The Description of Kāśī (Kāśī-māhātmya): Avimukta, Kapālamocana, and Śiva’s Purification

Verse 1

काष्ठीलोवाच । एवं सा राक्षसी सुभ्रु हस्तिनीरूपधारिणी । त्रिभिर्मुहूर्तैः संप्राप्ता काशीं विश्वेशमंदिरम् ॥ १ ॥

Kāṣṭhīla said: Thus that beautiful-browed rākṣasī, having assumed the form of a female elephant, reached Kāśī—the temple of Viśveśa—within three muhūrtas.

Verse 2

उवाच तां पुरीं प्राप्य भर्तारमसितेक्षणा । इयं पापतरोः कांत कुठारा परिकीर्तिता ॥ २ ॥

Having reached that city, the dark-eyed lady spoke to her husband: “Beloved, this place is celebrated as an axe that fells the tree of sin.”

Verse 3

षडूर्मिकांचनस्यैषा कांत प्रोक्ता दुरोदरी । कर्मबीजोपशमनी सर्वेषां गतिदायिका ॥ ३ ॥

Beloved, this teaching/practice is declared to be the “hard-to-cross” river for one bound by the six waves of worldly affliction. It stills the seed of karma and becomes the giver of the highest course—the true refuge—for all.

Verse 4

आद्यं हि वैष्णवं स्थानं पुराणाः संप्रचक्षते । नावैष्णवे स्थले मुक्तिः सर्वस्य तु कदाचन ॥ ४ ॥

Indeed, the Purāṇas declare a Vaiṣṇava holy place to be foremost. In a place that is not Vaiṣṇava, liberation is never attained by anyone at any time.

Verse 5

माधवस्य पुरी चेयं पूर्वमासीद्द्विजोत्तम । मुक्तिदा सर्वजंतूनां सर्वपापप्रणाशिनी ॥ ५ ॥

O best of the twice-born, this city is Mādhava’s own purī from ancient times; it bestows liberation upon all beings and destroys every sin.

Verse 6

एकदा शंकरो देवो द्रष्टुं प्रागात्पितामहम् । सर्वलोकैककर्तारं भ्राजमानं स्वतेजसा ॥ ६ ॥

Once, the god Śaṅkara set out to behold Pitāmaha (Brahmā), the sole creator of all the worlds, shining with his own radiant splendor.

Verse 7

गत्वा तत्र महादेवो ब्रह्माणं जगतां गुरुम् । नमस्कृत्य स्थितो ह्यग्रे वेदपाठं निशामयन् ॥ ७ ॥

Having gone there, Mahādeva approached Brahmā, the guru of the worlds. After bowing to him, he stood before him, listening attentively to the recitation of the Vedas.

Verse 8

चतुर्भिरद्भुतैवक्त्रैश्चतुरो निगमान्मुदा । उद्गिरंतं जगन्नाथं दृष्ट्वा प्रीतोऽभवत्तदा ॥ ८ ॥

Then, seeing the Lord of the universe joyfully proclaim the four Vedas through His four wondrous mouths, he was filled with delight.

Verse 9

अथ तत्पंचमं वक्त्रं ब्रह्मणो भूतनायकः । प्रगल्भं तमुपालक्ष्य क्षणाज्जातः समत्सरः ॥ ९ ॥

Then, seeing that bold fifth face of Brahmā, the lord of beings at once became filled with rivalry and jealous contention.

Verse 10

स क्रोधजन्मा विप्रेंद्र तस्य प्रागल्भ्यमक्षमन् । चकर्त तन्नखाग्रेण खस्थं वक्त्रं त्रिलोचनः ॥ १० ॥

O best of Brahmins, born of anger and unable to endure his insolence, the three-eyed Lord tore that face, raised aloft in the sky, with the tip of His nail.

Verse 11

तच्छिन्नं ब्रह्मणः शीर्षं संलग्नं करपल्लवे । वामे निर्धूतमानिशं न निवृत्तं द्विजोत्तम ॥ ११ ॥

That severed head of Brahmā remained stuck to the palm of his hand; though he kept shaking it off unceasingly, it would not come away, O best of the twice-born.

