Chapter 78 - Mode of investiture of the sacred thread for the deity (pavitra-ārohaṇa)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The Lord said:

1. I shall describe the (mode of) investiture of the sacred thread (for the deity) [i.e., pavitra-ārohaṇa] which completes the acts of worship etc. (It is of two kinds), the daily routine (without any motive) and the other being undertaken to be done with a motive.

2. It should be done on the eighth or fourteenth day of the bright or dark fortnights in the months of āṣāḍha (July-August) or śrāvaṇa (August-September) or bhādrapada (September-October).

3-4. Or it should be done on the first day of either fortnights during the (above) months upto kārttika (October-November), for (the images of) the fire god, Brahmā, Ambikā, Ibhāsya (Gaṇeśa), Nāga (lord of serpents), Skanda, Arka (Sun), Śūlin, Durgā, Yama, Indra, Govinda (manifestation of Viṣṇu), Smara (God of love), Śambhu (Śiva) and other gods. (The threads should be) made of gold, silver and copper in the kṛta (first one among the four eras) and other yugas (eras).

5-6. A cotton (thread) or silk thread or the one made of (fibres of) lotus should be used in the kali (yuga) (the last). The praṇava (oṃ), moon, fire-god, Brahmā, serpent-god, Guha (son of Śiva), Hari (Viṣṇu), Sarveśa and other gods would reside in the nine component strings (of the thread). The uttama (excellent) and other classes (madhyama and adhama) would be those which contain one hundred and eight (strings) or half of that or a quarter of that.

7. Or it should be made to contain eighty-one or thirtyeight or fifty strings having binding knots at equal intervals.

8. The breadth of the thread should be twelve or eight or four finger lengths or else it should be equal to the breadth of the liṅga.

9. (In length) it should be touching the pedestal (of the image) or (should be equal) to a quarter of the length of the deity as a whole. The descent of the Ganges should be accomplished by washing with pure (water).

10-11. The knots should be made with (the mantra of) Vāma (deva), purified with that of Aghora, dyed with the paste of saffron, sandal, musk, yellow pigment, camphor, turmeric and red chalk etc. with that of (Tat) puruṣa. There should be ten knots or equal to the number of strings.

12-13. The inter-space between the knots (should be) one, two or four finger lengths in such a way as to make it elegant. The knots are known as sadāśivā, manonmanī, prakṛti (nature), pauruṣī (relating to the puruṣa), vīrā (valorous), aparājitā (invincible), jayā (victorious), vijayā (victorious), ajitā (unconquered), sadāśivā (always auspicious), manonmanī (expanding intellect), and sarvamukhi (omniscient) which confer good.

14. The sacred thread [pavitra] for the moon, fire-god and sun should be done similar to that for Śiva, in the heart, or in their own image or in a book or in that of the preceptor or the gaṇas.

15. In the same way there should be one in each one of the pitchers of the door-keeper and the presiding deity of the directions etc. The sacred thread [pavitra] for the liṅga should measure from one to nine cubits in length.

16-18. The number of knots (in a thread) of the vṛddha (class) should be twenty-eight, the number for other classes being eighteen and eight respectively, their breadth in all being proportionate with the breadth of the liṅga. On the seventh or thirteenth day of a fortnight (one should) become clean and do his daily rites. Then (he) should adorn the place of worship with flowers, cloth etc. in the evening and should perform the naimittika (rites done with some motive), especially the waters of oblation.

19. After having taken possession of the sacred ground, the sun-god should be worshipped. After rinsing his mouth, the preceptor should do the rite of accomplishment (mentioning the names of the parts of the body along with the mantras). Water should be offered with respect with the praṇava (the syllable oṃ).

20. The threshold should be sprinkled with water with the mantra of the weapon (and) the worship should be duly commenced from the east. Ham (obeisance) to the entrance to the śāntikalā (digit of peace); (obeisance) to the vidyākalā (digit of knowledge).

