The Building and Consecration of the Three Chariots

Verse 1 (skanda.2.65.1)

जैमिनिरुवाच । इत्युक्ते नारदः सोऽथ यथाशास्त्रं विचार्य वै । आलेख्य क्रमशः पत्रे राज्ञे तस्मै न्यवेदयत्

jaiminiruvāca ityukte nāradaḥ so'tha yathāśāstraṁ vicārya vai ālekhya kramaśaḥ patre rājñe tasmai nyavedayat

Jaimini said: Thus addressed, Narada, deliberating according to scripture, wrote it all out in order on a leaf and presented it to the king.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.65.2)

राजापि पत्रं तच्छुत्वा सोऽवधार्य पुनःपुनः । प्रददौ पद्मनिधये लिखितान्यत्र यानि वै

rājāpi patraṁ tacchutvā so'vadhārya punaḥpunaḥ pradadau padmanidhaye likhitānyatra yāni vai

The king too, hearing that document, and pondering it again and again, handed over to Padmanidhi whatever was written there —

Verse 3 (skanda.2.65.3)

संपादय पद्मनिधे शालां स्वर्णमयीं कुरु । ब्रह्मणः सदनं दिव्यं ब्रह्मर्षीणां च निर्मलम्

saṁpādaya padmanidhe śālāṁ svarṇamayīṁ kuru brahmaṇaḥ sadanaṁ divyaṁ brahmarṣīṇāṁ ca nirmalam

"Accomplish this, O Padmanidhi; build a hall of gold — a divine dwelling for Brahma, and a pure one for the Brahmarshis,

Verse 4 (skanda.2.65.4)

इंद्रादीनां सुराणां च सिद्धानां मर्त्यवासिनाम् । मुनींद्राणां निवासाय राज्ञां पातालवासिनाम्

iṁdrādīnāṁ surāṇāṁ ca siddhānāṁ martyavāsinām munīṁdrāṇāṁ nivāsāya rājñāṁ pātālavāsinām

— a dwelling for Indra and the other gods, for the Siddhas who dwell among mortals, for the lords among sages, and for kings who dwell in Patala,

Verse 5 (skanda.2.65.5)

तथा च नागराजानां निधे त्रैलोक्यवासिनाम् । यथायोग्यासनैर्युक्तं गृहं गृहमतंद्रितः

tathā ca nāgarājānāṁ nidhe trailokyavāsinām yathāyogyāsanairyuktaṁ gṛhaṁ gṛhamataṁdritaḥ

— and also, O lord of treasures, for the serpent kings, and for all dwellers of the three worlds; house after house, each fitted with seats befitting its occupants, and without delay —

Verse 6 (skanda.2.65.6)

कारयाशु निधे द्रव्यसंभारं यावदेव तु । विश्वकर्मापि च तव साहाय्यं रचयिष्यति

kārayāśu nidhe dravyasaṁbhāraṁ yāvadeva tu viśvakarmāpi ca tava sāhāyyaṁ racayiṣyati

— have them quickly built, O treasure-lord, while you gather the store of materials; Vishvakarma too shall lend you his help."

Verse 7 (skanda.2.65.7)

इत्यादिशंतं स मुनिरिंद्रद्युम्नमुवाच वै । संभारान्पृथगेतद्धि कर्त्तव्यं व्यवधानतः

ityādiśaṁtaṁ sa muniriṁdradyumnamuvāca vai saṁbhārānpṛthagetaddhi karttavyaṁ vyavadhānataḥ

As he thus gave these instructions, the sage said to Indradyumna: "This must be done with the materials gathered separately, one item after another —

Verse 8 (skanda.2.65.8)

स्वर्णैः सुघटितं साधुरथत्रयमलंकृतम् । दुकूलरत्नमालाद्यैर्बहुमूल्यैर्दृढं महत्

svarṇaiḥ sughaṭitaṁ sādhurathatrayamalaṁkṛtam dukūlaratnamālādyairbahumūlyairdṛḍhaṁ mahat

— three excellent chariots, well-fashioned of gold, adorned with fine cloth and garlands of jewels and the like, precious, sturdy, and grand.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.65.9)

श्रीवासुदेवस्य रथो गरुडध्वजचिह्नितः । पद्मध्वजः सुभद्राया रथमूर्द्धनि धार्यताम्

śrīvāsudevasya ratho garuḍadhvajacihnitaḥ padmadhvajaḥ subhadrāyā rathamūrddhani dhāryatām

The chariot of glorious Vasudeva shall bear the sign of the Garuda banner; on Subhadra's chariot let the lotus banner be raised aloft.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.65.10)

रथः षोडशचक्रस्तु विष्णोः कार्यः प्रयत्नतः । चतुर्दश बलस्यैव सुभद्रायास्तु द्वादश

rathaḥ ṣoḍaśacakrastu viṣṇoḥ kāryaḥ prayatnataḥ caturdaśa balasyaiva subhadrāyāstu dvādaśa

