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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January 2029

Pauṣa → Māgha

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1 Pratipadā 2 Dvitīyā 3 Tṛtīyā 4 Caturthī 5 Pañcamī 6 Ṣaṣṭhī 7 Saptamī 8 Navamī 9 Daśamī 10 Ekādaśī Ṣaṭtilā Ekādaśī 11 Dvādaśī 12 Trayodaśī 13 Caturdaśī 14 Amāvāsyā Solar eclipse · partial +2 15 Pratipadā 16 Dvitīyā 17 Tṛtīyā 18 Caturthī 19 Pañcamī Vasanta Pañcamī 20 Ṣaṣṭhī 21 Ṣaṣṭhī 22 Saptamī Ratha Saptamī 23 Aṣṭamī 24 Navamī 25 Daśamī 26 Ekādaśī Jayā Ekādaśī 27 Dvādaśī 28 Trayodaśī 29 Caturdaśī 30 Pūrṇimā Māghī Pūrṇimā 31 Pratipadā

This month’s festivals 8

3Wed

Wednesday, 3 January 2029

Pauṣa · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa) Tṛtīyā · Āśleṣā

About the day

Lunar month: Pauṣa
Tithi at sunrise: dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa) Tṛtīyā · until 17:03
Nakṣatra: Āśleṣā
Sunrise · Sunset (Ujjain): 07:09 · 17:54

Saṅkaṣṭī Caturthī

Significance

The fourth of the dark fortnight, Gaṇeśa’s monthly vow: saṅkaṣṭa-hara, “the remover of hardships”. The fast is kept until the moon rises. When it falls on a Tuesday it is Aṅgārakī, the most prized of all.

The story from the scriptures

Gaṇeśa Purāṇa, Upāsanā-khaṇḍa; Mudgala Purāṇa

The Gaṇeśa Purāṇa tells that Aṅgāraka (Mars), son of the Earth and the sage Bharadvāja, worshipped Gaṇeśa with long austerity; the Lord appeared to him on a dark fourth that fell on a Tuesday and granted that the day bear his name, and that whoever keeps the vow on it have every obstacle removed. Each month’s Caturthī has its own form of Gaṇeśa and its own story, told at moonrise.

The vrata

A day-long fast, fruit and roots permitted; at moonrise Gaṇeśa is worshipped, arghya is given to the Moon, the kathā is heard and the fast is broken.

Pūjā and havan

Twenty-one dūrvā blades, red flowers, modaka or sesame laḍḍū; the Saṅkaṣṭa-nāśana Gaṇeśa-stotra from the Nārada Purāṇa and the Atharvaśīrṣa are recited.

Mantras and japa 1

ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥

oṃ gaṃ gaṇapataye namaḥ ||

Meaning: Salutation to Gaṇapati, lord of the hosts.

Benefit: Recited before every beginning — removes obstacles and grants success, learning and a steady intellect.

Gaṇapati Atharvaśīrṣa Upaniṣad 7

Scriptural references 2

Gaṇeśa Purāṇa, Upāsanā-khaṇḍa
Nārada Purāṇa (Saṅkaṣṭa-nāśana-stotra)

10Wed

Wednesday, 10 January 2029

Pauṣa · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa) Ekādaśī · Viśākhā

About the day

Lunar month: Pauṣa
Tithi at sunrise: dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa) Ekādaśī · until 00:56 (next day)
Nakṣatra: Viśākhā
Sunrise · Sunset (Ujjain): 07:10 · 17:59

Ṣaṭtilā Ekādaśī

In the Padma Purāṇa · Adhyāya 42

Pauṣa · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa)

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

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.

Read the chapter →

Significance

The eleventh tithi of each fortnight, dearest of all days to Viṣṇu. Eleven stands for the ten senses and the mind; on this day they are turned from food toward the Lord. The Padma Purāṇa gives each of the year’s Ekādaśīs its own name, story and fruit.

