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.
पुनरत्रैव निवसञ्ज्ञानं प्राप्स्यत्यनुत्तमम्
Then, residing here again, one attains supreme knowledge.
(संप्रांते) दुष्कृतानि विधायेह बहिः पंचत्वमागताः
Having committed evil deeds here, when they die, they depart.
यामाख्या मे गणाः संति घोरा विकृतमूर्त्तयः
My attendants called Yāmas are terrible, with deformed bodies.
नयंत्यनूपप्रायां च ततः प्राचीं दुरासदाम्
They lead those of unrighteous intent to the dreadful eastern region.
जलौकाभिः सपक्षाभिर्दंदशूकैर्जलोद्भवैः
With leeches, winged creatures, snakes, and water-born beings,
ततो यामैर्हिमर्तौ ते नीयंतेऽद्रौ हिमालये
Then, in winter, the Yāmas take them to the snowy Himalaya mountains.
मरुस्थले ततो ग्रीष्मे वारिवृक्षविवर्जिते
After that, in summer, to the desert devoid of water and trees.
क्लेशितास्ते गणैरुग्रैर्यातनाभिः समंततः
There, they are tormented by fierce attendants with various tortures all around.
निवेदयंति ते यामाः कालराजांतिके ततः 4.2.64.
Then the Yāmas present them before the King of Time.
विवस्त्रान्क्षुत्तृषार्तांश्च लग्नपृष्ठोदरत्वचः
Naked, afflicted by hunger and thirst, with skin clinging to their backs and bellies.