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.
वस्त्रेण वेष्टयित्वा च गन्धैर्धूपैस्तथार्चयेत् 4.22.
Having wrapped it in cloth, one should worship with fragrances and incense.
व्रतिनां ब्राह्मणानां च दम्पतीनां च भारत
For the Brahmins observing the vow and for married couples, O Bhārata,
चत्वारिंशत्तथाष्टौ च कुम्भांच्छत्रमुपानहौ
Forty and eight pots, an umbrella, and footwear should be given.
दीनान्धदुःखितानां च तद्दिने वा निवारितम्
For the poor, the blind, and the distressed, it is prohibited on that day.
न्यूनाधिकं च कर्तव्यं स्ववित्तपरि माणतः
One should give more or less according to one's own wealth.
अवियोगकरं चैतद्रूपसौभाग्यवित्तदम्
This brings about union, beauty, and wealth.
सम्यक्पुराणपतितं व्रतचर्यमेतत्तत्त्वं चराचरगुरोर्हृदयंगमायाः
This vow practice, as properly described in the Purāṇas, is the true essence, cherished in the heart of the Guru of all beings, moving and unmoving.
उमामहेश्वरव्रतवर्णनम् सौभाग्यं जायतेऽतीव पुत्राश्च बहवः शुभाः
By this, great good fortune arises, and many auspicious sons are born.
धनं धान्यं सुवर्णं च वस्त्राणि विविधानि च
Wealth, grain, gold, and various garments are obtained.
यत्कृत्वा सुभगा नारी बह्वपत्या च जायते
By performing this, a woman becomes fortunate and bears many children.
धनं धान्यं हिरण्यं च दासीदासादिकं वहु
Wealth, grain, gold, and many female and male servants,
उमामहेश्वरं नाम अप्सरोभिः पुरा कृतम्
The vow called Umā-Maheśvara was formerly established by the celestial nymphs,
रूपिण्या रंभया चैव सीतयाऽहल्यया तथा
By Rūpiṇī, Rambhā, as well as Sītā and Ahalyā,
एताभिश्चरितं पार्थ व्रतं सर्वव्रतोत्तमम्
This supreme vow of all vows, O Pārtha, was observed by these women.
मर्त्यलोके स्त्रियो याश्च दुर्भगारूपवर्जिताः
In the mortal world, women who are deprived of fortune or beauty,
तासां हितार्थं पार्वत्या उमामहेश्वरं व्रतम्
For the welfare of such women, Pārvatī established the Umā-Maheśvara vow.
पूर्वं मार्गशिरे मासि नारी धर्मपरायणा 4.23.
In the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, a woman devoted to righteousness should, after bathing,
स्नात्वा संपूज्य ललितां हरकायार्धवासिनीम् कृत्वा देवीस्तर्पयित्वा इदं वाक्यमुदीरयेत्
Having bathed, she should worship Lalitā, who shares half the body of Hara; having satisfied the goddess, she should recite this statement:
नमो नमस्ते देवेश उमादेहार्द्धधारक
"Salutations, salutations to you, Lord of the gods, bearer of half of Umā's body!"
हृदि कृत्वा शिवं देवीं जपेद्यावद्गृहं गता
Having placed Śiva and the goddess in her heart, she should recite until she reaches her home.