29. Description of Subrahmanya (rites and rituals)

In Patala 31 of Mantrapada, in the part 'Pasupatastradhikara', the Upasanavidhis of Subrahmanya are provided in sufficient detail. Mulamantra, Chandas and Astramantra are prescribed. 213 For the attainment of Mantrasiddhi, 10,000 Japas and 1,000 Homas with Tila and Ghrta are mandated. What follows is the detailed description of the various Bhavas of Subrahmanya, which are not narrated here as they have been dealt with in the previous chapter. Vidhis- The Acarya enters the Garbhagrha or the Pujavedi as per Vidhis ;performs Pithapuja and Avahana and Avaranapuja on either 387

Bhadraka or Vigraha to invoke the Caitanya of Subrahmanya. The Angas, their Murtis, Avaranamurtis, and others are to be worshipped in Saparivara and proper Astopacara. The Pujas can be done not only in Bhadraka and Bimba, but in Agni too. And while doing it, Tila, Ajya, Bilva and Caru are the Homadravyas stipulated for daily Homa. detail 215 evam saparivaram tamistvagnavapi pujayet | ' 214 Each and every Avaranamurti is also described in intricate Homavidhi- Homa performed with the prescribed materials in the Homkundas(square shaped or hexagonal- Caturasra or Sadasra) into which Skanda is invoked will guarantee all the desired purposes for which it is performed. The following is the set of materials and their respective PhalasSamit, Bilva, Khadira Prosperity and plenitude Asvattha, Plaksa Palasa Assortment of Anna, - Ghrta and Payasa Putrajiva and Tila Durva Lotus - - Dhanadhanyasamrddhi Medha, Vidya, Brahmavarcas Sri and Dhana Sarvardhasampat, Samrddhi Dirghayus Aisvarya and Yuddhavijaya 388

Sabusa and Sarsapa Stambhana and Dvesa (in Mantric rites). It is further stated that those unable to do these Homas due to physical, mental or financial reasons, can attain equal results with Japas. Meditation of Skanda as a handsome boy will make one immensely rich within months. The Acarana of Puja-Homa- Japadis for Subrahmanya on the Sasthi day can deliver desired results in a very short time. Subrahmanyapratisthavidhi Skandapratistha is described on the lines of Saivite traditions. atha skandapratisthadau karma saivasamam smrtam |' 216 Pratistha rites peculiar and specific to Subrahmanya are discussed here. The Vigraha is installed in Kanisthadasatala measurements. If it is not possible to install idols, Subrahmanya images can be conceived in pictures, metals, earth or jewels. The Mantras, associated Devatas, Kalasadravyas and Balidravyas are distinct from those of other Devatas. Skanda seated atop his Vahana, (the Mayura) and holding His Kukkutadhvaja may be invoked into the main Kalasa. After Visesasnanavidhis, Netramoksa and associated Adhivasakriyas are mandated. Around the Sayya are arranged Kumarakalasa, Astrakalasa, six Murtikalasas and worshipped as per Vidhis. Following 389

the above, Homa in six Kundas, signifying six Tattvas of the Deva, may be performed and Sampatasparsa is also stipulated. A special Gayatrimantra of Skanda is also given here. 217 On the day of installation of the idol, the initial Kriyas are Kurmasilanyasa, Pithapuja and Ratnanyasa followed by Nyasa with gold, images in gold of elephant, peacock, Sakti, Vajra, Kukkuta, Padma, Rasa and Manikya around the Pitha. It is then that Bimbapratistha ought to be done. Invocation of His Sakti(Sanmukhi), comes next with Stotravahana 218 She may then be propitiated in Sadadhvanyasa and Pratisthakalasa with Saparivarapuja carried out. The consorts of Skanda, Devasena on His left and Devayani on His right, have to be rendered Puja with Dadimapuspa and other Visesapuspas. Avaranamurtis, too, should be treated with Pancopacara. The third day after Pratistha is assigned for Agnipuja; on the fourth day after Pratistha, Nirmalyadhari( Dhurttasena)is installed and Homa with Mulamantra, Arigamantra, Murtimantra, Saktimantra and Skandamantra is done, followed by Prayascittahoma and Udvasana. Visesakalasas are offered to the Deva and Mahapuja is performed and at night Bhutabali is also carried out. To conclude the Pratistha procedure, Daksina and Nityapujaniscaya are offered. 390

The smooth and proper execution of the prescribed Pratisthavidhikriyas is supposed to grant Sarvapusti to the Grama where the deity is installed. 219 Nityotsavavidhi - Skanda Bali is prescribed to the millions and millions of Bhutaganas, starting with Dvastas in their designated Prakaras as directed in the text. 220 Bali is also mandated for Dasamurtis in the main Balipitha. Mahotsavavidhi procedures are the same as for Nityotsavavidhi, the few exceptions being Vahanapuja, Dhvajapuja, the Mantras there on and Tirthayatranujnamantra.221 Avabhrtasnana and associated rites for Subrahmanya are also in total conformity with Saivite traditions for the details of which the author has borrowed from Sadasyatantra and Brhat Tantra. iti pratisthadikamutsavanam sadasyatantram tu yathavaduktam | yatha brhattantramukhesu istam taduktasaivanugunena vidyat | | 222