The Makara Sankranti Rite: Trivikrama's Swing and the New-Rice Offering

Verse 1 (skanda.2.82.1)

जैमिनिरुवाच। मृगराशिं संक्रमति यदा भास्वान्द्विजोत्तमाः। उत्तराशां जिगमिषुस्तदा स्यादुत्तरायणम्

jaiminiruvāca mṛgarāśiṁ saṁkramati yadā bhāsvāndvijottamāḥ uttarāśāṁ jigamiṣustadā syāduttarāyaṇam

Jaimini said: O best of brahmins, when the sun, transiting into the sign of Capricorn, desires to travel toward the northern quarter, that is Uttarayana.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.82.2)

तस्य संक्रमणार्द्धं च यावत्स्युर्विंशतिः कलाः। महापुण्यतमः कालः पितृदेवद्विजप्रियः

tasya saṁkramaṇārddhaṁ ca yāvatsyurviṁśatiḥ kalāḥ mahāpuṇyatamaḥ kālaḥ pitṛdevadvijapriyaḥ

Until twenty digits of the first half of that transit have passed, that is the most holy time, dear to ancestors, gods, and brahmins.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.82.3)

तत्र स्नात्वा विधानेन र्तार्थराजजले नरः। नारायणं समभ्यर्च्य कल्पवृक्षं प्रणम्य च

tatra snātvā vidhānena rtārtharājajale naraḥ nārāyaṇaṁ samabhyarcya kalpavṛkṣaṁ praṇamya ca

Having duly bathed there in the sacred waters, having worshipped Narayana well and bowed to the wish-fulfilling tree,

Verse 4 (skanda.2.82.4)

प्रविश्य देवतागारं कृत्वा तं त्रिः प्रदक्षिणाम्। मन्त्रराजेन संपूज्य देवं श्रीपुरुषोत्तमम्

praviśya devatāgāraṁ kṛtvā taṁ triḥ pradakṣiṇām mantrarājena saṁpūjya devaṁ śrīpuruṣottamam

entering the temple of the deity and circumambulating it thrice, having worshipped the deity Sri Purushottama with the king of mantras,

Verse 5 (skanda.2.82.5)

तथा बलं सुभद्रां च स्वमन्त्रेण प्रपूजयेत्। दृष्ट्वोत्तरायणे देवं मुच्यते देहबन्धनात्

tathā balaṁ subhadrāṁ ca svamantreṇa prapūjayet dṛṣṭvottarāyaṇe devaṁ mucyate dehabandhanāt

and worshipped Bala and Subhadra likewise with their own mantras — by beholding the deity at Uttarayana, one is freed from bodily bondage.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.82.6)

विधानं तस्य वक्ष्याभि शृणुध्वं पावनं महत्। संक्रांतेः पूर्वदिवसे नवां शालिं सुकुट्टिताम्

vidhānaṁ tasya vakṣyābhi śṛṇudhvaṁ pāvanaṁ mahat saṁkrāṁteḥ pūrvadivase navāṁ śāliṁ sukuṭṭitām

I shall declare its procedure; hear it, that great and purifying rite. On the day before the transit, fresh, well-husked rice-paddy,

Verse 7 (skanda.2.82.7)

प्रासादपूर्वदेशे च स्थापयित्वाधिवासयेत्। नवेन वाससावेष्ट्य दूर्वासर्षपपुष्पकैः

prāsādapūrvadeśe ca sthāpayitvādhivāsayet navena vāsasāveṣṭya dūrvāsarṣapapuṣpakaiḥ

should be placed in the eastern part of the temple and set in ritual rest, wrapped in new cloth with durva grass, mustard, and flowers.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.82.8)

पूजयित्वा मन्त्रयेद्वै कृष्णस्त्वामभिरक्षतु। तस्मिन्नेव निशायामे व्यतीते जगदीशितुः

pūjayitvā mantrayedvai kṛṣṇastvāmabhirakṣatu tasminneva niśāyāme vyatīte jagadīśituḥ

Having worshipped it, one should address it: 'May Krishna protect you.' On that very night, once that night belonging to the Lord of the world has passed,

Verse 9 (skanda.2.82.9)

