Adhyaya 129: Initiation for the Four Social Orders, Sandhyā Mantra Procedure, and the Merit of Offering Water in a Copper Vessel

Verse 1

अथ चतुर्वर्णदीक्षा ॥ श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ भूषितालङ्कृतं कृत्वा मम कर्मपरायणः ॥ शुक्लं यज्ञोपवीतं च देयं नवगुणं तथा ॥

Now follows the dīkṣā (initiation) for the four varṇa. Śrī Varāha said: “Having adorned and decorated oneself, devoted to my prescribed observances, one should also be given a white yajñopavīta (sacred thread), made with nine strands.”

Verse 2

शिरसा चाञ्जलिं कृत्वा वसुधा पुनरब्रवीत् ॥ धरण्युवाच ॥ एतन्मां परमं गुह्यं तद्भक्तां वक्तुमर्हसि ॥ सन्ध्यां वै केन मन्त्रेण तव कर्मपरायणाम् ॥ वद भागवतीं शुद्धां तव कर्मविनिश्चिताम् ॥ ततॊ भूमिवचः श्रुत्वा भूतानां प्रभवोऽव्ययः ॥ वराहरूपो भगवान् प्रत्युवाच वसुन्धराम् ॥ श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ माधवि तत्त्वेन यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि ॥ कथयिष्यामि ते भद्रे प्रवरं गुह्यमुत्तमम् ॥ यथावद्विदितं भूपैः पुण्या भागवताः शुभाः ॥ कृत्वा तु मम कर्माणि शुचिसंसारमोक्षणीम् ॥ कुर्वीतैव परां सन्ध्यां यथावदिति निश्चितम् ॥ जलाञ्जलिं ततो गृह्य मम भक्त्या व्यवस्थितः ॥ मुहूर्तध्यानमास्थाय इमं मन्त्रमुदाहरेत् ॥ मन्त्रः— भवोद्भवमादिव्यक्तरूपमात्रं सर्वे देवा ब्रह्मा रुद्रस्त्वादृक्सममासीद्ध्यानयोगस्थिताः ते सन्ध्यासंस्था वासुदेवं नमति वयं देवमादिव्यक्तरूपमात्मसप्तदिवसं तथापि संसारार्थं कर्म तत्करणमेव सन्ध्यासंस्था वासुदेव नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ मन्त्राणां परमो मन्त्रस्तपतां परमं तपः ॥ आचारं कुरुते ह्येवं मम लोकं स गच्छति ॥ गुह्यानां परमं गुह्यं रहस्यं परमुत्तमम् ॥ य एवं पठते नित्यं न स पापेन लिप्यते ॥ नादीक्षिताय दातव्यं नोपवीते कथंचन ॥ दीक्षितायैव दातव्यमुपपन्ने तथैव च ॥ पुनरन्यत्प्रवक्ष्यामि देवि तत्त्वेन मे शृणु ॥ न दीपमपि गृह्णाति दत्तं भागवतैः शुभैः ॥ कृत्वा तु मम कर्माणि गृह्य दीपकमुत्तमम् ॥ जानुसंस्थां ततः कृत्वा इमं मन्त्रमुदीरयेत ॥ मन्त्रः— ॐ नमो भगवतेऽनुग्रह तेजसे विष्णो सर्वदेवास्त्वाग्निसंस्थाः प्रविष्टा एवं चाग्निस्तव तेजसा भविष्यति स्वतेजसा मामाशु मन्त्रस्य तेजसा संसारार्थं देव गृह्यं दीपकं मन्त्रं मूर्त्तिमन्त्रं श्वो भूत्वा इमं कर्म निष्फलम् ॥ तत्करोति यथान्याय्यं दीपकं ददते नरः ॥ तारिताः पितरस्तेन निष्कलाश्च पितामहाः ॥ गन्धेन तिलकं दद्याल्ललाटे मम सुन्दरी ॥ अन्यच्च ते प्रवक्ष्यामि कर्म लोकसुखावहम्

