Somwar Vrata (Monday Fast)
By: Future Point | 31-Jul-2018
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As per mythological texts all fasts and the pilgrimages of this world cannot even touch the glory of one sixteenth division of Somvaar Vrata. This fast is observed for the attainment of good luck, desired offspring & fulfillment of desires.
People who worship Lord Shiva on Monday succeed in gratifying their all types of wishes. All sorts of fears and sorrows get eradicated. This fast is observed by ladies for the long life of the husbands.
The deity of this fast is Moon & lord Shiva. Lord Shiva and Moon both symbolize satisfaction, peace and success in material and spiritual world. Therefore the power of this fast destroys one’s lower nature thereby making him a more sensible and successful person who doesn’t suffer from the miseries in life.
This fast should be started from the first Monday of bright half of Shravna, Chaitra, Vaishakha, Jyeshtha, Kartika or Margsheersha months of Hindu calendar. This fast should be done 10 times at least. One can do it for 5 years or one year.
Monday fasts are of 3 types-
- Simple every Monday fast.
Simple every Monday fast is especially beneficial for those in whose natal chart the planet Moon causes loss of good luck and inflicts problems like lack of mental peace and stomach related disorders. - Som Pradosh fast
This fast is observed on the Trayodashi (13th day) of both the Krishna Paksha (Amavasya) and Shukla Paksha (Poornima). The literal meaning of the word ‘Pradosh’ in Hindi means the evening tide or early night therefore Pradosh Vrat is observed during the ‘Sandhyakaal’ that is the evening twilight. When Pradosh falls on Monday then it is known as Som Pradosh Vrata and on this day Lord Shiva together with Goddess Parvati feels extremely delighted, pleased and generous. As per Skanda Purana it is said that this fast brings in contentment, wealth and good health and its impact develops positive thinking and fulfills all desires. - 16 weeks Monday fast
16 Somvar vrat is especially recommended for those who are facing difficulties in married life and also those who are looking to get married to the desired life partner. Begin the 16 Monday fasting on the first Monday of Shravan Month (July-August). The vrat consists of fasting, puja to Shiva and reciting the 16 Solah Somvar Vrat Katha).
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Smovar Vrata Method
The rituals for all above three types of fast is to wear clean clothes and finish Sandhya & Ranayam in the morning followed by Abhishekam of Shivling and then 11 rosaries of Shivapanchakshari Mantra should be done and finally the Vrata Katha should be read which is separate for all three types.
Smovar Vrata Mantra
"Om Namah Shivay"
श्र्रां श्र्रीं श्र्रौं श्रां चन्द्रमसे नमः।
"Om Shrang Shreeng Shraung Shraang Chandramase Namah”
Have food only once in the day before or after sun set. You should eat curd, rice or Kheer (rice boiled in milk with sugar). While doing Udyapan (ceremony of completion) one has to perform Homa (sacred fire ceremony) with the wood of Palash tree ( Butea foudosa). People generally do this Udyapan after completing 16 fasts.
Benifits of Monday Fasting in Savan
The Shravan Shiva vrat is one of the important religious customs associated with Lord Shiva. People observe fast on every Monday of Shravan month and worship Lord Shiva with enthusiasm and faith. Shravan is the special month of Lord Shiva. It is believed that worship of Shiva during Shrawan month is 108 times more powerful.
This is why the Mondays, or Somvar, in the month of Shravan (July – August) are considered highly auspicious for praying to Lord Shiva. In nutshell the 4 Mondays of Shravan are highly auspicious. According to the ancient belief, those who perform Monday fasting are blessed with happiness and all the pleasures & all the desires are fulfilled.
This fast is observed for long life, happy married life, happiness and prosperity of children. Usually, unmarried women do Shravan Somvar vrat so that they find good husbands. Married women keep this fast to enhance their marital bliss.
Hindu women wear red attire as well as green and yellow bangles & pray for the long and prosperous life of their husbands. Shrawan is the month believed to bring auspices to Mehendi wearers. It is believed that unmarried women who wear henna (mehendi) or green bangles and worship Shiva can have an ideal husband.
There are also some people who fast throughout the month of Shravan. People following the Shravan Shiva vrat religiously have only one meal every single day in the entire month. They eat food without salt at the time of fasting. Lord Shiva is worshipped with Belpatra on this day.
Medical practitioners believe that fasting is essential during Savan as scarcity of sun light and abundance of moisture in the air slows down the digestive system. Therefore easy to digest food is preferred. Hindus follow strict vegetarian diet during the month of Shravana. Fasting also has de-toxifying effect on the digestive system. This is a natural protection against water borne diseases that are common during this period of the year.
If you are facing any type of problems in your life you can Consult with Astrologer