पुण्यव्रतं कृतवती तत्सर्वं कथयामि ते
You performed a meritorious vow; I will tell you all of it.
आत्रेयो देवशर्मेति वेदवेदांगपारगः
Ātreya, known as Devaśarman, accomplished in the Vedas and their auxiliaries.
अपुत्रः स स्वशिष्याय चंद्रनाम्ने ददौ सुताम्
Being without a son, he gave his daughter in marriage to his disciple named Candra.
तौ कदाचिद्वनं यातौ कुशेध्माहरणार्थिनौ
Once, the two of them went to the forest to gather sacred firewood.
स्वस्वपुण्य प्रभावेन विष्णुलोकं गतावुभौ
By the power of their own merits, both attained the world of Vishnu.
पितृभर्तृजदुःखार्ता कारुण्यं पर्यदेवयत् 2.4.13.
Afflicted by the sorrow of losing her father and husband, she lamented in compassion.
तयोश्चक्रे यथाशक्ति पारलौकीं ततः क्रियाम्
She performed, as best as she could, the prescribed rites for the departed.
व्रतद्वयं तया सम्यगाजन्ममरणात्कृतम्
She properly observed two vows from birth to death.
इत्थं गुणवती सम्यक्प्रत्यब्द व्रतिनी ह्यभूत्
Thus, endowed with virtue, she became a steadfast observer of vows every year.
स्नातुं गंगां गता कांते कथंचिच्छनकैस्तदा
Once, she went to the Ganga to bathe, accompanied by a few companions.
तावत्सा विह्वलाऽपश्यद्विमानं यातमंबरात्
Then, overwhelmed, she saw a celestial chariot descending from the sky.
कार्तिकव्रतपुण्येन मत्सान्निध्यं गताऽभवत्
By the merit of observing the Kartika vow, she attained my presence.
आगतोऽहं गणाः सर्वे यातास्तेऽपि मया सह
I have arrived, and all the hosts have also come with me.
पिता ते देवशर्माऽभूत्सत्राजिदभिधो ह्ययम्
Your father was Devaśarman, also known as Satrājit.
कार्तिकव्रतपुण्येन बहु मत्प्रीतिदायिनी
By the merit of the Kartika vow, you have given me much delight.
तस्मादयं कल्पवृक्षस्तवांगणगतः शुभे 2.4.13.
Therefore, O auspicious one, this wish-fulfilling tree has appeared in your courtyard.
कदाचिदपि तेन त्वं मद्वियोगं न यास्यसि सत्योवाच मासानां तु कथं नाम स मासः कार्तिको वरः
By this, you will never experience separation from me, not even for a moment. But tell me, how is the month of Kartika so excellent among months?
प्रियस्ते देवदेवेश कारणं तत्र कथ्यताम् श्रीकृष्ण उवाच साधु पृष्टं त्वया कांते शृणुष्वैकाग्रमानसा
Your beloved, the Lord of gods, is here; let the reason for this be told. Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: Well asked, O beloved; listen with focused mind.
पृथोर्वैन्यस्य संवादं महर्षेर्नारदस्य च
Hear the conversation between King Pṛthu, son of Vena, and the great sage Nārada.
इन्द्रादिलोकपालानामधिकाराञ्जहार ह
He took away the authority of Indra and the other guardians of the worlds.
सुवर्णाद्रिगुहादुर्गसंस्थितास्त्रिदशादयः
The gods and others, dwelling in the caves and fortresses of the golden mountain,
हृताधिकारास्त्रिदशा मया यद्यपि निर्जिताः
Though conquered by me, the gods have been deprived of their authority.
ज्ञातं तत्तु मया देवा वेदमन्त्रबलान्विताः
But I have come to know that these gods possess the power of Vedic mantras.
इति मत्वा ततो दैत्यो विष्णुमालक्ष्य निद्रितम्
Thinking thus, the demon, seeing Vishnu asleep,
नीतास्तु तेन ते वेदास्तद्भयात्ते निराक्रमन्
Took away the Vedas, and out of fear of him, they departed.
तान्मार्गमाणः शंखोऽपि समुद्रांतर्गतो भ्रमन् अथ देवैः स्तुतो विष्णुर्बोधितस्तानुवाच ह 2.4.13.
While searching for them, Shankha too wandered within the ocean; then, praised by the gods, Vishnu was awakened and spoke to them.
ऊर्जस्य शुक्लैकादश्यां भवद्भिः प्रतिबोधितः
On the bright eleventh day of the month of Urja, you awakened me.
वेदाः शंखहृताः सर्वे तिष्ठंत्युदकसंस्थिताः
All the Vedas, taken by Shankha, remain situated in the water.
अद्यप्रभृति वेदास्तु मंत्रबीजसमन्विताः
From today onward, the Vedas are endowed with the seeds of mantras.
कालेऽस्मिन्ये प्रकुर्वंति प्रातःस्नानं नरोत्तमाः
At this time, the best of men perform their morning bath.