The Glory of Shukara-kshetra and the Month-Long Fast

Verse 1 (padma.6.119.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। माघस्नानस्य माहात्म्यं शृणु भागवतोत्तम । त्वत्समो नास्ति लोकेऽस्मिन्विष्णुभक्तो महामते

īśvara uvāca māghasnānasya māhātmyaṁ śṛṇu bhāgavatottama tvatsamo nāsti loke'sminviṣṇubhakto mahāmate

Ishvara said: Hear the glory of the Magha bath, O foremost of Bhagavatas. In this world there is none, O great-minded one, equal to you in devotion to Vishnu.

Verse 2 (padma.6.119.2)

चक्रतीर्थे हरिं दृष्ट्वा मथुरायां च केशवम् । यत्फलं लभते मर्त्यो माघस्नानेन तत्फलम्

cakratīrthe hariṁ dṛṣṭvā mathurāyāṁ ca keśavam yatphalaṁ labhate martyo māghasnānena tatphalam

That fruit which a mortal obtains by beholding Hari at Chakratirtha and Keshava at Mathura — that same fruit is obtained through bathing in Magha.

Verse 3 (padma.6.119.3)

जितेंद्रियः शांतमनाः सदाचारेण संयुतः । स्नानं करोति यो माघे संसारी न भवेत्पुनः

jiteṁdriyaḥ śāṁtamanāḥ sadācāreṇa saṁyutaḥ snānaṁ karoti yo māghe saṁsārī na bhavetpunaḥ

Whoever, with senses subdued, mind at peace, and joined to good conduct, bathes in Magha, does not become subject to worldly existence again.

Verse 4 (padma.6.119.4)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच। शूकरस्य च माहात्म्यं कथयिष्ये तवाग्रतः । यस्य विज्ञानमात्रेण सान्निध्यं मम सर्वदा

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca śūkarasya ca māhātmyaṁ kathayiṣye tavāgrataḥ yasya vijñānamātreṇa sānnidhyaṁ mama sarvadā

Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: I shall tell you the glory of Shukara [-kshetra], by the mere knowledge of which My presence is ever near.

Verse 5 (padma.6.119.5)

सूत उवाच। इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्कृष्णः सत्यायै बहुधा जगौ । तदहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि तच्छृणुध्वं तपोधनाः

sūta uvāca ityuktvā bhagavānkṛṣṇaḥ satyāyai bahudhā jagau tadahaṁ saṁpravakṣyāmi tacchṛṇudhvaṁ tapodhanāḥ

Sūta said: Having said this, the Lord Krishna spoke at length to Satya. I shall now tell that same thing — hear it, O you rich in austerity.

Verse 6 (padma.6.119.6)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच। पंचयोजनविस्तीर्णे शूकरे हरिमंदिरे । यस्मिन्वसति यो जीवो गर्दभोऽपि चतुर्भुजः

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca paṁcayojanavistīrṇe śūkare harimaṁdire yasminvasati yo jīvo gardabho'pi caturbhujaḥ

Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: In Shukara, the temple of Hari extending five yojanas, whatever living being dwells — even a donkey — becomes four-armed.

Verse 7 (padma.6.119.7)

त्रीणि हस्तसहस्राणि त्रीणि हस्तशतानि च । त्रयो हस्ता शूकरस्य परिमाणं विधीयते

trīṇi hastasahasrāṇi trīṇi hastaśatāni ca trayo hastā śūkarasya parimāṇaṁ vidhīyate

Three thousand cubits, three hundred cubits, and three cubits — such is ordained as the measure of Shukara [-kshetra].

Verse 8 (padma.6.119.8)

षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि योऽन्यत्र कुरुते तपः । तत्फलं लभते देवि प्रहरार्द्धेन शूकरे

ṣaṣṭivarṣasahasrāṇi yo'nyatra kurute tapaḥ tatphalaṁ labhate devi praharārddhena śūkare

That fruit which one obtains by performing austerity for sixty thousand years elsewhere, O goddess, is obtained in Shukara in half a watch of time.

