ईतयो न प्रवर्तंते तस्मान्मृत्युकृतं भयम् भुक्त्वा राज्यं चिरंकालमिन्द्रलोके महीयते
Obstacles do not arise for him; therefore, the fear caused by death is removed. Having enjoyed the kingdom for a long time, he is honored in Indra's world.
राष्ट्रे पुरे च नगरे सुरराजकेतोर्यत्रोत्सवो नृपजनैः क्रियते समेत्य
In the country, city, and town, the festival of Indra's banner is celebrated by the gathering of kings.
इति श्रीभविष्ये महापुराण उत्तरपर्वणि श्रीकृष्णयुधिष्ठिरसंवादे महेन्द्रध्वजमहोत्सववर्णनं नामैकोनचत्वारिंशदुतरशततमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the one hundred and forty-first chapter, named 'Description of the Great Festival of Mahendra's Banner,' in the dialogue between Shri Krishna and Yudhishthira, in the Uttaraparva of the glorious Bhavishya Mahapurana.
दीपालिकोत्सववर्णनम् श्रीकृष्ण उवाच पुरा वामनरूपेण याचयित्वा धरामिमाम्
Description of the festival of lamps. Shri Krishna said: Long ago, in the form of Vamana, having begged this earth,
इन्द्राय दत्तवान्राज्यं बलिं पातालवासिनम्
He gave the kingdom to Indra, and Bali, dwelling in the netherworld.
एकमेव हि भोगार्थं बलिराज्येतिचिह्नितम्
For enjoyment alone, Bali's kingdom was thus marked.
कार्त्तिके कृष्णपक्षस्य पञ्चदश्यां निशागमे
On the fifteenth night of the dark fortnight of Karttika, at nightfall,
किमर्थं दीयते दानं तस्यां का देवता भवेत्
For what purpose is charity given on that night, and which deity is to be worshipped?
किंस्वित्तस्यै भवेद्देयं केभ्यो देवं जनार्दन
What should be given on that night, and to whom, O Janardana?
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच कार्त्तिके कृष्णपक्षे च चतुर्दश्यां दिनोदये
Shri Krishna said: In the dark fortnight of Karttika, on the fourteenth day at sunrise,
अपामार्गपल्लवान्वा भ्राभयेन्मस्तकोपरि
One should wave apamarga leaves over the head.
हर पापमपामार्ग भ्राम्यमाणं पुनःपुनः अपामार्ग नमस्तेस्तु शरीरं मम शोधय
Remove sin, O apamarga, as you are waved again and again. Salutations to apamarga; purify my body.
( इत्यपामार्ग भ्रमण मन्त्रः) ततश्च तर्पणं कार्यं धर्मराजस्य नामभिः वैवस्वताय कालाय सर्वभूतक्षयाय च ।।4.140.१
(This is the mantra for waving apamarga.) Then, one should perform oblation with the names of Dharmaraja, Vaivasvata, Kala, and the destroyer of all beings.
नरकाय प्रदातव्यो दीपः संपूज्य देवताः
A lamp should be offered to Naraka, after worshipping the deities.
ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादीनां भवनेषु मठेषु च
In the residences and monasteries of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and others,
प्राकारोद्यानवापीषु प्रतोलीनिष्कुटेषु च मंदुरासु विविक्तासु हस्तिशालासु चैव हि
In enclosures, gardens, wells, gateways, and porticos, as well as in isolated stables and elephant sheds,
एवं प्रभातसमयेऽमावास्यायां नराधिप
Thus, at dawn on the new moon day, O king,
कृत्वा तु पार्वणं श्राद्धं दधिक्षीरघृतादिभिः
Having performed the ancestral rite with curds, milk, ghee, and the like,
ततोऽपराह्णसमये घोषयेन्नगरे नृपः
Then, in the afternoon, the king should announce throughout the city,
लोकश्चापि परे हृष्येत्सुधाधवलिताजिरे
And the people too rejoice in courtyards whitened by nectar,
द्यूतपानरतोदृप्तनरनारीमनोहरे १८ . तांबूलहृष्ट वदने कुङ्कुमक्षोदचर्चिते
In places delightful to men and women intoxicated by gambling and drinking, with faces brightened by betel and adorned with saffron powder,
दुकूलपट्टनेपथ्ये स्वर्णमाणिक्यभूषिते 4.140.
With fine cloths and silk garments, adorned with gold and jewels,
युवतीजनसंकीर्णवस्त्रोज्ज्वलविहारिणि प्रदोषे दोषरहिते शस्तदोषागमे शुभे
In radiant halls crowded with young women, in the evening free of faults, at the auspicious arrival of the proper time,
शशिपूर्णमुखाभिश्च कन्याभिः क्षिप्ततण्डुलम्
With maidens whose faces are full like the moon, tossing rice,
भ्राम्यमाणो नतो मूर्घ्नि मनुजानां जनाधिपः नीराजनं तु तेनेह प्रोच्यते विजयप्रदम्
The king, circling with bowed head among the people, performs the waving of lights here, which is said to grant victory,
तस्माज्जनेन कर्तव्यं रक्षोदोषभयापहम्
Therefore, people should perform this, which removes fear of evil and danger,
क्षुद्रोपसर्गरहिते राजचौरभयोज्झिते
Where there is freedom from minor afflictions and from fear of kings and thieves,
ततोऽर्द्धरात्रसमये स्वयं राजा व्रजेत्पुरम्
Then, at midnight, the king himself should enter the city,
महता तूर्यघोषेण ज्वलद्भिर्हस्तदीपकैः
With a great sound of instruments and blazing lamps held in hand,
तं दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यमृद्धिं चैवात्मनः शुभाम्
Seeing that great wonder and the auspicious prosperity of himself,