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.
वरयेद्ब्राह्मणं शान्तं पारायणकृते तदा । स्वस्तिवाचनकं कार्यं वेदमन्त्रविधानतः
At that time, a peaceful Brahmin should be chosen for the full recitation; the auspicious invocation should be performed according to the procedure of Vedic mantras.
वेद्यां सिंहासनं स्थाप्य क्षौमवस्त्रसमन्वितम् । तत्र स्थाप्याऽम्बिका देवी चतुर्हस्तायुधान्विता
A lion throne, adorned with fine cloth, should be placed on the altar; upon it, the image of Goddess Ambika, four-armed and bearing weapons, should be established.
रत्नभूषणसंयुक्ता मुक्ताहारविराजिता । दिव्याम्बरधरा सौम्या सर्वलक्षणसंयुता
She should be adorned with jeweled ornaments, radiant with a pearl necklace, clothed in divine garments, gentle in form, and possessing all auspicious marks.
शंखचक्रगदापद्मधरा सिंहे स्थिता शिवा । अष्टादशभुजा वाऽपि प्रतिष्ठाप्या सनातनी
Holding conch, discus, mace, and lotus, established upon a lion, auspicious; or the eternal one with eighteen arms may also be installed.
अर्चाभावे तथा यन्त्रं नवार्णमन्त्रसंयुतम् । स्थापयेत्पीठपूजार्थं कलशं तत्र पार्श्वतः
In the absence of an image, a yantra inscribed with the Navarna mantra should be placed for the purpose of altar worship, and a pot should be set beside it.
पञ्चपल्लवसंयुक्तं वेदमन्त्रैः सुसंस्कृतम् । सुतीर्थजलसम्पूर्णं हेमरत्नैः समन्वितम्
The pot, joined with five kinds of leaves, well-prepared with Vedic mantras, filled with pure water, and adorned with gold and jewels.
पार्श्वे पूजार्थसम्भारान्परिकल्प्य समन्ततः । गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषान्कारयेन्मङ्गलाय वै
All the materials for worship should be arranged on all sides; let there be auspicious singing and the sound of musical instruments.
तिथौ हस्तान्वितायां च नन्दायां पूजनं वरम् । प्रथमे दिवसे राजन् विधिवत्कामदं नृणाम्
On the auspicious Nanda tithi, when it is joined with the appropriate hand, worship is best performed; on the first day, O King, it grants all desires when done according to rule.
नियमं प्रथमं कृत्वा पश्चात्पूजां समाचरेत् । उपवासेन नक्तेन चैकभुक्तेन वा पुनः
First, the vow should be undertaken, and afterwards the worship performed; again, with fasting, night-time eating, or eating once a day.
करिष्यामि व्रतं मातर्नवरात्रमनुत्तमम् । साहाय्यं कुरु मे देवि जगदम्ब ममाखिलम्
O Mother, I shall undertake the supreme vow of Navaratri; O Goddess, O Mother of the world, grant me all assistance.