Verse 9 (padma.6.119.9)

सन्निहत्यां कुरुक्षेत्रे राहुग्रस्ते दिवाकरे । तुलापुरुषदानेन तत्फलं परिकीर्त्तितम्

sannihatyāṁ kurukṣetre rāhugraste divākare tulāpuruṣadānena tatphalaṁ parikīrttitam

That fruit is declared equal to the gift of Tulapurusha [weighing oneself against gold] given at Sannihatya in Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse.

Verse 10 (padma.6.119.10)

काश्यां दशगुणं प्रोक्तं वेण्यां शतगुणं भवेत् । सहस्रगुणितं प्रोक्तं गंगासागरसंगमे

kāśyāṁ daśaguṇaṁ proktaṁ veṇyāṁ śataguṇaṁ bhavet sahasraguṇitaṁ proktaṁ gaṁgāsāgarasaṁgame

At Kashi it is declared tenfold; at the Veni [confluence] it becomes a hundredfold; at the confluence of the Ganga and the ocean it is declared a thousandfold.

Verse 11 (padma.6.119.11)

अनंतं चैव विज्ञेयं शूकरे हरिमंदिरे । अन्यत्र ददते लक्षं संविधानेन कार्तिक

anaṁtaṁ caiva vijñeyaṁ śūkare harimaṁdire anyatra dadate lakṣaṁ saṁvidhānena kārtika

But at Shukara, the temple of Hari, it should be known to be infinite. Elsewhere, O Kartikeya, one gives that gift a hundred thousand times over according to the rite —

Verse 12 (padma.6.119.12)

इहैवैकेन दत्तेन शूकरे तत्समं भवेत् । शूकरे च तथा वेण्यां गंगासागरसंगमे

ihaivaikena dattena śūkare tatsamaṁ bhavet śūkare ca tathā veṇyāṁ gaṁgāsāgarasaṁgame

— yet here, given only once, at Shukara, it becomes equal to that. And so too at Shukara, at the Veni, and at the confluence of the Ganga and the ocean —

Verse 13 (padma.6.119.13)

सकृदेव नरः स्नात्वा ब्रह्महत्यां व्यपोहति । अलर्केण पुरा प्राप्ता सप्तद्वीपा वसुंधरा । शूकरक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यं श्रुत्वा चैव षडानन

sakṛdeva naraḥ snātvā brahmahatyāṁ vyapohati alarkeṇa purā prāptā saptadvīpā vasuṁdharā śūkarakṣetramāhātmyaṁ śrutvā caiva ṣaḍānana

— a man, bathing there even once, washes away even the sin of killing a brahmin. Of old, King Alarka obtained the earth with its seven continents merely by hearing, O six-faced one, the glory of Shukara-kshetra.

Verse 14 (padma.6.119.14)

मार्गशीर्षस्य द्वादश्यां शुक्लायां व्रज पुत्रक । कार्त्तिकेय उवाच । भगवन्श्रोतुमिच्छामि व्रतानामुत्तमं व्रतम् । विधिं मासोपवासस्य फलं चास्य यथोचितम्

mārgaśīrṣasya dvādaśyāṁ śuklāyāṁ vraja putraka kārttikeya uvāca bhagavanśrotumicchāmi vratānāmuttamaṁ vratam vidhiṁ māsopavāsasya phalaṁ cāsya yathocitam

[Krishna continues:] "Go, my child, on the twelfth of the bright fortnight of Margashirsha." Kartikeya said: Lord, I wish to hear of the most excellent of vows — the procedure of the month-long fast, and its fruit, in due order.

Verse 15 (padma.6.119.15)

यथाविधि नरैः कार्या व्रतचर्या यथा भवेत् । आरभ्यते यथापूर्वं समाप्यं हि यथाविधि

yathāvidhi naraiḥ kāryā vratacaryā yathā bhavet ārabhyate yathāpūrvaṁ samāpyaṁ hi yathāvidhi

[Tell me] how men should duly perform the practice of the vow — how it is properly begun, and how it must be duly concluded.

