Brahma's Praise of Kashi

Verse 1 (skanda.4.22.1)

शिवशर्मोवाच । ध्रुवाख्यानमिदं रम्यं महापातकनाशनम् । महाश्चर्यकरं पुण्यं श्रुत्वा तृप्तोस्मि भो गणौ

śivaśarmovāca dhruvākhyānamidaṁ ramyaṁ mahāpātakanāśanam mahāścaryakaraṁ puṇyaṁ śrutvā tṛptosmi bho gaṇau

Shivasharma said: "Having heard this delightful narrative of Dhruva, which destroys the greatest sins, wondrous and meritorious, I am satisfied, O you two ganas."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.22.2)

अगस्त्य उवाच । इत्थं यावद्द्विजो ब्रूते विमानं वायुवेगगम् । तावत्प्राप महर्लोकं स्वर्लोकात्परमाद्भुतम्

agastya uvāca itthaṁ yāvaddvijo brūte vimānaṁ vāyuvegagam tāvatprāpa maharlokaṁ svarlokātparamādbhutam

Agastya said: "Even as the brahmin spoke thus, the celestial car, swift as the wind, reached Maharloka, more wondrous still than Svarloka."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.22.3)

द्विजोऽथ लोकं संवीक्ष्य सर्वतो महसा वृतम् । तौ गणौ प्रत्युवाचेदं कोयं लोको मनोहरः

dvijo'tha lokaṁ saṁvīkṣya sarvato mahasā vṛtam tau gaṇau pratyuvācedaṁ koyaṁ loko manoharaḥ

The brahmin, beholding that world, enveloped on every side with splendor, said to the two ganas: "What is this enchanting world?"

Verse 4 (skanda.4.22.4)

तावूचतुस्ततो विप्रं निशामय महामते । अयं स हि महर्लोकः स्वर्लोकात्परमाद्भुतः

tāvūcatustato vipraṁ niśāmaya mahāmate ayaṁ sa hi maharlokaḥ svarlokātparamādbhutaḥ

They then said to the brahmin: "Listen, O wise one; this indeed is Maharloka, more wondrous than Svarloka."

Verse 5 (skanda.4.22.5)

कल्पायुषो वसंत्यत्र तपसा धूतकल्मषाः । विष्णुस्मरण संक्षीण समस्तक्लेशसंचयाः

kalpāyuṣo vasaṁtyatra tapasā dhūtakalmaṣāḥ viṣṇusmaraṇa saṁkṣīṇa samastakleśasaṁcayāḥ

"Here dwell those whose lifespan is a full Kalpa, their impurities washed away by penance, all their accumulated afflictions dwindled through the remembrance of Vishnu."

Verse 6 (skanda.4.22.6)

निर्व्याजप्रणिधानेन दृष्ट्वा तेजोमयं जगत् । महायोगसमायुक्ता वसंत्यत्र सुरोत्तमाः

nirvyājapraṇidhānena dṛṣṭvā tejomayaṁ jagat mahāyogasamāyuktā vasaṁtyatra surottamāḥ

"Having beheld, through guileless meditation, the universe as filled with radiance, the best of celestial beings, endowed with great yogic power, dwell here."

Verse 7 (skanda.4.22.7)

इत्थं कथां कथयतोर्भगवद्गणयोः प्रिये । क्षणार्धेन विमानं तज्जनलोकं निनायतान्

itthaṁ kathāṁ kathayatorbhagavadgaṇayoḥ priye kṣaṇārdhena vimānaṁ tajjanalokaṁ nināyatān

While the two ganas of the Lord were thus telling this tale, O dear one, within half a moment the celestial car carried them onward to Janaloka.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.22.8)

निवसंत्यमला यत्र मानसा बह्मणः सुताः । सनंदनाद्या योगींद्राः सर्वे ते ह्यूर्ध्वरेतसः

nivasaṁtyamalā yatra mānasā bahmaṇaḥ sutāḥ sanaṁdanādyā yogīṁdrāḥ sarve te hyūrdhvaretasaḥ

There dwell, spotless, the mind-born sons of Brahma -- Sanandana and the other lords of yoga, all of them of unbroken celibacy.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.22.9)

अन्ये तु योगिनो ये वै ह्यस्खलद्ब्रह्मचारिणः । सर्वद्वंद्वविनिर्मुक्तास्ते वसंत्यतिनिर्मलाः

anye tu yogino ye vai hyaskhaladbrahmacāriṇaḥ sarvadvaṁdvavinirmuktāste vasaṁtyatinirmalāḥ

And other yogis too, of unfailing chastity, freed from every pair of opposites, dwell there, utterly pure.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.22.10)

जनलोकात्तपोलोकस्तेषां लोचनगोचरः । कृतस्तेन विमानेन मनोवेगेन गच्छता

janalokāttapolokasteṣāṁ locanagocaraḥ kṛtastena vimānena manovegena gacchatā

From Janaloka, Tapoloka then came within their sight, carried there by that celestial car, moving with the speed of thought.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.22.11)

वैराजा यत्र ते देवा वसेयुर्दाहवर्जिताः । वासुदेवे मनो येषां वासुदेवार्पितक्रियाः

vairājā yatra te devā vaseyurdāhavarjitāḥ vāsudeve mano yeṣāṁ vāsudevārpitakriyāḥ

There dwell the Vairaja gods, untouched by any burning affliction, their minds fixed on Vasudeva, all their actions offered to Vasudeva.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.22.12)

तपसा तोष्य गोविंदमभिलाषविवर्जिताः। तपोलोकमिमं प्राप्य वसंति विजितेंद्रियाः

tapasā toṣya goviṁdamabhilāṣavivarjitāḥ tapolokamimaṁ prāpya vasaṁti vijiteṁdriyāḥ

Having pleased Govinda through their penance, free of all desire, having attained this Tapoloka, they dwell there, their senses conquered.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.22.13)

शिलोंछ वृत्तया ये वै दंतोलूखलिकाश्च ये । अश्मकुट्टाश्च मुनयः शीर्णपर्णाशिनश्च ये

śiloṁcha vṛttayā ye vai daṁtolūkhalikāśca ye aśmakuṭṭāśca munayaḥ śīrṇaparṇāśinaśca ye

Those who lived by gleaning scattered grains, those who used only their teeth as a mortar and pestle, sages who pounded their food between stones, and those who ate only fallen leaves...

Verse 14 (skanda.4.22.14)

ग्रीष्मे पंचाग्नितपसो वर्षासु स्थंडिलेशयाः । हेमंतशिशिरार्धे ये क्षपंति सलिले क्षपाः

grīṣme paṁcāgnitapaso varṣāsu sthaṁḍileśayāḥ hemaṁtaśiśirārdhe ye kṣapaṁti salile kṣapāḥ

...who in summer practiced the penance of the five fires, who in the rains slept upon the bare ground, and who in winter's cold spent their nights standing in water...