21. (Obeisance) to the digit of non-action, to the one digit known as existence. The warden of the god should be worshipped at the top sides of those doors, two at each (as follows):

22. (Obeisance) to Nandin, to Mahākāla, to Bhṛṅgin, to Gaṇa, to Vṛṣabha, to Skanda, to Devī and to Caṇḍa in order.

23. In the case of worship being undertaken without any motive, the preceptor, having entered and worshipped the guardian deities at the western entrance, and after purification of materials, should offer water of respect.

24. After having done the sprinkling (of water) etc., and collected the materials for the rite, consecration with darbha, dūrvā and flowers should be made with the mantras like hṛd etc.

25. After having permeated thus with the essence of Śiva, one should place it on his head. I am Śiva, the first being, omniscient and I have the importance in the rites.

26. The preceptor (holding) the sword of knowledge in his hand should deeply contemplate the lord. Subsequently he should go to the south-western direction and pour (the washings etc.) with his face turned towards the north).

27-28. The respectful water offering, the pañcagavya (the five things got from a cow) and all other (articles of worship) which have been purified by means of rites at the end of crossroads and by divine look etc. and put in the sacrificial pavilion, one should collect the bunch of kuśa lying scattered, place them over the little jar in the north-eastern direction.

29. The presiding deities of the place should be worshipped in the south-west and (Goddess) Lakṣmī at the entrance. The pitcher is placed on all kinds of grains facing the west.

30. Then the bull-riding God and the pitcher (varddhanī) placed on the lion (should be worshipped) with the praṇava (oṃ). Lord Śiva should be worshipped in the jar with his attendant gods and the weapons in the vardhanī.

31-32. Indra and other guardian deities of directions, Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva (should be worshipped) in the (different) directions. Having taken the vardhanī (in the hand) behind the pitcher, the preceptor should read out the mandate of Lord Śiva in all directions commencing with the east and ending with the north-east. (The entire ground) (should be made wet) by an unbroken flow of water (along) with the recitation of principal mantra.

33-35. This should be moved around in all directions for the sake of protection as if it were the weapons. Having placed the pitcher in the east, the lord should be worshipped in the pitcher placed foremost at the front firmly, while there should. be one for the weapons to the left of it. The weapons located with the praṇava (oṃ) (should be worshipped with the vardhanī. Then the union of the two, the base and the liṅga should be accomplished by (showing) the liṅga mudrā (posture of the fingers representing the liṅga). Then the sword of knowledge should be dedicated to the (consecrated) pitcher. The principal mantra should then be repeated.

36-37. Protection should be spelled out with a tenth (of the mantra) in the vardhanī. After having worshipped Lord Gaṇeśa. (lord of the gaṇas) in the north-west and Lord Hara (Viṣṇu) with the five sweet things (milk, sugar, ghee, curd and honey), the fire sacred to Śiva should be worshipped in the sacrificial pit as before and bathed after having made the sacrificial gruel duly purified by the sampāta (residual) oblation.

38. It should be divided with the kuśa into three parts respectively consecrated to the god, the fire-god, and the soul, of which the former two should be offered to Lord Śiva and the fire-god and the part consecrated to the soul should be kept apart.

39. (The stick for) cleansing the teeth should be offered on the east by (repeating the mantras of) the weapon and arrow, and (a piece of) earth on the west or south with the (a) ghora and śikhā (mantras).

40. Water reduced in quantity (should be offered)on the north with the sadyojāta and the hṛd (mantras). Perfumed water (should be offered) on the north-east with the vāma (deva) and śiras (mantras).

41. The five things got from a cow and flowers like palāśa and lotus (should be cast) all around. Flowers should be offered on the north-east and the yellow pigment on the south-east.

42. The agallochum (should be offered) on the south-western direction and all the articles for oblation in four equal proportions on the north-west with the sadyojāta (mantra) and with the kuśa.

43-44. (An anchorite’s) stick, rosary, loin-cloth, alms bowl, collyrium, saffron, oil, a small stick (for applying the collyrium), comb, betel (leaf), and mirror should be offered to the image of the god. The yellow pigment (should be offered) on the north.

