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,
जातकर्मादिकास्तस्य याः क्रियाः किल बुद्धिमन्
All the rites beginning with birth-ceremony, those indeed were performed for him, O wise one.
ततो मूले घनदलो वल्गुच्छायांगपल्लवः
Then at the root, with dense leaves, spreading shade, and tender shoots,
स्त्रीनामकंटकीकुब्जकीटवृश्चिककोटरः 4.128.
There are no thorns, no crookedness, no insects, scorpions, or hollows for women.
आलवाले सुविहिते शुभे बद्धचतुष्किके
In a well-prepared, auspicious enclosure, with four sides securely bound,
सदैवोद्यापनं पार्थ पादपानां प्रशस्यते
O Pārtha, the continual consecration of trees is always to be praised.
पताकालंकृतं वृक्षं पूर्वेद्युरधिवासयेत्
One should consecrate the tree, adorned with banners, on the previous day.
पिष्टातकेनावकिरेत्सर्वौषध्या च पादपम्
One should sprinkle the tree with flour cakes and with all medicinal herbs.
पल्लवालंकृतमुखान्सितचन्दनचर्चितान्
With faces adorned with fresh leaves and anointed with white sandal paste,
पताकालंकृताः सर्वे कार्यास्तत्सन्निधौ द्रुमाः
All the trees there should be decorated with banners.
रक्तपीतसिताच्छादैश्चर्चिताः सुमनोहरैः
They should be adorned with beautiful red, yellow, and white coverings.