Chapter 188 - Vows observed on the twelfth lunar day

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The Fire-god said:

1-14. I shall describe the vows (to be observed) on the twelfth (lunar) day that would confer enjoyment and emancipation. The person practising the vow should eat once in the course of the day food that has been got without seeking alms, or fast or eat food obtained after seeking alms. One who practises the vow of Madanadvādaśī should worship lord Hari and the God of love on the twelfth day in the bright fortnight in the month of caitra (April-May), if he desires enjoyment and emancipation. One who practises Bhīmadvādaśī on the twelfth day in the bright (fortnight) of (the month of) māgha (February-March) should worship (lord) Viṣṇu (repeating) “Obeisance to lord Nārāyaṇa (attribute of Viṣṇu)”. He gets all things. One who practises Govindadvādaśī (should worship) in the bright fortnight of phālguna (March-April). One who performs the Viśokadvādaśī should worship lord Hari in the (month of) āśvayuja (October-November). One who gives salt on the twelfth day of a bright (fortnight) in the (month of) mārgaśīrṣa (December-January) after worshipping lord Kṛṣṇa, is deemed to have given all niceties (of food). One who observes the vow of Govatsadvādaśī should worship a calf in the (month of) bhādra (bhādrapada) (September-October). When the (month of) māgha (February-March) is over and if the twelfth (lunar) day is marked by the (asterism) śravaṇa in the dark (fortnight), it is said to be Tiladvādaśī Bathing and oblation are done with sesamum. Sesamum balls are the offering. A lamp (should be lit) with the sesamum oil. Then water of libation should be given together with sesamum. Sesamum should be given to brahmins. One gets the fruit by doing oblation and fasting. One should worship (with the sacred syllable) Oṃ. Obeisance to lord Vāsudeva. One who practises the vow of Tiladvādaśī reaches heaven with his family. One who performs Manorathadvādaśī should worship in the bright (fortnight) in (the month of) phālguna (March-April). One who practises the vow of Nāmadvādaśī should worship lord Hari for a year with (the recitation of) names Keśava and others. That person would reach heaven and not hell. One becomes the performer of the vow of Sumatadvādaśī by the worship (of the lord) in the bright (fortnight) in (the month of) phālguna (March-April) and the performer of the vow of Anantadvādaśī in the bright (fortnight) in the month of bhādrapada (September-October). A person who performs Tiladvādaśī should do oblations with sesamum and worship (the lord saying) “Obeisance to (lord) Kṛṣṇa” in the asterisms of āśleṣā or mūlā in (the month of) māgha (February-March). The performer (of the vow) of Sugatidvādaśī should worship (the lord) in the bright (fortnight) in (the month of) phālguna (March-April). (One should worship the lord) for a year (on the twelfth days) (saying) “O Victorious Kṛṣṇa! Obeisance to you” to get enjoyment and emancipation. One is (known to be) the performer of Samprāptidvādaśī (by the worship of the lord) on the twelfth day in the bright (fortnight) of pauṣa (January-February).