Commentary on the Yogayātrā, Page 16

He is praiseworthy; likewise, thinking "he has arrived in my country," even an enemy should be honored and worshipped for the sake of gathering people together. Just as respect is shown to a single pure person, then everyone understands i.e., the king's virtue is recognized by all. Having thought thus, at the end of the night, at the conclusion of the morning rituals, there are the voices of the auspicious reciters, the bards, and the heralds. "The splendor of the young sun in full bloom..." (Verse 19).

Now he describes the daily duties: One should not use tooth-sticks dantakāṣṭha: a small twig used as a disposable toothbrush with unknown joints nodes or segments in the wood, nor those with split ends, nor those accompanied by spells unless prescribed, nor those that are dry at the top, nor those that are crushed, nor those with an even number of joints, nor those without bark (Verse 20).

Tooth-sticks with unknown joints: one should not eat use tooth-sticks where it is not known who previously held it, how it was broken, or who brought it—such sticks should not be used. Likewise, one should not use those with leaves or sprouts, nor those dry at the upper part, nor those that are withered or shaky, nor those stripped of bark (Verse 20).

Now he describes the method for using the tooth-stick: Facing North or facing East, seated, rubbing with the soft tip, it should be the size of a span vitasti: the distance between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the pinky finger, roughly 9 inches. The King Narendra should use it while restraining his speech; otherwise, it is not prescribed instruction on the collection of materials (Verse 21).

The King, having accepted the role of the controller of the mountains a title for a monarch, facing North or East, should take it. What kind? He should rub with a soft tip, and it should be a span in length—the measure of twelve fingers. And so, by the measure of all feet, it is declared in terms of grains of barley... seven barley grains are said to be an inch... a prādeśa is ten fingers... a vitasti is twelve fingers. Thus, with a stick of twelve fingers...

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Having used the tooth-stick, then having washed it, one should discard it in a clean place (Verse 21). Now he describes the result of that tooth-stick: If it falls facing toward the person in a peaceful direction, it is very auspicious. If it stands upright, it is inauspicious; otherwise, if it falls in a certain way, it causes death this refers to "dantakāṣṭha-nimitta," or divination based on how the discarded twig lands (Verse 22).

"Facing toward" means falling in front of the person. "Peaceful directions" refers to the auspicious quarters. If it stays there, it is auspicious, meaning it brings excellence to the performer. That which stands upright is not good. For this reason, if it stays otherwise, or in a non-peaceful direction, it is said to be inauspicious. If it falls and then stands up, or was standing and then falls, it indicates a meal in a great mansion (Verse 22).

Now he describes what should be done after washing the face: Having bowed to the Gods and the Teachers, and having given a cow with its calf to a Brahmin, having looked at one's face in clarified butter sarpis: ghee or in a mirror, one should then attend to the stars, the lunar day, and the guest (Verse 23).

First, one should worship the Gods, then the parents and teachers, then having bowed to others, then a cow—a milk-cow with its calf, covered in cloth—should be presented to a Brahmin. Then Having seen the face in ghee or a mirror, then first of all, one should worship the guest, who is the face of the deity, with an undistracted mind and being careful. The constellation nakṣatra, the lunar day tithi, the planetary alignment, and the ascendant... if these are ignored, the fruit of the action will not be attained (Verse 23).

Now he describes the fruit of reciting the lunar day and constellation: By hearing the lunar day, the constellation, and the day of the week, one obtains merit, wealth, fame, happiness, health, long life, and power; it destroys bad dreams (Verse 24). Having ascertained the deity, the constellation, and the day... one gains the aforementioned merit, wealth, and fame... as well as happiness and long life in this world...