Adhyaya 25

Verse 1

भीष्म उवाच । उपवासेष्वशक्तस्य तदेव फलमिच्छतः । अनभ्यासेन रोगाद्वा किमिष्टं व्रतमुच्यताम्

Bhīṣma said: For one who is unable to undertake fasts, yet desires the same fruit—whether from lack of practice or because of illness—what preferred vow should be prescribed?

Verse 2

पुलस्त्य उवाच । उपवासेष्वशक्तानां नक्तं भोजनमिष्यते । यस्मिन्व्रते तदप्यत्र श्रूयतां वै व्रतं महत्

Pulastya said: For those who are unable to fast, a meal taken at night is approved. In the vow where this is prescribed, listen here as well to that great vow.

Verse 3

आदित्यशयनं नाम यथावच्छंकरार्चनम् । येषु नक्षत्रयोगेषु पुराणज्ञाः प्रचक्षते

The rite known as ‘Āditya-śayana’ and the proper worship of Śaṅkara—the knowers of the Purāṇas declare in which combinations of nakṣatra and yoga these are to be performed.

Verse 4

यदा हस्तेन सप्तम्यामादित्यस्य दिनं भवेत् । सूर्यस्य चापि संक्रांतिस्तिथिस्सा सार्वकामिकी

When Āditya’s day (Sunday) falls on the seventh tithi, Saptamī, together with the nakṣatra Hasta, and the Sun’s saṅkrānti also occurs, that tithi is called “Sārvakāmikī”, the fulfiller of all desires.

Verse 5

उमामहेश्वरस्यार्चामर्चयेत्सूर्यनामभिः । सूर्यार्चां शिवलिगं च उभयं पूजयेद्यतः

One should worship the image of Umā and Maheśvara with the names of the Sun; for by doing so one venerates together both Sūrya’s image and the Śiva-liṅga.

Verse 6

उमापते रवेश्चापि न भेदः क्वचिदिष्यते । यस्मात्तस्मान्नृपश्रेष्ठ गृहे भानुं समर्चयेत्

O best of kings, no distinction is ever acknowledged between Umāpati (Śiva) and Ravi (the Sun). Therefore one should worship the Sun within one’s own home.

Verse 7

हस्तेन सूर्याय नमोस्तुपादावर्काय चित्रासु च गुल्फदेशं । स्वातीषु जंघे पुरुषोत्तमाय धात्रे विशाखासु च जानुदेशम्

In Hasta, salutations to Sūrya; to Arka, I bow to the feet. In Citrā I worship the ankle-region; in Svātī, the shanks; there I bow to Puruṣottama. In Viśākhā, to Dhātṛ, I worship the region of the knees.

Verse 8

तथानुराधासु नमोभि पूज्यमुरुद्द्वयं चैव सहस्रभानोः । ज्येष्ठास्वनंगाय नमोस्तु गुह्यमिन्द्रा यभीमाय कटिं च मूले

Likewise, in Anurādhā, with salutations one worships the One worthy of worship; and salutations to the pair of Rudras of the thousand-rayed Sun. In Jyeṣṭhā, salutations to Anaṅga; and salutations to the secret Guhya; to Indra; to Bhīma; and to the presiding power at the waist and at the root, at the base.

Verse 9

पूर्वोत्तराषाढयुगे च नाभिं त्वष्ट्रे नमः सप्ततुरंगमाय । तीक्ष्णांशवे श्रवणे चाथ कुक्षिं पृष्ठं धनिष्ठासु विकर्तनाय

At the junction of Pūrvāṣāḍhā and Uttarāṣāḍhā, one should worship the navel—salutations to Tvaṣṭṛ, he who is borne by seven horses. In Śravaṇa, worship the ears; then the belly; and in Dhaniṣṭhā, the back—salutations to Vikartana (the Sun), the sharp-rayed one.

Verse 10

वक्षस्थलं ध्वांतविनाशनाय जलाधिपर्क्षे प्रतिपूजनीयम् । पूर्वोत्तरा भाद्रपदद्वये च बाहूत्तमश्चंडकराय पूज्यौ

The chest should be worshipped for the dispelling of darkness, especially on the tithi belonging to the Lord of waters. Likewise, in the two Bhādrapada periods—both in the bright and the dark fortnights—the forearms and the excellent arms are to be worshipped for the fierce-rayed Sun.

Verse 11

साम्नामधीशाय करद्वयं च संपूजनीयं नृप रेवतीषु । नखानि पूज्यानि तथाश्विनीषु नमोस्तु सप्ताश्वधुरंधराय

O king, in Revatī one should duly worship the pair of hands of the Lord of the Sāmans; likewise, in Aśvinī one should worship the nails. Salutations to Him who bears the burden of the seven horses.

