The Vow of Saptami in Houour of the Sun

Vaishampayana said: 1-3a. Olord, O best of brahmanas, who is the one that daily appears in the sky? Who is he? What is his power? Where is the lord of heat (i e. the Sun) born? What function does he do, as he is very much full of rays? He is fit to be always worshipped by all gods, best sages, Siddhas, Caranas, demons and evil spirits, as well as by human beings like brahmanas and others. Vyasa said'.

3b-4a. (He) is a great lustre of Brahman, and has come out from Brahman's body. Know him to be actually full of Brahman and the giver of (the fruits of the four goals of human life viz.) righteousness, enjoyment, worldly prosperity and salvation.

4b-5a. He is a heap made of spotless rays, is very hot and extremely unbearable. Seeing him, people, tormented by his hot rays, fled away.

5b-6a. Then the oceans, the best small and big rivers etc. became dry; creatures and sick people died.

6b-7. Then gods like Indra and others approached Brahma. They told him this thing and Brahma said to the gods: "O gods, he, the lord, is the first creator of the rays of light (giving) vitality (and is born) from Brahman's body.

8-10. He is actually full of great activity and has the Moon in his body. In the three worlds all the human race, along with the mobile and the immobile, and the gods effecting divine (things), all the viviparous, oviparous beings, insects and plants are protected by these two. We (i.e. I) cannot at all describe the power of this Sun. He has protected, created and nourished the worlds.

11. No one resembles him on account of his protecting all. Seeing whom (i.e. him) at the dawn, heap of sins is destroyed.

12-14a. The men of the brahmana caste and others obtain salvation after (i.e. by) propitaiating him. It is said that the brahmanas, who, knowing the Vedas, have their arms raised at the time of offering the three daily prayers, are very much honoured by gods. All brahmanas, after having worshipped the goddess of the form of Sandhy a, remaining in his disc, obtain heaven and salvation.

14b-16. (Even) the leavings of food fallen on the ground are purified by his rays. One would obtain purity from sin by merely offering the three daily prayers. Those men, who, after seeing a candala, or a killer of cows, or a fallen person, or one suffering from leprosy or full of great sins or covered with (i.e. who has committed) minor sins, see the Sun, are purified (i.e. free) from a great sin1.

17-19a. Merely by worshipping him one is free from all diseases. A man by worshipping the Sun never has blindness, poverty, misery or grief, here or in the next world. Gods like Vishnu, Shiva being invisible, are never seen in the world; they can be seen through meditation. This god is said to be one who is (always) seen." The gods said:

19b-20. He may be pleased by propitiation; let there be waiting upon and worshippig him. (But) O Brahman, his very sight is like the fire at the time of the end of the world. All beings like men and others have been reduced to the state of death (i.e. are dead) on the earth.

21. Due to the power of his lustre, oceans and others have perished. (Even) we are unable to bear his (lustre), (then) how can other ordinary people bear it?

22. Therefore, through your favour (i.e. do favour to us and) tell us the means by which people would devotedly worship the Sun.

23. Hearing (these) words of the gods, Brahma went to the Sun. Having gone to him, he started praising him for the good of all the worlds.

1. Mahapataka — The five great sins are: murder of a brahmana, drinking wine, stealing, having illicit relation with one's teacher's wife, and contact with those who eommit these sins.

24. "O god, you are the untainted eye of all the world. You are actually of the form of Brahman. You are like the fire at the end of the world, who cannot be easily looked at.

25. You always remain in all gods; Vayu is your friend; food etc. in the body is disgested due to you; and also one's life would be (i.e. is) certainly due to you.

26. The creation and destruction (of the world) are due to you, O god; you alone are the lord of the world. Without you all the people would not live (even) for a day.

27. You are the lord, the saviour, the protector, the father and the mother of all the worlds including the mobile and the immobile. The world is sustained due to your favour.

28. O lord, among all gods, there is none like you. Everywhere you are present, the world is sustained by you alone.

29. You create form and smell; the sweetness in liquids is due to you. Thus the Sun, the lord of the universe, is the cause of the stability of everything.

30. O lord, you alone are the pious cause of all the auspicious sacred places and of sacrifices; you are the witness of all, and the mine of virtues.

31. You are omniscient; you are the cause of everything; you take away (everything); you are the protector (of everything); you are always striving. You destroy darkness, sins and diseases; and you remove poverty and misery.

