Bhadrapada Purnima: Significance, Legends, Rules & Rituals

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Significance

  • Marks the start of Pitru Paksha, a 15-day period dedicated to ancestral worship.
  • Associated with Lord Vishnu, especially in his Satyanarayan form.
  • Considered highly auspicious for charity, bathing in holy rivers, and spiritual cleansing.
  • Worship of Goddess Lakshmi is also prominent, believed to bring prosperity.

Legends

  • Durvasa’s Curse: Maharishi Durvasa cursed Lord Vishnu for giving away a sacred garland to Garuda instead of wearing it. As a remedy, Vishnu was advised to observe the Uma-Maheshwar Vrat and worship Shiva and Chandra on Purnima.
  • This act of penance restored Vishnu’s powers and reunited him with Lakshmi, symbolizing the power of humility and devotion.

Rules & Vrat Guidelines

  • Fasting: Many observe a vrat (fast) consuming only milk, fruits, and water. Grains, pulses, and salt are avoided.
  • Charity: Donating food, clothes, or money to the needy is considered highly meritorious.
  • Bathing Ritual: A dip in sacred rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, or Narmada is believed to cleanse sins.
  • Puja Timing: The Purnima tithi begins on the evening prior and ends by the evening of the Purnima day. For 2025, it falls on September 7.

Rituals

  • Satyanarayan Puja: Central to the day. Includes:
    • Panchamrit abhishekam (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar)
    • Offering of fruits and sweets
    • Recitation of Satyanarayan Katha
  • Moon Worship: Devotees also worship Chandra Deva for mental peace and clarity.
  • Maha Mrityunjaya Havan: Performed to dispel negativity and invoke longevity.
  • Shraddha Preparations: Families begin preparations for ancestral offerings starting the next day.

Scriptural References

  • Skanda Purana and Bhavishya Purana mention the importance of observing Satyanarayan Vrat on Purnima days, especially Bhadrapada Purnima, for prosperity and spiritual merit.
  • The Padma Purana highlights the significance of bathing in sacred rivers on full moon days and performing Pitru Tarpana as a precursor to Pitru Paksha.
  • The Durvasa-Vishnu legend, where Lord Vishnu performs the Uma-Maheshwara Vrat to nullify Durvasa’s curse, is often cited in oral traditions and regional kathas.
2025 Date: September 07.

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