124 - Exposition of Vratas to be observed on the Full Moon and the New Moon days

Sanatana said:

1. Henceforth, O Narada, I shall recount to you the holy rite to be observed on the Full Moon day. Listen. On observing these rites, the performer of Vratas whether he be a man or a woman, attains series of happiness.

2. O leading Brahmana, the Full Moon day in the month of Chaitra is the day of the inauguration of the Manvantara. On this day, the observer of the Vrata should give a pot of water with cooked rice, for the propitiation of Soma (the Moon).

3. On the full moon day in the month of Vaishakha, the gift of all articles is the bestower of all things. Certainly, one attains those things which one bestows on a Brahmana.

4-5a. The holy rite of Dharmaraja Vrata is also to be performed on this day. Listen to it. One should give cooked rice and pot of water to an excellent Brahmana on the Full Moon day in the month of Vaishakha. It is conducive to the propitiation of Dharmaraja and it yields the same benefit as the gift of a cow.

5b-7. On this very same day, one should give the hide of a deer along with its horn and the hoofs to a Brahmana along with gingelly seeds and gold. They should be covered with clothes. He who gives, in accordance with the prescribed injunctions, the hide of a deer after honouring the scholar who knows the Shastras, is actually the donor of the whole of the earth consisting of the seven continents, and rejoices in the world of Vishnu as long as the moon, sun and stars shine in the firmament.

8. He who gives to prominent Brahmanas pots full of water along with gold never meets with sorrow.

9. On the Full Moon day in the month of Jyeshtha the holy rite of vatasavitrika¹ is to be observed. The woman devotee observes fast and pours nectar like water at the root of the Vata (Banyan tree).

1. W. 9-12 briefly describe the famous Vata-Savitri-Vrata, the main features of which are sprinkling water at the foot of a banyan tree, circumambulating the tree one hundred and eight times and weaving a thread round it all the while, prayer of Savitri (associated with the tree) for sparing oneself from widowhood and feeding Suvasinis the next day after which the lady observer of the Vrata breaks the fast.

This Vrata is observed on Jyeshtha Kru. 30 also (infra verse 85), The story of Savitri who brought back her husband from the god of death is extremely popular (vide Mbh. -Vana Chs. 293-299, Mt. P, Chs. 208-214 the SK. P.-Prabhasa Ch. 166). The Vrata consists of fast for three nights which the NP. fails to prescribe. Its mention in the AP. 194. 5-8 shows that the Vrata was in vogue before the 10th Cent. A.D. It is said that the Vrata is called Vata-Savitri as it was under the shade of a Vata tree that Satyavan (Savitri's husband) went and took hold of its branch before he collapsed.

The banyan tree with its spreading branches symbolises the spread of one’s race. Perhaps pre-Aryans worshipped this tree for increase and spread of their race and the story of Savitri came to be associated with it while it was being Brahminised.

10. She should encircle with threads the holy tree and circumambulate it one hundred and eight times. Thereafter, she should pray to the divine and highly chaste lady Savitri:

11. “O Mother Savitri, who considered your husband a deity, you are the mother of the Universe. You are worthy of being worshipped by the whole universe. O gentle lady present in this Vata tree, obeisance to you. Grant me nonseparation from my husband.

12. After praying thus she goes home. On the next day, she shall feed Suvasinis (married women whose husbands are alive) and take food herself. She shall be blessed with conjugal bliss.

13-15. The holy rite of Go-padma¹ is prescribed for performance on the full moon day in the month of Ashadha. After taking his bath the devotee meditates on Hari thus:

1. VV. 13-17 describe the Go-Padma Vrata. The NP. fails to justify the title Go-Padma of this Vishnu Vrata. The girl or woman has to draw 33 figures of cows foot-print every day during the Vrata. Hence its title Gopadma. For details vide VRJ., pp. 301-302.

