121-The holy rites to be observed on Dvadashi (Twelfth)days (in a lunar fortnight)

Sanatana said:

1. Henceforth, O sinless one, I shall recount to you the holy rites to be observed on Dvadashi (twelfth) days (in a lunar fortnight). On observing these Vratas, in this world a   becomes more beloved of Vishnu.

2-10a On the twelfth day in the bright half of the month of Chaitra, the devotee should perform the holy rite of Madana- vrata.1 A pot with no cracks, filled with white raw rice grains is placed. Different kinds of fruits are placed nearby with stumps sugarcane plants. White sandal, paste is applied over the pot and it is covered with two white clothes. Various dishes of foodstuffs are also kept nearby and gold according to one’s ability is also placed at its side. A copper vessel containing jaggery should be placed above the pot. It is there that Lord Achyuta in the form of Kama is worshipped with scents and other Upacharas. The devotee observes fast. On the next day in the morning, he should honour a Brahmana and give all these things to him. He should feed and give Dakshina to the Brahmanas. After observing this Vrata thus for a year, the   devotee should give the preceptor a bed accompanied by all the requisite adjuncts, together with ghee and a cow. A   Brahmana couple should be worshipped, and presented with a gold image of Kamadeva along with a white milch cow and garments. While giving the charitable gifts he should utter: “May Hari in the form of Kama be pleased”. He who observes Madana Dvadashi Vrata thus, becomes liberated from all sins.   He attains equality with Hari.

1.VV. 2-10 describe the Madana-dvadashi Vrata. Hemadri (vrata I 1194-98) and VRJ. P. 230.

10b. It is on this very same day that Bhartru-Dvadashika Vrata is also observed.

11-14. A bed is made with clean bed-sheets spread over it. A gold image of Hari accompanied by Shri is placed over it. A pavilion is made of flowers over it. The observer of the Vrata worships the deity with scents and other things. He keeps awake at night by means of holy dances, songs, and instrumental music. On the next day, in the morning, he should gift away the gold image of Shrihari along with the bed to a Prominent Brahmana. He should feed the Brahmanas and give them Dakshinas to their satisfaction. The married life of the person who performs the holy rite thus, becomes stable. He enjoys worldly pleasures in the course of seven births as well as the pleasures desired in both the worlds.

 15-16. On the twelfth day in the bright half of the month of Vaishakha, the devotee should observe fast and subdue his sense organs. With great devotion, he worships Madhava with scents and other Upacharas. He should duly present sweet- cooked rice to a Brahmana fill he is satisfied, along with a water-pot saying “May Madhava be pleased”.

17-19a. On the twelfth day in the bright half of the month of Jyeshtha, the observer of the holy rite should worship Trivikrama with scents and other things. Then he should present Brahmana with a bowl containing sweet cooked rice. Thereafter, he should take in a single meal (i.e., once in a day). Trivikrama, the Lord of the Devas, becomes pleased with this Vrata. O Narada, he will grant him extensive pleasures and salvation in the end.

 19b-21a. The devotee should feed twelve Brahmanas on he twelfth day in the bright half of the month of Ashadha with sweet cooked rice. He should worship them severally with scents and other things in due order. Saying “May Lord Vishnu be pleased with me’', he should devoutly give them the following things as gifts-garments, staff, sacred thread, ridges, and vessels.

21b-23a On the twelfth day in the bright half of the month of Shravana, the observer of holy rite should worship Shridhara with scents and other things. He should feed excellent Brahmanas with cooked rice in curds, and give them silver coins for Dakshina. After bowing to them, he should bid them farewell saying,: “May Shridhara, the Lord of Devas, be pleased with this Vrata.”

23b-24. On the twelfth day in the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada, the observer of the holy rite should worship Vamana and in his presence feed twelve Brahmanas with milk puddings. By giving gold as Dakshina, he delights Vishnu.

25-27a. On the twelfth day in the bright half of the month of Ashvina, the devotee should worship Padmanabha with scents and other Upacharas. After that in the presence of the Lord, he should feed the Brahmanas with sweet cooked rice. He should present Dakshina consisting of gold and (supplement it) with clothes. O excellent Brahmana, satisfied with this Vrata, Padmanabha grants him the boon of going to Shvetadvipa and the desired bodily pleasures.

