एषामन्यतमः कार्यो गृहस्थेन विपश्चिता
Any one of these should be acquired by a discerning householder.
अन्नप्राशनमब्दार्धे चूडाब्दे चार्थवत्कृता ।। 4.1.11.
The ceremony of first feeding is performed at six months, and the tonsure in the first year, as is proper.
कर्णवेधं ततः कृत्वा श्रवणर्क्षे सकर्मवित्
Then, having performed the ear-piercing ceremony under the auspicious star, with proper rites,
उपाकर्म ततः कृत्वा वेदानध्यापयत्सुधीः
After that, having performed the initiation, the wise one instructs him in the Vedas.
विद्याजातं समस्तं च साक्षिमात्राद्गुरोर्मुखात्
All knowledge and learning is imparted directly from the mouth of the teacher, as a witness.
ततोथ नवमे वर्षे पित्रोः शुश्रूषणे रतम्
Then, in the ninth year, he becomes devoted to serving his parents.
विश्वानरोटजं प्राप्य देवर्षिर्नारदः सुधीः
Having obtained Viśvānarotaja, the wise divine sage Nārada—
कुरुते युवयोर्वाक्यमयं गृहपतिः शिशुः
The householder child carries out the words spoken by you both.
नान्यत्तीर्थं न वा देवो न गुरुर्न च सत्किया
There is no other holy place, nor god, nor teacher, nor good deed—
न पित्रोरधिकं किंचित्त्रिलोक्यां तनयस्य हि
For a son, there is nothing greater than his parents in the three worlds.
अंभोभिरभिषिच्यस्वं जननीचरणच्युतैः
Anoint yourself with waters that have flowed from your mother's feet.
संन्यस्ताखिलकर्मापि पितुर्वंद्यो हिमस्करी 4.1.11.
Even one who has renounced all actions must honor the father, O Himakari.
इदमेव तपोत्युग्रमिदमेवपरं व्रतम्
This alone is the highest austerity; this alone is the supreme vow.
मन्येमान्यो नाधमस्य तथान्यस्य यथा युवाम्
I do not consider anyone else, neither the lowly nor another, to be like you two.
वैश्वानरसमभ्येहि ममोत्संगे निषीद भो
Come near, O Vaiśvānara, sit upon my lap, O child.
इत्युक्तो मुनिना बालः पित्रोराज्ञामवाप्य सः
Thus addressed by the sage, the boy, having received his parents' command,
ततो दृष्ट्वास्य सर्वांगं तालुजिह्वाद्विजानपि
Then, seeing all his limbs, including palate, tongue, and teeth,
स्मृत्वा शिवौ गणाध्यक्षमूर्ध्वीभूतमुदङ्मुखम्
Remembering Śiva, the lord of the hosts, who was elevated and facing north,
तिर्यगूर्ध्वं समो माने योष्टोत्तरशतांगुलः
Measured across, upward, and equally, he was one hundred and eight finger-breadths tall.
पंचसूक्ष्मः पंचदीर्घः सप्तरक्तः षडुन्नतः
He had five subtle, five long, seven red, and six elevated features.
पंचदीर्घाणि शस्यानि यथादीर्घायुषोस्य वै
The five long features are auspicious, as they indicate his long life.
ग्रीवाजंघा मेहनैश्च त्रिभिर्ह्रस्वोयमीडितः 4.1.11.
His neck, shanks, and genitals are each three finger-breadths short, as praised.
त्वक्केशांगुलिदशनाः पर्वाण्यंगुलिजान्यपि
His skin, hair, fingers, teeth, and even the joints arising from the fingers—
वक्षः कुक्ष्यलकं स्कंध करं वक्त्रं षडुन्नतम्
Chest, belly, sides, shoulders, arms, and face—these six are elevated.
पाण्योस्तले च नेत्रांते तालुजिह्वाधरौष्ठकम्
On the palms of his hands, at the ends of his eyes, palate, tongue, lower lip, and chin—
ललाटकटिवक्षोभिस्त्रिविस्तीर्णो यथाह्यसौ
With forehead, waist, and chest, he is threefold broad, as indeed he is.
कमठीपृष्ठकठिनावकर्मकरणौ करौ
His hands are firm like the back of a tortoise, fit for action.
अच्छिन्ना तर्जनीं व्याप्य तथा रेखास्य दृश्यते
His index finger is unbroken and extended, and thus the lines are seen.
पादौ सुमांसलौ रक्तौ समौ सूक्ष्मौ सुशौभनौ
His feet are well-fleshed, red, equal, slender, and exceedingly beautiful.
स्वल्पाभिः कररेखाभिरारक्ताभिः सदासुखी
With few lines on the hands, always reddish, he is ever blessed with happiness.