127 - The initiation of the Brahmin

Süta said:

1. After listening to the account of the many acts of dharma meant to bring about liberation, Earth told Janärdana the lord of the worlds.

2. “O the power of this place, by hearing the prowess of which I, who was feeling great weight, now feel much lighter and also much purified and free from stupor, O great lord!

3. I am known in the world as having come out of your mouth (and that is quite proper).

4. I now ask you again, O lord, a doubt regarding dharma, namely by what dharmic rites initiation is affected.

5. I am very eager to know this great secret in order to know dharma in full. So be pleased to tell me”.

6. Hearing these words of Earth, the lord in the form of the boar replied in a dense tone resembling thunder.

Varäha said:

7. “O goddess, listen to the truth of my eternal dharma, which even the gods concentrating on yoga are unable to know.

8. This auspicious dharma, which is now being spoken by me, I alone know and in this world my devotees.

9. O auspicious one, listen to the details of initiation (dikshä) leading to release from samsara which you ask me about.

10. Listen to the process of this dikshä which brings about all good and which is different for the different castes.

11. By this the people are able to escape from further births if they repose their minds in me.

12. Let the person (who wishes to be initiated) go to the preceptor and tell him “O preceptor, I am your disciple. Please instruct me”. And after getting his consent collect the materials for dikshä, like,

13. Honey, ghee, Kusha grass, sandal paste, flowers, incense, lamp,

14. Antelope's skin, Paläšha stick, spouted vessel, pot, clothes, footwear, white yajñopavita.

15. Support poles, vessel for arghya; cooking vessel with ladle, sesamum, paddy and barley, different kinds of fruits, water.

16. Other kinds of food and drink that are acceptable and agreeable to him.

17. He shall also collect the necessary grains, gems and crystals.

18. All thesc should be then presented to the preceptor at his feet.

19. The Brahmin who wishes for prosperity and desires to be initiated should hold the feet of the preceptor and ask him what he might do for him.

20. Then with the approval of the preceptor, he shall prepare a spacious altar, a square in shape and sixteen cubits in dimension, and place pot in it.

21. Over a mass of grain according to rules. The pot should then he filled with water with mantras and tender sprouts and flowers should be placed in it.

22-23. The rituals, as directed by the preceptor, should be performed there and the materials formerly enumerated should be brought to the centre of the altar.

24. Four pots filled with water and decorated with mango twigs should be placed, one on each side.

25. They should be wound all round with white threads. Vessels containing presents like cloth and the like should be placed near each pot.

26. They should then be gifted away uttering the mantra according to the direction of the preceptor.

27. The person desirous of initiation should then follow the preceptor to a temple of Vishnu.

28. After washing the hands and feet, the preceptor shall then sit facing the east and tell the disciples the following:

29. “If a Bhägavata (devotee of the Lord) does not stand up (in respect) on seeing other Bhägavatas, it is equivalent to harassing me.

30. After performing kanyãdäna (giving a daughter in marriage), if one does not observe the subsequent rites, he harasses eight generations of his manes.

31. He who mercilessly torments a dutiful wife, goes to the company of the lowborn oppressers.

32. Disciples who have committed the sin of killing a Brahmin or similar other sins, or kill cows or remain ungrateful, should be avoided.

33. Trees like Bilva, Udumbara and other sacred trees (which are of use in ceremonies) should not be cut down.

34. If the disciple desires ultimate moksha, he should be told about what is good to eat and what is bad.

35. Karira is good. The fruit of Udumbara can be used before it gets petrid.

36. Pork and fish should not be eaten by Brahmins, particularly by those who are to be initiated.

37. Let him not be fault-finding and let him not harm any. Let him not be a talebearer or a thief.

38. Seeing a guest coming, he should go out to receive him and converse with him.

39. Lord Vishnu has ordained that one should not even think of having illicit contact with the wife of the preceptor, the wife of the king and any Brahmin woman.

40. Lord Vishnu has ordained again that one should not set one's mind on gold, jewels or a young girl.

41. Seeing another's affluence and one's own penury, one should not be angry or jealous. This should be an all-time maxim”.