32. You are a great relative in the next and this world; you are omniscient and see everything. Except you there is none who helps all the worlds." The Sun said:

33. O grandsire, O highly intelligent one, the lord of the universe, the cause of everything, O Brahman, quickly speak what best I can do for you..,„ (-;, Brahma said:

34. You are a very hot lustre, very difficult to be borne by people. O lord of gods, act in such a way that it (i.e. your lustre) becomes mild.

35. O lord, I havecrores and crores of strong rays, which (would) destroy the worlds; they do not do anything liked by people. So using (some) instrument, cut them off.

36-37. Then at the words of the Sun, Brahma quickly called Visvakarman, and (he), having fashioned a lathe of diamond, cut off the Sun's rays resembling the fire at the time of universal destruction. With them only he fashioned Vishnu's disc (called) Sudarsana.

38-39. (He also fashioner) the infallible staff of Yama, and the trident of Shiva, and the excellent sword of Kala and the (missile called) sakti causing great delight, and also the excellent weapon of Candika, and a lovely lance. That Visvakarman himself quickly fashioned these at the order of Brahma.

40-41. He also sharpened the other remaining (portion of) the Sun. Then due to the absence of any other means of his birth he was born from Aditi's womb (as the son) of the sage Kasyapa, and so was known as Aditya. He moves on the border of the universe and goes round Meru's peak.

42. So also high up (in the sky), away from the earth at a distance of a lakh yojanas, the planets like the Moon etc. being ordained by Brahma, move there.

43. The Sun, of twelve forms, moves for twelve months. All know that the Samkranti1 is due to his transition.

44. We (i.e. I) shall, O sage, (now) tell (you) all the fruit that is (obtained by one) on these (Samkranti days). (The Samkranti days) on which the Sun enters the Dhanu, Mithuna, Mina and Kanya (signs of the zodiac) are (called) Sadaslti.

45. (That Samkranti day on which he enters) the Vrsabha, Vrscika, Kumbha and Simha (signs) is known as Vishnupadi. Know that the offerings to manes, gifts and worship of deities (performed on) these (days) are eternal (i.e. give an eternal fruit).

1. Samkranti — The passage of the Sun from one zodiacal sign to another. When the Sun passes through Karka or Makara, it is Ayana-Sankranti, and when it passes through Mesa and Tula, it is Visva-Sankranti.

46. The fruit of (such offeringsetc. given) on a Sadasiti is thousands of times greater. The fruit (of such offerings given) on a Vishnupadi has a lakh-fold fruit and of that (given on) an ayana is a crore-fold.

47. That gift given on a VishnupadJ is said to be inexhaustible. I say that it remains with the giver birth after birth.

48. The body does not suffer from cold by giving a piece of cloth in the cold (season). The fruit of giving gold equal to one's own weight and of giving a bed is inexhaustible.

49. He, who, humbly gives a fully furnished bed to a brahmana, the chief of all castes, would get the position of a king.

50. Similarly by giving gold, water on the bank of a river and by giving oil and tambula one would be a king on the earth.

51. By solemnly saluting a brahmana, the wealthy person would get eternally (the fruit of the salutation).

52-53. By gratifying the manes at the dawn of the fifteenth day of the dark half of Magha, one (lives) eternally (in heaven). One (should) also give a cow having golden horns, shining with jewels, having silver hoofs and having big udders made of bell-metal. By giving this (cow) to the best of brahmanas (a man) would become a sovereign king.

54-55. By giving food and ornaments one would become a king — the lord of a province. He, who would give a spotted cow with all the (necessary) articles, becomes free from the sin earned (i.e. committed) during (the past) seven births and would remain eternally in heaven. By giving dainty food to a brahmana he obtains heaven eternally.

56.. Prosperity does not abandon him, who gives grains, cloth, servants, an abode, a seat to the best brahmana.

57. Whatever small or large gift is given (on these) and the day of the anniversary of a yuga1 etc. is inexhaustible in the next world.

58. The worship of a deity, a hymn of praise, listening to a religious discourse purifies a person from all sins and he is honoured in the heaven.

59-60. The third day of the bright half of Magha is known as Manvantari. All the gifts given on that day arc said to be inexhaustible, (and bring to him) wealth, pleasures, kingdom, and residence in heaven for (even in) the next kalpa. Therefore gifts, worship of the good gives an endless fruit in the next world.