Verse 16 (padma.6.119.16)

यावत्संख्यं तु कर्त्तव्यं तत्प्रब्रूहि महेश्वर । व्रतमेतत्सुखश्रीदं विस्तरेण ममानघ

yāvatsaṁkhyaṁ tu karttavyaṁ tatprabrūhi maheśvara vratametatsukhaśrīdaṁ vistareṇa mamānagha

For how many days it should be performed — tell me that, O Maheshvara. O sinless one, tell me at length of this vow, which bestows happiness and prosperity.

Verse 17 (padma.6.119.17)

श्रीरुद्र उवाच। पावके साधु सर्वं ते यत्पृष्टं प्रब्रुवेऽनघ । भक्त्या मतिमतां श्रेष्ठ शृणुष्व गदतो मम

śrīrudra uvāca pāvake sādhu sarvaṁ te yatpṛṣṭaṁ prabruve'nagha bhaktyā matimatāṁ śreṣṭha śṛṇuṣva gadato mama

Śrī Rudra said: O sinless one bright as fire, well have you asked; I shall tell you all of it. O foremost of the wise, hear, with devotion, what I speak.

Verse 18 (padma.6.119.18)

सुराणां च यथा विष्णुस्तपतां च यथा रविः । मेरुःशिखरिणां यद्वद्वैनतेयश्च पक्षिणाम्

surāṇāṁ ca yathā viṣṇustapatāṁ ca yathā raviḥ meruḥśikhariṇāṁ yadvadvainateyaśca pakṣiṇām

As Vishnu is among the gods, as the Sun is among luminaries, as Meru is among mountains, as Garuda is among birds —

Verse 19 (padma.6.119.19)

तीर्थानां तु यथा गंगा प्रजानां तु यथा वणिक् । श्रेष्ठं सर्वव्रतानां तु तद्वन्मासोपवासनम्

tīrthānāṁ tu yathā gaṁgā prajānāṁ tu yathā vaṇik śreṣṭhaṁ sarvavratānāṁ tu tadvanmāsopavāsanam

— as the Ganga is among tirthas, as the merchant is among the people — so, among all vows, is the month-long fast the most excellent.

Verse 20 (padma.6.119.20)

सर्वव्रतेषु यत्पुण्यं सर्वतीर्थेषु चैव हि । सर्वदानोद्भवं चैव लभेन्मासोपवासकृत्

sarvavrateṣu yatpuṇyaṁ sarvatīrtheṣu caiva hi sarvadānodbhavaṁ caiva labhenmāsopavāsakṛt

Whatever merit exists in all vows, and in all tirthas, and whatever arises from all gifts — one who performs the month-long fast obtains it all.

Verse 21 (padma.6.119.21)

अग्निष्टोमादिभिर्यज्ञैर्विविधैर्भूरिदक्षिणैः । न तत्पुण्यमवाप्नोति यन्मासपरिलंघनात्

agniṣṭomādibhiryajñairvividhairbhūridakṣiṇaiḥ na tatpuṇyamavāpnoti yanmāsaparilaṁghanāt

One does not obtain, even through various sacrifices such as the Agnishtoma with abundant fees, that merit which comes from fasting through the whole month.

Verse 22 (padma.6.119.22)

तेन जप्तं हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं स्वधा । यः करोति विधानेन नरो मासमुपोषणम्

tena japtaṁ hutaṁ dattaṁ tapastaptaṁ kṛtaṁ svadhā yaḥ karoti vidhānena naro māsamupoṣaṇam

By that man who duly performs the month-long fast, japa has been recited, oblation offered, gifts given, austerity practiced, and the ancestral offering made — all in one.

Verse 23 (padma.6.119.23)

उद्दिश्य वैष्णवं यज्ञं मामभ्यर्च्य जनार्दनम् । गुरोराज्ञां ततो लब्ध्वा कुर्यान्मासोपवासनम्

uddiśya vaiṣṇavaṁ yajñaṁ māmabhyarcya janārdanam gurorājñāṁ tato labdhvā kuryānmāsopavāsanam

Having in mind the Vaishnava sacrifice, having worshipped Me, Janardana, and having then obtained the permission of one's guru, one should undertake the month-long fast.

