The Vow of Manoratha Tritiya

Verse 1 (skanda.4.80.1)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। कुंभोद्भूत तदाश्चर्यं विलोक्य जगदंबिका ।। उवाच शंभुं प्रणता प्रणतार्तिहरं परम्

|| skaṁda uvāca || || kuṁbhodbhūta tadāścaryaṁ vilokya jagadaṁbikā || uvāca śaṁbhuṁ praṇatā praṇatārtiharaṁ param

Skanda said: Having beheld that wonder, the mother of the universe, bowing, spoke to Shambhu, the supreme remover of the suffering of those who bow to him.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.80.2)

।। अंबिकोवाच।। ।। अस्य पीठस्य माहात्म्यं महादेव महेश्वर ।। तिरश्चामपि यज्जातं ज्ञानं संसारमोचनम्

|| aṁbikovāca|| || asya pīṭhasya māhātmyaṁ mahādeva maheśvara || tiraścāmapi yajjātaṁ jñānaṁ saṁsāramocanam

Ambika said: "O Mahadeva, Maheshvara, the greatness of this seat is such that even animals have gained the knowledge that releases from worldly existence."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.80.3)

अतः प्रभावं विज्ञाय धर्मपीठस्य धूर्जटे ।। धर्मेश्वरसमीपेहं स्थास्याम्यद्य दिनावधि

ataḥ prabhāvaṁ vijñāya dharmapīṭhasya dhūrjaṭe || dharmeśvarasamīpehaṁ sthāsyāmyadya dināvadhi

"Therefore, having understood the power of the Dharma-seat, O Dhurjati, I shall from this day dwell near Dharmeshvara."

Verse 4 (skanda.4.80.4)

अत्र लिंगे तु ये भक्ताः स्त्रियो वा पुरुषास्तु वा ।। तेषामभीष्टां संसिद्धिं साधयिष्याम्यहं सदा

atra liṁge tu ye bhaktāḥ striyo vā puruṣāstu vā || teṣāmabhīṣṭāṁ saṁsiddhiṁ sādhayiṣyāmyahaṁ sadā

"Whatever devotees, women or men, worship this linga, I shall forever bring about the fulfilment of their desires."

Verse 5 (skanda.4.80.5)

।। ईश्वर उवाच ।। ।। साधुकृतं त्वया देवि कृतवत्या परिग्रहम् ।। अस्येह धर्मपीठस्य मनोरथकृतः सताम्

|| īśvara uvāca || || sādhukṛtaṁ tvayā devi kṛtavatyā parigraham || asyeha dharmapīṭhasya manorathakṛtaḥ satām

Ishvara said: "Well done, O goddess, in that you have taken up residence here at this seat of Dharma, for the fulfilment of the wishes of the virtuous."

Verse 6 (skanda.4.80.6)

त एव विश्वभोक्तारो विश्वमान्यास्त एव हि ।। ये त्वां विश्वभुजामत्र पूजयिष्यंति मानवाः

ta eva viśvabhoktāro viśvamānyāsta eva hi || ye tvāṁ viśvabhujāmatra pūjayiṣyaṁti mānavāḥ

"Those men who worship you here, Vishvabhuja, become themselves the true enjoyers of the universe, and are honoured by the whole universe."

Verse 7 (skanda.4.80.7)

विश्वे विश्वभुजे विश्वस्थित्युत्पत्तिलयप्रदे ।। नरास्त्वदर्चकाश्चात्र भविष्यंत्यमलात्मकाः

viśve viśvabhuje viśvasthityutpattilayaprade || narāstvadarcakāścātra bhaviṣyaṁtyamalātmakāḥ

"O universal one, sustainer of the universe, bestower of the world's origin, maintenance, and dissolution — the men who worship you here shall become of pure soul."

Verse 8 (skanda.4.80.8)

मनोरथतृतीयायां यस्ते भक्तिं विधास्यति ।। तन्मनोरथसंसिद्धिर्भवित्री मदनुग्रहात्

manorathatṛtīyāyāṁ yaste bhaktiṁ vidhāsyati || tanmanorathasaṁsiddhirbhavitrī madanugrahāt

"Whoever shall render devotion to you on Manoratha-tritiya shall, by my grace, have that very wish fulfilled."

Verse 9 (skanda.4.80.9)

नारी वा पुरुषो वाथ त्वद्व्रताचरणात्प्रिये ।। मनोरथानिह प्राप्य ज्ञानमंते च लप्स्यते

nārī vā puruṣo vātha tvadvratācaraṇātpriye || manorathāniha prāpya jñānamaṁte ca lapsyate

"Whether woman or man, my dear, by observing your vow, one attains one's desires here, and at the end attains knowledge too."