61. The Manvantara occurs in Magha. (Similarly) the seventh day of the bright half of Magha is said to be the most auspicious day. It is preserved by the Puranas (i.e. declared to be auspicious).

62 (This) seventh day of the bright half of Magha is (called) Kotibhaskara. Having fasted on this (auspicious day) a man is liberated; there is no doubt about it.

63. This seventh day of the bright half of Magha is comparable to the solar-eclipse (day). Bathing at dawn on that day gives a great fruit.

64-65. (One should recite the following hymn:) 'The seventh day (of Magha) should destroy my sin committed in the (previous) seven births and also my disease and misery. (This) seventh day is the mother of all beings. O you (Saptami) belonging to the Sun1, you have come up on the seventh day, my salutation to you, O goddess (living) in the disc of the Sun.'

66-67. By offering an arka-leaf, a fragrant flower, a badarifruit, keeping all these in a copper vessel with rice, and also a sacred thread with red lead, and offering a very auspicious respectful offering, all the sin committed during the (previous) seven births, perishes.

68. Till (then) he is troubled by (residence in) hells and sinful and painful diseases. He should eat pure food2 made with rice exposed to the Sun.

69. And he should avoid flour, ginger and fruits or roots used as vegetables, a bud, spoilt leaves, plantains, and ghee (prepared from the milk) of a she-goat.

70. It should be free from lice, perfumes. He should avoid bath with hot water. At the time of the vow (in honour) of the Sun he should avoid all (fruits) having few seeds.

71. He, who is observing the vow, should not think of anything else except about righteousness. The vow (in honour) of the Sun is greatly meritorious, and is commended by the Puranas.

72 (A man who practises it) obtains eternally enjoyments like those of the Sun in the heaven for thousands and hundreds of crores of years.

73. (Enjoying in heaven) like this, and after the end of (his residence) in heaven he becomes a very prosperous king on the earth; (and) in the mortal world he again practises the vow (in honour) of the Sun due to his repeated practice (in) the former (births).

74. Then he himself obtains eternal happiness and enjoyments in the heaven; and he obtains (good) health and wealth due to the favour of the Sun.

75. That seventh day of the bright half of Magha which falls on a Sunday is well known as Mahajaya; (the one falling on) any other (day) is known as Vijaya.

76. (The fruit of) Vijaya is a lakh crores, while that of a Mahajaya is endless. Even by (practising) one of these vows he is free from the bondage of birth (and death).

77. He who gives the best horse, gold, red cloth, grains out of love for the Sun, becomes the lord of heaven and earth in succession.

78-79. I shall tell you the difference among these. O brahmana, listen properly. He who gives an excellent horse adorned with best ornaments goes to (i.e. becomes the king of) the earth with (i.e. surrounded by) the seven seas and free from enemies.

80-81. The wise have laid down, as the present to a brahmana, sandal without a horse, but with a masa or two of gold adorned with (i.e. accompanied by) bulls; so also a pot decked with jewels and made of gold. Or by giving only gold he becomes a rich lord of the heaven.

82. He who gives red cloth and grains according to his capacity, becomes the lord of heaven and earth, and prosperity never forsakes him.

83. He becomes healthy, his mind is pleased, he conquers the evil beings and is valorous. As long as the Sun shines (i.e. eternally) he is honoured most.

84. He who practises the vow of the Mayasaptaml as the twelfih in Magha etc., enjoys desired fruit in this world, and is honoured by gods also.

85. A wise man, having duly practised the vow of Arkangasaptaml (falling on a Sunday), becomes purified from sin, and having obtained the desired things in this world, would obtain salvation. <>5. I shall tell (you) the distinctive mark (of this vow) and also the right (to be performed) in every month. Due to the propitiousness of this vow he is honoured by gods in heaven.

87. When the Uttarayana sets in, on a Sunday and on the male asterism in the bright half, one should receive the vow of Saptami.

88 The wise say that Hasta, Maitra (i.e. Anuradha), Pusya, Sravas (i.e. Sravana), Mrga and Punarvasu are male asterisms.

89. It is said that one should eat only once on the fifth day, should eat only at night on the sixth day, should fast on the seventh day, and the fast would be broken on the eighth day.

