Ponderings

Talk and Meditation on Kashi Vishwanatha Ashtakam Verse 8Rāgādi-doṣa-rahitaṁ svajanānurāgamvairāgya-śānti-nilayaṁ Girijā-sahāyam ।Mādhurya-dhairya-subhagaṁ garalābhirāmaṁVārāṇasī-pura-patiṁ bhaja Viśvanātham ॥ 8 ॥MeaningWorship Śrī Viśvanātha, the Lord of Vārāṇasī,• who is free from faults like attachment and hatred,• who is full of love for His devotees,• the abode of renunciation and peace,• the companion of Girijā (Pārvatī),• who is endowed with sweetness and patience,• and who looks beautiful with His throat marked by the poison.vāraṇasī-pura-pateḥ stavanaṃ śivasyavyākhyātaṁ aṣṭakam idaṁ paṭhate manuṣyaḥvidyāṁ śriyāṁ vipulasaukhyam anantakīrtiṁsaṁprāpya dehavilaye labhate ca mokṣamMeaning• Whoever recites the expounded Aṣṭakam in praise of Śiva, the Lord of Vārāṇasī(Kāśī),• Attains vidyā (knowledge), śrī (wealth/prosperity), vipula-saukhyam (abundanthappiness), and ananta-kīrti(everlasting fame).• Upon the dissolution of the body, such a devotee also attains mokṣa (liberation)