|| Worship of Indra-dhvaja as per Śrī Kālikā Purāṇa ||

aurva uvāca:

athātaḥ śṛṇu rājendra śakotthānaṁ dhvajotsavam |

yat kṛtvā nṛpatir yāti na kadācit parābhavam ||

" O !! Esteemed ruler, allow me to enlighten you about the śakradhvajothāna festival, where raising the flagstaff in the honor of Devendra occurs. Performing this ritual ensures that a king will never encounter a defeat."

ravau haristhe dvādaśyāṁ śravaṇena viḍaujasam |

ārādhayen napaḥ samyak sarva vighnopaśāntaye ||

To eliminate obstacles, the king should appease Indra on the twelfth day of the lunar month's waxing phase, coinciding with the Sun's position in the zodiac sign of Leo.

rājoparicaro nāma vasunāma parastu yaḥ |

nṛpatesnāyamatulo yajña prāvartitaḥ purā ||

In ancient times, King Uparicara, also known as Vasu, introduced this ritual.

pravṛṭkāle ca nabhasi dvādaśyāmasitetare |

purohito bahuvidhair vādyairstūryaiḥ samanvitaḥ ||

prathāmaṁ śakraketvartha vṛkṣaṁ āmantrya vardhayet |

saṁvatsaro vārdhikiṁśca kṛta maṅgala kautukaḥ ||

During the twelfth day of the waxing moon in the month of Bhādrapada, which falls in the rainy season, the royal priest should venture into the forest accompanied by professional musicians and dancers. While musical instruments play and dancers sing and dance, the king should select a tree for the śakradhvaja ceremony. The chosen tree is then invoked, worshipped, and auspicious rites are performed by astrologers and artificers.

udyāne devatāgāre śmaśāne mārga madhyataḥ |

ye jātās taravas tāṁstu varjayet vāsava dhvaje ||

When selecting a tree for the śakradhvaja, those originating from designated gardens, temple premises, crematoriums, or street sides should be avoided.

bahu valli yutaṁ vṛkṣaṁ bahukaṇṭaka saṁyutam |

kumbjaṁ vṛkṣādanīyuktaṁ latācchanna taru tyajet ||

Trees with an abundance of creepers, excessive thorns, dried-up foliage, stunted growth, parasitic plants, or heavily covered by creepers should never be selected for śakradhvaja.

pakṣi vāsa samākīrṇaṁ koṭarair bahubhir yutam |

pavanānala vidhvastaṁ taruṁ yatnena varjayet ||

Trees teeming with birds and their nests, with numerous holes in the trunk, uprooted, or damaged by storms and fires should be meticulously avoided.

nārisaṁjñāśca ye vṛkṣā ati hrasvā ati kṛṣāḥ |

tān sadā varjayet dhīraḥ sarvadā śakra pūjane ||

When venerating Śakra - the discerning eyes should consistently steer clear of trees identified as feminine, excessively short, or overly thin when selecting for the flagstaff.

arjuno ̎pyaśvakarṇaśca vaṭaḥ priyakoṣṇa caśca |

audumbraśca pañcai te ketvarthe hyuttamā smṛtā ||

The five types of trees—Arjuna, Aśvakarṇa, Vaṭa, Priyakoṣṇa, and Audumbara— are regarded as the most suitable for Indra's flagstaff.

anye ca devadārvādyāḥ śālādyās taravas tathā |

praśastāstu parigrāhyā nāpraśastāt kadācana ||

Additional trees like Devadāru and Sāla are also deemed suitable for the purpose. It is important to accept the trees recommended as suitable and reject those considered unsuitable.

dhṛtvā vṛkṣaṁ tato rātrau spṛṣṭvā mantraṁ imaṁ paṭhet |

yāni vṛkṣeṣu bhūtāni tebhyaḥ svasti namo ̍stu vaḥ ||

upahāraṁ gṛhītvemaṁ kṛyatāṁ vāsavadhvajam |

pārthivastvāṁ varayate sarvāsta te ̍stu nagottama ||

dhvajārthaṁ devarājasya pūjeyaṁ pratigṛhyatām |

After selecting the tree, recite the following mantras while touching the tree at night:

"I wish auspiciousness for all the beings dwelling on this tree. I pay my obeisance to you , O, the finest of trees ! Please accept these offerings and transform yourself into the flagstaff of Indra."

"The king has chosen you. May you become opulent and celebrated."

