पुलोमतनया पूर्वं तताप परमं तपः
Formerly, the daughter of Puloman performed the highest austerity.
अपूपुजत्ततो मां सा भक्त्या परमया मुदा
Then she worshipped me with supreme devotion and great joy.
तद्गानेनातिसंतुष्टो मृदुना मधुरेण च
Highly pleased by her singing, gentle and sweet,
प्रोवाच तां वरं ब्रूहि प्रसन्नोस्मि पुलोमजे
I said to her, 'Ask for a boon, O daughter of Puloman, I am pleased.'
तं पूरय महादेव महादेवी महाप्रिय
Fulfill him, O Great God, O Great Goddess, greatly beloved.
सर्वदेवेषु यो मान्यः सर्वदेवेषु सुंदरः
He who is honored among all the gods, who is beautiful among all the gods.
यथाभिलषितं रूपं यथाभिलषितं सुखम्
May I have whatever form I desire, and whatever happiness I wish.
यदायदा च पत्या मे संगः स्याद्धृत्सुखेच्छया
Whenever union with my husband occurs, let it be with a wish for joy in heart.
सदा च लिंगपूजायां मम भक्तिरनुत्तमा 4.2.80.
And may I always have unsurpassed devotion to the worship of the liṅga.
भर्तुर्व्ययेपि वैधव्यं क्षणमात्रमपीह न
Even if my husband departs, may widowhood not be mine, not even for a moment, here.
समाकर्ण्य क्षणं स्मित्वा प्राहेशो विस्मयान्वितः
Hearing this, the Lord smiled for a moment and, filled with wonder, spoke.
ईश्वर उवाच पुलोमकन्ये यश्चैष त्वयाकारि मनोरथः
The Lord said: O daughter of Puloman, this wish you have made—
मनोरथतृतीयायाश्चरणेन भविष्यति
By the third step of this vow of desire, it shall come to pass.
तेन व्रतेन चीर्णेन महासौभाग्यदेन तु
By performing this vow, which bestows great good fortune—
कदा च तद्विधातव्यमिति कर्तव्यता च का
When should it be performed, and what is the proper procedure?
पूज्या विश्वभुजा गौरी भुजविंशतिशालिनी
Gaurī, who embraces the universe, who possesses twenty arms, should be worshipped.
वरदोऽभयहस्तश्च साक्षसूत्रः समोदकः
She grants boons, has a hand bestowing fearlessness, holds a rosary and a water-pot.
चैत्रशुक्ल तृतीयायां कृत्वा वै दंतधावनम् 4.2.80.
On the third day of the bright half of Caitra, after brushing the teeth—
नियमं चेति गृह्णीयाज्जितक्रोधो जितेंद्रियः
One should undertake discipline, being free from anger and with senses controlled.
प्रातर्व्रतं चरिष्यामि मातर्विश्वभुजेनघे
In the morning I will observe the vow, O sinless Mother who embraces the universe.
नियमं चेति संगृह्य स्वपेद्रात्रौ शुभं स्मरन्
Having undertaken discipline thus, one should sleep at night, remembering auspiciousness.
शौचमाचमनं कृत्वा दंतकाष्ठं समाददेत्
Having performed purification and sipping water, one should take a tooth-stick.
नित्यंतनं च निष्पाद्य विधिं विधिविदांवरः
Having performed the daily rite, the foremost among those who know the rituals—
आदौ विनायकं पूज्य घृतपूरान्निवेद्य च
First, worship Ganesha and offer sweet rice cooked with ghee.
अशोकवर्तिनैवेद्यैर्धूपैश्चागुरुसंभवैः
With offerings of aśoka-wick lamps and incense made from aguru wood—
अशोकवर्तिसहितैर्घृतपूरैर्मनोहरैः
With delightful sweet rice and aśoka-wick lamps together—
राधादिफाल्गुनांतासु तृतीयासु व्रतं चरेत्
One should observe the vow on the third day in the months from Chaitra to Phalguna.
अनुलेपनवस्तूनि कुसुमानि तथैव च 4.2.80.
The substances for anointing, and likewise the flowers—
अन्नानि चैकभक्तस्य शृणुतानि फलाप्तये
And the foods for one who eats only once—listen to them for the attainment of merit.
प्लक्षोदुंबरखर्जूरी बीजपूरी सदाडिमी
Plaksha, udumbara, kharjura, bijapuri, and pomegranate—