The Twelfth Book. Chapter 7
The Twelfth Book
Chapter Vii
On The Dks Vidhi Or On The Rules Of Initiation
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1-3. Nrada said :-- I have heard the one thousand names or nma stotras equivalent in its fruits to Sr Gyatr, highly potent in making a good fortune and tending to a splendid increase of the wealth and prosperity. Now I want to hear about how initiations in Mantrams are performed, without which nobody, be he a Brhmin, a Ksattriya, a Vaisya or a Sdra, is entitled to have the Dev Mantra. O Lord! Kindly describe the ordinary (Smnya) and the special (visesa) rules ther.
4-41. Nryana said :-- O Nrada! Listen. I am now telling you about the rules of initiation (Dks) of the disciples, pure in heart. When they are initiated, they become entitled then and not before that, to worship the Devas, the Fire and the Guru. That method of instruction, and religious act and ceremony is called the Dks (initiation) by which the Divine Knowledge is imparted; and at once flashes in the heart and mind of the initiated that Knowledge and all his sins are then destroyed. So the Pundits of the Vedas and the Tantras, say. (The Divine Knowledge is like lightning, fire, arising and permeating the body, mind, and spirit.) This Dks ought to be taken by all means. This gives excellent merits and pure results. Both the Guru and the Sisya (disciple) ought to be very pure and true. (This is the first essential requisite. Then the results are instantaneous). First of all, the Guru is to perform all the morning duties, he is to take his bath and perform his Sandhy Vandanams. He is to return home from the banks of the river with his Kamandalu and observe maunam (silence). Then, in order to give Dks, he is to enter into the assigned room (Yga Mandapa) and take his seat on an sana that is excellent and calculated to please all. He is to perform chanara and do Prnyma. Then he should take water in his Arghya vessel and putting scents and flowers in that, charge that water with Phatkra mantra (that is, condense electricity Spirit in that). Then uttering the Phat mantra, he is to sprinkle the water on the doorways of the worshiproom and begin his Pj. Firstly, on the top of the door at one end invoke the Deity Gananth by His mantra, at the other end invoke Sarasvat by Her mantra and at the middle, invoke Laksm Dev by Her mantra duly and worship them, with flowers. Then, on the right side worship Gang and Bighnesa; and on the left side worship Ksettrapla and Yamun, the daughter of the Sun. Similarly, on the bottom of the door, worship the Astra Devat by the
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Phat mantra. Then consider the whole Mandapa as inspired with the presence of the Dev, and see the whole place as pervaded by Her through and through. Then, repeat the Phat mantra and destroy the Celestial obstacles as well as those from the middle space (Antarksa); strike the ground thrice with the left heel and thus destroy the Terrene obstacles. Then touching the left branch on the left side of the choukt, put the right foot forward and enter into the Mandapa. Then instal the Snti Kumbha (the peace jar) and offer the ordinary Arghya (Smnyrgha). Next worship the Vstuntha and Padmayoni with flowers and tapa rice and the Arghya water, on the south-west and then purify the Pancha Gavya. Next sprinkle all the Mandapa and the entrance gate with that Arghya water. And, while sprinkling with Arghya water, consider the whole space right through as inspired with the presence of the Dev and repeat the Mla Mantra with devotion and sprinkle with Phat mantra. The Kart, then, uttering the mantra "Phat," is to drive away all the evils from the Mandapa and uttering the mantra "Hm" sprinkle water, all around, thus pacifying the atmosphere and bringing peace into the hearts of all present.
Then burn the Dhpa incense inside and scatter Vikira (water, sandal-paste, yava, ashes, Durba grass with roots, and tapa rice). Then collect all these rice, etc., again with a broom made of Kusa grass to the north east corner of the Mandapa; making the Sankalpa and uttering Svasti vchana (invocation of good), distribute and satisfy the poor and orphans with feeding, clothing and money. Then he should bow down to his own Guru and take his seat humbly on the soft sanam allotted to him with his face eastwards and meditate on the Deity (sta Deva) of the mantra that is to be imparted to the disciple. After meditating thus, he is to do the Bhta sddhi (purification of elements) and perform Nysa, etc., of the Deya mantra (the mantra that is to be imparted to the disciple) according to the rules stated below, i.e., the Risi on the head; the chhandas in the mouth, the sta Devat in the heart, Bja on the anus and Sakti Nysa on the two legs. Then he is to make sound thrice by the clap of his palm and thus thwart off all the evils of the earth and the middle space and then make digbandhan (tieing up the quarters) by the mudr chhotik three times (snapping the thumb and forefinger together ). Then perform the Prnyma with the Mla mantra of the would-be-sta-Devat and do the Mtrik Nysa in ones own body, thus :-- Om Am namah sirasi, Om m namah on the face, Om Im namah on the right eye, Om m namah on the left eye, and so on, assign all the letters duly to their respective places. Then perform the Karnga Nysa on the fingers and the Sadanga Nysa thus :-- Speak: Om Hridayya namah, touching on the heart, utter Om Sirase svh, touching the head; Om
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Sikhyai Vasat, touching the tuft; Om Kavachya Hm, touching on the Kavacha, "Om netratrayya Vausat," touching the eye, and "Om Astrya Phat" touching both the sides of the hand, the palm and its back. Then finish the Naysa by doing the Varnanysa of the Mla mantra in those places that are said in the cognate kalpas (i.e., throat, heart, arms, legs, etc.).
O Nrada! Next consider within your body the seat of an auspicious sana (a seat) and make the Nysa of Dharma on the right side, Jnam on the left side, of Vairgyam (dispassion) on the left thigh, prosperity and wealth on the right thigh, of non-Dharma in the mouth and of Non-Jnam on the left side, Avairgyam (passion) on the navel, and poverty on the right side. Then think of the feet of the sana (the body) as Dharma, etc., and all the limbs as Adharma (non-Dharma). In the middle of the sana (body), i.e., in the heart consider Ananta Deva as a gentle bed and on that a pure lotus representing this universe of five elements. Then make Nysa of the Sun, Moon, and Fire on this lotus and think the Sun as composed of twelve Kals (digits) the Moon composed of sixteen Kals (digits) and the Fire as composed of ten Kals. Over this make Nysa of Sttva, Rja and Tmo Gunas, tm, Antartm, Paramtm and Jntm and then think of this as his stas altar where the devotee is to meditate on his sta Devat, the Highest Mother. Nysa-assignment of the various parts of the body to different deities which is usually accompanied with prayers and corresponding gesticulations. Next the devotee is to perform the mental worship of the Deya Mantra Devat according to the rules of his own Kalpa; next he is to show all the Mudrs, stated in the Kalpa for the satisfaction of the Deva. The Devas become very pleased when all these Mudrs are shown to them.
