The Vow of the Unbroken Ekadashi (Akhanda Ekadashi Vrata)

Verse 1 (skanda.2.145.1)

।। देवशर्मोवाच ।। ।। ।। तवेदृशी मतिर्जाता सहसा केशवोपरि ।। एतस्मान्मे गतं पापं पूर्वजन्मशतोद्भवम्

devaśarmovāca tavedṛśī matirjātā sahasā keśavopari etasmānme gataṁ pāpaṁ pūrvajanmaśatodbhavam

Devasharma said: Such a thought toward Keshava has suddenly arisen in you; and by this even my own sin, born of a hundred former births, has departed.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.145.2)

विना व्रतैर्विना तीर्थैर्मुक्तस्त्वं पापकोटिभिः ।। ममातिथ्येन भक्त्या च जातं तव हरेः पदम्

vinā vratairvinā tīrthairmuktastvaṁ pāpakoṭibhiḥ mamātithyena bhaktyā ca jātaṁ tava hareḥ padam

Without vows, without pilgrimages, you have been freed from crores of sins; through my hospitality and your devotion, the state of Hari's feet has arisen for you.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.145.3)

तेन पुण्यप्रभावेण मतिर्जाता तवेदृशी ।। ध्यात्वा संचिंत्य मनसा ज्ञातं पूर्वविचेष्टितम्

tena puṇyaprabhāveṇa matirjātā tavedṛśī dhyātvā saṁciṁtya manasā jñātaṁ pūrvaviceṣṭitam

By that power of merit, such a thought has arisen in you. Having meditated and pondered in mind, your former conduct has become known to me.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.145.4)

पूर्वजन्मनि विप्रस्त्वमवंत्यां धर्मतत्परः ।। सदाऽध्ययनशीलश्च सुशीलश्च सदा व्रती

pūrvajanmani viprastvamavaṁtyāṁ dharmatatparaḥ sadā'dhyayanaśīlaśca suśīlaśca sadā vratī

In a former birth you were a brahmin in Avanti, devoted to dharma, ever fond of study, of good character, and ever observant of vows.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.145.5)

एका तु द्वादशी विष्णोः कृता च दशमीयुता ।। तत्पापस्य प्रभावेण समस्तं सुकृतं गतम्

ekā tu dvādaśī viṣṇoḥ kṛtā ca daśamīyutā tatpāpasya prabhāveṇa samastaṁ sukṛtaṁ gatam

But once, a Dvadashi of Vishnu was wrongly observed joined with the Dashami; by the power of that sin, all your accumulated merit was lost.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.145.6)

सर्वं तद्विफलं जातं यथा शूद्रापतिर्द्विजः ।। बहुवर्षसहस्राणि प्राप्ता नरकयातनाः

sarvaṁ tadviphalaṁ jātaṁ yathā śūdrāpatirdvijaḥ bahuvarṣasahasrāṇi prāptā narakayātanāḥ

All of it became fruitless; as a result you became a brahmin who was husband to a shudra woman, and for many thousands of years you suffered the torments of hell.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.145.7)

तस्मादेवं त्वया पूर्वं कृतं दुष्टं चिरं बहु ।। कृता तु दशमीमिश्रा तिथिर्विष्णोर्महात्मनः

tasmādevaṁ tvayā pūrvaṁ kṛtaṁ duṣṭaṁ ciraṁ bahu kṛtā tu daśamīmiśrā tithirviṣṇormahātmanaḥ

Thus it was that, of old, you committed this great and long-standing wrong — you observed the tithi of the great-souled Vishnu mixed with the Dashami.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.145.8)

तेन शूद्रो भवाञ्जातः पापे तव मतिस्तथा ।। धर्मे न रमते चित्तं दशमीवेधदूषितम्

tena śūdro bhavāñjātaḥ pāpe tava matistathā dharme na ramate cittaṁ daśamīvedhadūṣitam

By that you were born a shudra, and your mind became inclined to sin; your mind, corrupted by the fault of the Dashami's touch, found no delight in dharma.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.145.9)

