History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.1869

v6.c81.1869

*Maunavrata*—(1) after Śrāvaṇa ends (acc to pūrṇimānta reckoning) from Bh. 1st for 16 days; performer should take Dūrvā tendrils made into 16 knots and place on the right hand (on left hand of women); on 16th day silence to be observed in bringing water, grinding wheat, preparing *naivedya* therefrom and at time of eating; worship of Śiva by bathing image or *liṅga* with water, milk, curds, ghee and honey, sugar; then offer flowers &c and say 'May Śiva be pleased'; bestows progeny and all desires; HV II. 482-492, NA 26-27; (2) to be practised for 8, 6 or 3 months or for one month, for half a month or for 12, 6 or 3 days or one day; the vow of silence is said to be capable of securing all objects ('maunam sarvārthasādhakam ' p 880); the performer should not even make the sound '*hum*' while eating, he should give up *himsā* in thought, word and deed; when the vrata ends he should make a linga of sandalwood and offer worship to it with *gandha* and other upacāras and offer golden bell and bell-metal bells in different directions of the temple; offer rich food to devotees of Śiva and brāhmanas; placing on his head a copper vessel in which the linga is deposited he should silently go by the public road to Śiva temple and place the linga to the right of the temple image and worship it again and again; the performer reaches Śivaloka; HV II. 879-883 (from Śivadharma).