27b-35a. On the twelfth day in the dark half of the month of Karttika the devotee performs the holy rite of Govatsa-Dvadashi Vrata1 (the holy rite of cow and its calf). With fragrant sandal paste and other things, the devotee draws the figure of a cow along with her calf. He then worships it with flower garlands. With flowers, raw rice-grains and gingelly seeds he prepares the Arghya in a copper vessel in accordance with the injunctions, O Narada, the devotee should offer the Arghya at the feet of the cow uttering the following Mantra: “O Mother, O Mother of cows, born of the milk-ocean, bowed to by Devas and Asuras, O Goddess identical with the Devas, decorated by all the Devas, kindly accept the Arghya. Obeisance be to you”. Then he should offer Vatakas (pies) prepared from black gram and other pulses, as Naivedya. Their number may be five, ten or one in accordance with one’s affluence. (The Mantra for Naivedya) “O Surabhi (divine cow), you are the mother of the Universe. You are always stationed at the feet of Vishnu (in the region of Vishnu). O Goddess identical with the Devas, please accept the mouthful of morsel given by me; O Goddess identical with the Devas, decorated by the Devas, O Mother Nandini (Divine cow), make my desire fruitful.”

1. VV. 276-35a describe a variety of Vrata different from the one recorded in HD, V. i i.e., in the Bhavishya P. or Hemadri (Vrata 1083-84).

O excellent Brahmana, on that day the devotee should avoid foodstuffs fried in oil or cooked in mud pots; he should avoid cow milk, ghee, curds and butter-milk also.

35b-38. On the twelfth day in the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada, O Brahmana, the devotee should worship Lord Damodara with scents and other Upacharas. With great concentration, he should feed the Brahmanas twelve in number with cooked rice in His (the Lord’s) presence. Then, with great pleasure, he should offer them water pots duly worshipped, filled with water and accompanied by areca nuts, sweet-meats and gold. If the rite is performed thus, the devotee becomes a favourite of Vishnu. He enjoys all worldly pleasures. There is no doubt in this that on death he obtains Sayujya (identity) with Vishnu.

 39-42. The rite of Nirajana vrata1 is also recommended, to be observed on this day. Understand it from me. The devotee adorns (with ornaments) the Lord of the Universe, who has thus got up from his slumber. At night-fall the devotee bedecks himself and kindles fresh fires. He worships the Lord by means of Mantras and performs Homa in the fire kindled by a silver lamp that is worshipped by the people, with scents, fragrant flowers etc. O sage, the devotee should perform the Nirajana (waving of the lights) rite to Hari with that silver lamp. There itself he should perform the Nirajana rite for all these in the following order viz: to Lakshmi who follows him, to Brahmani, Gauri, to Yaksha, to Ganapati, to planets, to Mothers, to manes, to mountains and to all the serpents.

1. The NP, gives two types of Niranjana vrata1, VV. 39-43 are for Common people and VV. 44-50 for Kings and nobles. It is a Shanti Vrata. Kane records other varieties of this Vrata (HD. V. 1. 334-335).

 43. To cows, he should perform the Nirajana (waving of lights) rite and to buffaloes etc. other Mangala (auspicious) rites, with shouts like namah (obeisance), Jaya (be victorious) etc. and with the sounds of bells, conchs etc.

 44-50. In this great festival of waving of lights, there should be tumultuous noise of the cows with their horns smeared with saffron and their limbs painted with diverse kinds of colours. The king should be accompanied by the chief priest, ministers and servants. He should duly worship horses endowed with all auspicious characteristic signs, the elephants overwhelmed by ichor in their rut, and the royal paraphernalia such as the umbrella etc. The auspicious character of atmosphere shall be increased with the sounds of conchs, and musical instruments. The king, adorned properly should occupy a newly made throne studded with various jewels. Then a courtesan or a woman of a noble family endowed with all auspicious characteristics should, slowly, perform the Nirajana rite above the head of the king. This rite is a great! Shanti (that which subdues and pacifies evils). It should be performed every year by the king or any other rich man who wishes for good health throughout the year. O Brahmana, if the excellent Shanti rite named Nirajana is performed in any country, city or village, the ailments of the people therein are quelled and cured.

