25 - The formulae and mode of worship relating to Vasudeva, Sankarshaņa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha

 Nārada said: 

1. Ishall now describe to you the characteristics of the adorable formulae related to Väsudeva and others. Vāsudeva, Sankarshaņa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha (are the four forms). 

2. (The words) salutations to the lord (are said) at first along with the mystical letters a, å, am, aḥ. (Then) beginning with the syllable 'Om' (and) ending with (the word) salutations and then (the words) salutations to Nårāyaṇa (are uttered). 

3. Om, salutations to the eternal Brahma, Om, salutations to Vishņu, Om, Kshaum, Om, salutations to the Lord Narasimha (are uttered). 

4-6. Om, bhūḥ¹, salutations to lord Varäha. The lords of men having the colour of japá (flower) (red), brown, yellow, blue, black, red, the colour of a cloud, fire, honey, (and) tawny, (are) the nine lords of vowels (and) mystical letters. The heart and the different limbs are resolved in order along with their respective names being well divided by those proficient in the tantras (branch of literature dealing with the magical and mystical worship of different deities). The characteristics of those mystical letters which are consonants are different. 

1. The mystical syllable representing the earth. 

7. They are divided by long vowels ending with (the word) 'salutation'. The limbs situated in between yoked withshort (vowels) are described as minor limbs. 

8. The mystic syllable situated at the end of the last letter of the name which is divided is excellent. The principal and minor limbs (are composed)of long andshort vowels inorder. 

9-10. This is the method (of use) of consonants for arrangement in the heart (and) other (limbs).One has to repeat according to his accomplishment (the mystic formula) divided into the mystic basic syllable and their ending names (along with) the names of limbs, after having resolved the yoked twelve (limbs) beginning with the heart etc. 

11. The heart, head, tuft, armour, eye, weapons (are) the six limbs of the mystic basic syllables of the basic (mystic formula) constituting twelve parts. 

12. Oneshould then assign in order to (the limbs)—the heart, head, tuft, hands, eyes, belly, back, arms, thighs, knees,shank, (and) feet, (the following syllables and gods). 

13. (The letters) kam, tam, pam, sam are for Vainateya¹. (The letters) kham, ţham, pham, sham (are) for the brother of mace-bearer (Krishņa). (The letters) gam, dam, vam, sam (form) the mystic formula for the nourishment. Gham, dham, bham, ham salutations to Sri (Goddess of wealth). 

1. Garuda, the eagle vehicle of Vishnu; born to Vinata and sage Kashyapa.  

14. (One has to worship) Pånchajanya², (with the mystic letters) vam, sam, mam, ksham. (The mystic letters) cham, tam, pam (are for the worship of) Kaustubha (gem worn by Vishņu on his head), jam, kham, vam for the Sudarśhana (the disc in the hands of Vishnu), sam, vam, dam, cam, lam for Srivatsa (the mark on the chest of Vishņu). 

2. The name of the conch of Krishna. 

15. Om, dham, vam salutations to the garland of wild flowers (worn by Vishnu) and to the great Ananta³. The limbs are set forth with the words of the mystic formula consisting of words without the mystic letters. 

3. Without end; may denote Lord Vishnu as well as Sesa Någa.

16. Along with the names ending with the caste (names), the heart and other (limbs) (are set forth). The pranava (letter Om) (is repeated) five times. Then the heart and other (limbs) are mentioned five times. 

17. With the pranava (oneshould adore) the heart first. (With the word) 'for the supreme', the head (and) the tuft and with one's name, the armour (are adored). The end of the name would be (to worship) the weapon. 

18. Om, the supreme weapon is the first. (Then) one's own name ending in the fourth case (is to be said). Then (the word) 'salutations' (comes) at the end. This consists of one to twentysix parts. 

19. Oneshould worship prakruti (nature) at the tips of the little and other fingers of the arms in (one's) body. (That one) consisting of prakruti (nature) is the second form of the supreme being consisting of purusha (soul). 

20-21. Om (salutation) to the supreme being, the foremost or the first soul. The air and the sun (are his) two forms. The fire the third form having been assigned to pervade hands and the body, wind and the sun in the fingers of hand, this is embodied in the three parts in the two arms, left and the other arm, in the heart, in the body forming the fourth state. 

22. The Rugveda (is made) to pervade hand. The Yajus (Yajurveda) is assigned to fingers. The form of Atharva (is assigned) to two palms. Thus (assignments are made) in (different limbs) head, heart, upto the feet. 

