शीर्षोपरि नरेद्रस्य तया नीराजयेच्छनैः
With that, one should gently perform nīrājana above the king’s head.
राज्ञा वित्तवतान्येन वर्षमारोग्यमिच्छता
By another wealthy king who desires a year of health,
नीराजनाभिधा विप्र तद्रोगा यान्ति संक्षयम्
O brāhmaṇa, by this rite called nīrājana, those diseases are destroyed.
मनोभवस्तथा प्राणो नरो यातश्च वीर्यवान्
Likewise, desire, life, and a man’s vigor depart,
विभुश्चापि प्रभुश्चैव साध्या द्वादश कीर्तिताः
And also the mighty and the lordly—these twelve are spoken of.
ततो द्विजाग्र्यान्संभोज्य द्वादशात्र सुदक्षिणाः
Then, having fed the foremost twice-born, twelve here with generous gifts,
एतस्यामेव विदितं द्वादशादित्यसंज्ञितम्
In this very rite is known what is called the Twelve Ādityas.
धातामित्रोर्ऽयमा पूषा शक्रोंऽशो वरुणो भगः
Dhātā, Mitra, Aryaman, Pūṣā, Śakra, Aṃśa, Varuṇa, Bhaga—
प्रतिमासं तु शुक्लायां द्वादश्यामर्च्य यत्नतः
Each month, on the bright twelfth day, one should worship with care.
हैमीः संपूज्य विधिना भोजयित्वा द्विजोत्तमान्
Having duly honored with golden images and fed the best of twice-born.
एव व्रतं नरः कृत्वा द्वादशादित्यसंज्ञकम्
Thus, a man who performs this vow called the 'Twelve Suns' vow—
जायते भुवि धर्मात्मा मानुष्ये रोगवर्जितः
Is born on earth as righteous, free from disease among men.
तत्पुण्येन रवेन्भित्वा मण्डलं द्विजसत्तम
By that merit, O best of twice-born, he crosses the solar sphere.
अत्रैवाखण्डसंज्ञं च व्रतमुक्त द्विजोत्तम
Here, O best of twice-born, the vow called 'Unbroken' is also declared.
अभ्यर्च्य गन्धपुष्पाद्यैस्तदग्रे भोजयेद्द्विजान्
Having worshipped with scents, flowers, and the like, one should then feed the Brahmins in front of it.
ततः समान्ते तां मूर्तिं समभ्यर्च्य विधानतः
Then, at the end, worship that image according to the prescribed method.
शतजन्मसु यत्किञ्चिन्मयाखण्डव्रतं कृतम्
Whatever 'Unbroken Vow' I have performed in a hundred births—
ततः संभोज्य विप्राग्र्यान्सखण्डाढ्यैस्तु पायसैः
After that, feed eminent Brahmins with rice pudding rich in pieces.
इति कृत्वा व्रतं विप्र प्रीणयित्वा जनार्दनम्
Having thus performed the vow, O Brahmin, and having pleased Janardana—
पौषस्य कृष्णद्वादश्यां रूपव्रतमुदीरितम्
On the dark twelfth day of Pausha, the 'Form Vow' is declared.
श्वेताया वैकवर्णाया अन्तरिक्षगतं द्विज
Of the white or pale variety, O Brahmin, placed in the atmosphere—
शोषयेदातपे धृत्वा पात्रे ताम्रे ऽथ मृन्मये
One should dry it in the sun, keeping it in a copper or earthen vessel.
सौवर्णीं प्रतिमां विष्णोर्निशायां जागरं चरेत्
One should keep a golden image of Vishnu and remain awake through the night.
ततः प्रभाते द्वादश्यां तिलपात्रोपरि स्थिताम्
Then, at dawn on the twelfth day, place it upon a vessel of sesame seeds.
ततो ऽग्निं नवमुत्पाद्य काष्ठसंघर्षणादिभिः
Then, producing new fire by rubbing sticks together—
होमयेत्सतिलाज्यां च द्वादशाक्षरविद्यया
One should offer oblations of sesame and ghee with the twelve-syllable mantra.
भोजयेत्पायसैर्विप्रान्प्रीत्या सुस्निग्धमानसः
With a heart full of affection, one should feed the Brahmins with milk-rice.
नरो वा यदि वा नारी व्रतं कृत्वैवमादरात्
Whether a man or a woman, having performed the vow in this manner with reverence,
सहस्ये शुक्लपक्षे तु सुजन्मद्वादशीव्रतम्
On the twelfth day of the bright fortnight, one should undertake the auspicious Dvādaśī vow.
पीत्वा गशृङ्गवार्यादौ तां च कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणम्
After drinking water from a cow's horn and circumambulating her,