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.
ततो रुद्रपिशाचास्ते भैरवानुचराः सदा
Then the Rudra-spirits, ever the followers of Bhairava,
आहारं रुधिरोन्मिश्रं ते लभंते कदाचन
They sometimes obtain food mixed with blood.
श्मशानस्तंभमभितो नीयंते कंठपाशिताः
They are led, bound by the neck, near the post in the cremation ground.
अथ संक्षीणपापास्ते कालभैरवदर्शनात्
Then, when their sins are exhausted, by the sight of Kālabhairava,
तस्मान्न कामयेतात्र वाङ्मनःकर्मणाप्यघह(?)म्
Therefore, one should not desire sin here, by speech, mind, or deed.
नाविमुक्ते मृतः कश्चिन्नरकं याति किल्बिषी
No sinner who dies in Avimukta goes to hell.
अनाशनं यः कुरुते मद्भक्त इह सुव्रतः
He who practices fasting here, devoted to me and steadfast in vows,
अशाश्वतमिदं ज्ञात्वा मानुष्यं बहुकिल्विषम्
Knowing this human life to be impermanent and full of many sins,
नान्यत्पश्यामि जंतूनां मुक्त्वा वाराणसीं पुरीम् 4.2.64.
I see no other city among living beings except Varanasi,
जन्मांतरसहस्रेषु यत्पापं समुपार्जितम्
The sin accumulated over thousands of lifetimes,