यावत्कृष्णाष्टमी तत्र चरेदुद्यापनं सुधीः
As long as the Krishna Ashtami endures, the wise should observe the ritual vigil there.
कलशं सुप्रतिष्ठाप्य दीपमुद्द्योतयेत्ततः
Having firmly established the water vessel, one should then light the lamp.
चतस्रः प्रतिमाः कृत्वा सौवर्णीस्तत्स्वरूपिणीः
Four golden images should be made, each representing her form.
उपचारैः षोडशभिः पूजयित्वा विधानतः
After worshipping them according to the prescribed sixteen offerings,
ततो निशीथे संप्राप्ते ऽभ्युदिते ऽमृतदीधितौ
Then, when midnight arrives and the nectar-radiance rises,
चन्द्रमण्डलसंस्थायै महालक्ष्यै प्रदापयेत्
One should offer to Mahalakshmi, who dwells in the lunar orb.
पीयूषधाम रोहिण्याः सहितार्ऽघ्यं गृहाण मे
O abode of nectar, together with Rohini, accept my offering of arghya.
विष्णुवक्षस्थलस्थे मे सर्वकामप्रदा भव
Dwelling upon the chest of Vishnu, grant me all desires.
रेणुके त्राहि मां देवि राममातः शिवं कुरु
O Renuka, protect me, O goddess, mother of Rama, grant me auspiciousness.
सम्यक्संपूज्य ताः सम्यग्गन्धयावककज्जलैः
Having properly worshipped them with fragrance, rice grains, and collyrium,
तदलाभे घृतैर्विप्र गृहेभ्यः समिधस्तिलान्
If these are unavailable, O Brahmin, offer ghee, firewood, and sesame seeds from the household.
चन्दनं तालपत्रं च पुष्पमालां तथाक्षतान्
Sandalwood, palm leaves, flower garlands, and unbroken rice grains,
भक्ष्याणि च नवे शूर्पे प्रतिद्रव्यं तु षोडश
And nine kinds of food in a new winnowing basket, sixteen items in all.
क्षीरोदार्णवसंभूता लक्ष्मीश्चन्द्रसहोदरा
Lakshmi, born from the ocean of milk, is the sister of the moon.
चेतस्रः प्रतिमास्तास्तु श्रोत्रियेभ्यः समर्पयेत्
Those four images should be offered to the learned Brahmins.
मिष्टान्नेनाशयित्वा तु विसृजेत्ताः सदक्षिणाः
After feeding them with sweet food, one should dismiss them with proper gifts.
एतद्व्रतं महालक्ष्म्याः कृत्वा विप्र विधानतः
Having performed this vow of Mahalakshmi according to the prescribed method, O Brahmin,
एषाषोकाष्टमी चोक्ता यस्यां पूर्णं रमाव्रतम्
This is called Ashoka Ashtami, on which the full Rama vow is observed.
कृत्वाशोकव्रतं नारी ह्यशोका शोकजन्मनि
A woman who undertakes the Ashoka vow becomes free from sorrow, even in the place where sorrow is born.
आश्विने शुक्लपक्षे तु प्रोक्ता विप्र महाष्टमी
O Brahmin, the great Ashtami is prescribed in the bright fortnight of Ashvina.
उपवासं चैकभक्तं महाष्टम्यां विधाय तु
On the day of the great Ashtami, one should observe a fast or take only one meal.
ऊर्ज्जे कृष्णादिके ऽष्टम्यां करकाख्यं व्रतं स्मृतम्
In the month of Kartika, beginning with the dark half, the vow called Karaka is remembered.
चन्द्रोदयेर्ऽघदानं च विधेयं व्रतिभिः सदा
Those observing the vow should always offer arghya at moonrise.
गोपाष्टमीति संप्रोक्ता कार्तिके धवले दले
In Kartika, on the bright eighth day, it is called Gopashtami.
गवानुगमनं दानं वाञ्छन्सर्वाश्च संपदः
One who desires all prosperity should follow the cows and give gifts.
अनघां चानघां तत्र बहुपुत्रसमन्वितम्
There, one should worship the sinless and pure goddess, accompanied by many sons.
पूजयेद्गन्धपुष्पाद्यैरुपचारैः पृथग्विधैः
One should worship with sandal, flowers, and various kinds of offerings.
व्रतमेतन्नरः कृत्वा नारी वा विधिपूर्वकम्
A man or woman who performs this vow according to the prescribed rules—
पुत्रं सल्लक्षणोपेतं लभते नात्र संशयः
—certainly obtains a son endowed with all good qualities; there is no doubt about this.
उपोष्य जागरं कृत्वा महापापैः प्रमुच्यते
By fasting and keeping vigil, one is freed from great sins.