विदर्भनगरे वत्स अस्ति ते पुत्रिकासुतः ।। कृतं तेन विधानोक्तं हरेरेकादशीव्रतम्

vidarbhanagare vatsa asti te putrikāsutaḥ kṛtaṁ tena vidhānoktaṁ harerekādaśīvratam

O son, in the city of Vidarbha there is a grandson of yours through a daughter; he has performed the Ekadashi vow of Hari according to due rule.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.145.10)

प्रदत्तं तेन तत्पुण्यमखण्डैकाशीव्रतम्।। धर्मोपरि मतिर्जाता जातः पापस्य संक्षयः

pradattaṁ tena tatpuṇyamakhaṇḍaikāśīvratam dharmopari matirjātā jātaḥ pāpasya saṁkṣayaḥ

He offered to you the merit of that Akhanda Ekadashi vow; a thought toward dharma arose in your mind, and your sin was destroyed.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.145.11)

तेन पुण्यप्रभावेण एकादश्या व्रतेन च ।। दशमीवेधजं पापं यमेन परिमार्जितम्

tena puṇyaprabhāveṇa ekādaśyā vratena ca daśamīvedhajaṁ pāpaṁ yamena parimārjitam

By that power of merit, and by the vow of Ekadashi, the sin born of the Dashami's fault has been wiped away by Yama himself.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.145.12)

इह जन्मनि यत्पापं जन्मायुतकृतानि च ।। मार्जितानि यमेनैव पापानि तव सांप्रतम्

iha janmani yatpāpaṁ janmāyutakṛtāni ca mārjitāni yamenaiva pāpāni tava sāṁpratam

Whatever sin was committed in this birth, and in ten thousand former births, all of it has now been wiped away by Yama himself.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.145.13)

तयोर्विवदतोरेवं विष्वक्सेनः समागतः ।। वर्णावर स्वागतं ते तुष्टस्तेहं जनार्दनः

tayorvivadatorevaṁ viṣvaksenaḥ samāgataḥ varṇāvara svāgataṁ te tuṣṭastehaṁ janārdanaḥ

As the two were thus conversing, Vishvaksena arrived and said: 'Welcome, O best of your caste; I, Janardana, am pleased with you.'

Verse 14 (skanda.2.145.14)

विप्रस्याऽऽतिथ्यहेतुत्वाज्जातः पापस्य संक्षयः ।। परदत्तेन पुण्येन एकादश्या व्रतेन च

viprasyā''tithyahetutvājjātaḥ pāpasya saṁkṣayaḥ paradattena puṇyena ekādaśyā vratena ca

'Because you gave hospitality to a brahmin, your sin has been destroyed; by the merit given by another, and by the vow of Ekadashi—'

Verse 15 (skanda.2.145.15)

दशमीवेधजं पापं तव शूद्र लयं गतम् ।। व्रतं कृत्वा ददौ पुण्यं दौहित्रस्तेन तारितः

daśamīvedhajaṁ pāpaṁ tava śūdra layaṁ gatam vrataṁ kṛtvā dadau puṇyaṁ dauhitrastena tāritaḥ

'—your sin, O shudra, born of the Dashami's fault, has dissolved; having performed the vow, your grandson gave you its merit, and by it you have been ferried across.'

Verse 16 (skanda.2.145.16)

पत्न्या सह महाभाग वैनतेयं समारुह ।। इत्युक्त्वा देवदेवेन विमाने स्थापितस्तदा

patnyā saha mahābhāga vainateyaṁ samāruha ityuktvā devadevena vimāne sthāpitastadā

'O greatly fortunate one, mount Garuda together with your wife.' Having said this, the God of gods established him then in a celestial car.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.145.17)

स्वर्गं ततः सपत्नीकः शूद्रत्वेन नृपोत्तम ।। देवशर्मा तु विप्रो वै तीर्थराजं ययौ पुनः

svargaṁ tataḥ sapatnīkaḥ śūdratvena nṛpottama devaśarmā tu vipro vai tīrtharājaṁ yayau punaḥ

