कौंतेय पुरुषो वापि ख्यातं रंभाव्रतं भुवि
O son of Kuntī, whether man or woman, the renowned Rambhā vow is observed on earth.
स्त्रीणां चातुर्यसौभाग्यं गार्हस्थ्यं सर्वकामिकम् सपत्नीदर्पदलनं वशीकरणमुत्तमम्
For women, it brings cleverness, good fortune, fulfillment in household life, all desires, the destruction of co-wife's pride, and supreme mastery.
हिमवद्विंध्ययोर्मध्ये आर्यावर्ते मनोहरे
Between the Himālaya and Vindhya mountains, in the delightful land of Āryāvarta,
मृतः शक्रपुरं याति ततो विष्णुपुरं व्रजेत्
One who dies there goes to the city of Indra, and then proceeds to the city of Viṣṇu.
यद्रंभया किल भयापहरं ततश्च गौर्या हिमाद्रिभवनस्थितयापि चीर्णम्
Because of fear, that which removes fear was indeed performed by Gauri, even while she dwelt in the abode of Himavat.
गोपदतृतीयाव्रतवर्णनम् तृतीयायां चतुर्थ्यां च शुद्धायां प्रतिवत्सरम्
The description of the Gopada vow on the third lunar day: On the pure third or fourth lunar day, every year,
उपवासेन गृह्णीयाद्व्रतं नाम्ना तु गोपदम्
One should undertake the vow called Gopada, with fasting.
दध्यक्षतैश्च मालाभिः पिष्टकैर्वनमालया
With curd, unbroken grains, garlands, cakes, and wildflower wreaths,
दद्याद्गवाह्निकं भक्त्या तासां पूर्वापराह्णयोः
One should devotedly offer the daily oblation for cows, both in the forenoon and afternoon.
व्रजंतीनां गवां नित्यमायांतीनां च भारत अर्घ्यं प्रदद्याद्गृष्ट्यां वा गवां पादेषु पांडव
O Bhārata, for cows as they go out and return daily, one should offer arghya with water at their feet, O Pāṇḍava.
माता रुद्राणां दुहिता वसूनां स्वसादित्यानाममृतस्य नाभिः
She is the mother of the Rudras, daughter of the Vasus, sister to the Ādityas, and the navel of immortality.
गावो मे हृदये संतु गवां मध्ये वसाम्यहम्
May cows abide in my heart; I dwell among the cows.
इत्थं संपूज्य दत्त्वार्घं ततो गच्छेद्गृहाश्रमम्
Thus, having worshipped and offered arghya, one should then return to one's household duties.
शालिपिष्टं फलं शाकं तिलमन्नं च शोभनम्
One should give rice flour, fruit, vegetables, sesame, and fine food.
प्रभाते गोपदं दत्त्वा ब्राह्मणाय हिरण्मयम् 4.19.
In the morning, one should give a golden Gopada to a Brahmin.
अर्च्यंतेऽत्र यथा गावस्तथा गोवर्धनो गिरिः
Here, cows are worshipped just as the mountain Govardhana is worshipped.
गोभक्तो गोव्रतं कृत्वा भक्त्या शक्त्या च गोष्पदम्
One devoted to cows, having performed the cow vow with devotion and ability, should also worship the cow's footprint.
गोतर्णकाकुलं गेहं गोकुलं च समासतः
A house filled with the sound of cows and a settlement of cowherds are obtained in summary.
संतानं पूजितं लब्ध्वा ततः स्वर्गेऽमरो भवेत्
Having obtained honored offspring, one then becomes immortal in heaven.
गन्धर्वैर्गीतवाद्येन सेव्यमानोऽप्सरोगणैः
Attended by Gandharvas with song and music, and by groups of Apsaras.
यो गोपदव्रतमिदं कुरुते त्रिरात्रं गा वै प्रपूजयति गोरसपूजनाच्च
Whoever performs this Gopada vow for three nights, worshipping the cows and honoring cow's milk,
हरिकालीव्रतवर्णनम् सर्वधान्यैस्तां विरूढां भूतां हरितशाड्वलाम्
The description of the Harikali vow: With all kinds of grains, that which is grown, living, and covered with green grass—
गन्धैः पुष्पैः फलैर्धूपैर्नैवेद्यैर्मोदकादिभिः
With fragrances, flowers, fruits, incense, offerings, and sweets such as modaka,
घण्टावाद्यादिभिर्गीतैः शुभैर्दिव्यकथानुगैः
With the sounds of bells and musical instruments, with auspicious songs accompanied by divine stories,
सुवासिनीभिः सा नेया मध्ये पुण्यजलाशये
She is to be led by well-adorned women to the center of the sacred water reservoir.
आर्द्रधान्यैः स्थिता कस्मात्पूज्यते स्त्रीजनेन सा
She, standing with moist grains, is worshipped by women for what reason?
आसीद्दक्षस्य दुहिता कालीनाम्नी तु कन्यका
Daksha had a daughter named Kāli, a maiden.
वर्णेनापि च सा कृष्णा नवनीलोत्पलप्रभा
She was dark in complexion, with the radiance of a fresh blue lotus.
विवाहिता विधानेन शंखतूर्यानुनादिना
She was married according to proper rites, with the sound of conches and drums.
निर्वर्तिते विवाहे तु तया सार्धं त्रिलोचनः
When the marriage was completed, the three-eyed one was with her.