Verse 24 (padma.6.119.24)

वैष्णवानि यथोक्तानि कृत्वा सर्वव्रतानि तु । द्वादश्यादीनि पुण्यानि ततो मासमुपावसेत्

vaiṣṇavāni yathoktāni kṛtvā sarvavratāni tu dvādaśyādīni puṇyāni tato māsamupāvaset

Having performed all the Vaishnava vows as prescribed — the meritorious observances beginning with the Dvadashi — one should then undertake the month-long fast.

Verse 25 (padma.6.119.25)

अतिकृच्छ्रं च पाराकं कृत्वा चांद्रायणं ततः । मासोपवासं कुर्वीत गुरोर्विप्राज्ञया ततः

atikṛcchraṁ ca pārākaṁ kṛtvā cāṁdrāyaṇaṁ tataḥ māsopavāsaṁ kurvīta gurorviprājñayā tataḥ

Having performed the Atikrichchhra, the Paraka, and then the Chandrayana penance, one should then undertake the month-long fast, with the permission of one's brahmin guru.

Verse 26 (padma.6.119.26)

आश्विनस्यामले पक्षे एकादश्यामुपोषितः । व्रतमेनं तु गृह्णीयाद्यावत्त्रिंशद्दिनानि तु

āśvinasyāmale pakṣe ekādaśyāmupoṣitaḥ vratamenaṁ tu gṛhṇīyādyāvattriṁśaddināni tu

Having fasted on the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight of Ashvina, one should take up this vow for a full thirty days.

Verse 27 (padma.6.119.27)

वासुदेवं समभ्यर्च्य कार्तिकं सकलं नरः । मासं चोपवसेद्यस्तु स मुक्तिफलभाग्भवेत्

vāsudevaṁ samabhyarcya kārtikaṁ sakalaṁ naraḥ māsaṁ copavasedyastu sa muktiphalabhāgbhavet

Whatever man, having duly worshipped Vasudeva, fasts for the entire month of Kartika, becomes a sharer in the fruit of liberation.

Verse 28 (padma.6.119.28)

अच्युतस्यालये भक्त्या त्रिकालं कुमुदैः शुभैः । मालतींदीवर्रैबुध्नैः कमलैश्च सुगंधिभिः

acyutasyālaye bhaktyā trikālaṁ kumudaiḥ śubhaiḥ mālatīṁdīvarraibudhnaiḥ kamalaiśca sugaṁdhibhiḥ

In the temple of Achyuta, devotedly, three times a day, with auspicious white water-lilies, with malati flowers, blue lotuses, and fragrant lotuses —

Verse 29 (padma.6.119.29)

कुसुमोशीरकर्पूरैर्विलिप्य वरचंदनैः । नैवेद्यापूपदीपाद्यैरर्चयेच्च जनार्दनम्

kusumośīrakarpūrairvilipya varacaṁdanaiḥ naivedyāpūpadīpādyairarcayecca janārdanam

— and having anointed [the deity] with fragrant powders, vetiver-root, camphor, and fine sandal-paste, one should worship Janardana with food-offerings, sweet cakes, lamps, and the rest.

Verse 30 (padma.6.119.30)

मनसा कर्मणा वाचा पूजयेद्गरुडध्वजम् । कुर्वन्नरः स्त्री विधवा बृहद्भक्तिर्जितेंद्रियः

manasā karmaṇā vācā pūjayedgaruḍadhvajam kurvannaraḥ strī vidhavā bṛhadbhaktirjiteṁdriyaḥ

One should worship the Bearer of the Garuda-banner in thought, word, and deed. Whether man, woman, or widow performing it, with deep devotion, senses subdued —

Verse 31 (padma.6.119.31)

नाम्नामेव तथालापं विष्णोः कुर्यादहर्निशम् । भक्त्या विष्णोः स्तुतिर्वाच्या मिथ्यालापविवर्जिता

nāmnāmeva tathālāpaṁ viṣṇoḥ kuryādaharniśam bhaktyā viṣṇoḥ stutirvācyā mithyālāpavivarjitā

— one should speak of nothing but the names of Vishnu, day and night. With devotion, praise of Vishnu should be uttered, free from all false or idle talk.

