NAKṢATRAYOGA It is ordained in the Purāṇas that alms-giving on each star or day will be rewarded by particular attainments. This is called Nakṣatrayoga. The Nakṣatrayoga of each star is given below:-
- 1)
Aśvayuk:--Those who give horses and chariots as alms on this day, would be born again in a noble family.
2)
Bharaṇī:--If lands and cows are given to Brahmins on this day, one would get a large number of cows and will become famous in heaven.
3)
Kṛttikā:--If rice-pudding is given to Brahmins to their satisfaction on this day the giver will attain the prominent worlds after death.
4)
Rohiṇī:--If milk-rice and venison mingled with ghee is given to Brahmins on this day, his indebtedness to the manes would end.
5)
Mṛgaśiras:--(Candra nakṣatra). If a milch-cow is given as alms on this day, one would attain heaven.
6)
Ārdrā:--If fast is taken and gingelly oil is given as alms on this day, the giver will become capable of crossing mountains and trenches.
7)
Punarvasu:--He who gives bread on this day will be born again in a good family.
8)
Puṣya:--He who gives gold as alms on this day will enter the world of bright planets.
9)
Āśleṣā:--He who gives an ox made of silver as alms on this day, will become fearless.
10)
Maghā:--He who gives gingelly as alms on this day will become prosperous with cows.
11)
Pūrvaphalgunī:--If ghee-rice is given to Brahmins taking fast on this day, the giver would become happy and prosperous.
12)
Uttaraphalgunī:--He who gives rice of Nīvara variety mixed with milk and ghee on this day will be honoured in heaven.
13)
Hasta:--If one gives four horses and an elephant as alms, on this day, one will attain the world of bliss.
14)
Citrā:--He who gives oxen and perfumery as alms on this day, will enter the parks in which celestial maids play.
15)
Svāti:--He who gives any sort of wealth as alms on this day will become renowned in the worlds.
16)
Viśākhā:--He who gives as alms on this day, oxen, milch-cow, grain-box, cart, paddy and diamond will attain heaven.
17)
Anurādhā:--He who gives cloth, rice and blanket on this day will be honoured in heaven for a hundred yugas.
18)
Jyeṣṭhā:--If Brahmins are given yams and greens on this day one could realize one's wishes.
19)
Mūlā:--The manes will be contented, if Brahmins are given roots and nuts on this day.
20)
Pūrvāṣāḍhā:--If Brahmins who are expounders of Vedas are given as alms pots of curd, after observing fast, the givers will take birth again in families with many cows.
21)
Uttarāṣāḍhā:--He who gives milk and ghee to wise men will be honoured in heaven.
22)
Śravaṇa:--Those who give cloth and rug on this day will enter a white conveyance and reach heaven.
23)
Śraviṣṭhā:--Those who give cattle, cart and cloth on this day will enter heaven.
24)
Śatabhiṣak:--Those who give sandalwood and aloe wood on this day, will go to the world of devas (gods).
25)
Pūrvaproṣṭhapada:--He who gives coins on this day will reach the world of bliss.
26)
Uttaraproṣṭhapada:--Those who give mutton on this day will be pleasing the manes.
27)
Revatī:--He who gives cows which could give potfuls of milk, could reach any world.
[M.B. Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 64] .