तत्फलं यद्ददास्यस्यै सत्यं कृत्वा ममाग्रतः
The fruit she will give her, let it be given truly before me.
ऊर्मिला रूपसंपन्ना दिव्यदेहधरा शुभा
Urmiḷā, endowed with beauty, bearing a divine body, auspicious—
भर्तुः समीपे स्वर्गस्था दृश्यतेऽद्यापि सा जनैः विस्फुरंती महाराज बुधाष्टम्याः प्रभावतः
She is seen even today by people near her husband in heaven, shining forth, O great king, by the power of the Wednesday eighth.
तस्या एव विधिं ब्रूहि यदि तुष्टोसि मे प्रभो
Tell me her observance, O Lord, if you are pleased with me.
यदायदा सिताष्टम्यां बुधवारो भवेद्यदि
Whenever the eighth lunar day falls on a Wednesday—
स्नात्वा नद्यां तु पूर्वाह्ने गृहीत्वा कलशं नवम् 4.54.
After bathing in the river in the forenoon, one should take a new pot.
अष्टवारान्प्रकर्तव्या विधानैस्तु पृथक्पृथक्
The observance should be performed eight times, each with separate rites.
तृतीया घृतपूपैश्च चतुर्थी वटकैर्नृप
On the third, with cakes made of ghee; on the fourth, with balls of food, O king.
अशोकवर्तिभिः शुभ्रैः सप्तमी खंडसंयुतैः एवं क्रमेण कर्तव्या सुहृत्स्वजनबांधवैः
With pure aśoka branches, accompanied by the seventh part, this should be performed in order among friends, relatives, and kinsmen.
सह कृत्वा स्थितैर्भोज्यं भोक्तव्यं स्वस्थमानसैः
Having gathered together, one should eat the food with a peaceful mind.
श्रुत्वाष्टमी बुधस्यापि माहात्म्यं भोजनं त्यजेत्
Upon hearing the greatness of the eighth lunar day belonging to Budha, one should abstain from eating.
तथा भुक्त्वा बुधस्याग्रे आचम्य च पुनःपुनः
Likewise, after eating in front of Budha, one should rinse the mouth again and again.
साक्षतं सहिरण्यं च जातरूपमयं शुभम्
With gold and silver, and auspicious objects made of gold, directly present.
पीतवस्त्रैः समाच्छन्नं बुधं सोमात्मजाकृतिम्
Budha, in the form of the son of Soma, should be covered with yellow garments.
ॐ बुधाय नमः ॐ दुर्बुद्धिनाशनाय नमः ॐ ताराजाताय नमः ॐ सर्वसौख्यप्रदाय नमः अष्टमी तु यदा पूर्णा तदा राजर्षिसत्तम
Om, salutations to Budha. Om, salutations to the destroyer of evil intellect. Om, salutations to the one born of Tara. Om, salutations to the giver of all happiness. When the eighth lunar day is complete, O best of royal sages,
वस्त्रालंकरणैः सर्वैर्भूषणैर्विविधैरपि मन्त्रेणानेन कौंतेय दद्यादेवं समाचरन् ।। 4.54.
With all kinds of garments, ornaments, and various jewels, O son of Kunti, one should give, performing thus with this mantra.
बुधोऽयं प्रतिगृह्णातु द्रव्यस्थोऽयं बुधः स्वयम्
Let Budha accept this; Budha himself is present in the substance.
(इति दानमंत्र ।) बुधः सौम्यस्तारकेयो राजपुत्र इलापतिः
Budha is gentle, born of Tara, prince, lord of Ila.
( इति प्रतिग्रहणमंत्रः ।) सौख्यं च सौमनस्यं च करोतु शशिनंदनः
May the son of the moon grant happiness and peace of mind.
इत्युच्चार्य गृहीत्वा तु दद्यान्मंत्रपुरःसरम्
Having spoken thus and taken it, one should give, preceded by the mantra.
धनधान्यसमायुक्तः. पुत्रपौत्रप्रवर्द्धनः
He becomes endowed with wealth and grain, and his sons and grandsons flourish.
ततः सुतीर्थे मरणं ध्यात्वा नारायणं विभुम्
Then, at the holy place, meditating on death, one should contemplate Narayana, the Lord.
वसते यावदासृष्टेः पुनराभूतसंप्लवम्
He dwells as long as the creation lasts, until the next dissolution arises.
एषैवं च मयाख्याता गुह्या पार्थ बुधाष्टमी
Thus, O Partha, I have described to you the secret Budha Ashtami.
यश्चाष्टमीं बुधयुतां समवाप्य भक्त्या सम्पूजयेद्विधुसुतं कनपृष्ठसं स्थम्
Whoever, having attained the eighth lunar day associated with Budha, worships the son of the moon with devotion, established at the tip of the golden rod,
जन्माष्टमीवर्णनम् कस्मिन्काले समुत्पन्नं किं पुण्यं को विधिः स्मृतः
Description of Janmashtami: At what time did it arise, what merit does it bring, and what rite is remembered?
देवकी मां परिष्वज्य कृत्वोत्संगे रुरोद ह
Devakī embraced me, holding me close in her lap, and wept.
तत्रैव रंगवाढेन मंचारूढजनोत्सवे
There, amid the festivities with the stage and the gathering of people seated on platforms,
स्वजनैर्बंधुभिः स्निग्धैः सस्त्रीभिः समावृते
Surrounded by affectionate relatives and their wives,
समाकृष्य परिष्वज्य पुत्रपुत्रेत्युवाच ह
Drawing me near and embracing me, she called out, 'My son, my child.'