Verse 15 (skanda.4.22.15)

कुशाग्रनीरविप्रूषस्तृषिता यतयोऽपिबन्। वाताशिनोतिक्षुधिताः पादाग्रांगुष्ठ भूस्पृशः

kuśāgranīraviprūṣastṛṣitā yatayo'piban vātāśinotikṣudhitāḥ pādāgrāṁguṣṭha bhūspṛśaḥ

...ascetics who, though thirsty, drank only the drops of water clinging to the tips of kusha grass, who, though famished, subsisted on air alone, and who touched the earth only with the tip of a single toe...

Verse 16 (skanda.4.22.16)

ऊर्ध्वदोषो रविदृशस्त्वेकांघ्रि स्थाणु निश्चलाः । ये वै दिवा निरुच्छ्वासा मासोच्छ्वासाश्च ये पुनः

ūrdhvadoṣo ravidṛśastvekāṁghri sthāṇu niścalāḥ ye vai divā nirucchvāsā māsocchvāsāśca ye punaḥ

...those who kept their arms raised, gazing steadily at the sun, unmoving as a post upon a single leg; those who suspended their very breath through the day, and others who held it for a whole month...

Verse 17 (skanda.4.22.17)

मासोपवासव्रतिनश्चातुर्मास्य व्रताश्च ये । ऋत्वंततोयपाना ये षण्मासोपवासकाः

māsopavāsavratinaścāturmāsya vratāśca ye ṛtvaṁtatoyapānā ye ṣaṇmāsopavāsakāḥ

...those observing month-long fasts, those keeping the Chaturmasya vow, those drinking water only at the end of each season, and those fasting for six months at a time...

Verse 18 (skanda.4.22.18)

ये च वर्षनिमेषा वै वर्षधारांबु तर्षकाः । ये च स्थाणूपमां प्राप्ता मृगकंडूति सौख्यदाः

ye ca varṣanimeṣā vai varṣadhārāṁbu tarṣakāḥ ye ca sthāṇūpamāṁ prāptā mṛgakaṁḍūti saukhyadāḥ

...those who kept their eyes unblinking for a whole year, quenching their thirst only with rainwater, and those who, having become still as posts, allowed even the itch of grazing deer as a source of pleasure...

Verse 19 (skanda.4.22.19)

जटाटवी कोटरांतः कृतनीडांडजाश्च ये । प्ररूढवामलूरांगाः स्नायुनद्धास्थिसंचयाः

jaṭāṭavī koṭarāṁtaḥ kṛtanīḍāṁḍajāśca ye prarūḍhavāmalūrāṁgāḥ snāyunaddhāsthisaṁcayāḥ

...those in whose forest of matted locks birds had built their nests in the hollows, whose limbs had grown gourds and creepers upon them, whose bodies had become mere heaps of bone bound by sinew...

Verse 20 (skanda.4.22.20)

लताप्रतानैः परितो वेष्टितावयवाश्च ये । सस्यानि च प्ररूढानि यदंगेषु चिरस्थिति

latāpratānaiḥ parito veṣṭitāvayavāśca ye sasyāni ca prarūḍhāni yadaṁgeṣu cirasthiti

...whose limbs were entirely enveloped all around by the tendrils of creepers, and upon whose bodies, through long standing in one place, plants had actually grown...

Verse 21 (skanda.4.22.21)

इत्यादि सुतपः क्लिष्टवर्ष्माणो ये तपोधनाः । ब्रह्मायुषस्तपोलोके ते वसंत्यकुतोभयाः

ityādi sutapaḥ kliṣṭavarṣmāṇo ye tapodhanāḥ brahmāyuṣastapoloke te vasaṁtyakutobhayāḥ

...such and other great ascetics, their bodies worn down by such severe austerities, rich in penance -- these, with a lifespan equal to Brahma's, dwell in Tapoloka free of every fear.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.22.22)

यावदित्थं स पुण्यात्मा शृणोति गणयोर्मुखात् । तावन्नेत्रातिथीभूतः सत्यलोको महोज्ज्वलः

yāvaditthaṁ sa puṇyātmā śṛṇoti gaṇayormukhāt tāvannetrātithībhūtaḥ satyaloko mahojjvalaḥ

While that righteous soul was still listening to all this from the mouths of the two ganas, Satyaloka, exceedingly resplendent, became at once a guest before his eyes.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.22.23)

त्वरावंतौ गणौ तत्र विमानादवरुह्य तौ । स्रष्टारं सर्वलोकानां तेन सार्धं प्रणेमतुः

tvarāvaṁtau gaṇau tatra vimānādavaruhya tau sraṣṭāraṁ sarvalokānāṁ tena sārdhaṁ praṇematuḥ

There the two ganas quickly descended from the celestial car, and together with him bowed down before the creator of all the worlds.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.22.24)

ब्रह्मोवाच । गणावसौ द्विजो धीमान्वेदवेदांगपारगः । स्मृत्युक्ताचारचंचुश्च प्रतीपः पापकर्मसु

brahmovāca gaṇāvasau dvijo dhīmānvedavedāṁgapāragaḥ smṛtyuktācāracaṁcuśca pratīpaḥ pāpakarmasu

Brahma said: "O you two ganas, this wise brahmin, versed in the Vedas and Vedangas, learned in the conduct prescribed by the Smritis, and averse to sinful deeds..."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.22.25)

अयि द्विज महाप्राज्ञ जाने त्वां शिवशर्मक । साधूकृतं त्वया वत्स सुतीर्थप्राणमोक्षणात्

ayi dvija mahāprājña jāne tvāṁ śivaśarmaka sādhūkṛtaṁ tvayā vatsa sutīrthaprāṇamokṣaṇāt

"...O brahmin of great wisdom, I know you, Shivasharma; well have you done, my child, by releasing your life at a most holy place of pilgrimage."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.22.26)

सत्वरं गत्वरं सर्वं यच्चैतद्भवतेक्षितम् । दैनंदिनप्रलयतः सृजामि च पुनः पुनः

satvaraṁ gatvaraṁ sarvaṁ yaccaitadbhavatekṣitam dainaṁdinapralayataḥ sṛjāmi ca punaḥ punaḥ

"All this that you have seen is swiftly passing, transient; through the daily dissolution I create it again and again."

Verse 27 (skanda.4.22.27)

आ वैराजं प्रतिपदमुपसंहरते हरः । का कथा मशकाभानां नृणां मरणधर्मिणाम्

ā vairājaṁ pratipadamupasaṁharate haraḥ kā kathā maśakābhānāṁ nṛṇāṁ maraṇadharmiṇām

"Even up to the Viraja realm, Hara withdraws creation stage by stage; what then need be said of men, mortal by nature, as insignificant as mosquitoes?"

