अत्राप्युदाहरंतीममितिहासं पुरातनम्
Here too, I shall cite an ancient legend.
द्वारकामनुसंजातं नारदं देवदर्शनम्
Narada, the divine sage, appeared in Dwaraka.
तस्याः संपृच्छमानाया देवर्षिर्नारदस्ततः
To her, as she questioned, the divine sage Narada then spoke.
नक्षत्रयोगं वक्ष्यामि सर्वपातकनाशनम्
I shall explain the conjunction of constellations, which destroys all sins.
संतर्प्य ब्राह्मणान्साधूँल्लोकान्प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमान्
By satisfying Brahmins and the virtuous, one attains the highest worlds.
संतर्प्य ब्राह्मणान्साधूँल्लोकान्प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमान्
By satisfying Brahmins and the virtuous, one attains the highest worlds.
दोग्ध्नीं सवत्सां तु नरो नक्षत्रे सोमदैवते
A man should give a milking cow with a calf under the constellation governed by Soma (the Moon).
आर्द्रायां कृशरां दत्त्वा तिलमिश्रा समाहितः
During Ardra, one should give rice mixed with sesame, with a concentrated mind.
पूषान्पुनर्वसौ दत्त्वा घृतपूर्णान्सुपाचितान् 4.192.
During Punarvasu, one should give well-cooked food filled with ghee.
पुष्ये तु कांचनं दत्त्वा कृतं वाकृतमेव वा
During Pushya, one should give gold, whether crafted or uncrafted.
आश्लेषासु तथा रौप्यं यः सुरूपं प्रयच्छति
Likewise, during Ashlesha, whoever gives beautiful silver.
मघासु तिलपूर्णानि वर्धमानानि मानवः
During Magha, a person should give vessels filled with sesame seeds, increasing in number.
फाल्गुनीपूर्वसमये वडवां द्विजपुंगवे
At the time of Purva Phalguni, one should give a mare to the foremost among twice-born.
उत्तराफाल्गुनीयोगे दत्त्वा सौवर्णपंकजम्
During Uttara Phalguni, one should give a golden lotus.
हस्ते तु हस्तिनं दत्त्वा कांचनं शक्तितः कृतम्
By giving an elephant in the hand, and gold according to one's ability, the act is accomplished.
चित्रासु वृषभं दत्त्वा पुण्यानां पुण्यमुत्तमम्
By giving a bull in the constellation Citrā, one attains the highest merit among the virtuous.
स्वातीषु च धनं दत्त्वा यदभीष्टमिहात्मनः
By giving wealth during the constellation Svātī, one obtains whatever is desired in this world.
विशाखासु महाराज धुरंधरविभूषितम्
O great king, in the constellation Viśākhā, one should give a burden-bearing, well-adorned animal.
दत्त्वा प्रीणाति स पितुः प्रेत्य चानन्त्यमश्नुते 4.192.
By giving, he pleases his father and, after death, attains endless reward.
दत्त्वा यथेष्टं विप्रेभ्यो गतिमिष्टां स गच्छति
By giving as desired to the Brahmins, he attains the desired path.
स्वर्गे वर्षशतं साग्रमास्ते सुरगणैर्वृतः
He dwells in heaven for a hundred years, surrounded by hosts of gods.
ज्येष्ठानुज्येष्ठतामेति गतिमिष्टां च गच्छति
He attains seniority and junior status, and also reaches the desired path.
पितॄन्प्रीणयते सर्वान्गतिं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमाम्
He pleases all his ancestors and attains the highest state.
कुलवृत्तोपसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे वेदपारगे
When a Brahmin, accomplished in family tradition and learned in the Vedas,
पुत्रपौत्रैः परिवृतः पशुमान्धनवांस्तथा
Is surrounded by sons and grandsons, and possesses cattle and wealth,
दत्त्वोत्तरास्वषाढासु सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात्
By giving during the constellation Uttarāṣāḍhā, one obtains all desired objects.
धर्मनित्यो मनीषिभ्यः स्वर्गे वसति पुण्यभाक्
Constant in righteousness, giving to the wise, he dwells in heaven, enjoying merit.
स्वेच्छया याति यानेन सर्वांल्लोकान्न संशयः
He travels by his own will, by vehicle, to all worlds without doubt.
सर्वत्र मानमाप्नोति यत्र यत्रेह जायते 4.192.
He attains honor everywhere, wherever he is born in this world.
प्राप्नोत्यप्सरसां लोके प्रेत्य गंधांश्च शोभनान्
He attains the world of the Apsarases after death, and beautiful fragrances.