Tithi Vratas

Tithi Vrata, “the vows of the lunar days”

The tithis are the lunar days, fifteen in each half of the month. Each lunar month has two fortnights, the bright half (śukla paksha) when the moon grows and the dark half (kṛshṇa paksha) when it wanes, and each fortnight has its tithis, from Pratipat or Pratipadā (the first day) onward. A vrata is a sacred vow, usually kept with fasting and pūjā.

The tithi vratas are the vratas matched to these lunar days, one or more for each tithi. Each has its deva or devatā, its fast, its pūjā and its phala (fruit).

In the Agni Purāṇa, Agni-deva himself teaches these vratas, tithi by tithi, and says of nearly every group that it gives both bhukti (enjoyment in this world) and mukti (moksha). Among them are the Mūla-Gaurī or Saubhāgyaśayana Vrata, kept on the day Parameśvara married Pārvatī; the Janmāshṭamī, the night on which Śrī Kṛshṇa descended; the Budhāshṭamī, with the account of Kauśika and his sister Vijayā, who freed their parents from naraka by its puṇya; the Mahānavamī pūjā of the nine Durgās; the Śravaṇa Dvādaśī pūjā of the golden Vāmana; the Akhaṇḍa Dvādaśī, which makes whole every vrata broken in seven births; the Anaṅga Trayodaśī, first kept by Manmatha himself; the Ananta Vrata with its thread of fourteen knots; and the Vaṭa-Sāvitrī Vrata. The Bhavishya and Garuḍa Purāṇas give their own cycles of tithi vratas.

Per Agni Purāṇa

The Agni Purāṇa, in Chapters 176 to 192, gives a vrata for each tithi from Pratipat (the first) to Caturdaśī (the fourteenth), and for Pūrṇimā and Amāvāsyā. Each vrata names its deva, its fast, its pūjā and its phala (fruit). Together they cover a full lunar cycle and are the base of the monthly vratas in the Āgama tradition.

Agni-deva is the teacher throughout, and each chapter opens with his words, “I shall now tell the vratas of this tithi.” Chapter 194 adds the vratas of Pūrṇimā and Amāvāsyā, Chapter 196 gives a nakshatra form of the Ananta Vrata, and Chapter 198 adds a rule for the Dvādaśī vrata.

It also gives the Bhīshma Pañcaka Vrata, in Chapter 205.

Some words used throughout: upavāsa is a fast; pāraṇa is the breaking of a fast; dāna is a gift; arghya is water offered with respect; homa is an offering into fire; naivedya is food offered; paksha is a fortnight (Śukla is the bright one, Kṛshṇa the dark one); bhukti is worldly enjoyment and mukti is moksha.

Pratipat vratas (first tithi), Chapter 176

The pratipat is auspicious in every month. In Kārtika, Āśvayuja and Caitra it is especially dear to Brahmā. Agni-deva opens the chapter by saying that the vratas of pratipat and the tithis after it fulfil all desires.

Brahmā-Pūjā Vrata

Fast on pūrṇimā. On pratipat, worship Brahmā with the mantra “Oṃ tatsad-brahmaṇe namaḥ.”

Or worship Brahmā for one year with the Gāyatrī mantra. Meditate on Brahmā in this form: an akshamāla (rosary) and a sruva (ladle) in the right hands, a śruk (ladle) and a kamaṇḍalu (water pot) in the left, long-bearded, wearing matted hair, golden in colour. Saying “May Brahmā be gracious to me”, offer kshīra (milk) as one is able.

The phala: the one who keeps the vrata becomes free of pāpa (sin), becomes wealthy on earth, and enjoys bhoga in svarga (heaven).

Dhanya Vrata

By this vrata one who is adhanya (unfortunate) becomes dhanya (fortunate). On Mārgaśīrsha pratipat, do a night homa and upavāsa. Then worship Agni for one year with the mantra “Agnaye namaḥ.” One who does so obtains all desires (sarva-kāmas).

Śikhi Vrata

The next pratipat vrata is the Śikhi Vrata, the vrata of Agni. On pratipat, eat only once, and at the end give a kāpila cow in dāna. The phala is the station of Vaiśvānara, which is Agni-loka.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 176

Dvitīyā vratas (second tithi), Chapter 177

Agni-deva says the dvitīyā vratas give bhukti and mukti.

Monthly Dvitīyā Vrata

On every dvitīyā of any month, eat only flowers and worship the Aśvinī-devatās. One year of this gives saundarya (beauty), saubhāgya (good fortune), and at the end svarga.

Yama-Pūjā on Kārtika Śukla Dvitīyā

On this tithi worship Yama. Then keep the vrata on every Śukla Dvitīyā for a full year. On each of these dvitīyās the vrata is kept with a fast. One who does so goes to svarga and never to naraka (hell).

Aśūnya-Śayana Vrata (Śrāvaṇa Kṛshṇa Dvitīyā)

Aśūnya-śayana means “the bed is never empty.” This vrata gives women protection from widowhood and gives men unfailing happiness in marriage. The devotee worships Bhagavān Vishṇu and Devī Lakshmī and prays:

“O Śrīkānta! You are the abode of Lakshmī. May my household fire never be extinguished. May the gṛha-devatā never leave. May my pitṛs know no destruction. May my dāmpatya never be disrupted. As Lakshmī never leaves you, may my pattni never leave me.”

In full, the prayer is addressed to Śrīkānta, who bears the Śrīvatsa on his chest, the dwelling-place of Lakshmī, Lakshmīpati, the imperishable and eternal Parameśvara. The devotee asks that by his grace the gārhasthya (household life), the home of dharma, artha and kāma, may stand firm, and ends: “O Prabhu Śrīkānta, giver of varas! As your śayana (couch) is never without Lakshmī, so may my bed never be without my wife.”

Having prayed so, the devotee begins the vrata and keeps it for one year. Every month on dvitīyā, Lakshmī and Vishṇu are worshipped as laid down, and a śayyā (bed) and fruits are given in dāna.

In each month, the worshipper offers arghya to the moon on dvitīyā, praying: “O Bhagavān Candra! You light up the courtyard of the sky. You arose from the churning of the Kshīrasāgara. With your radiance you light up the whole circle of the quarters. O brother of Lakshmī Devī, namaskāra to you.” Śrī Hari, in the form of Soma, is worshipped with the mantra “Oṃ Śrīṃ Śrīdharāya namaḥ.” Lakshmī is worshipped with “Ghaṃ Oṃ Haṃ Saṃ Śriyai namaḥ” and Vishṇu with “Daśarūpa-mahātmane namaḥ.” A night homa of ājya (ghee) follows.

The brāhmaṇa receives these gifts: a bed (śayyā-dāna), a lamp (dīpa), a food vessel (anna-pātra), an umbrella (chattra), sandals (pādukā), a seat (āsana), a water pot (kalaśa), and a mūrti of Vishṇu (vishṇu-pratimā). A vessel is given with them, and the water pot is filled with water.

The phala: both bhoga and moksha.

Kānti Vrata (Kārtika Śukla Dvitīyā)

Fast through the day and eat at night. Worship Bhagavān Kṛshṇa and Balarāma for one year. The phala: kānti (radiance), āyurdāya (long life) and ārogya (health).

Vishṇu Vrata (Pushya Śukla Dvitīyā)

This vrata lasts four days. It gives what the mind desires.

1. Day 1: bathe with mustard water. Worship Vishṇu at the feet with “Śrī-Kṛshṇāya namaḥ.”
2. Day 2: bathe with tila water. Worship Vishṇu at the navel with “Acyutāya namaḥ.”
3. Day 3: bathe with water of the herb vacā. Worship Vishṇu at the eyes with “Anantāya namaḥ.”
4. Day 4: bathe with water of all herbs (sarvaushadhi). Worship Vishṇu at the head with “Hṛshīkeśāya namaḥ.”

On each day the flowers are laid on that limb of Bhagavān Vishṇu with the name-mantra. The sarvaushadhi group of herbs, as the chapter lists it, includes vacā, kushṭha, śaileya, the two kinds of haridrā (turmeric), campaka and mustā, together with māṃsī and śaṭī.

Offer arghya to the moon every evening. At pradosha (dusk) on each day the arghya is given in the four directions in turn, with “Śaśine namaḥ”, “Candrāya namaḥ”, “Śaśāṅkāya namaḥ” and “Indave namaḥ.” Eat at night while the moon is visible. Kept for six months or one year, this vrata gives all desired things. In former times kings, women and devas also kept this vrata.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 177

Tṛtīyā vratas (third tithi), Chapter 178

Mūla-Gaurī Vrata, also Lalitā Tṛtīyā

On Caitra Śukla Tṛtīyā, Parameśvara Śiva married Pārvatī. So this day is especially sacred. Bathe in water mixed with tila. Worship Parameśvara together with Pārvatī with gold, fruits and many kinds of offerings.

