरं यांति पापमार्गेण पापिनः धर्मिष्ठा धर्ममार्गेण विमानवरमाश्रिताः

tasyā anantaraṁ yāṁti pāpamārgeṇa pāpinaḥ dharmiṣṭhā dharmamārgeṇa vimānavaramāśritāḥ

After that river, sinners go by the path of sin, while the righteous, mounted upon excellent celestial chariots, go by the path of dharma.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.226.39)

वैतरण्याः परं पारे पंचयोजनमायतम् असिपत्रवनंनाम पापलोकस्य दुःखदम्

vaitaraṇyāḥ paraṁ pāre paṁcayojanamāyatam asipatravanaṁnāma pāpalokasya duḥkhadam

Beyond the far shore of the Vaitarani, extending five yojanas, is the forest called Asipatravana, which brings suffering to the world of sinners.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.226.40)

तत्र लोहमयान्येवासिपत्राणां शतानि च यानि कृन्तंति मर्त्यानां शरीराणि समंततः

tatra lohamayānyevāsipatrāṇāṁ śatāni ca yāni kṛntaṁti martyānāṁ śarīrāṇi samaṁtataḥ

There are hundreds of iron sword-leaves there, which cut the bodies of mortals on every side.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.226.41)

यैर्हृतं परवित्तं च कलत्रं च दुरात्मभिः नव श्राद्धानि तेषां चेत्तस्मान्मुक्तिः प्रजायते

yairhṛtaṁ paravittaṁ ca kalatraṁ ca durātmabhiḥ nava śrāddhāni teṣāṁ cettasmānmuktiḥ prajāyate

Those wicked people who have stolen another's wealth or another's wife are sent there; if nine shraddhas are performed for them, liberation from that hell arises.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.226.42)

तस्मात्परतरो ज्ञेयो विख्यातः कूटशाल्मलिः अधोमुखाः प्रलंबंते तस्मिन्कंटकसंकुले

tasmātparataro jñeyo vikhyātaḥ kūṭaśālmaliḥ adhomukhāḥ pralaṁbaṁte tasminkaṁṭakasaṁkule

Beyond that should be known the famous Kutashalmali tree; sinners hang there head-downward, upon that tree crowded with thorns.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.226.43)

अधस्ताद्वह्निना चैव दह्यमाना दिवानिशम् विश्वासघातका ये च सर्वदैव सुनिर्दयाः तस्मान्मुक्तिं प्रयांति स्म श्राद्धे ह्येकादशे कृते

adhastādvahninā caiva dahyamānā divāniśam viśvāsaghātakā ye ca sarvadaiva sunirdayāḥ tasmānmuktiṁ prayāṁti sma śrāddhe hyekādaśe kṛte

They are burned by fire from below, day and night — those who betray trust and who are ever utterly merciless. They attain release from that hell when the eleventh monthly shraddha is performed.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.226.44)

यंत्रात्मकस्ततः प्रोक्तो नरको दारुणाकृतिः ब्रह्मघ्नास्तत्र पीड्यंते ये चाऽन्ये पापकर्मिणः

yaṁtrātmakastataḥ prokto narako dāruṇākṛtiḥ brahmaghnāstatra pīḍyaṁte ye cā'nye pāpakarmiṇaḥ

Beyond that is declared the hell called Yantratmaka, terrible in form; there, brahmin-slayers and other sinful doers are tormented.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.226.45)

श्राद्धेन द्वादशोत्थेन तेभ्यो दत्तेन पार्थिव तस्मान्मुक्तिं प्रगच्छन्ति यन्त्राख्यनरकात्स्फुटम्

śrāddhena dvādaśotthena tebhyo dattena pārthiva tasmānmuktiṁ pragacchanti yantrākhyanarakātsphuṭam

By the shraddha performed for them in the twelfth month, O king, they clearly attain release from the hell called Yantra.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.226.46)

ततो लोहसमाः स्तंभा ज्वलमाना व्यवस्थिताः आलिंगंति च तान्सर्वान्परदाररताश्च ये

tato lohasamāḥ staṁbhā jvalamānā vyavasthitāḥ āliṁgaṁti ca tānsarvānparadāraratāśca ye

Beyond that stand blazing pillars made of iron; these embrace all those who were devoted to others' wives.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.226.47)

मासिकोत्थे कृते श्राद्धे तेभ्यो मुक्तिमवाप्नुयुः लोहदंष्ट्रास्ततो रौद्राः सारमेया व्यवस्थिताः

māsikotthe kṛte śrāddhe tebhyo muktimavāpnuyuḥ lohadaṁṣṭrāstato raudrāḥ sārameyā vyavasthitāḥ