O best of kings, thereafter, though he had been a shudra, he went to heaven together with his wife, and the brahmin Devasharma went again to the king of tirthas.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.145.18)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यत्त्वया परिपृच्छितम् ।। अखण्डैकादशीपुण्यात्प्राप्तस्याऽऽतिथ्यकारणात् ।। विष्णुभक्तिमती भार्या राज्यं निहतकण्टकम् ।।

etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ yattvayā paripṛcchitam akhaṇḍaikādaśīpuṇyātprāptasyā''tithyakāraṇāt viṣṇubhaktimatī bhāryā rājyaṁ nihatakaṇṭakam

All this has been told to you, which you asked — how, by the merit of the Akhanda Ekadashi vow and by the occasion of hospitality, you obtained a wife devoted to Vishnu's bhakti and a kingdom with its thorns destroyed.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.145.19)

।। राजोवाच ।। ।। ब्रह्मन्नखण्डैकादश्या विधिं सम्यक्समादिश ।। विष्णोः सम्प्रीणनार्थाय प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि

rājovāca brahmannakhaṇḍaikādaśyā vidhiṁ samyaksamādiśa viṣṇoḥ samprīṇanārthāya prasādaṁ kartumarhasi

The king said: O Brahmin, instruct me well in the rule of the Akhanda Ekadashi; for the pleasing of Vishnu, be gracious enough to do so.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.145.20)

।। ऋषिरुवाच ।। ।। शृणुष्व नृपशार्दूल एकादश्या विधिं शुभम् ।। पुराऽऽसीद्भगवान्विष्णुर्नारदाय यदुक्तवान्

ṛṣiruvāca śṛṇuṣva nṛpaśārdūla ekādaśyā vidhiṁ śubham purā''sīdbhagavānviṣṇurnāradāya yaduktavān

The sage said: Listen, O tiger among kings, to the auspicious rule of Ekadashi; of old this was declared by the Lord Vishnu to Narada.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.145.21)

तत्तेऽहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि उद्यापनविधिं शुभम् ।। मार्गशीर्षादिमासेषु द्वादशीषु नरोत्तम

tatte'haṁ saṁpravakṣyāmi udyāpanavidhiṁ śubham mārgaśīrṣādimāseṣu dvādaśīṣu narottama

O best of men, I shall now declare that fully to you, together with the auspicious udyapana rule — on the Dvadashis in the months beginning with Margashirsha—

Verse 22 (skanda.2.145.22)

व्रतं शुभमिदं कार्यमखण्डैकादशीव्रतम् ।। दशम्यां चैव नक्तं च एकादश्यामुपोषणम् ।।

vrataṁ śubhamidaṁ kāryamakhaṇḍaikādaśīvratam daśamyāṁ caiva naktaṁ ca ekādaśyāmupoṣaṇam

—this auspicious Akhanda Ekadashi vow should be performed. On the Dashami, a single evening meal (nakta); on Ekadashi, complete fasting—

Verse 23 (skanda.2.145.23)

द्वादश्यामेकभुक्तं च अखंडा इति कथ्यते ।। दिवसस्याष्टमे भागे मन्दीभूते दिवाकरे

dvādaśyāmekabhuktaṁ ca akhaṁḍā iti kathyate divasasyāṣṭame bhāge mandībhūte divākare

—and on Dvadashi, a single meal — this is called 'Akhanda' (unbroken). At the eighth part of the day, when the sun has grown mild—

Verse 24 (skanda.2.145.24)

तद्धि नक्तं विजानीयान्न नक्तं निशि भोजनम् ।। कांस्यं मांसं मसूरांश्च चणकान्कोद्रवांस्तथा

taddhi naktaṁ vijānīyānna naktaṁ niśi bhojanam kāṁsyaṁ māṁsaṁ masūrāṁśca caṇakānkodravāṁstathā

—that should be known as 'nakta,' not eating at night. Bell-metal vessels, meat, lentils, chickpeas, and kodrava grain—

Verse 25 (skanda.2.145.25)

शाकं मधु परान्नं च पुनर्भोजनमैथुने ।। विष्णुभक्तो नरो वाऽपि दशम्यां दश वर्जयेत्

śākaṁ madhu parānnaṁ ca punarbhojanamaithune viṣṇubhakto naro vā'pi daśamyāṁ daśa varjayet

—vegetables, honey, another's cooked food, repeated eating, and sexual union — the devotee of Vishnu should abandon these ten things on the day of Dashami.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.145.26)

