Executing the Payo-vrata Process of Worship

Verse 1 (bhagavata.8.16.1)

श्रीशुक उवाच एवं पुत्रेषु नष्टेषु देवमातादितिस्तदा । हृते त्रिविष्टपे दैत्यैः पर्यतप्यदनाथवत् ॥ 16.1 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca evaṁ putreṣu naṣṭeṣu deva-mātāditis tadā hṛte tri-viṣṭape daityaiḥ paryatapyad anāthavat

Sri Sukadeva said: Thus, when her sons had vanished and the demons had seized heaven, Aditi, mother of the gods, grieved as though she had no protector left.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.8.16.2)

एकदा कश्यपस्तस्या आश्रमं भगवानगात् । निरुत्सवं निरानन्दं समाधेर्विरतश्चिरात् ॥ 16.2 ॥

ekadā kaśyapas tasyā āśramaṁ bhagavān agāt nirutsavaṁ nirānandaṁ samādher virataś cirāt

One day, having risen at last from a long spell of meditation, the sage Kashyapa came to her hermitage, which now stood joyless and without festivity.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.8.16.3)

स पत्नीं दीनवदनां कृतासनपरिग्रहः । सभाजितो यथान्यायमिदमाह कुरूद्वह ॥ 16.3 ॥

sa patnīṁ dīna-vadanāṁ kṛtāsana-parigrahaḥ sabhājito yathā-nyāyam idam āha kurūdvaha

O best of the Kurus, duly received and seated with proper honor, Kashyapa then spoke thus to his dejected-faced wife.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.8.16.4)

अप्यभद्रं न विप्राणां भद्रे लोकेऽधुनागतम् । न धर्मस्य न लोकस्य मृत्योश्छन्दानुवर्तिनः ॥ 16.4 ॥

apy abhadraṁ na viprāṇāṁ bhadre loke ’dhunāgatam na dharmasya na lokasya mṛtyoś chandānuvartinaḥ

O gentle one, has some misfortune now befallen the brahmanas, or dharma, or the world of beings who live subject to death's own whim?

Verse 5 (bhagavata.8.16.5)

अपि वाकुशलं किञ्चिद् गृहेषु गृहमेधिनि । धर्मस्यार्थस्य कामस्य यत्र योगो ह्ययोगिनाम् ॥ 16.5 ॥

api vākuśalaṁ kiñcid gṛheṣu gṛha-medhini dharmasyārthasya kāmasya yatra yogo hy ayoginām

O you devoted to household life, has anything gone amiss in this home, where, for householders, dharma, artha and kama find their proper meeting-place?

Verse 6 (bhagavata.8.16.6)

अपि वातिथयोऽभ्येत्य कुटुम्बासक्तया त्वया । गृहादपूजिता याताः प्रत्युत्थानेन वा क्वचित् ॥ 16.6 ॥

api vātithayo ’bhyetya kuṭumbāsaktayā tvayā gṛhād apūjitā yātāḥ pratyutthānena vā kvacit

Or has it happened that, too absorbed in the affairs of your household, you let some guest who came here depart unwelcomed, without even rising to receive him?

Verse 7 (bhagavata.8.16.7)

गृहेषु येष्वतिथयो नार्चिताः सलिलैरपि । यदि निर्यान्ति ते नूनं फेरुराजगृहोपमाः ॥ 16.7 ॥

gṛheṣu yeṣv atithayo nārcitāḥ salilair api yadi niryānti te nūnaṁ pherurāja-gṛhopamāḥ

Those homes from which a guest departs without even having been offered a little water are, in truth, no better than a jackal's den.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.8.16.8)

अप्यग्नयस्तु वेलायां न हुता हविषा सति । त्वयोद्विग्नधिया भद्रे प्रोषिते मयि कर्हिचित् ॥ 16.8 ॥

apy agnayas tu velāyāṁ na hutā haviṣā sati tvayodvigna-dhiyā bhadre proṣite mayi karhicit

O chaste and gentle wife, has your mind, troubled during my absence somewhere, ever failed to offer the fire its due oblation of ghee at the proper hour?

