Weekly Vrat Katha
Ravivar/Sunday Vrat Katha
Once upon a time, there was a very kind old woman who always used to worship Surya Dev and observe the Ravivar Vrat. She used to wake up early before the sunrise, clean her house and plaster it with cow dung. She took her food only after offering food to Lord Surya (Sun God). The lady always had the divine grace of the Sun God and didn’t have any problems in her life. She used to bring cow dung from her neighbourhood since she had no cow.Her neighbour was really jealous of the lady’s serene and happy life. So, she took the cow inside her house so that the old lady would no longer be able to collect cow dung. Since the lady couldn’t plaster her house that day, she didn’t prepare food, nor did she offer food to the deity. Therefore, she didn’t eat anything and remained on a fast for the entire day. She even slept without eating.
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| Sun |
That day passed. When the old lady woke up the next morning, she was surprised to get a sight of a beautiful cow and her calf standing in her courtyard. She immediately bought food and water and fed them. Her neighbour was shocked and felt more jealous when she saw the healthy cow tied in the courtyard of the old lady. She also found out that the cow dung of that cow was of gold.
Mantras to Chant During Ravivar Vrat
Mantra to chant while offering water to Lord Surya
|| Nama Suryaya Santaya Sarvaroga Nivarine,Ayu Rarogya Maisvairyam Dehi Devah Jagatpate ||
Surya Beej Mantra
|| Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah ||Somvar/ Monday Vrat
Once there lived a wealthy merchant in a city. He always had immense wealth and prosperity. However, despite all the worldly possessions, he remained sad because he had no son. He regularly observed Monday fast to have a son. He went to the Shiva temple and worshipped Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati there with full faith. Goddess Parvati was extremely pleased with his devotion and implored Lord Shiva saying, “My Lord, this wealthy merchant is your faithful devotee. He regularly observes Monday fast but still he has no son. Please fulfil his desire.” Hearing the implorings of Parvati, Lord Shiva said, “Let your desire be fulfilled. I grant him a boon. He will be the father of a son, but he will live for twelve years only”. Fortunately, this wealthy merchant could hear their conversation. As time passed on, the merchants wife gave birth to a beautiful son. He celebrated his sons birth with great pomp and show and distributed food, clothes and money among the poor. All prayed for his sons long and happy life. But the merchant was still sad because he knew that his son would not live beyond twelve years and that Yama, the god of Death, spares none. Knowing what the situation was, the merchant started observing the Monday fast with greater zest but there was no let up in the worship of Lord Shiva. At the age of eleven, the merchants son looked quite smart and mature. All desired that he should be married to a beautiful girl. The merchant’s wife also wanted her sons marriage. She insisted for it again and again but the merchant did not agree to this proposal. He sent for his brother-In-law and said, “Accompany my son to Kashi. Arrange for his best spiritual knowledge. Take enough money from my treasure. Arrange devotional gatherings on your way to Kashi at every halt and distribute alms among the beggars.” The merchant’s son started his journey for Kashi with his maternal uncle. They arranged devotional gatherings and distributed clothes at every halting camp. They also arranged best eats for the Brahmans and made enough offerings to them. One day they made a halt at a capital of a king. The marriage of the King’s daughter was to take place that day. The marriage party had already reached the city. The bridegroom’s party was terribly disturbed because the bridegroom was blind, of one eye. They were in search of a beautiful boy to replace him. |
| Shiv Parvati |
The bridegroom’s father sent his men in search of a beautiful boy. The men spotted the merchant’s son who was camping in an inn with his maternal uncle. The bridegroom’s father was a rich person. He said to the boy’s maternal uncle, “My prestige is at stake. I need a handsome bridegroom in place of my one-eyed son. I shall give enough wealth if your ward agrees to have a temporary marriage with the kings daughter. He shall be free immediately after the marriage ceremony is over.” The merchant’s brother-in-law convinced the boy for a temporary marriage. The bride’s party praised their luck when they saw a handsome bridegroom with the marching band at the head of the marriage procession. The merchant’s son and the kings daughter were, thus, married around the holy fire. At the time of departure, the merchant’s son picked his brides scarf and wrote, “Now we are husband and wife. I am not the son of a king. I am the son of a rich merchant. I was on way to Kashi for spiritual studies. Your real bridegroom is blind on one eye.” The bride noticed her bridegroom writing something on the scarf. She could not read his message at that time. When the marriage party was about to depart, the bride read the message. She was shocked to know the reality. She refused to accompany with the one-eyed bridegroom. The marriage party returned without a bride. The boy reached Kashiji and devoted himself fully to spiritual studies. His maternal uncle arranged devotional gatherings in the name of Lord Shiva and gave donations everyday for the well-being of his sister’s son. On the last day of the twelfth year, the merchant’s son felt pain in the chest. His maternal uncle was performing the religious rites as per his routine. As he went inside the room, he found the boy dead. He was full of grief, but kept silent as the Brahmans would not accept food from such a house. With courage, he completed his routine.