When the monthly shraddha is performed, they obtain release from that. Beyond that stand fierce dogs with fangs of iron.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.226.48)

भक्षयंति च ते पापान्पृष्ठमांसा शिनो नरान् त्रैपक्षिके कृते श्राद्धे तेभ्यो मुक्तिमवाप्नुयुः

bhakṣayaṁti ca te pāpānpṛṣṭhamāṁsā śino narān traipakṣike kṛte śrāddhe tebhyo muktimavāpnuyuḥ

They devour the flesh of the backs of sinful men. When the shraddha of a month and a half is performed, they obtain release from that.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.226.49)

लोहचंचुमयाः काकाः संस्थितास्तदनंतरम् सरागैर्लोचेनैर्यैश्च ईक्षिताः पर योषितः

lohacaṁcumayāḥ kākāḥ saṁsthitāstadanaṁtaram sarāgairlocenairyaiśca īkṣitāḥ para yoṣitaḥ

Beyond that stand crows with beaks of iron; those who looked with passionate eyes upon the wives of others go there.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.226.50)

तेषां नेत्राणि ते घ्नंति भूयो जातानि भूरिशः द्विमासिकं च यच्छ्राद्धं तेन मुक्तिः प्रजायते

teṣāṁ netrāṇi te ghnaṁti bhūyo jātāni bhūriśaḥ dvimāsikaṁ ca yacchrāddhaṁ tena muktiḥ prajāyate

These crows destroy their eyes, which grow back again and again, many times over. By the two-month shraddha, release from this arises.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.226.51)

ततः शाल्मलिकूटस्तु तथान्ये लोहकण्टकाः तेषां मध्येन नीयंते पैशुन्यनिरता नराः त्रिमासिकं तु यच्छ्राद्धं तेन मुक्तिः प्रजायते

tataḥ śālmalikūṭastu tathānye lohakaṇṭakāḥ teṣāṁ madhyena nīyaṁte paiśunyaniratā narāḥ trimāsikaṁ tu yacchrāddhaṁ tena muktiḥ prajāyate

Beyond that is the peak of Shalmali, and other iron thorns as well; men devoted to slander are led through the midst of these. By the three-month shraddha, release from this arises.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.226.52)

रौरवोऽथ सुविख्यातो दारुणो नरको महान् ब्रह्मघ्नानां समादिष्टः स महाक्लेशकारकः

rauravo'tha suvikhyāto dāruṇo narako mahān brahmaghnānāṁ samādiṣṭaḥ sa mahākleśakārakaḥ

Then there is the famous, terrible, great hell called Raurava, appointed for brahmin-slayers, which causes immense suffering.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.226.53)

छिद्यंते विविधैः शस्त्रैस्तत्रस्था ये मुहुर्मुहुः चतुर्मासिकश्राद्धेन मुक्तिस्तेषां प्रजायते

chidyaṁte vividhaiḥ śastraistatrasthā ye muhurmuhuḥ caturmāsikaśrāddhena muktisteṣāṁ prajāyate

Those who dwell there are cut, again and again, by various weapons. By the four-month shraddha, their release arises.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.226.54)

अपरस्तु समाख्यातः क्षारोदस्तु सुदारुणः कृतघ्नानां समादिष्टः सदैव बहुवेदनः

aparastu samākhyātaḥ kṣārodastu sudāruṇaḥ kṛtaghnānāṁ samādiṣṭaḥ sadaiva bahuvedanaḥ

Another, called Ksharoda, is most terrible, appointed for the ungrateful, ever full of great pain.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.226.55)

अधोमुखा ऊर्ध्व पादाः पीड्यंते यत्र लंबिताः पञ्चमासिकदानेन मुक्तिस्तेषां प्रजायते

adhomukhā ūrdhva pādāḥ pīḍyaṁte yatra laṁbitāḥ pañcamāsikadānena muktisteṣāṁ prajāyate

There they are tormented, hanging head-down with feet upward. By the five-month offering, their release arises.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.226.56)

कुम्भीपाकस्ततो ज्ञेयो नरको दारुणाकृतिः तैलेन क्षिप्यमाणास्तु यत्र दण्डाभिसंधिताः दृश्यंते जनहंतारो बालहंतार एव च

kumbhīpākastato jñeyo narako dāruṇākṛtiḥ tailena kṣipyamāṇāstu yatra daṇḍābhisaṁdhitāḥ dṛśyaṁte janahaṁtāro bālahaṁtāra eva ca

