45. Description of the Pavitraropana-vidhi rites

Special rites and observances in Isanasivagurudeva-paddhati—Pavitraropanavidhi—This is a very important annual ritual, the chief feature of which is the placing of the insignia of authority on the idol. This is considered very crucial for the flawless performance of daily temple procedures and, as such, the observance of Pavitraropana shall not suffer from any default whatsoever. The very word, Pavitra, connotes holiness, purity and divinity. yat krtam pavayatyenam tasmaduktam pavitrakam ' 324 Pavitraropana prevents possible shortcomings and imperfections and hence acts as a guarantee against all kinds of ills and blemishes. If for any reason, there occurs default in the performance of Pavitraropana, the expiatory remedy becomes expedient which has to be in the form of three lakh Japas and 30000 Homas each with Tila and Ghrta. To emphasise the inevitability of Pavitraropana in temple rites, the author quotes from the renowned Tantric text, Mohasurottaragama and states that its non-observance will have Tamasik(evil and nullifying) consequences. pavitrena vina puja tamasi parikirtita ' 325 429

Pavitraropana procedure- Five or seven days before the formal start of Pavitraropana rite, Ankurarpana is performed. A special Mandapa needs to be erected for Pavitraropana. An auspicious day and time must be fixed for the rite of Pavitraropana. Slokas 32, 33 and 34 provide the detailed mode of performing the rite 326. It may be mentioned that this is no longer observed in the way it is described here. However, similarities can be traced to some festival rites like 'Kappukettu', 'Koutukabandhana' and 'Kalasavidhis'. There are two kinds of Pavitravidhis-Nityapavitra and Gandhapavitra. Nityapavitra, as the name denotes, has to be adorned on the idol every day. This Pavitra is made of the flowers of Kusa; Gandhapavitra is made of thread and is used for Naimittika(for special occasions) rites. Pavitras are made to the accompaniment of Vamadevamantra. Pavitras are classified into three-Srestha, Madhyama and Adhama, depending upon the materials they are made of. Specific and separate Pavitras are provided for each Devata. For deities like Gouri, Mahalaksmi, Durga, Astamatrs and Sarasvati, Pavitra with three threads made of gold, silver or copper are prescribed. In the absence of these, either Kusa or Munja can be used as Pavitra. The measurement of the Pavitra is fixed as four or twelve Angulas( one Angula is equal to 1 1/2 inches). Pavitras consisting of various number of threads are also mentioned. The Pavitra subjected 430

to various Pujas has to be carried in a gold vessel on the head, or on an elephant or a Vahana and taken in a grand procession around the village and into the temple and ceremoniously adorned on the Devatavigraha. 327 The ultimate purpose behind the Pavitraropana ceremony is realisation of Moksa. Several Mantras, Vrtanusthanas and beneficial results obtained thereon are also discussed by the author, quoting authoritative Tantric texts. 328 By way of concluding Patala 21 of Kriyapada, the author once again emphasises the importance that Pavitraropana assumes among temple rites. pavitramevam prativatsaram tu yah karoti bhaktya skhalitabhipuranam | avapya pujadiphalam sa cakhilam prayati sambhoh padamavyayamsivam | | 329