Verse 12

कठोरधाम्ने भरणीषु कंठं दिवाकरायेत्यभिपूजनीयम् । ग्रीवाग्निपर्क्षे धरसंपुटे तु संपूजयेद्भारत रोहिणीषु

In Bharaṇī one should duly worship Kaṇṭha, the fierce-rayed one, as Divākara, the Sun. In the region called Grīvāgni-parkṣa and in the Dhara-saṃpuṭa, O Bhārata, one should worship Him fully in Rohiṇī.

Verse 13

मृगेर्चनीया रसना पुरारे रौद्रे तु दंता हरये नमस्ते । नमः सवित्रे इति शंकरस्य नासाभि पूज्या च पुनर्वसौ च

O Purāri, Destroyer of the cities: in Mṛga the tongue is to be worshipped; in Raudra, the teeth—salutations to Hari. With the mantra “namaḥ savitre,” Śaṅkara’s nose too is to be worshipped; likewise in Punarvasu.

Verse 14

ललाटमंभोरुहवल्लभाय पुष्येलकान्वेदशरीरधारिणे । सार्पे च मौलिविबुधप्रियाय मघासु कर्णाविति पूजनीयौ

In Puṣya one should worship the forehead—beloved of the Lord of the lotus (Lakṣmī/Viṣṇu)—and the hips, which bear the Vedas as a body. In Sārpa one should worship the head, dear to the gods; and in Maghā, the ears—thus are these to be revered.

Verse 15

पूर्वासु गोब्राह्मणनंदनाय नेत्राणि संपूज्यतमानि शंभोः । अथोत्तराफाल्गुनि भे भ्रुवौ च विश्वेश्वरायेति च पूजनीये

In Pūrvāṣāḍhā one should worship Śambhu’s most adorable eyes, addressing Him as “Delight of cows and brāhmaṇas.” Then, in Uttarāphālgunī, one should worship His eyebrows, venerating Him as “Viśveśvara, Lord of the Universe.”

Verse 16

नमोस्तु पाशांकुशपद्मशूल कपालसर्पेन्दुधनुर्धराय । गयासुरानङ्गपुरांधकादि विनाशमूलाय नमः शिवाय

Salutations to Śiva—bearer of the noose, goad, lotus, trident, skull, serpent, moon, and bow; the very root-cause of the destruction of (demons) such as Gayāsura, Andhaka, and the city of Anaṅga. Salutations to Śiva.

Verse 17

इत्यादिकांगानि च पूजयित्वा विश्वेश्वरायेति शिरोभिपूज्यम् । अत्रापि भोक्तव्यमतैलमन्नममांसमक्षारमभुक्तशेषम्

Having thus worshipped the various limbs (of the rite), one should bow with the head in reverence, saying, “(Salutations) to Viśveśvara.” Here too, one should partake of food without oil, without meat, without alkaline or salty additives, and only what remains after it has first been offered.

Verse 18

इत्येवं नृप नक्तानि कृत्वा दद्यात्पुनर्वसौ । शालेयतंडुलप्रस्थमौदुंबरमथो घृतम्

Thus, O king, having observed the disciplines of the night-fast in this manner, on the day of Punarvasu one should give in charity a prastha-measure of fine śāli rice, together with an udumbara (fig) offering and ghee.

Verse 19

संस्थाप्य पात्रे विप्राय सहिरण्यं निवेदयेत् । सप्तमे वस्त्रयुग्मं तु पारणे त्वधिकं भवेत्

Having placed it in a vessel, one should offer it to a worthy brāhmaṇa together with gold. On the seventh day, a pair of garments should be given; and at the concluding breaking of the observance (pāraṇa), the gift should be greater still.

Verse 20

चतुर्दशे तु संप्राप्ते पारणे भारतादिके । ब्राह्मणं भोजयेद्भक्त्या गुडक्षीरघृतादिभिः

When the fourteenth day arrives—at the time of concluding the observance (pāraṇa), beginning with the Bhārata rite—one should, with devotion, feed a brāhmaṇa with jaggery, milk, ghee, and the like.

Verse 21

कृत्वा च कांचनं पद्ममष्टपत्रं सकर्णिकम् । शुद्धमष्टांगुलं तच्च पद्मरागदलान्वितम्

And having fashioned a golden lotus with eight petals and a central pericarp, pure and measuring eight aṅgulas, that lotus was adorned with petals of padmarāga (ruby).

Verse 22

शय्यां सुलक्षणां कृत्वा विरुद्धग्रंथिवर्जिताम् । सोपधानवितानां च स्वास्तरावरणाश्रयाम्

Having prepared a well-made bed—free from uneven knots and lumps—furnished with pillows and a canopy, and covered with one’s own bedding and coverings.

Verse 23

पादुकोपानहच्छत्र चामरासनदर्पणैः । भूपणैरपिसंयुक्तां फलवस्त्रानुलेपनैः

Along with sandals and shoes, umbrellas, fly-whisks (chāmara), seats, and mirrors—also accompanied by royal ornaments—together with fruits, garments, and unguents (ointments).

