Chapter CXX - The Rambha Trtiya Vratam

Brahma said:—Now I shall deal with the inode of practising¹ the Rambha-Tritiya-Vrata which brings good luck, and opulence to the votary and blesses him with the pleasures of fatherhood, etc. The votary shall fast on the third day of the moon’s increase in the month of Margashira, procure Water and the blades of the sacred Kusha grass, and worship the goddess Gauri with the offerings of Vilva leaves and toothbrushes made of Kadmava twigs. In the month of Pausha be shall take nothing but camphor on the day of the Vrata and worship the goddess Girisuta (the mountain-daughter) With the offerings of Kuruvaka flowers, Krisharas and toothbrushes of Mallika twigs. In the month of Magha, the votary shall live on a butter regimen on the day of the penance and worship the goddess Subhadra with the offerings of Kalhara flowers, Mandas, and imaginary tooth-brushes formed of the spirit of song and harmony (Gitimayi). In the month of Phalguna, the votary shall take nothing but barley gruel after the Puja on the day of the vow, and Worship the goddess Gomati with the offerings of shaskulis and tooth-brushes of Kunda stems. The goddess Vishalakshi should be Worshipped with the offerings of Madhavi flowers and Krishras, and the votary shall take curd after that and dedicate toothbrushes of Tagara twigs to the goddess. The shrimukhi manifestation of the deity should be worshipped with Karavikara flowers in the month of Vaishaka, the votary eating nothing but the polens of Ashoka flowers and dedicating tooth-brushes of Ashoka twigs to her, therafter. The Narayani manifestation of the goddess should be worshipped in the month of Jaishtha with the offerings of treacle (khanda) and lotus lilies; and the votary shall take nothing but cloves after the Puja on the day. The goddess Madhavi should be worshipped with the offerings of Vilva leaves in the month of Ashada (ashada/Ashada?). The goddess shri should be Worshipped in the month of shravana with the offerings of Kshirannam and tooth-brushes of Audumvara twigs. The Votary shall take nothing but sesame seeds and offer tooth-brushes of Tagara twigs, after that, to the goddess. The goddess Uttama should be worshipped in the month of Bhadra with the offerings of tooth-brushes of Mallika twigs. The votary shall take nothing but shringada after the Puja on the day. The goddess Rajaputri should be worshipped in the month of ashvina with the offerings of Java flowers; and the votary shall eat nothing, but Jiraka on the night of the Vrata. The goddess Padmaja should be worshipped in the month of Kartika with the offerings of Jati flowers, fruits, viands, and Krisharas and the votary shall take nothing but the Panchagavyam, that day. The Vrata should be thus celebrated for a year and closed by feasting a Brahmana pair and distributing confections made of clarified butter to the Brahmanas. After that, Uma and Maheshvara should be worshipped with the usual ceremonial rites; and gold, silver, confectionaries, clothes, and umbrellas should be given to the Brahmanas, the night of the final celebration being spent in songs and revelry.