निष्प्रत्यूहं क्रतुशतं यः कश्चित्कुरुतेऽवनौ
Whoever performs a hundred unobstructed sacrifices on earth—
असमाप्तक्रतुशता वसंत्यत्र महीभुजः
Kings whose hundreds of sacrifices remain unfinished dwell here.
तुलापुरुषदानादि महादानानि षोडश
The sixteen great gifts, such as the gift of a person on a scale—
अक्लीबवादिनो धीराः संग्रामेष्वपराङ्मुखाः
Those who speak bravely, steadfast, never turning their backs in battle—
इत्युद्देशात्समाख्याता महेंद्रनगरी स्थितिः
Thus, in summary, the existence of the city of Mahendra has been described.
इमामर्चिष्मतीं पश्य वीतिहोत्रपुरीं शुभाम्
Behold this radiant and auspicious city, Vītihotra.
अग्निप्रवेशं ये कुर्युर्दृढसत्त्वा जितेंद्रियाः
Those of firm resolve and controlled senses who enter fire—
अग्निहोत्ररता विप्रास्तथाग्निब्रह्मचारिणः 4.1.10.
—as well as the Brāhmaṇas devoted to Agnihotra and those who practice the vow of fire-brahmacarya—
शीते शीतापनुत्यै यस्त्विध्मभारान्प्रयच्छति
Whoever, in cold, gives bundles of fuel to remove the chill—
अनाथस्याग्निसंस्कारं यः कुर्याच्छ्रद्धयान्वितः
Whoever performs the fire-rite for an orphan, endowed with faith—
जठराग्निविवृद्ध्यै यो दद्यादाग्नेयमौषधम्
Whoever gives fire-medicines to increase the digestive fire—
यज्ञोपस्कर वस्तूनि यज्ञार्थं द्रविणं तु वा
Or offers sacrificial implements or wealth for the sake of sacrifice—
अग्निरेको द्विजातीनां निःश्रेयसकरः परः
Fire alone is the supreme bestower of welfare for the twice-born.
अपावनानि सर्वाणि वह्निसंसर्गतः क्षणात्
All impurities are instantly removed by contact with fire.
अपि वेदं विदित्वा यस्त्यक्त्वा वै जातवेदसम्
Even one who, having known the Veda, abandons Jātavedas—
अंतरात्मा ह्ययं साक्षान्निश्चितो ह्याशुशुक्षणिः
—this inner self is indeed the direct witness, certain and swift to purify.
तैजसी शांभवी मूर्तिः प्रत्यक्षा दहनात्मिका
This fiery, Śaiva form is visible, possessing the nature of burning.
चित्रभानुरयं साक्षान्नेत्रं त्रिभुवनेशितुः 4.1.10.
This radiant one is directly the eye of the Lord of the three worlds.
धूपप्रदीपनैवेद्य पयो दधि घृतैक्षवम्
Incense, lamps, offerings, milk, curd, ghee, and sugarcane juice—
शिवशर्मोवाच कोयं कृशानुः कस्यायं सूनुः कथमिदं पदम्
Śivaśarman said: Who is this Kṛśānu? Whose son is he? How did he attain this position?
योयं यस्य यथाऽनेन प्रापि ज्योतिष्मतीपुरी
Who is this, to whom does he belong, and by what means did he reach the radiant city?
नर्मदायास्तटे रम्ये पुरे नर्मपुरे पुरा
Long ago, in the delightful city of Narmapura on the banks of the Narmadā—
ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमे निष्ठो ब्रह्मयज्ञरतःसदा
Firmly established in the stage of brahmacharya, always devoted to the sacrifice to Brahman.
विज्ञाताखिलशास्त्रार्थो लौकिकाचारचंचुरः
One who has understood the meaning of all the scriptures, and is skilled in worldly conduct.
चतुर्णामप्याश्रमाणां कोतीव श्रेयसे सताम्
For the virtuous, even a crore of the four āśramas is for the sake of supreme good.
इदं श्रेयस्त्विदं श्रेयस्त्विदं तु सुकरं भवेत्
This is the highest good, this is the highest good; yet this may be easy to accomplish.
ब्रह्मचारी गृहस्थो वा वानप्रस्थोऽथ भिक्षुकः
Whether as a brahmachārin, householder, forest-dweller, or mendicant.
देवैर्मनुष्यैः पितृभिस्तिर्यग्भिश्चोपजीव्यते 4.1.10.
He is supported by the gods, humans, ancestors, and even animals.
अस्नात्वा चाप्यहुत्वा वाऽदत्त्वा वाश्नाति यो गृही
If a householder eats without bathing, without offering oblations, or without giving, he—
अस्नाताशी मलं भुंक्ते त्वजपी पूयशोणितम्
One who eats without bathing consumes filth; one who eats without reciting mantras eats pus and blood.