श्रद्धया पूजयेद्विष्णुं वशी क्रोधविवार्जितः
With faith, he should worship Vishnu, being self-controlled and free from anger.
संकल्पं तु ततः कुर्यास्त्वस्ति वाचनपूर्वकम्
Then, he should make a resolve, preceded by recitation of the vow.
मासान्तं पारणं कुर्वे देवदेव तवाज्ञया
At the end of the month, I will break the fast by your command, O Lord of gods.
ममाभूष्टप्रदं देहि सर्वविन्घान्निवारय
Grant me what I desire, remove all obstacles.
ततः प्रभृति मासान्तं निवसेद्धरिमन्दिरे
From then until the end of the month, he should reside in the temple of Hari.
दीपं निरन्तरं कुर्यात्तस्मिन्मासे हरेर्गृहे
He should keep a lamp burning continuously in the house of Hari during that month.
ततः स्नायीत विधिन्नारायणपरायणः
Afterwards, he should bathe according to the prescribed method, devoted to Narayana.
ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेच्छक्त्या भक्तियुक्तः सद क्षिणम्
He should feed Brahmins to the best of his ability, always with devotion and humility.
एवं मासोपवासांश्च व्रती कुर्यात् त्रयोदश
In this way, the vow-holder should observe thirteen monthly fasts.
शक्त्या च दक्षिणां दद्याद्रूह्यण्याभरणानि च
He should give gifts and ornaments according to his capacity.
आत्पोर्यामस्य यज्ञत्य द्विगुणं फलमश्नुते
He attains twice the fruit of the Atirātra sacrifice.
स लभेत्परमं पुण्यमष्टान्गिष्टोमसंभवम्
He obtains supreme merit, equal to that arising from the eightfold Ishtoma.
अत्यन्गिष्टोमजं पुण्यं द्विगुणं प्राप्नुयान्नरः
A man attains twice the merit arising from the superior Ishtoma.
ज्योतिष्टो स्यन्ग यज्ञस्य फलं सो ऽष्टगुणं लभेत्
He obtains eight times the fruit of the Jyotishtoma and other sacrifices.
अश्वमेधस्य यज्ञस्य फलमष्टगुणं लभेत्
One attains a reward eight times greater than that of the Aśvamedha sacrifice.
नरमेधाख्ययज्ञस्य फलं पञ्चगुणं लभेत्
One obtains a reward five times greater than that of the sacrifice called Naramedha.
गोमेधमखजं पुण्यं लभते त्रिगुणं नरः
A person gains merit three times greater than that arising from the Gomedha sacrifice.
स ब्रह्ममेधयज्ञस्य त्रिगुणं फलमश्नुते
He enjoys a reward three times greater than that of the Brahmamedha sacrifice.
स याति हरिसारुप्यं सर्वभोगसमन्वितम्
He attains resemblance to Hari, endowed with all enjoyments.
स याति परमानन्दं यत्र गत्वा न शोचति
He attains supreme bliss, where, having gone, he does not grieve.
धममागप्रवक्तारो मुक्ता एव न सशंयः
Those who expound this dharma are indeed liberated, without doubt.
मासोपवासः कर्त्तव्यो वनस्थैश्च विशेषतः
A month-long fast should especially be observed by those dwelling in the forest.
कृत्वा मोक्षमवान्पोति योगिनामपि दुर्लभम्
Having performed it, one attains liberation, which is difficult even for yogis to obtain.
मूर्खो वा पण्डितो वापि श्रुत्वैतन्मोक्षभाग्भवेत्
Whether foolish or learned, upon hearing this, one becomes eligible for liberation.
शृणुयाद्वाचयेद्वापि सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
Whoever listens to or recites this is freed from all sins.
सर्वपापप्रशमनं सर्वकामफलप्रदम्
It removes all sins and grants the fruits of all desires.
मोक्षदं कुर्वतां भक्त्या विष्णोः प्रियतरं द्विज
For those who perform it with devotion, it bestows liberation and is most dear to Viṣṇu, O twice-born one.
कर्त्तव्यं सर्वथा विप्रविष्णुप्रीतिकरं यतः
It must always be performed, for it brings delight to both the brāhmaṇas and Viṣṇu.
यो भुङ्क्ते सो ऽत्र पापीयान्परत्र नरकं व्रजेत्
Whoever partakes here is more sinful and will go to hell in the next world.
पूर्वापरदिने गत्रावहोरात्रं तु मध्यमे
On the previous and following days, one may eat, but not during the middle day and night.