The story from the scriptures

Padma Purāṇa, Uttara-khaṇḍa 38 — the birth of Ekādaśī

In the Kṛta age the asura Mura drove the gods from heaven. Viṣṇu fought him for a thousand divine years and then withdrew to rest in the cave Hemavatī at Badarikāśrama. Mura followed, meaning to slay the sleeping Lord — when from Viṣṇu’s own body sprang a radiant maiden, armed, who met the asura in battle and reduced him to ashes with a sound. Waking, the Lord asked who had done this; she answered that she was born of him, on the eleventh day. Pleased, he named her Ekādaśī and granted her wish: that whoever fasts on her day be freed from wrong and come to his abode.

The vrata

A light single meal on Daśamī; on Ekādaśī a full fast, or fruit and milk, with all grains and beans set aside; a night vigil with the names of Hari; and pāraṇa on Dvādaśī morning after sunrise, within the Dvādaśī, after feeding another.

Pūjā and havan

Viṣṇu is worshipped with tulasī leaves, sandal, flowers, lamp and fruit; the Viṣṇu-sahasranāma, the Gītā and the Ekādaśī-māhātmya of the day are read; lamps are lit before the tulasī at dusk.

Mantras and japa 2

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

ॐ नमो नारायणाय ॥

oṃ namo nārāyaṇāya ||

Meaning: Salutation to Nārāyaṇa, the refuge of all beings.

Benefit: The eight-syllable mantra — the Upaniṣad says one who recites it attains full life, prosperity and the abode of Viṣṇu.

Nārāyaṇa Upaniṣad (Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda)

Scriptural references 1

Padma Purāṇa, Uttara-khaṇḍa 36–63

12Fri

Friday, 12 January 2029

Pauṣa · dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa) Trayodaśī · Jyeṣṭhā

About the day

Lunar month: Pauṣa
Tithi at sunrise: dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa) Trayodaśī · until 23:07
Nakṣatra: Jyeṣṭhā
Sunrise · Sunset (Ujjain): 07:10 · 18:01

Pradoṣa Vrata

Significance

The thirteenth tithi at twilight — the hour and a half around sunset when Śiva, having drunk the poison of the churned ocean, danced between the horns of Nandī for the joy of the gods. Worship in this window is held to please him swiftly; a Monday (Soma) or Saturday (Śani) Pradoṣa is prized most.

The story from the scriptures

Skanda Purāṇa, Brāhma-khaṇḍa, Brahmottara-khaṇḍa 6–7; Bhāgavata Purāṇa 8.7

When the hālāhala poison rose from the churned ocean and scorched the worlds, the gods fled to Kailāsa. Śiva, in compassion, gathered the poison in his palm and drank it; Pārvatī pressed his throat, and it stayed there, turning it blue — Nīlakaṇṭha. The Skanda Purāṇa tells that on the thirteenth, at dusk, he danced in gladness while the gods stood round in worship, and relates how a destitute widow’s son and an orphaned prince, taught the Pradoṣa vow by the sage Śāṇḍilya, regained a kingdom by it.

The vrata

A fast from sunrise, broken after the twilight worship; kept on both thirteenths of the month.

Pūjā and havan

In the pradoṣa window: abhiṣeka of the liṅga with milk and water, bilva leaves, lamp and incense; Nandī is worshipped first and the liṅga viewed between his horns; the pradakṣiṇā is done in the half-circle Soma-sūtra manner; the Śiva-pradoṣa-stotra and Rudram are recited.

Mantras and japa 2

ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥

oṃ namaḥ śivāya ||

Meaning: Salutation to Śiva, the auspicious one.

Benefit: The five-syllable mantra at the heart of the Yajurveda — purifies the five elements of the body and steadies the mind in Śiva.

Śrī Rudram, Taittirīya Saṃhitā 4.5.8 — “namaḥ śivāya ca śivatarāya ca”

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् । उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ॥

oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭivardhanam | urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya mā’mṛtāt ||

Meaning: We worship the three-eyed Lord, fragrant, the nourisher of all; as a ripe gourd is freed from its stalk, may he free us from death, not from immortality.

