The Secret of Kashi: Shiva's Discourse to the Brahmins

Verse 1 (skanda.4.64.1)

॥अगस्त्य उवाच॥ दृष्ट्वा भूदेवताः शंभुं किमाचख्युः षडानन ॥ कानिकानि च लिंगानि तत्र तान्यपिचक्ष्व मे

||agastya uvāca|| dṛṣṭvā bhūdevatāḥ śaṁbhuṁ kimācakhyuḥ ṣaḍānana || kānikāni ca liṁgāni tatra tānyapicakṣva me

Agastya said: "O Six-Faced One, having seen Shambhu, what did the earthly gods say? And what lingas were there - tell me those too."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.64.2)

ज्येष्ठस्थाने महापुण्ये देवदेवस्य वल्लभे ॥ आश्चर्यं किमभूत्तत्र तदाचक्ष्व षडानन

jyeṣṭhasthāne mahāpuṇye devadevasya vallabhe || āścaryaṁ kimabhūttatra tadācakṣva ṣaḍānana

"At Jyeshthasthana, greatly sacred, beloved of the God of Gods - what wonder occurred there? Tell me that, O Six-Faced One."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.64.3)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ शृण्वगस्त्य यथा पृच्छि भवता तद्ब्रवीम्यहम् ॥ मंदराद्रिं यदा देवो गतवान्ब्रह्मगौरवात्

||skaṁda uvāca|| śṛṇvagastya yathā pṛcchi bhavatā tadbravīmyaham || maṁdarādriṁ yadā devo gatavānbrahmagauravāt

Skanda said: "Listen, Agastya - I shall tell you just as you have asked. When the god had gone to Mount Mandara out of regard for Brahma..."

Verse 4 (skanda.4.64.4)

तदा निराश्रया विप्राः क्षेत्रसंन्यासिनोनघाः ॥ उपाकृताश्चाविरतं महाक्षेत्रप्रतिग्रहात्

tadā nirāśrayā viprāḥ kṣetrasaṁnyāsinonaghāḥ || upākṛtāścāvirataṁ mahākṣetrapratigrahāt

"-at that time, the sinless Brahmins who had renounced all else for the sacred field, without shelter, were sustained ceaselessly by the acceptance of gifts given for the great field."

Verse 5 (skanda.4.64.5)

खातंखातं च दंडाग्रैर्भूमिं कंदादिवृत्तयः ॥ चक्रुः पुष्करिणीं रम्यां दंडखाताभिधां मुने

khātaṁkhātaṁ ca daṁḍāgrairbhūmiṁ kaṁdādivṛttayaḥ || cakruḥ puṣkariṇīṁ ramyāṁ daṁḍakhātābhidhāṁ mune

"O sage, living on roots and the like, digging the earth again and again with the tips of their staffs, they made a lovely pond named Dandakhata."

Verse 6 (skanda.4.64.6)

तत्तीर्थं परितः स्थाप्य महालिंगान्यनेकशः ॥ महेशाराधनपरास्तपश्चक्रुः प्रयत्नतः

tattīrthaṁ paritaḥ sthāpya mahāliṁgānyanekaśaḥ || maheśārādhanaparāstapaścakruḥ prayatnataḥ

"Establishing many great lingas all around that tirtha, devoted to the worship of Mahesha, they performed austerity with effort."

Verse 7 (skanda.4.64.7)

विभूतिधारिणो नित्यं नित्यरुद्राक्षधारिणः ॥ लिंगपूजारता नित्यं शतरुद्रियजापिनः

vibhūtidhāriṇo nityaṁ nityarudrākṣadhāriṇaḥ || liṁgapūjāratā nityaṁ śatarudriyajāpinaḥ

"Ever bearing sacred ash, ever wearing rudraksha beads, ever devoted to linga-worship, reciting the Shatarudriya hymn."

Verse 8 (skanda.4.64.8)

ते श्रुत्वा देवदेवस्य पुनरागमनं मुने ॥ तपःकृशा अतितरामासुरानंद मेदुराः

te śrutvā devadevasya punarāgamanaṁ mune || tapaḥkṛśā atitarāmāsurānaṁda medurāḥ

O sage, they, hearing of the God of Gods' return, emaciated by austerity, became overflowing with more than divine joy.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.64.9)

द्विजाः पंचसहस्राणि चरतो विपुलं तपः ॥ दंडखातान्महातीर्थादाजग्मुर्देवदर्शने

dvijāḥ paṁcasahasrāṇi carato vipulaṁ tapaḥ || daṁḍakhātānmahātīrthādājagmurdevadarśane

Five thousand Brahmins, practicing extensive austerity, came from the great tirtha of Dandakhata to behold the god.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.64.10)

तीर्थान्मंदाकिनी नाम्नो द्विजाः पाशुपतव्रताः ॥ शिवैकाराधनपराः समेता अयुतोन्मिताः

tīrthānmaṁdākinī nāmno dvijāḥ pāśupatavratāḥ || śivaikārādhanaparāḥ sametā ayutonmitāḥ

Ten thousand Brahmins, observers of the Pashupata vow, devoted solely to the worship of Shiva, gathered from the tirtha named Mandakini.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.64.11)

हंसतीर्थात्परिप्राप्ता अयुतं त्रिशतोत्तरम् ॥ शतदुर्वाससस्तीर्थादेकादश शताधिकम्

haṁsatīrthātpariprāptā ayutaṁ triśatottaram || śatadurvāsasastīrthādekādaśa śatādhikam

Ten thousand three hundred came from Hamsa-tirtha; eleven hundred came from the tirtha of Shata-Durvasas.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.64.12)

मत्स्योदर्याः परापेतुः सहस्राणि षडेव हि ॥ कपालमोचनात्सप्त शतान्यभ्यागता द्विजाः

matsyodaryāḥ parāpetuḥ sahasrāṇi ṣaḍeva hi || kapālamocanātsapta śatānyabhyāgatā dvijāḥ

Six thousand indeed came from Matsyodari; seven hundred Brahmins came from Kapalamochana.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.64.13)

ऋणमोचनतस्तीर्थात्सहस्रं द्विशताधिकम् ॥ वैतरण्या अपि मुने द्विजानामयुतार्धकम्

ṛṇamocanatastīrthātsahasraṁ dviśatādhikam || vaitaraṇyā api mune dvijānāmayutārdhakam

From Rinamochana tirtha, twelve hundred; O sage, from Vaitarani, five thousand Brahmins.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.64.14)

ततः पृथूदकात्कुंडात्पृथुना परिखानितात् ॥ अयासिषुर्द्विजानां च शतान्येव त्रयोदश

tataḥ pṛthūdakātkuṁḍātpṛthunā parikhānitāt || ayāsiṣurdvijānāṁ ca śatānyeva trayodaśa

Then from Prithudaka-kunda, dug by Prithu, thirteen hundred Brahmins came.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.64.15)

तथैवाप्सरसः कुंडान्मेनकाख्याच्छतद्वयम् ॥ उर्वशीकुंडतः प्राप्ताः सहस्रं द्विशताधिकम्

tathaivāpsarasaḥ kuṁḍānmenakākhyācchatadvayam || urvaśīkuṁḍataḥ prāptāḥ sahasraṁ dviśatādhikam

Likewise, two hundred came from the Apsara-kunda named Menaka; twelve hundred came from Urvashi-kunda.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.64.16)

तथैरावतकुंडाच्च ब्राह्मणास्त्रिशतानि च ॥ गंधर्वाप्सरसः सप्त शतानि द्विशतानि च

tathairāvatakuṁḍācca brāhmaṇāstriśatāni ca || gaṁdharvāpsarasaḥ sapta śatāni dviśatāni ca

