A prayer at the consecration of a newly built house.

1 We loose the ties and fastenings of the house that holds all precious things, the bands of pillars and of stays, the ties of beams that form the roof.

2 All-wealthy House! each knot and band, each cord that is attached to thee I with my prayer untie, as a hidden cave is opened.

3 He drew them close, he pressed them fast, he made thy knotted bands secure: with God's help we loose them as a skilful slaughterer severs joints.

4 We loose the bands of thy bamboos, of bolts, of fastening, of thatch, we loose the ties of thy side-posts, O House that holdest all we prize.

5 We loosen here the ties and bands of straw in bundles, and of clamps, of all that compasses and binds the Lady of the Home.

6 We loose the loops which men have bound within thee, loops to tie and hold. Be gracious, when erected, to our bodies, Lady of the Home!

7 Store-house of provisions, hall of the hearth, the ladies' bower, the residence, a blessed dwelling art thou, O House.

8 We with our prayer loose the net that hath a thousand eyes, the diadem, securely tied and laid upon the central beam.

9 The man who takes thee as his own, and he who was thy builder, House! Both these, O Lady of the Home, shall live to long-extended years, by God's leave.

10 There let her come to meet this man. Firm, strongly fastened, and prepared art thou whose several limbs and joints we part and loosen one by one.

11 He who collected timber for the work and built thee up, O House, made thee for coming progeny, a lord of his household.

12 Honour to him! We honour too the giver and the master of the mansion: honour to the man who serves at worship for thee.

13 Blessing on kine and steeds! on all that shall be born within the house! We loose the bonds that fasten thee, mother of multitudes to come!

14 Fire thou shelterest within, and people with domestic beasts. We loose the bonds that fasten thee, mother of multitudes to come!

15 All space that lies between the earth and heaven, therewith I take this house for thy possession, and all that measures out the air's mid-region I make a hollow to contain thy treasures. Therewith I take the house for his possession.

16 Rich in prosperity, rich in milk, founded and built upon the earth, injure not thy receivers, House who holdest food of every sort!

17 Grass-covered, clad with straw, the house, like night, gives rest to man and beast. Thou standest, built upon the earth, like a she-elephant, borne on feet.

18 I loosen and remove from thee thy covering formed by mats of reed. What the night hath firmly closed the morning shall open at early dawn.

19 May God, the Mighty, the Radiant, the Ever-Living, protect the house where provision dwells, the house that was founded with prayer, built and erected by the wise.

20 Nest upon nest hath been imposed, compartment on compartment laid: there man shall propagate his kind, and there shall everything be done.

21 Within the house constructed with two side-posts, or with four, or six, built with eight side-posts, or with ten, lies the fire like a babe unborn.

22 Turned to thee, House! I come to thee, innocent, turned to welcome me: for fire and water are within, the first chief door of worship.

23 Water that kills consumption, free from all consumption, here I bring. With the fire I enter and take possession of the house.

24 Lay thou no cord or noose on us: a weighty burthen, still be light! Whithersoever be our will, O House, we bear thee like a bride.

Now from the east side of the house to God, the Great Power, be worship paid! Glory be to God.

Now from the south side of the house to God, the Great Power, be worship paid!

Now from the west side of the house to God, the Great Power, be worship paid!

Now from the north side of the house to God, the Great Power, be worship paid!

So from the mansion's every side to God, the Great Power, be worship paid! Glory be to God.