The Pacification of the Sun

Vaishampayana said:

1. O revered sir, through your favour I have heard Ae purifying vow. I desire to hear another (vow) which is dear to the Sun. Vyasa said:

2. Skanda, saluting, with his head touching the ground, Shiva, seated comfortably on the Kailasa-peak, said these words:

3. " I have heard in detail from you the vow called 'Arkanga'. O lord, I (now) desire to hear correctly about the fruit of the day etc." The lord said:

4. A man who observes (this) vow should offer a respectful oblation with red flowers on Sunday. By eating only at night food fit to be eaten during days of fast, he is not deprived of heaven.

5. The highest lord, along with his attendants, is pleased with him, who performs all auspicious rites on the seventh day (which falls) on a Sunday only.

6. (Even) by observing the vow once on the seventh day (falling) on a Sunday, he gets the status of a brave man, as long as the Sun is (i.e. shines) in the sky.

7. The vow performed on the seventh day (falling) on a Sunday satisfies all desires, is auspicious, (gives) prosperity, destroys diseases, gives (i.e. takes one to) heaven and salvation and is beneficial.

8. On the auspicious seventh day with (i.e. falling on) a Sunday and Samkranti day, all the worship or vow would become inexhaustible.

9. On a bright Sunday (a man should) worship the chief of planets. He should keep him (i.e. draw his figure) in a circle with an unwashed point, setting it out with energy.

10. Having meditated upon him, having two arms, seated on a red lotus, of a charming neck, dressed in red garments, adorned with red ornaments, lie should drop in the northeastern direction the flower held in both his hands, after having smelt it.

11. (He should recite the sacred hymn: ) 'We make an offering to Aditya; we meditate upon Bhaskara. May Bhanu impel us.'

12-13. Then he should do the anointment according to the rite told by his preceptor. At the end of (i.e. after) anointment, (he should present) incense; after the incense (he should present) the lamp; after the lamp (he should make) an offering of eatables; then he should present water. Then he should mutter sacred hymns, do mudras, 1 and salute (the deity).

14. The first mudra is anjali, the other one is known as dhenuka. He who would worship the Sun would be absorbed into the Sun.

15. Due to the favour of that Sun, the (Brahma's) skull clinging to my hand and the (sindue to) the murder of Brahman dropped on the bank (of the Ganges) at Varanasl.

16. There is no greater deity than the Sun in the three worlds. Due to his favour I was absolved of the terrible sin.

1. Mudra — Name of certain positions of the fingers practised in devotion or religious worship.

Skanda said:

17. O lord, having heard (these) words from you I am amazed. There is no other deity like you. How (did you commit the sin of) the murder of Branman?

18. (For) you are the chief among the wise; you are given to abstract meditation; you are the enjoyer, the imperishable and the immutable one. You alone are great among the gods; you have filled (every) form, and are a great deity.

19. You are omniscient, the giver of boons and the lord of all beings. How then, O lord, is there the possibility of a bad act and especially of anger in your case? Shiva said:

20. O son, we, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, getting separated in each yuga for the well-being of the worlds, do everything.

21. We have neither bondage nor salvation; we have nothing which ought to be done or which ought not to be done. But, for the protection of the worlds we move according to rules.

22. Every (form of ours) is great, removes obstacles and diseases, and accomplishes all objects.

23. This uncensured Sun, though one, divided himself into many (forms) due to difference in time. He shines month by month; and being one becomes (i.e. divides himself into) twelve (forms).

24-26. He is Mitra in the month of Margasirsa. He is eternal Vishnu in the month of Pausa. He is Varuna in the month of Magha; and he is Surya in the month of Phalguna. He would shine as Bhanu in the month of Caitra. He is called Tapana in Vaishakha. He would shine as Indra in the month of Jyestha. He shines as Ravi in Ashadha. He is Gabhasti in the month of Sravana; similarly he is Yama in Bhadrapada. He is Hiranyaretas in AsVina, and Divakara in Kartika.

27. These are the twelve Adityas said (to shine) in each month. They are of large forms, of great lustre and have the brilliance of the fire at the time of the end of the world.

28. He who recites this everyday, incurs no sin, nor does he contract any disease; he does not suffer from poverty, nor from insult.

29. He obtains (i.e. lives in) heaven eternally; he gets, one by one, pleasures of heaven, kingdom and fame. I shall (now) tell the great sacred hymn, causing all happiness:

30-33. 'Om, (my) salutation to Aditya, having a thousand arms. (My) salutation to you, having lotus-like hands. (My) repeated salutation to Varuna. (My) salutation to Timiranasa (i.e. the dispeller of darkness); (my) repeated salutations to Srlsurya. (My) salutation to Sahasrajihva (i.e. having a hundred tongues); (my) repeated salutation to Bhanu. You are Brahma; you are Vishnu; you are Rudra. Salutation to you. You are the fire and the wind in all beings. Salutation to you. You are present in all beings. In this world of mobile and immobile there is nothing (that exists) without you. You are settled in all bodies.'

