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—
इत्युक्त्वा भगिनीं तां तु विष्णुबुद्ध्याऽभिवादयेत्
Having spoken thus, he should respectfully greet his sister with the intention of Vishnu.
भगिन्या भ्रातरं वाक्यं वक्तव्यं प्रति नारद
O Nārada, the sister should address her brother with these words.
भोक्तव्यं तेऽद्य मद्गेहे स्वायुषे कुलदीपक
You must eat today in my house, O illuminator of the lineage, for the sake of your own life.
स्वसुर्नरो वेश्मनि यो न भुंक्ते यमद्वितीयादिनमत्र लब्ध्वा 2.4.11.
A man who, having received the invitation on Yamadvitīyā, does not eat in his sister’s house—
इति पापा रटंतीह ब्रह्महत्यादयस्तथा
Here, the sins such as brahma-hatya cry out against him.
शुक्लायां तु द्वितीयायां विश्रुतायां जगत्त्रये
On the renowned second day of the bright fortnight, celebrated in all three worlds—
इत्युक्तः स तथेत्युक्ता भगिनीं पूजयेद्व्रती
Thus instructed, he replies 'so be it,' and the one observing the vow should honor his sister.
अग्रजामभिवंद्याऽथ आशिषं च प्रगृह्य च
Then, having respectfully greeted his elder sister and received her blessings—
अभावे स्वस्य तु स्वसुः पितृव्याः स्वपितुः स्वसा
If one’s own sister is absent, then the paternal aunt or the father’s sister should be honored.
एवं यः कुरुते पुत्र द्वितीयां यमनामिकाम्
O son, whoever performs Yamadvitīyā in this manner—