दशम्या विधिरुक्तोऽयमेकादश्यास्तथा शृणु ।। असकृज्जलपानं च हिंसा शौचमसत्यता

daśamyā vidhirukto'yamekādaśyāstathā śṛṇu asakṛjjalapānaṁ ca hiṁsā śaucamasatyatā

This is the rule declared for the Dashami; now hear that for Ekadashi too — repeated drinking of water, violence, excessive concern with purity, untruthfulness—

Verse 27 (skanda.2.145.27)

तांबूलं दन्तकाष्ठं च दिवाशयनमैथुने ।। द्यूतं क्रीडा निशि स्वापः पतितैः सह भाषणम् ।। एकादश्यां दशैतानि विष्णुभक्तस्तु वर्जयेत्

tāṁbūlaṁ dantakāṣṭhaṁ ca divāśayanamaithune dyūtaṁ krīḍā niśi svāpaḥ patitaiḥ saha bhāṣaṇam ekādaśyāṁ daśaitāni viṣṇubhaktastu varjayet

—betel, tooth-cleaning twigs, sleeping in the daytime, sexual union, gambling, sport, sleeping at night, and conversing with outcastes — the devotee of Vishnu should abandon these ten on Ekadashi.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.145.28)

अद्य मे स्त्रीसुखं नास्ति भोजनं नास्ति केशव ।। प्रीत्यर्थं तव देवेश नियमस्तु दिवानिशि

adya me strīsukhaṁ nāsti bhojanaṁ nāsti keśava prītyarthaṁ tava deveśa niyamastu divāniśi

'Today I forgo the pleasure of women, and I forgo food, O Keshava; this discipline, day and night, is for your pleasure, O Lord of gods.'

Verse 29 (skanda.2.145.29)

सुप्तेन्द्रियैस्तु वैक्लव्यं भोजनं यच्च मैथुनम् ।। दन्तांतरविलग्नान्नं क्षमस्व पुरुषोत्तम

suptendriyaistu vaiklavyaṁ bhojanaṁ yacca maithunam dantāṁtaravilagnānnaṁ kṣamasva puruṣottama

'Whatever distress arises from restless senses, from abstaining from food and union, and even from a grain of food caught between the teeth — forgive it, O Purushottama.'

Verse 30 (skanda.2.145.30)

उपावृत्तस्तु पापेभ्यो यस्तु वासो गुणैः सह ।। उपवासः स विज्ञेयो न शरीरस्य शोषणम्

upāvṛttastu pāpebhyo yastu vāso guṇaiḥ saha upavāsaḥ sa vijñeyo na śarīrasya śoṣaṇam

That abstention which turns one away from sins, and dwells together with virtues, should be known as true fasting — not merely the withering of the body.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.145.31)

पूर्वोक्तानि दशैतानि परान्नं च तथा मधु ।। द्वादश्यां विष्णुभक्तो वै वर्जयेन्मर्दनादिकम्

pūrvoktāni daśaitāni parānnaṁ ca tathā madhu dvādaśyāṁ viṣṇubhakto vai varjayenmardanādikam

The aforementioned ten, and also another's cooked food and honey — on the Dvadashi, the devotee of Vishnu should abandon massage-oil and the like too.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.145.32)

अद्य मे द्वादशी पुण्या पवित्रा पापनाशिनी ।। पारणं च करिष्यामि प्रसीद गरुडध्वज

adya me dvādaśī puṇyā pavitrā pāpanāśinī pāraṇaṁ ca kariṣyāmi prasīda garuḍadhvaja

'Today my sacred, pure, sin-destroying Dvadashi has arrived, O Garuda-bannered one; I shall now break my fast — be gracious.'

Verse 33 (skanda.2.145.33)

विष्णोः संतोषणार्थाय यो मया नियमः कृतः ।। अद्याहं भोजयिष्यामि त्वत्प्रसादाद्द्विजोत्तमम्

viṣṇoḥ saṁtoṣaṇārthāya yo mayā niyamaḥ kṛtaḥ adyāhaṁ bhojayiṣyāmi tvatprasādāddvijottamam

'The discipline which I undertook for the satisfaction of Vishnu — today, by your grace, I shall feed a most excellent brahmin.'

