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—
आरभ्याश्वयुजःशुक्लां तिथिं प्रतिपदं शुभाम्
—beginning from the auspicious first day of the bright fortnight of Āśvayuja—
कृष्णपक्षस्य भूतायामुपवासी नरोत्तमः
—and during the dark fortnight, the best of men should fast for the sake of the spirits.
प्रणवादिचतुर्थ्यन्तैर्नामभिर्भक्तिमान्नरः 4.1.45.
With devotion, a man should recite the names beginning with Praṇava and ending with the fourth day.
ससर्पिषा गुग्गुलुना लघुकोलि प्रमाणतः
With clarified butter and guggulu, in the proper measure, and with a small koli vessel—
चैत्रकृष्णप्रतिपदि तत्र यात्रा प्रयत्नतः
On the first day of the dark half of Caitra, one should undertake the journey with effort.
यात्रा च सांवत्सरिकीं यो न कुर्यादवज्ञया
Whoever neglects to perform this annual journey—
अग्रे कृत्वा स्थिताः सर्वास्ताः काश्यां मणिकर्णिकाम्
—all those goddesses, having gone ahead, remain at Kāśī in Maṇikarṇikā.
किं चकार पुनः शंभुस्तत्र ब्रह्मण्यपि स्थिते
What did Śambhu do next, while Brahmā was still present there?
शृण्वगस्त्य महाभाग काश्यां ब्रह्मण्यपिस्थिते
Listen, O highly fortunate Agastya, when Brahmā himself resided in Kāśī—
पुरी सा यादृशी काशी वशीकरणभूमिका
That city, Kāśī, was a ground for the practice of enchantment.