ऋत्विजां मनसस्तुष्टिः कार्या वित्तानुमानतः
The satisfaction of the priests' minds should be ensured by estimating their wealth.
पूजनीयौ प्रयत्नेन वस्त्रैश्च द्विजदंपती
The twice-born couple must be honored with effort and with garments.
प्रतिमाश्च प्रदातव्या द्विजेभ्यो धेनुपूर्विकाः दातव्यं चंद्रसुप्रीत्यै हर्षादेवं द्विजन्मने ।। 2.8.3.
Images, preceded by a cow, should be given to the Brahmins; and gifts should be made to the twice-born for the delight of the moon, with joy.
उपवासविधानेन दिनशेषं नयेत्सुधीः बांधवैः सह भुञ्जीत नियमं च विसर्ज्जयेत्
The wise should spend the remainder of the day in fasting; he may eat with relatives and then relinquish the observance.
एवं च कुरुते चंद्रसहस्रं व्रतमुत्तमम् व्रतेनानेन शुद्धात्मा चंद्रलोकं व्रजेन्नरः
Thus, one performs the excellent vow of a thousand moons; by this vow, the pure-hearted man attains the world of the moon.
यादृशश्च भवेद्विप्र प्रियो नारायणस्य च
O Brahmin, as dear as one is to Narayana, so shall he be.
देवो धर्महरिर्न्नाम कलिकल्मषनाशकः
The god named Dharma-Hari destroys the impurities of the Kali age.
वेदवेदाङ्गतत्त्वज्ञः स्वकर्मपरिनिष्ठितः
He knows the essence of the Vedas and their branches, and is accomplished in his own duties.
आगत्य च चकारोच्चैर्यात्रां तत्रादरेण सः
Having arrived, he performed a grand procession there with reverence.
विधाय स्वभुजावूर्ध्वौ विप्रोऽवोचन्मुदान्वितः
Raising both his arms, the Brahmin joyfully spoke.
अयोध्यासदृशी कापि दृश्यते नापरा पुरी
No other city is seen that is equal to Ayodhya.
यस्यां स्थितो हरिः साक्षात्सेयं केनोपमीयते
Hari himself dwells in it; with what can it be compared?
अहो विष्णुरहो तीर्थमयोध्याऽहो महापुरी
Ah, Vishnu! Ah, the holy place! Ah, Ayodhya! Ah, the great city!
इत्युक्त्वा तत्र बहुशो ननर्त प्रमदाकुलः
Having said this many times, he danced, overwhelmed with joy.
तं तथा नर्तमानं वै धर्मं दृष्ट्वा कृपान्वितः तं प्रणम्य च धर्मोऽथ तुष्टाव हरिमादरात्
Seeing Dharma dancing thus, moved by compassion, Dharma bowed to him and then praised Hari with reverence.
नमः शंकरसंस्पृष्टदिव्यपादाय विष्णवे ।। 2.8.4.
Salutations to Vishnu, whose divine feet are touched by Shankara.
भक्त्यार्च्चितसुपादाय नमोऽजादिप्रियाय ते
Salutations to you, whose feet are worshipped with devotion, beloved of Brahma and others.
नमोऽरविन्दपादाय पद्मनाभाय वै नमः
Salutations to the lotus feet, and to Padmanabha, indeed, salutations.
ॐ नमो योगनिद्राय योगर्क्षैर्भावितात्मने
Om, reverence to Yoga-Nidra, whose soul is contemplated by the luminaries of yoga.
सुकेशाय सुनासाय सुललाटाय चक्रिणे
To the one with beautiful hair, fine nose, lovely forehead, and bearer of the discus.
सुबाहवे नमस्तुभ्यं चारुजंघाय ते नमः
To you with handsome arms, I bow; to you with graceful thighs, I offer my salutations.
केशवाय च शांताय वामनाय नमोनमः
Repeated homage to Keśava, the peaceful one, the dwarf.
उवाच स हृषीकेशः प्रीतो धर्ममुदारधीः
Then Hṛṣīkeśa, pleased and noble-minded, spoke about dharma.
वरं वरय धर्मज्ञ यस्ते स्यान्मनसः प्रियः
Ask for a boon, O knower of dharma, whatever would be dear to your heart.
स्तोत्रेणानेन यः स्तौति मानवो मामतन्द्रितः
Whoever, without sloth, praises me with this hymn,
त्वामहं स्थापयाम्यत्र निजनाम्ना जगद्गुरो ।। 2.8.4.
I establish you here, O teacher of the world, by your own name.
स्मरणादेव मुच्येत नरो धर्महरेर्विभोः
By mere remembrance, a man is freed from the sins of Dharma Hari, the mighty.
सरयूसलिले स्नात्वा सुचिंताकुलमानसः
Having bathed in the waters of the Sarayu, with a mind free from impure thoughts,
अत्र दानं तथा होमं जपो ब्राह्मणभोजनम्
Here, giving gifts, performing homa, reciting japa, and feeding Brahmins—
अज्ञानाज्ज्ञानतो वापि यत्किंचिद्दुष्कृतं भवेत्
Whatever sin may arise, whether knowingly or unknowingly,