Candra-sahasra-vratodyāpana-vidhi-varṇanam — The Rite of Completion for the Thousand-Moons Vow

Verse 1 (skanda.2.182.1)

सूत उवाच इति श्रुत्वा वचो धीमानादरात्कुंभजन्मनः प्रोवाच मधुरं वाक्यं कृष्णद्वैपायनो मुनिः

sūta uvāca iti śrutvā vaco dhīmānādarātkuṁbhajanmanaḥ provāca madhuraṁ vākyaṁ kṛṣṇadvaipāyano muniḥ

Suta said: Having heard, with reverence, these words of the pot-born sage, the wise Krishna Dvaipayana Muni spoke a gentle word.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.182.2)

व्यास उवाच भगवन्नद्भुतमिदं तीर्थमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् श्रुत्वा त्वत्तो मम मनः परमानंदमाययौ

vyāsa uvāca bhagavannadbhutamidaṁ tīrthamāhātmyamuttamam śrutvā tvatto mama manaḥ paramānaṁdamāyayau

Vyasa said: Lord, this excellent greatness of the ford is wonderful; having heard it from you, my mind has attained supreme joy.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.182.3)

अन्यत्तीर्थवरं ब्रूहि तत्त्वेन मम शृण्वतः न तृप्तिरस्ति मनसः शृण्वतो मम सुव्रत

anyattīrthavaraṁ brūhi tattvena mama śṛṇvataḥ na tṛptirasti manasaḥ śṛṇvato mama suvrata

Tell me truly of another excellent ford as I listen; O you of good vows, my mind, even as I listen, is not satisfied.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.182.4)

अगस्त्य उवाच शृणु विप्र प्रवक्ष्यामि तीर्थमन्यदनुत्तमम् स्वर्गद्वारमिति ख्यातं सर्वपापहरं सदा

agastya uvāca śṛṇu vipra pravakṣyāmi tīrthamanyadanuttamam svargadvāramiti khyātaṁ sarvapāpaharaṁ sadā

Agastya said: Listen, O brahmin, I shall tell of another unsurpassed ford, known as Svargadvara, ever a remover of all sin.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.182.5)

स्वर्गद्वारस्य माहात्म्यं विस्तराद्वक्तुमीश्वरः नहि कश्चिदतो वत्स संक्षेपाच्छृणु सुव्रत

svargadvārasya māhātmyaṁ vistarādvaktumīśvaraḥ nahi kaścidato vatsa saṁkṣepācchṛṇu suvrata

No one is able to tell the greatness of Svargadvara at length, my child; therefore, O you of good vows, hear it in brief.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.182.6)

सहस्रधारामारभ्य पूर्वतः सरयूजले षट्त्रिंशदधिका प्रोक्ता धनुषां षट्शती मितिः

sahasradhārāmārabhya pūrvataḥ sarayūjale ṣaṭtriṁśadadhikā proktā dhanuṣāṁ ṣaṭśatī mitiḥ

Beginning from Sahasradhara, to the east, in the waters of the Sarayu, its distance is declared to be six hundred and thirty-six bow-lengths.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.182.7)

स्वर्गद्वारस्य विस्तारः पुराणज्ञैर्विशारदैः स्वर्गद्वारसमं तीर्थं न भूतं न भविष्यति

svargadvārasya vistāraḥ purāṇajñairviśāradaiḥ svargadvārasamaṁ tīrthaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati

Such is the extent of Svargadvara as told by those learned in the Puranas; there has never been, nor shall there ever be, a ford equal to Svargadvara.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.182.8)

सत्यंसत्यं पुनः सत्यं नासत्यं मम भाषितम् स्वर्गद्वारसमं तीर्थं नास्ति ब्रह्माण्डगोलके

satyaṁsatyaṁ punaḥ satyaṁ nāsatyaṁ mama bhāṣitam svargadvārasamaṁ tīrthaṁ nāsti brahmāṇḍagolake

Truly, truly, and again truly — my word is not false: there is no ford equal to Svargadvara in the whole sphere of the universe.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.182.9)

हित्वा दिव्यानि भौमानि तीर्थानि सकलान्यपि प्रातरागत्य तिष्ठन्ति तत्र संश्रित्य सुव्रत

hitvā divyāni bhaumāni tīrthāni sakalānyapi prātarāgatya tiṣṭhanti tatra saṁśritya suvrata

O you of good vows, leaving behind all the celestial and earthly fords, they come there every morning and abide, taking refuge there.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.182.10)

तस्मादत्र प्रकर्तव्यं प्रातः स्नानं विशेषतः सर्वतीर्थावगाहस्य फलमात्मन ईप्सता

tasmādatra prakartavyaṁ prātaḥ snānaṁ viśeṣataḥ sarvatīrthāvagāhasya phalamātmana īpsatā

Therefore one who desires for oneself the fruit of bathing in all sacred fords should especially perform the morning bath here.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.182.11)

त्यजंति प्राणिनः प्राणान्स्वर्गद्वारांतरे द्विज प्रयांति परमं स्थानं विष्णोस्ते नात्र संशयः

tyajaṁti prāṇinaḥ prāṇānsvargadvārāṁtare dvija prayāṁti paramaṁ sthānaṁ viṣṇoste nātra saṁśayaḥ

