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.
न वर्ण्यते कैः किल काशिकेयं जंतोः स्थितस्यात्र यतोंतकाले
This Kāśī cannot be described by anyone, for one who remains here at the time of death.
संसारिचिंतामणिरत्र यस्मात्तं तारकं सज्जनकर्णिकायाम्
Here is the wish-fulfilling gem of worldly existence, from which the liberating mantra is found in the Manikarnika for the virtuous.
मुक्तिलक्ष्मी महापीठ मणिस्तच्चरणाब्जयोः 4.1.7.
The jewel of the great seat of liberation shines at the lotus feet.
जरायुजांडजोद्भिज्जाः स्वेदजाह्यत्र वासिनः
Here dwell those born from womb, egg, moisture, and sprout.
मम जन्म वृथाजातं दुर्वृत्तस्य जडात्मनः
My birth has been in vain, for I am of dull mind and wicked conduct.
पुनःपुनश्च तत्क्षेत्रमतिथीकृत्यनेत्रयोः
Again and again, I have made that field a guest for my eyes.
सप्तानां च पुरीणां हि धुरी णामवयाम्यहम्
I have carried the burden of the seven cities.
तथापि न चतस्रोन्या मया दृग्गोचरीकृताः
Yet, I have not brought even four of them into the range of my sight.
तीर्थयात्रां प्रतिदिनं कुर्वन्नूनं सवत्सरम्
Even performing a pilgrimage every day for a whole year,
नाना प्रमाणैः प्रवणो निरगात्स तथाप्यहो
Though eager and using various means, he did not attain it—alas!