The Greatness of the First Day of Kartika Shukla

Verse 1 (skanda.2.107.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच । प्रतिपद्यथ चाऽभ्यंगं कृत्वा नीराजनं ततः । सुवेषः सत्कथागीतैर्दानैश्च दिवसं नयेत्

brahmovāca pratipadyatha cā'bhyaṁgaṁ kṛtvā nīrājanaṁ tataḥ suveṣaḥ satkathāgītairdānaiśca divasaṁ nayet

Brahma said: On the first day, having performed the oil-massage and then the waving of lamps, one should, well-attired, pass the day with sacred discourse, song, and gifts.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.107.2)

शंकरस्तु पुरा द्यूतं ससर्ज सुमनोहरम् । कार्तिके शुक्लपक्षे तु प्रथमेऽहनि सत्यवत्

śaṁkarastu purā dyūtaṁ sasarja sumanoharam kārtike śuklapakṣe tu prathame'hani satyavat

Shankara, long ago, in truth, created the most delightful game of dice on the first day of the bright fortnight of Kartika.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.107.3)

बलिराज्यदिनस्याऽपि माहात्म्यं शृणु तत्त्वतः । स्नातव्यं तिलतैलेन नरैर्नारीभिरेव च

balirājyadinasyā'pi māhātmyaṁ śṛṇu tattvataḥ snātavyaṁ tilatailena narairnārībhireva ca

Hear also, in truth, the greatness of the day of Bali's reign. Both men and women should bathe with sesame oil,

Verse 4 (skanda.2.107.4)

यदि मोहान्न कुर्वीत स याति यमसादनम् । पुरा कृतयुगस्यादौ दानवेंद्रो बलिर्महान्

yadi mohānna kurvīta sa yāti yamasādanam purā kṛtayugasyādau dānaveṁdro balirmahān

and whoever, through delusion, does not do so, goes to the abode of Yama. Long ago, at the beginning of the Krita age, the great lord of the demons, Bali,

Verse 5 (skanda.2.107.5)

तेन दत्ता वामनाय भूमिः स्वमस्तकान्विता । तदानीं भगवान्साक्षात्तुष्टो बलिमुवाच ह

tena dattā vāmanāya bhūmiḥ svamastakānvitā tadānīṁ bhagavānsākṣāttuṣṭo balimuvāca ha

gave to Vamana the earth, together with his own head; then the Lord himself, pleased, directly spoke to Bali:

Verse 6 (skanda.2.107.6)

कार्तिके मासि शुक्लायां प्रतिपद्यां यतो भवान् । भूमिं मे दत्तवान्भक्त्या तेन तुष्टोऽस्मि तेऽनघ

kārtike māsi śuklāyāṁ pratipadyāṁ yato bhavān bhūmiṁ me dattavānbhaktyā tena tuṣṭo'smi te'nagha

'Since you, on the first day of the bright fortnight of Kartika, gave me the earth with devotion, I am pleased with you, O sinless one.'

Verse 7 (skanda.2.107.7)

वरं ददामि ते राजन्नित्युक्त्वाऽदाद्वरं तदा । त्वन्नाम्नैव भवेद्राजन्कार्तिकी प्रतिपत्तिथिः

varaṁ dadāmi te rājannityuktvā'dādvaraṁ tadā tvannāmnaiva bhavedrājankārtikī pratipattithiḥ

'I grant you a boon, O king' — having said this, he then granted the boon: 'O king, this first day of Kartika shall be known by your very name.'

Verse 8 (skanda.2.107.8)

एतस्यां ये करिष्यंति तैलस्नानादिकार्चनम् । तदक्षयं भवेद्राजन्नात्र कार्या विचारणा

etasyāṁ ye kariṣyaṁti tailasnānādikārcanam tadakṣayaṁ bhavedrājannātra kāryā vicāraṇā

'Whoever performs on this day the oil-bath and the rest of the worship, that shall be imperishable, O king; there is no need to deliberate on this.'