O brahmin, creatures who give up their lives within Svargadvara attain the supreme abode of Vishnu — there is no doubt of this.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.182.12)

मुक्तिद्वारमिदं पश्य स्वर्गप्राप्तिकरं नृणाम् स्वर्गद्वारमिति ख्यातं तस्मात्तीर्थमनुत्तमम्

muktidvāramidaṁ paśya svargaprāptikaraṁ nṛṇām svargadvāramiti khyātaṁ tasmāttīrthamanuttamam

Behold, this is the gate of liberation, bringing men to heaven; therefore this unsurpassed ford is known as Svargadvara, the Gate of Heaven.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.182.13)

स्वर्गद्वारं सुदुष्प्राप्यं देवैरपि न संशयः यद्यत्कामयते तत्र तत्तदाप्नोति मानवः

svargadvāraṁ suduṣprāpyaṁ devairapi na saṁśayaḥ yadyatkāmayate tatra tattadāpnoti mānavaḥ

Svargadvara is exceedingly hard to attain, even for the gods, without doubt; whatever a man desires there, that he obtains.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.182.14)

स्वर्गद्वारे परा सिद्धिः स्वर्गद्वारे परा गतिः जप्तं दत्तं हुतं दृष्टं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत् ध्यानमध्ययनं सर्वं दानं भवति चाक्षयम्

svargadvāre parā siddhiḥ svargadvāre parā gatiḥ japtaṁ dattaṁ hutaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ tapastaptaṁ kṛtaṁ ca yat dhyānamadhyayanaṁ sarvaṁ dānaṁ bhavati cākṣayam

At Svargadvara is the supreme accomplishment, at Svargadvara is the supreme goal; whatever japa, gift, oblation, sacred sight, austerity or deed is performed there, and all meditation, study, and charity, become imperishable.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.182.15)

जन्मांतरसहस्रेण यत्पापं पूर्वसंचितम् स्वर्गद्वारप्रविष्टस्य तत्सर्वं व्रजति क्षयम्

janmāṁtarasahasreṇa yatpāpaṁ pūrvasaṁcitam svargadvārapraviṣṭasya tatsarvaṁ vrajati kṣayam

Whatever sin has accumulated over a thousand other births is entirely destroyed for one who enters Svargadvara.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.182.16)

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रा वै वर्णसंकराः कृमिम्लेच्छाश्च ये चान्ये संकीर्णाः पापयोनयः

brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ śūdrā vai varṇasaṁkarāḥ kṛmimlecchāśca ye cānye saṁkīrṇāḥ pāpayonayaḥ

Brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, shudras, those of mixed caste, worms, mlecchas, and whatever other beings of mixed and sinful origin,

Verse 17 (skanda.2.182.17)

कीटाः पिपीलिकाश्चैव ये चान्ये मृगपक्षिणः कालेन निधनं प्राप्ताः स्वर्गद्वारे शृणु द्विज

kīṭāḥ pipīlikāścaiva ye cānye mṛgapakṣiṇaḥ kālena nidhanaṁ prāptāḥ svargadvāre śṛṇu dvija

insects, ants, and whatever other beasts and birds meet their death, in due time, at Svargadvara — hear, O brahmin,

Verse 18 (skanda.2.182.18)

कौमोदकीकराः सर्वे पक्षिणो गरुडध्वजाः शुभे विष्णुपुरे विष्णुर्जायते तत्र मानवाः

kaumodakīkarāḥ sarve pakṣiṇo garuḍadhvajāḥ śubhe viṣṇupure viṣṇurjāyate tatra mānavāḥ

all of them become bearers of Vishnu's mace and birds of the Garuda banner; men who die there are born in the auspicious city of Vishnu.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.182.19)

अकामो वा सकामो वा अपि तीर्थगतोपि वा स्वर्गद्वारे त्यजन्प्राणान्विष्णुलोके महीयते

akāmo vā sakāmo vā api tīrthagatopi vā svargadvāre tyajanprāṇānviṣṇuloke mahīyate

Whether desireless or full of desire, or even a mere pilgrim, whoever gives up life at Svargadvara is exalted in the world of Vishnu.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.182.20)

मुनयो देवताः सिद्धाः साध्या यक्षा मरुद्गणाः यज्ञोपवीतमात्रेण विभागं चक्रिरे तु ये

munayo devatāḥ siddhāḥ sādhyā yakṣā marudgaṇāḥ yajñopavītamātreṇa vibhāgaṁ cakrire tu ye

The sages, gods, siddhas, sadhyas, yakshas and the host of Maruts, who apportioned this place among themselves by their brahminical rite alone,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.182.21)

मध्याह्नेऽत्र प्रकुर्वंति सान्निध्यं देवतागणाः तस्मात्तत्र प्रकुर्वंति मध्याह्ने स्नानमादरात्

madhyāhne’tra prakurvaṁti sānnidhyaṁ devatāgaṇāḥ tasmāttatra prakurvaṁti madhyāhne snānamādarāt

those hosts of deities manifest their presence here at midday; therefore one should reverently bathe here at midday.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.182.22)

