Sarvārthāvāpti Saptamī
Sarvārthāvāpti Saptamī · sarva-artha-avāpti saptamī, “the Saptamī of gaining every aim”
The Sarvārthāvāpti Saptamī, also called the Sarvāpti Saptamī, is a fast to Bhagavān Sūrya on the Saptamī of the kṛshṇa paksha of Māgha. One who takes up the fast gains all he wishes, and also good fruits he did not ask for. Brahmā teaches it to Bhagavān Vishṇu in the Saptamī Kalpa of the Brahma Parva of the Bhavishya Purāṇa (Chapter 108).
The vidhi
With a one-pointed mind, bowing, the one devoted to Bhānu worships Bhagavān Sūrya. Beginning from Māgha, in the six months, each saṅkramaṇa is called a pāraṇa, and each has its name of Bhagavān Sūrya:
| Pāraṇa | Name |
|---|---|
| First | Mārtāṇḍa |
| Second | Kaḥ |
| Third | Citrabhānu |
| Fourth | Vibhāvasu |
| Fifth | Bhaga |
| Sixth | Haṃsa |
For all the six months, pañcagavya is the best thing for bathing and for taking in, and it also destroys pāpa. The vratī bows to Sūrya Deva, worships him by rule, and gives dakshiṇā to a brāhmaṇa as he is able, with śraddhā and bhakti. At the end of each pāraṇa he satisfies Sūrya Deva with bhakti, following the śāstra.
The rules
- He must not speak with pākhaṇḍas and the like.
- He fasts all day and eats at night.
- He does not use oil or salt-alkali.
- On the Saptamī he keeps jāgaraṇa, by night or by day.
The phala
The dharma-knowing person intent on pleasing Sūrya who keeps this fast gains all he wishes and is freed of all pāpa. Because every wish held in the mind is fulfilled, this tithi became famous in the worlds as the Sarvārthāvāpti Saptamī.
This vrata was begun by those devoted to dharma, and because it completes all desires it spreads day by day. Long ago Candra, master of the hosts of nakshatras, worshipped Sūrya by this rite. Brahmā said to Bhagavān Vishṇu: “You too worship Sūrya Deva as he did.”
Sources
- Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 108