काञ्चीपुरमाहात्म्यम् Kāñcī Pura Māhātmyam

The Sadguru said:

I shall narrate the supreme and auspicious greatness of the city of Kanchi. Kanchi exists on the earth, adorned like its beautiful hip-region.

śrīsadgururuvāca

kāñcīpurasya māhātmyaṃ vakṣyāmi paramaṃ śubham

kāñcīva vartate bhūmyāḥ purī jaghanaśobhitā

श्रीसद्गुरुः · śrīsadguruḥ — the revered teacher

उवाच · uvāca — spoke

काञ्चीपुरस्य · kāñcīpurasya — of the city of Kanchi

माहात्म्यम् · māhātmyaṃ — the greatness

वक्ष्यामि · vakṣyāmi — I shall tell

परमम् · paramaṃ — supreme

शुभम् · śubham — auspicious

काञ्चीव · kāñcīva — like a hip-girdle

वर्तते · vartate — exists

भूम्याः · bhūmyāḥ — of the earth

पुरी · purī — the city

जघनशोभिता · jaghanaśobhitā — adorned like the hip-region

श्रीसद्गुरुः उवाच। अहं काञ्चीपुरस्य परमं शुभं माहात्म्यं वक्ष्यामि। भूम्याः जघनशोभिता काञ्चीव इयं पुरी वर्तते।

the revered teacher · spoke · of the city of Kanchi · the greatness · I shall tell · supreme · auspicious · like a hip-girdle · exists · of the earth · the city · adorned like the hip-region

This verse serves as the introductory invocation, establishing the author's intent to describe Kanchi's glory. It sets the tone by metaphorically comparing the city to a beautiful ornament on the earth's body.

Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya (Haridwar), Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika (Ujjain), and the city of Dwaravati—these seven are the givers of liberation.

ayodhyā madhurā māyā kāśī kāñcī hyavantikā

purī dvāravatī caiva saptaitā mokṣadāyikāḥ

अयोध्या · ayodhyā — Ayodhya

मधुरा · madhurā — Mathura

माया · māyā — Haridwar

काशी · kāśī — Kashi

काञ्ची · kāñcī — Kanchi

अवन्तिका · avantikā — Ujjain

पुरी · purī — the city

द्वारवती · dvāravatī — Dwaraka

च · ca — and

एव · eva — indeed

सप्तैताः · saptaitāḥ — these seven

मोक्षदायिकाः · mokṣadāyikāḥ — bestowers of liberation

अयोध्या, मधुरा, माया, काशी, काञ्ची, अवन्तिका, द्वारवती पुरी च - एताः सप्त मोक्षदायिकाः सन्ति।

Ayodhya · Mathura · Haridwar · Kashi · Kanchi · Ujjain · the city · Dwaraka · and · indeed · these seven · bestowers of liberation

This verse contextualizes Kanchi within the traditional list of the seven sacred cities (Saptapuri) that grant liberation, establishing its spiritual pedigree.

"Ka" is a name for Brahma. By him, Hari was worshipped there. Hence, the city that enhances merit became renowned as "Kanchi".

ka iti brahmaṇo nāma tena tatrāñcito hariḥ

tataḥ kāñcīti vikhyātā purī puṇyavivardhanī

क · ka — Brahma

इति · iti — thus

ब्रह्मणः · brahmaṇo — of Brahma

नाम · nāma — name

तेन · tena — by him

तत्र · tatra — there

अञ्चितः · añcito — worshipped

हरिः · hariḥ — Lord Hari

ततः · tataḥ — hence

काञ्ची · kāñcī — Kanchi

इति · iti — thus

विख्याता · vikhyātā — renowned

पुरी · purī — city

पुण्यविवर्धनी · puṇyavivardhanī — increaser of merit

क इति ब्रह्मणः नाम। तेन तत्र हरिः अञ्चितः। ततः सा पुरी काञ्ची इति विख्याता पुण्यविवर्धनी च अभवत्।

Brahma · thus · of Brahma · name · by him · there · worshipped · Lord Hari · hence · Kanchi · thus · renowned · city · increaser of merit

This verse provides the etymological significance of the name 'Kanchi', linking it to Brahma's worship of Hari, thereby justifying its status as a place that increases merit.

