Manual for the Sacrifice to the Nine Planets and the Propitiation of Ganesha

Welcome to you, O best of the twice-born original: dwija-shreshtha; referring to Brahmins who have undergone the sacred thread ceremony., who today act as the ritual-makers. ॥ 42 This verse number appears in the header, suggesting a repetition or a specific focus for this folio.

...filled with all-herbs original: sarvaushadhi; a traditional mixture of medicinal plants used in consecration., combined with flowers and sandalwood; one should place it to the northeast of the ritual seat. ॥ 31 ॥

Rice, barley, wheat, sujama likely black gram or a similar pulse, akhya potentially a variety of millet, panic seeds, and sesame are the seven grains mentioned here. ॥ 32 ॥

The Banyan, the Udumbara, the Ashvattha, the Plaksha, and the Paim likely the Mango or another sacred tree—these five are called the five shoots original: pancha-pallava; the tender leaves of five specific trees used to top ritual water-pots. and are considered the best. ॥ 33 ॥

The Brahmins original: brahmana; the priestly class. who are knowers of the Vedas are distinguished; after having washed their feet, one should say the prayer to the Wind God ten thousand times. ॥ 34 ॥

The Master original: acharya; the lead priest supervising the ceremony. must be appointed; he should be all-knowing and pure. There should be eight officiating priests original: ritvij; the priests who perform the manual and vocal parts of the sacrifice., or four, or even two, according to the wise. ॥ 35 ॥

With the Gayatri a sacred Vedic meter and mantra mantra, one takes the cow urine; with the Gandhadvara verse, the cow dung; with the Apyayasva verse, the milk; and with the Dadhikravan verse, the curd. ॥ 36 ॥

With the Tejo’si-shukram verse, the ghee clarified butter; and with the Devasya tva verse, the water infused with Kusha grass a sacred grass used in Hindu rituals. The priests should consume this Panchagavya a purifying mixture made from five products of the cow. and then commence the ritual. ॥ 37 ॥

The Master should perform his duties first, and then the officiating priests. The Master should prepare the pavilion and purify it with the five products of the cow. ॥ 38 ॥ Curd and ghee... catchword at the bottom of the first fragment

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...for my longevity, health, progeny, happiness, and prosperity, and for the destruction of calamities and enemies. With five types of flowers, parched grain, and sandalwood, and with jars filled with water, he should offer a handful of water. ॥ 39 ॥

"This is the Arghya an honorific offering of water and herbs poured into the hands., this is the Padya water offered for washing the feet.; may it be accepted by the nine." Having said this, he should offer these in order at the feet of the twice-born priests. ॥ 40 ॥

He should wash their feet again and again at the sacrificial altar. The priests should then perform the ritual sipping of water original: achamana; a purification rite., and the patron should do the same. ॥ 41 ॥

From the position west of the fire, starting with the Master, he should seat the priests facing east, guiding them by the hand according to the sacrificial rules. ॥ 42 ॥

"I shall honor you for the purpose of choosing you as my officiating priests," he should say to them. He should honor each priest individually, setting aside all greed. ॥ 43 ॥

Reciting "Aditya, Aditya...", he performs the ritual act. "O scholar of the Rigveda the oldest of the four Vedas., I choose you as my Master." ॥ 44 ॥

In this same way, he should invite the others, and after making the offerings, he provides sandalwood, aloe-wood, camphor, musk, and saffron. ॥ 45 ॥ Fragrant substances and other water...