The Rite of Consecrating Tanks and Water-Bodies

Verse 1 (padma.1.27.1)

भीष्म उवाच। तटाकारामकूपेषु वापीषु नलिनीषु च। विधिं वदस्व मे ब्रह्मन्देवतायतनेषु च॥

bhīṣma uvāca taṭākārāmakūpeṣu vāpīṣu nalinīṣu ca vidhiṁ vadasva me brahmandevatāyataneṣu ca

Bhishma said: Tell me, O brahmin, the rite for tanks, groves, wells, step-wells, and lotus-pools, and also for temples of the gods.

Verse 2 (padma.1.27.2)

के तत्र ऋत्विजो विप्रा वेदी वा कीदृशी भवेत्। दक्षिणाबलयः कालः स्थानमाचार्य एव च॥

ke tatra ṛtvijo viprā vedī vā kīdṛśī bhavet dakṣiṇābalayaḥ kālaḥ sthānamācārya eva ca

Who there are the officiating priests, the brahmins? What should the altar be like? What of the sacrificial fees, the offerings, the time, the place, and the preceptor?

Verse 3 (padma.1.27.3)

द्रव्याणि कानि शस्तानि सर्वमाचक्ष्व सुव्रत॥

dravyāṇi kāni śastāni sarvamācakṣva suvrata

What materials are prescribed — tell me all this, O one of good vows.

Verse 4 (padma.1.27.4)

पुलस्त्य उवाच। शृणु राजन्महाबाहो तटाकादिषु यो विधिः॥

pulastya uvāca śṛṇu rājanmahābāho taṭākādiṣu yo vidhiḥ

Pulastya said: Listen, O mighty-armed king, to the rite that applies for tanks and the rest.

Verse 5 (padma.1.27.5)

पुराणेष्वितिहासोयं पठ्यते राजसत्तम। प्राप्य पक्षं शुभं शुक्लं संप्राप्ते चोत्तरायणे॥

purāṇeṣvitihāsoyaṁ paṭhyate rājasattama prāpya pakṣaṁ śubhaṁ śuklaṁ saṁprāpte cottarāyaṇe

This narrative, O best of kings, is recited in the Puranas. Having reached an auspicious bright fortnight, when the sun's northward course has arrived —

Verse 6 (padma.1.27.6)

पुण्येह्नि विप्रैः कथिते कृत्वा ब्राह्मणवाचनम्। अशुभैर्वर्जिते देशे तटाकस्य समीपतः॥

puṇyehni vipraiḥ kathite kṛtvā brāhmaṇavācanam aśubhairvarjite deśe taṭākasya samīpataḥ

— on an auspicious day declared by brahmins, having performed the brahmana-vachana, in a place free of inauspicious features, near the tank —

Verse 7 (padma.1.27.7)

चतुर्हस्तां समां वेदीं चतुरश्रां चतुर्मुखीम्। तथा षोडशहस्तः स्यान्मंडपश्च चतुर्मुखः॥

caturhastāṁ samāṁ vedīṁ caturaśrāṁ caturmukhīm tathā ṣoḍaśahastaḥ syānmaṁḍapaśca caturmukhaḥ

— one should make a level altar of four cubits, four-cornered, four-faced; and the pavilion should be of sixteen cubits, likewise four-faced.

Verse 8 (padma.1.27.8)

वेद्यास्तु परितो गर्तारत्निमात्रास्त्रिमेखलाः। नव सप्ताथ वा पंच ऋजुवक्त्रा नृपात्मज॥

vedyāstu parito gartāratnimātrāstrimekhalāḥ nava saptātha vā paṁca ṛjuvaktrā nṛpātmaja

Around the altar, O prince, pits of a cubit's measure, three-tiered, straight-mouthed — nine, seven, or five in number.