Verse 10 (skanda.4.80.10)

।। देव्युवाच ।। ।। मनोरथतृतीयायां व्रतं कीदृक्कथा कथम् ।। किं फलं कैः कृतं नाथ कथयैतत्कृपां कुरु

|| devyuvāca || || manorathatṛtīyāyāṁ vrataṁ kīdṛkkathā katham || kiṁ phalaṁ kaiḥ kṛtaṁ nātha kathayaitatkṛpāṁ kuru

The goddess said: "What is this vow of Manoratha-tritiya, what is its story, how is it performed? What is its fruit, and by whom was it performed, my lord? Tell me this, show me grace."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.80.11)

।। ईश्वर उवाच ।। ।। शृणु देवि यथा पृष्टं भवत्या भवतारिणि ।। मनोरथव्रतं चैतद्गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं परम्

|| īśvara uvāca || || śṛṇu devi yathā pṛṣṭaṁ bhavatyā bhavatāriṇi || manorathavrataṁ caitadguhyādguhyataraṁ param

Ishvara said: "Listen, O goddess, as you have asked, O deliverer from worldly existence; this Manoratha vow is more secret than the most secret things."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.80.12)

पुलोमतनया पूर्वं तताप परमं तपः ।। किंचिन्मनोरथं प्राप्तुं न चाप तपसः फलम्

pulomatanayā pūrvaṁ tatāpa paramaṁ tapaḥ || kiṁcinmanorathaṁ prāptuṁ na cāpa tapasaḥ phalam

"Long ago, the daughter of Puloma performed supreme austerity to attain a certain wish, but did not obtain the fruit of her austerity."

Verse 13 (skanda.4.80.13)

अपूपुजत्ततो मां सा भक्त्या परमया मुदा ।। गीतेन सरहस्येन कलकंठीकलेन हि

apūpujattato māṁ sā bhaktyā paramayā mudā || gītena sarahasyena kalakaṁṭhīkalena hi

"Then she worshipped me with supreme devotion and joy, with a song full of secret meaning, sung in a sweet, cuckoo-like voice."

Verse 14 (skanda.4.80.14)

तद्गानेनातिसंतुष्टो मृदुना मधुरेण च ।। सुतालेन सुरंगेण धातुमात्राकलावता

tadgānenātisaṁtuṣṭo mṛdunā madhureṇa ca || sutālena suraṁgeṇa dhātumātrākalāvatā

"Greatly pleased by that song of hers — soft and sweet, well-timed, delightful, with each note and measure perfectly rendered —"

Verse 15 (skanda.4.80.15)

प्रोवाच तां वरं ब्रूहि प्रसन्नोस्मि पुलोमजे ।। अनेन च सुगीतेन त्वनया लिंगपूजया

provāca tāṁ varaṁ brūhi prasannosmi pulomaje || anena ca sugītena tvanayā liṁgapūjayā

"— I said to her: 'Ask your boon; I am pleased, O daughter of Puloma, by this lovely song and by this worship of the linga.'"

Verse 16 (skanda.4.80.16)

।।पुलोमजोवाच ।। ।। यदि प्रसन्नो देवेश तदा यो मे मनोरथः ।। तं पूरय महादेव महादेवी महाप्रिय

||pulomajovāca || || yadi prasanno deveśa tadā yo me manorathaḥ || taṁ pūraya mahādeva mahādevī mahāpriya

The daughter of Puloma said: "If you are pleased, O lord of gods, then fulfil that very wish of mine, O Mahadeva, dear to the great Goddess."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.80.17)

सर्वदेवेषु यो मान्यः सर्वदेवेषु सुंदरः ।। यायजूकेषु सर्वेषु यः श्रेष्ठः सोस्तु मे पतिः

sarvadeveṣu yo mānyaḥ sarvadeveṣu suṁdaraḥ || yāyajūkeṣu sarveṣu yaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ sostu me patiḥ

"He who is most honoured among all gods, most beautiful among all gods, who is foremost among all who perform sacrifice — let him become my husband."

Verse 18 (skanda.4.80.18)

यथाभिलषितं रूपं यथाभिलषितं सुखम् ।। यथाभिलषितं चायुः प्रसन्नो देहि मे भव

yathābhilaṣitaṁ rūpaṁ yathābhilaṣitaṁ sukham || yathābhilaṣitaṁ cāyuḥ prasanno dehi me bhava

"Grant me the beauty I desire, the happiness I desire, and the lifespan I desire — be gracious and give these to me."

Verse 19 (skanda.4.80.19)

यदायदा च पत्या मे संगः स्याद्धृत्सुखेच्छया ।। तदातदा च तं देहं त्यक्त्वान्यं देहमाप्नुयाम्।।

yadāyadā ca patyā me saṁgaḥ syāddhṛtsukhecchayā || tadātadā ca taṁ dehaṁ tyaktvānyaṁ dehamāpnuyām||

"Whenever union with my husband should occur out of heartfelt desire for happiness, then, each time, having left that body, may I obtain a new one."

Verse 20 (skanda.4.80.20)

सदा च लिंगपूजायां मम भक्तिरनुत्तमा ।। भव भूयाद्भवहर जरामरणहारिणी

sadā ca liṁgapūjāyāṁ mama bhaktiranuttamā || bhava bhūyādbhavahara jarāmaraṇahāriṇī

"And may my devotion to the worship of the linga always be supreme, O destroyer of worldly existence; let it become the remover of old age and death."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.80.21)

भर्तुर्व्ययेपि वैधव्यं क्षणमात्रमपीह न ।। मम भावि महादेव पातिव्रत्यं च यातु मा

bharturvyayepi vaidhavyaṁ kṣaṇamātramapīha na || mama bhāvi mahādeva pātivratyaṁ ca yātu mā

"Even should my husband die, let widowhood never befall me, not even for a moment, O Mahadeva; and let my devotion to my husband never fail."

