बन्दीप्रीत्यै मुनिश्रेष्ठ देयं ब्राह्मणभोजनम्
For the delight of prisoners, O best of sages, a meal for brāhmaṇas should be given.
तदुत्तरस्मिंस्तत्रैव चुडकी भुवि कीर्तिता
To the north of that, right there, is the Cuḍakī, famed upon the earth.
सुसंदिग्धेषु कार्येषु भये च समुपस्थिते 2.8.8.
When matters are very uncertain, or when danger is at hand—
अग्रे तस्याः सदा कार्या नृभिरंगुष्ठतो ध्वनिः
In front of her, people should always make a sound with their thumbs.
सर्वाभीष्टप्रदं नॄणां दीपदानं प्रशस्यते
The offering of lamps is praised as granting all desires to people.
ततः पूर्वदिशाभागे वर्त्तते तीर्थमुत्तमम्
Then, in the eastern direction, there is an excellent holy place.
यत्र स्नानेन दानेन पूजया च द्विजन्मनाम्
Where, through bathing, giving, and worship by the twice-born,
भाद्रे कृष्णचतुर्दश्यां यात्रा सांवत्सरी स्मृता
On the auspicious fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in Bhādra, the annual pilgrimage is observed.
महारत्न इति ख्यातं तस्मात्तीर्थमनुत्तमम्
That supreme holy place is renowned as Mahāratna.
नारीभिरपि विप्रर्षे कर्त्तव्यो जागरोत्सवः तत्र स्नानं प्रयत्नेन कर्त्तव्यं श्रद्धया नरैः
O best of sages, even women should perform the night vigil festival; there, bathing must be undertaken with devotion and effort by men.
ततो नैऋत्यदिग्भागे दुर्भराख्यं सरा शुभम्
Then, in the southwest direction, is the auspicious lake called Durbhara.
तत्र स्नानादवाप्नोति सदा स्वर्गपदं नरः
By bathing there, a man always attains the realm of heaven.
शिवपूजा प्रकर्त्तव्या स्नात्वा कुण्डद्वये नरैः 2.8.8.
After bathing in the two pools, one should perform worship of Śiva.
गन्धादिभिः शुभैः पुष्पैरर्च्चनीयो महेश्वरः
The great Lord is to be worshipped with fragrant substances and auspicious flowers.
इति ध्यात्वा शिवं सार्द्धं निष्पापं प्रयतो नरः
Having thus meditated on Śiva together, a man, purified, becomes sinless.
एवं कृत्वा नरो विप्र सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
By doing so, O sage, a man is freed from all sins.
भाद्रकृष्णचतुर्दश्यां यः कुर्य्याच्छ्रद्धयाऽन्वितः
Whoever performs this with faith on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in Bhādra,
यः करोति नरो भक्त्या शिवलोके स संवसेत्
Whoever does this with devotion dwells in the world of Śiva.
विष्णुरुद्रौ च तस्यातिसुप्रसन्नौ सनातनौ
Viṣṇu and Rudra, the eternal ones, become exceedingly pleased with him.
अतः किं बहुनोक्तेन विप्रतीर्थमनुत्तमम्
Therefore, what is the use of saying more? O sage, this holy place is unsurpassed.
अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि तीर्थमन्यच्छुभावहम्
Now I shall further describe another holy place that bestows auspiciousness.
ईशाने दुर्भरस्थानान्महाविद्याभिधं महत्
In the northeast, from the region of Durbhara, is the great place known as Mahāvidyā.
तदग्रे सरसि स्नात्वा महाविद्यां तु यो नरः 2.8.8.
Whoever bathes in the lake before it, attains the great knowledge.
सिद्धपीठं तथा ख्यातं सम्यक्प्रत्ययकारकम्
It is also known as Siddhapīṭha, the seat of accomplishment, which grants firm conviction.
मंत्रं यः श्रद्धया विप्र शैवं शाक्तमथापि वा
O Brahmin, whoever with faith recites a mantra—whether Shaiva, Shakta, or otherwise—
एकाग्रमानसो विद्वन्नाराध्यावर्तयेत्सदा
with a mind concentrated and unwavering, O learned one, should always repeat it with devotion.
तस्मादत्र प्रकर्तव्यं जपादिकमतंद्रितैः
Therefore, here one should diligently perform japa and related practices without negligence.
देयान्यन्नानि बहुशो नानाविधफलानि च
One should offer various kinds of food and many sorts of fruits in abundance.
उच्चाटनादीन्यपि च मोहनादि विशेषतः
Even acts such as expulsion, enchantment, and especially delusion, may be performed.
सिद्धस्थाने परं मोक्षं वशीकरणमुत्तमम्
At a place of accomplishment, supreme liberation and the highest mastery can be attained.