Manual for the Performance of Planetary Sacrifice

Da. Ko.

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The worship is to be performed by the YajamanaThe patron or host of the ritual who provides the resources and receives the primary spiritual benefit.. Then follows the Praise of the Planets:

As follows: Om, salutations to the chariot of the Sun original: "Aditya", shining with brilliance. May that Sun, the light-form of all beings, be pleased with me. || 1 ||

The King of the Twice-bornA term for the upper three castes in traditional Hindu society, here referring specifically to the Moon's status among the stars/priests., most high, the destroyer of heat. With his phases of waning and waxing, may the Moon original: "Soma" be pleased with me. || 2 ||

A youth, a prince, from whom comes the beautiful red color. The son of the Earth, may that Mars original: "Bhauma" be pleased with me. || 3 ||

The son of the Moon, Mercury, the gentle one, a great planet of auspicious name. He who travels the path of the Sun, may that Mercury original: "Budha" be pleased with me. || 4 ||

Brihaspati, of great brilliance, great vision, and great fame. He who is the teacher of the Gods, may that Jupiter original: "Guru" be pleased with me. || 5 ||

He who is the teacher of the AsurasOften translated as 'demons' or 'titans,' they are the cousins and rivals of the gods in Hindu mythology., the supreme goal of the planets. Of white color and white brilliance, may that Venus original: "Shukra" be pleased with me. || 6 ||

The Lord of Kings, the slow-mover, of the form of a teacher, the son of the Sun. 14 Of black color and black vision, may that Saturn original: "Shani" be pleased with me. || 7 ||

The Asura, the son of Simhika, Rahu, the crusher of the Moon and Sun. He takes these forms for the sake of omens; may Rahu be pleased. [And] Ketu, with his hosts—

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—[Ketu] of the form of Rahu. May that wise Ketu, along with his followers, be pleased with me.

The BaliAn offering of food or other materials, usually placed on the ground rather than in the fire. worship is performed everywhere. On all sides of the fire-altar locations, there should be a Bali offering consisting of lamps, stones, river? mud, and cups. In this way, the offerings for the pacification of planetary afflictions and other [evils] are made. An offering to the Protector of the Field original: "Kshetrapala" is made on a Padmavati leaf along with a lamp.

The ceremonial sipping of water, the ritual intention for the breath-offerings original: "Pranahuti", and the fire-sacrifice original: "Homa" are performed. The Yajamana should request the officiating priests of all the fire-pits by means of binding a ritual thread. In all the fire-pits, the PurnahutiThe "Full Offering" that signals the completion of a major stage of the ritual. is performed as prescribed, containing all jewels, coconuts, and other items.

Having made the declaration of intent, the VasordharaA "stream of wealth" offering where ghee is poured in a continuous, unbroken line into the fire. fire-offering is performed in the Universal Fire original: "Vaishvanara" pits as prescribed. The chanting of the SamanMelodic hymns from the Sama Veda. for the Universal Fire and others should be done in the corners starting from the Southeast.

Know that [procedure]: [reference to mantra 29]. Finished. In this way, for each pit: "Salutations to you..." [reference to mantra 99]. "O Soma, swell..." The two Vaishvanara chants and the Jyeshtha chant.

Then, having taken ash from all the pits with a ladle, one performs the "Longevity-making" ritual with the ladle. The dedication of the performed fire-sacrifice is as follows:

Having taken KushaA sacred grass used in Hindu rituals for purification and as a seating mat. water for the Rudras, [one says]: "In this ritual, whatever sacrificial material, by whichever mantra, for whichever deity—may that deity be pleased with the oblations I have offered with various desires, by those specific mantras and for those specific deities and desires." Having said this, one should pour the Kusha water into one's own fire? pit. This is the state for one who acts without desire or with specific desire. Then the nine officiating priests [go to] their own pits...