Verse 9 (padma.1.27.9)

वितस्तिमात्रा योनिः स्यात्षट्सप्तांगुलि विस्तृता। गर्ताश्च हस्तमात्राः स्युस्त्रिपर्वोच्छ्रितमेखलाः॥

vitastimātrā yoniḥ syātṣaṭsaptāṁguli vistṛtā gartāśca hastamātrāḥ syustriparvocchritamekhalāḥ

The channel-opening should be a span in measure, six to seven fingers wide; and the pits should be a cubit in measure, with rims raised in three tiers.

Verse 10 (padma.1.27.10)

सर्वतस्तु सवर्णाः स्युः पताकाध्वजसंयुताः। अश्वत्थोदुंबरप्लक्षवटशाखाकृतानि तु॥

sarvatastu savarṇāḥ syuḥ patākādhvajasaṁyutāḥ aśvatthoduṁbaraplakṣavaṭaśākhākṛtāni tu

All around, they should be of matching colour, joined with banners and flags; and made of the branches of ashvattha, udumbara, plaksha, and vata.

Verse 11 (padma.1.27.11)

मंडपस्य प्रतिदिशं द्वाराण्येतानि कारयेत्। शुभास्तत्राष्टहोतारो द्वारपालास्तथाष्ट वै॥

maṁḍapasya pratidiśaṁ dvārāṇyetāni kārayet śubhāstatrāṣṭahotāro dvārapālāstathāṣṭa vai

One should make these doors in each direction of the pavilion. There, eight auspicious hotri-priests, and likewise eight door-guardians, should be appointed.

Verse 12 (padma.1.27.12)

अष्टौ तु जापकाः कार्या ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः। सर्वलक्षणसंपूर्णान्मंत्रज्ञान्विजितेंद्रियान्॥

aṣṭau tu jāpakāḥ kāryā brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ sarvalakṣaṇasaṁpūrṇānmaṁtrajñānvijitendriyān

Eight japaka reciters should be appointed, brahmins who have mastered the Vedas, complete with all auspicious marks, knowers of mantra, of subdued senses.

Verse 13 (padma.1.27.13)

कुलशीलसमायुक्तान्स्थापयेद्वै द्विजोत्तमान्। प्रतिगर्तेषु कलशा यज्ञोपकरणानि च॥

kulaśīlasamāyuktānsthāpayedvai dvijottamān pratigarteṣu kalaśā yajñopakaraṇāni ca

One should install excellent brahmins endowed with good family and character; at each pit, water-jars and the implements of sacrifice.

Verse 14 (padma.1.27.14)

व्यजने चासनं शुभ्रं ताम्रपात्रं सुविस्तरम्। ततस्त्वनेकवर्णास्युर्बलयः प्रतिदैवतम्॥

vyajane cāsanaṁ śubhraṁ tāmrapātraṁ suvistaram tatastvanekavarṇāsyurbalayaḥ pratidaivatam

A fan, a bright seat, a broad copper vessel; then there should be offerings of many kinds, one for each deity.

Verse 15 (padma.1.27.15)

आचार्यः प्रक्षिपेद्भूमावनुमंत्र्य विचक्षणः। अरत्निमात्रो यूपः स्यात्क्षीरवृक्षविनिर्मितः॥

ācāryaḥ prakṣipedbhūmāvanumaṁtrya vicakṣaṇaḥ aratnimātro yūpaḥ syātkṣīravṛkṣavinirmitaḥ

The wise acharya should place them on the ground, having consecrated them with mantra. The sacrificial post should be a cubit's measure, made of a milk-tree.

Verse 16 (padma.1.27.16)

यजमानप्रमाणो वा संस्थाप्यो भूतिमिच्छता। हेमालंकारिणः कार्याः पंचविंशति ऋत्विजः॥

yajamānapramāṇo vā saṁsthāpyo bhūtimicchatā hemālaṁkāriṇaḥ kāryāḥ paṁcaviṁśati ṛtvijaḥ

Or it may be set up equal to the yajamana's own height, by one desiring prosperity. Twenty-five ritwiks should be adorned with gold ornaments.

