Adhyaya 3

Verse 1

सूत उवाच । इति श्रुत्वा वचो धीमानादरात्कुंभजन्मनः । प्रोवाच मधुरं वाक्यं कृष्णद्वैपायनो मुनिः

Sūta said: Having thus heard the words of the wise Agastya—born from the jar—the sage Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana (Vyāsa), with reverence, spoke sweetly.

Verse 2

व्यास उवाच । भगवन्नद्भुतमिदं तीर्थमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् । श्रुत्वा त्वत्तो मम मनः परमानंदमाययौ

Vyāsa said: O Blessed One, having heard from you this wondrous and supreme greatness of the sacred tīrtha, my mind has been filled with the highest bliss.

Verse 3

अन्यत्तीर्थवरं ब्रूहि तत्त्वेन मम शृण्वतः । न तृप्तिरस्ति मनसः शृण्वतो मम सुव्रत

Tell me truly of another most excellent sacred tīrtha as I listen; for my mind finds no satiety in hearing—O you of noble vow.

Verse 4

अगस्त्य उवाच । शृणु विप्र प्रवक्ष्यामि तीर्थमन्यदनुत्तमम् । स्वर्गद्वारमिति ख्यातं सर्वपापहरं सदा

Agastya said: Listen, O brāhmaṇa; I shall describe another unsurpassed sacred tīrtha, famed as ‘Svargadvāra’—ever the remover of all sins.

Verse 5

स्वर्गद्वारस्य माहात्म्यं विस्तराद्वक्तुमीश्वरः । नहि कश्चिदतो वत्स संक्षेपाच्छृणु सुव्रत

To expound Svargadvāra’s greatness in full would require even lordly power; therefore, dear child, listen in brief—O you of noble vow.

Verse 6

सहस्रधारामारभ्य पूर्वतः सरयूजले । षट्त्रिंशदधिका प्रोक्ता धनुषां षट्शती मितिः

Beginning from Sahasradhārā, to the east in the waters of the Sarayū, its measure is declared to be six hundred and thirty-six dhanuṣ-lengths.

Verse 7

स्वर्गद्वारस्य विस्तारः पुराणज्ञैर्विशारदैः । स्वर्गद्वारसमं तीर्थं न भूतं न भविष्यति

The expanse of Svargadvāra has been proclaimed by sages well-versed in the Purāṇas; no tīrtha equal to Svargadvāra has existed, nor shall it ever exist.

Verse 8

सत्यंसत्यं पुनः सत्यं नासत्यं मम भाषितम् । स्वर्गद्वारसमं तीर्थं नास्ति ब्रह्माण्डगोलके

True—true—true again: my words are not false. In the whole sphere of the universe there is no tīrtha equal to Svargadvāra.

Verse 9

हित्वा दिव्यानि भौमानि तीर्थानि सकलान्यपि । प्रातरागत्य तिष्ठन्ति तत्र संश्रित्य सुव्रत

Forsaking even all celestial and earthly holy places, they come there at dawn and remain—taking refuge in that place, O you of noble vow.

Verse 10

तस्मादत्र प्रकर्तव्यं प्रातः स्नानं विशेषतः । सर्वतीर्थावगाहस्य फलमात्मन ईप्सता

Therefore one should perform the morning bath here, especially if one desires for oneself the fruit of bathing in all tīrthas.

Verse 11

त्यजंति प्राणिनः प्राणान्स्वर्गद्वारांतरे द्विज । प्रयांति परमं स्थानं विष्णोस्ते नात्र संशयः

O twice-born one, beings who relinquish their life-breath within the precincts of Svargadvāra proceed to the supreme abode of Viṣṇu—of this there is no doubt.

Verse 12

मुक्तिद्वारमिदं पश्य स्वर्गप्राप्तिकरं नृणाम् । स्वर्गद्वारमिति ख्यातं तस्मात्तीर्थमनुत्तमम्

Behold this “Gate of Liberation,” which grants men the attainment of heaven. It is famed as “Svargadvāra”; therefore this tīrtha is unsurpassed.

