226 The Ydstu Yaga. [No. 3, 



After the usual puja, the thread with eight knots is tied on the 

 left arm and the worshipper listens to the legend of Durva repeat- 

 ed by the officiating priest. 



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When the Kshiroda ocean was churned for nectar, Vishnu had with his arms 

 and thighs held the Mandar hill, and the forcible rotation of the hill shed some 

 hair off his body. 



These were carried by the waves to the other bank and became pure green 

 Durva. Thus originated Durva from the body of Vishnu, and upon Durva, the 

 excellent nectar, generated from the churning of the ocean, was placed. 



The Asokashtami, the Arunodaya Saptami, and the Maclanotsava 

 are three other vratas in which trees are worshipped. 



Erom the Sakrotthdna, the rising of Indra after the new moon pre- 

 ceding the Durga puja, the whole fortnight is devoted to one or 

 other form of tree- worship. 



Asokashtami is observed on the eighth day of the bright fort- 

 night of Chaitra. Eight blossoms of Jonesia asoka in water are 

 drunk, with the following mantra : 



In the Bhavishya Purana, the vrata of Arunodaya Saptami is 

 described.! 



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