Hear now the sacred account of the worship of Maṅgala, the auspicious son of the earth, as revealed in the ancient scripture. The great mantra, composed of six potent syllables—tā, ra, dīrgha (long vowel), indu (moon), yug (pair), vyoma (sky), and again indu (moon)—is declared to bring all desired auspiciousness to those who recite it with devotion. It is taught that a woman longing for a child should meditate upon the son of the earth, invoking these six sacred syllables. In her heart, she should remember the sweat-born son of the Lord, visualizing herself holding him gently in her hands. She is to offer oblations with holy sticks into the sacrificial fire and worship Kuja upon a Shaiva altar, seeking his blessings. For Maṅgala, the son of the earth, is renowned as the remover of debts and the bestower of wealth. He is called Lohita, the red-hued one, and Lohitākṣa, the red-eyed, showing compassion to those who sing the hymns of the Sāma Veda. As Aṅgāraka, he dispels all diseases. Thus, the scripture describes his twenty-one forms, each a source of divine power. By honoring Maṅgala in this manner, a person becomes accomplished and mighty, like Indra and the other gods wielding their thunderbolts. The beginning of this sacred vow is especially praised when commenced in the months of Mārgaśīrṣa or Vaiśākha. Having completed the prescribed dental purifications, one should observe silence in accordance with the tradition. All offerings—especially the food—should be prepared so that they are red in color, signifying Maṅgala’s fiery nature. On ground freshly smeared with red cow dung, the devotee should take a seat upon a red cloth. Upon one’s own limbs, the devotee should place the names of Maṅgala and his other forms. The son of the earth is to be visualized upon the nostrils and eyes, Kuja and Bhauma upon the forehead, Aṅgāraka upon the topknot, and Mahīsuta upon all the limbs. The wise should invoke the rain-bringing symbol from the crown of the head down to the tips of the feet, and then place it at the ends and in all directions, ensuring success in every endeavor. Having thus sanctified the body, the devotee should meditate once more upon the son of the earth. On a copper plate, within a triangle divided into twenty-one compartments, the worship is to be performed. First, the devotee should honor the limbs, then offer reverence to the auspicious deities and other divine beings. Within the triangles, worship is rendered, and the eight Mothers are also to be honored outside the main diagram. After offering incense and lamps, wheat and rice are presented as offerings. Then, the priest recites two mantras for auspiciousness, invoking Maṅgala’s blessings: “Desiring a son, I have approached you; accept this water for washing the hands—salutations to you.” And again: “O Son of the Earth, greatly fortunate one, accept this water for washing the hands—salutations to you.” After these offerings, the devotee bows to Tārā and the other deities, circumambulating them as many times as there are deities present. Respect is paid to Kumāra, the spear-bearer, and to Maṅgala, with heartfelt salutations. In a focused state, the devotee wipes away with the left foot the three lines that have been drawn, reciting the mantras: “With the left foot, I wipe away these three lines that have been made. I wipe away the three black lines, which have arisen from three births.” Meditating upon the lotus foot of Maṅgala, the devotee seeks unity with the divine worship. With humble prayer, the devotee entreats: “O Son of the Earth, always grant me good fortune and happiness. Giver of happiness, fortune, and wealth, destroyer of debt and poverty. O Lord of the gods, bestow your grace, you who are the source of all auspiciousness.” Those whose desires are thus fulfilled by Maṅgala’s grace attain blessedness and happiness. To the son of the earth, the devotee bows with reverence. When worshipped with devotion, Maṅgala grants happiness and good fortune; thus, salutations are offered to him—bringer of auspiciousness, cause of wealth and progeny.