Hindu Fasts: Ananga-Trayodashi Fasts

Suta Said:-

0 Vyasa, the vow of Ananga-Trayodashi falls on the thirteenth day of the moon's increase in the month of Margas'irsha; and the god Shiva should be worshipped on the day with the offerings of Dhustura flowers and toothbrushes of Mallika twigs. The votary shall live on honey on the day of the worship in the month of Pousha and make offerings of a variety of confectionaries to the god of love, and worship the god Yoges'vara (Shiva) with Vilva leaves, tooth-brushes of Kadamva twigs, sandal-paste and S'uskulis (Puris and Kachouris). The god Nateshvara should be worshipped with Kunda flowers; and strings of pearls and offerings of Purikas and of Plaksha twigs as tooth-brushes should be made to him. The god Vires'vara should be worshipped with Maruvaka flowers in the month of Phalguna and offerings of sugar, pot herbs and Mandas should be made to him. 0 holy sage, together with the twigs of a Chuta tree as tooth-brushes. The votary shall take nothing but comphor on the day of worship in the month of Chaitra, when the Surupa manifestation of the god shall be propitiated with the offerings of S'uskulis and tooth-brushes of Vata twigs.

In the month of Vais'aka, the god S'ambhu should be worshipped with the offerings of Modakas and As'oka flowers and confections made of treacle as well as tooth- brushes of Audumvara twigs, and nutmeg should be dedicated to him by reciting the Mantra which reads as, "Obeisance to Maharupa." The god Pradyumna should be worshipped with Champaka flowers in the month of Jaishtha; and tooth-brushes of Vilva twigs should be offered to him. The votary shall take nothing but cloves on the day of the Puja in the month of Ashada and worship the god with the flowers of Apamarga. Tooth-brushes of Agaru twigs should be offered to the god by reciting the Mantra which runs as "Om, Obeisance to the god Uma-bhadra. The god should be worshipped with the offerings of Karavira flowers, clarified butter and cushions in the month of S'ravana, and tooth-brushes of Karavira twigs should be dedicated to him with the repetition of the Mantra which reads as "Om, Obeisance to the mace-bearing god who is without any origin."

In the month of A's'vina the god should be worshipped with the offerings of Vakula flowers, cakes and tooth-brushes of Madhavi twigs which should be dedicated to him by reciting the Mantra which runs as, "Obeisance to the god who is the source of perpetual genesis." The Suradhipa (the lord of the celestials) manifestation of the god, should be worshipped in the month of A's'vina when offerings of Champaka flowers, Modakas, and tooth- brushes of catechu twigs should be dedicated to him. The god Rudra should be worshipped in the month of Kart'ika with the offerings of tooth-brushes of Vadari twigs. At the year's end, the Puja should be closed with the offerings of milk, pot herbs and lotus flowers to the deity.

The votary who has been living a life of strict continence from a few days before the date of the worship, shall worship the image of the god of love on a golden throne with the offerings of flowers, perfumes, etc.; and a thousand oblations of Vrihi and sesame seeds should be cast into the sacrificial fire in his honour. The votary shall pass the night is songs and festivities and again worship the god on the morrow, making gifts of bed, cushions, umbrellas, shoes, clothes and metal-utensils filled with seeds, to the Brahmanas. After that, he shall feed the cows and the Brahmanas and think himself as a man who has accomplished the ends of his life. The vow should be thus practised for a year, after which it should be closed. The Vratam under discussion is called Ananga- Trayodashi, a due performance of which is rewarded with health, opulence, a beautiful wife and the blessings of paternity.




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