त्रितयं निघ्नतां नेयं त्रितयं चोन्नतिं पराम्
Three things are to be destroyed, and three things are to be brought to the highest state.
यः कारयति लोकेऽस्मिन्कीर्तिस्तस्यामला भवेत् 4.127.
Whoever causes this to be done in this world, his fame becomes spotless.
उपेतानामपि दिवं स निबन्धविधायिनाम्
Even those who have departed, if they established such arrangements, attain heaven.
तावत्स्वर्गे स रमते यावत्कीर्तिरनश्वरा
He enjoys in heaven as long as his fame remains imperishable.
हंसास्यक्षिप्तनील्यग्रं पद्मिनीखण्डमण्डितम्
Adorned with fragments of lotuses, with blue tips scattered by the beaks of swans,
घटैरञ्जलिभिर्वक्त्रैर्यस्य वाटीपुटैर्जलम्
From whose pond water is drawn by pitchers, by joined hands, by mouths, or by the hollows of palms,
तडागं नगरोपांते धन्यस्य किल जायते
A pond at the edge of the city is indeed created by the fortunate one.
येषां देवकुलं तत्तु निष्पद्येत सरस्तटे
For whom a temple is constructed on the bank of the lake,
न भवंतीष्टिका यावद्द्रोणी वा भूमिसन्निभा
As long as there is not even a brick or a trough equal to the ground,
भोग्यस्थाने कृतः कूपः सुस्वादुसलिलस्तथा
A well made in a place of enjoyment, with water that is very sweet,
यस्य स्वादुजलं कूपे पिबंति सततं जनाः
He whose well always provides sweet water for people to drink,
यः प्रासादान्रचयति शुभान्देवतानां तडागे कीर्तिस्तस्य भ्रमति विपुला वंशमार्गानुयाता 4.127.
He who builds beautiful shrines for the gods in the pond—his fame spreads widely, following the path of his lineage.
तेषां तडागानि बहूदकानि कूपाश्च यूपाश्च प्रतिश्रयाश्च
Their ponds, abundant in water, their wells, sacrificial posts, and resting places—
वृक्षोद्यापनविधिवर्णनम् उद्यापनविधिं चैव सरहस्यं समासतः
And now, the description of the rite for dedicating trees, and the secret of the dedication, in brief.
पत्रैः पुष्पैः फलैर्मूलैः कुर्वंति पितृतर्पणम्
They perform offerings to the ancestors with leaves, flowers, fruits, and roots.
बहुभिर्मृतकिञ्जातैः पुत्रैर्धर्मार्थवर्जितैः
By many sons born after death, lacking in righteousness and wealth,
प्राणिनः प्रीणयंति स्म च्छायावल्कलपल्लवैः
Living beings are pleased by shade, bark, and tender shoots.
पुष्पपत्रफलच्छायामूलवल्कलदारुभिः
With flowers, leaves, fruits, shade, roots, bark, and wood.
पुत्राः संवत्सरस्यांते श्राद्धं कुर्वंति वा न वा
At the end of the year, sons may or may not perform the śrāddha ceremony.
न तत्करोत्यग्निहोत्रं सुखं यद्योषितः सुतः
If a son, though born of a wife, does not perform the agnihotra, that brings no happiness.
सच्छाया च सपुष्पा च सफला वृक्षवाटिका
A grove of trees that gives true shade, bears flowers, and yields fruit is praiseworthy.
अशोकफलावकरा तिलकालंकृतानना
With fruits of the ashoka tree fallen, and faces adorned with tilaka,
सदा स तीर्थी भवति सदा दानं प्रयच्छति ।। 4.128.
Such a person always visits holy places and always gives gifts.
अश्वत्थमेकं पिचुमंदमेकं न्यग्रोधमेकं दश चिञ्चिणीकान्
One should plant one aśvattha, one pīcumaṃda, one banyan, and ten ciñciṇī trees.
पुष्पोपगंधाढ्यफलोपगन्धं यः पादपं स्पर्शयते द्विजाय
Whoever touches a tree full of flowers and fragrance, or fruit and scent, for a Brāhmaṇa,
प्रतिश्रयाश्रान्त समाश्रयत्वात्समीहितं तत्र फलं बुभुक्षोः
Because it offers shelter to the weary, whatever fruit is desired there by the hungry is obtained.
न खानिताः पुष्करिण्यो रोपिता न महीरुहाः
No ponds are dug, nor are great trees planted,
छायामन्यस्य कुर्वंति तिष्ठंति स्वयमातपे
They give shade to others, while they themselves stand in the sun.
अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि वृक्षस्योद्यापने विधिम्
Now I shall explain further the proper method for the consecration of a tree.
अपुत्रया पुरा पार्थ पार्वत्या मन्दराचले
Once, O Pārtha, on Mount Mandara, Pārvatī, who was without a son,