Chapter 16 - The Installation of Ānandā

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: From this chapter onwards the locations of different Śaktis in  Dharmāraṇya are described.

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

1-2. Certainly Śaktis of various forms have been installed by Brahmā, Śiva and Viṣṇu for removing the fear of Rākṣasas, Daityas, Yakṣas, Pakṣins (birds) etc. from the minds of the residents of Dharmāraṇya. Describe their names and places to me correctly.

Vyāsa said:

3-4. Listen, O son of Kuntī, O excellent king, virtue personified, O mighty one, Śakti was installed at the proper spot by Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva. She is the protectress of the race.

Śrīmātā is installed at Madārikā; Śāntā in the excellent Nandāpura. For the sake of the protection of the eminent Brāhmaṇas, they are stationed in the four quarters.

5-6. O excellent king, in their respective places, they are joined by all the Suras. For the sake of the protection of the Brāhmaṇas, all of them are stationed all over of the forest.

O great king, that (goddess) Śivā became reputed as Sāvitrī. For the purpose of slaying the Asuras, Jñānajā was installed by the Suras.

7. Gātrāyī, Goddess Pakṣiṇī (of the form of bird), Chatrajā, Dvāravāsinī, Śīhorī, Cūṭasaṃjñā (goddess named Cūṭā), Pippalāśāpurī and many others were installed for protection from fear.

8. She was installed in the West, North and South by the Devas. She holds different kinds of weapons and is bedecked in different kinds of ornaments.

9. She rides in different kinds of vehicles. She assumes different kinds of forms. She has different kinds of furies and she is destructive of different kinds of fear.

10-11. (Divine) Mother should be properly installed at the proper place in the ten directions. She is seated on Garuḍa and holds an excellent trident. She rides a lion. She is of a pure form. She gets arrogant by imbibing liquor. Splendid-faced, she shines with hands holding a sword, a Kheṭaka (shield) and an arrow.

12. She wears red Sārī. Her breasts are big and projecting forward. She has the lustre of the rising sun. Her eyes roll due to intoxication.

13. In this manner, the extremely divine goddess was installed then by Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva for the sake of the protection of all living beings inhabiting Satyamanḍira.

14. O tiger among kings, O excellent king, (when) eulogized and worshipped, that goddess always accords all objects of enjoyment.

15. The splendid Chatrajā has been installed to the west of Dharmāraṇya. Stationed there and endowed with some (considerable) power, she protects the Brāhmaṇas.

16. For according protection from fears to Brāhmaṇas and for slaying demons, she has assumed a terrible form and wields weapons.

17-18a. In front there (she) created an excellent lake full of water. O blessed one, if a man takes bath in this lake and offers libations and also balls of rice (to the Pitṛs), everything becomes conducive to never-ending welfare.

18b-20a. (He by whom) handfuls of divine (sacred) water are sprinkled on the ground and incense and light are offered, is not afflicted with disease and has his enemies destroyed. Oblations (of food etc.) should be offered there according to one’s capacity. Enemies shall be destroyed. Wealth and food-grains flourish.

20b-24. Ānandā, a charming part of Śakti, has been installed for the sake of the protection of Brāhmaṇas. O king, listen to her greatness.

She wears white garments. She is adorned with gold ornaments. She is divine. She has four hands and is seated on a lion. The moon adorns her crest. She has full, round, protruding breasts and is bedecked in a pearl necklace. She holds a rosary and a sword in her hands and holds a noose and a Tomara. Excellent divine scent has been smeared over her. She is adorned with divine garlands. Ānandā is the Śakti of Sāttvika (brilliant, good) quality. She is stationed in that city. O king, one should adore her with camphor and red sandal.

25. (The devotee) should feed (virgins) with splendid milk puddings with honey, ghee and sugar for the propitiation of Bhavānī, O king. A virgin should be worshipped.

26. There is no doubt about this that Japas, Homas, gifts and meditation there, O excellent king, are conducive to never-ending welfare.

27. At that spot, O excellent king, everything increases threefold. If (offerings are) threefold, wealth, wives, riches etc. of the aspirant get increased certainly.

28. He incurs no loss. He does not fall ill. No enemy or evil deed (torments him). Cows get increased along with wealth and grain-stock etc.

29-30. There is no fear from Śākinī, nor from the king nor from any enemy. There is no fear of sickness. The devotee shall be successful everywhere. All the fourteen sciences come to him as though (he has) learned and acquired them. A man who resorts to Ānandā shines like the sun on the earth.