The Glory of Pakshavardhini Ekadashi

Verse 1 (padma.6.36.1)

नारद उवाच ।कीदृशी स्यान्महादेव पक्षवर्द्धनिसंज्ञका । यया वै कृतया जंतुर्महपापात्प्रमुच्यते

nārada uvāca kīdṛśī syānmahādeva pakṣavarddhanisaṁjñakā yayā vai kṛtayā jaṁturmahapāpātpramucyate

Narada said: What is that named Pakshavardhini, O Mahadeva, by performing which a being is freed from great sin?

Verse 2 (padma.6.36.2)

श्रीमहादेव उवाच ।अमा वा यदि वा पूर्णा संपूर्णा जायते तदा । भूत्वा वै नाडिकाषष्ठिर्जायते प्रतिपद्दिने । अश्वमेधायुतैस्तुल्या सा भवेत्पक्षवर्द्धिनी

śrīmahādeva uvāca amā vā yadi vā pūrṇā saṁpūrṇā jāyate tadā bhūtvā vai nāḍikāṣaṣṭhirjāyate pratipaddine aśvamedhāyutaistulyā sā bhavetpakṣavarddhinī

Sri Mahadeva said: When either the new-moon or full-moon day becomes complete, and, its sixty ghatikas having elapsed, the day of Pratipada arises — that becomes Pakshavardhini, equal to thousands of horse-sacrifices.

Verse 3 (padma.6.36.3)

नारद उवाच ।पूजाविधिं तु पृच्छामि सांप्रतं देवसत्तम । यत्कृते तु महादेव महाफलमवाप्नुयात्

nārada uvāca pūjāvidhiṁ tu pṛcchāmi sāṁprataṁ devasattama yatkṛte tu mahādeva mahāphalamavāpnuyāt

Narada said: O best of gods, now I ask the procedure of worship, by performing which, O Mahadeva, one obtains great fruit.

Verse 4 (padma.6.36.4)

महादेव उवाच ।पूजाविधिं प्रवक्ष्यामि सांप्रतं द्विजनंदन । पूजिते चार्चिते विष्णौ फलं प्राप्नोत्यसंशयः

mahādeva uvāca pūjāvidhiṁ pravakṣyāmi sāṁprataṁ dvijanaṁdana pūjite cārcite viṣṇau phalaṁ prāpnotyasaṁśayaḥ

Mahadeva said: O joy of the twice-born, I shall now tell the procedure of worship; when Vishnu is duly worshipped and honored, one obtains the fruit, without doubt.

Verse 5 (padma.6.36.5)

येन पूजाविधानेन तुष्टिं प्राप्नोति माधवः । अव्रणं जलपूर्णं च कुंभं चंदनचर्चितम्

yena pūjāvidhānena tuṣṭiṁ prāpnoti mādhavaḥ avraṇaṁ jalapūrṇaṁ ca kuṁbhaṁ caṁdanacarcitam

By this procedure of worship, Madhava becomes satisfied: an unblemished pot, filled with water and anointed with sandalwood,

Verse 6 (padma.6.36.6)

पंचरत्नसमायुक्तं पुष्पमालाभिवेष्टितम् । स्थाप्यं ताम्रमयं पात्रं सगोधूमं घटोपरि

paṁcaratnasamāyuktaṁ puṣpamālābhiveṣṭitam sthāpyaṁ tāmramayaṁ pātraṁ sagodhūmaṁ ghaṭopari

endowed with the five gems, wrapped about with garlands of flowers; a copper vessel, filled with wheat, should be placed upon the pot.

Verse 7 (padma.6.36.7)

सौवर्णं कारयेद्देवं माससंज्ञाभिनामकम् । पंचामृतेन विधिना स्नपनं सुमनोरमम्

sauvarṇaṁ kārayeddevaṁ māsasaṁjñābhināmakam paṁcāmṛtena vidhinā snapanaṁ sumanoramam

A golden image of the god, named after the month, should be made; a delightful bathing with the five nectars should be performed, according to rite,

Verse 8 (padma.6.36.8)

कारयेद्देवदेवेशं जगन्नाथं जगत्पतिम् । विलेपनं तु कर्त्तव्यं कुंकुमागरुचंदनैः

kārayeddevadeveśaṁ jagannāthaṁ jagatpatim vilepanaṁ tu karttavyaṁ kuṁkumāgarucaṁdanaiḥ

for the God of gods, the Lord of the world, the Lord of the universe; anointing should be done with vermilion, aloe-wood, and sandalwood.

