History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.1947

v6.c81.1947

*Lalitāvrata*—on M. śu 3rd; bath in a river at midday with sesame and āmalaka, worship Devī with flowers &c; a copper vessel containing water, a piece of gold and akṣatas should be placed before a brāhmaṇa who should sprinkle water from it on the performer with a mantra; the woman performer should donate the gold and drink water in which kuśas are dipped and pass night sleeping on the ground and contemplate Devī, on 2nd day honour brāhmaṇas and a woman whose husband is alive; this vrata is for a year, in each month of which twelve different names of Devī were to be employed in worship (such as Īśānī in 1st, Lalitā in 8th and Gaurī in 12th) and in the 12 months she fasts on śu. 3rd and subsists on one of twelve things in order, viz water made holy with kuśas, milk, ghee &c; at end honour brāhmaṇa and his wife; she secures sons, beauty, health and freedom from widowhood; HV I. 418-421 (from Bhav. U.). Agni (178. 1-2) speaks of Lalitā-tṛtīyā and remarks that on Cai. śu. 3 Gaurī was married by Śiva. Mat 60. 14-15 say the same and Mat. 60. 11 says that Satī is called Lalitā because she is supreme in all worlds and excels them in beauty. At the end of Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa there is a section of 44 chapters on the Lalitā cult.