Chapter 208 - Rules and regulations relating to Vows and Gifts (vratadāna)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

[Full title: Rules and regulations relating to Vows and Gifts in general (vrata-dāna-samuccaya)]

Fire-god said:

1-3. I shall describe briefly the vows and gifts in general [i.e., vratadāna]. Whichever vow or whichever gift or whichever article or the routines in whichever time such as the first lunar day and other days, on days such as the (Sunday), in asterisms such as the kṛttikā, in viṣkumba (a particular combination) etc., in the (constellations) aries etc. and at the time of the eclipses, lord Viṣṇu is the governing deity for all these materials, and time. Sun, Īśa, Brahmā, Lakṣmī and all others are the manifestations of lord Viṣṇu.

4-12. The vow, gift, worship and other acts done for him would yield all things. “O lord of the universe! You come here. (Here are) seat, water for washing the feet, waters of libation, the sweet drink, water for sipping, bathing, clothes, perfumes, flower, incense, lamp and offerings. Obeisance to you.” This is the common statement in worship, vow and giving gift. The statement for giving a gift is similar. Listen to me. “Today I offer this article dedicated to Viṣṇu to such and such a brahmin belonging to such and such a gotra. I offer this gift to you for the appeasement of all sins, for increasing the longevity and health, for increasing the fortune, for furthering the progeny in the gotra, for conquest, wealth, piety, desire for prosperity, the removal of that sin, and release from mundane existence. For the sake of the accomplishment of this gift I am giving to you only. May the lord, the master of the world, get permanently pleased with this. O Lord of sacrifice, gift and vow! Give me knowledge, fame and other things. Give me piety, desire, wealth and emancipation, that which is wished by the mind”. Whoever reads this collection of vow and gift daily, would get the desires fulfilled, would become pure and get enjoyment and emancipation. The vows which should be practised under the auspices of different lunar days, weekdays, casterisms, positions of the sun, astral combinations and Manu and the like should not be practised by worshipping god Vāsudeva in one and the same way.