Agni-deva calls this the Mūla-Gaurī Vrata, kept on Lalitā-tṛtīyā, and says the tṛtīyā vratas give bhukti and mukti. The aṅga-pūjā (worship limb by limb) of Bhagavān Śiva and Devī Pārvatī is done with these name-mantras, in this order:

• “Namo’stu pāṭalāyai”: the feet of Pārvatī and the feet of Śaṅkara. Then “Śivāya namaḥ” to Śiva and “Jayāyai namaḥ” to Pārvatī.
• “Tripuraghnāya namaḥ” and “Bhavānyai namaḥ”: the shanks of Śiva and Pārvatī.
• “Rudreśvarāya namaḥ” and “Vijayāyai namaḥ”: the knees.
• “Īśāyai namaḥ” and “Śaṅkarāya namaḥ”: the hips of Pārvatī and of Śiva.
• “Koṭavyai namaḥ” and “Śūlapāṇaye namaḥ”: the sides of the belly.
• “Maṅgalāyai namaḥ” and “Tubhyaṃ namaḥ”: the belly.
• “Sarvātmane namaḥ” and “Īśānyai namaḥ”: the breast of Śiva and of Pārvatī.
• “Devātmane namaḥ” and “Hlādinyai namaḥ”: the throat.
• “Mahādevāya namaḥ” and “Anantāyai namaḥ”: the hands.
• “Trilocanāya namaḥ” and “Kālānalapriyāyai namaḥ”: the arms.
• “Maheśāya namaḥ” and “Saubhāgyāyai namaḥ”: their ornaments.
• “Aśoka-madhuvāsinyai namaḥ” and “Īśvarāya namaḥ”: the lips of Pārvatī and of Parameśvara.
• “Caturmukhapriyāyai namaḥ” and “Harāya sthāṇave namaḥ”: the faces.
• “Ardhanārīśāya namaḥ” and “Amitājñāyai namaḥ”: the noses of Śiva and of Pārvatī.
• “Ugrāya namaḥ” and “Lalitāyai namaḥ”: the eyebrows.
• “Śarvāya namaḥ” and “Vāsanyai namaḥ”: the palate.
• “Śrīkaṇṭhanāthāyai namaḥ” and “Śitikaṇṭhāya namaḥ”: the hair of Pārvatī and of Parameśvara.
• “Bhīmogrāya namaḥ” and “Surūpiṇyai namaḥ”: the heads of Śiva and of Pārvatī.

The pūjā is closed with “Sarvātmane namaḥ.”

For Śiva-pūjā, each of the twelve months from Caitra has its own flower, in this order: mallikā, aśoka, kamala, kunda, tagara, mālatī, kadamba, karavīra, bāṇa, āmlāna, kuṅkuma and sinduvāra.

After the pūjā of Umā and Maheśvara, eight saubhāgya-dravyas (things that give good fortune) are placed before them. The eight are: ghṛta-miśra nishpāva (beans mixed with ghee), kusumbha (safflower), milk, jīvaka, dūrvā grass, a stick of sugarcane, salt, and fresh coriander. Later they are given in dāna with the mantra “Lalitā prīyatāṃ mama.”

In Caitra, the one who keeps the vrata drinks water from a mountain peak and sleeps before Pārvatī and Parameśvara. In the morning he bathes, worships Pārvatī and Parameśvara, honours a brāhmaṇa couple, and gives away the eight saubhāgya-dravyas saying “Lalitā prīyatāṃ mama” (“may Lalitā be pleased with me”).

On the vrata days from Caitra on, the one who keeps the vrata takes, in order: water from a mountain peak, gomaya, mandāra, bilva leaves, curd mixed with ghee, gomūtra, ghee, black tila and pañcagavya. When the eight articles are given on these days, a name of the Devī is joined to “prīyatāṃ mama” in this order: Lalitā (Caitra), Vijayā (Vaiśākha), Bhadrā (Jyeshṭha), Bhavānī (Āshāḍha), Kumudā (Śrāvaṇa), Śivā (Bhādrapada), Vāsudevī (Āśvayuja), Gaurī (Kārtika), Maṅgalā (Mārgaśīrsha), Kamalā (Pausha) and Satī (Māgha).

When the vrata ends, the one who keeps it gives up some one fruit for good. He gives the guru a bed with pillows, a golden mūrti of Umā-Maheśvara, and a bull with a cow. One who honours the guru and brāhmaṇa couples with garments and the like gains bhukti and mukti.

This vrata is the Saubhāgyaśayana. By it one gains saubhāgya, health, beauty (rūpa) and long life.

Saubhāgya-Śayana Vrata

On the Śukla Tṛtīyās of Bhādrapada, Vaiśākha and Mārgaśīrsha, worship Pārvatī with “Lalitāyai namaḥ.” Worship in each paksha for the full period of the vrata. At the end, give clothes to twenty-four couples. The phala: bhukti and mukti. Agni-deva calls this the second vidhi of the Saubhāgyaśayana.

Saubhāgya Vrata

From Phālguna Śukla Tṛtīyā, the one who keeps the vrata gives up salt (lavaṇa). At the end, worship the brāhmaṇa couple with “Bhavānī prīyatām.” Give a bed, all the tools of a household, and a house. The phala: the loka of Pārvatī and the others (Pārvaty-ādi-loka), and saubhāgya that does not die.

The Agni Purāṇa names this the Saubhāgya-Tṛtīyā Vrata. It is kept in the same way on the tṛtīyās of Māgha, Bhādrapada and Vaiśākha.

Damana Tṛtīyā

In Caitra, worship Pārvatī with damana flowers (Artemisia). In Mārgaśīrsha there is the Ātma-Tṛtīyā Vrata, with pūjā and the feeding of brāhmaṇas without limit.

The Ātma-Tṛtīyā begins on Mārgaśīrsha tṛtīyā and runs through Pausha and the months after it. Each month a name of the Devī is joined to “prīyatām”, in this order: Gaurī (Mārgaśīrsha), Kālī (Pausha), Umā (Māgha), Bhadrā (Phālguna), Durgā (Caitra), Kānti (Vaiśākha), Sarasvatī (Jyeshṭha), Vaishṇavī (Āshāḍha), Lakshmī (Śrāvaṇa), Prakṛti (Bhādrapada), Śivā (Āśvayuja) and Nārāyaṇī (Kārtika). The phala: saubhāgya and svarga.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 178

Caturthī vratas (fourth tithi), Chapter 179

For the Saṃkashṭa Caturthī vrata of Gaṇapati, see Gaṇapati.

Māgha Śukla Caturthī Vrata

Fast on this day, do Gaṇeśa-pūjā, and eat tila (sesame) on the pañcamī. One who does this stays free of vighna (obstacles) for many years.

• The mūla-mantra: “Gaṃ svāhā.” The hṛdayādi-nyāsa (placing on the heart and the other limbs) is done with “Gāṃ namaḥ” and the like.
• The āvāhana mantra, to call him: “Āgaccha ulkāya.”
• The visarjana mantra, to send him away: “Gaccha ulkāya.” So the āvāhana and the other rites of Gaṇapati are done with a mantra that has the letter “ga” at its beginning and the word “ulkā” at its end.
• Worship with gandha and modaka.
• Recite the Gaṇeśa Gāyatrī: “Oṃ Mahaulkāya vidmahe Vakratuṇḍāya dhīmahi, tanno dantī pracodayāt.”

Other Caturthī vratas

• Bhādrapada Śukla Caturthī: One who keeps this vrata reaches Śivaloka.
• Maṅgala Caturthī: When Caturthī falls on a Tuesday, Gaṇapati-pūjā done that day gives all desired things.
• Avighna Caturthī (Phālguna Caturthī): On this day eat only at night.
• Caitra Caturthī: Worship Gaṇapati with damana flowers. The phala is sukha-bhoga (worldly happiness).

Agni-deva says the caturthī vratas give bhukti and mukti.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 179

Pañcamī vratas (fifth tithi), Chapter 180

Nāga-Pūjā Vrata

On the pañcamī tithis of Śrāvaṇa, Bhādrapada, Āśvayuja and Kārtika, in the Śukla paksha, worship the eight great nāgas: Vāsuki, Takshaka, Kāliya, Maṇibhadra, Airāvata, Dhṛtarāshṭra, Karkoṭaka and Dhanaṃjaya. These nāgas give abhaya (freedom from fear), āyus (long life), vidyā (knowledge), yaśas (fame) and Lakshmī (prosperity). Agni-deva says this pañcamī vrata gives health, svarga and moksha.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 180

Shashṭhī vratas (sixth tithi), Chapter 181

Skanda-Shashṭhī Vrata (Kārtika Kṛshṇa Shashṭhī)

Eat only fruits and offer arghya to Kārttikeya. One who does so gains bhukti and mukti. This is called the Skanda-Shashṭhī Vrata.

