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.
नमस्ते रुद्ररूपाय रसानां पतये नमः
Salutations to the one of Rudra's form, salutations to the lord of the waters.
यावज्जन्म कृतं पापं मया जन्मसु सप्तसु
Whatever sin I have committed since birth, through seven lifetimes,
जननी सर्वभूतानां सप्तमी सप्तसप्तिके
The seventh day, the mother of all beings, is called Saptami among the seven sevens.
जलोपरितरं दीपं स्नात्वा संतर्प्य देवताः
After bathing, offer a lamp floating on water and satisfy the deities.
मध्ये शर्वं सपत्नीकं प्रणवेन तु पूजयेत्
In the center, one should worship Śarva together with his consort, using the praṇava (Om).
याम्ये विवस्वान्नैर्ऋत्ये भास्करस्येति पूजयेत्
In the southern direction, one should worship Vivasvān, and in the southwest, Bhāskara.
सौम्ये सहस्रकिरणः शेषे सर्वात्मनेति च
In the northwest, the thousand-rayed one; in the northeast, the all-pervading one.
पुष्पैः सुगन्धधूपैश्च वस्त्रेणाच्छाद्य भास्करम् 4.53.
Having covered Bhāskara with cloth, one should offer fragrant flowers and incense.
ताम्रपात्रे सुविस्तीर्णे मृन्मये वा युधिष्ठिर
O Yudhiṣṭhira, in a wide copper vessel or an earthen one,
काञ्चनं तालकं कृत्वा ह्यसिक्तस्तिलचूर्णकम्
Having made a golden tālaka and sprinkled it with sesame powder,