Chapter 79 - Investiture of the sacred thread (pavitra-ārohaṇa)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The Lord said:

1. Having got up early in the morning, and finishing bathing the worshipper should enter the sacrificial shed after completing the twilight worship and remaining composed.

2. Having collected the sacred thread [i.e, pavitra], and the deity not being given farewell, the sacred thread should be placed in a spotless vessel within a mystic diagram in the north-east.

3. Then the lord of celestials should be bid farewell and the materials of worship should be removed (from the body of the deity). He should again perform the two rites as before on the cleaned ground.

4. Then the gods—sun, the guardian deities of the entrance and of the directions the pitcher, Īśāna, Śiva and the fire-god. should specially be worshipped, as usually done in the naimittikī (done with some motives) rites, elaborately.

5. (Having done) the tarpaṇa (appeasing) rite with the mantras and the oblation of expiation one hundred and eight times with (the mantras of) the arrows, the final oblation should be made slowly.

6. Having offered the sacred thread to the sun god and rinsing the mouth, (the worshipper) should offer it to the guardian deities of the entrance and of the directions, the sacrificial pitcher and vardhanī etc.

7. Then having sat in his own seat in the presence of lord Śambhu (Śiva), (the worshipper) should offer the sacred thread [i.e, pavitra] to one’s own self, the gaṇa, the priest and fire-god.

8-9. Oṃ O lord! soul of the time, whatever has been ordained by you in my observances that which has been done. contradictorily, and omitted, and that which has been done secretly O Śambhu let the contradictory thing become normal, the contradictory deed become refined, by this omniscient sacred thread and by your wish.

10. Oṃ! Complete this sacrificial observance! Oblations to the lord of regulations, the principle of the soul, that which underlines the natural principle that is protected by the lotus-born Brahmā.

11-15. Having recited the principal mantra upto the end, lord Śiva should be worshipped with the sacred thread [i.e, pavitra]. Again in the principle of knowledge which is the end of all the learning and which is governed by Viṣṇu, one should invest the sacred thread having recited the mantras of Viṣṇu. Similarly, in the principle relating to Śiva, he should recite the mantras of Śiva and invest that deity with the sacred thread. O man of good practices! In the case of those governed by all the deities one should recite the principal mantra upto the end after having recited the mantras of Śiva and the descent of the Ganges should be accomplished. In the case of those who desire to get release (from the cycle of births) it is said that the sacred thread should be invested with the mantras of Śiva relating to the knowledge of the soul. For those who desire to get enjoyment it has been pointed out (that the sacred thread should be invested) duly with (the mantras of) the principles ofŚiva. The mantras should be uttered ending with ‘oblation’ or ‘obeisance’.

16. Oṃ hāṃ oblations to lord Śiva, the lord of the principle of soul. Oṃ hāṃ oblations to (lord) Śiva, the lord of the principle of learning. Oṃ hāṃ oblations to (lord) Śiva, lord of the principle of Śiva. Oṃ hāṃ oblations to lord Śiva, the lord of all principles (of the universe). Having made obeisance to the descent of the Ganges, he should pray to it with folded palms. “You are the refuge for all beings. You reside in the movable and immovable beings.”

17. “O Supreme lord! You are the witness (of the acts) of beings by pervading inside the beings. By deed or thought or words I have no other being to resort to except you.”

18-19. “O Great lord! Whatever has been done defective in the mantra or deeds or in the materials (of worship) or in the repetition and worship in the daily (observances), may you complete them. O Supreme lord! You are well-purified. You are pure and destroyer of sins. Every being in the universe, the immovable and movable have been purified by you.

20-22. “O lord! Whatever has been made defectively by me in my observances (let it be free) from becoming useless. By your mandate let all of them become united, being tied in a string.” Having conveyed the recitation (of the mantras) to the lord and praising him devotedly, one should take up the vow after saluting the preceptor and as directed by him. (It should be) for four months, (or) three months, (or) three days or one day.

23-24. After having saluted the lord and seeking excuse, the votary should go near the sacrificial pit and cast four sacred threads [i.e, pavitra] for Śiva located in the fire, and worship with flowers, incense, unbroken rice etc. The oblation and holy thread should be presented to the Rudras.

25-26. Having entered inside and praising Śiva (the lord) should be bid adieu with salutations. After having made the expiatory oblation and oblation of sweet porridge, the final oblation should be offered and (lord) Śiva located in the fire should be bid farewell. Having performed oblations with the vyāhṛtis (the syllables Oṃ bhūḥ, Oṃ bhuvaḥ etc.), the fire should be obstructed with niṣṭhurii (scornful goddess).

27-31. Then four oblations should be offered to the fire-god and others. Oblation should be given outside along with a sacred thread [i.e, pavitra] to the guardian deities of all directions. Two theological books and a sacred thread should be offered. Oṃ, hāṃ, bhūḥ oblations. Oṃ, hāṃ, bhuvaḥ oblations. Oṃ, hāṃ svaḥ oblations. Oṃ, hāṃ, bhūrbhuvaḥ svaḥ oblations. After having done the oblations with the vyāhṛtis, four oblations should be made (as follows). Oṃ, hāṃ oblations to the fire-god. Oṃ, hāṃ oblations to the firegod, one who accomplishes all desires. The preceptor should be worshipped as lord Śiva with clothes, ornaments and bed. All annual rites etc. of the performer (become) fruitful if the preceptor gets satisfied. The Supreme lord had said so. Mter having placed the thread on the body of the preceptor thus, the brahmins should be fed and offered clothes etc. with devotion. “O lord of celestials! May lord Śiva get pleased by this gift of mine.”

32. After having bathed in the morning (the investor) should perform his daily rites of prayer and worship and take leave of (god) Śiva after having worshipped him and the sacred threads with eight flowers.

33. After having performed the nitya and naimittika rites as before in full, the sacred threads should be placed and lord Śiva should be worshipped in the fire after obeisance.

34. The expiatory oblation should then be done with the mantras of the weapons. The final oblation should then be given. One who is desirous of enjoyment should then submit the fruits-of his acts to lord Śiva.

35. “May this rite of mine become fruitful by your grace!" One who is desirous of release (from the cycle of births) should do this act (as follows): "O lord! May there be no bondage for me.”

36. (Lord) Śiva located in the fire should be united with lord Śiva (in the solar plexus of the investor) by nāḍīyoga (assignment on limbs). The essence of fire should be drawn in one’s heart and the fire should be discharged.

37. After having rinsed the mouth well, (he) should enter inside (the shed) and permeate the water of the pitcher with the essence of Śiva and bid farewell (after saying) “Pardon (me)”.

38. After having taken leave of the guardian deities of the world, the sacred thread [i.e, pavitra] should be taken from the lord and placed on the Caṇḍeśvara (form of the lord) after worship.

39. The materials of worship along with the sacred thread [i.e, pavitra] should be submitted to him. In the alternative lord Caṇḍa should be worshipped on the sacrificial ground in the prescribed manner as before.

40. “Whatever annual rite has been done by me defectively, may that become perfect by your mandate, O lord! Caṇḍa! my master!”

41. Having thus submitted to the lord of celestials, he should be given farewell after obeisance and praise. After having removed the materials of worship (from the images) and becoming pure, the votary should bathe (the image) and worship (lord) Śiva. A man who remains even at a distance of five yojanas (a yojana is equal to about eight miles) from the preceptor (is deemed to be) pure.