Akshaya-Shashṭhī Vrata (Bhādrapada Kṛshṇa Shashṭhī, also Mārgaśīrsha)

Keep upavāsa on any single Akshaya-Shashṭhī in any year. The phala is bhukti and mukti.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 181

Saptamī vratas (seventh tithi), Chapter 182

The Saptamī vrata is for Sūrya, the deva of the sun. It gives different varas depending on the month.

• Māgha Śukla Saptamī: Make a lotus and worship Sūrya on it. The phala: freedom from śoka (grief) for ever.
• Bhādrapada Śukla Saptamī: Worship Sūrya. It gives all desired things.
• Pausha Śukla Saptamī: Keep upavāsa and worship Āditya. It destroys all gathered pāpa (sarva-pāpa-nāśana).
• Māgha Kṛshṇa Saptamī (Sarvāpti Saptamī): It gives all desired things when the vrata is kept.
• Phālguna Kṛshṇa paksha (Nanda Saptamī): Keep the Nanda Saptamī Vrata.
• Mārgaśīrsha Śukla paksha (Putrīya Saptamī): Women who keep this vrata for one year are blessed with sons.

Agni-deva says the saptamī vrata gives bhukti and mukti to all.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 182

Ashṭamī vratas (eighth tithi), Chapters 183 to 184

Janmāshṭamī Vrata (Bhādrapada Kṛshṇa Ashṭamī, with Rohiṇī)

This is the best known of the ashṭamī vratas. Bhagavān Kṛshṇa came down at midnight on Bhādrapada Kṛshṇa Ashṭamī under the nakshatra Rohiṇī. So this tithi is called Jayantī. One who fasts on this day is freed from the pāpa of seven births. Agni-deva calls it the first of the ashṭamī vratas, the Rohiṇī-yukta-ashṭamī: in Bhādrapada, on the ashṭamī joined with Rohiṇī, one fasts and worships Śrī Kṛshṇa, and it gives bhukti and mukti.

The pūjā:

• Call on Kṛshṇa, Balarāma, Devakī, Vasudeva, Yaśodā and the cows. The āvāhana prayer bows to Śrī Kṛshṇa as the form of yoga, Yogapati and Yogeśvara, and again and again to Govinda, the first cause and birthplace of yoga.
• Offer the bath (snāna) with the mantra “Yājaiśvara! Yajña-rūpa! Yajñādhipate! Govinda! Namaskārāḥ”, while offering arghya. The prayer also names him the first cause of yajña.
• Offer flowers: “O Deva! Accept these fragrant pushpas and fulfil all my desires.”
• Offer incense (dhūpa): “Accept this dhūpa and make me always dhūpa-sugandhita.”
• Offer a lamp (dīpa): “Accept this great dīpa. Make me also of ūrdhvagati like a dīpa.” The prayer goes on: “Viśvarūpa, Viśvapati, Viśveśvara, Śrī Kṛshṇa, namaskāra to you. To Śrī Govinda, the first cause of the universe, I give this lamp.”
• Lay Bhagavān Kṛshṇa to rest (śayana): “Namaskāra to Vāsudeva, the form of dharma, the lord of dharma, the first seat of dharma. Govinda, now lie down to rest. Again and again namaskāra to Govinda, Sarvarūpa, Sarvādhipati, Sarveśvara, the first cause of all.”
• Offer arghya to the moon: “O Śaśāṃka! Together with Rohiṇī, accept this arghya.” The prayer calls the moon born from the Kshīra-samudra, born from the eye of Atri, the form of tejas (radiance).

Then set up the vigraha of Bhagavān Kṛshṇa on the vedi (altar) and worship Rohiṇī together with Candra.

At midnight, do the abhisheka (ritual bath) of Vasudeva, Devakī, Yaśodā, Nanda and Balarāma with streams of guḍa, ghṛta and kshīra. Feed brāhmaṇas and give gold and cloth in dāna.

The phala: The one who keeps it reaches pūrṇānanda (full bliss) and becomes a dweller of Vishṇuloka. Those who wish for sons are freed from the naraka called putra-nāma. The prayer: “O Prabhu Kṛshṇa! Give me putra, dhana, āyus, ārogya, santati. O Govinda! Grant me dharma, kāma, saubhāgya, svarga, moksha.”

The freedom from that naraka comes to the one who keeps the vrata every year, wishing for a son.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 183

Other kṛshṇa ashṭamī vratas

On Caitra Kṛshṇa Ashṭamī, keep the ashṭamī vrata and worship Brahmā and the other devas and the Mātṛ-gaṇa (the Mothers) on that day. One who worships Śrī Kṛshṇa on the kṛshṇa ashṭamīs for one year gains santāna (progeny).

Kālāshṭamī Vrata (Mārgaśīrsha Kṛshṇa Ashṭamī)

Keep this on Mārgaśīrsha Kṛshṇa Ashṭamī. After sunset, bathe and worship Bhagavān Śiva. Break the fast (pāraṇa) with gomūtra. Sleep on the ground. Each month, on the Kṛshṇa Ashṭamī, a different food is eaten and a different name of Śiva is worshipped:

At the end of the year, do a homa, make a Sarvatobhadra-liṅga, worship Śaṃkara, and give the ācārya a cow, cloth and gold. The same gifts are given to others too. One who then feeds brāhmaṇas gains bhukti and mukti.

One who also eats only at night (nakta-bhojana) on every ashṭamī for a year, and then gives a cow at the end of the year, reaches the station of Indra (Indra-pada). This is the Svarga-ti Vrata.

Budhāshṭamī Vrata

When ashṭamī falls on a Wednesday (Budha-vāra), this vrata is kept. Cook rice of eight handfuls in a vessel and put it in a bowl of mango leaf (māmidāku). Worship Budha together with Kulāmbikā. Hear the Budhāshṭamī-vrata-kathā. Then give the brāhmaṇa a karkāṭi filled with rice.

The ashṭamī may be in either the śukla or the kṛshṇa paksha. On it the one who keeps the vrata eats once, and for him there is no want of household prosperity (gṛha-aiśvarya). Each handful of rice is taken with a fist that leaves out two fingers, and kuśa is laid in the mango-leaf cup. After hearing the kathā, he eats. The karkāṭi (cucumber) with rice is given to the brāhmaṇas with dakshiṇā as one is able.

The kathā tells of Kauśika, the son of the brāhmaṇa Dhīra. His bull was stolen. By keeping this vrata he got the bull back. Later he gave the phala of the vrata to his parents in naraka and freed them.

In full, the Agni Purāṇa tells it so. There was a brāhmaṇa named Dhīra. His wife was Rambhā, his son was Kauśika and his daughter was Vijayā, and he had a bull named Dhanada. Kauśika took the bull to graze with the cowherds. While he was bathing in the Gaṅgā and doing his rites, a thief carried off the bull. Coming from his bath and not finding it, Kauśika set out to search for it with his sister Vijayā.

At a lake he saw some deva women and asked them for food. They said: “You have come to us as a guest (atithi). So keep the vrata, and then eat.” Kauśika kept the Budhāshṭamī Vrata and ate. Then he went to the forest-keeper, took back his bull, and returned home with Vijayā. In due time he gave Vijayā in marriage. By the power of the vrata Kauśika became king of Ayodhyā.

After death their parents went to the world of Yama, and Vijayā saw them suffering the torments of naraka. She took refuge with Yama. The question was asked while Kauśika had gone to the forest to hunt: “How will my parents be freed from naraka?” Then Yama appeared and said: “They will be freed by the phala of two Budhāshṭamī vratas.” Kauśika gave the phala of two Budhāshṭamī vratas to his parents, pouring water as he gave it, and they went to svarga. Vijayā too, rejoicing, kept this vrata for bhoga and moksha.

The phala: bhoga, moksha and all welfare.

Other ashṭamī rites

On Caitra Śukla Ashṭamī, when the nakshatra Punarvasu is present, drinking the juice of eight aśoka flower-buds keeps off all śoka in life. The juice is drunk with the mantra that begins “Tvām aśoka”, whose meaning is: “O Aśoka, who blossoms in Caitra! You are very dear to Śaṅkara. I, burned by grief, drink the juice of your buds. Make me free of śoka, like yourself.”