Verse 9 (padma.6.36.9)

वस्त्रयुग्मं च दातव्यं छत्रोपानहसंयुतम् । पूजयेद्देवताधीशं कुंभपात्रोपरिस्थितम्

vastrayugmaṁ ca dātavyaṁ chatropānahasaṁyutam pūjayeddevatādhīśaṁ kuṁbhapātroparisthitam

A pair of garments should be given, together with a parasol and sandals; the Lord of gods, placed upon the pot-vessel, should be worshipped —

Verse 10 (padma.6.36.10)

पद्मनाभाय वै पादौ जानुनी विश्वमूर्त्तये । ऊरू वै ज्ञानगम्याय कटी दानप्रदाय च

padmanābhāya vai pādau jānunī viśvamūrttaye ūrū vai jñānagamyāya kaṭī dānapradāya ca

to Padmanabha, the two feet; to the universal-formed one, the knees; to the one attainable through knowledge, the thighs; to the giver of gifts, the loins,

Verse 11 (padma.6.36.11)

उदरं विश्वनाथाय हृदयं श्रीधराय च । कंठं कौस्तुभकंठाय बाहू क्षत्रांतकारिणे

udaraṁ viśvanāthāya hṛdayaṁ śrīdharāya ca kaṁṭhaṁ kaustubhakaṁṭhāya bāhū kṣatrāṁtakāriṇe

to the Lord of the universe, the belly; to Shridhara, the heart; to the Kaustubha-wearer, the throat; to the one who ended the kshatriyas, the arms,

Verse 12 (padma.6.36.12)

ललाटं व्योममूर्ध्ने तु शिरो वै सर्वरूपिणे । स्वनाम्ना चैव कमलां सर्वांगीं दिव्यरूपिणीम्

lalāṭaṁ vyomamūrdhne tu śiro vai sarvarūpiṇe svanāmnā caiva kamalāṁ sarvāṁgīṁ divyarūpiṇīm

to the one whose head is the sky, the forehead; to the all-formed one, the head — with his own name, and to Kamala too, of all-beauteous limbs and divine form,

Verse 13 (padma.6.36.13)

एवं विधिवत्संपूज्य ततोऽर्घं दापयेत्सुधीः । नालिकेरेण शुभ्रेण देवदेवस्य चक्रिणः

evaṁ vidhivatsaṁpūjya tato'rghaṁ dāpayetsudhīḥ nālikereṇa śubhreṇa devadevasya cakriṇaḥ

having thus worshipped duly, the wise one should then offer the oblation, with a bright coconut, to the God of gods, the Discus-bearer.

Verse 14 (padma.6.36.14)

अनेनैवार्घदानेन संपूर्णं जायते व्रतम् । संसारार्णवमग्नं मां समुद्धर जगत्पते

anenaivārghadānena saṁpūrṇaṁ jāyate vratam saṁsārārṇavamagnaṁ māṁ samuddhara jagatpate

By this very offering of the oblation, the vow becomes complete — 'Deliver me, sunk in the ocean of worldly existence, O Lord of the world.

Verse 15 (padma.6.36.15)

त्वमीशः सर्वलोकानां त्वं साक्षाच्च जगत्पतिः । गृहाणार्घं मया दत्तं पद्मनाभ नमोस्तु ते

tvamīśaḥ sarvalokānāṁ tvaṁ sākṣācca jagatpatiḥ gṛhāṇārghaṁ mayā dattaṁ padmanābha namostu te

'You are the Lord of all worlds, you are truly the Lord of the universe; accept this oblation given by me, salutation to you, O Padmanabha.'

