[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Polity, Pleasure & Law](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti) › [Law and Social-Religious Duty](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma) › [Propitiatory rites](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.santi) › [Śāntikamalākara](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.santi.santikamalakara) › [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.santi.santikamalakara~en-mt) › 2.3 # Shantikamalakara 2.3 English (machine translation) 2.3 - **Language:** English ### [2.3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.santi.santikamalakara~en-mt.2.3.1) Now, the propitiatory rite of the Graha-sacrifice: Here, because it is the model for all propitiatory rites, the Graha-sacrifice is spoken of. In the Skanda Purāṇa and Yājñavalkya: “One desiring prosperity, one desiring peace, or even one performing malevolent sorcery...” And that is fourfold: the simple rite, the Ayutahoma, the Lakṣahoma, and the Koṭihoma. The first is taught by Yājñavalkya and others; the \[latter\] three are taught in the Matsya Purāṇa: “The Graha-sacrifice is declared to be threefold, taught by Purāṇa and Śruti: the first is the Ayutahoma; after that, the Lakṣahoma; / and the third is the Koṭihoma, which grants the fruits of all desires.” That is twofold: occasional and optional. Its location is in the same work: “To the north-east of the planet, the wise man should have a pavilion constructed, or upon the grounds of a temple of Rudra, square and sloping to the north. / In accordance with the rules, one should make it ten cubits or eight cubits \[in size\]; four entrances are to be made to it by the discerning.” In the Mantramuktāvalī: “Square, with four entrances, eight cubits or ten, / or twenty-four cubits, are respectively inferior, middling, and superior; / or it may be twelve cubits, increasing by two cubits / up to twenty-eight, as stated by some wise men.” It is the same in the Agni Purāṇa as well. This pavilion, however, is for optional, occasional, and other rites, based on the Śāradātilaka: “Excluding the regular and occasional rites, for everything else there is a pavilion.” The manner of the fire pit and the pavilion should be known from the Pramodadīpikā composed by my father and from the Dānakamalākara composed by me. In the Skanda Purāṇa: “In the sacrifice to the nine planets, the fire pit is even, measuring one cubit. Square, one cubit deep, with a vulva-shaped spout and stepped rims. / The stepped rim has a width of four finger-breadths and is raised by the same amount. A fire pit deficient or excessive in measurement is traditionally held to cause many dangers.” The vulva-shaped spout is described in the Matsya Purāṇa: “The vulva-shaped spout should measure one span, and be six or seven finger-breadths wide; raised like a tortoise-shell in the middle, and one finger-breadth high at the sides; / everywhere above the stepped rim, resembling a leaf of the holy fig tree.” In the absence of a fire pit, a sacrificial mound \[is used\]... ### [2.3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.santi.santikamalakara~en-mt.2.3.2) Because it is stated in the Śāradātilaka: “One should perform regular and occasional fire oblations on a leveled mound of earth.” In the Skandapurāṇa: “Such should be the pit, or one should resort to a leveled mound of earth. And to its northeast \[shall be\] the sacrificial altar on the mound of earth: triangular or square, measuring a span in height. The first terrace is declared to be two digits high; and above it are two terraces each of one digit in height. The breadth thereof is stated by the wise to be two digits for all. In the sacrifice to the nine planets, four auspicious officiating priests are to be engaged; or else, having worshipped one \[priest\] in accordance with the injunction, together with the Brahman priest.” In the Madanaratna, from the Skandapurāṇa: “In the sacrifice to the nine planets, there shall be four brahmins versed in the Vedas; or, in a propitiatory rite, only two officiating priests prescribed by the Vedic scripture are to be engaged; but in an ayutahoma, one should not indulge in excessive elaboration.” When a sacrificial altar is not available, the