धात्रीफलं भानुवारे परदेशागमं तथा
The fruit of the myrobalan tree on Sunday, and likewise food brought from a foreign land,
देववेदद्विजातीनां गुरुगोव्रतिनां तथा
Food belonging to the gods, Vedic scholars, and those observing vows to the teacher and the cow,
नरकस्य चतुर्दश्यां तैलाभ्यंगं च कारयेत् नालिकां मूलकं चैव कूष्मांडं च कपित्थकम् 2.4.6.
On the fourteenth day, one should apply oil to the body; also, reed, radish, gourd, and wood-apple,
रजस्वलांत्यज म्लेच्छ पतितऽव्रतिकैस्तथा
Food from women in menstruation, outcastes, foreigners, the fallen, and those not observing vows,
एभिर्दृष्टं च काकैश्च सूतिकान्नं च यद्भवेत्
Food seen by these, or by crows, and food from a woman who has just given birth,
क्रमात्कूष्मांडबृहतीतरुणीमूलकं तथा
In order: gourd, brhati, young radish root as well,
नारिकेलमलाबुं च पटोलं बृहतीफलम्
Coconut, bottle gourd, patola, and the fruit of brhati,
शाकान्येतानि वर्ज्यानि क्रमात्प्रतिपदादिषु
These vegetables are to be avoided in order, starting from the first day of the lunar fortnight,
कार्तिकव्रतिनः पुण्यं यथोक्तव्रतकारिणः
Those observing the Kartika vow, who perform the prescribed practices, gain merit,
श्रोतव्यं नेह भूयो मे विद्यते देवसत्तम
There is nothing further to be heard from me here, O best of gods,
तथापि भगवन्किंचित्प्रष्टव्यं मे हृदि स्थितम्
Yet, O Lord, there is still something in my heart that I wish to ask,
दीपदानस्य माहात्म्यं श्रोतुमिच्छामि ते प्रभो
I wish to hear from you, O Lord, the greatness of offering lamps,
तेन पापानि नश्येयुस्तमांसीव भगोदये
By that, sins are destroyed, just as darkness is dispelled by the rise of the sun,
आजन्म यत्कृतं पापं स्त्रिया वा पुरुषेण च
Whatever sin has been committed since birth, by a woman or by a man,
अत्र ते वर्णयिष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम्
Here I shall relate to you an ancient story,
पुरा द्रविडदेशे तु ब्राह्मणो बुद्धनामकः
Long ago, in the land of Dravida, there was a brahmin named Buddha,
तस्याः संसर्गदोषेण क्षीणाऽऽयुर्मृतिमाप्तवान्
Because of the fault of his association with her, his lifespan was diminished and he met death,
रताभून्न हि तस्यास्तु लज्जा लोकापवादतः
She felt no shame in her attachment to him, due to fear of public reproach,
न संस्कारान्नमल्पं वा भुक्त्वा पर्युषिताशिनी ।। 2.4.7.
She did not eat food that was impure or insufficient, nor did she consume anything that was stale.
कथायाः श्रवणं चैव न श्रुतं तु तया द्विज
Nor did she listen to the recitation of the story, O twice-born one.
तस्या गृहं समागच्छद्विद्वान्वै कुत्सनामकः कोपेन रक्तचक्षुः संस्तामुवाचाऽसतीं स्त्रियम्
A learned man named Kutsana came to her house; his eyes reddened with anger, he spoke harshly to the unfaithful woman.
दुःखहेतुमिमं देहं पूयशोणितपूरितम्
This body, filled with pus and blood, is the cause of suffering.
जलबुद्बुदवद्देहो नाशमायाति निश्चितम्
The body, like a bubble in water, certainly comes to destruction.
तस्मादंतःस्थितं मोहं त्यज मूढे विचारतः
Therefore, abandon the delusion that dwells within, O foolish one, through discernment.
कार्तिके मासि संप्राप्ते स्नानदानादिकं कुरु
When the month of Kartika arrives, perform bathing, giving, and similar acts.
लक्षवर्त्यादिकं चैव लक्षपद्मादिकं तथा
Also perform offerings such as lamps and lotuses in great numbers.
धारणं पारणं चैव कुरु भक्त्या हि कार्तिके
Practice dhāraṇa and pāraṇa with devotion during Kartika.
सर्वपापप्रशमनं सर्वोपद्रवनाशनम् 2.4.7.
These acts remove all sins and destroy all calamities.
दीपो हरेः प्रियकरः कार्तिके मासि निश्चितम्
The lamp is certainly pleasing to Hari in the month of Kartika.
पुरा कश्चिद्द्विजवरो नाम्ना हरिकरो ह्यभूत्
Once, there was a distinguished Brahmin named Harikara.