42-46. O Nrada! Now, on ones left side, erect an hectagon; inside it a circular figure; inside this again a square and then draw within that square a triangle and over it show the Sankha Mudr. After finishing the Pj of the Six Deities at the six corners of the hectagon, Fire, etc., take the tripod of the Sankha (conch-shell) and sprinkling it with Phat mantra, place it within the triangle. Utter, then, the Mantra "Mam Vahniman dalya Dasa Kaltmane Amuka Devy Arghyaptrasthnya namah" and thus worshipping the Snkhya vessel place it within the mandala. Then worship in the Sankha ptra, the ten Kals of Fire, beginning from the East, then south-east and so on. Sprinkle the Sankha, conchshell, with the Mla Mantra and meditating on it, place the Sankha (conch shell) on the tripod. Repeating the mantra "Am Srya mandalya Dvadasakaltmane Amukodevy
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Arghyaptrya namah" worship in the Arghyaptra Sankha, sprinkle water in the Sankha with the Mantra "Sam Sankhya namah." Worship in due order the twelve Kals of the Sun Tapin, Tpin, Dhmr, etc., utter the fifty syllables of the Mtrik in an inverse order (i.e., beginning, see the Srad Tilaka, with Ksam, Ham, Sam, Sam, Sam, etc.,) and repeating the Mla Mantra also in an inverse order, fill the Sankha, three-fourths, with water. Next perform in it the Nysa of Chandrakal and uttering the Mantra "Um Soma mandalya Sodasakaltmane Amukademty Arghy-mritya namah," worship in this conchshell. Next with Ankusa mudr, invoke all the trthas there, repeating the Mantra "Gange Cha Yamune chaiva, etc.," and repeat eight times the Mla Mantra (the basic Mantra). Then perform the Sadamga Nysa in the water and with the Mantra "Hrid namah, etc.," worship and, repeating eight times the Mla Mantra, cover it with Matsyamundr. Next place on the right side of the Sankha, the Proksan Ptra (the Kos vessel from which water is taken for sprinkling) and put a little water in it. By this water sprinkle and purify all the articles of worship as well as ones own body and consider ones tman as pure and holy.
47-81. After doing works thus far the until Visesrghya is placed, the devotee should erect Sarvato bhadra mandala within the altar and put the Sli rice within its pericarp. Next spread Kusa grass on that Mandala and put on one Kurcha, looking well and auspicious within it, made of twenty-seven Kusa grass knotted with Venyagra granthi. Worship here the dhra Sakti, Prakriti, Krma, Sesa, Ksam, Sudhsindhu, Manimandala, Kalpa vriksa and sta devat and the Ptha. (Durg Dev yoga pthya namah). Then have an entire kumbha (waterjar) having no defect, wash it inside with Phat mantra, and encircle it with the red thread thrice as symbolising the three Gunas. Place within this jar the Nava ratna (nine jewels) with Kurcha and worshipping it with scents and flowers put them in the jar repeating the Pranava, and place that on the Ptha (seat). Next consider the Ptha and Kumbha (waterjar) as one and the same and pour waters from the Trthas, repeating in an inverse order the Mtrik Varnas (from Ksa to Ka) and fill it, thinking of the sta Deva and repeating the basic mantra, put the new and fresh twigs (Pallavas) of Asvattha, Panasa and mango trees, etc., in the jar and cover its mouth and place over it fruits, rice, and chasaka (honey) and wrap it with two red cloths. Then perform the Prna-Pratisth and invoke the Spirit of the Dev by the Prnasthpana Mantra and show the Mudrs, vhana, etc., and thus satisfy the Dev. Then do the Sodasopachra Pj of the Dev after me-
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ditating on the Paramesvar according to the rules of the Kalpa.
First offer "welcome" in front of the Dev and then duly offer the Pdya, Arghya, chamanya water, Madhuparka, and oils, etc., for the bath. Then offer nice red silken clothes and various jewels, ornaments; repeating the Mtrik syllables electrified with the Deya Mantra, worship the whole body of the Dev with scents and flowers. Next offer to the Dev the sweet scent of Kalguru mixed with camphor and the Ksmri sandalpaste mixed with Kastr and various nice scented flowers, for example, the Kunda flowers, etc. Then offer the Dhpa prepared from Aguru, Guggula, Usra, sandalpaste, sugar, and honey and know that the Dhpa is very pleasing to the Dev. Next offer various lights and offerings of fruits, vegetables and fooding. Be particular to sprinkle everything with the water of the Kos, thus purifying, before it is offered to the Dev. Then complete the Anga Pj, and the varana-Pj of the Dev, then perform the duty of Vaisvadeva. On the right side of the Dev erect an altar (sthandila) six feet square and instal Agni (Fire) there. Invoke there the Deity, thinking of Her Form and worship Her with scents and flowers. Then with the Vyrhiti Mantra with Svh prefixed and Mla (Deya) Mantra perform the Homa ceremony with oblations, charu and ghee, twenty five times. Next perform Homa again with Vyrhiti. Next worship the Dev with scents, etc., and consider the Dev and Ptha Devat as one and the same. Then take leave of (visarjana) the Agni (Fire). Offer valis (sacrifices) all round to the Prsvadas of the Dev with the remnant charu of the Homa.