Verse 12

ब्रह्मा तु दुःखितो भूत्वा तस्थौ स्थाणुं व्यलोकयन् । रुद्रोऽपि लज्जितो भूत्वा निर्ज्जगाम त्वरान्वितः ॥ १२ ॥

Brahmā, sorrowful, stood there gazing upon Sthāṇu (Śiva). Rudra too, ashamed, departed swiftly in haste.

Verse 13

बहुधा यतमानोऽपि तच्छिरः क्षेप्तुमातुरः । न शशाक परित्यक्तुं तदद्भुतमभून्महत् ॥ १३ ॥

Though he strove again and again, distressed to cast off that head, he could not abandon it—thus it became a great marvel indeed.

Verse 14

चिंतया व्याकुलो भूत्वा सस्मार गरुडध्वजम् । तेन संस्मृतमात्रस्तु शीघ्रमाविरभूच्च सः ॥ १४ ॥

Overwhelmed with anxious thought, he remembered the Lord whose banner bears Garuḍa; and the moment He was remembered, He swiftly manifested there.

Verse 15

तं दृष्ट्वा देवदेवेशं विष्णुं सर्वगतं द्विज । ननाम शिरसा नम्रो निष्प्रभो वृषभध्वजः ॥ १५ ॥

O brāhmaṇa, on seeing Viṣṇu—the Lord of the gods, all-pervading—Vṛṣabhadhvaja (Śiva), humbled and bereft of his former radiance, bowed down with his head.

Verse 16

तं तथातुरमालक्ष्य भीतं ब्रह्मद्रुहं हरिः । समाश्वास्या ब्रवीद्वाक्यं तत्तोषपरिकारकम् ॥ १६ ॥

Seeing him in such distress—frightened and guilty of an offense against Brahmā—Hari consoled him and spoke words meant to bring him relief and satisfaction.

Verse 17

शंभो त्वया कृतं पापं यच्चिन्नं ब्रह्मणः शिरः । तत्फलं भुंक्ष्व संर्वज्ञ कियत्कालं कृतं स्वयम् ॥ १७ ॥

O Śambhu, the sin you committed—severing Brahmā’s head—must be borne by you yourself, O all-knowing one, for as long a time as you have yourself brought about.

Verse 18

अवश्यमेव भोक्तव्यं कृतं कर्म शुभाशुभम् । नाभुक्तं क्षीयते कर्म ह्यपि जन्मशतैः प्रिय ॥ १८ ॥

Indeed, one must surely undergo the fruits of the deeds one has done—whether auspicious or inauspicious. Karma not yet experienced does not perish, even across hundreds of births, O dear one.

Verse 19

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि त्वां दृष्ट्वा दुःखितं हरम् । प्राणा विकलतां यांति मम त्वद्दुःखदर्शनात् ॥ १९ ॥

What shall I do, and where shall I go, on seeing you—Hara—so sorrowful? My very life-breath falters, simply from witnessing your grief.

Verse 20

यानि कानि च पापानि महांति महतां गते । न तानि ब्रह्महत्यायाः समानीति मतिर्मम ॥ २० ॥

Whatever great sins there may be, O you who have attained greatness—my understanding is that none of them are equal to the sin of brahmin-slaying (brahmahatyā).

Verse 21

यस्त्वं सर्वस्य लोकस्य गुरुर्धर्मोपदेशकः । ब्रह्महत्याभिभूतस्तु क्षणं स्थातुं न च क्षमः ॥ २१ ॥

You who are the teacher of the whole world and the instructor in Dharma—yet, being overpowered by the sin of brahmin-slaying, you are unable even to remain steady for a single moment.

Verse 22

एषा घोरतरा हत्या मीनगंध्या जरातुरा । लेलिहाना सुरेशान ग्रहीतुं त्वानुधावति ॥ २२ ॥

O Lord of the gods, this most dreadful sin of murder—foul-smelling like fish and worn out with age—comes rushing after you, licking its lips, intent on seizing you.

Verse 23

तस्मान्नैकत्र भवता स्थेयं द्वादशबत्सरम् । अटनीयं हितार्थाय पापनाशाभिकाम्यया ॥ २३ ॥

Therefore you should not remain in a single place for twelve years. Rather, you should wander for your own welfare, with the intention of destroying sin.

Verse 24

अटित्वा द्वादशाब्दानि तीर्थेषु सकलेषु च । प्रक्षालयन्करं वामं भिक्षां गृह्णन्कपालके ॥ २४ ॥

Having wandered for twelve years through all the sacred pilgrimage places, washing his left hand, he would accept alms in a skull-bowl.

