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.
तत्फलं सम्यगाप्येत विश्वेश्वर विलोकनात्
That very result is fully attained by beholding Viśveśvara.
यत्षोडशमहादानैः पुण्यं प्रोक्तं महर्षिभिः
The merit declared by the great sages as arising from the sixteen great gifts—
अश्वमेधादिभिर्यज्ञैर्यत्फलं प्राप्यतेखिलैः
And the fruit obtained from all sacrifices such as the Aśvamedha—
महापूजोपकरणं योर्पयेद्विश्वभर्तरि
Whoever offers the implements for a great worship to the Lord of the universe—
सर्वर्तुकुसुमाढ्यां च यः कुर्यात्पुष्पवाटिकाम्
Whoever creates a flower garden, abundant with flowers in every season—
यः क्षीरस्नपनार्थं वै विश्वेशे धेनुमर्पयेत्
Whoever donates a cow to Viśveśa for the purpose of bathing him with milk—
विश्वेशराजसदने यः सुधां चित्रमेव वा 4.2.96.
Whoever provides nectar or even beautiful food in the abode of King Viśveśa—
ब्राह्मणान्यतिनो वापि तथैव शिवयोगिनः
Or gives these to brāhmaṇas or to ascetics devoted to Śiva—
कोटिभोज्यफलं तस्य श्रद्धया नात्र संशयः
His reward is equal to feeding millions; of this, there is no doubt if done with faith.
विश्वेशस्तोषणीयोत्र स्नानहोमजपादिभिः अष्टोत्तरशतं जप्त्वा तदत्र समवाप्यते
Here, Viśveśa is to be pleased by bathing, offering oblations, recitation, and the like; by reciting one hundred and eight times, that is accomplished here.
कोटिहोमेन यत्प्रोक्तं फलमन्यत्र सूरिभिः
The fruit declared elsewhere by the wise as arising from a million fire-offerings—
यो जपेद्रुद्रसूक्तानि काश्यां विश्वेशसन्निधौ
Whoever recites the Rudra hymns in Kāśī in the presence of Viśveśa—
तस्य पुण्यं न जानामि चिंतिते चाक्षरे परे
I do not know the merit of one who contemplates each supreme syllable.
आपद्यपि हि घोरायां काशी त्याज्या न कुत्रचित्
Even in the most terrible calamity, Kāśī should never be abandoned anywhere.
अवंध्यं दिवसं कुर्यात्स्नानदानजपादिभिः
One should make each day fruitful by bathing, giving, reciting, and the like.
कृच्छ्रचांद्रायणादीनि कर्तव्यानि प्रयत्नतः
Atonements such as Kṛcchra and Cāndrāyaṇa should be performed diligently.
यदींद्रियाणि कुर्वंति विक्रियामिह देहिनाम् 4.2.96.
If the senses here cause disturbances in embodied beings—
तेषां स्वरूपमाख्याहि स्कंदेंद्रिय विशुद्धये
Describe their true nature, O Skanda, for the purification of the senses.
यानि कृत्वात्र मनुजो देहशुद्धिं लभेत्पराम्
By performing these acts here, a person attains supreme purification of the body.
एकभक्तेन नक्तेन तथैवायाचितेन च
With a single meal, at night, or by food obtained through begging, likewise.