117 - The review of the Vratas to be observed on Ashtami (eighth days of Lunar fortnights) 

Sanātana said: 

1. Bhavani’s birth is reported to have taken place on the eighth day in the bright half of the month of Chaitra. The great festival of Yātrå (procession) must be performed by making a hundred circumambulations. 

2. The vision of the mother of the Universe is the bestower of all joys and pleasures on men. On this very same day the holy rite of Ashoka-Kalika-Präśhana(drinking of water mixed with the tender sprouts of the Ashoka tree) also has to be observed. 

3. Those who drink (water mixed with) eight buds of the Ashoka tree on the eighth day in the bright half of the month of Chaitra, when the constellation of Punarvasu coincides with it, never experience any sorrow.1 

4a. This is also called Mahåshtami since the worship of goddess is ordained. 

1. The NP has omitted the mantra at the time of worshipping Ashoka as the worship of the Ashoka tree is deleted. But this verse (and the mantra tvam Ashoka harabhishta) are given in the GP. I. 133. 1-2, and in the LP quoted in Hemadri’s Vrata I. 862-63, 

4b-7a. On the eighth day in the bright half of the month of Vaišhākha, the devotee observes fast. He takes his bath (in cool) water and performs the rite of ablution to the goddess Aparăjită by means of the water from Mamsī (Indian Spikenard) and Bālaka (a fragrant root of the Plant Andropogom Murichatus. After worshipping with scents etc., Naivedya com prising of sugar is offered. Before performing breakfast on the following Navami day, he should feed some virgins. O Brāhmaṇa, thanks to the grace of the goddess, he will move about in the worlds (above) in a refulgent aerial chariot, himself brilliant like the sun.2 

2. This Vrata is not recorded in the VRJ and in Kane (HD. V. i). 

7b-9a. By worshipping the three-eyed Lord on the eighth day in the dark half of the month of Jyeshtha, the devotee shall remain in the Shiva Loka. He will be bowed to by all the Devas. The man who worships the goddess on the eighth day in the bright half of the month of Jyeshtha moves about in an aerial chariot alongwith the groups of Gandharvas and Apsaras. 

9b-12. On the eighth day in the bright half of the month of Ashadha, the devotee takes his bath in water, mixed with turmeric powder. With the same water, he shall perform the rite of ablution of the goddess in accordance with the injunctions. After bathing the deity in pure water, subsequently, he should smear the deity with camphor and sandal paste. After offering Naivedya consisting of sugar, water for Achamana rite should be offered. He should then feed Brahmaṇas and give them suitable gold and monetary gifts. After bidding them farewell, he should take food himself silently. By performing this holy rite, the man shall attain to the world of the goddess. 

13-14* On the eighth day in the bright half of the month of Śhrävaņa, the devotee should worship the goddess in accordance with the religious injunctions. After bathing the idol in milk, he should offer sweet cooked rice as Naivedya. He should feed Brāhmaṇas on the next day, take food himself and conclude the holy rite. This holy rite increases the progeny. 

*The text: nabhomase sitäshtamyam need be emended as nabhomase’ sitäshtamyam. The avagraha (marked here as’) before sita is necessary as this Vrata falls on Shrayana K. r8th (HD. V.I. P. 311, also VRJ, p. 122 ff) If amänta reckoning is not taken, it will fall on Bhadrapada which is not recognised in the NP here. 

15. The holy rite called Daśhăphala vrata1 is on the eighth day in the dark half of the month of Shråvaņa. The devotee decides on fasting, takes his bath and performs the Nitya (usual, prescribed) rites. 

1. VV. 15-26 describe the Dasha-phala Vrata in honour of Lord Krishņa. The Vrata is detailed in VRJ. P. 122 ff. and is briefiy described in HD. V. i. 312. The misprint site for asite is pointed out in a footnote to that verse.

16-17. With ten leaves of black-coloured Tulasī, he worships uttering (in the dative case) these ten names of the Lord-Krishņa (i.e. Krishnāya namaḥ) Vishņu, Ananta, Govinda, Garudadhvaja, Damodara, Hruhshīkeśha, Padmanabha, Hari and Prabhu. One should always worship Lord Krishņa by means of these names. 

