Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati (study)

by J. P. Prajith | 2008 | 97,544 words

This essay studies the modes of worship of deities (Devatas) in the Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati (also known as the Tantra Paddhati). This text from the 11th century contains 18,000 Sanskrit verses dealing with a large variety of topics such as architecture and iconography. However this essay focuses on the worship ceremonies and ritual practices ass...

32. Description of Surya (rites and rituals)

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The Mantrapada of Isanasivagurudeva-paddhati provides detailed descriptions on of Suryaradhana and the worship of the Navagrahas, under the section dealing with the worship of Siva Suryaradhana is deemed mandatory prior to Sivaradhana. Here, the Dhyanas of Surya and other grahas, Angadevatas, their colours, rites and rituals, etc, are depicted. Besides, 401

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special mention of Suryaradhana, Suryapratistha, and Nityotsava thereon are also given in Patala 27 of Mantrapada and Patala 57 of Kriyapada The Mulamantra of Surya in concealed and coded form is also given 256 1,00,000 Japas and 10,000 Homas with Bilvapatra, Palasa, Udumbara, Pippala, Ghrta, Madhu and Dadhi, followed by Brahmanabhojana, will result in Siddhi which in turn will bring Sarvaisvarya. The venues to be chosen for Japahomadis are either the seashore, riverbank, or the top of a mountain. Viniyogas- The Upasana of Surya with 8,000 Japas, standing in waist deep-water, makes the Upasaka rich, grants all his wishes and recures attainment of Mukti. After explaining several other Viniyogas and their Phalasiddhis, the author explains Suryarcanavidhi. The Puja of Guru and Ganapati comes first in order. Surya is then invoked as per Vidhi 257 and offered Puja for all Avaranas, with Arghyapadyadis and Sarvopacaras. At the end of the Puja, Udvasana is carried out and Puja offered to Nirmalyadhari too(Tejacchanda). The explanation of Mudras follows. 258 Besides the above, the Upasanamargas of the Murtibhedas of Surya like Sadaksaramurti, Samgramavijaya, Martandabhairava and Astaksara as well as Upasanavidhis thereon are also given. 402

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Sadaksaramurti Mulamantra and Cchandas are given first. 259 Pujavidhis and Prayogas are as detailed earlier for Surya. 1,00,000 Japas and 10,000 Homas are said to grant Siddhi, which in turn brings Animadisiddhis. Samgramavijaya given.260 The Mulamantra, Karanyasavidhis and Vyapakangavidhis are Arcana-dhyana-homas are mandated for the Pujaka who should remain before the Suryamandala or Pujavedi, facing the east and perform Puja with Arghya-nivedya-arcana-dhyana-homas. For attainment of Siddhi, 1,00,000 Japas are decreed. The following Viniyogas and their Phalasiddhis are given, along with the specific colours in which Surya has to be conceived for each Phala. Vasya Ksudrakarmas Pitavarna Krsnavarna Mukti Vijaya Subhravarna Pingalavarna Upasana of Surya in the morning with Japa-homadis will result in the fulfilment of specific desires and wishes for which they are performed. 261 It may be noted that this aspect of Surya is worshipped chiefly for Yuddhavijaya. 403

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Martandabhairava The Mulamantra, associated Pancamurtis, Argulinyasavidhis, Ganadevatas, Pithamurtis, Dikdevatas, Avahana-dhyanavidhis are described under this head. 262 Dhyana sindurarunamastabahumarunairakalpakairbhasuram vamankardhanivesitasvadayitam tryaksaiscaturbhirmukhaih | saptasankusamaksasutramamalam yuktam kapalam kramat khatvangam jalajam dadhanamatha nancakram ca saktim smaret | | 263 3,00,000 Japas are mandated for Purascarana. For worship, the venue is any place of sanctity, a river bank, a temple, a house or a courtyard sanctified with cow dung paste. In any of these venues, Surya is to be invoked and Avaranasahita- Sarvopacarapuja performed. The customary Udvasana is the concluding part of the Upasana procedure. Viniyogas - Caturvidhapurusartha and Sarvakama are the Phalasiddhis to be had if Martandabhairava is invoked and worshipped in the image of gold, copper, Padma, or in a Supradesa( a holy place). One lakh, one thousand or one hundred Japas and Puja with appropriate Dravyas are recommended. For Animadisiddhis, Homa with Ghrta, Sali and Bilvapatra are prescribed. Astaksaramurti The Mulamantra, Chandas, Jvalamantra and Nyasavidhis of 404

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Astaksaramurti are provided 264. Japa-homadis in line with one's own Varnasramadharma are mandated for Purascarana. Japavidhi consists ->> of chanting of 8,00,000 Japas, standing in waist deep water for Purascarana. Aisvarya and Dhana-dhanyavardhana are the Phalas obtained when 108 Japas and Pujas are performed in waist - deep water along with Abhiseka. Puja under Vedic rites will bring Brahmavarcas. Performance of Homavidhis with materials as described in the text will gain for the Sadhaka such boons as Ayurvardhana, Papasanti, Apamrtyuraksa, Santi and the like. The Patala concludes by extolling the predominance and glory of Suryadeva and with the emphatic assertion that there is nothing unattainable through Suryaradhana. ittham yathavaduditairiha suryamantrairnasadhyamasti khalu vastu jagatrayepi | yasmadatah savitari pranidhaya bhaktim siddhim prasiddhivibhava ca labheta muktim | | 265 Suryapratisthavidhis The Vidhis for Suryapratistha are generally in line with Sivapratisthavidhis. Karsana, Utsava and Tattvamurtyadinyasakramas are common to all Devatas. 266 Dasatala measurements are prescribed for Surya idols and Pratimalaksanas of the idols are also given. The associated Mantras are the same as for Suryarcana. Pratistha can either be in the mind, sky, picture, gold and other precious metals, Ratna or Sila. The Mulamantra of Surya in secret, coded form is 405

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provided in the second half of Sloka 8 and Sloka 9. All Samskaras, Homavidhis and Adhivasakriyas applicable to other Pratisthavidhis are to be done, but the Mantras differ. On an auspicious day and time, along with Ratnanyasas, Ravi is to be installed. Abhiseka follows with Vedakumbhas, Santikalasas and other Kalasas, after which Pranapratistha is done and Puja performed in Sadadhva mode. On the subsequent four days, Prayascittahoma, Parivarapratistha, Ratribali, Purnahuti, Nirmalyadhari pratistha are mandated. On the final day, Kalasa, Daksina and Nityapujakalapana for Trisandhyapuja are the decreed procedures. Nityotsavavidhi Nityotsavavidhi for Surya consists of Puja with Mantra and Chandas of Surya, Dvarapalakas(like Canda and Pingala), Lokesas, Vahana(seven -horsed chariot), Grahas, Candra, Saptamatrs, Durga, Nirmalyadhari, Diks, Suryaparsadas, Suryaganas, and Samastalokas. Bali is performed for each of them in the respective Prakaras. Visesabali is mandated for 12 Rasis. 267. For Mahotsava, the procedures are the same as for other Saivite Dhvajarohanotsavas. A red flag with the image of the horse on it is hoisted on the flag staff, marking the beginning of the Mahotsava. All Ganadevatas of Surya are invoked, Bali is performed as described in Nityotsavavidhis during subsequent days, and the Mahotsava is 406

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concluded with Koutukabandhana and Avabhrtasnana in customary style in keeping with the Saivite tradition. The author states that for the Vidhis from Suryapratistha to Mahotsava, he is indebted to the Tantric text Bimbaditantra.

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