युधिष्ठिर उवाच पितामहेन विधिवद् यज्ञाः प्रोक्ता महात्मना। गुणाश्चैषां यथातथ्यं प्रेत्य चेह च सर्वशः॥
Yudhishthira said O grandfather, you have duly described to us the subject of Sacrifices, including the merits in full that attach to them both here and hereafter.
न ते शक्या दरिद्रेण यज्ञाः प्राप्तुं पितामह। बहूपकरणा यज्ञा नानासम्भारविस्तराः॥
It should be remembered, however, O grandfather, that Sacrifices are incapable of being celebrated by poor men, for these require a large store of various articles.
पार्थिवै राजपुत्रैर्वा शक्याः प्राप्तुं पितामह। नार्थन्यूनैरवगुणैरेकात्मभिसंहतैः॥
Indeed, O grandfather, the merit attaching to Sacrifices can be acquired by only kings and princes. That merit is incapable of being acquired by those who have no wealth and power and who live alone and are helpless.
यो दरिद्रैरपि विधिः शक्यः प्राप्तुं सदा भवेत्। अर्थन्यूनैरवगुणैरेकात्मभिरसंहतैः॥ तुल्यो यज्ञफलैरेतैस्तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह।
Do you tell, us O grandfather, what the ordinances are about those acts that are fraught with merit equal to what belongs to Sacrifices and which, therefore, are capable of being performed by poor men.
भीष्म उवाच इदमङ्गिरसा प्रोक्तमुपवासफलात्मकम्॥ विधिं यज्ञफलैस्तुल्यं तन्निबोध युधिष्ठिर। यस्तु कल्यं तथा सायं भुजानो नान्तरा पिबेत्॥
Bhishma said Listen, O Yudhishthira! Those ordinances that I have told you of, those, viz., that were first promulgated by the great Rishis Angirasa, and that have reference to meritorious fasts for their soul, are considered as equal to Sacrifices.
अहिंसानिरतो नित्यं जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्। षड्भिरेव स वषैस्तु सिध्यते नात्र संशयः॥ तप्तकाञ्चनवर्णं च विमानं लभते नरः। देवस्त्रीणामधीवसे नृत्यगीतनिनादिते॥ प्राजापत्ये वसेत् पद्मं वर्षाणामग्निसंनिभे।
That man who takes one meal in the forenoon and one at night, without taking any food or drink during the interval and who observes this regulation for a period of six years successively abstaining all the while from injuring any creature and regularly pouring libations on his sacred fire every day, attains, forsooth, to success. Such a man acquires hereafter a car of the colour of heated gold, and acquires a residence, for millions of years, in the region of Prajapati, in the company of celestial ladies, that ever echoes with the sound of music and dance, and shines with the effulgence of fire.
त्रीणि वर्षाणि यः प्राशेत् सततं त्वेकभोजनम्॥ धर्मपत्नीरतो नित्यमग्निष्टोमफलं लभेत्।
He who passes three years, taking one meal a day and abstaining all the while from intercourse with any other woman except his own married wife, attains to the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice.
यज्ञं बहुसुवर्णं वा वासवप्रियमाचरेत्॥ सत्यवान् दानशीलश्च ब्रह्मण्यश्चानसूयकः। क्षान्तो दान्तो जितक्रोधः स गच्छति परां गतिम्॥ पाण्डुराभ्रप्रतीकाशे विमाने हंसलक्षणे। द्वे समाप्ते ततः पद्मे सोऽप्सरोभिर्वसेत् सह॥ द्वितीये दिवसे यस्तु प्राश्नीयादेकभोजनम्। सदा द्वादशमासांस्तु जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्॥ अग्निकार्यपरो नित्यं नित्यं कल्यप्रबोधनः। अग्निष्टोमस्य यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः॥
Such a man is considered as having performed a Sacrifice, with plenty of gifts in gold, that is dear to Vasava himself. By practising truthfulness of speech, making gifts, respecting the Brahmanas, avoiding malice, becoming forgiving and self controlled and conquering anger, a man acquires the highest end. Riding on a car of the colour of white clouds that is drawn by swans, he lives, for millions and millions of years, in the company of Apsaras. Fasting for a whole day and taking only one meal on the second day, he who pours libations upon his sacred fire for the period of a whole year, indeed, he who observes such a fast and attends every day to his fire and rises every day from bed before sunrise, acquires the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. Such a man acquires a car drawn by swans and cranes.
हंससारसयुक्तं च विमानं लभते नरः। इन्द्रलोके च वसते वरस्त्रीभिः समावृतः॥ तृतीये दिवसे यस्तु प्राचीयादेकभोजनम्। सदा द्वादशमासांस्तु जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्॥ अग्निकार्यपरो नित्यं नित्यं कल्यप्रबोधनः। अतिरात्रस्य यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम्॥
up from Surrounded by the most beautiful ladies, he lives in the region of Indra. That man who takes only one meal every third day, and pours libations every day on his sacred fire for a period of a whole year, indeed, he who thus attends to his fire every day and wakes sleep every morning before sun rise, acquires the high merit of the Atiratra sacrifice. He acquires a car drawn by peacocks and swans and cranes.
