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!
किं कुर्वंति हि शास्त्राणि सप्रमाणानि सुंदरि
What can the scriptures, even with proofs, accomplish, O beautiful one?
कः समुच्चलितं चेतस्तोयंवा संप्रतीपयेत्
Who can make the water of a mind that has surged up settle again?
शिवशर्मा व्रजन्सोथ देशाद्देशांतरं क्रमात् 4.1.7.
Śivaśarmā, journeying thus, went from land to land in turn.
कल्पेकल्पेखिलंविश्वं कालयेद्यः स्वलीलया
He who, in each cycle, dissolves the entire universe by his own play,
पापादवंती सा विश्वमवंतीति निगद्यते
She who lifts up from sin is said to lift up the world.
विपन्नो यत्र वै जंतुः प्राप्यापि शवतां स्फुटम्
Where a being, even after attaining a hundred bodies, perishes clearly,
यमदूता न यस्यां हि प्रविशंति कदाचन
Into which the messengers of Yama never enter at any time,
हाटकेशो महाकालस्तारके शस्तथैव च
Hāṭakeśa, Mahākāla, Tārakeśa, and likewise Śasta—
ज्योतिः सिद्धवटे ज्योतिस्ते पश्यंतीह ये द्विजाः
The twice-born who see the light at Siddhavaṭa, that very light—
महाकालस्य तल्लिंगं यैर्दृष्टं कष्टिभिः क्वचित
By whomsoever, even with difficulty, the liṅga of Mahākāla is seen—
महाकालपताकाग्रैः स्पृष्टपृष्ठास्तुरंगमाः
Horses whose backs are touched by the banners of Mahākāla.
महाकालमहाकालमहाकालेतिसंततम्
Constantly repeating: Mahākāla, Mahākāla, Mahākāla.
एवमाराध्य भूतेशं महाकालं ततो द्विजः 4.1.7.
Thus, having worshipped Bhūteśa, Mahākāla, then the twice-born.
युगेयुगे द्वारवत्या रत्नानि परितो मुषन् 4.1.7.
In every age, stealing jewels all around from Dvāravatī.
चिंतार्णवे निमग्नोभूत्त्यक्ताशो जीविते धने 4.1.7.
Immersed in the ocean of worry, abandoning hope for life and wealth.
एवं चिंतयतस्तस्य पीडासीदतिदारुणा 4.1.7.
Thus, as he pondered, a very terrible pain arose for him.
तद्विमानमथारुह्य पीतवासाश्चतुर्भुजः
Then, ascending that celestial vehicle, clad in yellow, four-armed.
गणावूचतुः इमां गंधवतीं पुण्यां पुरीं वायोर्विलोकय
The Gaṇas spoke: Behold this fragrant, holy city of the wind.
अस्यां प्रभंजनो नाम जगत्प्राणोदिगीश्वरः
Here dwells Prabhaṃjana, lord of the directions, breath of the world.
पुरा कश्यपदायादः पूतात्मेति च विश्रुतः
Once, the descendant of Kaśyapa, renowned as Pūtaātman.