प्रशस्तपत्रश्रवणां फलदंतवतीं शुभाम्
She should have excellent leaves for ears, be fruitful, and auspicious with teeth.
सितवस्त्रशिरालम्बां सितसर्षपरोमिकाम्
She should be adorned with white cloth, have a white thread for a tail, and white mustard seeds for hair.
ईदृक्संस्थानसम्पन्नां कृत्वा श्रद्धासमन्वितः
Having prepared her in this manner, endowed with such form, one should do so with faith.
या लक्ष्मीः सर्वभूतानां या वै देवेष्ववस्थिता
That Lakṣmī who abides in all beings and who indeed resides among the gods—
ततः प्रदक्षिणां कृत्वा पूजयित्वा प्रणम्य च
After circumambulating, worshipping, and bowing to her,
अनेन विधिना दत्त्वा तिलधेनुं नराधिप
O king, having given the sesame cow in this manner,
यश्च गृह्णाति विधिवद्दीयमानां प्रमोदते
And whoever receives her properly given and rejoices,
तेपि दोषविनिर्मुक्ता ब्रह्मलोकं व्रजंति ते
They too, freed from faults, attain the world of Brahma.
धेनुं तिलमयीं दत्त्वा न शोचति कृताकृते 4.152.
Having given a cow made of sesame, one does not grieve for what is done or not done.
एकाहमथ वा राजन्न युच्छेदन्तरात्मना
O king, even for a single day, one should not waver in the heart.
चान्द्रायणादभ्यधिकं कथितं तिलभक्षणम्
Eating sesame is said to be greater than the Cāndrāyaṇa vow.
वाचा कृतं तु मनसा कर्मणा यच्च संचितम्
Whatever is done by speech, mind, or accumulated by action—
मुशलेनोद्यते नापि लंबिते ब्राह्मणे तथा
Not even when the pestle is raised, nor when the brāhmaṇa is hanging—
सुरापानेन यत्पापमभक्ष्यस्य च भक्षणात्
The sin that arises from drinking liquor or eating what is forbidden—
यममार्गे महाघोरे नदी वैतरणी स्मृता
On the terrible path of Yama, there is a river known as Vaitaraṇī.
यत्र लोहमुखाः काका यत्र श्वानो भयावहाः
There, crows with iron beaks and terrifying dogs are found.
असिपत्रवनं चैव लोहकंटकशाल्मलीम्
And the forest of sword-leaves, as well as the silk-cotton tree with iron thorns.
विमाने कांचने दिव्ये मणिरत्नविभूषिते
In a divine golden aerial chariot adorned with jewels and precious stones.
गुणहीने न दातव्या न दातव्या धनेश्वरे 4.152.
It should not be given to one lacking virtue, nor to a wealthy person.
एका एकस्य दातव्या मुनिभिः कथितं पुरा
One should give one to one person, as the sages of old have declared.
तत्तेहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि सम्यक्फलसहस्रदम्
I shall now explain to you that which grants a thousand-fold reward.
विप्राणां श्रावयेच्छ्राद्धे अनन्तफलमश्नुते
If one causes the Brahmins to hear it at the śrāddha, one attains endless reward.
विभज्यमानान्येतानि दातारं पातयंत्यधः
When these are divided, they cause the giver to fall down below.
अस्या दानप्रभावेन विमानं सर्वकामिकम्
By the power of this gift, one obtains an aerial chariot fulfilling all desires.
एषा चैव प्रदातव्या प्रयतेनान्तरात्मना
This should indeed be given with effort and with one's innermost self.
चन्द्रसूर्योपरागे तु विषुवे अयने तथा
At the eclipse of the moon or sun, at the solstice, and likewise at the equinox.
वैशाख्यां मार्गशीर्ष्यां वा गजच्छायासु चैव हि
In the month of Vaiśākha, or in Mārgaśīrṣa, and also under the shade of an elephant.
यश्च गृह्णाति विधिवद्दीयमानां च पश्यति 4.152.
And whoever receives it according to the rite, or sees it being given.
धेनुं धनाधिपतयो मगधोद्भवेन मानेन ये तिलमयीं चतुराढकेन
The lords of wealth, with pride born in Magadha, who accept a cow made of sesame with four āḍhakas.
प्रतिगृह्णामि देवि त्वां कुटुंबभरणाय च
O goddess, I accept you for the support of my household.