निवसंत्यमला यत्र मानसा बह्मणः सुताः
Here reside the pure-minded sons of Brahma, untouched by stain.
अन्ये तु योगिनो ये वै ह्यस्खलद्ब्रह्मचारिणः
Others are yogis, steadfast in their celibacy, never faltering.
जनलोकात्तपोलोकस्तेषां लोचनगोचरः 4.1.22.
From Janaloka, Tapoloka becomes visible to their eyes.
वैराजा यत्र ते देवा वसेयुर्दाहवर्जिताः
There, the Viraja gods dwell, free from the touch of fire.
तपसा तोष्य गोविंदमभिलाषविवर्जिताः
By austerity, they please Govinda, desiring nothing.
शिलोंछ वृत्तया ये वै दंतोलूखलिकाश्च ये
Those who live by gleaning, and those who are restrained, pounding with mortars.
ग्रीष्मे पंचाग्नितपसो वर्षासु स्थंडिलेशयाः
In summer, they practice the five-fire austerity; in the rains, they sleep upon the ground.
कुशाग्रनीरविप्रूषस्तृषिता यतयोऽपिबन्
Thirsty ascetics drank water from the tips of blades of grass.
ऊर्ध्वदोषो रविदृशस्त्वेकांघ्रि स्थाणु निश्चलाः
With arms raised, gazing at the sun, standing on one foot, motionless like a pillar.
मासोपवासव्रतिनश्चातुर्मास्य व्रताश्च ये
Those who observe monthly fasts, and those who undertake the four-month vow.
ये च वर्षनिमेषा वै वर्षधारांबु तर्षकाः
And those who, for a year, blink only once, enduring thirst from rainwater drops.
जटाटवी कोटरांतः कृतनीडांडजाश्च ये
Those who, within the hollows of tangled hair, have made nests like birds.
लताप्रतानैः परितो वेष्टितावयवाश्च ये 4.1.22.
And those whose limbs are entwined all around by the tendrils of creepers—
इत्यादि सुतपः क्लिष्टवर्ष्माणो ये तपोधनाः
Thus, those ascetics, their bodies afflicted by austerity, are rich in penance.
यावदित्थं स पुण्यात्मा शृणोति गणयोर्मुखात्
As long as that virtuous soul listens in this way to the words of the attendants,
त्वरावंतौ गणौ तत्र विमानादवरुह्य तौ
Then, those two attendants, eager and swift, descended there from the celestial chariot.
ब्रह्मोवाच स्मृत्युक्ताचारचंचुश्च प्रतीपः पापकर्मसु
Brahmā said: One whose conduct and speech are contrary, as described in the scriptures, is adverse in sinful deeds.
अयि द्विज महाप्राज्ञ जाने त्वां शिवशर्मक
O twice-born, greatly wise one, I know you, O Śivaśarmaka.
सत्वरं गत्वरं सर्वं यच्चैतद्भवतेक्षितम्
Quickly, promptly, everything that has been seen by you—
आ वैराजं प्रतिपदमुपसंहरते हरः
Up to the realm of Virāja, Śiva withdraws everything, step by step.
चतुर्षु भूतग्रामेषु ह्येक एव गुणो नृणाम्
Among the four classes of beings, truly, there is only one virtue for humans.
चपलानि विनिर्जित्येंद्रियाणि मनसा सह
Having conquered the restless senses along with the mind—
धर्मवंशहरं काममर्थसंचयहारिणम् 4.1.22.
Desire, which destroys the lineage of righteousness and seizes the accumulation of wealth—
जित्वा क्रोधरिपुं धैर्यात्तपसो यशसः श्रियः
Having conquered the enemy of anger through steadfastness, one attains ascetic power, fame, and prosperity.
सदा मदं परित्यज्य प्रमादैकपदप्रदम्
Always abandoning pride, which alone leads to heedlessness—
सर्वत्र लघुता हेतुमहंकारं विहाय च
Everywhere, giving up the cause of inferiority and abandoning egotism—
हित्वा मोहं महाद्रोहरोपणं मतिघातिनम्
Letting go of delusion, the great tree of anger, which destroys wisdom—
श्रुतिस्मृतिपुराणोक्तं परिक्षुण्णं महाजनैः
What is declared in the Śruti, Smṛti, and Purāṇas, and has been examined by the great—
कर्मभूमिं समीहंते सर्वे स्वर्गौकसो द्विज
All those who dwell in heaven, O twice-born, desire the land of action.
नार्यावर्तसुमो देशो न काशी सदृशी पुरी
Among lands, Āryāvarta is the best, and among cities, none is equal to Kāśī.