Verse 13

स्वर्गद्वारं सुदुष्प्राप्यं देवैरपि न संशयः । यद्यत्कामयते तत्र तत्तदाप्नोति मानवः

Svargadvāra is exceedingly hard to obtain even for the gods—of this there is no doubt. Whatever a person desires there, that very thing he attains.

Verse 14

स्वर्गद्वारे परा सिद्धिः स्वर्गद्वारे परा गतिः । जप्तं दत्तं हुतं दृष्टं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत् । ध्यानमध्ययनं सर्वं दानं भवति चाक्षयम्

At Svargadvāra there is supreme accomplishment; at Svargadvāra there is the highest destiny. Whatever is recited in japa, whatever is given in charity, whatever is offered in fire, whatever is visited and revered, whatever austerity is undertaken, and whatever deeds are performed—every meditation, every study, and every gift becomes imperishable.

Verse 15

जन्मांतरसहस्रेण यत्पापं पूर्वसंचितम् । स्वर्गद्वारप्रविष्टस्य तत्सर्वं व्रजति क्षयम्

Whatever sin has been accumulated over thousands of births, for one who enters Svargadvāra—all of it goes to destruction.

Verse 16

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रा वै वर्णसंकराः । कृमिम्लेच्छाश्च ये चान्ये संकीर्णाः पापयोनयः

Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, Śūdras, and those of mixed social origin; and also kṛmis, mlecchas, and other beings of diverse, sinful births—

Verse 17

कीटाः पिपीलिकाश्चैव ये चान्ये मृगपक्षिणः । कालेन निधनं प्राप्ताः स्वर्गद्वारे शृणु द्विज

Insects, ants, and other beasts and birds as well—those who, in due time, meet their end at Svargadvāra—listen, O twice-born one.

Verse 18

कौमोदकीकराः सर्वे पक्षिणो गरुडध्वजाः । शुभे विष्णुपुरे विष्णुर्जायते तत्र मानवाः

All become bearers of the mace Kaumodakī; the birds too are marked by Garuḍa’s banner. In that auspicious city of Viṣṇu, humans are born with Viṣṇu’s nature and destiny.

Verse 19

अकामो वा सकामो वा अपि तीर्थगतोपि वा । स्वर्गद्वारे त्यजन्प्राणान्विष्णुलोके महीयते

Whether desireless or desireful—even if one has merely come to the tīrtha—whoever gives up life at Svargadvāra is honored in Viṣṇu’s world.

Verse 20

मुनयो देवताः सिद्धाः साध्या यक्षा मरुद्गणाः । यज्ञोपवीतमात्रेण विभागं चक्रिरे तु ये

Sages, gods, Siddhas, Sādhyas, Yakṣas, and the hosts of Maruts—those who indeed made distinctions merely on the basis of the sacred thread (yajñopavīta)—

Verse 21

मध्याह्नेऽत्र प्रकुर्वंति सान्निध्यं देवतागणाः । तस्मात्तत्र प्रकुर्वंति मध्याह्ने स्नानमादरात्

At midday, the hosts of gods manifest their presence here most especially. Therefore, one should earnestly perform the midday bath at this place.

Verse 22

कुर्वंत्यनशनं ये तु स्वर्गद्वारे जितेंद्रियाः । प्रयांति परमं स्थानं ये च मासोपवासिनः

Those who, self-controlled, undertake fasting at Svargadvāra—and those who observe a month-long fast—attain the supreme abode.

Verse 23

अन्नदानरता ते च रत्नदा भूमिदा नराः । गोवस्त्रदाश्च विप्रेभ्यो यांति ते भवनं हरेः

Those devoted to gifting food—those who give jewels and land, and those who donate cows and garments to brāhmaṇas—go to the abode of Hari.

Verse 24

यत्र सिद्धा महात्मानो मुनयः पितरस्तथा । स्वर्गं प्रयांति ते सर्वे स्वर्गद्वारं ततः स्मृतम्

Where perfected beings, great souls, sages, and even the Pitṛs all attain heaven—therefore that place is remembered as ‘Svargadvāra,’ the Gateway to Heaven.

