तीर्थानामुत्तमं तीर्थं पुण्यानां पुण्यवर्धनम्
Among holy places, this is the supreme one, increasing all merit.
कति संत्यत्र तीर्थानि लिंगानि च तथा कति
How many holy places are there here, and how many liṅgas as well?
महाकालवने व्यास लिंगसंख्या न विद्यते
In the great forest of Mahākāla, O Vyāsa, the number of liṅgas is beyond count.
अकामो वा सकामो वा जायते योऽत्र मानवः
Whether without desire or with desire, any person who is born here—
कृतकामानि तीर्थानि प्रासादायतनानि च
The holy places and temples here fulfill all desires.
पुण्यानि सर्वतीर्थानि सिद्धिक्षेत्राणि सर्वतः
All the holy places here are meritorious, and everywhere are fields of accomplishment.
यः शृणोति महाभक्त्या स याति परमां गतिम्
Whoever listens with great devotion attains the highest state.
ईश्वरस्थानमाख्यातं समंतात्साग्रयोजनम्
The abode of the Lord has been described, extending a yojana all around.
यत्र क्षेत्रे मृता मर्त्याः सदाचारास्तथोत्तमाः
In that sacred place, mortals who die there, being of virtuous conduct, become exalted.
यत्र कीटपतंगाद्या मृता यांति परां गतिम्
Even insects and moths that die there attain the highest state.
तस्माद्ब्रूहि ममैकं तु प्रश्नं तथ्येन सांप्रतम्
Therefore, tell me now one question truthfully.
कुशस्थली कथं नाम तथावंती कथं स्मृता
How did the name Kuśasthalī arise, and likewise, how is it remembered as Avantī?
नाम्नां हेतुमथो तेषां ब्रूहि त्वं मुनिसत्तम
O best of sages, tell me the reason for those names.
कथितं वामदेवाय गौरकल्पे पुरातने
This was told to Vāmadeva in the ancient age of Gaurī.
महेशेन भगवता विधिश्चैवात्र हेतुतः
By the blessed Maheśa and also by Vidhi, the cause was explained here.
स्वर्गप्राप्तिश्च भवति स्वेच्छाचारविहारिणाम्
Those who dwell there as they wish, moving freely, attain heaven.
कुतो निवर्तितं चित्तं जायते वसतां क्वचित् एतन्मे भगवन्ब्रूहि हितार्थं सर्वदेहिनाम् 5.1.40.
How is the mind restrained, and where does it arise for those who dwell there? O blessed one, tell me this for the welfare of all embodied beings.
प्रोवाच पार्वतीकांतं प्रभुः प्रीतः पितामहः
The Lord, pleased, Pitāmaha, spoke to the beloved of Pārvatī.
अजानन्निव त्वं सर्वं मां पृच्छसि सनातन
As if not knowing, you, O Eternal One, ask me everything.
त्वमेव च महाकालः सर्वं वै ज्ञायते त्वया
Indeed, you yourself are Mahākāla; all is known by you.
निवसंति न ते मर्त्याः सुरास्ते वै न संशयः
Mortals do not dwell there; those are surely gods, without doubt.
वर्तते च पुरी तत्र रम्यहर्म्या सुशोभना
There exists a city with delightful and splendid mansions.
स्वर्णशृङ्गाश्च प्रासादा विहिता विश्वकर्मणा
Palaces with golden peaks were constructed by Viśvakarman.
पूर्वकल्पे स्थितोऽहं च यत्र त्वं केशवस्तथा
In the former age, I resided there, and so did you, Keśava.
तथा देवर्षयः सिद्धा यक्षकिंनरदानवाः
Likewise, the divine sages, siddhas, yakṣas, kinnaras, and dānavas.
तथैव च वरा नार्यो देवानामतिवल्लभाः 5.1.40.
And also the best women, exceedingly dear to the gods, were present there.
आगत्य च यदा देवः सह देवैर्महेश्वरः
And when the great Lord arrived there together with the gods,
प्रासादैः स्वर्णशृंगाढ्यैर्मणिरत्नविभूषितैः
with palaces adorned with golden spires and decorated with jewels and precious stones,
तत्रास्ते शोभने दिव्ये प्रासादे मणिभूषिते
there he dwells, in a splendid, divine palace adorned with gems.
ततो महेशश्च पितामहश्च समेत्य तं विश्वपतिं ननंदतुः
Then Maheśa and Pitāmaha, having come together, rejoiced with that Lord of the universe.