Instructions Concerning the Fast

Kartikeya said:

1-3. O lord, I wish to listen to the vow which is best among the vows; so also the mode of observing the fast for a month and the fruit of it as is told; and also how the vow is to be commenced, and how it is to be duly completed. O lord, tell me in detail the number (of days) for which this vow is to be observed, O best of the gods. Shri Rudra said:

4-17. Well, O kartikeya, hear from me who am telling you, all that you have devoutly asked, O best among the intelligent. As Vishnu is among gods, as the Sun is among the shining ones, as Meru is among mountains, and Garuda among birds, as Ganga is among holy places, as the trader is among the subjects, so is this fast for a month the best of all vows. He who observes the fast for a month would obtain the merit of all vows, and all holy places, and the fruit due to all gifts. A man does obtain that merit by means of sacrifices like Agnistoma (performed) with profuse gifts, which he obtains by fasting for a month. A man who duly observes the fast for a month, has (indeed) muttered (hymns), has offered oblations into fire, has given (gifts), has practised penance, and performed svadha (i.e. pleased his dead ancestors by offering them oblations). Dedicating a sacrifice to Vishnu, and having worshipped him, and having secured his preceptor's order, he should fast for a month. Having observed all the auspicious vows as prescribed for the devotee of Vishnu, such as DvadasI, he should then observe the fast for a month. Having observed Atikrcchra, Paraka and Candrayana (vows) he, considering his physical strength and weakness, should observe the fast for a month. An anchorite or an ascetic or a widow should observe the fast for a month with the preceptor's — brahmana's — order. Having bathed and fasted on the eleventh of Asvina, he should take up this vow for thirty days. That man who, worshipping Vishnu, would fast for the entire month of Kartika, would enjoy the fruit of salvation.

In the temple of Vishnu he should devoutly worship Vishnu three times (a day) with jasmine flowers, blue lotuses, lilies and lotuses, camphor and besmearing (the image) with saffron, sandal, and excellent sandal, (should worship him) with offerings of eatables, incense and lights.

18-29. A man, a woman or a widow, having great devotion and with his 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) Vishriu. He should avoid thinking, seeing, 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) tambula, smearing his body when he is observing the vow, and should avoid everything that is prohibited. While observing the vow he should not touch anything 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 conquerred, he should observe this vow without anything wanting or additional 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 and mixed with sandal he should devoutly bath the image of Vishnu. He should (worship) the image besmeared with sandal, and adorneed with incense and flowers. Having fed best brahmanas and pleased them with daksina (i.e. presents), and saluting them he should apologise to them. Having apologised to the brahmanas, he should dismiss them after having honoured and worshipped them.

30-42. In this way having observed the fast for a month and worshipped Vishnu according to his monetary capacity, with devotion, and having fed the brahmanas according to his capacity he is honoured in the heaven of Vishnu. Now listen to the manner in which at the end of the fast for a month, having chosen thirteen brahmanas, he should dismiss them. Observing a fast on the Ekadashi day, he should perform a sacrifice (in honour) of Vishnu. Having, with the consent of his preceptor, worshipped the lord of gods, and having, according to his capacity, honoured his preceptor, he should salute his preceptor. Then he should feed after saluting the brahmanas of a pure character and family and greatly devoted to worshipping Vishnu. Then having worshipped and fed all the brahmanas and having given the best brahmanas tambulas, pairs of garments, food and coverings, so also yogapattas (i.e. cloths thrown over the back and knees of ascetics during abstract meditation), threads and sacred threads and then having saluted them, he should devoutly honour them. He should prepare a bed furnished with a cover, well-covered, beautiful, excellent, with pillows and decorated. Then, having according to his capacity, got fashioned his (i.e. Vishnu's) golden image, heshould 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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