When his routine was over, he started crying. Many people gathered around him and shared his grief. Fortunately, Lord Shiva and Parvati were also passing by that house. When Parvati heard the cries, her motherly compassion got aroused. She was a mother, after all. Having known the facts, she said to Lord Shiva, “My dear Sire, please ask Yama to return his life. Yama is always at your command. Please do this favour to me. You are the protector of all creatures.” Lord Shiva agreed to this because of the family’s devotion towards him and sprinkled water from the holy river Ganga on the dead body. The boy got up as if he was making an excuse for sleep. The spiritual education of the merchant’s son was over. They started their journey homeward. They arranged spiritual discourses and distributed aims among the needy throughout their way. Now, they were back in the city where this boy was married. The king recognized the boy immediately. He took him to his palace with full honour and on an auspicious day, he arranged to happy departure for his daughter. He also gave adequate dowry. The merchant’s son reached his city along with his bride. His father could not believe it. He was sitting on the roof of a big mansion with his wife, waiting for his son. They had decided that they would not come down until their son supported them himself; otherwise they would commit suicide.
Therefore, finding him alive, his parents were glad and thanked Mahadev.
Mantras to Chant During Monday Vrat
The Panchakshara Mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” is repeated on this day in the name of Lord Shiva.Mangalvar/ Tuesday Vrat Katha
Once there lived a Brahman couple. They were issueless. So their life was very unhappy. The Brahman went to the jungles to appease Lord Hanuman. He would pray for a child in his prayers. His wife used to observe fasts on Tuesdays to placate the Lord. She used to take her food on Mondays only after offering Prasaad to Lord Hanuman. |
| Hanuman Ji |
Fortunately, the lady got a beautiful son. She named him Mangal. The Brahman returned home after some months. He saw a handsome child playing in his courtyard. He became suspicious and said to his wife, Whose child Is this? Have you indulged in adultery? The woman said politely, My dear husband, I am a chaste lady. I used to observe Tuesday fast in your absence to please Lord Hanuman. He has blessed me with this child. Please believe me. The Brahman kept mum but deep in his heart, doubts began to curl up every moment. The lady was helpless. One day the Brahman was going to take his bath at some nearby well. The lady told him, Please take Mangal alongwith you. He is quite grown-up. He will fetch water for your bath. He will also rub your back.
The Brahman agreed and took the boy alongwith him. He thought it would be a good occasion to push him into the well and to get-rid of a sinful child for good. As the boy was to fetch water, the Brahman pushed the boy into the well and returned home. To her great surprise, the woman noticed that the Brahman did not have wet dhoti on his shoulders. She said, Have you taken your bath? The Brahman said, Yes.
The lady said, Please give me your wet dhoti to enable me to spread it on the string. The Brahman was nonplussed. He had guilty conscience. He murmured some words and tried to leave the house. The wife said, Where is my Mangal? Where is my Mangal? O! Mangal, appear before my eyes if I am a cheste lady and you are my true son.
To the great surprise of both the wife and the husband, Mangal appeared at the door. He embraced his mother and touched his fathers feet. That might Lord Hanuman appeared before the Brahman in his dreams and said, O! poor creature, I blessed you with a son, and you suspect your wife of adultery. You must feel sorry for it.
The Brahman realised his mistake. His wife regularly observed fasts on Tuesdays. Thereafter they led a happy life. It is said that whosoever reads or listens to this story and keeps regular fasts Lord Hanuman protects him from air evils and bestows all happiness.