Vishnu's chariot should be made with sixteen wheels, with great care; Balabhadra's with fourteen, and Subhadra's with twelve.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.65.11)

हस्तषोडशविस्तारो रथश्चक्रधरस्य तु । चतुर्दश बलस्यैव सुभद्रायास्तु द्वादश

hastaṣoḍaśavistāro rathaścakradharasya tu caturdaśa balasyaiva subhadrāyāstu dvādaśa

The chariot of the discus-bearer shall measure sixteen cubits in breadth; Balabhadra's fourteen, and Subhadra's twelve.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.65.12)

आसनं जगतां भूयः स्वयं स्वासनविग्रहः । तद्याने जगतां नाशस्ततो यानं न विद्यते

āsanaṁ jagatāṁ bhūyaḥ svayaṁ svāsanavigrahaḥ tadyāne jagatāṁ nāśastato yānaṁ na vidyate

He himself is, again, the very seat of the worlds, himself embodying his own seat; were he to move from it, the worlds would perish — hence, properly, there is no separate vehicle for him.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.65.13)

पश्येच्चराचरं विश्वं ज्ञानादथ सुनिर्मले । स्थितो हस्ततले नित्यं निर्मलस्तस्य दर्पणः

paśyeccarācaraṁ viśvaṁ jñānādatha sunirmale sthito hastatale nityaṁ nirmalastasya darpaṇaḥ

Through knowledge he beholds the whole moving and unmoving universe as in a spotless mirror; ever resting in the palm of his hand is that stainless mirror of his —

Verse 14 (skanda.2.65.14)

तलस्थत्वादसौ तालः सदा तेनांकितः प्रभुः । ततः स एव शेषस्य बलभद्रावतारिणः

talasthatvādasau tālaḥ sadā tenāṁkitaḥ prabhuḥ tataḥ sa eva śeṣasya balabhadrāvatāriṇaḥ

— and because it rests in the palm (tala), it is called the tala emblem; the Lord is ever marked by it. He is none other than Shesha, incarnate as Balabhadra.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.65.15)

अथवा सीरिणः कार्यं सीरमेव ध्वजोत्तमम् । ध्वजः सुनिर्मलः कार्यस्तस्मात्तालध्वजो मतः

athavā sīriṇaḥ kāryaṁ sīrameva dhvajottamam dhvajaḥ sunirmalaḥ kāryastasmāttāladhvajo mataḥ

Or else, since he is the Plough-bearer, the plough itself should be his supreme emblem; the banner is to be made perfectly clear and bright, and so it is reckoned the palm-tree banner.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.65.16)

न वासितव्यो देवोऽसावप्रतिष्ठे रथे नृप । प्रासादे मंडपे वापि पुरे तन्निष्फलं भवेत्

na vāsitavyo devo'sāvapratiṣṭhe rathe nṛpa prāsāde maṁḍape vāpi pure tanniṣphalaṁ bhavet

That god must not be seated, O king, upon a chariot that has not first been consecrated, nor in a temple or pavilion or town — that would bear no fruit.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.65.17)

तस्मात्प्रतिष्ठा प्रथमं हरेः कार्या रथस्य वै । संभारः क्रियतां तस्य ह्यनुष्ठेया मया तु सा

tasmātpratiṣṭhā prathamaṁ hareḥ kāryā rathasya vai saṁbhāraḥ kriyatāṁ tasya hyanuṣṭheyā mayā tu sā

Therefore the consecration of Hari's chariot must be carried out first; let its materials be assembled, and that rite shall be performed by me.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.65.18)

इत्याज्ञां मत्पितुर्लब्ध्वा शीघ्रमायाम्यहं नृप । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा घटितं स्यंदनत्रयम्

ityājñāṁ matpiturlabdhvā śīghramāyāmyahaṁ nṛpa tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā ghaṭitaṁ syaṁdanatrayam

Having received this command from my father, I shall return swiftly, O king." Hearing these words of his, the set of three chariots was fashioned —

Verse 19 (skanda.2.65.19)

निधिसंपादितैर्द्रव्यैरेकाह्नाद्विश्वकर्मणा । स्वक्षं सुचक्रं सुस्तंभं सुविस्तीर्णं सुतोरणम्

nidhisaṁpāditairdravyairekāhnādviśvakarmaṇā svakṣaṁ sucakraṁ sustaṁbhaṁ suvistīrṇaṁ sutoraṇam

— from the materials Padmanidhi had gathered, fashioned by Vishvakarma in a single day: with fine axles, fine wheels, fine pillars, spacious, with fine archways,

Verse 20 (skanda.2.65.20)

