मूलं यज्ञस्य काम्यस्य सर्वदेवमयाः शुभाः
They are the root of the desired sacrifice, auspicious, and embody all the gods.
ब्राह्मणाश्चैव गावश्च कुलमेकं द्विधा कृतम्
Brāhmaṇas and cows are one family, divided in two.
यासां पुत्रैर्धृता लोका धारिताः सर्वदेवताः
By whose offspring the worlds are supported, and all the gods are upheld.
एकाऽपि गौर्गुणोपेता कृत्स्नं तारयते कुलम्
Even a single cow endowed with virtues delivers the entire family.
सुवत्सा सुदुहा चैव पापरोगविवर्जिता
She is a good calf, gives abundant milk, and is free from sinful diseases.
किं पुनर्दश यो दद्याच्छतं वा विधिपूर्वकम्
What then of one who gives ten, or a hundred, in accordance with the prescribed rite?
गोसहस्रं पुरा दत्तं नहुषेण महीभृता 4.159.
A thousand cows were formerly given by Nahusha, the king.
गंगातीरे महद्दत्तमदित्या पुत्रकाम्यया
A great gift was made on the banks of the Ganga, by Aditya, desiring sons.
श्रूयते पितृभिर्गीता गाथास्ताः शृणु भूपते
It is heard that the ancestors sang those verses; listen to them, O king.
यदि कश्चित्कुलेऽस्माकं गोसहस्रं प्रदापयेत्
If someone in our lineage should cause a thousand cows to be given,
दुहिता वा कुले काचिद्गोसहस्रप्रदायिनी
Or if some daughter in the family is a giver of a thousand cows,
अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ञं वै सर्वकामिकम्
After this, I will declare the sacrifice that fulfills all desires.
तीर्थे गोष्ठे गृहे वापि मंडपं कारयेच्छुभम्
At a sacred place, in a cowshed, or at home, one should construct an auspicious pavilion.
तन्मध्ये कारयेद्वेदिं चतुर्हस्तामनूपमाम्
Within it, one should make an altar, four cubits in size and well-proportioned.
पूर्वोत्तरेऽथदिग्भागे ग्रहवेदिं प्रकल्पयेत्
In the eastern and northern part, one should arrange the planetary altar.
ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च पूज्याः प्रथममेव हि
Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra must be worshipped first.
चत्वारो वा महाराज उपाध्यायश्च पंचमः 4.159.
Or four, O great king, with the fifth being the preceptor.
शोभिताश्छत्रसंपन्नास्ताम्रपात्रद्वयान्विताः
They are adorned with umbrellas, equipped with two copper vessels.
वेद्याः पूर्वोत्तरे भागे शिवकुंडं नियोजयेत्
In the eastern and northern part of the altar, one should establish the Shiva-kunda.
कार्यं कुरुकुलश्रेष्ठ ततो होमं समारभेत्
This should be done, O best of the Kurus; then one should begin the oblation.
गोसहस्राद्विनिष्कृष्य सवत्सं दशकं गवाम् अतः प्रवेश्य दशकं वस्त्रैर्माल्यैश्च पूजयेत्
From the thousand cows, select ten with calves; then bring them in, and worship them with garments and garlands.
सुवर्णघंटिकायुक्तं ताम्रदोहनकान्वितम् हेमरत्नमयैः शृंगैश्चामरैश्चोपशोभितम्
With golden bells, copper milking vessels, horns of gold and jewels, and adorned with yak tails.
मुनयः केचिदिच्छन्ति कांचनं नंदिकेश्वरम्
Some sages desire the golden Nandikeśvara.
एका प्रत्यक्षऋषभे केषांचिद्दानमिष्यते
For some, a single bull is offered directly as a gift.
पताकाभिरलंकृत्य देवतायतनानि च
With flags adorning and also the shrines of the deities,
यदि सर्वा न विद्यन्ते गावः सर्वगुणोत्तमाः
If all are not present, cows possessing all excellent qualities,
पुष्पकालमथो वाद्यगीतमंगलनिस्वनैः इममुच्चारयेन्मंत्रं गृहीतकुसुमांजलिः ।। 4.159.
During the season of flowers, with auspicious sounds of music and song, one should recite this mantra, holding a handful of flowers.
नमो वो विश्वमूर्तिभ्यो विश्वमातृभ्य एव च
Salutations to you, embodiments of the universe, and also to you, mothers of the universe.
गवामंगेषु तिष्ठन्ति भुवनान्येकविंशतिः
Twenty-one worlds reside in the limbs of the cows.
गावो ममाग्रतः संतु गावो मे संतु पृष्ठतः
May cows be before me; may cows be behind me.