Verse 17 (padma.1.27.17)

कुंडलानि च हैमानि केयूरकटकानि च। तथांगुलिपवित्राणि वासांसि विविधानि च॥

kuṁḍalāni ca haimāni keyūrakaṭakāni ca tathāṁgulipavitrāṇi vāsāṁsi vividhāni ca

Give them golden earrings, armlets, and bracelets; likewise sacred finger-rings and garments of various kinds.

Verse 18 (padma.1.27.18)

दद्यात्समानि सर्वेषामाचार्ये द्विगुणं स्मृतम्। दद्याच्छयनसंयुक्तमात्मनश्चापि यत्प्रियम्॥

dadyātsamāni sarveṣāmācārye dviguṇaṁ smṛtam dadyācchayanasaṁyuktamātmanaścāpi yatpriyam

One should give equally to all; for the acharya, double is enjoined. One should give, together with a bed, whatever is also dear to oneself.

Verse 19 (padma.1.27.19)

सौवर्णौ कूर्ममकरौ राजतौ मत्स्यडुण्डुभौ। ताम्रौ कुंभीरमंडूका वायसः शिंशुमारकः॥

sauvarṇau kūrmamakarau rājatau matsyaḍuṇḍubhau tāmrau kuṁbhīramaṁḍūkā vāyasaḥ śiṁśumārakaḥ

A golden tortoise and makara; a silver fish and dundubha water-snake; a copper crocodile and frog; a crow; and a shishumara (river dolphin) — these should be fashioned.

Verse 20 (padma.1.27.20)

एवमासाद्य तत्सर्वमादावेव विशांपते। शुक्लमाल्याम्बरधरः शुक्लंगंधानुलेपनः॥

evamāsādya tatsarvamādāveva viśāṁpate śuklamālyāmbaradharaḥ śuklaṁgaṁdhānulepanaḥ

Having thus procured all this beforehand, O lord of the people, wearing a white garland and garments, anointed with white fragrant unguent —

Verse 21 (padma.1.27.21)

सर्वौषध्युदकैः सर्वैः स्नापितो वेदपारगैः। यजमानः सपत्नीकः पुत्रपौत्रसमन्वितः॥

sarvauṣadhyudakaiḥ sarvaiḥ snāpito vedapāragaiḥ yajamānaḥ sapatnīkaḥ putrapautrasamanvitaḥ

— the yajamana, bathed by the Veda-masters with the waters of all herbs, together with his wife, accompanied by his sons and grandsons —

Verse 22 (padma.1.27.22)

पश्चिमद्वारमासाद्य प्रविशेद्यागमंडपम्। ततो मंगलशब्देन भेरीणां निःस्वनेन च॥

paścimadvāramāsādya praviśedyāgamaṁḍapam tato maṁgalaśabdena bherīṇāṁ niḥsvanena ca

— having approached the western gate, should enter the sacrificial pavilion; then, with auspicious sounds and the resounding of drums —

Verse 23 (padma.1.27.23)

रजसा मंडलं कुर्यात्पंचवर्णेन तत्त्ववित्। षोडशारं ततश्चक्रं पद्मगर्भं चतुर्मुखम्॥

rajasā maṁḍalaṁ kuryātpaṁcavarṇena tattvavit ṣoḍaśāraṁ tataścakraṁ padmagarbhaṁ caturmukham

— the knower of truth should make a mandala with five-coloured powder; then a sixteen-spoked wheel with a lotus-womb, four-faced —

Verse 24 (padma.1.27.24)

चतुरश्रं तु परितो वृत्तं मध्ये सुशोभनम्। वेद्याश्चोपरितः कृत्वा ग्रहान्लोकपतींस्ततः॥

caturaśraṁ tu parito vṛttaṁ madhye suśobhanam vedyāścoparitaḥ kṛtvā grahānlokapatīṁstataḥ

— four-cornered all around, beautifully circular in the middle; having made it above the altar, then the planets and the world-guardians —

Verse 25 (padma.1.27.25)

संन्यसेन्मंत्रतः सर्वान्प्रतिदिक्षु विचक्षणः। कलशं स्थापयेन्मध्ये वारुणं मंत्रमाश्रितम्॥

saṁnyasenmaṁtrataḥ sarvānpratidikṣu vicakṣaṇaḥ kalaśaṁ sthāpayenmadhye vāruṇaṁ maṁtramāśritam

— the wise one should install them all with mantra in each direction; and should place the water-jar in the middle, consecrated with the Varuna-mantra.

