The Greatness of Purushottama and the Adhika-Masa Vow

Verse 1 (skanda.5.60.1)

व्यास उवाच। पुरुषोत्तमं परं तीर्थं त्वया प्रोक्तं पुरानघ। माहात्म्यं तस्य तीर्थस्य विस्तराद्वद मे प्रभो। एतत्तु श्रोतुमिच्छामि त्वत्तो ब्रह्मविदां वर

vyāsa uvāca| puruṣottamaṁ paraṁ tīrthaṁ tvayā proktaṁ purānagha| māhātmyaṁ tasya tīrthasya vistarādvada me prabho| etattu śrotumicchāmi tvatto brahmavidāṁ vara

Vyasa said: O sinless one, of old you spoke of Purushottama as a supreme tirtha; O Lord, tell me the greatness of that tirtha in detail. I wish to hear this from you, best among knowers of Brahman.

Verse 2 (skanda.5.60.2)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। शृणुष्व भो द्विजश्रेष्ठ कथां पापहरां पराम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| śṛṇuṣva bho dvijaśreṣṭha kathāṁ pāpaharāṁ parām

Sanatkumara said: Listen, O best of brahmins, to this supreme sin-removing tale.

Verse 3 (skanda.5.60.3)

यस्याः श्रवणमात्रेण महापापक्षयो भवेत्। पुराकल्पेषु वै ब्रह्मन्वैकुण्ठे विमले शुभे

yasyāḥ śravaṇamātreṇa mahāpāpakṣayo bhavet| purākalpeṣu vai brahmanvaikuṇṭhe vimale śubhe

By the mere hearing of which even great sin is destroyed. In ages past, O Brahmin, in the pure and blessed Vaikuntha...

Verse 4 (skanda.5.60.4)

समासीनो रमानाथः पार्षदैः सनकादिभिः। महर्षिभिः सदाचारैः पितामहपुरोगमैः

samāsīno ramānāthaḥ pārṣadaiḥ sanakādibhiḥ| maharṣibhiḥ sadācāraiḥ pitāmahapurogamaiḥ

...the Lord of Rama sat surrounded by his attendants headed by Sanaka, by great sages of good conduct, together with the grandfather Brahma and the rest.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.60.5)

ऋद्धिसिद्धिगुणोपेतैस्तत्त्वैस्तैर्महदादिभिः। गणगंधर्वसंघैश्च सेव्यमानः समं ततः

ṛddhisiddhiguṇopetaistattvaistairmahadādibhiḥ| gaṇagaṁdharvasaṁghaiśca sevyamānaḥ samaṁ tataḥ

...attended alike by those endowed with the powers of prosperity and perfection and the cosmic principles beginning with Mahat, and by hosts of ganas and gandharvas...

Verse 6 (skanda.5.60.6)

किन्नरोद्गानसन्मानैर्नृत्यद्भिरप्सरोगणैः। चिंतामणिगृहोद्गारललितांगणभूमिषु

kinnarodgānasanmānairnṛtyadbhirapsarogaṇaiḥ| ciṁtāmaṇigṛhodgāralalitāṁgaṇabhūmiṣu

...with the sweet honouring songs of the kinnaras, with troupes of dancing apsaras, in the lovely courtyards of palaces built of wish-fulfilling gems...

Verse 7 (skanda.5.60.7)

कल्पद्रुमकृतच्छाय आसीनो हि मुरुद्विषः। धर्मवादरताः सर्वे ब्रह्ममार्गसुनिश्चिताः

kalpadrumakṛtacchāya āsīno hi murudviṣaḥ| dharmavādaratāḥ sarve brahmamārgasuniścitāḥ

...seated in the shade cast by the wish-granting tree was the Enemy of Mura, and all there were devoted to discourse on dharma, firmly resolved on the path of Brahman.

