The Three-Night River Vow

Verse 1 (padma.6.70.1)

नारद उवाच- देवदेव जगन्नाथ भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायक । कथयस्व सुरश्रेष्ठ येन दुःखं न पश्यति

nārada uvāca- devadeva jagannātha bhuktimuktipradāyaka kathayasva suraśreṣṭha yena duḥkhaṁ na paśyati

Narada said: O God of gods, O Jagannatha, O bestower of enjoyment and liberation, O best of gods, tell me that by which a man does not behold suffering.

Verse 2 (padma.6.70.2)

महेश उवाच- शृणु वाडव वक्ष्यामि त्रिरात्रं सरितः शुभम् । येन चीर्णेन नरको मानवानां न जायते

maheśa uvāca- śṛṇu vāḍava vakṣyāmi trirātraṁ saritaḥ śubham yena cīrṇena narako mānavānāṁ na jāyate

Mahesha said: Listen, O brahmin, I shall tell of the auspicious three-night vow of the river, by observing which men do not attain hell.

Verse 3 (padma.6.70.3)

आयुरारोग्यमतुलं सौभाग्यं सुखसंपदम् । संतानं चाक्षयं प्राप्य स्वर्गलोके महीयते

āyurārogyamatulaṁ saubhāgyaṁ sukhasaṁpadam saṁtānaṁ cākṣayaṁ prāpya svargaloke mahīyate

Attaining incomparable longevity and health, good fortune and prosperity of happiness, and imperishable offspring, they are honored in the heavenly world.

Verse 4 (padma.6.70.4)

आषाढमासि संप्राप्ते नदीपूरेण संयुता । सततं तोयसंस्थाने पुराणे सा च विश्रुता

āṣāḍhamāsi saṁprāpte nadīpūreṇa saṁyutā satataṁ toyasaṁsthāne purāṇe sā ca viśrutā

When the month of Ashadha arrives, joined with the flood-waters of the river, the worship of [this goddess], who ever dwells in water, is renowned in the Puranas.

Verse 5 (padma.6.70.5)

वर्षर्तौ घनसंपूर्णे कर्तव्या सा व्रतेन वा । तोयोघैः परिपूर्णा सा सकलैः स्यान्नदी यदा

varṣartau ghanasaṁpūrṇe kartavyā sā vratena vā toyoghaiḥ paripūrṇā sā sakalaiḥ syānnadī yadā

In the rainy season, when the sky is filled with clouds, this vow should be performed, or when the river becomes filled on every side with the flow of waters,

Verse 6 (padma.6.70.6)

व्रतं त्रिरात्रमुद्दिश्य तदा कार्यं प्रयत्नतः । कृतं प्रतिपदा छंदः दर्शनं तु दिनत्रयम्

vrataṁ trirātramuddiśya tadā kāryaṁ prayatnataḥ kṛtaṁ pratipadā chaṁdaḥ darśanaṁ tu dinatrayam

then, with the three-night vow as its aim, it should be performed with diligence. Beginning from Pratipada, the sight [of the river] should be taken for three days.

Verse 7 (padma.6.70.7)

यथाप्राप्तं नदीपूरं स्त्रीभिस्तीरजलस्य तु । अथवा तज्जलं कुंभे कृष्णे कृत्वा गृहं नयेत्

yathāprāptaṁ nadīpūraṁ strībhistīrajalasya tu athavā tajjalaṁ kuṁbhe kṛṣṇe kṛtvā gṛhaṁ nayet

As much as possible, water from the riverbank should be [gathered] by the women, or that water should be taken in a vessel and carried home in the dark fortnight.

Verse 8 (padma.6.70.8)

प्रातःस्नायी तथा नद्यां गत्वा अभ्यर्चयेत्सुधीः । त्रिरात्रस्योपवासस्य यथाशक्तो भवेद्दिवज

prātaḥsnāyī tathā nadyāṁ gatvā abhyarcayetsudhīḥ trirātrasyopavāsasya yathāśakto bhaveddivaja

The wise should bathe at dawn and go to the river to perform worship; O brahmin, whoever is capable should observe the fast for three nights.

