Varaha Purana — Chapter 193
VrP 193.1
अथ नचिकेतः प्रयाणवर्णनम् ।। लोमहर्षण उवाच ।। व्यासशिष्यं महाप्राज्ञं वेदवेदाङ्गपारगम् ।। द्वारदेशे समासीनं कृतपूर्वाह्णिकक्रियम्
atha naciketaḥ prayāṇavarṇanam || lomaharṣaṇa uvāca || vyāsaśiṣyaṃ mahāprājñaṃ vedavedāṅgapāragam || dvāradeśe samāsīnaṃ kṛtapūrvāhṇikakriyam
Now the description of Naciketas' journey. Lomaharṣaṇa said: (He approached) the disciple of Vyāsa, of great wisdom, who had gone to the far shore of the Vedas and the Vedāṅgas, seated at the doorway, his forenoon rites completed —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.2
अश्वमेधे तथा वृत्ते राजा वै जनमेजयः ।। ब्रह्मवध्याभिभूतस्य दीक्षां द्वादशवार्षिकीम्
aśvamedhe tathā vṛtte rājā vai janamejayaḥ || brahmavadhyābhibhūtasya dīkṣāṃ dvādaśavārṣikīm
— when the horse-sacrifice had thus been performed, King Janamejaya (undertook), as one overcome by the guilt of brahmin-slaying, the twelve-year consecration.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 193.3
प्रायश्चित्तं चरित्वैवमागतो गजसाह्वयम् ।। उपगम्य महात्मानं जाह्नवीतीरसंश्रयम्
prāyaścittaṃ caritvaivamāgato gajasāhvayam || upagamya mahātmānaṃ jāhnavītīrasaṃśrayam
Having thus performed the expiation he came to the (city) named after the elephant (Hāstinapura), and approaching the great-souled one who dwelt on the bank of the Jāhnavī (Ganges),
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.4
ऋषिं परमसम्पन्नं वैशम्पायनमञ्जसा ।। कर्मणा प्रेरितस्तेन चिन्ताव्याकुललोचनः
ṛṣiṃ paramasampannaṃ vaiśampāyanamañjasā || karmaṇā preritastena cintāvyākulalocanaḥ
the supremely accomplished sage Vaiśampāyana, directly — driven by that deed, his eyes troubled with anxiety,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.5
कुरूणां पश्चिमो राजा पश्चात्तापेन पीडितः ।। व्यासशिष्यमुपागम्य प्रश्नमेनमपृच्छत
kurūṇāṃ paścimo rājā paścāttāpena pīḍitaḥ || vyāsaśiṣyamupāgamya praśnamenamapṛcchata
the last king of the Kurus, afflicted by remorse, having approached the disciple of Vyāsa, asked him this question:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.6
जनमेजय उवाच ।। भगवञ्जायते तीव्रं चिन्तयानस्य सुव्रत ।। कर्मपाकफलं यस्मिन्मानुषैरुप भुज्यते
janamejaya uvāca || bhagavañjāyate tīvraṃ cintayānasya suvrata || karmapākaphalaṃ yasminmānuṣairupa bhujyate
Janamejaya said: Reverend one, firm in vows, a sharp (anxiety) arises in me as I ponder that place in which the ripened fruit of deeds is experienced by men.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.7
एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं कीदृशं तु यमालयम्।। किं प्रमाणं च किं रूपं कथं गत्वा स पश्यति
etadicchāmyahaṃ śrotuṃ kīdṛśaṃ tu yamālayam|| kiṃ pramāṇaṃ ca kiṃ rūpaṃ kathaṃ gatvā sa paśyati
This I wish to hear: what sort of thing is Yama's abode? What is its measure, what its form, and how does one go there and see him?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.8
न गच्छेयं कथं विप्र प्रेतराज्ञो निवेशनम् ।। धर्मराजस्य धीरस्य सर्वलोकानुशासिनः
na gaccheyaṃ kathaṃ vipra pretarājño niveśanam || dharmarājasya dhīrasya sarvalokānuśāsinaḥ
How, brahmin, might I not go to the dwelling of the king of the departed, the King of Righteousness, the steadfast one who governs all the worlds?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.9
