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Parva · Vrata · Kathā · Mantra

Festivals & Observances पर्व एवं व्रत

The month at a glance — choose any day for its story, its worship and its mantras

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October 2019

Āśvina → Kārttika

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1 Tṛtīyā 2 Caturthī 3 Pañcamī 4 Ṣaṣṭhī 5 Saptamī 6 Aṣṭamī Durgāṣṭamī 7 Navamī Vijayā Daśamī 8 Daśamī 9 Ekādaśī Pāpāṅkuśā Ekādaśī 10 Dvādaśī 11 Trayodaśī 12 Caturdaśī 13 Pūrṇimā Śarad Pūrṇimā 14 Pratipadā 15 Dvitīyā 16 Tṛtīyā 17 Tṛtīyā Karaka Caturthī 18 Caturthī 19 Pañcamī 20 Ṣaṣṭhī 21 Saptamī 22 Navamī 23 Daśamī 24 Ekādaśī Ramā Ekādaśī 25 Dvādaśī Dhana Trayodaśī 26 Trayodaśī 27 Caturdaśī Dīpāvalī +3 28 Amāvāsyā Govardhana Pūjā 29 Dvitīyā Bhrātṛ Dvitīyā 30 Tṛtīyā 31 Caturthī

This month’s festivals 13

28Mon

Monday, 28 October 2019

Āśvina · Amāvāsyā · Svātī

About the day
Lunar month
Āśvina
Tithi at sunrise
Amāvāsyā · until 09:09
Nakṣatra
Svātī
Sunrise · Sunset (Ujjain)
06:29 · 17:52

Read the full daily column for this date →

Govardhana Pūjā; Bali Pratipadā

Significance

Two festivals share the first morning after Dīpāvalī. Govardhana Pūjā, or Annakūṭa — “the mountain of food” — gives thanks to the hill, the cows and the land that feed us, as Kṛṣṇa taught. Bali Pratipadā welcomes back the generous King Bali, whom Viṣṇu permitted to visit his people once a year. In Gujarat it is the first day of the new Vikrama year.

The story from the scriptures

Bhāgavata Purāṇa 10.24–25 and 8.18–23

The cowherds of Vraja were preparing their yearly sacrifice to Indra when the seven-year-old Kṛṣṇa asked his father why: “We are forest people; our cows, the brāhmaṇas and this hill sustain us.” At his word they offered the feast to Govardhana, circled it, and Kṛṣṇa, taking a vast form, declared “I am the hill” and ate the offerings. Indra, stung, sent the clouds of dissolution; rain, hail and wind battered Vraja. Kṛṣṇa lifted Govardhana on the little finger of his left hand as a child holds a mushroom, and for seven days the whole village, with its cattle, sheltered beneath. Indra, humbled, bathed him with the milk of Surabhi and named him Govinda. The eighth canto tells how Viṣṇu, as the dwarf Vāmana, asked King Bali for three steps of land, covered earth and heaven in two, and — when Bali offered his own head for the third — made him lord of Sutala and stood guard at his door.

Regional traditions and folklore

In Mathurā, Nāthadvārā and every Vaiṣṇava temple a hill of rice and hundreds of dishes is raised; pilgrims walk the twenty-one-kilometre parikramā of Govardhana. In villages the hill is modelled in cow-dung and cattle are bathed and garlanded. Maharashtra keeps Pāḍavā, when wives wave ārati for husbands and say “iḍā-piḍā ṭaḷo, Baḷīce rājya yevo” — may troubles go and Bali’s reign return; Karnataka keeps Bali Pāḍyami; Kerala remembers the same king at Onam.

Pūjā and havan

A Govardhana of cow-dung or food is adorned with flowers and worshipped with lamp, incense, milk and the annakūṭa offering, then circled; cows and bulls are fed and honoured. Bali and his queen Vindhyāvalī are drawn in five colours and worshipped at night with lamps.

Mantras and japa 2
कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय हरये परमात्मने । प्रणतक्लेशनाशाय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः ॥

kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya haraye paramātmane | praṇata-kleśa-nāśāya govindāya namo namaḥ ||

Meaning: Salutations again and again to Kṛṣṇa, son of Vasudeva, Hari, the Supreme Self, Govinda — destroyer of the sorrows of those who bow to him.