“He has four arms and a huge body. He has the lustre of gold. He appears beautiful with the conch, discus, iron club, lotus, goddess Lakshmi and Garuda. He is served by sages, Devas, Yakshas, Gandharvas and Kinnaras.”

(After meditation) he should worship the Lord by means of the Purusha Sukta, and with scents and other Upacharas.

16 He should propitiate the preceptor with clothes, ornaments and other things as well as with affectionate mind. He should feed Brahmanas and others with sweet cooked rice according to his capacity.

17. O Brahmana, by performing this Vrata, the devotee undoubtedly, derives his cherished desires both here and hereafter, thanks to the grace of the Lord of (Kamala) Lakshmi.

18-21. The holy rite of Kokila Vrata is to be observed on this very same day. The rules of procedure are now described. The observance is from this full moon to the next full moon in the month of Shravana. The woman should take her bath in the water outside the house (i.e., in a river or a tank). She should meditate on goddess Parvati as follows: “Gauri has the form of a cuckoo with golden wings, jewelled eyes, louts-like face, having the lustre of coral and the complextion of musk. She is born in the heavenly Nandana Park, seated on mango and Campaka trees cooking out exquisite song.” Her figure is painted in colours on cloth. The devotee worships her every day with scents and other things.

22. O Brahmana, when the Vrata is concluded, she devoutly should give a Brahmana the image of the goddess in gold or ground flour of gingelly seeds, along with a gold piece as Dakshina. The following Mantra is uttered.

23. “O Goddess Kokila, born in the park of Chitraratha, O beloved wife of Hara, you have been worshipped and given to a Brahmana. Be the cause of happiness to me.”

24. He should then feed the Brahmana and thirty Sanyasinis if possible, otherwise one, and give clothes etc. and Dakshina in accordance with her capacity. After bowing to them she should bid farewell to them.

25. O Narada, the woman who performs this excellent Kokilavrata attains happiness and conjugal bliss in the course of seven births.

26-28. On the full moon day in the month of Shravana is the holy rite of Vedopakarma¹ (i.e., inauguration of Vedic studies). On this day the rite of Tarpana unto the Devas, sages and the Pitrus is to be performed through the Mantras of the Yajurveda. (The followers of the Yajurveda perform this rite of Upakarma on the day). The followers of Rugveda (i.e., Bahvruchas) perform this on the Chaturdashi day and the followers of the Samaveda perform this in the month of Bhadrapada (on the Chaturthi day). The worship of the sages is performed in the manner laid down in one's own Sakha (branch of the Vedas). The Raksha (holy string) should be tied round the hand in accordance with the injunctions.

1. Vedopakarma is simply upakarma and means opening, beginning. Narayana on Ashvalayana Gr.S. III. 5.1 states that Upakarma or upakarana is the ceremony marking the (re-) beginning of vedic studies. Various dates and varieties of details of the uparkarma are given by kane in HD. II. ii. pp. 807-818. Due to its performance on Sravana Nakshatra in the month of Shravana, it came to be known as Shravana in Marathi. The tradition of vedic studies is lost and what the elderly people do now is to change their Yajnopavita on this day with or without the performance of the rite of Upakarma. The ritual given by the NP is different from the traditional one prescribe in the gruhya sutras.

29. White Mustard seeds, unbroken raw rice-grains and black mustard are washed in water kept in a bell-metal vessel and then tied in a red silk cloth with a saffron-smeared thread. The devotee then worships Devas and prays to Vishnu and others. Delighted in mind, the devotee should lay down to a Brahmana and get the thread tied round his wrist by him.

30-31. Thereafter, he gives Dakshina to Brahmanas and begins the study of the Vedas. After ritualistically dismissing the seven sages, he should wear a new sacred thread made by himself and coloured with saffron etc. According to his capacity he should feed the prominent Brahmanas and he himself should take only a single meal on that day.

32. O Brahmana, if this Vrata is performed, it makes atonement for all omissions and commissions in the Vedic study. If the Vedic rites are forgotten or are performed in contravention of the injunctions, this holy rite rectifies it.