सूत उवाच ।। एवं पृष्टो महातेजास्तेन राज्ञा द्विजोत्तमः ।। उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं राजानं जनमेजयम्
sūta uvāca || evaṃ pṛṣṭo mahātejāstena rājñā dvijottamaḥ || uvāca madhuraṃ vākyaṃ rājānaṃ janamejayam
The Sūta said: Thus questioned by that king, the greatly splendid best of the twice-born spoke sweet words to King Janamejaya —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.11
पावनीं सर्वपापानां प्रवृत्तौ शुभकारिणीम् ।। इतिहासपुराणानां कथां वै विदुषां प्रियाम्
pāvanīṃ sarvapāpānāṃ pravṛttau śubhakāriṇīm || itihāsapurāṇānāṃ kathāṃ vai viduṣāṃ priyām
(he told) a tale that purifies all sins, that works good when set going, a tale of the epics and Purāṇas, dear indeed to the learned.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.12
कश्चिदासीत्पुरा राजनृषिः परमधार्मिकः ।। उद्दालक इति ख्यातः सर्ववेदाङ्गतत्त्ववित्
kaścidāsītpurā rājanṛṣiḥ paramadhārmikaḥ || uddālaka iti khyātaḥ sarvavedāṅgatattvavit
There was, long ago, O king, a certain sage of the highest righteousness, known as Uddālaka, who knew the truth of all the Vedas and Vedāṅgas.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.13
तस्य पुत्रो महातेजा योगमास्थाय बुद्धिमान् ।। नाचिकेत इति ख्यातः सर्ववेदाङ्गतत्त्ववित्
tasya putro mahātejā yogamāsthāya buddhimān || nāciketa iti khyātaḥ sarvavedāṅgatattvavit
His son, of great splendour, intelligent, established in yoga, was known as Nāciketa, and knew the truth of all the Vedas and Vedāṅgas.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.14
तेन रुष्टेन शप्तोऽभूत्पुत्रः परमधार्मिकः ।। गच्छ शीघ्रं यमं पश्य मम क्रोधेन दुर्मते
tena ruṣṭena śapto'bhūtputraḥ paramadhārmikaḥ || gaccha śīghraṃ yamaṃ paśya mama krodhena durmate
By him (the father), when angered, the son of the highest righteousness was cursed: "Go at once, look upon Yama, by my anger, you fool!"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.16
क्षणेनान्तर्हितो जातः पितरं प्रत्युवाच ह ।। विनयात्पृष्ठतो वाक्यं भावेन च समन्वितम्
kṣaṇenāntarhito jātaḥ pitaraṃ pratyuvāca ha || vinayātpṛṣṭhato vākyaṃ bhāvena ca samanvitam
In an instant he became invisible, and he answered his father, speaking words from behind out of modesty, and full of feeling:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.17
मा भूद्वाक्यं च ते मिथ्या धार्मिकस्य कदाचन ।। गमिष्यामि पुरं रम्यं धर्मराजस्य धीमतः
mā bhūdvākyaṃ ca te mithyā dhārmikasya kadācana || gamiṣyāmi puraṃ ramyaṃ dharmarājasya dhīmataḥ
"Let your word, righteous one, never be false. I shall go to the lovely city of the wise King of Righteousness,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.18
इह चैव पुनस्तावदागमिष्ये न संशयः
iha caiva punastāvadāgamiṣye na saṃśayaḥ
and I shall come back here again, in due course; there is no doubt."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.19
तथेत्युक्त्वा महातेजाः पुत्रः परमधार्मिकः ।। चिन्तयित्वा मुहुर्तं तु योगमास्थाय बुद्धिमान् पितोवाच ।। एकस्त्वमसि वत्सश्च नान्यो बन्धुर्विधीयते ।। अधर्मं चानृतं चास्तु त्वकीर्त्तिर्वापि पुत्रक
