Krishn Janmaashtamee Vrat
(Chap 54) Yudhishthir asked - "Bhagavan, Now you tell me about your own birth day Vrat." Krishn said - "When Kans was killed in Mathuraa, my mother Devakee started weeping putting me in her lap. My father also embraced both of us and said - "Today my life is meaningful that I am seeing my both children all right." Other people also came there and said - "You have done this very good that you have killed Kans, we were very troubled. Please tell us when did you come in Devakee's womb, we will celebrate that day as your birthday with great pomp and show." My father also asked me to tell them my birthday.

Then I told Mathuraa people the secret of Janmaashtamee Vrat. I said - "You may propagate my birthday as Janmashtamee in the world and every religious man must do this Vrat. I was born when Soorya was in Sinh Raashi (Leo), and Chandramaa was in Vrish Raashi (Taurus), in Bhaadrapad Maas, on the 8th day of Krishn Paksh, in the midnight, in Rohinee Nakshatra. I am the son of Maa Devakee from Vasudev Jee. First this Vrat got popular in Mathuraa, later it became famous in all Lok. By doing this Vrat, there will be peace in the world, people will be happy and healthy.

By doing this one Vrat only, sins of seven lives are washed away. On the day of the Vrat, after taking bath in the mid-day, one should make a house for Devakee. Adorn it with flowers, and keep Gop, Gopee, bell, conch, Kalash (pitcher full of water) etc at the door of that house. Draw Swastik marks on walls. In the center, on a bed, establish any kind of idol of Devkee along with me. Devakee should be breastfeeding me in that idol. One should draw Devtaa, Grih, Naag etc showering flowers on the ceiling of that house. One should draw Vasudev Jee also carrying sword and shield on its outside wall. On one side draw Kaaliya Naag in Yamunaa River.

Vasudev Jee is the incarnation of Kashyap and Devakee is the incarnation of Aditi. Baladev Jee is the incarnation of Shesh Naag, Nand Baabaa is the incarnation of Daksh Prajaapati and Yashodaa is the incarnation of Diti. Garg Muni is the incarnation of Brahmaa Jee and Kans is the incarnation of Kaalnemi Raakshas.

Then worship Devakee with Dhoop, lamp, incense, flowers, fruits, betel nut etc with this Mantra. ( see the Manra on p 435 ) Imagine Lakshmee massaging Devakee's feet. Worship all with different Mantra. ( see the Mantra on p 435-436) Some people meditate on Hari after offering Arghya to Chandramaa - they should meditate with these Mantra. (see p 436 for Mantra and more Poojaa) Thus who worships me he attains sons, children, health, wealth, long life, kingdom. In whichever country this Vrat is done, nobody fears from birth and death, diseases, and there is no lack of rain there. In which house this Vrat is done, nobody dies there untimely.

Doorvaashtamee Vrat
(Chap 56) Krishn said - "Mahaaraaj, In Bhaadrapad Maas, on the 8th day of Shukla Paksh falls this Doorvaashtamee. Whoever does this Vrat, his Vansh becomes immortal. His family always increases like Doorvaa." Yudhishthir asked - "Where did this Doorvaa grow, how did it become immortal and why is it regarded holy?" Krishn said - "When Saagar Manthan was done, Vishnu held Mandaraachal Parvat on His thigh. When Mandaraachal Parvat revolved to churn the sea, its friction on Vishnu's thighs caused to uproot some hair from His thigh. These fur came up on the surface of the sea and turned into beautiful tender green Doorvaa grass. Devtaa put Amrit Kalash on this grass only, that caused to splash out some Amrit droplets on that grass, this made it immortal and respectable for Devtaa. Devtaa worshipped it with incense, flowers, Dhoop, lamp, Naivedya, dates, coconut, grapes, orange, mango, pomegranate etc fruits and yogurt, rice and garland with this Mantra. ( see the Mantra on p 437) Devtaa's wives and Vedavatee, Seetaa, Damayantee etc women also worshipped it and got their wish fulfilled. Whoever woman worships Doorvaa, donates sesame seed sweets and seven grains, and feeds Braahman, she gets children, Saubhaagya and goes to Swarg with her husband after enjoying many pleasures in this world."

Monthly Krishnaashtamee Vrat
[This Krishnaashtamee is different from Krishn Janmaashtamee. On this day Shiv is worshipped. Its importance and method of doing may be found in Matsya Puraan, Chapter 56; Naarad Puraan; Saur Puraan, 14/1-36; Vrat Kalpdrum etc in detail. According to Jyotish (astrological) books and Puraan the Lord of Ashtamee (the 8th day) is Shiv, therefore worshipping him on Ashtamee and Chaturdashee (14th day) is specially good.]

(Chap 57) Krishn said - "This Krishnaashtamee is very dear to Shiv. In Maargsheersh Maas, on the 8th day of Krishn Paksh one should keep fast. After mid-day, take bath, worship Shiv ling and do Havan with black sesame seeds. In this month he should worship Shankar and in the night drink cow's urine and sleep on the floor. This gives the fruit of Atiraatra Yagya. In Paush Maas worship Shiv with the name of Shambhoo, eat Ghee, this gives the fruit of Vaajpeya Yagya. In Maagh Maas, worship Shiv with the name of Maheshwar, drink cow's milk, this gives the fruit of many Yagya. In the month of Phaalgun, worship Shiv with the name of Mahaadev, eat sesame seed, this gives the fruit of eight Raajsooya Yagya. In the month of Chaitra, worship him with the name of Sthaanu, eat Yava (barley), this gives the fruit of Ashwamedh Yagya. In the month of Vaishaakh, worship Shiv with the name of Shiv, drink Kush water, this gives the fruit of 10 Purushmedh Yagya.

In the month of Jyeshth, worship Shiv with the name of Pashupati, drink cow's horn water, this gives the fruit of donating 100,000 cows. In the month of Aashaadh, worship Shiv with the name of Ugra, drink Gomaya, this gives the fruit of living in Rudra Lok for more than 1 million years. In the month of Shraavan, worship Shiv with the name Sharv, eat Ark, this gives the fruit of the Yagya in which one has donated lots of gold. In the month of Bhaadrapad, worship Shiv with the name of Tryambak, eat Bilva leaf (Bel leaf), this gives the fruit of grain donation. In the month of Aashwin, worship Shiv with the name of Bhava, eat Tandulodak, this gives the fruit of 100 Pundareek Yagya. In the month of Kaarttik, worship Shiv with the name of Rudra, eat yogurt, this gives the fruit of Agnishtom Yagya.

After doing this Vrat for 12 months, one should feed Shiv's devotee Braahman Kheer with Ghee and donate clothes and gold to one's capacity. Who does this Vrat for one year, he gets freed from all sins and lives for 100 years enjoying all kinds of pleasures. By doing this Vrat only Indra, Chandramaa, Brahmaa and Vishnu etc have attained higher status. By doing this Vrat people live in Shiv Lok for eight Kalp. Whoever listens to the importance of this Vrat, he also gets freed from all kinds of sins.