Verse 9 (bhagavata.8.16.9)

यत्पूजया कामदुघान्याति लोकान्गृहान्वितः । ब्राह्मणोऽग्निश्च वै विष्णोः सर्वदेवात्मनो मुखम् ॥ 16.9 ॥

yat-pūjayā kāma-dughān yāti lokān gṛhānvitaḥ brāhmaṇo ’gniś ca vai viṣṇoḥ sarva-devātmano mukham

The brahmana and the sacred fire are alike the mouth of Vishnu, the very self of all the gods; by honoring them, a householder attains the worlds that fulfill every desire.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.8.16.10)

अपि सर्वे कुशलिनस्तव पुत्रा मनस्विनि । लक्षयेऽस्वस्थमात्मानं भवत्या लक्षणैरहम् ॥ 16.10 ॥

api sarve kuśalinas tava putrā manasvini lakṣaye ’svastham ātmānaṁ bhavatyā lakṣaṇair aham

O noble-hearted one, are all your sons faring well? From the very signs upon your face I can see that your mind is far from at ease.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.8.16.11)

श्रीअदितिरुवाच भद्रं द्विजगवां ब्रह्मन्धर्मस्यास्य जनस्य च । त्रिवर्गस्य परं क्षेत्रं गृहमेधिन्गृहा इमे ॥ 16.11 ॥

śrī-aditir uvāca bhadraṁ dvija-gavāṁ brahman dharmasyāsya janasya ca tri-vargasya paraṁ kṣetraṁ gṛhamedhin gṛhā ime

Sri Aditi said: O sage, all is well with the brahmanas, the cows, dharma and the people. O master of this household, this home of ours remains the finest ground for the fulfillment of the three — dharma, artha and kama.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.8.16.12)

अग्नयोऽतिथयो भृत्या भिक्षवो ये च लिप्सवः । सर्वं भगवतो ब्रह्मन्ननुध्यानान्न रिष्यति ॥ 16.12 ॥

agnayo ’tithayo bhṛtyā bhikṣavo ye ca lipsavaḥ sarvaṁ bhagavato brahmann anudhyānān na riṣyati

O sage, nothing is ever wanting for the sacred fires, the guests, the servants, or those who come seeking alms — for through constant remembrance of you, nothing here ever falls into neglect.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.8.16.13)

को नु मे भगवन्कामो न सम्पद्येत मानसः । यस्या भवान्प्रजाध्यक्ष एवं धर्मान्प्रभाषते ॥ 16.13 ॥

ko nu me bhagavan kāmo na sampadyeta mānasaḥ yasyā bhavān prajādhyakṣa evaṁ dharmān prabhāṣate

O lord, when you yourself, a Prajapati, expound the principles of dharma to me in this way, what desire of my heart could possibly remain unfulfilled?

Verse 14 (bhagavata.8.16.14)

तवैव मारीच मनःशरीरजाः प्रजा इमाः सत्त्वरजस्तमोजुषः । समो भवांस्तास्वसुरादिषु प्रभो तथापि भक्तं भजते महेश्वरः ॥ 16.14 ॥

tavaiva mārīca manaḥ-śarīrajāḥ prajā imāḥ sattva-rajas-tamo-juṣaḥ samo bhavāṁs tāsv asurādiṣu prabho tathāpi bhaktaṁ bhajate maheśvaraḥ

O son of Marichi, all these beings — demons and gods alike, tinged with the qualities of goodness, passion and ignorance — are born of your own mind and body. Though you regard them all equally, yet, my lord, just as the Supreme Lord himself favors his devotee, so too do you.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.8.16.15)

तस्मादीश भजन्त्या मे श्रेयश्चिन्तय सुव्रत । हृतश्रियो हृतस्थानान्सपत्नैः पाहि नः प्रभो ॥ 16.15 ॥

tasmād īśa bhajantyā me śreyaś cintaya suvrata hṛta-śriyo hṛta-sthānān sapatnaiḥ pāhi naḥ prabho

Therefore, my lord, faithful to your vows, think of my welfare, for I am devoted to you. O protector, our rivals have stripped us of our fortune and our home — please shelter us.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.8.16.16)

परैर्विवासिता साहं मग्ना व्यसनसागरे । ऐश्वर्यं श्रीर्यशः स्थानं हृतानि प्रबलैर्मम ॥ 16.16 ॥

parair vivāsitā sāhaṁ magnā vyasana-sāgare aiśvaryaṁ śrīr yaśaḥ sthānaṁ hṛtāni prabalair mama

