In plain words
“The sun appears mild, the days have grown shorter, the cold wind has sharpened its bite, in the fields, by the dim moonlight of night, the farmers threshing the heaps have lifted their voices and begun to sing their songs; yellow flowers have strung necklaces of pearls on the hemp fields, the ripe chillies have taken on the gleam of kumkum; opening a little the faces of the marigolds, setting the wealth of grain in our homes, in the month of Puṣya the gracious festival of Sankrānti has come in its splendour.”
God willed Sankrānti to protect people, so that they would have no hardship of any kind over food and drink. God gives a happiness that matches the toil. That is why, at this time, farmers and labourers rest at ease in their homes. They have hardly any work now. By day the sun looks mild and stays for a shorter time. By night the moon gives coolness and stays for a longer time. To people who have toiled all day, the moon gives comfort at night. The body needs ‘rest’. So every human being, too, should take enough rest. Sleep a while after lunch. After the midday meal you should lie down, if only for a little while. At night you should be in good, deep sleep; you should not stay awake for long hours.