115 - The Exposition of the holy vows to be observed on Sashthi (sixth) days (in lunar fortnights)

Sanatana said: 

1. O Brahmana, listen. I shall recount to you the holy rites to be observed on Shashthi days1 (sixth day in the lunar fortnight). On observing them perfectly, one shall obtain all cherished desires. 

1. It is noteworthy that most of the sixth days in lunar fortnights are sacred to god Skanda and most of the Vratas have Skanda as the presiding deity, the main exception being Lolita Shashthi and Kapila Shashthi. 

2-3a. On the sixth day in the bright half of the month of Chaitra, the excellent holy rite of Kumara Vrata is to be observed. By worshipping the six-faced Lord on that day in accordance with the different injunctions of worship, one shall attain a son who is endowed with all good qualities and who will live for a long time. 

3b-4a. On the sixth day, in the bright half of the month of Vaishakha, the devotee should worship Karuttika (Skanda). By doing so, one attains motherly affection and happiness. No doubt need be entertained in this respect. 

4b-5a. By duly worshipping Divākara (the Sun) on the sixth day in the bright half of the month of Jyeshtha, one attains all desired benefits, thanks to his Grace. There is no doubt about this. 

5b-6. The excellent holy rite of Skanda is to be observed on the sixth day in the bright half of the month of Ashådha. The devotee should observe fast and then worship the beloved son of Shiva and Uma. He attains all cherished desires and the continuation of the line of sons and grandsons. 

7-8a. On the sixth day in the bright half of the month of Śhråvana, the devotee, endowed with great devotion, should worship Sharajanman (i. e. Karttikeya) with the sixteen Upachåras (types of services). Thanks to the grace of the six-faced Lord, he attains all desired objects. 

8b-10. The holy vow that has to be observed on the sixth day in the month of Bhadrapada, the Lalitā Vrata1 is being recounted. A woman devotee should take morning bath duly on that day. She should wear white cloth and white garlands. She should take the sand from the confluence of a river, in a bamboo basket. She should then make five lumps of the sandy soil and meditate on goddess Lalitā, the sportive lady of the forest. 

1. VV. 8b-29a describe the Lalita Shashthi Vrata. VRJ. (pp. 103-104) quotes Bhavishyottara P. from CC. Vrata I. 617-620). It is popular in Gujarat according to VRJ. 

11-12. She should then take one hundred and eight flowers of each of lotus, Karavīra Nepāli, Jasmine, blue lotus, Ketaki and Tagara and twenty-eight unbroken buds. With these she should worship the goddess. 

13-15. Sitting in front of the goddess, the beloved wife of Shiva’, she should pray as follows: “By taking bath in Kanakhala, on the mountain Nilaparvata, in the Kuśhävarta, in the Gangadvāra and in the Bilvaka you obtained Hara as husband. O blessed goddess Lalitā, the bestower of happiness and conjugal blessedness, grant unto me endless blessedness. Obeisance, unto you again and again. “Uttering this Mantra, she should worship the goddess with splendid Champaka flowers duly. She should then place the Naivedya in front of the goddess. 

16-20. The Naivedya should consist of Trapusha (a kind of fruit) Kūshmāņda (gourd), coconut, excellent pomegranates, Tuņdira, Karavella (the gourd Momordica charantia), Chirbhața (a sort of cucumber) and other seasonal fruits taken fresh. The surroundings of the image of the goddess should be beautified with rows of excellent lights and germinating food grains. There should be incense of Sarganaka (?) alongwith Sauhålakha and Karañjaka (?). Gudapushpa (Bassia latiflia) should be placed as ornament of the cars. According to one’s affluence, sweet-meats of large and small varieties of various kinds should be used as Naivedya. After worship, she should celebrate the festival of keeping awake with songs and instrumental music, as well as dances and other scenic items of various types. The chaste lady should spend the whole of that night with her female friends. 

21-26a. The woman devotee shall not close her eyes throughout the four Yamas (yama-3 hours) (of the night). By closing her eyes, she will become sinful, barren and unhappy. After keeping awake thus, she should take (everything) to a river on the Saptami day (i. e, seventh day) to the accompaniment of songs and instrumental music. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, she should give that Naivedya etc. to a leading Brāhmaṇa. After taking her bath, she should return home and get the Homa performed in the fire. The Devas, Pitřis and human beings (i. e. guests) shall be worshipped. She should worship and feed married women, virgins and fifteen Brāhmaṇas with various kinds of foodstuffs and edibles. She should give them various charitable gifts as well. Saying “May Lalitā be pleased with me”, she should bid farewell to them. 

26b-29a. Listen to the merit of this Vrata that bestows conjugal blessedness whether performed by a man or a woman. O Nárada, of what avail is much talk? That benefit which one desires by means of holy rites, austerities, charitable gifts and observances is attained by this holy rite. After death, the devotee attains the eternal Shivaloka and rejoices along with goddess Lalità like her companion in the world of Shiva’ for a long time. 