Verse 25

चतुर्द्धा च तनुं कृत्वा देवदेवो हरिः स्वयम् । अत्र वै रमते नित्यं भ्रातृभिः सह राघवः

Hari, the God of gods, having assumed a fourfold form, ever delights here indeed—Rāghava along with his brothers.

Verse 26

ब्रह्मलोकं परित्यज्य चतुर्वक्त्रः सनातनः । अत्रैव रमते नित्यं देवैः सह पितामहः

Abandoning even Brahmaloka, the eternal Four-faced One—Pitāmaha (Brahmā)—ever delights right here, together with the gods.

Verse 27

कैलासनिलयावासी शिवस्तत्रैव संस्थितः

Śiva, who dwells in the abode of Kailāsa, is also established there itself.

Verse 28

मेरुमन्दरमात्रोऽपि राशिः पापस्य कर्मणः । स्वर्गद्वारं समासाद्य स सर्वो व्रजति क्षयम्

Even a heap of sinful karma as vast as Meru and Mandara—on reaching Svargadvāra—entirely goes to destruction.

Verse 29

या गतिर्ज्ञानतपसां या गतिर्यज्ञयाजिनाम् । स्वर्गद्वारे मृतानां तु सा गतिर्विहिता शुभा

The blessed destiny attained by those devoted to knowledge and austerity, and by those who perform sacrifices—that same auspicious destiny is ordained for those who die at Svargadvāra.

Verse 30

ऋषिदेवासुरगणैर्जपहोमपरायणैः । यतिभिर्मोक्षकामैश्च स्वर्गद्वारो निषेव्यते

Svargadvāra is frequented and served by hosts of sages, gods, and even asuras—devoted to japa and homa—and by renunciants who long for liberation.

Verse 31

षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि काशीवासेषु यत्फलम् । तत्फलं निमिषार्द्धेन कलौ दाशरथीं पुरीम्

Whatever merit is obtained by living in Kāśī for sixty thousand years—one gains that very merit in the Kali age in merely half a moment by resorting to Daśaratha’s city, Ayodhyā.

Verse 32

या गतिर्योगयुक्तानां वाराणस्यां तनुत्यजाम् । सा गतिः स्नानमात्रेण सरय्वां हरिवासरे

The supreme state attained by yogins who relinquish the body in Vārāṇasī—that very state is gained merely by bathing in the Sarayū on Hari’s day.

Verse 33

स्वर्गद्वारे मृतः कश्चिन्नरकं नैव पश्यति । केशवानुगृहीता हि सर्वे यांति परां गतिम्

Whoever dies at the “Gate of Heaven” does not behold hell at all; for those graced by Keśava all go to the supreme destination.

Verse 34

भूलोके चांतरिक्षे च दिवि तीर्थानि यानि वै । अतीत्य वर्तते तानि तीर्थान्येतद्द्विजोत्तम

Whatever sacred fords (tīrthas) exist on earth, in the mid-region, and in heaven—this holy place surpasses them all, O best of the twice-born.

Verse 35

विष्णुभक्तिं समासाद्य रमन्ते तु सुनिश्चिताः । संहृत्य शक्तितः कामं विषयेषु हि संस्थितम्

Having attained devotion to Viṣṇu, the resolute rejoice—drawing back, as far as they are able, desire (kāma) that is lodged in sense-objects.

Verse 36

शक्तितः सर्वतो युक्त्वा शक्तिस्तपसि संस्थिता । न तेषां पुनरावृत्तिः कल्पकोटिशतैरपि

Harnessing their strength in every way, their power becomes established in austerity (tapas); for them there is no return to rebirth, even across hundreds of crores of kalpas.

Verse 37

हन्यमानोऽपि यो विद्वान्वसेच्छस्त्रशतैरपि । स याति परमं स्थानं यत्र गत्वा न शोचति

Even if a learned man is struck by hundreds of weapons, if he dwells here, he attains the highest abode—having reached it, he grieves no more.

Verse 38

स्वर्गद्वारे वियुज्येत स याति परमां गतिम् । उत्तरं दक्षिणं वापि अयनं न विकल्पयेत्

If one departs from the body at Svargadvāra, one attains the supreme goal. One need not discriminate between the northern or southern solstice-path.

