ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ

“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”

India is a holy country and millions of Indians believe in the powers of devotion and worship.

Therefore, they perform different rituals, observe fast to receive divine blessings of their favorite God or Goddess. Shukravar Vrat is one of such auspicious ritual where mostly Hindu women observe Vrat to please Goddess Santoshi and to seek Her blessings.

According to Hindu religious books; Santoshi Mata is referred to as the goddess of contentment, Santoshi means contentment, and considered as the kind and softest form of Goddess Durga.

She is the daughter of Lord Ganesh and Devi Riddhi- Siddhi.

Friday fast is dedicated to propitiate the brightest planet Venus.

The popularity of this Vrat initially spread through word of mouth, articles, literature, and poster art in the early 1960s and became a household name after the grand success of the Hindi film Jai Santoshi Maa in the year 1975.

It is believed that a devotee who performs Santoshi Maa Vrat on 16 consecutive Fridays wins the goddess’ favor. Maa Santoshi not only provides wealth and joy, but she also protects Her devotees from negative powers, with sword in Her left hand and Trisula in the right.

Procedure for Friday Fast: Hindu devotees, mostly women observe this vrat on Fridays to pay tribute to Santoshi Mata.

By adhering to fasting rules and procedures, they observe a fast for sixteen consecutive Fridays to complete their vow (Sankalp). Anyone can begin this Vrat from a Friday of the Shukla Paksha in any lunar month.

• The first and foremost rule of this fast is that nobody in the house should eat or touch anything sour on this day.

• Rise before sunrise then take a bath and wear clean clothes.

• Clean your house and sprinkle Ganga Jal (water) in the temple area.

• Then place an idol or picture of Santoshi Mata and light a lamp and incense stick.

• Place a Kalash filled with water and place a coconut on top of it, then place a bowl consisting of

raw jaggery (gud) and roasted chickpeas (black chana) in front of the idol.

• Offer Kumkum, Haldi, flowers, chunri (a piece of red cloth), coconut, and bananas.

• To begin the puja, chant different names of Santoshi Mata and read Her Vrat Katha.

In the end, perform the aarti and offer flowers to the lotus feet of the Goddess.

• After the puja distribute the Prasad (gud and chana) to all family members.

The observer of this Vrat can have one meal on this day.

• Throughout the day do not eat anything sour. Make sure that you neither cook anything sour nor consume it in any form.

Complete 16 consecutive fasts while following the strict rule of refraining from all the sour eatables and on the sixteenth Friday known as udyapan day, offer kheer, puri, jaggery, and chickpeas as Prasad to the deity. And at the end of the Vrat puja distribute this prasad to eight children with some cash as dakshina.

Prayer to Santoshi Mata (Aarti):

Jai Santoshi Mata, Maiya Jai Santoshi Matal Apane Sewak Jana Ko, Sukha Sampatti Data || Jai Santoshi Matall

Sundar Cheer Sunahari Maa Dharan Kinhol

Heera Panna Damake, Tana Shringara Kinho ||

Jai Santoshi Matall

Geru Laala Chhata Chhavi, Badana Kamal Sohel Manda Hansata Karunamayi, Tribhuvana Man Mohell Jai Santoshi Matall

Swarna Sinhasana Baithi, Chanvar Dhure Pyarel Dhoop Deep Madhumeva, Bhoga Dhare Nyarell Jai Santoshi Matall

Gud Aru Chana Paramapriya, Tame Santosh Kiyo! Santoshi Kahalai, Bhaktana Vaibhav Diyo||

Jai Santoshi Matall

Shukrawar Priya Manat, Aaja Diwas Sohil Bhakta Mandali Chhai, Katha Sunat Mohill

Jai Santoshi Matall

Mandir Jagamaga Jyoti, Mangal Dhwani Chhail Vinaya Kare Hama Balaka, Charanan Sira Naill

Jai Santoshi Matall

Bhakti Bhavamaya Puja, Angikrita Kijail

Jo Man Basai Hamare, Ichchha Phala Dijaill

Jai Santoshi Matall

Dukhi Daridri, Roga, Sankat Mukta Kiyel

Bahu Dhana-Dhanya Bhare Ghara, Sukha Saubhagya Diyell

Jai Santoshi Matall

Significance of worshipping Santoshi Mata:

• Regular chanting of Jai Santoshi Mata aarti or chanting 108 names gives peace of mind, happiness and helps to develop the confidence to battle evil.

• As per religious beliefs, observing fast and chanting a mantra as well as reading the Vrat Katha increases wealth, attracts life partner, and bestows joyful life.

• It is believed that the observance of this Shukravar Vrat consecutively for 16 Fridays, will please the Goddess and that She will destroy all difficulties and sorrows of devotees, fulfill their honest desires and bless them with wealth, happily married life, and progeny.

Friday Fast story / Shukravar Vrat Katha: This story starts with an old woman who used to live in a village with her seven sons.

The youngest son of that lady was an irresponsible person and used to spent his time doing nothing. So, she served him the leftovers of his brother’s meals as his daily meal.

The wife of the youngest son named Gita, got to know this and narrated the same to her husband and then requested him to earn some money and fame for his own.

Knowing this, he felt sorry for himself and left the house overnight to a faraway place to seek his fortune. After some time, he acquired work with a merchant and became rich with his hard work, but forgot about his wife.

His wife Gita was living a painful life because of the ill-treatment of her in-laws. Once, Gita came to know about the 16- week Shukravar Vrat and its fruitful results.

She completed 16 Friday fasts.

As a result, Santoshi Mata appeared in her husband’s dream and informed him about the painful life of his wife Gita.

He returned home with a lot of money and started a prosperous life with Gita in a separate house.

Peoples of his village and the nearby area came to know the whole story and started observing Shukravar Vrat with full faith and devotion.

Day by day the popularity of this Vrat spread like wildfire and many people started observing 16-week Shukavar Vart knowing the power of the benevolent Maa Santoshi.

Summary: Santoshi Mata is considered as the Goddess of satisfaction and a manifestation of Goddess Durga.

There are several temples dedicated to Santoshi Mata all over India and She is worshipped in many parts of the country and by Hindu devotees abroad.

Shukravar Vrat or Santoshi maa fast is a household name in India with a strong belief that She accepts all the afflictions, problems, and ill fate of all Her devotees and blesses them with wealth, progeny, prosperity, and happiness.

Shukravar Vrat: Benefits, Fasting Method, Mantras and Vrat Katha

Shukravar Vrat or Friday Fast is considered to be one of the most important fasting practices in Hinduism, observed mostly by women to seek the blessings of Maa Santoshi. As per the Puranas, Maa Santoshi is often known to be the Goddess of happiness and contentment. She’s considered to be the softest and least fierce form of Goddess Durga. She’s the daughter of Lord Ganesha and Riddhi-Siddhi Devi. The Shukravar Vrat or Friday Fast is also dedicated to the planet Venus which is the brightest planet in the solar system. Thus, this Vrat is very popular in India and it is believed that people who observe this fast get all their wishes fulfilled and Maa Santoshi always protects her Devotees from Evil Eyes and Negative forces with her Trishul in her right hand and sword in her left.

Significance of Friday Fast

Observing the Shukravar Vrat and chanting “Jai Maa Santoshi” for 108 times helps in giving happiness and peace of mind to the devotees. It also helps in warding off evil eyes and gives the confidence to fight the negative forces in life.
According to Hindu Puranas, observing this fast and reading the Shukravar Vrat Katha attracts riches, wealth and financial stability. It also helps the devotees in finding a good life partner and living a blissful life.
It is believed that observing the Friday Fast for 16 consecutive Fridays leads to the destruction of all kinds of sorrows, sufferings and difficulties in life. The devotees get blessed with happy life with healthy progeny.
Observing the Shukravar Vrat and worshipping the planet Venus on Friday helps the devotees to get rid of the malefic effects of Venus from the horoscope.

Shukravar Vrat Fasting Method

In Hinduism, most women devotees observe fast on Fridays to pay their honour and respect to Mata Santoshi. The devotees can begin a Shukravar Vrat on any Friday of the Shukla Paksha of any lunar month with a vow to continue it for 16 consecutive Fridays without fail or hindrances.

The most important rule for this Vrat is that the devotees should not consume anything sour on this day. Consuming meat, onion and garlic are also prohibited on this day.
Wake up before the sunrise, take a holy bath and wear fresh clothes.
Clean the puja space and sprinkle Gangajal in all corners of your house to purify the atmosphere.
Then place an idol or picture of Mata Santoshi in a proper place and decorate the space around it.
Place an oil lamp and incense sticks. Then fill a Kalash (earthen pot) with water and some mango leaves and coconut on top of it.
Offer a bowl filled with jaggery, roasted chickpeas and bananas as bhog to the goddess.
Offer Haldi, Kumkum, flower garlands, red chunri, sandalwood and rice too.
Then read the Shukravar Vrat Katha and Chant the mantras related to Maa Santoshi.
Conclude the puja by performing the Aarti, offering flowers near the feet of the goddess and distributing the prasad among the devotees.
People observing this Vrat can consume one meal on a fasting day.
On the 16th Friday, known as the Udyapan day, perform the puja as per the rules and regulations and finally offer food and Dakshina to eight poor children to conclude the Vrat.

Shukravar Vrat Katha

Once upon a time, there lived an old woman with her 7 sons in a small village. Her youngest son was extremely irresponsible and used to spend his time doing nothing fruitful. Therefore, the old woman used to serve him the meals left over by the other brothers. The wife of the youngest son, named Gita, used to see this and get very disappointed. Once she told her husband about this and asked him to earn some money so that his mother would respect him. The son felt sorry for himself and his wife after knowing this and left the house overnight to search for work and seek good fortune. Within some months he acquired a job with a merchant and became very rich with his hard work but he forgot about his wife and never visited her.

Gita lived a very harsh life with a lot of mistreatment from her in-laws. Once she got to know about the 16 Shukravar Vrat and its benefits and vowed to observe the fast. She completed the Vrat successfully with utmost devotion. Pleased with her dedication, Mata Santoshi appeared in her husband’s dreams and told him about the plight and sufferings of his wife Gita. The husband realised his mistake, returned back home and started a separate life with his wife with a lot of money and prosperity. The residents of his village and nearby villages came to know about the entire story related to Shukravar Vrat and started observing the fast to please Mata Santoshi with full faith and devotion.

Mantras for Friday Fast

|| Om shri santoshi mahamaye gajanandam dayini shukravar priye devi narayani namostute ||

|| Jai maa santoshye devi namo namah ||

|| Om shri gajodevoputriyay namah ||

|| Om sarvnivarnaay devibhuta namah ||

|| Om santoshi mahadevvye namah ||

|| Om sarvkaam falpradaaye namah ||

|| Om laliltaaye namah ||

Shukravar Vrat Or Upvaas: Friday Dedicated To Santhoshi Ma And Shukra Or Venus

In Hindu religion, each day of a week is dedicated to a particular God or Goddesses. Friday or Shukrawar is dedicated to Shakti – the Mother Goddess in Hinduism – and Shukra or Venus. One of the most important Vrat or Upvaas (fast) on the day is dedicated to Santhoshi Matha (an incarnation of Shakti). The fasting is also known as ‘Solah Shukravar Vrats because a devotee fasts for 16 consecutive Fridays. White color is given importance on Friday.

Another deity that is propitiated on the day is Shukra, who is known to provide joy and material wealth. The period of Shukra in one’s astrological chart is considered to be most productive and luckily period.

Worship of Shakti – Durga, Kali and other forms – on Friday is considered highly auspicious. Shakti temples in India attract large number of devotees on this day.

Fast is kept for various reasons which include removal of obstacles, for a child, happy family life etc.

There are numerous stories associated with Shukravar. In almost all the stories, Lord Shukra or Venus is dishonored in the beginning and the devotee later realizes his/her folly through numerous untoward incidents. Then the devotee realizes the mistake and propitiates Shukra and is finally rewarded.

Shukravar Vrat Katha

In Hindu religion, each day of a week is dedicated to a particular God or Goddesses. Friday or Shukrawar is dedicated to Shakti – the Mother Goddess in Hinduism – and Shukra or Venus.

One of the most important Vrat or Upvaas (fast) on the day is dedicated to Santhoshi Matha (an incarnation of Shakti) & Maariamma. The fasting is also known as ‘Solah Shukravar Vrats because a devotee fasts for 16 consecutive Fridays. White color is given importance on Friday.

Worship of Shakti – Durga, Kali and other forms – on Friday is considered highly auspicious. Shakti temples in India attract large number of devotees on this day.

Devotees wear white colored dress on this day. The fasting on Shukravar begins at sunrise and ends with sunset. The person fasting only partakes in the evening meal. White colored food like kheer or milk is the most preferred.Fast is kept for various reasons which include removal of obstacles, for a child, happy family life etc.

