pari-kulkarni/itihasa-sanskrit-en-filtered huggingface dataset:
Sanskrit: स सम्प्राप्य शुभान् कामांस्तृप्तः खित्रश्च पार्थिवः। कालं वर्षसहस्रान्तं सस्मार मनुजाधिपः॥ परिसंख्याय कालज्ञः कला: काष्ठाश्च वीर्यवान्। यौवनं प्राप्य राजर्षिः सहस्रपरिवत्सरान्॥ विश्वाच्या सहितो रेमे व्यभ्राजन्नन्दने वने। अलकायां स कालं तु मेरुशृङ्गे तथोत्तरे॥ यदा स पश्यते कालं धर्मात्मा तं महीपतिः। पूर्णं मत्वा ततः कालं पूरूं पुत्रमुवाच ह॥
English: The king (Yayati) became exceedingly happy in thus being able to enjoy all the best objects of enjoyments. That king of men was only sorry (in remembering) that one thousand years would soon come to an end. That royal sage, learned in the mystery of time and possessed of great prowess, having obtained youth for one thousand years and watching proper Kalas and Kashthas. Sported with Vishvachi (Apsara), some time in the garden (of Indra) Nandana, sometimes in Aloka and sometimes on the summit of the Meru Mountain. That virtuous king then found that the fixed time (one thousand) years had come to an end. He then called Puru and addressed him thus.
Sanskrit: यथाकामं यथोत्साहं यथाकालमरिंदम। सेविता विषयाः पुत्र यौवनेन मया तव॥
English: O son, O chastiser of foes, I have enjoyed with your youth to the full extent of my desires and to the full limit of my powers and all according to their seasons.
Sanskrit: न जातु कामः कामानामुपभोगेन शाम्यति। हविषा कृष्णवर्देव भूय एवाभिवर्धते॥
English: But desires never die. They are never satiated by indulgence. By indulgence they flame up like the sacrificial fire with ghee poured into it.
Sanskrit: यत् पृथिव्यां व्रीहियवं हिरण्यं पशवः स्त्रियः। एकस्यापि न पर्याप्तं तस्मात् तृष्णां परित्यजेत्॥
English: If one becomes the sole lord of all the earth with its paddy, oats, gems, beasts and women, still it will not be considered by him enough. Therefore, the thirst for enjoyment, should be abandoned.
Sanskrit: या दुस्त्यजा दुर्मतिभिर्या न जीर्यति जीर्यतः। योऽसौ प्राणान्तिको रोगस्तां तृष्णां त्यजतः सुखम्।१४
English: The thirst (of enjoyments), which is difficult to be cast off by the wicked, which does not fail even with falling life, is truly a fatal disease in man. To get rid of this thirst is real happiness.
Sanskrit: पूर्ण वर्षसहस्रं मे विषयासक्तचेतसः। तथाप्यनुदिनं तृष्णा ममैतेष्वभिजायते॥
English: My mind was attached to the pleasures of life for full one thousand years. My thirst for them, however, without being abated, is daily being increased.
Sanskrit: तस्मादेनामहं त्यक्त्वा ब्रह्मण्याधाय मानसम्। निर्द्वन्द्वो निर्ममो भूत्वा चरिष्यामि मृगैः सह॥
English: Therefore, I shall get rid of it. I shall fix my mind on Brahma and becoming peaceful and having no attachment, I shall pass the rest of my days in the forest with the innocent deer.
Sanskrit: पूरो प्रीतिऽस्मि भद्रं ते गृहाणेदं स्वयौवनम्। राज्यं चेदं गृहाण त्वं त्वं हि मे प्रियकृत् सुतः॥
English: O Puru, I am exceedingly pleased with you. Take (back) your own youth. Prosperity be to you. Receive my kingdom. You are my son who has done my favourite work.
Sanskrit: वैशम्पायन उवाच प्रतिपेदे जरां राजा ययाति हुषस्तदा। यौवनं प्रतिपेदे च पूरुः स्वं पुनरात्मनः॥
English: Vaishampayana said : Yayati, the son of Nahusha, then received back his own old age and his son Puru also received back his youth.