सुध्वजं सुपताकं च नानाचित्रमनोहरम् । विचित्रबंधमिथुनपुत्तलीवलयान्वितम्

sudhvajaṁ supatākaṁ ca nānācitramanoharam vicitrabaṁdhamithunaputtalīvalayānvitam

— with fine banners and flags, charming with manifold paintings, set with wondrously arranged pairs of figures and garlands,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.65.21)

अर्द्धहाटकनिर्व्यूढं साक्षाद्रविरथोपमम् । मेघगंभीरनिर्घोषं दृष्ट्वा कर्षगुणैर्युतम् । वातरंहोहयैर्युक्तं शतसंख्यैः सितप्रभैः

arddhahāṭakanirvyūḍhaṁ sākṣādravirathopamam meghagaṁbhīranirghoṣaṁ dṛṣṭvā karṣaguṇairyutam vātaraṁhohayairyuktaṁ śatasaṁkhyaiḥ sitaprabhaiḥ

— built half of gold, like the very chariot of the sun to behold, its rumble as deep as thunderclouds, fitted with draw-ropes, yoked to a hundred horses, wind-swift and gleaming white.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.65.22)

यथाशास्त्रविधानेन नारदेन प्रतिष्ठितम् । सुलग्ने सुमुहूर्ते च सुतिथौ ज्योतिषोदिते

yathāśāstravidhānena nāradena pratiṣṭhitam sulagne sumuhūrte ca sutithau jyotiṣodite

— it was consecrated by Narada, in accordance with the ordinance of scripture, at an auspicious ascendant, an auspicious hour, and an auspicious lunar day fixed by astrology.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.65.23)

मुनय ऊचुः । भगवञ्जैमिने ब्रूहि सर्वज्ञोसि मतो हि नः

munaya ūcuḥ bhagavañjaimine brūhi sarvajñosi mato hi naḥ

The sages said: "Tell us, O Lord Jaimini — you are, in our reckoning, all-knowing —

Verse 24 (skanda.2.65.24)

विधिना केन हि रथः प्रतिष्ठाप्यो हरेरयम् । यथावद्वद नो येन जानीमो विधिविस्तरम्

vidhinā kena hi rathaḥ pratiṣṭhāpyo harerayam yathāvadvada no yena jānīmo vidhivistaram

— by what rite is this chariot of Hari to be consecrated? Tell us properly, so that we may learn the full detail of the rite."

Verse 25 (skanda.2.65.25)

जैमिनिरुवाच । यथा प्रतिष्ठितं तेन नारदेन महात्मना । तद्वो वदिष्यामि विधिं यथा दृष्टं पुरा मया

jaiminiruvāca yathā pratiṣṭhitaṁ tena nāradena mahātmanā tadvo vadiṣyāmi vidhiṁ yathā dṛṣṭaṁ purā mayā

Jaimini said: Just as it was consecrated by that great soul Narada, so I shall now tell you the rite, exactly as I once witnessed it.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.65.26)

रथस्येशानदिग्भागे शालां कृत्वा सुशोभनाम् । तन्मध्ये मण्डपं कृत्वा वेदिं तत्र सुनिर्मलाम्

rathasyeśānadigbhāge śālāṁ kṛtvā suśobhanām tanmadhye maṇḍapaṁ kṛtvā vediṁ tatra sunirmalām

To the northeast of the chariot, having built a beautiful hall, and within it a pavilion, and there a perfectly pure altar —

Verse 27 (skanda.2.65.27)

चतुरस्रा चतुर्हस्तमितां हस्तोच्छ्रितां द्विजाः । प्रतिष्ठापूर्वदिवसे रात्रावुत्तरतः शुभे

caturasrā caturhastamitāṁ hastocchritāṁ dvijāḥ pratiṣṭhāpūrvadivase rātrāvuttarataḥ śubhe

— square, four cubits across, raised a cubit high, O Brahmins; on the night before the day of consecration, in the auspicious later watch,

Verse 28 (skanda.2.65.28)

मुहूर्ते स्वस्ति वाच्याथ कारयेदंकुरार्पणम् । द्वात्रिंशद्देवताभ्यश्च बलिं दत्त्वा यथाविधि

muhūrte svasti vācyātha kārayedaṁkurārpaṇam dvātriṁśaddevatābhyaśca baliṁ dattvā yathāvidhi

— at the right hour, having had the blessing pronounced, one should have the sprouting ceremony performed, and, having duly offered the bali to the thirty-two deities,

Verse 29 (skanda.2.65.29)

प्रातस्ततो वेदिकायां मध्ये मण्डलमालिखेत् । पद्मं वा स्वस्तिकं वापि कुम्भं तत्र निधापयेत्

prātastato vedikāyāṁ madhye maṇḍalamālikhet padmaṁ vā svastikaṁ vāpi kumbhaṁ tatra nidhāpayet

