308 - On the mode of worship of goddess Lakshmi and others that confer immense benefits

Agni said: 

1. (The mantras) “chest, together with fire, beautiful woman, Dandi, Śrīḥ (goddess of fortunc)” gives all prosperity. Obeisance! O! greatest fortune! O! grcat prosperity! O! One ilaving a lustre as the powerful lightning! Obeisance to the goddess of prosperity! O! Victorious! O! Mighty one! Bind (2)! Obeisance! Hüm! One having a big body! One holding the lotus in the hand! Hum phat! Obeisance to Sri! To Srī, phay, obeisance to Sri! To Sri, the conferer of prosperity! Obeisance! Oblations sri-phat!

2. The constituent parts of this (mantra) are said to be nine. Oneshould resort to one of these. It would confer prosperity if repeated three lakh or one lakh times with rosary beads or lotus (seeds). 

3-. One would get wealth by worshipping Śri in the temple of Sri or Vishņu. One has to do oblation with rice soaked in clarified butter in the fire (kindled with) khādira (twigs). (By this) the king would be under one's control. One will have more and more growth and prosperity. Bathing done with mustard would destroy the (evil propensities of) planets. 

5-9a. Oblations done with the bilva (leave) (with the repetition of) Sri (mantra), would increase one's wealth. Then one has to contemplate the mansion of Indra having four doors in his heart. Oneshould contemplate (the energy) Balaka,short and black sporting (and guarding) at the eastern entrance with the two hands held upwards holding white lotus flowers, (the energy) Vanamálini of white (complexion) at the southern entrance with the hands held upwards holding red lotus flowers, Vibhīshikå, the messenger of Sri, having green (complextion), at the western entrance, with Her two hands lifted upwards holding white lotus (flower). Śänkari (should be contemplated) at the northern entrance. 

9b-14a. Oneshould contemplate Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha in the lotus petals carrying conch, disc and mace. They are of the colours of collyrium, milk, saffron and gold and wear good dress. Oneshould contemplate the elephants such as Guggulu, Kurunțaka, Damaka and Salila (having) the colour of silver, in the different directions such as south-east etc. in the petals. (These elephantsshould be imagined as) bearing golden pots. Śrīshould be contemplated in the pericarp as having four arms, two of which are raised upwards and hold lotus. (She is also conceived as having the following characteristics): golden coloured conferring protection and boons with the right and left hands respectively, besmeared with white sandal, wearing a silvery garland and carrying the weapon. One would get all (his desires) by contemplating as above and worshiping Her together with Her attendants. 

14b-15a. ('The worshipper of Śrī)should not wear the droņa and lotus flowers and the leaf of the bilva tree on the head. So also salt and embelic myrobalan are prohibited on the eighth and twelfth days (of the lunar fortnight) in order. 

15b-16. Taking (only) sweet porridge oneshould repeat the srisükta¹ and anoint (goddess) Śri with (the repetition of) that (hymn). One has to contemplate mentally as doing the rites beginning with the invocation and ending with the dismissal and worship Sri. One would gain prosperity by doing oblations separately with (the twigs of) bilva, clarified butter, lotus and sweet porridge. 

1. Designation of the hymn hiranyavarnām hariņim 'RVkh. 5.87.la. 

17-24. "Poison, buffalo, the destructive fire at the end of the world, Rudra, the effulgence, the two bakas." "Om hrim the slayer of the great buffalo-demon! Tham! Thaḥ!" (is) the principal mantra (of Durgå, a form of the consort ofshiva). "Obeisance to the lioness (that killed) the buffalo (demon). O! Enemy of the (buffalo) demon! Make (the enemy) whirl round (2)! Hūm, phat, tha tham! Make the buffalo (demon) neigh (2)! Hüm slay the buffalo (2)!O! Goddess! Hüm! The slayer of the buffalo (demon)! Phat !” This is said to be the Durgährudaya (the heart of Durga). Together with its accessories it is capable of accomplishing all the things. Oneshould worship that goddess and the seat in the middle of the accessories thus: Om hrim! O! Durgå! Durga! Protector! and oblations". Obeisance to Durgå! Obeisance to Varavarņi, Arya, Kanakaprabhā, Kruttika, Abhayaprada, Kanyakä and Surūpå (excellent complexion, noble, golden-coloured, offering protection, virgin and having good form respectively). These forms (of the goddess)should be worshipped on the leaves with the principal syllables in due order. (Oneshould also worship the weapons) disc, conch, mace, sword, bow and arrow. Oneshould worship this (goddess) Durgå, the tranquil one in the world, on the eighth day (of the lunar fortnight). This association with Durgā would increase longevity, prosperity, favour of master and victory. Oblation and sesamum with (the repetition of) the Ishäna mantra after the worship (of Durga) would enable one to gain control. (Oblation made) with lotuses would ensure victory. One desirous of appeasement (should do oblation) with dūrvā (grass). One will gain strength (by performing oblation) with (the twigs of) Paläsa. Death, dissension etc. would be caused (by offering oblation) with the wings of the crow. This mantra would remove all the difficulties such as evil influences due to malignant planets, evil incantations and fear etc. “Om! O! Durgå! Protector! Oblations !” This (mantra) together with the acces sories of the victorious Durga is said to be able to protect. Oneshould contemplate the goddess as black, having three eyes, four arms, bearing the conch, disc, lotus, spike, sword and trident and as having a wrathful form. One would gain victory in battle. One (who wants to have) victory of sword etc.should worship Her. “Om obeisance to the Goddess having a garland of flames, surrounded by flocks of female eagles move! Oblations to the protector !" Oneshould repeat this mantra for (gaining victory in) battle. The combatant would conquer his enemies.