The Rite of the Month-Long Fast (Restated)

Verse 1 (padma.6.123.1)

कार्तिकेय उवाच। भगवञ्च्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि व्रतानामुत्तमं व्रतम् । विधिं मासोपवासस्य फलं चास्य यथोदितम्

kārtikeya uvāca bhagavañcchrotumicchāmi vratānāmuttamaṁ vratam vidhiṁ māsopavāsasya phalaṁ cāsya yathoditam

Kartikeya said: Lord, I wish to hear of the most excellent of vows — the procedure of the month-long fast, and its fruit, as it has been declared.

Verse 2 (padma.6.123.2)

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 3 (padma.6.123.3)

यावत्संख्यं तु कर्तव्यं तत्प्रब्रूहि महेश्वर । व्रतमेतत्सुरश्रेष्ठ विस्तरेण ममानघ

yāvatsaṁkhyaṁ tu kartavyaṁ tatprabrūhi maheśvara vratametatsuraśreṣṭha vistareṇa mamānagha

For how many days it should be performed — tell me that, O Maheshvara. O foremost of gods, sinless one, tell me at length of this vow.

Verse 4 (padma.6.123.4)

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

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

Śrī Rudra said: O son of Agni, well have you asked; I shall tell you all of it. O foremost of the wise, hear, with devotion, what I speak.

Verse 5 (padma.6.123.5)

सुराणां च यथा विष्णुस्तपतां च यथा रविः । मेरुः शिखरिणां यद्वद्वैनतेयश्च पक्षिणाम्

surāṇāṁ ca yathā viṣṇustapatāṁ ca yathā raviḥ meruḥ śikhariṇāṁ 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 6 (padma.6.123.6)

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 7 (padma.6.123.7)

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 8 (padma.6.123.8)

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 9 (padma.6.123.9)

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

tena japtaṁ hutaṁ dattaṁ tapastaptaṁ kṛtā 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 10 (padma.6.123.10)

उद्दिश्य वैष्णवं यज्ञं समभ्यर्च्य जनार्दनम् । गुरोराज्ञां ततो लब्ध्वा कुर्यान्मासोपवासनम्

uddiśya vaiṣṇavaṁ yajñaṁ samabhyarcya janārdanam gurorājñāṁ tato labdhvā kuryānmāsopavāsanam

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

Verse 11 (padma.6.123.11)

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 12 (padma.6.123.12)

अतिकृच्छॄं च पाराकं कृत्वा चांद्रायणं ततः । मासोपवासं कुर्वीत ज्ञात्वा देह बलाबलम्

atikṛcchṝṁ ca pārākaṁ kṛtvā cāṁdrāyaṇaṁ tataḥ māsopavāsaṁ kurvīta jñātvā deha balābalam

Having performed the Atikrichchhra, the Paraka, and then the Chandrayana penance, one should undertake the month-long fast, having assessed the strength or weakness of one's body.

Verse 13 (padma.6.123.13)

वानप्रस्थो यतिर्वापि नारी वा विधवा मुने । मासोपवासं कुर्वीतगुरोर्विप्राज्ञया ततः

vānaprastho yatirvāpi nārī vā vidhavā mune māsopavāsaṁ kurvītagurorviprājñayā tataḥ

O sage, a forest-dweller, an ascetic, a woman, or a widow may likewise perform the month-long fast, thereafter with the permission of a learned brahmin.

Verse 14 (padma.6.123.14)

आश्विनस्यामले पक्षे एकादश्यामुपोषितः । व्रतमेतत्तु गृह्णीयाद्यावत्त्रिंशद्दिनानि तु

āśvinasyāmale pakṣe ekādaśyāmupoṣitaḥ vratametattu 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 15 (padma.6.123.15)

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 16 (padma.6.123.16)

अच्युतस्यालये भक्त्या त्रिकालं कुमुदैः शुभैः । मालतींदीवरैः पद्मैः कमलैस्तु सुगंधिभिः

acyutasyālaye bhaktyā trikālaṁ kumudaiḥ śubhaiḥ mālatīṁdīvaraiḥ padmaiḥ kamalaistu sugaṁdhibhiḥ

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

Verse 17 (padma.6.123.17)

कुंकुमोशीरकर्पूरैर्विलिप्य वरचंदनैः । नैवेद्यधूपदीपाद्यैरर्चयेच्च जनार्दनम्

kuṁkumośīrakarpūrairvilipya varacaṁdanaiḥ naivedyadhūpadīpādyairarcayecca janārdanam

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

Verse 18 (padma.6.123.18)

मनसा कर्मणा वाचा पूजयेद्गरुडध्वजम् । कुर्वन्नरस्त्रीविधवा बृहद्भक्तिर्जितेंद्रियः

manasā karmaṇā vācā pūjayedgaruḍadhvajam kurvannarastrīvidhavā 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 19 (padma.6.123.19)

नाम्नामेव तथालापं विष्णोः कुर्यादहर्निशम् । भक्त्या विष्णोस्तुतिर्वाच्या मिथ्यालापविवर्जिता

nāmnāmeva tathālāpaṁ viṣṇoḥ kuryādaharniśam bhaktyā viṣṇostutirvācyā 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 20 (padma.6.123.20)

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 21 (padma.6.123.21)

स्मृत्वालोकनगंधादि स्वादितं परिकीर्तितम् । अन्नस्य वर्जयेद्ग्रासं ग्रासानां सम्प्रमोक्षणम्

smṛtvālokanagaṁdhādi svāditaṁ parikīrtitam annasya varjayedgrāsaṁ grāsānāṁ sampramokṣaṇam

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

Verse 22 (padma.6.123.22)

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 23 (padma.6.123.23)

न व्रतस्थः स्पृशेत्किंचिद्विकर्मस्थं न चालयेत् । देवतायतने तिष्ठन्गृहस्थश्चाचरेद् व्रतम्

na vratasthaḥ spṛśetkiṁcidvikarmasthaṁ na cālayet devatāyatane tiṣṭhangṛhasthaścācared vratam

One observing the vow should not touch anything connected with improper conduct, nor stir it; remaining in the temple of the deity, even a householder should observe this vow.

