181 - Consecration of Wooden Images

Suta said:

1. Having heard about this place of supreme importance, Earth asked again out of curiosity.

Earth said:

2. “How great is the prowess of this place about which you have so kindly told me! Hearing this, I have really become free from all uneasiness.

3. But I have long been wishing to know about one secret. Be pleased to tell me that for my enlightenment.

4. That is this: How do you remain (in idols of) wood, stone or clay,

5. (In idols of) copper, bronze, silver or gold?

6. How do you remain in (idols of) ivory.

7. O Janardana, how do you remain in a wall (in picture) and how on earth (in pictures drawn with powers)?”

8. Hearing these words of Earth, the Primeval Boar replied.

Varaha said:

9. First of all, the material in which the idol is to be made should be brought and the idol moulded or carved according to the rules.

10. The purification of the idol should then be made and then it should be consecrated. Worship for release from samsara may be started thereafter.

11. The Madhuka tree may be used for cutting wooden idols. After consecration, it may be worshipped with the kind of sandal paste mentioned before,

12. As also with camphor, saffron, Agaru, benzoin and powder of fragrant roots.

13. The idol may be smeared with these. Svastika and Vardhamana hymns are to be recited and Shrivatsa and Kaustubha are to be offered.

14. The auspicious payasa should be offered (in naivedya). Scented wicks are to be lighted and sesamum and fruits to be offered.

15. With cleanliness, purity and devotion the worship is to be made with all that is prescribed.

  16. Pranayama (control of breath) should then be made and the following mantras uttered:

17. “Be pleased to remain in this (idol made of) wood, you with the power of yoga pervading the whole world”.

18. Thus consecrating the Lord in the wooden idol, it should be circumambulated together with other devotees.

19-20. A lamp should be then lit facing the idol and, without looking upwards or sideways and free from desire and anger, Namo narayanaya (Bow to Narayana) should be uttered, and then reciting the following mantra, the ritual is to be performed.

21. The. Mantra: “You, the most heroic of all, remain as the unfailing lord and refuge of all. O Lord of the worlds, Visudeva, may you by this mantra remain consecrated in this.”

22. After completing the ritc of my consecration, all the devotees assembled there should be honoured.

23. They should be honoured according to the prescribed rules with sandal, garlands, unguents and food.

24. O fair one, this is the way to consecrate the wooden idol. I have told this to you for the sake of dharma.

25. He who consecrates the wooden idol in this way never returns to samsara but goes to my world.