 51-54a. The excellent holy rite of the Sadhya Vrata1 is to be observed on the twelfth day in the bright half of the month of Margashirsha. The Sadhyas are twelve in number. They are stated as follows: Manobhava, Prana, Nara, Yata (v.l. Apana) Viryavan, Giti, Haya, Nrupa (v.l. Naya) Hamsa, Narayana, Vibhu and Prabhu. These shall be represented by raw rice grains and worshipped with scents, fragrant flowers etc. He should then feed twelve leading Brahmanas. Good Dakshinas are to be given to them. He should then bid farewell to them saying, ‘May Narayana be pleased.’

1. This Vrata of semi-divine beings called Sadhya is recorded By Hemadri (CC-Vrata I. 1173) on the authority of Vishnudharmottara (III. 181.1-3).

54b-61a. On the very same day, the holy rite of Dvadashaditya Vrata1 is known to be observed. The intelligent devotee should worship the twelve Adityas viz: Dhata, Mitra, Aryama, Pusha, Shakra, Amsha, Varuna, Bhaga, Tvashtru, Vivasvan, Savitri and Vishnu. Every month, on the twelfth day in the bright half, he should assiduously worship them and spend the year thus. At the conclusion of the holy rite, he should worship twelve gold images in accordance with the injunctions. He should feed twelve excellent Brahmanas with sweet cooked rice. The observer of the holy rite should honour them separately and offer the gold image to each. By performing the Vrata, called Dvadashaditya Vrata thus, the devotee attains the world of the sun and enjoys the pleasures therein for a long time. Then, he is born on the Earth among human beings as a pious soul, devoid of ailments. Thereafter, thanks to the merit of the Vrata, he shall accomplish the Vrata again (i.e., he shall perform it successfully again) O excellent Brahmana, thanks to its merit, he pierces the orb of the sun and attains the Brahman which is unsullied, formless and free from mutually clashing pairs (e.g., pleasure, pain etc).

1. Also called Kamadeva Vrata in HD. V. i., P. 318 on the authority of CC. Vrata I. 1173.

61b-67a. On this very same day is to be observed the Akhanda Dvadashi Vrata.2 The devotee gets the replica of Janardana made in gold. He should worship it with scents and fragrant flowers as well as other things. In his presence, he should feed Brahmanas, twelve in number, every month. He should take food only at night and subdue his sense-organs. At the end of the year, he worships that image in accordance with the injunctions and gives it to the preceptor He should pray thus; “O Lord, if, in the previous hundred births, any Vrata performed by me is broken, may it be rendered unbroken, thanks to your Grace.” Then he should feed twelve leading Brahmanas with milk puddings along with sugar-candies. He should give gold pieces as Dakshina and make obeisance to them. O Brahmana, after observing the Vrata thus and propitiating Janardana, he shall go to Vishnu’s great region by means of a golden aerial car.

2. Hemadri on the authority of Vishnudharmottara extends this efficacy of removing the Vaikalya (deficiency) in performing penance or even sacrifices (Vrata I. 1117-1124). AP. Ch. 190 limits the efficacy to seven births only (VV. 3 & 6), a view endorsed by Garuda P. 118.

Hemadri recommends another Vrata of the same name for the same purpose, but it starts on Ashvina Shu 11. (Ibid. Vrata I. 1103-1105).

 67b-76a. On the twelfth day in the dark half of the month Pausha, the holy rite Rupavrata1 (vrata for beauty) is said (to be observed). On the previous Dashami day, the observer of the holy rite should duly take his bath and collect cow-dung. O Brahmana, it should be of a white cow or that of a cow of a single breast. It should be gathered from the ether itself (i.e., before it reaches the ground after being evacuated by the cow). O Narada, he should make one hundred and eight balls out of the dung, and dry them in the sun after keeping them in a copper vessel or a mud pot. On the Ekadashi day he should observe fast and worship the image of Vishnu made of gold, in accordance with the injunctions. He should keep awake during the night by means of very auspicious songs, instrumental music, recitation of hymns, japas, etc. On the Dvadashi day, in the morning, he should place the image on a vessal full of gingelly seeds. This latter vessel should be placed on a pot full of water. He should then worship it by means of all Upacharas. By means of attrition (or friction of wooden pieces) and other methods he should kindle a fresh Are. The intelligent devotee shall worship duly and perform Homas with the cow-dung balls one by one, along with gingelly seeds and ghee, after uttering the twelve-syllabled Mantra belonging to Vishnu viz. Om namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. When hundred and eight oblations are completed he should perform Purnahuti. With an affable mind and great pleasure, he should feed Brahmanas with milk puddings. He should offer the image to the preceptor along with the water pot. In accordance with his ability, he should give Dakshina to the Brahmanas. He should bid them farewell after bowing to them. By performing the holy rite respectfully, the devotee, whether it is a man or a women, attains the blessedness of great beauty. No doubt need be entertained in this respect.