Verse 8 (skanda.5.60.8)

तेषां मध्ये परा भाषा ह्यपृच्छत्कमलापतिम्

teṣāṁ madhye parā bhāṣā hyapṛcchatkamalāpatim

Among them, a voice of surpassing grace questioned the Lord of Kamala.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.60.9)

लक्ष्मीरुवाच। पुण्यकानां विधिं नाथ श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः। सर्वज्ञोऽसि महाप्राज्ञ वाच्यतां यदि रोचते

lakṣmīruvāca| puṇyakānāṁ vidhiṁ nātha śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ| sarvajño'si mahāprājña vācyatāṁ yadi rocate

Lakshmi said: My lord, I wish to hear truly the rule for meritorious acts; you are omniscient and greatly wise — please tell it, if it pleases you.

Verse 10 (skanda.5.60.10)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। दानं स्नानं तपः श्राद्धं सदा शस्तं हि शोभने। तथापि विधिना प्राप्तं तत्सर्वं चाक्षयं भवेत्

śrībhagavānuvāca| dānaṁ snānaṁ tapaḥ śrāddhaṁ sadā śastaṁ hi śobhane| tathāpi vidhinā prāptaṁ tatsarvaṁ cākṣayaṁ bhavet

The Blessed Lord said: O radiant one, charity, bathing, austerity and shraddha are always praised; yet all of this, when performed according to due rule, becomes imperishable.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.60.11)

देशे काले पर्वणि च तीर्थे चायतने पदे। दानं स्नानं तपः श्राद्धं मुनिभिः परिकीर्तितम्

deśe kāle parvaṇi ca tīrthe cāyatane pade| dānaṁ snānaṁ tapaḥ śrāddhaṁ munibhiḥ parikīrtitam

Charity, bathing, austerity and shraddha performed in the right place, time, festival, tirtha, sacred site, and holy footprint have been proclaimed by the sages.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.60.12)

पूर्णमास्याममावास्यां संक्रांतौ ग्रहणे तथा। वैधृतौ च व्यतीपाते दानवृद्धिः परा स्मृता

pūrṇamāsyāmamāvāsyāṁ saṁkrāṁtau grahaṇe tathā| vaidhṛtau ca vyatīpāte dānavṛddhiḥ parā smṛtā

At the full moon, the new moon, the solstice, an eclipse, and during Vaidhriti and Vyatipata, the increase of merit from charity is declared supreme.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.60.13)

गंगायां भास्करक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे च पुष्करे। गोदावर्यां गयायां च तीर्थे चामरकंटके

gaṁgāyāṁ bhāskarakṣetre kurukṣetre ca puṣkare| godāvaryāṁ gayāyāṁ ca tīrthe cāmarakaṁṭake

At the Ganga, at Bhaskara-kshetra, at Kurukshetra, at Pushkara, at the Godavari, at Gaya, and at the tirtha of Amarakantaka...

Verse 14 (skanda.5.60.14)

अवंत्यां च हुतं दत्तं तत्सर्वं चाक्षयं भवेत्। तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन पर्वे तीर्थं समाचरेत्

avaṁtyāṁ ca hutaṁ dattaṁ tatsarvaṁ cākṣayaṁ bhavet| tasmātsarvaprayatnena parve tīrthaṁ samācaret

...and in Avanti, whatever oblation or gift is offered becomes imperishable; therefore, with every effort, one should observe the tirtha on a sacred festival day.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.60.15)

कुचैलो दुर्भगो मूर्खो जडो रोगसमन्वितः। तीर्थपर्वपरिभ्रष्टो नरो भवति निश्चितम्

kucailo durbhago mūrkho jaḍo rogasamanvitaḥ| tīrthaparvaparibhraṣṭo naro bhavati niścitam

A man who neglects the festival of a tirtha becomes, without doubt, ill-clad, unfortunate, foolish, dull, and afflicted with disease.

Verse 16 (skanda.5.60.16)

के योगाः सुकृतानां च कर्तव्याश्च विशेषतः

ke yogāḥ sukṛtānāṁ ca kartavyāśca viśeṣataḥ

What are the auspicious conjunctions for meritorious deeds, and what especially should be done?

