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.
गुग्गुलुं घृतसंयुक्तं दहेत्कृष्णाय भक्तितः
One should burn guggulu mixed with ghee for Kṛṣṇa with devotion.
नैवेद्यं देवदेवस्य परमान्नं निवेदयेत्
One should offer the supreme food as naivedya to the god of gods.
जुहुयाच्च घृताक्तांश्च तिलव्रीहींस्ततो व्रती
Then the votary should offer sesame and rice grains smeared with ghee.
उपास्य पश्चिमां संध्यां प्रणम्य गरुडध्वजम्
Having worshipped the western twilight, bowing to the Garuḍa-bannered one.
सर्वमेतद्विधानं च कार्यं पंचदिनेषु हि
All this procedure should be performed over five days.
प्रथमेऽह्नि हरेः पादौ पूजयेत्कमलैर्नरः
On the first day, a man should worship the feet of Hari with lotuses.
पूजयेच्च तृतीयेऽह्नि नाभिं भृङ्गरसेन च
On the third day, one should worship the navel with the juice of the black bee flower.
ततोऽनुपूजयेच्छीर्षं मालत्याः कुसुमैर्नवैः
Then, one should next worship the head with fresh jasmine flowers.
अर्चयित्वा हृषीकेशमेकादश्यां समाहितः
Having worshipped Hṛṣīkeśa with concentration on the eleventh day,
गोमूत्रं मंत्रवत्कृत्वा द्वादश्यां प्राशयेद्व्रती 4.72.
The observer of the vow should ritually prepare cow urine and drink it on the twelfth day.