With hands joined in reverence and head bowed, the Earth spoke again: “This is a supreme secret; you should declare it to your devotee. By what mantra is the sandhyā-practice—devoted to your observances—to be performed? Teach the pure Bhāgavata formula as you have determined it.” Hearing the Earth’s words, the imperishable source of beings, the Lord in the form of Varāha, replied: “O Mādhavī, since you question me in accordance with truth, I shall tell you the excellent, highest secret—rightly known to kings, auspicious and meritorious. Having performed my observances, which purify and release from worldly bondage, one should certainly perform the supreme sandhyā as prescribed. Then, taking water in joined palms, established in devotion to me, and entering a brief meditation, one should recite this mantra …” The passage further declares it to be the highest of mantras and a supreme austerity; one who recites it daily is not stained by sin. It instructs that it is to be given only to the initiated (dīkṣita). It then sets forth a lamp-offering rite with a second mantra addressed to Viṣṇu, linking the lamp with divine radiance, and concludes by directing the application of a fragrant tilaka upon the forehead, followed by further rites said to bring worldly well-being.

Verse 3

येन मन्त्रेण दातव्यं ललाटे तिलकं मम ।

“By which mantra should my tilaka be applied upon the forehead?”

Verse 4

मन्त्रः— मुखमण्डनं चिन्तय वासुदेव त्वया प्रयुक्तं च मयोपनीतम् ॥ एतेन चित्रं कुरु वासुदेव मम चैवं कुरु संसारमोक्षम् ॥

Mantra: “Contemplate the adornment of the face, O Vāsudeva—applied by you and bestowed upon me. By this, make it auspicious and beautiful, O Vāsudeva; and thus grant me release from the bondage of saṃsāra.”

Verse 5

एतेन मन्त्रेण चित्रकं मे दद्याल्ललाटे तिलकं धरित्री ॥ ततः सुमनसो गृह्य इमं मन्त्रमुदाहरेत् ॥

With this mantra, O Earth, one should apply for me the decorative mark—the tilaka—upon the forehead. Then, taking flowers, one should recite this mantra.

Verse 6

मन्त्रः— इमाः सुमनसः सौमनस्याय भगवन् सर्वं सुमनसं कुरु त्वयैते सौमनस्याय निर्मिता गृहीताः स्वाहा ।

Mantra: “These flowers are for the sake of good-mindedness, O Lord; make all things good-minded. By you they were created for good-mindedness; taken up and offered—svāhā.”

Verse 7

एवं सुमनसो दत्त्वा धूपं चैव निवेदयेत् ॥ ततो गृहीत्वा धूपं तु सुगन्धं सुमनोहरम् ॥

Thus, having offered flowers, one should also present incense. Then, taking up the incense—fragrant and pleasing to the mind—one proceeds with the offering.

Verse 8

नमो नारायणेत्युक्त्वा इमं मन्त्रमुदीरयेत् ॥ मन्त्रः— सुगन्धानि तवाङ्गानि स्वभावेनैव केशव ॥

Having said, “Homage to Nārāyaṇa,” one should recite this mantra: “O Keśava, your limbs are naturally fragrant.”

Verse 9

अमुना चैव धूपेन धूपितानि तवाऽनघ ॥ तवाङ्गानां सुगन्धेन सर्वं सौगन्धिकं कुरु ॥

“By this incense, O faultless one, your limbs have been fumigated; by the fragrance of your limbs, make everything wholly fragrant.”

Verse 10

यथावृत्तं तु गृह्णामि मम भक्तैः सुखावहम् ॥ कृत्वा तु मम कर्माणि गृह्य दीपमनुत्तमम् ॥

(The speaker states:) “I accept the offering as it is performed, bringing well-being through my devotees. Having carried out the rites for me, take up the unsurpassed lamp.”

Verse 11

जानुसंस्थं ततः कृत्वा इमं मन्त्रमुदीरयेत् ॥

Then, having placed it at the level of the knees, one should recite this mantra.

Verse 12

मन्त्रः— नमो भगवते तेजते विष्णो सर्वे देवास्त्वग्निसंस्थाः प्रतिष्ठा ॥ एवं चाग्निस्तव तेजसा प्रतिष्ठितो तेजश्चात्मा स्वयमेव ॥

Mantra: “Homage to the Blessed Viṣṇu, the radiant splendor. All the gods are established in Agni as their foundation. Thus Agni is established by your radiance, and radiance itself is the Self, indeed of its own nature.”