Now again worship the Dev with five offerings and offer betel, umbrella, chmara and others and repeat the Mla mantra thousand times. After finishing the Japam, place Karkar (a water-jar with small holes at the bottom, as in a sieve) on the rice in the north-eastern corner and invoke the Dev there and worship Her. Uttering the mantra "Raksa Raksa" moisten the place with water coming out of Karkar, and repeat the Phat mantra. After re-worshipping the Dev, place Karkar in due position. Thus the Guru finishes the Adhivsa (foregoing) ceremony and takes his meals with the disciple and sleeps that night on that altar.
82-106. O Nrada! Now I am describing briefly about the Homa Kunda (a round hole in the ground consecrated to the Deity) and the Samskra ceremony of the Sthandila (the sacrificial altar). Uttering, first, the Mla Mantra, see, fix your gaze on the Kunda; then sprinkle it with water and the Phat mantra and drive away the evil-spirits from there. Then with mantra "Hm" again sprinkle it with water.
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Then draw within it three lines Prgagra and Udagagra (on the eastern and northern sides). Sprinkling it with water and the Pranava, worship within the Ptha, uttering the mantras from dhra Saktaye namah to Amuka Dev Yoga Pthya namah. Invoke, in that Ptha, the Highest One, Who is Siva Siv with all one-ness of heart and worship Her with scents and offerings. Then think for a moment the Dev as having taken bath and as one with Sankara. Bring then fire in a vessel and taking a flaming piece ther throw that in the south-west corner. Then purifying it by the gaze and quitting the portions of Kravydah, impart the Chaitanya by "Ram," the Vahnivja repeat "Om" over it seven times. Shew, then, the Dhenumudr and protect it by Phat Kra and cover, veil, it with the mantra "Hm." Then turn the fire, thus worshipped with sandalpaste, etc., thrice over the Kunda and with both the knees on the ground and repeating the Pranava, consider the Agni as the Vrya of Siva and throw it on the yoni of the Dev in the Ptha. Then offer chamana, etc., to the Deva and the Dev and worship. Then light the flame with the mantra "Chit Pingala Hana Hana Daha Daha Pacha Pacha Sarvaj Jpaya Svh." Then utter the stotra to the Agni Deva with great love, repeating the mantra "Agnim Prajvalitam vande Jtavedam Hutsanam suvarna varnamamalam samiddham Visvatomukham." Then perform the Sadamganysa to the Agni Deva "Om Sahasrrchchise namah, Om Svasti Prnya Svh, Om Uttistha purusya vasat, Om Dhma vypine Hm Om Sapta Jihvya vausat Om Dhanur dharya Phat." Repeating the above six mantras, perform the Nysa on the heart, etc., the six places. Now meditate on the Agni as of a golden colour, three-eyed, seated on a lotus and holding in His four hands signs of granting boons, Sakti, Svastika and sign of "no fear," also meditate on Agni, as the seat of the greatest auspiciousness. Then moisten the Kunda on the top of the belt (mekhal) with water. Next spread the Kusa grass all around and draw the Agni yantra over it, i.e., triangle, hectagon, circle, eight-petalled figure and Bhpura; rather have this drawing before the Agnisthpan. Now meditate this only. Then, within the Yantra, recite "Vaisvnara Jtaveda Lohitksa sarvakarmni Sdhaya Svh" and worship Agni. Then worship in the centre and in the hectagon at the corners worship the Saptajihv (seven tongues Hiranya, Gagan, Rakt, Krisn, Suprabh, Bahurp, Atiraktik) and next worship within the pericarp of the lotus the Anga Devats. Then recite the following mantras within the eight petals :-- "Om Agnaye Jtavedase namah, Om Agnaye Saptajihvya namah, Om Agnaye Havyavhanya
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namah, Om Agnaye Asvodarajya namah, Om Agnaye Vaisvnarya namah, Om Agnaye Kaumra tejase namah, Om Agnaye Visvamukhya namah, Om Agnaye Devamukhya namah" and considering the forms to hold Sakti and Svastik, worship them. Then consider Indra and the other Lokaplas (Regents of the several quarters) situated in the east, south-east, and so on together with their weapons, the thunderbolt and the other weapons, and thus worship them.
107-134. O Nrada! Next purify the sacrificial ladles, etc., sruk, sruva, etc., and ghee; then, taking ghee by sruva, go on with the Homa ceremony. Divide the ghee of the jyasthl (the vessel in which the ghee for the Homa purposes is kept) in three parts; take ghee from the right side and saying "Om Agnaye Svh" offer oblations on the right eye of the Agni; take ghee from the left side and saying "Om Somye Svh" offer oblations on the left eye of the Agni; take ghee from the centre and saying, "Om Agnisombhym Svh," offer oblations on the central eye of the Agni. Take ghee again from the right side and saying "Om Agnaye Svistakrite Svh" offer oblations to the mouth of the Agni. Then the devotee is to repeat "Om Bhuh Svh, Om Bhuvah Svh, Om Svah Svh" and offer thrice the oblations; next he is to offer oblations thrice with the Agni mantra. After this, O Muni! for impregnation and each of the ten Samskras, natal-ceremony, tonsure, etc., he is to repeat the Pranava Mantra and offer the eight oblations of ghee on each occasion. Now hear of the tenfold Samskras :-- (1) Impregnation, (2) Pumsavan (a ceremony performed as soon as a woman perceives the foetus to be quick), (3) Smantonnayana (a ceremony observed by women in the fourth, sixth or the eighth month of pregnancy), (4) Jta Karma (ceremony at the birth of a child), (5) Nmakarana, (naming the child), (6) Niskrmana (a ceremony performed when a new-born child is first taken out of the house into the open air usually in the fourth month), (7) Annaprsana (when the rice is put in the mouth of the child), (8) Chdkarana (the ceremony of the first tonsure), (9) Upanayana (holding the sacrificial thread; (10) Godna and Udvha (gift of cows and marriage). These are stated in the Vedas. Next worship Siva Prvat, the Father and the Mother of Agni and take leave of them. Next in the name of Agni, offer five Samidhas (fuel) soaked in ghee and offer one oblation of ghee to each of the varana Devats.
