The Greatness of Yama-Dvitiya

Verse 1 (skanda.2.108.1)

नारद उवाच । भगवन्प्रष्टुमिच्छामि त्वामहं विनयान्वितः । तद्व्रतं ब्रूहि मे मर्त्यो मृत्युं येन न पश्यति

nārada uvāca bhagavanpraṣṭumicchāmi tvāmahaṁ vinayānvitaḥ tadvrataṁ brūhi me martyo mṛtyuṁ yena na paśyati

Narada said: O Lord, filled with humility, I wish to ask you; tell me that vow by which a mortal does not see death.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.108.2)

ब्रह्मोवाच । यदि पृच्छसि विप्रेन्द्र व्रतानामुत्तमं व्रतम् । व्रतं यमद्वितीयाख्यं शृणु त्वं मृत्युनाशनम्

brahmovāca yadi pṛcchasi viprendra vratānāmuttamaṁ vratam vrataṁ yamadvitīyākhyaṁ śṛṇu tvaṁ mṛtyunāśanam

Brahma said: Since you ask, O best of brahmins, of the most excellent among vows — hear of the vow called Yama-Dvitiya, the destroyer of death.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.108.3)

कार्तिके मासि शुद्धायां द्वितीयायां मुनीश्वर । कर्तव्यं तद्विधानेन सर्वमृत्युनिवारणम्

kārtike māsi śuddhāyāṁ dvitīyāyāṁ munīśvara kartavyaṁ tadvidhānena sarvamṛtyunivāraṇam

O lord of sages, on the second day of the bright fortnight of Kartika, this rite, which averts all death, should be duly performed.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.108.4)

ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते चोप्थाय द्वितीयायां मुनीश्वर । मनसा चिंतयेदात्महितं नैवाऽहितं स्मरेत्

brāhme muhūrte copthāya dvitīyāyāṁ munīśvara manasā ciṁtayedātmahitaṁ naivā'hitaṁ smaret

Having risen in the Brahma-muhurta on the second day, O lord of sages, one should think in the mind only of what is good for the self, never recalling what is harmful.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.108.5)

प्रातःस्नानं ततः कुर्याद्दन्तधावनपूर्वकम् । ततः शुक्लांबरधरः शुक्लमाल्यानुलेपनः

prātaḥsnānaṁ tataḥ kuryāddantadhāvanapūrvakam tataḥ śuklāṁbaradharaḥ śuklamālyānulepanaḥ

Then one should perform the morning bath, preceded by the cleaning of teeth; then, clad in white garments, adorned with white garlands and unguents,

Verse 6 (skanda.2.108.6)

कृतनित्यक्रियो हृष्टः कुण्डलांगदभूषितः । औदुम्बर तरुं गत्वा कृत्वा मण्डलमुत्तमम्

kṛtanityakriyo hṛṣṭaḥ kuṇḍalāṁgadabhūṣitaḥ audumbara taruṁ gatvā kṛtvā maṇḍalamuttamam

having performed the daily rites, joyful, adorned with earrings and armlets, one should go to an udumbara tree and make an excellent mandala,

Verse 7 (skanda.2.108.7)

पद्ममष्टदलं कृत्वा तस्मिन्नौदुम्बरे शुभे । विधिं विष्णुं च रुद्रं च वरदां च सरस्वतीम्

padmamaṣṭadalaṁ kṛtvā tasminnaudumbare śubhe vidhiṁ viṣṇuṁ ca rudraṁ ca varadāṁ ca sarasvatīm

having drawn an eight-petaled lotus diagram, on that auspicious udumbara tree — Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, and the boon-granting Sarasvati,

Verse 8 (skanda.2.108.8)

वीणापुस्तकसंयुक्तां पूजयेत्स्वस्थमानसः । चन्दनागरुकस्तूरीकुंकुमैर्द्विजसत्तम

vīṇāpustakasaṁyuktāṁ pūjayetsvasthamānasaḥ candanāgarukastūrīkuṁkumairdvijasattama

who holds the vina and a book, should be worshipped with a composed mind, O best of brahmins, with sandal, aloeswood, musk, and saffron,

Verse 9 (skanda.2.108.9)

पुष्पैर्धूपैश्च नैवेद्यैर्नारिकेलफलादिभिः । ततो मृत्युविनाशाथ सालंकारां पयस्विनीम्

puṣpairdhūpaiśca naivedyairnārikelaphalādibhiḥ tato mṛtyuvināśātha sālaṁkārāṁ payasvinīm

with flowers, incense, and offerings of coconut and other fruits; then, for the destruction of untimely death, an ornamented, milk-giving cow,

