तेपि स्वर्गौकसः सर्वे स्वंस्वं स्वर्गं ययुर्मुदा स्कंद उवाच काश्यां सेव्या यथा सा च तच्छृणुष्व वदामि ते
All of them joyfully attained their own heaven. Skanda spoke: Hear how she is to be worshipped in Kashi; I will tell you.
अष्टम्यां च चतुर्दश्यां भौमवारे विशेषतः
Especially on the eighth and fourteenth days, and on Tuesdays,
नवरात्रं प्रयत्नेन प्रत्यहं सा समर्चिता
During Navaratri, she is to be worshipped daily with effort.
महापूजोपहारैश्च महाबलिनिवेदनैः
With offerings for great worship and presentations to the mighty,
प्रतिसंवत्सरं तस्याः कार्या यात्रा प्रयत्नतः
Every year, her festival must be performed with diligence.
यो न सांवत्सरीं यात्रां दुर्गायाः कुरुते कुधीः
He who, with a misguided mind, does not perform Durga’s annual festival—
दुर्गाकुंडे नरः स्नात्वा सर्वदुर्गार्तिहारिणीम्
A man who bathes in the Durga pool is freed from all hardships by the remover of every distress.
सा दुर्गाशक्तिभिः सार्धं काशीं रक्षति सर्वतः
That goddess Durga, together with her powers, protects Kashi on all sides.
रक्षंति क्षेत्रमेतद्वै तथान्या नवशक्तयः
Likewise, nine other Shaktis also guard this field.
शतनेत्रा सहस्रास्या तथायुतभुजापरा 4.2.72.
One has a hundred eyes, another a thousand faces, and yet another ten thousand arms.
विश्वा सौभाग्यगौरी च सृष्टाः प्राच्यादिमध्यतः
Vishva, Saubhagya, and Gauri were created from the east, the middle, and the other directions.
तथैव भैरवाश्चाष्टौ दिक्ष्वष्टासु प्रतिष्ठिताः
Similarly, eight Bhairavas are established in the eight directions.
रुरुश्चंडोसितांगश्च कपाली क्रोधनस्तथा
Ruru, Chanda, Asitanga, Kapali, and Krodhana are among them.
चतुःषष्टिस्तु वेताला महाभीषणमूर्तयः
There are sixty-four Vetalas, all with terrifying forms.
श्ववाहना रक्तमुखा महादंष्ट्रा महाभुजाः
They ride dogs, have red faces, great fangs, and mighty arms.
नानारूपधराः सर्वे नानाशस्त्रास्त्र पाणयः
All take on various forms, holding diverse weapons and missiles in their hands.
विद्युज्जिह्वो ललज्जिह्वः क्रूरास्यः क्रूरलोचनः
With lightning tongues, quivering tongues, fierce mouths, and cruel eyes.
जंभको जृंभणमुखो ज्वालानेत्रो वृकोदरः
Jambhaka, with a yawning mouth, blazing eyes, and wolf-like belly.
ज्वलत्केशः कंबुशिराः खर्वग्रीवो महाहनुः
With flaming hair, a conch-shaped head, a short neck, and a massive jaw.
इत्यादयो मुने क्षेत्रं दुर्वृत्तरुधिरप्रियाः 4.2.72.
Such beings, O sage, inhabit this field, fond of the blood of the wicked.
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन काशीभक्तिपरैर्नरैः ।। 4.2.72.
Therefore, with all effort, those devoted to Kashi must act.
काश्यां यस्यास्ति वै प्रेम तेन कृत्वाऽऽदरं गुरुम्
Whoever has true love for Kashi, having shown respect to the guru—
पद्मकल्पे तु या वृत्ता दमनस्य द्विजन्मनः
In the Padma Kalpa, the story of the twice-born Damana occurred.
भारद्वाजस्य तनयो दमनो नाम नामतः
Bharadvaja's son was named Damana, so called by name.
संसारदुःखबहुलं जीवितं चापि चंचलम्
Life in saṃsāra is full of suffering and is also unstable.
कांचिद्दिशं समालंब्य निर्वेदं परमं गतः
Relying on some direction, he attained supreme dispassion.
प्रतितीर्थं प्रतिनदि स बभ्राम तपोयुतः
He wandered, devoted to austerity, from one sacred place and river to another.
अध्युवास स तावंति संयतेंद्रियमानसः
He stayed there for some time, with senses and mind restrained.
मनोरथोपदेष्टा च कुत्रचित्क्वापि नेक्षितः
The teacher of desires was not seen anywhere at all.
रेवातटे निरैक्षिष्ट तीर्थं चामरकंटकम्
On the bank of the Revā, he saw the holy place called Amarakaṇṭaka.