113 - The Exposition of the holy rites to be performed on Chaturthis (the fourth day in. the Lunar fortnight)

Sanatana said: 

1. O Brāhmaṇa listen, I shall recount to you the holy vows and rites to be observed on Chaturthi days.1 On observing them, men and women shall attain their cherished desires. 

1. Just as all the third days in the lunar fortnights are sacred to the goddess (in any form of the Trinity), the fourth days of the lunar fortnights are sacred to god Ganesha. The Vrata gives special merit or fruit, if the 4th Tithi falls on Sunday or Tuesday, (VV. 90-91 below). 

2-3a. On the fourth day in the Lunar fortnight in the month of Chaitra,2 one should duly worship Ganapa (i.e. Gaņeśha) in the form of Vasudeva and offer gold as Dakşhiņå to a Brähmaņa. He will be bowed to by the Devas (thereby), and then go to Vişhnuloka. 

2. VV. 2-6 synthesize the Chatur-vyuha doctrine of the Pancharătrins with a Shaiva god like Ganesha, by identifying him with Vişhnu. This is Vaişhnpavization, as the NP. is a Vaişhnava Purana, while in the Kurma P, we find Pasuupatization of an originally Vaişhņaya Purāņa 

The Ganesa Vyüha accepts the names of the Pancharåtrins. Thus we find:

God Ganesha to be worshipped on the Name of the Vyüha

 4th Tithi of:             

1. Chaitra                                              Vasudeva

2. Vaishakha                                        Sankarşhaņa

3. Jyeşhtha                                           Pradyumna

4. Aşhadha                                           Aniruddha

This Vrata is to be observed for 12 years. 

3b-4. On the Chaturthi day in the month of Vaishakha, the devotee should pray to the deity called Samkarşhaņa. By giving a conch-shell to imporant Brahmaņa householders, the knower of religious injunctions shall attain the world of Samkarşhaņa and rejoice there for many Kalpas. 

5. On the Chaturthi day in the month of Jyeşhtha the per son should worship the deity in the form of Pradyumna. By giving fruits and roots to the herds (of cattle or beasts), he shall attain heaven. 

6. On the Chaturthi day in the month of Ashadha, a man should worship Aniruddha. By giving pot-gourd-vessels to ascetics, he attains the cherished desires. 

7. After performing these holy rites of the four Mürtis for twelve years, the Udyapana rite should be performed in accordance with the injunctions, by the devotee who wishes for the benefit thereof. 

8. On the Chaturthi day in the month of Jyeshtha, there is another Vrata viz. the excellent Sativrata. By performing it, the devotee rejoices in the world of the mother of Ganapati on a par with him. 

9-10. There is another auspicious Vrata on the Chaturthi day in the month of Āshadha, since it is the day on which Kalpa called Rathantara began. The man should worship Gaņeśha duly with his mind sanctified by faith. He shall attain the benefit inaccessible even to the Devas and others. 

11-17a. On the Chaturthi day in the month of Shravana, O sage, when the moon has risen, the devotee, the most excel lent among the knowers of the procedure, should offer Arghya unto Gaņeśha. He shall meditate on Lambodara (God Gaņeśha), the three-eyed, four-armed deity who is red-complexioned, whose face beams with pleasure, and who is bedecked in different kinds of jewels and ornaments. He should worship him with all modes of services such as invocation, etc. He should offer Modaka (sweet meat) as Naivedya which gives pleasure to Ganesha. After performing the Vrata thus, he shall partake of the Modakas. During the night, after the worship, he should gladly sleep on the bare ground. Thanks to the power of this Vrata, he shall obtain all desires cherished in his mind in this world, and (after death) shall attain the region of Gaṇeśha. In all the three worlds, there is no other Vrata like this. Hence, it must be observed with all (possible) efforts by one who wishes to attain all cherished desires. 

17b-18a. O celestial sage, some wish that the holy rite called Dūrväganapativrata1 should be performed on this very same day. I shall tell you the injunctions regarding its performance. 

