सर्वेषामेव तीर्थानां स्नानाद्यल्लभ्यते फलम्
The fruit obtained from bathing and other rites at all sacred places—
नार्थवादोयमुदितः स्तुतिवादो न वै मुने
This is not mere praise or exaggeration, O sage.
यत्र विश्वेश्वरः साक्षाद्यत्र स्वर्गतरंगिणी
Where the Lord of all, Viśveśvara, is directly present, and where the heavenly river flows—
उदाहरंति ये मूढाः कुतर्कबलदर्पिताः
Those fools, puffed up by the force of false reasoning, who cite examples—
कस्यचित्काशितीर्थस्य महिम्नो महतस्तुलाम्
—of the greatness of some other holy place, to compare with the immense glory of Kāśī—
नास्तिका वेदबाह्याश्च शिश्नोदरपरायणाः
Are atheists, outsiders to the Veda, devoted only to the pursuits of the senses and the belly.
लोलार्ककरनिष्टप्ता असिधार विखंडिताः
Burned by the fierce rays of the sun, cut by the edge of a sword—
महिमानमिमं श्रुत्वा लोलार्कस्य नरोत्तमः
Hearing this greatness of the fierce sun, O best of men—
तत्र नाम्नोत्तरार्केण रश्मिमाली व्यवस्थितः
There, by the name Uttarārka, the radiant one is established.
तापयन्दुःखसंघातं साधूनाप्याययन्रविः
The sun, bringing together the mass of suffering from heat, also nourished the virtuous.
तत्रेतिहासो यो वृत्तस्तं निशामय सुव्रत
Now, listen attentively, O virtuous one, to the ancient tale that happened there.
आसीत्काश्यां शुभाचारः सदातिथिजनप्रियः
There was in Kāśī a man of good conduct, always dear to guests and people.
भर्तृशुश्रूषणरता गृहकर्मसुपेशला
His wife was devoted to serving her husband, skilled in household duties.
मूलर्क्षप्रथमेपादे तथा केंद्रे बृहस्पतौ
When the first foot of the root sign arose, and Jupiter was in the center—
सुरूपा विनयाचारा पित्रोश्च प्रियकारिणी
She was beautiful, modest in conduct, and did what pleased her parents.
यथायथा समैधिष्ट सा कन्या पितृमंदिरे
As time went by, that maiden matured in her father's house.
कस्मै देया वरा कन्या सुरम्येयं सुलक्षणा
To whom should this excellent, well-featured maiden be given as a bride?
कुलेन वयसा चापि शीलेनापि श्रुतेन च 4.1.47.
Considering family, age, character, and learning—
इति चिंतयतस्तस्य ज्वरोभूदतिदारुणः
As he pondered thus, a most terrible fever afflicted him.
तन्मूलर्क्षविपाकेन चिंताख्येन ज्वरेण च
From the ripening of that root sign and from the fever called anxiety—
पितर्युपरते तस्याः कन्यायाः सा जनन्यपि
When her father passed away, that maiden's mother also departed.
धर्मोयं सहचारिण्या जीवताजीवतापि वा
This is the law: whether the companion lives or dies.
नापत्यं पाति नो माता न पिता नैव बांधवाः
Neither offspring, nor mother, nor father, nor even relatives protect.
सुलक्षणापि दुःखार्ता पित्रोः पंचत्वमाप्तयोः
Though she was virtuous, she was afflicted with sorrow when both her parents died.
चिंतामवाप महतीमनाथा दैन्यमागता
She, now without support, fell into great anxiety and distress.
दुस्तरं पारमाप्स्यामि स्त्रीत्वं सर्वाभिभावि यत्
How will I cross this insurmountable state of womanhood, which overcomes all?
तददत्ता कथं स्वैरमहमन्यं वरं वृणे
Unbestowed by anyone, how can I freely choose another husband?
स्वाधीनोपि न तत्तेन वृतेनापि हि किं भवेत् 4.1.47.
Even if I am independent, what would come from such a choice?
युवभिर्बहुभिर्नित्यं प्रार्थितापि मुहुर्मुहुः
Though you all, many and youthful, have constantly and repeatedly sought me,
पित्रोरुपरतिं दृष्ट्वा वात्सल्यं च तथाविधम्
Seeing the death of my parents and their deep affection,