Sanskrit: अभिषेक्तुकामं नृपति पूरुं पुत्रं कनीयसम्। ब्राह्मणप्रमुखा वर्णा इदं वचनमब्रुवन्॥
English: Yayati became desirous of installing his youngest son Puru on the throne. But the four orders of his subject with Brahmanas at their
Sanskrit: कथं शुक्रस्य नप्तारं देवयान्याः सुतं प्रभो। ज्येष्ठं यदुर तिक्रम्य राज्यं पूरोः प्रयच्छसि॥
English: “O lord, how can you install Puru on the throne, passing over your eldest son Yadu, born of Devayani and grandson of Shukra?
Sanskrit: यदुर्येष्ठस्तव सुतो जातस्तमनु तुर्वसुः। शर्मिष्ठायाः सुतो दुह्युस्ततोऽनुः पूरुरेव च।॥
English: Yadu is your eldest son, after him was Turvasu. Then Sharmishtha's son Druhyu, Anu and last Puru.
Sanskrit: कथं ज्येष्ठानतिक्रम्य कनीयान् राज्यमर्हति। एतत् सम्बोधयामस्त्वां धर्मं त्वं प्रतिपालय॥
English: How it would be proper to pass over all the elders and install 1 the youngest? We represent this to you, act according to the precepts of religion.
Sanskrit: ययातिरुवाच ब्राह्मणप्रमुखा वर्णाः सर्वे शृण्वन्तु मे वचः। ज्येष्ठं प्रति यथा राज्यं न देयं मे कथंचन॥
English: Yayati said : Hear all of you of the four orders of the caste with the Brahmanas at their head, why my kingdom should not be given to my eldest son.
Sanskrit: मम ज्येष्ठेन यदुना नियोगो नानुपालितः। प्रतिकूलः पितुर्यश्च न स पुत्रः सतां मतः॥
English: My commands were disobeyed by my eldest son. The opinion of the wise men is that the son disobeys his father is no son at all.
Sanskrit: मातापित्रोर्वचनकृद्धितः पथ्यश्च यः सुतः। स पुत्रः पुत्रवद् यश्च वर्तते पितृमातृषु॥
English: The son who obeys the commands of his father and mother, who is humble and a wellwisher of his parents and who loves them, is the best of sons.
Sanskrit: यदुनाहमवज्ञातस्तथा तुर्वसुनापि च। द्रुाना चानुना चैव मय्यवज्ञा कृता भृशम्॥
English: I have been slighted by Yadu and Turvasu; much have I been slighted by Druhyu and Anu.
Sanskrit: पूरुणा तु कृतं वाक्यं मानितं च विशेषतः। कनीयान् मम दायादो धृता येन जरा मम॥
English: Only Puru obeyed my commands and much have I been honoured and respected by him. He accepted my old age and therefore, though he is the youngest, yet he should be made king.
Sanskrit: मम कामः स च कृतः पूरुणा मित्ररूपिणा। शुक्रेण च वरो दत्तः काव्येनोशनसा स्वयम्॥ पुत्रो यस्त्वानुवर्तेत स राजा पृथिवीपतिः। भवतोऽनुनयाम्येवं पूरू राज्येऽभिषिच्यताम्॥
English: Puru is a great friend of mine and he did what was agreeable to me. And the son of Kavi, Ushanas, Shukra himself, granted me this boon. The son who would obey me would become the king and the lord of the earth. Therefore, I entreat you, let Puru be installed on the throne.
Sanskrit: प्रकृतय ऊचुः यः पुत्रो गुमसम्पन्नो मातापित्रोर्हितः सदा। सर्वमर्हति कल्याणं कनीयानपि सत्तमः॥
English: The people said : O king, it is true that, the son who is accomplished and who seeks the good of his parents, deserves all prosperity, though he is the youngest.
Sanskrit: अर्हः पूरुरिदं राज्यं यः सुतः प्रियकृत् तव। वरदानेन शुक्रस्य न शक्यं वक्तुमुत्तरम्॥
English: Therefore, Puru, who has done good to you, deserve, to have the kingdom. As Shukra has granted this boon, we have no power to say anything.
Sanskrit: वैशम्पायन उवाच पौरजानपदैस्तुष्टैरित्युक्तो नाहुषस्तदा। अभ्यषिञ्चत् तत: पूरुं राज्ये स्वे सुतमात्मनः॥
English: Vaishampayana said: Having been thus addressed the contented people the son of Nahusha (Yayati) installed his son Puru on the throne.
Sanskrit: दत्त्वा च पूरवे राज्यं वनवासाय दीक्षितः। पुरात् स निर्ययौ राजा ब्राह्मणैस्तापसैः सह॥
English: Bestowing the kingdom on Puru he resolved to live in the forest and he left his capital with Brahmanas and ascetics.