34-35. Repeating like this, he would obtain (i.e. satisfy), one by one, his desires like that for heavenly pleasures etc. Aditya, Bhaskara, Surya, Arka, Bhanu, Divakara, Suvarnaretas, Mitra, Pusan and Tvastr — (these are) your ten (names). (The eleventh is) Svayambhu and the twelfth is said to be Timirasa.

36. A man, who, after having purified himself, repeats these (twelve) names of" the Sun, becomes free from all sins and diseases and gets the highest position.

37. I shall again tell (you something) else about the magnanimous Bhaskara, viz. the bodies called red, resembling blood (i.e. red), and like red led and tawny.

38-41 a. O Skanda, listen to the principal names (of the Sun): Tapana, Tapana, and Karta, Harta and Grahesvara; he is Lokasaksi (i.e. observing the people in all the three worlds), Vyomadhipa (lord of the sky), Divakara, Agnigarbha, Mahavipra, Svarga, Saptasva-vahana, Padmahasta, Tamobhedl, Rgveda, Yajus and Samaga. For him who would always devoutly remember Kalapriya, Pundarika, Mulasthana (the original place), sanctified by meditation, wherefrom can there be fear from disease?

41b-42a. O Skanda, listen carefully to (the sacred hymn) which removes sin and is auspicious. O you highly intelligent one, do not have the slightest doubt about Aditya.

42b-43. 'Om, salutation to Indra, salutation to Vishnu.' This should be repeated; a rite should be performed and so also the (three daily) prayers. This prayer pacifies everything, and removes all obstacles.

44. It would destroy all diseases like boils, small-pox etc., also jaundice etc., and those diseases which are terrible.

45-47. So also fever lasting for one day, three days or four days; so also leprosy, consumption, colic, and fever; so also stone in the bladder, strangury; so also (similar) other diseases. All those diseases like gout or diseases of the womb, so also great, serious, painful and tormenting diseases, disappear by the uttering of (the name of) Aditya.

48. 'O lord of gods, protect me from the diseases and fears due to the planets.' When (the names of) the Sun (are) recited all of them disappear.

49. I shall tell (you) the original sacred hymn of the magnanimous Sun, which fulfils all desires, which always gives enjoyments and salvation.

50. The sacred hymn is (like) this: 'Om Hram, Hrim, my salutation to the Sun.' Due to this sacred hymn, everything would certainly be obtained.

51-52a. Diseases never afflict him, nor would any undesirable (thing) come to him. A man, who takes the water from the sun-flower, gradually gets free from the disease by merely drinking it.

52b-53. (The sacred hymn) should not be given or told to those who are not devotees, who have no children or to the heretics and should be carefully recited. O son, the water from the sun-flower should be mixed with bitter oil and given for being smelt or for drinking.

54. (The man who uses it) is free from all diseases; and the original sacred hymn should be recited at the time of the daily prayer and at rites.

55. When it is recited, diseases and cruel planets perish (i.e. are ineffective). What is the use of many other sacred texts or very lengthy sacred hymns?

56. O child, this (hymn) is all-pacifying and brings about

880 Padma Parana all (desired) objects. It should not be given to an atheist, nor to one who censures gods and brahmanas.

57-58. It should be given to him who is devoted to his preceptor; but should never be given to others. A man who, getting up in the morning, recites this, is free from all sins (even though) he has killed a cow or he is ungrateful. He, who would please the Sun, becomes one having good health, wealth, prosperity and success.

59-6la. There is no doubt about this. He, who would recite this hymn, once, twice or thrice everyday in the presence of (i e. by attending upon) the Sun. would obtain the desired fruit. One desiring a daughter gets a daughter, one desiring knowledge gets it, and one desiring wealth gets wealth.

61b-63a. He who, of a pure conduct, would devoutly listen to it, is free from all sins and even goes to the Sun's heaven. If one would recite this sacred hymn at the time of the vow in honour of the Sun, or at the time of observing other vows and sacrifices, at auspicious and sacred places, it would be a crore times fruitful.

63b-65. To a brahmana who recites this in the presence of brahmanas at the time of appeasing a planet, or at the time of meals or worship or meals served to brahmanas, would have endless fruit. He, the very intelligent one. who recites or causes it to be recited in front of ascetics, biahmanas or deities, is honoured in heaven.

 

CHAPTER SEVENTYNINE

The Story of Ehadresvara

Vyasa said:

1. In Madhya-desa (lived) a supreme, sovereign king known as Bhadresvara. He was pure due to many austerities and vows of many kinds.

