In the sacred ceremony of royal consecration, the king begins by worshipping the Aparājitā vessel, which is placed to the south of the fire. This vessel, crafted from gold and filled with fragrant substances and flowers, is honored with reverence. The fire itself must be remarkable: its flame should turn clockwise, shine with the brilliance of heated gold, roar like a chariot or thundercloud, and remain smokeless. Upright and steady, the fire’s blaze is fragrant, shaped like a svastika, clear, auspicious, and free from sparks. Care is taken to ensure that no cats, deer, or birds pass through the center of the ritual space. Then, the king cleanses himself with earth from various sacred sources: earth from a mountain peak for his head, from the top of an anthill for his ears and mouth, from Indra’s abode for his neck, and from the royal arena for his heart. His right arm is purified with earth from an elephant’s tusk, and his left arm with earth from a bull’s horn. The king’s waist is cleansed with earth from the entrance of a courtesan’s house, his thighs with earth from the sacrificial place, and his knees with earth from the cowshed. For his shanks, earth from the horse-stable is used, and for his feet, earth from a chariot wheel. Seated upon the auspicious throne, the king’s head is then anointed with the five sacred products of the cow. The four ministers are also anointed in turn: in the east, the brāhmaṇa with a golden pitcher filled with ghee; in the south, the kṣatriya with a silver pitcher filled with milk; in the west, the vaiśya with a copper pitcher filled with curds; and in the north, the śūdra minister with water from an earthen pitcher. After these anointings, the best of the Bahvṛca priests performs the king’s consecration, using honey, kuśa-grass water, and the prescribed vessel. The fire-protection rite is performed for all participants, and the mantras specific to the king’s consecration are recited. The king is then anointed with a golden vessel pierced with a hundred holes, accompanied by the mantras ‘yā oṣadhīḥ’, ‘oṣadhībhyaḥ’, and ‘rathetyukta’, and with fragrant substances. Flowers and seeds are offered, as befitting both the flowering ones and the brāhmaṇa. Jewels, hope, silver, and water from sacred grasses are given for the gods. The touch of the Yajurveda and Atharvaveda, along with fragrant substances, sanctifies the king; his head and neck are adorned with yellow pigment and water from all sacred fords. Music fills the air: singing, instruments, and other melodies accompany the procession. Fly-whisks and fans are waved, and a pot containing all medicinal herbs is carried before the king. The priest, seated upon a bed covered with tiger skin, gives the king honey-mixture and similar offerings, then performs the tying of the turban. The king’s crown is bound with five or six folds, and, entering with the fixed ones and others, he is adorned with the skin of a bull or vṛṣadaṃśa. His seat is covered with the skin of an island animal, lion, or tiger, and the usher presents the ministers, counselors, and others. The priests are honored with gifts of cows, goats, houses, and more for a year, and the twice-born are worshipped with excellent gifts of land and food. The king circumambulates the fire, bows to his teacher, touches a bull and a cow with a calf, and worships the reciter of mantras. He mounts a horse and an elephant, honors them, and, accompanied by his army, circumambulates along the royal road. Puṣkara then declares: thus anointed, the best of kings, with his ministers, should go forth to conquer his enemies. The king appoints his commander, whether brāhmaṇa or kṣatriya, who must be of good family and learned in political science. The usher is skilled in policy, and the messenger is pleasant-spoken, strong, and not lacking. The minister for treaties and war is expert in the six policies. The sword-bearer serves as protector, the charioteer is skilled in the army, and the superintendent of the kitchen is wise and beneficial. Assembly members are learned in law, the scribe is skilled in letters, and those who know the proper time for summons are beneficial. Doorkeepers must be trustworthy. The superintendent at the inner gate is skilled in jewels and wealth, and a physician learned in Ayurveda oversees health. The superintendent of elephants is skilled with elephants and tireless, as is the superintendent of horses. The chief architect is wise and skilled in building, and experts in machines and combat serve the king. The superintendent of the inner apartments is elderly, and women should be fifty years of age; men up to seventy may serve in all duties. Someone who is always awake is stationed in the armory, and tasks are assigned according to conduct. The king discerns the best, worst, and middling tasks, appointing men accordingly. Loyal allies are brought in for the conquest of the earth. Righteous individuals are given righteous duties, the brave are assigned to battle, the skilled to matters of wealth, and the pure to all such tasks. Among women, eunuchs are appointed; the harsh are given cruel tasks, and those known for purity are assigned as appropriate. In matters of righteousness, wealth, and desire, the lowest are assigned to the lowest tasks, and the king acts as appropriate, testing them with stratagems. With his ministers, according to justice, he appoints those who dwell in forests and elephants, employing diligent overseers to track their movements. Each person is assigned to the task in which he is skilled, and hereditary servants are employed in all duties. Thus, with ritual, wisdom, and discernment, the consecrated king is prepared to rule, supported by ministers and servants each chosen for their virtue and skill.