sarvatobhadra \[diagram\] is to be made, because it is stated in the Śāradātilaka: “The sarvatobhadra diagram is considered common to all.” In the Matsyapurāṇa: “On an auspicious day declared by a brahmin, having performed the recitation by brahmins, and having brought forward the fire, one should invoke the gods upon the sacrificial altar. Having set up thirty-two deities, all facing the Sun, together with their presiding deities and counter-presiding deities.” Yājñavalkya describes the images: “The planets should be made, in order, of copper, crystal, red sandalwood, gold (for two), silver, iron, lead, and bronze; or they may be drawn on cloth or on diagrams with fragrant pigments in their respective colors.” In the Matsyapurāṇa: “Seated upon a lotus, holding a lotus in his hand, having the splendor of a lotus petal, with seven horses and seven reins, having two arms, the Sun should always be. White, wearing white garments, with ten horses, adorned with white ornaments, holding a mace in his hand, having two arms, bestowing boons, the Moon should be made. Wearing red garlands and garments, holding a spear, a trident, and a mace, having four arms, riding a ram, bestowing boons, should be the Son of the Earth. Wearing yellow garlands and garments, having the splendor of the karṇikāra flower, holding a sword, a shield, and a mace in his hands, mounted on a lion, bestowing boons, is Mercury.” ### [2.3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.santi.santikamalakara~en-mt.2.3.3) “Likewise, the preceptors of the gods and the demons should be yellow and white, four-armed, holding staffs, granting boons, with rosaries and water pots. Having the splendor of a sapphire, holding a trident, granting boons, riding a vulture, holding an arrow and a bow, the son of the Sun should always be made. Terrifying of face, holding a sword, a shield, and a trident, granting boons, and seated upon a blue lion—Rāhu is praised here in this manner. The Ketus are smoky, two-armed, all bearing maces, with deformed faces, and seated upon vultures. (All should always be one hundred and eight digits in height).” In the Skandapurāṇa: “Birthplace, lineage, sacred fire, caste, position, and facing directions—he who performs a propitiatory rite without knowing these is one by whom the planets are slighted. The Sun was born in Kaliṅga, and the Moon at the Yamunā; Mars in Avantī, and Mercury, son of the Moon, in Magadha. Jupiter was born in the land of Sindh, and Venus in Bhojakaṭa; Saturn in Saurāṣṭra, Rāhu in Vairāṭināpura, and Ketu in Antarvedī: such are the birthplaces of the planets. The Sun is of the Kāśyapa lineage, and the Moon is of the Ātreya; Mars is of the Bhāradvāja, and the Moon-born \[Mercury\] is also of the Ātreya. Jupiter is of the Āṅgirasa lineage, and Venus of the Bhārgava; Saturn is of the Kāśyapa, Rāhu of the Paiṭhīnasi, and the Ketus are of the Jaimini lineage. Next are the fires of the planets: The Sun's fire is named Kapila, the Moon's is called Piṅgala, Mars's is Dhūmraketu, and Mercury's is traditionally known as Jāṭharāgni. Jupiter's fire is Śikhin, Venus's is Hāṭaka, Saturn's is Mahātejas, and the fire of Rāhu and Ketu is Hutāśana. The Sun and Mars are red; Venus and the Moon are white; the Son of the Moon and Jupiter—both of them are remembered as yellow. One should know Saturn to be black, Rāhu dark, and the Ketus multicolored.” Gobhila, however, stated the castes: “Venus and Jupiter are brahmins; the Sun and Mars are kṣatriyas; the Moon and Mercury are to be known as vaiśyas; the remaining are designated as śūdras.” In the Skandapurāṇa: “In the center one should recognize the Sun, and the Moon in the southeast;” ### [2.3.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.santi.santikamalakara~en-mt.2.3.4) “In the south one should recognize Mars, and Mercury in the northeast; in the north one should know Jupiter, and Venus in the east; in the west one should know Saturn, Rāhu in the southwest, and the Ketus in the northwest. They are to be established with white rice grains, or else they should be made with colored powders, or made of metals such as gold. Venus and the Sun are to be known as facing east; Jupiter and Mercury facing north; Saturn and the Moon facing west; the remaining facing south. Those facing east have their gaze directed upward, those facing north have their gaze directed to the left, those facing west…” ### [2.3.