In Praise of a Fast for a Month

The lord said:

1-3. O best of Vishnu's devotees, listen to the importance of the (daily) bath in Magha. O you very intelligent one, there is no (other) devotee of Vishnu like you in this world. A man gets that fruit by a (daily) bath in Magha, which he gets on seeing Vishnu at Cakratirtha or Mathura. He who, with his senses conquered, with his mind tranquil, and endowed with moral conduct, bathes (everyday) in Magha, does not again come to this mundane existence. Shri Krishna said:

4. To you I shall tell about the greatness of (the holy place called) Sukara, by merely knowing which (a man would) always have my proximity. Siita said:

5. Saying so, lord Krishna spoke to Satya in many ways. I shall tell it (to you). O you (sages) having penance as your treasure; listen to it. Shri Krishna said:

6-13. A being, even a donkey, that lives in Vishnu's temple at Sukara extended over five yojanas, becomes the Four-armed (Vishnu). The measure of Sukara is laid down to be three thousand cubits, three hundred cubits and three. O goddess, a man gets that fruit in half a watch (i.e. three hours), (which he would get when) he practises penance for sixty thousand years at another place. The (same) fruit is said (to be obtained) by tulapurusa dana1 in Kuruksetra when the Sun is seized by Rahu. It is said to be tenfold in Kasi, and would be hundredfold in Veni, and said to be thousandfold at the confluence of Ganga and the ocean. It is said to be endless in Vishnu's temple at Sukara. A man gives duly a lakh (of gifts) at another place. (The fruit) would be similar by giving one only at Sukara. By bathing but once at Sukara, in Veni, and at the confluence of Ganga and the ocean, a man removes (the sin of) the murder of a brahmana. Alarka formerly got (the kingdom of) the earth with the seven islands after hearing the greatness of Sukara, O Kartikeya. (O son, go thereon the DvadasI of the bright half of Margasirsa.) Kartikeya said:

14-16. O lord, I desire to listen to (the description of) the best of vows; so also the proper manner and the fruit of a fast for a month. (So also I desire to hear) how it should be observed by men, what would be (the way of) observing the vow, (how) it is duly commenced and duly completed. O Mahesvara, tell me in detail how many times this vow, giving happiness and wealth, is to be observed, O sinless one. ShriRudra said:

17-29. O Kartikeya, since you have asked all this with devotion, listen to me explaining it, O best among the intelligent. As Vishnu is the greatest of the gods, as the Sun is the greatest of the luminaries, as Meru is (the greatest) of the mountains, as Garuda is the greatest among the birds, as Ganga is (the greatest) of the holy places, as vaisya is (the greatest) of the subjects, similarly observing the fast for a month is the greatest among the vows. He who observes the fast for a month would obtain the religious merit due to all vows, all holy places and gifts. A man does not get that religious merit by means of various sacrifices like Agnistoma in which many presents are given as he gets by observing the fast for a month. That man who observes the fast for a month according to the rule has (indeed) muttered (hymns), has offered oblations (into fire), has given (gifts), has observed penance, has made oblations to his dead ancestors. Dedicating a sacrifice to me, Vishnu, and worshipping me, and then receiving an order from his preceptor he should observe the fast for a month. Having observed all vows (in honour) of Vishnu and observed the auspicious (vow) of Dvadasi etc. he should observe the fast for a month. O brahmana, after having observed the vows like Atikrcchra, Paraka, 1 and Candrayana he should fast for a month by the order of his preceptor. Having observed a fast on the Ekadashi of the bright half of Asvina, he should take up this vow for thirty days. A man who worships Vishnu and fasts for the entire month of Kartika would enjoy the fruit in the form of salvation. In the temple of Vishnu he should three times a day devoutly worship Vishnu with the fragrant flowers of malatl (jasmine), blue lotuses, arka flowers, lotuses, (other) flowers, usira-roots, camphor etc. and with the offerings of eatables, cakes, lights etc. aftersmearing (the lord's image) with excellent sandal.

1. Tulapurusa — Gift to a brahmana of as much gold or silver as equals the weight of one's body.

1. Paraka — Name of a vow of religious penance said to consist in fasting for twelve days and nights, keeping the mind attentive and organs subdued.

30-43. A man, a woman or a widow, having great devotion and with his/her senses conquered, should worship the Garudabannered god (Vishnu) with mind, deeds and words and should day and night utter the names of Vishnu. He should devoutly and without false words utter Vishnu's praise. Full of compassion for all beings, of a tranquil temperament, harmless, sleeping and sitting on a seat outside he should narrate (the praise of) Vishnu. He should avoid recollection, sight, enjoying fragrant articles and talking of food, and should give up (taking) morsels. He should avoid smearing his body with oil, smearing his head with oil, (chewing) tambiila, smearing his body when he is observing the vow, and should avoid everything that is prohibited. While observing the vow he should not touch any thing and should not disturb anyone doing a deed. A householder, remaining in a temple, should certainly observe the vow. A man, a good woman or a widow, having duly observed the fast for a month, should worship Vishnu properly. With his mind controlled and senses conquered, he should observe this vow without anything wanting or adding for thirty days and should observe the fast for a month, and then on the Dvadasi (day) he should worship the auspicious Garuda-bannered (god). He should worship him with garlands of flowers, sandal, incense, and by besmearing (his image). A man should please Vishnu with clothes, ornaments and (by playing upon) musical instruments. With water (from) holy (places mixed) with sandal he should devoutly bathe (the image of) Vishnu. He should (worship) the image besmeared with sandal and adorned with incense and flowers. Having fed best brahmanas (and pleased them) with gifts of garments etc. he should give them daksina (i.e. presents), and saluting them he should apologise to them. Having thus fasted for a month, and having worshipped Vishnu, and having fed the brahmanas, he is honoured in Vishnu's heaven. Thus he should engage thirteen brahmanas. Listen to the manner in which he should dismiss them at the end of the fast for a month. Fasting on the Ekadashi day he should perform a sacrifice (in honour) of Vishnu.

44-53. Having with the permission of his preceptor worshipped the lord of gods, he should, according to his capacity, worship the preceptor. Then saluting the brahmanas of a pure family and character and devoted to Vishnu's worship, he should feed them. Then he should honour them all. Having fed thirteen brahmanas, he should salute and honour the best brahmanas with tambula, pairs of garments, food coverings, yogapattas, threads, sacred threads, and then he should get fashioned a bed furnished with a cover, well-covered, beautiful, excellent, with pillows and decorated. Then, having according to his capacity got fashioned his golden image, he should put it on the bed after worshipping it with garlands etc. On the bed he should put a seat, wooden sandals, an umbrella, a pair of garments and shoes, and pure flowers. Having thus made the bed, and having saluted those brahmanas, he should request the brahmanas for their consent and say: " I am going to Vishnu's world." Then the best man would go to Vishnu's healthy abode. He should repeatedly say to the brahmanas seated in the pavilion: " O best brahmanas, may all that is without the (proper) hymns and (proper) acts, be fully accomplished due to the favour of your words." I have (thus) properly told (you) the manner of (observing) the vow of the fast for a month.

 

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