Verse 9 (skanda.2.107.9)

तदाप्रभृति लोकेऽस्मिन्प्रसिद्धा प्रतिपत्तिथिः । प्रतिपत्पूर्वविद्धा नो कर्तव्या तु कथंचन

tadāprabhṛti loke'sminprasiddhā pratipattithiḥ pratipatpūrvaviddhā no kartavyā tu kathaṁcana

From then on, this first day became renowned in this world. The first day, when overlapped by the previous tithi, should never under any circumstances be observed for this rite.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.107.10)

तत्राभ्यंगं न कुर्वीत अन्यथा मृतिमाप्नुयात् । प्रतिपद्यां यदा दर्शो मुहूर्तप्रमितो भवेत् । मांगल्यं तद्दिने चेत्स्याद्वित्तादिस्तस्य नश्यति । बलेश्च प्रतिपद्दर्शाद्यदि विद्धं भविष्यति

tatrābhyaṁgaṁ na kurvīta anyathā mṛtimāpnuyāt pratipadyāṁ yadā darśo muhūrtapramito bhavet māṁgalyaṁ taddine cetsyādvittādistasya naśyati baleśca pratipaddarśādyadi viddhaṁ bhaviṣyati

One should not perform the oil-massage on such an overlapped day; otherwise one meets death. When, on the first day, the new moon tithi is present for only a measure of a muhurta, if an auspicious rite is performed on that day, his wealth and the like perish; and if Bali's first day is overlapped by the new moon,

Verse 11 (skanda.2.107.11)

तस्यां यद्यथ चाऽऽर्तिक्यं नारी मोहात्करिष्यति । नारीणां तत्र वैधव्यं प्रजानां मरणं ध्रुवम्

tasyāṁ yadyatha cā''rtikyaṁ nārī mohātkariṣyati nārīṇāṁ tatra vaidhavyaṁ prajānāṁ maraṇaṁ dhruvam

and if a woman, through delusion, performs the Arti rite on it, widowhood shall come to women there, and the death of offspring is certain.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.107.12)

अविद्धा प्रतिपच्चेत्स्यान्मुहूर्तमपरेऽहनि । उत्सवादिककृत्येषु सैव प्रोक्ता मनीषिभिः

aviddhā pratipaccetsyānmuhūrtamapare'hani utsavādikakṛtyeṣu saiva proktā manīṣibhiḥ

If the first day, unoverlapped, occurs even for a muhurta on the later day, that very later day is declared by the wise for festival rites and the like.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.107.13)

प्रतिपत्स्वल्पमात्राऽपि यदि न स्यात्परेऽहनि । पूर्वविद्धा तदा कार्या कृता नो दोषभाग्भवेत्

pratipatsvalpamātrā'pi yadi na syātpare'hani pūrvaviddhā tadā kāryā kṛtā no doṣabhāgbhavet

If the first day does not occur, even a little, on the later day, then the tithi overlapped by the previous day should be observed; performed thus, one does not incur fault.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.107.14)

तद्दिने गृहमध्ये तु कुर्यान्मूर्तिं तदांगणे । गोमयेन च तत्राऽपि दधि तत्पुरतः क्षिपेत्

taddine gṛhamadhye tu kuryānmūrtiṁ tadāṁgaṇe gomayena ca tatrā'pi dadhi tatpurataḥ kṣipet

On that day, within the house, in its courtyard, an image should be made; and there, with cow-dung, curd should also be placed before it.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.107.15)

आर्तिक्यं तत्र संस्थाप्य एवं कुर्याद्विधानतः । अभ्यंगं ये न कुर्वंति तस्यां तु मुनिपुंगव

ārtikyaṁ tatra saṁsthāpya evaṁ kuryādvidhānataḥ abhyaṁgaṁ ye na kurvaṁti tasyāṁ tu munipuṁgava

Having thus established the Arti-rite there, one should perform it duly according to rule. O best of sages, those who do not perform the oil-massage on that day,

Verse 16 (skanda.2.107.16)

न मांगल्यं भवेत्तेषां यावत्स्याद्वत्सरं ध्रुवम् । यो यादृशेन रूपेण तस्यां तिष्ठेच्छुभे दिने

na māṁgalyaṁ bhavetteṣāṁ yāvatsyādvatsaraṁ dhruvam yo yādṛśena rūpeṇa tasyāṁ tiṣṭhecchubhe dine

for them there is certainly no auspiciousness for a whole year. Whoever, in whatever state, remains on that auspicious day —

Verse 17 (skanda.2.107.17)

