येनोपायेन जायंते मत्तुल्या मानवा भुवि
By whatever means, people are born on earth who are equal to me.
न व्रतैनोपवासैश्च न तीर्थगमनैरपि
Not by vows, nor by fasting, nor even by pilgrimages to holy places—
प्राप्यते मम लोकोऽयं दुष्प्राप्यस्त्रिदशैरपि
Is my world attained; it is difficult to reach even for the gods.
प्रयाति ब्रह्मसालोक्यं श्रुतिरेषा सनातनी
One attains union with Brahma; this is the eternal teaching.
दानं हिरण्यगर्भाख्यं कथ्यमानं निबोध मे
Listen to me as I describe the gift called Hiraṇyagarbha.
पवित्रं सर्वभूतानां पावनं परमं महत्
It is pure, supremely great, and the purifier of all beings.
तदपां गर्भमाविश्य पुनर्जातं तु भूतले 4.176.
Having entered the womb of the waters, it is born again upon the earth.
यत्प्रमाणं यथाचैतद्दातव्यं परमेश्वर
O Supreme Lord, what is the measure, and how should it be given?
अयने विषुवे चैव ग्रहणे शशिसूर्ययोः
At the solstices, the equinoxes, and during the eclipses of the moon and sun,
व्यतीपातेऽथ कार्तिक्यां जन्मर्क्षे वा नरोत्तम
At the time of Vyatipāta, in the month of Kārtika, or on one's birth star, O best of men,
प्रयागे नैमिषे चैव कुरुक्षेत्रे तथार्बुदे
At Prayāga, Naimiṣa, Kurukṣetra, and also at Arbuda,
पुण्यनद्यश्च दानेस्मिन्प्रशस्ताः स्युर्न संशयः
And on holy rivers, this gift is especially praised—there is no doubt.
आरामे वा तडागे वा शुचौ देशे विधानतः
In a garden, or in a pond, or in a pure place, according to the proper rule,
हस्ता द्वादश कर्तव्यं मंडपं तु सुशोभनम्
A beautiful pavilion, twelve hands in size, should be constructed.
तन्मध्ये वेदिकां कुर्यात्पंचहस्तामलकृताम्
In its center, an altar five hands square should be made.
हिरण्यगर्भं तन्मध्ये प्रथमेऽहनि कल्पयेत्
In the center of that, on the first day, the Hiraṇyagarbha should be established.
शिल्पिनं पूजयेत्पूर्वं वासोभिर्भूषणैस्तथा 4.176.
First, the artisan should be honored with garments and ornaments.
सुवर्णेन संशुद्धेन शक्तितः कारयेद्बुधः
A wise person should have it made of pure gold, according to his ability.
त्रिभागहीनं वदने मूले तस्यार्द्धविस्तरम्
At the base, it should be one-third less than at the mouth, and half as wide.
पिधानमुपरिष्टाच्च कर्तव्यं चांगुलाधिकम्
A covering, slightly larger by a finger’s breadth, should be placed above.
दात्रं सपट्टिकं चैव सर्वोपस्करणान्वितम्
A sacrificial knife with a handle, along with all necessary implements, should be provided.
पार्श्वतः स्थापयेत्तस्य हेमदंडकमंडलू
At its side, a golden staff and water pot should be placed.
एवं लक्षणसंयुक्तं कृत्वा गर्भं विचक्षणः
Having thus prepared the womb with these characteristics, the wise one proceeds.
हस्तिना शकटेनाथ राजन्ब्रह्मरथेन वा
O King, it may be brought by an elephant, a cart, or a divine chariot.
तिलद्रोणोपरिगतं वेदीमध्येऽधिवासयेत्
It should be placed upon a measure of sesame, in the center of the altar.
कौशेयवाससी शुभ्रे ततस्तं परिधापयेत्
Then, it should be draped with pure silk garments.
धूपैः सुधूपितं कृत्वा मंत्रमेतमुदीरयेत् 4.176.
After thoroughly purifying it with incense, this mantra should be recited:
ब्रह्मादयस्तथा देवा नमस्ते भुवनोद्भव
Homage to Brahma and the other gods; salutations to you, O origin of the worlds.
नमो हिरण्यगर्भाय गर्भे यस्य पितामहः
Salutations to Hiraṇyagarbha, within whose womb is the grandsire.
वेद्याश्चतुर्दिशं चैव कुंडानि परिकल्पयेत्
Around the altar, in all four directions, fire-pits should be arranged.