पठिष्यन्ति च विद्वांसः पूजाकाले च पूजिते
The learned will recite it at the time of worship, and when the worship is performed.
ततस्तत्पूजनं चक्रुर्ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वराः
Then Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Maheśvara performed that worship.
सर्वे देवाश्च मनवो नृपा वा मानवादयः 2.4.
All the gods, the progenitors of mankind, kings, and other humans as well.
नारद उवाच पूजोपयुक्तं नैवेद्यं पुष्पं वा चन्दनादिकम्
Nārada said: The offerings used in worship—food, flowers, sandalwood, and the like—
वद वेदविदां श्रेष्ठ श्रोतुं कौतूहलं मम
Tell me, O best of those who know the Vedas; I am eager to hear.
नारायण उवाच जगन्मातुः सरस्वत्याः पूजाविधिसमन्विताम्
Nārāyaṇa said: The procedure for the worship of the Mother of the Universe, Sarasvatī—
माघस्य शुक्लपञ्चम्यां विद्यारम्भदिनेऽपि च
On the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Māgha, and also on the day of commencing studies,
स्नात्वा नित्यक्रियां कृत्वा घटं संस्थाप्य भक्तितः
having bathed and performed the daily rites, one should establish a pot with devotion.
गणेशं च दिनेशं च वह्निं विष्णुं शिवं शिवाम्
One should meditate upon Gaṇeśa, the Sun, Fire, Viṣṇu, Śiva, and Śivā.
ध्यानेन वक्ष्यमाणेन ध्यात्वा बाह्यघटे बुधः
Meditating as will be described, the wise should contemplate them in the external pot.
पूजोपयुक्तं नैवेद्यं यद्यद्वेदे निरूपितम्
Whatever offerings for worship and food are prescribed in the Vedas,
नवनीतं दधि क्षीरं लाजांश्च तिललड्डुकान्
fresh butter, curd, milk, parched rice, and sesame sweets,
स्वस्तिकं शर्करां शुक्लधान्यस्याक्षतमक्षतम् 2.4.
svastika, sugar, unbroken white grains, and unbroken rice,
घृतसैन्धवसंस्कारैर्हविष्यैर्व्यञ्जनैस्तथा
oblations prepared with ghee and rock salt, as well as various side dishes,
पिष्टकं स्वस्तिकस्यापि पक्वरम्भाफलस्य च
cakes, svastika, and ripe fruits at the beginning of the season,
नारिकेलं तदुदकं केशरं मूलमार्द्रकम् कालदेशोद्भवं पक्वफलं शुक्लं सुसंस्कृतम्
coconut, its water, saffron, fresh ginger root, ripe fruits produced according to time and place, white and well-prepared,
सुगन्धि शुक्लपुष्पं च गन्धाढ्यं शुक्लचन्दनम् माल्यं च शुक्लपुष्पाणां मुक्ताहीरादिभूषणम्
fragrant white flowers, white sandalwood rich in scent, garlands of white flowers, ornaments of pearls and gems,
यद्दृष्टं च श्रुतौ ध्यानं प्रशस्तं श्रुतिसुन्दरम्
and whatever meditation is seen or heard, praised and beautiful in the scriptures,
सरस्वतीं शुक्लवर्णां सस्मितां सुमनोहराम्
Sarasvatī, white in complexion, smiling, and supremely enchanting,
वह्निशुद्धांशुकाधानां सस्मितां सुमनोहराम्
clad in garments purified by fire, smiling, and supremely enchanting,
सुपूजितां सुरगणैर्ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादिभिः
well-worshipped by hosts of gods, including Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva, and others,
एवं ध्यात्वा च मूलेन सर्वं दत्त्वा विचक्षणः
Having meditated thus, and having offered everything with the root mantra, the wise one,
येषां स्यादिष्टदेवीयं तेषां नित्यं शुभं मुने 2.4.
for those whose chosen goddess she is, there is always auspiciousness, O sage.
सर्वोपयुक्तमूलं च वैदिकाष्टाक्षरः परः सरस्वती चतुर्थ्यन्तो वह्निजायान्त एव च
The root mantra used for all offerings is the supreme Vedic eight-syllabled one, ending with 'Sarasvatī' in the fourth case and 'wife of Fire' likewise.
श्रीं ह्रीं सरस्वत्यै स्वाहा
"Śrīṃ hrīṃ, obeisance to Sarasvatī."
पुरा नारायणश्चेमं वाल्मीकाय कृपानिधिः
Long ago, the compassionate Nārāyaṇa gave this to Vālmīki.
भृगुर्ददौ च शुक्राय पुष्करे सूर्य्यपर्वणि
Bhṛgu gave it to Śukra at Puṣkara, on the day of the solar festival.
भृगवे च ददौ तुष्टो ब्रह्मा बदरिकाश्रमे विभाण्डको ददौ मेरावृष्यशृङ्गाय धीमते
Satisfied, Brahmā gave it to Bhṛgu at the hermitage of Badarikā; Vibhāṇḍaka gave it to the wise Ṛṣyaśṛṅga on Mount Meru.
शिवः कणादमुनये गौतमाय ददौ मुने
Śiva gave it to the sage Kaṇāda, and to Gautama as well, O sage.
शेषः पाणिनये चैव भरद्वाजाय धीमते
Śeṣa gave it to Pāṇini, and to the wise Bharadvāja.