124 - Sacred Rites (Vratas)

Brahma said: 

1. I shall now mention the "Shivaratri-Vrata', and the story connected with the same that yields everything one desires. Goddess Gauri was told this Vrata by Shiva when she asked him about it. 

Ishvara said: 

2. The fourteenth phase of the moon in the dark half between the months of Magha and Phalguna is the day fixed for this Vrata. The devotee shall keep awake for the whole night and worship Lord Rudra. He should attain worldly pleasures and salvation. 

3. Lord Shiva should be worshipped in the company of Lord Cupid just as Lord Keshava is worshipped on Dvadashidays. If after fast, the lord is worshipped he will enable the devotee to cross the Hell. 

4. Once Sundara Senaka, the sinful king of Nishadas went ahunting into a forest along with his dogs. 

5. He was unable to bag any game. He became exhausted due to hunger and thirst. He took rest in a bower on the banks of the lake on a mountain, but could not get even a wink of sleep. 

6. In his attempt to balance himself on the tree he let fall a few leaves from the tree on a Linga (the phallic emblem of Shiva) at the foot of the tree but he was not aware of the same. 

7-8. An arrow fell from his quiver. He jumped down to retrieve it. In his search for the arrow, he crawled up to the linga and touched it. To wash himself of the dust he brought some water, a few drops of which fell on the linga too. Thus, all the items in a worship-bathing, worshipping with leaves, prostration and touching the linga and keeping awake-had been performed unconsciously. 

9. In the morning he returned home and had his food brought by his wife. After some time when he died he was dragged by the soldiers of Yama with a noose. 

10. Then my followers fought with thein and released him. Thus, purified along with his faithful dog of that day he became one of my attendants (Ganas). 

11. Thus, even without knowing he got the fruits of worship. He who knowingly performs worship will derive everlasting benefit. The devotee shall first worship Shiva on the thirteenth day and pray thus: 

12-13. "O God, I shall keep awake on the Chaturdashi night. The worship, charitable gift, penance and Homa shall be performed according to my ability. O Shambhu after fasting for the whole of Caturdasi (fourteenth) I shall take food only the next day. O Lord, be my refuge and accord me worldly pleasures and salvation." 

14. After bathing the linga with Panchagavya and water, at the close of worship, the devotee should approach his preceptor and worship Lord Shiva again with the mantra "Om obeisance, obeisance to Shiva" and offer scents. 

15. Then he should perform Homa with gingelly seeds, rice and other grains as well as butter. After Purnahuti he should listen to songs of prayer and mythological stories. 

16. The worship should again be performed at midnight and at the end of third and fourth Yamas. The concluding rites should be performed in the morning with the Mulamantra. 

17-19. "O Lord, with your favour I have concluded the rites unhindered. O lord of the universe, forgive me. O lord of the three worlds, O Hara, the merit that I derived today due to the naivedya offering to the lord Rudra is immense. O Lord with thy grace the Vrata has been concluded. O Lord, be pleased. Return to Thy region. I have become purified by "Thy holy sight." The devotee should feed brahmins stable in their contemplation and give clothes, umbrella, etc, to them. 

20-21. "O Lord of gods, lord of goblins, the blesser of the world, what I have offered out of faith be delightfully received by Thee", saying this he shall conclude the final rites. If the devotee does this for twelve years he will attain glory, fortune, children, realm as well as Shiva's region. 

22-23. This rite can be performed in twelve months by keeping awake at night. He should feed twelve brahmins and make gift of lamps to them. He will attain heaven hereafter.