Chapter 291 - Propitiatory rites for curing the ailments of Elephants (gaja-śānti)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śālihotra said:

I. I shall describe the propitiatory rites that would destroy the deseases of elephants [i.e., gaja-śānti]. One should worship (Lord) Viṣṇu, (goddess) Śrī and the elephant (Airāvata) of Indra on the fifth (lunar) day.

2-5a. (Similarly one should worship) Brahmā, Śaṅkara (Śiva), Viṣṇu, Śakra (Indra), Vaiśravaṇa (god of wealth), Yama (god of death), Moon, Sun, Varuṇa (Water-god), Wind-god, Fire-god, the Earth, the Sky, Śeṣa (the serpent couch of Lord Viṣṇu), the mountains and the eight elephants which guard the cardinal points such as Virūpākṣa, Mahāpadma, Bhadra, Sumanasa, Kumuda, Airāvata, Padma, Puṣpadanta, Vāmana, Supratīka and Añjana^[1]. Oblation should then be made and fees paid (to the brahmins). The elephants which are sprinkled with the propitiatory water would multiply. Listen to me! I shall describe the periodical rites.

5b-7a. In a lotus diagram (drawn) on the ground outside the city at the constellation Capricorn etc. of the elephants or at the north-eastern (angular point), (Lord) Viṣṇu should be worshipped at the centre, (goddess) Lakṣmī in the filament, (gods) Brahmā, Bhāskara (Sun), the earth and then (Lord) Skanda (son of Śiva), the sky, (Lord) Śiva, the Moon and Indra and his weapons on the petals in order.

7b-8a. (The weapons) such as the thunder-bolt, spear, rod, club, noose, mace, spike and the lotus should be worshipped on the periphery of the outer circle (of the diagram). The Sun and the pair of Aśvins should be worshipped at its centre.

8b-11. The eight Vasus and the Sādhyas (a class of celestials) (should be worshipped) at the petals at the southern and the south-western ends. The celestials, (the sages) Āṅgirasa and others, the Bhṛgus and the Wind-god (should be worshipped) at the north-western (petal), the Viśvedevas at the southern (petal) and the Rudras at the north-eastern (petal). The gods should be worshipped at the outer periphery of the exterior circle. The sages who composed the aphorisms, (goddess) Vāṇī (Sarasvatī, goddess of speech), the rivers and mountains (should be worshipped) on the east etc. The great spirits should be worshipped at the angular points such as the north-east and the like. The lotus, disc, mace and conch (which form) the four sides (enclosing) the circle (should be worshipped).

12-14. Pitchers (should be placed) at (each one of) the four entrances (at the east etc.) and banners on (the angular points such as) the south-east etc. Four ornamental arches (should be erected at the entrances). The elephants Airāvata and others (should be invoked to guard the entrances). Separate containers with herbs (should be placed) on the east and other directions for the gods. After having offered a hundred oblations with clarified butter and worshipped the elephants, one should circumambulate them. After having worshipped the elephant, fire-god and the gods at the outer periphery, the worshippers would go home. Fees should be paid to the brahmins as well as the physicians of the elephants.

15-20. An astrologer should then mount the famale elephant and utter in its ear. After having done the propitiatory rite in this eternal king of elephants, one should recite the (following) mystic words: “O! Fortunate one! The king has made you the chief among the elephants. The king would worship you with perfumes, flowers and excellent attendants. Then the people would worship you by his order. The king has to be protected by you in the battle, on the way and in the house. Abandoning your animal nature you remember your divine nature. In olden days, at the time of the battle between the celestials and demons, the celestials created the divine elephant. The elephant called Ariṣṭa that was born to Airāvata (elephant of Indra) inherited the splendour of the divine elephants. O King of elephants! You attain that splendour endowed with divinity. May you be blessed with virtues! You protect the king in the battle.”

21. The king should (then) mount (the elephant) that has been consecrated thus. Excellent warriors bearing weapons should follow it.

22. Again in a lotus diagram (drawn) outside (the shed) on the ground, the guardians of the cardinal points and others should be worshipped. Bala (deva), Nāga, the earth and (goddess) Sarasvatī (should be worshipped) in the filaments.

23. After having worshipped the small drum at the centre with perfume, garlands and unguents, oblations should be made and a pitcher filled with sweetjuice should be given to a brahmin.

24. Then the superintendent of the elephant, the guard of the elephant and the astrologer should be worshipped. A small drum should be given to the superintendent of the elephant and he should make it sound. It should produce auspicious and loud sounds. He should sound this while remaining on the buttocks (of the elephant).

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Airāvata, Puṇḍarīka, Vāmana, Añjana, Puṣpadanta, Sārvabhauma and Supratīka are the standard names of the elephants of the cardinal pointe. The text here reads additional names.