ये दिव्यलोके पितरः पुण्यैर्देवत्वमागताः
And those ancestors who, by their merits, have attained divinity in the heavenly realm—
कृते क्षीरमयं तीर्थं त्रेतायां मधुमत्पुनः
In the Kṛta age, the sacred place was of milk; in the Tretā, it was again of honey.
सीमाबहिर्गतमपि ज्ञेयं तीर्थमिदं शुभम्
Even if it lies beyond the boundary, this sacred place should be known as auspicious.
काशीस्थितैर्यतो दर्शि ध्वजो मेषवृषलांछनः
Because in Kāśī, the banner bearing the marks of a ram and a bull is seen—
पितामहेन सहितो गदाधरसमन्वितः
Together with the Grandfather and accompanied by the wielder of the mace—
इति यावद्वरं दत्ते पितृभ्यो वृषभध्वजः
Thus, as long as the Bull-bannered One grants the boon to the ancestors—
अष्टौ कंठीरवा यत्र यत्रोक्ष्णामष्टकं शुभम्
Where there are eight Kaṃṭhīrava horses, and where there is the auspicious group of eight oxen—
यत्रेभाः परिभांत्यष्टौ यत्राष्टौ जविनो हयाः
Where eight elephants shine forth, and where eight swift horses are found—
गंगायमुनयोरीषे चक्रे पवनदेवता 4.2.62.
Between the Gaṅgā and Yamunā, the Wind-god established (the place).
तारावलीमयाः कीला आहेया उपनायकाः
The posts are made of a row of stars, and the attendants are to be brought forth.
दक्षिणाधूर्दृढा यत्र मखा यत्राभिरक्षकाः
Where the southern side is firmly established, where the sacrifices and their guardians are—
सांगा व्याहृतयो यत्र शुभा सोपानवीथिकाः
Where the auspicious vyāhṛtis are complete, with steps and processional paths—
अग्निर्मकरतुंडश्च रथभूः कौमुदीमयी
Where Agni is with a makara-shaped mouth, the chariot-ground is made of moonlight—
स्वयं वाग्देवता यत्र चंचच्चामरधारिणी स्कंद उवाच शैलादिनेति विज्ञप्तो देवदेव उमापतिः
Where the goddess of speech herself, holding a waving chowrie, is present—thus spoke Skanda: Having been requested by Śailādini, the god of gods, husband of Umā—
कृतनीराजनविधिरष्टभिर्देवमातृभिः
The rite of waving lights was performed by the eight divine mothers.
निनादो दिव्यवाद्यानां रोदसी पर्यपूरयत्
The sound of celestial instruments filled both heaven and earth.
तेन दिव्यनिनादेन बधिरीकृतदिङ्मुखाः
By that divine sound, all directions were deafened.
षडाननाः कुमाराश्च मयूरवरवाहनाः 4.2.62.
The six-faced Kumāras, mounted on their splendid peacocks,
पठित्वा पाठयित्वा च शिवसायुज्यमाप्नुयात् ।। 4.2.62.
By reciting and teaching this, one attains union with Śiva.
अलभ्यलाभो देवस्य जातोत्र हि यतः परः
Here, the supreme and unattainable gain of the Lord has arisen.
अगस्त्य उवाच दृष्ट्वा काशीं दृगानंदां तारकारे पुरारिणा
Agastya said: Having seen Kāśī, delightful to the eyes, where the enemy of Tāraka once dwelled,
मृगांकलक्ष्मणोत्कंठं काशी नेत्रातिथीकृता
Longing for the crescent-marked one, Kāśī was honored as a guest by the Eye.
अथ सर्वज्ञनाथेन भक्तवत्सलचेतसा
Then, by the Lord who knows all, whose heart is affectionate to devotees,
यमनेहसमारभ्य मदंराद्रिं विनिर्ययौ
Beginning from the abode of Yama, he set out for the intoxicated mountain.
तं वासरं पुरस्कृत्य जग्राह नियमं दृढम्
Taking that day as foremost, he undertook a firm vow.
विषमेक्षण पादाब्जं समीक्षिष्ये यदा पुनः
When again shall I behold the lotus feet of the one with the uneven eye?
कुतश्चिद्धारणायोगादथवा शंभ्वनुग्रहात
Whether by the practice of concentration or by Śambhu’s grace,
तं शंभुरेव जानाति नान्यो जानाति कश्चन
Śambhu alone knows that; no one else knows.
ज्येष्ठशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां सोमवारानुराधयोः
On the fourteenth day of the bright half of Jyeṣṭha, on a Monday under Anurādhā,
ज्येष्ठस्थानं ततः काश्यां तदाभूदपि पुण्यदम् 4.2.63.
Then, the Jyeṣṭha-sthāna in Kāśī became especially meritorious.