Bhānu Padadvaya Vrata
Bhānu Padadvaya Vrata · bhānu pada-dvaya vrata, “the vrata of the two feet of Bhānu”
Citrabhānu has other meanings too: see all meanings of Citrabhānu.
The Bhānu Padadvaya Vrata, the vrata of the two feet of Bhagavān Sūrya, is also called the Citrabhānu Vrata. Brahmā teaches it to Bhagavān Vishṇu in the Saptamī Kalpa of the Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 107.
The left foot of Bhagavān Sūrya is Uttarāyaṇa and the right foot Dakshiṇāyana. At Uttarāyaṇa one bathes and worships him, then takes a vow to sing the name Citrabhānu in every act for six months. One who keeps this vrata is freed of all pāpa (sin) in this very world.
The two feet of Bhagavān Sūrya
Brahmā opens: “Dharmajña, I shall tell you another matter; listen.”
The two feet of Bhagavān Sūrya, Jagaddhātā and Devadeva, rest on one pādapīṭhikā (footstool). Aṃśumān himself, wishing good for the worlds, placed his feet in this way on a single footstool. These feet are to be saluted by all companies of beings, the devas first among them. His left foot is to be known as Uttarāyaṇa, and his right foot as Dakshiṇāyana.
Brahmā says: “You and I worship his left foot. Hari and Śiva, full of śraddhā, worship his right foot.” Bhagavān Sūrya becomes gracious to the human being who worships that foot every day.
Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 107
The rite
Bhagavān Vishṇu asks how Bhagavān Sūrya is to be worshipped. Brahmā gives the rite, at Uttarāyaṇa:
- Bathe, keep the mind restrained, and bathe Bhānu with ghee, milk and the like.
- Worship him well with fine cloths, gifts, flowers, incense and unguents.
- Satisfy brāhmaṇas with food, tāmbūla and dakshiṇā.
- With the mind fixed on Bhānu alone, take up this Padadvaya Vrata, speaking the vow.
Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 107
The vow of Citrabhānu
The keeper of the vrata says:
- “Having bathed, I bow to Citrabhānu. After eating, I shall remember Citrabhānu.”
- “Going and coming, sleeping and waking, bowing, offering homa and doing pūjā, I shall sing the name of Citrabhānu alone every day.”
- “From this day until Dakshiṇāyana comes; in every movement, in making the sound huṃ, or on beginning Veda study, until Uttarāyaṇa comes, I shall utter only the name Citrabhānu.”
- “As long as I live, with whatever knowledge or in ignorance, I shall praise that Sūrya Deva in this way.”
- “If I happen to speak even a little untruth, I shall at once remember Citrabhānu.”
- “May the state that comes to those who remember that Deva at the time of death come to me also.”
- “If my death comes within the six months, it shall be as though I have of myself offered myself to Bhāskara Deva.”
- “Citrabhānu is Paramātmā, Parabrahma. I shall remember him at the time of death. I shall reach that Deva as the highest goal.”
- “He Jagannātha! Morning, noon and evening I shall do japa of you alone. Bring this vrata of mine to completion within six months. Make me one who reaches Svargaloka. O Citrabhānu, for me who serves you as I am able, you alone are the highest goal.”
Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 107
The close of the vrata
Uttering this, one completes the Citrabhānu Vrata over the six months, with a one-pointed mind, until Dakshiṇāyana is finished. Then, for the pleasure of Sūrya Deva, one satisfies the divyas and brāhmaṇas with food and dakshiṇā, arranges the recital of the sacred accounts of Mārtaṇḍa, and honours the reciter of the Purāṇa and the scribe.
Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 107
The phala
The human being who performs this vrata is freed of all pāpa in this very world. If death comes within the six months, he receives without doubt the fruit stated for one who has completed a fast-vrata.
Bhagavān Sūrya himself once told Candra, when Candra asked, that good fruits come to one who keeps this Sūrya Padadvaya Vrata and worships him well.
Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 107
Sources
- Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 107