Verse 9 (padma.6.70.9)

अशक्तश्चैकभक्तेन कुर्याच्चैवाप्युपोषणम् । दीपं दद्यादविछिन्नं प्रातःसायं च पूजनम्

aśaktaścaikabhaktena kuryāccaivāpyupoṣaṇam dīpaṁ dadyādavichinnaṁ prātaḥsāyaṁ ca pūjanam

One who is incapable may fast by eating just once as well. An unbroken lamp should be kept burning, and worship should be performed morning and evening.

Verse 10 (padma.6.70.10)

महानदीं समुच्चार्य नाम्ना च वरुणं तथा । जलमूले तु संस्थाप्य केशवं जलशायिनम्

mahānadīṁ samuccārya nāmnā ca varuṇaṁ tathā jalamūle tu saṁsthāpya keśavaṁ jalaśāyinam

Uttering the name of the great river and likewise the name of Varuna, having established Keshava, who reclines upon the waters, at the source of the water, [worship should be performed] -

Verse 11 (padma.6.70.11)

नमो देव्यै च गंगेति गौतमीति नदीति च । सिंधो चैव च कावेरि सरस्वति नमोऽस्तु ते

namo devyai ca gaṁgeti gautamīti nadīti ca siṁdho caiva ca kāveri sarasvati namo'stu te

'Salutations to you, O goddess, O Ganga, O Gautami, O river! O Sindhu, O Kaveri, O Sarasvati, salutations to you.

Verse 12 (padma.6.70.12)

तापी पयोष्णी पूर्णेति महेंद्रसुखदेति च । काश्यपी गंडकी चैव सिंधुनद्यै नमोनमः

tāpī payoṣṇī pūrṇeti maheṁdrasukhadeti ca kāśyapī gaṁḍakī caiva siṁdhunadyai namonamaḥ

O Tapi, O Payoshni, O Purna, O bestower of Mahendra's joy, O Kashyapi, O Gandaki, O river Sindhu, salutations to you again and again.

Verse 13 (padma.6.70.13)

वरुणाय नमस्तेऽस्तु जलवासहरिप्रिय । यादोनाथ रसेशान कल्याणं देहि मे सदा

varuṇāya namaste'stu jalavāsaharipriya yādonātha raseśāna kalyāṇaṁ dehi me sadā

Salutations to you, O Varuna, dweller in the waters, beloved of Hari! O lord of the water-creatures, O sovereign of the essence [of water], grant me welfare always.

Verse 14 (padma.6.70.14)

गृहाणार्घं मया दत्तं देहि मे वांछितं फलम् । कूष्मांडैर्नालिकेरैश्च फलैः कालोद्भवैः शुभैः

gṛhāṇārghaṁ mayā dattaṁ dehi me vāṁchitaṁ phalam kūṣmāṁḍairnālikeraiśca phalaiḥ kālodbhavaiḥ śubhaiḥ

Accept this arghya given by me, and grant me my desired fruit.' With pumpkin, coconut, and other auspicious fruits born in season,

Verse 15 (padma.6.70.15)

नैवेद्यं घृतपक्वं तु सरितः संप्रकल्पयेत् । नमस्ते केशवानंत जलशायिन्नमोऽस्तु ते

naivedyaṁ ghṛtapakvaṁ tu saritaḥ saṁprakalpayet namaste keśavānaṁta jalaśāyinnamo'stu te

food-offerings cooked in ghee should be prepared for the river - 'Salutations to you, O Keshava, O Ananta, O one who reclines upon the waters, salutations to you.

