Chapter 321 - The appeasing rites relating to Aghorāstra

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The Lord said:

1. (The propitiatory) rite for the weapons has to be done first. It is capable of yielding the results in all actions. The weapons relating to (lord) Śiva and others should be worshipped at the centre. The thunderbolt and others (weapons) (should be worshipped) from the east onwards in order.

2. One would gain victory in battle etc. by worshipping five discs in (a place measuring) ten cubits. In the worship of the planets the Sun (has to be worshipped) at the centre and the Moon and others (planets) in the east and other directions.

3-4. All the planets (would be beneficial) as if they are in the eleventh house, by their worship. I shall describe (the rite of) appeasing the weapons that would destroy all the portents, remedy the baneful influences of planets and crush the epidemics and enemies. One should repeat (the mantra sacred to) the weapon of Aghora^[1] that would burn the impediments.

5-6. (The repetition of the mantra) a lakh times would destroy (the baneful influences of) the planets. (One should do) oblations with sesamum (to nullify) portents. (In the case of portents occurring) in the sky one should do (oblation or repetition) half a lakh times which would destroy the portents. It is beneficial to do oblation with ghee a lakh times in the case of portents relating to the earth. All types of portents are nullified by doing oblation with ghee and gnggulu (fragrant gumresin).

7. There is no doubt that diseases (get cured) by performing oblation with dūrvā (grass), unbroken rice and clarified. butter and bad dreams get destroyed (by doing oblation) one thousand times.

8. The evil effects of the planets would get nullified (by doing oblation) with ghee mixed with japā (flower) ten thousand times. Oblation performed with ghee ten thousand times would appease the afflictions due to Vināyaka (an evil spirit).

9-10. The spirits and goblins would be appeased by (the oblation of) guggulu ten thousand times. (One would get good results) by offering oblations with dūrvā (grass), clarified butter and unbroken rice when a giant tree falls down or a serpent or a heron perches on the house or while one enters the forests etc. One would get good results by offering oblations with sesamum and clarified butter when a portent or earthquake occurs.

11-12a. (Oblations done) with guggulu ten thousand times would be beneficial if the trees ooze out blood. Oblations made with sesamum and clarified butter half a lakh times (would be beneficial) when (the trees) bear flowers and fruits in improper season, (when there is) unrest in the -country, (when enemies) invade the country and epidemics affect the bipeds etc.

12b-13a. It is said that rite of appeasement should be done ten thousand times in order to appease the epidemics in elephants, in order to strengthen the tusk of the female elephants and when the elephants are found rutting.

13b.-14a. When there is a miscarriage of the foetus at an improper time, or when the child perishes after birth, or when the children are born deformed or when one undertakes a journey, one should do oblations ten thousand times.

14b-15a. Oblations done with sesamum and clarified butter one lakh times would yield excellent results, half that number (would yield) medium results and a quarter of that number (would yield) poor results.

l5b-c. Similar to the repetition (of the mantra) oblation done (with the mantra) would confer victory in battle. One should repeat (the mantra of) the weapon of Aghora after making the (mental) location (of the mantra on the limbs) and contemplating the excellent five-faced (lord).^[2]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

One of the five forms of Śiva.

[2]:

Aghora is one of the five faces of lord Śiva; the other faces are: Īśāna, Tatpuruṣa, Vāmadeva and Sadyojāta.