क्षेत्रं प्रजापतेः पुण्यं सर्वेषामेव दुर्लभम्
there is the holy field of Prajapati, difficult for all to obtain.
दमयंतीं कलिं कालं कलिंदतनयां शुभाम्
Damayanti, Kali, Kala, and the auspicious daughter of Kalinda,
प्रकृष्टं सर्वयागेभ्यः प्रयागमिति गीयते
it is celebrated as Prayaga, supreme among all sacrifices.
यत्र स्थितः स्वयं साक्षाच्छूलटंको महेश्वरः 4.1.7.
There stands, manifest in person, Maheshvara, the Lord bearing the trident.
तत्राऽक्षय्यवटोऽप्यस्ति सप्तपातालमूलवान्
There too is the imperishable banyan tree, whose roots reach to the seven netherworlds.
हिरण्यगर्भो विज्ञेयः स साक्षाद्वटरूपधृक्
He is to be known as Hiranyagarbha, who has taken the very form of the banyan tree.
यत्र लक्ष्मीपतिः साक्षाद्वैकुंठादेत्य मानवान्
There, the Lord of Lakshmi himself, coming from Vaikuntha, blesses mortals.
श्रुतिभिः परिपठ्येते सिताऽसित सरिद्वरे
The best of rivers, both clear and dark, are extolled in the Vedas.
शिवलोकाद्ब्रह्मलोकादुमालोकवरात्पुनः तपोजनमहर्भ्यश्च सर्वे स्वर्लोकवासिनः
From the world of Shiva, from Brahma's realm, from Uma's supreme abode, and again from Tapoloka, Janaloka, Maharloka—all the residents of heaven,
अचला हिमवन्मुख्याः कल्पवृक्षादयो नगाः
the immovable ones, foremost among mountains like Himavat, and the wish-fulfilling trees and other great mountains,
दिगंगनाः प्रार्थयंति यत्प्रयागानिलानपि
even the celestial maidens desire the winds of Prayaga.
अश्वमेधादियागाश्च प्रयागस्य रजः पुनः
The dust of Prayaga surpasses even the horse-sacrifice and other great rites.
मज्जागतानि पापानि बहुजन्मार्जितान्यपि 4.1.7.
Sins that have entered the marrow, even those accumulated over many births,
धर्मतीर्थमिदं सम्यगर्थतीर्थमिदं परम्
This is the sacred place of righteousness, this is the supreme place of meaning.
ब्रह्महत्यादि पापानि तावद्गर्जंति देहिषु
Sins such as the killing of a Brahmin resound within embodied beings.
तद्विष्णोः परमं पदं सदा पश्यंति सूरयः
The sages always behold that supreme abode of Vishnu.
सरस्वती रजो रूपा तमोरूपा कलिंदजा
Sarasvati is of the nature of rajas, and Kali, born of impurity, is of the nature of darkness.
इयं वेणीहि निःश्रेणी ब्रह्मणो वर्त्मयास्यतः
This is the ladder of braids, the path of Brahma stretching forth.
काशीति काचिदबला भुवनेषु रूढा लोलार्क केशवविलोलविलोचना
There is a certain powerless one, established among worlds, whose restless eyes are agitated by the playful sun and Kesava.
अगस्तिरुवाच तीर्थराजप्रयागस्य तीर्थैः संसेवितस्य च
Agastya said: Of Prayaga, the king of sacred places, which is served by holy sites,
पापिनां यानि पापानि प्रसह्य क्षालितान्यहो
The sins of sinners are forcibly washed away, ah!
प्रयागस्य गुणान्ज्ञात्वा शिवशर्मा द्विजः सुधीः
Knowing the virtues of Prayaga, Shiva Sharma, a wise Brahmin,
प्रवेश एव संवीक्ष्य स देहलिविनायकम् 4.1.7.
Upon entering, he observed the lord of the threshold.
निवेद्यमोदकान्पंच वंचयंतं निजं जनम्
He offered five sweet dumplings, deceiving his own people.
आगत्य दृष्ट्वा मणिकर्णिकायामुदग्वहां स्वर्गतरंगिणीं सः
Arriving and seeing at Manikarnika the river Udagvahā, the heavenly-streaming one,
सचैलमाप्लुत्य जलेऽमलेऽमलेऽविलंबमालंबित शुद्धबुद्धिः
Clad, he plunged into the pure water, lingering, his mind purified.
विधाय च द्राक्स हि पंचतीर्थिकां विश्वेशमाराध्य ततो यथास्वम्
Having performed the rite of the five sacred waters, worshipping Viśveśa, then as appropriate,
न स्वः पुरी सा त्वनया पुरासमं समंजसापि प्रतिसाम्यमावहेत
That city is not heaven; even if it were, it could not equal this one, nor could it match it in any way.
पयोपि यत्रत्यमचिंत्यवैभवं दिविस्थिता साधुसुधाप्यतोमुधा
Where the water there possesses inconceivable splendor, it is praised by the nectar of the virtuous dwelling in heaven.
अनामयाश्चिंतनया न येशितुर्जनामनाग्यत्र विना पिनाकिना
There are no ailments or worries here for those who are not ruled by others, except for those without the favor of Pināka-bearer.