118 - Rituals in Idol worship

Varãha said:

1. O blessed one, listen to the expiation that my devotee is to Offer.

2. Take the tooth stick. Do not light the lamp till the ground is touched.

3. As soon as the lamp is lighted, wash the hands and then approach the idol.

4. Bow to the feet and offer the tooth stick with the mantra.

5. “O the abode of the worlds, excelling the sun in lustre, endless, middle, receive this universal tooth stick”

6. In accordance with the rules explained to you, O Earth, the teeth should be cleaned.

7. The flower placed on the head of the idol the previous day should be taken and placed on one’s own.

8. The hand should then be washed with water and the face of the idol should be sprinkled with a little water.

9. The mantra for it is this and by reciting it one gets release from the world:

10. “O lord, receive these waters by their quality and soul.” The faces of all deities should be washed in this way. By the same mantra should be offered sandal paste, incense, lamp and food. ll. Then handfuls of flowers should be offered saying “O lord Näräyana, who look after the devotees, I bow to you,” and then utter the mantra.

12. ‘‘I bow to the sacrificer of those who know the mantras, and the creator of all beings”. Further flowers should be offered.

13. The devotee, with due knowledge and purity or mind, should worship the lord in this manner and then throw himself down with all his actions.

14. Making the body fall in this way, he should seek the grace of the lord and with hands folded over the head, utter this mantra:

15. “Getting clear consciousness by the mantras I pray O lord, when you are pleased and by your wish only even the yogins attain liberation.

16. Since I am your servant as you have stated, be pleased with me”.

17. After doing all this seriously he should quickly go behind.

18. The idol should then be bathed in oil first and then in ghee.

19. Then with full concentration of mind, the devotee should Offer oil with the mantra:

20. “O lord of the worlds, I am offering this oil with affection and with my hand to you who pervade the whole world. I have said ‘Pardon me.’ I bow to you again and again.”

21. With this mantra it should be first applied to the head.

22. Then the right hand, then the left and afterwards the back and then the waist.

23. Then cow dung should be smeared on the floor.

24. I shall tell you what benefits accrue by this anointing.

25. The man who bathes the idol in ghee or oil remains in heaven for as many thousands of years as there are drops in them.

26. He who does this is honoured in my world.

27. Now I shall tell you about the application of unguents by which the body is purified and I am pleased.

28. The unguent should be made of lodhra, the juice of fig and the leaves at Madhüka, Ašhvaparna, Rohina and Karkata.

29-30. The ingredients may be either crushed by the hand or otherwise made into powder and then applied. It makes my body pleasant.

31. For complete fulfilment, after the application of the unguent, the bathing (proper) should be done.

32. Then the whole body of the idol should he rubbed with (the fruits of) Ämalaka and Vasugandha.

33. Taking then the pot of water this mantra should be uttered:

34. “O sinless lord, you are the god of gods, you have no beginning, you are supreme, be pleased to accept this bath for your visible form”. Thus should the bath be conducted by those who follow my path.

35. The water for bath may be taken in golden or silver pot, and if they are not available, in copper pot.

36. After this ritual of bath, sandal paste should be applied with the mantra.

37-38. “O Mädhava, all scents from flowers and all colours are liked by you. These which arise in different worlds are combined by you in Satyaloka. I am now applying the same on your body in pure form. Being pleased by my devotion, do me the favour of accepting it”.

39. After applying sandal (with the perfumes) perform other edifying actions.

40. Adorn me with garlands of the prescribed kind and continue the ritual.

41. Then offer handfuls of flowers and utter the mantra:

42. “O Achyuta, accept these clean flowers, water born as well as land-born in this season, for my release from this worldly existence”.

43. After this may be offered incense from fragrant substances with the mantra.

44-46. ‘‘Be pleased to receive this incense the essence of the great trees mixed with many ingredients, for the sake of deliverance from worldly existence. This for peace for all Devas, peace for me and peace for all devotees. I bow to you. O lord of the worlds, there is no saviour for me other than you”.

47. After this, adorn’ the idol with sandal paste, unguents and garlands. Then decorate with white and yellow silk garments.

48. Then with hands folded over the head and remaining in meditation, he should utter.

 49. “May this please lord Purushottama, of the nature of bliss, the abode of Lakshmi, the creator, protector, overlord, lord of all beings, the primordial being. I dress you in beautiful yellow silk”.

50. After this, I should be provided seat in a pedestal of flowers.

51. Then naivedya should be offered uttering ‘Om’.

52. “O lord, receive this (naivedya) which is the giver of life and mutually pleasing.”

53. After this he should quickly give water for washing the mouth.

54. The naivedya given should be pure and the water for washing is essential for making it acceptable.

55. After thus offering food and water, betel leaf and arecanut should be given with the mantra.

56. “O lord of the worlds, receiving this tämbüla which is an ornament to all gods and which is mixed with all fragrant substances, be pleased to remain in this idol of yours in this house. 

57. Please receive this fine decoration for your mouth reverentially given by me”.

58. The devotee who worships me in this way gets liberated and remains in-my great world for ever.