पठेच्च शृणुयाद्वापि गङ्गास्नानफलं लभेत्
Whoever recites or even listens to this attains the merit of bathing in the Ganges.
स याति विष्णुभवनं पुनरावृत्तिवर्जितम्
He goes to the abode of Vishnu, from which there is no return.
श्रावितं सर्वपापन्घं गङ्गामाहात्म्य मुत्तमम्
The supreme glory of the Ganges, which destroys all sins, has been proclaimed.
किं पप्रच्छ पुनः सूत सनकं मुनिसत्तमम्
Then, O Sūta, what did you further ask of the eminent sage Sanaka?
पृष्टं पुनर्यथा प्राह प्रवक्ष्यामि तथैव तत्
What was asked again, I will now recount exactly as it was spoken.
श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मसुतो भूयः पृष्टवानिदमादरात्
Having heard, the son of Brahma again respectfully inquired as follows.
गाङ्गेयमाहात्म्यमघप्रणाशि त्वत्तो मुने कारुणिकादभीष्टम्
O compassionate sage, from you I wish to hear the greatness of the Ganges, which destroys sin.
नानोपदेशैः सुविमुग्धचित्तं प्रबोधयन्ति प्रसभं प्रसन्नम्
Various instructions do not forcibly awaken the mind that is truly pure and clear.
ददाति भक्तिं भजतां दयालुर्मुक्तिस्तु तस्या विदिता हि दासी
The compassionate one grants devotion to those who worship; for her, liberation is indeed known as a servant.
भक्तानुसेवासु महाप्रयासं विमृश्य कस्यापि न भक्तियोगम्
Considering the great effort in serving the devotees, hardly anyone attains the yoga of devotion.
तदा ख्याहि मुनिश्रेष्ठ विष्णुभक्तो ऽसि मानद
Therefore, O best of sages, you are a devotee of Vishnu, O giver of honor, declare it now.
भूयो भूयो यतः पुच्छेश्चरित्रं शार्ङ्गधन्वनः
Again and again, I ask about the deeds of the wielder of the Śārṅga bow.
प्रसीदति हरिर्यैस्तु प्रयच्छत्यभयं तथा
By whom Hari is pleased, to them he grants fearlessness likewise.
इहामुत्र सुखं तस्य तपोवृद्धिश्च जायते
For him, happiness arises here and hereafter, and his austerities increase.
प्रयान्ति परमं स्थानमिति प्राहुर्महर्षयः
The great sages say that they attain the supreme abode.
उपोषितो ऽडर्चयेत्सम्यङ् नरः श्रद्धासमन्वितः
A man, having fasted, should worship properly, endowed with faith.
गन्धपुष्पाक्षतैर्धूपैर् दीपैर्नैवेद्यपूर्वकैः
With fragrance, flowers, unbroken rice, incense, lamps, and suitable offerings.
केशवाय नमस्तुभ्यमिति विष्णुं च पूजयेत्
He should worship Vishnu, saying, 'Obeisance to you, Keśava.'
रात्रौ जागरणं कुर्याच्छालग्रामसमीपतः
At night, one should remain awake near the village of the temple.
गीतैर्वाद्यैश्च नैवेद्यैर्भक्ष्यैर्भोज्यैश्च केशवम्
With songs, musical instruments, offerings, snacks, and meals, one should worship Keśava.
पुनः कल्ये समुत्थाय कृत्वा कर्म यथोचितम्
Again, rising in the morning, one should perform the prescribed duties.
पायसं घृतसंमिश्रं नालिकेरफलान्वितम्
One should offer rice pudding mixed with ghee and accompanied by coconut fruit.
केशवः केशिहा देवः सर्वसंपत्प्रदायकः
Keśava, the slayer of Keśi, the divine one, grants all prosperity.
ब्रह्मणान्भोजयेत्पश्चाच्छक्तितो बन्धुभिः सह
Afterwards, one should feed the Brahmins together with relatives, according to one's ability.
इति यः कुरुते भक्त्या केशवार्चनमुत्तमम्
Thus, whoever performs this excellent worship of Keśava with devotion—
पौषमासे सिते पक्षे द्वादश्यां समुपोषितः
In the month of Pauṣa, on the bright fortnight, on the twelfth day, having fasted—
पयसा स्नाप्य नैवेद्यं पायसं च समर्पयेत्
One should bathe the deity with milk and offer rice pudding as a sacred food.
धूपैर्दीपैश्च नैवेद्यैर्गन्धैः पुष्पैर्मनोरमैः
With incense, lamps, offerings, fragrant substances, and delightful flowers—
कृशरान्नं च विप्राय दद्यात्सघृतदक्षिणम्
One should give cooked rice with ghee as a gift to a Brahmin.
नारायणः प्रसन्नः स्यात्कृशरान्नप्रदानतः
Nārāyaṇa becomes pleased by the giving of cooked rice.