Verse 28 (skanda.4.22.28)

चतुर्षु भूतग्रामेषु ह्येक एव गुणो नृणाम् । तस्मिन्वै भारते वर्षे कर्मभूमौ महीयसि

caturṣu bhūtagrāmeṣu hyeka eva guṇo nṛṇām tasminvai bhārate varṣe karmabhūmau mahīyasi

"Among the four classes of beings, mankind alone possesses this one great virtue: to be born in that great land of Bharata, the field of action."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.22.29)

चपलानि विनिर्जित्येंद्रियाणि मनसा सह । विहाय वैरिणं लोभं विष्वग्गुणगणस्य च

capalāni vinirjityeṁdriyāṇi manasā saha vihāya vairiṇaṁ lobhaṁ viṣvagguṇagaṇasya ca

"There, having conquered the restless senses together with the mind, having abandoned that enemy, greed, the destroyer of every good quality..."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.22.30)

धर्मवंशहरं काममर्थसंचयहारिणम् । जरापलितकर्तारं विनिष्कृत्य विचारतः

dharmavaṁśaharaṁ kāmamarthasaṁcayahāriṇam jarāpalitakartāraṁ viniṣkṛtya vicārataḥ

"...having, through discernment, cast off desire, the destroyer of the lineage of dharma, and greed which steals accumulated wealth, and the cause of old age and grey hair..."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.22.31)

जित्वा क्रोधरिपुं धैर्यात्तपसो यशसः श्रियः । शरीरस्यापि हर्तारं नेतारं तामसीं गतिम्

jitvā krodharipuṁ dhairyāttapaso yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ śarīrasyāpi hartāraṁ netāraṁ tāmasīṁ gatim

"...having conquered through fortitude the enemy anger, which steals away one's penance, fame, prosperity, and even one's very body, and which leads one to a dark and tamasic destiny..."

Verse 32 (skanda.4.22.32)

सदा मदं परित्यज्य प्रमादैकपदप्रदम् । प्रमादैकशरण्यं च संपदां विनिवर्तकम्

sadā madaṁ parityajya pramādaikapadapradam pramādaikaśaraṇyaṁ ca saṁpadāṁ vinivartakam

"...ever abandoning pride, the sole gateway to heedlessness, the sole refuge of carelessness, and the great obstacle to true prosperity..."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.22.33)

सर्वत्र लघुता हेतुमहंकारं विहाय च । दूषणारोपणे यत्नं कुर्वाणं सज्जनेष्वपि

sarvatra laghutā hetumahaṁkāraṁ vihāya ca dūṣaṇāropaṇe yatnaṁ kurvāṇaṁ sajjaneṣvapi

"...and casting aside egotism, the cause of one's belittlement everywhere, which strives even to fasten blame upon the virtuous..."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.22.34)

हित्वा मोहं महाद्रोहरोपणं मतिघातिनम् । अत्यंतमंधीकरणमंधतामिस्रदर्शकम्

hitvā mohaṁ mahādroharopaṇaṁ matighātinam atyaṁtamaṁdhīkaraṇamaṁdhatāmisradarśakam

"...casting aside delusion, which plants great malice, which slays the very intellect, which blinds one utterly, and which shows only the darkest blind hell..."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.22.35)

श्रुतिस्मृतिपुराणोक्तं परिक्षुण्णं महाजनैः । धर्मसोपानमारुह्य यदिहायांति हेलया

śrutismṛtipurāṇoktaṁ parikṣuṇṇaṁ mahājanaiḥ dharmasopānamāruhya yadihāyāṁti helayā

"...and climbing the ladder of dharma taught in the Shruti, Smriti, and Puranas, well-trodden by the great and virtuous, which men here easily ascend..."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.22.36)

कर्मभूमिं समीहंते सर्वे स्वर्गौकसो द्विज । यत्तत्रार्जितभोक्तारः पदेषूच्चावचेष्वमी

karmabhūmiṁ samīhaṁte sarve svargaukaso dvija yattatrārjitabhoktāraḥ padeṣūccāvaceṣvamī

"...O brahmin, all the dwellers of heaven long for this land of action, since it is by what is earned there that they enjoy their various stations, high and low."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.22.37)

नार्यावर्तसुमो देशो न काशी सदृशी पुरी । न विश्वेश समं लिंगं क्वापि बह्मांडमंडले

nāryāvartasumo deśo na kāśī sadṛśī purī na viśveśa samaṁ liṁgaṁ kvāpi bahmāṁḍamaṁḍale

"There is no land equal to Aryavarta, no city equal to Kashi, and nowhere in the entire cosmic sphere is there a Linga equal to Vishvesha."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.22.38)

संति स्वर्गा बहुविधाः सुखेतर विवर्जिता। सुकृतैकफलाः सर्वे युक्ताः सर्वसमृद्धिभिः

saṁti svargā bahuvidhāḥ sukhetara vivarjitā sukṛtaikaphalāḥ sarve yuktāḥ sarvasamṛddhibhiḥ

"There are heavens of many kinds, free of all that is other than happiness, all the sole fruit of good deeds, endowed with every prosperity."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.22.39)

स्वर्लोकादधिकं रम्यं नहि ब्रह्मांडगोलके । सर्वे यतंते स्वर्गाय तपोदानव्रतादिभिः

svarlokādadhikaṁ ramyaṁ nahi brahmāṁḍagolake sarve yataṁte svargāya tapodānavratādibhiḥ

"There is nothing more delightful than Svarloka anywhere in the whole cosmic sphere; everyone strives for heaven through penance, gifts, vows, and the rest."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.22.40)

स्वर्लोकादपिरम्याणि पातालानीति नारदः । प्राह स्वर्गसदां मध्ये पातालेभ्यः समागतः

svarlokādapiramyāṇi pātālānīti nāradaḥ prāha svargasadāṁ madhye pātālebhyaḥ samāgataḥ

"'Even more delightful than Svarloka are the netherworlds,' -- so said Narada, having come from the netherworlds, in the midst of the dwellers of heaven."

Verse 41 (skanda.4.22.41)

आह्लादकारिणः शुभ्रा मणयो यत्र सुप्रभाः । नागांगाभरणप्रोताः पातालं केन तत्समम्

āhlādakāriṇaḥ śubhrā maṇayo yatra suprabhāḥ nāgāṁgābharaṇaprotāḥ pātālaṁ kena tatsamam

"'Where delightful, radiant, brilliant jewels, strung as ornaments upon the bodies of the Nagas, are found -- what can compare to the netherworld?'"

Verse 42 (skanda.4.22.42)

दैत्यदानवकन्याभिरितश्चेतश्च शोभिते । पाताले कस्य न प्रीतिर्विमुक्तस्यापि जायते

daityadānavakanyābhiritaścetaśca śobhite pātāle kasya na prītirvimuktasyāpi jāyate

"'In the netherworld, adorned on every side by the daughters of the Daityas and Danavas, whose heart, even one already liberated, would not delight?'"

Verse 43 (skanda.4.22.43)

दिवार्करश्मयस्तत्र प्रभां तन्वंति नातपम्। शशिनश्च न शीताय निशि द्योताय केवलम्

divārkaraśmayastatra prabhāṁ tanvaṁti nātapam śaśinaśca na śītāya niśi dyotāya kevalam

"'There, by day the sun's rays spread only light, not heat; and by night the moon shines only for illumination, never for cold.'"

