The Installation of Shiva's Sacred Cord

Verse 1 (garuda.1.42.1)

।। हरिरुवाच ।। पवित्रारोपणं वक्ष्ये शिवस्याशिवनाशनम् ।। आचार्य्यः साधकः कुर्य्यात्पुत्रकः समयो हर

.. hariruvāca .. pavitrāropaṇaṁ vakṣye śivasyāśivanāśanam .. ācāryyaḥ sādhakaḥ kuryyātputrakaḥ samayo hara

Hari said: I shall now describe the pavitraropana — the tying-on of the sacred cord — which destroys whatever is inauspicious in the worship of Shiva. The acharya, the sadhaka, the putraka, or the samayin (the four grades of Shaiva initiate) may perform it, O Hara.

Verse 2 (garuda.1.42.2)

संवत्सरकृतां पूजां विघ्नेशो हरतेऽन्यथा ।। आषाढे श्रावणे माघे कुर्य्याद्भाद्रपदेऽपि वा

saṁvatsarakṛtāṁ pūjāṁ vighneśo harate'nyathā .. āṣāḍhe śrāvaṇe māghe kuryyādbhādrapade'pi vā

Otherwise, Vighnesha (the Lord of obstacles) takes away the merit of an entire year's worship. This rite should be performed in the months of Ashadha, Shravana, Magha, or else Bhadrapada.

Verse 3 (garuda.1.42.3)

सौवर्णरौप्यताम्रं च सूत्रं कार्पासिकं क्रमात् ।। ज्ञेयं कुजादौ संग्राह्यं कन्यया कर्त्तितं च यत्

sauvarṇaraupyatāmraṁ ca sūtraṁ kārpāsikaṁ kramāt .. jñeyaṁ kujādau saṁgrāhyaṁ kanyayā karttitaṁ ca yat

The cord should be known, in order, as of gold, silver, or copper — or else of cotton; it should be gathered beginning on a Tuesday (Kuja's day), and should be one spun by a maiden.

Verse 4 (garuda.1.42.4)

त्रिगुणं त्रिगुणीकृत्य ततः कुर्य्यात्पवित्रकम् ।। ग्रन्थयो वामदेवेन सत्येन क्षालयेच्छिव

triguṇaṁ triguṇīkṛtya tataḥ kuryyātpavitrakam .. granthayo vāmadevena satyena kṣālayecchiva

Having tripled it and then tripled it again, one should make the pavitraka. Its knots are tied with the Vamadeva mantra, and, O Shiva, it is washed clean with the Satya (Sadyojata) mantra.

Verse 5 (garuda.1.42.5)

अघोरेण तु संशोध्य बद्धस्तत्पुरुषाद्भवेत् ।। धूपयेदीशमन्त्रेण तन्तुदेवा इति (मे) स्मृताः

aghoreṇa tu saṁśodhya baddhastatpuruṣādbhavet .. dhūpayedīśamantreṇa tantudevā iti (me) smṛtāḥ

Having purified it with the Aghora mantra, it should then be bound following the Tatpurusha mantra; it is fumigated with the Ishana mantra — thus are the presiding deities of the threads remembered by tradition.

Verse 6 (garuda.1.42.6)

ॐ कारश्चन्द्रमा वह्निर्ब्रह्मा नागः शिखिध्वजः ।। रविर्विष्णुः शिवः प्रोक्तः क्रमात्तन्तुषु देवताः

oṁ kāraścandramā vahnirbrahmā nāgaḥ śikhidhvajaḥ .. ravirviṣṇuḥ śivaḥ proktaḥ kramāttantuṣu devatāḥ

The syllable Om, the Moon, Fire, Brahma, the Serpent (Ananta), the peacock-bannered one (Kartikeya), the Sun, Vishnu, and Shiva — these, in order, are declared to be the deities presiding over the strands of the thread.

Verse 7 (garuda.1.42.7)

अष्टोत्तरशतं कुर्य्यात्पञ्चाशत्पञ्चविंशतिम् ।। रुद्रोऽत्तमादि विज्ञेयं मानं च ग्रन्थयो दश

aṣṭottaraśataṁ kuryyātpañcāśatpañcaviṁśatim .. rudro'ttamādi vijñeyaṁ mānaṁ ca granthayo daśa

One should make it with a hundred and eight, or fifty, or twenty-five knots; the count may also begin at eleven, the number of the Rudras, and rise upward, and the measure of knots may likewise be ten.

Verse 8 (garuda.1.42.8)

चतुरङ्गुलान्तराः स्युर्ग्रन्थिनामानि च क्रमात् ।। प्रकृतिः पौरुषी वीरा चतुर्थी चापराजिता

caturaṅgulāntarāḥ syurgranthināmāni ca kramāt .. prakṛtiḥ pauruṣī vīrā caturthī cāparājitā

The knots should be spaced four finger-widths apart, and the names of the knots, in order, are: Prakriti, Paurushi, Vira, and the fourth, Aparajita.

