Adhyaya 198: Description of the Torments within the Cycle of Rebirth: Hymn to Yama and the Introduction to Citragupta’s Administration

Verse 1

अथ संसारचक्रयातनास्वरूपवर्णनम् ॥ वर्तमानः सभामध्ये राजा प्रेतपुराधिपः ॥ मामेकमृषभं तत्र दर्शनं च ददौ यमः

Now follows the description of the nature of the torments within the wheel of saṃsāra. While the king, lord of the city of the departed, was present in the midst of the assembly, Yama granted me there an audience—me, the ṛṣabha, the excellent sage.

Verse 2

याथातथ्येन मे पूजा कार्येण विधिना अकरोत् ॥ आसनं पाद्यमर्घ्यं च वेददृष्टेन कर्मणा

He worshiped me in due and proper manner, by the appropriate procedure—offering a seat, water for the feet, and arghya—through a rite grounded in Vedic precedent.

Verse 3

अब्रवीच्च पुनर्हृष्टो ह्यास्यतां च वरासने ॥ काञ्चने कुशसंच्छन्ने दिव्यपुष्पोपशोभिते

And again, delighted, he said: “Please be seated upon the excellent seat—golden, covered with kuśa-grass, and adorned with divine flowers.”

Verse 4

तस्य वक्त्रं महारौद्रं नित्यमेव भयानकम् ॥ पश्यतस्तस्य मां विप्रास्ततः सौम्यतरं बभौ

His face was exceedingly fierce—ever fearsome. But as he looked upon me, O brāhmaṇas, then he appeared more gentle.

Verse 5

लोहिते तस्य वै नेत्रे जल्पतश्च पुनःपुनः ॥ पद्मपत्रनिभे चैव जज्ञाते मम सौहृदात्

His eyes were indeed red, and he spoke again and again; yet, through his friendliness toward me, they became like lotus-petals.

Verse 6

ततोऽहं तस्य भावेन भावितश्च पुनःपुनः ॥ प्रहृष्टमानसो जातो विश्वासं च परं गतः ॥

Then I—again and again—became imbued with his disposition; my mind grew joyful, and I attained the highest trust.

Verse 7

तस्य प्रीतिकरं सद्यः सर्वदोषविनाशनम् ॥ कामदं च यशोदं च दैवतैश्चापि पूजितम् ॥

That brings him immediate satisfaction, destroys all faults, grants desired aims and fame, and is honored even by the gods.

Verse 8

कालवृद्धिकरं स्तोत्रं क्षिप्रं तत्र उदीरयन् ॥ येन प्रीतो महातेजा यमः परमधार्मिकः ॥

Promptly reciting there a hymn that increases one’s allotted time, by which Yama—of great splendor and supremely righteous—becomes pleased.

Verse 9

ऋषिपुत्र उवाच ॥ त्वं धाता च विधाता च श्राद्धे चैव हि दृश्यसे ॥ पितॄणां परमो देवश्चतुष्पाद नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

The sage’s son said: “You are the Sustainer and the Ordainer, and indeed you are seen in the śrāddha rite. O supreme deity of the ancestors, O four-footed one—homage to you.”

Verse 10

कर्म कारयिता चैव भूतभव्य भवत्प्रभो ॥ पावको मोहनश्चैव संक्षेपो विस्तारस्तथा ॥

You are indeed the one who causes actions to be done, O lord of the past and the future. You are the purifier and the enchanter; likewise, you are contraction and expansion.

Verse 11

दण्डपाणे विरूपाक्ष पाशहस्त नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ आदित्यसदृशाकार सर्वजीवहर प्रभो ॥

O bearer of the staff, O uneven-eyed one, O holder of the noose—homage to you. O Lord whose form is like the Sun, O taker of all living beings at the time of death.

Verse 12

कृष्णवर्ण दुराधर्ष तैलरूप नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ मार्तण्डसदृश श्रीमन्मार्तण्डसदृशद्युतिः ॥

O dark-hued one, hard to overcome, of an oily, gleaming form—homage to you. O illustrious one, like the Sun in appearance, like the Sun in radiance.

Verse 13

हव्यकव्यवहस्त्वं हि प्रभविष्णो नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ पापहन्ता व्रती श्राद्धा नित्ययुक्तो महातपाः ॥

For you indeed are the bearer of offerings to the gods and to the ancestors; O mighty one, homage to you. Destroyer of sin, observer of vows, devoted to śrāddha, ever disciplined, of great austerity.