मयूरहंसयुक्तं च विमानं लभते नरः। सप्तर्षीणां सदा लोके सोऽप्सरोभिर्वसेत् सह॥
Proceeding to the region of the seven Rishis, he lives there, surrounded by Apsaras of great beauty. It is wellknown that such residence lasts for full three Padmas of years.
निवर्तनं च तत्रास्य त्रीणि पद्यानि वै विभुः। दिवसे यश्चतुर्थे तु प्राश्नीयादेकभोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासान् वै जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्। वाजपेयस्य यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम्॥
Fasting for three days successively, he who takes only one meal every fourth day, and pours libations every day on his sacred fire, acquires the great merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. The car he acquires is graced by highly beautiful celestial ladies who have Indra for their father.
इन्द्रकन्याभिरूढं च विमानं लभते नरः। सागरस्य च पर्यन्ते वासवं लोकमावसेत्॥
He lives in the region, of Indra for millions and millions of years, and enjoys great happiness by witnessing the sports of the king of the gods.
देवराजस्य च क्रीडां नित्यकालमवेक्षते। दिवसे पञ्चमे यस्तु प्राश्नीयादेकभोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासांस्तु जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्। अलुब्धः सत्यवादी च ब्रह्मण्यश्चाविहिंसकः॥ अनसूयुरपापस्थो द्वादशाहफलं लभेत्।
Fasting for four days successively he who eats only one meal every fifth day, and pours libations on the sacred fire every day for a the period of a whole year, and who lives without cupidity, telling the truth, respecting the Brahmanas, abstaining from every sort of injury, and avoiding malice and sin, acquires the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.
जाम्बूनदमयं दिव्यं विमानं हंसलक्षणम्॥ सूर्यमालासमाभासमारोहेत् पाण्डुरं गृहम्।
The car he rides, is made of gold and drawn by swans and effulgent like many suns rising together. He acquires, besides, a palatial building of pure white.
आवर्तनानि चत्वारि तथा पद्मानि द्वादश॥ शराग्निपरिमाणं च तत्रासौ वसते सुखम्।
He lives there happily for full one and fifty Padmas of years.
दिवसे यस्तु षष्ठे वै मुनिः प्राशेत भोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासान् वै जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्। सदा त्रिषवणस्नायी ब्रह्मचार्यनसूयकः॥ गवां मेधस्य यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम्।
He who fasting for five days, takes food only on the sixth day, and pious libations on his sacred fire every day for one year, and who performs three ablutions in course of the day for purifying himself and saying his prayers and paying his adoration, and who leads a celibate life, divested of malice in his conduct, acquires the merit of the Gomedha sacrifice.
अग्निज्वालासमाभासं हंसबहिणसेवितम्॥ शातकुम्भसमायुक्तं साधयेद् यानमुत्तमम्।
He acquires an excellent car adorned with pure gold, effulgent like a blazing fire and drawn by swans and peacocks.
तथैवाप्सरसामङ्के प्रतिसुप्तः प्रबोध्यते॥ नूपुराणां निनादेन मेखलानां च नि:स्वनैः।
He sleeps on the lap of Apsaras and is awakened every morning by the melodious sound of Nupuras and Kanchis.
कोटीसहस्रं वर्षाणां त्रीणि कोटिशतानि च॥ पद्मान्यष्टादश तथा पताके द्वे तथैव च।
He leads such a happy life for ten thousand millions of years and three thousand millions besides and eight and ten Padmas and two Patakas.
अयुतानि च पञ्चाशदृक्षचर्मशतस्य च॥ लोम्नां प्रमाणेन समं ब्रह्मलोके महीयते।
Such a man lives also, honoured by all, in the region of Brahma for as many years as there are hairs on the bodies of five thousand bears.
दिवसे सप्तमे यस्तु प्राश्नीयादेकभोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासान् वै जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्। सरस्वती गोपयानो ब्रह्मचर्ये समाचरन्॥ सुमनोवर्णकं चैव मधुमासं च वर्जयन्। पुरुषो मरुतां लोकमिन्द्रलोकं च गच्छति॥
Fasting for six days, he who takes only one meal every seventh day and pours libations on the sacred fire every day, for a full year, controlling speech all the while and observing the vow of celibacy and abstaining from the use of flowers and unguents and honey and meat, acquires the region of the Maruts and of Indra. Crowned with the fruition of every wish as it originates in the mind, he is waited upon and adored by celestial ladies.
तत्र तत्र हि सिद्धार्थो देवकन्याभिरर्च्यते। फलं बहुसुवर्णस्य यज्ञस्य लभते नरः॥
He acquires the merits of a sacrifice in which profuse gold is given away. Proceeding to the regions named, he lives there for numberless years in the enjoyment of greatest happiness.
संख्यामतिगुणां चापि तेषु लोकेषु मोदते। यस्तु संवत्सरं क्षान्तो भुङ्क्तेऽहन्यष्टमे नरः॥ देवकार्यपरो नित्यं जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्। पौण्डरीकम्य यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम्॥
He who shows mercy to all and fasting for seven days eats on every eighth day for whole year, and, pouring libations every day on the sacred fire, worship the celestials, regularly, acquires the great merits of the Paundarika sacrifice. The car he rides is lotus-hued.
