Page:Durga Puja - With Notes and Illustrations.djvu/52

 arousing, but the Kalpa or the resolution to worship the Goddess may be commenced on the first day after the new moon preceding the Durgotsava, this is called the Pratipadadikalpa.

 THE KALPARAMBHA(8).

.—On the day of pratipada having finished the usual morning ceremony,(9) with kusa in hand, and having done the achamana(10), repeat the achamana sukta. The achamana is a peculiar process of washing and purifying one's self. The head of the family then says, Om the gods always observe that Vishnu is the best of all existences, and He indeed is the eye of knowledge &c. He then worships Narayana, and utters, Om Svasti, Prosperity. Om in this performable yearly autumnal great Durga Puja oh ye (addressing the priests present) pronouncee that ye are pure. I am pure is the reply. Similarly Svasti and Rddhi are repeated, and the Svasti Sukta is pronounced. Om may Indra, the lord of sacrifices, bless us with prosperity, may Pusha the Visvaveda bless us with prosperity, and may Vrhaspati bless us with prosperity! Om the sun, the moon, Yama, time, evening, beings, day, night, air, the dikpalas (gods presiding over the points of the compass) the earth, the heavens, the aerial beings and the immortals, witnesses appointed by 