दशावतारचरित्रव्रतवर्णनम् दिव्यारामाश्रमे रम्या गृहकार्यैकतत्परा
In the beautiful hermitage of Divyā, devoted solely to household duties, the vow of the ten incarnations is described.
बभूव सा भृगोर्नित्यं हृदयेप्सितकारिणी
She became one who always fulfilled the desires of Bhṛgu's heart.
विष्णोस्त्रासाद्दानवानां कुलत्राणसमाकुलम्
Because of Viṣṇu's terror, the families of the demons were filled with anxiety for their protection.
दत्त्वा निक्षेपकं सर्वं दिव्यायै सुमहातपाः
Having given all her treasures to Divyā, the great ascetic,
संजीवनीकृते नित्यं कणैर्धूममधोमुखः
He, made alive again, always faced downward, emitting smoke in small amounts.
आजगाम गते तस्मिन्गरुडेनाश्रितो हरिः
When he had departed, Hari, mounted on Garuḍa, arrived.
गलद्रुधिरसंपन्नं लोहितार्णववसंनिभम् दिव्या संशप्तुकामाभूद्विष्णुं सास्राविलेक्षणा
Divyā, her eyes filled with tears, wished to challenge Viṣṇu; her body was covered in flowing blood, resembling a sea of red.
यावन्नोच्चरते वाचं चक्रेण कृत्तकंधरम्
Before she could utter a word, her neck was severed by the discus.
प्राप्य संजीवनीं विद्यां यावदायात्यसौ मुनिः
As soon as the sage obtains the knowledge of resurrection, he returns.
रोषाच्छशाप च हरिं भ्रुकुटीकुटिलाननः 4.63.
Out of anger, his face furrowed with frowning brows, he cursed Hari.
यस्मात्त्वया हता दैत्या ब्रह्मणो मत्परिग्रहाः
Because the demons, who were the dependents of Brahmā, were slain by you,
अतोऽर्थं मानुषे लोके रक्षार्थं च महीक्षिताम्
Therefore, for the sake of justice among men and for the protection of the kings of the earth,
पूर्वोक्तैः कारणैः पार्थ अवतीर्णं महीतले
O Partha, for the reasons previously stated, he descended onto the earth.
समंत्रं सरहस्यं च सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्
With the mantra and the secret rite, it destroys all sins.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच प्रोष्ठपदे सिते पक्षे दशम्यां नियतः शुचिः
Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: In the month of Proṣṭhapada, on the bright fortnight, on the tenth day, one should be disciplined and pure.
कृत्वा कुरुकुलश्रेष्ठ गृहमागत्य मानवः
Having done so, O best of the Kurus, the person should return home.
क्रमेण पावयेत्तां तु पुंसंज्ञं घृतसंश्रितम्
Then, he should gradually purify that which is called puṃsaṃjña, accompanied by ghee.
प्रथमे पूरिकान्वर्षे द्वितीये घृतपूरकान्
In the first year, he should offer pūrikās; in the second, ghṛtapūrikās.
सोहालकान्पञ्चमेऽब्दे षष्ठेऽब्दे खण्डवेष्टकान्
In the fifth year, sohālakās; in the sixth, khaṇḍaveṣṭakās.
नवमे कर्णवेष्टांस्तु दशमे खण्डकाञ्छुभान् 4.63.
In the ninth year, karṇaveṣṭās; in the tenth, khaṇḍakās and śubhās.
क्रमेण भक्षयित्वा च यथोक्तं भरतर्षभ स्वत एवार्धमश्नीयाद्गत्वा रम्ये जलाशये
Having eaten them in order as prescribed, O best of the Bharatas, he should himself eat half, then go to a pleasant water reservoir.
दशावतारानभ्यर्च्य पुष्पधूपविलेपनैः
After worshipping the ten avatars with flowers, incense, and ointments,
मत्स्यं कूर्मं वराहं च नरसिंहं त्रिविक्रमम्
Matsya, Kūrma, Varāha, Narasiṃha, and Trivikrama,
गतोऽस्मि शरणं देवं हरिं नारायणं प्रभुम्
I have taken refuge in the divine Lord Hari, Nārāyaṇa, the master.
छिनत्तु वैष्णवीं मायां भक्त्या जातो जनर्दनः
Janārdana, born through devotion, cuts the Vaiṣṇava illusion.
एवं यः कुरुते पार्थ विधिनानेन सुव्रत
Thus, O Partha, whoever performs this with the prescribed method and good vow,
श्रूयते यास्त्विमालोच्य पुरुषाणां दशा दश
It is heard that, after observing these, the ten conditions of men,
संसारसागरे घोरे मज्जत तत्र मां हरिः
In the dreadful ocean of worldly existence, when one sinks, Hari lifts me there.
किं तस्य न भवेल्लोके यस्य तुष्टो जनार्दनः मर्त्यलोके स्वयं पार्थ भूभारोत्तारकारणम्
What is lacking in this world for one whom Janārdana is pleased with? In the world of mortals, O Partha, he himself is the cause of lifting the burden of the earth.
या स्त्री व्रतमिदं पार्थ चरिष्यति मयोदितम् 4.63.
Any woman who, O Partha, performs this vow as I have described—