वक्ष्यामि ते द्विजश्रेष्ठ सावधानतया शृणु
I will explain to you, O best of twice-born, listen with attentive care.
कण्ठं भित्त्वा विनिर्यातौ तस्मान्माङ्गल्यकाविमौ
Having pierced the throat, these two bring auspiciousness.
सो ऽथ शब्दं प्रंयुजीत तदानन्त्यार्थमिष्यते
Then, a sound should be uttered; this is considered for the purpose of infinity.
न्यूनाधिका निष्फलाय कर्मणो ऽभिमतस्य च
Actions that are deficient or excessive, or not intended, are fruitless.
तेषां संरक्षणार्थाय प्रोक्तं परिसमूहनम्
For their protection, the process of thorough cleansing is prescribed.
न्यूनाधिका न कर्त्तव्या इत्येव परिभाषितम्
Deficient or excessive acts should not be performed; this is the rule.
गोमयेनोपलेप्येयं तदर्थमिति नारद
This should be smeared with cow dung for that purpose, O Narada.
यज्ञार्थं गोमयं तस्या नाहरेदिति भाषितम्
For the sake of sacrifice, cow dung should not be brought for it, as stated.
तषां प्रहरणार्थाय मतं प्रोद्धरणं द्विज
For the purpose of removing them, extraction is recommended, O twice-born.
अस्थिकण्टकसिद्ध्यर्थं ब्रह्मणा परिभाषितम्
For the accomplishment of bone and thorn removal, this rule was declared by Brahma.
तेनाद्भिरुक्षणं प्रोक्तं मुनिभिर्विधि कोविदैः
Therefore, sprinkling with water is prescribed by sages skilled in ritual.
शुभदे मृण्मये पात्रे प्रोक्ष्याद्भिस्तं निधायपयेत्
In a clay vessel that brings auspiciousness, one should sprinkle with water and then place it.
वेद्यां निधापितस्तस्मात्समिद्गर्भो हुताशनः
When it is placed on the altar, the fire containing the kindling is established.
तेभ्यः संरक्षणार्थाय ब्रह्माणं तद्दिशि न्यसेत्
For their protection, one should place the Brahman in that direction.
यजमानः पूर्वतः स्युर्द्विजाः सर्वे ऽपि नारद
The sacrificer should be in the east, and all the Brahmins as well, O Narada.
कर्तोदासीन चित्तस्तत्कर्म नश्येदिति स्थितिः
If the performer is indifferent in mind, the act will fail; this is the rule.
ऋत्विजां नियमो नास्ति यथालाभं समर्चयेत्
There is no restriction for the priests; one should worship as available.
आज्यस्थाली त्र्यङ्गुलाथ चरुस्थाली षडङ्गुला
The ghee vessel should be three fingers wide, and the rice-cake vessel six fingers wide.
स्रुवं षडङ्गुल प्रोक्तं स्रुचं सार्द्धत्रयाङ्गुलम्
The sruva is said to be six finger-widths; the sruc is three and a half finger-widths.
प्रोक्षिण्या उत्तरे भागे प्रणीतापात्रमष्टभिः
On the northern side of the prokṣaṇī, place the praṇīta vessel with eight (units).
प्रणीतायां समासन्नास्तस्मात्तां पूरयेज्जलैः
When the praṇīta is nearby, one should fill it with water.
परिस्तीर्य्य ततो दर्भेः परिदध्यादिमां बुधः
After spreading darbha grass, the wise should place the vessel upon it.
दर्भरूपतया त्रीणि पवित्रच्छेदनानि च
Three pavitra-cuttings are made in the form of darbha grass.
तेनातिपुण्यदं कर्म पवित्रमिति कीर्तितम्
By this, the act becomes supremely meritorious; it is called pure.
कुलालचक्रघटितं आसुरं मृण्मयं स्मृतम्
A vessel shaped by a potter’s wheel is considered asuric and made of clay.
स्रुवे च सर्वकर्माणि शुभान्यप्यशुभानि च
With the sruva, all rites, auspicious and inauspicious, are performed.
अग्रे धूतेन वैधव्यं मध्यं चैव प्रजाक्षयः
If used at the front, it brings widowhood; in the middle, loss of offspring.
अग्निः सूर्यश्च सोमश्च विरिञ्चिरनिलो यमः
Agni, Sūrya, Soma, Virin̄ci, Anila, and Yama—
अग्निर्भघोगार्थनाशाय सूर्यो व्याधिकरो भवेत्
Agni brings destruction of wealth; Sūrya causes disease.
अनिलो वृद्धिदः प्रोक्तो यमो मृत्युप्रदो मतः
Anila is said to bestow increase; Yama is regarded as the giver of death.