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.
रमते भगवानेषु सिद्धक्षेत्रेषु सर्वदा
The Blessed Lord always delights in these accomplished sacred places.
त्रयाणामपि लोकानां कुरुक्षेत्रं प्रशस्यते
Of all three worlds, Kurukshetra is praised.
तस्या दशगुणं व्यास महाकालवनोत्तमम्
O Vyasa, Mahakalavana is ten times greater than that.
प्रभासमुत्तमं तीर्थं क्षेत्रमाद्यं पिनाकिनः
Prabhasa is the supreme holy place, the foremost field of the wielder of the bow Pinaka.
तस्मादप्युत्तमं व्यास पुण्या वाराणसी मता
Therefore, Vyasa, Varanasi is considered even more excellent and holy than that.
महाकालवनं गुह्यं सिद्धक्षेत्रं तथोषरम् 5.1.1.
The Mahakala forest is secret, a field of accomplished beings, and also a place of dryness.
सर्वतस्तु समाख्यातं महाकालवनं मुने
O sage, the Mahakala forest has been described in its entirety from every side.
पंचैकत्र न लभ्यंते महाकालपुरादृते
The five are not found together anywhere except in Mahakala city.
नाग्निर्न वायुरादित्यो न भूमिर्न दिशो नभः
There is neither fire nor wind, neither sun nor earth, neither directions nor sky.
न नक्षत्राणि न ज्योतिर्न द्यौर्नेंदुर्ग्रहा स्तथा
There are neither stars nor light, neither heaven nor planets, nor even the moon.