Among all cities, Kanchi is distinguished. And among all mountains, Hastigiri is remembered as the greatest.

nagarīṇāñca sarvāsāṃ purī kāñcī viśiṣyate

girīṇāñcāpi sarveṣāṃ śreṣṭho hastigiriḥ smṛtaḥ

नगरीणाम् · nagarīṇāṃ — of cities

सर्वासाम् · sarvāsāṃ — of all

पुरी · purī — the city

काञ्ची · kāñcī — Kanchi

विशिष्यते · viśiṣyate — is distinguished

गिरीणाम् · girīṇāṃ — of mountains

अपि · api — also

सर्वेषाम् · sarveṣāṃ — of all

श्रेष्ठः · śreṣṭho — the best

हस्तिगिरिः · hastigiriḥ — Hastigiri

स्मृतः · smṛtaḥ — is remembered

सर्वासाम् नगरीणाम् मध्ये काञ्ची पुरी विशिष्यते। सर्वेषाम् गिरीणाम् मध्ये हस्तिगिरिः श्रेष्ठः स्मृतः।

of cities · of all · the city · Kanchi · is distinguished · of mountains · also · of all · the best · Hastigiri · is remembered

This verse elevates Kanchi above other cities and Hastigiri above other mountains, establishing a hierarchy of sacred geography within the text.

On the northern bank of the Vegavati, in the Punyakoti Vimana, Hari, the bestower of boons to all beings, is seen even today.

vegavatyuttare tīre puṇyakoṭyāṃ hariḥ svayam

varadaḥ sarvabhūtānāmadyāpi paridṛśyate

वेगवति · vegavati — Vegavati river

उत्तरे · uttare — on the north

तीरे · tīre — bank

पुण्यकोट्याम् · puṇyakoṭyāṃ — in Punyakoti

हरिः · hariḥ — Lord Hari

स्वयम् · svayam — himself

वरदः · varadaḥ — bestower of boons

सर्वभूतानाम् · sarvabhūtānām — of all beings

अद्यापि · adyāpi — even today

परिदृश्यते · paridṛśyate — is seen

वेगवत्याः उत्तरे तीरे पुण्यकोट्यां सर्वभूतानां वरदः हरिः स्वयम् अद्यापि परिदृश्यते।

Vegavati river · on the north · bank · in Punyakoti · Lord Hari · himself · bestower of boons · of all beings · even today · is seen

This verse identifies the specific location of the Lord within Kanchi, grounding the theological greatness in a tangible, visitable site (Punyakoti Vimana).

The anthill situated in the north-western part of the great mountain is to be worshipped, and there resides Sesha, the best of the serpent-folk.

udakpaścimabhāgasthaṃ valmīkaṃ mahato gire:

pūjanīyaśca tatrāste śeṣaḥ phaṇabhṛtāṃ varaḥ

उदक्पश्चिमभागस्थम् · udakpaścimabhāgasthaṃ — situated in the north-west part

वल्मीकम् · valmīkaṃ — anthill

महतः · mahato — of the great

गिरेः · gireḥ — mountain

पूजनीयः · pūjanīyaḥ — worthy of worship

तत्र · tatra — there

आस्ते · āste — resides

शेषः · śeṣaḥ — Sesha

फणभृताम् · phaṇabhṛtāṃ — of serpents

वरः · varaḥ — the best

महतः गिरेः उदक्पश्चिमभागस्थं वल्मीकं पूजनीयम्। तत्र फणभृतां वरः शेषः आस्ते।

situated in the north-west part · anthill · of the great · mountain · worthy of worship · there · resides · Sesha · of serpents · the best

This verse introduces the sacred geography of the anthill and the presence of Sesha, adding layers of mythological depth to the physical landscape of Hastigiri.

