History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v3.c41.s20: Fast Days.
History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v3.c41.s20
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Fast Days.
v3.c41.s20.1
Al-Beruni describes Hindu fast days in detail. They belong to the Panjab and Kashmir. They are the same as now but there are important variations. He says (Vol. p. 175 Sachau) "The 8th and 11th of the bright half are fast days, the 11th being specially sacred to Vasudeva and they wake all night." The Ekādaśī fast as observed even now is here properly described. The fast on the 8th has practically disappeared. It was sacred to Devī; among Jains it is still observed. The Bhādrapada black Ashtami is described by Al-Beruni as Jamnāshtami. This shows that his months are Pūrṇimānta. "The sixth day of Chaitra is holy to the sun" a fast day not now observed, as sun-worship has nearly disappeared now. "Ashādha day with moon in Anurādhā was observed as a fast day", is not well understood; but the Devaśayanī Ekādaśī is well described. It is a fast day all over India now. "The Śrāvaṇa full moon day was holy to Somnāth." It is not a fast day now, but in Somnāth on the sea-coast its importance must have been great as it is the Nārali Pūrṇimā day when the south-west monsoon gets spent and the sea becomes calm. 'Asvina 8th is holy to Bhagavatī, the fast is broken when the moon rises." This is observed even now especially by women. "The 5th Bhādrapada is holy to the sun. His rays admitted through windows are offered incense and flowers". This must have been a special day of Multan the famous sun temple of which has already been described. The wakening of Vasudeva day in Kārtika (11th) is also mentioned; its special importance when the moon is in Revati is not now known. "It is also the first of the Bhishma Pāncharātra days of fast. Brahmins break fast on the second day." This is also not generally known now. "The sixth day of Pausha is a fast day in honour of the sun." This is the day preceding Rathesaptami, but they do not fast now on this day.
v3.c41.s20.2
"The third day of Māgha is a fast day for women; it is called Gaurītritīyā." Al-Beruni mentions more Tritīyās than one and Akshattritīyā is one of these as will presently appear. It is remarkable that Rāmanavamī fast is not mentioned by him. Probably Rāma was not much worshipped in the Panjab and perhaps this is so even now.