42 - Pavitraropana of shiva

Hari said: 

1. I shall now describe the sacred rite of Shiva, named Paviträropaņa (the rite of putting the sacred thread consisting of three yarns around the image), O Hara, only the preceptor, the aspirant or his son observing the vow shall perform the worship. 

2. Otherwise Vighnesha removes the effects of a worship performed over a year. This worship has to be performed in the month of Așhadha,1 Shravana,2 Māgha3 or Bhadrapada.4 

1. The fourth month in the Hindu lunar calendar. It generally heralds the beginning of rainy season. June July. 

2. The fifth month in the Hindu lunar calendar: July-August. 

3. The eleventh month in the Hindu lunar calendar: January February 

4. The sixth month in the Hindu lunar calendar: August-September. 

3. In the Krutayuga the sacred thread is made of gold thread; In the Tretäyuga it is of silver; in Dvapara it is of copper and in the Kali age it is of cotton thread. A virgin shall spin it and cut the ends. 

4. Three yarns are to be twisted into one and such three new yarns constitute the Pavitraka. The knots shall be made with Vamadeva-mantra and washed with Satya mantra. 

5. The knots shall be purified with Aghora-mantra and tied with Tatpuruşha-mantra. It shall be incensed with Isha-mantra. The deities of the yarn are these. 

6. Onkara, Chandramas (moon), Vahni (fire); Brahma, Naga, Shikhidhvaja (Lord Subrahmanya), Ravi (sun), Vishnu and Shiva are the deities of the yarn. 

7. O Rudra, each yarn shall be of length one hundred and eight, fifty or twentyfive hastas. There are ten knots. 

8-9. Between two knots the intervals shall be of four angulas.1 The names of the knots are: -Prakruti2 Pauruşhi3 Vira,4 Aparajita,5 Jaya,6 Vijaya,7 Rudra,8 Ajita,9 Manonmani,10 and Sarvamukhi,11 O Sadashiva,12 the inter-spaces of the knots can be two angulas or one angula too.

1. In ancient Indian metrics, one angula is equal to a breadth. (12 angulas make a vitasti and 24, a hasta). 

2. Nature.

3. Valorous.

4. Heroic.

5. That which cannot be conquered.

6. Victorious.

 7. Ever-victorious

 8. Fierce.

9. Unconquered.

10. Exciting.

11. All-faced

12. Who is always benevolent, 

10. Either in the bright half or the other, the Pavitraka can be made on the seventh or thirteenth day. It shall be coloured with fragrant Kunkuma and other substances (saffron). 

11. After bathing the linga (phallic emblem) with milk etc., it shall be worshipped with fragrant unguents, etc. The fragrant Pavitraka shall be offered to Brahman the Atman. 

12. In the north-east, fragrant flower shall be offered; in the east the pole-shaft and in the north the fruit of myrobalan shall be offered. 

13. The devotee conversant with the use of mantras shall place clod of earth in the west, ashes in the south, Aguru13 in the south-west with the Shikha mantra.

13. Fragrant aloe.  

14. In the north-west he shall place mustard with the Kavacha-mantra, O Vruşhadhvaja. The house shall be encircled with the thread and Gandhapavitraka shall be offered. 

15. The Homa shall be performed in the sacred fire and Bhūtabali (Oblation) shall be offered. O Maheśhvara, lord of gods, thou art invited along with thy followers. 

16. "I shall worship thee in the morning. Be present here." With these words the devotee shall invite the deity in the night and send it by singing hymns. 

17. The mantra-inspired Pavitras shall be placed near the deity. On the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight let him bathe the image of the Sun and worship Rudra. 

18. Meditating on the self (Atman) as Vishvarūpa (omni- formed) stationed on the forehead let him worship it. 

He shall dedicate incense to the deity, after sprinkling the same with Astra mantra, worshipping it with the Hrudaya-mantra. 

19. and inspiring it with the Samhita mantra. He shall worship the Shivatattva first, Vidyatattva next, 

20. and then Atmatattva and Devaka. Om Haum obeisance to Shivatattva. Om Him obeisance to Vidyatattva. 

21. Om Häm, obeisance to Atmatattva; Om Ham, Him, Hüm Kshaum obeisance to Sarvatattva.1 Om thou art identical with time (Kalatmaka). Whatever has been seen by thee in my rites performed wrongly, omitted, secretly offered,

1. The universal element.  

22. O Shambhu, by thy will let it be holy. 

23. Om fulfil, fulfil the sacrificial rite. Obeisance unto thee who art the lord of its control, who art identical (Sarvatatt vatmaka), with all principles and Sarvakaranapalita (protected by all reasons). Om Hām Him Hum Haim Haur obeisance to Shiva. 

24. He who gives four Pavitrakas shall do so with this and the previous ones. After giving the Pavitra to the sacred fire, Dakshiņā shall be given to the preceptor. 

25. The oblation shall then be given and the Brahmins fed. Finally, Chanda shall be discharged after worship.