1. VV. 176-23 describe the Dūrva Ganapati Vrata. VRJ (pp. 60 ff) states that it commences on the 4th day of Shrävana Shu. 4 or Kårttika Shu, 4, and quotes stories from the Saura P. and the SK.P. to glorify this Vrata. As per SK. P., the Vrata is to be observed from Śhråvana Shu. 4 to Magha Shu. 4. VRJ. gives two more varieties, one allowing its commencement on any Shukla Chaturthi if it falls on a Sunday, and another prescribing 21 days duration from Śhråvaņa Shu. 5 to Śhråvaņa Kr. 10. 

18b-23a. The devotee should make the image of Gaņapati in gold and place it over a copper vessel after covering it with a red cloth. He should worship the (entire set) on the mystic diagram called Sarvatobhadra, with red flowers five kinds of leaves viz. Bilva, Apamärga, Shami, Durvā, and Haripriya (i.e. Tulasi). With these leaves and other flowers, he should perform worship. He shall offer fruits and sweetmeats as Naivedya. After that, О ascetic, with pleasure, he should offer the Arghya. Then, O sage, after praying to it, he should give the image of Vighnesha (gaņeśha) alongwith the adjuncts to the preceptor who knows the rules of procedure. He should honour him befittingly and then give it to him. He should continue the Vrata for five years, after duly performing worship. After enjoying all pleasures here, he will go to the world of Ganapati. 

23b-27a. On the Chaturthi day in the dark half) of the month of Bhādrapada, is the holy rite called Bahuladhenuka. On this day, the deity cow is to be assiduously worshipped with scents, garlands, barley, and other things. After circumambulating the cow deity, he should offer charitable gifts, if he can afford. If he cannot afford it, he shall bow to it and set it free. He should continue the Vrata for five, ten or sixteen years. He shall then perform the Udyāpana rite and give a milch cow (as charitable gift). Thanks to the power of this Vrata, he shall enjoy all charming worldly pleasures, and duly honoured and greeted by groups of Devas, he shall attain Goloka (the world of cows). 

1. VV. 23b-27 describe Bahula-dhenuka Vrata to be performed on Bhadrapada Kr. 4, the deity being the cow. 

27b-30. On the fourth day in the bright half (of the month of Bhadrapada) is the holy rite called Siddha-Vaināyaka.2 vrata (or ‘Siddhi-Vināyāka vrata). Through invocation and all other modes of service, the worship should be performed. Concentrating the mind, he should meditate on Siddhivinayaka. He should meditate on Lord Ganeśha as Ekadanta (single-tusked) Śhūrpakarņa (one with winnow-like ears), Gajavaktra (elephant- faced), Chaturbhuja (four-armed), Pāśhānkuśha-Dhara (one holding in his hand, a noose and a goad), the Lord resembling molten gold (in complexion). He should offer twentyone leaves uttering the twentyone names (one by one) with devotion. Listen to those names. 

2. 27b-39 describe the Siddha-Vinayaka Vrata so popular as Ganesha Chaturthi in Maharashtra and other parts of India, though with some different procedure than that given in the NP. VRJ (pp. 68 ff) quotes K. P. from Hemådri (CC-Vrata 1.525-29). A strange restriction is that one should not look at the moon on this night, lest one should be accused of theft. It was due to this that Lord Krishņa was accused of stealing away Syamantaka jewel. If, however, one happens to catch a glimpse of the moon, he should repeat Verse No. 39 given below in the NP. recounting the Syamantaka episode. This verse is quoted from VP. IV. 13.42 and is found in the Vayu P. 96. 42 and the BR.P. 16.36 referring to the same story. 

31-37. Shami-leaf should be offered to Sumukha (the good-faced Deity), the Bhrunga-leaf to Gaņādhisha, the Bilva-leaf to the son of Umā, Durvā-grass to the elephant-faced God, Badari to Lambodara (the big-bellied deity), Dhattūra to the son of Hara (Shiva), Tulasi-leaf to Shūrpakarņa (God with ears like winnowing baskets) Shami-leaf to Vakra-tunda (God with a curved trunk), Apāmārga leaf to Guhagraja (Elder brother of Kārttikeya), Bárhata leaves (those of brinjals) to Ekadanta (Single-tusked god), Sindūra (saffron) to Heramba, leaf of the fragrant plant called Patra to Chaturhotra, the leaf of the Agastya tree which is pleasing to Sarveśhvara (Lord of all). 

