❄️ Paush Purnima (Shakambhari Jayanti) Vrat Katha
The story
In the Puranas — there was no rain for a hundred years and famine came; the sages and creatures praised the Goddess. She brought forth a thousand eyes from her body, watered the earth with tears of compassion, and grew vegetables, fruit and roots from her own body to feed all — hence 'Shakambhari' (she who bears vegetables); in the Durga Saptashati (Murti Rahasya/11th chapter) the Goddess herself says — 'Shakaih… Shakambhari-ti vikhyatim tada yasyamyaham bhuvi'. Shakambhari Navratri from Pausha Shukla Ashtami to Purnima, the Jayanti on the Purnima.
Kalpavas — according to the Padma Purana, living with restraint at the Sangam of Prayag from Paush Purnima to Magha Purnima (one meal, sleeping on the floor, three baths, satsang) — 'Kalpavas' — earns the fruit of a hundred years of penance; the tradition of sage Bharadwaj's ashram.
The Bengal story — Lakshmi (Poush Lakshmi) puja and pitha of new paddy on Paush Purnima; in Odisha the Pushyabhishek of Jagannath (the coronation festival on Pushya nakshatra) falls on this day.
Why this katha — the significance
The vow of the Magh bath is taken on this Purnima — 'a bath, charity and restraint at dawn every day from Paush Purnima to Magha Purnima'; the kalpavasis of Prayag set up their huts on the Sangam bank on this day.
Shakambhari Jayanti — the form of Durga who, in a famine, grew vegetables and fruit from her own body to feed the world; hence charity of vegetables, fruit and grain and gratitude for food on this day — the day of the goddess of the kitchen.
The Purnima fast and moon arghya; the moon of Pausha is held to be linked with the Sun principle (Pausha = the Sun's month) — in many traditions arghya to both Sun and Moon on this day.
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 Paush Purnima in {Y}?
The date at the top is this year's Paush Purnima — from panchang calculations; the Delhi times for Brahma Muhurat (bath) and moonrise are shown too.
What is the Magh bath/Kalpavas?
A river bath at dawn, charity and restraint (one meal, satsang) every day from Paush Purnima to Magha Purnima — also valid at home with Gangajal; living in a hut at the Sangam of Prayag for this period is called Kalpavas.
Who is Shakambhari Devi and how is she worshipped?
The form of Durga who grew vegetables and fruit from her own body to feed the world in a famine; in the puja seasonal vegetables and fruit are arranged on a seat and offered, and eaten and shared as prasad the next day; charity of vegetables, fruit and grain is the main thing.
What is the link between Paush Purnima and Makar Sankranti?
Both in January, a few days apart — the Sankranti by the Sun (around 14 January), the Purnima by the lunar tithi; both have charity of sesame, jaggery and blankets and a bath — the meritorious fortnight of winter.
Can the Satyanarayan katha be held on this day?
Yes — as on every Purnima, on Paush Purnima too; the custom is to take the Magh-bath vow along with the katha.
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