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,
ते पूज्यास्ते नमस्कार्यास्ते संतोष्याः प्रयत्नतः
They are to be worshipped, saluted, and diligently pleased.
काश्यां वसंति ये मर्त्या दूरस्थैरपि सन्नरैः
Those mortals who dwell in Kāśī, even if far away, should be honored by good people.
प्रसरस्त्विंद्रियाणां च निवार्योत्र निवासिभिः
Here, the residents should restrain the outward flow of the senses.
मरणं नाभिकांक्षेद्धि कांक्ष्यो मोक्षोऽपिनो पुनः
One should not desire death here; rather, liberation alone is to be sought.
शरीरसौष्ठवं कांक्ष्यं व्रतस्नानादिसिद्धये
One should desire bodily health for the accomplishment of vows, bathing, and similar observances.
आत्मरक्षात्र कर्तव्या महाश्रेयोभिवृद्धये
Here, self-protection must be practiced for the increase of supreme good.
एकस्मिन्नपि यच्चाह्नि काश्यां श्रेयोभिलभ्यते
Even in a single day in Kāśī, the highest good that is attained—
अन्यत्र योगाभ्यसनाद्यावज्जन्म यदर्ज्यते
—is equal to what is gained elsewhere by practicing yoga and similar disciplines throughout one's life.
सर्वतीर्थावगाहाच्च यावज्जन्म यदर्ज्यते
And to what is gained by bathing in all sacred waters throughout one's life.
सर्वलिंगार्चनात्पुण्यं यावज्जन्म यदर्ज्यते 4.2.96.
And to the merit gained by worshipping all liṅgas throughout one's life.