Significance of Rishi Panchami

What is Rishi Panchami?

One of the most celebrated fasts (vrat) in Hinduism which falls in the month of Bhadrapada (August- September) on the fifth day of Shukla Panchami is known as Rishi Panchami. This festival falls on the next day after the auspicious festival of ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ and two days after the ‘Teej of Hartalika’ according to the Lunar Calendar.

RISHI PANCHAMI KATHA

The Rishi Panchami Vrat Katha is one of the most interesting legends of history. Let us understand and learn Rishi Panchami ki Kahani and the Rishi Panchami Importance.

A long time ago, there lived a Brahmin named Uttanka in the city of Vidarbha. He lived there along with his wife Susheela and two children, a son and a daughter. As soon as his daughter grew up to be in the marriageable age, he got her married to a virtuous man. But his happiness was short-lived as, after few days of the marriage, his daughter’s husband passed away and she became a widower. His daughter returned back to her parents (Uttanka and Susheela).

Unhappy and shocked, Uttanka along with his wife, son, and widowed daughter started living on the Ghat of the Ganges in a small hut.

One night, Uttanka along with his family were sleeping peacefully when suddenly Susheela’s sleep got disturbed and she woke up. She was shocked and awestruck as she saw that the widow daughter's body was completed covered with insects. Looking at this misery, she approached her husband Uttanka and narrated the shocking incident she witnessed.

Uttanka being a virtuous Brahmin took Samadhi (state of meditation) in order to have an insight into this situation. Uttanka discovered that his daughter was born as a Brahmani even in her previous birth and was married to a Brahmin. In her previous life, Uttanka’s daughter was menstruating and had touched the utensil and continued doing all the household chores. According to the Vedic texts, coming in contact with anything or person during the menstruating cycle is a sin, a woman must avoid doing. This sin is known as Rajaswala dosha.

In order to wash away this sin and to stay protected, healthy, and fit, the Rishi Panchami is observed. Uttanka through his Samadhi also learned that his daughter had not observed fast or performed the Rishi Panchami Puja even in her present life. Hence, she was punished with insects all over her body due to the sin committed in the previous and present life.

According to the Holy Scriptures, a woman who is menstruating is impure like Chandalini on the first day of her menstruating cycle; she is like the Brahmaghatini on the second day of the cycle and impure like a Dhobin on the third day of her menstrual cycle. It is believed that on the fourth day of the menstrual cycle the woman should purify her body by bathing and observing the Rishi Panchami fast. By doing so, it is said that all her sorrows will go away and in the next life, she will be blessed with good fortune.

Uttanka told his daughter to observe Rishi Panchami Vrat and perform Rishi Panchami Puja. As instructed by father Uttanka, his daughter duly observed Sama Pancham Vrat and performed the Rishi Panchami Puja. As soon as she wholeheartedly performed all the rituals as instructed, she got freed from the sins committed in the past life and all her sorrows ended.

Rituals to be performed on Rishi Panchami

The rituals and customs dedicated to Rishi Panchami must be performed with a pure heart and good intentions. A person's intentions play a vital role in the purification of his soul. Devotees have to wake up early morning and take a bath as soon as they wake up. A fast is observed on the day of Rishi Panchami. The one and only purpose of Rishi Panchami is to sanctify a person completely. Therefore, people do many things such as cleaning of teeth with upmarga (herb) and bathing with datwan herb. These herbs are very pure and are considered to leave the body extremely clean. Herbs are used for outer purification, whereas a mixture of curd, milk, basil, and butter is drunk to purify the soul. Worshipping the seven great sages, or Sapt Rishis, forms the concluding part of the rituals performed. The prayers are offered in order to invoke the presence of the seven sages, with different offerings like food and flowers being offered. The names of those seven sages are as follows: Kashyapa, Atri, Bharadvaja, Vishvamitra, Gauthama, Jamadagmi, and Vashishtha.

The Purpose Of Fasting On Rishi Panchami

As per the Hindu tradition, women who are experiencing menstruation or period (the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina) are forbidden to undertake religious activities or involve themselves in domestic works (including kitchen work) till they are in that state. They are even prohibited to touch things related to religion. If this requirement has been breached by mistake or due to other reasons, it leads to Rajaswala Dosha among the women who have violated this norm. Women fast on Rishi Panchami to get rid of this dosh.

