Madhushravani Vrat Katha

Madhushravani Vrat Katha

Puja Samagri and Preparation

Newly married brides (whose marriage took place within a year) gather flowers and leaves of Jahi, Juhi, Agar, Tagar, Neem, Pomegranate, and Mehendi on the evening of the fourth day of the dark fortnight of Sawan. The mother or guardian of the bride sweeps and purifies the room where the puja will be performed. Then, they draw a square Aripan (rangoli) with rice paste (Pithar).

Aripan details: Leave a small path on the west for the bride and groom to enter. Within the square Aripan, two round circles are drawn at the north and south corners for the Purahara and Patila, respectively. Sand is spread on these circles. The Purahar is placed on the northern sand, and the Patila is placed on the southern sand. A lamp lit with oil and wick is placed in the Patila. To the west of the Purahar-Patila, a place for the Kalash is created. On a newly washed clay vessel, five snakes are made using clay and cow dung, and Darbha grass (dubi) is inserted into their mouths. To the south of the Kalash, Aripan for the Sun and Moon are drawn, and to the north, a pair of hanging snakes (Nag-Bhag) is drawn. To the west, the Navagraha Aripan with nine flowers is drawn. To the west of the Kalash, two Aripan with three flowers each are drawn — for Kusumavati in the north and Pidula in the south. Below these, two more three-flower Aripan are drawn — for Chanai in the north and Lili in the south. North of the Chanai Aripan, an Aripan shaped like Maina leaves is drawn for Bairasi's 101 brothers. South of this, a similar Aripan is drawn for Lili's 101 sisters. Between these two, directly in front of the Kalash, a five-flower Aripan is drawn for Gauri in the west. The central three flowers of this Aripan should depict Gauri's feet or Gauri Yantra. Adjoining this to the south, a three-flower Aripan for Shasthi (Sathi) is drawn.

Puja Materials: Turmeric, Kusum flowers, vermilion, betel leaves, and fenugreek are ground on a grinding stone to make a Shivalinga-shaped idol of Gauri, which is placed upright in a new clay bowl. Ground Jahi-Juhi flowers are divided into five leaf-cups (puras). Four large Maina leaves are required: on the first, draw 100 snakes with sandalwood paste and 1 with rice paste; on the second, draw 100 with rice paste and 1 with sandalwood paste. These two are placed on the northern Maina-leaf Aripan in the morning, with the sandalwood-heavy one on top. On the third, draw 100 snakes with vermilion and 1 with kohl; on the fourth, draw 100 with kohl and 1 with vermilion. These two are placed on the southern Maina-leaf Aripan, with the vermilion-heavy one on top. Four banana-leaf cups are prepared for Kusumavati, Pidula, Chanai, and Lili. Offerings (Naivedya) include raw rice, beaten rice (Chura), Churalai (sweetened beaten rice balls), sugar, lava (puffed rice), mango, jackfruit, banana, and soaked sprouts. For the Chhai, a basket contains raw rice, copper coins, and a bowl of curd. For the Beeni bundle (Beeni ki Motri): mustard, paddy, dub grass, turmeric, betel nut, large cardamom, small cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, large haritaki, small haritaki, baheda, and copper coins (15 of each) are tied in a cloth. Paddy is required for placing under the Purahar, Patila, and Kalash. Cow's milk, Kusum flowers, betel leaves, betel nuts, Gauri's garland (red and yellow), neem leaves, lemon, pomegranate, etc., are essential. The bride wears a red-bordered yellow saree and yellow lac bangles (Laharthi) matching flax flowers.

Puja Commencement

On Nag Panchami day, the bride rises early, completes her morning routines, wears the new saree and bangles sent by her in-laws, washes her hands and feet, and sits at the puja space while listening to songs of Gauri. First, she sprinkles water on the sand under the Patila, Purahar, and Kalash, places some paddy, and positions the vessels. The Kalash is filled with water, mango leaves are placed on top, and the lamp in the Patila is lit.

The bride sits on her seat, and the women sing Gauri songs. The bride places the three Gauri idols on the three designated Gauri Aripan flowers (in-laws' Gauri on the center, daily Gauri on the north, and Madhushravani Gauri on the south).