Verse 17 (skanda.5.60.17)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच। साधु पृष्टः प्रिये प्रश्नः पुण्यकानां त्वयाऽनघे। मलमासे समायाते ये नरा व्रतवर्जिताः। जन्मजन्मनि दारिद्र्यं तेषां भवति शोभने

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca| sādhu pṛṣṭaḥ priye praśnaḥ puṇyakānāṁ tvayā'naghe| malamāse samāyāte ye narā vratavarjitāḥ| janmajanmani dāridryaṁ teṣāṁ bhavati śobhane

Shri Krishna said: Well have you asked, my dear sinless one, this question about meritorious acts. When the impure month arrives, those men who remain without the vow...

Verse 18 (skanda.5.60.18)

श्रीरुक्मिण्युवाच। कीदृशो हि मलो मासः केन योगेन जायते। कदा काले समायाति एतन्नो वद विस्तरात्

śrīrukmiṇyuvāca| kīdṛśo hi malo māsaḥ kena yogena jāyate| kadā kāle samāyāti etanno vada vistarāt

...O radiant one, suffer poverty birth after birth. Shri Rukmini said: What sort of month is this Malamasa, and by what conjunction does it arise? At what time does it come — tell us this in detail.

Verse 19 (skanda.5.60.19)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच। युक्तमुक्तं त्वया देवि प्रश्नोऽयं कालेऽयमीदृशः। देवतापितृकार्याणि विधिना हि मलिम्लुचे

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca| yuktamuktaṁ tvayā devi praśno'yaṁ kāle'yamīdṛśaḥ| devatāpitṛkāryāṇi vidhinā hi malimluce

Shri Krishna said: O goddess, fitting indeed is the question you have asked, timely as it is. In this defiled month, the affairs of gods and ancestors, according to rule...

Verse 20 (skanda.5.60.20)

क्षौरं मौंजी विवाहश्च व्रतोपवासकं तथा। विशेषेण गृहस्थानां वर्ज्यं मुनिवरोत्तमैः

kṣauraṁ mauṁjī vivāhaśca vratopavāsakaṁ tathā| viśeṣeṇa gṛhasthānāṁ varjyaṁ munivarottamaiḥ

...and especially for householders, tonsure, the sacred-thread rite, marriage, and vows and fasts are declared forbidden by the foremost sages.

Verse 21 (skanda.5.60.21)

संवत्सरत्रयांते च मासोऽयमधिगच्छति। असंक्रमे रवेरस्मिंस्तस्मादधिकमासकः

saṁvatsaratrayāṁte ca māso'yamadhigacchati| asaṁkrame raverasmiṁstasmādadhikamāsakaḥ

At the end of every three years, this month arises; because it lacks a solar transit, it is therefore called the Adhika-masa, the added month.

Verse 22 (skanda.5.60.22)

अधिमासाधिपत्योऽहं सदैव पुरुषोत्तमः। ममाभिधानं तीर्थं च महाकालवने शुभम्

adhimāsādhipatyo'haṁ sadaiva puruṣottamaḥ| mamābhidhānaṁ tīrthaṁ ca mahākālavane śubham

I am ever the presiding lord of the Adhika-masa, as Purushottama; my named tirtha too lies in the auspicious Mahakala forest.

Verse 23 (skanda.5.60.23)

पुरुषोत्तमाख्यं मे धाम सदैवात्र प्रतिष्ठति। तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन गंतव्यं हि त्वया सह

puruṣottamākhyaṁ me dhāma sadaivātra pratiṣṭhati| tasmātsarvaprayatnena gaṁtavyaṁ hi tvayā saha

My abode called Purushottama is ever established there; therefore, with every effort, you must go there together with me.

Verse 24 (skanda.5.60.24)

महाकालवने तत्र यत्र तीर्थं ममाभिधम्। प्राणिनो ये समायांति मज्जनार्थं प्रिये ध्रुवम्

mahākālavane tatra yatra tīrthaṁ mamābhidham| prāṇino ye samāyāṁti majjanārthaṁ priye dhruvam

There in the Mahakala forest, where the tirtha bears my name, my dear, whatever beings surely come there for bathing...