And three hundred Brahmins came from Airavata-kunda; seven hundred, and two hundred Gandharva-Apsaras tirthas.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.64.17)

वृषेशतीर्थादाजग्मुर्नवतिः सशतत्रया ॥ यक्षिणीकुंडतः प्राप्ताः सहस्रं त्रिशतोत्तरम्

vṛṣeśatīrthādājagmurnavatiḥ saśatatrayā || yakṣiṇīkuṁḍataḥ prāptāḥ sahasraṁ triśatottaram

Three hundred ninety came from Vrishesha-tirtha; thirteen hundred came from Yakshini-kunda.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.64.18)

लक्ष्मीतीर्थात्परं जग्मुः षोडशैव शतानि च ॥ पिशाचमोचनात्सप्त सहस्राणि द्विजोत्तमाः

lakṣmītīrthātparaṁ jagmuḥ ṣoḍaśaiva śatāni ca || piśācamocanātsapta sahasrāṇi dvijottamāḥ

Sixteen hundred went from Lakshmi-tirtha; seven thousand best of Brahmins from Pishachamochana.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.64.19)

पितृकुंडाच्छतंसाग्रं ध्रुवतीर्थाच्छतानि षट् ॥ मानसाख्याच्च सरसो द्विशती सशतत्रया

pitṛkuṁḍācchataṁsāgraṁ dhruvatīrthācchatāni ṣaṭ || mānasākhyācca saraso dviśatī saśatatrayā

A little over a hundred from Pitri-kunda; six hundred from Dhruva-tirtha; five hundred from the lake named Manasa.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.64.20)

ब्राह्मणा वासुकिहृदात्सहस्राणि दशैव तु ॥ तथैवाष्टशतं द्रष्टुं जानकीकुंडतो द्विजाः

brāhmaṇā vāsukihṛdātsahasrāṇi daśaiva tu || tathaivāṣṭaśataṁ draṣṭuṁ jānakīkuṁḍato dvijāḥ

Ten thousand Brahmins from Vasuki-hrada; and eight hundred Brahmins from Janaki-kunda, to see...

Verse 21 (skanda.4.64.21)

काशीनाथमनुप्राप्ताः परमानंददायिनम् ॥ तथा गौतमकुंडाच्च शतानिनव चागताः

kāśīnāthamanuprāptāḥ paramānaṁdadāyinam || tathā gautamakuṁḍācca śatāninava cāgatāḥ

...the Lord of Kashi, giver of supreme bliss, arrived. And nine hundred came from Gautama-kunda.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.64.22)

तीर्थाद्दुर्गतिसंहर्तुर्बाह्मणाः प्रतिपेदिरे ॥ एकादशशतान्येव द्रष्टुं देवमुमापतिम्

tīrthāddurgatisaṁharturbāhmaṇāḥ pratipedire || ekādaśaśatānyeva draṣṭuṁ devamumāpatim

Eleven hundred Brahmins arrived from the tirtha "Destroyer of Misfortune," to see the god, the Lord of Uma.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.64.23)

असीसंभेदमारभ्य गंगातीरस्थिता द्विजाः ॥ आसंगमेश्वरात्तत्र परिप्राप्ता घटोद्भव

asīsaṁbhedamārabhya gaṁgātīrasthitā dvijāḥ || āsaṁgameśvarāttatra pariprāptā ghaṭodbhava

O jar-born one, Brahmins dwelling on the bank of the Ganga, from the confluence of the Asi onward, up to Sangameshvara, arrived there...

Verse 24 (skanda.4.64.24)

अष्टादशसहस्राणि तथा पंचशतान्यपि ॥ ब्राह्मणाः पंचपंचाशद्गंगातीरात्समागताः

aṣṭādaśasahasrāṇi tathā paṁcaśatānyapi || brāhmaṇāḥ paṁcapaṁcāśadgaṁgātīrātsamāgatāḥ

-eighteen thousand five hundred fifty-five Brahmins came together from the bank of the Ganga.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.64.25)

सार्द्रदूर्वाक्षतकरैः सपुष्पफलपाणिभिः ॥ सुगंधमाल्यहस्तैश्च ब्राह्मणैर्जयवादिभिः

sārdradūrvākṣatakaraiḥ sapuṣpaphalapāṇibhiḥ || sugaṁdhamālyahastaiśca brāhmaṇairjayavādibhiḥ

With hands holding moist durva grass and rice, with hands full of flowers and fruits, with fragrant garlands in hand, the Brahmins, crying out "Victory!"...

Verse 26 (skanda.4.64.26)

स्तुतो मंगलसूक्तैश्च प्रणतश्च पुनःपुनः ॥ तेभ्यो दत्ताभयः शंभुः पप्रच्छ कुशलं मुदा

stuto maṁgalasūktaiśca praṇataśca punaḥpunaḥ || tebhyo dattābhayaḥ śaṁbhuḥ papraccha kuśalaṁ mudā

...praised him with auspicious hymns and bowed again and again. Shambhu, having granted them freedom from fear, joyfully asked after their welfare.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.64.27)

ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः प्रोचुः प्रबद्धकरसंपुटाः ॥ क्षेत्रे निवसतां नाथ सदानः कुशलोदयः

tataste brāhmaṇāḥ procuḥ prabaddhakarasaṁpuṭāḥ || kṣetre nivasatāṁ nātha sadānaḥ kuśalodayaḥ

Then those Brahmins, their palms joined, said: "O Lord, for those dwelling in this sacred field, welfare is ever arising."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.64.28)

विशेषतः कृतोऽस्माभिः साक्षान्नयनगोचरः ॥ त्वं यत्स्वरूपं श्रुतयो न विदुः परमार्थतः

viśeṣataḥ kṛto'smābhiḥ sākṣānnayanagocaraḥ || tvaṁ yatsvarūpaṁ śrutayo na viduḥ paramārthataḥ

"Especially so, since we have made directly visible to our eyes you, whose true form even the Vedas do not know in ultimate truth."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.64.29)

सदैवाकुशलं तेषां ये त्वत्क्षेत्रपराङ्मुखाः ॥ चतुर्दशापि वै लोकास्तेषां नित्यं पराङ्मुखाः

sadaivākuśalaṁ teṣāṁ ye tvatkṣetraparāṅmukhāḥ || caturdaśāpi vai lokāsteṣāṁ nityaṁ parāṅmukhāḥ

"There is ever misfortune for those who turn away from your sacred field; all fourteen worlds indeed ever turn away from them."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.64.30)

येषां हृदि सदैवास्ते काशीत्वाशीविषां गद ॥ संसाराशीविषविषं न तेषां प्रभवेत्क्वचित्

yeṣāṁ hṛdi sadaivāste kāśītvāśīviṣāṁ gada || saṁsārāśīviṣaviṣaṁ na teṣāṁ prabhavetkvacit

"O destroyer of serpents' poison, those in whose hearts the word 'Kashi' ever dwells - the poison of samsara's serpent can never have power over them."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.64.31)

गर्भरक्षामणिर्मंत्रः काशीवर्णद्वयात्मकः ॥ यस्य कंठे सदा तिष्ठेत्तस्याकुशलता कुतः

garbharakṣāmaṇirmaṁtraḥ kāśīvarṇadvayātmakaḥ || yasya kaṁṭhe sadā tiṣṭhettasyākuśalatā kutaḥ

"The mantra of two syllables, 'Kashi,' is a jewel protecting one even in the womb; whence misfortune for one in whose throat it ever dwells?"