Benefit: The great death-conquering mantra — japa of 108 for health, long life, recovery from illness and fearlessness.

Ṛgveda 7.59.12 (Vasiṣṭha); Śukla Yajurveda 3.60

Scriptural references 2

Skanda Purāṇa, Brahmottara-khaṇḍa 6–7
Bhāgavata Purāṇa 8.7

Māsika Śivarātri

Significance

The monthly night of Śiva, the fourteenth of the dark half, when the waning moon — the mind — is almost still. Those who keep all twelve through the year complete the vow on Mahā Śivarātri.

Pūjā and havan

Evening or midnight worship of the liṅga with water, milk and bilva; a fast through the day; japa of the pañcākṣarī.

Mantras and japa 1

ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥

oṃ namaḥ śivāya ||

Meaning: Salutation to Śiva, the auspicious one.

Benefit: The five-syllable mantra at the heart of the Yajurveda — purifies the five elements of the body and steadies the mind in Śiva.

Śrī Rudram, Taittirīya Saṃhitā 4.5.8 — “namaḥ śivāya ca śivatarāya ca”

Scriptural references 1

Śiva Purāṇa, Koṭirudra-saṃhitā 38

14Sun

Sunday, 14 January 2029

Pauṣa · Amāvāsyā · Pūrva Aṣāḍhā

About the day

Lunar month: Pauṣa
Tithi at sunrise: Amāvāsyā · until 22:55
Nakṣatra: Pūrva Aṣāḍhā
Sunrise · Sunset (Ujjain): 07:10 · 18:02

Solar eclipse · partial Greatest eclipse (IST) 22:42

Bṛhat Saṃhitā · Adhyāya 5

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.

Significance

An eclipse is a parva — a sacred juncture. The tradition treats its hours as the most potent of all for japa, meditation and giving: a mantra repeated through an eclipse is said to bear fruit many times over, and a gift made at its release never decays.

Pūjā and havan

A bath at the first touch; japa of one’s own mantra, the Gāyatrī or the Mahāmṛtyuñjaya through the eclipse; a second bath at release; then gifts of grain, sesame, clothes and gold, and fresh cooking. Darbha grass or tulasī leaves are placed on stored food and water.

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 त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् । उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ॥

oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭivardhanam | urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya mā’mṛtāt ||

Meaning: We worship the three-eyed Lord, fragrant, the nourisher of all; as a ripe gourd is freed from its stalk, may he free us from death, not from immortality.

Benefit: The great death-conquering mantra — japa of 108 for health, long life, recovery from illness and fearlessness.

Ṛgveda 7.59.12 (Vasiṣṭha); Śukla Yajurveda 3.60

Scriptural references 2

Bṛhat Saṃhitā 5
Bhāgavata Purāṇa 10.82 — the eclipse pilgrimage to Kurukṣetra

Maunī Amāvāsyā

Significance

The new moon of silence. In the month of Māgha, when the Sun and Moon stand together in Capricorn, a bath at the confluence of Gaṅgā, Yamunā and Sarasvatī at Prayāga is held to be the most purifying of the year, and keeping mauna — silence — turns the bath inward. It is the chief bathing day of the Māgha Melā and the Kumbha.

The story from the scriptures

Padma Purāṇa, Uttara-khaṇḍa — Māgha-māhātmya; Matsya Purāṇa 104–112 (Prayāga-māhātmya)

The sage Vasiṣṭha told King Dilīpa that no sacrifice, gift or austerity equals the pre-dawn bath of Māgha: “In Māgha the waters call aloud at sunrise — whom shall we purify?” The Matsya Purāṇa records Mārkaṇḍeya’s teaching to Yudhiṣṭhira that at Prayāga, the king of tīrthas, where Brahmā performed the first sacrifice, sixty thousand tīrthas gather in Māgha. Tradition holds that Manu, the first man and the first sage (muni), was born on this day, and that mauna, muni and Manu share one root: the mind made still.