Verse 44 (skanda.4.22.44)

यत्र न ज्ञायते कालो गतोपि दनुजादिभिः । वनानि नद्यो रम्याणि सदंभांसि सरांसि च

yatra na jñāyate kālo gatopi danujādibhiḥ vanāni nadyo ramyāṇi sadaṁbhāṁsi sarāṁsi ca

"'Where time itself, though passing, goes unnoticed even by the Danavas and the rest; where there are delightful forests, rivers ever full of water, and lakes...'"

Verse 45 (skanda.4.22.45)

कलाः पुंस्को किलालापाः सुचैलानि शुचीनि च । भूषणान्यतिरम्याणि गंधाद्यमनुलेपनम्

kalāḥ puṁsko kilālāpāḥ sucailāni śucīni ca bhūṣaṇānyatiramyāṇi gaṁdhādyamanulepanam

"'...where there are the sixty-four arts, delightful conversation, fine and pure garments, exceedingly beautiful ornaments, and fragrant unguents...'"

Verse 46 (skanda.4.22.46)

वीणावेणुमृदंगादि निस्वनाः श्रुतिहारिणः । हाटकेशं महालिंगं यत्र वै सर्वकामदम्

vīṇāveṇumṛdaṁgādi nisvanāḥ śrutihāriṇaḥ hāṭakeśaṁ mahāliṁgaṁ yatra vai sarvakāmadam

"'...where the sounds of vina, flute, and mridanga captivate the ear; and where the great Linga called Hatakesha grants every desire.'"

Verse 47 (skanda.4.22.47)

एतान्यन्यानि रम्याणि भोग्योग्यानि दानवैः । दैत्योरगैश्च भुज्यंते पातालांतरगोचरैः

etānyanyāni ramyāṇi bhogyogyāni dānavaiḥ daityoragaiśca bhujyaṁte pātālāṁtaragocaraiḥ

"'These and other delightful things, fit for enjoyment, are enjoyed by the Danavas, Daityas, and Nagas who dwell within the netherworlds.'"

Verse 48 (skanda.4.22.48)

पातालेभ्योपि वै रम्यं द्विज वर्षमिलावृतम्। रत्नसानुं समाश्रित्य परितः परिसंस्थितम्

pātālebhyopi vai ramyaṁ dvija varṣamilāvṛtam ratnasānuṁ samāśritya paritaḥ parisaṁsthitam

"'Yet more delightful than even the netherworlds, O brahmin, is the land of Ilavrita, situated all around, resting upon the jewel-peaked mountain.'"

Verse 49 (skanda.4.22.49)

सदा सुकृतिनो यत्र सर्वभोगभुजो द्विज। नवयौवनसंपन्ना नित्यं यत्र मृगीदृशः

sadā sukṛtino yatra sarvabhogabhujo dvija navayauvanasaṁpannā nityaṁ yatra mṛgīdṛśaḥ

"'There, O brahmin, the meritorious dwell forever, enjoying every pleasure; there the doe-eyed women remain ever endowed with fresh, unfading youth.'"

Verse 50 (skanda.4.22.50)

भोगभूमिरियं प्रोक्ता श्रेयो विनिमयार्जिता । भुज्यते त्वद्विधैर्लोकैस्तीर्थाभित्यक्त देहकैः

bhogabhūmiriyaṁ proktā śreyo vinimayārjitā bhujyate tvadvidhairlokaistīrthābhityakta dehakaiḥ

This land is declared to be a land of enjoyment, earned in exchange for merit; it is enjoyed by souls such as you, who have given up the body at a holy place...

Verse 51 (skanda.4.22.51)

अक्लीबभाषिभिश्चापि पुत्रक्षेत्राद्यहीनकैः । परोपकारसंक्षीणसुखायुर्धनसंचयैः

aklībabhāṣibhiścāpi putrakṣetrādyahīnakaiḥ paropakārasaṁkṣīṇasukhāyurdhanasaṁcayaiḥ

...who spoke only what was manly and forthright, who lacked sons, fields, and the like, and whose comfort, lifespan, and accumulated wealth were spent away in helping others.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.22.52)

संति द्वीपा ह्यनेका वै पारावारांतरस्थिताः । जंबूद्वीपसमो द्वीपो न क्वापि जगतीतले

saṁti dvīpā hyanekā vai pārāvārāṁtarasthitāḥ jaṁbūdvīpasamo dvīpo na kvāpi jagatītale

There are indeed many continents, lying amid the oceans; yet no continent anywhere on this earth equals Jambudvipa.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.22.53)

तत्रापि नववर्षाणि भारतं तत्र चोत्तमम् । कर्मभूमिरियं प्रोक्ता देवानामपिदुर्लभा

tatrāpi navavarṣāṇi bhārataṁ tatra cottamam karmabhūmiriyaṁ proktā devānāmapidurlabhā

Within it are nine lands, and among them Bharata is the finest; this land of action is declared to be hard to attain even for the gods.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.22.54)

अष्टौ किंपुरुषादीनि देवभोग्यानि तानि तु । तेषु स्वर्गात्समागत्य रमंते त्रिदिवौकसः

aṣṭau kiṁpuruṣādīni devabhogyāni tāni tu teṣu svargātsamāgatya ramaṁte tridivaukasaḥ

The other eight lands, beginning with Kimpurusha, are lands of divine enjoyment; the dwellers of heaven come down from Svarga to take their pleasure there.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.22.55)

योजनानां सहस्राणि नवविस्तारतस्त्विदम् । भारतं प्रथमं वर्षं मेरोर्दक्षिणतः स्थितम्

yojanānāṁ sahasrāṇi navavistāratastvidam bhārataṁ prathamaṁ varṣaṁ merordakṣiṇataḥ sthitam

This Bharata, the first of the lands, extends nine thousand yojanas in width, situated to the south of Meru.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.22.56)

तत्रापि हिमविंध्याद्रेरंतरं पुण्यदं परम् । गंगायमुनयोर्मध्ये ह्यंतर्वेदी भुवः पराः

tatrāpi himaviṁdhyādreraṁtaraṁ puṇyadaṁ param gaṁgāyamunayormadhye hyaṁtarvedī bhuvaḥ parāḥ

Within it, the region between the Himalaya and Vindhya mountains bestows the greatest merit; and between the Ganga and Yamuna lies the supreme Antarvedi of the earth.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.22.57)

कुरुक्षेत्रं हि सर्वेषां क्षेत्राणामधिकं ततः । ततोपि नैमिषारण्यं स्वर्गसाधनमुत्तमम्

kurukṣetraṁ hi sarveṣāṁ kṣetrāṇāmadhikaṁ tataḥ tatopi naimiṣāraṇyaṁ svargasādhanamuttamam

Kurukshetra indeed surpasses all other holy fields; and even beyond Kurukshetra is Naimisharanya, the finest means of attaining heaven.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.22.58)

