Sage Durvasa outlined the ‘Vrata Vidhan’ of ‘Sukla Dwadasi’ Vratas to Satyapal, which mostly related to the importance of Lord Vishnu’s Ten Incarnations.

Matsya Vrata related to the rescue of Devi Bhumi by Lord Vishnu from Rasatala in the Incarnation of Matsya is to be performed in the month of Margaseersha. On Dashami day itself, Deva Puja and Havan to Agni are executed and Havan Prasad be consumed. On the following Ekadasi day, one should perform fast and worship to Pundarikaksha by the ‘Sankalpa’or resolve pleading Him that just as He rescued Prithvi, He should rescue him too and recite Om Nano Narayana Manthra. Next morning, Prithvi and Varun (Earth and Water) be invoked and Ashtanga Narayana Puja be performed by touching the concerned limbs of the Deity’s Murthi and reciting the Mantras as follows: Om Keshavayanamah (charanam Pujayami / feet), Damodarayanamah (katim / waist), Narasimhayanah (vurum or two thighs), Srvatsadharinenamh (kantham / throat), Sripathayenamah (Vakshasthal / chest), Trilochanayanamah (Bahum / hands), Swaminenamah (Shiram / head), Rathangadharinenamah (chakra), Shankarayanamah (Shankha), Gambhirayanamah (Gada), and Shantamurthayenamh (Kamal). Then the Puja commences by offering Garland and Chandana to the Kumbha with water.

[‘Shodasopacharas’ (Sixteen Services) to be performed to the Deity installed would be as follows: ‘Avahayami’( Welcome); ‘Suvarnarathna simhasanam samarpayami’ (offering a Golden Throne as improvised); ‘Padayoh Paadyam Samarpayami’ (washing the feet of the Deity); ‘Hastayorarghyam Samarpayami (providing water to clean hands); ‘Achamaneeyam Samarpayami’ (offering water for sipping); ‘Abhishekam’or ‘Suddhodaka Snanam’ (Bathing) while reciting the following Mantra: ‘Om aapohishtha mayo bhuvah thaa na urjey dadhatana Maheranaya chakshasey, Yo vassivatamo rasah thasya bhajayateha nah, usateeriva maatharah, thasma aranga maamavah, yasya kshayaya jinvathaha aapo janaatha cha nah; Snaananatharam Shuddhaachamaneeyam Samarpayami; Vastra yugmam samarpayami ( two pieces of Cloth); wear Yagnopaveetam or the Sacread Thread by reciting the Mantra: ‘Om Yagnopaveetam Paramam Pavitram, Prajaapateryat sahajam purastath, Aaayushyamagryam pratimuncha Shubhram Yagnopaveetam balamastu Tejaha’; offer next Gandham (Sandal paste) by reciting the Mantra: Om Gandhadwaraam duradharshaam nityapushtham kareeshineem Eswareegum sarva Bhutanaam tha mihopahvaye shriyam; then a short Puja of Sixreen names with flowers; Dhupam (Incense) by reciting the Mantram ‘Vanasthyudbhavaihi divyaih naanaa Gandhiih samyutaha Aaghreyah Sarva Devaanam Dhupoyam pratigruhyataam; then Deepam darsayaami (Oil soaked vick lighting) by uttering ‘Saajyam Trivarti Samyuktam vahnina yojitham Priyam, Grihaana Mangalam Deepam Thrilokya thimiraapaham Bhaktya Deepam Prayacchaami Devaaya Paramaathmane thrahimam narakaadghoraat Divya Jyotirnamosthuthe’; offer Pushpam (flowers); then Naivedyam (Offering Full Meal) with the following Mantra: ‘Om bhurbhavah suvah thatsavithurvarenyam Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi Dhiyoyonah prachodayat satyam tvarthena parishinchaami , Amritamastu Amrithopasmtarana masi , Om Praanaya swha, Om Apaanaya swaha, Om Vyanaya swaha Om Samaanaaya swah, Madhye madhye Paaneeyam