किमहं भक्तिरहितस्त्रयीमार्गातिगो नरः
Am I a man devoid of devotion, who has departed from the path of the three Vedas?
भवान्सर्वार्थानुकूलः सर्वज्ञ इति मे मतिः व्रतं चैतज्जगत्ख्यातं नाख्यातं तेन ते मया
My belief is that you are favorable to all purposes and omniscient. This vow is renowned in the world, yet it was not declared to you by me.
यद्यस्ति श्रवणे बुद्धिः श्रूयतां पाण्डुनन्दन
If you have the intelligence to listen, then hear, O son of Pandu.
जया च विजया चैव उमायाः परिचारिके
Jayā and Vijayā are the attendants of Umā.
भवत्यौ सर्वदा देव्याश्चित्तवृत्तिविदौ किल पूजिता तुष्टिमभ्येति मंत्रै कैश्च वरानने
These two are always aware of the goddess's mental states; when worshipped with mantras, O beautiful-faced one, they bring satisfaction.
तासां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा जया प्रोवाच सादरम् व्रतमुत्सवसंयुक्तं नरनारी मनोरमम्
Hearing those words, Jayā respectfully spoke of a vow, joined with festival, delightful to both men and women.
चैत्रे सिततृतीयायां दन्तधावनपूर्वकम्
On the bright third day of Caitra, after brushing the teeth,
सकुंकुमं सतांबूलं सिन्दूरं रक्तवाससी
With saffron, betel, vermilion, and red garments,
विधवा याति मार्गेण कुमारी तु यदृच्छया 4.28.
The widow proceeds by the prescribed path, while the maiden acts as she wishes.
नेत्रपट्टपटीवस्त्रैर्वस्त्रमण्डपिकां शुभाम्
With cloths for the eyes, cloth bands, and a beautiful canopy of garments,
प्रवाललंबितव्रातामंतर्दिव्यवितानिकाम्
With garlands hanging down, and a divine inner covering,
पुरतः कारयेत्कुण्डं हस्तमात्रं समेखलम्
In front, one should make a fire-pit, the size of a hand, with a level boundary.
देवान्पितॄन्समभ्यर्च्य ततो देवीगृहं व्रजेत्
After worshipping the gods and ancestors, then one should go to the goddess's abode.
तत्कालप्रभवैः पुष्पैर्गन्धालि बकुलाकुलैः
With flowers appropriate to the season, fragrant bakula clusters,
एवं संपूज्य विधिवत्सद्धूपेनाधिवासयेत् उमा सती समुद्दिष्टं नामाष्टकमिदं मया
Thus, having worshipped properly, one should consecrate with incense. Umā, Satī, and the eight names I have indicated.
लड्डुकैः खण्डवेष्टैश्च गुडकैः सिंहकेसरैः
With laddus, pieces of sugar, sweet balls, and lion-shaped confections,
घृतपक्वैर्बहुविधैः सुपक्वफलकल्पितैः १. इक्षुदंडानैक्षवं च हरिद्रार्द्रान्पुरो न्यसेत्
He should place in front various kinds of well-cooked foods prepared with ghee, as well as sugarcane stalks and fresh turmeric roots.
नारिकेलानामलकान्मातुलुंगान्सदाडिमान् 4.28.
He should offer coconuts, amalaki fruits, citron fruits, and pomegranates.
कालोद्भवानि चान्यानि फलानि विनिवेदयेत्
He should also present other fruits that are in season.
नेत्रांजनशलाकाश्च नखरे चनकानि च
He should offer collyrium sticks for the eyes and chickpeas for the nails.
शंखतूर्यनिनादेन गीतमङ्गलनिस्वनैः
With the sound of conches and trumpets, accompanied by auspicious singing and music,
ततोऽस्तसमये भानोः कुमार्यः करकैर्नवैः
Then, at sunset, maidens with new bangles on their wrists—
यामेयामे गते स्नानं देवीपूजनमेव च
When the first watch of the night has passed, they should bathe and worship the goddess.
पद्मासनस्थिता साध्वी तेनैवार्द्रेण वाससा
The virtuous lady, seated in the lotus posture, wearing the same damp garment,
काश्चिद्वाद्यंति संहृष्टाः काश्चिन्नृत्यंति हर्षिताः
Some joyfully play instruments, while others dance in delight.
गीततालानु संबद्धमनुद्धतमनाकुलम्
Their singing is accompanied by rhythm and measure, without arrogance or agitation.
नृत्येन हृष्यति हरो गौरी गीतेन तुष्यति
Hara rejoices in the dance, and Gauri is pleased by the singing.
सुवासिनीभ्यस्तांबूलं कुंकुमं कुसुमानि च 4.28.
From the married women, she should receive betel leaves, saffron, and flowers.
नटैर्विटैर्भटैश्चैव तथा प्रेक्षणकोत्सवैः
There should also be performances by actors, jesters, and warriors, as well as festivals of spectacle.
एवं प्रभातसमये स्नात्वा संपूज्य पार्वतीम्
Thus, at dawn, after bathing and worshipping Parvati,