तदुत्तरे सरो रम्यं कुमुदोत्पलमंडितम्
To the north of that place lies a beautiful lake, adorned with white lotuses and blue lilies.
मंत्रेश्वरस्य महिमा नहि केनापि शक्यते मंत्रेश्वरसमं लिंगं न भूतं न भविष्यति
The greatness of Maṃtreśvara cannot be described by anyone; never has there been, nor will there be, a liṅga equal to Maṃtreśvara.
सुगंधिपुष्पधूपादिकुसुमाद्यनुलेपनैः 2.8.8.
With fragrant flowers, incense, and various ointments and blossoms, it should be anointed.
एवं कृते न संदेहो मुक्तिस्तस्य करे स्थिता
When this is done, there is no doubt—liberation rests in his hand.
तां संपूज्य नरो विद्वान्सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते कर्त्तव्यं सुप्रयत्नेन नृभिः सर्वार्थसिद्धये
By worshipping it, a wise person is freed from all sins; it must be performed with great effort by people to attain all goals.
विस्फोटकादिकभये नरैश्च समुपस्थिते
Even when dangers such as explosions and the like arise and people are confronted by them—
तदुत्तरे तु तत्रैव देवी वन्दीति विश्रुता
To the north of that, right there, is the renowned goddess called Vanditī.
राज्ञा क्रुद्धेन ये बद्धाः शृंखलानिगडादिभिः
Those who are bound by an angry king with chains, shackles, and the like—
यात्रा तस्याः प्रयत्नेन कर्तव्या यत्नतो नरैः
A pilgrimage to her must be undertaken with care and effort by people.
गंधैः पुष्पैस्तथा धूपैर्दीपैरपि च सुव्रत
With scents, flowers, incense, and also with lamps, O steadfast one—
बन्दीप्रीत्यै मुनिश्रेष्ठ देयं ब्राह्मणभोजनम्
For the delight of prisoners, O best of sages, a meal for brāhmaṇas should be given.
तदुत्तरस्मिंस्तत्रैव चुडकी भुवि कीर्तिता
To the north of that, right there, is the Cuḍakī, famed upon the earth.
सुसंदिग्धेषु कार्येषु भये च समुपस्थिते 2.8.8.
When matters are very uncertain, or when danger is at hand—
अग्रे तस्याः सदा कार्या नृभिरंगुष्ठतो ध्वनिः
In front of her, people should always make a sound with their thumbs.
सर्वाभीष्टप्रदं नॄणां दीपदानं प्रशस्यते
The offering of lamps is praised as granting all desires to people.
ततः पूर्वदिशाभागे वर्त्तते तीर्थमुत्तमम्
Then, in the eastern direction, there is an excellent holy place.
यत्र स्नानेन दानेन पूजया च द्विजन्मनाम्
Where, through bathing, giving, and worship by the twice-born,
भाद्रे कृष्णचतुर्दश्यां यात्रा सांवत्सरी स्मृता
On the auspicious fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in Bhādra, the annual pilgrimage is observed.
महारत्न इति ख्यातं तस्मात्तीर्थमनुत्तमम्
That supreme holy place is renowned as Mahāratna.
नारीभिरपि विप्रर्षे कर्त्तव्यो जागरोत्सवः तत्र स्नानं प्रयत्नेन कर्त्तव्यं श्रद्धया नरैः
O best of sages, even women should perform the night vigil festival; there, bathing must be undertaken with devotion and effort by men.
ततो नैऋत्यदिग्भागे दुर्भराख्यं सरा शुभम्
Then, in the southwest direction, is the auspicious lake called Durbhara.
तत्र स्नानादवाप्नोति सदा स्वर्गपदं नरः
By bathing there, a man always attains the realm of heaven.
शिवपूजा प्रकर्त्तव्या स्नात्वा कुण्डद्वये नरैः 2.8.8.
After bathing in the two pools, one should perform worship of Śiva.
गन्धादिभिः शुभैः पुष्पैरर्च्चनीयो महेश्वरः
The great Lord is to be worshipped with fragrant substances and auspicious flowers.
इति ध्यात्वा शिवं सार्द्धं निष्पापं प्रयतो नरः
Having thus meditated on Śiva together, a man, purified, becomes sinless.
एवं कृत्वा नरो विप्र सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
By doing so, O sage, a man is freed from all sins.
भाद्रकृष्णचतुर्दश्यां यः कुर्य्याच्छ्रद्धयाऽन्वितः
Whoever performs this with faith on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in Bhādra,
यः करोति नरो भक्त्या शिवलोके स संवसेत्
Whoever does this with devotion dwells in the world of Śiva.
विष्णुरुद्रौ च तस्यातिसुप्रसन्नौ सनातनौ
Viṣṇu and Rudra, the eternal ones, become exceedingly pleased with him.
अतः किं बहुनोक्तेन विप्रतीर्थमनुत्तमम्
Therefore, what is the use of saying more? O sage, this holy place is unsurpassed.