Agni Purana
by N. Gangadharan | 1954 | 360,691 words | ISBN-10: 8120803590 | ISBN-13: 9788120803596
This page describes Nirajana (relating to King’s expedition) which is chapter 268 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.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Chapter 268 - Nīrājana (relating to King’s expedition)
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
[Full title: Mode of worshipping Indra, doing Nīrājana (relating to King’s expedition) and other rites]
Puṣkara said:
1-2. I shall describe the rites to be performed by the kings in the course of a year. On (the day of) the birth-asterism He (Lord Viṣṇu) should be worshipped. The Sun, Moon and other gods should be worshipped every month at the time of sun’s entry into one of the signs of the zodiac. Agastya should be worshipped at the time of the rise of Agastya (Canopus). (Lord) Hari (Viṣṇu) should be worshipped for four months. Festivities should be had for fifteen days in connection with the lying down to sleep and waking up from sleep (of Lord Viṣṇu)[1].
3-5. A mansion should be made ready (by the king) on the east of his army camp in the bright fortnight of the month (ruled by the asterism) Proṣṭhapāda (i.e. Bhādrapada=September-October) for (worshipping) Indra from the first lunar day. The banner of Indra should be raised therein. (Lord) Indra and (his consort) Śacī should be worshipped (therein). Those two and the flag-staff should be led to the proper place accompanied by the sounding of musical instruments on the eighth day. He should fast on the eleventh day, raise the flag staff (on the twelfth day) and worship the flagstaff, as well as the Lord of celestials (Indra) and Śacī in a pitcher covered by a cloth etc. (repeating the following words):.
6-12. “O Indra! You flourish! Conqueror of the enemies! Killer of (the demon) Vṛtra! Punisher of the demon Pāka! Lord of lords! Most fortunate one! You have come to the earth. You are the master, the eternal one and one who is bent on the welfare of all the beings. You are a person who has endless lustre and splendour. You are the one who increases fame and victory. May these gods increase your lustre. O Śakra (Indra)! One who causes good rain! May (the Lords) Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Maheśa (Śiva), Kārtikeya (son of Śiva), Vināyaka (son of Śivā), (the twelve) Suns, (the eight) Vasus, (the eleven) Rudras, the Sādhyas, the Bhṛgus, the (different) quarters, group of Maruts, the protectors of the world, planets, the Yakṣas (a kind of semi-divine beings), the rivers, the oceans, (goddesses) Śrī (the consort ofViṣṇu), Earth, Gaurī (consort of Śiva), Caṇḍikā (a form of the consort of Śiva) and Sarasvatī (goddess of speech; consort of Brahmā) increase your radiance. Hail O Indra! Consort of Śacī! May auspicious things accrue to me daily by your victory. Always extend thy grace to the kings, brahmins and people. May the earth abound in grains by your grace. May there be prosperity without any obstacle. May calamities come to an end.”
13-16a. After having worshipped Indra with (the above) sacred formulas, one will conquer the earth and reach the heaven. (The picture of) Bhadrakālī (a benevolent form of the consort of Śiva) should be drawn on a cloth on the eighth day of the bright fortnight in the (month of) Āśvina (October-November) for victory. In the same way, the weapon, bow, banner, umbrella, the insignia of the king such as the arms (should be worshipped) with flowers. After remaining awake in the night, the offering should be made. (She) is again worshipped on the second day. O Bhadrakāli! Mahākālī! Durgā! Remover of all difficulties! Conqueror of the three worlds! Caṇḍī! Be successful in (conferring) peace on me!
16b-20. I shall describe the mode of performing the nīrājanā [nīrājana?][2] (rite). A chamber should be got ready in the northeastern direction. Three arches should be erected therein and the gods should be worshipped daily. The worship should be done from the moment Sun leaves (the asterism) Citrā and enters (the asterism) Svāti and stays therein. (The gods) Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śambhu (Śiva), Śakra (Indra), Fire-god, Wind-god, Vināyaka and Kumāra (the two sons of Śiva), Varuṇa, Dhanada (god of wealth), Yama (god of death), Viśvedevas (a group of gods) and the eight elephants of Vaiśravasa (son of Viśravas) such as Kumuda, Airāvaṇa, Padma, Puṣpadanta, Vāmana, Supratīka, Añjana and Nīla, should be worshipped in the chamber.
21-23. The priest should offer as oblation clarified butter, twigs, white mustard and sesamum. After worshipping eight pitchers, the excellent horses and elephants should be bathed with them. The horses should be bathed (first) and the balls of rice offered. Then the elephants should be led out first through the arches but should not be made to cross the principal gateways etc. Then all should set out. The insignia of the king should be worshipped in the chamber. After having worshipped (Lord) Varuṇa on the west, the offering to the spirits should be made in the night.
24-26. When the Sun has entered (the asterism) Viśākhā, the king should stay in the hermitage. The chariot should be specially decorated on that day. The royal insignia that has been worshipped should be placed in the hands of the respective men. O Knower of righteousness! An astrologer should then consecrate the elephant, horse, umbrella, sword, bow, war-drum, flag staff and flag (of the king). After consecration they should be made to be carried on the elephant.
27-30. The astrologer and priest should then ride the elephant. (The king) should ride the consecrated horses and set out through the arch. After setting out he should ride the elephant and go out through the arch. After having offered the oblation, the king riding the elephant and remaining calm should circumambulate (the city) thrice as the collection of fire-brands illuminate the different quarters of space, the fourfold army keep company and the entire army shout (victory). After doing this, (the king) having offered water with the palms should go back to the palace. This is the appeasing rite (called) ṃīrājanā [ṃīrājana?] that would make (a king) prosper and kill the enemy.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
These are respectively the periods corresponding t o June-July and September-October.
[2]:
Lustration of arms, a kind of military and religious ceremony, performed by kings or generals before they set out.