प्रत्यर्चां सन्निधौ नीत्वा भावयेदेकताधिये। उपचारावशिष्टाभ्यां पूजयेद्वै समाहितः

pratyarcāṁ sannidhau nītvā bhāvayedekatādhiye upacārāvaśiṣṭābhyāṁ pūjayedvai samāhitaḥ

one should bring it before the substitute image and meditate upon their oneness; with the remaining ritual honours one should worship it, with full concentration.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.82.10)

ततो निर्माल्यवसनमालामस्यां निधापयेत्। महासमृद्ध्या तामर्चां त्रिर्देवान्भ्रामयेत्ततः

tato nirmālyavasanamālāmasyāṁ nidhāpayet mahāsamṛddhyā tāmarcāṁ trirdevānbhrāmayettataḥ

Then one should place upon it the sacred garment-garland of the earlier rite; with great splendour one should then have the deities carried around thrice,

Verse 11 (skanda.2.82.11)

आंदोलिकायामारोप्य प्रासादद्वारमानयेत्। त्रिविक्रमं त्रिक्रमेण त्रैलोक्यक्रमणं विभुम्

āṁdolikāyāmāropya prāsādadvāramānayet trivikramaṁ trikrameṇa trailokyakramaṇaṁ vibhum

mounted upon a swing, and bring them to the door of the temple — re-enacting the sport of the mighty Trivikrama, who paced the three worlds in three strides,

Verse 12 (skanda.2.82.12)

विडंबयंतं तां लीलां प्रासादं भ्रामयेच्च तम्। त्रिरंते पुनरंके च सुसमृद्ध्या शनैःशनैः

viḍaṁbayaṁtaṁ tāṁ līlāṁ prāsādaṁ bhrāmayecca tam triraṁte punaraṁke ca susamṛddhyā śanaiḥśanaiḥ

and have the temple circled with him. At the end, again upon the swing's curve, with great splendour, slowly, slowly,

Verse 13 (skanda.2.82.13)

दीपिकाशतसंरुद्धतमसोवरणांतरे। छत्रध्वजपताकाभिर्नृत्यवादित्रगीतकैः

dīpikāśatasaṁruddhatamasovaraṇāṁtare chatradhvajapatākābhirnṛtyavāditragītakaiḥ

amid a hundred lamps dispelling the darkness within their covering, with umbrellas, banners, and flags, with dance, music, and song —

Verse 14 (skanda.2.82.14)

तद्दर्शनपरिक्षीणपातकानां महात्मनाम्। न च चिह्नं शरीरेऽस्य नवांगे भ्रमणं ततः

taddarśanaparikṣīṇapātakānāṁ mahātmanām na ca cihnaṁ śarīre'sya navāṁge bhramaṇaṁ tataḥ

for the great souls whose sins are worn away by beholding this, there remains, after that circling of the nine limbs, no trace of sin left upon their bodies.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.82.15)

अनुयांति तदा ये तं महे यांतं त्रिविक्रमम्। लभंते वाजिमेधस्य फलं ते वै पदे पदे

anuyāṁti tadā ye taṁ mahe yāṁtaṁ trivikramam labhaṁte vājimedhasya phalaṁ te vai pade pade

Those who follow him then, as he goes forth in that great swinging, obtain the fruit of a horse-sacrifice at every step, without doubt.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.82.16)

प्रथमभ्रमणं दृष्ट्वा मुच्यते पञ्चपातकैः। मलिनीकरणैर्मुच्येद्द्वितीयं भ्रमणं द्विजाः

prathamabhramaṇaṁ dṛṣṭvā mucyate pañcapātakaiḥ malinīkaraṇairmucyeddvitīyaṁ bhramaṇaṁ dvijāḥ

Beholding the first circling, one is freed from the five great sins; from defiling sins one is freed by the second circling, O brahmins,

Verse 17 (skanda.2.82.17)

अपात्रीकरणैर्दृष्ट्वा तृतीयं भ्रमणं ध्रुवम्। उपपातकपापैश्च चतुर्थं मुच्यते ततः

apātrīkaraṇairdṛṣṭvā tṛtīyaṁ bhramaṇaṁ dhruvam upapātakapāpaiśca caturthaṁ mucyate tataḥ

by beholding the third circling one is assuredly freed from sins that render one unfit for society, and from sins of the lesser order by the fourth.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.82.18)

