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,
कनकस्य सुता पूर्वमेकादश्यां किशोरिका
The daughter of Kanaka, a young maiden, on the eleventh day before,
तेन वैधव्यदोषेण निर्मुक्ताऽऽसीत्सुलोचना 2.4.31.
By that, Sulocanā was freed from the fault of widowhood.
अवश्यमेव कर्तव्यः प्रतिवर्षं तु वैष्णवैः।। विधिं तस्य प्रवक्ष्यामि यथा सांगा क्रिया भवेत
This must certainly be performed every year by Vaiṣṇavas; I shall now explain the procedure so that the rite is complete in all respects.
विष्णोस्तु प्रतिमां कुर्यात्पलस्य स्वर्णजां शुभाम्
One should make an auspicious image of Viṣṇu from gold, of the weight of a leaf.
प्राणप्रतिष्ठां कृत्वैव तुलसीविष्णुरूपयोः
Having performed the rite of infusing life into both the forms of Tulasī and Viṣṇu,
उपचारैः षोडशभिः पूजयेत्पुरुषोक्तिभिः
He should worship with sixteen offerings, reciting the prescribed hymns.
पुण्याहं वाचयित्वाथ नांदीश्राद्धं समाचरेत्
After having the auspicious day proclaimed, one should then perform the Nāndīśrāddha ritual.
तुलसीनिकटे सा तु स्थाप्या चांऽतर्हिता पटैः
She should be placed near the Tulasī plant, concealed with cloths.
तुभ्यं दास्यामि तुलसीं सर्वकामप्रदो भव
I shall give you Tulasī; may you become the fulfiller of all desires.
तत आचमनीयं च त्रिरुक्त्वा च प्रदापयेत्
Then, having recited the ācamana formula three times, one should offer it.