33-34. The holy rite of Umamaheshvara Vrata is to be performed on the full moon day in the month of Bhadrapada. The devotee takes a single meal on the previous day i.e., Chaturdashi day, assiduously worships Shiva. With palms joined in reverence he should pray thus: “O Lord, I shall perform holy Vrata (vow) tomorrow.” After intimating thus to the Lord, the devotee takes up the excellent Vrata.

35. At night, he sleeps near the deity and gets up in the last watch (Yama) of the night. After carrying out the routine such as voiding of excrement and washing, etc. the devotee applies Bhasma and wears Rudraksha.

36. He should worship Sankara correctly with different kinds of Upacharas, fragrant flowers, leaves of Bilva, incense lights and diverse kinds of Naivedya.

37. Then the scholarly devotee should observe fast till sunset. After the moonrise, he worships the deity once again and keeps awake at night.

38-41. Carefully and alertly, the devotee should perform this rite for fifteen years. In the last year, in the course of its Utsarga rite (valedictory and concluding rite), he should get two gold images made, that of Uma and that of Mahesha. He should get ready fifteen excellent posts made of gold, silver or clay. In one of the pots should be placed the two images covered with a cloth. He should bathe them in Pañchāmruta first and then in pure water. Thereafter he shall worship deity with the sixteen Upacharas. Then fifteen Brahmanas are fed with sweet cooked rice and Dakshinas too are given.

42-43a. He should give pots to the preceptor. Each of the pots is accompanied by a Murti (image) of the Lord. By performing this holy rite named Uma Maheshvara, the devotee becomes famous in the world and the receptacle of all riches.

43b-44. On this very same day, the holy rite of Shakra-Vrata also is to be observed. Early in the morning, the devotee takes his bath and worships the ruler of the Devas, in accordance with the injunctions, with scents and other Upacharas and different articles of Naivedya in heaps.

45. Then O, Brahmana, he should duly feed the invited Brahmanas and others who had come as visitors. He shall feed the indigent and the helpless also.

46. O Brahmana, this Shakravrata must be performed every year by a king or any other rich man who wishes for plenty of food-grains.

47-48. The holy rite named Kojagara¹ is to be observed on the full moon day in the month of Ashvina. The devotee takes the holy dip in accordance with the injunctions. He observes fast and subdues his sense-organs. A gold image of goddess Lakshmi is placed in a pot made of copper or clay» It is covered with a cloth and worshipped with different kinds of Upacharas.

1. VV. 47-55 describe the Kojagara Vrata or Kaumudi Mahotsava mentioned in Sanskrit and Prakrit Literature, Puranas and mediaeval digests. The NP. does not mention dice-playing on that night.

49. In the evening when the moon has risen, he should light lamps made of gold, silver or clay after tilling them with ghee.

50-51. They should be a hundred thousands, fifty thousand, ten thousand, one thousand or hundred in number. Milk puddings are prepared in a huge quantity with plenty of sugar and ghee. They shall be kept in many vessels in the bright moonlight. When the night has advanced by a full Yama (three hours), the devotee shall offer milk puddings as Naivedya to Lakshmi.

52. With great devotion he should then feed the Brahmanas with the milk puddings. All of them then keep awake for the whole of the night with songs and auspicious instrumental music and dances.

53-54. The next day before dawn, the devotee takes his bath and dedicates the gold image to the preceptor. (It is said) that on this night goddess Mahalakshmi with the gestures of granting boon and fearlessness in her lotus-like hands moves over the Earth saying—ko jagarti (who is keeping awake) on this Earth? I shall give wealth to that person who keeps awake and worships me.”

55. This Vrata should be performed every year. It propitiates Lakshmi. It yields prosperity in this world and bliss in the other world after death.

56. On the full moon day in the month of Karttika, Lord Karttikeya should be visited for the attainment of Brahminhood again (i.e., in the next birth) and for the conquest of all enemies.