Having bathed in the Anantasaras (Ananta's lake), which is graced by the shadow of the Vimana, one is freed from all sins and goes to the world of Vishnu.

anantasarasi snātvā vimānacchāyayānvite

vimuktaḥ sarvapāpebhyo viṣṇulokaṃ sa gacchati

अनन्तसरसि · anantasarasi — in Ananta lake

स्नात्वा · snātvā — having bathed

विमानच्छायया · vimānacchāyayā — by the shadow of the Vimana

अन्विते · anvite — endowed with

विमुक्तः · vimuktaḥ — freed

सर्वपापेभ्यः · sarvapāpebhyo — from all sins

विष्णुलोकम् · viṣṇulokaṃ — to Vishnu's world

सः · saḥ — he

गच्छति · gacchati — goes

विमानच्छायया अन्विते अनन्तसरसि स्नात्वा, सः सर्वपापेभ्यः विमुक्तः सन् विष्णुलोकं गच्छति।

in Ananta lake · having bathed · by the shadow of the Vimana · endowed with · freed · from all sins · to Vishnu's world · he · goes

This verse explains the soteriological benefit of bathing in Anantasaras, linking the physical act of pilgrimage to the spiritual goal of reaching Vishnu's realm.

It is where the divine Ananta, the lord of serpents, emerged from the netherworld, desiring to see the great Varaha, the lord of gods.

mahāvarāhaṃ deveśaṃ draṣṭukāmo rasātalāt

niryayau yatra bhagavānanantaḥ pannageśvara:

महावराहम् · mahāvarāhaṃ — the great Varaha

देवेशम् · deveśaṃ — Lord of gods

द्रष्टुकामो · draṣṭukāmo — desiring to see

रसातलात् · rasātalāt — from the netherworld

निर्ययौ · niryayau — emerged

यत्र · yatra — where

भगवान् · bhagavān — the Lord

अनन्तः · anantaḥ — Ananta

पन्नगेश्वरः · pannageśvaraḥ — lord of serpents

यत्र भगवान् पन्नगेश्वरः अनन्तः महावराहं देवेशं द्रष्टुकामो रसातलात् निर्ययौ।

the great Varaha · Lord of gods · desiring to see · from the netherworld · emerged · where · the Lord · Ananta · lord of serpents

This verse provides the historical/mythological origin of Ananta's presence in Kanchi, emphasizing his devotion to Varaha as the catalyst for his arrival.

In that most sacred Tirtha, frequented by hosts of Siddhas, all the holy waters have likewise been concentrated by the sages.

tīrthe tasmin mahāpuṇye siddhasaṅghaniṣevite |

samāhitāni tīrthāṇi sarvāṇi munibhistathā

तीर्थे · tīrthe — in the sacred place

तस्मिन् · tasmin — in that

महापुण्ये · mahāpuṇye — most sacred

सिद्धसङ्घनिषेविते · siddhasaṅghaniṣevite — frequented by Siddhas

समाहितानि · samāhitāni — gathered

तीर्थाणि · tīrthāṇi — holy waters

सर्वाणि · sarvāṇi — all

मुनिभिः · munibhiḥ — by sages

तथा · tathā — likewise

तस्मिन् महापुण्ये सिद्धसङ्घनिषेविते तीर्थे मुनिभिः सर्वाणि तीर्थाणि समाहितानि।

in the sacred place · in that · most sacred · frequented by Siddhas · gathered · holy waters · all · by sages · likewise

This verse reinforces the sanctity of the location by stating that all holy waters have been gathered here by sages, making it a universal pilgrimage site.