Verse 32 (skanda.4.64.32)

सुधां पिबति यो नित्यं काशीवर्णद्वयात्मिकाम् ॥ स नैर्जरीं दशां हित्वा सुधैव परिजायते

sudhāṁ pibati yo nityaṁ kāśīvarṇadvayātmikām || sa nairjarīṁ daśāṁ hitvā sudhaiva parijāyate

"Whoever ever drinks the nectar that is the two syllables of 'Kashi' - abandoning the state of age itself, he becomes nectar itself."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.64.33)

श्रुतं कर्णामृतं येन काशीत्यक्षरयुग्मकम् ॥ न समाकणर्यत्येव स पुनर्गर्भजां कथाम्

śrutaṁ karṇāmṛtaṁ yena kāśītyakṣarayugmakam || na samākaṇaryatyeva sa punargarbhajāṁ kathām

"By whom the two syllables 'Kashi' have been heard, as nectar to the ear - he never again hears the tale born of the womb."

Verse 34 (skanda.4.64.34)

काशी रजोपि यन्मूर्ध्नि पतेदप्यनिलाहतम् ॥ चंद्रशेखरतन्मूर्धा भवेच्चंद्रकलांकितः

kāśī rajopi yanmūrdhni patedapyanilāhatam || caṁdraśekharatanmūrdhā bhaveccaṁdrakalāṁkitaḥ

"On whose head even a mere speck of Kashi's dust falls, blown by the wind - that head becomes like Chandrashekhara's own, marked with the crescent moon."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.64.35)

प्रसंगतोपि यन्नेत्रपथमानंदकाननम् ॥ यातं तेत्र न जायंते नेक्षेरन्पितृकान(व?)नम्

prasaṁgatopi yannetrapathamānaṁdakānanam || yātaṁ tetra na jāyaṁte nekṣeranpitṛkāna(va?)nam

"Even chancing to fall within the path of whose eyes is the Ananda-forest - those souls are not born again there in the ordinary way, nor need they behold the forest of their ancestors."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.64.36)

गच्छता तिष्ठता वापि स्वपता जाग्रताथवा ॥ काशीत्येष महामंत्रो येन जप्तः सनिर्भयः

gacchatā tiṣṭhatā vāpi svapatā jāgratāthavā || kāśītyeṣa mahāmaṁtro yena japtaḥ sanirbhayaḥ

"Whether walking, or standing, or sleeping, or waking, 'Kashi' - this great mantra, by whomever recited, that one becomes free of fear."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.64.37)

येन बीजाक्षरयुगं काशीति हृदि धारितम् ॥ अबीजानि भवंत्येव कर्मबीजानि तस्य वै

yena bījākṣarayugaṁ kāśīti hṛdi dhāritam || abījāni bhavaṁtyeva karmabījāni tasya vai

"By whom the two seed-syllables 'Kashi' are held in the heart - his seeds of karma indeed become without seed."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.64.38)

काशी काशीति काशीति जपतो यस्य संस्थितिः ॥ अन्यत्रापि सतस्तस्य पुरो मुक्तिः प्रकाशते

kāśī kāśīti kāśīti japato yasya saṁsthitiḥ || anyatrāpi satastasya puro muktiḥ prakāśate

"For one whose constant state is reciting 'Kashi, Kashi, Kashi' - even while dwelling elsewhere, liberation shines before him."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.64.39)

क्षेममूर्तिरियं काशी क्षेममूर्तिर्भवान्भव ॥ क्षेममूर्तिस्त्रिपथगा नान्यत्क्षेमत्रयं क्वचित्

kṣemamūrtiriyaṁ kāśī kṣemamūrtirbhavānbhava || kṣemamūrtistripathagā nānyatkṣematrayaṁ kvacit

"This Kashi is the very embodiment of welfare; O Bhava, you yourself are the embodiment of welfare; the triple-pathed one is the embodiment of welfare - there is no other triad of welfare anywhere."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.64.40)

ब्राह्मणानामिति वचः क्षेत्रभक्तिविबृंहितम् ॥ निशम्य गिरिजाकांतस्तुतोष नितरां हरः

brāhmaṇānāmiti vacaḥ kṣetrabhaktivibṛṁhitam || niśamya girijākāṁtastutoṣa nitarāṁ haraḥ

Having heard this speech of the Brahmins, swelling with devotion to the sacred field, Hara, the beloved of Girija, was exceedingly pleased.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.64.41)

प्रोवाच च प्रसन्नात्मा धन्या यूयं द्विजर्षभाः ॥ येषामिहेदृशी भक्तिर्मम क्षेत्रेतिपावने

provāca ca prasannātmā dhanyā yūyaṁ dvijarṣabhāḥ || yeṣāmihedṛśī bhaktirmama kṣetretipāvane

And, his mind gracious, he said: "Blessed are you, foremost of Brahmins, who possess such devotion for my most purifying sacred field."

Verse 42 (skanda.4.64.42)

जाने सत्त्वमया जाताः क्षेत्रस्यास्य निषेवणात् ॥ नीरजस्का वितमसः संसारार्णवपारगाः

jāne sattvamayā jātāḥ kṣetrasyāsya niṣevaṇāt || nīrajaskā vitamasaḥ saṁsārārṇavapāragāḥ

"I know you have become filled with sattva through the service of this field, free of rajas, free of tamas, crossers of the ocean of samsara."

Verse 43 (skanda.4.64.43)

वाराणस्यास्तु ये भक्तास्ते भक्ता मम निश्चितम् ॥ जीवन्मुक्ता हि ते नूनं मोक्षलक्ष्म्या कटाक्षिताः

vārāṇasyāstu ye bhaktāste bhaktā mama niścitam || jīvanmuktā hi te nūnaṁ mokṣalakṣmyā kaṭākṣitāḥ

"Whoever are devotees of Varanasi are certainly devotees of mine; they are indeed living-liberated, surely glanced upon by the Lakshmi of liberation."

Verse 44 (skanda.4.64.44)

यैश्च काशीस्थितो जंतुरल्पकोपि विरोधितः ॥ तैर्वै विश्वंभरा सर्वा मया सह विरोधिता

yaiśca kāśīsthito jaṁturalpakopi virodhitaḥ || tairvai viśvaṁbharā sarvā mayā saha virodhitā

"And by whomever even the smallest creature dwelling in Kashi is harmed - by them, the entire earth, together with me, is opposed."

Verse 45 (skanda.4.64.45)

वाराणस्याः स्तुतिमपि यो निशम्यानुमोदते ॥ अपि ब्रह्मांडमखिलं ध्रुवं तेनानुमोदितम्

vārāṇasyāḥ stutimapi yo niśamyānumodate || api brahmāṁḍamakhilaṁ dhruvaṁ tenānumoditam

"Whoever, hearing even praise of Varanasi, rejoices in it - by him, certainly, the entire cosmic egg has been rejoiced in."

Verse 46 (skanda.4.64.46)

निवसंति हि ये मर्त्या अस्मिन्नानंदकानने ॥ ममांतःकरणे ते वै निवसेयुरकल्मषाः

nivasaṁti hi ye martyā asminnānaṁdakānane || mamāṁtaḥkaraṇe te vai nivaseyurakalmaṣāḥ

"Those mortals who dwell in this Ananda-forest indeed dwell, stainless, within my very inner being."

