Agni Purāṇa

176 - Vows observed on the first lunar day

Agni said:

1. Ishall describe the vows for the first lunar day which would confer on you everything. The first lunar day of kärttika (November-December), asvayuji (October-November) and chaitra (April-May) are the days of (lord) Brahma.

2. After having had no food on the fifteenth (lunar) day, oneshould worship (lord) Aja (Brahma, the unborn) on the first lunar day (with the words) On tatsat obeisance to (lord) Brahmå or with gayatri for a year.

3. A golden (image of lord) Brahma (carrying) a rosary and ladle in the right (hand) and a kamandalu (a wooden or earthen water-pot) and a small ladle in the left (hand) and (having) a long beard and matted hairshould be worshipped.

4. According to one's means oneshould offer milk, (to lord Brahmå stating) that let (lord) Brahmå be pleased. A brahmin would become stainless, enjoyer of pleasures in heaven as well as on earth and wealthy.

5-6. Ishall describe an excellent vow (by practising which) an unfortunate one would become fortunate. After having fasted and offering oblations on the night of the first lunar day of märgasirsha (December-January), one would get all (things) by worshipping fire (stating) 'Obeisance to fire'. Eating food once on the first lunar day and giving a tawny (cow) at the conclusion one reaches the place of lord fire. This is known to be śikhivrata (vow dedicated to fire).

Summary of chapter 176 of the Agni Purāṇa is as follows:

Vratas observed on the first tithi (pratipad) of the lunar fortnight are described. Agni prescribes worship of Brahmā on the pratipads of Kārtika, Āśvayuja, and Caitra with the mantra "Oṃ tatsad brahmaṇe namaḥ" or the Gāyatrī-mantra sustained for one year; Brahmā's image bears akṣamālā, sruva, śuka, and kamaṇḍalu with flowing white beard and jaṭā. Kṣīra-dāna to a brāhmaṇa accompanies each monthly pūjā. A second pratipad-vrata called Dhanya-vrata, observed on Mārgaśīrṣa-pratipad, worships Agni as the deity; the year's discipline culminates in a kapilā-cow gift that leads the performer to Vaiśvānara-loka.