History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.474

v6.c81.474

It appears that in Bengal and south India (but not in Mahārāṣṭra) there is worship of Manasādevī in one's own courtyard on a branch of the snuhī plant on the 5th of Śrāvaṇa dark half. The Rājamārtanda has four verses, one of which is quoted below. Samayapradīpa and Kṛtyaratnākara refer to the worship of Manasādevī. The Tithitattva³²² (p. 33) contains the *dhyāna* of Manasādevī taken from Padmapurāṇa. First, there is a sankalpa³²³ about the worship of Manasādevī in order to get rid of the danger from snake-bite, then one offers *gandha*, flowers, incense, lamp and *naivedya* and then Ananta and other *nāgas* are offered worship, the principal item being naivedya of milk and ghee. Nimba leaves are placed inside the house and the performer eats them and also makes brāhmanas eat them The Brahmavaivartapurāna (II) devotes two chapters (45-46) to the birth of Manasādevī, her *pūjā* and stotra (praise) &c. Dr Sukumar Sen has edited in the B I series Vipradāsa's 'Manasāvijaya '