इदं धर्मेश्वराख्यानं यः श्रोष्यति नरोत्तमः
Whoever, O best of men, will hear this account of the Lord of Dharma,
श्राद्धकाले विशेषेण धर्मेशाख्यानमुत्तमम्
Especially at the time of ancestral rites, the supreme account of the Lord of Dharma,
धर्माख्यानमिदं शृण्वन्नपि दूरस्थितः सुधीः
Even one who is far away, if wise, hearing this account of Dharma,
राज्ञ्युवाच अवधेहि धरानाथ कथयामि यथातथम्
The king said: Hear, O Lord of the Earth, I will tell you exactly as it was.
पुरा पुरः श्रीदपत्न्याः श्रीमुख्या ब्रह्मसूनुना
Long ago, in front of the illustrious consort of the Lord of Wealth, the foremost among the beautiful, by the son of Brahma—
चीर्णं चाथ तया देव्या पुत्रोभून्नलकूबरः
Then, having performed austerities by that goddess, Nalakubara was born as her son.
विधिनाप्यत्र संपूज्या गौरी सर्वविधानवित्
Even here, Gauri is to be worshipped according to the prescribed rites by one who knows all rituals.
मार्गशीर्ष तृतीयायां शुक्लायां कलशोपरि
On the third day of the bright fortnight in the month of Margashirsha, upon a pot—
अविच्छिन्नं नवीनं च रजनीरागरंजितम्
Unbroken and new, adorned with night-blooming fragrance and colored,
तस्योपरि शुभं पद्मं रविरश्मिविकासितम्
Upon it, a beautiful lotus, blossoming by the rays of the sun,
विधिं संपूजयेद्भक्त्या रत्नपट्टाबंरादिभिः
One should worship the prescribed form with devotion, using jeweled cloths and other ornaments,
सुगंधैश्चंदनाद्यैश्च कर्पूर मृगनाभिभिः
With fine fragrances such as sandalwood, camphor, and musk,
धूपैरगुरुमुख्यैश्च रम्ये कुसुममंडपे 4.2.83.
With incense, chiefly agarwood, in a delightful pavilion of flowers.
हस्तमात्रमिते कुंडे जातवेदस इत्यृचा
In a pit measuring a hand's breadth, with the Jātavedas hymn,
सहस्रकमलानां च स्मेराणां स्वयमेव हि
Of a thousand lotuses, smiling, by oneself indeed,
दद्यादाचार्यवर्याय सालंकारां सलक्षणाम्
One should give to the distinguished teacher a lotus adorned and marked,
प्रातःस्नात्वा चतुर्थ्यां च संपूज्याचार्यमादृतः
Having bathed in the morning on the fourth day, one should respectfully worship the teacher,
सोपस्करां च तां मृर्तिमाचार्याय निवेदयेत्
One should present that image, complete with its accessories, to the teacher.
नमो विश्वविधानज्ञे विधे विविधकारिणि
Salutations to the knower of the world's order, to the creator who performs various deeds.
सहसं भोजयित्वाथ द्विजानां भक्तिपूर्वकम्
Then, having fed the twice-born with devotion,
इत्थमेतद्व्रतं राजंश्चिकीर्षामि त्वया सह
Thus, O king, I wish to undertake this vow together with you.
इति भूपालवर्येण श्रुत्वा संहृष्टचेतसा
Having heard this from the distinguished king, with a heart filled with joy—
तयाथ प्रार्थिता गौरी गर्भिण्या भक्तितोषिता 4.2.83.
Thus, when requested by her, Gaurī, pleased by the devotion of the pregnant woman, granted her wish.
जातमात्रो व्रजेत्स्वर्गं पुनगयाति चात्र वै
As soon as he is born, he will go to heaven, and then return here again.
विनैव स्तन्यपानेन षोडशाब्दाकृतिः क्षणात्
Without even drinking milk, in an instant he will assume the form of a sixteen-year-old.
मृडान्यापि तथेत्युक्ता राज्ञी भक्त्यातितुष्टया
By Mṛḍānī's assent, spoken thus, the queen was greatly satisfied through devotion.
हितैरमात्यैरथ सा विज्ञप्तारिष्टसंस्थिता
Then, as she was afflicted by misfortune, she was advised by her well-meaning ministers.
सा मंत्रिवाक्यमाकर्ण्य केवलं पतिदेवता
Hearing the words of her ministers, she regarded only her husband as her deity.
धात्रेयिकां समाकार्य प्राहेदं सा नृपांगना
Summoning the nurse, the royal lady spoke these words to her.
तदग्रे स्थापयित्वामुं बालं धात्रेयिके वद
Placing the child before her, she said to the nurse: