Krucchra vows to be observed in Kartik Month.
Krucchra vows to be observed in Kartik Month.
Suvrat said:-
O king, listening to the instructions given by Narayan Muni (about Chaturmasya vows) the people of Vadanagar saluted Him and asked:
‘O Lord, please tell us, what should the people who are not able to observe vows like fasting and other restraints for four months do’.
Shri Narayan Muni said:-
‘O men, those who are weak and unable to observe Chaturmas vow should observe the sacred Kartik-vow with devotion. 1 - 3.
After taking bath early in the morning, when the stars are still visible in the sky, the vow named Krucchra should be observed respectfully according to one’s ability.
Starting from Ashvin (full moon day) to Kartik (full moon day), Chandrayan vow i.e. fasting for a month should be observed. 4 - 5.
I will tell you other varieties of vows also of Krucchra in short, of which you may follow any one firmly according to your ability. 6.
Jalakrucchra to observe fast by standing in water and taking in only air on the fourteenth day of bright half (of Kartik). 7.
Harikrucchra is to take Panchagavya (the five ingredients obtained from cows i.e. milk, curd, ghee (clarified butter) urine and dung mixed together) on the tenth day of the bright half of Kartik and to fast on Ekadashi, the next day, with the worship of Lord Vishnu. 8.
Pitamahkrucchra is to take one by one out water, milk, curd and clarified butter (ghee) on each day from 7th to 10th day and observe fast on the 11th day i.e. Ekadashi. 9.
MahendraKrucchra is to take only milk for three days from the sixth day and observe fast the next three days. 10.
Vaishnav or VishnuKrucchra is taking Namar i.e. food taken by munis (Muniannam) the first three days, Yava (barley) the next three days and then fast the next three days (nine days together). 11.
BhaskarKrucchra is to drink only milk for five days and curd on the next five days of the bright half of Kartik month. 12.
SaptarshiKrucchra is to take gruel, barley, vegetables, curd, milk, ghee and water - these seven substances only once on each day from the fifth day of the bright fortnight. 13.
Ajneya or AgniKrucchra is to take milk or water mixed and well boiled (decoction) with leaves of Palash, Bilva, Udumbar, Lotus and Darbha grass for first five days and to observe fast on the sixth day. 14.
LaxmiKrucchra is to take milk, Bilva fruit, Lotus and Lotus fibers only once on each day from the seventh to tenth day and to observe fast of on Ekadashi. 15.
PrajapatyaKrucchra is to take food in the morning for three days, in the evening for the next three days, and for three days to sustain on the things got unasked for and then to observe fast for three days (that makes twelve days together). 16.
ParakKrucchra is to observe fast for twelve days continuously. All these vows are fruitful only when they are done with full devotion to Krishna. 17.
These Krucchra vows destroy all sins. Hence men should observe them with devotion particularly in the month of Kartik. 18.
By observing these vows, any bachelor, commoner, forest- dweller or a recluse attains that eternal abode of Vishnu. 19.
To observe all these Krucchra vows, one should bathe, put on clean and fresh clothes and worship Krishna with subdued mind, speech and senses every day. 20.
Not harming others, being generous, performing Hom, offering oblations in the sacred fire, one should observe celibacy, forbearance, truthfulness and compassion. 21.
One who observes the vow, taking prescribed eatables like milk etc. should not take it as much as he likes, at his own will, but only that much as advised by a learned Brahmin. 22.
During the days of Krucchra, if a person faints due to pangs of hunger, a Brahmin should make him drink cow-milk. It is as good as nectar on the earth.
In such conditions, water, root (like Shakari etc.), fruits, milk, ghee or any substance advised by the Brahmin observers, blessings of the Guru and medicine - These eight things would save a man from the breach of the vow. 23 - 24.
‘Observing all these rites and rules of Krucchra, one should worship Krishna regularly and earnestly.’ Thus said Brahma to Narad. 25.
One who is unable to observe these Krucchrs, other vows are advised to be followed according to his ability, observing prescribed rites. 26.
Kartik-Vows other than Krucchra. One should not sleep on a bed or a cot with a mattress, should not eat carrots, honey collected by the bees, Brinjal, watermelon and fruits with plenty of seeds.
Taking bath early in the morning, sitting in a firm posture worshiping and meditating on Shri Hari regularly. These are the pre-requisites of every vow. 27 - 28.
In the month of Kartik, one should observe any of these vows of taking food only once a day, taking food without salt, eating whatever comes unasked, not eating fruits at all and eating only uncooked food. 29.
