Dvitīyā Vratas (Nārada Purāṇa)
Dvitīyā Vrata, simply known as Dvitiya Vratas, Sanskrit: द्वितीया व्रत, Telugu: ద్వితీయ వ్రతాలు, Hindi: द्वितीया व्रत.
Dvitīyā is the second lunar tithi of each fortnight. In the Nārada Mahā Purāṇa, Sanātana Maharshi teaches Nārada the vratas of this tithi through the twelve months. The teaching is in the Pūrvārdha, Chapter 111. The deva who is offered pūjā changes from month to month: Brahmā, the young moon (Bāla-Candra), the Aśvinī Devatās, Sūrya, Balarāma, Viśvakarmā, Indra, Yamunā and Yama, and the Pitṛ-devatās. Each gives its own phala, from the rule of a kingdom to brahmaloka. The best known Dvitīyā is Kārtika Śukla Dvitīyā, called Yama Dvitīyā or Bhrātṛ Dvitīyā, when Yamunā fed her brother Yama.
Overview
The Dvitīyā vratas are part of the system of vratas for each tithi in each of the twelve lunar months, which Sanātana Maharshi teaches to Nārada. Keeping these vratas gives brahmaloka.
The same vidhāna (procedure) given for Śukla Dvitīyā applies to Kṛshṇa Dvitīyā also. Agni is the one who receives pūjā on all Dvitīyā tithis, and he takes a different form (rūpa) each month.
The vratas of each month
Caitra Śukla Dvitīyā
Offer pūjā to Brahmā, who is joined with his śakti and who arose from all yajñas (sarvayajña-samudbhūti). Give him havishyānna (simple food fit for offering) and gandha (sandal paste). On this day the new crescent moon (bāla-candra) rises in the evening. Offer pūjā to it also. Offer pūjā to the Aśvinī Devatās too, and give a brāhmaṇa golden and silver eyes (hema-rajata-netra-dāna).
Phala: all desires are fulfilled, and brahmaloka is reached at death.
The Netra-vrata (long form). Keep the Netra-vrata on this tithi for twelve years, eating only curd or ghee. Phala: the keeper becomes a king (bhūpati), handsome, a destroyer of enemies and righteous, and a foremost rāja.
Vaiśākha Śukla Dvitīyā
Offer pūjā to Brahmā in the form of Vishṇu (Vishṇu-rūpin). He is set up in a kalaśa (pot) filled with the seven grains (sapta-dhānya).
Phala: enjoyment of all the pleasures one wishes for in this world, and Vishṇu-loka at death.
Jyeshṭha Śukla Dvitīyā
Offer pūjā to Bhagavān Sūrya in his four-faced form (caturvaktra-svarūpa), with all the upacāras (offerings). Feed brāhmaṇas.
Phala: Sūrya-loka.
Āshāḍha Śukla Dvitīyā
This is a good day for the Ratha-yātrā (chariot festival) of Balarāma with Subhadrā. Prepare the ratha (chariot). Together with brāhmaṇas, take the procession through the city to a water-body, for a great utsava (festival). Then set the mūrti back in the temple and feed brāhmaṇas.
Śrāvaṇa Śukla Dvitīyā: Aśoka-śayana
On this day Prajāpati Viśvakarmā sleeps. For this reason the day is known as Aśoka-śayana. Offer pūjā to the four-faced Brahmā (caturmukha Brahmā) together with his śakti, while lying on the śayyā (bed). Pray with this mantra: “O Śrī-vatsa-dhārī! O Śrīkānta! O Śrīnivāsa! O Prabhu Śrīpati! O giver of dharma, artha and kāma! Grant me release from saṃsāra (saṃsāra-nivṛtti).”
Phala: sarva-siddhi (all accomplishments).
Candrārdha-dāna. On this day the gift of the half-moon symbol is also prescribed.
Bhādrapada Śukla Dvitīyā
Offer pūjā to Indra, master of the jagat (jagat-prabhu), in his Indra form (Indra-rūpa), with all the upacāras.
Phala: the phala of all yajñas.
Āśvayuja Śukla Dvitīyā
This tithi is very pure (parama-pavitra). Any dāna given on this day gives endless phala (ananta-phala).
Kārtika Śukla Dvitīyā: Yama Dvitīyā (Bhrātṛ Dvitīyā)
This is a holy day. On it Yamunā lovingly invited her brother Yamadharmarāja to her home and fed him with her own hands. So a man who eats at his sister’s home on this Dvitīyā gains pushṭi (flourishing). After eating, the brother should give his sister clothes (vastra) and ornaments (ābharaṇa).
Phala: wealth, grain and plenty (dhana-dhānya-sampat-samṛddhi).
Mārgaśīra Śukla Dvitīyā
Offer pūjā to the Pitṛ-devatās with śraddhā (faith).
Phala: the keeper flourishes with sons, grandsons and health.
Pushya Śukla Dvitīyā
Purify yourself with go-śṛṅgodaka, which is water touched by a cow’s horn. Take darśana of the new crescent moon (bāla-candra). Offer pūjā to the young moon with havishya, and offer arghya with niyama (a vow of restraint).
Phala: siddhi of dharma, kāma and artha.
Māgha Śukla Dvitīyā
Offer pūjā to Prajāpati Sūrya in his Bhānu form (Bhānu-rūpa) with red flowers (rakta-pushpa) and red sandal (rakta-candana). Make a golden or silver image and set it in a copper dish filled with rice or wheat. Offer it to Bhagavān Sūrya, and then give the image to a brāhmaṇa.
Phala: a radiance like the rising sun, enjoyment of the pleasures one wishes for, and brahmaloka.
Phālguna Śukla Dvitīyā
Offer pūjā to Bhagavān Śiva with fragrant white flowers. Prepare a beautiful śayyā of white flowers. Offer dhūpa, dīpa and naivedya, and nīrājana. Then do sāshṭāṅga-praṇāma (the full prostration).
Phala: freedom from disease, wealth and grain (dhana-dhānya-samṛddhi), and a life of a hundred years.
General rule
The same vidhāna applies to both Śukla and Kṛshṇa Dvitīyās. Agni, in a different form each month, is the deva who receives pūjā on all Dvitīyā tithis. Brahmacarya (self-restraint) and the other niyamas are to be kept throughout.
Sources
- Nārada Mahā Purāṇa, Pūrvārdha, Chapter 111