तृणं छिनत्ति नखरैस्तैर्वा यो हि लिखेन्महीम्
One who cuts grass with his nails, or who scratches the earth with them.
सूर्य्योदये च द्विर्भोजी दिवाशायी च वाडवः
One who eats twice after sunrise, or who sleeps during the day, is called a horse.
आचारहीनो यो विप्रो यश्च शूद्रप्रतिग्रही
A Brahmin who lacks proper conduct, or who accepts gifts from a Shudra.
स्निग्धपादश्च नग्नो वा यः शेते ज्ञानदुर्बलः
One whose feet are oily, or who sleeps naked, or who is weak in knowledge.
शिरस्नातश्च तैलेन योऽन्यदङ्गमुपस्पृशेत्
One who bathes his head with oil and then touches another part of his body.
व्रतोपवासहीनो यः सन्ध्याहीनोऽशुचिर्द्विजः
A Brahmin who neglects vows and fasting, who omits the twilight worship, and who is impure.
यत्र तत्र हरेरर्चा हरेरुत्कीर्त्तनं शुभम् 2.38.
Wherever there is worship of Hari, or auspicious praise of Hari.
यत्र प्रशंसा कृष्णस्य तद्भक्तस्य पितामह
Wherever there is glorification of Krishna, or of his devotee, O Grandfather.
यत्र शङ्खध्वनिः शङ्खः शिला च तुलसीदलम्
Wherever there is the sound of a conch, a conch shell, a stone, or a tulasi leaf.
शिवलिङ्गार्चनं यत्र तस्य चोत्कीर्त्तनं शुभम्
Wherever there is worship of the Shiva lingam, or auspicious praise of him.
विप्राणां सेवनं यत्र तेषां वै भोजनं शुभम्
Wherever there is service to Brahmins, or their auspicious meal.
इत्युक्त्वा च सुरान्सर्वान्रमामाह रमापतिः
Having spoken thus to all the gods, the Lord of Lakshmi addressed Rama.
इत्युक्त्वा तां जगन्नाथो ब्रह्माणं पुनराह च
Having spoken thus to her, the Lord of the universe again addressed Brahma.
इत्युक्त्वा कमलाकान्तो देवश्चान्तरधान्मुने
Having spoken thus, the Lord, beloved of Lakshmi, disappeared, O sage.
मन्थानं मन्दरं कृत्वा कूर्मं कृत्वा च भाजनम्
Using Mandara as the churning rod and the tortoise as the vessel.
धन्वन्तरिं च पीयूषमुच्चैःश्रवसमीप्सितम्
Dhanvantari and nectar, and the desired horse Ucchaishravas.
वनमालां ददौ सा च क्षीरोदशायिने मुने 2.38.
She gave the garland of forest flowers to the one who lies upon the ocean of milk, O sage.
देवैः स्तुता पूजिता च ब्रह्मणा शङ्करेण च
She was praised and honored by the gods, by Brahma, and by Shankara as well.
प्रापुर्देवाः स्वविषयं दैत्यैर्ग्रस्तं भयङ्करैः
The gods regained their own realms, which had been seized by terrifying demons.
इत्येवं कथितं सर्वं लक्ष्म्युपाख्यानमुत्तमम्
Thus, the entire excellent story of Lakshmi has been narrated.
नारद उवाच ईप्सितं लक्ष्म्युपाख्यानं ध्यानं स्तोत्रादिकं वद
Narada said: Tell me the desired account of Lakshmi, including meditation and hymns.
हरिणा पूजिता पूर्वं ततो ब्रह्मादिभिस्तथा ध्यानेन पूजिता केन विधिना केन वा पुरा
She was worshipped first by Hari, then likewise by Brahma and others; by whom and by what method was she worshipped through meditation in ancient times?
श्रीनारायण उवाच क्षीरोदे संस्थाप्य घटं देवषट्कमपूजयत्
Shrinarayana said: On the milk ocean, he established a pot and worshipped the six gods.
गणेशं च दिनेशं च वह्निं विष्णुं शिवं शिवाम्
Ganesha, the sun, fire, Vishnu, Shiva, and the goddess Shiva were worshipped.
तत्रावाह्य महालक्ष्मीं परमैश्वर्य्यरूपिणीम्
There, he invoked Mahalakshmi, who embodies supreme sovereignty.
पुरः स्थितेषु मुनिषु ब्राह्मणेषु गुरौ तथा
With sages, Brahmins, and the guru present before him,
पारिजातस्य पुष्पं च गृहीत्वा चन्दनोक्षितम्
He took a flower of the parijata tree, anointed with sandalwood.
ध्यानं च सामवेदोक्तं यदुक्तं ब्रह्मणे पुरा
He meditated as prescribed in the Sama Veda, as formerly taught to Brahma.
सहस्रदलपद्मस्य कर्णिकावासिनीं पराम् 2.39.
He contemplated the supreme one dwelling in the pericarp of the thousand-petaled lotus.
स्वतेजसा प्रज्वलन्तीं सुखदृश्यां मनोहराम्
Radiant with her own brilliance, pleasing to behold, and captivating.