"Accept these offerings and become the flagstaff of Indra, the ruler of the deva-s."

tato ̍pare ̍hni kṛtvā taṁ chittvā mūlaṁ aṣṭāṁgulaṁ punaḥ |

jale kṣipet tathāgrasya chitvaiva caturaṅgalam ||

The following day, the chosen tree should be cut down. A section measuring eight digits at the base and another measuring four digits at the top should be chopped off and thrown into water.

tato nītvā puradvāraṁ ketuṁ nirmāya tatravai |

śuklāṣṭamyāṁ bhadrapāde ketuṁ vediṁ praveśayet ||

Afterward, the trunk of the tree should be taken to the city gate, where it is to be erected as the flagstaff. On the eighth day of the bright half of the month of Bhādra, the flagstaff should be placed on the designated platform.

dvāviṁśaddhastamānastu adhamaḥ ketur ucyate |

dvātriṁśat tu tato jyāyān dvācatvāriṁśad eva ca |

tato ̍ dhikaḥ samākhyāto dvāpañcaśat tathottamaḥ ||

A flagpole measuring twenty-two hastas tall is considered inferior, while those measuring thirty-two, forty-two, and the best, fifty-two hastas, are progressively superior.

kumāryaḥ pañca kartavyāḥ cakrasya nṛpa sattama |

śālamayyastu tāḥ sarvā aparāḥ śakra mātṛkāḥ ||

keto pāda pramāṇena kāryāḥ śakra kumārikāḥ |

mātṛkārdha pramāṇāstu yantraṁ hasta dvyaṁ tathā ||

The best among kings !!! Craft five maidens from sāla wood for Indra, and also create some Indra-mātṛkās. The size of the Indra-mātṛkās should match the pedestal of the flag staff. These Indra-mātṛkās should be half the size of the Indra-kumārīs. The yantra's dimensions should be two hastas.

evaṁ kṛtvā kumāriśca mātṛkā ketuṁ evaca |

ekādaśyāṁ site pakṣe yaṣṭiṁ tāṁ adhivāsayet ||

Therefore, after creating the Indra-kumarīs, Indra-mātṛkās, and the flag staff, the staff should be consecrated on the eleventh day of the waxing phase of the moon.

adhivāsya tato yaṣṭiṁ gandhadvārādi mantrakaiḥ |

dvādaśyāṁ maṇḍalaṁ kṛtvā vāsavaṁ visṛtātmakam ||

After invoking the flagstaff with mantras "gandha-dvāra " and others on the twelfth day, a large maṇḍala should be created for Indra.

acyutaṁ pūjayitvā tu śakraṁ paścāt prapūjayet |

śakrasya pratimāṁ kuryād kāñcanīṁ dākhīṁ ca vā ||

anya taijasasambhūtāṁ sarvābhāve tu mṛnmayīm |

tāṁ maṇḍalasya madhye tu pūjayitvā viśeṣataḥ ||

Initially, Viṣṇu should receive worship, followed by Indra. The mūrti of Indra, should be crafted preferably in gold, wood, or other metals. Alternatively, an earthen mūrti of Indra can be created if other materials are unavailable. The Indra pratimā is then placed in the center of the maṇḍala for special pūjā.

tataḥ shubhe muhūrte tu ketumutthāyen nṛpaḥ |

vajrahasta surārighna bahunetra purandara |

kṣemārthaṁ sarva lokānāṁ pujeyaṁ pratigṛhyatām ||

Afterward, the king should raise the flagpole at an auspicious moment while reciting the mantra: "O, Purandara, you possess the vajra and defeat the enemies of the deva-s. With your many eyes, this worship is dedicated to you for the well-being of all people. Please accept this worship."

ehyehi sarvāmara siddha saṅghair abhiṣṭuto

vajradharāmareśa |

samutthi tastvaṁ śravaṇādyapāde gṛhāṇa pūjāṁ bhagavan namaste ||

evamuttara tantroktair dahana plavanādibhiḥ |

iti mantreṇa tantreṇa nānāmai vedya vedanaiḥ ||

apapaiḥ pāyasaiḥ pānair guḍair dhānābhir eva ca |

bhakṣair bhojyaiśca vividhaiḥ pūjyecchṛvivṛddhaye ||

Oh mighty wielder of the thunderbolt, ruler of the gods, please come forth and accept this worship. It is the auspicious time of the first quarter of the star Śravaṇa, and I offer these prayers to you. To ensure prosperity, a king should worship Indra according to the rituals outlined in the Uttara Tantra, including offerings of burning incense, ceremonial bathing, and presenting various delicious foods such as cakes, rice cooked with milk, beverages, molasses, rice liquor, and other delectable treats.

ghaṭe tu daśa dik pālān grahāṁṣca paripūjayet |

sādhyādīn sakalān devān mātṛḥ sarvā anukramāt ||

Invoke and worship the ten guardians of the quarters of sky and earth, the nine planets, sāddhyas, and others, as well as the mātṛs in auspicious pots, following the standard order.