Sanskrit: यदोस्तु यादवा जातास्तुर्वसोर्यवनाः स्मृताः। दुह्योः सुतास्तु वै भोजा अनोस्तु म्लेच्छजातयः॥
English: The son of Yadu are known as the Yadavas, those of Turvasu as the Yavanas, those of Druhyu as the Bhojas and those of Anu as the Mlecchas,
Sanskrit: पूरोस्तु पौरवो वंशो यत्र जातोऽसि पार्थिव। इदं वर्षसहस्राणि राज्यं कारयितुं वशी॥
English: Those of Puru as the Pauravas, in which dynasty, O king, you are born to rule the country for one thousand years.
Sanskrit: इन्द्र उवाच सर्वाणि कर्माणि समाप्य राजन् गृहं परित्यज्य वनं गतोऽसि। तत् त्वां पृच्छामि नहुषस्य पुत्र केनासि तुल्यस्तपसा ययाते॥
English: Indra said: O king, O son of Nahusha, O Yayati, after accomplishing all your duties, you went to the forest, leaving your home. I ask you, tell me like whom you are in ascetic merits.
Sanskrit: ययातिरुवाच नाहं देवमनुष्येषु गन्धर्वेषु महर्षिषु। आत्मनस्तपसा तुल्यं कंचित् पश्यामि वासव॥
English: Yayati said: O Vasava (Indra), I do not find among men, the celestials, the Gandharvas and great Rishis, any one equal to me in ascetic merits.
Sanskrit: इन्द्र उवाच यदावमंस्थाः सदृशः श्रेयसश्च अल्पीयसश्चाविदितप्रभावः। तस्माल्लोकास्त्वन्तवन्तस्तवेमे क्षीणे पुण्ये पतितास्यद्य राजन्॥
English: Indra said: O king, as you disregard those that are your superiors, those that are your equals and those that are your inferiors, your virtues, therefore, suffer a diminution and thus you must fall from heaven.
Sanskrit: ययातिरुवाच सुरर्षिगन्धर्वनरावमानात् क्षयं गता मे यदि शक्र लोकाः। इच्छाम्यहं सुरलोकाद् विहीनः सतां मध्ये पतितुं देवराज॥
English: Yayati said : O king of the celestials, if my virtues have really been diminished (by my pride), let me fall at least among men who are virtuous and honest.
Sanskrit: इन्द्र उवाच श्च्युतः प्रतिष्ठां यत्र लब्धासि भूयः। एतद् विदित्वा च पुनर्ययाते त्वं मावमंस्थाः सदृशः श्रेयसश्च॥
English: Indra said: O king, you shall fall among those that are virtuous and honest. You shall also gain great renown. O Yayati, after your this experience, never again disregard any one, your superiors, your equals or even your inferiors.
Sanskrit: वैशम्पायन उवाच ततः प्रहायामरराजजुष्टान् पुण्याँल्लोकान् पतमानं ययातिम्। मुवाच सद्धर्मविधानगोप्ता॥
English: Vaishampayana said : Thereupon Yayati fell from the region of the holy. And he was seen when thus falling by that royal sage, Ashtaka, the protector of religion. Seeing him he asked.
Sanskrit: अष्टक उवाच कस्त्वं युवा वासवतुल्यरूप: स्वतेजसा दीप्यमानो यथाग्निः। पतस्युदीर्णाम्बुधराम्धकारात् खात् खेचराणां प्रवरो यथार्कः॥
English: Ashtaka said: Who are you, young as you are, as handsome as Indra, as prominent by your own splendour as that of fire? Who are you falling like the foremost ranger of the sky, the sun, driving away the dark masses of clouds?
Sanskrit: दृष्ट्वा च त्वां सूर्यपथात् पतन्तं वैश्वानरार्कातिभप्रमेयम्। किं नु स्विदेतत् पततीति सर्वे वितर्कयन्तः परिमोहिताः स्मः॥
English: Seeing you fall from the region of the sun, as effulgent as the fire or the sun, all men are asking themselves, "What is this that falls?" They are deprived of their consciousness.
Sanskrit: दृष्ट्वा च त्वां धिष्ठितं देवमार्गे शक्रार्कविष्णुप्रतिमप्रभावम्। अभ्युद्गतास्त्वां वयमद्य सर्वे तत्त्वं प्रपाते तव जिज्ञासमानाः॥
English: Seeing you in the path of the celestials, as effulgent as Surya, Indra or Vishnu, we have all come to you to ascertain the truth.