पुनः प्रभाते देवेशं प्रलिंपेद्गन्धचन्दनैः। वस्त्रालंकारमाल्यैश्च भूषयित्वा यथाविधि

punaḥ prabhāte deveśaṁ praliṁpedgandhacandanaiḥ vastrālaṁkāramālyaiśca bhūṣayitvā yathāvidhi

Again in the morning, one should anoint the Lord of gods with fragrant sandal, and adorn him with garments, ornaments, and garlands according to rite.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.82.19)

पूजयेदुपचारैस्तं यथाशक्ति समृद्धिमत्। नीराजयित्वा देवेशं तंदुलानधिवासितान्

pūjayedupacāraistaṁ yathāśakti samṛddhimat nīrājayitvā deveśaṁ taṁdulānadhivāsitān

One should worship him with ritual honours as splendid as one's means allow; having performed the waving-lamp rite for the Lord of gods, one should offer rice grains set in ritual rest,

Verse 20 (skanda.2.82.20)

स्थालीषु शातकुंभासु दधिखंडाज्यमिश्रितान्। सनारिकेलशकलाच्छृंगवेर दलान्वितान्

sthālīṣu śātakuṁbhāsu dadhikhaṁḍājyamiśritān sanārikelaśakalācchṛṁgavera dalānvitān

in golden vessels, mixed with curd, sugar, and ghee, together with pieces of coconut and slices of ginger,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.82.21)

प्रासादं त्रिः परिभ्रम्य नयेद्देवसमीपतः। पंक्तिशः स्थापयेदग्रे गन्धपुष्पाक्षतान्वितान्

prāsādaṁ triḥ paribhramya nayeddevasamīpataḥ paṁktiśaḥ sthāpayedagre gandhapuṣpākṣatānvitān

and, having carried them around the temple thrice, bring them near the deity; one should set them out in rows before him, together with fragrance, flowers, and unbroken rice:

Verse 22 (skanda.2.82.22)

जीवनं सर्वभूतानां जनकस्त्वं जगत्प्रभो। त्वन्मयाः शालयो ह्येते त्वयैव जनिताः प्रभो

jīvanaṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ janakastvaṁ jagatprabho tvanmayāḥ śālayo hyete tvayaiva janitāḥ prabho

'You are the life of all beings, the begetter, O Lord of the world; these rice-stalks are made of you, for they were engendered by you alone, O Lord.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.82.23)

लोकानुग्रहणार्थाय गृहीतोचितविग्रह। तव प्रीत्यै कृतानेतान्गृहाण परमेश्वर

lokānugrahaṇārthāya gṛhītocitavigraha tava prītyai kṛtānetāngṛhāṇa parameśvara

For the sake of blessing the worlds, you have assumed a fitting form; accept these, made for your pleasure, O Supreme Lord.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.82.24)

त्वयि तुष्टे जगत्सर्वमनेन प्रभविष्यति। स्वाहाकारस्वधाकारवषट्कारा दिवौकसाम्

tvayi tuṣṭe jagatsarvamanena prabhaviṣyati svāhākārasvadhākāravaṣaṭkārā divaukasām

When you are satisfied, this whole world shall thrive by this offering; the exclamations svāhā, svadhā, and vaṣaṭ of the celestials

Verse 25 (skanda.2.82.25)

आप्यायना भविष्यंति तैरेवाप्यायितं जगत्। रक्ष सर्वं जगन्नाथ त्वन्मयं सचराचरम्

āpyāyanā bhaviṣyaṁti tairevāpyāyitaṁ jagat rakṣa sarvaṁ jagannātha tvanmayaṁ sacarācaram

shall become nourishing, and by them the world shall be nourished. Protect all, O Jagannatha, all this moving and unmoving, which is made of you.'

