Asvattha and Vata Praised as Gods in Disguise

Silta said

1-4. Speaking like this to Satyabhama, very dear to him, Vasudeva went to his mother's house to offer evening prayer, etc. This Kartika is said to be powerful like this, destroying sins, always making one dear to Vishnu and always giving pleasures and salvation. Keeping awake (in honour) of Vishnu, bathing in the morning, using TulasI (leaves etc.), concluding the vow, and offering light — these are the vows (to be observed) in Kartika. The Kartika-vow is complete with these five vows. The fruit that one gets is said to be pleasures and salvation. The sages said:

1. Mahapapa — a great, or heinous sin. Murder of a brahmana, drinking liquor, stealing, violating the preceptor's bed (i.e. his wife), and company of those who commit these sins are great sins.

5-7. O Raumaharsana, this religious act of Kartika is said to be dear to Vishnu, giving great fruit, properly purifying and destroying sins. When it comes, it should be necessarily observed duly by men desiring salvation, or desiring enjoyments. If this is so, how should a man observing a vow, who is in a difficulty, who is in an impervious forest, or is suffering from diseases, observe the auspicious Kartika vow? Suta said:

8-20. O best sages, listen. I shall tell all about it as to how it should be observed, since it is extremely fruitful. In a temple of Vishnu or Shiva, or in any other temple in the absence of a temple of Vishnu or Shiva, a man should keep awake (in honour) of Vishnu. If a man is in an impervious forest to which he might have gone by day, he should observe it under the root of an Asvattha tree or even in Tulasi-groves. A man, by singing (songs) mainly containing Vishnu's names, near Vishnu, obtains the fruit of presenting a thousand cows. A man playing upon a musical instrument will obtain the fruit of a Vajapeya (sacrifice), and a dancer that of bathing at all holy places. A man who gives wealth will obtain all this religious merit of them. He would get one-sixth portion by praising and seeing (the deity). O (sages), if one who is in a calamity, does not get a watery (place) for bathing, or one is diseased, he should purify himself with (the recital of) the names of Vishnu. He who after observing the vow is unable to conclude it (duly), should, according to his capacity, feed brahmanas for the (proper) completion of the vow. Since it gives great fruit, it should never be abandoned by men. Brahmanas are the form of Vishnu whose form is not manifest on the earth. By their being pleased he is well pleased on the earth. If he is not able to present a lamp, he should light others' lamps. Or he should carefully protect them from wind etc. In the absence of Tulasi he should worship a brahmana, Vishnu's devotee, since Vishnu is always present in his devotees. In the absence of all (this) the observer of the vow should serve brahmanas, cows and worship Asvattha and Vata trees for the completion of the vow. The sages said:

21. How do you equate Asvattha and Vata trees with a cow and a brahmana? How do you take them to be more venerable than all (other) trees? Suta said:

22-23. There is no doubt that lord Vishnu is of the form of Asvattha, Vata is Rudra's form, and Palasa has taken up Brahma's form. Seeing, worshipping and serving them is said to remove sins. These certainly destroy grief, diseases and the wicked. The sages said:

24. O you omniscient one, tell (us) how Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva became trees. We have a great doubt about it. Suta said:

25-26. Formerly, it is said, gods sent Agni in a brahmana's form to create an obstacle when Shiva and Parvati were cohabiting. Then that Parvati, trembling and angry due to being deprived of the sexual pleasure, angrily cursed the gods. Parvati said:

27-29. Even these worms and insects know the sexual pleasure. O gods, you will obtain the condition of plants due to having obstructed it. Thus that Parvati of an angry mind, cursed the gods. Therefore, all hosts of gods have become trees. Therefore, O chief sages, both these Vishnu and Shiva have become Asvattha and Vata (trees). Asvattha has become fit to be touched on a Saturday and not fit to be touched (on other days) due to contact of Sani with Vishnu.

 

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