Chapter 185 - Vows observed on the ninth lunar day

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Fire-god said:

1. I shall describe the vow (performed) on the ninth lunar day which would accomplish enjoyment, emancipation etc. The goddess should be worshipped in the bright (fortnight) in (the month of) āśvina (October-November). It is known as. the gaurīnavamīvrata.

2-4. The ninth lunar day known as the piṣṭaka (cake made of the flour of any grain) (is called so) on account of eating the cake and worshipping the goddess. On the eighth lunar day in the bright fortnight) in (the month of) āśvina (October-November) when the sun is in the (constellation) Virgo in the asterism mūla is said to be the great navamī (ninth lunar day) which destroys the sin always. (Goddess) Durgā (a form of the consort of Śiva) should be worshipped as housed in nine places or as stationed in one place having eighteen hands. The rest (of the images) (should have) sixteen hands. The collyrium and ḍamaru (little drum) (should be held in two hands).

5-I0. (The forms of the goddess) to be worshipped (are) Rudracaṇḍā, Pracaṇḍā, Caṇḍogrā, Caṇḍanāyikā, Caṇḍā, Caṇḍavati [Caṇḍavatī?], Caṇḍarūpā, Aticaṇḍikā and Ugracaṇḍā (otherwise known as) Durgā, the killer of the buffalo (demon) in order at the centre. The ten-syllabled mystic formula is Oṃ Durgā! Durgā! The protector! Oblations! It begins with the long letter ā, has nine eyes and ends with ‘obeisance’. Obeisance, svadhā, vaṣaṭkāra and hṛt etc. occupy six places. After having assigned the limbs in the toes to the little finger, (goddess) Śivā should be chanted. One who repeats thus the secret (syllable) would not be affected by anybody. One should worship (the goddess) as holding human skull, kheṭaka (club), bell, mirror, threatening posture, bow, banner, little drum and noose in left hands. One should worship (her as holding) the weapons spear, club, pike, thunderbolt, sword, dart, conch, disc and stick (in right hands).

11-15. After having repeated (the name) Kāli (twice) (a form of consort of Śiva), the animal (that is to be offered to her) should be killed with a sword. “O Kāli! Kāli! Vajreśvari (the goddess with the thunderbolt)! Obeisance to the one having the metal rod!” (is the formula). The blood and flesh got from that (killing) (should be offered) to Pūtanā (a demonness) on the south-west, to Pāparākṣasī (the demoness representing sin) on the north-west, to Caraki (a form of the goddess) on the north-east, to Vidārikā on the south-east and Mahākauśika (should be worshipped) for the fire. The king should bathe in front of that and kill the (form of the) enemy made of the cake. Offerings should be made to Skanda and Viśākha (the progeny of Śiva and Pārvati). (The goddesses) Brāhmi and others should be worshipped in the night. Obeisance to you O Jayantī (victorious)! Maṅgalā (auspicious)! Kālī (dreadful)! Bhadrakālī (Benevolent Kālī)! Kapālinī (the bearer of (the skull)! Durgā (difficult to reach)! Śivā (auspicious)! Kṣamā (forbearance)! Dhātrī (supporter)! Svāhā and Svadhā (the two syllables used at the time of oblations made into fire). After having bathed the goddess with the five sweet things, she should be worshipped with veneration etc. One who carries the goddess in a chariot with banner etc. and offers a victim would get all benefits.