Verse 10 (skanda.2.108.10)

विप्राय वेदविदुषे गां दद्याच्च सवत्सकाम् । अपमृत्युविनाशार्थं संसारार्णवतारकाम्

viprāya vedaviduṣe gāṁ dadyācca savatsakām apamṛtyuvināśārthaṁ saṁsārārṇavatārakām

together with its calf, should be given to a brahmin learned in the Vedas, for the destruction of untimely death, the cow being one that ferries across the ocean of transmigration,

Verse 11 (skanda.2.108.11)

हे विप्र ते त्विमां सौम्यां धेनुं संप्रददाम्यहम् । इति मंत्रेण गां दद्याद्विप्राय ब्रह्मवादिने

he vipra te tvimāṁ saumyāṁ dhenuṁ saṁpradadāmyaham iti maṁtreṇa gāṁ dadyādviprāya brahmavādine

'O brahmin, I give to you this gentle cow.' With this mantra one should give the cow to a brahmin versed in the scriptures.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.108.12)

तदलाभे तु विप्राय भक्त्या दद्यादुपानहौ । ततः पूजां समाप्याथ भक्तिमान्पुरुषोत्तमे

tadalābhe tu viprāya bhaktyā dadyādupānahau tataḥ pūjāṁ samāpyātha bhaktimānpuruṣottame

If that is not obtainable, one should devotedly give a pair of sandals to the brahmin. Then, having completed the worship, devoted to Purushottama,

Verse 13 (skanda.2.108.13)

ज्ञातिश्रेष्ठान्वयोवृद्धान्सम्यग्भक्त्याऽभिवादयेत् । नानाविधैः फलै रम्यैस्तर्प्पयेत्स्वजनानपि

jñātiśreṣṭhānvayovṛddhānsamyagbhaktyā'bhivādayet nānāvidhaiḥ phalai ramyaistarppayetsvajanānapi

one should properly and devotedly salute the eminent among one's kinsmen and elders, and should gratify one's family members too with various delightful fruits.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.108.14)

ततः सोदरसंपन्ना भगिनी या भवेन्मुने । तस्या गृहं समागत्य सम्यग्भक्त्याऽभिवादयेत्

tataḥ sodarasaṁpannā bhaginī yā bhavenmune tasyā gṛhaṁ samāgatya samyagbhaktyā'bhivādayet

Then, O sage, whatever sister one may have, born of the same parents — one should go to her house and duly and devotedly salute her,

Verse 15 (skanda.2.108.15)

भगिनि सुभगे भद्रे त्वदंघ्रिसरसीरुहम् । श्रेयसेऽथ नमस्कर्तुमागतोऽस्मि तवालयम्

bhagini subhage bhadre tvadaṁghrisarasīruham śreyase'tha namaskartumāgato'smi tavālayam

'O sister, O fortunate one, O auspicious one, I have come to your dwelling to bow to your lotus feet, for my own welfare.'

Verse 16 (skanda.2.108.16)

इत्युक्त्वा भगिनीं तां तु विष्णुबुद्ध्याऽभिवादयेत् । तदा तु भगिनी श्रुत्वा भ्रातुर्वचनमुत्तमम्

ityuktvā bhaginīṁ tāṁ tu viṣṇubuddhyā'bhivādayet tadā tu bhaginī śrutvā bhrāturvacanamuttamam

Having said this, one should salute that sister with the awareness that she is Vishnu. Then, hearing her brother's excellent words, the sister,

Verse 17 (skanda.2.108.17)

भगिन्या भ्रातरं वाक्यं वक्तव्यं प्रति नारद । अद्य भ्रातरहं जाता त्वत्तो धन्याऽस्मि मंगला

bhaginyā bhrātaraṁ vākyaṁ vaktavyaṁ prati nārada adya bhrātarahaṁ jātā tvatto dhanyā'smi maṁgalā

O Narada, should reply to her brother thus: 'Today, O brother, I have become blessed and auspicious because of you.'

Verse 18 (skanda.2.108.18)

भोक्तव्यं तेऽद्य मद्गेहे स्वायुषे कुलदीपक । कार्तिके शुक्लपक्षस्य द्वितीयायां सहोदर

bhoktavyaṁ te'dya madgehe svāyuṣe kuladīpaka kārtike śuklapakṣasya dvitīyāyāṁ sahodara

'You should eat today in my house, for the sake of your own long life, O light of our family, on this second day of the bright fortnight of Kartika, O brother.'

