Mastya Dwadashi Vrata Varaha Puranam

Varaha Purana contains detailed procedures for observing Dwadashi Vrats in various
months. The following is a step-by-step procedure for observing Matsya Dwadashi Vrata
during the month of Margashirsha.

When To Observe?
Matsya Dwadashi Vratam should be observed during the month of Margashirsha (Dec
- Jan) during Shukla Paksha (bright half). The Vrat spans over 3 days starting with the
Dasami Day (10th day) and ending on Dwadashi Day (12th day). The procedures to be
followed on each day are briefly given here.

Procedure on Dasami Day (10th Day)

1. In the morning, with great control and purity of mind, worship Gods. Perform Archana
and prescribed rituals in fire.
[Note: The actual fire ritual to be performed is not elaborated here. Further, if
performing a fire ritual is unaffordable, a simple puja would perhaps suffice].
2. After worship, eat the remains of food offered to Gods (Prasada).
3. After eating food, walk five steps, wash the feet and clean the teeth by chewing 8 inches
of the twig of a sappy tree (any tree which oozes milky substance) and sip water.
4. Wash face and do Achamanam 3 times. After Achanamanm, touch the 9 outlets of the
body (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, etc.).
5. Meditate on the great Lord Janardhana (Vishnu), the wearer of yellow garment and
bearer of conch, disc and mace and endowed with all auspiciousness using the following
shloka.

6. Take water in hand and reverentially offer it to Lord Janardhana by uttering his name.
Offer Arghyam by just uttering Lords name (or chant each of the following stanzas and
offer Arghyam thrice, as is normally done in Ekadashi Puja):

K. Muralidharan (kmurali_sg@yahoo.com)

Matsya Dwadashi Vrat Varaha Puranam

7. Then say O Lord, remaining without food on Ekadashi day, I shall take food on the next
day (i.e. Dwadashi day); O Lord, please be my refuge, by chanting the following shloka:

8. In the night, sleep near the idol of the Lord reciting Om Namo NarayanAya.

Procedure on Ekadashi Day (11th Day)

1. Get up early in the morning on the Ekadashi day and finish usual activities such as
brushing teeth, etc.
2. Then take bath. Bath should be taken in a river that preferably flows into the sea or a
tank or pond in the house (in the order of preference Take mud from the
river/tank/pond - and smear the mud all over the body 3 times by chanting the following
shlokas:

O Devi! The existence and sustenance of all beings lie in you. Be pleased to cleanse
me of all my sins. All the holy Tirthas are made by you, so I take this mud from you
and stand here. O Earth! O Varuna, all rasas (essences) remain in you. By bestowing
them all in this mud, make it purified.

[Note: In current circumstances, the above procedure may be difficult to do in

cities/towns. At best, the above procedure may be simulated during shower in the
bathroom].
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Matsya Dwadashi Vrat Varaha Puranam

3. Then take bath uttering Varuna Mantra (imam me varuNa). After this, observe the
essentials (e.g. smearing Nama, Vibhuti etc.)
4. Go to the temple (or Prayer Room) and offer worship to Lord Narayana. Worship
different parts (Angas) of Lord by chanting different Names as below:
[Notes: (i) If a full-fledged Shodasopacara puja is performed, this procedure could be
used for Anga Puja. (ii) Take Sandal, flowers, Akshata in hand, utter each line given
below and place the Sandal, flowers and Akshata at the Feet of Lord]

5. Perform Archana with Flowers, Akshata (rice smeared with turmeric) and Gandha
(sandalwood).
[Note: If full-fledged Shodasopachara Puja is performed, then Archana can be
performed with either Ashtottaram (108 namas) or Sahasranamam (1008 namas). Or a
generic Vishnu Ashtottaram or Vishnu Sahasranamam can also be used.]
6. After saluting Lord Narayana thus, arrange four pots of water before Him and put
seasamum and gold in them and decorate them with garlands. The four pots should be
considered as water from four oceans.
7. In the middle, a seat covered with white cloth should be placed. Place a vessel made of
gold, silver, or copper (or a vessel made of the leaves of Palasa tree) on top of it.
8. Fill the vessel with water. Place a golden image of Vishnu (in the form of Matsyavatar). If
unable to afford idol made of gold, a silver or copper image can be used.
9. Offer Flowers, Dhupa, Deepa, Fruits, etc. to the Lord. [Note: In other words, the step 5
could be performed or repeated here.]
10. At the end, chant the following prayer O God! Just as you raised up the Vedas from the
nether world, raise me up from the worldly life.

Matsya Dwadashi Vrat Varaha Puranam

11. Observe complete vigil throughout the day and night of Ekadashi by chanting Lords
names, prayers, etc.

Procedure on Dwadashi Day (12th Day)

1. Get up early on the Dwadashi day and finish all necessary essentials.
2. Perform Puja to Lord Narayana with Dhoopa, Deepa, Neivedya, etc.
3. At the end of Puja, give the four pot to Brahmins. The one on the east should be given to
a Rigvedin, the one on the south to a Samavedin, the one on the west to a Yajurvedin,
and the one on the north to an Atharvavedin. While doing so, chant the following shloka
after each.

4. The golden image of Lord Vishnu/Matsya should be given to the priest along with
prescribed rituals, sanda, Dhupa and cloth. If the priest is well versed in Vedas and
Upanishads, then the result of the gift will be multiplied many times than giving to an
ordinary person. If anyone shows any disregard to such a priest, he falls into hell for
several lives because one who guides the worship should be considered as a preceptor.
5. After the worship of Vishnu and gifts to Brahmins, they should be fed and given dakshina
according to ones means on the Dwadashi day.
6. After feeding the Brahmin(s), eat silently and fully controlling the senses with all family
members.
7. For full benefits, one must not sleep during daytime on Dwadashi day. It is also advisable
to eat only once on Dasami and Dwadashi days. If needed, some milk and fruits may be
taken.

Benefits of observing Matsya Dwadashi Vrat

1. If one performs Dwadashi Vrata as detailed above would reach the world of Brahma and
be there as long as Brahma himself remains (i.e. Brahma Kalpa). When Brahma merges
into the Supreme, he too will likewise and at the time of creation again, will be born as a
saintly and divine king.
2. Even sins like killing Brahmin, committed knowingly or unknowingly, will disappear from
him in a moment.
3. A barren woman begets a good son by observing this procedure.
4. The sin of sharing a prohibited bed disappears by the observance of this Vrat.
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Matsya Dwadashi Vrat Varaha Puranam

5. In short, this brings about even what is unattainable in the ordinary course. Hence this
should be observed by all people.
6. This was done by Earth herself when she was submerged in water. There is no need,
therefore, to deliberate on the benefits. He who undertakes this fast, gets all splendor,
wealth, food grain and beautiful spouse.