Vrata

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Vrata (disambiguation).

Vrata is a Sanskrit word that means "vow, resolve, devotion",[1] and refers to pious observances such as fasting and pilgrimage (Tirtha) found in Indian religions such as Jainism and Hinduism.[2][3] It is typically accompanied with prayers seeking health and happiness for their loved ones.[4][5][6]

Etymology[]

Vrata (Sanskrit: व्रत) means "vow, resolve, devotion",[1] and refers to the practice of austerity, particularly in matters related to foods and drinks by people in Hindu and Jaina culture, as part of a pious observance or prayers seeking health, fertility, long life or happiness for her loved ones.[4][7] It was derived from the Sanskrit root ‘vr’ ("will, rule, restrain, conduct, choose, select"), and the oldest use of the word can be found in the Rigveda.

Hinduism[]

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Vrata in present day is a religious votive rite, a vow often involving, but not limited to, abstinence from food, particularly common with women.[5][8] It may be accompanied with elaborate prayers, other rites such as charity or visit to a temple, sometimes observed during festivals or with sanskara (rite of passage) ceremonies. It is found in ancient Hindu texts such as the Vedas, but in a fluid context that is not in the sense of pious observances.[7][9][2]

A vrata is a personal practice, typically involves no priest, but may involve personal prayer, chanting, reading of spiritual texts, social get together of friends and family, or silent meditation.[8]

In Vedic literature[]

The word 'vrata' is found over 200 times in the Rigveda.[1][10] It is also found in other Vedic literature including the Upanishads, but the context suggests that the meaning of the word in the Vedic era was not as a personal pious observance, and instead was related to ṛta (truthfulness, fact) and dharma (divine characteristics/nature), in the sense of inner principles and universal laws that keep order in the cosmos.[10] Every man's vocation, as in hymn 9.112.1 of the Rigveda, is called his vrata. Thus, whatever profession one is devoted to, resolves to do his best in, is deemed vrata in the Vedic literature.[11] The act of sacrifice, in another context such as in hymn 1.93.8 of the Rigveda, is also called a vrata.[11]

The Hindu Upanishads conceptualize vrata as an ethical and behavioral discipline process, one where food is respected, the needy are helped, the strangers (guest) are welcomed, and the students carry on the pursuit of knowledge.[12]

In post-Vedic literature[]

The post-Vedic texts use the term as a form of self-imposed restrictions on food and behavior, sometimes with a vow.[11][13] The concept evolves as a form of religious votive rite, personalized and interiorized, one that does not need a public ceremony or a private one, but that is privately observed.[7][9][2] Its meaning retains a sense of personal sacrifice (fast, or restricted diet), in exchange for hope, accompanied with a prayer to a personally defined or cherished divinity, and propelled by the wish for the well being of one's loved ones.[4][7][8] The Grihya-sutras (domestic life manuals), the Puranas and the epics describe the practice particularly in the context of Vedic brahmacharis,[14] brahmins,[15] and women, as "devotion, solemn vow, holy practice, resolve, dedication".[1][5][8] The Puranas link the practice to the empowering concept of Shakti of a woman, while the Dharmasastras link the practice to one possible form of penance through the concept of Prāyaścitta for both men and women.[8]

Vrata: the vow

Be thou the wife at their sacrifices,
strict in thy vows [vrata],
and gifted with joy!

—Kunti to Draupadi, Mahabharata 1.191.5
Transl: Anne Pearson[16]

Reasons[]

A vrata may be motivated by many factors and is observed by both genders, but far more often by women.[4][5] The most common are temporal wishes, such as the speedy recovery of a sick child, success or happiness for a loved one, fertility, ward off negativity or dangers, make prayers and good wishes for someone departing for a distant place.[5] In the case of women, the prayers are usually on behalf of brother(s), children or husband, but sometimes for her own prosperity, mind-body balance and health.[8][17][18]

