एवं प्रकल्पये द्यज्ञं कोटिहोमाख्यमुत्तमम्
Thus, one should arrange the supreme sacrifice called the Koṭi-homa.
होतव्याः कोटिहोमे तु समिधश्च पलाशजाः पञ्चमे तन्मुखे राजन्सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये
In the Koṭi-homa, the offerings should be palāśa wood, O king, and in the fifth face of the fire, for the accomplishment of all desires.
पूर्णाहुत्यः समाख्याताः कोटिहोमे नराधिप
The complete oblations are prescribed in the Koṭi-homa, O ruler of men.
प्रारंभदिनमारभ्य ब्राह्मणैर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः
From the very first day, by Brahmins who are knowers of Brahman,
क्रोधलोभादयो दोषा वर्जनीयाः प्रयत्नतः 4.142.
Faults such as anger and greed must be carefully avoided.
कालेन महता चैव शक्यः प्राप्तुं कथंचन
By the passage of much time, it may somehow be accomplished.
नियमाद्ब्रह्मचर्याद्वा दुष्करो हीति मे मतिः
But by strict observance or by celibacy, it is difficult—such is my opinion.
कार्याद्गुरुतया यस्मात्पर्वकालाद्यपेक्षया कोटिहोमस्य संक्षेपं वद मे ब्रह्म संभव
Because of the greatness of the task and the dependence on auspicious times, O Brahma-born, tell me in brief about the Koṭi-homa.
चतुर्विधो महाराज कोटिहोमो विधीयते
O great king, the koṭi-homa is prescribed in four varieties.
कार्यस्य गुरुतां ज्ञात्वा नैव कुर्यादपर्वणि
Having understood the gravity of the undertaking, one should not perform it on an inauspicious day.
कृत्वा कुंडशतं दिव्यं यथोक्तं हस्त संमितम्
After preparing a hundred sacred fire-pits as described, each measured by the hand,
सद्यः पक्षे तु विप्राणां सहस्रं परिकीर्तितम्
It is said that, at once, a thousand Brāhmaṇas are to be engaged.
होमं कुर्युर्द्विजाः सर्वे कुण्डे कुण्डे यथोदितम्
All the twice-born should perform the homa in each fire-pit as prescribed.
न च वह्निबहुत्वं स्यात्तत्र यज्ञे विधीयते
But there should not be a multiplicity of fires in that sacrifice.
एक एव भवेद्यज्ञः कोटिहोमो न संशयः शताननः स विज्ञेयः कोटिहोमो न संशयः ।। 4.142.
There should be only one sacrifice; the koṭi-homa is indeed so, without doubt. It is to be understood as a hundred-faced (multi-faceted) koṭi-homa, without doubt.
स्वल्पैरहोभिः कार्यः स्याद्वर्षाकालादिकेऽपि वा
It may be accomplished in a few days, or even at the beginning of the rainy season.
विप्राणां द्वे शते तत्र सुविभज्य नियोजयेत्
Two hundred Brāhmaṇas should be properly divided and engaged there.
भूप कुंडद्वयं कृत्वा विभज्य च विभावसुम्
O king, after making two fire-pits and dividing the fire,
शतं तत्र नियोज्यं स्याद्विप्राणां प्रविभज्य वै
A hundred Brāhmaṇas should be assigned to each, properly divided.
एवं च द्विमुखं कार्यः कोटिहोमो विचक्षणैः
Thus, the wise should perform the koṭi-homa with two faces (in two parts).
यदा तु स्वेच्छया यज्ञं यजमानः समापयेत्
Whenever the sacrificer wishes to complete the sacrifice at his own will,
एककुंडस्थितो वह्निरेकचित्तैः समाहितैः
With the fire placed in a single pit, by those united in mind and concentration,
न संख्यानियमश्चात्र ब्राह्मणानां नरोत्तम
There is no fixed number of Brāhmaṇas here, O best of men.
आवृत्त्या सर्वकामस्य चातुर्मास्यानुकर्मवत्
By repetition, all desires are fulfilled, just as with the ancillary rites of the four-monthly sacrifices.
अयमेकमुखो राजन्कालेन बहुना भवेत् 4.142.
This is the single-faced (single-pit) method, O king; over time, it may become manifold.
यतो हि चित्तवित्ताद्यमायुश्चैवास्थिरं सदा
For indeed, mind, wealth, and even life itself are always unstable.
ततः समाप्ते यज्ञे तु कारयेत्सुमहोत्सवम्
Then, when the sacrifice is completed, one should arrange a grand festival.
ततस्तु दीक्षयेद्विन्प्रान्होतॄंश्च श्रद्धयान्वितः
After that, with faith, he should initiate the learned priests and the officiating priests.
गोशतं चैव दातव्यमश्वानां च शतं तदा
At that time, a hundred cows and a hundred horses should be given.
ग्रामैर्गजै रथैरश्वैः पूजयेच्च पुरोहितम्
He should honor the family priest with villages, elephants, chariots, and horses.