Verse 25

शुद्धिं यास्यसि देवेश पापादस्मात्सुदारुणात् । इत्युक्तो विष्णुना विप्र स्थाणुः सर्वगतोऽभवत् ॥ २५ ॥

“O Lord of the gods, you shall attain purification from this exceedingly dreadful sin.” Thus addressed by Viṣṇu, O brāhmaṇa, Sthāṇu (Śiva) became all-pervading and vanished from sight.

Verse 26

कपालमोचनार्थं हि पाणिं प्रक्षालयन् जले । वर्षत्रयं भ्रमित्वा तु प्राप्तो बदरिकाश्रमम् ॥ २६ ॥

Indeed, for the sake of being freed from the skull-bound curse, he kept washing his hand in water; and after wandering for three years, he finally reached the hermitage of Badarikā.

Verse 27

भिक्षार्थं देवदेवस्य धर्मपुत्रस्य मानद । द्वारस्थो देहि भिक्षां मे विष्णो इत्यवदन्मुहुः ॥ २७ ॥

O bestower of honor, standing at the doorway to beg alms from the Lord of gods, the son of Dharma, he repeatedly said, “Grant me alms, O Viṣṇu.”

Verse 28

ततो नारायणो देवो दृष्ट्वा द्वारि स्थितं हरम् । गृहाण भिक्षामित्युक्त्वा प्रददौ दक्षिणं करम् ॥ २८ ॥

Then Lord Nārāyaṇa, seeing Hara standing at the doorway, said, “Accept alms,” and extended His right hand in offering.

Verse 29

ततो हरो हरिं दृष्ट्वा भिक्षां दातुं समुद्यतम् । प्राहरद्दक्षिणं पाणिं त्रिशूलेन द्विजोत्तम ॥ २९ ॥

Then Hara (Śiva), seeing Hari (Viṣṇu) ready to give alms, O best of the twice-born, struck His right hand with a trident.

Verse 30

तत्त्रिशूलक्षताद्धारास्तिस्रो लोकभयंकराः । प्रस्थद्वादशहस्ताश्च निर्गताश्चित्रवर्णिकाः ॥ ३० ॥

From the wound made by that trident, three streams burst forth—terrifying to the worlds—each spreading twelve hands in breadth, flowing out in wondrous, variegated colors.

Verse 31

एका क्षतजधारा तु कपाले न्यपतत्तदा । द्वितीया तन्मुखे प्राप्ता पयस्याथ तृतीयका ॥ ३१ ॥

Then one stream of blood fell upon the skull; a second reached that person’s mouth; and a third, thereafter, fell into the milk.

Verse 32

जलधारा शिवं प्राप्ता हरस्य हेतुरग्रतः । ता धारास्त्रीणि वर्षाणि संसेव्य विधिवद्धरः ॥ ३२ ॥

A stream of water reached Śiva, becoming the evident cause for the fulfillment of Hara’s purpose. Having duly resorted to those streams in the prescribed manner for three years, Hara (Śiva) was satisfied.

Verse 33

किंचित्प्रीतो ययौ क्षेत्रं कुरोः पुण्यकरं द्विज । तत्र गत्वा हरः स्थाणुर्भूतस्तत्र पपात च ॥ ३३ ॥

Somewhat pleased, he went to the sacred field of the Kurus—Kurukṣetra, O brāhmaṇa, bestower of merit. Reaching that place, Hara (Śiva) became motionless like a stump, and there he fell down.

Verse 34

ब्रह्मह्रदे त्रिवर्षाणि मग्रो ब्रह्मह्रदांबुनि । वर्षत्रये गते तत्र क्षतार्द्धांगो विनिःसृतः ॥ ३४ ॥

Submerged in the waters of Brahmahrada for three years, when those three years had passed, he emerged from there with half of his body injured.

Verse 35

चिरं तुष्टाव देवेशं विष्णुं सर्वगुहाशयम् । ततस्तुष्टो जगन्नाथो वरं तस्मै ददौ तु सः ॥ ३५ ॥

For a long time he praised Viṣṇu, the Lord of the gods, who dwells within the hidden chambers of all beings. Then Jagannātha, being pleased, granted him a boon.