Verse 25 (skanda.5.60.25)

तेषामिह ममादेयं न कदापि भविष्यति। धनधान्यकलत्रादि पुत्रसौख्यं सदैव हि

teṣāmiha mamādeyaṁ na kadāpi bhaviṣyati| dhanadhānyakalatrādi putrasaukhyaṁ sadaiva hi

...for them nothing shall ever be denied by me here — wealth, grain, a good wife, and the happiness of sons shall ever be theirs.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.60.26)

असंक्रांतेऽपि संप्राप्ते मामुद्दिश्य व्रतं चरेत्। अधिमासाधिपत्योऽहं सदा वै पुरुषोत्तमः

asaṁkrāṁte'pi saṁprāpte māmuddiśya vrataṁ caret| adhimāsādhipatyo'haṁ sadā vai puruṣottamaḥ

Even when there is no solar transit, one should observe a vow directed toward me; I am ever the presiding lord of the Adhika-masa, as Purushottama.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.60.27)

स्नानं दानं जपो होमः स्वाध्यायः पितृतर्पणम्। देवतार्चां च मध्याह्ने ये कुर्वंति नरोत्तमाः

snānaṁ dānaṁ japo homaḥ svādhyāyaḥ pitṛtarpaṇam| devatārcāṁ ca madhyāhne ye kurvaṁti narottamāḥ

Bathing, charity, japa, fire-offering, personal study, offering to the ancestors, and the worship of the deity at midday performed by the best of men...

Verse 28 (skanda.5.60.28)

अक्षयं च भवेत्सर्वं तेषां वै कमले ध्रुवम्। मलमासो गतः शून्यो येषां देवि प्रमादतः

akṣayaṁ ca bhavetsarvaṁ teṣāṁ vai kamale dhruvam| malamāso gataḥ śūnyo yeṣāṁ devi pramādataḥ

...all of it, O Kamala, becomes imperishable without doubt. O goddess, those for whom the impure month passes fruitlessly through negligence...

Verse 29 (skanda.5.60.29)

दारिद्र्यं च सदा तेषां शोकरोगविवर्धनम्। अधिमासे समायाते अवंत्यां व्रतमाचरेत्

dāridryaṁ ca sadā teṣāṁ śokarogavivardhanam| adhimāse samāyāte avaṁtyāṁ vratamācaret

...for them poverty and the increase of sorrow and disease are ever their lot. When the Adhika-masa arrives, one should observe the vow in Avanti.

Verse 30 (skanda.5.60.30)

तेषां ददाम्यहं प्रीत्या त्वामेव च न संशयः। स्वल्पं दानमलं कार्यं यत्किंचिदिह यत्कृतम्। तत्सर्वं मत्प्रसादेन ह्यनंतं प्रियदर्शने

teṣāṁ dadāmyahaṁ prītyā tvāmeva ca na saṁśayaḥ| svalpaṁ dānamalaṁ kāryaṁ yatkiṁcidiha yatkṛtam| tatsarvaṁ matprasādena hyanaṁtaṁ priyadarśane

To them I give with love — and to you as well, without doubt. Whatever small gift is given here, by my grace, O fair one, becomes infinite.

Verse 31 (skanda.5.60.31)

श्रीरुवाच। ईदृशो हि त्वया प्रोक्तो ह्यधिमासस्य सुव्रत

śrīruvāca| īdṛśo hi tvayā prokto hyadhimāsasya suvrata

Shri said: O you of true vows, such indeed has been declared by you regarding the greatness of the Adhika-masa —

Verse 32 (skanda.5.60.32)

महिमा ह्यपि लोकानां सर्वकामवरप्रदः। अधिमासव्रतं पुण्यं कथयस्व प्रसादतः

mahimā hyapi lokānāṁ sarvakāmavarapradaḥ| adhimāsavrataṁ puṇyaṁ kathayasva prasādataḥ