पद्मवर्णनिभं चैव विमानमधिरोहति। कृष्णाः कनकगौर्यश्च नार्यः श्यामास्तथापराः॥
on car Forsooth, such a man acquires also a large number of young and beautiful ladies, some having complexions that are dark, some with complexions that are gold, and some that are Shyamas, whose looks and gestures are of the most agreeable kind.
वयोरूपविलासिन्यो लभते नात्र संशयः। यस्तु संवत्सरं भुङ्क्ते नवमे नवमेऽहनि॥ सदा द्वादशमासान् वै जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्। अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य फलं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम्॥
He who fasts for eight days and takes only one meal on every ninth day for one full year, and pours libations on the sacred fire every day, wine the great merits of a thousand Horse sacrifices. The car he rides in Heaven is beautiful like a lotus.
पुण्डरीकप्रकाशं च विमानं लभते नरः। दीप्तसूर्याग्नितेजोभिर्दिव्यमालाभिरेव च॥
He always journeys, that accompanied by the daughters of Rudra bedecked with celestial garlands and gifted with the effulgence of the midday sun or of fires of burning flames.
नीयते रुद्रकन्याभिः सोऽन्तरिक्षं सनातनम्। अष्टादश सहस्राणि वर्षाणां कल्पमेव च॥
Acquiring the regions of Rudra, he lives there in great happiness for number less years.
कोटीशतसहस्रं च तेषु लोकेषु मोदते। यस्तु संवत्सरं भुङ्क्ते दशाहे वै गते गते॥ सदा द्वादशमासान् वै जुह्वानो जातवेदसम् ब्रह्मकन्यानिवासे च सर्वभूतमनोहरे॥ अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य फलं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम्।
He who fasts for nine days and takes only one meal every tenth day for a whole year, and pours libations on his sacred fire every day, gains the high merit of a thousand Horse sacrifices and attains to the companionship of Brahmana's daughters whose beauty charm the hearts of all creatures.
रूपवत्यश्च तं कन्या रमयन्ति सनातनम्॥ नीलोत्पलनिभैर्वर्ण रक्तोत्पलनिभैस्तथा। विमानं मण्डलावर्तमावर्तगहनाकुलम्॥
These ladies, possessed of such beauty, and some of them possessed of colour of the lotus and some like that of the same flower of the blue variety, always keep him in joy. He acquires a beautiful car which moves in beautiful circles and which looks like the dense cloud called Avarta, resemble also an ocean wave.
सागरोर्मिप्रतीकाशं लभेद् यानमनुत्तमम्। विचित्रमणिमालाभिर्नादितं शङ्खनिःस्वनैः॥
That car resounds with the constant tinkle of rows of pearls and gems, and the melodious sound of conchs, and is adorned with columns made of crystals and diamonds, as also with an altar constructed of the same minerals.
स्फाटिकैर्वज्रसारैश्च स्तम्भैः सुकृतवेदिकम्। आरोहति महद् यानं हंससारसनादितम्॥
He rides such a car, drawn by swans and cranes, and lives for millions and millions of years in great happiness in Heaven.
एकादशे तु दिवसे यः प्राप्ते प्राशते हविः। सदा द्वादशमासान् वै जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्॥ परस्त्रियं नाभिलषेद् वाचाथ मनसापि वा। अनृतं च न भोषेत मातापित्रोः कृतेपि वा॥ अभिगच्छेन्महादेवं विमानस्थं महाबलम्। अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य फलं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम्॥
He who fasts for ten days and cats only clarified butter on every eleventh day for one full year and pours libations on his sacred fire every day, who never, in word or thought, seeks the company of other people's wives and who never utters a false hood even for the sake of his mother and father, succeeds in seeing Mahadeva of great power seated on his car. Such a person acquires the great merit of a thousand Horse sacrifices.
स्वायम्भुवं च पश्येत विमानं समुपस्थितम्। कुमार्यः काञ्चनाभासा रूपवत्यो नयन्ति तम्॥
He sees the car of the Selfcreate Brahman himself approach for taking him on it. He rides on it, accompanied by celestial ladies gifted with great beauty, and complexions as effulgent as that of pure gold.
रुद्राणां तमधीवासं दिवि दिव्यं मनोहरम्। वर्षाण्यपरिमेयानि युगान्ताग्निसमप्रभः॥
Gified with the blazing splendour of the cycle fire, he lives for many years in a celestial mansion in Heaven, full of every happiness.
कोटीशतसहस्रं च दशकोटिशतानि च। रुद्रं नित्यं प्रणमते देवदानवसम्मतम्॥
For those numberless years he experiences the joy of bending his head in respect to Rudra worshipped by the celestials and Danavas.
स तस्मै दर्शनं प्राप्तो दिवसे दिवसे भवेत् दिवसे द्वादशे यस्तु प्राप्ते वै प्राशते हविः॥ सदा द्वादशमासान् वै सर्वमेधफलं लभेत्। आदित्यद्वादशं तस्य विमानं संविधीयते॥
Such a person sees every day the great god. That man who having fasted for eleven days, cats only a little clarified butter on the twelfth, and acts thus for a whole year, succeeds in acquiring the merits of all the Sacrifices. The car he rides, is effulgent like a dozen suns.
