The Installation of Vishnu's Sacred Cord

Verse 1 (garuda.1.43.1)

।।हरिरुवाच ।। पवित्रारोपणं वक्ष्ये भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं हरेः ।। पुरा देवासुरे युद्धे ब्रह्माद्याः शरणं ययुः

..hariruvāca .. pavitrāropaṇaṁ vakṣye bhuktimuktipradaṁ hareḥ .. purā devāsure yuddhe brahmādyāḥ śaraṇaṁ yayuḥ

Hari said: I shall now describe the pavitraropana of Hari, which bestows both worldly enjoyment and liberation. Formerly, in the war between gods and demons, Brahma and the other gods came for refuge to him.

Verse 2 (garuda.1.43.2)

विष्णुश्च तेषां देवानां ध्वजं ग्रैवेयकं ददौ ।। एतौ दृष्ट्वा विनङ्क्ष्यन्ति दानवानब्रवीद्धरिः

viṣṇuśca teṣāṁ devānāṁ dhvajaṁ graiveyakaṁ dadau .. etau dṛṣṭvā vinaṅkṣyanti dānavānabravīddhariḥ

And Vishnu gave to those gods a banner and a graiveyaka (a neck-ornament). 'Upon seeing these two, the enemy will be destroyed' — thus Hari declared.

Verse 3 (garuda.1.43.3)

विष्णूक्ते ह्यब्रवीन्नागो वासुकेरनुजस्तदा ।। वृणीत च पवित्राख्यं वरं चेदं वृषध्वज

viṣṇūkte hyabravīnnāgo vāsukeranujastadā .. vṛṇīta ca pavitrākhyaṁ varaṁ cedaṁ vṛṣadhvaja

When Vishnu had spoken thus, the serpent-lord, younger brother of Vasuki, said: 'O bull-bannered one, grant me this boon called the Pavitra.'

Verse 4 (garuda.1.43.4)

ग्रैवेयं हरिदत्तं तु मन्नाम्ना ख्यातिमेष्यति ।। इत्युक्ते तेन ते देवास्तन्नाम्ना तद्वरं विदुः

graiveyaṁ haridattaṁ tu mannāmnā khyātimeṣyati .. ityukte tena te devāstannāmnā tadvaraṁ viduḥ

'May this graiveyaka given by Hari become renowned by my own name.' When he had spoken thus, the gods came to know that boon by that serpent's name.

Verse 5 (garuda.1.43.5)

प्रावृट्काले तु ये मर्त्त्या नार्चिष्यन्ति पवित्रकैः ।। तेषां सांवत्सरी पूजा विफला च भविष्यति

prāvṛṭkāle tu ye marttyā nārciṣyanti pavitrakaiḥ .. teṣāṁ sāṁvatsarī pūjā viphalā ca bhaviṣyati

Those mortals who, in the season of the rains, do not worship with the sacred pavitra-cords — their entire year's worship will become fruitless.

Verse 6 (garuda.1.43.6)

तस्मात्सर्वेषु देवेषु पवित्रारोपणं क्रमात् ।। प्रतिपत्पौर्णमास्यान्ता यस्य या तिथिरुच्यते

tasmātsarveṣu deveṣu pavitrāropaṇaṁ kramāt .. pratipatpaurṇamāsyāntā yasya yā tithirucyate

Therefore the pavitraropana should be performed for all the gods in due order, from the first day to the full moon — according to whichever lunar day is prescribed for each deity.

Verse 7 (garuda.1.43.7)

द्वादश्यां विष्णवे कार्य्यं शुक्ले कृष्णेऽथ वा हर ।। व्यतीपातेऽयने चैव चन्द्रसूर्य्यग्रहे शिव

dvādaśyāṁ viṣṇave kāryyaṁ śukle kṛṣṇe'tha vā hara .. vyatīpāte'yane caiva candrasūryyagrahe śiva

O Hara, for Vishnu this should be done on the twelfth lunar day, whether in the bright or the dark fortnight; and, O Shiva, also at the Vyatipata conjunction, at the solstice, and at a lunar or solar eclipse.

