तस्य पुण्यफलं राजन्कथ्यमानं निबोध मे
O King, listen to me as I declare the meritorious result of this act.
मृतो लोकाधिपपुरे प्रतिमन्वतरं वसेत्
After death, he dwells in the city of the lord of the world for as many ages as there are Manus.
जितसर्वमहीपालश्चक्रवर्ती भवेद्भुवि
He becomes a universal sovereign on earth, having conquered all kings.
सा चक्रवर्तिनं पुत्रं सूते शक्तिसमन्वितम्
She gives birth to a son who is a universal monarch, endowed with power.
शृणोति वाच्यमानं च सोपि प्रेत्य विमुच्यते
Even one who hears this being recited is freed after death.
याः शक्रवह्नियमनैर्ऋतपाशहस्ता वातेंदुराजशिवकेशवशंभुशक्त्यः
Those who bear the nooses of Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirṛti, Vāyu, Soma, Varuṇa, Śiva, Keśava, and Śaṃbhu—
गजरथाश्वरथदानविधिवर्णनम् कानि दानानि देयानि पवित्राणि शुभानि च
The rules for donating elephants, chariots, horses, and chariots are described—
अन्यैर्वा पुरुषैः कृष्ण अधर्मभयभीरुभिः
Or by other men, O Kṛṣṇa, who are fearful of unrighteousness and danger.
इह लोके परे चैव विहितं सर्वकामदम्
In this world and the next, these prescribed gifts grant all desires.
विशेषेण महीपानां हिताय च न संशयः
Especially for the benefit of kings—of this there is no doubt.
दानानि बहुरूपाणि नानाशास्त्रोदितानि च
There are many kinds of gifts, as taught in various scriptures.
किं तु प्रधानमेकं ते दानं वक्ष्यामि भारत
But, O Bhārata, I will tell you of one principal gift.
आधयो व्याधयश्चैव ग्रहपीडा सुदारुणाः
Afflictions, diseases, and severe troubles caused by planets—
येन दत्तेन नश्यंति पुण्यमाप्नोति चोत्तमम्
—are destroyed by giving this, and one attains supreme merit.
दानमेतत्प्रदातव्यं विषुवे सूर्यसंक्रमे
This gift should be given at the solstice, at the sun’s transition.
संस्थाप्य दारुजं दिव्यं हेमपट्टैरलंकृतम् 4.180.
One should establish a divine wooden image, adorned with golden cloths.
सुवर्णध्वजसंयुक्तं सितासितपताकिनम्
It should be furnished with a golden banner, with white and black pennants.
नद्यास्तीरेऽथ वा गोष्ठे विचित्रे वा गृहांगणे
On the riverbank, or in a cowshed, or in a splendid house courtyard—
पुराणवेदविद्यावान्विनयाचारसंयुतः
—a learned person, versed in the Purāṇas and Vedas, endowed with discipline and good conduct—
मध्ये ब्रह्मा प्रतिष्ठाप्यः पूजयेत्प्रणवेन तम्
—should install Brahmā in the center and worship him with the sacred syllable.
सूक्तेन रुद्रं रौद्रेण दक्षिणस्यां समर्चयेत् पुष्पैर्गंधैः फलैर्भक्ष्यैर्दीपमालाभिरेव च
He should worship Rudra in the southern direction with the Rudra hymn, with flowers, scents, fruits, offerings of food, and rows of lamps.
पूजयेद्गंधकुसुमैः श्वेतवस्त्रैः सचंदनैः
He should be worshipped with fragrant flowers, white garments, and sandalwood.
ब्रह्मघोषविमिश्रैश्च कारयेत महोत्सवम्
A great festival should be arranged, accompanied by the chanting of Vedic hymns.
आग्नेय्यां दिशि राजेंद्र ब्राह्मणांस्तत्र पूजयेत्
O king, in the southeast direction, one should worship the Brāhmaṇas there.
चतुरोष्टौ महाराज गुरुरेकोऽथवा भवेत्
There should be four or eight, O great king, or there may be only one guru.
अग्निकार्यं ततः कुर्याद्यथावद्विधिपूर्वकम् 4.180.
Then, one should perform the fire ritual properly, according to the prescribed rules.
विष्णवे शितिकण्ठाय मंत्रैः पूर्वोदितैः शुभैः
With auspicious mantras previously taught, one should worship Viṣṇu and Śitikaṇṭha.
एवं यज्ञविधिं कृत्वा यजमानो द्विजैः सह
Having performed the sacrifice in this manner, together with the twice-born, the sacrificer—
विचित्रतनुसंवीतौ शुभकक्षौ सुघंटिकी
Clad in wondrous forms, with auspicious harness and fine bells.
दिव्यमुक्तापरिच्छन्नौ दिव्यांकुशसमन्वितौ
Adorned with divine pearls, equipped with celestial goads.