He should them take up a pair of the leaves of Dūrvā grass along with scents, fragrant flowers and unbroken rice grains. With great devotion, he should offer worship and five Modakas as Naivedya. After the rite of Achamana, obeisance and prayer, he should ritualistically bid farewell to the Deity. 

O sage, he should give the image of Vināyaka, made of gold, to the preceptor along with adjuncts. He should then give Dakshiņă (religious gifts) to Brāhmaṇas. O Närada, one who performs worship with devotion like this for five years, shall attain all cherished desires as a result of his Upåsanā (devotion and worship) here, as well as all splendid things hereafter. 

38-39. Never shall one look at the moon on this Chaturthi day (i.e. night). There is no doubt about this that, if one looks at the moon, he will be falsely accused. In order to mitigate the defect thereof (i.e. of looking at the moon this night), this (following) Mantra from the Purana* should be recited: 

*Like other material, the NP, seems to have borrowed this verse from the VP. IV. 13.42. The verse appears in a similar context in the Vayu P. 96. 42 and Br. P. 16.36 

“The lion killed Prasena, the lion was killed by Jämbavän. O gentle boy, do not cry. This Syamantaka jewel is offered to you.” 

40-43a. On the Chaturthi day in the bright half of the month of Āśhvina, one should worship Vināyaka (Kapardīšha-the god with cowrie-like knotted hair) by means of the Purusha Sūkta. He should render services without any reason (i.e. with-out any ulterior motive). He should offer the rice grains alongwith the shell-coins to a Brāhmaṇa religious student who is worshipped with scents and fragrant flowers with prayer: “The rice grains have Viśhve Devas as their deity. They are mixed with the shell coins whose presiding deity is Hara. May the leader of the Gaņas of Shiva (Kapardin) be pleased, when the couries) are so dedicated.” 

43b-44a. The holy rite called Karakavrata1 is to be performed on the Chaturthi day in the dark half of the month of Kärttika. Only women are authorised to perform this Vrata. The rules of the procedure on it are being mentioned. 

1. VV. 43b-5la describe the Karaka Vrata. Karaka is a water vessel for ascetics, (sometimes made of coconut shell also). Only women are eligible to observe this. It is to be performed on Kårttika Ks. Chaturthi (Ashvina by amanta reckoning followed in VRJ., pp. 81-82 which quotes the Vamana P. for its details). VRJ. (pp. 79) narrates a Dasha-ratha Lalita Vrata on the same day, but does not mix up the two as is done in Purushårtha Cintamani. The NP. does not mention the picture of Gauri (and her family) as the main deity but treats it as a Ganesha Vrata. 

44b-45. The woman should take her bath and bedeck herself. She should then worship god Ganesha. In front of the deity ten bowls filled with cooked rice shall be kept and be dedicated to the Lord of the Devas with devotion and purity of the mind. 

46-47. She should utter (pray): - “May the deity be gracious unto me. “Saying this she should dedicate them to God Gaņeśha. Presents shall be given respectfully to Suvāsinis (married women) and the Brāhmaṇas according to desire. Then at night, when the moon rises, she should duly offer Arghya and partake of sweet-meats and cooked rice for the fulfilment of the Vrata, 

48. Or sage, the bowls may be filled with milk or water alongwith a rice, a betel nut, rice-grains and jewels and gifted over to a Brāhmaṇa. 

49. The woman devotee should perform this holy rite for sixteen or twelve years. After making the due presents, she should ritualistically conclude this Vrata. 

50-51a. Or the holy rite shall be observed by the woman throughout her life with a desire for conjugal blessedness. There is no other Vrata like this that yields conjugal blessedness to women. Hence it should be continuously performed. 