Verse 19 (skanda.2.108.19)

यमो यमुनया पूर्वं भोजितः स्वगृहेर्चितः । अस्मिन्दिने यमेनाऽपि नारकीयाश्च मोचिताः । अपि बद्धाः कर्मपाशैः स्वेच्छया पर्यटंति ते

yamo yamunayā pūrvaṁ bhojitaḥ svagṛhercitaḥ asmindine yamenā'pi nārakīyāśca mocitāḥ api baddhāḥ karmapāśaiḥ svecchayā paryaṭaṁti te

'Yama was, long ago, fed by Yamuna and honored in her own house; on this day even those dwelling in hell were freed by Yama; even those bound by the fetters of karma wander about freely on this day.'

Verse 20 (skanda.2.108.20)

स्वसुर्नरो वेश्मनि यो न भुंक्ते यमद्वितीयादिनमत्र लब्ध्वा । तं पापिनं प्राप्य वयं सुहृष्टाः प्रभक्षयामोऽद्य च भक्ष्यहीनाः

svasurnaro veśmani yo na bhuṁkte yamadvitīyādinamatra labdhvā taṁ pāpinaṁ prāpya vayaṁ suhṛṣṭāḥ prabhakṣayāmo'dya ca bhakṣyahīnāḥ

'The man who, having obtained this day of Yama-Dvitiya, does not eat in his sister's house — that sinner, having found him today, we, deprived of our own food, shall devour with great delight!'

Verse 21 (skanda.2.108.21)

इति पापा रटंतीह ब्रह्महत्यादयस्तथा । तस्माद्भ्रातर्मद्गृहे तु भोजनं कुरु कार्तिके

iti pāpā raṭaṁtīha brahmahatyādayastathā tasmādbhrātarmadgṛhe tu bhojanaṁ kuru kārtike

'Thus cry out the sins, beginning with the sin of killing a brahmin. Therefore, O brother, do eat in my house in Kartika,'

Verse 22 (skanda.2.108.22)

शुक्लायां तु द्वितीयायां विश्रुतायां जगत्त्रये । अस्यां निजगृहे पुत्र भुज्यते न बुधैरपि

śuklāyāṁ tu dvitīyāyāṁ viśrutāyāṁ jagattraye asyāṁ nijagṛhe putra bhujyate na budhairapi

'on the second day of the bright fortnight, famed in the three worlds; on this day, O son, even the wise never eat in their own homes.'

Verse 23 (skanda.2.108.23)

इत्युक्तः स तथेत्युक्ता भगिनीं पूजयेद्व्रती । प्रहर्षास्तुमहाभाग वस्त्रालंकारभूषणैः

ityuktaḥ sa tathetyuktā bhaginīṁ pūjayedvratī praharṣāstumahābhāga vastrālaṁkārabhūṣaṇaiḥ

Thus addressed, agreeing 'so be it,' the vow-observer should honor his sister, greatly delighted, with garments, ornaments, and adornments,

Verse 24 (skanda.2.108.24)

अग्रजामभिवंद्याऽथ आशिषं च प्रगृह्य च । सर्वा भगिन्यः संतोष्या वस्त्रालंकारदानतः

agrajāmabhivaṁdyā'tha āśiṣaṁ ca pragṛhya ca sarvā bhaginyaḥ saṁtoṣyā vastrālaṁkāradānataḥ

and, having bowed to his elder sister and received her blessing, he should satisfy all his sisters with the gift of garments and ornaments.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.108.25)

अभावे स्वस्य तु स्वसुः पितृव्याः स्वपितुः स्वसा । तस्या गृहं समागत्य कुर्याद्भोजनमादरात्

abhāve svasya tu svasuḥ pitṛvyāḥ svapituḥ svasā tasyā gṛhaṁ samāgatya kuryādbhojanamādarāt

In the absence of his own sister, whatever sister his father's brother has, one should go to her house and eat there reverently.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.108.26)

एवं यः कुरुते पुत्र द्वितीयां यमनामिकाम् । अपमृत्युविनिर्मुक्तः पुत्रपौत्रादिभिर्वृतः

evaṁ yaḥ kurute putra dvitīyāṁ yamanāmikām apamṛtyuvinirmuktaḥ putrapautrādibhirvṛtaḥ

O son, whoever thus observes this second day named for Yama, freed from untimely death, surrounded by sons, grandsons, and the rest,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.108.27)

