Continuation…
Dr. Shanker Adawal
Different
types of Austerities
Part
2
Chandrayan
Vrata- It’s an important austerity lasting for a month which
commences on First day of the bright half of a month by observing fast for the
whole day and breaking it in the night with one morsel of food. On the next
day, i.e. `dwitiya’ one morsel of food is increased which means that instead of
one morsel of food now two morsels are taken. This way one morsel of food is
increased on each of the following days till the fourteenth day (chaturdashi)
when the fast is broken by having fourteen morsels of food. A total fast is
observed on `Amavasya’ (dark Moon). On the next day i.e. first day of the dark
half of the month one morsel is decreased which means that the devotee should
break his fast with thirteen morsel of food. This way one morsel is decreased
on each successive day till `chaturdashi’ when a devotee breaks his fast by
having only one morsel of food. This is the way, how a Chandrayan vrata should
be observed.
Anang
Trayodashi Vrata- This austerity is related with the worship
of Lord Shiva and commences on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the
Hindu month Margashirsh and lasts for a year. It concludes exactly after a year
when `Rati’ and `Anang’ are worshipped with appropriate rituals. Ten thousand
offerings are made in the sacrificial fire. Brahmins are fed and donations made
to them. One who observes this austerity is blessed with health, wealth and
good fortune.
Akhand
Dwadashi Vrata- This austerity is related with the worship
of Lord Vishnu. It commences on the twelfth day of the bright half of the Hindu
month Margashirsh and lasts for a year consisting of three phases. One
important characteristic of this austerity is that after four months, which is
the first phase of the austerity, five vessels filled with food-grains are
donated to Brahmins. In the second phase of the austerity consisting of four
months and commencing from the Hindu month Chaitra, pots filled with parched
grams are donated to Brahmins. Similarly, in the third and final phase of the
austerity pots filled with ghee are donated to Brahmins.
Shiva
Ratri Vrata- This austerity is related with the worship
of Lord Shiva and a fast is observed on the fourteenth day of the dark half of
the Hindu month Phalgun. A devotee should observe fast in the night and worship
Lord Shiva by chanting `Om Namah Shivay’. He should perform `haven’ with black
sesame seeds and worship Lord Shiva at midnight, in the third and the fourth
`prahar’ (one prahar equals three hour) with appropriate rituals. One who
observes fast on this day gets all his wishes fulfilled and attains salvation
as well. A devotee who observes Shiva Ratri fast for twelve successive years
acquires knowledge, wealth, success and happiness. Such a man also attains to
Shiva loka after his death.
Virtues
of Observing Fast on Shiva Ratri Night- During ancient times
there lived a hunter named Sundarsen in the province of Arbuda. One day, he
went deep into the forest in search of his prey but unfortunately he found
none. He wandered all over the place but in vain. When evening came, he climbed
up a wood apple (Bael) tree to protect himself from the wild animals. Sundarsen
was worried that his family would have nothing to eat the night. Engrossed in
his contemplative mood, he kept on plucking leaves from the `Bael’ tree and
throwing them down. There was a Shiva linga just under the tree and the leaves,
which Sundarsen threw, fell down on it.
Next morning while
Sundarsen ws climbing down the tree, his arrow fell down. While picking up his
arrow, he touched the Shiva linga. Sundarsen was unaware of the fact that it
was Shivaratri night and he had worshiped Lord Shiva with appropriate rituals
albeit inadvertently he had offered Bilva patra to Lord Shiva and had touched
the Shiva linga. He attained to Shiva loka on account of the virtues attained
by his inadvertent worship of Lord Shiva.
Dr. Shanker Adawal
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http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/shanker-adawal/149926
or search keyword "shanker adawal" in google search for published articles
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