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.
त्रिरात्रमपिये काश्यां वसंति नियतेंद्रियाः
Those who remain in Kāśī with controlled senses, even for three nights,
त्वं तु तत्र कृतावासः कृतपुण्यमहोच्चयः
But you, having dwelt there, have performed great and lofty acts of merit.
तव तत्र तु यत्कुंडमगस्तीश्वरसन्निधौ
And there, your sacred pit, in the presence of Agastīśvara,
पितॄन्पिंडैः समभ्यर्च्य श्रद्धाश्राद्धविधानतः
Having duly worshipped the ancestors with offerings, according to the prescribed rites of faith and śrāddha,
इत्युक्त्वा सर्वगात्राणि स्पष्ट्वा कुंभोद्भवस्य च 4.1.25.
Having thus spoken, and having touched all the limbs, as well as those of the one born from the pot,
जय विश्वेश नेत्राणि विनिमील्य वदन्नपि
He said, 'Victory to Viśveśa!' closing his eyes, even as he spoke.
स्कंदे विसर्जितध्याने सुप्रसन्नमनोमुखे
With his mind serene and face radiant, he fixed his meditation on Skanda.
वाराणस्यास्तु महिमा हिमशैलभुवे मुदा
The glory of Vārāṇasī was joyfully recounted to Him who was born of the snowy mountain.
त्वया यथा समाकर्णि तदुत्संगनिवासिना
Just as you heard it, O dweller in the lap, so it was narrated.
तत्क्षेत्रस्याविमुक्तस्य मम मातुः पुरः पुरा
Of that field, Avimukta, which formerly lay before my mother,