Maha Nirvana Tantra

Chapter 1

Questions relating to the Liberation of Beings

THE enchanting summit of the Lord of Mountains, resplendent with all its various

jewels, clad with many a tree and many a creeper, melodious with the song of many a

bird, scented with the fragrance of all the season’s flowers, most beautiful, fanned by

soft, cool, and perfumed breezes, shadowed by the still shade of stately trees; where cool

groves resound with the sweet-voiced songs of troops of Apsara, and in the forest depths

flocks of kokila maddened with passion sing; where (Spring) Lord of the Seasons with

his followers ever abide (the Lord of Mountains, Kailasa); peopled by (troops of) Siddha,

Charana, Gandharva, and Ganapatya (1-5). It was there that Parvati, finding Shiva, Her

gracious Lord, in mood serene, with obeisance bent low and for the benefit of all the

worlds questioned Him, the Silent Deva, Lord of all things movable and immovable, the

ever Beneficent and ever Blissful One, the nectar of Whose mercy abounds as a great

ocean, Whose very essence is the Pure Sattva Guna, He Who is white as camphor and the

Jasmine flower, the Omnipresent One, Whose raiment is space itself, Lord of the poor

and the beloved Master of all yogi, Whose coiled and matted hair is wet with the spray of

Ganga and (of Whose naked body) ashes are the adornment only; the passionless One,

Whose neck is garlanded with snakes and skulls of men, the three-eyed One, Lord of the

three worlds, with one hand wielding the trident and with the other bestowing blessings;

easily appeased, Whose very substance is unconditioned Knowledge; the Bestower of

eternal emancipation, the Ever-existent, Fearless, Changeless, Stainless, One without

defect, the Benefactor of all, and the Deva of all Devas (5-10).

Shri Parvati said:

O Deva of the Devas, Lord of the world, Jewel of Mercy, my Husband, Thou art my

Lord, on Whom I am ever dependent and to Whom I am ever obedient. Nor can I say

ought without Thy word. If Thou hast affection for me, I crave to lay before Thee that

which passeth in my mind. Who else but Thee, O Great Lord, in the three worlds is able

to solve these doubts of mine, Thou Who knowest all and all the Scriptures (11-13).

Shri Sadashiva said:

What is that Thou sayest, O Thou Great Wise One and Beloved of My heart, I will tell

Thee anything, be it ever so bound in mystery, even that which should not be spoken of

before Ganesha and Skanda Commander of the Hosts of Heaven. What is there in all the

three worlds which should be concealed from Thee? For Thou, O Devi, art My very Self.

There is no difference between Me and Thee. Thou too art omnipresent. What is it then

that Thou knowest not that Thou questionest like unto one who knoweth nothing (14-16).

The pure Parvati, gladdened at hearing the words of the Deva, bending low made

obeisance and thus questioned Shangkara.

Shri Adya said:

O Bhagavan! Lord of all, Greatest among those who are versed in Dharmma, Thou in

former ages in Thy mercy didst through Brahma reveal the four Vedas which are the

propagators of all dharmma and which ordain the rules of life for all the varying castes of

men and for the different stages of their lives (18-19). In the First Age, men by the

practice of yaga and yajna prescribed by Thee were virtuous and pleasing to Devas and

Pitris (20). By the study of the Vedas, dhyana and tapas, and the conquest of the senses,

by acts of mercy and charity men were of exceeding power and courage, strength and

vigour, adherents of the true Dharmma, wise and truthful and of firm resolve, and,

mortals though they were, they were yet like Devas and went to the abode of the Devas

(21, 22). Kings then were faithful to their engagements and were ever concerned with the

protection of their people, upon whose wives they were wont to look as if upon their

mothers, and whose children they regarded as their very own (23). The people, too, did

then look upon a neighbour’s property as if it were mere lumps of clay, and, with

devotion to their Dharmma, kept to the path of righteousness (24). There were then no

liars, none who were selfish, thievish, malicious, foolish, none who were evil-minded,

envious, wrathful, gluttonous, or lustful, but all were good of heart and of ever blissful

mind. Land then yielded in plenty all kinds of grain, clouds showered seasonable rains,

cows gave abundant milk, and trees were weighted with fruits (25-27). No untimely death

there was, nor famine nor sickness. Men were ever cheerful, prosperous, and healthy, and

endowed with all qualities of beauty and brilliance. Women were chaste and devoted to

their husbands. Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras kept to and followed the

customs, Dharmma, yajna, of their respective castes, and attained the final liberation (28-

29).

After the Krita Age had passed away Thou didst in the Treta Age perceive Dharmma to

be in disorder, and that men were no longer able by Vedic rites to accomplish their

desires. For men, through their anxiety and perplexity, were unable to perform these rites

in which much trouble had to be overcome, and for which much preparation had to be

made. In constant distress of mind they were neither able to perform nor yet were willing

to abandon the rites.

Having observed this, Thou didst make known on earth the Scripture in the form of

Smriti, which explains the meaning of the Vedas, and thus delivered from sin, which is

cause of all pain, sorrow, and sickness, men too feeble for the practice of tapas and the

study of the Vedas. For men in this terrible ocean of the world, who is there but Thee to

be their Cherisher, Protector, Saviour, their fatherly Benefactor, and Lord? (30-33).

Then, in the Dvapara Age when men abandoned the good works prescribed in the

Smritis, and were deprived of one half of Dharmma and were afflicted by ills of mind and

body, they were yet again saved by Thee, through the instructions of the Sanghita and

other religious lore (34-36).

Now the sinful Kali Age is upon them, when Dharmma is destroyed, an Age full of evil

customs and deceit. Men pursue evil ways. The Vedas have lost their power, the Smritis

are forgotten, and many of the Puranas, which contain stories of the past, and show the

many ways (which lead to liberation), will, O Lord! be destroyed. Men will become

averse from religious rites, without restraint, maddened with pride, ever given over to

sinful acts, lustful, gluttonous, cruel, heartless, harsh of speech, deceitful, short-lived,

poverty-stricken, harassed by sickness and sorrow, ugly, feeble, low, stupid, mean, and

addicted to mean habits, companions of the base, thievish, calumnious, malicious,

quarrelsome, depraved, cowards, and ever-ailing, devoid of all sense of shame and sin

and of fear to seduce the wives of others. Vipras will live like the Shudras, and whilst

neglecting their own Sandhya will yet officiate at the sacrifices of the low. They will be

greedy, given over to wicked and sinful acts, liars, insolent, ignorant, deceitful, mere

hangers-on of others, the sellers of their daughters, degraded, averse to all tapas and

vrata. They will be heretics, impostors, and think themselves wise. They will be without

faith or devotion, and will do japa and puja with no other end than to dupe the people.

They will eat unclean food and follow evil customs, they will serve and eat the food of

the Shudras and lust after low women, and will be wicked and ready to barter for money

even their own wives to the low. In short, the only sign that they are Brahmanas will be

the thread they wear. Observing no rule in eating or drinking or in other matters, scoffing

at the Dharmma Scriptures, no thought of pious speech ever so much as entering their

minds, they will be but bent upon the injury of the good (37-50).

By Thee also have been composed for the good and liberation of men the Tantras, a mass

of Agamas and Nigamas, which bestow both enjoyment and liberation, containing

Mantras and Yantras and rules as to the sadhana of both Devis and Devas. By Thee, too,

have been described many forms of Nyasa, such as those called srishti, sthiti (and

sanghara). By Thee, again, have been described the various seated positions (of yoga),

such as that of the “tied” and “loosened” lotus, the Pashu, Vira, and Divya classes of men,

as also the Devata, who gives success in the use of each of the mantras (50-52). And yet

again it is Thou Who hast made known in a thousand ways rites relating to the worship

with woman, and the rites which are done with the use of skulls, a corpse, or when seated

on a funeral pyre (53). By Thee, too, have been forbidden both pashu-bhava and divya-

bhava. If in this Age the pashu-bhava cannot exist, how can there be divya-bhava? (54).

For the pashu must with his own hand collect leaves, flowers, fruits, and water, and

should not look at a Shudra or even think of a woman (55). On the other hand, the Divya

is all but a Deva, ever pure of heart, and to whom all opposites are alike, free from

attachment to worldly things, the same to all creatures and forgiving (56). How can men

with the taint of this Age upon them, who are ever of restless mind, prone to sleep and

sloth, attain to purity of disposition? (57). By Thee, too, have been spoken the rites of

Vira-sadhana, relating to the Pancha-tattva – namely, wine, meat, fish, parched grain, and

sexual union of man and woman (58-59). But since the men of the Kali Age are full of

greed, lust, gluttony, they will on that account neglect sidhana and will fall into sin, and

having drunk much wine for the sake of the pleasure of the senses, will become mad with

intoxication, and bereft of all notion of right and wrong (61). Some will violate the wives

of others, others will become rogues, and some, in the indiscriminating rage of lust, will

go (whoever she be) with any woman (62). Over eating and drinking will disease many

and deprive them of strength and sense. Disordered by madness, they will meet death,

falling into lakes, pits, or in impenetrable forests, or from hills or house-tops (63-64).

While some will be as mute as corpses, others will be for ever on the chatter, and yet

others will quarrel with their kinsmen and elders. They will be evil-doers, cruel, and the

destroyers of Dharmma (65-66). I fear, O Lord! that even that which Thou hast ordained

for the good of men will through them turn out for evil (67). O Lord of the World! who

will practise Yoga or Nyasa, who will sing the hymns and draw the Yantra and make

Purashcharana? (68). Under the influences of the Kali Age man will of his nature become

indeed wicked and bound to all manner of sin (69). Say, O Lord of all the distressed! in

Thy mercy how without great pains men may obtain longevity, health, and energy,

increase of strength and courage, learning, intelligence, and happiness; and how they may

become great in strength and valour, pure of heart, obedient to parents, not seeking the

love of others’ wives, but devoted to their own, mindful of the good of their neighbour,

reverent to the Devas and to their gurus, cherishers of their children and kinsmen (70-72),

possessing the knowledge of the Brahman, learned in the lore of, and ever meditating on,

the Brahman. Say, O Lord! for the good of the world, what men should or should not do

according to their different castes and stages of life. For who but Thee is their Protector

in all the three worlds? (73-74).

End of the First Joyful Message, entitled “Questions relating to the Liberation of Beings.”

Chapter 2

Introduction to the Worship of Brahman

HAVING heard the words of the Devi, Shangkara, Bestower of happiness on the world,

great Ocean of mercy, thus of the truth of things spoke.

Sadashiva said:

O Exalted and Holy One! Benefactress of the universe, well has it been asked by Thee.

By none has such an auspicious question been asked aforetime (2). Worthy of all thanks

art Thou, Who knoweth all good, Benefactress of all born in this age, O Gentle One!

Thou art Omniscient. Thou knowest the past, present, and future, and Dharmma. What

Thou hast said about the past, present, and future, and, indeed, all things, is in accordance

with Dharmma, and is the truth, and is without a doubt accepted by Me. O Sureshvari! I

say unto you most truly and without all doubt that men, whether they be of the twice born

or other castes, afflicted as they are by this sinful Age, and unable to distinguish the pure

from the impure, will not obtain purity or the success of their desired ends by the Vedic

ritual, or that prescribed by the Sanghitas and Smritis (3-6). Verily, verily, and yet again

verily, I say unto you that in this Age there is no way to liberation but that proclaimed by

the Agama (7). I, O Blissful One, have already foretold in the Vedas, Smritis, and

Puranas,’ that in this Age the wise shall worship after the doctrine of the Agama (8).

Verily, verily, and beyond all doubt, I say to you that there is no liberation for him who in

this Age, heedless of such doctrine, follows another (9). There is no Lord but I in this

world, and I alone am He Who is spoken of in the Vedas, Puranas, and Smritis and

Sanghitas (10). The Vedas and the Puranas proclaim Me to be the cause of the purity of

the three worlds, and they who are averse to My doctrine are unbelievers and sinners, as

great as those who slay a Brahmana (11). Therefore, O Devi! the worship of him who

heeds not My precepts is fruitless, and, moreover, such an one goes to hell (12). The fool

who would follow other doctrine heedless of Mine is as great a sinner as the slayer of a

Brahmana or of a woman, or a parricide; have no doubt of that (13).

In this Age the Mantras of the Tantras are efficacious, yield immediate fruit, and are

auspicious for Japa, Yajna, and all such practices and ceremonies (14). The Vedic rites

and Mantras which were efficacious in the First Age have ceased to be so in this. They

are now as powerless as snakes, the poison-fangs of which are drawn and are like to that

which is dead (15). The whole heap of other Mantras have no more power than the

organs of sense of some pictured image on a wall. To worship with the aid of other

Mantras is as fruitless as it is to cohabit with a barren woman. The labour is lost (16-17).

He who in this Age seeks salvation by ways prescribed by others is like a thirsty fool who

digs a well on the bank of the Jahnavi (18), and he who, knowing My Dharmma, craves

for any other is as one who with nectar in his house yet longs for the poisonous juice of

the akanda plant (19). No other path is there to salvation and happiness in this life or in

that to come like unto that shown by the Tantras (20). From my mouth have issued the

several Tantras with their sacred legends and practices both for Siddhas and Sadhakas

(21). At times, O My Beloved! by reason of the great number of men of the pashu

disposition, as also of the diversity of the qualifications of men, it has been said that the

Dharmma spoken of in the Kulachara Scriptures should be kept secret (22). But some

portions of this Dharmma, O Beloved! have been revealed by Me with the object of

inclining the minds of men thereto. Various kinds of Devata and worshippers are

mentioned therein, such as Bhairava, Vetala, Vatuka, Nayika, Shaktas, Shaivas,

Vaishnavas, Sauras, Ganapatyas, and others. In them, too, are described various Mantra

and Yantra which aid men in the attainment of siddhi, and which, though they demand

great and constant effort, yet yield the desired fruit (23-25). Hitherto My answer has been

given according to the nature of the case and the questioner, and for his individual benefit

only (26).

None before has ever questioned Me as Thou hast done for the advantage of all mankind

– nay, for the benefit of all that breathes, and that, too, in such detail and with reference

to the Dharmma of each of the different Ages. Therefore, out of My affection for Thee, O

Parvati! I will speak to Thee of the essence of essences and of the Supreme (27-28). O

Deveshi! I will state before Thee the very essence distilled from the Vedas and Agamas,

and in particular from the Tantras (29). As men versed in the Tantras are to other men, as

the Jahnavi is to other rivers, as I am to all other Devas, so is the Mahanirvana Tantra to

all other Agamas (30).

O Auspicious One! of what avail are the Vedas, the Puranas, or the Shastras, since he

who has the knowledge of this great Tantra is Lord of all Siddhi? (31). Since Thou hast

questioned Me for the good of the world, I will speak to Thee of that which will lead to

the benefit of the universe (32).

O Parameshvari! should good be done to the universe, the Lord of it is pleased, since He

is its soul, and it depends on Him (33). He is One. He is the Ever-existent. He is the

Truth. He is the Supreme Unity without a second. He is Ever-full and Self-manifest. He is

Eternal Intelligence and Bliss (33-34). He is without change, Self-existent, and ever the

Same, Serene, above all attributes. He beholds and is the Witness of all that passes,

Omni-present, the Soul of everything that is. He, the Eternal and Omnipresent, is hidden

and pervades all things. Though Himself devoid of sense, He is the Illuminator of all the

senses and their powers (35-36). The Cause of all the three worlds, He is yet beyond them

and the mind of men. Ineffable and Omniscient, He knows the universe, yet none know

Him (37). He sways this incompre-hensible universe, and all that has movement and is

motionless in the three worlds depends on Him; and lighted by His truth, the world shines

as does Truth itself. We too have come from Him as our Cause (38-39). He, the one

Supreme Lord, is the Cause of all beings, the Manifestation of Whose creative Energy in

the three worlds is called Brahma (40). By His will Vishnu protects and I destroy, Indra

and all other Guardian Devas of the world depend on Him and hold rule in their

respective regions under His command. Thou His supreme Prakriti art adored in all the

three worlds (41-42). Each one does his work by the power of Him who exists in his

heart. None are ever independent of Him (43). Through fear of Him the Wind blows, the

Sun gives heat, the Clouds shower seasonable rain, and the Trees in the forest flower

(44).

It is He who destroys Time at the Great Dissolution, of Whom even Fear and Death itself

are afraid. He is Bhagavan, Who is known as Yat Tat in the Vedanta (45).O Adored of the

Devas! all the Devas and Devis – nay, the whole universe, from Brahma to a blade of

grass – are His forms (46). If He be pleased, the Universe is pleased. If aught be done to

gratify Him, then the gratification of All is caused (47). As the pouring of water at the

root of a tree satisfies the wants of the leaves and branches, so by worshipping Him all

the Deathless Ones are satisfied (48). Just as, O Virtuous One! all the beautiful Ones are

pleased when Thou art worshipped and when men meditate on and make Japa and pray to

Thee (49). As all rivers must go to the ocean, so, O Parvati! all acts of worship must

reach Him as the ultimate goal (50). Whoever be the worshipper, and whoever be the

Devata, he reverentially worships for some desired end, all that is given to him through

the Deva he so worships comes from Him as the Supreme (51). Oh, what use is it to say

more before Thee, O My Beloved?

There is none other but Him to meditate upon, to pray to, to worship for the attainment of

liberation (52). Need there is none to trouble, to fast, to torture one’s body, to follow rules

and customs, to make large offerings; need there is none to be heedful as to time nor as to

Nyasa or Mudra, wherefore, O Kuleshani! who will strive to seek shelter elsewhere than

with Him? (53-54).

End of the Second Joyful Message, entitled “Introduction to the Worship of Brahman.”

Chapter 3

Description of the Worship of the Supreme

Brahman

SHRI DEVI said:

O Deva of the Devas, great Deva, Guru of Brihaspati himself, Thou Who discourseth of

all Scriptures, Mantra, Sadhana, and hast spoken of the Supreme Brahman by the

adoration of Whom mortals attain happiness and liberation, do Thou, O Lord! deign to

instruct us in the way of service of the Supreme Soul and of the observances, Mantra, and

meditation in His worship. It is my desire, O Lord! to hear the essential substance of all

these from Thee (1-4).

Shri Sadashiva said:

Listen, then, O Beloved of My life! to the most secret and supreme Truth, the mystery

whereof has nowhere yet been revealed (5).

Because of My affection for Thee I shall speak to Thee of that Supreme Brahman, Who is

ever Existent, Intelligent, and Who is dearer to Me than life itself. O Maheshvari! the

eternal, intelligent, infinite Brahman may be known in Its real Self or by Its external signs

(5-6). That Which is changeless, existent only, and beyond both mind and speech, Which

shines as the Truth amidst the illusion of the three worlds, is the Brahman according to Its

real nature (7). That Brahman is known in samadhi-yoga by those who look upon all

things alike, who are above all contraries, devoid of doubt, free of all illusion regarding

body and soul (8). That same Brahman is known from His external signs, from Whom the

whole universe has sprung, in Whom when so sprung It exists, and into Whom all things

return (9). That which is known by intuition may also be perceived from these external

signs. For those who would know Him through these external signs, for them sadhana is

enjoined (10).

Attend to me, Thou, O dearest One! while I speak to Thee of such sadhana. And firstly, O

Adye! I tell Thee of the Mantroddhara of the Supreme Brahman (11). Utter first the

Pranava, then the words “existence” and “intelligence,” and after the word “One” say

“Brahman.”

MANTRA

Ong Sachchidekam Brahma (12).

This is the Mantra. These words, when combined according to the rules of Sandhi, form a

Mantra of seven letters. If the Pranava be omitted, it becomes a Mantra of six letters only

(13). This is the most excellent of all the Mantras, and the one which immediately

bestows Dharmma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. In the use of this Mantra there is no need

to consider whether it be efficacious or not, or friendly or inimical, for no such

considerations affect it (14). Nor at initiation into this Mantra is it necessary to make

calculations as to the phases of the Moon, the propitious junction of the stars, or as to the

Signs of the Zodiac. Nor are there any rules as to whether the Mantra is suitable or not.

Nor is there need of the ten Sangskara. This Mantra is in every way efficacious in

initiation. There is no necessity for considering anything else (15). Should one have

obtained, through merit acquired in previous births, an excellent Guru, from whose lips

this Mantra is received, then life indeed becomes fruitful (16), and the worshipper

receiving in his hands Dharmma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha, rejoices both in this world

and the next (17).

He whose ears this great jewel of Mantra reaches is indeed blest, for he has attained the

desired end, being virtuous and pious, and is as one who has bathed in a the sacred

places, been initiated in all Yajnas, versed in all Scriptures, and honoured in all the

worlds (18-19). Happy is the father and happy the mother of such a one – yea, and yet

more than this, his family is hallowed and the gladdened spirits of the Pitris rejoice with

th Devas, and in the excess of their joy sing (20): “In our family is born the most

excellent of our race, one initiate in the Brahma-mantra. What need have we now of

pinda offered at Gaya, or of shraddha, tarpana, pilgrimage at holy places (21); of what

use are alms, japa, homa, or sadhana, since now we have obtained imperishable

satisfaction?” (22)

Listen, O Devi! Adored of the world, whilst I tell You the very truth that for the

worshippers of the Supreme Brahman there is no need for other religious observances

(23). At the very moment of initiation into this Mantra the disciple is filled with

Brahman, and for such an one, O Devi! what is there which is unattainable in all the three

worlds? (24). Against him what can adverse planets or Vetala, Chetaka, Pishacha,

Guhyaka, Bhuta, the Matrika, Dakini, and other spirits avail?

The very sight of him will drive them to flight with averted faces (25). Guarded by the

Brahma-mantra, clad with the splendour of Brahman, he is as it were another Sun. What

should he fear, then, from any planet? (26). They flee, frightened like elephants at the

sight of a lion, and perish like moths in a flame (27). No sin can touch, and none but one

as wicked as a suicide can harm, him, who is purified by truth, without blemish, a

benefactor of all beings, a faithful believer in Brahman (28). The wicked and sinful who

seek to harm him who is initiate in the knowledge of the Supreme Brahman do but harm

themselves, for are they not indeed in essence inseparate from the ever-existent One?

(29). For he is the holy sage and well-wisher, working for the happiness of all, and, O

Devi! should it be possible to harm such an one who can go in peace? (31). For him,

however, who has no knowledge of the meaning of nor of the awakening of the Mantra, it

is fruitless, even though it were inwardly uttered ten million times (31).

Listen, then, O My Beloved! while I tell Thee of the meaning and awakening of Mantra.

By the letter A is meant the Protector of the world; the letter U denotes its Destroyer; and

M stands for its Creator (32). The meaning of Sat is Ever-existent; of Chit, Intelligence;

and of Ekam, One without a second. Brahman is so called because He exists everywhere.

Now, O Devi! I have given You the meaning of the Mantra, which grants the fulfilment

of desires. The awakening of the Mantra is the knowledge of Him, Who is the pervading

Devata of the Mantra, and such knowledge, O Supreme Devi! yields the fruit of worship

to the worshipper (35). O Devi! the presiding Devata of the Mantra is the omnipresent,

eternal, inscrutable, formless, passionless, and ineffable Brahman (36). When introduced

by the Vija of Sarasvati, Maya, or Kamala, instead of the Mantra Om, it bestows various

kinds of learning, siddhi, and prosperity in every quarter (37). The Mantra may be varied

either by the prefixing or omitting of Om, or by the placing of it before each word or

every two words of the Mantra (38). Sadashiva is the Rishi of this Mantra. The verse is

called Anushtup, and its presiding Devata is the Supreme Brahman, Who is without

attributeand Who abides in all things. It avails for the attainment of Dharmma, Artha,

Kama, and Moksha.

Now listen, dear One, whilst I speak to You of Anga-nyasa and Kara-nyasa (39-40). O

great and adorable Devi! the syllable Om, the words Sat, Chit, Ekam, Brahma, should be

pronounced over the thumb, the threatening finger, the middle, nameless, and little

fingers respectively, followed in each case by the words Namah, Svaha, Vashat, Hung,

and Vaushat; and Ong Sachchidekam Brahma should be said over the palm and back of

the hand, followed by the Mantra Phat (41, 42).

The worshipper disciple should in the like manner, with his mind well under control,

perform Anga-nyasa in accordance with the rules thereof, commencing with the heart and

ending with the hands (43).

After this, whilst reciting the Mantra Om or the Mula-mantra, Pranayama should be

performed thus: He should close the left nostril with the middle of the fourth finger, and

then inhale through the right nostril, meanwhile making japa of the Pranava or the Mula-

mantra eight times. Then, closing the right nostril with the thumb and shutting also the

mouth, make japa of the Mantra thirty-two times. After that gently exhale the breath

through the right nostril, doing japa of the Mantra the while sixteen times.

In the same way perform these three acts with the left nostril, and then repeat the same

process with the right nostril. O adored of the Devas! I have now told Thee of the method

of Pranayama to be observed in the use of the Brahma-Mantra (44-48). The Sadhaka

should then make meditation which accomplishes his desire (49).

DHYANA

In the lotus of my heart I contemplate the Divine Intelligence, the Brahman without

distinctions and difference, Knowable by Hari, Hara, and Vidhi, whom Yogis approach in

meditation, He Who destroys the fear of birth and death, Who is Existence, Intelligence,

the Root of all the three worlds (50)

Having thus contemplated the Supreme Brahman, the worshipper should, in order to

attain union with Brahman, worship with offerings of his mind (51). For perfume let him

offer to the Supreme Soul the essence of the Earth, for flowers the ether, for incense the

essence of the air, for light the Lustre of the universe, and for food the essence of the

Waters of the world (52). After mentally repeating the great mantra and offering the fruit

of it to the Supreme Brahman, the excellent disciple should commence external worship

Meditating with closed eyes on the Eternal Brahman, the worshipper should with

reverence offer to the Supreme whatever be at hand, such as perfumes, flowers, clothes,

jewels, food, and drink, after having purified them with the following (54-55):

MANTRA

The vessel in which these offerings are placed is Brahman, and so, too, is the gheeoffered

therein. Brahman is both the sacrificial Fire and he who makes the sacrifice, and to

Brahman he will attain whose mind is fixed on the Brahman by the performance of the

rites which lead to Brahman (56). Then, opening the eyes, and inwardly and with all his

power making japa with the Mula-mantra, the worshipper should offer the japa to

Brahman and then recite the hymn that follows and the Kavacha-mantra (57). Hear, O

Maheshvari! the hymn to Brahman, the Supreme Spirit, by the hearing whereof the

disciple becomes one with the Brahman (58).

Stotra

Ong! I bow to Thee, the eternal Refuge of all:

I bow to Thee, the pure Intelligence manifested in the universe.

I bow to Thee Who in His essence is One and Who grants liberation.

I bow to Thee, the great, all-pervading attributeless One (59).

Thou art the only Refuge and Object of adoration.

The whole universe is the appearance of Thee Who art its Cause.

Thou alone art Creator, Preserver, Destroyer of the world.

Thou art the sole immutable Supreme, Who art neither this nor that (6o);

Dread of the dreadful, Terror of the terrible.

Refuge of all beings, Purificator of all purificators.

Thou alone rulest the high-placed ones,

Supreme over the supreme, Protector of the Protectors (61).

O Supreme Lord in Whom all things are, yet Unmanifest in all,

Imperceptible by the senses, yet the very truth.

Incomprehensible, Imperishable, All-pervading hidden Essence.

Lord and Light of the Universe! save us from harm (62).

On that One alone we meditate, that One alone we in mind worship,

To that One alone the Witness of the Universe we bow.

Refuge we seek with the One Who is our sole Eternal Support,

The Self-existent Lord, the Vessel of safety in the ocean of being (63).

This is the five-jewelled hymn to the Supreme Soul.

He who pure in mind and body recites this hymn is united with the Brahman (64). It

should be said daily in the evening, and particularly on the day of the Moon. The wise

man should read and explain it to such of his kinsmen as believe in Brahman (65). I have

spoken to You, O Devi! of the five-jewelled hymn, O Graceful One! listen now to the

jagan-mangala Mantra of the amulet, by the wearing and reading whereof one becomes a

knower of the Brahman (66).

MANTRA

May the Supreme Soul protect the head,

May the Supreme Lord protect the heart,

May the Protector of the world protect the throat,

May the All-pervading, All-seeing Lord protect the face (67),

May the Soul of the Universe protect my hands,

May He Who is Intelligence itself protect the feet,

May the Eternal and Supreme Brahman protect my body in all its parts always (68).

The Rishi of this world-beneficent amulet is Sada-shiva; the verse is anushtup, its

presiding Devata is the Supreme Brahman, and the object of its use is the attainment of

Dharmma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha (69). He who recites this protective Mantra after

offering it to its Rishi attains knowledge of Brahman, and is one immediately with the

Brahman (70). If written on birch-bark and encased in a golden ball, it be worn round the

neck or on the right arm, its wearer attains all kinds of powers (71). I have now revealed

to Thee the amulet Mantra of the Supreme Brahman. It should be given to the favourite

disciple who is both devoted to the Guru and possessed of understanding (72). The

excellent Sadhaka shall, after reciting the Mantra and the hymn with reverence, salute the

Supreme (73).

Salutation

Ong

I bow to the Supreme Brahman.

I bow to the Supreme Soul.

I bow to Him Who is above all qualities.

I bow to the Ever-existent again and again (74).

The worship of the Supreme Lord may be by body or mind or by word; but the one thing

needful is purity of disposition (75). After worshipping in the manner of which I have

spoken, the wise man should with his friends and kinsmen partake of the holy food

consecrated to the Supreme Spirit. (76) In the worship of the Supreme there is no need to

invoke Him to be present or to desire Him to depart.

It may be done always and in all places (77). It is of no account whether the worshipper

has or has not bathed, or whether he be fasting or have taken food. But the Supreme

Spirit should ever be worshipped with a pure heart (78). After purification by the

Brahma-Mantra, whatever food or drink is offered to the Supreme Lord becomes itself

purifying (79). The touch of inferior castes may pollute the water of Ganga and the

Shaligrama, but nothing which has been consecrated to the Brahman (80) can be so

polluted. If dedicated to Brahman with this Mantra, the worshipper with his people may

eat of anything, whether cooked or uncooked (81). In the partaking of this food no rule as

to caste or time need be observed. No one should hesitate to take the leavings from the

plate of another, whether such another be pure or impure. (82).

Whenever and whatsoever the place may be, howsoever it may have been attained, eat

without scruple or inquiry the food dedicated to the Brahman (83). Such food, O Devi!

even the Devas do not easily get, and it purifies even if brought by a Chamdala, or if it be

taken from the mouth of a dog (84). As to that which the partaking of such food affects in

men, what, O Adored of the Devas! shall We say of it? It is deemed excellent even by the

Devas. Without a doubt the partaking of this holy food, be it but once only, frees the

greatest of sinners and all sinners of their sins (85-86). The mortal who eats of it acquires

such merit as can only otherwise be earned by bathing and alms at thirty-five millions of

holy places (87). By the eating of it ten million times greater merit is gained than by the

Horse-sacrifice, or indeed by any other sacrifice whatever (88). Its excellence cannot be

described by ten million tongues and a thousand million mouths (89). Wherever the

Sadhaka may be, and though he be a Chandala, he attains to union with the Brahman the

very moment he partakes of the nectar dedicated to Him (90). Even Brahmans versed in

the Vedanta should take food prepared by low-caste men if it be dedicated to the

Brahman (91). No distinction of caste should be observed in eating food dedicated to the

Supreme Spirit. He who thinks it impure becomes a great sinner (92). It would be better,

O Beloved! to commit a hundred sins or to kill a Brahmana than to despise food

dedicated to the Supreme Brahman (93). Those fools who reject food and drink made

holy by the great Mantra. cause the fall of their ancestors into the lower regions, and they

themselves go headlong into the Hell of blind darkness, where they remain until the

Dissolution of things. No liberation is there for such as despise food dedicated to

Brahman (94-95). In the sadhana of this great Mantra, even acts without merit become

meritorious; in slumber merit is acquired; and acts are accepted as rightful which are

done according to the worshipper’s desires (96). For such what need is there of Vedic

practices, or for the matter of that what need is there even of those of the Tantra?