18. He should then circumambulate the deity and prostrate himself before it. Thus he should perform the most excellent of all the Vratas for ten days. 

19. In the beginning, in the middle and in the end, he should perform homa in accordance with the injunctions. Uttering the Mantra of (the names of) Krishņa, he should perform hundred and eight Homas with Charu (cooked rice soaked in ghee). 

20-21. At the end of the Homa, the intelligent devotee should worship the preceptor duly. He should get a replica of the leaf of Tulasi exquisitely made in gold and place it in a vessel made of gold, copper, clay or bamboo. He should get an image made in gold and worship it in accordance with the injunctions. 

22. He should place the image in the vessel and offer it to the preceptor. A cow alongwith its calf, should be given fully bedecked in ornaments and clothes. 

23. For ten days, he should offer ten Pūrikás (fried cakes of wheat flour) to the Lord Krishņa. The observer of the rite shall either offer these Pürikās to a knower of the mode (of worship) or eat them himself. 

24. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, a bed also should be given as gift in accordance with his capacity. On the tenth day he should give the image to the preceptor. 

25-26. At the conclusion of the holy rite, ten Púrikás should be given to each of the ten Brāhmaṇas. He should continue this rite for ten years. After performing this excellent Vrata for ten years and after duly observing the fast, the devotee shall realise all his cherished desires. There is no doubt in this that in the end, he will attain Sayujya (One-ness) with Krishņa. 

27-28a. This day remembered as (Krishņa-Janmashtamī) 1 removes the sins of men. Merely by observing fast on this birth day of Hari, one is undoubtedly liberated from the sins of seven births. 

1. VV 27-40 describe the Krishna-Janmåshtami Vrata, popular all over India. Not merely the NP but other Puranas like Pd. P. III, Ch, 13, Mt. P. Ch. 56, AP Ch. 183 highly glorify this Vrata. In the Bhavishyottara P. 44. 1-60 Krishna himself narrates this Vrata to Yudhishthira: Mediaeval writers on Dharma Shastra relying on Puranas, other than the Bhagavata, bave discussed a great deal about the procedure etc. of performing this Vrata and brought in the Mimamsa and Astronomy in distinguishing between the Janmashtami and Jayanti-Vratas. But that is academic. The NP gives the main features of fast, worship, jägara (remaining awake that night), though he does not mention the breaking of the fast. By the way, it may be noted that the Varaha Purana (46.14) records that Krishna was born on 12th day in the bright half of Āshadha. 

In passing, I may record a peculiar custom called Gopala-Vála or Dahi-handi in Maharashtra. It is based on the Bh. P. X. 5.15 where the cowherds expressed their delight (at the birth of Krishņa) by sprinkling curds, ghee etc. on each other. On this occasion, people in Maharashtra hang up earthen pots full of curds, butter milk etc, and celebrate with songs etc. the birth of Krishna and someone breaks the pots and people vie with each other to get themselves drenched in the curds etc. falling from the holes in the pots. 

28b-31a. The devotee who observes fast shall take his bath with gingelly seeds mixed in the pure water of a river etc. The intelligent devotee shall make a mystic diagram on the platform erected in a good place. In its middle, a Kalasha (vessel) made of copper or clay is placed. Over this vessel, another copper vessel is placed. Above this latter vessel, the auspicious golden image of Krishņa is placed and covered with two cloths. With a pure mind, he should then worship it with Padya and other Upacharas. 

31b-34. In the eight quarters he should worship Devaki, Vasudeva, Yaśhoda, Nanda, Vraja (colony of the cowherds), cowherds, cowherdesses and cows. Arārtika rite (waving of lights before the deity) is performed. Forgiveness is craved for, by bowing down with devotion. The devotee remains thus till midnight, when he bathes Hari with Pañchāmruta and pure water. He should again worship the Lord with scents and other things. He should then offer the following things as Naivedya in a silver vessel: viz. Coriander, barley, ginger, sugarcandy, and ghee. O Närada, these should be offered as Naivedya. 