samarpayami, uttaraaposanam samarpayaami- hastha prakshaalanam samarpayami paaada prakshhalanam Samarpayaami, Suddhaachamaneeyam samarpayami ( by sprinkling water and cirle round the items meant for ‘Naivedyam’and say ‘Satyam tvarthena parishinchami’ during day time or say ‘Rutamtva Satyena Parishinchami’ if the offering is in night; then comes Tambulam (betel and nuts) by reciting the following Mantra: ‘Puugiphalaissa Karpuriah Nagavalleedalairyutham Muktaachurnena samyuktam Thaambulam prathiguhyataam’; therafter there should be ‘Karpura Aaarathi’/ Neerajanam ( camphor lit lighting with hands by showing to the Deity while bells are sounded along with the following Mantra:‘Om Gaanaam tva Ganapatigum havamahe kavim Kaveena mupamasravastamam, Jyeshtha rajam Brahmanaam Brahmanaspata Aaa naha srunvannnuthi bhih seeda saadanam’; then Mantra Pushpa Mantram and Veda Pathanam etc. are offered by reciting the relevant Mantras. Then follows ‘Anyadha Sharanam naasti Mantram’ along with three circumambulations by reciting: ‘Yanikaanicha paapani Janmamtara krithaanicha thani thani Pranasyanthi pradakshina Padey Padey, Paapoham Paapakarmaham Paapaatma Paaapa Sambhavaha, Trahi maam kripaya Deva Sharanaagatavatsalaha, Anyadha Sharanam naasti thvameva Sharanam mamah thasmat kaarunya bhaavena raksha raksha Janaardana. Om Maha Vishnavey Namah, Atma Pradakshina Namaskaran Samarpayami, Chhatram Aachhadayami, Chamaram Veejayami, Nritthyam Darsayami, Geetham Sraavayaami, Andolika marohayami, Ashvaanaanaarohayami, Gajaanaarohayami, Samasta Raajopachaara Shaktyukapachaara Bhaktyupachaara Mantropachaara Pujaam samarpayami; Mantriheenam kriyaaheenam Bhaktiheenam Janardana, Yatpujitam maya Deva paripurnam tha dasthute]
Thereafter, Brahmanas be satisfied with full meal and Dakshina (Charity).
The execution of the Vrath as above would provide longevity, good children, ‘Dhan’ and Dhanya (Prosperity and fame).
Kurma Vrata is on the basis of the Lord Vishnu’s enormous role in His Incarnation as Tortoise to stabilise the massive mountain of Manthara in the context of churning the Great Ocean to produce several holy objects and finally the ‘Amrit’ on Shukla Dwadashi of Pousyha month. The procedure of the Vrata is similar as in the case of Matsya Vrata, excepting the Ashtanga Puja Mantras of Lord Janardana would be ‘Om Kurmayanamah’
(feet), Om Naranayanamah (katim), Om Sankarshanayanamh (abdomen), Om Vishokayanamah ( chest), Om Bhavayanamah ( throat), Om Subahavey Namah ( two hands), and Om Vishalayanamah ( Chakra). The fruits of executing the Vrata with faith and diligence would help yield instant obliteration of sins, excellent family life and salvation.
Varaha Vrata is to celebrate the victory of Lord Keshava over the killing of Demon Hiranyakasipu and uplifting Prithvi. The Vrata is prformed on Shukla Dwadashi of Magha month. The relevant Ashtanga Mantras are: Om Varahayanamah (feet), Om Madhavaya namah (katim), Om Khetrajaya Namah (Stomach), Om Vishvarupayanah
(Chest), Om Sarvajnayanamah (throat), Om Prajapataye namah (Head), Om Pradyumnayanamah (hands), Om Divyastrayanamah (Sudarshan Chakra), and Om Amrithodbhavanamah (Sankham).The ‘Vrata Phal’ or the benefits of performing the Vrath are immediate Sowbhagya, Laksmi and Tripti (contentment).