Mantras to Chant During Tuesday Vrat
The Humana Beej Mantra is:Aum Aeem Bhreem Hanumate
Shree Ram Dootaaya Namaha
The Hanuman Moola Mantra is:
Om Shri Hanumate Namah
Budhvar/ Wednesday Vart Katha
Once there was a newly marriage. On a Sunday, he went to his father-in-laws house to take his wife with him. It was the first time after marriage. He was welcomed by the in-laws and was provided with best food and bedding. His wife’s friends cut jokes with him. He enjoyed their jokes and conversation. He forgot the outside world as he enjoyed the hospitality offered to him by his wife’s younger brothers and sisters.Monday and Tuesday were spent in other pastimes. It was now Wednesday. He told his mother-in-law, I have an urgent piece of work today. You send your daughter with me immediately. But today is Wednesday. Mercury is not favourable to girls on Wednesday. It is considered inauspicious sending daughters in their in-laws house. I shall not send my daughter today, said the mother-in-law.
I do not care for the Mercury. He cannot harm me. Wednesday is very favourable for the businessmen like me. I have also very urgent piece of work at home, said the son-in-law. The mother-in-law said. You came here on Sunday. Monday was your hospitality day. The guest should enjoy only one day’s hospitality. You have overstayed. This is not our fault. How could we ask you to go away on Tuesday? It was for you to decide. Now, please go tomorrow for heaven sake.
The son-in-law was adamant. He insisted on leaving the same day. The in-laws read his mood and agreed to send their daughter with him. They arranged a chariot for the couple. Soon, the couple reached near a township. The girl was thirsty. She said to her husband, I am very thirsty. Please arrange some water for me. The husband agreed and went towards the township. Another young man resembling her husband brought water for her. She could not distinguish between the two. She took him for her husband and had a good chat with him.
In the meanwhile, her real husband appeared on the scene. He was surprised to see his wife chatting and cutting jokes with someone else. He was annoyed at her conduct. The wife also felt bemused when she saw the like of her husband standing with a water pot in his hand. Both the males quarreled among themselves and claimed the lady as their wife. Incidentally a constable came there and wanted to know what the matter was. He said to the lady, who is your real husband?
The lady said, I am in a fix myself. They resemble each other so much. The real husband felt sorry. He remembered his mother-in-laws words. The constable took them to the king and told the whole story. The king asked his minister to administer justice. The minister said to the constable, it is late evening. Lock them up in separate cells. Arrange strict night watch. I will give my judgement tomorrow.
All the three were locked up in separate cells. It was dead of night. Mercury had a Sound sleep. The real husband was very restless. He was repentant. He uttered loudly; I am suffering for my pride and disobedience to my in-laws. Oh God, forgive me this time. The guards were marking all these uttering. The next morning the minister sent for the guards. The guards related one of the youngmen's behaviours.
The minister said, the man who had a restless night is the real husband. His wife should be restored to him. He should be freed. Produce the second person in my court. The guards went to the prison cell. They set free the real husband and his wife. They were happy to be together again. The guards went to the other young man. His cell was empty though locked from outside. They reported the matter to the minister. He was astonished to know that the cell was empty though locked from outside. He went to the senior minister and related the whole story.
The senior minister smiled and said the missing prisoner is Mercury. Mercury rules on Wednesdays. This man challenged Mercury’s authority. He felt offended and disguised himself as her husband to teach him a lesson. Today Is Thursday. Jupiter rules on Thursdays. Mercury disappeared exactly at sunrise. Don’t be afraid. The guards are not at fault.
The king was happy over his minister’s judgement. The husband and wife reached home and related the whole story to their near and dear ones.
Mercury or Budh beej mantra
"Om Braam Breem Braum Sah Budhaya Namah"Guruvar/ Thursday Varth katha
Once there was a young girl. She used to water a banana tree. She also used to play under it. One day a strange voice came as if fluttering from its leaves. The girl got frightened and ran away. Next day the girl was again watering the tree. She heard the same voice. She took courage. The voice said, Will you play with me? Will you play with me? The young girl looked here and there. She could locate nobody there. She started to grow weaker and weaker. Her mother noted this change. One day the mother said, My dear girl, what is wrong with you? Why are you losing your health despite best food?The young girl said, 1 water my banana tree everyday. I hear a strange voice from it. The voice says Will you please play with me? I see no one around me. The mother heard her daughter and said smilingly, You are a very innocent girl. The banana goddess is pleased with you. You welcome her tomorrow for playing.