...granting every desired boon for the worlds. Please tell, out of your grace, of the sacred vow of the Adhika-masa.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.60.33)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच। असंक्रांतो यदा मासः प्राप्यते मानवैः प्रिये। महोत्सवस्तदा कार्य आत्मनो हितकांक्षिभिः

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca| asaṁkrāṁto yadā māsaḥ prāpyate mānavaiḥ priye| mahotsavastadā kārya ātmano hitakāṁkṣibhiḥ

Shri Krishna said: My dear, when a month without a solar transit occurs for mankind, then a great festival should be held by those seeking their own welfare.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.60.34)

कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दश्यां नवम्यां वा सुरेश्वरि। अष्टम्यां चाथ कर्तव्यं व्रतं शोकविनाशनम्

kṛṣṇapakṣe caturdaśyāṁ navamyāṁ vā sureśvari| aṣṭamyāṁ cātha kartavyaṁ vrataṁ śokavināśanam

O sovereign among goddesses, on the fourteenth, ninth, or eighth day of the dark fortnight, the sorrow-destroying vow should be performed.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.60.35)

यथालाभोपहारेण मासे चापि मलिम्लुचे। पुण्याहे प्रातरुत्थाय कृत्वा पौर्वाह्णिकीं क्रियाम्

yathālābhopahāreṇa māse cāpi malimluce| puṇyāhe prātarutthāya kṛtvā paurvāhṇikīṁ kriyām

With whatever offering can be had, even in that impure month, rising at dawn on the sacred day and performing the morning rites...

Verse 36 (skanda.5.60.36)

गृहीत्वा नियमं पश्चाद्वासुदेवं हृदि स्मरन्। उपवासं च नक्तं च एकभुक्तं च मानिनि

gṛhītvā niyamaṁ paścādvāsudevaṁ hṛdi smaran| upavāsaṁ ca naktaṁ ca ekabhuktaṁ ca mānini

...taking up the vow and remembering Vasudeva in the heart, O honoured one, one should observe fasting, night-only eating, or a single meal.

Verse 37 (skanda.5.60.37)

एकस्य निश्चयं कृत्वा ततो विप्रान्निमंत्रयेत्। सपत्नीकान्सदाचारान्कुलीनाञ्ज्ञातिसंभवान्

ekasya niścayaṁ kṛtvā tato viprānnimaṁtrayet| sapatnīkānsadācārānkulīnāñjñātisaṁbhavān

Having resolved firmly upon one of these, one should then invite brahmins of good conduct, well-born and of one's own community, together with their wives.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.60.38)

ततो मध्याह्नसमये लक्ष्मीयुक्तं सनातनम्। स्थापयेदव्रणे कुंभे वेदमंत्रैर्द्विजातिभिः

tato madhyāhnasamaye lakṣmīyuktaṁ sanātanam| sthāpayedavraṇe kuṁbhe vedamaṁtrairdvijātibhiḥ

Then at midday, in an unblemished pot, one should have the eternal Lord installed together with Lakshmi, with Vedic mantras, by twice-born priests.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.60.39)

पूजयेत्परया भक्त्या गोत्रिभिः सपितामहम्। गंधतोयेन संस्थाप्य पंचामृतैस्तथैव च

pūjayetparayā bhaktyā gotribhiḥ sapitāmaham| gaṁdhatoyena saṁsthāpya paṁcāmṛtaistathaiva ca

One should worship him, together with the grandfather-deity, with supreme devotion, in the company of one's kinsmen; having installed him with scented water and the five nectars likewise...

