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.
भीष्मपञ्चकव्रतवर्णनम् कर्तव्यं कार्त्तिके मासि प्रयत्नाद्भीष्मपञ्चकम्
The observance of the Bhishma-panchaka vow must be undertaken with effort in the month of Kartika.
विधानं कीदृशं तस्य फलं च यदुसत्तम
O best of the Yadus, what is the procedure for it, and what is its result?
यथाविधि च कर्तव्यं फलं चास्य यथोदितम्
How it should be properly performed, and what its stated result is,
मयापि भृगवे प्रोक्तं भृगुश्चोशनसे ददौ
I have also spoken of it to Bhrigu, and Bhrigu gave it to Ushanas.
तेजस्विनां यथा वह्निः पवनः शीघ्रगामिनाम्
Just as fire is among the radiant, and wind among those who move swiftly,
भूलोकः सर्वलोकानां तीर्थानां जाह्नवी यथा
as the earth is among all worlds, and the Ganges among holy places,
वेदो यथैव शास्त्राणां देवानामच्युतो यथा
as the Veda is among scriptures, and Acyuta among the gods,
दुष्करं भीष्ममित्याहुर्न शक्यं तदिहोच्यते
so too is Bhishma said to be difficult to emulate; it is declared here that it cannot be accomplished.
वशिष्ठभृगुभर्गाद्यैश्चीर्णं कृतयुगादिषु
Performed by Vasiṣṭha, Bhṛgu, Bharga, and others in the Kṛta and other ages.
सीरभद्रादिभिर्वैश्यैः शूद्रैरन्यैः कलौ युगे 4.72.
By Sīrabhadra and others among Vaiśyas, and by Śūdras and others in the Kali age.