The girl heard the same voice the next day. She invited her to play with her. After the play was over, the goddess of banana or Lakshmi said to the girl, Will you please accompany me to my house for lunch? The girl said, Have you a house too? The goddess took her to her palace through the hollow of the banana tree and served her with best sweets and fruit in gold and silver pots. She offered her various types of costly gifts. When the girl returned, her mother was happy. She said to her daughter, "Have you offered your friend a return visit? You must invite her next day.
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| Vishnu |
The girl said, We are very poor. How can I extend invitation to her? Our utensils are broken. Our clothes are shabby and torn. We have nothing to sit upon. The mother said, Service and courtesy will compensate for them. We will dean our house and give her a warm welcome. The girl agreed to her mother advice. When she met the goddess the next day, she extended to her invitation for visiting her house. The goddess accepted the invitation. She accompanied the girl to her house the next day. The goddess had hardly stepped into the house when it was converted into a beautiful palace. The broken utensils turned into shining gold and silver ones. The shabby and torn clothes became new and attractive. The ordinary meal prepared by the family tasted like mana. As she was about to leave, the goddess blessed the family with a happy future. The girl mother requested the goddess to stay with them permanently.
The goddess said, 1 am goddess Lakshmi. I am of very unstable and fickle-minded. I cannot commit to stay with you all the time. So long as you work hard and water the banana trees, I shall be there in form of banana fruit. Your business will flourish day by day. Water banana tree, especially on Thursdays.
The goddess then disappeared from the scene leaving plenty of wealth for the family.
Beej mantra of Jupiter
"Om Hreem Kleem Hom Brihaspataye Namah"
Friday Vrat Katha
Once there was an old woman. She used to observe Friday fasts regularly. She worshipped Shukras idol. She gave holy dips to the idol and offered best food to it as bhoga. One day she decided to go on a pilgrimage. But how could she leave the house? Who would give holy dips to Shukras idol? Who would offer bhoga to it? She conveyed her anxiety to her sons wife. Her sons wife, that is her daughter-in-law was not a religious lady. She wanted to get rid of her mother-in-law for some time. She agreed to worship Shukras idol in her absence.The old lady felt happy and left on the pilgrimage. Her daughter-in-law being what she was, after taking her bath would squeeze a few drops of water from her wet saree and considered it as a dip for the idol. She would prepare best dishes in her mother-in-laws absence and place some crumbs or remains before the idol as bhoga. Even this was heavy for her. One day she decided to get rid of the idol. She put it in a waste paper basket and threw it on a heap of garbage.
A wise lady passed by. She noticed Shukras bright idol lying on the garbage. She picked it up with great respect and brought it to her house. She gave it holy dips and offered best bhoga. She also observed fast in the name of Shukra. The lady became very rich. On the other hand, the old womans family became poorer and poorer. The family could hardly make both ends meet.
The old lady returned from her pilgrimage. She noticed the changed conditions of the family. She asked the daughter-in-law, Where is the Shukras idol? The daughter-in-law kept mum. She repeated the question, but the lady would not speak. She repeated her question for the third time. The daughter-in-law replied, I was fed up with Shukras worship. I had no time to spare. I threw it on a heap of garbage some weeks ago. The old lady was astonished at the reply. She went to the garbage heap and searched for the idol, but hod to return disappointed She decided to go from door to door to enquire about it.
She knocked at the door of a rich lady and said, Have you seen my Shukras idol? The rich lady gazed at her from head to foot and said, Are you insane? Why did you throw the idol on the garbage? You have no regards for deities. You should be punished for it. The old lady narrated the whole story to the rich lady and felt sorry for her daughter-in-law. The rich lady said, If it is so I shall return the idol to you. Lord Shukra has blessed me with health and wealth. I do not want to keep others things with me. Take back this idol with full respect.
The old lady brought back the idol and placed it at the worshipping dias. She observed Shukras fasts as a penance. Lord Shukra again blessed them with health and wealth. The family enjoyed a happy life again thereafter.
Shukra Beej Mantra 108 times.
