भक्तिभावेन तुष्टात्मा उपवासं समर्पयेत्
With a mind satisfied by devotion, one should dedicate the fast.
गीतैर्वाद्यैशअच नृत्यैश्च पुराणश्रवणादिभिः
With songs, instruments, dances, and listening to the Purāṇas and similar acts.
स्नात्वा च विधिवद्विष्णुं पूजयत्प्रयतेन्द्रियः
Having bathed according to the proper method, one should worship Vishnu with controlled senses.
द्वादश्यां पयसा विप्र हरिसारुपप्यमषश्नुते
On the twelfth day, O Brahmin, one attains similarity to Hari by consuming milk.
प्रसीद सुमुखो भूत्वा ज्ञानदृष्टिप्रदो भव
Be gracious, with a pleasant face; grant the vision of knowledge.
ब्रह्मणान्भोजयेच्छक्त्या दद्याद्वै दक्षिणां तथा
One should feed Brahmins according to one's capacity, and likewise give them gifts.
कृतपञ्चमहायज्ञः स्वयं भुञ्जीत वाग्यतः
Having performed the five great sacrifices, one should eat oneself, with restrained speech.
स याति विष्णुभवनं पुनरावृत्तिदुर्लभम्
He goes to the abode of Vishnu, where return is difficult.
चाण्डालान्पतकितांश्चैव नेक्षेदपि कदाचन
One should never even look upon outcastes and sinners.
उपवास व्रतपरो नालपेच्च कदाचन
One devoted to fasting and vows should never engage in conversation.
अयाज्ययाजकं चैव नालपेत्सर्वदा व्रती
One who observes vows should never converse with someone who does not perform sacrifices or who conducts them improperly.
भिषजं काव्यकर्त्तारं देवद्विजविरोधिनम्
Nor with a physician, a poet, or one who opposes the gods and the twice-born.
व्रतोपवासनिरतो वाङ्मात्रेणापि नार्चयेत्
One devoted to vows and fasting should not even verbally honor such persons.
उपवासपरो भूत्वा परां सिद्धिमवान्पुयात्
By being devoted to fasting, one attains the highest accomplishment and becomes purified.
नास्तु विष्णुसमं दैवं तपो नानशनात्परम्
There is no deity equal to Viṣṇu, no austerity greater than fasting.
नास्ति ज्ञानसमो लाभो लाभो न च धर्म समः पिता
There is no gain equal to knowledge, nor any gain equal to righteousness, nor any father equal to righteousness.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्
Here, too, they recite this ancient legend.
पुरा हिगालवो नाम मुनिः सत्यपरायणः
Long ago, there was a sage named Gālava, devoted to truth.
बहुवृक्षसमाकीर्णे गजभल्लुनिषेविते
He lived in a place thickly covered with many trees and frequented by elephants and deer.
कन्दमूलफलैः पूर्णे मुनिवृन्दनिषेदिते
It was filled with roots, tubers, and fruits, and was inhabited by groups of sages.
तस्याभवद्भद्रशील इति ख्यातः सुतो वशी
He had a son, self-controlled and renowned as Bhadraśīla.
बालक्राडनकाले ऽपि भद्रशीलो महामतिः
Even in his childhood play, Bhadraśīla, of great intelligence,
वयस्यान्बोधयेच्चापि विष्णुः पूज्यो नरैः सदा
would instruct his companions that Viṣṇu should always be worshipped by people.
एवं ते बोधितास्तेन शिशवो ऽपि मुनीश्वर
Thus, even as children, O best of sages, they were instructed by him.
अर्चयन्ति महाभागा विष्णुभक्तिपरायणाः
Those noble ones, devoted to Viṣṇu, worshipped with great faith.
सर्वेषां जगतां स्वस्ति भूयादित्यब्रवीदिदम्
He said, 'May there be well-being for all the worlds.'
एकादशीति संकल्प्यव्रतं यच्छति केशवे
He undertook the vow of Ekādaśī and offered it to Keśava.
अपृच्छद्विस्मयाविष्टः समालिङ्ग्य तपोनिधिः
Astonished, the storehouse of austerity embraced him and asked.
चरितं मङ्गलं यत्ते योगिनामपि दुर्लभम्
Your conduct is auspicious and rare, even among yogis.
निर्द्धन्द्वो निर्ममः शान्तो हरिध्यानपरायाणः
Free from dualities, without possessiveness, peaceful, devoted to meditation on Hari.