मणिमुक्ताप्रवालैश्च महाहरुपशोभितम्। हंसमालापरिक्षिप्तं नागवीथीसमाकुलम्॥ मयूरैश्चक्रवाकैश्च कूजद्भिरुपशोभितम्। अटैटर्महद्भिः संयुक्तं ब्रह्मलोके प्रतिष्ठितम्॥
Adorned with costly gems and pearls and corals, embellished with rows of swans and snakes and peacocks and Chakravakas uttering their melodious notes, and beautified with large domes, is the quarter to which he attains in the region of Brahman.
नित्यमावसथं राजन् नरनारीसमावृतम्। ऋषिरेवं महाभागस्त्वगिरा प्राह धर्मवित्॥
That house, O king, is always filled with men and women. This is what the highly blessed Rishi Angirasa, knowing every duty, said.
त्रयोदशे तु दिवसे प्राप्ते यः प्राशते हविः। सदा द्वादशमासान् वै देवसत्रफलं लभेत्॥
That man who having fasted twelve days, eats a little clarified butter on the thirteenth, and acts thus for a whose year, succeeds in acquiring the merits of the divine sacrifice.
रक्तपद्मोदयं नाम विमानं साधयेन्नरः। जातरूपप्रयुक्तं च रत्नसंचयभूषितम्॥
Such a man gets a car of the colour of the new-blown lotus, adorned with pure gold and heaps of jewels and gems.
देवकन्याभिराकीर्णं दिव्याभरणभूषितम्। पुण्यगन्धोदयं दिव्यं वायव्यैरुपशोभितम्॥
He goes to the regions of the Maruts which are full of celestial ladies, which are adorned with every kind of celestial ornament, which are filled with celestial perfumes, and which contain every element of happiness,
तत्र शंकुपताके द्वे युगान्तं कल्पमेव च। अयुतायुतं तथा पद्मं समुद्रं च तथा वसेत्॥
That resolute resides in the abode of Brahma for the period counted as two Shankha, two Mahapadma, a Kalpa, four ages, ten crore and four Padma years.
गीतगन्धर्वघोषैश्च भेरीपणवनिःस्वनैः। सदा प्रह्लादितस्ताभिर्देवकन्याभिरिज्यते॥
Soothed with the sound of music and the sweet voice of Gandharvas and the sounds and blare of drums and Panavas, he is constantly pleased by celestial ladies of great beauty.
चतुर्दशे तु दिवसे यः पूर्णे प्राशते हविः। सदा द्वादशमासांस्तु महामेधफलं लभेत्॥
That man who having fasted for thirteen days, eats a little clarified butter on the fourteenth day, and acts thus for a full year, acquires the merits of the Mahamedha sacrifice.
अनिर्देश्यवयोरूपा देवकन्याः स्वलंकृताः। मृष्टतप्ताङ्गदधरा विमानैरुपयान्ति तम्॥
Celestial ladies of indescribable beauty, and whose age cannot be determined for they look ever young, adorned with every ornament and with armlets of blazing effulgence, wait upon him with many cars and follow him in his journeys.
कलहंसविनिर्घोषैपुराणां च निःस्वनैः। काञ्चीनां च समुत्कर्षैस्तत्र तत्र निबोध्यते॥
He is waked every morning from his bed by the melodious note of swans, the tinkle of Nupuras, and the highly agreeable jingle of Kanchis. Indeed, he lives in a superior house, waited upon by such celestial ladies, for years as countless as the sands on the shores of Ganga.
देवकन्यानिवासे च तस्मिन् वसति मानवः। जाह्नवीवालुकाकीर्णं पूर्णे संवत्सरं नरः॥ यस्तु पक्षे गते भुङ्क्ते एकभक्तं जितेन्द्रियः। सदा द्वादशमासान् जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्॥ राजसूयसहस्रस्य फलं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम्। यानमारोहते दिव्यं हंसबहिणसेवितम्॥
That man who, keeping his senses under restraint, fasts for a fortnight and takes only one meal on the sixteenth day, and acts thus for a whole year, pouring libations every day on his sacred fire, acquires the great merits of a thousand Rajasuya sacrifices. The car he rides, is highly beautiful and is drawn by swans and peacocks.
मणिमण्डलकैश्चित्रं जातरूपसमावृतम्। दिव्याभरणशोभाभिर्वरस्त्रीभिरलंकृतम्॥ एकस्तम्भं चतुर सप्तभौमं सुमङ्गलम्। वैजयन्तीसहनैश्च शोभितं गीतनि:स्वनैः॥ दिव्यं दिव्यगुणोपेतं विमानमधिरोहति। मणिमुक्ताप्रवालैश्च भूषितं वैद्युतप्रभम्॥
Riding on such a car which is, besides, adorned with garlands of pearls and the purest gold and graced with bevies of celestial ladies decked with ornaments of every sort, having one column and four arches and seven altars exceedingly auspicious, having thousand of banners and echoing with the sound of music, celestial and celestial attributes, set with gems and pearls and corals, and effulgent like lightning, such a man lives in Heaven for a thousand cycles, having elephants and rhinoceroses for dragging that car of his.
वेसद् युगसहस्रं च खगजरवाहनः। षोडशे दिवसे प्राप्ते यः कुर्यादेकभोजनम्॥
That man who having fasted for fifteen days takes one meal on the sixteenth day and acts thus for one whole year, acquires the merits of the Soma sacrifice.