Verse 22 (skanda.4.80.22)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। इमं मनोरथं तस्याः पौलोम्याः पुरसूदनः ।। समाकर्ण्य क्षणं स्मित्वा प्राहेशो विस्मयान्वितः

|| skaṁda uvāca || || imaṁ manorathaṁ tasyāḥ paulomyāḥ purasūdanaḥ || samākarṇya kṣaṇaṁ smitvā prāheśo vismayānvitaḥ

Skanda said: Hearing this wish of the daughter of Puloma, the destroyer of Pura, smiling for a moment, filled with wonder, said to her:

Verse 23 (skanda.4.80.23)

ईश्वर उवाच ।। ।। पुलोमकन्ये यश्चैष त्वयाकारि मनोरथः ।। लप्स्यसे व्रतचर्यातस्तत्कुरुष्व जितेंद्रिये

īśvara uvāca || || pulomakanye yaścaiṣa tvayākāri manorathaḥ || lapsyase vratacaryātastatkuruṣva jiteṁdriye

Ishvara said: "O daughter of Puloma, this very wish you have made, you shall obtain through the observance of a vow; perform it, O one of controlled senses."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.80.24)

मनोरथतृतीयायाश्चरणेन भविष्यति ।। तत्प्राप्तये व्रतं वक्ष्ये तद्विधेहि यथोदितम्

manorathatṛtīyāyāścaraṇena bhaviṣyati || tatprāptaye vrataṁ vakṣye tadvidhehi yathoditam

"It shall come about through observance of Manoratha-tritiya. I shall now tell you the vow for its attainment; perform it exactly as I describe."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.80.25)

तेन व्रतेन चीर्णेन महासौभाग्यदेन तु ।। अवश्यं भविता बाले तव चैवं मनोरथः

tena vratena cīrṇena mahāsaubhāgyadena tu || avaśyaṁ bhavitā bāle tava caivaṁ manorathaḥ

"By that vow, when duly performed, which grants great good fortune, your wish, O maiden, shall certainly come to pass just as you desire."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.80.26)

।। पुलोमकन्यावोच ।। ।। कारुण्यवारिधे शंभो प्रणतप्राणि सर्वद ।। किमात्मिकाथ का शक्तिः का पूज्या तत्र देवता

|| pulomakanyāvoca || || kāruṇyavāridhe śaṁbho praṇataprāṇi sarvada || kimātmikātha kā śaktiḥ kā pūjyā tatra devatā

The daughter of Puloma said: "O Shambhu, ocean of compassion, giver of everything to those creatures who bow to you — what is the nature of this vow, and which power, which deity is to be worshipped in it?"

Verse 27 (skanda.4.80.27)

कदा च तद्विधातव्यमिति कर्तव्यता च का ।। इत्याकर्ण्य शिवो वाक्यं तां तु प्रणिजगाद ह

kadā ca tadvidhātavyamiti kartavyatā ca kā || ityākarṇya śivo vākyaṁ tāṁ tu praṇijagāda ha

"And when should it be performed, and what is the procedure?" Hearing this speech, Shiva then explained it to her:

Verse 28 (skanda.4.80.28)

।। ईश्वर उवाच ।। ।। मनोरथतृतीयायां व्रतं पौलोमि तच्छुभम्।। पूज्या विश्वभुजा गौरी भुजविंशतिशालिनी

|| īśvara uvāca || || manorathatṛtīyāyāṁ vrataṁ paulomi tacchubham|| pūjyā viśvabhujā gaurī bhujaviṁśatiśālinī

Ishvara said: "O daughter of Puloma, on Manoratha-tritiya is that auspicious vow; Gauri, possessing twenty arms, called Vishvabhuja, is to be worshipped."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.80.29)

वरदोऽभयहस्तश्च साक्षसूत्रः समोदकः ।। देव्याः पुरस्ताद्व्रतिना पूज्य आशाविनायकः

varado'bhayahastaśca sākṣasūtraḥ samodakaḥ || devyāḥ purastādvratinā pūjya āśāvināyakaḥ

"Before the goddess, the observer of the vow should worship Ashavinayaka, his hand in the gesture of boon-giving and fearlessness, holding a rosary, together with a modaka sweet."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.80.30)

चैत्रशुक्ल तृतीयायां कृत्वा वै दंतधावनम् ।। सायंतनीं च निर्वर्त्य नातितृप्त्या भुजिक्रियाम्

caitraśukla tṛtīyāyāṁ kṛtvā vai daṁtadhāvanam || sāyaṁtanīṁ ca nirvartya nātitṛptyā bhujikriyām

"On the third day of the bright half of Chaitra, having brushed the teeth, and having finished the evening meal without over-eating,"

Verse 31 (skanda.4.80.31)

नियमं चेति गृह्णीयाज्जितक्रोधो जितेंद्रियः ।। संत्यक्तास्पृश्य संस्पर्शः शुचिस्तद्गतमानसः

niyamaṁ ceti gṛhṇīyājjitakrodho jiteṁdriyaḥ || saṁtyaktāspṛśya saṁsparśaḥ śucistadgatamānasaḥ

"— one should take up the vow, having conquered anger and the senses, avoiding contact with the untouchable, remaining pure, one's mind fixed on it —"

Verse 32 (skanda.4.80.32)

प्रातर्व्रतं चरिष्यामि मातर्विश्वभुजेनघे ।। विधेहि तत्र सांनिध्यं मन्मनोरथसिद्धये

prātarvrataṁ cariṣyāmi mātarviśvabhujenaghe || vidhehi tatra sāṁnidhyaṁ manmanorathasiddhaye

"— saying: 'In the morning I shall perform this vow, O sinless mother Vishvabhuja; grant your presence there, for the fulfilment of my wish.'"

