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—
सिंदूरागुरु कस्तूरी चंदनं रक्तचंदनम्
Sindura, aguru, musk, sandalwood, and red sandalwood—
प्रीत्यानुलेपनं बाले यक्षकर्दमसंभवम्
The anointing for pleasing the maiden is made from yaksha-kardama.
कस्तूरिकाया द्वौ भागौ द्वौ भागौ कुंकुमस्य च
Two parts of musk and two parts of saffron—
यक्षकर्दम इत्येष समस्तसुरवल्लभः
This yaksha-kardama is dear to all the gods.
पाटला मल्लिका पद्म केतकी करवीरकः
Pāṭalā, jasmine, lotus, ketaki, and oleander—
कुमारीभिः कर्णिकारैरलाभेतच्छदैः सह
With young girls and karṇikāra flowers, along with tender bottle-gourd leaves—
करंभो दधिभक्तं च सचूतरसमंडकाः
Karaṃbha, curd-rice, and cakes made with mango juice—
समुद्गं सघृतं भक्तं कार्त्तिके विनिवेदयेत् 4.2.80.
One should offer samudga with ghee and cooked rice in the month of Kartika.
मुष्टिकाः शर्करागर्भाः सर्पिषा परिसाधिताः
Fistfuls filled with sugar and prepared with clarified butter—
निवेदयेद्यदन्नं हि एकभक्तपि तत्स्मृतम्
Whatever food is offered is considered the single meal for the vow.