History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.1617

v6.c81.1617

*Pavitrāropaṇa-vrata*—(investing the image of a deity with a sacred cord), HV II 440-453, HK 881-890; Īśānaśivagurudevapaddhati, 21st paṭala, SM 81-90, PC 235-239 deal at great length with this. Pavitrāropaṇa is supposed to make good all defects and mistakes committed in all pūjās and he who does not perform this every year does not secure what he desires and meets with obstacles; the putting on of *pavitra* in the case of the several gods is done on different tithis. In the case of Vāsudeva it may be done on the 12th of Śr. śu. when the Sun is in Karkaṭaka (Crab sign) or on the 12th when the Sun is in Siṃha (Leo) or Kanyā (Virgo) but not when Sun is in Tulā (Libra or Balance). The several tithis for Pavitrāropaṇa in the case of gods are: 1st for Kubera, 2nd-three gods, 3rd Bhavānī, 4th gaṇeśa, 5th Moon, 6th Kārtikeya, 7th Sun, 8th Durgā, 9th Mātṛs, 10th Vāsuki, 11th sages, 12th Viṣṇu, 13th Kāmadeva, 14th Śiva, 15th (pūrṇimā) Brahmā; vide HV II p. 442 and PC p. 238. If one puts on a pavitra on Śiva every day, it may be made of the leaves of certain trees or flowers or kuśas but the fixed yearly pavitra for Śiva is on the 8th or 14th of any of the pakṣas of Āś. (the best), Śr. (middling), Bh. (lowest), but only those who desire mokṣa should do this in dark fortnight, others only in bright one The pavitra may be made of gold, silver, copper or silk, of lotus threads or with kuśas or cotton; the threads should be spun and cut by brāhmaṇa maidens (best), or kṣatriya or vaiśya maidens (middling), or by śūdra ones (lowest). The pavitra should have from 100 knots (best) up to eight. Pavitra means Yajñopavīta and is applied to any string or garland like it put on images of gods. In Mahārāṣṭra 'it is called 'Pomvaṭem'.