Verse 13

मन्त्रश्च— तेजः संसारान्मोचयितुं देव गृह्णीष्व दीपं द्युतिमन्तश्च ॥ मूर्तिश्च भूत्वा इदं कर्म निष्कलम् ॥

And (this) mantra: “O god, for the purpose of releasing (beings) from saṁsāra, accept the lamp—possessed of brilliance. And having become manifest in form, (make) this rite without deficiency.”

Verse 14

मां करोति यथान्यायं दीपकं ददते नरः ॥ तारिताः पितरस्तेन निष्कलाश्च पितामहाः ॥

The man who duly offers a lamp to me—by that act his ancestors are carried across (to welfare), and his forefathers too become free from deficiency (or afflictions).

Verse 15

नारायणवचः श्रुत्वा विस्मिता च वसुन्धरा ॥ वराहरूपिणं देवं प्रत्युवाच वसुन्धरा ॥

Having heard Nārāyaṇa’s words, Vasundharā (Earth) was astonished; and Vasundharā replied to the god who had the form of a boar (Varāha).

Verse 16

श्रुता मया भागवतास्तव कर्मपरायणाः ॥ शेषसंश्रवणार्थाय मनो धावति सत्पथे ॥

(Vasundharā says:) “I have heard of your devotees—the Bhāgavatas—who are devoted to your rites. For the sake of hearing what remains, my mind runs along the true path.”

Verse 17

तव प्रापणकं कृत्यं केषु पात्रेषु कारयेत् ॥ एतदाचक्ष्व तत्त्वेन येन तुष्यति माधवः ॥

Tell me: in which vessels should the rite of offering to you be performed? Explain this truthfully, so that Mādhava may be satisfied.

Verse 18

ततो भूमेर्वचः श्रुत्वा लोकनाथोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥ शृणु तत्त्वेन मे देवि यानि पात्राणि रोचते ॥

Then, having heard Earth’s words, the Lord of the worlds said: “Listen in truth, O Devī—these are the vessels that are acceptable to me.”

Verse 19

सर्वाणि तानि त्यक्त्वेह ताम्रं च मम रोचते ॥ एतन्नारायणाच्छ्रुत्वा धर्मकामा वसुन्धरा ॥

“Setting aside all those (other vessels) here, copper alone is acceptable to me.” Having heard this from Nārāyaṇa, Vasundharā—desirous of dharma—continued.

Verse 20

उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं लोकनाथं जनार्द्दनम् ॥ एतन्मे परमं गुह्यं ताम्रं ते रोचते कथम् ॥

She spoke sweet words to Janārdana, the Lord of the worlds: “This is a supreme secret to me—how is it that copper is acceptable to you?”

Verse 21

ततो भूमेर्वचः श्रुत्वा अनादिरपराजितः ॥ लोकानां प्रवरः श्रेष्ठः प्रत्युवाच वसुन्धराम् ॥

Then, having heard Earth’s words, the beginningless, unconquered One—the foremost and श्रेष्ठ among beings—replied to Vasundharā.

Verse 22

शृणु तत्त्वेन मे भूमे कथ्यमानं मयाऽनघे ॥ एकाग्रं चित्तमाधाय येन ताम्रं मम प्रियम् ॥

Listen in truth, O Bhūmi, blameless one, to what I am declaring. Fix your mind in one-pointed concentration, and I shall tell why copper is dear to me.

Verse 23

सप्तयुगसहस्राणि आदिकालेऽथ माधवि ॥ यथा ताम्रं समुत्पन्नं यथैव प्रियदर्शनम् ॥

O Mādhavī, in the primordial age—across seven thousand yugas—I shall explain how copper arose, and how it became a pleasing and esteemed sight.

Verse 24

पूर्वं कमलपत्राक्षि गुडाकेशो महासुरः ॥ ताम्ररूपं समादाय ममैवाराधने रतः ॥

Formerly, O lotus-petaled-eyed one, the great asura Guḍākeśa, having assumed a copper form, was devoted to worshipping me alone.

Verse 25

तत आराधितस्तेन वर्षाणां तु चतुर्दश ॥ सहस्राणि विशालाक्षि धर्मकामेन निश्चलम् ॥

Then he worshipped me for fourteen thousand years, O wide-eyed one—steadfast and unmoving, with a desire aligned with dharma.

