Skandapurana 4.83.75.1

4.83.75.1

The queen said: / “Pay attention, O lord of the earth; I shall narrate in accordance with truth / the procedure of this observance, its fruit, and its presiding deity. / Formerly, before the wife of the bestower of wealth [Kubera], chief among fortunate women, by Brahmā’s son, / Nārada, this observance was proclaimed for one desiring a son. / And it was performed by that goddess, and Nalakūbara became her son; / by many other women as well, sons have been obtained through this observance and others. / Here Gaurī, knowing every ritual procedure, should be worshipped according to the rite, / accompanied by an infant nursing at her upturned breast. / On the third day of the bright fortnight of the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, upon a water-pot / having placed a copper vessel filled completely with grains of rice, / and placing over the vessel an unbroken, new garment, dyed with turmeric, / exceedingly fine, surpassing all others in fineness; / upon that, a handsome lotus opened by the rays of the sun; / upon the pericarp of that, fashioned of four gold pieces, / one should worship the image with devotion, with jewels, silken garments, and the like, / with delightful flowers of various kinds, with fruits, prominent among which are oranges, / with fragrant scents such as sandalwood and the like, camphor, and musk, / with food offerings such as sweet rice, and cooked foods of many varieties, / and with incense, prominent among which is agarwood, in a charming bower of flowers. / At night, a vigil should be kept, remaining awake amidst supreme celebrations. / In an altar fire-pit measuring one cubit, with the verse beginning with ‘Jātavedas’, / bathing [offerings] in clarified butter and honey, the twice-born priest knowing the mantras should make offerings, / using a thousand blossoming lotus flowers himself. / A brown cow that has newly calved, gentle-natured, and yielding abundant milk, / adorned with ornaments and possessing auspicious marks, he should give to the preeminent teacher. / The husband and wife, having fasted with devotion, adorned in new garments, / having bathed in the morning on the fourth day, honoring the teacher with reverence, / full of joy, with garments, ornaments, garlands, and priestly fees, / should offer that idol together with all ritual accessories to the teacher.”