Then the great goddess Sarasvatī, with her robe over one shoulder, kneeling with her right knee on the ground and her palms together in homage, bowed toward the Bhagavat and said to the Bhagavat, “Venerable Bhagavat, I, the great goddess Sarasvatī, will bring eloquence to the words of those dharmabhāṇakas so that their words will be beautified. I will also bestow on them the power of mental retention. I will establish them in giving definitions. I will illuminate those dharmabhāṇakas with the great light of knowledge. If any line of verse or syllables of this Lord King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light is left out, or forgotten, I will bring all definitions, lines of verse, and syllables to those dharmabhāṇaka bhikṣus.
EN
“So that this Lord King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light may remain for a long time in Jambudvīpa and not quickly vanish; so that beings can accomplish roots of merit with a hundred thousand buddha bhagavats; so that many beings on hearing this Lord King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light may develop inconceivably sharp wisdom; so that they may gain an inconceivable aggregation of wisdom; so that they may attain good fortune in this life; so that they may have benefit in life and possess an immeasurable aggregation of merit; so that they may seek a variety of methods; so that they may become learned in all treatises; and so that they may attain perfection in a variety of arts, I will bestow the power of retention so that they will not forget.
EN
“I will teach the rite of cleansing with mantras and medicines for the benefit of the dharmabhāṇaka bhikṣus and the beings who listen to the Dharma, so that harm from the planets, lunar asterisms, birth, and death; all the harms from fighting, pollution, riots, chaos, nightmares, and misleaders; and the harms from all evil spirits and vetālas will cease.
EN
“These are the herbs and medicines through which the wise can cleanse themselves:
EN
“Sweet flag, cow bezoar, and fenugreek, Artemisia, acacia, and shami, Orris root and musk, Crepe ginger, cinnamon, and agarwood;
EN
“Chir pine rosin and dammar gum, Bdellium and frankincense, Valerian and black stone flower, Sandalwood and realgar;
EN
“Bezoar and costus root, Saffron, nut grass, and mustard seed, Linseed, cardamom, and spikenard, And ironwood flowers and vetiver:
EN
“Combine equal amounts of each During the Puṣya lunar house. Recite these mantra words A hundred times over the powder:
“Engage in the peaceful activity of cleansing by reciting this mantra while washing the body of the Bhagavat:
EN
tadyathā | sugaṭe vigaṭe vigatāvati svāhā |
EN
“May the lunar asterisms, wherever they are In the four directions, protect lives. May they bring to an end the dreadful terrors Of the harms from the stars of one’s birth, The fears that arise from a multitude of actions, And the disturbances of the elements.
“I will be there, because of this washing ritual, in order to guard the dharmabhāṇaka bhikṣu and those who listen to the Dharma and those who write it out.
EN
“Together with a host of devas, I will end all illness in those villages, towns, marketplaces, and monasteries.
EN
“I will end harm from planetary afflictions, fighting, and pollution; harm from the stars of one’s birth; and all harm from nightmares, troublesome demons, and all evil spirits and vetālas for the bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas, and upāsikās who possess this lord of sūtras, so that their lifespans will be benefited, they will abandon saṃsāra, they will progress irreversibly to the highest, most complete enlightenment, and they will quickly attain the highest, most complete enlightenment of buddhahood.”
EN
Then the Bhagavat congratulated the great goddess Sarasvatī, saying, “Well done, well done, great goddess Sarasvatī! You act to bring benefit to many beings, and happiness to many beings. It is excellent, excellent that you have given this teaching of mantras and medicines.”
EN
The great goddess Sarasvatī bowed down to the Bhagavat’s feet and sat to one side.
EN
Then the Kauṇḍinya brahmin, the Dharma master Vyākaraṇa, called upon the goddess Sarasvatī:
EN
“Great goddess Sarasvatī, You are worthy of offering, a great ascetic; You are renowned in all worlds; You give the best and have great qualities;
EN
“You have the highest attainment, are beautiful, And have put on a darbha grass robe— You are wearing darbha grass clothing, And you stand on one leg.
EN
“All the devas have gathered, And they all speak in one voice: ‘Loosen your tongue and speak The words that will benefit beings.’ ”
“May I have unimpeded understanding. May I accomplish the knowledge of treatises, verses, tantras, piṭakas, poetry, and so on.
EN
tadyathā | mahāprabhavā hili hili mili mili |
EN
“May I be victorious through the power of the Bhagavatī, the goddess Sarasvatī.
EN
karaṭe keyūre keyūravati hili mili hili mili hili hili |
EN
“I summon the great goddess through the truth of the Buddha, the truth of the Dharma, the truth of the Saṅgha, the truth of Indra, and the truth of Varuṇa. I invoke the great goddess through the truth and true words of all who speak truth in the world.
EN
tadyathā | hili hili hili mili hili mili | May I be victorious! I pay homage to the Bhagavatī, the great goddess Sarasvatī! May I accomplish the mantra words! svāhā |
EN
Then Sarasvatī said to the Kauṇḍinya brahmin, “Great being, it is excellent, excellent, that you give all beings excellent eloquence, miracles, higher cognitions, great wisdom, and so on, benefiting them and causing them to quickly attain enlightenment.”
EN
She then recited these verses in order to teach the rite of possessing this sūtra:
EN
“First, whoever recites this dhāraṇī Should pay homage to the Three Jewels. Then, by repeating it without error, They will attain excellent accomplishments.
