अचलासप्तमीव्रतवर्णनम् अध्रुवेण शरीरेण सुपक्वेनापि किं फलम्
Description of the Acalāsaptamī Vow: What is the use of a body that is impermanent, even if it is fully matured?
प्रातःस्नानासमर्थानां शरीरं पश्य देहिनाम्
Behold the bodies of embodied beings who are unable to bathe in the morning.
कायक्लेशसहा नार्यो न भवंति यदूत्तम
O best of the Yadus, women who cannot endure bodily hardship do not exist.
कथं च ताः सुरूपाः स्युः सुभगाः सुप्रजास्तथा
How then can they be beautiful, fortunate, and blessed with good children?
अल्पायासेन सुमहद्येन पुण्यमवाप्यते
With little effort, one attains great merit.
यन्मया कस्यचिन्नोक्तमचलासप्तमीव्रतम्
That Acalāsaptamī vow, which I have spoken of to someone,
वेश्या चेन्दुमती नाम रूपौदार्यगुणान्विता
There was a courtesan named Indumatī, endowed with beauty, generosity, and virtues.
तनुमध्या सुजघना पीनोन्नतपयोधरा
She had a slender waist, lovely hips, and full, high breasts.
सौंदर्यं सौकुमार्यं च तस्याः कामेन गीयते
Her beauty and delicacy were sung of by Kāma.
मूर्तिः शशधरस्येव नयनानन्दकारिणी 4.53.
Her form was like the moon, bringing delight to the eyes.
एकस्मिन्दिवसे प्रातः सुमुखस्थितया तया
On one day, in the morning, as she stood with a pleasant face,
सन्निमज्य जगदिदं विषये कायसागरे
Immersing this world in the ocean of the senses,
ये यांति दिवसाः पुंसां धर्मकामार्थवर्जिताः
The days of men that pass without righteousness, desire, or wealth,
स्नानं दानं तपो होमः स्वाध्यायः पितृतर्पणम्
Bathing, giving, austerity, sacrifice, self-study, and offerings to the ancestors—
पुत्राणां दारगृहकसमासक्तं हि मानसम्
The mind is indeed attached to sons, wives, and household affairs.
इत्येवं चिंतयित्वा तु वेश्या चेन्दुमती ततः
Thus reflecting, the courtesan Indumatī then—
वशिष्ठमृषिमासीनं प्रणम्य विनयात्ततः १- इन्दुमत्युवाच दशध्वजसमा वेश्या दशवेश्यासमो नृपः
Indumati, after respectfully bowing to the sage Vashishtha, spoke: A courtesan is equal to ten banners; a king is equal to ten courtesans.
मया न दत्तं न हुतं नोपवासो व्रतं कृतम् 4.53.
I have neither given gifts, nor performed sacrifices, nor observed fasting or vows.
सांप्रतं वर्तमानाया व्रतं किंचिद्वदस्व मे
Now, in my present situation, please tell me some vow I can undertake.
एतदस्याः सुबहुशः श्रुत्वा धर्मं परंतपः
Having heard this from her many times, the destroyer of enemies (Vashishtha) spoke of dharma.
तपःसौभाग्यजननं स्नानं तव वरानने
O beautiful-faced one, bathing is the austerity that brings good fortune for you.
कृत्वा षष्ठ्यामेकभक्तं सप्तम्यां निश्चलं जलम्
On the sixth day, eat only one meal; on the seventh, remain motionless in water.
माघस्य सितसप्तम्यामचलं चालितं मया
On the bright seventh day of Magha, I have performed the motionless ritual.
वशिष्ठवचनं श्रुत्वा तस्मिन्नहनि भूपते
Having heard Vashishtha's words, on that day, O king,
त्र्यहस्नानप्रभावेण भुक्त्वा भोग्यान्यथेप्सितान्
By the power of bathing for three days, having enjoyed the desired pleasures,
अचलासप्तमीस्नानं कथितं च विशांपते
The ritual bath of the motionless seventh day has been described, O lord of the people.
सप्तमीस्नानमाहात्म्यं श्रुतं न च विशेषतः
The greatness of the seventh-day bath has been heard, but not in detail.
सप्तम्यां तु व्रजेत्प्रातः सुगंभीरं जलाशयम् ।। 4.53.
On the seventh day, one should go in the morning to a deep water reservoir.
सरित्संगं तडागं च देवखातमथापि वा
To a river, pond, or even a sacred tank made for the gods.
पशुभिः पक्षिभिश्चैव जलजैर्मत्स्यकच्छपैः
Along with animals, birds, and aquatic creatures such as fish and turtles.