मतिमपि च जनानां यो ददातीन्द्रलोके भीष्म उवाच।। भगवन्श्रोतुमिच्छामि दानमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्
He who grants wisdom to people in Indra's realm—Bhīṣma said: O Lord, I wish to hear the supreme greatness of giving.
यदक्षयं परे लोके देवर्षिगणपूजितम् मेरोः प्रदानं वक्ष्यामि दशधा नृपसत्तम
That which is imperishable in the highest world, honored by gods and sages, I will describe the tenfold gift of Meru, O best of kings.
यत्प्रदातानंतलोकान्प्राप्नोति सुरपूजितान्।। पुराणेषु च वेदेषु यज्ञेष्वायतनेषु च
By giving it, one attains the worlds revered by the gods; in the Purāṇas, Vedas, sacrifices, and temples.
न तत्फलमधीतेषु कृतेष्विह यदश्नुते।। तस्माद्दानं प्रवक्ष्यामि पर्वतानामनुक्रमात्
That fruit is not obtained by study or ritual here; therefore, I will explain the giving of mountains in order.
प्रथमो धान्यशैलः स्यादिद्वतीयो लवणाचलः।। गुडाचलस्तृतीयस्तु चतुर्थो हेमपर्वतः
The first is the mountain of grain, the second is the mountain of salt; the third is the mountain of jaggery, the fourth is the mountain of gold.
पंचमस्तिलशैलस्स्यात्षष्टः कार्प्पासपर्वतः।। सप्तमो घृतशैलः स्याद्रत्नशैलस्तथाष्टमः
The fifth is the mountain of sesame, the sixth is the mountain of cotton; the seventh is the mountain of ghee, the eighth is the mountain of gems.
राजतो नवमस्तद्वद्दशमः शर्कराचलः।। वक्ष्ये विधानमेतेषां यथावदनुपूर्वशः
The ninth is the mountain of silver, and the tenth is the mountain of sugar; I will describe their proper procedures in sequence.
अयनो वेपुण्ये व्यतीपाते दिनक्षये।। शुक्लपक्षे तृतीयायामुपरागेश शिक्षये
On the solstice, equinox, planetary conjunction, at the end of the day, on the third day of the bright fortnight, during an eclipse, and at the prescribed time.
विवाहोत्सवयज्ञेषु द्वादश्यामथवा पुनः।। शुक्लायां पंचदश्यां वा पुण्यर्क्षे वा विधानतः
During weddings, festivals, sacrifices, on the twelfth day, or again on the fifteenth day of the bright fortnight, or on an auspicious star, according to the rules.
धान्यशैलादयो देयाः कार्तिक्यां ज्येष्ठपुष्करे।। तीर्थेष्वायतने वापि गोष्ठे वा भवनांगणे
Mountains of grain and others should be given at Kārtikī, at Jyeṣṭha Puṣkara, at sacred places, temples, cow pens, or in the courtyard of a house.
मंडपं कारयेद्भक्त्या चतुरश्रमुदङ्मुखम्।। प्रागुदक्प्रवणं पुण्यं प्राङ्मुखं वा विधानतः
One should construct a pavilion with devotion, four-sided and facing north-east; sloping towards the east or north, auspicious, or facing east as prescribed.
गोमयेनानुलिप्तायां भूमावास्तीर्य वै कुशान्।। तन्मध्ये पर्वतं कुयाद्विष्कंभं पर्वतान्वितम्
On earth smeared with cow dung, spread kuśa grass; in the center, make a mountain with a support, accompanied by other mountains.
धान्यद्रोणसहस्रेण भवेद्गिरिरिहोत्तमः।। मध्यमः पंचशतकैः कनिष्ठश्च त्रिभिः शतैः
With a thousand measures of grain, the mountain here becomes supreme; with five hundred, it is middling; and with three hundred, it is the lowest.
मेरुर्महाव्रीहिमयस्तु मध्ये सुवर्णवृक्षत्रयसंयुतः स्यात्।। मूर्द्धन्यवस्थानमथांबरेण कार्यं त्वनेकं च पुनर्द्विजाग्र्यैः
Mount Meru should be made of great rice, and in the middle adorned with three golden trees; its summit should be established with a cloth, and again by the foremost twice-born.
चत्वारि शृंगाणि च राजतानि नितंबभागा अपि राजतास्स्युः।। पूर्वेण मुक्ताफलवज्रयुक्तो याम्येन गोमेदकपद्मरागैः
There should be four silver peaks, and the base regions also made of silver; the eastern side adorned with pearls and diamonds, the southern with garnets and rubies.
पश्चाच्च गारुत्मतनीलरत्नैः सौम्येन वैडूर्यकपुष्परागैः।। श्रीखंडखंडैरभितः प्रवालैर्लतान्वितो मौक्तिकप्रस्तराढ्यः
On the west, with yellow sapphires and blue gems; on the north, with lapis lazuli and chrysoberyl; surrounded everywhere by sandalwood pieces, coral, creepers, and abundant pearl stones.
ब्रह्माथ विष्णुर्भगवान्पुरारिर्दिवाकरोप्यत्र हिरण्मयः स्यात्।। तथेक्षुवंशावृतकंदरस्तु घृतोदकप्रस्रवणो दिशासु
Then Brahma, Vishnu, the blessed Shiva, and the sun god should be placed here, all made of gold; likewise, a cave enclosed by sugarcane stalks, with streams of ghee and water flowing in the directions.
