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.
तथा हि वेधं विबुधास्त्यजन्ति तिथ्यन्तरं धर्मविवृद्धये सदा
Thus, the wise always abandon a tithi with vedha for the sake of the increase of dharma.
यया तोषं समायाति प्रददाति समीहितम्
By which one attains satisfaction and gives what is desired,
कर्मणा केन स प्रीतो भवेद्यः सचराचरः
By what act does He, who is both moving and unmoving, become pleased?
भक्त्या संपूजितो विष्णुः प्रददाति मनोरथम्
When worshipped with devotion, Vishnu grants the heart's desire.
जनेनापि जगन्नाथः पूजितः क्लेशहा भवेत्
Even when worshipped by ordinary people, the Lord of the universe becomes the remover of suffering.
अत्रापि श्रूयते विप्रा आख्यानं पापनाशनम्
Here too, O Brahmins, is heard a story that destroys sin.
आसीद्ग्रुक्माङ्गदो राजा सार्वभौमः क्षमान्वितः
There was a king named Grukmāṅgada, sovereign of all, endowed with forbearance.
नान्यं पश्यति देवेशात्पद्मनाभान्महीपतिः
The king saw no other deity than Padmanabha, the Lord of the gods.
अष्टवर्षाधिको यस्तु पञ्चाशीत्यूनवर्षकः
He who is older than eight years but younger than eighty-five,
स मे दण्ड्यश्चग वध्यश्च निर्वास्यो नगराद्बहिः
Such a person is liable to punishment, to execution, or to exile from the city.