Brihadyatra 17: adhyāyaḥ 17

Chapter 17: The Royal Bath of Victory

A solitary milk-yielding tree, a mountain, the ocean, a river of grass, the confluence of rivers, a drying lake,

a cowpen, and places charming near a temple are appropriate sites for the bath.

On ground that is level, firm, free of saline soil, grassy, and endowed with clockwise-flowing water,

one should draw a Sarvatobhadra diagram measuring [one] cubit to each quarter.

Covered with all grains—sesame, mung beans, black gram, chickpeas, and flax—

strewn all around with unbroken tips of darbha and kuśa grass,

with silver, gems, and gold inside, along with milk, sprouts, and white threads,

with jars and black roots, its entrance adorned, [and] in its center—

in its center should be brāhmī, brahmā, sāma, the tips of dūrvā grass, and śaṅkhapuṣpī;

facing the cardinal directions, a cubit high, thick, and well-enclosed, [the seat] should be set up.

Some say he should attend to a time conforming to the favorable planetary positions;

beforehand […] eating diet of ṣāṣṭika rice, barley, and milk-porridge.

Fixing his mind upon his chosen deity, the king should enter by the eastern door;

then, having mounted the auspicious throne clockwise, the rite for him is [as follows]:

With priyaṅgu, white mustard seeds, nāgadānā, gorocanā, and akṣa mixed with clarified butter,

the protection of oneself should first be performed for the earth-protector preparing for the bath, purified with counter-spells.

Upon the skin-covering of a white or reddish bull, or of a tiger or lion,

the royal chaplain should duly perform the victory consecration for the lord of men standing thereon.

In succession, with earthenware, silver, and gold jars filled with milk, curd, and clarified butter,

he should bathe with waters mixed with seven earths, and afterwards with waters infused with all medicinal herbs and perfumes,

having muttered [mantras] of the Mahārauhiṇa, Kuṣmāṇḍa, Kuverahṛdaya, and the Rudragaṇas;

with this and with prosperity the royal chaplain should consecrate the king.

Thirty-two, sixteen, or eight is the number of jars prescribed by the sages;

once bathed, having removed his former ornament, he should put on a new one consecrated with twice-born mantras.

Rendered auspicious and blessed with desired speech by bards, eulogists, friends, twice-born men, and charioteers,

the consecrated king should sit upon skins of spotted deer, royal elephants, cats, and wolves.

Having taken incense, garments, garlands, and scents, and having circled the herbs above [the king] three times,

standing on his left side or in front of him, he should offer oblations into the fire [averting] misfortune.

Having made use, according to instruction, of gorocanā, golden fruits, clarified butter, brāhmī along with dūrvā grass, and white mustard seeds,

and having caused the twice-born to recite auspicious blessings with devotion,

he should depart through the northern door with fruit and flowers in hand, and he should not look toward the eastern [quarter].

He should put forward his right foot first; doing so, the king rules over all his enemies.