Nrisimha Vrata is to signify the appearance of Narasimha Deva in the dual form of Man-Lion to liberate Devotee Illustrious Prahlada from the extreme cruelties of Demon Hiranyaksha and is achieved on Shukla Dwadashi of Phalguna month. Other details of the Puja procedure being as in Matsya Vrata indicated above, the Ashtanga Mantras to the Deity’s Murthi would be as follows: Om Narasimhaya Namah (feet), Om Govindaya Namah (Thighs), Om Viswabhujenamah (katim), Om Aniduddhayanamah (chest), Om Sithikanthayanamah ( throat), Om Pingakeshayanamah ( head), Om Asuradhvanshanaya namah ( Chakram), and Om Tayotmane namah (Sankham). Maharshi Durvasa told Satyapal that once a King Vatsa got badly defeated in a war by enemies and took refuge in the Ashram (hermitage) of the renowned Vasishtha. The Sage asked the fugitive King to observe the Narasimha Vrata and taught him about the method of accomplishing it. Lord Narasimha made a rare appearance and pleased King Vatsa, notably due to the perfection with which the Vrat was fulfilled under the best possible of guidance of the famed Vasishtha himself. Even as the Lord appeared before the King, all his enemies fled away and the Kingdom was restored. The Vrat restores one’s confidence, overcomes enemies and vindicates the Victory of devotion and faith.
Vamana Vrata is performed to remind that Deva Deva incarnated as a Dwarf Brahmachari and tricked and humbled the mighty Demon King Bali, not by valour but by wits, by seeking merely three feet of Bhumi for His Tapasya. The Vrata is scheduled on every Shukla Dwadasi of Chaitra Month. The Puja procedure being as above in the Matsya Vrat, the Ashtanga Mantras are to be: Om Vamanayanamaha (feet), Om Vishnavey namah (katim), Om Vasudevayanamaha (abdomen), Om Sampurnakaya namah ( Chest), Om Viwakruthenamah ( throat), Om Vyomarupineynamah (head) and Om Vishwajiteynamah ( Sankham). There was a King named Haryashwa who accomplished a ‘Putra Kameshthi’ Vrat and an old Tapasvi Brahmana came as a Guest who was Narayana Himself. The Brahmana desired that the King should implement Chaitra Sukla Dwadasi Vrat sincerely as per prescribed procedure and Vamana Deva would definitely bless a powerful and memorable Chakravarthi (Emperor) as a son, Kuvaleshvaya; by so predicting the Old Brahmana disappeared. The Vrata would certainly fructify a multi-desired boon by Narayana to those who attain it with devotion and dedication.
Jaamadagnya (Parasurama) Vrata is achieved to illustrate the outstanding son of Sage Jamadagni, incarnated as Parasurama who annihilated countless haughty and arrogant ‘Kshatriayas’ in utter disregard to the Virtuous and helpless subjects with special reference to Brahmanas, Sages and the Pious. This Vrata occurs on Shukla Dwadasi of
Vaisakha month and is performed with veneration by the Ashtanga Matras viz. Om Jaamadagnyaya Namah ( feet), Om Sarva dharinenamah (Abdomen), Om Madhusudhanaya namah (katim pujayami), Om Srivatsadhaariney namah (Uram / Chest pujayami), Om Kshtrranthakayanamah ( Baahum Pujayami), Om Manikanthayanamah
(Kantham Pujayami), Shankhayanamah (Shankham pujyami), Chakrayanamah
(Chakram Pujayami) and Brahmanda dhariney namah (Siram pujayami). The worship of Parasurama was indicated by Sage Yagynavalka to King Virasena who had earlier completed several Yagnas but his desire to beget a child was not fulfilled.When the Sage taught the method of the Vrat and the King did it with full dedication, he was blessed with the birth of the famous Nala who along with Damayanti immoralised human history as the Greatest Lovers!