Then is known the hell Kumbhipaka, terrible in form, where those cast into boiling oil, bound to stakes, are seen — the slayers of people, and also the slayers of children.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.226.57)

पतंति नरके रौद्रे नरा विश्वासघातकाः षण्मासिकप्रदानेन मुच्यंते तत्र संकटात्

pataṁti narake raudre narā viśvāsaghātakāḥ ṣaṇmāsikapradānena mucyaṁte tatra saṁkaṭāt

Men who betray trust fall into this fierce hell; by the six-month offering, they are released from that distress.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.226.58)

सर्पवृश्चिकसंयुक्तस्तथाऽन्यो नरकः श्रुतः तत्र ये दांभिका लोके ते गच्छन्ति नराधमाः सप्तमासिकदानेन तेषां मुक्तिः प्रजायते

sarpavṛścikasaṁyuktastathā'nyo narakaḥ śrutaḥ tatra ye dāṁbhikā loke te gacchanti narādhamāḥ saptamāsikadānena teṣāṁ muktiḥ prajāyate

And another hell is known, filled with serpents and scorpions; those base men who were hypocrites in the world go there. By the seven-month offering, their release arises.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.226.59)

तथा संवर्तकोनाम नरकोऽन्यः प्रकीर्तितः वेदविप्लावकाः साधुनिंदकाश्च दुरात्मकाः

tathā saṁvartakonāma narako'nyaḥ prakīrtitaḥ vedaviplāvakāḥ sādhuniṁdakāśca durātmakāḥ

And another hell is declared, called Samvartaka; the wicked-souled corrupters of the Veda and revilers of the virtuous go there.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.226.60)

उत्पाट्यते ततो जिह्वा सन्दंशैर्व ह्निसम्भवैः स्वकार्ये येऽनृतं ब्रूयुस्तद्गात्रं खाद्यते श्वभिः

utpāṭyate tato jihvā sandaṁśairva hnisambhavaiḥ svakārye ye'nṛtaṁ brūyustadgātraṁ khādyate śvabhiḥ

There the tongue is torn out with fire-forged tongs. Those who speak falsely for their own affairs — their bodies are devoured by dogs.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.226.61)

परार्थेऽपि च ये ब्रूयुस्तेषां गात्राणि कृत्स्नशः अष्टमासिकदानेन तेषां मुक्तिः प्रजायते

parārthe'pi ca ye brūyusteṣāṁ gātrāṇi kṛtsnaśaḥ aṣṭamāsikadānena teṣāṁ muktiḥ prajāyate

And those who speak falsely for another's affairs — their bodies too are entirely so devoured. By the eight-month offering, their release arises.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.226.62)

अग्निकूटो महाप्लावो दारुणो नरको महान् तत्र ते यांति वै मूढाः कूटसाक्ष्यिप्रदा नराः

agnikūṭo mahāplāvo dāruṇo narako mahān tatra te yāṁti vai mūḍhāḥ kūṭasākṣyipradā narāḥ

There is the great, terrible hell called Agnikuta, a mighty conflagration; there go those foolish men who bear false witness.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.226.63)

तत्रस्था यातनां रौद्रां सहं तेऽतीव दुःखिताः नवमासिकदानं च तेषामाह्लादनं परम्

tatrasthā yātanāṁ raudrāṁ sahaṁ te'tīva duḥkhitāḥ navamāsikadānaṁ ca teṣāmāhlādanaṁ param

Dwelling there, extremely afflicted, they endure fierce torment. The nine-month offering brings them supreme relief.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.226.64)

ततो लोहमयैः कीलैः संचितोऽन्यः समंततः तत्र चाग्निप्रदातारः स्त्रीणां हन्तार एव च

tato lohamayaiḥ kīlaiḥ saṁcito'nyaḥ samaṁtataḥ tatra cāgnipradātāraḥ strīṇāṁ hantāra eva ca

Beyond that is another hell, entirely studded with iron spikes; there go those who set fires maliciously, and also the slayers of women.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.226.65)

तत्र धावंति दुःखार्तास्ताड्यमानाश्च किंकरैः दशमासिकजं दानं तत्र तेषां प्रमुक्तये

tatra dhāvaṁti duḥkhārtāstāḍyamānāśca kiṁkaraiḥ daśamāsikajaṁ dānaṁ tatra teṣāṁ pramuktaye

