Ritual of Chandrayan-Vrata described by Bhagwan Shri Hari.
Ritual of Chandrayan-Vrata described by Bhagwan Shri Hari.
Sri Narayan muni said:-
O Shukanandmuni ! ‘Now I’ll narrate to you about the Chandrayan Vrata (ritual). This is told in Vaisnavadi Puranas as one which wipes out our sins. 1.
In the bright fortnight of Pausa, on the fourteenth day (Tithi), Chandrayan ritual, which destroys all sins should be performed. 2.
During the period of this ritual, the observer (one who performs the vrata), should sleep on the ground, observe strict celibacy (Brahmacharya), should take bath three times and worship Laksmi-Narayana. Also, a ghee lamp should be kept burning continuously (throughout the ritual). 3.
He should offer pure ghee to the fire (Agni) to destroy sins. He should eat-Charu-rice or Yava grains or Yavaka. 4.
He should eat either the portions of the above mentioned substances or eat vegetables, curds, ghee, fruits, roots and water. He should eat the remnants after offering to the fire (Havis) with deep respect and faith. 5.
He should eat a mouthful of the fruit Ketaki (Pandanus Odoratissi mus) on full moon day and a fourteenth of it on next day according to the phases of the moon. He should go on reducing the quantity each day and observe total fast on the new moon day (Amavasya) 6.
During the bright fortnight, he should increase the quantity each day and eat one twenty on full-moon day. That is, one should eat one hundred and twenty mouthful of food on Magha – full moon day (Purnima). 7-8.
While eating one by one mouthful of food (grasa), he should utter the mantra ‘Aum’ at first mouthful, ‘Namah Svaha’ two mouthfuls, he should go on chanting thus Bhooh; Bhoornamah; Bhuvah; Bhuvonamhsvaha – three mouthfuls, svah – four; mamah – five; Janah – six; tapah – seven; satyam – eight; oorjenamahsvaha – nine; it – ten; ojah – eleven; tejah – twelve; purusah – thirteenth; Dharmah – fourteenth; Shivah – fifteenth; in this way he should eat everything with the chanting of mantra. 9-13.
At the end – on completion of the vrata – he should donate a cow and a calf to a Brahmin. Thus, this Chandrayan vrata wipes out all the sins. 14.
On the completion of this vrata- udyapan, he will attain total health, wealth, and happiness in this world. 15.
He will go to Indra Loka after death, if he performs the fast for Vishnu, he will attain the abode of Vishnu. 16.
‘O sage, thus I have narrated this Chandrayan vrata to you; this is considered potent for wiping out sins and is particularly preferred by the Smritikaras. 17.
Suvrat said:-
‘O King, hearing these words from Shukananda muni – the greatest of all the great devotees were pleased; filled with joy, they all respected him by offering Sastanga namaskara. 18.
Then, in the morning, taking bath at the parva time, Bhagavan gave golden pots with sesame to some Brahmins. 19.
He also offered thousands of blankets and upper-wears to Brahmins. 20. Bhagavan, the savior of religion, gave delicious, sweet meals to Brahmins and offered money to them. 21.
Then, he satisfied the Munis, with delicious food at his brother, Ichharam’s house. At night he preached the teachings of Sri Rsabha to all of those assembled there. 22.
Thus ends the nineteenth chapter entitled ‘Description of the ritual of Chandrayana Vrata’ in the fourth Prakaran of Satsangijivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 19
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