My powerful enemies have taken from me my majesty, my prosperity, my renown, and my very home; driven out by them, I now find myself submerged in an ocean of misfortune.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.8.16.17)

यथा तानि पुनः साधो प्रपद्येरन् ममात्मजाः । तथा विधेहि कल्याणं धिया कल्याणकृत्तम ॥ 16.17 ॥

yathā tāni punaḥ sādho prapadyeran mamātmajāḥ tathā vidhehi kalyāṇaṁ dhiyā kalyāṇa-kṛttama

O best of the saintly, foremost of those who work good for others, devise with your wisdom some auspicious remedy, by which my sons may win back all they have lost.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.8.16.18)

श्रीशुक उवाच एवमभ्यर्थितोऽदित्या कस्तामाह स्मयन्निव । अहो मायाबलं विष्णोः स्नेहबद्धमिदं जगत् ॥ 16.18 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca evam abhyarthito ’dityā kas tām āha smayann iva aho māyā-balaṁ viṣṇoḥ sneha-baddham idaṁ jagat

Sri Sukadeva said: Thus entreated by Aditi, Kashyapa, almost smiling, said: "Ah, how great is the power of Vishnu's illusion, by which this whole world is bound in the ties of affection!"

Verse 19 (bhagavata.8.16.19)

क्व देहो भौतिकोऽनात्मा क्व चात्मा प्रकृतेः परः । कस्य के पतिपुत्राद्या मोह एव हि कारणम् ॥ 16.19 ॥

kva deho bhautiko ’nātmā kva cātmā prakṛteḥ paraḥ kasya ke pati-putrādyā moha eva hi kāraṇam

How far apart are the material body — which is not the self — and the self, which lies beyond material nature! Whose husband, whose son, are these truly? It is delusion alone that gives rise to such notions.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.8.16.20)

उपतिष्ठस्व पुरुषं भगवन्तं जनार्दनम् । सर्वभूतगुहावासं वासुदेवं जगद्गुरुम् ॥ 16.20 ॥

upatiṣṭhasva puruṣaṁ bhagavantaṁ janārdanam sarva-bhūta-guhā-vāsaṁ vāsudevaṁ jagad-gurum

Take refuge in the Supreme Person, Janardana, who dwells hidden within the heart of every being, who is Vasudeva, the teacher of the entire universe.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.8.16.21)

स विधास्यति ते कामान्हरिर्दीनानुकम्पनः । अमोघा भगवद्भक्तिर्नेतरेति मतिर्मम ॥ 16.21 ॥

sa vidhāsyati te kāmān harir dīnānukampanaḥ amoghā bhagavad-bhaktir netareti matir mama

Hari, ever compassionate to the humble, will surely fulfill your desires, for devotion to the Lord never goes in vain — this is my firm conviction, and nothing else can compare to it.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.8.16.22)

श्रीअदितिरुवाच केनाहं विधिना ब्रह्मन्नुपस्थास्ये जगत्पतिम् । यथा मे सत्यसङ्कल्पो विदध्यात् स मनोरथम् ॥ 16.22 ॥

śrī-aditir uvāca kenāhaṁ vidhinā brahmann upasthāsye jagat-patim yathā me satya-saṅkalpo vidadhyāt sa manoratham

Sri Aditi said: O sage, by what method shall I approach the Lord of the universe, so that he, whose will never fails, may grant the desire of my heart?

Verse 23 (bhagavata.8.16.23)

आदिश त्वं द्विजश्रेष्ठ विधिं तदुपधावनम् । आशु तुष्यति मे देवः सीदन्त्याः सह पुत्रकैः ॥ 16.23 ॥

ādiśa tvaṁ dvija-śreṣṭha vidhiṁ tad-upadhāvanam āśu tuṣyati me devaḥ sīdantyāḥ saha putrakaiḥ

O best of the twice-born, teach me the method of worshiping him, so that the Lord may quickly be pleased with me and my sons, distressed as we now are.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.8.16.24)

श्रीकश्यप उवाच एतन्मे भगवान्पृष्टः प्रजाकामस्य पद्मजः । यदाह ते प्रवक्ष्यामि व्रतं केशवतोषणम् ॥ 16.24 ॥