EN
“Pay homage to the buddhas, The Dharma, the bodhisattvas, The pratyekabuddhas, the śrāvakas, And to Brahmā, Śakra, and the Four Mahārājas,
EN
“And imagine that you reverently serve Those who continually practice celibacy.
EN
“In a place that is peaceful and solitary, Recite audibly the dhāraṇīs and praises, And set out a vast offering To all the buddhas, devas, and nāgas.
EN
“Develop a motivation of compassion Toward the many classes of beings. Contemplate with a one-pointed mind The Bhagavat’s golden color and his signs.
EN
“Contemplate well the words and meaning Given specifically for individual capacities Through the Dharma, the supreme speech of the Bhagavat, And accomplish and remain in emptiness.
EN
“If you contemplate with a one-pointed mind The direct presence of all the bhagavats, Then you will obtain samādhi, Wisdom, and the sublime dhāraṇī.
EN
“The Dharma speech from the glorious throat of the Bhagavat, That sublime voice, guides his followers. His tongue covers the trichiliocosm And manifests various, individual wonders.
EN
“If you continually contemplate that excellent, Supreme speech, you will attain fearlessness. This inconceivable sign of his tongue Was attained through the power of vast prayers.
EN
“Just as space has no impediment, He teaches that phenomena are nonexistent. Contemplate the speech of the feature that is the Buddha’s tongue, And countless prayers will be fulfilled.
EN
“If someone makes offerings to Sarasvatī Or has a student who, according to instructions, In accord with scripture, practices the Dharma, They will obtain the most perfect honors.
EN
“Someone who practices for supreme wisdom And single-mindedly possesses this Dharma Will increase the accumulations of wisdom and merit And have definite accomplishment; do not doubt it!
EN
“Those who practice for wealth will have wealth, And gain and fame will likewise be accomplished. Those who wish for deliverance will be liberated. This will definitely be accomplished; do not doubt it!
EN
“Also numerous, countless good qualities Will be accomplished, as wished for. Someone who maintains this practice correctly Will definitely accomplish them; do not doubt it!
EN
“Wear clean clothes in a solitary place, And in a maṇḍala of whatever size you can make Place four vases that are extensive. At that time, offer flowers and incense.
EN
“Beautify it with flags, parasols, and streamers, And adorn it extensively with ointments and powders. Make offerings to the buddhas and Sarasvatī, And if you wish to see that deity, you will see her.
EN
“In front of the goddess Sarasvatī Recite and repeat this for three weeks. If you still have not seen that deity, Repeat with a stable mind for nine more days.
EN
“If she has not been seen in those nights, Seek another auspicious place. Draw a correct image of the goddess And continuously offer, repeat, and recite.
EN
“Day and night make a continuous effort For an immeasurable benefit to yourself and others. Its result will be bestowed on others And your wishes will be accomplished.
EN
“If in that way your wishes have not been accomplished, Then for three months, or for six months, or nine, Or with diligent mantra repetition for a year, You will attain the six higher cognitions, and so on.”
EN
The Kauṇḍinya brahmin, on hearing that teaching, felt immeasurable joy and delight, and he said to that gathered assembly:
EN
“This entire assembly of devas, humans, and others, Listen to me with undistracted minds. I will recite these verses Based upon relative truth, In order to praise the supreme goddess Sarasvatī.
EN
“I pay homage to the goddess with great power, Who has attained power over this world realm. I am going to praise you because This has been taught by the ṛṣis of the past.
EN
“Your glorious mind possesses bliss and learning And it is renowned for its beauty. You are also the mother who gave birth to this world And continuously acts with great diligence in glory.
EN
“You are always victorious on the battleground. Through subjugation you give rise to compassion and patience, You manifest the body of Yama’s sister, And you always wear clothes of blue silk.
EN
“You manifest both beauty and ugliness. Whoever sees your eyes will have trust in you. Your immeasurable activity transcends the world. Whoever comes to you for refuge, you take care of them.
EN
“Sometimes you dwell on mountains and rocks, Sometimes in caves or on riverbanks, Or also within forests of trees— Those places are the dwellings of the goddess.
EN
“If you continually make offerings to the goddess, Just as the humans in the borderlands do, Who make parasols from peacock feathers, Then she will protect the world at all times.
EN
“She is encircled by tigers and lions; Birds and cattle also depend on her. When the sound of her great bell resounds It is heard even on the Vindhya mountains.
EN
“In her hands she holds a trident, Or she holds the sun and moon as her standard. On the eleventh day of the waning moon, Or on the ninth, make offerings to her.
EN
“Because she looks upon the entire world, When a battle is being waged, through her kindness, She manifests as the goddess Vasu. She is a supreme goddess beyond analogy.
EN
“She manifests the form of the gopi Rādhā, And even fighting devas, she is always victorious. She dwells happily for a long time in the world, Sometimes wrathful, and sometimes peaceful.
EN
“She is skilled in the four Dharmas that are taught By the brahmins, and in all miracles and mantras. She has attained the power of the ṛṣis and devas And creates this great earth and its seeds.
EN
“Also, when she gathers together goddesses, They come and gather like ocean waves. She is chief among all the assemblies of many yakṣas, nāgas, And so on, and she has the power to guide them.
