दुर्लभं सर्वलोकेषु विख्यातं हरिपञ्चकम्
The fivefold worship of Hari is rare in all the worlds and renowned.
धर्मकामार्थमोक्षाणां निदानं मुनिसत्तम
It is the source of dharma, desire, wealth, and liberation, O best of sages.
मार्गशीर्षे सिते पक्षे दशम्यां नियतेन्द्रियः
In the bright fortnight of Mārgaśīrṣa, on the tenth day, with controlled senses—
कृत्वा देवार्चनं सम्यक्तथा पञ्च महाध्वरान्
Having properly performed the worship of the gods and the five great sacrifices—
ततः प्रातः समुत्थाय ह्येकादश्यां मुनीश्वरः
Then, rising early on the eleventh day, O best of sages—
स्नापयेद्देवदेवेशं पञ्चामृतविधानतः
One should bathe the Lord of lords with the five nectars, according to the rite.
धूपैर्दीपेश्च नैवैद्यैस्ताम्बूलैश्च प्रदक्षिणैः
With incense, lamps, offerings, betel leaves, and circumambulations—
नमस्ते घज्ञानरुपाय ज्ञानदाय नमो ऽस्तुते
Salutations to you, whose form is knowledge, giver of knowledge—salutations to you!
एवं प्रणम्य देवेशं वासुदेवं जनार्जनम्
Having thus bowed to the Lord of gods, Vāsudeva, the remover of men’s distress,
पञ्चरात्रं निराहारो ह्यद्यप्रभृति केशव
From today onward, O Keśava, I will observe the Pañcarātra fast without food.
एवं समप्य देवस्य उपवासं जितेन्द्रियः
Thus, having completed the fast for the Lord, with the senses restrained,
द्वादश्यां च त्रयोदश्यां चतुर्दश्यां जितेन्द्रियः
On the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth days, with the senses restrained,
एकादश्यां पौर्णमास्यां कर्त्तव्यं जागरं तथा
On the eleventh day and on the full moon, one should also keep vigil.
तिलहोमश्च कर्त्तव्यस्तिलदानं तथैव च
One should perform a sesame-offering into the fire, and likewise give sesame in charity.
संप्राश्य पञ्चगव्यं च पूजयेद्विधिबद्धरिम्
After sipping pañcagavya, one should worship Hari according to the prescribed rite.
ततः स्वबन्धुभिः सार्द्धं स्वयं भुञ्जीत वाग्यतः
Then, together with one’s relatives, one should eat oneself, observing silence.
शुक्लपक्षे व्रतं कुर्यात्पूर्वमिवविधिना नरः
In the bright fortnight, a man should perform the vow as before, according to the rule.
द्वादश्यां पञ्चगव्यं च प्राशयेत्सुसमाहितः
On the twelfth day, with concentrated mind, one should partake of pañcagavya.
अभ्यर्च्योपायनं दद्याद्रूह्यणाय जितेन्द्रियः
Having worshipped, one who has mastered the senses should give a gift to the priest.
सुगन्धज लसंयुक्तं पूर्णकुम्भं सदक्षिणम्
A full water-pot, adorned with fragrant substances and accompanied by a fee,
दद्यादध्यात्मविदुषे ब्राह्मणाय मुनीश्वर
Should be given to a Brahmin who knows the Self, O best of sages.
परमान्नप्रदानेन सुप्रीतो भव माधव
O Mādhava, be well-pleased by the supreme gift of food.
शक्तितो बन्धुभिः सार्द्धं स्वयं भुञ्जीत वाग्यतः
To the best of one’s ability, together with relatives, one should eat oneself, observing silence.
न तस्य पुनरावृत्तिर्ब्रह्मलोकात्कदाचन
He never returns again from the world of Brahmā.
समस्तपापकान्तारदावानलसमं द्विज
O twice-born, it is like a forest fire to all accumulated sins.
तत्फलं लभ्यते पुम्भिरेतस्मा दुपवासतः
This is the fruit obtained by men from this observance of fasting.
स मुच्यते महाघोरैः तापकानां च कोटिभिः
He is freed from the most terrible afflictions, numbering in the millions.
सर्वापापहरं पुण्यं सर्वलोकोपकारकम्
It destroys all sins, is meritorious, and benefits all worlds.
तथैवाश्विनके मासे कुर्यादेतद्वतं द्विज
Likewise, in the month of Ashvina, a twice-born should perform this observance.
प्राशयेत्पञ्चगव्यं च स्वपेद्विष्णुसमीपतः
He should consume Panchagavya and sleep near Vishnu.