ज्येष्ठस्य शुक्लपक्षादौ त्रीन्वै मासान्युधिष्ठिर
At the beginning of the bright fortnight of Jyeṣṭha, O Yudhiṣṭhira, three months (are to be observed).
शुक्ले भाद्रपदस्यादौ त्रीन्मासान्पांडुनंदन
At the beginning of the bright fortnight of Bhādrapada, O son of Pāṇḍu, three months (are to be observed).
शुक्लमार्गशिरस्यादौ त्रीन्मासांस्तु नराधिप
At the beginning of the bright fortnight of Mārgaśīrṣa, O ruler of men, three months are prescribed.
समासेनैव चोक्तानि भद्राण्येतानि भारत
These auspicious observances, O Bhārata, have been briefly stated.
भद्राणां नियमाधानं प्रधाननियमांस्तथा
The establishment of the rules for the auspicious rites, as well as the principal regulations, have thus been given.
श्रीभगवानुवाच शृणु राजन्नवहितो भद्राणां विस्तरं परम्
Śrī Bhagavān said: Listen attentively, O King, to the supreme and detailed explanation of the auspicious rites.
शुक्ले मार्गशिरस्यादौ चत्वारस्तिथयो वराः
In the bright fortnight, at the beginning of Mārgaśīrṣa, four dates are considered excellent.
एकभुक्तासनस्तिष्ठेत्प्रतिपद्यां जितेन्द्रियः
On the first day, one should eat only once, remain seated, and control the senses.
प्रहरत्रये समधिके गते स्नानं समाचरेत् 4.13.
When three watches of the day have passed, one should perform bathing.
अहं ते तु प्रदिश्यामि मंत्राणां विधिमुत्तमम्
I shall instruct you in the supreme method of the mantras.
ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रा ये शुचयोऽमलाः
Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras who are pure and spotless—
या स्त्री भर्त्रा वियुक्तापि स्वाचारैः संयुता शुभा
And any woman, even if separated from her husband, who is endowed with good conduct and auspiciousness—
स्नानं नद्यां तडागे वा वाप्यां कूपे गृहेपि वा
May perform bathing in a river, pond, reservoir, well, or even at home.
मृदं मंत्रेण संगृह्य सर्वांगेषु प्रलेपयेत्
Taking clay with a mantra, one should apply it to all parts of the body.
मयापि वंदिता भक्त्या मामतो विमलं कुरु
With devotion, having praised me, one should say: 'Make me pure, O Immaculate One.'
इति मृन्मंत्रः जलावगाहनं कुर्यात्कुण्डमालिख्य धर्मवित्
This is the clay mantra. One who knows dharma should draw a circle and enter the water.
त्वमादिः सर्वदेवानां जगतां च जगन्मये
You are the origin of all the gods and of all the worlds, O Lord of the universe.
गंगासागरजं तोयं पौष्करं नार्मदं तथा
Water from the Gaṅgā, the ocean, the Puṣkara lake, and the Narmadā river—
इति स्नानमंत्रः एवं स्नात्वा समाप्लुत्य आचम्य तटमास्थितः ।।4.13.
This is the bathing mantra. Having thus bathed, having sprinkled oneself and sipped water, one should stand on the bank.
निवस्य वाससी शुभ्रे शुचिः प्रयतमानसः
Wearing clean and pure garments, with a purified and concentrated mind—
एवं गृहीतनियमो गृहं गच्छेच्छुचिव्रतः
Thus, having undertaken the vow, one who is devoted to purity should return home.
स्नात्वा चैव ततो नाम तृतीयादि चतुर्दिने
After bathing, on the third or fourth day, the rite of naming is to be performed.
चतुर्दिने द्वितीयादौ देवमभ्यर्चयेऽच्युतम्
On the fourth day, or beginning from the second, one should worship the imperishable Lord.
नाभिपूजा द्वितीयेह्नि कर्तव्या विधिवन्नरैः
On the second day, the worship of the navel should be performed by men according to the prescribed rule.
चतुर्थेह्नि जगद्धातुः पूजां शिरसि कल्पयेत्
On the fourth day, the worship of the Creator of the universe should be established at the head.
घीवरैर्हरिनैवेद्यैर्दीपदानैश्च भक्तितः
With offerings of ghee-preparations, pure foods, and gifts of lamps, with devotion.
ततो दिनावसाने तु मुहूर्ते निर्गते सति
Then, at the end of the day, when the auspicious period has passed,
शशिचन्द्रशशांकेन्दुनामानि क्रमशो नरः
A man should recite, in order, the names: Śaśi, Candra, and Śaśāṅka.
स चार्घ्यो यादृशो देय ऋद्धिमद्भिरथेतरैः 4.13.
And the arghya should be offered as is appropriate, by the wealthy and by others.
चन्दनागुरुकर्पूरदधि दूर्वाक्षतादिभिः
With sandalwood, aguru, camphor, curd, dūrvā grass, rice grains, and the like.