अश्वमेधसमं प्राहुर्वसंतसमये स्थितम्। ग्रीष्मेपि यत्स्थितं तोयं राजसूयाद्विशिष्यते
they say it equals the Aśvamedha sacrifice when present in spring; and water present in summer surpasses the Rājasūya.
एतान्महाराज विशेषधर्मान्करोति चोर्व्यामतिशुद्धबुद्धिः। स याति ब्रह्मालयमेव शुद्धः कल्पाननेकान्दिवि मोदते च
O great king, whoever performs these special duties on earth with a mind of utmost purity, he attains the abode of Brahmā, pure, and enjoys countless ages in heaven.
अनेकलोकान्विचरन्स्वरादीन्भुक्त्वा परार्धद्वयमङ्गनाभिः। सहैव विष्णोः परमं पदं यत्प्राप्नोति तद्योगबलेन भूयः
Roaming through many worlds, enjoying the realms of heaven and others for two parārdhas with celestial women, he then attains the supreme abode of Viṣṇu by the power of yoga.
भीष्म उवाच। पादपानां विधिं ब्रह्मन्यथावद्विस्तराद्वद। विधिना येन कर्त्तव्यं पादपारोपणं बुधैः
Bhīṣma said: O Brahman, explain in detail the procedure for trees, and by what method wise men should perform the planting of trees.
ये च लोकाः स्मृता येषां तानिदानीं वदस्व मे। पुलस्त्य उवाच। पादपानां विधिं वक्ष्ये तथैवोद्यानभूमिषु
And tell me now about the worlds remembered for them. Pulastya said: I will explain the procedure for trees, and likewise for garden grounds.
तटाकविधिवत्सर्वं समाप्य जगतीश्वर। ऋत्विङ्मंडपसंभारमाचार्यं चापि तद्विधं
O Lord of the world, all is to be done as in the procedure for tanks, including the arrangement of officiating priests, pavilion, and teacher of that kind.
पूजयेद्ब्राह्मणांस्तद्वद्धेमवस्त्रानुलेपनैः। सर्वौषध्युदकैः सिक्तान्दध्यक्षतविभूषितान्
He should worship the Brahmins likewise, with gold, garments, and ointments, sprinkling them with all medicinal waters, adorned with curds, unbroken grains, and ornaments.
वृक्षान्माल्यैरलंकृत्य वासोभिरभिवेष्टयेत्। सूच्या सौवर्णया कार्यं सर्वेषां कर्णवेधनं
He should decorate the trees with garlands and wrap them in cloths; for all, ear-piercing should be performed with a golden needle.
अंजनं चापि दातव्यं तद्वद्धेमशलाकया। फलानि सप्त चाष्टौ वा कालधौतानि कारयेत्
Collyrium should also be given, likewise with a golden stick; seven or eight fruits, cleansed in due time, should be prepared.
प्रत्येकं सर्ववृक्षाणां वेद्यांतान्यधिवासयेत्। धूपोत्र गुग्गुलुः श्रेष्ठस्ताम्रपात्रेष्वधिष्ठितान्
For each and every tree, he should place offerings at the altar; the best incense is guggulu, set in copper vessels.
सप्तधान्यस्थितान्कृत्वा वस्त्रगंधानुलेपनैः। कुंभान्सर्वेषु वृक्षेषु स्थापयित्वावनीश्वर
Having placed seven kinds of grains with fragrant cloths and ointments, O lord of the earth, he should set pots at the base of every tree.
पूजयित्वा दिनांते च कृत्वा बलिनिवेदनम्। यथावल्लोकपालानामिंद्रादीनां विधानतः
After worshipping and, at the end of the day, making the offering of food, he should perform the prescribed rites for the guardians of the worlds, such as Indra.
वनस्पतेरधिवास एवं कार्यो द्विजातिभिः। ततः शुक्लांबरधरान्सौवर्णकृतमेखलान्
Thus should the consecration of the trees be performed by the twice-born; then, those wearing white garments and golden girdles—
सकांस्यदोहां सौवर्णशृंगाभ्यामतिशालिनीं। पयस्विनीं वृक्षमध्यादुत्सृजेद्गामुदङ्मुखीम्
A cow, excellent and rich in milk, with bronze vessels and golden horns, should be released facing north from the midst of the trees.
