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Sankasthi Chathurthi Vrata
The Ganesha Purana states that there is immense Punya in doing Bhojanam
(Annadaana) on Sankatahara Chaturthi , as well as following the Vrata Vidhi.
The merits of even performing the Vrata accidentally, as uttered by Brahmā to Kṛtavīrya
(Kārtivīryārjunā’s father) from the 59th adhyaya of the Gaṇeśa Purāṇa is as follows:
Kṛtavīrya’s son Kārttivīrya was an outcaste called Sāma who was so evil that seeing him
would obliterate all of one’s punya.
He once slew 12 brahmins on the road and left them in a cave. After he had taken their
belongings he returned to his house on the dark fortnight of the Māgha month.
He then called his son with the words ‘Gaṇeśa,Gaṇeśa’ and ate happily with him since
he had not taken water or food.
The merit produced by inadvertently observing this vow resulted in him going to Gaṇapati’s
abode in a divine vehicle and being honoured by celestial flowers.
In another Katha related to Sankashti Chaturthi in the Vinayaka Purana , it mentions how
once , King Indra's chariot was grounded on account of a sinner witnessing his flight in the
kingdom of King Shurasena.
Indra told the King that he needed to recharge his chariot with the punya from someone
and since the previous day was Sankashti Chaturthi, anyone who had gotten the Punya
by fasting on that day could transfer their punya to him.
The soldiers searched the whole city but found no one. At that moment, the Gana's of
Ganesha were found carrying someone, a sinner to Svananda Loka, Ganesha's abode.
On enquiring , it was found that the sinner had fallen sick the day before and had not
eaten anything and died, unintentionally performing the Sankashti Vrata. This was
enough to wash away her sins and earn her a place in the abode of Ganapati.
At that very moment, the air that had touched the sinner's body touched the chariot of
Indra, and that was enough to get it to fly again.
That is the power of Sankashti Chaturthi. Doing the Vrata, a Mandala Anushtana from
that day and / or performing Brahmana Bhojana is said to confer immense benefits to
the Sadhaka / Bhakta.
Summary of the Vrata
● On the day of the Vrata , one gets up in the morning before sunrise and after doing
his Nitya Karmas, worships Ganapati with Panchopachara Puja and Mantra Japa or
Stotra Path.
● One gives up offensive activities and eating tāmbula and enmity with others and
backbiting and even water has to be kept at a minimum.
● As per what Vidura has mentioned in Vidura Neethi about Vratas..
These 8, water , roots (yam, sweet potato, etc ), fruits , milk , ghee , what is done at
the desire of a Brahmana or the command of a Guru , and medicine, will not break
a Vow or Vrata. -Vidura Neethi, Mahabharata
● For those with medical issues and in-ability to fast the whole day (meaning from
Sunrise-Sunset ) , 1 mid-day meal is allowed (but not any grains or meat)
● One should read or listen to tales of Ganesha , Ganesha Purana , Vinayaka
Purana throughout the day and observe his mantra Japa or Stotra Parayanam
throughout the day. In today’s age you can read his Puranas or listen to them via
YouTube, etc.
● Then after Sunset, one stills one’s mind and meditates on the God of Gods,
Gajānana (Ganesha) . He is then worshipped for a muhūrta (48 minutes) with
sixteen upācāras ( or panchopachara at least)
● A large variety of edibles, which of course includes modakas, laddoos and a lot of
fruits, 21 pieces of durvā grass (bermuda grass) and flowers to be used.
● At minimum, 1 red fruit ( like a red apple, pomegranate) , laddoo or modaka
(sweets), flowers (preferably red) and Durva grass and to be used.
● At moonrise ( check Drik Panchang), one should offer Arghya to the moon and
after completion of puja to Ganapati, one can break their fast with vegetarian
food.
● One has to offer Brahmana Bhojanam to complete the fast for the day.
● If this vow is performed diligently for a year, one's sins will be destroyed and any
of his other desires will be fulfilled. All his difficulties will also be removed.