Rishi Panchami is also known as Bhai Panchami. Sisters tie rakhis to brothers on this day in the Maheshwari community. Sisters fast on this day and pray for their brother's long life. They consume food only after performing the puja.

 

Gupt Navaratri

*Gupt Navratri* falls in the month of Magha every year. This year the auspicious festival is going to be observed from February 12 to February 21.

This festival is mainly, observed by Tantriks and Sadhus to please Goddess Durga and seek her blessings, so that they can, perform tantras. They worship goddess Durga for 10 days. As per Hindu Puranas, it's believed that one should observe this festival in secrecy to achieve a fruitful result.

Goddess Durga is also called shakti, so in Gupt Navratri all the different forms of the goddess are worshipped. Performing the shakti puja of the goddess, relieves the worshipper from all the problems and gives the blessing of victory. Gupt Navratri also comes twice just like normal Navratri, first in Ashada month and then in Magh month.

During these Navaratri, the devotee worships to enhance the power of sadhana and tantras. People who believe in sadhna and tantra performs this pooja. The process of puja these days is the same as the normal Navratri. Like in Chaitra and Shardiya Navratri, 9 forms of the goddess are worshipped, similarly in this Navratri 10 forms of the goddess are worshipped.

*Why does Gupt Navratri occur?*

It is very difficult to worship the goddess in Gupt Navratri and the puja of the Goddess is also done secretly, that is why these are called Gupt Navratri. Akhand Jyoti is ignited in this puja. Goddess is worshipped both during day and evening time. The people who perform secret sadhana worships the 10 forms of the goddess during this time. Durga saptashati path is recited for 9 days. On the day of Ashtami or Navami, the fast is considered complete only after worshipping young girls.

Gupt Navratri and Tantra sadhna,

Pujan of 10 Maha Vidyas is given importance in Gupt Navratri.

According to Bhagwat, there are 10 Mah Vvidyas which originates from the aggressive and subtle forms of goddess Mahakali. These Maha Vidyas of Lord Shiva provide accomplishment. 10 Maha Vidyas are considered as the 10 forms of goddess Durga. Every Maha Vidya is capable of solving all the problems of her worshipper, by taking different forms. These 10 Maha Vidyas are considered useful and important in tantra sadhana.

*Devi Kali*- This is considered as one of the mahavidyas. Tantriks worship the Devi Kali form in tantra sadhana.

*Devi Tara*- Worshipping goddess Tara is considered as authoritarian for the tantriks.

Maa Tara is pararupa, maha-sundari and artistic and she writes the laws of liberation for everyone.

*Maa Lalita*- By worshipping Maa Lalita, the worshipper receives salvation. According to the south-west rulers, the Goddess Lalita is given the place of Chandi.

*Maa Bhuvneshwari*- Maa Bhuvneshwari is considered as the owner of the creation of the world. She depicts extreme power. Her mantras are considered to give special power out of all the deities.

*Tripur Bhairavi*- Maa Tripur Bhairavi is considered to be full of tapogun and rajogun.

*Mata Chinnamastika*- Maa Chinnamastika is also called as mata Chintapoorni. She relieves the worshipper of all his problems.

*Maa Dhoomavati*- By worshipping maa Dhoomavati the person gets desirous results. The structure of maa Dhoomavati is very scary, which she has adopted to destroy the enemies.

*Maa Baglamukhi*- Maa Baglamukhi is considered as the owner of suppression. By worshipping her all the enemies are destroyed and devotee becomes free from all kinds of obstacles.

*Devi Matangi*- Devi Matangi is considered as the owner of voice and sound. She has the power of the entire universe. She gives the desired results to her devotees.

*Mata Kamla*- Maa Kamla is considered as the symbol of happiness. She is considered as the Goddess of wealth. Those who want material pleasures should consider worshipping mata Kamla.