Verse 36

गच्छ काशीमितो भ्रांत्वा तीर्थानि बहुशो हर । ततो हरिं नमस्कृत्य परीत्य बहुधा तथा ॥ ३६ ॥

“O Hara, go from here to Kāśī; wander there and visit the sacred tīrthas again and again. Then, having bowed to Hari, perform pradakṣiṇā—circumambulation of the holy places—in many ways as well.”

Verse 37

क्रमात्तीर्थाटनं कुर्वन्नविमुक्तपुरीं गतः । अविमुक्तस्य सीमायां प्राविशद्वीक्ष्तय धूर्जटिः ॥ ३७ ॥

Proceeding step by step on a pilgrimage of sacred tīrthas, he reached the city of Avimukta. And at the boundary of Avimukta, Dhūrjaṭi (Śiva) entered, having cast his glance upon it.

Verse 38

नापश्यत्तामनुप्राप्तां ब्रह्महत्यां बहिः स्थिताम् । ततोऽसौ वैष्णवं ज्ञात्वा क्षेत्रं दुरितनाशनम् । तुष्टाव प्रयतो भूत्वा माधवं वंद्यमीश्वरम् ॥ ३८ ॥

He did not behold the sin of brahma-slaughter though it had followed him, for it stood outside. Then, knowing that place to be a Vaiṣṇava kṣetra that destroys demerit, he became composed and reverent and praised Mādhava, the Lord worthy of adoration.

Verse 39

जय जय जगदीश नाथ विष्णो जगदानंदनिधान वेदवेद्य । मधुमथन नृसिंह पीतवासो गरुडाधिष्ठित माधवादिदेव ॥ ३९ ॥

Victory, victory to You—O Lord of the universe, O Master Viṣṇu—treasury of the world’s bliss, knowable through the Vedas. O slayer of Madhu, O Narasiṃha, O wearer of yellow garments; O Mādhava, primal God, seated upon Garuḍa.

Verse 40

व्रजरमण रमेश राधिकेश त्रिदशेशाखिलकामपूर कृष्ण । सुरवरकरुणार्णवार्तिनाशिन्नलिनाक्षाधिपते विभो परेश ॥ ४० ॥

O Kṛṣṇa—delight of Vraja; Lord of Ramā (Lakṣmī); Lord of Rādhikā; ruler of the gods; fulfiller of all desires—destroyer of the afflictions of the best of the gods; O lotus-eyed Lord; O all-pervading One; O supreme Lord!

Verse 41

यदुकु लतिलकाब्धिवास शौरे कुधरोद्धारविधानदक्ष धन्विन् । कलिकलुषहरांघ्रिपद्मयुग्म गृणदात्मप्रद कूर्म कश्यपोत्थ ॥ ४१ ॥

O Śauri, crest-jewel of the Yadu line, whose abode is like the ocean; O bow-bearing Lord, expert in the divine act of lifting up the earth. O Kūrma, born of Kaśyapa: the pair of lotus feet of Yours removes the defilement of Kali. To one who praises You, You grant the highest Self—liberating knowledge.

Verse 42

कुकुपतिवनपावकाखिलेज्यास्रपकालासितवस्त्र बुद्ध कल्किन् । भवभयहर भक्तवश्य गोप प्रणत्तोद्धारक पुण्यकीर्तिनाम् ॥ ४२ ॥

O Buddha, O Kalkin—dark-robed Lord, like a fire to the forest of evil rulers; You who bring all sacrifices to an end and are Time that destroys the serpent-like forces. Remover of the fear of saṃsāra, won over by devotees’ bhakti; O Gopa, Protector, savior of those who bow down—may Your holy fame be ever celebrated.

Verse 43

धरणिभरहरासुरारिपूज्य प्रकृतीशेश जगन्निवास राम । गुणगणविलसच्चराचरेश त्रिगुणातीत सनातनाग्रपूज्य । निजजनपरिरक्षितान्तकारे कमलाङ्घ्रे कमनीय पद्मनाभ । कमलकर कुशेशयाधिवास प्रियकामोन्मथन त्र्यधीशवंद्य ॥ ४३ ॥

O Rāma, refuge of all worlds—revered even by Śiva, foe of the Asuras, and remover of Earth’s burden. Lord of Prakṛti and her master; sovereign of all that moves and all that stands still, radiant with countless excellences; transcending the three guṇas, eternally worshipped first among the ancients. O Padmanābha of lovely lotus-feet, whose lotus-hand protects Your own at the hour of death; You who dwell upon the lotus (Lakṣmī), who stir the hearts of beloved devotees, and who are adored by the rulers of the three worlds.