On the ashṭamīs that begin with Caitra, worshipping the Mātṛ-gaṇa brings victory over enemies.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 184

Navamī vratas (ninth tithi), Chapter 185

Gaurī Navamī, also Pishṭaka Navamī (Āśvayuja Śukla Navamī)

On this day keep the Gaurī Navamī Vrata. Worship Devī Gaurī and eat pishṭānna (food of rice flour). This navamī is called “Pishṭaka Navamī.”

Mahā-Navamī (Āśvayuja Śukla Navamī with the nakshatra Mūla)

When the nakshatra Mūla and the sun in Kanyā rāśi meet on this navamī, it becomes Mahā-Navamī, the destroyer of all pāpa. On this day:

• Set up the Nava-Durgās in nine stations or in one station. Mahālakshmī with eighteen arms is in the centre, and the eight other Durgās are on either side.
• The nine Durgās are Rudracaṇḍā, Pracaṇḍā, Caṇḍogrā, Caṇḍanāyikā, Caṇḍā, Caṇḍavatī, Pūjyā, Caṇḍarūpā and Acaṇḍikā, with Ugracaṇḍā-Mahishamardinī-Durgā in the centre. She too has eighteen arms.
• The daśākshara-mantra (the mantra of ten syllables): “Oṃ Durge Durge rakshaṇi svāhā.” One who does japa of this mantra by this method suffers no harm from anyone.
• The weapons of Durgā. In the left hands: kapāla, kheṭaka, ghaṇṭā, darpaṇa, tarjanī-mudrā, dhanush, dhvaja, ḍamaru, pāśa. In the right hands: śakti, mudgara, triśūla, vajra, khaḍga, kuntaka, śaṃkha, cakra, śalāka. These are the skull-bowl, shield, bell, mirror, the raised forefinger, bow, banner, drum and noose; and the spear, mace, trident, vajra, sword, lance, conch, cakra and rod. These divine weapons too are worshipped.
• The bali-paśu (the animal offered) is slain with a sword while reciting “Kāli Kāli Vajreśvari Lohadaṇḍāyai namaḥ.” Blood and flesh are offered to Pūtanā (in the nairṛti direction), Pāpa-rākshasī (vāyavya), Carcikā (īśānya) and Vidārikā (āgneya).
• The king bathes before Devī Durgā and offers, for Skanda and Viśākha, the pishṭa-nirmita-śatru-bali: an offering of an enemy’s figure made of flour.
• At night, worship the Brāhmī-gaṇa of Śaktis with the mantra: “Jayantī, Maṃgalā, Kālī, Bhadrakālī, Kapālinī, Durgā, Śivā, Kshamā, Dhātrī, Svāhā, Svadhā: O Devī Durgā, namaskāra.”
• Offer the pañcāmṛta-snāna (bath with five nectars) and many upacāras (offerings).
• Giving a flag (dhvaja-dāna), a chariot procession (ratha-yātrā) and bali-dāna to Devī Durgā give all desires.

Agni-deva says the navamī vratas give bhukti and mukti.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 185

Daśamī vratas (tenth tithi), Chapter 186

Daśamī Vrata

On daśamī, eat only once (eka-bhukta). At the end of the vrata, give ten cows (dhenu) and ten gold coins as dakshiṇā. The phala: one becomes the chief among brāhmaṇas (brāhmaṇādhipati). Agni-deva says this vrata gives dharma, kāma and the other aims of life.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 186

Ekādaśī vratas (eleventh tithi), Chapter 187

The Ekādaśī Vrata is one of the most powerful vratas in the whole Āgama tradition. Agni says it gives both bhukti and mukti.

• The general rule: On daśamī, eat controlled and measured food, and avoid meat and sexual intercourse. On both pakshas’ ekādaśīs, Śukla and Kṛshṇa, one must not eat.
• Ekādaśī and Dvādaśī together: When ekādaśī and dvādaśī fall on the same day, Śrī Hari is especially present (sannihita). Keep upavāsa on that day and break the fast on trayodaśī. The phala equals one hundred yajñas.
• Ekādaśī passing into dvādaśī: If on the ekādaśī day the ekādaśī lasts only a little and then dvādaśī comes, one who fasts that day and breaks the fast on trayodaśī also gains the phala of a hundred yajñas.
• A warning: If ekādaśī is joined with daśamī, do not fast on that tithi. Naraka follows.
• The prayer at the morning pāraṇa: “O Puṇḍarīkāksha! Today I eat. Be my protector.”

Special ekādaśīs

• A Śukla ekādaśī with the nakshatra Pushyamī gives the greatest fruit and destroys pāpa (phala-pradā, pāpa-vināśakā).
• When the ekādaśī or dvādaśī tithi is joined with the nakshatra Śravaṇa, it is the Vijaya-tithi. It gives jaya (victory) to devotees.
• In Phālguna, an ekādaśī with the nakshatra Pushyamī is also a Vijaya-tithi. It gives many crore times more phala.

The general phala

Worship Vishṇu on ekādaśī. This is good for all. One who does so becomes rich in wealth and children, and is worshipped in Vishṇuloka.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 187

Dvādaśī vratas (twelfth tithi), Chapters 188 to 190

The general rule

On dvādaśī, eat only at night. Accept nothing from anyone. One who fasts and then begs on dvādaśī does not gain the phala of the vrata. Agni-deva says the dvādaśī vratas give bhukti and mukti. Among the month vratas he adds that one who keeps the ekabhakta vrata (one meal a day) should also keep the Dvādaśī vrata separately (Chapter 198).

The dvādaśī vratas in order

• Madana-Dvādaśī (Caitra Śukla Dvādaśī): Worship Mahāvishṇu in the form of Kāma-deva, who fulfils desires, and ask for bhoga and moksha.
• Bhīma-Dvādaśī (Māgha Śukla Dvādaśī): Worship Śrī Mahāvishṇu with “Namo Nārāyaṇāya.” The phala: sarva-prāpti (attainment of everything).
• Govinda-Dvādaśī (Phālguna Śukla Dvādaśī): Keep this vrata, worshipping Govinda.
• Viśoka-Dvādaśī (Āśvayuja): Worship Śrī Mahāvishṇu.
• Mārgaśīrsha Śukla Dvādaśī: Worship Śrī Kṛshṇa and give lavaṇa-dāna (a gift of salt). The phala equals all the rasa-dānas (gifts of tastes) together.
• Govatsā-Dvādaśī (Bhādrapada Śukla Dvādaśī): Worship cows along with their calves (govatsā).
• Manoratha-Dvādaśī (Phālguna Śukla Dvādaśī): Worship Śrī Mahāvishṇu.
• Vāma-Dvādaśī (the same day): Worship Śrī Mahāvishṇu for one year with the names beginning with Keśava. The one who keeps it never goes to naraka. After death he goes to svarga.
• Sumati-Dvādaśī (Phālguna Śukla): Worship Vishṇu.
• Ānanta-Dvādaśī (Bhādrapada Śukla): Keep this vrata. There is also Tila-Dvādaśī on Māgha Śukla with the nakshatra Āśleshā or Mūla. Worship Kṛshṇa with “Kṛshṇāya namaḥ” and do a tila homa.
• Sugati-Dvādaśī (Phālguna Śukla): Worship Śrī Kṛshṇa for one year with “Jaya Kṛshṇa namastubhyam.” The phala: both bhukti and mukti.
• Samprāpti-Dvādaśī (Pushya Śukla Dvādaśī): Keep this vrata.

Tila-Dvādaśī (Phālguna Kṛshṇa Dvādaśī, with the nakshatra Śravaṇa)

• Bathe with tila, do homa with tila, and offer tila naivedya. The naivedya is cimmili, a sweet of sesame and jaggery.
• Light a lamp of tila oil in the temple.
• Offer tila-tarpaṇa (water with sesame) to the pitṛs.
• Give tila in dāna to brāhmaṇas.
• Recite “Oṃ namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya.”
• Six Tila-Dvādaśī vratas carry one, with the whole family line, to svarga.

This Tila-Dvādaśī is the Phālguna Kṛshṇa Dvādaśī that comes after Māgha. Śrī Mahāvishṇu is worshipped with the mantra above, and the phala of the vrata comes through the homa and the fast.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 188

Śravaṇa-Dvādaśī Vrata (Chapter 189)

This is the fullest of the dvādaśī vratas. It is kept on Bhādrapada Śukla Dvādaśī when the nakshatra Śravaṇa is present, which makes it most powerful. Fasting on it gives great phala. On Śravaṇa-Dvādaśī a bath at the meeting of rivers gives special phala, and gifts and other good acts done on a dvādaśī that has both Budha-vāra (Wednesday) and the nakshatra Śravaṇa give great phala. Though trayodaśī is otherwise not used for the pāraṇa, the pāraṇa of this vrata is done on trayodaśī. The worshipper makes this saṅkalpa (vow):

“I will fast on dvādaśī, worship the Vāmana-mūrti made of gold upon a water-filled kalaśa, and perform pāraṇa on trayodaśī.”

