Jitiya Vrat Katha

Jitiya Vrat Katha

Jitiya Vrat (Jivitputrika Vrat) is a significant fasting ritual among mothers across India, especially in regions such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh as well as Nepal. This vrat is meant for their children's welfare, long life, and prosperity.

 Jitiya Vrat Katha

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Jitiya Vrat Katha (Story) 

The Jitiya Vrat Katha is central to the observance of Jivitputrika Vrat, and it narrates the story of Prince Jimutavahana. The tale exemplifies sacrifice, courage, and devotion to God; mothers who fast for their children’s welfare find inspiration.

The Story of Jimutavahana:

Once upon a time, there was an honorable and godly prince named Jimutavahana, renowned for his pity and nobility. He belonged to a royal family, but he gave up his kingdom to attend to the needs of humanity. He wandered away from civilization into the forests and mountains with a pure heart to help others.

During his travels, Jimutavahana came across an old woman who was crying. “What makes you weep?” he asked her. She told him that her son belonged to the Garuda clan and that as per the agreement between Garudas and Nagas (Snake clan); it was obligatory to sacrifice him to Garuda, king of birds. Every day one Nag used to be served as food for Garuda and now it was time for her son.

Moved by the woman’s plight, Jimutavahana decided that rather than let death strike down her son, he should die himself in his stead. So he went up to Garuda’s feeding stone laid down on it and waited for Garuda to come. When Garuda arrived to catch him, he started eating up Jimutavahana without knowing that he was not a Nag.

In due course, realizing he was eating the wrong thing, Garuda asked why Jimutavahana had done what he did. Jimutavahana explained that he wanted to save the woman’s son. Hereon, Garuda was touched by this man’s sacrifice and goodness so much so that he spared his life and also distinguished that Naga's sacrifice would never again be required from men like him.

Importance:

Themes like selflessness, sacrifice and devotion are important in the Jitiya Vrat Katha that demonstrate the love a mother has for her child. The vrat taken up with stiff fasting is assumed to secure one’s ill, safe, and thus long-living progeny.

Key Details:

• Who has noted: Such acts were performed by mothers irrespective of whether she is married or not.
• Reason: Aiming at their children’s long life and keeping them healthy. 
• Time: This occasion is celebrated every year during Ashwin month (in September-October) when waning moon is on its Krishna Paksha which is generally the Ashtami tithi, the eighth day of the waning moon cycle.

Rituals:

Nahay Khay: 

• This phase marks the beginning of Vrat when women take holy baths and eat simple food.
• The very first day of vrath is known as Nahay Khay when women take a bath that is considered to be holy in the early morning hours. 
• This bathing ritual represents an act of cleansing.
• After their bath, they have a pure vegetarian meal that is made from basic things.
• On this day, mothers eat only once and stay away from particular foods like onion and garlic to keep themselves clean.

Khurna:

• On the second day, mothers prepare a special meal and offer it to the Gods before eating it themselves. They start observing strict fasts from this day.
• It is a time when mothers make a special dish including red gram dal (lentils), rice, and vegetables cooked in ghee.
• This food is offered to their gods and forefathers before they eat it. After that meal the women begin their strict fast usually women hold without drinking anything (Nirjala) for the next 24 hours.

Nirjala Vrat: 

• The main day of the vrat is the third day when mothers keep Nirjala Vrat which is a strict fast that generally means total prevention of food or water.
• They wake up early and perform this act of prayer called Jitiya Puja. In this process, they prepare a small altar in which a representative image of Jivitputrika (Jimutavahana) is worshipped.
• The puja consists of offerings such as fruits, flowers, and sweets. Besides, fasting women also wear across their wrists a thread called Jitiya used as a sign of care and love.
• They recite Jitiya Vrat Katha which narrates the tale of Jimutavahana and his generous sacrifice.
• While fasting they sing songs dedicated to Jimuta praying for long lives for their kids and health issues.

Shattering the Fast: 

• All the rituals are performed with utmost faith and these fasts are broken the next morning. Before taking food and water.

Important Considerations:

• Women whisper prayers and make final offerings to the deities. 
• Some Crucial Aspects: Girls who observe Jitiya Vrat mostly adorn clean or new items but refrain from using leather materials. 
• Cleanliness, devotion, and sincere prayers are emphasized during vrat. 

Mothers observe these practices to show how much they love their children and think that their fasting and praying will provide safety and fortune for them.

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Frequently Ask Questions

What does Jitiya Vrat mean?

The fasting rite known as Jitiya Vrat or Jivitputrika Vrat is performed by mothers for their kids to live long, prosper and be healthy. It is mainly celebrated in places like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Nepal.

How do you celebrate Jitiya Vrat?

Jitiya Vrat lasts for three days. On the first day (Nahay Khay), mothers bathe themselves with holy water while on the second day (Khurna) they consume some special meals. On the third day, they observe a strict fast that includes no water or food whatsoever (Nirjala Vrat) together with prayers and rituals to Jimutavahana.

What is the meaning of Jitiya Vrat?

This vrat is done for the well-being, safety, and long life of one’s kids. It symbolizes a mother’s love and devotion toward her children ensuring their safety as well as prosperity using constant fasting and praying.