🌕 Magha Purnima (Maghi Purnima) Vrat Katha
The story
The story of the Padma Purana — the wife of the Brahmin Dhaneshwar of Kantika city had no child; on a message received in alms, the Brahmin had his wife keep the vow of bathing at dawn in Magha and offering arghya to the moon. After 32 Purnimas of the vow a son was born, but he was short-lived; the wife gave the merit of the Magha Purnima vrat to her son, and when Yama's messengers came for him they turned back by the power of the vrat — the son lived long. Since then the bath-vrat of Magha Purnima is regarded as a vrat for the protection and longevity of children.
The Prayag belief — in Magha the gods of the three worlds, gandharvas and sages come to bathe at the Sangam in human form; on Magha Purnima this 'bath of the gods' concludes — so the kalpavasis take their final bath, bow to the Triveni and return home.
Sant Ravidas — born in Kashi in a family of cobblers on Magha Purnima (around 1377 CE); the guru of Mirabai, the poet of 'Begampura' (the city without sorrow); 40 of his hymns are in the Guru Granth Sahib — there is no high or low in devotion, that is his message.
Why this katha — the significance
The end of the Magh bath — whoever kept it all month completes its fruit today; for one who could not, a single bath on Magha Purnima is said to equal the whole of Magha (Padma Purana). The kalpavasis leave their huts at the Sangam today.
In Magha the Sun is in Aquarius and the Moon in Magha nakshatra (hence the name) — the fruit of charity on this Purnima (sesame, jaggery, grain, cloth, blankets, ghee) is said to be a thousandfold; tarpan and shraddha for ancestors too.
Ravidas Jayanti — Sant Ravidas (Raidas) was born in Kashi on Magha Purnima; 'Man changa to kathauti mein Ganga' — a festival of devotion and equality; processions and langar in Punjab, UP and MP.
How the katha is heard
- Hear or read the katha after the puja, before the aarti — the whole family sits together.
- The one keeping the vrat should listen with a calm mind; keep a lamp lit and a little akshat-flowers in hand.
- At the end, offer the flowers at the deity's feet and bow; share the prasad with everyone.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Magha Purnima in {Y}?
The date at the top is this year's Magha Purnima — from panchang calculations; the Delhi times for Brahma Muhurat (bath) and moonrise are shown too.
What if the Magh bath could not be completed?
According to the Padma Purana a single bath on Magha Purnima equals the whole of Magha — bathe at dawn today, give charity and offer the moon arghya; or on the three tithis of Magha (Paush Purnima, Mauni Amavasya, Magha Purnima).
What to donate on this day?
Black sesame, jaggery, grain-sidha, blankets/woollens, ghee, oil, shoes-umbrella — blankets and clothes are most useful at the end of winter; fodder to a gaushala.
Why are Ravidas Jayanti and Magha Purnima on the same day?
Sant Ravidas is held to have been born on Magha Purnima — so the Jayanti falls on this tithi every year; a public holiday and processions in Punjab-UP.
What comes after Maghi Purnima?
Phalguna begins the next day — Maha Shivratri fifteen days later, then Holashtak (eight days before Holi) and Holika Dahan on Phalguna Purnima.
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