स्वयंभुवोस्य लिंगस्य मम विश्वेशितुः सुराः
This liṅga of the self-born, O gods, belongs to me, the Lord of the universe.
पुष्पमात्र प्रदानाच्च चुलुकोदकपूवर्कम्
By offering even a single flower, the reward is equal to that of a vessel of water.
पूजामात्रं विधायास्य लिंगराजस्य भक्तितः
By performing even a simple worship of this king of liṅgas with devotion—
विधाय महती पूजां पंचामृतपुरःसराम्
By performing a great worship, preceded by the five nectars—
वस्त्रपूतजलैर्लिंगं स्नापयित्वा ममामराः 4.2.99.
O Immortals, after bathing the liṅga with water purified by cloth,
सुगंधचंदनरसैर्लिंगमालिप्य भक्तितः
and anointing the liṅga with fragrant sandalwood pastes with devotion,
सामोद धूपदानैश्च दिव्यगंधाश्रयो भवेत्
and offering incense with delightful aromas, it becomes pervaded by divine fragrance.
कर्पूरवर्तिदीपेन सकृद्दत्तेन भक्तितः
By offering even once, with devotion, a lamp with a camphor wick,
दत्त्वा नैवेद्यमात्रं तु सिक्थेसिक्थे युगंयुगम्
and by giving only a simple food offering, whether with or without clarified butter, in every age,
विश्वेशे परमान्नं यो दद्यात्साज्य सशर्करम्
Whoever offers to Viśveśa the finest food, with ghee and sugar,
मुखवासं तु यो दद्याद्दर्पणं चारुचामरम्
whoever gives mouth-fresheners, a mirror, and a beautiful fly-whisk,
संख्या सागररत्नानां कथंचित्कर्तुमिष्यते
the number of the jewels in the ocean could perhaps be counted,
पूजोपकरणद्रव्यं यो घंटा गडुकादिकम्
but not the merit of one who gives the materials for worship, such as a bell or water-pot.
यो गीतवाद्यनृत्यानामेकं मत्प्रीतये व्यधात्
Whoever, for My pleasure, arranges even one song, instrument, or dance,
चित्रलेखनकर्मादि प्रासादे मेऽत्र कारयेत् 4.2.99.
or has paintings, drawings, or similar works made for Me in the temple,
सकृद्विश्वेश्वरं नत्वा मध्ये जन्मसुधीर्नरः
A wise man, having bowed even once to Viśveśvara in the midst of life,
यस्तु विश्वेवरं दृष्ट्वा ह्यन्यत्रापि विपद्यते
or whoever, having seen Viśveśvara, departs elsewhere and meets with misfortune,
विश्वेशाख्या तु जिह्वाग्रे विश्वनाथकथाश्रुतौ
the name Viśveśa on the tip of the tongue, or hearing the tales of Viśvanātha,
लिंगं मे विश्वनाथस्य दृष्ट्वा यश्चानुमोदते
or whoever, seeing the liṅga of Viśvanātha, rejoices,
ममापीदं महालिंगं सदा पूज्यतमं सुराः .
This great liṅga of Mine, O gods, is always most worthy of worship.
यैर्न विश्वेश्वरो दृष्टो यैर्न विश्वेश्वरः स्मृतः
Those who have not seen Viśveśvara, those who have not remembered Viśveśvara,
यैरिदं प्रणतं लिंगं प्रणतास्ते सुरासुरैः दिक्पालपदतः पातः पातः शिवनतेर्नहि
those who have not bowed to this liṅga—let them fall from the status of guardian of the directions, let them fall, for there is no falling for a devotee of Śiva.
शृण्वंतु देवर्षिगणाः समस्तास्तथ्यं ब्रुवे तच्च परोपकृत्यै
Let all the assemblies of divine sages listen; I speak the truth, and it is for the benefit of others.
न सत्यलोके न तपस्यहो सुरा वैकुंठकैलासरसातलेषु 4.2.99.
Neither in Satyaloka, nor in the realms of asceticism, nor among the gods, nor in Vaikuntha, Kailasa, or Rasatala—
न विश्वनाथस्य समं हि लिंगं न तीर्थमन्यन्मणिकर्णिकातः
There is no linga equal to that of Vishvanatha, nor is there any other sacred place greater than Manikarnika.
वाराणसी तीर्थमयी समस्ता यस्यास्तुनामापि हि तीर्थतीर्थम्
Varanasi is filled with sacred places; even its name is the holiest of all holy places.
स्थानादमुष्मान्ममराजसौधात्प्राच्यां मनागीशसमाश्रितायाम्
From my royal palace, in the east, where the Lord is worshipped, the place is established.
हस्ताः शतं पंच सुरापगायामुदीच्यवाच्योर्मणिकर्णिकेयम्
In the celestial river, five hundred hands' distance to the north and south, lies Manikarnika.
अस्मिन्ममानंदवने यदेतल्लिंगं सुधाधाम सुधामधाम
In this grove of bliss belonging to me, the linga here is the abode of nectar, the source of nectar.
येस्मिञ्जनाः कृत्रिमभावबुद्ध्या लिंगं भजिष्यंति च हेतुवादैः
Those people who, with artificial thoughts and reasoning, worship the linga—