Verse 26 (padma.1.27.26)

ब्रह्माणं च शिवं विष्णुं तत्रैव स्थापयेद्बुधः। विनायकं च विन्यस्य कमलामंबिकां तथा॥

brahmāṇaṁ ca śivaṁ viṣṇuṁ tatraiva sthāpayedbudhaḥ vināyakaṁ ca vinyasya kamalāmaṁbikāṁ tathā

The wise one should establish there Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu; and having installed Vinayaka, and likewise Kamala and Ambika.

Verse 27 (padma.1.27.27)

शांत्यर्थं सर्वलोकानां भूतग्रामं न्यसेत्ततः। पुष्पभक्ष्यफलैर्युक्तमेवं कृत्वाधिवासनम्॥

śāṁtyarthaṁ sarvalokānāṁ bhūtagrāmaṁ nyasettataḥ puṣpabhakṣyaphalairyuktamevaṁ kṛtvādhivāsanam

For the peace of all the worlds, he should then install the host of spirits; having thus performed the adhivasana together with flowers, foods, and fruits —

Verse 28 (padma.1.27.28)

कुंभांश्च रत्नगर्भांस्तान्वासोभिः परिवेष्टयेत्। पुष्पगंधैरलंकृत्य द्वारपालान्समंततः॥

kuṁbhāṁśca ratnagarbhāṁstānvāsobhiḥ pariveṣṭayet puṣpagaṁdhairalaṁkṛtya dvārapālānsamaṁtataḥ

— he should wrap those gem-filled jars with cloths; and, having adorned the door-guardians all around with flowers and fragrance —

Verse 29 (padma.1.27.29)

यजद्ध्वमिति तान्ब्रूयादाचार्यमभिपूजयेत्। बह्वृचौ पूर्वतः स्थाप्यौ दक्षिणेन यजुर्विदौ॥

yajaddhvamiti tānbrūyādācāryamabhipūjayet bahvṛcau pūrvataḥ sthāpyau dakṣiṇena yajurvidau

— should say to them, 'Perform the sacrifice,' and should honour the acharya. Two Rigvedins are to be placed in the east, two Yajurvedins to the south.

Verse 30 (padma.1.27.30)

सामगौ पश्चिमे स्थाप्यावुत्तरेण अथर्वणौ। उदङ्मुखो दक्षिणतो यजमान उपाविशेत्॥

sāmagau paścime sthāpyāvuttareṇa atharvaṇau udaṅmukho dakṣiṇato yajamāna upāviśet

Two Samavedins are to be placed in the west, two Atharvavedins in the north. The yajamana should sit on the southern side, facing north.

Verse 31 (padma.1.27.31)

यजध्वमिति तान्ब्रूयाद्याजकान्पुनरेव तान्। उत्कृष्टमंत्रजाप्येन तिष्ठध्वमिति जापकान्॥

yajadhvamiti tānbrūyādyājakānpunareva tān utkṛṣṭamaṁtrajāpyena tiṣṭhadhvamiti jāpakān

He should again say to those officiating priests, 'Perform the sacrifice'; and to the reciters, 'Remain fixed in the recitation of the excellent mantra.'

