History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.811

v6.c81.811

The first of Kārtika-śukla is regarded as one of the three most auspicious days of the year. The Dharmasindhu⁵¹⁶ remarks that though the three days from the 14th tithi are designated Dīpāvalī yet that day which has Svāti-nakṣatra is most commended. It may be stated that Balipratipadā is often conjoined to Svāti-nakṣatra. On this day also an oil bath is obligatory. The most important item on this tithi is the worship of Bali. The Bhaviṣyottara (140. 47-73) describes this worship of Bali as follows: The king should at night draw the figure of Bali having two arms on a circle made on the ground with five coloured powders; the image should have all ornaments and should have Vindhyāvalī (Bali's queen) near him, should be surrounded by asuras like Kūṣmāṇḍa, Bāṇa, Mura and others, should wear a crown and ear ornaments; the king should himself offer worship in the midst of his palace together with his brothers and ministers with several kinds of lotuses and offer sandalwood paste, incense and *naivedya* of food including wine and meat and employ the following mantra⁵¹⁷ 'salutation to you, O king Bali, son of Virocana, enemy of gods and the future Indra, accept this worship.' Having thus worshipped he should keep awake at night by arranging for dramatic spectacles presented by actors based on stories about kṣatriyas. Ordinary people also should establish inside their houses on a couch the image of king Bali made with white rice grains and worship it with flowers and fruits. Whatever gifts,⁵¹⁸ large or small, are made on this day become inexhaustible and bring delight to Viṣṇu. The Kṛtyatattva (p 453) provides that three *añjalis* of flowers should be offered to Bali The Bhaviṣyottara adds 'this tithi increases the dominion of Bali; baths and gifts made on this tithi in Kārtika yield a hundredfold reward'