Gifts for the Lunar Mansions: Narada and Devaki

Verse 1 (13.99.1)

श्रुतं मे भवतो वाक्यमन्नदानस्य यो विधिः । नक्षत्रयोगस्येदानीं दानकल्पं ब्रवीहि मे ॥

śrutaṃ me bhavato vākyamannadānasya yo vidhiḥ | nakṣatrayogasyedānīṃ dānakalpaṃ bravīhi me

I have heard your words on the rule for the gift of food. Now tell me the rules of giving according to the conjunctions of the lunar mansions.

Verse 2 (13.99.2)

अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । देवक्याश्चैव संवादं देवर्षेर्नारदस्य च ॥

atrāpyudāharantīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam | devakyāścaiva saṃvādaṃ devarṣernāradasya ca

On this they recount an ancient tale: the conversation of Devaki and the divine sage Narada.

Note on the text: Corrected पुरानम् → पुरातनम् (misprint in Wikisource; dropped akshara; CE purātanam). Corrected समर्षेर् → देवर्षेर् (misprint in Wikisource; not a word in context; CE devarṣer).

Verse 3 (13.99.3)

द्वारकामनुसम्प्राप्तं नारदं देवदर्शनम् । पप्रच्छेदं वचः प्रश्नं देवकी धर्मदर्शिनी ॥

dvārakāmanusamprāptaṃ nāradaṃ devadarśanam | papracchedaṃ vacaḥ praśnaṃ devakī dharmadarśinī

When Narada, who sees the gods, had come to Dvaraka, Devaki, who knew dharma, put this question to him.

Verse 4 (13.99.4)

तस्याः सम्पृच्छमानाया देवर्षिर्नारदस्ततः । आचष्ट विधिवत्सर्वं तच्छृणुष्व विशाम्पते ॥

tasyāḥ sampṛcchamānāyā devarṣirnāradastataḥ | ācaṣṭa vidhivatsarvaṃ tacchṛṇuṣva viśāmpate

As she questioned him, the divine sage Narada then explained everything in due order. Listen to it, O lord of the people.

Note on the text: Corrected विधइवत् → विधिवत् (misprint in Wikisource; CE vidhivat).

Verse 5 (13.99.5)

कृत्तिकासु महाभागे पायसेन ससर्पिषा । सन्तर्प्य ब्राह्मणान्साधूँल्लोकानाप्नोत्यनुत्तमान् ॥

kṛttikāsu mahābhāge pāyasena sasarpiṣā | santarpya brāhmaṇānsādhūm̐llokānāpnotyanuttamān

Under Krittika, O fortunate lady, a man who satisfies good brahmanas with milk-rice and ghee attains the highest worlds.

Verse 6 (13.99.6)

रोहिण्यां प्रसृतैर्मार्गैर्मांसैरन्नेन सर्पिषा । पयोऽन्नपानं दातव्यमनृणार्थं द्विजातये ॥

rohiṇyāṃ prasṛtairmārgairmāṃsairannena sarpiṣā | payo'nnapānaṃ dātavyamanṛṇārthaṃ dvijātaye

Under Rohini, to be freed from debt, one should give a brahmana venison by the handful along with food and ghee, and milk, food and drink as well.

Verse 7 (13.99.7)

दोग्ध्रीं दत्त्वा सवत्सां तु नक्षत्रे सोमदैवते । गच्छन्ति मानुषाल्लोकात्स्वर्गलोकमनुत्तमम् ॥

dogdhrīṃ dattvā savatsāṃ tu nakṣatre somadaivate | gacchanti mānuṣāllokātsvargalokamanuttamam

By giving a milch cow with her calf under the star whose deity is Soma, people pass from the world of men to the highest heaven.

Note on the text: Corrected मानुपाल् → मानुषाल् (misprint in Wikisource; CE mānuṣāl).

Verse 8 (13.99.8)

आर्द्रायां कृसरं दत्त्वा तिलमिश्रमुपोषितः । नरस्तरति दुर्गाणि क्षुरधारांश्च पर्वतान् ॥

ārdrāyāṃ kṛsaraṃ dattvā tilamiśramupoṣitaḥ | narastarati durgāṇi kṣuradhārāṃśca parvatān

Under Ardra, a man who fasts and gives kisara, a gruel mixed with sesame, crosses hard places and mountains with razor-sharp ridges.

Note on the text: Corrected तिलभिश्रमुपोषितः → तिलमिश्रमुपोषितः (misprint in Wikisource; CE tailamiśram).

Verse 9 (13.99.9)

पूपान्पुनर्वसौ दत्त्वा तथैवान्नानि शोभने । यशस्वी रूपसम्पन्नो बह्वन्नो जायते कुले ॥

pūpānpunarvasau dattvā tathaivānnāni śobhane | yaśasvī rūpasampanno bahvanno jāyate kule

Under Punarvasu, having given cakes and other foods on that auspicious star, he is born into a family rich in food, famous and handsome.