Verse 16 (padma.6.36.16)

नैवेद्यानि सुहृद्यानि षड्रसानि विशेषतः । देयानि तु विशेषेण केशवाय सुभक्तितः

naivedyāni suhṛdyāni ṣaḍrasāni viśeṣataḥ deyāni tu viśeṣeṇa keśavāya subhaktitaḥ

Delightful food-offerings, of the six flavors especially, should be given to Keshava, with true devotion.

Verse 17 (padma.6.36.17)

नागपत्रं सकर्पूरं दद्याद्देवस्य भक्तितः । घृतेन दीपकं कुर्यात्तिलतैलेन वा पुनः

nāgapatraṁ sakarpūraṁ dadyāddevasya bhaktitaḥ ghṛtena dīpakaṁ kuryāttilatailena vā punaḥ

Betel-leaf with camphor should be offered to the god with devotion; a lamp should be lit with ghee, or again with sesame oil.

Verse 18 (padma.6.36.18)

कृत्वा सम्यग्विधानेन गुरोः पूजां प्रकारयेत् । वस्त्राणि चैव चोष्णीषं कंचुकं च प्रदापयेत्

kṛtvā samyagvidhānena guroḥ pūjāṁ prakārayet vastrāṇi caiva coṣṇīṣaṁ kaṁcukaṁ ca pradāpayet

Having performed this procedure properly, one should then have the guru worshipped; garments, a turban, and a bodice should be given.

Verse 19 (padma.6.36.19)

दक्षिणां च यथाशक्त्या गुरुवे संप्रदापयेत् । भोजनं चैव तांबूलं दत्त्वा चार्घं प्रदापयेत्

dakṣiṇāṁ ca yathāśaktyā guruve saṁpradāpayet bhojanaṁ caiva tāṁbūlaṁ dattvā cārghaṁ pradāpayet

A fee should be given to the guru according to one's means; having given food and betel, the oblation should be offered.

Verse 20 (padma.6.36.20)

स्ववित्तस्यानुमानेन यथाशक्त्या तु निर्द्धनैः । कार्या सम्यक्प्रयत्नेन द्वादशी पक्षवर्द्धिनी

svavittasyānumānena yathāśaktyā tu nirddhanaiḥ kāryā samyakprayatnena dvādaśī pakṣavarddhinī

According to the measure of one's own wealth, or, for the poor, according to their means, Pakshavardhini Dvadashi should be performed properly and with diligence.

Verse 21 (padma.6.36.21)

ततो जागरणं कुर्याद्गीतनृत्यसमन्वितम् । पुराणपाठसहितं हास्याह्लादसमन्वितम्

tato jāgaraṇaṁ kuryādgītanṛtyasamanvitam purāṇapāṭhasahitaṁ hāsyāhlādasamanvitam

Then a night-vigil should be kept, joined with song and dance, accompanied by Purana-recitation, and filled with laughter and joy.

Verse 22 (padma.6.36.22)

स्तुवंति च प्रशंसंति जागरं चक्रपाणिनः । नित्योत्सवो भवेत्तेषां गृहे वै दशजन्मसु

stuvaṁti ca praśaṁsaṁti jāgaraṁ cakrapāṇinaḥ nityotsavo bhavetteṣāṁ gṛhe vai daśajanmasu

They praise and extol the Discus-bearer's night-vigil; a perpetual festival occurs in their house for ten births.

Verse 23 (padma.6.36.23)

अतो धन्यतमा चेयं कर्त्तव्या पक्षवर्द्धनी । कृत्वा तु सकलं पुण्यं फलं प्राप्नोत्यसंशयम्

ato dhanyatamā ceyaṁ karttavyā pakṣavarddhanī kṛtvā tu sakalaṁ puṇyaṁ phalaṁ prāpnotyasaṁśayam

Therefore this most blessed Pakshavardhini should be performed; having performed all this merit, one obtains its fruit, without doubt.

Verse 24 (padma.6.36.24)

पक्षवर्द्धनी माहात्म्यं ये शृण्वंति मनीषिणः । तैः कृतं सत्कृतं सर्वं यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्

pakṣavarddhanī māhātmyaṁ ye śṛṇvaṁti manīṣiṇaḥ taiḥ kṛtaṁ satkṛtaṁ sarvaṁ yāvadābhūtasaṁplavam

Those wise ones who hear the glory of Pakshavardhini — all their deeds remain good deeds, until the very dissolution of all beings.