Then take the ghee by the Sruk and covering it with the Sruva, offer ten oblations to Agni, and Mah Ganesa with mantras ending in Vausat,
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The Mah Ganesa mantras run as follows :-- (1) Om, Om Svh (2) Om Srm Svh, (3) Om Srm Hrm Svh, (4) Om Srm Hrm Klm Svh, (5) Om Srm Hrm Klm Glaum Svh, (6) Om Srm Hrm Klm Glaum Gam Svh, (7) Om Srm Hrm Klm Glaum ityantah Gam Ganapataye Svh, (8) Om Vara Varada ityantah Svh, (9) Sarvajanam me Vasam ityanto Svh and (10) naya Svh ityantah.
Next perform in the Agni the Ptha Pj and meditate on the Deya stadeva and worship him. Next offer twenty-five oblations to his face, repeating the Mla Mantra. Then think of that and Agni Deva as one and the same, and then again as one with tman. Then offer oblations to each of the Sadamga Devats separately. Then search for the Ndis (veins) of Vahni and sta Devat and offer twenty one oblations. Then offer oblations to each of the two Devats separately. Next offer one thousand and eight oblations to the sta Deva with Til soaked in ghee or with the materials enumerated in the Kalpa. O Muni! Thus finishing the Homa ceremony, consider that the sta Deva (the Dev), Agni and the varana Deities are all satisfied. Then, by the command of the Guru, the disciple is to take his bath and perform his Sandhy, etc., and put on new clothes (cloth and chdar) and golden ornaments. He is to come then, to the Kunda with Kamandalu in his hand and with a pure heart. He is to bow down to the elders and superiors seated in the assembly and take his seat in his sana. Sr Guru Deva then would look at the disciple with kind eyes and think the Chaitanya of the disciple within his own (the Gurus) body. Then the Guru Deva would perform the Homa and look at the disciple with a divine gaze, so that the disciple becomes pure-hearted and able to get the favours of the Devas. Thus the Guru must purify all the Adhvas (the passages) of the body of the disciple.
Then the Guru is to touch respectively the feet, generative organ, navel, heart, forehead, and the head of the disciple with Krcha (a bundle of Kusa grass) and til soaked in ghee, in his left hand and offer at each touch eight oblations, repeating the mantra "Om adya Sisyasya Kaldhvnam Sodhaymi Svh, etc." Thus the Guru would purify Kaldhva (in the feet) Tattvdhva (in the generative organ), Bhvandhva (in the navel), Varndhva (in the heart), Paddhva (in the fore-head) and Mantrdhva (on the head), the six Adhvs and think these all to be dissolved in Brahm (Brahmalna).
135-155. Then, again, the Guru would think all these to be re-born from Brahm and transfer the Chaitanya of the disciple that was in him to the disciple. Then the Guru must offer Prnhuti and consider
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the sta Devat, placed in the fire by the visarjana mantra for the Homa purposes, as entered into the water-jar. He is to perform again the Vyrhiti Homa and offer all the Amghutis (oblations to all the limbs) of the fire and take leave of the fire withdrawing the Deity from the jar, into his own body. Uttering then the Vausat Mantra he would tie the eyes of the disciple with a piece of cloth and would bring him from the Kunda to the mandala and make the disciple offer puspnjali (flowers in his palm) to the sta deva. Then he would take away the bandage or piece of cloth from his eyes and ask him to take his seat in the seat Kussana. Thus the Guru, after having purified the elements of the body of the disciple and performed the Nysa of the Deya Mantra, would make the disciple sit in another mandala. Then he would touch the head of the disciple with the twigs (Pallavas) of the Kunda and repeat the Mtrik Mantra and make him have his bath with the water of the jar which is considered as the seat of the sta Deva. Then, for the protection of the disciple, he would sprinkle (abhiseka) him with the water of the Vardhani vessel placed already in the north-east corner. Then the disciple would get up and put on the pair of new clothes and besmear his whole body with ashes and sit close by the Guru. When the merciful Guru would consider that the Siva Sakti has now passed out of his own body and that Divine Force, the Dev, has entered into the body of the disciple, i.e., charged the disciple with the pass. Thinking now the disciple and the Devat to be one and the same, the Guru would now worship the disciple with flowers and scents. The Guru would then place his right hand on the head of the disciple and repeat clearly in his right ear the Mah Mantra of the Mah Dev. The disciple is to repeat also the Mah Mantra one hundred and eight times and fall prostrate on the ground before the Guru and thus bow down to the Guru, whom the disciple now thinks as the incarnate of the Deva.
The disciple, the devotee of the Guru, would now give as a Daksin all his wealth and property for his whole life to the Guru. Then he would give Daksin to the priests and make charities to the virgins; the Brhmanas, the poor and the destitute and the orphans. Here he is not to be miserly in any way in the expenditure. O Nrada! Thus the disciple would consider himself blessed and he would daily remain engaged in repeating the Mah Mantra. Thus I have described to you above
The most excellent Dks. Thinking all these, you are to remain ever engaged in worshipping the lotus feet of the Great Dev. There is no Dharma higher than this in this world for the Brhmanas. The followers of the Vedas would impart this Mantra according to the rules stated respectively in their own Grihya Stras; and the Tntrikas
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would also do the same according to their own Tantras. The Vaidiks should not follow the Tantra rules and the Tantriks are not to follow the Vaidik rules. Thus all the Sstras say. And this is the Santan Creed. Nryana said :-- O Nrada! I have described all about the ordinary Dks that you questioned me. Now the essence in brief is this that you would remain always merged in worshipping the Par Sakti, the Highest Force, the Mah Dev. What more shall I say than this that I have got the highest pleasure and the Nirvna, the peace, that passeth all understanding, from my daily worshipping That Lotus Feet duly. Vedavysa said :-- O Mahrja! O Janamejayan! After having said this Dkstattva, the highest Yogi Bhagavn Nryana, meditated by the Yogis, closed his eyes and remained merged in Samdhi, in the meditation of the Lotus Feet of the Dev.
Knowing this Highest Tattva, Nrada, the chief of the Risis, bowed down at the feet of the Great Guru Nryana and went away immediately to perform the tapasy so that he also might see the Mah Dev.
