** 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.
विधिर्मासोपवासस्य यथावत्परिकीर्तितः 2.4.30.
Thus the procedure for the month-long fast has been properly described.
ऋषिभ्यो वालखिल्यैश्च प्रोक्तं तं शृणु नारद
This was spoken by the Vālakhilya sages to the seers; listen to it, O Nārada.
पूर्वाऽपराह्णगा ग्राह्या क्रमाद्दानोपवासयोः
The times for giving and fasting should be taken in order, from forenoon to afternoon.
अत्र कूष्मांडकोनाम हतो दैत्यस्तु विष्णुना
Here, a demon named Kūṣmāṇḍa was slain by Viṣṇu.
तस्मात्कूष्मांडदानेन फलमाप्नोति निश्चितम्
Therefore, by giving a gourd, one certainly attains the fruit.
स्वशाखोक्तेन विधिना तुलस्याः करपीडनम्
According to the rule stated in one's own branch, the crushing of the tulasī leaf by hand.
कार्तिके शुक्लनवमीमवाप्य विजितेंद्रियः
On the ninth day of the bright fortnight in Kārtika, having gained mastery over the senses,
पूजयेद्विधिवद्भक्त्या व्रती तत्र दिनत्रयम्
The observer of the vow should worship there for three days, with proper procedure and devotion.
ग्राह्यं त्रिरात्रमत्रैव नवम्याद्यनुरोधतः
Here, a three-night observance is to be undertaken, beginning from the ninth day, as prescribed.
धात्र्यश्वत्थौ य एकत्र पालयित्वा समुद्वहेत्
Whoever raises together a dhātrī and an aśvattha tree in one place,