What is called Monday fasting?
Monday fasting, or Somvar Vrat, is the most prominent and powerful observance dedicated to Lord Shiva in Hinduism.
According to legend, Goddess Parvati observed a Monday fasting to marry Lord Shiva. Following her, millions of people, especially women devotees who seek ideal partners, observe this Monday fasting (Somvar Vrat). Generally, people who desire a happy married life, professional growth, and relief from diseases observe Monday fasting to make their dreams come true.
What is the significance of Monday fasting?
Lord Shiva is often depicted with matted hair through which the holy river, Ganga, flows. He is depicted sitting on a tiger skin, with a snake around his neck, with his divine weapon, the Trident, and a Damru.
According to legends in Hinduism, observing Monday fasting brings success in relationships, career, and business, and also bestows good health, peace of mind, and longevity. Observing Monday fasting (Somvar Vrat) with complete faith and devotion helps a person to get their right life partner.
Couples who experience difficult times in their marital lives can get peace and harmony after performing the Monday fasting.
What is the procedure for the Monday fasting?
While observing fasting on Monday, one should abstain from food and alcohol. The Monday fasting (Somvar Vrat) starts in the early morning and ends with seeing the Moon. Usually, devotees spend the entire day chanting mantras, doing prayers, singing devotional songs, and reading stories of Lord Shiva. They offer rice, sweets, coconut, flowers, and betel leaves to the deity and worship him reverently. Many people continue this Somvar Vrat for successive Mondays continuously.
When should I begin the Monday fasting?
Devotees can start the Monday fasting (Somvar Vrat) on any Monday of the Shukla Paksha (Waxing Phase of the Moon) in the months of
- Shravan Maas (July-August): The sacred month for Shiva, starting on the first Monday of Shravan, is highly recommended.
- Chaitra (March-April)
- Vaishakha (April-May)
- Karthika (October-November)
Monday fasting (Somvar Vrat) purifies both internal and external impurities and improves metabolic activities.
What are the benefits of fasting on Mondays?
- Fasting on Mondays (Somvar Vrat) pleases Lord Shiva and bestows the following blessings:
- Fasting on Mondays helps attain wisdom.
- Monday fasting (Somvar Vrat) helps to control the mind and emotions.
- Monday fasting strengthens the Moon in a horoscope.
- Doing fasting on Mondays fulfils fair desires.
- Fasting on Mondays (Somvar Vrat) brings blessings from the planet Moon.
- Observing Monday fasting helps women get blessed with the right life partners.
- Fasting on Mondays (Somvar Vrat) eliminates the malefic effects of a badly placed Moon, Moon Dasa Bhukti, or a weakened Moon in a horoscope.
What are the Mantra(s) chanted during the Monday Fasting?
Shiva Panchakshara Mantra
||Om Namah Shivaya||
Meaning of the Shiva Panchakshara Mantra
"I bow to Lord Shiva"
Chanting this Shiva Panchakshara Mantra is believed to infuse positive energy, also known as the five-syllable mantra.
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, Trayambakam Mantra, or Rudra Mantra
||Om Triyambakam yajamahe, Sugandhim pushti vardhanam,
Urva rukmiva bandhanan Mrityura mokshiya mamratat||
Meaning of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
“We worship the Three-eyed Lord Shiva, who pervades all life and nourishes our strength. May He free us from the bondage of death, as a ripe cucumber is released from the vine, and grant us immortality.”
Chanting the Shiva Mahamrityunjaya Mantra brings positivity and wards off all negative energies around us.
Monday fasting (Somvar Vrat) is often observed by Shiva devotees for religious significance and good health. Offering our sincere prayers to Lord Shiva and the planet Moon during fasting on Mondays helps us receive their blessings abundantly.