Sanskrit: न चापि त्वां धृष्णुमः प्रष्टुमग्रे न च त्वमस्मान् पृच्छसि ये वयं स्मः। तत् त्वां पृच्छामि स्पृहणीयरूप कस्य त्वं वा किंनिमित्तं त्वमागाः॥
English: O enviably handsome one, we would not have been guilty of incivility by first asking you who you are, if you would have asked us first who we are. We ask you, (tell us) who you are and why you come here?
Sanskrit: भयं तु ते व्येतु विषादमोही त्यजाशु चैवेन्द्रसमप्रभाव। त्वां वर्तमानं हि सतां सकाशे नालं प्रसोढुं बलहापि शक्रः॥
English: O Indra-like great one, let your fears be dispelled, let your woes and afflictions cease. । You are now in the presence of the virtuous and the wise. Even Indra, the slayer of Bala, cannot do you any harm.
Sanskrit: सन्तः प्रतिष्ठा हि सुखच्युतानां सतां सदैवामरराजकल्प। ते संगताः स्थावरजङ्गमेशा: प्रतिष्ठिस्त्वं सदृशेषु सत्सु॥
English: O Indra-like great one, the honest and the virtuous are the support of their brethren. Here are assembled the protectors of the movable and the immovables of the world, the honest and the virtuous. You are now with such ones.
Sanskrit: प्रभुरग्निः प्रतपने भूमिरावपने प्रभुः। । प्रभुः सूर्यः प्रकाशित्वे सतां चाभ्यागतः प्रभुः॥
English: As Agni is the lord that gives heat, as earth is the lord that holds the seed (and produces corn), as sun is the lord that dispels darkness, so is a guest the lord of the honest and the virtuous.
Sanskrit: ययातिरुवाच अहं ययातिनहुषस्य पुत्रः पूरोः पिता सर्वभूतावमानात्। प्रभ्रंशितः सुरसिद्धर्षिलोकात् परिच्युतः प्रपताम्यल्पपुण्यः॥
English: Yayati said : I am Yayati, the son of Nahusha and the father of Puru. I am falling down from the region of the celestials, the Siddhas and the Rishis, for the diminution of my virtues. (I am falling), because I disregarded every creature on earth.
Sanskrit: स्तेनाभिवादं भवतां न प्रयुञ्जे। यो विद्यया तसा जन्मना वा वृद्धः स पूज्यो भवति द्विजानाम्॥
English: As I am older than in age, I did not salute you first. He who is older in age or superior in learning or asceticism is revered by Brahmanas.
Sanskrit: अष्टक उवाच अवादीस्त्वं वयसा यः प्रवृद्धः स वैराजन् नाभ्यधिकः कथ्यते च। यो विद्यया तपसा सम्प्रवृद्धः स एव पूज्यो भवति द्विजानाम्॥
English: Ashtaka said : O king, you say that he, who is older in years, deserves the respect and reverence of others. But it is said that he is truly worthy of respect is superior in learning and asceticism.
Sanskrit: ययातिरुवाच स्तद् वर्ततेऽप्रवणे पापलोक्यम्। सन्तोऽसतां नानुवर्तन्ति चैतद् यथा चैषामनुकूलास्तथाऽऽसन्॥
English: Yayati said : It is said that sin destroys the merit of all virtuous acts. Vanity contains the element of that which leads to hell. The virtuous never follow the path of the sinful.
Sanskrit: अभूद् धनं मे विपुलं गतं तद् विचेष्टमानो नाधिगन्ता तदस्मि। एवं प्रधार्यात्महिते निविष्टो यो वर्तते स विजानाति धीरः॥
English: They act in a way as to increase their virtue. I myself had great religious merits, but all is now gone. I shall never be able to regain them with my best efforts. He, who will take lesson from my this fate, will be wise and virtueus.
Sanskrit: र्यः सर्वविद्यासु विनीतबुद्धिः। वेदानधीत्य तपसाऽऽयोज्य देह दिवं समायात् पुरुषो वीतमोहः॥
English: He who, having acquired great wealth performs sacrifices, who, having acquired all kinds of learning, remains humble, who, having studied the entire Vedas, devotes himself to asceticism, goes to heaven.