Verse 32 (padma.1.27.32)

एवमादिश्य तान्सर्वान्संधुक्ष्याग्निं समंत्रवित्। जुहुयादाहुतीर्मंत्रैराज्यं च समिधस्तथा॥

evamādiśya tānsarvānsaṁdhukṣyāgniṁ samaṁtravit juhuyādāhutīrmaṁtrairājyaṁ ca samidhastathā

Having thus instructed them all, the knower of mantra should kindle the fire, and should offer oblations with mantras — ghee, and likewise sacrificial fuel-sticks.

Verse 33 (padma.1.27.33)

ऋत्विग्भिश्चैव होतव्यं वारुणैरेव सर्वतः। ग्रहेभ्यो विधिवद्धुत्वा तथेंद्रायेश्वराय च॥

ṛtvigbhiścaiva hotavyaṁ vāruṇaireva sarvataḥ grahebhyo vidhivaddhutvā tatheṁdrāyeśvarāya ca

Oblations are to be offered by the ritwiks with Varuna mantras on all sides; having duly offered to the planets, and likewise to Indra and Ishvara.

Verse 34 (padma.1.27.34)

मरुद्भ्यो लोकपालेभ्यो विधिवद्विश्वकर्मणे। शान्तिसूक्तं च रौद्रं च पावमानं च मंगलम्॥

marudbhyo lokapālebhyo vidhivadviśvakarmaṇe śāntisūktaṁ ca raudraṁ ca pāvamānaṁ ca maṁgalam

Offerings are duly given to the Maruts, to the world-guardians, and to Vishvakarma; and one should recite the Shanti-sukta, the Raudra, the Pavamana, and the Mangala hymns.

Verse 35 (padma.1.27.35)

जपेच्च पौरुषं सूक्तं पूर्वतो बह्वृचः पृथक्। शाक्रं रौद्रं च सौम्यं च कौश्मांडं जातवेदसम्॥

japecca pauruṣaṁ sūktaṁ pūrvato bahvṛcaḥ pṛthak śākraṁ raudraṁ ca saumyaṁ ca kauśmāṁḍaṁ jātavedasam

And the Purusha-sukta should be recited; separately in the east, the Rigvedins should recite the Shakra, the Raudra, the Saumya, the Kaushmanda, and the Jatavedas hymns.

Verse 36 (padma.1.27.36)

सौरं सूक्तं जपेयुस्ते दक्षिणेन यजुर्विदः। वैराजं पौरुषं सूक्तं सौपर्णं रुद्रसंहितम्॥

sauraṁ sūktaṁ japeyuste dakṣiṇena yajurvidaḥ vairājaṁ pauruṣaṁ sūktaṁ sauparṇaṁ rudrasaṁhitam

Those Yajurvedins on the south should recite the Saura hymn, the Vairaja, the Purusha hymn, the Saupparna, and the Rudra-samhita.

Verse 37 (padma.1.27.37)

शैशवं पंचनिधनं गायत्रं ज्येष्ठसाम च। वामदेव्यं बृहत्साम रौरवं च रथंतरम्॥

śaiśavaṁ paṁcanidhanaṁ gāyatraṁ jyeṣṭhasāma ca vāmadevyaṁ bṛhatsāma rauravaṁ ca rathaṁtaram

The Shaishava, the five-fold-Nidhana Gayatra, and the Jyeshtha-sama; the Vamadevya, the Brihat-sama, the Raurava, and the Rathantara —

Verse 38 (padma.1.27.38)

गवां व्रतं विकीर्णं च रक्षोघ्नं च यमं तथा। गायेयुः सामगा राजन्पश्चिमद्वारमाश्रिताः॥

gavāṁ vrataṁ vikīrṇaṁ ca rakṣoghnaṁ ca yamaṁ tathā gāyeyuḥ sāmagā rājanpaścimadvāramāśritāḥ

— the Gavam-vrata, the Vikirna, the Rakshoghna, and the Yama samas — the Samavedins, O king, stationed at the western gate, should sing these.