2. He always worshipped the deities devoutly. White (spots of) leprosy appeared on his right hand.

3. Then (even) after being treated by physicians, the symptoms of the former (disease) were (still) noticed. Having invited principal brahmanas and ministers he said (these) words (to them). The king said:

4. O brahmanas, there is a disease on my hand, which is unbearable and condemned by the people. Therefore I shall cast my body at a place which is an auspicious, great sacred place. J-Ga. O you heroes, O brahmanas, who are conversant with religious merit, advise me who have no progeny, about my wellbeing here and in the next world, so that (I shall enjoy) welfare in the next world. So being, well-pleased, tell me, what you desire me to do. The brahmanas said: Gb-8a. When you, the intelligent and righteous one abandon this country the (whole) world and this kingdom are doomed. Therefore (please) do not speak (like this). We shall find out a remedy for it. O lord, propitiate the great godwithsacred hymns (in honour) of the Sun. The Ling said: Sb-lOa. O best brahmanas by which means should I please the Sun? O brahmanas, due to this impure (disease viz.) leprosy, which is censured by people, I cannot present myself to the beings, and am condemned (by them). Why should I govern the kingdom? What would be (the fruit) of the propitiation? The buihma as said: ^a. By living here in your own kingdom, and by propitiating the Sun, you, being free from a terrible sin will obtain heaven and salvation. Ilb-12a. Hearing this, the best king, having saluted the excellent brahmanas, undertook the important propitiation of the Sun.

12b-14. Everyday he offered worship (to the Sun) with sacred hymns, offerings and anointments, with fruits of various kinds, with respectful offerings, sacred rice grains, japa flowers, arka-leaves, and karavira and karanjaka flowers, with red saffron and red lead, with flowers of the spring season, and leaves of fragrant plantain trees and their very charming fruits.

15. The king everyday offered respectful offering at the (root of the) audumbara tree to the Sun by facing him.

16-17a. His queens, concubines1, all inmates of the harem, the guards with their wives, and the servants and others everyday offered respectful offering to the Sun.

17b-18a. They worshipped the Sun with hymns pacifying the Sun, with other very powerful hymns etc., and with original and other hymns.

18b-19a. They, being well-composed, observed the Sun's vow. The king gradually put on flesh and was free from the disease.

19b-20a. When the terrible disease was arrested, the king, controlling the entire world, observed the vow of worshipping (the Sun) at dawn.

20b-22a. In the same way, men, along with their wives, offered japa-flower, a banana, with bana-flowers and leaves and other flowers, observed a fast (or) ate at night (only), and offered worship giving great merit and liked by all people, to the Sun.

22b-24a. In this way, Bhaskara (i.e. the Sun), worshipped by the three classes, became pleased, and having come to the king compassionately said (these) words to him: " For the good of all the citizens, ask, along with your followers, for a boon desired by you, which is in your mind." The king said:

24b-25a. Since, O eye of all, you desire to grant a boon of my liking, let all of us have (residence in) heaven with you. The Sun said:

25b-27. O magnanimous one, let your brahmana ministers and other brahmanas, with their wives and attendants, all young and pure (citizens) live, enjoying all pleasures with the divine trees, with fully equipped palaces (high) like trees, with ladies and excellent dances and songs, in my beautiful city.

1. Bhogini — A woman, belonging to a king's harem, but not consecrated with him; a concubine of a king.

28-29. After five kalpas1 you will be the king in a Manuage; and these your men, O king, and priests standing before you, and those men living in your country, will be learned and rich. Then obtaining a boon from me, you will easily obtain heaven.

30. Saying so the eye of the world vanished there only. Then king Bhadresvara with the (inhabitants of his) city enjoyed in heaven.

31. There the yellow insects, along with their progeny etc. enjoyed great and wonderful pleasures on the divine tree.

32. In this way only, kings and brahmanas of praiseworthy vows, and other castes like the ksatriyas quickly went to the Sun's heaven.

33. Some desired wealth, others sons and wives, (others) desired happiness, heaven and sound health through the Sun's favour.

34. The man who, being pure, would recite this auspicious heap of merit, has all his sins destroyed, and is worshipped on the earth like Rudra.

35-37. He would be seeing everything, would be a granter of boons, and dear to Bhaskara (the Sun). A mortal, who is restrained, would obtain the desired fruit. He who daily listens (to the Sun's account) goes beyond all sins, and would be meritorious, rich and an orator in the Sun's assembly. This secret, very secret (vow) has been propagated by Bhaskara. It was narrated to Yama (by Bhaskara) and was narrated by Vyasa on the earth.

