#013 I AM PUNISHING KALI

BOOK 7, CHAPTER 10, VERSE 109 (A)

Sage :
Badarayana (pr: Baadaraayan`a) - (another name Vyaasa).

Gods:
There seems to be a separate God for gambling with "Dice". Here he is called BABHRU.

Procedure :
There are seven verses from 109 A to 109 G. This is FIRST verse. All the verses are to be used in this procedure.

The dice are to be first soaked in curd and honey for three nights.
Then they are to be sanctified by recitiing the seven verses three times.
After chanting the first verse, the dice are to be sanctified with clarified butter and given to the Athvaru (priest who is heading this prayer).

KAAND`A 7, ANUVAAKAM 10, SUUKTAM 109 A

Idam ugraaya Babhravee namoo
yoo aksheesu tamaa avas`i
Ghriteena kali#m Sikshaami
sa noo# mrid`aa tiidri#s`ee.

GIST
I salute the God, who is fierce, very dark brown colored (Babhru), and who controls the movements of dice. By applying the sanctified clarified butter to the dice and throwing them, I am punishing KALI (Pl. see glossary below). I am not a loser. I am going to make my rivals to lose.
Let the God of Dice (Babhru) make us comfortable! (by making us to win).

GLOSSARY
The word "Kali ('A' is short. 'L' is light in pronunciation)" has several meanings. The most appropriate meaning in this context: "The side of the die which is makred with one point". (Kali represents the metal "iron" which in those days seems to be symbol of misfortune and loss). By throwing the "iron" and dice, the performer of this sacrificial prayer feels that he is punishing "kali" i.e. misfortune.


Other meanings of the word "Kali" : 1. Kali age of 432,000 years (called Kali Yuga which started on Feb. 8, 3102 BC as per Indian almanocs. It is also called the iron age representing fall of ethical values. (Other previous ages are golden, silver and copper). 2. quarrel, battle, strife, war. 3. Personification of the Kali Age, called Kali Purusha (equal to Satan). 4. The worest of any class. 5. Bibhiitika tree. 6. A hero. 7. A bud. 8. An arrow.


NOTE
Vedic chants are sung using musical scales and rhythm. # marked are points where "udaatta note (top point)" are to be reached. The same way there are "unudaatta note (low tone points)". These are to be learnt from an expert teacher.