Verse 14

एकदृग्बहुदृग्भूत्वा काल मृत्युो नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ क्वचिद्दण्डी क्वचिन्मुण्डी क्वचित्कालो दुरासदः ॥

Becoming one-eyed and many-eyed, O Time, O Death—homage to you. At times staff-bearing, at times shaven-headed; at times as Time itself, difficult to resist.

Verse 15

क्वचिद्बालः क्वचिद्वृद्धः क्वचिद्रौद्रो नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ त्वया विराजितो लोकः शासितो धर्महेतुना ॥

At times a child, at times an old man, at times fierce—homage to you. By you the world is made splendid and is governed for the sake of dharma.

Verse 16

प्रत्यक्ष्यं दृश्यते देव त्वां विना न च सिध्यति ॥ देवानां परमो देवस्तपसां परमं तपः

O Deva, you are directly perceived; without you nothing is accomplished. Among the gods you are the highest Deity; among austerities you are the supreme austerity.

Verse 17

जपानां परमं जप्यं त्वत्तश्चान्यो न दृश्यते ॥ ऋषयो वा तथा क्रुद्धा हतबन्धुसुहृज्जनाः

Among recitations (japa), you are the supreme object of recitation; apart from you, no other is perceived. Even sages, when angered—having lost kinsmen and friends—turn their minds toward you.

Verse 18

पतिव्रतास्तु या नार्यो दुःखितास्तपसि स्थिताः ॥ न त्वं शक्त इह स्थानात्पातनाय कदाचन

As for women devoted to their husbands—though afflicted and established in austerity—you are never capable here of casting them down from their state.

Verse 19

वैशम्पायन उवाच ॥ एवं श्रुत्वा स्तवं दिव्यमृषिपुत्रेण भाषितम् ॥ परितुष्टस्तदा धर्मो ह्यौद्दालकसुतं प्रति

Vaiśampāyana said: Having thus heard the divine hymn spoken by the sage’s son, Dharma (Yama) was then pleased toward the son of Uddālaka.

Verse 20

यम उवाच ॥ परितुष्टोऽस्मि भद्रं ते माधुर्येण तवानघ ॥ याथातथ्येन वाक्येन ब्रूहि किं करवाणि ते

Yama said: I am pleased; blessings to you, blameless one, by the sweetness of your speech. Speak with a statement consistent with truth: what shall I do for you?

Verse 21

वरं वरय भद्रं ते यं वरं काङ्क्षसे द्विज ॥ शुभं वा श्रेयसा युक्तं जीवितं वाप्यनामयम्

Choose a boon—blessings to you—whatever boon you desire, O twice-born. It may be prosperity, or what is joined to the highest good, or even a life free from disease.

Verse 22

ऋषिपुत्र उवाच ॥ नेच्छाम्यहं महाभाग मृत्युं वा जीवितं प्रभो ॥ यदि त्वं वरदो राजन्सर्वभूतहिते रतः

The sage’s son said: I do not desire, O great one, either death or life, O lord. If you are a giver of boons, O king, devoted to the welfare of all beings—

Verse 23

द्रष्टुमिच्छाम्यहं देव तव देशं यथातथम् ॥ पापानां च शुभानां च या गतिस्त्विह दृश्यते

I wish to see, O Deva, your domain exactly as it is, and the course that is seen here for the wicked and for the virtuous.

Verse 24

सर्वं दर्शय मे राजन्यदि त्वं वरदो मम ॥ चित्रगुप्तं च तं राजन्कार्यार्थं तव चिन्तकम्

Show me everything, O king, if you are my boon-giver; and show that Chitragupta, O king, your counselor who attends to the purposes of your administration.

Verse 25

दर्शयस्व महाभाग सर्वलोकस्य चिन्तक ॥ यथा कर्मविशेषाणां दर्शनार्थं करोति सः

Please show it, O great one, overseer concerned with all worlds—how he brings about a demonstration to reveal the particular distinctions of actions.

Verse 26

एवमुक्तो महातेजा द्वारस्थं संदिदेश ह ॥ चित्रगुप्तसकाशं तु नय विप्रं सुयन्त्रितम्

Thus addressed, the radiant one instructed the gate-attendant: “Lead the brāhmaṇa—properly escorted—into the presence of Citragupta.”

Verse 27

वक्तव्यश्च महाबाहुरस्मिन्विप्रे यथातथम् ॥ प्राप्तकालं च युक्तं च तत्सर्वं वक्तुमर्हसि

“O mighty-armed one, you should speak to this brāhmaṇa exactly as it is—timely and appropriate; you ought to state all of that.”