Verse 39

सर्वस्तेषां शुभः कालः स्वर्गद्वारं श्रयंति ये । स्नानमात्रेण पापानि विलयं यांति देहिनाम्

For all who take refuge in Svargadvāra, every time becomes auspicious. By bathing alone, the sins of embodied beings dissolve away.

Verse 40

यावत्पापानि देहेन ये कुर्वंति जनाः क्षितौ । अयोध्या परमं स्थानं तेषामीरितमादरात्

Whatever sins people commit in this world through the body, Ayodhyā is reverently declared to be the supreme abode for them.

Verse 41

ज्येष्ठे मासि सिते पक्षे पंचदश्यां विशेषतः । तस्य सांवत्सरी यात्रा देवैश्चन्द्रहरेः स्मृता

Especially on the fifteenth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Jyeṣṭha, the annual pilgrimage observance of Candrahari is remembered—so it is declared even by the gods.

Verse 42

तस्मिन्नुद्यापनं चन्द्रसहस्रं व्रतयोगिभिः । कार्यं प्रयत्नतो विप्र सर्वयज्ञफलाधिकम्

On that occasion, O brāhmaṇa, those devoted to sacred vows should diligently perform the concluding rite (udyāpana) of the Candrasahasra-vrata, whose fruit surpasses that of all sacrifices.

Verse 43

तस्मिन्कृते महापापक्षयात्स्वर्गो भवेन्नृणाम्

When that is duly performed, by the destruction of great sins, heaven becomes attainable for human beings.

Verse 44

श्रीव्यास उवाच । भगवन्ब्रूहि तत्त्वेन तस्य चन्द्रहरेः शुभाम् । उत्पत्तिं च तथा चंद्रव्रतस्योद्यापने विधिम्

Śrī Vyāsa said: O Blessed One, tell me truthfully the auspicious origin of that Candrahari, and also the procedure for the concluding rite (udyāpana) of the Candra-vrata.

Verse 45

अगस्त्य उवाच । अयोध्यानिलयं विष्णुं नत्वा शीतांशुरुत्सुकः । आगच्छत्तीर्थमाहात्म्यं साक्षात्कर्तुं सुधानिधिः । अत्रागत्य च चन्द्रोऽथ तीर्थयात्रां चकार सः

Agastya said: Eager to behold the greatness of the sacred places, the Moon—treasury of nectar—came, having bowed to Viṣṇu who dwells in Ayodhyā. Arriving here, Candra then undertook a pilgrimage of the tīrthas.

Verse 46

क्रमेण विधिपूर्वं च नानाश्चर्यसमन्वितः । समाराध्य ततो विष्णुं तपसा दुश्चरेण वै

Then, in due order and according to proper rite—amid many wondrous occurrences—he worshipped Viṣṇu, undertaking truly arduous austerity.

Verse 47

तत्प्रसादं समासाद्य स्वाभिधानपुरस्सरम् । हरिं संस्थापयामास तेन चंद्रहरिः स्मृतः

Having obtained His grace, he installed Hari with his own name placed foremost; therefore that deity is remembered as Candrahari.

Verse 48

वासुदेवप्रसादेन तत्स्थानं जातमद्भुतम् । तद्धि गुह्यतमं स्थानं वासुदेवस्य सुव्रत

By the grace of Vāsudeva that place became wondrous indeed; for it is the most secret and supremely sacred abode of Vāsudeva, O you of excellent vows.

Verse 49

सर्वेषामिव भूतानां भर्तुर्मोक्षस्य सर्वदा । अस्मिन्सिद्धाः सदा विप्र गोविंदव्रतमास्थिताः

Here, O brāhmaṇa, the Siddhas ever abide, devoted always to the Govinda-vrata—Govinda, the Lord of liberation for all beings.

Verse 50

नानालिंगधरा नित्यं विष्णुलोकाभिकांक्षिणः । अभ्यस्यंति परं योगं मुक्तात्मानो जितेंद्रियाः

Wearing diverse marks and observances, ever longing for Viṣṇu’s realm, those liberated-souled, sense-conquering ones continually practice the supreme Yoga.

