प्रत्यहं शोधयेत्प्राज्ञस्तिथिं दैवज्ञचिन्तकात्
Every day, the wise should ascertain the tithi by consulting an astrologer.
चन्द्रार्कचारविज्ञानात्कालं कालविदो विदुः
Those who know time determine it by knowledge of the movements of the moon and sun.
वर्जयन्ति नरास्तज्ज्ञा यामांश्च चतुरो द्विजाः
Those who know avoid it, and the twice-born abstain from the four watches.
न दिवा शुद्धिमाप्नोति तदा रात्रौ विधीयते
One does not attain purity during the day; at that time, it is prescribed at night.
विधिरेष मया ख्यातो नराणामुपवासिनाम्
This rule has been declared by me for those men who observe fasting.
स्नानार्चनक्रिया कार्य्या दानहोमादिसंयुता
Bathing and worship should be performed, accompanied by acts such as giving and offering oblations.
शतयज्ञाधिकं वापि नरः प्राप्नोत्यसंशयम्
A man undoubtedly attains merit greater than a hundred sacrifices.
पितृतर्पणसंयुक्तं न दृष्ट्वा द्वादशीदिनम्
If the day of the twelfth lunar phase is not seen together with offerings to the ancestors,
करोति धर्महरणमस्नातेव सरस्वती
He commits a violation of dharma, just as Sarasvati does not bathe.
उपोष्या द्वादशी पुण्या पूर्वविद्धां विवर्जयेत्
The auspicious twelfth day should be observed by fasting; one should avoid the day affected by the previous phase.
तदोपवासो हि कथं कर्तव्यो मानवैर्वद
How then should fasting be performed by men? Tell me.
द्वितीये ऽह्नि यदा न स्यात्स्वल्पाप्येकादशी तिथिः
On the second day, if even a little of the eleventh lunar phase does not occur,
यदा न प्राप्यते विप्रा द्वादश्यां पूर्वसम्भवम्
When, O Brahmins, the previous conjunction is not attained on the twelfth day,
बह्वा गमविरोधेषु ब्राह्मणेषु विवादिषु
When there are many conflicting opinions among Brahmins and disputes arise,
एकादश्यां तु विद्धायां संप्राप्ते श्रवणे तथा
When the eleventh day is affected and the Śravaṇa constellation is present,
एष वो निर्णयः प्रोक्तो मया शास्त्रविनिर्णयात्
This decision has been spoken to you by me, based on the determination of scripture.
युगादीनां वदविधिं सौते सम्यग्यथातथम्
O Saute, I will properly declare to you the rule for the beginning of the yugas, as it truly is.
द्वे शुक्ले द्वे तथा कृष्णे युगाद्याः कवयो विदुः
The poets know that at the beginning of the yugas there are two bright and two dark fortnights.
अयनं दिनभागाढ्यं संक्रमः षोडशः पलः
The solstice is rich in portions of days; the transition is sixteen palas.
मध्यकाले तु विषुवे त्वक्षया परिकीर्तिता
At the equinox, in the middle period, the decrease is spoken of.
कर्तव्यो ह्युपवासस्तु अन्यथा नरकं व्रजेत्
Indeed, the fast must be observed; otherwise, one goes to hell.
संततेस्तु विनाशाय संपदां हरणाय च
It leads to the destruction of offspring and the loss of wealth.
सुराया बिन्दुना स्पृष्ट यथा गङ्गाजलन्त्यजेत्
Just as water from the Ganges touched by even a drop of liquor should be abandoned,
एकादशीं द्विजश्रेष्ठाः पक्षयोरुभयोरपि
O best of twice-born, Ekadashi is to be observed in both fortnights.
दानवेभ्यो द्विजश्रेष्ठाः प्रीणनार्थं महात्मनाम्
O best of twice-born, gifts are to be given to the danavas for the satisfaction of the great souls.
संक्रुद्वैरपि यद्दत्तं यद्दत्तं चाप्यसत्कृतम्
Whatever is given in anger, or whatever is given without respect,
यदुच्छिष्टेन दत्तं तु यद्दत्तं पतितेष्वपि
Whatever is given from leftovers, or whatever is given even to the fallen,
पुनः कीर्तनसंयुक्तं तद्दत्तमसुरेषु वै
That which is given to asuras, if accompanied by recitation, is again considered as a gift.
यथा हन्तिपुरा पुण्यं श्राद्धं च वृषलीपतिः
Just as in ancient times, the lord of the outcastes performed a meritorious śrāddha at Hantipura,
तिथौ विद्धे क्षयं याति तमः सूर्योदये यथा
On a tithi that is viddha, merit is destroyed, just as darkness is at sunrise.