EN
“She is supreme among all female celibates. She has power like a lord of the world. She is also like a lotus in a royal dwelling Or like a boat or ship on a river.
EN
“Her wide face is like the full moon. She is a support for scholars. Her eloquence is as elevated as a mountain peak And she reveals a continent of contemplation.
EN
“The devas, such as the asuras and so on, All praise and extol her qualities. Even thousand-eyed Śakra, the king of devas, Gazes on her face with veneration.
EN
“Whatever it is that beings wish for, She quickly fulfills all those wishes. She has a swift mind, retains what she hears, And is supreme over all on this great earth.
EN
“She is always like a great illuminating lamp. In the world realms within the ten directions She even fulfills all the wishes of all Birds, carnivores, and herbivores.
EN
“She is like a mountain peak among females; Like the ṛṣis of the past, she remains for a long time; Like a young goddess, she is free of desire, And she speaks the truth like the Lord of Sahā.
EN
“You manifest a body that accords with the world. You are the chief among goddesses. Even in the paradises of the desire realm, There is no being that is greater.
EN
“She will save from the dangers Of battles and dangerous places, From falling into a pit of fire, And from rivers, crevasses, and savages.
EN
“Those who are bound in punishment by kings Or are being killed by an enemy, If their minds are one-pointed and unwavering, They will be freed from that suffering.
EN
“You protect all, the good and the bad. You are present before them with love and affection. Therefore, in my mind I bow down And I pay homage to the great goddess.”
EN
Then the Kauṇḍinya brahmin, the Dharma master Vyākaraṇa, praised the goddess Sarasvatī with these verses:
EN
“All hosts of spirits, listen to me! I praise the perfectly beautiful face of the sublime goddess, The sublime female, the highest of perfect goddesses In the world with its devas, gandharvas, and lords of devas.
EN
“The one named Sarasvatī is endowed with vast eyes. Her limbs are adorned by an accumulation of various qualities. She shines with merit, a vastness of stainless wisdom and qualities. She is like a vision of an accumulation of different jewels.
EN
“I praise her, who has the exceptional qualities of supreme speech. She produces the supreme, sublime accomplishments. She produces true praises and good qualities. She is stainlessly supreme, a shining lotus.
EN
“She has supreme eyes, sublime eyes. She is the basis for goodness, a vision of goodness. She is adorned with inconceivable qualities. She is like the moon, shining with pure light.
EN
“She is the source of wisdom and has sublime memory. She is a supreme lion, the divine steed of humans. She is adorned with eight arms And she shines like the full moon.
EN
She has a beautiful voice and lovely speech. She is endowed with profound wisdom. She is a sublime being who provides the highest needs. Her abode is praised by all the hosts of deva and asura lords, And she is continually offered to by the hosts of spirits: svāhā.
EN
“I pay homage to this goddess. May she bestow special qualities on me. May she grant me the accomplishment of all that is needed. May she constantly protect me in the midst of enemies.
EN
“In the morning, on arising, recite purely These complete syllables, the full words, And all wishes, wealth, and grain will be attained, And vast accomplishment and goodness will also be obtained.”
EN
The Bhagavat then congratulated the Kauṇḍinya brahmin, saying, “It is excellent, excellent, that you, for the sake of the benefit and happiness of beings, have recited this praise to the goddess Sarasvatī and received sublime accomplishment so that you will possess immeasurable merit.”
EN
Then the Kauṇḍinya brahmin, the Dharma master Vyākaraṇa, having prayed to the great goddess Sarasvatī with words of praise and eulogy, said to the assembly, “If you wish to invite the goddess Sarasvatī, be protected by her compassion, have unimpeded eloquence in this life, possess what you have heard, have great wisdom, be skilled in all treatises, and accomplish clear and unimpeded in the adornments of composition, then with a respectful motivation and a reverential mind recite these words in order to invite the goddess Sarasvatī:
EN
“I pay homage to the Buddha. I pay homage to the Dharma. I pay homage to the Saṅgha.
EN
“I pay homage to the bodhisattvas, śrāvakas, pratyekabuddhas, and all āryas of the past, future, and present.
EN
“I rejoice in the speech of the bhagavats in the ten directions who remain in valid true speech, who are without deception, and who speak the teaching of the truth in accord with individual capacities and correctly teach the truth constantly for countless millions of eons.
EN
“I bow my body and pay homage to all the bhagavats who, in speaking the truth, spread their vast, long tongues, so that they completely cover their faces, Jambudvīpa, the Four Mahārājas, a chiliocosm, a dichiliocosm, a trichiliocosm, and all the countless world realms in the ten directions, dispelling all affliction from the defilements.
EN
“May I possess such a sublime sign of the tongue and limitless eloquence.