नैमिषारण्यतोपीह सर्वस्मिन्क्षितिमंडले । सर्वेभ्योपि हि तीर्थेभ्यस्तीर्थराजो विशिष्यते

naimiṣāraṇyatopīha sarvasminkṣitimaṁḍale sarvebhyopi hi tīrthebhyastīrtharājo viśiṣyate

And even beyond Naimisharanya, throughout this entire circle of the earth, the King of Holy Places surpasses every other holy place.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.22.59)

स्वर्गदोमोक्षदश्चैव सर्वकामफलप्रदः । प्रयागस्तन्महत्क्षेत्रं तीर्थराज इति स्मृतः

svargadomokṣadaścaiva sarvakāmaphalapradaḥ prayāgastanmahatkṣetraṁ tīrtharāja iti smṛtaḥ

That great field, granting both heaven and liberation, and bestowing the fruit of every desire, is Prayaga, known as the King of Holy Places.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.22.60)

यागाः सर्वे मया पूर्वं तुलया विधृता द्विज । तच्च तीर्थवरं रम्यं कामिकं कामपूरणात

yāgāḥ sarve mayā pūrvaṁ tulayā vidhṛtā dvija tacca tīrthavaraṁ ramyaṁ kāmikaṁ kāmapūraṇāta

"All sacrifices, O brahmin, I once weighed upon a balance-scale; and that excellent, delightful holy place, granter of desires, fulfills every wish."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.22.61)

दृष्ट्वा प्रकृष्टयागेभ्यः पुष्टेभ्यो दक्षिणादिभिः । प्रयागमिति तन्नाम कृतं हरिहरादिभिः

dṛṣṭvā prakṛṣṭayāgebhyaḥ puṣṭebhyo dakṣiṇādibhiḥ prayāgamiti tannāma kṛtaṁ hariharādibhiḥ

"Seeing it as surpassing even the greatest sacrifices, rich as they are with sacrificial fees and the rest, Hari, Hara, and the other gods gave it the name Prayaga."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.22.62)

नाममात्रस्मृतेर्यस्य प्रयागस्य त्रिकालतः । स्मर्तुः शरीरे नो जातु पापं वसति कुत्रचित्

nāmamātrasmṛteryasya prayāgasya trikālataḥ smartuḥ śarīre no jātu pāpaṁ vasati kutracit

"In the body of one who but remembers the name of Prayaga alone, three times a day, sin can never at any time abide, anywhere."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.22.63)

संति तीर्थान्यनेकानि पापत्राणकराणि च । न शक्तान्यधिकं दातुं कृतैनः परिशुद्धितः

saṁti tīrthānyanekāni pāpatrāṇakarāṇi ca na śaktānyadhikaṁ dātuṁ kṛtainaḥ pariśuddhitaḥ

"There are many holy places that grant deliverance from sin; but none of them are able to grant more than the mere purification of committed sin."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.22.64)

जन्मांतरेष्वसंख्येषु यः कृतः पापसंचयः । दुष्प्रणोद्यो हि नितरां व्रतैर्दानैस्तपोजपैः

janmāṁtareṣvasaṁkhyeṣu yaḥ kṛtaḥ pāpasaṁcayaḥ duṣpraṇodyo hi nitarāṁ vratairdānaistapojapaiḥ

"The accumulation of sin committed across countless past births is exceedingly difficult to dispel through vows, gifts, penance, or japa."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.22.65)

स तीर्थराजगमनोद्यतस्य शुभजन्मनः । अंगेषु वेपतेऽत्यंतं द्रुमो वातहतो यथा

sa tīrtharājagamanodyatasya śubhajanmanaḥ aṁgeṣu vepate'tyaṁtaṁ drumo vātahato yathā

"Yet in the limbs of one of blessed birth, setting out for the King of Holy Places, that sin trembles violently, like a tree struck by the wind."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.22.66)

ततः क्रांतार्धमार्गस्य प्रयाग दृढचेतसः । पुंसः शरीरान्निर्यातुमपेक्षेत पदांतरम्

tataḥ krāṁtārdhamārgasya prayāga dṛḍhacetasaḥ puṁsaḥ śarīrānniryātumapekṣeta padāṁtaram

"Then, once that resolute man has crossed half the way to Prayaga, that sin, in order to leave his body, waits only for a few more steps."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.22.67)

भाग्यान्नेत्रातिथीभूते तीर्थराजे महात्मनः । पलायते द्रुततरं तमः सूर्योदये यथा

bhāgyānnetrātithībhūte tīrtharāje mahātmanaḥ palāyate drutataraṁ tamaḥ sūryodaye yathā

"And when, by good fortune, the King of Holy Places at last becomes a guest before the eyes of that great soul, it flees swiftly away, like darkness at sunrise."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.22.68)

सप्तधातुमयी भूततनौ पापानि यानि वै । केशेषु तानि तिष्ठंति वपनाद्यांति तान्यपि

saptadhātumayī bhūtatanau pāpāni yāni vai keśeṣu tāni tiṣṭhaṁti vapanādyāṁti tānyapi

"Whatever sins remain in the seven-substanced body made of the elements, they take refuge in the hair; and through the shaving of the head, they too depart."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.22.69)

एवं निष्कलुषीभूय ततः स्नायात्सितासिते । यंयं काममभिध्यायंस्तं तमाप्नोति नान्यथा

evaṁ niṣkaluṣībhūya tataḥ snāyātsitāsite yaṁyaṁ kāmamabhidhyāyaṁstaṁ tamāpnoti nānyathā

"Thus become free of taint, one should then bathe at the confluence of the white and dark rivers; whatever desire he meditates upon there, that alone he obtains, and never otherwise."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.22.70)

पुण्यराशिं च विपुलं पुण्यान्भोगान्यथेप्सितान् । स्वर्गं प्राप्नोति तत्पुण्यान्निष्कामो मोक्षमाप्नुयात्

puṇyarāśiṁ ca vipulaṁ puṇyānbhogānyathepsitān svargaṁ prāpnoti tatpuṇyānniṣkāmo mokṣamāpnuyāt

"He obtains a vast store of merit, meritorious pleasures as desired, and heaven, through that merit; and he who is free of desire obtains liberation."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.22.71)

स्नायाद्योभिलषन्मोक्षं कामानन्यान्विहाय च । सोपि मोक्षमवाप्नोति कामदात्तीर्थराजतः

snāyādyobhilaṣanmokṣaṁ kāmānanyānvihāya ca sopi mokṣamavāpnoti kāmadāttīrtharājataḥ

"He who bathes there desiring liberation, having set aside all other desires, he too obtains liberation, from that King of Holy Places who grants every desire."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.22.72)

तीर्थराजं परित्यज्य योऽन्यस्मात्काममिच्छति । भारताख्ये महावर्षे स कामं नाप्नुयात्स्फुटम्

tīrtharājaṁ parityajya yo'nyasmātkāmamicchati bhāratākhye mahāvarṣe sa kāmaṁ nāpnuyātsphuṭam

"Whoever, forsaking the King of Holy Places, seeks his desire from another source, in this great land called Bharata, he will surely not obtain his desire."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.22.73)