90. He eats the tip of the Arka tree, pure covvdung, good black pepper, water, fruit and root. At night he should eat, or should eat once a day according to the rules; or (should drink) milk or eat food anointed with ghee. These are told in order (to be the things which he should partake of). Doing (i.e. taking) them in this order and thus observing the vow of the Sun on the seventh day, he obtains the desired fruit.

91. Without touching them with his teeth, he should drink, with water, the tip of the Arka tree, a particular pair of small leaves from the branch of the Arka tree on the north-east of the village. He should also drink with water in a small quantity, without touching with his teeth, pure cowdung not fallen on the ground, holding it with the middle finger and the thumb. He should also diink with water and without touching it with his teeth, an unbruised, old, big, dry, good black pepper. He should also drink water sacred to Vishnu, flowing from the roots of his fingers. Without touching it with his teeth, he should drink with water one of the fruits from among dates and coconuts. The food should be anointed with ghee and should be of the measure of a peacock's egg. The quantity of the ghee should be like that only.

92. When the Sun doubles his shadow, he should know it to be nakta. Nakta is eating at night.

93. He should first worship the deity with fruits, flowers etc. and sacred hymns. Then he should give gift of food according to the rules and proportion.

94. Then (follow) the meditation: He should meditate upon the Sun, especially at the time of worshipping him — the god — who is full of all (good) marks, who is adorned with all ornaments, who has two arms, whose complexion is red, who has held in his hand a red lotus, whose disc is lustrous, who remains in a large (quantity of) water, who is with his attendants, who is seated on a lotus, who is anointed with red sandal.

95-96. Then (he should recite) this sacred hymn: 'We make an offering to Bhaskara, possessing a thousand rays. We think of him. Let that Sun urge us on.'

97. This hymn is said to be very great (i.e. effective) and (when recited) on the seventh day brings victory. (He should worship the Sun) with Karavira and Karanja flowers resembling the red saffron.

98-99. Then, particularly on the eighth day, the fast should be broken. The fast should be broken on the eighth day only and never on the ninth; (for) if the fast is broken on the ninth day he does not get the fruit of the vow. The fast should be broken in the afternoon, and (the food should be) without bitter, pungent or sour articles (of food).

100. He should carefully cleanse the rice, and avoid (blades of) grass or seeds etc. He should also avoid kidney-beans, beans, Sheshamum and ghee.

101. With devotion and according to his capacity he should feed the brahmanas by giving them food with vegetarian sauces and drinks.

102-104. He should suitably distribute presents among the brahmanas. He who observes this vow of Saptami which gives unending fruit, which destroys all sins and increases wealth and (the number of) sons, and he, O best of brahmanas, who, having observed it every month to please the Sun, devoutly breaks the fast, goes to the Sun's heaven. He would live in heaven for a crore of kalpas and then obtain the best position.

105. This alone, is the great secret told formerly by Shiva. By constantly listening to it, and by observing the vow, or by narrating it to the people, the fruit (that one gets) is the same.

1. O revered sir, through your favour I have heard Ae purifying vow. I desire to hear another (vow) which is dear to the Sun. Vyasa said:

2. Skanda, saluting, with his head touching the ground, Shiva, seated comfortably on the Kailasa-peak, said these words:

3. "I have heard in detail from you the vow called 'Arkanga'. O lord, I (now) desire to hear correctly about the fruit of the day etc." The lord said:

4. A man who observes (this) vow should offer a respectful oblation with red flowers on Sunday. By eating only at night food fit to be eaten during days of fast, he is not deprived of heaven.

5. The highest lord, along with his attendants, is pleased with him, who performs all auspicious rites on the seventh day (which falls) on a Sunday only.

6. (Even) by observing the vow once on the seventh day (falling) on a Sunday, he gets the status of a brave man, as long as the Sun is (i.e. shines) in the sky.

7. The vow performed on the seventh day (falling) on a Sunday satisfies all desires, is auspicious, (gives) prosperity, destroys diseases, gives (i.e. takes one to) heaven and salvation and is beneficial.

8. On the auspicious seventh day with (i.e. falling on) a Sunday and Samkranti day, all the worship or vow would become inexhaustible.

9. On a bright Sunday (a man should) worship the chief of planets. He should keep him (i.e. draw his figure) in a circle with an unwashed point, setting it out with energy.

