तदग्रे सरहस्यं ते कथयिष्यामि नारद
Ahead, I will tell you the secret, O Narada.
गुर्वनुज्ञारतः श्रीमानभिषेकसमन्वितः
One who is devoted to the guru’s permission, endowed with prosperity and consecration—
मन्त्रतन्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञो निग्रहानुग्रहक्षमः
He who knows the essence of mantras, tantras, and their meanings, and is capable of both restraint and favor.
तत्त्वनिष्कासने दक्षो विनयी च सुवेषवान्
Skilled in extracting the truth, humble, and well-dressed.
नित्यानुष्टानसंयुक्तस्त्वाचार्यः परिकीर्तितः
Constantly engaged in prescribed practices, such a one is called a teacher.
शमादिसाधनोपेतः श्रद्धावान् सुस्थिराशयः
Endowed with the means of tranquility and other virtues, possessing faith and a firm mind.
दृढव्रतसमाचारः कृतज्ञः पापभीरुकः
Steadfast in vows and conduct, grateful, and fearful of wrongdoing.
एवंविधो भवेच्छिष्यस्त्वन्यथा गुरुदुःखदः
A disciple should be of such a nature; otherwise, he brings sorrow to the teacher.
प्राक्प्रत्यग्दक्षिणोदक्चपञ्चसूत्राणि पातयेत्
Let him lay out five threads: east, west, south, north, and downward.
तत्राद्यप्रथमे त्वाद्यं द्वितीयाद्ये द्वितीयकम्
There, in the first and foremost, place the first; in the second, place the second.
तत्तदाग्नेयकोष्टेषु तत्तत्पञ्चममक्षरम्
In each fire enclosure, place the fifth letter accordingly.
नामाद्यक्षरमारभ्य यावन्मन्त्रादि वर्णकम्
Beginning with the first letter of the name, up to the letter of the mantra and others.
प्रादक्षिण्यात्तद्द्वितीयं साध्याख्यं परिकीर्तितम्
By circumambulation, the second is called the 'sādhya' position.
द्वयोर्वर्णावेककोष्टे सिद्धसिद्धेति तन्मतम्
In the enclosure of two letters, it is considered 'siddha' and 'asiddha.'
तृतीये तत्सुसिद्धः स्यात्सिद्धारिस्तञ्चतुर्थके
In the third, it is 'susiddha'; in the fourth, 'siddhāri.'
चतुष्के चेत्तदा पूर्वं यत्र नामाक्षरं स्थितम्
In the fourth, if earlier the name letter is present.
साध्यसिद्धः साध्यसाध्यस्तत्सुसिद्धश्च तद्रिप्रुः
'Sādhya-siddha,' 'sādhya-sādhya,' 'susiddha,' and 'ripu' are thus designated.
तदा पूर्वोक्तरीत्या तु क्रमाद्द्वेयं मनीषिभिः
Then, according to the previously mentioned method, the wise proceed in order with the pairs.
तुरीये चेञ्चतुष्के तु तदैवं गणयेत्सुधीः
In the fourth and in the group of four, the wise should count in this way.
रिद्धसिद्धो यथोक्तेन द्विगुणात्सिद्धिसाध्यकः
The 'riddha-siddha' is as stated; from double, it is 'siddhi-sādhya.'
द्विगुणात्साध्यसिद्धस्तु साध्यसाध्यो विलंबतः
The accomplishment of a task that is already attainable is achieved in half the usual time; but if the task is only partially attainable, it takes twice as long.
सुसिद्धसिद्धोर्द्धतया तत्साध्यो द्विगुणाज्जपात्
By the superiority of one who is fully accomplished, that which is to be accomplished is attained in half the time through recitation.
अरिसिद्धस्तु पुत्रध्नो ऽरिशाध्यः कन्यकापहः
But the accomplishment gained by an enemy destroys sons; the accomplishment achieved by an enemy takes away daughters.
अन्ये ऽप्यत्र प्रकारा हि संति वै बहवों मुने
There are, O sage, indeed many other such methods here as well.
एवं संशोध्य मन्त्रं तु शुद्धे काले स्थले तथा
Thus, having purified the mantra at the proper time and place,
नित्यकृत्यं विधायाथ प्रणम्यगुरुपादुकाम्
and having performed the daily duties, then, after bowing to the teacher’s sandals,
संपूज्य वस्त्रालङ्कारगोहिरण्यधरादिभिः
and having worshipped with cloth, ornaments, cows, gold, and the like,
गुरुः शिष्येण सहितः शुचिर्यागगृहं विशेत्
the teacher, together with the student, pure, should enter the sacrificial hall.
दिव्यानुत्सारयेद्विघ्नान्नभस्थानर्च्य वारिणा
He should drive away divine obstacles from the sky by worshipping with water.
वर्णकैः सर्वतोभद्रे यथोक्तपरिकल्पिते
With colored powders, in all directions, on an auspicious ground prepared as prescribed,