ततोभिषेकमंत्रेण वाद्यमंगलगीतकैः। ऋग्यजुःसाममंत्रैश्च वारुणैरभितस्तदा
Then, with the consecration mantra, accompanied by music and auspicious songs, and with mantras from the Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma Vedas, as well as Varuṇa mantras, all around at that time—
तैरेव कुंभैः स्नपनं कुर्युर्ब्राह्मणपुंगवाः। स्नातः शुक्लांबरधरो यजमानोभिपूजयेत्
With those very pots, the foremost Brahmins should perform the bathing; the sacrificer, bathed and clad in white, should then worship.
गोभिर्विभवतः सर्वानृत्विजः ससमाहितान्। हेमसूत्रैः सकटकैरंगुलीयैः पवित्रकैः
He should honor all the priests, attentive and assembled, with cows according to his means, with golden threads, bracelets, finger-rings, and sacred cords.
वासोभिः शयनीयैश्च तथोपस्करपादुकैः। क्षीराभिषेचनं कुर्याद्यावद्दिनचतुष्टयम्
With garments, bedding, and likewise with utensils and sandals, he should perform the anointing with milk for four days.
होमश्च सर्पिषा कार्यो यवैः कृष्णतिलैरपि। पलाशसमिधः शस्ताश्चतुर्थेऽह्नि तथोत्सवः
He should perform a fire offering with ghee, and also with barley and black sesame seeds; palāśa wood is best for the fire, and on the fourth day, there should be a festival.
दक्षिणा च पुनस्तद्वद्देया तत्रापि शक्तितः। यद्यदिष्टतमं किचित्तत्तद्दद्यादमत्सरी
A gift should again be given there, as before, according to ability; whatever is most desired, he should give that, free from envy.
आचार्ये द्विगुणं दत्त्वा प्रणिपत्य क्षमापयेत्। अनेन विधिना यस्तु कुर्याद्वृक्षोत्सवं बुधः
Having given double to the teacher, he should bow and ask forgiveness; whoever, being wise, performs the festival of trees in this manner—
सर्वान्कामानवाप्नोति पदं चानन्तमश्नुते। यश्चैवमपि राजेन्द्र वृक्षं संस्थापयेद्बुधः
He attains all desires and reaches the endless state; and, O king of kings, whoever likewise establishes a tree, being wise—
सोपि स्वर्गे वसेद्राजन्यावदिंद्रायुतत्रयम्। भूतान्भव्यांश्च मनुजांस्तारयेद्रोमसंमितान्
He too dwells in heaven for as many years as thirty-three thousand Indras, and rescues as many beings, past and future, as the number of his body hairs.
परमां सिद्धिमाप्नोति पुनरावृत्तिदुर्लभाम्। य इदं शृणुयान्नित्यं श्रावयेद्वापि मानवः
He attains the highest perfection, which is difficult to reach again; whoever always listens to or causes this to be heard, O man.
सोपि संपूज्यते देवैर्ब्रह्मलोके महीयते। अपुत्रस्य च पुत्रित्वं पादपा एव कुर्वते
He too is worshipped by the gods and honored in Brahma's world; and for one without sons, trees themselves become as sons.
तीर्थेषु पिंडदानादीन्रोपकाणां ददंति ते। यत्नेनापि च राजेंद्र अश्वत्थारोपणं कुरु
In holy places, those trees grant the benefit of offerings of rice-balls and other rites; therefore, O king, even with effort, plant an ashvattha tree.
स ते पुत्रसहस्रस्य कृत्यमेकः करिष्यति। धनी चाश्वत्थवृक्षेण अशोकः शोकनाशनः
That one tree will perform the merit of a thousand sons for you; the ashvattha tree brings wealth, and the ashoka tree removes sorrow.
प्लक्षो यज्ञप्रदः प्रोक्तः क्षीरी चायुःप्रदः स्मृतः। जंबुकी कन्यकादात्री भार्यादा दाडिमी तथा
The plaksha tree is said to grant the fruit of sacrifice, the ksheeri tree is known to bestow long life; the jambu tree gives daughters, and the pomegranate gives wives.
अश्वत्थो रोगनाशाय पलाशो ब्रह्मदस्तथा। प्रेतत्वं जायते पुंसो रोपयेद्यो विभीतकम्
The ashvattha tree is for the destruction of diseases, and the palasha tree bestows Brahmanhood; but if one plants the vibhitaka tree, he attains the state of a departed spirit.
अंकोले कुलवृद्धिस्तु खादिरेणाप्यरोगिता। निंबप्ररोहकाणां तु नित्यं तुष्येद्दिवाकरः
The ankola tree increases the family line, and the khadira tree brings health; the sun is always pleased with those who plant neem saplings.