वरं वाराणसीरंको निःशंकोयो यमादपि
It is better to be a fearless frog in Vārāṇasī than to be under the rule of Yama.
ब्रह्मणो दिवसाष्टांशेषपदमैंद्रं विनश्यति 4.1.3.
The position of Indra perishes in one-eighth of a day of Brahmā.
परार्धद्वयनाशेपि काशीस्थो यो न नश्यति
But one who dwells in Kāśī does not perish, even after the destruction of two parārdhas.
यत्सुखं काशिवासेत्र न तद्ब्रह्मांडमंडपे
The happiness found in dwelling at Kāśī is not found even in the palace of the cosmic egg.
जन्मांतरसहस्रेषु यत्पुण्यं समुपार्जितम्
The merit accumulated over thousands of previous births—
लब्धोपि सिद्धिं नो यायाद्यदि कुद्ध्येत्त्रिलोचनः
Even if obtained, success would not be achieved if the Three-eyed One were to be angered.
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाख्यं पुरुषार्थचतुष्टयम्
The four aims of human life—dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa—
आलस्येनापि यो यायाद्गृहाद्विश्वेश्वरालयम्
Even one who, out of laziness, goes from his house to the temple of Viśveśvara—
यः स्नात्वोत्तरवाहिन्यां याति विश्वे शदर्शने
He who, after bathing in the north-flowing river, goes to see Viśveśvara—
स्वर्धुनी दर्शनात्स्पर्शात्स्नानादाचमनादपि
By seeing, touching, bathing in, or even sipping the water of the heavenly river—
पंचतीर्थावलोकाच्च ततो विश्वेश्वरेक्षणात्
By viewing the five sacred fords, and then beholding Viśveśvara—
प्रदक्षिणैः स्तोत्रजपैर्नमस्कारैस्तु नर्त्तनैः 4.1.3.
By circumambulations, hymn recitations, salutations, and dances—
धूर्जटे नीलकंठेश पिनाकिञ्शशिशेखर
O Lord Dhūrjaṭi, O Nīlakaṇṭha, O Pināka-wielder, O one adorned with the moon upon your crest,
मुक्तिमंडपिकायां च निमेषार्धो पवेशनात्
And in the pavilion of liberation, with but half a blink, one enters.
नित्यादिकर्मकरणात्तथातिथिसमर्चनैः
Through the performance of daily and prescribed rites, and by honoring guests,
शुक्लपक्षे यथा चंद्रः कलया कलयैधते
Just as the moon waxes by its digits in the bright fortnight,
श्रद्धाबीजो विप्रपादांबुसिक्तः शाखाविद्यास्ताश्चतस्रो दशापि
The seed of faith, sprinkled by the water from the feet of Brahmins, yields the four branches of knowledge and even ten stages.
सर्वार्थानामत्रदात्री भवानी सर्वान्कामान्पूरयेदत्र ढुंढिः
Here, Bhavānī is the giver of all purposes; here, Ḍhuṃḍhi fulfills all desires.
काश्यां धर्मस्तच्चतुष्पादरूपः काश्यामर्थः सोप्यने कप्रकारः
In Kāśī, Dharma appears in its fourfold form; in Kāśī, Artha too manifests in various ways.
विश्वेश्वरो यत्र न तत्र चित्रं धर्मार्थकामामृतरूपरूपः
Where Viśveśvara abides, it is no wonder, for Dharma, Artha, Kāma, and Mokṣa take form there.
इति ब्रुवाणा गीर्वाणा ददृशुस्तूटजं मुनेः
Thus speaking, the celestial beings beheld the sage praised by song.
श्यामाकांजलियाञ्चार्थमृषिकन्यानुयायिभिः 4.1.3.
With black grains in hand, seeking alms, accompanied by the daughters of the sages.
विधूय सर्व पापानि ज्ञात्वाऽज्ञात्वा कृतान्यपि
Having cast off all sins, whether knowingly or unknowingly committed,
सर्वलोकहितार्थाय तदाख्याहि महामुने
For the welfare of all worlds, declare it now, O great sage.
धिषणाधिपतेरास्यं विबुधा व्यालुलोकिरे
The gods gazed upon the mouth of the lord of wisdom.
वाक्पतिरुवाच धन्योसि कृतकृत्योसि मान्योसि महता मपि
The lord of speech said: You are blessed, accomplished, and honored even among the great.
प्रत्याश्रमं प्रतिनगं प्रत्यरण्यं तपोधनाः
The ascetics, in every hermitage, every city, and every forest,
तपोलक्ष्मीस्त्वयीहास्ति ब्राह्मतेजस्त्वयि स्थिरम्
The wealth of austerity is present in you; the brilliance of Brahma is steadfast in you.
पतिव्रतेयं कल्याणी लोपामुद्रा सधर्मिणी
This virtuous Lopāmudrā, devoted to her husband, is your righteous companion.
पतिव्रतास्वरुंधत्या सावित्र्याप्यनसूयया
Among devoted wives, like Svaruṃdhatī, Sāvitrī, and Anasūyā,