 Lord Agni in the great Purana known by the name Agni Purana has dedicated a chapter to the worship of the cow Kapila. It is believed that Kapila is the one who imparts joy to its worshippers. The description commences saying that Kapila is the abode of all bliss. She has a gentle character and is regarded as a celestial animal. Kapila, is believed to have a good temperament and She has the capacity to impart enjoyment to this world and salvation in the world after death.
Purpose of worshiping Kapila It has been mentioned in the Purana that Kapila is the daughter of Suravi, who in turn is considered to be the mother of the universe. She grants all boons and gives ambrosia to the Gods. Lord Agni says that worshippers pray to Kapila for all their desires to be granted. People pray to her to take away all sins and inequities from their lives. Method of worshiping Kapila The worshipper in the process of worship asks the Kapila cow to stay close always. The worshipper also wishes that he or she may be able to meditate upon the Cow Kapila in a proper manner. As he or she continues the worship of the Cow, morsels of food are also offered during the process. After having addressed the Cow, the worshippers should deem themselves as identical with Lord Shiva or the supreme blissful one, who is pure, and whose ethereal self is incapable of sin. Then the worshippers should prepare for the worship of Shiva. And the worship of Lord Shiva involves a number of steps and many other deities are worshipped along with Him. An important component of the worship is the uttering of the Mrityunjaya mantra and the performing of Homa ceremony. As the worshippers perform the Homa ceremony they should merge the breath in the fire of Homa after having contemplated the divine essence of Shiva. Then the morsels of food are offered to several Gods and are cast into the oven. First the oblation is done to the Fire-God, then to Soma. The next oblations follows a fixed pattern like oblation to Vrihaspati, to Prajapati and to all the other Gods and the offerings should be cast into the different quarters of the heaven, starting with the east. After that the worshipper should bid adieu to the oven fire. The custom then involves worshipping the God of Virtue or the God of Piety towards the right side of the heaven and towards the left, the spirit of impiety is offered obeisance. Worship of Lord Varuna or the fire-god of the sea, and the worship of Lord Ganesha are important parts of worshipping Kapila. One by one all the other Gods and Goddesses who preside over every element of the household should be worshipped by the worshipper with absolute dedication. And only after pleasing all the deities of the house, the worshipper can have food. |
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Worship of Kapila
| Worship of Kapila, a Puranic cow, holds a prominent place in Agni Purana. How the worship of Kapila leads to the worship of Shiva and other deities has also been explained in the adhyayas. |
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