10. Having meditated upon him, having two arms, seated on a red lotus, of a charming neck, dressed in red garments, adorned with red ornaments, lie should drop in the northeastern direction the flower held in both his hands, after having smelt it.

11. (He should recite the sacred hymn:) 'We make an offering to Aditya; we meditate upon Bhaskara. May Bhanu impel us.'

12-13. Then he should do the anointment according to the rite told by his preceptor. At the end of (i.e. after) anointment, (he should present) incense; after the incense (he should present) the lamp; after the lamp (he should make) an offering of eatables; then he should present water. Then he should mutter sacred hymns, do mudras,1 and salute (the deity).

14. The first mudra is anjali, the other one is known as dhenuka. He who would worship the Sun would be absorbed into the Sun.

15. Due to the favour of that Sun, the (Brahma's) skull clinging to my hand and the (sindue to) the murder of Brahman dropped on the bank (of the Ganges) at Varanasl.

16. There is no greater deity than the Sun in the three worlds. Due to his favour I was absolved of the terrible sin.

1. Mudra — Name of certain positions of the fingers practised in devotion or religious worship.

17. O lord, having heard (these) words from you I am amazed. There is no other deity like you. How (did you commit the sin of) the murder of Branman?

18. (For) you are the chief among the wise; you are given to abstract meditation; you are the enjoyer, the imperishable and the immutable one. You alone are great among the gods; you have filled (every) form, and are a great deity.

19. You are omniscient, the giver of boons and the lord of all beings. How then, O lord, is there the possibility of a bad act and especially of anger in your case? Shiva said:

20. O son, we, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, getting separated in each yuga for the well-being of the worlds, do everything.

21. We have neither bondage nor salvation; we have nothing which ought to be done or which ought not to be done. But, for the protection of the worlds we move according to rules.

22. Every (form of ours) is great, removes obstacles and diseases, and accomplishes all objects.

23. This uncensured Sun, though one, divided himself into many (forms) due to difference in time. He shines month by month; and being one becomes (i.e. divides himself into) twelve (forms).

24-26. He is Mitra in the month of Margasirsa. He is eternal Vishnu in the month of Pausa. He is Varuna in the month of Magha; and he is Surya in the month of Phalguna. He would shine as Bhanu in the month of Caitra. He is called Tapana in Vaishakha. He would shine as Indra in the month of Jyestha. He shines as Ravi in Ashadha. He is Gabhasti in the month of Sravana; similarly he is Yama in Bhadrapada. He is Hiranyaretas in AsVina, and Divakara in Kartika.

27. These are the twelve Adityas said (to shine) in each month. They are of large forms, of great lustre and have the brilliance of the fire at the time of the end of the world.

28. He who recites this everyday, incurs no sin, nor does he contract any disease; he does not suffer from poverty, nor from insult.

29. He obtains (i.e. lives in) heaven eternally; he gets, one by one, pleasures of heaven, kingdom and fame. I shall (now) tell the great sacred hymn, causing all happiness:

30-33. 'Om, (my) salutation to Aditya, having a thousand arms. (My) salutation to you, having lotus-like hands. (My) repeated salutation to Varuna. (My) salutation to Timiranasa (i.e. the dispeller of darkness); (my) repeated salutations to Srlsurya. (My) salutation to Sahasrajihva (i.e. having a hundred tongues); (my) repeated salutation to Bhanu. You are Brahma; you are Vishnu; you are Rudra. Salutation to you. You are the fire and the wind in all beings. Salutation to you. You are present in all beings. In this world of mobile and immobile there is nothing (that exists) without you. You are settled in all bodies.'

34-35. Repeating like this, he would obtain (i.e. satisfy), one by one, his desires like that for heavenly pleasures etc. Aditya, Bhaskara, Surya, Arka, Bhanu, Divakara, Suvarnaretas, Mitra, Pusan and Tvastr — (these are) your ten (names). (The eleventh is) Svayambhu and the twelfth is said to be Timirasa.

36. A man, who, after having purified himself, repeats these (twelve) names of"the Sun, becomes free from all sins and diseases and gets the highest position.

37. I shall again tell (you something) else about the magnanimous Bhaskara, viz. the bodies called red, resembling blood (i.e. red), and like red led and tawny.