EN
“I pay homage to the supreme eloquence of the Bhagavat; To the supreme eloquence of the great bodhisattvas; To the supreme eloquence of the ārya pratyekabuddhas; To the supreme eloquence of the four pairs and eight individuals;
EN
“To the supreme eloquence of the four truths; To the supreme eloquence of the true vision; To the supreme eloquence of the ṛṣis in Brahmā’s entourage; To the supreme eloquence of Umādevī;
EN
“To the supreme eloquence of the deity Skanda; To the supreme eloquence of the nāga Manasvin; To the supreme eloquence of the goddess of the night; To the supreme eloquence of the Four Mahārājas;
EN
“To the supreme eloquence of the devas in paradises; To the supreme eloquence of Vajraguhyakādhipati; To the supreme eloquence of the deity Viṣṇu; To the supreme eloquence of the goddess Padmā;
EN
“To the supreme eloquence of the deity Ganeśa; To the supreme eloquence of the goddess Śrī; To the supreme eloquence of the goddess Śrīmatī; To the supreme eloquence of Haridhara;
EN
“To the supreme eloquence of all the mātṛkās; To the supreme eloquence of Hārītī; To the supreme eloquence of the yakṣas; To the supreme eloquence of the buddhas; And to the supreme eloquence of the jinas in the ten directions.
EN
“May I have power through all supreme actions And attain supreme, infinite eloquence.
EN
“I pay homage to the one who is infallible. I pay homage to the one who is completely liberated. I pay homage to the one who is free of desire. I pay homage to the one who has cut through bondage.
EN
“I pay homage to the one with a pure mind. I pay homage to the one who shines with light. I pay homage to the speaker of true words. I pay homage to the one who is free of dust.
EN
“I pay homage to the one who dwells in the ultimate. I pay homage to the lord of the great assembly. I pay homage to the goddess Sarasvatī.
EN
“Cause my words to be unimpeded And swiftly accomplish every one Of all the aspirations that I have. May I obtain health, constant happiness, And also may my lifetime be long.
EN
“Quickly fulfill every aspiration: Bring skill in all the branches of knowledge, Bring diligence on the path to enlightenment, And bring many benefits to all beings.
EN
“I speak the genuine words of truth And I speak infallible words. May the supreme goddess Sarasvatī Cause my goals to be accomplished!
EN
“I pray, goddess, that you come to this place And make my words free of impediment. Quickly enter my body and mouth And quickly perfect my mind’s eloquence.
EN
“Make the faculty of my tongue Have the eloquence of the tathāgatas. Make me be a guide for beings Through the brilliance and power of my words.
EN
“Whatever words there are that I speak, May all their meanings be accomplished! May everyone have reverence for my words, And may all that I do not be wasted.
EN
“If when I wish for eloquence That goal is not accomplished, Then, goddess, your words of truth Will all become nothing but lies.
EN
“Those who have created the bad karma with immediate result Will become guided by the Buddha’s words. The words of any arhat And the words of Kṛtajña,
EN
“And the words of truth of those such as Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana, The leaders among the Bhagavat’s followers, May they all be accomplished by me.
EN
“On this day I invite to this place The Buddha and his assembly of disciples; May they all quickly come to this place So that my aspirations will be fulfilled.
EN
“When I supplicate with valid words of truth May they all become infallible. From the summit of existence down— Everyone in the Śuddhāvāsa paradises,
EN
“In all of the Brahmakāyika, Brahmapurohita, And Brahmapariṣadya paradises, Throughout the circle of the trichiliocosm— The lord of the Sahā world
EN
“And all those in his entourage, All of them I invite here today. Look upon me with compassion And completely take me into your loving care.
EN
“The Paranirmitavaśavartin devas And also the Nirmāṇarati devas; The devas in the sky in Tuṣita, The dwelling of Maitreya who will be a buddha;
EN
“The devas of the Yāma paradise, The devas of Trāyastriṃśa, And the devas of the Four Mahārājas; And also all the assemblies of other devas—
EN
“The devas of earth, water, fire, and air; Those who dwell on Sumeru Mountain, And devas of the mountains of the seven oceans, All of them and their entourages;
EN
“Pañcaśikha and Vāsuki; And the sun, moon, planets, and lunar asterisms— Those and all other devas, and those who are The source of happiness in the world;
EN
“Those and all other devas Who do not aspire to bad actions; The mother with reverence for the buddha Who had love for her youngest son;
EN
“And devas, nāgas, and yakṣas, Gandharvas and asuras, And also the kinnaras, The mahoragas, and so on—
EN
“Today I invite them all of them here Through the power of the Bhagavat. By regarding me with love and compassion, Develop unimpeded eloquence within me.
EN
“May those who know the minds of others, Those of all the devas and humans, Through all their power of blessing Bestow supreme eloquence upon me.
EN
“All of those beings that there are As far as the end of the element of space, The limits of the realm of phenomena, May they bestow upon me supreme eloquence!”
EN
After the Kauṇḍinya brahmin said those words to the goddess Sarasvatī, the goddess said to that great being, “Well done! Any noble man or noble woman who praises with those verses and possesses and keeps those mantra words, and goes for refuge to the Three Jewels, and with a focused, aspiring mind practices in accordance with the rite for their desired goal, this will not be a waste. Moreover, if they possess, keep, read, and recite this extremely subtle and profound Sublime Golden Light, the king that is the lord of sūtras, then all their aspirations will be quickly accomplished, unless this is done with a distracted mind.”
EN
At that time, the brahmin, his mind filled with admiration and overjoyed, placed his palms together in acceptance.
EN
Then the Bhagavat congratulated the goddess Sarasvatī, saying, “Goddess, it is excellent, excellent, that you protect and spread this sublime Dharma and that you teach this kind of Dharma to all the beings who possess this sūtra, so that happiness, merit, and limitless eloquence increase, and that you cause those who have developed the aspiration to quickly attain the highest, most complete enlightenment.”