Benefit: A prayer of surrender — recited for release from distress and bondage of every kind.

Bhāgavata Purāṇa 10.73.16 — the prayer of the kings freed from Jarāsandha
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

oṃ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya ||

Meaning: Salutation to the blessed Lord Vāsudeva.

Benefit: The dvādaśākṣara — by this mantra the child Dhruva saw the Lord within six months; recited for devotion, protection and liberation.

Bhāgavata Purāṇa 4.8.54 — the twelve-syllable mantra Nārada gives to Dhruva
Scriptural references 3
  • Bhāgavata Purāṇa 10.24–27
  • Bhāgavata Purāṇa 8.18–23
  • Skanda Purāṇa, Kārttika-māhātmya (Bali-pratipadā)

Somavatī Amāvāsyā — a new moon on a Monday

Significance

The new moon, when Sun and Moon dwell together — the day that belongs to the ancestors. Offerings of water and sesame made today reach them directly, and their blessing is sought for the family’s welfare. A new moon on a Monday (Somavatī) is especially sacred for married women, who circle the pīpal tree 108 times; on a Saturday (Śanaiścarī) Śani is propitiated with sesame oil; on a Tuesday (Bhaumavatī) debts are said to be cleared by ancestral rites.

The story from the scriptures

Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana-parva 87–92; Matsya Purāṇa 14 (Acchodā and the Pitṛs)

The Matsya Purāṇa tells of Acchodā, mind-born daughter of the Pitṛs, who through a moment’s wavering fell from heaven. The Pitṛs, in compassion, told her that the day of her fall would be named Amāvasyā, dear to them above all days, and that whatever is offered to the ancestors on it would be imperishable. Bhīṣma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira that of all tithis the new moon is foremost for the śrāddha.

Pūjā and havan

Tarpaṇa with water and black sesame facing south; feeding of crows, cows and the needy; a lamp of sesame oil under the pīpal at dusk; on Somavatī, circumambulation of the pīpal with thread, and a vow of silence at the bath.

Mantras and japa 2
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः । तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि । धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥

oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ | tat savitur vareṇyaṃ bhargo devasya dhīmahi | dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt ||

Meaning: We meditate on the adorable radiance of the divine Savitṛ; may he awaken our understanding.

Benefit: The mother of the Vedic mantras — recited at sunrise, noon and sunset for clarity of mind, inner light and the blessing of the Sun.

Ṛgveda 3.62.10 (Viśvāmitra)
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

oṃ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya ||

Meaning: Salutation to the blessed Lord Vāsudeva.

Benefit: The dvādaśākṣara — by this mantra the child Dhruva saw the Lord within six months; recited for devotion, protection and liberation.

Bhāgavata Purāṇa 4.8.54 — the twelve-syllable mantra Nārada gives to Dhruva
Scriptural references 2
  • Matsya Purāṇa 14
  • Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana-parva 87–92

Reference shelf

The twenty-six Ekādaśīs 26
Kāmadā Varūthinī 1 Mohinī Aparā 2 Nirjalā Yoginī 3 Śayanī (Devaśayanī) Kāmikā 4 Putradā (Pavitrā) Ajā (Annadā) 5 Parivartinī Indirā 6 Pāpāṅkuśā Ramā 7 Prabodhinī (Devotthānī) Utpannā 8 Mokṣadā Saphalā 9 Putradā (Pauṣa) Ṣaṭtilā 10 Jayā Vijayā 11 Āmalakī Pāpamocanī 12 24 + 2 Adhika

The year of twenty-four Ekādaśīs — outer ring bright fortnight, inner ring dark; the centre holds the two of the intercalary month

The Padma Purāṇa, Uttara-khaṇḍa, adhyāyas 38–63, tells the glory of each Ekādaśī as Śrī Kṛṣṇa told it to Yudhiṣṭhira. The cards give the amānta month; the Purāṇa speaks in the pūrṇimānta reckoning of North India, which writes each dark fortnight under the following month’s name — so a verse may say “Pauṣa” where the card says Mārgaśīrṣa. The day is the same. Each card opens onto its chapter in the Library.

