अनेन विधिना राजन्यः करोति व्रतं नरः
If a king or a man performs the vow in this manner,
नक्षत्रलोकं व्रजति विमानेनार्कवर्चसा
he goes to the world of the stars, riding in a radiant chariot like the sun.
सहस्रभर्त्ता स्वर्लोके पूज्यमानो दिवाकरैः
In the heavenly realm, he is honored by the gods as one with a thousand consorts.
एतद्व्रतं पुरा चीर्णं शच्या राज्ञ्या श्रियोमया
This vow was formerly observed by Shachi, the illustrious queen.
मेनया रंभया स्वर्गे उर्वश्या देवदत्तया
It was also performed in heaven by Mena, Rambha, Urvashi, and Devadatta.
चीर्णमेतद्व्रतं पार्थ सर्वपापभयापहम्
O Partha, this vow, when observed, removes all fear of sin.
जन्मांतरेष्वपि कृतानि हरत्यघानि या संदहत्यहरहः सुकृतोपयोगात्
It destroys sins committed even in previous births, and daily burns away evil through the use of good deeds.
इति श्रीभविष्ये महापुराण उत्तरपर्वणि श्रीकृष्णयुधिष्ठिरसंवादे तारकद्वादशीव्रतं नाम पञ्चषष्ठितमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the glorious Bhavishya Mahapurana, in the Uttaraparvan, in the dialogue between Shri Krishna and Yudhishthira, ends the sixty-fifth chapter named 'The Vow of Taraka Dvadashi.'
अरण्यद्वादशीव्रतवर्णनम् सप्राशनं सोपवासं सरहस्यं समन्त्रकम्
The description of the vow of Aranya Dvadashi: with offerings, with fasting, with secrecy, and with mantras.
व्रतं राघववाक्येन प्रशस्तं दोषवर्जितम्
This vow, praised in the words of Raghava, is free from faults.
लोपामु्द्रालये साध्व्यो मुनिपत्न्यो बहुप्रजाः
In the house of Lopamudra, the virtuous wives of sages, blessed with many children,
पद्मिनीपत्रविस्तीर्णे सोपदंशै र्यथा नवैः
on a seat spread with lotus leaves, with fresh and pure offerings,
तामिहैकमनाः पार्थः शृणुष्वारण्यद्वादशीम्
O Partha, listen here with focused mind to the Aranya Dvadashi.
स्नात्वा नरः सोपवासः कृत्वा पूजां जनार्दने
After bathing and fasting, a man should worship Janardana.
नीत्वा प्रभाते गत्वा च वने वेदाङ्गपारगान्
Having spent the night, in the morning he should go to the forest with those learned in the Vedas.
पञ्चगव्यं प्राशयित्वा पूर्वमेवाथ तद्दिने
On that day, he should first partake of panchagavya.
श्रावणे कार्त्तिके माघे चैत्रे वाथ समर्चिते
This should be performed in the months of Shravana, Kartika, Magha, or Chaitra, when the deity is worshipped.
अपूपैः खण्डवेष्टैश्च मरीचैः सिंहकेसरैः 4.66.
With cakes, bundles of fried grains, marichas, and lion's mane mushrooms.
शीतलैस्तर्पयेद्विद्वानर्कपुष्पैः सुमालकैः
The wise one should offer cool, pleasing arka flowers with fresh garlands.
कर्पूरनख विद्धैश्च मधुरैः पनसोत्तमैः
With camphor, fragrant nails, sweet delicacies, and the finest jackfruit.
सुखासनोपविष्टांश्च प्रागुदङ्मुखवच्छुचीन्
Seated comfortably, facing east or north, and pure in conduct.
एकदंडीस्त्रिदंडीश्च गृहस्थांश्चापि सुव्रतान्
To those with a single staff, triple staff, and also to householders of good vows.
चार्वंग्यश्चार्चिताः स्नाताः सर्वावयमशोभनाः
Who are honored, bathed, adorned in every limb, and possessing auspicious marks.
अंगैर्वा भोजनीयास्तास्ताश्चादित्यस्य देवताः
Or, with their limbs, those who are to be fed are the deities of the Sun.
पद्मनाभकृष्णविष्णुगोवर्द्धनत्रिविक्रमाः
Padmanabha, Krishna, Vishnu, Govardhana, and Trivikrama.
एभिर्द्वादशभिर्मन्त्रैर्नमस्कारांतयोजितैः
With these twelve mantras, joined with salutations at the end.
भोजयित्वा शुभान्नानि दद्यात्ताभ्यः सुदक्षिणाम्
After feeding them auspicious food, one should give them a proper gift.
ततो भुञ्जीत सहितो भृत्यैः प्रेष्यजनेन च ।। 4.66.
Then, together with servants and attendants, one may partake of the meal.
एवं कौंतेय कुरुते योऽरण्यद्वादशीं नरः याति ज्ञातिसमायुक्तः श्वेतद्वीपं हरेः पुरम्
O Kaunteya, thus whoever observes the Aranya Dvadashi in this way, departs with his kin to Svetadvipa, the city of Hari.
यत्र लोकाः पीतवस्त्राः श्यामदेहाश्चतुर्भुजाः
Where the people wear yellow garments, have dark bodies, and four arms.