Sanskrit: न जातु हृष्येन्महता धनेन वेदानधीयीतानहंकृतः स्यात्। नानाभावा बहवो जीवलोके दैवाधीना नष्टचेष्टाधिकाराः। तत् तत् प्राप्य न विहन्येत धीरो दिष्टं बलीय इति मत्वाऽऽत्मबुद्ध्या॥
English: No one should be proud of his great wealth; no one should feel exalted, because he has studied the entire Vedas. Men are of different dispositions in the world, but Destiny is supreme. Power and exertion are both futile and useless. Knowing Destiny to be supreme (over all), the wise should neither feel pride nor grief.
Sanskrit: सुखं हि जन्तुर्यदि वापि दुःखं दैवाधीनं विन्दते नात्मशक्त्या। तस्माद् दिष्टं बलवन्मन्यमानो न संज्वरेनापि हृष्येत् कथंचित्॥
English: Remembering that Destiny is supreme (over all), creatures should know that happiness and misery depend on Destiny and not on their own exertion and power.
Sanskrit: दुःखैन तप्येन्न सुखैः प्रहृष्येत् समेन वर्तेत सदैव धीरः। दिष्टं बलीय इति मन्यमानो न संज्वरेनापि हृष्येत् कथंचित्॥
English: The wise should always live contented, without grieving for misery or exalting for happiness. When Destiny is supreme, both grief and exaltation are useless.
Sanskrit: भये न मुह्याम्यष्टकाहं कदाचित् संतापो मे मानसो नास्ति कश्चित्। धाता यथा मां विदधीत लोके ध्रुवं तथाहं भवितेति मत्वा॥
English: O Ashtaka, I never feel terrified with fear, nor do I ever feel grief, for I know that I shall be on earth exactly what the great Ordainer has made me.
Sanskrit: संस्वेदजा अण्डजाचोद्भिदश्च सरीसृपाः कृमयोऽथाप्सु मत्स्याः। तथाश्मानस्तृणकाष्ठं च सर्वे दिष्टक्षये स्वां प्रकृतिं भजन्ति॥
English: The Insects, the worms, all the oviparous creatures, vegetables, crawling animals, vermins, fishes, stones, wood, in fact all created things, are united with the Prakriti when they are freed from their acts.
Sanskrit: अनित्यतां सुखदुःखस्य बुद्ध्वा कस्मात् संतापमष्टकाहं भजेयम्। किं कुर्यां वै किं च कृत्वा न तष्ये तस्मात् संतापं वर्जयाम्यप्रमत्तः॥
English: Happiness and misery are transitory, O Ashtaka, knowing this, why should I grieve? We never know how we are to act to avoid misery. Therefore, grief must be cast off.
Sanskrit: वैशम्पयान उवाच मथाष्टकः पुनरेवान्वपृच्छत्। मातामहं सर्वगुणोपपन्नं तत्र स्थितं स्वर्गलोके यथावत्॥
English: Vaishampayana said: King Yayati, possessed of every accomplishment, who was the maternal grand father of Ashtaka, was again asked by him to tell him the account of his living in heaven.
Sanskrit: अष्टक उवाच स्त्वया भुक्ता यं च कालं यथावत्। तान् मे राजन् ब्रूहि सर्वान यथावत् क्षेत्रज्ञवद् भावसे त्वं हि धर्मान्॥
English: Ashtaka said: O king of the world, tell me in detail the account of all those regions which you have visited and in which you passed your time in bliss. (Tell me also) the period for which you thus lived.
Sanskrit: ययातिरुवाच स्ततो लोकान् महतश्चाजयं वै। तत्रावसं वर्षसहस्रमानं ततो लोकं परमस्म्यभ्युपेतः॥
English: Yayati said: I was a great king on earth, ruling over the whole world as my kingdom. I acquired many high regions by my religious merits. I lived full one thousand years on earth and then I ascended to a very high region.
Sanskrit: ततः पुरीं पुरुहूतस्य रम्यां सहस्रद्वारां शतयोजनायताम्। अध्यावसं वर्षसहस्रमात्र ततो लोकं परमस्म्यभ्युपेतः॥
English: It is the abode of Indra. It is very beautiful; it has one thousand gates and it extends one hundred Yojanas all around. Here lived I for another one thousand years. And then I ascended to a higher region.