śrī-kaśyapa uvāca etan me bhagavān pṛṣṭaḥ prajā-kāmasya padmajaḥ yad āha te pravakṣyāmi vrataṁ keśava-toṣaṇam

Sri Kashyapa said: When, desiring offspring, I once put this very question to the lotus-born Brahma, he told me a certain vow that pleases Keshava. I shall now describe it to you.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.8.16.25)

फाल्गुनस्यामले पक्षे द्वादशाहं पयोव्रतम् । अर्चयेदरविन्दाक्षं भक्त्या परमयान्वितः ॥ 16.25 ॥

phālgunasyāmale pakṣe dvādaśāhaṁ payo-vratam arcayed aravindākṣaṁ bhaktyā paramayānvitaḥ

During the bright fortnight of the month of Phalguna, for twelve days one should keep the payo-vrata, subsisting on milk, and worship the lotus-eyed Lord with the deepest devotion.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.8.16.26)

सिनीवाल्यां मृदालिप्य स्नायात् क्रोडविदीर्णया । यदि लभ्येत वै स्रोतस्येतं मन्त्रमुदीरयेत् ॥ 16.26 ॥

sinīvālyāṁ mṛdālipya snāyāt kroḍa-vidīrṇayā yadi labhyeta vai srotasy etaṁ mantram udīrayet

On the day of the new moon, if such earth can be found, one should smear the body with soil dug up by a boar's snout and bathe in flowing water, reciting this mantra while doing so.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.8.16.27)

त्वं देव्यादिवराहेण रसायाः स्थानमिच्छता । उद्धृतासि नमस्तुभ्यं पाप्मानं मे प्रणाशय ॥ 16.27 ॥

tvaṁ devy ādi-varāheṇa rasāyāḥ sthānam icchatā uddhṛtāsi namas tubhyaṁ pāpmānaṁ me praṇāśaya

"O goddess, you were lifted up by the primeval Varaha, who wished to give you a place free of the depths — I bow to you; destroy all my sins."

Verse 28 (bhagavata.8.16.28)

निर्वर्तितात्मनियमो देवमर्चेत् समाहितः । अर्चायां स्थण्डिले सूर्ये जले वह्नौ गुरावपि ॥ 16.28 ॥

nirvartitātma-niyamo devam arcet samāhitaḥ arcāyāṁ sthaṇḍile sūrye jale vahnau gurāv api

Having completed one's daily observances, one should worship the Lord with a focused mind — whether present in the deity image, the sacred altar, the sun, water, fire, or one's own teacher.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.8.16.29)

नमस्तुभ्यं भगवते पुरुषाय महीयसे । सर्वभूतनिवासाय वासुदेवाय साक्षिणे ॥ 16.29 ॥

namas tubhyaṁ bhagavate puruṣāya mahīyase sarva-bhūta-nivāsāya vāsudevāya sākṣiṇe

"Obeisances to you, O Lord, O most glorious Supreme Person, O abode of all beings, O Vasudeva, the witness of all — obeisances to you."

Verse 30 (bhagavata.8.16.30)

नमोऽव्यक्ताय सूक्ष्माय प्रधानपुरुषाय च । चतुर्विंशद्गुणज्ञाय गुणसङ्ख्यानहेतवे ॥ 16.30 ॥

namo ’vyaktāya sūkṣmāya pradhāna-puruṣāya ca catur-viṁśad-guṇa-jñāya guṇa-saṅkhyāna-hetave

"Obeisances to you, the unmanifest, the subtle, both primal nature and the person, knower of the twenty-four elements, source of their reckoning through Sankhya."

Verse 31 (bhagavata.8.16.31)

नमो द्विशीर्ष्णे त्रिपदे चतुःशृङ्गाय तन्तवे । सप्तहस्ताय यज्ञाय त्रयीविद्यात्मने नमः ॥ 16.31 ॥

namo dvi-śīrṣṇe tri-pade catuḥ-śṛṅgāya tantave sapta-hastāya yajñāya trayī-vidyātmane namaḥ

"Obeisances to you, two-headed, three-footed, four-horned and seven-handed, the very form of sacrifice, whose self is the threefold Vedic knowledge."