tathetyuktvā mahātejāḥ putraḥ paramadhārmikaḥ || cintayitvā muhurtaṃ tu yogamāsthāya buddhimān pitovāca || ekastvamasi vatsaśca nānyo bandhurvidhīyate || adharmaṃ cānṛtaṃ cāstu tvakīrttirvāpi putraka
Having said "So be it," the son of great splendour and highest righteousness, intelligent, reflected for a moment and, established in yoga, (stood firm). The father said: "You are my only one, and a child; no other kinsman is appointed (for me). Let there be unrighteousness and untruth, or even ill-fame, my son —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 193.21
अप्रवृत्तस्त्वसम्भाष्यो योऽहं मिथ्या प्रयुक्तवान् ।। त्वां वै धर्मसमाचारमभिधानेन शप्तवान्
apravṛttastvasambhāṣyo yo'haṃ mithyā prayuktavān || tvāṃ vai dharmasamācāramabhidhānena śaptavān
— I who, without cause and not fit to be spoken to (thus), have uttered a falsehood, cursing you, who are of righteous conduct, with (mere) words.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 193.22
अहं पुत्र न सद्वादी न क्षमे धर्मदूषितम् ।। मम त्वं हि महाभाग नित्यं चित्तानुपालकः
ahaṃ putra na sadvādī na kṣame dharmadūṣitam || mama tvaṃ hi mahābhāga nityaṃ cittānupālakaḥ
I, son, am no speaker of truth; I cannot endure what corrupts righteousness. But you, greatly fortunate one, have always been the guardian of my mind,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 193.23
धर्मज्ञश्च यशस्वी च नित्यं क्षान्तो जितेन्द्रियः।। शु्श्रूषुरनहंवादी शक्तस्तारयितुं मम
dharmajñaśca yaśasvī ca nityaṃ kṣānto jitendriyaḥ|| śuśrūṣuranahaṃvādī śaktastārayituṃ mama
knowing dharma, illustrious, ever patient, your senses subdued, obedient, not speaking of yourself — able to carry me across.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.24
याचितस्त्वं मया पुत्र गन्तुं वै तत्र नार्हसि
yācitastvaṃ mayā putra gantuṃ vai tatra nārhasi
You are entreated by me, my son: you truly must not go there.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.25
यदि वैवस्वतो राजा तत्र प्राप्तं यदृच्छया ।। रोषेण त्वां महातेजा विसृजेन्न कदाचन
yadi vaivasvato rājā tatra prāptaṃ yadṛcchayā || roṣeṇa tvāṃ mahātejā visṛjenna kadācana
If King Vaivasvata (Yama) of great splendour, (seeing) you arrived there by chance, should in his anger never let you go—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 193.26
विनश्येयमहं पश्य कुलसेतुविनाशनः।। धिक्कृतः सर्वलोकेन पापकर्त्ता नराधमः
vinaśyeyamahaṃ paśya kulasetuvināśanaḥ|| dhikkṛtaḥ sarvalokena pāpakarttā narādhamaḥ
I would perish—consider!—as the destroyer of the dam of my family, scorned by all the world, a doer of evil, the lowest of men.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.27
नरकस्य पुदित्याख्या दुःखेन नरकं विदुः।। पुतित्राणं भवेत्पुत्रादिहेष्यति परत्र च
narakasya pudityākhyā duḥkhena narakaṃ viduḥ|| putitrāṇaṃ bhavetputrādiheṣyati paratra ca
'Pud' is a name of hell; by (its) suffering they know hell. Deliverance from 'put' would come from a son—he will (do so) here and in the world beyond.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 193.28
हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं पितरश्चापि पोषिताः ।। अपुत्रस्य हि तत्सर्वं मोघं भवति निश्चयः
hutaṃ dattaṃ tapastaptaṃ pitaraścāpi poṣitāḥ || aputrasya hi tatsarvaṃ moghaṃ bhavati niścayaḥ
