हवनं विधिवत्कृत्वा पूजयित्वाऽथ देवताम् । प्रासादे मतिमान् देव्याः स्थापयामास भूमिपः
Performing the ritual offering according to the prescribed method and worshipping the deity, the wise king placed the Goddess in the palace.
उत्सवस्तत्र संवृत्तो वादित्राणाञ्च निःस्वनैः । ब्राह्मणानां वेदघोषैर्गानैस्तु विधिधैर्नृप
A festival was held there, with the sounds of instruments, the chanting of Vedic hymns by Brahmins, and songs performed according to tradition, O king.
व्यास उवाच प्रतिष्ठाप्य शिवां देवीं विधिवद्वेदवादिभिः । पूजां नानाविधां राजा चकारातिविधानतः
Vyasa said: Having properly installed the auspicious Goddess by Vedic scholars, the king performed various kinds of worship with great care.
कृत्वा पूजाविधिं राजा राज्यं प्राप्य स्वपैतृकम् । विख्यातश्चाम्बिका देवी कोसलेषु बभूव ह
Having performed the worship ritual, the king obtained his ancestral kingdom and became renowned for the Goddess Ambika in Kosala.
राज्यं प्राप्य नृपः सर्वं सामन्तकनृपानथ । वशे चक्रेऽतिधर्मिष्ठान्सद्धर्मविजयी नृपः
Having attained the entire kingdom, the king brought all the subordinate rulers under his control; the king, victorious in righteous conduct, subdued them.
यथा रामः स्वराज्येऽभूद्दिलीपस्य रघुर्यथा । प्रजानां वै सुखं तद्वन्मर्यादाऽपि तथाऽभवत्
Just as Rama was in his own kingdom, and as Raghu was for Dilipa, so was the happiness of the subjects, and the proper order prevailed likewise.
धर्मो वर्णाश्रमाणां च चतुष्पादभवत्तथा । नाधर्मे रमते चित्तं केषामपि महीतले
Righteousness prevailed in all four aspects of the social order and stages of life; no one's mind was inclined toward unrighteousness anywhere on earth.
ग्रामे ग्रामे च प्रासादांश्चक्रुः सर्वे जनाधिपाः । देव्याः पूजा तदा प्रीत्या कोसलेषु प्रवर्तिता
In every village, all the rulers built temples; the worship of the Goddess was then joyfully established throughout Kosala.
सुबाहुरपि काश्यां तु दुर्गायाः प्रतिमां शुभाम् । कारयित्वा च प्रासादं स्थापयामास भक्तितः
Subahu also, in Kashi, had a beautiful image of Durga made, and with devotion installed it in a temple.
तत्र तस्या जनाः सर्वे प्रेमभक्तिपरायणाः । पूजां चक्रुर्विधानेन यथा विश्वेश्वरस्य ह
There, all the people became devoted to love and faith, and performed worship according to the prescribed method, just as for Lord Vishveshvara.
विख्याता सा बभूवाथ दुर्गादेवी धरातले । देशे देशे महाराज तस्या भक्तिर्व्यवर्धत
Then, O King, Durgā Devī became renowned upon the earth; in every region, devotion to her increased.
सर्वत्र भारते लोके सर्ववर्णेषु सर्वथा । भजनीया भवानी तु सर्वेषामभवत्तदा
Throughout the land of Bhārata, among all people and all castes, Bhavānī was to be worshipped by everyone in every way.
शक्तिभक्तिरताः सर्वे मानिनश्चाभवन्नृप । आगमोक्तैरथ स्तोत्रैर्जपध्यानपरायणाः
All became devoted to the worship of Śakti, O King, and were filled with reverence; they engaged in recitation, praise, and meditation as prescribed in the scriptures.
नवरात्रेषु सर्वेषु चक्रुः सर्वे विधानतः । अर्चनं हवनं यागं देव्या भक्तिपरा जनाः
During all the Navarātras, all the devoted people performed worship, offerings, and sacrifices to the Goddess according to the proper rites.
कुमारीपूजावर्णनम् जनमेजय उवाच नवरात्रे तु सम्प्राप्ते किं कर्तव्यं द्विजोत्तम । विधानं विधिवद्ब्रूहि शरत्काले विशेषतः
Description of Kumārī Pūjā Janamejaya said: When Navarātra arrives, O best of twice-born, what should be done? Tell me the proper procedure, especially in the autumn season.
