कौमुदी क्रियते यस्माद्भावं कर्तुं महीतले हर्षदुःखादिभावेन तस्य वर्षं प्रयाति हि
Because the festival of Kaumudi is celebrated to create a state on earth, with joy, sorrow, and other feelings, that year passes for him.
रुदिते रोदितं वर्षं प्रहृष्टे तु प्रहर्षितम्
If one weeps, the year is spent in sorrow; if one rejoices, it is spent in happiness.
वैष्णवी दानवी चेयं तिथिः प्रोक्ता च कार्तिके
This day in Kartika is declared both Vaishnava and Daitya.
दीपोत्सवं जनितसर्वजनप्रमोदं कुर्वंति ये शुभतया वलिराजपूजाम्
Those who, with auspiciousness, perform the festival of lamps and the worship of King Bali, bringing delight to all people,
बलिपूजां विधायैवं पश्चाद्गोक्रीडनं चरेत्
After performing the worship of Bali in this way, one should then engage in the play with cows.
गवां क्रीडादिने यत्र रात्रौ दृश्येत चन्द्रमाः 2.4.10.
On the day of the cows' play, when the moon is seen at night,
प्रतिपद्दर्शसंयोगे क्रीडनं तु गवां मतम्
The play of cows is prescribed at the conjunction of the first lunar day and the sighting of the moon.
अलंकार्यास्तदा गावो गोग्रासादिभिरर्चिताः आनीय च ततः पश्चात्कुर्यान्नीराजनाविधिम्
Then the cows should be adorned, honored with fodder and the like, brought forth, and afterwards the rite of waving lights should be performed.
अथ चेत्प्रतिपत्स्वल्पा नारी नीराजनं चरेत्
If, on the first day, a woman is few in number, she should perform the waving of lights.
एवं नीराजनं कृत्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
By performing the waving of lights in this manner, one is freed from all sins.
कुशकाशमयीं कुर्याद्यष्टिकां सुदृढां नवाम्
One should make a strong and new eight-stranded rope from kusa or kasa grass.
तामेकतो राजपुत्रा हीनवर्णास्तथैकतः
The princes should take it together, those of inferior color likewise together.
समसंख्या द्वयोः कार्या सर्वेऽपि बलवत्तराः
The total number of both should be considered; all are to be made as strong as possible.
उभयोः पृष्ठतः कार्या रेखा तत्कर्षकोपरि
A line should be drawn behind both, above the one who drags it.
जयचिह्नमिदं राजा निदधीत प्रयत्नतः
The king should carefully place this mark of victory.
तद्व्रतं ब्रूहि मे मर्त्यो मृत्युं येन न पश्यति
Tell me that vow by which a mortal does not see death.
व्रतं यमद्वितीयाख्यं शृणु त्वं मृत्युनाशनम्
Listen, I shall tell you the vow called 'Yamadvitīyā,' the destroyer of death.
कार्तिके मासि शुद्धायां द्वितीयायां मुनीश्वर
In the month of Kārtika, on the bright second day, O best of sages,
ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते चोप्थाय द्वितीयायां मुनीश्वर
Having risen during the Brahma-muhūrta on the second day, O best of sages,
प्रातःस्नानं ततः कुर्याद्दन्तधावनपूर्वकम्
One should then perform morning bathing, preceded by cleaning the teeth.
कृतनित्यक्रियो हृष्टः कुण्डलांगदभूषितः
Having performed the daily rites, cheerful, adorned with earrings and armlets,
पद्ममष्टदलं कृत्वा तस्मिन्नौदुम्बरे शुभे विधिं विष्णुं च रुद्रं च वरदां च सरस्वतीम्
Having made an eight-petaled lotus on a pure fig-wood board, one should install Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Rudra, and Sarasvatī who grants boons.
वीणापुस्तकसंयुक्तां पूजयेत्स्वस्थमानसः
With a tranquil mind, one should worship her who holds a vīṇā and a book.
पुष्पैर्धूपैश्च नैवेद्यैर्नारिकेलफलादिभिः
With flowers, incense, offerings, and coconut and other fruits.
विप्राय वेदविदुषे गां दद्याच्च सवत्सकाम् 2.4.11.
One should give a cow with her calf to a learned Brāhmaṇa who knows the Vedas.
हे विप्र ते त्विमां सौम्यां धेनुं संप्रददाम्यहम्
O Brāhmaṇa, I now give you this gentle cow.
तदलाभे तु विप्राय भक्त्या दद्यादुपानहौ
If that is not possible, one should devotedly give sandals to a Brāhmaṇa.
ज्ञातिश्रेष्ठान्वयोवृद्धान्सम्यग्भक्त्याऽभिवादयेत्
With proper devotion, one should respectfully greet the eldest and most distinguished relatives.
ततः सोदरसंपन्ना भगिनी या भवेन्मुने
Then, O sage, the sister who is born of the same mother,
भगिनि सुभगे भद्रे त्वदंघ्रिसरसीरुहम्
O sister, fortunate and auspicious one, your lotus-like feet—