The Fruits of Given and Un-given Merit, and the Rite of the Month-Long Fast

Verse 1 (skanda.2.127.1)

॥नारद उवाच॥ अद्भुतोऽयं त्वया प्रोक्तो महिमा कार्तिकस्य तु ॥ स्वस्य कर्तुमसामर्थ्यं कथमेतत्कृतं भवेत्

nārada uvāca adbhuto'yaṁ tvayā prokto mahimā kārtikasya tu || svasya kartumasāmarthyaṁ kathametatkṛtaṁ bhavet

Narada said: You have declared this wondrous glory of Kartika; but how may one who is himself unable to perform it attain this fruit?

Verse 2 (skanda.2.127.2)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ नास्ति कर्तुं स्वसामर्थ्यमुपायात्प्राप्यते फलम् ॥ द्रव्यं दत्त्वा ब्राह्मणाय गृह्णीयात्फलमुत्तमम्

brahmovāca nāsti kartuṁ svasāmarthyamupāyātprāpyate phalam || dravyaṁ dattvā brāhmaṇāya gṛhṇīyātphalamuttamam

Brahma said: One who lacks the capacity to perform it himself may still obtain the fruit through a means — by giving wealth to a brahmin, he may receive the highest fruit.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.127.3)

शिष्याद्वा भृत्यवर्गाद्वा स्त्रीभ्यो वाऽऽप्ताच्च कारयेत् ॥ तस्मादपि फलं गृह्णन्फलभाग्जायते नरः

śiṣyādvā bhṛtyavargādvā strībhyo vā'āptācca kārayet || tasmādapi phalaṁ gṛhṇanphalabhāgjāyate naraḥ

He may have it performed by his disciple, his servants, his womenfolk, or a trusted person; receiving the fruit even from that, a man becomes a sharer of its merit.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.127.4)

॥नारद उवाच॥ अदत्तान्यपि पुण्यानि प्राप्यंते केनचित्क्वचित् ॥ एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं कौतुकं मम वर्तते

nārada uvāca adattānyapi puṇyāni prāpyaṁte kenacitkvacit || etadicchāmyahaṁ śrotuṁ kautukaṁ mama vartate

Narada said: In some cases, merit is obtained by someone even without being given; I wish to hear of this — I am curious about it.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.127.5)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ अदत्तान्यपि पुण्यानि लभंते पातकान्यपि ॥ येनोपायेन तद्वच्मि शृणुष्वैकमना द्विज

brahmovāca adattānyapi puṇyāni labhaṁte pātakānyapi || yenopāyena tadvacmi śṛṇuṣvaikamanā dvija

Brahma said: Both merit and sin are obtained without being given, in certain ways; I shall tell you the means by which this happens — listen, O brahmin, with a focused mind.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.127.6)

सुकृतं वा दुष्कृतं वा कृतमेकेन यत्कृते ॥ जायते तस्य तद्राष्ट्रे त्रेतायां तु पुरो भवेत्

sukṛtaṁ vā duṣkṛtaṁ vā kṛtamekena yatkṛte || jāyate tasya tadrāṣṭre tretāyāṁ tu puro bhavet

In the Krita age, the good or evil deed done by one person accrues to his entire kingdom; in the Treta age it extends only to his city.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.127.7)

द्वापरे वंशमध्ये तु कलौ कर्तैव केवलम् ॥ आज्ञानाद्यत्कृतं कर्म बाल्ये स्वप्ने तु तत्फलम्

dvāpare vaṁśamadhye tu kalau kartaiva kevalam || ājñānādyatkṛtaṁ karma bālye svapne tu tatphalam

In Dvapara it is confined to the family line, and in Kali only the doer himself bears it. The fruit of a deed done unknowingly, in childhood, or in a dream —

Verse 8 (skanda.2.127.8)

अज्ञानाद्यच्च तारुण्ये बाल्ये तस्य फलं भवेत् ॥ ज्ञानपूर्वं कृतं कर्म आजन्मांतं च तत्फलम्

ajñānādyacca tāruṇye bālye tasya phalaṁ bhavet || jñānapūrvaṁ kṛtaṁ karma ājanmāṁtaṁ ca tatphalam

falls due in that same childhood; and a deed done unknowingly in youth likewise falls due then. A deed done knowingly bears its fruit from birth till the end of life.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.127.9)

