न तत्कुर्वंति राजानो न दायादा न शत्रवः
Neither kings, nor heirs, nor enemies perform that.
तस्माद्भवद्भियर्द्दत्तं प्राप्तं तद्राज्यमुत्तमम्
Therefore, the excellent kingdom that has come to you is given by the favor of the learned.
येन मे बहवः पुत्रा धनं भृत्या भवंति वै
By which I have many sons, wealth, and servants indeed.
मंत्रो वा सिद्धयोगो वा व्रतं दानमुपोषितम्
Whether it be a mantra, accomplished yoga, a vow, or charity observed—
ततः स कथयामास पिप्पलादो द्विजोत्तमः
Then the best of the twice-born, Pippalāda, began to speak.
श्रद्धया कुरुशार्दूल नारी वाप्यथ वा पुमान्
With faith, O tiger among Kurus, whether a woman or a man—
तच्छ्रुत्वा स ददौ राजाऽऽपाकाख्यं दानमुत्तमम्
Hearing this, the king gave the excellent gift called Apāka.
दत्तेन येन कामानां पुमान्भवति भाजनम् ।। 4.167.
By giving which, a man becomes a vessel for desires.
ग्रहताराबलं लब्ध्वा भार्गवं पूजयेच्छुभम्
Having obtained the strength of planets and stars, one should worship the auspicious Bhārgava.
कुर्यात्तथैव सम्मानं यथा तुष्टोऽभिजायते
One should show honor in the same way, so that satisfaction is produced.
मणिकादीनि शुभ्राणि स्थाल्यश्च सुमनोहराः
Brilliant jewels and other shining objects, as well as dishes that are most delightful,
शरावादीनि पात्राणि भांडमुच्चावचं बहु
Various vessels such as plates, and many containers both large and small,
भार्गवोऽपि प्रयत्नेन नाना भांडान्वितं शुभम्
Bhārgava too, with great care, brought auspicious items of many kinds,
सहस्रमेकं भांडानां स्थापयित्वा विचक्षणः
The wise one set aside a thousand vessels,
रात्रौ जागरणं कुर्याद्गीतमङ्गलनिस्वनैः
At night, one should keep vigil, accompanied by songs and auspicious music,
रक्तवस्त्रैः समाच्छाद्य पुष्पमालाभिरर्चयेत्
Covering them with red cloths, one should worship with garlands of flowers,
पूजयित्वा प्रयत्नेन कृत्वा चारु प्रदक्षिणाम् 4.167.
Having worshipped with care and performed a beautiful circumambulation,
नार्यश्चाविधवास्तत्र समानीय प्रपूज्य च
Let women who are not widowed be brought there and duly honored,
आपाकब्रह्मरूपोसि भांडानीमानि जंतवः
You are the very form of Āpāka Brahman; these vessels are living beings,
भांडरूपाणि यान्यत्र कल्पितानि मया किल
Whatever vessels I have fashioned elsewhere, indeed, are in these forms,
इति दानमंत्रः स्वेच्छया चैव गृह्णातु न निवार्यास्तु काश्चन
This is the donation mantra: Let them take as they wish; none should be restrained,
अनेन विधिना यस्तु दानमेतत्प्रयच्छति
Whoever gives this donation according to this procedure,
नारी च दत्त्वा सौभाग्यमतुलं प्रतिपद्यते
And any woman who gives, attains incomparable good fortune,
अवियोगं सदा भर्त्रा रूपं चानुत्तमं लभेत् भिद्यते बहुभिर्भेदैर्भूमिरेषा नरेश्वर
She always obtains union with her husband and the highest beauty; O king, this earth is divided in many ways,
निष्पाद्य भांडनिचयोच्चतरं प्रयत्नादापाकदानमिह या कुरुते वरस्त्री
A noble woman who, with effort, gives here the gift of vessels in abundance,
गृहदानविधिवर्णनम् गृहदानस्य माहात्म्यं विधिं वद विदांवर
Description of the procedure for the gift of a house: Tell, O best of the wise, the greatness and the rite of house-giving,
नानृतादधिकं पापं न पूज्यो ब्राह्मणात्परः
There is no sin greater than falsehood, and no one more worthy of worship than a brāhmaṇa,
धनधान्यसमायुक्तं कलत्रापत्यसंकुलम्
Filled with wealth and grain, surrounded by wife and children,
गोगजाश्वगणाकीर्णं गृहं स्वर्गाद्विशिष्यते
A house filled with cows, elephants, horses, and attendants surpasses even heaven.
एवं गृहस्थमाश्रित्य वर्तयंतीतराश्रमाः
Thus, by relying upon the householder's life, the other stages of life are sustained.