116 - The Exposition of the rites to be observed on the Saptami (Seventh) day.

Sanātana said: 

1. O Nárada, listen. I shall recount to you the holy rites to be observed on the Saptami1 days (seventh day of a lunar fortnight). On observing them with devotion, the man attains Säyujya (entire identity) with the Sun-god. 

1. Just as the 4th day of a lunar fortnight was sacred to god Ganesha or the 6th day to god Skanda, the 7th day in a lunar fortnight has the sun as the special presiding deity. Hence the observance of Saptami Vratas are said to lead to sayujyata (identity) with the sun-god. Hence in V.72 below, people are exhorted to propitiate the sun-god on all Saptamí days. 

2-7. One shall take external (i. e. outside the village or town in a river or well) bath on the Saptami (seventh) day in the bright half of the month of Chaitra. He should draw the mystic diagram of the eight-petalled lotus on an altar on the dry ground smeared with cow dung and strewn with white sand. Vibhāvasu (the sun-god must be placed in the pericarp. The two devas Kruta, Dhātuka (?) should be placed in the eastern petal; the Gandharvas, Kruta, Kāraka should be placed in the South-east petal; two Räkshasas shall be placed in the Southern petal. O excellent sage, the two Akrutas (?) shall be placed in the South-west petal, the two great serpents, the sons of Kadrü, should be placed (as if they are) in motion in the Western petal, two Yātudhānas should be placed in the north-west petal, two sages shall be placed in the northern petal; O excellent Brähmaņa, the devotee should fix one planet in the north cast petal. Their worship is to be performed by means of scents, garlands, unguents, lights, incense, Naivedyas, petel leaves, areca nuts and other things. 

8-9. After worshipping them thus, the devotee should perform Homa with ghee. He should give one hundred and eight oblations to the sun-god and offer as oblations eight Ahutis for each of the others, in due order, uttering their names as mantras. Thereafter, he should perform Pūrņāhuti on the altar. O Brahmaņa, in accordance with one’s capacity, monetary gifts should be given to Brahmaņas. 

10. After carrying out all these injunctions, the devotee shall attain all happiness. At the time of death, he penetrates his way through the disc of the Sun and goes to the greatest region. 

11. It was on the seventh day in the bright half of the month of Vaishakha that Jähnavi (the Gangā) was angrily drunk up by Jahnu himself and subsequently let off through the right ear. 

12. On that day, the devotee should worship Jahnavi after taking bath in the pure water, early in the morning. He should worship with scents, fragrant flowers, unbroken rice grains and other things, with all requisite upacharas (articles of worship), etc. 

13. Then, a thousand pots are to be given (as gifts) in the course of this Gangåvrata. If devotedly performed, this Vrata1 is competent to take seven generations in his family to heaven. 

1. Although the N.P. does not disclose the name of this Vrata, it is called Gangå saptami (VRJ, p. 110; Smruti Kaustubha 112 where it quotes Br. P.). This is celebrated as Jahnu drank up the river Gangå and on prayer from King Bhagiratha, let it flow through his right ear (VR. I. 35-38) 

14-18a. The holy rite of Kamalavrata2 is also recommended on this day.3 Its procedure is being proclaimed. An auspicious lotus is made out of gold of the weight of a gingelly seed. It is then covered with two clothes. The devotee should then worship it with scents, incense and other things, and pray as follows: “Hail to you the lotus-handed god; obeisance to you the supporter of the universe. O Divākara, (Sun-god) salutations to you. O Prabhakara (Sun-god), homage to you.” After praying thus to the Lord of the Devas, he should offer that lotus alongwith the water pot and a Kapilā (tawny coloured) cow to a Brāhmaṇa, after sunset. He should observe fast throughout that day and take food only on the next day. By feeding the Brāhmaṇas with devotion, he shall attain the entire benefit of the Vrata. 

2. Although NP. prescribes this Solar Vrata on Vaishakha Shu. Saptami, the Mt. P. 78. 1-11 and Pd. P. V. 21. 281-290 & following them Hemådri on Vrata I. 640-41 prescribe them on Chaitra Shu. Saptami. 

3. Mt. P. 77. 1-17 describe a Kamala Vrata to be performed on this (Vaishakha Shu. 7 and not Chaitra Shu 7 as Kane states in HDV. i. 422-23), but the procedure and details are different. Hemådri (CC-Vrata I. 642-43) quotes from Pd. P-V, 21. 263-279. 

18b-21a. The holy rite Nimbavrata is also to be performed on this day. Listen to its injunction even as I recount it. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, the worship of the sun is to be performed with the leaves of Nimba (Margosa), uttering the Mantra ‘Khakholkaya’ (TĀ 10. 59. 1, TĀĀ 10. 66) etc. beginning with the Praņava; O Nārada, he should then eat the leaves of Nimba silently and lie down on the bare ground. After feeding the Brāhmaṇas the next day, he should himself take food alongwith his kinsmen. This Nimbapatravrata bestows all happiness on those who observe it. 

