05.107

Suparṇa said:

This direction, it is said, was formerly offered by Vivasvat as a gift to his teacher, according to the ritual prescription; therefore, it is called the dakṣiṇā, or southern, direction. (5-107-1)

Here is established the paternal side of the three worlds, and here, O twice-born, is said to be the abode of the Ushmapa gods. (5-107-2)

Here, the universal gods always dwell together with the ancestors; when worshipped in the worlds, they obtain an equal share. (5-107-3)

O twice-born, this is called the second gateway of dharma; here, even the tiniest units and fractions of time are counted in the reckoning of time. (5-107-4)

Here divine seers, the seers of the realm of the ancestors, and likewise all royal seers dwell, free from suffering. (5-107-5)

Here, righteousness, truth, and action are observed; this is the path, O best of twice-born, for one whose spirit is weighed down by deeds. (5-107-6)

This is the path, O best of the twice-born, that everyone follows; but undertaken in ignorance, happiness is not gained by it. (5-107-7)

O best of twice-born, here thousands of spirits of destruction, many hostile ones, have been created—these are witnessed by those who lack self-control. (5-107-8)

Here, O twice-born, in the Mandara groves and in the dwellings of Brahmin sages, the Gandharvas sing songs that enchant the mind and the intellect. (5-107-9)

Here, after listening to the Sāman songs sung in verses, Raivata, having left his wife, ministers, and kingdom, went to the forest. (5-107-10)

Here, a boundary in regard to Brahmins was established by Savarni and also by Yavakrīta's son, which even the sun does not transgress. (5-107-11)

Here, Rāvaṇa, the great-souled king of the Rākṣasas, the descendant of Pulastya, having performed austerity, asked the gods for immortality. (5-107-12)

Here, even Vṛtra attained enmity with Indra because of his conduct; here, all spirits, having arrived, depart again in five ways. (5-107-13)

O Gālava, here those people who have done evil deeds are tormented. Here is the river called Vaitaraṇī, filled with strong currents. Here, on arriving, one reaches the end of happiness and the beginning of suffering. (5-107-14)

Here, the returning sun pours down sweet water, and when it reaches the station of Dhaniṣṭhā, it sends forth frost again. (5-107-15)

Here, Gālava, long ago, tormented by hunger and reflecting, I found two huge creatures, an elephant and a tortoise, locked in combat. (5-107-16)

Here was the great sage named Śakradhanu, born of the sun, the illustrious god Kapila, by whom the sons of Sagara were consumed. (5-107-17)

Here dwell the perfected beings known as the Śivās—Brāhmaṇas who have mastered the Vedas—who, having thoroughly studied all the Vedas, attain the imperishable realm of Yama. (5-107-18)

Here is the city named Bhogavatī, ruled by Vāsuki, and also by the Nāga Takṣaka and likewise by Airāvata. (5-107-19)

Here, at the times of departure, a great darkness is reached—impenetrable even by the sun or even by the path of Krishna himself. (5-107-20)

This, too, is the path for you, Gālava, of hardship; tell me if I must go west, or hear what I have to say. (5-107-21)