Santan Saptami Vrat Katha

Santan Saptami fast is observed for the well-being of children and their long life. This fast can be observed by both parents. It is also called Mukta Saptami and Dubdi Saptami. On this day, Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva are duly worshipped. Women who are facing obstacles in having children should also observe this fast. Their wishes can be fulfilled. But, Santan Saptami fast is considered incomplete without reading this story. Read Santan Saptami fast story here. One day, King Yudhishthira said to the Lord, "O Lord! Please tell me about an excellent vow, by the power of which people's numerous worldly troubles and sorrows may be removed, and they may be blessed with sons and grandsons." Hearing this, the Lord said, "O King! You have asked a very good question. I will narrate to you an ancient story; listen attentively. Once upon a time, Sage Lomasha went to the city of Mathura, the capital of King Vasudeva, and visited his house." Seeing the arrival of the sage, both Vasudeva and Devaki were extremely pleased and seated him on a fine seat, offering him various forms of respect and hospitality. Then they purified their house and bodies with the water that had washed the sage's feet. Pleased, the sage began to narrate a story. While narrating the story, Lomasha said, "O Devaki! The wicked, evil, and sinful Kamsa has killed several of your sons, due to which your mind is extremely distressed." Similarly, Queen Chandramukhi, the wife of King Nahusha, also used to be unhappy, but she observed the Santan Saptami vow according to the prescribed rituals. By its power, she attained the happiness of having children. Hearing this, Devaki folded her hands and said to the sage, "O Sage! Please kindly tell me the complete story of Queen Chandramukhi and this vow in detail, so that I too may be freed from this sorrow." Sage Lomasha said, "O Devaki! There was a king named Nahusha in Ayodhya. His wife, Chandramukhi, was extremely beautiful. A Brahmin named Vishnugupta lived in their city. His wife's name was Bhadramukhi. She was also extremely beautiful. The queen and the Brahmin woman were very fond of each other. One day, they both went to bathe in the Sarayu River. There they saw many other women bathing in the Sarayu River, wearing clean clothes, and worshipping an idol of Shiva and Parvati in a pavilion. Seeing this, the queen and the Brahmin woman asked those women, "Sisters! Which deity are you worshipping and for what reason are you observing this vow?" Hearing this, the women said, "We are observing the Sanatan Saptami fast, and we have worshipped Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati with sandalwood, rice grains, and other offerings according to the sixteen-step ritual. All this is part of the prescribed procedure for this sacred fast." Hearing this, the queen and the Brahmin woman also mentally resolved to observe this fast and returned home. The Brahmin woman, Bhadramukhi, continued to observe the fast regularly, but Queen Chandramukhi, due to her royal pride, sometimes observed the fast and sometimes did not. Sometimes she would forget. After some time, both of them died. In their next birth, the queen was born as a monkey and the Brahmin woman as a hen. However, even in the form of a hen, the Brahmin woman did not forget anything and continued to meditate on Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. On the other hand, the queen, in the form of a monkey, forgot everything. After a short time, both of them left their bodies. Now, their third birth was in human form. The Brahmin woman was born as a daughter in a Brahmin family. That Brahmin girl was named Bhushan Devi and was married to Agnisheel, a Brahmin from Gokul. Bhushan Devi was so beautiful that even without ornaments, she looked extremely beautiful. Even Rati, the wife of Kamadeva, would feel shy in her presence. Bhushan Devi gave birth to eight sons who were extremely handsome, virtuous, righteous, devoted to duty, and of a gentle nature, like the moon. All this was the sacred fruit of observing Lord Shiva's fast. On the other hand, the queen, who had turned away from Shiva, did not have any sons; she remained childless and unhappy. The affection that existed between the queen and the Brahmin woman in their previous birth continued in this life as well. When the queen reached old age, she gave birth to a son who was deaf, mute, and mentally deficient, and who died at the young age of nine. Now the queen was overwhelmed with grief and anguish due to the death of her son. By chance, Bhushan Devi, a Brahmin woman, arrived at the queen's palace with her sons. Hearing of the queen's plight, she too was deeply saddened, but what could anyone do? Even Brahma himself cannot erase what is written by fate and destiny. The queen was also suffering due to her past actions, and that is why she had to endure this sorrow. Seeing the Brahmin woman's prosperity and her eight sons, the queen became envious and sinful thoughts arose in her mind. To alleviate the queen's suffering, the Brahmin woman left her eight sons with the queen. Driven by her sinful thoughts, the queen mixed poison in some sweets and fed them to the