38-41 a. O Skanda, listen to the principal names (of the Sun): Tapana, Tapana, and Karta, Harta and Grahesvara; he is Lokasaksi (i.e. observing the people in all the three worlds), Vyomadhipa (lord of the sky), Divakara, Agnigarbha, Mahavipra, Svarga, Saptasva-vahana, Padmahasta, Tamobhedl, Rgveda, Yajus and Samaga. For him who would always devoutly remember Kalapriya, Pundarika, Mulasthana (the original place), sanctified by meditation, wherefrom can there be fear from disease?

41b-42a. O Skanda, listen carefully to (the sacred hymn) which removes sin and is auspicious. O you highly intelligent one, do not have the slightest doubt about Aditya.

42b-43. 'Om, salutation to Indra, salutation to Vishnu.' This should be repeated; a rite should be performed and so also the (three daily) prayers. This prayer pacifies everything, and removes all obstacles.

44. It would destroy all diseases like boils, small-pox etc., also jaundice etc., and those diseases which are terrible.

45-47. So also fever lasting for one day, three days or four days; so also leprosy, consumption, colic, and fever; so also stone in the bladder, strangury; so also (similar) other diseases. All those diseases like gout or diseases of the womb, so also great, serious, painful and tormenting diseases, disappear by the uttering of (the name of) Aditya.

48. 'O lord of gods, protect me from the diseases and fears due to the planets.' When (the names of) the Sun (are) recited all of them disappear.

49. I shall tell (you) the original sacred hymn of the magnanimous Sun, which fulfils all desires, which always gives enjoyments and salvation.

50. The sacred hymn is (like) this: 'Om Hram, Hrim, my salutation to the Sun.' Due to this sacred hymn, everything would certainly be obtained.

51-52a. Diseases never afflict him, nor would any undesirable (thing) come to him. A man, who takes the water from the sun-flower, gradually gets free from the disease by merely drinking it.

52b-53. (The sacred hymn) should not be given or told to those who are not devotees, who have no children or to the heretics and should be carefully recited. O son, the water from the sun-flower should be mixed with bitter oil and given for being smelt or for drinking.

54. (The man who uses it) is free from all diseases; and the original sacred hymn should be recited at the time of the daily prayer and at rites.

55. When it is recited, diseases and cruel planets perish (i.e. are ineffective). What is the use of many other sacred texts or very lengthy sacred hymns?

880 Padma Parana all (desired) objects. It should not be given to an atheist, nor to one who censures gods and brahmanas.

57-58. It should be given to him who is devoted to his preceptor; but should never be given to others. A man who, getting up in the morning, recites this, is free from all sins (even though) he has killed a cow or he is ungrateful. He, who would please the Sun, becomes one having good health, wealth, prosperity and success.

59-6la. There is no doubt about this. He, who would recite this hymn, once, twice or thrice everyday in the presence of (i e. by attending upon) the Sun. would obtain the desired fruit. One desiring a daughter gets a daughter, one desiring knowledge gets it, and one desiring wealth gets wealth.

61b-63a. He who, of a pure conduct, would devoutly listen to it, is free from all sins and even goes to the Sun's heaven. If one would recite this sacred hymn at the time of the vow in honour of the Sun, or at the time of observing other vows and sacrifices, at auspicious and sacred places, it would be a crore times fruitful.

63b-65. To a brahmana who recites this in the presence of brahmanas at the time of appeasing a planet, or at the time of meals or worship or meals served to brahmanas, would have endless fruit. He, the very intelligent one. who recites or causes it to be recited in front of ascetics, biahmanas or deities, is honoured in heaven.

1. In Madhya-desa (lived) a supreme, sovereign king known as Bhadresvara. He was pure due to many austerities and vows of many kinds.