सदा द्वादशमासान् वै सोमयज्ञफलं लभेत्। सोमकन्यानिवासेषु सोऽध्यावसति नित्यशः॥
Proceeding to the celestial region, he lives in the company of Soma's daughters. His body fragrant with unguents whose perfumes are as sweet as those of Soma himself, he acquires the power of going immediately to any place he likes.
सौम्यगन्धानुलिप्तश्च कामकारगतिर्भवेत्। सुदर्शनाभिर्नारीभिर्मधुराभिस्तथैव च॥
Seated on his car he is waited upon by beautiful damsels of agreeable manners, and commands all articles of enjoyment.
अर्च्यते वै विमानस्थः कामभोगैश्च सेव्यते। फलं पद्मशतप्रख्यं महाकल्पं दशाधिकम्॥
He enjoys such happiness upto the period of one hundred Padma years as longer as ten Mahakalpa and four ages.
आवर्तनानि चत्वारि साधयेच्चाप्यसौ नरः। दिवसे सप्तदशमे यः प्राप्ते प्राशते हविः॥ सदा द्वादशमासान् वै जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्। स्थानं वारुणमैन्द्रं च रौद्रं वाप्यधिगच्छति॥ मारुतौशनसे चैव ब्रह्मलोकं स गच्छति।
That man who having fasted for sixteen days, eats a little clarified butter on the seventeenth day, and acts thus for a whole year, pouring libations every day on his sacred fire, proceeds to the regions of Varuna and Indra and Rudra and the Maruts and Ushanas and Brahman himself.
तत्र दैवतकन्याभिरासनेनोपचर्यते॥ भूर्भुवं चापि देवर्षि विश्वरूपमवेक्षते।
There he is waited upon by celestial ladies and sees the celestial Rishi called Bhurbhuva and sees the entire universe.
तत्र देवाधिदेवस्य कुमार्यो रमयन्ति तम्॥ द्वात्रिंशद् रूपधारिण्यो मधुरा: समलंकृताः।
The daughters of the king of the dcities gladden him there. Those damsels, of agreeable manners and adorned with every ornament, are capable of assuming thirty-two forms.
चन्द्रादित्यावुभौ यावद् गगने चरतः प्रभो॥ तावच्चरत्यसौ धीरः सुधामृतरसाशनः।
As long as the Sun and Moon move in the sky, so long does that wise man live in those regions of happiness, living upon the succulence of ambrosia and nectar.
अष्टादशे यो दिवसे प्राश्नीयादेकभोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासान् वै सप्तलोकान् स पश्यति।
That man who having fasted for seventeen days, takes only one meal on the eighteenth day, and acts thus for a whose year, succeeds! in seeing the seven regions of the universe.
रथैः सनन्दिघोषैश्च पृष्ठतः सोऽनुगम्यते॥ देवकन्याधिरूढस्तु भ्राजमानैः स्वलंकृतैः।
While making his journeys on his car, he is always followed by a large train of cars producing the most agreeable rattle and ridden by celestial ladies shining with ornaments and beauty.
व्याघ्रसिंहप्रयुक्तं च मेघस्वननिनादितम्॥ विमानमुत्तमं दिव्यं सुसुखी ह्यधिरोहति।
Enjoying the greatest happiness, the car he rides, is celestial and endued with the greatest beauty. It is drawn by lions and tigers, and produces ratile as deep as the muttering of the clouds.
तत्र कल्पसहस्रं स कन्याभिः सह मोदते॥ सुधारसं च भुञ्जीत अमृतोपममुत्तमम्।
He lives in such happiness for a thousand aeons, living with celestial ladies upon ambrosia that is as sweet as nectar itself.
एकोनविंशतिदिने यो भुङ्क्ते एकभोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासान् वै सप्तलोकान् स पश्यति।
That man who having fasted, for eighteen days, eats only one meal on the nineteenth day and acts thus for a full year, succeeds in perceiving all the seven regions of the universe.
उत्तमं लभते स्थानमप्सरोगणसेवितम्॥ गन्धर्वैरुपगीतं च विमानं सूर्यवर्चसम्।
The region to which he attains is peopled by various tribes of Apsaras and resounds with the sweet note of Gandharvas. The car he rides is effulgent like the sun.
तत्रामरवरस्त्रीभिर्मोदते विगतज्वरः॥ दिव्याम्बरधरः श्रीमानयुतानां शतं शतम्।
His heart shorn of every anxiety, he is waited upon by the foremost of celestial ladies. Decked with celestial garlands, and possessed of beauty, he lives in such happiness for millions and millions of years.
पूर्णेऽथ विशे दिवसे यो भुङ्क्ते ह्येकभोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासांस्तु सत्यवादी धृतव्रतः। अमांसाशी ब्रह्मचारी सर्वभूतहिते रतः॥ स लोकान् विपुलान् रम्यानादित्यानामुपाश्नुते।
That man who having fasted for nineteendays, eats only one meal on every twentieth day, and acts thus for a full year, observing all thie while truthfulness of speech and observance of other (excellent) rituals, abstaining also froin meat, leading a celibate life and devoted to the behoof of all creatures, acquires the extensive regions of great happiness, belonging to the Adityas.
