नंदिकेश्वर उवाच यः पठिष्यति मेधावी तस्य तुष्यति शंकरः
Nandikeshvara said: Whoever, being wise, recites this, Shankara will be pleased with him.
व्यासाष्टकमिदं प्रातः पठितव्यं प्रयत्नतः
This eight-versed hymn of Vyasa should be recited carefully in the morning.
मातृहा पितृहा वापि गोघ्नो बालघ्र एव वा
Even one who has killed his mother, father, a cow, or a child—
स्कंद उवाच पाराशर्यस्तदारभ्य शंभुभक्तिपरोभवत्
Skanda said: From that time, the son of Parashara became devoted to Shambhu.
विभूतिभूषणो नित्यं नित्यरुद्राक्षभूषणः
He is always adorned with sacred ashes and ever wears Rudrākṣa beads.
स कृत्वा क्षेत्रसंन्यासं त्यजेन्नाद्यापि काशिकाम् 4.2.95.
Having taken the vow of renunciation of the sacred field, he should not abandon Kāśī even now.
घंटाकर्णह्रदे स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा व्यासेश्वरं नरः
After bathing in the lake called Ghaṇṭākarṇa and beholding Lord Vyāseśvara, a man—
काश्यां व्यासेश्वरं लिंगं पूजयित्वा नरोत्तमः
—the best of men, having worshipped the liṅga of Vyāseśvara in Kāśī—
व्यासेश्वरस्य ये भक्ता न तेषां कलिकालतः
For those who are devotees of Vyāseśvara, the age of Kali has no effect.
व्यासेश्वरः प्रयत्नेन द्रष्टव्यः काशिवासिभिः
Vyāseśvara must be seen with effort by the residents of Kāśī.
यदि क्षेत्ररहस्यज्ञः क्षेत्रसंन्यासकृद्यदि
If one knows the secret of the sacred field, and if one has taken the vow of renunciation—
तथा दृष्टप्रभावश्चेत्तथा चेज्ज्ञानिनां वरः
—and if he has witnessed its power, and is foremost among the wise—
तस्य व्यासस्य चरितं भविष्यं त्वयि पृच्छति
If he asks you about the deeds and future of Vyāsa—
यदारभ्य मुनेस्तस्य नंदी स्तंभितवान्भुजम्
From the time when Nandī restrained the arm of that sage—
काश्यां तीर्थान्यनेकानि काश्यां लिगान्यनेकशः
In Kāśī there are many sacred bathing places, and many liṅgas as well.
लिंगेष्वेको हि विश्वेशस्तीर्थेषु मणिकर्णिका
Among the liṅgas, Viśveśvara is foremost; among the sacred bathing places, Maṇikarṇikā.
त्यक्त्वा स बहु वाग्जालं प्रातः स्नात्वा दिनेदिने
Abandoning much idle talk, bathing every morning, day by day—
शिष्याणां पुरतो नित्यं क्षेत्रस्य महिमा महान्
—always before his disciples, the great glory of the sacred field is proclaimed.
अत्र यत्क्रियते क्षेत्रे शुभं वाऽशुभमेव वा
Whatever is done here in this sacred field, whether auspicious or inauspicious—
क्षेत्रसिद्धिं समीहंते ये चात्र कृतिनो जनाः 4.2.96.
Those who strive here, seeking the perfection of the sacred field—
चक्रपुष्करिणी तीर्थे स्नातव्यं प्रतिवासरम्
One should bathe daily at the sacred bathing place of Cakrapuṣkariṇī.
स्ववर्णाश्रमधर्मश्च त्यक्तव्यो न मनागपि
One's own duties of caste and stage of life must not be abandoned, not even in the slightest.
यथाशक्ति च देयानि दानान्यत्र सुगुप्तवत्
Gifts should be given here according to one's ability, and kept well protected.
परोपकरणं चात्र कर्तव्यं सुधिया सदा
Here, one of good understanding should always perform acts of assistance to others.
विशेषपूजा कर्तव्या सुमहोत्सवपूर्वकम
A special worship should be performed, preceded by a great festival.
अत्र मर्म न वक्तव्यं सुधियां कस्यचित्क्वचित्
Here, a wise person should never reveal secrets to anyone, anywhere.
परापवादो नो वाच्यः परेर्ष्यां न च कारयेत्
One should not speak ill of others, nor incite envy in another.
अत्रत्य जंतुरक्षार्थमसत्यमपि भाषयेत्
For the protection of the living beings here, one may even speak what is untrue.
अत्रत्यः प्राणिमात्रोपि रक्षणीयः प्रयत्नतः त्रैलोक्यरक्षणात्पुण्यं यत्स्यात्तत्स्यान्न संशयः
Every living being here, even the smallest, must be carefully protected; the merit from protecting all three worlds is certainly gained thereby, without doubt.
ये वसंति सदा काश्यां क्षेत्रसंन्यासकारिणः 4.2.96.
Those who always dwell in Kāśī, having renounced worldly life in this sacred field,