कः काशीं प्राप्य दुर्बुद्धिरपरत्र यियासति
Who, after attaining Kashi, would wish to go elsewhere, being of evil mind?
विमुखोपीश्वरोस्माकं काशीसेवनपुण्यतः
Even if turned away, our Lord grants merit through service to Kashi.
दिनैः कतिपयैरेव सर्वज्ञोपि समेष्यति
Even the omniscient one will arrive in just a few days.
शंभोः शक्तिरियं काशी काचित्सर्वैरगोचरा
This power of Śambhu, called Kāśī, is beyond the reach of all.
इति निश्चित्य मनसि शंभोरानंदकानने
Thus resolved in mind, in the blissful forest of Śambhu,
व्यास उवाच इत्थं समाकर्ण्य मुनिः पुनः पप्रच्छ षण्मुखम् 4.1.45.
Vyāsa said: Having listened in this way, the sage again questioned Ṣaṇmukha.
भजनाद्योगिनीनां च काश्यां किं जायते फलम्
What is the fruit of worship and yoga for yoginīs in Kāśī?
श्रुत्वेतिप्रश्नमौमेयो योगिनीसंश्रयं ततः
Having heard this question, Kumāra spoke about the refuge of yoginīs.
आकर्ण्य यानि पापानि क्षयंति भविनां क्षणात्
Upon hearing, all sins of those present are destroyed in an instant.
गजानना सिंहमुखी गृध्रास्या काकतुंडिका
Gajānana, Siṃhamukhī, Gṛdhrāsyā, Kākatuṇḍikā,
उलूकिका शिवारावा मयूरी विकटानना
Ulūkikā, Śivārāvā, Mayūrī, Vikaṭānanā,
शुष्कोदरी ललज्जिह्वा श्वदंष्ट्रा वानरानना
Śuṣkodarī, Lalajjihvā, Śvadaṃṣṭrā, Vānarānanā,
कपालहस्ता रक्ताक्षी शुकी श्येनी कपोतिका
Kapālahastā, Raktākṣī, Śukī, Śyenī, Kapotikā,
शिशुघ्नी पापहंत्री च काली रुधिरपायिनी
Śiśughnī, Pāpahaṃtrī, Kālī, Rudhirapāyinī,
स्थूलकेशी बृहत्कुक्षिः सर्पास्या प्रेतवाहना
Sthūlakeśī, Bṛhatkukṣiḥ, Sarpāsyā, Pretavāhanā,
व्यात्तास्या धूमनिःश्वासा व्योमैकचरणोर्ध्वदृक् 4.1.45.
Vyāttāsyā, Dhūmaniḥśvāsā, Vyomaikacaraṇā, Urdhvadṛk,
विद्युत्प्रभा बलाकास्या मार्जारी कटपूतना
Vidyutprabhā, Balākāsyā, Mārjārī, Kaṭapūtanā,
नामानीमानि यो मर्त्यश्चतुःषष्टिं दिनेदिने
Whoever, day by day, recites these sixty-four names,
न डाकिन्यो न शाकिन्यो न कूष्मांडा न राक्षसाः
Neither Ḍākinīs, nor Śākinīs, nor Kūṣmāṇḍas, nor Rākṣasas,
शिशूनां शांतिकारीणि गर्भशांतिकराणि च
They bring peace to children and also calm the womb.
लभेदभीप्सितां सिद्धिं योगिनीपीठसेवकः
One who serves at the seats of the Yoginīs attains the desired accomplishment.
बलिपूजोपहारैश्च धूपदीपसमर्पणैः
Through offerings of oblations, worship, gifts, incense, and lamps,
शरत्काले महापूजां तत्र कृत्वा विधानतः
In the autumn season, having performed the great worship there according to the prescribed method,
आरभ्याश्वयुजःशुक्लां तिथिं प्रतिपदं शुभाम्
Beginning from the auspicious first day of the bright fortnight of Āśvayuja,
कृष्णपक्षस्य भूतायामुपवासी नरोत्तमः
The best of men should fast on the dark fortnight dedicated to the spirits.
प्रणवादिचतुर्थ्यन्तैर्नामभिर्भक्तिमान्नरः 4.1.45.
With devotion, a man should recite the names beginning with Praṇava and ending with Caturthī.
ससर्पिषा गुग्गुलुना लघुकोलि प्रमाणतः
With clarified butter and guggulu, in the proper measure of small koli wood,
चैत्रकृष्णप्रतिपदि तत्र यात्रा प्रयत्नतः
On the first day of the dark fortnight of Caitra, one should undertake the journey there with effort.
यात्रा च सांवत्सरिकीं यो न कुर्यादवज्ञया
Whoever neglects to perform that annual journey,
अग्रे कृत्वा स्थिताः सर्वास्ताः काश्यां मणिकर्णिकाम्
All those, having placed them at the forefront, remain at Kāśī, at Maṇikarṇikā.