37 - The investiture of sacred thread for all gods

Agni said:

1. Listen to (the description of the mode of) investiture for all deities. The thread is the primary characteristic as well as its yellow orpiment.

2. O the cause of the universe! come here along with the attendant gods. I invite you in the morning and offer this sacred thread.

3. O the creator of the universe, Salutations to you! Accept this sacred thread for the sake of purification (and which) conveys the fruits of the annual worship.

4. O God Śhiva! Salutations to you! Accept this sacred thread along with garlands of gems and corals and mandara lowers.

5-6. O lord of the learned in the Vedas! Let this be your annual worship. After having accomplished this annual worship of mine according to the rules, O articles of worship! go to heavens after being discarded by me. O lord Sun! Salutations to you. Accept this article of worship.

7. O Lord Siva! Salutations to you. Accept this article of worship which is capable of yielding fruits of annual worship for the sake of purification.

8. O lord of gaņas! Salutations to you. Accept this article of worship which is capable of yielding fruits of annual worship for the sake of purification.

9. O goddess Śakti! Salutations to you. Accept this article of worship which is capable of yielding fruits of annual worship for the sake of purification.

10-14. I dedicate unto you this excellent thread verily the same as (lord) Nārāyana and (lord) Aniruddha and which is capable of yielding fruits of annual worship for the sake of purification and which yields wealth, grains and health. I dedicate unto you this excellent thread verily the same as Kamadeva and Sankarshaņa, which yields learning, progeny and welfare. I dedicate unto you this thread verily the same as Vasudeva, which yields dharma, artha, kama, and moksha and which is the cause for transport over the ocean of mundane existence. This thread verily the universal form is the donor of all things, the destroyer of sins and elevates past and future lineage. I offer in order to the four younger deities with the mystic syllables.

Summary of chapter 37 of the Agni Purāṇa is as follows:

This chapter provides a theological and practical account of mokṣadharma — the path of liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The Purāṇa presents three broad paths: jñāna (knowledge that the individual self is identical with Brahman), karma (selfless action performed as an offering to Bhagavān without attachment to results), and bhakti (unwavering devotion to Bhagavān). The chapter affirms that all three are ultimately forms of the same love for Bhagavān, leading to the same goal. The qualities of a mukta (liberated being) — equanimity, compassion, freedom from the pairs of opposites — are described. The direct path of nididhyāsana (sustained meditation on the Ātman) as taught by the Upaniṣad-s is referenced, and the teaching that liberation is not a future attainment but the recognition of one's ever-present nature is affirmed.