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.
दृष्ट्वा हृष्टमना आसीच्चेतः स्थैर्यमवाप ह
Seeing it, his mind became joyful and he attained steadiness of heart.
304b विभूतिभूषिततनून्कृतलिंगसमर्चनान् 4.2.74.
He saw bodies adorned with sacred ash, engaged in the worship of the liṅga.
स्वस्थोपविष्टान्स्वपुरोरग्रतोऽचलमानसान्
Seated calmly in front of their own city, their minds unwavering.
प्रबद्धहस्तयुगलः प्रणमतरकंधरः
With hands joined together and head bowed, he offered obeisance.
वार्धकेन समाक्रांतस्तपसा कृशविग्रहः
Overcome by old age, his body emaciated by austerity.
पप्रच्छ दमनं चेति कस्त्वं कस्मादिहागतः
He asked, 'O subduer, who are you? For what reason have you come here?'
भगोः पाशुपताचार्य सर्वज्ञाराधनप्रिय
I am the teacher of Pāśupata, devoted to the worship of the all-knowing Lord Bhaga.
कथयामि यथार्थं ते निजचेतोविचेष्टितम्
I will tell you truthfully what my own mind has undertaken.
संसारासारतां ज्ञात्वा वानप्रस्थमशिश्रियम्
Knowing the worthlessness of saṃsāra, I have taken up the life of a forest-dweller.
स्नातं बहुषु तीर्थेषु मंत्रा जप्तास्तु कोटिशः
I have bathed in many sacred places, and mantras have been recited by me in the millions.
शुश्रूषिताश्च गुरवो बहवो बह्वनेहसम्
Many teachers, free from much fault, have been served by me.
शिखराणि गिरींद्राणां मया चाध्युषितान्यहो 4.2.74.
Ah, I have also dwelt upon the peaks of the lordly mountains.
रसायनानि बहुशः सेवितानि मया पुनः
I have repeatedly made use of many elixirs.
मया प्रविष्टा बहुशः कृतांतवदनोपमाः
I have often entered places resembling the face of Death.
परं किंचित्क्वचिन्नैक्षि सिद्ध्यंकुरमपि प्रभो
Yet, O Lord, nowhere did I see even the slightest sprout of accomplishment.
मनसः स्थैर्यमापन्नमिव संप्राप्तसिद्धिना
It is as if steadfastness of mind has arisen through attainment.
तेनैव महती सिद्धिर्भवित्री मम नान्यथा
Only through this will great accomplishment come to me, not otherwise.
अनेनैव शरीरेण पार्थिवेन प्रथीयसी
With this very body, composed of earth and most powerful,
प्रत्यक्षदृष्टं प्रोवाच महदाश्चर्यमुत्तमम् मुमुक्षूणां धृतवतां महापाशुपतं व्रतम्
He spoke of a supreme and wondrous marvel, witnessed directly, the great Pāśupata vow for those desiring liberation and possessing steadfastness.
शृणुष्वावहितो भूत्वा तदा ते कथयाम्यहम्
Listen attentively; now I shall tell you.