Varāha Mahā Purana
59 - Avighnavrata
Agastya said;
1. I shall now tell you about the Vighnahara (Avighna) Vrata by which, O king, obstacles are warded off.
2. This vrata should be performed on Chaturthi tithi in the, month of Phälguna. Food should be taken only at night and it should be of rice mixed with sesamum.
3. The homa also should be of the same material (sesamum), so too the gift to the Brahmin.
4. This should be done for four months and in the fifth a golden image of Ganešha should be worshipped and gifted to a Brahmin together with milky food in five vessels and sesamum.
5. All obstacles can be got over by performing this vrata.
6. When Sagara faced impediments while performing Ashvamedha sacrifice, he got them removed by this vrata.
7. When Rudra was destroying Tripura, he did the same to accomplish his aim. And I too did the same while drinking the ocean.
8. This was done by many kings and by those that seek penance or knowledge, to remove obstructions.
9. Püjä (worship) should be performed to Ganešha (invoking him as) Shüra, Dhira, Gajänana, Lambodara and Ekadamshtra and homa also should be done to keep off obstacles.
10. By doing this all obstacles vanish, and by gifting the image of Vinäyaka, one attains great gratification.
Summary of chapter 59 of the Varāha Mahā Purana is as follows:
The Purāṇa highlights the life of King Purūravas, the noble lunar dynasty monarch who was renowned for his extraordinary beauty, righteous governance, and deep love for the celestial nymph Urvaśī. After residing together in earthly bliss for many years, Urvaśī returned to the heavenly realms due to a breached condition, leaving King Purūravas in deep spiritual sorrow. Through severe penance, devotion to Bhagavān Vishṇu, and the performance of sacred sacrificial rites, King Purūravas attained purification of mind, reunited with Urvaśī, and elevated his consciousness to the gandharva realm.