History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.864

v6.c81.864

Saṅkrānti gradually came to be deified and the Devīpurāṇa identified it with Durgā herself. The Devīpurāṇa says 'Devī is all-pervading on account of the division into very small and large parts in the form of year, *ayana*, season, month, fortnight, day and the like Devi bestows rewards in accordance with the divisions into meritorious and sinful (actions)⁵⁵¹ Even one act done at that time (of Saṅkrānti) yields results multiplied crores of times. From *dharma* (righteous acts) increase life, kingdom, progeny, happiness and the like, from *adharma* (unrighteous conduct) spring diseases, sorrows and the like; whatever is donated and whatever japa is performed near (i. e. at the time of) Viṣuva (Meṣa and Tulā) saṅkrāntis and at the *ayana* (Makara and Karkaṭa saṅkrāntis) becomes inexhaustible; the same holds good about Viṣṇupada and Ṣaḍaśīti-mukha'.