123 - The greatness of flowers, sandalpaste etc.

Süta said:

1. On hearing about the greatness of Kokä with its emphasis on dharma, the Earth became wonderstruck.

Earth said:

2. “How wonderful the greatness of Koka narrated by lord Varäha, that even animals attain supreme bliss.

3-4. Now, O lord, by your grace I wish to know what I have already asked you, namely, by what dharma, penance or action can people see your benign face?”

5. Requested thus by the goddess Earth, the lord laughed and began to tell her:

Varãha said:

6. “What you ask is quite proper. I shall tell you that secret which leads to release from samsära.

7. When the rainy season is over and the autumn sets in with the sky clear and the moon fully bright.

8. With the weather neither hot nor cold, when the swans sing in delight and the smell of the lotus, lily and kalhära spreads.

9. There on the Dvädašhi day in the month of Kumuda, (Kärttikà) if one worships me, what merit he attains I shall tell you.

10. O Earth, such a person becomes my devotee and not of any other so long as these worlds last.

11. Performing actions relating to me on Dvädašhi day he shall utter the following mantra for my worship:

12. ‘‘You are praised by Brahma and Rudra. You are adorable and adored by the sages. Dvädašhi has come. Awake, arise. The clouds are gone. The moon is full. O lord of the worlds, I offer you the flowers of autumn for the sake of dharma. For worshipping you who have arisen, sacrifices are performed, the Vedas are recited by the awakened, O lord of the worlds”

13. Doing in this way on Dvädašhi day, my devotees attain supreme bliss.

14. Thus have I told you about the autumnal action aimed at getting release from samsãra for my devotees.

Thus is the action of awakening.

15. I shall now tell you about the actions to be performed in winter by doing which the devotees attain supreme bliss.

16. Although tormented by cold winds, remaining firm in devotion and with unchanging mind.

17-18. Worshipping me with the flowers available in winter, kneeling down on the floor and with folded hands, the following mantra is to be uttered:

19. ‘‘O lord of the worlds, you are winter, the snow is impenetrable and uncrossable. Lead me out of this samsära, O lord of the three worlds”.

20. He who performs worship with this mantra in full devotion, attains supreme bliss.

21. O Earth, I shall tell you another thing, please listen.

22. The month Märgašhiras is very dear to me; so too the month Vaišhäkha. I shall tell you the result of offering flowers to me then.

23. He who makes offerings to me then with a steady mind, goes to Vishnuloka and remains there for nine thousand nine hundred years.

24. The offering of even a single turmeric produces great effect. So one should wisely offer turmeric and flowers.

I shall tell you more about the efficacy of turmeric.

25-26. During the three months Kaumuda, and Vaišhäkha, he who offers me with constant mind the vanamälä of beautiful flowers and sweet sandal on the Dvadašhi days.

27. Attains the merit of worshipping me for twelve years.

28. In Kaumuda the flower of Šhäla with sandal, in Margashiras the flower of lotus with sandal (are important in my worship). Thus have I told you about the result of worship with turmeric”.

29. After hearing all this, Earth laughed and then spoke to him in all humility.

30. “O lord, there are twelve months (consisting of) three hundred and sixty days. Of these why two (months) alone are particularly praised by you, and even there why Dvädašhï alone?”

31. Asked thus by the Earth, he laughed and told her words of dharma.

32. ‘‘O goddess, I shall tell you why these two are particularly dear to me.

33. (Worship of Dvädašhi day) is more important than all sacrifices. By this one attains the same result as by giving gifts of land to a thousand Brahmins.

34. I wake up in the month of Kaumuda and remain alert in Vaišhäkha.

35. O Earth, these remove all ailments and, therefore, with steady mind in Kaumuda and Vaišhäkha, one should take turmeric in the hand and utter the mantra:

36-37. “O lord, command me. Vaišhäkha and Kärttika are eternally great. Accept this turmeric and increase all dharma. Bow to Näräyana”, and then make the offering.

38. I shall now tell you about the qualities and results of offering flowers. After turmeric, one should take flowers in the hand and say ‘0m, bow to Väsudeva’ and then utter the following mantra:

39. “O lord, command me. Make my mind favourable to worship you with these flowers. Accept them with sandalpaste. I bow to’ you”.

40. He who worships me offering me these, never again takes birth, is never fatigued and never feels hungry.

41. He remains in my world for a thousand divine years.

42. Such is the effect of each flower offered. Such is the greatness that arises from flowers and sandal about which you asked.