How to Observe the Vow of Dvadasi

1-2. O lord, I desire to hear about the rule about Dvadasi* and about (how) the worship of Vishnu should be done on that (day). O great lord, due to your love for me (i.e. since you love me), tell me in detail the power of Ekadashi that removes all sins of men. Mahddeva said:

3-8. O goddess, listen. I shall tell you the rule about Dvadasi. Merely by (one's) remembering it, Vishnu would be pleased. Men fasting on Ekadashi when it has come, are freed from all sins, and reach the highest position of Vishnu. By worshipping Vishnu on Dvadasi all the sin (of one) committed knowingly or unknowingly perishes in a moment. Thousands of horsesacrifices and hundreds of Vajapeya sacrifices do not equal even a sixteenth part af Ekadasl-fast. The excellent Dvadasi (vow) gives merit, wealth, desired objects and salvation also. It fulfils all desires of men. O you of beautiful eyes, there is nothing else that saves (one) from sins like Ekadashi. There is no other vow like that of Ekadashi.

9-16. He who, ignoring Ekadashi, would observe some other vow, asks for begging after abandoning great kingdom which is in his hand. O dear one, all the sin that is committed with the eleven (sensory and motor) organs would perish by means of a fast on the Ekadashi (day). O you of an excellent face, the Puranas repeatedly announce: "One should not eat, one should not eat, when the day of (i.e. sacred to) Vishnu has come." O you of an excellent complexion, there are always certain articles of food prohibited for the castes and stages of life. The more so on the Ekadashi of the bright half and the dark half (of a month). There is no doubt that the Ekadashifast should be observed. If the anniversary day of the death of one's mother and father is on the day on which Ekadashi falls, the presents should be given on the Dvadasi day, but never on the Ekadashi day. Dead ancestors and gods do not eat censured food. On an Ekadashi day one should not eat, should never drink liquor, should not hurt a brahmana. These three (sins) are said to be equal (in gravity). Therefore, on a pure (i.e. unmixed) Ekadashi (day), one should observe a fast. In the three conditions, with speech, body and deeds, an effort should be made (for observing a fast).

17-24. Ekadashi mixed with DasamI should be carefully avoided. (If DasamI continues) at the time of dawn (on the Ekadashi day), it (i.e. the Ekadashi) would be mixed with DasamI. Leaving it (i.e. that Ekadashi day) he should, without (further) thought, observe a fast on the pure (i.e. unmixed) Dvadasi. O goddess, if a part of Ekadashi continues at the sunrise on the Trayodasi day, then Dvadasi remains on that day also. At dawn he should perform all rites. Even if a part of Dvadasi is there, breaking the fast (on that day) is recommended. In this case one should ignore even a pure Ekadashi. There is no doubt about it. Even if a part of the Ekadashi continues on the Dvadasi, when the sun has risen, one should ignore the entire Ekadashi (on the previous day) and observe a fast on that (Dvadasi) day. Having decided the rite like this, one should observe a fast on the day of (i.e. sacred to) Vishnu. Avoiding four meals, one in the evening of the first day, another in the morning of the last (i.e. the third) day, and two on the middle (i.e. the second) day, one should observe a fast. On the DasamI day he should eat once (only), avoid (sexual) union jwith his wife, sleep on the ground, and should remain pure on the next day.

25-32. With his body smeared with (the pulp of) the dhatrlfruit, he should bathe and offer the sandhya (prayer). Intent on (observing) a fast, he should worship Vishnu at night. A devotee of Vishnu should not see, talk with or touch a heretic, one doing a prohibited act, a fallen person or a candala. A brahmana who is not devoted to Vishnu is called a heretic. One who has given up the tuft of hair on the crown of the head and the sacred thread is said to be one remaining (i.e. persisting) in (doing) prohibited acts. One having (committed) major and minor sins is said to be fallen. One belonging to the lowest caste is said to be svapaca. This proper decision is taken by the Vedas. Having worshipped the lord of gods, one should keep awake. With sandal, flowers, lights, garments, ornaments, auspicious mutterings, hymns, salutations, one should devoutly worship (Vishriu) at night. Then in the morning having bathed according to the proper rule with water mixed with TulasI, and having gratified the dead ancestors and deities, one should worship Vishnu, the lord of the world along with Lakshmi, with tender Tulasi-leaves, and fragrant flowers. Then one hundred and eight times he should wave lights (before Vishnu's idol).