Verse 8 (garuda.1.43.8)

विष्णवे वृद्धिकार्य्ये च गुरोरागमने तथा ।। नित्यं पवित्रमुद्दिष्टं प्रावृट्काले त्ववश्यकम्

viṣṇave vṛddhikāryye ca gurorāgamane tathā .. nityaṁ pavitramuddiṣṭaṁ prāvṛṭkāle tvavaśyakam

At the time of Vishnu's rite of augmentation, and also on the arrival of one's guru, the pavitra is regularly enjoined; but in the rainy season it becomes absolutely obligatory.

Verse 9 (garuda.1.43.9)

कौशेयं पट्टसूत्रं वा कार्पासं क्षौममेव वा ।। कुशसूत्र द्विजानां स्याद्राज्ञा कौशेयपट्टकम्

kauśeyaṁ paṭṭasūtraṁ vā kārpāsaṁ kṣaumameva vā .. kuśasūtra dvijānāṁ syādrājñā kauśeyapaṭṭakam

Silk, a woven silk thread, cotton, or linen — any of these may serve. For brahmins it should be a cord of kusha grass, for kings a woven silk cord.

Verse 10 (garuda.1.43.10)

वैश्यानां चीरणं क्षौमं शूद्राणां शणवल्कजम् ।। कार्पासं पद्मजं चैव सर्वेषां शस्तमीश्वर

vaiśyānāṁ cīraṇaṁ kṣaumaṁ śūdrāṇāṁ śaṇavalkajam .. kārpāsaṁ padmajaṁ caiva sarveṣāṁ śastamīśvara

For vaishyas, chiraṇa fiber or linen; for shudras, hemp or bark-fiber. O Lord, cotton and lotus-fiber alike are praised as suitable for everyone.

Verse 11 (garuda.1.43.11)

ब्राह्मण्या कर्त्तितं सूत्रं त्रिगुणं त्रिगुणीकृतम् ।। ॐ कारोऽथ शिवः सोमो ह्यग्निर्ब्रह्या फणी रविः

brāhmaṇyā karttitaṁ sūtraṁ triguṇaṁ triguṇīkṛtam .. oṁ kāro'tha śivaḥ somo hyagnirbrahyā phaṇī raviḥ

The thread spun by a brahmin woman should be tripled and then tripled again. Om-kara, then Shiva, the Moon, Agni, Brahma, the Serpent, and the Sun —

Verse 12 (garuda.1.43.12)

विघ्नेशो विष्णुरित्येते स्थितास्तन्तुषु देवताः ।। ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च त्रिसूत्रे देवताः स्मृताः

vighneśo viṣṇurityete sthitāstantuṣu devatāḥ .. brahmā viṣṇuśca rudraśca trisūtre devatāḥ smṛtāḥ

Vighnesha (Ganesha) and Vishnu — these are the deities held to reside in the strands. In the three-stranded cord, Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra are the deities remembered.

Verse 13 (garuda.1.43.13)

सौवर्णे राजते ताम्रे वैणवे मृन्मये न्यसेत् ।। अङ्गुष्ठेन चतुः षष्टिः श्रेष्ठं मध्यं तदर्द्धतः

sauvarṇe rājate tāmre vaiṇave mṛnmaye nyaset .. aṅguṣṭhena catuḥ ṣaṣṭiḥ śreṣṭhaṁ madhyaṁ tadarddhataḥ

It should be set in gold, silver, copper, cane, or clay. Sixty-four thumb-widths is the finest measure; the middling grade is half of that.

Verse 14 (garuda.1.43.14)

तदर्द्धा तु कनिष्ठा स्यात्सूत्रमष्टोत्तरं शतम् ।। उत्तमं मध्यमं चैव कन्यसं पूर्ववत्क्रमात्

tadarddhā tu kaniṣṭhā syātsūtramaṣṭottaraṁ śatam .. uttamaṁ madhyamaṁ caiva kanyasaṁ pūrvavatkramāt

And the smallest is again half of that; a cord of a hundred and eight units also occurs. The best, middling, and least grades follow the order already stated.