आवर्षं तद्भवेत्तस्य तस्मान्मंगलमाचरेत् । यदीच्छेत्स्वशुभान्भोगान्भोक्तुं दिव्यान्मनोहरान्

āvarṣaṁ tadbhavettasya tasmānmaṁgalamācaret yadīcchetsvaśubhānbhogānbhoktuṁ divyānmanoharān

— that same state shall be his for the whole year; therefore one should conduct oneself auspiciously. If one desires to enjoy divine and delightful pleasures for oneself,

Verse 18 (skanda.2.107.18)

कुरु दीपोत्सवं रम्यं त्रयोदश्यादिकेषु च । शंकरश्च भवानी च क्रीडया द्यूतमास्थिते

kuru dīpotsavaṁ ramyaṁ trayodaśyādikeṣu ca śaṁkaraśca bhavānī ca krīḍayā dyūtamāsthite

one should celebrate the delightful festival of lamps, beginning from the thirteenth day. Shankara and Bhavani, in sport, engaged in a game of dice;

Verse 19 (skanda.2.107.19)

गौर्या जित्वा पुरा शंभुर्नग्नो द्यूते विसर्जितः । अतोऽर्थं शंकरो दुःखी गौरी नित्यं सुखस्थिता

gauryā jitvā purā śaṁbhurnagno dyūte visarjitaḥ ato'rthaṁ śaṁkaro duḥkhī gaurī nityaṁ sukhasthitā

Shambhu, having lost to Gauri long ago, was left naked, defeated in the game; because of this, Shankara is grieved, while Gauri ever abides happily.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.107.20)

द्यूतं निषिद्धं सर्वत्र हित्वा प्रतिपदं बुधाः । प्रथमं विजयो यस्य तस्य संवत्सरं सुखम्

dyūtaṁ niṣiddhaṁ sarvatra hitvā pratipadaṁ budhāḥ prathamaṁ vijayo yasya tasya saṁvatsaraṁ sukham

Though gambling is forbidden everywhere else, the wise do not renounce it on the first day. Whoever wins first, for him the whole year is happy.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.107.21)

भवान्याऽभ्यर्थिता लक्ष्मीर्धेनुरूपेण संस्थिता । प्रातर्गोवर्द्धनः पूज्यो द्यूतं रात्रौ समाचरेत्

bhavānyā'bhyarthitā lakṣmīrdhenurūpeṇa saṁsthitā prātargovarddhanaḥ pūjyo dyūtaṁ rātrau samācaret

Lakshmi, entreated by Bhavani, abides in the form of a cow. In the morning, Govardhana should be worshipped; the game of dice should be performed at night.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.107.22)

भूषणीयास्तदा गावो वर्ज्या वहनदोहनात् । गोवर्द्धन धराऽऽधार गोकुलत्राणकारक । विष्णुबाहुकृतोच्छ्राय गवां कोटिप्रदो भव

bhūṣaṇīyāstadā gāvo varjyā vahanadohanāt govarddhana dharā''dhāra gokulatrāṇakāraka viṣṇubāhukṛtocchrāya gavāṁ koṭiprado bhava

Cows should then be adorned, and exempted from labor and milking. 'O Govardhana, support of the earth, protector of the cow-herds, raised up by Vishnu's arm, be the bestower of a crore of cows in merit.'

Verse 23 (skanda.2.107.23)

या लक्ष्मीर्लोकपालानां धेनुरूपेण संस्थिता । घृतं वहति यज्ञार्थे मम पापं व्यपोहतु

yā lakṣmīrlokapālānāṁ dhenurūpeṇa saṁsthitā ghṛtaṁ vahati yajñārthe mama pāpaṁ vyapohatu

'May that Lakshmi of the guardians of the worlds, who abides in the form of a cow and bears ghee for the sake of sacrifice, remove my sin.'

Verse 24 (skanda.2.107.24)

अग्रतः संतु मे गावो गावो मे संतु पृष्ठतः । गावो मे हृदयं संतु गवां मध्ये वसाम्यहम्

agrataḥ saṁtu me gāvo gāvo me saṁtu pṛṣṭhataḥ gāvo me hṛdayaṁ saṁtu gavāṁ madhye vasāmyaham

'May cows be before me, may cows be behind me; may cows be my heart; may I dwell in the midst of cows.'