Verse 16 (padma.6.70.16)

परिपालय मामीश गोविंदवरदो भव । एवं पूजा प्रकर्तव्या यथाकालं क्रमेण तु

paripālaya māmīśa goviṁdavarado bhava evaṁ pūjā prakartavyā yathākālaṁ krameṇa tu

O Lord, protect me; O Govinda, be the giver of boons.' In this manner, worship should be performed in due order, according to time,

Verse 17 (padma.6.70.17)

प्रार्थना चोपचारैस्तु त्रिरात्रनियमः शुचिः । पारणेन तु संपूज्य जलपात्रं समाचरेत्

prārthanā copacāraistu trirātraniyamaḥ śuciḥ pāraṇena tu saṁpūjya jalapātraṁ samācaret

together with proper offerings and prayer, completing the pure discipline of the three nights. On the day of breaking the fast, having performed worship, one should proceed to [immerse] the water-vessel,

Verse 18 (padma.6.70.18)

फलपुष्पैस्तथा विद्वन्स्त्रीभिर्बालैर्नरैरपि । गीतवादित्रसहितैर्नदी कुंभ परिप्लुतैः

phalapuṣpaistathā vidvanstrībhirbālairnarairapi gītavāditrasahitairnadī kuṁbha pariplutaiḥ

O wise one, together with fruits and flowers, together with women, children, and men too, accompanied by song and music, with vessels filled from the river,

Verse 19 (padma.6.70.19)

जलेजले समास्थाप्य फलपुष्पैः प्रपूजयेत् । धान्यैर्नानाविधैश्चैव जलप्रक्षेपणैरपि

jalejale samāsthāpya phalapuṣpaiḥ prapūjayet dhānyairnānāvidhaiścaiva jalaprakṣepaṇairapi

establishing them in each body of water, worship should be performed with fruits and flowers, with various grains too, and by casting them into the water as well,

Verse 20 (padma.6.70.20)

हास्यैर्गीतैश्च नृत्यैश्च गृहमागत्य यत्नतः । सप्तधान्यैः पूरितानि वंशपात्राणि पूजयेत्

hāsyairgītaiśca nṛtyaiśca gṛhamāgatya yatnataḥ saptadhānyaiḥ pūritāni vaṁśapātrāṇi pūjayet

with laughter, song, and dance; thereafter, having returned home with diligence, vessels of bamboo filled with the seven grains should be worshipped.

Verse 21 (padma.6.70.21)

सप्त वा पंच वा त्रीणि यथाशक्त्या प्रपूरयेत् । त्रिरात्रं च नदीतोयं न पिबेद्धितमुल्लसन्

sapta vā paṁca vā trīṇi yathāśaktyā prapūrayet trirātraṁ ca nadītoyaṁ na pibeddhitamullasan

Seven, or five, or three [vessels] should be filled according to one's means. During the three nights, river water should not be drunk, however much one may desire it.

Verse 22 (padma.6.70.22)

पारणे तु हविष्यान्नं हृतं वा ह्यन्यथा भवेत् । कृते स्नानार्चने चैव नोपयोज्यं नदीजलम्

pāraṇe tu haviṣyānnaṁ hṛtaṁ vā hyanyathā bhavet kṛte snānārcane caiva nopayojyaṁ nadījalam

At the time of breaking the fast, sanctified food [should be taken], otherwise it is deemed stolen. Even after bathing and worship, river water should not be used [for drinking].

Verse 23 (padma.6.70.23)

शुच्यन्नानि च भोज्यानि दापयत्त्रितयं तथा । सप्तैव वंशपात्राणि सप्त वै मणिकास्तथा

śucyannāni ca bhojyāni dāpayattritayaṁ tathā saptaiva vaṁśapātrāṇi sapta vai maṇikāstathā

Only pure food should be given for eating, and this should be done all three days. Seven bamboo vessels and likewise seven small pots,

Verse 24 (padma.6.70.24)

हविष्यान्नं च भुंजीत कट्वम्लमधुवर्जितम् । माषान्नं च शिलापिष्टं यत्नेन परिवर्जयेत्

haviṣyānnaṁ ca bhuṁjīta kaṭvamlamadhuvarjitam māṣānnaṁ ca śilāpiṣṭaṁ yatnena parivarjayet

only sanctified food should be eaten, avoiding the bitter, sour, and sweet; food of black gram, and food ground on stone, should also be diligently avoided.