Oblations offered, gifts given, austerity practised, and ancestors also maintained—for a man without a son all that becomes fruitless; this is certain.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.29
शुश्रूषावान्भवेच्छूद्रो वैश्यो वा कृषिजीवनः ।।। सस्यगोप्ता तु राजन्यो ब्राह्मणो वा स्वकर्मकृत्
śuśrūṣāvānbhavecchūdro vaiśyo vā kṛṣijīvanaḥ ||| sasyagoptā tu rājanyo brāhmaṇo vā svakarmakṛt
A śūdra should be devoted to service, or a vaiśya living by agriculture; but a kṣatriya is a guardian of the crops, or a brahmin one who performs his own rites.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.31
पुत्रेण लभते जन्म पौत्रेण तु पितामहः ।। पुत्रस्य च प्रपौत्रेण मोदते प्रपितामहः
putreṇa labhate janma pautreṇa tu pitāmahaḥ || putrasya ca prapautreṇa modate prapitāmahaḥ
Through a son one gains (new) birth, and through a grandson the grandfather (does so); and through the son's great-grandson the great-grandfather rejoices.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.32
न हास्यामीति वत्स त्वां मम वंशविवर्द्धनम् ।। याच्यमानः प्रयत्नेन तत्र गन्तुं न चार्हति
na hāsyāmīti vatsa tvāṃ mama vaṃśavivarddhanam || yācyamānaḥ prayatnena tatra gantuṃ na cārhati
'I will not let you go, dear child, you who increase my lineage'—(so) entreated, with effort, he ought not to go there.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.33
वैशम्पायन उवाच ।। एवं विलपमानं तं पितरं प्रत्युवाच ह ।। हृष्टपुष्ट वपुर्भूत्वा पुत्रः परमधार्मिकः
vaiśampāyana uvāca || evaṃ vilapamānaṃ taṃ pitaraṃ pratyuvāca ha || hṛṣṭapuṣṭa vapurbhūtvā putraḥ paramadhārmikaḥ
Vaiśampāyana said: To his father, lamenting in this way, the supremely righteous son replied, his body having become glad and full.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.34
पुत्र उवाच ।। न विषादस्त्वया कार्यो द्रक्ष्यसे मामिहागतम् ।। दृष्ट्वा च तमहं देवं सर्वलोकनमस्कृतम्
putra uvāca || na viṣādastvayā kāryo drakṣyase māmihāgatam || dṛṣṭvā ca tamahaṃ devaṃ sarvalokanamaskṛtam
The son said: You must not grieve; you will see me come back here. And having seen that god, to whom all the worlds bow,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.35
आगच्छामि पुनश्चात्र न भयं मेऽस्ति मृत्युतः ।। पूजयिष्यति मां तात राजा त्वदनुकंपया
āgacchāmi punaścātra na bhayaṃ me'sti mṛtyutaḥ || pūjayiṣyati māṃ tāta rājā tvadanukaṃpayā
I shall come back here again; I have no fear of death. The king will honour me, father, out of compassion for you.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.36
सत्ये तिष्ठ महाभाग सत्यं च परिपालय ।। सत्यं स्वर्गस्य सोपानं पारावारस्य नौरिव
satye tiṣṭha mahābhāga satyaṃ ca paripālaya || satyaṃ svargasya sopānaṃ pārāvārasya nauriva
Stand in truth, greatly fortunate one, and guard truth; truth is the stairway to heaven, like a boat for (crossing) the sea.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.37
सूर्यस्तपति सत्येन वातः सत्येन वाति च ।। अग्निर्दहति सत्येन सत्येन पृथिवी स्थिता
sūryastapati satyena vātaḥ satyena vāti ca || agnirdahati satyena satyena pṛthivī sthitā
By truth the sun gives heat, and by truth the wind blows; by truth fire burns, by truth the earth stands firm.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.38
