History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c37.30

v3.c37.30

The next question is; who are entitled to perform *devapūjā*. Men and women of all varṇas and even the untouchables were to worship Viṣṇu who incarnated himself as man-lion, according to the Nṛsiṁhapurāṇa and Vṛddha-Hārīta¹⁷⁰⁴ (VI. 6 and 256). All the male members of a joint undivided family are to perform separately saṁdhyā, brahmayajña and agnihotra (if they have consecrated the śrauta and gṛhya fires) but devapūjā and vaiśvadeva will be only one for the whole family.¹⁷⁰⁵ The time for devapūjā is after tarpaṇa at noon and before vaiśvadeva; but some place it after vaiśvadeva. According to Dakṣa II. 30-31 all *devakārya* (duties and ceremonies in honour of gods) must be performed in the first half of the day.