{"collection":"Hinduism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/db/bk11ch09.htm","path":"hin/db/bk11ch09.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk11ch09.htm","text":"THE ELEVENTH BOOK\nChapter IX\nOn the rules of S\u2019irovrata\n1-43. S\u2019r\u00ee N\u00e2r\u00e2yana said :-- The Br\u00e2hmanas that will perform duly the S\u2019irovrata, to be described in the following, are the only ones who will attain very easily the highest knowledge, destroying all Avidy\u00e2 or Ignorance. So much so that the rules of right living and right conduct as ordained in the S\u2019rutis and Smritis are not necessary to be observed by those who duly and devotedly perform the S\u2019irovrata (i.e., vow of the head; i.e., vow to apply ashes on the forehead). O Learned One! It is through this S\u2019irovrata that Brahm\u00e2 and the other Devas have been able to get their Brahm\u00e2hood and the Devahood. The ancient sages glorified highly this S\u2019irovrata. Brahm\u00e2, Visnu, Rudra and the other Devas all performed this S\u2019irovrata. O Wise One! Those that performed\nduly this S\u2019irovrata, all became sinless though they were sinful in every way. Its name is S\u2019irovrata, inasmuch as it is mentioned in the first part of the Atharva Veda. Only this vrata (vow) is called S'irovrata; no other thing is denominated by this name. By no other merit can this be acquired. O Muni! Different names are assigned to this vrata in different S\u2019\u00e2kh\u00e2s; in fact, they are all one and the same.\nN. B. -- P\u00e2supata vrata, S'ivavrata, etc., are the different names assigned to it. In all the S\u2019\u00e2kh\u00e2s, the One Substance, Intelligence solidified named S'iva and the knowledge thereof is mentioned. This is \u201cS\u2019irovrata.\u201d He who does not perform this S\u2019irovrata, is irreligious and he is banished from all religious acts, though he is well-qualified in all branches of learning. There is no manner of doubt in this. This S\u2019irovrata is like the blazing fire in destroying wholly the forest of sins. All knowledge fleshes before him who performs this S\u2019irovrata. The Atharva S\u2019ruti expounds the subtle and particularly incomprehensible things; this S\u2019ruti declares the above S\u2019irovrata as daily to be done; so it is one of the daily observances. \u201cFire is ashes,\u201d \u201cwater is ashes,\u201d \u201cearth is ashes,\u201d \u201cair is ashes,\u201d \u201cether or \u00c2k\u00e2s'a is ashes,\u201d \u201call this manifest Universe is ashes.\u201d These six mantras stated in the Atharva Veda are to be recited; after this, ashes are to be besmeared all over the body. This is named the S\u2019irovrata. The devotee is to put on these ashes named S\u2019irovrata during his Sandhyop\u00e2san\u00e2 (practising Sandhy\u00e2 thrice a day); so long as the Brahm\u00e2 Vidy\u00e2 (the knowledge of Brahm\u00e2) does not arise in him. One is to make a Sankalpa (resolve) of twelve years before one starts with this Vrata. In cases of incapability, a period of one year or six months, or three months or at least twelve days are to be adopted. That Guru is considered very cruel and his knowledge will come to an end who hesitates and does not impart the knowledge of the Vedas and other things to him who is purified by observing this S\u2019irovrata. Know him certainly as a very merciful Guru who illumines the heart by Brahm\u00e2 Vidy\u00e2 just as God is very merciful and compassionate to all the living beings. One who performs one's own Dharmas for many births, acquires particular faith in this S\u2019irovrata; others can have no faith in this. Rather he gets animosity for this vrata, because of the abundance of ignorance in him. So one ought never to advise on spiritual knowledge to an enemy who has no faith, rather who has hatred for any such thing. Those only that are purified by the observance of S\u2019irovrata are entitled to Brahm\u00e2 Vidy\u00e2; and none others. So the Vedas command :-- Those are to be advised on Brahm\u00e2 Vidy\u00e2 who have performed S\u2019irovrata. Even the animal becomes freed of his animalism, as a result of this vrata; no sin occurs in killing that animal; this is\nthe decision of the Ved\u00e2nta. It has been repeatedly uttered by J\u00e2v\u00e2la Risi that the Dharma of the Br\u00e2hmanas is to put on the Tripundra (three curved lines of ashes on the forehead). The householders are instructed to put on this Tripundra by repeating the mantra \u201ctriyamvaka\u201d' with Om prefixed. Those that are in the stage of the Bhiksus (Sanny\u00e2sis, etc.,) are to put on this Tripundra uttering thrice the mantra \u201cOm Hasah.