विश्वासं परमं चक्रुर्यमेन परिभाषिते
When Yama spoke, they placed their highest trust in him.
सद्यः संप्रेषयामास तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्
He immediately sent him to the supreme abode of Vishnu.
कर्मणा तेन विप्रर्षे विष्णुलोके मयोषितम्
By that deed, O best of sages, I dwelled in Vishnu’s world.
स्थित्वा विष्णुपदं पश्चादिन्द्रलोकमुपगमम्
After remaining in Vishnu’s realm, I later went to Indra’s world.
तावत्कालं दिविस्थित्वा ततो भूमिमुपागतः
Having stayed in heaven for that time, I then came to earth.
जातिस्मरत्वाडज्जानामि सर्वमेतन्मुनीशअवर
Because I possess memory of past births, O best of sages, I know all this.
एकादशीव्रतमिदमिति न ज्ञातवान्पुरा
Formerly, I did not know that this was the vow of Ekadashi.
अत्र स्वेनापि यत्कर्म कृतं तस्य फलं त्विदम्
Here, the fruit of whatever action is performed even by oneself is this.
तस्माच्चरिष्ये विप्रेन्द्र शुभमेकादशीव्रतम्
Therefore, O foremost of Brahmins, I shall observe the auspicious vow of Ekadashi.
एकादशीव्रतं यत्तु कुर्वन्ति श्रद्धया नराः
Those men who faithfully observe the vow of Ekadashi—
एवं पुत्रवचः श्रुत्वा संतुष्टो गालवो मुनिः
Hearing his son’s words in this way, the sage Galava was pleased.
मज्जन्म सफलं जातं मद्धंशः पावनीकृतः
My birth has become fruitful; my lineage has been purified.
इति संतुष्टचित्तस्तु तस्य पुत्रस्य कर्मणा
Thus, with his mind satisfied by the actions of his son,
संकोचविस्तराभ्यां च किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छसि
With both restraint and openness, what else do you wish to hear?
पापौघशान्तिकरणं व्रतसारमेवं ब्रह्मात्मजः पुनरभाषत हर्षयुक्तः
The son of Brahma, filled with joy, again spoke of the essence of vows, which dispel the multitude of sins.
व्रताख्यानं महापुण्यं यथावद्धरिभक्तिदम्
The narration of vows is supremely meritorious and bestows devotion to Hari when recounted properly.
तथा सर्वाश्रमाचारं प्रायश्चित्तविधिं तथा
Likewise, the conduct of all ashramas and the procedures for atonement should be explained.
कृपया परया मह्यं यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि
Out of great compassion, you ought to speak to me properly.
वर्णाश्रमाचारपरैः पूज्यते हरिरव्ययः
Hari, the imperishable, is worshipped by those devoted to the conduct of varna and ashrama.
तत्ते वक्ष्यामि विधिवद्भक्तो ऽसि त्वमधोक्षजे
I shall tell you this according to the rules, for you are devoted to the transcendental Lord.
वर्णा इति समाख्याता एतेषु ब्राह्मणो ऽधिकः
These are called varnas, and among them, the Brahmana is foremost.
मातृतश्चोपनयनाद्दि जत्वं प्राप्यते त्रिभिः
Birth is attained through three means: from the mother, by initiation, and by study.
स्ववर्णधर्मत्यगेन पाषण्डः प्रोच्यते बुधैः
One who abandons the duties of their own varna is called a heretic by the wise.
अन्यथा पतितो भूयात्सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृतः
Otherwise, one becomes fallen and is excluded from all duties.
देशाचारास्तथाग्राह्याः स्मृतिधर्माविरोधतः
Local customs are to be accepted, provided they do not contradict the laws of tradition.
अस्वर्ग्यं लोकविद्विष्टं धर्म्यमप्याचरेन्नतु
Even if an act is righteous, it should not be performed if it is not conducive to heaven or is despised by people.
द्विजानामसवर्णासु कन्या सूपयमस्तथा
For twice-born men, marriage with girls of another varna is permitted.
मांसादनं तथा श्राद्धे वानप्रस्थआश्रमस्तथा
Eating meat at a funeral rite, and the vanaprastha ashrama as well,
नैष्टिकं ब्रह्मचर्यं च नरमेधाश्चमेधकौ
Lifelong celibacy, and the human and animal sacrifices,
एतान्धर्मान्कलियुके वर्ज्यानाहुर्मनीषिणः
The wise declare these practices should be avoided in the Kali age.