Verse 10 (13.99.10)

पुष्येण कनकं दत्त्वा कृतं वाऽकृतमेव च । अनालोकेषु लोकेषु सोमवत्स विराजते ॥

puṣyeṇa kanakaṃ dattvā kṛtaṃ vā'kṛtameva ca | anālokeṣu lokeṣu somavatsa virājate

Under Pushya, having given gold, whether worked or unworked, he shines like the moon in worlds lit by no other light.

Note on the text: Corrected पुण्येण → पुष्येण (misprint in Wikisource; CE puṣye, the nakshatra Pushya).

Verse 11 (13.99.11)

आश्लेषायां तु यो रूप्यमृषभं वा प्रयच्छति । स सर्पभयनिर्मुक्तः सम्भवानधितिष्ठति ॥

āśleṣāyāṃ tu yo rūpyamṛṣabhaṃ vā prayacchati | sa sarpabhayanirmuktaḥ sambhavānadhitiṣṭhati

He who gives silver or a bull under Ashlesha is freed from the fear of serpents and rises above all that may befall him.

Verse 12 (13.99.12)

मघासु तिलपूर्णानि वर्धमानानि मानवः । प्रदाय पुत्रपशुमानिह प्रेत्य च मोदते ॥

maghāsu tilapūrṇāni vardhamānāni mānavaḥ | pradāya putrapaśumāniha pretya ca modate

Under Magha, a man who gives vessels heaped with sesame gains sons and cattle, and rejoices here and after death.

Verse 13 (13.99.13)

फल्गुनीपूर्वसमये ब्राह्मणानामुपोषितः । भक्ष्यान्फाणितसंयुक्तान्दत्त्वा सौभाग्यमृच्छति ॥

phalgunīpūrvasamaye brāhmaṇānāmupoṣitaḥ | bhakṣyānphāṇitasaṃyuktāndattvā saubhāgyamṛcchati

Under Purva Phalguni, fasting, he who gives brahmanas sweets mixed with cane syrup gains good fortune.

Verse 14 (13.99.14)

घृतक्षीरसमायुक्तं विधिवत्षष्टिकौदनम् । उत्तराविषये दत्त्वा स्वर्गलोके महीयते ॥

ghṛtakṣīrasamāyuktaṃ vidhivatṣaṣṭikaudanam | uttarāviṣaye dattvā svargaloke mahīyate

Under Uttara Phalguni, having duly given shashtika rice cooked with ghee and milk, he is honoured in heaven.

Verse 15 (13.99.15)

यद्यत्प्रदीयते दानमुत्तराविषये नरैः । महाफलमनन्तं तद्भवतीति विनिश्चयः ॥

yadyatpradīyate dānamuttarāviṣaye naraiḥ | mahāphalamanantaṃ tadbhavatīti viniścayaḥ

Whatever gift people make under Uttara, it becomes greatly fruitful and endless; this is certain.

Verse 16 (13.99.16)

हस्ते हस्तिरथं दत्त्वा चतुर्युक्तमुपोषितः । प्राप्नोति परमाँल्लोकान्पुण्यकामसमन्वितान् ॥

haste hastirathaṃ dattvā caturyuktamupoṣitaḥ | prāpnoti paramām̐llokānpuṇyakāmasamanvitān

Under Hasta, a man who fasts and gives an elephant-chariot with a team of four reaches the highest worlds, full of everything that merit desires.

Verse 17 (13.99.17)

चित्रायां वृषभं दत्त्वा पुण्यगन्धांश्च भारत । चरन्त्यप्सरसां लोके रमन्ते नन्दने तथा ॥

citrāyāṃ vṛṣabhaṃ dattvā puṇyagandhāṃśca bhārata | carantyapsarasāṃ loke ramante nandane tathā

Under Chitra, having given a bull and pure perfumes, O Bharata, he moves in the world of the apsarases and delights in Nandana.

Verse 18 (13.99.18)

स्वात्यामथ धनं दत्त्वा यदिष्टतममात्मनः । प्राप्नोति लोकान्स शुभानिह चैव महद्यशः ॥

svātyāmatha dhanaṃ dattvā yadiṣṭatamamātmanaḥ | prāpnoti lokānsa śubhāniha caiva mahadyaśaḥ

Under Svati, having given wealth, whatever is dearest to himself, he gains auspicious worlds and great fame here.

Note on the text: Corrected ।i । → । (misprint in Wikisource; stray letter "i" in the wiki text). Removed the stray letter "i" printed after the danda in the first line (wiki typo).