षण्मासं पापिसंगेन नरः पापी प्रजायते ॥ पापिनां वा धर्मिणां वा संसर्गाद्दशमासिकम्

ṣaṇmāsaṁ pāpisaṁgena naraḥ pāpī prajāyate || pāpināṁ vā dharmiṇāṁ vā saṁsargāddaśamāsikam

Through six months of association with a sinner, a man becomes sinful; through association with either the sinful or the righteous, the effect lasts ten months.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.127.10)

भोजनादेकपंक्तौ च विंशांशः पुण्यपापयोः ॥ एकासने द्वयोर्वासात्सहस्रांशेन लिप्यते

bhojanādekapaṁktau ca viṁśāṁśaḥ puṇyapāpayoḥ || ekāsane dvayorvāsātsahasrāṁśena lipyate

From eating in the same row, one is affected by a twentieth part of the merit and sin; from sitting together on one seat, by a thousandth part.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.127.11)

यो वै यस्यान्नमश्नाति स भुंक्ते तस्य किल्बिषम् ॥ जपादौ पापिसंसर्गात्षोडशांऽशो विनश्यति

yo vai yasyānnamaśnāti sa bhuṁkte tasya kilbiṣam || japādau pāpisaṁsargātṣoḍaśāṁśo vinaśyati

Whoever eats another's food also partakes of his sin; in recitation and the like, a sixteenth part of the merit is destroyed by association with a sinner.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.127.12)

परस्य स्तवनाद्यानादेकपात्रस्थभोजनात् ॥ एकशय्याप्रावरणात्षष्ठांशः पुण्यपापयोः

parasya stavanādyānādekapātrasthabhojanāt || ekaśayyāprāvaraṇātṣaṣṭhāṁśaḥ puṇyapāpayoḥ

From praising another, traveling together, eating from the same vessel, sharing the same bed or the same covering, a sixth part of the merit and sin is obtained.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.127.13)

पुरुषो हरते सर्वं भार्याया औरसस्य च ॥ अर्द्धं शिष्याच्चतुर्थांशं पापं पुण्यं तथैव च

puruṣo harate sarvaṁ bhāryāyā aurasasya ca || ardhaṁ śiṣyāccaturthāṁśaṁ pāpaṁ puṇyaṁ tathaiva ca

A man takes on the entire merit and sin of his wife and his legitimate son; from a disciple, half; and a quarter part, likewise, of both sin and merit.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.127.14)

भर्तुराज्ञाकरी नारी भर्तुरर्द्धं वृषं हरेत् ॥ यद्धस्तपक्वं भुजीयाद्दशांशं तदघं हरेत्

bharturājñākarī nārī bhartūrardhaṁ vṛṣaṁ haret || yaddhastapakvaṁ bhujīyāddaśāṁśaṁ tadaghaṁ haret

A wife obedient to her husband's command takes half of her husband's merit. Whoever eats food cooked by another's hand takes a tenth part of that person's sin.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.127.15)

वर्षाऽशनं तु यो दत्ते तदर्द्धाघस्य भागयम् ॥ वर्षाशनार्द्धं पुण्यं तु भुंक्ते वर्षाशनी नरः

varṣā'śanaṁ tu yo datte tadardhāghasya bhāgayam || varṣāśanārdhaṁ puṇyaṁ tu bhuṁkte varṣāśanī naraḥ

Whoever provides food for a whole year takes half of that person's sin; and the man who receives that year-long provision partakes of half his merit.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.127.16)

पुरोहितस्य षष्ठांशं पापं वा पुण्यमेव वा ॥ यजमानो भुनक्त्येव तद्दशांशं पुरोहितः

purohitasya ṣaṣṭhāṁśaṁ pāpaṁ vā puṇyameva vā || yajamāno bhunaktyeva taddaśāṁśaṁ purohitaḥ

The patron of a sacrifice partakes of a sixth part of his priest's sin or merit, and the priest, in turn, of a tenth part of the patron's.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.127.17)

उद्योगी चानुमन्ता च यश्चोपकरणप्रदः ॥ षष्ठांशं पुण्यपापानामुपद्रष्टा दशांशकम्

udyogī cānumantā ca yaścopakaraṇapradaḥ || ṣaṣṭhāṁśaṁ puṇyapāpānāmupadraṣṭā daśāṁśakam

The one who exerts himself, the one who consents, and the one who supplies the means each partake of a sixth part of the merit and sin; the mere onlooker, a tenth part.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.127.18)