2. He always worshipped the deities devoutly. White (spots of) leprosy appeared on his right hand.

3. Then (even) after being treated by physicians, the symptoms of the former (disease) were (still) noticed. Having invited principal brahmanas and ministers he said (these) words (to them). The king said:

4. O brahmanas, there is a disease on my hand, which is unbearable and condemned by the people. Therefore I shall cast my body at a place which is an auspicious, great sacred place. J-Ga. O you heroes, O brahmanas, who are conversant with religious merit, advise me who have no progeny, about my wellbeing here and in the next world, so that (I shall enjoy) welfare in the next world. So being, well-pleased, tell me, what you desire me to do. The brahmanas said: Gb-8a. When you, the intelligent and righteous one abandon this country the (whole) world and this kingdom are doomed. Therefore (please) do not speak (like this). We shall find out a remedy for it. O lord, propitiate the great godwithsacred hymns (in honour) of the Sun. The Ling said: Sb-lOa. O best brahmanas by which means should I please the Sun? O brahmanas, due to this impure (disease viz.) leprosy, which is censured by people, I cannot present myself to the beings, and am condemned (by them). Why should I govern the kingdom? What would be (the fruit) of the propitiation? The buihma as said: ^a. By living here in your own kingdom, and by propitiating the Sun, you, being free from a terrible sin will obtain heaven and salvation. Ilb-12a. Hearing this, the best king, having saluted the excellent brahmanas, undertook the important propitiation of the Sun.

12b-14. Everyday he offered worship (to the Sun) with sacred hymns, offerings and anointments, with fruits of various kinds, with respectful offerings, sacred rice grains, japa flowers, arka-leaves, and karavira and karanjaka flowers, with red saffron and red lead, with flowers of the spring season, and leaves of fragrant plantain trees and their very charming fruits.

15. The king everyday offered respectful offering at the (root of the) audumbara tree to the Sun by facing him.

16-17a. His queens, concubines1, all inmates of the harem, the guards with their wives, and the servants and others everyday offered respectful offering to the Sun.

17b-18a. They worshipped the Sun with hymns pacifying the Sun, with other very powerful hymns etc., and with original and other hymns.

18b-19a. They, being well-composed, observed the Sun's vow. The king gradually put on flesh and was free from the disease.

19b-20a. When the terrible disease was arrested, the king, controlling the entire world, observed the vow of worshipping (the Sun) at dawn.

20b-22a. In the same way, men, along with their wives, offered japa-flower, a banana, with bana-flowers and leaves and other flowers, observed a fast (or) ate at night (only), and offered worship giving great merit and liked by all people, to the Sun.

22b-24a. In this way, Bhaskara (i.e. the Sun), worshipped by the three classes, became pleased, and having come to the king compassionately said (these) words to him: "For the good of all the citizens, ask, along with your followers, for a boon desired by you, which is in your mind." The king said:

24b-25a. Since, O eye of all, you desire to grant a boon of my liking, let all of us have (residence in) heaven with you. The Sun said:

25b-27. O magnanimous one, let your brahmana ministers and other brahmanas, with their wives and attendants, all young and pure (citizens) live, enjoying all pleasures with the divine trees, with fully equipped palaces (high) like trees, with ladies and excellent dances and songs, in my beautiful city.

1. Bhogini — A woman, belonging to a king's harem, but not consecrated with him; a concubine of a king.

28-29. After five kalpas1 you will be the king in a Manuage; and these your men, O king, and priests standing before you, and those men living in your country, will be learned and rich. Then obtaining a boon from me, you will easily obtain heaven.

30. Saying so the eye of the world vanished there only. Then king Bhadresvara with the (inhabitants of his) city enjoyed in heaven.

31. There the yellow insects, along with their progeny etc. enjoyed great and wonderful pleasures on the divine tree.

32. In this way only, kings and brahmanas of praiseworthy vows, and other castes like the ksatriyas quickly went to the Sun's heaven.

33. Some desired wealth, others sons and wives, (others) desired happiness, heaven and sound health through the Sun's favour.

34. The man who, being pure, would recite this auspicious heap of merit, has all his sins destroyed, and is worshipped on the earth like Rudra.

35-37. He would be seeing everything, would be a granter of boons, and dear to Bhaskara (the Sun). A mortal, who is restrained, would obtain the desired fruit. He who daily listens (to the Sun's account) goes beyond all sins, and would be meritorious, rich and an orator in the Sun's assembly. This secret, very secret (vow) has been propagated by Bhaskara. It was narrated to Yama (by Bhaskara) and was narrated by Vyasa on the earth.

1. Due to your grace we ha-,e heard about the power of the lord of planets. O brahmana, (now) tell us about themeans of (pacifying) the planets like the Sun etc.