Verse 34 (skanda.2.145.34)

अनेन विधिना कुर्याद्यावद्वर्षं समाप्यते ।। संपूर्णे तु ततो वर्षे कुर्यादुद्यापनं बुधः

anena vidhinā kuryādyāvadvarṣaṁ samāpyate saṁpūrṇe tu tato varṣe kuryādudyāpanaṁ budhaḥ

One should observe the vow in this manner until a full year is completed; the year being complete, the wise one should then perform the udyapana.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.145.35)

आदौ मध्ये तथा चांते व्रतस्योद्यापनं स्मृतम् ।। उद्यापनं न कुर्याद्यः कुष्ठी चांधश्च जायते

ādau madhye tathā cāṁte vratasyodyāpanaṁ smṛtam udyāpanaṁ na kuryādyaḥ kuṣṭhī cāṁdhaśca jāyate

At the beginning, in the middle, and at the end — the udyapana of a vow is thus prescribed; whoever does not perform it becomes leprous and blind.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.145.36)

तस्मादुद्यापनं कुर्याद्यथाविभवसारतः ।। क्रियते शुक्लपक्षे च मासे मार्गशिरे शुभे

tasmādudyāpanaṁ kuryādyathāvibhavasārataḥ kriyate śuklapakṣe ca māse mārgaśire śubhe

Therefore one should perform the udyapana according to one's means; it is performed in the bright fortnight, in the auspicious month of Margashirsha.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.145.37)

आमंत्र्य द्वादशमितान्ब्राह्मणान्विधिकोविदान् ।। त्रयोदशं सपत्नीकमाचार्यं विधिकोविदम्

āmaṁtrya dvādaśamitānbrāhmaṇānvidhikovidān trayodaśaṁ sapatnīkamācāryaṁ vidhikovidam

Having invited twelve brahmins learned in ritual, and, as the thirteenth, the officiating teacher, learned in ritual, together with his wife—

Verse 38 (skanda.2.145.38)

यजमानः शुचिः स्नात्वा श्रद्धायुक्तो जितेन्द्रियः ।। पादशौचार्धवस्त्राद्यैराचार्यादींस्ततोऽर्चयेत्

yajamānaḥ śuciḥ snātvā śraddhāyukto jitendriyaḥ pādaśaucārdhavastrādyairācāryādīṁstato'rcayet

—the sacrificer, pure, having bathed, filled with faith and self-controlled, should worship the teacher and the others with foot-washing, half-garments, and the rest.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.145.39)

आचार्यस्तु ततः कृत्वा मण्डलं वर्णकैः शुभैः ।। चक्राब्जं सर्वतोभद्रं श्वेतवस्त्रेण वेष्टितम्

ācāryastu tataḥ kṛtvā maṇḍalaṁ varṇakaiḥ śubhaiḥ cakrābjaṁ sarvatobhadraṁ śvetavastreṇa veṣṭitam

The teacher should then draw a mandala with auspicious colored powders — a wheel-and-lotus design, all-auspicious, covered with a white cloth.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.145.40)

जलपूर्णं च कुम्भं तु पञ्चरत्नसमन्वितम् ।। पञ्चपल्लवसंयुक्तं कर्पूरागुरुवासितम्

jalapūrṇaṁ ca kumbhaṁ tu pañcaratnasamanvitam pañcapallavasaṁyuktaṁ karpūrāguruvāsitam

A pot filled with water, adorned with the five gems, joined with five kinds of leaves, and scented with camphor and agaru—

Verse 41 (skanda.2.145.41)

वेष्टितं रक्तवस्त्रेण ताम्रपात्रेण संयुतम् ।। वेष्टितं पुष्पमालाभिर्मंडलोपरि विन्यसेत्

veṣṭitaṁ raktavastreṇa tāmrapātreṇa saṁyutam veṣṭitaṁ puṣpamālābhirmaṁḍalopari vinyaset

—wrapped in red cloth, furnished with a copper vessel, wrapped with garlands of flowers — should be placed upon the mandala.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.145.42)