Verse 39 (padma.1.27.39)

आथर्वणाश्चोत्तरतः शांतिकं पौष्टिकं तथा। जपेयुर्मनसा देवमाश्रिता वरुणं प्रभुम्॥

āthar vaṇāścottarataḥ śāṁtikaṁ pauṣṭikaṁ tathā japeyurmanasā devamāśritā varuṇaṁ prabhum

The Atharvavedins to the north should recite the Shantika and the Paushtika hymns, taking refuge in mind upon Lord Varuna.

Verse 40 (padma.1.27.40)

पूर्वे द्युरभितो रात्रावेवं कृत्वाधिवासनम्। गजाश्वरथवल्मीक संगमाद्व्रजगोकुलात्॥

pūrve dyurabhito rātrāvevaṁ kṛtvādhivāsanam gajāśvarathavalmīka saṁgamādvrajagokulāt

On the previous day, throughout the night, having thus performed the adhivasana — gathering earth from the meeting-place of elephant, horse, and chariot paths, from an anthill, and from a cowherd-settlement —

Verse 41 (padma.1.27.41)

मृदमादाय कुंभेषु प्रक्षिपेदोषधीस्तथा। रोचनां च ससिद्धार्थां गंधान्गुग्गुलुमेव च॥

mṛdamādāya kuṁbheṣu prakṣipedoṣadhīstathā rocanāṁ ca sasiddhārthāṁ gaṁdhāngugguluṁ eva ca

— having taken earth, one should place it in the jars, along with herbs, gorochana with white mustard, fragrant substances, and guggulu.

Verse 42 (padma.1.27.42)

स्नापनं तस्य कर्त्तव्यं पंचगव्यसमन्वितं। पूर्वं कर्तुर्महामंत्रैरेवं कृत्वा विधानतः॥

snāpanaṁ tasya karttavyaṁ paṁcagavyasamanvitaṁ pūrvaṁ karturmahāmaṁtrairevaṁ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ

Its bathing should be performed together with the five products of the cow; first, for the performer of the rite, with the great mantras — having thus done it according to rule —

Verse 43 (padma.1.27.43)

अतिवाह्य क्षपामेवं विधियुक्तेन कर्मणा। ततः प्रभाते विमले संजाते तु शतं गवां॥

ativāhya kṣapāmevaṁ vidhiyuktena karmaṇā tataḥ prabhāte vimale saṁjāte tu śataṁ gavāṁ

— having thus passed the night with the rite duly performed — then, when the stainless dawn has come, a hundred cows —

Verse 44 (padma.1.27.44)

ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रदातव्यमष्टषष्ट्यथवा पुनः। पंचाशद्वाथ षट्त्रिंशत्पंचविंशति वा पुनः॥

brāhmaṇebhyaḥ pradātavyamaṣṭaṣaṣṭyathavā punaḥ paṁcāśadvātha ṣaṭtriṁśatpaṁcaviṁśati vā punaḥ

— are to be given to brahmins; or else sixty-eight, or fifty, or thirty-six, or again twenty-five.

Verse 45 (padma.1.27.45)

ततश्चावसरप्राप्ते शुद्धे लग्ने सुशोभने। वेदशब्दैः सगंधर्वैर्वाद्यैश्च विविधैः पुनः॥

tataścāvasaraprāpte śuddhe lagne suśobhane vedaśabdaiḥ sagaṁdharvairvādyaiśca vividhaiḥ punaḥ

Then, when the occasion has arrived, in a pure and beautiful ascendant, with Vedic recitation, together with gandharva-music and various other instruments —

Verse 46 (padma.1.27.46)

कनकालंकृतां कृत्वा जले गामवतारयेत्। सामगाय च सा देया ब्राह्मणाय विशांपते॥

kanakālaṁkṛtāṁ kṛtvā jale gāmavatārayet sāmagāya ca sā deyā brāhmaṇāya viśāṁpate

— having adorned a cow with gold, one should lead her down into the water. O lord of the people, she is to be given to a Samavedin brahmin.

