34 - Mode of performing oblation

Agni said: 

1-2. One has to enter the sacrificial ground with the following mystic syllable and adorn it. “Salutations to the brahman, the lord, Śrīdhara (and) undecaying self, the form of Rg, Yajur and Sáma (veda), (possessing) a body (composed) of sound (and) Vishņu. Having drawn the circular altar in the evening, one has to bring materials for the sacrifice. 

3. Having washed hands and feet and made assignment, and taken the aroghya (respectful offering) in the hands oneshould sprinkle the Arghya on the head and the gate-way. 

4. Heshould then begin sacrifice at the gateway. Heshould worship the presiding deity of the arch. The asvattha¹, udumbara², vata³ and plaksha⁴ are the trees of the east. 

1. Ficus religiosa (fig. tree).

2. Ficus glomerata.

3. Ficus indica (banyan tree).

4. Ficus infectoria (á large tree with small white fruit). 

5. The Rg (veda) is the ornament of Indra on the west. The Yajur (veda) is auspicious for Yama. The Sāma (veda) is of the water-god and is known as Sudhanvan. The Atharva (veda) is of Soma (and is called) Suhotraka. 

6. The edges of the gate, flags, (gate-keepers) Kumuda etc. and two pitchersshould be adored at every door by their respective names, as well as a pitcher full of water in the east. 

7. Then oneshould worship the guards of the doors — Ananda, Nandana, Daksha, Vīrasena, Susheņaka, Sambhava and Prabhava in the north (Saumya)¹. 

1. Soma means Kubera, the regent of the north.

8. Oneshould enter after having removed obstacles by throwing flowers and the repetition of names of weapons. Having performed purificatory rites of the elements and the assignment (of limbs) oneshouldshow the posture of hands. 

9-10. Having recited the mystic syllable ending with phat oneshould scatter mustard seeds in different directions. (Oneshould sanctify) the cow's urine with Väsudeva, cow's dung with Sañkarshaņa, the milk with Pradyumna and the curd got from it with Nārāyaṇa. The gheeshould be one part and the others respectively one part more. 

11. When these are mixed in a vessel of ghee it is known as the pañchagavya² (the five products got from a cow). A part of it is for the sprinkling of the temple building and the other for eating. 

2. These are-the dung, urine, milk, curd and ghee. 

12. Oneshould worship Indra and other guardian deities of the world in ten pitchers which have been brought. Having worshipped them one has to make them hear command. They must be installed by the command of Hari. 

13. Having kept the articles of sacrifice well-protected, one must scatter those which must be scattered. Having recited the basic mystic syllable eight hundred times oneshould take kusa grass. 

14. Then oneshould place there a pitcher and (the vessel) vardhani at the north-east. Having worshipped Hari along with the attendant gods in the pitcher oneshould worship weapons in the (vessel) vardhani. 

15. (Having made) a circumambulation of the sacrificial place, water is sprinkled in broken streams by the vardhani. Then the pitchershould be taken and worshipped at a fixed place. 

16. Harishould be worshipped with perfumes etc. in the pitcher adorned with five gems and cloth and the weapons (should be worshipped) at the left in the Vardhani in which gold has been placed. 

17. Oneshould worship the goddess of the building and the presiding deity of obstacles near it. In the same way, oneshould arrange for the consecration of Vishņu on the days of movement (of the sun from one stellar place to another), and other days (of importance). 

18. Nine dentless jars full of watershould be placed in the nine corners. Oneshould offer water for washing the feet, aroghya for rinsing the mouth and the pañchagavya. 

19. The five sweet things, water etc. (are placed) in the east, north-east etc. The curd, milk, honey and hot water are the four constituents for the worship of the feet. 

20. The lotus, śhyāmāka (a kind of grain), dūrvā (grass) and the consort of Vishņu are for the worship of the feet. Together with barley seeds, perfumes, fruits and unbroken rice, this is spoken as constituting the eight articles for the worship of the feet. 

