183 - Consecration of Clay images

Varaha said:

1. I shall now tell you another thing, namely my presence in idols made of clay. Please listen.

2. The idol in clay should not have any defect or crack. It should be neither too big nor too short nor having any bend.

3. With such an idol my devotee can perform worship as he likes.

4. The clay idol may be used when one in wood or stone is not available.

5. Idols are also made in copper, bronze, silver and gold by experts for auspicious purposes.

6. My worship in the pedestal is done by some out of devotion, by others to avoid censure and by still others for publicity.

7. I am also worshipped for domestic prosperity. Even the disc which has arisen out of my effulgence may be worshipped.

8. O Earth, know that when I am installed like this and worshipped, I give all wealth.

9. With whatever aim a man worships me in proper form with mantras, I give that with pleasure.

10. He attains beatitude by my grace.

11. My devotee who is full of things to do; may please me by mental worship.

12. I will be pleased by his mere giving me a handful of water. Why should he bother about flowers, Japa and rules?

 13. I grant all desires and give divine enjoyment to him who meditates well on me.

14. I have told you all this secret incidentally.

15. My devotee who takes the clay image may perform its adhivasa in the asterism Shravana and then consecrate it according to the rites mentioned before.

16. Bath may be then done to the idol with water mixed with Panchagavya and sandal with the following mantra:

  17. “O Great Lord, master of all worlds, the worlds arise out of your grace. O Achyuta, extend to me your grace and remain in the idols of clay. Bow to you again and again, the cause of all causes, the great Man beaming with great lustre.”  

18. By this mantra, it may be taken into the house and installed and then, as before, four pots may be placed and the following mantra uttered:

19. The mantra: “0m, the ocean having got Varuna was honoured with self-satisfaction. By this mantra I perform the bath and always bow with raised hands him from whom arise fire, earth and all tastes.”

20. After this bathing ritual, the devotee should worship with sandal and garlands as before.

21. He may offer incense with Agaru, camphor and saffron uttering Namo narayanaya (Bow to Narayana).

22. After incense, yellow garment is to be offered uttering Namo narayanaya and the following mantra should be recited:

23. “The lord becomes pleased by the yellow garment, and when he becomes pleased, the whole world becomes happy. May the lord accept this garment and protect me from the bondage of worldly existence.”

24. Having offered the garment with this mantra, incense and lamp should be given and then food.

25. The offering of food should be as stated before and then water should be given with the mantra.

26. (Peace should be prayed for with) the mantra: “Let there be peace for the gods, Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. May the rain god shower rain and make the earth full of vegetation.”

27. After Shanti with this mantra, the other devotees should be honoured and the Brahmins fed.

28. The devotee should prostrate before them and give them dakshinas.

29. Words of mangala should then be recited and the deity should be released.

30. After the release, those assembled there should be honoured with clothes and decorations. The preceptor should then be honoured if union with me is desired.

31. I tell you the truth, O goddess, that if the Guru is properly worshipped, I become worshipped.

32. The king, when Pleased, may grant but a village; but when the Guru is pleased, he leads one easily upto the state of becoming Brahman.

33. Therefore, in all Shastras, the worship of the Guru is ordained in my own words.

34. He who performs my consecration in this way liberates three, thirty and seventy in his clan.

35. He remains in my world for as many thousands of years as there are drops of water falling in worship.

36. Thus have I told you, O Earth, about the consecration of clay idols. I shall tell you now another thing dear to my devotees.