Verse 15 (garuda.1.43.15)

उत्तमोंऽगुष्ठमानेन मध्यमो मध्यमेन तु ।। कन्यसे च कनिष्ठेन अङ्गुल्या ग्रन्थयः स्मृताः

uttamoṁ'guṣṭhamānena madhyamo madhyamena tu .. kanyase ca kaniṣṭhena aṅgulyā granthayaḥ smṛtāḥ

The finest grade is measured by the thumb's breadth, the middling by the middle finger's, and the least by the little finger's — the knots are reckoned by one's own corresponding finger-width.

Verse 16 (garuda.1.43.16)

विमाने स्थण्डिले चैव एतत्सामान्यलक्षणम् ।। शिवोद्धृतं पवित्रं तु प्रतिमायां च कारयेत्

vimāne sthaṇḍile caiva etatsāmānyalakṣaṇam .. śivoddhṛtaṁ pavitraṁ tu pratimāyāṁ ca kārayet

Whether on a portable shrine or a ground altar — this is the general rule. The pavitra prescribed for Shiva should likewise be made for the image of Vishnu.

Verse 17 (garuda.1.43.17)

हृन्नाभिरू(रु) रुमाने च जानुभ्यामवलम्बिनी ।। अष्टोत्तरसहस्त्रेण चत्वारो ग्रन्थयः स्मृताः

hṛnnābhirū(ru) rumāne ca jānubhyāmavalambinī .. aṣṭottarasahastreṇa catvāro granthayaḥ smṛtāḥ

The measure runs to the heart, the navel, and the thighs, hanging down as far as the knees. With a count of a thousand and eight, four knots are traditionally reckoned.

Verse 18 (garuda.1.43.18)

षट्त्रिं(ड्विं) शच्च चतुर्विशद्द्वादश ग्रन्थयोऽथवा ।। उत्तमादिषु विज्ञेयाः पर्वभिर्वा पवित्रकम्

ṣaṭtriṁ(ḍviṁ) śacca caturviśaddvādaśa granthayo'thavā .. uttamādiṣu vijñeyāḥ parvabhirvā pavitrakam

Thirty-six, or twenty-four, or twelve knots — or else, according to the joints of the fingers, the pavitraka should be understood across the best and other grades.

Verse 19 (garuda.1.43.19)

चर्चितं कुंकुमेनैव हरिद्राचन्दनेन वा ।। सोपवासः पवित्रन्तु पात्रस्थमधिवासयेत्

carcitaṁ kuṁkumenaiva haridrācandanena vā .. sopavāsaḥ pavitrantu pātrasthamadhivāsayet

Having anointed it with kumkum, or with turmeric and sandal-paste, and observing a fast, one should place the pavitra in a vessel and consecrate it there.

Verse 20 (garuda.1.43.20)

अश्वत्थपत्रपुटके अष्टदिक्षु निवेशितम् ।। दण्डकाष्ठं कुशाग्रं च पूर्वे सङ्कर्षणेन तु

aśvatthapatrapuṭake aṣṭadikṣu niveśitam .. daṇḍakāṣṭhaṁ kuśāgraṁ ca pūrve saṅkarṣaṇena tu

Wrapped in a fold of pipal leaves, it should be placed in the eight directions. In the east, a rod of wood and a tip of kusha grass, with the Sankarshana mantra.

Verse 21 (garuda.1.43.21)

रोचनाकुंकुमेनैव प्रद्युम्नेन तु दक्षिणे ।। युद्धार्थी फलसिद्ध्यर्थमनिरुद्धेन पश्चिमे

rocanākuṁkumenaiva pradyumnena tu dakṣiṇe .. yuddhārthī phalasiddhyarthamaniruddhena paścime

In the south, with yellow orpiment and kumkum, with the Pradyumna mantra. In the west, for one desiring victory in battle and the fruition of results, with the Aniruddha mantra.