Verse 51

यथा धर्ममवाप्नोति अन्यत्र न तथा क्वचित् । दानं व्रतं तथा होमः सर्वमक्षयतां व्रजेत

As one attains Dharma here, nowhere else is it attained in the same way. Charity, religious observances, and sacrificial offerings—everything performed here becomes imperishable (akṣaya) in its merit.

Verse 52

सर्वकामफलप्राप्तिर्जायते प्राणिनां सदा । तस्मादत्र विधातव्यं प्राणिभिर्यत्नतः क्रमात् । दानादिकं विप्रपूजा दंपत्योश्च विशेषतः

Here, for living beings, the attainment of the fruits of all rightful desires ever arises. Therefore, beings should diligently perform, in proper order, acts such as charity and, above all, the worship and honoring of brāhmaṇas—most especially when husband and wife do so together.

Verse 53

सर्वयज्ञाधिकफलं सर्वतीर्थावगाहनम् । सर्वदेवावलोकस्य यत्पुण्यं जायते नृणाम्

The fruit surpassing all sacrifices, the merit of bathing in all sacred fords (tīrthas), and the merit that arises for people from beholding all the gods—

Verse 54

तत्सर्वं जायते पुण्यं प्राणिनामस्य दर्शनात् । तस्मादेतन्महाक्षेत्रं पुराणादिषु गीयते

All that merit arises for beings merely from the darśana of this sacred place. Therefore, in the Purāṇas and other scriptures it is sung of as a great holy kṣetra.

Verse 55

उद्यापनविधिश्चात्र नृभिर्द्विजपुरस्सरम् । अग्रे चंद्रहरेश्चन्द्र सहस्रव्रतसंज्ञकः

Here too is taught the rite of udyāpana, the concluding ceremony of a vow, to be performed by people with brāhmaṇas placed at the forefront. First comes the observance known as the “Candra-sahasra Vrata,” in honor of the Lord of the Moon.

Verse 56

गते वर्षद्वये सार्द्धे पंचपक्षे दिनद्वये । दिवसस्याऽष्टमे भागे पतत्येकोऽधिमासकः

When two and a half years have passed—together with five fortnights and two days—then, at the eighth part of a day, one intercalary month (adhimāsa) occurs.

Verse 57

त्र्यधिके वा अशीत्यब्दे चतुर्मासयुते ततः । भवेच्चन्द्रसहस्रं तु तावज्जीवति यो नरः । उद्यापनं प्रकर्त्तव्यं तेन यात्रा प्रयत्नतः

Or again, after eighty-three years together with an additional four months, the observance of the “thousand moons” is fulfilled—if a man lives that long. Then he should earnestly perform the udyāpana (concluding rite) and undertake the pilgrimage with due effort.

Verse 58

यत्पुण्यं परमं प्रोक्तं सततं यज्ञयाजिनाम् । सत्यवादिषु यत्पुण्यं यत्पुण्यं हेमदायिनि । तत्पुण्यं लभते विप्र सहस्राब्दस्य जीविभिः

Whatever supreme merit is declared to belong continually to those who perform sacrifices; whatever merit belongs to truth-speakers; and whatever merit belongs to one who gives gold in charity—such merit, O brāhmaṇa, is obtained by those who live through the sahasrābda measure, the long observance connected with the “thousand moons.”

Verse 59

सर्वसौख्यप्रदं तादृक्पुण्यव्रतमिहोच्यते

Here it is declared that such a meritorious vow bestows all happiness.

Verse 60

चतुर्दश्यां शुचिः स्नात्वा दन्तधावनपूर्वकम् । चरितब्रह्मचर्य्यश्च जितवाक्कायमानसः । पौर्णमास्यां तथा कृत्वा चंद्रपूजां च कारयेत्

On the fourteenth lunar day, being purified, one should bathe—preceded by cleaning the teeth—observing brahmacarya and mastering speech, body, and mind. Then, on the full-moon day as well, having done likewise, one should arrange the worship of the Moon (Candra-pūjā).