1. A special Vrata in the NP not recorded by Kane.

76b-85. On the twelfth day in the bright half of the month of Pausha, the holy rite of Sujanma-Dvadashi Vrata,1 (the holy rite for the attainment of good birth and pedigree) is to be observed. After taking the holy bath the devotee takes the vow of Vrata for the whole year. After drinking water from a cow’s horn, at the outset, he should circumambulate the cow. Thereafter, every month, on the twelfth day in the bright half, he should offer charitable gifts (as follows):- A Prastha measure of ghee, four Prasthas of grains and barley, two Ratikas (i.e., the weight of the seed of the Gunja plant (Abrus precatorious) of gold (1-16) grains, half an Adhaka of gingelly seeds, a potful of milk (or water) a Masha weight of silver, and sweet cooked-rice till satiety; umbrella and half a Masha of gold, a Prastha measure of excellent molasses; a Pola weight of Sandal, a fine thin cloth measuring five Hastas, these are the articles to be given as charitable gifts month by month. He should feed himself on the following: - cow’s urine, water, ghee, four kinds of green vegetables well cooked, cooked barley grains mixed with curds, gingelly seeds with ghee and sugar, water from the Kusha grass and milk. After performing this holy rite for a year, the devotee should get the image of the sun made in gold. He should place it on a flat copper vessel, worship it in accordance with the injunctions, and give it to the preceptor along with a cow. He should then bow down to him. Then twelve Brahmanas should be fed and presented with the due Dakshinas. O Brahmana, he who performs the holy rite thus, takes his birth in a noble family. He shall be free from ailments. He shall be affluent in wealth and food-grains. His sense-organs shall be unimpaired (i.e., he shall be sound in body).

1.Hemadri recommends this vrata on the authority of Vishnu-dharmottara P. (CC-Vrata. 1174-75).

86-89a. On the twelfth day in the bright half of the month of Magha, O Brahmana, the devotee shall duly and devoutly worship the Salagrama stone and place a piece of gold in its mouth. It is then placed in a silver vessel and covered with two white cloths. The devotee should then give Vedic Scholar and thereafter feed him with milk-pudding with sugar-candy and ghee (in a quantity) that is beneficial. After observing this, he should take only a single morsel a day. He should be interested in meditating on Vishnu. After enjoying all desired pleasures here, he attains the abode of Vishnu.

89b-91a. On the twelfth day in the bright half of the final month (i.e., Phalguna), the devotee should worship the golden image of Hari with scents, fragrant flowers etc. He should then give it to a Brahmana, knower of the Vedas. After feeding Brahmanas, twelve in number, and giving them Dakshina, he should bid them farewell; thereafter, he should take food along with his kinsmen.

 91b-92. The following eight Dvadashis are days on which one should observe fast as they remove sins. The Dvadashis are Trisprusha, Unmilini, Pakshavardhini, Vanjuli, Jaya, Vijaya, Jayanti and Aparajita.

Shri Narada said:

93. O holy Brahmana, what is the characteristic feature of these Dvadashis? What is the benefit thereof? Kindly explain these things to me as well as other things that may also be equally meritorious.

Suta said:

94. On being asked thus by Narada, Sanatana, the excellent Brahmana sage praised his brother, a great devotee of the Lord and said:

Sanatana said:

 95. O brother, the question has been pertinently put by you who clear the doubts of good men. I shall recount the characteristics and the benefit of the great Dvadashis separately.

(1) Tri-sprusha:

96. If Ekadashi ceases to be, before the sunrise, the Dvadashi is called Trisprusha (touching three1.) It is highly benevolent.

