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.
जीवहिंसा सुरापानमगम्यागमनं तथा बलिराज्ये तु नरकद्वाराण्युक्तानि संत्यजेत्
Killing living beings, drinking liquor, approaching forbidden women—these are declared as gates to hell in the reign of Bali; one should abandon them.
ततोऽर्द्धरात्रसमये स्वयं राजा व्रजेत्पुरम् बलिराज्यप्रमोदं च दृष्ट्वा स्वगृहमाव्रजेत्
Then, at midnight, the king himself should go to the city, and after witnessing the joy of Bali's reign, return to his own house.
एवं गते निशीथे च जने निद्रार्द्धलोचने निष्कास्यते प्रदृष्टाभिरलक्ष्मीः स्वगृहांऽगणात् ।। 2.4.9.
When the night has passed thus, and people are half-asleep, misfortune, seen by all, will be driven out from the courtyards of their homes.
दंडैकरजनीयोगे दर्शः स्यात्तु परेऽहनि
When the night is joined with the single rod of punishment, the new moon observance should be performed on the following day.
* ये वैष्णवाऽवैष्णवाश्च बलिराज्योत्सवं नराः
Those men, whether devoted to Vishnu or not, who celebrate the festival of Bali's reign—
रात्रौ जागरणं कुर्यात्पुराणपठनादिभिः
—should keep vigil at night, with recitation of the Purāṇas and similar activities.
सुवेषः सत्कथागीतैर्दानैश्च दिवसं नयेत्
One should spend the day well-dressed, with noble stories, songs, and gifts.
शंकरस्तु पुरा द्यूतं ससर्ज सुमनोहरम्
Long ago, Śaṅkara created the delightful game of dice.
बलिराज्यदिनस्याऽपि माहात्म्यं शृणु तत्त्वतः
Now hear, in truth, the greatness of the day of Bali's reign.
यदि मोहान्न कुर्वीत स याति यमसादनम्
If, out of delusion, one does not observe it, he goes to the abode of Yama.