यद्धस्तात्कार्यते कर्म नान्नमस्मै प्रयच्छति ॥ विना भृतकशिष्याभ्यां षष्ठांशं पुण्यमाहरेत्

yaddhastātkāryate karma nānnamasmai prayacchati || vinā bhṛtakaśiṣyābhyāṁ ṣaṣṭhāṁśaṁ puṇyamāharet

One whose labor is used but who is given no food or wage — apart from a paid servant or a disciple — takes a sixth part of the merit.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.127.19)

व्यवहारात्तथा प्रीत्या नित्यं संभाषणादिभिः ॥ दशांशं पुण्यपापानां लभते नात्र संशयः

vyavahārāttathā prītyā nityaṁ saṁbhāṣaṇādibhiḥ || daśāṁśaṁ puṇyapāpānāṁ labhate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Through dealings, through affection, and through daily conversation and the like, a man obtains, without doubt, a tenth part of the merit and sin.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.127.20)

संसर्गपुण्ययोगेन एकदन्तो द्विजाधमः ॥ नरकान्विविधान्दृष्ट्वा स्वर्गं प्राप तदैव हि

saṁsargapuṇyayogena ekadanto dvijādhamaḥ || narakānvividhāndṛṣṭvā svargaṁ prāpa tadaiva hi

Through the merit gained by association alone, even a certain lowly, single-toothed brahmin, after beholding the various hells, attained heaven that very moment, as told before.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.127.21)

॥नारद उवाच॥ ईदृशं कार्तिकव्रतमल्पायासं महत्फलम् ॥ न कुर्वंति जनाः केचित्किमर्थं वै पितामह

nārada uvāca īdṛśaṁ kārtikavratamalpāyāsaṁ mahatphalam || na kurvaṁti janāḥ kecitkimarthaṁ vai pitāmaha

Narada said: O grandsire, why do some people not perform such a Kartika vow, which requires so little effort yet yields so great a fruit?

Verse 22 (skanda.2.127.22)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ स्वसृष्टिवृद्धये वेधा धर्माऽधर्मौ ससर्ज ह ॥ धर्ममेवाऽनुतिष्ठंतः प्राप्नुवंति शुभां गतिम्

brahmovāca svasṛṣṭivṛddhaye vedhā dharmā'dharmau sasarja ha || dharmamevā'nutiṣṭhaṁtaḥ prāpnuvaṁti śubhāṁ gatim

Brahma said: For the increase of his creation, the Creator fashioned both dharma and adharma. Those who follow dharma alone attain an auspicious destiny.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.127.23)

अधर्ममनुतिष्ठंतो यांति तेऽधोगतिं नराः ॥ पुण्यकर्मफलं नाको नरकस्तद्विपर्ययः

adharmamanutiṣṭhaṁto yāṁti te'dhogatiṁ narāḥ || puṇyakarmaphalaṁ nāko narakastadviparyayaḥ

And those who follow adharma go to a lower state. Heaven is the fruit of meritorious deeds, and hell is its opposite.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.127.24)

तयोः पालनकर्तारौ द्वावेव विधिना कृतौ ॥ शतक्रतुयमौ तौ च पुण्यपापानुसारिणौ

tayoḥ pālanakartārau dvāveva vidhinā kṛtau || śatakratuyamau tau ca puṇyapāpānusāriṇau

For the keeping of both of these, only two were made by the Ordainer — Indra (of a hundred sacrifices) and Yama — who follow, respectively, merit and sin.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.127.25)

गुरुतल्पादयः पुत्राः कामस्य प्रथिता भुवि ॥ क्रोधस्य पितृघाताद्या लोभस्य तनयाञ्छृणु

gurutalpādayaḥ putrāḥ kāmasya prathitā bhuvi || krodhasya pitṛghātādyā lobhasya tanayāñchṛṇu

Violating the guru's bed and the like are, in this world, known as the offspring of desire; patricide and the like are the offspring of anger; now hear the offspring of greed —

Verse 26 (skanda.2.127.26)

ब्रह्मस्वहरणाद्याश्च एते नरकनायकाः ॥ कृता यमेन तैर्व्याप्ता मनुजा न हि कुर्वते ॥ व्रतादिधर्मकृत्यं यैस्तैर्मुक्तास्ते हि कुर्वते

brahmasvaharaṇādyāśca ete narakanāyakāḥ || kṛtā yamena tairvyāptā manujā na hi kurvate || vratādidharmakṛtyaṁ yaistairmuktāste hi kurvate

theft of a brahmin's property and the like — these are the wardens of hell fashioned by Yama. Men gripped by these vices do not perform dharmic observances such as vows; only those free from them do perform them.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.127.27)