Here ends the Seventh Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the Dks vidhi or on the rules of Initiation in the Mahpurnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
Chapter Vii
On The Dks Vidhi Or On The Rules Of Initiation
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1-3. Nrada said :-- I have heard the one thousand names or nma stotras equivalent in its fruits to Sr Gyatr, highly potent in making a good fortune and tending to a splendid increase of the wealth and prosperity. Now I want to hear about how initiations in Mantrams are performed, without which nobody, be he a Brhmin, a Ksattriya, a Vaisya or a Sdra, is entitled to have the Dev Mantra. O Lord! Kindly describe the ordinary (Smnya) and the special (visesa) rules ther.
4-41. Nryana said :-- O Nrada! Listen. I am now telling you about the rules of initiation (Dks) of the disciples, pure in heart. When they are initiated, they become entitled then and not before that, to worship the Devas, the Fire and the Guru. That method of instruction, and religious act and ceremony is called the Dks (initiation) by which the Divine Knowledge is imparted; and at once flashes in the heart and mind of the initiated that Knowledge and all his sins are then destroyed. So the Pundits of the Vedas and the Tantras, say. (The Divine Knowledge is like lightning, fire, arising and permeating the body, mind, and spirit.) This Dks ought to be taken by all means. This gives excellent merits and pure results. Both the Guru and the Sisya (disciple) ought to be very pure and true. (This is the first essential requisite. Then the results are instantaneous). First of all, the Guru is to perform all the morning duties, he is to take his bath and perform his Sandhy Vandanams. He is to return home from the banks of the river with his Kamandalu and observe maunam (silence). Then, in order to give Dks, he is to enter into the assigned room (Yga Mandapa) and take his seat on an sana that is excellent and calculated to please all. He is to perform chanara and do Prnyma. Then he should take water in his Arghya vessel and putting scents and flowers in that, charge that water with Phatkra mantra (that is, condense electricity Spirit in that). Then uttering the Phat mantra, he is to sprinkle the water on the doorways of the worshiproom and begin his Pj. Firstly, on the top of the door at one end invoke the Deity Gananth by His mantra, at the other end invoke Sarasvat by Her mantra and at the middle, invoke Laksm Dev by Her mantra duly and worship them, with flowers. Then, on the right side worship Gang and Bighnesa; and on the left side worship Ksettrapla and Yamun, the daughter of the Sun. Similarly, on the bottom of the door, worship the Astra Devat by the
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Phat mantra. Then consider the whole Mandapa as inspired with the presence of the Dev, and see the whole place as pervaded by Her through and through. Then, repeat the Phat mantra and destroy the Celestial obstacles as well as those from the middle space (Antarksa); strike the ground thrice with the left heel and thus destroy the Terrene obstacles. Then touching the left branch on the left side of the choukt, put the right foot forward and enter into the Mandapa. Then instal the Snti Kumbha (the peace jar) and offer the ordinary Arghya (Smnyrgha). Next worship the Vstuntha and Padmayoni with flowers and tapa rice and the Arghya water, on the south-west and then purify the Pancha Gavya. Next sprinkle all the Mandapa and the entrance gate with that Arghya water. And, while sprinkling with Arghya water, consider the whole space right through as inspired with the presence of the Dev and repeat the Mla Mantra with devotion and sprinkle with Phat mantra. The Kart, then, uttering the mantra "Phat," is to drive away all the evils from the Mandapa and uttering the mantra "Hm" sprinkle water, all around, thus pacifying the atmosphere and bringing peace into the hearts of all present.
Then burn the Dhpa incense inside and scatter Vikira (water, sandal-paste, yava, ashes, Durba grass with roots, and tapa rice). Then collect all these rice, etc., again with a broom made of Kusa grass to the north east corner of the Mandapa; making the Sankalpa and uttering Svasti vchana (invocation of good), distribute and satisfy the poor and orphans with feeding, clothing and money. Then he should bow down to his own Guru and take his seat humbly on the soft sanam allotted to him with his face eastwards and meditate on the Deity (sta Deva) of the mantra that is to be imparted to the disciple. After meditating thus, he is to do the Bhta sddhi (purification of elements) and perform Nysa, etc., of the Deya mantra (the mantra that is to be imparted to the disciple) according to the rules stated below, i.e., the Risi on the head; the chhandas in the mouth, the sta Devat in the heart, Bja on the anus and Sakti Nysa on the two legs. Then he is to make sound thrice by the clap of his palm and thus thwart off all the evils of the earth and the middle space and then make digbandhan (tieing up the quarters) by the mudr chhotik three times (snapping the thumb and forefinger together ). Then perform the Prnyma with the Mla mantra of the would-be-sta-Devat and do the Mtrik Nysa in ones own body, thus :-- Om Am namah sirasi, Om m namah on the face, Om Im namah on the right eye, Om m namah on the left eye, and so on, assign all the letters duly to their respective places. Then perform the Karnga Nysa on the fingers and the Sadanga Nysa thus :-- Speak: Om Hridayya namah, touching on the heart, utter Om Sirase svh, touching the head; Om
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Sikhyai Vasat, touching the tuft; Om Kavachya Hm, touching on the Kavacha, "Om netratrayya Vausat," touching the eye, and "Om Astrya Phat" touching both the sides of the hand, the palm and its back. Then finish the Naysa by doing the Varnanysa of the Mla mantra in those places that are said in the cognate kalpas (i.e., throat, heart, arms, legs, etc.).
O Nrada! Next consider within your body the seat of an auspicious sana (a seat) and make the Nysa of Dharma on the right side, Jnam on the left side, of Vairgyam (dispassion) on the left thigh, prosperity and wealth on the right thigh, of non-Dharma in the mouth and of Non-Jnam on the left side, Avairgyam (passion) on the navel, and poverty on the right side. Then think of the feet of the sana (the body) as Dharma, etc., and all the limbs as Adharma (non-Dharma). In the middle of the sana (body), i.e., in the heart consider Ananta Deva as a gentle bed and on that a pure lotus representing this universe of five elements. Then make Nysa of the Sun, Moon, and Fire on this lotus and think the Sun as composed of twelve Kals (digits) the Moon composed of sixteen Kals (digits) and the Fire as composed of ten Kals. Over this make Nysa of Sttva, Rja and Tmo Gunas, tm, Antartm, Paramtm and Jntm and then think of this as his stas altar where the devotee is to meditate on his sta Devat, the Highest Mother. Nysa-assignment of the various parts of the body to different deities which is usually accompanied with prayers and corresponding gesticulations. Next the devotee is to perform the mental worship of the Deya Mantra Devat according to the rules of his own Kalpa; next he is to show all the Mudrs, stated in the Kalpa for the satisfaction of the Deva. The Devas become very pleased when all these Mudrs are shown to them.
