तीर्थेषु स्वगृहे वापि गङ्गातीरे विशेषतः
Whether at holy places, at one's own home, or especially on the banks of the Ganges,
प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य विप्रं दक्षिणाभिः प्रतोष्य च
After circumambulating the priest and satisfying him with gifts,
ततः संपूजयेद्गङ्गां विधिना सुसमाहितः
Then, with proper ritual and full concentration, one should worship the Ganges.
शालितन्दुलप्रस्थेन द्विप्रस्थपयसा तथा
With a measure of rice grains and two measures of milk,
प्रत्येकं पलमात्रं च भक्तिभावेन संयुतः
With each offering being just a pal in weight, accompanied by devotion,
तथा गुञ्जार्द्धमात्रं च सुवर्णं रूप्यमेव च
Also with half a guñjā of gold, and likewise with silver,
बिल्वपत्राणि दूर्वाश्च रोचना सितचन्दनम्
Bilva leaves, blades of dūrvā grass, rocanā, and white sandalwood,
यथाशक्ति महाभक्त्या गङ्गायां चैव निक्षिपेत्
According to one's ability and with great devotion, these should be offered to the Ganges.
ओङ्गङ्गायै नारायण्यै शिवायै च नमोनमः
With the mantra: 'Om, salutations to Gaṅgā, Nārāyaṇī, and Śivā.'
पौर्णमास्यामपायां वा कार्यं प्रातः समाहितैः
On the full moon or at the time of departure, this should be performed in the morning by those who are attentive.
हविष्याशी मिताहारो ब्रह्मचर्यसमन्वितः
One should eat sacrificial food, consume little, and observe celibacy.
संवत्सरान्ते तस्येषा गङ्गा दिव्यवपुर्द्धरा
At the end of the year, the divine form of the Ganges appears for him.
प्रत्यक्षरूपा पुरतस्तिष्टत्येव वरप्रदा
She stands before him in visible form, bestowing boons.
दृष्ट्वा स्व चक्षुषा मर्त्यः कृतकृत्यो भवेच्छुभे
Seeing her with his own eyes, the mortal becomes fulfilled and auspicious.
निष्कामस्तु लभेन्मोक्षं विप्रस्तेनैव जन्मना
A Brahmin who is free from desire attains liberation in that very lifetime.
गङ्गार्चनं मुक्तिकरं व्रतं त्त सांवत्सरं श्रीपतितुष्टिदं हि
The worship of the Ganges is a vow that grants liberation and, when observed for a year, brings the favor of the Lord of Fortune.
पुनः पप्रच्छ राजेन्द्रं तं विप्रं स्वपुरोहितम्
Again, the king questioned that Brahmin, his own family priest.
अधुना श्रोतुमिच्छामि गङ्गाव्रतमनुत्तमम्
Now I wish to hear about the supreme vow of the Ganges.
किं फलं वद सर्वज्ञ त्वामहं शरणं गता
Tell me, O all-knowing one, what is its fruit? I have come to you for refuge.
पत्या विरहिता चाहं पुत्रहीना विदांवर
I am separated from my husband and without a son, O best of the wise.
देवताराधनं ब्रूहि यच्छ्रुत्वा मुच्यते ह्यघात्
Tell me the worship of the deities, hearing which one is freed from sin.
सभाज्य मोहिनीं भूप प्राह वेदविदां वरः
Honoring Mohinī, O king, the best of those learned in the Vedas spoke.
साधु पृष्टं त्वया देवि लोकानां हितकाम्यया
Well asked by you, O goddess, out of desire for the welfare of the worlds.
वृषध्वजेन कथितं शिवेन दयया पुरा
This was formerly told by Śiva, the bull-bannered one, out of compassion.
देवैस्तु भुक्तं पूर्वाह्णे मध्याह्ने ऋषिभिस्तथा
In the forenoon it was enjoyed by the gods, and at midday by the sages as well.
सर्वा वेला अतिक्रम्य नक्तभोजनमुत्तमम्
After all the times have passed, the best is to eat only at night.
अयाचिताद्वारं नक्तं तस्मान्नक्तं समाचरेत्
Therefore, one should observe the night-meal, receiving food unasked at the door.
अग्निकार्य्यमधःशय्यां नक्ताशी षट् समाचरेत्
One should perform fire rituals, sleep on the ground, and eat only at night for six days.
शिवायतनपार्श्वे तु कृशरं घृतसंयुतम्
Beside the shrine of Śiva, one should eat rice cooked with ghee.
काष्ठमौनेन भुञ्जानो जिह्वालौल्यं विवर्जयेत्
Eating in silence, with a stick-vow, one should avoid greed of the tongue.