Verse 26 (skanda.2.82.26)

इति संप्रार्थ्य देवेशं शालिस्तंबान्निवेदयेत्। तन्मयान्भक्षभोज्यांश्च दधिकुंभान्सुगंधिनः

iti saṁprārthya deveśaṁ śālistaṁbānnivedayet tanmayānbhakṣabhojyāṁśca dadhikuṁbhānsugaṁdhinaḥ

Having thus prayed to the Lord of gods, one should offer the sheaves of rice-paddy, and fragrant pots of curd, together with foods and delicacies made from it,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.82.27)

कर्पूरखंडमरिचचूर्णयुक्तान्निवेदयेत्। ब्राह्मणान्पूजयेद्भक्त्या देवदेवपुरःस्थितान्

karpūrakhaṁḍamaricacūrṇayuktānnivedayet brāhmaṇānpūjayedbhaktyā devadevapuraḥsthitān

mixed with camphor, sugar, and ground pepper, and offer them; one should worship with devotion the brahmins standing before the God of gods,

Verse 28 (skanda.2.82.28)

तेभ्यः प्रदद्याद्भक्त्या ताञ्छाल्यादीन्भगवद्धिया। इमं महोत्सवं विप्राः पुरा कल्पे च कश्यपः

tebhyaḥ pradadyādbhaktyā tāñchālyādīnbhagavaddhiyā imaṁ mahotsavaṁ viprāḥ purā kalpe ca kaśyapaḥ

and give to them, with devotion and with the Lord in mind, that rice and the rest. O brahmins, this great festival, in ages past, in a kalpa, was instituted by Kashyapa;

Verse 29 (skanda.2.82.29)

स च सृष्टिं विनिर्माय भगवत्प्रीतयेऽकरोत्। ये पश्यन्त्युत्सवं चैनं कश्यपेन विनिर्मितम्

sa ca sṛṣṭiṁ vinirmāya bhagavatprītaye'karot ye paśyantyutsavaṁ cainaṁ kaśyapena vinirmitam

having accomplished creation, he performed it for the pleasure of the Lord. Those who behold this festival, established by Kashyapa,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.82.30)

सर्वदा सर्वकामैस्ते पूर्णाः शोचंति न द्विजाः। उषित्वा त्रिदशैः सार्द्धं कल्पांते मोक्षमाप्नुयुः

sarvadā sarvakāmaiste pūrṇāḥ śocaṁti na dvijāḥ uṣitvā tridaśaiḥ sārddhaṁ kalpāṁte mokṣamāpnuyuḥ

are ever fulfilled in every desire, O brahmins, and never grieve; having dwelt together with the gods, at the end of the kalpa they attain liberation.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.82.31)

महानसस्य संस्कारं वह्नेः संस्कारमेव च। अत्रापि कुर्यान्मुनयो वैश्वदेवं दिनेदिने

mahānasasya saṁskāraṁ vahneḥ saṁskārameva ca atrāpi kuryānmunayo vaiśvadevaṁ dinedine

The consecration of the kitchen, and likewise the consecration of the fire — these too the sages should perform here, with the Vaishvadeva rite, day by day.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.82.32)

आधानसंस्कृते वह्नौ भगवद्भुक्तये रमा। प्रत्यहं पाकमाधत्ते दिव्यरूपा तिरोहिता

ādhānasaṁskṛte vahnau bhagavadbhuktaye ramā pratyahaṁ pākamādhatte divyarūpā tirohitā

In the fire consecrated by the installation-rite, for the Lord's enjoyment, Rama herself, in unseen divine form, prepares the food each day.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.82.33)

अस्मिन्महापुण्यतम उत्सवे परमात्मनः। तुलापुरुषदानादि कोटिकोटिगुणं भवेत्

asminmahāpuṇyatama utsave paramātmanaḥ tulāpuruṣadānādi koṭikoṭiguṇaṁ bhavet

At this most holy festival of the Supreme Self, gifts such as the Tula-purusha-dana become multiplied ten million times over.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.82.34)

स्नानं दानं तपो होमः स्वाध्यायः पितृतर्पणम्। सर्वमक्षयतां याति ह्युत्सवे चोत्तरायणे

snānaṁ dānaṁ tapo homaḥ svādhyāyaḥ pitṛtarpaṇam sarvamakṣayatāṁ yāti hyutsave cottarāyaṇe

Bathing, giving, austerity, fire-oblation, self-study, and offerings to the ancestors — all become imperishable indeed at this festival of Uttarayana.