The Investiture of the Sacred Thread

1-19. When the month of Sravana comes the rite of the investiture of the sacred thread should be performed, having done which divine devotion is produced. O Parvati, the wise ones should perform, with faith, Vishnu's investiture of the sacred thread. (By doing that) his worship in the rainy season becomes complete. On Vishnu's investiture of the sacred thread one gets pleasure. One would get various pleasures on having always properly worshipped Vishnu. Having brought a thread, a garment spun by a brahmana woman (he should do the rite). Or he should use there (i.e. for this rite) thread spun by himself. Or similarly he should get a thread spun by a good shudra woman. Or he should properly have one through sale. The rite of the investiture (of the thread) should be done with silken cloth only. So also (the sacred thread for) god Vishnu should be made of silver. Or, O chief goddess, it should be especially made of gold according to the rule. In the absence of all metals the wise ones should take (a cotton) thread. The thread reaching the feet is said to be the best. The one up to the knees (is said to be) middling. The one reaching the navel (is said to be) inferior. A wise one should have the investiture (of any one of these threads). The thread should have the knots numbering the days of the year, or half the number, or one hundred and eight. O Parvati, it is also proper (to have one) having half the number. On the phallus it is known as linga, and should be accompanied by Ganga and the serpents. O goddess, on the image the sacred thread should be of wood flowers. It should be prepared beautifully, by which Vishnu is pleased. One good sacred thread called gandha should always be prepared by men, Vishnu's devotees, and it should have only one strand. In the same way the thread sacred to the deity Vishnu is also said to be (so) for the gods. So also (for) the devotees like Ambarlsa and Dhruva. Then, O Parvati, sacred threads should be offered here (i.e. in this rite). The first day is recommended for investiture with the sacred thread of Kubera. The second is said to be the best of days for goddess Laksml. The third for you, and the fourth for Gajanana. The fifth is for the Moon, and the sixth for Kartikeya. The seventh is said (i.e. recommended) for the Sun; for Durga the eighth is told, the ninth for the divine mothers and similarly the tenth is (recommended) for Yama. The eleventh is (recommended) for all (deities), and the twelfth for Vishnu. The thirteenth is for Madana, and the fourteenth is said to be for Sarva. Similarly the fifteenth (day of the fortnight) is recommended for Brahma's worship.

20-27. These are said to be the proper days of investiture with the sacred thread. Twelve is said to be inferior. Double (the number) is said to be middling; and thrice the number (i.e. thirtysix) is said to be the number of knots on the sacred thread. Have it dyed with camphor and saffron, sandal and turmeric. Having dyed all this, and having put it in a new casket, all those should be placed like a deity (at the place) where the worship of the deity (is to be performed). First, worship of the deity should be done. (Then) garment with the thread (should be put on). After the sacred thread is put on, the worship is said to be done. In the sacred threads the deities would be in proximity. Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra are the three deities of the sacred thread. Kriya, Paurusi, VIra, the fourth (being) Aparajita, Jaya and Vijaya, Muktida, so also Sadashiva, the ninth (is) Manonmani, and the tenth Sarvatomukhi — these are the deities of the knots. He should install them on the threads. Then with (appropriate) finger position according to the rule of the holy texts, he should invoke them. This is said to be properly placing them in proximity.

28-35. The placing in proximity is done by the finger position (called) sannidhi-mudra. Then having protected them with (the finger position called) raksd (i.e. protection)-mt«/ra and having immortalised them with (the finger position called) dhenumudra he should bring them before the deity. Taking water from the pitcher he should sprinkle them with hymns from the sacred texts. The sprinkling (should be done) with the hymn: 'Klim, to Krishna'. Then having offered sandal, incense, eatables, having given tambula etc., having worshipped the deities of the sacred thread in the sixteen ways of doing homage, having incensed the fragrant sacred thread, and facing the deity he should consecrate it with (the finger position) called namaskdramudrd (i.e. mudra of salutation): 'O Mahadeva, with the goddess and attendants etc. you are invited by means of these hymns. O lord Vishnu, come along with the regents of quarters and attendants for the fulfilment of the rite. In the morning we shall worship you. Be constantly in the proximity.' Having put in the morning that sandal and sacred thread at the feet of god Raghava, Vishnu, and having performed his rite(s) and with the repetition three times of the words, 'This is an auspicious day' and with the preliminary religious rite and with words of victory and with the auspicious sounds of bells, musical instruments and of drums he should offer the worship. He should worship in the proper order: first the seniormost, then the middling and (lastly) the inferior. With the hymn 'We know Vasudeva, we think of god Vishnu; may the god urge us on', or with his own hymns he should offer the great delightful worship, having offered which Vishnu, the soul, is pleased. All round illumination should be done according to the rule. The wise man should also get prepared four kinds of food. O beautiful one, then the sacred threads that are worshipped should be given (to brahmanas). Then he should especially worship his teacher with devotion. The great preceptor should be worshipped with the rite (of offering) garments and ornaments. After having worshipped his preceptor he should wear the sacred thread. Then having given tambulas to those who are Vishnu's devotees and a full oblation to Agni, he should report the act to Srlnivasa, Shri Krishna. (He should say:) 'O Vishnu, may that (act of having) worshipped you without the (proper) hymns, the (proper) acts, and without devotion, be certainly well completed'. Then having called (his relatives) he should eat the cooked food with his dear relatives, Vishnu's devotees, and brahmanas. Those best brahmanas who listen to this divine worship are free from all sins and go to the highest position of Vishnu.

