निक्षुभार्कव्रतवर्णनम् वर्षमेकं न भुंक्ते या महाभागजिगीषया
The description of the Nikṣubhārka vow: She who, with great fortune and the desire to conquer, does not eat for one year—
वर्षांति प्रतिमां कृत्वा निक्षुभांकेति विश्रुताम् ।! स्नानाद्यं च विधिं कृत्वा पूर्वोक्तं लभते गुणम्
Having made an image at the end of the year, known as Nikṣubhā, and having performed the prescribed rites such as bathing, she attains the merit previously described.
जांबूनदमयैर्यानैश्चतुर्द्वारैरलंकृते
With vehicles made of gold, adorned with four gates—
सौरादिसर्वलोकेषु भोगान्भुक्त्वा यथेप्सितान्
Having enjoyed desired pleasures in all worlds beginning with the solar realm—
या नार्युपवसेदेवं कृष्णामेकां तु सप्तमीम्
Any woman who observes, in this way, a single seventh day during the dark fortnight—
वर्षांते प्रतिमां कृत्वा शालिपिष्टमयीं शुभाम् पूर्वोक्तमखिलं कृत्वा भास्कराय निवेदयेत्
At the end of the year, having made a beautiful image of rice flour, and having performed all the previously mentioned rites, she should offer it to Bhāskara.
सप्तभीमैर्महायानैर्दंतिचामीकरप्रभैः
With seven mighty, great vehicles, shining like golden elephants—
सौरलोकादिलोकेषु भुक्त्वा भोगान्नराधिप सर्वलक्षणसंपन्नं धनधान्यसमन्वितम्
Having enjoyed pleasures in the solar and other worlds, the king, endowed with all auspicious marks, is possessed of wealth and grain.
कृष्णपक्षे तु सप्तम्यां या नारी तु दृढव्रता
On the seventh day of the dark fortnight, any woman who is firm in her vow—
वर्षांते सर्वगंधाढ्यं निक्षुभार्कं निवेदयेत् 1.167.
At the end of the year, she should offer the Nikṣubhārka, endowed with all fragrances.
सुविचित्रैर्महायानैर्दिव्यगंधर्वशोभितैः
With splendid, great vehicles, adorned by divine Gandharvas—
यथेष्टं भानवे लोके भोगान्भुक्त्वा तु कृत्स्नशः
Having enjoyed all pleasures as desired in the world of the Sun—
एवं या कुरुते राजन्व्रतं पापभयापहम्
Thus, O king, she who performs this vow, which removes the fear of sin—
वर्षमेकं महाबाहो श्रद्धया परयान्वितः
For one year, O mighty-armed one, endowed with supreme faith—
भोजयित्वा तु दांपत्यं भोगकानां महाबलैः
After feeding the couple with great delights by those of immense power,
कृत्वा ताम्रमये पात्रे वज्रपूर्णैरलंकृतम्
having prepared a copper vessel adorned and filled with vajra-stones,
निक्षुभा भोजिका ज्ञेया भोजकोऽर्कः प्रकीर्तितः
the vessel is to be known as Nikṣubhā, the food-giver is called Arka.
कामप्रदस्त्रीव्रतवर्णनम् क्षमाहिंसादिनियमैः संयता ब्रह्मचारिणी
The vow of the woman who grants desire is described: restrained by rules of forgiveness, non-violence, and the like, she observes celibacy.
गुडाज्यमिश्रं शाल्यन्नं भास्कराय निवेदयेत्
She should offer to Bhāskara rice mixed with jaggery and ghee.
पुष्पाणां करवीराणां गुग्गुलं साज्यमादिशेत्
She should also offer guggul incense with ghee, along with karavīra flowers.
इंद्रनीलप्रतीकाशैर्विमानैः सार्वकामिकैः
With celestial vehicles resembling blue sapphires, fulfilling all desires,
तथा च सर्वलोकेषु भोगमासाद्य यत्नतः
thus, by effort, attaining enjoyments in all worlds,
इत्येवं सर्वयज्ञेषु विधिस्तुल्यः प्रकीर्तितः
In this way, the procedure is declared to be the same in all sacrifices.
क्षमा सत्यं दया दानं शौचमिंद्रियनिग्रहः
Forgiveness, truth, compassion, charity, purity, and control of the senses—
सर्वव्रतेष्वयं धर्मः सामान्यो दशधा स्मृतः
This tenfold general dharma is remembered in all vows.
मार्गशीर्षे शुभे मासि व्योमपृष्ठे विनिर्मितम्
In the auspicious month of Mārgaśīrṣa, constructed on the vault of the sky,
ताम्रपात्रादिकैश्चैवाप्यप्सरोगणसेवितैः 1.168.
with copper vessels and the like, attended by groups of celestial nymphs,
सर्वदेवकदंबेषु संप्राप्य विमलां श्रियम् पुष्पैरमुमलंकृत्य भानवे विनिवेदयेत्
Having attained pure fortune among all the divine groves, she should adorn it with flowers and offer it to the Sun.
गंधमाल्यैरलंकृत्य शुभाननमनौप मम्
Adorning the auspicious-faced one with fragrance and garlands,
महापुष्पकयानेन दिव्यगंधप्रवाहिना
with a great flower-chariot, wafting divine fragrance,