KATHMANDU, Feb 1: The month-long Swasthani Brata Katha is being formally concluded on Sunday on the occasion of Magh Shukla Purnima.
The one-month ritual, observed by followers of the Vedic Sanatan Hindu tradition since Poush Shukla Purnima, is being concluded with prescribed rites and rituals across the country.
Shree Swasthani Brata Katha and Maghesnan end today
Devotees who began the Swasthani fast in a ritual manner from Poush Shukla Purnima and offered daily midday prayers to Lord Mahadev along with Goddess Parvati are concluding the observance today. The recitation and listening of the Swasthani Katha, drawn from the Kedara Khanda of the Skanda Purana and presented as a dialogue between Kumar and Agastya, also comes to an end on Sunday.
As part of the concluding rites, devotees who observed the fast for a month offer 108 sacred threads ( janai), 108 betel nuts, 108 betel leaves, 108 flowers, 108 breads, 108 akshata (rice-grains), assorted fruits, incense, lamps, offerings, sandalwood paste, vermilion, clothes, and donations, and present arghya ( special worship) to the goddess, praying for fulfillment of their wishes. A portion of the offerings is distributed to the husband, or to a son if the husband is absent, or otherwise ceremonially immersed in a nearby sacred river as per tradition.
Devotees observe a fruit-based fast and keep an overnight vigil, during which the glory of the goddess is recited. There is a belief that wishes are fulfilled through this practice. Swasthani is understood as the goddess of one’s own place, and worship of the deity of one’s dwelling is considered Swasthani Puja. The period from Poush Shukla Purnima to Magh Shukla Purnima is regarded as suitable for spiritual discipline, meditation, and self-reflection.
Scriptures describe Goddess Swasthani as golden-hued, three-eyed, calm in expression, seated on a lotus throne, with four arms holding a blue lotus, sword, shield, and a gesture of blessing.
Religious belief holds that proper observance of the Swasthani fast reunites separated couples, cures illness, and fulfils wishes related to marriage. The Swasthani Katha recounts that Goddess Parvati observed this fast on the advice of Lord Vishnu to attain Lord Mahadev as her husband. The narrative also mentions the reunion of the separated serpent couple, Naga and Nagin, after the completion of the fast.
Historian Prakash Shrestha Sakwa said the text also narrates that Goma Brahmani was freed from the sorrow of losing her son by observing the fast as taught by the Sapta Rishis, and that her son Navaraj Lavanya later became king of the Lavanya region, present-day Sankhu.
According to Prof Dr Devmani Bhattarai, head of the Department of Dharmashastra at Nepal Sanskrit University Valmiki Campus and a member of the Panchanga Nirnayak Development Committee, the ritual concludes after formal midday worship, an overnight vigil, and immersion of flowers and offerings in a river on Monday morning.
Meanwhile, the month-long Madhav Narayan Brata observed at Shalinadi in the eastern part of the Kathmandu Valley is also being concluded on Sunday with the performance of the Ashwamedha Yagya. Around 162 women and 15 men observed the rigorous fast. The Newar community marks the day as Si Punhi.