Offerings are arranged on banana leaves, and Gauri is worshipped with five-fold rituals (Panchopchar).

Gauri Puja

The bride takes vermilion using her right thumb and ring finger and recites:

"Aing Gauri! Mahamaye, chandan daari torait elahun, sohaag bhaag batait elahun. Phoolak maala ahaan lia, sohaag-bhaag hamra dia, swami-putra sahit Gauryai Namah."

She applies vermilion thrice with this mantra. Then she offers water, red sandalwood, vermilion, red flowers, bael leaves, garlands, and Naivedya while chanting the respective Gauri mantras, concluding with a flower offering (Pushpanjali).

Kalash Puja

The bride worships the Kalash by offering rice, water, white sandalwood, red sandalwood, flowers, bael leaves, dub grass, incense, lamp, and Naivedya with the respective peace mantras, concluding with a flower offering.

Similarly, she worships the Sun, Moon, and Navagrahas with their respective mantras, offering water, sandalwood, flowers, bael leaves, and Naivedya, followed by Pushpanjali.

Vishahara (Nag-Bhag) Puja

The bride invokes the snake deities with: "Namo Naga Dampatye Ihagachha Ihatishtha" and worships the couple with water, sandalwood, flowers, bael leaves, dub grass, incense, and Naivedya, concluding with Pushpanjali.

Bairasi Puja

Bairasi is invoked on the northern Maina leaf Aripan with: "Namah Shatanooja Sahita Bairasyai Namah" and worshipped with water, white sandalwood, rice, white flowers, bael leaves, dub grass, and Naivedya, followed by Pushpanjali.

Chanai Nag Puja

Chanai Nag is invoked on the cup near Bairasi with: "Namah Chanai Naga Ihagachha Ihatishtha" and worshipped with water, white sandalwood, white flowers, bael leaves, dub grass, and Naivedya.

Kusumavati Puja

Kusumavati is invoked on the north-east cup with: "Namah Kusumavati Ihagachha Ihatishtha" and worshipped with water, red sandalwood, vermilion, Kusum flowers, bael leaves, incense, and Naivedya.

Pidula Puja

Pingala (Pidula) is invoked on the south-east cup with: "Namah Pingale Ihagachha Ihatishtha" and worshipped with water, red sandalwood, vermilion, flowers, bael leaves, and Naivedya.

Lili Nag Puja

Lili is invoked on the cup north of Goshauni with: "Namah Lili Nage Ihagachha Ihatishtha" and worshipped with water, red sandalwood, vermilion, flowers, bael leaves, and Naivedya.

Goshauni Nag Puja

Goshauni is invoked on the southern Maina leaf Aripan with: "Namah Shatabhagini Sahita Goshauni Nage Ihagachha Ihatishtha" and worshipped with water, red sandalwood, vermilion, flowers, bael leaves, and Naivedya.

Shasthi (Sathi) Puja

Shasthi (Sathi) is worshipped on the Gauri's southern Aripan by offering water, rice, white flowers, bael leaves, and at least six blades of dub grass, concluding with white flower Pushpanjali.

The bride then tucks the Beeni bundle in her waist and listens to the five Beeni songs thrice each.

Beeni Songs

Beeni 1: Since she came from Shiva's treasure, Bishahari fell. Gaura weeps... The five sisters arrived, sweat fell. Vishwakarma gave the beeni... Pearl strings and gold ropes. Whoever listens to this beeni finds eyesight, health, wealth, and children. No snake poison harms their family, and their husband lives long.

Beeni 2: Goshauni's blessings and marital bliss are great. Daughter of King Madhastha, sister of Kumar. Goddess of the world, mother of five sons of the great dragon. May the listeners get fortune like Goshauni and marital bliss like Lili.

Beeni 3: Goshauni has the cool breeze of east and west, the voice of the cuckoo, and the strength of the bumblebee. Her chest is broad like rain clouds, and her teeth like rows of pearls.

Beeni 4: Where was the beeni sown and where did it rise? It rose in the five corners. Gaura's five daughters. Brother Shankar revived them.