— then, the next morning, one should draw a mandala in the middle of the altar — a lotus or a swastika — and set a water-pot upon it,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.65.30)

पञ्चद्रुमकषायं च तन्मध्ये पूरयेत्सुधीः । गंगादिपुण्यतोयानि पल्लवान्स समृत्तिकाः

pañcadrumakaṣāyaṁ ca tanmadhye pūrayetsudhīḥ gaṁgādipuṇyatoyāni pallavānsa samṛttikāḥ

— and the wise priest should fill it with the decoction of the five trees, sacred waters such as those of the Ganga, leafy sprigs, and clay,

Verse 31 (skanda.2.65.31)

सर्वगंधान्पञ्चरत्नसर्वौषधिगणं तथा । पूरयित्वा विधानेन आचार्यः प्राङ्मुखः शुचिः

sarvagaṁdhānpañcaratnasarvauṣadhigaṇaṁ tathā pūrayitvā vidhānena ācāryaḥ prāṅmukhaḥ śuciḥ

— every fragrant substance, the five gems, and the whole array of herbs; having filled it according to rule, the pure preceptor, facing east,

Verse 32 (skanda.2.65.32)

विष्णुं स्मरन्पंचगव्यं पश्चादपि प्रपूरयेत् । दुकूलवेष्टितं कण्ठे माल्यैर्गंधैः सुशोभनैः

viṣṇuṁ smaranpaṁcagavyaṁ paścādapi prapūrayet dukūlaveṣṭitaṁ kaṇṭhe mālyairgaṁdhaiḥ suśobhanaiḥ

— meditating on Vishnu, should then also fill it with the five products of the cow; its neck wrapped in fine cloth, beautifully decked with garlands and fragrant substances,

Verse 33 (skanda.2.65.33)

फलपल्लवसंयुक्तं कृतकौतुकमंगलम् । पूरयेत्तत्र देवेशं नरसिंहमनामयम्

phalapallavasaṁyuktaṁ kṛtakautukamaṁgalam pūrayettatra deveśaṁ narasiṁhamanāmayam

— furnished with fruits and leafy sprigs, the auspicious protective thread tied about it, and in it one should install the lord of gods, the flawless Narasimha,

Verse 34 (skanda.2.65.34)

मंत्रराजेनविधिवदुपचारैस्तथांतरैः । प्रार्थयित्वा प्रसादाय तस्मिन्नावाह्य तं हरिम्

maṁtrarājenavidhivadupacāraistathāṁtaraiḥ prārthayitvā prasādāya tasminnāvāhya taṁ harim

— with the Mantraraja, according to rule, together with the inward offerings; having entreated him for his grace, one should invoke Hari into it,

Verse 35 (skanda.2.65.35)

बाह्योपचारैर्विविधैः पूजयेद्विधिवद्द्विजाः । वायव्यां तस्य कुम्भस्य समिदाज्यचरुं तथा

bāhyopacārairvividhaiḥ pūjayedvidhivaddvijāḥ vāyavyāṁ tasya kumbhasya samidājyacaruṁ tathā

— and worship him, O Brahmins, with manifold outer offerings, in due form; to the northwest of that pot, with fuel-sticks, ghee, and the cooked oblation,

Verse 36 (skanda.2.65.36)

अष्टोत्तरसहस्रं च जुहुयाद्विधिवद्गुरुः । संपातान्प्रापयेत्तत्र कुम्भमध्ये तदन्ततः

aṣṭottarasahasraṁ ca juhuyādvidhivadguruḥ saṁpātānprāpayettatra kumbhamadhye tadantataḥ

— the priest should make offerings one thousand and eight times, according to rule; and at the close, he should let the remaining libations fall there, into the middle of the pot.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.65.37)

रथं सुशोभनं कृत्वा पताकागंधमाल्यकैः । सर्वांगं सेचयेत्तस्य गंधचन्दनवारिभिः

rathaṁ suśobhanaṁ kṛtvā patākāgaṁdhamālyakaiḥ sarvāṁgaṁ secayettasya gaṁdhacandanavāribhiḥ

Having adorned the chariot beautifully with banners, perfumes, and garlands, one should sprinkle every part of it with fragrant sandalwood water,

Verse 38 (skanda.2.65.38)

धूपयेत्कालागुरुणा शंखकाहालनिस्वनैः । ध्वजे तस्य नृसिंहस्य प्रतिष्ठाप्य समीरणम्

dhūpayetkālāguruṇā śaṁkhakāhālanisvanaiḥ dhvaje tasya nṛsiṁhasya pratiṣṭhāpya samīraṇam

— fumigate it with black aloewood amid the sounding of conches and horns; and, having established Samirana upon the banner of that Narasimha,

Verse 39 (skanda.2.65.39)

