Adhyaya 19

Verse 1

श्रीराजोवाच व्रतं पुंसवनं ब्रह्मन् भवता यदुदीरितम् । तस्य वेदितुमिच्छामि येन विष्णु: प्रसीदति ॥ १ ॥

Mahārāja Parīkṣit said: O brāhmaṇa, you have spoken of the puṁsavana vow. Now I wish to know it in detail, for by observing it one pleases the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu.

Verse 2

श्रीशुक उवाच शुक्ले मार्गशिरे पक्षे योषिद्भ‍‌र्तुरनुज्ञया । आरभेत व्रतमिदं सार्वकामिकमादित: ॥ २ ॥ निशम्य मरुतां जन्म ब्राह्मणाननुमन्‍त्र्‍य च । स्‍नात्वा शुक्लदती शुक्ले वसीतालङ्‌कृताम्बरे । पूजयेत्प्रातराशात्प्राग्भगवन्तं श्रिया सह ॥ ३ ॥

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: On the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Mārgaśīrṣa (Agrahāyaṇa), with her husband’s permission, a woman should begin this vow of austerity and devotional service, for it fulfills all desires. Before worshiping Lord Viṣṇu, she should hear the account of the Maruts’ birth; under the guidance of qualified brāhmaṇas, in the morning she should cleanse her teeth, bathe, dress in white cloth and ornaments, and before breakfast worship Bhagavān Viṣṇu together with Śrī Lakṣmī.

Verse 3

श्रीशुक उवाच शुक्ले मार्गशिरे पक्षे योषिद्भ‍‌र्तुरनुज्ञया । आरभेत व्रतमिदं सार्वकामिकमादित: ॥ २ ॥ निशम्य मरुतां जन्म ब्राह्मणाननुमन्‍त्र्‍य च । स्‍नात्वा शुक्लदती शुक्ले वसीतालङ्‌कृताम्बरे । पूजयेत्प्रातराशात्प्राग्भगवन्तं श्रिया सह ॥ ३ ॥

On the pratipadā day of the bright fortnight of Mārgaśīrṣa, with her husband’s permission, a woman should begin this vow that grants the fulfillment of all desires. Having heard the narration of the Maruts’ birth and received the sanction of brāhmaṇas, she should in the morning cleanse her teeth, bathe, put on white garments and ornaments, and before breakfast worship Viṣṇu Bhagavān together with Śrī Lakṣmī in devotion.

Verse 4

अलं ते निरपेक्षाय पूर्णकाम नमोऽस्तु ते । महाविभूतिपतये नम: सकलसिद्धये ॥ ४ ॥

O Lord, fully satisfied and needing nothing, I offer You my respectful obeisances. Master of great opulence, husband of Śrī Lakṣmī, Lord of all mystic siddhis—I bow to You again and again.

Verse 5

यथा त्वं कृपया भूत्या तेजसा महिमौजसा । जुष्ट ईश गुणै: सर्वैस्ततोऽसि भगवान् प्रभु: ॥ ५ ॥

O Lord, because You are endowed with causeless mercy, all opulences, prowess, glory, strength, and every transcendental quality, You are Bhagavān—the supreme master of all.

Verse 6

विष्णुपत्नि महामाये महापुरुषलक्षणे । प्रीयेथा मे महाभागे लोकमातर्नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ ६ ॥

O wife of Viṣṇu, O Mahāmāyā, bearer of the marks of the Mahāpuruṣa! O most fortunate goddess, please be pleased with me. O Mother of the worlds, I offer you my respectful obeisances.

Verse 7

ॐ नमो भगवते महापुरुषाय महानुभावाय महाविभूतिपतये सह महाविभूतिभिर्बलिमुपहरामीति । अनेनाहरहर्मन्त्रेण विष्णोरावाहनार्घ्यपाद्योपस्पर्शनस्‍नानवासउपवीतविभूषणगन्धपुष्पधूप दीपोपहाराद्युपचारान् सुसमाहितोपाहरेत् ॥ ७ ॥

Oṁ, I bow to the Blessed Lord, the Mahā-puruṣa, the supremely glorious Master of all great opulences; together with His exalted associates such as Viśvaksena, I offer this worshipful tribute. Chanting this mantra daily with steady attention, one should invoke Lord Viṣṇu and present arghya, water for His feet and for sipping, water for His bath, garments, the sacred thread, ornaments, fragrances, flowers, incense, lamps, and all other devotional services.

Verse 8

हवि:शेषं च जुहुयादनले द्वादशाहुती: । ॐ नमो भगवते महापुरुषाय महाविभूतिपतये स्वाहेति ॥ ८ ॥

Then one should offer the remaining havis into the sacred fire as twelve oblations, chanting each time: “oṁ namo bhagavate mahā-puruṣāya mahā-vibhūti-pataye svāhā.”

