sarbani sarkar

Açunyaçayana Vrata

During the Sun’s transit from the Uttaräyaë to äñäòé Purëimä (the full moon of the month of äñäòä), Deveça Çripati (Lord Näräyaëa) retires to his Çeña çajyä (bed) to rest and sleep. Soon, one by one, the Gandharvas, the Goddesses and the Deva Mothers retire to their respective bedrooms. Pulastya Muni, upon Maharñi Närada’s request, gives a detailed description of the resting procedure of the gods starting from Lord Janärdana, in the Vämana Puräëa.     

When the Sun is in Mithuna, on Çukla Ekädaçi, Jagatsvämé Bhagaväna Viñëu goes to sleep. So on Dvädaçé, Keçava should be worshipped and offered bhoga, and the Lord should be laid to rest on the great Ananta.  On Trayodaçé, Kämadeva retires to his flower bedecked soft, silky bed. The Yakñas retire on Chaturdaçi, upon cool beds of golden lotuses. On Purëimä, Umäpati (Çivä) rests his matted locks unfolded and spread across his tiger skin.   

After that the Sun enters Karka, and the cycle of Dakñinäyan commences, heralding the night of the devas. On Pratipat, Brahmä, the One who shows the way, rests upon a blue lotus. Soon after, one by one, the other devas go to sleep. On Dvitéyä, Viçvakarmä, on Tritiyä, Girisutä, on Caturthé, Vinäyaka, on Pancamé, Dharmaräja, on ñañöhé, Skanda, on Saptamé, Bhäskara, on Añöamé, Katyäyané, on Navamé, Kamalä on Daçamé, the Bhujangas and on Kriñnä Ekädaçé, the Sädhyas (a sub-group of the Gaëa devatäs) go to sleep. As soon as the devas go to sleep, monsoon descends upon the earth, and the storks and egrets take shelter on mountain tops, while the crows get busy building nests for their pregnant wives.

The tithi when Viçvakarmä goes to sleep (Dvitéyä) is considered very sacred, as on that day, Çri Vatsya Caturbhuja Viñëu has to be worshipped along with Lakñmé. Well ripened, sweet smelling fruits should be thrown upon his bed and Madhusüdana should be thus worshipped: “O Ananta, Trivikrama, the way you are eternally united and together with Lakñmé, in a similar manner, may our beds never remain empty. O Sureça, the way Lakñmé has attained açunyaçayan (she never go to sleep in an empty bed) because of you, O Amitavirya, with the power of that same truth, may our married lives never be destroyed.” After worshipping the Lord in this manner, dine with food cooked without salt and oil. The next day donate fruits to a Brähmië, saying, “may Lakñmédhara be pleased with me.”

In the month of Çrävaëa, if the Kriñëä Añöamé coincides with Mågaçirä nakñatra, the tithi is known as Käläñöamé. This is the day Çankara goes to sleep and pervades the universe in liëga rupa.

The four months that the Sun transits from Karka to Vriçcika, is to be spend by performing a variety of vratas. Eventually the devas arise one by one. As the Sun enters Tula, Keçava wakes up followed by Kandarpa. On Dvitéyä, Çripati’s idol and bed should be donated.