इह भुक्त्वा तु विपुलान्भोगानन्यान्यथेप्सितान् । अंते मोक्षमवाप्नोति नान्यथा मद्वचो भवेत्

iha bhuktvā tu vipulānbhogānanyānyathepsitān aṁte mokṣamavāpnoti nānyathā madvaco bhavet

having enjoyed abundant and various pleasures according to his desire in this world, attains liberation at the end; my word shall not be otherwise.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.108.28)

व्रतान्येतानि सर्वाणि दानानि विविधानि च । गृहस्थस्यैव युज्यंते तस्माद्गार्हस्थ्यमाश्रयेत्

vratānyetāni sarvāṇi dānāni vividhāni ca gṛhasthasyaiva yujyaṁte tasmādgārhasthyamāśrayet

All these vows, and the various gifts, are fitting only for the householder; therefore one should take refuge in the householder's stage of life.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.108.29)

कथां यमद्वितीयाया व्रतस्थः शृणुयान्नरः । तस्य सर्वाणि पापानि नश्यंतीत्याह माधवः

kathāṁ yamadvitīyāyā vratasthaḥ śṛṇuyānnaraḥ tasya sarvāṇi pāpāni naśyaṁtītyāha mādhavaḥ

Madhava has declared that the man who, keeping this vow, hears the story of Yama-Dvitiya, has all his sins destroyed.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.108.30)

सूत उवाच । कार्तिके च द्वितीयायां पूर्वाह्णे यममर्चयेत् । भानुजायां नरः स्नात्वा यमलोकं न पश्यति

sūta uvāca kārtike ca dvitīyāyāṁ pūrvāhṇe yamamarcayet bhānujāyāṁ naraḥ snātvā yamalokaṁ na paśyati

Suta said: On the second day of Kartika, in the forenoon, one should worship Yama; a man, having bathed in the Yamuna, does not see the world of Yama.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.108.31)

कार्तिके शुक्लपक्षे तु द्वितीयायां तु शौनक । यमो यमुनया पूर्वं भोजितः स्वगृहेऽर्चितः

kārtike śuklapakṣe tu dvitīyāyāṁ tu śaunaka yamo yamunayā pūrvaṁ bhojitaḥ svagṛhe'rcitaḥ

On the second day of the bright fortnight of Kartika, O Shaunaka, Yama was, long ago, fed and honored by Yamuna in her own house.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.108.32)

द्वितीयायां महोत्सर्गो नारकीयाश्च तर्पिताः । पापेभ्यो विप्रयुक्तास्ते मुक्ताः सर्वे निबंधनात्

dvitīyāyāṁ mahotsargo nārakīyāśca tarpitāḥ pāpebhyo viprayuktāste muktāḥ sarve nibaṁdhanāt

On the second day there is a great release; the denizens of hell too are propitiated; separated from their sins, they are all freed from their bondage.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.108.33)

अत्राऽऽशिताश्च संतुष्टाः स्थिताः सर्वे यदृच्छया । तेषां महोत्सवो वृत्तो यमराष्ट्रसुखावहः

atrā''śitāśca saṁtuṣṭāḥ sthitāḥ sarve yadṛcchayā teṣāṁ mahotsavo vṛtto yamarāṣṭrasukhāvahaḥ

On this day, fed and satisfied, all abide freely, as they wish; a great festival, bringing happiness to Yama's realm, takes place for them.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.108.34)

अतो यमद्वितीयेयं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुता । तस्मान्निजगृहे विप्र न भोक्तव्यं ततो बुधैः

ato yamadvitīyeyaṁ triṣu lokeṣu viśrutā tasmānnijagṛhe vipra na bhoktavyaṁ tato budhaiḥ

Therefore this Yama-Dvitiya is renowned in the three worlds; hence, O brahmin, the wise should not eat in their own homes on this day.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.108.35)

स्नेहेन भगिनीहस्ताद्भोक्तव्यं बलवर्धनम् । ऊर्जे शुक्लद्वितीयायां पूजितस्तर्पितो यमः

snehena bhaginīhastādbhoktavyaṁ balavardhanam ūrje śukladvitīyāyāṁ pūjitastarpito yamaḥ

One should eat, with affection, food that increases strength, from a sister's hand. On the second day of the bright fortnight of Urja, Yama, worshipped and propitiated,

Verse 36 (skanda.2.108.36)

