अलंबितमतस्तब्धमद्भुतं वीरमूर्जितम्
He is adorned, steadfast, wondrous, heroic, and vigorous.
सप्तस्वरसमायुक्तं कालेकाले विशांपते
Endowed with the seven notes, at every time, O lord of the people.
ईदृशाद्वाचकाद्विप्राच्छ्रुत्वा श्रद्धासमन्वितः
Having heard from such a reciter, a Brāhmaṇa, endowed with faith.
नियमस्थः शुचिः श्रोता शृणुयात्फलमश्नुते
The listener, established in discipline and pure, hears and attains the fruit.
अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुते गच्छेद्वापि परं स्थानं देवस्याद्भुतमुत्तमम्
He obtains the fruit of the horse sacrifice, attains all desires, or goes to the supreme, wondrous, excellent abode of the god.
स्नातैर्गृहं समागम्य श्रोतृभिर्वाचकस्य तु
Having bathed, the listeners assemble at the house of the reciter.
आसनं च समाश्रित्य स्थातव्यं वाचकस्य तु
Having taken a seat, one should stand for the reciter.
वाचकेन नमस्कारे कृते व्यासस्य भूपते
When the reciter has made the salutation to Vyāsa, O king.
संशये सति प्रष्टव्यो वाचकः संप्रसाद्य तु 1.216.
In case of doubt, one should respectfully question the reciter.
वाचकेनापि वक्तव्यं यत्स्यात्तेषां निबोधनम्
The reciter, too, should explain whatever understanding is required for them.
नमस्कारादयः श्राव्या शिवमस्त्विति वोद्यते
Salutations and similar utterances should be heard, and 'May there be well-being' is to be spoken.
शूद्राणां पुरतो वैश्या वैश्यानां क्षत्रिणस्तथा ये च संकरजा राजन्नरास्ते शूद्रपृष्ठतः
Shudras should stand before Vaishyas, Vaishyas before Kshatriyas, and those born of mixed castes, O King, should stand behind the Shudras.
ब्राह्मणं वाचकं विद्यान्नान्यवर्णजमादरेत्
One should recognize a Brahmin as the reciter, and should not honor one born of another caste.
इत्थं हि शृण्वतां तेषां वर्णानामनुपूर्वशः
Thus, as they listen, the castes should proceed in their proper order.
श्रेयोऽर्थमात्मनो राजन्पूजयेद्वाचकं बुधः
For the sake of his own welfare, O King, a wise person should honor the reciter.
ब्राह्मणेन महाबाहो द्वे देये क्षत्रियस्य तु
A Brahmin, O mighty-armed one, should give two (gold coins) to a Kshatriya.
शूद्रेणैव च चत्वारो दातव्याः स्वर्णमाषकाः
A Shudra should give four gold mashakas.
प्रथमे पारणे राजन्वाचकं पूज्य शक्तितः
At the first completion of the recitation, O King, the reciter should be honored according to one's ability.
कार्तिकादीन्समारभ्य यावत्कार्त्तिकमच्युत 1.216.
Beginning from Kartika and continuing up to Kartika, O Achyuta.
सौत्रामणिं वाजपेयं वैष्णवं च तथा विभो
The Sautramani, Vajapeya, and Vaishnava sacrifices as well, O Lord.
आदित्ययज्ञस्य तथा राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः इत्थं यज्ञफलं प्राप्य याति लोकांस्तथोत्तमान्
Likewise, the Aditya sacrifice, and the Rajasuya and Ashvamedha; thus, having attained the fruit of the sacrifice, one goes to the highest worlds.
वज्रवेदिकसंपन्नं मणिरत्नविभूषितम्
Endowed with a diamond altar, adorned with jewels and gems.
ततश्चंद्रस्य भवने वारुणे भवने ततः
Then to the mansion of the Moon, and after that to the mansion of Varuna.
धिषणस्य गृहं गत्वा ततश्चित्रशिखंडिनः एवमेव नृपश्रेष्ठ नात्र कार्या विचारणा
Having gone to the house of Dhishana, and then to that of Citrashikhandin; just so, O best of kings, there should be no doubt about this.
फलमेतत्समुद्दिष्टं शृण्वतां सततं नृणाम्
This fruit has been declared for those men who constantly listen.
एतानि परिमाणानि वत्सरेण भवंति वै
These are the measures that come to be in the course of a year.
एकं च द्वे तथा त्रीणि चत्वारि च विशांपते
One, two, three, and four, O lord of the people,
ब्राह्मणाद्यैर्नृप श्रेष्ठ सर्ववर्णविभागशः
By Brahmins and others, O best of kings, according to all divisions of class,
वाचकं ब्राह्मणं चैव सर्वकामैः प्रपूजयेत् 1.216.
One should honor the reciter and the Brahmin with all desired offerings.
वाचकाय प्रदत्त्वा तु ततो विप्रान्प्रपूजयेत्
Having given to the reciter, then one should honor the Brahmins.