Verse 32 (padma.6.119.32)

सर्वसत्वदयायुक्तः शांतवृत्तिरहिंसकः । सुप्तो बाह्यासनस्थो वा वासुदेवं प्रकीर्तयेत्

sarvasatvadayāyuktaḥ śāṁtavṛttirahiṁsakaḥ supto bāhyāsanastho vā vāsudevaṁ prakīrtayet

Full of compassion for all beings, of peaceful conduct, non-violent — whether lying down or seated outside, one should recite the name of Vasudeva.

Verse 33 (padma.6.119.33)

स्मृत्यालोकनगंधादि स्वादनं परिकीर्त्तनम् । अन्नस्य वर्जयेद्वासं ग्रासानां संप्रमोक्षणम्

smṛtyālokanagaṁdhādi svādanaṁ parikīrttanam annasya varjayedvāsaṁ grāsānāṁ saṁpramokṣaṇam

One should give up even the mere remembrance, sight, or smell of food, its taste, and speaking of it; and one should avoid the very craving to swallow a morsel.

Verse 34 (padma.6.119.34)

गात्राभ्यंगं शिरोभ्यंगं तांबूलं सविलेपनम् । व्रतस्थो वर्जयेत्सर्वं यच्चान्यच्च निराकृतम्

gātrābhyaṁgaṁ śirobhyaṁgaṁ tāṁbūlaṁ savilepanam vratastho varjayetsarvaṁ yaccānyacca nirākṛtam

One observing the vow should give up oiling the body, oiling the head, betel-chewing, the use of cosmetic pastes, and all else that is forbidden.

Verse 35 (padma.6.119.35)

न व्रतस्थः स्पृशेत्किंचिद्विकर्मस्थं न चालयेत् । देवतायतने तिष्ठन्न गृहस्थश्चरेत्ध्रुवम्

na vratasthaḥ spṛśetkiṁcidvikarmasthaṁ na cālayet devatāyatane tiṣṭhanna gṛhasthaścaretdhruvam

One observing the vow should not touch anything connected with improper conduct, nor stir it; remaining in the temple of the deity, he should certainly not live as a mere householder.

Verse 36 (padma.6.119.36)

कृत्वा मासोपवासं तु यथोक्तविधिना नरः । नारी वा विधवा साध्वी वासुदेवं समर्चयेत्

kṛtvā māsopavāsaṁ tu yathoktavidhinā naraḥ nārī vā vidhavā sādhvī vāsudevaṁ samarcayet

Having performed the month-long fast according to the prescribed rule — whether a man, or a woman, or a virtuous widow — one should duly worship Vasudeva.

Verse 37 (padma.6.119.37)

अन्यूनाधिकमेवं तु व्रतं त्रिंशद्दिनैरिदम् । कृत्वा मासोपवासं तु संयतात्मा जितेंद्रियः

anyūnādhikamevaṁ tu vrataṁ triṁśaddinairidam kṛtvā māsopavāsaṁ tu saṁyatātmā jiteṁdriyaḥ

Thus, neither lacking nor exceeding, this vow of thirty days having been performed — the month-long fast — with self restrained and senses subdued —

Verse 38 (padma.6.119.38)

ततोऽर्चयेदेव पुण्यं द्वादश्यां गरुडध्वजम् । पूजयेत्पुष्पमालाभिर्गंधधूपविलेपनैः

tato'rcayedeva puṇyaṁ dvādaśyāṁ garuḍadhvajam pūjayetpuṣpamālābhirgaṁdhadhūpavilepanaiḥ

— one should then worship, on the auspicious Dvadashi, the Bearer of the Garuda-banner; one should worship him with garlands of flowers, fragrant substances, incense, and unguents.