Kāmadā

Caitra · bright fortnight (śukla)

Padma Purāṇa 47.4 ✓ verified against the edition
साधु पृष्टं त्वया राजन्कथयामि तवाग्रतः । चैत्रस्य शुक्लपक्षे तु कामदा नाम नामतः ॥ 4 ॥

Well asked, O king; I shall tell you: the one in the bright fortnight of Caitra is, by name, Kāmadā.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: the gandharva Lalita, his wife Lalitā, and King Puṇḍarīka, whose curse the vow lifts

Varūthinī

Caitra · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa)

Padma Purāṇa 48.2 ✓ verified against the edition
सौभाग्यदायिनी राजन्निहलोके परत्र च । वैशाखकृष्णपक्षे तु नाम्ना चैव वरूथिनी ॥ 2 ॥

Giver of good fortune, O king, in this world and the next: the one in the dark fortnight of Vaiśākha is, by name, Varūthinī.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: Māndhātā and Dhundhumāra, named as kings who kept it

Mohinī

Vaiśākha · bright fortnight (śukla)

Padma Purāṇa 49.7 ✓ verified against the edition
वैशाखस्य सिते पक्षे राम चैकादशी भवेत् । मोहिनी नाम सा प्रोक्ता सर्वपापहरापराः ॥ 7 ॥

In the bright fortnight of Vaiśākha, O Rāma, the Ekādaśī that falls is called Mohinī, the supreme remover of all sin.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: Dhṛṣṭabuddhi, son of the merchant Dhanapāla, and the sage Kauṇḍinya; Rāma is the questioner

Aparā

Vaiśākha · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa)

Padma Purāṇa 50.3 ✓ verified against the edition
अपरा नाम राजेंद्र अपरा पुत्रदायिनी । लोके प्रसिद्धितां याति अपरां यस्तु सेवते ॥ 3 ॥

Her name is Aparā, O king of kings; Aparā grants sons; whoever keeps Aparā attains renown in the world.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

Nirjalā

Jyeṣṭha · bright fortnight (śukla)

Padma Purāṇa 51.19 ✓ verified against the edition
वृषस्थे मिथुनस्थे वा यदा चैकादशी भवेत् । ज्येष्ठमासे प्रयत्नेन सोपोष्योदकवर्जिता ॥ 19 ॥

When the Ekādaśī falls with the Sun in Vṛṣabha or in Mithuna, in the month of Jyeṣṭha, it is to be fasted with care, without even water.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: Bhīma (Vṛkodara), who cannot bear hunger, and Vyāsa, who gives him this one waterless fast

Yoginī

Jyeṣṭha · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa)

Padma Purāṇa 52.3 ✓ verified against the edition
आषाढस्यासिते पक्षे योगिनी नाम नामतः । एकादशी नृपश्रेष्ठ महापातकनाशिनी ॥ 3 ॥

In the dark fortnight of Āṣāḍha the Ekādaśī is, by name, Yoginī, O best of kings — destroyer of the great sins.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: the yakṣa Hemamālī of Alakā and the sage Mārkaṇḍeya

Śayanī (Devaśayanī)

Āṣāḍha · bright fortnight (śukla)

Padma Purāṇa 53.2 ✓ verified against the edition
कथयामि महापुण्यां स्वर्गमोक्षप्रदायिनीम् । शयनीं नामनामेति सर्वपापहरां पराम् ॥ 2 ॥

I shall tell of the greatly meritorious one, giver of heaven and liberation — Śayanī by name, the supreme remover of all sin.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: Bali and Vāmana — in this recension the three strides are told here, in answer to “how do You sleep, and how do You dwell with Bali?”