Then the great goddess Sarasvatī, with her robe over one shoulder, kneeling with her right knee on the ground and her palms together in homage, bowed toward the Bhagavat and said to the Bhagavat, “Venerable Bhagavat, I, the great goddess Sarasvatī, will bring eloquence to the words of those dharmabhāṇakas so that their words will be beautified. I will also bestow on them the power of mental retention. I will establish them in giving definitions. I will illuminate those dharmabhāṇakas with the great light of knowledge. If any line of verse or syllables of this Lord King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light is left out, or forgotten, I will bring all definitions, lines of verse, and syllables to those dharmabhāṇaka bhikṣus.
EN
“So that this Lord King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light may remain for a long time in Jambudvīpa and not quickly vanish; so that beings can accomplish roots of merit with a hundred thousand buddha bhagavats; so that many beings on hearing this Lord King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light may develop inconceivably sharp wisdom; so that they may gain an inconceivable aggregation of wisdom; so that they may attain good fortune in this life; so that they may have benefit in life and possess an immeasurable aggregation of merit; so that they may seek a variety of methods; so that they may become learned in all treatises; and so that they may attain perfection in a variety of arts, I will bestow the power of retention so that they will not forget.
EN
“I will teach the rite of cleansing with mantras and medicines for the benefit of the dharmabhāṇaka bhikṣus and the beings who listen to the Dharma, so that harm from the planets, lunar asterisms, birth, and death; all the harms from fighting, pollution, riots, chaos, nightmares, and misleaders; and the harms from all evil spirits and vetālas will cease.
EN
“These are the herbs and medicines through which the wise can cleanse themselves:
EN
“Sweet flag, cow bezoar, and fenugreek, Artemisia, acacia, and shami, Orris root and musk, Crepe ginger, cinnamon, and agarwood;
EN
“Chir pine rosin and dammar gum, Bdellium and frankincense, Valerian and black stone flower, Sandalwood and realgar;
EN
“Bezoar and costus root, Saffron, nut grass, and mustard seed, Linseed, cardamom, and spikenard, And ironwood flowers and vetiver:
EN
“Combine equal amounts of each During the Puṣya lunar house. Recite these mantra words A hundred times over the powder:
“Engage in the peaceful activity of cleansing by reciting this mantra while washing the body of the Bhagavat:
EN
tadyathā | sugaṭe vigaṭe vigatāvati svāhā |
EN
“May the lunar asterisms, wherever they are In the four directions, protect lives. May they bring to an end the dreadful terrors Of the harms from the stars of one’s birth, The fears that arise from a multitude of actions, And the disturbances of the elements.
“I will be there, because of this washing ritual, in order to guard the dharmabhāṇaka bhikṣu and those who listen to the Dharma and those who write it out.
EN
“Together with a host of devas, I will end all illness in those villages, towns, marketplaces, and monasteries.
EN
“I will end harm from planetary afflictions, fighting, and pollution; harm from the stars of one’s birth; and all harm from nightmares, troublesome demons, and all evil spirits and vetālas for the bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas, and upāsikās who possess this lord of sūtras, so that their lifespans will be benefited, they will abandon saṃsāra, they will progress irreversibly to the highest, most complete enlightenment, and they will quickly attain the highest, most complete enlightenment of buddhahood.”
EN
Then the Bhagavat congratulated the great goddess Sarasvatī, saying, “Well done, well done, great goddess Sarasvatī! You act to bring benefit to many beings, and happiness to many beings. It is excellent, excellent that you have given this teaching of mantras and medicines.”
EN
The great goddess Sarasvatī bowed down to the Bhagavat’s feet and sat to one side.
EN
Then the Kauṇḍinya brahmin, the Dharma master Vyākaraṇa, called upon the goddess Sarasvatī:
EN
“Great goddess Sarasvatī, You are worthy of offering, a great ascetic; You are renowned in all worlds; You give the best and have great qualities;
EN
“You have the highest attainment, are beautiful, And have put on a darbha grass robe— You are wearing darbha grass clothing, And you stand on one leg.
EN
“All the devas have gathered, And they all speak in one voice: ‘Loosen your tongue and speak The words that will benefit beings.’ ”
“May I have unimpeded understanding. May I accomplish the knowledge of treatises, verses, tantras, piṭakas, poetry, and so on.
EN
tadyathā | mahāprabhavā hili hili mili mili |
EN
“May I be victorious through the power of the Bhagavatī, the goddess Sarasvatī.
EN
karaṭe keyūre keyūravati hili mili hili mili hili hili |
EN
“I summon the great goddess through the truth of the Buddha, the truth of the Dharma, the truth of the Saṅgha, the truth of Indra, and the truth of Varuṇa. I invoke the great goddess through the truth and true words of all who speak truth in the world.
EN
tadyathā | hili hili hili mili hili mili | May I be victorious! I pay homage to the Bhagavatī, the great goddess Sarasvatī! May I accomplish the mantra words! svāhā |
EN
Then Sarasvatī said to the Kauṇḍinya brahmin, “Great being, it is excellent, excellent, that you give all beings excellent eloquence, miracles, higher cognitions, great wisdom, and so on, benefiting them and causing them to quickly attain enlightenment.”
EN
She then recited these verses in order to teach the rite of possessing this sūtra:
EN
“First, whoever recites this dhāraṇī Should pay homage to the Three Jewels. Then, by repeating it without error, They will attain excellent accomplishments.