Verse 25 (skanda.2.107.25)

इति गोवर्द्धनपूजा । सद्भावेनैव संतोष्य देवान्सत्पुरुषान्नरान् । इतरेषामन्नपानैर्वाक्यदानेन पंडितान्

iti govarddhanapūjā sadbhāvenaiva saṁtoṣya devānsatpuruṣānnarān itareṣāmannapānairvākyadānena paṁḍitān

Thus is the worship of Govardhana. Having satisfied, with sincere feeling, the gods, virtuous men, and other people, and the learned with kind words, food, and drink,

Verse 26 (skanda.2.107.26)

वस्त्रैस्तांबूलधूपैश्च पुष्पकर्पूरकुंकुमैः । भक्ष्यैरुच्चावचैर्भोज्यैरंतःपुरनिवासिनः

vastraistāṁbūladhūpaiśca puṣpakarpūrakuṁkumaiḥ bhakṣyairuccāvacairbhojyairaṁtaḥpuranivāsinaḥ

having satisfied the inhabitants of the inner palace with garments, betel, incense, flowers, camphor, saffron, and food of various kinds,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.107.27)

ग्राम्यान्वृषभदानैश्च सामंतान्नृपतिर्धनैः । पदातिजनसंघांश्च ग्रैवेयैः कटकैः शुभैः । स्वनामांकैश्च तान्राजा तोषयेत्सज्जनान्पृथक्

grāmyānvṛṣabhadānaiśca sāmaṁtānnṛpatirdhanaiḥ padātijanasaṁghāṁśca graiveyaiḥ kaṭakaiḥ śubhaiḥ svanāmāṁkaiśca tānrājā toṣayetsajjanānpṛthak

the villagers with gifts of bulls, the feudal lords with wealth — the king should individually gratify good people, the assembled foot-soldiers with auspicious necklaces and bracelets marked with his own name.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.107.28)

यथार्थं तोषयित्वा तु ततो मल्लान्नरांस्तथा । वृषभान्महिषांश्चैव युध्यमानान्परैः सह

yathārthaṁ toṣayitvā tu tato mallānnarāṁstathā vṛṣabhānmahiṣāṁścaiva yudhyamānānparaiḥ saha

Having duly satisfied them, then the wrestlers, and likewise bulls and buffaloes contending with one another,

Verse 29 (skanda.2.107.29)

राज्ञस्तथैव योधांश्च पदातीन्समलंकृतान् । मंचाऽऽरूढः स्वयं पश्येन्नटनर्तकचारणान्

rājñastathaiva yodhāṁśca padātīnsamalaṁkṛtān maṁcā''rūḍhaḥ svayaṁ paśyennaṭanartakacāraṇān

and likewise the warriors and adorned foot-soldiers of other kings — mounted on a dais, the king himself should watch dancers, actors, and bards,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.107.30)

युद्धापयेद्वासयेच्च गोमहिष्यादिकं च यत् । वत्सानाकर्षयेद्गोभिरुक्तिप्रत्युक्तिवादनात्

yuddhāpayedvāsayecca gomahiṣyādikaṁ ca yat vatsānākarṣayedgobhiruktipratyuktivādanāt

should have the cattle and buffaloes made to fight and rest afterward; and should attract calves to their cows through calling and answering sounds.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.107.31)

ततोऽपराह्नसमये पूर्वस्यां दिशि सुव्रत । मार्गपालीं प्रबध्नाति दुर्गस्तंभेऽथ पादपे

tato'parāhnasamaye pūrvasyāṁ diśi suvrata mārgapālīṁ prabadhnāti durgastaṁbhe'tha pādape

Then, at the time of the afternoon, O good votary, one should tie a path-guardian cord to the fortress-pillar or to a tree, in the eastern direction,

Verse 32 (skanda.2.107.32)

कुशकाशमयीं दिव्यां लंबकैर्बहुभिः प्रिये । वीक्षयित्वा गजानश्वान्मार्गपाल्यास्तले नयेत्

kuśakāśamayīṁ divyāṁ laṁbakairbahubhiḥ priye vīkṣayitvā gajānaśvānmārgapālyāstale nayet

made divine with kusha and kasha grass, adorned with many hanging ornaments, O beloved; having displayed it, one should lead elephants and horses beneath the path-guardian cord.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.107.33)