57. On this very same day, Tripurotsava (the festival of Tripura) should be performed by celebrating illuminations (of buildings, ghats etc.), O excellent Brahmana, this festival of light at night-fall is conducive to the happiness of all living beings.

58. Insects, locusts, mosquitoes, trees and the living beings that move about in water or dry land are not reborn after seeing these lights. They attain liberation.

59-61. O Brahmana, at the time of the moon-rise the six Kruttikas must be worshipped. So also, Karttikeya, Khadgi, Varuna and Hutashana (Fire-God) are to be worshipped with scents and fragrant flowers, incense, lights, extensive Naivedyas, excellent cooked rice, fruits, vegetable and by propitiation of the fire-god and the Brahmanas. Thus, after bowing down and worshipping the Devas, light should be offered outside the house.

62-64. Very near the lamps, a beautiful square-shaped pit fourteen Angulas deep should be made and sprinkled with sandal water. After filling it with milk of cows, the devotee should put in it an image of a fish made of gold and exquisite in every limb, and with eyes constituted of pearls. Uttering the Mantra, ‘Obeisance to the great Fish’ the devotee should worship it with scents and other things and offer it to a Brahmana.

65. O excellent Brahmana, the charitable gift of the ocean of Milk¹ has been recounted to you by me. Thanks to the power of this charitable gift, the devotee rejoices in the presence of Hari.

1. W. 62-65 describe the Kshira-sagara dana (gift of the milky ocean). The whole procedure is symbolic.

66. O Narada, by performing the rite of Vrushotsarga (setting a bull-calf free) during the night, the devotee attains Rudra’s region. No doubt need be entertained in this respect.

67. For the profuse abundance of all desired benefits, an Adhaka-measure of salt should be offered to a quiet Brahmana along with gold, on the full moon day in the month of Magashirsha.

68-69. Formerly, this universe was abandoned by Lakshmi. So, Hari, Indra, Soma, Tishya and Bruhaspati—these five made the universe still more dignified and decorated by means of the sports of festivities of blessedness on the full moon day coinciding with the Pushya constellation.

70. Hence, for the increase of all conjugal bliss and good fortune he (the Vratin) should smear his body with the Kalka (minced pieces after being boiled in a decoction) of white mustard and take his bath when there is the conjunction of Pushya and the full moon.

71-72a. He should pour over his body, water, in which all medicinal herbs are put. He should wear new silk clothes. After seeing, touching and bowing to all the auspicious articles, he should worship Hari, Shakra, Indu, Pushya and Ijya (i.e., Jupiter, Bruhaspati) with scents and other Upacharas.

72b-73. After performing Homa he should propitiate the Brahmanas by feeding them with milk puddings. O Brahmana, by performing this Vrata that increases the pleasure of Rama (Lakshmi) and destroys Alakshmi (Misfortune), the devotee rejoices here and hereafter.

74-76a. On the full moon day in the month of Magha, the following should be offered as charitable gifts: — gingelly seeds, cotton or woollen blanket, jewels, bodice, turban, shoes or cash presents. By giving these charitable gifts according to his affluence, the devotee rejoices in heaven. He who worships Lord Shankara duly, attains the benefit of a Horse-sacrifice and is honoured in Vishnu’s world.

76b-78. The holy rite of Holika-worship¹ is to be observed on the full moon day in the month of Phalguna. The devotee collects all types of wood and cow-dung cakes. After duly kindling fire therein, by means of extensive Mantras destructive of Rakshasas, the devotee repeats this Mantra— O Holi, you have been made by people of childish traits who are afraid of blood-sucking Ogresses. Hence I shall worship you. Be the bestower of prosperity on the living beings.”

1. VV. 76b-81 deal with Holika-worship. The NP. says that it is the celebration of burning Kama or the ogress Holika. There is a little obscenity attended with this celebration, only Bengal is free from it, as they celebrate the Dola-yatra of Krishna on this day, and engage a priest to perform worship before the bone-fire. This religious element persisted since the period of the NP. (or even before) in Bengal.