महिषासनमारूढो दंडमुद्गरभृत्प्रभुः । वेष्टितः किंकरैर्हृष्टैस्तस्मै याम्यात्मने नमः

mahiṣāsanamārūḍho daṁḍamudgarabhṛtprabhuḥ veṣṭitaḥ kiṁkarairhṛṣṭaistasmai yāmyātmane namaḥ

seated upon his buffalo throne, holding staff and mace, the Lord, surrounded by joyful servants — salutation to him, the very soul of Yama.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.108.37)

यैर्भगिन्यः सुवासिन्यो वस्त्रदानादितोषिताः । न तेषां वत्सरं यावत्कलहो न रिपोर्भयम्

yairbhaginyaḥ suvāsinyo vastradānāditoṣitāḥ na teṣāṁ vatsaraṁ yāvatkalaho na riporbhayam

For those by whom married sisters have been gratified with the gift of garments and the rest, for them, for a whole year, there is no strife and no fear of an enemy.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.108.38)

धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं धर्मकामार्थसाधनम् । व्याख्यातं सकलं पुत्र सरहस्यं मयाऽनघ

dhanyaṁ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṁ dharmakāmārthasādhanam vyākhyātaṁ sakalaṁ putra sarahasyaṁ mayā'nagha

O sinless son, this entire rite, blessed, glorious, life-giving, and the means to dharma, artha, and kama, has been fully explained by me, together with its secret meaning.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.108.39)

यस्यां तिथौ यमुनया यमराजदेवः संभोजितः प्रतितिथौ स्वसृसौहृदेन । तस्मात्स्वसुः करतलादिह यो भुनक्ति प्राप्नोति वित्तशुभसंपदमुत्तमां सः

yasyāṁ tithau yamunayā yamarājadevaḥ saṁbhojitaḥ pratitithau svasṛsauhṛdena tasmātsvasuḥ karatalādiha yo bhunakti prāpnoti vittaśubhasaṁpadamuttamāṁ saḥ

On the very tithi on which the divine King Yama was, out of a sister's affection, fed by Yamuna each year — whoever eats here from the palm of his sister's hand obtains supreme wealth and auspicious prosperity.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.108.40)

सूत उवाच । विशेषश्चात्र संप्रोक्तो वालखिल्यैर्महर्षिभिः । तदहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुध्वं मुनिसत्तमाः

sūta uvāca viśeṣaścātra saṁprokto vālakhilyairmaharṣibhiḥ tadahaṁ saṁpravakṣyāmi śṛṇudhvaṁ munisattamāḥ

Suta said: A special detail regarding this has been declared by the great sages, the Valakhilyas; that I shall now tell — hear it, O best of sages.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.108.41)

वालखिल्या ऊचुः । कार्तिकस्य सिते पक्षे द्वितीया यमसंज्ञिता । तत्राऽपराह्ने कर्तव्यं सर्वथैव यमार्चनम्

vālakhilyā ūcuḥ kārtikasya site pakṣe dvitīyā yamasaṁjñitā tatrā'parāhne kartavyaṁ sarvathaiva yamārcanam

The Valakhilyas said: In the bright fortnight of Kartika, the second day is called Yama's day; on it, in the afternoon, the worship of Yama should certainly be performed.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.108.42)

प्रत्यहं यमुनाऽऽगत्य यमं संप्रार्थयत्पुरा । भ्रातर्मम गृहे याहि भोजनार्थं गणावृतः

pratyahaṁ yamunā''gatya yamaṁ saṁprārthayatpurā bhrātarmama gṛhe yāhi bhojanārthaṁ gaṇāvṛtaḥ

Every day, long ago, Yamuna would come and entreat Yama: 'O brother, come to my house, with your retinue, to eat.'

Verse 43 (skanda.2.108.43)

अद्यश्वो वा परश्वो वा प्रत्यहं वदते यमः । कार्यव्याकुलचित्तानामवकाशो न जायते

adyaśvo vā paraśvo vā pratyahaṁ vadate yamaḥ kāryavyākulacittānāmavakāśo na jāyate

'Today, or tomorrow, or the day after.' Every day, Yama would say this. For those whose minds are absorbed in their duties, no leisure arises.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.108.44)

तदैकदा यमुनया बलात्कारान्निमंत्रितः । स गतः कार्तिके मासि द्वितीयायां मुनीश्वराः

tadaikadā yamunayā balātkārānnimaṁtritaḥ sa gataḥ kārtike māsi dvitīyāyāṁ munīśvarāḥ

Then, one day, invited by Yamuna almost by force, O lords of sages, he went, in the month of Kartika, on the second day.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.108.45)