गावो वृषांश्च महिषान्महिषीर्घटकोत्कटान् । कृतहोमैर्द्विजेंद्रैस्तु बध्नीयान्मार्गपालिकाम्

gāvo vṛṣāṁśca mahiṣānmahiṣīrghaṭakotkaṭān kṛtahomairdvijeṁdraistu badhnīyānmārgapālikām

Similarly one should lead cows, bulls, buffaloes, and she-buffaloes, and elephants in rut, after the excellent brahmins have performed the fire-offering, beneath the path-guardian cord,

Verse 34 (skanda.2.107.34)

नमस्कारं ततः कुर्यान्मन्त्रेणानेन सुव्रत । मार्गपालि नमस्तुभ्यं सर्वलोकसुखप्रदे । तले तव सुखेनाश्वा गजा गावश्च संतु मे

namaskāraṁ tataḥ kuryānmantreṇānena suvrata mārgapāli namastubhyaṁ sarvalokasukhaprade tale tava sukhenāśvā gajā gāvaśca saṁtu me

and then perform obeisance with this mantra, O good votary: 'O path-guardian, salutation to you, giver of happiness to all the world; beneath you, may my horses, elephants, and cows be at ease.'

Verse 35 (skanda.2.107.35)

मार्गपालीतले पुत्र यांति गावो महावृषाः । राजानो राजपुत्राश्च ब्राह्मणाश्च विशेषतः

mārgapālītale putra yāṁti gāvo mahāvṛṣāḥ rājāno rājaputrāśca brāhmaṇāśca viśeṣataḥ

O son, beneath the path-guardian pass cows, great bulls, kings, princes, and especially brahmins,

Verse 36 (skanda.2.107.36)

मार्गपाली समुल्लंघ्य नीरुजः सुखिनो हि ते । कृत्वैतत्सर्वमेवेह रात्रौ दैत्यपतेर्बलेः

mārgapālī samullaṁghya nīrujaḥ sukhino hi te kṛtvaitatsarvameveha rātrau daityapaterbaleḥ

and, having crossed over the path-guardian, they are indeed free from disease and happy. Having thus performed all this here, at night, of Bali, the lord of the daityas,

Verse 37 (skanda.2.107.37)

पूजां कुर्यात्ततः साक्षाद्भूमौ मंडलके कृते । बलिमालिख्य दैत्येंद्रं वर्णकैः पंचरंगकैः

pūjāṁ kuryāttataḥ sākṣādbhūmau maṁḍalake kṛte balimālikhya daityeṁdraṁ varṇakaiḥ paṁcaraṁgakaiḥ

one should then directly perform his worship, in a circle drawn on the ground, having painted the image of Bali, the lord of the daityas, with five colors,

Verse 38 (skanda.2.107.38)

सर्वाभरणसंपूर्णं विंध्यावलिसमन्वितम् । कूष्मांडमयजंभोरुमधुदानवसंवृतम्

sarvābharaṇasaṁpūrṇaṁ viṁdhyāvalisamanvitam kūṣmāṁḍamayajaṁbhorumadhudānavasaṁvṛtam

complete with every ornament, accompanied by Vindhyavali, surrounded by the demons Kushmanda, Jambha, Uru, and Madhu,

Verse 39 (skanda.2.107.39)

संपूर्णं कृष्टवदनं किरीटोत्कटकुण्डलम् । द्विभुजं दैत्यराजानं कारयित्वा स्वके पुनः

saṁpūrṇaṁ kṛṣṭavadanaṁ kirīṭotkaṭakuṇḍalam dvibhujaṁ daityarājānaṁ kārayitvā svake punaḥ

complete, with a stern face, wearing a crown and large earrings, two-armed — having had this king of the daityas depicted in one's own house,

Verse 40 (skanda.2.107.40)

गृहस्य मध्ये शालायां विशालायां ततोऽर्चयेत् । मातृभ्रातृजनैः सार्द्धं संतुष्टो बन्धुभिः सह

gṛhasya madhye śālāyāṁ viśālāyāṁ tato'rcayet mātṛbhrātṛjanaiḥ sārddhaṁ saṁtuṣṭo bandhubhiḥ saha

in the midst of the house, in a spacious hall, one should then worship him, joyfully together with mother, brothers, and other kinsfolk,