Thus, Kanchi perpetually adorns the garland of the seven cities, which is itself embellished by virtuous people, like a central gem.

evaṃ saptapurīmālāṃ sajjanairabhibhūṣitām

madhyamāṇikyavatkāñcī śobhayatyeva santatam

एवम् · evaṃ — thus

सप्तपुरीमालाम् · saptapurīmālāṃ — garland of seven cities

सज्जनैः · sajjanair — by virtuous people

अभिभूषिताम् · abhibhūṣitām — adorned

मध्यमाणिक्यवत् · madhyamāṇikyavat — like a central gem

काञ्ची · kāñcī — Kanchi

शोभयति · śobhayati — adorns

एव · eva — indeed

सन्ततम् · santatam — perpetually

एवं सज्जनैः अभिभूषितां सप्तपुरीमालां काञ्ची मध्यमाणिक्यवत् सन्ततं शोभयति।

thus · garland of seven cities · by virtuous people · adorned · like a central gem · Kanchi · adorns · indeed · perpetually

This concluding verse of the initial section uses the metaphor of a garland to summarize Kanchi's central and indispensable role among the seven sacred cities.

In that city, on Hastigiri, resides the god Hari, the Bestower of Boons (Varada), the ocean of mercy who self-manifested from the middle of Brahma's sacrificial altar.

tasyāṃ hastigirau devo vartate varado hariḥ

vedimadhyātsvayaṃbhūto brahmaṇo yo dayānidhiḥ

तस्याम् · tasyām — in that city

हस्तिगिरौ · hastigirau — on the Hastigiri hill

देवः · devaḥ — the Lord

वर्तते · vartate — resides

वरदः · varadaḥ — the bestower of boons

हरिः · hariḥ — Lord Hari

वेदिमध्यात् · vedimadhyāt — from the middle of the altar

स्वयंभूतः · svayaṃbhūtaḥ — self-manifested

ब्रह्मणः · brahmaṇaḥ — of Brahma

यः · yaḥ — who

दयानिधिः · dayānidhiḥ — ocean of mercy

तस्यां हस्तिगिरौ वरदः हरिः देवः वर्तते। यः ब्रह्मणः वेदिमध्यात् स्वयंभूतः दयानिधिः अस्ति।

in that city · on the Hastigiri hill · the Lord · resides · the bestower of boons · Lord Hari · from the middle of the altar · self-manifested · of Brahma · who · ocean of mercy

This verse introduces the presiding deity of Kanchi, Varadaraja, emphasizing his self-manifested nature from Brahma's sacrifice. It establishes the theological foundation for the city's sanctity.

On the bank of Gajendra-saras, one should see the eight-armed Hari, who formerly came in great haste for the sake of protecting the elephant.

gajendrasarasastīre paśyedaṣṭabhujaṃ harim

āgatastvarayā pūrvaṃ karirakṣaṇakāraṇāt

गजेन्द्रसरसः · gajendrasarasas — of Gajendra-saras

तीरे · tīre — on the bank

पश्येत् · paśyet — one should see

अष्टभुजम् · aṣṭabhujaṃ — the eight-armed one

हरिम् · harim — Lord Hari

आगतः · āgataḥ — who came

त्वरया · tvarayā — with haste

पूर्वम् · pūrvaṃ — formerly

करिरक्षणकारणात् · karirakṣaṇakāraṇāt — for the sake of protecting the elephant

गजेन्द्रसरसः तीरे अष्टभुजं हरिं पश्येत्। यः पूर्वं करिरक्षणकारणात् त्वरया आगतः।

of Gajendra-saras · on the bank · one should see · the eight-armed one · Lord Hari · who came · with haste · formerly · for the sake of protecting the elephant

This verse directs the devotee to the Ashtabhuja temple, highlighting the Lord's swift response to the distress of His devotee, the elephant Gajendra.

One should see Hari resting on the serpent-couch, who acted as a dam on the Vegavati; the mighty Vishnu who checked the flow of the Sarasvati.

paśyedvegavatīsetuṃ bhujaṅgaśayanaṃ harim |

rurodha yaḥ sarasvatyā vegaṃ viṣṇurmahābalaḥ

पश्येत् · paśyet — one should see

वेगवतीसेतुम् · vegavatīsetuṃ — the dam of Vegavati

भुजङ्गशयनम् · bhujaṅgaśayanam — the one resting on the serpent

हरिम् · harim — Lord Hari

रुरोध · rurodha — restrained

यः · yaḥ — who

सरस्वत्याः · sarasvatyāḥ — of the Sarasvati river

वेगम् · vegaṃ — the flow

विष्णुः · viṣṇuḥ — Lord Vishnu

महाबलः · mahābalaḥ — the mighty one

वेगवतीसेतुं भुजङ्गशयनं हरिं पश्येत्। यः महाबलः विष्णुः सरस्वत्याः वेगं रुरोध।

one should see · the dam of Vegavati · the one resting on the serpent · Lord Hari · restrained · who · of the Sarasvati river · the flow · Lord Vishnu · the mighty one