Verse 9

श्रियं विष्णुं च वरदावाशिषां प्रभवावुभौ । भक्त्या सम्पूजयेन्नित्यं यदीच्छेत्सर्वसम्पद: ॥ ९ ॥

If one desires all opulences, one should daily worship Lord Viṣṇu together with Śrī Lakṣmī, with devoted bhakti and according to the prescribed method. Viṣṇu and the Goddess of Fortune are supremely powerful together—the bestowers of all boons and the very source of auspicious prosperity; therefore everyone should adore Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa.

Verse 10

प्रणमेद्दण्डवद्भ‍ूमौ भक्तिप्रह्वेण चेतसा । दशवारं जपेन्मन्त्रं तत: स्तोत्रमुदीरयेत् ॥ १० ॥

With a mind humbled by devotion, one should offer daṇḍavat obeisances on the ground, lying like a rod. While thus bowing, one should chant that mantra ten times, and then recite the ensuing prayer (stotra).

Verse 11

युवां तु विश्वस्य विभू जगत: कारणं परम् । इयं हि प्रकृति: सूक्ष्मा मायाशक्तिर्दुरत्यया ॥ ११ ॥

O all-powerful Lords—Viṣṇu and Mother Lakṣmī—you are the proprietors of the entire universe and the supreme cause of creation. This prakṛti is exceedingly subtle; it is Your māyā-śakti, most difficult to transcend.

Verse 12

तस्या अधीश्वर: साक्षात्त्वमेव पुरुष: पर: । त्वं सर्वयज्ञ इज्येयं क्रियेयं फलभुग्भवान् ॥ १२ ॥

My Lord, You alone are the direct master of that energy; therefore You are the Supreme Person. You are yajña personified: Śrī Lakṣmī is the original form of worship offered to You, and You are the enjoyer of the fruits of all sacrifices.

Verse 13

गुणव्यक्तिरियं देवी व्यञ्जको गुणभुग्भवान् । त्वं हि सर्वशरीर्यात्मा श्री: शरीरेन्द्रियाशया: । नामरूपे भगवती प्रत्ययस्त्वमपाश्रय: ॥ १३ ॥

Śrī Lakṣmī is the manifest reservoir of all divine qualities, whereas You reveal those qualities and enjoy them. You dwell as the Paramātmā within every embodied being, and Śrī is the form of their bodies, senses, and minds. She has sacred name and form, while You are the support of all names and forms and the cause of their manifestation.

Verse 14

यथा युवां त्रिलोकस्य वरदौ परमेष्ठिनौ । तथा म उत्तमश्लोक सन्तु सत्या महाशिष: ॥ १४ ॥

As You both are the supreme rulers and bestowers of boons for the three worlds, so, O Uttamaśloka, may my lofty desires be fulfilled by Your grace.

Verse 15

इत्यभिष्टूय वरदं श्रीनिवासं श्रिया सह । तन्नि:सार्योपहरणं दत्त्वाचमनमर्चयेत् ॥ १५ ॥

Thus one should worship Lord Viṣṇu, known as Śrīnivāsa, together with Mother Lakṣmī, offering prayers according to the method described above. Then, after removing the worship paraphernalia, one should offer water for ācamanam (washing the hands and rinsing the mouth) and worship Them again.

Verse 16

तत: स्तुवीत स्तोत्रेण भक्तिप्रह्वेण चेतसा । यज्ञोच्छिष्टमवघ्राय पुनरभ्यर्चयेद्धरिम् ॥ १६ ॥

Thereafter, with a heart bowed in devotion and humility, one should recite a stotra in praise of the Lord and Mother Lakṣmī. Then, smelling the remnants of the yajña-prasāda, one should again worship Hari and Lakṣmījī.

Verse 17

पतिं च परया भक्त्या महापुरुषचेतसा । प्रियैस्तैस्तैरुपनमेत् प्रेमशील: स्वयं पति: । बिभृयात् सर्वकर्माणि पत्‍न्या उच्चावचानि च ॥ १७ ॥

Accepting her husband as the representative of the Supreme Person, a wife should worship him with pure devotion, offering him prasāda. Pleased by her loving service, the husband should personally take up the family’s affairs, both great and small.

Verse 18

कृतमेकतरेणापि दम्पत्योरुभयोरपि । पत्‍न्‍यां कुर्यादनर्हायां पतिरेतत् समाहित: ॥ १८ ॥

Between husband and wife, it is sufficient if either one performs this devotional service; by their harmonious bond, both share the result. Therefore, if the wife cannot carry out the process, the husband should do it carefully, and the faithful wife will partake of the fruit.