Beeni 5: Let the lamp shine and fill the house with gold and gems. May the snakes and the five Bishahari sisters grow. May Vasuki Nag, Vasukini, and uncle Khona-Mona prosper. Rise with peace and eat milk and rice. Shiva and Vishnu cleared the way. Run away, insects and pests, for Lord Shiva is coming on Garuda. Astika! Garuda!

Rules for Listening

The bride listens to the five Beeni songs thrice, followed by the daily story (which differs for all 13 days). After the story, she listens to the Vacho Beeni:

Vacho Beeni:

"Purainik patta, jhilmil latta, tahi charhi baisali Bisahari mata. Hath supari khoincha pan, Bisahari karati shubha kalyan."

(On a lotus leaf, amidst shimmering creepers, sits Mother Bisahari. With a betel nut and betel leaf in her hands, may Bisahari bless us with welfare.)

The bride bows to the deities, places the Beeni bundle on the Kalash, bows to the family gods and elders, and changes her puja saree. The saree is kept carefully as it is worn every day. The bride feeds a married woman (Aihab-Kumari) with raw rice, beaten rice, and curd sent from her in-laws, and then eats herself. The bride must not eat green leafy vegetables throughout the festival. In the evening, she gathers flowers, wears the puja saree, listens to the Beeni songs, lights the lamp in the Patila, and offers incense.

The daily puja continues until the day before Madhushravani (Sawan Sudi Tritiya).

On the day before Madhushravani, all deities except the Kalash are bid farewell (Visarjan). The puja space is cleaned and prepared anew. The groom's presence is required on the final day, and he is welcomed with rituals.

On Madhushravani day, the complete puja is performed. The groom, wearing new clothes and headgear (Pag), sits behind the bride with his hand on her back. Thirteen Lili-Maunis (clay baskets) containing cardamoms, cloves, red and black threads, mirrors, combs, and yellow cloth are offered. The bride offers various fruits and sweets. After the puja and stories, the bride performs the symbolic churning of Sohag under her left thigh using wood from mango, bael, and neem. The groom then applies vermilion to the bride's forehead, followed by the "Temi" ritual.

Temi Ritual Materials and Procedure:

Materials: 1 clay lamp (Sarba), 5 wicks (Temi), 7 Aratak leaves, 7 betel leaves. The wicks are soaked in ghee. The groom covers the bride's eyes with betel leaves. The ritual performer sticks the leaves and ghee-soaked wicks on the bride's knees, elbows, and feet. The wicks are briefly lit to touch her skin symbolically (to test her endurance and bless her with eternal marital bliss).

Finally, the deities are bid farewell, and the couple bows to the family goddess. The bride feeds the married women and takes her meal.

Day 1: Mauna Panchami & Birth of Bishahra

An old woman went to bathe in a stream and saw five shimmering creatures on a lotus leaf. They told her to inform the villagers that today is Mauna Panchami. She instructed the villagers to clean their houses, make five clay mounds of Bisahara, offer milk and parched rice (lava), and eat only bitter food (Teet-kot). Some villagers ignored her advice and died that night. The worried villagers begged the old woman for a cure. She went back to the stream and asked the five sisters (Bishahari). The sisters told her to feed the dead with the remains of sweet rice (kheer) from the houses of those who had performed the puja. The old woman did so, and the dead came back to life. They then began performing the puja regularly.

Birth of Bishahra: Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were sporting in a lake when Shiva's seed fell on a lotus leaf, giving birth to five serpent sisters: Jaya, Bishahari, Shamilbari, Dev, and Dotali. Shiva loved them and played with them daily. Parvati grew suspicious and followed him. Seeing the snakes, she tried to crush them. Shiva stopped her, explaining they were her daughters, and decreed that whoever worships them in the month of Sawan will have no fear of snakes and will be blessed with prosperity.