श्रद्धा मेधा विघातिन्यौ वर्तेते भुवि सर्वदा ॥ ताभ्यां व्याप्तस्तु मनुजः श्रीविष्णोः श्रवणादिकम्

śraddhā medhā vighātinyau vartete bhuvi sarvadā || tābhyāṁ vyāptastu manujaḥ śrīviṣṇoḥ śravaṇādikam

Two forces that destroy faith and understanding are ever present in this world. A man gripped by them does not perform the hearing of Vishnu's glory and the like —

Verse 28 (skanda.2.127.28)

न करोति सुदुर्मेधा येनांधं याति वै तमः ॥ कृष्णेन सत्यभामायै यदुक्तं तद्वदामि ते

na karoti sudurmedhā yenāṁdhaṁ yāti vai tamaḥ || kṛṣṇena satyabhāmāyai yaduktaṁ tadvadāmi te

for his understanding grows utterly dull, and he goes into blind darkness. What Krishna once told Satyabhama, that I now relate to you.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.127.29)

अध्यापनाद्याजनाद्वाऽप्येकपंक्त्यशनादपि ॥ तुर्यांश पुण्यपापानां परोक्षं लभते नरः

adhyāpanādyājanādvā'apyekapaṁktyaśanādapi || turyāṁśa puṇyapāpānāṁ parokṣaṁ labhate naraḥ

Through teaching, through officiating at sacrifice, or through eating in the same row, a man indirectly obtains a quarter part of the merit and sin.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.127.30)

एकासनादेकयानान्निश्वासस्यांगसंगतः ॥ षडंशं फलभागी स्यान्नियतं पुण्यपापयोः

ekāsanādekayānānniśvāsasyāṁgasaṁgataḥ || ṣaḍaṁśaṁ phalabhāgī syānniyataṁ puṇyapāpayoḥ

By sitting on the same seat, riding in the same vehicle, and by contact of breath and limb, one certainly becomes a sharer of a sixth part of the merit and sin.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.127.31)

स्पर्शनाद्भाषणाद्वाऽपि परस्य स्तवनादपि ॥ दशांशं पुण्यपापानां नित्यं प्राप्नोति मानवः

sparśanādbhāṣaṇādvā'api parasya stavanādapi || daśāṁśaṁ puṇyapāpānāṁ nityaṁ prāpnoti mānavaḥ

Through touch, through conversation, or even through praising another, a man constantly obtains a tenth part of the merit and sin.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.127.32)

दर्शनश्रवणाभ्यां च मनोध्यानात्तथैव च ॥ परस्य पुण्यपापानां शतांशं प्राप्नुयान्नरः

darśanaśravaṇābhyāṁ ca manodhyānāttathaiva ca || parasya puṇyapāpānāṁ śatāṁśaṁ prāpnuyānnaraḥ

Through seeing and hearing, and likewise through mental contemplation, a man obtains a hundredth part of another's merit and sin.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.127.33)

परस्य निंदां पैशुन्यं धिक्कारं च करोति यः ॥ तत्कृतं पातकं प्राप्य स्वपुण्यं प्रददाति सः

parasya nindāṁ paiśunyaṁ dhikkāraṁ ca karoti yaḥ || tatkṛtaṁ pātakaṁ prāpya svapuṇyaṁ pradadāti saḥ

Whoever slanders, informs against, or reviles another takes on the sin that person has committed, and gives away his own merit in exchange.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.127.34)

कुर्वतः पुण्यकर्माणि सेवां यः कुरुते नरः ॥ पत्नीभृतकशिष्येभ्यो यदन्यः कोऽपि मानवः

kurvataḥ puṇyakarmāṇi sevāṁ yaḥ kurute naraḥ || patnībhṛtakaśiṣyebhyo yadanyaḥ ko'pi mānavaḥ

Whatever man, other than a wife, a paid servant, or a disciple, renders service to one performing meritorious deeds —

Verse 35 (skanda.2.127.35)

