Sutra of the Holy Star Mother Dharani Spoken by the Buddha

Translation by Dharma Deva, Master of Propagation, Court Minister and Diplomatic Secretary, Tripitaka Master of Western Regions, Commissioned by Imperial Dec

This is what I heard:

Once, the Buddha was in the city of Anāthapiṇḍika. At that time, countless gods, dragons, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kiṃnaras, mahoragas, humans and non-humans, as well as the twenty-seven celestial bodies—such as Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, the Moon, the Sun, Rāhu, and Ketu—respectfully surrounded him. In this great Vajra Samādhi adorned assembly ground, there were also countless thousands of great bodhisattvas, whose names were: Vajrapāṇi Bodhisattva, Vajra Wrath Bodhisattva, Vajra Army Bodhisattva, Vajra Banner Bodhisattva, Vajra Lord Bodhisattva, Vajra Adornment Bodhisattva, Vajra Light Bodhisattva, Vajra Unfolding Bodhisattva, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, Universal Observer Bodhisattva, Auspicious Bodhisattva, Lotus Banner Bodhisattva, Lotus Treasury Bodhisattva, Lotus Eye Bodhisattva, Maitreya Bodhisattva, Mañjuśrī Dharma Prince Bodhisattva Mahāsattva, and other such great bodhisattvas respectfully surrounded him. The Buddha taught the Dharma, excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, and excellent in the end, its meaning profound and far-reaching, its words skillful and wondrous, pure and undefiled, complete and flawless, adorned and perfectly fulfilling.

At that time, the Bodhisattva Mahasattva Vajrapani rose from his seat. With his spiritual power, he circumambulated the World-Honored One countless hundreds of thousands of times to the right, bowed his head to the ground in reverence, then sat down cross-legged. With clear, pure eyes, he gazed upon the great assembly, placed his palms together in the vajra mudra at his heart, and addressed the World-Honored One:

"There are certain constellations and planets whose forms are coarse and fierce, whose minds are full of wrath. They vex and harm sentient beings—some cut off the root of life, some deplete people's wealth and treasures, some diminish people's vital energy, some shorten people's lifespans. In such ways, they inflict harm and distress upon all beings. We beseech you, World-Honored One, to proclaim the true secret Dharma to provide them protection."

The Buddha said: "Excellent, excellent! Out of compassion and for the benefit of all sentient beings, you inquire of the Tathagata about the supreme secret method. Now listen attentively, reflect well, and I shall explain it to you. Vajrapani! For these malignant constellations and planets, as well as for devas, nagas, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, non-humans, and others—one should offer the supreme argha and music, and so forth. Empower each offering according to the Dharma, causing them to rejoice and eliminating all evils."

Then Shakyamuni Buddha emitted from his own heart a great radiance called the Light of Compassion, which entered the crowns of all the constellations and planets. In an instant, all the constellations and planets, along with the sun and moon, rose from their seats, bowed their heads to the Buddha's feet, placed their right knees on the ground, joined their palms respectfully, and addressed the Buddha:

"World-Honored One! Tathagata, Worthy of Offerings, Perfectly Enlightened One, we pray you grant us your acceptance and proclaim the true Dharma. If we hear it, we will protect sentient beings so that they have no calamities or harms. All bonds, swords, poisonous creatures—nothing shall harm them. We will establish a protective boundary of the earth."

Then the Tathagata Shakyamuni proclaimed the mantra for making offerings to the constellations and planets:

Om, to the one with the jeweled crown, svaha. Om, to the one who grants all wishes, svaha. Om, to the great compassionate one, svaha. Om, to the great hero, great hero, svaha. Om, to the one who bestows fearlessness, svaha. Om, to the leader of the asuras, svaha. Om, to the one with the dark-blue complexion, svaha. Om, to the one who is immortal, svaha. Om, to the one who is the lord of the earth, svaha.

