Chapter 201 - Mode of worshipping Viṣṇu in a figure of nine compartments

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Fire-god said:

1-6. I shall describe the navavyūhārcana (worship in nine compartments) that was narrated by Hari to Nārada. The letter ‘a’ with Vāsudeva should be worshipped at the centre of a lotus figure and the letter ā with Saṅkarṣaṇa and Pradyumna at the south, the letter aḥ and Aniruddha at the south-west, the letter oṃ and Nārāyaṇa at the west, (the words) tat sat and Brahmā at the north-west, (the letter) huṃ and Viṣṇu and (the letter) kṣauṃ and Nṛsiṃha at the north, and (the letter) bhūḥ and Varāha at the north-east. (The letters) kaṃ, ṭaṃ, tam, śaṃ and Garutmat (vehicle of Viṣṇu) (should be worshipped) at the western entrance (of that figure), (the letters) khaṃ, chaṃ, vaṃ, huṃ, phaṭ and the eastern face at the south, (the letters) khaṃ, ṭhaṃ, phaṃ, śaṃ and the mace at the north. (The letters) baṃ, ṇaṃ, maṃ, kṣauṃ and Īśāna should be worshipped at the north-east, (the letters) dhaṃ, daṃ, bhaṃ, haṃ and Śri (Lakṣmī) at the south and (the letters) gaṃ, ḍaṃ, vaṃ, śaṃ and Puṣṭi. (The letters) dhaṃ, vaṃ (should be worshipped) and the garland of wild flowers at the west of the pedestal, the śrīvatsa (the mark on the chest of lord Viṣṇu) and (the letters) saṃ, haṃ, laṃ at the west and (the letters) chaṃ, taṃ, yaṃ and the kaustubha (the crest-jewel) to the west of it.

7-10. (After having worshipped with) “Obeisance to Ananta”, worship should be made below in the order of the ten (forms) of Viṣṇu and the four pitchers representing Mahendra and others in the east and other directions in the above order of the ten forms (of Viṣṇu). The arches and canopy (should also be worshipped in the same way). After having contemplated the orbs of fire, wind and moon with (their respective) letters in order, one should worship the body and then bathe it. One should then contemplate on the subtle form of the self in the sky, submerged in the white nectar that flows from the disc of the moon. That is the eternal seed of one’s self that has been consecrated by the flood. One should thus resolve the spirit that is being produced in the self

l1-16. Then one should do the location of twelve letters (after saying) “I am verily Viṣṇu produced (again)”. The heart, head, tuft, armour and weapons should be located (respectively) on the chest, head, tuft, back and eyes. Then the weapons should be located on the two hands. Then one would have a divine body. One should do this location on the body of the disciple in the similar way (as it has been done) on one’s self as well as the deity. The worship done for Hari on the heart is known to be anirmālyā (without remnant) and that done in a circle as sanirmālyā (together with remnant). The disciples with their eyes covered should throw the flower (on the images) (at the commencement of the worship). On which images the flower falls that name should be given to them. Then the disciples should be seated on the left and sesamum,rice and ghee should be offered (as oblation). After having made one hundred aud eight oblations, (one should do) thousand (oblations) for the purification of the body. One should do more than hundred (oblations) for the limbs of the images of the nine compartments. After having made the final (oblation) the preceptor should initiate them (the disciples). He has to be respected by them with riches etc.