Verse 26

अहं तु तपसा तुष्टस्तीव्रेण कृतनिश्चयात् ॥ ततस्ताम्रमये रम्ये यत्र ताम्रसमुद्भवः ॥

I, however, was pleased by his intense austerity and firm resolve. Then there came to be a delightful copper-made realm, where the origin of copper is found.

Verse 27

दृष्ट्वाश्रमं महादेवि किञ्चिदेव सुभाषितम् ॥ ततो जानुस्थितो भूत्वा मम एष विचिन्तयेत् ॥

Having seen the hermitage, O great goddess, and having heard some well-spoken words, then—kneeling—let him reflect upon me.

Verse 28

गुडाकेश महाभाग ब्रूहि किं करवाणि ते ॥ तुषितोऽस्म्यनया भक्त्या दुराराध्योऽपि सुव्रत ॥

O Guḍākeśa, O noble one, tell me—what shall I do for you? I am pleased by this devotion of yours, even though I am difficult to propitiate, O steadfast in vows.

Verse 29

यत्त्वया चिन्तितं सौम्य कर्मणा मनसा गिरा ॥ वरं ब्रूहि महाभाग तुभ्यं यद्रोचतेऽनघ ॥

Whatever you have conceived—by deed, by mind, or by speech—state the boon, O noble one: that which pleases you, O blameless one, I grant to you.

Verse 30

एवं मम वचः श्रुत्वा गुडाकेशोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥ कराभ्यामञ्जलिं कृत्वा विशुद्धेनान्तरात्मना ॥

Hearing my words thus, Guḍākeśa spoke as follows—joining his hands in añjali, with an inward self made pure.

Verse 31

यदि तुष्टोऽसि मे देव समस्तेनान्तरात्मना ॥ जन्मनां तु सहस्राणि त्वयि भक्तिर्दृढा अस्तु मे ॥

If you are pleased with me, O god, with your entire inward being, then for thousands of births let my devotion toward you be firm.

Verse 32

चक्रेण वधमिच्छामि त्वया मुक्तेन केशव ॥

O Keśava, I desire death by the discus released by you.

Verse 33

चक्रेण पातितस्यैतद्वसामांसानि किं चन ॥ ताम्रं नाम भवेदेव पवित्रीकरणं शुभम् ॥

From one struck down by the discus, this fat and flesh—whatever it may be—becomes ‘copper’ by name; indeed, it is an auspicious means of purification.

Verse 34

तेन पात्रं ततः कृत्वा शुभधर्मविनिश्चितः ॥ तस्मिन् प्रापणकं कृत्वा शुद्धे वै ताम्रभाजने ॥

Then, having made a vessel from that, resolved upon auspicious dharma, he prepared an offering-container there, indeed, in a purified copper receptacle.

Verse 35

निवेदिते परा प्रीतिर्भवत्‍वेतन्मनोगतम् ॥ प्रसन्नो यदि मे देव ह्येष मे दीयतां वरः ॥

When it has been offered, let there be supreme satisfaction—this is what is in my mind. If you are pleased with me, O God, then let this boon be granted to me.

Verse 36

यच्चिन्तितोऽसि देवेश उग्रे तपति तिष्ठता ॥ बाढमित्येव सोऽप्युक्तो यावल्लोकस्थितिर्मया ॥

As you have desired, O Lord of the gods—while you stand engaged in fierce austerity—he too was told by me, ‘So be it,’ for as long as the world endures.

Verse 37

तत्ताम्रभाजने मह्यं दीयते यत्सुपुष्कलम् ॥ अतुला तेन मे प्रीतिर्भूमे जानीहि सुव्रते ॥

Because an abundant offering is given to me in a copper vessel, my satisfaction is incomparable; O Bhūmi, know this, O virtuous one.

Verse 38

माङ्गल्यं च पवित्रं च ताम्रं तेन प्रियं मम ॥ त्वं च द्रक्ष्यसि तच्चक्रं मध्यसंस्थे दिवाकरे ॥

Copper is auspicious and purifying; therefore it is dear to me. And you will see that discus when the sun is at mid-heaven.

