189 - Rules of observing Srävaņadvādašhi vrata

Agni said:

1-2. Ishall describe the (mode of performance of) Śravaņadvādasi. Fasting (on the twelfth day) in the bright (fortnight) in the month of bhadrapada (September-October) marked with (the asterism) Śravana is highly meritorious. One would get the benefits of the Sravanadvādasi by bathing at the confluence of rivers. (The twelfth day) marked by (the asterism) Śravaņa and a Wednesday is extremely meritorious for making gifts.

3-15. Oneshould do even that which is prohibited. Oneshould eat after the fast on the thirteenth (lunar) day. Oneshould fast on the twelfth (lunar)day (saying) “I am worshipping Vamana" and invoke the golden (image) (of Vamana) in a water-pot (saying) "I am invoking Vamana, (a form, of) Vishņu bearing the conch and disc. I am bathing lord Vishņu with waters such as the five sweet things and others in the pitcher covered by a pair of white cloth (and provided with) good umbrella and sandals. (I worship lord) Vishnu holding an umbrella and staff. Obeisance to Våmana. O Lord of the celestials I offer you libation. Being worshipped always with good libation and others you make me endowed with enjoyment,'emancipation, progeny, fame and all fortune. Obeisance to Vamana." With this (sacred syllable), perfume (is offered) and oblations hundred (times are made). “Om, Obeisance to Väsudeva.” The head of lord Hari is worshipped. Similarly the face (is worshipped with the syllable obeisance) to Sridhara, and on the neck (with) “Obeisance to Krishņa", the chest (with) “Obcisance to the consort of Śri (Lakshmi, the arms (with obeisance)" to the wielder of all weapons”, the navel (with) “Obeisance to the omnipresent”, the hip (with) "Obeisance to Vamana, the male organ with (obeisance)“to the Creator of the three worlds”. Theshank of lord Harishould be worshipped (with Obeisance)” to the lord of everything". The feet of Vishnu (are worshipped with) "Obcisance to the lord of all beings” . Offering prepared in ghee as well as pitchers with curd riceshould be made. After having remained awake in the night and bathed in the morning at the confluence (of rivers) and worshipped with perfumes, flowers and other things, oneshould say "This handful of flowers (is offered)" "Obeisance to you, O Go vinda! One who is named as (the planet) Mercury and (asterism) Śravaņa! You destroy the floods of sins and become the conferer of all happiness. O Lord! Lord of celestials! Be pleased with me always 0 Janardana!" Vamana is the bestower of wisdom. Vāmana himself is stationed in tlic materials. Våmana accepts the gift and Vāmana also confers on me. Vamana is always stationed in the materials. Obeisance to Vamana”. After having given fecs to the brahmins and fed them, (the performer) himselfshould take food.

Summary of chapter 189 of the Agni Purāṇa is as follows:

The Śravaṇa-dvādaśī—Bhādrapada-śukla-dvādaśī when coinciding with Śravaṇa-nakṣatra—is described as one of the most meritorious of all vratas. Agni states that bathing at any river-confluence on this day equals the full Śravaṇa-dvādaśī phala, and that performing dāna on the Budha-vāra (Wednesday) Śravaṇa-dvādaśī yields mahā-phala. The complete Vāmana-pūjā liturgy is described: the deity is installed on a jalakumbha draped with śveta-vastra-dvaya; the aṅga-pūjā maps the twelve Keśavādi names to the body parts (Vāsudeva at the head, Śrīdhara at the face, Kṛṣṇa at the throat, etc.); midnight jāgaraṇa is observed; and the worshipper concludes by offering the entire pūjā-sāmagri to a brāhmaṇa with the words "Vāmano'smi, Vāmanam dadāmi."