Sociologists who have interviewed women who observe vrata report that the practice is explained, according to Anne Pearson, as something that gives "peace of mind", that she has made an effort to the best of her abilities and out of duty towards those important to her in her life, she has a sense of contentment in her heart and intellect, and thus she feels she has achieved something.[19][17] It is also an expression of care and love, a reminder of ethical principles of the Hindu traditions.[20]

A vrata is sometimes a result of voluntary vow or part of practice by a brahmacharya (student) or grihastha (householders) that they feel as obligatory before or during certain spiritual or religious practice.[21] Utsavas, or religious festivals, share some elements with vratas, incorporating the practice of restraining food and similar austerity, as a part of the festive observance.[21] Some Vrats are for religious (dharma)[17] or soteriological goals (moksha), some are for nonreligious reasons, some celebration of one's cultural tradition, and others are a form of quid pro quo sacrifice to get or give divine help to someone.[22]

Another reason for observing vratas is the belief that they are a form of sorry, self-correction, penance and expiatory (prāyaścitta).[13] vratas are discussed as a means to prāyaścitta in Dharmasastra texts.[23] Many prāyaścitta vratas in these texts suggest it include the feeding of "Brahmins, blind, poor and helpless", as well as other acts of charity.[24] However, a vrata can consist of many different activities. Other examples of vrata activity include fasting, burning incense sticks, prayers before a deity, meditating and such activities.[24] The śmrtis go into great detail on the subject of vratas, discussing even the details pertaining to what type of flowers should be used in worship.[25]

Men and women, state the Dharmashastras and the Puranas, can expiate their sins through the use of vratas.[26] For prāyaścitta, the vratas are the second most discussed method in the Puranas, after the Tirtha.[27]

Observances and practices[]

Vrata may be observed as a silent private rite, or be more elaborate with activities such as vrata mandalas design such as kolam, rangoli or mehndi.[28][8]

A vrata is observed either as an independent private ritual at a date of one's choice, as part of a particular ceremony such as wedding, or as a part of a major festival such as Diwali (Lakshmi, festival of lights), Shivaratri (Shiva), Navratri (Durga or Rama), Ekadashi (Vishnu and His avatars).[29][30][31]

A typical vrata involves a fast for a fixed period of time, usually a full day, where either no food is eaten, or only one meal is eaten in the entire day, or only a certain food such as milk is consumed during the period of the vrata.[32][33] Other observances include sleeping on the ground or a short sleep, or alternatively yoga with meditation, reading scripture and charitable giving (dāna).[31]

Some vratas are more elaborate, such as those associated with major festivals or tirtha or rite of passage ceremonies, involving weeks of preparation, the drawing of vrata mandala from various colored grain flour, wall decoration, cleaning of the house, special bath and festive dress, charity, a visit to a Hindu temple for a darśana of the inner sanctum or puja within one's home.[28][8][34] In Nepal, Hindus visit Pashupatinatha temple for example, families light lamps on Balacaturdasi on a winter night and then set them afloat in Bagamati river next morning, followed by strewing grains for birds.[29] Kane lists hundreds of vrata found in Hindu texts.[35]

Rules[]

During the period of the observance of a vrata, one should keep one’s person clean and pure, observe celibacy, speak the truth, practice forbearance, avoid non-vegetarian foods and scrupulously perform all the rituals connected with it.

Once a vrata is undertaken, it should never be left unfinished nor a new one started before completing it. The actual commencement should be made only as per the auspicious time, place and mode laid down by the books. But, one should never start the observance while in ashaucha, the ceremonial impurity, brought about by birth or death in one’s family.

