ब्रह्मणा प्रथमं सृष्टा नियोगश्च जने कृतः
They were first created by Brahmā, and a command was given among the people.
यो यद्वदति लोकेस्मिञ्छुभं वाप्यथ वाऽशुभम्
Whatever anyone says in this world, whether auspicious or inauspicious,
जातास्त्रिलोके पूज्यास्तु नियमेन प्रजापते
Born in the three worlds, they are to be honored by all, as ordained by the Lord of Creatures.
तासामस्तीह सा शक्तिरचिन्त्या तर्कहेतुभिः
Among them, here, that power is inconceivable by means of logical reasoning.
तच्छृण्वंति यतः पार्थ नैका श्रावणिका मताः
Because they listen, O Partha, they are not considered mere listeners.
यथा हि सिद्धगंधर्वा नागाः किंपुरुषाः खगाः तथैताः पुण्यनामानो वंद्याः श्रावणिकाः स्मृताः
Just as Siddhas, Gandharvas, Nagas, Kimpurushas, and birds are, so too these virtuous ones, called Shravanikas, are remembered as worthy of reverence.
ता समुद्दिश्य कर्तव्यस्तं नारीनरैरिह
With them in mind, actions must be performed here by men and women.
आघ्राय धूपं पक्वान्नं जलं चागन्ध मेव च
After offering incense, cooked food, water, and also fragrance,
अदत्त्वा यदि मृत्युः स्यादंतरालेपि पांडव सफेनिलैर्मुखै रौद्रैर्भ्रियंते नीचदुःखिताः ।। 4.95.
If one does not give, O Pandava, death may occur even in the interval; the wretched and miserable are tormented by fierce, foaming-mouthed beings.
श्रूयंते हि पुरा पार्थ पृथिव्यां नहुषो नृपः
It is heard, O Partha, that long ago on earth was King Nahusha.
प्रत्यक्षरूपसंपन्ना दर्शनीयतरा शुभा
She was endowed with a manifest form, exceedingly beautiful and auspicious.
शब्दगद्गदसंभाषा मत्तमातंगगामिनी
Her speech was indistinct, like the sound of an intoxicated elephant walking.
सा कदाचिद्गता स्नातुं गंगायां चाश्रमे मुनेः
Once, she went to bathe in the Ganga at the sage’s hermitage.
भोजयंती मुनीनां तु पत्नीर्नानान्नभोजनैः
She served the wives of the sages with various kinds of food.
पूज्यं भगवति ब्रूहि किमेतद्व्रतमुच्यते
O revered one, tell me, what is this vow called?
अरुन्धत्युवाच जयश्रिये शृणुष्व त्वं नाम्ना श्रावणिकाव्रतम्
Arundhati said: Listen, O Jayashri, to the vow named Shravanikā.
गूढं बह्मर्षिसर्वस्वं सुपतिव्रतकं शुभम्
It is secret, the essence of all great sages, supremely auspicious for devoted wives.
एवमुक्ता जयश्रीस्तु भोज्ये तस्मिन्यदृच्छया
Thus addressed, Jayashri, by chance, partook of the food there.
भुक्त्वाचम्य जगामाथ स्वपुरं परमेश्वरम् 4.95.
Having eaten and rinsed her mouth, she then went to her own city, to the Supreme Lord.
ततस्तु समये पूर्णे म्रियमाणा महासती
Then, when the time was fulfilled, the great and virtuous lady was dying.
फेनं लालाविलाद्वक्त्रादुद्गिरंती मुहुर्मुहुः
Again and again, she was expelling foam mixed with saliva from her mouth.
ततः षोडशके प्राप्ते दिने स्वयमरुंधती नहुषाय समाचख्यौ यदुक्तं श्रावणी व्रते
Then, when the sixteenth day arrived, Arundhati herself told Nahusha what had been prescribed in the Shravani vow.
तच्छुत्वा नहुषो राजा द्रुतं भोज्यं प्रचक्रमे
Hearing this, King Nahusha promptly began the offering of food.
दत्वा च करकानष्टौ तामुद्दिश्य जयश्रियम्
And, having given her eight pots, he dedicated to her the glory of victory.
जगाम शक्रलोकं सा विमानेनार्कवर्चसा
She went to the world of Indra in a radiant chariot shining like the sun.
द्रव्यप्राप्तिश्च भक्तिश्च दानकाले प्रशस्यते
The acquisition of wealth and devotion are both praised at the time of giving.
भुक्त्वा यज्ञे चतुर्दश्यामष्टम्यां वा युधिष्ठिर
Having eaten during the sacrifice on the fourteenth or the eighth day, O Yudhishthira,
आमंत्रयेद्दशैकैका नारीर्गौरीस्वरूपिणीः
He should invite ten women, each embodying the form of Gauri.
द्वादश ब्राह्मणांस्तत्र वेदवेदांगपारगान् 4.95.
And twelve Brahmins there, accomplished in the Vedas and their branches.
सर्वं दद्याद्विधानेन पादक्षालनपूर्वकम्
He should give everything according to the proper rite, after washing their feet.