There, afflicted with pain, they run about, being beaten by the servants of Yama. The offering arising in the tenth month serves for their release there.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.226.66)

ततोंऽगारमयैः पुंजैरावृताभूः समंततः स्वामिद्रोहरतास्तत्र भ्राम्यंते सर्वतो दिशः

tatoṁ'gāramayaiḥ puṁjairāvṛtābhūḥ samaṁtataḥ svāmidroharatāstatra bhrāmyaṁte sarvato diśaḥ

Beyond that, the ground is covered on every side with heaps of glowing coals; there, those devoted to betraying their masters wander about in every direction.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.226.67)

एकादशोद्भवं दानं तत्र मुक्त्यै प्रजायते संतप्तसिकतापूर्णो नरको दारुणाकृतिः

ekādaśodbhavaṁ dānaṁ tatra muktyai prajāyate saṁtaptasikatāpūrṇo narako dāruṇākṛtiḥ

The offering arising in the eleventh month brings about their release there. Next is a hell terrible in form, filled with scorching sand.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.226.68)

स्वामिनं चागतं दृष्ट्वा पलायनपरायणाः ये भवन्ति नरास्तत्र पच्यंते तेऽपि दुःखिताः तेषां द्वादशमासीयं श्राद्धं चैवोपतिष्ठति

svāminaṁ cāgataṁ dṛṣṭvā palāyanaparāyaṇāḥ ye bhavanti narāstatra pacyaṁte te'pi duḥkhitāḥ teṣāṁ dvādaśamāsīyaṁ śrāddhaṁ caivopatiṣṭhati

Men who, upon seeing their master arrive in danger, are intent on fleeing — they too are cooked there, afflicted; for them the twelve-month shraddha becomes effective.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.226.69)

यत्किंचिद्दीयते तोयमन्नं वा वत्सरांतरे प्रभुंजते च तन्मार्गे प्रदत्तं निजबान्धवैः

yatkiṁciddīyate toyamannaṁ vā vatsarāṁtare prabhuṁjate ca tanmārge pradattaṁ nijabāndhavaiḥ

Whatever water or food is given during the course of the year, given by their own kinsmen, they partake of it along the way.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.226.70)

ततः संवत्सरादूर्ध्वं निजकर्मसमुद्भवम् शुभाशुभं प्रपद्यंते धर्मराजसमीपगाः

tataḥ saṁvatsarādūrdhvaṁ nijakarmasamudbhavam śubhāśubhaṁ prapadyaṁte dharmarājasamīpagāḥ

Then, after a year has passed, going into the presence of the King of Dharma, they receive the fruit, good or bad, arising from their own deeds.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.226.71)

एवं पंचदशैतानि संसेव्य नरकाणि ते प्राप्नुवंति ततो जन्म मर्त्यलोके पुनर्नराः

evaṁ paṁcadaśaitāni saṁsevya narakāṇi te prāpnuvaṁti tato janma martyaloke punarnarāḥ

Thus, having undergone these fifteen hells, these men then obtain birth again in the world of mortals.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.226.72)

प्राप्नुवंति विदेशे च जन्म ये हेतुवादकाः नित्यं तर्पणदानेन तेषां तृप्तिः प्रजायते

prāpnuvaṁti videśe ca janma ye hetuvādakāḥ nityaṁ tarpaṇadānena teṣāṁ tṛptiḥ prajāyate

Those who were sophists and wranglers obtain birth in a foreign land; for them, satisfaction arises through the constant giving of tarpana.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.226.73)

स्वामिद्रोहरता ये च कुराज्ये जन्म चाप्नुयुः हंतकारप्रदानेन तेषां तृप्तिः प्रजायते

svāmidroharatā ye ca kurājye janma cāpnuyuḥ haṁtakārapradānena teṣāṁ tṛptiḥ prajāyate

And those devoted to betraying their masters obtain birth in a bad kingdom; for them, satisfaction arises through the offering of the hantakara rite.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.226.74)

अदत्त्वा ये नरोऽश्नंति पितृदेवद्विजातिषु दुर्भिक्षे जन्म तेषां तु तेन पापेन जायते

adattvā ye naro'śnaṁti pitṛdevadvijātiṣu durbhikṣe janma teṣāṁ tu tena pāpena jāyate

Men who eat without first giving to the ancestors, the gods, and the twice-born — by that sin, birth in a time of famine comes to them.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.226.75)