तस्योपरि न्यसेद्देवं लक्ष्मीनारायणं नृप ।। सौवर्णी प्रतिमा कार्या एककर्षप्रमाणतः

tasyopari nyaseddevaṁ lakṣmīnārāyaṇaṁ nṛpa sauvarṇī pratimā kāryā ekakarṣapramāṇataḥ

O king, upon it one should place the deity Lakshmi-Narayana; a golden image should be made, of the measure of one karsha—

Verse 43 (skanda.2.145.43)

वाहनाऽऽयुधसंयुक्ता प्रमाणं चतुरंगुलम् ।। किंवा शक्त्या प्रकुर्वीत वित्तशाठ्यं विवर्जयेत्

vāhanā''yudhasaṁyuktā pramāṇaṁ caturaṁgulam kiṁvā śaktyā prakurvīta vittaśāṭhyaṁ vivarjayet

—joined with mount and weapons, of the measure of four fingers; or one may make it according to one's means, avoiding stinginess with wealth.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.145.44)

ततः संस्थापयेन्मूर्तिं मंडले द्वादशैव हि ।। मासानामधिपः पूज्यश्चाखंडव्रतहेतवे

tataḥ saṁsthāpayenmūrtiṁ maṁḍale dvādaśaiva hi māsānāmadhipaḥ pūjyaścākhaṁḍavratahetave

Then one should install upon the mandala twelve images — the lords of the months, to be worshipped for the sake of the Akhanda vow.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.145.45)

मंडलात्पूर्वदिग्भागे शंखं संस्थापयेच्छुभम् ।। त्वं पुरा सागरोत्पन्नो विष्णुना विधृतः करे ।। निर्मितः सर्वदेवैस्त्वं पांचजन्य नमोऽस्तु ते

maṁḍalātpūrvadigbhāge śaṁkhaṁ saṁsthāpayecchubham tvaṁ purā sāgarotpanno viṣṇunā vidhṛtaḥ kare nirmitaḥ sarvadevaistvaṁ pāṁcajanya namo'stu te

To the east of the mandala, one should install the auspicious conch, with: 'You were born of old from the ocean, held in Vishnu's hand, fashioned by all the gods — O Panchajanya, salutation to you.'

Verse 46 (skanda.2.145.46)

ततस्तु स्थंडिलं कार्यं मंडलादुत्तरां दिशम् ।। संकल्प्य हवनं कार्यं मन्त्रैर्वेदोक्तवैष्णवैः

tatastu sthaṁḍilaṁ kāryaṁ maṁḍalāduttarāṁ diśam saṁkalpya havanaṁ kāryaṁ mantrairvedoktavaiṣṇavaiḥ

Then a fire-altar should be made to the north of the mandala; having made the resolve, the fire-offering should be performed with Vedic mantras dedicated to Vishnu.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.145.47)

स्वस्थाने स्थापयेद्विष्णुं स्थापयेच्च हरिं प्रति ।। पूजयेत्पुरुषसूक्तेन मन्त्रैः पौराणिकैः शुभैः

svasthāne sthāpayedviṣṇuṁ sthāpayecca hariṁ prati pūjayetpuruṣasūktena mantraiḥ paurāṇikaiḥ śubhaiḥ

Vishnu should be installed in his own place, and also installed facing Hari; he should be worshipped with the Purusha-sukta and with auspicious Puranic mantras.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.145.48)

नैवेद्यार्थं च वै कार्या मोदका बहवोऽपि च ।। धूपदीपोपहाराणि कृत्वा नीराजनं ततः

naivedyārthaṁ ca vai kāryā modakā bahavo'pi ca dhūpadīpopahārāṇi kṛtvā nīrājanaṁ tataḥ

For the naivedya, many modaka sweets too should be made; having offered incense, lamp and other gifts, the arati should then be performed.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.145.49)

यक्षकर्दमेन संपूज्य ततः कुर्यात्प्रदक्षिणाम् ।। स्वस्तिवाचनकैर्विप्रैर्नमस्कारं ततो नृप

yakṣakardamena saṁpūjya tataḥ kuryātpradakṣiṇām svastivācanakairviprairnamaskāraṁ tato nṛpa

Having worshipped with the fragrant yaksha-kardama paste, one should then perform circumambulation; then, O king, with brahmins reciting benedictions, obeisance should be offered.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.145.50)

