Manual for the Sacrifice to the Nine Planets and the Propitiation of Ganesha

Page 18

Then, for the blessing of all deities, the arrangement of the Lotus Seat Padmasana; here referring to a specific ritual platform or seating arrangement rather than just a yoga posture is stated as follows. It is said in the works of Jahlana a historical commentator or scholar of ritual that after the construction of the Guru's Lotus Seat, one should worship Vinayaka Ganesha and his mother Gauri or Ambika with the prescribed mantras, perfumes, flowers, and other offerings.

To the north of that, following the "rule of pillars" a geometric principle for alignment, a pedestal should be constructed with a surface area twice the size [of the previous one] as follows. The pedestal's form must be made according to the measurements of the sacrificial pit Kunda; the consecrated fire-pit used for offerings. Therefore, if the sacrificial pit is one cubit original: hasta; about 18 inches in size, the measuring cord should be one and a half cubits—this means it measures thirty finger-widths original: angulas. The Lotus Seat must be placed to the north of the sacrificial pit. Regarding the specific proportions for the worship of the Guru, one should consult the section on the Lotus Seat.

Furthermore, regarding the statement by Yajnavalkya an ancient sage and legal authority concerning a "pale or red skin" for the Lotus Seat: the word "red" here means a skin that has been dyed with a red substance. Due to the use of the locative case in the text, it implies sitting upon the skin; this beautiful arrangement is what is called the "Lotus Seat." If one performs the worship of Ganesha to the east of the sacrificial pit, then—

—the required proximity is not achieved. Furthermore, [there is a question] whether Ganesha should be placed in the Southeast original: Agneya, which is the direction of the ancestors. The Southeast is well-known for ancestral rites; "the South-East is for the ancestors," says the Grhya Sutra manuals of domestic Vedic rites. Therefore, it is stated in the Vishvadarsha: worshiping Ganesha in the area to the east of the Lotus Seat is appropriate, and the pedestal in the Northeast original: Ishana section of the sacrificial pit is proper.

This instruction also serves as a general rule for the worship of Ganesha, the Lunar Mansions Nakshatras; the 27 divisions of the sky in Vedic astrology, and other deities. Then the Patron Yajamana; the person sponsoring the ritual, having put on the two washed garments presented by the Preceptor Acharya, sips water for purification Achamana, bows to the Guru and the deities, circumambulates the Lotus Seat, and sits down holding a handful of flowers.

In that place, the ritual of purification by sprinkling water and other sanctifying acts is performed. For this rite of Vinayaka-shanti a ceremony to appease Ganesha and remove obstacles, performed for the fulfillment of all desires and to please the Goddess Ambika, the Patron offers water for washing the feet and various beautiful garments or silk cloths—which are associated with the deity Brihaspati the preceptor of the gods—decorated with pearls...