Day 2: Bihula and Manasa

Goddess Manasa, Shiva's mind-born daughter, wanted humans to worship her. She targeted Chandu (Chandra Dhar) merchant, a devout Shiva worshipper who refused to worship anyone else. Angered, Manasa killed Chandu's six sons with snake bites. Chandu had a seventh son, Lakshmindar (Lakhandar). A prophet warned that Lakshmindar would die of a snake bite on his wedding night. Chandu built an airtight iron chamber on a hill for the wedding. Lakshmindar married Bihula, a highly chaste girl. On the wedding night, a snake entered through a tiny crack and bit Lakshmindar, killing him.

Bihula refused to let the villagers cremate him. She built a raft of banana trunks, placed her husband's body on it, and floated down the Ganges. As days passed, the flesh rotted, but Bihula remained without food and water. She reached the shores of Behar Prayag, where she saw a washerwoman (Netula) kill a bird and later revive it. Recognizing Netula's spiritual power, Bihula begged for help. Netula took her to Lord Indra's court. Impressed by Bihula's devotion, the gods asked Manasa to forgive Chandu. Bihula promised to make her father-in-law worship Manasa. Manasa restored Lakshmindar and his six brothers to life. Chandu worshipped Manasa, and her worship spread across the earth.

Day 3: Birth of Earth & Samudra Manthan

The gods prayed to save the Earth, which had sunk into the underworld due to human sins. Lord Vishnu took the form of a giant turtle (Kurma) and supported the Earth on his back.

Samudra Manthan: The gods and demons decided to churn the ocean to obtain nectar (Amrit). Mount Mandar was used as the churning staff, and the giant serpent Vasuki as the rope. As they churned, the friction set the mountain on fire, and the herbs and gems burned into ashes, which turned the ocean into milk and then butter.

First, Goddess Lakshmi, the moon, and various treasures emerged. Then emerged the deadly poison (Halahal), which threatened to destroy the world. Lord Shiva drank the poison to save the universe but fainted. Upon Parvati's prayers, the serpent sisters (Bishahara) extracted the poison from Shiva's body. Shiva kept a small amount in his throat, which turned blue, earning him the name Neelkanth.

When the nectar emerged, the demons grabbed it. Lord Vishnu took the form of the beautiful Mohini to enchant the demons. He distributed the nectar to the gods. A demon named Rahu disguised himself as a god and drank the nectar. The Sun and Moon exposed him, and Vishnu severed his head with his Sudarshan Chakra. Since the nectar had reached his throat, both parts remained alive as Rahu (head) and Ketu (body), who occasionally swallow the Sun and Moon, causing eclipses.

Day 4: Sati's Story

Goddess Sati, daughter of Daksha Prajapati, married Lord Shiva. Daksha, proud and arrogant, disliked Shiva's ascetic ways. Daksha organized a grand sacrifice (Yajna) but did not invite Shiva. Despite Shiva's warnings, Sati went to her father's house. Daksha insulted Shiva in front of the guests. Unable to bear the humiliation, Sati immolated herself in the sacrificial fire. Angered, Shiva's wrathful creation, Virabhadra, destroyed the Yajna and decapitated Daksha. Shiva carried Sati's body and wandered in grief. To save the world from Shiva's grief, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to cut Sati's body into pieces, which fell at various places, forming the Shakti Peethas. Sati was later reborn as Parvati, daughter of Himavan (Himachal), and performed severe penance to marry Shiva again.

Day 5: Birth of Ganesh

Goddess Parvati, before going for her bath, created a boy from the clay of her body and ordered him to guard the door. When Lord Shiva arrived, the boy stopped him. Angered, Shiva severed the boy's head. When Parvati saw this, she was filled with immense grief and threatened to destroy the world. To appease her, Shiva ordered the gods to bring the head of the first living creature they found facing north. They found an elephant. Its head was placed on the boy's body, and Shiva revived him, naming him Ganesha and decreeing that he would be worshipped first in all rituals.

Day 6: Birth of Kartikeya

The demon Tarakasur had a boon that only a son of Shiva could kill him. The gods, worried about Shiva's intense meditation, sent Kama (the god of love) to arouse desire in Shiva. Shiva opened his third eye and burnt Kama to ashes. However, Shiva's divine energy (Tejas) was cast into the fire, then transferred to the Ganges, and finally placed in a forest of reeds (Shara-vana), where a six-headed baby was born. Six stars (Krittikas) nursed him, and he was named Kartikeya. He grew up to become the commander of the gods' army, defeated Tarakasur, and restored Indra's kingdom.