Verse 22 (garuda.1.43.22)

चन्दनं नीलयुक्तं च तिलभस्माक्षतं तथा ।। आग्नेयादिषु कोणेषु श्रियादीनां तु क्रमान्न्यसेत्

candanaṁ nīlayuktaṁ ca tilabhasmākṣataṁ tathā .. āgneyādiṣu koṇeṣu śriyādīnāṁ tu kramānnyaset

Sandal-paste mixed with indigo, sesame-ash, and unbroken rice — these should be placed in due order in the intermediate corners beginning with the southeast, for Shri and the other consort-goddesses.

Verse 23 (garuda.1.43.23)

पवित्रं वासुदेवेन अभिमन्त्र्य सकृत्सकृत् ।। दृष्ट्वा पुनः प्रपूज्याथ वस्त्रेणाच्छाद्य यत्नतः

pavitraṁ vāsudevena abhimantrya sakṛtsakṛt .. dṛṣṭvā punaḥ prapūjyātha vastreṇācchādya yatnataḥ

Having consecrated the pavitra again and again with the Vasudeva mantra, having looked upon it once more, worshipped it again, and carefully covered it with cloth,

Verse 24 (garuda.1.43.24)

देवस्य पुरतः स्थाप्यं प्रतिमामण्डलस्य वा ।। पश्चिमे दक्षिणे चैव उत्तरे पूर्ववत्क्रमात्

devasya purataḥ sthāpyaṁ pratimāmaṇḍalasya vā .. paścime dakṣiṇe caiva uttare pūrvavatkramāt

it should be placed before the deity, or before the mandala of the image — in the west, the south, and the north, in the order already given.

Verse 25 (garuda.1.43.25)

ब्राह्मादींश्चापि संस्थाप्य कलशं चापि पूजयेत् ।। अस्त्रेण मण्डलं कृत्वा नैवेद्यञ्च समर्पयेत्

brāhmādīṁścāpi saṁsthāpya kalaśaṁ cāpi pūjayet .. astreṇa maṇḍalaṁ kṛtvā naivedyañca samarpayet

Having established Brahma and the other vyuha-forms, one should also worship the water-vessel. Having drawn the mandala with the astra mantra, one should offer the food-offering.

Verse 26 (garuda.1.43.26)

अधिवास्य पवित्रं तु त्रिसूत्रेण नवेन वा (च) ।। वेदिकां वेष्टयित्वा तु आत्मानं कलशं घृतम्

adhivāsya pavitraṁ tu trisūtreṇa navena vā (ca) .. vedikāṁ veṣṭayitvā tu ātmānaṁ kalaśaṁ ghṛtam

Having consecrated the pavitra with a triple thread, or a fresh one, and having encircled the altar — likewise oneself, the water-vessel, the ghee,

Verse 27 (garuda.1.43.27)

अग्निकुण्डं विमानं च मण्डपं गृहमेव च ।। सूत्रमेकं तु संगृह्य दद्याद्देवस्य मृर्धानि

agnikuṇḍaṁ vimānaṁ ca maṇḍapaṁ gṛhameva ca .. sūtramekaṁ tu saṁgṛhya dadyāddevasya mṛrdhāni

the fire-pit, the shrine, the pavilion, and the temple itself — then, taking up a single thread, one should place it upon the deity's head.

Verse 28 (garuda.1.43.28)

दत्त्वा पठेदिमं मन्त्रं पूजयित्वा महेश्वरम् ।। आवाहितोऽसि देवेश पूजार्थं परमेश्वर

dattvā paṭhedimaṁ mantraṁ pūjayitvā maheśvaram .. āvāhito'si deveśa pūjārthaṁ parameśvara

Having offered it and worshipped the great Lord, one should recite this mantra: 'O Lord of gods, O Supreme Lord, you are invoked for the sake of worship.'