42. Thus, should the disciple be told. He should then symbolically offer an umbrella and footwear in the form of two pairs of Udumbara leaves in the middle of the altar.

43. So too a razor and a cup full of water. Then I should be invoked with the following mantra:

44. ''Om, bow to seven oceans, seven islands, seven mountains and to the thousands of creations and to all. All these live in my heart. What showers down goes up again.

45. Om, lord Vasudeva, make your presence here as you deem fit. I utter your mantra. Considering your commands to us, kindly come here in this spot of the earth upraised by you. This aspirant of initiation prays for your favour”

46. After uttering this mantra, he should prostrate on the ground by his knees and head.

47. “Om, welcome, I am thc welcomer”.

48. By the above mantra, O Earth, having invoked the lord, arghya and Pädya should be offered according to direction.

49. The mantra is: “O lord of the worlds, all that is given by the grateful Rudra to the grateful Devas and Asuras and the Brähmanas, may that all be given to you, acccpt it all, O lord”

50. After offering the arghya and Pädya in this manner, he should take the razor and utter this mantra:

51. “O disciple, may protect you whose head I shave, By this water of Vishnu this dikshä serves to terminate samsara”.

52. One pot of water should be given to the workman (barber), who should shave the head without any bleeding (due to scratching or cutting by negligencc).

53. The disciple should then take his bath quickly (and then perform other rites) conducivc to moksha.

54. He should then kneel down on the floor and utter the following mantra:

55. ''Om, I know all Bhägavatas, all Dikshitas and Gurus (preceptors). Let all of them who have become Dikshitas by the favour of Vishnu be pleased with me”.

56-57. Then saluting all the devotees there and kindling the fire, he should offer in the fire seven times the mixture of ghee, honey, fried paddy and black sesamum, and then rice mixed with sesamum twenty times. Then sitting on the knees, he should utter the following mantra:

58. “The Ašhvins, the quarters, sun, moon, and my own self, may they all please listen to my declaration of truth.

59. The earth is held by truth, the earth remains by truth, the sun moves by truth and the wind blows by truth”

60. After declaring this truth, the Brahmin should propitiate the preceptor in due form.

61. Circumambulating the lord preceptor thrice, he should hold his feet in respect and utter the following mantra:

62. “I accidentally got initiation by the blessing of my preceptor. May he forgive me for whatever lapse there may be on my part.

63. After this supplication, he should be seated at the middle of the altar facing east.

64. The spouted vessel should then be held as also the white. yajñopavita and then he should utter thc following mantra:

65. “By the blessing of Vishnu I attained my aim and got initiation together with the spouted vessel (kamandalu). By taking it in my hand, I am initiated into duty and action”.

66. Then the preceptor and the disciple together shall circumambulate uttering this mantra:

67. ''By moving about placing myself lower and Iower, I secured the preceptor and attained initiation, by your blessing O preceptor”.

68. By this mantra, the head shall be touched by the feet. Then he can wash (if necessary) and put on the prescribed clothes (given by the preceptor saying).

69. “Wear these clothes, O disciple, and then take the spouted vessel for purification in all rituals”.

70. The mantra is: “Receive these vessels containing pleasant sandal paste, pure and favourite to Vishnu, and helping to obtain moksha”.

71. After madhuparka, the following mantra is to be recited: “Be pleased to accept this madhuparka which cleanses the devotees”.

72. Then propitiate the preceptor by holding his feet in respect and by bowing to him with hands folded over the head. Then bearing in mind the instruction of the preceptor, this mantra is to be uttered, namely.

73. “May all Bhägavatas listen. This great preceptor dissolved all worldly desires in me. I am his disciple and servant. I got a Guru, who is likea God”.

74. O Earth, I have thus told you about the initiatory rites of the Brahmin. Know about the same relating to the other three castes.

75. The same rites are applicable to them also (with the necessary modifications) The preceptor and the disciple both attain their aim.