tataḥ śubhe muhurte tu jñani vardhaki saṁyutaḥ |

ketutthāpana bhūmiṁ tu yajñvedyāś ca paścime ||

vipraiḥ purohitaiḥ sārdhaṁ

gacched rājā sumaṅgalaiḥ |

Afterward, at a favorable moment, the king, accompanied by talented craftsmen and Brahmin priests, in a propitious setting, should move to the location where the flagpole will be erected, positioned to the west of the sacrificial arena.

rajjubhiḥ pañcabhirbaddhaṁ yantra śliṣṭaṁ samātṛkam |

kumārībhistu saṁyuktaṁ dikpālānāṁ ca paṭṭakaiḥ ||

bṛhadbhiratikāntaiśca nānādravyaiḥ supūritaḥ |

yathā varṇair yathā deśe yojitair vastra veṣṭitaiḥ |

yuktaṁ taṁ kiṅkiṇī jālair bahuvidhaistathā ||

bahupuṣpaiḥ sugandhaiśca caturbhirapi toraṇaiḥ |

utthāpayen mahāketuṁ rājakīyai śanaiḥ śanaiḥ ||

The flagpole, secured with five ropes intricately tied together using specific knots, embellished with the yantra and celestial beings (Indra kumāris and Indra mātṛs), enhanced with splendid ornaments, representing the guardians of the four directions, adorned with luxurious fabrics and embellishments, and gradually hoisted by kṣatriyas.

tamutthāya mahāketuṁ pūjitaṁ maṇḍalāntare |

pratimāṁ tāṁ nayenmūlaṁ ketoḥ śakraṁ vicintayan ||

After raising the flagpole within the sacred space, it should be worshipped. The image of Indra is to be placed at the base of the stambha, while focusing on meditative contemplation of Indra.

yajet taṁ pūrva vat tatra śacīṁ mātalim eva ca |

jayantaṁ tanyaṁ tasya vajram airāvataṁ tathā ||

grahāṁścāpyatha dikpālān sarvāśca gaṇa devatāḥ |

apūpādyaiḥ pūtayet tu balibhiḥ pāyāsadibhiḥ ||

Indra and his entourage, including his wife Śacī, charioteer Mātalī, son Jayanta, weapon vajra, elephant mount Airāvata, planets, directional guardians, and attendants, should all receive worship with offerings such as sweet rice, rice cakes, and sacrificial offerings.

pūjitānāṁ ca devānāṁ śaśvaddhomaṁ samācaret |

homānte tu baliṁ dadyād vāsavāya mahātmane ||

All deities who received offerings should also be honored with oblations in the fire. At the conclusion of the fire ritual, offerings, whether animate or inanimate beings (ex - animals and fruits those are recommended to be offeredas bali), should be presented to Devendra.

tilaṁ ghṛta cākṣataṁ ca puṣpaṁ dūrvāṁ tathaiva ca |

etaistu juhuyād devān svaiḥ svair mantrair narottama ||

The various deities should be honored with offerings of sesame, incense, rice, flowers, and dūrvā grass, accompanied by the recitation of the appropriate mantras designated for each deity.

tato homāvasāne tu bhojayed brāhmaṇānapi |

evaṁ saṁpūjayet nityaṁ sapta rātraṁ dine dine ||

brāhmaṇaiḥ sahitā rājā veda vedāṅga pāragaiḥ |

After the oblations in fire is over the king should feed Brāhmaṇas sumptuously. The king along with those Brāhmaṇas well versed in Vedas and Vedāṅgas should worship Indra in the same manner for seven successive nights.

sarvatra śakra pūjāsu yajñṣu parikīrtitaḥ |

trātāram iti mantro ̍yaṁ vāsavasya priyaḥ paraḥ ||

In all pūjās and yajñas conducted for gratifying Indra, the mantra " trātāram indram" should be recited as it is said to be Indra's favorite.

evaṁ kṛtvā divābhāge śakrotthāpanamāditaḥ |

śravaṇarkṣayutāṁ tu dvādaśyāṁ pārthiva svayam ||

anta pāde bharaṇyāṁ tu niśi śakraṁ visarjayet |

supteṣu sarva kāleṣu yathā rājā na paśyati |

ṣaṇmāsān mṛtyuṁ āpnoti rājā dṛṣṭvā visarjanam ||

Therefore, the king should personally conduct the Śakrotthāna rites from the start on the twelfth day of the waxing moon when it aligns with the star Śravaṇa. Śakradhvaja should be dismissed during the final quarter of the Bharaṇi constellation, in the middle of the night, when everyone is asleep, and it's crucial to ensure that the king doesn't witness the dismissal ceremony. If, unfortunately, the king does witness it, he will pass away within six months.

