मत्प्रसादाद्धर्मपुत्र बलं कीर्तिर्यशो धनम्
By my grace, O son of Dharma, strength, fame, renown, and wealth
ये करिष्यंति मद्भक्तास्तेषां दास्यामि हृद्गतम् 4.73.
To those devotees of mine who will perform it, I shall grant what is cherished in their hearts.
भांडीरपादपतले मिलितैर्महद्भिर्मल्लैरनाकुलितबाहुबलैर्बलिष्ठैः
At the foot of the Bhāṇḍīra tree, with great wrestlers assembled, whose arms and strength are undiminished,
इति श्रीभविष्ये महापुराण उत्तरपर्वणि श्रीकृष्णयुधिष्ठिरसंवादे मल्लद्वादशीव्रतवर्णनं नाम त्रिसप्ततितमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the glorious Bhaviṣya Mahāpurāṇa, in the Uttara Parvan, in the dialogue between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Yudhiṣṭhira, is the seventy-third chapter named 'Description of the Malladvādaśī Vow.'
भीमद्वादशीव्रतवर्णनम् दमयंत्याः पिता पूर्वं नलस्य श्वशुरो भुवि
The description of the Bhīma-Dvādaśī vow.
सत्यवादनशीलश्च प्रजापालनतत्परः
Formerly, the father of Damayantī, the father-in-law of Nala on earth,
तस्यापि कुर्वतो राज्यं शास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा
He was devoted to truthfulness and character, intent on protecting his people.
सर्वज्ञाननिधिः श्रीमांस्तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगतः
While ruling his kingdom according to the precepts of scripture,
उत्थाय प्रददौ राजा स्वमासनमभीप्सितम्
He, a treasury of all knowledge, glorious, prompted by a pilgrimage,
राज्यं चैवात्मना सार्द्धं निवेद्य स कृतांजलिः
Having risen, the king offered his desired seat,
पप्रच्छ कुशलप्रश्नं तपस्यध्ययने तथा
And, with joined palms, he offered his kingdom along with himself.
धर्मे च ते मतिर्नित्यं कच्चित्पार्थिव वर्तते
O king, does your mind always remain steadfast in righteousness?
तव चागमनेनाहं पावितः संगवारिणा
By your arrival, I am purified, as if by the water of holy association.
एवं तौ संविदं कृत्वा संभाष्याथ परस्परम् 4.74.
Thus, after exchanging greetings and conversing with each other,
ततः कथांते राजेन्द्र पुलस्त्यं जातविस्मयः
Then, at the end of the conversation, O king, Pulastya, filled with wonder,
भगवन्प्राणिनः सर्वे संसारार्णवमध्यगाः
O venerable one, all living beings are caught in the midst of the ocean of worldly existence.
नरके गर्भवासे च व्याधिभिर्जन्मना तथा
They dwell in hell, in the womb, and are afflicted by diseases and birth.
लालप्यमाना बहवः परपीडोपजीविनः
Many, tormented and lamenting, live by causing suffering to others.
दृष्ट्वैव तानि तान्येव भृशं मे व्याधितं मनः
Seeing all these things, my mind has become greatly troubled.
उपकारकरं ब्रूहि ममानुग्रहकाम्यया
Out of a desire for your favor, tell me what brings benefit.
यदुपोष्य न दुःखानां भाजनो जायते जनः
By observing what does a person not become a recipient of suffering?
माघमासे सिते पक्षे द्वादशी पावनी स्मृता
In the bright fortnight of the month of Māgha, the twelfth day is considered purifying.
विधिना केन विप्रेन्द्र तन्मे ब्रूहि यथाक्रमम्
O foremost of Brahmins, by what procedure should it be observed? Tell me in order.
तव शुश्रूषणाद्वाच्यं ममाप्येतन्न संशयः ।। 4.74.
Because of your service, this should indeed be spoken to you by me, without doubt.
अदीक्षिताय नो देया नाशिष्याय कदाचन
It should never be given to one who is uninitiated or not a disciple.
वाच्यमेतन्महाराज भवतान्यस्य न क्वचित्
O great king, this should be spoken by you to no one else.
कृतघ्नो मित्रध्रुक्चौरः क्षुद्रो भग्नव्रतस्तथा
One who is ungrateful, betrays friends, is a thief, base, or who has broken a vow—
शुद्धे तिथौ मुहूर्ते च मंडपं कारयेत्ततः
On a pure lunar day and at an auspicious time, one should then have a pavilion constructed.
तन्मध्ये पञ्चहस्तां तु वेदिकां परिकल्पयेत्
In the midst of that, one should construct an altar measuring five hastas.
विलिखेन्मंडलं तत्र पंचवर्णैर्विधानतः
There, one should draw a mandala according to rule, using five colors.