80. By ending one’s mortal life in Kāśī, one attains effortless salvation—greater even than that obtained at Prayāga, the lord of all sacred fords in the world.

81. Without doubt, Avimukta is more enchanting than Prayāga, because Viśveśvara Himself directly presides over it.

82. Nowhere in the entire cosmic sphere is anything more delightful than Avimukta, the great holy place governed by Viśveśa.

83. Although located at the very center of the Cosmic Egg, Avimukta lies five krośas (1 krośa = 3 km) away from its middle.

84. Whenever the waters of the vast ocean rise during cosmic dissolution (pralaya), the Lord lifts this holy region above the flood level.

85. O Brāhmaṇa, this sacred place rests on the tip of Lord Śiva’s trident in the intermediate region, without touching the ground. People of deluded intellect fail to perceive this.

86. The Kṛtayuga exists perpetually here. There is everlasting festivity. No planetary rise or setting can bring inauspiciousness to the hermitage of Viśveśvara.

87. Here, the gentle northern transit of the Sun (Saumyāyana) is eternal; auspiciousness prevails forever where Viśveśvara dwells.

88. O Brāhmaṇa, Kāśī should not be regarded as equal to the thousands of cities on earth. It is superior even to the fourteen worlds.

89. O noble Brāhmaṇa, although I created the fourteen worlds, the creator of this city is none other than Lord Viśveśvara Himself.

90. Long ago, Yama performed extremely severe penance for a long time and thereby gained authority over all three worlds—except for the city of Vārāṇasī.

91. All the activities of the world, of both moving and unmoving beings, fall within the knowledge and records of Citragupta—except for those who live in Kāśī.

92. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, the messengers of Yama have no right to enter the city of Kāśī. The attendants of Rudra stand guard there.

93. Viśveśa Himself governs those who die in Kāśī. Kālabhairava punishes those who commit sins there.

94. No one should commit sin in this place. The punishments inflicted by the Rudras are terrible. Becoming a Rudra-piśāca (a tormented spirit) is more unbearable than suffering in hell.

95. If one insists on committing sin, let it be done elsewhere; the earth is vast enough.

96. Even a lustful creature avoids its own mother. Likewise, Kāśī alone should be avoided by one intent on sinning, if he desires salvation.

97. Kāśī should not be visited by those who habitually slander others or by those who desire adultery with another man’s wife. What comparison can be drawn between Kāśī and hell?

98. Those who pursue wealth through accepting gifts (pratigraha) or through deceitful means should avoid Kāśī; such persons ought not to reside there.

99. Any act that causes pain to others should always be avoided in Kāśī. If a wicked person persists in such behavior, what benefit can residence in Kāśī bring him?

100. Those who abandon devotion to Viśveśvara and worship other deities should not live here. This is the capital city of the Lord who wields the Pināka bow.

101. O Brāhmaṇa, Avimukta should not be sought by those who pursue wealth or sensual pleasure, for this is the holy place of liberation.

102. Vārāṇasī should not be approached by those who criticize Śiva, ridicule the Vedas, or oppose the way of life prescribed by them.

103. Kāśī does not aid the spiritual progress of those who think of oppressing others, who are jealous, or who torment other beings.

104. Even speaking of salvation is meaningless for those of wicked actions and crooked minds who cannot bring themselves to praise Kāśī, even inwardly.

105. Without knowledge, there is no salvation anywhere—and such knowledge cannot be attained merely through vows or rites such as the Cāndrāyaṇa.

106–109. Knowledge cannot truly be gained through gifts—even great ones like tulāpuruṣa—no matter how faithfully performed, how well-timed, or how rightly given.
It is not attained through disciplines of restraint like celibacy, through worship, through severe austerities that weaken the body, or through the chanting of great mantras taught by teachers.
Nor is it acquired through diligent study of the Vedas, through scrupulous maintenance of the sacred fire, through service to teachers, through śrāddha rites, through the worship of deities, or through many forms of pilgrimage.