Nandā and Bhadrā Saptamī
Nandā Saptamī · nandā saptamī, “the seventh day of joy”
Nanda has other meanings too: see all meanings of Nanda.
The Nandā Saptamī and the Bhadrā Saptamī are two of the seven kinds of Saptamī tithi that Brahmā names in the Saptamī Kalpa of the Bhavishya Purāṇa: Jayā, Vijayā, Jayantī, Aparājitā, Mahājayā, Nandā and Bhadrā. Both are vratas of Bhagavān Sūrya. The Nandā Saptamī is the śukla saptamī of Mārgaśira, kept with three pāraṇas, and it brings the keeper to Sūryaloka. The Bhadrā Saptamī is a śukla saptamī on which Hastā nakshatra has primacy. On it Bhagavān Sūrya is bathed and given the offerings called Sarvatobhadra and Vyomabhadra, and the keeper reaches Brahmaloka. Brahmā teaches both to Dindi, and Sumantu Muni closes the account.
The Sūrya Saptamī Vratas page gathers the other Saptamīs of Bhagavān Sūrya, with the Jayā Saptamī on Hasta nakshatra and the short entry on the Nandā day of Māgha.
Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapters 81, 100–101
Nandā Saptamī
When it is kept
The saptamī tithi of the śukla paksha of Mārgaśira is called Nandā. It is an auspicious tithi that gives every kind of joy. The keeper takes one meal on Pañcamī, keeps nakta on Shashṭhī, and keeps upavāsa on Saptamī. The wise say that there are three pāraṇas in it.
The first pāraṇa
Bhagavān Sūrya is worshipped with jāji flowers, fragrant sandal and a dhūpa of karpūra mixed with agaru. The naivedya is curd rice with pulakaṇḍa, which is dear to him. It is given to brāhmaṇas, and after they have eaten the keeper eats it himself.
For dhūpa at this pāraṇa the rule also allows moduga flowers, any dhūpa that can be had, or Pakshaka dhūpa. Pakshaka dhūpa is a mixture of karpūra, candana, ceṅgalva-koshṭu, agaru, yāvana (silaka), granthaparṇī, kastūrī, kuṅkuma, vellulli and harītakī.
The second pāraṇa
Prabodha dhūpa is offered, with ariselu made with sugar as naivedya. Prabodha dhūpa is a mixture of black agaru, white lotus, sugandha-bāla, kastūrī, candana, nandivardhana, musta and śarkarā. Brāhmaṇas are fed with ariselu. The keeper takes neem leaf as prāśana and eats in silence.
The third pāraṇa
Clean black kaluva flowers, guggulu dhūpa and pāyasa as naivedya are offered for the pleasure of Bhagavān Sūrya, with candana for both anointing and prāśana.
The phala
The keeper says Sūrya‘s names that bring purity: “May Vishṇu, Bhaga and Dhātṛ be gracious.” One who keeps the Nandā Saptamī by this rule with a restrained mind fulfils all his wishes and rejoices for long. After that he goes to Sūryaloka and stays there in joy.
Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 100
Bhadrā Saptamī
When it is kept
When Hastā nakshatra has primacy on a śukla paksha saptamī, the day takes the name Bhadrā as well. The keeper takes one meal on Caturthī, keeps nakta on Pañcamī, takes unasked food on Shashṭhī, and keeps upavāsa on Saptamī.
The vidhi
The learned say that on that day Bhagavān Sūrya is bathed first with ghee, then with milk, then with sugarcane juice. Sandal is then applied, guggulu dhūpa is offered, and then the Sarvatobhadra is offered.
The Sarvatobhadra is made in this way. Pure wheat flour shining like the moon is scattered, with vajra, jaggery and red flowers. In its north-east corner goes a pearl; in the south-east, māṇikya or kempu; in the south-west, marakata; in the north-west, padmarāga; and lastly gold, according to one’s means.
The rules
One keeping this vrata must not look upon those outside the Veda, those fallen from karma, biḍāla-vratikas or pañcamas. He must not sleep in the daytime.
The Vyomabhadra
Dindi asks what it is that is called Bhadrā, how it is adorned, and by what rule it is offered. Brahmā answers that this is called Vyomabhadra, the foremost mark of Bhagavān Sūrya, and that one who bears this mark is freed from all pāpas.
A lump of śāli rice mixed with cow’s ghee and khaṇḍa-śarkarā is shaped into a square. It is enriched with four kinds of fruit, especially grapes and coconuts, and with fragrant things. In the middle an indranīla is set, and in the corners, in order, as means allow, pushparāga, marakata, padmarāga and fine māṇikya. It is given to a paurāṇika or to a Bhojaka.
The phala
One who keeps the Bhadrā Saptamī by this rule gains the favour of the devatās, and they give him every good. The son of one who offers the Sarvatobhadra gains good, and the giver himself spends an auspicious life.
One who prepares and gives the Bhadra by this method reaches Sūryaloka. From there, like Sūrya in tejas and radiance, he travels in a divine vehicle to Brahmaloka. Coming again from Brahmaloka to the earth, equal to Sūrya in radiance and strength, he becomes a king, and by the grace of Bhagavān Sūrya he receives honour from all, like Indra. Those who hear, read or keep this Saptamī vrata gain good and reach the eternal Brahmapada.
Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 101
The close of the Saptamī Kalpa
Sumantu Muni says that Brahmā formerly told Dindi of the Saptamī vrata, and that he has told it as he heard and knew it. Any man who takes up the Saptamī vrata and leaves it unfinished out of kāma or fear becomes fallen and ignorant. One who leaves it in the middle is like one who climbed some way up and fell down, so it must be carried through to completion. He who with care makes bhaktas hear this Saptamī Kalpa from the beginning gains the fruit of an aśvamedha and reaches the highest state.
Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 101
Sources
- Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapters 81, 100–101