Verse 28

प्रत्युत्थितश्च मां दृष्ट्वा चिन्तयित्वा तु तत्त्वतः ॥ स्वागतम् मुनिशार्दूल यथेष्टं परिगम्यताम्

And rising in welcome upon seeing me, and reflecting upon the matter in truth, he said: “Welcome, tiger among sages; proceed as you wish.”

Verse 29

एवं सम्भाष्य मां वीरः स्वान्भृत्यान्सन्दिदेश ह ॥ कृताञ्जलिपुटान्सर्वान्घोररूपान्भयानकान्

Having thus addressed me, the hero ordered his own attendants—all with hands joined in reverence—though of dreadful and fearsome appearance.

Verse 30

चित्रगुप्त उवाच ॥ भो भो शृणुत मे दूताः मम चित्तानुवर्त्तकाः ॥ भक्तिमन्तो दुराधर्षा नित्यं व्रतपरायणाः

Citragupta said: “Listen, listen, O my messengers—those who act in accordance with my intent—devoted, unassailable, and ever committed to disciplined observances.”

Verse 31

अयं विप्रो मयादिष्टः प्रेतावासं गमिष्यति ॥ अस्य रक्षा च गुप्तिश्च भवद्भिः क्रियतामिति

This brāhmaṇa, instructed by me, will go to the abode of the departed; let his protection and safeguarding be carried out by you.

Verse 32

नैव दुःखेन खेदः स्यान्न चोष्णेन च शीतताḥ ॥ भुक्षापि तृषा वा अपि एष आज्ञापयामि वः

Let him not be distressed by suffering; nor be afflicted by heat or by cold; nor by hunger or thirst—this is what I command you.

Verse 33

एवं दत्तवरो विप्रो गुरుచित्तानुचिन्तकः ॥ सर्वभूतदयावांश्च द्रव्यवांश्च स वै द्विजः

Thus, the brāhmaṇa—having received this boon—reflected upon his teacher’s intention; compassionate toward all beings and possessed of resources—indeed, that twice-born man.

Verse 34

यथाकाममयं पश्येद्धर्मराजपुरोत्तमम् ॥ एवमुक्त्वा महातेजा गच्छ गच्छेति चाब्रवीत्

“Let him behold, as he wishes, the excellent city of Dharmarāja.” Having said thus, the radiant one added, “Go, go.”

Verse 35

ऋषिपुत्र उवाच ॥ सन्दिष्टाश्च ततो दूताश्चित्रगुप्तेन धीमता ॥ धावन्तस्त्वरमाणास्तु गृह्णन्तो घ्नन्त एव च

Ṛṣiputra said: “Then the messengers, instructed by the intelligent Citragupta, ran forth in haste—seizing and striking as they went.”

Verse 36

बन्धयन्ति महाकाया निर्दहन्ति महाबलाः ॥ पाटयन्ति प्रहारैश्च ताडयन्ति पुनः पुनः

Mighty, huge-bodied agents bind them; the very powerful burn them; they tear them open with blows and strike them again and again.

Verse 37

रुदन्ति करुणं घोरं त्रातारं नाप्नुवन्ति ते ॥ नरकेऽपि तथा पूर्णे ह्यगाधे तमसावृते

They weep pitiably and in terror, yet they do not obtain any rescuer—thus it is in that hell as well, filled (with suffering), unfathomable, and enveloped in darkness.

Verse 38

केचिच्च तेषु पच्यन्ते दह्यन्ते पावकेन्धनम् ॥ तैलपाके तथा केचित्केचित्क्षारेण सर्पिषा

Some among them are cooked; some are burned like fuel for fire. Some are cooked in oil, and some (are treated) with caustic alkali and with ghee.

Verse 39

पतन्ति ते दुरात्मानस्तत्र तत्र च कर्मभिः ॥ यातनाभिर्दह्यमाना घोराभिश्च ततस्ततः

Those wicked-minded ones fall here and there because of their actions; burned by torments—terrible ones—they are driven from place to place.

Verse 40

केचिद्यन्त्रमुपारोप्य संपीड्यन्ते तिला इव ॥ तेषां संपीड्यमानानां शोणितं स्रवते बहु

Some are placed upon a machine and crushed like sesame seeds; as they are being crushed, much blood flows from them.

