Brihadyatra 15: adhyāyaḥ 15

Chapter 15: The Ritual of the Guhyakas

Prior to seven days before the military expedition, there is the assistance of the Guhyakas for three days beforehand;

then the bath of victory for three days, and a domestic sacrifice on the seventh day.

With cooked and raw meat, curd, fruits, flowers, spirituous liquor, rice cooked in milk, protective amulets,

radish foods, fragrances, and incenses headed by bdellium,

accompanied by the royal astrologer, ministers, royal chaplain, trustworthy men, and armed attendants,

having clothed his body with unused garments and upper cloth, he should go to a crossroads in the city.

At midnight, when a benefic planet rises, or when [the ascendant is] retrograde or in its division,

the royal chaplain should present the oblation in all ten quarters in order.

There the royal chaplain, with joined hands, should repeat the Rudrasāvitrī;

he should then recite the Kūṣmāṇḍa, Mahārauhiṇa, and Kuberahṛdaya [texts]:

"You who dwell at gateways, triads of roads, crossroads, mountains, cities, and pleasure groves;

who dwell on great roads, riverbanks, caves, and hollows;

having manifold forms, of great essence, noble, of great vows;

first ones, accept this offering; reverence be unto you!

This king, having good sons, ministers, servants, and together with his wives,

is to be protected; and strive with concentrated minds for his welfare."

Having said this, he should then cause the water offering to be given to the Pramathas.

On that bare ground prepared with the Sāvitrī, the charioteer should present the oblation:

"To the hosts of Yama, Indra, Varuṇa, the lord of wealth, Viṣṇu, Fire, and the Bearer of the Trident;

and likewise of the Yakṣas, Rakṣases, Piśācas, and Asuras,

whatever spirits there may be, reverence be to them; and may they follow,

girded with their weapons, masters destroying the enemy's army!

Accompanied by their armies, adorned with diverse garlands and ornaments, furious with rut, let them follow behind—

having diverse clothes, matted hair, crowns, fearsome, pot-bellied, hunchbacked, and dwarfish!

'When my military expedition is concluded, after conquering the enemies by your grace,

I will perform for you an even better, supreme oblation, with abundant wealth, arranged according to rule.'

Those who, when not worshipped, destroy the king along with his mounts or consume his army,

when well worshipped, bring about success and torment the host of enemies in battle.

Remaining restrained for merely the sixtieth part of a moment, the ruler of men should dismiss the Pramathas.

Having been announced of auspiciousness by the astrologer and royal chaplain, he should set forth.