कुर्वंत्यनशनं ये तु स्वर्गद्वारे जितेंद्रियाः प्रयांति परमं स्थानं ये च मासोपवासिनः

kurvaṁtyanaśanaṁ ye tu svargadvāre jiteṁdriyāḥ prayāṁti paramaṁ sthānaṁ ye ca māsopavāsinaḥ

Those of subdued senses who fast unto death at Svargadvara, and those who observe a month-long fast, attain the supreme abode.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.182.23)

अन्नदानरता ते च रत्नदा भूमिदा नराः गोवस्त्रदाश्च विप्रेभ्यो यांति ते भवनं हरेः

annadānaratā te ca ratnadā bhūmidā narāḥ govastradāśca viprebhyo yāṁti te bhavanaṁ hareḥ

Those devoted to giving food, those who give jewels or land, and those who give cows and garments to brahmins, go to the abode of Hari.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.182.24)

यत्र सिद्धा महात्मानो मुनयः पितरस्तथा स्वर्गं प्रयांति ते सर्वे स्वर्गद्वारं ततः स्मृतम्

yatra siddhā mahātmāno munayaḥ pitarastathā svargaṁ prayāṁti te sarve svargadvāraṁ tataḥ smṛtam

Since the great-souled siddhas, sages and ancestors all go to heaven from this place, it is therefore called Svargadvara, the Gate of Heaven.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.182.25)

चतुर्द्धा च तनुं कृत्वा देवदेवो हरिः स्वयम् अत्र वै रमते नित्यं भ्रातृभिः सह राघवः

caturddhā ca tanuṁ kṛtvā devadevo hariḥ svayam atra vai ramate nityaṁ bhrātṛbhiḥ saha rāghavaḥ

The god of gods, Hari himself, having made his body fourfold, as Raghava ever sports here together with his brothers.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.182.26)

ब्रह्मलोकं परित्यज्य चतुर्वक्त्रः सनातनः अत्रैव रमते नित्यं देवैः सह पितामहः

brahmalokaṁ parityajya caturvaktraḥ sanātanaḥ atraiva ramate nityaṁ devaiḥ saha pitāmahaḥ

The eternal four-faced grandsire, having left the world of Brahma, ever sports right here together with the gods.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.182.27)

कैलासनिलयावासी शिवस्तत्रैव संस्थितः

kailāsanilayāvāsī śivastatraiva saṁsthitaḥ

Shiva, whose abode is Kailasa, resides right there as well.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.182.28)

मेरुमन्दरमात्रोऽपि राशिः पापस्य कर्मणः स्वर्गद्वारं समासाद्य स सर्वो व्रजति क्षयम्

merumandaramātro’pi rāśiḥ pāpasya karmaṇaḥ svargadvāraṁ samāsādya sa sarvo vrajati kṣayam

Even a mass of sinful deeds as vast as Mount Meru or Mandara, upon reaching Svargadvara, is utterly destroyed.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.182.29)

या गतिर्ज्ञानतपसां या गतिर्यज्ञयाजिनाम् स्वर्गद्वारे मृतानां तु सा गतिर्विहिता शुभा

yā gatirjñānatapasāṁ yā gatiryajñayājinām svargadvāre mṛtānāṁ tu sā gatirvihitā śubhā

Whatever destination belongs to those of knowledge and austerity, and whatever belongs to sacrificers — that same auspicious destination is ordained for those who die at Svargadvara.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.182.30)

ऋषिदेवासुरगणैर्जपहोमपरायणैः यतिभिर्मोक्षकामैश्च स्वर्गद्वारो निषेव्यते

ṛṣidevāsuragaṇairjapahomaparāyaṇaiḥ yatibhirmokṣakāmaiśca svargadvāro niṣevyate

Sages, gods, and hosts of asuras devoted to japa and fire-oblation, and ascetics desiring liberation, resort to Svargadvara.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.182.31)

षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि काशीवासेषु यत्फलम् तत्फलं निमिषार्द्धेन कलौ दाशरथीं पुरीम्

ṣaṣṭivarṣasahasrāṇi kāśīvāseṣu yatphalam tatphalaṁ nimiṣārddhena kalau dāśarathīṁ purīm

Whatever fruit is gained by dwelling in Kashi for sixty thousand years, that same fruit is gained, in the Kali age, in half a moment in the city of the son of Dasharatha.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.182.32)

या गतिर्योगयुक्तानां वाराणस्यां तनुत्यजाम् सा गतिः स्नानमात्रेण सरय्वां हरिवासरे

yā gatiryogayuktānāṁ vārāṇasyāṁ tanutyajām sā gatiḥ snānamātreṇa sarayvāṁ harivāsare

Whatever destination belongs to yogis who give up their bodies in Varanasi is gained by mere bathing in the Sarayu on the day sacred to Hari.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.182.33)

