- November 24, 2024
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The Lord Krishna says that he is the Tamil month Margazhi in the months and alike the Lord Shiva is the Tamil month Karthika. Yes, the full moon day in the Tamil month Karthika is considered as day on which the Lord Shiva appears in the form of fire. From the Tamil month of Karthika to the Tamil month of Thai, the three months are considered as the time to begin fasting to remove and purify the waste that has accumulated in the human body for six months.
The word Soman represents the moon. Every Monday is considered as Somavara. On the Monday in the Tamil month of Karthika, the devotees should fast and worship the Lord Shiva. The Lord Shiva has told the Goddess Parvati about the significance of this fasting. It is said that Lord Shiva will not be satisfied with any other fast like this one.
Devotees must begin this fast on the first week of the Tamil month of Karthika and end on the last Monday. On the morning of the day of fasting, the devotees should take a holy bath and donate as much as possible. They must also take food for six times before the sunset and worship the Lord Shiva.
Those who are not in the habit of doing Shiva Puja should go to the nearest Shiva temple and perform anointing. They must have a vegetarian meal and offer food offerings to some of the servants and devotees there. Then come home and eat only once.
On Monday mornings one should light lamp at home, fast for a while, take a little food, sleep at night and take a holy bath the next day to complete the fast. Those who fast in this way will be healed by the grace of the Lord Shiva. It is good for those who fast on this day by reading the myths told in the Puranas which tell of the benefits of fasting and worship the Lord Shiva.
Once upon a time, there were gods, sages, Gandharvas, Kinnar, Kimburushars and Siddhas were seated around the Lord Shiva in the Thirukkailai hill. At that time the Goddess Parvati came there and worshiped the Lord Shiva. By that time, the Lord Shiva shook his hair and everyone around him were amazed to see the Lord Moon sitting over his head.
The Goddess Parvati asked the Lord Shiva, “Swami what is this? Do you celebrate the moon over your head? ” The Lord Shiva replied that “The moon has received this blessing by observing my favourite Monday fast properly”. Immediately the Goddess Parvati asked the Lord Shiva to preach about the fasting. Then the Lord Shiva has told the Goddess Parvati about the significance of this fasting.
Seemandini, the daughter of the King Chithravarman. She has been fasting on Monday since she was 14 years old. She married a prince named Chandrankathan. He was traveling in a boat with his friends on the Yamuna River when the boat capsized and everyone survived. Nagar went to the world with friends and was supported by the Naga king there. Meanwhile, on hearing the news of Chandrankathan’s death, they performed euthanasia on him. Seemandini fasted on Monday on the banks of the Yamuna as a widow.
The husband Chandrankathan behaved properly to the Naga king and when he returned with gifts, he was shocked to see his wife, explained everything happened to his wife, remarried her and engaged in worship. An emperor who ruled near the city of Kasi wanted to test Seemandini’s mental state and sent two bachelors and one to go as a woman. She meditated both of them considering as the Lord Shiva and the Goddess Parvati after which the one who disguised as woman has changed to woman for real.
Every Monday is considered as Somavara. On the Monday in the month of Karthika, the devotees should fast and worship the Lord Shiva. Devotees must begin this fast on the first week of the Tamil month of Karthika and end on the last Monday.
It is considered auspicious for a person to observe this fast throughout his or her life. We can start this fasting by vowing to fast for 1, 2, 3, 12 or 14 years to get the blessings of the Lord Shiva. Usually, this fast is observed by women. However, men can also observe this fast and achieve a good life partner.
For those who observe this fast, it is better to fast throughout the day. Those who cannot be like that can eat only for a while and observe fasting. This fast can be observed for a lifetime or for 12 years. For those who are unable to do so, it is better to observe this fast only in the Tamil month of Karthika.
Devotees must begin this fast on the first week of the Tamil month of Karthika and end on the last Monday. If not, the devotees can follow it from the first Monday of the Tamil months of Chithirai, Vaikasi, Avani, Margazhi etc.
The devotees should begin the puja before Rahu period and worship the Lord Ganapati early in the morning. They must make Ganapati out of turmeric and offer anointing. After that the puja should begin by offering Rice, ghee, lentils, pudding, coconut, banana, etc. that are made hygienically and pronouncing the name of the Lord Shiva during worship will bestow a better life. At the end of the worship one should show Deeparadhana to the Lord Shiva.
After which the devotees must consider an elderly couple as the Lord Shiva and the Goddess Parvati and get their blessings.
For those who observe this fast, it is better to fast throughout the day. Those who cannot be like that can eat only once in a day and observe the fasting. This fast can be observed for a lifetime or for 12 years. For those who are unable to do so, it is better to observe this fast only in the Tamil month of Karthika. It is said that observing this fast removes all our sins and the devotees will not be affected by any kind of diseases.