Verse 61

पूर्वं च मातरः पूज्या गौर्यादिकक्रमेण च । ऋत्विजः पूजयेद्भक्त्या वृद्धिश्राद्धपुरस्सरम्

First, the Divine Mothers should be worshipped in proper order, beginning with Gaurī and the rest. Then, with devotion, one should honor the officiating priests (ṛtvij), preceded by the appropriate rite of vṛddhi-śrāddha, the preliminary śrāddha performed for increase and auspiciousness.

Verse 62

प्रयतैः प्रतिमा कार्या चंद्रमंडलसन्निभा । सहस्रसंख्या ह्यथवा तदर्द्धं वा तदर्द्धकम् । निजवित्तानुमानेन तदर्धेन तदर्द्धिकम्

With purity and careful preparation, one should fashion an image resembling the orb of the Moon. Let its number be a thousand—or half of that, or half again—according to one’s own means; and if need be, reduce it further in keeping with one’s resources.

Verse 63

ततः श्रद्धानुमानाद्वा कार्या वित्तानुमानतः । अथवा षोडश शुभा विधातव्याः प्रयत्नतः

Thereafter, one should proceed either according to the measure of one’s faith or according to the measure of one’s wealth; or else, with earnest effort, one should arrange sixteen auspicious (images/offerings) as prescribed.

Verse 64

चंद्रपूजां ततः कुर्यादागमोक्तविधानतः । माषैः षोडशभिः कार्या प्रत्येकं प्रतिमा शुभा

Then one should perform the worship of the Moon according to the procedure taught in the Āgamas. Each auspicious image should be made using sixteen māṣas (a prescribed measure of weight/quantity).

Verse 65

सोममंत्रेण होमस्तु कार्यो वित्तानुमानतः । प्रतिमास्थापनं कुर्यात्सोममंत्रमुदीरयेत्

An oblation (homa) should be performed with the Soma-mantra, in proportion to one’s means. One should then install the image, reciting the Soma-mantra as one does so.

Verse 66

सोमोत्पत्तिं सोमसूक्तं पाठयेच्च प्रयत्नतः । चंद्रपूजां ततः कुर्यादागमोक्तविधानतः

With earnest care, one should have the account of Soma’s origin and the Soma-sūkta recited. Then one should perform the worship of the Moon according to the procedure declared in the Āgamas.

Verse 67

चंद्रन्यासं कलान्यासं कारयेन्मंडले जलम् । एकादशेंद्रियन्यासं तथैव विधिपूर्वकम्

One should perform the nyāsa of Candra and the nyāsa of the lunar kalās, and consecrate the water within the maṇḍala. Likewise, one should perform the nyāsa of the eleven indriyas, in proper ritual sequence.

Verse 68

चंद्रबिंबनिभं कार्य्यं मंडलं शुभतंडुलैः । मध्ये च कलशः स्थाप्यो गव्येन पयसाप्लुतः

A maṇḍala resembling the Moon’s disc should be made with auspicious grains of rice. In its center a kalaśa should be placed, filled with cow’s milk.

Verse 69

चतुरस्रेषु संपूर्णान्कलशान्स्थापयेद्बहिः । मंडले चंद्रपूजा च कर्तव्या नामभिः क्रमात्

Outside, in the four quarters, one should place fully filled ritual pots. Then, within the maṇḍala, the worship of Candra should be performed in sequence, invoking him by his names in due order.

Verse 70

चंद्राय विधवे नित्यं नमः कुमुदबंधवे

Always, salutations to Candra—the Ordainer—and to the Friend of the kumuda-lotus.

Verse 71

सुधांशवे च सोमाय ओषधीशाय वै नमः । नमोऽब्जाय मृगांकाय कलानां निधये नमः

Salutations to the Moon, whose rays are like nectar; salutations to Soma, lord of healing herbs. Salutations to the lotus-born, cool and pure; to the mṛgāṅka-marked deity; and to the treasury of the lunar kalās.

Verse 72

नमो नक्षत्रनाथाय शर्वरीपतये नमः । जैवातृकाय सततं द्विजराजाय वै नमः

Salutations to the Lord of the constellations; salutations to the Master of the night. Ever do I bow to Jaivātṛka, the giver of life, and to Candra, the ‘king of the twice-born’—the Moon.