स्वर्गद्वारे मृतः कश्चिन्नरकं नैव पश्यति केशवानुगृहीता हि सर्वे यांति परां गतिम्

svargadvāre mṛtaḥ kaścinnarakaṁ naiva paśyati keśavānugṛhītā hi sarve yāṁti parāṁ gatim

No one who dies at Svargadvara ever beholds hell; all who are graced by Keshava attain the supreme destination.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.182.34)

भूलोके चांतरिक्षे च दिवि तीर्थानि यानि वै अतीत्य वर्तते तानि तीर्थान्येतद्द्विजोत्तम

bhūloke cāṁtarikṣe ca divi tīrthāni yāni vai atītya vartate tāni tīrthānyetaddvijottama

O best of brahmins, this ford surpasses all the sacred fords that exist on earth, in the atmosphere, and in heaven.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.182.35)

विष्णुभक्तिं समासाद्य रमन्ते तु सुनिश्चिताः संहृत्य शक्तितः कामं विषयेषु हि संस्थितम्

viṣṇubhaktiṁ samāsādya ramante tu suniścitāḥ saṁhṛtya śaktitaḥ kāmaṁ viṣayeṣu hi saṁsthitam

Those who, having attained devotion to Vishnu, of firm resolve, find their joy there, having withdrawn, as far as they are able, desire resting upon sense-objects,

Verse 36 (skanda.2.182.36)

शक्तितः सर्वतो युक्त्वा शक्तिस्तपसि संस्थिता न तेषां पुनरावृत्तिः कल्पकोटिशतैरपि

śaktitaḥ sarvato yuktvā śaktistapasi saṁsthitā na teṣāṁ punarāvṛttiḥ kalpakoṭiśatairapi

and, applying all their strength according to their ability to austerity, for them there is no return to rebirth even for hundreds of millions of kalpas.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.182.37)

हन्यमानोऽपि यो विद्वान्वसेच्छस्त्रशतैरपि स याति परमं स्थानं यत्र गत्वा न शोचति

hanyamāno’pi yo vidvānvasecchastraśatairapi sa yāti paramaṁ sthānaṁ yatra gatvā na śocati

Even a wise man slain by hundreds of weapons, if dwelling there, goes to the supreme abode, having gone to which he grieves no more.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.182.38)

स्वर्गद्वारे वियुज्येत स याति परमां गतिम् उत्तरं दक्षिणं वापि अयनं न विकल्पयेत्

svargadvāre viyujyeta sa yāti paramāṁ gatim uttaraṁ dakṣiṇaṁ vāpi ayanaṁ na vikalpayet

Whoever departs the body at Svargadvara attains the supreme destination; one need not consider whether it is the northern or the southern course of the sun.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.182.39)

सर्वस्तेषां शुभः कालः स्वर्गद्वारं श्रयंति ये स्नानमात्रेण पापानि विलयं यांति देहिनाम्

sarvasteṣāṁ śubhaḥ kālaḥ svargadvāraṁ śrayaṁti ye snānamātreṇa pāpāni vilayaṁ yāṁti dehinām

For all who take refuge at Svargadvara, every time is auspicious; by mere bathing, the sins of embodied beings are dissolved.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.182.40)

यावत्पापानि देहेन ये कुर्वंति जनाः क्षितौ अयोध्या परमं स्थानं तेषामीरितमादरात्

yāvatpāpāni dehena ye kurvaṁti janāḥ kṣitau ayodhyā paramaṁ sthānaṁ teṣāmīritamādarāt

Whatever sins people commit on earth through the body, Ayodhya is declared, with reverence, to be the supreme remedy for them.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.182.41)

ज्येष्ठे मासि सिते पक्षे पंचदश्यां विशेषतः तस्य सांवत्सरी यात्रा देवैश्चन्द्रहरेः स्मृता

jyeṣṭhe māsi site pakṣe paṁcadaśyāṁ viśeṣataḥ tasya sāṁvatsarī yātrā devaiścandrahareḥ smṛtā

Especially on the full moon of the bright fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha, the annual festival of Chandra-Hari is remembered, as established by the gods.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.182.42)

तस्मिन्नुद्यापनं चन्द्रसहस्रं व्रतयोगिभिः कार्यं प्रयत्नतो विप्र सर्वयज्ञफलाधिकम्

tasminnudyāpanaṁ candrasahasraṁ vratayogibhiḥ kāryaṁ prayatnato vipra sarvayajñaphalādhikam

O brahmin, on that day the completion of the Chandra-sahasra vow should be diligently performed by those observing it, a rite exceeding the fruit of all sacrifices.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.182.43)

तस्मिन्कृते महापापक्षयात्स्वर्गो भवेन्नृणाम्

tasminkṛte mahāpāpakṣayātsvargo bhavennṛṇām

When this is performed, heaven comes to men through the destruction of their great sins.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.182.44)

श्रीव्यास उवाच भगवन्ब्रूहि तत्त्वेन तस्य चन्द्रहरेः शुभाम् उत्पत्तिं च तथा चंद्रव्रतस्योद्यापने विधिम्

śrīvyāsa uvāca bhagavanbrūhi tattvena tasya candrahareḥ śubhām utpattiṁ ca tathā caṁdravratasyodyāpane vidhim