EN
“Pay homage to the buddhas, The Dharma, the bodhisattvas, The pratyekabuddhas, the śrāvakas, And to Brahmā, Śakra, and the Four Mahārājas,
EN
“And imagine that you reverently serve Those who continually practice celibacy.
EN
“In a place that is peaceful and solitary, Recite audibly the dhāraṇīs and praises, And set out a vast offering To all the buddhas, devas, and nāgas.
EN
“Develop a motivation of compassion Toward the many classes of beings. Contemplate with a one-pointed mind The Bhagavat’s golden color and his signs.
EN
“Contemplate well the words and meaning Given specifically for individual capacities Through the Dharma, the supreme speech of the Bhagavat, And accomplish and remain in emptiness.
EN
“If you contemplate with a one-pointed mind The direct presence of all the bhagavats, Then you will obtain samādhi, Wisdom, and the sublime dhāraṇī.
EN
“The Dharma speech from the glorious throat of the Bhagavat, That sublime voice, guides his followers. His tongue covers the trichiliocosm And manifests various, individual wonders.
EN
“If you continually contemplate that excellent, Supreme speech, you will attain fearlessness. This inconceivable sign of his tongue Was attained through the power of vast prayers.
EN
“Just as space has no impediment, He teaches that phenomena are nonexistent. Contemplate the speech of the feature that is the Buddha’s tongue, And countless prayers will be fulfilled.
EN
“If someone makes offerings to Sarasvatī Or has a student who, according to instructions, In accord with scripture, practices the Dharma, They will obtain the most perfect honors.
EN
“Someone who practices for supreme wisdom And single-mindedly possesses this Dharma Will increase the accumulations of wisdom and merit And have definite accomplishment; do not doubt it!
EN
“Those who practice for wealth will have wealth, And gain and fame will likewise be accomplished. Those who wish for deliverance will be liberated. This will definitely be accomplished; do not doubt it!
EN
“Also numerous, countless good qualities Will be accomplished, as wished for. Someone who maintains this practice correctly Will definitely accomplish them; do not doubt it!
EN
“Wear clean clothes in a solitary place, And in a maṇḍala of whatever size you can make Place four vases that are extensive. At that time, offer flowers and incense.
EN
“Beautify it with flags, parasols, and streamers, And adorn it extensively with ointments and powders. Make offerings to the buddhas and Sarasvatī, And if you wish to see that deity, you will see her.
EN
“In front of the goddess Sarasvatī Recite and repeat this for three weeks. If you still have not seen that deity, Repeat with a stable mind for nine more days.
EN
“If she has not been seen in those nights, Seek another auspicious place. Draw a correct image of the goddess And continuously offer, repeat, and recite.
EN
“Day and night make a continuous effort For an immeasurable benefit to yourself and others. Its result will be bestowed on others And your wishes will be accomplished.
EN
“If in that way your wishes have not been accomplished, Then for three months, or for six months, or nine, Or with diligent mantra repetition for a year, You will attain the six higher cognitions, and so on.”
EN
The Kauṇḍinya brahmin, on hearing that teaching, felt immeasurable joy and delight, and he said to that gathered assembly:
EN
“This entire assembly of devas, humans, and others, Listen to me with undistracted minds. I will recite these verses Based upon relative truth, In order to praise the supreme goddess Sarasvatī.
EN
“I pay homage to the goddess with great power, Who has attained power over this world realm. I am going to praise you because This has been taught by the ṛṣis of the past.
EN
“Your glorious mind possesses bliss and learning And it is renowned for its beauty. You are also the mother who gave birth to this world And continuously acts with great diligence in glory.
EN
“You are always victorious on the battleground. Through subjugation you give rise to compassion and patience, You manifest the body of Yama’s sister, And you always wear clothes of blue silk.
EN
“You manifest both beauty and ugliness. Whoever sees your eyes will have trust in you. Your immeasurable activity transcends the world. Whoever comes to you for refuge, you take care of them.
EN
“Sometimes you dwell on mountains and rocks, Sometimes in caves or on riverbanks, Or also within forests of trees— Those places are the dwellings of the goddess.
EN
“If you continually make offerings to the goddess, Just as the humans in the borderlands do, Who make parasols from peacock feathers, Then she will protect the world at all times.
EN
“She is encircled by tigers and lions; Birds and cattle also depend on her. When the sound of her great bell resounds It is heard even on the Vindhya mountains.
EN
“In her hands she holds a trident, Or she holds the sun and moon as her standard. On the eleventh day of the waning moon, Or on the ninth, make offerings to her.
EN
“Because she looks upon the entire world, When a battle is being waged, through her kindness, She manifests as the goddess Vasu. She is a supreme goddess beyond analogy.
EN
“She manifests the form of the gopi Rādhā, And even fighting devas, she is always victorious. She dwells happily for a long time in the world, Sometimes wrathful, and sometimes peaceful.
EN
“She is skilled in the four Dharmas that are taught By the brahmins, and in all miracles and mantras. She has attained the power of the ṛṣis and devas And creates this great earth and its seeds.
EN
“Also, when she gathers together goddesses, They come and gather like ocean waves. She is chief among all the assemblies of many yakṣas, nāgas, And so on, and she has the power to guide them.