Whatever he does according to his desire, that is recognized as lawful in the case of the

wise believer in the Brahman (97). For them there is neither merit nor demerit in the

performance or non-performance of the customary rites. In the sadhana of this Mantra his

faults or omissions are no obstacle (98). By the sadhana of this Mantra, O Great Devi!

man becomes truthful, conqueror of the passions devoted to the good of his fellow-men,

one to whom all things are indifferent, pure of purpose, free of envy and arrogance,

merciful and pure of mind, devoted to the service and seeking the of his parents, a listener

ever to things devine, a meditator ever on the Brahman. His mind is ever turned to the

search for Brahman. With strength of determination holding his mind in close control, he

is ever conscious of the nearness of Brahman (99-101). He who is initiated in the

Brahma-Mantra will not lie or think to harm, and will shun to go with the wives of others

(102). At the commencement of all rites, let him say, “Tat Sat”; and before eating or

drinking aught let him say, “I dedicate this to Brahman” (103). For the knower of

Brahman, duty consists in action for the well-being of fellow-men. This is the eternal

Dharmma.

I will now, O Shambhavi! speak to Thee of the duties relating to Sandhya in the practice

of the Brahma Mantra, whereby men acquire that real wealth which comes to them in the

form of Brahman (105). Wheresoever he may be, and in whatsoever posture, the

excellent and well-intentioned sadhaka shall, at morning, noon and eventide, meditate

upon the Brahman in the manner prescribed. Then, O Devi! let him make japa of th

Gayatri one hundred and eight times. Offering the japa to the Devata, let him make

obeisance in the way of which I have spoken (106-108). I have now told thee of the

sandhya to be used by him in the sadhana of the Brahma-Mantra, and by which the

worshipper shall become pure of heart (106-108). Listen to Me now, Thou Who art

figured with grace, to the Gayatri, which destroys all sin.

Say “Parameshvara” in the dative singular, then “vidmahe,” and, Dear One, after the word

“Paratattvaya” say “dhimahi,” adding, O Devi! the words, “tanno Brahma prachodayat.”

MANTRA

“May we know the Supreme Lord; let us contemplate the Supreme Essence, and may that

Brahman direct us.”

This is the auspicious Brahma-Gayatri which confers Dharmma, Artha, Kama, and

Moksha (109-111).

Let everything which is done, be it worship or sacrifice, bathing, drinking, or eating, be

accompanied by the recitation of the Brahma-Mantra (112). When arising at the middle

of the fourth quarter of the night, and after bowing to the Preceptor who gave initiation in

the Brahma-Mantra, let it be recited with all recollection. Then obeisance should be made

to the Brahman as aforesaid, after meditating upon Him. This is the enjoined morning

rites (113). For Purashcharana, O Beautiful One! japa of the Mantra should be done

thirty-two thousand times, for oblations three thousand two hundred times; for the

presenting of or offering water to the Devata, three hundred and twenty times; for

purification before worship thirty-two times; and Rrahmanas should be feasted four

times(114-115). In Purashcharana no rule need be observed touching food or as regards

what should be accepted or rejected. Nor need an auspicious time nor place for

performance be selected (116). Whether he be fasting or have taken food, whether with or

without bathing, let the Sadhaka, as he be so inclined, make sadhana with this supreme

Mantra (117). Without trouble or pain, without hymn, amulet, nyasa, mudra, or setu,

without the worship of Ganesha as the Thief, yet surely and shortly the most Supreme

Brahman is met face to face (118-119).

In the sadhana of this great Mantra no other Sangkalpa is necessary than the inclination

of the mind thereto and purity of disposition. The worshipper of Brahman sees Brahman

in everything (120). The worshipper does not sin, nor does he suffer harm should he

perchance in such sadhana omit anything. On the contrary, if there be any omission, the

use of this great Mantra is the remedy therefor (121). In this terrible and sinful Age

devoid of tapas which is so difficult to traverse, the very seed of liberation is the use of

the Brahma-Mantra (122). Various Tantras and Agamas have prescribed various modes

of sadhana, but these, O Great Devi! are beyond the powers of the feeble men of this Age

(123). For these, O Beloved! are short-lived, without enterprise, their life dependent on

food, covetous, eager to gain wealth, so unsettled in their intellect that it is without rest,

even in its attempts at yoga. Incapable, too, are they of suffering and impatient of the

austerities of yoga. For the happiness and liberation of such have been ordained the Way

of Brahman (124-125). O Devi! verily and verily I say to You that in this Age there is no

other way to happiness and liberation than that by initiation in Brahma-Mantra; I again

say to You there is no other way (126). The rule in all the Tantras is that that which is

prescribed for the morning should be done in the morning, Sandhya thrice daily and

worship at midday, but, O Auspicious One! in the worship of Brahman there is no other

rule but the desire of the worshipper (127). Since in Brahma-worship rules are but

servants and the prohibitions of other worships do not prevail, who will seek shelter in

any other? (128). Let the disciple obtain a Guru who is a knower of Brahman, peaceful

and of placid mind, and then, clasping his lotus-like feet, let him supplicate him as

follows:

Supplication to the Guru

O merciful one! Lord of the distressed! to thee I have come for protection: cast then the

shadows of thy lotus-like feet over my head, oh thou whose wealth is fame (130).

Having thus with all his powers prayed to and worshipped his Guru, let the disciple

remain before him in silence with folded hands (131). The Guru will the carefully

examine the signs on and qualities of the disciple, kindly call the latter to him, and give to

the good disciple the great Mantra (132). Let the wise one sitting on a seat, with his face

to the East or to the North place his disciple on his left, and gaze with tenderness upon

him (133). The Guru, after performing Rishi-nyasa, will then place his hand on his

disciple’s head, and for the siddhi of the latter make japa of the Mantra one hundred and

eight times (134).

Let the excellent Guru, ocean of kindness, next whisper the Mantra seven times into the

right ear of the disciple if he be a Brahmana, or into the left ear if he be of another caste

(135). O Kalika! I have now described the manner in which instructions in Brahma-

Mantra should be given. For this there is no need of puja, and his Sangkalpa should be

mental only (136). The Guru should then raise the disciple, now become his son, who is

lying prostrate at his lotus-feet, and say with affection the following (137).

Reply of the Guru

Rise, my son, thou art liberated: Be ever devoted to the knowledge of Brahman: Conquer

thy passions: May thou be truthful, and have strength and health (138).

Let the excellent disciple on rising make an offering of his own self, money or a fruit, as

he may afford. Remaining obedient to his preceptor’s commands, he may then roam the

world like a Deva (139). Immediately upon his initiation into this Mantra his soul is

suffused with the Divine Being. What need, then, O Deveshi! for such an one to practise

various kinds of sadhana? O Dearest One! I have now briefly told You of the initiation

into the Brahma-Mantra (140). For such initiation the merciful mood of the Guru is alone

necessary (141). The worshipper of the Divine Power, of Shiva, of the Sun, of Vishnu,

Ganesha, Brahmanas versed in the Vedas and all other castes may be initiated (142).

It is by the grace of this Mantra, O Devi! that I have become the Deva of Devas, have

conquered Death, and have become the Guru of the whole world. By it I have done

whatever I will, casting from Me ignorance and doubt (143). Brahma was the First to

receive the Mantra from Me, and He taught it to the Brahmarshis, who taught it to the

Devas. From these the Devarshis learnt it. The Sages learnt it of these last, and royal

Rishis learnt it of Sages, and all have thus, through the grace of the Supreme Spirit and

this Mantra, become one with Brahman (144-145).

In the use of this Brahma-Mantra, O Great Devi there are no restrictions. The Guru may

without hesitation give his disciple his own Mantra, a father may initiate his sons, a

brother his brothers, a husband his, wife, a maternal uncle his nephews, a maternal grand

father his grandsons (146-147). Such fault as elsewhere there is in other worships, in the

giving of one’s own Mantra, in initiation by a father or other near relative does not exist

in the case of this great and successfu Mantra (148). He who has heard it, however it may

be from the lips of one initiate in the knowledge of Brahman, is purified, and attains the

state of Brahman, and is affected neither by virtue nor sin (149). The householder of the

Brahmanas and other castes who pray with the Brahma Mantra should be respected and

worshipped as being the greatest of their respective classes (150).

Brahmanas at once become like those who have conquered their passions, and lower

castes become equal to Brihmanas: therefore let all worship those initiate in the Brahma-

Mantra, and thus possessed of Divine knowledge (151). They who slight them are as

wicked as the slayers of Brahmanas, and go to a terrible Hell,where they remain as long

as the Sun and Stars endure (152). To revile and calumniate a worshipper of the Supreme

Brahman is a sin ten million times worse than that of killing a woman or bringing about

an abortion (153). As men by initiation in the Brahma-Mantra become freed of all sins,

so, O Devi! also may they be freed by the worship of Thee (154).

End of Third Joyful Message, entitled “Description of the Worship of the Supreme

Brahman.”

Chapter 4

Introduction of the Worship of the Supreme

Prakriti

HAVING listened with attention to that which has been said concerning the worship of

the Supreme Brahman, the Supreme Devi greatly pleased again thus questioned Shankara

(1).

Shri Devi said:

O Lord of the Universe and Husband! I bathe with contentment in the nectar of Thy

words concerning the excellent worship of the Supreme, which lead to the well-being of

the world and to the path of Brahman, and gives light, intelligence, strength, and

prosperity (2-3). Thou hast said, 0 Ocean of Mercy! that as union with the Brahman is

attainable through worship of Him, so, it may be attained by worship of Me (4). I wish to

know, O Lord! of this excellent worship of Myself, which as Thou sayest is the cause of

union of the worshipper with the Brahman (5). What are its rites, and by what means may

it be accomplished? What is its Mantra, and what the form of its meditation and mode of

worship? (6). O Shambhu! who but Thee, great Physician of earthly ills, is fit to speak of

it, from its beginning to its end, and in all its detail agreeable as it is to Me and beneficent

to all humanity? (7).

Hearing the words of the Devi, the Deva of Devas, Husband of Parvati, was delighted,

and spoke to Her thus: (8)

Shri Sadashiva said:

Listen, O Thou of high fortune and destiny, to the reasons why Thou shouldst be

worshipped, and how thereby the individual becomes united with the Brahman (9). Thou

art the only Para Prakriti of the Supreme Soul Brahman, and from Thee has sprung the

whole Universe – O Shiva – its Mother (10). O gracious One ! whatever there is in this

world, of things which have and are without motion, from Mahat to an atom, owes its

origin to and is dependent on Thee (11). Thou art the Original of all the manifestations;

Thou art the birthplace of even Us; Thou knowest the whole world, yet none know Thee

(12).

Thou art Kali, Tarini, Durga, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshvari, Dhumavati. Thou art Bagala,

Bhairavi, and Chhinna-mastaka. Thou art Anna-purna, Vagdevi, Kama-lalaya. Thou art

the Image or Embodiment of all the Shaktis and of all the Devas (13-14). Thou art both

Subtle and Gross, Manifested and Veiled, Formless, yet with form. Who can understand

Thee? (15). For the accomplishment of the desire of the worshipper, the good of the

world, and the destruction of the Danavas, Thou dost assume various forms (16). Thou

art four-armed, two-armed, six-armed, and eight-armed, and holdest various missiles and

weapons for the protection of the Universe (17). In other Tantras I have spoken of the

different Mantras and Yantras, with the use of which Thou shouldst be worshipped

according to Thy different forms, and there, too, have I spoken of the different

dispositions of men (18). In this Kali Age there is no Pashu-bhava: Divya-bhava is

difficult of attainment, but the practices relating to Vira-sadhana yield visible fruit (19).

In this Kali Age, O Devi! success is achieved by Kaulika worship alone, and therefore

should it be performed with every care (20). By it, O Devi! is acquired the knowledge of

Brahman, and the mortal endowed therewith is of a surety whilst living freed from future

births and exonerated from the performance of all religious rites (21). According to

human knowledge the world appears to be both pure and impure, but when Brahma-jnana

has been acquired there is no distinction between pure and impure (22). For to him who

knows that the Brahman is in all things and eternal, what is there that can be impure?

(23). Thou art the Image of all, and above all Thou art the Mother of all. If Thou art

pleased, O Queen of the Devas! then all are pleased (24).

Before the Beginning of things Thou didst exist in the form of a Darkness which is

beyond both speech and mind, and of Thee by the creative desire of the Supreme

Brahman was the entire Universe born (25). This Universe, from the great principle of

Mahat down to the gross elements, has been created by Thee, since Brahman Cause of all

causes is but the instrumental Cause (26). It is the Ever-existent, Changeless,

Omnipresent, Pure Intelligence unattached to, yet existing in and enveloping all things

(27). It acts not, neither does It enjoy. It moves not, neither is It motionless. It is the Truth

and Knowledge, without beginning or end, Ineffable and Incomprehensible (28).

Thou the Supreme Yogini dost, moved by his mere desire, create, protect, and destroy

this world with all that moves and is motionless therein (29). Mahakala, the Destroyer of

the Universe, is Thy Image. At the Dissolution of things, it is Kala Who will devour all

(30), and by reason of this He is called Mahakala, and since Thou devourest Mahakala

Himself, it is Thou who art the Supreme Primordial Kalika (31).

Because Thou devourest Kala, Thou art Kali, the original form of all things, and because

Thou art the Origin of and devourest all things Thou art called the Adya Kali (32).

Resuming after Dissolution Thine own form, dark and formless, Thou alone remainest as

One ineffable and inconceivable (33). Though having a form, yet art Thou formless;

though Thyself without beginning, multiform by the power of Maya, Thou art the

Beginning of all, Creatrix, Protectress, and Destructress that Thou art (34). Hence it is, 0

Gentle One! that whatsoever fruit is attained by initiation in the Brahma-Mantra, the

same may be had by the worship of Thee (35).

According to the differences in place, time, and capacity of the worshippers I have, O

Devi! in some of the Tantras spoken of secret worship suited to their respective customs

and dispositions (36). Where men perform that worship which they are privileged to

perform, there they participate in the fruits of worship, and being freed from sin will with

safety cross the Ocean of Being (37). By merit acquired in many previous births the mind

inclines to Kaulika doctrine, and he whose soul is purified by such worship himself

becomes Shiva (38). Where there is abundance of enjoyment, of what use is it to speak of

Yoga, and where there is Yoga there is no enjoyment, but the Kaula enjoys both (39).

If one honours but one man versed in the knowledge of the essence of Kula doctrine, then

all the Devas and Devis are worshipped – there is no doubt of that (40).

The merit gained by honouring a Kaulika is ten million times that which is acquired by

giving away the world with all its gold (41). A Chandala versed in the knowledge of

Kaulika doctrine excels a Brahmana, and a Brahmana who is wanting in such knowledge

is beneath even a Chandala. (42).

I know of no Dharmma superior to that of the Kaulas, by adherence to which man

becomes possessed of Divine knowledge (43). I am telling Thee the truth, O Devi! Lay it

to the heart and ponder over it. There is no doctrine superior to the Kaulika doctrine, the

most excellent of all (44). This is the most excellent path kept hidden by reason of the

crowd of Pashus, but when the Kali Age advances this pathway will be revealed (45).

Verily and verily I say unto you that when the Kali Age reaches the fullness of its

strength there will be no Pashus, and all men on earth will be followers of the Kaulika

doctrine (46). O Vararohe! know that when Vedic and Puranic initiations cease then the

Kali Age has become strong (47). O Shive! 0 Peaceful One! when virtue and vice are no

longer judged by the Vedic rules, then know that the Kali Age has become strong (48).

O Sovereign Mistress of Kaula doctrine! when the Heavenly Stream is at some places

broken, and at others diverted from its course, then know that the Kali Age has become

strong (49). O Wise One! when kings of the Mlechchha race become excessively

covetous, then know that the Kali Age has become strong (50).

When women become difficult of control, heartless and quarrelsome, and calumniators of

their husbands, then know that the Kali Age has become strong (51). When men become

subject to women and slaves of lust, oppressors of their friends and Gurus, then know

that the Kali Age has become strong (52). When the fertility of the earth has gone and

yields a poor harvest, when the clouds yield scanty rain, and trees give meagre fruit, then

know that the Kali Age has become strong (53). When brothers, kinsmen, and

companions, prompted by the desire for some trifle, will strike one another, then know

that the Kali Age has become strong (54). When the open partaking of flesh and liquor

will pass without condemnation and punishment, when secret drinking will prevail, then

know that the Kali Age has become strong (55).

As in the Satya, Treta, and Dvapara Ages wine and the like could be taken, so they may

be taken in the Kali Age in accordance with the Kaulika Dharmma (56). The Kali Age

cannot harm those who are purified by truth, who have conquered their passions and

senses, who are open in their ways, without deceit, are compassionate and follow the

Kaula doctrine (57). The Kali Age cannot harm those who are devoted to the services of

their Guru, to the lotus of their mothers’ feet, and to their own wives (58). The Kali Age

cannot harm those who are vowed to and grounded in truth, adherents of the true

Dharmma, and faithful to the performance of Kaulika rites and duties (59). The Kali Age

cannot harm those who give to the truthful KaulikaYogi the elements of worship, which

have been previously purified by Kaulika rites (60).

The Kali Age cannot harm those who are free of malice, envy, arrogance, and hatred, and

who are firm in the faith of Kaulika dharmma (61). The Kali Age cannot harm those who

keep the company of Kaulikas, or live with Kaulika Sages, or serve the Kaulikas (62).

The Kali Age cannot harm those Kaulikas who, whatever they may appear outwardly to

be, yet remain firm in their Kaulika Dharmma, worshipping Thee according to its

doctrine (63). The Kali Age cannot harm those who perform their ablutions, charities,

penances, pilgrimages, devotions, and offerings of water according to the Kaulika ritual

(64).

The Kali Age cannot harm those who perform the ten purificatory ceremonies, such as

the blessing of the womb, obsequial ceremonies of their fathers, and other rites according

to Kaulika ritual (65). The Kali Age cannot harm those who respect the Kaula-tattva,

Kaula-dravya, and Kaula-yogi (66).

The Kali Age is but the slave of those who are free of all crookedness and falsehood, men

of candour, devoted to the good of others, who follow Kaulika ways (67). In spite of its

many blemishes, the Kali Age possesses one great merit, that from the mere intention of a

Kaulika of firm resolution desired result ensues (68). In the other Ages, O Devi! effort of

will produced both religious merit and demerit, but in the Kali Age men by intention

merely acquire merit only, and not demerit (68). The slaves of the Kali Age, on the other

hand, are those who know not Kulachara, and who are ever untruthful and the persecutors

of others (70). They too are the slaves of the Kali Age who have no faith in Kulacharas,

who lust after others’ wives, and hate them who are faithful to Kaulika doctrine (71).

In speaking of the customs of the different Ages, I have, O Gentle One! and out of love,

O Parvati! truly recounted to Thee the signs of the dominance of the Kali Age (72). When

the Kali Age is made manifest, piety is enfeebled and Truth alone remains; therefore

should one be truthful (73). O Thou Virtuous One! know this for certain, that whatsoever

man does with Truth that bears fruit (74). There is no Dharmma higher than Truth, there

is no sin greater than falsehood; therefore should man seek protection under Truth with

all his soul (75). Worship without Truth is useless, and so too without Truth is the Japa of

Mantras and the performance of Tapas. It is in such cases just as if one sowed seed in salt

earth (76).

Truth is the appearance of the Supreme Brahman; Truth is the most excellent of all

Tapas; every act is rooted in Truth. Than Truth there is nothing more excellent (77).

Therefore has it been said by Me that when the sinful Kali Age is dominant, Kaula ways

should be practised truthfully and without concealment (78). Truth is divorced from

concealment. There is no concealment without untruth. Therefore is it that the Kaulika-

sadhaka, should perform his Kaulika-sadhana openly (79). What I have said in other

Kaulika Tantras about the concealment of Kaulika-dharmma not being blameworthy is

not applicable when the Kali Age becomes strong (8o).

In the (First or) Satya. Age, O Devi! Virtue possessed the four quarters of its whole; in

the Treta Age it lost one-quarter of its Virtue; in the Dvapara Age there was of Virtue but

two quarters, and in the Kali Age it has but one (81). In spite of that Truth will remain

strong, though Tapas and Charity become weakened. If Truth goes Virtue goes also,

therefore of all acts Truth should be the abiding support (82). O Sovereign Mistress of the

Kaula-Dharmma! since men can in this Age have recourse to Kaulika Dharmma only, if

that doctrine be itself infected with untruth, how can there be liberation? (83). With his

soul purified in every way by Truth, man should, according to his caste and stage of life,

perform the following acts in the manner shown by Me (84): initiation, worship,

recitation of Mantras, the worship of Fire with ghee, repetition of Mantras, private

devotions, marriage, the conception ceremony, and that performed in the fourth, sixth, or

eighth months of pregnancy, the natal rite, the naming and tonsure ceremonies, and

obsequial rites upon cremation and after death. All such ceremonies should be performed

in the manner approved by the Agamas (85-86).

The ritual which I have ordained should be followed, too, as regards Shraddha at holy

places, dedication of a bull, the autumnal festival, on setting out on a journey, on the first

entry into a house, the wearing of new clothes or jewels, dedication of tanks, wells, or

lakes, in the ceremonies performed at the phases of the Moon, the building and

consecration of houses, the installation of Devas, and in all observances to be performed

during the day or at night, in each month, season, or year, and in observances both daily

or occasional, and also in deciding generally what ought and what ought not to be done,

and in determining what ought to be rejected and what ought to be adopted (87-90).

Should one not follow the ritual ordained, whether from ignorance, wickedness, or

irreverence, then one is disqualified for all observances, and becomes a worm in dung

(91). O Maheshi! if when the Kali Age has become very powerful any act be done in

violation of My precepts, then that which happens is the very contrary of that which is

desired (92). Initiation of which I have not approved destroys the life of the disciple, and

his act of worship is as fruitless as oblations poured on ashes, and the Deva whom he

worships becomes angry or hostile, and at every step he encounters danger (93). Ambika!

he who during the dominance of the Kali Age, knowing My ordinances, yet performs his

religious observances in other ways, is a great sinner (94). The man who performs any

Vrata, or marries according to other ways, will remain in a terrible Hell so long as the

Sun and Moon endure (95). By his performance of Vrata he incurs the sin of killing a

Brahmana, and similarly by being invested with the sacred thread he is degraded. He

merely wears the thread, and is lower than a Chandala (96), and so too the woman who is

married according to other ways than Mine is to be despised, and, 0 Sovereign Mistress

of the Kaulas! the man who so marries is her associate in wrong, and is day after day

guilty of the sin of going with a prostitute (97). From him the Devata will not accept

food, water, and other offerings, nor will the Pitris eat his offerings, considering them to

be as it were mere dung and pus (98). Their children are bastards, and disqualified for all

religious, ancestral, and Kaulika observances and rites (99). To an image dedicated by

rites other than those prescribed by Shambhu the Deva never comes. Benefit there is none

either in this or the next world. There is but mere waste of labour and money (100).

A Shraddha performed according to other rites than those prescribed by the Agamas is

fruitless, and he who performs it will go to Hell together with his Pitris (101). The water

offered by him is like blood, and the funeral cake like dung. Let the mortal then follow

with great care the precepts of Shankara (102). What is the need of saying more? Verily

and verily I say to You, O Devi! that all that is done in disregard of the precepts of

Shambhu is fruitless (103). For him who follows not His precepts there is no future merit.

That which has been already acquired is destroyed, and for him there is no escape from

Hell (104). O Great Ruler! the performance of daily and occasional duties in the manner

spoken of by Me is the same as worshipping Thee (105). Listen, O Devi! to the

particulars of the worship with its Mantras and Yantras, which is the medicine for the ills

of the Kali Age (106).

End of the Fourth Chapter, entitled “Introduction of the Worship of the Supreme

Prakriti.”

Chapter 5

The Formation of the Mantras, Placing of the

Jar, and Purification of the Elements of

Worship

SHRI SADASHIVA said:

Thou art the Adya Parama Shakti, Thou art all Power. It is by Thy power that We (the

Trinity) are powerful in the acts of creation, preservation, and destruction. Endless and of

varied colour and form are Thy appearances, and various are the strenuous efforts

whereby the worshippers may realize them. Who can describe them? (1-2). In the Kula

Tantras and Agamas I have, by the aid of but a small part of Thy mercies and with all My

powers, described the Sadhana and Archana of Thy appearances; yet nowhere else is this

very secret Sadhana revealed. It is by the grace of this (Sadhana), O Blessed One! that

Thy mercy in Me is so great (3-4). Questioned by Thee I am no longer able to conceal it.

For Thy pleasure, O Beloved! I shall speak of that which is dearer to Me than even life

itself (5). To all sufferings it brings relief. It wards off all dangers. It gives Thee pleasure,

and is the way by which Thou art most swiftly obtained (6). For men rendered wretched

by the taint of the Kali Age, short-lived and unfit for strenuous effort, this is the greatest

wealth (7). In this (sadhana) there is no need for a multiplicity of Nyasa, for fasting or

other practices of self-restraint. It is simple and pleasurable, yet yields great fruit to the

worshipper (8). Then first listen, O Devi! to the Mantroddhara of the Mantra, the mere

hearing of which liberates man from future births while yet living (9).

By placing “Pranesha” on “Taijasa,” and adding to it “Bherunda” and the Vindu, the first

Vija is formed. After this, proceed to the second (to). By placing “Sandhya” on “Rakta,”

and adding to it “Vama-netra” and Vindu, the second Mantra is formed. Now listen, O

Blessed One! to the formation of the third Mantra.

Prajapati is placed on Dipa, and to them is added Govinda and Vindu. It yields happiness

to the worshippers: After making these three Mantras add the word Parameshvari in the

vocative, and then the word for Vahni-kanta. Thus, O Blessed One! is the Mantra of ten

letters formed. This Vidya of the Supreme Devi contains in itself all Mantras (11-13).

The most excellent worshipper should for the attainment of wealth and all his desires

make Japa of each or all of the first three Vijas (14). By omitting the first three Devi the

Vidya of ten letters become one of seven. By prefixing the Vija of Kama, or the

Vagbhava, or the Tara, three Mantras of eight letters each are formed (15).

At the end of the Mantra of ten letters the word Kalika in the vocative should be uttered,

and then the first three Vija, followed by the name of the Wife of Vahni (16). This Vidya

is called Shodashi, and is concealed in all the Tantras. If it be prefixed by the Vija of

Vadhu or by the Pranava, two Mantras of seventeen letters each are formed (17).

O Beloved! there are tens of millions upon tens of millions, nay an hundred millions, nay

countless Mantras for Thy worship. I have here but shortly stated twelve of them (18).

Whatsoever Mantras are set forth in the various Tantras, they are all Thine, since Thou

art the Adya Prakriti (19). There is but one sadhana in the case of all these Mantras, and

of that I shall speak for Thy pleasure and the benefit of humanity (20).

Without Kulachara, O Devi! the Shakti-Mantra is powerless to give success, and

therefore the worshipper should worship the Shakti with Kulachara rites

O Adya! the five essential Elements in the worship of Shakti have been prescribed to be

Wine, Meat, Fish, parched Grain, and the Union of man with woman (22). The worship

of Shakti without these five elements is but the practice of evil magic. That Siddhi which

is the object of sadhana is never attained thereby, and obstacles are encountered at every

step (23). As seed sown on barren rocks does not germinate, so worship without these

five elements is fruitless (24).

Without the prior performance of the morning rites a man is not qualified to perform the

others. And therefore, O Devi! I shall first speak of those which are to be performed in

the morning (25). In the second half of the last quarter of the night the disciple should rise

from sleep. Having seated himself and shaken off drowsiness, let him meditate upon the

image of his Guru:

Dhyana

As two-eyed and two-armed, situate in the white lotus of the head (26); clad in white

raiment, engarlanded with white flowers, smeared with sandal paste. With one hand he

makes the sign which dispels fear, and with the other that which bestows blessings. He is

calm, and is the image of mercy. On his left his Shakti, holding in her hand a lotus,

embraces him. He is smiling and gracious, the bestower of the fulfilment of the desires of

his disciples (27-28).

O Kuleshvari! the disciple should, after having thus meditated upon his Teacher and

worshipped him with the articles of mental worship, make Japa with the excellent

Mantra, the Vagbhava-Vija. (29).

After doing Japa of the Mantra as best lies in his power, the wise disciple should, after

placing the Japa in the right palm of his excellent Guru, bow before him, saying

meanwhile the following (30):

Mantra

I bow to thee, O Sad-guru,

Thou who destroyeth the bonds which hold us to this world,

Thou who bestoweth the vision of Wisdom,

Together with worldly enjoyment and final liberation,

Dispeller of ignorance,

Revealer of the Kula-dharmma,

Image in human form of the Supreme Brahman (31-32).

The disciple, having thus made obeisance to his Guru, should meditate upon his Ishta-

devata, and worship Her as aforesaid, inwardly reciting the Mula-mantra meanwhile (33).

Having done this to the best of his powers, he should place the Japa in the left palm of the

Devi, and then make obeisance to his Ishta-devata with the following (34):

Mantra

To thee I bow Who art one with, and the Supporter of, the Universe,

I bow to Thee again and yet again, the Adya Kalika, both Creatrix and Destructress (35).

Having thus made obeisance to the Devi, he should leave his house, placing his left foot

first, and then make water, discharge his bowels, and cleanse his teeth (36). He then

should go towards some water, and make his ablutions in the manner prescribed (37).

First of all let him rinse his mouth, and then enter the water, and stand therein up to his

navel. He should then cleanse his body by a single immersal only, and then, standing up

and rubbing himself, rinse his mouth, saying the Mantra the while (38). That best of

worshippers, the Kula-Sadhaka, should then sip a little water and say:

Mantra

Atma-tattvaya Svaha

After that he should again sip water twice, followed in each case by the

Mantras

Vidya-tattvaya Svaha.

Shiva-tattvaya Svaha,

respectively. Lastly, he should rinse the upper lip twice (39).

Then, O Beloved! the wise disciple should draw on the water the Kula-yantra with the

Mantra in its centre, and do Japa over it with the Mula-mantra twelve times (40). Then

meditating on the Water as the Image of Fire, let him offer it thrice to the Sun in his

joined palms. Sprinkling it thrice over his head, let him close the seven openings therein

(41). Then for the pleasure of the Devi he should immerse himself thrice, leave the water,

dry his body, and put on two pieces of clean cloth.

Tying up his hair whilst reciting the Gayatri, he should mark on his forehead with pure

earth or ashes the tilaka and tri-pundra, with a Vindu over it (42). Let the worshipper then

perform both the Vaidika and Tantrika forms of Sandhya in their respective order. Listen

while I now describe to you the Tantrika Sandhya (4g).

After rinsing his mouth in the manner described, he should, O Blessed One! invoke into

the water the Waters of the holy Rivers thus (45):

Mantra

O Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Sarasvati, Narmmada,

Sindhu, Kaveri, come into this water (46).

The intelligent worshipper having invoked the sacred Rivers with this Mantra, and made

the angkusha-mudra, should do Japa with the Mula-mantra twelve times (47). Let him

then again utter the Mula-mantra, and with the middle and nameless fingers joined

together throw drops of that water thrice upon the ground (48).

He should then sprinkle his head seven times with the water, and taking some in the palm

of his left hand cover it up with his right (49). Then inwardly reciting the Vija of Ishana,

Vayu, Varuna, Vahni, and Indra four times, the water should be transferred to the right

palm (50). Seeing (in his mind’s eye) and meditating upon the water as Fire, the

worshipper should draw it through the nose by Ida, expel it through Pingala (into his

palm), and so wash away all inward impurity (51).

The worshipper should then three times dash the water (so expelled into his palm) against

an (imaginary) adamant. Uttering the Astra-Mantra, let him then wash his hands (52).

Then rinsing his mouth, oblation of water should be offered to the Sun with the following

(53):

Mantra

Ong Hring Hangsa

To Thee, O Sun, full of heat, shining, effulgent, I offer this oblation; Svaha (54).

Then let him meditate morning, midday, and evening upon the great Devi Gayatri, the

Supreme Devi, as manifested in her three different forms and according to the three

qualities (55).