Shri Vyasa said: Lord, tell me truly the auspicious origin of that Chandra-Hari, and likewise the procedure for the completion of the Moon-vow.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.182.45)

अगस्त्य उवाच अयोध्यानिलयं विष्णुं नत्वा शीतांशुरुत्सुकः आगच्छत्तीर्थमाहात्म्यं साक्षात्कर्तुं सुधानिधिः अत्रागत्य च चन्द्रोऽथ तीर्थयात्रां चकार सः

agastya uvāca ayodhyānilayaṁ viṣṇuṁ natvā śītāṁśurutsukaḥ āgacchattīrthamāhātmyaṁ sākṣātkartuṁ sudhānidhiḥ atrāgatya ca candro’tha tīrthayātrāṁ cakāra saḥ

Agastya said: The cool-rayed Moon, that treasury of nectar, eager, having bowed to Vishnu who dwells in Ayodhya, came to witness directly the greatness of the ford; and the Moon, having come here, performed his pilgrimage.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.182.46)

क्रमेण विधिपूर्वं च नानाश्चर्यसमन्वितः समाराध्य ततो विष्णुं तपसा दुश्चरेण वै

krameṇa vidhipūrvaṁ ca nānāścaryasamanvitaḥ samārādhya tato viṣṇuṁ tapasā duścareṇa vai

In due order and according to rule, filled with manifold wonder, he then propitiated Vishnu with austerity difficult to perform,

Verse 47 (skanda.2.182.47)

तत्प्रसादं समासाद्य स्वाभिधानपुरस्सरम् हरिं संस्थापयामास तेन चंद्रहरिः स्मृतः

tatprasādaṁ samāsādya svābhidhānapurassaram hariṁ saṁsthāpayāmāsa tena caṁdrahariḥ smṛtaḥ

and having obtained his grace, installed Hari preceded by his own name; by that he came to be remembered as Chandra-Hari.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.182.48)

वासुदेवप्रसादेन तत्स्थानं जातमद्भुतम् तद्धि गुह्यतमं स्थानं वासुदेवस्य सुव्रत

vāsudevaprasādena tatsthānaṁ jātamadbhutam taddhi guhyatamaṁ sthānaṁ vāsudevasya suvrata

By the grace of Vasudeva, that place became wondrous; indeed, O you of good vows, that is the most secret place of Vasudeva,

Verse 49 (skanda.2.182.49)

सर्वेषामिव भूतानां भर्तुर्मोक्षस्य सर्वदा अस्मिन्सिद्धाः सदा विप्र गोविंदव्रतमास्थिताः

sarveṣāmiva bhūtānāṁ bharturmokṣasya sarvadā asminsiddhāḥ sadā vipra goviṁdavratamāsthitāḥ

who is ever the sustainer of all beings and the cause of liberation; here, O brahmin, siddhas ever remain established in the vow of Govinda,

Verse 50 (skanda.2.182.50)

नानालिंगधरा नित्यं विष्णुलोकाभिकांक्षिणः अभ्यस्यंति परं योगं मुक्तात्मानो जितेंद्रियाः

nānāliṁgadharā nityaṁ viṣṇulokābhikāṁkṣiṇaḥ abhyasyaṁti paraṁ yogaṁ muktātmāno jiteṁdriyāḥ

bearing various marks, ever longing for the world of Vishnu, liberated in soul and of subdued senses, they practice the supreme yoga.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.182.51)

यथा धर्ममवाप्नोति अन्यत्र न तथा क्वचित् दानं व्रतं तथा होमः सर्वमक्षयतां व्रजेत

yathā dharmamavāpnoti anyatra na tathā kvacit dānaṁ vrataṁ tathā homaḥ sarvamakṣayatāṁ vrajeta

As one attains merit here, nowhere else does one attain it so; charity, vows and fire-oblation all become imperishable here.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.182.52)

सर्वकामफलप्राप्तिर्जायते प्राणिनां सदा तस्मादत्र विधातव्यं प्राणिभिर्यत्नतः क्रमात् दानादिकं विप्रपूजा दंपत्योश्च विशेषतः

sarvakāmaphalaprāptirjāyate prāṇināṁ sadā tasmādatra vidhātavyaṁ prāṇibhiryatnataḥ kramāt dānādikaṁ viprapūjā daṁpatyośca viśeṣataḥ

Attainment of the fruit of all desires ever arises here for living beings; therefore beings should diligently and duly perform acts of charity and, especially, the worship of a brahmin couple.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.182.53)

सर्वयज्ञाधिकफलं सर्वतीर्थावगाहनम् सर्वदेवावलोकस्य यत्पुण्यं जायते नृणाम्

sarvayajñādhikaphalaṁ sarvatīrthāvagāhanam sarvadevāvalokasya yatpuṇyaṁ jāyate nṛṇām

The fruit exceeding that of all sacrifices, of bathing in all sacred fords, and whatever merit arises for men from beholding all the gods —

Verse 54 (skanda.2.182.54)