Verse 19

विष्णोर्व्रतमिदं बिभ्रन्न विहन्यात्कथञ्चन । विप्रान् स्त्रियो वीरवती: स्रग्गन्धबलिमण्डनै: । अर्चेदहरहर्भक्त्या देवं नियममास्थिता ॥ १९ ॥ उद्वास्य देवं स्वे धाम्नि तन्निवेदितमग्रत: । अद्यादात्मविशुद्ध्यर्थं सर्वकामसमृद्धये ॥ २० ॥

One should accept this viṣṇu-vrata and never disrupt its observance. With remnants of prasāda, flower garlands, sandalwood paste, offerings and ornaments, one should daily worship the brāhmaṇas and also those women who live peacefully with husband and children; and the wife, steadfast in the rules, should worship Lord Viṣṇu each day with great devotion.

Verse 20

विष्णोर्व्रतमिदं बिभ्रन्न विहन्यात्कथञ्चन । विप्रान् स्त्रियो वीरवती: स्रग्गन्धबलिमण्डनै: । अर्चेदहरहर्भक्त्या देवं नियममास्थिता ॥ १९ ॥ उद्वास्य देवं स्वे धाम्नि तन्निवेदितमग्रत: । अद्यादात्मविशुद्ध्यर्थं सर्वकामसमृद्धये ॥ २० ॥

Thereafter, one should lay the Lord upon His bed in His own abode and place the offered food before Him. Then one should honor the prasāda for self-purification and the fulfillment of all desires; thus husband and wife become purified and attain prosperity in their aims.

Verse 21

एतेन पूजाविधिना मासान् द्वादश हायनम् । नीत्वाथोपरमेत्साध्वी कार्तिके चरमेऽहनि ॥ २१ ॥

By this method of worship, the chaste wife should continue the devotional service for twelve months, completing a full year. When the year has passed, on the full-moon day of the month of Kārttika, she should fast and bring the vow to its conclusion.

Verse 22

श्वोभूतेऽप उपस्पृश्य कृष्णमभ्यर्च्य पूर्ववत् । पय:श‍ृतेन जुहुयाच्चरुणा सह सर्पिषा । पाकयज्ञविधानेन द्वादशैवाहुती: पति: ॥ २२ ॥

On the next morning, having bathed and purified oneself, one should worship Śrī Kṛṣṇa as before. Then, according to the pākayajña rite taught in the Gṛhya-sūtras, one should cook sweet payasa (kheer) with ghee, and with that offering the husband should pour twelve oblations into the sacred fire.

Verse 23

आशिष: शिरसादाय द्विजै: प्रीतै: समीरिता: । प्रणम्य शिरसा भक्त्या भुञ्जीत तदनुज्ञया ॥ २३ ॥

Thereafter he should satisfy the brāhmaṇas. When the pleased brāhmaṇas bestow their blessings, he should bow his head in devotion, offer respectful obeisances, and, with their permission, partake of prasāda.

Verse 24

आचार्यमग्रत: कृत्वा वाग्यत: सह बन्धुभि: । दद्यात्पत्‍न्यै चरो: शेषं सुप्रजास्त्वं सुसौभगम् ॥ २४ ॥

Before taking his meal, the husband should seat the ācārya comfortably in front and, together with relatives and friends, restrain his speech and offer prasāda to the guru. Then the wife should eat the remnants of the ghee-cooked charu; by this, good offspring and auspicious fortune are attained.

Verse 25

एतच्चरित्वा विधिवद्‌व्रतं विभो रभीप्सितार्थं लभते पुमानिह । स्त्री चैतदास्थाय लभेत सौभगं श्रियं प्रजां जीवपतिं यशो गृहम् ॥ २५ ॥

If this vow is observed properly according to śāstra, a man attains—even in this very life—the blessings he desires from the Lord. A wife who performs this rite surely gains good fortune, prosperity, children, a long-lived husband, good repute, and a worthy home.

Verse 26

कन्या च विन्देत समग्रलक्षणं पतिं त्ववीरा हतकिल्बिषां गतिम् । मृतप्रजा जीवसुता धनेश्वरी सुदुर्भगा सुभगा रूपमग्र्यम् ॥ २६ ॥ विन्देद्विरूपा विरुजा विमुच्यते य आमयावीन्द्रियकल्यदेहम् । एतत्पठन्नभ्युदये च कर्म- ण्यनन्ततृप्ति: पितृदेवतानाम् ॥ २७ ॥ तुष्टा: प्रयच्छन्ति समस्तकामान् होमावसाने हुतभुक् श्रीहरिश्च । राजन् महन्मरुतां जन्म पुण्यं दितेर्व्रतं चाभिहितं महत्ते ॥ २८ ॥ नैवोद्विजे पर दुरत्ययवैतरण्या- स्त्वद्वीर्यगायनमहामृतमग्नचित्त: । शोचे ततो विमुखचेतस इन्द्रियार्थ- मायासुखाय भरमुद्वहतो विमूढान् ॥ ४३ ॥

