Chapter CXVII - The Ananga trayodasi Vratam

Suta said:—O Vyasa, the vow of Ananga-Trayodashi falls on the thirteenth day of the moon’s increase in the month of Margashirsha; 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 Pausha and make offerings of a variety of confectionaries to the god of love, and worship the god Yogeshvara (shiva) with Vilva leaves, tooth-brushes of Kadamva twigs, sandal-paste and shuskulis (Puris and Kachauris). 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 Vireshvara should be worshipped with Maruvaka flowers in the month of Phalguna and offerings of sugar, pot herbs and Mandas should be made to him, O holy sage, together with the twigs ot a Chuta tree as tooth-brushes. The votary shall take nothing but camphor on the day of worship in the month of Chaitra, when the Surupa manifestation of the god shall be propitiated with the offerings of shuskulis and tooth-brushes of Vata twigs. In the month of Vaishaka, the god shambhu should be worshipped with the offerings of Modakas and Ashaka 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 Maha-rupa.” The god Pradyumna should be worshipped with Champaka flowers in the month of Jaishtha; and tooth-brushes of Vilva twigs should he 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 he offered to the god by reciting the Mantra which runs as “Om, Obeisance to the god Uma-bhadra. The god should he worshipped with the offerings of Karavira flowers, clarified hotter and cushions in the month of shravana, and tooth-brushes of Karavira twigs should he 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 ashvina the god should be worshipped with the offerings of Vakula flowers, cakes and tooth-hrushes 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 ashvina 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 Kartika (Kartika) 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 thonsand oblations of Vrihi and sesame seeds should be cast into the sacrificial fire in his honour, The votary shall pass the night in 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 Vrata under discussion is called Ananga-Trayodashi, a due performance of which is rewarded with health, opulence, a beautiful wife and the blessings of paternity.