EN
“She is supreme among all female celibates. She has power like a lord of the world. She is also like a lotus in a royal dwelling Or like a boat or ship on a river.
EN
“Her wide face is like the full moon. She is a support for scholars. Her eloquence is as elevated as a mountain peak And she reveals a continent of contemplation.
EN
“The devas, such as the asuras and so on, All praise and extol her qualities. Even thousand-eyed Śakra, the king of devas, Gazes on her face with veneration.
EN
“Whatever it is that beings wish for, She quickly fulfills all those wishes. She has a swift mind, retains what she hears, And is supreme over all on this great earth.
EN
“She is always like a great illuminating lamp. In the world realms within the ten directions She even fulfills all the wishes of all Birds, carnivores, and herbivores.
EN
“She is like a mountain peak among females; Like the ṛṣis of the past, she remains for a long time; Like a young goddess, she is free of desire, And she speaks the truth like the Lord of Sahā.
EN
“You manifest a body that accords with the world. You are the chief among goddesses. Even in the paradises of the desire realm, There is no being that is greater.
EN
“She will save from the dangers Of battles and dangerous places, From falling into a pit of fire, And from rivers, crevasses, and savages.
EN
“Those who are bound in punishment by kings Or are being killed by an enemy, If their minds are one-pointed and unwavering, They will be freed from that suffering.
EN
“You protect all, the good and the bad. You are present before them with love and affection. Therefore, in my mind I bow down And I pay homage to the great goddess.”
EN
Then the Kauṇḍinya brahmin, the Dharma master Vyākaraṇa, praised the goddess Sarasvatī with these verses:
EN
“All hosts of spirits, listen to me! I praise the perfectly beautiful face of the sublime goddess, The sublime female, the highest of perfect goddesses In the world with its devas, gandharvas, and lords of devas.
EN
“The one named Sarasvatī is endowed with vast eyes. Her limbs are adorned by an accumulation of various qualities. She shines with merit, a vastness of stainless wisdom and qualities. She is like a vision of an accumulation of different jewels.
EN
“I praise her, who has the exceptional qualities of supreme speech. She produces the supreme, sublime accomplishments. She produces true praises and good qualities. She is stainlessly supreme, a shining lotus.
EN
“She has supreme eyes, sublime eyes. She is the basis for goodness, a vision of goodness. She is adorned with inconceivable qualities. She is like the moon, shining with pure light.
EN
“She is the source of wisdom and has sublime memory. She is a supreme lion, the divine steed of humans. She is adorned with eight arms And she shines like the full moon.
EN
She has a beautiful voice and lovely speech. She is endowed with profound wisdom. She is a sublime being who provides the highest needs. Her abode is praised by all the hosts of deva and asura lords, And she is continually offered to by the hosts of spirits: svāhā.
EN
“I pay homage to this goddess. May she bestow special qualities on me. May she grant me the accomplishment of all that is needed. May she constantly protect me in the midst of enemies.
EN
“In the morning, on arising, recite purely These complete syllables, the full words, And all wishes, wealth, and grain will be attained, And vast accomplishment and goodness will also be obtained.”
EN
The Bhagavat then congratulated the Kauṇḍinya brahmin, saying, “It is excellent, excellent, that you, for the sake of the benefit and happiness of beings, have recited this praise to the goddess Sarasvatī and received sublime accomplishment so that you will possess immeasurable merit.”
EN
Then the Kauṇḍinya brahmin, the Dharma master Vyākaraṇa, having prayed to the great goddess Sarasvatī with words of praise and eulogy, said to the assembly, “If you wish to invite the goddess Sarasvatī, be protected by her compassion, have unimpeded eloquence in this life, possess what you have heard, have great wisdom, be skilled in all treatises, and accomplish clear and unimpeded in the adornments of composition, then with a respectful motivation and a reverential mind recite these words in order to invite the goddess Sarasvatī:
EN
“I pay homage to the Buddha. I pay homage to the Dharma. I pay homage to the Saṅgha.
EN
“I pay homage to the bodhisattvas, śrāvakas, pratyekabuddhas, and all āryas of the past, future, and present.
EN
“I rejoice in the speech of the bhagavats in the ten directions who remain in valid true speech, who are without deception, and who speak the teaching of the truth in accord with individual capacities and correctly teach the truth constantly for countless millions of eons.
EN
“I bow my body and pay homage to all the bhagavats who, in speaking the truth, spread their vast, long tongues, so that they completely cover their faces, Jambudvīpa, the Four Mahārājas, a chiliocosm, a dichiliocosm, a trichiliocosm, and all the countless world realms in the ten directions, dispelling all affliction from the defilements.
EN
“May I possess such a sublime sign of the tongue and limitless eloquence.
