THE EKA-DASI CEREMONY 703
wishes. Moreover these farther observances must be followed. On the tenth day the sandhya must be performed, and only one meal must be eaten, and that without salt or any kind of peas or vegetables. It must only be seasoned with a small quantity of melted butter, and it must be eaten quickly. In the evening one must visit a temple dedicated to Vishnu, and, holding some darbha grass in one ' s hands, must meditate for some time on the greatness of the deity, addressing to him the following prayer:-
'
Behold me in thy presence, great god! I prostrate myself at thy feet. Hold out a helping hand tome and remove the obstacles which I encounter at each step. My feeble
will is often led astray by the passions that influence me.
Thou alone canst give it strength to resist such weaknesses, and keep it straight in the path of virtue.'
This prayer being ended, some darbha grass must be offered to Xarayana, and the worshipper must prostrate himself before him with his face to the ground.
Making a bed of this same grass at the feet of Vishnu, he must pass the night upon it. On rising in the morning he must wash his mouth out twelve times and perform the
usual ablutions. During the day he must fulfil his ordinary
religious duties, the chief of which is the sacrifice to Vishnu.
He must fast for the whole of the day, eating and drinking nothing. The night of the eleventh day must also be spent in a temple dedicated to Vishnu. The whole family— father, mother, wife, brothers, and children— must remain together
in the presence of Vishnu, and remain awake.
The wifewho performs this act of devotion along with her
husband will, on her reincarnation, have a husband who will make herveryhappy, andbywhom she willhave a numerous family. After her death she will be conveyed to Vaikuntha, and be reunited to her first husband.
Whoever during this night shall occupy himself in drawing the emblems of the chakra and sankha, which Vishnu carries
in his hand, will obtain the remission of his sins committed in former generations. Whoever shall make a model of these two weapons with dough of rice flour, in several colours,
shall receive a much greater reward, for his sons and his grandsons shall enjoy prosperity on earth, and occupy after their death a high place in Vaikuntha.