94 Isanaśivagurudevapaddhati make atonement. The word Pavitra is used in the sense of sancti- fying the objects. It is prescribed as follows: सर्वपूजाविधिछिद्रच्युतस्खलितपूर्तिदम् पवित्रारोपणं कुर्यात् प्रतिसंवत्सरं बुधः ॥ उपेक्षयाथवाज्ञानात् यो न कुर्यात् पवित्रकम् । स सिद्धिभ्रंशमाप्नोति विघ्नैश्च परिभूयते ॥ पूजाजपाग्निकार्यादेशच्युतस्खलितदोषतः1 यत् कृतं पावयत्येनं तस्मादुक्तं पवित्रकम् || It is of two kinds; Nityapavitra--the one that is put on the idol every day. It may be made of flowers of Kusa grass. The other is called Gandhapavitra made of threads and used in Naimittika rites. In Kṛtayuga, this was made using gold, silver or copper. But in the age of Kali it should be made of cotton threads. In the absence of threads Kusa or Muñja grass may be made use of. The length can be four, eight or twelve Angulas (an angula approxi- mately equals an inch). The number of threads in a Pavitra may vary from twenty-eight as the maximum, adding ten each to the types. The benefits of Paviträropana is summed up as absolute liberation. (22) The worship of the spring season personified as a deity is important. Vasanta, the spring is regarded as a companion of Kamadeva The worship is considered to be pleasing to Siva. The main feature of this vernal festival is the worship of a creeper called Damana. The reason for the propitiation is narrated by the author. Once Śiva was engaged in a penance in the Himalaya moun- tain. He was attended by his retinues and sages. At that time the gods tormented by the wicked demon Taraka approached Brahma who asked them to unite Pärvati with Śiva. He convinced them that only an offspring of Pirvati and Siva could put an end to their sufferings. Instructed by Indra and other gods Kama went to the hermitage along with his companion Vasanta. The trees and creepers put forth flowers to help Käma in his efforts of break- ing the concentration of Siva and to attract him towards Pärvati. When Kama succeeded in his efforts, Siva found out the reason for the unsteadiness of his mind. Fire blazed forth from his third eye which became Phairava and Kama was reduced to ash. Seeing