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.santi.santikamalakara~en-mt.2.3.5) \[those facing west\] have downward gaze, and the others face the Sun: because of the statement in the Matsyapurāṇa. In the Hemādri it is said that there is an option \[on this\]. Having recited the vyāhṛtis and hailed them, one should invoke those endowed with color, form, and qualities. / The diagrams of the planets in the Skandapurāṇa: / But the Sun is in the shape of a circle, the Moon is square, Mars is triangular, and Mercury is in the shape of an arrow. One should know Jupiter to be square, and Venus five-cornered. One should know Saturn to be like a bow, and Rāhu in the shape of a winnowing basket. But the Ketus are banner-shaped; Gaṇeśa has his own form. / The meaning is that one should establish them on diagrams of their respective colors, on images of copper or the like, or on unbroken rice. In the Hemādri \[it is stated that\] there is an option between diagram and image. / Yājñavalkya states the mantras of the planets: / 'By the dark \[path\],' 'This \[soma\] the gods,' 'Agni is the head, the summit of heaven,' 'Awaken!': the verses are proclaimed in respective order. 'O Bṛhaspati, that which is exceedingly venerable,' 'From every limb,' 'May the goddess be auspicious for us,' 'From every knot,' 'Making \[him\] a ketu': these \[are recited\]. / But in the Skandapurāṇa it is said: 'By what \[aid\]' is Rāhu's \[mantra\]. In the Matsyapurāṇa others are stated: / 'Agni the messenger' for the Lord of Day; and for the Moon, 'O Agni, be favorable'; 'Be soft, O Earth' for Mars; and 'This Viṣṇu' for Mercury; 'Indra \[is the king\] of these' for Jupiter; and 'Bright light' for Venus; 'O Lord of creatures' for Saturn; 'This spotted bull' for Rāhu; for Ketu 'Knowing the ultimate reality': they are established with their respective mantras. Even for the mantras of other deities, their application is according to the principle 'just as the Aindrī verse applies \[to Indra\]' based on an element of the wording. These very ones are \[used\] in the homa too. / The presiding deities in the Skandapurāṇa: / One should place Śambhu to the north of the Sun, Umā to the south of the Moon, and Skanda to the south of Mars; Viṣṇu to the west of Mercury, Brahmā to the east of Jupiter; know Indra to the east of Venus, and Yama to the southeast of Saturn; Kāla, who inspires fear in all beings, to the northeast of Rāhu; and Citragupta in the southwestern direction of Ketu. ### [2.3.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.santi.santikamalakara~en-mt.2.3.6) One should install Īśvara with 'Tryambaka,' Pārvatī with 'Śrīś ca te,' Skanda with 'Yad akrandat,' Viṣṇu with 'Viṣṇor arāṭam,' Brahmā with 'Ā brahman,' Vāsava Indra with 'Sajoṣāḥ,' Yama with 'Yamāya tvā,' Kāla with 'Kārṣir asi,' and Citragupta with his own mantra, 'Citrāvaso.' / Agni, the Waters, the Earth, Viṣṇu, Indra, Indrāṇī, Prajāpati, the Serpents, and Brahmā are taught as the counter-presiding deities to be established. / 'Agni the messenger' is indeed for Agni; 'Ud uttamam' is for Varuṇa; 'Be soft, O Earth' is for the Earth; 'This Viṣṇu' is for Viṣṇu; 'For Indra, O Soma' is for Indra; in the mantra for Śacī it is 'Uttānaparṇe'; 'O Prajāpati' is for Prajāpati; or 'Eṣa brahmā' is for Brahmā; the mantra 'Reverence be to the Serpents' is taught for the establishing of the serpents. / Gobhila and Vasiṣṭha: / One should install the presiding deities between the planets and the deities. But in the Madanaratna-saṃgraha: / The presiding deities should be established on the right, and the counter-presiding deities on the left, with effort, individually with the vyāhṛtis. / In the Utpalaparimala: / One should install the presiding deities on the right side of the planet, and the counter-presiding deities on the left side of the planet. / Śaunaka: / With 'Kṣetrasya pati,' one should place the Field-Protector to the north of Mars; 'born of the earth' is Mars. / It is stated: The food-offering and flowers of the planets and the primeval deities, and their seat, gift, and installation, should be done in order, just like the planets. But in the Vāsiṣṭha it