Monday, October 9, 2017

Rohini Vrat

Rohini vrat is observed by women who want a long, fulfilling life for their husbands. Rohini vrat begins when the Rohini Nakshatra rises in the sky after sunrise. It occurs once in every 27 days. This vrat is an important fasting day in Jain community. It is believed that devotee who observes this vrat get rid of all types sorrow, poverty and of obstacles in their lives also. Rohini is one of the twenty-seven Nakshatra according to Jain and Hindu calendar. The fast of Rohini Nakshatra is concluded with the rise of Margashirsha Nakshatra when Rohini Nakshatra ends. There are twelve Rohini fasting days in a year.




Observing Rohini vrat offers some great benefits including prosperity, happiness, the togetherness of the family and long life of the husband. It is said that anyone who prays to Rohini on this day can get rid of poverty, troubles as well as the sorrows. It is believed that if the women in the Jain households observe this vrat with all sincerity and diligence, then peace and tranquillity will rule over the household.

Why Rohini Vrat

There are several strict forms of spiritual practices advocated for the followers of Jainism. While the strict codes can only be followed by saints, the common man in the household is given some lenient procedures to follow. Since it is difficult for women in Jain households to observe strict kind of vrats, Rohini vrat is advocated for them that make it easy for them to observe a spiritual discipline.

Rohini vrat is said to bless the husbands of the women observing it and also their immediate family members. The vrat teaches them patience, forbearance and harmony. They learn to bear with the difficulties of life and place a ceiling on their desires. With the values cultivated through the process, they can demonstrate a superior kind of adjustment and understanding in the families.

In some families, all the members observe the vrat while in some others only the women of the household observe the fast with the others continuing the normal day to day routine. It is strongly believed that Rohini vrat can help win the blessings of Bhagavan Vasupujya and enhance the quality of life in families.

History:

Lord Mahavir lived the life of an ascetic. He advocated non-violence. Being heralded as the founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavir was preceded by twenty-three holy men called as Tirthankaras or pathfinders who all lived the lives of ascetics and were engaged in severe spiritual meditation. Lord Mahavir strongly advocated that only when an individual crosses his attachment to the physical body, can he attain self-realization, which is the final culmination of human birth. Jainism advocates an ascetic life of complete renunciation for those who give up worldly pleasures and commit themselves to spiritual life. For those in the regular household life, strict observances are not a mandate. They can follow the commandments of Jainism and live a normal life however without giving themselves away to over indulgence. Amidst this background, Rohini Vrat is prescribed for the women in the Jain community as a spiritual practice.



Rohini Vrat Puja Vidhi

On the day of Rohini vrat, the woman observing the fast wakes up early in the morning and takes a holy bath. The altar is set up in the puja room with the idol of Bhagvan Vasupujya, one of the twenty four Tirtankaras is set up in the altar. Elaborate rituals follow with the sacred bath to the idol with fragrant materials, puja, offerings and Prasad.

Rohini Vrat  Fasting Rules

The fasting must commence on the day of Rohini and stretch till the next star (Margashirsha) rises in the sky. While it is left to the choice of women observing this vrat as to how long they shall continue, the ideal duration is five years and five months. At the end of such a long period, the vrat is concluded with a proper udyapan or concluding rituals including poor feeding, visiting the temple of Vasupujya, giving a lot of charity to the poor and needy. 



Rohini Vrat Benefits

The women in the Jain households observe Rohini vrat as a means to secure the good health and long life of their husbands. Rohini vrat can dispel poverty and fill the homes with prosperity.This vrat can help clear the misunderstandings between the couple and promote a harmonious relationship and happiness in the family.

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