Verse 9 (garuda.1.42.9)

जया च विजया रुद्रा अजिता च सदाशिवा ।। मनोन्मनी सर्वमुखी द्व्यङ्गुलाङ्गुलतोऽथवा

jayā ca vijayā rudrā ajitā ca sadāśivā .. manonmanī sarvamukhī dvyaṅgulāṅgulato'thavā

Jaya and Vijaya, Rudra, Ajita, and Sadashiva, Manonmani, Sarvamukhi — or else, by an alternative measure, at every two finger-widths.

Verse 10 (garuda.1.42.10)

रञ्जयेत्कुंकुमाद्यैस्तु कुर्य्याद्गन्धैः पवित्रकम् ।। सप्तम्यां वा त्रयोदश्यां शुक्लपक्षे तथेतरे

rañjayetkuṁkumādyaistu kuryyādgandhaiḥ pavitrakam .. saptamyāṁ vā trayodaśyāṁ śuklapakṣe tathetare

Having dyed it with kumkum and the like, one should make the pavitraka fragrant with perfumes. This should be done on the seventh or thirteenth day of the bright fortnight, or else in the other fortnight.

Verse 11 (garuda.1.42.11)

क्षीरादिभिश्च संस्थाप्य लिङ्गं गन्धादिभिर्यजेत् ।। दद्याद्गन्धपवित्रं तु आत्मने ब्रह्मणे हर

kṣīrādibhiśca saṁsthāpya liṅgaṁ gandhādibhiryajet .. dadyādgandhapavitraṁ tu ātmane brahmaṇe hara

Having established the linga with milk and the like, one should worship it with sandal-paste and other fragrant substances. O Hara, the fragrant pavitra should then be offered both to oneself and to Brahma.

Verse 12 (garuda.1.42.12)

पुष्पं गन्धयुतं दद्यान्मूलेनेशानगोचरे ।। पूर्वे च दण्डकाष्ठं तु उत्तरे चामलकीफलम्

puṣpaṁ gandhayutaṁ dadyānmūleneśānagocare .. pūrve ca daṇḍakāṣṭhaṁ tu uttare cāmalakīphalam

With the root mantra, a fragrant flower should be offered in the direction of Ishana (northeast). In the east, a rod of wood should be offered, and in the north, the fruit of the amalaki (Indian gooseberry).

Verse 13 (garuda.1.42.13)

मृत्तिकां पश्चिमे दद्याद्दक्षिणे भस्म भूतयः ।। नैर्ऋते ह्यगुरुं दद्याच्छिखामन्त्रेण मन्त्रवित्

mṛttikāṁ paścime dadyāddakṣiṇe bhasma bhūtayaḥ .. nairṛte hyaguruṁ dadyācchikhāmantreṇa mantravit

In the west, clay should be offered, and in the south, sacred ash — these bestow prosperity. In the southwest, the knower of mantras should offer aguru (fragrant resin) with the shikha (crest) mantra.

Verse 14 (garuda.1.42.14)

वायव्यां सर्षपं दद्यात्कवचेन वृषध्वज ।। गृहं संवेष्ट्य सूत्रेण दद्यागन्धपवित्रकम्

vāyavyāṁ sarṣapaṁ dadyātkavacena vṛṣadhvaja .. gṛhaṁ saṁveṣṭya sūtreṇa dadyāgandhapavitrakam

O bull-bannered one, in the northwest, mustard seed should be offered with the kavacha (armor) mantra. Having encircled the shrine with the thread, the fragrant pavitraka should be offered.

Verse 15 (garuda.1.42.15)

होमं कृत्वाग्नये दत्त्वा दद्याद्भूतबलिं तथा ।। आमन्त्रितोऽसि देवेश गणैः सार्द्धं महेश्वर

homaṁ kṛtvāgnaye dattvā dadyādbhūtabaliṁ tathā .. āmantrito'si deveśa gaṇaiḥ sārddhaṁ maheśvara

Having performed the fire-oblation to Agni, one should also give the offering to the attendant beings, saying: 'You are invited, O Lord of the gods, O Maheshvara, together with your ganas.'

Verse 16 (garuda.1.42.16)

प्रातस्त्वां पूजयिष्यामि अत्र सन्निहितो भव ।। निमन्त्र्यानेन तिष्ठेत्तु कुर्वन् गीतादिकं निशि

prātastvāṁ pūjayiṣyāmi atra sannihito bhava .. nimantryānena tiṣṭhettu kurvan gītādikaṁ niśi

'Tomorrow morning I shall worship you; until then, remain present here.' Having thus invited the deity, one should remain through the night, singing and the like.

Verse 17 (garuda.1.42.17)

मन्त्रितानि पवित्राणि स्थापयेद्देवपार्श्वतः ।। स्नात्वादित्यं चतुर्दश्यां प्राग्रुद्रं च प्रपूजयेत्

mantritāni pavitrāṇi sthāpayeddevapārśvataḥ .. snātvādityaṁ caturdaśyāṁ prāgrudraṁ ca prapūjayet

The pavitras, consecrated with mantras, should be placed beside the deity. Having bathed at sunrise on the fourteenth day, one should first worship Rudra.