Guru Shukracharya

The planet Venus is known as Sukra in Vedic astrology. In astrology, the planet of Venus is considered to be the guru of demons. As a God Shukra is the Guru of Asuras. According to Hindu scriptures, He was born as the son of Rishi Brighu and his wife Ushana. The feminic natured Shukra is a Brahminical planet. He was born on Friday in the year Paarthiva on Sraavana Suddha Ashtami when Swathi Nakshatra is on the ascent. Hence, Friday is known as Shukravaar in Indian languages especially Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi , Gujarati and Kannada. He went on to study Vedas under rishi Angirasa but he was disturbed by Angirasa’s favouritism to his son Brihaspati. He then went to study under rishi Gautama. He later performed penance to Lord Shiva and obtained the Sanjivani mantra (a hymn that can revive the dead). During this period Brihaspati became the Guru (Preceptor) of the divine people Devaa. Out of jealousy, Shukracharya decides to become the Guru of Asuras. He helps them achieve victory over the Devas and uses his magic to revive the dead and wounded Asuras.

So Jupiter, or Brihaspati, the guru to the Devas, sends his son Kaca (brightness) to study under Sukra.

Sukra has a beautiful daughter Devayani (way to the gods), and she is quite taken with Kaca. Now, the Asuras know what Kaca is up to, so like all good demons they kill him. Devayani, of course, grieves for him and tells father, so Sukra repeats the mantra and Kaca comes back to life. Then the demons kill Kaca again.

Once again Devayani complains, and once again Sukra repeats the mantra and Kaca come back to life. Undeterred, the demons go about killing Kaca and Sukra keeps resurrecting him. So the demons get a particularly demonic idea and this time they kill Kaca and grind him up into a fine powder and put him in Sukra’s wine. Sukra drinks the wine, Devayani begins her grieving, and in response Sukra repeats the mantra, but this time he has a stomachache as Kaca speaks from inside him. At last the demons appear to be happy.

But, they ironically bring about the very thing they were trying to prevent, for Sukra reveals the mantra of immortality to Kaca, so when Kaca tears himself out of Sukra’s body he will repeat the mantra and raise Sukra from the dead.

In one story, Lord Vishnu is born as the Brahmin sage Vamana. Vamana comes to take the three worlds as alms from the asura King Bali. Lord Vishnu wanted to deceive the King Bali who was the grandson of the great ing Prahlad, in order to help the Devas. The sage Shukracharya identifies him immediately and warns the King. The King is however a man of his word and offers the gift to Vamana. Shukracharya, annoyed with the pride of the King, shrinks himself with his powers and sits in the spout of the vase, from which water has to be poured to seal the promise to the deity in disguise. Lord Vishnu, in disguise of the dwarf, understands immediately, and picks a straw from the ground and directs it up the spout, poking out the left eye of Shukracharaya. Since this day onwards , the guru of the asuras has been known to be half blind.

Sukra bestows long life, wealth, happiness, children, and property and good education. He is the Guru for Asuras. Well learned in Neeti Sastras follower of such sastras and one who dispenses justice, Sukra is considered a beneficial Devata. He blesses the devotees with power to control one’s Indriyas (Sense organs) and enables the devotee to obtain fame and name.

Varth Katha – I

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.

Shukravar Vrat or Upvaas

Santoshi Mata fast

Vaibhav Lakshmi Fast

Fasting on Fridays is for the Planet Venus. Friday is dedicated to Mother Goddess – Mahalakshmi, Santhoshi Ma, Annapuraneshwari, and Durga. Venus Planet is mainly associated with family life, taste, and business/livelihood. The benevolent influence of Venus favors the accumulation of wealth, jewelry, landed properties, happy home life, success in business and occupations, controlling obesity and fatness.

This fast is performed for appeasing Venus, It is a very popular fast and is generally observed by the ladies to please the goddess, Santoshi Mata. Santoshi Maa is another form of Parvati or Durga.

One can do two types of Vrat on Shukravar or Fridays. One is Santoshi Mata Puja and one is Dhan Lakshmi Puja. Both these Vrats are all wished to fulfill and have immense power to transform a devotee’s life from any kind of pain to peace, wealth, success, and happiness.

Santoshi Mata

Santoshi Mata is an incarnation of power or shakti. The fasting is also known as ‘Solah Shukravar Vrats’ because of a devotee fast for 16 consecutive Fridays for the fulfillment of a particular wish.

This fast has very strict rules that must be followed to fulfill their wish. The fast begin early Friday morning, The devotee wakes up and after taking bath perform puja to Mata, Keep a container filled with water and keep Chana and Gur as prasad and listen to Vrat Katha, after performing the puja distribute the prasad among family members, sprinkle the water in the house and then pouring remaining water to Tulsi plant.

The main rule of this fast is that nobody in the home should eat or touch anything sour on this day. The fasting person can eat food in the night which is done after the fast is broken i.e after performing evening prayers.

After completion of 16 fast Udyapan is observed to mark the end of this ritual. In Udyapan call 8 young boys and offer them prasad which includes chana, puri, and kheer, and finally give them Dakshina which should not be money but can be some fruit or sweet.

Vaibhav Lakshmi Fast

Dhan Lakshmi Ma is the goddess of wealth and Vaibhav Lakshmi Fast is observed for prosperity and good fortune. It is also performed for 16 days to fulfill every wish of the devotee. It brings immense wealth, fortunes, prosperity, love, happiness, and luck to the devotees.

Vaibhav Lakshmi Fast begins in the early morning after taking a bath one should perform its morning prayers and make a wish and Sankalp for doing the fast. One can eat fruits and have milk in the daytime evening perform Vaibhav Lakshmi puja.

For the Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat Vidhi, a plain piece of red cloth is placed on a wooden chauki or plank and over it place a picture or statue of Laxmi Ma or Shree Yantra, Keep a brass or copper Kalash with water, in a small cup keep some gold or silver coin or jewelry or can keep the coin in the puja. Make kheer or some sweets for prasad and read the Vrat Katha. After the puja distributes prasad to everybody at home.

After completion of 16 fasts, one should do Udayapan, which includes inviting 16 women in-house, women should not be pregnant or menstruating. Applying kumkum tilak and distributing kheer, bindi, and Vaibhav Lakshmi books. Red is the color of the day, Ladies should wear Red clothes to please Ma Lakshmi.

Shukra Var Vrat Katha for Venus

Dedicated to Shukradev the ShukraVar Vrat Katha for Venus is observed in variety of forms and also offers many benefits. It is mainly observed for the propitiation of the planet Venus and also ensures devotees not only have peace of mind but also harmony in the family. The many benefits of the Vrathakatha include worldly pleasures. During this Vrat Katha an idol and an image of lordShukraDev is worshipped. Generally devotees are advised to wear white color clothes during this Vrath Katha and use white flowers and eat white food like kheer. Sour dishes are avoided.

Benefits:

For fulfillment of wishes.
Removes obstacles in the path of success.
For wealth, prosperity and abundance.
For peace of mind and harmony in the house.

Number of priests: 1
Duration 1 day
Puja Service includes: Ganapati invocation mantra, invocation mantras of major deities ,DhyaanPaath of Katha of Shukra Dev, Pushpaanjali, Aarti and Prasadam.

Along with puja mantra, the puja tokri with Prashad energized rudraksha, yantra and silver tabeez will be sent along to the devotees. Vedic rituals will be performed as per birth details so devotees must fill the birth details at the time of booking puja. The puja should also include the named devotee’s near and dear ones. The temple’s priest will call you before the puja and sankalap.

Thus this puja shall be performed by the majority of us to get the desired benefits. Get the desired puja at Rudhraksha ratna.com as we offer the best puja services from the most experienced pandits. We at Rudraksha Gemstones provide authentic and tested products to all our clients. We make sure to provide quality assured as well as energized rudraksha beads to avoid any hindrances to be faced by clients. We assure our clients to get the best online puja services from experienced and knowledgeable priests only. Quality assurance is provided in all the puja samurais. Performing puja is a way to get closer to the almighty and by choosing us you already have the best medium price.

Shukravar Vrat or Upvaas

Santoshi Mata

Vaibhav Lakshmi Fast

Shukravar Vrat Katha – The Story of Friday Fasting in Hinduism

Friday fasting in Hinduism is dedicated to Shukra, or Venus. Those people who believe in astrology and horoscope worship and pray to Shukra on the day for wealth and prosperity. Those observing Shukravar Vrat listen to a popular story associated with fasting. The story of Friday fast varies from region to region and this one of them.

Once there was an old woman who used to observe Shukravar Vrat for the welfare of her family. She worshipped an idol of Shukra. On all Fridays, she used to wash the idol and perform a holy dip of it and used to offer the best food available in the house as ‘Prasad’ or Bhog.

One day the old woman decided to go on a pilgrimage. She asked her daughter-in-law to continue the rituals and observe Friday fast. The daughter-in-law wanted to get rid of the mother-in-law and was not at all happy with her Friday rituals so she agreed to take care of the idol and perform the rituals.

Soon the old lady left for pilgrimage. For few Fridays, the daughter-in-law sprinkled some water on the idol and gave some remains of left over food as Bhog. But she never observed the Shukravar Vrat. Soon she got fed up with this ritual too and threw away the idol as she found it a waste of time and energy.

A poor lady who passed by saw the idol of Shukra lying in the garbage and she took it to her home and performed Friday fasting and pujas. Without fail she bathed the idol and offered the best food available with her.

Soon there was change of fortune and the poor lady became rich. The old woman’s family started to have ill luck and they lost their wealth and became poor. Soon the family found it hard to even have a proper meal a day.

A year later the old woman returned from her pilgrimage and was surprised by the condition of her home. She noticed that the idol of Lord Shukra was missing from home.

On inquiry she came to know what had happened. She was astonished by her daughter-in-law’s behavior. The old lady went around searching for the idol and finally she found the idol in the poor lady’s home who had now become rich.

The old lady told what had happened and the pious lady who got the idol from the garbage was happy to return to its real owner.

The old lady brought back the idol and started worshipping it. She observed Friday fast and rituals and the family was soon blessed with wealth and prosperity.

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Everything you Need To Know about Friday Fasting

Friday fast vrat is addressed to propitiate the planet Venus. However, the chief deity of the puja is Mata Santoshi. The objective of this vrat is to ensure the happiness and welfare of the couple in every family.

How to do the Puja

The family members wake up in the early morning, set up an altar for Mata Santoshi and offer Prasad made of Chana and Gur. In front of the puja altar, a water filled vessel is placed and on top of that the Prasad is palced on a lid.

How to do the Puja on Friday

Once the worship is over, they recite the story of the Friday Vrat and then do arati after which the Prasad is distributed to all. The water in the container is sprinkled on all parts of the home and the family members. Those performing the puja must observe a day long fast concluding it after the sunset in the evening.

Rules for the vrat on Friday

The family members observing the fast are prohibited from touching anything sour on the day. No sour ingredients are allowed during cooking. Also all the sour fruits, vegetables and items are completely avoided. The people wear white color clothes and offer white color flowers at the puja altar since this is the favorite color for Shukra (Venus).

Shukravar (Friday) Vrat Story

Once there lived three friends hailing from royal family, Brahman family and Baniya (trader) family. After getting married, the first two got their wives to their homes, whereas the third one’s wife continued to stay in her parents’ house.

Shukravar (Friday) Vrat Story

Once when they met each other, they discussed how happy their homes were with their wives. The Brahman son and the prince urged the baniya son to get his wife too to his home. In the evening, the boy persuaded his parents that he would get his wife from in-law’s home.

Shukravar (Friday) Vrat Story

The parents of the baniya boy said they were times when the Venues planet had set and it would take two more days to see it rise on the sky. Since Venus was the god of love, the time when he did not rule was not favorable to get one’s wife to her in-law’s home.

Shukravar (Friday) Vrat Story

They said this would bring misfortune. Therefore they asked the boy to wait for just two more days, which he was not prepared to do. Therefore he hurried to his in-law’s home immediately and conveyed his decision to take his wife with him. When the in-laws too advised him the same way, he was far from listening to them and forcibly took his wife with him.

Shukravar (Friday) Vrat Story

On the return journey, the boy’s bullock cart wheels broke and the bullock too suffered a fracture in its legs. The bride was also badly wounded. Despite the troubles, the boy continued the journey.

Shukravar (Friday) Vrat Story

On the way, a band of robbers blocked their way, robbed the jewels of the bride and beat the boy up severely. On top of all this, the young boy was bitten by a snake and fell unconscious. The girl fell on the boy’s body and wailed bitterly.

Shukravar (Friday) Vrat Story

The Brahman boy and the Prince came to know all that happened to their friend. They reached the place and transported his friend and his wife back to the boy’s in-law’s house.

Shukravar (Friday) Vrat Story

They waited for two more days till Venus ascended and performed the Friday fasting. They got relieved of all the troubles and returned home happily. Since then, they continued observing the Friday fast.

Benefits of Friday Fasting Vrat

The observance of Friday fasting vrat can bestow all wishes fulfilled and assure the welfare and happiness of all at home.

