वर्णधर्माणि चान्यानि निशामय निशाचर
Now listen, O night-wanderer, to the other duties of the classes.
क्षत्रियस्यापि कथिता ये चाचारा द्विजस्य हि
The practices prescribed for the Kṣatriya are also those for the twice-born.
गार्हस्थ्ययमुत्तमं त्वेकं शूद्रस्य क्षणदाचर
For a Śūdra, there is only one supreme observance of the householder's stage, to be practiced at night.
यो हापयति तस्यासौ परिकुप्यति भास्करः
If one neglects this, the Sun becomes angry with him.
भानुर्वै यतते तस्य नरस्य क्षणदाचर
The Sun indeed strives for the sake of that man who observes the night-time practice.
यः संत्यजेच्चापि निजं हि धर्मं तस्मै प्रकुप्येत दिवाकरस्तु
But if someone abandons his own proper duty, then the Sun becomes angry with him.
जगाम चोत्पत्य पुरं स्वकीयं मुहुर्मुहुर्धर्ममवेक्षमाणः
He departed, returning again and again to his own city, continually reflecting on righteousness.
सम्हूयाब्रवीत् सर्वान् राक्षसान् धार्मिकं वचः
He summoned all the Rākṣasas and spoke righteous words.
दानं दया च क्षान्तिश्व ब्रह्मचर्यममानिता
Charity, compassion, forbearance, celibacy, and humility—
सदाचारनिषेवित्वं परलोकप्रदायकाः
Practicing good conduct leads to the attainment of the next world.
सोहमाज्ञापये सर्वान् क्रियतामविकल्पतः
Therefore, I command all of you: let this be done without exception.
त्रयोदशाङ्गं ते धर्म चक्रुर्मुदितमानसाः
They established that thirteenfold dharma, their minds filled with joy.
पुत्रपौत्रार्थसंयुक्ताः सदाटारसमन्विताः
Endowed with sons and grandsons, always accompanied by their wives,
गन्तुं नाशक्तुवन् सूर्यो नक्षत्राणि न चन्द्रमाः
The Sun was unable to go forth, nor the stars, nor the Moon.
दिवा चन्द्रस्य सदृशः क्षणदायां च सूर्यवत्
By day he was like the Moon, and at night like the Sun.
शशङ्कमिति तेजस्त्वादमन्यन्त पुरोत्तमम्
They thought that the foremost brilliance was the Moon.
रात्रौ विकसिता ब्रह्मन् विभूतिं दातुमीप्सवः
O Brāhmaṇa, at night, desiring to bestow their glory, they blossomed forth.
तान् वायसास्तदा ज्ञात्वा दिवा निघ्नन्ति कौशिकान्
Then, knowing this, the crows would kill the Kauśikas by day.
आकण्ठमग्नास्तिष्ठन्ति रात्रौ ज्ञात्वाथ वासरम्
At night, knowing it was day, they would remain submerged up to their necks.
मन्मानास्तु दिवसमिदमुच्चैर्ब्रुवन्ति च
Their minds fixed on me, they loudly proclaim this throughout the day.
उत्सृष्टं जीवितं शून्ये फूत्कृत्य सरितस्तटे
Life was abandoned in emptiness, with a cry, on the riverbank.
संतापयञ्जगत् सर्वं नास्तमेति कथञ्चन
Afflicting the whole world, it never sets at all.
तत्कान्तया तपस्तप्तं भर्तृशोकार्त्तया बत
By her, tormented by grief for her husband, severe austerity was performed.
तेनासौ शशिनिर्जेता नास्तमेति रविर्ध्रुवम्
Because of this, the moon overcomes the sun, which certainly does not set.
प्रावर्त्तयन्त कर्माणि रात्रावपि महामुने
They performed rites even at night, O great sage.
रवौ शशिनि चैवान्ये ब्रह्मणो ऽन्ये हरस्य च
Some for the Sun, some for the Moon, others for Brahma, and others for Hara.
यदियं रजनी रम्या कृता सततकौमुदी
If this night is delightful, made ever luminous by moonlight,
निर्व्याजेन महागन्धैरर्चितः कुसुमैः शुभैः
He is worshipped with pure flowers, with great and genuine fragrances.
अशून्यशयना नाम द्वितीया सर्वकामदा
The second, called 'Unempty Bed', grants all desires.
अशून्यं च महाभोगैरनस्तमितशेखरम्
Unempty with great enjoyments, with an undiminished crest.