Verse 44

अघहर रघुनाथ यादवेश प्रियभूदेव परात्परामरेज्य । हलधर दुरितापह प्रणम्य त्रिगुणव्याप्त जगत्त्रिकालदक्ष ॥ ४४ ॥

I bow to You—remover of sin; Raghunātha, Lord of the Raghu line; sovereign of the Yādavas; beloved of Earth and of the gods; Supreme beyond the supreme, worthy of the worship of the immortals; wielder of the plough; destroyer of misfortune—pervading the three guṇas and governing the universe with skill through the three times.

Verse 45

दनुजकुलविनाशनैककर्मन्ननघारूढफणीश कंसकाल । रविशशिनयन प्रगल्भचेष्ट प्रधुतध्वांत नवांबुदाभ मेश ॥ ४५ ॥

O Lord whose sole work is the destruction of the demon race; O sinless One who rides upon the serpent-king; O Death to Kaṃsa; O You whose eyes are the Sun and the Moon; O bold in action, who scatter away darkness—O Lord, dark as a fresh rain-cloud, protect me.

Verse 46

मख मखधर मातृबद्धदामन्नवनीतप्रिय बल्लवीगणेश । अघबकवृषकेशिपूतनांत त्रिशिरोवालिदशास्यभेदकारिन् ॥ ४६ ॥

O Lord of sacrifice and bearer of sacrifice—You who were tied with a rope by Your mother, who delight in butter, the leader of the cowherd maidens! You who brought the end of Agha, Baka, Vṛṣa, Keśī, and Pūtanā; who destroyed Triśiras, Vāli, and the ten-headed one (Rāvaṇa)—victory to You, O Slayer of foes!

Verse 47

नरकमुरविनाश बाणदोः कृत्त्रिपुरारीज्य सुदाममित्र सेव्य । भवतरणिवहित्रपादपद्म प्रकटैश्वर्य पुराण पूर्णबाहो ॥ ४७ ॥

O full-armed Lord, destroyer of Naraka and Mura, whose hands cut down Bāṇa’s arms; worshipped even by Tripurāri (Śiva) and served by Sudāmā, the friend—Your lotus-feet are the boat that carries one across the ocean of saṃsāra. O Ancient One, whose sovereignty is manifest, reveal Your grace.

Verse 48

बहुजनिसुकृताप्य मंगलार्ह श्रुतिवेद्य श्रुतिधाम शांतशुद्ध । तव वरद वरेण्यमंघ्रियुग्मं शरणं प्राप्तमघार्दितं प्रपाहि ॥ ४८ ॥

O Bestower of boons, worthy of all auspicious worship, known through the Vedas and the very abode of the Veda, peaceful and perfectly pure: I, afflicted by sin, have come for refuge to Your most excellent pair of feet, attained only by the merit of many births. Protect me.

Verse 49

नहि मम गतिदं पुराणपुंसोऽन्यदिति प्रार्थनया प्रसीदऽमेद्य ॥ ४९ ॥

For me there is no refuge other than You, O Ancient Person (Puruṣa). Therefore, being thus entreated, be gracious—O Stainless One.

Verse 50

इति स्तुतो जगन्नाथो भक्त्या देवेन शंभुना । आविर्बभूव सहसा माधवो भक्तवत्सलः ॥ ५० ॥

Thus praised with devotion by the god Śaṃbhu (Śiva), the Lord of the universe—Mādhava, ever affectionate to His devotees—suddenly manifested Himself.

Verse 51

तं दृष्ट्वा दंडवद्भूमौ निपपात हरो हरिम् । पुनरुत्थाय विप्रेंद्र ननाम विधृतांजलिः ॥ ५१ ॥

Seeing Him, Hara (Śiva) fell upon the ground in full prostration before Hari (Viṣṇu). Then, rising again, O best of brāhmaṇas, he bowed with palms joined in reverence.