Regional traditions and folklore

At Prayāga the kalpavāsīs — who live the whole month on the sand in straw huts, bathing thrice and eating once — take their most sacred dip, and the akhāṛās of sādhus go in procession to the Saṅgama. Elsewhere people bathe in any river or at home with a little Gaṅgā water, and keep silence until the bath is done, or all day.

Pūjā and havan

Bath before sunrise in silence; arghya to the Sun; tarpaṇa to the ancestors with sesame; gifts of sesame, blankets, warm clothes, grain and ghee; worship of Viṣṇu and recitation of the Gītā or the Viṣṇu-sahasranāma. Silence is broken with the name of God.

Mantras and japa 3

गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति । नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् सन्निधिं कुरु ॥

gaṅge ca yamune caiva godāvari sarasvati | narmade sindhu kāveri jale’smin sannidhiṃ kuru ||

Meaning: O Gaṅgā, Yamunā, Godāvarī, Sarasvatī, Narmadā, Sindhu and Kāverī — be present in this water.

Benefit: Recited over the bathing water — it brings the seven sacred rivers to wherever the bather stands.

Traditional snāna-mantra

ॐ नमो नारायणाय ॥

oṃ namo nārāyaṇāya ||

Meaning: Salutation to Nārāyaṇa, the refuge of all beings.

Benefit: The eight-syllable mantra — the Upaniṣad says one who recites it attains full life, prosperity and the abode of Viṣṇu.

Nārāyaṇa Upaniṣad (Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda)

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)

Scriptural references 2

Padma Purāṇa, Uttara-khaṇḍa, Māgha-māhātmya
Matsya Purāṇa 104–112

Makara Saṅkrānti — Poṅgal, Uttarāyaṇa, Māgha Bihu; Lohṛī on its eve

Significance

The Sun enters Capricorn and begins his northward course, Uttarāyaṇa — the six months the Gītā calls the path of light. It is the great solar festival of harvest and thanksgiving: the Sun, the cattle and the earth are honoured, sesame and jaggery are shared, and a bath in a sacred river carries special merit.

The story from the scriptures

Mahābhārata, Bhīṣma-parva 114–115 and Anuśāsana-parva 153–154; Bhagavad Gītā 8.24

Bhīṣma, grandsire of the Kurus, fell on the tenth day of the war, pierced by so many arrows that his body did not touch the ground. He had from his father the boon of choosing the hour of his death, and seeing the Sun still on his southern course, he resolved to wait. For fifty-eight nights he lay on the bed of arrows, teaching Yudhiṣṭhira the whole of dharma — the duties of kings, the ways of peace, the thousand names of Viṣṇu. When the Sun turned north he said, “The blessed month of Māgha has come,” took leave of all, fixed his mind on Kṛṣṇa standing before him, and let his breath pass out through the crown of his head.

Regional traditions and folklore

Tamil Nadu keeps four days of Poṅgal — Bhogi, Sūrya Poṅgal when new rice boils over in a new pot to cries of “Poṅgalo Poṅgal!”, Māṭṭu Poṅgal for the cattle, and Kāṇum Poṅgal. Gujarat’s sky fills with kites for Uttarāyaṇ; Punjab lights the Lohṛī bonfire on the eve; Assam feasts at Māgha Bihu; Maharashtra exchanges til-gūḷ with “speak sweetly”; Karnataka shares eḷḷu-bella; Bengal makes piṭhe and holds the Gaṅgā Sāgara Melā; Kerala’s Śabarimala sees the Makara-jyoti; Uttar Pradesh and Bihar eat khicaṛī and dahī-cūṛā; and Prayāga’s Māgha Melā opens.

Pūjā and havan

Bath at sunrise in a river or with sesame in the water; arghya to the Sun; tarpaṇa to the ancestors; gifts of sesame, jaggery, blankets, khicaṛī, ghee and new vessels — sesame used in six ways: bathing, anointing, offering in fire, giving, eating and sowing. Cows are bathed, their horns painted, and fed the first of the harvest.

