Chapter 76 - Mode of worshipping Caṇḍa (attendant of Śiva)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Lord said:

l. (The worshipper) should approach (the image of Lord) Śiva and address as follows: “O Lord! accept the merits of the worship and the oblations offered by me.”

2. We should convey these to the lord with a firm mind along with the respectful offering of water and uttering the principal mantra preceded by the hṛdbīja (oṃ) and the exhibition of the udbhava mudrā (a posture of fingers representing generation).

3. Then having worshipped as before and praising with hymns and saluting, (the worshipper) should offer the respectful offering of water with his face turned away (from the image) and should say “Pardon me”.

4. The liṅga should be discharged by uttering the mantra of the weapon ending with phaṭ coupled with the divine nārācamudrā (formation with fingers representing an iron arrow), it should be merged with the mantra of the image.

5. After having worshipped god on the platform and having merged in himself the collection of mantras as laid down, the worship of Caṇḍa should be made.

6. Oṃ salutations to Caṇḍeśāna. Salutations to the image of Caṇḍa at the centre. Oṃ, huṃ phaṭ oblations to Dhūlicaṇḍeśvara. Thus he should be invoked.

7. Hūṃ phaṭ to Caṇḍa at the heart. Then Oṃ to Caṇḍa on the head. Oṃ hūṃ phaṭ to Caṇḍa on the tuft, to Caṇḍa, the protector and armour.

8. So also to Caṇḍa as the weapon hūṃ phaṭ. One should. meditate on Caṇḍa, born of the fire of Rudra and as carrying the mace, axe, rosaries and the anchorite’s pitcher and as having-a dark complexion.

9. The four-faced deity should be worshipped in the halfcrescent shaped axe weapon (of Caṇḍa). One should repeat (the mantra) befitting one’s capacity, being one-tenth of the principal worship.

10. Except the offerings such as the cow, earth, gold, clothes, gems and ornaments, the remains of offerings should be offered to Caṇḍeśa.

11. Being ordered by Śiva, I have offered to you these: articles of food and drink, betels, garlands and scented pastes, the ramnants of offering.

12. O Caṇḍa! may all these acts of service (undertaken) by me by your order (be agreeable to you). Any shortcoming or redundancy out of my ignorance may be made complete always.

13. Having submitted to the lord thus and offered the respectful water and contemplated his form, the mantras should be merged with the self with the mantra of the destructive deity and showing slowly the saṃhāra mudrā (formation with the fingers (representing destruction) along with the principal mantra and taking a breath. The offering such as flowers etc. should then be removed and that place cleansed with cowdung dissolved in waters. After offering water respectfully one should conclude by rinsing one’s mouth and do any other worship.