एतद्दृष्टं मया शक्र वसंत्या सुरसद्मनि
This I have seen, O Indra, while dwelling in the mansion of the gods.
ततः कुतूहलपरो देवराट् तां तपस्विनीम्
Then, filled with curiosity, the king of the gods approached that ascetic woman.
बभूवुरेते चरितमेतेषां वेद्मि तेन वै
I know these deeds of theirs, and thus they became as they are.
अहो सर्वव्रतानां तु ह्युपोषितमथाद्भुतम् 4.107.
Oh, truly, among all vows, this fast is most wondrous.
एवमुक्ता ततस्तेन देवेन्द्रेण तपस्विनीं
Thus addressed by the lord of the gods, the ascetic woman—
मासर्क्षे ह्यच्युतो देवः प्रतिमासं सुरेश्वर
O lord of the gods, Achyuta is worshipped every month at the lunar asterism.
तस्येयं कर्मणो व्युष्टिरच्युताराधनस्य मे
This is the result of my action, the fruit of my worship of Achyuta.
स्वर्गेन्द्रविभवैश्वर्यं संततिं याति चाच्युतिम्
One attains the prosperity, sovereignty, and unbroken lineage of the lord of heaven.
एतत्ते पूर्वदेवेन्द्रचरितं सकलं मया यथावत्कथितं देव पृच्छतस्त्रिदशेश्वर
O lord of the gods, all these ancient deeds of the former Indra I have recounted to you as you asked.
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाश्च वाञ्छिता विबुधाधिप
O lord of the wise, righteousness, wealth, pleasure, and liberation—all that is desired—
तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा देवराजबृहस्पती
Hearing those words of hers, the king of the gods and Bṛhaspati—
तस्मात्पार्थ प्रयत्नेन प्रतिमासं समाहितः
Therefore, O son of Pṛthā, with effort and concentration, every month—
ये सांभरायणिकथाचरितव्रतेस्मिन्वर्षाणि सप्त विधिना सुधियो नयंति
Those wise ones who, for seven years, observe the vows, stories, and practices of the Sāṃbharāyaṇī according to the prescribed method—
इति श्रीभविष्ये महापुराण उत्तरपर्वणि श्रीकृष्ण युधिष्ठिरसंवादे सांभरायणीव्रतवर्णनं नाम सप्ताधिकशततमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the glorious Bhaviṣya Mahāpurāṇa, in the Uttara Parvan, in the dialogue between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Yudhiṣṭhira, ends the one hundred and seventh chapter entitled 'The Description of the Sāṃbharāyaṇī Vow.'
नक्षत्रपुरुषव्रतवर्णनम् कर्मणा जायते केन तन्ममाख्यातुमर्हसि
The description of the Nakṣatra-puruṣa vow. By what action is one born thus? You ought to tell me this.
सुरूपाणां सुगात्राणां सुवेषाणां तथैव च
Of those who are beautiful in form, well-shaped in body, and splendidly attired—
समस्तैः शोभनैरंगैर्नराः केचिद्यदूत्तम
Some men, though possessing all excellent limbs, are not the highest—
नराणां योषितां चैव समस्ताङ्गः सुरूपता
The complete beauty of form in men and women—
लावण्यगतिवाक्यानि सति रूपे महामते
Grace in movement and speech, when beauty is present, O wise one—
वाक्यलावण्यसंस्कारविलासललिता गतिः
The charm of speech, refinement, elegance, and delightful gait—
रूपकारणभूताय कर्मणा प्रयतो भवेत्
One should strive through action, which is the cause of beauty—
कथयामि यथाप्रोक्तं वरिष्ठेन महात्मना
I shall tell as it was spoken by the most eminent great soul—
वशिष्ठमृषिमासीनं सप्तर्षिप्रवरं द्विजम्
The sage Vasiṣṭha, foremost among the seven seers, was seated—
तस्यास्तु परिपृच्छन्त्या जगाद मुनिसत्तमः 4.108.
As she was questioning him, the best of sages spoke—
सुरूपता नृणां येन योषितां चोपजायते
By what is beauty born among men and women—
अनभ्यर्च्य तु गोविंदमनाराध्य च केशवम्
Without worshipping Govinda, without adoring Keśava—
तस्मादाराधनीयोऽग्रे विष्णुरेव यशस्विनि
Therefore, O illustrious one, Viṣṇu alone should first be worshipped—
यस्तु वाञ्छति धर्मज्ञे रूपं सर्वांगसुन्दरम्
He who desires, O knower of dharma, beauty that is perfect in every limb—
सुस्नातः प्रयताहारः संपूजयति योऽच्युतम्
He who, having bathed and purified his food, worships Acyuta—
योषिता हि परं रूपमिच्छन्त्या जगतः पतिः
For a woman who desires supreme beauty, the Lord of the universe—