326 - Description of the mode of worshipping Goddess Gauri for gaining enjoyment, emancipation etc.

The Lord said: 

1. Ishall describe the (mode of) worship of Umä (consori of Siva) for fortune and conferring enjoyment and emancipation. (Ishall also describe) the meditation of the formula, the mystic diagram, the mudra¹ and the oblation which are the means (for the same). 

1. Holding the fingers interlocked in a particular position representing different things. 

2-6a. After having drawn Chitrabhānu (Bhairava form of Siva), Siva and Käla together with Great Energy, Idã (one of the arteries) is drawn together with the lord and the modification. The second (circle)should have the door and words which please (goddess) Gaurī (synonym of Umā). The principal formula of (goddess) Gaurishould be made to end with fourth case (dative). Om, hrim, saḥ, saum obeisance to Gauri (is the formula). Six inchesshould be endowed with the three letters appropriate to the group. The seat (should be spread out) with pranava (syllable om) and the image (of the goddess) with (the formula of) the heart. The syllables of water, time and Siva in the formulashould be raised. The life (syllable)should be endowed with long vowels and (location on) the six parts of the body (should be made). (The consecration of) the seatshould be made with the praňava and the consecration of the image with the formula of the heart. 

6b-7. O Child! Thus I have described to you (according to) the Yamala. Ishall explaing to you (according to) the Ekavira now. The basic syllable consisting of those of (lord) Siva and the goddess devoid (of the syllables) of heart are spread out endowed with the order of creation with the syllables of) vahni,²  māyā³ and krśānu.⁴ 

2. the syllable f.

3. See p. 888 fn 2.

4. the syllables na, ra and ram. 

8-10a. (The goddess) Gaurishould be worshipped in (an image made of) gold, silver, wood or stone. In the alternative (the goddess may be worshipped) in Her unmanifest form in five balls at the centre and the (four) angular points. (The goddesses) Lalita, Subhaga, Gauri and Kshobhani (should be worshipped) in order beginning with the south-east, (The goddesses) Vämä, Jyesthā, Kriya and Jñänåshould be worshipped in the circle beginning with the east. The unmanifest form of (lord) Śiva (should be worshipped) on the left side together with the pedestal. 

10b-13. (In the worship of the manifest form of the goddess) (the goddessshould be worshipped) as manifest with two eyes, the syllable on (containing the three letters), pure and being present with (lord) Sankara (Śiva). Two lotus seats (should be provided). (She may be endowed) with two arms or four arms.she may be riding a lion or wolf or have eightor eighteen hands. (She may be wearing) a garland and rosary beads. (She may wear) a bunch of lotuses on the neck.she may be holding an arrow or bow with the right hand and a book, betel-leaf, club, offering protection and a kamandalu (waterpot) with the left hand. Oneshould place in each one of these (hands) Gaņeśha, mirror and an arrow. 

14-19. In the alternative (the goddess)should be made in Her manifest and unmanifest form. The deity is invoked on the pedestal by (showing) the padma mudrā (posture of the hands for med as a lotus). It is said that linga mudrā (posture representing the lingashape) is for (invoking) (lord) Siva. For (invoking) both, the avāhani mudrā (invocation posture) (is to be used). The posture for invoking the goddess is yoni (female generative organ). The mystic diagram (for the worshipshould be) a square. A lotus having three petals occupying the central four chambersshould be made within that square. A triangle in two squares in the middle and a half crescent in double that space (should be made) in order. The entranceshould be double that as well as double that of the approach to the door. (Thereshould be) three doors in each one of the three directions. In the alternative (the goddess) may be worshipped on a bhadraka (lotus diagram) or on the ground after having established (the goddess) and worshipped Her with the five things got from a cow and the five sweet things. (A votary)should offer red flowers and offer hundred oblations with the five sweet things and clarified butter facing the north. Then the final oblation (should be made). (The votary) would accomplish all the desired things. After having offered a victim, three or eight girlsshould be fed. The offering made to the goddessshould be given to the devotees of Siva andshould not be taken by oneself. 

20-22a. (By this worship) one desirous of getting a daughter would get a daughter, a person not having a son would get a son, an unfortunate woman (would get) fortune and the king (would get) a kingdom and victory in battle. By (repeating the formula of the goddess) eight lakh times, a votary (would get) efficacy of speech and the gods would come under his control. (The votary)should not eat without offering (to the goddess). Oneshould worship with the left hand especially on the eighth, fourteenth and the third (lunar days). 

22b-26. Ishall describe the worship of (lord) Mrutyunjaya (the conqueror of death; a synonym of Siva). (The god)should be worshipped inside a pitcher. The pranava (the syllable om)should be used for the oblation. The lustre of the god would be had by this (method). The basic formula (should be) ending with vaushat. (The votary)shouldshow the kumbhamudra (posture of the fingers representing a pitcher). Oblationsshould be made with milk, dūrvā (grass), clarified butter, amrutā, punarnavā, sweet porridge and cake. The formulashould be repeated ten thousand times. (The godshould be contemplated as) having four faces and four arms, holding pitchers in two hands and offering boons and protection by two (others). (The god)should be (mentally) bathed with the kumbhamudrā. One who partakes the auspicious herb sanctified with the formula would have healthy life, fortune and long life. When contemplated, He would destroy untimely death and when worshipped (would confer) wonderful results.