Maa Santoshi’s Vrat Katha During Friday Fast Can Solve Your Life Problems!s

It’s Friday today and according to Hindu beliefs and traditions, this day is considered to be dedicated to Maa Lakshmi, as the Friday Fast is kept on this day. It is believed that any individual who fasts or worships Maa Santoshi on Friday stays blessed with the blessings of Maa Lakshmi and Maa Santoshi all throughout his/her life. Also, there is never any financial crisis in the life of such individuals. On Friday, it is only Goddess Lakshmi but Goddess Santoshi (Maa Santoshi) is worshipped, and there is a tradition of listening to the Vrat Katha of Santoshi Maa’s Fast(Santoshi Mata Katha). Maa Santoshi fulfills the wishes of her devotees when pleased.

Friday Fast Vidhi (Shukrawar Vrat Vidhi)

Friday Fast Benefits (Benefits of Maa Santoshi Vrat)

The rituals of Friday fast are quite effective and easy at the same time. On this day one should wake up early in the morning and take a bath and wear clean clothes. After this, Mata Santoshi should be worshiped in the evening. While worshipping, Santoshi Mata Vrat Katha sd and recited to others. After reading the fast story, perform the Aarti of Mata Santoshi and then pray for your wish fulfillment. Offer prasad to every human being involved in this Puja.

With the help of these rituals, whoever fasts and worships Mother Santoshi on Friday gets the blessings of the Goddess.

Some of the benefits of the Friday fast are :-

Those who fast on Fridays get salvation from all kinds of marriage related problems.
Santoshi Mata Vrat is considered very auspicious for success in life. If the students fast on Friday, they will definitely get success in any examination they appear for.
Apart from this, if a person is fighting any judicial battle, then he/she should also fast on Friday. By doing this, such an individual can win the battle.
Apart from this, in order to bring betterment in business or job, Friday fast is considered very effective.
It is advisable to observe Friday fast for happiness and prosperity in life. Whoever observes Friday with true devotion, happiness, prosperity remains in his life.
The fast of Maa Santoshi is considered to be very special for the attainment of a child. On Friday, unmarried girls can also get a desirable groom by fasting.
Apart from this, since Friday is related to Maa Lakshmi, one faces no financial crisis if a fast is observed on this day.

Friday Remedies for a Strong Economic Life

Visit the temple of Maa Lakshmi on Friday and offer her red colored clothes. In addition to this, you can also offer make-up items to Maa Lakshmi. It is said that by doing this, the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi get showered upon the natives.
On Friday, eulogize Maa Lakshmi with five red colored flowers in your hand. After this, bow in front of the Goddess with folded hands and pray to the Goddess to keep blessing your household. Always, keep these flowers in your locker. Apart from this, reciting the Sri Lakshmi Narayan stuti on Friday also proves to be very effective.
On Friday, keep one and a quarter kg of rice in a red colored cloth. Keep in mind that not a single grain of rice should be broken. Now, convert this into a bundle of rice and take this bundle in your hand and chant the rosary of ‘Mahalakshmi Namah’ five times and after that keep this bundle in a place where you keep money or in your wallet. People who do this create strong chances to acquire wealth in their lives.
Apart from this, the simplest solution you can do is to wear red colored clothes to obtain or receive the blessings of Maa Lakshmi in your life on Friday.

Things to Avoid on a Friday

Now we know about those things which a person should not do even on Friday. Let us now know which things are those.

Avoid borrowing or taking loans on Fridays. Also, do not give loans to anyone on this day. Otherwise, you may face the wrath of Goddess Lakshmi.
Do not mistakenly insult any woman, girl or any other female member in the house, especially on Friday.
Stay away from excessively rich food on Friday.
On this day, do not consume meat and alcohol.
Do not donate sugar to anyone on Friday. In the world of astrology, sugar has been associated with both Venus and the Moon. In such a situation, Venus’ position becomes weak because of this. On Friday, avoid speaking loud or ill to anyone. Otherwise, Goddess Mahalakshmi gets angry and people start falling sick and face losses in business and job.
Do not leave dirty and unwashed utensils in the kitchen during the night. It is believed that mother Lakshmi becomes displeased because of this.

Santoshi Mata Vrat Katha

On a Friday fast, Santoshi Mata Vrat Katha must be read and recited to others during Santoshi Mata Puja.

In the ancient times there used to be an old lady who had seven sons. Six of these seven sons earned money and there was only one who was jobless. The old lady used to feed delicious food to her six sons but only served the leftovers to the seventh son. However, the seventh son was a very pure hearted person. But never would he hold grudges against anyone.

On such a festive day, the old lady made a variety of dishes and started walking towards her sons. Then the seventh son pretended to be beheaded and took a very thin cloth and lay on the bed lying nearby. He saw that, when his six brothers came, his mother made everyone sit comfortably in the house and served them a variety of dishes. When all of them ate the food, the old lady made a ladoo (sweet) after gathering the leftover from everyone’s plate and said to the seventh boy, ‘Now you also eat the food. To this he replied, “I will not have the food mother, I am going to a foreign country.” Saying this, he left the house. The boy walked away and reached a merchant’s shop and asked for a job. The boy started working from 7 am to 12 am. On seeing this, the shop owner made him the owner of half of his profits and in a few years that boy became a well-known merchant.

There on the other side, there was a man whose wife started torturing his daughters. They used to send him to pick up wood in the forest every day and used to save some food. One day she was going to collect wood in the forest, then he saw some women fasting on the way. There, he enquired about the fast. So in response, a woman said that it is Maa Santoshi’s fast and one gets great results because of this.

Then he asked for the fast rituals, while going home, he sold all the wood and bought jaggery and gram. He prepared for the fast and observed it for Santoshi Mata (Santoshi Mata), under the influence of Maa Santoshi Vrat, her husband’s letter came on the following Friday and received the money sent by her husband on the following Friday.

Then his wife went to Mata Santoshi’s temple, wept and prayed that I want my husband. Here, mother Santoshi came in her husband’s dream and said to him, “Now you should go home to meet your wife. After this dream, her husband completed all his work and left for home. When the husband of the woman returned home, the wife said that I have to promote the fast of Santoshi Maa.

However, the women of the neighborhood were jealous of him. In such a situation, he deceitfully taught his children that, while eating food, ask the daughter-in-law to use sour things while cooking. In such a situation, the daughter-in-law tried to entertain the children by paying money. Mata Santoshi was very angry when the children started eating.

Then the woman went to Mata Santoshi’s temple again and asked him, why is this happening to me? Why did my husband take the king’s servants? Then Mother Santoshi told her that you used sour things during my Puja, which is forbidden, so this is why sorrows have taken over your life. Then the woman took a vow to redo the fast without any mistake. Mata Santoshi was pleased with her finally. After 9 months, a beautiful son was born in the couple’s house and since then everyone started living happily in that household. In such a situation, there is such a belief about Maa Santoshi’s Vrat that sour things should not be touched and eaten on this Friday fast.

Santoshi Mata (Shukrawar-Friday) Katha

Introduction:

Santoshi Mata Pooja is usually performed for a period of 16 Weeks on Friday.

You will be required to have a Santoshi Matt Photo, the Pooja book which contains the story and for prasad you will need roasted chana, jaggery and green banana.

“You are not supposed to eat or touch anything which is sour like Curd, Lemon Etc”

On a Friday morning have head bath and place the photo in a clean Pooja area and put a small Kalash. Place Santhoshimatha’s photo and decorate it with flowers. Keep channa (soaked in water for 6 hours in water) or puffed bengal gram along with jaggery piece and bananas as prasadam. Light diya before the Goddess. Chant the mantras and read the story and give aarti to the Goddess and have prasadam. You can do fasting the entire day or can have food only once in a day (may be supper or dinner). You are not supposed to eat anything sour on the day of the Pooja…

You need to do this for 16 weeks on Friday, and after you finish the 16 weeks you will be required to do Udyapan, i.e. you will be required to offer food to kids and remember not to feed them anything sour and not to give them any cash, as they might use the cash to buy something sour.

First gather the things required and then start the Pooja.

Things required for the Pooja:

• 1 kalash

• Betel leaves

• Flowers

• Dry whole channa and jaggery for prasad

• Camphor for aarti

• Agarbatti

• Diyas

• Turmeric

• Kumkum

• Photo of santoshima

• Coconut for kalash (have to continue with the same coconut till you complete Pooja)

• Wooden stool for placing the moorthi

• Rice mixed with turmeric

Vidhi (Rituals):

Prayer to Santoshi mata’s father Ganesh, mother Riddhi Siddhi. Prayer to wealth, gold, silver, pearl, and other gems. Prayer to Ganapati to fulfill all our wishes. To have success in business, to remove poverty, destruction of evil. Let there be peace and happiness and light. Let there be a house full of children, profit in business and huge earnings, fulfillment of one’s desires destruction of evil, removal of sorrow and worry. The name of Santoshi mata gets all the work done smoothly. Say Jai [salutations] to Santoshi Mata.

During this katha one should hold jaggery [gur] and roasted gram [channa] in their hand. The listeners should keep saying “Santoshi Mata ki Jai” “Santoshi Mata ki Jai” “Santoshi Mata ki Jai” all the time. At the end of the story the jaggery and gram, which is held in their hand, should be collected and given to the mother cow to eat.

The jaggery and gram kept in the vessel should be distributed as prasad to one and all.

Before starting the narration of the story, fill water in the vessel [kalash], and on top of the kalash keep a small bowl filled with gram and jaggery. After the katha finishes that is after the aarti, the water in the vessel should be sprinkled in every corner of the house and the remaining water should be poured into the Tulsi [basil] plant. One should buy jaggery and gram worth Rs. 1.25np and do the fasting. There is no problem if one does it with only 25 paise. If there is jaggery in the house, take that, do not worry because the mother sees to the sentiments, more or less does not concern her. Therefore as per your capacity with devotion you can make the prasad and offer with love and do the fasting.

On the Udayapan [last day] you distribute 2-½ kg. Khaja [cashews], poori, kheer, gram curry, sweets. Light the lamp of ghee and keep saying “Santoshi Mata ki Jai” and break the coconut. On this day there should not be any sour item in the house. Do not eat any sour item yourself nor offer anyone. On this day, feed eight boys food. If the children are there in the immediate close family – elder or younger brother-in-law’s children, then do not call from outside. If there are fewer children from close family, you can call children from the Brahmins, relatives or neighbor’s children. Do not give them any sour item and as per one’s capacity give them gifts. Do not give money but give them any item. The person doing the fast after listening to the story should have the prasad and only one time meal. This way the Mother is very happy, and sorrow, poverty will be removed and wishes will be fulfilled.

Katha:

There was an old woman, she had seven sons. Six of them were working hard and one was lazy and not working. The old woman would make food and feed the six sons, whatever remnants were there she would serve the seventh son. The younger son was innocent and was not aware of this.

One day he told his wife – “See, how much my mother loves me?” She said – “Why not, she gives you the remnants of everyone to eat.” He said, “What, how can such a thing be? Till the eyes see, I cannot believe what you say. The wife laughed and said, ” Will you believe once you see yourself?”

After a few days there was a festival in the house. Seven types of food and laddoo [sweet dish] were prepared. To check out the truth he made an excuse of headache and went to the kitchen and laid down covering his face with a thin cloth, through which he was watching everything. The six brothers came into the kitchen for food. He saw his mother had spread beautiful seats for them and served them the seven varieties of foods. She was serving them the food with love. He kept on watching. The six brothers ate their food and got up. The mother took from their plates the leftovers and from the pieces of the ladoo, made a ladoo out of it.

After clearing the leftovers, the mother called out to the son- ” Get up son, the six brothers have eaten and gone. You are left, get up. When will you eat?” He started saying, “Mother I do not wish to have food. I am going out of the country.” The mother said, “If you are planning to go tomorrow go today.” He said, “Yes, Yes. I am going today only.”

Saying this he left the house. While leaving the house he remembered his wife. She was in the cow stable making cakes of cow-dung. He went there and said, “I am going away to another country for some time. You stay in peace and do your duty.” She said, ” Go in peace do not worry about me. I will stay in the care of Lord Rama, Lord be with you. Give me something of yours to remember, in all your worries and work do not forget me.”

He said, ” I have nothing, only this ring. You take this and give me something of yours as a remembrance.” She said, ” What do I have? I have only this hand full of cow-dung.” Saying thus she put her hands filled with the cow-dung as a mark on his back. And he went away.

Thus walking and walking he reached a far land where he reached the shop of a merchant. Going there he said, ” Brother, keep me as your servant.” The merchant needed one so he asked him to stay. The boy asked him. “How much salary he would give?” The merchant replied, “You will be paid after I see how you work.”

He got the job from the merchant. He used to work from morning 7am to 2pm in the afternoon. In a few days, he managed the transactions, accounts, selling of the items to the customers and managed all the work. The merchant had seven to eight servants and they were all astonished. He was very intelligent. The businessman seeing his work made him his partner sharing 50% of the profits within 3 months. In 12 years he became a famous businessman and the owner left all the work on his shoulders and went out of the country.

Now what happened to the daughter-in-law, kindly listen?

