नृणां स्त्रीणां च सर्वेषां नान्यच्छोकस्य कारणम्
For all men and women, there is no other cause of sorrow.
अपुत्रता महादुःखमतिदुःखं कुपुत्रता
Childlessness is great suffering; but having a bad son is even greater suffering.
धन्यास्ते ये सुतं प्राप्ताः सर्वदुःखविवर्जितम् । । शक्तं प्रशांतं बलिनं परां निर्वृतिमागतम्
Blessed are those who have obtained a son free from all sorrow—capable, calm, strong, and who has attained supreme contentment.
स्वकर्माभिरतं नित्यं देवद्विजपरायणम्
One who is always engaged in his own duties, devoted to the gods and the twice-born.
विनिर्जितारिसर्वस्वं मनोहृदयनन्दनम्
Having conquered all the wealth of enemies, it delights the mind and heart.
मित्रस्वजनसन्मानलब्धं निर्वाणमुत्तमम्
It is the supreme liberation, gained through the honor of friends and relatives.
सोऽहमेवंविधं श्रोतुं कर्मेच्छामि महामते
O wise one, I wish to hear and perform such an act.
दुःखं प्रयात्युपशमं तनयान्नेह केनचित्
Suffering departs and finds peace here through offspring, by no other means.
अत्रापि श्रूयतां वृत्तं यत्पूर्वमभवन्मुने 4.106.
Now, listen also to the story that happened before, O sage.
कृतवीर्यो महीपालो हैहयो नाम वै पुरा
In ancient times, there was a king named Kṛtavīrya of the Haihaya lineage.
पत्नी सहस्रप्रवरा महिषी शीलमण्डना
His chief queen was Sahasraprava, adorned with virtue.
गुणवत्पुत्रलाभाय कृतासनपरिग्रहम्
Desiring a worthy son, she undertook the prescribed seat and observance.
कथयामास परमं नाम्नानन्तव्रतं महत् तस्याः सुपुत्रलाभाय राजपुत्र्यास्तपस्विनी
For the sake of obtaining an excellent son, the royal princess, devoted to austerity, performed the great vow called Anantavrata.
स तं समाराध्य विभुं समाप्नोति जनार्दनात्
By worshipping that Lord, one attains fulfillment from Janārdana.
तस्मिन्संप्राश्य गोमूत्रं स्नातो नियतमानसः वामपादमनंतस्य पूजयेद्वरवर्णिनि
Having sipped cow's urine, bathed, and with a controlled mind, O fair one, one should worship the left foot of Ananta.
अनंतः सर्वकामानामनंतं भगवान्फलम्
Ananta is the Lord, the endless fruit of all desires.
अनंतपुण्योपचयमनन्तं तु महाव्रतम्
Ananta is the accumulation of endless merit, and the vow itself is infinite.
इत्युच्चार्याभिपूज्यैनं यथावद्विधिना नरः 4.106.
Having pronounced this, and worshipped him properly according to the rite, a man should—
विप्राय दक्षिणां दद्यादनंतः प्रीयतामिति
—give a gift to a Brahmin, saying, 'May Ananta be pleased.'
ततश्च पौषे पुष्यर्क्षे तथैव भगवत्कटिम्
Then, in the month of Pauṣa, under the Puṣya star, likewise worship the waist of the Lord.
अनंतः सर्वकामाना मिति चोच्चारयेत्पुनः
Again, one should recite, 'Ananta is the fulfillment of all desires.'
माघे मघासु तद्वच्च बाहुं देवस्य पूजयेत्
In the month of Māgha, under the Maghā stars, likewise, one should worship the arm of the deity.
चतुर्ष्वेतेषु गोमूत्रं प्राशयेन्नृपनंदिनि
On these four occasions, one should administer cow urine, O delight of kings.
देवस्य दक्षिणं स्कन्धं चैत्रे चित्रासु पूजयेत् विप्रे प्रवाचके दद्याद्यवान्मासचतुष्टयम्
In the month of Caitra, during the Citrā constellation, one should worship the right shoulder of the deity; to a learned Brahmin, one should give barley for four months.
वैशाखे च विशाखासु बाहुं सम्पूज्य दक्षिणम्
In the month of Vaiśākha, during the Viśākhā constellation, one should worship the right arm.
ज्येष्ठासु कटिपूजां च ज्येष्ठमासि शुभव्रते
During the Jyeṣṭhā constellation in the auspicious month of Jyeṣṭha, one should worship the waist.
पादद्वयं तु श्रवणे श्रावणे मासि पूजयेत्
In the Śravaṇa constellation, during the month of Śrāvaṇa, one should worship both feet.
श्रावणादिषु मासेषु प्राशनं दानमेव च 4.106.
In the months beginning with Śrāvaṇa, one should perform both offering and donation.
गुह्यं प्रोष्ठपदायोगे मासि भाद्रपदेऽर्चयेत्
During the conjunction with Proṣṭhapada, in the month of Bhādrapada, one should worship the secret part.
कुर्यात्समाहितमनाः स्नानं प्राशनमर्चनम्
With concentrated mind, one should perform bathing, offering, and worship.