Chapter 206 - Mode of offering water of libation to the venerable sage Agastya

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Fire-god said:

1-4. (Sage) Agastya (is verily lord) Viṣṇu. After having worshipped him one would reach lord Viṣṇu. When the Sun has not entered (the constellation) Virgo one should offer libation to Agastya for three days and one-third part of a day after having fasted and worshipped him. An image of the sage (Agastya) made of the kāśa flower (kāśapuṣpa) should be located in a pot at (the time of) nightfall and that image in the pot should be worshipped. He should then remain awake in the night. “O Agastya! The foremost among sages! A multitude of brilliance! Great-minded person! You accept with your wife this worship done by me”. After having invoked the presence (of (of the sage) with libation, he should worship him with sandal and other things.

5-13. After having led (the image) near the water tank in the morning libation should be offered. “O One having the colour of kāśa flower! Born of Fire and Wind (gods)! Son of Mitra and Varuṇa! Born in the pitcher!^[1] Obeisance be to you! That Agastya by whom Atāpi was eaten as also Vātāpi^[2], the great demon and the ocean was dried, may he be present before me. I am praying to (the sage) Agastya with my deeds, mind and speech. Being desirous of attaining the other world, I shall pray to the son of Mitra, born in a different continent and most dear to the gods. Kindly accept the sandal that is the king among the trees. May you accept the garland, that is the destroyer of sins, the vessel of piety, wealth, desire and liberation and that which confers fortune, health and prosperity. O Lord! Let the incense be accepted. You make my devotion steady. You confer on me the desired boon and also auspicious position in the next (place) (got) by the celestials and demons. O Excellent among the sages! Conferer of all the desired fruits! This libation has been offered by me together with clothes, rice, fruits and gold. I make known to (sage) Agastya that which I have raised with my mind. I offer libation with fruits. You accept libation, O Great Sage!” Agastya being thus excavated with the spades (gave) men the desired progeny and strength. (The sage) with fierce splendour along with his chaste wife nourished the two ears. He then conferred blessing on the celestials.

14. “O Daughter of a king!^[3] Obeisance to you, the wife of the sage (Agastya)! One who is a great devotee! O Governess of the celestials! Accept libation. O Lopāmudrā! One who is famous!

15-16. Libation should be offered to Agastya together with a vessel containing five gems, gold and silver and enclosed by seven kinds of grains as well as curd and sandal. (The above libation should be done) by women and śūdras without (the reci-tation of) the sacred syllables. “O Agastya! Foremost among the sages! A multitude of splendour! Bestower of all things!”

17. After having accepted this worship of mine you retreat in peace. One has to forego a kind of grain, a variety of fruit and a kind of taste for the sake of Agastya.

18. Then the brahmins should be given food (as well as) ghee, sweet gruel and sweet balls. Cows, clothes and gold should be given to them as fees.

19. That pitcher should be given to a brahmin together with gold and its mouth being covered by another vessel containing ghee and sweet gruel.

20. All would get all things by offering libation for seven years. A woman (would get) children and fortune and a girl (would get) a husband born to a king.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

When the seed of Mitra and Varuṇa fell at the sight of the nymph Urvaśī, part of it fell into a jar and part into water. From the former arose Agastya, hence called ‘born of the pitcher’.

[2]:

They were brothers, both demons.

[3]:

Daughter of the king of Vidarbha.