is stated otherwise: / One should place Rudra to the north of the Sun with the Tryambaka mantra; Menakā's daughter in the southeast direction of the Moon with 'Śrīś ca te'; one should worship Skanda to the south of Mars with 'Yad akrandat'; one should worship Viṣṇu to the east of Mercury with 'Viṣṇor arāṭam'; Brahmā should be established to the north of Jupiter with the mantra 'Brahma jajñānam'; one should arrange Śakra in the east with the mantra 'Sajoṣā indra'; Yama should be established to the west of Saturn with the verse 'Yamāya tvā'; Kāla similarly to the north of Rāhu with the mantra 'Kārṣir asi'; and Citragupta to the southwest of the Ketus with 'Citrāvaso.' ### [2.3.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.santi.santikamalakara~en-mt.2.3.7) One should install the presiding deities between the planets and the deities. / In the Matsyapurāṇa: / One should invoke Vināyaka, Durgā, Wind, and Space with the vyāhṛtis, and likewise the two Aśvins. / In the Madanaratna from the Skandapurāṇa: / Having installed Gaṇeśa, revered by all gods, to the north of Saturn and the Sun, and to the south of Jupiter and Ketu... / In the same text, from the Saṃgraha: / To the north of Rāhu, Saturn, and the Sun in order, \[one should place\] Gaṇeśa, Durgā, and Vāyu; and to the south of Rāhu and Ketu, the wise man should establish these five: Space and the two Aśvins. / Vasiṣṭha: / Vināyaka with 'Gaṇānāṃ tvā,' Durgā with 'Jātavedase,' Vāyu with 'Vāyo yāhi,' and the Sky with 'Ghṛtaṃ ghṛtapāve,' and having worshipped both of the Aśvins with 'Yāvāṃ diśaḥ'... / Gobhilīya: / Thirty-two deities are to be established, as well as the world-protectors and the elephants of the quarters. / Yājñavalkya: / Clothes and flowers are to be given according to \[the planet's\] color, and perfumes, bali offerings, incense, and bdellium. Boiled rice with jaggery, milk porridge, sacrificial cooked rice, rice with milk, curd-rice, sacrificial flour, meat, and spiced rice: the wise man should give these foods to Brahmins in the sequence of the planets, according to ability or as available, having consecrated them according to the rules. 'Havis' is rice boiled with ghee; 'cūrṇa' is rice mixed with sesame powder. / In the Skandapurāṇa: / One should indeed give red sandalwood to the Sun and Mars; to Venus, one should give white sandalwood; sandalwood combined with saffron to Jupiter and Mercury; one should give agallochum and sandalwood to Rāhu, Ketu, and Saturn. Flowers of the colors of the planets; one should perform the offering of incense with the Gāyatrī: olibanum incense for the Sun, ghee and unbroken rice for the Moon; and sal tree resin is prescribed for Mars, and agallochum for Mercury; one should give storax to Jupiter; for the Moon, milk porridge with ghee; for Mars, pure sacrificial food... ### [2.3.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.santi.santikamalakara~en-mt.2.3.8) For Budha, \[cooked\] sixty-day rice with milk; for Guru, one should give curd-rice; and for Śukra, ghee-rice. / The food offering for Śanaiścara, however, is mixed with sesame and black gram; / for Rāhu, black gram-rice; and for Ketu, one should give variegated rice. / In the Matsyapurāṇa, however: / "And for Kuja, one should give lentils"—so it is said. / Having made the offering of food, one should unweariedly perform the homa with oblations. / Any special detail here should be learned from the Dānakamalākara composed by me. / In the Matsyapurāṇa: / "Here the fragrance of incense should be sweet, and a canopy above. / For the presiding deities, \[an unguent\] with the fragrance of blue lotuses; and for all the world guardians, sandalwood unguent. / One should give lotus flowers and bdellium incense, / a lamp with cow's ghee, and an offering of ghee-rice." / In the Matsyapurāṇa: / "To the northeast of that, adorned with curd and unbroken rice grains, / endowed with mango sprouts, and accompanied by a fruit and a pair of cloths, ## Linked texts (1) - [Śāntikamalākara](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.santi.santikamalakara.2.3.1) — Kamalākarabhaṭṭa 1587, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.santi.santikamalakara~en-mt.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.santi.santikamalakara~en-mt.2.3) · Pramāṇa