Vratas (fasts) as given in the scriptures

Hindu Fasts: Rambha Tritya Fast

Brahma Said:-Now I shall deal with the mode of practising the Rambha-Tritiya-Vratam which brings good luck, and opulence to the votary and blesses him with the pleasures of fatherhood, etc. The votary shall fast on the third day of the moon’s increase in the month of Margas’ira, procure water and the blades of the sacred Kusha grass, and worship the goddess Gouri with offerings of Vilva leaves and tooth-brushes made of Kadmava twigs. In the month of Pousha he shall take nothing but camphor on the day of the Vratam and worship the goddess Girisuta (the mountain-daughter) with the offering of Kuruvaka flowers, Krisharas and tooth- brushes of Mallika twigs. In the month of Magha, the votary shall live on a butter regimen on the day of the penance and worship the goddess Subhadra with the offerings of Kalhara flowers, Mandas, and imaginary tooth-brushes formed of the spirit of song and harmony (Gitimayi).

In the month of Phalguna, the votary shall take nothing but barley gruel after the Puja on the day of the vow, and worship the goddess Gomati with the offerings of S’askulis and tooth-brushes of Kunda stems. The goddess Vis’alakshi should be worshipped with the offerings of Madhavi flowers and Krishras, and the votary shall take curd after that and dedicate tooth-brushes of Tagara twigs to the goddess. The S’rimukhi manifestation of the deity should be worshipped with Karavikara flowers in the month of Vais’aka, the votary eating nothing but the polens of As’oka flowers and dedicating tooth- brushes of As’oka twigs to her, therafter. The Narayani manifestation of the goddess should be worshipped in the month of Jaishtha with the offerings of treacle (khanda) and lotus lilies; and the votary shall take nothing but cloves after the Puja on the day.

The goddess Madhavi should be worshipped with the offerings of Vilva leaves in the month of A’shad’s. The god- dess S’ri should be worshipped in the month of S’ravana with the offerings of Kshirannam and tooth-brushes of Audumvara twigs. The votary shall take nothing but sesame seeds and offer tooth-brushes of Tagara twigs, after that, to the goddess. The goddess Uttama should be worshipped in the month of Bhadra with the offerings of tooth-brushes of Mallika twigs. The votary shall take nothing but S’ringada after the Puja on the day. The goddess Rajaputri should be wor- shipped in the month of AVvina with the offerings of Java flowers; and the votary shall eat nothing, but Jiraka on the night of the Vratam. The goddess Padmaja should be worshipped in the month of Kart’ika with the offerings of Jati flowers, fruits, viands, and Krisharas and the votary shall take nothing but the Panchagavyam, that day.

The Vratam should be thus celebrated for a year and closed by feasting a Brahmana pair and distributing confections made of clarified butter to the Brahmanas. After that, Uma and Mahes’vara should be worshipped with the usual ceremonial rites; and gold, silver, confectionaries, clothes, and um- brellas should be given to the Brahmanas, the night of the final celebration being spent in songs and revelry.