Verse 41 (skanda.2.107.41)

कमलैः कुमुदैः पुष्पैः कह्लारै रक्तकोत्पलैः । गन्धपुष्पान्ननैवेद्यैः सक्षीरैर्गुडपायसैः

kamalaiḥ kumudaiḥ puṣpaiḥ kahlārai raktakotpalaiḥ gandhapuṣpānnanaivedyaiḥ sakṣīrairguḍapāyasaiḥ

with lotuses, white water-lilies, kahlara flowers, red water-lilies, with fragrant offerings of flowers and food, with milk-based sweet rice-puddings,

Verse 42 (skanda.2.107.42)

मद्यमांससुरालेह्यचोष्यभक्ष्योपहारकैः । मन्त्रेणाऽनेन राजेंद्र समन्त्री सपुरोहितः । पूजां करिष्यते यो वै सौख्यं स्यात्तस्य वत्सरम्

madyamāṁsasurālehyacoṣyabhakṣyopahārakaiḥ mantreṇā'nena rājeṁdra samantrī sapurohitaḥ pūjāṁ kariṣyate yo vai saukhyaṁ syāttasya vatsaram

and with offerings of liquor, meat, wine, and foods to be licked, sucked, and chewed. O king of kings, together with your minister and priest, whoever performs this worship with this mantra — happiness shall be his for the whole year.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.107.43)

बलिराज नमतुभ्यं विरोचनसुत प्रभो । भविष्येंद्र सुराराते पूजेयं प्रतिगृह्यताम्

balirāja namatubhyaṁ virocanasuta prabho bhaviṣyeṁdra surārāte pūjeyaṁ pratigṛhyatām

'O King Bali, salutation to you, O son of Virochana, O Lord; O future Indra, O foe of the gods, may this worship be accepted.'

Verse 44 (skanda.2.107.44)

एवं पूजाविधानेन रात्रौ जागरणं ततः । कारयेद्वै क्षणं रात्रौ नटनृत्यकथानकैः

evaṁ pūjāvidhānena rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ tataḥ kārayedvai kṣaṇaṁ rātrau naṭanṛtyakathānakaiḥ

Having thus performed the worship, one should then keep vigil at night, passing the time with dance, drama, and stories.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.107.45)

लोकश्चापि गृहस्यांते सपर्यां शुक्लतंदुलैः । संस्थाप्य बलिराजानं फलैः पुष्पैः प्रपूजयेत्

lokaścāpi gṛhasyāṁte saparyāṁ śuklataṁdulaiḥ saṁsthāpya balirājānaṁ phalaiḥ puṣpaiḥ prapūjayet

And people should also, at the boundary of the house, having established King Bali with white rice grains, worship him with fruits and flowers,

Verse 46 (skanda.2.107.46)

बलिमुद्दिश्य वै तत्र कार्यं सर्व च सुव्रत । यानि यान्यक्षयाण्याहुर्मुनयस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः

balimuddiśya vai tatra kāryaṁ sarva ca suvrata yāni yānyakṣayāṇyāhurmunayastattvadarśinaḥ

and everything should be done there dedicated to Bali, O good votary — whatever the truth-seeing sages have declared to be imperishable rites.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.107.47)

यदत्र दीयते दानं स्वल्पं वा यदि वा बहु । तदक्षयं भवेत्सर्वं विष्णोः प्रीतिकरं शुभम्

yadatra dīyate dānaṁ svalpaṁ vā yadi vā bahu tadakṣayaṁ bhavetsarvaṁ viṣṇoḥ prītikaraṁ śubham

Whatever gift is given here, whether small or great, all of it becomes imperishable, auspicious, and pleasing to Vishnu.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.107.48)

रात्रौ ये न करिष्यंति तव पूजां बले नराः । तेषां च श्रोत्रियो धर्मः सर्वस्त्वामुपतिष्ठतु

rātrau ye na kariṣyaṁti tava pūjāṁ bale narāḥ teṣāṁ ca śrotriyo dharmaḥ sarvastvāmupatiṣṭhatu

Those men who do not perform your worship at night, O Bali — may all their merit from Vedic learning and dharma come to reside with you.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.107.49)