42-46. O Nrada! Now, on ones left side, erect an hectagon; inside it a circular figure; inside this again a square and then draw within that square a triangle and over it show the Sankha Mudr. After finishing the Pj of the Six Deities at the six corners of the hectagon, Fire, etc., take the tripod of the Sankha (conch-shell) and sprinkling it with Phat mantra, place it within the triangle. Utter, then, the Mantra "Mam Vahniman dalya Dasa Kaltmane Amuka Devy Arghyaptrasthnya namah" and thus worshipping the Snkhya vessel place it within the mandala. Then worship in the Sankha ptra, the ten Kals of Fire, beginning from the East, then south-east and so on. Sprinkle the Sankha, conchshell, with the Mla Mantra and meditating on it, place the Sankha (conch shell) on the tripod. Repeating the mantra "Am Srya mandalya Dvadasakaltmane Amukodevy
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Arghyaptrya namah" worship in the Arghyaptra Sankha, sprinkle water in the Sankha with the Mantra "Sam Sankhya namah." Worship in due order the twelve Kals of the Sun Tapin, Tpin, Dhmr, etc., utter the fifty syllables of the Mtrik in an inverse order (i.e., beginning, see the Srad Tilaka, with Ksam, Ham, Sam, Sam, Sam, etc.,) and repeating the Mla Mantra also in an inverse order, fill the Sankha, three-fourths, with water. Next perform in it the Nysa of Chandrakal and uttering the Mantra "Um Soma mandalya Sodasakaltmane Amukademty Arghy-mritya namah," worship in this conchshell. Next with Ankusa mudr, invoke all the trthas there, repeating the Mantra "Gange Cha Yamune chaiva, etc.," and repeat eight times the Mla Mantra (the basic Mantra). Then perform the Sadamga Nysa in the water and with the Mantra "Hrid namah, etc.," worship and, repeating eight times the Mla Mantra, cover it with Matsyamundr. Next place on the right side of the Sankha, the Proksan Ptra (the Kos vessel from which water is taken for sprinkling) and put a little water in it. By this water sprinkle and purify all the articles of worship as well as ones own body and consider ones tman as pure and holy.
47-81. After doing works thus far the until Visesrghya is placed, the devotee should erect Sarvato bhadra mandala within the altar and put the Sli rice within its pericarp. Next spread Kusa grass on that Mandala and put on one Kurcha, looking well and auspicious within it, made of twenty-seven Kusa grass knotted with Venyagra granthi. Worship here the dhra Sakti, Prakriti, Krma, Sesa, Ksam, Sudhsindhu, Manimandala, Kalpa vriksa and sta devat and the Ptha. (Durg Dev yoga pthya namah). Then have an entire kumbha (waterjar) having no defect, wash it inside with Phat mantra, and encircle it with the red thread thrice as symbolising the three Gunas. Place within this jar the Nava ratna (nine jewels) with Kurcha and worshipping it with scents and flowers put them in the jar repeating the Pranava, and place that on the Ptha (seat). Next consider the Ptha and Kumbha (waterjar) as one and the same and pour waters from the Trthas, repeating in an inverse order the Mtrik Varnas (from Ksa to Ka) and fill it, thinking of the sta Deva and repeating the basic mantra, put the new and fresh twigs (Pallavas) of Asvattha, Panasa and mango trees, etc., in the jar and cover its mouth and place over it fruits, rice, and chasaka (honey) and wrap it with two red cloths. Then perform the Prna-Pratisth and invoke the Spirit of the Dev by the Prnasthpana Mantra and show the Mudrs, vhana, etc., and thus satisfy the Dev. Then do the Sodasopachra Pj of the Dev after me-
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ditating on the Paramesvar according to the rules of the Kalpa.
First offer "welcome" in front of the Dev and then duly offer the Pdya, Arghya, chamanya water, Madhuparka, and oils, etc., for the bath. Then offer nice red silken clothes and various jewels, ornaments; repeating the Mtrik syllables electrified with the Deya Mantra, worship the whole body of the Dev with scents and flowers. Next offer to the Dev the sweet scent of Kalguru mixed with camphor and the Ksmri sandalpaste mixed with Kastr and various nice scented flowers, for example, the Kunda flowers, etc. Then offer the Dhpa prepared from Aguru, Guggula, Usra, sandalpaste, sugar, and honey and know that the Dhpa is very pleasing to the Dev. Next offer various lights and offerings of fruits, vegetables and fooding. Be particular to sprinkle everything with the water of the Kos, thus purifying, before it is offered to the Dev. Then complete the Anga Pj, and the varana-Pj of the Dev, then perform the duty of Vaisvadeva. On the right side of the Dev erect an altar (sthandila) six feet square and instal Agni (Fire) there. Invoke there the Deity, thinking of Her Form and worship Her with scents and flowers. Then with the Vyrhiti Mantra with Svh prefixed and Mla (Deya) Mantra perform the Homa ceremony with oblations, charu and ghee, twenty five times. Next perform Homa again with Vyrhiti. Next worship the Dev with scents, etc., and consider the Dev and Ptha Devat as one and the same. Then take leave of (visarjana) the Agni (Fire). Offer valis (sacrifices) all round to the Prsvadas of the Dev with the remnant charu of the Homa.
Now again worship the Dev with five offerings and offer betel, umbrella, chmara and others and repeat the Mla mantra thousand times. After finishing the Japam, place Karkar (a water-jar with small holes at the bottom, as in a sieve) on the rice in the north-eastern corner and invoke the Dev there and worship Her. Uttering the mantra "Raksa Raksa" moisten the place with water coming out of Karkar, and repeat the Phat mantra. After re-worshipping the Dev, place Karkar in due position. Thus the Guru finishes the Adhivsa (foregoing) ceremony and takes his meals with the disciple and sleeps that night on that altar.
