1884.] 
85 
of Ueligion in the IlinidJaya. 
Brahmarslii, Gayatri, Chhandah and the supreme deities ; the Vyahriti- 
mantra, Visvamitra, Jamadagni, the metres known as the gdyatri, ushni 
and anushtuhh and the deities Agni, Vayn and Siiryya, who are asked to 
assist in the ceremony. Then the vyahriti-JiiObiiiTSL is recited separately 
and together thus :— Om hhuh I invite and set np the snn ; 0?n Wiuvah I 
invite, &c.; Otn svah I, &c. ; Om hhur Wiuvah svah, I, &c., and the figure 
of the sun is placed on a small circular altar erected in the middle of the 
graha-vecU, then the invitation is made with the mantra :— 0?n akrishne, 
&c. Next Agni is addressed as adhideva of the sun, and invited to he 
seated on his right hand with the ^’y^^/^r^^f-mantra separately and together 
as in the case of the sun and also a special mantra for the invitation :— 
‘ Om Agniin dutam,^ &c. Next on the left side Rudra is invited as the 
gjratyadhideva in the same manner and the invitation mantra commen¬ 
ces :—‘ Oin WyambaJcam,'’ &c. Next in the south-east corner the figure 
of Soma is set up with a similar ceremony on a small square altar. Next 
comes Angaraka or Bhauma on a triangular altar, Budha on an arrow- 
shaped altar, four finger-breadths long, Guru or Vrihaspati on an altar 
six finger-breadths square, S'ukra on a five-cornered altar, nine finger- 
breadths across, S'ani on a bow-shaped altar two finger-breadths broad, 
Rahu on a sword-shaped altar, and Ketu on one like a standard. Then 
the other deities are invited : first the protecting deities, Ganesa, Durga, 
Kshetrapala, Vayu, Akasa, and Aswini. Then the guardians of the rite, 
Indra on the east, Agni on the south-east, Yama on the south, Nirriti on 
the south-west, Varuna on the west, Yayu on the north-west, Kuvera on 
the north and Isa on the north-east. Next Brahma is invited to take his 
place in the upper part of the central space on the graha-vedt and Ananta 
in the lower portion. Next in the north-eastern corner already sacred to 
Isa, the halasasthapana is made and the figure of Varuna is placed on the 
cover over the mouth of the vessel. All this is supposed to be done with 
the same tedious ceremony. 
The meditation. —The thread from which the bracelet is made (gra- 
Icsha-sutra') is now tied round the neck of the vessel (Jcalasa'). Then rice is 
taken in the hand and sprinkled over all the figures whilst they are asked to 
come and take their place in the vessel and in the bracelet. Then follows 
the dedication of the rite to the ceremony about to be performed on behalf of 
the boy. Next the dhydna or meditation is given 0?n who sittest in 
the position called padmdsana {i. e., with thighs crossed, one hand resting 
on the left thigh and the thumb of the other on the heart and the eyes 
looking towards the nose), with hand like a lotus, sprung from a lotus, 
who driveth the chariot yoked with seven steeds, two-armed, ever present 
Bavi. Om thou who art white, clothed in white garments, driving white 
horses, adorned with white, bearing a club, two-armed, ready to do what 
s right, tS'asi. Om thou with the reddish garland and clothes, bearing 