पूजयित्वा विधानेन रक्तस्रग्गंधमाल्यकैः । इमं मंत्रं समुच्चार्य सुपर्णं प्रार्थयेत्ततः

pūjayitvā vidhānena raktasraggaṁdhamālyakaiḥ imaṁ maṁtraṁ samuccārya suparṇaṁ prārthayettataḥ

— worship it according to rule, with red garlands and fragrant blossoms; then, reciting this mantra, one should entreat Suparna:

Verse 40 (skanda.2.65.40)

यो विश्वप्राणहेतुस्तनुरपि च हरेर्यानकेतुस्वरूपोयं संचित्यैव सद्यः स्वयमुरगवधूवर्गगर्भाः पतंति । चंचच्चण्डोरुतुंडत्रुटित फणिवसारक्तपंकांकितास्यं वन्दे छन्दोमयं तं खगपतिममलं स्वर्णवर्णं सुपर्णम्

yo viśvaprāṇahetustanurapi ca hareryānaketusvarūpoyaṁ saṁcityaiva sadyaḥ svayamuragavadhūvargagarbhāḥ pataṁti caṁcaccaṇḍorutuṁḍatruṭita phaṇivasāraktapaṁkāṁkitāsyaṁ vande chandomayaṁ taṁ khagapatimamalaṁ svarṇavarṇaṁ suparṇam

He who is the cause of the breath of the universe, and is also the very form of Hari's vehicle and banner-emblem — at the mere thought of whom the wombs of serpent-brides fall away of themselves at once; whose face is smeared with the blood-red mire of the fat of serpent-hoods torn apart by his fierce, curving beak — him I salute, that stainless, golden-hued lord of birds, Suparna, whose very being is the sacred metres.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.65.41)

ब्रह्मघोषैः शंखनादैर्नानावाद्यसुविस्तरैः । रथमूर्ध्नि स्थापयेत्तं चारुसूक्तं समुच्चरन्

brahmaghoṣaiḥ śaṁkhanādairnānāvādyasuvistaraiḥ rathamūrdhni sthāpayettaṁ cārusūktaṁ samuccaran

Amid the sound of Vedic recitation, the blowing of conches, and the ample resonance of manifold instruments, one should install him atop the chariot, reciting that beautiful hymn.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.65.42)

तस्योपरिष्टात्तं कुम्भं समंतात्प्लावयन्रथम् । त्रिरुच्चरन्मंत्रराजं सेचयेद्ब्रह्मणा सह

tasyopariṣṭāttaṁ kumbhaṁ samaṁtātplāvayanratham triruccaranmaṁtrarājaṁ secayedbrahmaṇā saha

Then, tilting that pot above him and letting it flood the chariot on every side, reciting the Mantraraja three times, one should sprinkle it, together with the officiating Brahma priest.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.65.43)

ततः पूर्णाहुतिं दत्त्वा ब्रह्मणे दक्षिणां ददेत् । आचार्यं दक्षिणां दद्याद्येन तुष्यति तद्गुरुः

tataḥ pūrṇāhutiṁ dattvā brahmaṇe dakṣiṇāṁ dadet ācāryaṁ dakṣiṇāṁ dadyādyena tuṣyati tadguruḥ

Then, having offered the full oblation, one should give a fee to the Brahma priest; one should give the acharya a fee sufficient to satisfy that teacher.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.65.44)

ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेदन्ते पायसैर्मधुसर्पिषा । द्वादशाक्षरमंत्रेण बलभद्रस्य कारयेत्

brāhmaṇānbhojayedante pāyasairmadhusarpiṣā dvādaśākṣaramaṁtreṇa balabhadrasya kārayet

At the end, one should feed the Brahmins with rice-pudding, honey, and ghee. With the twelve-syllable mantra, one should perform Balabhadra's consecration.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.65.45)

लांगलं च पविरवन्मंत्रः स्याल्लांगलध्वजे । अथवा द्विषड्वर्णोपि मूलमन्त्रः प्रकीर्तितः

lāṁgalaṁ ca paviravanmaṁtraḥ syāllāṁgaladhvaje athavā dviṣaḍvarṇopi mūlamantraḥ prakīrtitaḥ

The plough is his emblem, and the mantra, potent as the thunderbolt, is set upon the plough-banner; or else the twelve-syllable mantra too is proclaimed as his root mantra.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.65.46)

लक्ष्मीसूक्तेन भद्रायाः प्रतिष्ठाप्यो रथस्तथा । नाभिह्रदान्मुरारेस्त्वं ब्रह्मांडावलिरूपधृक्

lakṣmīsūktena bhadrāyāḥ pratiṣṭhāpyo rathastathā nābhihradānmurārestvaṁ brahmāṁḍāvalirūpadhṛk

With the Lakshmi Sukta, likewise, Bhadra's chariot should be consecrated: "You who, from the navel-lake of Murari, bear the form of the very row of cosmic eggs,

