इह चत्वारि दानानि प्रोक्तानि परमर्षिभिः 4.2.58.
Here, four kinds of gifts have been taught by the great sages.
वृक्षांश्छित्त्वा पशून्हत्वा कृत्वा रुधिरकर्दमम 4.2.58.
Cutting down trees, killing animals, and making the earth muddy with blood—
मुधा जातिविकल्पोयं लोकेषु परिकल्प्यते 4.2.58.
This distinction of caste is imagined in the worlds without reason.
वंध्यानां चापि वंध्यात्वं सा परिव्राजिकाहरत् 4.2.58.
She, the wandering ascetic woman, removed even the barrenness of the barren.
विलोक्य तं समायातं दूरादुत्कंठितो नृपः 4.2.58.
Seeing him approach from afar, the king, filled with longing, gazed intently.
अधुना गुरुरेधित्वं मम भाग्योदयागतः 4.2.58.
Now, by the rise of my good fortune, the state of being a guru has come to me.
विरिंचिं सारथिं कृत्वा कृत्वा विष्णुं च पत्त्रिणम् 4.2.58.
Having made Brahmā the charioteer and Viṣṇu the bearer of the eagle, he set forth.
पातालं गमितः पूर्वं हरिणा विक्रमैस्त्रिभिः
Formerly, by three mighty strides, Hari cast him down to the netherworld.
इदानीं दिश मे तात कर्मनिर्मूलनक्षमम् 4.2.58.
Now, father, show me that which is capable of eradicating karma.
संख्यास्ति यावती देहे देहिनो रोमसंभवा 4.2.58.
As many as the hairs that arise on the body of an embodied being, so many are the counts.
रत्नाकरे रत्नसंख्या संख्याविद्भिरपीष्यते
Even the knowers of numbers desire to know the count of jewels in the ocean of gems.
अहो उदर्क एतस्य न कैश्चित्प्रतिपद्यते 4.2.58.
Alas, the consequence of this is not grasped by anyone.
विलोक्य काशीं परितो मायाद्विजवपुर्हरिः 4.2.58.
Hari, assuming the form of a brāhmaṇa by his māyā, beheld Kāśī all around.
अभिषिच्य महाबुद्धिः पौराञ्जानपदानपि 4.2.58.
Having anointed them, the great-minded one also consecrated the citizens and countryfolk.
दिव्यैर्दुकूलनेपथ्यैरलंचक्रे मुदान्वितैः 4.2.58.
He adorned them with divine silken garments and ornaments, filled with joy.
अस्याख्यानस्य पठनाद्विष्णोरिव मनोरथाः
By reciting this narrative, one's desires are fulfilled, just as by Viṣṇu.
अगस्त्य उवाच सर्वज्ञ हृदयानंद गौरीचुंबितमूर्धज
Agastya said: O all-knowing one, delight of the heart, whose locks are kissed by Gaurī.
सर्वज्ञाननिधे तुभ्यं नमः सर्वज्ञसूनवे
O treasure of all knowledge, I bow to you, son of the all-knowing one.
कामारिमर्धनारीशं वीक्ष्य कामकृतं किल
Having seen Kāmarimardana, Īśa of the gods, it is said that desire was created.
यदुक्तं भवता स्कंद मायाद्विजवपुर्हरिः
What you have spoken, O Skanda, O Hari who assumed the form of a brāhmaṇa by māyā—
भूर्भुवःस्वः प्रदेशेषु काशीपरमपावनम्
Among the regions of Bhūḥ, Bhuvaḥ, and Svaḥ, Kāśī is supremely pure.
कुतः पंचनदं नाम तस्य तीर्थस्य षण्मुख
O Ṣaṇmukha, why is that tīrtha called Pañcanada?
कथं च भगवान्विष्णुरंतरात्मा जगत्पतिः
How does the blessed Viṣṇu, the inner soul and lord of the universe, exist?
अरूपो रूपमापन्नो ह्यव्यक्तो व्यक्ततां गतः
He is formless, yet assumes form; unmanifest, yet attains manifestation.
अजन्मानेकजन्मा च त्वनामास्फुटनामभृत्
He is unborn, yet has many births; you bear names both clear and obscure.
अहृषीकोहृषीकेशो प्यनंघ्रिरपिसर्वगः 4.2.59.
Without senses, yet called Hṛṣīkeśa; without feet, yet all-pervading.
स्कंद उवाच कथयामि कथामेतां नमस्कृत्य महेश्वरम्
Skanda said: I will recount this tale, having bowed to Maheśvara.
यथा पंचनदं तीर्थं काश्यां प्रथितिमागतम्
How the sacred place Pañcanada gained renown in Kāśī.
प्रयागोपि च तीर्थेशो यत्र साक्षात्स्वयं स्थितः
Even at Prayāga, the lord of the sacred places stands manifest there himself.
हरंति सर्वतीर्थानि प्रयागस्य बलेन हि
By the power of Prayāga, all sacred places are drawn there.