Lustration Ceremony (Neerajana)
The Lustration Ceremony (Neerajana) is a military and religious ritual performed by Kings to spiritually cleanse and empower their horses, elephants, and soldiers before taking the field. It is timed with the awakening of Lord Vishnu in autumn.
Ritual Specifications
- Timing: 8th, 12th, or 15th day of bright half of Kartika or Aswayuja (When Vishnu wakes up)
- Location: North-east of town on auspicious spot
- Structures: Triumphal Arch (16 cubits high, 10 wide), Holy House (Sarja/Udumbara branches, Darbha grass)
- Materials for Horses: String with saffron paste, Bhallataka nuts, rice, costus, white mustard seeds (tied to neck)
Sacrificial Materials
SandalwoodCostusMadderOrpimentRed ArsenicPriyanguVachaDantiAmrita creeperSaubhanjanaTurmericSuvarna pushpaAgni-manthaGirikarnikaPurna rosaKatambaraTrayamanaSahadeviNagapushpaKapikacchuSatavariSomarajee
These are put into full pots and offered to the fire along with honey, Payasa, and barley preparations.
Omens from Animals
Horse/Elephant stands with right leg uplifted
→ King will vanquish foe soon
Stands frightened
→ Augurs ill to the King
Smells or eats sanctified rice ball
→ Victory
Refuses rice ball
→ Defeat
The Royal Procession
The King, shining like the autumn Sun, should proceed with his army. If the army is in a jolly mood, weapons glitter, and men are free from unnatural mental dispositions, he will soon conquer the whole earth.