ब्रह्मंस्त्वमेव तद्वेत्सि काशी त्यजनकारणम्
You alone are Brahman; you know the reason for leaving Kāśī.
अद्यैव किं न गच्छेयं काशीं ब्रह्मन्स्वमायया
Why should I not go to Kāśī today itself, O Brahman, by my own power?
विधे सर्वविधेयानि त्वमेव विदधासि यत्
O creator, you alone arrange all things that are to be accomplished.
अरिष्टं गच्छ पंथास्ते शुभोदर्को भवत्वलम्
Go safely; let your path be auspicious and free from obstacles.
सितहंसरथस्तूर्णं प्राप्य वाराणसीं पुरीम्
Swiftly, with the chariot drawn by white swans, you reached the city of Vārāṇasī.
हंसयानफलं मेद्य जातं काशीसमागमे
The fruit of the swan-chariot became manifest upon arriving at Kāśī.
दृशि धातुरभूद्य मदृशो प्राप्य सान्वयः
In the sight of the element, she attained the lineage after reaching it.
स्वयं सिंचति या मद्भिः स्वाभिः स्वर्गतरंगिणी 4.2.52.
She herself sprinkles, together with me, the heavenly river with her own waters.
निर्विशंति सदा काश्यां फलान्यानंदवंत्यपि
They always enter Kāśī, even the fruits that are full of bliss.
आनंदरूपा जायंते तेन काश्यां हि जंतवः
Thus, beings born in Kāśī take the form of bliss.
चरणौ विचरेतांयौ विश्वभर्तृ पुरी भुवि
May the feet of the Lord of the universe wander in the city upon the earth.
इह श्रुतिमतां पुंसां याभ्यां काशी श्रुता सकृत्
Here, for those men endowed with learning, Kāśī is heard even once.
येनानुमन्यते चैषा काशी सर्वप्रमाणभूः ययैतद्धूर्जटेर्धाम धृतं स्व विषयीकृतम्
By whose consent this Kashi, the standard of all authority, and this abode of the matted-haired one, has been held and made one's own—
वरं तृणानि धान्यानि तानि वात्याहतान्यपि
Better are the grasses and grains, even those struck down by the wind—
अद्य मे सफलं चायुः परार्धद्वय संमितम्
Today my life, which equals two parardhas, has become fruitful—
अहो मे धर्मसंपत्तिरहोमे भाग्यगौरवम्
Ah, my wealth of righteousness! Ah, the greatness of my fortune!
अद्य मे स्वतपो वृक्षो मनोरथफलैरलम्
Today the tree of my own austerity is laden with the fruits of my desires—
मया व्यधायि बहुधा सृष्टिः सृष्टिं वितन्वता 4.2.52.
By me, who have extended creation in many ways, creation has been accomplished—
इति हृष्टमना वेधा दृष्ट्वा वाराणसीं पुरीम्
Thus, with mind rejoicing, the Creator, seeing the city of Varanasi—
जलार्द्राक्षतपाणिश्च स्वस्त्युक्त्वा पृथिवीभुजे
With hands wet from water and rice, having spoken words of blessing to the lord of the earth—
कृतमानो नृपतिना सोभ्युत्थानासनादिभिः
He was honored by the king with proper rising, seats, and the like—
त्वं तु मां नैव जानासि जाने त्वां हि रिपुंजयम्
But you do not know me; I, however, know you, O conqueror of foes—
परःशता मया दृष्टा राजानो भूरिदक्षिणाः
I have seen hundreds of other kings, generous with many gifts—
विनिष्कृतारिषड्वर्गाः सुशीलाः सत्त्वशालिनः
Who have cast off the six enemies, are of good conduct, and endowed with virtue—
दयादाक्षिण्यनिपुणाः सत्यव्रतपरायणाः
Skilled in compassion and generosity, devoted to the vow of truth—
जितरोषरयाः शूराः सौम्यसौंदर्यभूमयः
Who have conquered anger and passion, are valiant, and possess gentle beauty—
परं द्वित्राः पवित्रा ये राजर्षे तव सद्गुणाः
But among them, only two or three are truly pure, O royal sage, with your noble qualities—
प्रजानिजकुटुंबस्त्वं त्वं तु भूदेवदैवतः 4.2.52.
You are the protector of subjects and families; you are indeed the god among kings—
धन्यो मान्योसि च सतां पूजनीयोसि सद्गुणैः
You are blessed, honored, and worthy of worship by the virtuous for your noble qualities—
किं नः स्तुत्या तव नृप द्विजानामस्पृहावताम्
What need is there for us to praise you, O king, when the twice-born have no envy?