वरं हि तत्काशिरजोति पावनं रजस्तमोध्वंसि शशिप्रभोज्ज्वलम्
Better indeed is that dust of Kāśī, radiant as moonlight, pure, and destroying passion and darkness.
न देवलोको न च सत्यलोको न नागलोको मणिकर्णिकायाः
Neither the world of the gods, nor the world of truth, nor the world of serpents equals Maṇikarṇikā.
महामहोभूर्मणिकर्णिकास्थली तमस्ततिर्यत्र समेति संक्षयम्
The great and sacred ground of Maṇikarṇikā is where all darkness and ignorance meet their end.
किमु निर्वाणपदस्य भद्रपीठं मृदुलं तल्पमथोनुमोक्षलक्ष्म्याः
What then of the blessed seat of liberation, the gentle couch, or the fortune of final release?
समतीतविमुक्तजंतुसंख्या क्रियते यत्र जनैः सुखोपविष्टैः
There, the number of beings who have attained liberation is reckoned by those happily seated.
पुनर्विज्ञापयामास काशीप्राप्त्यै पिनाकिनम्
Again, she petitioned Pinākin for the attainment of Kāśī.
श्रीपार्वत्युवाच प्रमथाधिप सर्वेश नित्यस्वाधीनवर्तन
Śrī Pārvatī said: O Lord of the Pramathas, Lord of all, ever abiding in your own sovereignty,
स्कन्द उवाच जितपीयूषमाधुर्यां काशीस्तवनसुंदरीम् 4.1.44.
Skanda said: The praise of Kāśī, beautiful and surpassing the sweetness of nectar, has been spoken.
श्रीदेवदेव उवाच अयि प्रियतमे गौरि त्वद्वा गमृतसीकरैः
Śrī Devadeva said: O beloved Gaurī, your words are moistened with drops of nectar.
त्वं जानासि महादेवि मम यत्तन्महद्व्रतम्
You know, O great goddess, that great vow of mine.
पितामहस्य वचनाद्दिवोदासे महीपतौ
By the command of the Grandsire, to King Divodāsa,
कथं स राजा धर्मिष्ठः प्रजापालनतत्परः
How is that king, righteous and devoted to the protection of his subjects,
अधर्मवर्तिनो यस्माद्विघ्नः स्यान्नेतरस्य तु
For, if one who acts unrighteously is hindered, there is no fault; but otherwise,
धर्मवर्त्मानुसरतां यो विघ्नं समुपाचरेत्
But if one brings obstruction to those who follow the path of righteousness,
विनाच्छिद्रेण तं भूपं नोत्सादयितुमुत्सहे
Without a fault, I am not able to destroy that king.
न जरा तमतिक्रामेन्न तं मृत्युर्जिर्घांसति
Old age does not overtake him, nor does death approach him.
इति संचिंतयन्देवो योगिनीचक्रमग्रतः
Thus, contemplating in this way, the god stood before the circle of yoginīs.
अथ देव्या समालोच्य व्योमकेशो महामुने 4.1.44.
Then, after conferring with the goddess, Vyomakeśa spoke to the great sage.
सत्वरं यात योगिन्यो मम वाराणसीं पुरीम्
Quickly go, yoginīs, to my city of Vārāṇasī.
स्वधर्मविच्युतः काशीं यथा तूर्णं त्यजेन्नृपः
Just as a king who has deviated from his own duty swiftly abandons Kāśī,
यथा पुनर्नवीकृत्य पुरीं वाराणसीमहम्
So too, I shall renew the city of Vārāṇasī.
इति प्रसादमासाद्य शासनं शिरसा वहन्
Having received his favor, bearing the command upon their heads,
ययुराकाशमाविश्य मनसोप्य तिरंहसा
They entered the sky, and by their minds, departed swiftly.
अद्य धन्यतराः स्मो वै देवदेवेन यत्स्वयम्
Today we are truly blessed, for the Lord of gods himself,
अद्य सद्यो महालाभावभूतां नोतिदुर्लभौ
Today we have instantly attained the greatest fortune, which is not so difficult to obtain.
इति मुदितमनाः स योगिनीनां निकुरंवस्त्वथमंदराद्रिकुंजात्
Thus, with joyful hearts, that multitude of yoginīs departed from the caves of the Mandara mountain.
स्वनेत्रदैर्घ्यनिर्माणं प्रशशंस फलान्वितम्
He praised the creation of his own long eyes, which bore fruit.
दिव्यप्रासादमालानां पताकाश्चलपल्लवाः
The flags of divine palatial garlands fluttered like tender leaves.
चंचत्प्रासादमाणिक्यैर्विजृंभितमरीचिभिः
The palaces, adorned with rubies, shimmered with spreading rays.
देवत्वं माययाच्छाद्य वेषं कार्पटिकोचितम्
Concealing divinity with illusion, he adopted the attire befitting a mendicant.