Persons too old or too sick can get the vrata performed for them by the close relatives if they are willing. [36]

There are other rules as well:

  1. Waking up during Brahma muhurta (one and half-hour before sunrise).
  2. Bathing during the vrata day.
  3. Clothing and ornaments – When observing a vrat one should use ‘gandh’ (sandalwood paste), flowers, a chain of beads and clothing and ornaments to suit the vrat.
  4. Eating meals and urination and defecation should be done at the appropriate time.
  5. Puja of the deity for whose sake the vrat has been undertaken should be performed. One should chant the deity’s Name, meditate, listen to His / Her stories, worship, perform kirtans (narration of the glory of God through stories punctuated with devotional songs) and read religious texts.
  6. Meals should be limited.
  7. Restrictions:
    1. Salty foods, honey, meat and eggs
    2. 'Sabhyang snan (bathing)' - application of oil to the body and head, .
    3. Eating betel leaves
    4. Application of fragrant substances to the body,
    5. Actions that will decrease physical and mental strength such as anger, greed, attachment, laziness, etc. to be avoided.
    6. Smoking
    7. Sleeping during the day
    8. Stealing.
    9. Sexual Intercourse
  8. Guru, married women, kanya (young virgin girls) and guests should be offered meals. If possible, one should offer food to orphans, old age homes, and the destitute as well.
  9. Cattle, wealth, ornaments et cetera should be donated as per one's ability.
  10. Even if a woman gets her menses during a vrata, it does not pose any obstruction to her in completing the vrata.
  11. It is necessary to make a 'sankalpa' when commencing and concluding a vrat. If this is not done, then the observance is not fruitful. Standing facing the north and holding a copper vessel filled with water in the hand, one should make the sankalpa for the vrat. The northern direction is favourable for spiritual progress.[37]

Types[]

The puranas denote various types of vratas, such as,[38]

  • ‘kayika-vrata’. It is a vrata pertaining to the body. The stress is on physical austerity like fasting, remaining sleepless, taking baths and such other restraining activity in connection with one’s body. [39]
  • ‘vachika-vrata’ or vrata pertaining to speech. Here much importance is given to speaking the truth and reciting the scriptures.
  • ‘manasa-vrata’ or vrata pertaining to the mind. The emphasis here is on controlling the mind, by controlling the passions and prejudices that arise in it.

A vrata may also be classified by its time period, such as vrata for a day is a dina-vrata, for a paksha (half lunar cycle) is a vaara-vrata or a paksha-vrata.[39]

Nirjala-vrata (nirjal vrat)[]

It consists of complete fasting without drinking water. Hence, it is called Nirjala(Without water or waterless) vrata. Unlike normal(common) vratas in which consumption of fruits, juices, milk, water and sugar is allowed, the 'vrati' doesn't eat or drink anything at all (to purify their body). It is common in Hindu festivals such as Nirjala Ekadashi, and chhath.[40]

Jainism[]

Main articles: Ethics of Jainism, mahavrata, anuvrata, gunasthana, , and

Five vrata-s (vows) are one of the codes of conduct for Jain householders.[41] Any of the vows (vratas) that govern the activities of both monks and laymen. These are similar to the Yamas of yoga, and include the vow of ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha.[42] Jainism also has seven supplementary vows, called the Shila-vratas, which suggest additional virtues.[43]

Fasting is part of vrata observances in Jainism, and some involve congregational fasting at temples.[44] Vrata among Jaina women may involve complete or partial fasting on certain specific days; a pilgrimage or tirtha to a particular place or places, as well as virtuous actions to others.[45] Vrata is viewed as a form of austerity, with the power to remove karma from jiva (soul) and gain punya (merit).[46]

