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Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat: Know its Importance | Find out the Sankashti Chaturthi Fasting Rules | [Bonus] Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha
There are many fasts (Vrat) that Hindus observe in the praise of different deities to seek their blessings. One of the most powerful fasts in Hinduism is the Sankashti Chaturthi vrat. It is observed by the devotees and true believers of Lord Ganesha. The primary purpose of the Sankashti Chaturthi vrat is to remove all hurdles from life. There are many other interesting legends and benefits of this fast. Dive in and explore all the secrets!
What is Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat – The Legend of the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat
Also known as Sankatahara Chaturthi Vrat, the Sankashti Chaturthi fast is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Sankatahara (sankat means obstacles and Hara is someone who can remove obstacles) is another name of Lord Ganesha.
The Sankashti Chaturthi vrat falls once every month. It is observed on the 4th day of the Krishna Paksha. If the fast falls on a Tuesday of a month, it is known as the Angaraki Chaturthi fast. Angaraki Chaturthi Vrat is the most powerful of all the other Sankashti Chaturthi fasts.
The most popular legend that explains the power of the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat is explained below.
There used to be a famous sage Bhrushundi who was a supreme devotee of Lord Ganesha. Once, Lord Indra visited him to seek his blessings. After the visit, he was flying back to Indralok (his place of abode). While crossing the sky of a famous kingdom that belonged to King Shursen, a sinner cast an evil eye on Indra’s Vehicle and it came down crashing. The previous day was Sankashti Chaturthi. So, Lord Indra asked King Shursen to find a person who had observed the fast since the person would carry the blessings of Sankathara, Lord Ganesha. After a long search, Lord Indra and the King found a dead body being carried to Lord Ganesha’s abode. The deceased hadn’t had food the previous day, accidentally keeping the fast. When the breeze that touched the dead body touched the vehicle of Lord Indra, the vehicle started again.
The mythological story of Indra and King Shursen insists that even the air around a person who observes the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat is powerful enough to remove all obstacles. Hence, the fast in itself is more powerful than any other fast.
Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Vidhi – How is the Sankashti Chaturthi Pooja Done?
Sankashti Chaturthi fast is very difficult since the person observing the Vrat isn’t allowed to eat or drink throughout the day. The correct Vidhi for the fast is as follows.
- Wake up before sunrise and take a bath by mixing some gangajal in your bathing water.
- Decorate the Ganesha idol (make sure it is new) with fresh flowers.
- Fast for the entire day starting from sunrise.
- Commence the Puja in the evening during the Muhurat time.
- Start by lighting a diva in front of the Lord. Burn some incense sticks or dhoop.
- Chant the Ganesha Aarti and recite Ganesha Slokas to please the Lord.
- Offer the Lord a bhog of Laddus, Modak, Coconut, bananas, Supari, and Paan.
- Offer Dakshina in the form of silver coins to the Lord.
- Read the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha with true devotion.
- Upon the conclusion of the Katha, sing Lord Ganesha’s Aarti.
- Wait for the Moon to appear. Once it does, you can break the fast.
Bear in mind, astrologers recommend avoiding food completely. However, if absolutely necessary due to some health condition or pregnancy, you can drink milk and eat fruits.
Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Rules
Most people do not even drink water while observing the Sankashti Chaturthi fast. It is believed that Lord Ganesha is pleased by this gesture of respect and devotion. The important rules for the Sankashti Chaturthi fast are as follows.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol while observing the fast.
- Do not gossip or wish ill upon others.
- It is very crucial that you break the vrat only after you have seen the Moon.
- Perform the main puja during the muhurat time only.
- Don’t eat wheat or lentils even to break the fast. Do falahaal (eat only fruits, kuttu, and potatoes). You can also drink lassi and milk. You can start your normal diet the next day.
If the moon doesn’t appear in the sky, you can keep a red-colored cloth in front of Lord Ganesha’s idol. It should be done during the muhurat time. Draw the shape of the Moon with unbroken rice stands on the cloth and use it to break the fast.
Sankashti Chaturthi Slokas
Lord Ganesha is the Supreme God. There are many bhajans and Aartis’ that are sung in his praise. However, some of the slokas and Sankashti Chaturthi mantras that please the Lord the most are as follows.
- OM Gan Ganpataye Namah.
