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.
किमन्येन वरेणेश देय एष वरो हि नः
What need is there for any other boon, O Lord? For this is truly our boon.
तव प्रतिनिधी कृत्यास्माभिस्त्वद्भक्तिभावितैः
We shall perform your tasks as your representatives, filled with devotion to you.
श्रुत्वेति तेषां वाक्यानि तथास्त्विति पिनाकिना
Hearing these words of theirs, Pinākin said, 'So be it.'
पुनः प्रोवाच देवेशो निशामयत भो द्विजाः
Again, the Lord of the gods spoke: 'Listen, O twice-born.'
सेव्योत्तरवहा नित्यं लिंगमर्च्यं प्रयत्नतः
The river to the north must always be served, and the liṅga must be worshipped with devotion.
इदमेव रहस्यं च कथितं क्षेत्रवासिनाम्
This alone is the secret that has been told to the dwellers of the holy field.
मनसापि न कर्तव्यमेनोत्र विजिगीषुणा
Not even in thought should one act here with the desire to conquer.
अन्यत्र यत्कृतं पापं तत्काश्यां परिणश्यति
Whatever sin is committed elsewhere is destroyed in Kāśī.
अंतर्गेहे कृतं पापं पैशाच्यनरकावहम्
Sin committed within the house leads to the hell of spirits and fiends.
न कल्पकोटिभिः काश्यां कृतं कर्म प्रमृज्यते 4.2.64.७०. योनिं प्राप्यापि पैशाचीं वर्षाणामयुतत्रयम्
Even after ten million aeons, actions performed in Kāśī are not erased; even after attaining a spirit birth for thirty thousand years.