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Manikarnikashtakam
मणिकर्णिकाष्टकम्
Maṇikarṇikāṣṭakam
Chant
दुःखाम्बोधिगतो हि जन्तुनिवहस्तेषां कथं निष्कृतिः ज्ञात्वा तद्विरिञ्चिना विरचिता वाराणसी शर्मदा । लोकाः स्वर्गसुखास्ततोऽपि लघवो भोगान्तपातप्रदाः काशी मुक्तिपुरी सदा शिवकरा धर्मार्थमोक्षप्रदा ॥५॥
Study note
Word breakdown
- दुःखाम्बोधिगतो हि जन्तुनिवहस्तेषां कथं निष्कृतिः ज्ञात्वा तद्विरिञ्चिना विरचिता वाराणसी शर्मदा । लोकाः स्वर्गसुखास्ततोऽपि लघवो भोगान्तपातप्रदाः काशी मुक्तिपुरी सदा शिवकरा धर्मार्थमोक्षप्रदा ॥५॥
- Beings drowning in the ocean of sorrow - how could they find release? Knowing this, Brahma fashioned comfort-giving Varanasi. Heavenly worlds, lighter than its joys, end in fall after pleasure; Kashi, city of liberation, ever grants Shiva, giving dharma, wealth, and moksha.
Brahma created Kashi as refuge for beings drowning in sorrow's ocean. Heaven's pleasures end in fall, but the city of liberation grants dharma, wealth, and the final freedom of the Self.
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