The Agni Purana
by N. Gangadharan | 1954 | 360,691 words | ISBN-10: 8120803590 | ISBN-13: 9788120803596
This page describes Vows observed on the first lunar day which is chapter 176 of the English translation of the Agni Purana, one of the eighteen major puranas dealing with all topics concerning ancient Indian culture, tradition and sciences. Containing roughly 15,000 Sanskrit metrical verses, subjects contained in the Agni-Purana include cosmology, philosophy, architecture, iconography, economics, diplomacy, pilgrimage guides, ancient geography, gemology, ayurveda, etc.
Chapter 176 - Vows observed on the first lunar day
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Fire-god said:
1. I shall describe the vows for the first lunar day which would confer on you everything. The first lunar day of kārttika (November-December), āśvayuji (October-November) and caitra (April-May) are the days of (lord) Brahmā.
2. After having had no food on the fifteenth (lunar) day, one should worship (lord) Aja (Brahmā, the unborn) on the first lunar day (with the words) Oṃ tatsat obeisance to (lord) Brahmā or with gāyatrī for a year.
3. A golden (image of lord) Brahmā (carrying) a rosary and ladle in the right (hand) and a kamaṇḍalu (a wooden or earthen water-pot) and a small ladle in the left (hand) and (having) a long beard and matted hair should be worshipped.
4. According to one’s means one should offer milk, (to lord Brahmā stating) that let (lord) Brahmā be pleased. A brahmin would become stainless, enjoyer of pleasures in heaven as well as on earth and wealthy.
5-6. I shall describe an excellent vow (by practising which) an unfortunate one would become fortunate. After having fasted and offering oblations on the night of the first lunar day of mārgaśīṛṣa (December-January), one would get all (things) by worshipping fire (stating) ‘Obeisance to fire’. Eating food once on the first lunar day and giving a tawny (cow) at the conclusion one reaches the place of lord fire. This is known to be śikhivrata (vow dedicated to fire).