शुभ्रांबराण्यंबुधरावलिस्यात्पूर्वेण पीतानि च दक्षिणेन।। वासांसि पश्चादथ कर्बुराणि रक्तानि चैवोत्तरतो घनानि
In the east, garments should be white like clouds; in the south, yellow; in the west, variegated; and in the north, red and dense like clouds.
रौप्यान्महेंद्रप्रमुखांस्तथाऽष्टौ संस्थाप्य लोकाधिपतीन्क्रमेण।। नानावनाली च समंततः स्यान्मनोरमम्माल्यविलेपनं च
Eight rulers of the worlds, beginning with Indra, made of silver, should be established in order; various forests should be placed all around, with delightful garlands and ointments.
वितानकं चोपरि पंचवर्णमम्लानपुष्पाभरणं सितं च।। इत्थं निवेश्यामरशैलमग्र्यं मेरोस्तु विष्कंभगिरीन्क्रमेण
Above, a canopy of five colors, adorned with unfading flowers and white ornaments; thus, the foremost celestial mountain should be arranged, along with the supporting mountains of Meru, in order.
तुरीयभागेन चतुर्दिशं च संस्थापयेत्पुष्पविलेपनाढ्यम्।। पूर्वेण मंदरमनेकफलैश्चयुक्तं कामेन कांचनमयेन विराजमानम्१०० 1.21.
In the fourth part, in all four directions, one should arrange abundant flowers and ointments; in the east, Mandara mountain, adorned with many fruits, shining with golden splendor.
याम्येन गंधमदनो विनिवेशनीयो गोधूमसंचयमयः कलधौतवांश्च।। हैमेन यज्ञपतिना घृतमानसेन वस्त्रेणराजतवनैश्च स संयुतः स्यात्
In the south, Gandhamadana should be placed, made of wheat and polished bamboo; with a golden sacrificial vessel, a ghee-filled bowl, cloth, and silver forests, it should be adorned.
पश्चात्तिलाचलमनेकसुगंधपुष्पसौवर्णपिप्पलहिरण्मयहंसयुक्तम्।। आकारयेद्रजतपुष्पवनेन तद्वद्वस्त्रान्वितं दधिसितोदसरस्तथाग्रे
In the west, Tilachala mountain, with many fragrant flowers, golden pipal trees, and golden swans; it should be made with a silver flower forest, likewise with cloth, and in front, a lake of curd and cold water.
संस्थाप्यतं विपुलशैलमथोत्तरेण शैलं सुपार्श्वमपि माषमयं सवस्त्रम्।। पुष्पैश्च हेमवटपादपशेखरं तमाकारयेत्कनककेतुविराजमानम्
In the north, a great mountain should be established, with a fine side, made of lentils and cloth; adorned with flowers, and crowned with a golden banyan tree, shining with a golden banner.
माक्षीकभद्रसरसा च वनेन तद्वद्रौप्येण भासुरवितानयुतं विधाय।। होमश्चतुर्भिरथ वेदपुराणविद्भिर्दांतैरनिंद्यचरिताकृतिभिर्द्विजेंद्रैः
With a forest of honey and auspicious waters, likewise made of silver, and furnished with a shining canopy; a sacrifice should be performed by four Brahmins, learned in the Vedas and Puranas, with gentle and blameless conduct.
पूर्वेण हस्तमितमत्र विधाय कुंडं कार्यस्तिलैर्यवघृतेन समित्कुशैश्च।। रात्रौ च जागरमनुद्धतगीतरूपैरावाहनं च कथयामि शिलोच्चयानाम्
In the east, after arranging the hand, a fire pit should be made with sesame, barley, ghee, sacred sticks, and grass; at night, a vigil with songs and recitations should be held, and I will explain the invocation of the mountain peaks.
त्वं सर्वदेवगणधामनिधे विरुद्धमस्मद्गृहेष्वमरपर्वत नाशयाशु।। क्षेमं विधत्स्व कुरु शांतिमनुत्तमां च संपूजितः परमभक्तिमता मया हि
O mountain of the immortals, repository of all the divine hosts, quickly destroy what is opposed in our homes; grant safety, establish supreme peace, and be worshipped by me with utmost devotion.
त्वमेव भगवानीशो ब्रह्मा विष्णुर्दिवाकरः।। मूर्तामूर्तमयं बीजमतः पाहि सनातन
You alone are the blessed lord, Brahma, Vishnu, the sun; the eternal seed, both manifest and unmanifest—therefore, protect me.
यस्मात्त्वं लोकपालानां विश्वमूर्तेश्च मंदिरम्।। रुद्रादित्यवसूनां च तस्माच्छान्तिं प्रयच्छ मे
Because you are the abode of the guardians of the worlds and the universal form; of Rudra, Aditya, and the Vasus—therefore, grant me peace.
यस्मादशून्यममरैर्नारीभिश्च शिरस्तव।। तस्मान्मामुद्धरामुष्माद्दुःखसंसारसागरात्
Because your head is never empty of immortals and women, therefore, lift me from that ocean of suffering and worldly existence.