Verse 32 (bhagavata.8.16.32)

नमः शिवाय रुद्राय नमः शक्तिधराय च । सर्वविद्याधिपतये भूतानां पतये नमः ॥ 16.32 ॥

namaḥ śivāya rudrāya namaḥ śakti-dharāya ca sarva-vidyādhipataye bhūtānāṁ pataye namaḥ

"Obeisances to you as Shiva, as Rudra, obeisances to you, bearer of all power, lord of every branch of knowledge, lord of all created beings."

Verse 33 (bhagavata.8.16.33)

नमो हिरण्यगर्भाय प्राणाय जगदात्मने । योगैश्वर्यशरीराय नमस्ते योगहेतवे ॥ 16.33 ॥

namo hiraṇyagarbhāya prāṇāya jagad-ātmane yogaiśvarya-śarīrāya namas te yoga-hetave

"Obeisances to you as Hiranyagarbha, as the life-breath, the self of the universe, whose form is the very opulence of yoga, the cause of yoga itself — obeisances to you."

Verse 34 (bhagavata.8.16.34)

नमस्त आदिदेवाय साक्षिभूताय ते नमः । नारायणाय ऋषये नराय हरये नमः ॥ 16.34 ॥

namas ta ādi-devāya sākṣi-bhūtāya te namaḥ nārāyaṇāya ṛṣaye narāya haraye namaḥ

"Obeisances to you, the primal god; obeisances to you, the witness within. Obeisances to you as Narayana, as the sage, as Nara, as Hari."

Verse 35 (bhagavata.8.16.35)

नमो मरकतश्यामवपुषेऽधिगतश्रिये । केशवाय नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्ते पीतवाससे ॥ 16.35 ॥

namo marakata-śyāma- vapuṣe ’dhigata-śriye keśavāya namas tubhyaṁ namas te pīta-vāsase

"Obeisances to you, whose body is dark as the emerald, master of the goddess of fortune; obeisances to you, Keshava; obeisances to you, clad in garments of yellow."

Verse 36 (bhagavata.8.16.36)

त्वं सर्ववरदः पुंसां वरेण्य वरदर्षभ । अतस्ते श्रेयसे धीराः पादरेणुमुपासते ॥ 16.36 ॥

tvaṁ sarva-varadaḥ puṁsāṁ vareṇya varadarṣabha atas te śreyase dhīrāḥ pāda-reṇum upāsate

You, O most worthy of worship, foremost among those who grant boons, bestow every desire upon all people; and it is for this reason that the wise, for their own good, worship the very dust of your feet.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.8.16.37)

अन्ववर्तन्त यं देवाः श्रीश्च तत्पादपद्मयोः । स्पृहयन्त इवामोदं भगवान्मे प्रसीदताम् ॥ 16.37 ॥

anvavartanta yaṁ devāḥ śrīś ca tat-pāda-padmayoḥ spṛhayanta ivāmodaṁ bhagavān me prasīdatām

May that Lord be pleased with me — he whose lotus feet the demigods and the goddess of fortune herself follow, as though longing for their very fragrance.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.8.16.38)

एतैर्मन्त्रैर्हृषीकेशमावाहनपुरस्कृतम् । अर्चयेच्छ्रद्धया युक्तः पाद्योपस्पर्शनादिभिः ॥ 16.38 ॥

etair mantrair hṛṣīkeśam āvāhana-puraskṛtam arcayec chraddhayā yuktaḥ pādyopasparśanādibhiḥ

With these mantras one should invoke Lord Hrishikesha and, with full faith, worship him, offering water for his feet and the other items of worship.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.8.16.39)

अर्चित्वा गन्धमाल्याद्यैः पयसा स्नपयेद् विभुम् । वस्त्रोपवीताभरणपाद्योपस्पर्शनैस्ततः । गन्धधूपादिभिश्चार्चेद्द्वादशाक्षरविद्यया ॥ 16.39 ॥

arcitvā gandha-mālyādyaiḥ payasā snapayed vibhum vastropavītābharaṇa- pādyopasparśanais tataḥ gandha-dhūpādibhiś cārced dvādaśākṣara-vidyayā

Having worshiped him with sandal paste and garlands, one should bathe the mighty Lord with milk, then offer garments, the sacred thread, ornaments and water for his feet; then, with the twelve-syllable mantra, one should again worship him with fragrant paste, incense and the like.

