रावणेनैवमुक्तस्तु धूम्राक्षो गरुडो यथा
Thus addressed by Ravana, Dhūmrākṣa acted like Garuda.
ददर्श यं तमेकं स अजपालमजावृतम्
He saw that one, Ajapala, surrounded by goats.
यष्टिस्कन्धं रेणुभृतं व्याधिभिः परिवारितम् 4.71.
A staff-bearing figure, covered in dust, surrounded by diseases.
मह्यामालिख्य नामानि विनिघ्नितं द्विषां गणम्
Having inscribed names upon the ground, the host of enemies was destroyed.
दृष्ट्वा हृष्टमनाः प्राह धूम्राक्षो रावणोदितम्
Seeing this, Dhūmrākṣa, delighted in heart, spoke as instructed by Rāvaṇa.
प्रेषयामास धूम्राक्षं ततः कृत्यं समादधे
Then he sent Dhūmrākṣa, who undertook the required task.
गच्छ लंकाधिपस्थानमाचरस्व यथोचितम्
Go to the abode of the lord of Laṅkā and act as is appropriate.
गत्वा च कंपयामास सगणं राक्षसेश्वरम्
Having gone, he caused the lord of the Rākṣasas and his retinue to tremble.
प्रोवाच तिष्ठतु नृपस्तेन मे न प्रयोजनम्
He said, 'Let the king remain; I have no use for him.'
तेनैषा निर्मिता शांतिरजपालेन धीमता
This pacification was performed by the wise shepherd.
कार्तिके शुक्लपक्षस्य द्वादश्यां रजनीमुखे
On the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of Kārtika, at the beginning of the night,
वेद्यंते रत्नमालाभी रम्ये मालानुरंजिते
In a beautiful place adorned with garlands of jewels, garlands were displayed.
वर्द्धमानतरूत्थाभिर्दीपिकाभिर्हुताशनम् 4.71.
With lamps made from the flourishing taru tree, fire was kindled.
पुष्पैरभ्यर्चितं देवं समालब्धं च चन्दनैः
The deity was worshipped with flowers and anointed with sandalwood.
गन्धैः पुष्पैरंलकारैर्वस्त्रै रत्नैश्च पूजितैः
Honored with fragrances, flowers, ornaments, garments, and jewels.
आदित्यं शंकरं गौरीं यक्षं गणपतिं ग्रहान्
The Sun, Śaṃkara, Gaurī, Yakṣa, Gaṇapati, and the planets—
गवां नीराजनं कुर्यान्महिष्यादेश्च मंडलम्
One should perform the waving of lights for the cows and the circle of the queen.
ता गावः प्रसुता यांति स्वापीडास्तबकांगदाः
Those cows, having given birth, proceed, adorned with garlands and anklets.
अनुयांति सगोपालाः कालयंतो धनानि ते
The cowherds follow them, counting their wealth.
एवं कोलाहले वृत्ते गवां नीराजनोत्सवे
Thus, when such commotion arises during the festival of waving lights for the cows—
राजचिह्नानि सर्वाणि उद्धृत्य स्वगृहांगणे
Having brought forth all the royal insignia into the courtyard of his own house,
सिंहासनोपविष्टश्च शंखतूर्यादिनिस्वनैः
and seated upon the throne, with the sounds of conch shells, trumpets, and other instruments,
ततः स्त्रीलक्षणैर्युक्ता वेश्या वाथ कुलाङ्गना 4.71.
then, a courtesan adorned with the marks of a woman, or a noble lady,
शांतिरस्तु समृद्धिश्च द्विजैश्च स्वजनेन च
may there be peace and prosperity, along with the twice-born and one's own people.
एवमेषा महाशांतिः ख्याता नीराजने जने
In this way, this great rite of peace is known among people as the nīrājana ceremony.
तेषां रोगाः क्षयं यांति सुभिक्षं वर्द्धते तदा
Their diseases are destroyed, and abundance increases at that time.
लोकानावर्द्धयित्वा तु अजपालवरो यथा
Just as the best of shepherds increases the people, so too does this.
वर्षेवर्षे प्रयोक्तव्या शांतिर्नीराजना इति
Every year, the rite of peace called nīrājana should be performed.
नीराजयंति नवमेघनिभं हरिं ये गोब्राह्मणान्रथगजांश्च नरेशचिह्नान्
Those who perform nīrājana for Hari, dark as a new cloud, for cows, Brahmins, chariots, elephants, and royal insignia—
इति श्रीभविष्ये महापुराण उत्तरपर्वणि श्रीकृष्णयुधिष्ठिरसंवादे नीराजनद्वादशीव्रतवर्णनं नामैकसप्ततितमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the glorious Bhavishya Mahapurana, in the Uttaraparva, in the dialogue between Śrī Krishna and Yudhishthira, the seventy-first chapter named 'Description of the Nīrājana Dvādaśī Vow' is concluded.