110 - The Exposition of Vratas to be performed on Pratipads, the first day of the Lunar fortnight

Narada said: 

1. O holy sir, I have heard the full gist of all the Puråņas, conveyed by you directly and orally in the same manner as it was narrated to Marichi by Brahmā, the highest deity. 

2. O highly blessed one, now recount to me, in due order, the story of the Tithis (i. e. the details of the different lunar days) whereby the holy rites and observances can be decided upon. 

3. Now please narrate to me the particular holy Vrata (vow or rite) along with its detailed procedure of worship etc. and enlighten me on what (particular) holy lunar day (tithi) and in what (particular) month that Vrata is to be performed.1 

1. Vratas are of different types. Some are to be performed on particular tithis, some on days, some depend on the constellation of the particular day etc. (AP. 175.1) AP later gives some general rules for observing Vratas.). Here Närada wants to know the details of Tithi-vratas. 

Sanatana said: 

4. O Nárada, listen I shall recount to you the holy rites (Vratas) of the Tithis separately. They bring about all the Siddhis (accomplishments of objects) in the order of the Tithis and their lords. 

5-6. God Brahma created the entire Universe on the first day in the bright half of Chaitra, at the time of sunrise.2 It was in the beginning of the year and that of the spring in the kingdom of Bali (?). The Pratipad is to be taken always 

2. The belief that the Universe was created by god Brahmå at the time of sun-rise on the 1st day of the bright half of Chaitra, is common to other Puräņas. CC on Vrata, pp. 360-65, Vrata-raja (VRJ.) ch. I., p. 21 quotes Bm. P and prescribes Mahāśhānti and the worship of god Brahmä as in the NP. 

when it is in conjunction with the previous Tithi, by wise persons.1 

1. VRJ. quotes this as Vruddha Vasishtha Smruti and states that even if the Pratipad is associated with amavasya (pūrva-vruddha), it should be taken as the proper beginning of the year. 

7. At that time, the great rite of Śhånti (the pacificatory rite) should be performed. It is destructive of all sins. It subdues all evil portents. It dispels the sins of Kali. 

8. It bestows longevity, causes nourishment and enhances wealth and good fortune. It is auspicious and holy and is conducive to happiness in both the worlds. 

9-10. On that day, at the outset, god Brahmã who had assumed the physical body of the fire-god, should be worshipped with respectful formalities such as washing the feet with water and other respectful offerings (Pädyas, Arghyas), flowers, incense, clothes, ornaments, meals, sacrificial oblations, presents and the propitiation of the Brahmaņas. Thereafter, the worship of deities should be performed separately of each god. 

11-12. After paying obeisance to the Omkāra with (the offerings of) water from the Kusha grass, gingelly-seeds and raw rice-grains, (the devotee) shall give religious fee or gift (Dakşhiņā) to a Brāhmaṇa who is a Vedic Scholar, along with clothes and gold for the purpose of complete and perfect performance of the Vrata. This Vrata that has such a special Pūjå in it, is called Sauri Vrata2 (Vrata pertaining to the Sun). 

2. Probably the same as Arogyapratipad vrata (VRJ. I p, 23). 

13-14a. O Brahmaņa, this holy rite yields good health to men. O sage, Vidyavrata3 is also to be performed on that day. O sage, on the same Tithi, the holy rite called Tilaka4 was told by Krişhņa to Ajätaśhatru (Yudhisthira). 

3. NP gives no details of this Vrata, for which vide CC on Vrata I. 338 40, VRJ. p. 23. 

4. After worshipping Samvatsara (the year), the performer has to apply on his forchead a Tilaka with white sandal-wood paste for one year (CC on Vrata I. 348-50.) 

14b-16. In the month of Jyeşhtha, in the bright half, on the first day at sunrise, one should worship the pleasing karavira tree that grows in the temple garden.1 It must be tied with a red thread, scents, incense and unguents must be offered along with the germinating seven grains, oranges and pomegranates. It must be sprinkled with water mixed with unbroken rice grain. The following Mantra should be uttered for praying for forgiveness. 