33-39. To both of them (i.e. Vishnu and Lakshmi) he should offer a garland made of lotuses. He should also offer them incense, light, articles of food and tambula. One should offer (them) charming food of rice boiled in milk along with sugar, and should offer a tambula with camphor. He should devoutly salute (them) while going round them. One hundred and eight times he should offer oblations into fire with ghee, offering rice boiled in milk with the recital of every re, with (the recital of) the Purusasukta and Laksml-sukta. He should feed the brahmanas, and controlled in speech he himself should also eat. He should pass that great day by the recital of the Puranas etc. That night he, observing celibacy, should sleep on the ground. That lord of Kamala, being thus worshipped on the DvadasI day, is pleased in a moment, and the lord certainly gives all desired objects. O goddess, I have thus told you the excellent vow of DvadasI. What else do you desire to hear? I shall tell that to you.

1-2b. O lord, you told me that one should avoid conversation with heretics, and that it is more censurable than (talking to) a candala. (Tell me) of what kind they are said to be, and with what signs they are marked.

2c-12a. Those who, deluded by ignorance, describe any other deity as being superior to Vishnu, the lord of the world, are said to be heretics. Those who use skulls, apply ash, use bones, have non-Vedic marks, have matted hair and bark-garments though they do not belong to the hermit-stage of life are (said to be) heretics. Those brahmanas who are without such marks dear to Vishnu as conches, discs, iirdhvapundra (upright sectarian marks on the forehead) are said to be heretics. That brahmana who does not follow the practices laid down in the holy texts and codes of laws should be known as a heretic and is condemned among all people. Those that have no devotion for the lord are said to be heretics. He who is free in all acts (i.e. performs all acts as he likes) and offers oblations into fire and gives gifts directed to deities (other than) Vishnu, the enjoyer of the fruit of all sacrifices and the deity of the brahmanas, and who independently does all great acts laid down in the Vedas, should be known as a heretic. He who looks upon god Vishnu as equal to other deities like Brahma, Rudra, would always be (called) a heretic. That brahmana who, in the three conditions, does not recognise Vishnu by means of speech, body and acts, would be a heretic. What is the use of saying much in this regard? Those brahmanas who are not devotees of Vishnu, should never be asked (any question), should never be talked to and should never be seen.

12b-15a. O lord, O best of gods, I am asking (you) a secret. Through love for me tell it. There is a great doubt. The holy texts have condemned wearing (i.e. using) skulls, (applying) ash and (wearing) hide. You wear (i.e. use) them. (Then), O god, for what purpose is it condemned? O lord of gods, O you highly intelligent one, through fickleness of (i.e. natural to) women I am asking it. It may be that due to your great power what is told ought not to be done by you. (But) you have not formerly told me in detail what ought not to be done. Therefore, O lord, please pardon me my question.

15b-17a. Thus by the goddess Shiva was asked in a lonely place, free from people. He told her the great secret, viz. whatever he did. Shiva said:

17b-21a. O goddess, listen. I shall tell you that secret which is very wonderful. O goddess, you should not speak what I have told you among people. O you of a good vow, I shall tell it to you since your body is not separate from mine. In the age of Svayambhuva (Manu) in olden times there were great demons like Namuci, who were very powerful, very valorous, very strong and great heroes. All of them were devoted to Vishnu, were pure, and free from all sins. They followed the practices (laid down) in the triad of the Vedas. All gods, being frustrated, led by Indra, and overcome by fear, approached Vishnu and sought his shelter. Gods said:

21b-22a. O Kesava, you alone can conquer these great demons who cannot be conquered by all gods, and who have washed off their sins with penance. Mahadeva said:

22b-25. Hearing these frightful words of the gods, Vishnu, Purushottama, consoled those regents of the quarters, and said to me: The lord said: O Rudra, O you of mighty arms, O you best god, for deluding the enemies of gods prepare a course of conduct to be followed by heretics. Narrate to them the dark Puranas (i.e. Puranas that will take them astray). O you very intelligent one, also fashion confusing holy texts. There will be brahmanas and great sages who have given themselves away to me.

