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.
तेन दत्ता वामनाय भूमिः स्वमस्तकान्विता
On that day, Bali gave the earth to Vāmana, along with his own head.
कार्तिके मासि शुक्लायां प्रतिपद्यां यतो भवान्
In the month of Kārtika, on the bright fortnight's first day, you, O king, are to observe this.
वरं ददामि ते राजन्नित्युक्त्वाऽदाद्वरं तदा
Having said, 'I grant you a boon,' he then gave the boon at that time.
एतस्यां ये करिष्यंति तैलस्नानादिकार्चनम्
Those who will perform oil-bathing and other worship on this day—
तदाप्रभृति लोकेऽस्मिन्प्रसिद्धा प्रतिपत्तिथिः
—from that time onward, this first day became renowned in the world.
तत्राभ्यंगं न कुर्वीत अन्यथा मृतिमाप्नुयात् । । 2.4.10.
If one does not perform anointing there, he may incur death otherwise.
मांगल्यं तद्दिने चेत्स्याद्वित्तादिस्तस्य नश्यति
Auspiciousness will arise on that day, but his wealth will be destroyed.
तस्यां यद्यथ चाऽऽर्तिक्यं नारी मोहात्करिष्यति
If, out of delusion, a woman does not perform the ritual on that day—
अविद्धा प्रतिपच्चेत्स्यान्मुहूर्तमपरेऽहनि
If the lunar day (pratipat) is not pierced (by another tithi), it will occur for a moment on the next day.
प्रतिपत्स्वल्पमात्राऽपि यदि न स्यात्परेऽहनि
If, on the next day, even a small portion of pratipat does not remain,
तद्दिने गृहमध्ये तु कुर्यान्मूर्तिं तदांगणे
On that day, one should make an image in the courtyard of the house.
आर्तिक्यं तत्र संस्थाप्य एवं कुर्याद्विधानतः
Placing the lamp there, one should perform the rite according to the prescribed rule.
न मांगल्यं भवेत्तेषां यावत्स्याद्वत्सरं ध्रुवम्
There will be no auspiciousness for them until a full year has passed.
आवर्षं तद्भवेत्तस्य तस्मान्मंगलमाचरेत्
That (inauspiciousness) lasts for a year; therefore, one should perform the auspicious rite.
कुरु दीपोत्सवं रम्यं त्रयोदश्यादिकेषु च
Celebrate the delightful festival of lamps, beginning from the thirteenth lunar day and onward.
गौर्या जित्वा पुरा शंभुर्नग्नो द्यूते विसर्जितः 2.4.10.
Long ago, Śambhu was defeated by Gaurī in dice and, having lost, was left unclothed.
द्यूतं निषिद्धं सर्वत्र हित्वा प्रतिपदं बुधाः
Dice-playing is forbidden everywhere; the wise avoid it on pratipat.
भवान्याऽभ्यर्थिता लक्ष्मीर्धेनुरूपेण संस्थिता
At Bhavānī's request, Lakṣmī took the form of a cow.
भूषणीयास्तदा गावो वर्ज्या वहनदोहनात्
At that time, cows should be adorned and not used for carrying loads or milking.
गोवर्द्धन धराऽऽधार गोकुलत्राणकारक
O Govardhana, bearer of the earth, protector of Gokula,