SOMVAR VRATA
Upvaas, or fasting, in Hinduism is mainly observed for the fulfillment of a vow. Upvas is also referred as 'Vrats.' But 'Vrat' has a wider meaning and it is not just curtailed to the fasting observed for material or other gains. Each day in a week is dedicated to one or more of the gods in the Hindu pantheon. A particular deity is appeased by the devotee on a particular day. Thus Monday(SOMVAR) is usually dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Upvass, or fasting, on Mondays begins at sunrise and ends at sunset. On the day, food is only eaten after evening prayer. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped on the day. Of course, no worship begins without remembering Lord Ganesha. The fasting on Mondays in the Shravan month is considered even more auspicious.
It is believed that those people who observe Upvaas on Monday will have their desires fulfilled and will be blessed with wisdom. In some areas, fasting on Mondays is observed by unmarried women to get an ideal husband.
The reason for fasting on a day is usually traced back to a particular incident in one of the Hindu Puranas or folk tradition. There are numerous myths associated with a particular fast. The stories vary from region to region and from community to community.
Somvar
Vrat, or Monday fasting, dedicated to Lord Shiva too has numerous
stories. Among the several myths, three have gained popularity – the
first is the story of a poor Brahmin gaining wealth due to Monday
fasting, second is the story of a rich merchant begetting a son after
long wait and the subsequent death of the son and his rebirth due to the
grace of Lord Shiva and Parvati and the third story is the most famous
involving the game of dice played between Shiva and Parvati.
Any
Upvaas or Vrat is directly or indirectly connected with some sort of
material comfort. This is a sweet lure used by ancient saints to attract
a devotee to the concept of Brahman.
The
concept of Brahman in Sanatana Dharma is not easily digestible to many
people. And they are least bothered about Brahman concept all they need
is material comfort. For this many devotees are ready to go to any
extend. They are ready to observe any harsh vow. Ancient wise men used
this tendency among the common people to spread the awareness of
Brahman. During each upvas there are occasional flashes when a person
thinks beyond material comforts. This is a realization of Brahman.
Gradually many devotees begin to think beyond material comforts.
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