*Importance of Gupta Navratri*

Gupt Navratri holds special importance in Hindu mythology, as during this festival we worship 10 avatars of Goddess Durga. According to Hindu belief, once a woman came to Shringi Rishi and narrated her ordeal. She told the sage that her husband has bad habits because of which she is unable to observe any fasts or worship gods. So, to gain the blessing of Goddess Durga to overcome her problems saint asked her to mediate during the Gupt Navratri.

*How to perform the puja*

Those who are going to observe this festival keep these fasting rules in mind during Gupt Navaratri.

- Respect women

- Don't consume alcohol, onion, garlic, and non-veg

- Don't fight with your family, otherwise, your puja will not be fruitful.

- Don't wear black clothes and leather shoes or belts.

- Don't shave or cut your hair for nine days

- Sleep on the floor

 

Putrada Ekadashi

Putrada Ekadashi ("Ekadashi that is the giver of sons") is a holy day, which falls on the 11th lunar day (Ekadashi) of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Pausha (December–January). This day is also known as Pausha Putrada Ekadashi, to differentiate it from the other Putrada Ekadashi in Shravana (July–August), which is also called Shravana Putrada Ekadashi.

Couples fast on this day and worship the god Vishnu for a good son. This day is especially observed by Vaishnavas, followers of Vishnu.

A son is considered entirely important in Hindu society as he takes care of the parents in their old age in life and by offering shraddha (ancestor rites) ensures the well-being of his parents in the after-life. While each Ekadashi is prescribed for certain goals, the goal of having sons is so great that two Putrada ("giver of sons") Ekadashi is devoted to it. The rest of the goals do not enjoy this privilege. It also highlights the preference to have sons instead of daughters

The Bhavishya Purana reveals the tale of Putrada Ekadashi as told by the god Krishna to the king Yudhishthira. Once, the king of Bhadravati, Suketuman, and his queen Shaibya were grieved by the absence of progeny. The couple as well as their dead ancestors were worried that without someone to offer shraddha, they will not be at peace and will become lost souls after death. Frustrated, the king left his kingdom and went to the forest unbeknownst to everyone. After wandering the forest for days, Suketuman reached the ashram of some sages on the bank of Lake Manasarovar on Putrada Ekadashi. The sages revealed that they were the ten divine Vishvadevas. They advised the king to observe the Putrada Ekadashi fast to attain a son. The king complied and returned to the kingdom. Soon, the king was blessed by a son, who grew up to become a heroic king.

Women who long for a son fast and pray to Vishnu on Putrada Ekadashi. Couples also worship the deity for the well-being of their children. Grains, beans, cereals, and certain vegetables and spices are avoided on this day. This Pausha Putrada Ekadashi is more popular in North India, while other states give more importance to the Shravana one...

 

Significance of Bhogi

 

Bhogi festival or Bhogi is the first day of Pongal and is celebrated in honor of Lord Indra, "the God of Clouds and Rains". Lord Indra is worshiped for the abundance of harvest, thereby bringing plenty and prosperity to the land. Thus, this day is also known as Indran.

On Bhogi all people clean out their homes from top to bottom and collect all unwanted goods. This day is meant for domestic activities and for being together with the family members.

Homes are cleaned and decorated with "Kolam" - floor designs drawn in the white paste of newly harvested rice with outlines of red mud. Often pumpkin flowers are set into cow-dung balls and placed among the patterns. Fresh harvest of rice, turmeric, and sugarcane are brought in from the field as preparation for the following day!

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A special puja is performed on the first day of Pongal before the cutting of paddy. Farmers worship the sun and the earth by anointing their ploughs and sickles with sandalwood paste. It is with these consecrated tools that the newly-harvested rice is cut.

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Another ritual observed on this day is Bhogi Mantalu, when useless household articles are thrown into a fire made of wood and cow-dung cakes. Girls dance around the bonfire, singing songs in praise of the gods, the spring, and the harvest. The significance of the bonfire, in which is burnt the agricultural wastes and firewood is to keep warm during the last lap of winter.

In Andhra Pradesh, this day is celebrated by girls burning their old clothes and wearing the new ones after an oil massage and bath. Then follows Pongal Panai, a ritual in which new earthenware pots are painted and decorated with turmeric, flowers, and mango leaves.

Also known as Pedda Panduga in a few states, this harvest festival is widely celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.