45. He should offer a seat, a pair of sandals, a vessel, an upper cloth and an umbrella on the north-east with the mantra of the lord for the satisfaction of Īśāna (one of the five forms of

Śiva). The sacrificial porridge together with the clarified butter and perfumes etc. should be offered on the east.

46. Having gathered the sacred threads and sprinkled them with the waters offered as respect, they should be led to the presence of fire after purifying them with the saṃhitā mantras.

47-48. After having covered them with the hide of the black antelope and remembering the eternal blissful one, the witness of all deeds, the protector, the one without any change, that Śiva, with the application of sva and ha (mantras) and saṃhitā mantras, the sacred threads [pavitra] should be purified. Twenty-one water vessels (should be got ready).

49. The room (for worship) etc. should be girdled by threads. Perfumes etc. should be offered to the sun-god, (who had already been) worshipped. After having rinsed the mouth, and doing the assigning, the water should be offered with respect.

50. Then (the worshipper should worship) the vāstu god. along with the weapons, the guardians of the world, Nandin and others by (mentioning) the name of each in the pitcher of (lord) Śiva after adding perfumes.

51-52. vardhanī, lord of obstacles, the preceptor should be worshipped. Then the sacred thread [pavitra] smeared with (the paste of) all herbs and perfumed with the flowers and dūrva and purified with the mantras should be held between the folded palms. Oṃ! (salutation to you) the regulation for rectifying any omission in regulations.

53. O lord! I invoke you and that which yields the desired boon. O lord of entity and non-entity! You bless me,. one who worships, with that success.

54- 55. O Śambhu (Śiva)! Obeisance to you at all times. and by all means. Be pleased with me. O lord of celestials!. You have been invoked along with the goddess, lords of gaṇas, lords of mantras, guardians of the world and attendant gods I invoke you. This sacred thread [pavitra] is for you in the early morning..

56. O supreme lord! By your command I shall do the prescribed routine. Thus one should invoke the lord and do the amṛtīkaraṇa^[1] rite by drawing in the breath.

57. Having recited the principal mantra for Śiva, it should be dedicated to (lord) Śiva. After completing the recitation (of mantra), praises, and obeisance, (lord) Śambhu (Śiva) should be bid adieu.

58-59. Having made oblation with the third part of the gruel in the fire (permeated with the essence) of Śiva, (oblation should be made) for the residents in the quarters, the lords of the quarters, the spirits, the mothers, gaṇas, Rudras, guardians of the region. Obeisance. This oblation is given. The oblation is made for the (guardian) elephants of the quarters east etc. and to the regions.

60. After having rinsed the mouth, the oblation should be done for the rectification of omissions in the observances. After doing the final oblation, the fire should be put out.

61-62. Then Oṃ oblations to fire (god), to Soma, Oṃ oblations to fire and Soma. So also to fire-god, the accomplishes After having made four oblations, the union of the gods respectively worshipped in the sacrificial pit and the mystic circle of lord Śiva should be brought about.

63-64. Then the union should be made by the method of assigning in the different parts of the body. Then the sacred threads [pavitra] should be placed in a vessel made of bamboo along with (the mantras of) weapons and armour and consecrated with the (mantras) of the digits. The six articles of worship should be consecrated with the principal brahma (mantra) (oṃ). (The mantras of) the heart, armour and weapon should also be united.

65. Having girdled the vessel with threads and worshipped it with the (mantras of) the parts of the body it should be offered to the lord of the universe with extreme devotion for the sake of protection.

66. After it has been worshipped with flowers, incense etc. and two theological books have been submitted, one should go near the feet of the preceptor and offer the sacred thread [pavitra] with devotion.

67. Having come out of the place and rinsed the mouth, one should worship five things got from a cow, the gruel and the stick for cleansing the teeth on three circles made with the cow-dung.

68. After rinsing the mouth again, one should remain awake singing songs and repeating hymns and should sleep at the end after fasting on a bed of darbha all the while contemplating on the lord.

69. Even one, who is desirous of cessation of births and deaths, should undertake in this way lying only on a bed of ashes, fasting and self-controlled.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Mental identification of the parts of one’s body with those of the lord.