Rohini Vrat

The Rohini Vrat helps in eliminating the flaws of the soul and freeing oneself from the cycle of karma. Organizing this fast regularly for 3, 5, or 7 years before initiation leads to greater benefits for the practitioner in terms of spiritual attainment. It is also recognized as a religious festival in which members of the Jain community worship and venerate Lord Vasupujya.

The Rohini Vrat is a significant and exemplary fast for the Jain community, aiding them in staying vigilant from a spiritual perspective and in improving their conduct and thoughts. Although primarily observed by the Jain community, we all can also undertake this fast. According to the religious beliefs of the Jain community, one of the twenty-seven nakshatras is Rohini Nakshatra. This nakshatra occurs every month. The Rohini Vrat is observed when the Rohini Nakshatra is prominent after sunrise. On this day, worship of Lord Vasupujya and Rohini Devi is performed. Women observe this fast for the longevity of their husbands.

According to the Matsya Purana, Narada asked Lord Shiva: "O Mahadeva! Please describe the superior vow that, when observed, bestows long life, good health, nobility, and prosperity, and grants birth in a royal lineage."

Lord Shiva replied: "Narada! You have asked a truly excellent question. Now, I shall reveal to you a sacred vow that bestows imperishable results. This knowledge is known only to the enlightened ones who study the Puranas and Vedas. In this world, the vow called 'Rohini Chandraayan' is supremely virtuous and meritorious. It is also known as the Rohini Vrat."

Worship Procedure: In this, one should perform the worship and adoration of Lord Vishnu by reciting the names of the Moon. Whenever there is a full moon day falling on a Monday under the Rohini Nakshatra, on that day, a person should take a bath with water mixed with mustard seeds. After that, the person should chant the mantra "Apyay swah" one hundred and eight times and avoid interacting with hypocrites or those who follow false beliefs. After completing the chanting, the person should perform the puja of Lord Sri Madhusudana at their home using fruits, flowers, etc., while continuously reciting the names of the Moon.

While performing the worship, one should recite the Moon's names. The right foot should be worshipped using "Somaya Namah," the left foot using "Shantaya Namah," the knees and calves using "Anantadhamne Namah," the thighs using "Jalodaraya Namah," the genitals using "Anantabahave Namah," and the senses of creation using "Kamasukhapradaya Namo Namah." The navel should be worshipped using "Shankaraya Namah," the stomach using "Amritodaraya Namah," and the heart using "Shashankaya Namah." The throat should be worshipped using "Chandraya Namostu," the teeth using "Dwijanamadhipaya Namah," the mouth using "Chandrayase Namah," the lips using "Kumudvantavanapriyaya Namah," the cheeks using "Vanaushadhinam Nathaya Namah," and the chin using "Anandabijaya Namah."

The forehead should be worshipped using "Indeevaravyasakaraya Namah," both eyes should be worshipped using "Samastadhvaravanditaya Daityanishudanaya Namah," the ears using "Udadhipriyaya Namah," the forehead using "Shashankaya Namah," and the head using "Vishweshwaraya Namah."

Rohiṇīnāma Lakṣmyai Saubhāgya Saukhyāmṛta Sāgarāya Padmaśriyai Namah"

This mantra pays homage to Goddess Rohini, who holds the name Rohini, the embodiment of prosperity, happiness, and the ocean of nectar-like qualities.

After chanting this mantra, perform the worship of Goddess Rohini Devi with fragrant flowers, offerings, incense, and other rituals as an expression of devotion.

After this, sleep on the ground during the night and wake up at 4 AM. After bathing, chant "Pāpavināśāya Namah" and then offer a brass pot filled with ghee and gold-infused water as a donation to a Brahmin. Then, following a day of fasting, consume a meal consisting of clarified butter (ghee), milk, and non-salty, meatless food mixed with cow's urine.

Afterward, for two hours, engage in the study of history, Puranas, and other scriptures. Narada! offer various flowers to Lord Vishnu, who is in the form of the Moon, such as Kadamba, blue lotus, kevda, jati, lotus, shatapatra, tuberose without its stem, kamala, jasmine, various white flowers, karaveera, and champa. Present these flowers during different months of the year, starting with the month in which you began the vow. In the month you're observing the vow, offer the flowers available at that time for the worship of Lord Vishnu.

In this manner, after observing this vow with the prescribed rituals for a year, at the end, the vow-keeper should arrange a bed with a mirror and necessary bedding materials. Images of Rohini and the Moon should be crafted. The Moon's image should be 6 finger-widths and Rohini's image should be 4 finger-widths. Adorn these images with eight pearls and white garments and place them in a brass container filled with unbroken rice, then place this container atop a vessel filled with milk.

In the morning, offer this vessel containing milk, along with Agahani rice, jaggery, and fruits, while chanting mantras. Then, present a cow that has a face covered in gold and hooves covered in silver, along with white garments and a calf that nurses from her. Offer a beautiful conch shell as well.

Next, invite a Brahmin couple known for their virtues and decorate them with ornaments. Hold in your mind the feeling that, in the form of the Brahmin couple, Moon and Rohini are present. Then, offer this prayer: "O Lord Krishna, just as Rohini Devi, in her Moon-like form, never leaves your bed, similarly, may I never be separated from these possessions. O Moon God, you are the bestower of ultimate bliss and liberation to all. Through your grace, grant me both enjoyment and liberation, and let me maintain unwavering devotion towards you."

Finally, humbly donate the bed, the images, and the cow, along with everything else, to the Brahmin couple.

For those who, out of fear of the world, desire liberation, this is indeed the most excellent vow. It bestows beauty, freedom from diseases, and a long life. Narada! This is highly favored by the ancestors. Anyone who observes this vow becomes the ruler of the three worlds and resides in the moon realm for twenty-one kalpas. Subsequently, they attain liberation as a lightning bolt.

Moreover, women who undertake the observance of the Rohini Vrat also attain the same previous benefits and are liberated from the cycle of birth and death. The recitation of the names of the Moon and the worship of Lord Vishnu in association with that are performed daily, bestowing excellent intellect upon the devotee. Such a devotee is honored by a congregation of deities in the abode of Lord Vishnu.

Verified from Puran……