Verse 39 (padma.6.119.39)

वस्त्रालंकारवाद्यैश्च तोषयेदच्युतं नरः । संस्नापयेद्धरिं भक्त्या तीर्थचंदनवारिभिः

vastrālaṁkāravādyaiśca toṣayedacyutaṁ naraḥ saṁsnāpayeddhariṁ bhaktyā tīrthacaṁdanavāribhiḥ

And with clothes, ornaments, and music, a man should please Achyuta; he should bathe Hari with devotion, using tirtha-water mixed with sandal.

Verse 40 (padma.6.119.40)

चंदनेनानुलिप्तांगं धूपपुष्पैरलंकृतम् । वस्त्रदानादिभिश्चैव भोजयित्वा द्विजोत्तमान्

caṁdanenānuliptāṁgaṁ dhūpapuṣpairalaṁkṛtam vastradānādibhiścaiva bhojayitvā dvijottamān

Having anointed his body with sandal-paste, adorned him with incense and flowers, and given clothes and other gifts, and having fed the best of brahmins —

Verse 41 (padma.6.119.41)

दद्याच्च दक्षिणां तेभ्यः प्रणिपत्य क्षमापयेत् । एवं मासोपवासाद्धि कृत्वाभ्यर्च्य जनार्दनम्

dadyācca dakṣiṇāṁ tebhyaḥ praṇipatya kṣamāpayet evaṁ māsopavāsāddhi kṛtvābhyarcya janārdanam

— one should give them offerings, and, prostrating, ask their forgiveness. Thus, having performed the month-long fast and worshipped Janardana,

Verse 42 (padma.6.119.42)

भोजयित्वा द्विजांश्चैव विष्णुलोके महीयते । एवं मासोपवासांते कृत्वा विप्रान्त्रयोदश

bhojayitvā dvijāṁścaiva viṣṇuloke mahīyate evaṁ māsopavāsāṁte kṛtvā viprāntrayodaśa

— and having fed the brahmins, one is glorified in the world of Vishnu. Thus, at the end of the month-long fast, having gathered thirteen brahmins —

Verse 43 (padma.6.119.43)

निर्यापयेत्ततस्तान्वै विधिना येन तच्छृणु । कारयेद्वैष्णवं यज्ञमेकादश्यामुपोषितः

niryāpayettatastānvai vidhinā yena tacchṛṇu kārayedvaiṣṇavaṁ yajñamekādaśyāmupoṣitaḥ

— one should then send them off duly, according to a certain rite; hear what that is. Having fasted on the Ekadashi, one should have a Vaishnava sacrifice performed.

Verse 44 (padma.6.119.44)

पूजयित्वा तु देवेशमाचार्यानुज्ञया हरिम् । अर्चयित्वा यथाशक्त्या ह्यभिवाद्य गुरुं तथा

pūjayitvā tu deveśamācāryānujñayā harim arcayitvā yathāśaktyā hyabhivādya guruṁ tathā

Having worshipped the Lord of gods, Hari, with the permission of one's teacher, and having honored him to the best of one's ability, and likewise having saluted the guru,

Verse 45 (padma.6.119.45)

ततोनुभोजयेद्विप्रान्नमस्कारपुरःसरम् । विशुद्धकुलचारित्र विष्णुपूजनतत्परान्

tatonubhojayedviprānnamaskārapuraḥsaram viśuddhakulacāritra viṣṇupūjanatatparān

— one should then feed the brahmins, preceded by prostration — those of pure family and conduct, devoted to the worship of Vishnu.