नारकीयजनान्मुक्त्वा गणैः सह रवेः सुतः । कृताऽऽतिथ्यो यमुनया नानापाकाः कृताः खग

nārakīyajanānmuktvā gaṇaiḥ saha raveḥ sutaḥ kṛtā''tithyo yamunayā nānāpākāḥ kṛtāḥ khaga

The son of the Sun, having released the denizens of hell, together with his retinue, was received as a guest by Yamuna, O bird; various dishes were prepared.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.108.46)

कृताभ्यंगो यमुनया तैलैर्गंधमनोहरैः । उद्वर्तनं लापयित्वा स्नापितः सूर्यनंदनः

kṛtābhyaṁgo yamunayā tailairgaṁdhamanoharaiḥ udvartanaṁ lāpayitvā snāpitaḥ sūryanaṁdanaḥ

Yamuna anointed him with fragrant, delightful oils; and, having had an unguent-massage applied, the son of the Sun was bathed.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.108.47)

ततोऽलंकारकं दत्तं नानावस्त्राणि चंदनम् । माल्यानि च प्रदत्तानि मंचोपरि उपाविशत्

tato'laṁkārakaṁ dattaṁ nānāvastrāṇi caṁdanam mālyāni ca pradattāni maṁcopari upāviśat

Then ornaments were given, various garments, sandal-paste, and garlands were presented; and he sat upon a dais.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.108.48)

पक्वान्नानि विचित्राणि कृत्वा सा स्वर्णभाजने । यमायाभोजयद्देवी यमुना प्रीतमानसा

pakvānnāni vicitrāṇi kṛtvā sā svarṇabhājane yamāyābhojayaddevī yamunā prītamānasā

Having prepared various cooked foods in golden vessels, the goddess Yamuna, with a joyful mind, fed Yama.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.108.49)

भुक्त्वा यमोऽपि भगिनीमलंकारैः समर्चयत् । नानावस्त्रैस्ततः प्राह वरं वरय भामिनि । इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा यमुना वाक्यमब्रवीत्

bhuktvā yamo'pi bhaginīmalaṁkāraiḥ samarcayat nānāvastraistataḥ prāha varaṁ varaya bhāmini iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā yamunā vākyamabravīt

Having eaten, Yama too honored his sister with ornaments and various garments, and then said, 'O lady, choose a boon.' Hearing these words, Yamuna spoke:

Verse 50 (skanda.2.108.50)

यमुनोवाच । प्रतिवर्षं समागच्छ भोजनार्थं तु मद्गृहे

yamunovāca prativarṣaṁ samāgaccha bhojanārthaṁ tu madgṛhe

Yamuna said: 'Come every year to my house to eat.'

Verse 51 (skanda.2.108.51)

अद्य सर्वे मोचनीयाः पापिनो नरकाद्यम । येऽद्यैव भगिनीहस्तात्करिष्यंति च भोजनम् । तेषां सौख्यं प्रदेहि त्वमेतदेव वृणोम्यहम्

adya sarve mocanīyāḥ pāpino narakādyama ye'dyaiva bhaginīhastātkariṣyaṁti ca bhojanam teṣāṁ saukhyaṁ pradehi tvametadeva vṛṇomyaham

'Today, O Yama, all sinners should be released from hell. Grant happiness to those who eat this very day from a sister's hand — this alone I choose.'

Verse 52 (skanda.2.108.52)

यम उवाच । यमुनायां तु यः स्नात्वा संतर्प्य पितृदेवताः

yama uvāca yamunāyāṁ tu yaḥ snātvā saṁtarpya pitṛdevatāḥ

Yama said: 'Whoever, having bathed in the Yamuna, and having offered libations to the ancestors and gods,'

Verse 53 (skanda.2.108.53)

भुंक्ते च भगिनीगेहे भगिनीं पूजयेदपि । कदाचिदपि मद्वारं न स पश्यति भानुजे

bhuṁkte ca bhaginīgehe bhaginīṁ pūjayedapi kadācidapi madvāraṁ na sa paśyati bhānuje

'and eats in his sister's house, and also honors his sister — O daughter of the Sun, that man never at any time beholds my door.'

