भृग्वाद्यैर्मुनिभिः सर्वैर्ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः
By all sages beginning with Bhrigu, and by Brahmins accomplished in the Vedas.
अद्यप्रभृति चैवेयं ख्यातिं यास्यति भूतले
From today onward, this will become renowned upon the earth.
एषा पुलस्त्यमुनिना कथिता कुरुनंदन 4.74.
This has been told by the sage Pulastya, O descendant of Kuru.
सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो विष्णुलोके महीयते विष्णुभक्तेन कर्तव्या संसारभयभीरुणा
Freed from all sins, one is honored in the world of Vishnu; it should be performed by a devotee of Vishnu who fears the dangers of worldly existence.
भीमेन या किल पुरा समुपोषिता च रात्रौ घटस्थिरसुशतिलवारिधारा
That very vow which was formerly observed by Bhima at night, with a pot filled with sesame, rice, and water.
इति श्रीभविष्ये महापुराण उत्तरपर्वणि श्रीकृष्णयुधिष्ठिरसंवादे भीमद्वादशीव्रतवर्णनं नाम चतुःसप्ततितमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the glorious Bhavishya Mahapurana, in the Uttara Parva, in the dialogue between Shri Krishna and Yudhishthira, this is the seventy-fourth chapter, named 'The Description of Bhima's Dvadashi Vow.'
श्रवणद्वादशीव्रतवर्णनम् एका या द्वादशी पुण्या तां वदस्व ममानघ
The Description of the Shravana Dvadashi Vow. O sinless one, tell me about that one meritorious Dvadashi.
सर्वकामप्रदा पुण्या चोपवासे महाफला
It is meritorious, grants all desires, and yields great results when observed with fasting.
संगमे सरितां स्नात्वा द्वादश्यां समुपोषितः
Having bathed at the confluence of rivers, one should fast on Dvadashi.
बुधश्रवणद्वादश्यामेवं वै संयतो भवेत्
On the Dvadashi that falls on a Wednesday with Shravana, one should thus remain self-controlled.
द्वादशी श्रवणोपेता यदा भवति भारत सोपवासः समाप्नोति नात्र कार्या विचारणा
When Dvadashi coincides with Shravana, O Bharata, one should observe it with fasting; there is no need for further consideration.
जलपूर्णे तथा कुंभे स्थापयित्वा विचक्षणः
Having placed (the items) in a water-filled pot, one should act with discernment.
तस्य स्कंधे सुघटितं स्थापयित्वा जनार्दनम्
Having firmly placed Janardana upon his shoulder,
स्नापयित्वा विधानेन सितचंदन चर्चितम्
He bathes him according to the prescribed method, anointed with white sandalwood.
ॐ नमो वासुदेवायेति शिरः संपूजयद्धरेः
Reciting 'Om namo Vasudevaya,' he worships the head of Hari.
ॐ नमः श्रीमते वक्षो भुजौ सर्वास्त्रधारिणे 4.75.
Reciting 'Om namah Srimate,' he worships the chest and arms of the bearer of all weapons.
त्रैलोक्यजनकायेति एवं संपूजयेद्धरिम्
Reciting 'Trailokyajanakaya,' thus he worships Hari.
अनेन विधिना राजन्पुष्पैर्धूपैः समर्चयेत्
With this procedure, O King, he should offer worship with flowers and incense.
सोदकांश्च नवान्कुंभाञ्छक्त्या दद्याद्विचक्षणः
With skill, he should give new water pots filled with water.
प्रभाते विमले स्नात्वा संपूज्य गरुडध्वजम् ततः पुष्पांजलिं बद्ध्वा मंत्रमेतमुदीरयेत्
In the morning, after bathing in pure water and worshipping the bearer of Garuda's banner, then, joining his hands with flowers, he should recite this mantra:
नमो नमस्ते गोविन्द बुधश्रवण संज्ञक
Salutations, salutations to Govinda, known as Budha-Shravana.
एवं संपूज्य गोविंद ब्राह्मणं पूजयेत्ततः पुराणज्ञे विशेषेण विधिवत्संप्रदापयेत्
Having thus worshipped Govinda, he should then honor the Brahmana, and especially give to one learned in the Puranas, according to the prescribed method.
द्वादश्यां श्रवणे युक्ते अशेषाहस्करान्विते
On the twelfth day, when Shravan is joined with all the rays of the sun,
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरंतीममितिहासं पुरातनम्
Sri Krishna said: Here too, I will cite an ancient legend.
देशो दशार्णको नाम तस्य भागे तु पश्चिमे
There is a region named Dasharna; in its western part,
सुतप्तसिकता भूमिर्यत्र दुष्टा महोरगाः 4.75.
The ground is scorched sand, where fierce serpents dwell.
शमीखदिरपालाशकरीरैः पीलुभिः सह
With shami, khadira, palasha, and kari trees, together with pilu trees,
दग्धप्राणिगणाकीर्णा यत्र भूर्द्दृश्यते क्वचित्
The land is seen, at times, filled with the remains of burnt creatures.
कदाचिदपि दृश्यंते भ्राम्यन्तो हि विहगमाः उत्कृत्तजीविता राजन्दृश्यंते विहगोत्तमाः
Sometimes birds are seen wandering, O King; the best of birds are seen with their lives cut short.
तृषातुराश्च सहसा मृगाः सैकतमागताः
Thirsty animals suddenly come to the sandy ground.