न सा श्रीत्यभिमन्तव्या कन्या सा पाल्यते गृहे
She should not be regarded as wealth; she is a maiden to be protected in the house.
शक्रस्यैतद्वचः श्रुत्वा बृहस्पतिरुदारधीः
Hearing these words of Śakra, Bṛhaspati, of noble mind,
यत्पुरा कस्यचित्प्रोक्तं व्रतानामुत्तमं व्रतम्
That supreme vow among vows, which was formerly spoken by someone,
तच्छ्रुत्वा कर्तुमारब्धं सुरेशेन सुरैस्तथा
Hearing that, the lord of the gods, along with the gods, began to perform it.
सिद्धैः प्रसिद्धचरितैर्विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना
By Viṣṇu, the mighty lord, together with the Siddhas of renowned deeds,
कैश्चित्सात्त्विकभावेन राजसेनापरैरपि
By some with a sāttvic disposition, and by others with a rājasic nature as well.
व्रते समाप्ते भूयिष्ठे निष्ठया परया प्रभो
When the vow was nearly complete, with utmost resolve, O Lord,
निर्मथ्य भुजवीर्येण सागरं सरितां पतिम्
By the strength of their arms, they churned the ocean, lord of rivers.
इत्येवं समयं कृत्वा ममंथुर्वरुणालयम् 4.37.
Thus, having made this agreement, they churned Varuṇa’s abode.
मथ्यमानजलाज्जातश्चन्द्रः शीतांशुरुज्ज्वलः
From the water being churned arose the moon, radiant and cool-rayed.
तया विलोकिताः सर्वे दैत्यदानवसत्तमाः
All the foremost among Daityas and Dānavas gazed upon her.
विधिना विष्णुना चीर्णं व्रतं तेनाब्धिसंभवा
The vow was performed by Viṣṇu according to ordinance, and from that the ocean-born appeared.
किं च राजसभावेन शक्रेणैतत्कृतं यतः
Moreover, this was done by Indra with royal assembly-like conduct.
तमसावृतचित्तैस्तु संचीर्णं दैत्यदानवैः
The Daityas and Dānavas, their minds covered by darkness, also performed it.
एवं सश्रीकमभवत्सदेवासुरमानुषम्
Thus, with fortune, it became an event for gods, asuras, and humans.
प्रारभ्यते पार्यते च सर्वं वद यदूत्तम
O best of the Yadus, tell what is begun and accomplished in its entirety.
उपवासस्य नियमं कुर्यादाशु सुहृद्धृदि
One should quickly establish the rule of fasting with a friendly heart.
स्वर्णरौप्यारकूटोत्था ताम्रमृत्काष्ठजाथ वा
Whether made of gold, silver, copper, or clay, or even of wood,
पद्महस्तां पद्मवर्णां पद्मां पद्मदलेक्षणाम् 4.37.
With a lotus in hand, lotus-hued, Lakṣmī, with lotus-like eyes.
ततो यामत्रये जाते निम्नगायां गृहेऽथ वा
Then, when three watches of the night have passed, either at the river or at home,
देवान्पितॄंश्च संतर्प्य ततो देवगृहं व्रजेत्
Having satisfied the gods and ancestors, then one should go to the temple.
चपलायै नमः पादौ चंचलायै च जानुनी
Obeisance to Capalā at the feet, to Caṃcalā at the knees,
स्तनौ मन्मथवासिन्यै ललितायै भुजद्वयम्
To Manmathavāsinī at the breasts, to Lalitā at both arms,
नमः श्रियै शिरः पूज्य दद्यान्नैवेद्यमादरात्
Obeisance to Śrī at the head, having worshipped, one should offer food with reverence.
ततः सुवासिनी पूज्या कुसुमैः कुंकुमेन च
Then, a married woman is to be worshipped with flowers and with saffron.
ततस्तु तंडुलप्रस्थं घृतपात्रेण संयुतम्
After that, one should prepare a measure of rice mixed with ghee in a vessel.
निर्वर्त्य तदशेषेण ततो भुञ्जीत वाग्यतः
Having completed this fully, one should then eat it in silence.
श्रीर्लक्ष्मीः कमला संपदुमा नारायणी तदा मासानुमास राजेन्द्र प्रीयतामिति कीर्तयेत्
At that time, one should recite: 'May Śrī, Lakṣmī, Kamalā, Saṃpadā, and Nārāyaṇī be pleased month after month, O King.'
ततश्च द्वादशे मासि संप्राप्ते पंचमे दिने ।। 4.37.
Then, when the twelfth month arrives, on the fifth day—
शय्यायां स्थापयेल्लक्ष्मीं सर्वोपस्करसंयुताम्
One should place Lakṣmī on a bed, together with all the necessary items.