Verse 52

तमुवाच हृषीकेशः प्रणतं भूतनायकम् । वरं वृणु प्रदास्येऽहं संतुष्टः स्तोत्रतस्तव ॥ ५२ ॥

Hṛṣīkeśa (Lord Viṣṇu) then spoke to the lord of beings who had bowed down: “Choose a boon; I shall grant it to you, for I am pleased by your hymn of praise.”

Verse 53

तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवद्वाक्यं भूतेशो ब्रह्यहत्यया । पीडितात्मा जगादेदं भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं हरिम् ॥ ५३ ॥

Hearing the Lord’s words, Bhūteśa—his soul tormented by the sin of brahmin-slaying—spoke these words to Hari, the giver of both worldly enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 54

इच्छामि वसितुं क्षेत्रे तव चक्रगदाधर । त्वत्क्षेत्रसीमाबाह्यस्था ब्रह्महत्या यदीक्ष्यते ॥ ५४ ॥

O bearer of the discus and mace, I wish to dwell in Your sacred field; for if the sin of brahmin-slaying is seen standing outside the boundary of Your holy precinct, (then let me remain within it).

Verse 55

क्षेत्रदानेन कारुण्यं कुरु मे गरुडध्वज । मम निर्गमने ब्रह्महत्या मां पुनरेष्यति ॥ ५५ ॥

O Garuḍa-bannered Lord (Viṣṇu), show compassion to me through the gift of sacred land; for when I depart from here, the sin of brahmin-slaying will return to seize me again.

Verse 56

त्वत्क्षेत्रे संस्थितोऽहं तु पूजां प्राप्स्ये जगत्त्रये । इत्युक्त्वा ह्यभवत्तूष्णीं देवदेवं वृषध्वजः ॥ ५६ ॥

“Dwelling in your sacred field, I shall indeed receive worship in the three worlds.” Having said this, Vṛṣadhvaja (Śiva), the God of gods, became silent.

Verse 57

तथेति प्रतिपेदे च क्षीरसागरजाप्रियः । ततः प्रभृति विप्रेंद्र शैवं क्षेत्रं निगद्यते ॥ ५७ ॥

“So be it,” assented the beloved of she who was born from the Ocean of Milk. From that time onward, O best of brāhmaṇas, this place has been proclaimed a Śaiva sacred field.

Verse 58

क्षेत्रं तु केशवस्येदं पुराणं कवयो विदुः । कृपया संपरीतस्य माधवस्य द्विजोत्तम ॥ ५८ ॥

This sacred ground is truly Keśava’s own; the seers of old know it as proclaimed in the Purāṇas. O best of the twice-born, it is guarded and encompassed by the grace of Mādhava.

Verse 59

नेत्राभ्यां निर्गतं वारि तेन बिंदुसरोऽभवत् । माधवस्याज्ञया तत्र सस्नौ देवो वृषध्वजः ॥ ५९ ॥

Water flowed forth from his eyes; from that arose the lake called Bindu-saras. By Mādhava’s command, the god Vṛṣadhvaja (Śiva) bathed there.

Verse 60

स्नातमात्रे हरे तत्तु कपालं पाणितोऽपतत् । कपालमोचनं नाम तत्तीर्थं ख्यातिमागतम् ॥ ६० ॥

The moment Hari bathed there, that skull-bowl slipped from his hand. Therefore that sacred ford became renowned by the name “Kapālamocana” (the Liberator from the Skull).

Verse 61

बिंदुमाधवनामासौ दत्वा स्वं धाम शूलिने । भक्तिभावेन शंभुस्तु निबद्धस्तत्र संस्थितः ॥ ६१ ॥

He (Viṣṇu), known there as Bindumādhava, granted his own abode to the Trident-bearer (Śiva); and Śambhu, bound by the power of devotion, remained established there.

Verse 62

यं तु ब्रह्मादयो देवाः स्वःस्थाः पश्यति सर्वदा । सूर्यायुतसमप्रख्य दिगंबरनिषेवितम् ॥ ६२ ॥

That One whom Brahmā and the other gods—abiding in their own heavenly realms—behold at all times: radiant like ten thousand suns, and attended upon by the sky-clad (Digambaras).

