इषामायां विशेषण पितॄणां श्राद्धतर्पणम्
In the month of Īṣā, the special rite is the śrāddha and offering to the ancestors.
ऊर्ज्जामायां दीपदानं देवा गारगृहेषु च
In Ūrjjā month, giving lamps is prescribed for the gods and in household shrines.
समर्चनं तथा लक्ष्म्याः स्वर्णरौप्ये कृताकृते
Similarly, worship of Lakṣmī is to be performed with gold and silver, whether fashioned or unworked.
गवां पूजात्र विहिता शृङ्गाद्यङ्गानुरञ्जनैः
Here, the worship of cows is prescribed, with adornment of their horns and limbs.
मार्गे ऽपि पितृपूजा स्याच्छ्रद्धैर्ब्राह्मणभोजनैः
Even on the road, worship of ancestors may be done with offerings and feeding of Brāhmaṇas.
पौषे माघे च विप्रेन्द्र पितृश्राद्धं फलाधिकम्
O foremost of Brāhmaṇas, in Pauṣa and Māgha, the śrāddha for ancestors yields greater fruit.
फआल्गुने केवलं श्राद्धं द्विजानां भोजनं तथा
In Phālguna, only śrāddha and feeding of Brāhmaṇas are prescribed.
इत्थं संक्षेपतः प्रोक्तं तिथिकृत्यं मुने तव
Thus, in brief, the rites for the lunar days have been explained to you, O sage.
सर्वत्रापि विशेषो ऽस्ति स पुराणान्तरे स्थितः
Everywhere there are special distinctions, as established in other Purāṇas.
संपूजिताः शास्त्रविदां वरिष्ठाः कृताह्निका जग्मुरुमेशलोकम्
Having been honored, the foremost among those versed in scripture, having completed their daily rites, departed for the world of Umā.
सुरासुरेन्द्रैरभिवन्द्यमुग्रं नत्वाज्ञया तस्य निषेदुरुर्व्याम्
The fierce one, worthy of reverence by the lords of gods and demons, having been bowed to, by his command, they remained on earth.
जग्मुस्ततो ज्ञानघनस्वरूपा नत्वा पुरारिं स्वपितुर्निकाशम्
Then, those whose nature was dense with knowledge, having bowed to the destroyer of cities, went near the sleeping one.
लब्ध्वाशिषो ऽद्यापि चरन्ति शश्वल्लोकेषु तीर्थानि च तीर्थभूताः
Having received blessings, even now they continually wander among the worlds, themselves holy places, visiting holy places.
दध्युश्चिरं विष्णुपदाब्जमव्ययं ध्यायन्ति यद्यतयो वीतरागाः
For a long time they meditated upon the imperishable lotus feet of Vishnu, as ascetics free from passion are wont to do.
लब्ध्वा ज्ञानं सविज्ञानं भृशं प्रीतमना ह्यभूत्
Having attained knowledge along with realization, his mind became exceedingly pleased.
प्रणम्य सत्कृतः पित्रा ब्रह्मणा निषसाद च
Having bowed, honored by his father Brahma, he sat down.
वर्णयामास तत्त्वेन सो ऽपि श्रुत्वा मुमोद च
He then described it in truth, and upon hearing it, he too rejoiced.
आजगाम च कैलासं मुनिसिद्धनिषेवितम्
He came to Kailasa, attended by sages and siddhas.
मन्दारैः पारिजातैश्च चंपकाशोकवञ्जुलैः
Adorned with mandara, parijata, champaka, ashoka, and bakula trees,
वातोद्धूतशिखैः पान्थानाह्वयद्भिरिवावृतम्
Its pathways were covered as if called by the wind-tossed blossoms.
सरोभिः स्वच्छसलिलैर्लसत्काञ्चनपङ्कजैः
With lakes of clear water, shining with golden lotuses,
स्वर्द्धनीपातनिर् घृष्टं क्रीडद्भिश्चाप्सरोगणैः
Polished by the descent of heavenly streams, and with groups of Apsaras sporting there,
आमोदमुदितैर्नागैः सलिलैः पुष्करोद्धृतैः
With waters drawn from lotuses, gladdened by joyful elephants,
अथ श्वेताभ्रसदृशे शृङ्गे तस्य च भूभृतः
Then, on a peak of that mountain, white as a mass of clouds,
तस्याधस्तात्समासीनं योगिमण्डलमध्यगम्
Beneath it, seated in the midst of a circle of yogis,
भूतिभूषितसर्वाङ्गं नागभूषणभूषितम्
Adorned all over with sacred ashes, adorned with serpent ornaments,
तं दृष्ट्वा नारदो विप्रा भक्तिनम्रात्मकन्धरः
Seeing him, O Brahmins, Narada bowed his head in devotion.
ततः प्रसन्नमनसा स्तुत्वा वाग्भिर्वृषध्वजम्
Then, with a clear mind, he praised the Bull-bannered One with words.
अथापृच्छच्च कुशलं नारदं जगतां गुरुः
Then the Guru of the worlds asked Narada about his welfare.
सर्वेषां योगिवर्याणां शृण्वतां तत्र वाडवाः
As all the foremost yogis listened there, O Vadava,