Sanskrit: ततो दिव्यमजरं प्राप्य लोकं प्रजापतेर्लोकपते१रापम्। तत्रावसं वर्षसहस्रमानं ततो लोकं परमस्म्यभ्युपेतः॥
English: This is the region of supreme beatitude, the abode of the Prajapati, the lord of the earth, a region very difficult to attain. Here lived I for another on thousand years. And I then ascended to a higher region.
Sanskrit: स देवदेवस्य निवेशने च विहत्य लोकानवसं यथेष्टम्। स्तुल्यप्रभावद्युतिरीश्वराणाम्॥
English: It is the abode of the god of gods, (Vishnu), where I lived for many years in supreme bliss. I have lived in various regions and I was adored by the celestials and I possessed splendour and prowess like the celestial.
Sanskrit: तथावसं नन्दने कामरूपी संवत्सराणामयुतं शतानाम्। सहाप्सरोभिर्विहरन् पुण्यगन्धान् पश्यन् नगान् पुष्पितांश्चारुरूपान्॥
English: I was capable of assuming any form at will; I sported for many millions of years with the Apsaras in the gardens of Nandana, under innumerable beautiful trees clad in flowery garb and spreading delicious perfume.
Sanskrit: तत्र स्थितं मां देवसुखेषु सक्तं कालेऽतीते महति ततोऽतिमात्रम्। दूतो देवानामब्रवीदुग्ररूपो ध्वंसेत्युचैस्त्रिः प्लुतेन स्वरेण॥
English: I lived there in celestial happiness for many years, when a celestial messenger of grim visage thrice shouted to me in a loud and deep voice, “Ruined, Ruined, Ruined."
Sanskrit: एतावन्मे विदितं राजसिंह ततो भ्रष्टोऽहं नन्दनात् क्षीणपुण्यः। वाचोऽश्रौषं चान्तरिक्षे सुराणां सानुक्रोशाः शोचतां मां नरेन्द्र॥
English: O best of kings, this much I remember that I fell from Nandana and all my religious merits were gone. O king of men, I heard the voices of the celestials in the sky exclaiming in grief.
Sanskrit: अहो कष्टं क्षीणपुण्यो ययाति: पतत्यसौ पुण्यकृत् पुण्यकीर्तिः। तानब्रुवं पतमानस्ततोऽहं सतां मध्ये निपतेयं कथं नु॥
English: "What misfortune! The virtuous and meritorious Yayati is falling! His all religious merits are destroyed!” And when I was falling, I asked them, “Where are those wise ones amongst whom am I to fall?"
Sanskrit: तैराख्याता भवतां यज्ञभूमिः समीक्ष्य चेमां त्वरितमुपागतोऽस्मि। धूमापाङ्गं प्रतिगृह्य प्रतीतः॥
English: They pointed out to me this sacred sacrificial region belonging to you. I am hastily coming to this your sacrificial ground, seeing the curls of smoke that rise from the sacrificial fire and blacken the sky. I smelt the perfume of the sacrificial ghee.
Sanskrit: अष्टक उवाच यदावसो नन्दने कामरूपी संवत्सराणामयुतं शतानाम्। किं कारणं कार्तयुगप्रधान हित्वा च त्वं वसुधामन्वपद्यः॥
English: Ashtaka said: O foremost man of the Krita Yuga, you having been able to assume any form at will, passed millions of years in the garden of Nandana. For what reason have you been compelled to leave that happy region and come here today?
Sanskrit: ययातिरुवाच ज्ञातिः सुहृत् स्वजनो वा यथेह क्षीणे वित्ते त्यज्यते मानवैहि। तथा तत्र क्षीणपुण्यं मनुष्यं त्यजन्ति सद्यः सेश्वरा देवसङ्घाः॥
English: Yayati said : As relatives and kinsmen forsake in this world a man who has lost his wealth, so in the other world Indra and the celestials forsake one who loses his righteousness.
Sanskrit: अष्टक उवाच तस्मिन् कथं क्षीणपुण्या भवन्ति सम्मुह्यते मेऽत्र मनोऽतिमात्रम्। किं वा विशिष्टाः कस्य धामोपयान्ति तदे वै ब्रूहि क्षेत्रवित् त्वं मतो मे॥
English: Ashtaka said: O king, I am very curious to learn how men can lose their righteousness in the other world. Tell me also what regions are attained by what means. I know you are acquainted with all the doings and the sayings.