Verse 40 (skanda.5.60.40)

मिष्टान्नैर्नवभिश्चैव नैवेद्यैर्धूपदीपकैः। आच्छादनैश्च वस्त्रैश्च पीतकौशेयकैस्तथा

miṣṭānnairnavabhiścaiva naivedyairdhūpadīpakaiḥ| ācchādanaiśca vastraiśca pītakauśeyakaistathā

...with nine kinds of sweets, with food-offerings, incense and lamps, and covering him with garments and yellow silk cloths.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.60.41)

घंटामृदंगनिर्ह्रादैर्घोषध्वनिसमन्वितैः। आरार्तिकं व्रती कुर्यात्कर्पूरागरुचंदनैः

ghaṁṭāmṛdaṁganirhrādairghoṣadhvanisamanvitaiḥ| ārārtikaṁ vratī kuryātkarpūrāgarucaṁdanaiḥ

With the resounding of bells and drums, accompanied by the sound of conches, the votary should perform the arati with camphor, agaru, and sandalwood.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.60.42)

अलाभे तूल्मुकैश्चापि फलस्यानंत्यहेतवे। ताम्रपात्रस्थिते तोये चंदनाक्षतपुष्पकैः

alābhe tūlmukaiścāpi phalasyānaṁtyahetave| tāmrapātrasthite toye caṁdanākṣatapuṣpakaiḥ

If these are not obtainable, one may perform arati even with torches, for the sake of the endlessness of the fruit; with sandal-paste, unbroken rice, and flowers in a copper vessel filled with water...

Verse 43 (skanda.5.60.43)

अर्घ्यं दद्यात्सपत्नीकः प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना। पंचरत्नैः समायुक्तैर्जानुनी कृत्य भूतले। समादाय च पाणिभ्यां सर्वभक्तिसमन्वितः

arghyaṁ dadyātsapatnīkaḥ prahṛṣṭenāṁtarātmanā| paṁcaratnaiḥ samāyuktairjānunī kṛtya bhūtale| samādāya ca pāṇibhyāṁ sarvabhaktisamanvitaḥ

...together with his wife, with a joyful inner heart, he should offer arghya, joined with the five gems, kneeling upon the ground...

Verse 44 (skanda.5.60.44)

अर्घ्यमन्त्रः। कृपावन्सर्वभूतेषु जगदानंदकारक। गृहाणार्घ्यमिमं देव संपूर्णफलदो भव

arghyamantraḥ| kṛpāvansarvabhūteṣu jagadānaṁdakāraka| gṛhāṇārghyamimaṁ deva saṁpūrṇaphalado bhava

...taking it up with both hands, with complete devotion. The arghya-mantra: 'O compassionate one toward all beings, bringer of joy to the world; O God, accept this arghya, become the giver of complete fruit.'

Verse 45 (skanda.5.60.45)

प्रार्थनामंत्रः। स्वयंभुवे नमस्तुभ्यं ब्रह्मणेऽमिततेजसे। नमोऽस्तु ते श्रियानंद ब्रह्मानंदकृपाकर

prārthanāmaṁtraḥ| svayaṁbhuve namastubhyaṁ brahmaṇe'mitatejase| namo'stu te śriyānaṁda brahmānaṁdakṛpākara

The prayer-mantra: 'Salutation to you, the self-born, to Brahman of immeasurable splendour; salutation to you, joy of Shri, bliss of Brahman, source of grace.'

Verse 46 (skanda.5.60.46)

एवं संप्रार्थ्य गोविंदं पूजयेद्ब्राह्मणात्स्वयम्। सपत्नीकाच्छुचीन्स्नाताल्लक्ष्मीनारायणौ स्मरन्

evaṁ saṁprārthya goviṁdaṁ pūjayedbrāhmaṇātsvayam| sapatnīkācchucīnsnātāllakṣmīnārāyaṇau smaran

Having thus prayed to Govinda, together with his purified, bathed wife, remembering Lakshmi-Narayana, he should have him worshipped through a brahmin.

Verse 47 (skanda.5.60.47)

पूजयित्वा विधानेन भोजयेद्धृतपायसैः

pūjayitvā vidhānena bhojayeddhṛtapāyasaiḥ

Having had the worship duly performed, he should feed the brahmin with ghee and rice-pudding.