Verse 18 (garuda.1.42.18)

ललाटस्थं विश्वरूपं ध्यात्वात्मानं प्रपूजयेत् ।। अस्त्रेण प्रोक्षितान्येवं हृदयेनार्चितान्यथ

lalāṭasthaṁ viśvarūpaṁ dhyātvātmānaṁ prapūjayet .. astreṇa prokṣitānyevaṁ hṛdayenārcitānyatha

Having meditated upon the universal form seated on one's forehead, one should worship one's own self. Thus, having been sprinkled with the astra (weapon) mantra and worshipped with the hridaya (heart) mantra,

Verse 19 (garuda.1.42.19)

संहितामन्त्रितान्येव धूपितानि समर्पयेत् ।। शिवतत्त्वात्मकं चादौ विद्यातत्त्वात्मकं ततः

saṁhitāmantritānyeva dhūpitāni samarpayet .. śivatattvātmakaṁ cādau vidyātattvātmakaṁ tataḥ

and consecrated with the Samhita mantra and fumigated with incense, they should be offered. First as embodying the Shiva-tattva, then as embodying the Vidya-tattva,

Verse 20 (garuda.1.42.20)

आत्मतत्त्वात्मकं पश्चाद्देवकाख्यं ततोऽर्चयेत् ।। ॐ हौं हौं शिवतत्त्वाय नमः ।। ॐ हीं(हीः) विद्यातत्त्वाय नमः

ātmatattvātmakaṁ paścāddevakākhyaṁ tato'rcayet .. oṁ hauṁ hauṁ śivatattvāya namaḥ .. oṁ hīṁ(hīḥ) vidyātattvāya namaḥ

and then as embodying the Atma-tattva — after that, one should worship what is called the Deva-tattva. Om haum haum, salutation to the Shiva-tattva. Om hrim (hrih), salutation to the Vidya-tattva.

Verse 21 (garuda.1.42.21)

ॐ हां (हौः) आत्मतत्त्वाय नमः ।। ॐ हां हीं हूं क्षौं सर्वतत्त्वाय नमः ।। कालात्मना त्वया देव यदॄष्टं मामके विधौ

oṁ hāṁ (hauḥ) ātmatattvāya namaḥ .. oṁ hāṁ hīṁ hūṁ kṣauṁ sarvatattvāya namaḥ .. kālātmanā tvayā deva yadṝṣṭaṁ māmake vidhau

Om ham (hauh), salutation to the Atma-tattva. Om ham hrim hum kshaum, salutation to the All-tattva. O God, whatever You, in the form of Time, have seen in this rite of mine —

Verse 22 (garuda.1.42.22)

कृतं क्लिष्टं समुत्सृष्टं हुतं गुप्तं च यत्कृतम् ।। सर्वात्मनात्मना शम्भो पवित्रेण त्वदिच्छया

kṛtaṁ kliṣṭaṁ samutsṛṣṭaṁ hutaṁ guptaṁ ca yatkṛtam .. sarvātmanātmanā śambho pavitreṇa tvadicchayā

whatever has been done imperfectly, or left undone, or offered in the fire, or done in secret — O Shambhu, may You, the Self of all, by Your own will, through this sacred cord,

Verse 23 (garuda.1.42.23)

पूरयपूरय मखव्रतं तन्नियमेश्वराय सर्वतत्त्वात्मकाय सर्वकारणपालिताय ॐ हां हीं हूं हैं हौं शिवाय नमः

pūrayapūraya makhavrataṁ tanniyameśvarāya sarvatattvātmakāya sarvakāraṇapālitāya oṁ hāṁ hīṁ hūṁ haiṁ hauṁ śivāya namaḥ

fulfil, fulfil this sacrificial observance — for that Lord of the vow, who embodies all principles and is sustained by every cause. Om ham hrim hum haim haum, salutation to Shiva.

Verse 24 (garuda.1.42.24)

पूर्वैरनेन यो दद्यात्पवित्राणां चतुष्टयम् ।। दत्त्वा वह्नेः (वरे) पवित्रं च गुरवे दक्षिणां दिशेत्

pūrvairanena yo dadyātpavitrāṇāṁ catuṣṭayam .. dattvā vahneḥ (vare) pavitraṁ ca gurave dakṣiṇāṁ diśet

Whoever, by this method, offers the set of four pavitras with the preceding mantras — having given the finest pavitra to Agni, should also give a fee to the guru according to the direction.

Verse 25 (garuda.1.42.25)

बलिं दत्त्वा द्विजान् भोज्य चण्डं प्राच्यै विसर्जयेत्

baliṁ dattvā dvijān bhojya caṇḍaṁ prācyai visarjayet

Having given the offering and fed the brahmins, one should send off Chanda, the fierce attendant, toward the eastern direction.