अधर्मादेधते पूर्वं विद्वेष्टॄनपि संजयेत्
From unrighteousness, one first accumulates hatred and even brings forth enemies.
उद्धृत्य पंच मृत्पिंडान्स्नायात्परजलाशये
Taking up five lumps of clay, he should bathe in another's water-reservoir.
श्रद्धया पात्रमासाद्य यत्किंचिद्दीयते वसु
Whatever wealth is given with faith, having obtained a vessel, even if little, is fruitful.
भूप्रदो मंडलाधीशः सर्वत्रसुखिनोन्नदाः
The giver of land, lord of a region, is everywhere joyful and exalted.
प्रदीपदो निर्मलाक्षो गोदाताऽर्यमलोकभाक्
The giver of a lamp, with pure eyes, the giver of a cow, enjoys the world of the noble.
वेश्मदो ऽत्युच्चसौधेशो वस्त्रदश्चंद्रलो कभाक्
The giver of a house, lord of a lofty mansion, the giver of garments, enjoys the world of the moon.
सुभार्यः शिबिका दाता सुपर्यंक प्रदोपि च
He who gives a good wife, a palanquin, or a fine couch, and a lamp, is praised.
ब्रह्मदो ब्रह्मलोकेज्यो ब्रह्मदः सर्वदो मतः 4.1.38.
The giver of the Veda is considered to be the best in the world of Brahma, and the giver of the Veda is regarded as the giver of all.
सा च वाराणसी लभ्या सदाचारवता सदा 4.1.38.
That Vārāṇasī is always attainable by one who is of good conduct.
इति श्रुत्वा वचः स्कंदो मैत्रावरुणिभाषितम्
Having heard these words spoken by Maitrāvaruṇi, Skanda (Kārttikeya) replied.
स्कंद उवाच नैःश्रेयस्याः श्रियोहेतुमविमुक्त समाश्रयाम्
Skanda said: O Avimukta, I take refuge in you, the cause of supreme prosperity.
परं ब्रह्म यदाम्नातं निष्प्रपंचं निरात्मकम्
That Supreme Brahman, as declared in the scriptures, is beyond the world, without individuality.
तदेतत्क्षेत्रमापूर्य स्थितं सर्वगमप्यहो
Indeed, that pervades this field, remaining all-pervading—how wondrous!
भवो ध्रुवं यदत्रैव मोचयेत्तं निशामय
Know that the Lord, who is eternal, here alone grants liberation.
सुमहद्भिस्तपोभिर्वा शिवोन्यत्र विमोचयेत्
Or, through very great austerities, Shiva may grant liberation elsewhere.
न तपांस्यतिदीर्घाणि काश्यां मुक्त्यै शिवोर्थयेत्
One should not undertake extremely prolonged austerities in Kashi for the sake of liberation from Shiva.
अयमेव महायोग उपयोगस्त्विहा परः
This alone is the supreme yoga, and its application here is indeed the highest.
यद्दत्तं सुमनोवृत्त्या महादानं तदत्र वै
Whatever is given here with a pure and joyful mind is truly a great gift.
स्नात्वा गंगामृते शुद्धे तप एतदिहोत्तमम् तुला पुरुष एतस्याः कलां नार्हति षोडशीम्
Having bathed in the pure nectar of the Ganga, this is the highest austerity here; even a man weighed on a scale does not equal one-sixteenth part of it.
हृदि संचिंत्य विश्वेशं क्षणं यद्विनिमील्यते 4.1.39.
If, for a moment, one meditates in the heart upon the Lord of the universe, closing the eyes—
इदमेव तपोत्युग्रं यदिंद्रिय विलोलताम्
This alone is fierce austerity, if the wavering of the senses is restrained.
मासि मासि यदाप्येत व्रताच्चांद्रायणात्फलम्
Whatever fruit comes each month from the observance of the Chandrayana vow—
मासोपवासादन्यत्र यत्फलं समुपार्ज्यते
Whatever fruit is obtained elsewhere from monthly fasting—
चातुर्मास्य व्रतात्प्रोक्तं यदन्यत्र महाफलम्
Whatever great fruit is declared elsewhere from the observance of the Caturmasya vow—
षण्मासान्न परित्यागाद्यदन्यत्र फलं लभेत्
Whatever fruit is gained elsewhere from abstaining from food for six months—
वर्षं कृत्वोपवासानि लभेदन्यत्र यद्व्रती
Whatever a vow-taker obtains elsewhere by performing fasts for a year—
मासिमासि कुशाग्रांबु पानादन्यत्र यत्फलम्
Whatever fruit comes elsewhere from drinking only kusa-grass water month after month—
अनंतो महिमा काश्याः कस्तं वर्णयितुं प्रभुः
The greatness of Kashi is endless; who is capable of describing it?
शंभुस्तत्किंचिदाचष्टे म्रियमाणस्य जन्मिनः
Shambhu tells a little of it for one who is dying.
स्मारं स्मारं स्मररिपोः पुरीं त्वमिव शंकरः 4.1.39.
Remembering again and again the city of the enemy of Kama, you are indeed like Shankara.