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.
ताम्रपात्र्यां सबीजानि सरलान्यधिवासयेत्
He should place the seeds, along with resin, in a copper vessel.
इन्द्रादिलोकपालेभ्यो भूतेभ्यो मंत्रविद्गुरुः
The teacher who knows the mantras should invoke Indra and the other guardians of the worlds, as well as the spirits.
ग्रहयज्ञविधानेन शांतिकर्म समारभेत् 4.128.
He should begin the rite of appeasement according to the procedure of the planetary sacrifice.
चतुरोऽष्टौ यथाशक्त्या वासोभिरभिपूजयेत्
He should worship with four or eight garments, according to his ability.
मातरं स्थापयित्वाग्रे पूजयेत्कुसुमाक्षतैः
After placing the mother in front, he should worship with flowers and rice grains.
होमादौ जातकर्मादि गोदानं यावदेव तु
At the beginning of the fire offering and other rites, up to the gifting of a cow,
जातकं नामकरणमन्नप्राशनमेव च
The birth ceremony, naming, and first feeding of food should be performed.
जातरूपक्षुरेणात्र चूडाकार्या यथाक्रमम्
Here, the tonsure ceremony should be done in due order with a gold razor.
यजमानस्ततः स्नातः शुक्लांबरधरः शुचिः
Then the sacrificer, having bathed, wearing white garments, and being pure,
ये शाखिनः शिखरिणां शिरसा विभूषा ये नन्दनादिषु वनेषु कृतप्रतिष्ठाः
Those trees whose crests are adorned, who are established in the Nandana and other forests,