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.
गरुडासनाः साभरणा मुकुटोत्कट कुंडलाः
Seated on Garuda thrones, adorned with ornaments, splendid crowns, and earrings.
लक्ष्मीधरा मेघवर्णाः कूर्पराङ्गदभूषणाः
Bearing Lakshmi, cloud-hued, adorned with armlets at the elbows.
तस्मादेत्य महातेजाः पृथिव्यां नृपपूजिताः
There, having arrived, those of great brilliance are honored by kings on earth.
ततो यांति परं स्थानं मोक्षमार्गं शिवं शुभम्
Then they attain the supreme abode, the auspicious and blissful path of liberation.
ये द्वादशीमुपवसंति सितामरण्यनाम्नीं वने द्विजवरानथ भोजयंति
Those who observe the Dvadashi fast in the forest called Sitamaranya and feed the best of twice-born.
रोहिणीचन्द्रव्रतवर्णनम् मयूरकेकाकुलिते दर्दुरारावपूरिते
Description of the Rohini-Chandra vow: Where the cries of peacocks resound and the croaking of frogs fills the air.
कुलस्त्रियः प्रयच्छंति कस्यान्नं काऽत्र देवता
When women of the family offer food, to whom is it given, and which deity is honored here?
एकादश्यां शुचिर्भूत्वा सर्वौषधिजलैः शुभैः
On the eleventh day, having become pure, with all auspicious medicinal waters—
माषचूर्णेन राजेन्द्र कुर्यादिंदुरिकाशनम्
With flour of black gram, O King, one should prepare the food called Indurīkā.
नरमेकैकमुद्दिश्य ततो गत्वा जलाशयम्
Designating each portion for a man, then going to a reservoir of water—