2. Who are these Sun and others? How can they be pleased? How (can that which is) dear (to them be done)? (At which) time and (which) place is their sight auspicious or inauspicious? Vyasa said:

3. It is the planets etc. that experience the fruits of merit or sin. For the destruction (of the fruits) of the deeds of the world, they bring about what is auspicious and what is inauspicious.

4. The Sun should be known to be the destroyer of time among men and planets. He is powerful in curbing and favouring due to his sharpness and mildness.

5-6a. I 'shall) tell (you) how he can be pleased asaplanet. He who offers oblations to him) with the sprouts (i.e. sticks of) udumbara and palasi, by reciting the sacred original hymn: 'A Krsnena' for (his) pacification, (gets merit).

6b-7a. He should offer (the leaves) anointed with ghee for fulfilling his desire, for curing all diseases and for freedom from bondage due to a murder.

7b-9. With each sacred hymn he should offer (the oblation) a hundred times. He should present a white goat to a brahmana on a Sunday. He should feed the brahmanas with lovely oblations (of food) intended for gods and manes, on the seventh or the fifteenth day of the bright fortnight. A sick person is free from his disease, and will not be troubled by the disease.

10-1 la. In the universe, right from Brahman to a clump of grass, the Sun will be regarded as great, immortal being, (present) in the universe as well as in an atom till the deluge, due to his being the cause of the creation and maintenance (of the world).

11b-12a. He, who moves in the world, is present in the body of men at the time of the creation of life (in them). At the time of their death, he goes from the body with life (i.e. the vital breath).

12b-13a. In the head, the Moon, endowed with the sixteen digits is always (present). With his face bent down he always showers nectar into the body.

13b-14. Due to that the beings, having portions of these great beings, live. (The Moon; nourishes the crops on the earth and the immobile and the mobile. Due to these two i.e. the Sun and the Moon, the world is created and sustained.

15. Due to their propitiation auspicious and very valuable nourishment always follows. A pure person who obtains (their favour), would always accomplish all his undertakings.

16. The life of the mean man, who, through delusion, does not worship the Moon, diminishes, and he obtains (i.e. goes to) hell.

17. (A man should offer the following prayer to the Moon:) 'O spotless Moon, the prop of the digits, the gem on the head of Shiva, O lord of the world, my salutation to you on this second day.'

18. A man who, finding some other day (i.e. even on some other day than the second), offers a salutation to the Moon, would obtain the desired fruit.

19-20. (He should offer the following prayer:) 'O Moon, born from Atri's eyes1, O you pleasing one, O you produced from the sea after its being churned, O you residing on Shiva's crest, my salutation to you. O you Moon of a divine form, the lord of the world, my salutation to you.' The wise ones know (this to be the sacred hymn to be recited) on a night of a bright or a dark half.

1. Atrinetrodbhava — Atri, a celebrated sage and the author of many Vedic hymns, was one of the sons of Brahma. While he was absorbed in meditation, the essence of Soma or the Moon trickled down from his eyes. The presiding deities of the quarters, at the command of Brahma, gladly conceived the foetus, but could not bear it. So it shot out in the form of the Moon.

21. The sacred hymn to be recited is: 'Om hram, hrlm, salutation to Soma.' It should be recited in the morning. He who would thus worship the Moon, or recite to others, or himself listen to (the account of Soma's worship), would be (living) in a nectar-like world birth after birth.

22. He, who, on this earth, praises or worships the Moon with (the recital of his) thousand names, obtains heaven eternally wherefrom rebirth is difficult.

23-24. Thus should be done the worship of Soma. Hearing the (account) without having jealousy for the rite, a wise man, putting the collection (of the materials for worship) in an auspicious brass vessel or a vessel of bell-metal full with curds and ghee — (putting) less or more according to his wealth even in a golden or silver vessel — should offer it to a brahmana having many sons.

25. His good fortune very much excels (even) nectar. Women and men never meet with misfortune.

26. (He should say:) 'I, desiring (good) form and good fortune, offer you the vessel full of curds. Give me good fortune and form residing in the vessel of bell metal.'

27-29. Without (any) prejudice a man should be given according to his capacity. Also new (piece of) cloth etc. should be given). For (obtaining) good form and fortune he should give food complete in all (respects) and a lovely tambula, and garlands of flower etc. He, who thus makes a present to a brahmana in honour of the Moon, has a good form and good fortune in heaven or in the human world.

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