śakrasya nṛpa śārdūla tasmān nekṣeta tannapaḥ |

visarjanasya mantroyaṁ purāvid abhirudīritaḥ ||

Hence, it is advised that no monarch should participate in or witness the dismissal rituals of Śakradhvaja. The ancient sages have prescribed the following mantra for the visarjana ceremony.

sārdhaṁ surāsuragaṇaiḥ purandara śatakrato |

upahāraṁ gṛhītvema mahendra dhvaja gamyatām ||

" Purandara !!!, O Śatakratu !!! Please accept these offerings, along with the devas and asuras. We bid farewell to you, O, the flag of Mahendra !!! "

The Indra dhvaja should not be dismissed on the day assigned if an impurity arises from birth or death, if visarjana aligns with a Tuesday or Saturday, or if there's an earthquake tremor.

utpāte sapta rātraṁ tu tatho plava darśane |

vyatītya śani bhaumau ca hyanyarkṣe ̍pi visarjayet ||

If there̍s a natural disaster or societal upheaval, postpone the dismissal ceremony by a week. In that situation, the ceremony can occur on any other nakṣatra except on Tuesdays and Saturdays, taking care to avoid those specific days.

sūtake tvatha saṁprāpte vyatite sūtake punaḥ |

yasmin tasmin dine caiva sūtakānte visarjayet ||

In an event of impurity due to a birth or death, the visarjana should be performed on the day after the sūtaka period is over.

tathā ketuṁ nṛpā rakṣed patanti śakunā yathā |

na keto nṛpa śardūla yāvan nahi visarjane ||

The king should have taken steps to safeguard the flagpole from birds landing on it during the period of worship until the visarjana ceremony is completed.

śanaiḥ śanaiḥ pātayetu yathotthāpanam āditaḥ |

kṛtaṁ yathā tathā bhagne ketau mṛtyum āpnuyāt ||

Lower the Indradhvaja slowly and with great care, with caution same as when it was raised. If the staff breaks during the descent, the king will undoubtedly face imminent death.

visṛṣṭaṁ śakra ketuṁ tu sālaṅkāraṁ tathā niśi |

kṣiped anena mantreṇa tvagādhe sālale nṛpa ||

After the ritual of visarjana, the lowered flag staff should be cast into deep waters while chanting the following mantra.

tiṣṭha kero mahābhāga yāvat saṁvatsaram jale |

bhāvaya sarva lokānām antarāya vināśaka ||

O ! magnificent flagpole of Indra !!! O conqueror of obstacles !!! Remain submerged in water for an entire year, bringing prosperity to all.

utthāpyet tūrya ravaiḥ sarva lokasya vai puraḥ |

raho visarjayet ketuṁ viśeṣo yaḥ prapūjane ||

Raising the Indradhvaja should be done publicly amidst music, adulations, and grandeur, but its dismissal should be done discreetly. This is a unique aspect of worshiping Indradhvaja.

evaṁ yaḥ kurute pūjāṁ vāsavasya mahātmanaḥ |

sa ciraṁ pṛthivīṁ bhuktvā vāsavaṁ lokamāpnuyāt ||

Whoever worships the mighty Vāsava, the heavenly king Indra in this manner, will enjoy long-lasting dominion over the world and will ultimately reach Indra's heavenly realm upon death.

na tasya rājye durbhikṣaṁ nādhayo vyādhyaḥ kvacit |

sthāsyanti mṛtyur nā kāle janānāṁ tatra jāyate ||

In such a king's domain, there will never be famine, the people will not experience mental anguish or illnesses, and they will not encounter premature death.

tat tulyaḥ kopi nānyosti priyaḥ śakrasya pārthiva |

tasya pūja sarva pūjā keśavādyaś ca tatra gāḥ ||

O, mighty ruler !!! Nothing is more cherished by Indra than this. Worshiping him is akin to worshiping all devas, including Keśava and others who also participate in his worship.

sakala kaluṣa hāri vyādhi durbhikṣa nāśaṁ sakala bhava niveśaṁ sarva saibhagya kāri |

surapati gṛha gābhir vārcanaṁ śakra ketoḥ prati śaradam anekaiḥ pujayecchṛvṛddhayai ||

Worshipping Indradhvaja, according to this procedure, which is widespread in heaven, eradicates sins, protects against famine, and guards against diseases in the kingdom. It attracts all wealth, ensures good fortune for the king, and hence, it should be performed with grandeur every autumn to attain prosperity.

🙏 Jayatu Indra 🙏

🙏 Namo Narasiṁha 🙏