Verse 25 (padma.6.70.25)

एवं वर्षत्रयं कुर्याद्व्रतमेतद्दिवजोत्तम । वर्षत्रये समाप्यैवं तस्योद्यापनमाचरेत्

evaṁ varṣatrayaṁ kuryādvratametaddivajottama varṣatraye samāpyaivaṁ tasyodyāpanamācaret

O best of the twice-born, this vow should be performed thus for three years. When the three years are complete, its concluding rite should be performed.

Verse 26 (padma.6.70.26)

कृष्णां गां कृष्णवस्त्रां च तिलान्दद्याच्च नारद । दंपती परिदाप्यैवं सुवर्णं चापि शक्तितः

kṛṣṇāṁ gāṁ kṛṣṇavastrāṁ ca tilāndadyācca nārada daṁpatī paridāpyaivaṁ suvarṇaṁ cāpi śaktitaḥ

O Narada, a black cow, black cloth, and sesame should be given as gifts. Both husband and wife should be given these, and gold too, according to one's means.

Verse 27 (padma.6.70.27)

हैमं च वरुणं कुर्यान्नदीरूपेण नारद । मंडलं वारुणं चैव सर्वतोभद्रमेव च

haimaṁ ca varuṇaṁ kuryānnadīrūpeṇa nārada maṁḍalaṁ vāruṇaṁ caiva sarvatobhadrameva ca

O Narada, a golden Varuna should also be fashioned in the form of the river, and the Varuna-mandala and Sarvatobhadra-mandala should also be made.

Verse 28 (padma.6.70.28)

कुंभं तत्र प्रतिष्ठाप्य सोपहारं प्रतिष्ठितम् । संपूज्य विधिवद्भक्त्या ततो विप्राय दापयेत्

kuṁbhaṁ tatra pratiṣṭhāpya sopahāraṁ pratiṣṭhitam saṁpūjya vidhivadbhaktyā tato viprāya dāpayet

Having established the vessel there, together with the offerings, and having worshipped it duly with devotion, it should then be given as a gift to a brahmin.

Verse 29 (padma.6.70.29)

ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेच्छक्त्या यथावित्तानुसारतः । गुरवेर्चितशीलाय सर्वशास्त्ररताय च

brāhmaṇānbhojayecchaktyā yathāvittānusārataḥ guravercitaśīlāya sarvaśāstraratāya ca

According to one's means and one's wealth, brahmins should be fed, especially that teacher who is of good conduct and absorbed in all the scriptures.

Verse 30 (padma.6.70.30)

एवं कृते तदा विद्वन्परिपूर्णं व्रतं भवेत् । सौभाग्यसुखसंपत्तिः संततिश्चाक्षया भवेत्

evaṁ kṛte tadā vidvanparipūrṇaṁ vrataṁ bhavet saubhāgyasukhasaṁpattiḥ saṁtatiścākṣayā bhavet

O wise one, when this is done, then the vow becomes complete; good fortune, prosperity of happiness, and imperishable offspring are obtained.

Verse 31 (padma.6.70.31)

न दुर्गतिमवाप्नोति चिरं स्वर्गे महीयते । देवपत्नीभिराचीर्णमृषिपत्नीभिरेव च

na durgatimavāpnoti ciraṁ svarge mahīyate devapatnībhirācīrṇamṛṣipatnībhireva ca

He does not attain an evil state, and is honored in heaven for a long time. This vow has been observed by the wives of the gods, and by the wives of sages too,

Verse 32 (padma.6.70.32)

नागसिद्धांगनाभिश्च व्रतमेतत्पुरा कृतम् । नदीत्रिरात्रमतुलं किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छसि । सौभाग्यं संततिं चैव निश्चयं प्राप्नुते सदा

nāgasiddhāṁganābhiśca vratametatpurā kṛtam nadītrirātramatulaṁ kimanyacchrotumicchasi saubhāgyaṁ saṁtatiṁ caiva niścayaṁ prāpnute sadā

and by the women of the nagas and siddhas too, this vow was performed long ago. Such is this incomparable three-night vow of the river - what else do you wish to hear? It ever brings certain attainment of good fortune and offspring.