May Fasts

Satyanarayana Vrat

Satyanarayana vrat is generally observed on the full moon day, particularly during the Kartik, Vaisakh, Sravan or the Chaitra Purnimas and the Shankranti day. It can also be done on new moon days.

Myth I
It is believed that once Yogiraj Narad Muni reached Mrityulok (earth) and saw the human beings suffering immensely. Unable to see the pain of human beings, he went to Lord Vishnu and asked him what can be done to relieve the mankind from the sufferings.

Vishnu told Narad that mankind should do Satyanarayana’s fast and puja in order to fulfill their desires and reduce their sufferings. To perform this puja one requires riped bananas, ghee, milk and choori (made with wheat flour, ghee and sugar). After the prayers, all devotees must have the prasad, sing, praise and chant mantras of Lord Satyanaryana.

Five stories are connected with Satyanarayana Vrat, which speak about the glory of Lord Narayana and his grace.

Myth II
There was a brahmin living in Sunder Kashipur, who used to beg for his daily bread. One day when Lord Satyanaryana saw him begging, he quickly disguised himself as an old brahmin. Lord, in his disguise, asked the brahmin why was he sad. To which, the brahmin said that he wanted a way out to rid himself of the difficulties of life. Lord told the brahmin to undertake the Satyanaryana puja and fast.

The brahmin kept thinking about the fast and the prayer all night long and decided to perform the puja somehow the next day. With the thought of performing prayer he went out for his bhiksha. That day he got a lot of money with which he bought everything necessary for the puja. He called his family and that evening he offered prayers to Lord Satyanaryana. By doing so, the Brahmin overcame all his sorrows and became rich. From that time onwards, he used to do prayers every month without fail.

Once the brahmin was performing puja with his family, when a thirsty woodcutter passed from there. The woodcutter went inside to quench his thirst and waited till the brahmin completed his prayers. He then asked the brahmin all about the prayers he was performing. Brahmin told him all about the prayer and how his sorrows ended and he obtained peace. Woodcutter left after eating the prasad. He too decided that he will perform the puja and will buy the puja samagri with whatever earning he made. That day he earned four times more money than usual. He then comfortably performed the puja with his family after cleaning the house. Lord rewarded him and he became rich, had all the pleasures of life and in the end of his life he went to heaven.

Myth III
Once there was a merchant, who along with his wife prayed hard for Lord Satyanaryana. Lord got pleased with them and granted them a beautiful girl child, which they named Kalawati. Merchant promised to perform Lord’s puja at the time of Kalawati’s marriage. At the right time, the merchant got her married off but forgot all about his promise to perform the puja. And soon after her marriage left with his son-in-law to the neighbouring kindgom of King Chandraketu for a business trip.

The Lord got angry and wanted to teach the merchant a lesson who forgot to keep his promise.

One day some thieves robbed all the wealth of the king and hid it where the merchant was residing, who was on a business trip there. Seeing the guards following them, the thieves ran away leaving the loot there. When the guards reached the merchant’s residence, they found the king’s wealth there. They arrested the merchant and his son-in-law. Without listening to anything, King put both of them in a dark cell and also confiscated their personal wealth. Back home, the thieves robbed all their wealth and his wife and daughter had to beg for their bread and butter.

One day while begging, Kalawati reached a brahmin’s house where she heard Satyanarayana’s path and decided to perform the prayer. Her mother made all the necessary preparations and both of them performed the prayer. Lord Satyanaryana got pleased with their prayers and fast. As a result of which, they came in the dream of King Chandraketu and asked him to release the merchant and his son-in-law. The king released both and gave them fresh clothes and restored them back with their wealth and additional wealth. Both the merchant and his son-in-law left homewards.

Myth IV
Before the merchant and his son-in-law could leave for home, Lord Satynarayana thought of testing them. Lord disguised himself as an old man and asked the merchant what his boat contained and asked some part of it. Merchant told the old man that there was nothing in the boat but hay and leaves. On hearing this the Lord got disappointed with the merchant and told him what he mentioned comes true. And everything in the boat turned hay and leaves. The merchant fainted seeing this. His son-in-law advised him to give up his greed, find the old man and apologise to him. He heeded to the advise of his son-in-law. On finding the old man, he apologised to him for not recognizing him (the Lord). However, he promised to perform his puja on returning back home.

Both left home wards. As he was about to reach home, the merchant sent a messenger to inform his wife and daughter of their return. His wife Leelawati, had just finished praying to Lord Satyanaryana and asked her daughter to perform her puja before coming to receive them. Kalawati in a haste, to receive her husband, performed the puja but forgot to take the prasad. And hurried to receive her father and husband. Lord got angry on her behaviour so he drowned her husband with the boat.