The mother-in-law and father-in-law started troubling her a lot. The complete household burden was put on her and she was also sent to collect wood from the forest. During this time, the grain from which the rotis [chapathi] are made- the husk [bhoosa] was removed and the roti was made and kept for her and in the broken coconut shell water was kept. This way the days passed by.

One day, while when she was going to collect the wood on the way, she met many women who were doing the Santoshi Mata Vrat [fasting]. She stood there and heard the story, then she asked them, “Sisters, you are doing this fast for which God, and doing this fast-what fruit do you achieve? What are the rules to perform this fast? If you can explain to me the steps to perform the rituals of this fast I would be highly obliged to you.”

Then one of the women said to her, -“Listen, this is the vrat [fast] of Santoshi Mata. From this calamity, poverty is wiped out. Wealth comes in. All worries are removed. If there is happiness in the house, the mind is happy and peaceful. Barren woman begets a child. If the husband has gone out he will return immediately. Unmarried girls get their own choice of husbands. Court cases which are being on for long time would be resolved fast. If there are quarrels in the house, there will be peace and happiness, prosperity will be there in the house, money and land will be got, sickness would go away and thus whatever desire you have in the mind this Santoshi Mata’s blessings will fulfill them. There is no doubt about it.”

She then started asking, “How is this fast kept? Could you please explain to me? I would be very grateful to you.”

The woman began explaining- “Buy 1 ¼ Anna jaggery and grams (olden days we had Anna’s and 16 Anna’s made a rupee). If you desire you can buy for 5 ¼ Anna’s or 1 ¼ rupee as per your capacity you can buy, without any botheration as per your devotion and love you should buy. Right from 1 ¼ paise to 5 ¼ Anna’s upto your capacity of strength and devotion you can buy. Every Friday, keep a fast – do not eat food and listen or read this story. There should be no break, continuously follow the rules and keep the fast. If you do not get anyone to listen to the story, then light a lamp with ghee or keep the vessel with water in front of you and read the story but see that the rule is broken. Continue till the results happen following the rules and performing the fast. On the fulfillment of the desire do the Udyapan (final day).

Within 3 months the mother fulfills the desire – in between if one’s stars (astrological) is not favorable, then too the mother fulfills the desire. On the fulfillment of the desire only should the Udyapan be done, not in between. On the Udyapan day one should make 2 ½ kg grounded cashew, kheer and gram curry. You must feed 8 boys with this food. As far as possible let the boys be from the close- immediate family members that is elder/younger broth-in-law’s son, relatives and family. If they are not there, then you can get other relatives or from the neighbor’s son can be invited. Give them food and as per your capacity give them gifts and complete the rules of the rituals of the Mata. On that day no one should eat sour items in the house.

After hearing this old woman’s daughter-in-law went away. On the way she sold the wood she had collected and with that money she purchased jaggery and grams and prepared for the Mata’s vrat (fast). Walking along she saw a temple and she started inquiring “Whose temple is this?” Everyone started saying, “This is the temple of Santoshi Mata (Mother).” Hearing this is the temple of the Mata she went in and fell at the feet of the Mother.

She started praying very sadly. “Mother, I am an ignorant woman, I do not know the rules to perform this vrat. I am very unhappy. Hey Mother! Goddess of the world please remove my unhappiness, I have come to your shelter.”

Mother got compassion, one Friday passed and the next Friday somebody brought a letter from her husband and the third Friday she received the money sent by him. Seeing this, the elder brother-in-law and his wife made faces. In so many days so much money has come, what is so great? Boys started taunting her,”Money has started coming, now respect for Kaki (brother’s wife) will increase, brother!”

“Letter comes, money comes it is good for all of us.” Saying thus with eyes full of tears she went to the Santoshi Mata’s temple and at the feet of Mateshwari (Goddess Mother) she started crying. “Mother! When did I ask for money? What work do I have from money? I have only work with my husband. I have prayed to see my husband again and serve him.”

Then the Mother being pleased said, “Go daughter! Your husband will come.” Hearing this she became happy and returned home and started doing her work.

Now Mother Santoshi started thinking, ” I said this to the innocent woman. But from where will her husband come? He does not even remember her in his dreams! I will have to go to him to remind him.” In this way, Mataji went in the dreams of the old woman’s son and began saying.

“Wealthy man’s son, are you sleeping or awake?” He replies, “Mother I am neither sleeping nor awake. Kindly tell me what do you wish to instruct to me?” Mother started saying, ” Do you have a family – Yes or No?” He replied, “I have everyone, Mother! Mother-father, wife I have nothing less.” Mother said, “Innocent son! Your wife is taking lots of trouble, your father – mother is giving her plenty of trouble. You should inquire about her.”

He said, “Yes, Mataji, I know about it but how do I go back? This is another country, there is no limit of buying and selling transactions, there is no road for going which I can see.” Mother started saying, listen to me, “In the morning after having taken bath, take the name of Santoshi Mata, burn a lamp with ghee. Then go and sit in the shop. Slowly your liabilities will be over. Your stores will be sold. By evening heaps of wealth will be formed.”

Now he got up early and shared his dream with his friends. They all told him, “Do any dreams come true?” One old man said, ” Listen to me, instead of doubting the truth or falsehood of the dream, following what God has instructed what will you loose? Now listen to the old man. After bathing, pray to Santoshi Mata, light a lamp of ghee, and go and sit in the shop.”

In a short while what does he see, the borrowers started returning the money and the lenders started taking back their money? People started buying the stocks in cash only. By evening he had collected plenty of wealth. In his mind he continuously took the name of Mata and watched the miracle. Being happy he purchased jewelry, clothes and things to take to his house. Having completed the work here he immediately left for his hometown.

There the wife has gone to the forest to collect wood, on the return she rested at the Santoshi Mata Temple. This was her regular everyday place of halt to rest. Seeing the dust flying from far she asked Mataji, ” Oh Mataji, Why is this dust flying? ” Mother says to her, ” Oh daughter! Your husband is coming. Now make three bundles from the wood. One you keep on the bank of the river, one in the temple and the third keep on your head. Seeing the bundle of wood your husband will have desire and he will stop at the temple, make some snacks. And then go to the mother”. Then carrying the burden of wood remove it from your head and in the center of the lane cry out three times loudly, ” Take, mother-in-law! Take the bundle of wood, give me the roti of husk and in the coconut shell give me water! Today which guest has come? Listen to the Mother, daughter-in-law.”

The daughter-in-law said, “Ok, Yes Mother!” Then happily made three bundles from the wood. She kept one at the bank of the river, one in the temple of Mataji and at that time one traveler reached there. Seeing the dried wood the desire to rest and make some food came in his mind. After resting he went to the village. He met everyone with love.

At the same time the wife comes along with the bundle of wood. Keeping the heavy bundle of wood in the compound, she cried out loudly, “Take mother-in-law, take the bundle of wood, give me the husk roti, give me in the broken coconut shell water. Today who has come?”

Hearing this the mother-in-law to hide her trouble says, “Daughter-in-law! Why do you say thus?

Your Lord (husband) has come. Come in have sweet rice meal, wear clothes and jewelry!”

Meanwhile hearing the voice the husband comes out and seeing the ring gets astonished. He asks his mother, ” Mother, Who is this lady?” The mother says, “Son, she is your wife. Today 12 years have passed, from the time you left she roams about like an animal in the whole village. She does none of the household chores. Four times she comes and eats, seeing you she is asking for husk roti and water in the coconut shell.”

Being ashamed he said, ” It’s alright mother! I have seen her and seen you also. Now give me the keys of the other house so I can live there.” Then the mother said, “It’s alright son! As you wish.” Here is the bundle of keys, which she threw forcefully on the floor.

He picked the keys and went to the next house. Opening the room on the third floor he kept all the things. Within one day the house was decorated like a King’s palace.

Now what happens? The wife started enjoying happiness; meanwhile the next Friday comes. She told her husband, ” I want to do the Udyapan of Santoshi Mata Vrat.” Her husband said, ” Very good! Do it happily.”

Immediately she started preparing for the Udyapan. She went to invite the sons of her elder brother-in-laws for lunch. She accepted the invitation but the other middle sister-in-law teaches her son, ” See! All of you ask for sour item by which her Udyapan would not be completed.”

The boys came for the lunch; they ate stomachful helpings of Kheer. But remembering the words of the mother began saying, “Give us something sour, we do not like eating Kheer. Seeing it we are feeling uneasy.” The daughter-in-law started saying, ” No one will get any sour item. This is the prasad of Santoshi Mata.” The boys stood up and said, “Give money!” The innocent daughter-in-law knowing nothing gave them money. The boys at that moment stubbornly purchased imli (tamarind) and started eating.

Seeing this the Mother cursed the daughter-in-law. The soldiers of the King arrested her husband and took him away. The brothers and sister-in-law started falsely making statements, “Always looting, he has collected this wealth.” The soldiers of the King took him away. Now everything will be known once he gets beating in the jail. The wife could not bear to hear this statement. Crying she went to the temple of Mataji.

She began saying, ” Mother! What is this you did? Why did you make me cry?” Mother said, “Daughter, you have done the Udyapan and spoiled the Vrat. So soon you forgot all the talks.”

She started saying, “Mother I have not forgotten, nor committed any sin. The boys made me forget and forgetting I gave them money, forgive me Mother!” Mother said. ” Does one forget thus?” She said,”Mother please forgive me, I will do your Udyapan again.” Mother said, ” Now make no mistake”. She says, ” Now no mistake will be committed. Mother please tell me now how will he come.” Mother said, ” Go daughter, you will find your husband coming on the way.”

She went from there and on the way she found her husband. She asked him, “Where did you go?” Then he started saying, ” He had earned so much of wealth so the King wanted him to pay the taxes, he had gone to pay the taxes.” Being happy she said, “Good thing happened, let’s go home.”

They went home.

After few days once again Friday came, she said to her husband- “I want to once again do the Udyapan of Mataji.” The husband said, “Do it.”

She again went to invite the sons of her elder brother-in-laws. The sister-in-laws taunted her and started teaching the sons, ” You all in the beginning only ask for sour item.” The boys started saying, ” We do not like eating Kheer, we get uneasy, give us something sour to eat.” She said, “You will get no sour item, if you desire then eat only.” Then she got the Brahmin’s sons and started feeding them. As per her capacity in place of money she gave each one -one fruit. This pleased Santoshi Mata.

With the blessings of the Mother in the New Year she got a moon-like son. Taking her son everyday she went to the Mataji’s temple. Mother thought, “She is coming everyday, today why should I not go to her house and see her on this pretext.” Thus thinking, Mata made a fearful form. With jaggery and gram made a thin face and on top made horns and mosquitoes were hovering around. Putting her foot on the doorstep the mother-in-law shouted. “See, some wicked witch is coming. Boys drive her away, otherwise she may eat anyone.” The boys got frightened and started closing the windows.

The daughter-in-law saw through one peephole. Happily in a maddening voice she was screaming. ” Today my Mataji has come to my house.” Saying thus she moved her child whom she was feeding milk. Meanwhile the mother-in-law got angry.

She said, ” Prostitute, why are you getting excited?” She banged the child. Meanwhile with the aura of the Mother everywhere there were boys standing. She said, ” Mother, the fast which I am keeping this is the same Santoshi Ma”. Saying thus she opened all the doors and windows of the house. Everyone caught the feet of Mataji and prayed to her, “Hey Mata, [dear mother] we are fools, sinners, we do not know the rules of your fast, spoiling your fast we did very big mistake. Hey Jagatmata- Mother of the world! Forgive our mistake.” This way the Mother became happy.

How Mother rewarded the daughter-in-law in the same way reward everyone. Those who read the story their wishes are fulfilled.

Say Santoshi Mata ki Jai. [Salutations to Mother Santoshi]

Shukravar Vrat Udyapan – Friday Vrat Udyapan Method and Ingredients

Shukravar (Friday) Friday Vrat Udyapan (Udyapan) Vidhi And Samagri (Material) –

Fasting is a sacred part of worship in Hinduism. Every day is dedicated to different deities. Therefore, the fasts associated with each day also have different rules to follow. Let us know about the famous Lakshmi Vrat, which is dedicated to Shri Lakshmi Mata, the goddess of wealth. If we further explore the belief of ‘Lakshmi Vrat showers wealth on devotees’, we will find astrological facts supporting it. In fact, astrologically, Friday is dedicated to the planet Venus, which rules our relationships, business, career, money, real estate and success. Therefore, it is widely believed that if you observe a Friday fast and worship the divine feminine energy, all your wishes will be fulfilled and you will become successful and prosperous.

Top of Form

Before starting Lakshmi Vrat, you have to decide the number of Fridays that you will dedicate to Goddess Lakshmi. This fast is started on Friday by waking up early, taking bath and doing morning prayer. Remember that you shouldn’t gossip or lie during the day and be on your best behavior to attract positivity. Also, it is important to limit your diet to fruits and milk. Friday Lakshmi Vrat Udyapan Vidhi

After fasting for the prescribed number of Fridays, it is necessary to perform ‘Vrat Udyapan’. You need to invite 11 married women to your place on the last fasting Friday and offer them Prasad, food, gifts and books of Lakshmi Vrat. When the devotees are in a tight spot, the goddess helps to save them. By sharing these books you are giving hope to your friends in times of crisis.

