Story of Nakṣatrayoga

It is ordained in the Purāṇas that alms-giving on each star or day will be rewarded by particular attainments. This is called Nakṣatrayoga. The Nakṣatrayoga of each star is given below:—

Aśvayuk:

—Those who give horses and chariots as alms on this day, would be born again in a noble family.

Bharaṇī:

—If lands and cows are given to Brahmins on this day, one would get a large number of cows and will become famous in heaven.

Kṛttikā:

—If rice-pudding is given to Brahmins to their satisfaction on this day the giver will attain the prominent worlds after death.

Rohiṇī:

—If milk-rice and venison mingled with ghee is given to Brahmins on this day, his indebtedness to the manes would end.

Mṛgaśiras:

—(Candra nakṣatra). If a milch-cow is given as alms on this day, one would attain heaven.

Ārdrā:

—If fast is taken and gingelly oil is given as alms on this day, the giver will become capable of crossing mountains and trenches.

Punarvasu:

—He who gives bread on this day will be born again in a good family.

Puṣya:

—He who gives gold as alms on this day will enter the world of bright planets.

Āśleṣā:

—He who gives an ox made of silver as alms on this day, will become fearless.

Maghā:

—He who gives gingelly as alms on this day will become prosperous with cows.

Pūrvaphalgunī:

—If ghee-rice is given to Brahmins taking fast on this day, the giver would become happy and prosperous.

Uttaraphalgunī:

—He who gives rice of Nīvara variety mixed with milk and ghee on this day will be honoured in heaven.

Hasta:

—If one gives four horses and an elephant as alms, on this day, one will attain the world of bliss.

Citrā:

—He who gives oxen and perfumery as alms on this day, will enter the parks in which celestial maids play.

Svāti:

—He who gives any sort of wealth as alms on this day will become renowned in the worlds.

Viśākhā:

—He who gives as alms on this day, oxen, milch-cow, grain-box, cart, paddy and diamond will attain heaven.

Anurādhā:

—He who gives cloth, rice and blanket on this day will be honoured in heaven for a hundred yugas.

Jyeṣṭhā:

—If Brahmins are given yams and greens on this day one could realize one’s wishes.

Mūlā:

—The manes will be contented, if Brahmins are given roots and nuts on this day.

Pūrvāṣāḍhā:

—If Brahmins who are expounders of Vedas are given as alms pots of curd, after observing fast, the givers will take birth again in families with many cows.

Uttarāṣāḍhā:

—He who gives milk and ghee to wise men will be honoured in heaven.

Śravaṇa:

—Those who give cloth and rug on this day will enter a white conveyance and reach heaven.

Śraviṣṭhā:

—Those who give cattle, cart and cloth on this day will enter heaven.

Śatabhiṣak:

—Those who give sandalwood and aloe wood on this day, will go to the world of devas (gods).

Pūrvaproṣṭhapada:

—He who gives coins on this day will reach the world of bliss.

Uttaraproṣṭhapada:

—Those who give mutton on this day will be pleasing the manes.

Revatī:

—He who gives cows which could give potfuls of milk, could reach any world. (Mahābhārata Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 64).