सत्यलोके प्रयागे च नांतरं वेद्म्यहं द्विज । तत्र ये शुभकर्माणस्ते मल्लोकनिवासिनः

satyaloke prayāge ca nāṁtaraṁ vedmyahaṁ dvija tatra ye śubhakarmāṇaste mallokanivāsinaḥ

"Between Satyaloka and Prayaga, O brahmin, I myself know no difference; those who perform good deeds there become dwellers of my own world."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.22.74)

तीर्थाभिलाषिभिर्मर्त्यैस्सेव्यं तीर्थांतरं नहि । अन्यत्र भूमिवलये तीर्थराजात्प्रया गतः

tīrthābhilāṣibhirmartyaissevyaṁ tīrthāṁtaraṁ nahi anyatra bhūmivalaye tīrtharājātprayā gataḥ

"Mortals desirous of holy places should resort to no other holy place; there is nowhere else in this whole circle of the earth to go, once one has come to the King of Holy Places."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.22.75)

यथांतरं द्विजश्रेष्ठ भूपेत्वितरसेवके । दृष्टांतमात्रं कथितं प्रयागेतर तीर्थयोः

yathāṁtaraṁ dvijaśreṣṭha bhūpetvitarasevake dṛṣṭāṁtamātraṁ kathitaṁ prayāgetara tīrthayoḥ

"O best of brahmins, just as there is a difference between a king and a servant of others, so has this example only been given, of the difference between Prayaga and other holy places."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.22.76)

यथाकथंचित्तीर्थेऽस्मिन्प्राणत्यागं करोति यः । तस्यात्मघातदोषो न प्राप्नुयादीप्सितान्यपि

yathākathaṁcittīrthe'sminprāṇatyāgaṁ karoti yaḥ tasyātmaghātadoṣo na prāpnuyādīpsitānyapi

"Whoever gives up his life at this holy place, in whatever manner, incurs no sin of suicide, and attains even all that he desired."

Verse 77 (skanda.4.22.77)

यस्य भाग्यवतश्चात्र तिष्ठंत्यस्थीन्यपि द्विज । न तस्य दुःखलेशोपि क्वापि जन्मनि जायते

yasya bhāgyavataścātra tiṣṭhaṁtyasthīnyapi dvija na tasya duḥkhaleśopi kvāpi janmani jāyate

"O brahmin, that fortunate man whose very bones remain here, for him not even the slightest trace of sorrow arises in any birth."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.22.78)

ब्रह्महत्यादि पापानां प्रायश्चित्तं चिकीर्षुणा । प्रयागं विधिवत्सेव्यं द्विजवाक्यान्न संशयः

brahmahatyādi pāpānāṁ prāyaścittaṁ cikīrṣuṇā prayāgaṁ vidhivatsevyaṁ dvijavākyānna saṁśayaḥ

"By one who desires expiation for the sin of brahmin-murder and the like, Prayaga should be duly resorted to, according to the word of the brahmins -- of this there is no doubt."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.22.79)

किं बहूक्तेन विप्रेंद्र महोदयमभीप्सुना । सेव्यं सितासितं तीर्थं प्रकृष्टं जगतीतले

kiṁ bahūktena vipreṁdra mahodayamabhīpsunā sevyaṁ sitāsitaṁ tīrthaṁ prakṛṣṭaṁ jagatītale

"What need of many words, O foremost of brahmins? Let one who desires great prosperity resort to that holy confluence of the white and dark rivers, the most excellent place upon this earth."

Verse 80 (skanda.4.22.80)

प्रयागतोपि तीर्थेशात्सर्वेषु भुवनेष्वपि । अनायासेन वै मुक्तिः काश्यां देहावसानतः

prayāgatopi tīrtheśātsarveṣu bhuvaneṣvapi anāyāsena vai muktiḥ kāśyāṁ dehāvasānataḥ

"Yet even beyond Prayaga, the lord of holy places, in all the worlds, liberation without the slightest effort comes in Kashi, simply through the ending of the body there."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.22.81)

प्रयागादपि वै रम्यमविमुक्तं न संशयः । यत्र विश्वेश्वरः साक्षात्स्वयं समधितिष्ठति

prayāgādapi vai ramyamavimuktaṁ na saṁśayaḥ yatra viśveśvaraḥ sākṣātsvayaṁ samadhitiṣṭhati

"More delightful even than Prayaga, without doubt, is Avimukta, where Vishveshvara himself, in person, abides."

Verse 82 (skanda.4.22.82)

अविमुक्तान्महाक्षेत्राद्विश्वेश समधिष्ठितात् । न च किंचित्क्वचिद्रम्यमिह ब्रह्मांडगोलके

avimuktānmahākṣetrādviśveśa samadhiṣṭhitāt na ca kiṁcitkvacidramyamiha brahmāṁḍagolake

"There is nothing anywhere in this cosmic sphere more delightful than the great field of Avimukta, presided over by Vishvesha."

Verse 83 (skanda.4.22.83)

अविमुक्तमिदं क्षेत्रमपि ब्रह्मांडमध्यगम् । ब्रह्मांडमध्ये न भवेत्पंचक्रोशप्रमाणतः

avimuktamidaṁ kṣetramapi brahmāṁḍamadhyagam brahmāṁḍamadhye na bhavetpaṁcakrośapramāṇataḥ

"This field of Avimukta, though situated at the very center of the cosmic egg, does not exceed, in its measure of five kroshas, the center of that cosmic egg."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.22.84)

यथायथा हि वर्धेत जलमेकार्णवस्य च । तथातथोन्नयेदीशस्तत्क्षेत्रं प्रलयादपि

yathāyathā hi vardheta jalamekārṇavasya ca tathātathonnayedīśastatkṣetraṁ pralayādapi

"Just as, and to whatever degree, the waters of the single ocean of dissolution rise, to that same degree the Lord lifts up that field, even above the deluge itself."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.22.85)

क्षेत्रमेतत्त्रिशूलाग्रे शूलिनस्तिष्ठति द्विज । अंतरिक्षेन भूमिष्ठं नेक्षंते मूढबुद्धयः

kṣetrametattriśūlāgre śūlinastiṣṭhati dvija aṁtarikṣena bhūmiṣṭhaṁ nekṣaṁte mūḍhabuddhayaḥ

"This field, O brahmin, rests upon the very tip of the Trident-bearer's trident, in the sky itself; the dull-witted, however, do not perceive it, thinking it merely fixed upon the earth."

Verse 86 (skanda.4.22.86)

सदा कृतयुगं चात्र महापर्वसदाऽत्र वै । न ग्रहाऽस्तोदयकृतो दोषो विश्वेश्वराश्रमे

sadā kṛtayugaṁ cātra mahāparvasadā'tra vai na grahā'stodayakṛto doṣo viśveśvarāśrame

"Here it is always the Krita Yuga, here it is always a great sacred occasion; in the abode of Vishveshvara, there is no such thing as inauspiciousness caused by the rising or setting of planets."

