26. Pratishtha and Nityotsava-vidhi of Sarasvati

In Isanasivagurudeva-paddhati, Sarasvati is conceived as a Saivite Goddess. Pratishtha-vidhis and associated rites are, therefore, decreed to be done in the Saivite manner. At the very outset of the Patala, the Mulamantra, Astramantra, Sadanganyasa and Gayatrimantra are presented in secret coded language. 202 Gayatrimantra, Sarvasiddhipradayaka, is described thus: considered to be 378

vagisvaryai vidmahe vagvadinyai dhimahi tanno sarasvatipracodayat ' 203 For Pratistha, Madhyamadasatala measurement is prescribed. Vigrahalaksana is also given. 204 Special features of Sarasvati pratistha-vidhi, which are not common with Pratishthavidhis pertaining to other Devatas are provided hereunder. On the southern side, Dvaradevatas- Daksinamukhi, Uttaramukhi -and other minor deities have to be worshipped. Adhivasapuja and Samskarakriyas are done as stated in the text. Kalasas like Astrakalasa and Vardhanikalasa are prescribed. For Kalasa, the Devi has to be conceived as seated on the Vahana, the 'Hamsa', invoked and worshipped with Dhyanamantra. Dhyana raktakalpam raktavarnam sadbhujam strilocanam | strirupam bhusitam vame varapustarakapasadhrk || daksine sabhayakam lekhanim cankusam dadhat | '205 In keeping with Homavidhis, Vagisvari may be invoked and Mulangas worshipped. In the Madhyakunda, Homa is prescribed for Guru-Yogadimutris and Murtisvaras and 108 Homas each with Samit ,Ghrta, Laja, Sati, Siddhartha, Sarsapa and Tila for Lokesas is also mandated, to the chanting of Gayatri and Lokesamantras followed by 379

Bimbasuddhikriyas and other usual procedures culminating in Sayyadhivasa. Asthakumbhapuja and Sampatasparsa come next. On the day fixed for Pratishtha at an auspicious time, on the Pitha subjected to Ratnanyasadis, the Bimba is installed as per prescribed Vidhis. Afterwards Abhisekadi, Pranapratistha and Sadadhvanyasa rites are performed. Sarvopacarapuja with Vidyakumbhas (8), Nidrakalasa and Astrakalasa, respectively are offered in that order. Padmapujavidhis follow next. In the Padma, the whole retinue of Sarasvati's ancillary deities are worshipped in Kesaragra, Dalas, Karnikas and other designated positions and they have to be installed in their assigned seats. 206 Parivarapratistha is done a day after the installation of the chief deity. During the next two days, Homa is done to Lokesadevata and Jayadi respectively to the accompaniment of their own prescribed Mantras and on the fourth day Prayascittahoma and Nirmalyadharipratistha(of Mati) are done. And by way of conclusion of Pratisthavidhi all Devatas are subjected to Udvasana and the Devi is offered 100 or more Visesakalasas, Daksina is given, Ratribali performed and Nityapujakalpana prescribed. The worship of the Devi in conformity with the above Vidhis and according to one's wherewithal is said to result in Sarvaisvarya. 380

Nityotsava-vidhi-Sarasvati—As part of this Vidhi all Bhutaganas and Parsadas of Sarasvati are offered Bali along with their own Mantras. Bali is also offered to Sarasvativahana on the Mandapa and to other Antarmandaladevatas. In the main Balipitha of the second Prakara, Bali is offered to ten Visvadevatas and other deities in their respective positions. Bali is also ordained for more than two hundred other Devatas including Vasus, Asvinidevas, Rudras, Pitrganas, Suryadiganas, Rsiganas, Prajapati, Dharadi, Dhruva, Soma, Apan, Anila, Pratyusha, and the like, in the third Prakara. 207 In the fourth Prakara, more than fifty Devatas and their Parsadas are offered Balitarpana. At the conclusion of the Utsava, Tirthayatra is carried out, Udvasana of Ganadevatas are done, and the flag is brought down, followed by Sahasrakalasa and Daksina. These procedures properly completed are said to result in Sarvaphalasiddhi. The author states that for these Vidhis, he is indebted to the authentic Tantric work 'Brhattantra'.