तस्य सेवाऽनुरूपं च द्रव्यं किंचिन्न दीयते ॥ सोऽपि सेवानुरूपेण तत्पुण्यफलभाग्भवेत्

tasya sevā'nurūpaṁ ca dravyaṁ kiṁcinna dīyate || so'pi sevānurūpeṇa tatpuṇyaphalabhāgbhavet

if no wealth commensurate with his service is given to him, he too becomes a sharer, in proportion to his service, of that merit's fruit.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.127.36)

एकपंक्तिस्थितं यस्तु लंघयेत्परिवेषणम् ॥ तत्पुण्यस्य षडंशं च लभेद्यस्तु विलंघितः

ekapaṁktisthitaṁ yastu laṁghayetpariveṣaṇam || tatpuṇyasya ṣaḍaṁśaṁ ca labhedyastu vilaṁghitaḥ

Whoever, in serving food along a row of diners, skips over one seated there — that person who was skipped obtains a sixth part of the server's merit.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.127.37)

स्नानसंध्यादिकं कुर्वन्यः स्पृशेद्वाऽथ भाषते ॥ स कर्मपुण्यषष्ठांशं दद्यात्तस्मै विनिश्चितम्

snānasaṁdhyādikaṁ kurvanyaḥ spṛśedvā'atha bhāṣate || sa karmapuṇyaṣaṣṭhāṁśaṁ dadyāttasmai viniścitam

Whoever, while performing his bath, twilight-rite, or the like, touches or speaks with someone, certainly gives that person a sixth part of the merit of that act.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.127.38)

धर्मोद्देशेन यो द्रव्यमपरं याचते नरः ॥ तत्पुण्यकर्मजं तस्य धनदस्त्वाप्नुयात्फलम्

dharmoddeśena yo dravyamaparaṁ yācate naraḥ || tatpuṇyakarmajaṁ tasya dhanadastvāpnuyātphalam

Whatever man borrows wealth from another for the sake of a dharmic purpose — the fruit born of that meritorious deed accrues to the one who lent the wealth.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.127.39)

अपहृत्य परद्रव्यं पुण्यकर्म करोति यः ॥ कर्मकृत्पापभाक्तत्र धनिनस्तद्भवं फलम्

apahṛtya paradravyaṁ puṇyakarma karoti yaḥ || karmakṛtpāpabhāktatra dhaninastadbhavaṁ phalam

Whoever performs a meritorious act by stealing another's wealth — the doer becomes bound by the sin, while the fruit born of it belongs to the owner of the wealth.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.127.40)

नापकृत्य ऋणं यस्तु परस्य म्रियते नरः ॥ धनी तत्पुण्यमादत्ते तद्धनस्याऽनुरूपतः

nāpakṛtya ṛṇaṁ yastu parasya mriyate naraḥ || dhanī tatpuṇyamādatte taddhanasyā'nurūpataḥ

If a man dies without having repaid a debt to another, the creditor takes that man's merit in proportion to the wealth owed.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.127.41)

बुद्धिदाताऽनुमन्ता च यश्चोपकरणप्रदः ॥ बलकृच्चापि षष्ठांशं प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यपापयोः

buddhidātā'numantā ca yaścopakaraṇapradaḥ || balakṛccāpi ṣaṣṭhāṁśaṁ prāpnuyātpuṇyapāpayoḥ

The one who gives counsel, the one who consents, the one who supplies the means, and the one who exerts effort — all these obtain a sixth part of the merit and sin.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.127.42)

प्रजाभ्यः पुण्यपापानां राजा षष्ठांशमुद्धरेत् ॥ शिष्याद्गुरुः स्त्रियो भर्ता पिता पुत्रात्तथैव च

prajābhyaḥ puṇyapāpānāṁ rājā ṣaṣṭhāṁśamuddharet || śiṣyādguruḥ striyo bhartā pitā putrāttathaiva ca

A king takes a sixth part of his subjects' merit and sin; a guru, from his disciple; a husband, from his wife; and likewise a father, from his son.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.127.43)

स्वपतेरपि पुण्यस्य योषिदर्धमवाप्नुयात् ॥ चित्तस्याऽनुव्रता शश्वद्वर्तते तुष्टिकारिणी

svapaterapi puṇyasya yoṣidardhamavāpnuyāt || cittasyā'nuvratā śaśvadvartate tuṣṭikāriṇī

A wife too obtains half of her husband's merit, since she constantly abides by his wishes, bringing him satisfaction.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.127.44)