23. As before having assigned the extensive sky to his arm and body, wind and other (elements), to fingers, head, heart, generative organ and the feet. 

24. The wind, fire, water, earth (and sky or ether) are spoken as his five forms. The mind, ear, skin, eye, tongue (and) nose are said to be the six forms.

25-28. The extensive mind is assigned from the thumb onwards to the head, mouth, generative organ and the organ of excretion. The prime form is said to be consisting of compassion. It is known as the jiva (life) (which is) all pervasive. The seven (words), earth, ether, heaven, mahas, jana, tapa and satya¹ are assigned duly to hands and the body beginning with thumb. The Lord of the world, the seventh one and existing in the palm (is taken) gradually to the body, head, forehead, mouth, heart, generative organ and feet. This is said to be the Agnistoma². (Next follows the description of) the Vajapeyas³ (and) the Sodasi⁴ rites. 

1. The seven worlds earth etc. are situated one above the other succcesively. 

2. A sacrificial rite lasting for several days in spring forming part of the Jyotistoma, a soma sacrifice. 

3. One of the soma sacrifices performed by kings or by a brahmin aspiring for higher position. 

4. A rite forming part of the soma sacrifice.

29-32. Atirätra⁵ and Aptoryama⁶ (rites will also be described). The soul of the sacrifice which has seven forms extending to the intellect, ego, mind, sound, touch, colour, taste, smell, comprehension,should be assigned duly to the fingers and the body. A person has to assign it to the teeth, palms, head, forehead, face, heart, navel, the generative organ and the feet. These are remembered as the eight Vyûhas (parts). The life which consists of nine parts—life, intellect, ego, mind, sound, quality, wind, colour, and taste, is assigned to two thumbs. They (are placed) in order on the left hand by means of the forefinger and other fingers. 

5. An optional part of the jyotistoma sacrifice.

 6. A particular way of offering some sacrifice. 

33. Indra remains pervading the ten (limbs) consisting of body, head, forehead, mouth, heart, navel, the generative organ, two knees and feet. 

34-35. The fire (is assigned) to two thumbs. Mind consisting of eleven parts-ear, skin, eye, tongue, smell, speech, hand, foot, anus is assigned to head, forehead, face, heart, navel, the generative organ, two knees and feet with the forefinger. 

36. The mind is made to pervade the male organ. The two thumbs (are made to pervade) the ear. Commencing with the fore-finger in order, the eight fingers (are assigned). The (two fingers) left over are assigned to palm. 

37. The head, forehead, month, heart, navel (are assigned) in order to generative organ, two thighs,shanks, ankles and feet. 

38-39. Vishņu, Madhuhara (killer of the demon Madhu), Trivikrama, Vämana, Śrīdhara, Hrushikeśa, Padmanabha, Damodara, Keśava, Nārāyaṇa, Madhava, Govinda (are the names of Vishņu). Vishņu is made to pervade. 

40. The thumb (and other fingers), palms, feet, two knees, waist are assigned to head, crown of head, waist, knees and feet. 

41-43. There are twelve, twentyfive or twentysix parts the supreme being, intellect, ego, mind, thinking, touch, taste, colour, smell, ears, skin, eyes, tongue, nose, speech, hand, feet, anus, generative organ, earth, water, light, wind and sky. The pervasive Supreme Being is assigned and then in the thumbs and other fingers. 

44-46. The remnant are assigned in the palm, head, or forehead and then face, heart, navel, generative organ, thigh, knee, and feet are assigned to feet, knee, thing, generative organ, heart and head in order. A wise man has to meditate upon the great soul of the Supreme Being in these twentysix things as before and then the nature has to be worshipped in a circular (altar). The heart and other (limbs) have to be worshipped in the east, south, west and north. 

47. As before the weapons (of Vishņu, Vainateya (the vehicle bird of Vishnu) (are adored) in the corners of south-east etc. (Oneshould adore) the guardian deities of the quarters also. In (the worship of) three parts, the fire (will be) at the centre. 

48. The directions east etc. are decorated with the strength, abode and kingdom. 

49-50. The omnipresent form (of Vishņu), endowed with all parts and the five constituents Garuda etc. as well as Indra and others,should be adored (by one) for conquering kingdoms and for firmness of all (objects). One may get all desires (fulfilled). Vishvaksena (an epithet of Vishnu) is worshipped by (his) name, the mystic letter being placed in the ether.