Mantras and japa 3

ॐ घृणिः सूर्य आदित्यः ॥

oṃ ghṛṇiḥ sūrya ādityaḥ ||

Meaning: Oṃ — the radiant one, Sūrya, the son of Aditi.

Benefit: The eight-syllable Sūrya mantra — recited with arghya at sunrise for health, eyesight, vitality and a bright intellect.

Sūrya Upaniṣad (Atharvaveda)

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)

अग्निर्ज्योतिरहः शुक्लः षण्मासा उत्तरायणम् । तत्र प्रयाता गच्छन्ति ब्रह्म ब्रह्मविदो जनाः ॥

agnir jyotir ahaḥ śuklaḥ ṣaṇ-māsā uttarāyaṇam | tatra prayātā gacchanti brahma brahma-vido janāḥ ||

Meaning: Fire, light, day, the bright fortnight, the six months of the Sun’s northern course — departing by these, the knowers of Brahman go to Brahman.

Benefit: Kṛṣṇa’s own word on the path of light that opens at Uttarāyaṇa.

Bhagavad Gītā 8.24

Scriptural references 3

Bhagavad Gītā 8.24
Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana-parva 153–154
Sūrya Siddhānta 14 (Saṅkrānti)

Amāvāsyā — the new moon

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

15Mon

Monday, 15 January 2029

Māgha · bright fortnight (śukla) Pratipadā · Uttara Aṣāḍhā

About the day

Lunar month: Māgha
Tithi at sunrise: bright fortnight (śukla) Pratipadā · until 23:31
Nakṣatra: Uttara Aṣāḍhā
Sunrise · Sunset (Ujjain): 07:10 · 18:03

19Fri

Friday, 19 January 2029

Māgha · bright fortnight (śukla) Pañcamī · Pūrva Bhādrapadā

About the day

Lunar month: Māgha
Tithi at sunrise: bright fortnight (śukla) Pañcamī · until 06:40 (next day)
Nakṣatra: Pūrva Bhādrapadā
Sunrise · Sunset (Ujjain): 07:10 · 18:06

Vasanta Pañcamī

Significance

The fifth day of spring, sacred to Sarasvatī — goddess of speech, learning, music and the arts. Everything turns yellow: mustard fields, clothes, saffron rice. Children write their first letters, and books, pens and instruments are laid at her feet. It is a self-standing muhūrta for beginning any study or art.

The story from the scriptures

Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa, Prakṛti-khaṇḍa 4–5; Ṛgveda 2.41.16

The Ṛgveda hails her: “Best of mothers, best of rivers, best of goddesses, Sarasvatī.” The Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa tells that Kṛṣṇa himself first worshipped Sarasvatī and ordained that she be honoured on the fifth of bright Māgha, at the start of study; by her grace Vālmīki received poetry, Vyāsa the power to compose the Purāṇas, and Yājñavalkya, who had lost his learning through his teacher’s displeasure, regained it with a hymn that is still recited. A beloved telling adds that Brahmā, finding his new creation silent, sprinkled water from his kamaṇḍalu, and a goddess in white arose with a vīṇā; as she touched the strings, the winds, the rivers and all creatures found their voice.

Regional traditions and folklore

Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Bihar keep Sarasvatī Pūjā in every school and lane, and children begin writing with Hāte-khaṛi; students do not touch books until the worship is done. Punjab flies kites over mustard fields; Rajasthan wears jasmine garlands; the Sufi shrines of Delhi have kept Basant with yellow flowers since Amīr Khusro. It is also remembered as the day Kāma and Rati are worshipped, and forty days later comes Holī.

Pūjā and havan

The image or a kalaśa is set on yellow cloth; books, instruments, pens and inkpots are placed before it. White and yellow flowers, palāśa blossoms, sandal, yellow sweets, ber fruit and saffron rice are offered; the Sarasvatī-stotra and Sarasvatī-sūkta are recited; a homa with ghee, and children’s akṣarārambha — tracing “Oṃ” in rice.