Verse 33 (skanda.4.80.33)

नियमं चेति संगृह्य स्वपेद्रात्रौ शुभं स्मरन्।। प्रातरुत्थाय मेधावी विधायावश्यकं विधिम्

niyamaṁ ceti saṁgṛhya svapedrātrau śubhaṁ smaran|| prātarutthāya medhāvī vidhāyāvaśyakaṁ vidhim

Having taken up the vow thus, one should sleep at night, thinking auspicious thoughts; rising in the morning, the wise one, having performed the necessary daily rites,

Verse 34 (skanda.4.80.34)

शौचमाचमनं कृत्वा दंतकाष्ठं समाददेत् ।। अशोकवृक्षस्य शुभं सर्वशोकनिशातनम्

śaucamācamanaṁ kṛtvā daṁtakāṣṭhaṁ samādadet || aśokavṛkṣasya śubhaṁ sarvaśokaniśātanam

having performed purification and sipping of water, should take up a tooth-twig from the ashoka tree, auspicious, which destroys all sorrow.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.80.35)

नित्यंतनं च निष्पाद्य विधिं विधिविदांवरः ।। स्नात्वा शुद्धांबरः सायं गौरीपूजां समाचरेत्

nityaṁtanaṁ ca niṣpādya vidhiṁ vidhividāṁvaraḥ || snātvā śuddhāṁbaraḥ sāyaṁ gaurīpūjāṁ samācaret

Having completed the daily rites, that best of ritual-knowers, having bathed and clad himself in pure garments, should in the evening perform the worship of Gauri.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.80.36)

आदौ विनायकं पूज्य घृतपूरान्निवेद्य च ।। ततोर्चयेद्विश्वभुजामशोककुसुमैः शुभैः

ādau vināyakaṁ pūjya ghṛtapūrānnivedya ca || tatorcayedviśvabhujāmaśokakusumaiḥ śubhaiḥ

First worshipping Vinayaka, offering him ghee-fried sweets, one should then worship Vishvabhuja with auspicious ashoka flowers.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.80.37)

अशोकवर्तिनैवेद्यैर्धूपैश्चागुरुसंभवैः ।। कुंकुमेनानुलिप्यादावेकभक्तं ततश्चरेत्

aśokavartinaivedyairdhūpaiścāgurusaṁbhavaiḥ || kuṁkumenānulipyādāvekabhaktaṁ tataścaret

With offerings made from ashoka, with incense of agaru, anointing with saffron paste — and then one should observe a single meal a day.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.80.38)

अशोकवर्तिसहितैर्घृतपूरैर्मनोहरैः ।। एवं चैत्रतृतीयायां व्यतीतायां पुलोमजे

aśokavartisahitairghṛtapūrairmanoharaiḥ || evaṁ caitratṛtīyāyāṁ vyatītāyāṁ pulomaje

With lovely ghee-fried sweets flavoured with ashoka — thus, O daughter of Puloma, once the third of Chaitra has passed —

Verse 39 (skanda.4.80.39)

राधादिफाल्गुनांतासु तृतीयासु व्रतं चरेत् ।। क्रमेण दंतकाष्ठानि कथयामि तवानघे

rādhādiphālgunāṁtāsu tṛtīyāsu vrataṁ caret || krameṇa daṁtakāṣṭhāni kathayāmi tavānaghe

— the vow should be continued on each third lunar day from Vaishakha through to Phalguna. I shall tell you, O sinless one, the tooth-twigs in order for each month.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.80.40)

अनुलेपनवस्तूनि कुसुमानि तथैव च ।। नैवेद्यानि गजास्यस्य देव्याश्चापि शुभव्रते

anulepanavastūni kusumāni tathaiva ca || naivedyāni gajāsyasya devyāścāpi śubhavrate

And likewise the unguents, the flowers, and the food-offerings for the elephant-faced one and for the goddess, in this auspicious vow.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.80.41)

अन्नानि चैकभक्तस्य शृणुतानि फलाप्तये ।। जंब्वपामार्ग खदिर जाती चूतकदंबकम्

annāni caikabhaktasya śṛṇutāni phalāptaye || jaṁbvapāmārga khadira jātī cūtakadaṁbakam

Hear too the foods for the single daily meal, for the attainment of the fruit: jambu, apamarga, khadira, jati, mango, and kadamba —

Verse 42 (skanda.4.80.42)

प्लक्षोदुंबरखर्जूरी बीजपूरी सदाडिमी ।। दंतकाष्ठ द्रुमा एते व्रतिनः समुदाहृताः

plakṣoduṁbarakharjūrī bījapūrī sadāḍimī || daṁtakāṣṭha drumā ete vratinaḥ samudāhṛtāḥ

plaksha, udumbara, date-palm, citron, and pomegranate — these are declared to be the tooth-twig trees for the vow-observer.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.80.43)

