Bhai Dooj greeting shlokas

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1. 1कार्तिके शुक्लपक्षस्य द्वितीयायां युधिष्ठिर

   कार्तिके शुक्लपक्षस्य द्वितीयायां युधिष्ठिर।यमो यमुनया पूर्वं भोजितः स्वगृहेऽर्चितः॥अतो यमद्वितीयेयं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुता॥

   Source: Nirnaya Sindhu (Kamalakara Bhatta), the section on Yama Dvitiya (Kartik Shukla Dvitiya), quoted under the name of the Bhavishya Purana

   Meaning: O Yudhishthira, on the second day of the bright half of Kartik, Yamuna once honoured Yama in her own home and fed him. That is why this day is known in the three worlds as Yama Dvitiya.

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2. 2स्नेहेन भगिनीहस्ताद्भोक्तव्यं पुष्टिवर्धनम्

   स्नेहेन भगिनीहस्ताद्भोक्तव्यं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।दानानि च प्रदेयानि भगिनीभ्यो विधानतः॥

   Source: Nirnaya Sindhu (Kamalakara Bhatta), the section on Yama Dvitiya (Kartik Shukla Dvitiya), in the same quotation

   Meaning: On this day one should eat lovingly from a sister’s hand, which brings strength and nourishment, and give gifts to one’s sisters as the custom prescribes.

   Just before this, the text says that on this day one should not eat at home; it goes on to ask that all sisters be honoured with gold ornaments, clothes and food.

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3. 3यस्यां तिथौ यमुनया यमराजदेवः

   यस्यां तिथौ यमुनया यमराजदेवःसंभोजितः प्रतिजगत्स्वसृसौहृदेन।तस्यां स्वसुः करतलादिह यो भुनक्तिप्राप्नोति रत्नसुखधान्यमनुत्तमं सः॥

   Source: Nirnaya Sindhu (Kamalakara Bhatta), the section on Yama Dvitiya (Kartik Shukla Dvitiya), quoted in the same section

   Meaning: On the day when Yamuna, with a sister’s love, fed Yamaraja, whoever eats from his own sister’s hand, says the verse, gains the finest of jewels, happiness and grain.

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4. 4एह्येहि मार्तण्डज पाशहस्त यमान्तकालोकधरामरेश

   एह्येहि मार्तण्डज पाशहस्त यमान्तकालोकधरामरेश।भ्रातृद्वितीयाकृतदेवपूजां गृहाण चार्घ्यं भगवन्नमस्ते॥

   Source: Nirnaya Sindhu (Kamalakara Bhatta), the section on Yama Dvitiya (Kartik Shukla Dvitiya): the verse of the Gauda (Bengal) authorities for offering arghya to Yama

   Meaning: Come, come, son of the Sun, noose in hand, O Yama, O ender of life, upholder of the worlds, lord among the gods: accept this worship offered on Bhratri Dvitiya, and this arghya. Salutations to you, O lord.

   According to the Nirnaya Sindhu, in the Gauda tradition Yama, Chitragupta and Yama’s messengers are worshipped on this day, and brother and sister together offer arghya to Yama.

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5. 5भ्रातस्तवानुजाताहं भुङ्क्ष्व भक्तमिदं शुभम्

   भ्रातस्तवानुजाताहं भुङ्क्ष्व भक्तमिदं शुभम्।प्रीतये यमराजस्य यमुनायां विशेषतः॥

   Source: Nirnaya Sindhu (Kamalakara Bhatta), the section on Yama Dvitiya (Kartik Shukla Dvitiya): the sister’s words as she serves the meal

   Meaning: Brother, I am your younger sister. Eat this auspicious meal, for the pleasure of Yamaraja and above all of Yamuna.

   The Nirnaya Sindhu adds that, according to the Smartas, an elder sister says ‘agrajataham’ (I am your elder sister) in place of ‘anujataham’.

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6. 6ऊर्जे शुक्ले द्वितीयायां पूजितस्तर्पितो यमः

   ऊर्जे शुक्ले द्वितीयायां पूजितस्तर्पितो यमः।वेष्टितः किन्नरैर्हृष्टैस्तस्मै यच्छति वाञ्छितम्॥

   Source: Nirnaya Sindhu (Kamalakara Bhatta), the section on Yama Dvitiya (Kartik Shukla Dvitiya), quoted by Hemadri from the Skanda Purana

   Meaning: The verse says: worshipped and offered water on the bright second day of Kartik (Urja), Yama, surrounded by joyful kinnaras, grants the worshipper what he wishes.

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7. 7भ्रातुरन्तकस्य पत्तनेऽभिपत्तिहारिणी

   भ्रातुरन्तकस्य पत्तनेऽभिपत्तिहारिणीप्रेक्षयातिपापिनोऽपि पापसिन्धुतारिणी।नीरमाधुरीभिरप्यशेषचित्तबन्धिनीमां पुनातु सर्वदारविन्दबन्धुनन्दिनी॥

   Source: Shri Yamunashtakam, verse 1 (from the Stavamala of Shri Rupa Gosvami)

   Meaning: She who keeps us from reaching the city of her brother Antaka (Yama), who by a single sight carries even great sinners across the ocean of sin, whose sweet waters hold every heart: may Yamuna, daughter of the Sun, friend of the lotus, ever purify me.

   Jiva Gosvami’s commentary explains ‘bhratur antakasya’ as Dharmaraja Yama, Yamuna’s elder brother.

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