\u201d Such is regularly stated in J\u00e2v\u00e2la S\u2019ruti. The house holders and the V\u00e2naprasthis (foresters) are to put on this Tripundra, uttering Triyamvaka mantra purified with \u201cHaum\u201d the pranava of S\u2019iva prefixed.\nThose that are the Brahm\u00e2ch\u00e2ris are to use daily this Tripundra uttering the mantra \u201cMedh\u00e2v\u00ee,\u201d etc. The Br\u00e2hmanas are to apply the ashes in three curved lines on the forehead. The God S\u2019iva is always hidden under the cover of ashes; so the S\u2019aivas, the devotees of S\u2019iva are to use the Tripundra. The Br\u00e2hmanas are to use daily this Tripundra. Brahm\u00e2 is the Prime Br\u00e2hmin. When He used Tripundra on His forehead, what need to tell, then, that every Br\u00e2hman ought always to use it! Never fail, out of error, to besmear your body with the ashes as prescribed in the Vedas and worship the S\u2019iva Lingam. The Sanny\u00e2sins are to apply Tripundra on their forehead, arms, chest, uttering the Triyamvaka mantra with Om prefixed and also the five lettered mantra of S'iva \u201cOm Namah S\u2019iv\u00e2ya.\u201d The Brahm\u00e2ch\u00e2ris should use Tripundra of ashes, obtained from their own fire, uttering the mantra \u201cTriy\u00e2yusam Jamadagneh,\u201d etc., or the mantra \u201cMedh\u00e2v\u00ee\u201d, etc. The S\u2019\u00fbdras in the service of the Br\u00e2hmins are to use the ashes with devotion, with the mantra \u201cNamah S\u2019iv\u00e2ya.\u201d The other ordinary persons can use the Tripundra without any mantra. To besmear the body all over with ashes and to put on the Tripundra is the essence of all Dharma; therefore this should be used always. The ashes from the Agnihotra Sacrifice or from Viraj\u00e2gni (Viraj\u00e2 fire) are to be carefully placed on a clean and pure basin. Cleansing hands and feet, one is to sip (perform \u00c2chamana) twice, and then, taking the ashes in the hand, utter the five Brahm\u00e2 mantras \u201cSadyoy\u00e2tam prapady\u00e2mi,\u201d etc., and perform short Pr\u00e2n\u00e2y\u00e2ma thrice; he is, then, to utter the seven mantras \u201cFire is ashes,\u201d \u201cwater is ashes,\u201d \u201cearth is ashes\u201d \u201cTeja is ashes,\u201d \u201cwind is ashes,\u201d \u201cether is ashes,\u201d \u201cAll this whatsoever is ashes\u201d and purify and impregnate the ashes with the mantra by blowing out air through the mouth. Then one is to think of Mah\u00e2 Deva, repeating the mantra \u201cOm Apojyoti,\u201d etc., and apply dry ashes of white colour all over the body and become sinless. After this he is to meditate on the Mah\u00e2 Visnu, the Lord of the universe and on the Lord of the waters and repeat again the mantras \u201cFire is ashes\u201d and mix water with the ashes. He is, then, to think of S\u2019iva and apply ashes on his forehead. He is to think of the ashes as S\u2019iva Himself and\nthen, with mantras appropriate to his own \u00c2s'rama (stages of life) use the Tripundra on his forehead, chest and shoulders.\nBy the middle finger and ringfinger he is to draw the two lines of the ashes from the left to the right and by his thumb draw a third line of ashes from the right to the left. These Tripundras are to be used in the morning, midday and in the evening.\nHere ends the Ninth chapter of the Eleventh Book on the rules of S'irovrata in the Mah\u00e2pur\u00e2nam S\u2019r\u00ee Mad Dev\u00ee Bh\u00e2gavatam of 18,000 verses by Mah\u00e2rsi Veda Vy\u00e2sa.","title":"The Devi Bhagavatam: The Eleventh Book: Chapter 9","type":"page"}