The most important thing to remember while observing Friday Lakshmi Vrat is that you should do it with pure devotion and complete faith because only then all your wishes will be fulfilled.

Rules to be followed for Maa Lakshmi Friday Vrat Udyapan

Maa Lakshmi Vrat is performed on Friday. It should be done on 11 or 21 Fridays in total and it should be decided how many Fridays you will fast before starting the fast.

Fasting should be done at home only. If due to any reason the fast is broken or the devotee is on that Friday’s journey, then that Friday should not be counted but should be observed on the next Friday.

A female devotee should not observe Maa Lakshmi Vrat Udyapan during menstruation.

After completing the fast on all Fridays i.e. 11 or 21 as many as you have resolved, you should do Udyapan method accordingly.

Friday Prasad for Lakshmi Vrat Udyapan Udyapan

Udayana Prasad is consumed as a culmination of the religious fast observed in honor of Goddess Lakshmi. The platter for the garden includes whole or fried Indian bread, pieces of coconut, aloo sabzi or potato curry and rice kheer or rice pudding.

Friday Lakshmi Vrat Vidhi

Place a clean (new) red cloth on a raised platform and decorate it with an idol of Goddess Lakshmi, Shree Yantra, a Kalash filled with water, jewelery or gold/silver coins.

Make some rice pudding (kheer) to offer to the goddess and distribute it as prasad after the puja is over.

Read the vrat katha aloud, chant Lakshmi mantras and sing aarti.

End the Friday fasting puja with aarti. After the puja is over, distribute the prasad among friends and relatives.

Friday Lakshmi Vrat Katha

It is a matter of ancient times. Once upon a time a poor Brahmin lived in a village. The Brahmin used to worship Shri Hari Vishnu regularly. Lord Vishnu, pleased with his worship and devotion, appeared to him one day and asked the brahmin to express his wish. The poor Brahmin expressed his desire to have Lakshmi ji’s abode in his house. Hearing this, Shri Hari Vishnu told the Brahmin the way to attain Lakshmi. Shri Hari Vishnu said that every morning a woman comes in front of the temple, who comes here and pats it. You invite him to come to your house. That woman is none other than Goddess Lakshmi herself. After Goddess Lakshmi comes to your house, your house will be filled with money and grains and you will not have any shortage. Saying this Shri Hari Vishnu became invisible.
The next morning at four o’clock in the morning the poor Brahmin sat down in front of the temple. After some time, when Lakshmi ji came to put the pudding, the Brahmin requested her to come to his house. Hearing the words of the Brahmin, Lakshmi understood that all this happened at the behest of Shri Hari Vishnu. Lakshmi ji told the poor Brahmin that you should fast on Lakshmi on Friday. 11 By fasting, your desire will be fulfilled. The brahmin performed the fast and worshiped as per the instructions of the goddess. After performing Udyapan by law, Goddess Lakshmi fulfilled her promise and the poor Brahmin did not remained poor. From that day it became a belief that by observing this fast on Friday according to the law, one’s wishes are fulfilled

Vrata Kathas and Vrata Vidhis in Hinduism – Prayers for Every Day of the Week

In Hinduism, every day of the week is sacred, as each one is dedicated to at least one God. Hindus perform special rituals and prayers and undertake vratas and fasts in order to appease these deities.

Incidentally, each day of the week is also associated with a nakshatra or celestial body from Vedic astrology – they also correspond to particular colours and gemstones. According to the Hindu almanac, the days are named after seven celestial bodies of the solar system, including the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.

Fasting and Vratas

Fasting is an important aspect of Hindu culture. There are two different types of fasts. Upvaas is a fast undertaken in order to fulfill a vow. On the other hand, Vratas are fasts undertaken in order to observe certain religious rituals. Depending upon the followers’ intent, they undertake any one of these fasts during particular days of the week.

Ancient rishis (sages) used these ritualistic fasts in order to inculcate a discipline in their followers and help them channel their minds more sharply towards their ishta-devata (favourite God). Weekly fasts not only help detoxify the body, but also pave a path towards the divine; thus aiding in their spiritual growth.

Vrata Kathas and Vidhis

Vrata is a Sanskrit word, which means, “vow”, “devotion” and “resolve”. It commonly refers to the ritualistic observances that devotees undertake, such as fasting, doing prayers, abstaining from certain types of food and drink, and going on a tirtha yatra (pilgrimage) and so on. Vratas are found to be used predominantly in Hindusim, Islam and Jainism.

As mentioned earlier, Hinduism dedicates each day of the week to one or more God or Goddess and stipulates certain vrata and pooja vidhis (rules) to be followed every day. Interestingly, each of these vratas also features a story, explaining how and why the vrata came to be.

In this post, we bring you the Vrata Kathas and Vidhis of Hinduism.

Somvar (Monday)

Monday or Somvar is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati. Their Elephant-Headed Son, Lord Ganesha, is propitiated at the beginning of the worship. Devotees visit Shiva temples and sing in praise of the Lord on this day.

Shiva is associated with Chandra or the Moon. His colour is white and the gemstone associated with him is the pearl.

The Somvar vrata or the Monday fast is observed from sunrise through sunset and the fast is broken only after evening prayers. It is believed that devotees who undertake this vrata will be granted wisdom and will be able to fulfill all their desires. Those facing marital troubles perform this vrata, in order to experience a better conjugal life. In some cases, unmarried women too undertake this vrata, in order to attract their ideal life partner.

Somvar Vrata Katha

According to the Somvar Vrata Katha, there once lived a rich and pious merchant, who had a heart of gold. He was a good soul and worked tirelessly to help the downtrodden. He and his wife were childless and so, they prayed to Shiva to bless them with a baby. Looking at their plight, Parvati felt bad and suggested to Shiva that he should grant them the boon. Shiva thought about it for a while and then said that they would beget a baby boy, but he would live only for twelve years. While Shiva and Parvati were talking thus at the temple, the merchant overhear them. Though he was happy that they would soon be able to hear the patter of little feet, he mourned the fact that their joy would be shortlived.

In due course of time, a healthy baby boy was born to the ecstatic couple. The merchant arranged for the boy to be taken to the holy city of Kashi, in order to complete his education. On the way, the father and son passed a palace, which was obviously decorated for a marriage to take place. Curious, they stopped at the house. There, they saw that the groom was half-blind and so; the bride was unwilling to marry him.

The king (bride’s father) then ordered his soldiers to find a good boy for his daughter. Seeing the son of the merchant, they brought him to the king. The boy was unwilling for the marriage and yet, the king forced him to give his consent for the same. After tying the knot, the boy continued on his way to Kashi. At this time, he crossed twelve years of age and fell seriously ill.

Seeing his condition, the boy’s maternal uncle asked him to observe the Somvaar vrata. In spite of being really unwell, he agreed and started the vrata. However, he died before he could complete it. the uncle then completed it on his nephew’s behalf. Pleased with their devotion and dedication, Shiva brought the boy back to life and blessed him with a long life ahead. The boy then returned to his parents and new wife and lived happily ever after.

This legend relates that observing the Somvaar vrata bestows all good upon devotees, granting them health, longevity, peace and prosperity.

Somvar Vrata Vidhi

The Somvaar vrata vidhi stipulates daylong fasting, along with chanting of the Panchakshari Mantra (Om Namah Shivaya). There are three types of Somvaar vrata, as follows:

1. The first is simple and involves fasting every Monday.

2. The second is the Somvaar Pradosha, which is a fast observed on the Monday falling on the Pradosha day.

3. The third is the Solah Somvaar vrata, which implies fasting on sixteen consecutive Mondays.

The rituals are much the same for all types of Somvaar vrata. A special pooja is performed for Shiva and the end of this pooja, the Somvaar vrata katha is read out to all those present there. The most kind of vrata is to fast on all Mondays of the month of Shravan (June-July).

According to legend, Parvati had worshipped Shiva throughout this month, in order to attain him. In one of her manifestations, she had taken human form as Dakshayani, King Daksha’s daughter. She was in love with Shiva all her life. When she came of age, she desired to reunite with him in her divine form. To achieve this goal, she performed the Somvaar vrata and other austerities and finally, united with him. Hence, it is considered to be doubly auspicious.

Mangalvar (Tuesday)

Tuesday is dedicated to the worship of Lord Hanuman, Siddhi Vinayak (one of the 16 forms of Lord Ganesha) and Mangal, the planet Mars. In South India, this day is also special for the devotees of Skanda (also known as Murugan or Kartikeya). Devotees listen to the Hanuman Chalisa (40 verses on Hanuman) and seek his blessings to ward off obstacles and negativity that may impact their lives.

Couples who desire a son also undertake fasts on this day. The fast is broken after sundown and comprises a meal consisting only of wheat and jaggery. Many followers wear red-coloured clothing on Tuesdays and offer red flowers to Hanuman. Red coral is the gem for Tuesday.

Mangalvar Vrata Katha

Once upon a time, there lived a Brahmin couple who was childless. They desired a child and sincerely prayed to Hanuman. The Brahmin’s wife undertook fasts on Tuesdays and, on Mondays; she would eat only after offering naivedya (offering of food) to the Lord. Once, she observed a special fast on the whole of Monday and so, could not offer any naivedya to Lord Hanuman. Feeling guilty, she decided not to eat anything till the coming Tuesday. This intense fast made her weak and she fainted. Seeing her condition, Hanuman took pity on her and appeared before her in the form of a child. He blessed her that she would have a beautiful son, who would constantly serve her. Saying thus, he vanished.

Soon, she got a beautiful baby boy and named him Mangal. The Brahmin had been away from home all this while and so, he did not know of all the incidents that occurred over the last few months. When he saw a handsome child playing in his courtyard, he became suspicious about his wife. She assured him that she was chaste and that she had begotten the child because of Hanuman’s grace.

The Brahmin was not convinced, but he kept quiet. However, the doubt in his mind kept growing each day. One day, as he prepared to leave for his bath at a nearby well, the lady asked him to take Mangal along. He readily agreed, thinking that this would be a good opportunity for him to drown the child and get rid of him for good.

As the boy went to fetch water, the Brahmin pushed him into the well and nonchalantly returned home. Not seeing the washed dhoti hanging on his shoulder, the wife queried him if he had actually had his bath. Feeling guilty, he answered in the affirmative. She then asked him where Mangal was – he had no answer to this.

Realizing that her husband was the culprit, the lady lamented and prayed to Hanuman to return her child to her. To her greatest surprise, Mangal entered the house, embraced his mother and touched his father’s feet. That night, Hanuman appeared in the Brahmin’s dream and chided him for having suspected his virtuous wife’s character. He also asked him to atone for his sins.

Realizing his folly, the Brahmin changed his ways and apologized to his wife. Together, they prayed to Hanuman and observed fasts on all Tuesdays. Thereafter, they led a happy and peaceful life along with their son, Mangal.

Another Mangalvar Vrata Katha

According to another Katha, there once lived a Brahmin called Nanda. He and his wife Sunanda were very rich and prosperous, but had no child. Sunanda fasted on all Tuesdays and prayed to Hanuman for a child. Pleased with her devotion, Hanuman blessed her with a baby girl, named Swarnalata. The child gave Nanda gold from all her eight limbs, every day. Now, Nanda became greedy and; not wanting to lose his daily share of gold; was reluctant to get her married.

Sunanda finally managed to find a wonderful groom, named Someshwar, for her daughter. After the wedding, the couple went to their home. But the greedy Nanda arranged to murder his son-in-law, so that he could get his daughter back. However, Swarnalata was not prepared to come back. Instead, she wanted to jump into the pyre of her husband and give up her own life.

Pleased with her devotion, Mangal Deva appeared before her and granted her two boons:

1. That her husband would be brought back to life and…

2. That devotees who observed Mangalvar Vrata would receive great benefits.

Mangal Deva immediately granted both boons. The young couple then lived happily ever after.

Mangalvar Vrata Vidhi

The family members get up early in the morning and take an oil bath in Ganga jal. They then wear red clothes and clean the puja place with holy water. The rangoli of an eight petal lotus is drawn in front of the altar and rice smeared with vermilion is placed there. Hanuman’s idol is then installed on the lotus and poojas are offered to him. Red flowers, red cloth, sweets and other naivedya are offered to him.

Devotees have only one meal that day and eat only satvik food, avoiding anything spicy, salty or oily. This fast is usually observed for 21 continuous weeks. On the final day, the Udyapan is performed and 21 Brahmins are fed. Alternatively, devotees give charity in temples.

Benefits of Performing Mangalvar Vrata

Mangalvar fasting bestows immense wealth, health, peace and prosperity on devotees and their families. Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa destroys the fear of death and negates the ill-effects of evil.
Hanuman was the greatest devotee of Lord Rama. Hence, chanting the latter’s name is even more beneficial.
Hanuman visited Mother Sita (the consort of Rama) in Ashokvan on a Tuesday. She blessed him, saying that those who worshipped him on that day would receive blessings from her too. Sita is considered to be an aspect of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. Hence, the devotee would receive her grace too.