29b-30. The sixth day in the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada is called Chandana Shashthi. By worshipping the goddess on that day, the devotee attains the same world as that of the deity. If the Shashthi coincides with the constellation Rohiņi, the astronomical division called ‘Vyatipåta’ and Tuesday it is called Kapiläshashthi.1 

1. One wonders why such a rare and important occasion like Kapila-Shashthi which comes but once in 60 years, is so casually treated here. “The bright half of Bhadrapada” given in the NP. is by amanta reckoning Bhadrapada Krishna. The occurrence of Rohiņi Constellation in combination with other five factors (Tuesday, Vyatipata yoga etc) is possible in amanta reckoning. Hemădri states the following combination as Kapila Shashths: Bhadrapada Kr. 6th day, Tuesday, Vyatipåta Yoga and Rohiņi Nakshatra. VRJ. confirms these by quoting from another source. But the Karavira Mähatmya a Sthala Purina of Kolhapur (regarded as a part of the Pd. P.) allows even Sunday as an alternate to Tuesday for Kapila Shashthi. IT states: 

shasthi bhadre cha krishna garaja-kruti yuta rohini-patayukta

våre Bhanau cha Bhaume’ pyatha cha mruga-shire deva-pujyetha samsthe

The commentator-Däjibå Joshi Rao-quotes from Puranasamucchaya:

bhadra masyasite pakshe bhanau chaiva kare sthite

påte kuje cha rauhinyam sa shashthi kapila bhavet

The Com. concludes: “As the text (Karavira Mahatmya) states that this (Kapila) Shashthi can fall cither on Sunday or Tuesday, every Sunday is important. (atra mule bhanu-bhnumavarajoh kathanad bhanu-vara-yogo’pi mukhyah.) 

As this Vrata is for the propitiation of the Sun-god, Sunday might have been allowed for Kapila-shashthi in the Karavira Mahatmya. I could not trace it to any other authority. The gift of a tawny cow, being an integral part of this Vrata, it probably came to be known as Kapila Shashthi. 

31. The observer of the Vrata devoted to the observance, should worship the Sun on that day. Thanks to the grace of Sun-God, he attains cherished desires. 

32. O excellent celestial sage, the charitable gist of cooked food, Japa, Homa, the rites of Tarpaņa to the Pitris, Devas and sages, when performed on this day, all these should be known as everlasting. 

33. After worshipping a tawny coloured cow with clothes, garlands and unguents, it shall be given to a Vedic Scholar for propitiating the sun. 

34. On the sixth day in the bright half of the month of Āśhvina, O Brahmana, goddess Katyayani should be worshipped with scents and other auspicious articles and also with various kinds of Naivedya. 

35-36a The devotee should then crave forgiveness from the goddess of the Devas, bow to her, and bid farewell to her. On this day, either the image made of Sandy soil or the chaste wife of a Brāhmaṇa should be joyfully worshipped by means of clothes and auspicious ornaments, for the satisfaction of Katyayani. 

36b-37a. No doubt need be entertained in this respect that, thanks to the grace of Kātyāyini,* a virgin shall attain the desired bridegroom and a woman the desired son. 

*The NP uses both forms-Katyayani: Katyayini 

37b-39. The highly blessed army of the Devas was entrusted (dedicated) to him (Skanda) by the Devas and hence acquired by the noble-minded six-faced Lord on the sixth day in the bright half of the month of Kärttika. Hence, on that day, the devotee should worship the army of the Devas consisting of excellent Devas as well as the six-faced Lord with all charming Upacharas. O excellent Bråhmaņa, he shall achieve Siddhi mentally desired by him. 

40. The worship of the fire-god is also prescribed for this day. The devotee should carry it out perfectly alongwith the worship of fire, and Homas, with different kinds of articles of worship. 

41-42. The Asura Tåraka was killed on the sixth day in the bright half of the month of Mārgashirsha. The Satkruti (honour and greetings) offered by Brahma and other gods were received by Skanda. Hence on this day, the devotee should worship Skanda with scents, fragrant flowers, raw rice grains, fruits, clothes, ornaments and diverse kinds of Naivedya. 

43. If the Shashthi coincides with Sunday or the constellation Shatabhishak or Šhatatāra, O excellent sage, it is called Champashashthi.1 

1. This delimitation of the term Champa Shashthi is supported by Hemådri (CC-Vrata I. 590-596 wherein he quotes the SK.P.) Smruti Kaustubha 221-222. VRJ. (p. 108) requires Vaidhruti Yoga, Tuesday and Vishakha Nakshatra on this day to call it Champa Shashthi. But this combination is so rare that it occurs once in 30 years or so. It is strongly recommended that god Maheśhvara should be seen on this day. But in Maharashtra, Margashirsha Shu. Shashthi is called Champa Shashthi irrespective of the day or Yoga. 

44. On that day, Lord Viśhveśhvara, the destroyer of sins, should be seen, worshipped, known and remembered by one who wishes for happiness. 

45a. Holy dip, charitable gift etc., performed on this day are proclaimed to be everlasting. 

45b-47. O Brāhmaṇa, it was on the sixth day in the bright half of the month of Pausha that Dinapati (the Sun) manifested himself in the form of eternal Vishņu, the protector of the Universe. Hence, on this day, he is to be worshipped with scents and other articles of worship, Naivedyas, clothes and ornaments by those who desire for all kinds of happiness. 

48-50a. The sixth day in the bright half of the month of Māgha is called Varuņa1 Shashthi. On that day, one should worship god Varuņa who has the eternal form of Vishņu, with scents, red silken garments, flowers, Naivedyas, incense and lights. By worshipping thus in accordance with the injunctions, the man obtains whatever he desires. After attaining all the fruits, he rejoices, thanks to his grace. 

1. This seems to be a contribution of the NP. as Kane does not mention it in HD.V. i. 

50b-51. On the sixth day in the bright half of the month of Phålguna, O Brāhmaṇa, the devotee should make an image of Lord Pashupati duly in clay and worship it with Upacharas (sixteen articles and modes). He should bathe the image with water or Pañchāmruta while uttering Shatarudra mantra. 

52-53. While unguents shall be smeared over the image, the deity should be worshipped with raw rice-grains, white flowers and fruits. Different kinds of Naivedya should be offered. Nirājana (waving of lights) is duly performed. After bowing to and craving forgiveness of the Lord, he should be ritualistically sent to Kailasa. 

54. O sage, whether he is a man or a woman, whoever performs the worship of Śhiva thus, enjoys all worldly pleasures here and in the end attains the goal of Shiva