Verse 47 (skanda.2.65.47)

आसनं चतुरास्यस्य श्रियो वास स्थिरो भव । इम मन्त्रं समुच्चार्य ध्वजपद्मं समुच्छ्रयेत्

āsanaṁ caturāsyasya śriyo vāsa sthiro bhava ima mantraṁ samuccārya dhvajapadmaṁ samucchrayet

— the seat of the four-faced one, the dwelling of Shri, be steadfast." Reciting this mantra, one should raise the lotus-banner aloft.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.65.48)

इयान्विशेषो हविषा त्रयाणां च पृथक्पृथक् । पंचपंचभिर्होतव्यमेकैकं तु विभागशः

iyānviśeṣo haviṣā trayāṇāṁ ca pṛthakpṛthak paṁcapaṁcabhirhotavyamekaikaṁ tu vibhāgaśaḥ

Such is the distinction of oblation for each of the three separately; each one should be offered five times over, portion by portion.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.65.49)

इत्थं रथान्प्रतिष्ठाप्य सुवर्णं गां च वस्त्रकम् । धान्यं च दक्षिणां दद्यात्सम्यग्देवस्य भक्तितः

itthaṁ rathānpratiṣṭhāpya suvarṇaṁ gāṁ ca vastrakam dhānyaṁ ca dakṣiṇāṁ dadyātsamyagdevasya bhaktitaḥ

Having thus consecrated the chariots, one should give gold, a cow, cloth, and grain as fees, with proper devotion to the god.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.65.50)

एवं प्रतिष्ठिते तत्र स्यंदनेऽथ सुभूषिते । आरोप्य देवं विधिवद्ब्रह्मघोषपुरःसरम्

evaṁ pratiṣṭhite tatra syaṁdane'tha subhūṣite āropya devaṁ vidhivadbrahmaghoṣapuraḥsaram

When the chariot had thus been consecrated and richly adorned, they mounted the god upon it duly, preceded by Vedic recitation,

Verse 51 (skanda.2.65.51)

जयमंगलशब्दैश्च नानावाद्यपुरःसरैः । चामरांदोलनैर्धूपैः पुष्पवृष्टिभिरेव च

jayamaṁgalaśabdaiśca nānāvādyapuraḥsaraiḥ cāmarāṁdolanairdhūpaiḥ puṣpavṛṣṭibhireva ca

— amid cries of victory and blessing, to the sound of manifold instruments, with chowries waving, with incense, and with showers of flowers.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.65.52)

ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैर्वैश्यैर्नीयते स्म रथं प्रति । हयैः सुलक्षणैर्दांतैर्बलीवर्दैरथापि वा

brāhmaṇaiḥ kṣatriyairvaiśyairnīyate sma rathaṁ prati hayaiḥ sulakṣaṇairdāṁtairbalīvardairathāpi vā

By Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas the chariot was drawn along, or by well-marked, well-trained horses, or by oxen —

Verse 53 (skanda.2.65.53)

पुरुषैर्विष्णुभक्तैर्वा नेतव्या ह्यप्रमादतः । प्रीणयित्वा जनं सर्वं भक्ष्यभोज्यादिलेपनैः

puruṣairviṣṇubhaktairvā netavyā hyapramādataḥ prīṇayitvā janaṁ sarvaṁ bhakṣyabhojyādilepanaiḥ

— or, indeed, drawn by devotees of Vishnu, all done without carelessness, after gratifying the whole populace with food, delicacies, and unguents.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.65.54)

रथस्योपरि देवेभ्यो बलिमन्त्रेण भो द्विजाः । बलिं गृह्णन्तु भो देवा आदित्या वसवस्तथा

rathasyopari devebhyo balimantreṇa bho dvijāḥ baliṁ gṛhṇantu bho devā ādityā vasavastathā

Atop the chariot, with the bali-mantra, O Brahmins, offerings are made to the gods: "Accept this offering, O gods — Adityas and Vasus alike,

Verse 55 (skanda.2.65.55)

मरुतश्चाश्विनौ रुद्राः सुपर्णाः पन्नगा ग्रहाः । असुरा यातुधानाश्च रथस्थाश्चैव देवताः

marutaścāśvinau rudrāḥ suparṇāḥ pannagā grahāḥ asurā yātudhānāśca rathasthāścaiva devatāḥ

— the Maruts, the two Ashvins, the Rudras, the Suparnas, the serpents, the planets, the Asuras and Rakshasas, and every deity dwelling upon the chariot;

Verse 56 (skanda.2.65.56)

दिक्पाला लोकपालाश्च ये च विघ्नविनायकाः । जगतः स्वस्ति कुर्वंतु दिव्या महर्षयस्तथा

dikpālā lokapālāśca ye ca vighnavināyakāḥ jagataḥ svasti kurvaṁtu divyā maharṣayastathā

— the guardians of the quarters, the guardians of the worlds, and whatever obstacle-spirits there be, and the divine great seers likewise — may they all bring welfare to the world;

Verse 57 (skanda.2.65.57)

अविघ्नमाचरंत्वेते मा संतु परिपंथिनः । सौम्या भवंतु तृप्ताश्च दैत्या भूतगणास्तथा

avighnamācaraṁtvete mā saṁtu paripaṁthinaḥ saumyā bhavaṁtu tṛptāśca daityā bhūtagaṇāstathā

— may they act without obstruction, may there be no adversaries; may the Daityas and the hosts of spirits, too, become gentle and content."