सिंदूरागुरु कस्तूरी चंदनं रक्तचंदनम् ।। गोरोचना देवदारु पद्माक्षं च निशाद्वयम्

siṁdūrāguru kastūrī caṁdanaṁ raktacaṁdanam || gorocanā devadāru padmākṣaṁ ca niśādvayam

Vermilion, agaru, musk, sandalwood, red sandalwood, gorochana, deodar, lotus-seed paste, and the two turmerics —

Verse 44 (skanda.4.80.44)

प्रीत्यानुलेपनं बाले यक्षकर्दमसंभवम् ।। सर्वेषामप्यलाभे च प्रशस्तो यक्षकर्दमः

prītyānulepanaṁ bāle yakṣakardamasaṁbhavam || sarveṣāmapyalābhe ca praśasto yakṣakardamaḥ

these, O maiden, with love, form the anointing paste made of Yaksha-mud; and should none of these be available, plain Yaksha-mud alone is deemed sufficient.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.80.45)

कस्तूरिकाया द्वौ भागौ द्वौ भागौ कुंकुमस्य च ।। चंदनस्य त्रयो भागाः शशिनस्त्वेक एव हि

kastūrikāyā dvau bhāgau dvau bhāgau kuṁkumasya ca || caṁdanasya trayo bhāgāḥ śaśinastveka eva hi

Two parts of musk, two parts of saffron, three parts of sandalwood, and just one part of camphor —

Verse 46 (skanda.4.80.46)

यक्षकर्दम इत्येष समस्तसुरवल्लभः ।। अनुलिप्याथ कुसुमैरर्चयेद्वच्मि तान्यपि

yakṣakardama ityeṣa samastasuravallabhaḥ || anulipyātha kusumairarcayedvacmi tānyapi

— this is what is called Yaksha-mud, beloved of all the gods. Having anointed with it, one should then worship with flowers — these too I shall now name.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.80.47)

पाटला मल्लिका पद्म केतकी करवीरकः ।। उत्पलै राजचंपैश्च नंद्यावर्तैश्च जातिभिः

pāṭalā mallikā padma ketakī karavīrakaḥ || utpalai rājacaṁpaiśca naṁdyāvartaiśca jātibhiḥ

Patala, jasmine, lotus, ketaki, oleander, blue lotus, royal champaka, nandyavarta, and jati flowers —

Verse 48 (skanda.4.80.48)

कुमारीभिः कर्णिकारैरलाभेतच्छदैः सह ।। सुगंधिभिः प्रसूनोघैः सर्वालाभेपि पूजयेत्

kumārībhiḥ karṇikārairalābhetacchadaiḥ saha || sugaṁdhibhiḥ prasūnoghaiḥ sarvālābhepi pūjayet

— with kumari flowers, karnikara, or, should these not be found, with their leaves; and if none at all are available, one should worship with whatever fragrant blossoms one can find.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.80.49)

करंभो दधिभक्तं च सचूतरसमंडकाः ।। फेणिका वटकाश्चैव पायसं च सशर्करम्

karaṁbho dadhibhaktaṁ ca sacūtarasamaṁḍakāḥ || pheṇikā vaṭakāścaiva pāyasaṁ ca saśarkaram

Karambha, curd-rice, wheat-cakes with mango juice, phenika sweets, vatakas, and rice-pudding with sugar —

Verse 50 (skanda.4.80.50)

समुद्गं सघृतं भक्तं कार्त्तिके विनिवेदयेत् ।। इंडेरिकाश्च लड्डूका माघे लंपसिका शुभा

samudgaṁ saghṛtaṁ bhaktaṁ kārttike vinivedayet || iṁḍerikāśca laḍḍūkā māghe laṁpasikā śubhā

in Kartika, ghee-cooked mung-bean rice should be offered; indarika sweets and laddus in Magha, and the auspicious lampasika sweet also;

Verse 51 (skanda.4.80.51)

मुष्टिकाः शर्करागर्भाः सर्पिषा परिसाधिताः ।। निवेद्याः फाल्गुने देव्यै सार्धं विघ्नजिता मुदा

muṣṭikāḥ śarkarāgarbhāḥ sarpiṣā parisādhitāḥ || nivedyāḥ phālgune devyai sārdhaṁ vighnajitā mudā

in Phalguna, mushtika sweets filled with sugar, prepared with ghee, should be offered with joy to the goddess together with Vighnajita.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.80.52)

निवेदयेद्यदन्नं हि एकभक्तपि तत्स्मृतम् ।। अन्यन्निवेद्य संमूढो भुंजानोऽन्यत्पतेदधः

nivedayedyadannaṁ hi ekabhaktapi tatsmṛtam || anyannivedya saṁmūḍho bhuṁjāno'nyatpatedadhaḥ

Whatever food is thus offered is what is prescribed for the single daily meal; one who, out of confusion, offers one thing and eats another falls into a lower state.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.80.53)

प्रतिमासं तृतीयायामेवमाराध्य वत्सरम् ।। व्रतसंपूर्तये कुर्यात्स्थंडिलेऽग्निसमर्चनम्

pratimāsaṁ tṛtīyāyāmevamārādhya vatsaram || vratasaṁpūrtaye kuryātsthaṁḍile'gnisamarcanam

Having thus worshipped every month on the third lunar day for a full year, to complete the vow one should perform fire-worship upon a consecrated altar.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.80.54)