गन्धर्वैरप्सरोभिश्च दिव्यमाल्यानुलेपनैः॥ विमानैः काञ्चनैर्हद्यैः पृष्ठतश्चानुगम्यते।
While making his journeys on his own car, he is followed by a large train of cars ridden by Gandharvas and Apsaras decked with celestial garlands and perfumes.
एकविंशे तु दिवसे यो भुङ्क्ते ह्येकभोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासान् वै जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्। लोकमौशनसं दिव्यं शक्रलोकं च गच्छति॥ अश्विनोर्मरुतां चैव सुखेष्वभिरतः सदा।
That man who having fasted for twenty days, takes a single meal on the (wenty first day, and acts thus for a full year, pouring libations every day on his sacred fire, acquires the regions of Ushanas and Shakra, of the Ashvins and the Maruts, and lives there in uninterrupted happiness of great measure.
अनभिज्ञश्च दुःखानां विमानवरमास्थितः॥ सेव्यमानो वरस्त्रीभिः क्रीडत्यमरवत् प्रभुः।
Unacquainted with all sorrows; he rides the foremost of cars for making his journeys, and waited upon by foremost of celestial ladies, and possessed of power, he sports in joy like a celestial himself.
द्वाविंशे दिवसे प्राप्ते यो भुङ्क्ते ह्येकभोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासान् वै जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्। अहिंसानिरतो धीमान् सत्यवागनसूयकः॥ लोकान् वसूनामाप्नोति दिवाकरसमप्रभः।
That man who having fasted for twentyone day, and acts thus for a full year, pouring libations on his sacred fire every day, abstaining from injuring any creature, observing truthfulness of speech, and freed from malice, acquires the regions of the Vasus and becomes endued with solar effulgence.
कामचारी सुधाहारो विमानवरमास्थितः॥ रमते देवकन्याभिर्दिव्याभरणभूषितः।
Gifted with the power of going every where that will, living upon nectar, and riding on the foremost of cars, his body decked with celestial ornaments, he sports in joy in the company of celestial ladies.
त्रयोविंशे तु दिवसे प्राशेद् यस्त्वेकभोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासांस्तु मिताहारो जितेन्द्रियः। वायोरुशनसश्चैव रुद्रलोकं च गच्छति॥ कामचारी कामगमः पूज्यमानोऽप्सरोगणैः।
That man who having fasted for twentytwo days, takes a single meal on the twenty third day, and acts thus for a full year, thus regulating his diet and keeping his senses under restraint acquires the regions of the wind God of Ushanas and of Rudras. Capable of going everywhere at will, and always roving at will, he is adored by various tribes of Apsaras. man
अनेकगुणपर्यन्तं विमानवरमास्थितः॥ रमते देवकन्याभिर्दिव्याभरणभूषितः।
Riding on the foremost of cars and his body decked with celestial ornaments, he sports for numberless years in great happiness in the company of celestial ladies.
चतुर्विंशे तु दिवसे यः प्राप्ते प्राशते हविः॥ सदा द्वादशमासांश्च जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्। आदित्यानामधीवासे मोदमानो वसेच्चिरम्॥ दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरो दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनः।
That who having fasted for twentythree days eats a little clarified butter on the twentyfourth day, and acts thus for a full year, pouring libations on his sacred fire, lives for countless years in great happiness in the regions of the Adityas, his body decked with celestial dresses and garlands and celestial perfumes and unguents.
विमाने काञ्चने दिव्ये हंसयुक्ते मनोरमे॥ रमते देवकन्यानां सहस्रैरयुतैस्तथा।
Riding on an excellent car, made of gold and gifted with great beauty and drawn by swans, he sports in joy in the company of thousands and thousands of celestial ladies.
पञ्चविंशे तु दिवसे यः प्राशेदेकभोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासांस्तु पुष्कलं यानमारूहेत्।
That man who having fasted for twenty four days, takes a single meal on the twentyfifth day, and acts thus for full year, Succeeds in getting a car of the foremost kind, full of every object of enjoyment.
सिंहव्याघ्रप्रयुक्तस्तु मेघनिःस्वननादितैः॥ स रथैर्नन्दिघोषैश्च पृष्ठतो ह्यनुगम्यते। देवकन्यासमारूढैः काञ्चनैर्विमलैः शुभैः॥ विमानमुत्तमं दिव्यमास्थाय सुमनोहरम्। तत्र कल्पसहस्रं वै वसते स्त्रीशतावृते॥ सुधारसं चोपजीवनमृतोपममुत्तमम्।
He is followed in his journeys by a large train of cars drawn by lions and tigers, and producing a sound as deep as the muttering of the clouds ridden by celestial ladies, and all made of pure gold and endued with great beauty. Himself riding on an excellent celestial car endued with great beauty, he lives in those regions for a thousand aeons, in the company of hundreds of celestial ladies and living upon ambrosia that is sweet as nectar itself.
