प्रणम्य देवभूदेवानाशीर्वादैर्नृपो व्रजेत्
After bowing to the gods and brahmins, the king should depart with their blessings.
इन्द्रमैरावतारूढं शच्या सह विराजितम्
He should contemplate Indra, resplendent, mounted on Airavata, together with Shachi.
सप्तहस्तं सप्तजिह्वं षण्मुखं मेषवाहनम्
He should contemplate the seven-handed, seven-tongued, six-faced one, riding a ram.
दण्डायुधं लोहितार्क्षं यमं महिषवाहनम्
Yama, armed with a staff, red-eyed, riding a buffalo.
खड्गचर्मधरं नीलं निरृतिं नखाहनम्
Nirrti, dark, bearing sword and shield, who strikes with nails.
नागपाशधरं पीतवर्णं मकरवाहनम्
Varuna, holding a serpent-noose, yellow in color, riding a makara.
प्राणिनां प्राणरूपं तं द्विबाहुं दण्डपाणिकम्
That two-armed, staff-bearing form, the very life of living beings.
अश्वारूढं कुंभपाणिं द्विबाहुं स्वर्णसन्निभम्
The two-armed, golden-hued one, mounted on a horse, holding a pot.
पिनाकिनं वृषारूढं गौरीपतिमनुत्तम्
The wielder of Pinaka, mounted on a bull, the matchless lord of Gauri.
अप्रयाणे स्वयं कार्या प्रेक्षया भूभुजस्तथा
When not departing, the king himself should observe as well.
स्वस्थानान्निर्गमस्थानं दडानां च शतन्द्वयम्
From his own place to the place of departure, two hundred rods.
दिनान्येकत्र न वसेत्सप्तष्ट् वा परो जनः
A stranger should not stay in one place for seven or eight days.
अकालजेषु नृपतिर्विद्युद्गर्जितवृष्टिषु
The king should be alert during unseasonal lightning, thunder, and rain.
स्न्ताकुड्यशिवाकाककपोतानां गिरस्तथा
And likewise the cries of storks, owls, crows, and pigeons.
पीतकारभरद्वाजपभिणां दक्षिणा गतिः
If one sees a person wearing yellow, a Bharadvaja, or a person with a broken tooth on the right side, it is an auspicious sign.
कृष्णं त्यक्त्वा प्रयाणे तु कृकलासेन वीक्षितः
But if, at the time of departure, one sees a black person or someone with a skeleton-like appearance, it is inauspicious.
हृतेक्षणं नेष्टमेवाव्यपत्ययं कपिऋक्षयोः
If one’s eyes are stolen away (i.e., blinded), or if there is a monkey or a bear, it is not favorable and brings misfortune.
दृष्टमात्रेण यात्रायां व्यस्तं सर्वं प्रवेशने
If, at the very beginning of the journey, such things are seen, all endeavors become disrupted upon entering.
प्रवेशे रोदनयुतः शवः शवप्रदस्तथा
If, at the entrance, there is a corpse accompanied by weeping, or someone carrying a corpse, it is likewise inauspicious.
अभ्यक्तवसास्थिचर्माङ्गारदारुणरोगिभिः
If one encounters those smeared with fat, bone, skin, coal, or people afflicted with harsh diseases,
वन्ध्याकुञ्जककाषायमुक्तकेशबुभुक्षितैः
Or barren women, monkeys, those wearing ochre robes, people with loose hair, or those who are hungry,
प्रज्वलाग्नीन्सुतुरगनृपासनपुराङ्गनाः
Or blazing fires, sons, kings, seats, or women of the city,
भक्ष्येक्षुफलमृत्स्नान्नमध्वाज्यदधिगोदयाः
Or food, sugarcane, fruits, clay, honey, ghee, curds, cows, or streams of water,
पुण्यस्त्रीपुण्यकलशरत्नभृङ्गारगोद्विजाः
Or virtuous women, auspicious pots, gems, bees, cows, or twice-born (Brahmins),
वेदमङ्गलघोषाः स्युः या यिनां कार्यसिद्धिदाः
Or the sounds of the Veda and auspicious music—these bring success to the undertakings of those who set out.
स्मृत्वा द्वितीये विप्राणां कृत्वा पूजां निवर्तयेत्
Remembering this, on the second day, one should worship the Brahmins and then return.
अफलं यद्बालवृद्धरोगिपैनसिकैः कृतम्
Whatever is done by children, the elderly, the sick, or those with nasal disease is fruitless.
हन्यात्परपुरप्राप्तो न स्त्रीर्नित्यं निरायुधान्
If one enters another’s city, he should not kill women, nor those who are always unarmed.
विधाय पूर्वदिवसे वास्तुपूजाबलिक्रियाम्
Having performed the rituals of house-worship and offering on the previous day,
प्रवेशो मध्यमो ज्ञेयः सौम्यकार्तिकमासयोः
The entry during the middle of the day is to be considered proper in the auspicious months of Saumya and Kartika.