1. Kalpa=A day of Brahma=1000 yugas=432 million y«Ua of mortals.

 

CHAPTER EIGHTY

The Worship oflheMoon

Vaishampayana said:

1. Due to your grace we ha-, e heard about the power of the lord of planets. O brahmana, (now) tell us about themeans of (pacifying) the planets like the Sun etc.

2. Who are these Sun and others? How can they be pleased? How (can that which is) dear (to them be done)? (At which) time and (which) place is their sight auspicious or inauspicious? Vyasa said:

3. It is the planets etc. that experience the fruits of merit or sin. For the destruction (of the fruits) of the deeds of the world, they bring about what is auspicious and what is inauspicious.

4. The Sun should be known to be the destroyer of time among men and planets. He is powerful in curbing and favouring due to his sharpness and mildness.

5-6a. I 'shall) tell (you) how he can be pleased asaplanet. He who offers oblations to him) with the sprouts (i.e. sticks of) udumbara and palasi, by reciting the sacred original hymn: 'A Krsnena' for (his) pacification, (gets merit).

6b-7a. He should offer (the leaves) anointed with ghee for fulfilling his desire, for curing all diseases and for freedom from bondage due to a murder.

7b-9. With each sacred hymn he should offer (the oblation) a hundred times. He should present a white goat to a brahmana on a Sunday. He should feed the brahmanas with lovely oblations (of food) intended for gods and manes, on the seventh or the fifteenth day of the bright fortnight. A sick person is free from his disease, and will not be troubled by the disease.

10-1 la. In the universe, right from Brahman to a clump of grass, the Sun will be regarded as great, immortal being, (present) in the universe as well as in an atom till the deluge, due to his being the cause of the creation and maintenance (of the world).

11b-12a. He, who moves in the world, is present in the body of men at the time of the creation of life (in them). At the time of their death, he goes from the body with life (i.e. the vital breath).

12b-13a. In the head, the Moon, endowed with the sixteen digits is always (present). With his face bent down he always showers nectar into the body.

13b-14. Due to that the beings, having portions of these great beings, live. (The Moon; nourishes the crops on the earth and the immobile and the mobile. Due to these two i.e. the Sun and the Moon, the world is created and sustained.

15. Due to their propitiation auspicious and very valuable nourishment always follows. A pure person who obtains (their favour), would always accomplish all his undertakings.

16. The life of the mean man, who, through delusion, does not worship the Moon, diminishes, and he obtains (i.e. goes to) hell.

17. (A man should offer the following prayer to the Moon: ) 'O spotless Moon, the prop of the digits, the gem on the head of Shiva, O lord of the world, my salutation to you on this second day.'

18. A man who, finding some other day (i.e. even on some other day than the second), offers a salutation to the Moon, would obtain the desired fruit.

19-20. (He should offer the following prayer: ) 'O Moon, born from Atri's eyes1, O you pleasing one, O you produced from the sea after its being churned, O you residing on Shiva's crest, my salutation to you. O you Moon of a divine form, the lord of the world, my salutation to you.' The wise ones know (this to be the sacred hymn to be recited) on a night of a bright or a dark half.

1. Atrinetrodbhava — Atri, a celebrated sage and the author of many Vedic hymns, was one of the sons of Brahma. While he was absorbed in meditation, the essence of Soma or the Moon trickled down from his eyes. The presiding deities of the quarters, at the command of Brahma, gladly conceived the foetus, but could not bear it. So it shot out in the form of the Moon.

21. The sacred hymn to be recited is: 'Om hram, hrlm, salutation to Soma.' It should be recited in the morning. He who would thus worship the Moon, or recite to others, or himself listen to (the account of Soma's worship), would be (living) in a nectar-like world birth after birth.

22. He, who, on this earth, praises or worships the Moon with (the recital of his) thousand names, obtains heaven eternally wherefrom rebirth is difficult.

23-24. Thus should be done the worship of Soma. Hearing the (account) without having jealousy for the rite, a wise man, putting the collection (of the materials for worship) in an auspicious brass vessel or a vessel of bell-metal full with curds and ghee — (putting) less or more according to his wealth even in a golden or silver vessel — should offer it to a brahmana having many sons.

25. His good fortune very much excels (even) nectar. Women and men never meet with misfortune.

26. (He should say: ) 'I, desiring (good) form and good fortune, offer you the vessel full of curds. Give me good fortune and form residing in the vessel of bell metal.'

27-29. Without (any) prejudice a man should be given according to his capacity. Also new (piece of) cloth etc. should be given). For (obtaining) good form and fortune he should give food complete in all (respects) and a lovely tambula, and garlands of flower etc. He, who thus makes a present to a brahmana in honour of the Moon, has a good form and good fortune in heaven or in the human world.

 

CHAPTER EIGHTYONE

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