पुत्रान्भोगांस्तथा रूपं सौभाग्यारोग्यमेव च
She obtains sons, enjoyments, beauty, good fortune, and health.
शृणुयाद्वाच्यमानं तु भक्त्या या ललिताव्रतम्
Whoever listens with devotion to the narration of the Lalitā vow—
संपूज्य लक्षललितां ललितांगयष्टिं गंधोदकामृतघटीं शिरसि क्षिपेद्यः
Having worshipped a hundred thousand Lalitā images, and the Lalitā staff, and poured perfumed water and nectar on the head—
अवियोगतृतीयाव्रतवर्णनम् वद नारी नरश्रेष्ठ व्रजेद्येन शिवालयम्
O best of men, tell me about the vow of the third day of separation, by which a woman may go to the abode of Śiva.
विधवा च परे लोके भूयोऽपि न वियुज्यते
And the widow, in the next world, is never separated again.
लब्ध्वा हि भवतो जन्म दक्षकोपाद्वियुक्तया
Indeed, having obtained rebirth because of Daksha's wrath, she was separated.
महासौभाग्यसंदोहं दृष्ट्वा देव्या महात्मना
Having seen the great abundance of good fortune belonging to the noble goddess,
आचम्य च शुचिर्भूत्वा दंडवच्छंकरं नमेत्
After sipping water and becoming pure, one should bow down to Shankara, lying prostrate.
औदुम्बरमृजुं गृह्य भक्षयेद्दंतधावनम्
Taking a straight twig from the udumbara tree, one should clean the teeth with it.
द्वितीयायां परे वाह्नि गौरीं शंभुं च पूजयेत् पात्रे संस्थाप्य संपूज्य जागरं निशि कल्पयेत्
On the second day, or on another auspicious day, one should worship Gauri and Shambhu, placing them in a vessel, worshipping them, and keeping vigil at night.
विधिवत्पूजयित्वा तु शंकरं कीर्तयत्स्वपेत्
Having worshipped Shankara according to the prescribed method, one should chant his praises and then sleep.
भोजयेन्मृष्टमन्नाद्यं शिवभक्त्या द्विजोत्तमान् 4.22.
With devotion to Shiva, one should feed the foremost twice-born with pure food and delicacies.
प्रतिमासं प्रकुर्वीत विधिना तेन संयता
Every month, one who is self-restrained should perform this rite according to the prescribed method.
नामानि च प्रवक्ष्यामि प्रतिमासं क्रमाच्छणु
Now I shall tell you the names, month by month, listen in order.
एवं पौषे तु संप्राप्ते गिरिशं पार्वतीं तथा
Thus, when the month of Pausha arrives, one should worship Girisha and Parvati.
एतत्पारणमुद्दिष्टं मार्गादौ मार्गगोचरम्
This observance is prescribed at the beginning of the path, within the range of the path.
भवं चैव भवानीं च मासि माघे प्रपूजयेत्
In the month of Magha, one should worship Bhava and Bhavani.
ललितां शंकरं देवं चैत्रे संपूजयेत्ततः
Then, in the month of Chaitra, one should worship Lalita and the god Shankara.
ज्येष्ठे वीरेश्वरं देवमेकवीरासमन्वितम्
In Jyeshtha, one should worship the god Vireshvara, accompanied by Ekavira.
श्रीकंठं श्रावणे देवं सुतान्वितमथार्चयेत् ईशानं कार्त्तिके मासि शिवादेवीयुतं यजेत्
In Shravana, one should worship the god Shrikantha, together with his sons; in Kartika, one should worship Ishana, united with the goddess Shiva.
जप्यध्यानार्चनायैव नामान्येतानि सुव्रत
O virtuous one, these names are for recitation, meditation, and worship.
प्रतिमासं तु पुष्पाणि यानि पूजासु योजयेत् 4.22.
Each month, one should use those flowers which are prescribed for the worship.
आदौ नीलोत्पलं योज्यं तदभावेऽपराण्यपि
First, a blue lotus should be used; if that is unavailable, other flowers may be used.
करवीरं बिल्वपत्रं किंशुकं कुब्जमल्लिका
Karavīra, bilva leaves, kiṃśuka, and kubja-mallikā flowers are also suitable.
एतान्युक्तक्रमेणैव मासेषु द्वादशस्वपि
These should be offered in the order prescribed, in each of the twelve months.
वत्सरांते वितानं च धूपोत्क्षेपं सघंटिकम्
At the end of the year, a canopy and the waving of incense with bells should be performed.
स्नापयित्वा च लिप्त्वा च सौवर्णं मूर्ध्नि पङ्कजम्
After bathing and anointing, a golden lotus should be placed on the head.
नैवेद्यं शक्तितो दत्वा नत्त्वा च विधिवच्छिवम्
Having offered food as one is able, and having bowed properly to Shiva,
तत्र गत्वा त्रिकोणश्च चतुरस्रं च कारयेत्
There, one should go and construct a triangle and a square.
व्रतिनो भोजयेत्पश्चाद्वादशैव द्विजोत्तमान्
Afterwards, the vow-holder should feed exactly twelve excellent Brahmins.