Verse 25 (padma.6.36.25)

पंचाग्निसाधने पुण्यं यच्च स्यात्तीर्थसाधने । तत्पुण्यं समवाप्नोति विष्णोर्जागरकारणात्

paṁcāgnisādhane puṇyaṁ yacca syāttīrthasādhane tatpuṇyaṁ samavāpnoti viṣṇorjāgarakāraṇāt

Whatever merit exists in the practice of the five-fires austerity, and whatever exists in the accomplishment of pilgrimage — that merit is obtained through the cause of Vishnu's night-vigil.

Verse 26 (padma.6.36.26)

पक्षवर्द्धनिका पुण्या पवित्रा पापनाशिनी । उपवासकृता विप्र हत्याकोटिविनाशिनी

pakṣavarddhanikā puṇyā pavitrā pāpanāśinī upavāsakṛtā vipra hatyākoṭivināśinī

Pakshavardhini is meritorious, pure, and destructive of sin; O brahmin, its fast destroys ten million sins of killing.

Verse 27 (padma.6.36.27)

वसिष्ठेन कृता पूर्वं भारद्वाजेन वै मुने । ध्रुवेण चांबरीषेण कृतेयं विष्णुवल्लभा

vasiṣṭhena kṛtā pūrvaṁ bhāradvājena vai mune dhruveṇa cāṁbarīṣeṇa kṛteyaṁ viṣṇuvallabhā

O sage, it was performed by Vasishtha long ago, and by Bharadvaja too; it was performed by Dhruva and Ambarisha as well, this vow dear to Vishnu.

Verse 28 (padma.6.36.28)

इयं काशीसमा पुण्या इयं वै द्वारका समा । उपोषिता च भक्तेन वांछितं च ददात्यसौ

iyaṁ kāśīsamā puṇyā iyaṁ vai dvārakā samā upoṣitā ca bhaktena vāṁchitaṁ ca dadātyasau

This is as meritorious as Kashi, this is equal to Dvaraka; fasted by a devotee, it grants his desired boon.

Verse 29 (padma.6.36.29)

इयं धन्या धन्यतमा हत्यायुतविनाशिनी । कर्त्तव्या तु विशेषेण वैष्णवैर्ज्ञानतत्परैः

iyaṁ dhanyā dhanyatamā hatyāyutavināśinī karttavyā tu viśeṣeṇa vaiṣṇavairjñānatatparaiḥ

This is blessed, most blessed, destroying ten thousand sins of killing; it should be especially performed by Vaishnavas devoted to knowledge.

Verse 30 (padma.6.36.30)

अहो सर्वेश्वरो देवः संसेव्यो व्रततत्परैः । किमन्यद्बहुनोक्तेन कर्तव्यं व्रतमुत्तमम्

aho sarveśvaro devaḥ saṁsevyo vratatatparaiḥ kimanyadbahunoktena kartavyaṁ vratamuttamam

Ah, the Lord of all is to be served by those devoted to vows; what need is there to say more — this excellent vow should indeed be performed.

Verse 31 (padma.6.36.31)

यथा च वर्द्धते चंद्रः सिते पक्षे विशेषतः । तथा वै वर्द्धते भक्त कारणात्पक्षवर्द्धिनी

yathā ca varddhate caṁdraḥ site pakṣe viśeṣataḥ tathā vai varddhate bhakta kāraṇātpakṣavarddhinī

Just as the moon waxes especially in the bright fortnight, so too does devotion grow through the cause of Pakshavardhini.

Verse 32 (padma.6.36.32)

सूर्योदये यथा ध्वांतं नश्यते तत्क्षणादपि । तथाघं नाशमाप्नोति करणात्पक्षवर्द्धिनी

sūryodaye yathā dhvāṁtaṁ naśyate tatkṣaṇādapi tathāghaṁ nāśamāpnoti karaṇātpakṣavarddhinī

As darkness is destroyed instantly at sunrise, so too is sin destroyed by the performance of Pakshavardhini.