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.
चतुश्चारणिकास्तत्र ब्राह्मणा मंत्रपारगाः
There, four groups of Brahmins, skilled in mantras, should be present.
सर्वाभरणसंपन्नाः सर्वे चाहतवाससः
All should be adorned with every ornament and clad in spotless garments.
वेद्याः पूर्वोत्तरे भागे ग्रहवेदिं प्रकल्पयेत्
In the northeast part of the altar, the planetary altar should be constructed.
पूजयेत्स्वर्णघटितान्पुष्पधूपविलेपनैः
The golden vessels should be worshipped with flowers, incense, and ointments.
कुंभद्वयं च द्वारेषु स्थापयेद्रत्नसंयुतम्
At the entrances, two jars adorned with jewels should be placed.
पालाश्यः समिधस्तत्र प्रशस्ता होमकर्मणि
There, palāśa wood is praised as most suitable for the sacrificial fire.
स्वलिंगैर्होमयेत्पूर्वं मंत्रैर्व्याहृतिभिः पुमान् 4.176.
First, one should perform the homa with appropriate mantras and vyāhṛtis, using one's own implements.
यजमानस्ततः स्नात्वा शुक्लांबरधरः शुचिः
Then, the sacrificer, having bathed, should wear white garments and be pure.
नमो हिरण्यगर्भाय विश्वगर्भाय वै नमः
"Salutation to Hiraṇyagarbha, salutation indeed to Viśvagarbha."
मात्राहं जनितः पूर्व मर्त्यधर्मासुरोत्तम
"Formerly, I was born from my mother, O best of mortals, according to mortal law."