1.Three tithis are ‘touched’ on this day: Ekadashi before sunrise, Dvadashi all the day and Trayodashi in the last part of that night. Hence the name Tri-sprusha.

 97. O Narada, he who observes fast on this day and worships Govinda, certainly attains the benefit of a thousand horse-sacrifices.

 (ii) Un-milini:

 98. If at the Arunodaya time (dawn), the Ekadashi Tithi is over-lapped by Dashami, that day is eschewed and fast is observed on the following Dvadashi day (This is called Unmilini — that which opens).

 99. If on the Unmilini day, the devotee worships Vasudeva perfectly in accordance with the injunctions, he derives the benefit of a thousand Rajasuya-sacrifices.

(iii) Vanjulika:

 100-102. When at the time of sunrise, the night touches Ekadashi, it shall be avoided and the subsequent Dvadashi which is called Vanjulika2 shall be the day on which the devotee shall fast always. On this day, the devotee should worship Lord Samkarshana with scents and other Upacharas devoutly. He is the great Lord who bestows fearlessness or Moksha on all. This great Dvadashi yields the benefit of all Kratus i.e., sacrifices. It is said to be the remover of all sins. It bestows all riches.

2. This (Vanjulika) dvadashi exists the whole of one civil day (from sunrise to sunset) and extends over the next day, so that one can fast and have parana on the same Tithi-vide Nirnaya Sindhu, p.48, Smruti Kaustubha 252-253.

103-104. O Brahmana, when Kuhu (new moon) and Raka (full Moon) become increased (i.e., are of a longer duration), the Dvadashi is called Pakshavardhanika (that which increases the duration of fortnight) and it is highly beneficial. On that day the devotee should worship Lord Pradyumna, the Lord of the Universe, the bestower of all prosperity and the increaser of direct sons and grandsons.

105. If, in the bright half, Dvadashi coincides with the constellation Magha it is called Jaya.1 It conquers all enemies.

1. The NP associates the following Dvadashis in the bright halves of the month with the following Nakshatras coinciding on that day:

N. of Dvadashi                                     Nakshatra

Jaya                                                       Magha

Vijaya                                                    Shravana

Jayanti                                                  Rohini

Aparajita                                               Pushya

Expert opinions differ. For example, Nirnaya Sindhu, p. 48 associates the constellation with Pushya with Jaya, Punarvasu with Jayanti.

106. On this day, the devotee should worship Lord Aniruddha, the husband of Rama, the bestower of all cherished desires of men and the granter of all blessedness.

107-108. If, in the bright half, Dvadashi coincides with the constellation Shravana, it is called Vijaya. On that day the devotee should worship Gadadhara, the bestower of all happiness for ever, the greatest resort for all pleasures. O Brahmana, by observing fast on that day, a man shall attain the benefit of pilgrimage of all holy centres.

109. If, in the bright half, Dvadashi coincides with the constellation of which Brahma is the presiding deity [Rohini?] it is highly meritorious. It is remembered by the name ‘Jayanti’.

110-111a. On this day the devotee should worship Lord Vamana the bestower of Siddhis on men. O leading Brahmana, if fast is observed on this day, it yields the benefit of all Vratas.

If yields the benefit of all charitable gifts; it yields worldly pleasures and salvation.

111b-113. If, in the bright half, Dvadashi coincides with the constellation Pusya it is called Aparajita. It is the bestower of all knowledge. On this day the devotee should worship Lord Narayana, devoid of ailments, the cause of liberation (severance) from the bondage of worldly existence, the ocean of perfect knowledge. O Brahmana, by the observance of fast alone on this day, people will be liberated.

114, If, Dvadashi in the bright half of the month of Ashadha coincides with the constellation Anuradha, two Vratas must be observed, There is no fault since the presiding deity is the same.

115. Similarly, in the bright half of the month Bhadrapada, if Ekadashi coincides with the constellation Shravana and if Dvadashi coincides with the constellation Revati in the bright half of the month of Karttika, two Vratas (viz. Ekadashi and Dvadashi are to be observed.

116-117. O leading Brahmana, in cases other than these, only one meal is taken on Dvadashi day. This is the natural Vrata laid down and it is destructive of sins. Since the Vrata of Ekadashi is always in conjunction with that of Dvadashi no rite of Udyapana is laid down. This Vrata has to be performed throughout one’s life.