चतुष्पथे गृहाद्ब्राह्मप्रदेशे वा समाहितः
At a crossroads, or from home, or in a sacred Brahmin place, with concentrated mind—
शुक्लपक्षे चतुर्द्दश्यामरुणाभ्युदयं प्रति
On the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight, at the time of the reddish dawn—
मणिकर्णिक तीर्थे च त्रिपुण्ड्रं भस्मना दधत्
At the holy place Maṇikarṇikā, wearing three lines of ash—
ततस्तत्र महापूजां लिङ्गे गन्धादिभिश्चरेत्
Then there, one should perform great worship to the liṅga with sandal and other offerings.
पुष्पैः फलैर्मिष्टपक्वैर्नैवेद्यैर्विविधैरपि
With flowers, fruits, sweet cooked foods, and various offerings as naivedya—
लभते वाञ्छितान्कामानिहामुत्र च नारद
He attains all desired wishes, both in this world and the next, O Nārada.
सोपवासः पञ्चगव्यं पिबेद्रात्रौ जितेन्द्रियः
Observing a fast, one should drink pañcagavya at night, having mastered the senses.
श्वेतायाः क्षीरमुदितं रक्तायाश्च तथा दधि
He should take milk from a white cow and curd from a red one.
कुशां बुना ततः प्रातः स्नात्वा सन्तर्प्यं देवताः
Then, in the morning, after bathing with kuśa grass, he should offer satisfaction to the deities.
ब्रह्मकूर्चव्रतं ह्येतत्सर्वपातकनाशनम्
This is the vow of Brahmakūrcha, which destroys all sins.
ब्रह्मकूर्चोपवासेन तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति
By fasting with the Brahmakūrcha vow, sins are destroyed instantly.
सोपवासो दिवा नक्तं पाषाणाकारपिष्टचकम्
While fasting, during the day and night, one should eat flour shaped like stones.
व्रतमेतच्चरित्वा तु यथोक्तं द्विजसत्तम
Having performed this vow as prescribed, O best of twice-born,
मार्गशुक्लचतुर्दश्यामेकभुक्तः पुरोदितम्
On the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Māgha, one should eat only once, before sunset.
परे ऽह्नि प्रातरुत्थाय स्नात्वा सोमं महेश्वरम्
On the next day, rising in the morning and bathing, one should worship Soma and Maheśvara.
द्विजान्सम्भोज्य मिष्टान्नौस्तोषयेद्दक्षिणादिभिः
Having fed the Brāhmaṇas with sweet food, one should honor them with gifts and the like.
कर्तृआणामुपदेष्टृआणां साह्यानामनुमोदिनाम्
To the performers, instructors, assistants, and those who consent,
कपर्दीश्वरसांनिध्यं प्राप्स्याम्यत्र विचिन्त्य च
Thinking, 'I shall attain the presence of Lord Kapardīśvara here,'
गन्धमाल्यनमस्कारधूपदीपान्नसंपदा
With fragrance, garlands, obeisance, incense, lamps, and abundant food,
माघकृष्णचतुर्द्दश्यां यमतर्पणमीरितम्
On the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Māgha, the offering to Yama is prescribed.
द्विसप्तनामभिः प्रोक्तैः सर्वपापविमुक्तये
With the recitation of the twenty-seven names as declared, for the removal of all sins,
कृशरान्नं स्वयं चापि तदेवाश्नीत वाग्यतः
One should eat simple food oneself, maintaining control of speech.
निर्जलं समुपोष्यात्र दिवानक्तं प्रपूजयेत्
Here, having observed a complete fast without water, one should worship during the day and night.
गन्धाद्यैरुपचारैश्च सांबुबिल्वदलादिभिः
With offerings such as fragrance and others, and with bilva leaves and the like associated with Śiva.
ततः परे ऽह्नि संपूज्य पुनरेवोपचारकैः
Then, on the following day, he should again worship with offerings.
एवं कृत्वा व्रतं मर्त्यो महादेवप्रसादतः
By performing this vow, a mortal, through the grace of Mahadeva, attains success.
अन्त्यशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां दुर्गां संपूज्य भक्तितः
On the last bright fourteenth day, he should worship Durga with devotion.
एवं कृत्वा व्रतं विप्र दुर्गायाश्चैकभोजनः
Having performed this vow, O Brahmin, one should eat only once for Durga.
चैत्रकृष्णचतुर्दश्यामुपवासं विधाय च
On the dark fourteenth day of Chaitra, one should observe a fast.
उद्यापने तु सर्वांसां सामान्यो विधिरुच्यते
For the conclusion, a general rule is prescribed for all.