One should avoid vegetables, juicy food, curd, milk, sugar, ghee molasses, oil, betel-leaf, oil massage, ceremonial bath. 30.
Some other vows are like sleeping on the earth/granite, eating on the ground (without taking dish etc.), maintaining silence while eating, bathing in holy water (before sunrise) are to be followed. 31.
Serving cows, Brahmins, sages and gods, taking food on leafplate, on stone and avoiding food cooked in metal pot are also to be adhered to. 32.
Some other vows like giving food, cow, gold, sesame and lamp every day are prescribed. 33.
Early morning bath is advised when the sun is in the following signs of the Zodiac - Tul (Libra), Makar (Capricorn) and Mesh (Aries) i.e. in Kartik, Magh and Vaishakh. 34.
Vows of eating substance fit to be offered as oblations or wild rice and observing celibacy (these three) destroy even the greatest of sins.
In the month of Kartik, bath in the river is specially advised. In the absence of a river or if one is otherwise constrained, bathing may be done in a lake, pond or at home with water taken out of well. 35.
If one who is observing vow, takes bath early in the morning before sunrise in the month of Kartik and chants the following Mantra and otherwise maintains silence, he need not fear Yam - the son of sun, the god of death! 36.
‘O Lord Janardan, O Damodar (Narayan) with Lakshmi, I am taking bath early in the morning, for your pleasure. 37.
In month of Kartik, Vishnu the imperishable Lord should specially be worshiped with Ketaki, Malati or Agasti flowers and Lotus (all these or any one available). 38.
Those who have not worshiped the Lotus-eyed Lord Vishnu with lotus flowers, the lotus-seated Lakshmi will not stay with them through the next generations. 39.
One who worships Shri Hari by offering one lakh-one hundred thousand Tulasi leaves in the month of Kartik will obtain reward equal to Ashvamedh sacrifice at each offering. 40.
Taking a vow, one who applies juice of Amalaki (Dhatri) on his body, puts on ornaments of Amalaki fruit like garland and eats substances made of its fruit, will be released from the bondage of worldly life (Chain of birth and death). 41.
Sitting under the Amalaki tree, one who worships Lord Vishnu who holds the divine disc will derive the fruits of Rajasuya sacrifice for each flower proffered. 42.
One who worships Damodar in the Amalaki-wood and appeases Brahmins with food rich with sweet dishes will go to the abode of Lord Vishnu. 43.
One should avoid taking Rajsuy, any intoxicating (or soothing) substance, bee-collected honey, food in Kansya dish, and oil and pulses - grains having two parts (dicotyledons).
Urad (Masha), Mung, Masur, Chana, Kulith, Val, Chora, Tuver and Matha - all these are said to be the grains with two parts.
In the same way, stale food, mixed items, food prepared with dirty hands and mind, bulbous root (Suran), sleep during day and falsehood should be avoided. 44 - 46.
One should recite thousand names of Vishnu in the morning and evening, light a lamp, beautifully decorate it, and place it on a raised pole (Akashdeep) in the courtyard of a temple or house in the evening during Kartik month. These vows are recommended. 47.
Taking barley or grains prescribed for sages, like wild rice during days of vow is considered to be auspicious. 48.
No one should forego Kartik month without observing vow - in any condition, any time.
One who takes initiation in Bhagavath tradition in the month of Kartik will be released from the chain of birth and death forever. 49.
Every Vaishnav should always wear rosary of Tulasi seeds on his neck after placing it at the feet of Krishna in Kartik month. While chanting the following Mantra and praying with full devotion, the rosary should be worn around one’s neck.
‘O rosary born of Tulasi plant, beloved of the devotees of Krishna, I am wearing you on my neck. Please make me dear to Krishna.’ This way, one should follow vows particularly in Kartik month. 50 -52.
Any person observing at least one of these vows, will get full reward of observance of Chaturmasya vow, O men! 53.
For the pleasure of Vasudev, one should observe the rites and restraints regarding the vow according to his ability diligently. 54.
Suvrat said:-
O king, saying thus to the devotees gathered there, the Lord rested. All of them were very happy. 55.
They all said loudly (in one voice) ‘Yes, we will observe these vows you have prescribed’. Then the Lord was pleased and praised the people coming from the two cities. 56.
Thus ends the Forty-third chapter entitled ‘Narration of KartikKrcchr and other vows’ in the second Prakarana of Satsangijivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 43
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