मेरुमन्दरमात्रोऽपि राशिः पापस्य कर्मणः
Even a mass of sinful deeds as great as Mount Meru or Mandara—
या गतिर्ज्ञानतपसां या गतिर्यज्ञयाजिनाम्
The destination attained by those devoted to knowledge and austerity, and by those who perform sacrifices—
ऋषिदेवासुरगणैर्जपहोमपरायणैः 2.8.3.
By sages, gods, and hosts of asuras devoted to recitation and oblation—
षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि काशीवासेषु यत्फलम्
The fruit obtained from residing in Kāśī for six thousand years—
या गतिर्योगयुक्तानां वाराणस्यां तनुत्यजाम्
The destination of those united with yoga who relinquish the body in Vārāṇasī—
स्वर्गद्वारे मृतः कश्चिन्नरकं नैव पश्यति
One who dies at the gate of heaven does not see hell at all.
भूलोके चांतरिक्षे च दिवि तीर्थानि यानि वै
Whatever sacred places exist on earth, in the atmosphere, or in heaven—
विष्णुभक्तिं समासाद्य रमन्ते तु सुनिश्चिताः
Having attained devotion to Viṣṇu, they delight with full certainty.
शक्तितः सर्वतो युक्त्वा शक्तिस्तपसि संस्थिता
By applying power in every way, and with power established in austerity—
हन्यमानोऽपि यो विद्वान्वसेच्छस्त्रशतैरपि
Even if struck down, the wise one may live, though pierced by hundreds of weapons.
स्वर्गद्वारे वियुज्येत स याति परमां गतिम्
If he is separated at the gate of heaven, he attains the supreme destination.
सर्वस्तेषां शुभः कालः स्वर्गद्वारं श्रयंति ये
For all those who reach the gate of heaven, that time is auspicious.
यावत्पापानि देहेन ये कुर्वंति जनाः क्षितौ ।। 2.8.3.
As many sins as people commit on earth with the body—
ज्येष्ठे मासि सिते पक्षे पंचदश्यां विशेषतः
Especially on the fifteenth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Jyeṣṭha—
तस्मिन्नुद्यापनं चन्द्रसहस्रं व्रतयोगिभिः
There, a thousand moon-offering ceremonies are performed by those devoted to vows and yoga.
तस्मिन्कृते महापापक्षयात्स्वर्गो भवेन्नृणाम्
When that is accomplished, through the destruction of great sins, heaven is attained by people.
उत्पत्तिं च तथा चंद्रव्रतस्योद्यापने विधिम्
The origin and the prescribed method for the moon vow and its completion are likewise described.
आगच्छत्तीर्थमाहात्म्यं साक्षात्कर्तुं सुधानिधिः
The ocean of nectar came there to directly witness the greatness of the sacred place.
क्रमेण विधिपूर्वं च नानाश्चर्यसमन्वितः
In due order and according to rule, it was accompanied by many wondrous events.
तत्प्रसादं समासाद्य स्वाभिधानपुरस्सरम्
Having obtained that grace, with its own name at the forefront,
वासुदेवप्रसादेन तत्स्थानं जातमद्भुतम्
By the favor of Vāsudeva, that place became truly marvelous.
सर्वेषामिव भूतानां भर्तुर्मोक्षस्य सर्वदा
It is always the abode of liberation for all beings, as it is for the Lord.
नानालिंगधरा नित्यं विष्णुलोकाभिकांक्षिणः 2.8.3.
Assuming various forms, always longing for Viṣṇu's realm,
यथा धर्ममवाप्नोति अन्यत्र न तथा क्वचित्
Nowhere else does one attain dharma as one does here.
सर्वकामफलप्राप्तिर्जायते प्राणिनां सदा दानादिकं विप्रपूजा दंपत्योश्च विशेषतः
The fulfillment of all desires always arises for living beings—especially through giving, honoring Brahmins, and for couples.
सर्वयज्ञाधिकफलं सर्वतीर्थावगाहनम्
It yields a result greater than all sacrifices and the bathing in all sacred waters.
तत्सर्वं जायते पुण्यं प्राणिनामस्य दर्शनात्
All that merit arises for living beings simply by seeing this place.
उद्यापनविधिश्चात्र नृभिर्द्विजपुरस्सरम्
Here, the rite of completion is to be performed by people, led by Brahmins.
गते वर्षद्वये सार्द्धे पंचपक्षे दिनद्वये
After two and a half years have passed, on two days in the fortnight,
त्र्यधिके वा अशीत्यब्दे चतुर्मासयुते ततः उद्यापनं प्रकर्त्तव्यं तेन यात्रा प्रयत्नतः
Or after eighty-three years plus four months, then the completion ceremony should be carefully performed by him.