Puja Guide For Absolute Beginners ( For Full Puja Process Go Here )
On the day of the Vrata, one gets up in the morning before sunrise and after doing his Nitya
Karmas, takes sankalpa (reason for taking this Vrata) using akshata (unbroken rice mixed
with turmeric and ghee), water or flower.
If you don’t know the proper way, you can just state your desire ( keep it to 1) to
Ganesha holding the above in your right palm. Then worship Ganapati with
Panchopachara Puja and Mantra Japa or Stotra Path.
Panchopachara Puja is worship offering Gandham, Dhoopam, Deepam, Pushpam
Naivedyam. If you don’t know the formal process it can be simple as:
Aum Maha Ganapataye Namaha , Gandham Samarpayaami
Aum Maha Ganapataye Namaha , Dhoopam Samarpayaami
Aum Maha Ganapataye Namaha , Dheepam Samarpayaami
Aum Maha Ganapataye Namaha , Pushpam Samarpayaami
Aum Maha Ganapataye Namaha , Naivedyam Samarpayaami
Then Recite Sankata Nashana Stotra or Runahara Ganesha Stotra 3,7,11or 21 times.
Links To Stotras
Sankata Nashana Stotra - https://youtu.be/lb17gpRSQU8
Runahara Stotra - https://youtu.be/aH2ipOQ1_bU
Or you can offer Dwadasha Namavali - https://youtu.be/OC0wJnjI8h0
This has to be done before Sunrise.
If you have any of the above (Gandham, Dheepam, Dhoopa, etc) missing you can replace
with offering akshata, except for naivedyam which can a fruit or flower.
Sankashti Chaturthi is best for Removal of all things.
Removal of Sins, Debts (Financial and Pitru) , Health Issues, Obstacles etc.
Those who have never done any Anushtana before, can take the opportunity to start on
Chaturthi and do it for 41- 44 days uninterrupted , doing panchopachara puja and recital
of the Stotram 3X - 7X daily.
One should also visit a Ganesha temple if they are able either after morning or evening
home puja.
In the evening after sunset , one does puja for Ganesha again.
At moonrise (check Drik Panchang for Moon-Rise Time)
One should offer Arghya to the moon and after completion of puja to Ganapati, one can
break their fast with vegetarian food.
Argya can be offered to the moon with either a Stotra such as below:
Audio Link : https://youtu.be/08CypNaJBp0
or via his names like Aum Chandraaya Namaha, Aum Somaya Namaha, Aum
Sashidaraaya Namaha, etc using water or Rose Water. Asking forgiveness for any
mistakes in Puja and Vrata.
If the moon cannot be seen during moonrise time, wait 30 minutes and offer in General
Direction as is accepted in Shastras.
One has to offer Brahmana Bhojanam to complete the fast for the day (which we are doing
monthly).
if this vow is performed diligently for a year, one's sins will be destroyed and one's
desires will be fulfilled.
P.S Never use Thulasi to offer to Ganapati
- Aum Maha Ganapataye Namaha , Sangili Karuppan Thunai
Note : If you find this manual helpful, do consider contributing to our Non-Profit Foundation as it
helps defraying the time and effort taken to bring out these gems for the good of all bhaktas.
Account Number : 499905000044
Account Holder's name : KARUPPAN INITIATIVE FOUNDATION
IFSC Code : ICIC0004999
Bank : ICICI
Account : Current
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The above manual is brought to you by shishyas under
the guidance of Acharya Shree Kumar Ji, for the
benefit of all interested to progress in the spiritual path.
Acharya Shree Kumar Ji is a long-time mantra
Upasaka of Ganesha and has taught the Chaturthi Vrata
and Puja process to hundreds of seekers all over the
world.
Where appropriate he also initiates seekers in the Mantra
Sadhana path of Sri Ganesha as per Tantra Shastra.
You may contact him (strictly via WhatsApp text only) at
+65 8891 7698.
