एष राजंस्तडागस्य विधिस्ते परिकीर्तितः
O king, this is the procedure for the tank that has been described.
कुण्डमण्डपसंभारभूषणाच्छादनादिकम् 4.127.
The materials for the altar, pavilion, ornaments, coverings, and so forth.
अकालमूलान्कलशान्वापीकोणेषु दापयेत्
He should have pots with roots placed at the corners of the reservoir.
सितवासोयुगच्छन्नान्समाल्यान्रत्नगर्भिणः
He should cover them with pairs of white cloths, garlanded and filled with gems.
चतस्र आहुतीर्दद्याद्भूर्भुवः स्वरिति क्रमात्
He should offer four oblations, reciting 'bhūḥ', 'bhuvaḥ', and 'svaḥ' in order.
वरुणाय बलिं दद्याल्लोकपालेभ्य एव च
He should present an offering to Varuṇa and also to the guardians of the worlds.
वेदीमध्ये मंडलं च पद्ममत्र प्रशस्यते
In the center of the altar, a circle and a lotus are especially praised.
मत्स्यकमठमण्डूकान्वेद्या मध्येऽधिवासयेत्
He should place representations of fish, tortoise, and frog in the middle of the altar.
वैद्यो रोगाभिभूतानां शरण्यः शरणार्थिनाम्
The physician is a refuge for those afflicted by disease, and for those seeking shelter.
आदौ चावाहयेद्देवमनेनैव विशेषतः
First, he should invoke the deity in this very manner, with special attention.
सान्निध्यं कुरु देवेश समुद्रे यद्वदत्र वै
O Lord of the gods, grant your presence here just as you do in the ocean.
गौः स्थापकाय दातव्या भोजनं चानिवारितम् 4.127.
A cow should be given to the installer, and food is not to be withheld.
शराया आगतं तोयं सामुद्रं प्रथमं स्मृतम्
The water that comes from the arrow is considered the first oceanic water.
वापीकूपतडागे वा स्थितं तु प्रथमं जलम्
The water found in a pond, well, or tank is regarded as the first water.
समुद्रोऽपि हि कौंतेय देवयोनिरपांपतिः
Indeed, O son of Kunti, the ocean is also divine in origin, the lord of waters.
अग्निश्च तेजो मृडयाथ देहे रेतोधा विष्णुरमृतस्य नाभिः
Agni is fire, O Mṛḍa, and in the body, the seed-holder is Viṣṇu, the navel of nectar.
वैष्णवे मासि संप्राप्ते नक्षत्रे वारुणे तथा
When the Vaiṣṇava month arrives, and also under the Vāruṇa star,
स्नात्वा तु विधिवन्मंत्रैः सागरे तु समाहितः
Having bathed properly with mantras, one should be focused at the ocean.
अपि जन्मसहस्रं तु यत्पापं कुरुते नरः
Even if a man has committed sins for a thousand births,
विधिज्ञेन तु कर्तव्यं ब्राह्मणेन यथाविधि
It should be performed by a brāhmaṇa who knows the procedure, according to the prescribed rules.
विधिं त्वेनमजानानो यः कुर्यादर्थमोहितः
But one who, ignorant of the procedure, acts out of delusion for gain,
तस्य तन्निष्फलं सर्वमुप्तं बीजमिवोषरे ।। 4.127.
For him, all that is fruitless, like a seed sown in barren ground.
सर्वरत्नमयं दिव्यं चन्द्रार्कसदृशप्रभम्
It is made entirely of all precious gems, divine, and radiant like the moon and sun.
कश्चित्पिबति तत्तोयं निपानस्थं ततोऽञ्जलिम्
Someone drinks that water, taking it from the reservoir with his hands.
महाभोज्यं महोत्सर्गं यजमानो दिनाष्टकम्
The sacrificer attains great food and great offerings for eight days.
कारकाः कर्मणो वापि सूत्रधारादयो नराः
Those who are the doers of the work, or the supervisors and others involved,
खन्यमाने महीभागे प्राणिनो ये क्षयं गताः
And the living beings who perished while the earth was being dug,
धेनोस्तु रोमकूपाणि यावन्तीह नरोत्तम
O best of men, as many as the pores on the body of a cow,
कोटिर्युगसहस्राणां स्वर्गे तिष्ठेत्तडागकृत्
The maker of a reservoir remains in heaven for a crore of thousands of yugas.
तांस्तु तारयते सर्वानात्मानं च महीपते
He delivers all of them, and himself as well, O king.