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II PRAPATHAKA, 9 KÂNDIKÂ, 16. 61 9. To the west (of her), facing the east, the person stations himself who is going to perform that (ceremony).
10. He then murmurs, fixing his thoughts on Savitri, looking at the barber, (the Mantra), 'Hither has come Savitri with his razor' (MB. I, 6, 1).
11. And fixing his thoughts on Váyu, looking at the brass vessel with warm water, (he murmurs the Mantra), With warm water, O Vâyu, come hither' (ibid. 2).
12. Drawing water (out of that vessel) with his right hand he moistens the patch of hair on the right side (of the boy's head) with (the Mantra), . May the waters moisten thee for life' (ibid. 3).
13. With (the Mantra), 'Vishnu's tusk art thou' (ibid. 4) he looks at the razor of Udumbara wood or at the mirror.
14. With the Mantra), 'Herb ! Protect him!' (ibid. 5) he puts seven Darbha blades, with their points turned towards (the boy's) head, into the patch of hair on the right side of his head.
15. Pressing them down with his left hand, and seizing with his right hand the razor of Udumbara wood or the mirror, he touches with it (the Darbha blades), with the (Mantra), “Axe! Do no harm to him!' (ibid. 6).
16. With the Mantra), With which Pashan has shaven Brihaspati's head' (ibid. 7), he moves forward (that razor or the mirror) three times towards the east without cutting (the hair); once with the Yagus, twice silently.
11. I have translated the Mantra according to the reading of Asvalâ yana (Grihya I, 17, 6) and Paraskara (II, 1, 6): ushnena Vâya udakenehi. Gobhila has udakenaidhi.
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