यदि स्युः संगवादर्वागेताश्च तिथयस्त्रयः
If these three lunar days occur together or separately—
कौमोदिन्यास्तु माहात्म्यं प्रष्टुमिच्छामहे द्विजाः
We wish to ask, O twice-born, about the greatness of Kaumodini.
किमर्थं क्रियते सा तु तस्याः का देवता भवेत् 2.4.9.
For what purpose is it performed, and who is its presiding deity?
प्रहर्षः कोऽत्र निर्दिष्टः क्रीडा काऽत्र प्रकीर्तिता
What joy is indicated here, and what play is mentioned in this context?
स्नात्वा देवान्पितॄन्भक्त्या संपूज्याऽथ प्रणम्य च
Having bathed, one should worship the gods and ancestors with devotion, and then bow to them.
कृत्वा तु पार्वणश्राद्धं दधिक्षीरघृतादिभिः
After performing the Parvana Shraddha with curd, milk, ghee, and similar offerings—
ततः प्रदोषसमये पूजयेदिंदिरां शुभाम्
Then, at the time of dusk, one should worship the auspicious Indira.
नानापुष्पैः पल्लवैश्च चित्रैश्चाऽपि विचित्रितम्
With various flowers, leaves, and also with diverse and splendid decorations.
संपूज्या देवनार्योऽपि वहुभिश्चोपचारकैः
One should worship the divine ladies as well, with many kinds of offerings.
अस्मिन्नहनि सर्वेऽपि विष्णुना मोचिताः पुरा
On this day, all were once liberated by Vishnu.
लक्ष्म्या सार्द्धं ततो देवा जग्मुः क्षीरोदधौ पुनः
Then, together with Lakshmi, the gods returned again to the ocean of milk.
रचनीयाः सूत्रगर्भाः पर्यंकाश्च सुतूलिकाः
Beds with woven threads and soft cushions should be prepared.
स्थापयेत्तान्सुराँल्लक्ष्मीं वेदघोषसमन्वितः 2.4.9.
One should establish those gods along with Lakṣmī, accompanied by the chanting of the Vedas.
अतोऽत्र विधिवत्कार्या तुष्ट्यै तु सुखसुप्तिका
Therefore, here, for satisfaction, a comfortable bed should be prepared according to the proper rite.
कुर्यात्तस्य गृहं मुक्त्वा तत्पद्मा क्वाऽपि न व्रजेत्
One should make a dwelling for her; without that, Padmā will not go anywhere else.
धनचिन्ता विहीनास्ते कथं रात्रौ स्वपंति हि
Those who are free from anxiety about wealth—how peacefully they sleep at night!
स तु दारिद्र्यनिर्मुक्तः स्वजातौ स्यात्प्रतिष्ठितः
He, freed from poverty, becomes established in his own lineage.
पाचयित्वा गव्यदुग्धं सितां दत्त्वा यथोचिताम्
After boiling cow’s milk, one should offer the appropriate amount of sugar.
अन्यच्चतुर्विधं भक्ष्यं दद्याच्छ्रीः प्रीयतामिति
One should also give four kinds of food, saying, 'May Śrī be pleased.'
प्रबोधसमये लक्ष्मीं बोधयित्वा भुनक्ति या
At the time of awakening, having awakened Lakṣmī, she who eats then—
अभयं प्राप्य विप्रेभ्यो विष्णुभीताः सुरद्विषः
Having obtained safety from the Brāhmaṇas, the enemies of the gods, afraid of Viṣṇu, are secure.
त्वं ज्योतिः श्रीरवीन्द्वग्निविद्युत्सौवर्णतारकाः
You are the light—Śrī, the sun, the moon, fire, lightning, gold, and the stars.
या लक्ष्मीर्दिवसे पुण्ये दीपावल्यां च भूतले 2.4.9.
That Lakṣmī who, on the auspicious day of Dīpāvalī, is on the earth—
दीपदानं ततः कुर्यात्प्रदोषे च तथोल्मुकम्
Then one should offer lamps, and in the evening, also torches.
दीपवृक्षास्तथा कार्याः शक्त्या देवगृहादिषु
Lamp-trees should likewise be made, according to one’s ability, in temples and other places.
वृक्षमूलेषु गोष्ठेषु चत्वरेषु गृहेषु च
At the roots of trees, in cow-pens, at crossroads, and in houses.
सर्वं पुरमलंकृत्य प्रदोषे तदनन्तरम्
Having adorned the entire city, then, in the evening—
अलंकृतेन भोक्तव्यं नववस्त्रोपशोभिना
One should dine, adorned with new garments.
अद्य राज्यं बलेर्लोका यथेच्छं क्रीड्यतामिति
Today, the kingdom of Bali’s world may play as it wishes.
तेभ्यो दद्यात्क्रीडनकं ततः पश्येच्छुभाशुभ्य
To them one should give toys, and then observe auspicious and inauspicious omens.