Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Bengal, from Sanskrit and Bengali Sources c10.s1.49

c10.s1.49

The auspicious pitcher (Maṅgala-ghaṭa), properly filled with water and accompanied by a piece of stone, camphor and fruits, is to be placed before the deity. Directions are also given for placing and sandal, flower, rice, Kuśa grass, honey, milk, water etc. in the different utensils for the offering of Arghya, Pādya, Ācamanīya and Madhuparka. Each of these utensils should be protected by muttering the Mūla-mantra eight times and performing the Cakra-mudrā on them. Afer reciting the Maṅgala-śānti Mantra and the Astra-mantra (ustrāya phaṭ) for averting evils and accidents, clapping the palms of one's hands thrice and doing obeisance to the Guru and the different gods and other preliminary ceremonies, the devotee should perform the Bhūta-śuddhi (purification of the five elements) in the Tāntric manner, practise control of breath (Prāṇāyāma) and engage himself in the contemplation of Kṛṣṇa. Next comes the repetition of the Mūla-mantra : but unaccompanied by the Nyāsas, the repetition is fruitless. The process of performing such Nyāsas as Mātṛkā-nyāsa, Keśavādi-nyāsa, Tattva-nyāsa, Pīṭha-nyāsa, Aṅga-nyāsa, Akṣara-nyāsa, Pāda-nyāsa and Ṛṣyādi-nyāsa, as well as the description of the forms, Śaktis and Dhyānas, are then given in some detail. For instance, in the Mātṛkā-nyāsa all letters of the alphabet from a to kṣ are to be placed on the petals of the six lotuses in one's body, as well as on the different limbs. In the Keśavādi-nyāsa, the letters are to be placed with the fifty-one forms of Kṛṣṇa and his Śaktis. Regarding the use of the different parts of the body in the different Nyāsas, Gopāla Bhaṭṭa does not find any objection in placing them on such forbidden parts as the feet or anus, because they all get sanctified by the process of Bhūta-śuddhi. Then the devotee proceeds to perform the five kinds of Mudrā dear to the Lord (namely, Veṇu, Vanamālā, Śrīvatsa, Kaustubha and Bilva) and meditate on Kṛṣṇa with the Mudrā, called Karakacchapikā, by placing the hand with palm upward on his lap. This meditation or mental worship (Antar-yāga or Mānasa-Pūjā) consists of various operations : and the various articles of worship, which are employed in the external worship, may also be utilised in the internal.