Budhvar (Wednesday)

Wednesday is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Vitthala, a manifestation of Krishna. This day is also associated with Budh, the planet Mercury. Some also worship Vishnu on this day of the week. Green is the colour of the day and onyx and emerald, the preferred gems.

Budh is believed to be the wisest planet. It is closest to the sun and also the smallest in our solar system. This deity is believed to bestow wisdom, wealth and knowledge on his devotees. Praying to him helps remove all obstacles, beget progeny, property and so on.

Budhvar Vrata Katha

There was once a newlywed, who went to his father-in-law’s house on a Sunday. He planned to bring his wife back with him after marriage. He enjoyed his time with her family. Monday and Tuesday went by. On Wednesday, he told his mother-in-law that he had to return and also take his wife with him. She, however, refused to send her daughter, as Wednesday was inauspicious to do so.

He told her that he did not believe in such things, but the mother-in-law was adamant and asked him to the come the next day to take his wife with him. He then stood his ground and demanded that his wife go back with him the same day. Finally, the girl’s parents agreed and arranged a chariot for the couple.

When they entered a small town, the wife asked him to get a pot of drinking water for her. He went to procure the same, when another man, looking very much like him, approached her with a pot of water. She mistook him for her husband and was chatting away with him. Returning to the chariot, the husband got annoyed at her conduct. The wife too was bemused, seeing two men looking the same. The impostor was actually Budh, taking the form of the husband.

The three of them approached the king of the land, demanding a solution to their problem. The minister suggested that they be locked in three different cells, overnight, keeping a strict watch over all of them.

While Budh slept peacefully, the real husband lamented, saying that he should have heeded his in-laws’ words. The guards noted this behaviour and reported to the minister. The latter realized that the one who was restless was indeed the real husband and ordered that his wife be restored to him. They then freed the couple.

When they checked the other cell, it was empty, in spite of it having been locked from the outside. The minister realized that it was Budh who had come there, in order to teach the young couple a lesson. Because it was a Thursday, Mercury had no work there and so, had disappeared exactly at sunrise.

Budhvar Vrata Vidhi

All members of the family wake up early and take a bath. They wear green garments, clean the house, install a bronze statue of Budh, undertake a fast and conduct prayers. They then read the story of Budh Devata. It is believed that those who listen to his story is cleansed of all his sin and will be blessed with peace, good trade, wealth and prosperity.

Thereafter, devotees perform an aarti to Budh and distribute prasad to all around. Incidentally, the Budhvar Vrata Vidhi also includes making and eating food made with green items. Many start the fast on the first Wednesday of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing moon) and continue for 21 subsequent weeks.

Guruvar or Brihaspativar (Thursday)

Thursday is dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu and Lord Brihaspati, the Guru of the Devas. The planet associated with this day, as also with Vishnu, is Jupiter. Yellow is traditionally Vishnu’s colour. So, Hindus wear yellow-coloured apparel on this day and offer yellow-coloured flowers and fruits to the Lord. After they break their fast post sundown, they eat yellow foods, such as chana dal (Bengal Gram), ghee (clarified butter) and so on. Brihaspati, also called Guru, occupies the second largest position after the son. His worship is believed to relieve devotees from their ailments, gain strength and longevity, also freeing them from their sins. Guru grants the boon of progeny and good education.

Guruvar Vrata Katha

Once, Indra was feeling proud and vain and was regaling in his own power over the Devas. As Guru Brihaspati entered his celestial court, everyone but Indra rose to greet him. Indra never failed to show respect towards his Guur. However, he indulged in that discourtesy on that particular day. Feeling insulted, Brihaspati immediately left the palace. Indra then realized his mistake and repented for this sin of Guru Ninda. He also feared that his Guru’s anger could cause him to lose all the wealth, prosperity and power he had gained so far. Indra proceeded to go to Brihaspati and apologize to him. Knowing that the former was coming to meet him, the latter avoided him and disappeared from there. Brihaspati then went to his own Guru, Shukracharya; requesting permission to attack Indrapuri. Shukracharya gave him the required permission. The demon God surrounded Indrapuri and issued a sudden attack there. In the absence of Guru Brihaspati’s blessings, the Devas were routed and lost all the battles.

Indra went to Lord Brahma, seeking a solution. The latter asked him to go to Vishwaroopa, son of the mighty Twashta. Vishwaroopa vanquished the demon Vrishvarsha, who was leading from the front. That way, Indra regained his kingdom.

Indra then requested Vishwaroopa to become their family priest and conduct a yagna for their wellbeing. However, the latter having come from a demonic lineage, leaned towards the asura side and started praying for them. When Indra came to know of this betrayal, he beheaded Vishwaroopa. To his horror, Indra was immediately deformed, due to his sacrilegious act of murdering a Brahmin.

Panicking, the Devas approached Brahma. Brahma, accompanied by Brihaspati, broke the curse of Indra’s sin, by breaking up the sacrilege into four parts and granting them as boons to other beings. As a result, the earth, the trees and water abounded and flourished on earth. He also gave a boon of fertility, birth and motherhood to women. In this way, praying to Brihaspati releases one of his/her sins and grants them material and spiritual joys. Guruvar Vrata Vidhi

As part of their Guruvar Vrata, devotees wear yellow clothes and use yellow sandalwood in their pooja. They eat only once a day, after sundown, including yellow foods in their diet. The pooja also uses a yantr, called the Brihaspati yantra. It is usually first worshipped in a temple and then handed over to the devotee, so as to invoke the Devata inside it. This yantra is placed on a copper plate, beside the idol of the deity.

The Brihaspati mantra, “Aum Hreem Kleem Hoom Brihaspataye Namah”, is chanted 108 times every day. Dry sweets are placed on a dish during prayer and this prasad is offered to one and all after the completion of the pooja vidhi.
The Brihaspati Vrata can be undertaken any number of times. But devotees usually perform it for 7, 11, 21, 40, 48, 51, or 108 days; sometimes; even for a lifetime.

Shukravar (Friday)

Friday is dedicated to the worship of Shakti the Mother Goddess. The planet associated with this day is Venus. Goddesses Durga, Kali and Santoshi Mata are also worshipped on this day. White is the colour most associated with Shakti. White is a representation of purity and spiritual awakening. Other colours include violet, orange, purple and burgundy. The gem of the day is the brilliant diamond. The evening meal of devotees comprises white foods, such as payasam or kheer. Bengal Gram and gur (jaggery) are offered to the Goddess in order to appease her. Sour foods are avoided throughout the day.

Shukravar Vrata Katha

There once lived three friends, who were very close to each other. They belonged to Brahmin, Baniya and royal families. All of them were married, but the Baniya’s son was still to bring his wife home after marriage. One day, the three were talking about their wives. The Brahmin and the prince advised the Baniya to bring his wife home at the earliest. He went home and told his mother that he wished to bring his wife from her maternal home. The mother asked him to wait a couple of days, as the planet Venus was still setting. She said that it would not be a good time to bring her now. However, the boy was insistent and so, the parents reluctantly agreed.

Though the girl’s parents were not too happy, they sent her with her husband to her marital home. The couple had hardly traveled beyond the town, when their bullock cart was damaged. The cart fell and bullock’s legs were injured. The young lady also sustained injuries in the accident.

In spite of this, the boy continued onward. On the way, they encountered some dacoits. They robbed the bride of her jewelry and beat up the boy. The couple just managed to escape and, at last, reached his home. As they were to enter, a poisonous snake bit him and he fell unconscious. His wife was shattered and wept bitterly.

When the Brahmin’s son came to know of this, he requested the Baniya’s father to arrange a return journey for them. He averred that the boy would be out of danger if he went back to his in-laws’ place. Sure enough, the boy recovered as soon as he reached his wife’s place. He stayed there till Venus became visible in the sky – this was now an auspicious time to travel.

He then returned to his own home with his wife and they all lived happily ever after. Having realized the true power of Shukra, he started observing the Shukravar fast regularly thereafter.

Shukravar Vrata Vidhi

Devotees undertaking Shukravar Vrata wear white clothes and fast all day long, eating only after sunset. The Goddess is propitiated in her multitudinous forms. Songs and sung and hymns are chanted in praise of both Shakti and Shukra. Prasad is then offered to everyone. Only white foods are consumed, after sundown.

It is believed that those who propitiate Shukra on this day are blessed with longevity, peace and harmony in the family. Ladies undertake the elaborate Santoshi Mata Vrata to appease the Goddess. Santoshi is another form of Parvati.

Santoshi Mata Vrata Katha

An old woman had seven sons. The youngest one was irresponsible and hence, she always served him the leftover of his brothers’ meals. His wife felt bad about this and told her husband. The boy felt insulted and left the house in search of his fortune. He began to work under a merchant and soon became wealthy. However, he forgot about his wife and did not care that she was tortured by his parents, in his absence. The wife came to know about the Santoshi Mata Vrata and performed it. The Goddess appeared in the husband’s dream and showed his how his wife was suffering. He immediately returned home and setup a separate household with his wife.

During the Udyapan ceremony of the Vrata, the in-laws plotted against the wife and served sour food to the boys. This angered the Goddess and as a consequence, the boy was arrested. The wife again performed the vrata and the udyapan. She then got him out from prison and soon, bore a son.

A few days later, the Goddess visited them in a terrifying form. The in-laws fled from there, but the wife recognized her Ishtadevata and worshipped her. The in-laws came back and begged for forgiveness. Pleased, Santoshi blessed the entire family.

Santoshi Mata Vrata Vidhi

The Santoshi Mata Vrata is to be observed on 16 consecutive Fridays, or until the devotee’s wish is fulfilled. The Goddess is offered flowers; incense; and gur-chana (raw sugar and roasted chickpeas). The devotee gets up early in the morning, takes a bath and prepares for the vrata. She avoids eating and serving bitter and sour food. Once the wish is granted, she organizes an updayan ceremony, to mark the completion of the pooja. Here, eight boys are served a festive meal.

The Santoshi Mata Vrata stipulates strict adherence to all rituals and hence, only those who are really sincere are advised to go ahead with it.

Shanivar (Saturday)

Saturday is dedicated to the much-feared God, Shani, who is associated with the planet Saturn. According to Hindu mythology, Shani brings bad luck, if provoked. Devotees undertake severe fast in order to appease him and seek protection from negativity, misfortune, suffering and similar other problems. After sundown, they break their fast by consuming food prepared with black sesame oil or black gram, cooked without salt. Followers of Shanivar Vrata visit Shani shrines and offer black-coloured clothing, sesame oil, and black beans and so on. Many also worship the holy peepal (Indian fig) tree and tie a thread around it bark, praying for protection. Others propitiate Hanuman, who is known to mitigate and even destroy the ill-effects of the terrible deity’s wrath. Shani’s colours are black and blue and his gem is blue sapphire. People additionally wear black iron rings made of horseshoe, in order to ward off Shani.

Shanivar Vrata Katha

Once, there was a controversy among the planets. They argued about who was the strongest among them. Seeing no immediate solution, the Devas asked Indra to make a decision. Indra, however, was scared of entering into this sort of debate and, instead, asked the Devas to approach the mighty and wise King Vikramaditya on Earth.

When they approached Vikramaditya, the latter got worried. He knew that he was in a dangerous situation and that belittling any one planet would seriously upset them. He thought a while and then made nine thrones with gold, silver, bronze, brass, lead, ranga, zinc, mica and iron. He placed them in the same sequence. He then asked all the planets to take their place on their thrones and said that the one who sat on the final throne would be considered the smallest. It so happened that Shani Deva was the last one to occupy his throne. Hence, he was considered to be the least strong among them all.

Shani immediately got insulted, thinking that the king had done this on purpose. He claimed that, while all the other planets enjoyed a time period of only a few weeks, he could live on for seven and a half years (the sade saati). He also said that his power was so immense that he could destroy anyone he wanted. The deity then started troubling Vikramaditya for his impudence.

Vikramaditya was immediately afflicted by the sade saati dosh and he fell into abject misery over the next seven and a half years. He lost his way in the forest, roamed around aimlessly, was charged for theft and even lost his legs. Finally, he got a job as a seed crusher. He used to sing melodiously while working. Charmed by his music, the princess of the land wished to marry him.

Though the ruler was reluctant, the princess was adamant that she would marry only Vikramaditya. So he arranged their marriage. However, the troublesome period of sade saati was over and Vikramaditya got back his limbs and came back to his original glory. He married the princess and returned to rule over his kingdom for a long time thereafter.

Having learnt his lesson, Vikramaditya regularly performed the Shanivar Vrata, in order to receive Shani Devata’s blessings.

Shanivar Vrata Vidhi

Shanivar Vrata commences on the first Saturday of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) of any month. The fast is observed every Saturday for 11 or 51 weeks, as the devotee wishes. An Udyapan ceremony is performed to mark the end of the vrata.

