आदौ मार्गशिरे मासि शोभने दिवसे शुभाम्
O Partha, I shall tell you about the Agnishtika; listen to it—how and by what method it brings happiness to all beings.
देवांगणे पथे गेहे विस्तीर्णे चत्वरेथ वा
First, in the month of Margashirsha, on an auspicious and beautiful day,
ततः प्रज्वालयेदग्निं हुत्वा व्याहृतिभिः क्रमात्
in the courtyard of the gods, on the road, at home, or in a spacious public square,
यदि कश्चित्क्षुधार्थी स्याद्भोज्यं तस्मै प्रकल्पयेत्
then one should kindle the fire, offering oblations with the sacred utterances in due order.
यः करोति कथाः पार्थ न ताः शक्या मयोदितुम्
If someone is hungry, food should be prepared for him.
वदेल्लोकः सुखासीनो न केनापि निवार्यते
O Partha, the stories that are told—those I am unable to recount.
तस्य पुण्यफलं राज न्कथ्यमानं निबोध मे
The people, sitting comfortably, may speak as they wish; no one restrains them.
षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि षष्टिवर्षशतानि च 4.173.
Hear from me, O king, the merit and fruit of this act as it is declared.
इह लोकेवतीर्णश्च चतुर्वेदो द्विजो भवेत्
For sixty thousand years and six thousand years besides,
चैत्ये सुरांगणसभावसथे सुभव्यां येऽग्नीष्टिकां प्रचुरकाष्ठवतीं प्रदद्युः
in this world, one is born as a twice-born who knows the four Vedas.
विद्यादानविधिवर्णनम् युधिष्ठिर उवाच बहुप्रदानं गोदानं त्वत्तो विद्वञ्छ्रुतं मया
In a shrine, in the assembly hall of the gods, or in a noble dwelling, those who offer the Agnishtika with abundant firewood—
सांप्रतं यदुशार्दूल विद्यादानस्य यो विधिः
Description of the procedure for the gift of knowledge.
यथा देयं फलं यच्च दत्तेन कुरुनंदन
Yudhishthira said: I have heard from you, O wise one, about many gifts and the giving of cows.
शुभेऽह्नि विप्रकथिते गोमयेन सुशोभनम्
Now, O best of the Yadus, tell me the procedure for the gift of knowledge.
पुष्पप्रकरसंछन्नं स्वस्तिकादि विभूषितम्
Covered with an array of flowers and adorned with auspicious symbols such as the svastika,
सौवर्णीं लेखनी कार्या रौप्यं च मषिभाजनम्
A writing instrument of gold should be used, and the inkpot should be of silver.
विनीतश्चाप्रमत्तश्च ततः प्रभृति लेखकः
From then on, the scribe should be humble and attentive.
समानि समशीर्षाणि वर्तुलानि धनानि च
The lines should be even, the tops level, and the characters rounded and well-formed.
निष्पादयित्वा तच्छास्त्रं शैवं वाप्यथ वैष्णवम्
Having completed that scripture, whether Shaiva or Vaishnava,
संपूजयित्वा तच्छास्त्रं देयं गुणवते तदा 4.174.
After duly worshipping that scripture, it should then be given to a worthy person.
वस्त्रयुग्मेन संवीतं पुस्तकं प्रतिपादयेत्
The book should be presented wrapped in a pair of cloths.
अनेन विधिना दत्त्वा यत्फलं प्राप्नुयान्नरः
By giving according to this procedure, what result does a man obtain?
यत्पुण्यं तीर्थयात्रायां यत्पुण्यं यज्वनां तथा
The merit gained from a pilgrimage to holy places, and the merit of those who perform sacrifices,
कपिलानां सहस्रेण सम्यग्दत्तेन यत्फलम्
The result obtained by properly giving a thousand tawny cows,
पुराणं भारतं वापि रामायणमथापि वा
Whether it is the Purana, the Mahabharata, or even the Ramayana,
प्रातरुत्थाय यः शिष्यानध्यापयति यत्नतः
He who rises early and diligently teaches his students,
उपाध्यायस्य यो वृत्तिं दत्त्वाऽध्यापयते जनः
The person who, having given support to the teacher, causes instruction to be given,
छात्राणां भोजनाभ्यंगं वस्त्रं भिक्षामथापि वा
Food, anointing, clothing, or alms for the students,
विवेको जीवितं दीर्घं धर्मकामार्थसंपदः
Discernment, long life, and the attainment of righteousness, desire, and wealth,
शास्त्रं शस्त्रकलाशिल्पं यो यदिच्छेदुपार्जितुम् 4.174.
Whoever wishes to acquire scripture, weaponry, arts, or crafts,