विष्णुना च स्वयं वत्स तुष्टेन बलये पुनः । उपकारकरं दत्तमसुराणां महोत्सवम्

viṣṇunā ca svayaṁ vatsa tuṣṭena balaye punaḥ upakārakaraṁ dattamasurāṇāṁ mahotsavam

And, O child, by Vishnu himself, being pleased, this beneficial great festival of the asuras was again granted to Bali,

Verse 50 (skanda.2.107.50)

एकमेवमहोरात्रं वर्षेवर्षे च कार्तिके । दत्तं दानवराजस्य आदर्शमिव भूतले

ekamevamahorātraṁ varṣevarṣe ca kārtike dattaṁ dānavarājasya ādarśamiva bhūtale

— this one day and night, year after year, in Kartika, given to the king of the demons, like a mirror upon the earth.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.107.51)

यः करोति नृपो राज्ये तस्य व्याधिभयं कुतः । सुभिक्षं क्षेममारोग्यं तस्य संपदनुत्तमा

yaḥ karoti nṛpo rājye tasya vyādhibhayaṁ kutaḥ subhikṣaṁ kṣemamārogyaṁ tasya saṁpadanuttamā

Whatever king performs this in his kingdom — how can there be fear of disease for him? For him there is abundance, security, health, and unsurpassed prosperity,

Verse 52 (skanda.2.107.52)

नीरुजश्च जनाः सर्वे सर्वोपद्रववर्जिताः । कौमुदी क्रियते यस्माद्भावं कर्तुं महीतले । यो यादृशेन भावेन तिष्ठत्यस्यां च सुव्रत । हर्षदुःखादिभावेन तस्य वर्षं प्रयाति हि

nīrujaśca janāḥ sarve sarvopadravavarjitāḥ kaumudī kriyate yasmādbhāvaṁ kartuṁ mahītale yo yādṛśena bhāvena tiṣṭhatyasyāṁ ca suvrata harṣaduḥkhādibhāvena tasya varṣaṁ prayāti hi

and all the people are free from disease, free from all calamity. This festival Kaumudi is performed to establish a certain state on earth: whatever mood a person is in during this, O good votary, whether joy, sorrow, or the like, in that same mood his whole year passes.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.107.53)

रुदिते रोदितं वर्षं प्रहृष्टे तु प्रहर्षितम् । भुक्तौ भोग्यं भवेद्वर्षं स्वस्थे स्वस्थं भविष्यति

rudite roditaṁ varṣaṁ prahṛṣṭe tu praharṣitam bhuktau bhogyaṁ bhavedvarṣaṁ svasthe svasthaṁ bhaviṣyati

If one weeps, the year becomes a year of weeping; if one is joyful, it becomes a year of joy; if one is enjoying, the year becomes enjoyable; if one is at ease, it becomes a year of ease.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.107.54)

वैष्णवी दानवी चेयं तिथिः प्रोक्ता च कार्तिके । दीपोत्सवं जनितसर्वजनप्रमोदं कुर्वंति ये शुभतया वलिराजपूजाम् । दानोपभोगसुखबुद्धिमतां कुलानां हर्षं प्रयाति सकलं प्रमुदा च वर्षम्

vaiṣṇavī dānavī ceyaṁ tithiḥ proktā ca kārtike dīpotsavaṁ janitasarvajanapramodaṁ kurvaṁti ye śubhatayā valirājapūjām dānopabhogasukhabuddhimatāṁ kulānāṁ harṣaṁ prayāti sakalaṁ pramudā ca varṣam

This tithi in Kartika is declared to be both Vaishnava and Danava. Those who auspiciously perform the worship of King Bali, along with the festival of lamps that brings joy to all people — for the families of those who are wise in giving and enjoyment, their entire year passes in joy and delight.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.107.55)

बलिपूजां विधायैवं पश्चाद्गोक्रीडनं चरेत् । गवां क्रीडादिने यत्र रात्रौ दृश्येत चन्द्रमाः । सोमो राजा पशून्हंति सुरभीपूजकांस्तथा

balipūjāṁ vidhāyaivaṁ paścādgokrīḍanaṁ caret gavāṁ krīḍādine yatra rātrau dṛśyeta candramāḥ somo rājā paśūnhaṁti surabhīpūjakāṁstathā

Having thus performed the worship of Bali, one should afterward hold the cow-play. On the day of the cow-play, if the moon is seen at night, then King Soma harms the cattle, and likewise those who worship the divine cow.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.107.56)