The devotee takes a bath early in the morning and wears black or blue clothes. Installing and worshipping an idol of the deity made of iron is considered to be extremely beneficial. During the pooja, black flowers, black sesame and black clothes are gifted to Shani Devata, along with boiled rice. The pooja then concludes with the devotee chanting the Shani mantra and reading the Shanivar Vrata Katha.

The devotee can then visit the temples of Hanuman, Lord Bhairav (a terrible aspect of Shiva) and Lord Shani as well. The deity is offered til oil, black gram, black sesame and black clothes. After fasting all day, he or she consumed food two hours after sundown.

Benefits of Performing Shanivar Vrata

This vrata is considered to be the most significant and most beneficial among all vratas. It especially helps those who have a weak Shani in their Kundali (horoscope). It also helps mitigate the ill-effects of having a weak Shani in the horoscope.
This vrata is also advised for those who are undergoing the sade saati phase, dahiya, mahadasha or antardasha.
It is believed that Shanivar Vrata frees one from various health conditions such as joint pains, back pain, muscle pain and similar other disorders and grants him or her good health, longevity, peace and plenty.

Ravivar (Sunday)

Sunday is dedicated to the worship of Lord Suryanarayana or Surya, the Sun God. Devotees undertake this vrata in order to appease the effulgent deity and receive his grace to lead a healthy, happy life. Red and pink are Surya’s colours and his gem is the ruby. On his day, Hindus wear red, apply some red sandalwood paste on their forehead and offer him red flowers.

Surya Devata enjoys a formidable place among the Navagrahas (nine planets). Even in the Navagraha Shanti Vidhi, only the Sun God is capable of giving peace to all the planets, because he is the King of the Navagrahas.

Ravivar Vrata Katha

In the olden days, there lived an old man in Kanchanpur. He regularly observed the Ravivar fast. Every Sunday, he would get up early in the morning, take a bath, clean the courtyard with cowdung and then sincerely worship Surya. Pleased with his devotion, Surya granted him much peace and prosperity. Seeing the old couple doing so well, their neighbour got jealous. The old man did not own a cow and so, used to procure the cowdung from them.

One Sunday, the neighbour refused to give him the dung to clean his place. That day, his entire worship schedule fell apart, as he was not able to clean his place. The old couple was distressed that they could not complete their pooja vidhi that day. That night, Surya came in her dream and asked her why she had not worshipped him during the day. The old lady narrated her sad story, saying that, had she owned a cow, she could have procured the dung herself and then, would have been able to perform the pooja as usual.

Taking pity on her, Surya blessed her with a beautiful cow. The next morning, the old lady was surprised to see a cow in her courtyard. To her amazement, the cow gave dung of gold. Seeing this, the neighbour became even more jealous. The next morning, the neighbour took the cow away, before the old lady woke up.

In spite of the cow not being there, the old couple continued with their regular Sunday prayers. Lord Suryanarayana was watching all this and decided to teach the neighbour a lesson. He brought the cow back to its rightful owner. Not able to tolerate this, the neighbour approached the king and told him about the cow giving gold. Not believing her, the king ordered his soldiers to check on the old couple.

Seeing that the cow indeed gave gold, the soldiers went back to the king and narrated the incident. Wanting to possess this extraordinary animal, the king ordered them to bring the cow to him. He then told the couple that he would own it from then on.

Enraged by this, Surya appeared in the king’s dream that night, threatening to unleash storms and other natural calamities on the land, if the king did not return the cow to the couple. Frightened of the consequences, the king gave the cow back to the old couple and apologized to them; also arresting the neighbour for her adharmic behaviour.

He then ordered that all his subjects undertake the Ravivar Vrata in order to gain the grace of Lord Sri Suryanarayana.

Ravivar Vrata Vidhi

The Suryanarayana fast commences from the first Sunday in the Shukla Paksha of the Ashwin month. Devotees get up early every Sunday morning, take their bath and begin their worship of the Sun God. After installing the idol, they offer items such as candle, red sandalwood, red cloth, gulal and jaggery to the Lord. Then they recite the Suryanarayana mantra , sing songs in praise of the deity and read his vrata katha. They break their fast only after sundown, avoiding sour, oily and salty foods.

The deity can also be worshipped in a temple dedicated to him. At the end of the vrata, 15 Brahmins are invited to partake of a feast and items such as barley, wheat, gram, til (sesame) and urad dal are given away to them, along with clothes and dakshina (money). Devotees also give alms to the poor and needy on the final day.

The festival of Suryushthi or Chhath Pooja is celebrated in a big way on the sixth day of the Kartik Shukla Paksha. This is an important festival in the whole of North India. It is believed that invoking the blessings of Surya Devata helps alleviate devotees’ eye and skin diseases and also destroys conditions such as leprosy. Undertaking the Ravivar Vrata is believed to bestow good health, great luck and longevity on the devotee.

Conclusion

Different sects of Hinduism narrate different versions of vrata kathas; stipulating varied vrata vidhis as well. However, the main aim of these tales and rituals is to help devotees practice shraddha (faith) and bhakti (devotion); focusing on their ishta-devata; and, in that way, achieve a certain degree of mukti (liberation), while still living in samsara (material life).

Santoshi maa KATHA in English

Now what happened to the daughter-in-law, kindly listen?

She then started asking, “How is this fast kept? Could you please explain to me? I would be very grateful to you.”

Then the Mother being pleased said, “Go daughter! Your husband will come.” Hearing this she became happy and returned home and started doing her work.

Hearing this the mother-in-law to hide her trouble says, “Daughter-in-law! Why do you say thus?

Your Lord (husband) has come. Come in have sweet rice meal, wear clothes and jewelry!”

He picked the keys and went to the next house. Opening the room on the third floor he kept all the things. Within one day the house was decorated like a King’s palace.

She began saying, ” Mother! What is this you did? Why did you make me cry?” Mother said, “Daughter, you have done the Udyapan and spoiled the Vrat. So soon you forgot all the talks.”

They went home.

After few days once again Friday came, she said to her husband- “I want to once again do the Udyapan of Mataji.” The husband said, “Do it.”

How Mother rewarded the daughter-in-law in the same way reward everyone. Those who read the story their wishes are fulfilled.

Say Santoshi Mata ki Jai.

HINDI KATHA IN ROMAN

KATHA PRARAMBH

Ek budhiya thi aur uskey saat betey the. 6 kamaney valey the ek nikamma tha. Budhiya maa chhaon putron ko rasoi bana khilati thi aur peechhe jo kuchh bachta tha so saatvein ko dey deti thi. Parantu voh bada bhola-bhala tha, man mein kuchh vichar na karta. Ek din voh apni bahu se bola—” Dekho! Meri mata ko mujh par kitna prem hai!” Voh boli—”Kyon nahin, sabhka bacha tumko khilati hai.” Voh bola “Bhala aisaa bhi kahin ho sakta hai? Jab tak main ankhon se na dekhoon, maan nahin sakta.” Bahu ney hanskar kaha- “Dekh logey tab to maanogey?”

Kuchh din baad bada tyohaar aaya, ghar mein saat prakar ke bhojan aur choorma ke laddoo baney. Voh jaanchney ko sir dukhney ka bahana kar patla vastra sir par odhkar rasoi ghar mein layt gaya aur kapde mein se sab dekhta raha. Chhahon bhai bhojan karnein aaye, usney dekha maa ne unke liye sundar-sundar aasan bichhaye hain, saat prakar ki rasoi parosi hai. Voh aagrah karke jimati hai. Voh dekhta raha. Chhahon bhai bhojan karke uthey tab maa ne unki jhoothi thaaliyon mein se laddooon ke tukde uthhaye aur laddoo banaya jhoothan saaf kar budhiya maa ne ussey pukara- Utth beta! Chhahon bhai bhojan kar gaye, ab tu hi baki hai utth na! Kab khayega? Voh kahney laga “Maa!Mujhey bhojan nahin karna> Main pardes ja raha hoon.” Mata ne kaha, “Kal jata ho to aaj chala jaa.” Voh bola ” Haan, haan! Aaj hi jaa rahaa hoon” Yeh kahkar voh ghar se nikal gaya. Chaltey samay bahu ki yaad aayi. Voh gaushala mein karaadey thaap rahi thi, jaakar bola

Doha- “Hum jaavein pardes ko aaveyngey kuchh kaal. Tum rahiyo santosh se, dharam apna paal.”

Voh boli—”Jaao piya aanand se hamro soch hataaye. Ram bharose hum rahein, Ishwar tumhein sahai.

Do nishani aapni dekh dharoon main dheer, sudhi mat hamri bisaariyo raakhiyo man gambhir.”

Voh bola “merey pass to kuchh nahin, yeh angoothi hai so ley aur apni kuchh nishani mujhey dey.” Voh boli, “Merey pass kya hai? Yeh gobar bhara haath hai”. Yeh kah uski peetth mein gobar ke haath ki chhaap maar di.

Voh chal diya. Chaltey-chaltey door desh mein pahuncha vahan ek sahukar ki dukaan thi.. Vahan jaakar kehney laga- “Bhai mujhe naukar rakh lo. Vyapaari ki zaroorat thi, bola “rah ja”. Ladkey ne poochha- “vetan kya dogey?” Sahukar ne kaha “Kaam dekhkar daam milengey.” Sahukar ki naukri mili.Voh saverey ke 7 bajey sey 2 bajey tak naukri bajaney laga. Thorey hi din mein dukaan ka layn-dayn, hisaab-kitaab, grahkon ko maal bechna saara kaam karney lagaa. sahukar ke 7/8 naukar the , veh sabh chakkar khaney lagey. Yeh to bahut hoshiyaar ban gaya. Seth ne bhi kaam dekha aur teen mahiney mein usey aadhey munaafey ka hisseydaar banaa liya. Barah varsh mein naami seth ban gaya aur maalik saara karobaar uspar chhod baahar chala gaya.

Ab bahu par kya beeti, suno! Saas sasur usey bahut dukh deney lagey. Saari grahasti ka saara kaam karaa karkey usey lakdi leney jangal bhejtey. Is beech ghar ki rotiyon ke aatey se jo bhoosi nikalti uski roti banaakar rakh di jaati thi aur phootey naariyal ki naarli mein paani. Is prakaar din guzartey rahey. Ek din voh lakdi leney jaa rahi thi ki raastey mein bahut is streeyan Santoshi mata ka vrat kar rahi thi. Vahaan voh khari ho gayi, katha sunney lagi, phir poochney lagi—”Behanon, yeh tum kis devta ka vrat karti ho aur isey karney se kya phal milta hai? Is vrat ke karney ki kya vidhi hai? Yadi tum is vrat ka vidhaan mujhey samjhakar kahogi to main tumhara upkar maanoongi.”

Tab unmein se ek stree boli—”Suno,yeh Santoshi mata ka vrat hai, Issey nirdhantaa,daridrata ka naash hotaa hai.Lakshmi aati hai. Man ki chintaaon ka bhaar door hota hai. Ghar mein sukh honein sey man ko prasannata aur shanti milti hai. Niputri ko putr miley. Swami baahar gaya ho to shighra aavein. Kunwari kanya ko man chaaha var miley. Rajdwaar mein bahut dinon se mukadama chalta ho to nipat jaavey, kalah-kalesh ki nivritti ho, sukh shanti aavey, ghar mein dhan jamaa ho, paisa-jaidaad ka labh ho, rog door ho jaavey tatha aur bhi jo kuchh bhi man mein kaamna hovey sab is Santoshi mata ki kripa se poori ho javein, is mein sandeh nahin hai.”

Voh poochhney lagi- “Yeh vrat kaisey kiya jaai, yeh bhi bataao to badi kripa hogi.” Voh stree kehney lagi-“Savaa aaney ka gur-channa leyna. Ichha ho to savaa paanch aaney ka leyna yaa savaa rupiye ka bhi sahuliyat ke anusaar leyna, binaa pareshaani shraddha aur prem se jitna bhi ban sakey, savaayaa leyna. Savaa paise se savaa paanch aaney tatha issey bhi zyaada shakti aur bhakti anusaar leyna.. Pratyek shukravaar ko niraahaar reh katha kehna-sunnaa. Iske beech kram tootey nahin, lagaataar niyam paalan karna. sunneyvala koyi na miley to ghee ka deepak jalaa uskey aagey yaa jal ke paatr ko saamney rakh katha kehna parantu niyam na tootey, Jab tak kaatya siddh na ho niyam paalan karna aur kaarya siddh ho jaaney par vrat ka udyaapan karna. Teen maas mein mata phal poora karti hai—is mein yadi kisi ke grah khotey hon, to bhi mata varsh mein ashvay kaarya ko siddh karti hai. Phal siddh honein par hi udyaapan karnaa chaahiye, beech mein nahin. Udyaapan mein adhaayi ser aata ka khaja tatha isi parimaan se kheer tatha channey ka saag karna. Aatth ladkon ko is mein bhojan karaaana. Jahan tak miley devar, jeth, bhai-bandhu, kutumb ke ladkey leyna, na miley to rishteydaaron aur padosion ke ladkey bulaanaa. Unhen bhojan karaakar yathashakti dakshina deykar mata ka niyam poora karna.Us din ghar mein khataayi koyi na khavey.

