Varāha Mahā Purana
58 - Saubhãgyavrata
Agastya said:
1. I shall now tell you about Saubhägyavrata by performing which prosperity accrues to man and woman alike.
2. On Trutiyä tithi in the bright half of the month of phälguna one should perform this vrata with purity of body and mind in the night.
3-4. He should worship Hari with Lakshmi or Rudra with Umä. Lakshmi is identical with Uma and Hari is identical with Rudra. It is so declared in all Shästras and Puränas.
Any Shästra or Kàvya which states otherwise is not worthy of its name.
5-6. Vishnu should be considered as Rudra and Lakshmi as Gauri. He who speaks of difference between them is lowly (Adhama) and should be considered an atheist outside the field of dharma.
7. Knowing this well, Hari together with his consort should be duly worshipped with the prescribed mantras.
8. The feet should be worshipped as Gambhira, the waist as Subhaga, the belly as Devadeva, and face as Trinetra (three eyed), the head as Vàchaspati and the entire body as Rudra.
9-10. Worshipping thus with sandal, flowers etc., either Vishnu with Lakshmi or Shiva with Gauri, homa should be performed in front with honey, ghee and sesamum in the name of Saubhägyapati (lord of prosperity).
11. Cooked wheat should be taken on the floor and without oil and caustic elements.
In the dark half of the month also, the observance is the same.
12. In the months of Ashadha etc., the fast should be broken with barley food; and in Kärttika etc., with food made by Šhyämàka grain.
13-14. Then on Trutiyä tithi in the bright half of the month of Mägha a golden image of Rudra and Gauri or of Vishnu and Lakshmi should be made according to means.
15-16. The image should be given to a deserving Brahmin who is a good Vedic scholar but without means for food or one who closely observes the precepts. It will be better if the recipient is a devotee of Vishnu.
17-18. It will be particularly meritorious if six vessels are given to the Brahmin containing honey, ghee, sesamum oil, molasses, salt and cow’s milk one in each.
19. By observing this, prosperity and beauty in seven lives are gained, be the performer man or woman.
Summary of chapter 58 of the Varāha Mahā Purana is as follows:
The chronicle recounts the victory over the demon Dhundhu, who attempted to swallow the oceans and scorch the worlds through dark tapas. Bhagavān Vishṇu assumed a magnificent cosmic form to suppress the fiery demon beneath the earth, confining his destructive energy within subterranean sands. The narrative illustrates that no matter how formidable demonic penances may appear, they are ultimately rendered powerless before the supreme, all-pervading authority of the Divine Preserver.