पप्रच्छ कुशलप्रश्नं तपस्यध्ययने तथा
And, with joined palms, he offered his kingdom along with himself.
धर्मे च ते मतिर्नित्यं कच्चित्पार्थिव वर्तते
O king, does your mind always remain steadfast in righteousness?
तव चागमनेनाहं पावितः संगवारिणा
By your arrival, I am purified, as if by the water of holy association.
एवं तौ संविदं कृत्वा संभाष्याथ परस्परम् 4.74.
Thus, after exchanging greetings and conversing with each other,
ततः कथांते राजेन्द्र पुलस्त्यं जातविस्मयः
Then, at the end of the conversation, O king, Pulastya, filled with wonder,
भगवन्प्राणिनः सर्वे संसारार्णवमध्यगाः
O venerable one, all living beings are caught in the midst of the ocean of worldly existence.
नरके गर्भवासे च व्याधिभिर्जन्मना तथा
They dwell in hell, in the womb, and are afflicted by diseases and birth.
लालप्यमाना बहवः परपीडोपजीविनः
Many, tormented and lamenting, live by causing suffering to others.
दृष्ट्वैव तानि तान्येव भृशं मे व्याधितं मनः
Seeing all these things, my mind has become greatly troubled.
उपकारकरं ब्रूहि ममानुग्रहकाम्यया
Out of a desire for your favor, tell me what brings benefit.
यदुपोष्य न दुःखानां भाजनो जायते जनः
By observing what does a person not become a recipient of suffering?
माघमासे सिते पक्षे द्वादशी पावनी स्मृता
In the bright fortnight of the month of Māgha, the twelfth day is considered purifying.
विधिना केन विप्रेन्द्र तन्मे ब्रूहि यथाक्रमम्
O foremost of Brahmins, by what procedure should it be observed? Tell me in order.
तव शुश्रूषणाद्वाच्यं ममाप्येतन्न संशयः ।। 4.74.
Because of your service, this should indeed be spoken to you by me, without doubt.
अदीक्षिताय नो देया नाशिष्याय कदाचन
It should never be given to one who is uninitiated or not a disciple.
वाच्यमेतन्महाराज भवतान्यस्य न क्वचित्
O great king, this should be spoken by you to no one else.
कृतघ्नो मित्रध्रुक्चौरः क्षुद्रो भग्नव्रतस्तथा
One who is ungrateful, betrays friends, is a thief, base, or who has broken a vow—
शुद्धे तिथौ मुहूर्ते च मंडपं कारयेत्ततः
On a pure lunar day and at an auspicious time, one should then have a pavilion constructed.
तन्मध्ये पञ्चहस्तां तु वेदिकां परिकल्पयेत्
In the midst of that, one should construct an altar measuring five hastas.
विलिखेन्मंडलं तत्र पंचवर्णैर्विधानतः
There, one should draw a mandala according to rule, using five colors.
पञ्चविंशतितत्त्वज्ञः स्वाचाराभिरतस्तथा
One who knows the twenty-five principles, devoted to their own conduct, likewise—
ब्राह्मणांस्तेषु युंजीत चातुश्चरणिकाञ्छुभान्
Should engage Brahmins there, who possess the four pure Vedic recensions.
प्रत्यङ्मुखं न्यसेद्देवं चतुर्बाहुमरिंदम
O subduer of enemies, one should place the deity facing west, with four arms.
गन्धैः पुष्पैस्तथा धूपैर्नैवेद्यैर्विविधैरपि 4.74.
With fragrances, flowers, incense, and various offerings of food as well.
न्यसेत्स्तंभद्वयं पश्चात्तिष्ठन्काष्ठसमन्वितम्
Afterwards, two pillars made of wood should be set up, standing together.
षट्त्रिंशदंगुलं श्रेष्ठं चतुरस्रं समंततः
The best should be thirty-six angulas, perfectly square on all sides.
आरोपयेद्धटं तत्र यादृशं तच्छृणुष्व मे
One should place a pot there; listen from me as to what kind it should be.
सर्वलक्षणसंयुक्तं दृढं व्यंगविवर्जितम्
It should possess all auspicious marks, be firm, and free from defects.
कुशलत्वानुरूपेण पाशैकच्छिद्रमेव वा
According to skill, it may have a single opening for the rope, or as appropriate.
होमार्थं कल्पयेच्चापि पालाश्यः समिधः शुभाः
For the purpose of the sacrifice, one should also prepare auspicious palāśa sticks.