Mantras and japa 2

सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि । विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ॥

sarasvati namas tubhyaṃ varade kāma-rūpiṇi | vidyārambhaṃ kariṣyāmi siddhir bhavatu me sadā ||

Meaning: Salutation to you, Sarasvatī, giver of boons, who take every form at will; I am about to begin my studies — may success be mine always.

Benefit: Recited before study, music and every new learning — for memory, eloquence and mastery.

Traditional vidyārambha prayer

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)

Scriptural references 2

Ṛgveda 2.41.16; 6.61
Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa, Prakṛti-khaṇḍa 4–5

22Mon

Monday, 22 January 2029

Māgha · bright fortnight (śukla) Saptamī · Revatī

About the day

Lunar month: Māgha
Tithi at sunrise: bright fortnight (śukla) Saptamī · until 11:43
Nakṣatra: Revatī
Sunrise · Sunset (Ujjain): 07:09 · 18:08

Ratha Saptamī

Significance

The Sun’s own day — Sūrya Jayantī — when he is said to have first mounted his seven-horsed chariot and lit the world. A bath at dawn with arka leaves is held to remove seven kinds of wrong gathered over seven births, and to give health; it is also called Ārogya Saptamī and Acalā Saptamī.

The story from the scriptures

Bhaviṣya Purāṇa, Brāhma-parva (Saptamī-kalpa); Sāmba Purāṇa

The Bhaviṣya Purāṇa tells that Sūrya was born to Aditi and Kaśyapa on the seventh tithi, and that the seventh is therefore dearest to him. It tells too of Sāmba, the handsome son of Kṛṣṇa, who through a curse was struck with leprosy; on Nārada’s counsel he went to the bank of the Candrabhāgā, worshipped the Sun through the year with the saptamī vows, and was made whole — and in thanksgiving raised the first temple of the Sun. Another telling is of King Yaśovarmā of Kāmboja, whose only son was born sickly; a sage saw that the boy lacked merit from former lives and prescribed the Ratha Saptamī vow, by which the prince was healed and ruled long.

Regional traditions and folklore

At Tirumala the Lord rides seven vāhanas in a single day, from Sūrya-prabhā at dawn to Candra-prabhā at night — a “half-Brahmotsava”. Koṇārka, Arasavalli and Modhera keep their great day; Karnataka and Tamil homes draw a chariot raṅgolī and boil milk in the open courtyard until it overflows toward the Sun; mass Sūrya-namaskāra is performed in schools.

Pūjā and havan

Bath at aruṇodaya (the red dawn) with seven arka (Calotropis) leaves — one on the head, two on the shoulders, two on the knees, two on the feet — with rice and ber fruit on them; arghya to the Sun from a copper vessel with red flowers and red sandal; pāyasa cooked in the sun on a fire of dried cow-dung; the Āditya-hṛdaya and the twelve names of the Sun.

Mantras and japa 2

ॐ घृणिः सूर्य आदित्यः ॥

oṃ ghṛṇiḥ sūrya ādityaḥ ||

Meaning: Oṃ — the radiant one, Sūrya, the son of Aditi.

Benefit: The eight-syllable Sūrya mantra — recited with arghya at sunrise for health, eyesight, vitality and a bright intellect.

Sūrya Upaniṣad (Atharvaveda)

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)

Scriptural references 3

Bhaviṣya Purāṇa, Brāhma-parva 47–55
Sāmba Purāṇa
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha-kāṇḍa 105

26Fri

Friday, 26 January 2029

Māgha · bright fortnight (śukla) Ekādaśī · Rohiṇī

About the day

Lunar month: Māgha
Tithi at sunrise: bright fortnight (śukla) Ekādaśī · until 17:14
Nakṣatra: Rohiṇī
Sunrise · Sunset (Ujjain): 07:09 · 18:10

Jayā Ekādaśī

In the Padma Purāṇa · Adhyāya 43

Māgha · bright fortnight (śukla)

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

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.