Verse 63

विघ्नानि शूलिना कांत कृतान्यस्य निषेवणे । यैर्विघ्नैरभिभूतास्तु स्तुत्वा विष्णुं शिवार्चकाः ॥ ६३ ॥

O beloved, Śiva, the bearer of the trident, created obstacles in the worship of Viṣṇu. Overpowered by those hindrances, the devotees—though worshippers of Śiva—praised Viṣṇu and thereby found relief.

Verse 64

सर्वे लोकाः स्थिता ह्यत्र शिवः काशीति चिंतकाः । शिवस्य चिंतनाद्विप्र शैवाः सर्वे निराकुलाः ॥ ६४ ॥

Here all the worlds are established and sustained by those who contemplate, “Śiva is Kāśī.” By the very remembrance of Śiva, O brāhmaṇa, all devotees of Śiva become calm, free from agitation and distress.

Verse 65

प्रयांति शिवलोकं वैजरामृत्युविवर्जितम् । बहुपुण्ययुताः संतो निवसंत्तयत्र नीरुजः ॥ ६५ ॥

They go to Śiva’s world, a realm free from old age and death. Endowed with abundant merit, the virtuous dwell there, untouched by suffering.

Verse 66

यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः काशीकांत ऋद्धिसमन्विताः । नात्र स्नानं प्रशंसंति न जपं न सुरार्चनम् ॥ ६६ ॥

Those who partake of the remnants of sacrifice, who are dear to Kāśī and endowed with prosperity—here in Kāśī they do not extol ritual bathing, nor japa, nor the worship of the gods as separate means, for this holy place itself is supremely efficacious.

Verse 67

नापि दानं द्विजश्रेष्ठ मुक्त्वैकं देहपातनम् । मृत्युं प्रात्युं नरः कामं कृतकृत्यो भवेद्ध्रुवन् ॥ ६७ ॥

O best of brāhmaṇas, there is no gift (dāna) comparable to this single one—laying down the body in this sacred manner. One who longs to meet death thus becomes, surely, a person who has fulfilled life’s purpose.

Verse 68

सेयमासादिता विप्रर पुरी प्रासादसंकुला । भोगिनीमपि मोक्षाय किं पुनर्व्रतधारिणाम् ॥ ६८ ॥

O brāhmaṇa, we have now reached this city, thronged with lofty mansions. It bestows liberation even upon those devoted to enjoyment; how much more, then, upon those who uphold sacred vows (vratas).

Verse 69

निक्षिप्यतामियं बाला काशीशस्येह मंदिरे । वियोजिता तु या पूर्वं तेन दुष्टेन रक्षसा ॥ ६९ ॥

“Place this young girl here, in the temple of the Lord of Kāśī—she who was earlier torn away (from her own) by that wicked rākṣasa.”

Verse 70

आत्मनः सुरतार्थाय कुमारी नियमान्विता । एष प्रभावोऽपि हितः क्षेत्रस्यास्य द्विजोत्म ॥ ७० ॥

O best of the twice-born, even a maiden, restrained by vows, who seeks the fulfillment of her own desire for union—this too becomes an auspicious, beneficial potency of this sacred field (kṣetra).

Verse 71

विनश्यंतीह कर्माणि शुभान्यप्यशुभानि च । भूतव्यभविष्याणि ज्ञानाज्ञानकृतानि च ॥ ७१ ॥

Here, actions (karma) perish—both auspicious and inauspicious—whether done in the past, the present, or the future, and whether performed knowingly or in ignorance.

Verse 72

एषा पुरी कर्मविनाशनाय कृष्णेन पूर्वं हि विनिर्मिताभूत् । यस्यां मृता दुःखमनंतमुग्रं भुंजंति मर्त्या यमयातनां नो ॥ ७२ ॥

This sacred city was once established by Kṛṣṇa for the destruction of karmic bondage. Mortals who die here do not undergo the endless, fierce suffering of Yama’s punishments.

Verse 73

इति श्रीबृहन्नारदीयपुराणोत्तरभागे मोहिनीचरिते काष्ठीलोपाख्याने राक्षसीचरिते काशीवर्णनं नाम एकोनत्रिंशोऽध्यायः ॥ २९ ॥

Thus ends the twenty-ninth chapter, entitled “The Description of Kāśī,” in the Uttara-bhāga of the Śrī Bṛhan-Nāradīya Purāṇa, within the narrative of Mohinī, in the episode known as Kāṣṭhīla, and in the account concerning the rākṣasī.