Taraka Rama Vrath is accomplished on Suddha Dwadashi of Jeyshtha month. Sage Vasistha taught the Vrata Vidhan to King Dasaratha first. King Dasaratha made a firm resolution to do the Vrat in the name of Maha Vishnu and the result was indeed unbelievable as the Supreme Lord Himself incarnated as Shri Rama along His accompanists Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. The procedure of the Vrath is to commence with ‘Shubh Sankalpa’ and Ashtanga Puja: Om Namo Ramaabhiramaya (feet), Om Trivikramaya (kati), Om Dhrita Vishvayah Namah (Udaram), Om Samvatsarayanamah (Chest), Om Samvarthakaya Namah (kantham Pujayami), Om Sarvastradharineynamah (Chakra and Padma), and Sarva sirasey namah (head). Therafter, perform ‘Kumbha Sthapana’ or Setting-up of Kumbha, ‘Vastra acchaadana’ (covering with cloth) of Rama Lakshmana Murthi Puja with Shodasa upacharas (Sixteen Services) and charity of the Murthis to Brahmanas. The fruits of the Vrata are self- evident since sons of immense virtue, valour, fame and dignity are bound to be born as a result of this incomparable Vrat! Moreover, those who partake in this auspcious Vrat woud be blessed with all the above qualities and be assured of access to Vishnu loka.
Sri Krishna Vrath is scheduled on Shukla Dwadashi of Ashadha month. The origin of the Vrath was that Vasudev and Devi Devaki together did it as advised by Sage Narada since they were childless. Narada attended a Devasabha (Congregation of Devas) and Devi Prithvi complained that she was no longer be able to withstand the evil deeds of Demons in the form of cruel Kings and their associates such as Sheva, Kamsa, Jarasandha, Naraka, Kuru, Panchala and Bhojas. They all approached Lord Vishnu who no doubt agreed to incarnate Himself but virtuous couples like Vasudeva and Devaki should perform Vratha on the specific day; Narada taught the procedure to carry out the entire function with dutifulness and conviction. After a firm resolve, the Vrath was accomplished with ‘Ashtanga’puja as follows: Om Vasudevaya namah (charanam pujayami), Om Sankarshanayanamah (katim pujayami), Om Padmanabhayanamah
(Udaram pujayami), Om Aniruddhayanamah (Urasthalam pujayami), Om Chakrapaaninenamah (bhujaam pujayami), Om Bhupatayenamah (kantham pujayami), Om Krishnayanamah (Shanka Chakram Pujayami) and Om Purushayanamah (Siram Pujayami). After sucsessfully completing the Vrath as prescribed, the Lord confirmed that a boy of His traits would be blessed soon.
Buddha Vrath is to be performed on Suddha Dwadasi of Shravan month in the name of Lord Vishnu as He assumed the form of Buddha during a critical stage of Kali Yuga when Violence and Sinfulness were rampant in the World. Lord Buddha preached the principles of ‘Ahimsa’ (Non-Violence), ‘Satyam’ (Truth) and ‘Dharmam’ (Virtue) world-wide and as He mustered substantial support from ‘Sangham’ (Society) He created a great following of majority of people. As a young Prince, He decided to renounce luxurious life and wandered like a commoner. It was at that time that He strayed into jungles by horse back and rested under a tree through a night, when He attracted attention by several jungle men for His ornaments and cruel animals for His flesh. As He was being attacked, a Devi Shakti protected Him and killed the thieves and animals seeking to kill Him. A Sage in the forest explained to Buddha Deva that the Devi Shakti protecting His body was an inherent power safeguarding His body always as in His earlier birth he witnessed the entire proceedings of the Vrata and thus imbibed the strength in His body as a result of the ‘Punya’ or the propitiousness accrued. This was the far reaching impact carried foward to the current birth of Buddha, told the Sage. It was against this background that the Buddha Vrat should be performed for protection and succcess. The Puja procedure includes the ‘Ashtanga’ Mantras as follows: Om Damodarayanamah (Charanam pujayami), Om Hrishikeshayanamah (Katim), Om Sanatanayanamah (Udaram), Om Srivatsadharine namah (Vakshasthal), Om Chakrapaninenamah (hands), Om Harayenamah (throat), Om Manju keshayanamah
(Head) and Bhadrayanamah (Sikha or tuft).Therafter, Shodasopacharas are to be performed and Bhojan (Meals) and charity to Brahmanas would complete the Vrath which ought to be effected as per Regulations for the best benefits.
