365bet娱乐

In Patala 32 of Mantrapada, there is a rather exhaustive explanation of the rites and rituals pertaining to Shasta, one of the most popular deities of worship in Kerala, also known as Bhutanatha. The Mulamantra and Chandas, too, are prescribed. 245 Sasta is to be offered worship with Arghyadis. The Patala also deals with the modes of worship and the Balitarpanas of related Devatas like, Dvastas, Pithadevatas, Angadevatas, Avaranamurtis, Parivaradevatas and the like. 246 The Devatas in Sadanganyasa are listed thus: Revanta, Sastra, Goptra, Prabhava, Diptra and Prasastra. The Mantras pertaining to most Devatas are presented in Isanasivagurudeva-paddhati in coded form, an example of which is given below. The Gayatrimantra for Shasta is kept concealed in coded language in Sloka 4 and 5 of the same Patala. 398

Coded Mantra Decoded version bhutasenaya vidmahe bhavaputraya dhimahi tanno sastra pracodayat | 1247 (to be chanted along with Pranavamantra). The Purascarana of Shasta is performed at the rate of 1,00,000 Japas and 10,000 each Homas with Tila and Ghrta. When Siddhi is attained it will bring prosperity and plenty. The Dhyanasloka of Shasta is given thus caturbhujam saumyavaktram syamalam komalakrtim | vamorupadenasinam lambetarapadambujam || saracapau tatha khadgam ksurikam dadhatam bhujaih | purnenduvadanam carunilakuncitakuntalam || hariharabhiramangamabaddhodarabandhanam | kiritacarukeyurakatakangulivestanaih | | tathaiva katisutrena nupurabhyam ca bibhratam | nilakausebavasanamabaddhakaravalakam || raktakalpam supinamsam sarvasaundaryaketanam | vamato syi prabham devim raktamutpaladharinim || astavarsakrtim capi satyakam daksine sutam | 248 The Bali-puja-tarpanas as prescribed for here are said to guarantee boons, protection, prosperity and wealth without measure or limit to the people. The style and nature of worship of Sasta is strictly in line with 'Saivite rites. 399

Sasta - Pratisthavidhi The Pratisthavidhi of Shasta is described in the Kriyapada of Isanasivagurudeva-paddhati The Mulamantra is kept in secret code. 249 The Pratistha is conceived as having His consort Prabhadevi on His left and son Satyaka on His right. Besides, the attendant deities like Astamurtis and other Devatas are conceived in the Pitha and around it, and Nyasa is prescribed for them.250 A Gayatrimantra of Bhutanatha in coded form is also given. 251 It is ordained that the idol of Sasta is to be installed in Kanisthadasatala and of Prabhadevi in Navatala and of Satyaka in Astatala measurements. The Vigrahalaksana is also dealt with in detail in this section. 252 The Pratistha proper and associated Samskarakriyas are mandated to be consecrated. Dvastas and other attendant Devatas are typical to each Devata, while Digpalakas and Saptamatrs are common to all Devatas. Homa is performed in Navakundas. All Pratisthakriyas ranging from Bimbasuddhi, Adhivasapujas, associated Homas and Kalasas, etc., in accordance with Vidhis are mandatory. Coneciving the Pithas as Kriyasakti, Bimba as Jnanasakti, on an auspicious Lagna, Pratistha, Pratisthakalasa and Pranapratistha need to be performed. 253 Puja with Sadadhvanyasa follows. The Padmavidhis, special Homas for the subsequent days, Parivarapratistha, Nirmalyadhari pratistha (Ghosavandan), 81Kalasavidhis, Daksinavidhis, Ratribali and Nityapujakalpana are also 400

described in detail, the successful completion of which grants Istayistaphalas. Nityotsavavidhi - Shasta Bali with Havis is mandatory for Dvarapalakas, KsurikaKhadgadharis, Lokesas, Vahana, Sastrparsadas and other Bhutaganas.² 254 Mahotsavabali is also of similar nature to Balividhis, the exceptions being the Puja of Vahana (Vaji)pictured on the flag; Lokesabali along with the invocation of Sastrbhutaganas, Balitarpana at the third Prakara; Balis with their own Mantras for 28 Murtis, Ganadhyaksas of Shasta and all other Devatas in their respective places. 255 The Yajamana and those associated with him will be blessed with all kinds of greatness and glory on completion of the Mahotsava as mandated. It is on the authority of the Tantric work 'Devotbhava' that the author describes the above Vidhis.