Read the chapter →

Significance

The story from the scriptures

Padma Purāṇa, Uttara-khaṇḍa 38 — the birth of Ekādaśī

The vrata

Pūjā and havan

Mantras and japa 2

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

ॐ नमो नारायणाय ॥

oṃ namo nārāyaṇāya ||

Meaning: Salutation to Nārāyaṇa, the refuge of all beings.

Benefit: The eight-syllable mantra — the Upaniṣad says one who recites it attains full life, prosperity and the abode of Viṣṇu.

Nārāyaṇa Upaniṣad (Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda)

Scriptural references 1

Padma Purāṇa, Uttara-khaṇḍa 36–63

27Sat

Saturday, 27 January 2029

Māgha · bright fortnight (śukla) Dvādaśī · Mṛgaśira

About the day

Lunar month: Māgha
Tithi at sunrise: bright fortnight (śukla) Dvādaśī · until 16:50
Nakṣatra: Mṛgaśira
Sunrise · Sunset (Ujjain): 07:08 · 18:11

Pradoṣa Vrata

Significance

The story from the scriptures

Skanda Purāṇa, Brāhma-khaṇḍa, Brahmottara-khaṇḍa 6–7; Bhāgavata Purāṇa 8.7

The vrata

A fast from sunrise, broken after the twilight worship; kept on both thirteenths of the month.

Pūjā and havan

Mantras and japa 2

ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥

oṃ namaḥ śivāya ||

Meaning: Salutation to Śiva, the auspicious one.

Benefit: The five-syllable mantra at the heart of the Yajurveda — purifies the five elements of the body and steadies the mind in Śiva.

Śrī Rudram, Taittirīya Saṃhitā 4.5.8 — “namaḥ śivāya ca śivatarāya ca”

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् । उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ॥

oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭivardhanam | urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya mā’mṛtāt ||

Meaning: We worship the three-eyed Lord, fragrant, the nourisher of all; as a ripe gourd is freed from its stalk, may he free us from death, not from immortality.

Benefit: The great death-conquering mantra — japa of 108 for health, long life, recovery from illness and fearlessness.

Ṛgveda 7.59.12 (Vasiṣṭha); Śukla Yajurveda 3.60

Scriptural references 2

Skanda Purāṇa, Brahmottara-khaṇḍa 6–7
Bhāgavata Purāṇa 8.7

30Tue

Tuesday, 30 January 2029

Māgha · Pūrṇimā · Puṣya

About the day

Lunar month: Māgha
Tithi at sunrise: Pūrṇimā · until 11:34
Nakṣatra: Puṣya
Sunrise · Sunset (Ujjain): 07:07 · 18:13

Māghī Pūrṇimā

Significance

The full moon that completes the Māgha bath. The month-long vow of the kalpavāsīs at Prayāga closes today, and the merit of the whole month is said to be gained by one who bathes this one morning. The Moon stands in Maghā, the star of the ancestors.

The story from the scriptures

Padma Purāṇa, Uttara-khaṇḍa — Māgha-māhātmya

The Māgha-māhātmya tells of many who were raised by the Māgha bath — among them a band of gandharva maidens and a sage’s son turned to piśācas by a curse, who regained their forms when the sage Lomaśa led them to bathe at Prayāga in Māgha. “Viṣṇu is not so pleased by vows, gifts and austerities,” says Vasiṣṭha, “as he is by the mere bath of Māgha.”

Regional traditions and folklore

The kalpavāsīs take their last dip, give away their bedding and vessels, and carry home a little sand of the Saṅgama. Tamil Nadu keeps Māsi Magham, when temple deities are carried to the sea or tank for tīrthavāri, and every twelve years the Mahāmaham at Kumbakonam. Ravidās Jayantī falls on the same full moon.

Pūjā and havan

Bath before sunrise; worship of Viṣṇu (Mādhava, lord of the month) and Satyanārāyaṇa kathā; gifts of sesame, blankets, cotton, ghee, jaggery and food; tarpaṇa to the ancestors under their own star.

Mantras and japa 2

ॐ नमो नारायणाय ॥

oṃ namo nārāyaṇāya ||

Meaning: Salutation to Nārāyaṇa, the refuge of all beings.

