यथा गतिर्न दृश्येत महावृत्तं महात्मनाम्
Just as the path of the great souls is not seen, their vast course is likewise.
उभयोः काम्यकर्मा स्यादिति शास्त्रस्य निश्चयः
For both, action performed with desire is the conclusion of the scripture.
कोटिकोटिमहायज्ञात्परा श्रीपादुका स्मृतिः
The remembrance of the revered sandals surpasses millions upon millions of great sacrifices.
तावद्वर्णाश्रमाचारः कर्तव्यः कर्ममुक्तये
Until then, conduct according to caste and stage of life should be performed for liberation from action.
निषिद्धमपि तत्कुर्याद्गुर्वाज्ञां नैव लङ्घयेत्
Even if forbidden, one should do it; the command of the teacher must never be transgressed.
दण्डप्रमाणं कृत्वैकं त्रिः प्रदक्षिणामाचरेत्
Having measured with a staff, one should perform three circumambulations.
प्रणमेद्देवबुद्ध्या तु प्रतिमां लोहमृन्मयीम्
One should bow to an image made of metal or clay, regarding it with the thought of divinity.
विकास्य गुह्यशास्त्राणि भवन्ति ब्रह्मराक्षसाः
When secret scriptures are revealed, brahmarākṣasas arise.
न निन्देदन्यसमयान्वेदशास्त्रागमादिकान्
One should not disparage other traditions, nor the Vedas, scriptures, or Āgamas.
क्रोश मात्रस्थितो भक्त्या गुरुं प्रतिदिनं नमेत्
Standing at a distance of a krośa, one should daily bow to the guru with devotion.
एकयोजनमारभ्य योजनद्वादशावधि
From one yojana up to twelve yojanas,
अतिदूरस्थितः शिष्यो यदेच्छा स्यात्तदा व्रजेत्
If the disciple is situated very far, he may go to the guru whenever he wishes.
फलपुष्पांबरादीनि यथाशक्ति समर्पयेत्
He should offer fruits, flowers, garments, and the like, according to his ability.
सच्छिष्यानुग्रहार्थाय गूढं पर्यटति क्षितौ
For the sake of blessing true disciples, he wanders secretly upon the earth.
शिवः कृपानिधिर्लोके संसारीव हि चेष्टते
Śiva, the ocean of compassion, acts in the world as if he were bound in saṃsāra.
अचतुर्वदनो ब्रह्मा श्रीगुरुः परिकीर्तितः
The revered guru is proclaimed as Brahmā, though he does not have four faces.
भाग्यहीना न पश्यन्ति सूर्यमन्धा इवोदितम्
Those without fortune do not see the risen sun, just as the blind do not.
अधमा शास्त्रचिन्ता स्याल्लोकचिन्ताधमाधमा
The lowest is preoccupied with scriptures; lower still is one absorbed in worldly concerns.
नास्ति भक्त्यधिका पूजा न हि मोक्षाधिकं फलम्
There is no worship superior to devotion, nor is there any fruit greater than liberation.
तत्र तत्रोच्यते शब्दैः श्रीकामाक्षी परात्परा
Everywhere, with various words, Śrī Kāmākṣī is declared the Supreme.
लक्ष्मीनारायणौ वाणीधातारौ गिरिजाशिवौ
Lakṣmī and Nārāyaṇa, Vāṇī and Dhātā, Girijā and Śiva,
आधाराधेयनामानौ भोगमोक्षौ तथैव च
Those named as support and supported, as enjoyment and liberation likewise,
सुखदुःखादि यद्द्वन्द्वं दृश्यते श्रूयते ऽपि वा
Whatever pair of opposites such as pleasure and pain is seen or heard,
उत्तीर्ममपरं ज्योतिः कामाक्षीनामकं विदुः
They know the supreme light beyond all this as that named Kāmākṣī.
इत्थं हि शक्तिमार्गे ऽस्मिन्यः पुमानिह वर्तते
Thus, in this path of Shakti, whoever abides here—
अमन्त्रं वा समत्रं वा कामाक्षीमर्चयन्ति ये
Whether with mantra or without mantra, those who worship Kamakshi—
किं पुनः क्षत्त्रिया विप्रा मन्त्रपूर्वं यजन्ति ये
How much more so, then, for Kshatriyas and Brahmins who worship with mantras—
सितामध्वाज्यकदलीफलपायसरूपकम्
With offerings of white honey, clarified butter, plantain fruit, and sweet rice—
योनार्चयति शक्तो ऽपि स देवीशापमाप्नुयात्
Even if capable, one who worships the yoni may incur the curse of the Goddess.
गृहस्थस्तु महादेवीं मङ्गलाचारसंयुतः
But the householder, accompanied by auspicious conduct, should worship the great Goddess.