Sanskrit: ययातिरुवाच इमं भौमं नरकं ते पतन्ति लालप्यमाना नरदेव सर्वे। ते कङ्कगोमायुबलाशनार्थे क्षीणा विवृद्धिं बहुधा व्रजन्ति॥
English: Yayati said : O God-like man, they that speak of their own merits are doomed to the painful hell called Bhauma, (earth). Though really lean, they appear to grow (fat on earth) to become the food for vultures, dogs and jackals.
Sanskrit: तस्मादेतद् वर्जनीयं नरेन्द्र दुष्टं लोके गर्हणीयं च कर्म। आख्यातं ते पार्थिव सर्वमेव भूयश्चेदानीं वद किं ते वदामि॥
English: Therefore, O king, this censurable and wicked vice should be cast off in this world. O king, I have now told you all. Tell me what more I shall speak.
Sanskrit: अष्टक उवाच यदा तु तान् वितुदन्ते वयांसि तथा गृध्राः शितिकण्ठाः पतङ्गाः। कथं भवन्ति कथमाभवन्ति न भौममन्यं नरकं शृणोमि॥
English: Ashtaka said: When life is destroyed by age, vultures, Shitikantha, insects and worms eat up the human body, where does man then live? How does he come to life again? I have never heard of any hell called Bhauma.
Sanskrit: ययातिरुवाच ऊर्ध्वं देहात् कर्मणा जृम्भमाणाद् व्यक्तं पृथिव्यामनुसंचरन्ति। इमं भौमं नरकं ते पतन्ति नावेक्षन्ते वर्षपूगाननेकान्॥
English: Yayati said : When the body is destroyed (by death), man, according to the effects of his acts, is born again in the womb of his mother. He stays there in an indistinct form and he then gradually assumes distinct and visible form. He then reappears and walks on the earth. Thus he falls into the hell Bhauma (earth) and does not see the end of his existence.
Sanskrit: षष्टिं सहस्राणि पतन्ति व्योम्नि तथा अशीतिं परिवत्सराणि तान् वै तुदन्ति पततः प्रपातं भीमा भौमा राक्षसास्तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्राः॥
English: Some thus falling live for sixty thousand years in the firmament; some again for eighty thousand years. They then fall (on this earth) and they are attacked by fearful Bhauma Rakshasas of sharp teeth.
Sanskrit: अष्टक उवाच यदेनसस्ते पततस्तुदन्ति भीमा भौमा राक्षसास्तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्राः। कथं भवन्ति कथमाभवन्ति कथंभूता गर्भभूता भवन्ति॥
English: Ashtaka said : Why are men, when thus falling from heaven, attacked by these fearful and sharpteethed Rakshasas? Why are they not annihilated? How do they again enter the womb?
Sanskrit: ययातिरुवाच मन्वेति तद् वै पुरुषेण सृष्टम्। स वै तस्या रज आपद्यते वै स गर्भभूतः समुपैति तत्र॥ वनस्पतीनोषधीश्चाविशन्ति अपो वायुं पृथिवीं चान्तरिक्षम्। मेवम्भूता गर्भभूता भवन्ति॥
English: Yayati said : All beings, thus fallen from heaven, become subtle substance, living in water. This water subsequently becomes the semen from which life is created. It then enters the womb of a woman in her season and develops into the embryo. It then becomes visible life like the fruit from the flower. Entering into trees, plants, vegetables, water, air, earth and space, the watery seed of life becomes quadrupeds of bipeds. This is the case with all creatures.
Sanskrit: अष्टक उवाच मुताहोस्वित् स्वेन कायेन याति। माचक्ष्व मे संशयात् प्रब्रवीमि॥ शरीरभेदाभिसमुच्छ्रयं च चक्षुःश्रोत्रे लभते केन संज्ञाम्। एतत् तत्त्वं सर्वमाचक्ष्व पृष्टः क्षेत्रज्ञं त्वां तात मन्याम सर्वे॥
English: Ashtaka said: Does a being who has got a human form enter the womb in its own shape or in some other? How does it acquire its distinct and visible shape, its eyes, ears and consciousness? Tell me all this, I ask you, because I have my doubts.
Sanskrit: ययातिरुवाच वायुः समुत्कर्षति गर्भयोनिमृतौ रेत: पुष्परसानुपृक्तम्। स तत्र तन्मात्रकृताधिकारः। क्रमेण संवर्धयतीह गर्भम्॥
English: Yayati said: The being that remains in a subtle form in the seed, when dropped into the womb, is attracted by atmospheric force for purposes of rebirth, according to the merits of one's acts.