Putrīya Vratas in the Vishṇu Dharmottara Purāṇa

A vrata is a sacred observance, usually a fast with pūjā, kept on a set day for a particular purpose. The Putrīya vratas are three vratas kept by parents for the welfare, health and long life of their children. They are taught in Chapters 53 to 55 of the second part (Dvitīya Khaṇḍa) of the Vishṇu Dharmottara Purāṇa: the Putrīya-Rohiṇī-snāna (Chapter 53), the Putrīya-Saptamī-vrata (Chapter 54) and the Putrīyāshṭamī-vrata (Chapter 55).

The teacher is Pushkara. He presents these vratas as the ritual partner to the Bāla-tantra, the medical care of infants described just before them.

Vrata as Divine Protection

The Bāla-tantra (Chapter 52) gives the medical way of caring for a child. The Putrīya vratas add a layer of divine protection. Pushkara teaches the three together as one group: the first is a monthly bathing rite, and the second and third are regular fasts and observances. Together they form a steady programme of spiritual protection for children, especially in the first years of life, when children are most open to graha-dosha (harmful influences of the planets and unseen beings) and illness.

Putrīya-Rohiṇī-snāna

When: On the day the moon is in Rohiṇī nakshatra (the lunar mansion Rohiṇī).

Why Rohiṇī: Rohiṇī is the nakshatra most dear to the moon (Candra). It is linked with fertility, nourishment and the lunar energy that governs the growth of both plants and children. A ritual bath on the Rohiṇī day is therefore especially powerful for blessing children.

How it is done:

  • The mother, the father or both fast on the day before
  • On the Rohiṇī day, a bathing rite is performed with a kalaśa (water pot) prepared with particular herbs and flowers
  • The child is bathed with this water while the moon (Soma) and Rohiṇī-devī are invoked
  • After the bath, the child is dressed in new white clothes
  • The parents offer pūjā to Bhagavān Vishṇu with flowers and sweets
  • Brāhmaṇas are fed

Phala (result): Long life, good health and a bright mind for the child. This bath is said in particular to protect the child’s mind and help their natural intelligence grow well.

Putrīya-Saptamī-vrata

When: On the Saptamī (seventh day) of the śukla paksha (bright fortnight), especially a Saptamī when the sun is in a strong position.

Meaning: The Saptamī tithi (lunar day) is sacred to Sūrya, the sun. The sun governs vitality, health and the body’s defences. This vrata draws on the sun’s energy to protect the child.

How it is done:

  • The parents fast on the Saptamī
  • Pūjā is offered to Sūrya with red flowers, red sandal paste and red offerings
  • In the morning a copper vessel of water is placed in the sunlight, and the sun’s reflection in it is honoured
  • Mantras that call on Sūrya as the healer of the worlds (Ārogyam āditya) are chanted
  • The child is held up toward the rising sun with a prārthanā for health and long life

Phala: The child receives the sun’s vitality: strong health, a sturdy body and protection from fever and weakness.

Putrīyāshṭamī-vrata

When: On the Ashṭamī (eighth day) of the bright fortnight, or in particular the Ashṭamī connected with the pūjā of Durgā.

Meaning: The Ashṭamī is sacred to Durgā-Devī in her protective form. Through this vrata Devī, the protector of children, is called upon to shield the child from all harmful unseen influences (graha-dosha).

How it is done:

  • The mother fasts on this day; if she is nursing, she takes only milk and fruit
  • Pūjā is offered to Devī as Skandamātā (mother of Skanda) or as Kumārī, the protective mother of children
  • The offerings are red flowers, red cloth, kumkum and turmeric
  • The child is placed before Devī’s image and the mother recites a protective prārthanā
  • A particular dhūpa (incense) mixture is burned to purify the space around the child

Phala: Protection from Mātṛkā-doshas (the afflictions described in the Mātṛbādhā-cikitsā chapter of the first part of the Purāṇa, Chapter 227), from the evil eye, and from the graha-doshas that trouble young children most.

The Three Vratas Together

The three Putrīya vratas make up a complete monthly cycle:

  • The Rohiṇī-snāna protects the child’s mind and intelligence (governed by the moon)
  • The Saptamī-vrata protects the child’s physical health and vitality (governed by the sun)
  • The Ashṭamī-vrata protects the child from subtle and unseen dangers (governed by Devī)

Pushkara advises parents to keep all three throughout the first twelve years of the child’s life.

Sources

  • Vishṇu Dharmottara Purāṇa, Uttarārdha (Dvitīya Khaṇḍa), Chapters 53–55