Kāmikā

Āṣāḍha · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa)

Padma Purāṇa 54.5 ✓ verified against the edition
ब्रह्मोवाच- । शृणु नारद ते वच्मि लोकानां हितकाम्यया । श्रावणैकादशी कृष्णा कामिका नाम नामतः ॥ 5 ॥

Brahmā said: Hear, Nārada, I tell you for the good of the worlds: the dark Ekādaśī of Śrāvaṇa is, by name, Kāmikā.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: Brahmā teaching Nārada; the worship of Hari with tulasī

Putradā (Pavitrā)

Śrāvaṇa · bright fortnight (śukla)

Padma Purāṇa 55.32 ✓ verified against the edition
श्रावणे शुक्लपक्षे तु पुत्रदा नाम विश्रुता । एकादशी वांच्छितदा कुरुध्वं तद्व्रतं जनाः ॥ 32 ॥

In the bright fortnight of Śrāvaṇa she is famed as Putradā, the Ekādaśī that grants what is wished; keep her vow, O people.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

Padma Purāṇa 55.36 ✓ verified against the edition
द्वादश्यां वासुदेवाय पवित्रारोपणं स्मृतम् । हेम रौप्य ताम्र क्षौमैः सूत्रैः कौशेयपद्मजैः ॥ 36 ॥

On the Dvādaśī the pavitrāropaṇa — the offering of the sacred thread — to Vāsudeva is taught, with threads of gold, silver, copper, linen, silk and lotus-fibre.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: King Mahījit and the sage Lomaśa; the pavitrāropaṇa follows on the Dvādaśī

Ajā (Annadā)

Śrāvaṇa · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa)

Padma Purāṇa 56.2 ✓ verified against the edition
शृणुष्वैकमना राजन्कथयिष्यामि विस्तरात् । अजेति नामतः प्रोक्ता सर्वपापप्रणाशिनी ॥ 2 ॥

Listen with one mind, O king, I shall tell it in full: she is called Ajā by name, destroyer of all sins.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: the sage Gautama, who gives the vow to a fallen king

Parivartinī

Bhādrapada · bright fortnight (śukla)

in the verse: Padmā

Padma Purāṇa 57.5 ✓ verified against the edition
पद्मा नामेति विख्याता नभस्यैकादशी सिता । हृषीकेशः पूज्यतेऽस्यां कर्त्तव्यं व्रतमुत्तमम् ॥ 5 ॥

The bright Ekādaśī of Nabhasya (Bhādrapada) is famed by the name Padmā; on it Hṛṣīkeśa is worshipped and the excellent vow is to be kept.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: the emperor Māndhātā, whose kingdom has no rain for three years

Indirā

Bhādrapada · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa)

Padma Purāṇa 58.2 ✓ verified against the edition
आश्विने कृष्णपक्षे तु इंदिरा नाम नामतः । तस्या व्रतप्रभावेन महापापं प्रणश्यति ॥ 2 ॥

In the dark fortnight of Āśvina she is, by name, Indirā; by the power of her vow great sin perishes.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: King Indrasena, whose father asks for the merit of this vow

Pāpāṅkuśā

Āśvina · bright fortnight (śukla)

Padma Purāṇa 59.3 ✓ verified against the edition
पापांकुशेति विख्याता सर्वपापहरा परा । पद्मनाभाभिधानं मां पूजयेत्तत्र मानवः ॥ 3 ॥

She is famed as Pāpāṅkuśā, the supreme remover of all sin; on it a person should worship Me under the name Padmanābha.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: the worship of Viṣṇu as Padmanābha

Ramā

Āśvina · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa)

Padma Purāṇa 60.2 ✓ verified against the edition
श्रूयतां राजशार्दूल कथयामि तवाग्रतः । कार्त्तिके कृष्णपक्षे तु रमा नाम सुशोभना ॥ 2 ॥

Listen, tiger among kings, I shall tell you: in the dark fortnight of Kārttika is the very beautiful one named Ramā.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: King Mucukunda, his daughter Candrabhāgā and her husband Śobhana

Prabodhinī (Devotthānī)

Kārttika · bright fortnight (śukla)

Padma Purāṇa 61.5 ✓ verified against the edition
तावद्गर्जंति तीर्थानि आसमुद्रसरांसि च । यावत्प्रबोधिनी विष्णोस्तिथिर्नायाति कार्तिके ॥ 5 ॥

