यैर्भगिन्यः सुवासिन्यो वस्त्रदानादितोषिताः
By whom sisters, adorned and married, are pleased with gifts of garments and the like,
धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं धर्मकामार्थसाधनम्
That is blessed, brings fame and long life, and accomplishes righteousness, desire, and wealth.
तदहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुध्वं मुनिसत्तमाः ।। 2.4.11.
Therefore, I shall now explain this; listen, O best of sages.
तत्राऽपराह्ने कर्तव्यं सर्वथैव यमार्चनम्
On that afternoon, the worship of Yama must certainly be performed.
प्रत्यहं यमुनाऽऽगत्य यमं संप्रार्थयत्पुरा
Every day, Yamunā came and earnestly prayed to Yama in the past.
अद्यश्वो वा परश्वो वा प्रत्यहं वदते यमः
Yama would reply each day, 'Today, tomorrow, or the day after.'
तदैकदा यमुनया बलात्कारान्निमंत्रितः
Then, once, Yama was forcibly invited by Yamunā.
नारकीयजनान्मुक्त्वा गणैः सह रवेः सुतः
Freed from the people of hell, the son of the Sun went with his attendants.
कृताभ्यंगो यमुनया तैलैर्गंधमनोहरैः
He was anointed by Yamunā with fragrant, delightful oils.
ततोऽलंकारकं दत्तं नानावस्त्राणि चंदनम्
Then ornaments were given, along with various garments and sandalwood paste.
पक्वान्नानि विचित्राणि कृत्वा सा स्वर्णभाजने
She prepared various cooked foods and placed them in a golden vessel.
भुक्त्वा यमोऽपि भगिनीमलंकारैः समर्चयत् इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा यमुना वाक्यमब्रवीत्
Having eaten, Yama too honored his sister with ornaments; hearing those words, Yamunā spoke.
अद्य सर्वे मोचनीयाः पापिनो नरकाद्यम तेषां सौख्यं प्रदेहि त्वमेतदेव वृणोम्यहम्
Today all sinners must be released from hell, O Yama; grant them happiness—this alone I choose.
भुंक्ते च भगिनीगेहे भगिनीं पूजयेदपि
He eats in his sister's house and also worships his sister.
वीरेशैशानदिग्भागे यमतीर्थं प्रकीर्तितम्
In the northeastern direction of Vīreśa, the Yama-tīrtha is renowned.
पठेदेतानि नामानि आमध्याह्नं नरोत्तमः
The best of men should recite these names until midday.
यमो निहंता पितृधर्मराजो वैवस्वतो दंडधरश्च कालः
Yama, the slayer, king of ancestral law, son of Vivasvat, bearer of the staff, and Time.
ततो यमेश्वरं पूज्य भगिनीगृहमाव्रजेत्
Afterwards, one should worship Lord Yama and then proceed to the sister’s house.
भ्रातस्तवानुजाताऽहं भुंक्ष्व भक्तमिदं शुभम्
Brother, I am born after you; please accept this auspicious food offered with devotion.
ततः संतोष्य भगिनीं वस्त्रालंकरणादिभिः
Then, having pleased the sister with garments, ornaments, and other gifts—
नृपैः कारागृहे ये च स्थापिता मम वासरे 2.4.11.
Those who have been placed in prison by kings on my day—
विमोक्तव्या मया पापा नरकेभ्योऽद्य वासरे
Should be released by me today from sinful hells.
कनीयसी स्वसा नास्ति तदा ज्येष्ठागृहं व्रजेत्
If there is no younger sister, then one should go to the elder sister’s house.
तदभावे मातृष्वसुर्मातुलस्याऽऽत्मजा तथा
If she is absent, then to the maternal aunt, or to the daughter of the maternal uncle likewise.
सर्वाऽभावे माननीया भगिनी काचिदेव हि
If none of these are present, then any sister should be honored.
तदभावेप्यरण्यानीं कल्पयित्वा सहोदराम्
If even she is absent, then appoint a woman from the forest as a substitute, or a full sister.
ये भुंजते दुराचारा नरके ते पतंति च
Those who eat with wicked conduct fall into hell.
तस्मादृषिवराः सर्वे कार्तिकव्रतकारिणः
Therefore, all eminent sages who observe the Kartika vow—
यमद्वितीयां यः प्राप्य भगिनीगृहभोजनम्
Who, having attained Yamadvitiya, eat at the sister’s house—
या तु भोजयते नारी भ्रातरं भ्रातृके तिथौ
The woman who feeds her brother on the brother’s day—