Hinduism For All - Vratas of Hindus

Hinduism For All

Significance Of Fasting in Hinduism

Hindu festivals are not just about fasting or feasting, but they have a rich cultural and spiritual significance.

Hindu Almanac, called Panchaanga enlists festivals and fasts in very rapid succession.

Fasting is refered to as "Vrat" in Hindu Philosophy.

Some of the most important days which are dedicated to the observance of fasts to

deities are –

Ekaadashi Vrata :

According to the Hindu calendar, every month has two fortnights namely waxing fortnight (Shukla Paksha) and waning fortnight (Krishna Paksha), each consisting fourteen days. The eleventh day is called Ekaadashi. Fasting (Upavaasa) on Ekaadashi day is considered to bestow a great merit on the devotee. Along with fasting, the devotee should dwell (vaasa) closer (upa) to the Lord by constant remembering of his names, deeds etc.

Medically too, fasting once in a fortnight corrects the faults in digestive system and the eleventh day according to astronomical calculations is most suitable due to the favourable positioning of the moon.

The Aashaadha Ekaadashi, Kaartika Ekaadashi, Vaikuntha Ekaadashi etc. are important ones which can bestow the merits of fasting during all other Ekaadashi Vratas.

Sankatahara Chaturthi :

This is a special and most efficacious vow undertaken to pray for the successful completion of one’s endevours. This is commenced during the Mahaa Sankatahara Chaturthi day, i.e. the Chaturthi (fourth day after the full moon) before the Ganesha Chaturthi.

On this day, the person observing the Vrata does not eat the whole day and in the evening, after getting to see a glimpse of moon at the late hour he prays to Lord Ganesha, performs pooja and then has his first intake of food which too is very light.

After successful completion of this Vrata every month for one year, the devotee should perform Mahaa Ganapati homa with 108 or 1008 modakas (sweet balls) and finish his observance.

Shashti:

This is called as Santaana prada vrata i.e. the vow that fulfills the desire to attain progeny. Lord Subrahmanya is called Vamsha-Vriddhi-kara i.e. ‘One who ensures the continuity of one’s clan’. Person who suffers from want of children due to various factors observes this vrata which involves performance of Pooja to Lord Subrahmanya on Shashti i.e. the sixth day after Full Moon.

Satyanaaraayana Pooja :

The Skanda Puraana states that there is no Vrata in the present Kali Age, as significant as the Satyanaaraayana Pooja. Lord Satyanaaraayana, a form of Lord Vishnu, is worshipped on the Full Moon, especially in the evening along with Ashta Dikpaalakaas and Pancha Lokapaalakaas. The worship of lord is completed after listening to five stories describing greatness of Sri Satyanaaraayana and His worship.

Apart from these periodical poojas, certain months are considered very auspicious for the worship of certain deities.

Aashaadha (Aadi) :

Goddess Durgaa is worshipped and honoured in South India and Sri Jagannath and Vitthala in East and Western India. This is now popular all over India.

Shraavana (Aavani) :

The Mondays in the month of Sraavana are considered most holy for the worship of Lord Shiva.

Bhaadrapada (Purattaasi) :

The Saturdays in the month of Purattaasi are considered to be very auspicious. Devotees of Lord Venkateshwara to observe vows (vrata). They also visit the holy shrine of Tirupati. Lord is invoked in a Ghee lamp lit in rice flour and worshipped on all saturdays or at least on one saturday.

Mrigashira / Maargashira (Margazhi) :

This month is considered to be holiest and early morning worship (Ushatkaala Pooja) is considered

very efficacious in Bhagavad Geeta mentioning about his greatness, declares that, “amongst the months, He is Maargashira”. This is also called the Dhanur Maasa.

This article is a snippet from the Book Hinduism For All, Authored by TS Srinivasan and Edited By Dr Ramchandrashekar. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.

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