The tīrthas, down to the ocean and the lakes, boast only so long as Prabodhinī, Viṣṇu’s own tithi, has not arrived in Kārttika.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: Brahmā teaching Nārada; the night on which Govinda wakes, kept with a vigil

Utpannā

Kārttika · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa)

Padma Purāṇa 38.65 ✓ verified against the edition
देवता निर्जिताः सर्वाः स्वर्गभ्रष्टाः कृताः प्रभो । अत्युग्रेण हि दैत्येन मुरनाम्ना महौजसा । इंद्रस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा विष्णुर्वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 65 ॥

All the gods have been defeated and cast out of heaven, O Lord, by the exceedingly fierce and mighty daitya named Mura. Hearing Indra’s words, Viṣṇu spoke.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: the daitya Mura of Candrāvatī, who drives the gods from heaven — the chapter of Ekādaśī’s own origin

Mokṣadā

Mārgaśīrṣa · bright fortnight (śukla)

in the verse: Mokṣā

Padma Purāṇa 39.9 ✓ verified against the edition
मोक्षा नामेति सा प्रोक्ता सर्वपापहरा परा । देवं दामोदरं राजन्पूजयेच्च प्रयत्नतः ॥ 9 ॥

She is called Mokṣā by name, the supreme remover of all sin; on it, O king, one should carefully worship the Lord Dāmodara.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

Padma Purāṇa 39.11 ✓ verified against the edition
मोक्षा चैकादशी नाम्ना महापातकनाशिनी । रात्रौ जागरणं कार्यं नृत्यगीतस्तवैर्मम ॥ 11 ॥

The Ekādaśī named Mokṣā destroys the great sins; at night a vigil is to be kept, with dance, song and hymns to Me.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: King Vaikhānasa and the sage Parvata; Dāmodara is worshipped, with a night vigil

Saphalā

Mārgaśīrṣa · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa)

Padma Purāṇa 40.4 ✓ verified against the edition
सत्यमेतन्न वै मिथ्या धर्मिष्ठानां विशारद । पौषस्य कृष्णपक्षे या सफला नाम नामतः ॥ 4 ॥

This is true and not false, O best knower of the righteous: the one in the dark fortnight of Pauṣa is, by name, Saphalā.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

Padma Purāṇa 40.9 ✓ verified against the edition
सफलायां फलै राजन्पूजयेन्नामतो हरिम् । नारिकेलफलैश्चैव क्रमुकैर्बीजपूरकैः ॥ 9 ॥

On Saphalā, O king, one should worship Hari by name with fruits — with coconuts, areca nuts and citrons.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: Lumpaka, the wayward son of King Māhiṣmata; Hari is worshipped with fruits

Putradā (Pauṣa)

Pauṣa · bright fortnight (śukla)

Padma Purāṇa 41.4 ✓ verified against the edition
पूर्वेण विधिना राजन्कर्त्तव्यैषा प्रयत्नतः । पुत्रदा नाम नाम्ना सा सर्वपापहरा परा ॥ 4 ॥

It is to be kept with care, O king, by the procedure given before; by name she is Putradā, the supreme remover of all sin.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: King Suketumān of Bhadrāvatī

Ṣaṭtilā

Pauṣa · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa)

Padma Purāṇa 42.21 ✓ verified against the edition
तावद्वर्षसहस्राणि स्वर्गलोके महीयते । तिलस्नायी तिलोद्वर्ती तिलहोमी तिलोदकी ॥ 21 ॥

… for so many thousand years he is honoured in heaven. Bathing with sesame, rubbing the body with sesame, offering sesame into the fire, sesame in water —

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

Padma Purāṇa 42.22 ✓ verified against the edition
तिलदाता च भोक्ता च षट्तिलाः पापनाशनाः । कृष्णकृष्ण महाबाहो नमस्ते विश्वभावन ॥ 22 ॥

— giving sesame and eating it: these six sesames (ṣaṭ-tila) destroy sin. “Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, mighty-armed, homage to you, maker of all.”

