Sūta said:: The common characteristics of all vratas are:—Forbearance, truthfulness, mercy, charity, cleanliness, curb on the sense-organs and the worship of Rudra. I shall succinctly recount to you the extensive holy vrata for every month in due order beginning with Mārgaśīrṣa and ending with Kārttika. This has been recounted at the outset by Nandin.