जातवेदसमंत्रेण तिलाज्यद्रविणेन च ।। शतमष्टाधिकं होमं कारयेद्विधिना व्रती

jātavedasamaṁtreṇa tilājyadraviṇena ca || śatamaṣṭādhikaṁ homaṁ kārayedvidhinā vratī

With the Jatavedas mantra, and with sesame, ghee, and wealth, the vow-observer should duly perform a fire-offering of one hundred and eight oblations.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.80.55)

सदैव नक्ते पूजोक्ता सदा नक्ते तु भोजनम् ।। नक्त एव हि होमोऽयं नक्त एव क्षमापनम्

sadaiva nakte pūjoktā sadā nakte tu bhojanam || nakta eva hi homo'yaṁ nakta eva kṣamāpanam

Worship is always to be performed at nightfall; eating too is always at nightfall; this fire-offering too is at nightfall; and the concluding rite of forgiveness is likewise at nightfall.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.80.56)

गृहाण पूजां मे भक्त्या मातर्विघ्नजिता सह ।। नमोस्तु ते विश्वभुजे पूरयाशु मनोरथम्

gṛhāṇa pūjāṁ me bhaktyā mātarvighnajitā saha || namostu te viśvabhuje pūrayāśu manoratham

"The concluding prayer: 'Accept my worship, O mother, offered with devotion, together with Vighnajita. Salutation to you, Vishvabhuja; swiftly fulfil my wish.'"

Verse 57 (skanda.4.80.57)

नमो विघ्नकृते तुभ्यं नम आशाविनायक ।। त्वं विश्वभुजया सार्धं मम देहि मनोरथम्

namo vighnakṛte tubhyaṁ nama āśāvināyaka || tvaṁ viśvabhujayā sārdhaṁ mama dehi manoratham

"'Salutation to you, remover of obstacles; salutation, Ashavinayaka. Together with Vishvabhuja, grant me my heart's desire.'"

Verse 58 (skanda.4.80.58)

एतौ मंत्रौ समुच्चार्य पूज्या गौरीविनायकौ ।। व्रतक्षमापने देयः पर्यंकस्तूलिकान्वितः

etau maṁtrau samuccārya pūjyā gaurīvināyakau || vratakṣamāpane deyaḥ paryaṁkastūlikānvitaḥ

Having recited these two mantras, Gauri and Vinayaka are to be worshipped; and at the concluding rite of the vow, a bed complete with a cotton mattress should be given away.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.80.59)

उपधान्या समायुक्तो दीपीदपर्णसंयुतः ।। आचार्यं च सपत्नीकं पर्यंक उपवेश्य च

upadhānyā samāyukto dīpīdaparṇasaṁyutaḥ || ācāryaṁ ca sapatnīkaṁ paryaṁka upaveśya ca

Together with a pillow, a lamp, and betel-leaf, seating the officiating priest with his wife upon that very bed,

Verse 60 (skanda.4.80.60)

व्रती समर्चयेद्वस्त्रैः करकर्णविभूषणैः ।। सुगंधचंदनैर्माल्यैर्दक्षिणाभिर्मुदान्वितः

vratī samarcayedvastraiḥ karakarṇavibhūṣaṇaiḥ || sugaṁdhacaṁdanairmālyairdakṣiṇābhirmudānvitaḥ

the vow-observer should honour them, joyfully, with garments, hand and ear ornaments, fragrant sandalwood, garlands, and monetary gifts.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.80.61)

दद्यात्पयस्विनीं गां च व्रतस्यपरिपूर्तये ।। तथोपभोगवस्तूनिच्छत्रोपानत्कमंडलुम्

dadyātpayasvinīṁ gāṁ ca vratasyaparipūrtaye || tathopabhogavastūnicchatropānatkamaṁḍalum

To complete the vow, a milk-yielding cow should also be given, along with articles of daily use — an umbrella, sandals, and a water-pot.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.80.62)

मनोरथतृतीयाया व्रतमेतन्मया कृतम् ।। न्यूनातिरिक्तं संपूर्णमेतदस्तु भवद्गिरा

manorathatṛtīyāyā vratametanmayā kṛtam || nyūnātiriktaṁ saṁpūrṇametadastu bhavadgirā

"The vow-taker declares: 'This vow of Manoratha-tritiya has been performed by me; whatever is deficient or excessive in it, let it become complete by your word.'"

Verse 63 (skanda.4.80.63)

इत्याचार्यं समापृच्छ्य तथेत्युक्तश्च तेन वै ।। आसीमांतमनुव्रज्य दत्त्वान्येभ्योपि शक्तितः

ityācāryaṁ samāpṛcchya tathetyuktaśca tena vai || āsīmāṁtamanuvrajya dattvānyebhyopi śaktitaḥ

Having thus asked the officiating priest, and having been told "So be it" by him, one should escort him to the boundary, and, according to one's means, give to others as well.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.80.64)

नक्तं समाचरेत्पोष्यैः सार्धं सुप्रीतमानसः ।। प्रातश्चतुर्थ्यां संभोज्य चतुरश्च कुमारकान्

naktaṁ samācaretpoṣyaiḥ sārdhaṁ suprītamānasaḥ || prātaścaturthyāṁ saṁbhojya caturaśca kumārakān

Then, with a joyful heart, one should partake of the night-meal together with one's dependants; and on the fourth day at dawn, having fed four young boys,

Verse 65 (skanda.4.80.65)