Verse 47 (padma.1.27.47)

पात्रीमादाय सौवर्णी पंचरत्नसमन्विताम्। ततो निक्षिप्य मकरान्मत्स्यादींश्चैव सर्वशः॥

pātrīmādāya sauvarṇī paṁcaratnasamanvitām tato nikṣipya makarānmatsyādīṁścaiva sarvaśaḥ

Having taken a golden vessel furnished with the five gems, and then having placed in it makaras, fish, and the rest of every kind —

Verse 48 (padma.1.27.48)

धृतां चतुर्भिर्विप्रैश्च वेदवेदांगपारगैः। महानदीजलोपेतां दध्यक्षतविभूषिताम्॥

dhṛtāṁ caturbhirvipraiśca vedavedāṁgapāragaiḥ mahānadījalopetāṁ dadhyakṣatavibhūṣitām

— held by four brahmins who have mastered the Vedas and Vedangas, filled with the water of a great river, adorned with curd and unbroken rice —

Verse 49 (padma.1.27.49)

उत्तराभिमुखां न्युब्जां जलमध्ये तु कारयेत्। आथर्वणेन सुस्नातां पुनर्मायां तथैव च॥

uttarābhimukhāṁ nyubjāṁ jalamadhye tu kārayet āthar vaṇena susnātāṁ punarmāyāṁ tathaiva ca

— one should have it turned face-down in the midst of the water, facing north, well bathed with the Atharvan hymn, and likewise again with the Maya mantra.

Verse 50 (padma.1.27.50)

आपोहिष्ठेति मंत्रेण क्षिप्त्वागत्य च मंडपं। पूजयित्वा सदस्यान्वै बलिं दद्यात्समंततः॥

āpohiṣṭheti maṁtreṇa kṣiptvāgatya ca maṁḍapaṁ pūjayitvā sadasyānvai baliṁ dadyātsamaṁtataḥ

With the mantra 'apo hi shthah', having cast it into the water and returned to the pavilion, having worshipped the assembly members, one should give offerings all around.

Verse 51 (padma.1.27.51)

पुनर्दिनानि होतव्यं चत्वारि राजसत्तम। चतुर्थीकर्म कर्त्तव्यं देयं तत्रापि शक्तितः॥

punardināni hotavyaṁ catvāri rājasattama caturthīkarma karttavyaṁ deyaṁ tatrāpi śaktitaḥ

Again, oblations are to be offered for four more days, O best of kings. The chaturthi-rite is to be performed, and gifts given there too according to one's capacity.

Verse 52 (padma.1.27.52)

कृत्वा तु यज्ञपात्राणि यज्ञोपकरणानि च। ऋत्विग्भ्यस्तु समं दद्यान्मंडपं विभजेत्पुनः॥

kṛtvā tu yajñapātrāṇi yajñopakaraṇāni ca ṛtvigbhyastu samaṁ dadyānmaṁḍapaṁ vibhajetpunaḥ

Having prepared the sacrificial vessels and implements, one should give them equally to the ritwiks, and should again divide up the pavilion.

Verse 53 (padma.1.27.53)

हेमपात्रीं च शय्यां च विप्राय च निवेदयेत्। ततः सहस्रं विप्राणामथवाऽष्टशतं तथा॥

hemapātrīṁ ca śayyāṁ ca viprāya ca nivedayet tataḥ sahasraṁ viprāṇāmathavā'ṣṭaśataṁ tathā

A golden vessel and a bed should be offered to a brahmin. Then a thousand brahmins, or else eight hundred —

Verse 54 (padma.1.27.54)

भोजनीयं यथाशक्ति पंचाशद्वाथ विंशतिः। एवमेष पुराणेषु तटाकविधिरुच्यते॥

bhojanīyaṁ yathāśakti paṁcāśadvātha viṁśatiḥ evameṣa purāṇeṣu taṭākavidhirucyate

— should be fed according to one's capacity, or fifty, or twenty. Thus is this rite of the tank declared in the Puranas.

