CHAPTER NINETEEN
Performing the
Purhsavana Ritualistic Ceremony

This chapter explains how Diti, KaSyapa Muni’s wife, executed Kasyapa
Muni’s instructions on devotional service. During the first day of the
bright fortnight of the moon in the month of Agrahayana (November-
December), every woman, following in the footsteps of Diti and
following the instructions of her own husband, should begin this purn-
savana-vrata. In the morning, after washing her teeth, bathing and thus
becoming purified, she should hear about the birth mystery of the
Maruts. Then, covering her body with a white dress and being properly
ornamented, before breakfast she should worship Lord Visnu and
mother Laksmi, the goddess of fortune, Lord Visnu’s wife, by glorifying
Lord Visnu for His mercy, patience, prowess, ability, greatness and other
glories and for how He can bestow all mystic benedictions. While offer-
ing the Lord all paraphernalia for worship, such as ornaments, a sacred
thread, scents, nice flowers, incense and water for bathing and washing
His feet, hands and mouth, one should invite the Lord with this mantra:
om namo bhagavate mahdé-purusdya mahanubhavaya mahavibhiti-
pataye saha mahd-vibhitibhir balim upahardmi. Then one should offer
twelve oblations in the fire while chanting this mantra: om namo
bhagavate mahd-purusaya mahavibhiti-pataye svaha. One should offer
obeisances while chanting this mantra ten times. Then one should chant
the Laksmi-Narayana mantra.

If either a pregnant woman or her husband regularly discharges this
devotional service, both of them will receive the result. After continuing
this process for one full year, the chaste wife should fast on the piirnima,
the full-moon day, of Karttika. On the following day, the husband should
worship the Lord as before and then observe a festival by cooking nice
food and distributing prasdda to the brahmanas. Then, with the permis-
sion of the bradhmanas, the husband and wife should take prasdda. This
chapter ends by glorifying the results of the purisavana function.

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