तर्पयित्वा तिलापिष्टैः कोकिलां पक्षिरूपिणीम्
Having satisfied the cuckoo, in bird form, with ground sesame paste—
पत्रैर्वा धूपनैवेद्यदीपालक्तकचंदनैः नित्यं तिलव्रती भक्तो मंत्रेणानेन पांडव
Or with leaves, incense, offerings, lamps, lac, and sandalwood— the devotee of the sesame vow should always worship with this mantra, O Pāṇḍava:
तिलसहे तिलसौख्ये तिलवर्णे तिलप्रिये
‘O you who are sustained by sesame, who delight in sesame, who are colored like sesame, who are fond of sesame—’
इत्युच्चार्य ततः पश्चाद्गृहमभ्येत्य संयतः
Having spoken thus, then, remaining self-controlled, one should return home.
मासांते ताम्रपात्र्यां तु कोकिलां तिलपिष्टजाम्
At the end of the month, in a copper vessel, the cuckoo made of ground sesame—
वस्त्रैर्द्धनैर्गुडैर्युक्तां श्रावण्यां कुंडलेऽथ वा व्यासे वा संप्रदातव्या व्रतिभिः शुभकाम्यया
Adorned with cloth, wealth, and molasses, should be given during Śrāvaṇī, in a pot or otherwise, or at Vyāsa’s place, by those observing the vow, desiring auspiciousness.
एवं या कुरुते नारी कोकिलाव्रतमादरात्
Thus, any woman who performs the cuckoo vow with reverence—
निःसापत्न्यं पतिं भव्यं सस्नेहं प्राप्य भूतले
Obtains on earth a husband who is free from co-wives, auspicious, and affectionate.
एतद्व्रतं वशिष्ठेन मुनिना कथितं पुरा 4.11.
This vow was formerly taught by the sage Vasiṣṭha.
तस्याश्च सर्वं संपन्नं वशिष्ठवचनादिह
And by the words of Vasiṣṭha, all her desires are fulfilled here.
एवं यान्यापि कौंतेय कोकिलाव्रतमादरात्
In the same way, O son of Kuntī, any other woman who performs the cuckoo vow with devotion—
ये कोकिलां कलरवां कलकंठपीठां यच्छंति साज्यतिलपिष्टमयीं द्विजेभ्यः
Those who offer to Brāhmaṇas a cuckoo, sweet-voiced, with a lovely black throat, made of clarified butter and ground sesame—
बृहत्तपोव्रतवर्णनम् सुरासुरमुनीनां च दुर्ल्लभं विधिना शृणु
Listen to the description of a great vow of austerity, which is difficult for gods, demons, and sages to obtain, as prescribed.
पर्वण्याश्वयुजस्यांते पायसं घृत संयुतम्
At the end of the fortnight in the month of Ashvayuja, one should prepare rice cooked in milk, mixed with ghee.
आचम्याथ शुचिर्भूत्वा बिल्वजं दंतधावनम्
After sipping water and purifying oneself, one should brush the teeth with a twig from the bilva tree.
अहं देवव्रतमिदं कर्तुमिच्छामि शाश्वतम्
I wish to undertake this divine vow, which is eternal.
इत्येवं नियमं कृत्वा यावद्वर्षाणि षोडश
Having thus made this resolution, one should observe it for sixteen years.
ततो मार्गशिरे मासि प्रतिपद्यपरेऽहनि
Then, in the month of Margashirsha, on the first or the following day,
स्नात्वा देवं समभ्यर्च्य रात्रौ प्रज्वाल्य दीपकान्
After bathing and worshipping the deity, one should light lamps at night.
महादेवरतान्विप्रान्सपत्नीकान्यतव्रतान्
One should invite brahmins devoted to Mahadeva, along with their wives and others who observe vows.
आमंत्र्य स्वगृहं गत्वा महादेवं स्मरन्क्षितौ
After inviting them, one should return home, remembering Mahadeva while on the ground.
भास्करोदयमासाद्य स्नात्वा चादाय दीपकान् 4.12.
When the sun rises, after bathing, one should take up the lamps.
अभ्यंगयित्वा देवेशं कषायैश्च विरूक्षयेत्
One should anoint the Lord of the gods and rub him with cleansing powders.
घृतेन मधुना दध्ना रसेन पयसा पुनः
With ghee, honey, curd, juice, and again with milk.
लेपयेत्सुघनं पश्चात्कर्पूरागरुचंदनैः
Afterwards, one should smear the Lord with fragrant substances, camphor, agaru, and sandalwood.
वस्त्रयुग्मं पताकां च पञ्चवर्णं वितानकम्
One should offer a pair of garments, a banner, and a canopy of five colors.
पश्चान्निवेद्य नैवेद्यं स्तुत्वा स्वभवनं व्रजेत्
After offering the consecrated food and reciting hymns, one should return to one's own house.
व्रतिनश्च तथाचार्यं भोजयेन्मिथुनानि च
One should feed the observers of the vow, the teacher, and couples as well.
एवं विसृज्य तान्सर्वान्सार्द्धं बंधुजनैः स्वयम्
Having thus honored all of them, one should depart together with one's relatives.
एवमेव विधिं कृत्वा प्रारभेताधनो धनी
In this very manner, both the poor and the wealthy should perform the rite.