षड्विंशे दिवसे यस्तु प्रकुर्यादेकभोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासांस्तु नियतो नियताशनः। जितेन्द्रियो वीतरागो जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्॥ स प्राप्नोति महाभागः पूज्यमानोऽप्सरोगणैः। सप्तानां मरुतां लोकान् वसूनां चापि सोऽश्नुते॥१११ विमानैः स्फाटिकैर्दिव्यैः सर्वरत्नैरलंकृतैः। गन्धर्वैरप्सरोभिश्च पूज्यमानः प्रमोदते॥ द्वे युगानां सहस्रे तु दिव्ये दिव्येज तेजसा।
That man who having fasted for twentyfive days, takes only one meal on the twenty sixth day, and acts thus för a full year in the observance of such a regulation about diet, keeping his senses under restraint, freed from attachment, and pouring libations every day on his sacred fire, that blessed man, adored by the Apsaras, acquires the regions of the seven Maruts and the Vasus. When making his journeys, he is followed by a large train of cars made of excellent crystal and adorned with all sorts of geins, and ridden by Gandharvas and Apsaras who show him every honour. He lives in those regions, in enjoyment of such happiness, and gifted with celestial energy, for two thousand cycles.
सप्तविंशेऽथ दिवसे यः कुर्यादेकभोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासांस्तु जुह्वानो जातवेदसम्। फलं प्राप्नोति विपुलं देवलोके च पूज्यते॥ अमृताशी वसंस्तत्र स वितृष्णः प्रमोदते।
That man who having fasted for twentysix days eats a single meal on the twentyseventh day, and acts thus for a full year, pouring libations every day on his sacred fire, acquires great merit and proceeding to the celestial region, receives honours from the deities, Living there he subsists on nectar freed from thirst of every kind, and enjoying every happiness.
देवर्षिचरितं राजन् राजर्षिभिरनुष्ठितम्॥ अध्यावसति दिव्यात्मा विमानवरमास्थितः।
His soul purified of every dross and making his journeys on a celestial car of great beauty, he lives there, O king, acting like the celestial Rishis and the royal sages.
स्त्रीभिर्मनोभिरामाभी रममाणो मदोत्कटः॥ युगकल्पसहस्राणि त्रीण्यावसति वै सुखम्।
Gifted with great energy, he lives there in great happiness in the company of celestial ladies of highly agreeable manners, for three thousand cycles and aeons.
योऽष्टाविंशे तु दिवसे प्राश्नीयादेकभोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासांस्तु जितात्मा विजितेन्द्रियः। फलं देवर्षिचरितं विपुलं समुपाश्नुते॥ भोगवांस्तेजसा भाति सहस्रांशुरिंवामलः।
That man who having fasted for twenty seven days, takes a single meal on the twentyeighth day, and acts thus for a full year, with soul and senses under perfect restraint, acquires very great merit, which, in fact, is equal to what is acquired by the celestial Rishis. Having every article of enjoyment, and gifted with great energy, he shines with the effulgence of the midday sun.
सुकुमार्यश्च नार्यस्तं रममाणाः सुवर्चसः॥ पीनस्तनोरुजघना दिव्याभरणभूषिताः। रमयन्ति मनःकान्ते विमाने सूर्यसंनिभे॥ सर्वकामगमे दिव्ये कल्पायुतशतं समाः।
Sportive ladies of the most delicate features and gifted with splendour of complexion, having deep bosoms, tapering thighs and full and round hips, decked with celestial ornaments, please him with their company while he rides on a delightent and excellent car effulgent like the sun and equipped with every article of enjoyment for thousands and thousands of aeons.
एकोनत्रिंशे दिवसे यः प्राशेदेकभोजनम्॥ सदा द्वादशमासान् वै जुह्वानो सत्यव्रतपरायणः। तस्य लोका: शुभा दिव्या देवराजर्षिपूजिताः॥ विमानं सूर्यचन्द्राभं दिव्यं समधिगच्छति। जातरूपमय युक्तं सर्वरत्नसमन्वितम्॥ अप्सरोगणसम्पूर्ण गन्धर्वैरभिनादितम्।
That man who having fasted for twentyeight days, takes a single meal on the twentyninth day, and acts thus for a full year, observing all the while truthfulness of speech, acquires auspicious regions of great happiness that are adored by celestial Rishis and royal sages. The car he obtains is effulgent like the sun and the moon made of pure gold and adorned with every sort of gem, ridden by Apsaras and Gandharvas singing melodiously.
तत्र चैनं शुभा नार्यो दिव्याभरणभूषिताः॥ मनोऽभिरामा मधुरा रमयन्ति मदोत्कटाः।
Thereon he is attended by auspicious ladies adorned with celestial ornaments of every sort. Gifted with sweet dispositions and agreeable features, and endued with great energy, se gladden him with their company.
भोगवांस्तेजसा युक्तो वैश्वानरसमप्रभः॥ दिव्यो दिव्येन वपुषा भ्राजमान इवामरः।
Endued with every article of enjoyment and with great energy, and possessed of the splendour of a burning fire, he shines like a celestial, with a celestial form having every excellence.
वसूनां मरुतां चैव साध्यानामश्विनोस्तथा॥ रुद्राणां च तथा लोकं ब्रह्मलोकं च गच्छति।
The regions he attains are those of the Vasus and the Maruts, of the Saddhyas and the Ashvins, of the Rudras and of Brahman himself.
यस्तु मासे गते भुङ्क्ते एकभक्तं शमात्मकः॥ सदा द्वादशमासान् वै ब्रह्मलोकमवाप्नुयात्।
That man who having fasted for a full month, takes a single meal on the first day of the following month, and acts thus for a full year, loO king on all things impartially, attains to the regions of Brahman himself.