- OM Ekadantaya Vidmahe, Vakratundaya Dheemahi Tanno Danti Prachodayat.
- Vakratunda Mahakaya, Surya Koti Samaprabaha, Nirvighnam Kurumedeva, Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada.
3 Benefits of the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat
It Blesses Childless Couples with Children
It is believed that Lord Ganesha removes all kinds of doshas that might be resulting in childlessness. Hence, as per astrology, childless couples who observe the Sankashti Chaturthi fast are blessed with children.
It Increases Wealth and Fame
People who observe the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat with full devotion excel in their careers and get many growth opportunities. It is believed that Lord Ganesha blesses his devotees with intelligence. The popularity of the natives increases too.
It Brings Peace in Married Life
With the blessings of Lord Ganesha, the marriage of the natives turns blissful. The Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat is known to prevail peace and reduce fights and estrangement between couples.
No matter the type of obstacle in your life, the Sankashti Chaturthi Fast will help you in overcoming it.
Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat Katha [Bonus]
आइए पढ़ते हैं एकदंत संकष्टी चतुर्थी व्रत की पावन कथा
पौराणिक कथा के अनुसार, विष्णु भगवान का विवाह लक्ष्मीजी के साथ निश्चित हो गया. विवाह की तैयारी होने लगी. सभी देवताओं को निमंत्रण भेजे गए, परंतु गणेशजी को निमंत्रण नहीं दिया, कारण जो भी रहा हो.
अब भगवान विष्णु की बारात जाने का समय आ गया. सभी देवता अपनी पत्नियों के साथ विवाह समारोह में आए. उन सबने देखा कि गणेशजी कहीं दिखाई नहीं दे रहे हैं. तब वे आपस में चर्चा करने लगे कि क्या गणेशजी को नहीं न्योता है? या स्वयं गणेशजी ही नहीं आए हैं? सभी को इस बात पर आश्चर्य होने लगा. तभी सबने विचार किया कि विष्णु भगवान से ही इसका कारण पूछा जाए.
विष्णु भगवान से पूछने पर उन्होंने कहा कि हमने गणेशजी के पिता भोलेनाथ महादेव को न्योता भेजा है. यदि गणेशजी अपने पिता के साथ आना चाहते तो आ जाते, अलग से न्योता देने की कोई आवश्यकता भी नहीं थीं. दूसरी बात यह है कि उनको सवा मन मूंग, सवा मन चावल, सवा मन घी और सवा मन लड्डू का भोजन दिनभर में चाहिए. यदि गणेशजी नहीं आएंगे तो कोई बात नहीं. दूसरे के घर जाकर इतना सारा खाना-पीना अच्छा भी नहीं लगता.
इतनी वार्ता कर ही रहे थे कि किसी एक ने सुझाव दिया- यदि गणेशजी आ भी जाएं तो उनको द्वारपाल बनाकर बैठा देंगे कि आप घर की याद रखना. आप तो चूहे पर बैठकर धीरे-धीरे चलोगे तो बारात से बहुत पीछे रह जाओगे. यह सुझाव भी सबको पसंद आ गया, तो विष्णु भगवान ने भी अपनी सहमति दे दी.
होना क्या था कि इतने में गणेशजी वहां आ पहुंचे और उन्हें समझा-बुझाकर घर की रखवाली करने बैठा दिया. बारात चल दी, तब नारदजी ने देखा कि गणेशजी तो दरवाजे पर ही बैठे हुए हैं, तो वे गणेशजी के पास गए और रुकने का कारण पूछा. गणेशजी कहने लगे कि विष्णु भगवान ने मेरा बहुत अपमान किया है. नारदजी ने कहा कि आप अपनी मूषक सेना को आगे भेज दें, तो वह रास्ता खोद देगी जिससे उनके वाहन धरती में धंस जाएंगे, तब आपको सम्मानपूर्वक बुलाना पड़ेगा.
अब तो गणेशजी ने अपनी मूषक सेना जल्दी से आगे भेज दी और सेना ने जमीन पोली कर दी. जब बारात वहां से निकली तो रथों के पहिए धरती में धंस गए. लाख कोशिश करें, परंतु पहिए नहीं निकले. सभी ने अपने-अपने उपाय किए, परंतु पहिए तो नहीं निकले, बल्कि जगह-जगह से टूट गए. किसी की समझ में नहीं आ रहा था कि अब क्या किया जाए.