अभ्यर्च्य गंधमाल्याद्यैर्द्वादशापि कुमारिकाः ।। एवं संपूर्णतां याति व्रतमेतत्सुनिर्मलम्

abhyarcya gaṁdhamālyādyairdvādaśāpi kumārikāḥ || evaṁ saṁpūrṇatāṁ yāti vratametatsunirmalam

and having worshipped twelve young girls with fragrance and garlands and the like — thus this most pure vow reaches its completion.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.80.66)

कार्यं मनोरथावाप्त्यै सर्वैरेतद्व्रतं शुभम् ।। पत्नीं मनोरमां कुल्यां मनोवृत्त्यनुसारिणीम्

kāryaṁ manorathāvāptyai sarvairetadvrataṁ śubham || patnīṁ manoramāṁ kulyāṁ manovṛttyanusāriṇīm

This auspicious vow should be performed by all for the attainment of their wishes — for a man to obtain a delightful wife, of good family, ever attuned to his own inclinations,

Verse 67 (skanda.4.80.67)

तारिणीं दुःखसंसारसागरस्य पतिव्रताम् ।। कुर्वन्नेतद्व्रतं वर्षं कुमारः प्राप्नुयात्स्फुटम्

tāriṇīṁ duḥkhasaṁsārasāgarasya pativratām || kurvannetadvrataṁ varṣaṁ kumāraḥ prāpnuyātsphuṭam

one who ferries him across the sorrowful ocean of worldly existence, and devoted to her husband — a young man who performs this vow for a year clearly obtains such a wife.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.80.68)

कुमारी पतिमाप्नोति स्वाढ्यं सर्वगुणाधिकम् ।। सुवासिनी लभेत्पुत्रान्पत्युः सौख्यमखंडितम्

kumārī patimāpnoti svāḍhyaṁ sarvaguṇādhikam || suvāsinī labhetputrānpatyuḥ saukhyamakhaṁḍitam

An unmarried girl obtains a husband, wealthy and endowed with every virtue; a married woman obtains sons, and unbroken happiness with her husband.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.80.69)

दुर्भगा सुभगास्याच्च धनाढ्या स्याद्दरिद्रिणी ।। विधवापि न वैधव्यं पुनराप्नोति कुत्रचित्

durbhagā subhagāsyācca dhanāḍhyā syāddaridriṇī || vidhavāpi na vaidhavyaṁ punarāpnoti kutracit

The unfortunate woman becomes fortunate; the poor woman becomes wealthy; even a widow never again encounters widowhood.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.80.70)

गुर्विणी च शुभं पुत्रं लभते सुचिरायुषम् ।। ब्राह्मणो लभते विद्यां सर्वसौभाग्यदायिनीम्

gurviṇī ca śubhaṁ putraṁ labhate sucirāyuṣam || brāhmaṇo labhate vidyāṁ sarvasaubhāgyadāyinīm

A pregnant woman obtains an auspicious, long-lived son; a brahmin obtains learning that bestows every good fortune.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.80.71)

राज्यभ्रष्टो लभेद्राज्यं वैश्यो लाभं च विंदति ।। चिंतितं लभते शूद्रो व्रतस्यास्य निषेवणात्

rājyabhraṣṭo labhedrājyaṁ vaiśyo lābhaṁ ca viṁdati || ciṁtitaṁ labhate śūdro vratasyāsya niṣevaṇāt

One deprived of his kingdom regains his kingdom; a merchant obtains profit; a shudra obtains whatever he desires — all through the observance of this vow.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.80.72)

धर्मार्थी धर्ममाप्नोति धनार्थी धनमाप्नुयात् ।। कामी कामानवाप्नोति मोक्षार्थी मोक्षमाप्नुयात्

dharmārthī dharmamāpnoti dhanārthī dhanamāpnuyāt || kāmī kāmānavāpnoti mokṣārthī mokṣamāpnuyāt

One who seeks dharma obtains dharma; one who seeks wealth obtains wealth; one who seeks desire obtains his desires; one who seeks liberation obtains liberation.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.80.73)

यो यो मनोरथो यस्य स तं तं विंदते ध्रुवम् ।। मनोरथतृतीयाया व्रतस्य चरणाद्व्रती

yo yo manoratho yasya sa taṁ taṁ viṁdate dhruvam || manorathatṛtīyāyā vratasya caraṇādvratī

Whatever wish anyone may have, he certainly obtains it, through the observance of the vow of Manoratha-tritiya.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.80.74)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। इत्थं निशम्य शिवतः शिवा संतुष्टमानसा ।। पुनः पप्रच्छ विश्वेशं प्रबद्धकरसंपुटा

|| skaṁda uvāca || || itthaṁ niśamya śivataḥ śivā saṁtuṣṭamānasā || punaḥ papraccha viśveśaṁ prabaddhakarasaṁpuṭā

Skanda said: Having heard this from Shiva, Shiva's own consort, her mind well pleased, again asked Vishvesha, her hands folded in reverence:

Verse 75 (skanda.4.80.75)

अन्यत्र ये व्रतं चैतत्करिष्यंति सदाशिव ।। ते कथं पूजयिष्यंति मां च आशाविनायकम्

anyatra ye vrataṁ caitatkariṣyaṁti sadāśiva || te kathaṁ pūjayiṣyaṁti māṁ ca āśāvināyakam

"O Sadashiva, those who perform this vow elsewhere — how shall they worship me and Ashavinayaka?"