Yeh sun budhiya ke ladkey ki bahu chal di. Raastey mein lakdi ke bojh ko beych diya aur un paison se gur-channa ley mata ke vrat ki tayyaari ki, aagey chali aur mandir dekh poochhney lagi—”Yeh mandir kiska hai?” Sabh kehney lagey—”Santoshi mata ka mandir hai.” Yeh sun mata ke mandir mein jaa mata ke charnon mein laytnein lagi. Deen ho vinati karney lagi—“Maa, main nipat agyani hoon. Vrat ke niyam kuchh jaanti nahin. Main bahut dukhi hoon. Hey Maata! Jagjanini, mera dukh door kar, main teri sharan mein hoon.”

Mata ko daya aayi-ek shukravaar beeta ke doosrey shukravaar kohi uskey pati ka patr aaya aur teesrey ko uska bheyja hua paisa aa pahuncha. Yeh dekh jeth-jethani moonh sikurney lagey, itney dinon mein itna paisa aaya, ismein kya baat hai? Ladkey taanein deynein lagey—-rupiya aanein lagaa— ab to kaki ki khaatir badheygi—bhaiyya! patr aavey rupiya aavey to hum sab keliye achha hai. Aisa kehkar aankhon mein aansoo bharkar Santoshi mata ke mandir mein aa Mateshwari ke charnon mein girkar roney lagi—”Maa! mainey tumse paisa kab maanga hai? Mujhey paise se kya kaam hai? Mujhey to apney suhaag se kaam hai.Main to apney swami ke darshan aur seva maangti hoon.” Tab Mataji nein prasanna hokar kahaa, “Ja, beti! Tera swami aayega.”

Yeh sun khushi se ghar mein jaakar kaam karney lagi. Ab Santoshi Maa vichar karney lagi—“Is bholi putri se mainein keh to diya. Par pati aaveyga kahan se?Voh to isey swapna mein bhi yaad nahin karta! Isey yaad dilaney ko mujhey jaana pareyga. Is tarah Mataji us budhiya ke betey ke paas jaa swapn mein prakat ho kehne lagi “Sahukaar ke bete! So raha hai yaa jaagtaa hai?” Voh kehta hai –”Mata! sotaa bhi nahin hoon, aur jaagtaa bhi nahin hoon. Kaho kya aagya hai ?” Maa kehney lagi—” Tera ghar-baar kuchh hai yaa nahin?” Voh bola—”Mera sab kuchh hai Mata! Maa-baap, bahu hai, kya kamee hai?” Maa boli—”Bholey putr! Teri patni ghor kasht uttha rahi hai, tery maa-baap usey bahut traas dey rahey hain. Tu uski sudhi ley” Voh boley—”Haan, Mataji! Yeh to mujhey maaloom hai parantu jaaoon kaisey? Pardes ki baat, leyn-deyn ka koi hisaab nahin, koi jaaney ka raastaa nazar nahin aata.” Maa kehney lagi—”Meri baat maan saverey nahaa-dho kar Santoshi mata ka naam ley, ghee ka deepak jalaa, dandvat kar dukaan par jaa baith! Dekhtey-dekhtey, tera leyn-deyn chuk jaayega. Jamaa maal bik jayega. Saanjh hotey-hotey dhan ka dher lag jaayega. “

Ab to voh saverey bahut jaldi utth bhai-bandhuon se apney sapney ki baat kehta hai. Voh sabh kehnein lagey kahin sapney bhi sach hotey hain? Ek budha bola—“Meri baat maan, is tarah saanch jhooth karney ke badley devtaa ney jaisa kaha hai vaisa karney mein jaata kya hai? Ab budhey ki baat maan, nahaa-dhokar Santoshi Mata ko dandvat kar, ghee ka deepak jalaa, dukaan par jaa baithta hai.Thodi der mein kya dekhta hai ki denevale rupiya laane lagey , lenevaley hisaab leney lagey. Kothey mein bharey saamaanon ke kharidar nakad daam de souda karney lagey. Shyam tak dhan ka dher lag gaya. Man mein Mata ka naam ley chamatkar dekh prasanna ho ghar ley jaaney ke vaastey gehna, kapda, saamaan khareedney laga. Yahan ke kaam se nipat turant ghar ko ravaanaa hua.

Vahan bahu bechaari jangal mein lakdi leney jaati hai, laut-tey vakt Mataji ke mandir par vishraam karti hai. Voh to uska roz ka rukney ka sthaan thehra.Door dhool udti dekh voh Mataji se poochhti hai—Hey Mata! Yeh dhool kaisi ud rahi hai?” Maa kehti hai—” Hey putri! Tera pati aa rahaa hai ab tu aisa kar lakdiyon ke3 bojh banaa ek nadi kinarey rakh doosra mere mandir mein aur teesra apney sar par. Tere pati ko lakdi ka gattha dekh kar moh paida hoga- voh yahaan rukeyga, naashta paani bana khaakar maa se milney jayega, tab tu lakdiyon ka bojh utthakar jaanaa aur beech chowk mein gattha daalkar teen aavaazein zor se lagaana—”Lo, sasuji! Lakdiyon ka gattha lo, bhoosi ki roti do, nariyal ke khopde mein paani do! Aaj kaun mehmaan aaya hai? Maa ki baat sun, bahu “Bahut achha, mataji” kehkar prasanna man ho lakdiyon ke teen gatthey le aayi. Ek nadi tat par, ek mataji ke mandir rakha.

Itney mein ek musafir aa pahuncha. Sookhi lakdi dekh uski ichha hui ki ab yahan nivas karein aur bhojan banaa, vishraam le voh gaon ko gaya. Sabhse prem se mila. Usi samay bahu sir par lakdi ka gattha liye aati hai. Lakdi ka bhaari bojh aangan mein daal zor se aavaaz deti hai—” Lo, sasuji! Lakdi ka gattha lo, bhoosi ki roti do, nariyal ke khopde mein paani do. Aaj kaun aaya hai?” Yeh sun uski saas apney diye huey kashton ko bhulanein hetu kehti hai—“Bahu! Aisa kyoon kehti ho? Tera maalik aayaa hai. Aa baith meetha bhaat khaa bhojan kar kapde, gehney pehen!” Itney mein aavaaz sunkar uska swami baahar aataa hai aur angootthi dekh vyakul ho jataa hai. Maa se poochhta hai—”Maa, yeh kaon hai?” Maa kehti hai , “Beta, yeh teri bahu hai. Aaj 12 varsh ho gaye, tu jab se gayaa hai tab se saarey gaon mein jaanvar ki tarah bhatakti phirti hai. Kaam kaaj ghar ka kuchh karti nahin, chaar samay aakar khaa jaati hai . tujhe dekhkar bhoosi ki roti aur nariyal ke khopde mein paani maangti hai. Voh lajjit ho bola—“Theek hai maa! Main ney usey bhi dekha hai aur tumhein bhi dekha hai. Ab mujhe doosrey ghar ki taali do to usmey rahoon.” Tab maa boli “Theek hai beta! Teri jaisi marzi ho kar.” Yeh kah taali ka guchha patak diya. Usney leykar doosrey makaan mein, teesri manzil ke ooper ka kamra khol saara saamaan jamaaya. Ek hi din mein vahan raja ke mahal jaisa thaat-baat ban gaya. Ab kya hai? Bahu sukh bhogney lagi.

Itney mein agla Shukravaar aaya. Usney apne pati se kaha-“Mujhey Santoshi mata ke vrat ka udyapan karna hai.” Uska pati bola –” Bahut achha! Kar, khushi se karley” Turant hi voh udyapan ki taiyyari karney lagee. Jeth ke ladkon ko bhojan ke liye kahney gayi. Usney manzoor kiya, parantu peechhey jethaani apney bachon ko sikhaati hai- “Dekho re! Bhojan ke samay sabh log khatai maangna jissey uska udyapan poora na ho sakey.” Ladkey jeemney aaye, kheer bhar pet khayi. Parantu baat yaad aatey hee kahney lagey –”Hamey kuchh khataayi do, kheer khana hummey bhata nahin. Dekhkar aruchi hoti hai.” Bahu kahney lagi –” Khataayi kisi ko nahin dee jaayegi. Yeh to Santoshi Mata ka prasad hai.” Ladkey utth kharey huey, boley-” Paisa laao.” Bholi bahu kuchh jaanti nahin thi, unhe paisey dey diye. Ladkey ussi samay hatth karkey imli laa khaney lagey.

Yeh dekh bahu par Mataji ney kope kiya. Raja ke doot uskey pati ko pakad kar ley gaye. Jeth jethani manmaaney khotey vachan kehney lagey-“Sada loot=loot kar dhan ikattha kar laya, raja ke doot pakadkar ley gaye. Ab sabh maaloom par jayega, jab jail ki maar khaayega.” Bahu se yeh vachan nahin suney gaye. Roti-roti Mataji ke mandir ko gayi. Kahney lagi – “Mataji! Tumney yeh kya kiya? Hansakar ab kyoon rulaney lagi?” Mata boli –” Putri, tooney udyapan karkey mera vrat bhang kiya hai. Itni jaldi sabh baatein bhuladi?” Voh kehnein lagi –” Mata, bhooli to nahin, na kuchh apraadh kiya hai. Mujhe to ladkon nein bhool mein daal diya. Mainey bhool se hi unhein paisey dey diye—mujhey kshama karo Maa!” Maa boli –” Aisi bhi bhool hoti hai?” Voh boli- “Maa mujhey maaf kardo main phir tumhara udyapan karoongi.” Maa boli- “Ab bhool na karna.” Voh kehti hai –”Ab bhool na hogi Maa! Ab batavo veh kaisey aaveingey?” Maa boli- “Jaa putri, tera maalik tujhey raastey mein hi aataa mileyga.”

Voh nikli raah mein pati aata milaa. Voh poochhti hai-“Tum gaye kahan they?” Tab voh kehney laga –”Itna dhan jo kamaya hai uska tax raja ney maanga tha, voh bharney gaya tha.” Voh prassanna ho boli –”Bhala hua, ab ghar ko chalo.” Ghar ko gaye , kuchh hi dinon baad phir Shukravaar aaya, voh boli-” Mujhe phir Mataji ka udyapan karna hai.” Pati nein kaha “Karo.” Voh phir jeth ke ladkon ko bhojan ko kehney gayi. Jethani nein ek do baat sunayi aur sabh ladkon ko sikhaney lagi –”Tum sabh log pehley hi hkattayi maangna.” Ladkey kehnein lagey-“Humein kheer khana nahin bhaata, jee bigarta hai, kuchh khattayi khaney ko do.”Voh boli- “Khattayi khaney ko nahin mileygi, khana ho to khao.” voh brahmanon ke ladkey laakar bhojan karaney lagi. Yatha-shakti dakshina ki jagah ek-ek phal unhein diya. Ismein Santoshi mata prasanna hui.

Mata ki kripa hotey hi navein maas usko chandrama ke samaan sundar putr prapt hua. Putr ko leykar pratidin Maata ke mandir ko jaaney lagi. Maa nein socha- “Yeh roz aati hai, aaj main kyon na iskey ghar chaloon iska aasra dekhoon to sahi.” Yeh vichaar kar Mata nein bhayaanak roop banaaya. Gur channey sey sana mukh ooper sey soond key samaan honth, uspar makhhiyan bhin-bhina rahee hain. Dehli par paon rakhtey hi uski saas chillaayi- “Dekho re! Koi churail daayin chali aa rahee hai. Ladko isey bhagao, nahin to kisi ko khaa jaayegi.” Ladkey darrney lagey aur chillaakar khidkiyaan bund karney lagey.Bahu ek roshandaan mein se dekh rahi thi. Prasannata se pagli ho chillaney lagi -“Aaj meri Mataji merey ghar aayi hai.” Yeh keh bacchey ko doodh peeney se hataati hai. Itnein mein to saas ka krodh phoot paraa. Boli-“Raand!Dekhkar kyoon utaavli hui hai? Bacchey ko patak diya. Itnein mein Maa ke prataap sey jahan dekho vahaan ladkey hi ladkey nazar aaney lagey. Voh boli -“Maa, main jiska vrat karti hoon yeh vahi Santoshi mata hai.” Itna kehkar jhatsey saarey ghar key kivar khol deti hai.

Sabhney Mataji ke charan pakad liye aur vinti karney lagey -“Hey Mata! Hum moorakh hain, paapi hain, tumhaarey vrat ki vidhi hum nahin jaantey,tumhara vrat bhang kar humnein bahut apraadh kiya hai. Hey Jagatmata! Hamara apraadh kshama karo.” Is prakar Mata prasanna hui. Bahu ko jaisa phal diya vaisa Mata sabh ko dey. Jo padhey uskey manorath poorna hon.

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