21. The kuśa (grass), flowers of white mustard, sesamum (are) the articles (used) for adoration. Oneshould offer waters for rinsing the mouth together with cloves and kañkola (berries). 

22. Oneshould bathe the deity with the five sweet materials along with (the recitation of) the principal mystic syllable. Oneshould pour pure water on the head of the deity from the central pot. 

23. The worshippershould touch water poured from the pitcher and the tip of the kūrcha (bunch of kuśa grass). Oneshould offer pure water for washing the feet and Arghya for sipping. 

24. After having wiped the body with a cloth, the deity (adorned) with a clothshould be taken to the altar. Having worshipped him there, oneshould offer oblations in the sacrificial pit after having controlled breath. 

25. Having washed hands, three lines running towards the east from the south to the north and three running towards the north are drawn. 

26. Having sprinkled them with the waters of Arghya, one has toshow yonimudrā¹. Having meditated on the fire of the form of the self in the yoni oneshould throw it in the pit. 

1. On this mudrā and other mudrās see Kali. P. 70.36-56. This is one of ten mudras in the worship of the goddess. See Brahmāņda P. IV. 36.62; 42.1-19. 

27. Then oneshould place vessels together with darbha grass and wooden ladles. The twigs and saw (should be) at arm's distance. 

28. (Then one must bring) vessels praņitā, prokshaņi and sthāli for (holding) the clarified butter (and offering) ghee etc. Two prasthas² of rice (are spread) evenly with face downwards. 

2. A measure equivalent to 32 palas.

29-30. The kuśa (grass) with its tip (facing) eastwardsshould be placed in the pranitā and prokshaņi vessels. Having filled pranițā (vessel) with water and having meditated on the deity and worshipping, the praņitā (vessel)should be placed in the midst of materials in front. Having filled the prokshaņi (vessel) with water and worshipping it, itshould be placed on the right side. 

31. The oblationshould be consigned to the fire. Brahmáshould be assigned to the south. Having spread the kuśa (grass) in the east etc. the (line of) enclosureshould be drawn. 

32. Rites relating to Vishņushould be done with (the rites) such as garbhādhāna etc. The garbhādhāna, pumsavana, simantonnayana, and (the rite performed after) the birth (are the rites). 

33. Eight offerings to the fire are made commencing with naming (ceremony) and ending with samāvarta (rite performed on the completion of one's studies). The final oblation is made with the sacrificial ladles for each act. 

34. The oblation is made after having meditated on the lustrous (goddess) Lakshmī at the middle of the pit. (She) is known as Kuņdalakshmī (Lakshmi of the sacrificial pit), the source of the material world composed of the three qualities. 

35.she is the source of all beings as well as mystic learning and collection of mystic syllables. The fire is the cause of liberation. The supreme soul (Vishņu) is the conferer of emancipation. 

36. (His) head is spoken as at the east, the two arms are situated at the corners north-east and south-east, the two thighs at the north-western and south-western corners. 

37-38. The belly is called (the sacrificial) pit. The organ of generation is said to be the source. The three qualities are the girdle. Having meditated thus fifteen twigsshould be placed in the fire (after reciting) Om byshowing mushți mudrá¹. Oblationsshould be made again to the vessels and worship is offered (to the vessels) on the north-west to south-east. 

1. This is formed by holding a clenched fist.

39. Parts of oblations are offered (for the directions) upto the north-east with the basic mystic syllable. (Oblations are made) in the north with (the syllables) (forming) the end (of the) twelve syllables² and with the middle (of the mystic syllable) in the south. 

2. Om namo bhagavate Náráyaņáya.

40. The consecrated fire of Vishņu, possessing seven tongues and having the radiance of crorcs of sums and having the moon as its face and sun as the eye and situated in the middle of the lotusshould be meditated upon with the vyährutis³. Then oneshould offer one hundred and eight oblations (to this form). Then fiftyeight oblations (should be offered) and a tenth of it for the limbs. 

3. The basic syllables forming part of the Gáyatrī-mantra.