Verse 41

ततो वैतरणी घोरा संभूता निम्नगा तथा ॥ सफेनसलिलावर्त्ता दुस्तरा पापकर्मिणाम्

Then the dreadful Vaitaraṇī came into being, a river as well—its eddies churning foaming waters—hard to cross for those whose actions are sinful.

Verse 42

अथान्ये शूल आरोप्य दूताः पादेषु गृह्य वै ॥ वैतरण्यां सुघोरायां प्रक्षिपन्ति सहस्रशः

Then others—impaled upon stakes—messengers, seizing them by the feet, hurl them by the thousands into the exceedingly dreadful Vaitaraṇī.

Verse 43

नानुष्णे रुधिरे तत्र फेनमालासमाकुलाः ॥ दशन्ति सर्पास्तांस्तत्र प्राणिनस्तु सहस्रशः

There, in blood that is not warm, amid masses of foam, serpents bite those beings—indeed, by the thousands.

Verse 44

अनुत्तार्य तदा तस्या उच्छ्रिता विकृतावशाः ॥ आवर्तादूर्मयश्चैव ह्युत्तिष्ठन्ति सहस्रशः

Unable to cross it then, they rise up, helpless and disfigured; and from the whirlpools, waves indeed surge up—by the thousands.

Verse 45

तत्र शुष्यन्ति ते पापाः सर्वदोषसमन्विताः ॥ मज्जन्तश्च वमन्तश्च त्रातारं नाप्नुवन्ति ते

There those sinners, possessed of every fault, wither away; sinking and vomiting, they do not obtain any rescuer.

Verse 46

आसिशक्तिप्रहारैश्च ताडयन्ति पुनःपुनः ॥ तत्र शाखासु घोरासु मया दृष्टाः सहस्रशः ॥

And they strike again and again with blows of swords and spears. There, upon dreadful branches, I saw them in the thousands.

Verse 47

कूष्माण्डा यातुधानाश्च लम्बमानाः भयानकाः ॥ अतिक्रम्य च ते स्कन्धास्तीक्ष्णकण्टकसङ्कुलाः ॥

Kūṣmāṇḍas and yātudhānas, hanging down and terrifying—having crossed over, their shoulders were crowded with sharp thorns.

Verse 48

वेदनार्तास्तु वेगेन शीघ्रं शाखा उपारुहन् ॥ तत्र ते निहता घोरा राक्षसाः पिशिताशनाः ॥

Tormented by pain, they swiftly climbed up the branches. There, those dreadful rākṣasas—flesh-eaters—were slain.

Verse 49

घ्नन्ति चारूढगात्राणि निःशङ्कं तमसा वृतम् ॥ सङ्क्रमाच्चैव खादन्ति शालायां कपिवद्भृशम् ॥

They strike the bodies that have climbed up without hesitation, in a region enveloped by darkness. And from the crossing/approach they devour them in the hall, violently, like monkeys.

Verse 50

यथा च कुक्कुटं खादेत कश्चिन्म्लेच्छो निराकृतः ॥ तथा कटकटाशब्दस्तस्मिन्वृक्षे मया श्रुतः ॥

And just as some outcaste mleccha might eat a rooster, so too a ‘kaṭakaṭā’ cracking sound was heard by me on that tree.

Verse 51

पक्वमाम्रफलं यद्वन्नरः खादेद्यथा वने ॥ एवं ते मुखतः कृत्वा महावक्त्रा दुरासदाः ॥

Just as a man might eat a ripe mango-fruit in a forest, so they—great-mouthed and hard to approach—having seized with their mouths, devour in that manner.

Verse 52

ततो जवेन् संयुक्ता वनस्थाश्चूषिताः पुनः ॥ आविष्टानि च कर्माणि पुनः शीघ्रमकामयन् ॥

Then, impelled by speed, and again drained while remaining in the forest, they desired once more to hasten toward the actions that had possessed them.

Verse 53

अधस्तात्तु पुनस्तत्र पश्यन्तः पापकर्मिणः ॥ बहुसंख्येषु पापेषु दारुणेषु सुदुःखिताः ॥

But below, there again, the doers of sinful acts were seen—greatly afflicted amid numerous, dreadful evils.

Verse 54

पाषाणवर्षैः केचित्तु पांसुवर्षैश्च विद्रुताः ॥ प्रविशन्ति नगच्छायां ततस्ते प्रज्वलन्ति तु ॥

Some, driven forward by showers of stones and showers of dust, enter the shade of a tree; then they burst into flame.