प्रतिपद्दर्शसंयोगे क्रीडनं तु गवां मतम् । परविद्धासु यः कुर्यात्पुत्रदारधनक्षयः

pratipaddarśasaṁyoge krīḍanaṁ tu gavāṁ matam paraviddhāsu yaḥ kuryātputradāradhanakṣayaḥ

The cow-play is prescribed to be held when the first day is conjoined with the new moon; whoever performs it on a tithi overlapped by the following day suffers the loss of sons, wife, and wealth.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.107.57)

अलंकार्यास्तदा गावो गोग्रासादिभिरर्चिताः । गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषैर्नयेन्नगरबाह्यतः । आनीय च ततः पश्चात्कुर्यान्नीराजनाविधिम्

alaṁkāryāstadā gāvo gogrāsādibhirarcitāḥ gītavāditranirghoṣairnayennagarabāhyataḥ ānīya ca tataḥ paścātkuryānnīrājanāvidhim

Then the cows should be adorned and honored with mouthfuls of grass and the like; they should be led outside the city amid the sounds of song and music; and having brought them back, one should thereafter perform the rite of the waving of lamps.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.107.58)

अथ चेत्प्रतिपत्स्वल्पा नारी नीराजनं चरेत् । द्वितीयायां ततः कुर्यात्सायं मंगलमालिकाः

atha cetpratipatsvalpā nārī nīrājanaṁ caret dvitīyāyāṁ tataḥ kuryātsāyaṁ maṁgalamālikāḥ

Now, if the first day is present only briefly, a woman should perform the waving of lamps regardless; then, on the second day, one should perform, in the evening, the rites with auspicious garlands.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.107.59)

एवं नीराजनं कृत्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते । प्रतिपत्पूर्वविद्धैव यष्टिकाकर्षणे भवेत्

evaṁ nīrājanaṁ kṛtvā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate pratipatpūrvaviddhaiva yaṣṭikākarṣaṇe bhavet

Having thus performed the waving of lamps, one is freed from all sins. Only when the first day is overlapped by the previous tithi does the stick-pulling contest take place.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.107.60)

कुशकाशमयीं कुर्याद्यष्टिकां सुदृढां नवाम् । देवद्वारे नृपद्वारेऽथवाऽऽनेया चतुष्पथे

kuśakāśamayīṁ kuryādyaṣṭikāṁ sudṛḍhāṁ navām devadvāre nṛpadvāre'thavā''neyā catuṣpathe

One should make a firm new stick of kusha and kasha grass; it should be brought to the door of a temple or of the king's palace, or to a crossroads.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.107.61)

तामेकतो राजपुत्रा हीनवर्णास्तथैकतः । गृहीत्वा कर्षयेयुस्ते यथासारं मुहुर्मुहुः

tāmekato rājaputrā hīnavarṇāstathaikataḥ gṛhītvā karṣayeyuste yathāsāraṁ muhurmuhuḥ

On one side, princes, and on the other, those of lower caste, should take hold of it and pull it repeatedly, with all their strength.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.107.62)

समसंख्या द्वयोः कार्या सर्वेऽपि बलवत्तराः । जयोऽत्र हीनजातीनां जयो राज्ञस्तु वत्सरम्

samasaṁkhyā dvayoḥ kāryā sarve'pi balavattarāḥ jayo'tra hīnajātīnāṁ jayo rājñastu vatsaram

An equal number should be assigned to the two sides, all of them strong. If those of lower caste win here, that is one outcome; but if the king's side wins, that ensures good fortune for the year.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.107.63)

उभयोः पृष्ठतः कार्या रेखा तत्कर्षकोपरि । रेखांते यो नयेत्तस्य जयो भवति नाऽन्यथा । जयचिह्नमिदं राजा निदधीत प्रयत्नतः

ubhayoḥ pṛṣṭhataḥ kāryā rekhā tatkarṣakopari rekhāṁte yo nayettasya jayo bhavati nā'nyathā jayacihnamidaṁ rājā nidadhīta prayatnataḥ

A line should be drawn behind each of the two sides, over the puller. Whoever drags the opposing side to the far end of the line is victorious — not otherwise. The king should carefully note this sign of victory.