26-33. Approaching them through devotion for me, tell the vicious ones: Kanada, Gautama, Sakti, Upamanyu, Jaimini, Kapila, Durvasas, Mrkandu, Brihaspati, Bhargava and Jamadagnya are the ten (?) vicious sages. Desiring to do the good of the world, approach them with your power of suggestion (bhavasakti?). By your power increased in viciousness infused into them they will be vicious in a moment. There is no doubt about it. Those brahmanas with greater viciousness caused by you, will narrate the vicious Puranas and doctrines in the three worlds. O god, you yourself, wearing the marks like a skull, hide, ash, bones, fully delude the people in the three worlds. So also you, Shiva, prepare the Pasupata order with its divisions like Kankala, iSaiva, Pasanda and Mahasaiva; so also properly prepare the doctrine having no particular marks and outside the Vedic fold. All the mean men will wear ash, bones etc. and will be insensible. The vicious ones will describe you as the highest (god).

34-36a. Taking to their doctrine all the ancient demons will be averse to me in a moment. There is no doubt (about it). O very powerful Rudra, in my incarnations I too shall worship you in every age to delude the vicious ones. Having upheld this doctrine, they will undoubtedly fall. Mahadeva said:

36b-37. O you beautiful one, having heard what Vishnu had said, I, though having a very large mouth (i.e. though a good speaker) became helpless then. Then having saluted the highest god, I said:

38-43. "O god, if I do what you have said on the earth, it will certainly lead to my destruction. O Vishnu, it is possible for me to carry out this mission. Your command is not to be disobeyed. This is very painful." O goddess, when I spoke like this, Vishnu, having again cheered me up, said: "Let this not lead to your destruction. Do as I order you for the good of the deities. O best god, I shall also tell you about the means for your livelihood." Then with compassion he gave me his thousand names (i.e. the hymn called Vishnusahasranama): "Installing me in your heart, mutter my indestructible formula. The very great, sixsyllabled formula is said to be Brahman, the emancipating one. Those who worship me with devotion obtain salvation. There is no doubt about this.

44-46. (Salutation to) him dark like the petal of a blue lotus, having eyes like lotus-petals, holding a conch, a disc, and the Sarriga bow, and adorned with all ornaments. (To him) having put Oil a yellow garment, having four arms, the dear lord of Janaki. 'Salutation to shri Rama': this excellent formula should be muttered. It removes all sins, and gives salvation even to sinners. Muttering this formula everyday you will be free from blemishes.

47-51a. All that sin produced in you due to having (applied) ash and having bones, has all become auspicious due to the auspicious utterance of my formula. O best god, being gratified I shall destroy all sin. O you of a good vow, devotion to other god than me will not come up. Worship me, the lord, the Supreme Being, mentally in your heart. Obey my order. Due to my love, all this will be auspicious for you." Having thus ordered me, O goddess, he dismissed the hosts of gods. The gods, dismissed by him went to their own abodes. Then gods, led by Indra, requested me. Indra and others said:

51b. O god, quickly do that beneficial act as told by Vishnu now. Mahadeva said:

52-56. O auspicious one, for the good of the gods, I took to the way of the heretics, and had skulls, hides, ash and bones. O auspicious one, as told by Vishnu, I prepared the vicious Puranas and the heretic Saiva doctrines. O sinless one, having entered through my power, Gautama and other brahmanas I proclaimed the texts outside the Vedic fold. Resorting to this doctrine, all the wicked demons became averse to the lord (i.e. Vishnu), and were enveloped in vioiousness. Applying ash to their bodies, covered with (i.e. having) very severe penance, they worshipped me only with flesh, blood and sandal.

57-64. On receiving from me grants of boons, they were haughty with pride and power. They were very much attached to objects of senses, and were full of lust and anger. They, void of goodness and powerless, were then defeated by the hosts of gods. Fallen from all righteous paths, they will go to a mean position in (due) time. Those who, bereft of righteous paths, move on the earth by resorting to this doctrine of mine, always see (i.e. go to) hell. O goddess, (this) my course, that is censured, is thus (followed by me) (only) for the good of the gods. Following Vishnu's order I have (applied) ash and (use) bones. O goddess, this is an external mark intended for deluding the foes. In the heart however, I, always meditating upon god Vishnu, just mutter that emancipating formula, telling about Brahman. It is like the (hymn) Sahasranama of Vishriu, Narayana. O auspicious one, constantly muttering the great six-syllabled formula which increased the Raghu-race, we constantly obtain that Brahman which is filled with the nectar of constant joy, which is permanent happiness. O you of an auspicious face, I have told you all this that you had asked. What else do you desire to hear? Ask me that with affection.

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