Verse 39

वैशाखस्य तु मासस्य शुक्लपक्षे तु द्वादशी ॥ मम तेजोमयं चक्रं त्वां वधिष्यत्यसंशयम् ॥

On the twelfth lunar day of the bright fortnight in the month of Vaiśākha, my discus—made of radiance—will strike you down without doubt.

Verse 40

एष्यसे मम लोकाय एवमेतन्न संशयः ॥ एवमुक्त्वा गुडाकेशं तत्रैवान्तरहितोऽभवम् ॥

“You will come to my world—so it is; there is no doubt.” Having spoken thus to Guḍākeśa, I disappeared there itself.

Verse 41

चक्राद्वधमभीप्सन्वै सोऽपि मत्कर्मणि स्थितः ॥ दिने दिने विशिष्टं तु शुभं कुर्वंस्तपस्यति ॥

Desiring death by the discus, he too remained intent upon my observance; day after day he performs distinguished auspicious acts and practices austerity.

Verse 42

विष्णुसंस्थो भविष्यामि कदाहमिति चिन्तयन् ॥ एवं स्थितस्य तस्याथ वैशाखस्य तु द्वादशी ॥

Thinking, “When shall I become established in Viṣṇu?”, while he remained in that state, then the twelfth day of Vaiśākha arrived.

Verse 43

शुक्लपक्षस्य सम्प्राप्ता तस्यां धर्मविनिश्चितः ॥ विष्णुपूजां ततः कृत्वा प्रार्थयामास मां प्रतिम् ॥

When that (day) in the bright fortnight arrived, resolved in dharma, he then performed worship of Viṣṇu and petitioned me, facing (my) image.

Verse 44

मुञ्च मुञ्च प्रभो चक्रमपि वह्निसमप्रभम् ॥ आत्मा मे नीयतां शीघ्रं निकृत्त्याङ्गानि सर्वशः ॥

“Release, release, O Lord, the discus—radiant like fire. Let my self be taken swiftly, cutting off the limbs entirely.”

Verse 45

तदैव चक्रेण विपाटितोऽसौ प्राप्तोऽपि मां भागवतप्रधानः ॥ ताम्रं तु तन्मांसमसृक् सुवर्णमस्थीनि रूप्यं बहुधातवश्च ॥ रङ्गं च सीसं त्रपुधातुसंस्थं कांस्यं च रीतिश्च मलस्तु तेषाम् ॥

At that very moment, struck and torn apart by the discus, that foremost devotee reached me. His flesh became copper; his blood became gold; his bones became silver; and various other minerals as well. Tin and lead arose, established among the metals; and bronze and brass—while impurities are (also) among them.

Verse 46

एतद्भागवतैः कार्यं मम प्रियकरैः सदा ॥ एवं ताम्रं समुत्पन्नमिति मे रोचते हि तत् ॥

This is to be done by devotees—those who are always dear to me. Thus, (the account that) copper arose in this manner is what I accept as fitting.

Verse 47

दीक्षितैर्वै भागवतैः पाद्यार्घ्यादौ च दीयते ॥ एवं दीक्षाविधिः प्रोक्त एवं ताम्रसमुद्भवः ॥

Indeed, by the initiated devotees (bhāgavatas), the offerings beginning with water for washing the feet and the arghya are to be given. Thus the rule of initiation has been declared; thus too is the procedure connected with the copper vessel (tāmra-samudbhava) set forth.

Verse 48

देवि तत्त्वेन कथितः किमन्यत् परिपृच्छसि ॥ भूमिरुवाच ॥ देवदेव कथं सन्ध्यां दीक्षितः कुरुते वद ॥

“Goddess, it has been explained in accordance with the principle (tattva). What else do you ask?” Earth said: “O God of gods, tell: how does an initiated person perform the sandhyā rite?”

Verse 49

केन मन्त्रेण वा भक्तस्तव कर्मपरायणः ॥ श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ शृणु माधवि तत्त्वेन सन्ध्यामन्त्रमनुत्तमम् ॥

“Or by which mantra does your devotee—devoted to the performance of rites—[do it]?” Śrī Varāha said: “Listen, O Mādhavī, in accordance with the principle (tattva), to the unsurpassed sandhyā-mantra.”