Day 7: Goshauni & Bairasi

King Madhastha had 101 daughters, the eldest being Goshauni. King Nahar had 101 sons, the eldest being Bairasi and the younger being Chanai. All 101 brothers married the 101 sisters. During the wedding, a snake fell from Bairasi's headpiece, which was revealed to be Lili, Shiva's daughter and Bairasi's first wife. Madhastha was enraged and cursed Bairasi that he must eat a betel leaf at every step and speak to a woman at every mile to stay alive. Goshauni remained devoted to her husband despite the curse, but Bairasi ignored her and favored Lili.

Day 8: Bairasi's Travel

To help Goshauni, her brother-in-law Chanai suggested that Bairasi go on a journey. Goshauni went ahead in disguise. Chanai prepared a large bundle of betel leaves for Bairasi. At every mile, Bairasi met a woman (who was Goshauni in disguise) and engaged in poetic and witty conversations about flowers, colors, and riddles. At every fifth mile, Bairasi spent the night with the disguised Goshauni, who placed a game piece (pasa) under the bed as proof of their union.

Day 9: Goshauni's Dharma Proven

Goshauni gave birth to five sons. Lili, jealous and childless, slandered Goshauni, claiming the children belonged to Chanai. Bairasi demanded a test of chastity. Lili was given fine rice and lentils to cook, while Goshauni was given iron rice and stone lentils. Due to her purity and devotion, Goshauni's iron rice and stone lentils cooked perfectly, while Lili's food remained raw. Goshauni's virtue was proven, and out of divine pride, her body split and she merged into the earth.

Day 10: Mangala Gauri

King Shrutikirti of Anandnagar had no son. He prayed to Goddess Gauri, who offered him a choice: a virtuous son who would die at the age of sixteen, or a foolish son who would live long. The king chose the virtuous son, named Chirayu. As Chirayu turned sixteen, the king sent him to Kashi with his maternal uncle to spend his remaining days. On the way, they stopped at Anandnagar.

Princess Mangala Gauri was worshipping Gauri in a garden. A friend jokingly called her a widow, but Mangala Gauri confidently asserted that no woman in her family had ever become a widow, and that anyone she married would receive a long life by Gauri's grace. Chirayu's uncle arranged a secret marriage between Chirayu and Mangala Gauri. That night, a venomous snake (Gahuman) entered the chamber. Mangala Gauri fed the snake milk and trapped it in a pot. The snake turned into a beautiful gem necklace. Chirayu survived, and they were reunited after his Kashi pilgrimage.

Day 11: Bishahra's Story

Sage Kashyapa had thousands of serpent children from Kadru. They created chaos on earth. Brahma asked Kashyapa to find a solution. Kashyapa created Manasa (Bishahra) from his mind. Manasa performed severe penance and received divine knowledge from Lord Shiva. She married Sage Jaratkaru and gave birth to Sage Astika, who later saved the serpent race during King Janamejaya's snake sacrifice (Sarpa Satra).

Day 12: Kusumavati

Kusumavati, along with Pidula, Chanai, Lili, and Goshauni, are the primary serpent goddesses worshipped by newly married brides in Mithila. They bless the brides with eternal marital bliss (Sohag), prosperity, and healthy children, protecting the household from all harms.

Day 13: Raja Shrikar

King Shrikar's daughter had an inauspicious horoscope predicting that she would face humiliation and clean mud from her co-wife's pond. Her brother, King Chandrakar, hid her in an underground chamber (Sonhi) in a forest to protect her. King Suvarna found her while hunting and married her. He promised to send her puja clothes for Madhushravani but his crow lost the package.

Thinking she was abandoned, the princess worked as a laborer cleaning mud from her co-wife's pond, thus fulfilling the prophecy. She was eventually reunited with King Suvarna and blessed by Goddess Gauri.

Sohag Distribution: On Madhushravani day, Ganesha churned and distributed Sohag (marital bliss blessings) to all wives, instructing them on how to maintain their virtues according to their duties.