Verse 47 (skanda.4.64.47)

निवसंति मम क्षेत्रे मम भक्तिं प्रकुर्वते ॥ मम लिंगधरा ये तु तानेवोपदिशाम्यहम्

nivasaṁti mama kṣetre mama bhaktiṁ prakurvate || mama liṁgadharā ye tu tānevopadiśāmyaham

"Those who dwell in my field, who practice devotion to me, who bear my linga - only those do I instruct."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.64.48)

निवसंति मम क्षेत्रे मम भक्तिं न कुर्वते ॥ मम लिंगधरा ये नो न तानुपदिशाम्यहम्

nivasaṁti mama kṣetre mama bhaktiṁ na kurvate || mama liṁgadharā ye no na tānupadiśāmyaham

"Those who dwell in my field, but do not practice devotion to me, who do not bear my linga - those I do not instruct."

Verse 49 (skanda.4.64.49)

काशी निर्वाणनगरी येषां चित्ते प्रकाशते ॥ ते मत्पुरः प्रकाशंते नैःश्रेयस्या श्रिया वृताः

kāśī nirvāṇanagarī yeṣāṁ citte prakāśate || te matpuraḥ prakāśaṁte naiḥśreyasyā śriyā vṛtāḥ

"Those in whose minds Kashi, the city of liberation, shines - they shine before me, enveloped in supreme prosperity."

Verse 50 (skanda.4.64.50)

मोक्षलक्ष्मीरियं काशी न येभ्यः परिरोचते ॥ स्वर्लक्ष्मीं कांक्षमाणेभ्यः पतितास्ते न संशयः

mokṣalakṣmīriyaṁ kāśī na yebhyaḥ parirocate || svarlakṣmīṁ kāṁkṣamāṇebhyaḥ patitāste na saṁśayaḥ

"This Kashi, the very Lakshmi of liberation, does not delight those who, desiring heavenly prosperity instead, are fallen ones - there is no doubt of this."

Verse 51 (skanda.4.64.51)

काथीं संकाक्षमाणानां पुरुषार्थचतुष्टयम् ॥ पुरः किंकरवत्तिष्ठेन्ममानुग्रहतो द्विजाः

kāthīṁ saṁkākṣamāṇānāṁ puruṣārthacatuṣṭayam || puraḥ kiṁkaravattiṣṭhenmamānugrahato dvijāḥ

"O Brahmins, for those who merely gaze upon Kashi, the four aims of human life stand before them like servants, through my grace."

Verse 52 (skanda.4.64.52)

आनंदकानने ह्यत्र ज्वलद्दावानलोस्म्यहम् ॥ कर्मबीजानि जंतूनां ज्वालये न प्ररोहये

ānaṁdakānane hyatra jvaladdāvānalosmyaham || karmabījāni jaṁtūnāṁ jvālaye na prarohaye

"Here in the Ananda-forest, I indeed am a blazing forest-fire; I burn away the seeds of karma of living beings - I do not let them sprout."

Verse 53 (skanda.4.64.53)

वस्तव्यं सततं काश्यां यष्टव्योहं प्रयत्नतः ॥ जेतव्यौ कलिकालौ च रंतव्या मुक्तिरंगना

vastavyaṁ satataṁ kāśyāṁ yaṣṭavyohaṁ prayatnataḥ || jetavyau kalikālau ca raṁtavyā muktiraṁganā

"One should ever dwell in Kashi; I should be worshipped with effort; Kali and Time together should be conquered, and the woman 'Liberation' should be enjoyed."

Verse 54 (skanda.4.64.54)

प्राप्यापि काशीं दुर्बुद्धिर्यो न मां परिसेवते ॥ तस्य हस्तगताप्याशु कैवल्यश्रीः प्रणश्यति

prāpyāpi kāśīṁ durbuddhiryo na māṁ parisevate || tasya hastagatāpyāśu kaivalyaśrīḥ praṇaśyati

"Whoever, of foolish mind, even having attained Kashi, does not serve me - for him, the very Lakshmi of liberation, though already in his hand, swiftly perishes."

Verse 55 (skanda.4.64.55)

धन्या मद्भक्तिलक्ष्माणो ब्राह्मणाः काशिवासिनः ॥ यूयं यच्चेतसो वृत्तेर्न दूरेहं न काशिका

dhanyā madbhaktilakṣmāṇo brāhmaṇāḥ kāśivāsinaḥ || yūyaṁ yaccetaso vṛtterna dūrehaṁ na kāśikā

"Blessed are you, Kashi-dwelling Brahmins, marked with devotion to me; for by the very disposition of your minds, neither I nor Kashika are far from you."

Verse 56 (skanda.4.64.56)

दातव्यो वो वरः कोत्र व्रियतां मे यथारुचि ॥ प्रेयांसो मे यतो यूयं क्षेत्रसंन्यासकारिणः

dātavyo vo varaḥ kotra vriyatāṁ me yathāruci || preyāṁso me yato yūyaṁ kṣetrasaṁnyāsakāriṇaḥ

"A boon should be given to you - what shall be chosen from me, as you please? For you, having renounced everything for this field, are dear to me."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.64.57)

इति पीत्वा महेशानमुखक्षीराब्धिजां सुधाम् ॥ परितृप्ता द्विजाः सर्वे वव्रुर्वरमनुत्तमम्

iti pītvā maheśānamukhakṣīrābdhijāṁ sudhām || paritṛptā dvijāḥ sarve vavrurvaramanuttamam

Having thus drunk the nectar born of Maheshana's ocean-of-milk-like mouth, all those Brahmins, fully satisfied, chose the unsurpassed boon.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.64.58)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः ॥ उमापते महेशान सर्वज्ञ वर एष नः ॥ काशी कदापि न त्याज्या भवता भवतापहृत्

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ || umāpate maheśāna sarvajña vara eṣa naḥ || kāśī kadāpi na tyājyā bhavatā bhavatāpahṛt

The Brahmins said: "O Lord of Uma, Mahesha, all-knowing one, this is our boon: may Kashi, remover of worldly suffering, never at any time be abandoned by you."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.64.59)

वचनाद्ब्राह्मणानां तु शापो मा प्रभवत्विह ॥ कदाचिदपि केषांचित्काश्यां मोक्षांतरायकः

vacanādbrāhmaṇānāṁ tu śāpo mā prabhavatviha || kadācidapi keṣāṁcitkāśyāṁ mokṣāṁtarāyakaḥ

"And may the curse arising from a Brahmin's word never have power here to become an obstacle to liberation for anyone, at any time, in Kashi."

Verse 60 (skanda.4.64.60)

तव पादाबुंजद्वंद्वे निर्द्वंद्वा भक्तिरस्तु नः ॥ आ कलेवरपातं च काशीवासोस्तु नोनिशम्

tava pādābuṁjadvaṁdve nirdvaṁdvā bhaktirastu naḥ || ā kalevarapātaṁ ca kāśīvāsostu noniśam

"May our devotion to your two lotus feet be free of duality; and may our unbroken dwelling in Kashi last until the very fall of the body."

Verse 61 (skanda.4.64.61)

किमन्येन वरेणेश देय एष वरो हि नः ॥ अवधेह्यंधकध्वंसिन्वरमन्यं वृणीमहे

kimanyena vareṇeśa deya eṣa varo hi naḥ || avadhehyaṁdhakadhvaṁsinvaramanyaṁ vṛṇīmahe

"O Lord, what need have we for any other boon? This alone is to be given to us. O destroyer of Andhaka, hear this - we choose no other boon."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.64.62)

तव प्रतिनिधी कृत्यास्माभिस्त्वद्भक्तिभावितैः ॥ प्रतिष्ठितेषु लिंगेषु सान्निध्यं भवतोऽस्त्विह

tava pratinidhī kṛtyāsmābhistvadbhaktibhāvitaiḥ || pratiṣṭhiteṣu liṁgeṣu sānnidhyaṁ bhavato'stviha

"May your presence be here in the lingas established by us, who have been imbued with devotion to you, having made them your representatives."