Call on Vāmana in this form: wearing two white garments, holding an umbrella (chattra) and sandals (pādukā), and bearing the śaṅkha and cakra. All sixteen upacāras are offered.

The prayers of the pūjā, as the Agni Purāṇa gives them:

• Snāna: “I bathe Vishṇu, adorned with the chattra and the daṇḍa (staff), with pañcāmṛta and with pure water. Namaskāra to Vāmana.”
• Arghya: “O Deveśa, worshipped by those worthy of arghya and by others too, I offer you arghya. Give me bhoga, moksha, santāna (offspring), yaśas (fame), supreme lordship and the rest.”
• Gandha and homa: with “Vāmanāya namaḥ” offer gandha (fragrances), and with the same mantra offer 108 oblations in the homa.

The aṅga-pūjā mantras, each for one limb:

• “Oṃ Namo Vāsudevāya: śiraḥ pūjayāmi” (the head)
• “Śrīdharāya Namaḥ: mukhaṃ pūjayāmi” (the face)
• “Kṛshṇāya Namaḥ: karṇaṃ pūjayāmi” (the ear)
• “Śrīpataye Namaḥ: vakshaḥsthaḷaṃ pūjayāmi” (the chest)
• “Sarvāstra-dhāriṇe Namaḥ: bhujau pūjayāmi” (the arms)
• “Vyāpakāya Namaḥ: nābhiṃ pūjayāmi” (the navel)
• “Vāmanāya Namaḥ: kaṭiṃ pūjayāmi” (the waist)
• “Trailokya-jananāya Namaḥ: meḍhraṃ pūjayāmi”
• “Sarvādhipataye Namaḥ: jaṅghe pūjayāmi” (the shanks)
• “Sarvātmane Namaḥ: pādau pūjayāmi” (the feet)

Offer ghṛta-pakva-naivedya (food cooked in ghee) and a vessel full of curd and water (dadhy-oda-pūrṇa-pātra). Keep a night vigil. On the morning of trayodaśī, bathe at a saṃgama (the meeting of rivers) and offer a handful of flowers (pushpāñjali):

“O Govinda, known by the names Budha and Śravaṇa, namaskāra! Remove my pāpa and give all happiness. O Janārdana! Be pleased with this pushpāñjali for ever.”

In this prayer Bhagavān Vishṇu is also called Devadeveśvara, the lord of the lords of the devas.

All the pūjā things are then given to the brāhmaṇa with these words: “Vāmana gives intelligence. Vāmana is the giver. Vāmana lives in these things. Vāmana receives them. Vāmana gives them. Vāmana is in all things. Namaskāra to Vishṇu who is Vāmana.”

Then the brāhmaṇas are fed, and after them the one who keeps the vrata eats.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 189

Akhaṇḍa-Dvādaśī Vrata (Chapter 190)

This vrata gives completeness to all vratas kept before. It is kept on Mārgaśīrsha Śukla Dvādaśī. Fast, worship Śrī Mahāvishṇu, and break the fast with water mixed with pañcagavya. The one who keeps the vrata also bathes with that pañcagavya water.

The prayer to Vishṇu: “O Bhagavān Vishṇu! If any of my vratas across seven births have been khaṇḍita (broken), may you make them all akhaṇḍa (unbroken). O Purushottama! As you are akhaṇḍa across this moving and unmoving universe, may my vratas also be akhaṇḍa.”

Keep this for four months. If it is kept from Caitra through Āshāḍha, give a vessel filled with the flour of parched grain. It can also run from Śrāvaṇa through Kārtika.

The phala: All the broken vratas of seven births become complete and give their fruit. Dīrghāyu (long life), ārogya (health), saubhāgya and the enjoyment of kingdoms and the like (rājyādi-vibhoga) are also gained.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 190

Trayodaśī vratas (thirteenth tithi), Chapter 191

Agni-deva says the trayodaśī vratas give everything.

Anaṅga-Trayodaśī Vrata

This was kept long ago by Anaṅga (Manmatha) himself. On Mārgaśīrsha Śukla Trayodaśī, worship Hara in the form of Kāma-deva. At night eat honey (madhu). Do a homa of ghee mixed with milk and akshata (unbroken rice). The vrata is kept on the śukla trayodaśī of each month. In each month of the year a particular form of Śiva is worshipped and a particular food is taken:

At the end of the year give a golden Śiva-liṅga (svarṇa-śivaliṅga) wrapped in mango leaves and cloth, together with a cow, a bed, an umbrella, a kalaśa, sandals and a vessel full of rasa.

In Pausha the vrata gives svarga, and in Caitra it makes one rich in saubhāgya. The pearl-water of Pausha is water with a pearl in it; kaṃkola is a fragrant berry, karpūra is camphor, lavaṃga is clove, aguru is fragrant aloe-wood, and svarṇa-jala is gold-water. In Āśvayuja Śaṅkara is worshipped as the lord of the thirty devas. The months are counted from Mārgaśīrsha.

Kāma-Trayodaśī Vrata (Caitra Śukla Trayodaśī)

Anoint the aśoka tree with sindūra and kāṭuka. Sindūra is vermilion and kāṭuka is collyrium. At its roots remember Kāmadeva with Rati and Prīti. For those who want kāmya objects (the things they desire), worship Kāma-deva for a full year in this way. The phala is the things they desire.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 191

Caturdaśī vratas (fourteenth tithi), Chapter 192

Śiva-Caturdaśī Vrata

On Kārtika caturdaśī, fast completely (nirāhāra) and worship Bhagavān Śiva. Keep this vrata every month on the Śiva-caturdaśī for one year. The phala: bhoga, dhana and dīrghāyus.

Mauna Vrata (Mārgaśīrsha Śukla)

On one of ashṭamī, tṛtīyā, dvādaśī or caturdaśī, keep mauna (silence), eat only fruits, and worship the devatā. Give some fruits in dāna and give up others. The Agni Purāṇa calls this the Phala Caturdaśī Vrata.

Monthly Caturdaśī Vrata

Keep upavāsa on the caturdaśīs of both pakshas and worship Bhagavān Śiva. The phala: svarga. The one who keeps the Phala Caturdaśī in this way fasts on the ashṭamī as well as the caturdaśī of both pakshas.

Other Caturdaśī rites

• On the Kṛshṇa paksha ashṭamī and caturdaśī, eat only at night (nakta-bhojana). The phala: all desired pleasures in this world and a higher gati (state) in the next.
• Kārtika Kṛshṇa Caturdaśī: Bathe and worship Indra on a bamboo pole made in the shape of a dhvaja (flag). The phala: happiness.

Pāla Vrata (monthly, Śukla Caturdaśī)

The Agni Purāṇa calls this the Ananta Vrata, kept on every śukla caturdaśī of each month.

Make a Vishṇu-mūrti of kuśa grass and place it on a kalaśa filled with water. Worship it. On that day cook apūpas (cakes) of rice flour, called āppams. One prastha (a measure) of rice flour is used. Half is given to the brāhmaṇa as dāna and half is eaten. Do this on a river bank. Hear the Ananta-vrata-kathā.

Prepare an ananta-sūtra, a thread of fourteen knots. Worship it as Ananta-deva. Tie it on the wrist or the neck while reciting:

“O Vāsudeva! Lift us from the insurmountable saṃsāra-mahāsamudra. Include us in your Ananta-rūpa. O Ananta-rūpa! Namaskāra to you.”

The phala: one becomes full of the highest bliss (paramānanda-sampanna).

Agni-deva says the caturdaśī vratas give bhukti and mukti.

The Ananta Vrata on Mṛgaśiras (Chapter 196)

Among the nakshatra vratas, Agni-deva gives the Ananta Vrata again, which gives every desire. In Mārgaśīrsha, when the nakshatra Mṛgaśiras comes, one takes gomūtra and worships Śrī Hari as Ananta. One worships the lotus feet and the other limbs of Ananta, and at night eats food without oil. The homa for Ananta is of ghee from Mārgaśīrsha to Phālguna, of rice from Caitra to Āshāḍha, and of milk from Śrāvaṇa to Kārtika.