Laypersons aren't expected to observe these vows strictly. Once a layperson has gone through the preliminary stages of spiritual discipline (gunasthana), that person may promise to observe 12 vows for a stated period of time and may renew the pledge at the completion of that time.[47]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Monier Monier-Williams (1899), Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, page 1042, Article on Vrata
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Ariel Glucklich 2008, pp. 139–140.
  3. ^ Jeffery D Long (2013). Jainism: An Introduction. I.B.Tauris. p. 206. ISBN 978-0-85771-392-6.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Ariel Glucklich 2008, p. 139.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Heather Elgood 2000, pp. 198–199.
  6. ^ Denise Cush, Catherine Robinson & Michael York 2012, p. 972.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Lynn Teskey Denton 2012, pp. 31–33.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Denise Cush, Catherine Robinson & Michael York 2012, pp. 972–973.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b Anne Mackenzie Pearson 1996, pp. 46–47.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b Anne Mackenzie Pearson 1996, p. 45.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b c Anne Mackenzie Pearson 1996, pp. 45–46.
  12. ^ Anne Mackenzie Pearson 1996, p. 47.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b Kane 1958, pp. 28–29.
  14. ^ Anne Mackenzie Pearson 1996, p. 48.
  15. ^ Anne Mackenzie Pearson 1996, pp. 50–52.
  16. ^ Anne Mackenzie Pearson 1996, p. 53.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b c Mary McGee (1992). Julia Leslie (ed.). Roles and Rituals for Hindu Women. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 79–80. ISBN 978-81-208-1036-5.
  18. ^ Lynn Teskey Denton 2012, pp. 31–34.
  19. ^ Anne Mackenzie Pearson 1996, pp. 10, 102, 199, 217.
  20. ^ Anne Mackenzie Pearson 1996, pp. 5, 44, 198, 217.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b Kane 1958, pp. 26–29.
  22. ^ Anne Mackenzie Pearson 1996, pp. 109, 195–197, 205, 220.
  23. ^ Kane 1958, p. 27.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b Kane 1958, pp. 38–41.
  25. ^ Kane 1953, pp. 37–39, 57.
  26. ^ Kane 1958, pp. 51, 57.
  27. ^ Kane 1958, p. 57.
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b Ariel Glucklich 2008, p. 140.
  29. ^ Jump up to: a b Axel Michaels 2016, pp. 219–221.
  30. ^ Lindsey Harlan (1992). Religion and Rajput Women: The Ethic of Protection in Contemporary Narratives. University of California Press. pp. 45–46. ISBN 978-0-520-07339-5.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b Anne Mackenzie Pearson 1996, pp. 267–270.
  32. ^ Lindsey Harlan (1992). Religion and Rajput Women: The Ethic of Protection in Contemporary Narratives. University of California Press. p. 88. ISBN 978-0-520-07339-5.
  33. ^ J. C. Heesterman (1993). The Broken World of Sacrifice: An Essay in Ancient Indian Ritual. University of Chicago Press. pp. 212–213. ISBN 978-0-226-32301-5.
  34. ^ Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad; Ellison Banks Findly (1985). Women, Religion, and Social Change. State University of New York Press. pp. 205–206. ISBN 978-0-88706-069-4.
  35. ^ Kane 1958, pp. 81–236, For a list see, pages 251-462.
  36. ^ PureVedicGems. "Fasts/Vratas as a Remedy". Best gemstone shop in Delhi | Certified gemstone shop in Delhi | Vedic Gemstones @PureVedicGems. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  37. ^ Payyanur, Venu (8 May 2019). "Significance for Seven days of a week – Gods and Vrata". VenuPayyanur.com. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  38. ^ Adawal, Shanker. Encyclopedia of Vedic Astrology: Remedies. Sagar Publications.
  39. ^ Jump up to: a b "Principals of VRAT". Shree Shakti Mandir (Leicester). Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  40. ^ "Nirjala Ekadashi 2017, Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha, Puja Vidhi Date and Time – Nirjala Ekadashi". www.rudraksha-ratna.com. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  41. ^ Sangave 2001, p. 124.
  42. ^ Sangave 2001, p. 162.
  43. ^ Sangave 2001, pp. 162–163.
  44. ^ John E. Cort (2001). Jains in the World: Religious Values and Ideology in India. Oxford University Press. pp. 227 note 22. ISBN 978-0-19-803037-9.
  45. ^ Natubhai Shah (1998). Jainism: The World of Conquerors. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 101–102. ISBN 978-81-208-1938-2.
  46. ^ Kristi L. Wiley (2004). Historical Dictionary of Jainism. Scarecrow. pp. 85–86. ISBN 978-0-8108-5051-4.
  47. ^ "Encyclopedia Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 22 May 2019.

Bibliography[]

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