21b-26a. The holy rite of Sharkarāsaptami is also to be observed on this day. Listen to its procedure also from me. While the sun was drinking nectar by means of his hand, drops of Amruta (nectar) fell on the ground, and they grew into the plants of Shāli rice, Mudga (green gram), Yava (barley) and Ikshu (Sugarcane). Sharkară (sugar) is therefore the essence of sugarcane and nectar-like and so is liked by the sun. It is holy and used in Havya and Kavya. Sharkară Saptami yields the same benefit as the horse-sacrifice. It pacifies all miseries. It increases the line of sons and daughters. On this day sugar must be given as gift and taken alongwith food. This holy rite must be assiduously performed, as it is liked by the Sun-god. He who observes this with great devotion, shall attain the goal of the good (i.e. Heaven). 

26b-27. Indra himself was born as the sun on the seventh day in the bright half of the month of Jyeshtha. He should be worshipped according to the injunction. The devotee observes fast and subdues his sense-organs. O Brāhmaṇa, thanks to the grace of Devendra, he attains heaven. 

28-29a. On the seventh day in the bright half of the month of Āshādha, the sun god became Vivasvän (the refulgent Sun). The devotee worships him separately with scents and fragrant flowers. O leading Brāhmaṇa, he (the observer of this Vrata) attains identity with the Sun. 

29b-30. The auspicious holy rite called Avyangavrata1 is to be observed on the seventh day in the bright half of the month of Śhrāvaņa. At the end of the Pūjå of Gopati (sun) in order to propitiate him, he must give a cotton cloth four and a half Hastas long. This Vrata is very auspicious. 

1. As Kane notes (HD. V. i., pp. 264), this form of sun-worship was imported from Iran (from Magas or Shakadvipiya Brahmanas) or borrowed from Parsis. Sk. Avyanga here is hyper-Sanskritisation of Avestan Aivyanghana ‘a girdle’. Aivyanga’ is a hollow strip made of fine white cotton thread, resembling a serpent’s slough, 122 fingers in length. The Brahmanisation of this Vrata becomes complete by Japa, Homa and Dakshiņas. 

31. If this Saptami coincides with the Hasta constellation it will be destructive of sins. Charitable gifts, Japa, Homa, everything performed on this day shall attain everlasting status. 

32-33. The holy rite of Amuktabharaṇa is to be observed on the seventh day in the bright half of the month of Bhadra pada. The worship of Mahesha accompanied by Umā is glorified on this day. He is worshipped alongwith Gangå and others with the sixteen Upacharas. After the prayer and (paying) obeisance, he should ritualistically bid farewell to the deity, for the flourishing increase of all desires. 

34-39. The holy rite of Phalasaptami2 is also to be observed on this day. Its procedure is being described: The seven fruits are-a coconut, a brinjal, an orange, a pomegranate, a white gourd, Bruhati and areca nut. These are placed in front of Mahesha. A thread in which seven threads are turned and seven knots are made is also placed in front of Mahesha, O excellent Brāhmaṇa, after worshipping the Lord with great devotion, the woman-devotee shall wear the thread round her left hand and the man-devotee round his right hand. 

2. This is a special variety of Phala-Saptami. For other varieties vide HD. V. i, pp. 353-354. According to Pd. P. V. 21. 249-262 (quoted by Hemādri also) the Sungod, and not Mahadeva, is the chief deity as in the NP. 

This shall be worn till the end of a year. He should feed seven Bråhmaņas with milk puddings and bid farewell to them. The intelligent devotee shall partake of it himself. In order to make Vrata perfect and complete, those fruits are given to seven Bråhmaņas. O Brahmaņa, the observer of the Vrata continues it for seven years with due observances of fast. Such an observer of this Vrata attains identity with Mahadeva. 

40-45a. The holy rite Shubhasaptami1 is to be observed on the seventh day in the bright half of the month of Āśhvina. On that day, the devotee should begin the holy rite by taking his bath and worshipping the deity. He should make excellent Brahmaņas read the holy books. He should then worship a Kapilā cow and pray thus- “O gentle one, I am gifting you away. May Aryamā, the sun himself be pleased. Protect you, the entire Universe, since you are born of Dharma.” After praying thus, he gives the cow to a Vedic Scholar, alongwith the monetary gift. O Brāhmaṇa, after, bowing down to him, he himself should set the cow free. He should take in only Panchagavya. Thus, the Vrata is concluded. On the next day he should feed Brahmaņas. He should partake of that food that is left over by them. O Brahmaņa, this Vrata that is performed thus, is well praised. A person endowed with faith shall attain worldly pleasures and salvation, thanks to the grace of the Lord of the Devas. 

1. Cf. Mt. P. 79. 1-14. 

45b-47. The holy rite called Shåka Saptami2 is to be observed on the seventh day in the bright half of the month of Kārttika. On that day, the devotee should give seven different vegetables to seven Brāhmaṇas alongwith gold lotuses. He himself shall take in only vegetable food. On the next day, he should feed the Brāhmaṇas and give them monetary gifts as well. After bidding farewell to them, he himself should partake of the food silently alongwith his kinsmen. 