Verse 87 (skanda.4.22.87)

सदा सौम्यायनं तत्र सदा तत्र महोदयः । सदैव मंगलं तत्र यत्र विश्वेश्वरस्थितिः

sadā saumyāyanaṁ tatra sadā tatra mahodayaḥ sadaiva maṁgalaṁ tatra yatra viśveśvarasthitiḥ

"There it is always the auspicious northward course of the sun, there it is always a time of great rising fortune; wherever Vishveshvara abides, there it is ever auspicious."

Verse 88 (skanda.4.22.88)

यथाभूमितले विप्र पुर्यः संति सहस्रशः । तथा काशी न मंतव्या क्वापि लोकोत्तरात्वियम्

yathābhūmitale vipra puryaḥ saṁti sahasraśaḥ tathā kāśī na maṁtavyā kvāpi lokottarātviyam

"O brahmin, just as there are thousands of cities upon the surface of the earth, Kashi should never be reckoned merely among them; for this city is beyond the ordinary, unlike any other."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.22.89)

मया सृष्टानि विप्रेंद्र भुवनानि चतुर्दश । अस्याः पुर्या विनिर्माता स्वयं विश्वेश्वरः प्रभुः

mayā sṛṣṭāni vipreṁdra bhuvanāni caturdaśa asyāḥ puryā vinirmātā svayaṁ viśveśvaraḥ prabhuḥ

"O foremost of brahmins, the fourteen worlds were created by me; but the maker of this city is Lord Vishveshvara himself."

Verse 90 (skanda.4.22.90)

पुरा यमस्तपस्तप्त्वा बहुकालं सुदुष्करम् । त्रैलोक्याधिकृतिं प्राप्तस्त्यक्त्वा वाराणसीं पुरीम्

purā yamastapastaptvā bahukālaṁ suduṣkaram trailokyādhikṛtiṁ prāptastyaktvā vārāṇasīṁ purīm

"Long ago, Yama, having performed exceedingly difficult penance for a long time, attained authority over the three worlds -- but only after he left the city of Varanasi."

Verse 91 (skanda.4.22.91)

चराचरस्य सर्वस्य यानि कर्माणि तानि वै । गोचरे चित्रगुप्तस्य काशीवासिकृतादृते

carācarasya sarvasya yāni karmāṇi tāni vai gocare citraguptasya kāśīvāsikṛtādṛte

"All the deeds of every moving and unmoving being fall within the purview of Chitragupta -- except for those performed by a dweller of Kashi."

Verse 92 (skanda.4.22.92)

प्रवेशो यमदूतानां न कदाचिद्द्विजोत्तम । मध्ये काशीपुरी क्वापि रक्षिणस्तत्र तद्गणाः

praveśo yamadūtānāṁ na kadāciddvijottama madhye kāśīpurī kvāpi rakṣiṇastatra tadgaṇāḥ

"O best of brahmins, the servants of Yama never at any time gain entry anywhere within the city of Kashi; there, other guardian hosts protect it instead."

Verse 93 (skanda.4.22.93)

स्वयं नियंता विश्वेशस्तत्र काश्यां तनुत्यजाम् । तत्रापि कृतपापानां नियंता कालभैरवः

svayaṁ niyaṁtā viśveśastatra kāśyāṁ tanutyajām tatrāpi kṛtapāpānāṁ niyaṁtā kālabhairavaḥ

"There in Kashi, Vishvesha himself is the ruler over those who give up their bodies; and even there, over those who have committed sin, Kalabhairava is the ruler."

Verse 94 (skanda.4.22.94)

तत्र पापं न कर्तव्यं दारुणा रुद्रयातना । अहो रुद्रपिशाचत्वं नरकेभ्योपि दुःसहम्

tatra pāpaṁ na kartavyaṁ dāruṇā rudrayātanā aho rudrapiśācatvaṁ narakebhyopi duḥsaham

"Therefore no sin should ever be committed there, for Rudra's punishment is terrible; ah, becoming a ghost under Rudra's own curse is more unbearable than even the hells themselves."

Verse 95 (skanda.4.22.95)

पापमेव हि कर्तव्यं मतिरस्ति यदीदृशी । सुखेनान्यत्र कर्तव्यं मही ह्यस्ति महीयसी

pāpameva hi kartavyaṁ matirasti yadīdṛśī sukhenānyatra kartavyaṁ mahī hyasti mahīyasī

"If one's mind is so set on committing sin, let it be committed elsewhere instead, at ease -- for the earth is vast indeed, beyond this one place."

Verse 96 (skanda.4.22.96)

अपि कामातुरो जंतुरेकां रक्षति मातरम् । अपि पापकृता काशी रक्ष्या मोक्षार्थिनैकिका

api kāmāturo jaṁturekāṁ rakṣati mātaram api pāpakṛtā kāśī rakṣyā mokṣārthinaikikā

"Even a creature overcome by lust still protects his one mother; so too Kashi, even by one intent on sin, should be protected, as the one place sought by seekers of liberation."

Verse 97 (skanda.4.22.97)

परापवादशीलेन परदाराभिलाषिणा । तेन काशी न संसेव्या क्व काशी निरयः क्व सः

parāpavādaśīlena paradārābhilāṣiṇā tena kāśī na saṁsevyā kva kāśī nirayaḥ kva saḥ

"By one given to slandering others, by one who lusts after another's wife, Kashi should not be resorted to at all -- where is Kashi, and where is hell, and where is he?"

Verse 98 (skanda.4.22.98)

अभिलष्यंति ये नित्यं धनं चात्र प्रतिग्रहैः । परस्वं कपटैर्वापि काशी सेव्या न तैर्नरैः

abhilaṣyaṁti ye nityaṁ dhanaṁ cātra pratigrahaiḥ parasvaṁ kapaṭairvāpi kāśī sevyā na tairnaraiḥ

"Those who constantly covet wealth here through improper gifts, or another's property through deceit -- Kashi should not be resorted to by such men."

Verse 99 (skanda.4.22.99)

परपीडाकरं कर्म काश्यां नित्यं विवर्जयेत् । तदेव चेत्किमत्र स्यात्काशीवासो दुरात्मनाम्

parapīḍākaraṁ karma kāśyāṁ nityaṁ vivarjayet tadeva cetkimatra syātkāśīvāso durātmanām

"One should always avoid, in Kashi, any deed that causes pain to another; for if that very thing is done, what use then is the dwelling in Kashi of such wicked souls?"

Verse 100 (skanda.4.22.100)

त्यक्त्वा वैश्वेश्वरीं भक्तिं येऽन्यदेवपरायणाः । सर्वथा तैर्न वस्तव्या राजधानी पिनाकिनः

tyaktvā vaiśveśvarīṁ bhaktiṁ ye'nyadevaparāyaṇāḥ sarvathā tairna vastavyā rājadhānī pinākinaḥ

"Those who, abandoning devotion to Vishveshvara, are wholly devoted to other gods -- by them the capital city of the Trident-bearer should never at all be dwelt in."

