Chapter 98 - Mode of installation of the image of goddess Gaurī (gaurīpratiṣṭhā)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The Lord said:

1. Listen! I shall describe the mode of installation together with the worship (of the image) of (goddess) Gaurī (consort of lord Śiva). The sacrificial shed etc. should be erected and (the image of the goddess) should be placed therein.

2. O Guha (son of lord Śiva and Pārvatī)! After having placed the goddess on the bed, the mantras of the images (should be located therein), and the principles commencing with the knowledge of the soul and ending with Śiva as also lord Īśāna (Śiva) should be located.

3. After having located the goddess of absolute energy, offered oblations and recited (the mantras) as before, the pedestal of the form of the energy of action should be placed.

4-5. After having contemplated it as pervading the same place and having put the gems etc., the goddess of the form of supreme energy should be fixed therein with her own mantras. The energy of action should be located in the pedestal and the energy of knowledge in the image (of the goddess).

6. Then the pervading energy should be invoked and located therein. Then the mother goddess known also as Śivā should also be invoked and worshipped. Oṃ, obeisance to the sustaining energy. Oṃ, obeisance to the tortoise (supporting the universe). Oṃ, obeisance to (lord) Skanda (son of lord Śiva and Pārvatī). Oṃ, hrīṃ obeisance to (lord) Nārāyaṇa (Viṣṇu). Oṃ, obeisance to sovereignty. Oṃ, aṃ obeisance to the undercover. Oṃ, obeisance to the lotus seat. Then (the gods) Keśava (Viṣṇu) and others should be worshipped. Oṃ, hrīṃ obeisance to the pericarp. One should worship here with (the mantras) “Oṃ, kṣaṃ obeisance to the lotus eyes”. Oṃ, hāṃ obeisance to nourishment, hrīṃ (obeisance) to knowledge, hrīṃ (obeisance) to action. Oṃ, obeisance to the stalk of lotus. Ruṃ, obeisance to virtue. Ruṃ, obeisance to knowledge. Oṃ, obeisance to indifference to the world. Oṃ obeisance to impiety. Oṃ, ruṃ obeisance to ignorance. Oṃ obeisance to attachment to the world. Oṃ obeisance to indigence. Huṃ, obeisance to speech, to the passionate, kraiṃ to the fiery. Oṃ, hrauṃ obeisance to tranquility. Then hruṃ obeisance to the elder (goddess). Oṃ, hruṃ, rauṃ, krauṃ (obeisance) to (goddess) of fresh energy, gauṃ to the seat of Gaurī. Gauṃ obeisance to the form of Gaurī. Then the principal mantra of (goddess) Gaurī is told. Oṃ, hrīṃ, sāḥ, mahā Gaurī, consort of Rudra (Śiva), oblations! Obeisance to (goddess) Gaurī. Gāṃ, hrūṃ, hrīṃ, Śivaḥ, gūṃ, to tuft, to armour. Goṃ to eye and goṃ to the weapon, oṃ, gauṃ to the energy of wisdom, oṃ gūṃ obeisance to the energy of action. (Gods) Indra and others (are worshipped) in the east and other directions. Oṃ, suṃ obeisance to Subhagā (favourite wife). Hrīṃ bīja lalitā then. And Oṃ, hrīṃ obeisance to Kāminī (an affectionate woman). Oṃ hrūṃ Kāmaśālinī. After having established (goddess) Gaurī with the mantras, worshipping (her) and repeating (the mantras), one may get everything.