Verse 40 (bhagavata.8.16.40)

शृतं पयसि नैवेद्यं शाल्यन्नं विभवे सति । ससर्पिः सगुडं दत्त्वा जुहुयान्मूलविद्यया ॥ 16.40 ॥

śṛtaṁ payasi naivedyaṁ śāly-annaṁ vibhave sati sasarpiḥ saguḍaṁ dattvā juhuyān mūla-vidyayā

If one has the means, one should offer as naivedya fine rice cooked in milk, together with ghee and molasses, and offer it into the fire while reciting the root mantra.

Verse 41 (bhagavata.8.16.41)

निवेदितं तद्भक्ताय दद्याद्भुञ्जीत वा स्वयम् । दत्त्वाचमनमर्चित्वा ताम्बूलं च निवेदयेत् ॥ 16.41 ॥

niveditaṁ tad-bhaktāya dadyād bhuñjīta vā svayam dattvācamanam arcitvā tāmbūlaṁ ca nivedayet

That which has been offered should be given to a devotee, or partaken of oneself. Then, having offered water for rinsing the mouth and worshiped once more, one should offer betel to the Lord.

Verse 42 (bhagavata.8.16.42)

जपेदष्टोत्तरशतं स्तुवीत स्तुतिभिः प्रभुम् । कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणं भूमौ प्रणमेद् दण्डवन्मुदा ॥ 16.42 ॥

japed aṣṭottara-śataṁ stuvīta stutibhiḥ prabhum kṛtvā pradakṣiṇaṁ bhūmau praṇamed daṇḍavan mudā

One should then softly chant the mantra one hundred and eight times, praise the Lord with hymns, circle him in reverence, and joyfully prostrate full length upon the ground.

Verse 43 (bhagavata.8.16.43)

कृत्वा शिरसि तच्छेषां देवमुद्वासयेत् ततः । द्वयवरान्भोजयेद् विप्रान्पायसेन यथोचितम् ॥ 16.43 ॥

kṛtvā śirasi tac-cheṣāṁ devam udvāsayet tataḥ dvy-avarān bhojayed viprān pāyasena yathocitam

Having touched to one's own head what remains of the offerings, one should then take leave of the deity, and afterward feed at least two brahmanas with sweet rice, as prescribed.

Verse 44 (bhagavata.8.16.44)

भुञ्जीत तैरनुज्ञातः सेष्टः शेषं सभाजितैः । ब्रह्मचार्यथ तद्रात्र्यां श्वोभूते प्रथमेऽहनि ॥ 16.44 ॥

bhuñjīta tair anujñātaḥ seṣṭaḥ śeṣaṁ sabhājitaiḥ brahmacāry atha tad-rātryāṁ śvo bhūte prathame ’hani

With their permission, having duly honored those brahmanas, one should then take the remaining prasada together with one's own dear ones. That night, one should observe strict celibacy, and the next day —

Verse 45 (bhagavata.8.16.45)

स्नातः शुचिर्यथोक्तेन विधिना सुसमाहितः । पयसा स्नापयित्वार्चेद् यावद्व्रतसमापनम् ॥ 16.45 ॥

snātaḥ śucir yathoktena vidhinā susamāhitaḥ payasā snāpayitvārced yāvad vrata-samāpanam

— having bathed and purified oneself, with full attention one should again bathe the Lord with milk according to the method already described, and continue this worship until the vow is complete.

Verse 46 (bhagavata.8.16.46)

पयोभक्षो व्रतमिदं चरेद् विष्णवर्चनादृतः । पूर्ववज्जुहुयादग्निं ब्राह्मणांश्चापि भोजयेत् ॥ 16.46 ॥

payo-bhakṣo vratam idaṁ cared viṣṇv-arcanādṛtaḥ pūrvavaj juhuyād agniṁ brāhmaṇāṁś cāpi bhojayet

Subsisting only on milk, devoted to the worship of Vishnu, one should follow this vow, offering oblations into the fire and feeding the brahmanas just as before.

Verse 47 (bhagavata.8.16.47)

एवं त्वहरहः कुर्याद्द्वादशाहं पयोव्रतम् । हरेराराधनं होममर्हणं द्विजतर्पणम् ॥ 16.47 ॥

evaṁ tv ahar ahaḥ kuryād dvādaśāhaṁ payo-vratam harer ārādhanaṁ homam arhaṇaṁ dvija-tarpaṇam

Thus, day after day for twelve days, one should keep the payo-vrata, worshiping Hari, performing the fire offering, the ritual homage, and satisfying the brahmanas.