Verse 63 (skanda.4.64.63)

श्रुत्वेति तेषां वाक्यानि तथास्त्विति पिनाकिना ॥ प्रोचेऽन्योपि वरो दत्तो ज्ञानं वश्च भविष्यति

śrutveti teṣāṁ vākyāni tathāstviti pinākinā || proce'nyopi varo datto jñānaṁ vaśca bhaviṣyati

Having heard these words of theirs, the wielder of the Pinaka said, "So be it," and granted them another boon as well: "And knowledge shall come to you."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.64.64)

पुनः प्रोवाच देवेशो निशामयत भो द्विजाः ॥ हितं वः कथयाम्यत्र तदनुष्ठीयतां ध्रुवम्

punaḥ provāca deveśo niśāmayata bho dvijāḥ || hitaṁ vaḥ kathayāmyatra tadanuṣṭhīyatāṁ dhruvam

The Lord of Gods spoke again: "Listen, O Brahmins - I shall tell you here what is beneficial for you; let it certainly be practiced."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.64.65)

सेव्योत्तरवहा नित्यं लिंगमर्च्यं प्रयत्नतः ॥ दमो दानं दया नित्यं कर्तव्यं मुक्तिकांक्षिभिः

sevyottaravahā nityaṁ liṁgamarcyaṁ prayatnataḥ || damo dānaṁ dayā nityaṁ kartavyaṁ muktikāṁkṣibhiḥ

"The northward-flowing river should ever be served, the linga should be worshipped with effort; self-restraint, charity, and compassion should always be practiced by those who desire liberation."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.64.66)

इदमेव रहस्यं च कथितं क्षेत्रवासिनाम् ॥ मतिः परहिता कार्या वाच्यं नोद्वेगकृद्वचः

idameva rahasyaṁ ca kathitaṁ kṣetravāsinām || matiḥ parahitā kāryā vācyaṁ nodvegakṛdvacaḥ

"This very thing is the secret told to the residents of this sacred field: a mind devoted to others' welfare should be cultivated; words that cause distress should not be spoken."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.64.67)

मनसापि न कर्तव्यमेनोत्र विजिगीषुणा ॥ अत्रत्यमक्षयं यस्मात्सुकृतं सुकृतेतरम्

manasāpi na kartavyamenotra vijigīṣuṇā || atratyamakṣayaṁ yasmātsukṛtaṁ sukṛtetaram

"Sin should not be committed here even in thought, by one desiring victory over rebirth; for whatever merit or demerit is done here becomes imperishable."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.64.68)

अन्यत्र यत्कृतं पापं तत्काश्यां परिणश्यति ॥ वाराणस्यां कृतं पापमंतर्गेहे प्रणश्यति

anyatra yatkṛtaṁ pāpaṁ tatkāśyāṁ pariṇaśyati || vārāṇasyāṁ kṛtaṁ pāpamaṁtargehe praṇaśyati

"Whatever sin is committed elsewhere is destroyed in Kashi; and sin committed in Varanasi within one's own home is likewise destroyed."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.64.69)

अंतर्गेहे कृतं पापं पैशाच्यनरकावहम् ॥ पिशाचनरकप्राप्तिर्गच्छत्येव बहिर्यदि

aṁtargehe kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ paiśācyanarakāvaham || piśācanarakaprāptirgacchatyeva bahiryadi

"Sin committed within one's own home brings a ghoulish hell; but the attainment of that ghoul-hell occurs only if it goes outside."

Verse 70 (skanda.4.64.70)

न कल्पकोटिभिः काश्यां कृतं कर्म प्रमृज्यते ॥ किंतु रुद्रपिशाचत्वं जायतेऽत्रायुतत्रयम्.

na kalpakoṭibhiḥ kāśyāṁ kṛtaṁ karma pramṛjyate || kiṁtu rudrapiśācatvaṁ jāyate'trāyutatrayam.

"Not even by ten million aeons is an act done in Kashi wiped away; rather, one becomes a Rudra-pishacha here for thirty thousand years."

Verse 71 (skanda.4.64.71)

वाराणस्यां स्थितो यो वै पातकेषु रतः सदा ॥ योनिं प्राप्यापि पैशाचीं वर्षाणामयुतत्रयम्

vārāṇasyāṁ sthito yo vai pātakeṣu rataḥ sadā || yoniṁ prāpyāpi paiśācīṁ varṣāṇāmayutatrayam

"Whoever, dwelling in Varanasi, remains ever devoted to sins, attains even the ghoul-womb, for thirty thousand years..."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.64.72)

पुनरत्रैव निवसञ्ज्ञानं प्राप्स्यत्यनुत्तमम् ॥ तेन ज्ञानेथ संप्राप्ते(?) मोक्षमाप्स्यत्यनुत्तमम् ॥ (संप्रांते) ॥ दुष्कृतानि विधायेह बहिः पंचत्वमागताः ॥ तेषां गतिं प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुत द्विजसत्तमाः

punaratraiva nivasañjñānaṁ prāpsyatyanuttamam || tena jñānetha saṁprāpte(?) mokṣamāpsyatyanuttamam || (saṁprāṁte) || duṣkṛtāni vidhāyeha bahiḥ paṁcatvamāgatāḥ || teṣāṁ gatiṁ pravakṣyāmi śṛṇuta dvijasattamāḥ

"-then, dwelling again right here, he shall attain unsurpassed knowledge; and, that knowledge having then been attained(?) [variant: 'at its conclusion'], he shall attain unsurpassed liberation. Now, for those who, having committed evil deeds here, met their end outside Kashi - I shall tell their fate; listen, O best of Brahmins."

Verse 73 (skanda.4.64.73)

यामाख्या मे गणाः संति घोरा विकृतमूर्त्तयः ॥ मूषायां ते धमंत्यादौ क्षेत्रदुष्कृतकारिणः

yāmākhyā me gaṇāḥ saṁti ghorā vikṛtamūrttayaḥ || mūṣāyāṁ te dhamaṁtyādau kṣetraduṣkṛtakāriṇaḥ

"I have terrible attendants named Yamas, of misshapen form; those who did evil in this field, they first blow upon in a crucible."

Verse 74 (skanda.4.64.74)

नयंत्यनूपप्रायां च ततः प्राचीं दुरासदाम् ॥ वर्षाकाले दुराचारान्पातयंति महाजले

nayaṁtyanūpaprāyāṁ ca tataḥ prācīṁ durāsadām || varṣākāle durācārānpātayaṁti mahājale

"Then they lead them to a hard-to-reach eastern region, mostly marshland; during the rainy season, they cast the evildoers into deep water."

Verse 75 (skanda.4.64.75)

जलौकाभिः सपक्षाभिर्दंदशूकैर्जलोद्भवैः ॥ दुर्निवारैश्च मशकैर्दश्यंते ते दिवानिशम्

jalaukābhiḥ sapakṣābhirdaṁdaśūkairjalodbhavaiḥ || durnivāraiśca maśakairdaśyaṁte te divāniśam

"They are bitten day and night by winged leeches, by water-born biting creatures, and by irresistible mosquitoes."

Verse 76 (skanda.4.64.76)

ततो यामैर्हिमर्तौ ते नीयंतेऽद्रौ हिमालये ॥ अशनावरणैर्हीनाः क्लेश्यंते ते दिवानिशम्

tato yāmairhimartau te nīyaṁte'drau himālaye || aśanāvaraṇairhīnāḥ kleśyaṁte te divāniśam

"Then, in the cold season, they are led by the Yamas to the Himalayan mountain; deprived of food and covering, they are tormented day and night."