सुधारसकृताहारः श्रीमान् सर्वमनोहरः॥ तेजसा वपुषा लक्ष्म्या भ्राजते रश्मिवानिव।
There he lives upon ambrosia. Gifted with a beautiful form highly agreeable to all, he shines with energy and prosperity like the sun himself of a thousand rays.
दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरो दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनः॥ सुखेष्वभिरतो भोगी दुःखानामविजानकः।
Devoted to yoga and adorned with celestial dresses and garlands and smeared with celestial pertumes and unguents, he passes his time in great happiness, not experiencing the least sorrow. He shines on his car attended by ladies that blaze forth with effulgence emitted by themselves.
स्वयंप्रभाभिर्नारीभिर्विमानस्थो महीयते॥ रुद्रदेवर्षिकन्याभिः सततं चाभिपूज्यते।
Those ladies the daughters of the celestial Rishis and the Rudras, worship him with veneration.
नानारमणरूपाभि नारागाभिरेव च॥ नानामधुरभाषाभिर्नानारतिभिरेव च।
Capable of assuming various forms that are highly delightful and highly agreeable, their speech is characterized by various kinds of sweetness, and they are able to please the person they wait upon in various kinds of ways.
विमाने गगनाकारे सूर्यवैदूर्यसंनिभे॥ पृष्ठतः सामसंकाशे उदर्के चाम्रसवन्निभे। दक्षिणायां तु रक्ताभे अधस्ताचीलमण्डले॥ ऊर्ध्वं विचित्रसंकाशे नैको वसति पूजितः।
While making his journeys, he rides on a car that looks like the sky itself in colour, In his rear are cars which look like the Moon; before him are those which resemble the clouds; on his right are cars that are red; below him are those that are blue and above, him are those that are of variegated colour. He is always worshipped by those who wait upon him.
यावद् वर्षसहस्रं वै जम्बुद्वीपे प्रवर्षति॥ तावत् संवत्सराः प्रोक्ता ब्रह्मलोकेऽस्य धीमतः।
Gifted with great wisdom, he lives in the region of Brahman for as many years as are measured by the drops of rain that fall in course of a thousand years on the insular continent of Jamvudvipa.
विपुषश्चैव यावन्त्यो निपतन्ति नभस्तलात्॥ वर्षासु वर्षतस्तावन्निवसत्यमरप्रभः।
Indeed, gifted with the effulgence a deity, he lives in that region of unalloyed happiness for as many years as the drops of rain which fall upon the Earth in the rainy season.
मासोपवासी वर्षस्तु दशभिः स्वर्गमुत्तमम्॥ महर्षित्वमथासाद्य सशरीरगतिर्भवेत्
The man who having fasted for a whole month, eats on the first day of the following months and acts thus for ten years, acquires the status of a great Rishi. He has not to undergo any change of form while going to the celestial region for enjoying the rewards of his deeds in this life.
मुनिर्दान्तो जितक्रोधो जितशिश्चोदरः सदा॥ जुह्वन्नग्नीश्च नियत: संध्योपासनसेविता।
Indeed, this is the status which one acquires by controlling speech, practising self-denial, subjugating anger, sexual appetite, and the desire to eat, pouring libations on the sacred fire, and regularly worshipping the twotwilight's.
बहुभिर्नियमैरवं शुचिरश्नाति यो नरः॥ अभ्रावकाशशीलश्च तस्य भानोरिव त्विषः।
That man who purifies hiinself by the observance of these and similar vows and practices, and who eats in this way, becomes as pure as other and gifted with solar effulgence.
दिवं गत्वा शरीरेण स्वेन राजन् यथामरः॥ स्वर्गे पुण्यं यथाकाममुपभुङ्क्ते तथाविधः।
Such a man, o king proceeding to the celestial region in even his own corporeal frame, enjoys all the, happiness that is there like a celestial at his will.
एष ते भरतश्रेष्ठ यज्ञानां विधिरुत्तमः॥ याख्यातो ह्यानुपूर्वेण उपवासफलात्मकः।
I have thus told you, O chief of the Bharatas, what the excellent ordinances are as son about sacrifices, one ' after another, dependent upon the fruits of fasts.
दरिद्रैर्मनुजैः पार्थ प्राप्तं यज्ञफलं यथा॥ उपवासानिमान् कृत्वा गच्छेच्च परमां गतिम्। देवद्विजातिपूजायां रतो भरतसत्तम॥ उपवासविधिस्त्वेष विस्तरेण प्रकीर्तितः।
Poor men, O of Pritha, may, nevertheless, acquire the fruits thereof (by the observance of fasts). By observing these fasts, even a poor man may acquire the highest end, O foremost one of Bharata's race, devoting himself all the while besides, to the worship of the celestials and the Brahinanas. I have thus recited to you in full the ordinance about fasts.
नियतेष्वप्रमत्तेषु शौचवत्सु महात्मसु॥ दम्भद्रोहनिवृत्तेषु कृतबुद्धिषु भारत। अचलेष्वप्रकम्पेषु मा ते भूदत्र संशयः॥
Do not entertain any doubt about those men who so observe vows, who are so hecdful and pure and great, who are so freed from pride and malice, who are endued with such devoted understandings, and who pursue their end with such firinness and fixity of purpose without ever deviating from their path.