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.
पितृवित्तक्षयकरो वंशच्छेदे कुठारकः
He caused the loss of his father's wealth and was an axe that cut down his lineage.
हारितं दुष्टसंसर्गात्ततो दुःखी स चाऽभवत्
He was ruined by association with the wicked, and thus became miserable.
अयोध्यामागतो वत्से महापापकरो द्विजः
That Brahmin, a perpetrator of great sins, came to Ayodhya, O child.
द्यूतव्याजेन तेनाऽऽशु दीपो दत्तो हरेः पुरः
By means of gambling, he quickly offered a lamp before Hari.
महापातककृद्वाऽपि गतवानभयं हरिम्
Even though he committed great sins, he attained fearlessness from Hari.
तथाऽन्यान्यपि दानानि कुरु भक्तिसमन्विता
In the same way, perform other acts of charity, accompanied by devotion.
साऽपि कुत्सवचः श्रुत्वा पश्चात्तापेन संयुता
She too, upon hearing words of reproach, was filled with remorse.
पतंगोदयवेलायां कार्तिके स्नानमंभसि 2.4.7.
At the time of sunrise, during Kartika, she bathed in the water.
ततः कालांतरे चैव गतायुर्मृतिमागता
Then, after some time, her lifespan ended and death arrived.
स्वर्गमार्गं गता सा स्त्री काले मोक्षमवाप ह
That woman attained the path to heaven and, in time, achieved liberation.
कार्तिके दीपदानं तु महापुण्यफलप्रदम्
Giving lamps in Kartika grants the reward of great merit.
दीपदानस्येतिहासं शृण्वन्वै मोक्षमाप्नुयात्
One who listens to the story of lamp-giving indeed attains liberation.
दीपदानस्य माहात्म्यं वक्तुं केनेह शक्यते
Who here is able to speak of the greatness of lamp-giving?
स्वस्याऽपि शक्तिराहित्ये परस्याऽपि प्रबोधनम्
Even lacking one's own ability, one may awaken another.
दीपार्थं वर्तिकां तैलं पात्रं वा यो ददाति हि
Whoever gives a wick, oil, or vessel for the sake of a lamp,
स तु मोक्षमवाप्नोति नाऽत्र कार्या विचारणा
He indeed attains liberation; there should be no doubt about this.
स्वस्यापि शक्तिराहित्ये परदीपं प्रबोधयेत्
Even lacking one's own ability, one should kindle another's lamp.
वेश्या चेन्दुमतीनाम तस्या गेहेऽथ मूषिका 2.4.7.
There was a courtesan named Indumati, and in her house, a mouse.
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन परदीपं प्रबोधयेत्
Therefore, with all effort, one should kindle another's lamp.
परदीपप्रबबोधस्य फलमीदृग्विधं मुने
O sage, the fruit of kindling another's lamp is of such a kind.