51b-53. On the fourth day in the bright half of the month of Kärttika, the holy rite Nāgavrata1 is to be celebrated. The devotee shall perform the Samkalpa rite in the morning, and drink pure water from a cow’s horn. After the bath, he shall worship the serpents Shankhapala and others as well as Shesha by means of diverse services (in worship) beginning with invocation. He should make Apyāyana (developing and nourishing) by means of milk. This is known as Nāgavrata. 

1. VV. 51b-54 deal with the Nagavrata. CC-Vrata I. 530 this from the KP. 

54. O leading Brāhmaṇa, if this auspicious observance of Nägavrata is performed thus by men, poisons perish ere long, and serpents do not bite them. 

55-59. O leading sage, this Vrata is to be celebrated on the fourth day in the bright half of the month of Mårgashirsha. The full extent of the holy observance is for a period of four years, beginning with this Chaturthi day. He must spend the first year, taking only a single meal per day. He must spend the second year by taking meal only at night every day. He shall spend the third year by taking in only the food obtained without solicitation. He shall spend the fourth year also similarly. If no food is offered, he observes a fast. After completing the vrata at the end of the fourth year, he should perform the rite of ablution. He is then a Mahāvratin (a man of great Vratas). He shall then make the replica of the ‘mouse-chariot’ of Vighneshvara (i.e. god Ganesha) made of gold. If he cannot afford this, he should make the mystic diagram of a lotus with good petals, by means of colours. The jar is placed over it alongwith a copper vessel, that is filled with raw rice-grains. Innage of Ganeshvara (i.e. Gaņeśha) is placed over it covered with two clothes. The devotee should worship the deity with scents and other things. 

60-61. Modaka is to be offered as Naivedya saying: “May Gaņeśha be pleased.” The night shall be spent by keeping awake through songs and instrumental music as well as in the narration of the Purāņas. After the day has dawned, he should take bath and perform Homa in accordance with injunctions, with gingelly seeds, rice grains, barley grains and white mustard along with ghee and sugar-candy. 

62-64. The following sixteen names of the deity should be uttered in the dative case. Om is prefixed to them and Namaḥ is added at the end. (For example, here the 1st name is Gaņa. It should be uttered and addressed as: Om Gaņāya namah). 

The names of the god are: Gana, Gaņådhipa, Kūshmända, Tripurantaka, Lambodara, Ekadanta, Rukma-damstra, Vighnahā, Brahmå, Yama, Varuņa, Soma, Sūrya, Hutāśhana, Gandhamadin and Parameshthin. 

With the utterance of each name, one oblation is offered into the fire. A hundred and eight Homas are performed with the utterance of ‘Vakra-tuņda’ and `Varman’ in the dative case (i.e. Vakra-tuņdåya and Varmane. 

65-66. Thereafter, he performs Homas with Vyāhrutis to the extent of his capacity and then the Pūrņāhuti is performed. After worshipping the guardians of the quarters, he should feed Brāhmaṇas (twenty-four in number) with sweet-meats and milk-pudding. He should then give a cow along with its calf to the preceptor, along with monetary gifts. 

67-69a. He shall give cash presents to others also, according to his capacity (the more the better). After obeisance and circumambulation (around the Brahmaņas), the excellent Bråhmaņas should be bidden farewell to. He should, then, with great delight in his mind, take his food along with his kinsmen. By performing this vrata, a man enjoys excellent worldly pleasures here, and attains the Liberation called Säyujya (absorption in the Deity) with Vishņu, thanks to the Grace of Gaņeśha. 

69b-70a. O Nárada, some call this by the name Varavrata.1 Its rules of procedure and benefit are the same as in the case of the former. 

1. VV. 55-70 describe the Mahävrata or Vara-Chaturthi (in the SK.P., vide CC-Vrata, I. 530-31). The observer gets Sayujya (identity) with Vishnu by observing this Ganesha Vrata--a Vaishnavite tilt. 

70b-71. On the Chaturthi day in the month of Pausha, the devotee should pray to Vighneśha with great devotion. He should feed a single Brahmaņa with sweet-meats and offer monetary gifts also. O sage, if this is performed, the Vratin (the performer of the holy vow) shall become the recipient of riches. 

