Vratha

VRATHA: Austerity observances

• Complete surrender to masters [Gurus].
• Wearing the sacred mala or rosary.
• Wearing cloth with one uniform colour.
• Smearing vibhuthi [sacred ash] and kumkum.
• Walking with bear feet. [Nagna-paada-charana]
• Maintaining complete celibacy [Paripoorna Brhammacharya].
• Performing sacred bath [Snanayoga].
• Eating satwika food items.
• Yoga – nidra.
• Meeting holy persons, devotes, mahatmas, [Satsang].
• Non-shaving: Forbearance or sahana , [Khura karma tyaga: Tolerance].
• Donation [Daana].
• Worship of god every day [Pooja].
• Irumudi .
• Journey [Pilgrimage] .
• Self-surrender [Aatma-nivedana]

Modification & Additions

• Yoga [Aasanas]
• Purity [Kriyas]
• Read [Scriptures]
• Discourse [Gyana-yagna]
• Meditation [Dhyana]
• Surya- vandana [Aaditya]
• Feed others [Prasaadm-ootu]
• Mantrocharana [Japa-yog]
• Hydrotherapy [Jala-kriya]
• Visit sickly [Rogi-sandarshana].

NOTE: Not the part of prescribed yoga but forms part of Austerity Measures which is the sub part of/leading to "TAPAS"