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.
धर्मराजस्य देव्याश्च पृथक्पिण्डं प्रकल्पयेत्
A separate portion should be offered to the goddess of Dharma and to Yama.
पौर्णमास्यां तु गन्धैश्च गङ्गायाः सलिलैस्तथा
On the full moon, with fragrances and also with the waters of the Ganges,
तथैव हेमपुष्पं च लिङ्गमूर्ध्नि विनिक्षिपेत्
In the same way, one should place a golden flower upon the top of the liṅga.
तिलाढकं प्रगृह्याथ शिवलिङ्गोपरि क्षिपेत्
Then, taking a measure of sesame seeds, one should pour it over the liṅga of Śiva.
तदलाभे तु सौवर्णैः पङ्कजैः पूजयेद्धरम्
If that is not available, one should worship the Lord with golden lotuses.
घृतदीपं तथा चैव चन्दनाद्यैर्विलेपनम्
One should also offer a lamp of clarified butter and anoint with sandal and other unguents.
कृष्णगोमिथुनं चैव सरूपं च निवेदयेत्
One should present a pair of black cows, both of the same form.
वर्जयेन्मधु मांसं च तं मासं ब्रह्मचर्यवान्
For that month, observing celibacy, one should avoid honey and meat.
यमैश्च नियमैर्युक्तः श्रद्धाभक्तिपरायणः
Engaged in self-control and discipline, devoted with faith and dedication.
इन्द्रनीलप्रतीकाशैर्विमानैः शिखिसंयुक्तैः
With aerial chariots resembling blue sapphires, adorned with peacocks,