The Avarana Worship

Ishvara said

Mahadevi, there are five sheaths, and in order one starts to worship them. Ganesha and the six-limb deities, earlier worshipped in a certain spot with perfumes and other things, are first worshipped in that same spot. Then the five brahmanas all around are worshipped in the directions of Ishana, east, south, north and west, and then the six Vedangas, with the weapon mantra, all around, in the directions of Agni, Ishana, Nirriti and Vayu, ending with the leader in the centre. That is the first sheath. Now the second. Ananta is worshipped in the east petal, Sukshma in the south, Shivottama in the west, Ekanetra in the north, Ekarudra in Ishana's direction, Trimurti in Agni's, Shrikantha in Nirriti's and Shikhandisha in Vayu's. This second sheath is done in the form of a wheel. Vrisheshana is worshipped in the middle of the east gate, Nandi south of it, Mahakala north; Bhringisha west of the south gate, and Vinayaka in the cell east of it; Vrishabha in the north-west cell and Guha in the south cell. East of the north gate, going round, these eight are worshipped: Bhava, Sharva, Ishana, Rudra, Pashupati, Ugra, Bhima and Mahadeva. Maheshvara is invoked with the words "yo vedadou svara" and worshipped in the lotus above the pericarp on the east. Ishvara is worshipped to the east, Vishvesha to the south, Paramesha to the north and Sarvesha to the west. With perfumes and flowers Rudra is invoked with the Rik "aa vo rajanam" and worshipped in the pericarp and petals on the south. In order Shiva is worshipped in the east, Hara in the south, Mridha in the north and Bhava in the west petal. With "pra tadvishnu" Vishnu is invoked and worshipped in the pericarp and petals on the north, with Vasudeva in the east, Aniruddha in the south, Samkarshana in the north and Pradyumna in the west. With the mantra "Hiranyagarbhah samavartatagre" one who knows mantras invokes and worships Brahma in the western lotus, with Hiranyagarbha in the east, Viraja in the south, Pushkara in the north and Kala in the west. In the topmost row, going round from the east, the guardians of the worlds are worshipped in order in their places, each with a bija mantra, the ten bija mantras ending with certain letters in the text's list and the Shri bija. Brahma and Vishnu are worshipped in the south-west, north, north-east and south. Devesha is worshipped in the outer line of the fifth sheath. The illustrious trident is worshipped in the north-east, Indra's vajra in the east, the battle-axe in the south-east, the arrows in the south, the sword in the south-west, the noose in the west, the goad in the north-west and the Pinaka in the north. To please Shiva, one who knows the rules worships Rudra Kshetrapala standing facing west. All are to be thought of with hands cupped in salutation and smiling lotus faces, always glancing at the divinity and Devi with love and affection. After worshipping the sheaths so he sprinkles the peace water, worships Devesha again and says Pranava is Shiva, worships with perfumes and other offerings, offers the food offering prepared by the rules, then rinsing and arghya water as before, drinking water and betel as taught. When the lamp-waving is done the rest of the worship is complete. He meditates on the divinity and Devi and does japa a hundred and eight times. He stands with a prepared bunch of flowers in his cupped hands. Parameshvari, he does japa to Mahadeva from "yo devanam" to "yo vedadou svara," offers the flowers and circles three times, and with supreme devotion lies fully prostrate. He circles again and bows again. Seated on the seat he worships the divinity with his eight names, saying: Bhagavan Shambhu, any good or bad karma I have done is service to you. Saying this he offers conch water and flowers, worships the worthy one again and does japa with the eight names. Ishvara said he would tell her of this because of her devotion.