यथा गंगाऽवगाहेन शरीरं पावनं भवेत् 4.1.4.
Just as by bathing in the Ganga the body becomes pure—
अनुयाति न भर्तारं यदि दैवात्कथंचन
If, by fate, a wife does not follow her husband in any way—
तद्वैगुण्यादपिस्वर्गात्पतिः पतति नान्यथा
Because of that fault, the husband falls from heaven, not otherwise.
पत्यौ मृते च यायोषिद्वैधव्यं पालयेत्क्वचित्
And if the husband dies, a woman should observe widowhood in every way.
विधवा कबरीबंधो भर्तृबंधाय जायते
A widow, with her hair unbound, is born for the bondage of her husband.
एकाहारः सदा कार्यो न द्वितीयं कदाचन
She should always eat only once a day, never a second time.
मासोपवासं वा कुर्याच्चांद्रायणमथापि वा
She may observe a monthly fast, or else the Chandrayana vow.
यवान्नैर्वा फलाहारैः शाकाहारैः पयोव्रतैः
She may subsist on barley food, fruits, vegetables, or milk vows.
पर्यंकशायिनी नारी वि धवा पातयेत्पतिम्
A widow who sleeps on a couch causes the downfall of her husband.
न चांगोद्वर्तनं कार्यं स्त्रिया विधवया क्वचित्
A widow should never apply oil to her body.
तर्पणं प्रत्यहं कार्यं भर्तुः कुशतिलोदकैः 4.1.4.
She should perform daily libations for her husband with water, kusa grass, and sesame.
विष्णोस्तु पूजनं कार्यं पति बुद्ध्या न चान्यथा
She should worship Vishnu with the thought of her husband, not otherwise.
यद्यदिष्टतमं लोके यच्च पत्युः समीहितम्
Whatever is most desired in the world, and whatever is wished by her husband,
वैशाखे कार्तिके माघे विशेषनियमांश्चरेत्
She should observe special vows in the months of Vaisakha, Kartika, and Magha.
वैशाखे जलकुंभांश्च कार्तिके घृतदीपकाः
In Vaisakha, water pots; in Kartika, lamps of ghee should be offered.
प्रपा कार्या च वैशाखे देवे देया गलंतिका
A water station should be established in Vaisakha, and garlands given to the gods.
सकर्पूरं च तांबूलं पुष्पदानं तथैव च
Camphor, betel, and the offering of flowers should likewise be given.
पानानि च विचित्राणि द्राक्षा रंभा फलानि च
Various drinks, grapes, bananas, and fruits should be offered.
ऊर्जे यवान्नमश्नीयादेकान्नमथवा पुनः
In the month of Urja, she should eat barley food, or a single meal again.
कार्तिके वर्जयेत्तैलं कार्तिके वर्जये न्मधु
In Kartika, she should avoid oil; in Kartika, she should avoid honey.
कार्तिके मौननियमे घंटां चारु प्रदापयेत 4.1.4.
During the vow of silence in Kartika, she should give a beautiful bell.
भूमिशय्याव्रते देया शय्या श्लक्ष्णा सतूलिका
During the vow of sleeping on the ground, a soft bed with a pillow should be given.
धान्यत्यागे च तद्धान्यमथवा शालयः स्मृताः
When grain is given up, that grain is considered as rice.
एकतः सर्वदानानि दीपदानं तथैकतः
On one side are all gifts, and on the other, the gift of a lamp.
किंचिदभ्युदिते सूर्ये माघस्नानं समाचरेत्
One should perform the Māgha bath when the sun has just risen.
पक्वान्नैर्भो जयेद्विप्रान्यतिनोपि तपस्विनः
By offering cooked food, one surpasses even learned and austere brahmins.
घृतपक्वैः समीरचैः शुचिकर्पूरवासितैः
With food cooked in ghee, fragrant with breezes, and scented with pure camphor.
शुष्केंधनानां भारांश्च दद्याच्छीतापनुत्तये
One should give bundles of dry firewood to drive away the cold.
मंजिष्ठा रक्तवासांसि तथा तूलवतीं पटीम्
Madder-dyed red garments and also a cotton-filled cloth.
कंबलानि विचित्राणि निर्वातानि गृहाणि च
Variegated blankets, windproof houses as well.