चन्द्रभागा वितस्ता च नर्मदाऽमरकण्टके
The rivers Chandrabhaga, Vitasta, and Narmada at Amarakantaka are also present.
केदारं पुष्करं चैव तथा कायावरोहणम्
Kedara, Pushkara, and likewise Kayavarohana are included.
यत्रास्ते श्रीमहाकालः पापेन्धनहुताशनः
There resides Shri Mahakala, the fire that consumes sin.
भुक्तिदं मुक्तिदं क्षेत्रं कलिक ल्मषनाशनम्
That sacred place grants enjoyment and liberation, and destroys the stains of Kali.
यानि तीर्थानि विद्यन्ते यानि लिंगानि संति वै
Whatever sacred sites exist, whatever lingas are found,
तान्यहं श्रोतुमिच्छामि परं कौतूहलं हि मे ।। 5.1.1.
I wish to hear about them; indeed, my curiosity is very great.
क्षेत्रमाद्यं महादेवि सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्
The foremost field, O great goddess, destroys all sins.
श्रीमेरोः संनिधाने च शिखरं रत्नचिह्नितम्
At the abode of Mount Meru, there is a peak adorned with jewels.
विचित्रधातुभिश्चित्रं स्वच्छस्फटिकवेदिकम्
It is wondrously decorated with various minerals and has a pure crystal altar.
मृगनागेन्द्रसंयुक्तं गजयूथसमाकुलम्
It is filled with herds of deer and lions, and crowded with groups of elephants.
वाताहततरुव्रातप्रसूनास्थानचित्रितम्
Its flower-strewn grounds are adorned by clusters of trees shaken by the wind.
लतागृहरतिस्थानं सिद्धविद्याधराश्रयम्
There are vine-covered dwellings, places for pleasure, and refuges for accomplished sages and Vidyadharas.
तस्मिन्वने महारम्ये शोभिताशेष भूमिकम्
In that exceedingly delightful forest, the entire land shines.
तत्र दिव्यांगनागीतमधुरध्वनिनादिता
There, the sweet sound of celestial maidens' songs resounds.
बहुवाद्यसमुन्नद्धमहास्वननिनादिता
It is filled with the mighty reverberation of many musical instruments.
विन्यस्ता कोटिभिः स्तंभैर्निर्मलादर्शशोभिता 5.1.1.
It is adorned with millions of pillars, shining like spotless mirrors.
अप्सरोनृत्यविन्यासविलासोल्लासशोभिता
Adorned with the exuberant grace of the Apsaras as they display their skill in dance.
ऋषिसंघसमाकीर्णा मुनिवृन्दनिषेविता
Filled with assemblies of sages, attended by groups of ascetics.
तस्यां निविष्टं वागीशं शंकराराधने रतम्
There, the Lord of Speech was established, devoted to the worship of Shankara.
मुनिमध्यात्समुत्थाय कृष्णद्वैपायनो मुनिः
From among the sages, the sage Krishna Dvaipayana arose.
कृतांजलिपुटो भूत्वा भवभक्त्यानुभावितः
With palms joined in reverence, imbued with devotion to Bhava.
महाकालस्य माहात्म्यं प्राणिनां मोहनाशनम्
The greatness of Mahakala destroys the delusion of living beings.
भगवन्क्षेत्रमाहात्म्यं महाकालस्य कथ्यताम्
O Lord, tell of the sanctity of Mahakala's field.
फलं यथात्र वसतां मृतानां च गतिर्यथा
What is the fruit for those who dwell here, and what is the fate of the dead?
कथमेतत्स्मशानं च क्षेत्रं प्रोक्तं यथा तथा
How did this cremation ground come to be called a sacred field, and in what manner?
यस्मात्स्थानं च मातॄणां पीठं तेनैव कथ्यते ।। 5.1.1.
For what reason is it also called the seat of the Mothers? Tell this as well.
मृताः पुनर्न जायंते तेनेदमूषरं स्मृतम्
The dead are not born again; therefore, this place is known as 'barren.'
यस्मादिष्टं हि भूतानां स्मशानमतिवल्लभम्
Because the cremation ground is especially dear to beings.
एकाम्रकं भद्रकालं करवीरवनमेव च
Ekāmra, Bhadrakāla, and also the Karavīra forest.
भरथं चैव केदारं दिव्यं रुद्रमहालयम्
Bharata, Kedāra, and the divine great abode of Rudra.