ततस्तु ब्राह्मणैः कार्य आचार्यक्रमशो जपः ।। जपश्च पावमानीयो मंडलब्राह्मणं मधु

tatastu brāhmaṇaiḥ kārya ācāryakramaśo japaḥ japaśca pāvamānīyo maṁḍalabrāhmaṇaṁ madhu

Then the brahmins should perform, in the order led by the teacher, the japa — the Pavamani hymn, the mandala-brahmana, the honey-hymn—

Verse 51 (skanda.2.145.51)

तेजोऽसि शुक्रजं वाचं ब्रह्मसामादनंतरम् ।। पवित्रवंतं सूर्यस्य विष्णोर्महसि संहिताम्

tejo'si śukrajaṁ vācaṁ brahmasāmādanaṁtaram pavitravaṁtaṁ sūryasya viṣṇormahasi saṁhitām

—'Tejo'si,' the hymn born of Shukra, then the Brahma-Sama hymn, the purifying hymn of the Sun, and the hymn joined to Vishnu's glory.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.145.52)

जपांते कलशे विष्णुं सोपांगमुपरि न्यसेत् ।। दिवसस्योदये चैव होमं कुर्यादनुक्रमम्

japāṁte kalaśe viṣṇuṁ sopāṁgamupari nyaset divasasyodaye caiva homaṁ kuryādanukramam

At the end of the japa, one should place Vishnu, together with his attendant deities, upon the water-pot. At the rising of the day, the homa should be performed in due sequence.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.145.53)

संस्थाप्य प्रथमं पात्रं पूजयित्वा विधानतः ।। स्तवनं च ततो होमः कर्तव्यश्चरुपूर्वकः

saṁsthāpya prathamaṁ pātraṁ pūjayitvā vidhānataḥ stavanaṁ ca tato homaḥ kartavyaścarupūrvakaḥ

Having first established the vessel and worshipped it according to rule, hymns should follow, and then the homa, preceded by the charu-offering.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.145.54)

स्वगृह्योक्तविधानेन यजनाग्निक्रियापरः ।। चरुद्वयं च कुर्वीत पायसं वैष्णवं चरुम्

svagṛhyoktavidhānena yajanāgnikriyāparaḥ carudvayaṁ ca kurvīta pāyasaṁ vaiṣṇavaṁ carum

According to the rule declared in one's own domestic ritual text, engaged in the fire-sacrifice, one should prepare two charu offerings — payasa, and the Vaishnava charu.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.145.55)

जुहुयात्पुरुषसूक्तेन चरोः षोडश चाहुतीः ।। तथा चतुर्गृहीतेन घृतयुक्तावराहुतिम्

juhuyātpuruṣasūktena caroḥ ṣoḍaśa cāhutīḥ tathā caturgṛhītena ghṛtayuktāvarāhutim

One should offer sixteen oblations of the charu with the Purusha-sukta, and, with a fourfold handful, an additional oblation joined with ghee.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.145.56)

प्रादेशमात्राः पालाशसमिधश्च घृतप्लुताः।। इदं विष्ण्विति मंत्रेण होतव्याः कर्मसिद्धये

prādeśamātrāḥ pālāśasamidhaśca ghṛtaplutāḥ idaṁ viṣṇviti maṁtreṇa hotavyāḥ karmasiddhaye

Sticks of palasha wood, a hand-span in length, soaked in ghee, should be offered with the mantra 'idam Vishnu,' for the accomplishment of the rite.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.145.57)

शतमेकं तु जुहुयाद्द्विगुणाश्च तिलाऽऽहुतीः ।। कृते च वैष्णवे होमे ग्रहयज्ञं समारभेत्

śatamekaṁ tu juhuyāddviguṇāśca tilā''hutīḥ kṛte ca vaiṣṇave home grahayajñaṁ samārabhet

One should offer a hundred and one oblations, and twice that number of sesame oblations; when the Vaishnava homa is completed, one should begin the graha-yajna.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.145.58)

समिद्भिश्चरुहोमं च तिलहोमं क्रमेण तु ।। उभयोः स्वस्तिकं वाच्यं ततः पूजां समाचरेत्

samidbhiścaruhomaṁ ca tilahomaṁ krameṇa tu ubhayoḥ svastikaṁ vācyaṁ tataḥ pūjāṁ samācaret