Dhyana

In the morning meditate upon Her in Her Brahmi form, as a Maiden of ruddy hue, with a

pure smile, with two hands, holding a gourd full of holy water, garlanded with crystal

beads, clad in the skin of a black antelope, seated on a Swan (56). At midday meditate

upon Her in Her Vaishnavi form, of the colour of pure gold, youthful, with full and rising

breasts, situated in the Solar disc, with four hands holding the conch-shell, discus, mace,

and lotus, seated on Garuda, garlanded with wild-flowers (57-58). In the evening the Yati

should meditate upon Her as of a white colour, clad in white raiment, old and long past

her youth, with three eyes, beneficent, propitious, seated on a Bull, holding in Her lotus-

like hands a noose, a trident, a lance, and a skull (59-60).

Having thus meditated on the great Devi Gayatri, and offered water three times in the

hollow of his joined hands, the worshipper should make Japa with the Gayatri either ten

or a hundred times (61). Listen now, O Devi of the Devas! while I out of my love for

Thee recite the Gayatri (62).

After the word “Adyayai” say “vidmahe,” and then “Parameshvaryyai dhimahi: tannah

Kali prachodayat.” This is Thy Gayatri which destroys all great sins (63). The inward

recitation of this Vidya thrice daily obtains the fruit of the performance of Sandhya.

Water should then be offered to the Devas, Rishis, and the Pitris (64). First say the

Pranava, and then the name of the Deva (the Rishi or the Pitri) in the accusative case, and

after that the words “tarpayami namah.” When, however, oblation is offered to Shakti, the

Maya Vija should be said in place of the Pranava, and in lieu of Namah the Mantra Svaha

(65).

After uttering the Mula-mantra, say “Sarvva-bhuta-nivasinyai,” and then “Sarvva-

svarupa” and “Sayudha” in the dative singular, as also “Savarana” and “Paratpara,” and

then “Adyayai, Kalikayai, te, idam arghyam: Svaha” (66-67). (When the Mantra will be.)

Mantra

Hring, Shring, Kring, to the Supreme Devi. O Supreme Devi, Thou Who dwelleth in all

things and Whose image all things are, Who art surrounded by attendant deities, and Who

bearest arms, Who art above even the most high to Thee, Who art the Adya Kalika, I

offer this oblation: Svaha.

Having offered this arghya to the Mahadevi, the wise one should make Japa with the

Mula-mantra with all his powers, and then place the Japa in the left hand of the Devi

(68). Then let the Sadhaka bow to the Devi, take such water as is needed for his worship,

bowing to the water whence he has drawn it, and proceed to the place of worship,

earnestly meditating on and reciting hymns of praise to the Devi meanwhile. On his

arrival there let him wash his hands and feet, and then make in front of the door the

Samanyarghya (69-70). The wise one should draw a triangle, and outside it a circle, and

outside the circle a square, and after worshipping the Adhara-shakti place the vessel on

the figure (71).

Let him wash the vessel with the Weapon-Mantra, and while filling it with water let him

say the Heart-Mantra. Then, throwing flowers and perfume into the water, let him invoke

the holy Rivers into it (72). Worshipping Fire, Sun, and Moon in the water of the vessel,

let him say the Maya Vija over it (73). The Dhenu and Yoni Mudras should then be

shown. This is known as Samanyarghya. With the water and flowers of this oblation the

Devata of the entrance to the place of worship should be worshipped (74), such as

Ganesha, Kshetrapala, Vatuka, Yogini, Ganga, Yamuna, Lakshmi, and Vani (75). The

wise one, lightly touching that part of the door-frame which is on his left, should then

enter the place of worship with his left foot forward, meditating the while on the lotus-

feet of the Devi (76). Then, after worship of the presiding Deva of the site, and of

Brahma in the south-west corner, the place of worship should be cleansed with water

taken from the common offering (77). Let the best of worshippers then with a steady gaze

remove all celestial obstacles, and by the repetition of the Weapon-Mantra remove all

obstacles in the Anta-riksha (78).

Striking the ground three times with his heel, let him drive away all earthly obstacles, and

then fill the place of worship with the incense of burning sandal, fragrant aloe, musk, and

camphor. He should then mark off a rectangular space as his seat, draw a triangle within

it, and therein worship Kama-rupa with the

Mantra

To Kama-rupa, Namah: (79-80).

Then for his seat spreading a mat over it, let him worship the Adhara-Shakti with the

Mantra

Kling, Obeisance to the Adhara-Shakti of the lotus-seat (81).

The learned worshipper should then seat himself according to the “tied heroic” mode,

with his face towards the East or the North, and should consecrate the Vijaya (81). (With

the following)

Mantra

Ong Hring. Ambrosia, that springeth from ambrosia, Thou that showereth ambrosia, draw

ambrosia for me again and again. Bring Kalika within my control. Give siddhi; Svaha.

This is the Mantra for the consecration of Vijaya (83-84). Then inwardly reciting the

Mula-mantra seven times over the Vijaya, show the Dhenu, the Yoni, the Avahani, and

other Mudras (85).

Then satisfy the Guru who resides in the Lotus of a thousand petals by thrice offering the

Vijaya with the Sangketa-Mudra, and the Devi in the heart by thrice offering the Vijaya

with the same Mudra, and reciting the Mula-mantra (86). Then offer oblations to the

mouth of the Kundali, with the Vijaya reciting the following

Mantra

Aing (0 Devi Sarasvati), Thou Who art the Ruler of all the essences, do Thou inspire me,

do Thou inspire me, and remain ever on the tip of my tongue; Svaha (87).

After drinking the Vijaya he should bow to the Guru, placing his folded palms over the

left ear, then to Ganesha, placing his folded palms over his right ear, and lastly to the

Eternal Adya Devi, by placing his folded palms in the middle of his forehead, and should

the meanwhile meditate on the Devi. (88).

The wise worshipper should place the articles necessary for worship on his right, and

scented water and other Kula articles on his left (89). Saying the Mula-mantra terminated

by the Weapon-Mantra, let him take water from the common offering and sprinkle the

articles of worship with it, and then enclose himself and the articles in a circle of water.

After that, O Devi! let him by the Vahni Vija surround them with a wall of fire (90). Then

for the purification of the palms of his hands he should take up a flower which has been

dipped in sandal paste, rub it between the palms, reciting meanwhile the Mantra Phat, and

throw it away (91).

Then in the following manner let him fence all the quarters so that no obstructions

proceed from them. Join the first and second fingers of the right hand, and tap the palm of

the left hand three times, each time after the first with greater force, thus making a loud

sound, and then snap the fingers while uttering the weapon-Mantra (92). He should then

proceed to perform the purification of the elements of his body. The excellent disciple

should place his hands in his lap with the palms upwards, and fixing his mind on the

Muladhara Chakra let him rouse Kundalini by uttering the Vija “Hung.” Having so

roused Her, let him lead Her with Prithivi by means of the Hangsa Mantra to the

Svadhishthana Chakra, and let him there dissolve each one of the elements of the body by

means of another of such elements (93-94). Then let him dissolve Prithivi together with

odour, as also the organ of smell, into water. Dissolve water and taste, as also the sense of

taste itself, into Fire (95). Dissolve Fire and vision and form, and the sense of sight itself,

into air (96).

Let air and touch, as also the sense of touch itself, be dissolved into ether. Dissolve ether

and sound into the conscious Self and the Self into Mahat, Mahat itself into Prakriti, and

Prakriti Herself into Brahman (97). Let the wise one, having thus dissolved (the twenty-

four) tattvas, then think of an angry black man in the left side of the cavity of his

abdomen of the size of his thumb with red beard and eyes, holding a sword and shield,

with his head ever held low, the very image of all sins (98-99).

Then the foremost of disciples should, thinking of the purple Vayu Vija as on his left

nostril, inhale through that nostril sixteen times. By this let him dry the sinful body (100).

Next, meditating on the red Vija of Agni as being situate in the navel, the body with all

its sinful inclinations should be burnt up by the fire born of the Vija, as also by sixty-four

Kumbhakas (101). Then, thinking of the white Varuna Vija in his forehead, let him bathe

(the body which has been so burnt) with the nectar-like water dropping from the Varuna

Vija by thirty-two exhalations (102).

Having thus bathed the whole body from feet to head, let him consider that a Deva body

has come into being (103). Then, thinking of the yellow Vija of the Earth as situate in the

Muladhara circle, let him strengthen his body by that Vija and by a steadfast and winkless

gaze (104). Placing his hand on his heart and uttering the

Mantra

Ang, Hring, Krong, Hangsah, So’hang.

let him infuse into his body the life of the Devi (105).

O Ambika! having thus purified the elements (the disciple) with a mind well under

control, and intent upon the nature of the Devi, should do Matrika-nyasa. The Rishi of

Matrika is Brahma, and the verse is Gayatri, and Matrika is presiding Devi thereof; the

consonants are its Seed, and the vowels its Shaktis, and Visarga is the End. In Lipi-nyasa,

O Mahadevi! each letter should be separately pronounced as it is placed in the different

parts of the body. Having similarly performed Rishi-nyasa, Kara-nyasa and Ang-ga-nyasa

should be performed (106-108).

O Beauteous Face! the Mantras enjoined for Shad-ang-ga-nyasa are Ka-varga between

Ang and Āng, Cha-varga between Ĭng and Īng, Ta-varga between Ŭng and Ūng, Ta-varga

between Eng and Aing, and Pa-varga between Ong and Aung, and the letters from Ya to

Ksha between Vindu and Visarga respectively (109-110), and having placed the letters

according to the rules of Nyasa, the Sadhaka should then meditate upon Sarasvati:

Dhyana

I seek refuge in the Devi of Speech, three-eyed, encircled with a white halo, whose face,

hands, feet, middle body, and breast are composed of the fifty letters of the alphabet, on

whose radiant forehead is the crescent moon, whose breasts are high and rounded, and

who with one of her lotus hands makes Jnana-mudra, and with the other holds the rosary

of Rudraksha beads, the jar of nectar, and learning (112).

Having thus meditated upon the Devi Matrika, place the letters in the six Chakras as

follows: Ha and Kska in the Ajna Lotus, the sixteen vowels in the Vishuddha Lotus, the

letters from Ka to Tha in the Anahata Lotus, the letters from Da to Pha in Manipura

Lotus, the letters from Ba to La in the Svadhishthana Lotus, and in the Muladhara Lotus

the letters Va to Sa. And having thus in his mind placed these letters of the alphabet, let

the worshipper place them outwardly (113-115). Having placed them on the forehead, the

face, eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, upper lip, teeth, head, hollow of the mouth, back, the hump

of the back, navel, belly, heart, shoulders, (four) joints in the arms, end of the arms, heart,

(four) joints of the legs, ends of legs, and on all parts from the heart to the two arms, from

the heart to the two legs, from the heart to the mouth, and from the heart to the different

parts as above indicated, Pranayama should be performed (116-118). Draw in the air by

the left nostril whilst muttering the Maya Vija sixteen times, then fill up the body by

Kumbhaka by stopping the passage of both the nostrils with the little, third finger, and

thumb whilst making japa of the Vija sixty-four times, and, lastly, exhale the air through

the right nostril whilst making japa of the Vija thirty-two times (119-120). The doing of

this thrice through the right and left nostrils alternately is Pranayama.

After this has been done, Rishi-nyasa should be performed (121). The Revealers of the

Mantra are Brahma and the Brahmarshis, the metre is of the Gayatri and other forms, and

its presiding Devata is the Adya Kali (122). The Vija is the Vija of the Adya, its Shakti is

the Maya Vija, and that which comes at the end is the Kamala Vija (123). Then the

Mantra should be assigned to the head, mouth, heart, anus, the two feet, and all the parts

of the body (123). The passing of the two hands three or seven times over the whole body

from the feet to the head, and from the head to the feet, making japa meanwhile of the

Mula-mantra, is called Vyapaka-nyasa, which yields the declared result (124).

O Beloved! by adding in succession the six long vowels to the first Vija of the Mula-

mantra, six Vidya are formed. The wise worshipper should in Angga-kalpana utter in

succession these or the Mula-mantra alone (125), and then say “to the two thumbs,” “to

the two index fingers,” “to the two middle fingers,” “to the two ring fingers,” “to the two

little fingers,” “to the front and back of the two palms,” concluding with Namah, Svaha,

Vashat, Hung, Vaushat, and Phat in their order respectively (126).

When touching the heart say “Namah,” when touching the head “Svaha,” and when

touching the crown lock thereon “Vashat.” Similarly, when touching the two upper

portions of the arms, the three eyes and the two palms, utter the Mantras Hung and

Vaushat and Phat respectively. In this manner nyasa of the six parts of the body should be

practised, and then the Vira should proceed to Pithanyasa (127-128). Then let the Vira

place in the lotus of the heart, the Adhara-shakti, the tortoise, Shesha serpent, Prithivi, the

ocean of ambrosia, the Gem Island, the Parijata tree, the chamber of gems which fulfil all

desires, the jewelled altar, and the lotus seat (129-130). Then he should place on the right

shoulder, the left shoulder, the right hip, the left hip, respectively and in their order,

Dharmma, Jnana, Aishvaryya, and Vairagya (131), and the excellent worshipper should

place the negatives of these qualities on the mouth, the left side, the navel, and the right

side respectively (132). Next let him place in the heart Ananda Kanda, Sun, Moon, Fire,

the three qualities, adding to the first of their letters the sign Vindu, and the filaments and

pericarp of the Lotus, and let him place in the petals of the lotus the eight Pitha Nayikas –

Mangala, Vijaya, Bhadra, Jayanti, Aparajita, Nandini, Narasinghi, Vaishnavi, and in the

tips of the petals of the lotus the eight Bhairavas – Asitanga, Chanda, Kapali, Krodha,

Bhishana, Unmatta, Ruru, Sanghari (133-135).

Then the worshipper should, after forming his hands into the Kachchhapa Mudra, take

two fragrant flowers, and, placing his hands on his heart, let him meditate upon the ever-

existent Devi (136). The nature of meditation upon Thee, O Devi! is of two kinds,

according as Thou art imagined formless or with a form. As formless Thou art ineffable

and incomprehensible, imperceptible. Of Thee it cannot be said that Thou art either this

or that, Thou art omnipresent, unobtainable, attainable only by Yogis through penances

and acts of self-restraint (137-138). I will now speak of meditation upon Thee in

corporeal form in order that the mind may learn concentration, that desires be speedily

achieved, and that the power to meditate according to the subtle form may be aroused

(139).

The form of the greatly lustrous Kalika, Mother of Kala Who devours all things, is

imagined according to Her qualities and actions (140).

Dhyana

I adore the Adya Kalika Whose body is of the hue of the (dark) rain-cloud, upon Whose

forehead the Moon gleams, the three-eyed One, clad in crimson raiment, Whose two

hands are raised – the one to dispel fear, and the other to bestow blessing – Who is seated

on a red lotus in full bloom, Her beautiful face radiant, watching Maha-Kala, Who, drunk

with the delicious wine of the Madhuka flower, is dancing before Her (141).

After having meditated upon the Devi in this form, and placed a flower on his head, let

the devotee with all devotion worship Her with the articles of mental worship (142). Let

him offer the lotus of the heart for Her seat, the ambrosia trickling from the lotus of a

thousand petals for the washing of Her feet, and his mind as arghya (143). Then let him

offer the same ambrosia as water for rinsing of Her mouth and bathing of Her body, let

him offer the essence of the ether to be raiment of the Devi, the essence of scent to be the

perfumes, his own heart and vital air the essence of fire, and the ocean of nectar to be

respectively the flowers, incense, light, and food offerings (of worship).

Let him offer the sound in the Anahata Chakra for the ringing of the bell, the essence of

the air for the fan and fly-whisk, and the functions of the senses and the restlessness of

the mind for the dance before the Devi (144-146). Let various kinds of flowers be offered

for the attainment of the object of one’s desire: amaya, anahangkara, araga, amada,

amoha, adambha, advesha, akshobha, amatsaryya, alobha, and thereafter the five flowers

– namely, the most excellent flowers, ahingsa, indriya-nigraha, daya, kshama, and jnana.

With these fifteen flowers, fifteen qualities of disposition, he should worship the Devi

(147-149).

Then let him offer (to the Devi) the ocean of ambrosia, a mountain of meat and fried fish,

a heap of parched food, grain cooked in milk with sugar and ghee, the Kula nectar, the

Kula flower, and the water which has been used for the washing of the Shakti. Then,

having sacrificed all lust and anger, the cause of all impediments, let him do japa (150-

151).

The mala (rosary) prescribed consists of the letters of the alphabet, strung on Kundalini

as the thread (152). After reciting the letters of the alphabet from A to La, with the Vindu

superposed upon each, the Mula-mantra should be recited. This is known as Anuloma.

Again, beginning with La and ending with A, let the sadhaka make japa of the Mantra.

This is known as Viloma and Ksha-kara is called the Meru (153-154).

The last letters of the eight groups should be added to the Mula-mantra, and having made

japa of this Mantra of one hundred and eight letters the japa should be offered (to the

Devi) with the following (155):

Mantra

O Adya Kali, Who abidest in the innermost soul of all, Who art the innermost light, O

Mother! accept this japa of my heart. I bow to Thee (156).

Having finished the japa, he should mentally prostrate himself, touching the ground with

the eight parts of his body. Having concluded the mental worship, let him commence the

outer worship (157).

I am now speaking of the consecration of the Vishesh-arghya, by the mere placing

whereof the Devata is exceedingly pleased. Do Thou listen (158). At the mere sight of the

cup of this offering the Yoginis, Bhairavas, Brahma, and other Devatas dance for joy and

grant siddhi (159). The disciple should on the ground in front of him and on his left draw

with water taken from the Samanyarghya a triangle, with the Maya Vija in its centre,

outside the triangle a circle, and outside the circle a square, and let him there worship the

Shakti of the Adhara with the

Mantra

Hring!

Obeisance to the Shakti of the Adhara (160-161).

He should then wash the Adhara, and place it on the Mandala, and worship the region of

Fire with the

Mantra

Mang!

Obeisance to the circle of Fire possessed of ten sections.

And having washed the arghya vessel with the Mantra Phat, the worshipper should place

it on the Adhara with the Mantra Namah (162-163). He should then worship the cup with

the

Mantra

Ang!

Obeisance to the circle of Sun who has twelve divisions;

and fill the vessel (in which the offering is made) whilst repeating the Mula-mantra three

parts with wine and one part with water, and having placed scent and flower in it, he

should there worship, O Mother! with the Mantra following (164-165):

Mantra

Ung!

Obeisance to the Moon with its sixteen digits (166).

He should then place in front of the special offering, on bael leaves dipped in red sandal

paste, durva grass, flowers, and sun-dried rice (167).

Having invoked the holy waters (of the sacred Rivers into the arghya) by the Mula-

mantra and Angkusha-mudra, the Sadhaka should meditate upon the Devi, and worship

Her with incense and flowers, making japa of the Mula-mantra twelve times (168). After

this let him display over the arghya the Dhenu Mudra and the Yoni Mudra, incense sticks

and a light. The worshipper should then pour a little water from the arghya into the vessel

kept for that purpose, and sprinkle himself and the offering therewith. The vessel

containing the offering must not, however, be moved until the worship is concluded (169-

170). O Thou of pure Smiles! I have now spoken of the consecration of the special

offering. I will now pass to the principal Yantra which grants the aims of all human

existence (171).

Draw a triangle with the Maya Vija within it, and around it two concentric circles (the

one outside the other). In the space between the two circumferences of the circles draw in

pairs the sixteen filaments, and outside these the eight petals of the lotus, and outside

them the Bhu-pura, which should be made of straight lines with four entrances, and be of

pleasing appearance (172-173). In order to cause pleasure to the Devata the disciple

should (reciting the Mula-mantra the meanwhile) draw the Yantra either with a gold

needle, or with the thorn of a bael tree on a piece of gold, silver, or copper, which has

been smeared with either the Svayambhu, Kunda, or Gola flowers, or with sandal,

fragrant aloe, kungkuma, or with red sandal paste. A clever carver may also carve the

Yantra on crystal, coral, or lapis lazuli (174-176).

After it has been consecrated by auspicious rites, it should be kept inside the house; and

on this being done all wicked ghosts, all apprehensions from (adverse) planets, and

diseases are destroyed; and by the grace of this Yantra the worshipper’s house becomes

of pleasing aspect. With his children and grandchildren, and with happiness and

dominion, he becomes a bestower of gifts and charities, a protector of his dependents,

and his fame goes abroad (177-178). After having drawn the Yantra and placed it on a

jewelled altar in front of the worshipper, and having worshipped the Devata of the Pitha

according to the rules of Pitha-nyasa, the principal Devi should be adored in the pericarp

of the Lotus (179).

I will now speak of the placing of the jar and the formation of the circle of worship by the

mere institution of which the Devata is well pleased, the Mantra becomes fruitful, and the

wishes of the worshipper are accomplished (180). The jar is called kalasa, because

Vishva-karma made it from the different parts of each of the Devatas (181).

It should be thirty-six fingers breadth (in circumference) in its widest part, and sixteen in

height. The neck should be four fingers breadth, the mouth six fingers, and the bottom

five fingers breadth. This is the rule for the design of the kalasha (182). It should be made

either of gold, silver, copper, bell-metal, mud, stone, or glass, and without hole or crack.

In its making all miserliness should be avoided, since it is fashioned for the pleasure of

the Devas (183). A kalasha of gold, one of silver, one of copper, and one of bell-metal

give enjoyment, emancipation, pleasure of mind, and nourishment respectively to the

worshipper. One of crystal is good for the attainment of Vashikarana, and one of stone

for the attainment of Stambhana. A kalasha made of mud is good for all purposes.

Whatever it is made of it should be clean and of pleasing design (184).

On his left side the worshipper should draw a hexagon with a point in its centre, around it

a circle, and outside the circle a square (185). These figures should be drawn either with

vermilion or Rajas (Kula-pushpa), or red sandal paste; the Devata of the support should

then be worshipped thereon (186). The Mantra for the worship of the Shakti or Devi of

the support is –

Mantra

Hring,

salutation to the Shakti of the support (187).

The support for the jar should be washed with the Mantra namah, and placed on the

Mandala, and the jar itself with the Mantra Phat, and then placed on the support (188).

Let the disciple then fill the kalasha with wine, uttering meanwhile the Mula-mantra and

the Matrika Varnas, with Vindu in Viloma order (189). The wise one who is then himself

possessed of the disposition of the Devi should worship the region of Fire, Sun, and

Moon in the support in the jar and in the wine in the manner already described (190).

After decorating the jar with vermilion, red sandal paste, and a garland of crimson

flowers, the worshipper should perform Panchikarana (191).

Strike the wine-jar with a wisp of kusha grass, saying Phat; then, whilst uttering the Vija

Hung, veil it by the Avagunthana Mudra, next utter the Vaja Hring, and look with

unwinking eye upon the jar, then sprinkle the jar with the Mantra Namah. Lastly, whilst

reciting the Mula-mantra, smell the jar three times. this is the Panchikarama ceremony

(192).

Making obeisance to the jar, purify the wine therein by throwing red flowers into it, and

say the following (193):

Mantra

Ong, O Devi Sudhe! by the Supreme Brahman, Who is One without a second: and who is

always both gross and subtle, destroy the sin of slaying a Brahmana which attached to

thee (the wine) by the death of Kacha (194). O Thou Who hast Thy abode in the region of

the Sun, and Thy origin in the dwelling-place of the Lord of Ocean (in the churning of

which thou, O Nectar! wast produced), thou who art one with the Ama Vija, mayest Thou

be freed from the curse of Shukra (195). O Devi! as the Pranava of the Vedas is one with

the bliss of Brahman, may by that truth be destroyed Thy sin of slaying a Brahmana.

Mantra

Hring: the Supreme Hangsa dwells in the brilliant Heaven, as Vasu It moves throughout

the space between Heaven and Earth. It dwells on earth in the form of the Vedic Fire, and

in the Sacrificer, and is honoured in the Guest. It is in the household Fire and in the

consciousness of man, and dwells in the honoured region. It resides in Truth and in the

Ether.

It is born in water, in the rays of light in Truth and in the Eastern Hill where the Sun rises.

Such is the great Aditya, the Truth, Which cannot be bound or concealed, the Great

Consciousness Who dwelleth everywhere – Brahman (196-197).

Exchange the vowel of the Varuna Vija for each of the long vowels, then say “Salutation

to the Devi of Ambrosia, who is relieved of the curse of Brahma.” By the repetition of the

entire Mantra seven times, the curse of Brahma is removed (198). Substituting in their

order the six long vowels in place of the letter o in Angkusha, and adding thereto the Shri

and Maya Vijas, say the following:

Mantra

“Remove the curse of Krishna in the wine: pour nectar again and again: Svaha” (199).

Having thus removed the curse of Shukra, of Brahma and of Krishna, the worshipper

should with mind controlled worship Ananda-Bhairava and Ananda-Bhairavi (200). The

Mantra of the former is:

Mantra

“Ha-Sa-Ksha-Ma-La-Va-Ra-Yung:

Salutation to Ananda-Bhairava: Vashat” (201);

and in the worship of the Ananda-Bhairavi the Mantra is the same, except that its face is

reversed, and in place of its Ear the left Eye should be placed, and then should be said:

Mantra

“Sa-Ha-Ksha-Ma-La-Va-Ra-Ying:

Salutation to the Wine Devi: Vaushat” (202).

Then, meditating upon the union of the Deva and Devi in the wine, and thinking that the

same is filled with the ambrosia of such union, japa should be made over it of the Mula-

mantra twelve times (203). Then, considering the wine to be the Devata, handfuls of

flowers should be offered with japa of the Mula-Mantra. Lights and incense-sticks should

be waved before it to the accompaniment of the ringing of a bell (204). Wine should be

always thus purified in all ceremonies, whether puja of the Devata, Vrata, Homa,

marriage, or other festivals (205).

The disciple, after placing the meat on the triangular Mandala in front of him, should

sprinkle it with the Mantra Phat, and then charge it thrice with the Vijas of Air and Fire

(206). Let him then cover it up with the Gesture of the Veil, uttering the Kavacha-Mantra,

and protect it with the Weapon-Mantra Phat. Then, uttering the Vija of Varuna, and

displaying the Dhenu-Mudra, make the meat like unto nectar with the following (207):

Mantra

May that Devi whose abode is in the breast of Vishnu and in the breast of Shankara

purify this my meat, and give me a resting-place at the excellent foot of Vishnu (208).

In a similar manner, placing the fish and sanctifying it with the Mantras already

prescribed, let the wise one say the following Mantra over it (208):

Mantra

“We worship the Father of the Three; He Who causes nourishment, He Who is sweet-

scented. As the fruit of the Urvaruka is detached of itself from the stalk on which it

grows, so may He free us whilst living from the bond of Karmma, until we are finally

liberated, and made one with the Supreme” (210).

Then, O Beloved! the disciple should take and purify the parched grain with the

following:

Mantras

Ong! As the Eye of Heaven is plainly visible to those of the common man, so do the

Wise have constant vision of the Excellent Foot of Vishnu (211). The Intelligent and

Prayerful, whose mind is awake and controlled, see the most excellent Foot of Vishnu

(212).

Or all the Tattvas may be consecrated by the Mula-Mantra itself. To him who has belief

in the root, of what use are the branches and leaves? (213).

I say that anything which is sanctified by the Mula-Mantra alone is acceptable for the

pleasure of the Devata (214). If the time be short, or if the disciple be pressed for time,

everything should be sanctified with the Mula-Mantra, and offered to the Devi (215).

Truly, truly, and again truly, the ordinance of Shankara is that if the Tattvas be so offered,

there is no sin or shortcoming (216).

End of Fifth Joyful Message, entitled “The Formation of the Mantras, Placing of the Jar,

and Purification of the Elements of Worship.”

Chapter 6

Placing of the Shri-patra, Homa, Formation

of the Chakra, and other Rites

SHRI DEVI said:

As Thou hast kindness for Me, pray tell Me, O Lord! more particularly about the Pancha-

tattvas and the other observances of which Thou hast spoken (1).

Shri Sadashiva said:

There are three kinds of wine which are excellent – namely, that which is made from

molasses, rice, or the Madhuka flower. There are also various other kinds made from the

juice of the palmyra and date tree, and known by various names according to their

substance and place of production. They are all declared to be equally appropriate in the

worship of the Devata (2).

Howsoever it may have been produced, and by whomsoever it is brought, the wine, when

purified, gives to the worshipper all siddhi. There are no distinctions of caste in the taking

of wine so sanctified (3). Meat, again, is of three kinds, that of animals of the waters, of

the earth, and of the sky. From wheresoever it may be brought, and by whomsoever it

may have been killed, it gives, without doubt, pleasure to the Devas (4). Let the desire of

the disciple determine what should be offered to the Devas. Whatsoever he himself likes,

the offering of that conduces to his well-being (5). Only male animals should be

decapitated in sacrifice. It is the command of Shambhu that female animals should not be

slain (6). There are three superior kinds of Fish – namely, Shala, Pathina and Rohita.

Those which are without bones are of middle quality, whilst those which are full of bones

are of inferior quality. The latter may, however, if well fried, be offered to the Devi (7-8).

There are also three kinds of parched food, superior, middle, and inferior. The excellent

and pleasing kind is that made from Shali rice, white as a moonbeam, or from barley or

wheat, and which has been fried in clarified butter. The middling variety is made of fried

paddy. Other kinds of fried grain are inferior (9-10). Meat, fish, and parched food, fruits

and roots, or anything else offered to the Devata along with wine, are called Shuddhi

(11). O Devi! the offering of wine without Shuddhi, as also puja and tarpana (without

Shuddhi), become fruitless, and the Devata is not propitiated (12). The drinking of wine

without Shuddhi is like the swallowing of poison. The disciple is ever ailing, and lives for

a short time and dies (13). O Great Devi! when the weakness of the Kali Age becomes

great, one’s own Shakti or wife should alone be known as the fifth Tattva. This is devoid

of all defects (14). O Beloved of My Life! in this (the last Tattva) I have spoken of

Svayambhu and other kinds of flower. As substitutes for them, however, I enjoin red

sandal paste (15). Neither the Tattvas nor flowers, leaves, and fruits should be offered to

the Mahadevi unless purified. The man who offers them without purification goes to hell

(16).

The Shri-patra should be placed in the company of one’s own virtuous Shakti; she should

be sprinkled with the purified wine or water from the common offering (17). The Mantra

for the sprinkling of the Shakti is –

Mantra

Aing, Kling, Sauh. Salutation to Tripura; purify this Shakti, make her my Shakti; Svaha

(18-19).

If she who is to be Shakti is not already initiated, then the Maya Vija should be whispered

into her ear, and other Shaktis who are present should be worshipped and not enjoyed

(20).

The worshipper should then, in the space between himself and the Yantra, draw a triangle

with the Maya Vija in its centre, and outside the triangle and in the order here stated a

circle, a hexagon, and a square (21). The excellent disciple should then worship in the

four corners of the square the Pithas, Purna-shaila, Uddiyana, Jalandhara, and Kama-

rupa, with the Mantras formed of their respective names, preceded by Vijas formed by

the first letter of their respective names, and followed by Namah (22).

Then the six parts of the body should be worshipped in the six corners of the hexagon.

Then worship the triangle, with the Mula-Mantra, and then the Shakti of the receptacle

with the Maya Vija and Namah (23). Wash the receptacle with the Mantra Namah, and

then place it (as in the case of the jar) on the Mandala, and worship in it the ten parts of

Vahni with the first letters of their respective names as Vijas (24). These parts, which are

ten in number – viz., Dhumra, Archih, Jvalini, Sukshma, Jvalini, Vishphulingini, Sushri,

Surupa, Kapila,Havya-kavya-vaha – should be uttered in the Dative singular, and

followed by the Mantra Namah (25-26).

Then worship the region of Vahni (in the adhara or receptacle) with the following:

Mantra

Mang: Salutation to the region of Vahni with his ten qualities (27).

Then, taking the vessel of offering and purifying it with the Mantra Phat, place it on the

receptacle, and, having so placed it, worship therein the twelve parts of the Sun with the

Vijas, commencing with Ka-Bha to Tha-Da (28). These twelve parts are – Tapini, Tapini,

Dhumra, Marichi, Jvalini, Ruchi, Sudhumra, Bhoga-da, Vishva, Bodhini, Dharini,

Kshama (29). After this, worship the region of Sun in the vessel of offering with the

following:

Mantra

Ang: Salutation to the circle of Sun, with His twelve parts (30).