1. VV 14-19a. describe the Karavira-pratipad-vrata It is observed on Vaishakha Shuddha Pratipad in Tamil Nad. Cf. CC. I. 353. 

17-19a. “Obeisance to you O Karavira, the residence of meritorious acts, beloved of the sun, always liked by (one who wields thunderbolt Dambholi) i.e. Indra, Mruda, (Śhiva), Durga and other deities.” He should then crave forgiveness through the Vedic Mantra2 “A Krişhņena” etc. (RV. I. 35.2). After worshipping thus with great devotion and after giving due Dakşhiņā to a Brāhmaṇa, he should circumambulate and go to his house. 

2. V. 17 which is a prayer in Puránic SK is said to be the ‘Mantra’ a Krishnrena etc. is a Vedic Mantra in RV. I. 35, 2. 

19b-20. On the first day in the bright half of the month of Śhråvana, there is a great Vrata3 that yields good fortune and intellect. It is the cause of all the Puruşhārthas) viz. virtue, wealth, love and liberation. 

3. VV 196-22 describe the Rotaka Vrata, although NP does not disclose the name of this mahavrata, Vrj., pp. 25-26 describe it as Rotaka Vrata. It is also called Bilva- vrata. 

O Brahmaņa, beginning on a Monday, this Vrata should be continued for three and a half months. 

21-22. After observing fast on the fourteenth day in the dark half of the month of Kärttika, the devotee, earnest and interested in the Vrata, should worship Shiva on (the following) full moon day. On the Pratipad following it He should offer Våyana (sweet-meats and other presents) along with a gold flute (?) to a Brahmaņa for the purpose of increase in the wealth. O leading sage, it is highly meritorious and it increases the pleasure of the deities. 

23. On the first day in the bright half of Bhadrapada, the Vrata named “Mahātmā’ (the greatest one) should be performed. Some call this Vrata by the name of Mauna1 (silence). Shiva is worshipped in this rite. 

1. VV. 23-27a detail the Mauna Vrata. HD V. 383-384 gives a Vrata of a similar name but the details are somewhat different. 

24-27a. The devotee shall, in silence, cook three times sixteen fruits along with ground flour. He shall give one set of sixteen to a Brāhmaṇa. He shall give another set of sixteen to the Deity. One set of sixteen, he himself eats. Over the water pot, the knower of the injunctions worships a gold image of Shiva and gives everything of it to the preceptor along with a cow. O Brāhmaṇa, after observing this Vrata of the trident-bearing Lord of the Devas for fourteen years, the devotee enjoys worldly pleasures, till his death (thereafter), he attains to Shiva. 

27b-29. O Brahmana, a man who performs Ashokavrata 2 on the first day in the bright half of the month of Aśhvina, (himself) becomes Aśhoka (free from grief). He is endowed with riches and grains. The Aśhoka tree must be worshipped by those who are exclusively devoted to these observances and rites. At the end of the Vrata in the twelfth year, he should offer the replica of an Asoka tree with great devotion to the preceptor. He is thereby honoured in Shivaloka. 

2. VV 27-29 describe Ashoka-vrata. This is different from that given in CC II. 279-283. HD V, i, 295 also differs. 

30. One shall begin Navaratra3 (the festival of nine nights) on this very Pratipad. He should worship the goddess in the forenoon along with the rite of installing the water-pot. 

3. VV. 30-34 describe the Navaratra or Durga Puja which is observed all over India. It is described in details in HD V. i., pp. 154-187. The Charita in the Mk. P. mentioned in V. 32 is most probably Devi Mahatmya (chs. 78-90) or the Saplašhati. 

31. He should sow to germinate barley grains mixed with wheat. He should take only one meal once a day. The food consumed should not be one that is requested for. 

32-33. In accordance with his ability, he should observe fast. The worship of the goddess, repetition of the Mantras and recitation of the holy texts (the Saptaśhati) should also be done in accordance with one’s capacity. O Brahmaņa, the three Charitas (stories) mentioned in the Märkandeya Puråņa should be read for all the nine days, by one who desires to get worldly pleasures and salvation. The worship of virgins along with the rite of feeding, is praised. 