Kalki Vratha is observed in Sukla Dwadasi of Bhadrapad month. Before he outlined the broad method of carrying out the Vratha, Sage Durvasa told Satyapal that a King of Kasipur named Vishal who was a virtuous person doing several Spiritual activities like Yagnas and was widely liked by his subjects. But his own close relatives planned a coup and assumed power of the kingdom. The fugitive King wandered incognito and landed on the mountain slopes of Badari when he came across two ever-shining Sages viz. Nara and Narayana. Sage Nara enquired about Vishal’s background and suggested to worship Maha Vishnu by means of any of the various Dwadashi Vrathas occuring in the Sukla Pakshas of most of the Months.
Sage Nara commended the Vrathas as follows:

Pujyathe Matsyarupena Sarvajnathvamabhipsubhih,
Svavamshoddharanarthaya Kurmorupi tu pujyathe/
Bhavodadhi nimagnena Varahah Pujyathe Harih,
Narasimhena rupena thaddhat Papabhaatraihi/
Vamanam mohanaashaya Vitharthe Jamadagnidam,
Krurashatru Vinashaya yajed Daasaradhim Budha/
Bala Krishnou Yajeda Dhiman Putra Kamo na samsasayah,
Rupakamo yajeda buddhim Kalkinam Shatrughataney/

(Those who wish to become ‘Sarvajnas’or Jnanis worship Matsya Deva;
Those who are desirous of strengthening their own ‘Vamsa’ or Clan pray to Kurma Deva; To those that worldy ends like prosperity and fame are dear, they wish to worship Varaha Deva; Those who are afraid of facing difficulties pray to Narasimha; the persons who are detached from the worldly affairs wish to worship Vamana Deva; those who have the lure of money and possessions worship Parasurama; Whoever wants to destroy the evil and cruelty tend to Sri Rama; Putrabhilashi or those who love to enjoy the happiness of children and family life would certainly like to worship Krishna and finally those who like to take vengence do definitely worship Kalki Deva.) In response to Sage Nara’s description as above, the fugitive King instantly decided to perform Kalki Vratha by worshipping Kalki Deva with the Mantras: Om Kalkinenamah ( charanam pujayami), Om Hrishikeshayanamah ( katim pujayami), Om Mlechhavidhvamsanaya namah (udaram pujayam), Om Sithikanthayanamah (kantham pujayami), Om Khadgapaninenamh
(Bhujam pujayami), Om Chaturbhujayanamah (hastam pujayami) and Om Viswamurthaye namah (Siram pujayami). In this manner, the worship was accomplished along with ‘Shodasopacharas’, and charity to Brahmanas. He proceeded to his own Kingdom, rearranged his loyalists, defeated his enemies and regained power with the blessings of Kalki Deva.

Padmanabha Vrata

After describing the Vrathas related to ‘Dasavataras’ (Ten Incarnations) of Lord Vishnu, Maha Muni Durvasa outlined the Vratas of a few other Deities as also those for the fulfillment of certain human desires. The beneficiary of the illustrious Sage’s narrations was the erstwhile Vyagha (Hunter) turned subsequently as a Mahatma, now under the name Satyapal (Refer to the Chapter on Concepts of Bhakti and Aradhana). The Pamanabha Vrata is best performed on Shukla Dwadasi of Aswin or Asvayuja month. The background of this Vrath was that there was a King named Bhadrashva and once Maha Muni Agastya visited the Palace and said that he would like to stay there for a few days. The Sage met the Queen along with the King and immediately recognising her expressed great but pleasant shock as though he recognised her and exclaimed that the King and Queen were blessed in their previous births.Each day the Sage met the royal couple, he kept on repeating the same. One day the couple asked the Sage as to what happened in their previous births. There was a ‘Veshya’ (Prostitute) named Hardatt in Vidishanagar and the King and Queen were the servant- couple of the Veshya. On a Sukla Dwadashi in the month of Aswin, the Veshya lit a few lights in a Narayana Mandir in her house and worshipped Lord Vishnu for a while and left the house. She asked the servant couple to keep awake and ensure that the lights were on until she returned home. Since they did so sincerely, they became a King and Queen in the current birth! That was why the Sage exclaimed: how much the couple was blessed! How must have been the Veshya blessed by Lord Narayana! Indeed how much the blessing would be to perform the Vratha fully!