उदधिर्ल्लङ्घयेन्नैव मर्यादां सत्यपालितः ।। मन्त्रः प्रयुक्तः सत्येन सर्वलोकहितायते
udadhirllaṅghayennaiva maryādāṃ satyapālitaḥ || mantraḥ prayuktaḥ satyena sarvalokahitāyate
The ocean, kept by truth, does not overstep its boundary; a mantra employed with truth works for the good of all the world.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.39
सत्येन यज्ञा वर्त्तन्ते मन्त्रपूताः सुपूजिताः ।। सत्येन वेदा गायन्ति सत्ये लोकाः प्रतिष्ठिताः
satyena yajñā varttante mantrapūtāḥ supūjitāḥ || satyena vedā gāyanti satye lokāḥ pratiṣṭhitāḥ
By truth the sacrifices proceed, purified by mantras and well honoured; by truth the Vedas sing; upon truth the worlds are established.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.41
सत्येन सर्वं लभते यथा तात मया श्रुतम् ।। न हि सत्यमतिक्रम्य विद्यते किंचिदुत्तमम्
satyena sarvaṃ labhate yathā tāta mayā śrutam || na hi satyamatikramya vidyate kiṃciduttamam
By truth one obtains everything, father, as I have heard; for there is nothing excellent that surpasses truth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.42
देवदेवेन रुद्रेण वेदगर्भः पुरा किल ।। सत्यस्थितेन देवानां परित्यक्तो महात्मना
devadevena rudreṇa vedagarbhaḥ purā kila || satyasthitena devānāṃ parityakto mahātmanā
Formerly, so it is said, by Rudra, god of gods, the great one who stood in truth, the veda-bearer of the gods was abandoned.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 193.43
दीक्षां धारयते ब्रह्मा स तेनैव सुयन्त्रितः ।। और्वेणाग्निस्तथा क्षिप्तः सत्येन वडवामुखे
dīkṣāṃ dhārayate brahmā sa tenaiva suyantritaḥ || aurveṇāgnistathā kṣiptaḥ satyena vaḍavāmukhe
Brahmā maintains his consecration, being well held in check by that very (truth); and so by Aurva, through truth, the fire was cast into the mare's mouth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 193.44
संवर्तेन पुरा तात सर्वे लोकाः सदैवताः ।। देवानामनुकंपार्थं धृता वीर्यवता तदा
saṃvartena purā tāta sarve lokāḥ sadaivatāḥ || devānāmanukaṃpārthaṃ dhṛtā vīryavatā tadā
Formerly, father, by Saṃvarta all the worlds together with their gods were upheld at that time by that mighty one, for the sake of compassion toward the gods.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 193.45
पाताले पालयन् सत्यं बद्धो वैरोचनो वसन् ।। वर्द्धमानो महाशृङ्गैः शतशृङ्गो महागिरिः
pātāle pālayan satyaṃ baddho vairocano vasan || varddhamāno mahāśṛṅgaiḥ śataśṛṅgo mahāgiriḥ
Guarding truth, Vairocana (Bali) dwelt bound in Pātāla; and the great mountain Śataśṛṅga (grew) with its great peaks, ever growing.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 193.46
स्थितः सत्ये महाविन्ध्यो वर्द्धमानो न वर्द्धते ।। सर्वं चराचरमिदं सत्येन श्रीयते जगत्
sthitaḥ satye mahāvindhyo varddhamāno na varddhate || sarvaṃ carācaramidaṃ satyena śrīyate jagat
The great Vindhya stands firm in truth: though growing, it grows no further. This whole world, moving and unmoving, is upheld by truth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.47
गृहधर्माश्च ये दृष्टा वानप्रस्थाश्च शोभिताः ।। यतीनां च गतिः शुद्धा ये चान्ये व्रतसंस्थिताः
gṛhadharmāśca ye dṛṣṭā vānaprasthāśca śobhitāḥ || yatīnāṃ ca gatiḥ śuddhā ye cānye vratasaṃsthitāḥ
