इदानीं कार्तिको मासो वर्तते हरिवल्लभः
Now the month of Kārtika, beloved of Hari, is present.
तुलसीपुष्पसहितां कुरुपूजां हरेः सुत 2.4.12.
Perform worship of Hari accompanied by Tulasī flowers, O son of Kuru.
एवं पितुर्वचः श्रुत्वा पुत्रः क्रोधसमन्वितः
Hearing his father's words in this way, the son became filled with anger.
इति पुत्रवचः श्रुत्वा सक्रोधः प्राह तं सुतम्
Hearing his son's words, he too spoke to his son with anger.
मूषको भव दुर्बुद्धे वने वृक्षस्य कोटरे
Become a mouse, O wicked-minded one, in the hollow of a tree in the forest.
दुर्योनेर्मम मुक्तिः स्यात्कथं तद्वद मे गुरो
How can there be liberation for me, born in a low womb? Tell me that, O teacher.
यदोर्ज्जव्रतजं पुण्यं शृणोषि हरिवल्लभम्
Listen to the merit arising from Urjja-vrata, beloved of Hari.
स पित्रा चैवमुक्तस्तु तत्क्षणान्मूषकोऽभवत्
Thus addressed by his father, he immediately became a mouse.
एकदा कार्तिके मासि विश्वामित्रः सशिष्यकः
Once, in the month of Kārtika, Viśvāmitra, together with his disciples,
कथयामास माहात्म्यं शिष्येभ्यश्चोर्ज्जसंभवम्
began to recount to his disciples the greatness that arises from Urjja.
दृष्ट्वा ऋषिगणान्हंतुं कृतेच्छः प्राणिघातकः
Seeing the groups of sages, the killer of living beings desired to slay them.
अथोवाच द्विजान्नत्वा भवद्भिः क्रियतेऽत्र किम् 2.4.12.
Then, bowing to the twice-born, he said: 'What are you doing here?'
विश्वामित्र उवाच सर्वेषामेव मासानां कार्तिकः श्रेष्ठ उच्यते
Viśvāmitra said: 'Of all the months, Kārtika is declared the best.'
कार्तिके मासि यः कुर्यात्स्नानं दानं च पूजनम्
Whoever performs bathing, charity, and worship in the month of Kārtika—
व्याधप्रयुक्तमाकर्ण्य धर्मं च ऋषिणा द्विजः
Hearing the dharma spoken by the sage, even the twice-born affected by disease—
विश्वामित्रं प्रणम्याथ स्ववृत्तांतं निवेद्य च
Then, bowing to Viśvāmitra and recounting his own story,
विस्मितो गाधिपुत्रस्तु व्याधश्चैव विशेषतः
The son of Gādhi was astonished, and especially the hunter.
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन कार्तिके केशवाऽग्रतः
Therefore, with all effort, in Kārtika, before Keśava—
मूषकोऽपि च दुर्योनेर्मुक्त ऊर्जकथाश्रुतेः
Even a mouse, born in a low womb, is freed by hearing the account of the amalaki's power.
धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य वनभोजनमाचरेत् कृत्वा कर्माणि नित्यानि माधवं पूजयेत्ततः
One should take shelter under the shade of the amalaki tree and partake of forest food; having performed daily duties, one should then worship Mādhava.
धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य हरौ भक्तिसमन्वितः
Taking refuge under the shade of the amalaki tree, one should be endowed with devotion to Hari.
ततस्तु ब्राह्मणान्भक्त्या भोजयेद्ब्रह्मवित्तमान् 2.4.12.
After that, with devotion, one should feed learned brāhmaṇas who know the Vedas.
एवंकृते व्रते विप्र कार्तिके हरिवल्लभे
O brāhmaṇa, when this vow is performed in the month of Kārtika, beloved of Hari,
हरेर्नार्पितभोगाच्च भोजने सूर्यदर्शनात्
Because the offerings are dedicated to Hari, and the meal is taken after seeing the sun,
भोजनावसरे चान्यस्पर्शदोषस्तु यद्भवेत्
If, at the time of eating, there is any fault of contact with others,
शुद्धस्यापि तथा त्यागात्पुण्यकाले हरिप्रिये
Even if one is pure, abstaining in this way at an auspicious time, O beloved of Hari,
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन धात्र्यां भोजनमाचरेत्
Therefore, with all effort, one should eat under the amalaki tree.
कार्तिके मासि वै विप्रो धात्रीमालां तु यो वहेत्
In the month of Kārtika, the brāhmaṇa who wears a garland of amalaki fruits,
धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य दीपमालार्पणं नरः
Taking shelter under the shade of the amalaki tree, a man should offer a row of lamps.
राधादामोदरौ पूज्यौ तुलस्यधो विशेषतः
Rādhā and Dāmodara are to be worshipped especially beneath the tulasī plant.