Verse 19 (13.99.19)

विशाखायामनड्वाहं धेनुं दत्त्वा च दुग्धदाम् । सप्रासङ्गं च शकटं सधान्यं वस्त्रसंयुतम् ॥

viśākhāyāmanaḍvāhaṃ dhenuṃ dattvā ca dugdhadām | saprāsaṅgaṃ ca śakaṭaṃ sadhānyaṃ vastrasaṃyutam

Under Vishakha, having given a draught ox, a cow that gives milk, and a cart with its cover, together with grain and cloth,

Verse 20 (13.99.20)

पितॄन्देवांश्च प्रीणाति प्रेत्य चानन्त्यमश्नुते । न च दुर्गाण्यवाप्नोति स्वर्गलोकं च गच्छति ॥

pitṝndevāṃśca prīṇāti pretya cānantyamaśnute | na ca durgāṇyavāpnoti svargalokaṃ ca gacchati

he pleases the ancestors and the gods, enjoys what is endless after death, meets no hardships, and goes to heaven.

Verse 21 (13.99.21)

दत्त्वा यथोक्तं विप्रेभ्यो वृत्तिमिष्टां स विन्दति । नरकादींश्च संक्लेशान्नाप्नोतीति विनिश्चयः ॥

dattvā yathoktaṃ viprebhyo vṛttimiṣṭāṃ sa vindati | narakādīṃśca saṃkleśānnāpnotīti viniścayaḥ

Having given as prescribed to brahmanas, he obtains the livelihood he wishes for, and he does not suffer hell and other torments; this is certain.

Verse 22 (13.99.22)

अनुराधासु प्रावरं वरान्नं समुपोषितः । दत्त्वा युगशतं चापि नरः स्वर्गे महीयते ॥

anurādhāsu prāvaraṃ varānnaṃ samupoṣitaḥ | dattvā yugaśataṃ cāpi naraḥ svarge mahīyate

Under Anuradha, a man who fasts and gives a cloak and fine food, or even a hundred pairs, is honoured in heaven.

Verse 23 (13.99.23)

कालशाकं तु विप्रेभ्यो दत्त्वा मर्त्यः समूलकम् । ज्येष्ठायामृद्धिमिष्टां वै गतिमिष्टां स गच्छति ॥

kālaśākaṃ tu viprebhyo dattvā martyaḥ samūlakam | jyeṣṭhāyāmṛddhimiṣṭāṃ vai gatimiṣṭāṃ sa gacchati

A mortal who gives brahmanas black greens with their roots gains, under Jyeshtha, the prosperity he wishes for and the destination he wishes for.

Verse 24 (13.99.24)

मूले मूलफलं दत्त्वा ब्राह्मणेभ्यः समाहितः । पितॄन्प्रीणयते चापि गतिमिष्टां च गच्छति ॥

mūle mūlaphalaṃ dattvā brāhmaṇebhyaḥ samāhitaḥ | pitṝnprīṇayate cāpi gatimiṣṭāṃ ca gacchati

Under Mula, having given roots and fruits to brahmanas with a collected mind, he pleases the ancestors and goes to the destination he wishes for.

Verse 25 (13.99.25)

अथ पूर्वास्वषाढासु दधिपात्राण्युपोषितः । कुलवृत्तोपसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे वेदपारगे ॥

atha pūrvāsvaṣāḍhāsu dadhipātrāṇyupoṣitaḥ | kulavṛttopasampanne brāhmaṇe vedapārage

Then, under Purva Ashadha, fasting, he gives vessels of curds to a brahmana of good family and conduct who has mastered the Veda,

Note on the text: Critical edition: lines = 13.63.25a, 25c.

Verse 26 (13.99.26)

प्रदाय जायते प्रेत्य कुले सुबहुगोधने । उदमन्थं ससर्पिष्कं प्रभूतमधुफाणितम् ॥

pradāya jāyate pretya kule subahugodhane | udamanthaṃ sasarpiṣkaṃ prabhūtamadhuphāṇitam

and is born after death into a family with abundant cattle. Having given udamantha, a drink of meal stirred in water, with ghee and plenty of honey and syrup,

Note on the text: Critical edition: lines = 13.63.25e, 26a.

Verse 27 (13.99.27)

दत्त्वोत्तरास्वषाढासु सर्वकामानवाप्नुयात् । दुग्धं त्वभिजिते योगे दत्त्वा मधुघृतप्लुतम् । धर्मनित्यो मनीषिभ्यः स्वर्गलोके महीयते ॥

dattvottarāsvaṣāḍhāsu sarvakāmānavāpnuyāt | dugdhaṃ tvabhijite yoge dattvā madhughṛtaplutam | dharmanityo manīṣibhyaḥ svargaloke mahīyate

under Uttara Ashadha he obtains all his desires. And a man ever devoted to dharma who gives milk steeped in honey and ghee to the wise, on the conjunction of Abhijit, is honoured in heaven.