Verse 77 (skanda.4.64.77)

मरुस्थले ततो ग्रीष्मे वारिवृक्षविवर्जिते ॥ दिवाकरकरैस्तीव्रैस्ताप्यंते ते पिपासिताः

marusthale tato grīṣme vārivṛkṣavivarjite || divākarakaraistīvraistāpyaṁte te pipāsitāḥ

"Then, in summer, in a desert region devoid of water and trees, thirsty, they are scorched by the sun's fierce rays."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.64.78)

क्लेशितास्ते गणैरुग्रैर्यातनाभिः समंततः ॥ इत्थं कालमसंख्यातमानीयंते ततस्त्विह

kleśitāste gaṇairugrairyātanābhiḥ samaṁtataḥ || itthaṁ kālamasaṁkhyātamānīyaṁte tatastviha

"Tormented by these fierce attendants with torments on every side, in this way they are led through countless time, and then brought here again."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.64.79)

निवेदयंति ते यामाः कालराजांतिके ततः ॥ कालराजोपि तान्द्रष्ट्वा कर्मसंस्मार्य दुष्कृतम्

nivedayaṁti te yāmāḥ kālarājāṁtike tataḥ || kālarājopi tāndraṣṭvā karmasaṁsmārya duṣkṛtam

"The Yamas then report to the King of Time; and the King of Time, seeing them, causing them to remember their evil deed..."

Verse 80 (skanda.4.64.80)

विवस्त्रान्क्षुत्तृषार्तांश्च लग्नपृष्ठोदरत्वचः ॥ अन्यै रुद्रपिशाचैश्च सहसंयोजयत्यपि

vivastrānkṣuttṛṣārtāṁśca lagnapṛṣṭhodaratvacaḥ || anyai rudrapiśācaiśca sahasaṁyojayatyapi

"...naked, tormented with hunger and thirst, their backs and bellies' skin sunken together, joins them together with the other Rudra-ghouls."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.64.81)

ततो रुद्रपिशाचास्ते भैरवानुचराः सदा ॥ सहंते क्लममत्यर्थं क्षुत्तृष्णोग्रत्वसंभवम्

tato rudrapiśācāste bhairavānucarāḥ sadā || sahaṁte klamamatyarthaṁ kṣuttṛṣṇogratvasaṁbhavam

"Then those Rudra-ghouls, ever attendants of Bhairava, endure exceeding distress arising from the fierceness of hunger and thirst."

Verse 82 (skanda.4.64.82)

आहारं रुधिरोन्मिश्रं ते लभंते कदाचन ॥ एवं त्र्ययुतसंख्याकं कालं तत्रातिदुःखिताः

āhāraṁ rudhironmiśraṁ te labhaṁte kadācana || evaṁ tryayutasaṁkhyākaṁ kālaṁ tatrātiduḥkhitāḥ

"They obtain, only rarely, food mixed with blood. Thus, for a period numbering thirty thousand years, greatly suffering there..."

Verse 83 (skanda.4.64.83)

श्मशानस्तंभमभितो नीयंते कंठपाशिताः ॥ पिपासिता अपि न तेंऽबुस्पर्शमपि चाप्नुयुः

śmaśānastaṁbhamabhito nīyaṁte kaṁṭhapāśitāḥ || pipāsitā api na teṁ'busparśamapi cāpnuyuḥ

"...bound by the neck with a noose, they are led around the pillar of the cremation-ground; though thirsty, they do not obtain even the touch of water."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.64.84)

अथ संक्षीणपापास्ते कालभैरवदर्शनात् ॥ इहैव देहिनो भूत्वा मुच्यंते ते ममाज्ञया

atha saṁkṣīṇapāpāste kālabhairavadarśanāt || ihaiva dehino bhūtvā mucyaṁte te mamājñayā

"Then, their sins diminished, through the sight of Kalabhairava, becoming embodied right here again, they are released by my command."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.64.85)

तस्मान्न कामयेतात्र वाङ्मनःकर्मणाप्यघह(?)म् ॥ शुचौ पथि सदा स्थेयं महालाभमभीप्सुभिः

tasmānna kāmayetātra vāṅmanaḥkarmaṇāpyaghaha(?)m || śucau pathi sadā stheyaṁ mahālābhamabhīpsubhiḥ

"Therefore one should never desire sin(?) here, whether by speech, mind, or deed; those who desire the great gain should ever remain on the path of purity."

Verse 86 (skanda.4.64.86)

नाविमुक्ते मृतः कश्चिन्नरकं याति किल्बिषी ॥ ममानुग्रहमासाद्य गच्छत्येव परां गतिम्

nāvimukte mṛtaḥ kaścinnarakaṁ yāti kilbiṣī || mamānugrahamāsādya gacchatyeva parāṁ gatim

"No sinner who dies in Avimukta goes to hell; obtaining my grace, he attains the supreme destiny indeed."

Verse 87 (skanda.4.64.87)

अनाशनं यः कुरुते मद्भक्त इह सुव्रतः ॥ न तस्य पुनरावृत्तिः कल्पकोटिशतैरपि

anāśanaṁ yaḥ kurute madbhakta iha suvrataḥ || na tasya punarāvṛttiḥ kalpakoṭiśatairapi

"Whoever, my devotee, of good vows, undertakes fasting-unto-death here - for him there is no return, even after a hundred crores of aeons."

Verse 88 (skanda.4.64.88)

अशाश्वतमिदं ज्ञात्वा मानुष्यं बहुकिल्विषम् ॥ अविमुक्तं सदा सेव्यं संसारभयमोचकम्

aśāśvatamidaṁ jñātvā mānuṣyaṁ bahukilviṣam || avimuktaṁ sadā sevyaṁ saṁsārabhayamocakam

"Knowing this human state to be transient and full of sin, Avimukta, liberator from the fear of samsara, should ever be served."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.64.89)

नान्यत्पश्यामि जंतूनां मुक्त्वा वाराणसीं पुरीम् ॥ सर्वपापप्रशमनीं प्रायश्चित्तं कलौ युगे

nānyatpaśyāmi jaṁtūnāṁ muktvā vārāṇasīṁ purīm || sarvapāpapraśamanīṁ prāyaścittaṁ kalau yuge

"I see no other atonement for beings, apart from the city of Varanasi, which quells every sin, in the Kali age."

Verse 90 (skanda.4.64.90)

जन्मांतरसहस्रेषु यत्पापं समुपार्जितम् ॥ अविमुक्तं प्रविष्टस्य तत्सर्वं व्रजति क्षयम्

janmāṁtarasahasreṣu yatpāpaṁ samupārjitam || avimuktaṁ praviṣṭasya tatsarvaṁ vrajati kṣayam

"Whatever sin has been accumulated over a thousand other births - for one who enters Avimukta, all of it goes to destruction."

Verse 91 (skanda.4.64.91)

जन्मांतरसहस्रेषु युंजन्योगी यदाप्नुयात् ॥ तदिहैव परो मोक्षो मरणादधि गम्यते

janmāṁtarasahasreṣu yuṁjanyogī yadāpnuyāt || tadihaiva paro mokṣo maraṇādadhi gamyate

"Whatever a yogi, practicing over a thousand other births, might attain - that supreme liberation is obtained right here, upon death."