82-106. O Nrada! Now I am describing briefly about the Homa Kunda (a round hole in the ground consecrated to the Deity) and the Samskra ceremony of the Sthandila (the sacrificial altar). Uttering, first, the Mla Mantra, see, fix your gaze on the Kunda; then sprinkle it with water and the Phat mantra and drive away the evil-spirits from there. Then with mantra "Hm" again sprinkle it with water.
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Then draw within it three lines Prgagra and Udagagra (on the eastern and northern sides). Sprinkling it with water and the Pranava, worship within the Ptha, uttering the mantras from dhra Saktaye namah to Amuka Dev Yoga Pthya namah. Invoke, in that Ptha, the Highest One, Who is Siva Siv with all one-ness of heart and worship Her with scents and offerings. Then think for a moment the Dev as having taken bath and as one with Sankara. Bring then fire in a vessel and taking a flaming piece ther throw that in the south-west corner. Then purifying it by the gaze and quitting the portions of Kravydah, impart the Chaitanya by "Ram," the Vahnivja repeat "Om" over it seven times. Shew, then, the Dhenumudr and protect it by Phat Kra and cover, veil, it with the mantra "Hm." Then turn the fire, thus worshipped with sandalpaste, etc., thrice over the Kunda and with both the knees on the ground and repeating the Pranava, consider the Agni as the Vrya of Siva and throw it on the yoni of the Dev in the Ptha. Then offer chamana, etc., to the Deva and the Dev and worship. Then light the flame with the mantra "Chit Pingala Hana Hana Daha Daha Pacha Pacha Sarvaj Jpaya Svh." Then utter the stotra to the Agni Deva with great love, repeating the mantra "Agnim Prajvalitam vande Jtavedam Hutsanam suvarna varnamamalam samiddham Visvatomukham." Then perform the Sadamganysa to the Agni Deva "Om Sahasrrchchise namah, Om Svasti Prnya Svh, Om Uttistha purusya vasat, Om Dhma vypine Hm Om Sapta Jihvya vausat Om Dhanur dharya Phat." Repeating the above six mantras, perform the Nysa on the heart, etc., the six places. Now meditate on the Agni as of a golden colour, three-eyed, seated on a lotus and holding in His four hands signs of granting boons, Sakti, Svastika and sign of "no fear," also meditate on Agni, as the seat of the greatest auspiciousness. Then moisten the Kunda on the top of the belt (mekhal) with water. Next spread the Kusa grass all around and draw the Agni yantra over it, i.e., triangle, hectagon, circle, eight-petalled figure and Bhpura; rather have this drawing before the Agnisthpan. Now meditate this only. Then, within the Yantra, recite "Vaisvnara Jtaveda Lohitksa sarvakarmni Sdhaya Svh" and worship Agni. Then worship in the centre and in the hectagon at the corners worship the Saptajihv (seven tongues Hiranya, Gagan, Rakt, Krisn, Suprabh, Bahurp, Atiraktik) and next worship within the pericarp of the lotus the Anga Devats. Then recite the following mantras within the eight petals :-- "Om Agnaye Jtavedase namah, Om Agnaye Saptajihvya namah, Om Agnaye Havyavhanya
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namah, Om Agnaye Asvodarajya namah, Om Agnaye Vaisvnarya namah, Om Agnaye Kaumra tejase namah, Om Agnaye Visvamukhya namah, Om Agnaye Devamukhya namah" and considering the forms to hold Sakti and Svastik, worship them. Then consider Indra and the other Lokaplas (Regents of the several quarters) situated in the east, south-east, and so on together with their weapons, the thunderbolt and the other weapons, and thus worship them.
107-134. O Nrada! Next purify the sacrificial ladles, etc., sruk, sruva, etc., and ghee; then, taking ghee by sruva, go on with the Homa ceremony. Divide the ghee of the jyasthl (the vessel in which the ghee for the Homa purposes is kept) in three parts; take ghee from the right side and saying "Om Agnaye Svh" offer oblations on the right eye of the Agni; take ghee from the left side and saying "Om Somye Svh" offer oblations on the left eye of the Agni; take ghee from the centre and saying, "Om Agnisombhym Svh," offer oblations on the central eye of the Agni. Take ghee again from the right side and saying "Om Agnaye Svistakrite Svh" offer oblations to the mouth of the Agni. Then the devotee is to repeat "Om Bhuh Svh, Om Bhuvah Svh, Om Svah Svh" and offer thrice the oblations; next he is to offer oblations thrice with the Agni mantra. After this, O Muni! for impregnation and each of the ten Samskras, natal-ceremony, tonsure, etc., he is to repeat the Pranava Mantra and offer the eight oblations of ghee on each occasion. Now hear of the tenfold Samskras :-- (1) Impregnation, (2) Pumsavan (a ceremony performed as soon as a woman perceives the foetus to be quick), (3) Smantonnayana (a ceremony observed by women in the fourth, sixth or the eighth month of pregnancy), (4) Jta Karma (ceremony at the birth of a child), (5) Nmakarana, (naming the child), (6) Niskrmana (a ceremony performed when a new-born child is first taken out of the house into the open air usually in the fourth month), (7) Annaprsana (when the rice is put in the mouth of the child), (8) Chdkarana (the ceremony of the first tonsure), (9) Upanayana (holding the sacrificial thread; (10) Godna and Udvha (gift of cows and marriage). These are stated in the Vedas. Next worship Siva Prvat, the Father and the Mother of Agni and take leave of them. Next in the name of Agni, offer five Samidhas (fuel) soaked in ghee and offer one oblation of ghee to each of the varana Devats.
