Agam 21 Upang 10 Pushpika Sutra English Translation

Author(s): Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar
Publisher: Deepratnasagar

Page 12

Pushpika -Upang-10- Chapter-3 Commentary- Explaining the Disha-chakraval practice Means- For breaking fast in this practice aspirant collects fruits and places in four directions of the arena of practice. At proper time he breaks his first fast eating the fruits placed in east direction. Second, third and fourth fasts are broken by eating fruits placed in south, east, north directions respectively. The practice in which fast is broken following this sequence is called Dishachakraval practice. [For detailed description of hermits See- Aupapatik].
(Post-initiation) On the day he was to break his first two day fast that Somil Brahmin stepped down from the heat-mortification arena. He then put on his bark-garments and came to his hut. He took a bamboo basket and a pole to carry it. After worshipping and sprinkling water in the east he uttered—"O honoured Soma, the guardian angel of the east, please protect me, Somil Brahmarshi, on the spiritual path and permit me to take whatever bulbous roots, roots, bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, and green vegetables as well as grass that are available in the east." With these words Somil Brahmarshi went towards east and collected whatever bulbous roots, roots, and so on up to... grass he could find and put them in the basket. He also collected some grass, some leaves by bending branches, and some firewood. He then returned to his hut. He placed the basket and the pole on the ground. Now he made a clean platform and plastered it with cow-dung and other purifying things.
After sprinkling water over that spot he took the grass and a pitcher, walked to the Ganges and entered it. He washed his body clean in the river water and played around in the river to soak his body. After washing his mouth and getting absolutely pure, he made offerings of water to deities and his ancestors. After this ritual he came out of the Ganges carrying the grass and the pitcher and returned to his hut. Back in the hut, he prepared a sacrificial platform with grass and sand. Taking the fire-wood he prepared two pieces of wood, one with a hole and the other pointed to fit in the whole. With the help of these two pieces of wood he made fire and inflamed it by adding fire-wood. Once the pyrewas ready he installed seven things on its right-hand side
[6] Meaning- (1) Sakth (aninstrument), (2) Valkal (bark garment), (3) Sthaan (aasan; seat or mattress), (4) Shayya-bhaand (bed and utensils), (5) Kamandalu (gourdbowl), (6) wooden staff, and (7) one's own body.
[7] Meaning-Installing these seven things he offered honey, butter-oil, and rice into the pyre and offered sacrifice with the urn. He performed the daily yajna and worshipped guests (offered food to guests). At last he himself accepted food.
Somil Brahmin then commenced his second two-day fast. He broke the second twoday fast following the aforesaid procedure. The only change was that this time he faced south and uttered—"O honoured Yama, the guardian angel of the south, please protect me, Somil Brahmarshi, on the spiritual path and permit me to take whatever bulbous roots, roots,... and so on up to... grass are available in the south." With these words Somil Brahmarshi went towards the south.
Somil Brahmarshi then commenced his third two-day fast. He broke the third twoday fast following the aforesaid procedure. The only change was that this time he faced west and uttered--"O honoured Varun, the guardian angel of the west, please protect me, Somil Brahmarshi, on the spiritual path and permit me to take whatever bulbous roots, roots,... and so on up to... grass are available in the west." With these words Somil *****
Aagam -21 - Pushpika
Compiled by - Deepratnasagar
[11]