204 - Mode of practising the vow of fasting for stipulated months

Agni said:

1-2. Ishall describe the vow (known as) fasting for a month, that is the most excellent among (the vows). After having done the sacrifice relating to (lord) Vishņu and got the command of the preceptor and knowing one's own strength with (the practice of) krucchra etc., O Sage! a forester or an ascetic or a woman or a widowshould fast for a month. 

3-5. Oneshould undertake to observe this vow for thirtytwo days after having fasted on the eleventh day of the dark fortnight of the month of) āśvina (October-November). "O lord Vishņu! Commencing from this day until you get up (from sleep) Ishall worship you without taking food for thirty days. O Vishnu! (this vow would be) till you get up in the (months of) āśvina and kārttika. Let not my vow be incomplete if I happen to die in the middle.”. 

6-9. (Lord Vishņushould be worshipped thrice with fragrant flowers after bathing thrice. The person practising the vowshould repeat the songs of lord Vishņu and conteinplate (on him). Heshould avoid vain discussion andshould avoid desire for wealth. Heshould not touch someone who is not practising the vow. Heshould not enter into conversation with those addicted to vices. Heshould dwell in temple for thirty days. The observer of the vowshould worship the brahmins on the twelfth day and feed them. After completing vow and paying fees, heshould break the fast. One would get enjoyment and emancipation for thirteen kalpas (a kalpa is equal to 432 million years) by practising thus. 

10-12. Heshould do the sacrifice relating to Vishņu and worship thirteen brahmins. Heshould give them as many pairs of clothes, vessels, seats, umbrellas, metal rings, pairs of sandals, upper cloth and sacred threads. All these thingsshould also be given to another brahmin being permitted by them. After having worshipped golden lord Vishņu on the bed, heshould worship his own form with clothes and other things. 

13-15. Then heshould tell brahmins, “O Brahmins! I am going to the world of Vishņu being freed (from all sins by the grace of lord Vishņu. I am becoming lord Vishnu himself”. (The brahminsshould say), “O One with divine wisdom! You go to the faultless place of lord Vishņu by this vehicle and remain there spotless bearing the form of lord Vishņu”. Then that bedshould be offered to the preceptor. One who practises thus would elevate hundreds of his family and take them to the world of Vishnu. 

16-18. That country in which there is a person observing fast for a month, would become spotless. What to speak about the family in which there is one who fasts for a month! Seeing the person practising a vow fallen into a swoon, oneshould make him drink milk and clarified butter. These things would not nullify the vow. The ghee is allowed by the brahmins, and milk, water, roots are beneficial remedies (administered) by the preceptors. Lord Vishnu is the maker of all remedies. Hence he will make the vow complete.