चन्द्रांशुधवले लोके नातितीव्रे दिवाकरे
In a world bright with moonlight, where the sun was not too intense,
यत्रोत्सुकैः प्रयातैस्तु भूमिपालैः समन्ततः
Where kings, eager, went forth everywhere,
मोहिनी रमयामास तत्काले हृच्छयार्दिता
At that time, Mohini, afflicted by love, delighted them.
वनेषु गिरिशृङ्गेषु नदीनां संगमेषु च
In forests, on mountain peaks, and at the confluences of rivers,
मलये मन्दरे विन्ध्ये महेन्द्रे विबुधालये
On Malaya, Mandara, Vindhya, Mahendra, and in the abode of the gods,
अन्येषु चैव राजानं स्वर्गस्थानादिकेषु च
And in other places, and among kings in heavenly realms and the like,
राजापि मोहिनीं प्राप्य सर्वं कृत्यं परित्यजन्
Even the king, having attained Mohini, abandoned all his duties.
व्रतं नोपेक्षते तत्तु अतिमुग्धो ऽपि पार्थिवः
The king, though utterly enchanted, did not neglect that vow.
एवं प्रकीडतस्तस्य पूर्णे संवत्सरे गते
Thus, while he played, when the year was completed,
निद्राछेदकरो विष्णोः स मासः पुण्यदायकः
That month of Vishnu, which brings merit, caused sleeplessness.
अक्षयं हि भवेत्सर्वं विष्णुलोकप्रदायकम्
Indeed, all that is given which grants the world of Vishnu becomes inexhaustible.
न धर्मस्तु दया तुल्यो न ज्योतिश्चक्षुषा समम्
There is no righteousness equal to compassion, nor is there any light equal to the eye.
न भूम्या सदृशं दानं न सुखं भार्यया समम्
There is no gift equal to land, nor happiness equal to that from a wife.
न तपो ऽनशनादन्यन्न दमेन समं शिवम्
There is no austerity greater than fasting, nor any blessedness equal to self-control.
न धर्मेण समं मित्रं न सत्येन समं यशः
There is no friend equal to righteousness, nor fame equal to truth.
न कार्तिकसमं लोके पावनं कवयो विदुः
The wise know that nothing in the world is as purifying as the month of Kartika.
अव्रतो हि क्षिपेद्यस्तु मासं दामोदरप्रियम्
Whoever, without vow, neglects the month dear to Damodara,
तिर्यग्योनिमवाप्नोति सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृतः
Such a one attains a non-human birth, excluded from all righteousness.
मोहिनीं मोहसंयुक्तां कथं स बुभुजे वद
Tell me, how did he enjoy Mohini, who was filled with delusion?
तस्मिन्पुण्यतमे मासे किं चकार नृपोत्तमः
What did the best of kings do in that most holy month?
अतिप्रमुग्धो राजेन्द्रो मोहिनीं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
The king, greatly infatuated, spoke to Mohini these words:
तवापमानभीतेन नोक्तं किञ्चिदपि क्वचित्
Out of fear of disrespecting you, nothing was ever said anywhere.
त्वय्यासक्तस्य मे देवि बहवः कार्तिका गताः
O goddess, many Kartika months have passed while I was attached to you.
सो ऽहं कार्तिकमिच्छामि व्रते न पर्य्युपासितुम्
I wish to observe Kartika, but have not been able to practice the vow.
इष्टापूर्तौ वृथा तेषां धर्मो द्रुहिणसंभवे
For them, the merit of sacrifices and charity is in vain, born of falsehood.
ते भांसं कार्तिके त्यक्त्वा गता विष्ण्वालयं शुभे
Those who abandoned Kartika have gone to the abode of Vishnu, O auspicious one.
अवश्यं विष्णुरूपत्वं प्राप्यते साधकेन हि
Certainly, the practitioner attains the form of Vishnu.
हृदयायासकर्तॄणि दीपदानाद्दिवं व्रजेत्
Those who give lamps, though their hearts are weary, go to heaven.
कर्तव्यं भक्तिभावेन सर्वदानाधिकं च तत्
This should be performed with devotion, for it surpasses all other gifts.
कार्तिकेन समं प्रोक्तं दीपदानात्प्रबोधनम्
It is said that awakening through offering lamps is equal to the month of Kartika.