॥ 50 ॥ Salutations to the Illustrious Ganesha

Having bowed to the teacher Shaunaka Shaunaka is a legendary Vedic sage and systematic scholar to whom many ritual manuals and architectural treatises are attributed., I shall clearly explain the ritual procedure for the Sacrifice to the Nine Planets original: Navagraha Makha according to the traditional rules, for the benefit of one’s descendants. ॥ 1 ॥

After determining the favorable strength of the planets and stars, one should look for an auspicious ascendant original: Lagna; the specific zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at the time of the ritual, which determines the "soul" of the ceremony.. By performing this, there will be no misfortune, no seizures, no mental agony, and no poverty. ॥ 2 ॥

One’s enemies are constantly defeated; this act bestows both heaven and ultimate liberation. Whether by day or night, it provides all auspiciousness through these sacrifices and other ritual purposes. ॥ 3 ॥

First, one should perform a pacification rite original: Shantikam; a ceremony intended to calm negative influences before starting a major work., and only then carry out the main ritual. If a person performs a sacrifice on this earth without the preliminary domestic rites... ॥ 4 ॥

...then his efforts go in vain, just like a dance performed for the blind. This sacrifice should be performed year after year, as proclaimed by the illustrious twice-born original: Dvija; a term for the upper three castes of Vedic society, specifically Brahmins in this ritual context.. ॥ 5 ॥

The Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, along with Rahu and Ketu, are proclaimed as the celestial bodies who bring welfare to the world. ॥ 6 ॥

Even if there is no great wealth or strength in the home and troubles have arrived, if one has faith, one should worship even a single planet with whatever little wealth is available. ॥ 7 ॥

The method for the planetary sacrifice is spoken of by those learned in the Puranas Ancient Hindu texts containing mythology and lore. and the Vedas The oldest scriptures of Hinduism.. First is the Ten-Thousand Offering Sacrifice original: Ayutahoma; a fire ritual involving 10,000 recitations and offerings of clarified butter....

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...followed by the Hundred-Thousand Offering Sacrifice original: Lakshahoma. Third is the Ten-Million Offering Sacrifice original: Kotihoma, which grants the fruits of all desires. One should certainly cause a pavilion original: Mandapa; a temporary ceremonial hall or porch. named Jaya (Victory) or Vijaya (Triumph) to be built. ॥ 9 ॥

The Jaya pavilion is said to be eight cubits in size, and the Vijaya is ten cubits. For the purpose of the Ayutahoma, there should be doors in the North, or perhaps the East or West... ॥ 10 ॥

...and Shaunaka said there should be four doors in the North. Branches of the sacred fig, cluster fig, white fig, and banyan original: Ashvattha, Udumbara, Plaksha, Vata; these four trees are considered sacred in Vedic ritual and their wood is used for ceremonial structures. trees are used to construct them. ॥ 11 ॥

One should construct these doors for each direction of the pavilion. The arches original: Torana; decorative or ceremonial gateways. should be adorned with the symbols of the conch, discus, mace, and lotus. ॥ 12 ॥

With the mantra "I praise Agni," original: Agni-m-ile; the very first verse of the Rig Veda, used here to consecrate the entrance. one should set up the eastern arch. For every Veda and every door, one should have the appropriate mantras recited. ॥ 13 ॥

Yellow, red, white, blue, white, variegated, coral-colored, pearl-colored, and multicolored flags are placed in order, starting from the Eastern direction. ॥ 14 ॥

The rules for the pavilion have been stated; now the rules for the fire-pit original: Kunda; the consecrated pit where the sacrificial fire is built. are told. In the northeast part of the house, or in the East or North... ॥ 15 ॥

...there, a four-sided fire-pit should be constructed...