Verse 48 (bhagavata.8.16.48)

प्रतिपद्दिनमारभ्य यावच्छुक्लत्रयोदशीम् । ब्रह्मचर्यमधःस्वप्नं स्नानं त्रिषवणं चरेत् ॥ 16.48 ॥

pratipad-dinam ārabhya yāvac chukla-trayodaśīm brahmacaryam adhaḥ-svapnaṁ snānaṁ tri-ṣavaṇaṁ caret

From the first day of the fortnight until the thirteenth day of the bright moon, one should observe celibacy, sleep upon the ground, and bathe three times each day.

Verse 49 (bhagavata.8.16.49)

वर्जयेदसदालापं भोगानुच्चावचांस्तथा । अहिंस्रः सर्वभूतानां वासुदेवपरायणः ॥ 16.49 ॥

varjayed asad-ālāpaṁ bhogān uccāvacāṁs tathā ahiṁsraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ vāsudeva-parāyaṇaḥ

One should avoid idle, worldly talk and all manner of sense enjoyment, high or low, remain free of harm toward every living being, and stay wholly devoted to Vasudeva.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.8.16.50)

त्रयोदश्यामथो विष्णोः स्नपनं पञ्चकैर्विभोः । कारयेच्छास्त्रदृष्टेन विधिना विधिकोविदैः ॥ 16.50 ॥

trayodaśyām atho viṣṇoḥ snapanaṁ pañcakair vibhoḥ kārayec chāstra-dṛṣṭena vidhinā vidhi-kovidaiḥ

Then, on the thirteenth day, with the help of those learned in the scriptural procedure, one should have the mighty Vishnu bathed with the five sacred substances, according to the rites laid down in the scriptures.

Verse 51 (bhagavata.8.16.51)

पूजां च महतीं कुर्याद् वित्तशाठ्यविवर्जितः । चरुं निरूप्य पयसि शिपिविष्टाय विष्णवे ॥ 16.51 ॥

pūjāṁ ca mahatīṁ kuryād vitta-śāṭhya-vivarjitaḥ caruṁ nirūpya payasi śipiviṣṭāya viṣṇave

Without any miserliness regarding one's wealth, one should perform grand worship, preparing an offering of grain cooked in milk for Vishnu, who pervades all things.

Verse 52 (bhagavata.8.16.52)

सूक्तेन तेन पुरुषं यजेत सुसमाहितः । नैवेद्यं चातिगुणवद् दद्यात्पुरुषतुष्टिदम् ॥ 16.52 ॥

sūktena tena puruṣaṁ yajeta susamāhitaḥ naivedyaṁ cātiguṇavad dadyāt puruṣa-tuṣṭidam

With complete concentration, one should worship the Supreme Person with the Purusha-sukta hymn, and offer him food of the finest quality, such as delights the Person himself.

Verse 53 (bhagavata.8.16.53)

आचार्यं ज्ञानसम्पन्नं वस्त्राभरणधेनुभिः । तोषयेदृत्विजश्चैव तद्विद्ध्याराधनं हरेः ॥ 16.53 ॥

ācāryaṁ jñāna-sampannaṁ vastrābharaṇa-dhenubhiḥ toṣayed ṛtvijaś caiva tad viddhy ārādhanaṁ hareḥ

One should satisfy the learned preceptor and the officiating priests with gifts of clothing, ornaments and cows — know this to be the true worship of Hari.

Verse 54 (bhagavata.8.16.54)

भोजयेत् तान्गुणवता सदन्नेन शुचिस्मिते । अन्यांश्च ब्राह्मणाञ्छक्त्या ये च तत्र समागताः ॥ 16.54 ॥

bhojayet tān guṇavatā sad-annena śuci-smite anyāṁś ca brāhmaṇāñ chaktyā ye ca tatra samāgatāḥ

O you of the pure smile, one should feed them wholesome food of the finest quality, and, to the extent of one's means, feed also whatever other brahmanas have gathered there.

