Kānti Vrata

Kānti Vrata, “the vow of radiance”

The Kānti Vrata is kept on Kārtika Śukla Dvitīyā, the second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kārtika. It is offered to Soma, the Moon, in his form as Bala-Keśava. The Varāha Purāṇa (Chapters 57–66) gives it as one of its twelve monthly vratas. It is kept to gain kānti (radiance and shining beauty) and the grace of Lakshmī.

The Agni Purāṇa (Chapter 177) also gives the Kānti Vrata among the vratas of the second lunar day, which Agni teaches to Vasishṭha Maharshi. There it begins on Kārtika Śukla Dvitīyā and is kept for a whole year: a fast by day and a meal at night, with the pūjā of Śrī Kṛshṇa and Balarāma. It gives kānti, long life and health.

When it is kept and to whom

The Kānti Vrata falls on Kārtika Śukla Dvitīyā. The devatā of the day is Chandra (Soma, the Moon). He is worshipped as Bala-Keśava, the lunar form of Bhagavān Vishṇu. The vrata aims at kānti, divine radiance and shining beauty, and at the grace of Bhagavān Vishṇu.

The vidhi

  1. The devotee fasts on this day.
  2. The devotee worships Soma-Bala-Keśava with white flowers, white sandalwood paste and white garments. The offerings are milk and white sesame.
  3. The worship is done in the evening, when the crescent moon can be seen. This honours the close bond between the Moon and Bhagavān Vishṇu.
  4. Ghee lamps are lit and offered.
  5. The devotee sings hymns to Soma-Bala-Keśava from the Vishṇu-stutis.
  6. The vrata is taken up with a pure mind. The devotee keeps brahmacarya for the day.

The phala

A person who keeps the Kānti Vrata with sincerity receives beauty, inner radiance and the kind look of Lakshmī-devī.

Those who keep it on twelve Kārtika Śukla Dvitīyās in a row gain lasting kānti. They are honoured in this world and in the higher realms.

Per Agni Purāṇa

Per Agni Purāṇa, the Kānti Vrata is one of the dvitīyā vratas, which Agni says give both bhukti (enjoyment in this world) and mukti (moksha).

  • It is begun on the second tithi of the bright fortnight of Kārtika.
  • The devotee keeps an upavāsa (fast) by day and eats at night.
  • In this vrata Śrī Kṛshṇa and Balarāma are worshipped.
  • It is kept in this way for one year.

The phala: one who keeps the vrata for a year gains kānti (radiance), āyus (long life), ārogya (health) and the like.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 177

Sources

  • Varāha Purāṇa, Chapters 57–66
  • Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 177