Verse 48 (skanda.5.60.48)

भोजयित्वा विधानेन सपत्नीकं यथोचितम्। विद्याविनयसंपन्नं तथा पत्न्या समन्वितम्

bhojayitvā vidhānena sapatnīkaṁ yathocitam| vidyāvinayasaṁpannaṁ tathā patnyā samanvitam

Having duly fed a brahmin endowed with learning and humility, together with his wife, in fitting manner...

Verse 49 (skanda.5.60.49)

पूजयित्वा यथाशक्त्या वस्त्रालंकारकुंकुमैः। गोस्तन्याम्रकपित्थैश्च खर्जूरैः कदलीफलैः

pūjayitvā yathāśaktyā vastrālaṁkārakuṁkumaiḥ| gostanyāmrakapitthaiśca kharjūraiḥ kadalīphalaiḥ

...having worshipped him, according to one's means, with garments, ornaments and vermilion, with mangoes, wood-apples, dates, and plantains...

Verse 50 (skanda.5.60.50)

पनसैर्नारिकेलैश्च नारंगैर्दाडिमैस्तथा। घृतपक्वान्नगोधूमैः शुभैः सोमालिकैर्वटैः

panasairnārikelaiśca nāraṁgairdāḍimaistathā| ghṛtapakvānnagodhūmaiḥ śubhaiḥ somālikairvaṭaiḥ

...with jackfruit, coconuts, oranges, and pomegranates, with food cooked in ghee, wheat, and auspicious somalika and vata sweets...

Verse 51 (skanda.5.60.51)

शर्कराघृतपूरैश्च कर्णिकैः खंडमंडकैः। उर्वारुकर्कटीशाकैः शृंगबेरैः समूलकैः

śarkarāghṛtapūraiśca karṇikaiḥ khaṁḍamaṁḍakaiḥ| urvārukarkaṭīśākaiḥ śṛṁgaberaiḥ samūlakaiḥ

...with sugar-and-ghee cakes, with karnika sweets and khanda-manda cakes, with cucumber and gourd vegetables, and with ginger and root-vegetables...

Verse 52 (skanda.5.60.52)

अन्यैश्च विविधैः शाकैराम्रैः पक्वैः पृथक्पृथक्। भक्ष्यभोज्यलेह्यपेयकंदकानि विशेषतः

anyaiśca vividhaiḥ śākairāmraiḥ pakvaiḥ pṛthakpṛthak| bhakṣyabhojyalehyapeyakaṁdakāni viśeṣataḥ

...and with other various vegetables and ripe mangoes, each of its kind, and especially with foods to be chewed, eaten, licked, drunk, and with root-vegetables...

Verse 53 (skanda.5.60.53)

सुवासितान्गोरसांश्च परिवेष्य मृदु ब्रुवन्। इदं स्वादु रसं भोज्यं भवदर्थे प्रकल्पितम्

suvāsitāngorasāṁśca pariveṣya mṛdu bruvan| idaṁ svādu rasaṁ bhojyaṁ bhavadarthe prakalpitam

...having served fragrant milk-products, he should say gently: 'This tasty and delicious food has been prepared for your sake—'

Verse 54 (skanda.5.60.54)

याच्यतां रोचते यच्च यन्मया पाचितं प्रभो। धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि कृतं सार्थं च मंदिरम्

yācyatāṁ rocate yacca yanmayā pācitaṁ prabho| dhanyo'smyanugṛhīto'smi kṛtaṁ sārthaṁ ca maṁdiram

'—ask for whatever pleases you among what I have cooked, my lord. I am blessed, I am favoured, and my home has been made worthwhile.'

Verse 55 (skanda.5.60.55)

विसर्जयेत्ततो विप्रान्दत्त्वा तांबूलदक्षिणाः। चतुर्भिर्मिलितैर्देवि तांबूलं मम वल्लभम्

visarjayettato viprāndattvā tāṁbūladakṣiṇāḥ| caturbhirmilitairdevi tāṁbūlaṁ mama vallabham

Then, having given betel-leaf and dakshina, he should send the brahmins away. O goddess, betel-leaf offered by four gathered together is exceedingly dear to me.