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: Pulastya telling Dālabhya; the six uses of sesame (tila) that give the day its name

Jayā

Māgha · bright fortnight (śukla)

Padma Purāṇa 43.4 ✓ verified against the edition
कथयिष्यामि राजेंद्र शुक्ले माघस्य या भवेत् । जया नामेति विख्याता सर्वपापहरा परा ॥ 4 ॥

I shall tell you, O king of kings, of the one in the bright half of Māgha: she is famed by the name Jayā, the supreme remover of all sin.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: Mālyavān and Puṣpavatī of Indra’s court

Vijayā

Māgha · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa)

Padma Purāṇa 44.2 ✓ verified against the edition
नारदः परिपप्रच्छ ब्रह्माणं कमलासनम् । फाल्गुनस्यासिते पक्षे विजयानाम नामतः । तस्याः पुण्यं द्विजश्रेष्ठ कथयस्व प्रसादतः ॥ 2 ॥

Nārada asked the lotus-seated Brahmā: “The one in the dark fortnight of Phālguna, Vijayā by name — tell me her merit, O best of the twice-born, by your grace.”

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: Rāma at the ocean and the sage Dālbhya

Āmalakī

Phālguna · bright fortnight (śukla)

Padma Purāṇa 45.3 ✓ verified against the edition
फाल्गुनस्य विशेषेण विशेषः कथितो नृप । आमलकीव्रतं पुण्यं विष्णुलोकफलप्रदम् ॥ 3 ॥

A special observance of Phālguna has been told, O king: the holy Āmalakī vow, which yields the fruit of Viṣṇu’s world.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

Padma Purāṇa 45.4 ✓ verified against the edition
आमलक्यास्तले गत्वा जागरं तत्र कारयेत् । कृत्वा जागरणं रात्रौ गोसहस्रफलं लभेत् ॥ 4 ॥

Going beneath an āmalakī tree one should keep the vigil there; keeping the vigil through the night one gains the fruit of a thousand cows.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: a vigil beneath the āmalakī tree; Jāmadagnya (Paraśurāma) is named in the worship

Pāpamocanī

Phālguna · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa)

Padma Purāṇa 46.4 ✓ verified against the edition
चैत्रमास्यसिते पक्षे नाम्ना वै पापमोचनी । एकादशी समाख्याता पिशाचत्वविनाशिनी ॥ 4 ॥

In the dark fortnight of the month of Caitra the Ekādaśī is known by the name Pāpamocanī, destroyer of the piśāca state.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

In the chapter: the sage Medhāvī, son of Cyavana, and the apsaras Mañjughoṣā

Kamalā (popularly Paramā)

Adhika (intercalary) month · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa)

in the verse: Kamalā

Padma Purāṇa 62.6 ✓ verified against the edition
अधिमासे तु संप्राप्ते भवेदेकादशी तु या । कमला नाम सा नाम्ना तिथीनामुत्तमा तिथिः ॥ 6 ॥

When the intercalary month arrives, the Ekādaśī that falls in it is, by name, Kamalā — the best tithi among tithis.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

Kāmadā (popularly Padminī)

Adhika (intercalary) month · bright fortnight (śukla)

in the verse: Kāmadā

Padma Purāṇa 63.4 ✓ verified against the edition
एकादशी कलौ राजन्भवबंधविमोचनी । कामदा सर्वकामानां पापानां पापहा भुवि ॥ 4 ॥

In the Kali age, O king, the Ekādaśī frees from the bonds of worldly existence: Kāmadā, granter of all desires, destroyer of sins on earth.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

Kinds of Ekādaśī, and the rites around the fast 6
1

Trispṛśā

One civil day touched by three tithis — Ekādaśī, then Dvādaśī, and Trayodaśī before the night is out.

Padma Purāṇa 34.47 ✓ verified against the edition
हत्यायुतशतं हंति त्रिस्पृशा समुपोषिता । एकादशी द्वादशी च रात्रिशेषे त्रयोदशी ॥ 47 ॥

Trispṛśā, when fasted, destroys a hundred ayutas of killings: it is Ekādaśī, then Dvādaśī, and at the end of the night Trayodaśī.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

2

Pakṣavardhinī

Named when the fortnight’s closing Amāvāsyā or Pūrṇimā runs a full sixty nāḍikās and spills into the Pratipad day.