If an unmarried girl observes this vrata, she will obtain an excellent husband endowed with auspicious qualities; a woman who is avīrā (without husband or son) becomes freed from sin and attains a higher destination; one whose children have died gains a long-lived child and prosperity. The unfortunate becomes fortunate, the unattractive becomes beautiful; the sick are released from disease and gain a capable body. If this account is recited while offering āhuti to the Pitṛs and the devas—especially during śrāddha—they become greatly satisfied and grant the fulfillment of all desires. At the close of the homa, Agni, Śrī Hari Viṣṇu, and Śrī Lakṣmī are pleased. O King Parīkṣit, thus I have fully described Diti’s great vow, by which the Maruts were born and a happy life was attained.

Verse 27

कन्या च विन्देत समग्रलक्षणं पतिं त्ववीरा हतकिल्बिषां गतिम् । मृतप्रजा जीवसुता धनेश्वरी सुदुर्भगा सुभगा रूपमग्र्यम् ॥ २६ ॥ विन्देद्विरूपा विरुजा विमुच्यते य आमयावीन्द्रियकल्यदेहम् । एतत्पठन्नभ्युदये च कर्म- ण्यनन्ततृप्ति: पितृदेवतानाम् ॥ २७ ॥ तुष्टा: प्रयच्छन्ति समस्तकामान् होमावसाने हुतभुक् श्रीहरिश्च । राजन् महन्मरुतां जन्म पुण्यं दितेर्व्रतं चाभिहितं महत्ते ॥ २८ ॥ नैवोद्विजे पर दुरत्ययवैतरण्या- स्त्वद्वीर्यगायनमहामृतमग्नचित्त: । शोचे ततो विमुखचेतस इन्द्रियार्थ- मायासुखाय भरमुद्वहतो विमूढान् ॥ ४३ ॥

By observing this vrata, an unmarried girl attains an excellent husband endowed with all auspicious qualities. A woman who is avīrā—without husband or son—by performing this rite becomes freed from sin and reaches an elevated spiritual destination. A woman whose children die after birth gains a long-lived son and becomes prosperous; the unfortunate becomes fortunate, and the unattractive attains the finest beauty. A diseased man is released from illness and receives a sound body fit for duty. If this narration is recited while offering oblations to the Pitṛs and the devas—especially during śrāddha—they become greatly satisfied and grant the fulfillment of all desires. At the conclusion of the homa, Śrī Hari (Viṣṇu) and Śrī Lakṣmī are especially pleased. O King Parīkṣit, thus I have fully described Diti’s vrata, by which the Maruts took their meritorious birth and she attained a happy life.

Verse 28

कन्या च विन्देत समग्रलक्षणं पतिं त्ववीरा हतकिल्बिषां गतिम् । मृतप्रजा जीवसुता धनेश्वरी सुदुर्भगा सुभगा रूपमग्र्यम् ॥ २६ ॥ विन्देद्विरूपा विरुजा विमुच्यते य आमयावीन्द्रियकल्यदेहम् । एतत्पठन्नभ्युदये च कर्म- ण्यनन्ततृप्ति: पितृदेवतानाम् ॥ २७ ॥ तुष्टा: प्रयच्छन्ति समस्तकामान् होमावसाने हुतभुक् श्रीहरिश्च । राजन् महन्मरुतां जन्म पुण्यं दितेर्व्रतं चाभिहितं महत्ते ॥ २८ ॥ नैवोद्विजे पर दुरत्ययवैतरण्या- स्त्वद्वीर्यगायनमहामृतमग्नचित्त: । शोचे ततो विमुखचेतस इन्द्रियार्थ- मायासुखाय भरमुद्वहतो विमूढान् ॥ ४३ ॥

By observing this vrata, an unmarried girl attains an excellent husband endowed with all auspicious qualities. A woman who is avīrā—without husband or son—by performing this rite becomes freed from sin and reaches an elevated spiritual destination. A woman whose children die after birth gains a long-lived son and becomes prosperous; the unfortunate becomes fortunate, and the unattractive attains the finest beauty. A diseased man is released from illness and receives a sound body fit for duty. If this narration is recited while offering oblations to the Pitṛs and the devas—especially during śrāddha—they become greatly satisfied and grant the fulfillment of all desires. At the conclusion of the homa, Śrī Hari (Viṣṇu) and Śrī Lakṣmī are especially pleased. O King Parīkṣit, thus I have fully described Diti’s vrata, by which the Maruts took their meritorious birth and she attained a happy life.