36-41. There is no doubt that as long as the Moon shines, the Sun shines, he who has investiture of the sacred thread shines like them. On having the investiture with the sacred thread all the gifts and restraints that there are on the earth, become perfect. This rite of the investiture of the sacred thread is the king of festivals. A killer of a brahmana is purified by it. No doubt should be raised about this. O daughter of the (Himalaya) Mountain, what is said is the truth, the (absolute) truth. The religious merit that is said (to result) from the investiture of the sacred thread is also said (to be had) from seeing it. O noble one, the shudras who have devoutly performed this rite of the investiture of the sacred thread, are said to be most fortunate. I am lucky, I am blessed, I am fortunate, (as) the devotion I had for Vishnu, gives salvation. CHAPTER EIGHTYSEVEN Monthly Offering of Flowers to Vishnu Mahesvara said:

1-13. In Caitra Vishnu who removes sufferings should be carefully worshipped with campaka or jasmine flowers. One should worship the lord of the worlds, the lord of the lords of all, viz. Vishnu, with damanaka, maruka, and bilva flowers. Or (one) being very calm, should (worship him) with divine, red lotuses. O chief goddess, men worship Vishnu in the month of Caitra. O goddess, and in Vaishakha the great lord should always be worshipped. He who has devoutly worshipped Vishnu, taking (i.e. with) a ketaki-leaf, when the Sun is in the sign Taurus of the Zodiac, is pleased for a hundred ages of Manu. When the month of Jyestha comes, he should worship (Vishnu) with various flowers. When the lord of gods is worshipped, all gods are worshipped well. They too, (even) after having committed thousands of (minor) sins and hundreds of major sins, will go there where Vishnu dwells with Lakshmi. When the month of Asadha comes, they should especially worship (Vishnu). Those men who always worship Vishnu with (flowers of) karavira, red flowers and lotuses, are meritorious. Those who will worship Vishnu with gold-like flowers and kadamba flowers, have no fear from (Sani) the Sun's son. Vishnu worshipped with kadamba flowers at the advent of the rainy season, gives desired objects as long as the fourteen Indras (last). Vishnu, the creator of the world, becomes as pleased on having kadamba flower(s) as by obtaining Lakshmi. O best goddess, Vishnu worshipped with Tulasi, black TulasI and asoka flowers, always removes (the devotee's) affliction. (Vishnu is pleased with them) who worship him when the month of Sravana comes with hempflower or durva-blade.

14-27. He should especially be carefully worshipped with various flowers. He gives many desired objects till the final deluge. O daughter of the (Himalaya) Mountain, listen. When the month of Bhadrapada comes, he who worships Vishnu with campaka flowers, white flowers and red sindura flowers, with white lotuses, O great goddess, would obtain the fruit of all his desires. In the auspicious month of Asvina worship to Vishnu should be offered with jasmine flowers, so also with various kinds of flowers. (Vishnu) should be carefully and devoutly worshipped by all people. Those men who by bringing lotuses only worship Vishnu, obtain on the earth religious merit, worldly prosperity, sensual enjoyments and salvation. When the month of Kartika comes, the great lord should be worshipped. As many seasonal flowers as are there should be offered to Vishnu. With Sheshamum and Sheshamum flowers he should offer worship. When the lord of gods is pleased, the man obtains unending fruit. Those who worship Vishnu in Kartika with bakula flowers, punnaga and campaka flowers are gods, and not men. In Margasirsa the lord should always be worshipped with various flowers, offerings of eatables, incense and waving lights. In Margaslrsa he should worship Vishnu especially with divine flowers. O great goddess, in the month of Pausa good worship with various Tulasi leaves and water mixed with musk should be done, and when the month of Magha has come, he should worship Vishnu with various flowers. When the supreme lord of the gods is worshipped, a man certainly gets his desired object. The worship should be done with camphor or various eatables like sweetmeats. When Phalguna comes, Vishnu's worship should be done. He should fully perform the vernal worship after bringing flowers, or, O chief goddess, he should worship him with new flowers. When the lord of the world is worshipped, a man gets the eternal position of Vishnu by Vishnu's favour.

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