Note 57 — Chapter V · WORSHIP OF THE MALEVOLENT DEAD.
Reading edition
The verses that follow describe the miseries inflicted upon the poor thumb-shaped soul for the sins committed by him during his life-time. The sinful soul has to undergo similar miseries in hell. From hell it returns to this world guarded by the servants of Yama, to partake of the rice-balls and other articles of food offered by the sons or other relatives. It is then again taken to hell to suffer more miseries and penalties in expiation of past sins. Then it returns once more to receive the offerings of rice-balls made at shrāddha ceremonies. If, even after this, any desires remain unfulfilled, it has to continue a wretched existence in the other world.57