Then the worshipper should fill the cup of offering three-quarters full with wine taken

from the jar, uttering the Matrika Vijas in the reverse order (31). Filling the rest of the

cup with water taken from the special offering, let him worship with a well-controlled

mind the sixteen digits of the Moon, saying as Vijas each of the sixteen vowels before

each of the sixteen digits spoken in the dative singular, followed by the Mantra Namah

(32).

The sixteen desire-granting digits of Moon are – Amrita, Pranada, Pusha, Tushti, Pushti,

Rati, Dhriti, Shashini, Chandrika, Kanti, Jyotsna, Skri, Priti, Angada, Purna, and

Purnamrita (33). As in the case of the other Devas mentioned, the disciple should then

worship the region of the Moon with the following:

Mantra

Ung: Salutation to the region of Moon with its sixteen digits (34).

Durva grass, sun-dried rice, red flowers, Varvara, leaf, and the Aparajita flower should be

thrown into the vessel with the Mantra Hring, and the sacred waters should be invoked

into it (35). Then, covering the wine and the vessel of offering with the Avagunthana

Mudra, and uttering the Armour Vija, protect it with the Weapon-Vija, and converting it

into ambrosia with the Dhenu-Mudra, cover it with the Matsya-Mudra (36). Making japa

of the Mula-Mantra ten times, the Ishta-devata should be invoked and worshipped with

flowers offered in the joined palms.

Then charge the wine with the following five Mantras, beginning with akhanda: (37)

Mantras

O Kula-rupini! infuse into the essence of this excellent wine which produces full and

unbroken bliss its thrill of joy (38).

Thou who art like the nectar which is in Ananga, and art the embodiment of Pure

Knowledge, place into this liquid the ambrosia of Brahmananda (39).

O Thou, who art the very image of That! do Thou unite this arghya with the image or self

of That, and having become the kulamrita, blossom in me (40).

Bring into this sacred vessel, which is full of wine, essence of ambrosia produced from

the essence of all that is in this world, and containing all kinds of taste (41).

May this cup of self, which is filled with the nectar of self, Lord, be sacrificed in the Fire

of the Supreme Self (42).

Having thus consecrated the wine with the Mantra, think of the union in it of Sadashiva

and Bhagavati and wave lights and burning incense-sticks before it (43).

This is the consecration of the Shri-patra in Kaulika worship. Without such purification

the disciple is guilty of sin, and the worship is fruitless (44). The wise one should then,

according to the rules prescribed for the placing of the common offering, place between

the jar and the Shri-patra the cups of the Guru, the cup of Enjoyment, the cup of the

Shakti, the cups of the Yoginis of the Vira and of Sacrifice, and those for the washing of

the feet and the rinsing of the mouth respectively, making nine cups in all (45-46).

Then, filling the cups three-quarters full of wine from the jar, a morsel of Shuddhi of the

size of a pea should be placed in each of them (47). Then, holding the cup between the

thumb and the fourth finger of the left hand, taking the morsel of Shuddhi in the right

hand, making the Tattva-mudra, Tarpana should be done. This is the practice which has

been enjoined (48). Taking an excellent drop of wine from the Shripatra and a piece of

Shuddhi, Tarpana should be made to the Deva Ananda-Bhairava and the Devi Ananda-

Bhairavi (49).

Then, with the wine in the cup of the Guru, offer oblations to the line of Gurus. in the

first place to the worshipper’s own Guru seated together with his wife on the lotus of a

thousand petals, and then to the Parama Guru, the Parapara Guru, the Parameshti Guru

successively. In offering oblations to the four Gurus, the Vagbhava Vija should first be

pronounced, followed in each case by the names of each of the four Gurus (50). Then,

with wine from the cup of enjoyment, the worshipper should, in the lotus of his heart,

offer oblations to the Adya-Kali. In this oblation Her own Vija should precede, and Svaha

should follow Her name. This should be done thrice (51).

Next, with wine taken from the cup of the Shakti, oblation should be similarly offered to

the Devata of the parts of Her body and their Avarana-Devatas (52). Then, with the wine

in the cup of the Yogini, oblation should be offered to the Adya-Kalika, carrying all Her

weapons and with all Her followers.

Then should follow the sacrifice to the Vatukas (53). The wise worshipper should draw

on his left an ordinary rectangular figure, and after worshipping it, place therein food

with wine, meat, and other things (54). With the Vijas of Vak, Maya, Kamala, and with

the Mantra:

“Vang, Salutation to Vatuka,” he should be worshipped in the East of the rectangle, and

then sacrifice should be offered to him (55).

Then, with the

Mantra

“Yang to the Yogin is Svaha,”

sacrifice should be made to the Yoginis on the South (56), and then to Kshetra-pala on

the West of the rectangle, with the

Mantra

“To Kshetra-pala namah,”

preceded by the letter Ksha, to which in succession the six long vowels are added with

the Vindu (57). Following this, sacrifice should be made to Gana-pati on the North,

adding to Ga the six long vowels in succession with the Vindu thereon, followed by the

name of Ganesha in the dative singular, and ending with Svaha. Lastly, sacrifice should

be made inside the rectangle to all Bhutas, according to proper form (58-59).

Uttering “Hring, Shring, Sarvva-vighna-kridbhyah,” add “Sarvva-bhutebhyah,” and then

“Hung Phat Svaha;” this is how the Mantra is formed (60). Then a sacrifice to Shiva

should be made with the following:

Mantra

Ong, O Dev! O Shiva, O Exalted One, Thou art the image of the final conflagration at the

dissolution of things, deign to accept this sacrifice, and to reveal clearly to me the good

and evil which is my destiny. To Shiva I bow.

This is the Mula-Mantra in the worship of Shiva.

Having said this, perform the sacrifice, saying, “This is Thy Vali. To Shiva, Namah. O

Holy One! I have now described to Thee the mode of formation of the circle of worship

(and the placing of the cup and other rites) (61-62). Then, making with the two hands the

Kachchhapa-Mudra, let the worshipper take up with his hands a beautiful fiower scented

with sandal, fragrant aloes, and musk, and, carrying it to the lotus of his heart, let him

meditate therein (in the lotus) upon the most supreme Adya (63-64).

Then let him lead the Devi along the Sushumna Nadi, which is the highway of Brahman

to the great Lotus of a thousand petals, and there make Her joyful. Then, bringing Her

through his nostrils, let him place Her on the flower (her presence being communicated)

as it were, by one light to another, and place the flower on the Yantra and with folded

hands pray with all devotion to his Ishta-devata thus (65-66):

Mantra

O Queen of the Devas! Thou who art easily attained by devotion. Remain here, I pray

Thee, with all Thy following, the while I worship Thee (67).

Then, uttering the Vija Kring, say the following:

Mantra

O Adya Devi Kalika! come here with all Thy following, come here (and then say), stay

here, stay here (68); (and then say) place Thyself here, (and then say) be Thou detained

here. Accept my worship (69).

Having thus invoked (the Devi) into the Yantra, the Vital Airs of the Devi should be

infused therein by the following pratishtha Mantra (70):

Mantra

Ang, Hring, Krong, Shring, Svaha; may the five Vital Airs of this Devata be here: Ang,

Hring, Krong, Shring, Svaha (71). Her Jiva is here placed – Ang, Hring, Krong, Shring,

Svaha – all senses – Ang, Hring, Krong, Shring, Svaha. Speech, mind, sight, smell,

hearing, touch, and the Vital Airs of the Adya-Kali Devata, may they come here and stay

happily here for ever. Svaha (72-74).

Having recited the above three times, and having in due form placed the Vital Airs (of the

Devi) in the Yantra with the Lelihina-Mudra, with folded palms, he (the worshipper)

should say (75):

Mantra

O Adya Kali! hast Thou had a good journey, hast Thou had a good journey? O

Parameshvari! mayest Thou be seated on this seat (76)?

Then, whilst repeating the primary Mantra, sprinkle thrice the water of the special

oblation over the Devi, and then make Nyasa of the Devi with the six parts of Her body.

This ceremony is called Sakalikarama or Sakalikriti. Then worship the Devi with all the

sixteen offerings (77). These are: water for washing the feet, the water for the offering,

water for rinsing the mouth and for Her bath, garments, jewels, perfume, flowers,

incense-sticks, lights, food, water for washing the mouth, nectar, pan, water of oblation,

and obeisance. In worship these sixteen offerings are needed (78-79).

Uttering the Adya Vija, and then saying “this water is for washing the feet of the (Adya).

To the Devata Namah,” offer the water at the feet of the Devi. Similarly with the word

Svaha, in place of Namah, the offering should be placed at the head of the Devi (80).

Then the wise worshipper with Svadha should offer the water for rinsing the mouth to the

mouth of the Devi, and then the worshipper should offer to the lotus-mouth of the Devi

Madhu-parka with the Mantra Svadha. He should then offer water to rinse the mouth (a

second time) with the Mantra “Vang Svadha” (81). Then the worshipper, saying:

Mantra

Hring, Shring, Kring, Parameshvari, Svaha: I offer this water for bathing, this apparel,

these jewels, to the Supreme Devi, the Primordial Kalika. Svaha,

make an offer of them to all parts of the body of the Devi (82).

Then the worshipper should, with the same Mantra, but ending with Namah, offer scent

with his middle and third finger to the heart-lotus (of the Devi), and with the same

Mantra, but ending with Vaushat, he should similarly offer to Her flowers (83). Having

placed the burning incense and lighted lamp in front of Devi, and sprinkling them with

water, they should be given away with the

Mantra

Hring, Shring, Kring, Parameshvari, Svaha: This incense-stick and light I humbly offer to

Adya-Kalika. Svaha.

After worship of the Bell with the

Mantra

O Mother, Who produces the sound which proclaims triumph to Thee. Svaha,

he should ring it with his left hand, and, taking up the incense-stick with his right hand,

he should wave it up to the nostrils of the Devi. Then, placing the incense-stick on Her

left, he should raise and wave the light ten times up to and before the eyes of the Devi

(84-86). Then, taking the Cup and the Shuddhi in his two hands, the worshipper should,

whilst uttering the Mula-Mantra, offer them to the centre of the Yantra (87).

Mantra

O Thou who hast brought to an end a crore of kalpas, take this excellent wine, as also the

Shuddhi, and grant to me endless liberation (88).

Then, drawing a figure (in front of the Yantra), according to the rules of ordinary

worship, place the plate with food thereon (89). Sprinkle the food (with the Mantra Phat)

and veil it with the Avagunthana-Mudra (and the Mantra Hung), and then again protect it

(by the Mantra Phat) (Saying Vang), and, exhibiting the Dhenu-Mudra over it, make it

into the food of immortality. Then, after recitation of the Mula-Mantra seven times, it

should be oftered to the Devi with the water taken from the vessel of offering (90).

The worshipper, after reciting the Mula-Mantra, should say: “This cooked food, with all

other necessaries, I offer to the Adya-Kali, my Ishta-devi.” He should then say: “O Shiva!

partake of this offering” (91). Then he should make the Devi eat the offering by means of

the five Mudras called Prana, Apana, Samana, Vyana, and Udana (90).

Next, form with the left hand the Naivedya-Mudra, which is like a full-blown lotus. Then,

whilst reciting the Mula-Mantra, give away the jar with wine to the Devi for Her to drink.

After that offer again water for rinsing the mouth, and following that a threefold oblation

should be made to the Devi with wine from the cup of the Shri-patra (93-94). Then,

reciting the Mula-Mantra, let the worshipper offer five handfuls of flowers to the head,

heart, Muladhara Lotus, the feet, and all parts of the body of the Devi (95), and thereafter

with folded palms he should pray to his Ishta-devata thus:

Mantra

O Ishta-devata! I am now worshipping the Devatas who surround thee, namah (96).

The six parts of the body of the Devi should then be worshipped at the four corners of the

Yantra, and in front and behind it in their order; and then the line of Gurus should be

worshipped (97). Then, with scent and flowers, worship the four Kula-gurus – namely,

Guru, Parama-guru, Parapara-guru, Parameshti-guru (98).

Then, with the wine in the cup of the Guru, make three Tarpanas to each, and on the lotus

of eight petals worship the eight Mother Nayikas – namely, Mangala, Vijaya, Bhadra,

Jayanti, Aparajita, Nandini, Narasinghi, and Kaumari (99-100), and on the tips of the

petals worship the eight Bhairavas – Asitanga, Ruru, Chanda, Krodhonmatta,

Bhayangkara, Kapali, Bhishana, and Sanghara (101-102). Indra and the other Dik-palas

should be worshipped in the Bhu-pura, and their weapons outside the Bhu-pura, and then

Tarpana should be made to them (103).

After worshipping (the Devi) with all the offerings, sacrifice should be carefully made to

Her (104). The ten approved beasts which may be sacrificed are – deer, goat, sheep,

buffalo, hog, porcupine, hare, iguana, and rhinoceros (105); but other beasts may also be

sacrificed if the worshipper so desires (106). The worshipper versed in the rules of

sacrifice should select a beast with good signs, and, placing it before the Devi, should

sprinkle it with the water from the Vishesharghya, and by the Dhenu-Mudra should make

it into nectar.

Let him then worship the goat (sheep, or whatever other animal is being sacrificed) with

(the Mantra) “Namah to the goat,” which is a beast, and with perfumes, flowers,

vermilion, food, and water. Then he should whisper into the ears of the beast the Gayatri

Mantra, which severs the bond of its life as a beast (107-108). The Pashu-Gayatri, which

liberates a beast from its life of a beast, is as follows: After the word “Pashu-pashaya” say

” Vidmahe,” then, after the word “Vishva-karmane,” say “Dhimahi,” and then “Tanno

jivah prachodayat.”

Mantra

Let us bring to mind the bonds of the life of a beast. Let us meditate upon the Creator of

the Universe. May He liberate us from out of this life (of a beast) (109-110).

Then, taking the sacrificial knife, the excellent worshipper should worship it with the

Vija “Hung,” and worship Sarasvati and Brahma at its end, Lakshmi and Narayana at its

middle, and Uma and Maheshvara at the handle (111-112). Then the sacrificial knife

should be worshipped with the

Mantra

Namah to the sacrificial knife infused with the presence of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and

their Shaktis (113).

Then, dedicating it with the Great Word, he should, with folded hands, say: “May this

dedication to Thee be according to the ordained rites” (114).

Having thus offered the beast to the Devi, it should be placed on the ground (115). The

worshipper then, with mind intent upon the Devi, should sever the head of the beast with

one sharp stroke. This may be done either by the worshipper himself or by his brother,

brother’s son, a friend, or a kinsman, but never by one who is an enemy (116). The blood,

when yet warm, should be offered to the Vatukas. Then the head with a light on it should

be offered to the Devi with the following:

Mantra

“This head with the light upon it I offer to the Devi with obeisance ” (117).

This is the sacrificial rite of the Kaulikas in Kaula worship. If it be not observed, the

Devata is never pleased (118). After this Homa should be performed. Listen, O Beloved

One! to the rules which relate to it (119). The worshipper should, with sand, make on his

right a square, each side of which is one cubit. Let him, then, while reciting the Mula-

Mantra, gaze at it, stroke it with a wisp of kusha grass, uttering the Weapon-Vija, and

then sprinkle it with water to the accompaniment of the same Vija (120).

Then, veiling it with the Kurchcha-Vija, he should say: “Obeisance to the sthandila of the

Devi,” and with this Mantra worship the square (121). Then, inside the square three lines

should be drawn from East to West, and three lines from South to North, of the length of

a pradesha. When this has been done, the (following Devatas, whose names are

hereinafter given) should be worshipped over these lines (122). Over the lines from West

to East worship Mukunda, Isha, and Purandara: over the lines from South to North,

Brahma, Vaivasvata, and Indu (123).

Then a triangle should be drawn within the square, and within the triangle the Vija Hsauh

should be written. Outside the triangle draw a hexagon, outside this a cirde, and outside

the circle a lotus with eight petals, and outside this a (square) Bhu-pura, with four

entrances; so should the wise one draw the excellent Yantra (124). Having worshipped

with the Mula-Mantra and with offerings of handfuls of flowers, the space thus marked

off and washed, the articles for the Homa sacrifice with the Pranava, the intelligent one,

should, after first uttering the Maya Vija, worship in the pericarp of the lotus the Adhara-

shakti and others, either individually or collectively (125). Piety, Knowledge, Dispassion,

and Dominion should be worshipped in the Agni, Ishana, Vayu, and Nairrita corners of

the Yantra respectively, and the negation of the qualities in the East, North, West, and

South respectively, and in the centre Ananta and Padma (126-127). Then let him worship

Sun with his twelve parts, and Moon with her sixteen digits, and, on the filament

commencing from the East, worship Pita, and then Shveta, Aruna, Krishna, Dhumra,

Tibra, Sphulingini, Ruchira, in their order, and in the centre Jvalini (128-129). In all

worship Pranava should commence the Mantra, and Namah should end it. The seat of

Fire should be worshipped with the

Mantra

Rang, Salutation to the seat of Fire.

Then the Mantrin should meditate upon the Devi Sarasvati after She has bathed, with

eyes like the blue lotus on the seat of Fire in the embrace of Vagishvara, and worship in

the seat of Fire with the Maya-Vija (130).

Then let him bring Fire in the manner prescribed, and gaze intently on it, and, whilst

repeating the Mula-Mantra, invoke Vahni into it with the Mantra Phat (131-132). Then

the seat of Fire should be worshipped in the Yantra with the

Mantra

Ong Salutation to the Yoga-pitha of Fire,

and on the four sides, beginning on the East and ending on the South, Vama, Jyeshtha,

Raudri, Ambika, should be worshipped in the order given (133).

Then the marked-off space should be worshipped with the

Mantra

Salutation to the sthandila of the revered Devata, the Primeval Kalika:

and then within this place the worshipper should meditate upon the Devi Vagishvari

under the form of the Mula-Devata. After lighting the Fire with the Vija Rang, and

reciting the Mula-Mantra, and then the

Mantra

Hung Phat: to the eaters of raw flesh: Svaha,

the share of the raw meat eaters (Rakshasas) should be put aside. Gaze at the Fire, saying

the Weapon-Mantra, and surround it with the Veil Mudra, uttering the Vija Hung (134-

136). Make the Fire into nectar with the Dhenu-Mudra. Take some Fire in both palms,

and wave it thrice in a circle over the sthandila from right to left. Then with both knees

on the ground, and meditating on Fire as the male seed of Shiva, the worshipper should

place it into that portion of the Yoni Yantra which is nearest him (137-138). Then, first,

worship the Image of Fire with the

Mantra

Hring, Salutation to the Image of Fire,

and after that the Spirit of Fire with the

Mantra

Rang: to the Spirit of Fire namah (139).

The Mantrin will then think in his mind of the awakened form of Vahni, and kindle the

fire with the following (140)

Mantra

Ong, yellow Spirit of Fire, which knows all, destroy, destroy, burn, burn, ripen, ripen

command: Svaha.

This is the Mantra for kindling Fire. After this, with folded hands, Fire should again be

adored (141-142).

Mantra

I adore the kindled Fire of the colour of gold, free from impurity, burning, author of the

Veda the devourer of oblations, which faces every quarter (143).

After adoration of Fire in this manner, cover the marked-off space with kusha grass, and

then the worshipper, giving Fire the name of his own, Ishta-devata, should worship him

(144).

Mantra

Ong,O Red-eyed One! Vaishvanara, origin of the Veda, come here, come, come here,

(help me to) accomplish all (my) works: Svaha.

Then the seven Tongues of Fire, Hiranya and others, should be worshipped (145-146).

The worshipper should next adore the six Limbs of Vahni uttering the word “of a

thousand rays” in the dative singular, and at the end “obeisance to the heart” (147).

Then the wise one should worship the forms of Vahni (147), the eight forms Jata-veda

and others (148), and then the eight Shaktis – namely, Brahmi and others, the eight

Nidhis – namely, Padma and others, and the ten Dik-palas – namely, Indra and others

(149).

After worshipping the thunderbolt and other weapons, the sacrificer should take two

blades of kusha grass of the length of the space between his stretched-out thumb and

forefinger, and place them lengthwise in the ghee (150). He should meditate on the Nadi

Ida in the left part of the ghee, and on the Nadi Pingala in the right portion, and on the

Nadi Sushumna in the centre, and with a well-controlled mind take ghee from the right

side, and offer it to the right eye of Vahni with the following:

Mantra

Ong to Agni Svaha.

Then, taking ghee from the left side, offer it to the left eye of Vahni with the

Mantra

Ong to Soma Svaha (151-153).

Then, taking ghee from the middle portion, offer it to the forehead of Vahni with the

Mantra

Ong to Agni and Soma Svaha (154).

Then, saying namah, take the ghee again from the right side, say first the Pranava, and

then

Mantra

To Agni the Svishti-krit Svaha.

With this Mantra he should offer oblation to the mouth of Vahni. Then, uttering the

Vyahriti with the Pranava at the commencement, and Svaha at the end, the Homa

sacrifice should be performed (155-156). Then he should offer oblations thrice with the

Mantra

Om,O Vaishvanara, origin of the Veda, come hither, come hither, O Red-eyed One! and

fulfil all my works (157)

Then, invoking the Ishta-Devata with the proper Mantra into the Fire, let him worship

Her and the Pitha-Devata. Twenty-five oblations should then be offered (uttering the

Mula-Mantra with Svaha at the end), and, contemplating on the union (or identity) of his

own soul with Vahni and the Devi, eleven oblations should also be offered with the

Mula-Mantra to the Anga-Devatas, concluding with Svaha (158-159).

Then, with a mixture of ghee, tila-seed, honey, or with flowers and bael-leaves, or with

(other prescribed) articles, oblation should be made for the attainment of one’s desire.

This oblation should be made not less than eight times, and with every attention and care

(160-161). Then, reciting the primary Mantra ending with Svaha, complete oblation

should be made (with a full ladle) with fruits and leaves. The worshipper, with the

Sanghara-Mudra, transferring the Devi from the Fire to the lotus of his heart (162),

should then say “Pardon me,” and dismiss Him who feeds on oblations. Then, distributing

presents, the Mantrin should consider that the Homa has been duly performed (163).

Then the excellent worshipper should place between the eyebrows what is left over of the

oblations (164). This is the ordinance relating to Homa in all forms of Agama worship.

After performance of Homa the worshipper should proceed to do japa (165). Now,

listen,O Devi! to the instructions which relate to japa by which the Vidya is pleased.

During japa, the Devata, the Guru, and the Mantra should be considered as one (166).

The letters of the Mantra are the Devata, and the Devata is in the form of the Guru. To

him who worships them as one and the same, his is the greatest success (167).

The worshipper should then meditate upon his Guru as being in his head, the Devi in his

heart, the Mula-Mantra in the form of tejas on his tongue, and himself as united with the

glory of all three (168). Then, adding the Tara to the beginning and the end of the Mula-

Mantra, it should be made japa of seven times, and then it should be recapitulated with

the Matrika Vija at its beginning and end (169). The wise worshipper should make japa

of the Maya-Vija over his head ten times, and of the Pranava ten times over his mouth,

and of the Maya-Vija again seven times in the lotus of his heart, and then perform

Pranayama (170).

Then, taking a rosary of coral, etc, let him worship it thus:

Mantra

O rosary,O rosary,O great rosary, thou art the image of all Shaktis. Thou art the

repository of the fourfold blessings. Do thou therefore be the giver to me of all success.

Having thus worshipped the Mala, and also made Tarpana to it thrice with wine taken

from the Shri-patra, accompanied by recitation of the Mula-Mantra, the worshipper

should, with well-controlled mind, make japa one thousand and eight, or at least one

hundred and eight times (171-173). Then, doing Pranayama, he should offer on the left

lotus-hand of the Devi the fruit of his japa, whose form is Tejas, together with water and

flowers from the Shri-patra, and, bowing down his head to the ground, say the following:

Mantra

O Great Queen! Thou Who protectest that which is most secret, deign to accept this my

recitation. May by Thy grace success attend my effort.

After this, let him with folded hands recite the hymn and the protective Mantra (174-

176). Then the Sadhaka should, with the special oblation in his hand, going round the

Devi, keeping Her to his right, say the following, and dedicate his own self by offering

Vilomarghya (177).

Mantra

Om, whatsoever ere this I in the possession of life, intelligence, body, or in action,

awake, in dream or dreamless sleep have done, whether by word or deed, by my hands,

feet, belly, or organ of generation, whatsoever I have remembered or spoken – of all that

I make an offering to Brahman. I and all that is mine I lay at the lotus-feet of the Adya

Kali. I make the sacrifice of myself Ong tat sat (178-179).

Then, with folded hands, let him supplicate his Ishta-Devata, and reciting the Maya-

Mantra, say:

Mantra

“O Primordial Kalika! I have worshipped Thee with all my powers and devotion,”

and then saying, “Forgive me,” let him bid the Devi go. Let him with his hands formed

into Sanghara-Mudra take up a flower, smell it, and place it on his heart (182-183). A

triangular figure well and clearly made should next be drawn in the North-East corner,

and there he should worship the Devi Nirmalya-vasini with the

Mantra

Hring salutation to the Devi Nirmalya-vasini (184).

Then, distributing Naivedya to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and all the other Devas, the

worshipper should partake of it (185). Then, placing his Shakti on a separate seat to his

left, or on the same seat with himself, he should make a pleasing drink in the cup (186),

The cup should be so formed as to hold not more than five and not less than three tolas of

wine, and may be of either gold or silver (187), or crystal, or made of the shell of a

cocoa-nut. It should be kept on a support on the right side of the plate containing the

prepared food (188).

Then the wise one should serve the sacred food and wine either himself or by his

brother’s sons among the worshippers according to the order of their seniority (189). The

purified wine should be served in the drinking-cups, and the purified food in plates kept

for that purpose, and then should food and drink be taken with such as are present at the

time (190). First of all, some purified food should be eaten to make a bed as it were (for

the wine which is to be drunk). Let the assembled worshippers then joyously take up each

his own cup filled with excellent nectar.

Then let him take up each his own cup and meditate upon the Kula-Kundalini, who is the

Chit, and who is spread from the Muladhara lotus to the tip of the tongue, and, uttering

the Mula-Mantra, let each, after taking the others’ permission, offer it as oblation to the

mouth of the Kundali (191-193). When the Shakti is of the household, the smelling of the

wine is the equivalent of drinking it. Worshippers who are householders may drink five

cups only (194). Excessive drinking prevents the attainment of success by Kula

worshippers (195).

They may drink until the sight or the mind is not affected. To drink beyond that is bestial

(196). How is it possible for a sinner who becomes a fool through drink and who shows

contempt for the Sadhaka of Shakti to say “I worship the Adya Kalika”? (197). As touch

cannot affect food, etc, offered to Brahman, so there is no distinction of caste in food

offered to Thee (198).

As I have directed, so should eating and drinking be done. After partaking of food

offeredto Thee, the hands should not be washed, but with a piece of cloth or a little water

remove that which has adhered to the hands (199). Lastly, after placing a flower from the

nirmalya on his head, and wearing a tilaka mark made from the remnants of the oblation

on the Yantra between his eyebrows, the intelligent worshipper may roam the earth like a

Deva (200).

End of the Sixth Joyful Message, entitled “Placing of the Shri-patra, Homa, Formation of

the Chakra, and other Rites.”

Chapter 7

Hymn of Praise (Stotra), Amulet (Kavacha),

and the description of the Kula-tattva

PARVATI was pleased at hearing the revelation of the auspicious Mantra of the Adya

Kalika, which yields abundant blessings, is the only means of attaining to a knowledge of

the Divine essence, and leads to liberation; as also at hearing of the morning rites, the

rules relating to bathing, Sandhya, the purification of Bhang, the methods of external and

internal Nyasa and worship, the sacrifice of animals, Homa, the formation of the circle of

worship, and the partaking of the holy food. Bowing low with modesty, the Devi

questioned Shankara (1-3).

Shri Devi said:

O Sadashiva! Lord, and Benefactor of the Universe, Thou hast in Thy mercy spoken of

the mode of worship of the supreme Prakriti (4), which benefits all being, is the sole path

both for enjoyment and final liberation, and which gives, in this Age, in particular,

immediate success (5). My mind, immersed in the ocean of the nectar of Thy word, has

no desire to rise therefrom, but craves for more and more (6). O Deva, in the directions

Thou hast given relating to the worship of the great Devi, Thou hast but given a glimpse

of the hymn of praise, and of the protective Mantra. Do Thou reveal them now (7).

Shri Sadashiva said:

Listen, then, O Devi, Who art the adored of the worlds,to this unsurpassed hymn, by the

reciting of or listening to which one becomes the Lord of all the Siddhis (8), (a hymn)

which allays evil fortune, increases happiness and prosperity, destroys untimely death,

and removes all calamities (9), and is the cause of the happy approach to the gracious

Adya Kalika. It is by the grace of this hymn,O Happy One, that I am Tripurari (10).

O Devi! the Rishi of this hymn is Sadashiva, its metre is Anushtup, its Devata is the Adya

Kalika, and the object of its use is the attainment of Dharmma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha

(11).

Hymn Entitled Adya-Kali-Svarupa.

Hring, O Destroyer of Time,

Shring, O Terrific One,

Kring, Thou Who art beneficent,

Possessor of all the Arts,

Thou art Kamala,

Destroyer of the pride of the Kali Age,

Who art kind to Him of the matted hair, (12)

Devourer of Him Who devours,

Mother of Time,

Thou Who art brilliant as the Fires of the final Dissolution,

Wife of Him of the matted hair,

O Thou of formidable countenance,

Ocean of the nectar of compassion, (13)

Merciful,

Vessel of Mercy,

Whose Mercy is without limit,

Who art attainable alone by Thy mercy,

Who art Fire,

Tawny,

Black of hue,

Thou Who increasest the joy of the Lord of Creation, (14)

Night of Darkness,

Image of Desire,

Yet Liberator from the bonds of desire,

Thou Who art (dark) as a bank of Clouds,

And bearest the crescent-moon,

Destructress of sin in the Kali Age, (15)

Thou Who art pleased by the worship of virgins,

Thou Who art the Refuge of the worshippers of virgins,

Who art pleased by the feasting of the virgins,

Who art the Image of the virgin, (16)

Thou Who wanderest in the kadamba forest,

Who art pleased with the flowers of the kadamba forest,

Who hast Thy abode in the kadamba forest,

Who wearest a garland of kadamba flowers, (17)

Thou Who art youthful,

Who hast a soft low voice,

Whose voice is sweet as the cry of a Chakravaka bird,

Who drinkest and art pleased with the kadambari wine, (18)

And Whose cup is a skull,

Who wearest a garland of bones,

Who art pleased with,

And Who art seated on the Lotus, (19)

Who abidest in the centre of the Lotus,

Whom the fragrance of the Lotus pleases,

Who movest with the swaying gait of a Hangsa,

Destroyer of fear,

Who assumest all forms at will,

Whose abode is at Kama-rupa, (20)

Who ever plays at the Kama-pitha,

O beautiful One,

O Creeper Which givest every desire,

Who art the Possessor of beautiful ornaments, (21)

Adorable as the Image of all tenderness,

Thou with a tender body,

And Who art slender of waist,

Who art pleased with the nectar of purified wine,

Giver of success to them whom purified wine rejoices, (22)

The own Deity of those who worship Thee when joyed with wine,

Who art gladdened by the worship of Thyself with purified wine,

Who art immersed in the ocean of purified wine,

Who art the Protectress of those who accomplish vrata with wine, (23)

Whom the fragrance of musk gladdens,

And Who art luminous with a tilaka-mark of musk,

Who art attached to those who worship Thee with musk,

Who lovest those who worship Thee with musk, (24)

Who art a Mother to those who burn musk as incense,

Who art fond of the musk-deer and art pleased to eat its musk,

Whom the scent of camphor gladdens,

Who art adorned with garlands of camphor,

And Whose body is smeared with camphor and sandal paste, (25)

Who art pleased with purified wine flavoured with Camphor,

Who drinkest purified wine flavoured with camphor,

Who art bathed in the ocean of camphor,

Whose abode is in the ocean of camphor, (26)

Who art pleased when worshipped with the Vija Hung,

Thou Who threatenest with the Vija Hung,

Embodiment of Kulachara,

Adored by Kaulikas,

Benefactress of the Kaulikas, (27)

Observant of Kulachara,

Joyous One, Revealer of the path of the Kaulikas,

Queen of Kashi,

Allayer of sufferings,

Giver of blessings to the Lord of Kashi,(28)

Giver of pleasure to the Lord of Kashi,

Beloved of the Lord of Kashi, (29)

Thou Whose toe-ring bells make sweet melody as Thou movest,

Whose girdle bells sweetly tinkle,

Who abidest in the mountain of gold,

Who art like a Moon-beam on the mountain of gold, (30)

Who art gladdened by the recitation of the Mantra Kling,

Who art the Kama Vija,

Destructress of all evil inclinations,

And of the afflictions of the Kaulikas,

Lady of the Kaulas, (31)

O Thou Who by the three Vijas, Kring, Hring, Shring, art the Destructress of the

fear of Death.