35. After performing the Arartika (waving of lights in front of the deity) rite once again, he should think of the Lord as assuming ten different forms. He should then offer Arghya to the rising moon. 

36. After requesting the Lord of the Devas for forgive ness the observer of the holy rite should pass the rest of the night by reciting hymns from the Purâņas and sing diverse songs in accompaniment of instrumental music. 

37. After the daybreak, he should feed eminent Brāhmaṇas with sweet cooked rice. Delighted in his mind, he should offer Dakshiņå and bid them farewell. 

38. Thereafter, he should give that image of Vishņu to the preceptor alongwith gold, cow and plot of land as well as monetary gifts. After bidding farewell to him, the devotee should partake of his food. 

39. After performing thus the holy rite, the man attains Goloka itself, in the company of his wife, children, friends and servants. He goes there, seated in an excellent aerial chariot. 

40. In the whole of the three worlds, there is no other holy Vrata equal to this. By performing this, the benefit of a crore of Ekadashi Vratas is acquired. 

41-43. On the eighth day in the bright half of the month of Nabhasya (Bhadrapada) a person should perform the holy rite of Rädhävrata.1 As before, he should perform the worship of the gold image of Rådhå placed on the pot. At mid-day, after worshipping her, the devotee should take in a single meal. The devotee who is physically strong observes fast (for the complete day). On the next day, he feeds the Suvasinis in accordance with injunctions. He then offers the image to the preceptor. He shall partake of his food and formally conclude Vrata. 

1. Pd. P. III. 7. 21-23. It is performed on the 8th day in both the fortnights of Bhadrapada (HD. V-1. 392). 

44. O Brāhmaṇa sage, if this holy rite is performed duly, the observer of Vrata obtains the esoteric secret of the Vraja (of Krishņa’s time) and stays among the followers of Rådhå. 

45-46. The holy rite of Dūrvåshtami2 too is to be observed on this day. Listen to it from me. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, the Linga is to be placed on the Dūryā-grass growing in a pure and clean spot. He should then worship it with flowers, incense, scents, lights and Naivedyas, viz. curds, raw rice grains and fruits. At the end of Pūjā, he should, with great concentration, offer Arghya uttering the two Mantras. 

47-49a.2 “O Durvă grass, bowed to by the Devas and the Asuras, your birth is from nectar. Grant blessedness and line of children to me. Be a bestower of achievements of 

2. VV. 25-52 describe the Dürvashtami Vrata associated with Shiva’ Linga. Women and men of all castes are eligible for this. The Smruti Kaustubha 228-230 and the Bhavishyottara P. 56 give another variety in which the Dūrva-grass itself (unassociated with any deity like Shiva’ or Ganesha) is the deity-that tenacity of the Dúrvá grass for its spread and survival is prayed for the spread of one’s own race. VV. 47-49a are repeated as the prayer to Durvå-grass, my works. Just as you are spread over the ground with your branches and branchlets, so also grant me growing progeny that shall be immortal and unageing.” 

49b-50. The devotee then circumambulates it, feeds Brāhmaṇas, gives Dakshiņā to the Brahmaņas, takes food himself and returns home. Alongwith the monetary gifts, he should give Brāhmaṇas splendid, fragrant and sweet fruits. 

51. Thus, O Brahmaņa, the holy rite of Dūrvåshtami is sacred and destructive of the sins of men of all the four castes and particularly of the woman folk. 

52. If any woman, out of delusion, does not worship Dūrvā duly, undoubtedly she becomes a widow for three births. 

53. O Brähmaņa, if the Ashtami coincides with the constellation Jyeshthā, it should be known as Jyeshthâshtami.1 If worshipped, it is destructive of sins. 

1. VV. 53-74a describe Jyeshthashtami Vrata which is in honour of goddess Lakshmi. The wearing of threads with sixteen knots is still popularly practised by women in Maharashtra, but no other details of gold images, Homa etc. VRJ. (pp. 135-156) gives the details of this Vrata, Püjå and Udyapana (concluding rite) on the basis of the Bhavishyottara P, vide HD. V. 1 pp. 304 and 376. 

