गोष्ठी तिष्ठत्वियं तावत्प्रस्तुतं स्तौमि सांप्रतम्
Let the assembly remain for now; I shall presently praise what has been proposed.
त्वया राजन्वती चैषाऽवनिः सर्वर्धिभाजनम्
By you, O King, this earth has become a vessel for all prosperity.
इयं च राजधानी ते कर्मभूमावनुत्तमा
And this royal city of yours is the most excellent field of action.
संचितं यद्धनं पुंभिर्नयसन्मार्गगामिभिः
The wealth that is accumulated by men who follow the path of righteousness—
महिमानं परं काश्याः कोपि वेद न भूपते
O King, who indeed knows the supreme greatness of Kāśī?
मन्ये धन्यतरोसि त्वं बहुजन्मशतार्जितैः
I think you are most fortunate, having gained it through hundreds of births.
विश्वेशानुग्रहेणैव त्वयैषा पाल्यते पुरी 4.2.52.
It is only by the favor of Viśveśa that you protect this city.
अन्यच्च ते हितं वच्मि यदि ते रोचतेऽनघ
Moreover, I shall tell you something beneficial, if it pleases you, O sinless one.
अन्यदेवधिया राजन्विश्वेशं पश्य मा क्वचित्
With no other thought, O King, behold Viśveśa at all times.
विप्रैरुदर्कमिच्छद्भिः शिक्षणीया यतो नृपाः
For kings who desire good results, instruction should be taken from the brāhmaṇas.
इति जोषं स्थितं विप्रं प्रत्युवाच नृपोत्तमः
Thus, as the brāhmaṇa remained silent, the best of kings replied to him.
दासोस्मि यज्ञसंभारान्नयमेको शतोऽखिलान्
I am your servant; bring together all the materials for the sacrifice, even a hundred times over.
यदस्ति मेखिलं तत्र सप्तांगेपि भवान्प्रभुः
Whatever I possess, in all seven limbs, you are the master of it.
राज्यं करोमि यद्ब्रह्मन्स्वार्थं तन्न मनागपि
O brāhmaṇa, whatever I do as king is not at all for my own sake.
राज्ञां क्रतुक्रियाभ्योपि तीर्थेभ्योपि समंततः
The performance of sacrifices by kings, and even the holy places, are all equal in every way.
प्रजासंतापजोवह्निर्वज्राग्नेरपि दारुणः
The fire of suffering among the people is more terrible than the thunderbolt or ordinary fire.
यदावभृथसिस्रासुर्भवेयं द्विजसत्तम 4.2.52.
O best of twice-born, when I am about to perform the concluding bath, then—
हवनं ब्राह्मणमुखे यत्करोमि द्विजोत्तम
O best of brāhmaṇas, whatever oblation I offer into the fire is through the mouth of the brāhmaṇa.
अभिलाषेषु सर्वेषु जागर्त्येको हृदीह मे
Of all desires, only one remains awake in my heart here.
अहो अहोभिर्बहुभिः फलितो मे मनोरथः
Ah, after many days and nights, my cherished wish has borne fruit.
एकाग्रमानसो विप्र यज्ञान्विपुलदक्षिणान्
With a mind concentrated, O Brahmin, I have performed sacrifices with abundant gifts.
इति राज्ञो महाबुद्धेर्धर्मशीलस्य भाषितम्
Thus spoke the king of great wisdom, steadfast in righteousness.
साहाय्यं प्राप्य राजर्षेर्दिवोदासस्य पद्मभूः
Having obtained the assistance of the royal sage Divodāsa, the lotus-born one—
अद्यापि होमधूमोघैर्यद्व्याप्तं गगनांतरम्
Even today, the space between the heavens is filled with the smoke of oblations.
तीर्थं दशाश्वमेधाख्यं प्रथितं जगतीतले
The holy place called Daśāśvamedha is renowned upon the earth.
पुरा रुद्रसरो नाम तत्तीर्थं कलशोद्भव
Formerly, that sacred place was known as Rudrasaras, O one born from the pot.
स्वर्धुन्यथ ततः प्राप्ता भगीरथसमागमात् 4.2.52.
Then the celestial river arrived there through the meeting with Bhagiratha.
विधिर्दशाश्वमेधेशं लिंगं संस्थाप्य तत्र वै
Brahmā established there the liṅga called Daśāśvamedheśa.
राज्ञो धर्मरतेस्तस्य च्छिद्रं नावाप किंचन
That king, devoted to righteousness, did not incur any fault.
क्षेत्रप्रभावं विज्ञाय ध्यायन्विश्वेश्वरं शिवम्
Understanding the power of the place, he meditated on Śiva, Lord of the Universe.