268 - Mode of worshipping Indra, doing nirājanā (relating to King's expedition) and other rites

Pushkara said: 

1-2. Ishall describe the rites to be performed by the kings in the course of a year. On (the day of) the birth-asterism He (Lord Vishnu)should be worshipped. The Sun, Moon and other godsshould be worshipped every month at the time of sun's entry into one of the signs of the zodiac. Agastyashould be worshipped at the time of the rise of Agastya (Canopus). (Lord) Hari (Vishņu)should be worshipped for four months. Festivitiesshould be had for fifteen days in connection with the lying down to sleep and waking up from sleep (of Lord Vishnu)².  

2. These are respectively the periods corresponding to June-July and September-October. 

3-5. A mansionshould be made ready (by the king) on the east of his army camp in the bright fortnight of the month (ruled by the asterism) Proshthapada (i.e. Bhadrapada – September - October) for (worshipping) Indra from the first lunar day. The banner of Indrashould be raised therein. (Lord) Indra and (his consort) Sacishould be worshipped (therein). Those two and the flag-staffshould be led to the proper place accompanied by the sounding of musical instruments on the eighth day. Heshould fast on the eleventh day, raise the flag staff (on the twelfth day) and worship the flagstaff, as well as the Lord of celestials (Indra) and Saci in a pitcher covered by a cloth etc. (repeating the following words): 

6-12. "O Indra! You flourish! Conqueror of the enemies! Killer of (the demon) Vrutra! Punisher of the demon Påka! Lord of lords! Most fortunate one! You have come to the earth. You are the master, the eternal one and one who is bent on the welfare of all the beings. You are a person who has endless lustre and splendour. You are the one who increases fame and victory. May these gods increase your lustre. O Sakra (Indra)! One who causes good rain! May (the Lords) Brahma, Vishņu, Mahesha (Śiva), Kartikeya (son of Siva), Vinayaka (son of Siva), (the twelve) Suns, (the eight) Vasus, (the eleven) Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Bhrugus, the (different) quarters, group of Maruts, the protectors of the world, planets, the Yakshas (a kind of semi-divine beings), the rivers, the oceans, (goddesses) Sri (the consort of Vishnu), Earth, Gauri (consort of Siva), Chandika (a form of the consort of Siva) and Sarasvati (goddess of speech; consort of Brahmå) increase your radiance. Hail O Indra! Consort of Sachi! May auspicious things accrue to me daily by your victory. Always extend thy grace to the kings, brahmins and people. May the earth abound in grains by your grace. May there be prosperity without any obstacle. May calamities come to an end.” 

13-16a. After having worshipped Indra with (the above) sacred formulas, one will conquer the earth and reach the heaven. (The picture of) Bhadrakali (a benevolent form of the consort of Siva)should be drawn on a cloth on the eighth day of the bright fortnight in the (month of) Asvina (October-November) for victory. In the same way, the weapon, bow, banner, umbrella, the insignia of the king such as the arms (should be worshipped) with flowers. After remaining awake in the night, the offeringshould be made. (She) is again worshipped on the second day. O Bhadrakali! Mahåkali! Durga! Remover of all difficulties! Conqueror of the three worlds! Candi! Be successful in (conferring) peace on me! 

16b-20. Ishall describe the mode of performing the nirājana¹ (rite). A chambershould be got ready in the north eastern direction. Three archesshould be erected therein and the godsshould be worshipped daily. The worshipshould be done from the moment Sun leaves (the asterism) Chitra and enters (the asterism) Svati and stays therein. (The gods) Brahmä, Vishņu, Sambhu (Śiva), Śakra (Indra), Agni, Wind-god, Vinayaka and Kumāra( the two sons of Śiva), Varuņa, Dhanada (god of wealth), Yama (god of death), Viśvedevas (a group of gods) and the eight elephants of Vaisravasa (son of Viśravás)-such as Kumuda, Airävaņa, Padma, Pushpadanta, Våmana, Supratika, Añjana and Nila,should be worshipped in the chamber. 

1. Lustration of arms, a kind of military and religious ceremony, performed by kings or generals before they set out.

21-23. The priestshould offer as oblation clarified butter, twigs, white mustard and sesamum. After worshipping eight pitchers, the excellent horses and elephantsshould be bathed with them. The horsesshould be bathed (first) and the balls of rice offered. Then the elephantsshould be led out first through the arches butshould not be made to cross the principal gateways etc. Then allshould set out. The insignia of the kingshould be worshipped in the chamber. After having worshipped (Lord) Varuņa on the west, the offering to the spiritsshould be made in the night. 

24-26. When the Sun has entered (the asterism) Visakha, the kingshould stay in the hermitage. The chariotshould be specially decorated on that day. The royal insignia that has been worshippedshould be placed in the hands of the respective men. O Knower of righteousness! An astrologershould then consecrate the elephant, horse, umbrella, sword, bow, war drum, flag staff and flag (of the king). After consecration theyshould be made to be carried on the elephant. 

27-30. The astrologer and priestshould then ride the elephant. (The king)should ride the consecrated horses and set out through the arch. After setting out heshould ride the elephant and go out through the arch. After having offered the oblation, the king riding the elephant and remaining calmshould circumambulate (the city) thrice as the collection of fire-brands illuminate the different quarters of space, the fourfold army keep company and the entire armyshout (victory). After doing this, (the king) having offered water with the palmsshould go back to the palace. This is the appeasing rite (called) nirājanā that would make (a king) prosper and kill the enemy.