रक्षाविधानं च तथा कर्तव्यं विधिपूर्वकम्
The rite of protection should likewise be performed according to prescribed procedure.
गन्धाद्यैरभिपूज्य देवनिकरान्संप्रार्थ्य विष्ण्वादिकान्बध्नीयाद्द्विजहस्ततः प्रमुदितो नत्वा प्रकोष्ठे स्वके
Having worshipped the hosts of deities with perfumes and the like, and having invoked Viṣṇu and others, the twice-born should then, with joy, bow and tie [the protection] on his own forearm.
विसृज्य च ऋषीन्सप्त धारयेद्ब्रह्मसूत्रकम्
Having dismissed the seven sages, he should wear the sacred thread.
शक्त्या संभोज्य विप्राग्र्यानेकभुक्तं समाचरेत्
To the best of his ability, he should honor foremost Brāhmaṇas with food, and perform the rite after eating once.
विस्मृतं विधिहीनं च न कृतं सुकृतं भवेत्
That which is forgotten or performed without proper procedure does not become a meritorious act.
एकभुक्तश्च यस्तां तु शिवं संपूज्य यत्नतः
He who, having worshipped Śiva with care, eats only once on that day—
एवं विज्ञाप्य देवं तु गृह्णीयाद्व्रतमुत्तमम्
—thus informing the deity, should undertake the supreme vow.
कृतमैत्रादिनित्यस्तु भस्मरुद्राक्षधृक् ततः
Then, being steadfast in friendship, he should wear ash and rudrākṣa beads regularly.
बिल्वपत्रैः सुगन्धाढ्येर्ंनैवेद्यैर्धूपदीपकैः
With bilva leaves, fragrant substances, offerings, incense, and lamps—
पुनः संपूज्य तत्रैव रात्रौ जागरणं चरेत्
—he should again worship there and keep vigil during the night.
वर्षे वर्षे तदुत्सर्गे विदध्याद्विधिपूर्वकम्
Year after year, at the conclusion of that vow, he should perform the prescribed rite.
हैमा रौप्या मृन्मयाश्च घटाः पञ्चदशोत्तमाः
Fifteen excellent pots made of gold, silver, or clay—
पञ्चामृतेन संस्राप्य जलैः शुद्धैस्ततोर्ऽचयेत्
—having bathed them with pañcāmṛta and pure water, he should then worship them.
भोजयेच्चैव मिष्टान्नैर्दद्यात्तेभ्यश्च दक्षिणाम्
He should feed them with sweet food and give them gifts as honoraria.
एवं कृत्वा व्रतं चैव उमामाहेश्वराभिधम्
Having thus performed the vow known as Umā-Māheśvara—
अथास्मिन्नेव दिवसे शक्रव्रतमपि स्मृतम्
—on this very day, the Śakra vow is also remembered.
गन्धाद्यैंरुपचारैस्तु नैवेद्यानां च राशिभिः
With perfumes and other offerings, and heaps of food offerings—
समागतांस्तथैवान्यान्दीनानाथांश्च भोजयेत्
—he should likewise feed those who have assembled, as well as the poor and the destitute.
राज्ञा वा धनिनान्येन धान्यनिष्पत्तिमिच्छता
By a king or another wealthy person who desires the attainment of grain,
तेन स्नात्वा विधानेन सोपवासो जितेन्द्रियः
He should bathe according to the prescribed method, observe fasting, and have mastery over his senses.
मृन्मये वा सवस्त्रान्तामुपचारैः पृथग्विधम्
In a clay vessel, with a cloth at its end, and with various separate offerings,
हैमान्रौप्यान्मृन्मयान्वा घृतपूर्णान्प्रदीपयेत्
He should light lamps filled with ghee, made of gold, silver, or clay.
घृतशर्करसंमिश्रं विपाच्य बहु पायसम्
He should cook a large quantity of rice pudding mixed with ghee and sugar.
याममात्रे गते रात्र्या लक्ष्म्यै तद्विनिवेदयेत्
When a quarter of the night has passed, he should offer it to Lakshmi.
सहैव जागरं कुर्य्यान्नृत्यगीतसुमङ्गलैः
He should remain awake throughout, with auspicious songs, dances, and music.
अस्यां रात्रौ महालक्ष्मीर्वराभयकरांबुजा
On this night, Mahalakshmi, with her lotus hands granting boons and fearlessness,
तस्मै वित्तं प्रयच्छामि जाग्रते पूजकाय मे
Says, 'I grant wealth to my worshipper who stays awake.'
समृद्धिमैहिकीं दद्याद्द्वेहान्ते पारलौकिकीम्
She bestows worldly prosperity and, at the end of two lives, otherworldly blessings.
विप्रत्वलब्धये भूयः सर्वशत्रुजयाय च
For the attainment of priesthood and for victory over all enemies,
निशामुखे द्विजश्रेष्ठ सर्वजीवसुखावहः
At the beginning of the night, O best of twice-born, it brings happiness to all living beings.