"Om Draam Dreem Draum Sah Shukraya Namah"
Shanivar Varth Katha
Once there was a Brahman. He used to guard against evil spirits at the king’s main gate palace. One day he heard a strange voice and was frightened. He heard this voice for a number of days. He never talked about that mysterious voice to his wife. One day his wife said, “I try to provide you best nutritious meals, still you are losing your health. What is wrong with you?” For some time, he kept mum. His wife insisted that he should reveal his internal feelings to get rid of any * unnecessary strain. The Brahman said, “I hear a strange voice every Saturday. It says that it wants to afflict the king. The duration of affliction will be either seven-and-a-half years or two-and-a-half years or two-and-a-half months or two-and-a-half days or at least for two-and-a-half prahar i.e. seven-and-a-half hours. The king can opt for any period but the affliction is a must.”The Brahman’s wife smiled and said, “Why didn’t you tell it earlier? The king must be saved even at our cost. You accept two-and-a-half ‘prahars’ affliction for you. The spirit again visited the palace and repeated the same message. The Brahman said, “I offer to take King’s affliction upon myself. You can be upon me for two-and-a-half prahars.” The spirit was pleased at Brahman’s offer. The Brahman went to a riverbank. He wanted to spent that time in meditation. He noticed two water-melons floating on the surface of water. He caught them by their tops and placed them under his thigh.
The king’s princes had been out for hunting for the last two days. They had not returned. The king was in great agony. He sent his messengers in various directions for searching out the princes. Incidentally, a messenger came to the Brahman. To his great surprise, he saw that the Brahman was hiding the heads of the princes under his thigh. He reported the matter to the king. The king was enraged. He ordered that the Brahman be impaled or hanged. The king asked the Brahman what his last desire was. The Brahman said, “Please do not kill me for two-and-a-half prahars.”
The king agreed. As the stipulated time was over arrangements for Brahman’s end were made ready. The Brahman was to be beheaded with a red hot iron spear. As the slaughter man attacked the Brahman, the hot spear got broken into pieces. The slaughter man now took a red hot silver spear. That spear too was broken into pieces before it touched the Brahman’s neck. The slaughter man took out a red hot golden spear and tried to behead the Brahman. The third spear also did have a different fate.
The onlookers were surprised at the sight of such a miracle. Suddenly, the princes too, appeared at the scene. The king embraced the princes and felt sorry for he Brahman. The king said, “O, Brahman! What is this puzzle?” Reveal this mystery to one and all.” The Brahman said, “The Saturn wanted to afflict you. I took your affliction upon me to save you and the kingdom. The Saturn made the water melons appear as human heads. Now could I have killed the princes? I have always been a saviour of this kingdom.” The king said, “1 don’t believe your utterings. I want to see the Saturn myself. If you do not show me, all the members of your family will be crushed in the grinder.” The Brahman began to tremble. He begged for a week’s time. He went to his house. His wife said, “You look pale and horrified. What is the matter?” The Brahman said, “The Saturn wrought the affliction on me. I was saved because I acted according to your advice. Now, if I do not show Saturn to the king, all of us will be crushed under the grinder wheels.”
The Brahman’s wife said, “Have patience. You staked your life for a better cause. God will help us.” The Brahman had a sigh of relief. His wife said, “Ask the king to get up early in the morning on the coming Saturday. Saturn will be riding a black horse under the black mountain. He will be covered with a black blanket, all soaked in oil. The king can have his glimpse.” The Brahman took the king to the black mountain the next Saturday. A black shadow was riding a black horse. The king said, “Who are you?” The Saturn said, “I am Saturn. I afflict the poor as well as the kings alike.”
The king said, “How can we avoid your affliction?” The Saturn said, “The rich should donate a black horse or one-and-a-quarter maunds of gold on Saturday. The middle-income group can donate iron and black blankets. The poor can give oil-touched loaf to a black dog. The still poorer can water a peepal tree, place some gur there and wrap the tree with a piece of kuchcha thread.” The Brahman said, “Do not afflict our king. Your affliction on the king will affect our town. I can stand your afflictions on myself in the future also.”
The Saturn suddenly disappeared alongwith his black horse and the king returned to his palace. He was pleased with the Brahman. The Brahman’s wife felt happy when the husband reported the whole happening to her.
Shani Beej Mantra
"Om Praam Preem Proom Sah Shanaischaraya Namah"
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| Shani Dev |