Verse 54 (skanda.2.108.54)

वीरेशैशानदिग्भागे यमतीर्थं प्रकीर्तितम् । तत्र स्नात्वा च विधिवत्संतर्प्य पितृदेवताः

vīreśaiśānadigbhāge yamatīrthaṁ prakīrtitam tatra snātvā ca vidhivatsaṁtarpya pitṛdevatāḥ

In the north-eastern direction of Vireshvara, the tirtha of Yama is celebrated. Having bathed there, and having duly offered libations to the ancestors and gods,

Verse 55 (skanda.2.108.55)

पठेदेतानि नामानि आमध्याह्नं नरोत्तमः । सूर्यस्याभिमुखो मौनी हृतचित्तः स्थिरासनः

paṭhedetāni nāmāni āmadhyāhnaṁ narottamaḥ sūryasyābhimukho maunī hṛtacittaḥ sthirāsanaḥ

the best of men should recite these names until midday, facing the sun, silent, with a focused mind, seated firmly:

Verse 56 (skanda.2.108.56)

यमो निहंता पितृधर्मराजो वैवस्वतो दंडधरश्च कालः । भूताधिपो दत्तकृतानुसारी कृतांतमेतद्दशभिर्जपंति

yamo nihaṁtā pitṛdharmarājo vaivasvato daṁḍadharaśca kālaḥ bhūtādhipo dattakṛtānusārī kṛtāṁtametaddaśabhirjapaṁti

'Yama, Nihanta, Pitri, Dharmaraja, Vaivasvata, Dandadhara, Kala, Bhutadhipa, Dattakritanusari, Kritanta' — these ten names they recite.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.108.57)

ततो यमेश्वरं पूज्य भगिनीगृहमाव्रजेत् । मंत्रेणाऽनेन च तया भोजितः पूर्वमादरात्

tato yameśvaraṁ pūjya bhaginīgṛhamāvrajet maṁtreṇā'nena ca tayā bhojitaḥ pūrvamādarāt

Then, having worshipped Yameshvara, one should go to one's sister's house. There, first, one is respectfully fed by her with this mantra:

Verse 58 (skanda.2.108.58)

भ्रातस्तवानुजाताऽहं भुंक्ष्व भक्तमिदं शुभम् । प्रीतये यमराजस्य यमुनाया विशेषतः

bhrātastavānujātā'haṁ bhuṁkṣva bhaktamidaṁ śubham prītaye yamarājasya yamunāyā viśeṣataḥ

'O brother, I, your younger sister, offer this — eat this auspicious food, for the pleasure of King Yama and especially of Yamuna.'

Verse 59 (skanda.2.108.59)

ततः संतोष्य भगिनीं वस्त्रालंकरणादिभिः । स्वप्नेऽपि यमलोकस्य भविष्यति न दर्शनम्

tataḥ saṁtoṣya bhaginīṁ vastrālaṁkaraṇādibhiḥ svapne'pi yamalokasya bhaviṣyati na darśanam

Then, having satisfied one's sister with garments, ornaments, and the like — never even in a dream shall there be a vision of Yama's world.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.108.60)

नृपैः कारागृहे ये च स्थापिता मम वासरे । अवश्यं ते प्रेषणीया भोजनार्थं स्वसुर्गृहे

nṛpaiḥ kārāgṛhe ye ca sthāpitā mama vāsare avaśyaṁ te preṣaṇīyā bhojanārthaṁ svasurgṛhe

'Those who have been placed in prison by kings on my day, they must certainly be sent to their sister's house to eat.'

Verse 61 (skanda.2.108.61)

विमोक्तव्या मया पापा नरकेभ्योऽद्य वासरे । येऽद्य बंदी करिष्यंति ते ताड्या मम सर्वथा

vimoktavyā mayā pāpā narakebhyo'dya vāsare ye'dya baṁdī kariṣyaṁti te tāḍyā mama sarvathā

'Sinners are to be released by me from hell on this day; whoever imprisons anyone on this day shall be punished by me in every way.'

Verse 62 (skanda.2.108.62)

कनीयसी स्वसा नास्ति तदा ज्येष्ठागृहं व्रजेत् । तदभावे सपत्यायाः पितृव्यजागृहे ततः

kanīyasī svasā nāsti tadā jyeṣṭhāgṛhaṁ vrajet tadabhāve sapatyāyāḥ pitṛvyajāgṛhe tataḥ

If there is no younger sister, one should go to the house of an elder sister; in her absence, to the house of the daughter of a co-wife's uncle,

Verse 63 (skanda.2.108.63)

तदभावे मातृष्वसुर्मातुलस्याऽऽत्मजा तथा । सापत्नगोत्रसंबंधैः कल्पयेदथवा क्रमम्

tadabhāve mātṛṣvasurmātulasyā''tmajā tathā sāpatnagotrasaṁbaṁdhaiḥ kalpayedathavā kramam

in her absence, to the daughter of a maternal aunt, or likewise of a maternal uncle; or one may arrange the order through relations by marriage or by lineage.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.108.64)