2. This is a different variety of Shaka Vrata. For others vide HD. V, 1. P. 423. 

48-51. The holy rite of Mitravrata is to be observed on the seventh day in the bright half of the month of Mārgaśhīrṣha. 

The sun was born of Aditi and Kaśhyapa and was named Mitra and Vishņu made him his right eye. Hence on this day, O Brahmaņa, the devotee shall worship him duly and feed seven Brāhmaṇas with sweets and other things. He should then bid farewell to them and take food himself. After duly Performing this, the devotee shall certainly attain the world of the Sun. A Brāhmaṇa devotee attains Brahma’s world and a Shūdra devotee takes his rebirth in a good family. 

52-54. The holy rite called Abhaya Saptami is to be observed on the seventh day in the bright half of the month of Pausha. The devotee observes fast and performs the holy rite standing on the bare ground (dhará-sthitaḥ). He worships the sun during the three Sandhyās (dawn, noon and dusk), then gifts to a Brahmaņa a Prastha-measure of sweet meats alongwith cooked rice soaked in milk. Thereafter, he feeds seven other Brāhmaṇas and gives Dakshiņā to all the eight, which may be in the form of a piece of land or gold. He then bids farewell to them and takes food himself. This is the holy rite called Abhaya. It bestows fearlessness (or Liberation from Samsāra) on all. 

55. Other Brāhmaṇas call this by the name of Mārtanda Vrata. But learned men say that both are the same, the deity being one and the same. 

56-60a. The holy Vrata called Sarvāpti1 (Saptamī) is to be observed on the seventh day in the dark half of the month of Māgha. The devotee observes fast during the day and worships the disc of the Sun made of gold, with scents, fragrant flowers, etc. and keeps awake at night. The next day he should feed seven Brāhmaṇas with milk-puddings and give them coconuts as Dakshiņā. To the preceptor, he gives the gold replica of the Sun’s disc alongwith other Dakshiņās. He should pray to him earnestly and bid farewell to him. Thereafter, he takes food himself. This is called the holy rite of Sarvaptidã. It yields all cherished desires. Thanks to the power of this Vrata, dualism (Dvaitam) is achieved in every respect (? desires are fulfilled). 

1. This is a special variety of this Vrata in the NP. For another variety vide HD. V. i. p. 444. 

60b-62a. The holy rite of Achalavrata is performed on the seventh day in the bright half of the month of Magha. This is also called Trilochana Jayanti (Birth anniversary of the three-eyed Lord). It is remembered as the destroyer of all sins. 

62b-64. It is also Ratha Saptami1 that grants (even) emperorship. The devotee should worship the image of Sun made of gold. The image is placed in a chariot yoked to golden horses. Alongwith elephants, he shall give this (as gift to a deserving person). He who performs this Vrata devoutly joyfully enjoys all the pleasures in this world and goes to the region of god Shiva’. This Saptami is Bhaskari Saptami and is comparable to a crore of shining planets. On this day, it is laid down that one shall take one’s bath at the time of Arunodaya (day-break). He shall place on his head seven leaves each of Arka and Badari and take his bath for absolving the sins of seven births.

1. This is an important Vrata in the Deccan, VRj. pp. 115-116 gives a different Vrata in detail and quotes Bhavishyottara P. story how Krishna’s son was restored to health thereby, vide HD. V. i. pp. 388-389. 

 65-68. Lord Sun has himself prescribed a Putraprada2 Vrata (holy rite that grants sons) on this day. “I shall be born with a part of mine as the son of the person who duly worships me on the seventh day in the bright half of the month of Magha. I will be very much delighted.” Hence, the devotee should conquer his sense-organs and observe fast for a day and a night. On the next day, he should perform Homa and feed the Brāhmaṇas with cooked rice mixed with curds or milk and puddings. He who performs the holy rite of Putra Saptami according to these injunctions, shall get a good son who will be free from ailments and will live for a long time. 

2. Kane records a number of Vratas to be observed on different days in different months, all granting a son as their fruit (vide HD. V. i. pp. 343-345) but this one in the NP is different from the Putra-Saptami Vrata in HD. V. i. 345. 

69-70. One should perform the rite of Arkapuța on the seventh day in the bright half of the month of Tapasya (Phålguna). He should worship the sun with the leaves of the Arka (the sun) plant. He shall eat the leaves of the Arka plant. He shall repeat the names of the sun continuously. Thus is the holy rite called Arkapuțavrata. It bestows sons and wealth. It destroys all sins. 

71. O Brahmaņa, some call this holy rite Trivargada-Vrata (a Vrata that bestows Dharma, Artha and Kama the three aims of life), others call it Yajnavrata on account of the rite of Homa duly performed in it.1 O excellent Brāhmaṇa, it is said that the sun is to be propitiated in all the Saptamis in all the months. It shall enable one to realise all desires. 

1. With exception of Vratas like Krishna-Janmashtami, majority of the Ashtami Vratas are for the propitiation of some female deity-be it Jagadambå (Pårvati), Mahålakshmi or Renuka, The Bhavani Yatra is given in the Káshi Khanda of the SK.P.-VJr., P. 118.