Verse 101 (skanda.4.22.101)

अर्थार्थिनस्तु ये विप्र ये च कामार्थिनो नराः । अविमुक्तं न तैः सेव्यं मोक्षक्षेत्रमिदं यतः

arthārthinastu ye vipra ye ca kāmārthino narāḥ avimuktaṁ na taiḥ sevyaṁ mokṣakṣetramidaṁ yataḥ

"As for those men, O brahmin, who seek wealth, or who seek pleasure -- Avimukta should not be resorted to by them, since this is a field meant for liberation alone."

Verse 102 (skanda.4.22.102)

शिवनिंदापरा ये च वेदनिंदा पराश्च ये । वेदाचारप्रतीपा ये सेव्या वाराणसी न तैः

śivaniṁdāparā ye ca vedaniṁdā parāśca ye vedācārapratīpā ye sevyā vārāṇasī na taiḥ

"Those devoted to reviling Shiva, those devoted to reviling the Vedas, and those opposed to the conduct prescribed by the Vedas -- by them Varanasi should not be resorted to."

Verse 103 (skanda.4.22.103)

परद्रोहधियो ये च परेर्ष्याकारिणश्च ये । परोपतापिनो ये वै तेषां काशी न सिद्धये

paradrohadhiyo ye ca parerṣyākāriṇaśca ye paropatāpino ye vai teṣāṁ kāśī na siddhaye

"Those whose minds are set on malice toward others, those who are envious of others, and those who torment others -- for them, Kashi does not lead to success."

Verse 104 (skanda.4.22.104)

मनसापि न ये काशीमभिनंदंति दुर्धियः । तेषां निर्वाणवार्तापि दूरे दुर्वृत्तचेतसाम्

manasāpi na ye kāśīmabhinaṁdaṁti durdhiyaḥ teṣāṁ nirvāṇavārtāpi dūre durvṛttacetasām

"Those of evil mind who do not rejoice in Kashi even mentally -- for those of wicked disposition, even the mere talk of liberation lies far away."

Verse 105 (skanda.4.22.105)

ज्ञानेन न विना मोक्षः क्वचिदस्तीह भूतले । तज्ज्ञानं न व्रतैर्लभ्यमपि चांद्रायणादिभिः

jñānena na vinā mokṣaḥ kvacidastīha bhūtale tajjñānaṁ na vratairlabhyamapi cāṁdrāyaṇādibhiḥ

"Without knowledge, there is nowhere on this earth a liberation to be had; and that knowledge cannot be obtained through vows, even through the Chandrayana and the like."

Verse 106 (skanda.4.22.106)

तुलापुरुषमुख्यैश्च दानैश्च श्रद्धयान्वितैः । देशकाले च विधिना पात्रेभ्यः प्रतिपादितैः

tulāpuruṣamukhyaiśca dānaiśca śraddhayānvitaiḥ deśakāle ca vidhinā pātrebhyaḥ pratipāditaiḥ

"It cannot be obtained through gifts such as Tulapurusha and the rest, given with faith, at the proper place and time, according to rule, to worthy recipients..."

Verse 107 (skanda.4.22.107)

न यमैर्ब्रह्मचर्याद्यैर्नियमैर्नार्चनादिभि. । शरीरशोषणैरुग्रैर्न तपोभिर्द्विजोत्तम

na yamairbrahmacaryādyairniyamairnārcanādibhi. śarīraśoṣaṇairugrairna tapobhirdvijottama

"...nor through the yamas such as celibacy, nor through the niyamas, nor through worship and the like, nor, O best of brahmins, through fierce penances that waste away the body."

Verse 108 (skanda.4.22.108)

न महामंत्रजप्यैश्च गुरुभिः प्रतिपादितैः । न स्वाध्यायैर्यथोक्तैश्च नाग्निशुश्रूषणैः परैः

na mahāmaṁtrajapyaiśca gurubhiḥ pratipāditaiḥ na svādhyāyairyathoktaiśca nāgniśuśrūṣaṇaiḥ paraiḥ

"Nor through the japa of the great mantras taught by one's guru, nor through the study of scripture as prescribed, nor through the highest tending of the sacred fire."

Verse 109 (skanda.4.22.109)

न सेवया गुरूणां च न श्राद्धैर्देवतार्चनैः । न नानातीर्थयात्राभिर्ज्ञानं समधिगम्यते

na sevayā gurūṇāṁ ca na śrāddhairdevatārcanaiḥ na nānātīrthayātrābhirjñānaṁ samadhigamyate

"Neither through service to one's teachers, nor through Shraddha rites, nor through the worship of deities, nor through pilgrimage to the various holy places, is that knowledge ever attained."

Verse 110 (skanda.4.22.110)

न योगेन विना ज्ञानं योगस्तत्त्वार्थशीलनम् । गुरूपदिष्टमार्गेण सदाभ्यासवशेन च

na yogena vinā jñānaṁ yogastattvārthaśīlanam gurūpadiṣṭamārgeṇa sadābhyāsavaśena ca

"Without yoga, there is no knowledge; and yoga is the constant practice of the truths of reality, following the path taught by one's guru, and through ceaseless perseverance."

Verse 111 (skanda.4.22.111)

तस्यांतराया बहवः सुदूरश्रवणादयः । अतो न प्राप्यते ज्ञानं योगादेकेन जन्मना

tasyāṁtarāyā bahavaḥ sudūraśravaṇādayaḥ ato na prāpyate jñānaṁ yogādekena janmanā

"For that yoga, there are many obstacles, such as its very teaching being exceedingly hard to hear even of; therefore knowledge through yoga is not attained in just a single birth."

Verse 112 (skanda.4.22.112)

विना तपो जपाद्यैश्च विना योगेन सुव्रत । निःश्रेयो लभ्यते काश्यामिहैकेनैव जन्मना

vinā tapo japādyaiśca vinā yogena suvrata niḥśreyo labhyate kāśyāmihaikenaiva janmanā

"Yet, O virtuous one, without penance, japa, and the rest, and without yoga, the highest good is obtained here in Kashi in a single birth alone."

Verse 113 (skanda.4.22.113)

त्वया शुद्धधिया काश्यां यच्छ्रेयः समुपार्जितम् । तच्छ्रेयसोप्युदर्कस्ते महानस्ति द्विजोत्तम

tvayā śuddhadhiyā kāśyāṁ yacchreyaḥ samupārjitam tacchreyasopyudarkaste mahānasti dvijottama

"O best of brahmins, whatever good you, of pure mind, have earned in Kashi -- the future fruit of that good is destined to be even greater for you still."

Verse 114 (skanda.4.22.114)

उक्तेति विररामाजः शृण्वतोर्गणयोस्तयोः । सोपि प्रमुदितश्चाभूच्छिवशर्मा महामनाः

ukteti virarāmājaḥ śṛṇvatorgaṇayostayoḥ sopi pramuditaścābhūcchivaśarmā mahāmanāḥ

Having said this, the Unborn One fell silent, while the two ganas listened; and the noble-hearted Shivasharma too became filled with joy.