सर्वाऽभावे माननीया भगिनी काचिदेव हि । गोनद्याद्यथवा तस्या अभावे सति कारयेत्

sarvā'bhāve mānanīyā bhaginī kācideva hi gonadyādyathavā tasyā abhāve sati kārayet

In the absence of all these, some other woman should be honored as a sister; or, in her absence too, one should perform the rite regarding a cow or a river as a sister.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.108.65)

तदभावेप्यरण्यानीं कल्पयित्वा सहोदराम् । अस्यां निजगृहे देवि न भोक्तव्यं कदाचन

tadabhāvepyaraṇyānīṁ kalpayitvā sahodarām asyāṁ nijagṛhe devi na bhoktavyaṁ kadācana

In the absence of even that, having regarded the forest goddess as a sister one should perform the rite. O goddess, one should never eat in one's own house on this day.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.108.66)

ये भुंजते दुराचारा नरके ते पतंति च । एवमुक्त्वा धर्मराजो ययौ संयमिनीं ततः

ye bhuṁjate durācārā narake te pataṁti ca evamuktvā dharmarājo yayau saṁyaminīṁ tataḥ

Those wicked ones who eat in their own home on this day fall into hell. Having said this, Dharmaraja then went to his city, Samyamani.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.108.67)

तस्मादृषिवराः सर्वे कार्तिकव्रतकारिणः । भुंजते भगिनीहस्तात्सत्यं सत्यं न संशयः

tasmādṛṣivarāḥ sarve kārtikavratakāriṇaḥ bhuṁjate bhaginīhastātsatyaṁ satyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

Therefore all the best of sages who observe the Kartika vow eat from a sister's hand — this is true, truly true, there is no doubt.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.108.68)

यमद्वितीयां यः प्राप्य भगिनीगृहभोजनम् । न कुर्याद्वर्षजं पुण्यं नश्यतीति रवेः श्रुतिः

yamadvitīyāṁ yaḥ prāpya bhaginīgṛhabhojanam na kuryādvarṣajaṁ puṇyaṁ naśyatīti raveḥ śrutiḥ

Whoever, having reached Yama-Dvitiya, does not eat in his sister's house — his merit accrued through the year is destroyed; this is the teaching heard from the Sun.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.108.69)

या तु भोजयते नारी भ्रातरं भ्रातृके तिथौ । अर्चयेच्चाऽपि तांबूलैर्न सा वैधव्यमाप्नुयात्

yā tu bhojayate nārī bhrātaraṁ bhrātṛke tithau arcayeccā'pi tāṁbūlairna sā vaidhavyamāpnuyāt

The woman who feeds her brother on the brother's tithi, and honors him also with betel — she does not attain widowhood.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.108.70)

भ्रातुरायुःक्षयो नूनं न भवेत्तत्र कर्हिचित् । अपराह्नव्यापिनी सा द्वितीया भ्रातृभोजने

bhrāturāyuḥkṣayo nūnaṁ na bhavettatra karhicit aparāhnavyāpinī sā dvitīyā bhrātṛbhojane

Certainly her brother's life is never shortened by this. That second day, extending into the afternoon, is the proper time for the brother's meal.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.108.71)

अज्ञानाद्यदि वा मोहान्न भुक्तं भगिनीगृहे । प्रवासिना ह्यभावाद्वा ज्वरितेनाऽथ बंदिना

ajñānādyadi vā mohānna bhuktaṁ bhaginīgṛhe pravāsinā hyabhāvādvā jvaritenā'tha baṁdinā

If, through ignorance or delusion, one has not eaten in a sister's house, or, being away on a journey, or in her absence, or being feverish, or imprisoned,

Verse 72 (skanda.2.108.72)

एतदाख्यानकं श्रुत्वा भोजनस्य फलं भवेत् । कार्तिके तु विशेषेण धात्रीछायां समाश्रितः । भोजनं कुरुते यस्तु स वैकुंठमवाप्नुयात्

etadākhyānakaṁ śrutvā bhojanasya phalaṁ bhavet kārtike tu viśeṣeṇa dhātrīchāyāṁ samāśritaḥ bhojanaṁ kurute yastu sa vaikuṁṭhamavāpnuyāt

having heard this narrative, one obtains the fruit of that meal even without performing it literally. Whoever, especially in Kartika, taking refuge in the shade of the Dhatri tree, partakes of food there, attains Vaikuntha.