MantraOnNet.com: Asterisms Fasts
Now I shall describe the process of practising
the Vratas, which coming on the different days of
the week or on days marked by the different asterisms
and astral combinations (Vara Vratas). By bathing in
the washings of the drugs known as the Sarvoushadhis
under the auspicies of the asterisms Hasta or Punarvasu,
a man is sure to attain bliss in this life. Similarly, by
performing Shraddha ceremonies in honour of one’s
departed manes, a man enjoys unbroken health in
the course of his seven successive rebirths. The Vrata
known as the “Vrata after the heart of the Sun,”
should be practised on the occasion of the sun’s
passing over to a new sign of the zodiac on a Sun-
day.
Such a Vrata should be practised on each night
marked by the asterism Hasta for a year, whereby
the penitent would be entitled to enjoy al the com-
forts of the world. Similarly by seven times practis-
ing the Vrata, which should be observed on Mon-
days marked by the asterism Chitra, the life of a
man becomes a continuous run of pleasure and en-
joyment. Likewise by performing the Vrata, which
should be practised on the nights or seven Wednes-
days, marked by the asterism Vishakha, a man be-
comes able to get rid of the baneful influences of
planets, and secures their good graces in return. Similarly
by worshipping the Jupiter, the preceptor of the gods,
on seven Thursdays marked by the asterism Anuradha,
and by breaking his tasts on the nights of each of
such seven days, a Vrati derives the same benifit as narrated in the preceding instance. In the same manner,
a man becomes free of the evil influences cast by
malignant planets, by worshipping the Venus and
the Saturn, on seven Fridays and Saturdays, respectively marked by the asterism Jestha and Mula, and by breaking his fast in the night as laid down before.