गर्भरक्षामणिर्मंत्रः काशीवर्णद्वयात्मकः
The mantra for the protection of the womb is of the twofold form of Kāśī's name.
सुधां पिबति यो नित्यं काशीवर्णद्वयात्मिकाम्
Whoever always drinks the nectar that is of the twofold form of Kāśī's name—
श्रुतं कर्णामृतं येन काशीत्यक्षरयुग्मकम्
He who has heard the nectar for the ears, namely the two syllables 'Kāśī'.
काशी रजोपि यन्मूर्ध्नि पतेदप्यनिलाहतम्
Even if the dust of Kāśī falls upon one's head, whether blown by the wind or not.
प्रसंगतोपि यन्नेत्रपथमानंदकाननम्
Or even if, by association, one sees the forest of blindness along the path.
गच्छता तिष्ठता वापि स्वपता जाग्रताथवा
Whether walking, standing, sleeping, or awake.
येन बीजाक्षरयुगं काशीति हृदि धारितम्
He who holds in his heart the seed syllables 'Kāśī'.
काशी काशीति काशीति जपतो यस्य संस्थितिः
He whose existence is in the repetition of 'Kāśī, Kāśī, Kāśī'.
क्षेममूर्तिरियं काशी क्षेममूर्तिर्भवान्भव
This Kāśī is the form of well-being; you too become the form of well-being.
ब्राह्मणानामिति वचः क्षेत्रभक्तिविबृंहितम् 4.2.64.
This statement, extolled by devotion to the sacred field, is for the Brāhmaṇas.
प्रोवाच च प्रसन्नात्मा धन्या यूयं द्विजर्षभाः
And the serene-minded one spoke: 'Blessed are you, best of twice-born.'
जाने सत्त्वमया जाताः क्षेत्रस्यास्य निषेवणात्
I know you have become composed of sattva by serving this sacred field.
वाराणस्यास्तु ये भक्तास्ते भक्ता मम निश्चितम्
Those who are devoted to Vārāṇasī are certainly devoted to me.
यैश्च काशीस्थितो जंतुरल्पकोपि विरोधितः
And even if a creature residing in Kāśī is insignificant or opposed.
वाराणस्याः स्तुतिमपि यो निशम्यानुमोदते
Whoever hears and approves the praise of Vārāṇasī.
निवसंति हि ये मर्त्या अस्मिन्नानंदकानने
Those mortals who dwell in this forest of blindness.
निवसंति मम क्षेत्रे मम भक्तिं प्रकुर्वते
They dwell in my sacred field and practice devotion to me.
निवसंति मम क्षेत्रे मम भक्तिं न कुर्वते
They dwell in my sacred field but do not practice devotion to me.
काशी निर्वाणनगरी येषां चित्ते प्रकाशते
For whom Kāśī, the city of liberation, shines forth in their mind.
मोक्षलक्ष्मीरियं काशी न येभ्यः परिरोचते 4.2.64.
This Kāśī, the goddess of liberation, does not delight those.
काथीं संकाक्षमाणानां पुरुषार्थचतुष्टयम्
For those who are filled with doubt, the four aims of human life—
आनंदकानने ह्यत्र ज्वलद्दावानलोस्म्यहम्
Here, in the forest of bliss, I am the blazing wildfire.
वस्तव्यं सततं काश्यां यष्टव्योहं प्रयत्नतः ।। जेतव्यौ कलिकालौ च रंतव्या मुक्तिरंगना
One must always dwell in Kāśī, worship me with devotion, strive to conquer the ages of Kali and Kṛta, and delight in the maiden of liberation.
प्राप्यापि काशीं दुर्बुद्धिर्यो न मां परिसेवते
Even after reaching Kāśī, the person of poor understanding who does not serve me—
धन्या मद्भक्तिलक्ष्माणो ब्राह्मणाः काशिवासिनः
Blessed are the brāhmaṇas who dwell in Kāśī, adorned with the wealth of my devotion.
दातव्यो वो वरः कोत्र व्रियतां मे यथारुचि
A boon must be given to you; now choose from me whatever you desire.
इति पीत्वा महेशानमुखक्षीराब्धिजां सुधाम्
Thus, having drunk the nectar born from the ocean of milk that is the mouth of Maheśāna—
ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः उमापते महेशान सर्वज्ञ वर एष नः
The brāhmaṇas said: O Umāpati, Maheśāna, all-knowing one, this is our boon—
वचनाद्ब्राह्मणानां तु शापो मा प्रभवत्विह
By the words of the brāhmaṇas, let no curse take effect here.
तव पादाबुंजद्वंद्वे निर्द्वंद्वा भक्तिरस्तु नः 4.2.64.
May we have unwavering devotion at the pair of your lotus feet.