Padma Purāṇa 36.2 ✓ verified against the edition
अमा वा यदि वा पूर्णा संपूर्णा जायते तदा । भूत्वा वै नाडिकाषष्ठिर्जायते प्रतिपद्दिने । अश्वमेधायुतैस्तुल्या सा भवेत्पक्षवर्द्धिनी ॥ 2 ॥

When the Amāvāsyā or the Pūrṇimā runs complete — a full sixty nāḍikās — and continues into the Pratipad day, that is Pakṣavardhinī, equal to ten thousand horse-sacrifices.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

3

Jayā and Vijayā — named by the star

A bright Ekādaśī under Punarvasu is Jayā; a bright Dvādaśī under Śravaṇa is Vijayā. The chapter goes on to Jayantī and Pāpanāśinī in the same way.

Padma Purāṇa 38.5 ✓ verified against the edition
एकादश्यां यदा ऋक्षं शुक्लपक्षे पुनर्वसुः । नाम्ना सा च जया ख्याता तिथीनामुत्तमा तिथिः ॥ 5 ॥

When, on an Ekādaśī of the bright fortnight, the star is Punarvasu, that tithi is known by the name Jayā — the best of tithis.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

Padma Purāṇa 38.6 ✓ verified against the edition
तामुपोष्य नरः पापान्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः । यदा च शुक्लद्वादश्यां नक्षत्रं श्रवणं भवेत् ॥ 6 ॥

Fasting on it a person is freed from sins, without doubt. And when on the bright Dvādaśī the star is Śravaṇa —

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

Padma Purāṇa 38.7 ✓ verified against the edition
विजया सा समाख्याता तिथीनामुत्तमा तिथिः । सहस्रगुणितं दानं यस्यां वै विप्र भोजनम् ॥ 7 ॥

— that is called Vijayā, the best of tithis, on which a gift and the feeding of a brāhmaṇa are multiplied a thousandfold.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

4

Jāgaraṇa — the night vigil

A whole adhyāya is given to the vigil; the Mokṣā chapter says how it is kept — with dance, song and hymns.

Padma Purāṇa 37.1 ✓ verified against the edition
शृणु नारद वक्ष्यामि माहात्म्यं जागरस्य च । यच्छ्रुत्वा मुक्तिमाप्नोति महापापी न संशयः ॥ 1 ॥

Hear, Nārada: I shall tell the greatness of the vigil (jāgara), hearing which even a great sinner attains liberation — of this there is no doubt.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

Padma Purāṇa 39.11 ✓ verified against the edition
मोक्षा चैकादशी नाम्ना महापातकनाशिनी । रात्रौ जागरणं कार्यं नृत्यगीतस्तवैर्मम ॥ 11 ॥

The Ekādaśī named Mokṣā destroys the great sins; at night a vigil is to be kept, with dance, song and hymns to Me.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

5

Dvādaśī — worship after the fast

The fast is on the Ekādaśī; Janārdana is worshipped by rule on the Dvādaśī.

Padma Purāṇa 233.18 ✓ verified against the edition
एकादश्यामुपोष्याथ भक्त्या चैव जनार्दनम् । द्वादश्यामर्च्चनं चक्रुर्विधिना वरवर्णिनि ॥ 18 ॥

Having fasted on the Ekādaśī with devotion, they worshipped Janārdana on the Dvādaśī according to rule.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

6

Pavitrāropaṇa — the thread-offering of Śrāvaṇa

Offered to Viṣṇu in Śrāvaṇa; the text says it completes the whole year’s worship.

