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,
कृत्वा तूदकदानं तु तथाऽर्घ्यस्य च दापनम्
And having performed the gift of water and likewise the offering of arghya,
वैयाघ्रपादगोत्राय सांकृत्य प्रवराय च 2.4.32.
To one of the lineage of Vaiyāghrapāda, and to one of noble ancestry,
वसूनामवताराय शंतनोरात्मजाय च
To the incarnation of the Vasus and the son of Shantanu,
अश्वमेधसमं पुण्यं प्राप्नोत्यत्र न संशयः
He attains merit equal to an Ashvamedha sacrifice—of this there is no doubt.
पंचाऽहमपि कर्तव्यं नियमं च प्रयत्नतः
The five-day observance must also be performed, and the discipline with care.
उत्तरायणहीनाय भीष्माय प्रददौ हरिः
Hari granted to Bhishma, who lacked the northern course.
ततः संपूजयेद्देवं सर्वपापहरं हरिम्
Then one should worship Hari, the remover of all sins.
स्नापयेत जलैर्भक्त्या मधुक्षीरघृतेन च
He should bathe Him with water in devotion, and with honey, milk, and ghee.
चन्दनेन सुगन्धेन कुमकुमेनाऽथ केशवम्
With fragrant sandalwood and saffron, one should worship Keśava.
अर्चयेद्रुचिरैः पुष्पैर्गंधधूपसमन्वितैः
He should offer worship with beautiful flowers, accompanied by incense and fragrant smoke.