The String of Planetary Combinations of Bhrigu

[The sage] spoke: In a bronze vessel weighing eleven palasA traditional unit of weight, approximately 40-50 grams, a pentagonal mandala should be drawn. || 35 || A female form should be fashioned in the center using sandalwood and unbroken rice. In front of it, one should draw a thunderbolt symbol and recite the nine-syllable mantra of the Goddess Durga. || 36 ||

This should be performed five thousand times according to the previously mentioned rites, along with eight measures of gold and beautiful silver. || 37 || Offerings of red beans, molasses, oil, and cows accompanied by bulls should be made. This gift must be given and the recitation performed without any doubt. || 38 || Then, a fine wood-apple fruit should be consecrated with the Maya-mantraThe seed-syllable 'Hrim' associated with the illusory power of the universe. During the proper season, a meal of milk-rice pudding should be offered three times. || 39 || By the ritual of this gift, a son is born—of this there is no doubt. Through the grace of this act of giving, a long-lived and virtuous son is granted. || 40 ||

Shukra spoke: By what merit or cause, O Lord of Creatures, can one become free from disease?

Bhrigu spoke: Having performed the previously mentioned meritorious acts, one should provide a black blanket. || 41 || A seasonal iron vessel weighing forty palas filled with oil, along with six and a half measures of grain, should be given to a virtuous priest. || 42 || The great Mrityunjaya mantraThe 'Great Death-Conquering' mantra dedicated to Shiva should be written down according to the prescribed method. After wearing it upon the head, one should perform the worship of the priests. || 43 || On Mondays, a single meal should be taken as a special observance. Through the ritual of these various gifts, O Lord of Creatures, one becomes free from disease. || 44 || On Tuesdays, a fast at night should be observed for the sake of obtaining a son, according to the rules. Thus was the question asked by the poet [Shukra] and explained by Bhrigu. || 45 ||

|| 3 || If cruel planets are in the house of religion or the house of enemies, or if sinful planets are in the house of action, or if sinful planets are in the "vulnerable" eighth house, the house of children is halved by these cruel influences. || 46 || There is always a defect caused by the "Demon-Shadow"; specifically, the sin of killing a kinsman in a previous lineage was committed. By following that sin, one is born without children. || 47 || Or, one may be born with leprosy, or suffer from the "King's Disease" Tuberculosis. One might become a miser, possess ill-gotten wealth, be ungrateful, devoid of virtue, and wicked. || 48 || There will be difficulty in conception for both the woman and the man; miscarriages may occur, or the child may not survive after birth. || 49 ||

A man with these signs is a sinful soul who performs evil deeds; he has committed sins such as killing a priest or destroying his own lineage. || 50 || Having consumed liquor and meat and being full of hatred, he went to the Raurava hellA specific 'dreadful' level of hell in Hindu cosmology. Only by bathing in sacred fords and giving the gift of a cow can one be purified, O well-born one. || 51 || Then, in the beginning, middle, and end of life, there will be happiness and a composed mind.

Shukra spoke: What should be chanted, who should be worshipped, what should be given, and what medicine should be taken? || 52 ||

Bhrigu spoke: A vessel of brass and bronze weighing fourteen palas should be made. || 53 || In the middle of it, the form of the lineage...