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.
काशीप्रवृत्तिं नो जाने दिवोदासनृपस्य च
I do not know the affairs of Kashi, nor of King Divodasa.
शंकुकर्णमहाकालौ कालस्यापि प्रकंपनौ
Shankukarṇa and Mahakala, who even shake the realm of Time.
कृतप्रतिज्ञौ तो(?) तूर्णं प्राप्य वाराणसीं पुरीम्
Having made their vow, they swiftly reached the city of Varanasi.
यथैंद्रजालिकीं दृष्ट्वा मायामिह विचक्षणः
There, seeing the illusion like Indra’s magic, the wise one reflected on the maya here.
अहो मोहस्य माहात्म्यमहो भाग्यविपर्ययः
Ah, the greatness of delusion! Ah, the reversal of fortune!
तत्यजे यैरियं काशी महाशीर्वादभूभिका
By whom this Kashi, the land of great blessings, was abandoned—
यत्र सर्वावभृथतः स्नानमात्रं विशिष्यते 4.2.53.
Where even a single bath surpasses all other purificatory baths.
यत्रैकपुष्पदानेन शिवलिंगस्य मूर्धनि
Where, by offering a single flower on the head of the Shiva-linga—
यत्र दंडप्रणामेन अप्येकेन शिवाग्रतः
Where, by a single prostration with a staff before Shiva—
यत्रैकद्विजमात्रं तु भोजयित्वा यथेच्छया
Where, by feeding even a single twice-born as one wishes—