Varāha Mahā Purana
56 - Dhanyavrata
Agastya said:
1. I shall now tell you about the Dhanyavrata by performing which even a poor man becomes quickly rich.
2. In the tithi Prathamä in the bright half of the month of worship in the night Vishnu in the form of fire.
3. Worship the feet as Vaišhvänara, the belly as Agni, chest as Havirbhuja, hands as Dravinoda, head as Samvarta and the entire body as Jvalana.
4-5. After duly worshipping Janärdana in this manner, prepare an altar of fire in front and perform homa in it with the above mantras. Then eat cooked barley with ghee.
6. In the dark half of the month also the worship should be done in the same manner. This may be continued for four months.
7. During the next four months from Chaitra eat-milky food with ghee and during the four months from Shrävana eat barley meal. The vrata is thus brought to a close.
8. At the end of the vrata make a golden image of fire, cover it with a pair of red clothes, decorate it with red flowers and anoint it with saffron.
9-10. Then give the image to a Brahmin of faultless body along with the pair bf red clothes uttering the following mantra.
11. ‘‘I am gratified (dhanya), I perform righteous deeds (dhanyakarmä), all my actions are for good (dhanyacheshta), I am blessed (dhanyavän). Let me be happy by this Dhanyavrata”.
12. Thus saying make the gift of the image with money to the Brahmin. The result .is that one becomes highly satisfied without actual enjoyment or suffering in the world.
13. It is quite certain that by this vrata alone, one attains in this life abundant happiness, wealth and grain (food).
14. The fire (in the vrata) burns away all sins in the former lives and, as a result, brings about liberation.
15. He who listens to this and he who recites it with devotion, both become highly blessed.
16. It is said that long long ago, performed by Dhanada who was born to a Shüdra woman.
Summary of chapter 56 of the Varāha Mahā Purana is as follows:
Distressed by the exile of her deva sons from Swarga, Mother Aditi retreats to a secluded hermitage and undertakes the rigorous Payovrata vow, worshipping Bhagavān Vishṇu with fasting, devotion, and Vedic hymns. Impressed by her flawless observance and maternal love, Bhagavān Vishṇu manifests before her in His radiant four-armed form, illuminating the hermitage with divine light. He offers Mother Aditi a supreme boon, promising to take birth as her own son to restore the heavenly rights of the devas through subtle divine wisdom and righteousness.