Continuation…
Dr. Shanker Adawal
Fasts
Vrat is one of the most
significant, simple, facile and a traditional way of rectification of various
kinds of maladies. The Sanskrit word `vrata’ denotes `religious vow’. It is one
of the most widely used words in the Hindu religious and ritualistic
literature. Derived from the verbal root `vrn’ (`to choose’), it signifies a
set of rules and discipline. Hence `Vrata’ means performance of any ritual
voluntarily over a particular period of time. The purpose is to propitiate a
deity and secure from it what the performer wants. This whole process, however,
should be undertaken with a sankalpa (Resolution) or religious resolve, on an
auspicious day and time fixed as per the dictates of the Hindu religious
almanacs called panjika.
Vrata
in the Puranas
1.
Puranas denote various types of vratas. In all the Purans there is mention of
Fasts and how they are performed. Purans have categorized the fasts in
following manner.
2.
`Kayika-vrata’. It is a vrata pertaining to the body. The stress is on physical
austerity like fasting, remaining sleepless, taking baths and such other
restraining activity in connection with one’s body.
3.
`Vachika-vrata’or vrata pertaining to speech. Here much importance is given to
speaking the truth and reciting the scriptures, both being a function of the
organ of speech.
4.
`Manasa-vrata’ or vrata pertaining to the mind. The emphasis here is on
controlling the mind, by controlling the passions and prejudices that arise in
it.
5.
Payovrata – is the vrata or penance observed by goddess Aditi to propitiate
Lord Vishnu. This vrata is discussed in detail in the Bhagavata Purana.
Time
based Vrata
There are vratas again
based on time. A vrata to be performed just for a dina or day is a
`dina-vrata’. One lasting for a vaara or a paksha (week or fortnight) is a
`vaara-vrata’ or a `paksha-vrata’ as the case may be. One to be undertaken on a
particular tithi (a day according to the lunar calendar) or when a particular
nakshatra (asterism) is on the ascendant, is respectively called a
`tithi-vrata’ or `nakshatra-vrata’. Most of the vratas now in vogue are based
on the tithis of the lunar calendar.
Based
on deity
Another classification is
according to the deity (an aspect of God) worshipped; for instance, Swarna-gauri-vrata
is dedicated to Gauri, another name of Parvati Devi. Likewise
Vara-siddhi-vinayaka-vrata is for propitiation of Lord Ganesha or
Satya-narayana-vrata to Vishnu known as Satyanarayana.
Impact
on society
Who are the persons
eligible to perform a vrata? Anyone who has faith in it and wishes to perform
it as per the rules, even if the person be a mleccha (alien)! During the Vedic
period sacrifices were strictly restricted to the men of the three upper castes
called dvijas meaning twice-born. The doors of the vratas were thrown open to
one and all during bhakti movement, thus bringing ritualistic Hinduism to
especially the lower castes and women. They had been denied that privilege for
centuries. Historically speaking, this might have been a master-stroke devised
by the liberal-minded religious leaders of the Hindu society to prevent the
exodus of their flock to the Jaina and Buddhist folds, which were singularly
free from the labyrinth of rituals and offered a simple religion of ethical
conduct for the common public.
Continue…
Dr. Shanker Adawal
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Published articles on Articlesbase.com
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or search keyword "shanker adawal" in google search for published articles
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