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.
अगस्त्य उवाच त्याजितोहं पुरीं काशीं हरो त्याक्षीत्कुतः प्रभुः
Agastya said: I have been expelled from the city of Kashi; how could Hara, the Lord, expel me?
पराधीनोहमिव किं देवदेवः पिनाकवान्
Am I, like one under another's control, or is the god of gods, the wielder of Pinaka, so?
तत्याज च यथा स्थाणुः काशीं विध्युपरोधतः
And just as Śiva departed from Kāśī due to the obstruction of Vidyunmālī,
प्रार्थितस्त्वं यथा लेखैः परोपकृतये मुने
So too, you were requested through letters, O sage, for the sake of benefiting others.
प्रार्थितोभूत्किमर्थं च तन्मे ब्रूहि षडानन
For what reason were you requested? Tell me that, O six-faced one.
अनावृष्टिरभूद्विप्र सर्वभूतप्रकंपिनी
There was a drought, O brāhmaṇa, that shook all living beings.
तया तु षष्टिहायिन्या पीडिताः प्राणिनोऽखिलाः
Afflicted by that sixty-year drought, all creatures suffered.
महानिम्नेषु कच्छेषु मुनिवृत्त्या जनाः स्थिताः
People survived in deep lowlands and marshes, living as ascetics.
क्रव्यादा एव सर्वेषु नगरेषु पुरेषु च
In all the cities and towns, only flesh-eaters remained.
चौरा एव महाचौरैरुल्लुठ्यंत इतस्ततः 4.1.39.
Thieves, along with great thieves, plundered here and there.
अराजके समुत्पन्ने लोकेऽत्याहितशंसिनि
When lawlessness arose in the world, bringing great calamity,
चिंतामवाप महती जगद्योनिः प्रजाक्षयात्
The source of the universe was seized by great anxiety due to the destruction of living beings.
तासु क्षीणासु संक्षीणाः सर्वे यज्ञभुजोऽभवन्
As they perished, all those who partook of sacrifices dwindled away.
अविमुक्ते महाक्षेत्रे तपस्यन्निश्चलेंद्रियः
In Avimukta, the great sacred field, he performed austerities with unwavering senses.
रिपुंजय इति ख्यातो राजा परपुरंजयः
A king renowned as Ripuṃjaya, conqueror of enemy cities, was known by that name.
उवाच वचनं राजन्रिपुंजय महामते
That wise king Ripuṃjaya spoke these words, O king:
नागकन्यां नागराजः पत्न्यर्थं ते प्रदास्यति
The serpent king will give you a nāga maiden as a wife.
दिवोपि देवा दास्यंति रत्नानि कुसुमानि च
Even the gods in heaven will give you jewels and flowers.
दिवोदास इति ख्यातमतो नाम त्वमाप्स्यसि
Therefore, you will be known by the name Divodāsa.
परमेष्ठिवचः श्रुत्वा ततोसौ राजसत्तमः 4.1.39.
Hearing the words of the supreme lord, that best of kings then—