परहस्तेन दानादि कुर्वतः पुण्यकर्मणः ॥ विना भृतकपुत्राभ्यां कर्ता षष्ठांशमुद्धरेत्

parahastena dānādi kurvataḥ puṇyakarmaṇaḥ || vinā bhṛtakaputrābhyāṁ kartā ṣaṣṭhāṁśamuddharet

Of one who has another perform a meritorious act such as giving through another's hand — apart from a paid servant or a son — the instigator takes a sixth part.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.127.45)

वृत्तिदो वृत्तिसंभोक्तुः पुण्यं षष्ठांशमुद्धरेत् ॥ आत्मनो वा परस्याऽपि यदि सेवां न कारयेत्

vṛttido vṛttisaṁbhoktuḥ puṇyaṁ ṣaṣṭhāṁśamuddharet || ātmano vā parasyā'api yadi sevāṁ na kārayet

One who provides a livelihood takes a sixth part of the merit of the one who enjoys it, provided he does not exact any service, of himself or of another, in return.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.127.46)

इत्थं ह्यदत्तान्यपि पुण्यपापान्यायांति नित्यं परसंचितानि ॥ कलौ त्वयं वै नियमो न कार्यः कर्तैव भोक्ता खलु पुण्यपापयोः

itthaṁ hyadattānyapi puṇyapāpānyāyāṁti nityaṁ parasaṁcitāni || kalau tvayaṁ vai niyamo na kāryaḥ kartaiva bhoktā khalu puṇyapāpayoḥ

Thus, even without being given, the merit and sin accumulated by others constantly come to us. But in the Kali age this rule should not be applied; in Kali, the doer alone is the enjoyer of merit and sin.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.127.47)

कलौ ज्ञानं दृढं नास्ति कलौ गर्वेण सत्क्रिया ॥ कलौ दम्भाऽन्वितो योगो नश्यत्येव न संशयः

kalau jñānaṁ dṛḍhaṁ nāsti kalau garveṇa satkriyā || kalau daṁbhā'nvito yogo naśyatyeva na saṁśayaḥ

In Kali, firm knowledge does not exist; in Kali, good deeds are done with pride; in Kali, yoga, tainted by hypocrisy, is without doubt destroyed.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.127.48)

तपोनिष्ठः पुरा दम्भी सती शुद्धप्रभावतः ॥ पित्रोः पूजादर्शनेन चोर्जसेवी परं गतः

taponiṣṭhaḥ purā daṁbhī satī śuddhaprabhāvataḥ || pitroḥ pūjādarśanena corjasevī paraṁ gataḥ

Long ago, the once-hypocritical ascetic named Taponishtha, through the pure power of a chaste wife and by witnessing her devoted service to her parents, was led to become a devotee of Urja (Kartika) and attained the supreme state. (This verse alludes in brief to a fuller traditional tale not otherwise recounted here.)

Verse 49 (skanda.2.127.49)

॥नारद उवाच॥ भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि व्रतानामुत्तमं व्रतम् ॥ विधिं मासोपवासस्य फलं चास्य यथोचितम्

nārada uvāca bhagavañchrotumicchāmi vratānāmuttamaṁ vratam || vidhiṁ māsopavāsasya phalaṁ cāsya yathocitam

Narada said: O lord, I wish to hear of the best among vows — the procedure of the month-long fast, and its due fruit.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.127.50)

॥ब्रह्मोवाच॥ साधु नारद सर्वं ते यत्पृष्टं प्रब्रुवेऽनघ ॥ भक्त्या मतिमतां श्रेष्ठ शृणुष्व गदतो मम

brahmovāca sādhu nārada sarvaṁ te yatpṛṣṭaṁ prabrave'nagha || bhaktyā matimatāṁ śreṣṭha śṛṇuṣva gadato mama

Brahma said: Well said, Narada, O sinless one; I shall tell you all that you have asked. O best of the wise, listen with devotion to what I say.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.127.51)

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 the foremost among gods, as the sun among the radiant, as Meru among mountains, and as Garuda, son of Vinata, among birds —

Verse 52 (skanda.2.127.52)

श्रेष्ठं सर्वव्रतानां तु तद्वन्मासोपवासनम् ॥ सर्वव्रतेषु यत्पुण्यं सर्वतीर्थेषु चैव हि

śreṣṭhaṁ sarvavratānāṁ tu tadvanmāsopavāsanam || sarvavrateṣu yatpuṇyaṁ sarvatīrtheṣu caiva hi

so too the month-long fast is the foremost among all vows. Whatever merit lies in all vows, and in all sacred fords,

