मार्गशीर्षत्रयोदश्यां सितायामेकभुङ्नरः
On the waxing thirteenth day of Mārgashīrsha, a man eats only once.
चतुर्दश्यां निराहारः समभ्यर्च्य महेश्वरम्
On the fourteenth day, he remains fasting, having worshipped Maheshvara.
एवं नियमकृत्सुप्त्वा प्रातरुत्थाय मानवः पूजयेत्कुसुमैः शुक्लैर्गंधधूपानुलेपनैः
Thus, having observed the discipline and slept, upon rising in the morning, a person should worship with white flowers, fragrant incense, and ointments.
पादौ नमः शिवायेति शिरः सर्वात्मने नमः
To the feet, 'Salutations to Shiva'; to the head, 'Salutations to the all-pervading one.'
मुखमिन्दुमुखायेति तथेशानाय चोदरम्
To the face, 'Salutations to the moon-faced one'; likewise, to Īśāna, the abdomen.
ऊरू चानन्त्यवैराग्यं जानुनी चार्चयेद्बुधः
To the thighs, one should worship infinite detachment; to the knees, the wise should offer worship.
व्योमव्योमात्मरूपाय पृष्ठमभ्यर्चयेन्नरः
To the back, a person should worship the form of the sky and the sky-self.
ततश्च वृषभं हैममुदकुम्भसमन्वितम्
Then, a bull made of gold, accompanied by a water vessel.
भक्ष्यैर्नानाविधैर्युक्तं ब्राह्मणाय निवेदयेत् 4.97.
Filled with various kinds of food, should be offered to a Brahmin.
पृषदाज्यं च संप्राश्य स्वप्याद्भूमावुदङ्मुखः
Having tasted clarified butter mixed with curds, one should sleep on the ground, facing north.
तर्पयित्वा ततोन्नेन ब्राह्मणाञ्छक्तितः शुभान्
Having satisfied auspicious Brahmins with that food, according to one's ability.
ततः कृष्णचतुर्दश्यामेतत्सर्वं समाचरेत्
Then, on the dark fourteenth day, all this should be performed.
ये च मासे विशेषाः स्युस्तान्निबोध क्रमादिह
Now learn the special months here, in order.
शंकराय नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्ते करवीरक
Salutations to Shankara; salutations to Karavīra.
नमस्तेऽस्तु महादेव स्थाणवे च ततः परम्
Salutations to you, O great god, and to Sthāṇu, the supreme one.
नमस्ते परमानंद नमः सोमार्द्धधारिणे
Salutations to you, embodiment of supreme bliss; homage to the bearer of the crescent moon.
गोमूत्रं गोमयं क्षीरं दधिसर्पिः कुशोदकम्
Cow urine, cow dung, milk, curd, ghee, and water touched by kuśa grass—
तिलांश्च कृष्णान्विधिवत्प्राश्नीयात्समुदाहृतान्
And black sesame seeds, properly consecrated, should be consumed.
मंदारैर्मालतीभिश्च तथा धत्तूकैरपि 4.97.
With mandāra, mālatī, and also dhattūra flowers,
अर्कपुष्पैः कदंबैश्च शतपत्रैस्तथोत्पलैः
With arka flowers, kadamba, hundred-petaled lotuses, and blue lotuses,
एकैकेन चतुर्दश्यामर्चयेत्पार्वतीपतिम्
With each of these, on the fourteenth day, one should worship the Lord of Pārvatī.
अन्नैर्नानाविधैर्भक्ष्यैर्वस्त्रैर्माल्यविभूषणैः
With various kinds of food, delicacies, garments, garlands, and ornaments,
उमामहेश्वरं हैमं वृषभं च गवा सह
One should offer a golden image of Umā and Maheśvara, a bull, and cows.
सर्वोपस्करयुक्तायां शय्यायां विनिवेदयेत्
These should be presented upon a bed furnished with all accessories.
स्थाप्य विप्राय शांताय वेदव्रतपराय च
Having established them, one should give them to a peaceful brāhmaṇa devoted to Vedic vows.
अव्यंगाय च सौम्याय सदाकल्याणकारिणे न वित्तशाठ्यं कुर्वीत कुर्वंल्लोभात्पतत्यधः
To one without deformity, gentle, always engaged in auspicious acts; one should not act with deceit for wealth, for acting out of greed leads to downfall.
अनेन विधिना यस्तु कुर्याच्छिवचतुर्दशीम्
Whoever performs the Śiva-caturdaśī with this procedure,
ब्रह्महत्यादिकं पापं यदत्रामुत्र वा कृतम्
Any sin such as brahminicide, committed here or elsewhere,
दीर्घायुरारोग्यकुलाभिवृद्धिरत्राक्षयान्यत्र चतुर्भुजत्वम् 4.97.
Long life, health, unending prosperity of the family, and, elsewhere, the attainment of four-armed form—these result.
न बृहस्पतिरप्यत्मन्नरस्य फलमिंद्रो न पितामहोऽपि वक्तुम्
Not even Bṛhaspati, nor Indra, nor the Grandfather (Brahmā) himself can describe the fruit for a person.