Benefit: The eight-syllable mantra — the Upaniṣad says one who recites it attains full life, prosperity and the abode of Viṣṇu.

Nārāyaṇa Upaniṣad (Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda)

गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति । नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् सन्निधिं कुरु ॥

gaṅge ca yamune caiva godāvari sarasvati | narmade sindhu kāveri jale’smin sannidhiṃ kuru ||

Meaning: O Gaṅgā, Yamunā, Godāvarī, Sarasvatī, Narmadā, Sindhu and Kāverī — be present in this water.

Benefit: Recited over the bathing water — it brings the seven sacred rivers to wherever the bather stands.

Traditional snāna-mantra

Scriptural references 1

Padma Purāṇa, Uttara-khaṇḍa, Māgha-māhātmya

Pūrṇimā — the full moon

Significance

The full moon — the day of fullness, when the mind’s own planet is complete. It is the customary day for the Satyanārāyaṇa vrata, for charity, for honouring the guru and for a bath in sacred waters; each month’s full moon carries its own festival.

The story from the scriptures

Skanda Purāṇa, Revā-khaṇḍa — Satyanārāyaṇa-vrata-kathā

Nārada, grieved by the sufferings of people in the Kali age, asked Viṣṇu for a simple remedy, and the Lord taught him the worship of Satya-Nārāyaṇa — Truth itself as God. The kathā’s five chapters tell of a poor brāhmaṇa of Kāśī, a woodcutter, the merchant Sādhu and his daughter Kalāvatī, and King Tuṅgadhvaja: each prospered by keeping the vow and honouring its prasāda, and each stumbled on forgetting a promise made to the Lord — for truthfulness is the vow’s real offering.

Pūjā and havan

In the evening: a kalaśa and an image or picture of Viṣṇu under a canopy of plantain stems; offerings of tulasī, fruit and the prasāda of roasted wheat flour, sugar, ghee, milk and banana (sapāda-bhakṣya); the five-chapter kathā is read aloud and the prasāda shared with all. Arghya is offered to the risen moon.

Mantras and japa 2

ॐ नमो नारायणाय ॥

oṃ namo nārāyaṇāya ||

Meaning: Salutation to Nārāyaṇa, the refuge of all beings.

Benefit: The eight-syllable mantra — the Upaniṣad says one who recites it attains full life, prosperity and the abode of Viṣṇu.

Nārāyaṇa Upaniṣad (Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda)

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 1

Skanda Purāṇa, Revā-khaṇḍa (Satyanārāyaṇa-kathā)

Reference shelf

The twenty-six Ekādaśīs 26

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

Bṛhat Saṁhitā 5.1 ✓ verified against the edition

अमृतास्वादविशेषाग्छिन्नमपि शिरः किलासुरस्यैदम् । प्राणैः अपरित्यक्तं ग्रहतां यातं वदन्त्येके ॥ ५.१॥

Bṛhat Saṁhitā 5.8 ✓ verified against the edition

भूच्छायां स्वग्रहणे भास्करमर्कग्रहे प्रविशतीन्दुः । प्रग्रहणमतः पश्चान् नेन्दोः भानोश्च पूर्वार्धात् ॥ ५.८॥

Bṛhat Saṁhitā 5.13 ✓ verified against the edition

एवमुपरागकारणमुक्तमिदं दिव्यदृग्भिः आचार्यैः । राहुः अकारणमस्मिन् इत्युक्तः शास्त्रसद्भावः ॥ ५.१३॥

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

Solar eclipse annular Sat, 6 Feb, 2027 · 21:29 IST
Lunar eclipse penumbral Sun, 21 Feb, 2027 · 04:42 IST
Lunar eclipse penumbral Sun, 18 Jul, 2027 · 21:33 IST
Solar eclipse total Mon, 2 Aug, 2027 · 15:36 IST
Lunar eclipse penumbral Tue, 17 Aug, 2027 · 12:43 IST
Solar eclipse annular Wed, 26 Jan, 2028 · 20:37 IST

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