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,
घृतप्रस्थं तच्चतुष्कं क्रमाद्वीहेर्यवस्य च
One should offer, in order, four measures each of clarified butter, rice, and barley.
रौप्यस्य माषमेकं च तृप्तिकृन्मिष्टपक्वकम्
Also, a single māṣa weight of silver and well-cooked, satisfying food.
चन्दनं पलिकं वस्त्रं पञ्चहस्तोन्मितं तनुम्
Sandalwood, a pala in weight, and a fine cloth measuring five hastas in length.
गोमूत्रं जलमाज्यं वा पक्त्वा शाकं चतुर्विधम्
Cow urine, water, or ghee, and four kinds of cooked vegetables.
दर्भांबुक्षीरमुदितं प्राशनं प्रतिमासिकम्
Darbha grass, water, and milk—these are to be consumed monthly as prescribed.
कृत्वा वै ताम्रपात्रस्थां न्यस्याभ्यर्च्य विधानतः
Having placed these in a copper vessel and worshipped them according to the rite,
विप्रान्द्रादश संभोज्य तेभ्यो दद्याच्च दक्षिणाम्
One should feed twelve Brahmins and give them gifts in accordance with custom.
निरोगो धनधान्याढ्यो भवेच्चाविकलेद्रियः
He becomes free from disease, endowed with wealth and grain, and his senses remain unimpaired.
अभ्यच्य विधिवद्भक्त्या सुवर्णं तन्मुखे न्यसेत्
Having worshipped with proper devotion, one should place gold before the image.
प्रदद्याद्वेदविदुषे तं हि संभोजयेत्ततः
One should give it to a knower of the Veda and then offer him food.
एवं कृत्वैकभक्तः सन्विष्णु चिन्तनतत्परः
Having done thus, eating only once, and being intent on meditation upon Viṣṇu,
अन्त्ये सितायां द्वादश्यां सौवर्णीं प्रतिमां हरेः
On the last white Dvādaśī, one should make a golden image of Hari.
द्विषट्कसंख्यान्विप्रांश्च भोजयित्वा च दक्षिणाम्
After feeding twice six Brahmins and giving them gifts,
त्रिस्पृशोन्मीलिनी पक्षवर्द्धिनी वञ्जुली तथा
The trispṛśā, the blossoming pakṣavarddhinī, and the vañjulī as well.
एता अष्टौ सदोपोष्या द्वादश्यः पापहारिकाः
These eight should always be observed; the twelfth days remove sin.
तत्सर्वं मे समाचक्ष्व याश्चन्याः पुण्यदायुकाः
Tell me all of those, and any others that bestow merit.
प्रशस्य भ्रातरं प्राह महाभागवतं मुनिः
The sage, praising his brother, spoke to the great devotee.
वक्ष्ये महाद्वादशीनां लक्षणं च फलं पृथक्
I will describe the characteristics and distinct fruits of the great Dvādaśīs.
तदा तु त्रिस्पृशा नाम द्वादशी सा महाफला
At that time, the Dvādaśī called Trispṛśā is of great fruit.
अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य फलं लभते ध्रुवम्
One certainly obtains the fruit of a thousand Aśvamedha sacrifices.