तत्सर्वं जायते पुण्यं प्राणिनामस्य दर्शनात् तस्मादेतन्महाक्षेत्रं पुराणादिषु गीयते

tatsarvaṁ jāyate puṇyaṁ prāṇināmasya darśanāt tasmādetanmahākṣetraṁ purāṇādiṣu gīyate

all that merit arises for beings from the mere sight of this place; therefore this great sacred field is sung of in the Puranas and other scriptures.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.182.55)

उद्यापनविधिश्चात्र नृभिर्द्विजपुरस्सरम् अग्रे चंद्रहरेश्चन्द्र सहस्रव्रतसंज्ञकः

udyāpanavidhiścātra nṛbhirdvijapurassaram agre caṁdrahareścandra sahasravratasaṁjñakaḥ

Here, the rite of completion performed by men, with brahmins at the fore, before Chandra-Hari, is known as the 'Chandra-sahasra' vow.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.182.56)

गते वर्षद्वये सार्द्धे पंचपक्षे दिनद्वये दिवसस्याऽष्टमे भागे पतत्येकोऽधिमासकः

gate varṣadvaye sārddhe paṁcapakṣe dinadvaye divasasyā’ṣṭame bhāge patatyeko’dhimāsakaḥ

When two and a half years, five fortnights, two days, and an eighth part of a day have passed, one intercalary month falls due.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.182.57)

त्र्यधिके वा अशीत्यब्दे चतुर्मासयुते ततः भवेच्चन्द्रसहस्रं तु तावज्जीवति यो नरः उद्यापनं प्रकर्त्तव्यं तेन यात्रा प्रयत्नतः

tryadhike vā aśītyabde caturmāsayute tataḥ bhaveccandrasahasraṁ tu tāvajjīvati yo naraḥ udyāpanaṁ prakarttavyaṁ tena yātrā prayatnataḥ

Or, when eighty-three years and four months have passed, the count of a thousand moons is completed; whatever man lives that long should diligently perform the completion rite and the pilgrimage.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.182.58)

यत्पुण्यं परमं प्रोक्तं सततं यज्ञयाजिनाम् सत्यवादिषु यत्पुण्यं यत्पुण्यं हेमदायिनि तत्पुण्यं लभते विप्र सहस्राब्दस्य जीविभिः

yatpuṇyaṁ paramaṁ proktaṁ satataṁ yajñayājinām satyavādiṣu yatpuṇyaṁ yatpuṇyaṁ hemadāyini tatpuṇyaṁ labhate vipra sahasrābdasya jīvibhiḥ

Whatever supreme merit is declared for those who constantly perform sacrifice, whatever merit belongs to speakers of truth, and whatever merit belongs to the giver of gold — that merit, O brahmin, is obtained by those who live through this vow's full span.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.182.59)

सर्वसौख्यप्रदं तादृक्पुण्यव्रतमिहोच्यते

sarvasaukhyapradaṁ tādṛkpuṇyavratamihocyate

Such a vow, bestowing all happiness and merit, is declared here.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.182.60)

चतुर्दश्यां शुचिः स्नात्वा दन्तधावनपूर्वकम् चरितब्रह्मचर्य्यश्च जितवाक्कायमानसः पौर्णमास्यां तथा कृत्वा चंद्रपूजां च कारयेत्

caturdaśyāṁ śuciḥ snātvā dantadhāvanapūrvakam caritabrahmacaryyaśca jitavākkāyamānasaḥ paurṇamāsyāṁ tathā kṛtvā caṁdrapūjāṁ ca kārayet

On the fourteenth, having purified oneself by bathing after cleaning the teeth, observing celibacy, with speech, body and mind controlled, one should then perform the worship of the Moon on the full-moon day.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.182.61)

पूर्वं च मातरः पूज्या गौर्यादिकक्रमेण च ऋत्विजः पूजयेद्भक्त्या वृद्धिश्राद्धपुरस्सरम्

pūrvaṁ ca mātaraḥ pūjyā gauryādikakrameṇa ca ṛtvijaḥ pūjayedbhaktyā vṛddhiśrāddhapurassaram

First the Mother-goddesses, beginning with Gauri, should be worshipped in due order; and one should devotedly worship the officiating priests, preceded by the Vriddhi-shraddha rite.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.182.62)

प्रयतैः प्रतिमा कार्या चंद्रमंडलसन्निभा सहस्रसंख्या ह्यथवा तदर्द्धं वा तदर्द्धकम् निजवित्तानुमानेन तदर्धेन तदर्द्धिकम्

prayataiḥ pratimā kāryā caṁdramaṁḍalasannibhā sahasrasaṁkhyā hyathavā tadarddhaṁ vā tadarddhakam nijavittānumānena tadardhena tadarddhikam

By self-controlled persons, images resembling the orb of the moon should be made — a thousand in number, or half that, or half of that half — reduced by half and half again according to one's own means.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.182.63)

ततः श्रद्धानुमानाद्वा कार्या वित्तानुमानतः अथवा षोडश शुभा विधातव्याः प्रयत्नतः

tataḥ śraddhānumānādvā kāryā vittānumānataḥ athavā ṣoḍaśa śubhā vidhātavyāḥ prayatnataḥ