This verse describes the Lord's role in controlling the elements, specifically the Vegavati river, showcasing His power as the protector of the sacred geography.

Likewise, at the Sarasvati-kunda, one should see the one who is a shining lamp of knowledge (Jnanadipaprakashaka), by the mere sight of whom the darkness within is destroyed.

evaṃ sarasvatīkuṇḍe jñānadīpaprakāśakam

paśyedyaddarśanādeva naśyatyantargataṃ tamaḥ

एवम् · evaṃ — likewise

सरस्वतीकुण्डे · sarasvatīkuṇḍe — at Sarasvati-kunda

ज्ञानदीपप्रकाशकम् · jñānadīpaprakāśakam — the illuminator of the lamp of knowledge

पश्येत् · paśyet — one should see

यद्दर्शनात् · yaddarśanāt — by the sight of whom

एव · eva — only

नश्यति · naśyati — is destroyed

अन्तर्गतम् · antargataṃ — internal

तमः · tamaḥ — darkness

एवं सरस्वतीकुण्डे ज्ञानदीपप्रकाशकं पश्येत्, यद्दर्शनात् एव अन्तर्गतं तमः नश्यति।

likewise · at Sarasvati-kunda · the illuminator of the lamp of knowledge · one should see · by the sight of whom · only · is destroyed · internal · darkness

This verse focuses on the Jnanadipaprakasha form, linking the physical act of pilgrimage to the internal spiritual transformation of removing ignorance.

Then, on the bank of Hema-saras, one should see the bestower of boons to Muchukunda, worshipped by Harita, and also Krishna, the messenger of Partha (Arjuna), in the Pandava shrine.

atha hemasarastīre mucukundavarapradam

haritenārcitaṃ pārthadūtaṃ kṛṣṇañca pāṇḍave

अथ · atha — then

हेमसरस्तीरे · hemasarastīre — on the bank of Hema-saras

मुचुकुन्दवरप्रदम् · mucukundavarapradam — the bestower of boons to Muchukunda

हरितेन · haritena — by Harita

अर्चितम् · arcitam — worshipped

पार्थदूतम् · pārthadūtam — the messenger of Partha

कृष्णम् · kṛṣṇam — Lord Krishna

च · ca — and

पाण्डवे · pāṇḍave — in the Pandava shrine

अथ हेमसरस्तीरे मुचुकुन्दवरप्रदं, हरितेन अर्चितं, पाण्डवे पार्थदूतं कृष्णं च पश्येत्।

then · on the bank of Hema-saras · the bestower of boons to Muchukunda · by Harita · worshipped · the messenger of Partha · Lord Krishna · and · in the Pandava shrine

This verse lists multiple manifestations at Hema-saras, connecting the Lord to historical and epic figures like Muchukunda and Arjuna, reinforcing Kanchi's role as a meeting point of divine history.

One should see Krishna, the bestower of boons to Akrura, in the water-abode (Niraniketana). Likewise, one should see the moon-faced Vishnu near the mango grove.

akrūravaradaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ paśyennīraniketane

tathā candramukhaṃ viṣṇuṃ paśyedāmravanāntike

अक्रूरवरदम् · akrūravaradam — bestower of boons to Akrura

कृष्णम् · kṛṣṇam — Lord Krishna

पश्येत् · paśyet — one should see

नीरनिकेतने · nīraniketane — in the water-abode

तथा · tathā — likewise

चन्द्रमुखम् · candramukham — moon-faced

विष्णुम् · viṣṇum — Lord Vishnu

पश्येत् · paśyet — one should see

आम्रवनान्तिके · āmravanāntike — near the mango grove

नीरनिकेतने अक्रूरवरदं कृष्णं पश्येत्। तथा आम्रवनान्तिके चन्द्रमुखं विष्णुं पश्येत्।

bestower of boons to Akrura · Lord Krishna · one should see · in the water-abode · likewise · moon-faced · Lord Vishnu · one should see · near the mango grove

This verse continues the pilgrimage guide, pointing to specific forms of Krishna and Vishnu that evoke the Lord's intimate relationships with His devotees.