Verse 55

द्रवन्ति च पुनस्तत्र दूतैश्चापि दृढं हताः ॥ भुवनेषु च घोरेषु पच्यन्ते ते दृढाग्निना ॥

And again they run there, struck hard by the messengers. In dreadful worlds they are cooked by intense fire.

Verse 56

वारिपूर्णं ततः कुम्भं शीतलं च जलं पुनः ॥ दियतां दियतां चेति ब्रुवते नः प्रसीदथ

Then a pot filled with water, and again cool water, is presented; they say, “Let it be given, let it be given,” and plead, “Be gracious to us.”

Verse 57

ततः पानीयरूपेण जलं तप्तं तु दीयते ॥ तेन दग्धाश्च आर्त्ताश्च क्रोशन्तश्च परस्परम्

Then, in the guise of drinking-water, hot water is given; by it they are burned and afflicted, crying out to one another.

Verse 58

आलिङ्ग्यालिङ्ग्य दुःखार्त्ताः केचित्तत्र पतन्ति वै ॥ तथान्ये क्षुधितास्तत्र हाहाभूतमचेतसः

Embracing one another again and again, some—overcome by suffering—fall there; and others, tormented by hunger, become senseless, crying “hā hā!”

Verse 59

अन्नानां च सुमिष्टानां भक्ष्याणां च विशेषतः ॥ पश्यन्ति राशिं तत्रस्थां सुगन्धां पर्वतोपमाम्

They see there a heap of foods—especially very sweet edibles—fragrant and mountain-like in appearance.

Verse 60

दधिक्षीररसांश्चैव कृसरान्पायसं तथा ॥ मधुमाधवपूर्णानि सुरामैरेयकस्य च

And (they see) the juices of curd and milk, kṛsara, and also pāyasa; vessels filled with madhu and mādhava, and also with surā and maireyaka.

Verse 61

माध्वीकस्य च पानस्य सीधोर्जातीरसस्य च ॥ पानानि दिव्यानि सुगन्धीनि वै शीतलानिच

And there are drinks of mādhvīka, of sīdhu, and of jātī-rasa—drinks that are divine, fragrant, and cooling.

Verse 62

गोरसस्य च पानानि भाजनानि च नित्यशः ॥ तपोऽर्जितानि दिव्यानि तिष्ठन्ति सुकृतात्मनाम्

And there are drinks of milk (literally, ‘cow-juice’), and vessels as well, always—splendid things gained through austerity—standing ready for those endowed with merit.

Verse 63

भोजनेषु च सर्वेषु स्त्रियः कान्ता मनोहराः ॥ गृहीतकुम्भमणिकाः सर्वाभरणभूषिताः

At all the feasts, charming and delightful women—holding water-jars and jewels—stand adorned with every kind of ornament.

Verse 64

फलानि कुण्डहस्ताश्च पात्रहस्तास्तथापराः ॥ सुमनःपाद्यहस्ताश्च अदीना परमाङ्गनाः

Some hold fruits and bowls in their hands; others hold vessels; others hold flowers and water for foot-washing—excellent women, free from dejection.

Verse 65

अन्नदानरताश्चैव भोजयन्ति सहस्रशः ॥ नूपुरोज्वलपादाश्च तिष्ठन्ति च मनोहराः

And those devoted to the gift of food feed others by the thousands; with anklets shining upon their feet, they stand there, delightful in appearance.

Verse 66

उपस्थाप्य महायोग्यमत्र काले च योषितः ॥ ब्रुवन्ति सर्वास्ताश्चैव तस्यां तस्य च दक्षिणाः

Having presented the great yogin at the appointed time, the women there—all of them—speak; and in that same context the corresponding dakṣiṇā, the ritual gifts due to each, are also mentioned.

Verse 67

पापाशया निष्कृतिकाः सर्वदानविवर्जिताः ॥ परापवादनिरताः पापैर्बद्धकथानकाः

They are of sinful intent, without expiation, ever devoid of generosity; devoted to slandering others, their tales are bound up with wrongdoing.

Verse 68

निर्लज्जा गृहका देया याचितुं मनसा हिताः ॥ सुलभानि न दत्तानि विभवे सति लौकिके

Shameless in their households, their minds were disposed to begging; even when worldly means were at hand, they did not give what was easy to provide.

Verse 69

पानीयमथ काष्ठानि यद्यन्नं सुखमागतम् ॥ तेन वध्याः भवन्तो वै यातनाभिरनेकशः

If water, firewood, or food came to you without hardship, then for that failure you indeed become liable to punishment through many torments.

