178 - Vows observed on the third lunar day

Agni said:

1. Ishall describe the vows (to be practised) on the third lunar day which would confer enjoyment and emancipation. Listen to me. (Ishall describe) the mūlagaurivrata for the (goddess) Lalitā (a form of consort of Siva) (to be done) on the third lunar day. 

2-23. Goddess Gauri was married by Hara (Siva) on the third day of the bright (fortnight) in (the month of) chaitra (April-May). (Then on that day) oneshould bathe with sesamum and worship Sambhu (Siva) in the company of Gauri with golden fruits etc. "Obeisance to Patala" (saying so oneshould worship) the feet of the goddess and Siva. Oneshould worship ankles for Jay, after saying "to Siva". (Oneshould worship) the twoshanks (by saying obeisance) to the destroyer of the three cities, to Rudra, to Bhavani, the two knees (by saying obeisance) to Siva, to Rudra, to Iśhvara (the lord) and to Vijayā (the victorious), the hip (by saying obeisance) to Isha for the goddess and to Sankara for Sankara. The two bellys (should be worshipped by saying obeisance) to Koțavya and the Śūlin (lord Siva) (by saying obeisance) to the one having trident in the hand. The stomachshould be worshipped (by saying) obeisance to you, Mangala (the auspicious). Rudra (should be worshipped by saying) obeisance to the soul of all beings, the two breasts (by saying obeisance) to Ishäni. Similarly (lord) Sivashould be worshipped (by saying) (obeisance) to Hladini. Lord Siva (should be worshipped by the words obeisance) to the great lord and the two hands (by saying obeisance) to Anantā. (Lord) Hara (should be worshipped with the words obeisance) to the three-eyed one and the arm (with the words obeisance) to the consort of the destructive fire at the end. The ornamentsshould be worshipped (by saying obeisance) to Saubhagya (the fortunate) and the great lord. The lips (should be worshipped by saying obeisance) to the (goddess) dwelling in the honey of aśhoka (flowers) and to the lord. The face (should be worshipped) by saying obeisance to the consort of the fourfaced one and to Hara and the immovable one. Obeisance to lord Hara, the lord of the man-woman form and the nose (should be worshipped) (by saying obeisance) to measured limbs. The lord of the universe (should be worshipped by saying) obeisance to the fierce one and then the two eyes (saying obeisance) to Lalità. The destroyer of the cities (should be worshipped saying obeisance) to Sarva (all) and the palate (with the words obeisance) to Vasanti (the one belonging to the spring), Obeisance to the consort of Srikaạtha (one having the auspicious mark on the throat) and the hair (saying obeisance) to Sitikantha (having black mark on the throat). (Obeisance) to fierce one and (the goddess) of good form and (worship) the head (by saying) obeisance to the soul of all beings. The (following) flowersshould be used in order in the respective months— jasmine, aśhoka, lotus, jasmine, tagara, målati, kadamba, karavira, bāņa, mlāna, kunkuma and sindhuvāra After having worshipped (goddess) Uma and (lord) Maheśvara, the (following) eight auspicious thingsshould be placed in front: ghee, nispáva, kusumbha, ksirajivaka, taruråja, ikṣhu, lavana and kustumburu. Oneshould take śrungodaka in (the month of) Chaitra (April-May) and sleep in front of the god and goddess. Oneshould bathe in the morning, worship (the god and goddess) and worship the brahmin couple. The above (mentioned) eight (things)should be given to the brahmin. (Heshould then say) “Let (the goddess) lalita (consort of Siva) be pleased (by this gift of) mine. Srungodaka, cow-dung, mandāra, bilva leaf, water wich kusa, curd and milk are the things and ghee mixed with coagulated milk (are the things offered) in (the month of) kārttika (November-December). Cow's urine, clarified butter, black sesamum and the five things got from a cow (åre the) food to be eaten duly. "(Goddesses) Lalita, Vijaya, Bhadra, Bhavānī, Kumuda, Sivā, Väsudevi, Gauri, Mangalā, Kamalā and Sati be pleased.” Thus oneshould say at the time of making a gift in (the months of) Chaitra (April-May) etc. Heshould then offer one pala (a measure of weight) of the purifying clari fied butter and a bedshould be given at the end of the vow, A golden (image of) Umāmaheśvara, (Siva and his consort), a bull and a cow (should also be given). The performer would get enjoyment and emancipation by (offering) clothes etc. and worshipping the teacher couple. (One would get) fortune, health, beauty and longevity from the (performance of the) vow saubhagyasayana. Oneshould perform the vow in the (month of) nabhas (Srävaņa-July-August) or vaišākha (June-July ) or mārgasira (December-January) on the third lunar day in the bright fortnight. Oneshould worship (saying) "Obeisance to (goddess) Lalitā”. After having worshipped in every fortnight and having worshipped twentyfour couples at the end of the vow by (giving) clothes etc , the performer gets enjoyment and emancipation. 

24-28. Thus a second way (of performance of the vow) has been told. Ishall describe the saubhāgyavrata (the vow which consers fortune). Oneshould avoid salt on the third lunar day in the month of) phālguna (March-April). When (the vow) is completed heshould give a bed and a house with household things after having worshipped a brahmin couple (by saying) “Let (goddess) Bhavanī be pleased". The vow on the third lunar day for the sake of (getting) fortune has been told. (Goddess) Gauri confers heaven etc. So also (one would get) by doing the vow on the lunar day in the months of) māgha (February-March), bhädra (pada) (September-October) and vaišākha (May-June) A person who performs (the vow of) damanakatrtiiyāshould worship with damanaka (fragrant leaf used for worship) in (the month of) chaitra (April-May). (The third lunar day) in (the month of) mārga (sirsha) (December-January) (is known as)ātmatrtiya (the third lunar day relating to the soul). One who worships by giving the goddesses) Gauri, Kāli, Umā, Bhadra, Durgā, Kanti, Sarasvati, Vaishņavi, Lakshmi, Prakruti, Siva and Narayaņi duly commencing from the third lunar day in (the month of) märga (sirsha) (December-January), (by giving) the desired things, food etc would get fortune and gold.