Verse 58 (skanda.2.65.58)

ततस्तु नीयते देवः समभूमौ समुच्चरन् । मंत्रं वैष्णवगायत्रीं विष्णोः सूक्तं पवित्रकम्

tatastu nīyate devaḥ samabhūmau samuccaran maṁtraṁ vaiṣṇavagāyatrīṁ viṣṇoḥ sūktaṁ pavitrakam

Then the god is drawn along over level ground, as the priests recite the Vaishnava Gayatri mantra, the pure hymn of Vishnu,

Verse 59 (skanda.2.65.59)

वामदेव्यैः पवित्रैश्च मानस्तोक्यै रथंतरैः । ततः पुण्याहघोषेण कृतवादित्रनिःस्वनम्

vāmadevyaiḥ pavitraiśca mānastokyai rathaṁtaraiḥ tataḥ puṇyāhaghoṣeṇa kṛtavāditraniḥsvanam

— together with the sacred Vamadevya, the Manastoka, and the Rathantara chants; then, amid the proclamation of the auspicious day and the sounding of instruments,

Verse 60 (skanda.2.65.60)

शनैः शनैरथो नेयो रथः स्नेहात्तु चक्रिणः । तत्रोत्पातान्प्रवक्ष्यामि रथेत्र द्विजसत्तमाः

śanaiḥ śanairatho neyo rathaḥ snehāttu cakriṇaḥ tatrotpātānpravakṣyāmi rathetra dvijasattamāḥ

— the chariot should then be drawn slowly, step by step, out of love for the discus-bearer. Now, O best of Brahmins, I shall declare the ill omens connected with this chariot:

Verse 61 (skanda.2.65.61)

ईषाभंगे द्विजभयं भग्नेऽक्षे क्षत्रियक्षयः । तुलाभंगे वैश्यनाशः शम्या शूद्रभयं भवेत्

īṣābhaṁge dvijabhayaṁ bhagne'kṣe kṣatriyakṣayaḥ tulābhaṁge vaiśyanāśaḥ śamyā śūdrabhayaṁ bhavet

If the pole breaks, danger threatens the Brahmins; if the axle breaks, ruin comes upon the Kshatriyas; if the yoke-bar breaks, destruction upon the Vaishyas; if the pin breaks, danger befalls the Shudras.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.65.62)

धुराभंगे त्वनावृष्टिः पीठभंगे प्रजाभयम् । परचक्रागमं विद्याच्चक्रभंगे रथस्य तु

dhurābhaṁge tvanāvṛṣṭiḥ pīṭhabhaṁge prajābhayam paracakrāgamaṁ vidyāccakrabhaṁge rathasya tu

If the yoke breaks, drought follows; if the pedestal breaks, danger threatens the subjects; if the chariot's wheel breaks, one should know that invasion by a foreign army is at hand.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.65.63)

ध्वजस्य पतने विप्रा नृपोऽन्यो जायते धुवम् । प्रतिमाभंगतायां तु राज्ञो मरणमादिशेत्

dhvajasya patane viprā nṛpo'nyo jāyate dhuvam pratimābhaṁgatāyāṁ tu rājño maraṇamādiśet

If the banner falls, O Brahmins, another king will certainly arise; and if the image itself breaks, one should foretell the death of the king.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.65.64)

पर्यस्ते तु रथे विप्राः सर्वजानपदक्षयः । उत्पन्नेष्वेवमाद्येषु उत्पातेष्वशुभेषु च

paryaste tu rathe viprāḥ sarvajānapadakṣayaḥ utpanneṣvevamādyeṣu utpāteṣvaśubheṣu ca

If the chariot overturns, O Brahmins, ruin befalls the entire countryside. When such ill omens as these, and others of their kind, occur,

Verse 65 (skanda.2.65.65)

बलिकर्म पुनः कुर्याच्छांतिहोमं तथैव च । ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेद्भूयो दद्याद्वान्नानि चैव हि

balikarma punaḥ kuryācchāṁtihomaṁ tathaiva ca brāhmaṇānbhojayedbhūyo dadyādvānnāni caiva hi

— one should perform the bali-rite once more, and likewise a peace-offering; one should again feed the Brahmins, and give food as well.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.65.66)