Verse 55 (bhagavata.8.16.55)

दक्षिणां गुरवे दद्यादृत्विग्भ्यश्च यथार्हतः । अन्नाद्येनाश्वपाकांश्च प्रीणयेत्समुपागतान् ॥ 16.55 ॥

dakṣiṇāṁ gurave dadyād ṛtvigbhyaś ca yathārhataḥ annādyenāśva-pākāṁś ca prīṇayet samupāgatān

One should give appropriate dakshina to the teacher and the priests, and satisfy with food even those of the lowest station who have come there.

Verse 56 (bhagavata.8.16.56)

भुक्तवत्सु च सर्वेषु दीनान्धकृपणादिषु । विष्णोस्तत्प्रीणनं विद्वान्भुञ्जीत सह बन्धुभिः ॥ 16.56 ॥

bhuktavatsu ca sarveṣu dīnāndha-kṛpaṇādiṣu viṣṇos tat prīṇanaṁ vidvān bhuñjīta saha bandhubhiḥ

When the poor, the blind, the helpless and all others have finished eating, then the wise one, knowing this to be what pleases Vishnu, should himself take food together with his kin.

Verse 57 (bhagavata.8.16.57)

नृत्यवादित्रगीतैश्च स्तुतिभिः स्वस्तिवाचकैः । कारयेत्तत्कथाभिश्च पूजां भगवतोऽन्वहम् ॥ 16.57 ॥

nṛtya-vāditra-gītaiś ca stutibhiḥ svasti-vācakaiḥ kārayet tat-kathābhiś ca pūjāṁ bhagavato ’nvaham

With dancing, instrumental music and song, with hymns of praise and words of blessing, and with the recitation of his own narrations, one should conduct the Lord's worship each day.

Verse 58 (bhagavata.8.16.58)

एतत्पयोव्रतं नाम पुरुषाराधनं परम् । पितामहेनाभिहितं मया ते समुदाहृतम् ॥ 16.58 ॥

etat payo-vrataṁ nāma puruṣārādhanaṁ param pitāmahenābhihitaṁ mayā te samudāhṛtam

This, then, is the vow called payo-vrata, the supreme worship of the Person, as it was told to me by my own grandfather; I have now related it to you in full.

Verse 59 (bhagavata.8.16.59)

त्वं चानेन महाभागे सम्यक्चीर्णेन केशवम् । आत्मना शुद्धभावेन नियतात्मा भजाव्ययम् ॥ 16.59 ॥

tvaṁ cānena mahā-bhāge samyak cīrṇena keśavam ātmanā śuddha-bhāvena niyatātmā bhajāvyayam

O most fortunate one, faithfully following this same vow, with a purified heart and a disciplined mind, worship the imperishable Keshava.

Verse 60 (bhagavata.8.16.60)

अयं वै सर्वयज्ञाख्यः सर्वव्रतमिति स्मृतम् । तपःसारमिदं भद्रे दानं चेश्वरतर्पणम् ॥ 16.60 ॥

ayaṁ vai sarva-yajñākhyaḥ sarva-vratam iti smṛtam tapaḥ-sāram idaṁ bhadre dānaṁ ceśvara-tarpaṇam

O gentle lady, this same vow is known as the sum of all sacrifices, the sum of all vows; it is the very essence of austerity, and it is the charity that truly satisfies the Lord.

Verse 61 (bhagavata.8.16.61)

त एव नियमाः साक्षात्त एव च यमोत्तमाः । तपो दानं व्रतं यज्ञो येन तुष्यत्यधोक्षजः ॥ 16.61 ॥

ta eva niyamāḥ sākṣāt ta eva ca yamottamāḥ tapo dānaṁ vrataṁ yajño yena tuṣyaty adhokṣajaḥ

That alone is the true discipline, the highest restraint, the true austerity, charity, vow and sacrifice — that by which the Lord beyond the senses, Adhokshaja, is truly satisfied.

Verse 62 (bhagavata.8.16.62)

तस्मादेतद्व्रतं भद्रे प्रयता श्रद्धयाचर । भगवान्परितुष्टस्ते वरानाशु विधास्यति ॥ 16.62 ॥

tasmād etad vrataṁ bhadre prayatā śraddhayācara bhagavān parituṣṭas te varān āśu vidhāsyati

Therefore, O gentle one, observe this vow with restraint and with faith. Pleased by it, the Lord will soon grant you the boons you desire.