शंसंतौ तुलसीं पुण्यां जग्मतुर्मुनिपुंगव
Those two, O foremost of sages, praised the holy Tulasi and departed.
तस्मान्नारद मासेऽस्मिन्कार्तिके हरितुष्टिदे
Therefore, Narada, in this month of Kartika, which pleases Hari,
एवमंग व्रतान्येव प्रोक्तानि मुनिसत्तम 2.4.8.
Thus, O best of sages, these vows have been declared.
गोधूलिकालसंयुक्ता द्वादशी वत्सपूजने
On the twelfth day, at the time when dust rises, the worship of calves is performed.
वत्सपूजा वटे चैव कर्तव्या प्रथमेऽहनि चंदनादिभिरालिप्य पुष्पमालाभिरर्चयेत्
The worship of calves should be done beneath the banyan tree on the first day; after anointing with sandal and other substances, one should worship with garlands of flowers.
तद्दिने तैलपक्वं च स्थालीपक्वं युधिष्ठिर
On that day, O Yudhishthira, food cooked in oil and food prepared in pots should be offered.
दिनांते सूर्यबिंबार्धादुभयत्र घटीदलम्
At the end of the day, half of the sun's orb should be reflected in both vessels.
नानादीपान्प्रकल्प्याऽऽदौ स्वर्णपात्रादि संस्थितान्
Various lamps should first be arranged, placed in golden vessels and the like.
लापयित्वा सर्वदीपानुत्तराभिमुखान्न्यसेत्
After lighting all the lamps, one should set them facing north.
ज्वाला चेद्दक्षिणासंस्था सतेजस्का शिखान्विता
If the flame is situated on the right and is bright, accompanied by a tuft, ...
कार्तिके कृष्णपत्रे तु द्वादश्यादिषु पंचसु
In the month of Kārtika, on the leaves of the Krishna tree, during the five days beginning with the twelfth day (Dvādaśī),
पक्षं संसूचयत्यादिर्द्वितीयो मासमेव च वर्षं तु पंचमो दीपः शुभाशुभं विनिर्णयेत्
the first lamp indicates the fortnight, the second the month itself; the fifth lamp reveals the year, and determines auspiciousness or inauspiciousness.
सूर्यांशसंभवा दीपा अंधकारविनाशकाः ।। 2.4.9.
The lamps, arising from the rays of the sun, are destroyers of darkness.
अभिमंत्र्य च मंत्रेण ततो नीराजयेत्क्रमात्
After consecrating them with a mantra, one should then perform the ritual waving of lights in due order.
आदौ देवांस्ततो विप्रान्हस्तिनश्च तुरंगमान्
First to the gods, then to the Brahmins, and then to the elephants and horses.
ततो नीराजितान्दीपान्स्वस्वस्थानेषु विन्यसेत् अतिरक्तेषु युद्धानि मृत्युः कृष्णशिखेषु च
After waving the lamps, one should place them in their respective places; if there are too many, there will be battles and death among those with dark wicks.
एकांगीनाम गोपाला तयैतच्च व्रतं कृतम्
Among the cowherds, this vow was performed by Ekāṅginī.
* तस्माद्गोपूजनं कार्यं द्वादश्यां कार्तिकस्य तु
Therefore, the worship of cows should be performed on the twelfth day of Kārtika.
ते गोव्रतप्रभावेन न गोभिर्विच्युता भुवि
By the power of this vow for the cows, they were never separated from their cows on earth.
दीपोत्सव समीपे तु व्रतमेतत्समाचरेत्
Near the festival of lamps, one should observe this vow.
प्रातः स्नात्वा त्रयोदश्यां कृत्वा वै दंतधावनम्
On the morning of the thirteenth day, after bathing and brushing the teeth,
कार्य एतद्व्रतस्यांते तथा गोवर्द्धनोत्सवः
At the end of this vow, the festival of Govardhana should likewise be performed.
आश्विनस्याऽसिते पक्षे त्रयोदश्यां निशामुखे 2.4.9.
In the dark fortnight of Āśvina, on the thirteenth day, at the beginning of the night,
पुरा हेमनकस्यैव बालकश्चाऽपमृत्युतः
Long ago, the son of Hemanaka died an untimely death.
दूता ऊचुः यथा न जीविताद्भ्रश्येदीदृशे तु महोत्सवे
The messengers said: So that he may not fall from life during such a great festival,
आश्विनस्याऽसिते पक्षे त्रयोदश्यां निशामुखे
In the dark fortnight of Āśvina, on the thirteenth day, at the beginning of the night,
मन्त्रेणाऽनेन भो दूताः समानेयः स नोत्सवे
With this mantra, O messengers, he should be brought to the festival.
मृत्युना पाशदंडाभ्यां कालेन च मया सह
By Yama, with the noose and staff, by Time, and by me together.
मन्त्रेणानेन यो दीपं द्वारदेशे प्रयच्छति
Whoever offers a lamp at the doorway with this mantra,
पक्षे प्रत्यूषसमये स्नानं कुर्यात्प्रयत्नतः
Should carefully bathe at dawn during the fortnight.