Padmanabha Vrat puja after installing the idol of Padmanabha and the warm-up Puja, the Shadanga Puja stipulates as follows: ‘Om Padmanabhaya namah ( charanam pujayami), Om Padmayonayenamah (Katim Pujayami), Om Sarva Devayanamah ( udaram pujayami), Om Pushkarakshayanamah ( Urasthalam pujayami), Om Avyayayanamah
(Dakshina hasta- astram Pujayami), and Om Prabhavayanamah (sirah pujayami)’. After the Puja, ‘Shodasopacharas’ as prescribed in earlier pages, Charities and Bhojans to Brahmanas, the Padmanabha Vrata is stated to have been accomplished.

Dharani Vrata is scheduled on Shukla Dwadasi of Karthik month. After making ‘Sankalp’ (Resolution), a devotee performs the Vratha by way of ‘Shadanga’ puja of Narayana as follows: Om Sahasra Siraye namah (Sirah pujayami), Om Purushayanamah
(Bhujayanamah), Om Viswarupinenamah (kantham pujayami), Om Jnanastrayanamah
(Astrou Pujayami), Om Srivatsayanamh (Vurahsthala pujayami), Om Jagat grashismane namah (Udar Pujayami), Om Divyamurthayenamah (Katim Pujayami), Om Sahasra padaayanamah (Charanam Pujayami) and Om Damodarayanamah (Sarvangaaya namah). Four ‘Ghatas’ (pots) be set containing the waters of four Oceans (symbolically) and next morning give away in charity each with Pratimas (made of gold and other metals) and ‘Dakshinas’. In the past, Great Personalities like Prajapati who attained Sashvata Brahma, Rajarshi Yavanashva secured a person named Mandhata who became a Chakravathi of three worlds, Krutaveerya begot the universal figure Kartiveerya, and Shakunthala begot Bharat. The Vrata’s ‘mahaphal’is so far reaching that it materialised several Emperors, or Glorious personalities or Maharshis all being illustrious in their own ways. In a way, it had been the luck of only those who were able to perform the Vratha.

Vratas for fulfillment of human desires

As the above Vrathas aimed at worshipping Lord Vishnu in various incarnations were outlined, certain other Vrathas are practised to fulfil the normal wish-list of men and women, each aiming a specific human desire. Sadbharta Vrath was suggested by Sage Narada to ‘Apsarasas’ or Heavenly Maidens since their desire was to become the wives of Devaadi Deva Vishnu on Sukla paksha Dwadasi in Vasanta month. Shubha Vratha is scheduled on Margasirsha month during the Shukla Paksha commencing from Pradham to Dashami by taking single meal for four months by reciting the name of Hari Krishna and on the concluding day by worshipping Lord Vishnu and Prithvi and on Ekasdashi donate barley as also a cow, apparels, ornaments, umbrellas etc. as presribed and satisfy good Bhojan to twenty four Brahmanas. Dhanya Vrata is executed as a ‘nakta’ vratha or fasting upto the evening and eating thereafter for a year from the month of Margasirsha on Sukla Pratipada Tithi by worshipping and ‘havans’ to Agni swarup Vishnu as Vaishvaanaraaya, Agni, Havirbhuja, Dravanodaya, Samvarthaaya, Jwalaaya and so on to seek blessings of instant Dhana ( Money), Dhanya ( Food grains), and Sowbhagya (Prosperity). Agni would burn off the sins of the current and previous births once this Vrata is achieved. Kubera was stated to have washed off his previous sins likewise.
