291 - Propitiatory rites for curing the ailments of elephants  

Śhalihotra said: 

1. Ishall describe the propitiatory rites that would destroy the deseases of elephants. Oneshould worship (Lord) Vishņu, (goddess) Sri and the elephant (Airāvata) of Indra on the fifth (lunar) day. 

2-5a. (Similarly oneshould worship) Brahma,shankara (Śhiva), Vishnu, Sakra (Indra), Vaiśhravaņa (god of wealth), Yama (god of death), Moon, Sun, Varuna (Water-god), Wind-god, Agni, the Earth, the Sky, Šesha (the serpent couch of Lord Vishņu), the mountains and the eight elephants which guard the cardinal points such as Virūpåksha, Mahapadma, Bhadra, Sumanasa, Kumuda, Airåvata, Padma, Pushpadanta, Vamana, Supratika and Añjana¹. Oblationshould then be made and fees paid to the brahmins). The elephants which are sprinkled with the propitiatory water would multiply. Listen to me! Ishall describe the periodical rites. 

1. Airavata, Pundarika, Våmana, Añjana, Pushpadanta, Sárvabhauma and Supratika are the standard names of the elephants of the cardinal points. The text here reads additional names. 

5b-7a. In a lotus diagram (drawn) on the ground outside the city at the constellation Capricorn etc. of the elephants or at the north-eastern (angular point), (Lord) Vishņushould be worshipped at the centre, (goddess) Lakshmi in the filament, (gods) Brahma, Bhaskara (Sun), the earth and then (Lord) Skanda (son of Siva), the sky, (Lord)shiva, the Moon and Indra and his weapons on the petals in order. 

7b-8a. (The weapons) such as the thunder-bolt, spear, rod, club, noose, mace, spike and the lotusshould bc worshipped on the periphery of the outer circle (of the diagram). The Sun and the pair of Aśhvinsshould be worshipped at its centre. 

8b-11. The eight Vasus and the Sädhyas (a class of celestials) (should be worshipped) at the petals at the southern and the south-western ends. The celestials, (the sages) Āngirasa and others, the Bhrugus and the Wind-god (should be worshipped) at the north-western (petal), the Viśhvedevas at the southern (petal) and the Rudras at the north-eastern (petal). The godsshould be worshipped at the outer periphery of the exterior circle. The sages who composed the aphorisms, (goddess) Väņi (Sarasvati, goddess of speech), the rivers and mountains (should be worshipped) on the east etc. The great spiritsshould be worshipped at the angular points such as the north-east and the like. The lotus, disc, mace and conch (which form) the four sides (enclosing) the circle (should be worshipped). 

12-14. Pitchers (should be placed) at (each one of) the four entrances (at the east etc.) and banners on (the angular points such as the south-east etc. Four ornamental arches (should be erected at the entrances). The elephants Airavata and others (should be invoked to guard the entrances). Separate containers with herbs (should be placed) on the east and other directions for the gods. After having offered a hundred oblations with clarified butter and worshipped the elephants, oneshould circumambulate them. After having worshipped the elephant, Agni and the gods at the outer periphery, the worshippers would go home. Feesshould be paid to the brahmins as well as the physicians of the elephants. 

15-20. An astrologershould then mount the female elephant and utter in its ear. After having done the propitiatory rite in this eternal king of elephants, oneshould recite the (following) mystic words: "O! Fortunate one! The king has made you the chief among the elephants. The king would worship you with perfumes, flowers and excellent attendants. Then the people would worship you by his order. The king has to be protected by you in the battle, on the way and in the house. Abandoning your animal nature you remember your divine nature. In olden days, at the time of the battle between the celestials and demons, the celestials created the divine elephant. The elephant called Arishța that was born to Airavata (elephant of Indra) inherited the splendour of the divine elephants. O King of elephants! You attain that splendour endowed with divinity. May you be blessed with virtues! You protect the king in the battle.” 

21. The kingshould (then) mount (the elephant) that has been consecrated thus. Excellent warriors bearing weaponsshould follow it. 

22. Again in a lotus diagram (drawn) outside (theshed) on the ground, the guardians of the cardinal points and othersshould be worshipped. Bala (deva), Naga, the earth and (goddess) Sarasvati (should be worshipped) in the filaments. 

23. After having worshipped the small drum at the centre with perfume, garlands and unguents, oblationsshould be made and a pitcher filled with sweet juiceshould be given to a brahmin. 

24. Then the superintendent of the elephant, the guard of the elephant and the astrologershould be worshipped. A small drumshould be given to the superintendent of the elephant and heshould make it sound. Itshould produce auspicious and loud sounds. Heshould sound this while remaining on the buttocks (of the elephant).