(To Thee I make obeisance.)

These are proclaimed as the Hundred Names of Kalika (32), beginning with the letter Ka.

They are all identical with the image of Kali (33). He who in worship recites these names

with his mind fixed on Kalika, for him Mantra-siddhi is quickly obtained, and with him

Kali is pleased (34). By the mere bidding of his Guru he acquires intelligence,

knowledge, and becomes wealthy, famous, munificent, and compassionate (35). Such an

one enjoys life happily in this world with his children and grandchildren with wealth and

dominion (36). He who, on a new moon night, when it falls on Tuesday, worships the

great Adya Kali, Mistress of the three worlds, with the five Ma-karas, and repeats Her

hundred names, becomes suffused with the presence of the Devi, and for him there

remains nothing in the three worlds which is beyond his powers (37-38).

He becomes in learning like Brihaspati himself, in wealth like Kuvera. His profundity is

that of the ocean, and his strength that of the wind (39). He shines with the blinding

brilliance of the Sun, yet pleases with the soft glamour of the Moon. In beauty he

becomes like the God of Love, and reaches the hearts of women (40). He comes forth as

conqueror everywhere by the grace of this hymn of praise. Singing this hymn, he attains

all his desires (41). All these desires he shall attain by the grace of the gracious Adya,

whether in battle, in seeking the favour of Kings, in wagers, or in disputes, and when his

life be in danger (42), at the hands of robbers, amidst burning villages, lions, or tigers

(43), in forests and lonely deserts, when imprisoned, threatened by Kings or adverse

planets, in burning fever, in long sickness, when attacked by fearful disease (44), in the

sickness of children caused by the influence of adverse planets, or when tormented by

evil dreams, when fallen in boundless waters, and when he be in some storm-tossed ship

(45).

O Devi! he who with firm devotion meditates upon the Parama Maya–image of the most

excellent Kali–is without a doubt relieved of all dangers. For him there is never any fear,

whether arising from sin or disease (46-47). For him there is ever victory, and defeat

never. At the mere sight of him all dangers flee (48). He expounds all Scriptures, enjoys

all good fortune, and becomes the leader in all matters of caste and duty,and the lord

among his kinsmen (49). In his mouth Vani ever abides, and in his home Kamala. Men

bow with respect at the mere mention of his name (50). The eight Siddhis, such as Anima

and others, he looks upon as but mere bits of grass.

I have now recited the hymn of a hundred names, which is called “The Very Form of the

Adya Kali” (51).

Purashcharana of this hymn, which is its repetition one hundred and eight times, yields all

desired fruit (52). This hymn of praise of a hundred names, which is the Primeval Kali

Herself, if read, or caused to be read, if heard, or caused to be heard, frees from all sins

and leads to union with Brahman (53-54).

Shri Sadashiva said.

I have spoken of the great hymn of the Prakriti of the Supreme Brahman, hear now the

protective Mantra of the sacred Adya Kalika (55). The name of the Mantra is “Conqueror

of the three Worlds,” its Rishi is Shiva, the verse is Anushtup, and its Devata the Adya

Kali (56).

Its Vija is the Maya Vija, its Shakti is Kama Vija, and its Kilaka is Kring. It should be

used for the attainment of all desired objects (57).

The Protective Mantra

(Known As Trailokya-Vijaya)

Hring, may the Adya protect my head;

Shring, may Kali protect my face;

Kring, may the Supreme Shakti protect my heart;

May She Who is the Supreme of the Supreme protect my throat (58);

May Jagaddhatri protect my two eyes;

May Shankari protect my two ears;

May Mahamaya protect my power of smell;

May Sarvva-mangala protect my taste (58);

May Kaumari protect my teeth;

May Kamalalaya protect my cheeks;

May Kshama protect my upper and lower lips;

May Charu-hasini protect my chin (60);

May Kuleshani protect my neck;

May Kripa-mayi protect the nape of my neck;

May Bahu-da protect my two arms;

May Kaivalya-dayini protect my two hands; (61)

May Kapardini protect my shoulders;

May Trailokya-tarini protect my back;

May Aparna protect my two sides;

May Kamathasana protect my hips (62);

May Vishalakshi protect my navel;

May Prabha-vati protect my organ of generation;

May Kalyani protect my thighs;

May Parvati protect my feet;

May Jaya-durga protect my vital breaths,

And Sarvva-siddhi-da protect all parts of my body (63).

As to those parts as have not been mentioned in the Kavacha, and are unprotected, may

the Eternal Primeval Kali protect all such (64).

I have now spoken to Thee of the wonderful heavenly Protective Mantra of the Adya

Devi Kalika, which is known as the “Conqueror of the three Worlds” (65).

He who repeats it at his devotions with his mind fixed upon the Adya obtains all his

desires, and She becomes propitious unto him (66). He quickly attains Mantra-siddhi.

The lesser siddhis become, as it were, his slaves (67). He who is childless gets a son, he

who desires wealth gains riches. The seeker of learning attains it, and whatsoever a man

desires he attains the same (68).

The Purashcharana of this Protective Mantra is its repetition a thousand times, and this

gives the desired fruit (69). If it be written on birch-bark, with the paste of sandal,

fragrant aloe, musk, saffron, or red sandal, and encased in a golden ball, worn either on

the right arm, round the neck, in the crown lock, or round the waist, then the Adya Kali

becomes devoted to its wearer, and grants him whatsoever he may desire (70-71).

Nowhere has he fear. In all places he is a conqueror. He becomes ready of speech, free

from ailments, long-lived and strong, endowed with all power of endurance (72), and an

adept in all learning. He knows the meaning of all Scriptures, has Kings under his

control, and holds both pleasure and emancipation in the hollow of his hand (73).

For men affected with the taint of the Kali Age it is a most excellent Mantra for the

attainment of final liberation (74).

Shri Devi said:

Thou hast, O Lord! in Thy kindness told me of the Hymn and Protective Mantra; I now

desire to hear of the rules relating to Purashcharana (75).

Shri Sadashiva said:

The rules relating to Purashcharana in the worship of the Adya Kalika are the same as

those relating to the Purashcharana in the worship with the Brahma-Mantra (76). For

Sadhakas who are unable to do them completely, both Japa, Puja and Homa, and

Purashcharana may be curtailed (77), since it is better to observe these rites on a small

scale than not to observe them at all. Now listen, O Gentle One! the while I describe to

Thee the shortened form of worship (78). Let the wise one rinse his mouth with the Mula-

Mantra, and then perform Rishi-nyasa. Let him purify the palms of the hands, and

proceed to Kara-nyasa and Anga-nyasa (79). Passing the hands all over the body, let him

practise Pranayama, and then meditate, worship, and inwardly recite. This is the

ceremonial for the shortened form of worship (80).

In this form of worship, in lieu of Homa and other rites, the Mantras may be recited four

times the number prescribed in the case of each of them respectively (81). There is also

another mode of performance. A person who, when the fourteenth day of the dark half of

the month falls on a Tuesday or Saturday, worships Jaganmayi with the five elements of

worship, and recites with fully attentive mind the Mantra ten thousand times at midnight

and feasts believers in the Brahman has performed Purashcharana (82-83). From one

Tuesday to another Tuesday the Mantra should every day be inwardly recited a thousand

times. The Mantra thus recited eight thousand times is equal to the performance of

Purashcharana (84-85).

In all Ages, O Devi! but particularly in the Kali Age, the Mantras of the Sacred Primeval

Kalika are of great efficacy, and yield complete success (85-86). O Parvati! In the Kali

Age, Kali in her various forms is ever watchful, but when the Kali Age is in full sway,

then the form of Kali Herself is for the benefit of the world (87). In initiation into this

Kalika Mantra there is no necessity to determine whether it be siddha or su-siddha, or the

like, or favourable or inimical. If japa is made of it, which is both niyama and a-niyama,

the Adya Devi is pleased (88). The mortal, by the grace of the glorious Adya, attains a

knowledge of the divine essence, and, possessed of such knowledge, is, without a doubt,

liberated even while living (89). Beloved, there is no need here for over-exertion or

endurance or penances. The religious exercises of the worshippers of the Adya Kali are

pleasant to accomplish (90). By the mere purification of the heart the worshipper attains

all that he desires (91). So long, however, as the heart is not purified, so long must the

worshipper practise the rites with devotion to Kula. (92)

The carrying out of the practices ordained produces purification of the heart. The Mantra

should, however, first be received from the mouth of the Guru in the case of the Brahma-

Mantra (93). O Great Queen! Purashkriya should be done after the performance of the

necessary worship and of other prescribed rites. In the purified heart knowledge of

Brahman grows. And when knowledge of Brahman is attained, there is neither that which

should, nor that which should not, be done (94).

Shri Parvati said:

O Great Deva! what is Kula, and what is Kulachara? O Great Lord! what is the sign of

each of the five elements of worship? I desire to hear the truth relating to these (95).

Shri Sadashiva said:

Thou hast asked well, O Lady of the Kulas. Thou art indeed the Benefactress of the

worshippers. Listen! For Thy pleasure I shall accurately describe to Thee these things

(96). The Kula are Jiva, Prakriti, space, time, ether, earth, water, fire, and air (97). O

Primeval One! the realization that all this is one with Brahman is Kulachara, and

produces Dharmma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha (98). Those whose sins are washed away

by merits acquired in various previous births by penances, alms, and faithful observance

of worship, it is they whose minds are inclined in Kaulika worship (99). When the

intelligence realizes the essence of Kaulika worship, it becomes at once purified, and the

mind inclines to the lotus-feet of the Primeval Kali (100). The excellent worshipper

versed in Kaula doctrine who has received this most excellent Vidya by the service of a

good spiritual teacher, if he remains firmly attached to Kaulika worship and to the

worship with the five elements of the Primeval Kalika, the Patron Devi of Kula, will

enjoy a multitude of blessings in this life, and attain final liberation at its close. (102)

The characteristic of the first element is that it is the great medicine for humanity, helping

it to forget deep sorrows, and is the cause of joy (103). But, O Dearest One! the element

which is not purified stupefies and bewilders, breeds disputes and diseases, and should be

rejected by the Kaulas (104). Beasts bred in villages, in the air, or forest, which are

nourishing, and increase intelligence, energy, and strength, are the second element (105).

O Beautiful One! of the animals bred in water, that which is pleasing and of good taste,

and increases the generative power of man, is the third element (106). The characteristics

of the fourth element are that it is easily obtainable, grown in the earth, and is the root of

the life of the three worlds (107). And, O Devi, the signs of the fifth element are that it is

the cause of intense pleasure to all living things, is the origin of all creatures, and the root

of the world which is without either beginning or end (108). Know, Dearest One! that the

first element is fire, the second is air, the third is water, the fourth is the earth (109), and,

O Beauteous Face! as to the fifth element, know it to be ether, the support of the Universe

(110). O Sovereign Mistress of Kula, he who knows Kula, the five Kula-tattvas, and Kula

worship, is liberated whilst yet living (111).

End of the Seventh Joyful Message, entitled “Hymn of Praise (Stotra), Amulet

(Kavacha), and the description of the Kula-tattva.”

Chapter 8

The Dharmma and Customs of the Castes

and Ashramas

AFTER hearing of the various forms of Dharmma, Bhavani, Mother of the worlds,

Destructress of all worldly bonds, spoke again to Shankara (1).

Shri Devi said:

I have heard of the different Dharmma, which bring happiness in this world and the next,

and bestow piety, wealth, fulfilment of desire, ward off danger, and are the cause of

union with the Supreme (2). I wish now to hear of the castes and of the stages of life.

Speak in Thy kindness, O Omnipresent One! of these, and of the mode of life which

should be observed therein (3).

Shri Sadashiva said:

O Thou of auspicious Vows! in the Satya and other Ages there were four castes; in each

of these were four stages of life, and the rules of conduct varied according to the caste

and stages of life. In the Kali Age, however, there are five castes–namely, Brahmana,

Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, and Samanya. Each of these five castes, O Great Queen!

have two stages of life. Listen, then, Adye! whilst I narrate to Thee their mode of life,

rites, and duties (4-6). I have already spoken to Thee of the incapacity of men born in the

Kali Age. Unused as they are to penance, and devoid of learning in the Vedas, short-

lived, and incapable of strenuous effort, how can they endure bodily labour? (7).

O Beloved! there is in the Kali Age no Brahmacharya nor Vanaprastha. There are two

stages only, Grihastha and Bhikshuka (8). O Auspicious One! In the Kali Age the

householder should in all his acts be guided by the rules of the Agamas. He will never

attain success by other ways (9). And, O Devi! at the stage of the mendicant the carrying

of the staff is not permitted, since, O Thou of Divine Knowledge! both that and other

practices are Vedic (10). In the Kali Age, O Gentle One! the adoption of the life of an

Avadhuta, according to the Shaiva rites, is in the Kali Age equivalent to the entry into the

life of a Sannyasin (11). When the Kali Age is in full sway, the Vipras and the other

castes have equal right to enter into both these stages of life (12) The purificatory rites of

all are to be according to the rules ordained by Shiva, though the particular practices of

the Vipras and other castes vary (13).

A man becomes a householder the moment he is born. It is by Sangskara that he enters

upon any of the other stages of life. For this reason, O Great Queen! One should first be a

householder, following the rules of that mode of life (14). When, however, one is freed of

worldly desires by the knowledge of the Real, it is then that one should abandon all and

seek refuge in the life of an ascetic (15). In childhood one should acquire knowledge; in

youth, wealth and wife. The wise man in middle age will devote himself to acts of

religion, and in his old age he should retire from the world (16).

No one should retire from the world who has an old father or mother, a devoted and

chaste wife, or young and helpless children (17). He who becomes an ascetic, leaving

mothers, fathers, infant children, wives, agnates and cognates, is guilty of a great sin (18).

He who becomes a mendicant without first satisfying the need of his own parents and

relatives is guilty of the sins of killing his father and mother, a woman, and a Brahmana

(19). The Brahmanas and men of other castes should perform their respective purificatory

rites according to the ordinances laid down by Shiva. This is the rule in the Kali Age

(20).

Shri Devi said:

O Omnipresent One! tell Me what is the rule of life for the householder and mendicant,

and what are the purificatory rites for the Vipras and other castes (21).

Shri Sadashiva said:

The state of an householder is for all the descendants of Manu the first duty. I shall,

therefore, first speak of it, and do Thou listen to Me, O Lady of the Kaulas (22). A

householder should be devoted to the contemplation of Brahman and possessed of the

knowledge of Brahman, and should consign whatever he does to Brahman (23). He

should not tell an untruth, or practise deceit, and should ever be engaged in the worship

of the Devatas and guests (24). Regarding his father and mother as two visible incarnate

deities, he should ever and by every means in his power serve them (25). O Shiva! O

Parvati! if the mother and father are pleased, Thou too art pleased. and the Supreme

Being is propitious to him (26). O Primeval One! Thou art the Mother of the Worlds, and

the Supreme Brahman is the Father; what better religious act can there be than that which

pleases You both? (27). According to their requirements, one should offer seats, beds,

clothes, drink, and food to mother and father. They should always be spoken to in a

gentle voice, and their children’s demeanour should ever be agreeable to them. The good

son who ever obeys the behests of his mother and father hallows the family (28-29). If

one desires one’s own welfare, all arrogance, mockery, threats, and angry words should

be avoided in the parents’ presence (30). The son who is obedient to his parents should,

out of reverence to them, bow to them and stand up when he sees them, and should not

take his seat without their permission (31). He who, intoxicated with the pride of learning

or wealth, slights his parents, is beyond the pale of all Dharmma, and goes to a terrible

Hell (32). Even if the vital breath were to reach his throat, the householder should not eat

without first feeding his mother, father, son, wife, guest, and brother (33). The man who,

to the deprivation of his elders and equals, fills his own belly is despised in this world,

and goes to Hell in the next (34). The householder should cherish his wife, educate his

children, and support his kinsmen and friends. This is the supreme eternal duty (35). The

body is nourished by the mother. It originates from the father. The kinsmen, out of love,

teach. The man, therefore, who forsakes them is indeed vile (36). For their sake should an

hundred pains be undergone. With all one’s ability they should be pleased. This is the

eternal duty (37). That man who in this world turns his mind to Brahman and adheres

faithfully to the truth is above all a man of good deeds, and knows the Supreme, and is

blest in all the worlds (38). The householder should never punish his wife, but should

cherish her like a mother. If she is virtuous and devoted to her husband, he should never

forsake her even in times of greatest misfortune (39). The wise man, whilst his own wife

is living, should never with wicked intent touch another woman, otherwise he will go to

hell (40). The wise man should not, when in a private place, live and sleep or lie down

close to other men’s wives. He should avoid all improper speech and braggart boldness in

their presence (41). By riches, clothes, love, respect, and pleasing words should one’s

wife be satisfied. The husband should never do anything displeasing to her (42). The wise

man should not send his wife to any festival, concourse of people, pilgrimage, or to

another’s house, except she be attended by his son or an inmate of his own house (43).

O Maheshvari! that man whose wife is both faithful and happy is surely looked upon as if

he had performed all Dharmma, and is truly Thy favourite also (44). A father should

fondle and nurture his sons until their fourth year, and then until their sixteenth they

should be taught learning and their duties (45). Up to their twentieth year they should be

kept engaged in household duties, and thenceforward, considering them as equals, he

should ever show affection towards them (46). In the same manner a daughter should be

cherished and educated with great care, and then given away with money and jewels to a

wise husband (47).

The householder should thus also cherish and protect his brothers and sisters and their

children, his kinsmen, friends, and servants (48). He should also maintain his fellow-

worshippers, fellow-villagers, and guests, whether ascetics or others (49). If the wealthy

householder does not so act, then let him be known as a beast, a sinner, and one despised

in the worlds (50). The householder should not be inordinately addicted to sleep, idling,

care for the body, dressing his hair, eating or drinking, or attention to his clothes (51). He

should be moderate as to food, sleep, speech, and sexual intercourse, and be sincere,

humble, pure, free from sloth, and persevering (52). Chivalrous to his foes, modest before

his friends, relatives, and elders, he should neither respect those who deserve censure nor

slight those who are worthy of respect (53). Men should only be admitted to his trust and

confidence after association with them and observation of their nature, inclination,

conduct, and friendly character (54). Even an insignificant enemy should be feared, and

one’s own power should be disclosed only at the proper time. But on no account should

one deviate from the path of duty (55). A religious man should not speak of his own fame

and prowess, of what has been told him in secret, nor of the good that he has done for

others (56). A man of good name should not engage in any quarrel with an unworthy

motive, nor when defeat is certain, nor with those who are superior or inferior to himself

He should diligently earn knowledge, wealth, fame, and religious merit, and avoid all

vicious habits, the company of the wicked, falsehood, and treachery (58). Ventures

should be undertaken according to the circumstances and one’s condition in life, and

actions should be done according to their season. Therefore, in everything that a man

does he should first consider whether the circumstances and time are suitable (59). The

householder should employ himself in the acquisition of what is necessary and in the

protection of the same. He should be judicious, pious, good to his friends. He should be

moderate in speech and laughter, in particular in the presence of those entitled to his

reverence (60). He should hold his senses under control, be of cheerful disposition, think

of what is good, be of firm resolve, attentive, far-sighted, and discriminating in the use of

his senses (61).

The wise householder’s speech should be truthful, mild, agreeable, and salutary, yet

pleasing, avoiding both self-praise and the disparagement of others (62). The man who

has dedicated tanks, planted trees, built rest-houses on the roadside, or bridges, has

conquered the three worlds (63). That man who is the happiness of his mother and father,

to whom his friends are devoted, and whose fame is sung by men, he is the conqueror of

the three worlds (64). He whose aim is truth, whose charity is ever for the poor, who has

mastered lust and anger, by him are the three worlds conquered (65). He who covets not

others’ wives or goods, who is free of deceit and envy, by him the three worlds are

conquered (66). He who is not afraid in battle nor to go to war when there is need, and

who dies in battle undertaken for a sacred cause, by him the three worlds are conquered

(67). He whose soul is free from doubts, who is devoted to and a faithful follower of the

ordinances of Shiva, and remains under My control, by him the three worlds are

conquered (68). The wise man who in his conduct with his fellow-men looks with an

equal eye upon friend and foe, by him are the three worlds conquered (69). O Devi!

purity is of two kinds, external and internal. The dedication of oneself to Brahman is

known as internal purity (70), and the cleansing of the impurities of the body by water or

ashes, or any other matter which cleanses the body, is called external purity (71).

O Dearest One! the waters of Ganga, or of any other river, tank, pond, well, or pool, or of

the celestial Ganga, are equally purifying (72). O Thou of auspicious Vows! the ashes

from a place of sacrifice and cleansed earth are excellent, and the skin of an antelope and

grass are as purifying as earth (73). O Auspicious One! what need is there to say more

about purity and impurity? Whatever purifies the mind that the householder may do (74).

Let there be external purification upon awakening from sleep, after sexual intercourse,

making water, voiding the bowels, and at the close of a meal, and whenever dirt of any

kind has been touched (75).

Sandhya, whether Vaidika or Tantrika should be performed thrice daily, and according as

the worship changes so does its service (76). The worshippers of the Brahma-Mantra

have performed their Sandhya when they have made japa of the Gayatri, realizing within

themselves the identity of the Gayatri and Brahman (77). In the case of those who are not

Brahma-worshippers, Vaidika Sandhya consists of the worship of and offering of

oblations to the Sun and the recitation of the Gayatri (78).

O Gentle One! In all daily prayers recitation shouldbe done one thousand and eight or a

hundred and eight or ten times (79). O Devi! the Shudras and Samanyas may observe any

of the rites proclaimed by the Agamas, and by these they attain that which they desire

(80). The three times of performance (of Sandhya) are at sunrise, at noon, and at sunset

(81).

Shri Devi said:

Thou hast Thyself said, O Lord! that when the Kali Age is in full sway for all castes,

commencing with the Brahmamas, Tantrika rites are alone appropriate. Why, then, dost

Thou restrict the Vipras to Vedic rites? It behoveth Thee to explain this fully to Me (82-

83).

Shri Sadashiva said:

O Thou Who knowest the essence of all things, truly hast Thou spoken. In the Kali Age

all observances bear the fruit of enjoyment and liberation when done according to the

rites of the Tantras (84). The Brahma-Savitri, though known as Vaidika, should be called

Tantrika also, and is appropriate in both observances (85). It is, therefore, O Devi! that I

have said that when the Kali Age is in full sway, the twice-born shall alone be entitled to

the Gayatri, but not the other Mantras (86). In the Kali Age the Savitri should be said by

the Brahmanas, preceded by the Tara, and by the Kshatriyas and Vaishyas, preceded by

the Kamala and Vagbhava Vijas respectively (87). In order, O Supreme Devi! That a

distinction may be drawn between the twice-born and the Shudras, the daily duties are

directed to be preceded by Vaidika Sandhya (88). Success, however, may also be attained

by the mere following of the ordinances of Shambhu. This is verily true, and I repeat it is

true and very true, and there is no doubt about it (89). O Adored of the Devas! even if the

stated time for the saying of the daily prayer is past, all who desire emancipation and are

not prevented by sickness or weakness should say, “Ong the Ever-existent Brahman”

(90). The seat, clothes, vessels, bed, carriages, residence, and household furniture of the

worshipper should be as clean as possible (91). At the close of the daily prayers the

householder should keep himself occupied with household duties or the study of the

Vedas; he should never remain idle (92). In holy places, on holy days, or when the Sun or

Moon is in eclipse, he should do inward recitation, and give alms, and thus become the

abode of all that is good (93).

In the Kali Age life is dependent on the food that is eaten, fasting is therefore not

recommended, in lieu of it, the giving of alms is ordained (94). O Great Queen! in the

Kali Age alms are efficacious in the accomplishment of all things. The proper objects of

such alms are the poor devoted to meritorious acts (95). O Mother! the first days of the

month, of the year, of the lunar half-months, the fourteenth day of the lunar half-month,

the eighth day of the light half of the lunar month, the eleventh day of the lunar half-

month, the new moon, one’s birthday, the anniversary of one’s father’s death, and days

fixed as those of festivals, are holy days (96-97).

The River Ganges and all the great Rivers, the house of the religious Teacher, and the

places of the Devas are holy places. But for those who, neglecting the study of the Veda,

the service of mother and father, and the protection of their wife, go to places of

pilgrimage, such holy places are changed to hell (98-99). For women there is no necessity

to go on pilgrimage, to fast, or to do other like acts, nor is there any need to perform any

devotion except that which consists in the service of their husband (100). For a woman

her husband is a place of pilgrimage, the performance of penance, the giving of alms, the

carrying out of vows, and her spiritual teacher. Therefore should a woman devote herself

to the service of her husband with her whole self (101). She should ever by words and

deeds of devotion act for the pleasure of her husband, and, remaining faithful to his

behests, should please his relations and friends (102).

A woman whose husband is her vow should not look at him with hard eyes, or utter hard

words before him. Not even in her thought should she do anything which is displeasing to

her husband (103). She who by body, mind, and word, and by pleasant acts, ever pleases

her husband, attains to the abode of Brahman (104). Remaining ever faithful to the

wishes of her husband, she should not look upon the face of other men, or have converse

with them, or uncover her body before them (105).

In childhood she should remain under the control of her parents, in her youth of her

husband, and in her old age of the friends and relatives of her husband. She should never

be independent (106).

A father should not marry his daughter if she does not know her duty to a husband and

how to serve him, also the other rules of woman’s conduct (107).

Neither the flesh of human beings, nor the animals resembling them, nor the flesh of the

cow, which is serviceable in various ways, nor the flesh of carnivorous animals, nor such

meat as is tasteless, should be eaten (108). Auspicious One! fruits and roots of various

kinds whether grown in villages or jungles, and all that is grown in the ground, may be

eaten at pleasure (109).

Teaching and the performance of sacrifices are the proper duties of a Brahmana. But if he

be incapable of these, he may earn his livelihood by following the profession of a

Kshatriya or Vaishya (110). The proper occupation of a Rajanya is that of fighting and

ruling. But if he be incapable of these, he may earn his livelihood by following the

profession of a Vaishya or Shudra (111). If a Vaishya cannot trade, then for him the

following of the profession of a Shudra involves no blame. For a Shudra, O Sovereign

Queen! service is the prescribed means of livelihood (112). O Devi! members of the

Samanya class may for their maintenance follow all occupations except such as are

specially reserved for the Brahmana (113). The latter, void of hate and attachment, self-

controlled, truthful, the conqueror of his senses, free of envy and all guile, should pursue

his own avocations (114). He should ever be the same to, and the well-wisher of, all men,

and teach his well-behaved pupils as if they were his own sons (115). He should ever

avoid falsehood, detraction, and vicious habits, arrogance, friendship for low persons, the

pursuit of low objects, and the use of language which gives offence (116). Where peace is

possible, avoid war. Peace with honour is excellent. O Adorable Face! for the Rajanya it

should be either death or victory in battle (117). A man of the kingly caste should not

covet the wealth of his subjects, or levy excessive taxes, but, being faithful to his

promises, he should ever in the observance of his duty protect his subjects as though they

were his own children (118). In government, war, treaties, and other affairs of State the

King should take the advice of his Ministers (119). War should be carried on in

accordance with Dharmma. Rewards and punishments should be awarded justly and in

accordance with the Shastras. The best treaty should be concluded which his power

allows (120). By stratagem should the end desired be attained. By the same means should

wars be conducted and treaties concluded. Victory, peace, and prosperity follow

stratagem (121). He should ever avoid the company of the low, and be good to the

learned. He should be of a calm disposition judicious of action in time of trouble, of good

conduct and reasonable in his expenditure (122).

He should be an expert in the maintenance of his forts, well trained in the use of arms. He

should ever ascertain the disposition of his army, and teach his soldiers military tactics

(123). O Devi1 he should not in battle kill one who is stunned, who has surrendered his

arms, or is a fugitive, nor those of his enemies whom he has capturedn nor their wives or

children (124). Whatever is acquired either by victory or treaty should be distributed

amongst the soldiers in shares according to merit (125).

The King should make known to himself the character and courage of each of his

warriors, and if he would care for his interests he should not place a large army under the

command of a single officer (126). He should not put his trust in any single person, nor

place one man in charge of the administration, nor treat his inferiors as equals, nor be

familiar with them (127). He should be very learned, yet not garrulous; full of

knowledge, yet anxious to learn; full of honours, yet without arrogance. In awarding both

reward and punishment he should be discriminating (128). The King should either

himself or through his spies watch his subjects, kinsmen, and servants (129). A wise

master should not either honour or degrade anyone in a fit of passion or arrogance and

without due cause (130). Soldiers, commanders, ministers, wife, children, and servitors

he should protect. If guilty, they should be punished according to their deserts (131). The

King should protect, like a father, the insane, incapable, children and orphans, and those

who are old and infirm (132). Know that agriculture and trade are the appropriate callings

of the Vaishya. It is by agriculture and trade that man’s body is maintained (133).

Therefore, O Devi! in agriculture and trade all negligence, vicious habits, laziness,

untruth, and deceit should be avoided with the whole soul (134). Shiva! when both buyer

and seller are agreed as to the object of sale and the price thereof, and mutual promises

have been made, then the purchase becomes complete (135). O Dearest One! the sale or

gift of property by one who is a lunatic, out of his senses, under age, a captive, or

enfeebled by disease, is invalid (136). The purchase of things not seen is concluded by

hearing the description thereof. If the article be found to differ from its description, then

the purchase is set aside (137). The sale of an elephant, a camel, and a horse is effected

by the description of the animal. The sale is, however, set aside if the animal does not

answer its description (138). If in the purchase of elephants, camels, and horses a latent

vice becomes patent within the course of a year from the date of sale, then the purchase is

set aside, but not after the lapse of one year (139). O Devi of the Kulas! the human body

is the receptacle of piety, wealth, desires, and final liberation. It should therefore never be

the subject of purchase; and such a purchase is by reason of My commands invalid (140).

O Dear One! in the borrowing of barley, wheat, or paddy, the profit of the lender at the

end of the year is laid down to be a fourth of the quantity lent, and in the case of the loan

of metals one-eighth (141). In monetary transactions, agriculture, trade, and in all other

transactions, men should ever carry out their undertakings. This is approved by the laws

(142). A servant should be skilful, clean, wakeful, careful and alert, and possess his

senses under control (143). He should, as he desires happiness in this and the next world,

regard his master as if he were Vishnu Himself, his master’s wife; his own mother, and

respect his master’s kinsmen and friends (144). He should know his master’s friends to

be his friends, and his master’s enemies to be his enemies and should ever remain in

respectful attendance upon his master, awaiting his orders (145). He should carefully

conceal his master’s dishonour, the family dissensions, anything said in private or which

would disgrace his master (146). He should not covet the wealth of his master, but remain

ever devoted to his good. He should not make use of bad words or laugh or play in his

masters presence (147). He should not, with lustful mind, even look at the maidservants

in his master’s house, or lie down with them, or play with them in secret (148). He should

not use his master’s bed, seat, carriages, clothes, vessels, shoes, jewels, or weapons (149).

If guilty, he should beg the forgiveness of his master. He should not be forward,

impertinent, or attempt to place himself on an equal footing with his master (150).

Except when in the Bhairavi-chakra or Tattva-chakra persons of all castes should marry

in their caste according to the Brahma form, and should eat with their own caste people

(151). O Great Queen! in these two circles, however, marriage in the Shaiva form is

ordained, and as regards eating and drinking, no caste distinctions exist (152).

Shri Devi said:

What is the Bhairavi-chakra, and what is the Tattva-chakra? I desire to hear, and it kindly

behoves Thee to speak of them (153).

