Shantikamalakara 3.102_25.1

3.102_25.1

Now follows the ritual manual for the birth from a cow. The performer makes the ritual resolution: "For the appeasement of the misfortune indicated by the birth of this boy under such-and-such a lunar mansion, I will perform the birth from a cow's face." Having first worshiped Gaṇeśa, he should choose the ācārya. The ācārya, having made a white powder lotus, [places] a winnowing basket upon grains of rice, spread a red cloth upon it, scatters sesame seeds there, places the infant in the winnowing basket facing east, binds the winnowing basket with thread, brings the cow's face near the child, visualizes the birth, bathes the child with the five bovine products with the hymn "Viṣṇur yonim...", and should touch the cow with the mantra "Gavām aṅgeṣu...". And the mantra is: "In the limbs of cows the fourteen worlds abide; therefore, may there be auspiciousness for him; therefore, bestow peace upon me." Then the father, having given [him] again to the mother, removes the cloth and looks upon his face. Then the ācārya should sprinkle the child with the five bovine products with the three verses beginning with "Āpo hi ṣṭhā". Then the father, having smelled the child three times on the head with the verse beginning "Aṅgād aṅgāt...", asks three times: "May you venerable ones pronounce the puṇyāha for this birth from a cow's face; thus may there be increase, prosperity, and welfare." He should give that cow to the ācārya. To please the planets, he should give cows, clothing, gold, grains, and an abundant sacrificial gift according to his capacity. Then the ācārya, having established the fire and the nine planets, having recited the anvādāna ending with "the two eyes [of the sacrifice] with ghee", there the principal [offerings are]: waters four times; with curd, honey, and ghee to Viṣṇu once; to Yakṣman with the hymn beginning "Akṣibhyām..." verse by verse, or twenty-eight times; having made an oblation to each of the planets individually; [saying] "to Sviṣṭakṛt with the remainder", at the end of the ghee portions, having installed a pitcher in the northeast, having cast into it the five bovine products, sesame seeds, and the decoctions of milky trees, having wrapped it with a pair of cloths, having invoked Viṣṇu upon a full vessel with "Tad viṣṇoḥ...", and Varuṇa with "Tat tvā yāmi...", having worshiped and touched the pitcher: of the six verses beginning with "Yata indra...", the seer is Pragātha son of Kaṇva, the deity is Indra...