ESSENCE OF PURANAS SERIES
Chapter 13: Procedure of Koti Homa by the King of Kashmira
Condensed English Translation by Sri V.D.N. Rao
Samvatsarasyaatha kaaryo Lakshahomo Maheekshitaa,
Kotihomastathaa kaatya Eka yeva Dwijottama/
Tayorvidhaanam vigneyam Kalpeshvaathaadharvaneshu cha/
(Every year, the King has to perform Laksha Homa / Koti Homa as per the procedure stated in the Kalpa Sutras of Atharva Veda) and as per interpretations of Priests, Vedajnaas and senior Brahmanas. The King would be given a Royal Bath, the Chief Priest would take fast and offer oblations to Agni Deva as addressed to Vishnu, Shakra, Savita, Brahma, Rudra, Varuna etc. The entire Kingdom, especially the Capital where the Function was organised, would be decorated with colourful ‘Pataakaas’ / flags and ‘Dhwajas’/ banners; the ‘Raja Margas’ (Main Roads) are cleaned up and washed; all the Officials, renowned citizens and important guests would turn out in their best attires; the King would be given further baths with ‘Panchagayvas’/ five bye- products of cows by Gana Nayakas with pots of Earth, silver, gold or other metals as also water of Sacred Rivers; the citizens wear their best dresses, badges, decoratives, and fragrances; the King would then pay reverences to Brahmanas and important personalities like Ministers, officials, Nagas and then go out in a procession to meet common citizens. Then the King should undertake a pilgrimage to various Temples across the Kashmira Mandala, by observing patience, courtesy and daily pujas as instructed by the Chief Priest. Before launching the annual Yatra, the King should worship Vinayaka on the first day by offering sweets to the Deity, on the second day worship, on the second day to ‘Nava Grahas’, to Gandharvas on the third day, fourth day to Piscachaas, fifth day to local Nagas, Brahmanas on the sixth, and on the seventh day to the deprived and vulnerable sections of th Soceity. Thereafter, the pilgrimages would be taken up to the Temples of Vinayaka, Lakshmi, Skanda Kumara, Surya, Mahadeva, Shakra, Dhanada, Chandra over a span of a fortnight; the Yatras would also include the abodes of a number of illustrious Nagas.
Kotihomastathaa kaatya Eka yeva Dwijottama/
Tayorvidhaanam vigneyam Kalpeshvaathaadharvaneshu cha/
(Every year, the King has to perform Laksha Homa / Koti Homa as per the procedure stated in the Kalpa Sutras of Atharva Veda) and as per interpretations of Priests, Vedajnaas and senior Brahmanas. The King would be given a Royal Bath, the Chief Priest would take fast and offer oblations to Agni Deva as addressed to Vishnu, Shakra, Savita, Brahma, Rudra, Varuna etc. The entire Kingdom, especially the Capital where the Function was organised, would be decorated with colourful ‘Pataakaas’ / flags and ‘Dhwajas’/ banners; the ‘Raja Margas’ (Main Roads) are cleaned up and washed; all the Officials, renowned citizens and important guests would turn out in their best attires; the King would be given further baths with ‘Panchagayvas’/ five bye- products of cows by Gana Nayakas with pots of Earth, silver, gold or other metals as also water of Sacred Rivers; the citizens wear their best dresses, badges, decoratives, and fragrances; the King would then pay reverences to Brahmanas and important personalities like Ministers, officials, Nagas and then go out in a procession to meet common citizens. Then the King should undertake a pilgrimage to various Temples across the Kashmira Mandala, by observing patience, courtesy and daily pujas as instructed by the Chief Priest. Before launching the annual Yatra, the King should worship Vinayaka on the first day by offering sweets to the Deity, on the second day worship, on the second day to ‘Nava Grahas’, to Gandharvas on the third day, fourth day to Piscachaas, fifth day to local Nagas, Brahmanas on the sixth, and on the seventh day to the deprived and vulnerable sections of th Soceity. Thereafter, the pilgrimages would be taken up to the Temples of Vinayaka, Lakshmi, Skanda Kumara, Surya, Mahadeva, Shakra, Dhanada, Chandra over a span of a fortnight; the Yatras would also include the abodes of a number of illustrious Nagas.