With sacred sticks, with the charu-homa, and then in order with the sesame-homa; for both, the auspicious benediction should be recited, and then worship performed.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.145.59)

ऋत्विजां च ततो दद्याद्धेन्वादिग्रहदक्षिणाः ।। देवस्य तृप्त्यै दद्याच्च ब्राह्मणाय यथाविधि

ṛtvijāṁ ca tato dadyāddhenvādigrahadakṣiṇāḥ devasya tṛptyai dadyācca brāhmaṇāya yathāvidhi

Then one should give to the officiating priests gifts for the planets, such as cows and the rest; for the deity's satisfaction, gifts should be given to the brahmin according to rule.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.145.60)

गां वै पयस्विनीं दद्याद्वृषभं च सुशोभनम् ।। ब्राह्मणानां ततो दद्यात्त्रयोदश पदानि च

gāṁ vai payasvinīṁ dadyādvṛṣabhaṁ ca suśobhanam brāhmaṇānāṁ tato dadyāttrayodaśa padāni ca

One should give a milk-yielding cow and a fine bull; then one should give the brahmins thirteen units of gifts.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.145.61)

आचार्यं तु सपत्नीकं वस्त्रैश्च परितोषयेत् ।। तोषयित्वा महादानैस्तं सार्थं च समर्पयेत्

ācāryaṁ tu sapatnīkaṁ vastraiśca paritoṣayet toṣayitvā mahādānaistaṁ sārthaṁ ca samarpayet

The teacher, together with his wife, should be gratified with garments; having gratified him with great gifts, one should also present him with due wealth.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.145.62)

पञ्चविंशतिकुम्भांश्च सोदकान्वस्त्रवेष्टितान् ।। ब्राह्मणांश्च ततो दद्यात्कृते पारणके निशि

pañcaviṁśatikumbhāṁśca sodakānvastraveṣṭitān brāhmaṇāṁśca tato dadyātkṛte pāraṇake niśi

One should give twenty-five water-filled pots wrapped in cloth to the brahmins, when the concluding meal is performed at night.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.145.63)

भूरिदानं च दातव्यं बंधूनामिष्टभोजनम् ।। पूर्णपात्रं ततो दद्यादाचार्याय सदक्षिणम्

bhūridānaṁ ca dātavyaṁ baṁdhūnāmiṣṭabhojanam pūrṇapātraṁ tato dadyādācāryāya sadakṣiṇam

Abundant gifts should be given, and a favorite meal to one's relatives; then a full vessel, with its due fee, should be given to the teacher.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.145.64)

पूर्णपात्रप्रदानेन कार्यं संपूरितं भवेत् ।। उपवासव्रतं चैव स्नानं तीर्थफलं भवेत्

pūrṇapātrapradānena kāryaṁ saṁpūritaṁ bhavet upavāsavrataṁ caiva snānaṁ tīrthaphalaṁ bhavet

By the gift of the full vessel, the rite becomes complete; the fasting-vow and the bathing become as fruitful as a pilgrimage.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.145.65)

विप्रैः संभाषितं तस्य संपूर्णं तद्भवेत्फलम् ।। वित्त शक्तिर्गृहे नास्ति कृतं चैकादशीव्रतम्

vipraiḥ saṁbhāṣitaṁ tasya saṁpūrṇaṁ tadbhavetphalam vitta śaktirgṛhe nāsti kṛtaṁ caikādaśīvratam

Conversation with brahmins on this matter makes its fruit complete. If there is no wealth or means in the house, the Ekadashi vow should still be performed—

Verse 66 (skanda.2.145.66)

स्वशक्त्या चैव कर्तव्यं तथा चोद्यापनादिकम् ।। एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातमखण्डैकादशीव्रतम् ।।

svaśaktyā caiva kartavyaṁ tathā codyāpanādikam etatte sarvamākhyātamakhaṇḍaikādaśīvratam

—according to one's own capacity, and likewise its udyapana and the rest. All this has now been declared to you, the vow of Akhanda Ekadashi.