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.
श्रीसूर्य उवाच तथास्त्विति महाप्राज्ञ शृण्वन्यं वरमुत्तमम्
The glorious Sun said: So be it, O most wise one; now listen to another supreme boon.
अस्याः सान्निध्यमत्राहं न त्यक्ष्यामि कदाचन
I shall never abandon my presence here at any time.
विमलादित्य इत्याख्या भक्तानां वरदा सदा
For devotees, I shall always be known as Vimalāditya, the bestower of boons.
इति दत्त्वा वरान्सूर्यस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत
Having granted these boons, the Sun disappeared right there.
इत्थं स विमलादित्यो वाराणस्यां शुभप्रदः
Thus, Vimalāditya, the giver of auspiciousness, abides in Vārāṇasī.
यश्चैतां विमलादित्यकथां वै शृणुयान्नरः 4.2.51.
Whoever hears this tale of Vimalāditya, O man—
यमेशं च यमादित्यं यमेन स्थापितं नमन् 4.2.51.
And Yameśa, called Yamāditya, established by Yama, is to be saluted.
श्रुत्वाध्यायानिमान्पुण्यान्द्वादशादित्यसूचकान्
Having heard these meritorious chapters indicating the twelve Suns—
स्कंद उवाच गभस्तिमालिनिगते काशीं त्रैलोक्यमोहिनीम्
Skanda said: When the radiant one departed, Kāśī, the city that bewilders the three worlds—
नाद्याप्यायांति योगिन्यो नाद्याप्यायाति तिग्मगुः
Even now, the yoginīs do not come, nor does the fierce-rayed one return.
किमत्र चित्रं यत्काशी मदीयमपिमानसम्
What wonder is there in this, that Kāśī captivates even my own mind?
अधाक्षिपमहं कामं त्रिजगज्जित्त्वरंदृशा
I could easily subdue, with a single glance, the entire triple world.
काशीप्रवृत्तिमन्वेष्टुं कं वा प्रहिणुयामितः
Whom shall I send from here to investigate the happenings in Kāśī?
इत्याहूय विधातारं बहुमानपुरःसरम्
Thus, with great respect, he summoned the Creator.
योगिन्यः प्रेषिताः पूर्वं प्रेषितोथ सहस्रगुः
The yoginis were sent before, and Sahasragu was also dispatched.
सा समुत्सुकयेत्काशी लोकेश मम मानसम्
O Lord of the world, Kāśī stirs my mind with longing.
मंदरेत्र रतिर्मे न भृशं सुंदरकंदरे
My delight in Mandara is not as great as in the beautiful Kāndara.
ना बाधिष्ट तथा मां स तापो हालाहलोद्भवः 4.2.52.
Nor does the pain born of halāhala trouble me so much.
शीतरश्मिः शिरःस्थोपि वर्षन्पीयूषसीकरैः
Even though the cool rays rest upon my head, raining drops of nectar.
विधे विधेहि मे कार्यमार्य धुर्य महामते
O wise and noble one, accomplish my task, O bearer of duties.