Note on the text: Wikisource prints this as one three-line verse (27a, 27b, 27c). Critical edition: lines = 13.63.26c, 27a, 27c.

Verse 28 (13.99.28)

श्रवणे कम्बलं दत्त्वा वस्त्रान्तरितमेव वा । श्वेतेन याति यानेन स्वर्गलोकानसंवृतान् ॥

śravaṇe kambalaṃ dattvā vastrāntaritameva vā | śvetena yāti yānena svargalokānasaṃvṛtān

Under Shravana, having given a blanket, or one wrapped in cloth, he travels in a white conveyance through the unobstructed heavenly worlds.

Verse 29 (13.99.29)

गोप्रयुक्तं धनिष्ठासु यानं दत्त्वा समाहितः । वस्त्रराशिधनं सद्यः प्रेत्य राज्यं प्रपद्यते ॥

goprayuktaṃ dhaniṣṭhāsu yānaṃ dattvā samāhitaḥ | vastrarāśidhanaṃ sadyaḥ pretya rājyaṃ prapadyate

Under Dhanishtha, having given a vehicle yoked to oxen, with a collected mind, he soon gains, after death, a kingdom with a store of garments and wealth.

Verse 30 (13.99.30)

गन्धाञ्शतभिषग्योगे दत्त्वा सागरुचन्दनान् । प्राप्नोत्यप्सरसां सङ्घान्प्रेत्य गन्धांश्च शाश्वतान् ॥

gandhāñśatabhiṣagyoge dattvā sāgarucandanān | prāpnotyapsarasāṃ saṅghānpretya gandhāṃśca śāśvatān

Under Shatabhishaj, having given perfumes with aloe and sandalwood, he attains hosts of apsarases after death, and eternal fragrances.

Verse 31 (13.99.31)

पूर्वप्रोष्ठपदायोगे राजमाषान्प्रदाय तु । सर्वभक्षफलोपेतः स वै प्रेत्य सुखी भवेत् ॥

pūrvaproṣṭhapadāyoge rājamāṣānpradāya tu | sarvabhakṣaphalopetaḥ sa vai pretya sukhī bhavet

Under Purva Bhadrapada, having given beans, he becomes endowed with every food and fruit and is happy after death.

Verse 32 (13.99.32)

औरभ्रमुत्तरायोगे यस्तु मांसं प्रयच्छति । स पितॄन्प्रीणयति वै प्रेत्य चानन्त्यमश्नुते ॥

aurabhramuttarāyoge yastu māṃsaṃ prayacchati | sa pitṝnprīṇayati vai pretya cānantyamaśnute

He who gives the flesh of a ram under the conjunction of Uttara pleases the ancestors and obtains what is endless after death.

Verse 33 (13.99.33)

कांस्योपदोहनां धेनुं रेवत्यां यः प्रयच्छति । सा प्रेत्य कामानादाय दातारमुपतिष्ठति ॥

kāṃsyopadohanāṃ dhenuṃ revatyāṃ yaḥ prayacchati | sā pretya kāmānādāya dātāramupatiṣṭhati

He who gives a cow with a bronze milking-pail under Revati—she follows the giver after death, bringing all his desires.

Note on the text: Corrected धेनु रेवत्यां → धेनुं रेवत्यां (misprint in Wikisource; missing anusvara; CE dhenuṃ).

Verse 34 (13.99.34)

रथमश्वसमायुक्तं दत्त्वाऽश्विन्यां नरोत्तमः । हस्त्यश्वरथसम्पन्ने वर्चस्वी जायते कुले ॥

rathamaśvasamāyuktaṃ dattvā'śvinyāṃ narottamaḥ | hastyaśvarathasampanne varcasvī jāyate kule

Under Ashvini, the best of men who gives a chariot yoked with horses is born in a radiant family rich in elephants, horses and chariots.

Verse 35 (13.99.35)

भरणीषु द्विजातिभ्यस्तिलधेनुं प्रदाय वै । गाः सुप्रभूताः प्राप्नोति नरः प्रेत्य यशस्तथा ॥

bharaṇīṣu dvijātibhyastiladhenuṃ pradāya vai | gāḥ suprabhūtāḥ prāpnoti naraḥ pretya yaśastathā

Under Bharani, a man who gives sesame cows to brahmanas obtains abundant cattle, and fame after death.

Verse 36 (13.99.36)

इत्येष लक्षणोद्देशः प्रोक्तो नक्षत्रयोगतः । देवक्या नारदेनेह सा स्नुषाभ्योऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥

ityeṣa lakṣaṇoddeśaḥ prokto nakṣatrayogataḥ | devakyā nāradeneha sā snuṣābhyo'bravīdidam

Thus the outline of the signs, according to the conjunctions of the stars, was told by Narada to Devaki, and she spoke it to her daughters-in-law.