History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.1835

v6.c81.1835

*Mahālakṣmīpūjā*—There are varying views about this vrata. KSS p. 19 and A. K (folio 535b-539b) say—begin on Bh. śu 8 and finish on Āś kr. 8 (by Pūrṇimānta reckoning) and that it is to last for 16 days, on each of which Mahālakṣmī was to be worshipped and stories about her were to be listened to Vide N S pp 153-154, where a similar period is prescribed but it is said that one should, if beginning this vrata for the first time, avoid four dosas, viz there should not be avamādina, the tithi should not be tryahasprk, should not be mixed with 9th tithi, nor should the Sun be in the half of Hasta naksatra In Mahārāstra the pūjā of Mahālakṣmī is performed on Āś śu 8th by young married women at noon and at night all married women join in worship and hold big empty jars in their hands, breathe into them and bend their bodies in various ways, P C (pp 129-132) has a long discussion on this. According to it, this vrata is for both men and women.