Chapter 22 - The rites on the eleventh day for the ascetics

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Subrahmaṇya said:—

1. O sage, out of affection for you I shall explain the rite for ascetics on the eleventh day after death.

2-3. The performer of obsequies shall sweep the platform and smear it with cow-dung. He shall sprinkle water with Puṇyāhavācana mantras five times from the west to the east. He shall sit down facing the north and draw the mystic diagrams himself, the middle square of 18 cms in length.

4. The Bindu, triangle, hexagon and circle shall be drawn in order. The conch shall be placed in front in accordance with the rales of worship.

5. He shall perform the Prāṇāyāma and after due Saṃkalpa rite, be shall worship the five deities mentioned as messengers before.

6-8. He shall cast off Darbha grass to the north and not touch it again. Beginning with the west the Maṇḍalas shall be worshipped according to the rules for the rite of “Sadutthāpana.” Flowers shall be stacked within them like a pedestal with “Om Hrīm. I invoke the messenger goddess in the form of fire, obeisance”. This latter portion is common to the five. The gestures of installation shall be shown severally to each.

9. The Aṅganyāsas for the deities shall be performed with Hrām, Hrīm etc. The messenger goddesses shall have the noose, goad, gestures of fearlessness and wish in their hands. They are as lustrous as the lunar stone.

10. They have changed (or enhanced) the hue of the quarters by the lustre of their gemset rings. They wear red garments and shine with lotus-like hands and feet.

11. They look charming with their faces resembling the full moon and brilliant with three eyes. They are decorated with the crescent moon shining above their ruby-set coronets.

12 Their swinging ear-rings tickle their cheeks. They have plump and elevated breasts. They are charming with their necklace, shoulderlets, bangles and girdles.

13. Their waists are slender and buttocks large. They wear divine red garments. The ruby-set anklets jingle and tinkle in their lotus-like feet. The rings in their toes are very charming.

14. What blessing can be secured from a departed soul? Only from a powerful soul can everything be achieved as from Maheśa.

15. The five deities capable of all activities and eager to bless others are accepted by the lord as the bestowers of bliss.

16. After meditating on the auspicious deities eager to bless he shall offer Pādya at their feet with drops of water from the conch.

17. The water for Ācamana shall be offered in their hands and Arghya on their heads. He shall conceive of their ritualistic ablution with the drops of water from the conch.

18. Beautiful garments red in colour shall be offered along with upper cloths. Coronets and ornaments shall also be offered.

19. Fragrant sandal wood, auspicious Akṣatas and charming fragrant flowers shall also be offered.

20-21. Fragrant incense and lamp with wicks soaked in ghee shall be offered saying “I dedicalc everything.” Om should be uttered in the beginning and Namaḥ at the end. Then milk pudding with honey shall be offered along with ghee, sugar, sweet pie and plantain fruits stuffed with jaggery.

22. Different articles shall be heaped on separate plantain leaves and rendered fragrant. They shall be sprinkled with water uttering “Bhuḥ Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ”.

23. Naivedya shall be offered with; “Om Hrīm Svāhā”. With “Namaḥ” water shall be offered with great devotion.

24. O excellent sage, thereafter the rite of Udvāsana shall be performed with devotion. The place shall be mopped clean beginning with the cast. Then water for gargling and Ācamana shall be offered with Arghya.

25. After offering Tāmbūla, incense and lights, the circumambulation and obeisance shall be performed. The deities shall be prayed with the joined palms placed on the head reverentially.

26. “May the glorious mothers be delighted. At the lotus-like feet of Parameśa let them recommend the protection of the deceased ascetic who is desirous of attaining the region of Śiva.

27. After ritualistically dismissing them along the way they had come, the remanents of the Naivedya shall be distributed among the virgins.

28. It shall be given to the cows or cast off into water: There is no other way of disposal. Pārvaṇa and not Ekoddiṣṭa Śrāddha shall be performed for an ascetic.

29. I shall now tell you the rules for the Pārvaṇa for your welfare. O sage, listen.

30-32. The performer of the Pārvaṇa shall take his bath, perform Prāṇāyāma with pious mind wearing the sacred thread as usual. Wearing the Darbha ring he shall say “On this auspicious Tithi I shall perform the Pārvaṇa Śrāddha.” In the place of Āsana Darbha grass shall be placed. After Saṃkalpa Darbhas shall be cast off to the north. Water shall be touched. He shall invite four Śaiva brahmins who are steady in their rites. The brahmins shall take oil bath after which they shall be made to sit.

33-34. “Ye all shall represent the Viśvedevas.” After saying this he shall say “obeisance to Ātman, Antarātman and Paramātman.” Then he shall touch their feet with devotion.

35. The feet of the brahmins shall be washed and they shall be made to sit facing the east. After decorating them with scents, sandal paste etc., they shall be led in front of Śiva

36-39. The ground shall be smeared with cow-dung. Darbha grass shall be spread with their tips to the cast. He shall perform Prāṇāyāma and the rite of saṃkalpa “I shall offer the Piṇḍa.” He shall then worship the Maṇḍala Ātman, Antarātman and the Paramātman turning the face back. “I am giving these Piṇḍas,” saying this he shall offer the Piṇḍas with devotion. Water from the Darbha grass shall be offered. Getting up he shall perform circumambulation and the Namaskāra.

40. After giving gifts to the Brahmins according to the rules he shall offer Nārāyaṇa Bali at the same spot on the same day.

41. Everywhere Viṣṇu shall be worshipped for protection. He shall perform the worship of Viṣṇu and offer milk pudding as Naīvedya.

42-43. He shall invite twelve brahmins who are masters of the Vedas. He shall worship them in the names of Keśava etc. with scents, flowers and Akṣatas. He shall propitiate them and offer them shoes, umbrella, cloth, according to the rules. He shall speak to them sweet, auspicious words.

44. He shall spread Darbha grass on the ground with their tips to the east. After saying “Bhūḥ Svāhā, Bhuvaḥ Svāhā, Suvaḥ Svāhā, Om.” He shall offer milk pudding as oblation.

45. O great sage, the rite of the eleventh day has been mentioned by me. O brahmin, I shall now explain the twelfth day rites.