Merchant asked for mercy for her daughter to the Lord. The Lord told him, if she wanted her husband back then she must accept the prasad with due respect. On knowing this, she ran back home accepted the prasad with reverence and ate it. After which she came back and met her husband.

Myth V
King Tungdhwaj, known for his generosity, went for hunting. While hunting, he got tired, he sat down under a tree to rest. There he saw a few villagers doing the prayer or Lord Satynaryana. But the King did not bow down in front of the idol of the Lord or offered any prayers. When the villagers gave him the prasad, he did not accept it and went away from there.

When the king reached his kingdom, he saw that everything was destroyed and all his 100 sons were lying dead on the floor. The King realised that this had happened due to the disrespect he had shown to Lord. So, he immediately went to the place where the villagers had performed the puja. He got from there, prasad and charna amrita and put it in all his son’s mouths. By doing so all his sons became alright.

Som Pradosh Vrata

Generally people observe Pradosha Vrata on every Trayodashi tithi (i.e. 13th Lunar day falling in Krishna and Shukla Pakshas) during Sandhya Kaala (i.e. during or after sunset).

When the Pradosh Vrata coincides with Monday it is known as Som Pradosh. It is said that on this day all Gods and Goddesses assemble at Mount Kailash to worship Lord Shiva. This bestows all kinds of wealth and comforts to Sadhakas.

Worshippers bath an hour before sunset and then perform worship of Lord Shiva and his family, namely, Pravati, Ganesha, Skanda and Nandi.

After the Ganesha worship, Lord Shiva is invoked in the special Kalasha placed on a square Mandala with drawn lotus spread with Darbha grass. After formal worship has been completed, the Sivaratri story is read or Shiva Purana is read

This is followed by the recitation of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra 108 times.

Mohini Ekadashi

Mohini Ekadashi falls in the Shukla Paksha or Baisakh.

According to the Kurmapurana, there was a king named Dyutiman, who used to live in Bhadravati, located on the bank of the Saraswati. The king had many sons, one of whom was named Dhristabuddhi. He was involved in sinful acts.

When his father threw him out the house, he used to hang around the woods, steal food and kill animals.

One day, he reached the Ashrama of saint Kaupinda, but just as the saint touched him, he was acquitted of all sins.

The saint then advised him to observe fast on the eleventh day or Ekadashi of full moon. It is said if someone observes fast on this day, he is absolved of all sins.

Vat Savitri Vrat

Women whose husbands are alive observe Vat Savitri Vrat with the intention of preserving their good fortune. On the day Jyestha Krishna Trayodashi in the morning, one should brush their teeth and afterwards in the afternoon women should apply paste of sesamum and amala and after that have a bath.

After this women should eat the roots of VatVriksha (Banyan tree) along with water. Women who have just delivered a child or woman having a problem with periods (menstruation) can accomplish this vow through a Brahmin who could worship and fulfil the vow. This vow should be observed from Traydashi to Poornima (full moon) or Amavasya.

One should go near the Banyan tree and sip water and pray “I, on this auspicious day of Jyestha, Krishna Trayodashi pray for the health and will being of my children and husband. Never should I ever become a widow and this is the main intention of this vow. In the roots of the Banyan Tree lies Brahma, in the stem/ barks lie Janardan and in the above portion lies Shiva and in totality lies Devi Savitri. O Banyan tree! I water you, which is like elixir of life.

After chanting of the mantra, the sacred red thread is tied around the Banyan tree and one offers marigold flower and rice and worship Vat Savitri. After this women should circumambulate the tree. After returning home, women should draw a Banyan tree using a paste made of turmeric and sandalwood. One should sit near the drawing and should pray and take a resolution. One should observe fast for 3 nights and on the fourth day one should offer water to the Moon God and worship Vat Savitri.

Delicious dishes are prepared and are offered first to the Goddess. This is followed by dishes being offered to Brahmins. After this the women break their fasts.

After worshipping Vat (Banyan tree and Savitri Goddess) one should worship women whose husband is alive with Sindoor (vermilion) Kumkum and betel leaves. To accomplish this fast in totality women offer clothes, fruits, Sindoor (Vermilion) kumkum etc in a copper vessel to a Brahmin.

Kalashtami

The eighth day of the second half of the month of Kartik is observed by fasting and the night is spent in prayers. As the legend goes that on this day Kala Bhairav, a creation of Lord Shiva, in his wrath chopped off one of the five heads of Lord Brahma and returned to Banaras. Since then Kala Bhairav has been the presiding deity of the sacred city (Banaras). The local Hindus observe this day annually in his honour.

Pooja is held at 12:00 am. The next day is also followed by pooja in noon. This celebration is held for one and half day.