79. By repeating this Mantra, more and more wood is thrown in and the fire is made brighter. The devotees go round it and carry on the festivities with songs and instrumental music.

80-81. (There are two opinions about the burning of Holika). * (one opinion): This ogress Holika was a terror to Prahlada. Hence, people burn her with wood to the accompaniment of songs and instrumental music. This is the burning of the Samvatsara (year). In the opinion of others, it is the burning of Kama. Thus, O leading Brahmana, you shall know that there are many traditions in the world.

*It is a very ancient festival and was called Holika in east India (Shabara on Purvamimamsa I. 3. 15-23). Hemadri calls this Hutashani as we do now.

82. The two days of festival at the end of a fortnight are the full moon and the new moon. Hence the Amavrata¹ (the holy rite on New Moon days) is described. O Brahmana, listen to their separate nature. This Vrata is a great favourite of the manes.

1. In VV. 82-96 the NP. groups together Ama-Vratas i.e., Vratas to be observed on the new-moon days. As this day is specially sacred to the manes (Pitrus) different shraddhas are prescribed on these days.

83-84. On the new moon days of the months of Chaitra and Vaishakha the worship of Pitrus is recommended. The Shraddha in accordance with the injunction governing festival days and in accordance with one’s affluence is to be performed. The feeding of Brahmanas and charitable gifts of cows etc. in particular, are highly meritorious on the new moon days, in all the months.

85. The Vrata of Savitri is to be observed on the new moon day in the month of Jyeshtha. O Narada, its rules of procedure are the same as for the festival of the full moon day in the month of Jyeshtha.

86. O Brahmana, in the months of Ashadha, Shravana and Bhadrapada (when Purnimanta or) ending with the full moon day, the following rites are to be performed, and they are endless in their benefits. The rites are Shraddha of manes (ancestors), charitable gift, Homa and the worship of the Devas.

87-88a. O Brahmana, Kushas grow in the fields of gingelly seeds. In the afternoon of the new moon day in the month of Bhadrapada, the devotee repeats the Mantra of Virinchi (god Brahma) and cuts those Kusha grasses saying ‘Hum phat’. These grasses can be used always in all holy riles. But the other Kusha grasses can be used only once.

88b-89a. On the new moon day in the month of Ashvina, Shraddha and Tarpana of the Pitrus are particularly recommended. They must be performed in the waters of Ganga. In the holy centre of Gaya, it yields liberation.

89b-91a. On the new moon day in the month of Karttika, lights should be offered as gifts in temples of gods, river banks, parks, tanks, cowpens, market places, monasteries and other places. Worship of Lakshmi is performed on this day. Gold and silver whether made into ornaments or not (are dealt in on this day). Playing at dice throughout the year, predicts gain or loss exactly as one wins or loses.

91b-92a. On this day, worship of cows is laid down in the following manner viz.: the horns and other limbs are painted; barley and other grains are given; cows are bowed to and circumambulated.

92b-93a. In the month of Margashirsha also, there is Pitru Puja (worship of the manes) by means of Shraddhas and feeding of Brahmanas, observances of the restraints of celibacy etc. as well as Japa, Homa, Archana and other rites.

93b-96. O leading Brahma^, in the months of Pausha and Magha, the Shraddhas performed to the Pitrus are more efficacious. If on the New Moon Day in the month of Phalguna, the day is combined with Karnapata (?) and the Sun (i.e., prob. Vyatipata, Shravana Nakshatra and the Sun are found on that day), performance of mere Shraddha or feeding of Brahmanas is more efficacious (in giving good fruit) than even at Gaya (their performance at Gaya); charitable gifts etc. are the bestowers of all benefit if made on the new moon day. If it falls on a Monday the benefit is still more. O sage, thus in brief, I have recounted to you the duties on the different Tithis. In all these instances there are some special cases. Those are mentioned in other Puranas.