Agnipurana 153

English (machine translation) 153

Language: English

153.5 — 1 part
153.15 — 2 parts
153.0 — 3 parts

153.1

Puṣkara said: / I shall state the duty of those in the life stages, which bestows worldly enjoyment and liberation; listen. / The fertile period of women consists of sixteen nights; the first three are censured.

153.2

Desiring a son, he should approach her on even nights; this is desired as the rite of conception. / When the embryo is clearly discerned, the rite to produce a male child [is performed] before it quickens.

153.3

In the sixth or eighth month, the parting of the hair [is performed]; an auspicious asterism suited for a son [is chosen]. / Before the umbilical cord is severed, the birth-rite must be performed by the wise.

153.4

When ritual impurity has passed, the naming rite is prescribed: / ending in -śarman is stated for a brāhmaṇa, and ending in -varman for a kṣatriya.

153.5

A name consisting of -gupta and -dāsa is commended for a vaiśya and a śūdra.

153.5.p1

[Page] 120

153.5_2

Ending in -śarman is stated for a brāhmaṇa, and ending in -varman for a kṣatriya.

153.6

A name consisting of -gupta and -dāsa is commended for a vaiśya and a śūdra. / One should present the child to the husband, saying: “This is your son.”

153.7

Tonsure is performed according to family custom. The initiation of a brāhmaṇa / is in the eighth year from conception or the eighth year [from birth]; for a king, in the eleventh from conception;

153.8

in the twelfth from conception for a vaiśya; never beyond the sixteenth year. / The girdles are declared to be made of muñja grass, bark fibers, [and wool] respectively.

153.9

Antelope, tiger, and goat skins are for those observing the vows. / The staffs are declared to be of parṇa, pippala, and bilva respectively,

153.10

reaching up to the hair line, forehead, and mouth respectively, / all unbent, with bark, and unburnt.

153.11

The upper garment and sacred thread are made of cotton, flax, and wool respectively. / Characterized by the word bhavat at the beginning, middle, and end,

153.12

he should beg first where alms are certain. / For women, those [rites] are without mantras; marriage, however, is with mantras.

153.13

Having initiated the disciple, the guru should instruct him first in ritual purity, / right conduct, the fire ritual, and the twilight worship.

153.14

Facing east he eats longevity; facing south he eats fame; / facing west he eats prosperity; facing north he eats truth.

153.15

He should offer oblations evening and morning, not touch anything impure with crossed hands, / and he should abandon honey, meat, singing, and dancing with other people.

153.15.p1

[Footnote]

153.15.p2

1. "And he should avoid dancing" is the variant in kha, ga, gha, ṅa, cha, ña, and ṭa. The reading beginning with "evening and morning" and ending with "and he should abandon dancing" is missing in manuscript ja.

153.16

Violence, blaming others, and especially vulgar speech [must be avoided]. / When the staff and other articles are damaged, he should throw them into the water and take others.