संचिंत्यैवं समानाय्य वसंतं प्राह शंकरः
Thinking thus, and summoning Vasanta, Shankara spoke to him:
सितपक्षः सहायोऽयं सर्वभूतसुखप्रदः
This ally of the bright fortnight brings happiness to all beings.
यो यथा रथमारूढः समायातः समीक्षितुम्
Whoever, mounted on a chariot, comes to witness in whatever manner,
कारयिष्यन्ति ये मर्त्या रथयात्रामहोत्सवम्
Those mortals who arrange the great festival of the chariot procession,
एवमाभाष्य भगवान्वसंतं च ततः सुरैः
Having spoken thus to Vasanta, the Blessed Lord, along with the gods,
आरोपयेत्कथं देवान्रथे वद जगत्पते ।। 4.134.
Tell me, Lord of the world, how should the gods be placed upon the chariot?
सुदृढाक्षं दृढाबंधं सुचक्ररथकूबरम्
With a chariot having strong axles, firm bindings, and well-made wheels and pole,
अथ वा वंशविहितं नेत्रपट्टपटावृतम्
Or else, one made of bamboo, covered with cloth bands and netting,
सितगोयुगसंयुक्तं पञ्चबाणपताकिनम्
Joined with a pair of white oxen, bearing the banner of the five arrows,
वैश्वदेवं ततः कुर्याद्ग्रहयज्ञविधानतः
Then one should perform the Vaiśvadeva rite, according to the procedure for the planetary sacrifice,
आरोपयेद्रथे देवं मूलमंत्रेण मंत्रवित्
The knower of mantras should place the deity on the chariot with the root mantra.
रथे तिष्ठन्नयति वाजिनः पुरो यत्रयत्र कामयते सुषारथिः शंखदुंदुभिनिर्घोषैः काहलानां च निःस्वनैः
Standing on the chariot, the excellent charioteer guides the horses wherever he wishes, accompanied by the sounds of conches, drums, and the resonant tones of kahalas.
दोषासुखेन रमितं प्रेषणीयपुरःसरम्
Delighted by the joy of the night, with the procession led forward,
तांबूलानि रथे दद्यात्पुष्पमालायुतानि च
He should place betel leaves on the chariot, along with garlands of flowers.
यस्ययस्य गृहेभ्येति प्रेरितो रथिना रथः । ।। 4.134.
Whichever house the chariot, driven by the charioteer, is sent to—
इतरोऽपि भवेत्पूज्यः संप्राप्ते गृहिणां गृहे
There too, when it arrives at the householder’s home, the other should also be honored.
कदाचिदक्षभङ्गः स्याद्ध्वजभंगोऽथ वा भवेत्
Sometimes the axle may break, or the banner may be damaged.
ब्राह्मणांस्तत्र संपूज्य होमः कार्यो विजानता
There, one should honor the Brahmins and perform a fire offering with understanding.
प्रेरणीप्रेक्षणीयैश्च भ्रामयित्वा रथोत्तमम्
Having displayed the chariot with those who urge it on and those who observe it,
दोलाग्राहैश्चक्रदोलाभ्रमैर्डमरकैस्तथा
With those who swing the chariot, with the turning of the wheel-swing, and with drums as well,
एवं यः कुरुते पार्थ सुखदं तु रथोत्सवम्
Whoever, O Partha, thus conducts the joyful chariot festival,
यः कारयित्वा सौवर्णं रौप्यं वा रथमुत्तमम्
Who, having made a most excellent chariot of gold or silver,
वर्णकैश्चित्रितं दिव्यं दारुजं वा सुशोभनम्
Or a splendid wooden one, adorned with colors and divine decorations,
स मर्त्यलोके सुचिरात्सुखानि च समश्नुते
He enjoys happiness for a long time in the world of mortals.
स्थापयेत्सर्वभागे तु गेयं वाद्यपुरःसरम् 4.134.
He should arrange music and singing in every part, led by instruments.
तत्रापि जागरं कुर्याद्वाद्यगीतसुमं गलैः
There too, one should hold a vigil with music, song, and garlands of flowers.
प्रेक्षणीयविनोदेन तां रात्रिमतिवाहयेत्
One should pass that night with delightful performances and entertainments.
महायात्रां प्रकुर्वीत तत्राप्यद्भुतचेष्टितम् ६३ पूजयित्वा विधानेन षष्ठेऽह्नि भवनं नयेत्
One should conduct a great procession there, with wondrous acts; after worshiping according to rule, on the sixth day, bring it to the house.
सर्वपापहरा पुण्या किञ्चिदन्यन्निबोध मे
This is holy and removes all sins; now listen to something else.
पञ्चम्यां पंकजकरां पूजयेद्वा सरस्वतीम्
On the fifth day, one should worship Sarasvati, who holds the lotus in her hand.