History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.170

v6.c81.170

There were vratas for the *brahmacārin* (called Veda-vratas) and for the *snātaka* These have been already dealt with in H. of Dh. vol. II pp. 370–374 and pp 412–415 respectively. That vratas (in the medieval sense) existed even in the first centuries before and after the Christian era follows from the Āp Dh S and from the dramas of Kālidāsa, from the Mṛcchakatika and the Ratnāvalī The Āp Dh S II. 8 18 prescribes a vrata for one year which is equal in its merit to brahmacārivrata for 48 years and Āp Dh S II. 8 18-19 to Āp Dh S II. 8 20 prescribe two modes of a vrata to be begun on Tiṣya (Puṣya) nakṣatra to be observed by a person desirous of prosperity Vide S B E vol II. pp 145-148 Hemādri (vrata II p 628 quotes Āp Dh S II. 8. 20 3-9), explains the sūtras and calls this Āpastambokta Puṣyavrata