स्नानं दानं जपो होमः स्वाध्यायो दे वतार्चनम्
Bathing, giving gifts, recitation, oblation, self-study, and worship of the deities—
दृष्ट्वा दशाश्वमेधेशं सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
Seeing the Lord of the Ten Ashvamedhas, one is freed from all sins.
ज्येष्ठे मासि सिते पक्षे प्राप्य प्रतिपदं तिथिम्
In the month of Jyeshtha, during the bright fortnight, upon reaching the first lunar day,
ज्येष्ठे शुक्ल द्वितीयायां स्नात्वा रुद्रसरोवरे
In Jyeshtha, on the second day of the bright fortnight, having bathed in the lake of Rudra,
एवं सर्वासु तिथिषु क्रमस्नायी नरोत्तमः
Thus, on all lunar days, the best of men who bathes in order—
तिथिं दशहरां प्राप्य दशजन्माघहारिणीम् 4.2.52.
Upon reaching the Dashahara tithi, which destroys the sins of ten births,
लिंगं दशाश्वमेधेशं दृष्ट्वा दशहरा तिथौ
Seeing the linga of the Lord of the Ten Ashvamedhas on the Dashahara tithi,
स्नातो दशहरायां यः पूजयेल्लिंगमुत्तमम्
Whoever, having bathed on Dashahara, worships the supreme linga,
ज्येष्ठे मासि सिते पक्षे पक्षं रुद्रसरे नरः
In the month of Jyeshtha, during the bright fortnight, a man who bathes for the fortnight in Rudra's lake,
दशाश्वमेधावभृथैर्यत्फलं सम्यगाप्यते
The fruit that is fully obtained from the concluding bath of ten Ashvamedha sacrifices,
स्वर्धुन्याः पश्चिमे तीरे नत्वा दशहरेश्वरम्
On the western bank of the celestial Ganga, bowing to the Lord of Dashahara,
यत्काश्यां दक्षिणद्वारमंतर्गेहस्य कीर्त्यते
That which is renowned as the southern gate within a house in Kashi,
इति ब्राह्मणवेषेण वाराणस्यां महाधिया
Thus, in the guise of a Brahmin, with great wisdom, in Varanasi,
दिवोदासोपि राजेंद्रो वृद्धब्राह्मणरूपिणे
Even King Divodasa took the form of an aged Brahmin.
ब्रह्मेश्वरसमीपे तु ब्रह्मशाला मनोहरा
Near Brahma and Ishvara stands the delightful hall of Brahma.
इति ते कथितो ब्रह्मन्महिमातिमहत्तरः 4.2.52.
Thus, O Brahman, I have told you of the exceedingly great glory.
श्रुत्वाध्यायमिमं पुण्यं श्रावयित्वा तथैव च
By hearing and reciting this sacred chapter, likewise,
किं चकार पुनः शंभुस्तत्र ब्रह्मण्यपि स्थिते
What did Shambhu do again there, while Brahma was present?
शृण्वगस्त्य महाभाग काश्यां ब्रह्मण्यपिस्थिते
Hear, O Agastya, most fortunate one, while Brahma remained in Kashi.
पुरी सा यादृशी काशी वशीकरणभूमिका
That city, Kashi, is such as the ground of enchantment.
यो यो याति पुरीं तां तु स स तत्रैव तिष्ठति
Whoever enters that city, he remains there itself.
अकिंचित्करतां प्राप्तः स सहस्रकरोप्यरम्
Even one with a thousand hands, upon arriving, becomes powerless.
चिंतयन्निति देवेशो गणानारहूय भूरिशः
Thinking thus, the lord of the gods summoned the hosts many times.
किं कुर्वंति तु योगिन्यः किं करोति स भानुमान्
What do the yoginis do, and what does the sun perform?
नामग्राहं ततःऽप्रैषीद्बहुमान पुरःसरम्
Then he sent forth the recitation of names, preceded by great respect.
सोमनंदिन्नंदिषेण काल पिंगल कुक्कुट
Somana, Nandin, Disha, Kala, Pingala, Kukuta,
तिलपर्ण स्मृलकर्ण दृमिचंड प्रभामय 4.2.53.
Tilaparna, Smritakarna, Drimicanda, Prabhamaya,
वीरभद्र किराताख्य चतुर्मुख निकुंभक
Virabhadra, Kirata by name, Caturmukha, Nikumbhaka,
विराध सुमुखाषाढे भवंतो मम सूनवः
Viradha, Sumukha, Ashadha—these are my sons.
यथा शाखविशाखौ च यथेमौ नंदिभृंगिणौ
Just as Shakha and Vishakha, so too Nandi and Bhringi.