54. The holy rite of Mahālakṣhmi begins on this day and lasts for sixteen days. It brings about all riches. 

55. “O Mahālakṣhmi, I am devoted to you and I shall perform your Vrata. Hence, thanks to your grace, may it come to a conclusion (May it be completed) without any impediment.” 

56. After saying this, the devotee twists round sixteen threads to form a string. He ties sixteen knots therein and ties the string round his right hand. 

57. The observer of the holy rite should worship Mahālakṣhmi every day, with scents and other things, up to the following Ashtami in the dark half. 

58a. On that day the intelligent devotee should perform the rite of Udyåpana (concluding rite). 

58b. Under the canopy of cloth, the devotee makes the mystic diagram called Sarvatobhadra. The Kalaśha (vessel) is installed thereon and a lamp is lit. 

59-62. He should take off strings from the arm and keep it below the water pot. Four images in the form of the deity are made in gold, and they are bathed in water and Panchamặta. After worshipping them in accordance with the injunctions, with the sixteen types of Upacharas, the devotee keeps awake till midnight, to the accompaniment of songs and instrumental music. At midnight, when the nectar-rayed moon rises, Arghya is offered to Mahālakṣhmī stationed in the middle of the moon’s disc, in accordance with the injunctions, together with Śhrīkhanda (sandal) and other material. The string is also offered. 

[The following Mantras are utterred]

 63. “O Moon, born of the ocean of milk, brother of Mahālakṣhmi, O storehouse of nectar, accompanied by Rohiņi, accept my Arghya.” 

64. “O Kamala, born of the ocean of milk, a resident of the Lotus, resting on the chest of Vishņu, be the bestower of all the cherished desires on me.” 

65. “O gentle lady Reņukā, O beloved wife of Jamadagni, O Mistress of the Universe, having only a single Lord, O unchanging one, o mother of Paraśhurāma, do what is auspicious to me”. 

66-69. The devotee should pray to the goddess Mahālakshmi with the above Mantras. He should worship Brāhmaṇa women duly with scents, lac juice and collyrium and feed them. He should perform Homa oblating in the fire Bilva, lotus and milk puddings. If they are not available O Brahmaņa, homa is performed with ghee. For acquiring houses, homa is performed with sacrificial twigs or gingelly seeds. For conquering (i.e. averting) death and for subduing ailments the following articles are offered as gifts viz.-sandal paste, palmyra leaf, flower-garland, raw unbroken rice grains, Durvā grass, thread with saffron applied, two coconuts and foodstuffs. The food-stuffs should be placed in a new winnowing basket. There must be sixteen of them in each item. 

70-71. The observer of the holy rite shall cover it with another winnowing basket and present it uttering the following Mantra: - “May Lakshmi, born of the ocean of milk, sister of the moon and the beloved wife of Vishņu be pleased with this Vrata”. He (the person performing this Vrata) should dedicate the four gold images to the Brāhmaṇas. 

72. Thereafter, with sweet cooked rice he shall feed four Brahmaņas and sixteen Suvåsinis (married women whose husbands are alive). He should bid farewell to them giving them their due Dakshiņās. 

73-74. After concluding the observances, he should take food in the company of the affectionate ones. By performing this Vrata of Mahālakṣhmi, O Brāhmaṇa, in accordance, with the injunctions, one enjoys all worldly desirable pleasures and one shall live in the world of Lakshmi for a long time. This is called Ashokáshtami also, and in it the holy rite of Rama (Shri) is complete. 

75-76a. On this day, the Aśhoka tree is worshipped and only a single meal is taken every day. By performing the Aśhoka Vrata, the lady, wherever she is born in this world of sorrow, becomes free from sorrow. No doubt need be entertained in this respect. 

76b-78a. O Brahmaņa, Mahashtami1 is to be observed in the bright half of the month of Āśhvina. 

1. VV. 76b-78a describe Mahåshtami, the 8th day of Navarátra in Ashvina shu. 

On that day, Durgā is to be worshipped with all Upacharas. By observing fast or taking a single meal on the Mahâshtami day, the devotee attains all round affluence and rejoices like a god for a long time. 