Verse 73

एवं षोडशभिश्चंद्रः स्तोतव्यो नामभिः क्रमात्

Thus, Candra should be praised in order with sixteen names.

Verse 74

ततो वै प्रयतो दद्याद्विधिवन्मंत्रपूर्वकम् । शंखतोयं समादाय सपुष्पं फलचंदनम्

Then, being self-restrained, one should offer according to rule, preceded by mantra—taking water in a conch, together with flowers, fruit, and sandal paste.

Verse 75

नमस्ते मासमासांते जायमान पुनःपुनः । गृहाणार्घ्यं शशांक त्वं रोहिण्या सहितो मम

Salutations to you, who are ‘born’ again and again at the end of each month. O Śaśāṅka, together with Rohiṇī, accept this arghya offering of mine.

Verse 76

एवं संपूज्य विधिवच्छशिनं प्रणतो भवेत् । षोडशान्ये च कलशा दुग्धपूर्णाः सरत्नकाः

Having thus worshiped the Moon according to rule, one should bow down. And sixteen other pots, filled with milk and furnished with gems, should be prepared.

Verse 77

सवस्त्राच्छादनाः शांत्यै दातव्यास्ते द्विजन्मने । अभिषेकं ततः कुर्यात्पायसेन जलेन तु

Covered with cloth and garments, those pots should be given to a twice-born priest (dvija) for peace. Then one should perform abhiṣeka, bathing with pāyasa (sacred rice-pudding) and water.

Verse 78

ऋत्विजां मनसस्तुष्टिः कार्या वित्तानुमानतः । ब्राह्मणं भोजयेत्तत्र सकुटुंबं विशेषतः

One should ensure the priests’ (ṛtvij) satisfaction according to one’s means. There, one should especially feed the brāhmaṇas together with their families.

Verse 79

पूजनीयौ प्रयत्नेन वस्त्रैश्च द्विजदंपती । कर्तव्यं च ततो भूरिदक्षिणादानमुत्तमम्

A brāhmaṇa couple should be honored with earnest effort and with garments. Thereafter, abundant and excellent gifts of dakṣiṇā should be given.

Verse 80

प्रतिमाश्च प्रदातव्या द्विजेभ्यो धेनुपूर्विकाः । सुवर्णं रजतं वस्त्रं तथान्नं च विशेषतः । दातव्यं चंद्रसुप्रीत्यै हर्षादेवं द्विजन्मने

Icons (pratimā) too should be given to the brāhmaṇas, preceded by the gift of a cow. Gold, silver, garments, and especially food should be donated. Thus, with joy, these gifts should be given to a twice-born person (dvija) for the great pleasure of Candra, the Moon-deity.

Verse 81

उपवासविधानेन दिनशेषं नयेत्सुधीः । अनंतरे च दिवसे कुर्याद्भगवदर्चनम् । बांधवैः सह भुञ्जीत नियमं च विसर्ज्जयेत्

A wise devotee should pass the remainder of the day in accordance with the discipline of fasting (upavāsa). On the following day, he should worship the Lord (Bhagavān); then, together with his kinsmen, he may take food and formally conclude the observance (niyama).

Verse 82

एवं च कुरुते चंद्रसहस्रं व्रतमुत्तमम् । ब्रह्मघ्नोऽपि सुरापोऽपि स्तेयी च गुरुतल्पगः । व्रतेनानेन शुद्धात्मा चंद्रलोकं व्रजेन्नरः

Thus one performs the excellent vow called “Candrasahasra.” By this vow, even a slayer of a brāhmaṇa, a drinker of liquor, a thief, and one who has violated the teacher’s bed—his soul purified—may go to the world of the Moon.

Verse 83

यादृशश्च भवेद्विप्र प्रियो नारायणस्य च । एवं करोति नियतं कृतकृत्यो भवेन्नरः

O brāhmaṇa, whatever a person may be, if he is dear to Nārāyaṇa and performs this observance with steadfast regularity, he becomes one who has fulfilled life’s purpose.