Kṛttikā Snāna in the Vishṇu Dharmottara Purāṇa

A snāna is a sacred bath. The Kṛttikā Snāna is a ritual bath taken on the day when the moon is in the Kṛttikā nakshatra (lunar mansion). Chapters 96 and 97 of the Dvitīya Khaṇḍa (second part) of the Vishṇu Dharmottara Purāṇa describe this bath and a companion rite called Śatru-nāśa-karma, “the rite for destroying enemies”.

The teacher Pushkara says the Kṛttikā bath gives the merit of agnyādhāna (the Vedic rite of setting up the sacred fires), destroys one’s enemies, and fulfils all ritual vows connected with Agni, the sacred fire.

Why Kṛttikā

The Kṛttikā nakshatra is linked with three divine powers:

Agni (Fire): the ruling deva of Kṛttikā
Kumāra (Kārttikeya or Skanda): who was nursed by the six Kṛttikā women, after whom the nakshatra is named
Candra (the Moon): linked with the nakshatra in a secondary way

The bath on Kṛttikā day draws on all three: the purifying power of fire, the warrior strength of Kumāra, and the blessing of the Moon.

Preparation

The Kṛttikā Snāna needs a one-day upavāsa (fast) on the day before, when the moon is in the Bharaṇī nakshatra. Bharaṇī comes just before Kṛttikā in the order of the nakshatras, and fasting on Bharaṇī prepares body and mind for the purifying bath the next day.

During the Bharaṇī fast:

Only water is taken
The evening is spent remembering Vishṇu (Vishṇu-smaraṇa) and reciting mantras connected with Kṛttikā
One does not sleep until after midnight

The Bath

Time: At dawn on the Kṛttikā nakshatra day, before sunrise if possible.

The kalaśas: Three or more pūrṇa-kalaśas (full sacred water pots) are prepared:

Into each kalaśa go auspicious roots (the source names a particular plant), neem leaves, mango leaves and black sesame
The pots are made of clay or of gold, as suits the occasion
They are decorated with white and red flowers and garlands of mango leaves

The pūjā: Before the bath, pūjā is offered to four:

Agni: with red flowers and an offering of ghee, calling on Agni as the lord of Kṛttikā
Kumāra (Skanda): with red and yellow flowers. Kumāra’s sword (khaḍga) symbol is drawn, or a small image of him is placed
Candra (the Moon): with white flowers and white rice
The six Kṛttikā women: worshipped together with flowers

The bath itself: The purohita pours the water of the kalaśas over the head of the person being bathed, while mantras calling on the Kṛttikā devatās are recited.

After the bath:

White clothes are put on straight away
Pūjā is offered to Bhagavān Vishṇu, still in white clothing
A homa (fire offering) is made with priyaṅgu seeds, and dhūpa (incense) of particular fragrant woods is offered

Dakshiṇā: Gold is given as dakshiṇā (a respectful gift) to the officiating brāhmaṇas. The text says it should be given “according to ability”, but even a small amount of gold is required.

Fruits of the Kṛttikā Snāna

The fruits named by Pushkara are:

The merit of agnyādhāna, the setting up of the sacred fires, one of the most important Vedic rites
Complete destruction of enemies (śatru-nāśana)
Fulfilment of all vows connected with Agni (agni-karma)
If done every year, it becomes dhanya (bringing blessing), yaśasya (bringing fame) and kāmya (fulfilling wishes)

The Rite for Destroying Enemies (Chapter 97)

Chapter 97 is a short companion chapter. It gives a form of the Kṛttikā rite aimed at defeating enemies.

Procedure:

On Kṛttikā day, offer pūjā to Vāsudeva (Vishṇu) with fragrant kuṅkuma (saffron) and red flowers only
Offer guggulu incense
Light a lamp with cow’s ghee
Offer a red-coloured naivedya (food offering)
Perform a homa in a blazing fire with auspicious havis (offerings for the fire)
Offer symbolic weapons at the fire
Give dakshiṇā to brāhmaṇas

Phala (fruit): Quick and sure destruction of the enemy’s forces. Pushkara declares:

“The human who performs this śatru-nāśana-karma will obtain the destruction of his enemies without any doubt.”

Sources

Vishṇu Dharmottara Purāṇa, Uttarārdha (Dvitīya Khaṇḍa), Chapters 96–97