Verse 53 (skanda.2.127.53)

सर्वदानोद्भवं चैव यज्ञैश्च भूरिदक्षिणैः ॥ न तत्पुण्यमवाप्नोति यन्मासपरिलंघनात्

sarvadānodbhavaṁ caiva yajñaiśca bhūridakṣiṇaiḥ || na tatpuṇyamavāpnoti yanmāsapariliṁghanāt

and whatever arises from every kind of giving, and from sacrifices with abundant fees — none of that equals the merit gained by completing a full month's fast.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.127.54)

गुरोराज्ञां ततो लब्ध्वा कुर्यान्मासोपवासनम् ॥ अतिकृच्छ्रं च पाराकं कृत्वा चांद्रायणं ततः

guror ājñāṁ tato labdhvā kuryānmāsopavāsanam || atikṛcchraṁ ca pārākaṁ kṛtvā cāṁdrāyaṇaṁ tataḥ

Therefore, having obtained the guru's permission, one should undertake the month-long fast, only after performing the Atikrichchhra, Paraka, and Chandrayana observances.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.127.55)

मासोपवासं कुर्वीत ज्ञात्वा देहबलाऽबलम् ॥ वानप्रस्थो यतिर्वापि नारी वा विधवा मुने

māsopavāsaṁ kurvīta jñātvā dehabalā'balam || vānaprastho yatirvāpi nārī vā vidhavā mune

One should undertake the month-long fast only after gauging the strength or weakness of one's body. O sage, a forest-dweller, an ascetic, a woman, or a widow —

Verse 56 (skanda.2.127.56)

मासोपवासं कुर्वीत गुरोर्विप्राज्ञया ततः ॥ आश्विनस्याऽमले पक्षे एकादश्यामुपोषितः

māsopavāsaṁ kurvīta gurorviprājñayā tataḥ || āśvinasyā'amale pakṣe ekādaśyāmupoṣitaḥ

may undertake the month-long fast, with the permission of guru and brahmins. Having fasted on the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight of Ashvina,

Verse 57 (skanda.2.127.57)

व्रतमेतत्तु गृह्णीयाद्यावत्त्रिंशद्दिनानि तु ॥ अच्युतस्याऽऽलये भक्त्या त्रिकालं पूजयेद्धरिम्

vratametattu gṛhṇīyādyāvattriṁśaddināni tu || acyutasyā'ālaye bhaktyā trikālaṁ pūjayeddharim

one should take up this vow for thirty days. In Achyuta's temple, one should worship Hari with devotion three times a day.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.127.58)

नैवेद्यधूपदीपाद्यैः पुष्पैर्नानाविधैरपि ॥ मनसा कर्मणा वाचा पूजयेद्गरुडध्वजम्

naivedyadhūpadīpādyaiḥ puṣpairnānāvidhairapi || manasā karmaṇā vācā pūjayedgaruḍadhvajam

With food-offerings, incense, lamps, and manifold flowers, and with mind, speech, and deed, one should worship the Garuda-bannered one.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.127.59)

नरः स्वधर्मनिरतः सधवा च जितेन्द्रिया ॥ नारी वा विधवा साध्वी वासुदेवं समर्चयेत्

naraḥ svadharmanirataḥ sadhavā ca jitendriyā || nārī vā vidhavā sādhvī vāsudevaṁ samarcayet

A man devoted to his own duty, a married woman with senses controlled, or a virtuous widow — all should worship Vasudeva.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.127.60)

वस्त्वालोकनगन्धादिस्वादितं परिकीर्तितम् ॥ अन्यस्य वर्जयेद्वासं ग्रासानां संप्रमोक्षणम्

vastvālokanagandhādisvāditaṁ parikīrtitam || anyasya varjayedvāsaṁ grāsānāṁ saṁpramokṣaṇam

Merely looking at, and smelling, a thing is deemed its "taste" in this vow; one should avoid lodging in another's house, and should let go of taking large mouthfuls.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.127.61)

गात्राभ्यंगं शिरोभ्यंगं तांबूलं सविलेपनम् ॥ व्रतस्थो वर्जयेत्सर्वं यच्चाऽन्यच्च निराकृतम्

gātrābhyaṁgaṁ śirobhyaṁgaṁ tāṁbūlaṁ savilepanam || vratastho varjayetsarvaṁ yaccā'anyacca nirākṛtam

