हिताय पृथिवीशानां जगतश्चात्मनस्तथा
Sanaka, who knew the true accounts of ancient royal sages,
निर्घाते पांशुवर्षे च गृहभंगे तथैव च
spoke for the benefit of the rulers of the earth, the world, and himself.
जन्मनक्षत्रपीडासु अनावृष्टिभयेषु च
In times of thunder, dust storms, destruction of homes,
व्याधीनां संभवे जाते शरीरे चातिपीडिते
afflictions caused by birth stars, and fears of drought,
स्वर्गस्य साधनं यच्च कीर्तिदं धनदं तथा 4.142.
when diseases arise, when the body is greatly afflicted,
कोटिहोमाख्यमतुलं सर्वकामफलप्रदम्
and for attaining heaven, fame, and wealth,
ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानि येन नश्यंति तत्क्षणात्
the unparalleled ritual called the 'ten million offerings' grants all desired results.
विधानं तस्य वक्ष्यामि शृणुष्वैकमना भव
By which sins such as killing a Brahmin are destroyed instantly.
पर्वते वापि कुर्वीत य इच्छेत्क्षेममात्मनः
I will explain its procedure to you; listen with focused mind.
यजमानस्यानुकूल्ये कोटिहोमं समाचरेत्
One who desires well-being for himself should perform it even on a mountain.
वस्त्रैर्विभूषणैश्चैव गंधमाल्यानुलेपनैः
For the benefit of the yajamana, the ritual of ten million offerings should be undertaken.
त्वं नो गतिः पिता माता त्वं गतिस्त्वं परायणः
With garments, ornaments, fragrant flowers, and ointments,
आपद्विमोक्षाय च मे कुरु यज्ञमनुत्तमम्
Perform for me the most excellent sacrifice for deliverance from calamity.
पुरोहितस्ततः प्राज्ञः शुक्लांबरधरः शुचिः
Then the wise priest, pure and clad in white garments,
भूमिभागे समे शुद्धे प्रागुदक्प्रवणे तथा 4.142.
on a level and clean spot of ground, sloping to the east or north,
ततस्तु महितैर्विप्रः सूत्रयेन्मण्डपं शुभम् जघन्यं तु तदर्धेन शक्तिकालाद्यपेक्षया
should, with due reverence, mark out an auspicious pavilion with cords; if resources are limited, it should be half the size, according to ability and occasion.
मध्ये तु मण्डपस्यापि कुंडं कुर्याद्विचक्षणः
In the center of the pavilion, the learned one should construct the fire-pit.
मेखलात्रितयं तस्य द्वादशांगुलविस्ततम्
Its three enclosing bands should each be twelve finger-breadths wide.
कुंडस्य पूर्वभागे तु वेदिं कुर्याद्विचक्षणः
To the east of the fire-pit, the learned one should make the altar.
स्थानं तत्सर्वभूतानां कुर्याद्यत्नेन बुद्धिमान्
With care, the wise should prepare a place there for all beings.
उदलिप्य ततो भूमिं मंडपस्य समीपतः
Then, after smearing the ground near the pavilion,
अश्वत्थप्लक्षचूताद्यैः पल्लवैरुपशोभितान्
he should adorn it with fresh leaves of peepal, fig, mango, and other trees.
स्थापयेद्दिक्षु सर्वासु तोरणानि विचक्षणः
The learned one should set up gateways in all directions.
पुण्याहजयघोषेण होमकर्म समारभेत्
With auspicious sounds and cries of victory, he should begin the fire ritual.
ब्राह्मणं पूर्वभागे तु मध्ये देवं जनार्दनम् 4.142.
He should place the brāhmaṇa in the east, and Janārdana, the Lord, in the center.
ऐशान्यां च ग्रहान्सर्वानाग्नेय्यां मरुतस्तथा
In the northeast, all the planets; in the southeast, the Maruts likewise.
एवं संस्थाप्य विबुधान्यथास्थानं नृपोत्तम
Thus, O best of kings, having established the deities in their proper places,
वेदोक्तमंत्रैस्तल्लिङ्गैः पुराणोक्तैः पृथक्पृथक् आदित्या वसवो रुद्रा लोकपालास्तथा ग्रहाः
with Vedic mantras and their respective symbols, and those prescribed in the Purāṇas separately— the Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, guardians of the worlds, and the planets,
ब्रह्मा जनार्दनश्चैव शूलपाणिर्भगाक्षिहा
Brahmā, Janārdana, Śūlapāṇi, and Bhaga, the destroyer of eyes,
पूजां गृह्णंतु सर्वेत्र मया भक्त्योपपादिताम्
let all these accept the worship offered by me with devotion here.