History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.2021

v6.c81.2021

*Viṣṭivrata* or *Viṣṭibhadrā*—The karaṇas will be described in the section on Kāla They are of two classes, *cara* (moveable) and *sthira* (fixed). The first are seven of which Viṣṭi is one. Vide Br S. 99. 1. Viṣṭi is half of a tithi. The works on astrology raised it to the status of an ill-formed malignant demoness Viṣṭi comprised 30 ghaṭikās which were distributed unevenly in her mouth, throat, heart, navel, waist and tail (respectively 5, 1, 11, 4, 6, 3 ghaṭikās); HV II. 719-724 (from Bhav. U), KN 330, SmK 565-566 describe her as the daughter of the Sun and sister of Saturn, she has the mouth of an ass, three feet &c Viṣṭi was generally destructive and was to be avoided for any auspicious undertaking, but it was a favourable time for destroying enemies or poisoning them (Br. S 99 4); fast on the day that has Viṣṭi; but if Viṣṭi occurs at night then ekabhakta may be resorted to on two days; worship gods and pitṛs and then image of Viṣṭi made of darbhas with flowers &c., naivedya is of kṛśara (dish of rice and peas and spices, *Marathi khicaḍī*); gift of dark garment, dark cow and dark blanket Viṣṭi and Bhadrā mean the same thing Vide HV II 719-724, KN 330, SmK 565-566.