History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.649

v6.c81.649

If he starts Durgāpūjā-utsava from the 6th tithi either conjoint with Jyeṣṭhā-nakṣatra or without it he should go in the morning near a *bilva* tree, should utter the saṅkalpa noted below,⁴¹² repeat Ṛg VII. 16. 11, establish a *ghaṭa*, should worship the *bilva* tree as Durgā. If he has already started the utsava on *pratipad*, then he should go near a bilva tree in the evening conjoint with Jyeṣṭhā or without it (and even if ṣaṣṭhī has expired before evening, then in the evening without ṣaṣṭhī) and rouse Devī with the mantra⁴¹³ 'for the destruction of Rāvaṇa and in order to favour Rāma, Brahmā, O goddess, in former times roused you at an unusual time; therefore, I also awaken you in the evening of the 6th tithi of Āśvina.' After thus awakening Devī he should invite the bilva tree with the words 'O bilva tree! born on the top of Śrīśaila and the abode of Lakṣmī, I have to take you; come, you are to be worshipped as Durgā.' Then he should, after taking each of the substances mentioned below and accompanying each with a mantra, place them on the bilva tree and make it an auspicious dwelling place for Durgā. The substances for making a holy⁴¹⁴ residence for Devī are; earth or clay, sandalwood paste, pebbles, coriander, dūrvā grass, flowers, fruits, curds, ghee, *svastika*, vermilion, conch-shell, collyrium, rocanā (yellow pigment), mustard seeds, gold, silver, copper, whisk, mirror, lamp, *praśastipātra* (a broad-plate). Then he should repair to the *pandal* erected for Durgā-pūjā, perform *ācamana*, should bind together with Aparājitā creeper twigs or leaves of nine plants⁴¹⁵ so as to form one bundle or sheaf, viz. plantain, pomegranate, coriander, turmeric, Arum Indicum, Arum colocacia, bilva, aśoka and jayantī. Each of these substances is accompanied by an appropriate separate mantra.