In India and Nepal,Hindu married women observe a
fast on K'rsna Chaturthi of Kartik (October-November) for the welfare of the
husband, his health and long life. This traditional fast bestows happiness and
well being of the children too. According to a belief, on this day Sateyvan,
who had died at an early age was restored to life by God Yama, at the
lamentations and impressive arguing of Savitri, Sateyvan's wife. In some
places, Siva and Parvati are worshipped on this day. The only aim of this fast
is to save the husband from an untimely death and have a long married life.
After ablution and other daily necessities, and after taking
bath in the early morning, before sunrise, women should undertake a vow for
welfare of the husband, sons and grandsons. Siva, Parvati, Kartikkeye, Ganesa
and the moon (Chandrama) are worshipped. Their blessings are invoked. After
worship, rice, black gram pulse auspicious articles viz. comb, mirror,
vermilion, bangles, ribbon, etc. are put on a copper plate or on an earthen
plate, along with fruits and kept ready till the fast is broken, after seeing
the moon. This fast has to be observed without even taking water. In the
evening, all married women, dressed in gorgeous wedding garments and jewellery,
undertake worship. As the moon rises, they bow down at the feet of their
husbands and give the decorated plate with fruit and other material to their
mother in law. This festival deepens the relation between the wife, the husband
and the mother in law.
In a legend in the Mahabharata, once Arjun went for worship in
Nilgiri Hills. Draopadi, believing that there was none to protect her in the
horror stricken forest, invokec K'rsna. On the appearance of K'rsna, Draopadi
explained her problem. K'rsna explained that once Parvati had expressed such a
suspicion before Siva. The latter had then said that for a housewife, the fast
on Kartik K'rsna Chaturth was a remedy for such apprehensions. K'rsna further
told Draopadi that once upon a time, there was a Brahmin, who had seven sons
and one daughter. Being the only daughter she was married with great pomp and
show. On the Karva Chauth day, she undertook the fast, but before the rise of
moon she felt hungry. Seeing the pathetic condition of their only sister, the
loving brothers asked her to break the fast. but she did not agree. Then the
brothers reflected a mirror through Pipal tree leaves. The sister, taken it as
moon rise, broke the fast and took food. Surprisingly her husband died The
daughter started crying. Per chance, Indrani, the sister of Indra, was passing
by with her maids. Hearing the cries, she came to the weeping woman and asked
her tale of woo Then she advised her that she should undertake the fast on
every fourth day of the month, for one year and undertake the Karva Chauth fast
under strict ritual, then only her husband would come to life. Doing so, the
daughter relivened her husband. Narrating this story, K'rsna consoled Draopadi
and advised her to observe Karva Chauth fast and assured her about the ultimate
victory of the Pandavas.
In Uttar Pradesh, on Karva Chauth, the married women make idols
of elephant (Indra's Iravat) and worship. after seeing the moon.
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