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,
गत्वा शिवपुरं रम्यं सर्वस्वकुलसंयुतः
He goes to the delightful city of Śiva, together with all his family.
भुक्त्वा भोगानशेषांश्च यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्
There, he enjoys all pleasures without exception until the dissolution of the world.
तत्र भुङ्क्ते समस्तांश्च भोगान्विगतकल्मषः
There, free from all sin, he partakes of all enjoyments.
सर्वरोगविनिर्मुक्तः सो ऽप्येतत्फलभाग्भवेत्
Freed from all diseases, he too attains this fruit.
शाल्यन्नं क्षीरसंयुक्तं यः कुर्यान्नक्तभोजनम्
Whoever takes a night meal of rice cooked with milk,
काष्ठमौनेन भुञ्जानो वटकाष्टेन वै तथा
Eating in silence, using a wooden stick or a banyan stick,
शिवलिङ्गसमीपे तु गङ्गातीरे निशि स्वपेत्
Should sleep at night near the liṅga of Śiva, on the bank of the Gaṅgā.
स्नात्वोपवासं संकल्प्य कुर्य्याज्जागरणं निशि
Having bathed and resolved to fast, one should keep vigil at night.
नैवेद्यधूपदीपैश्च संपूज्य वृषभं शुभम्
Having worshipped the auspicious bull with offerings of food, incense, and lamps,
अलङ्कृत्य विधानेन शिवाय विनिवेदयेत्
One should properly adorn it and present it to Śiva according to the prescribed rule.