Mumbai: Women observe Jitiya Vrat (Jivitputrika Vrat) with deep devotion, abstaining from both food and water during the fast. This important festival, also known as Jitiya, is celebrated for three days, much like Chhath Puja, but the most significant day occurs on the Ashtami tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwin. On this day, women perform a strict waterless fast, and in the evening, during the worship of Jimutvahan, they listen to the sacred Jitiya Vrat Katha. Here is the story that forms the essence of this Vrat.
Jitiya Katha: The Story of Jimutvahan
In the Gandharva dynasty, there lived a benevolent prince named Jimutvahan. Despite being offered the throne at a young age, he refused, choosing instead to live a life of service. He left the kingdom and moved to the forest to care for his father, where he later married Princess Malayavati.
One day, Jimutvahan met an old woman crying in the forest. He asked her the cause of her sorrow. The woman explained, “I belong to the Nag (serpent) lineage, and I have only one son. Every day, Garuda, the king of birds, demands one Nag as a sacrifice. Today, my only son, Shankhchud, is to be sacrificed, and I will be left with no one to care for me.”
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Moved by the woman’s plight, Jimutvahan offered to take her son’s place. He wrapped himself in a red cloth and lay on the sacrificial stone. When Garuda arrived, he noticed that Jimutvahan was calm and unafraid. Intrigued, Garuda asked him why he had offered himself as a sacrifice. Jimutvahan shared his conversation with the old woman.
Impressed by Jimutvahan’s selflessness, Garuda spared his life and promised never to demand sacrifices from the Nagas again. This event ensured the safety of children and mothers, and from that day forward, Jimutvahan has been worshipped during Jitiya Vrat.
The Jitiya Katha is recited with reverence during the Vrat, as it symbolises the selflessness, courage, and protection of children. Observing the Jitiya Vrat with full faith is believed to bless mothers with the well-being and long life of their children. Jitiya Vrat is a sacred fast observed by mothers in Eastern India for the well-being and prosperity of their children. Learn the Jitiya Vrat Katha, significance, and rituals that make this festival deeply revered. Spirituality Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
