एका च नृत्यकुशला त्वन्या गानविशारदा
One was adept at dancing, while another excelled in singing.
मृदंगवादनज्ञान्या काचित्ताल कलावती
One was skilled in playing the drum, another mastered the art of rhythm.
गंधभागविधिज्ञान्या काचिदक्षकलालया 4.1.45.
One knew the proper methods of perfume preparation, another was expert in dice games.
वंशाधिरोहणे दक्षा रज्जुमार्गेण चेतरा
One was proficient in climbing bamboo, another in traversing by rope.
अपत्यदाऽनपत्यानां परा तत्रपुरेऽवसत्
Among those with and without children, one woman resided in that city.
चित्रलेखन नैपुण्यात्काचिज्जनमनोहरा
One captivated people with her skill in drawing and painting.
गुटिकासिद्धिदा काचित्काचिदंजनसिद्धिदा
One granted success with pills, another bestowed mastery with collyrium.
अग्निस्तंभ जलस्तंभ वाक्स्तंभं चाप्यशिक्षयत्
She taught the stopping of fire, water, and speech.
काचिदाकर्पणीं सिद्धिं ददावुच्चाटनं परा
One gave the power of poverty removal, another imparted the art of exorcism.
चिंतितार्थप्रदा काचित्काचिज्ज्योतिः कलावती
One fulfilled desired wishes, another was skilled in astrology.
प्रत्यंगणं प्रतिगृहं प्राविशद्योगिनीगणः
The group of yoginis entered every courtyard and every house.
न च्छिद्रं लेभिरे क्वापि नृपविघ्नचिकीर्षवः तस्थुः संमंत्र्य तत्रैव न गता मंदरं पुनः
Seeking to hinder the king, they found no opening anywhere; they remained there in counsel and did not return to Mandara.
प्रभुकार्यमनिष्पाद्य सदः संभावनैधितः 4.1.45.
Having accomplished the master's task, he was honored in the assembly.
अन्यच्च चिंतितं ताभिर्योगिनीभिरिदं मुने
Moreover, O sage, this was also considered by those Yoginīs.
प्रभूरुष्टोपि सद्भृत्ये जीविकामात्रहारकः
Even if the master is angry, he takes from a loyal servant only the bare means of livelihood.
नाद्यापि काशीं संत्यज्य तदारभ्य महामुने
From that time, O great sage, he has not yet left Kāśī.
प्राप्यापि श्रीमतीं काशीं यस्तितिक्षति दुर्मतिः
Even after attaining glorious Kāśī, what fool would endure (to leave)?
कः काशीं प्राप्य दुर्बुद्धिरपरत्र यियासति
Who, having reached Kāśī, would be so foolish as to wish to go elsewhere?
विमुखोपीश्वरोस्माकं काशीसेवनपुण्यतः
Even if one turns away from our Lord, by the merit of serving Kāśī—
दिनैः कतिपयैरेव सर्वज्ञोपि समेष्यति
—even the all-knowing one will arrive within just a few days.
शंभोः शक्तिरियं काशी काचित्सर्वैरगोचरा
This Kāśī is a power of Śambhu, beyond the reach of all.
इति निश्चित्य मनसि शंभोरानंदकानने
Thus resolving in their minds, in Śambhu's blissful grove—
व्यास उवाच इत्थं समाकर्ण्य मुनिः पुनः पप्रच्छ षण्मुखम् 4.1.45.
Vyāsa said: Thus, having listened, the sage again questioned Ṣaṇmukha.
भजनाद्योगिनीनां च काश्यां किं जायते फलम्
What is the fruit in Kāśī of the Yoginīs' worship and other acts?
श्रुत्वेतिप्रश्नमौमेयो योगिनीसंश्रयं ततः
Having heard this question, O son of Umā, about the Yoginīs' refuge—
आकर्ण्य यानि पापानि क्षयंति भविनां क्षणात्
Whatever sins are heard (of), they are destroyed in an instant for those who dwell (there).
गजानना सिंहमुखी गृध्रास्या काकतुंडिका
Elephant-faced, lion-mouthed, vulture-jawed, crow-beaked—
उलूकिका शिवारावा मयूरी विकटानना
Owl-like, howling for Śiva, peacock-formed, with monstrous faces—
शुष्कोदरी ललज्जिह्वा श्वदंष्ट्रा वानरानना
With sunken bellies, dangling tongues, dog-fanged, monkey-faced—
कपालहस्ता रक्ताक्षी शुकी श्येनी कपोतिका
Holding skulls, red-eyed, parrot-like, hawk-like, dove-formed—