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—
अन्यान्यपि च पापानि महांत्यल्पानि यानि च
And whatever other sins there are, great or small—
बुद्धिपूर्वं मया चैतन्न पापं समुपार्जितम्
None of these sins have been knowingly committed by me.
धर्मो हि रक्षितो येन देहे सत्वरगत्वरे
For the one by whom righteousness is protected, whether in body or in swift movement—
रक्षणीयो यदि भवेत्कामः कामारिणा कथम्
If it is desired that protection be given, how could it be by the enemy of desire?
अर्थश्चेत्सर्वथारक्ष्य इति कैश्चिदुदाहृतम्
Some have declared that, above all, wealth must be protected.
धर्मस्तु रक्षितः सर्वैरपिदेहव्ययेन च
But righteousness is protected by all, even at the cost of the body.
अयमेव हि वै धर्मः काशीसेवनसंभवः
Indeed, this alone is the righteousness that arises from serving Kāśī.
अवाप्य काशीं दुष्प्रापां को जहाति सचेतनः
Who, having attained Kāśī—so difficult to reach—would ever abandon it, if conscious?
वाराणसीं समुत्सृज्य यस्त्वन्यत्र यियासति
Whoever leaves Vārāṇasī and wishes to go elsewhere—
पुत्रमित्रकलत्राणि क्षेत्राणि च धनानि च 4.1.46.
For the sake of sons, friends, wives, lands, or wealth—