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.
तस्मिंस्तथाविधे देशे कश्चिद्दैववशाद्वणिक्
In such a place, by the will of fate, a certain merchant arrived.
पिशाचान्मलिनांस्तीक्ष्णान्निर्मांसान्भीमदर्शनान्
He saw ghouls, filthy, fierce, fleshless, and terrifying to behold.
बभ्रामोद्भ्रांतहृदयः क्षुत्तृषाभ्रमकर्षितः
The merchant wandered, his heart disturbed, tormented by hunger and thirst.
अथ प्रेतान्ददर्शासौ तृष्णाव्याकुलितेंद्रियान्
Then he saw ghosts, their senses agitated by burning thirst.
प्रेतस्कंधसमारूढमेकं प्रेतं ददर्श ह
He saw one ghost mounted on the shoulder of another ghost.
आगच्छन्तं तमव्यग्रं स्रुतुशब्दपुरःसरम् 4.75.
He saw it approaching, unhurried, preceded by the sound of dripping.
स दृष्ट्वाथ वणिक्छ्रेष्ठमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Seeing the chief merchant, that ghost spoke these words:
तमुवाच वणिग्धीमान्सार्थभ्रष्टस्य चैव मे
The wise merchant said to him, 'I have lost my caravan.'
तृष्णा मां बाधतेऽत्यर्थं क्षुद्दुनोति भृशं तथा अत्रोपायं न पश्यामि जीवेयं येन केनचित्
'Thirst torments me greatly, and hunger pains me intensely; here I see no means by which I might survive.'
पुंनागमिममाश्रित्य प्रतीक्षस्व मुहूर्तकम्
'Rely on this path for men and wait a little while.'