34. O Brāhmaṇa, after performing the Vrata thus, the man becomes a receptacle of all Siddhis on the Earth, by the grace of Durgå. 

35. On the first day in the bright half in the month of Urja (Kärttika), one should perform all the rites mentioned for Navarátra. Particularly, the rite called Annakūta1 (a heap of cooked articles of food) causes the increase in the delight of Vişhnu. 

1. VV. 35-37 describe the Govardhana Puja (in the memory of Krishna’s triumph over Indra) or Annaküta. Though v. 35 instructs “to perform all the rites mentioned for Navaratra,” the essential difference is that the Navaratra is pertaining to Devi (Shäkta) while Govardhana Pūja is a strictly vegetarian Vaishnava Vrata. Vrj. p. 33 quotes Sanatkumăra Samhita to describe the procedure of worship of Annakúta. There are minor regional differences in performing the Annakütapūjä. 

36. In the course of worship of Govardhana, Annakūța must be made with all cooked articles and with all milk products by everyone, for achieving all objects by the worshipper. 

37. In the evening the devotee should worship Govardhana mountain along with the cows, and offer suitable Dakşhiņā. He shall attain worldly pleasures and liberation. 

38-40a. The excellent Dhanavrata2 is to be performed on the first day in the bright half of the month of Märgashirşha. Vişhņu is to be worshipped at night along with Homas. The observer of the Vrata should give a replica in gold of the fire god to a Brāhmaṇa after covering it with two red clothes. By performing this vrata thus, one becomes flourishing in wealth and food-grains on the Earth. With his sins burned in fire, he is honoured in the Vişhnuloka. 

2. VV. 38-402 describe Dhana-vrata which is otherwise called Dhanya-vrata (AP. 167. 5-6) or Dhanya pratipad Vrata, CC I. 355-56 bases its description on the Varaha Purana 56. 1-16 which is somewhat different from what is given here. HD. V, i. 320 lists a Dhana-vrata which begins on Phalguna-Shuddha-Trayodashi and is concerned with Kubera and as such is different from the Dhana-Vrata in the NP. 

40b-41a. On the first day in the bright half of the month of Pauşha, one should worship the Sun-god with devotion. The man must restrict his diet to one meal a day. Performing the Vrata thus, that mortal being shall attain the world of the Sun. 

41b-42a. On the first day in the bright half of the month of Magha, one shall worship the Fire god as Maheśhvara himself, in accordance with the injunctions. He becomes rich and flourishing on the Earth. 

42b-44a. On the first day in the bright half of the month of Phålguna, one should, with water, sprinkle Digambara (the naked Lord Shiva), the Lord of the Devas, all of whose limbs have turned grey due to dust. He should sprinkle the water all over his body. Indeed, god Maheśhvara is delighted even with such secular rites and activities. On being worshipped with devotion, he grants his own Sayujya (Salvation where in the devotee becomes one with the Deity). 

44b-46.1 On the first day in the bright half of the month of Vaishakha, one shall worship Vişhņu who sports in the Universe. He should worship in accordance with the injunctions. The man who observes the Vrata should feed the Brāhmaṇas. Similarly, on the first day in the bright half of the month of Jyeşhtha and Aşhadha, one shall worship Brahma, the preceptor of the worlds. Thereat, accompanied by Vişhņu, Brahma, the Lord of the chiefs of all worlds, grants identity with himself. The devotee shall then attain all the Siddhis. 

1. The last redactor of the NP seems to have rectified the missing Vratas on Vaishakha Shukla 1st, by adding vv. 446-46. 

47-48.2 O excellent Brahmaņa, Vratas to be observed on the first day of the twelve months-Vratas bestowing worldly pleasures here and Liberation from Saṁsåra hereafter have been recounted to you. Brahmacharya (observance of celibacy) is laid down in all these Vratas. The diet during these Vratas is pre scribed as Havişhyānna (cooked rice soaked in ghee) as common to all. 

2. VV. 47-48 prescribe the general rules about observance of Vratas mentioned (vide AP. 175).