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—
यमदूता न यस्यां हि प्रविशंति कदाचन
Into which the messengers of Yama never enter at any time.
हाटकेशो महाकालस्तारके शस्तथैव च
Haṭakeśa, Mahākāla, Tāraka, and Śasta likewise.
ज्योतिः सिद्धवटे ज्योतिस्ते पश्यंतीह ये द्विजाः
The twice-born who see the light at Siddhavaṭa, that very light here—
महाकालस्य तल्लिंगं यैर्दृष्टं कष्टिभिः क्वचित
By whomsoever the liṅga of Mahākāla has been seen, even once, with effort—
महाकालपताकाग्रैः स्पृष्टपृष्ठास्तुरंगमाः
Horses whose backs are touched by the banners of Mahākāla—
महाकालमहाकालमहाकालेतिसंततम्
Constantly uttering 'Mahākāla, Mahākāla, Mahākāla!'
एवमाराध्य भूतेशं महाकालं ततो द्विजः 4.1.7.
Thus worshipping the Lord of beings, Mahākāla, then, O twice-born—
युगेयुगे द्वारवत्या रत्नानि परितो मुषन् 4.1.7.
In every age, stealing gems all around in Dvāravatī—
चिंतार्णवे निमग्नोभूत्त्यक्ताशो जीविते धने 4.1.7.
Sunk in the ocean of anxiety, having abandoned hope for life and wealth—
एवं चिंतयतस्तस्य पीडासीदतिदारुणा 4.1.7.
Thus, as he was thinking, a most terrible pain befell him.