श्रुतं च यत्तदुत्संगे स्थितेन स्थिरचेतसा
And what was heard by you, sitting in her lap with steady mind,
गुह्यानां परमं गुह्यमविमुक्तमिहेरितम्
Avimukta is declared to be the supreme secret among all secrets.
भूर्लोके नैव संलग्नं तत्क्षेत्रं त्वंतरिक्षगम्
That field is not joined to the earthly realm, but moves in the intermediate space.
यस्तत्र निवसेद्विप्र संयतात्मा समाहितः
O brāhmaṇa, whoever dwells there, self-restrained and concentrated,
निमेषमात्रमपि यो ह्यविमुक्तेऽतिभक्तिभाक् 4.1.25.
Even one who, with utmost devotion, remains in Avimukta for but a moment,
यस्तु मासं वसेद्धीरो लघ्वाहारो जितेंद्रियः
But he who, self-controlled and moderate in food, dwells there for a month,
संवत्सरं वसंस्तत्र जितक्रोधो जितेंद्रियः
He who, having conquered anger and the senses, dwells there for a year,
परापवादरहितः किंचिद्दानपरायणः
Free from slander of others and devoted even to a little charity,
यावज्जीवं वसेद्यस्तु क्षेत्रमाहात्म्यविन्नरः
Whoever lives his whole life unaware of the greatness of this sacred field—
न योगैर्या गतिर्लभ्या जन्मांतरशतैरपि
The state that cannot be attained by yogic practices, even after hundreds of lifetimes—
ब्रह्महा योऽभिगच्छेद्वै दैवाद्वाराणसीं पुरीम्
If a slayer of a Brahmin, by fate, enters the city of Varanasi—
आदेहपतनं यावद्योविमुक्तं न मुंचति
Until the fall of his body, he does not leave Avimukta.
अनन्यमानसो भूत्वा तत्क्षेत्रं यो न मुंचति
Whoever remains in that field with unwavering mind, not departing—
अविमुक्तं निषेवेत देवर्षिगणसेवितम्
Let him worship Avimukta, honored by hosts of divine sages.
अविमुक्तं न मुंचेत संसारभयमोचनम् 4.1.25.
He should not leave Avimukta, which frees from the fear of worldly existence.
कृत्वा पापसह्स्राणि पिशाचत्वं वरंत्विह
Even after committing thousands of sins, it is better to become a ghost here.
अंतकाले मनुष्याणां भिद्यमानेषु मर्मसु
At the time of death, when the vital organs of humans are breaking—
तत्रोत्क्रमणकाले तु साक्षाद्विश्वेश्वरः स्वयम्
Then, at the moment of departure, Lord of the Universe himself appears.
अशाश्वतमिदं ज्ञात्वा मानुष्यं बहुकिल्बिषम्
Knowing that this human life is impermanent and full of many faults—
विघ्रैरालोड्यमानोपि योऽविमुक्तं न मुंचति
Even when tossed about by afflictions, whoever does not leave Avimukta—
महापापौघशमनीं पुण्योपचयकारिणीम्
It destroys heaps of great sins and brings the accumulation of merit.
एवं ज्ञात्वा तु मेधावी नाविमुक्तं त्यजेन्नरः
Thus understanding, the wise man should never abandon Avimukta.
अविमुक्तस्य माहात्म्यं षड्भिर्वक्त्रैः कथं मया
How can I, with six mouths, describe the greatness of Avimukta?
अगस्तिरुवाच प्रसन्नोसि यदि स्कंद मयि प्रीतिरनुत्तमा
Agastya said: If you are pleased, Skanda, and your affection for me is supreme—
अविमुक्तमिदं क्षेत्रं कदारभ्य भुवस्तले
When did this field of Avimukta begin upon the earth?
कथमेषा त्रिलोकीड्या गीयते मणिकर्णिका
How is it that Manikarnika, praised in all three worlds, is sung?
वाराणसीति काशीति रुद्रावास इति प्रभो आनंदकाननं रम्यमविमुक्तमनंतरम्
O Lord, Varanasi is called Kashi, the abode of Rudra; the delightful Anandakanana and Avimukta are within it.
महाश्मशान इति च कथं ख्यातं शिखिध्वज
And how is it known as the Great Cremation Ground, O one with the peacock banner?
प्रश्नभारोयमतुलस्त्वया यः समुदाहृतः
This question you have raised is truly weighty and incomparable.
यथा च देवदेवेन सर्वज्ञेन निवेदितम्
As it was declared by the god of gods, the all-knowing one,