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—
शिशुघ्नी पापहंत्री च काली रुधिरपायिनी
She is the destroyer of children, the remover of sins, Kālī, the drinker of blood.
स्थूलकेशी बृहत्कुक्षिः सर्पास्या प्रेतवाहना
She has thick hair, a large belly, the mouth of a serpent, and rides upon corpses.
व्यात्तास्या धूमनिःश्वासा व्योमैकचरणोर्ध्वदृक् 4.1.45.
Her mouth is wide open, her breath emits smoke, she moves through the sky with one foot raised.
विद्युत्प्रभा बलाकास्या मार्जारी कटपूतना
She shines like lightning, her mouth is like a crane's, she is feline, and known as Kaṭapūtanā.
नामानीमानि यो मर्त्यश्चतुःषष्टिं दिनेदिने
Whoever among mortals recites these sixty-four names daily—
न डाकिन्यो न शाकिन्यो न कूष्मांडा न राक्षसाः
—neither Ḍākinīs, nor Śākinīs, nor Kūṣmāṇḍas, nor Rākṣasas—
शिशूनां शांतिकारीणि गर्भशांतिकराणि च
—can harm children; they bring peace to children and calm to the womb.
लभेदभीप्सितां सिद्धिं योगिनीपीठसेवकः
A devotee who serves the seat of the Yoginīs attains the desired accomplishment.
बलिपूजोपहारैश्च धूपदीपसमर्पणैः
Through offerings of food, worship, gifts, incense, and lamps—
शरत्काले महापूजां तत्र कृत्वा विधानतः
—by performing the great autumnal worship there, according to the prescribed rite—