Manual for the Performance of Planetary Sacrifice

E. Ko. 135 | Sarva

They should take the fire from the [altars of the] deities and cast it into the southwest pit The southwest direction is associated with Nirriti, the deity of dissolution; this act marks the ritual "closing" of the fire pits.. Then, the Concluding Grass-Rite Kusha-kandikaA standard set of preliminary and concluding ritual actions involving sacred grass used in nearly all Vedic-style ceremonies. is finished everywhere.

For the Consecration Abhisheka of the YajamanaThe host or patron of the sacrifice., in the southwest area of the preceptor’s Acharya pit, a SvastikaAn ancient solar symbol of well-being and auspiciousness. design is to be made. Upon that design, the Auspicious Seat Bhadrasana is placed.

The Yajamana is to be seated on this Bhadrasana marked with the Svastika, accompanied by his children and family. The Wife should be on his left side.

Standing with the deities of the site Vastu, the doors, the pits, and the ritual jars, the sixteen officiating priests and the preceptor—dressed in ceremonial robes and facing east—should sprinkle the Yajamana (seated with his wife, children, and family) using Durva grass, Kusha grass, and mango leaves, while auspicious songs and music are played.

The Vedic mantras to be used begin with:
"The waters are the eldest of the ocean..." original: "Samudra Jyeshtha"
"The waters are indeed refreshing..." original: "Apohishtha"
and the Puranic consecration mantras begin with:
"May the Gods [consecrate you]..." original: "Suras tvam"

Then, the consecration should be performed using all medicinal herbs, all fragrances, milk, and all the ritual jars.

Afterward, the Yajamana—having bathed in clean water or water from a site with a banyan tree, wearing white garments, anointed with white sandalwood paste, wearing white flower garlands, and possessing a joyful heart—should worship the preceptor and the other priests with scents and other offerings.

Then follows the Giving of the Honorarium Dakshina preceded by a formal vow. The honoraria, for the purpose of pleasing the planets, should consist of one thousand cows adorned with gold for each priest's house.

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Sha. Ba.

Alternatively, one may give whatever is feasible. Thus, by the "ocean-like" method, it becomes a thousand cows. Similarly, in another option, three thousand gold coins are given. Some say one hundred instead of a thousand, but that is not correct, as it contradicts the scriptural statement that "manifold merit is declared here" This reflects a common medieval debate on the minimum requirements for the most expensive rituals..

In the case of cows, the quantity should be understood according to one's capacity. "Gold" should be understood here as a gold coin Suvarna-mudrika weighing ten Mashas. This is because it is stated that "a Karsha weight of gold is called a Suvarna," and according to the lexicons, "a Karsha is equal to ten Mashas."

Mantra for the Gift of a Cow:
"Since the cow is the embodiment of the peace of the fourteen worlds, may it bring me auspiciousness in this world and the next." original: "Gavam esha murti..."

Mantra for the Gift of Gold:
"O Gold, resident in the womb of the Golden Egg Hiranyagarbha, the seed of the Fire-god, giver of infinite merit, grant me peace." original: "Hiranyagarbha garbhastham..."

The options for giving milch cows and other gifts should be understood from other texts. In all sacrifices, the giving of a bed and other items is required.

Mantra for the Gift of a Bed:
"May this bed, given by me, become inexhaustible and grant me rest birth after birth." original: "Shayya mamapyakshayairam..."

Mantra for the Gift of Gems:
"Just as all the Gods reside in all gems, so may the Gods grant me peace through this gift of gems." original: "Yatha ratneshu sarveshu..."

As for the gift of land, in this Age of Kali The current dark age in Hindu cosmology, where certain ancient rites are believed to be more difficult or modified. it is not...