Verse 24

तस्यां विधाय तत्पद्ममलंकृत्य गुणान्विताम् । कपिलां वस्त्रसंयुक्तामतिशीलां पयस्विनीम्

Placing that lotus therein and adorning it, (he prepared) a tawny cow endowed with virtues—clothed, exceedingly well-mannered, and rich in milk.

Verse 25

रौप्यखुरां हेमशृंगीं सवत्सां कांस्यदोहनाम् । दद्यान्मंत्रेण तां धेनुं पूर्वाह्णं नातिलंघयेत्

One should give, with the proper mantra, a cow whose hooves are of silver, whose horns are of gold, who is accompanied by her calf, and whose milking vessel is of bronze; and one should not let the forenoon pass (before making this gift).

Verse 26

यथैवादित्य शयनमशून्यं तव सर्वदा । कांत्या धृत्या श्रिया पुष्ट्या तथा मे संतु वृद्धयः

O Sun (Āditya), just as your resting-place is never empty at any time, so may my prosperities likewise never be lacking—(may they be) with radiance, steadfastness, fortune, and nourishment.

Verse 27

यथा न देवाः श्रेयांसं त्वदन्यमनघं विदुः । तथा मामुद्धराशेष दुःखसंसारसागरात्

Just as the gods know of no one more beneficent than you, O sinless one, so too rescue me completely from the ocean of worldly existence filled with sorrow.

Verse 28

ततः प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य प्रणम्य च विसर्जयेत् । शय्यां गवादि तत्सर्वं द्विजस्य भवनं नयेत्

Thereafter, having circumambulated (him) and bowed down, one should take leave. One should then take the bed and the cow and all the rest, and carry it to the house of the twice-born (brāhmaṇa).

Verse 29

नैतद्विशीलाय न दांभिकाय प्रकाशनीयं व्रतमिंदुमौलेः । गोविप्रदेवर्षिविकर्मयोगिनां यश्चापि निंदामधिकां विधत्ते

This vow of the Moon-crested Lord (Śiva) should not be disclosed to one of corrupt conduct, nor to a hypocrite—nor to anyone who heaps excessive blame upon cows, brāhmaṇas, gods, sages, and yogins devoted to righteous action.

Verse 30

भक्ताय दांताय च गुह्यमेतदाख्येयमानंदकरं शिवञ्च । इदं महापातकिनां नराणां अघक्षयं वेदविदो वदंति

This secret teaching should be imparted to one who is devoted and self-controlled; when taught, it brings joy and auspiciousness. The knowers of the Veda declare that it destroys the sins even of men guilty of the greatest transgressions.

Verse 31

न बंधुपुत्रैर्न धनैर्वियुक्तः पत्नीभिरानंदकरः सुराणां । नाभ्येति रोगं न च दुःखमोहं या चापि नारी कुरुतेथ भक्त्या

A man is not separated from kinsmen, sons, or wealth, and he becomes a source of joy to his wives—like one blessed among the gods. He does not fall into illness, nor into sorrow or delusion, when a woman conducts herself with devotion.

Verse 32

इदं वसिष्ठेन पुरार्जुनेन कृतं कुबेरेण पुरंदरेण । यत्कीर्तनादप्यखिलानि नाशमायांति पापानि न संशयोत्र

This (hymn/act of praise) was composed by Vasiṣṭha, by Purārjuna, by Kubera, and by Purandara; merely by its recitation, all sins come to destruction—of this there is no doubt.

Verse 33

इति पठति शृणोति वा य इत्थं रविशयनं पुरुहूतवल्लभः स्यात् । अपि नरकगतान्पितॄनशेषानपि दिवमानयतीह यः करोति

Whoever thus recites it or listens to it becomes dear to Indra; and whoever performs this ‘Ravi-śayana’ rite here—even all his ancestors who have fallen into hell—he leads them to heaven.

Verse 34

अश्वत्थं च वटं चैवोदुंबरं वृक्षमेव च । नंदीशं जंबुवृक्षं च बिल्वं प्राहुर्महर्षयः

The great sages have declared these to be sacred trees: the aśvattha, the vaṭa (banyan), the udumbara, the nandīśa tree, the jambu tree, and the bilva.

Verse 35

मार्गशीर्षादिमासाभ्यां द्वाभ्यां द्वाभ्यामथ क्रमात् । एकैकं दंतधवनं वृक्षेष्वेतेषु कारयेत्

Beginning with Mārgaśīrṣa, in successive pairs of months and in proper order, one should use a single tooth-cleaning twig from each of these trees.

Verse 36

दद्यात्समाप्ते दध्यन्नं वितानध्वजचामरम् । द्विजानामुदकुंभांश्च पंचरत्नसमन्वितान्

At the conclusion of the rite, one should give as gifts curd-rice, together with a canopy, a banner, and a chowrie (chāmara); and also water-pots for the twice-born, furnished with the five precious gems.

Verse 37

न वित्तशाठ्यं कुर्वीत कुर्वन्दोषानवाप्नुयात्

One should not practice deceit regarding wealth; for by doing so, one incurs faults (sins).