शाखाया अग्रतः पात्रे सुसूक्ष्मे पल्लवाश्रिते 1.210.
At the tip of a branch, in a very fine vessel, supported by fresh leaves—
स्नातः पूज्य विवस्वंतमर्कपुष्पैः खगोत्तम
Having bathed, one should worship Vivasvat with arka flowers, O best of birds.
प्राश्य मंत्रेणार्कपुटं ततो भुंजीत वाग्यतः
Having recited the mantra, one should then eat the arka-puṭa, observing silence.
ॐ अर्कसंपुट भद्रं ते भद्रं तेऽर्कं सदास्तु वै
Om, arka-saṃpuṭa, may there be well-being for you; may there always be well-being for the arka.
इमं मंत्रं जपन्राजन्स्मरन्नर्कं महामते
O king, reciting this mantra and remembering the arka, O wise one,
प्राश्य भुंक्ते च यो राजन्स याति परमां गतिम्
O king, whoever eats after reciting attains the highest state.
अनेन विधिना भक्त्या कर्तव्या सप्तमी सदा
This seventh day should always be observed with devotion according to this procedure.
यश्चेमां सप्तमीं कुर्याद्भास्करं प्रीणयन्नरः
And whoever performs this Saptamī, pleasing Bhāskara, O man,
सुवर्णं रजतं ताम्रं हिरण्यं च तथा क्षयम्
Gold, silver, copper, and wealth likewise are not diminished.
कुष्ठरोगाच्च वै मुक्तो जयस्तोमो महीपतिः
He is freed from leprosy and, O king, gains victory over darkness.
अर्कं चैव समाराध्य ततोऽगुस्तेऽर्कसाम्यताम् 1.210.
And by duly worshipping the arka, one attains equality with the arka after death.
पठतां शृण्वतां राजन्कुर्वतां च विशेषतः
For those who recite, listen, and especially perform this, O king,
श्रुतं मया तु बहुशो न श्रुतं कौथुमिर्यथा
I have heard much, but not as I have heard regarding Kauthumi.
सिद्धिं गतोऽर्कमाराध्य कुष्ठान्मुक्तश्च सुव्रत
Having worshipped the arka, Kauthumi attained success and was freed from leprosy, O virtuous one.
कथमाराधयामास भानुं देवपतिं द्विज
How did he worship Bhānu, the lord of the gods, O twice-born?
अर्कसम्पुटिकावर्णनम् आसीत्पुरा महाविद्वान्ब्राह्मणः स्थानगोत्तमः
Description of the Arka-saṃpuṭikā: Once there was a great scholar, a foremost Brahmin.
स गतः पुत्रसहितो जनकस्याश्रमं द्विजः
He, along with his son, went to the hermitage of Janaka, O twice-born.
क्रोधाविष्टेन वै तत्र हतः कौथुमिना द्विजः
There, overcome by anger, that Brahmin was killed by Kauthumi.
भ्रातृभिश्च महाबाहो तथा शिष्टैश्च कृत्स्नशः
Also by his brothers, O mighty-armed one, and entirely by the disciples.
तीर्थानि स जगामाथ दिव्यान्यायतनानि च
Then he went to the holy places and to the divine shrines.
अमुक्तेऽथ तया विप्रे परो व्याधिरजायत
Then, upon not being released by her, a severe disease afflicted the Brahmin.
पृथिवीं पर्यटन्सर्वां पुनरागात्पितुर्गृहम्
He wandered across the entire earth and returned again to his father's house.
पितर्गतस्तु तीर्थानि पुण्यान्यायतनानि च
Upon arriving at his father's place, he visited holy sites and sacred abodes.
कृतेऽपि हि परे तात प्रायश्चित्ते तु मेऽनघ
Even after performing the prescribed expiation, O father, I remain unblemished.
कृतेन कर्मणा येन अल्पायासेन मे विभो
By which act, O Lord, with little effort, may I obtain atonement?
कथ्यतां मा चिरं तात कुरु निःश्रेयसं मम शोकदुःखाभिभूतस्तु वाक्यं पुत्रमुवाच ह
Tell me, do not delay, father; grant me liberation. Overcome by grief and sorrow, he spoke these words to his son.
तीर्थानि च त्वया वत्स प्रायश्चित्तानि कुर्वता
You, my child, have performed expiations at holy places.
उपायमेकं वक्ष्यामि येन त्वं मोक्षमाप्स्यसि
I will tell you of a single means by which you will attain liberation.
शरीरेण विहीनोऽस्मि हेतुना सर्वकर्मणाम्
I am deprived of my body, and thus unable to perform all actions.
देवैरपि सुपूज्योयमुपलेपनमार्जनैः
This is worthy of the highest honor even among the gods, through anointing and cleansing.