GA'RUDA PURANAM. river of all mantras, the originator of all, the protector of the Universe and the destroyer of the same, the protector of the worlds and the slayer of the wicked Asuras. Salutation unto him of a terrific form, unto him of a gentle form, unto Chanda, unto him of the form of an eye, unto him who dissipates the fear of Samsara. Salutation unto Shiva, the breaker of the bone of Maya. Salutation unto him of the form of a planet and the lord of planets. Salutation unto Kala, death and Bhima. Salutation unto him who shows favour unto his votaries and protects them. Salutation, again and again unto the form of Vishnu, unto him of a dispassionate mind, unto the holder of weapons, unto the weapon of Vishnu and unto discus. Thus the highly sacred hymn of Vishnu is described. He, who reads it with great reverential faith, goes to the region of Vishnu. O Rudra ! the self-controlled man, who reads this prescription of the adoration of the discus, reduces his sins to ashes and reaches the region of Vishnu. :o: CHAPTER XXXIV. RUDRA said :O Hrishikesha ! O holder of club ! describe again unto me the adoration of the deity. I am not satiated with listening to thy account of adoration. Hari said :I will describe unto thee the adoration of the deity Hayagriva. Listen to it, O lord of the universe, by which Vishnu is pleased. O Mahadeva ! Shankara ! listen y I will describe first the highly sacred principal mantram of Hayagriva. Om, Houm, Kshroum, salutation unto the Head (Shirase Namas) Om. GARUDA PURANAM. 83 This mantram, consisting of nine letters, gives all sorts of learning. Mahadeva, O bull-emblemed deity, listen to its limbs. Om, Kshram, salutation unto the heart. Om, Hrim, salutation unto the head, Swaha. Shiras, Proktam, Kshrum, Vashat. O bull-emblemed deity, the deity's tuft of hair should be known as being added with Om. Om, Kshrim, unto the coat of mail, Hum. This is described as the mantram for the coat of mail. Om Kshroum, unto the three eyes, Voushat. This is the mantram described for the eye. Om, Has, unto the weapon, phat. This is the mantram for the weapon of the deity. Hear, I will describe the prescription of the adoration. Having bathed first of all and then rinsed his mouth a worshipper should enter into the room of adoration. Enter ing there he should duly perform the rite of Soshana. With the mantram Yam, Kshroum, Ram, Lam he should harden and create an egg, and then cut it open with Om. In the egg he should meditate on the self as Hayagriva, white-hued like a conch-shell, Kunda flower or the moon, effulgent like silver, four-armed, holding conch-shell, discus, club and lotus, bedecked with a garland of forest flowers, of a beautiful mouth and cheeks and clad in a yellow raiment. Having meditated on this Great Deity along with other gods with the mantram for lynbs he should perform the rite of Nyasa with the principal mantram. He should then make Sangka, Padma and other Mudras. Then, O Shankara, with the principal mantram, he should meditate on and adore Vishnu. O Rudra, he should then invoke the presiding gods, of the seat of the Deity. Om, O ye gods, come to the seat of Hayagriva. Having invoked them in the mystic diagram of Sastika and others he should adore them. O bull-emblemed deity, the adora tion of Dhata and Vidhata should be offered in the door, [with the mantram] " Salutation unto Achyuta with his