Verse 46 (padma.6.119.46)

पूजयित्वा तथा सर्वान्भोजयित्वा त्रयोदश । तांबूलवस्त्रयुग्मानि भोजनाच्छादनानि च

pūjayitvā tathā sarvānbhojayitvā trayodaśa tāṁbūlavastrayugmāni bhojanācchādanāni ca

Having thus honored and fed all thirteen of them, one should give them betel, pairs of garments, food, and coverings —

Verse 47 (padma.6.119.47)

योगपट्टानि सूत्राणि ब्रह्मसूत्राणि चैव हि । दद्याच्चैव द्विजाग्र्येभ्यः पूजयित्वा प्रणम्य च

yogapaṭṭāni sūtrāṇi brahmasūtrāṇi caiva hi dadyāccaiva dvijāgryebhyaḥ pūjayitvā praṇamya ca

— meditation-bands, cords, and sacred threads too; these should be given to the foremost brahmins, after honoring and bowing to them.

Verse 48 (padma.6.119.48)

ततोनुपूजयेच्छक्त्या शय्यां स्तरणसंस्कृताम् । साच्छादनां शुभां श्रेष्ठां सोपधानामलंकृताम्

tatonupūjayecchaktyā śayyāṁ staraṇasaṁskṛtām sācchādanāṁ śubhāṁ śreṣṭhāṁ sopadhānāmalaṁkṛtām

Then, according to one's means, one should furnish and honor a bed, prepared with bedding, covered, auspicious, excellent, furnished with a pillow, and adorned.

Verse 49 (padma.6.119.49)

कारयित्वात्मनोमूर्तिं कांचनीं तु स्वशक्तितः । न्यसेत्तस्यां तु शय्यायामर्चयित्वा स्रगादिभिः

kārayitvātmanomūrtiṁ kāṁcanīṁ tu svaśaktitaḥ nyasettasyāṁ tu śayyāyāmarcayitvā sragādibhiḥ

Having had a golden image of oneself made according to one's means, one should place it upon that bed, having worshipped it with garlands and the rest.

Verse 50 (padma.6.119.50)

आसनं पादुकां छत्रं वस्त्रयुग्ममुपानहौ । पवित्राणि च पुष्पाणि शयाय्यामुपकल्पयेत्

āsanaṁ pādukāṁ chatraṁ vastrayugmamupānahau pavitrāṇi ca puṣpāṇi śayāyyāmupakalpayet

One should arrange upon the bed a seat, sandals, an umbrella, a pair of garments, footwear, sacred grass, and flowers.

Verse 51 (padma.6.119.51)

एवं शय्यां तु संकल्प्य प्रणिपत्य च तान्द्विजान् । प्रार्थयेच्चानुमोदार्थं विष्णुलोकं व्रजाम्यहम्

evaṁ śayyāṁ tu saṁkalpya praṇipatya ca tāndvijān prārthayeccānumodārthaṁ viṣṇulokaṁ vrajāmyaham

Having thus dedicated the bed and prostrated before those brahmins, one should pray for their approval, saying: "I go to the world of Vishnu."

Verse 52 (padma.6.119.52)

ततो व्रजेन्नरश्रेष्ठो विष्णोः स्थानमनामयम् । मंडपस्थां स्तुतान्विप्रानिति वाच्यं मुहुर्मुहुः

tato vrajennaraśreṣṭho viṣṇoḥ sthānamanāmayam maṁḍapasthāṁ stutānviprāniti vācyaṁ muhurmuhuḥ

[The brahmins reply, sending him off:] "Then may this best of men go to the untroubled abode of Vishnu" — this should be said again and again by the praised brahmins seated in the pavilion.

Verse 53 (padma.6.119.53)

मंत्रहीनं क्रियाहीनं सर्वहीनं द्विजोत्तमाः । सर्वंसंपूर्णतां यातु भवद्वाक्यप्रसादतः । विधिर्मासोपवासस्य यथावत्परिकीर्तितः

maṁtrahīnaṁ kriyāhīnaṁ sarvahīnaṁ dvijottamāḥ sarvaṁsaṁpūrṇatāṁ yātu bhavadvākyaprasādataḥ vidhirmāsopavāsasya yathāvatparikīrtitaḥ

"Whatever has lacked its proper mantra, whatever has lacked its proper rite, whatever has been wholly deficient, O foremost brahmins — may it all become perfectly complete through the grace of your word." Thus has the procedure of the month-long fast been duly declared.