And the householder duties that are seen, and the splendid forest-hermits' (observances), and the pure course of ascetics, and the others who abide in vows (— all rest on truth).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
VrP 193.48
अश्वमेधसहस्रं च सत्यं च तुलया धृतम् ।। अश्वमेधसहस्राद्धि सत्यमेव विशिष्यते
aśvamedhasahasraṃ ca satyaṃ ca tulayā dhṛtam || aśvamedhasahasrāddhi satyameva viśiṣyate
A thousand horse-sacrifices and truth were weighed on a balance: truth indeed outweighed the thousand horse-sacrifices.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.49
सत्येन पाल्यते धर्मो धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः ।। तस्मात् सत्यं कुरुष्वाद्य रक्ष आत्मानमात्मना
satyena pālyate dharmo dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ || tasmāt satyaṃ kuruṣvādya rakṣa ātmānamātmanā
By truth is dharma preserved; dharma, when protected, protects (in turn). Therefore practise truth today; guard yourself by yourself.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.51
ऋषिपुत्रो महातेजा सत्यवागनसूयकः ।। प्राप्तश्च परमं स्थानं यत्र राज्ञो यमस्य तु
ṛṣiputro mahātejā satyavāganasūyakaḥ || prāptaśca paramaṃ sthānaṃ yatra rājño yamasya tu
The sage's son, of great splendour, truthful in speech, free of malice, reached that highest station where King Yama dwells.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
VrP 193.193
वैशम्पायन उवाच ।। शृणु राजन्पुरावृत्तां कथां परमशोभनाम् । धर्मवृद्धिकरीं नित्यां यशस्यां कीर्तिवर्द्धिनीम् मिथ्याभिशंसिनं तात यथेष्टं तारयिष्यति ।। रोषेण हि मृषावादी निर्दयः कुलपांसनः तपो वा विपुलं तप्त्वा दत्त्वा दानमनुत्तमम् ।। अपुत्रो नाप्नुयात्स्वर्गं यथा तात मया श्रुतम् सत्यं गाति तथा साम सर्वं सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितम् ।। सत्यं स्वर्गश्च धर्मश्च सत्यादन्यन्न विद्यते एवमुक्त्वा हृष्टपुष्टः स्वेन देहेन सुव्रत ।। तपसा प्राप्तयोगस्तु जितात्मा कृतसंयमः
vaiśampāyana uvāca || śṛṇu rājanpurāvṛttāṃ kathāṃ paramaśobhanām | dharmavṛddhikarīṃ nityāṃ yaśasyāṃ kīrtivarddhinīm mithyābhiśaṃsinaṃ tāta yatheṣṭaṃ tārayiṣyati || roṣeṇa hi mṛṣāvādī nirdayaḥ kulapāṃsanaḥ tapo vā vipulaṃ taptvā dattvā dānamanuttamam || aputro nāpnuyātsvargaṃ yathā tāta mayā śrutam satyaṃ gāti tathā sāma sarvaṃ satye pratiṣṭhitam || satyaṃ svargaśca dharmaśca satyādanyanna vidyate evamuktvā hṛṣṭapuṣṭaḥ svena dehena suvrata || tapasā prāptayogastu jitātmā kṛtasaṃyamaḥ
Vaiśampāyana said: Hear, O king, a story of ancient happening, most beautiful, ever increasing dharma, conferring renown, augmenting fame. (Truth) will carry across, at will, even one who falsely accuses, dear son; for the liar in anger is pitiless, a disgrace to his family. Or though one has performed vast austerity and given the highest gift, a sonless man would not attain heaven — so, dear son, have I heard. Truth is the Ṛc, and likewise the Sāman; all is established in truth. Truth is heaven and truth is dharma; there exists nothing other than truth. Having spoken thus, glad and thriving, in his own body, O you of good vows — having attained yoga by austerity, self-conquered, of practised restraint (…).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain