Ninth Section

Consecration of the Sacred Vessel

Ninth Section. 7

He knows the path of the birds flying through the atmosphere; he who abides upon the ocean knows the ships. He, the observer of vows, sits down in his secret dwelling—Varuna, of excellent will—to exercise universal sovereignty. ॥ 4 ॥ original: "niṣasāda ghṛtavrato varuṇaḥ"; refers to Varuna as the keeper of cosmic law (rita).

Regarding the hymn beginning with "With the sweetest," which consists of ten verses: the seer is Madhuchhandas, the deity is Pavamana Soma Pavamana Soma: The "flowing" or "self-purifying" aspect of the sacred Soma juice, and the meter is Gayatri. This hymn is used for the consecration of the drinking vessels.

Om. With the sweetest, most intoxicating stream, flow, O Soma, for Indra to drink. You, the slayer of demons, who gazes upon all people, have sat down in your place of origin. Like a bull, the purifying Soma, supreme among the great, has been sent forth. Through his power, he bestows wealth and joy. Flow toward the gathering of the gods, toward their feast with your sweetness, toward strength and renown. Toward you, the best, we turn our desire day after day; O Indu another name for Soma, our hopes are fixed on you. ॥ 1 ॥ The daughter of the Sun purifies your overflowing Soma with the eternal, outspread wool filter. The ten sisters, the fingers of the priest, grasp him in the assembly; they, the sisters, are on the path to heaven. They send him forth, the tireless ones; he blows the flute or the bagpipe original: "bakuraṃ dṛtiṃ"; an ancient musical instrument reference; he places sweetness in the filter. The cows, which are never to be harmed, yield their milk for the infant Soma, for Indra to drink. Indeed, Indra finds joy in his intoxication; all the gods—

Shiva. 7

---

—strike down the enemies. The hero bestows wealth and gifts. ॥ 2 ॥

One should consecrate the new water jar Kumbha: A large ritual water pot representing the cosmos or a deity with this hymn. Alternatively, another mantra may be assigned for the consecration of the vessel.

Then, having performed the ritual resolve Sankalpa: A formal statement of intent made at the beginning of a ritual and the recitation of auspiciousness Svastivacana: Chanting for "well-being" or "good fortune" according to the rules, one should place the planetary idols on the lotus-shaped planetary altar. They should be placed in their proper positions and facing the correct directions. The primary deity and the secondary deity adhidivata and pratyadhidivata should be placed to the right and left, facing the practitioner. If physical idols are unavailable, one should invoke them using flowers and unbroken grains of rice with these.

7

The method for this is as follows: regarding the seven mystical utterances Vyahritis: Sacred sounds, such as Bhur, Bhuvah, Svah, the seers are Bhrigu, Bharadvaja, and Prajapatya; the deities are Agni, Vayu, Surya, and Prajapati; the meters are Gayatri, Ushnih, Anushtubh, and Brihati.

Om Bhur, I invoke the Sun (Aditya). Om Bhuvah, I invoke the Sun. Om Svah, I invoke the Sun. Om Bhur-Bhuvah-Svah, I invoke the Sun.

Regarding the verse "Coming through the dark space," the seer is Hiranyastupa, the deity is Savita Savita: The sun-god as the stimulator and vivifier of life, and the meter is Trishtubh. It is used for the invocation.

Om. Coming through the dark space, revolving, placing both the immortal and the mortal, the god Savita comes on his golden chariot, beholding all the worlds...