अयमेव परोयोगस्त्विदमेव परं तपः
This alone is the supreme yoga; this alone is the highest austerity.
यैर्लिंगं सकृदप्यत्र पूजितं पार्वतीपतेः
Those who have even once worshipped the liṅga of the Lord of Pārvatī—
सर्वं परित्यज्य रवे यो लिंगं शरणं गतः
Whoever, abandoning everything, has taken refuge in the liṅga of the Sun—
लिंगार्चने भवेद्वृद्धिस्तेषामेवात्र भास्कर
For them alone, O Bhāskara, is there growth through the worship of the liṅga.
न लिंगाराधनात्पुण्यं त्रिषुलोकेषु चापरम्
There is no other merit in the three worlds equal to the worship of the liṅga.
तस्माल्लिंगं त्वमप्यर्क समर्चय महेशितुः 4.2.51.
Therefore, you too, O Arka, worship the liṅga of the Great Lord.
इति श्रुत्वा हरेर्वाक्यं तदारभ्य सहस्रगुः
Having heard these words of Hari, Sahasragu from that time—
गुरुत्वेन तदाकल्य विवस्वानादिकेशवम्
Recognized Vivasvān as his teacher, beginning with Keśava.
अतः स केशवादित्यः काश्यां भक्ततमोनुदः
Therefore, that Keśava Āditya in Kāśī dispels the darkness of devotion.
केशवादित्यमाराध्य वाराणस्यां नरोत्तमः
Whoever, O best of men, worships Keśava Āditya at Vārāṇasī—
तत्र पादोदके तीर्थेकृतसर्वोदकक्रियः
There, having performed all the prescribed water-rites at the sacred water of his feet,
अगस्ते रथसप्तम्यां रविवारो यदाप्यते
When the seventh day of the bright fortnight falls on a Sunday, O Agastya,
स्नात्वोषसि नरो मौनी केशवादित्यपूजनात्
A man, silent, having bathed at dawn, by worshiping Keśava Āditya,
यद्यज्जन्मकृतं पापं मया सप्तसु जन्मसु
Whatever sin I have committed in seven births since my birth—
एतज्जन्मकृतं पापं यच्च जन्मांतरार्जितम्
The sin committed in this birth, and that acquired in previous lives—
इति सप्तविधं पापं स्नानान्मे सप्तसप्तिके 4.2.51.
Thus, the sevenfold sin, by my sevenfold bathing, is washed away.
एतन्मंत्रत्रयं जप्त्वा स्नात्वा पादोदके नरः
Reciting these three mantras and bathing in the water at his feet, a man—
केशवादित्यमाहात्म्यं शृण्वञ्श्रद्धासमन्वितः
Listening with faith to the greatness of Keśava Āditya—
हरिकेशवने रम्ये वाराणस्यां व्यवस्थितम्
In the delightful Hari-Keśava grove, established at Vārāṇasī,
उच्चदेशेभवत्पूर्वं विमलो नाम बाहुजः
In earlier times, in that elevated place, there was a man named Vimala, of many arms.
कुष्ठरोगमवाप्योच्चैस्त्यक्त्वा दारान्गृहं वसु
Afflicted with leprosy, he abandoned his wife, home, and wealth, and dwelled there.
करवीरैर्जपाभिश्च गंधकैः किंशुकैः शुभैः
With oleander, hibiscus, fragrant substances, and auspicious kinśuka flowers,
विचित्ररचनैर्माल्यैः पाटलाचंपकोद्भवैः
With garlands of various designs, made from pāṭala and campaka blossoms,
देवमोहनधूपैश्च बह्वामोदततांबरैः
With incense that delights the gods, with much-perfumed red cloth,
अर्घदानैश्च विधिवत्सौरेः स्तोत्रजपैरपि
With offerings of water according to rule, and also with recitation of hymns to Sūrya,
उवाच च वरं ब्रूहि विमलामलचेष्टित 4.2.51.
He said, 'Speak your boon,' to Vimala, whose actions were pure and spotless.
आकर्ण्य विमलश्चेत्थमालापं रश्मिमालिनः ।। प्रणतो दंडवद्भूमौ संप्रहष्टतनूरुहः
Hearing thus the pure words of the one adorned with rays, Vimala bowed down flat upon the ground, his body thrilled with joy.
शनैर्विज्ञापयांचक्र एकचक्ररथं रविम्
Slowly, he addressed the Sun, who rides the chariot with a single wheel.
यदि प्रसन्नो भगवन्यदि देयो वरो मम
If you are pleased, Lord, and if a boon is to be granted to me—
अन्येपि रोगा मा संतु मास्तु तेषां दरिद्रता
May there be no other diseases, and may there be no poverty among them.