ये त्यजंति महाकाले प्राणान नशनैर्नराः
Those men who surrender their lives at Mahākāla, by fasting unto death,
सांख्याः स्तुवंति ते रुद्रं सर्वदुःखविवर्जिताः अनाशकमृताः शूद्रा महाकालवने नराः
Those followers of Sāṃkhya praise Rudra, being free from all suffering; and the Śūdras who die by fasting in the Mahākāla forest,
सिंहयुक्तैस्तु ते यांति विमानैरर्कसन्निभैः
They ascend in chariots yoked with lions, shining like the sun.
नानावर्णसुवर्णाढ्यैर्हृष्टगंधाधिवा सितैः । अनौपम्यगुणै रम्यैरप्सरोगीतवादिभिः
Adorned with various colors and rich in gold, fragrant with delightful scents, possessing incomparable and charming qualities, accompanied by the songs and music of apsarases,
पताकाध्वजविन्यस्तैर्नानाघंटानिनादितैः
Decorated with banners and flags, resounding with the ringing of many bells,
रुद्रलोके नरा धीराः सर्वे चानशनैर्मृताः धनी विप्रकुले भोगी जायते मर्त्यमागतः
In Rudra's world, all steadfast men who died by fasting are born again among mortals as wealthy, noble, and prosperous men in the families of Brāhmaṇas.
करीषं साधयेद्यस्तु महाकालवने नरः
But the man who prepares cow dung in the Mahākāla forest,
रुद्रलोके वसेत्तावद्यावत्कल्पक्षयो भवेत्
He dwells in Rudra's world until the end of the kalpa.
तत्र भुक्त्वा महाभोगानिह जातो महीपतिः 5.1.7.
Having enjoyed great pleasures there, he is born here as a king.
स्वधर्मनिरताश्चैव जितक्रोधा जितेंद्रियाः
Those devoted to their own duty, who have conquered anger and mastered their senses,
रुद्रलोकं व्रजंतीह नात्र चित्रा मतिर्मम
They go to Rudra's world—of this my mind has no doubt.
विनापि क्षेत्रवासेन तथैव नियमेन च
Even without residing in the sacred field, and likewise without strict observance,
मूका जडांधबधि रास्तपोनियमवर्जिताः
The mute, the dull, the blind, the deaf, and those lacking in austerity and discipline,
कालेनैव मृता व्यास रुद्रलोकं व्रजंति ते
When they die by the force of time, O Vyāsa, they too go to Rudra's world.
शरीरैर्दिव्यरूपैश्च सर्वभोगसमन्विताः
With bodies of divine form, endowed with all enjoyments,
निर्भत्सिता पुरा देवी कालीति पार्वतीति च
Once reviled as Kālī and Pārvatī, the goddess,
एवं हि कलहो जातः शिवगौर्योर्हि यत्र तु
Thus indeed arose the quarrel between Śiva and Gaurī there.
कृतमग्रे तदा कुंडं नाम्ना कलहनाशनम्
Then, in the beginning, a pit was made, named the Destroyer of Quarrels.
तस्मिंस्तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा पूजयित्वा महेश्वरम् 5.1.8.
There, a man who bathes at that sacred site and worships the great Lord—
तत्र यच्छति यो दानं त्रुटिमात्रं च चंदनम्
Whoever offers a gift there, even a fragment of sandalwood—
भूमिदानं च यस्तत्र प्रदास्यति नरो मुने
And whoever, O sage, gives land as a donation at that place—
गामेकां रक्ति कामेकां भूमेरप्येकमंगुलम्
Whether he gives a single cow, a single wish, or even a finger's breadth of land—
धेनुमश्वांस्तिलान्वस्त्रं भाजनं ताम्रदोहनम्
A cow, a horse, sesame seeds, cloth, a vessel, or a copper milking pot—
ये प्रदास्यंति विप्रेभ्यस्तेषां लोकाः सदाऽक्षयाः
Those who give these to the Brahmins, their worlds are forever inexhaustible.
सा तत्र सर्वलोकानां देवी दुरितहारिणी
There, the goddess who removes the sins of all worlds—
तस्मिन्स्नात्वा तु यः पश्येत्पृष्ठमातर आदरात्
Whoever bathes there and respectfully beholds the backs of the mothers—
तासां तु दर्शनं कृत्वा मार्गे गमनमाचरेत्
After seeing them, one should proceed along the path.
स्वदेशे परदेशे वा पर्वतेष्वटवीषु च
Whether in one's own land or another, on mountains or in forests—
ग्रहपीडासु सर्वासु तथा राजभयादिकम् 5.1.8.
In all afflictions caused by planets, and likewise in fear from kings and the like—
देवीमुद्दिश्य यो विप्र सोऽभीष्टफलमश्नुते
Whoever, addressing the goddess, is a Brahmin, attains the desired fruit.