Ananta gives all desires and endless phala. To one who keeps this vrata he gives endless puṇya even in the coming birth, and he makes the things desired undecaying. By keeping this very Ananta Vrata, Yuvanāśva had a son named Māndhātā.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapters 192, 196

Special Pūrṇimā and Amāvāsyā vratas, Chapter 194

• Phālguna Śukla Pūrṇimā (Aśoka Pūrṇimā): Worship Varāha-mūrti and Bhū-devī together. One who keeps this for a year gains bhukti and mukti.
• Kārtika Pūrṇimā, Vṛshotsarga Vrata: On Kārtika pūrṇimā, do vṛshotsarga (the release of a bull) and keep the night vrata. The phala: Śivaloka.
• Āśvayuja Kṛshṇa Amāvāsyā (Mahālayā): Dāna given to the pitṛ-devatās on this day gives fruit that never ends (akshaya-phala-pradā). One who fasts on this day and does pitṛ-homa is freed of pāpa and goes to svarga. This is the amāvāsyā of the pitṛ-paksha in Āśvayuja, and in any year one may fast on it and offer pūjā to the pitṛs.
• Māgha Amāvāsyā: Worship Brahmā. One gains all desires.

Vaṭa-Sāvitrī Vrata (Jyeshṭha Amāvāsyā)

Women keep three days of upavāsa. Then on Jyeshṭha amāvāsyā they worship Sāvitrī, the great pativratā (devoted wife), at the root of a vaṭa tree, with sapta-dhānyas (seven grains). When only a little of the night remains, wrap the trunk of the vaṭa with a sacred thread (kaṇṭha-sūtra) and anoint it with kuṃkuma and the like. At dawn, dance and sing at the vaṭa. Worship Sāvitrī and Satyavat together. Offer naivedya to a brāhmaṇa. Return home and feed brāhmaṇas. Conclude with “Sāvitrī-devī prīyatām.”

The woman bows to Sāvitrī and Satyavān with “Namaḥ sāvitryai satyavate”, and the naivedya offered to them is what she gives to the brāhmaṇa. After feeding the brāhmaṇas she eats. Agni-deva says this vrata gives bhukti and mukti.

The phala for women: saubhāgya and all that their hearts desire.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 194

Bhīshma Pañcaka Vrata, Chapter 205

Chapter 205 calls the Bhīshma Pañcaka Vrata the vrata-rāja, the king of all vratas. It can fulfil all manoratha (the desires of the heart). It lasts five days in the month of Kārtika. It begins on Kārtika Śukla Ekādaśī and ends on Kārtika Śukla Pūrṇimā, the five days from ekādaśī to paurṇamāsī.

The vidhi

Each of the five days begins with bathing three times in the day: at dawn (prātaḥ), at midday (madhyāhna) and at evening (sāyaṃkāla). Then, in silence (mauna), offer tarpaṇa to the devatās and the pitṛs with tila and yava, five tarpaṇas each time.

Bhagavān Śrī Mahāvishṇu is then worshipped in silence. The pūjā includes the pañcāmṛta-snāna, the pañcagavya-abhisheka, anointing with candana and other sweet-smelling things, and burning guggulu mixed with ghee as dhūpa. A dīpa is offered to Śrī Mahāvishṇu in the morning and at night, and food is offered as naivedya (bhojya-naivedya).

The dvādaśākshara-mantra (the mantra of twelve syllables) “Oṃ Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya” is recited 108 times. Homa is done with tila and yava, wetted, with “svāhā” added to the mantra.

Each of the five days has its own aṅga-pūjā (worship of a limb):

• Day 1 (Ekādaśī): Worship the feet of Bhagavān Vishṇu with lotus flowers.
• Day 2 (Dvādaśī): Worship the knees and thighs with bilva-patra.
• Day 3 (Trayodaśī): Worship the navel with the herb bhṛṅgarāja.
• Day 4 (Caturdaśī): Worship the region of the heart with dhāna-pushpa, bilva-patra and japa-pushpa.
• Day 5 (Paurṇamāsī): Worship all the limbs with mālatī flowers.

The one who keeps the vrata sleeps on the ground (bhū-śayana). The food for the five days follows a set order:

1. On ekādaśī: gomaya (cow dung mixed with water, a part of pañcagavya).
2. On dvādaśī: gomūtra.
3. On trayodaśī: dadhi (curd).
4. On caturdaśī: kshīra (milk).
5. On the last day: the full pañcagavya.

On paurṇamāsī, the nakta-vrata is kept, eating only at night.

Bhīshma Pañcaka and naraka

Chapter 203, the chapter on naraka, names the Bhīshma Pañcaka Vrata as one of three great protections against naraka, together with Māsopavāsa and the Ekādaśī Vrata.

Bhīshma and Brahmā

The Agni Purāṇa gives the reason for the name. Bhīshma Pitāmaha himself kept this vrata, and by its power reached Śrī Hari. Because of Bhīshma’s link with it, this five-day vrata is called Bhīshma Pañcaka. Brahmā also kept this vrata and worshipped Śrī Hari. So it is also called pañcopavāsādi-yukta, joined with five fasts and other disciplines.

The phala

One who keeps this five-day vrata in Kārtika, with the pūjā, the food and the sleeping on the ground as laid down, gains both bhukti (worldly enjoyment) and mukti (moksha, release from saṃsāra). The Agni Purāṇa gives it the same power of puṇya as Bhīshma’s own tapas.

Per Bhavishya Purāṇa

The Uttara Parva of the Bhavishya Purāṇa, told by Śrī Kṛshṇa to Yudhishṭhira, gives a cycle of vratas by tithi, with a stress on bhakti. The main ones are these four tithi-vratas, which Bhagavān Kṛshṇa told to Yudhishṭhira.

Kṛshṇa Janmāshṭamī (Bhādrapada Kṛshṇa Ashṭamī)

The Uttara Parva gives a full account of the Janmāshṭamī Vrata. Bhagavān Kṛshṇa himself told it to Yudhishṭhira. The main rite is the making of a sūtikā-gṛha (a birth chamber), decorated to look like Gokula, with the infant Kṛshṇa nursing at the side of Devakī. The pūjā includes the pūjā of Devakī, the pūjā of the moon (Candra) at moonrise, and an abhisheka at midnight. (Chapter 55)

Govatsa Dvādaśī (Kārtika Śukla Dvādaśī)

On this day a cow with her calf is worshipped as a form of Pārvatī and Śiva. The account of its origin is set in the āśrama of Bhṛgu. There Bhagavān Śiva tested the vrata-nishṭhā (steadiness in the vrata) of the munis by appearing as a tiger threatening the cow that Pārvatī had become. The importance of the cow is told at length: all thirty-three crore devas live in her body. Sunitī kept this vrata, and it gave Dhruva a vara that no harm could touch him. (Chapter 69)

Sāvitrī Vrata (Jyeshṭha Paurṇamāsī)

The Uttara Parva gives a full account of the Sāvitrī Vrata. It tells how King Aśvapati did tapas for twelve years to get a daughter. Sāvitrī was born from Devī Sāvitrī herself. She chose Satyavān although Nārada warned that he had one year to live. She won five varas from Yama. The vidhi centres on the pūjā of the vaṭa tree (vaṭavṛksha-pūjā), a five-day upavāsa, and the Sāvitrī stotra. (Chapter 102)

Mahākārtikī (Kārtika Paurṇamāsī)

When the full moon of Kārtika joins the nakshatra Kṛttikā on a Monday or Thursday, this great yoga arises. Even an ordinary Kārtika Paurṇamī is a time for the full vrata. It includes an early morning bath at a tīrtha, a homa, and an evening pūjā of the six Kṛttikā mūrtis in vessels of ghee and milk, which are then given in dāna to a brāhmaṇa.

The account of Kaliṅga Bhadra goes with it. He died in the middle of the vrata, was born again as a goat that remembered the vrata, and in the end reached moksha as Yogalakshmī. It shows that no sincere vrata is ever lost. (Chapter 103)

Per Garuḍa Purāṇa

The Garuḍa Purāṇa gives a full set of vratas matched to the tithis of the lunar fortnight, from Pratipadā to Dvādaśī (the twelfth day). Each tithi has its presiding devatā, its own ritual method and its promised phalaśruti (fruit). The main vratas described are the Śikhi vrata on Pratipadā, Gaṇeśa pūjā on Caturthī, Nāgapañcamī on Pañcamī, Kārttikeya on Shashṭhī, the Sūrya vratas on Saptamī, Dūrvāshṭamī and Janmāshṭamī on Ashṭamī, Mahānavamī on Navamī, and Śravaṇa-dvādaśī on Dvādaśī.

Pratipadā Vratas (First Day)

The Pratipadā tithi is linked with the Śikhi vrata. The devotee keeps ekabhukta (eating only one meal in the day) and at the end gives a kapilā (tawny) cow as a gift.

On Caitra Pratipadā, Brahmā is honoured with fragrant flowers and garlands and a havana (fire offering) is performed. This grants every wished-for fruit.

