कार्दमिरुवाच यदि नाथ प्रसन्नोसि भक्तानामनुकंपक
Kardama said: 'O Lord, if you are pleased, compassionate to your devotees—'
इति श्रुत्वा महेशानः सर्वचिंतितदः प्रभुः
Hearing this, Maheśāna, the Lord who grants all desires, spoke.
रत्नानामब्धिजातानामब्धीनां सरितामपि
Of all the gems born from the ocean, of the oceans and the rivers,
जलाशयानां सर्वेषां प्रतीच्याश्चापि वैदिशः
Of all the reservoirs of water, and also of the western and other directions,
ददामि वरमन्यं च सर्वेषां हितकारकम्
I grant you another boon, one that brings benefit to all.
वरुणेशमिति ख्यातं वाराणस्यां सुसिद्धिदम्
It will be known as Varuṇeśa, bestower of great success in Vārāṇasī.
आराधितं सदा पुंसां सर्वजाड्यविनाशकृत्
Always worshipped by people, it destroys all forms of dullness.
न संतापभयं तेषां नापायमरणं क्वचित्
For them, there is no suffering, no fear, nor any danger of death at any time.
नीरसान्यन्नपानानि वरुणेश्वर संस्मृतेः 4.1.12.
Even tasteless food and drink become pleasing when Varuṇeśvara is remembered.
इदं वरुणलोकस्य स्वरूपं ते निरूपितम्
This is the true nature of the world of Varuṇa, as revealed to you.
गणावूचतुः इमां गंधवतीं पुण्यां पुरीं वायोर्विलोकय
The Gaṇas said: 'Behold this fragrant, sacred city of Gandhavatī, belonging to Vāyu.'
अस्यां प्रभंजनो नाम जगत्प्राणोदिगीश्वरः
In this city, Prabhañjana by name, is the lord of the directions and the life-breath of the world.
पुरा कश्यपदायादः पूतात्मेति च विश्रुतः
Long ago, the descendant of Kaśyapa, renowned as Pūtātmā,
वाराणस्यां महाभागो वर्षाणामयुतं शतम्
dwelt in Vārāṇasī, O illustrious one, for a hundred thousand years.
यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण पूतात्मा जायते नरः
By merely seeing him, a person would become pure in soul.
उवाच च प्रसन्नात्मा करुणामृतसागरः
And he spoke, his mind serene, an ocean of nectar-like compassion.
अनेन तपसोग्रेण लिंगस्याराधनेन च
By this intense austerity and by worship of the liṅga,
देवदेवमहादेव देवानामभयप्रद
O God of gods, Great Lord, bestower of fearlessness to the gods,
वेदास्त्वां न च विंदंति किमात्मक इति प्रभो 4.1.13.
Even the Vedas do not find you out—what is your true nature, O Lord?
ब्रह्मविष्ण्वोपि गिरां गोचरो न च वाक्पतेः
Neither Brahmā nor Viṣṇu, nor even the lord of speech, can reach you with words.
प्रसह्य प्रमिमीतेश भक्तिर्मांस्तुतिकर्मणि
Yet, O Lord, devotion alone compels me to praise you in hymn.
विश्वं त्वं नास्ति वै भेदस्त्वमेकः सर्वगो यतः
You are the universe; there is truly no division—since you alone pervade all.
सर्गात्पुरा भवानेको रूपनाम विवर्जितः
Before creation, you alone existed, devoid of form and name.
यदैकलो न शक्नोषि रंतुं स्वैरचर प्रभो
When, being alone, you could not delight, you acted freely, O Lord.
त्वमेको द्वित्वमापन्नः शिवशक्तिप्रभेदतः
You alone became dual, by the distinction of Śiva and Śakti.
उभाभ्यां शिवशक्तिभ्या युवाभ्यां निजलीलया
By both Śiva and Śakti, by you two, through your own play,
ज्ञानशक्तिर्भवानीश इच्छाशक्तिरुमा स्मृता
O Lord, knowledge-power is known as Bhavānī, will-power is called Umā.
दक्षिणांगं तव विधिर्वामांगं तव चाच्युतः
Your right side is Brahmā, your left side is Acyuta (Viṣṇu).
त्वत्स्वेदादंबुनिधयस्तव श्रोत्रं समीरणः 4.1.13.
From your sweat are the oceans; your ear is the wind.
राजन्यवर्यास्ते बाहु वैश्या ऊरुसमुद्भवाः
The best of the royal class are your arms; the Vaiśyas arose from your thighs.