व्रती विशुद्धे निधने वेदशास्त्रविशारदः
The ascetic, when pure at the end, is an expert in the Vedas and scriptures.
गुरौ भृगौ वा शाखेशे विद्याधनसमन्वितः
When with the teacher, or with Bhrigu, or with the lord of the branch, he is endowed with knowledge and wealth.
शआखाधिपतिलग्नं च दुर्लभं त्रितयं व्रते
The conjunction with the branch-lord at the ascetic's ascendant is rare in threefold asceticism.
पापांशगे वा दरिद्रो नित्यदुःखितः
When in the portion of sin, he is poor and always afflicted with sorrow.
तदा व्रती वेदशास्त्रधनधान्यसमृद्धिमान्
Then the ascetic is endowed with Vedic knowledge, wealth, and abundant grain.
लग्ने तु निधने सौम्यैः संयुते वा निरीक्षिते
When at the ascendant or at the end, joined or observed by gentle ones.
स्थानादिबलसंपूर्णैश्चतुर्भिर्वा शुभान्वितैः
Or with four, complete in position and strength, and accompanied by auspicious ones.
राशयः सकलाः श्रेष्ठाः शुभग्रहयुतेक्षिताः
All the signs are excellent when observed by auspicious planets.
न कदाचित्कर्कटांशशुभेक्षितयुतो ऽपि वा
Never, even when joined with the auspicious aspect of Cancer's portion.
एवंविधे लग्नगते नवांशे व्रतमीरितम्
In this way, when the ascendant is in the ninth portion, the ascetic vow is declared.
शुभैः षष्टाष्टलग्नान्त्यवर्जितेन हिमांशुना
When the Moon, except in the sixth, eighth, or last lunar mansion, is joined with auspicious signs,
न करोति शिशुं निःस्वं सर्वतः क्षयरोगिणम्
He does not produce a child who is destitute, entirely afflicted with wasting disease.
पञ्चदोषोनितं लग्नं शुभदं चोपनायने
A rising sign afflicted by five faults, or one that is auspicious, is prescribed for the investiture ceremony.
अनध्याये विष्टिषष्ट्योर्न तु सस्कारमर्हति
On days of study prohibition or when Viṣṭi or Ṣaṣṭi prevails, the rite should not be performed.
चतुर्थी वा शुभाः प्रोक्ता अष्टावेते गलग्रहाः
The fourth or any of these eight auspicious lunar days are declared suitable for the binding of the protective thread.
विवाहोक्तेषु मासेषु शुक्लपक्षे ऽप्यनस्तगे
In the months prescribed for marriage, even in the bright fortnight, when the Moon is not set,
मैञ्जीबन्धोक्ततिथिषु कुजवर्जितवासरे
On the lunar days stated for the binding of the protective thread, on days not ruled by Mars,
शुद्धे ऽष्टमे विधौ लग्ने षष्टाष्टान्त्यविवर्जिते
When the eighth lunar day is pure, and the ascendant is free from the sixth, eighth, or last signs,
क्षुरिकाबन्धनं कार्यमर्चयित्वामरान्पितॄन्
One should perform the binding of the knife after worshipping the gods and ancestors.
ततः सुलग्ने बध्नीयात्कट्यां लक्षणसंयुताम्
Then, at an auspicious moment, one should tie it at the waist, endowed with proper marks.
तच्छेदखण्डान्यायाः स्युर्ध्वजाये रिपुनाशनम्
The pieces cut off according to rule are to be used for the victory banner and for the destruction of enemies.
धनलाभो वृषे ऽत्यन्तं दुःखी भवति गर्दभे
There is great gain of wealth in Taurus, but in Capricorn one becomes extremely miserable.
खड्गपुत्रिकयोर्मानं गणयेत्स्वाङ्गुलेन तु
The measure for the sword and the small knife should be reckoned by one's own finger.
शेषाणामगुलीनां च फलानि स्युर्यथाक्रमम्
The results for the remaining fingers are as follows, in order:
अर्थहानिश्चार्थवृद्धिः प्रीति सिद्धिजयः स्तुतिः
Loss of wealth, gain of wealth, affection, accomplishment, victory, and praise.
सिंहेगजे मध्यभागे त्वन्तभागे श्वकाकयोः
In the lion and elephant, the middle part; at the end, in the dog and crow.
अथोत्तरायणे शुक्रजीवयोर्द्दश्यमानयोः
Next, in the northern course of the sun, when Venus and Jupiter are visible,
चित्रोत्तरादितीज्यान्त्यहरिमित्रविधातृषु
On the days of Citrā, Uttarā, and the like, and when the sun is in the signs of Hari, Mitra, and Vidhātṛ.
प्रतिपत्पर्वरिक्ता मा चाष्टमी च दिनत्रयम्
The days excluded are the first, the fourteenth, and the eighth; three days in total.
सर्वाश्रमाणां विप्रेन्द्र ह्युत्तमो ऽयं गृहाश्रमः
O best of Brahmins, among all the stages of life, the householder stage is indeed the highest.