72-73a. The holy vow Samkashhtavrata2 is to be observed on the fourth day in the dark half of the month of Magha. The Vratin should decide on observance of fast up to the rise of the moon, with his mind controlled. 

2. VV. 72-79 prescribe the Sankashtavrata on the 4th day in Magha Kr., but it is observed every month on Kr. 4 in Maharashtra. VRJ. (pp. 82-88) calls it Sankashta-hara Ganapati Vrata (a Gaņeśha Vrata destroying extreme calamities) and attributes the illustrative story to Narada P. 

73b-74a. After the rise of the moon, the image of Ganesha, made of clay, should be placed on the pedestal alongwith his weapons and the vehicle. 

74b-75. It should be worshipped with the sixteen Upacharas (modes of service) in accordance with injunctions. Modaka and ground gingelly seeds alongwith jaggery shall be offered as Naivedya. Arghya is offered in a copper vessel mixed with red-sandal paste. 

76-78. Kusha grass, Durvå grass, flowers, raw rice grains, Shamipatra (leaves of the Shami tree) and curds should be mixed together and offered to the Moon (with the prayer), “O moon, the ruby in the ocean of the firmament, O Lord of Daksha’s daughters, representative of Gaņeśha, kindly accept the Arghya offered by me.” Uttering this he should offer the divine Arghya, that is destructive of sins to Gaņeśha. After feeding excellent Brāhmaṇas in accordance with his capacity, he should take food himself with their formal permission. 

79. O Brāhmaṇa, by performing this auspicious Vrata called Samkashta, he shall become flourishing with wealth and foodgrains. He shall never attain difficulty or pain. 

80-82. The excellent holy vow Gaurīvrata1 is to be observed on the fourth day in the bright half of the month of Māgha. On that day, Gauri is to be worshipped alongwith the groups of Yoginis by men as well as by women in particular. The articles of worship are the following: Kunda flowers, Kumkuma, red threads, red flowers, Alaktaka (the juice of red lac), incense, lights, oblations, ginger with jaggery, milk and milk puddings, salt and the greens called Palakas. 

1. VV. 80-86 describe the Gauri alias Dhundhi or Lalità or Shanti Vrata. Though observed on Magha Shu. 4, it is essentially a Devi Vrata, not directly connected with Ganeśha, though the NP. attributes its fruits to the Grace of Ganesha. In VRJ. (p. 82), it is called Gauri Chaturthi Vrata and VRJ. quotes from Brahma P. from CC-Vrata I. 531. 

83. Married women who are not widows and splendid Brāhmaṇas are to be worshipped for the increase in conjugal bliss. Gifts must be made. One shall take food alongwith kinsmen. 

84. O Bråhmaņa, this Gaurivrata is conducive to the increase of conjugal blessedness. This must be performed every year both by men and women. 

85. The same holy rite is called Dhundhivrata by others. By some it is called as Kundavrata. Others call it Lalitāvrata and still others call it Shäntivrata. 

86. Ablution, charitable gift, japa and homa, O sage, all these rites performed on this day shall become thousandfold, thanks to the Grace of Dantin (god Gaņeśha). 

87. On the fourth day in the month of Phålguna falls the auspicious Vrata of Dhundhiraja. Brāhmaṇas are fed with cakes of ground gingelly-seed flour. The vower should also partake of it himself. 

88. One who is interested in the propitiation of Gaņeśha shall attain Siddhi by offering religious gifts, Homa and Pūjā with gingelly seeds alone, thanks to His grace. 

89. The image of the elephant-faced deity should be made of gold. After worshipping assiduously, it must be given to an excellent Brāhmaṇa, for the flourishing increase in all riches. 

90. If a Chaturthi day coincides with Sunday or Tuesday in any of the twelve months, O leading Brāhmaṇa, it yields special benefits. 

91. In all the Chaturthis, whether of the dark half or of the bright half of the month, Vighnesha (God Gaņeśha), the Lord of the Devas should be worshipped by those who are eagerly engaged in devotion.”