130 - Sacred Rites (Vratas)

Brahma said:

1-2. Similarly, God Karttikeya is to be worshipped in the month of Bhadrapada. The ceremonial bath, charitable gift etc. in this Vrata is of everlasting benefit. On the seventh day, brahmins have to be fed and god sun is to be worshipped with the following mantra--"Svaha unto Khakkolka. Thou art immortal, let Thy contact be pleasing for ever." The Parana is on the eighth day with pepper. The devotee shall attain heaven. 

Thus, Marichasaptami is explained. 

3-4. On the seventh day of the lunar month the devotee shall take his bath and duly worship the sun-god. With the prayer “May the sun-god be pleased, be shall give fruits to the brahmins. The fruits offered and taken by himself shall be dates, coconuts or pomegranates. While offering the prayer he shall think -May all my desires be fulfilled". 

Thus, Phalasaptami is explained: 

5-6. After worshipping one's own favourite deity on the Saptami (seventh) day he shall feed brahmins with milk puddings and shall drink any milk. The word Odana connotes all kinds of foodstuffs chewed, sucked or licked (lambatives). If the devotee is desirous of wealth, sons, etc. he shall remain Anodana (not taking any of the foodstuffs). Brahmins shall be given due Dakshinas as well. 

Thus, Anodanasaptami is explained. 

7-8. The devotee desirous of victory shall perform Vijaya Saptami Vrata taking nothing but air, the devotee desirous of love shall eat leaves of the sun plant (Arka) or observe fast. It yields everything he desires. He who abjures wheat, pulses, barley, the Shashtika variety of rice, bell metal vessels, stony vessels, wheat flour, honey, wine, meat, sexual intercourse, oil bath, applying collyrium and gingelly seeds on Saptami (seventh) days is to be considered as having fasted for seven Saptamis (as explained in this and the next chapter).