Brahmin woman's sons, intending to kill them. However, by the grace of Lord Shiva, not a single child died. Seeing this, the queen was utterly astonished and resolved to uncover the secret. When Bhushan Devi returned after her prayers, the queen said to her, "I mixed poison in these sweets and gave them to your sons to kill them, but not one of them died. What kind of charity, good deeds, or vows have you performed that your sons did not die, and you are enjoying such continuous happiness? You are truly fortunate. Please explain this secret to me honestly; I will be greatly indebted to you. Hearing the queen's sorrowful words, Bhushan, the Brahmin woman, said, "Listen, I will tell you the story of your three previous lives, so listen carefully. In your first life, you were the wife of King Nahusha, and your name was Chandramukhi, while mine was Bhadramukhi, and I was a Brahmin woman. We both lived in Ayodhya, and we were very close friends. One day, we both went to bathe in the Sarayu River, and seeing other women observing the Santan Saptami fast and worshipping Lord Shiva, we both vowed to observe this auspicious fast. But you forgot everything and incurred the sin of lying, which you are still suffering from today. I, however, always observed this fast regularly and meticulously, and I still do. In your second life, you were born as a monkey, and I was born as a hen. By the grace of Lord Shiva, and due to the power of this fast, I did not forget God even in that life and continued to observe the fast according to the rules. You, however, forgot everything even in your life as a monkey. I believe that this great misfortune that has befallen you is solely due to this reason, and there can be no other cause. Therefore, I advise you all to also observe the Santan Saptami fast properly, so that your troubles may be removed." Sage Lomasha said, "O Devaki! Hearing the story of her past lives and the vow of the fast from Bhushan, the Brahmin woman, the queen remembered her past and began to repent. She fell at Bhushan's feet, begging for forgiveness, and began singing the glories of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. From that day onwards, the queen regularly observed the Santan Saptami fast. As a result of its influence, the queen received the blessing of children and, after enjoying all worldly pleasures, attained salvation in Shiva's abode. Such is the power of Lord Shiva's fast that even a misguided person is guided back to the right path and, after enjoying boundless prosperity, attains liberation." Sage Lomasha further said, "Therefore, Devaki, I also advise you to resolve to observe this fast in your heart, and you too will receive the blessing of children." After hearing this story, Devaki folded her hands and asked Lomasha Rishi, "O great sage! I will certainly observe this sacred fast, but please explain in detail the procedure and rules of this beneficial fast that grants the blessing of children. Hearing this, the sage said, "O Devaki! This sacred fast is observed on the seventh day of the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada (Bhado). On that day, one should rise in the Brahma Muhurta (early morning), bathe in the holy water of a river or well, and wear clean clothes. Install the idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. In front of these idols, make a sacred thread (ganda) of gold, silver, or silk threads. Seven knots should be tied in this thread. Worship this thread with incense, lamps, and eight kinds of fragrant substances, tie it on your hand, and pray to Lord Shiva for the fulfillment of your desires. Then, prepare seven sweet pancakes (pua) and offer them to the Lord. Also, prepare seven more pancakes and, according to your means, a gold or silver ring. Place all these in a copper vessel and worship them with the sixteen-fold ritual (Shodashopachara Puja). Then, donate them to a virtuous, righteous, and deserving Brahmin. After that, consume seven pancakes yourself as prasad (consecrated food). This is how this fast should be observed. Every year, on the seventh day of the bright half of the month, O Devaki! By observing this fast regularly in this manner, all sins are destroyed, fortunate children are born, and ultimately, one attains Shiva Loka (the abode of Lord Shiva). O Devaki! I have described to you the complete procedure of the Santana Saptami fast in detail. Now you should observe it regularly, so that you will be blessed with excellent children." After narrating this story, Lord Anandakanda Krishna said to Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, "Thus, Sage Lomasha instructed our mother and then departed. According to the sage's instructions, our mother Devaki observed this fast regularly, and as a result of its influence, we were born." This fast is especially beneficial for women, but it is equally beneficial for men as well. This is an excellent fast that grants the joy of children and destroys sins. One should observe it oneself and also encourage others to observe it. Whoever observes this fast regularly and worships Lord Shiva and Parvati with a sincere heart will surely attain immortality and ultimately go to Shiva Loka.

॥ Glory to Lord Shiva! ॥