Shri Sadashiva said:

O Devi! in the ordinances relating to Kula worship I have spoken of the formation of

circles by the excellent worshippers at times of special worship (154). O Dear One! there

is no rule relating to the Bhairavi-chakra. This auspicious circle may at any time be

formed (155). I will now speak of the rites relating to this circle, which benefits the

worshippers, and in which, if the Devi be worshipped, She speedily grants the prayers of

Her votaries (156).

The Kulacharyya should spread an excellent mat in a beautiful place, and, after purifying

it with the Kama and Astra Vijas, should seat himself upon it (157). Then the wise one

should draw a square with a triangle in it with either vermilion or red sandal wood paste,

or simply water (158). Then, taking a painted jar, and smearing it with curd and sun-dried

rice, and placing a vermilion mark on it, let him put a branch or leaves and fruit upon it

(159). Filling it with perfumed water whilst uttering the Pranava, the worshipper should

place it on the Mandala, and exhibit before it lights and incense-sticks (160). The jar

should then be worshipped with two fragrant flowers. Ishta-devata should be meditated

upon as being in the jar. The ritual should be according to the shortened form (161).

Listen, O Adored of the Immortals! whilst I speak to Thee of the peculiar features of this

worship. There is no necessity of placing the wine-cups for the Guru and others 162). The

worshipper should then take such of the elements of worship as he wishes, and place

them in front of himself. Then, purifying them with the Weapon Mantra, let him gaze

upon them with steadfast eyes (163).

Then, placing scent and flowers in the wine-jar, let him meditate upon the Ananda-

Bhairava and Ananda-Bhairavi in it (164).

Dhyana

He should meditate upon the Blissful Devi as in first bloom of youth, with a body rosy as

the first gleam of the rising Sun. The sweet nectar of Her smiles illumines Her face as

beautiful as a full-blown lotus. Decked with jewels, clad in beauteous coloured raiment

delighting in dance and song, She with the lotus of her hands makes the signs which

confer blessings and dispel fears (165-166).

After thus meditating on Blissful Devi, let the worshipper thus meditate upon the Blissful

Bhairava (167).

Dhyana

I meditate upon the Deva Who is white as camphor, Whose eyes are large and beautiful

like lotuses, the lustre of Whose body is adorned with celestial raiments and jewels, Who

holds in His left hand the cup of nectar, and in the right a ball of Shuddhi (168).

Having thus meditated upon Them both, and thinking of them in a state of union in the

wine-jar, the worshipper should then worship Them therein. With Mantra, beginning with

the Pranava and ending with Namah, the names of the Devata being placed between, and

with perfume and flower, let him then sanctify the wine (169)

The Kula worshipper should sanctify the wine by repeating over it the Pashadi-trika-vija

a hundred and eight times (170). When the Kali Age is in full sway, in the case of the

householder whose mind is entirely engrossed with domestic desires, the three sweets

should be substituted in the place of the first element of worship (wine) (171). Milk,

sugar, and honey are the three sweets. They should be deemed to be the image of wine,

and as such offered to the Deity (172). Those born in the Kali Age are by their nature

weak in intellect, and their minds are distracted by lust. By reason of this they do not

recognize the Shakti to be the image of the Deity (173). Therefore, O Parvati! for such as

these let there be, in place of the last element of worship (sexual union), meditation upon

the lotus-feet of the Devi and the inward recitation of their Ishta-mantra (174).

Therefore such of the elements of worship as have been obtained should be consecrated

by the recitation over each of them of the same Mantra one hundred times (175). Let the

worshipper, with closed eyes, meditate upon them as suffused by Brahman, then offer

them to Kali, and, lastly, eat and drink the consecrated elements (176). O Gentle One!

this is the Bhairavi-chakra, which is not revealed in the other Tantras. I have, however

spoken before Thee of it. It is the essence of essences, and more excellent than the best

(177). Parvati! In Bhairavi-chakra and Tattva-chakra the excellent worshipper should be

wedded to his Shakti, according to the laws prescribed by Shiva (178). The Vira who

without marriage worships by enjoyment of Shakti is, without doubt, guilty of the sin of

going with another man’s wife (179). When the Bhairavi-chakra has been formed, the

members thereof are like the best of the twice-born; but when the circle is broken, they

revert again to their own respective castes (180). In this circle there is no distinction of

caste nor impurity of food. The heroic worshippers in the circle are My image; there is no

doubt of that (181). In the formation of the circle there is no rule as to time or place or

question as to fitness. The necessary articles may be used by whomsoever they may have

been brought (182). Food brought from a long distance, whether it be cooked or

uncooked, whether brought by a Vira or a Pashu, becomes pure immediately it is brought

within the circle (183).

While the circle is being formed, all dangers flee in confusion, awed by the Brahmanic

lustre of its heroes (184). Upon the mere hearing that a Bhairavi circle has been formed at

any place, fierce Pishachas, Guhyakas, Yakshas, and Vetalas depart afar off in fear (185).

Into the circle come all the holy places, the great and holy places, and with reverence

Indra and all the Immortals (186). Shiva! the place where a circle is formed is a great and

holy place, more sacred than each and all the other holy places. Even the Thirty desire the

excellent offerings made to Thee in this circle (187). Whatever the food be, whether

cooked or uncooked, and whether brought by a Mlechchha, Chandala, Kirata, or Huna, it

becomes pure as soon as it is placed in the hand of a Vira (188). By the seeing of the

circle and of the worshippers therein, who are but images of Myself, men infected with

the taint of the Kali Age are liberated from the bonds of the life of a Pashu (189). When,

however the Kali Age is in full sway, the circle should not be concealed. The Vira should

at all places and at all times practise Kula rites and make Kula worship (190).

In the circle all distinction of caste, frivolous talk, levity, garrulity, spitting, and breaking

wind should be avoided (191). Such as are cruel, mischievous, Pashu, sinful, atheists,

blasphemers of Kula doctrine, and calumniators of the Kula Scriptures, should not be

allowed into the circle (192). Even the Vira who, induced by affection, fear, or

attachment, admits a Pashu into the circle falls from his Kula duty, and goes to hell (193).

All who have sought refuge in the Kula Dharmma, whether Brahmamas, Kshatriyas,

Vaishyas, Shudras, or Samanyas, should ever be worshipped like Devas (194). He who,

whilst in the circle, makes, from pride, distinctions of caste, descends to a terrible hell,

even though he should have gone to the very end of the Vedanta (195). How within the

circle can there be any fear of sin for Kaulas, who are good and pure of heart and who are

manifestly the very image of Shiva? (196). Vipras and others who are followers of Shiva

should, so long as they are within the circle, follow the ordinance of Shiva and the

observances prescribed by Him (197).

Without the circle each should follow his own calling according to his caste and stage of

life, and should discharge his duty as a man of the world (198). One Japa made by a

devout man, when seated within the circle, bears the fruit attainable by the performance

of a hundred Purashcharana and by Shavasana, Mundasana, and Chitasana (199). Who

can describe the glory of the Bhairavi-chakra? Its formation, though but once only, frees

of all sins (200). The man who for six months worships in such a circle will become a

King: he who so worships for a year becomes the conqueror of death, and by the daily

performance of such worship he attains to Nirvvana (201).

What is the need, O Kalika! of saying more? Know this for certain: that for the

attainment of happiness in this or the next world there is only the Kula-dharmma, and no

other (202). When the Kali Age is dominant and all religion is abandoned, even a Kaula

merits hell by concealment of the Kula-dharmma (203).

I have spoken of the Bhairavi circle, which is the sole means of attaining enjoyment and

final liberation. I will now speak to Thee, O Queen of the Kaulas! of the Tattva circle. Do

Thou listen (204).

The Tattva circle is the king of all circles. It is also called the celestial circle. Only

worshippers who have attained to a knowledge of Brahman may take part in it (205).

Only those servants of the Brahman may take part in this circle who have attained to

knowledge of Brahman, who are devoted to Brahman, pure of heart, tranquil, devoted to

the good of all things, who are unaffected by the external world, who see no differences,

but to whom all things are the same, who are merciful, faithful to their vows, and who

have realized the Brahman (206-207).

O Knower of the Supreme Soul! only those who, possessing the knowledge of the Real,

look upon this moving and motionless Existence as one with Brahman, such men are

privileged to take part in this circle (208). They who regard everything in the Tattva

circle as Brahman, they alone, O Devi, are qualified to take part therein (209). In the

formation of this circle there is no necessity for placing the wine-jar, no lengthy ritual. It

can be formed everywhere in a spirit of devotion to Brahman (210). O Dearest One! the

worshipper of the Brahma-Mantra and a devout believer in Brahman should be the Lord

of the circle, which he should form of other worshippers who know the Brahman (211).

In a beautiful and clean place, pleasant to the worshippers, pure seats should be spread

with beautiful carpets (212). There, O Shiva! the Lord of the circle should seat himself

with the worshippers of Brahman, and have the elements of worship brought and placed

in front of him (213). The Lord of the Circle should inwardly recite the Mantra,

beginning with the Tara and ending with the Prana-vija, a hundred times, and then

pronounce the following Mantra over the elements (214):

Mantra

The act of offering is Brahman. The offering itself is Brahman. The Fire is Brahman. He

by whom the offering is made is Brahman. By him who is absorbed in the worship of

Brahman is unity with Brahman attained (215).

All the elements should be purified by the inward recitation of this Mantra seven or three

times (216). Then, with the Brahma-Mantra, making an offering of the food and drink to

the Supreme Soul, he should partake thereof with the other worshippers, knowers of the

Brahman (217). O Great Queen! there is no distinction of caste in the Brahma circle, nor

rule as to place or time or cup. The ignorant who, through want of care, make distinctions

of birth or caste go upon the downward path (218-219). And therefore should those

excellent worshippers, possessed of the knowledge that the Supreme Brahman pervades

all things, perform the rites of the Tattva circle with every care for the attainment of

religious merit, fulfilment of desire, wealth, and liberation (220).

Shri Devi said:

Lord! Thou hast spoken in full of the duties of the householder; it now behoves Thee

kindly to speak of the duties appropriate to the ascetic life (221).

Shri Sadashiva said:

Devi! the stage of life of an Avadhuta is in the Kali Age called Sannyasa. Now listen

while I tell thee what should be done (222).

When an adept in spiritual wisdom has acquired the knowledge of Brahman, and has

ceased to care for the things of the world, he should seek refuge in the life of an ascetic

(223). If, however, in order to adopt the life of a wandering mendicant, one abandons an

old mother or father, infant children and a devoted wife, or helpless dependents, one goes

to hell (224). All, whether Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, or Samanya are

equally entitled to take part in the purificatory ceremony of the Kula ascetic (225).

After the performance of all the duties of a householder, and after satisfying all

dependents, one should go forth from his house indifferent, free from desires, with all his

senses conquered (226). He who wishes thus to leave his house should call together his

kinsmen and friends, his neighbours and men of his village, and lovingly ask of them

their permission (227). Having obtained it, and made obeisance to his Ishta-devata, he

should go round his village, and then without attachment set forth from his house (228).

Liberated from the bonds of household life, and immersed in exceeding joy, he should

approach a Kula ascetic of divine knowledge and pray to him as follows: (229)

“0 Supreme Brahman! all this life of mine has been spent in the discharge of household

duties. Do Thou O Lord! be gracious to me in this my adoption of the life of an ascetic”

(230).

The religious Preceptor should thereupon satisfy himself that the disciple’s duties as a

householder have all been accomplished, and, on finding him to be meek and full of

discernment, initiate him into the second stage (231). The disciple should then, with a

well-controlled mind, make his ablutions and say his daily prayer, and then, with the

object of being absolved from the threefold debt due to them, worship the Devas, the

Rishis, and the Pitris (232).

By the Devas are meant Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra, with their followers; by the Rishis

are meant Sanaka and others, as also the Devarshis and the Brahmarshis (233). Listen,

whilst I now enumerate the ancestors which should be worshipped (234). The father,

paternal grandfather, paternal great-grandfather, mother, the maternal grandfather, and

others in the ascending line, and the maternal grandmother and others in the ascending

line (235). Upon the dedication of oneself to the life of an ascetic, the Devas and Rishis

should be worshipped in the East, the paternal ancestors in the South, the maternal

ancestors in the West (236). Spreading two seats on each of these sides, beginning from

the East, and invoking the Devas and others thereto, they should there be worshipped

(237). Having worshipped them in proper form, pindas should be offered to each of them

separately according to the rules relating thereto; And then, with folded palms, let the

disciple thus supplicate the Devas and Ancestors (238):

Mantra

O Fathers! O Mothers! O Devas! O Rishis! be you satisfied. Do you absolve me, about to

enter upon the path of renunciation from all debts (239).

Having thus prayed to be free from all debts, bowing again and again, and being thus

freed of all debts, he should perform his own funeral rites (240). The father and paternal

grandfather and great-grandfather are one soul. In offering, therefore, the individual soul

to the Supreme Soul, he who is wise should perform his own funeral rites (241). O Devi!

sitting with his face to the North, and invoking the spirits of his ancestors upon the seats

which he has prepared for them, he should, after doing them homage, offer the funeral

cakes (242). In so offering he should spread kusha grass with its end towards the East,

South, West, and towards the North for himself (243). After completion, according to the

directions of the Guru, of the funeral rites, the seeker after emancipation should, in order

to purify his heart inwardly, recite the following Mantra a hundred times (244):

Mantra

Hring, let us worship the Three-eyed One whose fame is fragrant, the Augmenter of

increase. May I, as the urvaruka is freed of its stalk, be liberated from death unto

immortality (245).

Then the religious Preceptor should draw a figure on the altar of a shape in accordance

with the divinity about to be worshipped and then place the jar on the altar and

commence worship (246). Then the Guru, possessed of divine knowledge, should

meditate upon the Supreme Spirit in the manner prescribed by Shambhu, and after

worship place fire on the altar (247). The Guru should then offer unto the fire so

sanctified the oblation according to the Sangkalpa, and then make his disciple perform

the complete homa (248). He should first offer oblation with the Vyahritis, and then with

the vital airs, prana, apana, samana, udana, vyana (249).

For the destruction of the false belief that the body, whether gross or subtle, is the Atma,

the Tattva-Homa should be performed, uttering the following words:

Mantra

Earth, water, fire, air, ether, (then) scent, taste, vision, touch, sound, (then) speech, hands,

feet, anus and organ of generation, (then) ears, skin, eyes, tongue, and smell, (then)

manas, buddhi, ahangkara, and chitta, (and lastly) all the functions of the senses and of

life (250-253).

He should then say:

“May they be purified;” (adding) “May I be like unto the universal Chaitanya united with

Hring. May I be like the Light beyond and above Rajo-guna, and may I be free of the

taint of ignorance” (254).

Having consigned as oblations into the fire the twenty-four tattvas and the functions of

the body, he who is now devoid of all action should consider his body as dead (255).

Considering his body as dead and devoid of all function, and calling to mind the Supreme

Brahman, let him take off his sacred thread (256). He, the possessor of divine knowledge,

should take it from his shoulder, uttering the

Mantra

Aing Kling Hangsa.

Holding it in his hand while he recites the three Vyahritis, ending with Svaha, let him

throw it steeped in ghee into the fire (257). Having thus offered the sacred thread as an

oblation to the fire, he should, whilst uttering the Kama Vija, cut off his crown-lock and

take and place it in the ghee (258).

Mantra

O Crown Lock! Daughter of Brahman! thou art an ascetic in the form of hair. I am now

placing thee in the Purifying One. Depart, O Devi! I make obeisance to thee (259).

He should then, whilst uttering the Kama, Maya, Kurcha, and Astra Vijas, ending with

the word Svaha, make the Homa sacrifice of that lock of hair in the well-sanctified fire

(260). The Pitris, Devas, and Devarshis, as also all acts performed in the stages of life,

reside in that lock and have it as their support (261).

Therefore the man who renounces the crown-lock and sacred thread after the

performance of the oblation becomes one with Brahman (262). The twice-born enter the

stage of an ascetic by renunciation of the crown-lock and sacred thread, and the Shudras

and Samanyas by the renunciation of the crown-lock only (263). Then he whose crown-

lock and sacred thread have been thus removed should make obeisance to the Guru,

laying himself full length upon the ground. The Guru should then raise his disciple and

say into his right ear: “0 wise one! thou art That.” “Think within thyself that I am He and

He is I. Free from all attachments and sense of self, do thou go as thou pleasest as moved

thereto by thy nature” (264-265). The Guru, full of the knowledge of the Divine essence,

should then, after removal of the jar and the fire, bow to the disciple, recognizing in him

his own very self (266), and say: “O Thou whose form is this Universe! I bow to Thee

and to myself. Thou art ‘That’ and ‘That’ is Thou. Again I bow to thee.” (267).

The worshippers of the Brahma-Mantra, possessed of divine knowledge, who have

conquered themselves, attain the stage of an ascetic by cutting off the crown-lock with

their own Mantra (268). What need is there for those purified by divine knowledge of

sacrificial or funeral rites or ritual worship? For they, acting as they please, are never

guilty of any fault (269). The disciple, image of the absence of all contraries, desireless,

and of tranquil mind, may, as he pleases, roam the earth, the visible image of Brahman

(270). He will think of everything, from Brahma to a blade of grass, as the image of the

existent one, and, oblivious of his own name and form, he will meditate upon the

Supreme Soul in himself (271). Homeless, merciful, fearless, devoid of attachment

claiming nothing as his own, devoid of egoism, the ascetic will move about the earth

(272). He is free of all prohibitions. He shall not strive to attain what he has not, nor to

protect what he has. He knows himself. He is equally unaffected by either joy or sorrow.

He is calm, the conqueror of himself, and free from all desires (273).

His soul is untroubled even in sorrow, desireless even in prosperity. He is ever joyful,

pure, calm, indifferent and unperturbed. He will hurt no living thing, but will be ever

devoted to the good of all being. He is free from anger and fear, with his senses under

contro1 and without desire. He strives not for the preservation of his body. He is not

obsessed by any longing (274-275). He will be free from grief and resentment, equal to

friend and foe, patient in the endurance of cold and heat, and to him both honour and

disgrace are one and the same (276). He is the same in good or evil fortune, pleased with

whatsoever, without effort, he may obtain. He is beyond the three attributes, of

unconditioned mind free of covetousness, and (wealth) he will hoard not (277). He will

be happy in the knowledge that, as the unreal universe exists dependent upon the Truth,

so does the body depend upon the soul (278). He attains liberation by the realization that

the soul is completely detached from the organs of sense, and is the witness of that which

is done (279).

The ascetic should not accept any metal, and should avoid calumny, untruth, jealousy, all

play with woman, and all discharge of seed (280). He should regard with an equal eye

worms, men, and Devas. The religious mendicant should know that in everything he

does, in that is Brahman (281). He should eat without making any distinction of place,

time, person, or vessel, and whether from the hand of a Vipra or Chandala, or from any

other person whatsoever (282). The ascetic, thouugh passing his time as he pleases,

should study the Scriptures relating to the Soul and in meditation upon the nature of That

(283). The corpse of an ascetic should on no account be cremated. It should be

worshipped with scents and flowers, and then either buried or sunk into water (284). O

Devi! the inclination of those men who have not attained union with the Supreme Soul

and who ever seek after enjoyment, is by nature turned towards the path of action (285).

They remain attached to the practice of meditation, ritual worship, and recitation. Let

them who are strong in their faith therein know that to be the best for them (286). It is on

account of them that I have spoken of various rites for the purification of the heart, and

have with the same object devised many names and forms (287). O Devi! without

knowledge of the Brahman and the abandonment of all ritual worship, man cannot attain

emancipation even though he performed countless such acts of worship (288). The

householder should consider the Kula ascetic, possessed of divine knowledge, to be the

visible Narayana in the form of man, and should worship Him as such (289). By the mere

sight of one who has subdued his passions a man is freed of all his sins, and earns that

merit which he obtains by journeying to places of pilgrimage, the giving of alms, and the

performance of all vows, penances, and sacrifices (290)

End of the Eighth Joyful Message, entitled “The Dharmma and Customs of the Castes

and Ashramas.”

Chapter 9

The Ten Kinds of Purificatory Rites

(Sangskara)

THE Adorable Sadashiva said:

O Virtuous One! I have spoken to Thee of the custom and religious duties appropriate to

the different castes and stages of life. Do thou now listen whilst I tell Thee of the

purificatory rites of the different castes (1). Without such rites, O Devi! the body is not

purified, and he who is not purified may not perform the ceremonies relating to the Devas

and the Pitris (2). Therefore it is that men of every caste, commencing with the Vipras,

who desire their welfare in this life and hereafter, should, in all things and with care,

perform the purificatory rites which have been ordained for their respective castes (3).

The ten purificatory ceremonies are those relating to conception, pregnancy, and birth of

the child; the giving of its name, its first view of the sun, its first eating of rice, tonsure,

investiture, and marriage (4).

The Shudras and mixed castes have no sacred thread, and but nine purificatory

ceremonies; for the twice-born classes there are ten (5). O Beautiful Lady! all

observances, whether they be obligatory, occasional, or voluntary, should be performed

according to the injunctions of Shambhu (6). O Dearest One! I have already, in My form

of Brahma, spoken of the rules appropriate to the purificatory and other observances (7),

and of the Mantras appropriate to the various purificatory and other observances,

according to the differences in caste (8).

In the Satya, Treta, and Dvapara Ages, the Mantras, O Kalika! were in their application

preceded by the Pranava (9); but in the Kali Age, O Supreme Devi! the decree of

Shangkara is that man do perform all rites with the aid of the same Mantras, but preceded

by the Maya Vija (10). All Mantras in the Nigamas, Agamas, Tantras, Sanghitas and

Vedas, have been spoken by Me. Their employment, however, varies according to the

Ages (11). For the benefit of men of the Kali Age, men bereft of energy and dependent

for existence on the food they eat, the Kula doctrine, O Auspicious One! is given (12).

I will now speak to Thee in brief of the purificatory and other rites, suitable for the weak

men of the Kali Age, whose minds are incapable of continued effort (13). Kushandika

precedes all auspicious ceremonies. I shall, therefore, O Adored of the Devas! speak

firstly of it. Do Thou listen (14). In a clean and pleasant spot, free from husks and

charcoal, let the wise one make a square, the sides of which are of one cubit’s length (15).

Then draw in it three lines from the West to East (of the square). Let him then sprinkle

water over them, uttering the Kurcha Vija the while. Then Fire should be brought to the

accompaniment of the Vahni Vija (16). The Fire, when so brought, should be placed by

the side of the square, the worshipper breathing the Vagbhava Vija (17). Then, taking up

a piece of burning wood with the right hand from the Fire, he should put it aside as the

share of the Rakshasas, saying:

Mantra

Hring, Salutation to the raw-meat eaters: Svaha (18).

The worshipper, lifting up the consecrated Fire with both hands, should place it in front

of him on the three lines (above mentioned), inwardly reciting the while the Maya Vija

before the Vyahritis (19). Grass and wood should then be thrown upon the Fire to make it

blaze, and two pieces of wood should be smeared with ghee and offered as an oblation to

it. Thereafter Fire should be named according to the object of worship, and then

meditated upon as follows (20):

Dhyana

Ruddily effulgent like the young Sun, with seven tongues and two crowned heads of

matted hair, seated on a goat, whose weapon is Shakti. (21)

Having so meditated upon the Carrier of oblations, He should be thus invoked with

joined palms (22).

Mantra

Hring, come, O Carrier of Oblations to all the Immortals, come! Come with the Rishis

and Thy followers, and protect the sacrifice. I make obeisance to Thee. Svaha (23).

Having thus invoked Him, the worshipper should say, “0 Fire! this is Thy seat,” and then

worship him, the Seven-tongued, with appropriate offerings (24). The seven licking

Tongues of Fire are: Kali, Karali, Mano-java, Sulohita, Su-dhumra-varna, Sphulingini,

and Vishva-nirupini (25). Then, O Great Devi! the sides of the Fire should be thrice

sprinkled with water from the hand, beginning from the East and ending at the North

(26). Then the sides of the Fire, from the South to the North, should be thrice sprinkled

with water, and following that the articles of sacrifice should be thrice sprinkled (27).

Then spread kusha grass on the sides of the square, beginning with the East and ending

with the North. The ends of the blades of grass on the North should be turned towards the

North, and the rest of the grass should be placed with its ends towards the East (28). The

worshipper should then proceed to the seat placed for Brahma, keeping the Fire on his

right, and, picking up with his left thumb and little finger a blade of kusha grass from the

seat of Brahma, should throw it along with the remaining blades of kusha grass on the

South side of the fire, uttering the

Mantra

“Hring, Destroy the abode of the enemy” (29-30).

(The performer of the sacrifice should then say to Brahma:) ” O Brahman, Lord of

Sacrifices, be thou seated here. This seat is made for thee.” The Brahma, saying “I sit,”

should then sit down, with his face turned towards the North (31). After worshipping

Brahma with scent, flowers, and the other articles of worship, let him be supplicated thus

(32):

Mantra

O Lord of Sacrifices! protect the sacrifice.O Brihaspati! protect this sacrifice. Protect me

also, the performer of this sacrifice.O Witness of all acts! I bow to Thee (33).

Brahma should then say, “I protect,” and if there is no person representing Brahma, then

the performer of the sacrifice should, for the success of the sacrifice, make an image with

darbha grass of the Vipra, and himself say this (34). The worshipper should then invoke

Brahma, saying, “0 Brahman, come here, come here!” and, after doing honour to him by

offering water for washing his feet and the like, let him supplicate him, saying, “So long

as this sacrifice be not concluded, do Thou deign to remain here,” and then make

obeisance to him (35). He should then sprinkle the space between the North-East corner

of the fire and the seat of Brahma three times with water taken in his hand, and should

thereafter sprinkle the fire also three times, and then, returning the way he went, take his

own seat. Let him then spread on the North side of the square some darbha grass, with the

ends of the blades towards the North (36-37). He should then place thereon the articles

necessary for the sacrifice, such as the vessel (filled with water) for sprinkling, and the

vesse1 containing ghee, sacrificial fuel, and kusha grass. He should also place the

sacrificial ladle and spoon on the darbha grass, and purify them by sprinkling water over

them, and then, regarding them with a celestial gaze, uttering the

Mantra

Hrang Hring Hrung (38-39).

Then, with his right knee touching the ground, let him put ghee into the spoon with the

ladle, and, with desire for his own well-being, Jet him offer three oblations, saying the

Mantra

Hring to Vishnu. Svaha (4o).

Taking again ghee in the same way, and meditating upon Prajapati, oblations should be

offered with ghee streaked across the fire from the corner of Agni to that of Vayu (41).

Taking ghee again and meditating on Indra, let him offer oblations from the corner of

Nairrita to that of Ishana (42). O Devi! oblations should thereafter be offered to the

North, the South, and to the middle of the fire, to Agni, Soma, and to Agni and Soma

together (43). Upon that three oblations should be offered, uttering the

Mantras

Hring salutation to Agni,

Hring salutation to Soma,

Hring salutation to both Agni and Soma,

respectively. Having performed these (preliminary) rites, the wise one should proceed to

that prescribed for the Homa sacrifice, which is to be performed (44). The offering of

oblations (as above described), commencing with the three offerings made to Vishnu and

ending with the offering to Agni and Soma, is called Dhara Homa (45).

When making any offering, both the Deva, to which the same is being made, and the

thing offered should be mentioned, and upon the conclusion of the principal rite he

should perform the Svishti-krit Homa (46). O Beautiful One! in the Kali Age there is no

Prayashchitta Homa. The object thereof is attained by Svishti-krit and Vyahriti Homas

(47). O Devi! (for Svishti-krit Homa.) ghee should be taken in manner above mentioned,

and, whilst mentally reciting the name of Brahma, oblation should be offered with the

following:

Mantra

Hring, O Deva of the Devas! do Thou make faultless any shortcomings that there may be

in this rite, and anything done needlessly, whether by negligence or mistake. Svaha (48-

49).

Then oblation should be offered to Fire, thus:

Mantra

Hring, O Fire! Thou art the Purificator of all things. Thou makest all sacrifices propitious,

and art the Lord of all. Thou art the Witness of all sacrificial rites, and the Insurer of their

success. Do Thou fulfil all my desires (50).

The sacrificing priest, having thus concluded the Svishti-krit Homa, should thus (pray to

the Supreme Brahman):

Mantra

O Supreme Brahman! O Omnipresent One! for the removal of the effects of whatsoever

has been improperly done in this sacrifice, and for the success of the sacrifice, I am

making this Vyahriti Homa.

Saying this, he should offer three oblations with the three

Mantras

Hring Bhuh Svaha,

Hring Bhuvah Svaha,

Hring Svah Svaha.

Thereafter offering one more oblation with the

Mantra

Hring Bhuh, Bhuvah, Svah Svaha,

the wise priest should, jointly with the giver of the sacrifice, offer the complete oblation

(51-53). If the latter has performed the sacrifice without a priest, he should offer the

oblation himself. This is the rule in Abhisheka and other observances (54). The Mantra

for the complete oblation is –

Mantra

Hring, O Lord of Sacrifice! may this Sacrifice of mine be complete. May all the Devatas

of sacrifices be pleased and grant that which is desired. Svaha (55).

The wise one should then, with the giver of the sacrifice, stand up, and, with a well-

controlled mind, offer oblations with fruit and pan leaves, uttering the while the aforesaid

Mantra (56).

The learned one should, after offering the complete oblation, perform Shanti-karma.

Taking water from the sprinkling vessel, he should with kusha grass sprinkle it over the

heads of the persons present (57), reciting the

Mantra

May the water be friendly to me, may water be like a medicament to me, may water

preserve me always; water is Narayana Himself (58). Do thou, O water! grant me

happiness and my earthly desires, and so forth.

Having said this, and sprinkled water over the heads of those present, throw a few drops

on the ground, saying (59):

Mantra

To those who are ever hostile to me, and to those to whom we are ever hostile, may water

be their enemy and engulf them (60).

Sprinkling a few drops of water in the North-East corner to the accompaniment of the

above-mentioned Mantra, the kusha grass should be put away, and supplication should be

made to the Carrier of oblations as follows (61):

Mantra

O Carrier of Oblations! do Thou grant unto me understanding, knowledge, strength,

intelligence, wisdom, faith, fame, fortune, health, energy, and long life (62).

Having thus prayed to Fire, he should, O Shiva! be bidden to depart with the following

(63):

Mantra

Sacrifice! do thou depart to the Lord of Sacrifice.

Fire! do thou depart to the Sacrifice itself.

Lord of Sacrifice! do Thou depart to Thine own place and fulfil my desires (64).

Then saying, “Fire, forgive me,” the Fire should be moved to the South by pouring

oblations of curd on the North of Fire (65). Then the worshipper should give a present to

Brahma, and, after bowing to him respectfully, bid him go, and, with the ashes adhering

to the ladle, the officiating priest should then make a mark on his own forehead and on

that of the giver of the sacrifice, uttering the

Mantra

Hring, Kling, do thou bring peace; mayest thou cause prosperity (66-67). By the grace of

Indra, of Agni, of the Maruts, Brahma, the Vasus, the Rudras, and Praja-pati, may there

be peace, may there be prosperity.

Whilst saying this Mantra, he should place a flower on his own head. Thereafter the giver

of the sacrifice should, as his means allow, offer presents for the success of the sacrifice

and for the Kushandika rite (68-69).

I have spoken to Thee, O Devi! of Kushandika, which is the groundwork of all auspicious

ceremonies, and which all Kula worshippers should with care perform at the

commencement thereof (70).

O Auspicious One! I will now speak to Thee of Charu-karma, in order to insure the ritual

success in those families in which the cooking of charu is a traditional practice in the

performance of all rites (71). The pot for cooking charu should be made of either copper

or mud (72). In the first place, the articles should be consecrated according to the rules

prescribed in Kushandika, and then the pot of charu should be placed in front of the

worshipper (73). After careful examination to see that it is without holes and unbroken, a

blade of kusha grass of the length of a pradesha should be put in the pot (74). The rice

should be placed near the square and then, O Adored of the Devas! the names of such of

the Devas as are to be worshipped in each particular ceremony should be uttered in the

dative case, followed by the words “to please Thee,” and then “I take,” “I place it in the

pot,” and “I put water into it,” and put four handfuls of rice in the name of each Deva. He

should then take the rice, put it in the pot, and pour water over it (75-77). O Virtuous

One! milk and sugar should be added thereto, as is done in cooking. The whole should

then be well and carefully cooked over the consecrated fire (78). And when he is satisfied

that it is well cooked and soft, the sacrificial ladle, filled with ghee, should be let into it

(79). Thereafter placing the pot on kusha grass on the northern side of the Fire, and

adding ghee to the charu three times, the pot should be covered with blades of kusha

grass (80). Then, putting a little ghee into the sacrificial spoon, a little charu should be

taken from the pot. With it Janu Homa is done (81). Then, after doing Dhara Homa,

oblations should be made with the Mantras of the Devas, who are directed to be

worshipped in the principal rite (82). Completing the principal Homa after performance

of Svishti-krit Homa, expiatory Homa should be performed, and the rite thus completed

(83). In the sacramental and consecratory ritual this is the method to be observed. In all

auspicious ceremonies it should be followed for the complete success thereof (84).

