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.
वित्तहीनो यथा कश्चिच्छ्रद्धया च पुनःपुनः
Just as someone without wealth, yet with faith, again and again—
प्रतिमासमुपोष्यैवं प्रति पत्कार्त्तिकावधौ 4.12.
By fasting each month in this way, up to the time of Karttika—
द्वितीये द्वे पञ्चदश्यां कृत्वा नक्तं नराधिपः
On the fifteenth day of the second month, having observed a night-fasting, the king—
द्वितीयोपवसेच्छुक्ला ततः प्रभृति वत्सरम्
Should fast on the second day of the bright fortnight, thus for a year from then—
उपवासद्वयं कृत्वा तृतीयां प्रारभेत्ततः
Having performed two fasts, then on the third, he should begin—
कृत्वैवं षोडशे वर्षे पूर्णमास्यां समुद्यतः
Having done so, in the sixteenth year, on the full moon, being prepared—
हेमशृंगीं रौप्यखुरां सघंटां कांस्यदोहनाम्
A cow with golden horns, silver hooves, with a bell, and a bronze milking vessel—
शिवभक्तिरतान्विप्रान्विशुद्धांश्चैव षोडश
Sixteen pure Brahmins devoted to the worship of Shiva—
ब्राह्मणांश्च यथाशक्त्या भोजयेदपरानपि
And also other Brahmins, according to his ability, he should feed—
बृहत्तपोव्रतं चैव ब्रह्मघ्नाद्यघशोषणम्
This is a great vow of austerity, a destroyer of sins such as killing a Brahmin—