Verse 50

यथा वदन्ति वै सूर्यं सन्ध्यां पूर्वां परां तथा ॥ जलाञ्जलिं गृहीत्वा तु मम भक्त्या व्यवस्थितः ॥

As they speak of the Sun in relation to the earlier and the later sandhyā (twilights), so the practitioner, having taken a handful-offering of water, stands settled in devotion to me.

Verse 51

मुहूर्त्तं ध्यानमास्थाय इमं मन्त्रमुदीरयेत् ॥ सिक्थानि तत्र यावन्ति ताम्रप्रापणके धरे ॥

Having undertaken meditation for a muhūrta, one should utter this mantra. As many as the droplets or particles there are on the ground at the place of the copper water-vessel (tāmra-prāpaṇaka), so great is the result.

Verse 52

तावद्वर्षसहस्राणि मम लोके स मोदते ॥

For that many thousands of years, he rejoices in my world.

Verse 53

मन्त्रः — भवोद्भवमादिव्यक्तरूपमादित्यं सर्वे देवा ब्रह्मरुद्रेन्द्रास्त्वां च ॥ कृष्णे यथासीद्ध्यानयोगस्थितास्ते सन्ध्यासंस्था वासुदेवं नमन्ति ॥

Mantra: “You are the source of becoming, the primordial manifest form—the Sun. All the gods, together with Brahmā, Rudra, and Indra, and also you, are present. As they were established in meditative yoga in Kṛṣṇa, so those abiding in the sandhyā observance bow to Vāsudeva.”

Verse 54

वयं देवमादिमव्यक्तरूपं कृत्वा चात्मनि देव संस्थास्तथापि ॥ संसारार्थं कर्म तत्करणमेव सन्ध्यासंस्था वासुदेव नमो नमः ॥

“We, having established within ourselves the primordial God of unmanifest form, O God—yet, for the sake of life in saṃsāra, action is performed, and its instruments as well. Those established in the sandhyā observance salute: ‘O Vāsudeva, homage, homage.’”

Verse 55

गृहाणेमं च मे धूपं सर्वसंसारमोक्षणम् ॥ पुनरन्यत्प्रवक्ष्यामि यथा दीपं निवेदयेत् ॥

“Accept this incense offering of mine, proclaimed as a means of release from all saṃsāra. Further, I shall explain how one should present a lamp (dīpa).”

Verse 56

तानि ते कथयिष्यामि त्वया मे पूर्वपृच्छितम् ॥ सौवर्णं राजतं कांस्यं येषु दद्यात्प्रपाणकम् ॥

Those matters—previously asked by you—I shall tell you: gold, silver, and bronze, in which one should provide the prapāṇaka (a water-vessel or water-distribution setup).

Verse 57

चतुर्बाहुं च मां दृष्ट्वा मम कर्मपरायणः ॥ प्रणतः प्राञ्जलिः प्राह शिरो भूमौ निधाप्य सः ॥ तं च दृष्ट्वा मया प्रोक्तं प्रसन्नेनान्तरात्मना ॥

Having seen me with four arms, he—devoted to the performance of my rite—bowed down, folded his hands in añjali, and spoke, placing his head upon the ground. Seeing him thus, I spoke with an inwardly serene mind.

Verse 58

तावत्ताम्रस्थितो भूत्वा मम संस्थो भविष्यसि ॥ ततः प्रभृति ताम्रात्मा गुडाकेशो व्यवस्थितः ॥

“For that period, being established in copper (that is, associated with copper), you will remain in my observance. From that time onward, Guḍākeśa became firmly settled as one whose nature was ‘copper-like/connected with copper.’”

Verse 59

ताम्रपात्रेण वै भूमे प्रापणं यत्प्रदीयते ॥ सिक्थे सिक्थे फलं तस्य शृणुष्व गदतो मम ॥

“O Bhūmi, whatever offering is given by means of a copper vessel—listen as I declare its result: for each measure of beeswax, a corresponding fruit accrues.”

Verse 60

अनेनैव हि मन्त्रेण सन्ध्यां कुर्यात्तु दीक्षितः ॥

Indeed, by this very mantra the initiated person (dīkṣita) should perform the sandhyā rite.