Verse 24 (padma.6.123.24)

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 25 (padma.6.123.25)

अन्यूनाधिकमेवं तु व्रतं त्रिंशद्दिनैरिति । कृत्वा मासोपवासं तु संयतात्मा जितेंद्रियः

anyūnādhikamevaṁ tu vrataṁ triṁśaddinairiti 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 26 (padma.6.123.26)

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 27 (padma.6.123.27)

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 28 (padma.6.123.28)

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 29 (padma.6.123.29)

दद्याच्च दक्षिणां तेभ्यः प्रणिपत्य क्षमापयेत् । विप्रान्क्षमापयित्वा तु विसृज्याभ्यर्च्य पूज्य च

dadyācca dakṣiṇāṁ tebhyaḥ praṇipatya kṣamāpayet viprānkṣamāpayitvā tu visṛjyābhyarcya pūjya ca

— one should give them offerings, and, prostrating, ask their forgiveness. Having asked the brahmins' forgiveness, having sent them off, having honored and worshipped them —

Verse 30 (padma.6.123.30)

एवं वित्तानुसारेण भक्तियुक्तेन शक्तितः । एवं मासोपवासान्हि कृत्वाभ्यर्च जनार्दनम्

evaṁ vittānusāreṇa bhaktiyuktena śaktitaḥ evaṁ māsopavāsānhi kṛtvābhyarca janārdanam

— thus, according to one's wealth and with devotion, to the best of one's ability; thus, having performed the month-long fast and worshipped Janardana,

Verse 31 (padma.6.123.31)

भोजयित्वा द्विजांश्चैव विष्णुलोके महीयते । एवं मासोपवासांते वृत्वा विप्रांस्त्रयोदश

bhojayitvā dvijāṁścaiva viṣṇuloke mahīyate evaṁ māsopavāsāṁte vṛtvā viprāṁstrayodaśa

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

Verse 32 (padma.6.123.32)

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 33 (padma.6.123.33)

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 34 (padma.6.123.34)

ततोनुभोजयेद्विप्रान्नमस्कारपुरःसरम् । विशुद्धकुलचारित्रान्विष्णुपूजनतत्परान्

tatonubhojayedviprānnamaskārapuraḥsaram viśuddhakulacāritrānviṣṇupūjanatatparān

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

Verse 35 (padma.6.123.35)

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 36 (padma.6.123.36)

योगपट्टानि सूत्राणि ब्रह्मसूत्राणि चैव हि । दत्त्वा चैव द्विजाग्र्येभ्यः पूजयित्वा प्रणम्य च

yogapaṭṭāni sūtrāṇi brahmasūtrāṇi caiva hi dattvā caiva dvijāgryebhyaḥ pūjayitvā praṇamya ca

— meditation-bands, cords, and sacred threads too, having given these to the foremost brahmins, having honored and bowed to them,

Verse 37 (padma.6.123.37)

ततोनुपूजयेद्भक्त्या शय्यास्तरणसंस्कृताम् । साच्छादनां शुभां श्रेष्ठां सोपधानामलंकृताम्

tatonupūjayedbhaktyā śayyāstaraṇasaṁskṛtām sācchādanāṁ śubhāṁ śreṣṭhāṁ sopadhānāmalaṁkṛtām

Then, with devotion, one should furnish and honor a bed, prepared with bedding, covered, auspicious, excellent, furnished with a pillow, and adorned.

Verse 38 (padma.6.123.38)

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 39 (padma.6.123.39)

आसनं पादुका छत्रं वस्त्रयुग्ममुपानहौ । पवित्राणि च पुष्पाणि शय्यायामुपकल्पयेत्

āsanaṁ pādukā chatraṁ vastrayugmamupānahau pavitrāṇi ca puṣpāṇi śayyāyāmupakalpayet

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

Verse 40 (padma.6.123.40)

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 41 (padma.6.123.41)

ततो व्रजेन्नरः प्रेष्ठं विष्णोः स्थानमनामयम् । मंडपस्थांस्तु तान्विप्रानिति वाच्यं मुहुर्मुहुः

tato vrajennaraḥ preṣṭhaṁ viṣṇoḥ sthānamanāmayam maṁḍapasthāṁstu tānviprāniti vācyaṁ muhurmuhuḥ

Then let that man go to the beloved, untroubled abode of Vishnu. This should be said again and again by those brahmins seated in the pavilion —

Verse 42 (padma.6.123.42)

मंत्रहीनं भक्तिहीनं क्रियाहीनं द्विजोत्तमाः । सर्वं संपूर्णतां यातु भवद्वाक्यप्रसादतः । विधिर्मासोपवासस्य यथावत्परिकीर्तितः

maṁtrahīnaṁ bhaktihīnaṁ kriyāhīnaṁ dvijottamāḥ sarvaṁ saṁpūrṇatāṁ yātu bhavadvākyaprasādataḥ vidhirmāsopavāsasya yathāvatparikīrtitaḥ

— "Whatever has lacked its proper mantra, whatever has lacked devotion, whatever has lacked its proper rite, 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.