O Chandi, victorious goddess who triumphs throughout the three worlds, grant me peace and victory! Listen as I explain the sacred rite of waving lights, a ceremony to be performed within the northeastern temple. This temple, adorned with three gateways, is the place where the household gods are always to be worshipped. One must be attentive to the proper time: when the moon leaves the constellation Chitra and enters Swati, the sun is said to be attained, and from then, as long as the sun remains in Swati, worship should be offered to Brahma, Vishnu, Shambhu, Indra, Agni, and Vayu. During this auspicious period, Vinayaka, Kumara, Varuna, Kubera, Yama, all the gods, Vaishravana, and the eight mighty elephants of the directions should also be honored. These elephants—Kumuda, Airavata, Padma, Pushpadanta, Vamana, Supratika, Anjana, and Nila—are to be worshipped both within the house and in other appropriate places. The priest, following the prescribed ritual, should offer ghee into the sacred fire, along with kindling, sesame seeds, and cooked rice. Eight pots are to be reverently worshipped, and the finest horses and elephants are to be ceremonially bathed. After bathing, the horses are to be offered gifts, and then the elephants should receive their offerings. When all is prepared, the animals are to be led out through the gateways, never crossing over the main gate or similar thresholds, preserving the sanctity of the rite. Once these preparations are complete, all should proceed outward. The royal insignia must be worshipped within the house, and Varuna should be especially honored in his own quarter. At night, an offering—bali—should be presented to the spirits. When the sun enters the constellation Vishakha, it is fitting for the king to reside in the hermitage; on this day, he should take special care to decorate the royal vehicles. The royal insignia—elephant, horse, umbrella, sword, bow, and the five drums—should be carried by men, each item honored as befits its station. One who is learned in righteousness and the proper timing should raise the banner and flag, and then, having summoned all those assembled, arrange the warriors mounted on elephants and chariots. The two chief priests for the year are to be placed upon the elephant, and those who have been consecrated are to mount as well. The procession departs through the gateway, with the king himself mounting the elephant and distributing offerings according to the sacred rite. With a focused mind, the king should circumambulate three times around the mute, the assembled people, and the indicated directions, thereby sanctifying all. Accompanied by his fourfold army, resounding with the strength of his forces, the king should return home, having offered water in farewell, completing the rite. At this juncture, Pushkara speaks: “I will now declare the mantras for the umbrella and other royal emblems, by which victory and many blessings are invoked. These mantras are imbued with the truthful power of Brahma, Soma, and Varuna. ‘By the radiance of the Sun, may you flourish, O wise one, shining with a white brilliance like snow, jasmine, and the full moon. As a cloud covers the earth for her welfare, so may you, O umbrella, cover the king for his victory, health, and growth. Born of the Gandharva lineage, may you never bring disgrace to your family, upheld by the truthful words of Brahma, Soma, and Varuna. ‘By the power of Agni, may you, O horse, increase in strength, and by the Sun’s radiance and the sages’ austerity. By Rudra’s celibacy and the wind’s might, remember your noble birth—recall the Kaustubha jewel. Avoid the path of the greatest sinners—those who slay a Brahmin, father, or mother, who lie for land, or who, as Kshatriyas, flee the battlefield. May you never fall to such sin, nor suffer harm or deformity in battle or journey. ‘Slaying the king’s foes in battle, be joyful together with your master. Śakra’s mighty golden banner has taken refuge in you. The king of birds, Garuda—banner of Narayana, descendant of Kashyapa, bringer of nectar, lord of serpents, vehicle of Vishnu—is present in you: immeasurable, invincible, destroyer of the gods’ enemies, strong, swift, immense, and nourished by nectar. Garuda’s wind-like speed is established in you; you are set by Vishnu himself for Indra’s sake. ‘Always be for my victory and strength; protect us—horses, armor, weapons, and warriors—burn up our enemies! Worship also the eight elephants—Kumuda, Airavana, Padma, Pushpadanta, and Vamana—together with their sons and grandsons: Bhadra, Manda, Mriga, Gaja, and Samkirna, each eight in strength, born in every forest, remembering their origins. May the Vasus, Rudras, Adityas, and hosts of Maruts protect you. ‘Protect your master, O lord of serpents; uphold your sacred agreement. Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, rides Airavana behind you—may he protect you, and may you attain victory and well-being in battle. Gain the strength of Airavana, prosperity from Soma, might from Vishnu, brilliance from the Sun, swiftness from the Wind, steadiness from the mountain, victory from Rudra, and fame from Purandara. In battle, may the elephants and the deities of the directions protect you. ‘May the Ashvins and Gandharvas protect you on every side; the Manus, Vasus, Rudras, Vayu, Soma, and great sages; the hosts of Nagas, Kinnaras, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Bhutas, planets, Pramathas, Adityas, and Bhutesha with the Mothers. Shakra, Skanda the commander, and Varuna are your guardians—may they burn your enemies, and may the king achieve victory. ‘Whatever ornaments have been employed by enemies all around, let them fall, struck down by your brilliance, upon your foes. Let your power be as it was in the slaying of Kalanemi, the destruction of Tripura in battle, the fight with Hiranyakashipu, and the defeat of all the asuras.’ Thus are the rites, the worship, and the invocations to be performed, that peace, victory, and divine protection may ever accompany the king and his retinue.