मीढुष्टमायोत्तरमीढुषे नमो नमो गणानां पतये गणाय
Repeated salutations to the most generous, to the supreme giver, to the lord of the hosts, to the leader of the hosts.
सर्वस्य नाथस्य कुमारकाय क्रौंचारये तारकमारकाय
To the lord of all, the youthful one, the slayer of Krauncha, the destroyer of Taraka—salutations.
इत्थं परिष्टुत्य स कार्तिकेयं नमो नमस्त्वित्यभिभाषमाणः
Thus, having praised Kārtikeya in this way, he spoke, saying 'Salutations, salutations to you.'
जाने त्वामिह संप्राप्तं तथा विंध्याचलोन्नतिम्
I know that you have now arrived here, and likewise the greatness of Mount Vindhya.
अविमुक्ते महाक्षेत्रे क्षेमं त्र्यक्षेण रक्षिते 4.1.25.
In Avimukta, the great sacred field, protected by the three-eyed one, there is safety.
भूर्भुवः स्वस्तले वापि न पातालतले मलम्
Whether on earth, in the mid-region, in heaven, or even in the netherworld, there is no impurity.
अहमेकचरोप्यत्र तत्क्षेत्रप्राप्तये मुने
I, though wandering alone, have come here, O sage, to reach that field.
न तत्पुण्यैर्न तद्दानैर्न तपोभिर्न तज्जपैः
Not by merits, nor by gifts, nor by austerities, nor by recitations is that attained.
ईश्वरानुग्रहादेव काशीवासः सुदुर्लभः
Only by the grace of the Lord is residence in Kāśī exceedingly rare.
अन्यैव काचित्सा सृष्टिर्विधातुर्याऽतिरेकिणी
There is indeed another creation of the Creator, which is extraordinary.
अहो मतेः सुदौर्बल्यमहोभाग्यस्य दौर्विधम्
Alas, how great is the weakness of understanding, how manifold is the misfortune of the mind.
शरीरं जीर्यते नित्यं संजीर्यंतींद्रियाण्यपि
The body decays constantly, and the senses too are ever decaying.
सापदं संपदं ज्ञात्वा सापायं कायमुच्चकैः
Recognizing that prosperity is fleeting, so too is this body subject to harm.
यावन्नैत्यायुषश्चांतस्तावत्काशी न मुच्यते
Until the end of this impermanent life, liberation from Kāśī is not attained.
जरानिकटनिक्षिप्ता बाधंते व्याधयो भृशम् 4.1.25.
Diseases, cast near by old age, afflict greatly.
तीर्थस्नानेन जप्येन परोपकरणोक्तिभिः
By bathing at sacred fords, by recitation, and by acts of charity and speech for the benefit of others,
विनैवार्थार्जनोपायं धर्मादर्थो भवेद्ध्रुवम्
Even without means of acquiring wealth, virtue alone surely brings prosperity.
धर्मादर्थोऽर्थतः कामः कामात्सर्वसुखोदयः
From virtue comes prosperity, from prosperity comes desire, and from desire arises all happiness.
उपायत्रयमेवात्र स्थाणुर्निर्वाणकारणम्
Here, indeed, the threefold means are the cause of liberation.
पूर्वं पाशुपतो योगस्ततस्तीर्थं सितासितम्
First is the Pāśupata yoga, then the sacred fords, both white and black.
श्रीशैल हिमशैलाद्या नानान्यायतनानि च
Śrīśaila, Himāśaila, and other various holy abodes,
तपांसि नानारूपाणि व्रतानि नियमा यमाः
Austerities of various forms, vows, observances, and restraints,
मानसान्यपि भौमानि धारातीर्थादिकानि च
Mental and earthly, and those beginning with the continuous sacred fords,
जपश्चापि मनूनां च तथाऽग्निहवनानि च
Also the recitation of mantras and the offerings into fire,
त्रिरात्रं पंचरात्राणि सांख्ययोगादयस्तथा 4.1.25.
Three-night, five-night observances, and likewise Sāṃkhya, Yoga, and others,
पुर्यश्चापि समाख्यातानृतजंतु विमुक्तिदा
And also the purificatory rites previously described, which grant liberation to creatures born of falsehood,
एतानि यानि प्रोक्तानि काशीप्राप्तिकराणि च
These, whatever have been declared, are means of attaining Kāśī.
अतएव हि तत्क्षेत्रं पवित्रमतिचित्रकृत्
Therefore, that field is indeed pure and wondrously made.
इदमेव हि तत्क्षेत्रं कुशलप्रश्नकारणम्
Indeed, this very field is the cause of auspicious inquiry.
अपि काश्याः समागच्छत्स्पर्शवत्स्पर्श इष्यते
Even the touch of one who has come from Kāśī is regarded as touch itself.