Verse 29 (garuda.1.43.29)

तत्प्रभातेऽर्चयिष्यामि सामग्र्याः सन्निधौ भव ।। एकरात्रं त्रिरात्रं वा अधिवास्य पवित्रकम्

tatprabhāte'rcayiṣyāmi sāmagryāḥ sannidhau bhava .. ekarātraṁ trirātraṁ vā adhivāsya pavitrakam

'At that dawn I shall worship you; until then remain near the offerings.' Having thus consecrated the pavitraka for one night or three nights,

Verse 30 (garuda.1.43.30)

रात्रौ जागरणं कृत्वा प्रातः संपूज्य केशवम् ।। आरोपयेत्क्रमेणैव ज्येष्ठमध्यकनीयसम्

rātrau jāgaraṇaṁ kṛtvā prātaḥ saṁpūjya keśavam .. āropayetkrameṇaiva jyeṣṭhamadhyakanīyasam

having kept vigil through the night and worshipped Keshava at dawn, one should install the eldest, middling, and youngest knots in due order.

Verse 31 (garuda.1.43.31)

धूपयित्वा पवित्रं तु मन्त्रेणैवाभिमंत्रयेत् ।। प्रजप्तग्रन्थिकं चैव पूजयेत्कुसुमादिभिः

dhūpayitvā pavitraṁ tu mantreṇaivābhimaṁtrayet .. prajaptagranthikaṁ caiva pūjayetkusumādibhiḥ

Having fumigated the pavitra with incense, it should be consecrated with the mantra alone. The knot already recited over should also be worshipped with flowers and the like.

Verse 32 (garuda.1.43.32)

गायत्त्र्या चार्चितं तेन देवं संपूज्य दापयेत् ।। समं पुत्रकलत्राद्यैः सूत्रपुच्छं तु धारयेत्

gāyattryā cārcitaṁ tena devaṁ saṁpūjya dāpayet .. samaṁ putrakalatrādyaiḥ sūtrapucchaṁ tu dhārayet

Having worshipped it with the Gayatri, and having duly worshipped the deity, one should have it bestowed together with one's son, wife, and household; the trailing end of the thread should be worn.

Verse 33 (garuda.1.43.33)

विशुद्धग्रन्थिकं रम्यं महापातकनाशनम् ।। सर्वपापक्षयं देव तवाग्रे धारयाम्यहम्

viśuddhagranthikaṁ ramyaṁ mahāpātakanāśanam .. sarvapāpakṣayaṁ deva tavāgre dhārayāmyaham

'This pure, beautiful knot destroys the great sins — O God, this destroyer of all sin I now wear before you.'

Verse 34 (garuda.1.43.34)

एवं धूपादिनाभ्यर्च्य मध्यमादीन्त्समर्पयेत् ।। पवित्रं वैष्णवं तेजः सर्वपातकनाशनम्

evaṁ dhūpādinābhyarcya madhyamādīntsamarpayet .. pavitraṁ vaiṣṇavaṁ tejaḥ sarvapātakanāśanam

Having worshipped thus with incense and the rest, the middling and other knots should likewise be offered. The radiance of the Vaishnava pavitra destroys every sin.

Verse 35 (garuda.1.43.35)

धर्मकामार्थसिद्ध्यर्थं स्वकंठे धारयाम्यहम् ।। वनमालां समभ्यर्च्य स्वेन मन्त्रेण दापयेत्

dharmakāmārthasiddhyarthaṁ svakaṁṭhe dhārayāmyaham .. vanamālāṁ samabhyarcya svena mantreṇa dāpayet

'For the fulfilment of dharma, artha, and kama, I wear it upon my own neck.' Having duly worshipped the forest-garland, it too should be bestowed with its own mantra.

