प्राचीन ग्रंथों के अनुसार, सोमवार व्रत रखने के लिए सुबह स्नान करके भगवान शिव को जल और बेलपत्र चढ़ाना और शिव-पार्वती की पूजा करना शामिल है। ऐसा माना जाता है कि सोमवार का व्रत करने से भक्तों की मनोकामनाएं शीघ्र पूरी होती हैं। सोमवार व्रत कथा पढ़ने से अनुष्ठान पूरा होता है।
Once upon a time, there lived a moneylender in a city. There was no shortage of money in his house, but he did not have any children, due to which he was very sad. To get a son, he used to keep fast every Monday and worship Lord Shiva and Parvati Ji with full devotion by going to the Shiva temple.
Seeing his devotion, one day Mother Parvati was pleased and requested Lord Shiva to fulfill the wish of that moneylender. Hearing Parvati's wish, Lord Shiva said that 'O Parvati, every creature in this world gets the fruits of his deeds and has to suffer whatever is in his fate.' But Parvati Ji expressed her desire to fulfill the wishes of the moneylender in order to respect his devotion.
At the request of Mother Parvati, Shiva gave a boon to the moneylender to get a son, but at the same time also said that the age of his child would be only twelve years. The moneylender was listening to the conversation of Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva. He was neither happy nor sad about it. He continued to worship Shiva as before.
After some time a son was born to the moneylender. When the boy was eleven years old, he was sent to Kashi to study. The moneylender called the son's maternal uncle and gave him a lot of money and said that he should take this child to Kashi to attain education and perform a Yagya on the way. Wherever Yajna is performed, go there giving food to Brahmins and giving Dakshina.
In the same way, both the uncles and nephews went towards Kashi by performing yajnas and giving donations and Dakshina to the brahmins. There was a city in the night where the daughter of the king of the city was married. But the prince she was about to marry was a blind eye. the prince thought of a plan to hide the fact that his son did not have sight in one eye.
Seeing the son of the moneylender, a thought came to his mind. He thought why not make this boy a bridegroom and get him married to the princess. After marriage, I will send it away with money and will take the princess to my city. The boy was married to the princess wearing the groom's clothes. But the moneylender's son was honest. He did not find this to be fair. Taking the opportunity, he wrote on the side of the princess's sardine that's You have been married to me, but the prince with whom you will be sent is an ear to the eye. I am going to study Kashi.
When the princess read the things written on the sardine, she told this to her parents. The king did not send off his daughter, due to which the procession went back. On the other hand, the moneylender's boy and his maternal uncle reached Kashi and after going there they performed a yagya. Yagya was held on the day the boy turned 12 years old. The boy told his maternal uncle that my health is not well. Mama said that you go inside and sleep.
According to Shiva's boon, that child's life passed out in a short time. Seeing the dead nephew, his maternal uncle started moaning. Coincidentally, Shiva and Mother Parvati were going from there at the same time. Parvati said to God- Swami, I cannot bear the sound of its crying. You must remove the suffering of this person.
When Shiva went near the dead child, he said that this is the son of the same moneylender, to whom I gave a boon of 12 years of age. Now its age is over. But Mother Parvati said, O Mahadev, please give more age to this child, otherwise its parents will also die in agony due to its separation.
At the request of Mother Parvati, Lord Shiva gave the boy a boon to be alive. By the grace of Shiva, the boy became alive. After finishing his education, the boy went to his city with his maternal uncle. Both of them reached the same city where they were married. In that city also organized a Yagya. The boy's father-in-law recognized him and took him to the palace and took care of him and sent off his daughter.
Here the moneylender and his wife were waiting for their son after being hungry and thirsty. He had vowed that if he got the news of his son's death, he would also give up his life, but he was very happy to get the news of his son's survival. On the same night, Lord Shiva came in the merchant's dream and said - O Shresthi, I have given a long life to your son by being pleased by observing your fast on Monday and listening to the fast story. Similarly, whoever observes a Monday fast or listens and reads the story, all his sorrows are removed and all his wishes are fulfilled.
How many Somvar vrat should be observed?
It is up to the individual's personal choice and devotion to Lord Shiva, but it is generally recommended to observe the vrat for 16 consecutive Mondays.
What should be eaten during the Somvar vrat?
It is suggested to consume saatvik food and avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and tobacco on the day of the vrat.
At what time should the Somvar vrat be opened?
The vrat can be opened after performing the puja in the evening, usually after sunset.
How is the Somvar vrat performed?
The vrat is performed by waking up early in the morning, taking a bath, visiting the temple of Lord Shiva, and observing a day-long fast. Devotees can offer milk, fruits, bel leaves, and other sacred items to Lord Shiva during the vrat.
Why do girls observe the Somvar vrat?
It is believed that girls who observe the Somvar vrat will have a good husband and a happy married life.
Can salt be consumed during the Somvar vrat?
Yes, salt can be consumed during the vrat, but it is advisable to use rock salt or sendha namak instead of regular salt.
What should be offered to the Shiva linga on Somvar?
Devotees can offer water, milk, honey, curd, ghee, and bilva leaves to the Shiva linga on the day of Somvar vrat. Some people also perform abhishek with panchamrit, which is a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar.