Now,O Mahamaya! I will speak of Garbhadhana and other rites. I will speak of them in

their order, beginning with Ritusangskara. Do Thou listen (85).

After performing his daily duties and purifying himself, (the priest) should worship the

five deities–Brahma, Durga, Ganesha, the Grahas, and the Dikpalas (86). They should be

worshipped in the jars on the East side of the square, and then the sixteen Matrikas–

namely, Gauri and others–should be worshipped in their order (87). The sixteen Matrikas

are Gauri, Padma, Shachi, Medha, Savitri, Vijaya, Jaya, Deva-sena, Svadha, Svaha,

Shanti, Pushti, Dhriti, Kshama, the worshipper’s own tutelary Devata, and the family

Devata (88).

Mantra

May the Mothers that cause the joy of the Devas come and bring all success to weddings,

vratas, and yajnas. May they come upon their respective carriers, and in all the fulness of

their power, in their benign aspect, and add to the glory of this festival (89-90).

Having thus invoked the Mothers and worshipped them to the best of his powers, the

priest should make five or seven marks with vermilion and sandal paste on the wall, at

the height of his navel, and within the space of a pradesha (91).

The wise one should then, whilst breathing the three Vijas–Kling, Hring, and Shring–

pour an unbroken stream of ghee from each of the said marks, and there worship the

Deva Vasu (92). The wise man, having thus made the Vasu-dhara according to the

directions which I have given, and having made the square and placed the Fire thereupon,

and consecrated the articles requisite for Homa, should then cook the excellent charu

(93). Charu which is cooked in this (Ritu-sangskara) is called Prajapatya, and the name of

this Fire is Vayu. After concluding Dhara Homa, the rite of Ritu-sangs-kara should be

begun (94). Three oblations of charu should be offered with the

Mantra

Hring. salutation to Prajapati. Svaha.

The one oblation should be offered with the following (95):

Mantra

May Vishnu grant the power to conceive. May Tvashta give the form. May Prajapati

sprinkle it, and may Dhata give the power to bear (96).

This oblation should be made with either ghee or charu, or with ghee and charu, and

should be offered meditating upon the Sun, Vishnu, and Prajapati (97).

Mantra

May Sinibali give support to thy womb, may Sarasvati give support to thy womb, may

the two Ashvins, who wear garlands of lotuses, give support to thy womb (98).

Meditating upon the Devis Sinibali and Sarasvati and the two Ashvins, excellent

oblations should be offered with the above Mantra, followed by Svaha (99). Then

oblation should be offered to the sanctified Fire, meditating upon Surya and Vishnu with

the

Mantra

Kling, String, Hring, Shring, Hung, grant conception to her, who desires a son: Svaha

(100).

Then, in the name of Vishnu, oblations should be offered with the following:

Mantra

As this extended Earth ever carries a full womb, do thou likewise carry for ten months

until delivery. Svaha (101).

Meditating upon the Supreme Vishnu, let a little more ghee be thrown into the Fire with

the following:

Mantra

Vishnu! do Thou in Thy excellent form put into this woman an excellent son: Svaha

(102).

And, uttering the following

Mantra

Kling, Hring, Kling, Hring, String, Hring, Kling, Hring,

let the husband touch his wife’s head (103). Then the husband, surrounded by a few

married women having sons, should place both hands on the head of his wife, and, after

meditating on Vishnu, Durga, Vidhi and Surya, place three fruits on the cloth of her lap.

Thereupon he should bring the ceremony to a close by making Svishti-krit oblations and

expiatory rites (104-105). Or the wife and husband may be purified by worshipping Gauri

and Shangkara in the evening, and by giving oblations to Sun (106).

I have now spoken of Ritu-sangskara. Now listen to that relating to Garbhadhana (107).

On the same night, or on some night having a date of an even number, after the

ceremony, the husband should enter the room with his wife, and, meditating on Prajapati,

should touch his wife and say:

Mantra

Hring, O Bed! be thou propitious for the begetting of a good offspring of us two (108-

109).

He should then with the wife get on the bed, and there sit with his face towards the East

or the North. Then, looking at his wife, let him embrace her with his left arm, and,

placing his right hand over her head, let him make japa of the Mantra on the different

parts of her body (as follows) (110): Let him make japa over the head of the Kama Vija a

hundred times; over her chin of the Vagbhava Vija a hundred times; over the throat of the

Rama Vija twenty times; and the same Vija a hundred times over each of her two breasts

(111). He should then recite the Maya Vija ten times over her heart, and twenty-five

times over her navel. Next let him place his hand on her member, and recite jointly the

Kama and Vagbhava Vijas a hundred and eight times, and let him similarly recite the

same Vijas over his own member a hundred and eight times; and then, saying the Vija

“Hring,” let him part the lips of her member, and let him go into her with the object of

begetting a child (112-113). The husband should, at the time of the spending of his seed,

meditate on Brahma, and, discharging it below the navel into the Raktikanadi in the

Chitkunda, he should at the same time recite the following (114, 115):

Mantra

As the Earth is pregnant of Fire, as the Heaven is pregnant of Indra, as the Points of the

compass are pregnant of the Air they contain, so do thou also become pregnant (by this

my seed) (116).

If the wife then, or at a subsequent period, conceive, the householder, O Maheshvari!

should perform in the third month after conception the Pungsavana rite (117). After the

performance of his daily duties, the husband should worship the five Devas and the

heavenly Mothers, Gauri and others, and should make the Vasu-dhara (118).

The wise one should then perform Briddhi Shraddha, and, as aforementioned, the

ceremonies up to Dhara-Homa, and then proceed to the Pungsavana rites (119). The

charu prepared for Pungsavana is called “Prajapatya,” and the fire is called Chandra

(120). One grain of barley and two Masha beans should be put into curd made from

cow’s milk, and this should be given to the wife to drink, and, whilst she is drinking it,

she should be asked three times: “What is that thou art drinking,O gentle one?” (121).

The wife should make answer: “Hring, I am drinking that which will cause me to bear a

son.” In this manner the wife should drink three mouthfuls of the curd (122). The wife

should then be led by women whose husbands and children are living to the place of

sacrifice, and the husband should there seat her on his left and proceed to perform Charu-

Homa (123).

Taking a little charu as aforementioned, and uttering the Maya Vija and the Kurcha Vija,

he should offer it as oblation, with the following:

Mantra

Do thou destroy, do thou destroy all these Bhutas, Pretas, Pishachas, and Vetalas, who

are inimical to conception and destroyers of the child in the womb, and of the young. Do

thou protect (the child in) the womb, do thou protect (the child in) the womb (124-125).

Whilst reciting the above Mantra, meditate upon Fire, as Raksko-ghna, and on Rudra and

Prajapati, and then offer twelve oblations (126).

He should then offer five oblations with the

Mantra

Hring, Salutation to Chandra. Svaha.

And then, touching his wife’s heart, breathe inwardly the Vijas Hring and Shring one

hundred times (127). He should then perform Svishti-krit Homa and Prayash-chitta, and

complete the ceremony. Panchamrita should be given in the fifth month of pregnancy

128). Sugar, honey, milk, ghee, and curd in equal quantities make Panchamrita. It is

needful for the purification of the body (129). Breathing the Vijas Aing, Kling, Shring,

Hring, Hung, and Lang, five times over each of the five ingredients, the husband, after

mixing them together, should cause his wife to eat it (130). Then, in the sixth or eighth

month, the Simantonnayana rite should be performed. It may, however, be performed any

time before the child is born (131). The wise one should, after performing the rites as

aforementioned, do Dhara-Homa, and sit with his wife on a seat, and offer three oblations

to Vishnu, Surya, and Brahma, saying:

Mantra

To Vishnu Svaha, to the Effulgent One Svaha, to Brahma Svaha (132).

Then, meditating on Chandra, let him offer seven oblations to Soma into Fire under his

name of Shiva (133). Then, O Shiva! he should meditate upon the Ashwins, Vasava,

Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, Prajapati and offer five oblations to each of them (134). The

husband should after that take a gold comb, and comb back the hair on each side of the

head and tie it up with the chignon (135). He should, whilst so combing the hair, meditate

upon Shiva, Vishnu. and Brahma, and pronounce the Maya Vija (136) and the

Mantra

O Wife! thou auspicious and fortunate one, thou of auspicious vows! do thou in the tenth

month, by the grace of Vishva-karma, be safely delivered of a good child. May thou live

long and happy. This comb, may it give thee strength and prosperity!

Saying this Mantra, the ceremony should be completed with Svishti-krit Homa and other

rites (137-138). Immediately after the birth of the son the wise one should look upon his

face and present him with a piece of gold, and then in another room perform Dhara Homa

in the manner already described (139). He should then offer five oblations to Agni, Indra,

Prajapati, the Vishva-devas, and Brahma (140).

The father should thereafter mix equal quantities of honey and ghee in a bell-metal cup,

and, breathing the Vagbhava Vija over it a hundred times, make the child swallow it

(141). It should be put into the child’s mouth with the fourth finger of the right hand, with

the following:

Mantra

Child, may thy life, vitality, strength, and intelligence ever increase (142).

After performing this rite for the longevity of the child, the father should give him a

secret name, by which at the time of the investiture with the sacred thread he should be

called (143). The father should then finish the Jata-karma by the performance of the usual

expiatory and other rites, and then the midwife should with firmness cut the umbilical

cord (144). The period of uncleanliness commences only after the cord is cut; therefore

all rites relating to the Devas and the Pitris should be performed before the cord is cut

(145). If a daughter is born, all the acts as above indicated are to be performed, but the

Mantras are not to be said. In the sixth or eighth month the boy should be given the name

by which he is usually known (146). At the time of naming of the child the mother

should, after bathing him and dressing him in two pieces of fine cloth, come to and place

him by the side of her husband, with his face towards the East (147). The father should

thereupon sprinkle the head of the child with water taken up upon blades of kusha grass

and gold, saying at the time the following:

Mantra

May Jahnavi, Yamuna, Reva, the holy Sarasvati, Narmada, Varada, Kunti, the Oceans

and Tanks, Lakes–all these bathe thee for the attainment of Dharmma, Kama, and Artha

(149).

O Waters! thou art the Pranava, and thou givest all happiness. Do thou therefore provide

for us food in (this) world, and do thou also enable us to see the Supreme and Beautiful

(Para-brahman). Water! thou art not different from the Pranava. Grant that we may enjoy

in this world thy most beneficent essence. Your wishes arise of themselves spontaneously

like those of mothers. Water! thou art the very form of Pranava. We go to enjoy to our fill

that essence of thine by which thou satisfieth (this Universe). May thou bring us

enjoyment therein (150-152).

The wise one should sprinkle water over the child, with the three preceding Mantras, and

then, as aforesaid, consecrate the fire and perform the rites leading up to Dhara Homa in

the manner already described, and then should offer five oblations (153). He should make

the oblation to Agni, then to Vasava, then to Prajapati, then to the Vishva-Devas, and

then to Yahni under his name of Parthiva (154).

Then, taking the son in his lap, the prudent father should speak into his right ear an

auspicious name–one that is short, and that can easily be pronounced (155). After

whispering the name three times into the son’s ear, he should inform the Brahmanas who

are present of it, and then conclude the ceremony with Svishtikrit Homa and the other

concluding rites (156).

For a daughter there is no Nishkramana, nor is Vriddhi Shraddha necessary. The wise

man performs the naming, the giving of the first rice, and tonsure of a daughter without

any Mantra (157).

In the fourth or sixth month after birth the Nishkramana Sangskara ceremony of the son

should be performed (158).

After performing his daily duties, the father should, after bathing, worship Ganesha, and

then bathe and adorn his son with clothes and jewels, and, placing him in front of

himself, pronounce the following (159):

Mantra

Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, Ganesha, Bhaskara, Indra, Vayu, Kuvera, Varuna, Agni,

and Brihaspati, may They always be propitious to this child, and may They always

protect him throughout his going forth from the house (160).

Having said this, he should take the child in his arms, and, preceded by vocal and

instrumental music, and surrounded by his rejoicing kinsmen, take the son out of the

house (161). Going a little distance, he should show the Sun to the child, with the

following (162):

Mantra

Ong, yonder is the Eye (of Heaven) who excels even Shukra in his effulgence, who is

beneficent even to the Devas. May we see him a hundred years. May we live a hundred

years (163).

Having shown the Sun to his child, the father should return to his own house, and, after

making offering to the Sun, feast his kinsmen (164). O Shiva! in the sixth or eighth

month either the father’s brother or the father himself should give the first rice to the

child (165). After worshipping the Devas and purifying fire as aforementioned, and duly

performing the ceremonies leading to Dhara Homa, the father should make five oblations

to Fire, under his name of Shuchi, to each of the following Devas: He should make the

oblations first to Agni, next to Vasava, after him to Prajapati, then to the Vishva-devas,

and then the fifth ahuti to Brahma (166-168). He should then meditate upon the Devi

Annada, and, after giving Her five oblations in Fire, place the son, adorned with clothes

and jewels, in his lap, and give him payasa, either in the same or in another room (169).

The payasa should be put into the child’s mouth five times, uttering the Mantras for

making oblations to the five vital airs; and after that a little rice and curry should be put

into the child’s mouth (170). The ceremony should be brought to a close by the blowing

of conches and horns and other music, and by performing the concluding expiatory rite.

I have done speaking of the rice-eating ceremony. I shall now speak of the tonsure

ceremony. Do Thou listen (171).

In the third or fifth year, according to the custom in the family, the tonsure of the boy

should be performed for the success of the sacramental rites of the boy (172). The wise

father should, after concluding the preliminary rites leading up to Dhara Homa, place on

the north side of the Fire, called Satya, a mud platter filled with cow-dung, tila-seeds, and

wheat, also a little lukewarm water and a keen-edged razor (173-174).

The father should place the son on his mother’s lap, the mother sitting on her husband’s

left, and, after breathing the Varuna Vija ten times over the water, rub the hair of the

boy’s head with lukewarm water. He should then tie the hair with two blades of kusha

grass into a knot, uttering meanwhile the Maya Vija (175-176). Then, saying the Maya

and Lakshmi Vijas three times, he should cut off the knot with the steel razor and place it

in the hands of the child’s mother (177). The boy’s mother should then take it with both

hands and place it in the platter containing the cow-dung, and the father should then say

to the barber: “Barber, do thou at thine ease proceed with the shaving of the boy’s hair,

Svaha.” Then, looking at the barber, he should make three oblations to Prajapati, into

Vahni, under his name of Satya (178-179). After the boy has been shaved by the barber

he should be bathed and adorned with clothes and jewels, and placed near the fire on the

left of his mother, and the father should, after performance of Svishti-krit Homa and the

expiatory rites, offer the complete oblation (180-181). Then, uttering the following:

Mantra

Hring, O Child! may the omnipresent Creator of the Universe grant thee well-being,

he should pierce the ears of the boy with gold or silver needles (182). He should then

sprinkle the child with water, uttering the

Mantra

O Water! thou art, etc. (aforementioned);

and, after performing Shanti Karma and other rites, and making presents, bring the

ceremony to a close (183). The sacramental rites from Garbhadhana to Chudakarana are

common to all castes. But for Shudras and Samanyas they must be performed without

Mantras (184).

In the case of the birth of a daughter all castes are to perform the rites without Mantras. In

the case of a daughter there is no Nishkramana (185).

I will now speak of the Sacred Thread Ceremony of the twice-born classes, by which the

twice-born become qualified for performing rites relating to the Devas and Pitris (186).

In the eighth year from conception, or the eighth year after birth, the boy should be

invested with the sacred thread. After the sixteenth year the son should not be invested,

and one so invested is disqualified for all rites (187).

The learned man should, after finishing his daily duties, worship the five Devas, as also

the Matrikas, Gauri, and others, and make the Vasudhara (188). He should thereafter

perform Briddhi Shraddha for the satisfaction of the Devas and Pitris, and perform the

rites, ending with Dhara Homa, as directed in the performance of Kushandika (189).

The boy should be given a little to eat; then his head, with the exception of the crown

lock, should be shaved, and after that he should be well bathed and decked with jewels

and silken clothes (190).

The boy should then be taken to the Chhaya-mandapa, near Fire, under his name of

Samudbhava, and there made to sit on a clean seat to the left (of his father or Guru) (191).

The Guru should say: “My son, dost thou adopt Brahma-charyya?” The disciple should

say respectfully: “I do adopt it” (192). The Preceptor should then with a cheerful mind

give two pieces of Kashaya cloth for the long life and strength of mind of the gentle boy

(193). Then when the boy has put on the Kashaya cloth, he should, without speaking,

give him a knotted girdle made of three strings of munja or kusha grass (194). On that the

boy should say, “Hring, may this auspicious girdle prove propitious”; and, saying this,

and putting it round his waist, let him sit in silence before the Guru (195).

Mantra

This sacrificial thread is very sacred; Brihaspati of old wore it. Do thou wear this

excellent white sacrificial thread which contributes to prolong life. May it be for thee

strength and courage (196).

With this Mantra the boy should be given a sacrificial thread made of the skin of the

black buck, as also a staff made of bamboo, or a branch of Khadira, Palasha, or Kshira

trees (197). When the boy has put the sacred thread round his neck and holds the staff in

his hand, the Guru should three times recite the

Mantra

“O Water! thou art,” etc. (aforementioned),

preceded and followed by Hring, and should sprinkle the boy with water taken with

kusha grass, and fill the joined palms of the latter with water (198). After the boy has

offered the water to Suryya, the Guru should show the boy the Sun, and recite the

Mantra.

“Yonder is the Sun,” etc. (aforementioned) (199).

After the boy has viewed the Sun, the Guru should address him as follows: “My Son!

place thy mind on my observances. I bestow upon thee my disposition. Do thou follow

the observances with an undivided mind. May my word contribute to thy well-being”

(200). After saying this, the Guru, touching the boy’s heart, should ask, “My Son! what is

thy name?” and the boy should make reply: ” . . . Sharmma, I bow to thee” (201). And to

the question of the Guru, “Whose Brahma-chari art thou?” the disciple will reverently

answer: “I am thy Brahma-chari” (202). The Guru should thereupon say: “Thou art the

Brahma-chari of Indra, and Fire is thy Guru.” Saying this, the good Guru should consign

him to the protection of the Devas (203). “My Son! I give thee to Prajapati, to Savitri, to

Varuna, to Prithivi, to the Vishva-devas, and to all the Devas. May they all ever protect

thee” (204).

The boy should thereafter go round the sacrificial fire and the preceptor, keeping both

upon his right, and then resume his own seat (205). The Guru, O Beloved! should then,

with his disciple touching him, offer five oblations to Five Devas (206)–namely,

Prajapati, Shukra, Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva (207). When the oblations are offered into

Fire, under his name of Samud-bhava, the names of each of the Devas should be

pronounced in the dative, preceded by Hring and followed by Svaha. Where there is no

Mantra mentioned, this method is to be followed in all cases (208). After this, oblation

should be offered to Durga, Mahalakshmi, Sundari, Bhuvaneshvari, Indra, and the other

nine regents of the quarters, and Bhaskara and the eight planets (209). The name of each

of these should be mentioned whilst the offering of oblations is made. The wise Guru

should then cover the boy with cloth, and ask him, who is desirous of attaining Brahma-

charyya: “What is the ashrama thou desirest, my son! and what is thy heart’s desire?”

(210). The disciple should thereupon hold the feet of the Preceptor, and, with a reverent

mind, say: “First instruct me in Divine Knowledge, and then in that of the householder”

(211).

O Shiva! when the disciple in this manner has thus beseeched his Guru, the latter should

three times whisper into his disciple’s right ear the Pranava, which contains all the

Mantras in itself, and should also utter the three Vyahritis, as also the Savitri (212).

Sadashiva is its Rishi, the verse is Trishtup, the presiding Deva is Savitri, and its object is

the attainment of final liberation (213). The Gayatri Mantra is:

Mantra

Ong, let us contemplate the wonderful Spirit of the Divine Creator. May He direct our

understanding, Ong.

The Guru should then explain the meaning of the Gayatri (214-215). By the Tara, which

contains the letters–i.e., A, U, and M–the Paresh is meant. He Who is the Protector,

Destroyer, and Creator. He is the Deva Who is above Prakriti (106).

This Deva is the Spirit of the three worlds, containing in Himself the three qualities. By

the three Vyahritis, therefore, the all-pervading Brahman is expressed (217). He Who is

expressed by the Pranava and the Vyahritis is also known by the Savitri. Let us meditate

upon the sublime, all-pervading eternal Truth, the great immanent and lustrous energy,

adored by the self-controlled; Savita, effulgent and omnipresent One, Whose manifested

form the world is, the Creator. May Bharga, Who witnesseth all, and is the Lord of all,

direct and engage our mind, intelligence, and senses towards those acts, which lead to the

attainment of Dharmma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha (218-220).

O Devi! the excellent Guru, having thus instructed the disciple, and explained to him the

Divine Wisdom, should direct him in the duties of a householder (221). “My Son! do

thou now discard the garments of a Brahma-chari, and honour the Devas and Pitris

according to the way revealed by Shambhu” (222). Thy body is sanctified by the

instructions thou hast received in Divine Wisdom. Do thou, now that thou hast reached

the stage of a householder, engage thyself in thy duties appropriate to that mode of life

(223). Put on two sacred threads, two good pieces of cloth, jewels, shoes, umbrella,

fragrant garland, and paste (224). The disciple should then take off his Kashaya cloth and

his sacred thread of black-buck skin and his girdle, and give them and his staff, begging-

bowl, and also what has been received by him in the shape of customary alms, to his

Guru.

He should then put on two sacred threads and two fine cloths, and wear a garland of

fragrant fiowers, and perfume himself, and thereafter sit in silence near the Guru, who

should address him as follows (225-227):

“Conquer the senses, be truthful and devoted to the acquisition of Divine Knowledge and

the study of the Vedas, and discharge the duties of a householder according to the rules

prescribed in the Dharmma Shastras” (228).

Having thus instructed the disciple, the Guru should make him offer three oblations into

Fire in the name of Samudbhava with the

Mantra

Hring, Earth, Firmament, and Heaven, Ong.

He should then himself perform Svishti-krit Homa, and then, O Gentle One! he should

bring the investiture ceremony to a close by offering the complete oblation (229-230).

Beloved! all ceremonies, from the Jivaseka to Upana-yana ceremonies, are performed by

the father alone. The ceremony relating to marriage may be performed either by the

father or by the bridegroom himself (231). The pious man should on the day of marriage

perform his ablutions and finish his daily duties, and should then worship the five Devas

and the Divine Mothers, Gauri and others, and making the Vasu-dhara do Briddhi

Shraddha (232). At night the betrothed bridegroom, preceded by vocal and musical

instrumental music, should be brought to the chhaya-mandapa and seated on an excellent

seat (233). The bridegroom should sit facing the East, and the giver of the bride should

face the west, and the latter, after rinsing his mouth, should, with the assisting

Brahmanas, say the words “Svasti” and “Riddhi” (234).

The giver of the bride should ask after the bridegroom’s welfare, and ask also his

permission to honour him, and upon receiving his answer should honour him by the offer

of water for his feet and the like (235), and saying, “I give this to you,” let him give the

bridegroom the gifts. The water should be given at the feet and the oblation at the head

(236). Articles for the rinsing of the mouth should be offered at the mouth, and then

scents, garlands, two pieces of good cloth, beautiful ornaments and gems, and a sacred

thread should be given to the bridegroom (237), The giver should make madhu-parka by

mixing together curd, ghee, and honey in a bell-metal cup, and place it in the hand of the

bridegroom with the words, “I give you” (238). The bridegroom, after taking it, should

place the cup in his left hand, and, dipping the thumb and ring fingers of his right hand

into the madhu-parka, should smell it five times, reciting meanwhile the Pranahuti

Mantra, and then place the cup on his north. Having offered the madhu-parka, the

bridegroom should be made to rinse his mouth (239-240).

The giver of the daughter should then, holding durva and akshata, touch the right knee of

the bridegroom with his hand, and then, first meditating on Vishnu and saying “Tat Sat,”

he should mention the name of the month, the paksha, and tithi, and then the names of the

gotra and pravara of the bridegroom and his ancestors one by one, from the great-

grandfather, beginning with the last, and ending with the father. The bridegroom’s name

should be in the objective, and the names of the others in the possessive case. Then

follow the bride’s name and the names of her ancestors, their gotras, etc.; and he should

then say: “I honour thee with the object of giving her to thee in Brahma marriage” (241-

244).

The bridegroom should then say: “I am honoured.” The giver upon this should say,

“Perform the ordained marriage rites,” and the bridegroom should then say: “I do it to the

best of my knowledge” (245). The bride, adorned with beautiful clothes and jewels, and

covered with another piece of cloth, should then be brought and placed in front of the

bridegroom (246). The giver of the bride should once again show his respect to the

bridegroom by the present of clothes and ornaments, and join the right hand of the

bridegroom with that of the bride (247). He should place in their joined hands five gems

or a fruit and a pan-leaf, and, having saluted the bride, should consign her to his hands

(248). At the time of consigning the bride the giver should, as before, mention his name

twice in the nominative case, and should state his wish, and should also mention the

names of the three ancestors of the bridegroom, with their gotras, all in the possessive

case, as before.

He should then mention the name of the bridegroom in the dative singular, and then the

names of the three ancestors of the bride, with their gotras, etc., in the possessive case. At

the time of mentioning the bride’s name in the objective singular he should say after that,

“The honoured, adorned, clothed, and Prajapati-devataka,” and saying, “to thee I give,”

he should give away the bride. The bridegroom should, saying “Svasti,” agree to take her

as his wife (249-251). Let the giver then say, “In Dharmma, in Artha, in Kama, thou

should be with thy wife;” and the bridegroom should reply, saying, “So I shall,” and then

recite the praise of Kama (252).

Mantra

It is Kama who gives and Kama who accepts. It is Kama who has taken the Kamini for

the satisfaction of Kama. Prompted by Kama, I take thee. May both our kamas be

fulfilled (353).

The giver should then, addressing the son-in-law and the daughter, say: “May, by the

grace of Prajapati, the desires of you both be accomplished. May you two fare well. Do

you two together perform the religious observances” (254). Then both the bride and

bridegroom, to the accompaniment of music and blowing of conch-shells, should be

covered with the cloth, so that they may have their first auspicious glance at one another

(255).

Then gold and jewels, according to the giver’s means, should be offered to the son-in-law

as presents. The giver should then think to himself that the ceremony has been faultlessly

done (256). The bridegroom either, on the same night or the day following, should

establish fire, according to the rules of Kushandika (257).

The fire that is made in this Kushandika is called Yojaka, and the charu which is cooked

is called Prajapatya. After performing Dhara Homa in the fire, the bridegroom should

offer five oblations (258). The oblation should, after meditation upon Shiva, Durga,

Brahma, Vishnu, and the Carrier of Thunder, be made to them one after the other singly

in the sanctified fire (259). Taking both his wife’s hands, the husband should say: “I take

thy hands, O fortunate one! Do thou be devoted to the Guru and the Devatas, and duly

perform thy household duties according to the religious precepts” (260). The wife should

then, with ghee given by the husband, and fried paddy given by her brother, make four

oblations in the name of Prajapati (261). The husband should then rise from his seat with

his wife and go round the Fire with her and offer oblations to Durga and Shiva, Rama and

Vishnu, Brahmi and Brahma, three times to each couple (262).

Then, without reciting any Mantra, the bride should step on a stone, and, standing

thereon, the bride should take seven steps. If the Kushamdika ceremony is performed at

night, the bride and bridegroom, surrounded by the ladies present, should gaze upon the

stars Dhruva and Arundhati (263). Returning to their seats and seated thereon, the

bridegroom should bring the ceremony to a close by performing Svishti-krit Homa and

offering complete oblations (264). The Brahma marriage, according to kula-dharmma, in

order to be faultless, should take place with a girl of the same caste as the husband, but

she should not be of the same gotra, nor should she be a sapinda (265). The wife married

according to Brahma rites is the mistress of the house, and without her permission

another wife should not be married according to those rites (266). O Kuleshvari! if the

children of the Brahma wife are living or any of her descendants be living, then the

children of the Shaiva wife shall not inherit (267).

O Parameshvari! the Shaiva wife and her children are entitled to food and clothing from

the heir of her Shaiva husband in proportion to the property of the latter (268). Shaiva

marriage celebrated in the Chakra is of two kinds. One kind is terminated with the Chakra

and the other is lifelong (269). At the time of the formation of the Chakra the Vira,

surrounded by his friends, relatives, and fellow-worshippers, should, with a well-

controlled mind, by mutual consent, perform the marriage ceremony (270). He should

first of all submit their wishes, saying to the Bhairavis and Viras there assembled,

“Approve our marriage according to Shaiva form” (271). The Vira should, after obtaining

their permission, bow to the Supreme Kalika, repeating the Mantra of seven letters

(Kalika Mantra) one hundred and eight times (272).

O Shiva! he should then say to the woman: “Dost thou love me as thy husband with a

guileless heart?” (273).

O Queen of the Devas! the Kaula woman should then honour her beloved with scents,

flowers, and coloured rice, and with a faithful heart place her own hands on his (274).

The Lord of the Chakra should then sprinkle them with the following Mantra, and the

Kaulas, seated in the Chakra, should approve and say: “It is well” (275)

Mantra

May Raja-rajeshvari, Kali, Tarini, Bhuvaneshvari, Bagala, Kamala, Nitya, Bhairavi, ever

protect thee both (276).

The Lord of the Chakra should sprinkle them twelve times with wine or water of

oblation, reciting the above Mantra. The two should then bow to him, and he should upon

that let them hear the Vijas of Vagbhava and Rama (277). There is no restriction of caste

or age in Shaiva marriage. By the command of Shambhu, any woman who is not a

sapinda, and has not already a husband, may be married (278).

The wife married for the purposes of Chakra in the Shaiva form should, in the case of the

Vira who desires offspring, be released on the dissolution of the Chakra only after the

appearance of her menses. The offspring of the Shaiva marriage is of the same caste as

the mother if it be an Anuloma marriage, and a Samanya if the marriage is Viloma (279-

281). These mixed castes should, at the time of their fathers’ shraddha and other

ceremonies, give presents of edibles to, and feast the Kaulas only (282).

Eating and sexual union, O Devi! are desired by, and natural to, men, and their use is

regulated for their benefit in the ordinances of Shiva (283). Therefore, O Mahe-shani! he

who follows the ordinances of Shiva undoubtedly acquires Dharmma, Artha, Kama, and

Moksha (284).

End of the Ninth Joyful Message, entitled “The Ten Kinds of Purificatory Rites

(Sangskara).”

Chapter 10

Rites relating to Vriddhi Shraddha, Funeral

Rites, and Purnabhisheka

SHRI DEVI said:

I have now learned from Thee, O Lord! of the ordinances relating to Kushandika

and the

ten Sang-skaras.

Do Thou now,O Deva! reveal to Me the ordinances relating to Briddhi

Shraddha

(1). O Shangkara! tell Me in detail, both for My pleasure and the benefit of all

beings, in which of the sacramental and dedicatory

ceremonies Kushandika and Briddhi

Shraddha should be, or be not, performed. Say this, O Maheshana (2-3).

Shri Sadashiva said:

O Gentle One! I have already in detail spoken of all that should be done in the ten

Sangskaras

commencing from Jiva-seka and ending in marriage (4), and of all that which

should be performed by wise men who desire their own weal.O Beauteous One! I will

now speak of what should be done in other rites. Do Thou listen to it (5).