Oiling of the body, oiling of the head, betel, and unguents — one keeping the vow should avoid all these, and everything else that is forbidden.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.127.62)

न व्रतस्थः स्पृशेत्कंचिद्विकर्मस्थं न चालपेत् ॥ देवतायतने तिष्ठन्गृहस्थश्चाऽऽचरेद्व्रतम्

na vratasthaḥ spṛśetkaṁcidvikarmasthaṁ na cālapet || devatāyatane tiṣṭhangṛhasthaścā'ācaredvratam

One keeping the vow should not touch, or speak with, anyone engaged in a forbidden act. A householder should observe this vow while residing in the temple of the deity.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.127.63)

कृत्वा मासोपवासं तु यथोक्तविधिना नरः ॥ अन्यूनाधिकमेवं तु व्रतं त्रिंशद्दिनैरिति

kṛtvā māsopavāsaṁ tu yathoktavidhinā naraḥ || anyūnādhikamevaṁ tu vrataṁ triṁśaddinairiti

Thus a man, following the prescribed procedure exactly, neither less nor more, should complete the month-long fasting vow in thirty days.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.127.64)

ततोऽर्चयेदेव पुण्यं द्वादश्यां गरुडध्वजम् ॥ वस्त्रदानादिभिश्चैव भोजयित्वा द्विजोत्तमान्

tato'rcayedeva puṇyaṁ dvādaśyāṁ garuḍadhvajam || vastradānādibhiścaiva bhojayitvā dvijottamān

Then, on the twelfth day, one should worship the meritorious Garuda-bannered one, and, having fed the best of brahmins, give them gifts of clothing and the like.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.127.65)

दद्याच्च दक्षिणां तेभ्यः प्रणिपत्य क्षमापयेत् ॥ विप्रान्क्षमापयित्वा तुविसृज्याऽभ्यर्च्य पूज्य च

dadyācca dakṣiṇāṁ tebhyaḥ praṇipatya kṣamāpayet || viprānkṣamāpayitvā tuvisṛjyā'abhyarcya pūjya ca

One should give them their fees, and, bowing before them, ask their forgiveness; having sought the brahmins' forgiveness and duly honored and worshipped them, one should then take leave of them.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.127.66)

एवं मासोपवासांते वृत्वा विप्रांस्त्रयोदश ॥ कारयेद्वैष्णवं यज्ञमेकादश्यामुपोषितः

evaṁ māsopavāsāṁte vṛtvā viprāṁstrayodaśa || kārayedvaiṣṇavaṁ yajñamekādaśyāmupoṣitaḥ

Thus, at the end of the month-long fast, having engaged thirteen brahmins and fasted on the Ekadashi, one should have a Vaishnava sacrifice performed.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.127.67)

ततोऽनुभोजयेद्विप्रान्नमस्कारपुरःसरम् ॥ तांबूलवस्त्रयुग्मानि भोजनाऽऽच्छादनानि च

tato'nubhojayedviprānnamaskārapuraḥsaram || tāṁbūlavastrayugmāni bhojanā'ācchādanāni ca

Then, bowing before them, one should feed the brahmins, and give betel, pairs of garments, food, and coverings —

Verse 68 (skanda.2.127.68)

योगपट्टानि सूत्राणि शय्यां सोपस्करां तथा ॥ दत्त्वा चैव द्विजाग्र्येभ्यः पूजयित्वा विसर्जयेत्

yogapaṭṭāni sūtrāṇi śayyāṁ sopaskarāṁ tathā || dattvā caiva dvijāgryebhyaḥ pūjayitvā visarjayet

yoga-sashes, sacred threads, and a bed with its furnishings — giving all these to the foremost of brahmins, one should honor them and then let them depart.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.127.69)

विधिर्मासोपवासस्य यथावत्परिकीर्तितः ॥ अतःपरं प्रवक्ष्यामि नवम्यादितिथौ विधि

vidhirmāsopavāsasya yathāvatparikīrtitaḥ || ataḥparaṁ pravakṣyāmi navamyāditithau vidhi

Thus has the procedure of the month-long fast been duly declared. Next I shall tell the procedure pertaining to the ninth lunar day and other such tithis.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.127.70)

ऋषिभ्यो वालखिल्यैश्च प्रोक्तं तं शृणु नारद

ṛṣibhyo vālakhilyaiśca proktaṁ taṁ śṛṇu nārada

That which was declared by the sages and the Valakhilyas — hear it, O Narada.