किं फलं खलु कस्तत्र विधिः कार्यो महामते । एतद्विस्तरतो ब्रूहि कृपया द्विजसत्तम
What is the result, what is the prescribed rite, and who should perform it, O wise one? Please explain all this in detail, O best of Brāhmaṇas.
व्यास उवाच शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि नवरात्रव्रतं शुभम् । शरत्काले विशेषेण कर्तव्यं विधिपूर्वकम्
Vyāsa said: Listen, O King, I will tell you the auspicious vow of Navarātra, which should be performed with proper rites, especially in the autumn season.
वसन्ते च प्रकर्तव्यं तथैव प्रेमपूर्वकम् । द्वावृतू यमदंष्ट्राख्यौ नूनं सर्वजनेषु वै
It should also be performed in the spring, with devotion in the same manner; these two seasons, known as the fangs of Yama, are indeed difficult for all people.
शरद्वसन्तनामानौ दुर्गमौ प्राणिनामिह । तस्माद्यत्नादिदं कार्यं सर्वत्र शुभमिच्छता
The two seasons called autumn and spring are difficult for living beings here; therefore, one who desires auspiciousness should diligently perform this rite.
द्वावेव सुमहाघोरावृतू रोगकरौ नृणाम् । वसन्तशरदावेव सर्वनाशकरावुभौ
These two seasons, autumn and spring, are extremely dreadful and cause disease among people; both bring about destruction.
तस्मात्तत्र प्रकर्तव्यं चण्डिकापूजनं बुधैः । चैत्राश्विने शुभे मासे भक्तिपूर्वं नराधिप
Therefore, the wise should perform the worship of Caṇḍikā in the auspicious months of Caitra and Āśvina, O King, with devotion.
अमावास्यां च सम्प्राप्य सम्भारं कल्पयेच्छुभम् । हविष्यं चाशनं कार्यमेकभुक्तं तु तद्दिने
On the arrival of the new moon, one should prepare the necessary items auspiciously; on that day, one should eat only once, taking havis food.
मण्डपस्तु प्रकर्तव्यः समे देशे शुभे स्थले । हस्तषोडशमानेन स्तम्भध्वजसमन्वितः
A pavilion should be constructed on level ground in an auspicious place, measuring sixteen cubits, furnished with pillars and a banner.
गौरमृद्गोमयाभ्यां च लेपनं कारयेत्ततः । तन्मध्ये वेदिका शुभ्रा कर्तव्या च समा स्थिरा
Then, the ground should be plastered with white clay and cow dung; in the center, a pure, steady altar should be made.
चतुर्हस्ता च हस्तोच्छ्रा पीठार्थं स्थानमुत्तमम् । तोरणानि विचित्राणि वितानञ्च प्रकल्पयेत्
The altar should be four cubits square and as high as a hand, serving as the best seat; one should arrange beautiful gateways and a canopy.
रात्रौ द्विजानथामन्त्र्य देवीतत्त्वविशारदान् । आचारनिरतान्दान्तान्वेदवेदाङ्गपारगान्
At night, one should invite Brāhmaṇas who are well-versed in the truth of the Goddess, devoted to proper conduct, self-controlled, and learned in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas.
प्रतिपद्दिवसे कार्यं प्रातःस्नानं विधानतः । नद्यां नदे तडागे वा वाप्यां कूपे गृहेऽथवा
On the first day, one should bathe in the morning according to the rules, in a river, stream, pond, reservoir, well, or at home.
प्रातर्नित्यं पुरः कृत्वा द्विजानां वरणं ततः । अर्घ्यपाद्यादिकं सर्वं कर्तव्यं मधुपूर्वकम्
In the morning, after respectfully inviting the Brāhmaṇas, one should offer them all the customary items, beginning with arghya and pādya, along with honey.
वस्त्रालङ्करणादीनि देयानि च स्वशक्तितः । वित्तशाठ्यं न कर्तव्यं विभवे सति कर्हिचित्
Clothing, ornaments, and similar items should be given according to one's ability; never act with miserliness regarding wealth when in prosperity.
विप्रैः सन्तोषितैः कार्यं सम्पूर्णं सर्वथा भवेत् । नव पञ्च त्रयश्चैको देव्याः पाठे द्विजाः स्मृताः
The task should be completed in every way with the satisfaction of the Brahmins; nine, five, three, or even one Brahmin is prescribed for the recitation of the Goddess’s text.