The Agni Purana

by N. Gangadharan | 1954 | 360,691 words | ISBN-10: 8120803590 | ISBN-13: 9788120803596

This page describes Mode of investiture with the fibres of Damanaka which is chapter 80 of the English translation of the Agni Purana, one of the eighteen major puranas dealing with all topics concerning ancient Indian culture, tradition and sciences. Containing roughly 15,000 Sanskrit metrical verses, subjects contained in the Agni-Purana include cosmology, philosophy, architecture, iconography, economics, diplomacy, pilgrimage guides, ancient geography, gemology, ayurveda, etc.

Chapter 80 - Mode of investiture with the fibres of Damanaka

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The Lord said:

1. I shall describe the mode of investiture with damanaka fibres for the lord. It has to be performed as before. Once, the celestials were harassed by Bhairava, a form born of the anger of lord Hara (Śiva).

2-5. Hence, he was cursed by the foe of Tripura (Śiva) (saying), “Become a stum”. Being pleased (after propitiation) the lord said, “Whoever propitiates you would get full benefits and not otherwise.” The votary should address the tree by the (following) words of Bhava (Śiva) after having worshipped it with the vedic hymns on the seventh or thirteenth day (of a fortnight). “O (tree) born of the grace of (lord) Hara (Śiva)! You be present here. For the sake of work of Śiva you have to be carried (home) as per the mandate of lord Śiva.” (The tree) should be invited home and the consecration should be done in the evening.

6. Having worshipped the sun-god, Śaṅkara (Śiva) and fire-god as prescribed, the root (of the tree) should be placed on the west of the lord along with the (clump of) earth.

7. The stump (may be placed) on the left or on the head (of the image), the dhātrī (myrabolan) on the north, the broken leaves on the south and its flower on the east.

8. The fruits and roots should be placed in a cup. Lord. Śiva should be worshipped in the north-east. The lord should be invoked after having placed the five articles of worshipin the folded palms and (later) placing them on one’s head.

9. “O lord of celestials! You have been invoked by me in the early morning! O lord! the merit of this penance has to become fully fruitful by your mandate.”

10. After having kept the sacred remnants in the vessel covered, (the votary) should worship the lord of the universe with flowers etc., after having bathed early in the morning.

11-12. After having performed the nitya and naimittika rites, he should then worship with the damana. After having kept the remnants in the folded palms, lord Śiva, fire-god and the preceptor should be worshipped with (the mantras) of the lord of the principle of knowledge of soul, the principal mantras of the lord ending with (the names of) Īśvara, with four handfuls (of offering). “Oṃ hauṃ (obeisance) to the lord of sacrifice. Complete the sacrifice. Obeisance to the holder of the spear.”

13. “O lord! Whatever has been in excess or in short in my acts let all that be complete by this investiture of the damanaka by me”. (Whoever performs this) would go to heaven after having obtained the benefits of all that is got in the month of Caitra (April-May).

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