Or according to one's faith and means, or else sixteen auspicious images should be diligently made.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.182.64)

चंद्रपूजां ततः कुर्यादागमोक्तविधानतः माषैः षोडशभिः कार्या प्रत्येकं प्रतिमा शुभा

caṁdrapūjāṁ tataḥ kuryādāgamoktavidhānataḥ māṣaiḥ ṣoḍaśabhiḥ kāryā pratyekaṁ pratimā śubhā

Then one should perform the worship of the Moon according to the procedure declared in the scriptures; each auspicious image should weigh sixteen mashas.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.182.65)

सोममंत्रेण होमस्तु कार्यो वित्तानुमानतः प्रतिमास्थापनं कुर्यात्सोममंत्रमुदीरयेत्

somamaṁtreṇa homastu kāryo vittānumānataḥ pratimāsthāpanaṁ kuryātsomamaṁtramudīrayet

The fire-oblation should be performed with the Soma-mantra according to one's means; the images should be installed while reciting the Soma-mantra.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.182.66)

सोमोत्पत्तिं सोमसूक्तं पाठयेच्च प्रयत्नतः चंद्रपूजां ततः कुर्यादागमोक्तविधानतः

somotpattiṁ somasūktaṁ pāṭhayecca prayatnataḥ caṁdrapūjāṁ tataḥ kuryādāgamoktavidhānataḥ

One should have diligently recited the account of Soma's origin and the Soma-sukta; then the worship of the Moon should be performed according to the procedure declared in the scriptures.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.182.67)

चंद्रन्यासं कलान्यासं कारयेन्मंडले जलम् एकादशेंद्रियन्यासं तथैव विधिपूर्वकम्

caṁdranyāsaṁ kalānyāsaṁ kārayenmaṁḍale jalam ekādaśeṁdriyanyāsaṁ tathaiva vidhipūrvakam

The ritual placement of the Moon and of his digits should be performed with water in the mandala, and likewise, duly, the placement of the eleven senses.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.182.68)

चंद्रबिंबनिभं कार्य्यं मंडलं शुभतंडुलैः मध्ये च कलशः स्थाप्यो गव्येन पयसाप्लुतः

caṁdrabiṁbanibhaṁ kāryyaṁ maṁḍalaṁ śubhataṁḍulaiḥ madhye ca kalaśaḥ sthāpyo gavyena payasāplutaḥ

A mandala resembling the orb of the moon should be made with auspicious rice; and at its center a pot filled with cow's milk should be placed.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.182.69)

चतुरस्रेषु संपूर्णान्कलशान्स्थापयेद्बहिः मंडले चंद्रपूजा च कर्तव्या नामभिः क्रमात्

caturasreṣu saṁpūrṇānkalaśānsthāpayedbahiḥ maṁḍale caṁdrapūjā ca kartavyā nāmabhiḥ kramāt

At the four corners, full pots should be placed outside the mandala; and within the mandala, the worship of the Moon should be performed in due order, with his names.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.182.70)

हिमांशवे नमश्चैव सोमचंद्राय वै नमः

himāṁśave namaścaiva somacaṁdrāya vai namaḥ

Salutation to Himamshu, the cool-rayed one; salutation to Soma-Chandra.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.182.71)

चंद्राय विधवे नित्यं नमः कुमुदबंधवे

caṁdrāya vidhave nityaṁ namaḥ kumudabaṁdhave

Ever salutation to Chandra, to Vidhu; salutation to the friend of the water-lilies.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.182.72)

सुधांशवे च सोमाय ओषधीशाय वै नमः नमोऽब्जाय मृगांकाय कलानां निधये नमः

sudhāṁśave ca somāya oṣadhīśāya vai namaḥ namo’bjāya mṛgāṁkāya kalānāṁ nidhaye namaḥ

Salutation to Sudhamshu and to Soma, salutation to the lord of herbs; salutation to Abja, to Mriganka, salutation to the treasury of the digits.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.182.73)

नमो नक्षत्रनाथाय शर्वरीपतये नमः जैवातृकाय सततं द्विजराजाय वै नमः

namo nakṣatranāthāya śarvarīpataye namaḥ jaivātṛkāya satataṁ dvijarājāya vai namaḥ

Salutation to the lord of the constellations, salutation to the lord of the night; ever salutation to Jaivatrika, salutation to the king of the twice-born.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.182.74)

एवं षोडशभिश्चंद्रः स्तोतव्यो नामभिः क्रमात्

evaṁ ṣoḍaśabhiścaṁdraḥ stotavyo nāmabhiḥ kramāt

Thus the Moon should be praised in due order with these sixteen names.