In Kamakoshtha, one should thus see Krishna, worshipped by Gauri. In Ooraka, one should see the god Trivikrama, worshipped by Adisesha.

kāmakoṣṭhe kṛṣṇamevaṃ paśyedgaurīsamarcitam

grāme trivikramaṃ devamādiśeṣeṇa pūjitam

कामकोष्ठे · kāmakoṣṭhe — in Kamakoshtha

कृष्णम् · kṛṣṇam — Lord Krishna

एवम् · evaṃ — thus

पश्येत् · paśyet — one should see

गौरीसमर्चितम् · gaurīsamarcitam — worshipped by Gauri

ग्रामे · grāme — in the village (Ooraka)

त्रिविक्रमम् · trivikramam — Lord Trivikrama

देवम् · devam — the Lord

आदिशेषेण · ādiśeṣeṇa — by Adisesha

पूजितम् · pūjitam — worshipped

कामकोष्ठे गौरीसमर्चितं कृष्णं पश्येत्। ग्रामे आदिशेषेण पूजितं त्रिविक्रमं देवं पश्येत्।

in Kamakoshtha · Lord Krishna · thus · one should see · worshipped by Gauri · in the village (Ooraka) · Lord Trivikrama · the Lord · by Adisesha · worshipped

This verse highlights the diversity of the Lord's forms in Kanchi, including those worshipped by Gauri and Adisesha, showcasing the universal appeal of the city.

On the bank of Ambarisha-saras, one should see the compassionate Achyuta. On the bank of the Nityapushkarini, one should see the imperishable Vishnu as Varaha.

ambarīṣasarastīre karuṇākaramacyutam

nityapuṣkariṇītīre varāhaṃ viṣṇumavyayam

अम्बरीषसरस्तीरे · ambarīṣasarastīre — on the bank of Ambarisha-saras

करुणाकरम् · karuṇākaram — the compassionate one

अच्युतम् · acyutam — Lord Achyuta

नित्यपुष्करिणीतीरे · nityapuṣkariṇītīre — on the bank of Nityapushkarini

वराहम् · varāham — Lord Varaha

विष्णुम् · viṣṇum — Lord Vishnu

अव्ययम् · avyayam — the imperishable one

अम्बरीषसरस्तीरे करुणाकरम् अच्युतं पश्येत्। नित्यपुष्करिणीतीरे अव्ययं वराहं विष्णुं पश्येत्।

on the bank of Ambarisha-saras · the compassionate one · Lord Achyuta · on the bank of Nityapushkarini · Lord Varaha · Lord Vishnu · the imperishable one

This verse continues the enumeration of sacred sites, focusing on the compassionate and eternal nature of the Lord as Achyuta and Varaha.

At Chakra-tirtha, one should see the one named Pravala (coral-hued), worshipped by the Ashvini devas. And at Airammada-tirtha, one should see Achyuta, the Lord of Vaikuntha.

cakratīrthe pravālākhyamaśvinīdevapūjitam

airaṃmadīyatīrthe tu vaikuṇṭhapatimacyutam

चक्रतीर्थे · cakratīrthe — at Chakra-tirtha

प्रवालाख्यम् · pravālākhyam — named Pravala (coral-hued)