Verse 36 (garuda.1.43.36)

नैवेद्यं विविधं दत्त्वा कुसुमादेर्बलिं हरेत् ।। अग्निं संतर्प्य तत्रापि द्वादशांगुलमानतः

naivedyaṁ vividhaṁ dattvā kusumāderbaliṁ haret .. agniṁ saṁtarpya tatrāpi dvādaśāṁgulamānataḥ

Having offered varied food-offerings, one should take up the offering of flowers and the rest. There too, having satisfied the fire, with an oblation of twelve finger-widths' measure,

Verse 37 (garuda.1.43.37)

अष्टोत्तरशतेनैव दद्यादेकपवित्रकम् ।। आदौ दत्त्वार्घ्यमादित्ये तत्र चैकं पवित्रकम्

aṣṭottaraśatenaiva dadyādekapavitrakam .. ādau dattvārghyamāditye tatra caikaṁ pavitrakam

with a hundred and eight oblations, a single pavitraka should be offered. Having first given the argha-offering to the Sun, a single pavitraka should be offered there as well.

Verse 38 (garuda.1.43.38)

विष्वक्सेनं ततः प्रार्च्य सुरुमर्घ्यादिभिर्हर ।। देवस्याग्रे पठेन्मन्त्रं कृताञ्जलिपुटः स्थितः

viṣvaksenaṁ tataḥ prārcya surumarghyādibhirhara .. devasyāgre paṭhenmantraṁ kṛtāñjalipuṭaḥ sthitaḥ

Then, having duly worshipped Vishvaksena with argha and the rest, one should stand before the deity with folded hands and recite this mantra:

Verse 39 (garuda.1.43.39)

ज्ञानतोऽज्ञानतो वापि पूजनादि कृतं मया ।। तत्सर्वं पूर्णमेवास्तु त्वत्प्रसादात्सुरेश्वर

jñānato'jñānato vāpi pūjanādi kṛtaṁ mayā .. tatsarvaṁ pūrṇamevāstu tvatprasādātsureśvara

'Whatever worship and rites I have performed, whether knowingly or unknowingly, O Lord of gods, may all of it become complete by your grace.'

Verse 40 (garuda.1.43.40)

मणिविद्रुममालभिर्मन्दारकुसुमादिभिः ।। इयं सांवत्सरी पूजा तवास्तु गरुडध्वज

maṇividrumamālabhirmandārakusumādibhiḥ .. iyaṁ sāṁvatsarī pūjā tavāstu garuḍadhvaja

'With jewels, coral, garlands, and mandara flowers and the rest, may this yearly worship be for you, O Garuda-bannered one.'

Verse 41 (garuda.1.43.41)

वनमाला यथा देव कौस्तुभं सततं हृदि ।। तद्वत्पवित्रं तन्तूनां मालां त्वं हृदये धर

vanamālā yathā deva kaustubhaṁ satataṁ hṛdi .. tadvatpavitraṁ tantūnāṁ mālāṁ tvaṁ hṛdaye dhara

'O God, just as the forest-garland and the Kaustubha jewel ever rest upon your heart, so too bear this garland of threads — the pavitra — upon your heart.'

Verse 42 (garuda.1.43.42)

एवं प्रार्थ्य द्विजान् भोज्य दत्त्वा तेभ्यश्च दक्षिणाम् ।। विसर्जयेत्तु तेनैव सायाह्ने त्वपरेऽहनि

evaṁ prārthya dvijān bhojya dattvā tebhyaśca dakṣiṇām .. visarjayettu tenaiva sāyāhne tvapare'hani

Having thus prayed, and having fed the brahmins and given them a fee, one should perform the dismissal with that same mantra in the evening of the following day.

Verse 43 (garuda.1.43.43)

सांवत्सरीमिमां पूजां सम्पाद्य विधिवन्मया ।। व्रजेः पवित्रकेदानीं विष्णुलोकं विसर्जितः

sāṁvatsarīmimāṁ pūjāṁ sampādya vidhivanmayā .. vrajeḥ pavitrakedānīṁ viṣṇulokaṁ visarjitaḥ

'Having received this yearly worship duly accomplished by me according to rule, O pavitraka, now go, released, to the world of Vishnu.'