Verse 75 (skanda.2.182.75)

ततो वै प्रयतो दद्याद्विधिवन्मंत्रपूर्वकम् शंखतोयं समादाय सपुष्पं फलचंदनम्

tato vai prayato dadyādvidhivanmaṁtrapūrvakam śaṁkhatoyaṁ samādāya sapuṣpaṁ phalacaṁdanam

Then, self-controlled, one should offer, duly and with mantra, water from a conch together with flowers, fruit and sandal-paste,

Verse 76 (skanda.2.182.76)

नमस्ते मासमासांते जायमान पुनःपुनः गृहाणार्घ्यं शशांक त्वं रोहिण्या सहितो मम

namaste māsamāsāṁte jāyamāna punaḥpunaḥ gṛhāṇārghyaṁ śaśāṁka tvaṁ rohiṇyā sahito mama

saying: 'Salutation to you, O Moon, who are born again and again at the end of each month; accept, together with Rohini, this offering of mine.'

Verse 77 (skanda.2.182.77)

एवं संपूज्य विधिवच्छशिनं प्रणतो भवेत् षोडशान्ये च कलशा दुग्धपूर्णाः सरत्नकाः

evaṁ saṁpūjya vidhivacchaśinaṁ praṇato bhavet ṣoḍaśānye ca kalaśā dugdhapūrṇāḥ saratnakāḥ

Having thus duly worshipped the Moon, one should bow down; and sixteen other pots, filled with milk and containing gems,

Verse 78 (skanda.2.182.78)

सवस्त्राच्छादनाः शांत्यै दातव्यास्ते द्विजन्मने अभिषेकं ततः कुर्यात्पायसेन जलेन तु

savastrācchādanāḥ śāṁtyai dātavyāste dvijanmane abhiṣekaṁ tataḥ kuryātpāyasena jalena tu

covered with cloth, should be given for the sake of peace to a brahmin; then the ritual bathing of the deity should be performed with milk-rice and water.

Verse 79 (skanda.2.182.79)

ऋत्विजां मनसस्तुष्टिः कार्या वित्तानुमानतः ब्राह्मणं भोजयेत्तत्र सकुटुंबं विशेषतः

ṛtvijāṁ manasastuṣṭiḥ kāryā vittānumānataḥ brāhmaṇaṁ bhojayettatra sakuṭuṁbaṁ viśeṣataḥ

The satisfaction of the officiating priests' minds should be secured according to one's means; a brahmin, together with his family, should especially be fed there.

Verse 80 (skanda.2.182.80)

पूजनीयौ प्रयत्नेन वस्त्रैश्च द्विजदंपती कर्तव्यं च ततो भूरिदक्षिणादानमुत्तमम्

pūjanīyau prayatnena vastraiśca dvijadaṁpatī kartavyaṁ ca tato bhūridakṣiṇādānamuttamam

A brahmin couple should diligently be worshipped with garments; and then abundant, excellent sacrificial fees should be given.

Verse 81 (skanda.2.182.81)

प्रतिमाश्च प्रदातव्या द्विजेभ्यो धेनुपूर्विकाः सुवर्णं रजतं वस्त्रं तथान्नं च विशेषतः दातव्यं चंद्रसुप्रीत्यै हर्षादेवं द्विजन्मने

pratimāśca pradātavyā dvijebhyo dhenupūrvikāḥ suvarṇaṁ rajataṁ vastraṁ tathānnaṁ ca viśeṣataḥ dātavyaṁ caṁdrasuprītyai harṣādevaṁ dvijanmane

The images should be given to brahmins, preceded by a cow; and gold, silver, garments and especially food should likewise be given joyfully to brahmins, for the pleasure of the Moon.

Verse 82 (skanda.2.182.82)

उपवासविधानेन दिनशेषं नयेत्सुधीः अनंतरे च दिवसे कुर्याद्भगवदर्चनम् बांधवैः सह भुञ्जीत नियमं च विसर्ज्जयेत्

upavāsavidhānena dinaśeṣaṁ nayetsudhīḥ anaṁtare ca divase kuryādbhagavadarcanam bāṁdhavaiḥ saha bhuñjīta niyamaṁ ca visarjjayet

The wise one should spend the rest of the day observing the fast; on the following day one should perform the worship of the Lord, then eat together with one's kinsmen and conclude the vow.

Verse 83 (skanda.2.182.83)

एवं च कुरुते चंद्रसहस्रं व्रतमुत्तमम् ब्रह्मघ्नोऽपि सुरापोऽपि स्तेयी च गुरुतल्पगः व्रतेनानेन शुद्धात्मा चंद्रलोकं व्रजेन्नरः

evaṁ ca kurute caṁdrasahasraṁ vratamuttamam brahmaghno’pi surāpo’pi steyī ca gurutalpagaḥ vratenānena śuddhātmā caṁdralokaṁ vrajennaraḥ

Whoever thus performs this excellent Chandra-sahasra vow — even a killer of a brahmin, a drinker of liquor, a thief, or one who has violated his guru's bed — by this vow, his soul purified, goes to the world of the Moon.

Verse 84 (skanda.2.182.84)

यादृशश्च भवेद्विप्र प्रियो नारायणस्य च एवं करोति नियतं कृतकृत्यो भवेन्नरः

yādṛśaśca bhavedvipra priyo nārāyaṇasya ca evaṁ karoti niyataṁ kṛtakṛtyo bhavennaraḥ

O brahmin, whoever regularly performs this becomes as one dear to Narayana, and that man attains fulfillment.