167 - Propitiatory rite for the planets 

Agni said:

1. Ishall again describe (the mode of performing) the propitiation of the planets for the sake of prosperity, peace and success. The propitiation of planets is of three kinds- oblations ten thousand times, lakh times and crore times. 

2-7. After having invoked planets in a circle at the north-east of the fire-pit with the sacred syllables, Jupiter (should be located) at the north (of that circle), Mercury at the north-east, Venus at the east, Moon at the south-east, Mars at the south and the Sun in the middle. Saturn (should be located) at the west, Rähu, the ascending node at the south-west and Ketu, the descending node at the north-west. Ihsa (lord Siva), Umå, Guha, Vishņu, Brahma, Indra, Yama (god of death), Kalaka and Chitragupta¹ are the presiding deities (of the places where the planets have been located). The fire, water, earth, Hari (lord Vishņu), Indra, the presiding deity of the east, Prajeśa (the lord of men), Serpent (god) and Brahmå are the subordinate deities respectively. Ganešha, Durgā (the consort of Siva), wind, sky and Aśvini gods (are also the gods). Theyshould be worshipped with their respective basic vedic syllables. The twigs of arka, palaša, khadira, apamärga, pippala, udumbara, sami, dūrva and kusashould duly be offered in the fire mixed with honey, clarified butter and curd one hundred and eight times. 

1. An inmate of the world of Yama recording the vices and virtues of mankind 

8. After having filled one, eight and four pitchers, the final oblation (should be made). Then the vasordhåra¹should be offered and the fees paid. 

1. A profuse oblation of ghee offered in the fire through a long bamboo or plough. 

9-10. The sacrificershould be anointed with (the waters of) the four (pitchers) along with sacred syllables. (The following benedictionshould be made)—"May the celestials-Brahmā, Vishņu, Maheśvara, Vasudeva, Jagannatha, lord Sankarshaņa Pradyumna and Aniruddha be for your victory." 

11-13. May Indra, Agni, Yama, Nairrusta, Varuna, Pavana (wind), Kubera (lord of wealth), Siva, Sesha (the lord of serpents) along with Brahmā and the gods of the directions always protect you all. May the (divine) mothers, the chaste wives Kirti, Lakshmi, Dhruti, Medha, Pushti, Sraddha, Kriya, Mati, Buddhi, Lajjā, Vapus, Santi, Tushți and Kanti who have gathered here anoint you. 

14. The planets Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rāhu and Ketu, who have been appeased, anoint you. 

15-18. May the celestials, demons, gandharvas, yakshas, råkshasas, serpents, sages, Manus, cows, the divine mothers, the wives of gods, trees, serpents, progeny of Diti, heavenly nymphs, attendant gods, weapons, scriptures, kings, vehicles, herbs, gems, the constituents of time, rivers, oceans, mountains, holy waters (places), clouds and the west-flowing rivers all these anoint you for the attainment of all desires. After having adorned, oneshould then give gold, cow, food, earth etc. 

19. O Rohiņi! The Tawny-coloured! You are to be worshipped by all gods and hence you are made up of all holy spots and gods. Hence you give me tranquillity 

20. O Conch! You are the meritorious among all merits, auspicious among all auspiciousness. You are borne by lord Vishņu always. Hence (you) give me tranquillity. 

21. O Righteousness! You make the universe rejoice in the form of the bull. You are the location of eight forms². Hence you give me tranquillity. 

2. Relating to Siva, being the five elements, "sun, moon and the sacrificer. 

22. O Golden embryo of the Fire god or Sun that is lying imbedded inside the golden egg! You give me appeasement that yields limitless meritorious fruits. 

23. The pair of yellow cloth is the favourite of lord Vasudeva. Hence lord Vishņu (would be pleased) by making a gift of the same. Hence give me tranquillity. 

24. You are lord Vishņu in the form of Fish from which the nectar has come. You have the moon and the sun as the vehicle always. Hence you get me tranquillity. 

25. O Cow of the colour of (lord) Keśava (Vishņu), on account of the fact that you are the entire earth that always removes the sin, you give me tranquillity. 

26. (O Iron) On account of (the fact that) all deeds as well as weapons such as the plough are always subject to your control, you get me tranquillity. 

27. On account of (the fact that) you are always the origin of fire and remain as a constituent of all sacrifices, you get me tranquillity. 

28. Because the fourteen worlds remain in the limbs of the cow, let me have good in this world as well as in the next. 

29. On account of the fact that the beds of Keśava and Śiva are not empty let my bed also be not empty in every birth being given (now). 

30. Just as the celestials are established in all gems so also let the celestials get me tranquillity by my gift of gems. 

31. Just as the other gifts are not equal to one-sixteenth (of the merit) of making a gift of land, may I have peace by the gift of the land. 

32-41. (The performance of) sacrifice (to appease) the planets with ten thousand oblations with the payment of the fee (secures) victory in battle. At the time of marriage, festivities, sacrifices, rites for the installation and for the fulfilment of desires, it is said (that oneshould do the two-the oblations a lakh times and crore times. In the (oblation) ten thousand times a pit of one cubit length and another pit having a girdle and hole (should be made ready) at (the exact spot for building) the house and pavilion. (Thereshould be) four sacrificial priests. In the (oblation for a) lakh times there may be the self alone. These are ten times meritorious. (The pit may be a square of) four cubits or two cubits (long). Here Tärkshya (the bird vehicle of lord Vishņu)should be worshipped more. (Heshould be addressed as) “You are the vehicle of highly adorable god and your body is composed of the sound of saman (melodies). You are always the remover of things. Hence you get me tranquillity. As before the sacrificial pitshould be sanctified and the oblation lakh times performed. The vasordhārā¹should be given then. (Then) bed, ornaments and other thingsshould be offered (as gift). There may be ten or eight sacrificial priests in the performance of oblations lakh times. (By the performance of this) one would get sons, food, kingdom, conquest, enjoyment and liberation. One who performs oblation a crore times after making different gifts, would kill his enemy as a result of it. The sacrificial pit (may be a square) of four or eight cubits and there may be twelve sacrificial priests. (There may be) twentyfive or sixteen (priests) and four (?)² on a cloth at the entrance. One who does oblation crore times gets the desired things and reaches the world of lord Vishņu. The oblation (may be done) with the sacred syllables of planets, or the gayatri or those of Vishņu, or those addressed to the fire god or those of Siva or the well-known vedic (hymns). One gets the benefit of (doing) aśvamedha (sacrifice) by (making oblations with) sesamum, barley, ghee and grains. 

1. See p. 468 fn, 1.

 2. The text is cryptic. The exact significance is not known. 

42-44. (In the oblations intended) to cause enmity or sorcery the sacrificial pitshould be a triangular one. The twigs (should be offered) with the left hand together with bones of the eagle and fire by (those) who contemplate evil for their enemy and who have red dress and untied hair. "Let the person who hates have enemies. Hum phat". This is the (sacred syllable). The image (of the enemy) made of flourshould be cut with a knife and the enemyshould be killed. Or one ball of riceshould be offered. One who does so would go to heaven.