समाकर्ण्यापि यां पापोप्यपापो जायते क्षणात्
Even by merely hearing it, a sinner becomes free from sin in an instant.
केदारं यातुकामस्य पुंसो निश्चितचेतसः
For a man desiring to go to Kedāra, with a resolute mind—
गृहाद्विनिर्गते पुंसि केदारमभिनिश्चितम्
When a man leaves his house, firmly intent on Kedāra—
मध्ये मार्गं प्रपन्नस्य त्रिजन्मजनितं त्वघम्
For one who has entered the path midway, the sin accumulated over three births—
सायंकेदारकेदारकेदारेति त्रिरुच्चरन्
In the evening, by uttering 'Kedāra, Kedāra, Kedāra' three times—
दृष्ट्वा केदारशिखरं पीत्वा तत्रत्यमंबु च
Having seen the peak of Kedāra and drunk the water there—
हरपापह्रदे स्नात्वा केदारेशं प्रपूज्य च
Having bathed in the lake that removes the sins of Hara, and worshipped the Lord of Kedāra—
सकृत्प्रणम्य केदारं हरपापकृतोदकः 4.2.77.
By bowing once to Kedāra, the water created by Hara for the removal of sin—
हरपापह्रदे श्राद्धं श्रद्धया यः करिष्यति
Whoever performs śrāddha with faith in the lake that removes the sins of Hara—
पुरा राथंतरे कल्पे यदभूदत्र तच्छृणु
Listen to what happened here long ago in the Rāthaṃtara kalpa.
एको ब्राह्मणदायाद उज्जयिन्या इहागतः
A single heir of the Brahmins came here from Ujjayinī.
स्थलीं पाशुपतीं काशीं स विलोक्य समंततः
He beheld the land of Pāśupati, Kāśī, all around.
कृतलिंगसमर्चैश्च भूतिभूषितवर्ष्मभिः
With worship of the established liṅga and bodies adorned with sacred ash,
बभूवानंदितमना व्रतं जग्राह चोत्तमम्
His mind became joyful, and he undertook the highest vow.
स च शिष्यो वशिष्ठोभूत्सर्वपाशुपतोत्तमः
He became the disciple of Vasiṣṭha, the foremost among all Pāśupatas.
विभूत्याहरहः स्नाति त्रिकालं लिंगमर्चयन्
Every day, smeared with sacred ash, he bathed and worshipped the liṅga three times daily.
स द्वादशाब्ददेशीयो वशिष्ठो गुरुणा सह
That Vasiṣṭha, along with his guru, stayed there for twelve years.
यत्र गत्वा न शोचंति किंचित्संसारिणः क्वचित 4.2.77.
Where, having gone, those bound to worldly existence never grieve for anything, anywhere.
असिधारं गिरिं प्राप्य वशिष्ठस्य तपस्विनः
Having reached the mountain as sharp as a sword, Vasiṣṭha the ascetic—
पश्यतां तापसानां च विमाने सार्वकामिके
While the ascetics watched, in a celestial chariot granting all desires—
यस्तु केदारमुद्दिश्य गेहादर्धपथेप्यहो
Whoever, even halfway from home, sets out with Kedāra as the goal—
तदाश्चर्यं समालोक्य स वशिष्ठस्तपोधनः
Beholding that wonder, Vasiṣṭha, rich in austerity, was amazed.
अथ कृत्वा स कैदारीं यात्रां वाराणसीमगात्
Then, having completed the pilgrimage to Kedāra, he went to Vārāṇasī.
प्रति चैत्रं सदा चैत्र्यां यावज्जीवमहं ध्रुवम्
Every year, always in the month of Caitra, I shall certainly do so as long as I live.
तेन यात्राः कृताः सम्यक् षष्टिरेकाधिका मुदा
Thus, with joy, he completed sixty-one pilgrimages in full.
पुनर्यात्रां स वै चक्रे मधौ निकटवर्तिनि
Again, he undertook the pilgrimage when spring was near.
तपोधनैस्तन्निधनं शंकमानैर्निवारितः
He was restrained by ascetics, fearing his end was near.
ततोपि न तदुत्साहभंगोभूद्दृढचेतसः 4.2.77.
Yet, even then, his firm resolve was not broken, nor did his enthusiasm waver.
इति निश्चितचेतस्के वशिष्ठे तापसे शुचौ
Thus, to Vasiṣṭha, the pure-minded and self-controlled sage, with a determined heart—
स्वप्रेमया स संप्रोक्तो वशिष्ठस्तापसोत्तमः
He, the foremost of ascetics, Vasiṣṭha, was addressed by me with my own affection.