Verse 76 (skanda.4.80.76)

।। शिव उवाच ।। ।। साधु पृष्टं त्वया देवि सर्वसंदेहभेदिनि ।। वाराणस्यां समर्च्या त्वं विश्वे प्रत्यक्षरूपिणी

|| śiva uvāca || || sādhu pṛṣṭaṁ tvayā devi sarvasaṁdehabhedini || vārāṇasyāṁ samarcyā tvaṁ viśve pratyakṣarūpiṇī

Shiva said: "Well asked, O goddess, dispeller of every doubt. At Varanasi you, the universal one, are worshipped in your directly manifest form."

Verse 77 (skanda.4.80.77)

आशा विघ्नजिता सार्धं सर्वाशापूर्तिकारिणा ।। हारिणानंतविघ्नानां मम क्षेत्र शुभार्थिना

āśā vighnajitā sārdhaṁ sarvāśāpūrtikāriṇā || hāriṇānaṁtavighnānāṁ mama kṣetra śubhārthinā

"There, Asha together with Vighnajita, the fulfiller of every hope, the remover of endless obstacles, seeking the welfare of my sacred field —"

Verse 78 (skanda.4.80.78)

क्षिप्रमागमयित्वा च नत्वा दूरंगतानपि ।। कृतकृत्यान्विधायाथ चिंतितैः समनोरथैः

kṣipramāgamayitvā ca natvā dūraṁgatānapi || kṛtakṛtyānvidhāyātha ciṁtitaiḥ samanorathaiḥ

"— swiftly brings even those who have gone far away, and, once they bow, makes them fulfilled, granting them the very wishes they had in mind."

Verse 79 (skanda.4.80.79)

अन्यत्र व्रतिभिर्विश्वे कांचनीप्रतिमा तव ।। पंचकृष्णलकादूर्ध्वं कार्या विघ्नहृतोपि च

anyatra vratibhirviśve kāṁcanīpratimā tava || paṁcakṛṣṇalakādūrdhvaṁ kāryā vighnahṛtopi ca

"Elsewhere, by those who observe the vow, a golden image of you, Vishve, weighing at least five gunja-seeds, should be made, and likewise one of the Remover of Obstacles."

Verse 80 (skanda.4.80.80)

आचार्याय व्रती दद्याद् व्रतांते प्रतिमा द्वयम् ।। सकृत्कृते व्रती चास्मिन्कृतकृत्यो व्रती भवेत्

ācāryāya vratī dadyād vratāṁte pratimā dvayam || sakṛtkṛte vratī cāsminkṛtakṛtyo vratī bhavet

"At the end of the vow, the vow-observer should give both these images to the officiating priest; having performed this even once, the vow-observer becomes fulfilled."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.80.81)

ततः पुलोमजा देवि श्रुत्वैतद्व्रतमुत्तमम् ।। कृत्वा मनोरथं प्राप यथाभिवांछितं हृदि

tataḥ pulomajā devi śrutvaitadvratamuttamam || kṛtvā manorathaṁ prāpa yathābhivāṁchitaṁ hṛdi

Then the daughter of Puloma, O goddess, having heard of this excellent vow, performed it and obtained the very wish she had cherished in her heart.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.80.82)

अरुंधत्या वसिष्ठोपि लब्धोऽत्रिऽनसूयया ।। सुनीत्योत्तानपादाच्च ध्रुवः प्राप्तोंऽगजोत्तमः

aruṁdhatyā vasiṣṭhopi labdho'tri'nasūyayā || sunītyottānapādācca dhruvaḥ prāptoṁ'gajottamaḥ

By this vow, Arundhati obtained Vasishtha, and Anasuya obtained Atri; and Sunīti obtained from Uttanapada her most excellent son Dhruva.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.80.83)

सुनीतेदुर्भर्गत्वं च पुनरस्माद्व्रताद्गतम् ।। चतुर्भुजः पतिः प्राप्तः क्षीरनीरधिजन्मना

sunītedurbhargatvaṁ ca punarasmādvratādgatam || caturbhujaḥ patiḥ prāptaḥ kṣīranīradhijanmanā

By this very vow, Sunīti's misfortune was likewise removed; and she who was born of the ocean of milk obtained the four-armed one as her husband.

Verse 84 (skanda.4.80.84)

किं बहूक्तेन सुश्रोणि कृतंयेन व्रतं त्विदम् ।। व्रतानि तेन सर्वाणि कृतानि व्रतिना ध्रुवम्

kiṁ bahūktena suśroṇi kṛtaṁyena vrataṁ tvidam || vratāni tena sarvāṇi kṛtāni vratinā dhruvam

"What need is there to say more, O fair one? Whoever has performed this vow has, by that alone, certainly performed every other vow there is."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.80.85)

श्रुत्वा धीमान्कथां पुण्यां पुनस्तद्गतमानसः ।। शुभबुद्धिमवाप्नोति पापैरपि विमुच्यते

śrutvā dhīmānkathāṁ puṇyāṁ punastadgatamānasaḥ || śubhabuddhimavāpnoti pāpairapi vimucyate

Whoever, wise, hears this sacred story, his mind fixed upon it, attains a virtuous disposition, and is freed even from his sins.