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

The consecrated water original: pranita; water used to purify ritual items and the preparatory fire-rites original: kushandika; the standard procedure for establishing and sanctifying a sacrificial fire are performed. The fire-offerings original: homa of fuel-sticks, clarified butter, and sacrificial grain original: charu follow, along with sesame and barley in their proper order. ॥ 12 ॥

In the "five-limbed Rudra" ceremony, the fire-offering should be one-tenth [of the total prayers]. Then follows the worship, the offering of water original: arghya, the prayers, and the arrangement of the ritual items. ॥ 13 ॥

The worship of the Fire original: vahni, the removal of the offering-remnants original: baliharanam, and then the final offering original: purnahuti; the "full offering" that marks the completion of a rite. The ritual fees original: dakshina should then be distributed among three places. ॥ 14 ॥

The Kushandika rite continues from the offering to Agni the Completer original: Svishtakrit; an offering made to Agni at the end of a sacrifice to rectify any errors until the end of the external fire-sacrifice. The ritual patron original: yajamana should then sit behind the fire and perform the surrender of the rite. ॥ 15 ॥

This includes the naming of the deities mentioned in the mantras. Then follows the consecration original: abhisheka; ritual bathing and other auspicious rites for the man, his wife, and his son. ॥ 16 ॥

The release of the Pranita vessels, the peace-rites, the Kushandika of renunciation, the dismissal of the deities, and the sequence of the ritual steps. ॥ 17 ॥

"O Sun and all you other Planets, wherever you are established: please accept this water-offering original: arghya given by me. Salutations, salutations!" ॥ 18 ॥

"Grant me long life, knowledge, wealth, fame, valor, and [a thriving] family. ॥ 21 ॥ The manuscript numbering skips from 18 to 21

Grant me sons, grant me happiness, and grant me all my desires." Thus the Sacrifice to the Nine Planets original: Navagraha-makham is perfected, bringing all welfare. ॥ 22 ॥

It bestows peace, sovereignty, and prosperity, and increases life and health. One should perform the consecration, the external fire-offerings, the auspicious recitations original: svasti-vachanam, the mantras of blessing, and the ritual looking toward the directions. ॥ 23 ॥

A wise man should perform the "increase" ceremony using a bronze vessel filled with rice and grains, combined with shami original: Prosopis cineraria; a sacred tree whose wood is used to kindle sacrificial fire leaves. ॥ 24 ॥

The offering of fuel-sticks is prescribed for these planets. To them, fees should be given and the priests original: vipra; Brahmins should be fed. ॥ 25 ॥

Thus ends the work of Shaunaka. original: iti shaunaki samaptah; referring to a text or tradition attributed to the sage Shaunaka

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In another scripture:
For sacrifices seeking peace and welfare, the "Deer" and "Swan" [hand gestures] are proclaimed. For malevolent magic original: abhichara; rites intended to influence or harm others, the "Sow" gesture is employed by the wise. ॥ 1 ॥

The "Swan" involves the little finger and the forefinger; the "Sow" involves a contraction of the hand. These three hand-gestures original: mudra; symbolic gestures used to focus intent are illustrated. The sound Om and the sound Pha original: phat; a 'weapon' mantra used in fierce or protective rites ran forth from Brahma in the ancient times...