कार्त्तिके चैव द्वादश्यां यथा चानुष्ठितं पुरा
And on the twelfth day in the month of Kārttika, as was performed before,
वत्सो मे वत्सवेलायां मृतोऽर्थं लभते पुनः
My calf, having died at the time of the calf-offering, regains life again.
यथार्थमेतद्व्याख्यातं ते च गोद्वादशीव्रतम्
Thus, this has been explained as it happened, and also the vow of Godvādaśī.
एवमुक्तं व्रतं चीर्णं रुच्या पुत्राः सुखं धनम्
Thus, the vow was observed; by Ruci, sons, happiness, and wealth were obtained.
ब्रह्मणा सृष्टिकारेण रुचिर्भर्त्रा सहासिता धुवर्क्षे च यदा दृष्टे लोकः पापैः प्रमुच्यते
By Brahmā, the creator, together with her husband Ruci, it was smiled upon; and when the dhūva tree is seen, people are freed from sins.
यत्कृतं शुघ्निवचनाद्रुच्या यदुकुलोद्भव
That which was done by Ruci, born of the Yadu lineage, at the instruction of Śughni—
संप्राप्ते कार्तिके मासि शुक्लपक्षे कुरूत्तम नरो वा यदि वा नारी एकभक्तं प्रकल्पयेत् ।।4.69.
When the month of Kārttika arrives, in the bright fortnight, O best of Kurus, if a man or a woman observes a single meal—
ततो मध्याह्नसमये दृष्ट्वा धेनुं सवत्सिकाम्
Then, at midday, having seen a cow with her calf—
ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां स्त्रीजनेश्वर
For Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras, O lord of women—
कुंकुमालक्तकैर्दीपैर्माषान्नवटकैः शुभैः
With saffron, red dye, lamps, and auspicious cakes of black gram rice—
ॐ माता रुद्राणां दुहिता वसूनां स्वसादित्यानाममृतस्य नाभिः
Om: Mother of Rudras, daughter of Vasus, sister of Ādityas, navel of immortality—
इत्थं संपूज्य गां पृष्ट्वा पश्चात्तां च क्षमापयेत् मातर्ममाभिलषितं सफलं कुरु नंदिनि
Thus, having worshipped the cow and bowed, then one should ask her forgiveness: 'Mother, O Nandinī, make my desire fruitful.'
एवमभ्यर्चयेदेकां गामेतद्धि गवाह्निकम्
In this way, one should worship a single cow; this is indeed the daily rite for cows.
तद्दिने तापिकापक्वं स्थालीपाकं च वर्जयेत्
On that day, one should avoid food cooked by the heat of the sun and rice boiled in a pot.
यावंति गात्रे रोमाणि गवां कौरवनंदन
O joy of the Kurus, as many hairs as are on the body, so many are the cows.
मेरोः पुर्यष्टकं रम्यमिंद्राग्नियमरक्षसाम् तासामुपरि गोलोकस्तत्र याति स गोव्रती
Above the eight beautiful cities of Meru, belonging to Indra, Agni, Yama, and the Rākṣasas, is Goloka; there the observer of the cow vow goes.
ऊर्जे सिते द्विदशमेऽहनि गां सवत्सां याः पूजयंति कुसुमैर्वटकैश्च हृद्यैः 4.69.
On the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ūrja, those who worship a cow with her calf using flowers and pleasing garlands—
देवशयनोत्थापनद्वादशीव्रतवर्णनम् कटदानं समुत्थानं चातुर्मास्यव्रतक्रमम्
The description of the vow of Devashayana and Utthapana Dvadashi: the giving of mats, rising up, and the sequence of the Caturmasya vow.
देवः किमर्थं स्वपिति किं विधानं सदा वद
For what reason does the god sleep? What is the prescribed procedure? Tell me always.
के मंत्राः के च नियमा व्रतान्यथ क्रिया च का
What are the mantras, what are the disciplines, what are the vows, and what is the proper practice?
तुलाराशिगते तस्मिन्पुनरुत्थापयेद्व्रतम्
When the sun enters Libra, then the vow should be revived.
अधिमासे च पतिते एष एव विधिक्रमः
If an intercalary month occurs, this same procedure is to be followed.
आषाढस्य सिते पक्षे एकादश्यामुपोषितः
Having fasted on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Āṣāḍha—
पीतांबरधरं सौम्यं पर्यंके स्वास्तृते शुभे
One should envision the gentle Lord, clad in yellow garments, lying upon a beautiful couch.
इतिहासपुराणज्ञो विष्णुभक्तोपि यः पुमान्
Whoever, knowledgeable in history and Purāṇas and devoted to Viṣṇu, is a man—
समालभ्य शुभैर्गंधैर्धूपैर्व स्त्रैरलंकृतम्
Having worshipped with auspicious fragrances, incense, and well-adorned women—
सुप्ते त्वयि जगन्नाथ जगत्सुप्तं भवेदिदम् 4.70.
When you sleep, O Lord of the universe, this world too becomes asleep.
एवं तां प्रतिमां विष्णोः स्थापयित्वा युधिष्ठिर
Thus, having established that image of Viṣṇu, O Yudhiṣṭhira—
चतुरो वार्षिकान्मासान्देवस्योत्थापनावधि
He should observe the four months of the year until the time of the Lord's awakening.
गृह्णीयान्नियमानेतान्दंतधावनपूर्वकम्
He should undertake the prescribed disciplines, beginning with the brushing of the teeth.