Verse 56 (skanda.5.60.56)

यो ददाति द्विजश्रेष्ठे स भवेत्सुभगो नरः। सुभगा च सदाचारा वल्लभा स्वजने सदा

yo dadāti dvijaśreṣṭhe sa bhavetsubhago naraḥ| subhagā ca sadācārā vallabhā svajane sadā

Whoever gives betel-leaf to the best of brahmins becomes a fortunate man; and his wife too becomes fortunate, of good conduct, and ever beloved among her own kin.

Verse 57 (skanda.5.60.57)

पुत्रसौभाग्ययुक्ता च तांबूलैर्जायते प्रिये। पत्रैस्तु केशवः प्रीतः पूगैरीशः सहोमया

putrasaubhāgyayuktā ca tāṁbūlairjāyate priye| patraistu keśavaḥ prītaḥ pūgairīśaḥ sahomayā

My dear, through the gift of betel-leaf she becomes blessed with good fortune of sons. Keshava is pleased by the leaf, Ishana together with Uma by the areca-nut...

Verse 58 (skanda.5.60.58)

चूर्णकेनानलः प्रीतः खदिरेण तु मन्मथः। चतुर्भिर्विश्वरूपोऽसौ यः पुष्णाति जगत्त्रयम्

cūrṇakenānalaḥ prītaḥ khadireṇa tu manmathaḥ| caturbhirviśvarūpo'sau yaḥ puṣṇāti jagattrayam

...Agni is pleased by the lime, and Manmatha by the catechu; by these four together that Universal Form who nourishes the three worlds is pleased.

Verse 59 (skanda.5.60.59)

परितोष्य सपत्नीकान्हस्ते दत्त्वा च मोदकान्। आसीमांतमनुव्रज्य भुंजीत सह बंधुभिः

paritoṣya sapatnīkānhaste dattvā ca modakān| āsīmāṁtamanuvrajya bhuṁjīta saha baṁdhubhiḥ

Having satisfied the brahmins together with their wives, and placed sweets in their hands, one should escort them to the village boundary, and then eat together with one's kinsfolk.

Verse 60 (skanda.5.60.60)

असंक्रांते व्रतं नारी या करोतीह सुप्रिये। दारिद्र्यं पुत्रशोकं च वैधव्यं नाप्नुयात्क्वचित्

asaṁkrāṁte vrataṁ nārī yā karotīha supriye| dāridryaṁ putraśokaṁ ca vaidhavyaṁ nāpnuyātkvacit

O most beloved, whatever woman performs this vow in the time without a solar transit shall never encounter poverty, the grief of a son's death, or widowhood.

Verse 61 (skanda.5.60.61)

नरो वा यदि वा नारी यः कुर्याच्च मलिम्लुचे। स सर्वसुखभोक्ता च भवेन्नास्त्येव संशयः

naro vā yadi vā nārī yaḥ kuryācca malimluce| sa sarvasukhabhoktā ca bhavennāstyeva saṁśayaḥ

Whether man or woman, whoever performs this vow in the impure month becomes an enjoyer of every happiness — of this there is no doubt at all.

Verse 62 (skanda.5.60.62)

मलिम्लुचे प्राप्य न पूजितो यैर्नारायणोऽहं परयेह भक्त्या। कथं भवेयुः सुखपुत्रसंपत्सुहृत्सुभार्याः सुगुणैरुपेताः

malimluce prāpya na pūjito yairnārāyaṇo'haṁ parayeha bhaktyā| kathaṁ bhaveyuḥ sukhaputrasaṁpatsuhṛtsubhāryāḥ suguṇairupetāḥ

Those who, having attained the Malimlucha month, do not worship me, Narayana, here with supreme devotion — how shall they ever come to have happiness, sons, prosperity, good friends, a virtuous wife, and good qualities?