अन्नं हि सर्वभूतानां प्राणभूतं परं विदुः
Indeed, food is known as the very life of all beings.
तीर्थस्नानेन किं तस्य देवयात्रादिनाऽपि किम् 2.4.2.
What is the use of bathing at sacred fords, or even of processions for the gods?
सत्यकेतुर्द्विजः पूर्वं चान्नदानेन केवलम्
Satyaketu, a twice-born, formerly gave only food as charity.
* कार्तिकव्रतनिष्ठस्तु कुर्याद्गोदानमुत्तमम्
But one devoted to the Kartika vow should perform the excellent gift of a cow.
गोदानात्परमं दानं संसारार्णवतारकम्
The gift of a cow is the supreme charity, which carries one across the ocean of worldly existence.
* कार्तिके मासि विप्रेंद्र दत्त्वा दानान्यनेकशः
O foremost of Brahmins, in the month of Kartika, having given many gifts repeatedly,
नामस्मरणमाहात्म्यं मया वक्तुं न शक्यते
I am unable to describe the greatness of remembering the divine names.
* गोविंद गोविंद हरे मुरारे गोविंद गोविंद् मुकुंद कृष्ण
Govinda, Govinda, Hare, Murari, Govinda, Govinda, Mukunda, Krishna.
श्लोकार्द्धं श्लोकपादं वा नित्यं भागवतोद्भवम्
Even half a verse or a single line arising from the Bhagavata, recited daily,
यैर्न श्रुतं भागवतं पुराणं नाराधितो वै पुरुषः पुराणः
Those who have not heard the Bhagavata Purana, nor worshipped the Ancient Person,
कार्तिके मासि विप्रेंद्र यस्तु गीतां पठेन्नरः
O foremost of Brahmins, in the month of Kartika, whoever recites the Gita,
गीतायास्तु समं शास्त्रं न भूतं न भविष्यति 2.4.2.
There has never been, nor will there be, any scripture equal to the Gita.
एकेनाऽध्यायपाठेन सर्वपापकृतोऽपि च
By reciting even one chapter, even a person who has committed all sins,
* शालिग्रामशिलादानं यः कुर्यात्कार्तिके मुने
Whoever gives a Shaligrama stone in Kartika, O sage,
* शालिग्रामं समभ्यर्च्य श्रोत्रियाय महामुने
Having worshipped the Shaligrama, to a learned Brahmin, O great sage,
सप्तसागरपर्यंतं भूदानाद्यत्फलं भवेत्
The fruit of giving land up to the extent of seven seas,
शालिग्रामशिलादानात्कार्तिके ब्राह्मणी यथा
From the gift of a Shaligrama stone in Kartika, a Brahmin woman likewise,
* तस्मात्तु कार्तिके मासि स्नानदानपुरःसरम्
Therefore, in the month of Kartika, preceded by bathing and charity,
ब्रह्मोवाच भूयः शृणुष्व विप्रेंद्र कार्तिकस्य च वैभवम्
Brahma said: Listen again, O foremost of Brahmins, to the glory of Kartika.
पौर्णमासीं समारभ्य पौर्णमास्यां समापयेत्
Beginning from the full moon, one should conclude on the full moon.
दामोदरं नमस्कृत्य कुर्यात्संकल्पमादितः
Having bowed to Dāmodara, one should first make a solemn resolve.
कार्तिकस्य व्रतं कर्तुमनुज्ञां दातुमर्हसि
You ought to grant permission to undertake the vow of Kārtika.
इति संप्रार्थ्य विधिना कार्तिकव्रतमाचरेत् कलौ च स्वर्गगमनकारणं श्रूयतां हि तत्
Thus, having requested according to the prescribed method, one should observe the Kārtika vow; now hear that which is the cause of attaining heaven in the age of Kali.
तस्मात्पुण्यफलः प्रोक्तो वैशाखो नर्मदातटे
Therefore, the merit of Vaiśākha has been declared, especially on the banks of the Narmadā.
तस्मान्महाफलः प्रोक्तः कार्तिको जलमात्रके
Therefore, the great fruit of Kārtika is proclaimed, even with only water.
एकतः कार्तिकस्नानं ब्रह्मणा तुलया धृतम्
On one side, the Kārtika bath is weighed by Brahmā on the scales.
अवश्यं तैः कृतं विद्धि कार्तिकस्नानमादरात् 2.4.3.
Know that the Kārtika bath must certainly be performed by them with reverence.
भूमिशय्या ब्रह्मचर्य्यं तथा द्विदलवर्जनम्
Sleeping on the ground, celibacy, and abstaining from split pulses—
कार्तिके मासि कुर्वंति जीवन्मुक्तास्त एव हि
Those who are liberated while living practice these in the month of Kārtika.
न कार्तिकसमं काम्यं मोक्षदानं न कार्तिकात्
There is no desired gift of liberation equal to Kārtika, nor is there any greater than Kārtika.