Somavāra Vrata
The Somavāra Vrata is a vrata (sacred vow) kept every Monday. Monday is called Somavāra, the day of Soma (the Moon), and it is sacred to both Bhagavān Śiva and the Moon. The vrata is offered to Śiva. When it is kept with full śraddhā (faith), it has the power to turn back even serious fates shown by past karma, including widowhood foretold at birth.
In the Brahmottara Khaṇḍa of the Skanda Purāṇa, Maitreyī, the wise wife of the ṛshi Yājñavalkya, teaches the Somavāra Vrata to Sīmantinī. Its power is shown when Sīmantinī’s husband Candrāṅgada comes back from the serpent realm of Takshaka.
Why Monday Is Sacred
Monday (Somavāra) is ruled by Soma, the Moon, who is closely linked to Śiva. Śiva wears the crescent moon on his head, and the Moon is seen as the vessel of amṛta (nectar) that flows from Śiva’s matted hair. So pūjā to Śiva on Monday honours both Śiva and Soma together. It has great power to protect one’s husband, bring prosperity to the family and remove inauspicious fates shown by past karma.
Who Taught the Vrata
In the Brahmottara Khaṇḍa, the Somavāra Vrata is passed on by Maitreyī, the famous wife of the ṛshi Yājñavalkya. In the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad she appears as a seeker of the highest spiritual knowledge. Here she teaches the Somavāra Vrata to Sīmantinī, daughter of King Citravarman, who had been told she would be widowed before the age of fourteen.
The Story
Sīmantinī had been given a hard fate by her past karma: she would become a widow before she turned fourteen. Maitreyī saw how serious this was and taught her the Somavāra Vrata as the way to change it. Through the power of this vrata, Sīmantinī was married to Candrāṅgada, grandson of King Nala, and the prophecy seemed to be turned aside.
Later Candrāṅgada drowned in the Yamunā and was carried to the underground serpent realm of Takshaka. His devotion to Śiva, made stronger by the protecting power of the vrata, let him offer pūjā to Śiva even there and receive divine help. By Śiva’s grace he was sent back from Takshaka’s realm and was reunited with Sīmantinī.
How to Keep the Vrata
The Somavāra Vrata is kept every Monday. Its main parts are:
- Fasting: the one keeping the vrata fasts on Monday, or takes one simple meal, usually havishya (pure food) made with milk, or fruit.
- Pūjā: Śiva, as Somādhipati (lord of the Moon), is offered pūjā on this day with bilva leaves, flowers, dhūpa (incense) and dīpa (lamp).
- Mantra: japa (repeated chanting) of the Pañcākshara, “Namaḥ Śivāya”, and of related mantras to Somādhipati.
- Stotra: hymns praising Śiva as the refuge from all misfortune and the giver of harmony between husband and wife and protection for the family.
- Length: the vrata can be kept on Monday after Monday for a set period, or for the whole of life.
The Fruits of the Vrata
- It turns back serious fates shown by past karma, including widowhood
- It protects the husband’s life and gives him long life
- Its protection reaches the husband even in great danger, as shown by Candrāṅgada in Takshaka’s realm
- It brings happiness in marriage, children and prosperity
- It frees the family from stored-up dosha (faults)
Sources
- Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Dharmāraṇya Khaṇḍa, Uttarārdha, Chapters 8–9