Verse 55 (padma.1.27.55)

कूपवापीषु सर्वासु तथा पुष्करिणीषु च। एष एव विधिर्दृष्टः प्रतिष्ठासु तथैव च॥

kūpavāpīṣu sarvāsu tathā puṣkariṇīṣu ca eṣa eva vidhirdṛṣṭaḥ pratiṣṭhāsu tathaiva ca

For all wells and step-wells, and likewise for lotus-pools, this same rite is seen to apply, and likewise for image-installations.

Verse 56 (padma.1.27.56)

मंत्रतस्तु विशेषः स्यात्प्रासादोद्यानभूमिषु। अयं त्वशक्तावर्धेन विधिर्दृष्टः स्वयंभुवा॥

maṁtratastu viśeṣaḥ syātprāsādodyānabhūmiṣu ayaṁ tvaśaktāvardhena vidhirdṛṣṭaḥ svayaṁbhuvā

There is, however, a difference of mantra for temples, gardens, and land consecrations. But for one unable to do the full rite, this rite has been seen by the Self-born to be performable by half measure.

Verse 57 (padma.1.27.57)

स्वल्पेष्वेकाग्निवत्कार्यो वित्तशाठ्यविवर्जितैः। प्रावृट्काले स्थितं तोयमग्निष्टोमसमं स्मृतम्॥

svalpeṣvekāgnivatkāryo vittaśāṭhyavivarjitaiḥ prāvṛṭkāle sthitaṁ toyamagniṣṭomasamaṁ smṛtam

For small water-bodies, it should be performed like a single-fire rite, by those free of miserliness about wealth. Water that stands in the rainy season is held equal in merit to the Agnishtoma sacrifice.

Verse 58 (padma.1.27.58)

शरत्कालस्थितं यत्स्यात्तदुक्तफलदायकम्। वाजपेयातिरात्राभ्यां हेमंते शिशिरे स्थितम्॥

śaratkālasthitaṁ yatsyāttaduktaphaladāyakam vājapeyātirātrābhyāṁ hemaṁte śiśire sthitam

What stands in the autumn season gives the declared fruit. What stands in the early and late winter is equal to the Vajapeya and Atiratra sacrifices.

Verse 59 (padma.1.27.59)

अश्वमेधसमं प्राहुर्वसंतसमये स्थितम्। ग्रीष्मेपि यत्स्थितं तोयं राजसूयाद्विशिष्यते॥

aśvamedhasamaṁ prāhurvasaṁtasamaye sthitam grīṣmepi yatsthitaṁ toyaṁ rājasūyādviśiṣyate

That which stands in the spring season is declared equal to the Ashvamedha. And water that stands even in summer excels the Rajasuya in merit.

Verse 60 (padma.1.27.60)

एतान्महाराज विशेषधर्मान्करोति चोर्व्यामतिशुद्धबुद्धिः। स याति ब्रह्मालयमेव शुद्धः कल्पाननेकान्दिवि मोदते च॥

etānmahārāja viśeṣadharmānkaroti corvyāmatiśuddhabuddhiḥ sa yāti brahmālayameva śuddhaḥ kalpānanekāndivi modate ca

O great king, whoever, of utterly purified mind, performs these special acts of dharma upon the earth — he, purified, goes to the very abode of Brahma, and rejoices in heaven for many kalpas.

Verse 61 (padma.1.27.61)

अनेकलोकान्विचरन्स्वरादीन्भुक्त्वा परार्धद्वयमङ्गनाभिः। सहैव विष्णोः परमं पदं यत्प्राप्नोति तद्योगबलेन भूयः॥

anekalokānvicaransvarādīnbhuktvā parārdhadvayamaṅganābhiḥ sahaiva viṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padaṁ yatprāpnoti tadyogabalena bhūyaḥ

Wandering through many worlds beginning with Svarloka, having enjoyed them for two parardhas together with celestial women, he then attains, by the power of yoga, that supreme abode of Vishnu itself.