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.
ब्राह्मणैर्ब्रह्मचर्येण जपहोमक्रियादिभिः
By Brāhmaṇas through celibacy, recitation, offerings, and other rites.
पराधिः परिहर्तव्यो ब्रह्मचर्येण निष्ठया
Transgression must be avoided with steadfast celibacy.
शाकाहारपरैश्चैव कृष्णार्चनपरैर्नरैः
Also by those devoted to vegetarian food and those dedicated to worshipping Kṛṣṇa.
विधवाभिश्च कर्तव्यं पुत्रपौत्रादिब्रुद्धये
Widows should perform it for the welfare of sons, grandsons, and others.
नित्यं स्नानेन दानेन कार्त्तिकी यावदेव तु
Always with bathing and giving, as long as the Kārttikī lasts.
नद्य निर्झरगर्ते वा समालभ्य च गोमयम्
In a river, waterfall, or pit, and having obtained cow dung.
देवानृषीन्पितॄंश्चैव ततोन्यान्कामचारिणः
The gods, sages, ancestors, and others who act according to desire.
ततोऽनुपूजयेद्देवं सर्वपापहरं हरिम्
Then one should worship Hari, the remover of all sins.
तत्रैव पञ्चगव्येन गंधचंदनवारिणा
There, with pañcagavya and water scented with sandalwood.
कर्पूरोशीर मिश्रेण लेपयेद्गरुडध्वजम् 4.72.
With a mixture of camphor and uśīra, one should anoint the Garuḍa-bannered one.