Also, on the Ashṭamī of the bright fortnight of Kārttika, flowers and garlands are given as dāna (gifts). One who does this all through the year gains rūpa-saundarya (beauty of body).

The fruit of the Śikhi vrata itself is reaching Vaiśvānara-pada, the state of Agni.

Dvitīyā and Tṛtīyā Vratas (Second and Third Days)

On the Tṛtīyā of the dark fortnight of Śrāvaṇa, images (mūrtis) of Lakshmī and Śrīdhara (Vishṇu) are placed on a finely decorated śayyā (bed) and honoured with many kinds of fruit. The bed and everything with it are then given to a brāhmaṇa with the mantra Śrīdharāya namaḥ | Śriyai namaḥ. On the same tithi, Umā-Maheśvara and Agni are also honoured and offered havishyānna (pure food), white damanaka flowers (tella-kamala) and things personally dear to the devotee.

On the Tṛtīyā of Phālguna and each Tṛtīyā after it in every month, salt must be given up completely. At the end of the vrata, the devotee honours a brāhmaṇa together with his wife and gives them a fully furnished home with a bed, vessels and household goods, saying Bhavānī prīyatām (“may Bhavānī be pleased”). The fruit is Bhavānī-loka (the world of Devī Bhavānī) after death, and every worldly happiness in this life.

Starting from the Tṛtīyā of Mārgaśīrsha and going through the Tṛtīyās of each month, the twelve forms of Devī are honoured, one each month, in this order: Gaurī, Kālī, Umā, Bhadrā, Durgā, Kānti, Sarasvatī, Maṅgalā, Vaishṇavī, Lakshmī, Śivā, Nārāyaṇī. This protects the devotee from the grief of being parted from loved ones.

Caturthī Vratas (Fourth Day): Gaṇeśa Pūjā

Every Caturthī is sacred to Bhagavān Gaṇeśa. The Caturthī of the bright fortnight of Māgha has a special practice. The devotee fasts completely, gives a śilā (stone) to a brāhmaṇa, and lives on water alone. This is done every month for two years, and then the vrata is completed. One who completes it meets no obstacles in life.

On every Caturthī the devotee honours Gaṇapati with the root mantra (mūla-mantra) OM gaḥ svāhā and performs this aṅga-nyāsa (placing mantras on parts of the body):

After the āvāhana (invitation), the Gaṇeśa Gāyatrī is recited:

OM Mahā-karṇāya vidmahe | Vakra-tuṇḍāya dhīmahi | tanno daṃtiḥ pracodayāt ||

The homa (fire offering) is done with tila (sesame) and other offerings. These names of Gaṇeśa’s gaṇas (attendants) are honoured, each followed by svāhā: OM namaḥ Amogholāya, OM namaḥ Ekadantāya, OM namaḥ Tripurāntaka-rūpāya, OM namaḥ Śyāmadantāya, OM namaḥ Vikāra-lāsyāya, OM namaḥ Āhaveshāya, OM namaḥ Padma-daṃshṭrāya.

The twelve names of Gaṇeśa, one to be honoured on each Caturthī over twelve months, are:

Gaṇapūjyo Vakratuṇḍa Ekadaṃshṭrī Triyambakaḥ | Nīlagrīvo Lambodarō Vikaṭō Vighna-rājakaḥ || Dhūmravarṇo Bhālacandro daśamas tu Vināyakaḥ | Gaṇapatir Hastimukho dvādaśāre yajet gaṇam ||

Honouring one name on each Caturthī for a full year grants sarvābhīshṭa-siddhi, the fulfilment of every wish. On the Caturthī of the bright fortnight of Mārgaśīrsha, the deva-gaṇas are especially honoured. Honouring Gaṇapati with sugar laḍḍus and kuḍumulu (rice dumplings) on Pratipadā Caturthī fulfils all wishes, and honouring him with damanaka flowers grants the birth of a son (putra-prāpti).

Pañcamī Vrata (Fifth Day): Nāgapañcamī

The Pañcamī tithi is given to the pūjā of the nāga-rājas (serpent kings). On the Pañcamīs of the bright fortnights of Śrāvaṇa, Bhādrapada, Āśvayuja and Kārttika, the eight nāga-rājas are honoured: Vāsuki, Takshaka, Kāliya, Maṇibhadraka, Airāvata, Dhṛtarāshṭra, Karkoṭaka and Dhanañjaya. They are bathed with ghṛta (ghee) and honoured with proper ceremony. These lords of the nāgas give āyus (long life), ārogya (health) and svarga to their devotees.

For monthly pūjā through the year, twelve nāgas are honoured, one each month, in order: Ananta, Vāsuki, Śaṅkha, Padma, Kambala, Karkoṭaka, Dhṛtarāshṭra, Śaṅkhaka, Kāliya, Takshaka and Piṅgala. On the Pañcamī of the bright fortnight of Bhādrapada all eight are honoured together.

On the Pañcamī of the bright fortnight of Śrāvaṇa in particular, images of the nāgas are placed on both sides of the doorway and honoured with an offering of milk and ghee. This protects the household from poison and snakebite, and so this tithi is also called Daṃśa-dvāra Pañcamī.

Shashṭhī Vrata (Sixth Day): Kārttikeya

On Bhādrapada Shashṭhī, Bhagavān Kārttikeya is honoured. Every bath and good deed done on this day brings akshaya (never-ending) merit. On each Shashṭhī the devotee fasts, and on the next day, Saptamī, honours Sūrya with the mantra OM Khakholkāya namaḥ and then feeds brāhmaṇas.

Saptamī Vratas (Seventh Day): Sūrya

Several Saptamī vratas are described, each kept in its own way:

Marica-saptamī (Pepper Saptamī): the devotee fasts on Shashṭhī, honours Sūrya on Saptamī with the mantra OM Khakholkāya namaḥ, feeds brāhmaṇas, and on the next day, Ashṭamī, breaks the fast with a meal that includes pepper (marica). The name comes from the pepper eaten at the pāraṇa (the meal that ends the fast). This vrata brings back together those who have been parted from loved ones and ends all estrangement.

Phala-saptamī (Fruit Saptamī): the devotee honours Sūrya with self-control and gives fruits such as kharjūra (dates), nārikela (coconut) and gaja-nimma to brāhmaṇas, saying Mārtaṇḍaḥ prīyatām (“may Mārtaṇḍa, the Sun, be pleased”). The devotee also lives on those same fruits through the night. This is done on every Saptamī of the year.

Anaudaka-saptamī (Waterless Saptamī): the devotee honours Sūrya, feeds a brāhmaṇa pāyasa (sweet rice pudding), and then ends the vrata by drinking only milk. It is a fast from all food, including water. This vrata is kept by those who wish for wealth (dhana) and sons (putra-lābha).

Vijaya-saptamī (Victory Saptamī): for those seeking victory, only vāyu (air) is taken, a complete fast from all food and drink. For the vrata to give its full fruit, the devotee must also give up honey, maithuna (sexual union), uḍada (black gram), barley, oil massage, añjana (eye make-up) and all other pleasures.

Ashṭamī Vratas (Eighth Day)

Dūrvāshṭamī

On the Ashṭamī of the bright fortnight of Bhādrapada, the Dūrvāshṭamī vrata is kept. The devotee fasts and honours the images of Gaurī, Gaṇeśa and Śiva with dūrvā grass (Cynodon dactylon, garika grass), and then with fruits and flowers. Each offering is made with Śambhave namaḥ | Śivāya namaḥ. The dūrvā grass itself is addressed with this prārthanā:

tvam dūrve’mṛtajanmāsī vanditā ca surāsuraiḥ | saubhāgyaṃ santatiṃ kṛtvā sarva-kārya-karī bhava || yathā-śākhā praśākhābhir vistṛtāsi mahī-tale | tathā mamāpi santānaṃ dehi tvam ajara-mare ||

One who keeps this vrata and eats only uncooked food (agni-apakva) on that day is freed from the pāpa of brahma-hatyā (killing a brāhmaṇa).

Janmāshṭamī

Bhagavān Śrī Kṛshṇa appeared on the Ashṭamī of the dark fortnight of Bhādrapada, at midnight, in the Rohiṇī nakshatra. An Ashṭamī joined with Saptamī is also thought fit for this vrata. Pūjā to Kṛshṇa on this day destroys the pāpas of three births.