क्षयाहे श्राद्धसंप्राप्तौ तत स्तृप्तिः प्रजायते

kṣayāhe śrāddhasaṁprāptau tata stṛptiḥ prajāyate

When the shraddha is duly performed on the death-anniversary, satisfaction then arises for them.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.226.76)

ये प्रकुर्वंति दम्पत्योर्भेदं वै सानुरागयोः परस्परमसत्यानि तेषां भार्याऽसती भवेत्

ye prakurvaṁti dampatyorbhedaṁ vai sānurāgayoḥ parasparamasatyāni teṣāṁ bhāryā'satī bhavet

Those who cause division between a loving husband and wife, through falsehoods told to each about the other — their own wife becomes unchaste in a future birth.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.226.77)

एकस्मिन्वचने प्रोक्ते दश ब्रूते क्रुधान्विता विरूपा भ्रममाणा च सर्वलोकविगर्हिता कन्यादानफलैस्तेषां तत्रासां च सुखं भवेत्

ekasminvacane prokte daśa brūte krudhānvitā virūpā bhramamāṇā ca sarvalokavigarhitā kanyādānaphalaisteṣāṁ tatrāsāṁ ca sukhaṁ bhavet

When one word is spoken to her, she, filled with anger, speaks back ten; she becomes ugly, a wanderer, condemned by the whole world. Through the merit of a gift of a maiden performed on their behalf, happiness comes to them there.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.226.78)

कन्यकादानविघ्नं हि विक्रयं वा करोति यः स कन्याः केवलाः सूते न पुत्रं केवलं क्वचित्

kanyakādānavighnaṁ hi vikrayaṁ vā karoti yaḥ sa kanyāḥ kevalāḥ sūte na putraṁ kevalaṁ kvacit

One who causes an obstruction to the giving of a maiden in marriage, or who sells her — he begets only daughters, and never a son alone.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.226.79)

जायंते ताश्च बंधक्यो विधवा दुर्भगास्तथा कन्यादानफल प्राप्त्या तासां सौख्यं प्रजायते

jāyaṁte tāśca baṁdhakyo vidhavā durbhagāstathā kanyādānaphala prāptyā tāsāṁ saukhyaṁ prajāyate

And those daughters become prostitutes, widows, and unfortunate women; through obtaining the merit of the gift of a maiden, happiness comes to them.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.226.80)

यैर्हृतानि च रत्नानि तथा शास्त्रांतराणि च ते दरिद्राः प्रजायंते मूकाः खंजा विचक्षुषः तेषां शास्त्र प्रदानेन इह सौख्यं प्रजायते

yairhṛtāni ca ratnāni tathā śāstrāṁtarāṇi ca te daridrāḥ prajāyaṁte mūkāḥ khaṁjā vicakṣuṣaḥ teṣāṁ śāstra pradānena iha saukhyaṁ prajāyate

Those who have stolen jewels, and likewise other kinds of texts, are born poor, mute, lame, and blind; through the gift of scriptural knowledge made on their behalf, happiness comes to them here.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.226.81)

एते तु नरकाः प्रोक्ता मर्त्यलोकसमुद्भवाः एतैर्विज्ञायते सर्वं कृतं कर्म शुभाशुभम्

ete tu narakāḥ proktā martyalokasamudbhavāḥ etairvijñāyate sarvaṁ kṛtaṁ karma śubhāśubham

These, then, are the hells declared, together with the consequences arising within the world of mortals; by these, all deeds done, good and evil, become known.

Verse 82 (skanda.6.226.82)

तीर्थयात्राफलैस्तस्य ततः शुद्धिः प्रजायते

tīrthayātrāphalaistasya tataḥ śuddhiḥ prajāyate

Through the merit of pilgrimage to sacred places, purification then comes for him.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.226.83)

भीष्म उवाच एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यत्पृष्टोस्मि नराधिप एकविंशत्प्रमाणं च नरकाणां यथा स्थितम्

bhīṣma uvāca etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ yatpṛṣṭosmi narādhipa ekaviṁśatpramāṇaṁ ca narakāṇāṁ yathā sthitam

Bhishma said: O lord of men, all this has been declared to you, whatever I was asked — the twenty-one hells, just as they stand.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.226.84)

भूयश्च पृच्छ राजेंद्र संदेहो यो हृदि स्थितः

bhūyaśca pṛccha rājeṁdra saṁdeho yo hṛdi sthitaḥ

Ask further, O lord of kings, whatever doubt remains lodged in your heart.