पूर्वोत्तरे च दिग्भागे रथस्याग्निं प्रकल्पयेत । समिद्भिर्घृतमध्वाज्यमूलाग्राभिश्च होमयेत्

pūrvottare ca digbhāge rathasyāgniṁ prakalpayeta samidbhirghṛtamadhvājyamūlāgrābhiśca homayet

To the northeast of the chariot, one should set up the sacrificial fire, and make oblation with fuel-sticks, ghee, honey, and clarified butter, using sticks entire, root and tip,

Verse 67 (skanda.2.65.67)

पालाशाभिर्द्विजश्रेष्ठा मंत्रराजेन दीक्षितः । सोमायाग्नये प्रजाभ्यः प्रजानां पतये तथा

pālāśābhirdvijaśreṣṭhā maṁtrarājena dīkṣitaḥ somāyāgnaye prajābhyaḥ prajānāṁ pataye tathā

— of palasha wood, O best of Brahmins, consecrated by the Mantraraja, offering to Soma, to Agni, to all creatures, and to their lord as well,

Verse 68 (skanda.2.65.68)

ग्रहेभ्यश्च ब्रह्मणे च दिक्पालेभ्यस्तदंततः । यत्र यत्र रथे दोषास्तत्र तत्र च दीक्षितः

grahebhyaśca brahmaṇe ca dikpālebhyastadaṁtataḥ yatra yatra rathe doṣāstatra tatra ca dīkṣitaḥ

— to the planets, to Brahma, and finally to the guardians of the quarters; and, wherever there were flaws upon the chariot, there too, having been duly consecrated,

Verse 69 (skanda.2.65.69)

जुहुयात्प्रतिष्ठामंत्रेण विशेषः सर्वतो भवेत् । ब्राह्मणैः सहितः कुर्याद्धोमांते शांतिवाचनम्

juhuyātpratiṣṭhāmaṁtreṇa viśeṣaḥ sarvato bhavet brāhmaṇaiḥ sahitaḥ kuryāddhomāṁte śāṁtivācanam

— one should offer oblation with the consecration mantra; special care should be taken on every side. Together with the Brahmins, at the close of the oblation, one should recite the peace invocation:

Verse 70 (skanda.2.65.70)

स्वस्ति भवतु विप्रेभ्यः स्वस्तिराज्ञेऽस्तु नित्यशः । गोभ्यः स्वस्ति प्रजाभ्यस्तु जगतः शांतिरस्तु वै

svasti bhavatu viprebhyaḥ svastirājñe'stu nityaśaḥ gobhyaḥ svasti prajābhyastu jagataḥ śāṁtirastu vai

"May there be welfare for the Brahmins; may there be welfare for the king always; welfare for the cattle and for the people; may there be peace for the world.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.65.71)

स्वस्त्यस्तु द्विपदे नित्यं शांतिरस्तु चतुष्पदे । शं प्रजाभ्यस्तथैवास्तु शं तथात्मनि चास्तु नः

svastyastu dvipade nityaṁ śāṁtirastu catuṣpade śaṁ prajābhyastathaivāstu śaṁ tathātmani cāstu naḥ

May there ever be welfare for two-footed beings, and peace for the four-footed; may there be well-being for all creatures likewise, and well-being for our own selves too.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.65.72)

शांतिरस्तु च देवस्य भूर्भुवः स्वः शिवं तथा । शांतिरस्तु शिवं चास्तु सर्वतः स्वस्तिरस्तु नः

śāṁtirastu ca devasya bhūrbhuvaḥ svaḥ śivaṁ tathā śāṁtirastu śivaṁ cāstu sarvataḥ svastirastu naḥ

May there be peace for the god; may Bhuh, Bhuvah, and Svah likewise be blessed; may there be peace, may there be auspiciousness; may welfare be ours on every side.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.65.73)

त्वं देव जगतः स्रष्टा पोष्टा चैव त्वमेव हि । प्रजाः पालय देवेश शांतिं कुरु जगत्पते

tvaṁ deva jagataḥ sraṣṭā poṣṭā caiva tvameva hi prajāḥ pālaya deveśa śāṁtiṁ kuru jagatpate

You, O god, are the creator of the world, and you alone its nourisher; protect all creatures, O lord of gods; grant peace, O lord of the world."

Verse 74 (skanda.2.65.74)

यात्राकारणभूतस्य पुरुषस्य च भूपते । दुष्टान्ग्रहांस्तु विज्ञाय ग्रहशांतिं समाचरेत्

yātrākāraṇabhūtasya puruṣasya ca bhūpate duṣṭāngrahāṁstu vijñāya grahaśāṁtiṁ samācaret

And, O king, for the man on whose account the procession takes place, having ascertained which planets are malefic, one should perform the propitiatory rite for the planets.