History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.930

v6.c81.930

A brief description of how Śivarātrivrata was performed in ancient times may be gathered from Garuḍapurāṇa I. 124 11-23. After honouring Śiva on the 13th tithi the man who is to undertake the vrata should resolve to observe certain restrictions He should declare 'O God I shall keep awake the whole night on the 14th tithi. I shall make according to my ability worship, gifts, austerities and *homa*. O Śambhu! on 14th I shall take no food and shall take food on the next day. Oh Lord! be thou my refuge for securing enjoyment of happiness and mokṣa'. The person observing the vrata should approach a teacher and should bathe (the liṅga) with *pañcagavya* and with pañcāmṛta. He should repeat the mantra 'Om namaḥ Śivāya'. He should worship Śiva with the upacāras beginning with sandalwood paste and he should offer into fire sesame, grains of rice and boiled rice mixed with ghee. After this homa he should offer *pūrṇāhuti* (an offering made with a full ladle) and listen to music and good stories (about Śiva). He should again offer offerings at midnight, in the 3rd quarter of the night and in the 4th quarter. Having inaudibly repeated the mūlamantra (*om namaḥ Śivāya*) he should pray to Śiva about daybreak to forgive his sins with the words 'O God! I have worshipped in this vrata without obstacles through your favour; O Lord of the worlds! O Śiva! pardon me. Whatever merit I have won this day and whatever has been offered by me to Śiva I have finished this vrata to-day through your favour; O bountiful one! be pleased with me, and go to your abode; there is no doubt that I have become pure by merely seeing you.' He should feed persons who are devoted to contemplating (on Śiva) and should give to them garments, umbrellas and the like; 'O Lord of Gods! lord of all things! that bestoweth favour on people; may my lord be gratified by what I have given with faith.' Having thus prayed for forgiveness, the person undertaking this vrata may carry it on for twelve years. After obtaining fame, wealth, sons and kingdom he may repair to the city of Śiva; he should perform jāgara (on 14th) in all the 12 months of the year; the man undertaking the vrata after feeding twelve brāhmaṇas and donating lamps may secure heaven.