Then take the ghee by the Sruk and covering it with the Sruva, offer ten oblations to Agni, and Mah Ganesa with mantras ending in Vausat,
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The Mah Ganesa mantras run as follows :-- (1) Om, Om Svh (2) Om Srm Svh, (3) Om Srm Hrm Svh, (4) Om Srm Hrm Klm Svh, (5) Om Srm Hrm Klm Glaum Svh, (6) Om Srm Hrm Klm Glaum Gam Svh, (7) Om Srm Hrm Klm Glaum ityantah Gam Ganapataye Svh, (8) Om Vara Varada ityantah Svh, (9) Sarvajanam me Vasam ityanto Svh and (10) naya Svh ityantah.
Next perform in the Agni the Ptha Pj and meditate on the Deya stadeva and worship him. Next offer twenty-five oblations to his face, repeating the Mla Mantra. Then think of that and Agni Deva as one and the same, and then again as one with tman. Then offer oblations to each of the Sadamga Devats separately. Then search for the Ndis (veins) of Vahni and sta Devat and offer twenty one oblations. Then offer oblations to each of the two Devats separately. Next offer one thousand and eight oblations to the sta Deva with Til soaked in ghee or with the materials enumerated in the Kalpa. O Muni! Thus finishing the Homa ceremony, consider that the sta Deva (the Dev), Agni and the varana Deities are all satisfied. Then, by the command of the Guru, the disciple is to take his bath and perform his Sandhy, etc., and put on new clothes (cloth and chdar) and golden ornaments. He is to come then, to the Kunda with Kamandalu in his hand and with a pure heart. He is to bow down to the elders and superiors seated in the assembly and take his seat in his sana. Sr Guru Deva then would look at the disciple with kind eyes and think the Chaitanya of the disciple within his own (the Gurus) body. Then the Guru Deva would perform the Homa and look at the disciple with a divine gaze, so that the disciple becomes pure-hearted and able to get the favours of the Devas. Thus the Guru must purify all the Adhvas (the passages) of the body of the disciple.
Then the Guru is to touch respectively the feet, generative organ, navel, heart, forehead, and the head of the disciple with Krcha (a bundle of Kusa grass) and til soaked in ghee, in his left hand and offer at each touch eight oblations, repeating the mantra "Om adya Sisyasya Kaldhvnam Sodhaymi Svh, etc." Thus the Guru would purify Kaldhva (in the feet) Tattvdhva (in the generative organ), Bhvandhva (in the navel), Varndhva (in the heart), Paddhva (in the fore-head) and Mantrdhva (on the head), the six Adhvs and think these all to be dissolved in Brahm (Brahmalna).
135-155. Then, again, the Guru would think all these to be re-born from Brahm and transfer the Chaitanya of the disciple that was in him to the disciple. Then the Guru must offer Prnhuti and consider
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the sta Devat, placed in the fire by the visarjana mantra for the Homa purposes, as entered into the water-jar. He is to perform again the Vyrhiti Homa and offer all the Amghutis (oblations to all the limbs) of the fire and take leave of the fire withdrawing the Deity from the jar, into his own body. Uttering then the Vausat Mantra he would tie the eyes of the disciple with a piece of cloth and would bring him from the Kunda to the mandala and make the disciple offer puspnjali (flowers in his palm) to the sta deva. Then he would take away the bandage or piece of cloth from his eyes and ask him to take his seat in the seat Kussana. Thus the Guru, after having purified the elements of the body of the disciple and performed the Nysa of the Deya Mantra, would make the disciple sit in another mandala. Then he would touch the head of the disciple with the twigs (Pallavas) of the Kunda and repeat the Mtrik Mantra and make him have his bath with the water of the jar which is considered as the seat of the sta Deva. Then, for the protection of the disciple, he would sprinkle (abhiseka) him with the water of the Vardhani vessel placed already in the north-east corner. Then the disciple would get up and put on the pair of new clothes and besmear his whole body with ashes and sit close by the Guru. When the merciful Guru would consider that the Siva Sakti has now passed out of his own body and that Divine Force, the Dev, has entered into the body of the disciple, i.e., charged the disciple with the pass. Thinking now the disciple and the Devat to be one and the same, the Guru would now worship the disciple with flowers and scents. The Guru would then place his right hand on the head of the disciple and repeat clearly in his right ear the Mah Mantra of the Mah Dev. The disciple is to repeat also the Mah Mantra one hundred and eight times and fall prostrate on the ground before the Guru and thus bow down to the Guru, whom the disciple now thinks as the incarnate of the Deva.
The disciple, the devotee of the Guru, would now give as a Daksin all his wealth and property for his whole life to the Guru. Then he would give Daksin to the priests and make charities to the virgins; the Brhmanas, the poor and the destitute and the orphans. Here he is not to be miserly in any way in the expenditure. O Nrada! Thus the disciple would consider himself blessed and he would daily remain engaged in repeating the Mah Mantra. Thus I have described to you above
The most excellent Dks. Thinking all these, you are to remain ever engaged in worshipping the lotus feet of the Great Dev. There is no Dharma higher than this in this world for the Brhmanas. The followers of the Vedas would impart this Mantra according to the rules stated respectively in their own Grihya Stras; and the Tntrikas
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would also do the same according to their own Tantras. The Vaidiks should not follow the Tantra rules and the Tantriks are not to follow the Vaidik rules. Thus all the Sstras say. And this is the Santan Creed. Nryana said :-- O Nrada! I have described all about the ordinary Dks that you questioned me. Now the essence in brief is this that you would remain always merged in worshipping the Par Sakti, the Highest Force, the Mah Dev. What more shall I say than this that I have got the highest pleasure and the Nirvna, the peace, that passeth all understanding, from my daily worshipping That Lotus Feet duly. Vedavysa said :-- O Mahrja! O Janamejayan! After having said this Dkstattva, the highest Yogi Bhagavn Nryana, meditated by the Yogis, closed his eyes and remained merged in Samdhi, in the meditation of the Lotus Feet of the Dev.
Knowing this Highest Tattva, Nrada, the chief of the Risis, bowed down at the feet of the Great Guru Nryana and went away immediately to perform the tapasy so that he also might see the Mah Dev.
Here ends the Seventh Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the Dks vidhi or on the rules of Initiation in the Mahpurnam Sr Mad Dev Bhgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vysa.
