अपहृत्य परद्रव्यं पुण्यकर्म करोति यः 2.4.30.
He who, having taken another's property, performs acts of merit—
नापकृत्य ऋणं यस्तु परस्य म्रियते नरः
A man who dies without repaying a debt owed to another—
बुद्धिदाताऽनुमन्ता च यश्चोपकरणप्रदः
The giver of counsel, the one who consents, and he who provides the means—
प्रजाभ्यः पुण्यपापानां राजा षष्ठांशमुद्धरेत्
The king should take a sixth part from the merits and demerits of his subjects.
स्वपतेरपि पुण्यस्य योषिदर्धमवाप्नुयात्
Even a wife receives half the merit of her husband's virtuous deeds.
परहस्तेन दानादि कुर्वतः पुण्यकर्मणः
When acts of merit such as giving are performed by another's hand—
वृत्तिदो वृत्तिसंभोक्तुः पुण्यं षष्ठांशमुद्धरेत्
The provider of livelihood should take a sixth part of the merit from the one who enjoys that livelihood.
इत्थं ह्यदत्तान्यपि पुण्यपापान्यायांति नित्यं परसंचितानि
Thus, even unperformed merits and demerits, accumulated by others, always come to pass.
कलौ ज्ञानं दृढं नास्ति कलौ गर्वेण सत्क्रिया
In the Kali age, firm knowledge does not exist; in Kali, pride destroys proper conduct.
तपोनिष्ठः पुरा दम्भी सती शुद्धप्रभावतः
Formerly, those devoted to austerity were sincere, and the virtuous shone with pure influence.
** नारद उवाच भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि व्रतानामुत्तमं व्रतम् 2.4.30.
Nārada said: O Lord, I wish to hear about the supreme vow among all vows.
ब्रह्मोवाच साधु नारद सर्वं ते यत्पृष्टं प्रब्रुवेऽनघ
Brahmā said: Well asked, Nārada! I shall tell you everything you have inquired, O sinless one.
सुराणां च यथा विष्णुस्तपतां च यथा रविः
As Viṣṇu is among the gods, as the sun is among those who practice austerity—
श्रेष्ठं सर्वव्रतानां तु तद्वन्मासोपवासनम्
So, among all vows, the best is the monthly fast, just like them.
सर्वदानोद्भवं चैव यज्ञैश्च भूरिदक्षिणैः
It arises from all acts of giving, and from sacrifices with abundant gifts.
गुरोराज्ञां ततो लब्ध्वा कुर्यान्मासोपवासनम्
Having received the teacher's command, one should undertake the monthly fast.
मासोपवासं कुर्वीत ज्ञात्वा देहबलाऽबलम्
One should perform the monthly fast, knowing one's bodily strength and weakness.
मासोपवासं कुर्वीत गुरोर्विप्राज्ञया ततः
One should perform the monthly fast according to the instruction of the teacher or a learned Brāhmaṇa.
व्रतमेतत्तु गृह्णीयाद्यावत्त्रिंशद्दिनानि तु
This vow should be observed for thirty days.
नैवेद्यधूपदीपाद्यैः पुष्पैर्नानाविधैरपि
With various offerings such as food, incense, lamps, and many kinds of flowers.
नरः स्वधर्मनिरतः सधवा च जितेन्द्रिया 2.4.30.
A man devoted to his own duty, and a chaste woman who has mastered her senses.
वस्त्वालोकनगन्धादिस्वादितं परिकीर्तितम्
The enjoyment of objects through seeing, smelling, and so on, is declared here.
गात्राभ्यंगं शिरोभ्यंगं तांबूलं सविलेपनम्
Oiling of the body and head, betel with ointments—
न व्रतस्थः स्पृशेत्कंचिद्विकर्मस्थं न चालपेत्
One observing the vow should not touch anyone engaged in improper acts, nor converse with them.
कृत्वा मासोपवासं तु यथोक्तविधिना नरः
Having completed a month of fasting according to the prescribed rule,
ततोऽर्चयेदेव पुण्यं द्वादश्यां गरुडध्वजम्
Then, on the twelfth day, he should worship the blessed Garuḍa-bannered One.
दद्याच्च दक्षिणां तेभ्यः प्रणिपत्य क्षमापयेत्
He should give gifts to them, bowing down, and ask for forgiveness.
एवं मासोपवासांते वृत्वा विप्रांस्त्रयोदश
Thus, at the end of the month-long fast, having invited thirteen Brāhmaṇas,
ततोऽनुभोजयेद्विप्रान्नमस्कारपुरःसरम्
Then he should feed the Brāhmaṇas, with reverence and salutation.
योगपट्टानि सूत्राणि शय्यां सोपस्करां तथा
He should give yogapaṭṭas, sacred threads, and a bed with its furnishings.