Padma Purāṇa 86.1 ✓ verified against the edition
श्रावणे मासि संप्राप्ते पवित्रारोपणो विधिः । यस्मिन्कृते तु देवेशि दिव्यभक्तिः प्रजायते ॥ 1 ॥

When the month of Śrāvaṇa arrives there is the rite of pavitrāropaṇa, by doing which, O goddess, divine devotion arises.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

Padma Purāṇa 86.2 ✓ verified against the edition
पवित्रारोपणं विष्णोः कर्तव्यं श्रद्धया बुधैः । संपूर्णा जायते तस्य पूजा पार्वति वार्षिकी ॥ 2 ॥

The wise should perform Viṣṇu’s pavitrāropaṇa with faith; by it one’s worship for the whole year becomes complete.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

Padma Purāṇa 55.36 ✓ verified against the edition
द्वादश्यां वासुदेवाय पवित्रारोपणं स्मृतम् । हेम रौप्य ताम्र क्षौमैः सूत्रैः कौशेयपद्मजैः ॥ 36 ॥

On the Dvādaśī the pavitrāropaṇa — the offering of the sacred thread — to Vāsudeva is taught, with threads of gold, silver, copper, linen, silk and lotus-fibre.

English rendering by Horā — the edition on file carries a Hindi commentary only.

What the text asks of the day

Read together, the chapters ask for the same few things: the fast on the Ekādaśī (waterless, on Nirjalā); worship of Viṣṇu under the name the chapter gives — Dāmodara, Hṛṣīkeśa, Padmanābha; an offering that suits the day — fruits on Saphalā, sesame on Ṣaṭtilā, tulasī on Kāmikā; the vigil through the night with song and hymn; and worship again on the Dvādaśī before the fast is broken. The japa of the day is the dvādaśākṣarī, oṃ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya, with the Viṣṇu-sahasranāma.

Eclipses (grahaṇa)

Varāhamihira gives both accounts side by side. First the story: the severed head that tasted the nectar and became a graha. Then the science: the Moon enters the earth’s shadow, and at a solar eclipse the Moon covers the Sun — “Rāhu is not the cause”. And then why the rite continues: by Brahmā’s boon Rāhu has a share of the oblation offered at an eclipse.

Bṛhat Saṁhitā 5.1 ✓ verified against the edition
अमृतास्वादविशेषाग्छिन्नमपि शिरः किलासुरस्यैदम् । प्राणैः अपरित्यक्तं ग्रहतां यातं वदन्त्येके ॥ ५.१॥

Some say that this head, though severed from the demon (asura) on account of a taste of the nectar of immortality, was not abandoned by the vital breaths, and thus attained the status of a planet (graha).

Bṛhat Saṁhitā 5.8 ✓ verified against the edition
भूच्छायां स्वग्रहणे भास्करमर्कग्रहे प्रविशतीन्दुः । प्रग्रहणमतः पश्चान् नेन्दोः भानोश्च पूर्वार्धात् ॥ ५.८॥

The truth is: in its own eclipse, the Moon enters the earth’s shadow; in the Sun’s eclipse, the Moon obscures the Sun. Hence the eclipse begins, for the Moon, from the hindward part, and for the Sun, not from the forward part.

Bṛhat Saṁhitā 5.13 ✓ verified against the edition
एवमुपरागकारणमुक्तमिदं दिव्यदृग्भिः आचार्यैः । राहुः अकारणमस्मिन् इत्युक्तः शास्त्रसद्भावः ॥ ५.१३॥

Thus has the true cause of an eclipse been stated by the teachers of divine sight (the astronomer-sages); and it has been said that Rahu is not the true, physical cause in this -- such is the real purport of the science.

Bṛhat Saṁhitā 5.14 ✓ verified against the edition
योऽसौअसुरो राहुः तस्य वरो ब्रह्मणाऽयमाज्ञप्तः । आप्यायनमुपरागे दत्तहुतांशेन ते भविता ॥ ५.१४॥

This boon was ordained by Brahma for that demon Rahu: ‘At the time of an eclipse, you shall have your due share of the offered oblation.’

Bṛhat Saṁhitā 5.16 ✓ verified against the edition
न कथंचिदपि निमित्तैः ग्रहणं विज्ञायते निमित्तानि । अन्यस्मिन् अपि काले भवन्त्यथौत्पातरूपाणि ॥ ५.१६॥

An eclipse can in no way be known merely by omens; omens, in the form of portents, also occur at other times unrelated to eclipses.

The coming eclipses

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