Description
This text contains a protective spell associated with the goddess Sitātapatrā, or the White Umbrella Goddess, who is said to emanate from the crown of Buddha Śākyamuni during deep meditation in the Heaven of the Thirty-Three. It is further designated a pratyaṅgirā (“counter-spell”) for its ability to avert threats before they strike, and aparājitā (“invincible”) for its reputed potency (84000). The first folio, beginning with the number 32a, features a rudimentary illustration of an orange colored deity holding a mālā in one hand and what appears to be a text in the other. The colophon notes the manuscript was written during the reign of King Pṛthvī Nārāyaṇa Śāha of Nepal, aligning the date mentioned as "Saṃvat 890" with his rule upto 1775 CE. Additionally, although the name of the scribe is mentioned, it is illegible due to the faded handwriting in the colophon. The first wooden slat bears writing in Hindi, written by the another hand, mentioning the owner's name Rāmajosi—likely from the Pahari region—and the deity's name Rāma along with Saṃvat 1911, indicating later ownership. These details suggest regional transmission and ownership of the manuscript across time.
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