अविमुक्तस्य रक्षार्थं यत्र या देवताः स्थिताः
For the protection of Avimukta, where those goddesses are established—
इत्यगस्त्युदितं श्रुत्वा महादेवतनूद्भवः
Hearing this, spoken by Agastya, the one born from the body of the Great God—
स्कंद उवाच वाराणस्यां विशालाक्षी क्षेत्रस्य परमेष्टदा
Skanda said: In Vārāṇasī, Viśālākṣī is the bestower of supreme blessings for the sacred field.
स्नात्वा विशालतीर्थे वै विशालाक्षीं प्रणम्य च
Having bathed at the Viśālā ford and bowed to Viśālākṣī—
भाद्रकृष्णतृतीयायामुपोषणपरैर्नृभिः
On the third day of the bright fortnight of Bhādra, by men observing the fast—
प्रातर्भोज्याः प्रयत्नेन चतुर्दशकुमारिकाः
In the morning, with care, fourteen maidens are to be fed.
विधाय पारणं पश्चात्पुत्रभृत्यसमन्वितैः
After performing the breaking of the fast, together with sons and servants—
तस्यां तिथौ महायात्रा कार्या क्षेत्रनिवासिभिः
On that date, a great procession should be held by the residents of the sacred field.
वाराणस्यां विशालाक्षी पूजनीया प्रयत्नतः 4.2.70.
In Varanasi, Vishalakshi must be worshipped with utmost devotion.
मणिमुक्ताद्यलंकारैर्विचित्रोल्लोच चामरैः
She should be adorned with jewels, pearls, and various splendid ornaments, as well as with fans.
मोक्षलक्ष्मी समृद्ध्यर्थं यत्रकुत्र निवासिभिः
For the sake of attaining the wealth of liberation and prosperity, by those residing anywhere.
तदानंत्याय जायंत मुने लोकद्वयेपि हि
Then, O sage, endless results arise, even in both worlds.
मोक्षस्तस्य परीपाको नात्र कार्या विचाणा
The fulfillment of liberation is assured for them; there is no need for further inquiry.
प्राप्यतेत्र कुमारीभिर्गुणशीलाद्यलंकृतः
Here, maidens, adorned with virtues and good qualities, attain her.
असौभाग्यवतीभिश्च सौभाग्यं महदाप्यते
Even those lacking good fortune receive great prosperity from her.
सीमंतिनीभिः पुंभिर्वा परं निर्वाणमिच्छुभिः
By married women or men who desire supreme liberation.
ततोन्यल्ललितातीर्थं गंगाकेशवसन्निधौ
Next is the Lalita sacred place, near the presence of Ganga and Kesava.
सा च पूज्या प्रयत्नेन सर्वसंपत्समृद्धये
She too should be worshipped with care, for the attainment of all prosperity.
इषे कृष्णद्वितीयायां ललितां परिपूज्य वै 4.2.70.
On the Krishna Dvitiya day, Lalita must be thoroughly worshipped.
स्नात्वा च ललिता तीर्थे ललितां प्रणिपत्य वै
After bathing at the Lalita sacred place, one should bow to Lalita.
मुने विश्वभुजा गौरी विशालाक्षी पुरः स्थिता
O sage, Gauri, the wide-eyed, stands before you as Vishvabhuja.
शारदं नवरात्रं च कार्या यात्रा प्रयत्नतः
The Sharada Navaratri festival must be observed with diligence.
यो न विश्वभुजां देवीं वाराणस्यां नमेन्नरः
Whoever does not bow to the goddess Vishvabhuja in Varanasi,
यैस्तु विश्वभुजा देवी वाराणस्यां स्तुतार्चिता
But those by whom the goddess Vishvabhuja is praised and worshipped in Varanasi,
अन्यास्ति काश्यां वाराही क्रतुवाराहसन्निधौ
There is another, Varahi, in Kashi, at the sacrifice of Varaha.
शिवदूती तु तत्रैव द्रष्टव्याऽऽपद्विनाशिनी
Shivaduti must also be seen there, the destroyer of calamity.
वज्रहस्ता तथा चैंद्री गजराज रथास्थिता
Indrani, holding the thunderbolt, is seated in a chariot drawn by the king of elephants.
स्कंदेश्वर समीपे तु कौमारी बर्हियानगा
Near Skandeshvara, Kumari rides upon a peacock.
महेश्वराद्दक्षिणतो देवी माहेश्वरी नरैः 4.2.70.
To the south of Maheshvara, the goddess Maheshvari stands among men.
निर्वाणनरसिंहस्य समीपे मोक्षकांक्षिभिः
Beside Nirvana Narasimha, those desiring liberation gather.