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.
क्वचिद्विप्रः क्वचिद्राजपुत्रो वैश्योंत्यजः क्वचित
Sometimes a Brahmin, sometimes a prince, sometimes a merchant, sometimes a low-born.
यतिः कदाचिदिति सरूपैरभ्रामयज्जनान्
At times an ascetic; thus, with various forms, he led people astray.
इति नानाविधै रूपैश्चरन्काश्यां ग्रहेश्वरः
Thus, the lord of the planets, moving in Kāśī with manifold forms.
ततो निनिंद चात्मानं चिंतार्तः कश्यपात्मजः
Then, the son of Kaśyapa, distressed in thought, reproached himself.
अनिष्पादितकार्यार्थे मयि सामान्यभृत्यवत्
With his purpose unfulfilled, he regarded himself as an ordinary servant.
कोपमप्युररीकृत्य यदि यायां कथंचन
Even embracing anger, he wondered if he should depart somehow.
अथोंकृत्यावहेलं वा यामि चेच्च कथंचन
And if, by some means, I depart through negligence or disrespect—
हरकोपानले नूनं यदि यातः पतंगताम्
If I truly enter the fire of Hara’s wrath and am consumed like a moth—
स्थास्याम्यत्रैव तन्नित्यं न त्यक्ष्यामि कदाचन
Still, I shall remain here always; I will never abandon this place.
पुरः पुरारेः कायार्थमनिवेद्येह तिष्ठतः 4.1.46.
Standing here before the Lord of the City, without offering up my body’s purpose—