यः पूजयेद्भक्तियुक्तः सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
Whoever worships with devotion is freed from all sins.
व्रतावसाने गृह्णीयात्कश्चिदेको नरो व्रतम्
At the conclusion of the vow, some one man should undertake the vow.
इदं जीवनघाती चेत्सत्यं तु समयोषितम्
If this is truly observed by women, it does not destroy life.
तत्रोपेक्षणकं कार्यं नटनर्तकगायकैः
There, a performance should be arranged by actors, dancers, and singers.
एवं यः कुरुते यात्रां वर्षेवर्षे च हर्षितः
Thus, whoever joyfully performs this observance year after year,
कुटुंबं वर्द्धते तस्य यस्य विष्णुः प्रसीदति 4.58.
His family prospers, for whom Viṣṇu is pleased.
एतामघौघशमनामनघाष्टमीं च कौंतेय संप्रति मया कथिता हिताय
O son of Kuntī, I have now described to you this Anaghāṣṭamī, which removes the multitude of sins, for your benefit.
सोमाष्टमीव्रतवर्णनम् शिवलोकप्रदं पुण्यं विधिवन्मे निबोधताम्
Now hear from me the meritorious observance of Somaṣṭamī, which grants the world of Śiva, performed according to rule.
वारे सोमे सिताष्टम्यां पक्षे सोमं समर्चयेत्।। विधिना चन्द्रचूडालं प्राप्यमेतत्स चन्द्रकम् । । २ दक्षिणार्धे हरिं ध्यात्वा मध्ये तु परितः प्रभुम् । पञ्चामृतादिना देवं स्थापयित्वा यतव्रती । । ३ चन्दनेनेन्दुयुक्तेन दक्षिणार्धं विलेपयेत् । हरभागं नीलरक्तं शिवस्योपरि मौक्तिकम् । । ४ पश्चात्पुष्पैः समभ्यर्च्य सितं रक्तैरनुत्तमैः । नीराजनं पुनः कुर्यात्पञ्चविंशतिदीपकैः । । अथ सिद्धैः शुभैर्भक्ष्यैनेवद्यं विनिवेदयेत् । । ५ एवंकृतोपवासस्तु प्रभाते पूर्ववच्छिवम् । सम्पूज्याज्यं तिलैर्मिश्रं जुहुयाज्जातवेदसि । । ६ व्रतिनो ब्राह्मणान्पश्चाद्भोजयित्वा विधानतः । मिथुनानि तु सम्भोज्य यथाशक्त्यनुपूजयेत् । । ७ आवर्त्य पितरावर्च्य विधिना तेन सुव्रत
On a Monday, on the bright eighth day, one should worship Soma according to the prescribed method; having obtained the crescent, worship the one adorned with the moon. Meditating on Hari on the southern half, and the Lord in the center, the vow-holder should install the deity with pañcāmṛta and other offerings. Anoint the southern half with sandal mixed with moonstone; the portion of Hara should be blue and red, with a pearl above Śiva. Then, worship with flowers—white and the best red ones—then perform the waving of lights with twenty-five lamps. Afterwards, offer pure and auspicious food and delicacies to the perfected ones. Having thus fasted, in the morning, worship Śiva as before, and offer clarified butter mixed with sesame into the fire. Then, feed brāhmaṇas according to rule, and also feed couples as able, honoring them. Repeating this, worship the ancestors according to the prescribed method, O virtuous one.
प्रागुक्वविधिना पूज्या सितपीतयुगद्वयम्
As before, worship two pairs, one white and one yellow.
धूपगंधारसी चापि दीपवृक्षं सुशोभनम् 4.59.
Also, offer incense, fragrant substances, and a beautiful lamp tree.
चतुरस्रं त्रिकोणं च मण्डलं कारयेत्ततः
Then, one should make a square, a triangle, and a circle.
संकल्प्य द्विजदांपत्यं वासोभिर्भूषणैस्तथा दीपकैः पञ्चविंशद्भिर्भोजयित्वा विसर्जयेत्
Having resolved to honor a brāhmaṇa couple, with garments and ornaments, and with twenty-five lamps, feed them and then bid them farewell.
अब्दपञ्चकमेकं वा एवं यः कुरुते नरः
Whoever performs thus for five years or even one year,
आ देहपतनाद्यस्तु नित्यमेतत्समाचरेत्
One should perform this practice regularly until the fall of the body.
न स्पृशंत्यापदस्तस्य न दुःखी भवति क्वचित्
Misfortune does not touch him, nor does he ever become afflicted by sorrow.
संप्राप्यादित्ययोगेन प्राग्विधानेन चाभ्यसेत्
Having attained union with the sun, he should practice according to the earlier instruction.
किंतु दक्षिणतंत्रस्थं भास्करं वार्चयेद्बुधः
However, the wise should worship the sun situated in the southern course.
कुंकुमेन समालभ्य चन्दनेन शिवं तथा
He should anoint with saffron and sandalwood, and likewise worship Shiva.
रुद्रबीजं परं पूतं प्रियं रुद्रस्य सर्वदा
The Rudra seed, supremely pure and always dear to Rudra, should be used.
शेषः पूर्वविधानेन कर्तव्यो विधिविस्तरः ।। 4.59.
The rest of the procedure should be performed according to the previous detailed instructions.
एतत्प्राक्च विधायाब्दं पञ्चाब्दानेवमेव च
Having performed this beforehand for a year, and likewise for five years,
पतंगवत्प्रतापी स्याददीनश्च जन प्रियः
He becomes radiant like the sun, never dejected, and beloved by people.
यद्यष्टमी भवति सोमयुता कदाचिदर्केण वा कुरुकुलोद्वह तामुपोष्य
If the eighth day falls with the moon or sometimes with the sun, O best of the Kurus, one should observe a fast on that day.
श्रीवृक्षनवमीव्रतवर्णनम् दैत्यानां मोहनार्थाय योषिद्भूते जनार्दने
To bewilder the demons, Janardana took the form of a woman.
बिल्वे वृक्षे क्षणं श्रांता विश्रांता कमलालया
Fatigued, the goddess Lakshmi rested for a moment under the bilva tree.
जिताः सर्वे पुरा पार्थ युद्धे कृष्णेन चक्रिणा
All were previously conquered in battle by Krishna, the wielder of the discus, O Partha.
श्रीः समावासिता यस्माच्छ्रीवृक्षस्तु ततः स्मृतः
Because Shri resided there, it is remembered as the auspicious tree.
नवम्यामर्चयेद्भक्त्या ईषत्सूर्योदये नगम्
On the ninth day, one should worship the tree with devotion at the time of sunrise.
तिलपिष्टान्नगोधूमैर्धूपगन्धस्रगंबरैः
With cakes of sesame flour, wheat, incense, fragrant garlands, and garments,