Kanthi Vrata was achieved by Chandra on a Karthik Sukla Dwiteeya night by worshipping as per regulations Lords Baladeva and Krishna since he was diminishing in his radiance every night owing to a curse by Daksha Prajapathi; Bhagavan reversed the curse after ‘Samudra Manthan’( Churning of Ocean) and brought back ‘Kanthi’(sparkle) by curing Chandrra’s Yakshamarog to Amritha yoga! Since then the Vratha became popular as the curse reversing and sin-destroying boon to those who perform it with utmost devotion. Sowbhagya Vratha is also a year long Vratha from Tritiya night and Chaturthi of Bright Phalgun and a devotee has an option of worshipping the pair of Shiva Parvathi or Srihari Lakshmi.Every month on these days ‘homams’ are performed with ghee and honey and through out the year, dietary restrictions are observed by eating saltless wheat- made insipid material. At the end, charity of six vessels containing honey, ghee, til or sesame oil, gud or jaggery, salt and cow milk along with adequate ‘dakshina’.
The idols made of gold or any other metal are donated too.This Vrath is stated to bless the devotee with prosperity for seven births in a row!
Avighna Vratha commences on Chaturthi of Shukla Phalguna for four months with the dietary restriction of ‘tilanna’ (rice mixed with sesame seeds after daily fast and tilanna homam as well as tila daana to Brahmanas with dakshina. On the fifth Sukla Chaturthi after four months, homams in the name of Ganesha be made reciting Om Suraya namah, Om Dheeraya namah, Om Gajaananaaya namah, Om Lambodaraya namha, Eka Damshtraayanamah, Om Ganeshaya namah etc.After the Puja, five vessels made of Gold or any other material along with tila seeds is given away to Brahmanas as charity along with dakshina. A number of Kings did the Vrath before performing Aswamedha Yagnas. Lord Rudra did the Vrath before proceeding to take on the task of killing Tripurasura. Agasthya said that he also executed the Vrath before holding the entire Sea in his palm! This Vrath blesses who ever carries out the Vrath with sincerity and devotion is protected from Vighnas or obstacles.
Shanti Vratha is observed on Shukla Panchami of Kartik month again for a year without sour food but after fasting day long and worshipping Pratimas of both Vishnu and Seshanag by reciting Ananthaya namah, Vasuvakaye namah, Takshakaya namah, Karkotakaya namah, Padmaya namah, Maha Padmaya namah, Sankha palaayanamah and
Kutilaya namah by way of Shadanga puja to charan, kati, udar, kantha, bahu, mukha, and shira respectively. The two Idols are bathed in milk and use in tila and milk in homams. Charity, Bhojan and Dakshinas to Brahmanas are an integrated part of the procedure. Whoever does the Vratha earnestly would have no fear of serpents and enjoy peaceful life.
Kama Vratha or Kamnaya Vratha to fulfill desires is observed by worshipping Kartikeya on Poushya Shukla Chaturthi for a year’s day long fast on ‘phalahar’ (fruits) and Shuddha Bhojan in the night, till the Shashthi of the next year of the same month. The essential feature of the Vrath is to keep mouna Vrath (silence) during the fast time and daily ‘Agnikarya’ or homams. At the conclusion of the Vrath, Brahmanas be provided all the possible Sevas like Bhojan, Vastras and Dakshina, besides donating the idol of Karthikeya to a deserving Brahmana. The fruits of the year long penance would yield prosperity, good progeny, and regain of kingdoms lost earlier and so on.
Arogya Vratha is scheduled from Magha Shukla Saptami for a year to worship Surya Deva. The Puja is preceded by Shashthi Bhojan, fast on the next day and Bhojan on Ashtami Bhojan again. The series of Bhojans are irrespective of daily worship to Aditya, Bhaskar, Ravi, Bhanu, Diwakar, Prabhakar and other names as also by recitals of Surya Kavachas, Aditya Hridaya and so on. Year long worship on these lines would ensure blessings from Surya Deva in respect of the devotee’s health, wealth, contentment and salvation finally.
Many more Vrathas were mentioned by Sage Durvasa to Mahatma Satya Pal such as Puthra Prapti Vrata, Shourya and Sarva Sarvabhama Vrata, Vhaishnava Vrata, Dharma Vrata, Indra/Rudra Vrata and many more as per the dates, procedure and Specific Deities to be worshipped.