My Beloved! in consecrating tanks, wells, and ponds, images of Devatas houses, gardens

and in vrata,

the five Devas and the celestial Mothers should be worshipped, and the

Vasu-dhara should be made and Briddhi Shraddha and Kushandika should be performed

(6-7). In ceremonies which may be, and are, performed by women alone there is no

Briddhi Shraddha, but (in lieu thereof) a present of edibles should be made for the

satisfaction of the Devatas and the Pitris (8).

O Lotus-faced One! in such ceremonies the worship of the Deva, Vasu-dhara, and

Kushandika should be devoutly performed by the women through the aid of priests (9). If

a man cannot perform a rite himself, then his son, the son’s son, the daughter’s son,

agnate relatives, sister’s son and son-in-law and the priest, are, O Shiva! the best

substitutes (10). I will, O Kalika! now in detail speak of Briddhi Shraddha. Do Thou

listen to it (11).

After performing the daily duties, a man should with mind intent worship Ganga,

Vishnu–the Lord of Sacrifice, the Divinity of the homestead, and the King (12); and

inwardly reciting the Pranava, he should make nine, seven, five, or three Brahmanas of

Darbha grass (13). The Brahmanas should be made with ends of the grass which have no

knots in them, by twisting the upper ends of the blades from right to left two and a half

times (14).

In Briddhi Shraddha and Parvana Shraddha there should be six Brahmanas, but, O Shiva!

in Ekoddishta Shraddha there should be only one (15). The wise one should place the

Brahmanas made of kusha grass all in one receptacle, with their faces to the north, and

bathe them with the following (16)

Mantra

May the Divinity of water, who is like the Maya Vija, be propitious for the attainment of

our desire. May He be propitious in that which we drink, May He always stand forward

for our good (17).

Then with scents and flowers the Brahmanas made with kusha grass should be

worshipped (18). The wise one should then place on the west and the south six vessels in

pairs with kusha, sesamum-seed, and Tulasi (19). On the two vessels placed on the west

two of the Brahmanas should be seated facing east, and on the four seats on the south the

four Brahmanas should be seated facing north (20).

The Divinities should be imagined to be in the two seated on the west and the paternal

Ancestors in the two seated on the left of those on the south and the maternal ancestors

on the right. Know this, O Parvati (21).

In Abhyudayika Shraddha the Nandimukha fathers and the Nandimukhi mothers, as also

the maternal Ancestors in the male line and in the female line, should be mentioned by

name. Before this, however, one should turn to his right and face the north, and after the

performance of the requisite ceremonies for the worship of the Devas he should turn to

his left and face the south and perform the rites necessary for the offering of the Pindas

(22-23).

In this Abhyudayika Shraddha, O Shiva! all the rites should be performed in their order,

beginning with the rites relating to the Devas, and if there be any deviation the Shraddha

fails in its object (24).

The word of supplication addressed to the Devas should be said whilst facing the north,

and when the same is addressed to the paternal or maternal Ancestors it should be said

whilst facing south. And now, O Thou of pure Smiles! I will first state the words of

entreaty which should be addressed to the Devas (25).

After mentioning the name of the month and paksha, the tithi and the occasion, the

excellent worshipper should say “for the prosperous result of the ceremony.” Then he

should repeat the names and gotras of the three fathers and of the three mothers, and of

the three maternal grandfathers and of the three maternal grandmothers, in the possessive

case, and he should thereafter say: “I am performing the Shraddha of the Vishva-Devas

represented by the image of the two Brahmanas made of kusha grass.” These, O Great

Devi! are the words of entreaty” (26-29).

O Parvati! when the Anujna-vakya is either for paternal or maternal Ancestors, the same

words should, with the necessary alterations, be said for the paternal and maternal

Ancestors, and the Vishva-Devas left out (30). Then, O Shiva! the worshipper should

recite the Brahma-Vidya Gayatri ten times (31). He should next say the following

Mantra

I salute the Divinities, the Fathers–i.e., the Fathers and Mothers–the great Yogis; I salute

Pushti and Svaha; may we have such auspicious occasions over and over again.

The excellent worshipper, having repeated the above Mantra three times, and taking

water in his hand, should wash the Shraddha articles with the

Mantra

Vang, Hung, Phat (32-33).

O Mistress of the Kula! a vessel should next be placed in the corner of Agni. Then

uttering the

Mantra

O Water! Thou art the nectar which killest the Rakshasas, protect this sacrifice of mine.

Water with Tulasi-leaves and barley should be put into it; and the wise one should, after

first offering handfuls of water to the Devas and then to the Vipras, give them seats of

kusha grass (34-35).

The learned men, O Shiva! should then invoke the Vishva-Devas, the fathers, the

mothers, the maternal grandfathers, and the maternal grandmothers (36). Having so

invoked them, the Vishva-Devas should first be worshipped; and then the three fathers,

the three mothers, the three maternal grandfathers, and the three maternal grandmothers

should be worshipped, with offets of Padya, Arghya, Achamaniya, incense, lights, cloths.

Then, O Beauteous One! permission should be asked in the first place of the Devas for

the spreading of the leaves (37-38).

Then a four-sided figure should be drawn uttering the Maya Vija, and then in a similar

way for the paternal and maternal sides two figures each should be drawn (39). After

these have been sprinkled with the Varuna Vija, leaves should be spread over the figures.

These leaves should be sprinkled with the Varuna Vija, and then drinking-water and

different kinds of edibles and rice should be distributed in their order (40).

After giving honey and grains of barley and sprinkling the offerings with water,

accompanied by the

Mantra

Hrang, Hrung, Phat,

the worshipper possessed of the knowledge of Truth should dedicate the edibles by the

names of the Vishva-Devas, the fathers, the mothers, the maternal grandfathers and the

maternal grandmothers, and thereafter repeat the Gayatri ten times and thrice repeat the

Mantra

“I salute the Divinities,” as aforesaid.

After this, O Adya! he should take the directions (of the officiating Brahmanas) relating

to the disposal of the remnants of edibles and of the Pindas (41-43).

Upon receiving the directions of the Brahmana, he should, O Beloved! make twelve

Pindas of the size of bael fruits with the remnants of the Akshata and other things (44).

He should make one more Pinda equal in size with the others, and then, O Ambika! he

should spread some kusha grass and barley on the Nairrita corner of the figure (45).

Mantra

Such of my family as have none to offer Pindas to them whom neither son nor wife

survive, who were burnt to death or were killed by tigers or other beast of prey, such

kinsmen of mine as themselves are without kinsmen, all such as were my kinsmen in

previous births, may they all obtain imperishable satisfaction by the Pinda and water

hereby given by me (46-47).

O Adored of the Devas! having with the above Mantra offered the Pinda to those who

have no one to offer them Pindas, he should wash his hands and inwardly recite the

Gayatri, and repeat the

Mantra

“I salute the Divinities,”

and so forth, three times, and then make the square (48).

O Devi! the wise man should in front of the vessels containing the remnants of the

offerings make such squares in twos (for his Ancestors), beginning with the paternal

Ancestors (49).

O Shive! he should then sprinkle the squares with water with the Mantra already

prescribed, and then spread kusha grass over them and sprinkle them with the Vayu Vija

(49), beginning with the kusha spread on the square for the paternal (male) Ancestors,

and then offer three Pindas, one at the top, another at the bottom, and one in the middle,

in each of the squares (50).

O Maheshvari! the names of each of the Ancestors should be mentioned, inviting him or

her, and then the Pinda should be given with honey and barley, concluding with Svadha

(51). After the Pindas are given (in manner aforesaid) the Lepa-bhoji Ancestors should be

satisfied by the offer to them of the remnants which remain on the hand. These should be

scattered on all sides with the

Mantra

Ong, may the Lepa-bhoji Ancestors be pleased.

In Ekoddishta Shraddha the offering to the Lepa-bhoji Ancestors is not made (52).

Then for the satisfaction of the Devas and Pitris the Gayatri should be inwardly recited

ten times, and the Mantra, “I salute the Divinities,” as aforesaid should be similarly

recited three times, and then the Pindas should be worshipped (53). Lighting an incense-

stick and a light, the wise one should, with closed eyes, think of the Pitris in their celestial

forms partaking of their allotted Pindas, each his own, and should then bow to them,

uttering the following (54)

Mantra

My father is my highest Dharmma. My father is my highest Tapas. My father is my

Heaven. On my father being satisfied, the whole Universe is satisfied (55).

Taking up some flowers from the remnants, the Pitris should be asked for their blessings,

with the following (56)

Mantra

Give me your blessings, O Merciful Pitris. May my knowledge, progeny, and kinsmen

always increase. May my benefactors prosper. May I have food in profusion. May many

always beg of me, and may I not have to beg of any (57-58).

Then he should remove the Devas and Brahmanas made of kusha grass, as also the

Pindas, commencing with the Devas. The wise one should then make presents to all three

(59).

He should then make japa of the Gayatri ten times, and the Mantra, “I salute the

Divinities,” five times, and, after looking at the fire and the Sun, should, with folded

palms, ask the Vipra the following question (60):

“Is the Shraddha complete?” and the Brahmana should make reply:

“It has been completed according to the injunctions” (61).

Then, for the removal of the effects of any error or omission, the Pranava should be

inwardly recited ten times, and the ceremony should be brought to a close, uttering the

following

Mantra

“May the Shraddha rite be faultless”;

and then the food and drink in the vessels should be offered to the officiating Brahmana

(62).

In the absence of a Vipra, it should be given to cows and goats, or should be thrown into

water. This is called “Vriddhi Shraddha,” enjoined for all obligatory sacramental rites

(63). Shraddha performed on the occasion of any Parvvan is called “Parvvana Shraddha”

(64).

In ceremonies relating to the consecration of emblems or images of Devas, or while

starting for or returning from pilgrimage, the Shraddha should be according to the

injunctions laid down for Parvvana Shraddha (65). On the occasion of Parvvana

Shraddha the Pitris should not be addressed with the prefix “Nandimukha,” and for the

words “Salutation to Pushti” should be substituted the words “Salutation to Svadha” (66).

O Beautiful One! if any of the three Ancestors be alive, then the wise one should make

the offerings to another Ancestor of higher degree (67). If the father, grandfather, and

great-grandfather be alive, then, O Queen of the Devas! no Shraddha need be performed.

If they are pleased, then the object of the funeral rite and sacrifice is attained (68).

If his father be living, then a man may perform his mother’s Shraddha, his wife’s

Shraddha, and Nandi-mukha Shraddha; but he is not entitled to perform the Shraddha of

anyone else (69).O Queen of the Kula! at the time of Ekoddishta Shraddha the Vishva-

Devas are not to be worshipped. The word of entreaty should be addressed to one

Ancestor only (70).

At the time of Ekoddishta Shraddha cooked rice and Pinda should be given whilst facing

south. The rest of the ceremony is the same as that which has been already described,

with the exception that sesamum should be substituted for barley (71).

The peculiarity in Preta Shraddha is that the worship of Ganga and others is omitted, and

in the framing of the Mantra the deceased should be spoken of as Preta whilst rice and

Pindas are offered to him (72).

The Shraddha performed for one man is called “Ekoddishta.” In offering Pinda to the

Preta, fish and meat should be added (73). O Mistress of the Kula! know this, that the

Shraddha which is performed on the day following the end of the period of uncleanliness

is Preta Shraddha (74). If there is a miscarriage, or if the child dies immediately on birth,

or if a child is born or dies, then the period of uncleanliness is to be reckoned according

to the custom of the family (75).

The period of uncleanliness in the case of the twice-born is ten days (for Brahmanas),

twelve (for Kshatriyas), and a fortnight (for Vaishyas); for Shudras and Samanyas the

period is one month (thirty days) (76).

On the death of an Agnate who is not a Sapinda, the period of uncleanliness is three days,

and on the death of a Sapinda, should information of it arrive after the period prescribed,

one becomes unclean for three days (77).

The unclean man, O Primordial One! is not entitled to perform any rite relating to the

Devas and the Pitris, excepting Kula worship and that which has been already

commenced (78).

Persons over five years of age should be burnt in the burning-ground, but, O Kuleshani! a

wife should not be burnt with her dead husband (79). Every woman is Thy image–Thou

residest concealed in the forms of all women in this world. That woman who in her

delusion ascends the funeral pyre of her lord shall go to hell (80).

Kalika! the corpses of worshippers of Brahman should be either buried, thrown into

running water, or burnt, according as they may direct (81).

Ambika! death in a holy place or a place of pilgrimage, or near the Devi, or near the

Kaulikas, is a happy one (82).

He who at the time of his death meditates on the one Truth, forgetful of the three worlds,

attains to his own Essential Being (83).

After death the corpse should be taken to the burning-ground, and when it has been

washed it should be smeared with ghee and placed on the pyre, with the face to the north

(84).

The deceased should be addressed by his name, and Gotra and as Preta. Giving the Pinda

to the mouth of the corpse, the pyre should be lighted by applying the torch to the mouth

of the corpse, inwardly the while reciting the Vahni Vija (85).

Beloved! the Pinda should be made of boiled or unboiled rice, or crushed barley, or

wheat, and should be of the size of an emblic myrobalam (86). To the eldest son of the

Preta is given the privilege of performing the Shraddha; in his absence to the other sons,

according to the order of their seniority (87).

The day after the day upon which the period of uncleanliness expires, the mourner should

bathe and purify himself, and give away gold and sesamum for the liberation of the Preta

(88).

The son of the Preta should give away cattle, lands, clothes, carriages, vessels made of

metals, and various kinds of edibles, in order that the Preta may attain Heaven (89).

He should also give away scents, garlands, fruits, water, a beautiful bed, and everything

which the Preta himself liked to insure his passage to Heaven (90).

Then a bull should be branded with the mark of a trident, and decorated with gold and

ornaments, and then let loose, with the object that the deceased may attain Heaven (91).

He should then with a devout spirit perform the Shraddha, according to the injunctions

laid down for the performance of Preta Shraddha, and then feed Brahmanas and Kaulas

possessed of Divine knowledge, and the hungry (92).

The man who is unable to make gifts should perform the Shraddha to the best of his

ability, and feed the hungry, and thus liberate his father from the state of existence of a

Preta (93).

This Preta Shraddha is known as Adya or Ekod-dishta Shraddha, and it liberates the

deceased from the state of Preta. After this every year on the tithi of his death edibles

should be given to the deceased (94).

There is no necessity for a multitude of injunctions nor for a multitude of rituals. Man

may attain all siddhi by honouring a Kaulika. The object of all Sangskaras is completely

attained if, in lieu of the prescribed Homa, Japa, and Shraddha, even a single Kaulika is

duly honoured (96), at the time of the ceremony.

The injunction of Shiva is that all auspicious ceremonies should be performed between

the period beginning with the fourth day of the light half of the lunar half-month, and

ending on the fifth of the dark half-month (97).

He, however, who is desirous of performing any rite which must be performed may

perform it even on an inauspicious day, provided he be so directed by his Guru, by a

Ritvij, or a Kaulika (98).

A Kaulika should commence the building of a house, should first enter a house, start on a

journey, wear new jewels, and the like,only after worshipping the Primordial One with

the five Elements (99).

Or the excellent worshipper may shorten the rite. He may thus, after meditating on the

Devi, and inwardly reciting the Mantra and bowing to the Devi, go wherever he may

desire (100).

In the worship of all Devatas, such as the Autumnal Festival and others, dhyana and puja

should be performed according to the ordinances laid down in the Shastras relating to

such worship (101).

According to the ordinances relating to the worship of the Primordial Kali, animal

sacrifice and Homa should be performed, and the rite should be brought to an end by the

honouring of Kaulikas and making of offerings (102).

The general rule is that Ganga, Vishnu, Shiva, Suryya, and Brahma should first be

worshipped, and then the Deva the special object of worship (103).

The Kaulika is the most excellent Dharmma, the Kaulika is the most excellent Deva, the

Kaulika is the most excellent pilgrimage, therefore should the Kaula be always

worshipped (104).

The three and a half kotis of Places of Pilgrimage, all the Devas beginning with Brahma

Himself, reside in the body of the Kaula. What, therefore, is there which is not attained

by worshipping him? The land in which the good and fully initiated Kaula resides is

blessed and deserving of honour. It is most holy, and is coveted even by the Devas (105-

106). Who can in this world understand the majesty of the fully initiated Sadhaka, who is

Shiva Himself, and to whom there is nothing either holy or sinful? (107).

Such a Kaula, possessing merely the form of man, moves about this earth for the

salvation of the entire world and the instruction of men in the conduct of life (108).

Shri Devi said:

Thou hast, O Lord! spoken of the greatness of the Soul of the fully initiated Kaula. Do

Thou in Thy mercy speak to Me of the ordinances relating to such initiation (109).

Shri Sadashiva said:

In the three Ages this rite was a great secret.; men then used to perform it in all secrecy,

and thus attain liberation (110).

When the Kali Age prevails, the followers of Kula rite should declare themselves as such,

and, whether in the night or the day, should openly be initiated (111).

By the mere drinking of wine, without initiation, a man does not become a Kaula. The

Kula worshipper becomes the Lord of the Kula Chakra only after full initiation (112).

The Guru should, the day before the initiation, worship the Deva of Obstacles with

offerings, according to his ability for the removal of all obstacles (113).

If the Guru is not qualified to officiate at a full initiation ceremony, then it should,O

Beloved! be performed by a duly initiated Kaula (114). Gang is the Vija of Ganapati

(Ganesha) (115). Ganaka is the Rishi, the Chhanda is Nivrit, the Lord of Obstacles is the

Devata, and the Mantra is applicable for the removal of obstacles to the performance of

the rite (116).

Adding successively six long vowels to the Mula Mantra, Shadanga-nyasa should be

performed, and O Shiva! after doing Pranayama let Ganapati be meditated upon (117).

Dhyana

Meditate on Gana-pati as of the colour of vermilion, having three eyes, a large belly,

holding in His lotus-hands the conch, the noose, the elephant-goad, and the sign of

blessing. His great trunk adorned with the jar of wine which it holds. On His forehead

shines the young Moon. He has the head of the King of elephants; His cheeks are

constantly bathed in wine. His hody is adorned with the coils of the King of servants. He

is dressed in red raiment, and His body is smeared with scented ointments (118).

Having thus meditated upon Ganapati, he should be worshipped with mental offerings,

and then the protecting power of the seat should be worshipped. These are Tibra, Jvalini,

Nanda, Bhoga-da, Kama-rupini, Ugra, Tejasvati, Satyi, and Vighna-vinashini. The first

eight should be worshipped in their order, beginning from the east, and the last should be

worshipped in the middle of the Mandala. Having thus worshipped them all, the lotus-

seat itself should be worshipped (119-120).

Meditating on Ganesha once again, He should be worshipped with offerings of the five

elements. On each of His four sides should the excellent Kaulika worship Ganesha,

Gana-nayaka, Gana-natha, Gana-krida, Eka-danta, Rakta-tunda, Lambodara, Gajanana,

Mahodara, Vikata, Dhumrabha, and Vighna-nashana (121-123).

Then the eight Shaktis, Brahmi, and others, and the ten Dikpalas and their weapons,

should be worshipped, and after that Vighna-raja should be bidden to depart (124).

Having thus worshipped the King of Obstacles, the worshipper should perform the

preliminary ceremony, and then entertain the Kaulas versed in divine knowledge with the

five elements (125).

The next day, having bathed and performed his ordinary daily duties as already enjoined,

he should, O Beloved! give away sesamum-seed and gold for the destruction of all sins

from his birth, and a bhojya for the satisfaction of the Kaulas (126). Then, giving arghya

to Suryya, and having worshipped Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the nine Planets, as also

the sixteen divine Mothers, he should make a Vasu-dhara (127).

He should then perform Vriddhi Shraddha for the good result of the rite, and, going up to

the Guru, bow to him, and pray to him as follows (128):

(Prayer to the Guru)

Save me, O Lord! thou that art the Sun of the Kaulas. Protect my head, O Ocean of

Mercy! with the shade of thy lotus-foot (129). Grant us leave, O Exalted One! in this

auspicious Purnabhisheka that by thy grace I may attain the success of my undertaking

without any hindrance (130).

(The Guru should then reply:)

My son! be thou, by the permission of the Shiva-Shakti, initiated with the full initiation.

May thou attain the object of thy desire by the command of Shiva (131).

Having thus obtained the permission of the spiritual Preceptor, he should make the

Sangkalpa for the removal of all obstacles and for the attainment of long life, prosperity,

strength, and good health (132).

The Sadhaka, having solemnly formed his resolve, should worship the Guru, by

presenting him with clothes and jewels, and karana with Shuddhi, and do honour to him

(133).

The Guru should then make with earth an altar four fingers in height and measuring one

and a half cubit either way in a beautiful room painted with red earth, etc., decorated with

pictures, flags, fruits, and leaves, and strings of small bells.

The room should have a beautiful ceiling-cloth, lighted with lines of lamps fed with ghee

to dispel all traces of darkness, and should be scented with burning camphor, incense-

sticks, and incense, and ornamented with fans, fly-whisks, the tail feathers of the

peacock, and mirrors, etc., and then he should with rice powdered and coloured yellow,

red, black, white, and dark blue draw Mandala called Sarvato-bhadra, beautiful and

auspicious in every way (134-138).

Then each person should perform the rite preparatory to mental worship, according to his

Sangkalpa, and then, having made mental worship, should purify the five elements with

the Mantra previously mentioned (139). After the Pancha-tattvas have been purified, the

jar, which must be either of gold or silver or copper or earth, should be placed with the

Brahma Vija on the Mandala. It should be washed with the Weapon Mantra and smeared

with curd, Akshata, and then a vermilion mark should be placed on it with the Mantra

“Shring” (140-141).

He should then recite three times the letters of the alphabet, with the Vindu superposed

from Ksha to A, and recite inwardly the Mula Mantra, and fill the jar with wine or water

from some holy place, or with ordinary pure water, and then throw into the jar nine gems

or gold (142-143).

The merciful Guru should then place over the mouth of the jar a leafy branch of a Jack-

tree, a Fig-tree, an Ashvattha-tree, and of a Vakula and Mango-tree, with the Vagbhava

Vija (144).

He should then place on the leafy branch a gold, silver, copper, or earthen platter, uttering

the Rama Vija and Maya Vija (145). Then, O Beauteous One! two pieces of cloth should

be tied to the neck of the jar. When worshipping Shakti the cloth should be of a red

colour, and in the worship of Shiva and Vishnu it should be white (146).

Inwardly reciting the

Mantra

Sthang, Sthing, Hring, Shring,

the jar should be fixed in its place, and after putting into it the Pancha-tattvas the nine

cups should be placed in their order (147). The Shakti Patra should be of silver, the Guru

Patra of gold, the Shri Patra should be made of the human skull, the rest of copper (148).

Cups made of stone, wood, and iron should be rejected; the material of the cups in the

worship of the Maha-Devi should be according to the means of the worshipper (149).

After placing the cups, libations should be offered to the four Gurus and the Devi, and the

wise one should then worship the jar filled with nectar (150). Lights and incense should

then be waved and sacrifices made to all beings, and after worshipping the divinities of

the pitha he should perform Shadangganyasa (151). He should then do Pranayama, and,

meditating on the Great Devi, invoke Her, and thereafter worship Her, the Object of his

worship, to the best of his ability and without niggardliness (151). The excellent Guru, O

Shiva! should perform all the rites ending with Homa, and then honour the Kumaris and

worshippers of Shakti by presenting them with flowers, sandal-paste, and clothes (153).

The Guru should then ask the permission of those present with the following words:

O you Kaulas! who are vowed to Kula-worship, be kind to my disciple. Do you give your

permission to his Sangskara of Purnabhisheka (154).

The Lord of the Chakra, having thus asked those present, should respectfully say: “By the

grace of Mahamaya and the majesty of the Supreme Soul, may thy disciple be perfect and

devoted to the Supreme Essence” (155).

The Guru should then make the disciple worship the Devi in the jar, which has been

worshipped by himself, and then, mentally repeating the

Mantra

Kling, Hring, Shring

over it, move the immaculate jar, with the following

Mantra

Rise, O Brahma-kalasha, thou art the Devata and grantest all success. May my disciple,

being bathed with thy water and leaves, be devoted to Brahman (156-157).

Having moved the jar in this manner, the Guru should mercifully sprinkle the disciple

seated with his face to the North with the Mantra about to be spoken (158).

The Rishi of the Mantra of this auspicious Purnabhisheka rite is Sadashiva, the presiding

Devata is the Adya Devata, the Vija is “Ong,” and its applicability is for the auspicious

sprinkling on the occasion of the Purnabhisheka ceremony (158-159).

Mantra

May the Gurus sprinkle thee. May Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara sprinkle thee; may

the Mothers Durga, Lakshmi, Bhavani, sprinkle thee; may Shodashi, Tarini, Nitya,

Svaha, Mahisha-mardini, all these sprinkle thee with the water that has been sanctified by

the Mantra; may Jaya-durga, Vishalakshi, Brahmani, Sarasvati, may all These sprinkle

thee; may Bagala, Varada, and Shiva sprinkle thee; may the Shaktis, Narasinghi, Varahi,

Vaishnavi, Vana-malini, Indrani, Varuni, Raudri, sprinkle thee; may Bhairavi, Bhadra-

kali, Tushti, Pushti, Uma, Kshama, Shraddha, Kanti, Daya, Shanti, always sprinkle thee;

may Maha-kali, Maha-lakshmi, Maha-nila-sarasvati, Ugra-chanda, Prachanda, constantly

sprinkle thee; may Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Nrisingha, Vamana, Rama, Bhrigu-Rama,

sprinkle thee with water; may Asitanga, Ruru, Chanda, Krodhonmatta, Bhayangkara,

Kapali, Bhishana, sprinkle thee; may Kali, Kapalini, Kulla, Kurukulla, Virodhini,

Viprachitta, Mahogra, ever sprinkle thee; may Indra, Agni, Shamana, Raksha, Varuna,

Pavana, Dhana-da, Maheshana, who are the eight Dikpalas, sprinkle thee; may Ravi,

Soma, Mangala, Budha, Jiva, Sita, Shani, Rahu, Ketu, with all their Satellites, sprinkle

thee; may the stars, the Karanas, the Yogas, the Days of the Week, and the two Divisions

of the Month, the Days, Seasons, Months, and the Year anoint thee always; may the Salt

Ocean, the Sweet Ocean, the Ocean of Wine, the Ocean of Ghee, the Ocean of Curd, the

Ocean of Milk, the Ocean of Sweet Water sprinkle thee with their consecrated waters;

may Ganga, Yamuna, Reva, Chandra-bhaga, Sarasvati, Sarayu, Gandaki, Kunti, Shveta-

ganga, Kaushiki, may all these sprinkle thee with their consecrated waters; may the great

Nagas beginning with Ananta, the birds beginning with Garuda, the trees beginning with

the Kalpa tree, and the great Mountains sprinkle thee; may the beneficent Beings residing

in Patala, on the earth, and in the air, pleased at this hour of thy Purnabhisheka, sprinkle

thee with water (160-175). May thy ill-luck, bad name, illness, melancholy and sorrows

be destroyed by the Purnabhisheka, and by the glory of the Supreme Brahman (176). May

Alakshmi, Kala-karni, the Dakinis, and the Yoginis, being driven away by the Kali Vija,

be destroyed by the Abhisheka (177). May the Bhuta, Preta, Pishachas, and the

maleficent Planets be driven out, put to flight, and destroyed by the Rama Vija; may all

misfortune caused thee by magic and by the incantations of thy enemies, may all thy

transgressions of mind, word, and body be destroyed as the result of this initiation; may

all thy adversities be destroyed, may thy prosperity be undisturbed, may all thy desires be

fulfilled as the result of this Purnabhisheka (178-180).

With these twenty-one Mantras the disciple should be sprinkled with water; and if he has

obtained already the Mantra from the mouth of a Pashu, the Guru should make him hear

it again (181).

The Kaulika Guru should, having informed the worshippers of Shakti, call his disciple by

his name and give him a name ending with Anandanatha (182).

Being thus initiated in the Mantra by the Guru, the disciple should worship his Ishta-

devata in the Yantra (of the Guru), and then honour the Guru by presenting him with the

Pancha-tattvas (183).

The disciple should also give as Dakshina cows, land, gold, clothes, drinks, and jewels to

the Guru, and then honour the Kaulas, who are the very embodiments of Shiva (184).

The self-possessed, purified, and humble disciple, having honoured the Kaulas, should

touch the sacred feet of the Guru with veneration, and, bowing to him, pray to him as

follows (185):

Prayer to Guru

Holy Lord! Thou art the Lord of the world. Lord! thou art my Lord.O Ocean of Mercy!

do Thou gratify my heart’s desire by the gift of the excellent nectar (186).

The Guru should then say:

“Give me leave, O Kaulas! you who are the visible images of Shiva Himself, that I may

give to my good and humble disciple the excellent nectar” (187).

The Kaulas will then say:

“Lord of the Chakra! thou art the Supreme Lord Himself, Thou art the Sun of the Kaula

lotus. Do Thou gratify this good disciple, and give him the Kaula nectar” (188).

The Guru, having obtained the leave of the Kaulas, should place in the hand of the

disciple the drinking-cup filled with the excellent nectar, as also the Shuddhi (189).

The Guru should then, devoutly meditating on the Devi in his heart, place the tilaka on

the forehead of the disciple, as also of the Kaulas, with the ashes adhering to the

sacrificial spoon (190).

Let the Guru then distribute the Tattvas offered to the Devi, and partake of the food and

drink as directed in the injunctions relating to the formation of Chakra (191).

O Devi! I have spoken to Thee of the auspicious rites relating to Purnabhisheka. By this

one attains divine knowledge and becomes Shiva Himself (192).

The Purnabhisheka should be performed for nine or seven or five or three or one night

(193).

There are, O Kuleshani! five different forms in this purificatory rite. In the rite which

lasts nine nights the Mandala known as Sarvato-bhadra should be made (194).

Beloved! in the rite which lasts seven nights the Mandala Nava-nabha, in the rite which

lasts five nights the Mandala Panchabja, in the rite which lasts three nights and in the rite

which lasts one night the Mandala of eight-petalled lotus should be respectively made

(195).

O Devi! the injunction is that on the Sarvato-bhadra and Nava-nabha Mandalas nine jars

should be placed, on Panchabja Mandala five, and on Ashta-dalabja Mandala one jar, and

the Angga-Devatas and the Avarana-Devatas should be worshipped in the filaments and

other parts of the lotuses (196-197).

The Kaulas who have been fully initiated are pure of soul. All things are purified by their

looking, touching, and by their smelling them (198). All men, whether they are Shaktas,

Vaishnavas, Shaivas, Sauras, or Ganapatas, should worship the Kaula Sadhu with

devotion (199).

It is good for a Shakta to have a Guru who is a Shakta, for a Shaiva a Shaiva Guru is

commendable, and for a Vaishnava a Vaishnava, for a Saura a Saura as Guru is advised,

and a Ganapata is the proper Guru for a Ganapata, but a Kaula is excellent as Guru in the

case of all; therefore the wise one should with all his soul be initiated by a Kaula (200-

201). Those who worship the Kaulas with Pancha-tattva and with heart uplifted cause the

salvation of their Ancestors, and themselves attain the highest end (202).

The man who has obtained the Mantra from the mouth of a Pashu is of a certainty a

Pashu, and he who has obtained the Mantra from a Vira is a Vira, and he who obtains it

from a Kaula knows the Brahman (203). One who has been initiated according to Shakta

rites is a Vira; he may purify the Pancha-tattvas only in the worship of his own Ishta-

devata, he may never be the Chakreshvara (204).

He who kills a Vira, he who drinks wine which has not been consecrated, he who seduces

the wife of or steals the property of a Vira, these four are great sinners, and the man who

associates with any of these is the fifth sinner (205). Those evil-natured men who

disparage the Kula Way, Kula articles, and the Kula worshipper go down the low and vile

path (206).

The Rudra-dakinis and Rudra-bhairavis dance in joy (at the thought of) chewing the

bones and flesh of men who hate wine and the Kaulas (207). They are merciful and

truthful, and ever desire the good of others, for such as slander them there is no escape

from Hell (208).

I have in the various Tantras spoken of various ceremonies and of many repetitions of

practices; but in the case of a Kaula who is devoted to the Brahman, it is a matter of

indifference whether he practises or omits them (209).