Verse 70

निघ्नन्तश्च हसन्तश्च दूताः निष्ठुरवादिनः ॥ भोभो कृतघ्ना लुब्धाश्च परदाराभिमर्शकाः

Striking and laughing, the messengers speak harshly: “Ho, ho! you ungrateful and greedy ones, you who violate the wives of others!”

Verse 71

कर्मणां च क्षयो जातः संसारे यदि पच्यते ॥ विमुक्ताश्चेह लोकात्तु जनिष्यथ सुदुर्गताः

When the exhaustion of deeds (karma) arises and is “cooked” (matured) within saṃsāra, then—released from this world—you will be born into a very difficult condition.

Verse 72

वृत्तस्था भुञ्जते हेमांश्चातुर्वर्ण्यान्विशेषतः ॥ ततः सत्यरता शान्ता दयावन्तः सुधार्मिकाः

Established in proper conduct, they enjoy prosperity—especially among the four varṇa; from that arise those devoted to truth, peaceful, compassionate, and firmly aligned with dharma.

Verse 73

इह विश्राम्य ते धीराः किञ्चित्कालं सहानुगाः ॥ गच्छन्ति परमं स्थानं पृथिव्यां वा महत्कुले

Resting here for some time, those steadfast persons—together with their attendants—go to the highest abode, or else are born on earth into a great family.

Verse 74

बहुसुन्दरनारीके समृद्धे सुसमाहिताः ॥ अजयन्त तथा क्षान्ताः प्राप्स्यन्ति परमां गतिम्

In a prosperous setting rich with many beautiful women, those who are well-composed—unconquered by passions and patient—will attain the highest destiny.

Verse 75

चूषयित्वा तु तान्सर्वांस्ते च तस्मिन्नगोत्तमे ॥ विसृजन्ति क्षितिं यावदास्थिभूतान्नरांस्तथा

Having sucked them all dry, and on that most excellent mountain (or peak), they cast them down to the ground—those men reduced to bones—until only that remains.

Verse 76

कालज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च सत्यवादी दृढव्रतः ॥ प्रेतनाथ महाभाग धर्मराज नमोऽस्तु ते

You discern the proper time and are mindful of benefaction; you speak truth and are firm in vow. O lord of the departed, O noble one—O Dharmarāja—homage be to you.

Verse 77

तस्मात्त्वं सर्वदेवेषु चैको धर्मभृतां वरः ॥ कृतज्ञः सत्यवादी च सर्वभूतहिते रतः

Therefore, among all the gods, you alone are the foremost bearer of dharma—grateful, truth-speaking, and devoted to the welfare of all beings.

Verse 78

ततोऽहं त्वरितं नीतस्तेन दूतेन दर्शितः ॥ प्राप्तश्च परया प्रीत्या चित्रगुप्तनिवेशनम्

Then I was swiftly led, shown the way by that messenger; and I arrived—welcomed with great courtesy—at the residence of Citragupta.

Verse 79

वेणुयष्टिप्रहारैश्च प्रहरन्ति ततोऽधिकैः ॥ भग्ना भिन्ना विभिन्नाश्च तथा भग्नशिरोधराः

Thereupon they strike with blows of bamboo-staves, with excessive force; the victims become broken, shattered, torn apart—and likewise with necks broken.

Verse 80

अथान्ये बहवस्तत्र बहुभिश्चापि दूतकैः ॥ कूटशाल्मलिमारोप्य लोहकण्टकसंवृताम्

Then many others there, by many messengers as well, are made to climb a deceptive śālmali-tree, enclosed with iron thorns.

Verse 81

भो देव पाहि मुञ्चेति वदन्तः पुरुषं वचः ॥ यमदूता निरामर्षाः सूदयन्ति पुनः पुनः

Crying, “O Lord, protect me! Release me!”—uttering such words, the man pleads; yet Yama’s messengers, pitiless, strike him down again and again.

Verse 82

माल्यानि धूपं गन्धाश्च नानारससमायुताः ॥ मनोहराश्च कान्ताश्च भूयिष्ठाश्च सहस्रशः

Garlands, incense, and fragrances—endowed with many kinds of delightful essences—charming and beautiful, in great abundance, by the thousands.

Verse 83

कुलेषु सुदरिद्रेषु सञ्जाताः पापकर्मिणः ॥ पापैरनुगता घोरैर्मानुषं लोकमाश्रिताः

Wrongdoers are born in extremely poor families; accompanied by dreadful misdeeds, they enter the human world under the weight of such actions.