ब्रह्मशाप विनिर्दग्धान्सर्वान्राजर्षिसत्तमः
The foremost of royal sages, burned by Brahma's curse, all of them—
त्रयाणामपि लोकानां हिताय महते नृपः
For the great benefit of all three worlds, the king—
आनंदकाननं शंभोश्चक्रपुष्करिणी हरेः
Led the Ganga to the blissful forest of Shambhu and the lotus-lake of Hari.
प्रापयामास तां गंगां दैलीपिः पुरतश्चरन्
Dilip, moving ahead, brought that Ganga there.
अविमुक्तं महाक्षेत्रं न मुक्तं शंभुना क्वचित
Avimukta, the great sacred place, is never abandoned by Shambhu.
पुनर्वारितरेणापि हीरेणयदि संगतम्
Even if joined with another, even with a diamond, it is not surpassed.
ततः श्रेष्ठतरं शंभोर्मणिश्रवणभूषणात्
Therefore, it is superior to the jeweled ear-ornament of Shambhu.
प्रागेव मुक्तिः संसिद्धा गंगासंगात्ततोधिका
Liberation is attained even before, but through contact with the Ganga, it is greater still.
तदाप्रभृति तत्क्षेत्रं दुष्प्रापं त्रिदशैरपि 4.1.30.
From that time onward, even the gods found that sacred place difficult to attain.
तानि क्षणात्समुत्क्षिप्य काशीसंस्थोऽमृतोभवेत्
Whoever is established in Kāśī, having been lifted up in an instant, becomes immortal.
विना सांख्येन योगेन काश्यां संस्थोऽमृतो भवेत्
Without Sāṃkhya or Yoga, one who abides in Kāśī becomes immortal.
शशिमौलिप्रसादेन काशीसंस्थोऽमृतो भवेत्
By the grace of the moon-crested Lord, one established in Kāśī becomes immortal.
तारकस्योपदेशेन काशीसंस्थोऽमृतो भवेत्
By the instruction of Tāraka, one established in Kāśī becomes immortal.
असिसंभेद योगेन काशीसंस्थोऽमृतो भवेत्
By the yoga of union with the sword, one established in Kāśī becomes immortal.
देहत्यागोऽत्र वै योगः काश्यां निर्वाणसौख्यकृत्
Here, the abandonment of the body is truly yoga; in Kāśī, it brings the bliss of liberation.
यायात्स्वं हेलया त्यक्त्वा तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्
Having carelessly abandoned his own body, he attains the supreme abode of Viṣṇu.
सर्वान्सर्वे समालोक्य रक्षां चक्रुः पुरापुरः
All, seeing everyone, once made protection for the city, each for their own.
दुष्टप्रवेशं धुन्वानां धुनीं देवा विनिर्ममुः
The gods created a river to prevent the entry of the wicked and the bowmen.
दुर्वृत्तसुप्रवृत्तेश्च निवृत्तिकरणीं सुराः 4.1.30.
The gods made a barrier to turn back both the excessively wicked and the excessively righteous.
क्षेत्रस्य मोक्षनिक्षेप रक्षां निर्वृतिमाप्नुयुः
They established protection for the field of liberation, so that it might remain undisturbed.
स्वयं व्यापारयामास रक्षार्थं शशिशेखरः
The moon-crested Lord himself took action to protect it.
ते प्रवेशं प्रयच्छंति नान्येषां हि कदाचन आश्चर्यकारिपरमं काशीभक्तिप्रवर्धनम्
They grant entry only to some, never to others, for it is truly wondrous and increases devotion to Kāśī.
वणिग्धनंजयो नाम मातृभक्तिसमन्वितः
There was a merchant named Dhanaṃjaya, endowed with devotion to his mother.
पुण्यमार्गार्जित धनो धनतोषितमार्गणः
He acquired his wealth through righteous means and sought satisfaction through wealth.
समुन्नतोपि संपत्त्या विनयानतकंधरः
Though elevated by prosperity, he bore the mark of humility.
रूपसंपदुदारोपि परदारपराङ्मुखः
Though endowed with beauty and wealth, he turned away from others' wives.
ससत्यानृतवृत्तिश्च प्रायः सत्यप्रियो मुने
He who lives by both truth and falsehood is, for the most part, fond of truth, O sage.
सदाचरणगोप्येष सुखयानचरः कृती
He keeps his good conduct concealed, travels the path of comfort, and is accomplished.
तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य कदाचित्कालपर्ययात् 4.1.30.
As he was living in this way, after some time had passed,
तया च यौवनं प्राप्य मेघच्छायातिचंचलम्
and when she attained youth, as fickle as the shadow of a cloud,