सरस्वती रजो रूपा तमोरूपा कलिंदजा
Sarasvatī is of the nature of dust, and Kaliṃdajā is of the nature of darkness.
इयं वेणीहि निःश्रेणी ब्रह्मणो वर्त्मयास्यतः
This braided stream is the ladderless path of Brahmā's course.
काशीति काचिदबला भुवनेषु रूढा लोलार्क केशवविलोलविलोचना
Some maiden named Kāśī, established among worlds, with restless eyes disturbed by the playful sun and Keśava.
अगस्तिरुवाच तीर्थराजप्रयागस्य तीर्थैः संसेवितस्य च
Agastya said: The king of pilgrimages, Prayāga, served by holy places—
पापिनां यानि पापानि प्रसह्य क्षालितान्यहो
The sins of sinners are forcibly washed away—how wondrous!
प्रयागस्य गुणान्ज्ञात्वा शिवशर्मा द्विजः सुधीः
Knowing the virtues of Prayāga, the wise Brāhmaṇa Śivaśarmā—
प्रवेश एव संवीक्ष्य स देहलिविनायकम् 4.1.7.
Upon entering, he beheld the lord of the threshold.
निवेद्यमोदकान्पंच वंचयंतं निजं जनम्
He offered five sweet dumplings, deceiving his own people.
आगत्य दृष्ट्वा मणिकर्णिकायामुदग्वहां स्वर्गतरंगिणीं सः
Having arrived and seen, at Maṇikarṇikā, the river flowing upward, the heavenly-streaming one.
सचैलमाप्लुत्य जलेऽमलेऽमलेऽविलंबमालंबित शुद्धबुद्धिः
Having plunged, clothed, into the pure water, lingering, his mind purified.
विधाय च द्राक्स हि पंचतीर्थिकां विश्वेशमाराध्य ततो यथास्वम्
Having performed the fivefold pilgrimage, worshipped Viśveśa, then according to his own manner—
न स्वः पुरी सा त्वनया पुरासमं समंजसापि प्रतिसाम्यमावहेत
That city is not heaven; even with her, the ancient city could not attain equality.
पयोपि यत्रत्यमचिंत्यवैभवं दिविस्थिता साधुसुधाप्यतोमुधा
The milk here is of inconceivable splendor, even the nectar of the gods in heaven is surpassed by it, given freely and abundantly.
अनामयाश्चिंतनया न येशितुर्जनामनाग्यत्र विना पिनाकिना
Those who dwell here are free from disease and anxiety, except for those who are not devoted to the Lord with the bow.
न वर्ण्यते कैः किल काशिकेयं जंतोः स्थितस्यात्र यतोंतकाले
Who indeed could describe this Kāśī? For one who remains here until the end, at the time of death—
संसारिचिंतामणिरत्र यस्मात्तं तारकं सज्जनकर्णिकायाम्
Because here is the wish-fulfilling gem for those bound in saṃsāra, that liberating star in the lotus of the good.
मुक्तिलक्ष्मी महापीठ मणिस्तच्चरणाब्जयोः 4.1.7.
The goddess of liberation, the great seat, the jewel at the lotus feet—
जरायुजांडजोद्भिज्जाः स्वेदजाह्यत्र वासिनः
Here dwell those born from womb, egg, moisture, and sprout.
मम जन्म वृथाजातं दुर्वृत्तस्य जडात्मनः
My birth has been in vain, for I am of wicked conduct and dull mind.
पुनःपुनश्च तत्क्षेत्रमतिथीकृत्यनेत्रयोः
Again and again, I have made that field the guest of my eyes.
सप्तानां च पुरीणां हि धुरी णामवयाम्यहम्
I have indeed borne the burden of the seven cities.
तथापि न चतस्रोन्या मया दृग्गोचरीकृताः
Yet, I have not brought even four of them within the range of my sight.
तीर्थयात्रां प्रतिदिनं कुर्वन्नूनं सवत्सरम्
Even performing pilgrimage daily for a whole year—
नाना प्रमाणैः प्रवणो निरगात्स तथाप्यहो
Though eager and departing with various means, still, alas—
किं कुर्वंति हि शास्त्राणि सप्रमाणानि सुंदरि
What use, O beautiful one, are the scriptures, even with their proofs?
कः समुच्चलितं चेतस्तोयंवा संप्रतीपयेत्
Who indeed can calm the mind, once it has been disturbed like water?
शिवशर्मा व्रजन्सोथ देशाद्देशांतरं क्रमात् 4.1.7.
Śivaśarmā, journeying thus, from land to land in succession—
कल्पेकल्पेखिलंविश्वं कालयेद्यः स्वलीलया
He who, in every age, dissolves the entire universe by his own play—
पापादवंती सा विश्वमवंतीति निगद्यते
She who removes sin is called Avanti, for she protects the world.
विपन्नो यत्र वै जंतुः प्राप्यापि शवतां स्फुटम्
Where a being, even after attaining it, perishes clearly among corpses—