Verse 92 (skanda.4.64.92)

तिर्यग्योनिगताः सत्त्वा ये विमुक्तकृतालयाः ॥ कालेन निधनं प्राप्तास्तेपि यांति परां गतिम्

tiryagyonigatāḥ sattvā ye vimuktakṛtālayāḥ || kālena nidhanaṁ prāptāstepi yāṁti parāṁ gatim

"Even those beings gone into animal wombs, who have made their abode in Avimukta, upon meeting death in due time, attain the supreme destiny too."

Verse 93 (skanda.4.64.93)

अविमुक्तं न सेवंते ये मूढास्तमसावृताः ॥ विण्मूत्ररेतसां मध्ये ते वसंति पुनः पुनः

avimuktaṁ na sevaṁte ye mūḍhāstamasāvṛtāḥ || viṇmūtraretasāṁ madhye te vasaṁti punaḥ punaḥ

"Those fools, enveloped in darkness, who do not serve Avimukta, dwell again and again amid excrement, urine, and semen."

Verse 94 (skanda.4.64.94)

अविमुक्तं समासाद्य यो लिंगं स्थापयेत्सुधीः ॥ कल्पकोटिशतैर्वापि नास्ति तस्य पुनर्भवः

avimuktaṁ samāsādya yo liṁgaṁ sthāpayetsudhīḥ || kalpakoṭiśatairvāpi nāsti tasya punarbhavaḥ

"The wise one who, reaching Avimukta, establishes a linga - for him there is no rebirth, even after a hundred crores of aeons."

Verse 95 (skanda.4.64.95)

ग्रहनक्षत्रताराणां कालेन पतनं ध्रुवम् ॥ अविमुक्ते मृतानां तु पतनं नैव विद्यते

grahanakṣatratārāṇāṁ kālena patanaṁ dhruvam || avimukte mṛtānāṁ tu patanaṁ naiva vidyate

"The planets, constellations, and stars certainly fall in time; but for those who have died in Avimukta, there is no falling at all."

Verse 96 (skanda.4.64.96)

ब्रह्महत्यां नरः कृत्वा पश्चात्संयतमानसः ॥ प्राणांस्त्यजति यः काश्यां स मुक्तो नात्र संशयः

brahmahatyāṁ naraḥ kṛtvā paścātsaṁyatamānasaḥ || prāṇāṁstyajati yaḥ kāśyāṁ sa mukto nātra saṁśayaḥ

"A man who, having committed the killing of a Brahmin, afterward restraining his mind, gives up his life in Kashi - he is liberated, there is no doubt of this."

Verse 97 (skanda.4.64.97)

स्त्रियः पतिव्रता याश्च मम भक्तिसमाहिताः ॥ अविमुक्ते मृता विप्रा यांति ताः परमां गतिम्

striyaḥ pativratā yāśca mama bhaktisamāhitāḥ || avimukte mṛtā viprā yāṁti tāḥ paramāṁ gatim

"Those devoted wives who are absorbed in devotion to me, who die in Avimukta, attain the supreme destiny."

Verse 98 (skanda.4.64.98)

अत्रोत्क्रमणकालेहं स्वयमेव द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ दिशामि तारकं ब्रह्म देही स्याद्येन तन्मयः

atrotkramaṇakālehaṁ svayameva dvijottamāḥ || diśāmi tārakaṁ brahma dehī syādyena tanmayaḥ

"O best of Brahmins, at the moment of departure here, I myself impart the deliverance-mantra of Brahman, by which the embodied soul becomes one with That."

Verse 99 (skanda.4.64.99)

मन्मना मम भक्तश्च मयि सर्वार्पितक्रियः ॥ यथा मोक्षमिहाप्नोति न तथान्यत्रकुत्रचित्

manmanā mama bhaktaśca mayi sarvārpitakriyaḥ || yathā mokṣamihāpnoti na tathānyatrakutracit

"One whose mind is fixed on me, my devotee, all of whose actions are offered to me - as he attains liberation here, so does he not anywhere else."

Verse 100 (skanda.4.64.100)

मरणं निश्चितं ज्ञात्वा गतिं चासुखरूपिणीम् ॥ चलमागंतुकं सर्वं ततः काशीं समाश्रयेत्

maraṇaṁ niścitaṁ jñātvā gatiṁ cāsukharūpiṇīm || calamāgaṁtukaṁ sarvaṁ tataḥ kāśīṁ samāśrayet

"Knowing death to be certain, and the ordinary course of rebirth to be of the nature of suffering, and all things transient and adventitious - one should therefore take refuge in Kashi."

Verse 101 (skanda.4.64.101)

काशी समाश्रिता यैस्तु मनोवाक्कायकर्मभिः ॥ तानत्र निर्मलधियो निवार्णश्रीः समाश्रयेत्

kāśī samāśritā yaistu manovākkāyakarmabhiḥ || tānatra nirmaladhiyo nivārṇaśrīḥ samāśrayet

"Those who have taken refuge in Kashi with mind, speech, and body's actions, of pure understanding - them, the glory of Nirvana embraces here."

Verse 102 (skanda.4.64.102)

काशीस्थितैकमपि यः प्रीणयेन्न्यायजैर्धनैः ॥ तेन त्रैलोक्यमखिलं प्रीणितं तु मया सह

kāśīsthitaikamapi yaḥ prīṇayennyāyajairdhanaiḥ || tena trailokyamakhilaṁ prīṇitaṁ tu mayā saha

"Whoever gratifies even a single person dwelling in Kashi with rightly-earned wealth - by him, the entire three worlds, together with me, are gratified."

Verse 103 (skanda.4.64.103)

यः प्रीणयति पुण्यात्मा निर्वाणनगरी नरम् ॥ पुमर्थेन स्थितेर्नित्यं ब्राह्मणाः प्रीणयामि तम्

yaḥ prīṇayati puṇyātmā nirvāṇanagarī naram || pumarthena sthiternityaṁ brāhmaṇāḥ prīṇayāmi tam

"O Brahmins, that virtuous soul who gratifies a man established for life in the city of liberation with worthy means - him I in turn ever gratify."

Verse 104 (skanda.4.64.104)

दिवोदासोपि राजर्षिः काशीं धर्मेण पालयन् ॥ सदेहो मत्पदं प्राप्तो यतो न पुनरागतिः

divodāsopi rājarṣiḥ kāśīṁ dharmeṇa pālayan || sadeho matpadaṁ prāpto yato na punarāgatiḥ

"Even the royal sage Divodasa, ruling Kashi righteously, attained my abode in his very body, from where there is no return."

Verse 105 (skanda.4.64.105)

अत्र योगस्तथा ज्ञानं मुक्तिरेकेन जन्मना ॥ अतो विमुक्तमासाद्य नान्यद्गच्छेत्तपोवनम्

atra yogastathā jñānaṁ muktirekena janmanā || ato vimuktamāsādya nānyadgacchettapovanam

"Here, yoga, and likewise knowledge, and liberation are attained in a single birth; therefore, having reached Avimukta, one should go to no other forest of austerity."

Verse 106 (skanda.4.64.106)

मोक्षं सुदुर्लभं ज्ञात्वा संसारं चातिभीषणम् ॥ अश्मना चरणौ हत्वा कालमत्र प्रतीक्षयेत्

mokṣaṁ sudurlabhaṁ jñātvā saṁsāraṁ cātibhīṣaṇam || aśmanā caraṇau hatvā kālamatra pratīkṣayet

"Knowing liberation to be exceedingly rare, and samsara most terrible - even binding one's own feet as if with a stone, to stay put, one should await the right time here."

