मध्ये तु फलसंयुक्तं पुरुषेण समन्वितम्
In the middle, there should be fruits, along with an image of a man.
एवंविधं पूजयित्वा माल्यगंधानुलेपनैः
After worshipping such an arrangement with garlands, fragrant substances, and ointments,
शुक्लमाल्यांबरधर इमं मंत्रमुदीरयेत्
Wearing white garlands and garments, one should recite this mantra:
नमोनमः पापविनाशनाय विश्वात्मने देवतुरंगमाय 4.187.
Salutations, salutations to the destroyer of sin, the soul of the universe, the divine steed.
वस्वष्टकादित्यमरुद्गणानां त्वमेव धाता परमं निधानम्
You alone are the creator and supreme treasure of the Vasus, the eight Adityas, and the hosts of Maruts.
इति तुरगरथप्रदानमेतद्भवभयसूदनमंत्रं यः करोति
Whoever performs this rite of gifting a horse-chariot, along with this mantra that destroys the fear of worldly existence,
देदीप्यमानवपुषा च जितप्रभावमाक्रम्य मडलमखंडलचंडभानोः
Having attained a radiant form, surpassing all power, he reaches the realm of the blazing sun, unbroken and resplendent.
इति पठति शृणोति वा य एतत्कनकतुरंगरथप्रदानमस्मिन्
Whoever recites or hears this account of the gifting of a golden horse-chariot,
कृष्णाजिनदानविधिवर्णनम् ब्राह्मणं च समाचक्ष्व तत्र मे संशयो महान्
Description of the rite for gifting a black antelope skin: O Brāhmaṇa, please explain this to me, for I have great doubt here.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच युगादिषूपरागेषु संक्रांतौ दिनसंक्षये
Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: At the beginnings of yugas, during eclipses, at solstices, and at the end of the day,
देयमेतन्महादानं द्रव्यमात्रागमे तथा
This great gift should be given according to the measure of one's means.
पुराणाभिरतो दक्षो देयं तस्मै च पार्थिव
To one devoted to the Purāṇas and skilled, O king, it should be given.
गोमयेनोपलिप्ते तु शुचौ देशे नराधिप
On a spot smeared with cow dung, in a pure place, O ruler of men,
कर्तव्यं रुक्मशृंगं तद्रौप्यदंतं तथैव च
A wise man should make it with golden horns and likewise with silver teeth.
तिलैः कृत्वा शिरो राजन्वाससाच्छादयेद्बुधः
Having formed the head with sesame seeds, O king, he should cover it with cloth.
पुष्पैर्गंधैः फलैश्चैव नैवेद्येन च पूजयेत्
He should worship with flowers, scents, fruits, and also with food offerings.
कांस्यपात्राणि चत्वारि तेषु दद्याद्यथाक्रमम्
He should give four bronze vessels in due order.
ततः सर्वसमीपे तु मंत्रमेतमुदीरयेत् 4.188.
Then, in the presence of all, he should recite this mantra:
त्वद्दानापास्तपापस्य प्रीयतां मे नमोनमः
May I, freed from sin by this gift of yours, be pleasing—salutations, salutations!
कृष्णोऽसि मूर्तिमान्साक्षात्कृष्णाजिन नमोऽस्तु ते
You are Krishna, embodied, directly present; salutations to you, O Krishna skin!
तत्प्रतिग्राहकं विप्रं वेदवेदांगपारगम्
Let the recipient be a Brahmin who has mastered the Veda and its branches.
प्रतिग्रहश्च तस्योक्तः पुच्छ देशे स्वयंभुवा
The acceptance is prescribed by the Self-born at the tail end.
न पश्येद्वदनं पश्चान्न चैनमभिभाषयेत्
He should not look at the recipient's face nor speak to him afterwards.
समग्रं भूमिदानस्य फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः
A man attains the full fruit of gifting land.
ये प्रयच्छंति विप्राय न ते शोच्या भवंति वै
Those who give to a Brahmin are never to be mourned.
आभूतसंप्लवं यावत्स्वर्गं प्राप्ता न संशयः
They attain heaven up to the cosmic dissolution—there is no doubt.
प्रतिग्रहोपि पापीयानिति वेदविदो विदुः
Even so, the knowers of the Veda say that accepting is more sinful.
तत्सर्वं नाशमायाति दत्त्वा कृष्णाजिनं क्षणात् ।। 4.188.
All that is destroyed instantly by giving a Krishna skin.
कृष्णेक्षणं कृष्णमृगस्य चर्म दत्त्वा द्विजेद्राय समाहितात्मा
Having given the black antelope skin to a twice-born, with mind composed, one beholds Krishna.
हेमहस्तिदानविधिवर्णनम् यस्य प्रदानाद्भवनं वैष्णवं याति मानवः
By whose gift a person’s house becomes Vaishnava—