The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c8.s13.44

v1.c8.s13.44

As far as the ordinary Hindus were concerned, they had a much more fervent faith in the Paurāṇic than in the Vedic deities. In their daily life they used to perform the sandhyā and the five great sacrifices recommended by the Smritis. They also occasionally went on pilgrimage to holy places like Prayāga, as the Naḷa king Bhavattavarman did after his victory over the Vākāṭakas.¹ The Paurāṇic vratas had not yet become popular in our age. In fact those portions of the modern Purāṇas which recommend them had not yet been added to these works in our period. The Ekādaśī-vrata was, however, already in vogue; many of the Vākāṭaka grants are made a day or two after the Ekādaśī. Eclipses and Saṅkrāntis were apparently not regarded as particularly suitable occasions for religious charity in our age; no Vākāṭaka grant is to be seen made on their occurrence.