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.
काशीप्रवृत्तिं जिज्ञासुः प्राहिणोदंशुमालिनम्
Desiring to know the events in Kāśī, he sent Aṃśumālī.
देवदेव उवाच सप्ताश्व त्वरितो याहि पुरीं वाराणसीं शुभाम्
The Lord of gods spoke: 'O Saptāśva, quickly go to the auspicious city of Vārāṇasī.'
तस्य धर्मविरोधेन यथातत्क्षेत्रमुद्वसेत्
If, by opposition to righteousness, someone is to be expelled from that field,
धर्ममार्ग प्रवृत्तस्य क्रियते यावमानना
For one who proceeds on the path of righteousness, as long as there is disrespect,
तवबुद्धिविकासेन च्यवते चेत्स धर्मतः
If, by the development of your understanding, he falls away from righteousness,
कामक्रोधौ लोभमोहौ मत्सराहंकृती अपि
Desire and anger, greed and delusion, envy and pride as well—
यावद्धर्मे स्थिराबुद्धिर्यावद्धर्मेस्थिरं मनः
As long as the intellect is steady in righteousness, as long as the mind is firm in righteousness,
सर्वेषामिह जंतूनां त्वं वेत्सि ब्रध्नचेष्टितम्
Of all living beings here, you alone know the actions of the castrated.
रविरादाय देवाज्ञां मूर्तिमन्यां प्रकल्प्य च
The Sun, having received the command of the gods, fashioned another form.
मनसातीवलोलोऽभूत्काशीदर्शनलालसः 4.1.46.
He became exceedingly restless in mind, eager for a vision of Kāśī.
हंसत्वं तस्य सूर्यस्य तदा सफलतामगात्
At that time, the Sun's assumption of the form of a swan attained its purpose.
अथ काशीं समासाद्य रविरंतर्बहिश्चरन्
Then, reaching Kāśī, the Sun moved both within and without.
विभावसुर्वसन्काश्यां नानारूपेण वत्सरम्
The radiant one, in Kāśī, assumed various forms for a year.
कदाचिदतिथिर्भूतो दुर्लभं प्रार्थयन्रविः
At times, the Sun became a guest, seeking something rare.
कदाचिद्याचको जातो बहुदोपि कदाप्यभूत्
At times, he became a beggar; though often, sometimes he was not.
वेदबाह्यां क्रियां चापि कदाचित्प्रत्यपादयत्
At times, he even performed actions outside the Vedas.
कदाचिज्जटिलो जातः कदाचिच्च दिगंबरः
Sometimes he became matted-haired, sometimes unclothed.
सर्वपाषंडधर्मज्ञः कदाचिद्ब्रह्मवाद्यभूत्
At times, knowing all heretical doctrines, he became a speaker of Brahman.
नानाव्रतोपदेशैश्च कदाचित्स पतिव्रताः
At times, by teaching various vows, he guided devoted wives.
कापालिक व्रतधरः कदाचिच्चाभवद्द्विजः 4.1.46.
Sometimes he became a Kapālika, a vow-holder, sometimes a twice-born.