Then the World-Honored One, having spoken the mantra, addressed the Vajrapani Bodhisattva, saying: "These nine planetary mantras, when recited, all lead to accomplishment. First, one must follow the method: anoint a mandala with fragrant water, twelve finger-widths in size, and offer argha water in a vessel of gold, silver, copper, or earthenware to worship the planets. Using the aforementioned mantra, recite each one hundred and eight times, and all one seeks will be fully accomplished."

The Buddha told Vajrapani Bodhisattva: "I will now speak another dharani called the Mother of Auspicious Planets. It possesses great illuminating power and can provide protection. All constellations and planets hear it and rejoice. If a bhikshu, bhikshuni, upasaka, or upasika hears this sutra, offers argha water at the mandala in worship, and recites this mantra seven times, they will attain wealth, honor, and long life. If one recites it daily, all those constellations and planets will fulfill every wish of sentient beings. The mantra of the Mother of Constellations and Planets is as follows:"

Homage to the Ratna Tathāgata. Homage to the Buddha. Homage to the Vajradhara. Homage to the Padmadhara. Homage to all wrathful deities, to all who bestow the supreme accomplishment. Homage to the Nakshatra Tārā. Homage to the Nivāṇaśaraśi. Thus it is: OṂ, Vajri Vajri, Padmi Padmi, Sara Sara, Prasara Prasara, Samara Samara, Tāriṇi Tāriṇi, Kṛṣṇi Kṛṣṇi, Malini Malini, Gātaye Gātaye, Sarva-vighna-kuru kuru, Chinna Chinna, Pinna Pinna, Chādaya Chādaya, Śānti Śānti, Nānti Nānti, Nāmaya Nāmaya, Nṛtta-nirśaya, Tathāgata-namaḥ, Mama Kṣa Kṣa, Sarva-sattva-śca, Sarva-nakshatra-ghora-bhīṣaṇi, Mahā-māyā-vare, Bhagavati Mahā-māyāye, Prasādhaya, Sarva-pāpa-ni, Sarva-sattvānāṁ, Jvala Jvala, Dhuru Dhuru, Bhagavati Jvala Jvala, Sumu Sumu, Jumu Jumu, Vāva Vāve, Ughṛi Ughra-tāpini, Pūraya Mama Sarva-sattvānāṁ, Jaya Mano-ratha, Sarva-tathāgata-adhiṣṭhita-samaye Svāhā. OṂ Svāhā, HŪṂ Svāhā, HRIṂ Svāhā, TRAṂ Svāhā, DHIṂ Svāhā, Vajradhara Svāhā, Padmadhara Svāhā, Aparājitāya Svāhā, Samaya Svāhā, Dhāraṇi-sutāya Svāhā, Buddha Svāhā, Vṛṣa-pati Svāhā, Sugrāya Svāhā, Kṛṣṇa-varāṇāya Svāhā, Rāhāve Svāhā, Ketave Svāhā, Buddhāya Svāhā, Vajradhara Svāhā, Padmadharāya Svāhā, Kumārāya Svāhā, Nakshatra-tārā Svāhā, Sarva-vighna-nirvāṇāya Svāhā. OṂ Sarva-vighna HŪṂ PHAṬ Svāhā.

At that time, after the World-Honored One had spoken this dhāraṇī, he addressed the Bodhisattva Vajrapāṇi, saying: "This mantra is the most supreme and secret. It can fulfill all the wishes of living beings. If someone seeks longevity or other boons, they should begin on the seventh day of the eighth month, observing the precepts and fasting until the night of the fourteenth day. On the fifteenth day, for one full day and night, they should recite this dhāraṇī according to the method, having made offerings to the constellations and planets. That person will attain longevity up to ninety-nine years of age. All thunder, lightning, dragon-spirits, ghosts, and malevolent stars will be unable to frighten them. Moreover, they will gain the wisdom of knowing past lives, and all their wishes will be fulfilled."

Then, all the constellations and planets, having heard the Buddha's words, praised him, saying: "Excellent, excellent! This is truly rare and wonderful. We shall uphold it." They then bowed their heads at the feet of the World-Honored One and suddenly vanished from sight.