Verse 107 (skanda.4.64.107)

अविमुक्तं परित्यज्य यदा यास्यंति दुर्धियः ॥ हसिष्यंति तदा भूतान्यन्योन्यकरताडनैः

avimuktaṁ parityajya yadā yāsyaṁti durdhiyaḥ || hasiṣyaṁti tadā bhūtānyanyonyakaratāḍanaiḥ

"When the foolish, abandoning Avimukta, shall depart, then the spirits there shall laugh, striking each other's hands in mockery."

Verse 108 (skanda.4.64.108)

प्राप्य वाराणसीं पुण्यां सिद्धिक्षेत्रमनुत्तमम् ॥ परिनिष्क्रांतुमन्यत्र कस्य जंतोर्मतिर्भवेत्

prāpya vārāṇasīṁ puṇyāṁ siddhikṣetramanuttamam || pariniṣkrāṁtumanyatra kasya jaṁtormatirbhavet

"Having reached sacred Varanasi, the unsurpassed field of accomplishment, what creature's mind would think of departing elsewhere?"

Verse 109 (skanda.4.64.109)

महादानेन चान्यत्र यत्फलं लभ्यते नरैः ॥ अविमुक्ते तु काकिण्यां दत्तायां तदवाप्यते

mahādānena cānyatra yatphalaṁ labhyate naraiḥ || avimukte tu kākiṇyāṁ dattāyāṁ tadavāpyate

"Whatever fruit is obtained by men elsewhere through a great gift - that same fruit is obtained in Avimukta by the giving of a mere small coin."

Verse 110 (skanda.4.64.110)

एकं समर्चयेल्लिंगं तपस्तप्येत चापरः ॥ तयोर्मध्ये तु स श्रेष्ठो यो लिंगं पूजयेदिह

ekaṁ samarcayelliṁgaṁ tapastapyeta cāparaḥ || tayormadhye tu sa śreṣṭho yo liṁgaṁ pūjayediha

"One may worship a single linga, and another may practice austerity; between the two, he who worships the linga here is the better."

Verse 111 (skanda.4.64.111)

तीर्थांतरे गवां कोटिं विधिवद्यः प्रयच्छति ॥ एकाहं यो वसेत्काश्यां काशीवासी तयोर्वरः

tīrthāṁtare gavāṁ koṭiṁ vidhivadyaḥ prayacchati || ekāhaṁ yo vasetkāśyāṁ kāśīvāsī tayorvaraḥ

"One may give ten million cows properly at another tirtha; another may dwell in Kashi for a single day - of the two, the Kashi-dweller is superior."

Verse 112 (skanda.4.64.112)

अन्यत्र ब्राह्मणानां तु कोटिं संभोज्य यत्फलम् ॥ वाराणस्यां तु चैकेन भोजितेन तदाप्यते

anyatra brāhmaṇānāṁ tu koṭiṁ saṁbhojya yatphalam || vārāṇasyāṁ tu caikena bhojitena tadāpyate

"Whatever fruit is obtained elsewhere by feeding ten million Brahmins - that same fruit is obtained in Varanasi by feeding just one."

Verse 113 (skanda.4.64.113)

सन्निहत्यां कुरुक्षेत्रे राहुग्रस्ते दिवाकरे ॥ तुलापुरुषदानेन काशीभिक्षा समा भवेत्

sannihatyāṁ kurukṣetre rāhugraste divākare || tulāpuruṣadānena kāśībhikṣā samā bhavet

"The gift of Tulapurusha at Sannihatya in Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse is equaled by mere alms given in Kashi."

Verse 114 (skanda.4.64.114)

ममेह परमं ज्योतिरापातालाद्व्यवस्थितम् ॥ अतीत्य सप्तलोकादीननंतं लिंगरूपधृक्

mameha paramaṁ jyotirāpātālādvyavasthitam || atītya saptalokādīnanaṁtaṁ liṁgarūpadhṛk

"Here my supreme light stands established from the very netherworld, extending beyond the seven worlds and beyond, infinite, bearing the form of the linga."

Verse 115 (skanda.4.64.115)

पृथिव्यंतेपि ये लिंगमविमुक्तं स्मरंति मे ॥ कलुषैस्ते विमुच्यंते महद्भिरिति निश्चितम्

pṛthivyaṁtepi ye liṁgamavimuktaṁ smaraṁti me || kaluṣaiste vimucyaṁte mahadbhiriti niścitam

"Those who, even at the very ends of the earth, remember my linga of Avimukta - they are freed even from the greatest impurities, this is certain."

Verse 116 (skanda.4.64.116)

अस्मिन्क्षेत्रे तु ये नाहं दृष्टः स्पृष्टः समर्चितः ॥ संप्राप्य तारकं ज्ञानं न स भूयोभिजायते

asminkṣetre tu ye nāhaṁ dṛṣṭaḥ spṛṣṭaḥ samarcitaḥ || saṁprāpya tārakaṁ jñānaṁ na sa bhūyobhijāyate

"Whoever, in this sacred field, has seen me, touched me, worshipped me - having attained the deliverance-knowledge, he is not born again."

Verse 117 (skanda.4.64.117)

यो मामिह समभ्यर्च्य म्रियतेन्यत्रकुत्रचित् ॥ जन्मांतरेपि मां प्राप्य स विमुक्तो भविष्यति

yo māmiha samabhyarcya mriyatenyatrakutracit || janmāṁtarepi māṁ prāpya sa vimukto bhaviṣyati

"Whoever, having worshipped me here, dies anywhere else - even in another birth, having attained me again, he shall become liberated."

Verse 118 (skanda.4.64.118)

इत्युक्त्वा क्षेत्रमाहात्म्यं द्विजानामग्रतो हरः ॥ पश्यतामेव तेषां तु तत्रैवांतर्हितोभवत्

ityuktvā kṣetramāhātmyaṁ dvijānāmagrato haraḥ || paśyatāmeva teṣāṁ tu tatraivāṁtarhitobhavat

Having thus spoken the glory of the sacred field before the Brahmins, Hara, even as they watched, vanished right there.

Verse 119 (skanda.4.64.119)

तेपि साक्षाद्विरूपाक्षं प्रत्यक्षीकृत्य वाडवाः ॥ प्रहृष्टमनसोऽत्यंतं प्रययुः स्वस्वमाश्रयम्

tepi sākṣādvirūpākṣaṁ pratyakṣīkṛtya vāḍavāḥ || prahṛṣṭamanaso'tyaṁtaṁ prayayuḥ svasvamāśrayam

Those Brahmins too, having directly beheld Virupaksha face to face, their minds exceedingly delighted, went each to his own dwelling.

Verse 120 (skanda.4.64.120)

शंभोर्वाक्यं विनिश्चित्य सर्वज्ञस्य कृपानिधेः ॥ त्यक्त्वा कार्यांतरं विप्रा लिंगान्येव समर्चिषुः

śaṁbhorvākyaṁ viniścitya sarvajñasya kṛpānidheḥ || tyaktvā kāryāṁtaraṁ viprā liṁgānyeva samarciṣuḥ

Having resolved firmly upon the word of Shambhu, the all-knowing treasury of compassion, the Brahmins, abandoning every other task, worshipped only the lingas.

Verse 121 (skanda.4.64.121)

॥स्कंद उवाच॥ पठित्वा पाठयित्वा च रहस्याख्यानमुत्तमम् ॥ श्रद्धालुः पातकैर्मुक्तः शिवलोके महीयते

||skaṁda uvāca|| paṭhitvā pāṭhayitvā ca rahasyākhyānamuttamam || śraddhāluḥ pātakairmuktaḥ śivaloke mahīyate

Skanda said: "Whoever, with faith, reads or has read this excellent secret narrative, is freed from sins and is glorified in the world of Shiva."