Chapter 304 - The mode of worship of Śiva with the mantra of five syllables

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

[Full title: The mode of worship of Śiva with the mantra of five syllables (pañcākṣara-pūjā-mantra)]

Fire-god said:

1. “Meṣaḥ, Saṃjñā, viṣaṃ, sājyaṃ, asti, dīrghodakaṃ, rasaḥ.” This is the mantra sacred to (Lord) Śiva that confers good [i.e., pañcākṣara-mantra].

2-4. After having worshipped the asterisms etc. well one would gain the status of the celestials etc. (Lord) Śiva, the embodiment of knowledge, the Supreme Brahman and the highest intellect (should be contemplated) in one’s heart. Brahmā and other gods are born of His power and are only His manifestations. The letters of the mantra (gave rise) to the five elements, their respective mantras and their respective matter. Prāṇa and other (vital) winds, the five organs of sense and five organs of action, everything are (the manifestation of) Brahman, namely, the five letters [i.e., pañcākṣara]. Similarly we have the embodiment of eight syllables.

5-8. The place of initiation sanctified by the mantra should be washed with (the five things got from a cow). The essential articles for worship (should be taken to the place) and (Lord) Śiva should be worshipped as laid down. After having practised the location of the mantras on the main image and the limbs, rice should be scattered. Then the porridge should be made ready and the milk boiled. Then it should be divided into three parts. One part should be dedicated (to the god), the second should be given as oblation and the third should be taken by the preceptor and the pupil. After rinsing the mouth and accomplishing the transformation, the preceptor should give the disciple a twig of the kṣīra tree for (cleansing) the teeth after sanctifying it with (the mantra of) the heart. After having cleaned the teeth and washed the mouth, he should throw it on the ground.

9-11. It (indicates) good if it falls in the northern or western direction from the east and bad otherwise. The wise (preceptor) should make it dry by tying the tuft of the disciple who has come and make him lie down on the sacrificial altar on the bed of darbha (grass) together with himself. At dawn the pupil should meet the preceptor who has slept well and let him know (the dream he had). Then worship (should be done) with those benevolent words that accomplish the desires. One should worship in the circles such as the bhadraka that would confer all the perfections.

12. After having bathed, rinsing (the mouth with water) and besmearing the body with mud with the recitation of the mantras, one should bathe in the water-course sacred to (Lord) Śiva, preceded by (the recitation of) the aghamarṣaṇa^[1] (hymn).

13-15. After having washed the hands the wise person should enter the place of worship. One has to sit in the padmāsana (crossed legs) and do the pūraka and kumbhaka (forms of breathing) with (the repetition of) the principal (mantra). One has to yoke one’s soul twelve inches above the tuft, dry up and burn one’s body and flood it with ambrosia. After having contemplated the divine body in that (body) one has to lead one’s soul again (there). One will be purifying one’s self by doing thus. After having located (the mantras on the limbs) one has to commence the worship.

16-19. The limbs (should be touched) by the preceptor with the letters of the mantra such as naga etc. (of the colours) black, white, dark-blue, red and yellow. The images of all (the gods) should be located in all the limbs beginning with the thumb and ending with the little finger. The letters of the mantra should be located on the feet, genital organ, heart, face and head. After having caused the principal (mantra) to pervade the head etc., one should locate the auxiliaries. The (four) feet of the pedestal (having) red, yellow, black and white (colours) in the angular points, the different limbs, the bodies and unrighteousness etc. in the different directions should be located with the mantras. (One should worship) therein the lotus, the three orbs such as the Sun and the three qualities.

20-22. (One has to worship) the nine energies such as Vāmā etc. on the petals of the lotus beginning with the east. The ninth one (should be worshipped) on the filament. The nine energies Vāmā, Jyeṣṭhā, Raudrī, Kālī, Kalavikāriṇī, Balavikāriṇī, Balapramathanī, Sarvabhūtadamanī and Manonmanī (respectively of the colours) white, red, white, yellow, dark-blue, golden, black, black and light red, of the form of glowing light should duly be remembered.

23-24. After having invoked (Lord) Śiva of the colour of crystal, having four arms, bearing the plough and trident, offering protection and conferring boons, having five faces and three eyes, from the lotus of the heart to the infinite yogic base the images of the five forms such as the Tatpuruṣa and other (of Lord Śiva) should be established on the petals.

25-26. Tatpuruṣa, white (in colour) (is placed) in the east. Aghora of black complexion and having eight hands (should be located in the south). Sadyojāta of yellow complexion and having four hands and four faces (should be placed) in the west. Vāmadeva of light red (colour) and of the nature of sporting with women and having four faces and four hands (should be located) in the north. Īśāna, the conferer of all things, having white complexion and five faces, (should be located) in the north-east.

27-31. After having worshipped duly the limbs, one has to worship the subtle Ananta. One should worship (Lords) Siddheśvara having a single eye, Ekarudra having three eyes, Śrīkaṇṭḥa wearing the peacock’s tail in the directions of east etc. (One has to worship) the lords of learning, seated on the lotuses and having white, yellow, white, red, tawny, red, light red and white (colours) respectively bearing the trident, thunderbolt, arrow, bow and having four faces in the different directions such as the north-east etc. (The goddess) Umā and (Lords) Caṇḍeśa, Nandīśa, Mahākāla, Gaṇeśvara, Vṛṣa, Bhṛṅgariṭi and Skanda should be worshipped in (the directions) north etc. After having worshipped the lord, the thunder-bolt, club, sword, noose, banner, mace, trident, disc and lotus should be worshipped in (the directions) beginning with the east.

32. After consecrating the pupil he should be made to taste the five things got from a cow. After rinsing the mouth, he must be sprinkled (with water) with the mantras relating to the limbs upto the eyes and the eyes should be covered with (the recitation of the mantra of) the eye.

33. Then the pupil should be made to enter the door. Then the preceptor should purify (the pupil) seated on the kuśa (grass) to the south of the shed together with the seat.

34-36a. (Then the preceptor) should withdraw the primary principles (of the pupil) and duly get him absorbed in the supreme principle. Then the preceptor should regenerate the pupil by the process of (tantric) creation. After having located (the supreme principle) in the pupil, he must be led circumambulating. After bringing him to the western door, (the preceptor) should make (the pupil) throw (the flowers) held in the folded hands. On whatever place the flowers fall that name should first be given (to the pupil).

36b-41. By the side of the sacrificial shed a pit should be dug up in such a way that it has the navel and girdle. The fire of Lord Śiva should be generated and worshipped. It should again be worshipped by the pupil. (Then the preceptor) should absorb the pupil in his own self after contemplation by means of the process of dissolution. Again regenerating him, darbha (grass) consecrated with the repetition of mantras should be placed in his hand. The principles such as the earth and others should be offered to the fire with (the repetition of the mantras of) the heart and others. After having offered hundred oblations for each one (of the principles), one should do oblation with the principal (mantra) of (the principle of) sky. After having offered the final oblation, one should offer eight oblations with (the mantra of) the weapon. (After having performed) the rite of atonement for the sake of purification, it should be completed with the residual offering. Then a consecrated pitcher should be worshipped well and the pupil bathed on the seat. (Then the preceptor) should instruct the pupil in the ceremonial practice and (the pupil) should pay respect to his preceptor by (offering) gold and other things. Thus the initiation into the five syllables relating to (god) Viṣṇu and others has been narrated.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Designation of the hymn ṛtam ca satyam cābhīddhāt ṚV. 10.190.