History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c92.221

v7.c92.221

The Agnipurāṇa, Kulārṇava and Śāradātilaka lay down rules about the places where puraścaraṇa of a mantra is to be practised. The following places are commended¹⁸⁰⁷ for those who are engaged in perfecting a mantra, viz holy places, river bank, caves, mountain top, ground near a *tīrtha*, confluence of rivers, holy forests and parks, the root of a *bilva* tree, mountain slopes, temple, seashore, one's own house or any place where the mind (of the sādhaka) feels happy. Rules were also laid down as to the food on which the sādhaka was to subsist during the days of puraścaraṇa viz. food¹⁸⁰⁸ obtained by begging for alms (for *brahmacārin* and *yati*), *haviṣya* food (prescribed for vratas), allowed vegetables, fruits, milk, bulbous roots, barley meal The Mantramahodadhi (25. 66–71) sets out what is *haviṣya* food in *śānti* and proper food in the other cruel rites Rāghavabhaṭṭa (on 16. 56) adds many rules from other sources, such as the sādhaka performing puraścaraṇa should avoid sexual intercourse, flesh, wine, should not speak with women and śūdras, nor speak untruth, nor pamper his senses, should carry on the *japa* from morning till noon, should not allow a break, should repeat the mantra the same number of times every day.