EN
“I pay homage to the supreme eloquence of the Bhagavat; To the supreme eloquence of the great bodhisattvas; To the supreme eloquence of the ārya pratyekabuddhas; To the supreme eloquence of the four pairs and eight individuals;
EN
“To the supreme eloquence of the four truths; To the supreme eloquence of the true vision; To the supreme eloquence of the ṛṣis in Brahmā’s entourage; To the supreme eloquence of Umādevī;
EN
“To the supreme eloquence of the deity Skanda; To the supreme eloquence of the nāga Manasvin; To the supreme eloquence of the goddess of the night; To the supreme eloquence of the Four Mahārājas;
EN
“To the supreme eloquence of the devas in paradises; To the supreme eloquence of Vajraguhyakādhipati; To the supreme eloquence of the deity Viṣṇu; To the supreme eloquence of the goddess Padmā;
EN
“To the supreme eloquence of the deity Ganeśa; To the supreme eloquence of the goddess Śrī; To the supreme eloquence of the goddess Śrīmatī; To the supreme eloquence of Haridhara;
EN
“To the supreme eloquence of all the mātṛkās; To the supreme eloquence of Hārītī; To the supreme eloquence of the yakṣas; To the supreme eloquence of the buddhas; And to the supreme eloquence of the jinas in the ten directions.
EN
“May I have power through all supreme actions And attain supreme, infinite eloquence.
EN
“I pay homage to the one who is infallible. I pay homage to the one who is completely liberated. I pay homage to the one who is free of desire. I pay homage to the one who has cut through bondage.
EN
“I pay homage to the one with a pure mind. I pay homage to the one who shines with light. I pay homage to the speaker of true words. I pay homage to the one who is free of dust.
EN
“I pay homage to the one who dwells in the ultimate. I pay homage to the lord of the great assembly. I pay homage to the goddess Sarasvatī.
EN
“Cause my words to be unimpeded And swiftly accomplish every one Of all the aspirations that I have. May I obtain health, constant happiness, And also may my lifetime be long.
EN
“Quickly fulfill every aspiration: Bring skill in all the branches of knowledge, Bring diligence on the path to enlightenment, And bring many benefits to all beings.
EN
“I speak the genuine words of truth And I speak infallible words. May the supreme goddess Sarasvatī Cause my goals to be accomplished!
EN
“I pray, goddess, that you come to this place And make my words free of impediment. Quickly enter my body and mouth And quickly perfect my mind’s eloquence.
EN
“Make the faculty of my tongue Have the eloquence of the tathāgatas. Make me be a guide for beings Through the brilliance and power of my words.
EN
“Whatever words there are that I speak, May all their meanings be accomplished! May everyone have reverence for my words, And may all that I do not be wasted.
EN
“If when I wish for eloquence That goal is not accomplished, Then, goddess, your words of truth Will all become nothing but lies.
EN
“Those who have created the bad karma with immediate result Will become guided by the Buddha’s words. The words of any arhat And the words of Kṛtajña,
EN
“And the words of truth of those such as Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana, The leaders among the Bhagavat’s followers, May they all be accomplished by me.
EN
“On this day I invite to this place The Buddha and his assembly of disciples; May they all quickly come to this place So that my aspirations will be fulfilled.
EN
“When I supplicate with valid words of truth May they all become infallible. From the summit of existence down— Everyone in the Śuddhāvāsa paradises,
EN
“In all of the Brahmakāyika, Brahmapurohita, And Brahmapariṣadya paradises, Throughout the circle of the trichiliocosm— The lord of the Sahā world
EN
“And all those in his entourage, All of them I invite here today. Look upon me with compassion And completely take me into your loving care.
EN
“The Paranirmitavaśavartin devas And also the Nirmāṇarati devas; The devas in the sky in Tuṣita, The dwelling of Maitreya who will be a buddha;
EN
“The devas of the Yāma paradise, The devas of Trāyastriṃśa, And the devas of the Four Mahārājas; And also all the assemblies of other devas—
EN
“The devas of earth, water, fire, and air; Those who dwell on Sumeru Mountain, And devas of the mountains of the seven oceans, All of them and their entourages;
EN
“Pañcaśikha and Vāsuki; And the sun, moon, planets, and lunar asterisms— Those and all other devas, and those who are The source of happiness in the world;
EN
“Those and all other devas Who do not aspire to bad actions; The mother with reverence for the buddha Who had love for her youngest son;
EN
“And devas, nāgas, and yakṣas, Gandharvas and asuras, And also the kinnaras, The mahoragas, and so on—
EN
“Today I invite them all of them here Through the power of the Bhagavat. By regarding me with love and compassion, Develop unimpeded eloquence within me.
EN
“May those who know the minds of others, Those of all the devas and humans, Through all their power of blessing Bestow supreme eloquence upon me.
EN
“All of those beings that there are As far as the end of the element of space, The limits of the realm of phenomena, May they bestow upon me supreme eloquence!”
EN
After the Kauṇḍinya brahmin said those words to the goddess Sarasvatī, the goddess said to that great being, “Well done! Any noble man or noble woman who praises with those verses and possesses and keeps those mantra words, and goes for refuge to the Three Jewels, and with a focused, aspiring mind practices in accordance with the rite for their desired goal, this will not be a waste. Moreover, if they possess, keep, read, and recite this extremely subtle and profound Sublime Golden Light, the king that is the lord of sūtras, then all their aspirations will be quickly accomplished, unless this is done with a distracted mind.”
EN
At that time, the brahmin, his mind filled with admiration and overjoyed, placed his palms together in acceptance.
EN
Then the Bhagavat congratulated the goddess Sarasvatī, saying, “Goddess, it is excellent, excellent, that you protect and spread this sublime Dharma and that you teach this kind of Dharma to all the beings who possess this sūtra, so that happiness, merit, and limitless eloquence increase, and that you cause those who have developed the aspiration to quickly attain the highest, most complete enlightenment.”
Sutraya