78b-80. The holy rite of Karaka Vrata is to be observed in the dark half of the month of Kärttika. On that day, Shambhu accompanied by Umá is to be assiduously worshipped. Arghya is also to be always offered, at the time of the moon-rise, by the observers of the Vrata who wish for a son endowed with all good qualities or happiness of diverse kinds. 

80b-81. Gopāshtami rite is to be observed in the bright half of the month of Kärttika. On that day, one shall perform the worship of cows; fodder is offered to the cows, cows are circumambulated and followed. Cows are given as gifts by those who desire all riches. 

82-85. A special holy rite is performed on the eighth day in the dark half of the month of Märgaśhīrsha. The image of a couple is made out of Darbha grass. They are named Anagha and Anaghā. They are accompanied by many sons. (images are made of these as well). On a spot scrubbed and cleaned with cow dung and made auspicious, the couple are placed and worshipped with scents, fragrant flowers, and diverse kinds of Upacharas. The devotee feeds a Brahmana couple and bids farewell to them after giving them Dakshiņās. A man or a woman can perform this holy rite. By performing it in accordance with the injunctions, he or she gets a son endowed with good characteristics. There is no doubt about this. 

86-87. On the eighth day in the bright half of the month of Märgaśhīrṣha, the devotee observes fast in the presence of Kalabhairava. By doing so and keeping awake for that night, one is liberated from great sins. Whatever inauspicious sin has been committed by a person in his birth as a human being, is dissolved entirely by seeing Kālabhairava image; 

88. The holy rite of Śhräddha called Ashtaka1 is to be observed on the eighth day in the dark half of the month of Pausha. It makes the Pitris (manes) satisfied for a year. It increases the line of children in the family. 

1. Although the NP. limited the term Ashtaka to the 8th day in Pausha, the Ashvalayana Gr. 5. 11. 4. 1. states that the 8th tithis in the dark halves of Hemanta and Shishira (i.e, the months of Mårgashirsha, Pausha, Mägha and Phälguna) are Ashtaka days. 

89. By worshipping Shiva’ devotedly on the eighth day in the bright half of the month of Pausha, one attains worldly pleasures and liberation by acting in pursuance of his (unflinching) devotion. 

90. On the eighth day in the dark half of the month of Màgha, one should, with great devotion, worship Bhadrakālī, the destroyer of the hosts of enemies, and the bestower of all cherished desires to her devotees. 

91. O Brahmaṇa, one who wishes for an unbroken line of children and absence of defeat in battle, should propitiate Bhishma on the eighth day in the bright half of the month of Mågha. 

92. O Brāhmaṇa, on the eighth day in the dark half of the month of Phālguna, one should worship goddess Bhima. For the achievement of all cherished desires, he should be devoted to the Vrata. 

93. O Brahmaņa, by worshipping properly with scents and other things, Shiva’ and Shivå on the eighth day in the bright half of the month of Phālguna, one shall become the Lord of all Siddhis (Super-natural Powers.) 

94. One should worship goddess Shitalā1 on the eighth day in the second fortnight of the month of Phālguna, with all kinds of cooked food prepared duly on the previous Saptami (seventh) day. 

1. Shitală is the goddess of Small Pox. According to amanta reckoning Shitalashtami is on Chaitra Kr. 8. 

95. “O Śhitalā, you are the mother of the Universe. O Šhitalā, you are the father of the Universe. O Śhitală, you are the support and base of the Universe. Obeisance, to you, salutations to you, O Śhitală. 

96. I bow down to goddess Śhītalā, who is seated on a donkey, is naked, holds the broom and the water pot and who destroys swellings. 

97. Goddess Shitală shall be the bestower of calmness and queller of swellings to those who stand in water and repeat the name “Shitala, Shitalā”. 

98. O Brāhmaṇa, thanks to the grace of goddess Shitala, he (the devotee) shall be tranquil for a year; he who worships Shitală by means of these Mantras of Sitala. 

99. By worshipping Shiva’ and Shivå on the eighth day in any of the halves and in any of the months, one attains the desired benefit.