Chapter 194 - Details relating to the vows of Aśoka-pūrṇimā

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Fire-god said:

1-7. I shall describe the (vow of) Aśokapūrṇimā. One should worship Bhūdhara (the supporter of the universe) and the earth on the bright fortnight in (the month of) phālguna (March-April). One would get the whole year enjoyment and emancipation. After having set free a bull in (the month of) kārttika (November-December) one should do the nakta (vrata) (eating food only in the night). One would reach the place of lord Śiva. This Vṛṣa vrata (vow of letting lose the bull) is an excellent one. The offering made to the fore-fathers on the new-moon day relating to the forefathers has undiminishing (benefits). After fasting the whole year and worshipping the forefathers one becomes free from sin and reaches heaven. One who worships the birthless deity (Brahmā) on the fifteenth (lunar day) (new moon) in (the month of) māgha (February-March), would get all (things). I shall describe the new-moon day (known as) the Sāvitrī, that is auspicious and bestows enjoyment and emancipation. A woman should practise vow on the fifteenth day (new moon) in (the month of) jyeṣṭha June-July) and worship the great chaste woman (Sāvitrī) at the foot of the banyan tree with seven (kinds of) grains after fasting three nights. Women should deeply embrace the banyan tree (besmearing) with saffron etc. doing dancing and singing in the night and worship (Satyavān and Sāvitrī) in the morning (saying) “Obeisance to Sāvitrī and Satyavān”. The offering should be gifted to a brahmin. After reaching the house one should feed brahmins and eat oneself and request them to go (saying) “May the goddess Sāvitrī be pleased and let (me) get fortune etc.”