तब तो नारदजी ने कहा- आप लोगों ने गणेशजी का अपमान करके अच्छा नहीं किया. यदि उन्हें मनाकर लाया जाए तो आपका कार्य सिद्ध हो सकता है और यह संकट टल सकता है. शंकर भगवान ने अपने दूत नंदी को भेजा और वे गणेशजी को लेकर आए. गणेशजी का आदर-सम्मान के साथ पूजन किया, तब कहीं रथ के पहिए निकले. अब रथ के पहिए निकल को गए, परंतु वे टूट-फूट गए, तो उन्हें सुधारे कौन?
पास के खेत में खाती काम कर रहा था, उसे बुलाया गया. खाती अपना कार्य करने के पहले ‘श्री गणेशाय नम:’ कहकर गणेशजी की वंदना मन ही मन करने लगा. देखते ही देखते खाती ने सभी पहियों को ठीक कर दिया.
तब खाती कहने लगा कि हे देवताओं! आपने सर्वप्रथम गणेशजी को नहीं मनाया होगा और न ही उनकी पूजन की होगी इसीलिए तो आपके साथ यह संकट आया है. हम तो मूरख अज्ञानी हैं, फिर भी पहले गणेशजी को पूजते हैं, उनका ध्यान करते हैं. आप लोग तो देवतागण हैं, फिर भी आप गणेशजी को कैसे भूल गए? अब आप लोग भगवान श्री गणेशजी की जय बोलकर जाएं, तो आपके सब काम बन जाएंगे और कोई संकट भी नहीं आएगा.
ऐसा कहते हुए बारात वहां से चल दी और विष्णु भगवान का लक्ष्मीजी के साथ विवाह संपन्न कराके सभी सकुशल घर लौट आए. हे गणेशजी महाराज! आपने विष्णु को जैसो कारज सारियो, ऐसो कारज सबको सिद्ध करजो. बोलो गजानन भगवान की जय.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the importance of Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat?
It is believed that the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat can remove all obstacles from the life of the devotees of Lord Ganesha.
2. When to Start the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat?
The Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat should be started from the Angarika Sankashti Chaturthi for first-timers, i.e people who are observing the fast for the first time. Start the fast at sunrise and continue until you see the moon at night.
3. What are Sankathara Chaturthi Slokas and Mantras?
The most important sloka is, Vakratunda Mahakaya, Surya Koti Samaprabaha, Nirvighnam Kurumedeva, Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada. The two Ganpati mantras that you should chant are, OM Gan Ganpataye Namah and OM Ekadantaya Vidmahe, Vakratundaya Dheemahi Tanno Danti Prachodayat.
4. How to do Sankashti Chaturthi pooja?
Start by taking a holy bath just before sunrise. Clean the mandir and decorate the Ganesha idol with flowers. Sing Ganesha aarti and recite Ganesha slokas. During the evening, do the main pooja at the time of muhurat. After the pooja, read the Sankashti Chaturthi Katha. Give the Lord a treat of his favorite dishes after reciting the Katha. Break the fast with falahaar after seeing the Moon.
5. What are Sankashti Chaturthi Fasting rules?
You cannot drink alcohol and smoke when observing this fast. It’s not allowed to eat wheat and lentils even after breaking the fast. Also, stay away from gossiping.
6. What are Sankashti Chaturthi benefits?
The Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat removes all obstacles. It can also bless childless couples with children. Astrologers insist that the Sankashti Chaturthi fast can also bring career growth, offer a rise in name and fame, and make married life peaceful.
7. Can we drink water during the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat?
Usually, no. Many people don’t drink water while observing the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat. However, if you’re pregnant or sick, you can drink water.
8. What can we eat on Sankashti Chaturthi?
You can eat fruits, potatoes, and kuttu to break the fast. You can use Sendha namak for taste. You can also drink milk and lassi.
9. Can we eat salt in Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat?
No, not your regular salt. You can, however, use sendha namak when you break the fast with falahaal.
10. What to do if the moon is not visible on Sankashti Chaturthi?
Keep a new red cloth in front of the Ganesha idol during the Pooja Muhurat time. Draw the shape of the Moon on the red cloth with unbroken rice pieces. You can see the Moon shape you draw to break the fast if the Moon doesn’t appear in the sky.