एवं विसृज्य देवेशमाचार्याय प्रदापयेत्
Thus, after dismissing the Lord of the gods, one should have it given to the teacher.
प्रतिवर्षं तु यः कुर्यात्तुलसीकरपीडनम् इहलोके परत्राऽपि विपुलं च यशो लभेत् ।। 2.4.31.
Whoever performs the pressing of the tulasī stalk every year, attains great fame in this world and the next.
एकादश्यां तु गृह्णीयाद्व्रतं पंचदिनात्मकम्
On the eleventh day, one should undertake a vow lasting five days.
शरपंजरसुप्तेन भीष्मेण तु महात्मना कथिता पांडुदायादैः कृष्णेनाऽपि श्रुतास्तदा
This was explained by the great-souled Bhishma, lying on the bed of arrows, and was heard at that time by the Pandavas and also by Krishna.
ततः प्रीतेन मनसा वासुदेवेन भाषितम्
Then, with a pleased mind, Vasudeva spoke.
एकादश्यां कार्तिकस्य याचितं च जलं त्वया
On the eleventh day of Kartika, you requested water.
तुष्टानि तव गात्राणि तस्मादद्यदिनावधि
Your limbs have been satisfied from that day onward.
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन मम संतुष्टिकारकम्
Therefore, by every effort, do that which brings satisfaction to me.
कार्तिकस्य व्रतं कृत्वा न कुर्याद्भीष्मपंचकम्
Having performed the vow of Kartika, one should not neglect the Bhishma Panchaka.
अशक्तश्चेन्नरो भूयादसमर्थश्च कार्तिके
If a man is unable or incapable during Kartika—
सत्यव्रताय शुचये गांगेयाय महात्मने
—to the truthful, pure, and great-souled son of Ganga—
सव्येनाऽनेन मंत्रेण तर्पणं सार्ववर्णिकम् ।। 2.4.32.
—with the left hand, using this mantra, one should offer libations for all classes.
व्रतांगत्वात्पूर्णिमायां प्रदेयः पापपूरुषः
Because it is part of the vow, on the full moon one should give away a sinful person.
यः पुत्रार्थं व्रतं कुर्यात्सस्त्रीको भीष्मपञ्चकम्
Whoever, desiring a son, performs the Bhishma Panchaka vow together with his wife—
अवश्यमेव कर्तव्यं तस्माद्भीष्मस्य पंचकम्
—must certainly perform the five days of Bhishma.
कार्तिकेयाय रुद्रेण पुरा प्रोक्तः सविस्तरात्
Long ago, Rudra explained this in detail to Kartikeya.
भीष्मेणैतद्यतः प्राप्तं व्रतं पञ्चदिनात्मकम्
This five-day vow was thus obtained from Bhishma.
सकाशाद्वासुदेवस्य तेनोक्तं भीष्मपञ्चकम्
From Vasudeva it was declared as the Bhishma Panchaka.
कार्तिके शुक्लपक्षे तु शृणु धर्मं पुरातनम्
Now hear the ancient dharma for the bright fortnight of Kartika.
अम्बरीषेण भोगाद्यैश्चीर्णं त्रेतायुगादिषु
It was practiced by Ambarisha, with enjoyments and other means, in the early Treta Yuga.
क्षत्रियैश्च तथा वैश्यैः सत्यशौचपरायणैः
By Kshatriyas and likewise by Vaishyas devoted to truth and purity,
दुष्करं भीष्ममित्याहुर्न शक्यं प्राकृतैर्नरैः 2.4.32.
It is said to be difficult and formidable, not possible for ordinary men.
व्रतं चैतन्महापुण्यं महापातकनाशनम्
And this vow, highly meritorious, destroys great sins.
कार्तिकस्याऽमले पक्षे स्नात्वा सम्यग्विधानतः
In the pure fortnight of Kartika, after bathing properly according to the rules,
प्रातः स्नात्वा विशेषेण मध्याह्ने च तथा व्रती
Bathing in the morning especially, and also at midday, the votary,
यवव्रीहितिलैः सम्यक्पितॄन्संतर्पयेत्क्रमात्
Should duly satisfy the ancestors in order with barley, rice, and sesame.
भीष्मायोदकदानं च अर्घ्यं चैव प्रयत्नतः
And with care, offer water and arghya to Bhishma.
पंचरत्नं विशेषेण दत्त्वा विप्राय यत्नतः
Especially, with effort, give the five gems to a Brahmin.
पञ्चके पूजयित्वा तु कोटिजन्मानि तुष्यति
Having worshipped during the five days, he pleases for ten million births.
यत्किंचिद्ददते मर्त्यः पंचधातुप्रकल्पितम्
Whatever a mortal gives, made from the five metals,