अश्विनीदेवपूजितम् · aśvinīdevapūjitam — worshipped by Ashvini devas

ऐरंमदीयतीर्थे · airaṃmadīyatīrthe — at Airammadīya-tirtha

तु · tu — and

वैकुण्ठपतिम् · vaikuṇṭhapatim — Lord of Vaikuntha

अच्युतम् · acyutam — Lord Achyuta

चक्रतीर्थे अश्विनीदेवपूजितं प्रवालाख्यं पश्येत्। ऐरंमदीयतीर्थे तु वैकुण्ठपतिम् अच्युतं पश्येत्।

at Chakra-tirtha · named Pravala (coral-hued) · worshipped by Ashvini devas · at Airammadīya-tirtha · and · Lord of Vaikuntha · Lord Achyuta

This verse concludes the list of specific shrines, mentioning the coral-hued Lord and the Lord of Vaikuntha, reinforcing the divine presence in every corner of Kanchi.

A devotee should see Hari, who is all-pervading, everywhere in the city of Kanchi. The main, well-known places here are thus fourteen.

paśyet kāñcīpure bhaktaḥ sarvatra vyāpakaṃ harim

mukhyāni viditānyatra sthānānyevaṃ caturdaśa

पश्येत् · paśyet — one should see

काञ्चीपुरे · kāñcīpure — in the city of Kanchi

भक्तः · bhaktaḥ — the devotee

सर्वत्र · sarvatra — everywhere

व्यापकम् · vyāpakaṃ — all-pervading

हरिम् · harim — Lord Hari

मुख्यानि · mukhyāni — the main ones

विदितानि · viditāni — known

अत्र · atra — here

स्थानानि · sthānāni — places

एवम् · evaṃ — thus

चतुर्दश · caturdaśa — fourteen

भक्तः काञ्चीपुरे सर्वत्र व्यापकं हरिं पश्येत्। अत्र मुख्यानि विदितानि स्थानानि एवं चतुर्दश सन्ति।

one should see · in the city of Kanchi · the devotee · everywhere · all-pervading · Lord Hari · the main ones · known · here · places · thus · fourteen

This verse serves as a summary, urging the devotee to see the all-pervading nature of Hari within the city, while identifying the fourteen primary shrines as the focal points.

Infinite are the places of Vishnu in his icon-form. I shall narrate the supreme and auspicious greatness of these fourteen places. O Vaishnavas, you best of saints, listen!

anantaṃ vartate sthānaṃ viṣṇorarcāsvarūpiṇaḥ

caturdaśānāṃ sthānānāṃ māhātmyaṃ paramaṃ śubham

vakṣyāmi vaiṣṇavā yūyaṃ śṛṇudhvaṃ sādhupuṅgavāḥ

अनन्तम् · anantam — infinite

वर्तते · vartate — exist

स्थानम् · sthānam — abodes

विष्णोः · viṣṇoḥ — of Vishnu

अर्चास्वरूपिणः · arcāsvarūpiṇaḥ — manifested in icon form

चतुर्दशानाम् · caturdaśānām — of the fourteen

माहात्म्यम् · māhātmyam — greatness

परमम् · paramam — supreme

शुभम् · śubham — auspicious

वक्ष्यामि · vakṣyāmi — I shall narrate

वैष्णवाः · vaiṣṇavāḥ — O Vaishnavas

यूयम् · yūyam — you all

शृणुध्वम् · śṛṇudhvam — listen

साधुपुङ्गवाः · sādhupuṅgavāḥ — O best of saints

विष्णोः अर्चास्वरूपिणः अनन्तं स्थानं वर्तते। हे साधुपुङ्गवाः वैष्णवाः, यूयं चतुर्दशानां स्थानानां परमं शुभं माहात्म्यं वक्ष्यामि, तत् शृणुध्वम्।

infinite · exist · abodes · of Vishnu · manifested in icon form · of the fourteen · greatness · supreme · auspicious · I shall narrate · O Vaishnavas · you all · listen · O best of saints

This verse serves as the concluding transition of the first chapter, shifting the focus from a general description of Kanchi to the specific enumeration of the fourteen primary shrines. It invites the devotees to listen with reverence to the upcoming detailed accounts of these sacred manifestations of Vishnu.