Introduction
Somvati Amavasi, or Somavati Amavasya, is no moon day that falls on a
Monday (Somvar) in traditional Hindu calendar. In 2013, Somvati
Amavasya date is July 8.
It is considered a highly auspicious day and millions of people take a
holy dip in sacred Rivers like Ganga and Yamuna on the day. Married men
and women also perform different pujas and rituals and also undertake
Somavara Amavasya Vrat. Though Amavasya occurs every month, Hindus
believe it to be most auspicious when it occurs on a Monday. Married
women on this day should observe fast on this day for the long life of
her husband. Women who want a good match for them should also keep this
fast. They should worship Lord Shiva and offer milk and milk mixed water
to Shiv Linga. This day is also very auspicious for performing Pitra
Tarpan (offering to the ancestors) as it provides peace to their souls.
People suffering from Pitra Dosha should also observe this fast as it
frees them from this dosha. It is believed that observing this helps us
get rid of all the sorrows and problems. People who are suffering
problems in their life as well as profession should observe this fast.
If they cannot fast at least they should do the things advised below for
getting happiness in their life.
The significance of Somvati Amavasya was narrated to Yudhisthira by
Bhishma Pitamaha in the epic Mahabharata. It is believed that we can
bring peace to our ancestor’s soul by taking a Holy Dip on this day in
the sacred River Ganga. Also, the Holy Dip wears away all our sorrows
and helps us progress and prosper. The Peepal tree is considered as a
sacred tree as per the Indian traditions and on the auspicious day of
Somvati Amavasya women tie a sacred thread around its trunk for 108
times. Parikrama around the tree is performed for 108 times and it is
offered with milk, sandal paste, flowers and vermillion. Devotees sit
under the Peepal tree and chant Mantras to please the Almighty.
Legend associated with Somvati Amavasya
Once upon a time there lived a money lender who had seven sons and
one daughter. He married all his sons but could not find a suitable
match for his daughter. A monk visited their house regularly and blessed
the money lender’s daughters-in-law but never blessed the daughter. The
daughter told her mother about this and she confronted the monk with
this question. The monk did reply and left quietly. This really worried
the mother and she called a Pandit.
The Pandit told her that her daughter was destined to become a widow.
The girl’s mother asked the Pandit for a solution to the problem. He
told them that there was a washerwoman who lived on the island of
Singhal. If that woman agrees to apply vermilion (Sindoor) on the
forehead of the girl, her fate will change. The Pandit also told them
that observing fast of Somvati Amavasya will also be instrumental in
reversing her fate.
The mother sent her daughter and her youngest son to that island. On
their way to the island they came across sea shore and wondered how to
cross it. Sitting under a tree they saw a vulture’s nest. A male and
female vulture lived there with their babies. One day when both vultures
had gone out of their nest to fetch some food, a snake entered their
nest and attacked the babies. All this was being witnessed by the girl
who was sitting there. She immediately jumped to help the vulture babies
and saved them from the attack.
When the vultures returned they were really pleased to know what had
just happened. As a token of their gratitude they helped the girl to
reach the washer woman’s house. After reaching her destination she
started living with the washer woman. After a few months the woman was
really pleased with the girl and applied vermilion (Sindoor) on her
forehead. While returning back to her house she also observed Somvati
Amavasya. This reversed her fate and then she lived a happy married life
with her husband.
Special Importance of Somvati Amavasya for Pitra Dosha Shanti
Somvati Amavasya is a special day for getting rid of Pitra dosha in
your horoscope. I would advise you to consult a good astrologer for
knowing specific remedies pertaining to their horoscope. Until then you
can do the following remedy for solution of Pitra Dosha.
Crows and the ‘Peepal tree’ are the symbols of forefather. So, you
must offer water to the “Peepal tree” on this day. You can offer sweet
water, sweets (white) or kheer and Janeu to the Peepal tree on this day
and recite the Mantra `OM NAMOH BHAGWATE VASUDEWAY’. Circumambulate the
Peepal tree 108 times and then apologize to God for your known and
unknown sins.Giving bread to the crows also gives a lot of benefit on
this day.
According to the “Shastra” our forefathers come to our house on
“Amavasya”, so every person must donate according to his or her
capability. Keeping food under the “Babool tree” makes our Forefathers
happy.
On every Amavasya we must give five fruits to the cow. No matter what
religion you are following, after preparing food you must offer the
first bite to a cow in the name of our forefather, so that the family
could be blessed by them.
What to do on Somvati Amavasya/Spiritual Significance of this day
Apart from above remedies for Pitra Dosha you can also do the following on Somvati Amavasya:
- You can donate food to poor kids.
- Fast on this day and worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu
- Doing Maun (remaining silent) is considered to be very fruitful on this day.
- Devotees observing Somvati Vrat must revolve around 108 times around Peepal tree in the morning.
- You should chant Lord Shani Mantra “Om Nilaanjana Samaabhasam, Ravi
Putram Yamagrajam. Chaya Martanda Samhubhutam, Tama Namami
Shanescharam.”
- Worship of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu on this day would eliminate all your sufferings.
- Taking bath in the holy rivers (Like Ganga and Triveni) on Somvati
Amavasya is considered to bring prosperity, make you free from diseases,
grief and sorrow and help the ancestors to attain salvation.
- You can also do parikrama (circumbalate) Basil tree (Tulsi tree) 108 times. It results in elimination of poverty.
- You can offer 11 (Eleven) Abhimantrit Gomti Chakra on Shiv Linga on this day to grab favorable opportunities in profession. For getting Abhimantrit and Energised Gomti Chakra, you can contact Lal Kitab Astro Centre (LKAC).
I wish all of you a very happy Somvati Amavasya 2013
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“Hari Om Tat Sat”
“Jai Shree Krishna”
Acharya Vikas Malhotra
Astrologer, Numerologist and Spiritual Healer
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