History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.1856

v6.c81.1856

*Mārgaśīrṣakṛtya*—Vide KR 442-474, VKK 482-487, NS 209-211, SmK 427-432 The whole of the month is held sacred in the Tamil country and *bhajan* parties go round the whole morning, the Gītā (X 35) avers that Mārg. is the best among months and identifies it with Lord Kṛṣṇa Some of the less important matters may be noted here In Kṛtayuga the gods began the year on the first tithi of Mārg and the sage Kaśyapa created the beautiful Kāsmīra country, therefore celebration should be held on it (KR 452); Mārg śu 12- a person should fast on the 12th tithi on each dvādaśī for a year from Mārg to K and should on each dvādaśī dwell on one of the twelve names of Viṣṇu from Keśava to Dāmodara and offer worship; he becomes *jātismara* (one who recollects actions of previous lives) and reaches that place from which there is no return to this mortal world (Anuśāsana, chap. 109, Br. S. 104. 14–16); on Mārg pūrnīmā the Moon should be specially worshipped as the Moon was sprinkled with nectar on that day, cows should be given salt, one's mother, sister, daughter and female relatives in one's family should be honoured with a pair of new garments, a festival with dance and songs should be held, those who drink wine should taste fresh wine that day; KKN 432–33, KR 471–72 For Dattātreyajayantī on Mārg Full Moon, vide above p. 310.