The pūjā goes through four Govinda mantras in order:

1. Dhyāna (meditation): OM Yogāya yogapataye yogeśvarāya | yoga-sambhavāya Govindāya namo namaḥ ||
2. Snāna (bathing the image): OM Yajñāya yajñeśvarāya yajñapataye | yajña-sambhavāya Govindāya namo namaḥ |
3. Pūjā: OM Viśvāya viśveśvarāya viśvapataye | viśva-sambhavāya Govindāya namo namaḥ |
4. Śayana (laying the deity to rest): OM Sarvāya sarveśvarāya sarvapataye | sarva-sambhavāya Govindāya namo namaḥ |

On a sthaṇḍila (altar), images of Candra (the Moon), Rohiṇī and Śrī Kṛshṇa are set up and honoured. Arghya (a water offering) is given to the Moon with the mantra: kshīrodārṇava-sambhūta atri-netra-samudbhava | gṛhāṇārghyaṃ śaśāṅkeśa rohiṇyā sahito mama ||. Arghya is also offered to Mahālakshmī, Vasudeva, Nanda, Balarāma and Yaśodā.

Then the deity is praised with a stuti (hymn) of more than thirty names of Vishṇu, among them Ananta, Vāmana, Śauri, Vaikuṇṭha, Purushottama, Vāsudeva, Hṛshīkeśa, Mādhava, Madhusūdana, Varāha, Puṇḍarīkāksha, Nṛsiṃha, Dāmodara, Padmanābha, Keśava, Garuḍadhvaja, Govinda, Acyuta, Adhokshaja and Nārāyaṇa. It ends with a prārthanā for moksha (liberation):

trāhi māṃ deva-deveśa hare saṃsāra-sāgarāt | trāhi māṃ sarva-pāpaghna duḥkha-śokārṇavāt prabho ||

Everything asked for in this stuti, such as freedom from misery, release from wrong conduct, removal of ajñāna (ignorance), śānti (peace), wealth and sovereignty, is granted to one who keeps this vrata.

Navamī Vratas (Ninth Day)

Aśokāshṭamī

The Ashṭamī of the bright fortnight of Caitra, when joined with the Punarvasu nakshatra, is called Aśokāshṭamī. On this day eight buds of the aśoka flower are made into a kashāya (herbal drink) and drunk while reciting: tvam aśoka-harābhīshṭa madhumāsa-samudbhava | pibāmi śoka-santaptā māmaśokaṃ sadā kuru ||.

Mahānavamī

The Navamī of the bright fortnight of Āśvayuja, when joined with the Uttarāshāḍhā nakshatra, is called Mahānavamī, the most powerful Navamī. On it, bathing, giving and every good deed bring akshaya (never-ending) fruit. Even an ordinary Navamī of the bright fortnight of Āśvayuja calls for Durgā pūjā. Bhagavān Śiva himself, with all the devas, kept this great vrata.

The devī of Mahānavamī is Ugracaṇḍā, the eighteen-armed form of Devī, blazing with the colours of fire. Eight śaktis surround her: Rudracaṇḍā, Pracaṇḍā, Caṇḍogrā, Caṇḍanāyikā, Caṇḍā, Caṇḍavatī, Caṇḍarūpā and Aticaṇḍikā, each of a different colour (gorocanā-yellow, dawn-red, black, blue, smoky, white, yellow and pale). Ugracaṇḍā herself is the colour of a tongue of flame. She rides a lion. Before her stands Mahishāsura with a sword in his hand, while Devī holds him by his hair.

At the four corners of the maṇḍapa (pavilion) the fierce śaktis of Mahādevī are set up: Pūtanā (north-east), Pāpa-rākshasī, Carakī and Vidārikā. The root mantra for all Devī pūjā in this vrata is: OM Durge Durge rakshiṇī svāhā.

Before the Navamī, on the Ashṭamī itself, nine (or one) wooden maṇḍapas are built, and a gold or silver image of Devī is installed with a book, a trident (śūla), a sword (khaḍga) or a silk cloth. Japa (repeated chanting) of the root mantra and homa are done, and then young girls (kumārīs) are fed.

For kings and warriors who seek victory over enemies, Mahānavamī is made even greater by a ratha-yātrā (chariot procession) of Mahādevī and by pūjā of the Mātṛkās (mother devīs), Brāhmī, Māheśī, Kaumārī, Vaishṇavī and Vārāhī, who are bathed with milk.

Vīranavamī and Damanaka-navamī

Vīranavamī: on the Navamī of the bright fortnight of Āśvayuja, the devotee keeps ekabhukta (one meal a day), honours Devī and brāhmaṇas, and recites the bīja-mantra (seed mantra) one lakh (100,000) times.

Damanaka-navamī: on the Navamī of the bright fortnight of Caitra, Devī is honoured with damanaka flowers. This grants long life and health, wealth and power, and victory over enemies.

Daśamī Vrata (Tenth Day): Diggaja-daśamī

On the Daśamī of the bright fortnight of Caitra, the devotee begins an ekabhukta vrata and keeps it for a full year. At the end, ten cows are given as gifts and a golden waist-ornament (oḍḍāṇa) is offered to the Dikpālakas (guardians of the directions). The fruit is Brahmāṇḍādhipatya, rule over the whole universe (the cosmic egg).

Ekādaśī (Eleventh Day): Ṛshyekādaśī

The Ṛshyekādaśī vrata is kept on the Ekādaśī of the month concerned. The ten great ṛshis, Marīci, Atri, Aṅgiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Pracetas, Vasishṭha, Bhṛgu and Nārada, are honoured with devotion with damanaka flowers and garlands made of them. The devotee who keeps this vrata enjoys every worldly pleasure together with jñāna (knowledge) in this life, and at the end of life gains ṛshi-loka-vāsa, a home in the world of the ṛshis.

Dvādaśī Vrata (Twelfth Day): Śravaṇa-dvādaśī

The day on which Ekādaśī, Dvādaśī and the Śravaṇa nakshatra come together is called Vijaya-tithi. It grants both bhoga (enjoyment) and moksha (liberation) to all living beings. Any pūjā to Hari done on this day earns akshaya puṇya (never-ending merit). The devotee may keep ekabhukta (one meal), nakta-vrata (eating only at night), ayācita (eating only what comes unasked), upavāsa (full fast) or bhikshānna-bhojana (eating food received as alms); all of these give unlimited merit. Forbidden on this day are bronze (kāṃsya) vessels, honey, meat, lobha (greed), falsehood, exercise, maithuna (sexual union), sleeping in the day, añjana (eye make-up), food made from ground grain, and pulses such as pesara (green gram).

The Dvādaśī of the bright fortnight of Bhādrapada joined with the Śravaṇa nakshatra is especially auspicious. If it also falls on a Wednesday, bathing at the meeting of rivers and japa bring extraordinary fruit. On this day a golden image of Bhagavān Vāmana is placed on a full pot (pūrṇa-kumbha) filled with water holding gems (ratna-jala), covered with two white cloths, together with a parasol and sandals (pādukā), and honoured with all the upacāras (services of pūjā).

The ten-part aṅga-nyāsa of Vāmana:

Ghee, pāyasa, pots (kumbhas) and kuḍumulu are offered, and the night is spent in bhajana (devotional singing) and jāgaraṇa (staying awake). At dawn the devotee bathes, performs ācamana (sipping water for purification), offers pūjā again with pushpāñjali (an offering of flowers held in both hands), and prays:

Namo namas te Govinda budha-śravaṇa-saṃjñaka | aghaaugha-saṃkshayaṃ kṛtvā sarva-saukhya-prado bhava ||

Then kalaśas (pots) are given to brāhmaṇas. A riverbank is the most praśasta (auspicious) place for this pūjā.

Sources

• Agni Purāṇa, Chapters 176–192, 194, 196, 198, 203, 205
• Bhavishya Purāṇa, Uttara Parva, Chapter 55 (Kṛshṇa Janmāshṭamī)
• Bhavishya Purāṇa, Uttara Parva, Chapter 69 (Govatsa Dvādaśī)
• Bhavishya Purāṇa, Uttara Parva, Chapter 102 (Sāvitrī Vrata)
• Bhavishya Purāṇa, Uttara Parva, Chapter 103 (Mahākārtikī)
• Garuḍa Purāṇa, Ācāra Khaṇḍa, Chapters 129–136
• Garuḍa Purāṇa, Ācāra Khaṇḍa, Chapter 129 (Pratipadā to Pañcamī)
• Garuḍa Purāṇa, Ācāra Khaṇḍa, Chapter 130 (Shashṭhī and Saptamī)
• Garuḍa Purāṇa, Ācāra Khaṇḍa, Chapter 131 (Dūrvāshṭamī and Janmāshṭamī)
• Garuḍa Purāṇa, Ācāra Khaṇḍa, Chapter 133 (Aśokāshṭamī, Navamī, Daśamī and Ekādaśī)
• Garuḍa Purāṇa, Ācāra Khaṇḍa, Chapter 136 (Śravaṇa-dvādaśī)